Inability to predict the adult sexual performance of bulls by prepuberal sexual behaviors

The objective of this investigation was to determine the extent to which the sexual performance of adult bulls (18 to 24 mo of age) can be predicted by prepuberal sexual behaviors. Tests were administered to 121 polled Hereford bulls to determine whether adult sexual performance (especially serving capacity or ejaculation rate) was related to 1) whether or not the subjects mounted estrous females at 6 mo of age, 2) the age at which the bulls attained their first ejaculation, 3) the frequency of sexual behaviors exhibited in heterosexual interactions and 4) the frequency of male-male mounting exhibited in all-male groups. None of the above measures reliably predicted adult serving capacity. Prepuberal interest in mounting other males and estrous females and the age at which ejaculatory competence was attained bore little relationship to serving capacity at 18 to 24 mo. Individual differences in rate of ejaculation were consistent from one age to another only after the bulls had reached 18 mo. We concluded that the sexual behaviors of prepuberal beef bulls were of limited usefulness in predicting adult sexual performance.     

The physical state and plasma biochemical profile of young calves on arrival at a slaughter plant

AIM: To determine the welfare of calves arriving at a slaughter plant by assessing their physical state and plasma biochemical profile. METHODS: Calves (n=7,169) aged 4-10 days, were examined immediately after they were unloaded from trucks (n=20) and categorised on physical grounds as being in an 'unacceptable', 'marginal' or 'acceptable' state. 'Unacceptable' calves were lying down, unable to walk, extremely weak or seriously injured. 'Marginal' calves had a wet umbilicus, were hollow sided, apparently immature, or weak and slow and unsteady on their feet. 'Acceptable' calves were strong, walked freely, round-sided, bright and alert and had a dry umbilicus. After unloading, 27 'unacceptable', 306 'marginal' and 289 'acceptable' calves were weighed, examined clinically and a blood sample was taken from each. A second blood sample was taken from 118 of these calves, 12-15 hours later. The packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total plasma proteins (TPP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured. RESULTS: Only 27 of the 7,169 calves examined (0.4%) were categorised as being in an 'unacceptable' state on arrival and these were euthanased shortly after unloading. Generally, the plasma biochemical profiles of the 'acceptable' calves were similar to those of 'marginal' animals. However the glucose concentration of 'marginal' calves was lower than that of 'acceptable' calves, suggesting that they had lower energy reserves. After 12-15 h in lairage, plasma glucose concentration decreased and the BHB concentration increased in both 'acceptable' and 'marginal' calves compared with concentrations measured on arrival. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of calves presented for slaughter in an 'unacceptable' state was small (0.4%). However, 4% of calves were classified as 'marginal' and failed to meet all the requirements of the code of recommendations and minimum standards governing the welfare of young calves in New Zealand. The categorisation of calves by a physical assessment was supported by results of plasma biochemistry. As a result, plasma biochemical profiles are considered unnecessary for making decisions regarding the welfare status of calves arriving at a slaughter plant; an assessment of their physical state is sufficient.     

Conjunctival xanthoma in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna)

A 17-year-old female blue and gold macaw ( Ara ararauna ) presented for evaluation of a discreet, conjunctival mass of the OD. No other abnormalities were found on ophthalmic or physical examination. A heterophilic leukocytosis was present on the complete blood count, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase activity, creatinine kinase activity and cholesterol were present on the plasma biochemistry panel. Surgical removal of the mass was complete and no recurrence has occurred by six months after excision. Reduction of dietary fats was recommended to reduce serum cholesterol levels and reduce the likelihood of future occurrence of xanthomas in this bird.     

Cardiorespiratory and anaesthetic effects of two continuous rate infusions of dexmedetomidine in alfaxalone anaesthetized dogs

Six Beagles were used in this prospective randomised crossover experimental study. Dexmedetomidine was administered at 0, 1 or 2 μg/kg IV for group C, LDA and HDA, respectively. Animals were induced and maintained with alfaxalone at 0.07 mg/kg/min with a CRI dexmedetomidine dose of 0, 0.5 or 1 μg/kg/h for group C, LDA and HDA, respectively. Cardiorespiratory variables, arterial blood gases and depth of anaesthesia were recorded. The recovery times and quality of recovery were scored. Group HDA produced a greater increase in the depth of anaesthesia than LDA. However, with both protocols, CI was halved compared to normal values in dogs. The use of oxygen before and during the anaesthetic maintenance is advisable, mainly if dexmedetomidine is going to be use as a pre-medicant and maintenance agent. The quality of recovery was better in groups receiving dexmedetomidine, without causing an increase in recovery time.     

Computed tomographic morphology of the synovial invaginations of the distal sesamoid bone of the horse

The morphological features of the distal border synovial invaginations (SI) of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) in horses were described by the use of computed tomography (CT). Transverse CT images were obtained on 50 cadaver forefeet from 25 Warmblood horses. Dorsal and sagittal planes were reformatted. The CT images allowed the evaluation of the number, shape, depth of penetration and direction of the SI into the bone. The total number of SI was 295 (mean 5.9). The number of invaginations in a particular DSB ranged from 3 (n = 3), 4 (n = 6), 5 (n = 11), 6 (n = 12), 7 (n = 13), 8 (n = 3), 9 (n = 1) to 11 (n = 1). The shape of the SI was 'conical' (n = 118), 'linear' (n = 109), 'lollipop' (n = 38) or 'branched' (n = 30). Penetration of the SI into the DSB was 'mild' in 195 cases, 'moderate' in 67 cases and 'deep' in 33 cases. The SI ran in a 'straight', 'dorsoproximal' and 'palmaroproximal' direction in 187, 28 and 80 cases, respectively. In only six DSBs, all SI ran in the same direction. The images obtained in this study may serve as reference for the radiographic evaluation of these SI.     

Abattoir-based study investigating the association between gross pathological lesions and serological tests for Salmonella infection in pigs

Abattoir data collected from three British pig health monitoring schemes were combined to investigate the associations between Salmonella infection and the presence of gross lesions detected in slaughtered pigs. Each set of results was linked back to the farm from which the pigs were submitted, and the Salmonella results and lesions reports were connected at farm level. Salmonella infection was determined through meat juice ELISA (MJE), and the health conditions were assessed by postmortem inspection. The final dataset contained 873 slapmarks, with an average of 215 samples tested by MJE, and 355 pigs that were assessed for health conditions, per slapmark. Each of the health assessment conditions was individually analysed by regression models to investigate associations with the MJE results, accounting for clustering at the slapmark level and also for seasonality. A multivariable model was also used to estimate the strength of association with MJE results when all the health conditions were entered into the model. The results showed positive associations between Salmonella and enzootic pneumonia-like lesions, milk spots, peritonitis and pericarditis.     

Aglepristone decreases proliferation in progesterone receptor-positive canine mammary carcinomas

Background: Progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist aglepristone (RU534) has been used successfully for pregnancy termination and therapy of pyometra, vaginal tumors, and mammary hyperplasia in bitches and queens. All of these conditions share with canine mammary carcinomas the expression of PR. Objectives: To study the effect of RU534 on proliferation and apoptosis in canine mammary carcinomas in relation to PR expression. Animals: Twenty‐seven nonspayed bitches with mammary carcinomas were treated with either 2 doses of 20 mg/kg RU534 (n = 22, RU534‐treated group) or oil placebo (n = 5, control group) on days 1 and 8. Methods: Tumor samples were collected before (day 1) and after (day 15) treatment for immunohistochemistry. PR expression, proliferation index (PI), and apoptotic index (AI) were determined using antibodies against PR, Ki67, and cleaved lamin A/C antigens, respectively. The effect of treatment on these parameters was analyzed. Results: Differential expression of PR between day 1 (59.1% PR‐positive tumors) and day 15 (36.4% PR‐positive tumors) was observed in RU534‐treated tumors exclusively. After RU534 treatment, mean PI was significantly decreased in PR‐positive but unchanged in PR‐negative RU534‐treated tumors. A reduction of ≥20% in PI was found in 61.5% of RU534‐treated tumors with PR expression. Conversely, no effect on AI was observed after RU534 treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Neoadjuvant RU534 treatment had PR expression‐related inhibiting effects on proliferation of canine mammary carcinoma cells.