Evaluation of the Karras Spermdensimeter in Relation to the Neubauer Counting Chamber for Sperm Concentration Measurement in Boar Semen

The correct measurement of spermatic concentration in boar semen is one of the basic tasks routinely performed at the Swine Artificial Insemination Center (CIAS). This article explains two experiments whose objectives were: Experiment 1: This trial had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the precision of the spermdensimeter (SPM) with relation to the Neubauer count chamber (CN) which is considered the standard technique in the field and (2) to correct the scale on the SPM table. Experiment 2: This trial also had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the time and repetitions required in the SPM and (2) to compare the SPM adjusted table produced in Expt 1 with the SPM standard table. The methods in Expt 1 were used to measure total spermatic concentration in 141 boar ejaculates. The average spermatic concentrations (10(6) spermatozoids/ml) and average dose number were 229.1 and 22.6 for CN, and 283.6 and 28.0 for SPM. These results indicate that the SPM has a tendency to overestimate spermatic concentration with relation to the CN. The SPM produced a smaller coefficient of variation and needed lesser examination time than the CN (p < 0.05). The SPM adjusted table created in Expt 1 produced similar results as the SPM and CN standard tables (2.96 billion live spermatozoids/dose vs 2.36 billion live spermatozoids/dose). Incorporation and evaluation of supplemental data from other CIAS regarding the use of the SPM adjusted table in the field entitled 'Adjusted Table for Karras Spermdensimeter LPS-FMVZ-USP' would be valuable to prove its efficiency.     

Concentrations of energy substrates in oviduct fluid in unilaterally ovariectomised pigs

Nichol et al (1992, Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 96, 699–707) identified a pre- to post-ovulatory decrease (approx 1mM) in the amount of glucose in pig oviduct fluid. The present studies investigated whether the decrease was due to metabolism by embroyos and/or oviduct tissues, and also whether there was a local influence of the ovary on the oviduct fluid content of energy substrates. Unilaterally ovariectomised pigs were used, in which, through compensation, oviducts that contained twice the normal number of embryos could be compared with oviducts which contained no embryos. Following unilateral ovariectomy and after two oestrous cycles of normal duration, surgery was performed 88 hours after the beginning of standing heat to obtain oviduct fluid samples, just before embryonic entry into the uterus. Luminal fluid samples from the ampulla and ampullary-isthmic junction from oviducts with and without an adjacent ovary were assayed for glucose, pyruvate and lactate concentrations. No significant differences were found between the glucose, pyruvate and lactate concentrations in fluids from the ampulla or ampullaryisthmic junction from oviducts containing embryos compared with absence of embryos (P> 0·05). Therefore, the post-ovulatory decrease was not due to the presence of embryos or to a local effect of the ipsilateral ovary. Consequently, pig oviduct fluid concentrations of glucose, lactate and pyruvate are seemingly regulated by systemic mechanisms.     

Muscle strain injuries of the hindlimb in eight horses: diagnostic imaging,management and outcomes

Objective To describe the clinical presentation, ultrasound findings, management and outcome in horses with muscle tear injuries of the hindlimbs. Design Retrospective case series Procedure Medical records of eight horses were reviewed and information on signalment, history, presenting complaint, physical examination findings and further diagnostic tests were recorded. Diagnosis of muscle injury was determined by the presence of abnormal ultrasound findings, compared with the contralateral limb, and, when required, nuclear scintigraphy. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone interviews with owners, trainers and referring veterinarians. Results Muscle tears causing lameness were identified in the middle gluteal (3), semitendinosus (1), semimembranosus (2) and gracilis (2) muscles. Tears were classified by ultrasound imaging as partial (6) or complete (2). The degree of lameness did not appear to be indicative of the extent of injury or of completion of healing. Long-term follow-up was available for seven horses and the outcome was favourable in six cases. Conclusions and clinical relevance Ultrasonography is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of moderate to severe muscle strain injuries. The prognosis appears to be favourable in most cases, although recurrence of injury and lameness can delay the return to athletic activity and an inferior outcome with persistent gait abnormality may occur.     

Detection and interpretation of landslides using satellite images

The severity of the landslide hazard in Hong Kong has resulted in the establishment of a comprehensive landslide database, the Natural Terrain Landslide Inventory (NTLI). It is derived mainly from the interpretation of medium to large‐scale aerial photographs, and describes the location of all landslides. In view of the labour‐intensive nature of air photo interpretation, as well as the lack of regular air photo cover in many countries, satellite images were examined for their ability to monitor landslides at a similarly detailed level, using the NTLI database as a reference. Using automated change detection with SPOT XS® images it was possible to identify 70% of landslides, the main omissions being due to those less than 10 m in width, and many of those identified were of sub‐pixel width. The study also examined different techniques of image fusion for the enhancement of IKONOS images, and demonstrated that landslides on fused images are of similar detail to those on air photos. A methodology for regional scale monitoring is proposed which combines the efficiency of automated techniques for large area monitoring using SPOT® with the qualitative detail obtained from Pan‐sharpened IKONOS images. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Grb14 mRNA Levels During Follicular Deviation in Cattle are Higher in Granulosa Cells of Subordinate Compared to Dominant Follicles

The growth factor receptor‐bound protein 14 (Grb14) is a cellular adapter protein belonging to the Grb7 family of proteins. Studies with human and rodent cells have demonstrated that Grb14 acts as a negative regulator of tyrosine kinase receptor signalling through the MAPK and PI3K pathways. In cattle, tyrosine kinase receptors are activated during follicular development but the role of Grb14 in this process has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize Grb14 mRNA expression in ovarian somatic cells during follicular growth and deviation in cattle. We found Grb14 mRNA expressed in both granulosa and theca cells derived from follicles at different stages of development (3–5 , 6–8, >8 mm in diameter). The abundance of mRNA for Grb14 was higher in granulosa cells of subordinate compared with those from dominant follicles at days 3 and 4 of the follicular wave (p < 0.05). Further, there was a negative correlation between the abundance of mRNA for Grb14 and P450Arom in granulosa cells (R² = 0.367; p < 0.05) and between the abundance of mRNA for Grb14 in granulosa cells and concentration of oestradiol in follicular fluid (R² = 0.545; p < 0.05). In theca cells, the expression of Grb14 mRNA did not differ between dominant and subordinate follicles (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that Grb14 may play a regulatory role in granulosa cells during follicular deviation in cattle.