THE USE OF FLUFF COUNTS IN A STUDY OF HYGIENE IN QUEENSLAND HATCHERIES

During 1972, 333 fluff samples were tested from 13 Queensland hatcheries and assessed according to the English standards for total count, coliforms and fungi. They were also assessed as being "standard" or "substandard", using a combination of the criteria of the English system. All hatcheries had at least 2 substandard samples and all the samples from 2 hatcheries were substandard.     

Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of granulosa cells during different stages of folliculogenesis in bovine ovaries

Bovine granulosa cells (GC) vary in their morphological aspect during different stages of folliculogenesis. In this study, 10 morphologically normal bovine ovaries were collected to study the structural aspects of different stages of GC using intermediate filament protein antibodies including cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (AE1/AE3), vimentin, nectin‐4 and desmin. Hormonal immunolocalization was assessed using the immunomarkers anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin alpha. In addition, tumour markers and proliferation markers using c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, respectively, were investigated. The immunolabelling of AE1/AE3 in GC was strongest in the early follicle stage and gradually decreased when reaching the Graafian follicle stage. Its immunolabelling increased again as the stage progressed from stage I to stage III. The immunolabelling of inhibin alpha was inversely proportional to that of AE1/AE3 in the developing ovarian follicles as their immunolabelling is opposite to each other during folliculogenesis. AMH was immunopositive in almost all GC stages in different intensities and percentages, except for some negative staining in the atretic IV follicles. The atretic IV follicle is a unique type of atretic follicle that shows Call‐Exner body formation, which was mainly found in older cows in this study. The distinct patterns of immunoreactivity for various types of immunomarkers in the different GC stages will play an important role in diagnostic assistance of various follicle conditions, including cystic ovaries and GC tumours.     

Polyarthritis in Hereford bulls associated with BVD-MD infection

A severe and persistent polyarthritis and synovitis occurred in a group of rising two-year-old Hereford bulls associated with a transient BVD-MD-like infection.     

Two cases of suspected Brucella abortus abortion in mares

Painful foot horn lesions of breeding sows fed rations of low biotin content responded to a biotin supplement, and a herd lameness problem was overcome.     

Transport of ova through the oviduct of merino ewes

Dissection of the heads of 12 male Red deer revealed that the innervation and blood supply of the antler resembles those in the goat, in that the infratrochlear and zygomaticotemporal nerves supply the antler pedicle accompanied by two main branches of the superficial temporal artery and vein. Analgesia of the antler should be produced by injecting local anaesthetic solution both dorsal to the orbital rim and immediately caudal to the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.     

The toxic effect of massive doses of calciferol on dairy cows

Extract

Evidence that feeding massive doses, of calciferol prior to calving may be a useful method of preventing milk fever was obtained by Hibbs and co-workers (1950, 1951) at Ohio State University. The treatment causes a rise in serum calcium and if dosing is suitably timed the post-partum fall in serum calcium may be countered, thus making up for the presumed parathyroid failure which occurs at this lime and which is believed by many to be the underlying cause of milk fever.     

Opening address to the annual conference of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 1953

Extract

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I can assure you that I speak with complete sincerity when I say I regard it as a very great honour indeed to be asked to open this conference. I value the invitation to do so for my own sake (today's will be a memory to cherish when I have returned to Britain) and, not less, for the implied compliment to the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (whose adviser I am) and to the British Ministry of Agriculture who employ me. It is also particularly valuable to me, in my work, to get among a body of people who are so very much part and parcel of the farming industry of the Dominion. And, not least, my wife and I are delighted to be able to spend a weekend in such pleasant surroundings and in such congenial company. This is indeed the art of “conferring” brought to the ultimate degree of luxury!