Supplemental norgestomet,progesterone, or melengestrol acetate increases pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows after timed inseminations

In Exp. 1, 187 lactating beef cows were treated with injections of GnRH 7 d before and 48 h after prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha; Cosynch) or with Cosynch plus a 7-d treatment with an intravaginal progesterone (P4)-releasing insert (CIDR-B; Cosynch + CIDR). In Exp. 2, 183 lactating beef cows were treated with the Cosynch protocol or with Cosynch plus a 7-d treatment with norgestomet (Cosynch + NORG). In Exp. 1 and 2, blood samples for later P4 analyses were collected on d -17, -7 (first GnRH injection), 0 (PGF2alpha injection), and at timed artificial insemination (TAI; 48 h after PGF2alpha). In Exp. 3, 609 lactating beef cows were treated with the Cosynch + CIDR protocol or were fed 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate (MGA) per day for 14 d before initiating the Cosynch protocol 12 d after the 14th d of MGA feeding (MGA + Cosynch). Blood samples were collected as in Exp. 1 and 2, plus additional samples on d -33 and -19 before PGF2alpha. In Exp. 4, 360 lactating beef cows were treated with a Cosynch + CIDR protocol, with TAI occurring at either 48 or 60 h after PGF2alpha, while receiving either GnRH or saline to form four treatments. Blood samples were collected as in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, addition of P4 reduced the ability of the first GnRH injection to induce ovulation in anestrous cows with low P4 before PGF2alpha but improved (P = 0.06) pregnancy rates (61 vs 66%). In Exp. 2, the addition of NORG mimicked P4 by likewise increasing (P < 0.01) pregnancy rates (31 vs 51%) beyond those after Cosynch. In Exp. 3, the Cosynch + CIDR protocol increased (P < 0.001) pregnancy rates from 46 to 55% compared to the MGA + Cosynch protocol. In Exp. 4, administration of GnRH at TAI improved (P < 0.05) pregnancy outcomes (50 vs 42%), whereas timing of TAI had limited effects. We conclude that a progestin treatment concurrent with the Cosynch protocol improved pregnancy outcomes in all experiments, but pretreatment of cows with MGA was not as effective as the CIDR insert or NORG implants in this Cosynch-TAI model. Most of the improvement in pregnancy rates was associated with the increase in pregnancy rates of anestrous cows, regardless of whether ovulation was successfully induced in response to GnRH 7 d before PGF2alpha. Injection of GnRH at TAI following the Cosynch + CIDR protocol increased pregnancy rates in cycling cows with high P4 before the PGF2alpha injection and in anestrous cows with low P4 before PGF2alpha injection.     

Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations and clinical response in horses treated for equine Cushing's disease with cyproheptadine or pergolide

Plasma ACTH levels have been variable in horses with a positive clinical response for therapy for equine Cushing's Disease (ECD). Therefore, our purpose was to determine the value of monitoring plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels during treatment of equine Cushing's disease (ECD) with either cyproheptadine (n = 32) or pergolide (n = 10). First, we validated the chemiluminescent ACTH assay (specificity, precision, accuracy, intra-assay and interassay variations) and tested methods of handling the whole blood from the time of collection to when the ACTH was assayed. The sensitivity and specificity of high plasma ACTH levels for detecting ECD was determined in a retrospective study on hospitalised horses (n = 68). Surveys were sent to veterinarians who submitted equine ACTH levels that were high initially and had at least 2 ACTH samples to determine the value of monitoring ACTH levels during therapy of ECD. The ACTH chemiluminescent assay was valid. The ACTH was stable when whole blood was collected and held in plastic tubes for 8 h before separating the plasma. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma ACTH levels for detecting ECD were 84% (n = 19,95% CI 60,97) and 78% (n = 49,95% CI 63,88), respectively. Treated horses generally showed a decrease in plasma ACTH. Plasma ACTH levels may be helpful when monitoring therapy of ECD, although improvement in clinical signs should be considered most important. There were no differences between cyproheptadine and pergolide in terms of improvements in any of the clinical signs.     

The use of even-chain alkanes sprayed onto herbage as rate of passage markers in goats

An experiment was conducted with Saanen goats fed fresh grass ad libitum to compare ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes sprayed onto either grass leaves or stems to estimate faecal output, total mean retention time (TMRT) and parameters obtained from faecal marker concentration curves, such as k₁ (slow rate of passage), k₂ (fast rate of passage) and transit time (TT). ⁵¹Cr-mordanted grass showed the lowest fractional rates of passage (k₁ and k₂) and hence the largest value of TMRT. There were not significant (P > 0.05) differences between even-chain alkanes sprayed onto leaves or stems for k₂, TT and TMRT, but k₁ estimates were higher (P < 0.05) for stems than for sprayed leaves. Despite the marker used, TMRT values were negatively correlated with the level of dry matter intake (r = − 0.81, − 0.80 and − 0.80 for ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves or stems, respectively). Average faecal outputs estimated from faecal concentrations of ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes were not different from the actual outputs but there were differences between markers in the accuracy of estimation. The highest mean square prediction error (MSPE) and the poorest correlation between observed and estimated faecal output values corresponded to even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto stems. Values estimated using ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves were significantly correlated with faecal outputs (r = 0.94 and r = 0.92, respectively), with MSPE being greater for the latter marker.     

Analysis of cyclic vacuum drying curve

The objective of this research was to analyze the cyclic vacuum drying curve within one cycle. Red oak specimens of two different groups, square in cross-section, were used. Group one was comprised of four different thicknesses (2.54, 3.81, 5.08, and 6.35 cm) with a length of 25.4 cm and group two was comprised of three different lengths (12.7, 25.4, and 38.1 cm) with the thickness of 2.54 cm. The specimens were heated to 60°C in the heating oven and then dried in the vacuum oven at 18 mm Hg. The vacuum oven was at room temperature (20°C). The vacuum pump was kept running for 140 min. It was found that the cyclic vacuum drying curve consisted of two distinct parts. The fast drying period lasted about 10 to 15 min. The slow drying period occurred when the pressure inside wood approached the ambient pressure. Most of the moisture was removed during the fast drying period.     

Growth performance and management of a mixed rainforest tree plantation

Monoculture plantations of Pinus, Eucalyptus and Acacia have beenestablished on rainforest lands throughout the world. However, this type of reforestation generally supplies low quality timber and contributes to landscape simplification. Alternatives to exotic monoculture plantations are now beginning to gain momentum with farmers and landholders attempting to establish a variety of rainforest trees in small plantations. When compared to the well studied commercial species, knowledge concerning the growth and management of many of these rainforest species is in its infancy. To help expand this limited knowledge base an experimental plantation of 16 rainforest tree species in a randomised design was established near Mt. Mee, in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Changes in growth, form (based on stem straightness, branch size and branchiness), crown diameters and leaf area of each species were examined over 5 years. Patterns of height growth were also measured monthly for 31 months. Species in this trial could be separated into three groups based on their overall growth after 5 years and their growth patterns. Early successional status, low timber density, high maximum photosynthetic rates and large total leaf areas were generally correlated to rapid height growth. Several species (including Araucaria cunninghamii, Elaeocarpus grandis, Flindersia brayleyana, Grevillea robusta and Khaya nyasica) had above average form and growth, while all species in the trial had considerable potential to have increased productivity through tree selection. As canopy closure occurred at the site between years four and five, growth increments declined. To reduce stand competition a number of different thinning techniques could be employed. However, simple geometric or productivity based thinnings appear to be inappropriate management techniques for this mixed species stand as they would either remove many of the best performing trees or nearly half the species in the trial. Alternatively, a form based thinning would maintain the sites diversity, increase the average form of the plantation and provide some productivity benefits.     

Combination active optical and passive thermal infrared sensor for low-level airborne crop sensing

An integrated active optical, and passive thermal infrared sensing system was deployed on a low-level aircraft (50 m AGL) to record and map the simple ratio (SR) index and canopy temperature of a 230 ha cotton field. The SR map was found to closely resemble that created by a RapidEye satellite image, and the canopy temperature map yielded values consistent with on-ground measurements. The fact that both the SR and temperature measurements were spatially coincident facilitated the rapid and convenient generation of a direct correlation plot between the two parameters. The scatterplot exhibited the typical reflectance index-temperature profile generated by previous workers using complex analytical techniques and satellite imagery. This sensor offers a convenient and viable alternative to other forms of optical and thermal remote sensing for those interested in plant and soil moisture investigations using the ‘reflectance index-temperature’ space concept.     

Radiographic diagnosis of an expansile bone lesion in a dog

An old dog had an expansile lesion affecting the ulnar diaphysis. The lesion had clinical and radiographic features typical of a bone cyst; however, computed X-ray tomography indicated that the lesion had a tissue content incompatible with a true cyst. The histological diagnosis was osteosarcoma. This report emphasises the highly variable radiological appearance of canine osteosarcoma; biopsy is required to establish the diagnosis because the radiological signs may mimic a lesion of different aetiology.     

Review: The strobilurin fungicides

The original article to which this Correction refers was published in Pest Management Science 58 (7): 649–662 (2002).Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Factors affecting width of the canine femorotibial joint space in nonweight-bearing radiographs.

Caudocranial stifle radiographs with variations in positioning were made in two greyhound cadavers. Radiographs were repeated after each of three interventions: cranial cruciate desmotomy; release of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus; complete medial meniscectomy. The joint space on medial and lateral aspects of the joint was measured by a observer who was unaware of positioning or intervention. One dog had significantly wider joint space than the other (1.0 vs. 1.5mm). The lateral aspect of the joint space was wider than the medial aspect (1.7 vs. 0.7 mm). Medial rotation of the stifle resulted in an increase of 0.4 mm in width of the lateral joint space, whereas lateral rotation of the stifle reduced the lateral joint space by an average of 0.4 mm. Decentering the X-ray beam had no significant effect on joint space width. Tension increased the width of the medial joint space by an average of 1.2 mm and the lateral aspect by an average of 1.3 mm. Cranial cruciate desmotomy resulted in an average 0.3 mm increase in width of the joint space, and medial meniscectomy with an average 0.2 mm reduction of the joint space. Although the femorotibial joint space was affected by iatrogenic stifle injuries and by medial or lateral rotation, these changes were less than the differences between the two dogs. Hence it seems unlikely that the small changes in joint space width associated with cruciate ligament desmotomy and medial meniscectomy will be detectable in clinical practice.