Computed tomography study of the fetal development of the dairy cow stomach complex.

In the fetal development of animals, critical physiological and anatomical events influence the long-term health and performance of the offspring. To identify the critical growth phases of the fetal bovine stomach, we used computed tomography imaging on 30 German Holstein fetuses to examine the fetal bovine stomach in situ. Computed tomography allows the study of diverse parameters such as the volume of the stomach chambers in situ without the need for sophisticated filling preparation techniques. The absolute volume, relative volume, and monthly volume increase of each stomach chamber were determined. Computed tomography was a reliable method for in situ examination of the fetal bovine stomach complex from the third month of gestation onward. It was able to detect an abnormal position of the abomasum in 2 fetuses. The crown-rump length of the fetuses studied ranged from 9.5 to 89 cm (from 2.2 to 8.3 mo of gestation). Over this timeline, the changes in the relative volumes of the ruminoreticulum and abomasum were inversely related. Until mo 5 of gestation, the relative volume of the ruminoreticulum increased steadily, whereas that of the abomasum decreased. Thereafter, the relative volume of the ruminoreticulum became gradually smaller, and that of the abomasum became larger; by mo 8, the abomasum was larger than the ruminoreticulum. All stomach chambers had large increases in volume over the gestation period and we observed differences in development patterns and volume changes of the individual stomach chambers over this period. The largest monthly volume increase of the stomach complex was between mo 4 and 5 of gestation. In this period, the volume of the ruminoreticulum increased 43.8 times, that of the omasum 38.9 times, and that of the abomasum 30.03 times. Between mo 5 and 6 of gestation, the abomasum had another growth spurt, with a monthly volume increase of 10.4 times. These 2 time points in the gestation period may be critical phases of fetal development that should be considered in the management of pregnant cattle.

[Measurement of uteroplacental circulation--methods of determination and clinical evaluation]. / Messung der uteroplazentaren Durchblutung--Methoden der Bestimmung und klinische Anwendung.

Numerous factors influence the rate of transfer of various substances across the placental barrier between mother and fetus. Placental metabolism is of eminent importance. The metabolic exchange capacity is dependent decisively from placental blood flow. Different methods have been tested measuring uteroplacental blood supply, but for clinical purpose only isotope techniques are suitable.

[Action of nylidrin (Dilatol) on utero-placental blood supply (author's transl)]. / Einfluss bon Nylidrin (Dilatol) auf die uteroplazentare Durchblutung.

The effects of one single intravenous injection of 5 mg of nylidrin, following administration of 113m-indium, on utero-placental blood supply were studied in 23 women in advanced pregnancy, all of them afflicted with hypertension. Pulse rates over the placenta rose in 16 cases, primarily in patients from which prolonged half-life was measured.

[Comparative experimental animal studies of the effects of various nuclear pharmaceuticals on the EEG]. / Vergleichende tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen zur Wirkung verschiedener Nuklearpharmaka auf das EEG.

Some of the radiopharmaceuticals presently recommended for cisternoscintigraphy were compared, in experiments on animals, for their effects upon bioelectric activity. On relaxed cats, electroencephalography did not show any effects upon bioelectric activity for 198 Au and 169 Yb Ca DTPA. One test animal each of seven and six cats examined using 169 Yb DTPA and 131 J HSA showed changes in the electroencephalogram subsequent to suboccipital application.