Development of a method of diagnosing ovarian disorders in sows and gilts using uterine ultrasonography

In ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovarian disorders and the estrous cycle in sows, transverse observation of the uterus yielded more characteristic findings than observation of sagittal sections. Transverse ultrasonography revealed that the low progesterone (P) type uterus showed a round structure, while the high P type uterus showed a flattened structure. These results corresponded well with rectal palpation findings: the low P type uterus had a hard, pipe-like structure and the high P type a soft, balloon-like structure. For gilts, we employed a minimum convex type transrectal prostate probe that had an approximately 18 cm insertion handle. The images of the uterus obtained thereby were a similar to those obtained from sows. The above results suggest that it should be possible to diagnose and treat many ovarian disorders in sows and gilts based only on the ultrasonograhic findings. In short, ultrasonograhic findings of a round structure of the uterine wall might be an indication for PMSG (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin) treatment, while findings of a flattened structure might be an indication for PGF(2) (alpha) administration.     

Analysis of the Genetic Components of Peridial Tissue of Perithecia in the Blast Fungus

To elucidate perithecial wall development in Magnaporthe grisea, monoconidial isolates were collected from the surfaces of six perithecia in five crosses. Genotypes of these isolates were characterized based on colony color, mating type and repetitive DNA elements. Each set of isolates from four perithecia possessed the genetic markers from only one parent in each cross. However, each set of isolates from the other two perithecia had markers from both parents. Tissues containing both parental genomic components may thus take part in construction of perithecial wall. Received 13 October 2000/ Accepted in revised form 12 March 2001     

Effects of bulb desiccation and storage on the in vitro propagation of hyacinth

The effect of long-storage and silica gel desiccation of hyacinth bulbs (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) on in vitro bulblet formation was investigated.Bulbs of 3 cultivars were stored at 25°C and 50–60% relative humidity for 17 months. This long-term storage of bulbs markedly enhanced bulblet initiation from scales and growth of regenerated bulblets.Bulbs of 5 cultivars were desiccated with silica gel for 5 and 20 h before in vitro propagation. The total number of bulblets increased as a result of 5 h desiccation with silica gel. Bulb desiccation for 20 h caused a large increase in the growth rate of bulblets. This desiccation treatment with silica gel is a practical method to obtain many and more regenerative explants in the in vitro propagation of hyacinth.     

Effects of darkness on stem elongation in tulip

Effects of darkness during the growing-period on the internode elongation of tulips were investigated. The last internode was the longest one when grown under natural light conditions, while continuous darkness caused the first internode to elongate the most. Application of a 5-day dark treatment to growing tulips during the phase of rapid stem extension resulted in significant increase in the length of the first internode. It was effective in obtaining taller tulips owing to increased elongation of the first internode, and may be effectively applied to tulip cut-flower production.     

Diode laser coagulation for the treatment of epistaxis in a Scottish fold cat

We report the case of a 4-year-old, castrated 4.2-kg Scottish fold cat with recurrent epistaxis that was unresponsive to medical therapy. Diathermocoagulation of the nasal mucosa with a diode laser controlled the epistaxis and there was no significant recurrence of epistaxis during 1 year of follow-up.     

Relationship between body temperature and ovarian cycle in Asian and African elephants

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether changes in body temperature are related to the ovarian cycle in elephants. Rectal, tongue or fecal temperature was measured for 2 Asian and 5 African elephants using an electric thermometer. Evaluation of ovarian cycles was based on the changes in serum or fecal progestin. The mean +/- SD values of the rectal, tongue, and fecal temperatures were 36.3 +/- 0.3 (2 Asian), 36.2 +/- 0.5 (1 African) and 36.5 +/- 0.3 C (4 African), respectively; the fecal temperature was the highest of the 3 temperatures (P<0.01). The longitudinal changes in body temperatures correlated with the ovarian cycle, with higher temperatures occurring during the luteal phase. The fecal temperatures of one acyclic African elephant did not change cyclically. These results suggest that measurement of body temperature can be used to easily evaluate the ovarian cyclicity of an individual animal, although it might not be able to determine the ovarian cycle length.     

Molecular characterization of avian polyomavirus isolated from psittacine birds based on the whole genome sequence analysis

Seven avian polyomaviruses (APVs) were isolated from seven psittacine birds of four species. Their whole genome sequences were genetically analyzed. Comparing with the sequence of BFDV1 strain, nucleotide substitutions in the sequences of seven APV isolates were found at 63 loci and a high level of conservation of amino acid sequence in each viral protein (VP1, VP2, VP3, VP4, and t/T antigen) was predicted. An A-to-T nucleotide substitution was observed in non-control region of all seven APV sequences in comparison with BFDV1 strain. Two C-to-T nucleotide substitutions were also detected in non-coding regions of one isolate. A phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome sequences indicated that the sequences from the same species of bird were closely related. APV has been reported to have distinct tropism for cell cultures of various avian species. The present study indicated that a single amino acid substitution at position 221 in VP2 was essential for propagating in chicken embryonic fibroblast culture and this substitution was promoted by propagation on budgerigar embryonic fibroblast culture. For two isolates, three serial amino acids appeared to be deleted in VP4. However, this deletion had little effect on virus propagation.