Uterine clearance mechanisms during the early postovulatory period in mares

Uterine response to inoculation with Streptococcus zooepidemicus organisms, 51Cr-labeled 15-microns microspheres, and charcoal was evaluated in 9 mares (4 resistant and 5 susceptible to endometritis) to determine mechanical and cellular clearance rates during the early postovulatory period. Mares were inoculated at estrus prior to ovulation during estrous cycles 1, 3, and 5. Uterine swab specimens for aerobic and anaerobic bacteriologic culture and serum for progesterone determination were obtained on postovulation day 3 during estrous cycle 1, on the day of ovulation during estrous cycle 3, and on postovulation day 5 during estrous cycle 5. Immediately thereafter, the uterus was irrigated with 50 ml of sterile physiologic saline solution containing tracer amounts of 125I-labeled human serum albumin. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was isolated from 10 of 15 (67%) uterine specimens collected from susceptible mares and incubated aerobically. Escherichia coli also was isolated from 2 of the 10 specimens incubated aerobically. Anaerobic bacteriologic culture of specimens from all mares yielded no growth. Chromium-labeled microspheres were recovered twice from 2 susceptible mares, on day 0 and day 5. Charcoal was retained in 5 specimens collected from 3 susceptible mares. Bacteriologic culture of specimens from resistant mares did not yield growth. On day 0, chromium-labeled microspheres and charcoal were recovered once from 1 resistant mare. Mares susceptible to endometritis accumulated more fluid within the uterine lumen after ovulation than did resistant mares (mean +/- SEM, 52.73 +/- 15.22 ml and 7.41 +/- 1.96 ml, respectively; P less than 0.01). From this study, it appeared that uterine cellular and bactericidal mechanisms are dysfunctional during the early postovulatory period. However, there appeared to be no disruption of the mechanisms responsible for mechanical clearance of materials inoculated in the uterus.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus in milk

The present study shows that milk is an appropriate source for detection of seroreactors to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV). There was close agreement between antibody titres in serum and in skim milk, as determined by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antibody titres were usually lower in skim milk than in serum, but all seropositive cows (n = 84) were also skim milk-positive and all but one seronegative cow (n = 55) proved negative in skim milk. During lactation, the level of antibodies to BVDV in milk showed an inverse relationship to the amount of milk produced. However, there was a sufficient level of antibodies in milk throughout lactation to permit an adequate determination of BVDV antibody status in dairy cows. There was a mutual good agreement between milk antibody titre in the four mammary quarters, irrespective of milk cell count. Milk can be used to detect seroreactors to BVDV. Milk is preferable to blood in large-scale epidemiological studies, since the sampling procedure is much simpler.     

Spontaneous regression of bovine cutaneous leukosis

Biopsies of skin from a 2-year-old heifer with spontaneously regressing dermal leukosis were examined. The heifer was not infected with bovine leukemia virus and was negative for tumor-associated antigens of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma. By hematological standards for bovine leukemia, the heifer was positive at about 60 days post-occurrence of the disease (POD). At 53 days POD, lymphoblastic neoplastic cells in the dermis reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. The cells had intracytoplasmic clustered dense bodies under electron microscopy. From 53 to 83 days POD, figures of the transepithelial elimination (TE) against neoplastic cells and perivascular infiltration of small lymphocytes were in the dermis. Small lymphocytes reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody. At necropsy there were no neoplastic lesions; there were flat lymph node-like tissues in the subcutis. Many germinal centers were seen in the lymphatic organs. Blood lymphocytes at 46 days POD were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A. Sera, taken until 75 days POD and at necropsy, showed an inhibitory effect on mitogen-induced blastogenesis of normal bovine lymphocytes. These results suggested the existence of a spontaneous regressive mechanism against neoplastic lesions by TE and tumor immunity.     

Extramedullary plasmacytoma and immunoglobulin-associated amyloidosis in a cat

Extramedullary plasmacytoma with immunoglobulin-associated amyloidosis was diagnosed in a 10-year-old cat. The primary tumor was a large, circumferential mass of the right tarsal region. Metastasis developed in the regional lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Permanganate-resistant amyloid deposits were associated with plasma cells in the primary and metastatic tumors. Treatment with prednisone and melphalan had little effect on the progression of the disease, and the cat died four weeks later.     

Orthovoltage radiotherapy of primary lymphoma of bone in a dog

A 1 1/2-year-old castrated Boxer with a progressive left forelimb lameness of 1 month's duration had a solitary immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma of the proximal portion of the ulna. This primary lymphoma of bone was successively treated with orthovoltage radiation (45 Gy divided into 10 fractions over 22 days). The dog gradually regained normal gait function and did not develop any local recurrence over 34 months. In dogs, primary lymphoma of bone is a rare primary bone tumor, and the ulna is an unusual location for extranodal lymphoma. Local administration of radiation appears to be an effective treatment, allowing retention of normal function.     

Dermoid cysts in camels

In our experience the camel (Camelus dromedarius) seems to be affected more commonly by dermoid cysts as compared to other cutaneous cysts. However, apart from one reference (Monteverde, 1935), the dermoid cyst has not been reported in the camel. This report documents dermoid cysts in identical locations in 11 camels with two camels having bilateral dermoid cysts at the similar site.     

Lymphosarcoma with disseminated skeletal involvement in a pup

Lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma with disseminated skeletal involvement was diagnosed in a 15-week-old Golden Retriever. The skeletal disease was characterized by diffuse, irregular areas of radiolucency most evident in the diaphyseal portion of long bones and was associated with gait abnormalities and signs of pain. Necropsy also revealed involvement of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and mesenteric lymph nodes.     

Conception rates in early postpartum ewes bred naturally or by intrauterine insemination

Ewes were treated with a medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) sponge for 8 d followed, at sponge removal, with 500 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at d 30, 40 or 50 (d 0 = lambing) to induce estrus. Dry and lactating ewes were divided into equal numbers at each postpartum day and bred at estrus. Conception rates and number of accessory sperm were determined by flushing the oviducts 3 d after mating and examining the recovered ova. There was no effect (P greater than .05) of lactational status on conception rates. Conception rates increased (P less than .05) from d 30 (10%) to d 40 (45%) and from d 40 to d 50 (80%). There were fewer (P less than .05) ova with accessory sperm (5/26) in d-30 ewes compared with d-40 (10/27) or d-50 (12/24) ewes. In Exp. 2, ewes were assigned to two groups after receiving PMSG on d 30: 1) mated naturally or 2) inseminated during laparotomy near the uterotubal junction (UTJ). Dry and lactating ewes were divided evenly within each of the two treatments. Oviducts were flushed and ova were examined for cleavage. The conception rate was 60% in ewes that were inseminated in the UTJ vs 10% in ewes mated to rams (P less than .05). Lactational status had no effect on results. In conclusion, conception rates in postpartum ewes treated with MAP sponge and PMSG increased from postpartum d 30 to d 50 with natural breeding, and d-30 conception rates were increased over natural mating by insemination into the uterine horn near the UTJ.