Visualization of male and female characteristics of bovine fetuses by real-time ultrasonics.

Sexing of bovine embryos can enhance breeding programs at a rather early stage of pregnancy. The accurate predictability of the sex of the fetus can, for example, speed up breeding programs and allows an early selection of pregnant heifers for certain purposes according to the sex of their fetuses. Ultrasonic images were produced by a real image-producing sector scanner that was inserted per rectum into pregnant cows and heifers. Scrotal swellings and mammary teats were recognizable, allowing sexing of the fetuses between gestational day 73 and 120. The tests carried out showed an accuracy of 94%. Forty-nine of 52 ultrasonic diagnoses were confirmed as correct by subsequent calvings.

Activity of alkaline phosphatase in uterine flushings of dairy cows affected with ovarian cysts or endometritis.

Both uterine horns of 14 dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts, and four animals affected with purulent endometritis were flushed via catheter using 30 ml phosphate buffered saline, following evisceration at a local abattori. Activity in the flushing media of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) were examined. Ovaries were prepared for light microscopy. Amount and morphological integrity of luteinized tissue found on the ovaries were reflected by correspondent levels in ALP activity, which was higher in the media taken from the ipsilateral to the luteal tissue situated uterine horns (651 +/- 228 vs 244 +/- 62 u/l, n = 3). Only cows having relatively large amounts of luteal tissue on the cystic ovaries (as in luteinized follicular cysts) exhibited very high ALP activity in uterine flushings (2693 +/- 1348 u/l, n = 2). Results suggest the existence of local relationships between luteal tissue in the ovary and the ipsilateral uterine horn in cows with ovarian follicular cysts.

[Prophylactic measures against infection in dairy cattle--necessity of hygiene management]. / Infektionsprophylaktische Massnahmen in Milchviehbeständen--Notwendigkeit eines Hygiene-managementes.

Prophylactic measures against infection are really essential to the preservation of the udder-health and the quality of the milk. When curing a dairy cattle population suffering from mastitis strict hygienic measures for the completion and maintenance of the therapy must be taken absolutely consequently. On the occasion of a study made in Bavaria for the period of one year 9948 dairy farmers were asked if hygienic measures against infection were taken. In detail it was evaluated if the secret was controlled during pre-milking, if the cleaning of the teats before milking and the post-milking teat end disinfection (teat dipping) was done, if dry cow therapy was practiced, if the milking machine was serviced and ist functioning checked regularly.

[Sampling plan for the establishment of a serologic Salmonella surveillance for slaughter pigs with meat juice ELISA]. / Stichprobenplanung für die Etablierung eines serologischen Salmonellen-Monitoringprogramms bei Mastschweinen mittels Fleischsaft-ELISA.

The guidelines of the German Ministery of Food, Agriculture and Forestry outlining a Salmonella surveillance programme, "Leitlinien für ein Programm zur Reduzierung des Eintrags von Salmonellen durch Schlachtschweine in die Fleischgewinnung" (February 5th, 1998), provide a staggered spot-check size depending on the annual production of slaughtery pigs. A classification of farms into three quality categories (< 20%, 20-40%, and > 40%) is performed by salmonella antibody levels detected in meat samples using ELISA. Beside a fundamental inquiry into the salmonella status, the programme ought to lead to a decreased burden on slaughtery pigs and finally to a reduced salmonella entry into meat handling and processing companies. The spot-check plan is based on an unfavourable initial position and does not consider the real situation of salmonella load in pig fattening farms. For many farms the procedure will lead to an unjustified expenditure of examinations. In simple model calculations it is shown how a significant reduction of testing amount can be reached and statistical reliability is guaranteed, too. At the same time, we attempt to find a compromise between optimal spot check size and practicability. For reasons of free enterprise, an additional category would be desirable containing farms without any positive antibody titres in the samples. The results achieved so far indicate that a large number of German slaughter pig producers would fall into this category, without the necessity of a higher examination effort.

[Meat juice ELISA for determination of Salmonella incidence in slaughter pig herds in Bavaria]. / Fleischsaft-ELISA zur Beurteilung der Salmonellen-Inzidenz von Schlachtschweinen in Bayern.

Meat samples from diaphragm pillars were randomly taken from 3,048 pigs of 52 Bavarian herds after slaughtery. Meat-juice was collected and tested for salmonella antibodies in an indirect ELISA. The number of samples was calculated according to the annual production of slaughter pigs of a farm outlined in the "Leitlinien für ein Programm zur Reduzierung des Eintrags von Salmonellen durch Schlachtschweine in die Fleischgewinnung" from February 05th, 1998 (< 100 slaughter pigs: 45 samples, 100-200 slaughter pigs: 50 samples, > 200 slaughter pigs: 60 samples per year). Salmonella antibodies were detected in 48 carcasses (1.6%) of 12 farms (23.1%). However, 33 (68.8%) of these carcasses were originated from a single farm which had to be classified into category III (prevalence of > 40% in the samples). No bacteria could be isolated from this farm in a follow up examination. The 51 other farms (98%) were classified into category I (prevalence of < 20% in the samples). Farms with in/out-management showed a higher degree of reagents (2.1T%) than farms with continuous stabling (0.8T%). In a pig experimentally immunized with LPS-antigen preparations of Salmonella typhimurium it was shown that antibodies induced were nearly at the same level in all meat samples and even in selected organs (liver, kidney, parotis, mesenteric lymph nodes).

Alkaline phosphatase activities and progesterone concentrations in uterine flushings of dairy cows: side-effects and variations during oestrous cycle.

After evisceration at an abattoir, both uterine horns of barren cows were flushed using 30 ml of Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (trial 1, 49 cows) or 10 ml sterile saline (0.9%, trial 2, 22 cows). Blood was collected from the animals' hearts (trial 2). Activities of alkaline phosphatase and progesterone concentrations (trial 2) were determined in uterine flushings and serum. In uterine flushings, both parameters exhibited a significant cyclic pattern, while in serum, only progesterone concentrations showed cyclic fluctuations. Alkaline phosphatase activities in uterine flushings taken ipsilateral to a corpus luteum were significantly higher than in materials obtained from the contralateral horn during dioestrus and prooestrus. A similar tendency was obvious for progesterone concentrations. All parameters but serum alkaline phosphatase activity were positively correlated with each other. The results suggest a close relationship between a progesterone secreting corpus luteum and metabolic as well as hormonal parameters evaluated in flushings of the ipsilaterally situated uterine horn. Transfer of progesterone via the blood vessels and lymphatics within the ligamentum latum uteri may be the cause of the between-side-effects detected.