Immunoglobulins in piglets from sows heat-stressed prepartum

Sows were subjected to moderate heat stress in a chamber (32 C) from d 100 of pregnancy until less than 8 h before delivery of first piglet, while control sows were in a thermoneutral chamber (21 C) or farrowing house (22 C). Blood serum and colostrum at parturition of heat-stressed sows and their piglets' serum at birth had elevated cortisol concentrations. Total protein, globulin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in sow serum tended to decrease as parturition time was approached; albumin did not change. Total protein and IgG concentrations in colostrum at parturition and in milk 24 and 48 h later tended to be lower in heat-stressed sows. Concentrations of these four protein fractions (total, globulin, IgG and albumin) in piglet serum at birth did not differ among treatment groups, but soon after colostrum ingestion they increased markedly in all groups. Therefore, in all groups total protein remained constant while globulin and IgG decreased. Globulin concentration on d 1 was lowest in piglets from heat-stressed sows, but its rate of decrease after d 1 was not affected by sow treatment. Immunoglobulin G concentration was 11 mg/ml lower, but its rate of decrease through postnatal d 20 was slower in piglets from heat-stressed sows than in those from control sows; a 10-mg/ml difference in IgG concentration on postnatal d 1 has been associated with increased preweaning mortality in piglets. Higher cortisol concentration in serum and lower IgG in colostrum of sows under heat stress was associated in their piglets with higher serum cortisol at birth and lower serum IgG for the first 20 d postnatum.     

In vivo capacitation and acrosome reaction of bovine sperm in estrous and diestrous cows

A staining procedure which enables distinction between spermatozoa possessing a true and false acrosome reaction (AR) was utilized to assess the incidence of capacitation and the true AR of bull spermatozoa recovered from the uterine horns of estrous and diestrous cows. Results show that at 3 and 6 h post-insemination, approximately 14.5 and 31.5%, respectively, of the live spermatozoa recovered had undergone a true AR in the uterus of estrous cows. An increasing percentage of those spermatozoa recovered from estrous cows with time were categorized as undergoing a false AR. This suggests that spermatozoa underwent capacitation, a true AR, then died prior to fixation and staining, therefore being grouped as false acrosome-reacted. Few spermatozoa were observed to have undergone a true AR in diestrous cows. It is apparent from this study that individual spermatozoa undergo capacitation and a true AR at different times during incubation in utero in estrous cows.     

Colonic perforation in corticosteroid-treated dogs

Clinical findings for 5 new cases of colonic perforation in corticosteroid-treated dogs were presented and 8 other cases from the literature were reviewed. Colonic perforation was a fatal complication in all 13 dogs, 12 of which had had recent major surgery. Ten dogs were neurosurgical patients, 1 dog received medical therapy for head trauma and nonambulatory paresis, and 2 dogs were operated on for non-neurologic conditions. Dexamethasone was the most frequently used corticosteroid, and 12 dogs received a mean cumulative dose of 6.4 mg/kg over an average period of 5.1 days. Depression, anorexia, and emesis, the most frequent signs attending colonic perforation, became evident 3 to 8 days after surgery. Signs preceded death by an average of 22.3 hours. Correct antemortem diagnosis (5 dogs) and surgical intervention (3 dogs) had no effect on eventual outcome (mortality = 100%). Colonic perforation most frequently developed in the proximal descending portion and always involved the antimesenteric border. Gross fecal contamination of the peritoneal cavity and acute generalized peritonitis were evident in all but one dog. Adhesions were observed at the lesion site in 6 dogs, but prevented gross soilage in only one dog.     

A comparison of the effects of two volumes of local analgesic solution in the distal interphalangeal joint of horses with lameness caused by solar toe or solar heel pain

The response of horses, with solar pain in the dorsal or palmar aspect of the foot, to 6 or 10 ml local analgesic solution administered into the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint was examined. Lameness was induced in 7 horses by creating solar pain in the dorsal aspect of one forefoot and, at another time, the palmar aspect of the other forefoot with set-screws inserted into a custom-made shoe. Horses were videotaped trotting before and after application of set-screws and, in separate trials, after 6 or 10 ml local analgesic solution was administered into the DIP joint. Lameness scores were assigned by examining videotaped gaits. Scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for horses with set-screws applied to the angles of the sole and receiving 10 ml, but not 6 ml, local analgesic solution into the DIP joint. Scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for all horses with set-screws in the dorsal margin of the sole receiving either volume of local analgesic solution. Analgesia of the DIP joint was less effective in desensitising the angles of the sole than in desensitising the dorsal margin of the sole, and 10 ml local analgesic solution was more effective than 6 ml in desensitising these regions. The response of horses with solar pain to local analgesic solution in the DIP joint was influenced by the volume administered and the region of sole affected.     

Effect of cumulus cells and sperm concentration on fertilization and development of pig oocytes

Effect of sperm concentrations and cumulus cells (CCs) on porcine IVF was re‐evaluated using current improved IVM and IVC system. Our results showed that both CCs and sperm concentration had significant effect on penetration rate, frequency of polyspermy and embryonic development. The best IVF results were obtained with oocytes with CCs fertilized with 0.5 × 10⁵ sperm/ml. Such an IVP system works on both sow and gilt oocytes.     

Belchip: A new potato variety combining high quality,pest resistance,and wide adaptation

Belchip, a round white, widely adapted potato variety, especially useful for chips, was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Florida, New Jersey, and Maine, and the Virginia Truck and Ornamental Research Station, Norfolk in 1978. Belchip is immune to viruses A and X and tuber net necrosis caused by the leaf roll virus; highly resistant to race O of late blight and tuber necrosis caused by high soil temperatures; and has not shown unusual susceptibility to other major potato diseases. Maturity is about 5 days later than Atlantic. Tubers of Belchip are flat round in shape with shallow eyes. Tubers may be irregular in conformation under nitrogen deficiency and water stress. Total solids content ranges from 18 percent in Florida to 23 percent in Maine. Chips made from Belchip were lighter in color than those processed from varieties currently grown along the Atlantic Seaboard. Belchip reconditions readily in 2–3 weeks from 4°C (39°F) storage.