Management of Reproductive Diseases in Male Small Ruminants

Reproductive tract diseases can be a significant cause of subfertility or infertility in male small ruminants. Affected males can usually be identified early by performing routine serologic screening and yearly breeding soundness examinations. Early diagnosis will either maximize treatment success or expedite culling decisions. Once clinical signs of diseases develop, prognosis for breeding ability declines. Veterinary practitioners should used ancillary diagnostic techniques, such as ultrasound examination and laboratory testing to acquire a diagnosis and determine prognosis of reproductive lesions. Some diseases (eg, brucellosis) should be ruled out immediately to cull affected animals and minimize transmission within the herd.

Low-Complexity System and Algorithm for an Emergency Ventilator Sensor and Alarm

In response to anticipated shortages of ventilators caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations have designed low-cost emergency ventilators. Many of these devices are pressure-cycled pneumatic ventilators, which are easy to produce but often do not include the sensing or alarm features found on commercial ventilators. This work reports a low-cost, easy-to-produce electronic sensor and alarm system for pressure-cycled ventilators that estimates clinically useful metrics such as pressure and respiratory rate and sounds an alarm when the ventilator malfunctions. A low-complexity signal processing algorithm uses a pair of nonlinear recursive envelope trackers to monitor the signal from an electronic pressure sensor connected to the patient airway. The algorithm, inspired by those used in hearing aids, requires little memory and performs only a few calculations on each sample so that it can run on nearly any microcontroller.

Physiological variations in reproductive and metabolic features of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) bucks throughout the rutting season

White-tailed deer farming is a growing industry in the United States, yet there is still a need to improve breeding practices in captive cervids. The objective of this study was to compare reproductive and somatic characteristics of white-tailed bucks early in the breeding season (September), at peak rut (December), and late breeding season (March). We hypothesized that reproductive parameters would improve at the peak of the breeding season. Young, mature bucks (n = 7-11, ages 2-3 yr) were anesthetized via projector with tiletamine-zolazepam and xylazine. Semen was collected by electroejaculation and evaluated for sperm output, motility, and morphology. The bulbourethral, vesicular, and prostate glands were measured by transrectal ultrasound. Body condition score, thoracic circumference, rump fat thickness, scrotal circumference, and testicular measurements were also recorded. Serum testosterone, estradiol, and IGF-I concentrations were measured. Body condition score and rump fat thickness were highest in September, intermediate in December, and lowest in March (p < 0.01), whereas thoracic circumference was lowest in September (p = 0.02). In September, serum IGF-I was highest (p < 0.01) and estradiol was lowest (p ≤ 0.02). Serum testosterone levels were lowest in March and highest in December (p < 0.01). Testicular volume and scrotal circumference were highest in September, intermediate in December, and lowest in March (p < 0.01). Bulbourethral gland length was greatest in March (p ≤ 0.05), whereas prostate length was greatest in September (p ≤ 0.02). Vesicular gland length and width were highest in December, intermediate in September, and lowest in March (p ≤ 0.02). Both overall and progressive sperm motilities were lowest in March (p < 0.01), but did not differ between September and December (p ≥ 0.12). In December, bucks had the highest percentage of normal sperm and lowest percentage of primary sperm defects (p ≤ 0.01). Collectively, our results demonstrated variation in reproductive and metabolic characteristics of white-tailed deer bucks throughout the breeding season at 40°N. The physiological variations described here will be useful for veterinarians and researchers performing reproductive evaluations in white-tailed deer bucks.

Cryopreservation of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) semen using soybean-, liposome-, and egg yolk-based extenders

The objectives of the present study were to compare the use of soybean-based (Andromed), liposome-based (Optixcell), and egg yolk-based (Ovine Red, Triladyl, and Biladyl) extenders for cryopreservation of white-tailed deer semen. In experiment 1, ejaculates obtained from six bucks were aliquoted into the following extenders: Andromed, Ovine Red, Triladyl, and Biladyl (containing 4%, 6%, or 8% of glycerol). In experiment 2, ejaculates obtained from eight bucks were divided amongst Andromed, Ovine Red, and Optixcell extenders. Total and progressive sperm motility were assessed for each sample before and after cryopreservation using a computer-automated semen analyzer. In experiment 2, flow cytometry was used for post-thaw assessment of sperm viability (SYBR-14/PI), acrosome integrity (FITC-PNA/PI), and chromatin stability (acridine orange). In experiment 1, both Andromed and Ovine Red extenders exhibited higher post-thaw total motility than Biladyl containing 4% or 6% of glycerol (p<0.05). Andromed also produced higher progressive motility than all other extenders (p<0.01) before and after cryopreservation with no differences amongst the other extenders (p≥0.11). In experiment 2, there were no differences in total and progressive motility between Andromed, Ovine Red, or Optixcell extenders (p≥0.39). Additionally, there were no differences in sperm viability (p=0.18), acrosome integrity in viable sperm (p≥0.10), or DNA fragmentation index (p=0.15). These results demonstrated that soybean (Andromed) and liposome-based (Optixcell) extenders are equally as effective at cryopreserving white-tailed semen as egg yolk-based Ovine Red extender, but are superior to egg yolk-based Biladyl or Triladyl extenders.

Azoospermia in an 8-month-old boar due to bilateral obstruction at the testis/epididymis interface

An 8-month-old Yorkshire boar was presented for apparent azoospermia. Two semen collections also revealed azoospermia. Ultrasonographic examination of the gonads revealed bilateral caput epididymal dilatation and anechoic fluid within the tubules. Because a testicular biopsy revealed normal spermatogenesis, an outflow tract obstruction was suspected. Multiple sperm granulomas were found within the parenchyma of both testes at necropsy.

HYPOTHYROIDISM IN AN AFRICAN FOREST BUFFALO (SYNCERUS CAFFER NANUS)

An adult female African forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) of unknown age was presented with signs of recurrent hoof overgrowth, persistent anestrous, obesity, dull hair coat, and decreased activity level. Complete blood counts and serum biochemistry values were unremarkable. Decreased concentrations of total triiodothyronine and total thyroxine were noted compared with values for normal domestic cattle and a healthy African forest buffalo. Treatment with oral levothyroxine increased blood concentrations of total triiodothyronine and total thyroxine, and subsequent improvement in clinical signs included weight loss, hair regrowth, and reproductive cycling.

Technical note: a technique for inserting a T-cannula into the distal ileum of pregnant sows

Our objective was to develop a technique for cannulating the terminal ileum in pregnant sows and to evaluate the usefulness of this procedure in digestibility studies in pregnant and lactating sows. A simple T-cannula was inserted into the terminal ileum approximately 15 cm cranial to the ileo-cecal valve in a total of 15 multiparous sows at d 40 (+/- 5 d) of pregnancy. All cannulated sows recovered quickly after the surgery and within 3 d they were eating normally. Elevated body temperatures were not registered in any sows, and clinical problems related to the surgery were not observed. At farrowing, normal litters were born, and number of stillborn pigs, number of live born pigs, and daily litter weight gain were not affected by the cannulations (P > .05). Of the 15 sows originally cannulated, 11 sows were used for collection of digesta during gestation and the following lactating period. Eight sows were rebred after weaning, and five sows were rebred after the second lactation period and kept for another cycle. Blockage of the cannulas never occurred, and no serious problems were associated with digesta collections. The experiment demonstrated that pregnant sows can be prepared with a simple T-cannula in the distal ileum and that the cannula can be maintained in sows throughout the reproductive cycle. Hence, the procedure provides a tool for obtaining digesta from pregnant and lactating sows for nutrition studies.

Plasma amino acid uptake by the mammary gland of the lactating sow

The objectives of this study were to measure arteriovenous concentration (A-V) differences and estimate uptake of amino acids across the mammary gland in lactating sows. Four sows were used in Trial 1 and nine sows in Trial 2. Cannulas were fitted in the right anterior mammary vein and the carotid artery around d 7 of lactation. Arteriovenous samples were obtained on d 11, 14, 17, and 20. Litters were separated from the sows for 90 min, after which the first blood samples were drawn. Samples were taken at 20-min intervals for the next two consecutive hours. Milk production measurements and milk samples were obtained between d 11 and 19. Liters of plasma to liters of milk ratio (conversion coefficient) was estimated with the Fick method using A-V difference for lysine and milk lysine concentration. The conversion coefficient and the daily plasma flow were 541.41 +/- 35.72 L of plasma per liter of milk and 4,275 +/- 386 L of plasma, respectively. The A-V differences and the plasma flow were used to quantify daily amino acid uptake by the mammary gland. Uptake estimates (grams/day) were 36.51 +/- 4.05 (leucine), 31.24 +/- 3.64 (arginine), 23.39 +/- 2.97 (lysine), 21.22 +/- 1.96 (valine), 18.36 +/- 1.92 (isoleucine), 15.9 +/- 1.9 (threonine), 15.46 +/- 1.58 (phenylalanine), 7.61 +/- 1.12 (histidine), and 6.54 +/- 2.01 (methionine). The uptakes of arginine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, and threonine significantly exceeded output of these amino acids in the milk. These results indicate that the sow mammary gland retains specific amino acids above requirements for milk protein synthesis.

Intrauterine diagnosis of hydrothorax in a fetus who had a combination chylothorax and pulmonary sequestration after delivery

Congenital hydrothorax was diagnosed prenatally by transabdominal ultrasonography. Five fetal thoracentesis procedures were performed and biochemical analyses of the fluids were done. After delivery a combination chylothorax and extralobar pulmonary sequestration was demonstrated in the infant. We believe this to be the first case report of this combination investigated prenatally. We suggest that investigators perform biochemical analyses on fetal pleural fluid removed in cases with a single diagnosis. Perhaps by comparing those data with the data reported here, a biochemical marker can be identified that will be useful in distinguishing these two conditions in utero.

A technique for the venous cannulation of the mammary gland in the lactating sow

The objective of this study was to develop a technique to cannulate the mammary venous system of the lactating sow in conjunction with the carotid artery. A total of 16 sows were subjected to surgery between d 3 and 6 of lactation. The dams were separated from their litter during the full surgical procedure and the post-surgical recovery period. The carotid artery was cannulated according to a previously described method. The mammary vein cannulation immediately followed the carotid artery cannulation. A small venous branch (approximately 4 mm in diameter) located on the lateral side of the thoracic region was used to obtain access to the mammary vein. It was isolated 4 to 5 cm above the plica lateralis, between the first and second anterior gland. The venous branch was exposed and a cannula inserted slowly for a distance of 16 cm or until the tip of the cannula would reach the most cranial point of the mammary vein. The cannula was allowed to follow the normal path of blood flow, running in a caudal to cranial direction. After recovery from surgery (1 to 2 h), the dams were returned to their respective litters and treated with antibiotics for a minimum of 6 d. All sows nursed and weaned normal litters. Cannulas were flushed with heparinized saline (20 U/mL) every 8 h and both arterial and venous blood samples (10 mL) were collected simultaneously at 0700, 1500, and 2300. Arterial and venous cannulas remained patent for a minimum of 15 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of transvaginal sonography with endometrial biopsy in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

The purpose of this study was to compare TVS with endometrial biopsy as a screening technique in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Asymptomatic postmenopausal women were recruited by newspaper advertisement. Each study patient was subjected to pelvic examination and TVS followed by endometrial biopsy. Patients with suspected endometrial abnormalities by TVS (normal by endometrial biopsy) were evaluated further with hysteroscopy with biopsy or D&C or both. Eight patients were identified as having abnormalities by TVS, only one of whom had abnormalities by initial endometrial biopsy. Two patients were identified as having abnormalities by endometrial biopsy and normal by TVS. Further evaluation of the seven patients identified as having abnormalities by TVS (normal by endometrial biopsy) documented all seven patients as having abnormalities. The total yield of abnormalities with TVS was 16% (eight of 50 patients). The total yield of abnormalities with endometrial biopsy was 6% (three of 50 patients). The sensitivity of TVS in identifying endometrial abnormalities was 80% (eight of 10), while endometrial biopsy was only 30% (three of 10). TVS was more sensitive in detecting endometrial abnormalities, including endometrial hyperplasia, than was endometrial biopsy. The use of endometrial biopsy as a screening technique in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients is questioned.

Estimation of uterine volume with ultrasound in women with endometrial carcinoma

In calculating uterine volume with ultrasound, it is necessary to calculate the volume of a parallelogram containing the uterus or to assume a specific shape for the uterus. The objective of this study was to determine how much (what percentage) of the parallelogram was actually occupied by the uterus without assuming any specific shape for the uterus. Overall, the volume of the uterus occupies 63% of the volume of the parallelogram. The uterus occupies a greater percentage of smaller parallelogram volumes than larger ones. The data also suggest that the concomitant presence of myomata may be responsible for the positive intercept of the regression line and therefore for the finding that small uteri occupy more than 63% of the parallelogram volume.

Chorionic villus sampling in a patient who is an unusual carrier of hemophilia B

We describe a patient who is a carrier of hemophilia B, who was unusual in that she had symptoms and abnormal hematologic findings. She became pregnant and desired to have chorionic villus sampling for fetal sex determination. This was performed without complication. Her pregnancy continued, and she was delivered of a normal female infant with no complications for mother or infant. We believe this to be the first report of chorionic villus sampling in a symptomatic carrier of hemophilia B.

Seeking early medical attention after vaginal bleeding will not assure mild disease in postmenopausal endometrial carcinoma

We compared the length of time between the onset of vaginal bleeding and (1) initial visit to a physician and (2) hysterectomy in patients with endometrial carcinoma (mild vs advanced disease). There was no difference in these times. We conclude that patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma do not delay seeking medical attention when compared with patients with mild disease.

Prenatal diagnosis of a placental cyst: comparison of postnatal biochemical analyses of cyst fluid, amniotic fluid, cord serum, and maternal serum

A 4 x 4 cm placental cyst was diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography. At delivery, simultaneous samples of cyst fluid, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and maternal blood (collected 3 hours before delivery) were obtained. Biochemical measurements of cyst fluid, amniotic fluid, cord serum, and maternal serum suggest that the solutes of cyst fluid do not originate exclusively from a single source. In addition, X-cell synthesis and secretion into the cyst fluid may occur.

Evaluation of pretreatment transvaginal ultrasonography in the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of pretreatment assessment with ultrasonography in patients with endometrial carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Fifty patients with endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by endometrial biopsy or curettage were studied before hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and selected lymph node sampling. Ultrasonographic criteria for determination of tumor grade, depth of myometrial invasion, uterine volume, and tumor volume were established. Tumor grade was compared with preoperative and postoperative pathologic diagnoses, depth of invasion was compared with postoperative pathologic evaluation, and uterine volume and tumor volume were compared with postoperative evaluation of tumor grade and depth of invasion. Data were analyzed by chi 2 testing, and, where appropriate, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ultrasonographic measurements were determined.

RESULTS

The following statistically significant correlations (p less than or equal to 0.05) were found. Ultrasonography predicted tumor grade as accurately as preoperative pathologic evaluation did. Depth of invasion less than or equal to 50% or greater than 50% significantly correlated. Uterine volume less than or equal to 200 ml predicted less than or equal to 50% depth of invasion 28 of 32 times. Uterine volume greater than 500 ml was noted in six cases; five of these had grade 2 or 3 tumor and four had depth of invasion greater than 50%. Tumor volume less than or equal to 20 ml predicted a grade 1 tumor in 25 of 39 cases and depth of invasion less than or equal to 50% in 34 of 39 cases. Tumor volume greater than 20 ml correlated with a grade 2 or 3 tumor in 11 of 11 cases and a depth of invasion greater than 50% in seven of 11 cases. In 25 grade 1 tumors diagnosed postoperatively by pathologic study, none was associated with a tumor volume greater than 20 ml.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment ultrasonographic measurements should be of value in the management of patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Postcesarean endometritis: a brief review and comparison of three antibiotic regimens

Three different antibiotic regimens (trospectomycin plus azteonam, clindamycin plus azteonam, and triple antibiotics-ampicillin plus clindamycin plus gentamicin) were all effective in treating patients with postcesarean endometritis. Patients are frequently cured clinically despite the fact that the offending organisms may be isolated in post-treatment cultures. Treatment of postcesarean endometritis without obtaining endometrial cultures is acceptable gynecologic practice. Obtaining post-treatment cultures is clearly not cost effective nor clinically beneficial. Drug treatment efficacy should be evaluated by clinical response. This communication is the first to report the new antibiotic, trospectomycin, in the treatment of postcesarean endometritis. Further clinical trials are currently underway.

Efficacy of altrenogest in synchronizing estrus in two swine breeding programs and effects on subsequent reproductive performance of sows

In two herds that used different breeding and housing schemes, altrenogest (15 mg/d) was fed for 14 d to gilts or 10 d to sows in .45 kg of a diet formulated to meet or exceed their nutrient requirements. In Herd 1 (five breeding seasons per year), 63 of 123 gilts and 40 of 70 sows in seven replications were fed in individual crates to ensure proper intake. In Herd 2 (continuous breeding), 244 of 484 gilts in 20 replications received the treated feed in individual feeding stalls to which animals had free access. Average and median days to estrus were reduced (P less than .01) for treated gilts and sows compared with controls in both herds. Of 29 treated gilts that did not mate or become pregnant, three had cystic follicles, compared to 1 of 14 controls. There were no statistically significant treatment differences in litter size born or number of stillborn pigs in either herd, but farrowing rates of cycling gilts were 8% lower (P less than .05) in Herd 2 for treated gilts than for controls. Overall, altrenogest could be a valuable tool for improving reproductive efficiency by allowing producers to better control the estrous cycle.

Single-center comparison of results of 1000 prenatal diagnoses with chorionic villus sampling and 1000 diagnoses with amniocentesis

Large multicenter studies have confirmed the safety and accuracy of chorionic villus sampling as a prenatal genetic diagnostic procedure, but there have been few single-center evaluations. We report our experience with 1000 consecutive chorionic villus sampling procedures compared with 1000 consecutive amniocentesis procedures during the same period. The procedures were performed by the same genetic counselors, sonographers, obstetricians, and laboratory personnel. Indications for referral, demographic characteristics of patients, numbers of attempts per patient, fetal loss rates, laboratory results, and evaluation of accuracy are included. Analysis of all data suggests that chorionic villus sampling is a safe and accurate alternative to amniocentesis in our community-based teaching hospital.

Maternal serum placental alkaline phosphatase as a marker for low birth weight: results of a pilot study

In a pilot study, maternal serum was analyzed for placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) to evaluate the possibility of using PLAP values as a prenatal marker to predict low birth weight in neonates. Study subjects were selected from among women whose newborns were of low birth weight. These women were screened for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. Of the mothers of low-birth-weight neonates, 43% had PLAP values of 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM) or higher; only 22% of the mothers in the control group had such high values. The adjusted odds ratio was 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 6.5) and was not confounded by race, age, or weight. Odds ratios were improved by selecting more extreme cutoff values, with fewer cases identified as positive. In 14% of the cases of low birth weight, both MSAFP and PLAP values were elevated, compared with 5.6% of those in the control group. These data suggest that PLAP elevations, with or without measurements for MSAFP, may be a useful indicator during the second trimester of pregnancy for the risk of low birth weight.