Cumulus Oophorus Expansion of Bovine Oocytes Cultured in vitro: A SEM and TEM Study

Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from antral follicles (3–6 mm in diameter). COCs with a compact multilayered cumulus investment were cultured for 9, 13 and 24 hours, respectively, and processed for scanning or transmission electron microscopy after different periods of culture including a 0 hour control group. In all 0 hour control COCs initial formation of cumulus cell projections, blebs and microvilli were observed. The start of cumulus-oocyte disconnection in cattle was observed after 9 hours of in vitro culture. These connections were almost completely discrupted after 13 hours, when a continuous production of extracellular matrix was observed. The full expansion of corona radiata cells was not observed even after 24 hours. Some cumulus oophorus cells were bound together with junctions of the zonula adherens type after 24 hours when extracellular matrix was found only in deeper layers. The full expansion of corona radiata cells was not the prerequisite for disconnection of cumulus-oocyte complex. Inhalt: Kumulus oophorus Expansion von in vitro kultivierten Rinderoozyten: Eine SEM und TEM Untersuchung Kumulus-Oozyten-Komplexe (COC) von Rindern wurden aus antralen Follikeln aspiriert (Durchmesser 3–6 mm). COC's mit kompakten mehrschichtigen Kumulus wurden für 9, 13 und 24 Stunden kultiviert und für die Scanner- oder Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie vorbereitet. Verschiedene Kulturzeiten incl. einer 0-Stundengruppe als Kontrolle wurden untersucht. In allen Kontroll COC's wurden beginnende Formationen yon Kumuluszellprojektionen, Bläschen und Mikrovilli beobachtet. Nach 9-stündiger in vitro Kultur begann die Lösung zwischen Kumulus und Oozyte. Die Verbindungen waren nach 13 Stunden vollständig unterbrochen, wobei eine kontinuierliche Produktion extrazellulärer Matrix beobachtet wurde. Eine vollständige Expansion der Corona radiata Zellen wurde auch nicht nach 24 Stunden beobachtet. Nach 24 Stunden waren einige Cumulus Oophorus Zellen über Verbindungen des Zonula adherens Typs verknüpft, wobei extrazelluläre Matrix nur in den tieferen Zellschichten gefunden wurde. Eine vollständige Kumulusexpansion ist keine Voraussetzung für die Auflösung des Kumulus-Oozyten-Komplexes.     

Genetic analysis of bovine respiratory disease in beef calves during the first year of life.

The prevalence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was assessed in a population of 10,142 beef calves representing nine pure breeds and three composite populations born in 1983 through 1988. Twenty-four percent of the calves experienced at least one episode of respiratory disease during the 1st yr of life; frequencies over the six birth years ranged from 14 to 38%. The timing of respiratory disease outbreaks differed among birth years; in 4 of the 6 yr, more illness occurred in the pasture before weaning than in the feedlot after weaning. Frequencies of BRD during preweaning and postweaning periods were analyzed separately. Pure breeds and composite populations within a single preweaning location differed in frequency of illness during the preweaning period. However, not all possible breed comparisons could be made because preweaning location differed for the breed groups, and preweaning location had a significant effect on the frequency of respiratory disease in the preweaning period. The preweaning location effect did not carry through to the postweaning period. Pinzgauers had the highest BRD frequency within the feedlot (24.6%). The heritability estimates of BRD during the preweaning and postweaning periods did not differ significantly from 0 (.10 +/- .02 and .06 +/- .07, respectively). Although it is likely that response to selection for resistance to BRD would be slight using the animal's history of BRD as the selection criterion, including information on relatives or additional immune traits may improve the accuracy of an estimated breeding value for BRD resistance.     

Use of autogenous cancellous bone graft for treatment of osteolytic defects in the phalanges of three cattle.

Osteolytic defects were detected radiographically in the distal sesamoid bone of a 16-month-old Bralers heifer, in the middle phalanx of a 14-month-old American Gray Brahman bull, and in the distal phalanx of a 3-year-old American Gray Brahman bull. The articular cartilage was damaged in each animal because of osteolysis or pathologic fracture. After each animal was anesthetized and positioned in lateral recumbency, the lesions were curetted and packed with cancellous bone harvested from the same animal's tuber coxae. Basic postoperative management involved stall rest and immobilization of the graft site with a fiberglass cast (42 to 79 days), after which a support bandage was used for approximately 2 weeks. Recurrence of lameness has not been observed in these animals for 60 months, 58 months, and 21 months, respectively. These cases exemplify the benefit of using an autogenous cancellous bone graft for treatment of severe osteolysis of a digit in cattle.     

Traumatic luxation of the cubital joint (elbow) in dogs: 44 cases (1978-1988).

The medical records from 44 dogs with traumatic luxation of the cubital joint were reviewed. Closed reduction was performed in 35 dogs, and open reduction in 9 dogs. Excellent or good results were achieved in 31 of 35 dogs (88.6%) treated by closed reduction and in 5 of 9 dogs (55.6%) treated by open reduction. Collateral ligament repair, performed in 5 dogs, did not appear to affect the prognosis. Factors such as body weight and type and duration of external coaptation also did not appear to influence the outcome. Increased dysfunction associated with open reduction most likely was caused by the chronic nature of the dislocation, iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage during reduction, or both. A good prognosis for return to normal function with minimal gait abnormality can be expected in most cases of traumatic luxation of the cubital joint treated by early closed reduction.     

In situ radiometric mapping of soil erosion and field-moist bulk density on cultivated fields

Abstract. Recent developments in in situγ ray spectrometry offer a new approach to measuring the activity of radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K in soils, and thus estimating erosion or deposition rates and field moist bulk density (ρ_m). Such estimates would be rapid and involve minimal site disturbance, especially important where archaeological remains are present. This paper presents the results of a pilot investigation of an eroded field in Scotland in which a portable hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector was used to measure γ ray spectra in situ. The gamma (γ) photon flux observed at the soil surface is a function of the ¹³⁷Cs inventory, its depth distribution characteristics and ρ_m. A coefficient, Q_Cs, derived from the forward scattering of ¹³⁷Cs γ ray photons within the soil profile relative to the ¹³⁷Cs full energy peak (662 keV), was used to correct the in situ calibration for changes in the ¹³⁷Cs vertical distribution in the ploughed field, a function of tillage, soil accumulation and ρ_m. Based on only 8 measurements, the agreement between in situγ ray spectrometry and soil sample measurements of ¹³⁷Cs inventories improved from a non significant r²=0.05 to a significant r²=0.62 (P<0.05). Erosion and deposition rates calculated from the corrected in situ¹³⁷Cs measurements had a similarly good agreement with those calculated from soil cores. Mean soil bulk density was also calculated using a separate coefficient, Q_K, derived from the forward scattering γ photons from ⁴⁰K within the soil relative to the ⁴⁰K full energy peak (1460 keV). Again there was good agreement with soil core measurements (r²=0.64; P<0.05). The precision of the in situ¹³⁷Cs measurement was limited by the precision with which Q_Cs can be estimated, a function of the low ¹³⁷Cs deposition levels associated with the weapons testing fallout and relatively low detector efficiency (35%). In contrast, the precision of the in situ ρ_m determination was only limited by the spatial variability associated with soil sampling.     

Persistence and mobility of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron under different soil and climatic conditions

The persistence and mobility of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron were studied in Italy at four field locations. Chlorsulfuron was applied pre-emer-gence to wheat at 15 and 30 g a.i. ha^?1 in the autumn of 1986 and metsulfuron early post-emergence at 8 g a.i. ha^?1 in the spring of 1987. Soil samples were taken periodically at each location for 1 year. Trials were conducted until 1989 at three locations. After the wheat harvest in 1989, chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron residues in the soil were measured by bioassay in plots that had been treated annually for 3 years and also in plots that had received single treatments. Chlorsulfuron at both application rates dissipated to levels below 0.3 g a.i. ha^?1 over 12 months at three locations while, at the fourth, which received only 250 mm rain during the study, significant levels of residues were still present after 15 months. The degradation of chlorsulfuron applied at 30 g a.i. ha^?1 followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 149, 70, 59 and 51 days at the four locations. Chlorsulfuron mobility was high at three locations while, in the silty clay soil of the fourth, the herbicide was confined to the upper 30 cm, despite the high rainfall. Metsulfuron applied in spring was detected only in the first soil sample collection. It was present in all sampled layers at one location but, in the others, was confined to the surface layer. There was no evidence of herbicide accumulation in the soil with repeated applications. Persistance et mobilité du chlorsulfuron et du met-sulfuron dans différents sols et sous différentes conditions climatiques La persistance et la mobilité du chorsulfuron et du metsulfuron au champ ont étéétudiées en Italie sur quatre sites. Le chlorsulfuron était appliqué en pré-levée sur le blé aux doses de matière active (m.a.) 15 et 30 g ha^?1à l'automne 1986 et le metsulfuron en post-levée précoce à la dose 8 g m.a. ha^?1 au printemps 1987. Des échantillons de sol étaient prélevés périodiquement sur chaque site pendant 1 an. Les essais ont été conduits jusqu'en 1989 sur trois des sites. En 1989, après la récolte du blé. les résidus de chlorsulfuron et de metsulfuron dans le sol ont été mesurés par des essais biologiques dans des parcelles qui avaient été traitées chaque année pendant 3 ans, ainsi que dans des parcelles qui n'avaient reçu qu'un seul traitement. Le chlorsulfuron aux deux doses disparaissait jusqu'à des niveaux inférieurs à 0.3 g m.a. ha^?1 en 12 mois sur trois des sites, alors que sur le quatrième, qui n'a reçu que 250 mm de précipitations pendant l'étude, des résidus étaient présents en quantité significative après 15 mois. La dégradation du chlorsulfuron appliquéà la dose 30 g m.a. ha^?1 suivait une cinétique du premier ordre, avec des demi-vies 149, 70, 59 et 51 j sur les quatre sites. La mobilité du chlorsulfuron était élevée sur trois des sites alors que sur le quatrième oú le sol était une argile limoneuse, l'herbicide était confiné aux 30 cm superficiels en dépit de précipitations élevées. Le metsulfuron appliqué au printemps n'était détecté que dans le premier prélèvement. Sur un des sites, il était présent dans toutes les couches, mais était confinéà la couche superficielle sur les autres sites. Après des applications répétées, aucune accumulation d'herbicide n'était observée dans le sol. Persistenz und Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron in verschiedenen Böden und bei unterschiedlicher Witterung Die Persistenz und Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron wurden in Italien an 4 Standorten unter Freilandbedingungen untersucht. Chlorsulfuron wurde im Herbst 1986 bei Weizen im Vorauflauf mit 15 und 30 g AS ha^?1 und Metsulfuron im Frühjahr 1987 im frühen Nachauflauf mit 8 g AS ha^?1 angewandt. Von jeder Versuchsfläche wurden über einen Zeitraum von 1 Jahr periodisch Bodenproben entnommen. Die Versuche wurden an 3 Standorten bis 1989 durchgeführt. Nach der Weizenernte 1989 wurden mit Biotests die Rückstände von Chlorsulfuron und Metsulfuron in den Böden mit jährlicher (über 3 Jahre) sowie mit einmaliger Behandlung bestimmt. Die Chlorsulfuron-Rückstände nahmen an 3 Standorten bei beiden Aufwandmengen nach 12 Monaten auf 0,3 g AS ha^?1 ab. Am 4. Standort, wo während der Untersuchung nur 250 mm Niederschlag gefallen waren, wurden nach 15 Monaten noch signifikante Rückstände gefunden. Der Abbau von Chlorsulfuron folgte an allen Standorten bei einer Aufwandmenge von 30 g AS ha^?1 einer Kinetik erster Ordnung mit Halbwertszeiten von 149, 70, 59 und 51 Tagen. Die Mobilität von Chlorsulfuron war an 3 Standorten hoch, während es in dem schluffigen Tonboden des 4. Standortes trotz hohen Niederschlags in den oberen 30 cm verblieb. Das im Frühjahr ausgebrachte Metsulfuron wurde nur in der 1. Bodenprobenserie gefunden. An einem Standort lagen in allen beprobten Bodenschichten Rückstände vor, doch sonst waren sie auf die oberste Bodenschicht beschränkt. Bei wiederholter Anwendung konnte keine Herbizidakkumulation im Boden festgestellt werden.     

Long-term Outcome of Tooth Repulsion in Horses A Retrospective Study of 61 Cases

The records of 61 horses undergoing tooth repulsion for treatment of alveolar periostitis were reviewed. Seventeen of 36 horses (47%) in which maxillary teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, such as infection of a second tooth, bone sequestration, chronic sinusitis, draining tracts, retained dental packing, feed impaction of the alveolus or sinus, suture-line dehiscence, or skin-flap sloughs. Eight horses required at least one additional surgical procedure. Eight of 25 horses (32%) in which mandibular teeth were removed had serious postoperative complications, and four horses required an additional surgical procedure. Hospitalization lasted 2 to 61 days (median, 22 days) for maxillary teeth and 3 to 35 days (median, 8 days) for mandibular teeth. Long-term follow-up (at least 5 months) was possible in 47 horses. Twenty-four of 30 horses (80%) with maxillary tooth repulsion healed without further problems; six horses had persistent nasal discharge. Fourteen of 17 horses (82%) with mandibular tooth repulsion healed with no further problems or with only minor complications; three horses had a chronic draining tract.     

Isotypic antibody responses in cattle infected with Haemophilus somnus

Bovine antibody responses to Haemophilus somnus were compared on the basis of clinical and bacteriological findings. Serum IgG1 and IgM antibody titres were significantly increased in clinically normal cattle that were bacteriologically positive for H somnus from the nasal or vaginal mucosae compared with clinically normal, negative cows. IgG2 titres did not differ significantly between these two groups. However, IgG2 antibody was significantly higher in animals with H somnus disease (pneumonia or abortion) than in clinically normal cattle (whether bacteriologically positive or negative), while IgG1 and IgM titres did not differ between diseased and bacteriologically positive, clinically normal cattle. These antibody trends were duplicated in experimental H somnus abortion or pneumonia, with the greatest response occurring within the IgG2 subclass. Cattle vaccinated systemically with killed whole H somnus produced a predominant IgG2 response with minimal IgG1 and IgM responses. These results demonstrate that IgG2 antibody is consistently elevated in H somnus disease, and suggest that this response may be useful in discriminating diseased from asymptomatic cattle.