Fertility effects of crossing thoroughbreds with don mares

Pregnancy rates, foal-heat conception rates, early and late embryo loss, polyovulations and delivery loss were compared on a Russian breeding farm between Don mares with a low percentage of Thoroughbred (TB) blood and those with more than 25% TB blood, called Budenny mares. The overall pregnancy rate in the two groups was not significantly different; 85.5% and 85.6%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the foal heat conception rate, with the Don mares at 54.9% and the Budenny mares at 50.3%. Embryo loss before Day 100 was only 4.9% for the Don mares, but was 9.1% for the Budenny mares. Embryo loss after Day 100 was similar in the two groups; 10.2% for the Don mares and 9.0% for the Budenny mares. The loss of foals in the process of delivery was 3.3% for the Don mares and 5.0% for the Budenny mares. Estrous cycles with polyovulations was 8.7% for the Don mares and 13.1% for the Budenny mares.     

Canine toxocariasis and the associated environmental contamination of urban areas in eastern Nigeria

The prevalence of canine toxocariasis in pet dogs in two urban towns in eastern Nigeria and the associated environmental contamination were studied through examination of 262 faecal and 400 soil samples. Infection rates in dogs varied from 6.67% to 42.35%, the prevalence rate being inversely related to the age of dogs. Sex and breed of dogs had no significant influence (P greater than 0.05) on the prevalence of infection. There was no evidence of widespread contamination of public places, as Toxocara ova were recovered only from some private premises, namely, those of a dog owner and the kennel of a veterinary hospital.     

Differences in IgG1 and IgG2 responses of cattle infected with Coxiella burnetii and following vaccination

Vaccination of 115 cattle with a formalin-inactivated Coxiella burnetii (Phase II) vaccine selectively induced a highly significant IgG2 response detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High IgG2 and negative or cut off IgG1 levels could be detected in uninfected cattle, whereas significant IgG1 but lower IgG2 levels were associated with C. burnetii infections.     

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and antitrypsin in subclinically infected quarter-milk samples: effect of bacteria and hemolysins, lactation stage, and lactation number

Interrelationships between N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (indicating cellular damage) and antitrypsin (indicating increased permeability between the blood and milk compartments) were evaluated in 1,411 quarter-milk samples collected during routine herd surveys. N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was antitrypsin, whereas, in more severe mastitis, antitrypsin had a more constant deflection. The sensitivity of both determinants was associated with the virulence of bacteria. Production of bacterial hemolytic toxins was associated with a significant increase in both determinants. Penicillinase production by staphylococci was associated with selective increases of antitrypsin.     

Asynchronous growth of the canine radius and ulna: effects of retardation of longitudinal growth of the radius.

After 2,000 rads of x-radiation to the right distal radial physis of eight 70-day-old dogs, the longitudinal growth of the right radius was retarded 42.1% when compared with the growth of the nonirradiated left radius. Asynchronous growth of the right radius and ulna resulted. The gross and radiographic changes that occurred over the subsequent 75 days were described. Subluxation of the humeroradial and humeroulnar joints occurred and was first observed 31 days after irradiation. By 75 days after irradiation, the radius was puller 7.8 mm distally by the radioulnar ligament. However, subluxation of the humeroradial joint was minimized by accelerated growth from the proximal radial physis and articular cartilage. Acceleration of growth also occurred at the distal radial articular cartilage. Growth from the distal ulnar physis and styloid process was retarded. It was thus apparent that after retardation of growth from the distal radial physis, considerable adjustment occurred in the relationship between the radius and the ulna and also in growth from their other physes, which reduced the deleterious effects of the growth retardation.     

Comparative red cell metabolism in the domestic dog and the dingo

A comparative study of the red cell characters, glycolytic enzymes and intermediates was made in the domestic dog and the dingo. No significant differences were found in any of the parameters studied except the enzyme level of NADH-MR which was significantly lower in dingoes (P less than 0.05).