Two atypical cases of granulosa cell tumours in Belgian Blue heifers

This paper describes two atypical cases of granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) in Belgian Blue heifers. In the first case, an 18-month-old heifer died after ovariectomy, and a granulosa-theca cell tumour was diagnosed post-mortem. The second heifer (31 months of age) was near term and was successfully treated surgically for a malignant granulosa cell tumour. Unfortunately, no further reproductive data are available, as the heifer was sold for slaughter. This is the first report describing GCTs in Belgian Blue beef cattle.     

Hemoperitoneum caused by the rupture of a granulosa cell tumor in a Holstein heifer

A case of a hemoperitoneum caused by the rupture of a granulosa cell tumor in a 9-month-old Holstein heifer is reported. Management of hemorrhagic shock in cattle is discussed.     

Premature lactation in a heifer with a sex cord-stromal tumor

A tumor of the ovary was believed to be responsible for initiating lactation in a nonpregnant heifer. The only abnormal clinical sign was milk secretion from all 4 mammary glands and a large mass in the abdomen. Concentrations of estrogen and progesterone were markedly high. The mass was removed and identified as a sex cord-stromal tumor with a granulosa cell pattern.     

Surgical removal of a granulosa cell tumor from a heifer

A twelve month old, noncycling Holstein-Friesian heifer, was examined because of abnormal udder development. Rectal palpation revealed a tense right uterine horn. A solid mass in the right abdomen was detected by ballottement. A granulosa cell tumor of the right ovary was removed and nine months later the animal conceived.     

Effect of plasma from cyclic versus nutritionally induced anovulatory beef heifers on proliferation of granulosa cells in vitro

The effect of plasma from cyclic versus nutritionally induced anovulatory beef heifers was evaluated on proliferation of bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Granulosa cells were obtained from small (1-5mm) follicles of cattle and cultured for 4 days. During the last 2 days of culture, cells were exposed to medium containing 0, 1 or 10% plasma from cyclic or anovulatory heifers in the presence or absence of IGF-I (100ng/ml). Cell numbers were determined. Regardless of source, increasing percentage of plasma to culture medium increased cell numbers. However, the plasma-induced increase was greater in granulosa cells exposed to cyclic heifer plasma versus anovulatory heifer plasma. In addition, concomitant treatment with IGF-I dramatically improved cell proliferation induced by anovulatory heifer plasma. These results indicate that plasma from cyclic heifers contain factors that are a greater stimulus to granulosa cell proliferation than plasma from anovulatory heifers. Systemic factors such as IGF-I may play a role in directly regulating granulosa cell proliferation in cattle.     

三河牛繁殖性状遗传参数的评估

本研究以1986年中国自主培育兼用牛新品种--三河牛,在内蒙古海拉尔谢尔塔拉种牛场核心群5 257头1998-2012年20 949条繁殖记录为研究材料,以青年牛首次妊娠日龄、青年牛首次产犊日龄、成母牛妊娠期、成母牛空怀期、产犊间隔为研究对象,用SAS 9.13、DMU软件对数据进行处理,采用AI-REML结合EM算法并配合多性状动物模型对各性状影响因素方差组分进行估计,估算出各性状遗传力,并利用各性状育种值分析其遗传趋势.结果显示,青年牛首次妊娠日龄、青年牛首次产犊日龄、成母牛妊娠期、成母牛空怀期、产犊间隔遗传力分别为0.0552、0.0638、0.0527、0.1096、0.0844,繁殖性状除成母牛空怀期遗传力为0.1096外,其余均小于0.1,属于低遗传力性状.青年牛首次妊娠日龄、青年牛首次产犊日龄、成母牛妊娠期、成母牛空怀期、产犊间隔育种值遗传趋势总体上无明显下降趋势,三河牛繁殖性能保持良好.该试验结果为三河牛优化育种方案、提高选种准确性提供重要理论依据.     

Genetic Evaluation of Reproductive Traits in Sanhe Cattle

This study was conducted on 20 949 reproductive records from 1998 to 2012 of 5 257 Sanhe cattle in Xiertala cattle farm,Inner Mongolia,which was a synthetic breed formed in China in 1986.Age at first pregnancy in heifer (AFPH),age at first calving in heifer (AFCH),gestation length in cow (GLC),days open in cow (DOC),and calving interval in cow (CIC) were considered for genetic evaluation.SAS 9.13 and DMU software were used for data processing,and AI-REML combined EM algorithm based on multiple traits animal model was employed for estimating variance components.The heritability for each trait were then calculated,and breeding value was used to analyze the genetic trends.The results showed that the estimated heritabilities of age at first pregnancy in heifer,age at first calving in heifer,gestation length in cow,days open in cow,calving interval in cow were 0.0552,0.0638,0.0527,0.1096 and 0.0844,respectively.The heritabilities were all less than 0.1 except days open (0.1096),indicating these were low inheritable traits.In general,trends of EBVs for each trait didn't show any defined progresses and indicating good reproductive performance maintained in Sanhe cattle.These results lay a theoretical foundation for optimizing breeding programs and improving the accuracy of selection in Sanhe cattle.     

Intracytoplasmic Glutathione Levels in Heifer Oocytes Cultured in different Maturation Media and its Effect on Embryo Development

The present study was carried out to study the effect of different maturation media on embryo development of heifer oocytes and on their glutathione (GSH) synthesis during in vitro maturation (IVM). Immature heifer oocytes were matured in parallel in one of four maturation media: (i) Tissue Culture Medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF); (i) TCM-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of EGF plus 1 microg/ml of FSH; (iii) TCM-199 supplemented with 10% of foetal bovine serum (FBS) and (iv) TCM-199 supplemented with 10% of FBS plus 1 microg/ml of FSH. Cow oocytes were used as control and were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml of EGF. No differences were observed in blastocyst rate among the different heifer oocyte groups (8.8, 7.5. 8.4 and 6.8%, respectively) however, the percentage of blastocysts obtained from cow oocytes was significantly higher (30%; p < 0.01) than those obtained from heifer oocytes. De novo GSH synthesis during oocyte maturation of heifer and cow oocytes was detected. No significant differences in intracytoplasmic GSH levels were observed among the experimental heifer oocyte groups or between heifer and cow oocytes both before and after IVM. In conclusion, the blastocyst yield obtained from heifer oocytes was lower than that from cow oocytes and this fact could not be explained by significant differences in intracytoplasmic GSH contents of oocytes before or after IVM.     

Diabetes insipidus in a Swiss Braunvieh heifer with internal hydrocephalus

This case report describes the findings in a seven-month-old heifer with diabetes insipidus attributable to internal hydrocephalus. The heifer was referred to the clinic because of reduced appetite, polydipsia, decreased faecal output and weight loss. The heifer was examined daily for 8 days. She was thin and weak and had a dull dry hair coat and decreased appetite. The heifer urinated frequently; the urine was clear and yel low, had a specific gravity of 1.015. A complete blood cell count, biochemical profile and blood gas analysis revealed increased serum urea, increased serum creatinine, hypernatraemia, hyperchloraemia, hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. The heifer received 10 litres of water and 3 litres of ruminal fluid from a healthy cow per os daily for 5 days. The heifer had access to fresh water ad libitum. The general condition of the heifer did not improve after this treatment. Although the concentration of serum urea and creatinine decreased, the concentrations of sodium, chloride and calcium remained higher than normal. Based on the findings, a diagnosis of diabetes insipidus was made and the heifer was euthanatized. Postmortem examination revealed severe internal hydrocephalus, and a definitive diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus attributable to internal hydrocephalus was made.     

Case of Pregnancy in Two Cows with Unicorn Horn of the Uterus either by Artificial Insemination at Ipsilateral or Embryo Transfer at Contralateral Corpus Luteum in the Ovary

Two Holstein heifers and a cow were diagnosed with White Heifer Disease by ultrasonography. Case 1 was a 14 month-old heifer with aplasia of both sides of the uterine horn. In case 2, a primiparous cow and case 3, an 18 month-old heifer, both showed aplasia of the right uterine horn. Case 2 became pregnant by artificial insemination at ipsilateral ovulatory follicle and corpus luteum in the left ovary, while case 3 became pregnant by embryo transfer at 7 days after oestrus with contralateral corpus luteum in the right ovary.     

Cranial Approach to the Humerus for Repair of Fractures in Horses and Cattle

A cranial approach to the humerus was developed for application of a compression plate for repair of comminuted humeral fractures in a weanling foal, a calf, a heifer, and a mature cow. An incision was made from the cranial portion of the greater tubercle of the humerus to the radius. The cranial aspect of the humerus was exposed by retraction of the brachiocephalicus muscle and blunt dissection between the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. A second plate was applied laterally in the heifer and cow by retraction of the brachialis muscle and elevation of the extensor carpi radialis muscle. Successful fracture reduction, alignment, and stabilization were achieved in all four animals.     

Transmission of bovine brucellosis from dam to offspring

Transmission of bovine brucellosis from dam to offspring under natural circumstances was demonstrated in a 2 1/2-year study of an infected cow and her calf. The cow delivered a full-term heifer calf after her first gestation. The calf remained with its dam until 7 months of age, then was placed in isolation until bred. During her first gestation, the second-generation heifer became seropositive for Brucella abortus. She later gave birth to a calf with B abortus infection, as determined by isolation of B abortus biotype 1 from stomach contents, heart blood, lung, and spleen of the calf. The same organism was isolated from the placenta and milk of the dam.     

Evidence of Spontaneous Recovery of Granulosa‐Theca Cell Tumour in a Heifer: A Retrospective Report

A 14‐month‐old Japanese Black heifer was evaluated on Day 0 (D 0) for enlargement of the right ovary (RO). Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) revealed that the RO was markedly enlarged and multicystic, while the left ovary (LO) was small and inactive. The presumptive diagnosis was granulosa‐theca cell tumour (GTCT), which was confirmed by markedly elevated plasma anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) of 4.42 ng/ml. Therefore, ovariectomy of the RO was the treatment of choice. The heifer was checked by TRUS and blood sampling on D 42, D 63 and immediately before ovariectomy on D 85. On D 42, TRUS did not show marked changes in either ovary in comparison with D 0. However, on D 63, the RO had transformed into a single cyst, and on D 85, the LO had resumed cyclic activity. The RO was extracted on D 85 by hand‐assisted laparoscopic ovariectomy to allow better control. Unexpectedly, histopathology revealed the lesion to be a fluid‐filled cystic structure, with no neoplastic proliferation of follicular epithelium that would indicate GTCT. The wall of the cystic structure consisted of collagen fibres and a few degenerated granulosa cells. The retrospective hormonal analysis revealed that the AMH concentrations had markedly dropped on D 63 and 85, which coincided with resumption of cyclicity in the LO. These findings suggest that the GTCT had self‐cured and transformed into a cyst‐like structure. The heifer then received an oestrous synchronization regime on D 105, was artificially inseminated on D 115 and became pregnant.     

中国荷斯坦牛青年初产年龄和成年母牛产犊间隔遗传参数估计

本研究旨在估计河南省青年牛初次产犊年龄与成年母牛产犊间隔遗传参数。收集河南省17个牧场2008—2017年14406头青年牛的初次产犊年龄记录与8912头成年母牛的产犊间隔记录,使用DMU软件DMU_AI模块采用AI-REML结合EM算法的动物模型估计性状遗传参数。动物模型中的固定效应包括出生年季、产犊年季和牧场效应,产犊间隔性状动物模型还包括胎次效应;随机效应包括加性效应和残差效应。结果表明:青年牛初次产犊年龄的遗传力为0.21、成年母牛产犊间隔性状遗传力为0.05,与相似研究结果相近,为制定区域性、精细化的育种目标提供理论参考。     

Cytogenetical and molecularbiological studies on a bovine XY female.

A bovine XY female in Holstein-Friesian heifer, which appeared as female with uterus and ovaries but did not show the estrus until 23 months old after the birth, was cytogenetically and molecularbiologically examined. As results of chromosome analysis, leucocyte and fibroblasts from skin, spleen and kidney examined had only metaphase plates with 60, XY. From these results and the clinical characteristics, this case was clearly diagnosed as a pure XY female. It was ascertained that the two genes, ZFY and AMG gene which located on the short arm of the Y chromosome (Yp) were detected in normal bulls and a XY female, but were not detected in normal cow, mother cow and half-sib heifer by Southern blotting.     

Congenital brucellosis in cattle associated with localisation in a hygroma.

A heifer born to a cow experimentally infected with Brucella abortus strain 544 and reared in isolation from its birth was found infected. Antibodies appeared when it was 10 months old. The heifer calved normally. Brucella abortus of the same characteristics as strain 544 was recovered from a hygroma and from lymph nodes and udder. Five heifers out of 55 (about 10 per cent) born to infected dams and reared in isolation from their birth were found to be infected.     

Udder health and female fertility traits are favourably correlated and support each other in multi-trait evaluations

Genetic parameters were estimated for protein yield (PY), clinical mastitis (CM), somatic cell score, number of inseminations (NI) and days from calving to first insemination (CFI) in first‐parity Swedish Red cows by series of tri‐variate linear animal models. The heritability of PY was moderate (0.34 ± 0.004), and the heritabilities of the functional traits were all low (0.014 ± 0.001–0.14 ± 0.004). The genetic correlation between CM and CFI (0.38 ± 0.05) was stronger than the correlation between CM and NI (0.05 ± 0.06), perhaps because CM and CFI usually are observed in early lactation when the cow is likely to be in negative energy balance, whereas NI generally is recorded when the cow is not in negative energy balance any more. The genetic correlation between NI and CFI was very close to zero (?0.002 ± 0.05), indicating that these two fertility traits have different genetic backgrounds. All genetic correlations between PY and the functional traits were moderate and unfavourable, ranging from 0.22 ± 0.02 to 0.47 ± 0.03. In addition, the effect of including genetic and phenotypic correlations between the trait groups milk production, udder health and female fertility on the accuracy of the selection index was quantified for a heifer, a cow and a proven bull. The difference between the accuracy obtained by multi‐trait and single‐trait evaluations was largest for the cow (0.012) and small for the heifer and the bull (0.006 and 0.004) because the phenotype of the cow for one trait could assist in predicting the Mendelian sampling term for a correlated trait.     

Granulosa cell tumor in a mare with a functional contralateral ovary

A functional corpus luteum was found in the ovary contralateral to the ovary with a granulosa cell tumor in a 24-year-old Standardbred mare. The mare was ovariectomized because she was to be used as a jump mare for collection of semen from stallions. The blood concentration of progesterone was 2.2 ng/ml, and the luteal tissue progesterone concentration was 6.3 micrograms/mg. Atrophy of the contralateral ovary is one of the major signs used in diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor; however, our findings indicate that the ovary contralateral to a granulosa cell tumor is not invariably nonfunctional.     

Isolation and purification of a low molecular weight protein from bovine urine

A low molecular weight protein was separated from urine samples obtained from a heifer with spontaneous renal disease and from cows with CaNa2EDTA-induced renal dysfunction. The molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility of the separated protein were examined. The low molecular weight protein collected by gel filtration chromatography was further separated into two fractions by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-cellulose. One of the two fractions, the lowest molecular weight protein showed a single band in SDS-PAGE, and its molecular weight was approximately 12,000. An antiserum against this protein formed a single precipitin line with the urine from cows with experimentally induced renal dysfunction and a heifer with spontaneous renal disease by the double immunodiffusion technique. However, the antiserum did not form any precipitin line with the concentrated urine of healthy cow and human beta 2-microglobulin. In cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, this protein migrated in the same position as that of serum gamma-globulin from healthy cow.     

Tumeur des cellules de la granulosa chez une taure: observations cliniques, endocrinologiques et post-mortem

Granulosa cell tumor in a heifer: Clinical, endocrinological and postmortem observations