Suppression of ovarian progesterone production in dairy cows using an implant of GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) for the purpose of evaluating progesterone metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of an implant of a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying progesterone (P4) metabolism in intact cows by measuring blood P4 and faecal P4 metabolites. METHODS: Experiment 1: Eighteen non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to one of three groups to study plasma P4 concentrations preceding an intravaginal insert. These groups comprised: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); ii) a PGF group receiving two injections of prostaglandin (PGF2alpha) 12 days apart; and, iii) an ovariectomised (OVX) group. An intravaginal device (CIDR) was inserted into the vagina of each animal and left in place for 11 days. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured during the study period. Experiment 2: Twelve non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to two groups: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); and ii) an ovariectomised group. Plasma P4 and faecal P4 metabolites (20-oxo-pregnanes, 20alpha-OH and 20beta-OH) were monitored for a period of 5 weeks. RESULTS: Experiment 1: Average plasma P4 concentration did not differ between the three groups (1.28, 1.43 and 1.55 ng/mL for deslorelin, OVX and PGF cows, respectively, P = 0.8) during the period of supplementation. Experiment 2: There was no difference in plasma P4 (mean plasma P4 < 0.02 ng/mL, P = 0.9) and faecal P4 metabolites between deslorelin and OVX cows 2 weeks after the implantation (P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) implant may be used as an alternative to ovariectomy to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying the metabolism of administered P4.     

Glasshouse and field evaluation of fungicides for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery

Propiconazole was more effective than either triadimenol or hexaconazole when applied after infection, for the control of Septoria apiicola on celery seedlings. In three out of four glasshouse experiments, 25 mg propiconazole I⁻¹ controlled S. apiicola completely when applied within 3 days after inoculation. Propiconazole and triadimenol at 5–15 mg l⁻¹ were also effective when applied 2 days after inoculation. Soil applications of a granular formulation of triadimenol (up to 20 mg per plant) controlled S. apiicola for 5 weeks on celery seedlings grown in pots and, in the field, granules at 100 mg per plant applied at planting were effective for 6 weeks. In two other field experiments the most effective treatments were foliar sprays of 25 mg propiconazole l⁻¹ applied every 7–10 days with or without the addition of anilazine or chlorothalonil.     

催乳素对内蒙古绒山羊毛囊体外培养影响的研究

【目的】 研究催乳素（PRL）对内蒙古绒山羊初级毛囊和次级毛囊体外生长及形态变化的影响。【方法】 机械法结合切割法分离内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊,在初级毛囊培养液中分别添加0、5、10、50、100 ng/mL催乳素进行体外培养,每组24根,共培养5 d,每天在显微镜下观察其形态并拍照,统计其生长长度、生长速度和存活率,筛选出最适催乳素处理浓度。然后将初级毛囊与次级毛囊分别分为初级毛囊对照组（PF-K）、初级毛囊试验组（PF-PRL）、次级毛囊对照组（SF-K）、次级毛囊试验组（SF-PRL）,每组24根,对照组用基础培养液培养,试验组在基础培养液中添加最适浓度的催乳素,培养5 d,每天观察毛囊的形态并拍照,同时测量各组毛囊的生长长度。【结果】 10 ng/mL催乳素组毛囊的平均日生长长度均极显著高于其他浓度组（P<0.01）,最终生长长度和存活率均最高,因此,后续试验选择10 ng/mL催乳素处理毛囊。试验组和对照组初/次级毛囊的毛干与根鞘部位同时伸长,随着培养时间的增加均出现不同程度的弯曲。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的总长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。PF-K组除第1天与第0天差异不显著外,1~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）;PF-PRL组0~5 d毛囊的总长度依次显著增加（P<0.05）。SF-K组毛囊第5天的总长度显著高于0~4 d （P<0.05）;SF-PRL组第4、5天毛囊的总长度均显著高于0~3 d （P<0.05）,第3天毛囊的总长度显著高于0~2 d （P<0.05）。PF-PRL、SF-PRL组毛囊在2~5 d的平均日生长长度分别极显著高于PF-K、SF-K组（P<0.01）。【结论】 10 ng/mL催乳素是体外促进毛囊生长的最适浓度,10 ng/mL催乳素对体外培养的内蒙古绒山羊的初级毛囊和次级毛囊均有极显著的促生长作用。     

Use of middle infrared radiation to estimate the leaf area index of a boreal forest

The leaf area index (LAI) of boreal forest can be estimated using reflected radiation recorded by satellite sensors. Measurements of visible and near infrared radiation are commonly used in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to estimate LAI. However, research, mainly in tropical forest, has demonstrated that LAI is related more closely to radiation of middle infrared wavelengths than of visible wavelengths. This paper derives a vegetation index, VI3, based on radiation from vegetation recorded at near and middle infrared wavelengths. For a boreal forest canopy, the relationship between VI3 and LAI was observed to be much stronger than that between NDVI and LAI. In addition, the LAI estimated using VI3 accounted for about 76% of the variation in field estimates of LAI, compared with about 46% when using the NDVI. We conclude that information provided by middle infrared radiation should be considered when estimating the leaf area index of boreal forest.     

Accelerated uplift and magmatic intrusion of the Yellowstone caldera, 2004 to 2006

The Yellowstone caldera began a rapid episode of ground uplift in mid-2004, revealed by Global Positioning System and interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements, at rates up to 7 centimeters per year, which is over three times faster than previously observed inflation rates. Source modeling of the deformation data suggests an expanding volcanic sill of approximately 1200 square kilometers at a 10-kilometer depth beneath the caldera, coincident with the top of a seismically imaged crustal magma chamber. The modeled rate of source volume increase is 0.1 cubic kilometer per year, similar to the amount of magma intrusion required to supply the observed high heat flow of the caldera. This evidence suggests magma recharge as the main mechanism for the accelerated uplift, although pressurization of magmatic fluids cannot be ruled out.     

Orographic enhancement of wet deposition in the United Kingdom: case studies and modelling

Two field experiments to observe the detailed response of wet deposition to orography in a polluted environment are reported. Rain events were classed as frontal, convective or mixed on the basis of meteorological data. Analysis of the deposition enhancement and cap cloud composition confirmed that for the frontal events the seeder-feeder effect (scavenging of cap cloud by rain drops) dominates. The greater concentration of ions in the water scavenged from the cap cloud than in the rain means that deposition is enhanced for all ions. For marine ions the scavenged water was found to be between five and six times as concentrated as the rain and for anthropogenically produced ions it was about twice as concentrated.A computational model of rainfall incorporating the seeder-feeder effect has been broadly successful in predicting enhancement although some details of the observed pattern remain to be explained.     

Ante mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in four cats

The ante mortem detection of pancreatitis in four cats is reported. Clinical findings included vomiting, lethargy and constipation in all the cats, diabetes mellitus in two cats and severe jaundice and a vitamin K responsive coagulopathy in one cat. Serum amylase was normal in all the cats and serum lipase was elevated in one azotaemic cat. Ultrasonography revealed predominantly hypoechoic masses in the right cranial quandrant of the abdomen of each cat. The anatomical location of these masses was consistent with the pancreas. Gross examination supported these ultrasonographic observations. The pancreatic lesions were characterised histologically as acute necrotising pancreatitis, acute necrotising pancreatitis with abscessation, chronic active pancreatitis with cystic dilatation of the pancreatic duct causing bile duct obstruction and chronic active pancreatitis with nodular hyperplasia. This report indicates that pancreatitis is a clinically significant disease in cats that may be diagnosed ante mortem.     

Use of COSREEL clinical codes in large animal veterinary practice

COSREEL, a computerised animal health recording system with a versatile coding system for recording diagnoses, symptoms and medical and surgical treatments, has been tested by veterinary surgeons in practice. The codes were found to be logical and generally easy to use. The application of these codes, with particular reference to their use in infertility investigations, is illustrated.     

巴美肉羊发情期外周血E2和P4浓度变化规律与排卵数关系研究

绵羊在发情周期中各生殖激素浓度变化与卵泡发育、成熟和排卵有着密切的关系。为了研究巴美肉羊血清生殖激素的动态变化及其与排卵数关系,试验采用电化学法,测定了12只成年母羊发情期血清中2种类固醇激素(E₂和P₄)的浓度水平,分析其动态变化规律,并用SAS 9.0的方差分析程序分析激素浓度与排卵数的关系。结果表明,两种激素在排单卵组和排双卵组绵羊间变化规律不同,E₂在排单卵组表现为先下降后升高的变化趋势,在排双卵组表现为持续下降趋势;P₄在排单卵组表现为持续上升的趋势,在排双卵组为先上升后下降的变化趋势。排单卵和排双卵组绵羊在各时间点的E₂和P₄激素浓度差异均不显著(P＞0.05)。