Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Stimulation Tests in Cardiomyopathic Doberman Pinschers: A Retrospective Study

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response tests were performed in 152 Doberman Pinschers. Seventy-nine dogs had cardiomyopathy (46 were in congestive heart failure [CHF] and 33 were not in CHF). Seventy-three dogs were presented for noncardiac problems (15 with skin disease, 21 with neurologic disease, 20 with internal medicine disorders, and 17 with other problems), although some may have had cardiomyopathy. The TSH response test results in the cardiomyopathic group were interpreted as normal or euthyroid-sick in 45 (57%) dogs, abnormal in 23 (29%) dogs, and equivocal in 11 (14%) dogs. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the CHF and non-CHF cardiomyopathy groups was not different. Among the dogs presented for noncardiac problems, 27 (37%) were assessed as normal or euthyroid-sick, 29 (40%) as hypothyroid, and 17 (23%) as equivocal. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of hypothyroid test results among the subgroups of these dogs. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was not higher in the cardiomyopathic group compared to the other group, and 63 and 49% of cardiomyopathic dogs with or without CHF, respectively, tested as either euthyroid or euthyroid-sick.     

A quick method of recording plant growth stages

The recording of the stage of growth of crops and weeds by directly photocopying the plants is described.     

Reduced quality of bovine embryos cultured in media conditioned by exposure to an inflamed endometrium

OBJECTIVE: A suboptimal uterine environment contributes to the bovine repeat breeder syndrome. Subclinical endometritis is a component, so the mechanism by which inflammation affects embryo survival was investigated by assessing the effect of non-cellular products of an inflamed endometrium on embryo development to blastocyst. DESIGN: Endometrial fluid from a lactating dairy cow was collected by lavage using embryo culture medium. Aseptic inflammation was then induced by infusion of glycogen and lavage was repeated 6 h later. The recovered fluid was used to culture Day 5 in-vitro-derived embryos for 2 days. Embryo development and quality were compared for two treatment groups (culture media conditioned by inflamed or non-inflamed endometrium) and two controls (control or control + serum). RESULTS: Development to blastocyst was higher for conditioned media or media + serum (inflamed 42.2%; non-inflamed 49.3%; control + serum 50.9%; control 16.9%; P < 0.001). Blastocyst cell numbers were lower for the conditioned-inflamed group (inflamed, 83.1; non-inflamed, 99.8; control + serum, 100.6; control, 110.1; P < 0.001). Trophectoderm cell number, but not inner cell mass number, was reduced in the conditioned-inflamed group and the inner cell mass:trophectoderm ratio was increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Altering the embryo culture environment with the products of endometrial inflammation had a subtle effect on embryo quality. An increased inner cell mass:trophoblast ratio is likely to negatively affect embryonic survival. Altered embryo quality is a mechanism for early embryonic failure in cows with subclinical endometritis. Culture of embryos with normal endometrial fluid may improve in vitro embryo production.     

A wind density model to quantify the airborne spread of Culicoides species during north-western Europe bluetongue epidemic, 2006

Increased transport and trade as well as climate shifts play an important role in the introduction, establishment and spread of new pathogens. Arguably, the introduction of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 8 in Benelux, Germany and France in 2006 is such an example. After its establishment in receptive local vector and host populations the continued spread of such a disease in a suitable environment will mainly depend on movement of infected vectors and animals. In this paper we explore how wind models can contribute to explain the spread of BTV in a temperate eco-climatic setting. Based on previous work in Greece and Bulgaria filtered wind density maps were computed using data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Six hourly forward wind trajectories were computed at pressure levels of 850hPa for each infected farm as from the recorded onset of symptoms. The trajectories were filtered to remove wind events that do not contribute to possible spread of the vector. The suitable wind events were rastered and aggregated on a weekly basis to obtain weekly wind density maps. Next to this, cumulated wind density maps were also calculated to assess the overall impact of wind dispersal of vectors. A strong positive correlation was established between wind density data and the horizontal asymmetrical spread pattern of the 2006 BTV8 epidemic. It was shown that short (<5km), medium (5-31km) and long (>31km) distance spread had a different impact on disease spread. Computed wind densities were linked to the medium/long-distance spread whilst short range spread was mainly driven by active Culicoides flight. Whilst previous work in the Mediterranean basin showed that wind driven spread of Culicoides over sea occurred over distances of up to 700km, this phenomenon was not observed over land. Long-distance spread over land followed a hopping pattern, i.e. with intermediary stops and establishment of local virus circulation clusters at distances of 35-85km. Despite suitable wind densities, no long range spread was recorded over distances of 300-400km. Factors preventing spread Eastwards to the UK and Northwards to Denmark during the 2006 epidemic are discussed. Towards the east both elevation and terrain roughness, causing air turbulences and drop down of Culicoides, were major factors restricting spread. It is concluded that the proposed approach opens new avenues for understanding the spread of vector-borne viruses in Europe. Future developments should take into consideration both physical and biological factors affecting spread.     

Electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms in young bulls following upper cervical vertebrae-to-brisket stunning

Passing an electric current (50 Hz, 400 V open circuit, current limited to 1.5 A) from two electrodes acting as a common single electrode set applied on each side of the dorsal surface of the neck (cervical vertebrae C2 to C5 region) to another placed on the brisket of young bulls causes fibrillation of the cardiac muscle, does not induce epileptiform changes in the electroencephalogram, and produces a state of body rigidity. Passing the same electric current through the same neck electrodes, now acting as two separate electrodes, without the brisket electrode, does induce epileptiform activity similar to that seen with head-only stunning, does not fibrillate the heart, and produces a state of limb rigidity lasting for some time after the stun. Given that the presence of epileptiform activity is a criterion for effective electrical stunning and is indicative of insensibility, neck-to-brisket stunning as described here does not appear to be humane.     

Male contribution to egg production in butterflies: evidence for transfer of nutrients at mating

Radiotracer studies on three butterfly species showed that nutrients contributed by males through mating are used by females for egg production and possibly for somatic maintenance.     

A survey on bloat in southern Australian beef production systems

Frothy bloat, associated predominantly with grazing legume-based pastures, is considered the second most costly disease in beef cattle in southern Australia, costing $84.4 M annually. It frequently results in the sudden death of cattle. In response to concerns from cattle producers, an online survey was conducted in southern Australia in late 2020 to determine the impact of bloat, identify risk factors and determine the efficacy of current preventive measures. For 217 responses, over two-thirds (70%) of producers reported bloat occurring in the previous 12 months, with estimated morbidity and mortality rates of 3.7% and 5.0% respectively. Bloat was associated with clover or clover-dominant paddocks (79%) and was not associated with grass or grass-dominant pastures or low clover pastures (92%) nor grazing crops (27%). For bloat that occurred in the past 12 months, cattle were very commonly grazing on clover or clover-dominant paddocks (90%) and occasionally lucerne-dominated paddocks (7%). Two-thirds of producers reported having preventive measures in place when losses occurred. Bayesian Network analysis confirmed that grazing clover-based pastures for more than 7 days, yearling cattle and the months of July–September were the main risk factors for bloat occurrence, with pasture type (clover) being the most important. Conversely, no clear relationship between weather conditions and bloat occurrence was evident. This survey highlights the known risk of clover-based pastures for causing bloat in cattle, and that losses occur in many cases despite preventive measures being used. This suggests that current methods for preventing bloat in cattle are suboptimal.     

Genetic parameters for residual feed intake in growing pigs, with emphasis on genetic relationships with carcass and meat quality traits

Data were collected over the first 4 generations of a divergent selection experiment for residual feed intake of Large White pigs having ad libitum access to feed. This data set was used to obtain estimates of heritability for residual feed intake and genetic correlations (r(a)) between this trait and growth, carcass, and meat quality traits. Individual feed intake of group-housed animals was measured by single-space electronic feeders. Upward and downward selection lines were maintained contemporarily, with 6 boars and 35 to 40 sows per line and generation. Numbers of records were 793 for residual feed intake (RFI1) of boar candidates for selection issued from first-parity (P1) litters and tested over a fixed BW range (35 to 95 kg) and 657 for residual feed intake (RFI2) and growth, carcass, and meat quality traits of castrated males and females issued from second-parity (P2) litters and tested from 28 to 107 kg of BW. Variance and covariance components were estimated using REML methodology applied to a series of multitrait animal models, which always included the criterion for selection as 1 of the traits. Estimates of heritability for RFI1 and RFI2 were 0.14 +/- 0.03 and 0.24 +/- 0.03, respectively, whereas the estimate of r(a) between the 2 traits was 0.91 +/- 0.08. Estimates of r(a) indicated that selection for low residual feed intake has the potential to improve feed conversion ratio and reduce daily feed intake, with minimal correlated effect for ADG of P2 animals. Estimates of r(a) between RFI2 and body composition traits of P2 animals were positive for traits related to the amount of fat depots (r(a) = 0.44 +/- 0.16 for carcass backfat thickness) and negative for carcass lean meat content (r(a) = -0.55 +/- 0.14). There was a tendency for a negative genetic correlation between RFI2 and carcass dressing percent (r(a) = -0.36 +/- 0.21). Moreover, selection for low residual feed intake is expected, through lower ultimate pH and lighter color, to decrease pork quality (r(a) = 0.77 +/- 0.14 between RFI2 and a meat quality index intended to predict the ratio of the weight of ham after curing and cooking to the weight of defatted and boneless fresh ham).     

Comparison of limited-contact dynamic compression plate and locking compression plate constructs for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in the horse

This study compared in vitro monotonic and cyclic mechanical properties of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodeses stabilized using an open or closed technique combined with axial 4.5 mm narrow limited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) or 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate (LCP). Ten forelimb pairs were randomly assigned to LCP or LC-DCP groups. One limb in each pair was assigned to either open or closed technique. Limbs were tested for cyclic fatigue at 20 000 cycles and then single-cycle to failure under 3-point dorsopalmar bending. There was no significant difference in stiffness of constructs during cyclic fatigue testing or on force or stiffness at failure in single cycle to failure testing between open and closed techniques or between plate types. Both implants, surgical technique, or combinations thereof are suitable for clinical use. More work is necessary to define the interaction between implant type and surgical technique.