Calves Born after Direct Transfer of Vitrified Bovine In Vitro-produced Blastocysts Derived from Vitrified Immature Oocytes

Vitrification has been the method of choice for the cryopreservation of bovine oocytes, as rapid cooling decreases chilling sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo survival and the viability of immature oocytes vitrified using super‐cooled liquid nitrogen. Immature oocytes were randomly allocated to three groups: (i) non‐vitrified control group, (ii) vitrified in normal (?196°C) liquid nitrogen (LN₂) and (iii) vitrified in super‐cooled LN₂ (≤?200°C). Open‐pulled glass micropipettes were used as vitrification containers. Immature oocytes were in vitro‐matured, fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage. In vitro viability was assessed by cleavage and blastocyst rates on days 2 and 7 of culture respectively. Vitrified blastocysts derived from the immature vitrified oocytes were directly transferred to synchronous recipients. The in vitro embryo development of vitrified immature oocytes was not influenced by the LN₂ state. After direct transfer (one embryo per recipient) of 16 embryos obtained from immature vitrified oocytes (eight from each vitrified group), two healthy calves were born in each group. These results indicated that vitrification of immature bovine oocytes using glass micropipettes under normal or super‐cooled LN₂, resulted in viable blastocysts and live calves following in vitro embryo production.     

Screening for antibodies against zoonotic agents among employees of the Zoological Garden of Vienna, Schönbrunn, Austria

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against zoonotic agents in employees of the zoological garden of Vienna, Sch?nbrunn, Austria. Sixty out of 120 employees participated in the study. In 97% of them antibodies to at least one zoonotic agent were identified. Only two participants were free of antibodies to the zoonotic agents tested. The following seroprevalences (in brackets) were obtained: Viral zoonotic (and potentially zoonotic) agents: Influenzavirus A/H1N1 (58%), Influenzavirus A/H3N2 (85%), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (13%), Encephalomyocarditis virus (5%), Orthopox- (Cowpox-) virus and Hantavirus type Puumala (3%). Hantavirus type Hantaan and Borna disease virus (all negative). Bacterial zoonotic agents: Bartonella henselae (65 %), Borrelia burgdorferi (10%), Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni and serovar icterohaemorrhagiae as well as Chlamydophila psittoci (2% each). Brucella spp., Coxiella bumetii, and Francisella tularensis (all negative). Parasitic zoonotic agents: Toxoplasma gondii (53%), Toxocara spp. (21%), Capillaria hepatica (2%), Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma mansoni, E. multilocularis, and E. granulosus (all negative). The remarkably high seroprevalence to the causative agent of cat scratch disease, Bartonella henselae, is probably due to the private contact of the employees to cats. Regarding viral zoonotic agents it has to be mentioned that Influenzavirus vaccination and/or human-to-human transmission of especially A/H3N2 Influenzaviruses probably attributed significantly to the very high seroprevalence to both Influenzavirus types A/H1N1 and A/H3N2. When investigating parasitic zoonotic agents, high prevalence rates were found against Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp., however, it was not possible to establish a causal link between seropositivity and the professional activity in the zoo. Interestingly, in the case of antibodies to T. gondii, the typical correlation with age was not found in this study, while in the case of the Toxocara spp. positive subjects a correlation was identified with both age and duration of employment in the zoo. Regarding the later two zoonotic parasites, employees of the zoological garden showed significantly higher seroprevalences than the average Austrian population. Antibodies to Capillaria hepatica, a hepatic-parasite in rodents which is diagnosed in humans rarely, were identified in one employee and another one showed a questionable positive result. Further investigations did not exhibit clinical infestations with the parasite in these two individuals so far.     

Ultrasonography of the equine elbow technique and normal appearance

This study was intended to document normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine elbow and anatomic landmarks useful in clinical imaging. Both forelimbs of five equine cadavers and both forelimbs of six live adult horses were used (4 Arabian-Barbes, 3 Arabs, 2 Anglo-Arabs, 1 Selle Français, 1 Anglo-Hispano-Arab, three to 18 years old). To facilitate the reading of the scans, a zoning system was developed for some anatomic structures. Ultrasonography was performed with a real-time B-mode semi-portable sector scanner using 7.5 & 5 MHz transducers. On one cadaver limb, MRI was performed on a system at 1.5 Tesla, T1 weighted spin echo, TR of 475 msec, RE of 15 msec, image matrix size 179 × 256 pixels. Ultrasonography images were compared with gross anatomy and with MRI scans to provide the normal ultrasonographic representation of the equine elbow. The lateral collateral ligament, the triceps brachii tendon with its subtendinous bursa, the proximal tendon of the ulnaris lateralis and the articular cartilage of the humeral trochlea were easy to examine ultrasonographically. The medial collateral ligament and the distal biceps brachii tendon required more expertise to assess. Ultrasonographic appearance and course of these structures are described. The 7.5 MHz transducer was best to be used. Ultrasonographic findings correlated well with MRI scans and with gross anatomy in the cadavers' limbs.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE SHOULDER: TECHNIQUE AND NORMAL APPEARANCE

This study was intended to document normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine shoulder and anatomic landmarks useful in clinical imaging. Both forelimbs of five equine cadavers and both forelimbs of six live adult horses were used. To facilitate understanding of the images, a zoning system assigned to the biceps brachii and to the infraspinatus tendon was developed. Ultrasonography was performed with a real-time B-mode semiportable sector scanner using 7.5- and 5-MHz transducers. On one cadaver limb, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using a system at 1.5 Tesla, T1-weighted spin-echo sequence. Ultrasonography images were compared to frozen specimens and MRI images to correlate the ultrasonographic findings to the gross anatomy of the shoulder. Ultrasonography allowed easy evaluation of the biceps brachii and the infraspinatus tendon and their bursae, the supraspinatus muscle and tendons, the superficial muscles of the shoulder, and the underlying humerus and scapula. Only the lateral and, partially, the caudal aspects of the humeral head could be visualized with ultrasound. Ultrasonographic appearance, orientation, and anatomic relationships of these structures are described. Ultrasonographic findings correlated well with MRI images and with gross anatomy in the cadavers' limbs.     

The European College of Veterinary Surgeons 1991-2011: a 20-year success story

The first meeting leading to the formation of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) was held August 30/31, 1990 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Specialists in small animal and large animal surgery from practice and academicians from many European countries were invited. The constitution was developed based on that of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). ECVS was founded during the ACVS European Surgical Forum in Nice in 1991. The provisional Board elected at this meeting stayed active during the initial 4 years to provide stability. For the 146 Charter Members to become a Diplomate, they had to pass an examination. Therefore, the ECVS is the only Specialty College that does not have a "Grand Father Clause." In 2000 ECVS, was the first College to acquire full recognition-status by the European Board of Specialization (EBVS), which underlines the leading role the surgeons play in the development of the European veterinary specialty colleges. Like its American Sister College, ECVS maintains high standards for surgical training programs for Residents and administers rigorous certifying examinations. It is appropriate to recall the facts that lead to foundation of ECVS on its 20-year anniversary.     

Healing of surgically created defects in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon: effects of pulsing electromagnetic field therapy on collagen-type transformation and tissue morphologic reorganization

The effect of pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on the healing of surgically created defects in equine superficial digital flexor tendons was evaluated. Defects were created in both front superficial digital flexor tendons of 20 horses. The defect in 1 limb was exposed to a PEMF for 2 hours daily. The other limb served as a control. Histologic and immunofluorescent evaluations were done in horse killed at postsurgical weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24. Therapy with the PEMF significantly (P less than 0.05) delayed the maturation of the tissue formed within the defect at postsurgical weeks 8 and 12, as determined by histologic examination. The collagen-type transformation was also delayed by the PEMF therapy, but to a degree that was not significant.     

Use of orthopedic markers for quantitative determination of proximal radial and ulnar growth in foals

Cortical bone screws were implanted into the proximal portion of the right and left radius and ulna of 6 newborn Quarter Horse foals as radiographic markers for measurement of growth. Distance between markers on a lateral radiographic view was measured. Radiographs were taken at 2-week intervals until the horses were 8 weeks old, at 4-week intervals until they were 48 weeks old, and at 12-week intervals until they were 72 weeks old. The proximal radius and ulna grew at similar rates during the 72-week period of evaluation, and growth continued throughout 72 weeks. The proximal radius grew 3.5 cm, and the ulna grew 3.4 cm. Although the rates of growth were similar, growth from the ulnar physis contributed only to the length of the olecranon; growth was not transmitted to the ulnar diaphysis distal to the cubital joint. The proximal radius slid distally in relation to the ulna as growth occurred at the proximal radial physis. These findings suggest that transfixing the ulna to the radius while growth is occurring at the proximal radial physis impedes the natural shifting process, and subluxation of the elbow can result. Severity of subluxation would be inversely related to the age of the horse at the time of transfixation.     

Acute phase response in horses: changes in plasma cation concentrations after localised tissue injury

An acute phase reaction was elicited in four horses to which Freund's adjuvant was administered intramuscularly. The localised inflammation was accompanied by changes in the plasma concentrations of copper, iron and zinc. The plasma copper concentration, the plasma ceruloplasmin copper concentration and the ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in the plasma steadily increased to a maximum 24 days after the administration of the adjuvant. At this time, the plasma copper concentration was 2.2 micrograms/ml, a 90 per cent increase over the baseline concentration. The ratio of the concentration of plasma ceruloplasmin copper to plasma copper remained constant, indicating that the non-ceruloplasmin bound copper component of the plasma is also an acute phase reactant in the horse. The plasma zinc and iron concentrations decreased to 59 per cent and 30 per cent of their respective baseline concentrations and the severity of the inflammation appeared to influence the plasma concentrations of each metal. Weak correlations between the plasma fibrinogen concentration and the plasma copper and zinc concentrations of 25 horses with plasma fibrinogen concentrations of 5 g/litre or greater indicated that a single measurement of plasma copper concentration is not useful in the diagnosis of non-specific inflammatory disorders of the horse. However, the results suggest that the plasma copper concentrations in serial samples may be used to monitor the resolution of inflammatory disorders in the horse.