Acute Insulin-induced Hypoglycaemia does not alter IGF-1 and LH Release in Cyclic Mares

Lactation in the mare is associated with changes in the release of metabolic as well as reproductive hormones. Plasma glucose concentration is constantly reduced in lactating compared with non-lactating mares. Several metabolic signals have been proposed to link nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function. The following experiment was performed to study the effect of acute hypoglycaemia on the release of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in cyclic mares. Different doses of insulin (0.1 and 0.2 IU/kg body weight) were given to induce a decrease in plasma glucose concentration, as existent in lactating mares. All horses treated with insulin developed a hypoglycaemia over a time period of nearly 10 h. The IGF-1 and LH were analysed before and after insulin administration. At no point of time, a significant difference between the two insulin treatments and the control treatment was observed. Therefore, the hypoglycaemic horse is apparently able to provide the brain with sufficient glucose. Short-term hypoglycaemia does not affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, and concentrations of IGF-1 and LH remained stable during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. An acute change in plasma glucose concentration is thus not or at least not the only metabolic signal that links nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function in the horse mare.     

Suspected levamisole intoxication in calves

CASE HISTORY: A group of 32 Friesian and four Hereford calves, 3–4 months old with body weights between 100–120?kg, were purchased from a weaner sale. On arrival at the property the Hereford calves were treated with a combination anthelmintic containing 2?g/L abamectin and 80?g/L levamisole hydrochloride. Shortly afterwards they developed tremors and frothing from the mouth, and two died overnight. The Friesian calves were treated with the same anthelmintic on the following day, when some showed hypersalivation and frothing from the mouth.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Examination of the three most severely affected Friesian calves revealed severe nicotinic-type symptoms including hypersalivation, frothing from the mouth, muscle tremors, recumbency, rapid respiration, hyperaesthesia, and central nervous system depression. Other calves showed mild to moderate signs of intoxication including restlessness, tail switching, salivation, tremors, frequent defaecation, mild colic and jaw chomping. Two calves died shortly afterwards. An adverse drug event investigation revealed that the formulation and quality of the anthelmintic was within the correct specification, and that the drench gun was functioning correctly.

DIAGNOSIS: Suspected levamisole intoxication due to a combination of possible overdosing, dehydration, and stress caused by transportation and prolonged yarding.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Susceptibility to levamisole toxicity in New Zealand calves can be increased if factors like dehydration or stress are present. Levamisole has a narrow margin of safety, and overdosing in calves can easily occur if the dose rate is not based on their actual weight or health status.     

A survey on the use of rugs in Australian horses

The practice of horse rugging has important implications for horse welfare and performance, but in Australia, rugging practices have not been properly documented. The objective of this study was to obtain an understanding of Australian horse rugging practices. An online survey reviewed the management of 2659 Australian horses over 12 months. Of the reported horses a total of 84.8% were rugged, although most owners (69.5%) indicated that they were unsure whether horses needed to be rugged at all. Rugging was felt by 59.8% of owners to be a requirement for horses in competition. Riding and competition were significantly associated with the use of rugs. Nearly all respondents (89.0%) felt that ‘over-rugging’ was a concern. However, 4.8% of owners would use up to 4 rugs at any one time on their horse and 21.4% of horses were still rugged in temperatures above 20°C in Australia. Many Australian horse owners (42.8%) also believe that horses feel cold if they are not rugged. Anthropomorphism when it comes to rugging horses cannot be justified as the horse has a much wider thermoneutral zone (TNZ) than humans. Australian climate, owner opinions, equestrian discipline and whether a horse is used for riding influence Australian horse rugging practices. However, current practices are based on limited available research and are not necessarily to the benefit of the horse. The major limitation was that the survey likely attracted respondents who are interested in the topic creating a self-selection bias.     

Artificial Insemination of Gilts with 1.5 Billion Sperms Stored in Different Periods Associated with Different Pre-ovulatory Intervals

This study evaluated the reproductive performance of gilts inseminated at three intervals before ovulation (0-12, 13-23, 24-30 h) with sperm doses (SD) stored for 0-48 and 96-120 h. A total of 218 PIC Camborough 22 gilts were inseminated once with SD of 1.5 x 10(9) sperms. Pregnant gilts (n = 166) were slaughtered 30.8 +/- 3.7 days after artificial insemination. The number of corpora lutea (CL) and total embryos (TE) was counted. Pregnancy rates (PR) were analysed by chi-square test. TE and embryonic survival (ES), obtained as the ratio between viable embryos and CL, were analysed by GLM procedure (SAS) and mean values were compared by Tukey's test. Pregnancy rate was similar among artificial insemination-ovulation (AIOV) intervals when semen was stored for 0-48 h. However, the lowest PR was observed in the 24-30 h AIOV interval with storage time (ST) of 96-120 h (p < 0.05). There was a significant effect of the interaction between ST and AIOV (p < 0.05) on TE and ES variables. Total embryos and ES did not differ (p > 0.05) among AIOV intervals in ST of 0-48 h. However, gilts inseminated at 24-30 h AIOV interval with ST of 96-120 h showed a reduction of 6.7 embryos (p < 0.05) compared with gilts in the same interval inseminated with semen stored for 0-48 h. ES for the 24-30 h AIOV interval and ST of 96-120 h was lower than that observed in the other groups (p < 0.05).     

Clinical signs and chemical confirmation of 4-aminopyridine poisoning in horses

4-Aminopyridine poisoning in horses was diagnosed. Specific methods, utilizing thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography, were developed for determining the compound in stomach contents and corn bait. The lethal dose was estimated at 2 to 3 mg/kg of body weight.     

Social organization in the bat Myotis adversus

Studies in which the Australian bat Myotis adversus was marked and recaptured showed that mature males tend to be solitary, are strongly attached to a particular site, and apparently defend home sites. Harem formation concurrent with mating has been observed, and the bond between the mother and her young extends beyond extends beyond nursing.     

Follicular Dynamics in Heifers during Pre-pubertal and Pubertal Period Kept under Two Levels of Dietary Energy Intake

The objective of this study was to characterize follicular dynamics in pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods, as well as the effect of high-energy intake on follicular development and age at puberty in heifers. Thirty-one Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers, 6 months old, were randomly assigned to receive two different diets: one of low (GI) and other of high dietary energy intake (GII). Animals were evaluated in relation to body weight gain by being weighed every 21 days. Heifers were evaluated every other day by real-time linear ultrasonography to characterize ovarian structures development from weaning to post-pubertal period. Blood samples were collected to determine plasmatic concentrations of progesterone by RIA method. The ovulation was determined when progesterone concentrations were >1 ng/mL in three consecutive samples, and by ultrasound images of corpus luteum; and oestrous behaviour in some animals. Age at puberty differed among heifers of GII (17.00 +/- 0.46 months) compared with heifers of GI (19.87 +/- 0.47 months; p < or = 0.05). Maximum size of the dominant follicles at pre-pubertal period was greater in GII heifers than in GI (10.52 +/- 0.33 and 9.76 +/- 0.15 mm, respectively; p < or = 0.05). As heifers approached first ovulation time, size of dominant follicle increased (11.75 +/- 0.37 mm for GI and 12.52 +/- 0.91 mm for GII; p < or = 0.05). Body weight at puberty was not different in both groups (302.33 +/- 27.31 kg for GI and 326.19 +/- 27.78 kg for GII heifers; p > 0.05). We conclude that animals receiving high dietary energy intake attained the puberty earlier and the development of follicles were different than in low dietary energy intake.     

Effects of Population Density on the Vegetative Growth of Leafy Reduced-stature Maize in Short-season Areas

Maize hybrids which produce more leaves above the ear, with leaf area indices similar to conventional hybrids, which require fewer corn heat units to flowering and maturity, and tolerate higher population densities, should be better adapted for production in short season areas than currently available hybrids. Leafy reduced-stature maize hybrids, which have only recently been developed, have traits which address these criteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different population densities (50 000, 100 000, 150 000, and 200 000 plants.ha⁻¹) on the vegetative growth of one leafy reduced-stature (LRS), one non-leafy reduced-stature (NLRS), and two conventional control hybrids (Pioneer 3979, < 2500 CHU, and Pioneer 3902, 2600–2700 CHU) at two locations. There were no differences among population densities for leaf number above the ear; however leaf area index increased as population density increased for all hybrids. The LRS hybrid had a greater average leaf number above the ear (2.7 and 2.0 more leaves than NLRS and the control hybrids, respectively). As a result the leaf area index value of LRS was much greater than the NLRS and similar to the conventional hybrids, but LRS matured substantially before the conventional hybrids. The LRS hybrid required fewer corn heat units to reach flowering and maturity and had more time for grain filling than the conventional hybrids. Therefore, LRS hybrids show promise for production in short season areas where maize cultivation is not economical due to shortness of growing season.