The effect of the Hurnik-Morris (HM) system on sow reproduction, attrition, and longevity.

Sows were randomly selected and assigned to either the Hurnik-Morris system (HM; n = 59) or a conventional gestation crate system (GC; n = 90) before breeding. The HM system provides housing for sows in small groups. All sows were bred to Duroc x Hampshire commercial boars. A common farrowing barn with 18 farrowing crates was used for the HM and GC sows. The HM sows had less (P<.001) backfat at farrowing. Average parity per sow (P<.046), lifetime number of pigs born per sow (P<.02), lifetime number of pigs born alive per sow (P<.02), and lifetime number weaned per sow (P<.045) were higher for sows housed in the HM system. The total number of sows removed from the GC system was higher (P<.025) than the number leaving the HM system. The higher parity level and lifetime production exhibited by the sows in the HM system indicates that this system supports greater longevity and may reflect the superior effect that this housing system has on animal well-being.

Influence of light dark cycles on estradiol-17 beta induced luteinizing hormone patterns of the prepuberal gilt.

Two groups of Yorkshire gilts (110 d of age) were maintained in two light regimens. Both light regimens consisted of 14 h of light and 10 h of darkness, but were 180 degrees out of phase. Gilts in Group 1 received light from 1200 to 0200 and gilts in Group 2 from 2400 to 1400. At approximately 140 d of age each group was divided into four subgroups of eight gilts each (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D or 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D). All gilts were blood sampled at 2-h intervals for 5 d commencing on d 142. The four subgroups received a single injection of estradiol (15 micrograms/kg body weight) on d 143 at either 2400 (A), 0600 (B), 1200 (C), or 1800 (D). For pigs in Groups 1A and 1D, the injection of estradiol coincided with the animals' "subjective day" and the injections given to Groups 1B and 1C with their "subjective night." When estradiol-17 beta (E2) was administered to the gilts during their subjective day the LH profile showed one peak, whereas when E2 was administered during dark hours the profile exhibited two peaks (P < .0001). In Group 2 for which the light cycle was reversed, the well-defined spikes of LH were found to coincide with the injections of estradiol administered during the dark hours. Smaller biphasic peaks of LH occurred when injections of estradiol coincided with the light hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of the Hurnik-Morris (HM) system on sow locomotion, skin integrity, and litter health.

Gilts (n = 187) were randomly assigned to either the Hurnik-Morris housing system (HM) or a conventional gestation crate system (GC) prior to breeding. The Hurnik-Morris system provides housing for sows in small groups. Gilts were synchronized for estrus and bred to Duroc Hampshire commercial crossbred boars. Gilts were reared in their respective housing systems through their gestation period. Housing system during breeding and gestation of sows did not affect their respective piglet mortality and piglet viability levels. The slightly higher feet and leg problem scores for the HM sows at weaning may indicate a necessity for farrowing accommodation that will allow movement of sows during lactation.

Ocular ossification. A case report and review of the literature.

The right eye of a 15-year-old boy was removed and found to contain grossly disorganised intraocular tissues, with bone formation. The literature relating to this finding is reviewed. Trauma of an unspecified and undisclosed nature is proposed as the most probable cause. The mechanism by which such trauma might lead to the formation of bone is discussed.

Effect of chronobiological manipulation of lactation in the dairy cow.

The objective of this study was to determine if chronobiological manipulation of the environment through the use of skeletal photoperiods could enhance milk production of the dairy cow. Cows in their 8th mo of gestation were maintained in either a control light regimen (12 to 13 h continuous light) or three skeletal photoperiods exposed to a total of 8 h of light. Cows in the skeletal photoperiods received 6 h of light from 0500 to 1100 h and a 2 h light pulse between 1500 and 1700 h (pulse 1500 to 1700 h), 1800 and 2000 h (pulse 1800 to 2000 h), or 2100 and 2300 h (pulse 2100 to 2300 h). Cows were milked twice daily and milk weights recorded. Weekly milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and SCC. Milk progesterone was monitored for the first 60 d after calving to determine return to estrus. Total electrical consumption for lighting the different light regimens were monitored throughout the lactation. Cows in the light regimen of pulse 1800 to 2000 h exhibited a higher persistency of lactation and a higher feed efficiency than the cows in the other light regimens. There were no differences between treatments in milk fat, protein, lactose, or SCC. The total electricity used to light pulse 1800 to 2000 h was 50% less than that used to light the control light regimen. It is concluded that light is essential between 13 to 15 h after subjective dawn for increasing persistency of lactation. Further, milk production of the dairy cow can be profitably enhanced through the use of chronobiological principles.

Is the geniculostriate system a prerequisite for nystagmus?

The time of onset of congenital horizontal nystagmus is usually known. We present a group of infants in whom this was determined objectively. In two, vertical nystagmus in the neonatal period became horizontally directed, at 4 months in one, and between 7 and 9 months of age in the second. Two infants (one an oculocutaneous albino) had no visual response initially but subsequently developed horizontal nystagmus as the vision improved at 5 and 6 1/2 months: Type III delayed visual maturation. An infant totally blind due to Norrie's disease was examined in the first week of life but did not develop nystagmus for a further 3 months. Two children with cortical visual impairment never developed nystagmus. In early infancy, vision is thought to be predominantly subcortical. Therefore the development of nystagmus at a time when the geniculostriate system is emerging functionally (around 3 months), and its absence in cortical visual impairment, has led us to propose a hypothesis suggesting that a functioning geniculostriate system is a prerequisite for the development of horizontal nystagmus.

Comparison of a new non-contact tonometer with Goldmann applanation.

A comparison of a new non-contact tonometer (Keeler Pulsair: Keeler UK Ltd) with the Goldmann applanation tonometer is reported. Measurements of intraocular pressure were obtained from 182 eyes of 94 patients. At low pressures (less than 10 mmHg) the candidate tonometer tended to overestimate pressures obtained with the Goldmann tonometer whilst at high pressures (greater than 19 mmHg) those obtained by Goldmann applanation were underestimated. Between 10 and 19 mmHg there was no significant difference between readings obtained with either method. Up to 71% of averaged Pulsair measurements fell within +/- 3 mmHg of those obtained with the Goldmann tonometer increasing to 78% if pressures greater than or equal to 30 mmHg obtained with the Pulsair tonometer were excluded. Adopting a screening criterion of greater than or equal to 21 mmHg (Goldmann) resulted in a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 95%. Some evidence that serial Pulsair readings are influenced by the ocular pulse is presented. It is concluded that the Pulsair tonometer can provide clinically useful measurements of intraocular pressure.

Effect of chronobiological alteration of the circadian rhythm of prolactin and somatotropin release in the dairy cow.

The objective of this study was to determine if a skeletal photoperiod administered at the appropriate time of a 24-h day could stimulate prolactin and somatotropin release in dairy cattle. Cows in mo 8 of gestation were exposed to either 12 to 13 h of continuous light or to three skeletal photoperiods consisting of a total of 8 h of light. Cows in the skeletal photoperiod light regimens received 6 h of light from 0500 to 1100 h and a 2-h light pulse at either 1500 to 1700 h, 1800 to 2000 h, or 2100 to 2300 h. Cows exposed to the light regimen pulse at 1800 to 2000 h exhibited a circadian rhythm of prolactin and somatotropin release. The mean prolactin and somatotropin concentrations were also higher in this treatment. It is concluded that a circadian rhythm with a photosensitive phase is present for prolactin and somatotropin release in the lactating dairy cow. The photosensitive phase for both hormones occurs between 13 and 15 h after subjective dawn. The expression of the circadian rhythm of these hormones depends on the photoperiod to which cows are exposed.

New satellitism test for isolation and identification of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in sputum.

A new satellitism test designed to facilitate the isolation and identification of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae is described. In the basal medium, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is incorporated at a concentration of 0.2 mug per ml, an amount adequate for H. influenzae but not for H. parainfluenzae. Two disks are placed on the surface of the medium, one disk being impregnated with 60 mug of hemin and the other with 15 mug of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Under these conditions, H. influenzae strains grow around the hemin disk only and the majority of H. parainfluenzae grow around the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide disk. This procedure gives results which are more clear cut than other established methods, especially in sputum culture.

National survey of corneal abrasion treatment.

PURPOSE: To survey the different methods used in the management of corneal abrasions (including iatrongenic cases) nationally. METHOD: A questionnaire survey of all 162 ophthalmic units in the UK was carried out in 1997. RESULTS: The response rate was 134 of 162 (83%). The majority of units do not have an established policy for the treatment of corneal abrasions. Topical antibiotic alone and antibiotic together with a cycloplegic are the commonest immediate treatments, whilst the most common treatment course is topical antibiotic. Padding and patient follow-up is practised some of the time by most units and all of the time by the remaining minority. Use of a soft bandage contact lens is uncommon. There is no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the policy-holders and non-policy-holders in their use of the various topical regimes, padding and soft bandage contact lens. CONCLUSION: The traditional trio of topical antibiotic, cycloplegic and padding is still the mainstay of corneal abrasion treatment amongst units nation-wide. However, there is a lack of reproducible scientific evidence to support this treatment. Larger randomised trials looking at the efficacy of the different treatment options are needed.