Effect of eCG dose on ovarian haemodynamics, hormonal profiles and prolificacy rate when oestrus was induced during low-breeding season in Beetal goats.

The objectives of the experiment were to determine the effect of two doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in a standard synchronization protocol based on a short-term progesterone (P4 ) priming on ovarian structures and haemodynamics, concentrations of steroid hormones and prolificacy rate when oestrus was induced during low-breeding season (LBS) in Beetal dairy goats. We hypothesized that inclusion of eCG in a short-term P4 priming-based synchronization protocol would increase the blood perfusion to ovarian structures leading to enhance oestrous and ovulatory responses and prolificacy rate in goats. Forty-two multiparous acyclic goats were blocked by body condition and, within block, assigned randomly to receive saline as control (CON), low eCG (L-eCG; 300 IU) or high eCG (H-eCG; 600 IU) dose. Initially, a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device was placed in the anterior vagina on d -8, followed by removal of CIDR on d -3, concurrent with the administration of PGF2α and eCG according to their respective treatments. Goats were monitored for oestrous response. B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography was performed with 12-h interval, starting from day -3 until natural breeding (day 0), and then on days 5, 10, 15 and 20 post-breeding to monitor follicular and luteal dynamics and blood flow, respectively. Blood was sampled at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 60 h after CIDR removal to quantify plasma concentrations of estradiol-17ß (E2 ), whereas plasma concentrations of P4 were assayed at days 5, 10, 15 and 20 after breeding. Pregnancy and prolificacy rates were determined at day 30 and 150 after breeding, respectively. Data were analysed with mixed-effects models, and orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the effect of treatment [Con vs. (½ L-eCG + ½ H-eCG)] and dose of eCG (L-eCG vs. H-eCG). Data are presented in sequence as CON, L-eCG, H-eCG (LSM ± SEM). The oestrous intensity score (152.9 vs. 182.7 vs. 186.5 ± 15.1; p = .02) was greater in eCG-treated goats as compared to CON. Administration of eCG reduced the intervals to standing oestrus (66.2 vs. 41.8 vs. 48.9 h ± 5.5; p = .05), breeding (70.2 vs. 44.4 vs. 45.4 h ± 4.5; p = .03) and ovulation (84.5 vs. 61.2 vs. 63.4 h ± 6.2; p = .05) compared with CON goats. The mean growth rate of pre-ovulatory follicle was greater (1.11 vs. 1.49 vs. 1.45 mm ± 0.08; p = .01) in eCG-treated goats resulting in an increased diameter of pre-ovulatory follicle (6.27 vs. 7.20 vs. 7.31 mm ± 0.07; p < .01) and corpora lutea (6.75 vs. 8.26 vs. 8.07 mm ± 0.42; p = .04) than CON. The mean follicular blood flow did not differ among treatments; however, the mean luteal blood flow was greater in L-eCG-treated goats (0.81 vs. 1.61 vs. 1.07 cm2 ± 0.12; p = .001). The mean concentrations of E2 (4.03 vs. 5.21 vs. 4.78 pg/ml ± 0.42; p = .04) and P4 (4.85 vs. 6.39 vs. 6.22 ng/ml ± 0.34; p = .04) were greater in eCG-treated goats. The twinning rate did not differ between treatments; nevertheless, prolificacy rate was greater (p = .04) in L-eCG-treated goats. Collectively, our data suggest that the administration of eCG improves the induction of oestrous and ovarian dynamics. Administration of L-eCG enhances prolificacy rate, therefore, a low dose of eCG might be practically beneficial to improve reproduction during LBS in acyclic Beetal dairy goats.

Concurrent intracranial and spinal arteriovenous malformations: Report of two pediatric cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent intracranial and spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are very rare with only a few cases being reported in literature. Two of the rare concurrent intracranial and spinal AVM cases are presented. CASE DESCRIPTION: Case 1 is a 12-year-old girl with headache and motor disturbances in the lower limbs. Her spinal and brain angiogram was done and she was diagnosed to have a spinal AVM at level T8-T9 and an intracranial AVM in the left mesial temporal lobe. Her spinal AVM was embolized, while no treatment was given for her intracranial AVM. Case 2 is a 10-year-old girl who presented with headache and quadriparesis. Her brain and spinal angiogram revealed an intracranial AVM in the left parietal lobe and a spinal AVM at level C2, respectively. Craniotomy and excision was done for her intracranial AVM and embolization for the spinal AVM. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that multiple AVMs may be a result of yet unrevealed pathogenesis or strong embryogenetic anomaly, which may be different from that involved in single AVM. With lack of consensus over the best therapeutic strategy, multimodality treatment based on the individual's needs is suggested.

Management of an extensive spinal epidural abscess from C-1 to the sacrum. Case report.

The authors report a rare case of extensive spinal epidural abscess in an immunocompromised young woman. The patient presented with low-grade fever, back pain, and progressive lower limb weakness. The MR imaging of her whole spine revealed an epidural abscess extending from C-1 to the sacrum. She was treated using a minimally invasive surgical technique and showed excellent recovery. The authors review the current literature along with different modes of surgical treatment available for this unusual clinical entity.