Versuche zur Zyklussynchronisation bei Kühen aus Beständen rnit Fertilitätsproblemen und bei Hybriden zwischen Wisent und Rind mit der PRID-Spirale*

Inhalt: An 81 Versuchs- und 92 Kontrolltieren der Rasse “Potnische Schwarzbunte” aus 3 Problembetrieben wurde ein Versuch zur Sterilitätsprophylaxe rnit der PRID-Spirale durchgeführt. Anhand klinischer Befunde und Milchprogesteronwerten wurde die Untergruppe aus Kühen mit Ovardystrophie (18 Versuchs- und 22 Kontrolltiere) gebildet und extra ausgewertet. Der Behandlungsbeginn lag zwischen 60 und 80 Tage post partum. Die Versuchstiere wurden mit der PRID-Spirale 12 Tage lang behandelt, die Kontrolltiere erhielten Injcktionen rnit Kochsalzlösung und solche rnit Ovardystrophie wurden zusätzlich mit einer Eierstocksmassage behandelt. Die Versuchstiere wurden 56 und 72 Stunden nach Entfernung der Spirale blind besamt. Die Brunstin-duktionsrate betrug insgesamt 90,1%, bei denen rnit Ovardystrophie 77,7%. Die An-wendung der PRID-Spirale führte zur Verbesserung der Fertilitätslage. Die Gesamt-trächtigkeitsrate lag mit 87,6% bei den Versuchskühenüber derjenigen der Kontrollkü-he mit 79,3%. Die Behandlung der Tiere rnit Ovardystrophie erbrachte eine Gesamt-trächtigkeitsrate von 88,8% bei den Versuchs- und 72,7% bei den Kontrolltieren. Die Zwischentragezeit betrug bei den Versuchstieren 101,2 Tage und bei den Kontrolltieren 113,3 Tage (p ≤ 0,05). Bei den azyklischen Tieren lag die Zwischentragezeit bei 104,6 Tage bzw. 134,7 Tage (p ≤ 0,05). In einem anderen Versuch wurde 20 Hybriden zwischen Wisent und Hausrind rwecks Zyklussynchronisation die PRID-Spirale verabreicht. Die Brunstinduktionsrate betrug 66,6%, das Erstbesamungsergebnis nach Doppelbesamung 30%, die Gesamtträchtig-keitsrate nach dem Decken der umrindernden Kreuzungstiere rnit einem Bullen 90%. Die Deckperiode konnte verkürzt werden. Contents: Investigations on the synchronization of estrus cycle in cattle from farms with fertility problems and in cross-breeds between bison and cattle with a PRID-de-vice In 81 experimental and 92 control animals of the “Polish Black and White” breed derived from 3 farms with fertility problems an investigation was carried out for sterility prophylaxis using the PRID-device. Based on clinical findings and milk progesterone values cattle with ovarian dystrophy (18 experimental and 22 control animals) from a special group were used. The begin of treatment was between 60 and 80 days post partum. All experimental animals had received a PRID-device for a duration of 12 days. Control animals were injected with physiological saline solution and animals with ovarian dystrophy were treated additionally with ovarian massage. Experimental animals were inseminated 56 and 72 hrs after removal of the device. All animals taken, estrus was induced in 90.1% of the animals, while only 77.7% of animals with ovarian dystrophy came to estrus. Application of the PRID-device led to an improvement of fertility. Pregnancy rates in experimental animals were 87.6%, while only 79.3% of the control animals were pregnant. Treatment of animals with ovarian dystrophy resulted in 88.8% pregnancies for treated and 72.7% for control animals. Experimental animals were non-pregnant for a duration of 101.2 days, while control animals remained non-pregnant for 113.3 days (p < 0.05). Acyclic cattle had a non-pregnant period of 104.6 days and 134.7 days (p < 0.05) respectively. In a second experiment 20 cross-breeds between bison and domestic cattle were treated with a PRID-device for synchronization of the estrus cycle. The rate of estrus induction was 66.6%, the fertility after double insemination 30%, the total pregnancy rate improved after mating with a bull of animals that had not conceived to 90%.     

Heterosis and recombination effects in Hampshire and Landrace swine: II. Performance and carcass traits.

Twelve different mating types among the Hampshire and Landrace breeds were used to determine direct, maternal, heterosis, and recombination effects for performance and carcass traits. Mating types used were two purebred, two F1, two F2, two F3, and four backcross. Carcass data were collected on 238 barrows and 262 gilts over four replications. Traits measured were length (LENG), 10th rib off midline backfat (BF10), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and dressing percentage (DRS%). Average backfat (AVBF) was calculated as the mean of three midline fat depths measured opposite the first rib, last rib, and last lumbar vertebra. The model used to evaluate the carcass traits included main effects of mating type, farrowing season, and sex and included slaughter weight as a covariate. The performance traits of ADG, feed efficiency (FE), daily feed consumption (DFC), lean gain per day (LNGN), and lean efficiency (LNEF) were measured on a pen basis. Comparisons of reciprocal F1 crosses showed that carcasses from pigs sired by Hampshire boars were leaner and had more LMA than those sired by Landrace boars. Heterosis percentages were significant for AVBF (7.2%; P less than .01), BF10 (8.8%; P less than .01), DRS% (1.5%; P less than .01), ADG (11.5%; P less than .01), DFC (10.2%; P less than .01), LNGN (10.6%; P less than .01), and LNEF (6.0%; P less than .05). Epistatic recombination losses in the offspring were significant for LENG (3.6 cm; P less than .05) and approached significance for BF10 (6.1 mm; P less than .10).     

Experimental Yersinia enterocolitica placentitis in sheep.

A strain of Yersinia enterocolitica of O serogroup 6,30 isolated from the liver of an aborted ovine fetus was inoculated intravenously into a group of pregnant ewes at about 90 days gestation and produced placentitis with abortion or delivery of infected lambs about 50 days later. Y. enterocolitica of the same serogroup was recovered from the necrotic placental cotyledons and most other fetal tissues and could be isolated from vaginal discharges of the ewes for a least 2 weeks after abortion. Histological changes were consistent with an acute bacterial necrotizing placentitis and systemic infection of the fetus. Subsequent pregnancies in the ewes proceeded to term without evidence of infection.     

Comparison of three in vitro techniques to estimate benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus of sheep

Three in vitro assays to detect benzimidazole resistance, namely, the egg-hatch assay, tubulin-binding assay, and a larval-development assay, were evaluated by estimating the level of benzimidazole resistance in three field isolates of Haemonchus contortus compared with a susceptible reference strain. Comparisons were also made with estimates of benzimidazole resistance of the three field strains obtained from an in vivo controlled anthelmintic efficacy test. All three in vitro tests showed similar, consistent results which also suggested greater sensitivity than the in vivo assay. These results indicate that selection of an in vitro technique to determine benzimidazole resistance should therefore be based on considerations other than precision, such as technical expertise, availability of equipment, cost and speed in which diagnosis is required.     

The Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Nitrogen Absorption by Sunflowers

Little is known about the effect of fertilization on the N uptake of sunflowers. A 4² factorial trial with 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ was conducted over three years. The N content and concentration of leaves, stems and capitula were determined at three growth stages. High N levels increased the N content and concentration of all plant parts at all growth stages sharply. High P levels increased the N content of all plant components through better growth. P has an inconsistent effect on N concentration but tended to decrease it. After flowering the crop assimilated 20 to 25 % of the total N. This implies that N applied can still be applied and utilized by the crop at a late stage. This should be substantiated by further research.     

Effect of Low Night Temperatures on Photosynthetic Activity of the Maize Seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Night chilling (5 °C) subsequently lowered photosynthetic intensity in the leaves of maize seedlings at 20 °C through an increase in leaf diffusive resistance brought on by lower tissue water content in morning hours. A more significant increase in leaf diffusion resistance was observed when soil temperature was lowered than in the case of lower air temperature.
The unfavorable effect of soil and air cooling temperature on photosynthesis was limited by air saturated with water vapour. However, as a result of lowering the night temperature from 5 °C to 1 °C, the efficiency of the protective influence of higher atmospheric humidity was decreased. This demonstrates that the participation of factors unrelated to plant water status in inhibiting photosynthesis increases with lower night temperatures.
An additional reason for inhibited photosynthesis following cool nights was a decrease in chlorophyll accumulation, below 50 μg per 1 cm² of leaf area.     

Some Comments on Gerechte Designs

In a companion paper we derived the correct analysis for gerechte designs with uncorrected errors. Here we show that this correct analysis cannot be justified by the usual randomization argument. However, when the regions are rectangular there is a randomization procedure which validates an analysis with three separate error terms. We also outline other developments in design and analysis that may be more satisfactory.     

A quantitative study of Eimeria infections of goats from central Spain.

A survey on coccidial infections in goats from central Spain was carried out. Fifty-five goat farms from 28 localities belonging to the three bioclimatic subregions of the area were visited. Individual samples (702) were obtained from the rectum of 130 young (under 1 year of age) and adult (572 over 1 year of age) goats. Coproscopical analyses showed a 100% prevalence and a moderate average intensity (7606.48 +/- 17918.78 Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces), although wide variations were seen among herds and among individuals within each goat flock. Statistical analysis showed a strong age-related reduction in oocysts output in goats up to 4 years of age. The intensity of coccidial infections (young and adult goats, herds) was independent of the prevailing bioclimatic conditions. Heavier infections in young goats were found in bigger herds, whereas adult goats from these same big flocks (over 300 animals) showed the lowest oocyst output. Under our conditions, neither the female restocking rate nor the age structure seemed to play a significant role in the intensity of the Eimeria infections.     

Die Wurzelentwicklung von Zuckerrübenpflanzen auf einem Sandlöß-Standort und ihre Bedeutung für die Stickstoffernährung

Root development of sugar beet plants on a sandy loess site with regard to nitrogen nutrition.
Root development of sugar beet plants in a sandy loess soil (Haplic Phaeozem) was observed from the early seedling stage up to harvest by measuring at first the greatest vertical and lateral extension of the root systems of single plants and later the rooting density of the whole plant stands (auger method, profile wall method).
During the seedling stage not only the subsoil, but also large parts of the topsoil between the plants remained unoccupied by the root systems. In this phase the greatest lateral extension of single roots reaches nearly the length of the greatest leaf of the plant. With the closure of the canopy the rooting density in the topsoil accounts to 1–2 cm cm⁻³.
In summer roots penetrate to a depth of 100–150 cm with rooting densities of 0.1 to 1 cm - cm⁻³. Thus, the plants gain not only access to water reserves, but sometimes meet remarkable amounts of nitrate which under the relatively dry conditions of the region tends to accumulate in 60–120 cm depth and – when taken up by the beet plants in the late stage of growth – affects crop quality negatively.     

High-resolution computed tomography of the mammalian lung.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in 21 isolated animal lungs, from 4 mammalian species (pigs, rabbits, dogs, sheep). Gross and subgross central and peripheral lung morphology was determined by HRCT. Three distinct types of lungs can be identified, principally based on the extent of interlobular septal development; the relationship of major vessels to airways; and the thickness of the visceral pleura. Type-I lung is found in pigs, sheep, and cattle; type-II lung is found in rabbits, dogs, cats, and monkeys; and type-III lung is found in human beings and horses. These mammalian lungs were compared with human lungs. The potential use of HRCT to investigate specific human lung diseases in the aforementioned species also was considered.