A Bayesian meta-analysis of the effects of administering an intra-vaginal (CIDR) device in combination with other hormones on the reproductive performance of cycling,anoestrous and inseminated cows

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programmes that included controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) devices containing progesterone (P4) in improving synchrony of oe- strus, and conception and pregnancy rates in cycling, anoestrous and inseminated dairy cows, using meta-analysis. To describe the difference in response between cycling and anoestrous cows to CIDR-based synchrony programmes.

METHODS: Scientific papers written in the English language between 1989 and 2002 that investigated the effects of treat- ment programmes including CIDR devices on reproductive per- formance in dairy heifers or lactating dairy cows were identified using a computerised literature search. The criteria for inclusion incorporated evidence that treatment allocation was completely randomised; the population studied was lactating dairy cows; and that data were available on submission, conception and pregnancy rates and their associated measures of variability. Re- productive outcomes from 25 synchrony trials (total n= 11,058 cows) were analysed. Summary measures of the effect of treat- ment on reproductive outcome were assessed using fixed- and random-effects Bayesian meta-analysis models.

RESULTS: Treatment programmes including a CIDR device increased the risk of submission in cycling cows (predicted Bayesian RR=2.86, 95% credible interval 1.46–5.67). Compared with controls, synchrony programmes including CIDR devices in cycling dairy cows had no effect on the risk of conception to first service post-treatment (predicted Bayesian RR=1.00, 95% credible interval=0.80-1.24). Compared with controls, synchrony programmes including CIDR devices had no effect on the risk of pregnancy throughout the mating period (pre- dicted Bayesian RR=1.02, 95% credible interval=0.89-1.17). In anoestrous cows, CIDR treatment had no effect on the risk of conception to first service post-treatment and no effect on the risk of pregnancy throughout the mating period, compared with anoestrous, untreated controls (predicted Bayesian RR=0.91 and 0.97, respectively; 95% credible interval=0.68–1.26 and 0.59-1.60, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis showed that synchrony programmes using CIDR devices combined with other hormones reliably enhanced submission rates in lactat- ing dairy cows. The relatively small number of trials with data suitable for analysis and the heterogeneity of results at the indi- vidual trial level limited our ability to confirm either a beneficial or deleterious effect of treatment on conception or pregnancy rates. Further randomised, controlled trials to evaluate the ef- fectiveness of this form of reproductive therapy in commercial dairy farms are needed.     

Molecular evaluation of five cardiac genes in Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE: To sequence the exonic and splice site regions of 5 cardiac genes associated with the human form of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Doberman Pinschers with DCM and to identify a causative mutation. ANIMALS: 5 unrelated Doberman Pinschers with DCM and 2 unaffected Labrador Retrievers (control dogs). PROCEDURES: Exonic and splice site regions of the 5 genes encoding the cardiac proteins troponin C, lamin A/C, cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3, cardiac troponin T, and the beta-myosin heavy chain were sequenced. Sequences were compared for nucleotide changes between affected dogs and the published canine sequences and 2 control dogs. Base pair changes were considered to be causative for DCM if they were present in an affected dog but not in the control dogs or published sequences and if they involved a conserved amino acid and changed that amino acid to a different polarity, acid-base status, or structure. RESULTS: A causative mutation for DCM in Doberman Pinschers was not identified, although single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in some dogs in the cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3, beta-myosin heavy chain, and troponin T genes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mutations in 5 of the cardiac genes associated with the development of DCM in humans did not appear to be causative for DCM in Doberman Pinschers. Continued evaluation of additional candidate genes or a focused approach with an association analysis is warranted to elucidate the molecular cause of this important cardiac disease in Doberman Pinschers.     

Pharmacokinetics of topically applied ciprofloxacin in tears of mesocephalic and brachycephalic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin in the tear film of normal mesocephalic and brachycephalic dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty mesocephalic dogs and 15 brachycephalic dogs. PROCEDURES: Thirty-five microliters of ciprofloxacin were placed on the cornea of both eyes of each dog. Five brachycephalic dogs were used twice. A tear-test strip placed in the ventral cul de sac for 30 s was used to obtain samples. The tear film of each eye was sampled once at eight time-points post administration, resulting in five samples at each time-point. Samples were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography. Data from the two skull types were compared using the unpaired two-tailed t-test. RESULTS: The mean concentration of ciprofloxacin in the tears of mesocephalic dogs was 192.8 +/- 269.97, 140.6 +/- 91.06, 56.60 +/- 28.47, 13.6 +/- 6.3, 43.25 +/- 59.71, 16.6 +/- 10.62, 15.6 +/- 13.16 and 6.25 +/- 9.84 microg/g at 5, 10, 15, 30 min and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively. The mean concentration of ciprofloxacin in the tears of brachycephalic dogs was 272.6 +/- 106.21, 144.4 +/- 142.32, 131.2 +/- 147.07, 75 +/- 80.07, 40.8 +/- 30.35, 35 +/- 21.98, 52.75 +/- 51.87 and 8.6 +/- 12.10 microg/g at 5, 10, 15, 30 min and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively. There was no statistical difference in tear concentration at any time-point between skull types. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of ciprofloxacin resulted in a mean tear concentration of ciprofloxacin that remained above the MIC(90) levels for most pathogenic bacteria for 6 h in normal mesocephalic and brachycephalic dogs.     

Ultrathin films of a polyelectrolyte with layered architecture

Posttransfer modification of preformed Langmuir-Blodgett films of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) by gaseous hydrochloric acid yields films with layered architecture of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid), respectively. X-ray reflectivity and infrared spectroscopy confirm monolayer by monolayer transfer of the source polymers and their transformation to acid multilayer assemblies with retention of low surface roughnesses. The incorporation of cross-linking groups into the system offers the possibility for further chemical modification to produce ultrathin films of model networks desirable for bioadsorption studies and as hydrophilic spacing layers for tethered membranes.     

Expression of MHC-I and -II in Uterine Tissue from Early Pregnant Bitches

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and -II in uterine tissues from pregnant and non-pregnant bitches, taken at different time periods after mating. The pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized during the pre-implantation (group 1, n = 4), implantation (group 2, n = 7) and placentation stage (group 3, n = 7). Non-pregnant animals in diestrus served as controls (group 4, n = 7). The expression of MHC- I and -II in salpinx, apex, middle horn, corpus uteri and at implantation sites was investigated by immunohistochemistry as well as qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR; MHC-I mRNA was detected in all tissues and with quantitative RT-PCR, and no significant changes were detected until placentation. Immunohistologically, at the apex and corpus site, the average number of MHC-II positive cells increased from the pre-implantation to the post-implantation stage (apex: 1.54 ± 1.21 to 3.82 ± 2.93; corpus: 1.62 ± 1.9 to 5.04 ± 4.95; p < 0.05). The greatest numbers of MHC-II positive cells were observed at placentation sites (6.64 ± 5.9). In parallel, a marked increase in the relative mRNA expression of MHC-II in uterine tissues was assessed from the pre-implantation to the placentation stage (relative to Glycerinaldehyd-3-phosphate-Dehydrogenase (GAPDH): 6.9 ± 9.5, 8.4 ± 5.8, p > 0.05). Immunohistologically, in the salpinx, significantly greater numbers of MHC-II positive cells were found in the tissues of pregnant animals than in the control group (p < 0.05). It is proposed that the increase in MHC-II is pregnancy-related, even though the impact on maintenance of canine pregnancy is still unclear.     

Morphological Examination of the Corpora Lutea from Pregnant Bitches Treated with Different Abortifacient Regimes

Different abortifacient regimes in dogs were analysed for their effect on the pregnancy corpora lutea (CL), namely, prostaglandin F2a analogue cloprostenol (CLO) combined with dopamine agonist cabergoline (CAB), or progesterone (P4) receptor antagonist aglepristone (AGL). Ovaries were collected after 6-10 days of treatment during first trimester. The CL of the control-group showed strong expression of relaxin (RLX), its receptor RXFP1 and enzymes of steroid biosynthesis (HSD) with high peripheral P4-levels. Whereas RXL, RXFP1 and HSD were lowest expressed in the CLO/CAB-group with a massive degeneration of CL and their blood vessels combined with low peripheral P4-level. The AGL-group showed less extensive CL degeneration and more intensive staining of the examined factors than CLO/CAB. In summary, all examined factors are associated with normal luteal function and are useful tools to stage luteolysis. Although both treatments have the same abortive action, their sequence of events on the CL is different.     

Retracted: Gonad histology and serum 11‐KT profile during the annual reproductive cycle in sterlet sturgeon adult males,Acipenser ruthenus

The aim of this study was to assess monthly testicular development in the cultured breeding stock of sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, using histological and serum sex steroid changes. Testicular development in the adult male was examined monthly and showed four distinct phases including resting, pre‐spawning, spawning and post‐spawning. Also, seasonal changes of the testes were described according to its variations in gonadosomatic index (GSI) during different phases of testicular development. Using histology, we identified continuous spermatogenesis and asynchronous gonad development pattern in the testes of male sterlet, which shows that regulation of annual gonadal cycle is influenced by season. Results also showed variation in the GSI value and number of spermatogenic cells according to each season during annual cycle of gonad, as the highest value of GSI was recorded during spawning phase (spring; March‐May). Hormonal profiles of 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) showed peak, which indicated a seasonal pattern of gonadal development. The 11‐KT concentration increased considerably during the spermatogenesis (pre‐spawning phase) and remained quite high throughout the pre‐spermiation period. In the final phase of testicular development (spawning phase), the 11‐KT markedly dropped. This study undertook an examination of complete reproductive development in cultured sterlet sturgeon to provide a valuable guide for the future sterlet studies, and allows comparison of reproductive development between sturgeon species.