Effects of dihydroheptaprenol on the neutrophil function of postpartum dairy cows

Neutrophil responses were evaluated in dairy cows at parturition and on 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days after they were given dihydroheptaprenol (DHP) (0.5 mg/kg body weight) at parturition. The chemiluminescent index increased significantly (P less than 0.05) from parturition to 1 day after parturition in cows injected with DHP. No significant differences were observed in the number of neutrophils between untreated and DHP-treated groups of dairy cows during the immediate postparturient period.     

Physiological responses to treadmill exercise and ambient temperature in normal and malignant hyperthermia susceptible pigs.

Ten susceptible and ten resistant pigs to malignant hyperthermia were used to observe the effects of exercise and ambient temperature on selected physiological parameters. Pigs were submitted to a ten minute exercise on a treadmill operating at a speed of 1.8 km/h and inclined to 11 degrees. Exercise in the first group was at an ambient temperature of 14 degrees C, and in the second at 29 degrees C. The right carotid artery was previously cannulated for blood pressure measurements and for repeated blood sampling during exercise. Arterial pressure, heart rate, rectal and cutaneous temperatures were recorded. Levels of cortisol, creatine kinase and its isoenzymes were measured. At 14 degrees C, exercise caused some physiological adjustments in susceptible animals; heart rate, skin temperature and cortisol levels increased (P less than 0.05). In resistant pigs, only the heart rate was elevated significantly following exertional stress at 14 degrees C. Exercise at 29 degrees C produced severe stress and marked physiological changes: heart rate, rectal and skin temperatures and cortisol levels increased significantly in both susceptible and resistant swine. At 29 degrees C, susceptible pigs also had higher levels of serum cortisol, total creatine kinase and MM isoenzyme (P less than 0.05) compared to resistant pigs. The results indicate that, following exertional or thermal stress, susceptible pigs undergo more extensive physiological changes than do resistant pigs. Similar levels of stress prior to slaughter may trigger physiological changes which in the susceptible pigs would likely result in pale, soft exudative myopathy.     

Bronchial circulation during prolonged exercise in ponies.

Tracheal, bronchial, and renal flow were studied in 8 healthy ponies at rest and during exercise performed on a treadmill at a speed setting of 20.8 km/h and 7% grade (incline) for 30 minutes. Blood flow was determined with 15-microns-diameter radionuclide-labeled microspheres that were injected into the left ventricle when the ponies were at rest, and at 5, 15, and 26 minutes of exertion. Heart rate and mean aortic pressure increased from resting values (40 +/- 2 beats/min and 124 +/- 3 mm of Hg, respectively) to 152 +/- 8 beats/min and 133 +/- 4 mm of Hg at 5 minutes of exercise, to 169 +/- 6 beats/min and 143 +/- 5 mm of Hg at 15 minutes of exercise, and to 186 +/- 8 beats/min, and 150 +/- 5 mm of Hg at 26 minutes of exercise. Tracheal blood flow at rest and during exercise remained significantly (P less than 0.05) less than bronchial blood flow. Tracheal blood flow increased only slightly with exercise. Vasodilation caused bronchial blood flow to increase throughout exercise. Pulmonary arterial blood temperature of ponies also increased significantly (P less than 0.05) with exercise and a significant (P less than 0.005) correlation was found between bronchial blood flow and pulmonary arterial blood temperature during exertion. At 5 minutes of exercise, renal blood flow was unchanged from the resting value; however, renal vasoconstriction was observed at 15 and 26 minutes of exercise. We concluded that bronchial circulation of ponies increased with exercise in close association with a rise in pulmonary arterial blood temperature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Blood flow parameters associated with udder oedema in Jersey cattle affected with rectovaginal constriction

Udder oedema was studied in eight Jersey cows with rectovaginal constriction (RVC) and three normal Jersey cows. A complete physical examination was performed at least two weeks before parturition, at parturition and two weeks after parturition. Jersey cows with RVC developed udder oedema as early as 14 days before parturition, and condition persisted for three to 10 days following parturition. Mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure were measured in three Jersey cows with RVC with udder oedema and three normal Jersey cows. The former with udder oedema had a significant decrease in mammary blood flow at parturition compared to the normal Jersey cows (P less than 0.05); there was no significant difference in mammary blood flow between Jersey cows with RVC and normal Jersey cows two weeks before parturition (P greater than 0.05). A significant mean increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure occurred at parturition when compared to two weeks before parturition in Jersey cows with RVC (P less than 0.05), but normal Jersey cows had no significant increase in cranial superficial epigastric vein pressure during these two periods of measurement (P greater than 0.05). There was no significant increase in jugular vein blood pressure during the two periods of measurement in Jersey cows with RVC or normal Jersey cows (P greater than 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric pressure at parturition (r = 0.733, P less than 0.05).     

Effect of experimentally induced endotoxemia on serum interleukin-6 activity in horses.

A study was conducted to determine whether serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity increased in horses during experimentally induced endotoxemia and whether serum IL-6 activity correlated to changes in clinical or laboratory data. Six clinically normal horses were given endotoxin IV (30 ng/kg of body weight) in 0.9% NaCl solution over 1 hour. Five of these and 1 additional horse served as controls and were given only 0.9% NaCl solution. Venous blood, for determination of serum IL-6 activity and WBC count, was collected before and at various times through 8 hours after the start of endotoxin or NaCl infusion. Rectal temperature and heart and respiratory rates were recorded throughout the study period. Serum IL-6 activity was determined by bioassay of proliferation of the B13.29 clone B.9 hybridoma cell line. From 1.5 through 5 hours after start of the infusion, serum IL-6 activity was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased in horses given endotoxin. Mean peak serum IL-6 activity was observed between 3 and 4 hours. In response to endotoxin infusion, horses became lethargic, tachycardic, and febrile. Leukopenia developed by 1 hour, followed by leukocytosis at 8 hours. Significant (P less than 0.05) positive association and linear correlation were apparent between mean serum IL-6 activity and mean rectal temperature in the group of horses that were given endotoxin. Changes from baseline were not evident in any of the clinical or laboratory values in horses given only NaCl solution.     

Continuous monitoring of ear temperature in boars

Seventy boars penned singly in an artificial insemination station were included in this analysis. Each had a special ear tag with an integrated sensor to measure the skin temperature of the ear every 3 min. The readings were averaged per animal and hour, thus, over 18 months, resulted in a total of 37,7351 data points. In the whole investigation period, the system did not work for some days and some sensors did not work for hours. A diurnal rhythm was found for the ear temperature with its minimum reached between 5 and 6 am (22.07 degrees C) and the maximum between 4 and 6 pm (28.90 degrees C). If the ambient temperature was increased by 5 Kelvin then the skin temperature at the ear also increased by 3 to 5 Kelvin. On days when semen was collected, the ear temperature was higher during the relevant hours than at comparable times on days without semen collection. The results of 322 measurements taken from 70 boars, including 24 boars with increased rectal temperature (> 39.3 degrees C), showed that the coefficient of correlation between skin and rectal temperature was low (r = 0.36). Thus, the measurement of the skin temperature at the ear cannot be used as a significant or safe parameter for predicting the rectal temperature and sowith the health status of the animal.     

Effect of simulated ambient particulate matter exposure on performance, rectal temperature, and leukocytosis of young Spanish goats with or without tilmicosin phosphate

Dust is an environmental stressor and can become extensive in agricultural production systems. Thirty-six female, Spanish goats (average BW 21.1 kg, SEM = 1.31; age = 4 mo) were randomly assigned to simulated dust events or no dust, with or without tilmicosin phosphate treatment in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine effects on performance, rectal temperature, and leukocyte changes. All goats were fed a standard growing diet (13.6% CP) consisting of 37% roughage and 63% concentrate (DM basis). Feed intake was measured daily, and BW (unshrunk) measured individually every 7 d. The tilmicosin-treated group received tilmicosin phosphate (10 mg/kg BW s.c.) before starting the study. Goats exposed to dust were enclosed as a group inside a canvass tent for 4 h each day and ground feed yard manure dust (mean particle size 100 microm) was aerosolized inside the tent to simulate a dust event. There was one single dust event (Phase I) followed by rectal temperature measurement, and heparinized blood collection for complete cell counts at 0 (pretrial), 4, 12, 20, 44, 68, and 210 h after dust exposure. This was followed by 21 d of chronic dust events (Phase II). The sampling procedures for Phase II were exactly the same as in Phase I, except that samples were obtained daily at 0 (before dust application), 4, 8, and 12 h after each dust event. Dust treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on feed intake or ADG, but the gain:feed (G:F) ratio was lower (P < 0.05) in the control goats than the dust exposed group. Tilmicosin phosphate-treated goats had a higher (P < 0.05) G:F ratio than untreated goats. Dust exposure increased (P < 0.002), but tilmicosin treatment decreased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature at 4 and 8 h. Dust exposure increased (P < 0.02) blood lymphocyte counts compared with controls. These results suggest that simulated dust events altered rectal temperature and leukocyte counts of goats.     

Lack of peripheral sympathetic control of uterine blood flow during acute heat stress

Peripheral alpha- and beta-adrenergic control of uterine blood flow (UBF) during acute heat stress of the gravid ewe was investigated. An electromagnetic blood flow probe was surgically implanted around the left miduterine artery and catheters inserted in the left carotid artery and right jugular vein in ewes between d 120 and 130 of gestation. Four or more days postsurgery, ewes were fitted with instruments to measure rectal temperature (Tr), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP) and UBF. One-half hour after instrument calibration, a 15-min thermoneutral control period was initiated with carotid artery blood samples taken at 5-min intervals for pH and PCO2 determinations. Ewes were then subjected to a heat challenge that reached 40 C at 2 h. All physiological data were recorded every 5 min as 1-min mean values. In seven experiments on five ewes, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug, phenoxybenzamine (PB) was infused at 1 mg/min for 15 min subsequent to maximum depression of UBF. A beta-adrenergic blocking drug, propranolol (PR) was infused at .35 mg/min for 15 min in eight experiments on five ewes. Analysis of variance comparisons were made between the control period and heat stress infusion periods within the PB and PR experiments. Further comparisons were made between the start and 5, 10 or 15 min of PB or PR infusion in order to test drug effects during an acute heat stress. Rectal temperature HR, RR and arterial pH were higher (P less than .05) at the start of PR and PB infusions than during the thermoneutral control period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

高温环境下湖羊直肠温度和血液生化指标的监测

本研究以南方特色绵羊品种湖羊为研究对象，在夏季高温环境下，连续监测10 d湖羊直肠温度变化，测定血常规指标，并比较不同年龄、不同性别的湖羊在高温环境下血常规指标的差异；以湖羊高温环境下直肠温度的变化为基础，结合血常规指标，在湖羊群体内鉴别高温应激敏感和高温应激抗性湖羊个体。结果显示，湖羊最高直肠温度出现在环境温度最高的时段（11：00~15：00），最低温度一般出现在03：00左右，且以24 h为周期循环；平均最高直肠温度和最低直肠温度差在湖羊个体间差异显著（P<0.05）；高温暴露后湖羊群体淋巴细胞（LYM）、红细胞（RBC）、血红蛋白（HGB）数量及平均血红蛋白浓度（MCHC）均超出了绵羊正常参考值，且在不同性别和年龄上有一定的差异：母羊嗜碱性细胞、红细胞、血红蛋白、红细胞压积均有高于公羊的趋势，但差异不显著（P>0.05）；1周岁湖羊淋巴细胞（P>0.05）、嗜碱性细胞计数（P<0.01）及百分比（P<0.05）均高于半岁湖羊；依据温度变化结合血常规指标变化在湖羊群体中鉴别了高温应激敏感和抗性的湖羊个体，在测试的母羊群体中高温应激敏感湖羊占35.3%，高温应激抗性湖羊占26.5%。肌酸激酶（CK）含量在高温应激敏感和抗性湖羊个体间差异显著（P<0.05）。综合以上结果，高温环境下湖羊不同个体间直肠温度变化差异显著；从血常规指标来看，高温应激对母羊和1岁湖羊的影响比较大。试验结果为深入研究夏季高温应激对湖羊的影响及抗高温应激差异的分子机制提供了一定的依据。     

Cardiopulmonary and behavioral effects of fentanyl-droperidol in cats

The combination of the narcotic fentanyl (0.4 mg/ml) and the tranquilizer droperidol (20 mg/ml) was injected into 12 healthy adult cats at a rate of 1 ml/9 kg of body weight, sc. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory frequency, PaCO2, and PaO2, arterial pH (pHa), and rectal temperature were measured before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after injection of fentanyl-droperidol. Respiratory frequency was decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) and heart rate increased significantly (P less than 0.05) at all measurement intervals after drug administration. Observed decrements in arterial blood pressure were not significant. Arterial PO2, PCO2, and pH did not change significantly. A significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in body temperature was measured 90 minutes after drug administration. All cats were calm, tractable, and frequently assumed lateral recumbency after administration of fentanyl-droperidol. This maximal tranquil state was determined to be 30 to 60 minutes after drug administration.     

Tumor necrosis factor as a potential mediator of acute metabolic and hormonal responses to endotoxemia in calves

The effects of coliform endotoxin (E) and recombinant bovine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) were compared with respect to clinical signs of disease and changes in plasma metabolite and pituitary and pancreatic hormone concentrations in calves. In addition, changes in plasma TNF concentration during each challenge exposure were quantitated by use of radioimmunoassay. Healthy Holstein bull calves with mean body weight of 90 kg were each given, in order, on different days, saline solution (5.0 ml, IV, day 1, n = 4), E (type 055:B5, 1.0 micrograms/kg of body weight IV, day 2, n = 4) and TNF (5.0 micrograms/kg IV, day 9, n = 3). Jugular venous blood samples, rectal temperature reading, and PCV were obtained at hourly intervals before (2 hours) and after challenge exposure. The PCV increased (P less than 0.05) after E and TNF administrations for the first 5 hours, then returned to normal in calves given E, but decreased and remained low in calves given TNF through 24 hours. Plasma triglyceride and nonesterified free fatty acids concentrations were increased through 10 hours (P less than 0.05) after E administration, whereas triglyceride and nonesterified free fatty acids concentrations were not significantly affected by TNF administration. Increase in blood glucose concentration at 1 hour after administration of E and TNF was followed by prolonged hypoglycemia that lasted through 6 hours. Changes in plasma insulin concentration paralleled the observed changes in glucose concentration, initially increased at 2 hours after E and TNF (P less than 0.05) administrations, but then tended to decrease below control values thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of ruminal escape protein and fat on nitrogen utilization in lambs exposed to elevated ambient temperatures.

Eight wether lambs (mean BW = 28.8 kg) with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were assigned to either thermally neutral or high ambient temperature treatments. Within each temperature, lambs were randomly allotted to dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (60% corn and 24% cottonseed hulls) either with (high; 11.4% CP) or without (control; 10.1% CP) added ruminal escape CP as fish meal and with (high) or without (control) 5% added ruminally inert fat in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement using a Latin square design. Lambs were fed 606 g of DM/d in each period, which consisted of a 10-d adjustment followed by 6 d of sample collection. High temperature increased (P less than .05) respiration rate, evaporative water loss, and rectal temperature. When compared with controls, lambs fed high escape CP retained more N when exposed to high temperatures (2.8 vs 3.6 g of N/d) and less N at neutral temperatures (3.3 vs 3.1 g of N/d; temperature x escape CP; P less than .05). Retention of N was greater (P less than .05) in lambs fed high than in those fed control fat (3.8 vs 2.7 g/d). Lambs fed high vs control escape CP had greater abomasal feed N flow (percentage of intake) when fed high-fat diets (77.3 vs 56.1%) but similar dietary N flow when fed control fat diets (55.8 vs 54.3%; fat x escape CP; P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cervicothoracic (stellate) ganglion block in conscious horses

Seven adult horses were used to compare the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of unilateral (right side) and bilateral cervicothoracic ganglion (CTG) blockade. An 18-gauge, 25-cm needle was placed midventrally between articulations of the 1st and 2nd ribs from a cranial and paratracheal site. One gram of lidocaine HCl in aqueous solution (100 ml) was used to infiltrate the CTG. Cervicothoracic sympathetic blockade was characterized by Horner's syndrome, increased skin temperature and profuse sweating over the face, neck, and thoracic limb. Comparison of base-line data with data obtained during unilateral and bilateral CTG blockades indicated a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in respiratory rate, significant (P less than 0.05) increases in arterial oxygen, and carbon dioxide tensions, and a significant increase in subcutaneous temperature at the neck and shoulder. Systolic, diastolic, and mean aortic blood pressures, pulse pressure, rectal temperature, arterial pH, bicarbonate, PVC, and total solid concentration did not change significantly from base-line values. Arterial O2 tension was significantly (P less than 0.05) less in horses with bilateral CTG blockade than in horses with unilateral CTG blockade. In 4 horses without cervicothoracic sympathetic blockade that were given lidocaine (1 g in 100 ml) in the right cervicothoracic region, cardiovascular and respiratory values did not change significantly from base-line values. The nonsedated healthy horse tolerated unilateral CTG blockade well. Bilateral and unilateral injections of 100 ml of 1% lidocaine into the CTG at intervals of less than 2 hours induced bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis and airway obstruction.     

Feed intake, rectal temperature, and serum mineral concentrations of feedlot cattle fed zinc oxide or zinc methionine and challenged with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus.

Three experiments were conducted using feedlot steers in a randomized block design to determine the effect of zinc methionine (ZnMet) and zinc oxide (Exp. 3) on feed intake (DMI), rectal temperature, and serum mineral concentrations of feedlot cattle challenged with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). All the steers used were seronegative to IBRV. Steers were adapted for 7 d to their respective diets and challenged with 3.7 x 10(5) plaque forming units of IRBV on d 0 of each experiment. Live BW, rectal temperature, and individual daily DMI were recorded for 14 d. Blood samples were taken on d 0, 7, and 14. In Exp. 1, daily DMI of the control steers (Zn = 31 ppm) decreased 50% compared with 15% in the ZnMet (Zn = 90 ppm) steers 3 d after IBRV challenge. By d 6, the ZnMet steers had regained their pretrial mean daily DMI, but the control steers took 11 d. The ZnMet steers had lower (P less than .05) mean rectal temperature than the control steers on d 7 and 12. In Exp. 2, the control (Zn = 35 ppm) steers had lower (P less than .05) daily DMI on d 8 to 12 than the ZnMet (Zn = 89 ppm) steers. In Exp. 3, the mean decrease in daily DMI tended to be more rapid in the ZnO steers than in the control and ZnMet steers. All steers had the lowest daily DMI on d 5 and 6, coinciding with the highest rectal temperature. Serum Zn, P, and Mg concentrations decreased and serum Cu increased in all steers after infection. These data suggest that dietary Zn enhanced the recovery rate of IBRV-stressed cattle.     

Hoof and distal limb surface temperature in the normal pony under constant and changing ambient temperatures.

Forelimb surface temperatures were continuously monitored in four clinically normal ponies exposed to: (i) constant ambient temperature; (ii) a biphasic change in ambient temperature; and (iii) an incremental increase in ambient temperature. Limb surface temperatures were recorded at the hoof, metacarpus and forearm, and rectal temperature was also measured. Under constant ambient temperature, limb surface temperatures remained relatively constant. A pyrexic episode occurred in one pony under constant ambient temperature conditions and was characterised by an onset phase in which rectal temperature gradually increased while limb surface temperatures concurrently decreased; a plateau phase in which rectal temperature was elevated but essentially constant although limb surface temperatures rose dramatically; and a febrilytic phase in which limb surface temperatures remained elevated while rectal temperature gradually decreased. A biphasic change in ambient temperature produced corresponding changes in limb surface temperature, but limb surface temperatures were less stable at the lower ambient temperatures. Surface temperature responses to incremental increases in ambient temperature were dependent on the baseline ambient temperature (before increase), and dramatic, spontaneous increases in limb surface temperatures were observed. Rectal temperatures in the normal animals remained relatively constant under all three ambient temperature regimens. It was concluded that clinical interpretation of limb surface temperatures in ponies required an awareness of ambient temperature conditions. For evaluation of vasodilator agents, constant ambient temperatures of at least less than 18 degrees C are suggested, and constant ambient temperatures exceeding 20 degrees C are recommended for the evaluation of vasoconstrictor agents.     

Effects of allopurinol in experimental endotoxin shock in horses

The effect of allopurinol pretreatment 12 hours before an intraperitoneal challenge with a sublethal dose of Escherichia coli endotoxin (50 micrograms kg-1) was evaluated in 18 horses. The horses were divided among three equal groups: 1-endotoxin alone; 2-5 mg allopurinol kg-1 bodyweight plus endotoxin; and 3-50 mg allopurinol kg-1 bodyweight plus endotoxin. A variety of evaluation parameters were used. No differences among the groups were noted in rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, haematological values, blood PaO2, blood PaCO2, blood pH or blood bicarbonate. Significant (P less than 0.05) differences between the groups were noted as regards the changes in capillary refill time, base excess, blood glucose, blood lactate, blood beta-glucuronidase and recumbency time. The protection afforded by 5 mg allopurinol kg-1 appeared to be superior to that with 50 mg allopurinol kg-1.     

Iron and transferrin in acute experimental Salmonella cholerae-suis infection in pigs

The effects of experimental Salmonella cholerae-suis inoculation with a virulent and an avirulent strain on serum iron (SI), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin (TF) were evaluated. Inoculation of virulent strain 38 was followed by significant (P less than 0.05) decreases of SI, TIBC, and TF. Exposure to avirulent strain 33 was followed by moderate decreases of SI, TIBC, and TF. When exposure to avirulent strain 33 was followed by challenge exposure with virulent strain 38, the SI, TIBC, and TF values remained at initial values or were higher. Negative correlation was observed between rectal temperature and SI and TIBC values, but was significant (P less than 0.0001) only 7 days after inoculation of the virulent strain 38.     

SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS IN CATTLE

Sixty cows were studied over 3 days, to determine the effect of site of sampling, handling stress and the tranquilliser xylazine hydrochloride, on blood inorganic phosphorus (P). Jugular venous and coccygeal mixed arterial and venous blood were compared. Saliva was also analysed for P. Buffered and unbuffered trichloracetic acid (TCA) were compared as deproteinising agents. Tail blood P was consistently 12% (range 7-17%) higher than that from the jugular vein (P less than 0.01). This difference decreased when jugular blood was sampled first but increased following administration of the tranquilliser. The drug significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the concentration of P in the saliva on 2 out of 3 days. The possible role of salivary P in affecting jugular P values, is discussed. The buffered TCA analyses gave consistently lower P readings than the unbuffered analyses. The magnitude of this effect was time dependent, being greater when the samples were left for 4 days (P less than 0.05) than when analysed the next day. There was a very strong correlation between plasma and whole blood P. It was concluded that the tissue of choice in phosphorus studies is tail blood (plasma or serum) treated with buffered TCA.     

Effects of 2 commercially-available 9-way killed vaccines on milk production and rectal temperature in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

Veterinarians and farmers employing multivalent killed vaccines in lactating dairy cows have reported transient losses in milk production. Few studies have quantified this loss. In this report, effects of 2 commercially available 9-way vaccines on milk production and rectal temperature are examined. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to compare changes in milk production and rectal temperature over time between treatment groups. There was a significant (P < 0.01) interaction among treatment and time when comparing vaccine- and placebo-treated animals. When pretreatment milk production (or days in milk) and pretreatment rectal temperature were considered, respectively, as covariates, a significant (P < 0.05) depression of milk production and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in rectal temperature were observed one day following injection. These effects were small and short-lived. The stage of lactation, level of milk production, and choice of product may be used as decision-making tools to decrease milk production losses in vaccine-candidate cows.     

Blood flow distribution in hind limb bones and joint cartilage from young growing pigs.

Blood flow distribution was studied in hind limb bones and joint cartilage from four ten week old and four 20 week old pigs using 141Ce-microspheres. In general, blood flow rate was greater in the epiphyseal and metaphyseal cancellous bone than in the cortical bone and joint cartilage. In the epiphyseal cancellous bone, blood flow rate was three to tenfold greater (P less than 0.01) in the surface 2 mm layer than in the remaining deeper bone in all femoral and tibial samples examined. In the joint cartilage, blood flow rate in the femoral condyle was greater (P less than 0.05) than in the proximal femur, patella, central tarsus and metatarsus in ten week old pigs, and was greater (P less than 0.05) in the femoral condyle than in the patella and metatarsus in 20 week old pigs. A significant (P less than 0.05) age-associated decrease in the rate of blood flow was observed in the femoral, patellar and metatarsal cartilage. Within the femoral condyle, no differences in blood flow were found between areas associated with relatively high versus relatively low incidences of osteochondrosis.