Plasma cortisol concentrations after CIDR insertion in beef cows.

The objective of this study was to show plasma cortisol concentration after treatment with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) in non-suckling beef cows. On day 9 after oestrus, two cows were inserted with CIDR into the vagina for 24 h and the other two cows were treated as a control group. Four days later, the two control cows were treated with CIDR and the other two CIDR-treated cows were used as controls. Cortisol concentrations were determined by ELISA in plasma samples collected before, during and after insertion of CIDR. There was a significant increase in plasma cortisol concentrations (p<0.01) after insertion of CIDR. Mean (± SEM) plasma cortisol concentrations increased from 1.3 ± 0.4 to a peak of 8.8 ± 1.1 ng/ml at 5 h and then decreased to basal concentrations at 7 h after insertion of the device. In conclusion, the insertion of intra-vaginal device causes an increase in plasma cortisol concentrations in beef cows, although the pathophysiological significance of the elevation of cortisol is not known.

Adrenocortical response in cows after intramuscular injection of long-acting adrenocorticotropic hormone (tetracosactide acetate zinc suspension).

The objectives of this study were first to show adrenocortical response to a long-acting adrenocorticotropic hormone preparation (tetracosactide acetate zinc suspension) (ACTH-Z) and its effect on adrenocortical function in beef cows (Experiment 1) and second to apply the ACTH-Z challenge in dairy cows based on cortisol concentrations in milk collected at routine milking (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, four beef cows in luteal phase were challenged with ACTH-Z, and plasma cortisol concentrations were determined for 48 h after the injection at 30-min to 2-h intervals. A rapid ACTH test was conducted 3 days before and 2 h after the completion of ACTH-Z injection for 48 h to investigate the effect on adrenocortical function. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased significantly 30 min after ACTH-Z injection (p < 0.001), and the high cortisol levels were maintained for approximately 10 h after the injection. In Experiment 2, eight dairy cows were subjected to ACTH-Z challenge 1-2 weeks and 4-5 weeks post-partum. Blood and milk samples were taken at morning and afternoon milking. All the cows showed a significant increase in cortisol concentrations in plasma as well as in skim milk 8 h after ACTH-Z injection 1-2 weeks and 4-5 weeks post-partum (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between plasma and skim milk cortisol concentrations 8 h after ACTH-Z challenge (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). The results obtained in this study suggest that elevated levels of plasma cortisol are maintained for approximately 10 h after ACTH-Z treatment without adverse effect on adrenocortical function and a long-acting ACTH-Z challenge based on cortisol concentrations in milk, which were collected at the morning and the afternoon milking, can be a useful tool to monitor adrenocortical function in cows.

[Oriental biliary lithiasis. Retrospective study of 690 patients treated surgically over 8 years at Hospital 108 in Hanoi (Vietnam)]. / Les lithiases biliaires extrême-orientales. Etude rétrospective sur 690 patients opérés en 8 ans d'activité à l'Hôpital 108 de Hanoi (Vietnam).

The purpose of this study was to review the unique features distinguishing Oriental from Western gallbladder disease based on a series of 690 patient who underwent surgical treatment at hospital 108 in Hanoi. Oriental cholangiohepatitis often affects in young patients with no gender predilection. The disease originates mainly in canaliculi and leads to blockage or obstruction of the main bile duct inside and outside the liver. Onset has been related to nutritional, infectious, and parasitic factors. Ascariasis may play a determinant role. Because of these unique features, surgical treatment is usually focused on the main bile duct and depends on the size, number, and effects of gallstones. The authors recall that excision of liver tissue may be unavoidable in some cases due to the severity and consequences of lithiasis.