Early Pregnancy Diagnosis by Serum Progesterone and Ultrasound in Sheep Carrying Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Derived Pregnancies

Early pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring play an important role following embryo transfer in sheep. The aims of the current study were to investigate (i) the pattern of serum progesterone profiles in sheep carrying somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)‐derived (clone) pregnancies, and (ii) the frequency of pregnancy loss during development following SCNT embryo transfer. Sheep SCNT embryos were made using standard nuclear transfer techniques. Day 7 embryos were surgically transferred to oestrus‐synchronized recipients (n = 27). As a control, normal fertile ewes (n = 12) were bred by natural breeding. Serum was collected from all the ewes on the day of estrus (day 0 sample), 7 days post‐estrus (day 7 sample) and 19 days post‐estrus (day 19 sample) and every 10 days thereafter until lambing or pregnancy loss occurred. Serum progesterone (P4) was assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound scanning on day 35 of pregnancy followed by subsequent scanning every 10 days. In control ewes, pregnancy rate on day 35 was 83.3% (10/12), whereas in the ewes that received SCNT embryos, it was 22.2% (6/27; p < 0.05). The day 45 pregnancy rate in the control ewes was 83.3%, whereas in the SCNT embryo recipients it was 11.0% (p < 0.05). Hormone analysis revealed that SCNT embryo recipients exhibited a significantly lower P4 profiles at different time points in pregnancy compared to controls (p < 0.05). This study highlights the use of serum progesterone in combination with ultrasound for the investigation of embryo loss and crucial times during development of normal and SCNT embryos in sheep. Further, the serum P4 levels directly reflect the degree of placental development in these two groups.     

Intravenous and sublingual buprenorphine in horses: pharmacokinetics and influence of sampling site

ObjectiveTo describe the pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of intravenous (IV) and sublingual (SL) buprenorphine in horses, and to determine the effect of sampling site on plasma concentrations after SL administration.Study designRandomized crossover experiment; prospective study.AnimalsEleven healthy adult horses between 6 and 20 years of age and weighing 487–592 kg.MethodsIn the first phase; buprenorphine was administered as a single IV or SL dose (0.006 mg kg^?1) and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each route of administration using a noncompartmental model. In the second phase; the jugular and lateral thoracic veins were catheterized for simultaneous venous blood sampling, following a dose of 0.006 mg kg^?1 SL buprenorphine. For both phases, plasma buprenorphine concentrations were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. At each sampling period, horses were assessed for behavioral excitement and gastrointestinal motility.ResultsFollowing IV administration, buprenorphine mean ± SD half-life was 5.79 ± 1.09 hours. Systemic clearance (Cl) following IV administration was 6.13 ± 0.86 mL kg^?1 minute^?1 and volume of distribution at steady-state was 3.16 ± 0.65 L kg^?1. Following IV administration, horses showed signs of excitement. Gastrointestinal sounds were decreased following both routes of administration; however, none of the horses exhibited signs of colic. There was a significant discrepancy between plasma buprenorphine concentrations measured in the jugular vein versus the lateral thoracic vein following phase 2, thus pharmacokinetic parameters following SL buprenorphine are not reported.Conclusions and clinical relevanceBuprenorphine has a long plasma half-life and results in plasma concentrations that are consistent with analgesia in other species for up to 4 hours following IV administration of this dose in horses. While buprenorphine is absorbed into the circulation following SL administration, jugular venous sampling gave a false measurement of the quantity absorbed and should not be used to study the uptake from SL administration.     

Cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

BACKGROUND: Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is common in horses. Although pulmonary artery (PA) pressure increases during RAO, cardiac function in horses with RAO has received limited attention. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to noninvasively determine the cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction (APO) in horses with RAO and their reversibility. ANIMALS: Five geldings with RAO, inducible by exposure to moldy hay, were studied. METHODS: Pulmonary mechanics, echocardiography, serum troponin I concentrations, arterial blood gases, and hematocrit were obtained before and after 7 days of APO. Heart rate, PA diameter and flow characteristics, right and left ventricular luminal dimensions and wall thicknesses, global cardiac performance, and evidence of myocardial damage were evaluated. Pulmonary mechanics and echocardiography were reevaluated during remission. RRESULTS: Severe, transient APO did not induce chronic cor pulmonale in horses, because cardiac anatomy and function were normal between episodes. An acute episode of APO produced anatomical and functional cardiac changes in both the right and left heart (including increased PA diameter, abnormal septal motion, and decreased left ventricular diameter and estimated stroke volume), possibly because of the development of pulmonary hypertension, without apparent myocardial damage. The decrease in stroke volume was offset by the increase in heart rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: With APO of 7 days' duration, cardiovascular abnormalities and the functional airway changes that produce them are reversible when the offending allergens are removed.     

Synthesis of Novel Thin-Film Materials by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a conceptually and experimentally simple yet highly versatile tool for thin-film and multilayer research. Its advantages for the film growth of oxides and other chemically complex materials include stoichiometric transfer, growth from an energetic beam, reactive deposition, and inherent simplicity for the growth of multilayered structures. With the use of PLD, artificially layered materials and metastable phases have been created and their properties varied by control of the layer thicknesses. In situ monitoring techniques have provided information about the role of energetic species in the formation of ultrahard phases and in the doping of semiconductors. Cluster-assembled nanocrystalline and composite films offer opportunities to control and produce new combinations of properties with PLD.     

Ovariectomy as treatment for ovarian bacterial granulomas in a Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)

CASE HISTORY: An adult female Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) from a threatened species breeding programme presented due to a prolonged gestation period and distended abdomen.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The gecko was in lean body condition with an irregularly shaped, firm mass in the coelomic cavity. Radiographically there was a diffuse radio-opacity within the coelomic cavity with cranial displacement of the right lung field. Ultrasonography revealed a round homogenous abdominal mass of medium echogenicity with an echogenic capsule. Haematology showed a leucocytosis with a moderate left shift in heterophils and toxic changes. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed to remove two ovarian granulomas and Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae (IV) was cultured from the ovarian tissue. The gecko recovered well from the surgery, regained weight and remained in good health 3 years following the surgery.

DIAGNOSIS: Pre-ovulatory stasis and ovarian granulomas associated with infection with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The surgery described in this case resulted in recovery of the gecko, which despite its loss of reproductive capability is of value as an education animal. This is the first report of pre-ovulatory stasis and ovarian granulomas associated with infection with Salmonella enterica in a Duvaucel's gecko and is also the first reported case of pre-ovulatory stasis in a viviparous lizard species. The case adds to knowledge regarding potential reproductive pathology in lizards, which is particularly important information for managers of captive lizard breeding programmes.     

信阳地区杂交水稻高产高效益栽培模式的研究与应用

河南信阳地区提出了该地区杂交水稻大面积亩产６００公斤以上的最佳栽培模式为：适栽组合应以汕优６３为主;苗栽１．８～２万穴,两段育秧,亩施纯氮１０～１８公斤;钙镁磷肥５０公斤,多效唑１６０克左右;普及一喷三防技术．１９９２年在固始县,罗山县、满川县共推广７．１３万亩,增产１２６３．３６万公斤,增收８８４．３５万元．     

Measurement of cardiac output by transesophageal Doppler ultrasonography in anesthetized dogs: comparison with thermodilution

Thermodilution (TD) is the standard method for cardiac output (CO) monitoring in human medicine. Although called the ‘gold standard’, TD is related to numerous complications and data misinterpretations. Recently, a noninvasive, continuous, ultrasound‐based technique for CO measurement has been developed (Hemosonic 100, Arrow Intl). This study compared transesophageal Doppler ultrasonography (TED) for measuring CO with TD in anesthetized dogs. In this study, ten dogs were used to simultaneously measure CO by TED and TD. All dogs were pre‐medicated with acepromazine at 0.1 mg kg^?1 IM, induced with thiopental at 10 mg kg^?1 IV, and maintained on isoflurane at end‐tidal concentrations of 1.3%. Baseline and four different levels of CO were used for comparison. Low CO levels were induced by caudal vena cava occlusion. High CO levels were induced by the constant IV infusion of dopamine, dobutamine, or norepinephrine. Each level of CO allowed one comparison between TED and TD. Forty‐nine paired comparisons of CO were determined ranging from 0.73 to 10.9 L minute^?1. Simple linear regression was used to determine the correlation between the two techniques. Correlation coefficient (r²) was 0.53. Bland and Altman statistical method was used for assessing agreement between the two methods. The difference between the TD and TED when all data were included was 0.82 (bias) ± 1.63 L minute^?1 (mean ± SD). At low CO levels (baseline and caudal vena cava occlusion), the correlation coefficient was 0.77, bias was 0.35 ± 0.64 L minute^?1. At high CO levels (dopamine, dobutamine, or norepinephrine), the correlation coefficient was 0.39. It was concluded that TED was not a reliable monitoring method in determining CO when positive inotropes were used. TED might have importance in situations of low CO values; however, further investigation is warranted.