Prevalence and geographic distribution of Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis in the United States

A survey was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Fanconi syndrome in Basenjis and to determine in which geographic regions the greatest number of affected dogs resided. A thousand questionnaires were distributed nationally, and 624 (62%) were returned. Through this survey, prevalence, geographic distribution, and breeder involvement were successfully correlated with the overall association of the disease with the Basenji breed. Ten percent (96/959) of all Basenjis involved in the survey had Fanconi syndrome. Half (50%; 48/96) of the Basenjis affected were between 4 and 8 years old. Seventy-six percent (44/58) of owners of Basenjis with Fanconi syndrome were breeding their dogs, and 93% (52/56) had owned other Basenjis before the survey was conducted. Females outnumbered males (3:1) in frequency of the disease. This ratio reflected the higher breeder participation in the survey, rather than being a true gender predilection for the disease.     

Role of oxytocin and/or PGF2 alpha on breeding efficiency in buffaloes

A study was conducted on 40 buffalo-cows, assigned randomly, immediately after calving into three groups: group I (n = 10) injected with saline and taken as control; group II (n = 15) received 25 mg PGF2 alpha/animal (Lutalyse); group III (n = 15) received 25 mg PGF2 alpha + 25 i.u. oxytocin/animal (Syntocinon), single i.m. dose. Oxytocin and/or PGF2 alpha significantly (P less than 0.01) shortened the interval from calving to first service (38.33 and 31.53 days for groups II and III respectively, versus 91.60 days for controls). The treatment reduced the service period (38.29 and 35.87 days for groups II and III respectively, versus 45.40 days for controls). Concomitantly a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in the open-days post partum was achieved (76.62 and 67.40 days for groups II and III respectively, versus 137.00 days for controls). In addition, the treated buffaloes needed significantly (P less than 0.01) fewer services per conception (1.67 and 1.20 S/C for groups II and III respectively) than the untreated ones (2.70 S/C), besides a substantial improvement (P less than 0.01) in their conception rate either at 60 or 85 days post partum. Significantly improved (P less than 0.05) results were obtained in the oxytocin and PGF2 alpha treated animals, than in those receiving PGF2 alpha alone for all the previous parameters, except for the service period. Buffaloes therefore seemed to respond better to such treatment than dairy cows.     

Techniques for estimation of milk yield in beef cows and relationships of milk yield to calf weight gain and postpartum reproduction

Milk production is a primary factor controlling weaning weight of beef calves. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a practical and reliable on-farm method of estimating milk production and to relate estimates of milk production and milk composition to preweaning weight gain of calves. A second objective was to relate milk production to postpartum ovarian activity. Milk production of spring- and fall-calving grade Angus cows was estimated by machine milking (MM; average of 66, 123 and 189 d postpartum) and weigh-suckle-weigh (WSW; average of 50, 95, 136 and 179 d postpartum) techniques following overnight calf removal. Cows and calves were weighed monthly and the postpartum interval to first ovulation following calving was determined. The repeatability of the estimated milk production by MM (.97) was higher (P less than .01) than by WSW (.35). The correlation of average WSW and average MM estimates of milk production with preweaning calf gain were high and similar (greater than .75). Inclusion of milk composition did not improve the multiple correlation of MM-estimated milk production and calf gain. Neither milk production in early lactation (-.06) nor prebreeding weight change (-.07) was correlated with postpartum interval to ovulation. Machine milking was a repeatable method of estimating milk production of beef cows and can be used to evaluate effects of management variables on lactation of beef cows.     

Effect of exogenous porcine somatotropin administration on nitrogen and energy metabolism in three genotypes of pigs

Effects of exogenous administration of porcine recombinant somatotropin (rpST) on protein gain and metabolic rate were measured in three genotypes (castrated males) of pigs (Pietrain, Duroc and a crossbreed between Dutch Yorkshire and Dutch Landrace). Six pigs of each genotype were assigned at approximately 60 kg to receive pST doses of either 0 (C) or 14 mg (T) administered i.m. twice weekly over 10 wk. Pigs were housed in individual metabolism cages at a room temperature of 20 to 22 degrees C and received feed at 2.6 times maintenance. Protein gain (N x 6.25) was measured over the final 6 wk of the 10-wk test period. For 2 wk in the test period (wk 2 and wk 5), six pigs of each treatment x genotype group were placed in a large respiration chamber and energy balances (in protein and fat) and metabolic rate were measured. Rate of weight gain measured over the final 6 wk of the experimental period increased by 105 g/d (13%) with rpST administration (P less than .01). Daily protein gain over 6 wk was increased by 48 g/animal with application of rpST (P less than .001). There was a genotype x treatment interaction (P less than .01) for protein gain. Daily protein gain in Durocs with pST treatment was increased (39%) more than in crossbreds (31%). Daily fat gain was decreased by 42 g/animal (P less than .001) by T. Daily heat production with rpST was increased by 12 kcal/kg.75, which is comparable to a 12% increase in the maintenance energy requirement.     

Relationship between oocyte maturation and fertilization on zygotic diversity in swine

Two experiments were conducted to examine how oocyte maturation and fertilization influence zygotic diversity in swine. In the first experiment, the distribution of oocyte maturation was compared to that of zygotic development. Oocytes were aspirated from follicles of 31 gilts and classified into stages of meiosis. Zygotes were flushed from oviducts of 19 additional gilts and classified into stages of meiosis and fertilization. The second experiment examined whether the time from ovulation to fertilization was constant among all oocytes. To test this premise, four to six oocytes from follicles of 10 mated gilts were aspirated just before or during ovulation, stained and transferred back into the oviducts of these same gilts. Zygotes were recovered 10 h later to determine whether the first oocytes ovulated were the more developed zygotes and, conversely, whether the last oocytes to be ovulated represented the lesser developed contemporaries. The skewed (P less than .05) distribution of oocyte maturation was similar to that of zygotic development. Regression of the frequency distribution describing early oocyte maturation resulted in a line with a slope (.59) that was similar to the slope (.58) of the regressed distribution of zygotic development. Likewise, the order of ovulation and order of subsequent stages of zygotic development were similar. These data suggest that variation in zygotic development in swine was due to variability in oogenesis; the time from ovulation to fertilization appeared to be constant.     

Electroencephalographic observation on sheep and cattle with experimental cerebrocortical necrosis

Nine Suffolk sheep and 4 Holstein cattle were employed to observe electroencephalographic changes in experimental cerebrocortical necrosis. Amprolium (600 mg/kg/day) alone was given intraruminally 6 sheep and 4 cattle, all of which showed neurological signs and abnormal electroencephalograms. Both amprolium and thiamine (200 mg/day) and thiamine (50 mg/day) alone were given 2 and 1 sheep, respectively, as controls, which did not show any abnormal signs. Abnormal electroencephalograms included continuous slow waves and long-lasting spindles, both of which appeared diffusely and were seen subclinically or with neurological signs. The spindles consisted of slow waves or sharp- (or spike-) and-slow-wave complexes with or without convulsive seizures even during the convulsion stage. Conversely, the seizures occurred with the spindles or slow waves.     

Clinical and subclinical colloid goitre in adult camels (Camelus dromedarius) at Kordofan region of Sudan

Colloid goitre was diagnosed in adult camels in the Kordofan region of the Sudan. The disease is characterized by gross enlargement of the thyroid, histopathological follicular changes, reproductive disorders, low concentrations of circulating thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and normocytic normochromic anaemia. The possible cause of the condition is discussed and iodine supplementation is recommended.