Intravenous catheterisation of foetus and mare in late pregnancy: management and respiratory, circulatory and metabolic effects.

The uterine and umbilical vessels of 12 pregnant ponies were catheterised to study foetal metabolism. The effects of this procedure on maternal and foetal cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and adrenocortical activity were monitored during and after surgery. Premedication with acepromazine-butorphanol-detomidine was followed by induction of anaesthesia with detomidine and ketamine and maintenance, using mechanical ventilation, with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Mean maternal arterial blood pressure was greater than 70 mmHg during anaesthesia and arterial oxygen tension remained over 100 mmHg. The foetuses were adequately oxygenated but were hypercapnic and lactic acidaemic. Most maternal and foetal blood gases and metabolites had returned to normal by 24 h, although foetal plasma lactate fell more slowly. The maternal adrenocortical discharge was less severe than reported previously and plasma cortisol had fallen to basal levels by 48 h after surgery. Foetal plasma cortisol remained low and did not change during or after surgery. Arterio-venous metabolite and gas tension differences across the uterine and umbilical circulations were slightly greater at operation than in the recovery period, suggesting that uteroplacental perfusion may have been impaired during surgery. Post-operative recovery of the mare and foetus was satisfactory and subsequent problems associated with the foetal catheters were not related to the anaesthesia or surgery.     

Uranium and Lead Isotopic Stability in a Metamict Zircon under Experimental Hydrothermal Conditions

Abstract. Disturbance of the uranium-lead isotopic system in a metamict Ceylon zircon has been produced in a 2 molal NaCI solution at 500 degrees C and 1000 bars fluid pressure. Loss of radiogenic lead to the extent of 61 percent in 13 days was the most significant effect. The experimental results support the episodic rather than continuous lead-loss interpretation of natural zircon systems utilized in geochronology.     

Cerebellar cystic meningioma in a dog

A 21-kg, seven-year-old, male, mixed-breed Labrador retriever was admitted for incoordination and a head tilt of approximately three months' duration. Ataxia was noted of the trunk and limbs, and there was a head tilt to the right side. Conscious proprioceptive deficits were present in the left thoracic and pelvic limbs (i.e., hemiparesis). These abnormalities were consistent with paradoxical vestibular syndrome and a lesion involving the caudal cerebellar peduncle. A mass lesion consisting primarily of fluid was present on magnetic resonance imaging and at craniectomy. Histopathological diagnosis was a cystic meningioma. Based upon previous reports and experience, the location of this tumor was unusual.     

Management of inappetant sheep during export by sea

In the first of 2 experiments, a simulated voyage was conducted to examine the effects of various treatments on bodyweight change and feeding frequency of inappetant sheep at the end of lot-feeding (non-feeders). The treatments, applied during simulated shipping, were: normal quantities of feed and length of troughs; extra trough length; extra feed. Adult Merino wethers (n = 108) were used in each treatment. A voyage to the Middle East was then conducted to establish whether shipboard mortality could be reduced by separating non-feeders (n = 305) from feeders (n = 5,620) late in the feedlot hase and housing the groups separately aboard ship. A control group of non-feeders (n = 215) mixed with feeders (n = 5,732) was used for comparison. Bars (marker bars), containing a coloured dye, were attached to feed troughs to mark sheep that fed. Most non-feeders (82%) began eating when placed in shipping pens in both studies. However, there was no significant difference in percentage of sheep that fed between non-feeders given extra trough length or extra feed compared with non-feeders given standard management at any stage of simulated shipping. There was no significant difference in mean bodyweights between treatment groups on days 1, 8 and 15 of simulated shipping. Differences in bodyweight on d 22 were probably associated with different levels of gut fill. Death rates were not significantly different in separated and control groups (1.1%, 0.9%, P = 0.6) in the voyage of 14 d to the Middle East.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

桉树人工育种方法学

引言改良商业林的种植材料是一个长期不断的过程。种子最初是从自然林分和人工林的实生苗中采取;后来是采用林木选优,它是根据树木的特征,如材积、早期生长情况或抗病性来选择。可通过选出最好的基因进行组合,以进一行提高控制杂交群体增益。     

Caprine besnoitiosis: an emerging threat and its relationship to some other infections of ungulates by Besnoitia species

Caprine besnoitiosis, caused by the cyst-forming protozoal apicomplexan Besnoitia caprae appears to be endemic in Kenya, Nigeria and Iran, but has yet to be detected in other parts of the world. The infection causes an important parasitic disease of goats in affected developing countries. Bovine besnoitiosis, is a widespread disease of cattle in Africa, Asia (but not Iran) and southern Europe. Recent epidemiological data confirm that the incidence and geographical range of bovine besnoitiosis in Europe is increasing, which is why growing attention has been given to the condition during the past decade. This paper reviews pertinent information on the biology, epidemiology, pathology, clinical signs, diagnosis and control of caprine besnoitiosis, together with its similarities to, and differences from, bovine besnoitiosis. The serious economic consequences of besnoitiosis on goat breeding and local meat and hide industries is also considered.