Chronic scapholunate instability treated by scaphocapitate fusion: a midterm outcome perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic scapholunate instability can lead to functional deficits and radiocarpal osteoarthritis. A number of procedures, namely scapho-trapezio-trapezoid (STT) fusion, scaphocapitate (SC) fusion or soft tissue reconstruction procedures, aim to improve function while protecting the wrist from osteoarthritis. HYPOTHESIS: Define the role of scaphocapitate fusion in comparison to STT fusion and capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical, radiographic and functional evaluation was performed on 31 SC fusion cases with an average follow-up of 5 years. RESULTS: Range of motion was 41° in flexion and 39° in extension. Radial-ulnar deviation was 43°. Strength was 32.5 kgf (Jamar). The DASH was 27% and the PRWE was 25%. Fifty percent of the wrists were pain-free at rest. Ninety-four percent of patients were satisfied with the procedure. Seventy-eight percent of patients had returned to their occupation. Radiographic analysis revealed that consolidation was obtained at 10.1weeks. The postoperative radioscaphoid angle was 55° with good radioscaphoid congruence. There was no osteoarthritis in the radioscaphoid joint in 84% of the cases. The non-union rate was 13%. DISCUSSION: These data are similar to the few series that exist. STT fusion leads the same clinical results, but it is technically more difficult and has a higher rate of complications. Capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction provide the same functional results as SC fusion, but with slightly less stiffening. However, these techniques do not seem to protect the wrist from arthritic degeneration at longer follow-up. SC fusion is superior to STT fusion for the treatment of chronic scapholunate instability. This is a pain-relieving intervention with good clinical results and preservation of scaphoid stability. As a component of the surgeon's armamentarium, it can be held in the same regard as capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction for cases of chronic scapholunate instability with a non-reducible scaphoid, or after failure of a soft tissue reconstruction procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, retrospective study.

[Free re-innervated gracilis muscle transfer to restore flexion or extension of the fingers: about three cases]. / Transfert de gracilis ré-innervé pour la réanimation de la flexion ou de l'extension digitale : à propos de trois cas.

Free re-innervated gracilis muscle transfer is used to restore fingers or wrist flexion or extension after severe forearm injuries and when none muscle transfer is possible. The long-term function after this procedure is evaluated for three patients treated in our unit. This microsurgical transfer is technically demanding but allows good fingers mobility and good autonomy for daily activities and working.

The effects of GnRH treatment at the time of AI and 12 days later on reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows during the warm season in northeastern Spain.

It was hypothesized that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment at the time of insemination and 12 days later increases conception rates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH treatment at the time of insemination or at the time of insemination and 12 days later on reproductive performance during the warm season in high producing dairy cows. The effect of GnRH treatment on the incidence of subsequent twin pregnancies and pregnancy losses was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using logistic regression methods. Of the entire series of 1289 AI, 373 (29%) resulted in pregnancy. Three study groups were established to evaluate the effects of treatment on the conception rate: control (untreated cows, n=431), GnRH-0 (cows receiving GnRH at AI, n=429) or GnRH-0+12 (cows receiving GnRH at AI and at AI+12 days, n=429). Conception rates were 20.6% (89/431), 30.8% (132/429) and 35.4% (152/429) for animals receiving no treatment, GnRH at AI, and GnRH at AI and 12 days later, respectively. Based on the odds ratio, the probability of pregnancy was 0.80 and 0.46 times less likely for cows receiving treatment GnRH-0 and no treatment, respectively, than for cows receiving treatment GnRH-0+12 (reference). Of the 373 pregnant animals, 326 (87.4%) bore singletons and 47 (12.6%) carried twins. The effects of treatment on the dependent variables: twin pregnancy, additional corpus luteum and pregnancy loss were analyzed. Pregnancy loss between 38 and 90 days after insemination was registered in 30 (8%) cows: 17 (5.2%) in single and 13 (27.7%) in twin pregnancies. Fifty-six (15%) cows had an additional corpus luteum. No pregnancy losses were recorded in these cows. Treatment had no effect on the twin pregnancy rate. The treatment GnRH at AI and 12 days later increased the chances of an additional corpus luteum by a factor 3.7 (using the control group as reference). In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that GnRH treatment at the time of insemination and 12 days later increases the conception rate in high producing dairy cows during the warm season. Although lower than double treatment, strong benefits were also registered following a single GnRH treatment at insemination. Under these conditions, treatment fails to affect the twin pregnancy rate yet increases the incidence of an additional corpus luteum in pregnant cows.

Estrus synchronization in beef cows: comparison between GnRH+PGF2alpha+GnRH and PRID+PGF2alpha+eCG.

The aim of this study was to compare two protocols for estrus synchronization in suckled beef cows over a 2 years period. The population studied consisted of 172 Charolais and 168 Limousin cows from 12 and 14 beef herds, respectively. In each herd, cows were allotted to groups according to parity, body condition score and calving difficulty. Cows in Group 1 (n=174) received PRID on Day-8 with estradiol benzoate (10mg, vaginal capsule), dinoprost on Day-4 (25mg i.m.), eCG on Day 2 (500 IU i.m.). The PRID was removed on Day-2 and cows were inseminated on Day 0, 56 h after PRID was removed. Cows in Group 2 (n=166) received GnRH on Day-10 (100 microg i.m.), dinoprost on Day-3 (25mg i.m.) and GnRH on Day-1 (100 microg i.m.), and were inseminated on Day 0, 16-24h after the last GnRH treatment. Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured to determine cyclicity prior to treatment (Days-20 and -10), to confirm the occurrence of ovulation (Days 0 and 10) and to determine the apparent early pregnancy rate (Days 0, 10 and 24). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography between Days 35 and 45. The effects of various factors on ovulation, apparent early pregnancy and pregnancy rates were studied using logistic mixed models. There was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2, respectively, for the cyclicity rate before treatment (80.5% versus 80.1%), for apparent pregnancy rate on Day 24 (62.1% versus 54.8%, P=0.09) and for pregnancy rate on Days 35-45 (53.8% versus 46.3%, P=0.16). Ovulation rate was higher (P<0.01) in Group 1 (90.8%) than in Group 2 (77.1%) and was affected by cyclicity prior to treatment in Group 2 but not in Group 1 (Group 1: 88.2% in anestrous cows versus 91.4% in cyclic cows; Group 2: 45.5% in anestrous cows versus 85.0% in cyclic cows, P interaction=0.05). Apparent pregnancy rates on Day 24 were influenced by the year of study (52.4% versus 68.8%, OR=2.12, P<0.01) and by the cyclicity before treatment (anestrous cows 46.3% versus cyclic cows 61.5%, OR=1.86, P<0.05). Pregnancy rates at 35-45 days were influenced by the year of study (44.2% versus 59.8%, OR=1.92, P<0.01). In conclusion, although pregnancy rates were similar for the two treatments, the combination of GnRH+PGF2alpha+GnRH in suckled beef cows induced a lower rate of ovulation than treatment with PRID+PGF2alpha, particularly in anestrous cows.

Humoral immune response to equine chorionic gonadotropin in ewes: association with major histocompatibility complex and interference with subsequent fertility.

In dairy ewes, the use of eCG as a convenient hormone for the induction of ovulation is necessary for out-of-season breeding and artificial insemination (AI). In this report we show the presence of anti-eCG antibodies in plasma of treated ewes. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was involved in the individual variability of the humoral immune responses to eCG. We found significant associations between the anti-eCG response phenotype and some MHC class II alleles. The low immune response phenotype was associated with one MHC class II allele only in Lacaune ewes, and the high immune response phenotype was associated with one MHC class II allele both in Manech and in Lacaune ewes. In herds, the impact of residual anti-eCG antibodies on subsequent fertility after AI seems minimal because of an indirect elimination of high-responder ewes from AI breeding. Therefore, the true magnitude of the association between residual anti-eCG antibody concentration and fertility has been underestimated. An additional experiment without any high-responder female elimination showed a significant correlation between high residual antibody concentrations and lower lambing rate after AI at a fixed time, possibly because of a delayed preovulatory LH surge. The results suggest that anti-eCG antibody concentration is one risk factor for infertility after AI.

The negative effect of repeated equine chorionic gonadotropin treatment on subsequent fertility in Alpine goats is due to a humoral immune response involving the major histocompatibility complex.

In dairy goats, the use of eCG as a convenient hormone for the induction of ovulation is necessary for out-of-season breeding and artificial insemination. However, repeated eCG treatments are followed by decreased fertility in goats inseminated at a fixed time after treatment. In this report, we show the presence of anti-eCG antibodies in plasma of treated goats. A 500 IU eCG injection induces a humoral response, with variable concentrations of anti-eCG antibody being produced in individual goats. The analysis of successive anti-eCG immune responses over several years has demonstrated the existence of different populations of goats, defined as low, medium, and high responders. By the use of two caprine microsatellites located inside (OLADRB) and outside (BM1258) the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a significant association (p < 0.05) between the anti-eCG antibody response and some MHC-DRB alleles was found. Goats with high antibody concentrations at the time of eCG injection (> 2.5 microg/ml) exhibited a much lower kidding rate than did other females (41.3% vs. 66.7%). Lower fertility of these goats, inseminated at a fixed time after eCG treatment, might be due to the observed delay in estrus occurrence and the preovulatory LH surge.

Postpartum subestrus in dairy cows: comparison of treatment with prostaglandin F2 alpha or GnRH + prostaglandin F2 alpha + GnRH.

Two experiments (Experiment 1, 185 cows in 1996/97; Experiment 2, 168 cows in 1997/98) were conducted with Prim Holstein dairy cattle in the Mayenne region of France to investigate subestrus. Cows which had not been observed in estrus since calving were allocated alternately to treatment groups between 60 and 90 d post partum as follows: Experiment 1-Group 1: GnRH (Day 0, 100 micrograms i.m.), PGF2 alpha (Day 7, 25 mg i.m.), GnRH (Day 9, 100 micrograms i.m.) and AI (Day 10); Group 2: PGF2 alpha (Day 0, 25 mg i.m.), AI at estrus, or, if estrus was not observed, a second PGF2 alpha injection on Day 13, and AI on Day 16 and Day 17. Treatments in Experiment 2 were as follows: Group 1: as Experiment 1-Group 1 but AI at the observed estrus after Day 0, or at Day 10 if estrus was not observed; Group 2: as Experiment 1--Group 2, however, if a second PGF2 alpha injection was given on Day 13, AI at the observed estrus. Progesterone was measured in serum at Day 0 and in milk at AI. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by measuring bovine pregnancy-specific protein B (bPSPB; Day 50 +/- 3) and confirmed by ultrasonography when the result was doubtful. In Experiment 1, farmers observed 47/101 (46.9%) Group 1 cows in estrus, 33/91 cows on Day 10 and 10 cows before Day 10. The progesterone concentrations were compatible with estrus in 69/86 (80%) cows on Day 10. In Group 2, 36/83 (43.4%) cows were inseminated after the first PGF2 alpha injection. After the second PGF2 alpha injection, only 29/43 (67%) cows had a low progesterone concentration at AI. Pregnancy rates were 36.1 and 32.5% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. In Experiment 2, estrus was observed in 31/93 (33.7%) Group 1 cows. In Group 2, 51/75 (66%) cows were inseminated after the first injection of PGF2 alpha, 13/75 (17.3%) cows after the second injection, while 11/75 (14.7%) were not observed in estrus. Pregnancy rates were 53.7 and 53.3% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. In conclusion, it is recommended that subestrus be treated with PGF2 alpha followed by AI at the observed estrus when estrus detection is good, while the use of GnRH + PGF2 alpha + GnRH is recommended when estrus detection is poor.

The fertility of autumn calving suckler beef cows is increased by the addition of prostaglandin to progesterone and eCG estrus synchronization treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of PGF2 alpha treatment on pregnancy and calving rates in autumn-calving suckler beef cows synchronized with progesterone and eCG. The population studied consisted of 124 Charolais and 130 Limousin cows in 13 and 12 beef herds, respectively. In each herd, pairs of cows were formed according to parity, body condition score and calving difficulty. Group 1 received a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) for 12 d with a capsule containing 10 mg estradiol benzoate at implant insertion and 500 IU eCG at PRID removal (Day 0). Group 2 received the same treatment plus 25 mg i.m. dinoprost at Day -2. Each cow was artificially inseminated 56 h after PRID removal (Day 3). Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured to determine cyclicity prior to treatment in samples take on Days -22 and -12, to confirm the occurrence of ovulation (Day 13) and to determine the early pregnancy rate (Day 26). Serum pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations were determined to assess pregnancy rate at Day 39. The effects of variation factors on pregnancy and calving rates after treatment were studied using logistic mixed models and a Cox model, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups or breeds for the rate of cyclicity before treatment nor for ovulation rate (means, 74.1 and 95.7%, respectively). Cyclicity was, however, influenced by individual factors such as body condition score (OR = 3.36, P = 0.001), parity (OR = 5.4, P = 0.001) and herd factors such as stocking rate (OR = 5.62, P = 0.001). The use of a prostaglandin injection increased pregnancy rate at Day 26 (71.7 vs 56.7%, P = 0.01) and at 39 d (67.7 vs 54.3%, P = 0.02) and the calving rate at induced estrus (64.5 vs 48.5%, P = 0.01). We observed 9 twin calvings (5.6%) which occurred in cyclic cows only before treatment. Cows in Group 2 had a 1.5 greater chance of calving before 300 d following the first AI than cows in Group 1 (P = 0.03). In conclusion, the addition of PGF2 alpha injection, 48 h before PRID removal, increased reproductive efficiency in autumn-calving Charolais and Limousin suckler beef cows compared to a classical estrus synchronization treatment using a PRID + eCG.

Use of an immunoenzymatic assay to detect the luteinizing hormone peak in bitches.

The success of artificial insemination with fresh chilled or frozen semen depends on the time of insemination. Determination of oestrous behaviour, use of vaginal smears or measurement of the vaginal resistivity are unreliable techniques and interpretation of the dosages of progesterone may be critical as it may vary from one laboratory to another. The plasma concentration of LH displays a peak of secretion that can be a good reference to date the events of the ovarian cycle. The plasma concentration of LH was measured in ten bitches by a new sandwich immunoenzymatic assay (Reprokit, Sanofi) and results were compared with the vaginal smears and plasma concentrations of progesterone. The LH peak was easily detected and lasted 3.3 days with maximum values ranging from 10 to 22 ng ml-1. At the time of the peak, the vaginal smears displayed features of pro-oestrus and the plasma concentration of progesterone was 2.9 ng ml-1. This immunoenzymatic assay, already used for many species, is an effective tool for determining the time of the LH peak. Added to the study of the progesterone concentration, it may help to determine the optimal time for artificial inseminations, particularly when frozen semen is used.

Effects of administration of growth hormone-releasing factor to sows during late gestation on growth hormone secretion, reproductive traits, and performance of progeny from birth to 100 kilograms live weight.

The effects of growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) injections to sows during late gestation were investigated in two experiments. In the first one, four treatments were applied to eight catheterized sows according to two 4 x 4 Latin squares: oral administration of 2 mg of pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, per kilogram of BW (PYR group); i.m. injection of 50 micrograms of GHRF/kg BW (GHRF group); a combination of the pyridostigmine and GHRF treatments (PYR+GHRF); or i.m. injection of glucose (control). Pyridostigmine slightly increased the plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH). Growth hormone responses to GHRF and PYR+GHRF treatments were similar, with significantly elevated GH concentrations from 5 to 240 min after GHRF injection. In the second experiment, 36 sows were allocated to two treatments at 102 d of gestation. Until farrowing, they were injected twice daily with 50 micrograms of GHRF/kg BW (GHRF group) or isotonic glucose (control). The DM, N, fat, and energy content of 24 pigs per group was determined at weaning at 22 d. Six pigs per litter had ad libitum access to feed until slaughter at 100 kg BW and their carcasses were evaluated. Treatment with GHRF increased pregnancy duration (114.8 vs 113.6 d, P less than .05), weight of pigs at 13 d (3.69 vs 3.54 kg, P less than .05) and at weaning (5.74 vs 5.48 kg, P less than .05), and improved pig survival (86 vs 71%, P less than .05). Lipid (on a DM basis) and energy contents of the pigs slaughtered at weaning were significantly higher in the GHRF group than in the control group (14.4 vs 12.5% and 2,178 vs 2,029 kcal/kg, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characteristics of growth hormone response to the administration of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF) in the lamb.

Human growth hormone releasing hormone (GRF 1-44 or GRF 1-29) was administered to lambs at two different physiological stages (suckling: 5-6 week-old and weaned: 14-15 week-old) when growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns were different: suckling lambs exhibited flat basal GH profiles (5-10 ng/ml) while the weaned lambs had frequent spontaneous episodes of GH release (15-65 ng/ml). The iv injection of GRF evoked an immediate release of GH. In each case, plasma GH levels reached a maximum 1-4 min after the injection. The secretory spike was multiphasic and lasted 30-60 min. Administration of GRF (0.1 microgram/kg) in weaned lambs induced GH pulses with an amplitude comparable to that of endogenous peaks. The induction of a GH peak occurred even when a spontaneous peak immediately preceded the GRF injection. Also, spontaneous peaks were observed during the hour following a GRF-induced GH peak. In suckling lambs, GRF injected intravenously as a single bolus in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 microgram/kg (2 to 100 pmoles/kg) stimulated GH release in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic administration of GRF (0.75 nmole GRF 1-44 or GRF 1-29 per kg twice daily for 21 days) in newborn lambs increased significantly (p less than 0.001) the acute response to GRF during the course of the treatment. GH response to GRF 1-44 and GRF 1-29 was the same. These data show that lambs are highly responsive to GRF action during both suckling and weaning and suggest that there is no in vivo desensitization of the pituitary gland after acute or chronic GRF administration.

Progesterone therapy in mares with abnormal oestrous cycles.

In two studies in Holland and France a total of 41 mares found either to be in anoestrus or showing continuous oestrous behaviour during the early part of the covering season were treated with a progesterone releasing intravaginal device. Of the 32 mares in the first study, 24 ovulated after treatment and 11 became pregnant to a covering at the induced oestrus. In the second study all but one of the nine mares showed oestrus, seven ovulated and six became pregnant at the post treatment oestrus. By the end of the covering season 15 of the 21 mares treated for anoestrus and seven of the 11 mares treated for persistent oestrus were found to be in foal.

[Use of progestagens in subcutaneous implants for the control of sexual cycles in the cow]. / Utilisation de progestagènes en implants sous-cutanés pour la maîtrise des cycles sexuels chez les bovins

PIP: Estrus synchronization and related fertility were studied in cattle using subcutaneous implants containing norethandrolone, SC 21009, or fluorogestone acetate. Lengthening the duration of treatment decreases the rate of estrus inhibition. For long-term (16-18 days) treatments, the percentage of cows showing estrus with 4 days from implant removal increases with the initial content of the implant; 61.5% and 84.6% with 6 and 12 mg SC21009 respectively. The progestagen content of the implant has little effect on fertility, but longer duration of treatment lowers fertility: 49.4% and 27.3% for 10 and 16 days, respectively, for SC 21009 implants. Fluorogestone acetate had little effect. Estradiol valerate injection at the time of implant insertion increases fertility regardless of treatment duration. The use of high-potency progestagens permits the use of small implants. Cross-link percentage must be studied for each progestagen. Of the progestagens studied, only SC 21009 is sufficiently potent for implant use.^ieng