Cronología de Osificación Postnatal de las Articulaciones del Hombro y Codo en el Gato Siamés (Felts catus L.)

Chronology of the postnatal ossification of the shoulder and cubit joints of the Siam cat (Felts catus L.) A study was done by radiological techniques to show the chronology of ossification of the shoulder and cubit joints in the Siam cat, from birth up to the 25th week of postnatal development. For this experiment we used 40 little cats (19 males and 21 females) belonging to 11 litters subjected to different controls: pattern race, healthy, feeding, growing up and radioactivity. The time of the appearance and the evolution of the ossification centers is determined as well as the phenomenon of fusion during this time. The postnatal ossification from both joints of the Siam cat is compared with that of the common cat.     

Postnatal ossification centers of the atlas and axis in miniature schnauzers

Postnatal ossification of the atlas and axis was studied in Miniature Schnauzers by examining alizarin-stained bone clearings, cleaned dry bones, radiographs, histologic sections, and arterially perfused bone clearings. Sixty-two pups (1 day to 16 weeks old) and 4 adults were examined. In 1-day-old pups, the atlas consisted of 3 separate ossification centers: a left and right neural arch center and midventrally, the intercentrum 1, which formed the body of the atlas. The axis contained 4 separate ossification centers: a left and right neural arch center; centrum 2 in the main part of the axis body; and centrum 1, which formed the caudal part of the dens and the cranial part of the axis body. By 6 weeks of age, the epiphysis on the caudal end of the axis body had begun to ossify. At this time, the intercentrum 2, which developed as a cuboidal ossification center intercalated between centrum 1 and centrum 2 in the middle of the cranial half of the axis body, also began to ossify. The centrum of the proatlas, which formed the apex of the dens, was first seen ossified in a 9-week-old pup. These 10 ossification centers were seen as constant and separate elements. In all dogs, the dens developed from 2 separate ossification centers: the centrum of the proatlas formed the cranial one-quarter, and centrum 1 formed the caudal three-quarters. Dens dysplasia is unlikely to be a result of failure of development of one of the ossification centers for the dens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anatomo-radiographic Study on the Osteogenesis of Carpal and Tarsal Bones in Horse Fetus

The aim of this study is to point out the time of appearance of the carpal and tarsal bones in the fetal horse, considering an estimated fetal age, to follow their morphological development through to birth, and to characterize possible abnormal shape and/or delay of their ossification. The right carpal and tarsal region of 140 equine fetuses of both sexes (71 males, 69 females) and different ages (from 70 to 340 days of gestation) were examined radiographically in order to identify the sites of ossification from their earliest appearance. The times of appearance of the sites of ossification of the carpal bones are chronologically stated for each bone.     

断奶日龄对仔猪断奶期腹泻和死亡影响的研究

选择杜洛克×豫农白猪Ⅰ系杂交仔猪８窝共７２头，均分为两组，每组４窝３６头。试Ⅰ组采用２８日龄断奶，试Ⅱ组采用３５日龄断奶。试验期从断奶前１周至６０日龄，分析比较不同断奶日龄对仔猪断奶期腹泻和死亡的影响。结果：①试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄间发生腹泻１５９头次和８５头次，全群日平均腹泻发生率为１４．７６％和９．０８％；②试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄间死亡数为４头和０头；③试Ⅰ组和试Ⅱ组仔猪，断奶后至６０日龄发生腹泻的高峰期在断奶后５～２２天和断奶后３～８天，持续期为１８天和６天，日腹泻发生率最高达４２．４２％和３３．３３％；④试Ⅰ组４窝仔猪在断奶至６０日龄期间，有３窝出现多个腹泻高峰，只有１窝为１个高峰；而试Ⅱ组４窝仔猪中，只有１窝出现多个腹泻高峰，其它３窝为１个高峰。     

The ossification of the pectoral girdle and wing skeleton of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The onset of ossification centres of the pectoral girdle and wing skeleton of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) has been studied in embryos and juvenile birds, which were sampled daily from the 4th day of incubation up to the 12th day after hatching. Specimens, which were cleared and were stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S, were examined at the stereomicroscope. The furcula ossified with intramembranous ossification at the 7th day of incubation. The first centres of perichondral ossification in the scapula and the coracoid bones were observed at the 7th day of incubation. In the humerus, radius and ulna, perichondral ossification was observed at the 6th day of incubation. The carpal bones were ossified between the 8th and 10th day of the post-hatching period. The 2nd metacarpal bone began to ossify at the 6th day of the post-hatching period, whereas the 3rd and 4th metacarpal bones were ossified at the 7th day of incubation. At the 9th day of incubation, ossification was observed in the 1st phalanx of the alular digit and in the phalanges of the major digit. The 2nd phalanx of the alular digit began to ossify at the 12th, whereas the phalanx of the minor digit at the 14th day of incubation. The data presented here provide useful baseline information on the normal sequential pattern of ossification in the pectoral girdle and wing skeleton in this species.     

A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTEBRACHIUM IN GREAT DANE PUPS ON DIFFERENT CALCIUM INTAKES

Radiographic examination of the radius and ulna was performed in three groups of Great Danes fed diets containing high, normal, and low calcium contents from the ages of 7 to 21 weeks. Development and maturation of secondary ossification centers, architecture of the distal ulnar metaphysis, and growth in length of the radius were noted. In the dogs fed a high-calcium diet, there was retardation in the development of the ulnar styloid process, the humeral medial epicondyle, the olecranal apophysis, and the anconeal process. In addition, these dogs developed severe changes over the entire width of the distal ulnar metaphysis, whereas the other groups developed only focal changes. The dogs fed a low-calcium diet developed severe signs of nutritional hyperparathyroidism. It is concluded that the development of the secondary ossification centers and the growth in length of the radius are inversely related to calcium intake.     

Oestrone sulphate measurements for the prediction of small or large litters in pigs

Serum from 88 pregnant sows and gilts was sampled 24 and 28 days after their first insemination or mating day. The oestrone sulphate (E1S) concentration in the samples was assessed with a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit modified for use with swine serum. The first aim was to test whether it was possible to predict litters of total number <10 piglets at term. The second aim was to compare the use of day 24 or day 28 samples, or of both, in this prediction. Day 24 E1S levels were positively correlated with litter size at term (R2 = 0.26; p <0.001). E1S levels on day 28 were correlated with the levels on day 24 in the same animals but could not be used for prediction of large or small litters. The odds ratio for a small litter size was 0.16 (p <0.01). This means that odds for a litter size <10 piglets decreased by 84% when E1S levels increased by 1.0 ng/ml.     

Patterns of preweaning diarrhea in piglets on a central California ranch.

To determine risk factors for development of diarrhea in litters of preweaned piglets, data were analyzed from records of 4,397 litters of swine farrowed on a central California ranch 1978-1982. Sixty-four percent of litters were treated for diarrhea. Statistical analysis by multiple logistic regression showed that litters born to young sows (parity less than or equal to 2) were 1.7 times more likely to develop diarrhea before weaning than were litters born to older sows (parity greater than or equal to 3) and that litters born on one end of farrowing barns were 1.3 times more likely to develop diarrhea than were litters born in the other end. The association of diarrhea with other variables--dam breed, sire, gestation group, gestation length, size of litter, number of mummies, runts or stillbirths per litter, farrowing barn of birth or day of the week farrowed--was weak or nonexistent (P greater than 0.01).     

Anatomic variations and degenerative changes in the collateral cartilages and middle and distal phalanges of the forelimb in Ardenner colts

The anatomic variations and the degenerative changes in the collateral cartilages and middle and distal phalanges in 6 Ardenner colts were characterized by radiography, scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The radiographic changes were assessed between the ages of 16.5 and 25 months. An anatomic variation of the middle and distal phalanges was demonstrated in some of the colts. MRI examination of the 6 colts revealed an association between the deep digital flexor tendon cross-sectional area and body weight as well as foot circumference. Also, a thin collateral sesamoidean (suspensory navicular) ligament was observed subjectively. The presence of an extensive ossification of the collateral cartilages of the foot was found in these young horses. The ossification was characterized by the existence of 2 separate ossification centers, which had a tendency to unite. The radiographic interphalangeal degenerative lesions seen appear as bone remodeling of the dorsal edges of the middle and distal phalanx, on the insertion sites of collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint, the digital extensor tendon, and the distal interphalangeal joint capsule.     

断奶日龄对仔猪血液生理指标的影响

选取15窝日龄相近的三元杂交仔猪 ,按14、21、28、35日龄断奶和不断奶随机分为5组 (14E、21E、28E、35E和C) ,每组3窝。主要研究断奶与不同断奶日龄对仔猪血液生理指标的影响。主要结果为 :①哺乳仔猪从21日龄后血液中白细胞水平基本稳定 ,但14日龄时血液中白细胞水平显著低于正常水平 ;21日龄前断奶可显著降低血液中白细胞数量 ,1周后迅速提高 ,但14日龄断奶仔猪直至42日龄血液中白细胞计数(WBC)仍低于正常水平。②仔猪28日龄血液红细胞计数 (RBC)、红细胞中血红蛋白浓度 (HGB)、血液血球比容 (HCT)均达到高峰值 ,RBC、HGB、HCT均不受断奶及断奶日龄影响。③哺乳仔猪14～42日龄间血液平均红血球容积 (MCV)、红血球血红蛋白量 (MCH)呈线性下降的趋势 ,断奶对MCV、MCH测值无明显影响。     

A system of grading ossification in limbs of foals to assist in radiologic interpretation.

Tetracycline-labeled bones of 23 foals from 52 to 104 days old were sectioned and macroscopically examined to assess the extent of ossification or fusion of ossification centers. A grading system was devised with which to record information about the ossification centers and growth plates. The objective was to define anatomic standards which could contribute toward obtaining an accurate radiologic interpretation. Labeled limb bones of 3 neonatal foals were similarly treated, but grading of these was limited to the consideration of whether each site was still cartilaginous or had commenced to ossify.     

An evaluation of iron-dextran supplementation in piglets administered by injection on the first, third or fourth day after birth

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of iron-dextran injection given on the first, third or fourth day after birth on haematology in piglets. An advanced automated blood analyser; Technicon H*1, which performs a complete blood cell count and leukocyte differential counts was used to analyse the blood. Six litters of Norwegian Landrace x Yorkshire piglets were included in the study. The day after birth (day 1), half of the piglets in each litter (split litters) were injected subcutaneously with 180 mg iron as iron-dextran (1.5 ml Idofer). The untreated piglets from two of the litters were injected with the same amount of iron-dextran on day 3, and those from the remaining four litters on day 4. The piglets were weighed and blood samples collected on days 1, 3 or 4, 7, 14 and 21. Erythropoiesis, but not leukocyte count, responded to injection on day 1 compared with injection on the third or fourth day. The difference between groups in haematological parameters was greatest on day 7. The two groups of piglets treated on day 1 had a haemoglobin concentration (Hb) +/-SD of 92 g litre-1(+/-9) and 94 g litre-1(+/-9), and the piglets treated on day 3 had a Hb of 81 g litre-1(+/-7) and the one treated on day 4 had a Hb of 78 g litre-1(+/-7) on day 7. On days 14 and 21 there were no differences between groups. This study indicates that some piglets were anaemic and responded to subcutaneous iron injection on day 1.     

Efficacy of the classical swine fever (CSF) marker vaccine Porcilis Pesti in pregnant sows

The efficacy of the classical swine fever (CSF) subunit marker vaccine Porcilis Pesti based on baculovirus expressed envelope glycoprotein E2 of CSF virus (CSFV) was evaluated in pregnant sows. Ten gilts were vaccinated with one dose of marker vaccine, followed by a second dose 4 weeks later. Four gilts remained unvaccinated and received a placebo at the same times. Thirty-three days after the second vaccination all animals were artificially inseminated. Neither local or systemic reactions nor an increase of body temperature were observed after vaccinations. All gilts showed a normal course of pregnancy. Thirty-five days after first vaccination all animals developed E2 specific neutralising antibodies with titres in the range of 5.0 and 7.5 log(2). No antibodies to CSFV-E(rns) were found in ELISA.On day 65 of gestation (126 days after the first immunisation) all sows were infected intranasally using 2ml (10(6.6) TCID(50)/ml) of the low virulent CSFV strain "Glentorf". After challenge in two of the unvaccinated control sows a slight transient increase of body temperature was observed, whereas leukopenia was demonstrated in all control animals. In addition all controls became viraemic. Vaccinations with the CSFV subunit vaccine protected the animals from clinical symptoms of CSF. In two sows a moderate decrease of leukocyte counts was detected on day 5 post infection. In contrast to the unvaccinated control sows in none of the vaccinated animals virus was isolated from the nasal swabs or the blood.Approximately 40 days after challenge all sows were killed and necropsy was done. The sows and their offspring were examined for the presence of CSFV in blood, bone marrow and different organs. No virus was found in any of the sows. In contrast, in all litters of the control sows CSFV was found in the blood as well as in the organ samples. Nine out of 10 litters of the vaccinated sows were protected from CSFV infection. Blood samples, lymphatic organs and bone marrow of these animals were all virologically negative. When sera were tested for CSFV-antibodies all sows had developed E(rns)-specific antibodies but no CSFV-specific antibodies were found in any of the progeny.It was concluded that vaccination with CSF subunit marker vaccine Porcilis((R)) Pesti protected 90% of the litters from viral infection when sows were challenged mid-gestation using the CSFV-strain "Glentorf".     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. II. Post-weaning diarrhoea

This study comprised 48,931 litters in 89 sow herds. During the study (1976-82) weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days. The mean incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea was 6.0% of litters weaned, with little variation by year but with considerable variation among herds. Within the individual herd increased incidence occurred over limited periods, probably associated with specific infections. Litters with diarrhoea during the suckling period had increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea increased with litter size at weaning. Thus, a litter of 11-12 piglets at weaning had 1.2 times higher risk than litters with 8-10 piglets. In contrast to pre-weaning diarrhoea, there was no association between parity of the sow and diarrhoea in the litter after weaning. Litters weaned below 2 weeks of age had a 2-fold risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 2.4-fold higher mortality rate than did litters weaned at 6-7 weeks. Similarly, litters weaned at an individual piglet weight below 3 kg bodyweight had a 3-fold higher risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 5-fold higher mortality rate than did pigs from litters weaned at a bodyweight of 7-8 kg. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea decreased with increasing herd size. Piglets from litters with post-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gains after weaning and were 2.3 days older at 25 kg bodyweight than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Likewise, diarrhoea after weaning was associated with an increased incidence of diseases of the skin and respiratory tract. Thus the risk of contracting respiratory disease was 4 times greater in diarrhoeic litters.     

Morphology of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) embryos in the first third of pregnancy

The breeding of South American camelids is the main economic activity of the high Andean region of South America and it, is potentially, the most profitable resource in of the Puna environmental conditions of the Puna. The duration of the gestation in alpaca is 339.7 ± 12 days. The objective of the present work was to macroscopically and microscopically describe the ontogenic development of the splanchnic cavities of the alpaca and to determine the gestational time in which the post‐cranial ossification centers are observed in the embryos/fetuses of this species, from day 21 to 107 of gestation. The documentation of normal ontogenic development, which is vacant for this period, is of the utmost importance to understand the consequences of the alterations at the different gestational times, as well as for the estimation of the gestational age in the case of abortions. Forty‐seven alpaca specimens of both sexes, at different times of their gestational development, collected during slaughter at local slaughterhouses of the Department of Huancavelica, Peru, were evaluated. Specimens were assigned to seven groups according to their morphological characteristics. The embryogenesis in the alpaca was characterized by a series of changes comparable to those occurring in other mammals with similar gestational periods. Despite these similarities, species differences were found in some organs as stomach, which are observed too in adult individuals.     

Four-year study of lameness in piglets at a research station

Lameness in piglets up to nine weeks old was studied in a research station herd for four years; 9411 piglets were born alive, of which 9.8 per cent were treated for lameness. In litters born to gilts, 9.9 per cent of the piglets were treated for lameness, in litters born to sows of parity 3, 11.4 per cent of the piglets were treated, but in litters born to sows of parity 4 to 7 the proportion of piglets treated for lameness decreased to about 8 per cent. Around 75 per cent of all cases were observed in piglets less than three weeks old; the incidence risk of lameness decreased from 2.7 per cent during the first week of life to 0.3 per cent after weaning. The average weight of affected piglets was reduced by approximately 8 per cent at nine weeks of age. There was no overall association between lameness and sex or birth weight within sex. The mortality among lame gilts was higher at all ages than among healthy gilts, but among barrows a higher mortality was observed only during the late suckling period. Litters with 12 or more piglets had a higher incidence of lameness. Clinical signs of disease in the sow and whether the piglets were given an intramuscular injection of 200 mg of iron on their second, third or fourth day of life had no effect on the incidence of lameness.     

Use of a box to prevent agonistic behavior after regrouping in isolated and non-isolated pigs

The effects of a box in the pen on the agonistic behavior of pigs after regrouping was determined in 24 pigs from five litters that were kept in three pens after weaning. For the experiment, the pigs were allocated to six pens with four animals each and kept with their peers for 2 weeks. The lightest pig from each pen was removed and isolated for 2 weeks, and then regrouped with its original peers. At the time of regrouping, half of the pens were equipped with the box. The number and duration of agonistic behavior events were particularly large and long in the pen without a box on the first day after regrouping, and for the isolated pig on the first day (all P  < 0.05). The number of times the box was accessed was large for the isolated pig on the first day after regrouping ( P  < 0.01). The number of agonistic behavior events and the times the box was accessed was correlated on the first day after regrouping ( r _s = 0.79, P  < 0.01). The number of agonistic behavior events on the first day after regrouping was greater in the pens without a box than in the pens with a box ( P  < 0.01). It was suggested that the box had the effect of reducing agonistic behavior after regrouping.     

The effects of reducing the length of canine teeth in sucking pigs by clipping or grinding

OBJECTIVE: To provide production data that would support or discount current teeth clipping practices in sucking pigs. DESIGN: Intervention study of 207 litters of pigs on a commercial farm. PROCEDURE: Litters were assigned to one of three interventions undertaken at 1 day of age: clipped using hand-operated side cutter pliers, ground using a battery-operated grinder or left intact. The effects of the intervention on weaning weight, preweaning mortality, facial lesions, gum damage and arthritis in litters of pigs were recorded, as was the incidence of udder damage of the sows. Weight gain and facial damage postweaning of pigs within each intervention group were recorded. The cost:benefit of each intervention was determined. RESULTS: Average weaning weight of pigs whose teeth were clipped was higher than of those whose teeth were ground but not of those with intact teeth. Clipping resulted in fewer preweaning deaths than both unclipped and ground litters due to fewer overlays. The incidence and severity of face scarring was higher in unclipped litters than clipped and ground litters. Treatment had no effect on face scars at weaning, udder damage, post-treatment fostering, time of preweaning deaths or postweaning weight gain. There was an additional labour cost of 6 cents per pig with teeth clipping. CONCLUSION: This study supports teeth clipping of sucking pigs because there are welfare, production and financial benefits including reduced facial damage and preweaning mortality.     

Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic abnormalities in dogs with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia: 19 cases (1991-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, radiographic, and pathologic abnormalities in dogs with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 19 dogs with MED from 10 litters. PROCEDURES: The diagnosis was made on the basis of radiographs of the shoulder region and vertebral column. Ten dogs underwent necropsy. RESULTS: There were 11 Hygenhund, 6 Dunker, 1 Golden Retriever, and 1 English Pointer. Most dogs were examined because of lameness that developed at 5 to 8 months of age. The most common radiographic abnormality was a deficiency in ossification of the epiphyses, apophyses, and cuboidal bones of the appendicular skeleton and the epiphyses of the vertebrae; ossification of the metaphyses and the diaphyses typically were normal. Disease severity was consistent among littermates, but varied among dogs from different litters. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that MED is a rare condition in dogs characterized by a deficiency in ossification of the epiphyses of the long bones, the epiphyses of the vertebrae, the cuboidal bones, and the apophyses. Radiographic abnormalities were evident in dogs examined as young as 8 weeks of age, and most dogs had developed severe lameness by 5 to 8 months of age. The condition most likely had an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, although genetic studies of mode of inheritance could not be performed.     

Impact of dietary tryptophan and behavioral type on behavior, plasma cortisol, and brain metabolites of young pigs.

The behavioral reactivity in an "open-field" test and plasma cortisol levels were studied in 72 pigs from 12 litters fed for 3 wk one of three diets with different levels of tryptophan: deficient (.14%), adequate (.23%), or excess (.32%). "Open-field" tests were performed three times: 5 d (day W + 5), 23 d (day W + 23) and 45 d (day W + 45) after weaning. The exploration time and the number of grunts provided an adequate measure of the individual emotional reactivity at day W + 5. Significant correlations were obtained between exploration time and the number of grunts at each time (r = -.83 at day W + 5; r = -.46 at day W + 23; r = -.71 at day W + 45). The distinction between animals remained (P less than .05) in terms of exploration time at both 23 and 45 d after weaning. At day W + 23, exploration time was lower in the group fed the adequate diet than in the two other groups. This effect was maintained subsequently after feeding all pigs the same adequate diet (day W + 45). In 36 pigs slaughtered at day W + 23, brain TRP concentration was higher with the excess dietary TRP than with deficient or adequate levels. Conversely, other plasma amino acids (particularly threonine) accumulated only in the brains of pigs fed the deficient diet. Plasma cortisol level assayed at weaning (W) and 2 wk later increased with age and was higher in 16-h fasted (day W + 15) than in 3-h fasted (day W + 17) pigs. Correlations were observed within litters in the fasting state, between the cortisol level and behavioral traits measured at day W + 23 (r = .70 for number of grunts, r = -.60 for exploration time). Dietary TRP did not affect the plasma cortisol level irrespective of the nutritional state after weaning. However, an interaction was noted between plasma cortisol and TRP status (P less than .05). Although dietary TRP induced large variations in brain amino acids and 5-hydroxyindole concentrations, changes in behavioral and cortisol responses were relatively minor.