Predicting the probability of conception in dairy cows with clinical endometritis based on a combination of anamnestic information and examination results.

The objective of this study was to improve prediction of the probability of conception in dairy cows with clinical endometritis by means of a combination of examination results. For this purpose, a total of 1386 dairy cows were screened for clinical endometritis and data from 286 cows were collected including the calving history, puerperal or concurrent diseases and cow-specific data (breed, parity, BCS at puerperal control 1 (PC 1 = 22-45 days in milk (DIM)), and daily milk yield). The diagnosis of clinical endometritis was made at PC 1 by vaginal discharge scoring with a Metricheck device on a scale from 1 to 3 (endometritis score (ES) 1 to 3). A detailed clinical and gynecological examination including external inspection, transrectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination of the genital tract (cervix, uterus, and ovaries), vaginoscopy and microbiological analysis of the intrauterine content were performed. All cows with clinical endometritis (n = 286) were treated according to the ovarian findings (corpus luteum, dominant follicle) at PC 1. A second puerperal control was performed 21 ±â€¯1 days later. Data was collected until 200 DIM. The risk factors for ES 3 and their effect on the distribution of ES were determined by the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Multivariable implications of a large sum of examination parameters on the pregnancy outcome at different DIM (100, 150 and 200 DIM) were analyzed on the basis of conditional inference trees. The prevalence of clinical endometritis was 28%. The ovarian findings at PC 1 did not have any impact on reproductive performance. Puerperal diseases prior to the study, visible vaginal discharge (VVD) and the presence of Trueperella pyogenes (TP) were associated with an ES 3. The prediction of pregnancy status for all DIM times was dominated significantly by VVD or TP as decisive factors. Cows with VVD or TP had lower conception rates at all DIM times than cows without these findings, but the predictive accuracy was similar for both groups. These results suggest that VVD is a valuable and practical examination parameter, which can be used for pregnancy prediction on farm. Therefore, it might facilitate early breeding decisions in cows with clinical endometritis under farm conditions.

Effects of wheat protein in milk replacers on abomasal emptying rate in calves.

Diarrhoea is a condition with tremendous impact on calf health. Infectious agents play a dominant role; however, non-infective factors may also contribute to pathogenesis of diarrhoea. One factor, the abomasal emptying rate, is mainly influenced by the composition of feed. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of different protein sources in milk replacers on abomasal emptying rate and clinical parameters. The effect of increasing age of the calves on abomasal emptying was also evaluated. The study compared abomasal emptying rates and clinical parameters in calves, which were fed either milk replacer containing only whey protein or one which partially contained wheat protein. Abomasal emptying rate was estimated by ultrasonography. Ten calves were used in the study over 18 days, and each calf was fed 3 periods of 3 days length using different milk replacers in an alternating crossover design. The abomasum was emptied significantly faster when the wheat protein containing milk replacer was fed (half-emptying time wheat protein 49.1 ± 4.1 min, half-emptying time milk protein 59.1 ± 7.4 min); however, clinical parameters and weight gain did not differ between the feeding regimes. Age did not significantly influence abomasal emptying rate. As milk replacers containing wheat proteins increased abomasal emptying rate, they may have a higher potential to initiate diarrhoea, especially if high volumes are fed. Thus, the feeding regimes are likely to be even more important when such milk replacers are used.

Effect of intraduodenal taurodeoxycholate and L-phenylalanine on pancreatic secretion and on gastroenteropancreatic peptide release in man.

Intraduodenally applied bile salts and essential amino acids are known to stimulate exocrine pancreatic secretion. There are contradictory reports, however, about an interaction of both stimuli with respect to pancreatic function. The intention of the study was to compare the effects of equimolar amounts of taurodeoxycholate and L-phenylalanine used singularly and combined on pancreatic secretion and on gastroenteropancreatic peptide release. In 12 healthy subjects, 0.8 mmol of Na-taurodeoxycholate (410 mg) and L-phenylalanine (130 mg) were separately and combined applied into the duodenum in a randomized order. Volume, bicarbonate, trypsin, lipase, and amylase secretion as well as cholecystokinin, pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin plasma levels were measured. Volume and bicarbonate secretion was significantly enhanced by taurodeoxycholate. The effect was stronger compared to L-phenylalanine. The increase of enzyme secretion was comparable. After combined application, the ecbolic effect was insignificantly smaller, whereas the hydrokinetic effect was between those of the single stimuli. Plasma levels of cholecystokinin, pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin rose concomitantly with the pancreatic response. On an equimolar basis taurodeoxycholate results in a stronger hydrokinetic effect than L-phenylalanine. Their ecbolic effects, however, are comparable. In addition to cholinergic mechanisms, as indicated by the PP release observed, cholecystokinin may also act as a mediator. In combined application, the stimuli interfere with each other. Somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide are not responsible for this mutual inhibition.