Fertility of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbreed cattle after estrus synchronization

Ninety-five cows (79 Boran and 16 Boran-Brahman crossbreeds) and 107 heifers (55 Boran and 52 Boran x Friesian F1 crossbreeds) were used to determine estrus response, estrus response interval and pregnancy rate following synchronization with prostaglandin (PGF(2)alpha), a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) and Synchro-mate B (SMB). The proportion of cattle responding to synchronization treatment was 62.5, 43.5 and 57.7% for cows and 85.7, 68.0 and 81.5% for heifers using PGF(2)alpha, PRID and SMB, respectively. The overall mean response was 59 and 81.8% for cows and heifers, respectively. The estrus response of the control animals over a 45-d breeding period was 72.7 and 90% for cows and heifers, respectively. The estrus response interval for cows was 31.8, 22.1 and 18.0 h and it was 51.1, 38.0 and 21.6 h for heifers with PGF(2)alpha, PRID and SMB treatment, respectively. Mean pregnancy rate for cows was 50.0, 34.8, 46.2 and 68.8% and for heifers it was 60.7, 40.0, 55.6 and 77.8% in the PGF(2)alpha, PRID, SMB and control groups, respectively. Based on these findings, it was concluded that both PGF(2)alpha and SMB produce a satisfactory estrus response and pregnancy rate in the cattle studied.     

Bull influences on conception percentage and calving date in Angus Hereford, Brahman and Senepol single-sire herds

Bull breeding soundness parameters, semen characteristics and sexual behavior were evaluated for effects on reproductive performance in single-sire beef herds. A total of 155 cow herds (Angus, 50 herds; Hereford, 40 herds; Brahman, 46 herds; and Senepol, 19 herds) bred to bulls of the same breed were observed for 8 yr. All bulls produced adequate quality semen and had scrotal circumference (SC) >/= 30 cm. Reproductive performance was evaluated by the conception rate (CON), conception rate during the first 21 d of the breeding season (21dCON), mean calving date (MCD), and mean calving date of the first half of the herd to calve (HHCD). Correlations were determined between breeding soundness parameters and reproductive performance for all bulls combined, by breed, and by age. The Cp statistic was used to select models for the effects of parameters on CON, 21dCON, MCD and HHCD. Breeding season length and breed had significant effects. The percentages of normal cells, proximal droplets, detached heads and the semen score (motility plus percentage of normal cells) had a significant effect on CON when all bulls were considered. After the effect of season was deleted, the most significant parameter affecting CON in the Brahman was the percentage of detached sperm heads. In the Angus, motility was significantly correlated with all reproductive performance indices. In the Hereford, breeding soundness examination score (BSE) was positively correlated with 21dCON.     

Relationships between administration of GnRH, body condition score and fertility in Holstein dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of GnRH treatment in dairy cows differing in body condition score. A total of 2437 primiparous and multiparous cows was allocated randomly to receive either GnRH (100 mug) or placebo at the post partum exam (25 to 35 d) and at the first breeding. Complete records were available from 1906 cows: Group 1 (n = 535) placebo and placebo; Group 2 (n = 489) GnRH and placebo; Group 3 (n = 438) placebo and GnRH; and Group 4 (n = 444) GnRH and GnRH. The change of body condition score during early lactation was determined on a 1 to 5 scale (1 = emaciated to 5 = obese). Cows with a high body condition score (>/=3.0) at the first breeding had 8.8 fewer days to first service and 6.4 fewer days open but more services per conception (0.16) than cows with low body condition score (<3.0). Conception rate improved when GnRH was administered at the first breeding to cows with a body condition score of <3.0 at the first breeding regardless of parity. The administration of GnRH at the post partum exam decreased the conception rate in first lactation cows but was beneficial for cows in second and greater lactations. Thus the efficacy of GnRH may not be consistent in all parities and body condition groups.     

Artificial insemination of subtropical commercial beef cattle following synchronization with cloprostenol (ICI 80996): I. Fertility

Two trials were conducted over a two-year period with 519 cycling Bos taurus x Bos indicus heifers and cows. The objectives of these trials were: 1) To compare fertility of artificial insemination at the cloprostenol-induced estrus and the naturally occurring estrus, 2) To evaluate the fertility of artificial insemination at a predetermined time (Timed AI) following an estrous synchronization regime with cloprostenol (CLP) and 3) To define the optimum interval from a second CLP treatment for Timed AI. In Trial I, 128 animals were assigned to four treatments: 1) Controls, which were inseminated at the natural occurring estrus; 2) timed AI at 72 hr and again at 96 hr post-second CLP; 3) Timed AI at 72 hr post-second CLP and 4) AI at the CLP-induced estrus. Trial II included 391 heifers distributed among six treatments; 1) Timed AI between 70 and 90 hr post-second CLP; 2) Sham AI between 70 and 90 hr post-second CLP, 3) Chute Stress between 70 and 90 hr post-second CLP; 4) AI at the CLP-induced estrus; 5) Control-AI at the naturally occurring estrus and 6) Non-treated and exposed to fertile bulls. The fertility of the animals artificially inseminated at the CLP-induced estrus was similar to that of insemination at the naturally occurring estrus in Trial I and Trial II (30 vs 46%; 37 vs 38%, respectively). The first service pregnancy rates of the animals bred at a predetermined time were similar to those bred at the CLP-induced estrus in Trial I, but lower in Trial II (P < .01).     

Malocclusion of the premolar and molar teeth in the guinea pig.

Malocclusions of the premolar and molar teeth of inbred Strain 2/N and Strain 13/N and outbred Dunkin-Harley guinea pigs were examined. A higher incidence of malocclusion observed in the inbred strains suggested a genetic basis for the disorder.     

Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875) in feral swine from southern Texas.

Between 1971 and 1975, Fascioloides magna was found in 46 of 67 (69%) feral swine (Sus scrofa) in southern Texas. Flukes were recovered from swine in areas where F. magna commonly has been recovered from white-tailed deer and cattle. One to 12 flukes were recovered from each infected animal. Their presence was indicated by black hematin pigment on the liver and various other internal organs. Eggs were not detected in the gallbladder or feces of infected animals although mature flukes and eggs were recovered in the livers suggesting that, like cattle, feral swine can be infected but are aberrant hosts for the parasite and do not disseminate eggs.     

Point-of-care versus central testing of hemoglobin during large volume blood transfusion

Hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) may protect multiple organs from various injuries. We hypothesized that HPC would reduce lung injury in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 70 patients undergoing elective thoracoscopic lobectomy were randomly allocated to the HPC group or the control group. Three cycles of 5-min hypoxia and 3-min ventilation applied to the nondependent lung served as the HPC intervention. The primary outcome was the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pulmonary complications, pulmonary function, and duration of hospital stay. HPC significantly increased the PaO2/FiO2 ratio compared with the control at 30 min after one-lung ventilation and 7 days after operation. Compared with the control, it also significantly improved postoperative pulmonary function and markedly reduced the postoperative hospital stay duration. No significant differences between groups were observed in the incidence of pulmonary complications or overall postoperative morbidity. HPC improves postoperative oxygenation, enhances the recovery of pulmonary function, and reduces the duration of hospital stay in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-17011249) on April 27, 2017.     

IL-11 and IL-11Rα immunolocalisation at primate implantation sites supports a role for IL-11 in placentation and fetal development

Embryo implantation, endometrial stromal cell decidualization and formation of a functional placenta are critical processes in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Interleukin (IL)-11 signalling is essential for adequate decidualization in the mouse uterus and IL-11 promotes decidualization in the human. IL-11 action is mediated via binding to the specific IL-11 receptor α (IL-11Rα). The present study examined immunoreactive IL-11 and IL-11Rα in cycling rhesus monkey endometrium, at implantation sites in cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys and in human first trimester decidua and defined distinct spatial and temporal patterns. In cycling rhesus monkey endometrium, IL-11 and IL-11Rα increased in both basalis and functionalis regions during the secretory compared with the proliferative phase, with changing cellular locations in luminal and glandular epithelium and stroma. The patterns were similar overall to those previously described in human endometrium. Differences were seen in immunostaining during implantation in cynomologus and rhesus monkey. In the cynomolgus, very little staining for IL-11 or IL-11Rα was seen in syncytio- and cyto-trophoblast cells in the villi between days 12 and 150 of pregnancy although there was moderate staining in cytotrophoblast in the shell between days 12 and 17 and in subpopulations of cytotrophoblast cells invading the arteries at day 17. By contrast in the rhesus monkey between days 24 and 35 of pregnancy and in human first trimester placenta, cyto- and syncytio-trophoblast in the villi but not cytotrophoblast in the shell were positively stained. The most intense staining for both IL-11 and IL-11Rα was present within the decidua in the maternal component of implantation sites in all three primates but moderate staining was also present in maternal vascular smooth muscle and glands perivascular cells and epithelial plaques. These results are consistent with a role for IL-11 both during decidualization and placentation in primates.     

International Differences in Treatment and Clinical Outcomes for High Grade Glioma

Background

High grade gliomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumor, and despite their rarity, cause significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the treatment patterns of high grade glioma to examine survival patterns in patients who receive specific treatments between cohorts in Ohio and Taiwan.

Method

Patients aged 18 years and older at age of diagnosis with World Health Organization (WHO) grade III or IV astrocytoma from 2007-2012 were selected from the Ohio Brain Tumor Study and the Taiwan Cancer Registry. The treatment information was derived from medical chart reviews in Ohio and National Health Insurance Research Data in Taiwan. Treatment examined included surgical procedure (brain biopsy and/or resection), radiotherapy (radiation and/or radiosurgery), and alkylating chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier and parametric survival models were used to examine the effect of treatment on survival, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities.

Results

294 patients in Ohio and 1,097 patients in Taiwan met the inclusion criteria. 70.3% patients in Ohio and 51.4% in Taiwan received surgical resection, followed by concurrent chemoradiation. Patients who received this treatment had the highest survival rate, with a 1-year survival rate of 72.8% in Ohio and 73.4% in Taiwan. Patients who did not receive surgical resection, followed by concurrent chemoradiation had an increased risk of death (hazard ratio of 5.03 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.61-7.02] in Ohio and 1.49 [95% CI: 1.31-1.71] in Taiwan) after adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities.

Conclusion

Surgical resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation was associated with higher survival rate of patients with high grade glioma in both Ohio and Taiwan; however, one-third of patients in Ohio and half in Taiwan did not receive this treatment.