Effect of Fusarium roseum corn culture containing zearalenone on early pregnancy in swine

A corn culture of Fusarium roseum was added to a standard corn-soybean swine gestation ration. Low, middle, and high dosage mixed feeds contained 7, 38, and 64 mg of zearalenone/kg of feed (7, 38, and 64 ppm) and 0.5, 2.5, and 4.5 mg of deoxynivalenol/kg, respectively. Control feed was the standard ration without added F roseum corn culture. Mature gilts were bred by natural service and fed control or F roseum molded feed from 3 to 34 days after breeding. The main effect of the molded feed was an inhibition of fetal development, with decreased numbers of fetuses present in treated animals at slaughter (38 to 43 days after breeding). Normal litters were present in 7 of 8 control animals, in 2 of 4 gilts given the low-dosage feed, in 1 of 4 gilts given the medium dosage, and in 0 of 4 given the high-dosage feed. Corpora lutea were maintained in all treated animals, as evidenced by serum progesterone concentrations. Serum estradiol concentrations were decreased in gilts in the middle- and high-dosage groups. The genital system of the gilts fed low- and middle-dosage feeds had a gross and microscopic appearance similar to that of the pregnant controls and reflected prolonged progesterone stimulation. Morphologic changes in the genital system of the high-dosage group were intermediate between changes induced by progesterone and those induced by estrogen. Clinical signs of hyperestrogenism and partial feed refusal were noticed in only some of the high-dosage group animals.     

ANGIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF BOVINE FOOT ABNORMALITIES

Angiography of normal and diseased feet in cattle was carried out. In osteomyelitis of distal phalanx there was a narrowing of the digital artery with diminished vascular supply to the affected digit. An area of bone necrosis was found to be avascular. With overgrown hooves, narrowing of both the medial and lateral digital arteries with ill-defined laminar vessels was seen. The vascular pattern in cattle with cork screw claws was characterized by a dilated tortuous digital artery and a crowded arterial network resulting in increased vascular supply in the affected claw. Abrupt stricture of common digital artery, a crowded vascular network in the area of the middle phalanx and filling defects of terminal arches were demonstrated in animals with exostosis     

PSEUDOCHYLOUS EFFUSION IN A CAT WITH CARDIOMYOPATHY

SUMMARY A case of pseudochylous thoracic effusion associated with feline cardiomyopathy is described. At necropsy there was no evidence of structural damage to the thoracic duct or other major lymphatic vessels. The literature covering this syndrome was reviewed and it was concluded that the thoracic effusion may have been associated with congestive heart failure and interference with drainage of the thoracic duct into the anterior vena cava.     

Radiographic characterization of diaphragmatic excursion in halothane anesthetized ponies: Effect of mode of ventilation and muscle paralysis

A radiographic technique was used to identify and characterize segmental diaphragmatic movement in anesthetized ponies breathing spontaneously and with controlled ventilation with and without muscle relaxant-induced paralysis. Paralyzed mechanically ventilated ponies were also studied at varying peak inspiratory pressures. Controlled ventilation induced a change in pattern of diaphragmatic displacement which was accentuated by paralysis and increased inspiratory pressure. In conclusion, these results indicate that uneven distribution of inspired gases is not corrected by mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, increased tidal volume during mechanical ventilation is largely wasted because this increased volume is distributed principally to the poorly perfused nondependent lung. Thus, while mechanical ventilation can alleviate hypoventilation, i.e., will decrease P_aCO₂, it will be of limited value in relieving arterial hypoxemia due to venous admixture in anesthetized patients.     

Ear temperatures in the horse during recovery from anesthesia

Ear temperatures were measured during and after halothane anesthesia in 16 horses and ponies. Aural hypothermia developed during recovery and persisted for more than one hour following standing. The decreased ear temperature was attributed to decreased peripheral perfusion and was considered to be related to other cardio-pulmonary and neuro-endocrine derangements that occur during recovery.