COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY AND PARTURITION IN AFRICAN WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLINS (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS).

There are no studies to date on the normal reproductive physiology of African white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis). As a reclusive species, little is known about normal gestation, successful parturition, and potential complications during pregnancy. Ten female P. tricuspis were diagnosed as pregnant and monitored under professional care. Five developed complications during pregnancies or during parturition and are detailed in this case series. Dystocia occurred in two dams each, with malposition of a singleton fetus. Both dams were successfully treated with surgical intervention by caesarian section. Of the two individuals, one fetus was nonviable, but the other neonate survived and was reared by the dam to weaning. A third pregnant female died during pregnancy from septicemia resulting in death of the preterm fetus. The two additional dams of the five gave birth to full-term neonates. One fetus was stillborn with evidence of fetal distress, and the other died immediately after birth (perinatal death) with undetermined etiology. Based on this case series, complications associated with pregnancy occur in P. tricuspis, indicating the need for further study and close monitoring during impending parturition.

REVIEW OF VETERINARY INTERVENTION IN REPRODUCTION OF CAPTIVE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS (GORILLA GORILLA GORILLA) FROM 1996 TO 2016.

In order to gain an understanding of the frequency of veterinary intervention during the periparturient period of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in captivity between 1996 and 2016, a survey was sent to institutions associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Gorilla Species Survival Plan®. A total of 193 births were reported during the survey period, from 51/53 institutions. There were six incidences of prolonged labor (longer than 6 hr; 3%), six cases of cesarean section (3%), and three incidences of veterinary intervention that did not involve a cesarean section (2%). Fifty-one gorilla neonates (26%) were assist-reared (required intervention lasting longer than 24 hr). Out of 51 attempts to reintroduce neonates to dams or surrogates, 42 were accepted (82%), while nine attempts (18%) were deemed failures. The age group with the highest rate of maternal or surrogate acceptance after reintroduction was between 6 and 12 mo of age. Compared to data from a 1981 survey, the percentage of assist-reared gorillas decreased from 64% to 26%. Results show that veterinary intervention in the periparturient period is low, and there is a high rate of acceptance of neonates by either the dam or a surrogate after intervention. Advances in captive husbandry and veterinary knowledge have led to a reduced risk of veterinary intervention during gorilla parturition; however, the long-term effects on behavioral development of the neonate should be considered before removal of the infant from the dam for any period of time.

Potential Contribution of Cytomegalovirus Infection to Prenatal and Early Neonatal Mortality of Monkeys in the Adler Breeding Center.

Scrapings from the cervical canals and uterine cavities of females with a history of miscarriages, pathological deliveries, and stillbirths were tested for the cytomegalovirus DNA. The incidence of the agent in the females with a history of gestosis and abnormal deliveries was significantly higher than in females without anamnesis of this kind. Parenchymatous organs of stillborn neonates and animals dead during the first month of life were studied. This analysis and studies of the umbilical cords and placentas showed generalized cytomegalovirus infection in 22% dead animals, which objectively proved intrauterine infection.

Evaluation of the effects of treating dairy cows with meloxicam at calving on retained fetal membranes risk.

Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of retained fetal membranes. This is the first study to investigate the effects of meloxicam on the risk of retained fetal membranes. Administration of meloxicam to dairy cattle immediately following calving revealed no differences in the incidence of retained fetal membranes between meloxicam-treated and untreated animals. There was no difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of periparturient diseases following calving. Meloxicam can be used on the day of calving in lactating cows without increasing the risk of retained fetal membranes.

L'évaluation des effets d'une injection de méloxicam immédiatement après le vêlage chez la vache laitière sur le risque de rétention des membranes foetales. Certains médicaments inflammatoires non-stéroïdiens augmentent le risque de rétention de membranes fœtales. Cette étude est la première à examiner les effets du méloxicam quant au risque de rétention de membranes fœtales. Aucune différence n'a été notée dans le cas de rétention de membranes fœtales lors du vêlage chez la vache laitière entre les vaches qui ont reçu une injection de méloxicam immédiatement après le vêlage et celles qui n'ont rien reçu. De plus, il n'y avait aucune différence d'incidence de maladies périnatales observées suite au vêlage entre les deux groupes. On peut donc administrer du méloxicam aux vaches laitières le jour du vêlage sans augmenter le risque de rétention de membranes fœtales.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Dairy calving management: description and assessment of a training program for dairy personnel.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive calving management program designed to enhance the flow of applied, research-based, calving information to dairy personnel. Calving personnel (n=70), serving an estimated 18,100 cows from 18 Ohio dairies, attended the calving management program (∼1h of training and ∼2h of demonstration). Description of the birth canal, behavioral signs of normal parturition (stages I to III), dystocia (presentations, positions, and postures), hygiene practices during the assistance procedure, strategies for intervention (when and how to intervene), record-keeping, communication (when to call for help), and newborn care were discussed. Posttraining follow-ups (2/yr) were available for participating personnel. Educational materials were delivered through lectures followed by group discussions and hands-on demonstrations. Attendees were assessed using pre- and posttests of knowledge to determine the level of knowledge gained during the training program. Participants evaluated the program and provided feedback at the conclusion of the program. Dairy personnel reported that the overall program, presentations, and discussions were useful. The presented materials and demonstrations substantially increased the knowledge level of the attendees by 20.9 percentage points from pre- to posttest scores. Importance of open communication within the farm team, recognizing the landmarks for parturition, signs of calving progress, reference times for intervention, hygiene practices at calving, and strategies to correct abnormal presentation, position, or posture were listed as learned concepts with immediate field application. The follow-up assessment with participant personnel revealed that they were able to implement and apply their learned skills, communicate calving records with the farm team, and follow written calving protocols. Results indicated that the workshop was relevant and effective, offering information with immediate field application.

TRPV6 and Calbindin-D9k-expression and localization in the bovine uterus and placenta during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Transient receptor potential channel type 6 (TRPV6) and Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) are involved in the active calcium (Ca2+) transport mechanism in many tissues including placenta and uterus, suggesting a role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Moreover, TRPV6 and CaBP-9k seem to support the materno-fetal Ca2+ transport that is crucial for fetal Ca2+ homeostasis, bone growth and development. However, it is unknown if these proteins are also involved in the aetiology of pathologies associated with parturition in cows, such as retained fetal membranes (RFM). The aim of the current study was to create an expression profile of uterine and placentomal TRPV6 and CaBP-9k mRNAs and proteins during pregnancy and postpartum in cows with and without fetal membrane release. METHODS: Uteri and placentomes of 27 cows in different stages of pregnancy and placentomes of cows with and without RFM were collected. Protein and mRNA expression of TRPV6 and CaBP-9k was investigated by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: In the uterine endometrium, highest TRPV6 and CaBP-9k expression was found in the last trimester of pregnancy, with a particular increase of protein in the glandular epithelium. In the placentomes, a gradual increase in TRPV6 mRNA was detectable towards parturition, while protein expression did not change significantly. Placentomal CaBP-9k expression did not change significantly throughout pregnancy but immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in staining intensity in the maternal crypt epithelium. Immunohistochemical, stronger placental CaBP-9k signals were seen in animals with RFM compared to animals with an undisturbed fetal membrane release, while protein levels, measured by Western blot analyses did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate a dynamic expression of TRPV6 and CaBP-9k during pregnancy in the bovine uterine endometrium and placentomes, suggesting a functional role for these proteins in Ca2+ metabolism during pregnancy. The temporal and spatial expression patterns indicate that TRPV6 and CaBP-9k may be involved in materno-fetal Ca2+ transport, mainly through an interplacentomal transport, and that both proteins may participate in physiological processes that are crucial for fetal and placental development. However, neither TRPV6 nor CaBP-9k seem to be causative in the retention of fetal membranes.

Perioperative risk factors for mortality and length of hospitalization in mares with dystocia undergoing general anesthesia: a retrospective study.

This study investigated associations between perioperative factors and probability of death and length of hospitalization of mares with dystocia that survived following general anesthesia. Demographics and perioperative characteristics from 65 mares were reviewed retrospectively and used in a risk factor analysis. Mortality rate was 21.5% during the first 24 h post-anesthesia. The mean ± standard deviation number of days of hospitalization of surviving mares was 6.3 ± 5.4 d. Several factors were found in the univariable analysis to be significantly associated (P < 0.1) with increased probability of perianesthetic death, including: low preoperative total protein, high temperature and severe dehydration on presentation, prolonged dystocia, intraoperative hypotension, and drugs used during recovery. Type of delivery and day of the week the surgery was performed were significantly associated with length of hospitalization in the multivariable mixed effects model. The study identified some risk factors that may allow clinicians to better estimate the probability of mortality and morbidity in these mares.

Calving difficulty in dairy cows has a longer effect on saleable milk yield than on estimated milk production.

A difficult calving affects the welfare of the cow and has economic implications for the farm. The degree of calving difficulty can vary from no assistance needed through a slight pull required to surgery being needed. With respect to milk production, it is not clear at which degree of calving difficulty adverse effects occur or for how long they last. Studies usually only consider the milk produced by animals who completed full lactations but the saleable milk production of the whole herd, regardless of each cow having achieved a full lactation, might be a better indicator of the productivity of the cows and the underlying stresses they experience, as well as being more representative of the real losses that producers incur. The objective of this study was to investigate how various degrees of calving difficulty would alter both the cow's milk production and their production of saleable milk over different stages of their subsequent lactation. The calving difficulty scores and the subsequent milk production were retrieved from an experimental dairy farm (in the United Kingdom) for 2 herds that contained 2,430 and 1,413 lactations. To account for milk saleable by the farmer, individual cumulative saleable milk yields, referred to as saleable milk yields (SMY), were calculated at 30, 60, 90, and 300 d in milk unconditional on the animal having achieved the lactation stage of interest. Lactation SMY were obtained based on the real lactation length achieved by the animal. Mean daily milk yields were also calculated for the same lactation stages as an estimate of the cow's milk production (CMP). Calving difficulty impaired milk production of dairy cows in terms of CMP and SMY in both herds, highlighting impaired income for dairy producers as well as detrimental effects to the productivity of the cows and potentially impaired health and survival. The management of the herd affected the presence of an effect of each degree of difficulty on SMY and CMP as well as its magnitude and duration. The analysis of SMY, independently of each animal having achieved a full lactation, could be a more sensitive indicator of the subsequent long-lasting biological stresses than CMP alone.

Induction of parturition with aglepristone in the Majorera goat.

This study assessed the efficacy of aglepristone at inducing parturition in pregnant goats. Six experimental groups were defined: group A-5 (n = 12), group A-3.3 (n = 12), group A-2.5 (n = 12) and group A-1.5 (n = 12) in which goats were injected SC once with 5.0, 3.3, 2.5 and 1.5 mg of aglepristone per kg body weight of goat, respectively, group L (n = 11), which was treated IM with 3.75 mg of luprostiol; and group Ct (n = 11), which was injected SC with 1 ml of saline solution. Different parameters associated with parturition were thereafter investigated. In addition, plasma progesterone concentrations were defined after treatments till parturition. Aglepristone effectively induced parturition in all of the goats. In the A-5, A-3.3 and A-2.5 groups, the time to parturition was around 30-34 h, and the majority of goats (97.2%, 35/36) started kidding between 25 and 40 h after the aglepristone injection. However, the goats in group A-1.5 showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher time to parturition (mean: 46.8 h). Overall, the incidence of dystocia registered in aglepristone-induced goats (20.8%, 10/48) and luprostiol-induced goats was not different from that observed after a spontaneous parturition. The percentage of live kids was very similar between A-5, A-3.3, A.2.5 and L groups (95.7, 95.3, 95.0 and 96.3%, respectively) but was higher that observed in the control (83.4%) and A-1.5 (81.2%) groups. In addition, no maternal mortality was registered in any groups. No changes in plasma progesterone were observed during the first 24 h after treatment, and high plasma progesterone concentrations were present at kidding (6.7, 5.5, 4.5 and 3.6 ng/ml for groups A-5, A-3.3, A-2.5 and A-1.5, respectively), confirming that aglepristone does not induce parturition via luteolysis. This study demonstrates that aglepristone can be used to induce parturition in goats with satisfactory efficacy, inducing pregnancy termination without direct or immediate modifications of luteal function.

Peripartal hormonal changes in Alpine goats: a comparison between physiological and pathological parturition.

In this study, 31 pregnant Alpine does were used to investigate the peripartal plasma profiles of progesterone, estradiol-17ß, 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) and cortisol, assessing differences between goats with physiological and pathological parturition. The goats were observed around the time of parturition; all peripartum abnormalities were recorded, and veterinary assistance was provided if necessary. Blood samples were collected every 12 h from 7 days before to 7 days after delivery, and plasma used for hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay. Two animals died during the study, and their data were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 29 animals, 23 goats had a spontaneous and physiological delivery, while six goats showed pathological parturition, including dystocia and retained placenta. The 65 alive kids were viable at birth and at 7 days of age. The results concerning the hormonal concentrations in the normal parturition confirm and define more precisely the patterns already described in the goat, while the comparison between physiological and pathological parturition has never been previously reported in this species. Highest peripartum levels of cortisol were found in the pathological group at delivery (30.6 vs 15.9 ng/ml) (p<0.01) and 12 h later (26.2 vs 11.1 ng/ml) (p<0.05); the greater cortisol concentrations found in goats with dystocia and retained placenta could suggest a higher level of stress. No significant differences between the two groups were found with respect to the circulating values of the other hormones, but the individual variability and the small number of goats enrolled in the pathological delivery group could have masked possible differences.

[Birth of a vital puppy following prolonged whelping in a Labrador Retriever]. / Geburt eines lebenden Labradorwelpen nach deutlich verlängerter Geburt.

An 8-year-old primiparous Labrador Retriever bitch was presented to the clinic 46 hours following the delivery of 2 vital and one stillborn puppy due to an increase of vaginal discharge. At the veterinary clinic, the dog spontaneously delivered an additional healthy puppy without any obstetric support. The findings of the general and gynaecological examinations as well as results of blood analyses were within normal limits. This case shows that extremely prolonged whelping process may be a rare but possible phenomenon in bitches. However, it is recommended to re-evaluate dam and fetuses regularly in case the inter-whelping interval exceeds the normal time span in order to recognize further signs of dystocia and induce obstetric support when clinically indicated.

Reproductive risk factors for culling and productive life in large dairy herds in the eastern United States between 2001 and 2006.

Knowledge of reproductive risk factors for culling is useful in making insemination and culling decisions and helps motivate efforts to reduce or eliminate risk factors. The objective of this study was to describe survival and reproductive risk factors for culling in Holstein dairy herds with at least 200 cows. Results were calculated from 2,345,015 DHI lactation records from 727 herds with at least 200 cows from 2001 to 2006. Herds were located in 36 states primarily located east of the Mississippi River. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were obtained and daily hazards of culling were calculated with the actuarial method. Cox regression was performed with the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The hazard of culling increased with parity number. Cows in their sixth parity had 3 times greater hazards than cows in their first parity. Medium remaining productive life for cows calving in parity 1 to 6 were 907, 697, 553, 469, 423, and 399 d, respectively. Daily hazards of culling first peaked approximately 30 d after calving and then again later in lactation, after 280 d, for older cows. Hazards for first-parity cows peaked earlier, around d 10 after calving, and the first-parity cows had lower risks of culling later in lactation than older cows. Pregnant cows had 3 to 7 times lower hazards of culling than open cows. Hazards of culling increased for cows that had greater calving difficulty, gave birth to males or twins, were in herds with shorter days to first insemination, or had longer days to conception. The possible to likely use of a synchronized breeding program increased from 21.9% in 2001 to 41.4% in 2006. Cows in herds that did not use a synchronized breeding program had slightly lower risks of culling than those in herds that at least possibly used a synchronized breeding program.

Effect of days to conception in the previous lactation on the risk of death and live culling around calving.

The objective was to quantify the effect of days to conception (days open) in the previous parity on the risk of death and live culling (excluding the disposal reasons "dairy purposes" and "death") in the proximity of a subsequent calving in Holstein cows enrolled in the Dairy Herd Improvement program. After edits, 2,075,834 observations of cows calving between 2001 and 2007 in herds located in 36 US states primarily east of the Mississippi river were available. The period at risk included the time between 14 d before expected calving to 60 d after calving. Days open were categorized in 6 periods: 0 to 45 d, 46 to 90 d, 91 to 150 d, 151 to 210 d, 211 to 300 d, and 301 to 600 d after calving in the previous parity. Other variables of interest included parity, length of the dry period before calving, relative last test-day milk yield before dry off before calving, season of calving, and the cow's relative 305-d mature equivalent (305ME) milk yield before calving. Control variables were calving year, herd size, and relative herd 305ME milk yield. All variables were categorized. Generalized mixed models were used and included herd as random effect. Interactions between days open and the variables of interest were included in the models. Least squares means for the risk of death between -14 and 60 d after calving were 2.5, 2.5, 2.9, 3.6, 4.4, and 5.8% for increasing categories of days open. Similarly, for the same categories, least squares means for the risk of live culling were 4.5, 5.0, 5.4, 6.1, 6.9, and 8.1%. The effect of days open on the risk of death was slightly greater for third-parity cows, for long dry periods, for cows with low test-day milk yield before dry off before calving, for spring calvings, and for intermediate relative 305ME milk yield before calving. Similar trends for these interactions were found for the risk of live culling, except for relative 305ME milk yield before calving, where the effect of days open was more pronounced for high-producing cows. In conclusion, increased days open in the previous parity were associated with a greater risk of death and live culling around calving.

Quantitative trait loci mapping of calving and conformation traits on Bos taurus autosome 18 in the German Holstein population.

Linkage, linkage disequilibrium, and combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analyses were performed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting calving and conformation traits on Bos taurus autosome 18 (BTA18) in the German Holstein population. Six paternal half-sib families consisting of a total of 1,054 animals were genotyped on 28 genetic markers in the telomeric region on BTA18 spanning approximately 30 Mb. Calving traits, body type traits, and udder type traits were investigated. Using univariately estimated breeding values, maternal and direct effects on calving ease and stillbirth were analyzed separately for first- and further-parity calvings. The QTL initially identified by separate linkage and linkage disequilibrium analyses could be confirmed by a combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis for udder composite index, udder depth, fore udder attachment, front teat placement, body depth, rump angle, and direct effects on calving ease and stillbirth. Concurrence of QTL peaks and a similar shape of restricted log-likelihood ratio profiles were observed between udder type traits and for body depth and calving traits, respectively. Association analyses were performed for markers flanking the most likely QTL positions by applying a mixed model including a fixed allele effect of the maternally inherited allele and a random polygenic effect. Results indicated that microsatellite marker DIK4234 (located at 53.3 Mb) is associated with maternal effects on stillbirth, direct effects on calving ease, and body depth. A comparison of effects for maternally inherited DIK4234 alleles indicated a favorable, positive correlation of maternal and direct effects on calving. Additionally, the association of maternally inherited DIK4234 marker alleles with body depth implied that conformation traits might provide the functional background of the QTL for calving traits. For udder type traits, the strong coincidence of QTL peaks and the position of the QTL in a region previously reported to harbor QTL for somatic cell score indicated that effects of QTL for udder type traits might be correlated with effects of QTL for udder health traits on BTA18. Our results suggest that loci in the middle to telomeric region on BTA18 with effect on conformation traits may also contribute to the genetic variance of calving and udder health traits. Further analyses are required to identify the causal mutations affecting conformation and calving traits and to investigate the correlation of effects for loci associated with conformation, calving, and udder health traits.

Birth traits of pure Holstein calves versus Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves.

Pure Holstein calves and Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves from multiparous Holstein dams were compared for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth in 2 research herds of the University of Minnesota. The Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly longer gestation lengths (283.2 d) than Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (278.4 d), and Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly greater calf weight at birth (48.3kg) compared with Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (43.3kg). However, calves sired by Montbeliarde bulls were not significantly different from calves sired by Holstein bulls for calving difficulty and stillbirth. In addition, Jersey x Holstein crossbred cows mated to Montbeliarde artificial insemination (AI) bulls were compared with pure Holstein cows mated to Holstein AI bulls for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at their first 3 calvings. Gestation length was significantly longer for Jersey x Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde bulls than for pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein bulls at first calving (280.3 versus 277.7 d) and second and third calving (282.2 versus 278.6 d); however, Jeresy x Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde AI bulls were not significantly different from pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein AI bulls for calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at the first 3 calvings.

Pathology of lethal peripartum broad ligament haematoma in 31 Thoroughbred mares.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Broad ligament haemorrhage in peripartum mares is a life-threatening disease and there are few reports on the aetiology and pathogenesis of broad ligament haematoma. OBJECTIVES: To obtain information regarding the sites for the early diagnosis and pathogenesis of broad ligament haematoma of mares. METHODS: Thirty-one mares that died of broad ligament haematoma peripartum were examined pathologically for bleeding sites. The arterial distribution of 5 young mares with several parities served as negative controls. RESULTS: Age and/or multiparity were the predisposing factors for the disease. Arterial injuries were most commonly observed in the uterine artery (24 of 31 mares). Among these, the proximal uterine artery that lies within 15 cm of the bifurcation of the iliac artery was the most frequent site for rupture (18 mares). The lesions occurred preferentially at the bifurcations, lateral part of curvatures and abrupt flexures of the artery. The morphology of the injuries was classified into 3 types: ruptures with and without longitudinal fissures, and transections. Histologically, the arterial wall adjacent to the rupture showed atrophy of smooth muscle cells with fibrosis of the tunica media and disruption and/or calcification of the internal elastic lamina. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial injuries that led to broad ligament haematoma in peripartum mares occurred most frequently in the proximal uterine artery, and atrophy of smooth muscle cells with fibrosis of the arterial wall was as one of the predisposing factors in aged and multiparous mares. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Monitoring small aneurysms, mural tearing, medial fibrosis at the proximal uterine artery by transrectal echography could provide useful information for the early diagnosis and possible prevention of broad ligament haematoma of peripartum mares.

Effects of administration of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of 2 doses of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia. ANIMALS: 180 neonatal pigs. PROCEDURES: Neonatal pigs were assigned to 2 groups (groups P and F) on the basis of results for a vitality scale (passed or failed, respectively). Within each group, there were 3 subgroups of 30 pigs each. Within each group, the 3 subgroups received a placebo that consisted of an empty gelatin capsule, a gelatin capsule that contained 20 mg of caffeine, and a gelatin capsule that contained 35 mg of caffeine, respectively; all capsules were administered orally (0 hours). Blood samples were collected immediately before and 24 hours after capsule administration. RESULTS: Pigs in groups P and F that received 20 or 35 mg of caffeine had significant increases in triglyceride concentrations. All pigs in groups P and F had a significant decrease in lactate concentrations, although the placebo-treated pigs in group F had larger decreases than did the group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine. Glucose concentrations increased significantly in group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine (30% and 50%, respectively), whereas glucose concentrations remained unchanged in group P pigs. In pigs treated with 35 mg of caffeine, the final weight obtained for group F was approximately 8% lower than that obtained for group P. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administering caffeine immediately after birth to neonatal pigs with severe oxygen restriction resulted in significant improvements in metabolic variables.

The effect of twinning on milk yield, dystocia, calf birth weight and open days in Holstein dairy cows of Iran.

Calving records of Iranian Holsteins from April 1998 to September 2006 comprising 16 herds with 104,572 calving events representing 4045 twin births were used to evaluate reported open days, calving difficulties and calf birth weight in single- and twin-births and the relationship exists between twinning and milk production. A logistic regression model was constructed to analyse dystocia for single- and twin-births. In addition, statistical analyses of 305-day milk yield, open days and calf birth weight were performed using the general linear models procedure. The odds of dystocia was greater after twin births [p < 0.0001; odds ratio (OR) = 2.32]. The odds of dystocia decreased from parity 1 to parity 2 and beyond (p < 0.0001; OR = 0.44). Open days were significantly different between single (129.28 days) and twin (144.88 days) births (p < 0.05). Calf birth weights were significantly greater for singletons than twins (43.33 kg vs. 34.36 kg; p < 0.05). In addition, twin-calved cows had greater 305-day milk production than single-calved cows (p < 0.05). In general, development of practical management strategies to cope with the negative effects associated with twinning on dairies is critical, especially if the trend towards increased twinning in the dairy cattle population continues.

Vaginal rupture and evisceration in a dog.

A 1.5-year-old German Shepherd mixed breed dog was admitted with mild haemorrhage from the vulva and a perineal mass of 24-hour duration, which had been first observed immediately after parturition. Parturition had occurred at low ambient temperature, and only one puppy survived out of the seven oversized fetuses. The dog was in poor body condition, dehydrated, hypothermic, depressed, non-ambulatory and in a state of shock. Intestinal loops, the urinary bladder and the uterine horns and body were protruding from the vulva. A true vaginal prolapse was also observed. The abdominal viscera were flushed with warm sterile saline solution, protected and maintained wet. The laboratory findings included moderate anaemia, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminaemia, azotaemia and elevated liver enzyme activities. Stabilisation of the dog's general condition was attempted before surgery. Antimicrobial and analgesic drugs were also administered. After exploratory laparotomy the protruding organs, which were in good condition, were reduced. A recent rupture in the vaginal wall, approximately 6 cm long, was observed. Ovariohysterectomy and partial vaginectomy were performed. The preoperative course of therapy was continued, but the bitch died 12 hours later. The probable cause of vaginal rupture and evisceration in this bitch was tenesmus and/or trauma due to the oversized fetuses.

Breed- and trait-specific associations define the genetic architecture of calving performance traits in cattle.

Reducing the incidence of both the degree of assistance required at calving, as well as the extent of perinatal mortality (PM) has both economic and societal benefits. The existence of heritable genetic variability in both traits signifies the presence of underlying genomic variability. The objective of the present study was to locate regions of the genome, and by extension putative genes and mutations, that are likely to be underpinning the genetic variability in direct calving difficulty (DCD), maternal calving difficulty (MCD), and PM. Imputed whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data on up to 8,304 Angus (AA), 17,175 Charolais (CH), 16,794 Limousin (LM), and 18,474 Holstein-Friesian (HF) sires representing 5,866,712 calving events from descendants were used. Several putative quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions associated with calving performance both within and across dairy and beef breeds were identified, although the majority were both breed- and trait-specific. QTL surrounding and encompassing the myostatin (MSTN) gene were associated (P < 5 × 10-8) with DCD and PM in both the CH and LM populations. The well-known Q204X mutation was the fifth strongest association with DCD in the CH population and accounted for 5.09% of the genetic variance in DCD. In contrast, none of the 259 segregating variants in MSTN were associated (P > × 10-6) with DCD in the LM population but a genomic region 617 kb downstream of MSTN was associated (P < 5 × 10-8). The genetic architecture for DCD differed in the HF population relative to the CH and LM, where two QTL encompassing ZNF613 on Bos taurus autosome (BTA)18 and PLAG1 on BTA14 were identified in the former. Pleiotropic SNP associated with all three calving performance traits were also identified in the three beef breeds; 5 SNP were pleiotropic in AA, 116 in LM, and 882 in CH but no SNP was associated with more than one trait within the HF population. The majority of these pleiotropic SNP were on BTA2 surrounding MSTN and were associated with both DCD and PM. Multiple previously reported, but also novel QTL, associated with calving performance were detected in this large study. These also included QTL regions harboring SNP with the same direction of allele substitution effect for both DCD and MCD thus contributing to a more effective simultaneous selection for both traits.