Arterial blood gas parameters of normal foals born at 1500 metres elevation

Reasons for performing study: Arterial blood gas analysis is widely accepted as a diagnostic tool to assess respiratory function in neonates. To the authors' knowledge, there are no published reports of arterial blood gas parameters in normal neonatal foals at altitude. Objective: To provide information on arterial blood gas parameters of normal foals born at 1500 m elevation (Fort Collins, Colorado) in the first 48 h post partum. Hypothesis: Foals born at 1500 m will have lower P_aO₂ and P_aCO₂ than foals born at sea level due to low inspired oxygen and compensatory hyperventilation occurring at altitude. Methods: Sixteen foals were studied. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed within 1 h of foaling and subsequent samples were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post partum. Data were compared to those previously reported in healthy foals born near sea level. Results: Mean P_aO₂ was 53.0 mmHg (7.06 kPa) within 1 h of foaling, rising to 67.5 mmHg (9.00 kPa) at 48 h post partum. P_aCO₂ was 44.1 mmHg (5.88 kPa) within one hour of foaling, falling to 38.3 mmHg (5.11 kPa) at 48 h. Both P_aO₂ and P_aCO₂ were significantly lower in foals born at 1500 m elevation than those near sea level at several time points during the first 48 h. Conclusions and potential relevance: Foals at 1500 m elevation undergo hypobaric hypoxia and compensatory hyperventilation in the first 48 h. Altitude specific normal arterial blood values are an important reference for veterinarians providing critical care to equine neonates.     

永丰草地畜牧业生产系统分析

运用线性规划模型，对甘肃省天祝藏自治县永丰草地的畜牧业生产进行了系统分析。结果表明在保持现有牦牛、绵羊头数（年１８０６７头、羊２６９１２只，总载畜量１１７２４７羊单位）和人工草地（１３３ｈｍ＾２）时，仅调整畜群结构，可使纯收益增加２０％。     

Optimal timing of elective caesarean section in Belgian White and Blue breed of cattle: the calf's point of view

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the timing of elective caesarean section (ECS) during parturition affects pulmonary and metabolic adaptation to extra-uterine life in healthy Belgian White and Blue (BWB) calves delivered at term. Vaginal palpation was performed and deliveries divided into six categories of timing for ECS: cervix closed (TECS 1); passive and active cervical dilatation (TECS 2 and TECS 3); full cervical dilatation (TECS 4); spontaneous rupture of allantoic (TECS 5) and amniotic (TECS 6) membranes.One hundred and eighteen BWB calves were examined at birth, 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after birth using the following measurements: physical examination (time between birth and sternal recumbency [T-SR]); heart rate (mHR); arterial blood gas analyses (arterial partial pressure in oxygen [PaO(2)], in carbon dioxide [PaCO(2)], arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation [SaO(2)], alveolo-arterial difference in oxygen [AaDO(2)]); pulmonary function tests using the oesophageal balloon catheter technique (respiratory rate [RR], total pulmonary resistance [R(L)], dynamic lung compliance [C(Ldyn)], tidal volume [V(T)] and minute volume [V(E)]); arterial and venous blood acid-base balance analyses (arterial and venous pH [pHa and pHv], bicarbonate concentration [HCO(3)a and HCO(3)v], base excess [BEa and BEv]); rectal temperature (RT); jugular venous blood sampling for determination of metabolic variables (blood glucose [G], plasma lactate [L], serum cortisol [C], plasma noradrenaline [NA] and adrenaline [A] concentrations); haematological variables (red blood cell count [RBC], total haemoglobin concentration [Hb], Packed Cell Volume [PCV]) and passive immune transfer variables (total serum protein [TP] and beta(2)gammaglobulin [beta(2)gamma] concentrations).TECS significantly (P or =4 calves, TECS< or =3 calves showed lower PaO(2), SaO(2), V(T), C(Ldyn), RT, G, NA, A, RBC, Hb and TP and higher AaDO(2), RR, V(E). TECS differences progressively decreased and disappeared between 6 and 12 h after birth in TECS 2 and 3 calves but remained up to 24 h in TECS 1 calves. Improved postnatal respiratory and metabolic adaptation in TECS> or =4 calves were mainly related to differences in exposure to labour and subsequent hormonal surge: catecholamines, particularly A, enabled more effective removal of lung liquid and/or release of surfactant which contribute to better gas exchanges and induced greater energy mobilization to maintain adequate body temperature.It was concluded waiting for full cervical dilatation before performing CS should be encouraged because it promotes postnatal respiratory and metabolic adaptation in full-term BWB calves.     

Tolerance of New Zealand White and Californian doe rabbits at first parity to the sub-tropical environment of Egypt

Tolerance of New Zealand White (NZW) and Californian (Cal) doe rabbits at the first parity to the sub-tropical environmental conditions of Egypt was evaluated. The study included 1090 parturitions: 601 NZW and 489 Cal. The does used were 5 months of age and 3.1 ± 0.10 kg mean body weight. The study was carried out during the different seasons of the year. The results showed that the effects of breed on the traits studied were not significant except on the doe kindling weight. However, the traits studied were, in general, higher in NZW than in Cal. The estimated temperature–humidity index (THI) average values were 19.8, 18.0, 23.7 and 25.7 during autumn, winter, spring and summer, respectively, indicating absence of heat stress during autumn and winter (less than 22.2) and exposure to severe (more than 23.3) and very severe heat stress (more than 25.6), during spring and summer, respectively. The effects of season of kindling were highly significant (P < 0.001 or 0.01) on conception rate, gestation period, kindling weight, litter weight at birth (live and total), 21 days of age and at weaning and kit weight at birth. The values were, in general, the lowest (P < 0.05) during the very severe heat stress in summer, while the kindling interval and pre-weaning mortality were the highest in summer. Adaptability was estimated (during the four seasons of the year) to be 93.3% and 95.1% for NZW and Cal, respectively. No interactions were observed in the analysis.     

Birthweight determines intestinal microvasculature development and alters endothelial nitric oxide synthase density in young piglets

Blood supply to enterocytes dictates intestinal health and nutrient absorption. These two aspects are impaired in low birthweight (LBW) piglets, but whether the perfusion to intestinal tissues is implicated as well is still unknown. Thus, structural changes in the microvasculature of LBW and normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were investigated during early postnatal development. Additionally, the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the intestinal mucosa was assessed given its important role to assure perfusion. A total of 22 pigs (11 LBW and 11 NBW) were sacrificed at days 0, 3, 8 and 19 of life. Body weight and intestinal length were recorded and a piece of the small intestine was sampled for immunohistochemical analysis of von Willebrand Factor (vWF, an endothelial cell marker) and eNOS. LBW piglets had a relatively (to body weight) longer intestine than their NBW counterparts. Age did not affect microvasculature, which was more abundant (85% larger vWF-positive area) in NBW than LBW pigs. However, an interaction age*BW was observed for eNOS-IR, showing that eNOS presence peaked in NBW piglets on the first day of life and subsequently decreased. This pattern was not observed in LBW piglets. The less abundant intestinal endothelial mass and the different pattern of eNOS expression observed in LBW piglets suggests microcirculation as a contributing factor in the impaired digestive functioning and gut health of LBW pigs. However, revealing whether the origin of this alteration is prenatal or postnatal, for example due to a lower milk intake, needs further study.     

Gross and histological findings in the canine placenta and amnion at term: What’s normal,abnormal or pathological?

The canine placenta is an underexamined organ. Placental abnormalities can affect foetus development and may be responsible for a low weight of the infant at birth; however, knowledge on their clinical significance in the canine species is limited. We aimed to describe macroscopic and microscopic findings in the canine placenta and amnion at term in clinically uncomplicated pregnancies and to evaluate their relationship with birth weight of healthy puppies. During natural delivery or C-section, the birth weight of 82 puppies was recorded, 72 placentas and 66 amnions were recovered. The foetal and maternal surfaces of the placental girdle, marginal haematoma and amnion were evaluated. Each gross finding was recorded, morphometrically assessed and sampled for histological diagnosis. Furthermore, specimens of placenta and amnion were collected from representative areas and microscopic deviations from normal structure were evaluated in haematoxylin and eosin sections. Gross examination revealed ‘abnormalities’ in the 75.4% of the collected placentas. Necrosis was the gross change most commonly observed in the placental girdle (72.5%). Congestion (17.4%) and clotted blood/fibrinoid material (2.9%) were also observed. No gross changes of either the marginal haematoma or the amnion were recorded. Histologically, placental girdle showed necrosis (62.3%), mineralization (52.2%), congestion (36.2%) and neutrophilic infiltration (27.5%). Marginal haematoma exhibited mineralization (11.6%) and neutrophils (29%), while necrotic foci were rarely observed (4.3%). In the amnion, the most frequent alteration observed was hypertrophy of the epithelium (35.9%) followed by oedema (31.2%), mineralized foci (28.1%), fibrosis (23.4%), congestion (15.6%) and more rarely neutrophils (12.5%). Puppies’ birth weight was not statistically affected by either gross or histological abnormalities. Our study revealed that macroscopic and microscopic ‘abnormalities’ of the placenta and amnion may be common in uncomplicated pregnancies at term; however, no implications on puppies’ birth weight were observed. Deviations from ‘normal’ morphology of canine foetal adnexa warrant further investigation to assess their clinical implications if present.     

Disease control through fertility control: Secondary benefits of animal birth control in Indian street dogs

We sought to (1) survey sexually intact street dogs for a wide range of diseases in three cities in Rajasthan, India and (2) evaluate links between the health of non-treated dogs and both the presence and duration of animal birth control (ABC) programs. ABC regimes sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs in an attempt to control their population and the spread of rabies. They are commonly suggested to improve the health of those dogs they serve, but here we provide evidence that these benefits also extend to untreated dogs in the community.     

影响奶牛胎衣不下的主要因素分析

为了探讨影响奶牛胎衣不下的主要因素,笔者对新疆呼图壁种牛场产犊记录资料进行整理,通过SAS 8.1统计软件分析了产犊季节、胎次、性别、犊牛初生重等对奶牛胎衣不下的影响。结果表明,产犊季节对奶牛胎衣不下有极显著影响（P<0.01）,其中春季奶牛胎衣不下的发病率达到了40.72%;胎次对奶牛胎衣不下有极显著影响（P<0.01）,尤其是3胎以上的奶牛胎衣不下的发病率高于40%;犊牛性别和初生重对奶牛胎衣不下影响差异不显著（P>0.05）。     

湖羊不同出生类型中羔羊部分体尺性状的研究

试验旨在探讨不同出生类型的湖羊羔羊部分体尺性状发育的规律。通过收集和记录苏州种羊场2006年共133个湖羊羔羊的体长、体高和胸围等性状数据,建立Excel数据库。根据不同出生类型,利用SPSS10.0统计软件分别对初生、2月龄、4月龄和6月龄的数据进行统计和分析。结果表明,湖羊母羊窝产活羔数为1羔、2羔、3羔和4羔的比例分别为12.78%、40.60%、31.58%和15.04%;湖羊羔羊的体尺性状在单羔累积生长方面,随着月龄的增加而呈增长趋势,显著大于其它类型的羔羊,呈现显著（P<0.05）或极显著(P<0.01）差异;在绝对生长和相对生长方面,随月龄的增加而呈下降趋势。因此,在各种出生类型中,湖羊公羔和母羔的体长、体高和胸围等性状的相对生长和绝对生长,均随着羔羊月龄的增加而呈递减趋势;其累积生长随窝产羔数的增加而降低,并呈现一定的规律性。     

鲁中肉羊初生体尺体重的遗传参数估计

为估计鲁中肉羊初生重、体高、体长、胸宽、胸深、胸围和管围的遗传参数,利用2018年上半年出生的611只鲁中肉羊的初生体尺体重数据,采用AI-REML (Average information restricted maximum likelihood)算法,借助DMU软件分析以产羔数为固定效应、个体加性遗传效应为随机效应的多性状动物模型。结果表明:鲁中肉羊初生重、胸宽、胸深、体高、体长、胸围和管围的遗传力分别为0.16、0.10、0.22、0.44、0.43、0.46和0.52,各性状之间遗传相关为-0.517～0.773,表型相关为-0.197～0.503。说明鲁中肉羊初生重、胸宽和胸深为低遗传力性状,体高、体长、胸围和管围为中等遗传力性状。