Pathology of GM2 gangliosidosis in Jacob sheep.

The G(M2) gangliosidoses are a group of lysosomal storage diseases caused by defects in the genes coding for the enzyme hexosaminidase or the G(M2) activator protein. Four Jacob sheep from the same farm were examined over a 3-year period for a progressive neurologic disease. Two lambs were 6-month-old intact males and 2 were 8-month-old females. Clinical findings included ataxia in all 4 limbs, proprioceptive deficits, and cortical blindness. At necropsy, the nervous system appeared grossly normal. Histologically, most neurons within the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral ganglia were enlarged, and the cytoplasm was distended by foamy to granular material that stained positively with Luxol fast blue and Sudan black B stains. Other neuropathologic findings included widespread astrocytosis, microgliosis, and scattered spheroids. Electron microscopy revealed membranous cytoplasmic bodies within the cytoplasm of neurons. Biochemical and molecular genetic studies confirmed the diagnosis of G(M2) gangliosidosis. This form of G(M2) gangliosidosis in Jacob sheep is very similar to human Tay-Sachs disease and is potentially a useful animal model.

Advanced reproductive techniques in goats.

The use of ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and reproductive tract evaluation in the goat has become more common in the past decade. Pregnancy-specific hormone assays are commercially available for pregnancy determination in goats. Hormonal methods of synchronization of estrus for artificial insemination have been refined, but a number of factors still make pregnancy results variable. Caprine embryo transfer is widely used commercially. More advanced reproductive techniques such as in-vitro production of embryos and cloning have been accomplished in goats; success rates with these techniques will likely rapidly improve.

Outcome of scrotal hydrocele in 26 bulls.

Changes in scrotal sonograms and semen quality were monitored in 26 bulls with idiopathic scrotal hydrocele over a 4-month period. After 120 days, scrotal hydrocele had resolved (ultrasonographically, fluid was not detectable within the vaginal process) in 85% (22/26) of the bulls. Percentage of bulls with unilateral scrotal hydrocele that resolved was higher than that for bulls with bilateral hydrocele (94 vs 62.5% or 17/18 bulls vs 5/8 bulls, respectively). After 120 days, 77% (20/26) of the bulls passed a breeding soundness evaluation. At 90 days, semen quality was satisfactory in more of the bulls with unilateral disease (9/18) than with bilateral disease (1/8). The finding of multifocal echodensities in the testicular parenchyma was not correlated with a poor breeding soundness score or with a high number of spermatozoal abnormalities. The prognosis for full recovery in bulls with scrotal hydrocele likely depends on the severity and duration of the condition.

Development of hydrometra in a ewe flock after ultrasonography for determination of pregnancy.

Hydrometra was diagnosed in 41 of 1,411 (2.9%) Rambouillet and crossbred Rambouillet-Booroola Merino range ewes that were being examined with ultrasonography for pregnancy. Most diagnoses of hydrometra (40 of 41) were made at a second examination of 581 of the 1,411 ewes 40 days after the first examination (6.9%). Some of the ewes had membranes or small placentomes evident in the uterine fluid, suggesting that there had been embryonic resorption. Of the 15 ewes with hydrometra that were examined ultrasonographically a third time after an additional 42 days, 14 had resolved the condition. The increased prevalence of hydrometra at the second examination suggested that the stress of the first examination may have been a factor. Ovine fetal loss has been documented via ultrasonography, but hydrometra has not been commonly observed. Hydrometra may have developed because of unique circumstances of this flock, or it may be a condition that goes largely undiagnosed because most ewes are not examined for pregnancy twice within a short period.

Synchronization of estrus in dairy goats treated with prostaglandin F at various stages of the estrous cycle.

Dairy goats were given IM injections of 125 micrograms of cloprostenol sodium on day 6 of the estrous cycle (prostaglandin F [PGF] 6, n = 22) or day 12 of the estrous cycle (PGF 12, n = 26). Mean +/- SE hours from injection to onset of behavioral estrus and proportion of goats responding were 46 +/- 4.2 (range, 12 to 88 hours) and 95% and 48 +/- 2.9 (range, 34 to 68 hours) and 100% for groups PGF 6 and PGF 12, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in mean time to onset of estrus, but variances about the means were different. Of the does in groups PGF 6 and PGF 12, 67 and 85%, respectively, had signs of onset of estrus between 36 and 60 hours after administration of PGF. Mean (+/- SE) hours from injection to time of peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were 62 +/- 3.1 and 64 +/- 2.1 for groups PGF 6 and PGF 12, respectively. Of the does in groups PGF 6 and PGF 12, 86 and 100%, respectively, had LH peaks. Of the does in groups PGF 6 and PGF 12, 68 and 77%, respectively, had peak concentrations of LH between 48 and 72 hours after administration of PGF. All does in groups PGF 6 and PGF 12 had concentrations of progesterone greater than or equal to 1.0 ng/ml on the day of administration of PGF. Concentrations decreased to less than 1.0 ng/ml by 48 hours after injection in all does except 1 in group PGF 6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synchronization of estrus in dairy goats given norgestomet and estradiol valerate at various stages of the estrous cycle.

Dairy goats were given subcutaneous implants with 3 mg of norgestomet (NOR) and IM injections of 0.625 mg of estradiol valerate and 0.375 mg of norgestomet on day 0 of the estrous cycle (estrus; NOR 0, n = 18), on postestrus day 4 (NOR 4, n = 18), or on postestrus day 11 (NOR 11, n = 15). Ear implants were removed after 9 days. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to onset of estrus and proportion of goats responding were 36 +/- 3.8 and 83%, 33 +/- 4.0 and 61%, and 36 +/- 2.7 and 93% for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment groups in time to onset of estrus. The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had signs of estrus was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4. Of the goats in groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11 that had signs of estrus, 53, 55, and 86%, respectively, had onset of behavioral estrus between 24 and 48 hours after implant removal. All goats that had signs of estrus had onset of behavioral estrus between 12 and 72 hours after implant removal. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to time of peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were 49 +/- 4.1, 49 +/- 3.8, and 49 +/- 4.0 for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, NOR 11, respectively (not different). The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had LH peaks was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations and induction of estrus after use of norgestomet ear implants or constant infusion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in anestrous, nonlactating dairy goats.

Plasma luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations, time to onset of estrus, and pregnancy rates were determined in nonlactating anestrous does given 1 of 4 treatments: subcutaneous ear implants containing 3 mg of norgestomet for 9 days (NOR; n = 6); subcutaneous administration, using osmotic minipumps, of 250 ng of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/h for 48 hours (GnRH; n = 6); 3 mg of NOR for 9 days, followed immediately by 250 ng of GnRH/h for 48 hours (NOR + GnRH; n = 6); or no treatment (control; n = 6). During the 72-hour period after removal of NOR or insertion of GnRH pumps, 6 of 6, 0 of 6, 6 of 6, and 3 of 6 does were observed in estrus at a mean (+/- 13.8) hours in groups NOR, GnRH, NOR + GnRH, and control, respectively. Time from end of treatment to peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone were 56 +/- 4.0, 28 +/- 4.7, 34 +/- 4.3, and 41 +/- 9.7 hours (mean +/- SE) for NOR, GnRH, NOR +/- GnRH, and control, respectively. Peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone were significantly greater and occurred significantly later in does given NOR. Progesterone concentrations in does that became pregnant increased to concentrations greater than or equal to 1.0 ng/ml 3 to 5 days after breeding and remained high. Functional corpora lutea (CL) was found in 6 does that did not become pregnant, 1 CL was associated with pseudopregnancy and 1 CL was associated with ovulation prior to placement of the GnRH pumps. Functional CL failed to form in 10 of the 12 doses in groups GnRH and control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone on days 18, 22, and 24 postbreeding in dairy cows.

Milk samples were collected from 91 dairy cows on days 18, 22, and 24 postbreeding. The progesterone values of these samples were assayed, using enzyme-immuno-assay for pregnancy diagnosis. These animals were classified by nonpregnant (low progesterone values, 5 ng/ml or less) and pregnant (high progesterone values, more than 5 ng/ml). The accuracy of diagnosis on days 18, 22, and 24 postbreeding were 56%, 78%, and 79% for pregnant cows and 90%, 93%, and 93% for nonpregnant animals. The sampling date had a significant effect on diagnostic accuracy (P less than 0.05).

Effect of induction of parturition on immunoglobulin content of colostrum and calf serum.

Thirty-four pregnant crossbred beef cows were injected with prostaglandin F(2) alpha (PGF group, n = 11), dexamethasone (DEX group, n = 11), or saline (control group, n = 12) on Day 270 of gestation. Immediately after calving, all colostrum was milked from each cow. A sample was taken, and the remainder was fed to that cow's calf within one hour of birth. Serum was collected from each calf at 0 and 24 h of age. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) content of colostrum and serum was determined with commercial radial immunodiffusion plates. The data from four PGF cows that did not calve until after 140 h post injection were excluded from the results. Mean (+/- SD) volumes (ml) of colostrum were 2086 (+/-1148.4) for the PGF group, 1336 (+/-583.7) for the DEX group, and 2404 (+/-1140.7) for the control group. Mean (+/- SD) concentrations (mg/dl) of IgG in colostrum were 6017 (+/-3351.2) for PGF, 10285 (+/-5370.7) for DEX and 10766 (+/-5098.3) for the control group. Mean (+/- SD) total quantities of IgG (g) in colostrum were 133.9 (+/-120.03) for PGF, 134.1 (+/-96.67) for DEX and 235.6 (+/-147.22) for the control. IgG concentrations were very low or were not detectable in serum of all calves prior to administration of colostrum. Mean (+/- SD) concentrations (mg/dl) of IgG in serum of calves at 24 h of age were 1469 (+/-905.8) for calves from PGF cows, 1819 (+/-1289.8) for calves from DEX cows, and 3317 (+/-1888.2) for calves from control cows. Calves from control cows had significantly more IgG at 24 h than calves from PGF cows or DEX cows (p<0.05). Calves born to cows induced to calve early may be at an increased risk of failure of passive transfer and so should be monitored for IgG concentrations.

Use of an enzyme immunoassay to determine concentrations of progesterone in caprine plasma and milk.

Concentrations of progesterone (P4) were determined using enzyme immunoassay kits on plasma and milk samples obtained on the same days from 18 lactating dairy goats. Progesterone profiles documenting anestrus, short estrous cycles, normal estrous cycles, a prolonged follicular phase, and prolonged luteal phases were established. When plasma P4 concentrations were used as an accurate indication of the presence or absence of functional luteal tissue, milk P4 concentrations agreed with plasma determinations in 79.4% of the 465 samples tested. Milk samples could not be used to make a definitive decision because of marginal values in 11.2% of the determinations. Milk P4 concentrations were high when plasma P4 concentrations were low in 6.2% of the paired samples, especially those obtained around the time of estrus when peripheral P4 concentrations were changing rapidly. The remaining 3.2% of milk samples had low milk P4 concentrations when plasma P4 concentrations were high. Composite milk from 8 does in estrus or 8 does in the luteal phase was not consistently different from strippings in butterfat percentage or P4 concentration.

Clinical use of Norgestomet ear implants or intravaginal pessaries for synchronization of estrus in anestrous dairy goats.

Ear implants that contained 3 mg Norgestomet or vaginal pessaries that contained 40 or 45 mg fluorogestone acetate were used to induce estrus in dairy goats in three herds in May. Ear implants or vaginal pessaries were left in place for 11 d. Cloprostenol (50 mug) and PMSG (500 IU) were administered i.m. 24 h prior to removal of ear implants or vaginal pessaries. After removal of vaginal pessaries, onset of standing estrus occurred in 22 23 goats (96%) at 20 +/- 4.7 h, in 19 20 goats (95%) at 22 +/- 6.3 h, and in 16 16 goats (100%) at 19 +/- 1.2 h in Herds A, B and C, respectively. After removal of ear implants, onset of standing estrus occurred in 25 25 goats (100%) at 19 +/- 4.9 h, in 20 22 goats (91%) at 22 +/- 7.0 h, and in 15 15 goats (100%) at 18 +/- 2.2 h in Herds A, B and C, respectively. Does were bred by natural service in Herds A and B, and by artificial insemination 28 h after vaginal pessary or ear implant removal in Herd C. Pregnancy rates were determined 39 to 53 d post breeding by real-time ultrasound. Pregnancy rates in goats with vaginal pessaries were 32, 55 and 6%; and in goats with ear implants they were 56, 67 and 27% in Herds A, B and C, respectively. Problems encountered included poor libido in some bucks, abortions in undersized yearling does, and loss of ear implants by three does (not included in the data). Statistically there was no difference in pregnancy rates between goats receiving vaginal pessaries or ear implants (P>0.10).

Plasma luteinizing hormone and progesterone concentrations in goats with estrous cycles of normal or short duration after prostaglandin F2 alpha administration during diestrus or pregnancy.

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone concentrations were compared in does experiencing short-duration estrous cycles and in does with estrous cycles of normal duration. The short-duration estrous cycles were observed immediately after induction of abortion in pregnant does by use of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha. Intramuscular administration of 5 mg of PGF2 alpha was accomplished in 8 does that were 52 to 63 days into gestation and in 9 cycling does at 7 to 10 days after estrus. In both groups, the mean plasma concentration of progesterone decreased from a luteal phase concentration immediately before to less than 1 ng/ml by 24 hours after PGF2 alpha administration. Of the 8 does that aborted, 6 experienced short-duration estrous cycles, and 4 of these 6 had an LH surge during the time of blood sample collection. The mean time from PGF2 alpha administration to the LH surge was significantly (P less than 0.05) longer in does with short-duration estrous cycles (71 hours) than that in does with estrous cycles of normal duration (58 hours). The mean area under the LH concentration curve was significantly (P less than 0.005) less for does with short-duration estrous cycles. Short-duration estrous cycles were associated with delayed preovulatory LH surges of reduced magnitude.

Distribution of chloramphenicol in the genital tract of postpartum cows.

Chloramphenicol was administered by constant IV infusion to 7 healthy postpartum cows at rates predicted to approach a steady-state plasma concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. After 8 hours of constant IV infusion, uterine tissues were removed surgically and were assayed for chloramphenicol concentrations. Mean plasma-to-tissue ratios of chloramphenicol concentrations were 3.05, 3.63 (6 cows only), and 3.22 for caruncles, endometrium, and uterine wall, respectively. Plasma-to-tissue ratios of the 3 tissues were not significantly different (P greater than 0.10). Intrauterine (IU) injections of chloramphenicol (20 mg/kg of body weight) were administered to 3 healthy post-partum cows. The mean value of the fraction of the drug absorbed from the uteri of these cows was 0.40. Mean concentrations of chloramphenicol were 43.8 micrograms/g in caruncles, 34.6 micrograms/g in endometrium, 2.8 micrograms/g in uterine wall, and 2.9 micrograms/ml in plasma 8 hours after IU injections. Chloramphenicol has now been banned for use in food-producing animals in the United States because of its potential for causing toxicosis in human beings. It is illegal to use chloramphenicol in food-producing animals in the United States and in some other countries as well. This includes use by the IU route of administration because chloramphenicol and most drugs are absorbed from the uterus into the bloodstream and are distributed to milk and tissues.

Effect of insemination timing on the fertilizing capacity of frozen/thawed equine spermatozoa.

A breeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of insemination timing on the fertility of mares bred with frozen/thawed equine semen. One stallion and 60 reproductively sound, estrous-synchronized mares were included in the study. Mares were assigned to one of three groups (n = 20): 1) insemination with fresh semen every other day during estrus from detection of a 35-mm follicle until ovulation, 2) insemination with frozen/thawed semen every day during estrus from detection of a 35-mm follicle until ovulation or 3) insemination with frozen/thawed semen once, within 6 h after ovulation. Single-cycle 18-d pregnancy rates resulting from insemination with fresh semen (70%), preovulation insemination with frozen/thawed semen (60%) and postovulation insemination with frozen/thawed semen (55%) were not different (P > 0.05). Possibly, equivalent pregnancy rates could be achieved with frozen/thawed semen using either daily inseminations until ovulation occurs or frequent ovarian palpations with a single post-ovulation insemination. Further studies regarding the effect of insemination timing on stallion fertility are needed since the present investigation included only one stallion and a small number of mares.

Florfenicol in non-lactating dairy cows: pharmacokinetics, binding to plasma proteins, and effects on phagocytosis by blood neutrophils.

Serial blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of florfenicol (FLO) were measured following the administration of an intravenous bolus of 50 mg/kg FLO to five healthy non-lactating dairy cows. A triexponential equation provided the best fit of the data for four of the five cows. The mean value for beta corresponded to a half-life of 3.2 h. The mean apparent volume of distribution was 0.67 l/kg, and the mean body clearance was 0.15 l/kg/h. The extent of binding of FLO to bovine plasma proteins was determined in vitro at concentrations of 5 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml by equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration. The drug was 18% and 19% bound by equilibrium dialysis, and 23% and 19% bound by ultrafiltration, at 5 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. Phagocytosis of 32phosphorus-labelled Staphylococcus aureus by bovine blood neutrophils was compared in vitro between neutrophils incubated in phosphate-buffered saline alone or in combination with 5, 125, or 1000 micrograms/ml chloramphenicol or FLO. There was no significant effect of chloramphenicol at any concentration. Florfenicol significantly inhibited phagocytosis at all concentrations, but the percentage inhibition was small. The clinical significance, if any, of this effect of FLO remains to be demonstrated.

Comparison of palpable corpora lutea with serum progesterone concentrations in cows.

Serum progesterone concentrations were used to evaluate rectal palpation of corpora lutea as a method for assignment of postpartum beef cows to prostaglandin treatment and nontreatment groups. On the basis of 124 evaluations, 18% of the cows were assigned incorrectly to the treatment group and 37% of the cows were assigned incorrectly to the nontreatment group. The inability of palpators to accurately select cows with a mature corpus luteum may diminish the success of estrus synchronization regimens that use rectal palpation of corpora lutea for selection of cows for prostaglandin therapy.

Synchronization of estrus and fertility in goats with norgestomet ear implants.

Estrus was synchronized in 64 dairy goats in July with norgestomet ear implants. Half the does received ear implants that contained 6 mg norgestomet and the remaining does received implants that contained 3 mg. Implants were left in place for 11 days. Each doe received i.m. injections of 400 IU PMSG and 50 mug cloprostenol 24 hours prior to implant removal. Twenty-eight of 32 does (87.5%) that received 6 mg or 3 mg norgestomet exhibited onset of estrus within 24 hours of implant removal. All does had exhibited onset of standing estrus by 43 hours after implant removal. Does were hand-mated to fertile bucks twice daily while in standing estrus. There were no differences between does implanted with 6 mg or 3 mg in fertility to the induced estrus (74.2% vs 75% kidding), mean length of gestation (151.0 +/- 3.2 vs 151.6 +/- 2.0 days), mean number of kids per doe (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs 2.3 +/- 0.7) or in mean kid weights (3.10 +/- 0.80 vs 3.06 +/- 0.86 kg) (6 mg vs 3 mg, respectively). It was concluded that ear implants that contained 3 mg of norgestomet were equally as effective as implants that contained 6 mg for synchronization of estrus in dairy goats.

Effect of washing on motility and acrosome morphology of frozen-thawed goat spermatozoa.

Semen from 4 bucks was collected using an artificial vagina and was pooled and divided into 6 aliquots. Three aliquots were washed twice, 15 minutes each time, with Ringer's solution, and the fluid was removed by centrifugation at 950 X g between washes. All 6 aliquots (3 washed and 3 unwashed) were extended with skim milk-glycerol, lactose-egg yolk-glycerol, or tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane-citric acid-egg yolk-glycerol and were frozen in straws to -196 C. The semen was then thawed and kept at 37 C for 8 hours. Percentage of sperm motility was estimated, and the percentage of normal acrosomes (NA) was determined at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after thawing. The experiment was repeated 7 times. The data indicated a significant positive effect (P = 0.0009) of washing on motility, but no effect (P = 0.5347) of extender. There was also a significantly higher percentage of NA in washed semen (P less than 0.0001). Sperm extended in tris aminomethane-citric acid-egg yolk-glycerol had more NA than those extended in lactose-egg yolk-glycerol. Sperm motility and acrosome morphology were depressed also in the presence of seminal plasma for the milk extender, which did not contain egg yolk. Removal of seminal plasma from goat semen was beneficial in preserving the integrity of the spermatozoa after freezing, regardless of the extender used.

Induction of luteolysis in goats with prostaglandin F2 alpha.

On day 10 of each estrous cycle, 19 cycling does were given (IM) 1 of 3 dosage levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or saline solution. After injections, goats were observed twice daily for behavioral estrus, and serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) were determined from daily blood collections to measure response to treatment. Every dose of PGF2 alpha (0.0165 mg/kg of body weight, 0.0275 mg/kg, and 0.0385 mg/kg) was administered during 20 estrous cycles, and 0.25 ml of saline solution was administered during 12 estrous cycles. Fourteen of 20, 15 of 20, 20 of 20, and 0 of 12 does exhibited signs of behavioral estrus within 96 hours of injections of 0.0165 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, 0.0275 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, 0.0385 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, and saline solution, respectively. A decline in mean concentrations of peripheral P4 from 3.6, 3.8, 4.4, and 4.3 ng/ml to less than 1 ng/ml within 24 hours was observed in 15 of 20, 16 of 20, 20 of 20, and 0 of 10 does after injections of 0.0165 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, 0.0275 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, 0.0385 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg, and saline solution, respectively. The dosage level of 0.0385 mg of PGF2 alpha/kg (1.75 mg of PGF2 alpha/45.36 kg) was effective for induction of estrus in 100% of the does.

Distribution of oxytetracycline in the healthy and diseased postpartum genital tract of cows.

Previously determined pharmacokinetic parameters of the disposition of oxytetracycline (OTC) in cows were used to predict an IV priming dose and a rate of constant IV infusion of OTC sufficient to approach steady-state equilibrium of the drug between plasma and genital tissue concentrations in healthy postpartum cows and postpartum cows with endometritis. After 8 hours' constant IV infusion at rates calculated to maintain a plasma concentration of approximately 5 micrograms/ml, the mean concentrations of OTC in plasma (microgram/ml) and tissues (microgram/g) of healthy and infected postpartum cows, respectively, were: plasma, 4.95 and 5.23; uterine tissue, 3.65 and 4.18; and ovarian tissue, 4.57 and 4.53. The mean plasma to genital tissue ratios for healthy and infected postpartum cows, respectively, were 1.38 and 1.31 for uterine tissue and 1.09 and 1.16 for ovarian tissue. There were no significant differences (P greater than 0.28) between healthy and infected postpartum cows in any of the parameters investigated. However, plasma-to-genital tissue ratios of concentrations of OTC in postpartum cows as a group were significantly higher (P less than or equal to 0.03) than those previously determined in cycling cows. Computer-simulated uterine tissue concentrations of OTC, after twice daily IV doses of 11 mg of OTC/kg of body weight, indicated that this dosage regimen would provide postpartum uterine tissue concentrations greater than 5 micrograms/g during most of the dosage interval.