Number of calves born, number of calves weaned, and cumulative weaning weight as measures of lifetime production for Hereford cows

Genetic parameters for lifetime production for cows with the opportunity to produce from 2 through 7 yr of age, as measured by the number of calves born (NB2, ..., NB7), the number of calves weaned (NW2, ..., NW7), and cumulative weaning weight (CW2, ..., CW7), were estimated using data from 3,064 Hereford cows from a selection experiment with a control line (CTL) and three lines selected for weaning weight (WWL), yearling weight (YWL), and an index of yearling weight and muscle score (IXL). Weaning weights were adjusted to 200 d of age and for sex and age of dam. Estimates of heritability and genetic and environmental correlations were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood with bivariate animal models, with year of birth of the cow as a fixed effect and direct genetic and residual as random effects. Genetic trends were estimated by regressing means of estimated breeding values by year of birth and line on birth year. Estimates of heritability (SE) for opportunity groups of 2 to 7 yr of age ranged from 0.08 (0.03) to 0.16 (0.05) for NB; from 0.05 (0.02) to 0.16 (0.05) for NW; and from 0.06 (0.02) to 0.16 (0.05) for CW. Estimates of genetic correlations (SE) among NB traits ranged from 0.60 (0.14) to 1.00 (0.00), and estimates of environmental correlations (SE) ranged from 0.67 (0.02) to 0.99 (0.00). For NW, estimates of genetic and environmental correlations ranged from 0.98 (0.11) to 1.00 (0.00) and from 0.65 (0.02) to 0.99 (0.00), respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations (SE) among CW traits ranged from 0.94 (0.08) to 1.00 (0.00). Estimates of environmental correlations (SE) ranged from 0.66 (0.02) to 0.99 (0.00). Estimates of genetic correlations for NB2 with all definitions of NW ranged from 0.47 (0.18) to 0.71 (0.12), and with all definitions of CW ranged from 0.55 (0.16) to 0.80 (0.11). Estimates of genetic correlations between NW2 and all definitions for CW ranged from 0.95 (0.02) to 0.99 (0.06). Estimates of annual genetic (SE) change were negligible for NB2, NB6, NW2, and NW6 for all lines. Estimates of annual genetic (SE) change for CW2 were 0.85 (0.11), 0.79 (0.14), 0.51 (0.10), and 0.52 (0.18) kg/yr, and for CW6 were 5.01 (1.25), 2.64 (1.75), 3.67 (1.16), and 3.33 (2.37) kg/yr for WWL, YWL, IXL, and CTL, respectively. Selection for lifetime production as measured by NB, NW, or CW could be effective but would be relatively slow due to low estimates of heritability and to increased generation intervals.     

Phenotypic Differences Between vacuma and transposa subpopulations of Botrytis cinerea

One hundred and twenty-one single-spore strains of Botrytis cinerea isolated from Bordeaux vineyards were molecularly characterized as either transposa or vacuma, two subpopulations of B. cinerea distinguished by the presence of transposable elements. Forty-three vacuma and 68 transposa strains were distributed into two main classes (mycelial or sclerotial) by morphological phenotype according to the organ of origin. Strains isolated from overwintering sclerotia produced exclusively sclerotial colonies. The mycelial growth rate of 21 transposa and 13 vacuma strains was significantly influenced by agar-medium and temperature. The mycelial growth rate was significantly strain-dependent at favourable temperatures (15, 20 and 25 °C), but not at limiting ones (5 and 28 °C): vacuma strains showed the fastest growth rates. The strains of the two subpopulations were similar in virulence on both host species tested (Vitis vinifera and Nicotiana clevelandii). The grapevine leaves were significantly more susceptible to B. cinerea than those of tobacco. A significant negative correlation was established between virulence and mycelial growth rate. The epidemiological consequences concerning population structure of B. cinerea in vineyards are discussed.     

Synovial T-cell lymphoma of the stifle in a dog

A 6-year-old, 43-kg, spayed female rottweiler was presented for a 1-month history of progressive, left hind-limb lameness. Upon physical examination, a cranial drawer sign and joint distention were present in the left stifle. Radiographically, the stifle had evidence of effusion, remodeling of the patella, and an enlarged popliteal lymph node. Marked synovial thickening and an intact cranial cruciate ligament were noted during surgery. Despite finding a nonspecific, mixed inflammatory response on joint fluid cytopathology, histopathology demonstrated T-cell lymphoma of the synovium. Lameness may be the sole presenting clinical sign in canine lymphoma.     

Effects of plasma progesterone concentrations on LH release and ovulation in beef cattle given GnRH

The effects of plasma progesterone concentrations on LH release and ovulation in beef cattle given 100 microg of GnRH im were determined in three experiments. In Experiment 1, heifers were given GnRH 3, 6 or 9 days after ovulation; 8/9, 5/9 and 2/9 ovulated (P<0.02). Mean plasma concentrations of progesterone were lowest (P<0.01) and of LH were highest (P<0.03) in heifers treated 3 days after ovulation. In Experiment 2, heifers received no treatment (Control) or one or two previously used CIDR inserts (Low-P4 and High-P4 groups, respectively) on Day 4 (estrus=Day 0). On Day 5, the Low-P4 group received prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF) twice, 12 h apart and on Day 6, all heifers received GnRH. Compared to heifers in the Control and Low-P4 groups, heifers in the High-P4 group had higher (P<0.01) plasma progesterone concentrations on Day 6 (3.0+/-0.3, 3.0+/-0.3 and 5.7+/-0.4 ng/ml, respectively; mean+/-S.E.M.) and a lower (P<0.01) incidence of GnRH-induced ovulation (10/10, 9/10 and 3/10). In Experiment 3, 4-6 days after ovulation, 20 beef heifers and 20 suckled beef cows were given a once-used CIDR, the two largest follicles were ablated, and the cattle were allocated to receive either PGF (repeated 12h later) or no additional treatment (Low-P4 and High-P4, respectively). All cattle received GnRH 6-8 days after follicular ablation. There was no difference between heifers and cows for ovulatory response (77.7 and 78.9%, P<0.9) or the GnRH-induced LH surge (P<0.3). However, the Low-P4 group had a higher (P<0.01) ovulatory response (94.7% versus 61.1%) and a greater LH surge of longer duration (P<0.001). In conclusion, although high plasma progesterone concentrations reduced both GnRH-induced increases in plasma LH concentrations and ovulatory responses in beef cattle, the hypothesis that heifers were more sensitive than cows to the suppressive effects of progesterone was not supported.     

Onset of estrus and preovulatory LH surge and ovulatory efficiency in sheep after short‐term treatments with progestagen‐sponges and progesterone‐CIDRs

The present study supports that short‐term (7‐days) protocols based on progestagen‐impregnated sponges and progesterone‐loaded CIDRs are equally effective to induce ovulatory response in sheep. There were no significant differences in the onset of estrus behavior (32.0 ± 6.0 and 33.8 ± 4.0 hr after device withdrawal for sponges and CIDRs, respectively; p > 0.05) and preovulatory LH discharge (5.1 ± 2.1 and 5.8 ± 3.3 hr after onset of estrus behavior for sponges and CIDRs, respectively; p > 0.05). These features are similar to previously described for classical long‐term (12–14 days) treatments. Hence, short‐term CIDR‐based protocols may be implemented using the same time‐intervals for insemination than sponge‐based and long‐term protocols.     

Comparative evaluation of DNA integrity using sperm chromatin structure assay and Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax during in vitro capacitation of cryopreserved ram spermatozoa

This study aimed to compare the ability of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA^®) and Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax^® to detect DNA fragmentation in frozen‐thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating conditions in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with oestrous sheep serum (SOF‐ESS) at multiple time points (0–240 min). Incubation in SOF‐ESS had no significant effects on SCSA^® parameters while the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA measured by Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax^® increased after 180 min of incubation. In addition, no correlation or agreement was found between the techniques, suggesting that SCSA^® and Sperm‐Ovis‐Halomax^® may quantify different types of DNA damage in ram spermatozoa under these experimental conditions.     

Metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of aortic body origin in a cat

An 8‐year‐old, female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat was presented to the Auburn University Emergency and Critical Care service for evaluation of pleural effusion and a suspected intrathoracic mass. Computed tomography was performed which confirmed the presence of a large intrathoracic mass, likely heart‐based. Fine‐needle aspirates were obtained and a cytologic diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor was made. Treatment with toceranib phosphate was briefly attempted at home by the owners. The cat died at home approximately 6 weeks after diagnosis. Necropsy and subsequent histopathologic examination revealed a metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma of aortic body origin. Aortic body tumors are extremely rare in cats and to the authors’ knowledge, a neuroendocrine carcinoma of aortic body origin with distant metastases has not yet been reported in a cat.