Effects of concanavalin A on the progesterone production by bovine steroidogenic luteal cells in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of concanavalin A (CONA) on the progesterone (P4) production by bovine steroidogenic luteal cells (LCs) in vitro. Luteal cells were collected during the mid‐luteal stage (at 10–12 days following ovulation) and processed in the laboratory. Luteal cells were grown for 7 days in a humid atmosphere with 5% CO₂, with or without 10% foetal bovine serum, and were subjected to the following treatments: control: no treatment; CONA (10 μg/ml); LH (100 μg/ml); CONA + LH; LH (100 μg/ml) + prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) (10 ng/ml); CONA + LH + PGF2α. Samples of the culture media were collected on days 1 (D1) and 7 (D7) for P4 quantification. The cells were counted on D7 of culture. Differences between treatments were considered statistically significant at p < .05. Culture in the presence of CONA decreased the P4‐secreting capacity of LCs on D7 of culture, particularly in the absence of serum. The cell numbers did not change between treatments.     

Correlation between a proteolytic method and a radioimmunoassay for porcine serum pepsinogen concentrations

The measurement of serum pepsinogen concentrations by enzymatic method and immunoassay provides diagnostic values and should be helpful in the detection of gastric diseases related to a rise of blood pepsinogen. In the present study, the correlation between a conventional enzymatic method and a recently developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum pepsinogen A was investigated. A total of 123 sera samples of porcine foetuses (n = 28), adult healthy pigs (n = 56), pigs with parakeratosis (n = 25) and pigs with ulceration of the pars oesophagea (n = 14) were tested. Overall, there was a slight correlation between the two methods (r = 0.60). In relation to individual animal groups, the correlations (r) were 0.39 (P>0.05), 0.74 (P<0.001), 0.19 (P>0.05) and 0.34 (P>0.05) in foetuses, healthy pigs, pigs with parakeratosis and pigs with ulcers, respectively. In both methods, pepsinogen concentrations (means+/-SE) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs with parakeratosis (1778 +/- 86.00 mUTyr/L; 690 +/- 53.00 ng/mL) and in pigs with ulcers (2026 +/- 153.00 mUTyr/L; 1747 +/- 94.00 ng/mL) when compared to healthy pigs (935 +/- 58.00 mUTyr/L; 275 +/- 35.00 ng/mL). The proteolytic method gave a significant increased activity (P<0.05) in foetuses (1150 +/- 82.00 mUTyr/L) vs. (935 +/- 58.00 mUTyr/L) in healthy adult pigs, indicating an additional proteolytic activity in the sera of foetuses or neonates.     

Anomalous Pregnancies during Late Embryonic/Early Foetal Period in High Producing Dairy Cows

This study analyses anomalous cases of gestation ending in pregnancy loss during the early foetal period and their effect on progesterone and plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 (PAG-1) concentrations. Data derived from a large-scale ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis programme in high producing dairy cows. Over a 3-year period (2004–2007), a very low incidence (0.5%: 15 of 3094) of anomalous pregnancies was recorded. The results revealed that the following anomalies were detected on days 35–41 of gestation in cows carrying singletons with one single corpus luteum: embryo death in eight cows (0.3%); and embryo in the uterine horn contralateral to the corpus luteum in seven cows (0.2%). All these animals suffered pregnancy loss during the early foetal period. In cows carrying dead embryos, no signs of conceptus degeneration were observed on pregnancy diagnosis. Amnion size (approximately 25 mm diameter) and uterine horn fluid contents were estimated to be similar to those of the normal pregnant cows in this period. In the contralateral gestations, live embryos were observed in all ultrasound checks before pregnancy loss. Uterine fluid contents increased in the two cows in which gestation continued for more than a week. In the cases of embryo death but not in those of contralateral gestation, a drop in PAG-1 levels was noted prior to pregnancy loss. Two cows carrying dead embryos increased with time allantoic fluid contents. The PAG-1 values increased with time in one cow bearing a dead embryo (from 2.31 to 6.79 ng/ml) and in two of the contralateral gestations (from 1.66 to 2.33 ng/ml and from 0.39 to 6.79 ng/ml, respectively). Results of this study indicate that the foetal membranes continue to undergo some activity following embryo death, and that contralateral pregnancy may determine failure of the gestation process.     

Third‐compartment cannulation in alpacas using a polyurethane gastrostomy tube

Objective To develop a simple and effective surgical technique for third‐compartment cannulation in alpacas. Design Prospective study using six adult male alpacas. Methods General anaesthesia was induced and a polyurethane gastrostomy tube was surgically implanted into the distal portion of the third compartment. Results Three of the alpacas retained their cannulas for a 100‐day period; however, three cannulas were dislodged during the study. Two of the three dislodged cannulas were replaced during a second surgical procedure. Cannulas were well tolerated by the alpacas and all animals remained clinically healthy during the study period. Third compartment contents did not leak from the cannulation site. The tubes were manually removed following the completion of the study and the small defect in the body wall quickly healed over in all animals. Conclusion Surgical placement of polyurethane tubes designed for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a useful method of cannulating the third compartment in camelids. This technique can be used for experimental studies and possibly could be used for nutritional support and fluid therapy in sick camelids that might need long‐term care.     

Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife) poisoning of sheep in Victoria

Objective To document an ovine disease attributed to the consumption of Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife). Procedures Historical and histological review of field and experimental cases. Results 1–20% mortality occurred in sheep flocks grazing paddocks where L. hyssopifolia was the predominant green vegetation. Well‐documented disease outbreaks occurred in summer on nine farms across Victoria between 1974 and 2002. Liver damage occurred in all nine outbreaks, with kidney damage in at least eight. Hepatocyte necrosis was usually zonal to midzonal (zone 2) in the liver samples from four farms and periacinar (zone 3) in those from three farms, but some livers showed only single‐cell necrosis. Multinucleate hepatocytes near necrotic areas were a feature in six cases. Proximal tubular epithelium appeared to be the primary renal target and brown granules were often present in renal tubules. Biochemical and histological evidence of liver and kidney damage was obtained from two sheep experimentally pen‐fed harvested L. hyssopifolia. Conclusion Chemicals in L. hyssopifolia are toxic to ovine hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Correlation of five radioimmunoassay systems for measurement of bovine plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations at early pregnancy period

The measurement of serum or plasma PAG concentrations is currently used as a specific method for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. In this study, the correlation between five radioimmunoassay systems (RIA-497, RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 and RIA–Pool) developed for measurement of PAG concentrations in ruminant species was investigated in plasma from pregnant Friesian Holstein females. Plasma PAG concentrations (ng/mL) measured by different RIA systems were significantly correlated between them ( 0.81; P < 0.001). PAG concentrations increased significantly from Day 21 (n = 27) to 30 (n = 37) after AI by use of all PAG–RIA systems. From Day 30 to 80 after AI, lower PAG concentrations were observed when using the homologous system RIA-497. The addition of several proteinase inhibitors changed neither the non specific binding nor the B₀ binding to the tracer. Our results suggest that all tested PAG–RIA (RIA-497, RIA-706, RIA-780, RIA-809 and RIA–Pool) are highly correlated and can be useful to follow PAG concentrations in samples collected during the first trimester of gestation.     

Timing of Early Foetal Loss for Single and Twin Pregnancies in Dairy Cattle

The incidence of early foetal loss is increasing under intensive management systems for dairy cattle. The aims of the present study were to determine whether there is any peak period of pregnancy loss during the early foetal period and to evaluate possible differences between single and twin pregnancies. The study population consisted of 1442 pregnant cattle from a single herd. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography between 36 and 42 days after insemination, and then weekly until day 90 of gestation or until pregnancy loss. A total of 1310 cows (90.8%) bore single embryos and 132 (9.2%) carried twins. Pregnancy loss was registered in 139 (9.6%) cows before day 90 of pregnancy: 101 (7.7%) in single and 38 (28.8%) in twin pregnancies. The average time of pregnancy loss for all animals was 58.4 ± 12.6 days and ranged from 45 to 90 days. Seventy‐five per cent of the pregnancy losses were registered between 45 and 60 days of gestation. The average time of pregnancy loss for cows with singletons was 52.1 ± 4.1 days and ranged from 45 to 61 days and that for those with twins was 75.1 ± 12.4 days and ranged from 46 to 90 days. Seventy‐five per cent of the twin pregnancy losses were registered between 68 and 90 days of gestation. Our data show that the foetal loss in singleton pregnancies occurs earlier than in twin pregnancies. Assessment of normal development of gestation on days 60 and 90 after insemination is suggested.     

群养鸡谨防痢菌净中毒

痢菌净学名乙酰甲喹,是我国研制的具有自主知识产权的兽用抗菌药品.本品抗菌谱广,不易产生抗药性,价格低廉,在畜牧养殖业上应用广泛.但在使用过程中常因超剂量应用导致中毒现象发生,造成不应有的损失.本文从药品特性、中毒症状、剖检变化、治疗、中毒原因分析等五个方面对群养鸡痢菌净中毒做了详尽阐述,以期基层兽医临床工作者有所借签.     

Spelt, an ancient cereal and first pressure linseed oil as ingredients of compound feedstuffs for modern horse feeding

Spelt is a covered cereal with large glumellas. In experiment 1, it has been compared in terms of chemical composition with barley, oat and maize. Spelt is characterized by rather low protein and ether extract (EE) contents. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content of spelt was slightly higher than that of oat but the acid detergent fibre (ADF) content was lower. Two compound feedstuffs were fed along with hay to six horses used in a cross-over design. Both diets were well appreciated by the horses and there were no significant differences in the apparent digestibility coefficients, except for EE which was significantly higher, when oat was included in the compound feedstuff. In experiment 2, first pressure linseed oil was incorporated at a rate of 8% in a control compound feedstuff, where the barley was partly substituted by the oil. The fat content was 9.6% dry matter (DM) in the linseed oil compound feedstuff and 5.4% in the hay-concentrate ration. The inclusion of linseed oil increased the digestibility of DM, EE and NDF of the diet. There were no effects on the post-prandial concentrations of glucose, triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) but the insulin concentration was significantly reduced with the linseed oil inclusion. There were significant increases in the plasma concentrations of the total fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), C18:3 n-3 and C18:2 n-6 and significant reductions in the contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), C18:1 n-7 + n-9 and C20:4 n-6. It is concluded that the inclusions of spelt and first pressure linseed oil in compound feed stuff for horse are of interest for modern horse feeding.