Effects of melatonin on seasonal changes in reproduction of rams

Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of exogenous melatonin (M) on changes in scrotal circumference (SC), fertility and reproductive hormone concentrations of rams. Rams were initially housed in barns with controlled photoperiod and given 16 wk of long (16L:8D) or short (8L:16D) days. In Studies I and II, implants of M were given for 40 to 80 d beginning at maximal SC. Results showed that implanted rams had greater (P less than .05) blood M concentrations than nonimplanted controls. However, M did not prevent testicular regression. In Study III, M was given to rams after testicular regression had occurred. Rams were implanted with M weekly for 6 or 4 wk, followed by a withdrawal period of 4 wk (6:4, 4:4 respectively). Results showed that M (6:4) stimulated (P less than .05) testicular growth compared with nonimplanted controls. Treatment of rams with M for 8 mo did not affect LHRH-induced LH release (P greater than .05), but it reduced basal and LHRH-induced testosterone release (P less than .05). Reproductive performance of rams in Studies I and III was compared with that of nonimplanted rams. Fertility of M-treated rams in the spring from Studies I and III (86% to 91%) was similar to that in autumn (93%). Fertility of rams from Studies I and III exceeded (P less than .05) that of nonimplanted rams in April (59% to 62%). Net lamb production from ewes mated in the spring was greater if rams were treated with M and(or) photoperiod.     

Hypospadias in rams

In an abattoir survey conducted in south-west England, 15 of 6521 rams aged three to 12 months had hypospadias; in 27 others the scrotum was completely or partly divided, but they had no other abnormalities of the urinary or genital systems. The lesions observed in 11 of the rams in the abattoir survey, and in four young rams and one mature ram found during visits to farms, are described in detail. Five of them had periscrotal openings of the urethra and in the other 11 the openings were in a perineal position, close to the anus. In all of them the penis was underdeveloped, the prepuce had failed to fuse and the galea faced in a caudal direction. They all had completely or partially divided scrotums, and signs of urine scalding of the scrotum were visible.     

Effects of vasectomy on fructose levels in the ejaculate of rams.

Fructose concentration was studied in the ejaculates of 20 intact and 19 vasectomised rams over a two year period. In intact rams the concentration ranged from 222-740 mg/100 ml of seminal plasma during the breeding season (October to December), with lower values (0-300 mg/100) during the rest of the year. In vasectomised rams the seasonal pattern was less marked with very high values (800-1260 mg/100 ml) as well as low values (0-20 mg/100 ml) being encountered during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons, indicating changes in accessory gland function.     

Urinary tract ultrasonography in normal rams and in rams with obstructive urolithiasis

We determined the position, dimensions, and structure of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra in 20 healthy, adult rams by use of ultrasonography. The findings were compared with those of seven rams with obstructive urolithiasis, thus establishing criteria for the diagnosis of urolithiasis via ultrasonography. A 5.0 MHz convex transducer was placed over the right paralumbar fossa to examine the kidneys, and a 5.0 MHz linear rectal transducer was used to examine the bladder and urethra transrectally. All examinations were performed on standing rams. The left kidney had a length of 8.4 ± 0.3 cm (mean ± SD), a width of 4.7 ± 0.3 cm, and a depth of 4.4 ± 0.3 cm. The diameter of the renal sinus of the left kidney was 1.5 ± 0.2 cm. The circumference of the medullary pyramids measured 2.8 ± 0.3 cm. Similar ultrasonographic measurements were obtained for the right kidney. The mean diameter of the bladder of 12 rams was 7.5 ± 2.8 cm. The diameter of the bladder could not be determined in the remaining eight rams because it was greater than 10 cm and therefore beyond the penetration depth of the scanner. The only part of the urethra which could be visualized ultrasonographically was the internal urethral orifice. It had a diameter of 0.2 ± 0.1 cm.

Ultrasonographic examination of seven rams with obstructive urolithiasis revealed a markedly dilated urethra and urinary bladder. Due to severe cystitis, the contents of the urinary bladder appeared as multiple, tiny, uniformly distributed echoes. The renal pelvis and medullary pyramids of both kidneys were dilated in four rams. In two rams, uroperitoneum and accumulation of urine in the abdomen were diagnosed via ultrasonography. In one ram this was due to a ruptured ureter and in one to a ruptured bladder. The results of this study indicate that ultrasonography is a useful aid in the diagnosis of obstructive urolithiasis.

     

Chemotherapy of brucellosis in rams

Abstract

Extract

Recognition that one infective agent could cause ram epididymitis and ewe abortion in New Zealand was due to McFarlane et al. (1952 McFarlane, D., Jebson, J. L., Hartley, W. J., Salisbury, R. M., McClure, T. J. and Osborne, H. G. 1952. Aust. vet. J., 28: 226–226. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]). The organism was not identified at that time, but Buddie and Boyes (1953 Buddle, M. B. and Boyes, B. W. 1953. Aust. vet. J., 29: 145–153. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) classified it in the genus Brucella—possibly a variant of Br. melitensis. This finding provided a basis for research on control and treatment of the disease. The present paper describes studies on one aspect of this problem, the chemotherapy of affected rams.     

环磷酰胺对断奶仔猪免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在探讨环磷酰胺(CY)对断奶仔猪免疫功能的影响。选取12头(28±3)d的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分为对照组和CY组。第1天和第7天,给CY组仔猪注射50mg/kg BW的CY,对照组仔猪注射等量的生理盐水;第7天和第14天,前腔静脉采血待测;第14天,测定迟发型超敏反应。结果表明:(1)CY可降低第7天断奶仔猪的中性粒细胞数量(P0.1)及第14天白细胞、淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞(P0.05)和单核细胞数量(P0.1);(2)CY可降低第14天牛血清白蛋白抗体水平(P0.05);(3)CY可降低第7天干扰素-γ水平(P0.05)。本研究结果表明,CY可抑制断奶仔猪的免疫功能。     

Intraperitoneal vaccination of rams

Extract

Sir, —A recent issue of the Animal Health Division's excellent publication Surveillance (1978 No.5 Spring), reported that the Palmerston North Animal Health Laboratory had encountered a case involving 40 two-year-old rams, the majority of which had intramuscular perirenal abscesses. It was reported that these abscesses were due to vaccination with a single dose of Br. ovis vaccine, administered by the intraperitoneal route.     

Epididymitis in rams and lambs

This article reviews lamb epididymitis and epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis. Pathogenesis, occurrence, signs and lesions, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are discussed.     

当归补血汤对环磷酰胺所致家兔血细胞减少的影响

本文主要研究当归补血汤（DBT）对环磷酰胺（Cy）所致家兔血细胞减少的影响。将40只新西兰白兔（1．7—1．9kg）随机分为4组,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组按75mg／kg体重腹腔注射环磷酰胺（Cy）,连续3d,诱发家兔血细胞减少。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组分别给予1mL／kg的当归补血汤和玉屏风口服液（YPF）,Ⅲ组为环磷酰胺对照,Ⅳ组等剂量注射生理盐水作为健康空白对照。试验期15d,观察药物对免疫抑制家兔血液学指标如白细胞计数（WBC）、红细胞计数（RBC）、平均血红蛋白含量（HGB）、血小板计数（PLT）,以及体重的影响。结果显示：YPF和DBT对Cy造模家兔的血液学指标有一定程度的恢复作用,且DBT效果优于YPF,但均未能使WBC、RBC、HGB、PLT值达到正常水平;YPF和DBT对Cy造模家兔的体重增长无明显影响。本试验证明：“当归补血汤”能改善环磷酰胺所致血细胞减少家兔的血液学指标。效果优于临床常用的经典方剂“玉屏风”,但尚不能恢复到正常水平。