A clinical trial using a regimen which includes a norgestomet implant and norgestomet plus oestradiol valerate injection as a treatment for anoestrus in dairy cows

In seasonally calving dairy herds in the Macalister Irrigation Area of Gippsland, Victoria, cows that had not been observed in oestrus by the start of the mating season and which had inactive ovaries based on rectal palpation and progesterone assay were treated with a hormonal treatment (n = 49). Mature cows had calved at least 40 days previously and 2-year-olds had been calved at least 60 days. The treatment consisted of a norgestomet implant and a norgestomet and oestradiol injection on day 1; prostaglandin analogue Prosolvin) on day 8; withdrawal of implant on day 10 and an injection of PMSG; and fixed time artificial insemination 54 to 56 h after implant withdrawal. This treatment was called the Syncro-mate regimen. Control cows (n = 46) were injected with water on days 1, 8 and 10 and artificially inseminated or served by a bull when seen on heat. Forty seven percent of the treated cows became pregnant within 14 days from the start of treatment compared with 20% of control cows (P less than 0.01). There was an effect of age group on the response to treatment. A greater proportion of 2-year-old cows than mature cows became pregnant within 14 days of treatment (79% of 19 v. 27% of 20; Chi square interaction, treatment by age, 6.4, P less than 0.05). In the younger cows there was also a gain of 22 days in the treatment to conception interval over the control cows (P less than 0.001). It was concluded that the Syncro-mate regimen can be an effective treatment for post partum anoestrus in dairy cows under certain conditions.     

Tick (Ixodes holocydus) paralysis in the dog – induction of immunity by injection of toxin

SUMMARY Three beagle dogs were immunised against the paralysing effects of holocyclotoxin, using toxic extracts derived from salivary glands of the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocydus. Upon subsequent challenge with four ED50, of toxin the animals were completely immune, whereas during the early stages 2 of 3 dogs became paralysed after injection with 0.5 ED50. Three immunised beagles, on which 15 I. holocydus ticks had fed, showed no symptoms but a control beagle became paralysed after 4 I. holocydus females fed on it. Treatment was instituted immediately upon the onset of clinical signs and the dog recovered uneventfully.     

Legislative measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Ralstonia solanacearum in the European Union1

Since the outbreaks of potato brown rot (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum) in EU Member States in the mid 1990s, EU measures against this pest have been strengthened. Factors in the spread of R. solanacearum are reviewed: planting material, Solanaceous weeds, water, soil, waste, machinery and equipment. The Control Directive of 1998 aims to prevent spread and ensure eradication. It provides for the establishment of a demarcated zone whenever the pest is found, for measures to prevent spread from this zone and for measures to eliminate the pest within the zone.     

Volunteer winter wheat: its effects and control in ryegrass seed production

The effects of different populations of volunteer winter wheal and their control with ethofumesate and TCA on growth, seed yield and yield components of S.24 perennial ryegrass were investigated in lield experiments in 1978 and 1979. Reductions in ryegrass seed yield due to the presence of wheat depended on the density of wheat and the number and dry weight of ryegrass tillers. The greatest percentage reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred at high densities of wheat (300 plants m^?2) when the number of ear-bearing tillers and 1000 seed weight of ryegrass were reduced. When Ihe density of wheat was low (80 plants m^?2) a smaller reduction in ryegrass seed yield occurred and the number of live wheat plants remaining gradually decreased. Within the range of wheat densities in these experiments (0–300 plants m ^?2) a 1% loss in ryegrass seed yield occurred for every 10 wheal plants m^?2 present in the crop post winter. Both herbicides caused a reduction in number of ryegrass tillers during growth but, except where TCA was applied at 12 kg ha^?1 in November, ryegrass seed yields were not significantly reduced (in comparison with a wheat-free control) and were always greater than those obtained in the presence of wheat where no herbicides had been applied. Levels of volunteer infestation of 300 wheat plants m^?2 were controlled with minimum risk of crop damage by applications of 6 kg ha^?1 TCA in either October or November, or by application of 1–9 kg ha^?1 ethofumesate in November.     

Effects of isoproturon in the rhizosphere of wheat

In a field experiment, isoproturon (as Arelon) applied to soil at 2·5 kg ai ha^?1 caused variable effects in the rhizosphere of winter wheat. These included transient increases and decreases in the number of bacterial and fungal propagules. No changes in soil levels of NH₄⁺-N, NO₂^?-N, NO₃^?-N or PO₄^3? were detected. Similar results were recorded with wheat grown in pots and in laboratory-incubated soil. Arelon (1–60 μg ai ml^?1) did not affect pure cultures of bacteria but at the highest concentration (approximating to fifty times field rate) inhibited growth of some fungi. The value of laboratory and field experiments for studying effects of pesticides on micro-organisms is discussed. The results suggest that Arelon, in practical use, is unlikely to have harmful effects on the micro-organisms or fertility of soil.     

INTRODUCTION TO DICOM FOR THE PRACTICING VETERINARIAN

Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) is a communication protocol that imaging devices use to communicate. The universal acceptance of the DICOM standard by the major medical vendors means that the digital transition in veterinary medicine should be relatively smooth provided DICOM is used. DICOM service objects, roles, service classes, and conformance standards are discussed. The authors strongly encourage the use of image acquisition software and image archive systems that support the DICOM standard.