Retrospective study of Old World screwworm fly (Chrysomya bezziana) myiasis in 59 dogs in Hong Kong over a one year period

This retrospective study examined the case records of Old World screw-worm fly myiasis in dogs in Hong Kong's New Territories. Myiasis due to OWSWF was identified and treated in 59 dogs at our clinic over a period of 1 year. Signalment, causes of initial wound, and treatments implemented, are reported. All cases recovered from myiasis with a combination of larvae removal and wound debridement, antibiotics, and topical and systemic insecticides. Whilst this parasite is currently exotic to Australia, much of the country is environmentally suitable (tropical and subtropical) for establishment of OWSWF.     

Effects of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Administration on the Pituitary-Ovarian Axis in Anoestrous vs Ovariectomized Bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on the plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) bitches. Therefore, blood samples were collected at multiple times before and after the administration of 10 microg/kg GnRH (Fertagyl)) for the determination of the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone in six anoestrus and in six OVX bitches. The mean plasma LH concentrations before and 60 min after GnRH administration were significantly lower in the anoestrous bitches than in the OVX bitches. In both groups GnRH administration resulted in a significant increase in the plasma LH concentration. The highest plasma LH concentrations were found at 10 min after GnRH administration and these values did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only in the anoestrous bitches a significant increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations was found after GnRH administration and these values were significantly higher than those in the OVX bitches. The plasma concentrations of progesterone and testosterone were low (close to or below the limit of quantitation) both before and after GnRH administration and the differences between anoestrous and OVX bitches were not significant. It can be concluded that (i) basal plasma LH concentration is significantly higher in OVX bitches than in anoestrous bitches, (ii) plasma LH concentration increases after GnRH administration in both anoestrous and OVX bitches, (iii) GnRH administration causes a significant rise in plasma oestradiol concentration only if ovarian tissue is present and (iv) measurement of plasma progesterone and testosterone concentrations before and after GnRH administration does not aid in distinguishing between anoestrous and OVX bitches. The results of this study may provide a basis for the diagnosis of remnant ovarian tissue and verification of neuter status in the bitch.     

Synchronous climate changes in antarctica and the north atlantic

Central Greenland ice cores provide evidence of abrupt changes in climate over the past 100,000 years. Many of these changes have also been identified in sedimentary and geochemical signatures in deep-sea sediment cores from the North Atlantic, confirming the link between millennial-scale climate variability and ocean thermohaline circulation. It is shown here that two of the most prominent North Atlantic events-the rapid warming that marks the end of the last glacial period and the Bolling/Allerod-Younger Dryas oscillation-are also recorded in an ice core from Taylor Dome, in the western Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. This result contrasts with evidence from ice cores in other regions of Antarctica, which show an asynchronous response between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.     

A comparison of different vitrification devices and the effect of blastocoele collapse on the cryosurvival of in vitro produced porcine embryos

The aim of this study was to determine the optimum conditions for vitrifying in vitro produced day 7 porcine embryos using different vitrification devices and blastocoele collapse methods. Firstly embryos were collapsed by micro-pipetting, needle puncture and sucrose with and without conducting vitrification. In the next experiment, non-collapsed embryos were vitrified in an open device using either superfine open-pulled straws (SOPS) or the CryoLoop^TM system, or vitrified in a closed device using either the CryoTip^TM or Cryo Bio^TM’s high security vitrification system (HSV). The post-thaw survival of embryos vitrified in the open devices did not differ significantly (SOPS: 37.3%; CryoLoop^TM: 37.3%) nor did the post-thaw survival of embryos vitrified in the closed devices (CryoTip™: 38.5%; HSV: 42.5%). The re-expansion rate of embryos that were collapsed via micro-pipetting (76.0%) did not differ from those that were punctured (75.0%) or collapsed via sucrose (79.6%) when vitrification was not performed. However, embryos collapsed via sucrose solutions (24.5%) and needle puncture (16.0%) prior to vitrification were significantly less likely to survive vitrification than the control (non-collapsed) embryos (53.6%, P < 0.05). The findings show that both open and closed vitrification devices were equally effective for the vitrification of porcine blastocysts. Collapsing blastocysts prior to vitrification did not improve survival, which is inconsistent with the findings of studies in other species. This may be due to the extremely sensitive nature of porcine embryos, and/or the invasiveness of the collapsing procedures.     

Farm management factors associated with bulk tank somatic cell count in Irish dairy herds

The relationship between bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) and farm management and infrastructure was examined using data from 398 randomly selected, yet representative, Irish dairy farms where the basal diet is grazed grass. Median bulk tank SCC for the farms was 282,887 cells/ml ranging from 82,209 to 773,028 cells/ml. Two questionnaires were administered through face-to-face contact with each farmer. Herd-level factors associated with bulk tank SCC were determined using linear models with annual somatic cell score (i.e., arithmetic mean of the natural logarithm of bulk tank SCC) included as the dependent variable. All herd level factors were analysed individually in separate regression models, which included an adjustment for geographical location of the farm; a multiple regression model was subsequently developed. Management practices associated with low SCC included the use of dry cow therapy, participation in a milk recording scheme and the use of teat disinfection post-milking. There was an association between low SCC and an increased level of hygiene and frequency of cleaning of the holding yard, passageways and cubicles. Herd management factors associated with bulk tank SCC in Irish grazing herds are generally in agreement with most previous studies from confinement systems of milk production.     

Effects of Superovulation with oFSH and Norgestomet/GnRH‐Controlled Release of the LH Surge on Hormone Concentrations,and Yield of Oocytes and Embryos at Specific Developmental Stages

The objective of this study was to evaluate a new superovulation procedure with oFSH after temporary suppression of the endogenous LH surge by norgestomet followed by administration of GnRH, to collect bovine oocytes and embryos at specific developmental stages. Since 1999, our research group applies this superovulation procedure with controlled release of the endogenous LH surge. The objective of this study is to verify if this procedure is reliable for collection of oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development and if it produces a sufficient number of both oocytes and embryos of good quality. This procedure was validated regarding to hormonal characteristics, superovulatory response and both oocyte and embryo yield at different times of in vivo development. The results demonstrate that the procedure used to control the occurrence of the pre‐ovulatory LH surge was effective in 92% of the animals (n = 238) and even in 99% of the animals the oocytes and embryos were collected at the intended stage of development. The superovulatory response and both oocyte, embryo yield and quality were similar to the average yield in Europe reported by Association Européenne de transfert embryonnaire (AETE). In conclusion, this superovulation procedure provides a valid tool to collect oocytes and embryos at specific time points of development.     

The state of the art in raptor electrocution research: A global review

We systematically reviewed the raptor electrocution literature to evaluate study designs and methods used in raptor electrocution research, mitigation, and monitoring, emphasizing original research published in English. Specifically, we wondered if three decades of effort to reduce raptor electrocutions has had positive effects. The majority of literature examined came from North America, western Europe, and South Africa. In spite of intensive and often sustained effort by industry and governments across three continents for 30 years, reductions in the incidence of electrocution have been demonstrated in only a few studies. Reliable rate estimates of electrocution mortality generally are unavailable, with some exceptions. Nearly half of 110 studies we analyzed in detail were retrospective reviews of historical mortality records, banding data, or results of necropsies on dead birds received at pathology and veterinary facilities. Among prospective studies, less than half used unbiased approaches to sampling and many did not provide enough detail to assess the sampling design used. At this time, few researchers can demonstrate the reliability of standardized retrofitting procedures or the effectiveness of monitoring techniques. Future progress in reducing raptor mortalities on power lines will benefit from properly designed studies that generate rate estimates of mortality, address biasing factors, and include predictions concerning risk and techniques to reduce risk that can be tested in the field or laboratory.     

Absence of cooling in New Zealand and the adjacent ocean during the Younger Dryas chronozone

As the climate warmed at the end of the last glacial period, a rapid reversal in temperature, the Younger Dryas (YD) event, briefly returned much of the North Atlantic region to near full-glacial conditions. The event was associated with climate reversals in many other areas of the Northern Hemisphere and also with warming over and near Antarctica. However, the expression of the YD in the mid- to low latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere (and the southwest Pacific region in particular) is much more controversial. Here we show that the Waiho Loop advance of the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand was not a YD event, as previously thought, and that the adjacent ocean warmed throughout the YD.