Interferon and 2',5'-oligo(A) synthetase activities in serum and blood mononuclear leukocytes of cattle after injection of bovine interferon-alpha 1.

Cell extracts that were prepared from blood mononuclear leukocytes from 66 samples obtained from 6 clinically normal calves contained mean 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2',5'-oligo[A]) synthetase activity sufficient to synthesize 186 +/- 82 pmol of 2',5'-oligo(A)/h/10(6) cells. Calves had no measurable serum interferon (IFN) activity. Five calves were given IM injections of 10(4), 10(5), 5 x 10(5), 10(6), and 10(7) U of bovine IFN-alpha 1/kg of body weight at 2-week intervals. Five dosing sequences were used with a 5 x 5 Latin square design so that each calf received each dose once. Activity of 2',5'-oligo(A) synthetase increased at 24 hours in response to all dosages of IFN and then declined following first-order kinetics, with an apparent half-life (t1/2) of 2.1 +/- 0.5 days. The area under the concentration-time curve for 2',5'-oligo(A) synthetase increased with dose of IFN more rapidly than did peak response. Serum IFN that was measured at 1-day intervals following administration of IFN was consistently measurable only at dosages above 10(6) U of IFN/kg. The t1/2 for circulating IFN was 12.4 +/- 1.0 hours. Over all dosages, increases in 2',5'-oligo(A) synthetase activity were measurable for 3.5 days longer than were increases in IFN following IM injection of IFN. None of the calves developed detectable anti-IFN antibodies.     

A comparison of xylazine-ketamine and detomidine-ketamine anaesthesia in horses

Anaesthesia produced by xylazine (1.1 mg/kg IV) followed in 3–5 minutes by ketamine (2.2 mg/ kg IV) (X / K) was compared to anaesthesia produced by detomidine (0.02 mg/kg IV) followed in 15–25 minutes by ketamine (2.2 mg/kg IV) (D/K) in the same six horses. Quality of induction, recovery, muscle relaxation, coordination (before and after anaesthesia) and response to stimulus were subjectively evaluated. Heart rate, respiratory rate, mean blood pressure, hemoglobin saturation, arterial pH, CO₂ and O₂ were monitored. Recumbency time and number of attempts required to stand were recorded. Recumbency time was longer in all horses with X/K (median recumbency time of 27 min) than with D/K (median recumbency time of 22 min). No significant differences between treatments were seen for any other variable measured, although 2 horses did not appear to reach a surgical plane of anaesthesia with D/K.     

Postpartum interval to estrus and patterns of LH and progesterone in first-calf suckled beef cows exposed to mature bulls

Two trials were conducted in which Angus x Hereford first-calf cows were assigned randomly at calving to one of two treatments: exposure to mature penile-blocked bulls (BE) or isolation from bulls (NE). In Trial 1 (BE, n = 38; NE, n = 37), cow to bull ratio increased from 12:1 to 19:1 over a 14-d period; in Trial 2 (BE, n = 25; NE, n = 24), this ratio was maintained at 13:1. In both trials, blood samples were collected weekly for progesterone and ovaries and uteri of cows were examined rectally. Cows were observed for estrus twice daily (am:pm) beginning 10 d after calving. In Trial 2, intensive blood sampling for LH began 10 d after calving (eight cows per treatment) and continued at weekly intervals until estrus or the end of the trial. Postpartum weight change, condition score change and time to uterine involution did not differ (P greater than .10) between treatments in either trial. Interval to estrus was shorter (P less than .05) for BE cows than for NE cows in both trials. A greater proportion (P less than .05) of BE cows exhibited estrus by 60 and 90 d after calving and showed an increase in progesterone before first estrus. Mean and baseline LH concentrations and amplitude, frequency and duration of LH pulses were not altered (P greater than .10) by bull exposure. In conclusion, exposing first-calf suckled beef cows to bulls after calving hastened resumption of estrous cycles. Bull exposure did not alter patterns of LH concentrations but did increase proportions of cows that showed increased progesterone before first estrus.     

Effect of changing energy prices on commodity prices and farm income

Tatonnement programming is used to examine the effect of energy prices on commodity prices and farm income. This method uses a national interregional linear programming model in conjunction with demand equations for feedgrains, soybeans and wheat. This spatial programming model is solved iteratively with these demand functions using an algorithm based upon the Walrasian tatonnement process. While the model is static in nature, it indicates that once adjustment to a doubling of energy prices occurs returns to land will increase by 10·8%. Commodity prices will increase 24·1, 18·7 and 9·9% for feedgrains, wheat and soybean, respectively, and demand will decrease 2·2, 1·9, and 0·9% for these same three commodities.     

Anesthetic consideration in dogs with traumatic myocarditis

The trauma patient is commonly encountered in veterinary practice. Traumatic myocarditis has often been overlooked due to its delayed onset and preoccupation with other traumatic problems. The traumatic heart is very sensitive and in itself can cause death. Often a trauma patient requires surgery and a proper anesthetic protocol must be used which does not increase the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. A review of anesthetic management including preanesthetic medications, induction drugs and techniques and maintenance with inhalation anesthesia reveals the need for careful selection of medications. Isoflurane was shown to be beneficial in reducing the incidence of undesirable responses of these patients.     

Seminal Leucocytary Profile in Beef Bulls

Despite evidences that seminal leucocytes could affect semen quality, references for the frequency and concentration of these cells in bulls are not available. The aim of this study was to determine the normal concentration of leucocytes in beef bulls and to correlate this characteristic with semen quality. First, 57 bulls from artificial insemination centres were evaluated to obtain the normal leucocytary profile values. Next, 382 bulls were subjected to breeding soundness evaluation. The average concentration of leucocytes in bovine semen was 4.73 × 10⁶/ml. Unsatisfactory bulls showed a higher number of leucocytes/field than that in the satisfactory ones. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the unsatisfactory bulls showed 6.5‐fold more chances of having higher leucocyte counts than satisfactory ones. Values of up to 1 leucocyte/field in the bull ejaculate are considered physiologically normal, whereas >5 leucocytes/field is associated with poor semen quality.