Anomalous Pregnancies during Late Embryonic/Early Foetal Period in High Producing Dairy Cows

This study analyses anomalous cases of gestation ending in pregnancy loss during the early foetal period and their effect on progesterone and plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 (PAG-1) concentrations. Data derived from a large-scale ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis programme in high producing dairy cows. Over a 3-year period (2004–2007), a very low incidence (0.5%: 15 of 3094) of anomalous pregnancies was recorded. The results revealed that the following anomalies were detected on days 35–41 of gestation in cows carrying singletons with one single corpus luteum: embryo death in eight cows (0.3%); and embryo in the uterine horn contralateral to the corpus luteum in seven cows (0.2%). All these animals suffered pregnancy loss during the early foetal period. In cows carrying dead embryos, no signs of conceptus degeneration were observed on pregnancy diagnosis. Amnion size (approximately 25 mm diameter) and uterine horn fluid contents were estimated to be similar to those of the normal pregnant cows in this period. In the contralateral gestations, live embryos were observed in all ultrasound checks before pregnancy loss. Uterine fluid contents increased in the two cows in which gestation continued for more than a week. In the cases of embryo death but not in those of contralateral gestation, a drop in PAG-1 levels was noted prior to pregnancy loss. Two cows carrying dead embryos increased with time allantoic fluid contents. The PAG-1 values increased with time in one cow bearing a dead embryo (from 2.31 to 6.79 ng/ml) and in two of the contralateral gestations (from 1.66 to 2.33 ng/ml and from 0.39 to 6.79 ng/ml, respectively). Results of this study indicate that the foetal membranes continue to undergo some activity following embryo death, and that contralateral pregnancy may determine failure of the gestation process.     

Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein Secretion in North Moroccan Goats

The plasma profile of pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG) and its relationship with fetal number were studied in 14 North Moroccan goats using a semi‐heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA). Peripheral blood was collected every day during the first month of pregnancy, afterward the blood samples were collected trice a week. The PAG were first detected at day 20 of pregnancy, their levels increase to week 8 of gestation then decrease slightly until parturition. Statistical differences between goats carrying one or two foetuses are observed from week 5 of pregnancy until parturition. Factorial Discriminant Analysis provides mathematical models for the discrimination between the litter size using the PAG level and the week of pregnancy. Using only one blood sample per week, high sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy (74%, 88% and 81%) were obtained using these models. It is concluded that the PAG RIA is an effective tool for early diagnosis of pregnancy and for discrimination between the litter sizes in North Moroccan goats.     

Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife) poisoning of sheep in Victoria

Objective To document an ovine disease attributed to the consumption of Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife). Procedures Historical and histological review of field and experimental cases. Results 1–20% mortality occurred in sheep flocks grazing paddocks where L. hyssopifolia was the predominant green vegetation. Well‐documented disease outbreaks occurred in summer on nine farms across Victoria between 1974 and 2002. Liver damage occurred in all nine outbreaks, with kidney damage in at least eight. Hepatocyte necrosis was usually zonal to midzonal (zone 2) in the liver samples from four farms and periacinar (zone 3) in those from three farms, but some livers showed only single‐cell necrosis. Multinucleate hepatocytes near necrotic areas were a feature in six cases. Proximal tubular epithelium appeared to be the primary renal target and brown granules were often present in renal tubules. Biochemical and histological evidence of liver and kidney damage was obtained from two sheep experimentally pen‐fed harvested L. hyssopifolia. Conclusion Chemicals in L. hyssopifolia are toxic to ovine hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells.     

A comparison of the reduction in immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration of frozen equine plasma treated by three thawing techniques

SUMMARY: The IgG concentration of plasma from 13 mares was measured by radial immunodiffusion when fresh and after storage at -4°C and thawing by 3 methods. There was no significant (P > 0.05) reduction in the IgG concentration when plasma was thawed over 6 hours at 22°C (1352.9 ± 101.6 mg/dL) (mean ± SEM) compared with the fresh sample (1369.5 ± 88.1 mg/dL). In contrast, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the IgG concentration of plasma that was rapidly thawed at 57°C over 50 minutes (1142.9 ±66.2 mg/dL), or placed in a microwave oven for 20 to 25 minutes (1093.4 ± 74.4 mg/dL). When plasma is administered to hypo-gammaglobulinaemic newborn foals, a larger volume is required when thawing is rapid than when thawing is slow or when fresh plasma is administered.     

Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.     

Evaluation of canine hyperadrenocorticism, using computed tomography

Abdominal computed tomography was performed in 9 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and in 2 healthy dogs. Both adrenal glands were identified in all dogs. Computed tomography allowed accurate identification of the sites of adrenal gland dysfunction, when interpreted in combination with a biochemical diagnosis of canine hyperadrenocorticism. This accuracy permitted the retroperitoneal approach to be used for all adrenalectomies. Use of contrast medium (although not essential) was helpful in the computed tomographic identification of blood vessels, kidneys, and other abdominal organs.     

Influence of Staining Method on the Values of Avian Sperm Head Morphometric Variables

Computer‐assisted systems for the assessment of sperm morphometry (ASMA systems) have been used successfully with several mammalian species. Unfortunately, they have so far been of little use for assessing bird semen, a consequence of the filiform shape of avian spermatozoa. This study compares two staining techniques (Hemacolor^® and aniline blue staining) for the morphometric analysis of rooster and red‐legged partridge spermatozoa as part of a computer‐assisted light microscopy method. For both species, Hemacolor^® staining provided a significantly higher percentage of measurable cells (93.7 ± 11.7% in roosters and 71.9 ± 15.3% in red‐legged partridges). Hemacolor^® also showed greater repeatability (lower coefficients of variation) for length and area in roosters' sperm and for width in the case of red‐legged partridge's sperm. In the roosters, the Hemacolor^® technique returned significantly (p < 0.05) larger sperm head width and area values than did the aniline blue technique, while the latter resulted in greater sperm head length values (p < 0.05). In the red‐legged partridge, no differences were seen in the results for sperm head width and area provided by the two techniques, but aniline blue staining was associated with longer length measurements. In conclusion, the morphometric values recorded differed depending on the staining method and species. However, the Hemacolor^® technique might be deemed the more appropriate for computerized sperm assessment systems as it provides larger percentages of measureable cells and shows greater repeatability.