Pre-synchronization of ovulation timing and delayed fixed-time artificial insemination increases pregnancy rates when sex-sorted semen is used for insemination of heifers

This study was conducted to determine effects of pre-synchronization of ovulation timing among heifers and delayed fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) with sex-sorted semen on proportion of heifers pregnant after TAI (PR/AI). Heifers were assigned to one of eight treatments: 1 and 2), 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR treatment regimen with administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and a CIDR insert on Day 0, prostaglandin F_2α (PGF) at CIDR removal on Day 7, and TAI occurring 54 h later with conventionally processed (CTRL54-CNV) or sex-sorted semen (CTRL54-SEX); 3 and 4), same as CTRL54 but TAI delayed to 72 h with conventionally processed (CTRL72-CNV) or sex-sorted semen (CTRL72-SEX); 5 and 6), same as CTRL54 but additional administration of PGF on Day -7 and TAI with conventionally processed (PRE54-CNV) or sex-sorted semen (PRE54-SEX); 7 and 8), same as PRE54 treatments but TAI delayed to 72 h with conventionally processed (PRE72-CNV) or sex-sorted semen (PRE72-SEX). Proportion of heifers pregnant after TAI was greater (P ≤  0.02) with conventionally processed semen compared with sex-sorted semen, yet PR/AI did not differ (P =  0.14) between heifers in PRE72-CNV and PRE72-SEX groups. There were greater PR/AI in the PRE72-SEX (P =  0.03) than CTRL54-SEX group (46.1 % and 36.9 %) and there was no difference (P =  0.31) in PR/AI between CTRL54-CNV and PRE72-SEX groups (50.4 % and 46.1 %). In conclusion, pre-synchronization of ovulation timing among heifers combined with delayed TAI resulted in increased PR/AI with sex-sorted semen compared with the 7-d CO-Synch+CIDR treatment regimen.

Effects of residual feed intake and dam body weight on replacement heifer intake, efficiency, performance, and metabolic response

Thirty-eight Angus-based, crossbred, nulliparous beef heifers (BW = 280 ± 26.3 kg) sired by 2 Angus sires were used to determine if dam BW affected heifer performance, DMI, residual feed intake (RFI), and endocrine markers. Heifers were housed in individual pens (2.2 by 9.1 m) equipped with 2.2 m of bunk space and fed a diet (90.4% DM, 13.7% CP, 67.2% NDF, and 56.2% TDN) consisting of 87.2% bermudagrass hay and 12.8% liquid protein supplement for a 14-d adaption period and a 70-d feeding period. Individual daily feed intake was used to calculate RFI for each heifer, and heifer was the experimental unit. Two-day beginning and end BW were recorded and hip height was used to calculate frame score (FS). Heifer dams were assigned to a light (LIT; 544 ± 21.3 kg) or heavy (HEV; 621 ± 34.8 kg) BW group on the basis of mean BW at the beginning of their lactation period the previous year to determine differences in heifer offspring DMI and RFI. Based on heifer RFI ranking, heifers were classified as positive (POS; 0.34) or negative (NEG; –0.31) RFI and low (LOW; –0.45), medium (MED; 0.00), or high (HI; 0.49) RFI for analysis of BW, FS, BW gain, and DMI. There were no dam BW group × sire interactions (P > 0.10) for all independent variables. Beginning and end BW was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers out of HEV compared with LIT BW dams. Body weight gain, ADG, FS, DMI, and RFI were not significant (P > 0.10) for heifers out of HEV compared with LIT BW dams; however, a sire effect existed (P < 0.01) for BW gain, ADG, FS, and DMI. Among RFI classifications, beginning and end BW, BW gain, ADG, and FS were not different (P > 0.10) whereas DMI was greater (P = 0.03) among heifers in the POS compared with the NEG RFI group and greater (P = 0.01) among heifers in the MED and HI compared with LOW RFI group, respectively. Plasma insulin levels were greater (P = 0.03) in the NEG compared with the POS RFI heifers, and thyroxine (T4) levels were greater (P = 0.02) in the POS compared with the NEG RFI heifers. A positive relationship existed (P ≤ 0.05) between dam BW and heifer DMI (r = 0.42), beginning and end BW (r = 0.45 and 54), and FS (r = 0.58) and between RFI and d 70 triiodothyronine (r = 0.34), d 70 T4 (r = 0.35), and d 0 and 70 combined T4 (r = 0.32), respectively. Heifers out of dams from the HEV BW group were heavier and a positive correlation existed between dam BW and heifer BW, gain, DMI, and FS, which can impact selection goals for replacement heifers.

Impact of cow size on dry matter intake, residual feed intake, metabolic response, and cow performance

Thirty-eight Angus-cross beef cows were used to evaluate differences in DMI, residual feed intake (RFI), and endocrine markers on the basis of cow size and RFI ranking during 2 stages of production. Cows housed in individual pens (2.2 × 9.1 m) were fed, over a 70-d feeding period, 30% Bermuda grass hay and 70% ryegrass baleage diet during lactation (LACT) and a 100% ryegrass hay diet during postweaning (NOLACT). Individual daily feed intake, BW, and BCS were recorded, and hip height was used to determine frame score (FS). Feed intake was used to calculate RFI for each cow, and cow was the experimental unit. Blood samples were obtained on d 0 and 70 and were analyzed for glucose, insulin, leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Cows were assigned to a light (LIT) or heavy (HEV) BW groups on the basis of mean BW at the beginning of the LACT period. On the basis of RFI values for each feeding period, cows were placed into a negative (NEG; RFI < 0.00) or positive (POS; RFI > 0.00) RFI group and into a low (LOW; ≤0.2 SD mean RFI), medium (MED; within ±0.19 SD), or high (HI; ≥0.2 SD mean RFI) RFI group. During LACT, DMI was 4.8% greater (P = 0.03) and FS was greater (P < 0.01; 6.4 and 5.5 ± 0.16) for the HEV compared with LIT BW cows. No RFI by day interaction or RFI group main effect occurred for endocrine markers during LACT; however, a negative relationship (P = 0.04) existed between BW group and combined T3 data, and a positive relationship (P = 0.04) existed between RFI and combined insulin data. For both LACT and NOLACT, RFI was similar (P > 0.05) among BW groups; however, DMI was 6.5% and 8.9% greater (P < 0.01) for POS compared with NEG RFI in the LACT and NOLACT periods. In LACT, DMI was greater (P < 0.01) for HI and MED RFI compared with LOW RFI, and in NOLACT, DMI was greater (P < 0.01) for the HI compared with MED and LOW RFI cows and MED compared with LOW RFI cows. During NOLACT, DMI was 8.9% greater (P < 0.01) for the HEV (12.4 ± 0.22 kg) compared with LIT (11.3 ± 0.19 kg) BW cows. Change in BCS was greater (P ≤ 0.03) in higher RFI cows in both RFI groups only in the NOLACT period. Differences in T3 and T4 on d 0 and 70 were 25% and 15% greater (P ≤ 0.04) for the LIT BW group compared with the HEV BW group. A negative correlation existed (P ≤ 0.04) between BW group and T3 and T4, as well as leptin and RFI (P = 0.03). Although cow BW was independent of RFI and T3 and T4 levels tended to be greater in lighter BW cows, DMI was consistently greater for cows with heavier BW and higher RFIvalues.

Influence of a CIDR prior to bull breeding on pregnancy rates and subsequent calving distribution

We determined whether insertion of a CIDR for 7 days prior to the breeding season enhanced pregnancy rates and altered the date of conception in suckled beef cows mated naturally. Suckled beef cows (n=2033) from 15 locations were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: (1) cows received a CIDR 7 days prior to the breeding season for 7 days (CIDR; n=999); (2) cows received no treatment (Control; n=1034). On the first day of the breeding season bulls were introduced to herds at a rate of 15-25 cows per yearling bull or 20-30 cows per mature bull. Pregnancy status and the date of conception were determined via transrectal ultrasonography at 56 and 120 days after initiation of the breeding season. Overall pregnancy rates ranged from 59.3 to 98.9% among the 15 locations. The percentage of cows becoming pregnant during the first 30 days of the breeding season was similar between CIDR (68.2%) and Control (66.7%) cows, and overall pregnancy rates were similar between CIDR (88.9%) and Control (88.6%) cows. The average day of conception after initiation of the breeding season was shorter (P<0.01) for CIDR (20.1+/-0.8 days) compared to Control cows (23.2+/-0.8 days). Of cows conceiving during the breeding season, more (P<0.05) CIDR cows (35.9%) conceived during the first 10 days of the breeding season than Control cows (30.8%). Neither body condition score and nor parity affected pregnancy rates or days to conception, whereas pregnancy rates and days to conception were affected (P<0.01) by location and days postpartum. Days to conception were greater for cows that calved within 40 days (31.6+/-1.2 days) of initiation of the breeding season compared to cows calving between 40 and 50 days (25.3+/-1.2 days) prior to initiation of the breeding season, which were greater than those cows calving between 50-60 days (20.0+/-0.8 days) and 60-70 days (21.3+/-1.0 days) prior to initiation of the breeding season. Cows calving greater than 70 days (17.3+/-1.5 days) from initiation of the breeding season had the shortest interval to conception. We concluded that insertion of a CIDR prior to the breeding season failed to increase overall pregnancy rates, but did influence the average day of conception.

Glomus tumor as a cause of chronic low back pain: case report

STUDY DESIGN

A case of chronic low back pain caused by a glomus tumor that persisted more than 30 years is presented.

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize the need to consider skin tumors in the differential diagnosis of low back pain.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Chronic low back pain can be caused by a myriad of factors. There are six relatively common skin tumors, which present as painful lesions. As seen in the reported case, if they occur in the lumbar region, they can cause low back pain.

METHODS

A subject with low back pain underwent an excision biopsy of a localized area of tenderness where his symptoms were reproduced when light pressure was applied.

RESULTS

Histology confirmed that a glomus tumor accounted for the subject's pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Painful skin tumors may cause low back pain and need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain.

Comparative corneal topography and refractive variables in monozygotic and dizygotic twins

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of heredity in determining corneal shape, axial length, and overall refractive error.

METHODS

Twenty monozygotic and 19 dizygotic twin pairs, age 12 to 73 years, were enrolled in the study. Zygosity was determined by physical similarity and by responses to questions adapted from surveys. Two twin pairs were excluded because of undetermined zygosity and one pair because of keratoconus (both siblings). Refractive error was determined by an automated refractor. Manifest refraction was also recorded, as well as cycloplegic refraction in subjects under age 18 years. Corneal topography data and manual keratometer readings were also obtained. Axial lengths were determined by A-scan ultrasound. Data were analyzed by Student t tests only in the right eye. Left-eye data were comparable for all variables.

RESULTS

Mean intrapair difference in refractive error (spherical equivalent) was less for monozygotic than for dizygotic twins (RE: 0.41 vs 1.53; P = .001). Mean intrapair difference in axial length was less for monozygotic twins (RE: 0.39 vs 0.76 mm; P = .031). Corneal topography data (power and meridian) in all zones (3, 5, and 7 mm) also showed smaller mean differences among monozygotic pairs than dizygotic, but the difference was statistically significant only for the 5-mm zone. In addition, most Holladay Diagnostic Summary variables that were studied did not show any statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Axial length and overall refractive error have a significant genetic basis. Corneal topography data appear to have other overriding determining factors for several of the variables studied.

Therapeutic ERCP: a cost-prohibitive procedure?

BACKGROUND

ERCP is increasingly being performed for therapeutic purposes and engenders a proliferation of disposable equipment without a clear indication of cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

We analyzed the financial impact of ERCP by prospectively analyzing ERCPs performed in our institution from June 1, 1994, to September 30, 1994, by calculating charges related to indirect costs, disposable equipment costs, and overall reimbursement. The data were analyzed according to insurance payor as well.

RESULTS

Disposable equipment costs a mean of $149 per diagnostic ERCP and $532 per therapeutic ERCP. For diagnostic ERCP, disposable equipment accounted for 27% of reimbursement; for therapeutic ERCP, disposable equipment accounted for 68% of reimbursement. Although overall reimbursement was higher for therapeutic ERCP, the very high direct costs related to disposable equipment limited the ability of reimbursement to cover indirect costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Depending on the complexity of cases, quantity of disposable equipment used, and patient-insurance mix, therapeutic ERCP may be cost prohibitive for a given endoscopy unit. Indirect costs should be more carefully and quantitatively analyzed. Disposable equipment should be evaluated in terms of cost, safety, and patient outcome.

Submacular surgery for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes in patients with presumed ocular histoplasmosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the visual results, recurrence rates, and postoperative complications of surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with the presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

DESIGN

A consecutive surgical series of 63 eyes of 62 patients with subfoveal CNV and the presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome with longer than 6 months of follow-up.

SETTING

Tertiary care university medical center.

METHODS

Patients underwent surgical removal of subfoveal CNV using vitreoretinal surgical techniques. The anatomical and functional results of surgery were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 42 years (range, 16-68 years), and the median follow-up time was 24 months (range, 6-48 months). Visual acuity improved by 2 or more Snellen lines in 22 (35%) of the 63 eyes, was unchanged in 28 (44%) of the eyes, and worsened in 13 (21%) of the eyes. Eleven (17%) of the 63 eyes improved to a visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Eyes with an initial visual acuity of 20/200 or worse had a better prognosis for improved vision (ie, 26 [41%] of the eyes) than those with an initial visual acuity of 20/100 or better (ie, 5 [8%] of the eyes). Recurrence of the subfoveal CNV occurred in 24 (38%) of the 63 eyes and was more common in those eyes that received preoperative laser photocoagulation (ie, 15 [47%] of the eyes). The median time to recurrence was 5 months after surgery. Post-operative complications included macular striae in 4 (6%) of the 63 eyes, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 2 (3%) of the eyes, retinal tear in 1 (1.6%) of the eyes, and progression of cataract in 19 (30%) of the eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical excision of subfoveal CNV may be an effective therapeutic modality in patients with the presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome that offers the possibility of improving central vision in many patients. Factors possibly associated with a favorable visual prognosis include younger patient age and the absence of previous laser photocoagulation.

Surgical excision of periorbital capillary hemangiomas

BACKGROUND

Periorbital capillary hemangiomas of childhood can produce ptosis, strabismus, and anisometropia, resulting in amblyopia. Traditional therapy with either systemic or local corticosteroids occasionally yields incomplete resolution of these lesions and may be associated with numerous adverse complications. The authors report their experience performing surgical resection of periorbital capillary hemangiomas.

METHODS

Twelve children with periorbital capillary hemangiomas were treated surgically. Six of these children had previously failed to adequately respond to steroid injections and six were primarily treated with surgical resection. All lesions were believed to be localized and did not appear to be infiltrative on preoperative computed tomographic scans.

RESULTS

All lesions were completely resected, except for two in which there was a small area of residual hemangioma surrounding the lacrimal drainage system that was left intact. Controlled intraoperative hemorrhage in two patients required intraoperative directed-donor blood transfusion. Perioperatively, in one patient a wound dehiscence developed, which required minor repair. This same patient elected to have surgical scar revision postoperatively. The patients have been followed up to 5 years. All did well with improved cosmesis, and they have good lid function. No recurrences have been noted.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection of pediatric capillary hemangiomas should be considered a treatment option in those that fail to respond to corticosteroids and/or are isolated and noninfiltrative in nature.

Microscopic examination of embrittled pin-retained base metal casting

Differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive radiographic analysis were used to examine and analyze two failed platinum-palladium-gold pin-retained nickel-chromium castings. The microstructure and chemical composition of the pin-casting interface were different from those of the pin and the cast alloy. Porosity was also observed at the interface. The observations with these samples suggest that the pin melted during casting. The embrittlement and failure of plantium-palladium-gold pins cast with nickel-chromium alloy have been attributed to this melting phenomenon. Further study is necessary to determine whether these observations are valid for a large number of samples.

Centralised interpretation of electrocardiograms

A system was devised so that a peripheral hospital could transmit electrocardiograms (ECGs) to a central computer for interpretation. The link that transmits both ECGs and reports is provided by the telephone network. Initial results showed that telephone transmission did not significantly affect the accuracy of the ECG interpretation. The centralised computer programme could be much more widely used to provide ECG interpretations. A telephone link would not be justified in health centres, where the demand for ECGs is fairly small, but ECGs recorded at a health centre can be sent to the computer for interpretation and returned the next day. The most cost-effective method of providing computer interpretation for several health centres in a large city would be to have a portable electrocardiograph and transmission facilities, which could be moved from centre to centre.

Hyperlactataemia in phenformin-treated diabetics

Raised fasting blood lactate levels were observed in diabetic patients on phenformin in therapeutic dosage. After an intravenous glucose load this effect was exaggerated and the lactate/pyruvate ratio increased. Withdrawal of the drug led to normal blood lactate levels and a fall in the lactate/pyruvate ratio.