Assessment of the temperature cut-off point by a commercial intravaginal device to predict parturition in Piedmontese beef cows.

Dystocic parturitions have an adverse impact on animal productivity and therefore the profitability of the farm. In this regard, accurate prediction of calving is essential since it allows for efficient and prompt assistance of the dam and the calf. Numerous approaches to predict parturition have been studied, among these, measurement of intravaginal temperature (IVT) is the most effective method at the field level. Thus, objectives of this experiment were, 1) to find an IVT cut-off to predict calving within 24 h, and 2) to clarify the use of IVT as an automated method of calving detection in housed beef cows. A commercial intravaginal electronic device (Medria Vel'Phone®) with a sensor that measures the IVT every 12 h was used. Piedmontese cows (n = 211; 27 primiparous and 184 multiparous) were included in this study. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess the temperature differences at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h before parturition. Receiving operator characteristic curves were built to determine the temperature cut-off which predicts calving within 24 h with the highest summation of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). Binomial logistic regression models were computed to identify factors that may affect the IVT before calving. Mean gestation length was 291.5 ±â€¯13.7 d (primiparous, 292 ±â€¯14.1 d; multiparous, 289 ±â€¯9.2 d). A decrease (P < 0.001) in the average IVT was found from 60 h before calving until the expulsion of the IVT device. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the IVT was noticeable from 24 h before until parturition. The IVT drop to predict parturition 24 h before calving was 0.21 °C (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.72; Se = 66%, Sp = 76%). Furthermore, the IVT cut-off value to predict parturition within 24 h was 38.2 °C (AUC = 0.89; Se = 86%, Sp = 91%). None of the evaluated fixed effects (parity, dystocia, season or length of gestation) affected (P ˃ 0.05) the IVT variation from 60 h before and up to calving. To conclude, the IVT average seems to be a better parameter than the drop in temperature to predict parturition within 24 h. In this regard, a cut-off of 38.2 °C showed a high Se and Sp for predicting calving. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a commercially available device to predict calving to improve management in stabled beef farms.

PDGFRs expression in dogs affected by malignant oral melanomas: correlation with prognosis.

Canine malignant melanoma (CMM) is the most common canine oral tumour, and up to 70-75% of dogs in stage II-III die within 1 year after surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of platelet-derived growth factors receptors (PDGFR)-α and -ß in stage II and III CMMs and to correlate it with prognosis. PDGFRs expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on 48 cases of formalin-fixed CMM samples and correlated with clinical-pathological findings and outcome after surgery. PDGFRs co-expression was observed in 37.5% of cases. Positivity for PDGFR-α and -ß receptor was present in 54.2 and 47.9% of cases, respectively. Ki67 values >19.5% were ascertained in 66.7% of cases. Statistical analysis showed that PDGFRs co-expression and Ki67 values > 19.5% were both associated with worse prognosis. PDGFRs expression suggests a role in the pathogenesis and progression of CMM, and α and ß co-expression appears to be associated to worse prognosis.

Accuracy of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Adrenal Glands in Dogs: Comparison with Necroscopic Findings.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands was performed in 85 dogs, followed by macroscopic and histopathological examination either post-mortem or after adrenalectomy. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the difference between gross and ultrasonographic measurements to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in the evaluation of canine adrenal gland size. The differences were assessed for gland length, thickness at cranial, middle and caudal regions, and surface area. In our sample, ultrasound error accuracy ranged between 0% in measurement of the right adrenal gland surface area and 25.21% for left cranial pole thickness. The parameters with minor errors were caudal pole thickness (3.64% right side and 3.49% left side) and length (5.75% right side and 2.19% left side). The ultrasonographic measurements generally underestimated the actual size of the adrenal glands. No statistically significant differences were observed for measurement errors between normal and pathological adrenal glands. This study confirmed that the caudal pole of both glands is the best parameter for ultrasonographic evaluation of normal and pathological adrenal glands size in dog. Furthermore, the surface area could be considered as a dimensional parameter for better assessment of the complex shape and the global aspect of the adrenal glands, while standardize ultrasonographic projections are needed to measure the cranial pole of both adrenal glands.