Serous cysts are a benign component of the cyclic ovary in the guinea pig with an incidence dependent upon inhibin bioactivity

Ovaries were collected from normal cycling female guinea pigs on each day of the estrous cycle (n = 5 per day) for histological analysis of ovarian morphology. Three types of ovarian cysts were observed: serous cysts, follicular cysts and parovarian cysts. The most common were serous cysts (cystic rete ovarii), which were present throughout the estrous cycle with an overall incidence of 63.5% (54 out of 85 animals). Follicular cysts occurred in 22.4% of guinea pigs overall (19 out of 85). Only one parovarian cyst (1 out of 85) was observed in the present experiment. Follicular cysts always coincided with serous cysts and were less common during diestrus. The incidence of serous cysts did not vary significantly across the estrous cycle. In a second experiment, cycling female guinea pigs were arrested in a prolonged luteal phase by a progesterone implant in order to achieve ovarian synchrony. They were then treated with inhibin antiserum (0.5 or 1 ml per animal i.v.; n = 6 per group) or normal goat serum (controls; n = 6 per group). There was a dose dependent increase in the incidence of serous ovarian cysts following passive immunization against the inhibin alpha-subunit. These results suggest that serous cysts are a normal component of the cyclic guinea pig ovary and that alterations in the inhibin-follicle-stimulating hormone system appear to modulate the incidence of serous ovarian cysts in this species.     

Simultaneous serological evidence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, PRRS, Aujeszky's disease and influenza viruses in Spanish finishing pigs

A total of 198 pigs with tachypnoea and temperature >/= 40 degrees C were selected on a Spanish finishing unit, and their sera were examined for antibodies to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Aujeszky' disease virus (ADV), and swine influenza virus (SIV). Eighty-nine point nine per cent of the pigs were seropositive to App, 88.6 per cent to PRRS, 73.0 per cent to ADV, and 30.6 per cent to SIV. Thirty-one pigs (15.6 per cent) were seropositive for App, PRRSV, ADV and SIV, and only one (0.5 per cent) was seronegative for all. Statistical association was assessed for dual infections but it was not found in any case (P > 0.05). Other parameters (dyspnoea, nasal discharge and coughing) were also recorded, and no significant associations between them and the presence of antibodies against any of the four infections was found.     

Upwelling intensification as part of the Pliocene-Pleistocene climate transition

A deep-sea sediment core underlying the Benguela upwelling system off southwest Africa provides a continuous time series of sea surface temperature (SST) for the past 4.5 million years. Our results indicate that temperatures in the region have declined by about 10 degrees C since 3.2 million years ago. Records of paleoproductivity suggest that this cooling was associated with an increase in wind-driven upwelling tied to a shift from relatively stable global warmth during the mid-Pliocene to the high-amplitude glacial-interglacial cycles of the late Quaternary. These observations imply that Atlantic Ocean surface water circulation was radically different during the mid-Pliocene.     

Effect of public symphysiodesis on pelvic development in the skeletally immature greyhound

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pubic symphysiodesis (PS) on pelvic development in skeletally immature dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Eight 4 month-old, sexually intact female Greyhounds. METHODS: Initial PS was performed at 4 months of age using a powered stapling device. Because of failure of the initial surgery, a second PS was performed 1 month later by resecting the pubic symphysis with a rongeur followed by placement of handmade bone staples in four dogs. Sham PS was performed in four control dogs at 4 months of age. Pubic growth rate and pelvic development were evaluated using standard plane radiography and computed tomography. Specific measurements included acetabular ventroversion, Norberg angle, lateral center-edge angle, and pelvic inlet dimensions. Hip distraction indices were determined as well. RESULTS: PS at 4 months of age using a stapling device failed. Pubic symphysiodesis using hand made staples was successful at 5 months of age and did not result in any clinically significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Pubic symphysiodesis markedly decreased pubic symphysis growth in the treatment group. Hip distraction indices and pelvic inlet circumference, area, and width significantly decreased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. Acetabular ventroversion was significantly increased in treated dogs compared to those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: PS decreases pelvic canal size, increases acetabular ventroversion, and does not appear to have any clinically significant complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PS performed in skeletally immature dogs with hip dysplasia may provide an effect similar to a triple pelvic osteotomy and warrants further investigation.     

Petrology of unshocked crystalline rocks and shock effects in lunar rocks and minerals

On the basis of rock modes, textures, and mineralogy, unshocked crystalline rocks are classified into a dominant ilmenite-rich suite (subdivided into intersertal, ophitic, and hornfels types) and a subordinate feldspar-rich suite (subdivided into poikilitic and granular types). Weakly to moderately shocked rocks show high strain-rate deformation and solid-state transformation of minerals to glasses; intensely shocked rocks are converted to rock glasses. Data on an unknown calcium-bearing iron metasilicate are presented.     

Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats

Twenty-two cats with a problem of urine spraying in the home were enrolled onto a double-blinded placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy of feline facial pheromone (FFP) delivered continuously into the atmosphere in the home through an electrically heated diffuser for controlling the problem. The cats were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups according to a predetermined schedule and later analysis suggested that there were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of the two groups. Compared with a baseline week during which no treatment was given, the mean level of spraying was significantly lower in the treated group after four weeks, but not significantly lower in the control group. The baseline level of spraying and the treatment, but not the week of treatment, were significant predictors of the amount of spraying during the trial. However, only the type of treatment given was a significant factor in the occurrence of new marks. Linear regression analysis suggested that there was a significant relationship between the amount of spraying and the duration of the use of FFP.     

Effects of surgical or banding castration on stress responses and behaviour of bulls

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of surgical and latex banding methods of castration in 14- and 9-month-old bulls. DESIGN: Two randomised, controlled experiments. PROCEDURE: In Experiment 1, following administration of local anaesthetic, 14-month-old bulls were castrated by either surgical or banding methods, or left entire. Behavioural, plasma cortisol, plasma haptoglobin and bodyweight responses were recorded. A group of steers from the same mob was used as an additional comparison for bodyweight data. In Experiment 2, following administration of local anaesthetic, 9-month-old bulls were castrated by either surgical or banding methods and cortisol, haptoglobin and bodyweight responses were recorded. Entire bulls from the same group were used as an additional comparison for bodyweight data. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, surgical castrates exhibited more leg stamping and tail swishing than banded or entire animals in the hours after castration. Surgical castrates in both experiments also showed an increase in plasma haptoglobin, which resolved after 4 days. Plasma cortisol was generally not affected by castration. Surgical castrates grew more slowly than entire bulls, but faster than banded animals, in the 56 days after treatment. In Experiment 1, after 56 days, the bodyweights of surgical and banded castrates were not different from the bodyweights of the steers. Fourteen-month-old banded cattle developed persistent wounds above the latex band which remained for several weeks after scrotal dehiscence, but this did not occur in the 9-month-old animals. CONCLUSION: The banding procedure produced fewer acute effects, but a greater suppression of growth than surgical castration and induced prolonged wound formation in the older age group, suggesting that this procedure may not be as suitable for yearling cattle.     

Comparison of detomidine and romifidine as premedicants before ketamine and halothane anesthesia in horses undergoing elective surgery

OBJECTIVE: To compare detomidine hydrochloride and romifidine as premedicants in horses undergoing elective surgery. ANIMALS: 100 client-owned horses. PROCEDURE: After administration of acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg, IV), 50 horses received detomidine hydrochloride (0.02 mg/kg of body weight, IV) and 50 received romifidine (0.1 mg/kg, IV) before induction and maintenance of anesthesia with ketamine hydrochloride (2 mg/kg) and halothane, respectively. Arterial blood pressure and blood gases, ECG, and heart and respiratory rates were recorded. Induction and recovery were timed and graded. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) duration of anesthesia for all horses was 104 +/- 28 minutes. Significant differences in induction and recovery times or grades were not detected between groups. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) decreased in both groups 30 minutes after induction, compared with values at 10 minutes. From 40 to 70 minutes after induction, MABP was significantly higher in detomidine-treated horses, compared with romifidine-treated horses, although more romifidine-treated horses received dobutamine infusions. In all horses, mean respiratory rate ranged from 9 to 11 breaths/min, PaO2 from 200 to 300 mm Hg, PaCO2 from 59 to 67 mm Hg, arterial pH from 7.33 to 7.29, and heart rate from 30 to 33 beats/min, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Detomidine and romifidine were both satisfactory premedicants. Romifidine led to more severe hypotension than detomidine, despite administration of dobutamine to more romifidine-treated horses. Both detomidine and romifidine are acceptable alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists for use as premedicants before general anesthesia in horses; however, detomidine may be preferable when maintenance of blood pressure is particularly important.