Treatment of the repeat breeder cow syndrome in Kenya

Summary One hundred repeat breeder dairy cows have been studied in detail. Although clinically 60 per cent of them were normal bacteria were isolated from the uteri of the majority (90 per cent). Thirty per cent of these isolates were mixed.Intra-uterine infusion of the uteri with diluted Lugol's Iodine solution, supplemented in a few cases by antibiotic therapy, resulted in a 62 per cent conception rate compared with 26 per cent in the control group. It is concluded that dilute Lugol's Iodine is a useful treatment for repeat breeder cows under conditions similar to those described.

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Tratamiento Del Sindrome De Vacas Repetidoras En Kenya

Resumen Se estudíaron en detalle 100 vacas repetidoras destinadas a la producción de leche, en Kenya. Aunque el 60 por ciento de ellas parecía normal clinicamente, se aislaron bacterias del útero de la mayoría (90 por ciento). El 30 por ciento de los aislamientos fue mixto.La infusión intrauterina de una solución diluída de Lugol, combinada en algunos casos con antibióticos, resultó en una proporción del 62 por ciento de concepciones, comparada con el 26 por ciento del grupo control. Se concluye, que la solución de Lugol diluída es útil para el tratamiento del síndrome de vacas repetidoras, bajo condiciones similares a las aquí descritas.

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Traitement Du Syndrome De L'Accouplement Repete Chez La Vache Au Kenya

Résumé Cent vaches laitières ont été examinées avec soin. Bien que 60 p. 100 d'entre elles aient été considérées comme normales, des germes ont été isolés de l'utérus de la majorité d'entre elles (90 p. 100). Dans 30 p. 100 des cas, la population microbienne était mixte.Des injections intra-utérines d'une solution diluée de Lugol accompagnée dans quelques cas par de l'antibiothérapie ont fait que le groupe traité à un taux de fécondité de 62 p. 100 contre 26 p. 100 dans le groupe témoin. Les auteurs concluent que la solution iodée de Lugol constitute un traitement utile chez les vaches contre ce syndrome, dans les conditions semblables à celles décrites.

     

THE USE OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF POOR RACING PERFORMANCE IN THE HORSE

Electrocardiograms were reocrded from 153 racehorses and 10 Olympic three-day-event horses. The horses were then grouped into those presented for routine examination, those in which there was a complaint of poor performance, those going to the Montreal Olympics, and those with upper respiratory tract abnormalities. When the ECGs of the four groups were compared on the basis of detection of abnormality, it was found that 93.2% of the poor performance group showed abnormalities of various types. The routine examination group showed 21.1% of horses with abnormal ECGs, and over half of these have been followed to the point where it can be said they raced unsuccessfully. In particular, this applied to those horses with T wave abnormalities in 4 or more leads, and to those with intraatrial block. There were significant T wave changes in 50% of the Olympic horses, and 43.7% of horses with laryngeal hemiplegia showed abnormality. While it can be concluded that T wave changes are highly significant findings in an ECG, it is also true that modification of the training programme is a way of helping trainers to get the best out of horses which might otherwise have a serious limitation of their performance potential.     

A new pattern of morphofunctional relationship among cranial nerves: Evidence of anatomical and physiological connection between trigeminus and oculomotor nerves

It is shown that the cell bodies of the afferent fibres supplying the proprioceptivity to the extrinsic eye muscles are located within the semilunar ganglion. Furthermore, some Gasserian cells have central processes which enter the midbrain through the oculomotor nerve. Sensory ganglion cells, derived from the same strand of placodal cells forming the ophthalmic lobe, can be constantly detected within the oculomotor nerve of ox, monkey and man.

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Kurzfassung Unsere Forschungen haben ergeben, dass sich die Zellkörper der fibrae afferentes, die dem äusserlichen Augenmuskeln die propriozeptive Sensibilität geben, im Ganglion des Gasser befinden. Ausserdem haben einige Zellen des Gasserschenganglion zentrale Verzweigungen die durch den Nervus oculomotorius in den Hirnstamm führen. Sensitive Ganglionzellen, die von der gleichen Reihe plakodischer Zellen stammen, und den lobus oftalmicus Gasseri formen, sind regelmassig im nervus oculomotorius des Rindes, des Affen und des Menschen zu finden.

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Resume Nos recherches ont démontré que, chez le Mouton et le Porc, le ganglion de Gasser contient les corps cellulaires des fibres nerveuses desservant les fuseaux neuromusculaires des muscles extrinsèques de l'oeil. En outre, quelques cellules du ganglion de Gasser ont leurs prolongements centraux qui se portent au tronc cérébral en suivant à rebours les radicules du nerf oculomoteur. En fin, on a trouvé constamment des cellules ganglionnaires sensitives dans l'oculomoteur du Boeuf, du Singe et de l'Homme; ces cellules proviennent du même cordon de cellules placodiales qui forme le lobe ophthalmique du ganglion semilunaire.

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Riassunto Le nostre ricerche hanno dimostrato che i corpi cellulari delle fibre nervose afferenti, che danno la sensibilità propriocettica al muscolo oculare estrinseco, si trovano nel ganglione di Gasser. Inoltre, alcune cellule del ganglione di Gasser hanno diramazioni centrali che portano al tronco cerebrale attraverso il nervo oculomotore. Infine, si sono costantemente incontrati nel nervo oculomotore del bovino, della scimmia e dell'uomo, cellule sensitive che provengono dallo stessotronco di cellule placodali che formano il lobo oftalmico.

     

Relationship between dose of cloprostenol and age of corpus luteum on the luteolytic response of early dioestrous mares: a field study

The objective of this study was to establish and characterize the relationship between the dose of cloprostenol (37.5, 250, 500 and 750 μg) and the age of the early corpus luteum (CL) (80, 88, 96, 104 and 112 h) on the luteolytic response of mares. Behavioural oestrus and ultrasonographic signs of return to oestrus were considered as the occurrence of full luteolysis. A total of 298 mares were divided into groups according to dose of cloprostenol and CL age. There was an effect of dose of cloprostenol (p < 0.001) and age of the CL at the time of treatment (p < 0.001) on the percentage of mares with full luteolysis. The efficacy of 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol was similar to that of 250 μg of d,l‐cloprostenol (p > 0.05); and that of 500 similar to that of 750 μg (p > 0.05). The higher dose groups (500 and 750 μg) induced full luteolysis more frequently than the lower dose groups (37.5 and 250 μg) 96–104 h post‐ovulation. There was no effect of CL age or cloprostenol dose on the interovulatory interval (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the effect of cloprostenol on the percentage of mares undergoing full luteolysis is dose‐dependent. However, this effect is only evident in mares with CLs aged between 96 and 104 h. There is no advantage of administering more than 500 μg of d,l‐cloprostenol (Estrumate^®), to obtain a higher percentage of mares with full luteolysis in mares with CLs aged 80–112 h.     

Effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and rumen-protected methionine on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows

Our objective was to determine the effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CLFAs) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide, and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows. Four Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 4 by 4 Latin square experiment in each 2-wk period. Cows were fed corn silage-based diets with supplements of CLFAs (1.5% added on dry matter basis), RPM (20 g/d), CLFAs plus RPM, and without supplement. Jugular blood samples were taken from 1 h before to 2 h after morning feeding at 10-min intervals on day 12 of each period. CLFAs decreased dry matter intake, but RPM did not affect dry matter intake. Both supplements of CLFAs and RPM did not affect metabolizable energy intake and milk yield and composition. Plasma concentrations of NEFAs, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-Cho) were increased with CLFAs alone, but increases of plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho were moderated by CLFAs plus RPM. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids increased plasma ghrelin concentration, and the ghrelin concentration with CLFAs plus RPM was the highest among the treatments. Plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and insulin were decreased with CLFAs, whereas adding RPM moderated the decrease of plasma glucagon concentration by CLFAs. These results indicate that the addition of methionine to cows given CLFAs increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and glucagon associated with the decrease in plasma concentrations of TG and T-Cho.     

Relationships of barometric pressure and environmental temperature with incidence of parturition in beef cows

ABSTRACT:The relationship between barometric pressure (BARO) and maximum (MAX_T) and minimum (MIN_T) environmental temperatures with the incidence of parturition in beef cows was examined through exploratory data analysis. Spring- and fall-calving records from a 5-yr period (2005 through 2009) collected at the University of Arkansas, Livestock and Forestry Research Station (Batesville) and the Department of Animal Science Savoy Research Unit (Savoy, AR) were used. All cows were multiparous, predominantly Angus, and naturally bred. During this period, 2,210 calves were born over a cumulative 1,547 d. Local weather station BARO and MAX_T and MIN_T data were obtained from the Southern Regional Climate Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. The combined calving record and climate variables were used to determine differences in BARO, MAX_T, and MIN_T on d 0 (d of calving) and -1, -2, or -3 d, respectively, before calving occurred (CALFD) or did not occur (NOCALFD). Location and season also were included in the model. For fall-calving cows, BARO on d 0 and -1, -2, or -3 was not different between CALFD and NOCALFD (P > 0.10). For spring-calving cows, BARO on d 0, -1, -2, and -3 was greater (P < 0.05) for CALFD compared with NOCALFD. The MAX_T was greater on d -1 (24.4 vs. 22.9°C) and -3 (24.8 vs. 23.4°C) for CALFD in the fall compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). No differences were detected in the fall for MAX_T on d 0 or -2 (P > 0.10). In the spring, a decreased MAX_T was associated with CALFD. Maximum environmental temperatures on d 0 (14.7 vs. 16.0°C), -1 (14.4 vs. 16.0°C), and -3 (14.0 vs. 15.7°C) were less for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). No difference was detected on d -2 (P > 0.10). For fall, MIN_T was greater on d -1 (12.8 vs. 11.3°C), -2 (13.0 vs. 11.4°C), and -3 (13.1 vs. 11.7°C) for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). In spring, MIN_T for d 0 (2.6 vs. 3.9°C), -1 (2.5 vs. 3.7°C), -2 (2.1 vs. 3.7°C), and -3 (1.8 vs. 3.8°C) were lesser (P < 0.05) for CALFD vs. NOCALFD. These data indicate that for spring-calving cows, a greater BARO and decreased MAX_T and MIN_T were associated with CALFD, whereas for fall-calving cows, an increase in MAX_T and MIN_T was associated with CALFD. Therefore, monitoring weather conditions may assist producers in preparing for the obstetric assistance of beef cattle.     

Effect of number of conceptuses on maternal hormone concentrations in the pig

This study examined the effect of number of conceptuses on maternal concentrations and profiles of estrogen sulfate, estrone, estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and prolactin in gilts. Estradiol-valerate injections were used to induce pseudopregnancy (O conceptuses; n = 5) and oviduct ligation or no treatment were utilized to obtain pregnant gilts with 4 to 7 (n = 4), or 8 to 11 (n = 4) conceptuses, respectively. Blood samples were collected every 10 d from d 10 through 110 of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. At 110 d after onset of estrus, all gilts were slaughtered and numbers and(or) weights of fetuses, corpora lutea, placentae and the empty uterus were determined. Concentrations of estrogen sulfate and estrone, but not progesterone or prolactin, were associated with fetal number, total fetal weight, total placental weight or empty uterine weight. In contrast, only progesterone was highly correlated with number of corpora lutea. Results suggest that most conjugated estrogen, estrone and estradiol were of fetal-placental origin, whereas little, if any, placental production of progesterone or prolactin occurred. Increases in estrogen sulfate and estrone concentrations were observed at gestation d 30 and from d 70 to 100. The latter increase coincides with previously established increases in the rate of maternal mammary development and fetal growth.