Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis and angiogenic factors in equine granulosa cell tumours

The first part of our study (Müller et al., 2009) characterized angiogenesis in the equine cycling ovary through histomorphological and immunohistochemical examinations (vascular endothelial growth factors A and B [VEGF A, VEGF B], vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 [VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2], vascular angiopoietins 1 and 2 [Ang1, Ang2], angiopoietin receptor [Tie2], and von Willebrand Factor). Since angiogenesis plays an important role in development and growth of numerous tumours, the second part of our study involved a similar examination of 70 equine granulosa cell tumours (GCTt). The results of the second study were compared with those of the normal equine ovary. Certain similarities in the expression pattern could be detected between normal, cyclical ovaries (Müller et al., 2009) and GCTt. The immunoreactivity of granulosa cells and Leydig-like cells in GCTt resembles granulosa cells and luteinized thecal cells in periovulatory cycling ovaries. The neoplastic cells support circulation, supply and growth of GCTt by contributing to angiogenesis.     

Effects of plane of nutrition on growth,feed intake,digestibility and nitrogen balance in Murrah graded male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves in Nepal

An experiment was conducted using 17 male buffalo calves to assess the effects of plane of nutrition on dry matter intake (DMI), daily gain (DG), body size measurement, apparent digestibility and nitrogen (N) balance. To attain 250 kg BW, the calves were allocated into three groups: H, L‐H and L, receiving the concentrate at 1.50% of BW, 0.75% of BW until 190 kg BW and 1.50% thereafter and 0.75% of BW, respectively. The animals had ad libitum access to urea‐treated rice straw (UTRS). The DMI of UTRS through the experiment was higher in L and L‐H than H, showing 3.52, 2.90 and 2.62 kg/day, respectively (P < 0.01), but the total DMI did not differ among the treatment groups. The DG throughout the experiment was high in the order of H, L‐H and L, showing 0.72, 0.57 and 0.45 kg, respectively (P < 0.01). The digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral and acid detergent fiber and N retention were higher in H than in L (P < 0.05). The findings of this study thus revealed the greater DG has an advantage of shortening the growing period around 3 months, and consequently increasing benefit in fattening of buffalo calves in Nepal.     

Balloon dilation of oesophageal strictures in two horses

Oesophageal strictures in 2 horses with chronic recurrent oesophageal obstruction or choke was diagnosed by endoscopy and contrast radiography. Balloon dilation of the strictures was performed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Follow‐up endoscopic and radiological examinations performed 6 weeks after the procedure showed clear dilation of the strictures. Both horses did not have any recurrence during follow‐up periods of 10 and 12 months.     

Breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep

The aim of this study was to analyze the breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep. The flock consisted of 89 Suffolk adult ewes and 250 Columbia ewes and 45 Columbia rams. The animals were kept in the pasture during the day. Each hour the flock was allowed to feed for 20 minutes, and then was moved for 40 minutes to a small paddock near the grazing area. In the afternoon, all sheep were taken to the night pen. The animals were observed for 120 days, 4 times a day (480 leadership breed positions), with respect to the following conditions: (1) leave pen at front of flock, (2) return to pen at front of flock, (3) first to move to the grassland, (4) return to the paddock, (5) drink first (on arrival time at the night pen), and (6) preference for an area in the night barn. The Suffolk breed were first in leaving (94% of the times) and in returning to the night pen (65%) (P < 0.05), and 35% returned with the Columbia sheep. The Suffolk breed were first to move to the grazing area (90%) and 10% moved with the other breed (P < 0.05). When returning to the rest area, the Columbia sheep were first to reach 54% of the time, the 2 breeds were together 29% of the time, and the Suffolk sheep were alone 17% of the time (P < 0.05). When comparing who drank first, 50% of the time both breeds went together, 28% of the time the Columbia sheep were first, and 22% of the time the Suffolk sheep were first (P < 0.05). At night, most of the Suffolk sheep had a preference for 1 barn area (P < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that most animals of each breed performed activities together. Suffolk sheep were leaders when moving to the grazing area and when selecting the place to rest.     

Reproductive efficiency of heifers in the new guinea highlands

Summary Bos indicus × Bos taurus heifers were exposed to bulls at four different liveweights. The age and weight at first and second conception and first calf growth rates were studied to examine the effects of uncontrolled mating prior to or at a target mating weight of 295 kg. Initial conception rate was not affected although lighter conception weights were recorded for three groups of heifers that were served when below the target weight. However, at subsequent calving only the two heavier groups calved within the 36-month trial period. The results indicated a seasonal effect on conception, 94% of the heifers conceiving during the wet season. The effect of season also influenced post-partum body weight loss, calf growth rate to weaning and subsequent conception. It is therefore an advantage to have heifers conceiving during the latter part of the wet season so that they calve early in the following wet season, provided a minimum target weight of 285 kg is reached prior to initial conception.

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Eficiencia Reproductiva De Terneras En La Sierra De Nueva Guinea

Resumen Se cruzaron ternerasBos indicus ×Bos taurus de diferentes pesos con toros reproductores. Se estudiáron así los pesos y edades a la primera y segunda parición y las tasas de crecimiento de los recién nacidos, para medir los efectos de cruzamientos incontrolados versus controlados al alcanzar las hembras un peso de 295 kg. La tasa de concepción inicial no se afectó, aunque los recién nacidos de los grupos de hembras servidas cuando tenían pesos inferiores a 295 kg, pesaron menos. Sinembargo en pariciones sucesivas, solamente las hembras servidas con pesos de 295 kg, parieron en el lapso de 36 meses que duró el experimento. Los resultados indicaron también, que la estación del año afectó las pariciones, el 94% de las hembras concibieron durante la época lluviosa. La época del año también afectó el peso posparto de los recién nacidos, la tasa de crecimiento hasta el destete y las concepciones posteriores. Es por lo tanto ventajoso cruzar las hembras durante el final de la estación lluviosa para que paran en la siguiente estación lluviosa, procurando que éstas alcancen un peso mínimo de 285 kg, antes del apareamiento.

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Efficacite Reproductrice Des Genisses Des Hautes Terres De Nouvelle Guinee

Résumé Des génisses métissesBos indicus ×Bos taurus ont été mises en présence de taureaux à 4 poids vifs différents. L'age et le poids à la première et la seconde conception ainsi que les taux de croissance du premier veau ont été étudiés pour déterminer les effets l'accouplement incontrôlé avant ou à un poids cible d'accouplement de 295 kg. Le taux initial de conception n'a pas été affecté bien que des poids plus faibles à la conception aient été observés chez trois groupes de génisses qui étaient en dessous du poids cible au moment de la saillie. Cependant, lors du vêlàge suivant, seuls les deux groupes les plus lourds ont mis bas pendant la période d'observation de 36 mois. Les résultats montrent que la saison a une influence sur la conception. 94 p. 100 des génisses conçoivent pendant la saison des pluies. La saison a aussi influencé la perte de poids après la mise-bas, le taux de croissance des veaux jusqu'au sevrage et la conception suivante. Il est donc avantageux de faire féconder les génisses pendant la seconde moitié de la saison des pluies afin qu'elles mettent bas au début de la saison des pluies suivante pourvu qu'un poids cible minimum de 285 kg soit atteint avant la fécondation.

     

Analysis of serum and lymphocyte surface IgM of healthy and immunodeficient horses with monoclonal antibodies

Nine monoclonal antibodies which reacted with equine immunoglobulin (Ig)M and not other equine Ig and serum proteins were prepared. Cells producing antibodies (C 1.9) which precipitated with IgM and bound to staphylococcal protein A were triple-cloned (C 1.9/3.2) and the antibodies further characterized. Monoclonal antibody C 1.9/3.2 reacted with an IgM determinant present on serum IgM from horses of several breeds. Studies with 125I-labeled IgM revealed the presence of this determinant on all IgM molecules. The monoclonal antibody enabled quantitation of IgM in presuckling foal and adult horse sera, using rocket electrophoresis. This procedure was used because presumably it gives a positive precipitation reaction over a wide range of antigen-antibody ratios. The C 1.9/3.2 monoclonal antibody recognized an exposed mu-chain determinant on live B lymphocytes, as determined by immunofluorescence. Also, IgM-containing cells could be identified in acetone-fixed frozen sections of lymphoid tissue. Sera from several other species carry the determinant identified by C 1.9/3.2, suggesting that the reagent may be useful for IgM studies in other species.     

A Quantitative Flurometric Assay for the Measurement of Antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica in Cattle

A rapid, simple fluorometric method is described for measuring antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica in sera of cattle. Various antigen preparations were compared for the test including live, formalin-killed and phenol-killed P. haemolytica. A preparation composed of formalin-killed organisms from a 22 hour culture gave consistent results and was used in the studies. The test was reproduciable with percent coefficients of variation for fluorescent signal unit values on ten or more replicate samples ranging from 5.7 to 28.0. Sera from calves vaccinated by aerosol exposure to live P. haemolytica had up to a five-fold increase in antibody titer as measured by the flurometric method test during a 21 day period. Fluorometric method titers were comparable to those obtained by the indirect bacterial agglutination test. There was no seroconversion to P. haemolytica in calves vaccinated by aerosol exposure of P. multocida. The major advantages of the fluorometric method test over conventional methods are that the assay does not require serial dilutions of serum samples and thus limits time and effort to determine antibody titers.     

Insulin tolerance in laminitic ponies.

Sensitivity to insulin was assessed in ponies episodically affected with chronic laminitis by measurement of blood glucose and arterial blood pressure during insulin tolerance tests. In terms of blood glucose values, laminitic ponies were significantly less sensitive to insulin than controls. Conversely, a post-insulin decline in diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure values was significantly greater in laminitic ponies than in controls.