Is a Delayed Treatment with GnRH,hCG or Progesterone Beneficial for Reducing Embryonic Mortality in Buffaloes?

The aims of this study were to verify the efficacy of delayed hormonal treatments performed on day 25 post‐insemination on pregnancy rate at 45 and 70 days in buffalo. The trial was performed on 385 buffaloes synchronized by the Ovsynch/TAI protocol and submitted to artificial insemination (AI). Twenty‐five days after AI, pregnant animals were assigned to four treatments: (1) GnRH agonist (n = 52), 12 μg of buserelin acetate; (2) hCG (n = 51), 1500 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin; (3) Progesterone (n = 47), 341 mg of P4 intramuscular (im) every 4 days for three times; (4) Control (n = 54), treatment with physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). Milk samples were collected on days 10, 20 and 25 after AI in all buffaloes to determine progesterone concentration in whey by radioimmunoassay method. Statistical analysis was performed by anova . Pregnancy rate on day 25 after AI was 52.9%, but declined to 41.8% by day 45, indicating an embryonic mortality (EM) of 21%. If only control group is considered, the incidence of EM was 38.9%. Pregnant buffaloes had higher (p < 0.01) progesterone concentrations on day 20 and 25 after AI than both non‐pregnant buffaloes and buffaloes that showed EM. The treatments on day 25 increased (p < 0.01) pregnancy rate, although in buffaloes with a low whey progesterone concentration on day 20 and 25 after AI (n = 22); all treatments were ineffective to reduce EM.     

Expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and A2 (HMGA2) genes in canine lymphoma: analysis of 23 cases and comparison to control cases

Overexpression of high mobility group A (HMGA) genes was described as a prognostic marker in different human malignancies, but its role in canine haematopoietic malignancies was unknown so far. The objective of this study was to analyse HMGA1 and HMGA2 gene expression in lymph nodes of canine lymphoma patients. The expression of HMGA1 and HMGA2 was analysed in lymph node samples of 23 dogs with lymphoma and three control dogs using relative quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Relative quantity of HMGA1 was significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma compared with reference samples. HMGA2 expression did not differ between lymphoma and control dogs. With the exception of immunophenotype, comparison of disease parameters did not display any differences in HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression. The present findings indicate a role of HMGA genes in canine lymphoma. This study represents the basis for future veterinary and comparative studies dealing with their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic values.     

Successful medical management of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse in a ferret

Thoracolumbar disc herniation was diagnosed in a two-year-old ferret using a myelogram followed by a computed tomography scan. The ferret was paraplegic with no control over urination and defecation. Conservative treatment that included cage rest and passive range of motion exercises for three weeks followed by extensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy resulted in full recovery two months after the onset of treatment. Although intervertebral disc disease has been reported previously in four ferrets, this is the first report in which a postmyelogram computed tomography was used to demonstrate the herniated disc, and physiotherapy was used as principal treatment modality.     

Electron spin resonance (ESR) detection of irradiated fish containing bone (gilthead sea bream,cod, and swordfish)

Food irradiation is a preservation method that has been approved by the European Union for a limited number of foods or food products and within a limited range of doses. European Community legislation states that all foods or food ingredients treated in this manner and authorized for sale in the European Union must be clearly labeled, and that market-level inspections must be carried out to ensure compliance with this regulation. To improve detection of irradiated foods, we evaluated the efficacy of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy for the identification of seafood that had been subjected to irradiation. Three fish species were tested: gilthead sea bream, cod, and swordfish. For each species, 18 samples of flesh-containing bone were analyzed after either irradiation at 0.5, 1, or 3 kGy or no irradiation (control). Induced radicals in irradiated samples produced distinct ESR signals that allowed differentiation from non-irradiated samples. Within the dose range tested, a linear dose-response relationship was observed (R ² > 0.94). The gilthead sea bream displayed the highest radiosensitivity. The analytical procedure was validated and successfully used for the routine monitoring of locally marketed seafood. The main aims of the study were to develop a reliable tool for the enforcement of the proper labeling of irradiated foods and to obtain preliminary data on compliance with current laws in the Italian market.

     

The key role of records in a production medicine practice

The needs of dairy farmers for veterinary assistance have changed and are still changing. It appears that many future opportunities in dairy practice will involve active consultation on herd management factors. The ability to evaluate herd records will be crucial to this effort. This article discusses organizing and then utilizing a production medicine program based on systematic records analysis.     

Responses of sexually-maturing pullets to self-selection feeding under different temperature and lighting regimens

1. Pullets allowed to self-select nutrients from a protein concentrate and either a separate complete diet or cereal-based, energy-rich mixture showed preferences for protein and energy which varied in relation to the time of their onset of lay. 2. The selected protein:metabolisable energy (ME) intake ratio increased from 14 g protein per MJ of ME 2 to 3 weeks before sexual maturity to approximately 19 g protein per MJ of ME at and after sexual maturity. 3. This response to self-selection feeding was consistent with different temperatures, lighting patterns and dietary manipulations. 4. Egg mass output was improved by self-selection feeding at hot (25 degrees to 35 degrees C) temperatures in experiments 1 and 2 and at ambient temperatures in experiment 3. No beneficial response in egg mass from self-selection feeding was observed at cold (6 degrees to 16 degrees C) temperatures in experiment 1. 5. Providing 2 h of additional light during the dark (cool) part of the day, with or without 2 h of darkness in the middle of the extended light (hot) period, had no effect on the egg mass output of pullets at hot (25 degrees to 35 degrees C) temperatures.     

Passage of chromium-mordanted and rare earth-labeled fiber: time of dosing kinetics

Coastal bermudagrass hay was labeled with Cr by the Cr-mordant procedure and with 177Lu applied to the same fiber. Neutral detergent fiber prepared from the same Coastal bermudagrass hay was labeled with Yb, 169Yb, Tb and 160Tb by soaking overnight following by thorough washing and drying. Wood chips were similarly labeled with Sm or La, and Solka Floc was labeled with 147Nd and 141Ce. The carriers, labels and times of administration to cattle were: bermudagrass fiber with both Cr and 177Lu, bermudagrass fiber with 169Yb and Solka Floc labeled with 147Nd at 0 h; bermudagrass fiber with Yb, Solka Floc with 141Ce and wood chips with Sm at 24 h; wood chips with La at 48 h; and bermudagrass fiber labeled with 160Tb at the beginning and labeled with Tb at the end of a meal. Fecal collection followed and passage characteristics were determined with a two-compartment, age-dependent model. Markers labeling the different fiber sources had different (P less than .01) passage rates (Solka Floc greater than Coastal bermudagrass greater than wood chips), but there was no difference within fiber source for rare earth passage. There also was no difference between the passage characteristics of Cr-mordant and 177Lu. However, passage rate of particles administered at the beginning of the meal (160Tb) was 42% higher than for particles at the end of the meal (Tb).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)