Some factors affecting pregnancy rate in ewes following laparoscopic artificial insemination

The fertility of 646 ewes and gimmers bred by laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in the autumn of 2006 was investigated using a questionnaire and individual ewe breeding records kept for 13 commercial sheep flocks that used LAI routinely. Overall, the pregnancy rate was 66 per cent, but it was highest in ewes bred for the fourth time. Technical aspects of LAI influenced fertility: pregnancy rates were 70 per cent for ewes bred using frozen semen compared with 58 per cent when fresh semen was used (P≤0.01), and 74 per cent of ewes that travelled to an artificial insemination centre for mating conceived, compared with 62 per cent that remained on their own farm (P<0.01). Higher doses of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (>400 iu) used for oestrus synchronisation reduced pregnancy rates to only 49 per cent (P<0.001). However, the largest effect was associated with shepherds gathering, handling and treating breeding ewes four to six weeks before mating; pregnancy rates were 54 per cent among ewes where this was carried out, compared with 74 per cent for ewes not treated in this way (P<0.01).     

An investigation of the relationships between angles and shapes of the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx

Reasons for performing study: There is little scientific evidence to support the premise that poor foot conformation predisposes to foot pain and lameness. Objectives: To determine relationships between external characteristics of the hoof capsule and angles of the distal phalanx; to determine variability in shape of the distal phalanx; and to investigate association between distal phalanx angles and the injury causing lameness. Materials and methods: Feet were documented photographically and radiographically. Linear and angle measurements were obtained for the hoof capsule and distal phalanx and compared statistically. Horses were categorised according to injury group, and angles and linear ratios were compared between groups. Results: There was modest correlation between hoof wall and heel angles and angles of the distal phalanx. There was variation in shape of the distal phalanx. There was no significant association between injury type and angles of the distal phalanx, although there was a trend for the angle of the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx with the horizontal to be smaller in horses with injuries of the podotrochlear apparatus or deep digital flexor tendon compared with other groups. Conclusions: There are variations in shape of the distal phalanx largely due to differences in orientation of the concave solar border and the solar border to the horizontal. Variations in shape of the distal phalanx were not accurately correlated with external characteristics of the hoof capsule. There were weak associations between injury groups and angles of the distal phalanx. Clinical relevance: Further work is required to elucidate risk factors for foot‐related lameness.     

A field investigation of causes of abortion in dairy cattle

Cases of abortion on dairy farms on the Lancashire/Cumbria border were investigated by means of a systematic diagnostic procedure, using the facilities of a veterinary practice's laboratory, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food veterinary investigation centre. Among approximately 3600 animals, 149 abortions were investigated on 54 farms in two years, an annual abortion rate of 2 per cent. A diagnosis was made in 34 per cent of the cases, based on a pathological examination of aborted material and bacteriological and serological findings. The most common pathogens associated with abortion were bovine viral diarrhoea virus (39 cases), bacterial or fungal infections (20 cases), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (19 cases), and Leptospira hardjo (18 cases), either as single or multiple infections.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in foals without signs of gastric disease: an endoscopic survey

Gastroendoscopic examinations were conducted on 75 Thoroughbred foals aged two to 85 days on seven breeding farms in England and Ireland. The foals showed no signs of gastric disease. There was no significant difference between lesion prevalence in foals in England (16 of 28 foals; 57 per cent) or Ireland (22 of 47 foals; 47 per cent). Neither was there any sex predilection (18 of 36 males; 20 of 39 females). Lesions were most prevalent in foals under 10 days old (8 of 9) and least prevalent in foals older than 70 days (3 of 10). Lesions occurred most frequently in the squamous mucosa immediately adjacent to the margo plicatus along the greater curvature (34 foals), whereas lesions in the squamous fundus, the glandular fundus, and the lesser curvature were observed in 11, six and three foals, respectively. Lesions were not observed in the squamous mucosa surrounding the cardia. Gastric lesions were more prevalent in foals with a previous disorder than in those without (68 vs 43 per cent) and particularly with a history of recent or concurrent diarrhoea (9 of 14).     

Bovine endometritis: comparative efficacy of alfaprostol and intrauterine therapies, and other factors influencing clinical success

A comparative study of the treatment of 306 severe, moderate, or mild cases of bovine endometritis was carried out over two calving seasons. The cases were treated with alfaprostol, or an intrauterine antibacterial preparation, or with a combination of both therapies. There was no significant difference between the efficacies of these treatments, and a single injection of alfaprostol was effective in 74 per cent of the cases treated. The effectiveness of the treatments was related to the degree of self-cure of the endometritis after parturition, the luteal activity at the time of treatment, and farm management factors affecting the health and condition of the calving cows.     

Immune response and protection of cattle and pigs generated by a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the F protein of rinderpest virus

The immune response of cattle and pigs to a vaccinia recombinant virus containing the fusion (F) protein gene of rinderpest virus was examined. Half the cattle and all the pigs gave humoral response to primary vaccination and all the cattle gave an anamnestic response to a second vaccination 28 days after the primary vaccination. All the cattle after a single or secondary vaccination were completely protected clinically after exposure to a lethal dose of the Saudi 1/81 strain of virus. Prior vaccination with another TK- vaccinia recombinant (VVCAT) suppressed, but did not abrogate, the immune response to the rinderpest F recombinant. The pigs gave a humoral immune response in the absence of any local reaction at the site of vaccination.     

Signs of Sympathetic Denervation Associated With a Thoracic Melanoma in a Horse

Sympathetic denervation in a 20-year-old, gray, Thorough-bred-Percheron gelding was manifested by cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating over the right side of the body, demarcated by a line from the withers to the elbow and extending cranially. There was cutaneous hyperthermia over the right side of the head, but other signs of Horner's syndrome (sweating, ptosis, miosis, enophthalmos) were not present. The pattern of cutaneous hyperthermia and sweating was consistent with sympathetic denervation localized to the cervicothoracic ganglion, and thoracic radiographs revealed increased density in the craniodorsal thorax. Cytologic evaluation of a sample of pleural effusion revealed mesothelial cells containing melanin and cells suggestive of melanocytes or melanoblasts. Treatment with oral cimetidine and intrapleural cisplatin was not successful. A necropsy was not performed, but the clinical findings supported a diagnosis of thoracic melanoma involving the cervicothoracic ganglion.     

Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint: Part 1

Reasons for performing study: Osseous abnormalities. associated with collateral ligament (CL) injury of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint have been documented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but there is currently limited information about the frequency of osseous pathology associated with CL injury. Objectives: To determine the frequency of occurrence of osseous abnormality coexistent with CL injury of the DIP joint and describe the distribution and character of osseous lesions; and to establish if there was an association between osseous abnormality and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU). Hypotheses: There would be a higher incidence of osseous abnormality at the insertion of an injured CL than at the origin; and a relationship between the presence of osseous abnormality and duration of lameness. Materials and methods: Magnetic resonance images of 313 feet of 289 horses with foot pain and a definitive diagnosis of collateral desmopathy of the DIP joint were analysed retrospectively for presence and type of osseous abnormality in the middle and distal phalanges. Scintigraphic images were examined and the presence of IRU in the middle or distal phalanges recorded. Results: Osseous abnormalities were detected in 143 (45.7%) feet, 27 (18.8%) of which had osseous and CL injury alone, while the remaining 116 had CL related osseous injury and multiple injuries within the hoof capsule. Entheseous new bone and endosteal irregularity of the middle and distal phalanges were the most frequent types of osseous abnormality. There was a higher incidence of osseous abnormalities medially than laterally and at the ligament insertion than at the origin. There was a significant association between presence of IRU and osseous injury. Conclusions: A variety of osseous lesions of differing severity are associated with CL injury. Normal radiopharmaceutical uptake does not preclude significant osseous pathology associated with CL injury. Clinical relevance: Further studies are necessary in order to determine if osseous abnormalities associated with CL injury influence prognosis for return to performance.