NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
June, 1951]
C.
KRISHNA
RAO
83
For the study of the effect of age on fertility, four dairy herds were selected which
were also under University supervision and animals from each herd were selected
in such a way that these could be followed for the first three conceptions. Fertility
was calculated on the basis of the number of services required for each conception.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Herd fertility
The results as regards the study of the effect of contagious abortion on herd
fertility are presented in Table I.
TABLE I
Herd fertility of Normal Neal for two different periods
Period
1 January 1934 to
31
December
1936 (mixed herd)
1 January 1943 to
31
December
1945
(healthy
herd)
Number
of
animals
91
105
Number
of
services
275
425
Number
of
conceptions
135
160
Services
per
conception
2.03
2.65
Other details
Number of
abortions
22
4
Number of
heifers
55
42
Number
that went
out of the
herd
27
28
The results of this investigation are contrary to expectations in view of the fact
that during the first period, when there was a mixed herd the number of services
per conception were 2.03 as against 2.65 for the second period, when the herd was
free from Brucellosis. It is reasonable to expect that in a herd having abortion-
positive animals, although every one of the animals may not be infected, more services
would be required per conception for the herd as a whole than in another herd free
from this infection. To determine the causes for the higher conception rate in the
first period details regarding the number of abortions, during the two periods
the number of first breeders and the number of animals that were culled, were collect-
ed. When there is a large number of abortions, it is natural to expect a lower herd
fertility and so also when a large number of heifers are present in the herd. Simi-
larly, if the breeder selects for fertility by sharply culling out animals that prove to
be poor breeders, a higher fertility could be expected than when no selection were
practiced. From Table I it can be seen that there are more heifers in the mixed
herd, which form 60.43 per cent of the herd while heifers form only 40 per cent of the
healthy herd and hence the lower fertility in the latter cannot be attributed to
heifers. It can also be seen that abortions are more numerous in the mixed herd
than in the healthy herd. The animals which went out of the mixed herd during
the three-year period were 29.56 per cent. and those culled from the healthy herd
during a similar period were 26.66 per cent the number that went out of each herd
being the same. From these data, the higher fertility in the mixed herd may be
84
CERTAIN ASPECTS OF FERTILITY IN THE COW [Vol. XXI, Part II,
attributed at least in part to the higher reproductive efficiency of the cows themselves,
as determined by their heredity and the lower fertility in the healthy herd may also
be explained on the same basis. In this connection the important role of the bulls
in determining herd fertility cannot be ignored. Miller and Graves [1932] report
that in the Beltsville herd, the abortion-negative group of cows required 2.51
services per conception, while the abortion-positive group required 2.96 services
per conception before the separation of the two groups. After the separation of the
two groups the abortion-negative group required 2.51 services per conception, while
the abortion-positive group required 3.07 services. This investigation although not
quite comparable with the work of Miller and Graves [1932] clearly shows that a high
herd fertility can be maintained even in a partially Brucella-infected herd having
cows with a high reproductive efficiency under conditions of good management and
that the mere incidence of Brucellosis alone need not necessarily lower the herd
fertility in any appreciable degree.
2. Effect of abortion on the number of services required for conception
It is generally felt that an animal requires more services per conception following
an abortion than after a normal calving. This is particularly the case when such
an abortion is followed by complications or when abortion is the sequel to infection
with Brucella abortus in cows. Miller and Graves [1932] found that more services
are required for conception after abortion than after normal calvings and the results
of their study are presented in Table II.
TABLE II
Number of services required for conception after normal calvings and after abortions
Class of females
Abortion-negative group
Cows bred after normal calving
Cows bred after aborting
Abortion-positive group
Cows bred after normal calving
Cows bred after aborting
Entire herd
Cows bred after normal calving
Cows bred after aborting
Conceptions
179
16
276
99
455
115
Services
517
39
772
360
1,289
399
Services
per concep-
tion
2.88
2.43
2.79
3.63
2.83
3.46
June, 1951]
C.
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85
It can be seen that while abortion-positive cows required more services per
conception after abortion than after normal calving, the abortion-negative cows
required fewer services for conception following abortion than after normal calving.
The results of the present investigation are presented in Table III.
TABLE III
Number of services required for conception following normal calvings and after abortions
Class of females
Mixed group:
Cows bred after normal calving . .
Cows bred after abortion . . .
Healthy group:
Cows bred after normal calving . .
Cows bred after abortion . . .
Entire herd:
Cows bred after normal calving . .
Cows bred after abortion . . .
Number of
animals
30
21
65
16
95
37
Services
52
61
97
35
159
96
Conceptions
30
21
65
16
95
37
Services
per concep-
tion
1.73
2.90
1.49
1.93
1.60
2.59
It is clear from the above table that more services are required for conception
after abortion than after normal calving in all the three groups. The service rate
following abortion in the mixed herd is much higher than in the healthy herd indicat-
ing that this is presumably due to the pathogenic effect of Brucella abortus on the
female genital tract. It is, however, questionable whether all the aborted animals
in the mixed herd were infected, since no systematic testing was done, but they
probably were infected.
3. Effect of the interval between abortion and subsequent breeding on the number of
services for conception
It is of common knowledge that an intelligent breeder never puts his cow to
the bull after an abortion, without giving it a sufficient period of rest. After an
abortion the female genital tract is not in a position to provide a suitable environ-
ment for the fertilization, implantation and subsequent development of the ovum
for a variable length of time following abortion. This is particularly the case when
abortion is followed by complications like metritis, prolapse of the uterus, etc.
The careful livestock breeder allows a period of at least one and a half months
following normal parturition before he allows the animal to be bred. It is extremely
important that aborted animals should get at least this amount of rest if not more
to enable their genital system to come back to normal and bring about rapid concep-
tion. The data pertaining to the effect of interval between abortion and subsequent
breeding on the number of services per conception are analysed and the results
are shown in Table IV.
86
CERTAIN ASPECTS OF FERTILITY IN THE COW [Vol. XXI, Part II,
TABLE IV
Effect of interval between abortion and next breeding on fertility
Interval between abortion and
next breeding
Below 30 days
.
.
.
.
Over 30 days
.
.
.
.
Number of
cows
6
15
Number of
services
18
43
Number of
conceptions
6
15
Services per
conception
3.00
2.86
The animals presented in the above table were drawn from several herds which
were free from contagious abortion and as such we are dealing with non-infectious
abortion in this investigation. The number of animals available for this study is
so small that no definite conclusions can be drawn from the above data. The idea
that an animal requires a period of rest after abortion is so firmly rooted in the
minds of progressive animal breeders that it is rare to find aborted animals being
bred within a month following abortion. It is advisable to skip at least a couple
of heat periods after abortion before allowing the cow for service. A longer rest
period may be necessary if abortion is followed by complications.
4. Influence of age on fertility in cows
Several investigators reported that heifers require more services for their first
conception than for the succeeding ones. These investigators studied fertility in
animals belonging to different age groups. In the present investigation groups
of animals were chosen from each herd and every animal in each group was followed
for the first three conceptions. By this procedure it was possible to study the
effect of age on fertility in a given group of animals. The results of this study can
be noted in Table V.
TABLE V
Number of services required for the first three conceptions
Name of herd
Lancaster
Markley
Merriam
Newman
Number of
animals
47
46
47
44
Number of services per conception
1st con-
ception
1.78
2.67
2.68
2.63
2nd con-
ception
1.31
2.06
2.51
1.47
3rd con-
ception
1.19
1.65
1.68
1.31
From the above table it is clear that in all the four herds, when the same group
of animals is followed for the first three conceptions more services are required for
the first conception than for the following two. In Table VI are presented figures
to show the percentage of animals that conceive after the first and subsequent
services taking into consideration the first three conceptions.
June, 1951]
C.
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87
TABLE VI
Distribution of the number of services required by animals for the first three conceptions
Total
number of
animals
184
184
184
184
184
184
Number of services
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth and later
1st conception
Number of
animals
101
25
22
9
8
19
Total
per cent
54.89
13.58
11.95
4.88
4.34
10.32
2nd conception
Number of
animals
104
44
18
9
4
5
Total
per cent
55.97
23.91
9.78
4.89
2.17
2.71
3rd conception
Number of
animals
135
34
8
2
3
2
Total
per cent
73.36
18.47
4.34
4.34
1.09
1.09
From the above table it can be seen that while the percentage of animals
conceiving after the first service increased from 54.89 for the first conception to
73.36 for the third conception, the percentage of animals requiring six and more
services decreased from 10.32 for the first conception to 1.09 for the third conception.
The animals settled after the first two services for the first conception were 68.47 per
cent, for the second conception 79.88 per cent, and for the third conception
91.83 per cent. It is thus evident that animals attained higher reproductive
efficiency with the advancement of age at least as far as the first three
conceptions are concerned. The reasons for the lower fertility in heifers is not
clear. It is possible that this is due to endocrine hypofunction involving parti-
cularly the anterior pituitary and the ovaries. Further work is required to throw
some light on this aspect.
CONCLUSION
Certain aspects of fertility in the dairy cow were studied and the following
were the findings:
High herd fertility can be maintained in a partially Brucella.infected herd
having cows with high reproductive efficiency under conditions of good manage-
ment. Mere occurrence of the disease need not necessarily lower the herd fertility
in a striking manner.
More services are required for conception following abortion than after normal
calving.
Reproductive efficiency is lowest in heifers and this improves with age at least
as far as the first three conceptions are concerned.
88
CERTAIN ASPECTS OF FERTILITY IN THE COW [Vol. XXI, Part II,
REFERENCES
Baker, A. L. and Quisenberry, J. R. (1942). Fertility in range beef cattle. Abst. J. Anim.
Sci., 1, 344
Bowling, G. A., Putnam, D. N. and Ross, R. H. (1940). Age as a factor influencing breeding
efficiency in a dairy herd. J. Dairy Sci., 23, 1171
Eckles, C. H. (1932). A study of breeding records of dairy herds. Minn. Agri. Exp. Sta. Bull.,
258
Graves, R. R. (1935). Breeding Efficiency. In report of the Chief of the Bureau of Dairy Industry.
U.S.D.A.
Lasley, J. F. and Bogart, R. (1943). Some factors influencing reproductive efficiency of range
cattle under artificial and natural breeding conditions. Mo. Agri. Exp. Sta. Res. Bull.,
376
Lush, J. L. (1945). Animal Breeding Plans. 3rd Edition. Collegiate Press Inc., Ames, Iowa,
U.S.A.
Miller, F. W. and Graves, R. R. (1932). Reproduction and health records of the Beltsville
herd of the Bureau of Dairy Industry. U.S.D.A. Tech. Bull., 321
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF SOME
ANIMAL NEOPLASMS
By SYED MOHIYUDDEEN, B.Sc., G.M.V.C., B.V.Sc, PH.D (OHIO), Disease
Investigation Officer, Department of Animal Husbandry in Mysore, Bangalore
(Received for publication on 11 September 1950)
(With Plates V-VI.)
P RESENT literature concerning oncology of domestic animals is limited mostly
to morphological descriptions. This study includes chemical and biological
aspects of frequently occurring animal neoplasms in addition to their morphology.
Emphasis was placed on the study of melanomas in an attempt to evaluate the
present theories regarding their histogenesis. Masson [1948] upholds the neural
crest hypothesis for the origin of melanoblasts in man and believes that melanoblasts
from different tissues would together form a system of neuro-ectodermal origin
characterized by the common function of secretion and eventually the excretion
of melanin. Allan [1949] strongly favours the idea of epidermogenesis for the origin
of cutaneous melanomas stating that many epidermal melanoblasts are not dendritic,
a character on which they have been regarded as nerve endings and that the so-
called Merkel-Ranvier corpuscles and cells of Langerhans have been assumed to be
nerve endings. Apart from this controversy of neurogenesis versus epidermogenesis,
Dawson [1925] feels that the intradermal cells also may participate in the formation
of melanomas. Willis [1948] has advanced a compromise hypothesis stating that
the confusion is due to the presupposition that all melanomas have similar origin.
He believes that melanoblasts are not cells of one specific type but are as many and
diverse kinds as there are different tissues capable of producing malanin and any
attempt to prove the histogenesis of melanomas of different tissues on this or that
hypothesis will be artificial.
Dihydroxyphenylalanine is the only specific reagent known for the identifica-
tion of melanoblasts in frozen sections of fresh tissues. Melanoblasts are dopa-
positive while the melanophores are dopa-negative. Dublin [1943] claims that
Bodian's silver protein and gold chloride stain is specific for melanoblasts in paraffin
sections. Castroviejo [1932] believes that his modification of Cajal's trichromic
stain is one of the best for the study of neoplasms composed of different structural
elements. Greene [1948] states that the malignancy of a tumor cannot be judged
by histological appearance and it is only by its behaviour in the living body that its
malignancy can unmistakably be determined. According to him the anterior
chamber of the eye provides a favourable environment for heterologous transplanta-
tion. Schilling, Snell and Favata [1949] believe that the anterior chamber behaves
as a tissue culture medium allowing the survival of tumor cells by virtue of its weak
defensive reaction. Although the study of heterologous transplantation in cancer
89
June, 1951]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
91
TABLE I
Summary of the successful growths of malignant tissue transplants
Animal
Gray horse
Bay horse
Gray horse
Gray horse
Hen
Hereford cow
Dog
Holstein cow
Dog
Hen
Hen
Dog
Dog
Location
Parotid
salivary
gland
Kidney
Subscapularis
muscle
Parotid salivary
gland
Posterior lobe of
the kidney
Eye
Thigh region
Eye
Gum region at the
level of third
premolar
Kidney
Kidney
Skin of the back
region
Testis
Pathological
diagnosis
Malignant
mela-
noma
Carcinoma
Malignant
mela-
noma
Malig
nant
melanoma
Carcinoma
Squamous
Cell
carcinoma
Osteogenic
sarcoma
Squamous
cell
carinoma
Am elanotic
melanoma
Carcinoma
Carcinoma hetero-
logous growth
from the guinea
pig eye
Sebacious
gland
adeno-carc1-
noma
Seminoma
Number of
G. pigs used
6
6
6
7
6
5
8
6
8
7
4
8
6
Number of
takes
2
3
2
3
3
2
5
3
2
5
1
1
2
Results
First growth 14
days
First growth 14
days
First growth 18
days
First growth 16
days
First growth 15
days
First growth 14
days
First growth 12
days
First growth 17
days
First growth 24
days
First growth 18
days
First growth 9
days
First growth 29
days
First growth 13
days
First
regression
40 days
First
regression
38 days
First
regression
31 days
First
regression
8 weeks
First
regression
5 weeks
First
regression
24 days
First
regression
33 days
First
regression
7 weeks
First
regression
61 days
First
regression,
47 days
No regression was
observed
until
19 weeks
No
regression
could
be
observed
First
regression
41 days
Remarks
Growth was
pigmented.
Implants
were absorbed within 8 weeks in cases
of non-takes
The growth was luxurious and highly
vascular
All guinea pigs were albinos.
Regression
was slow
Guinea pigs were albinos. The growths
were pigmented
After complete regression the guinea pigs
were used for second transplantation
Regression was very slow. The growth
showed a mor phological survival of
4 months
In one, growth was luxurious filling ¾ of
the anterior chamber
Regression was very slow, completed in
12 weeks
Guinea pigs were albinos
4 guinea pigs were used once for trans-
plants of the same type of avian tumor.
The growth was luxurious filling the
entire anterior chamber
This was a second serial transplantation
from the above case
The animal was sacrificed for microscopic
study
All guinea pigs used were males and
developed rough hair coat
Indian J. vet. Sci., Vol. XXI, Part
II]
[Plate V
FIG. 1. Heterologous growth of osteogenic sarcoma from a dog 13 days after
transplantation to the anterior chamber of the guinea pig eye
FIG. 2. Heterologous growth of a squamous celled carcinoma from the eye of a
Hereford cow, 42 days after transplantation to the anterior chamber
of the guinea pig eye
Plate VI]
[Indian J. vet, Sci., Vol. XXI, Part II
FIG. 3. Seminoma from a dog.
(Left) Original tissue before transplantation. Note the disorganized arrange-
ment of tumor cells.
(Right) Same tissue, 71 days after transplantation to the anterior chamber of the
guinea pig eye. Note the organization of tumor cells and structures
resembling seminiferous tubules.
Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain
X 460
June, 1951]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
93
heterologous growth, irrespective of its practical weaknesses, was a valuable confirma-
tory test. Histopathological estimations of malignancy were usually correct but in
a few instances proved by the biological test to be erroneous.
The residence of a tumor in a heterologous anterior chamber as a rule did not
alter its histological appearance. Some ocular growths showed better organization
and structural details than the original tumors. Heterologous growth of a seminoma
from a dog (Plate VI, fig. 3) organized sufficiently to betray even its malignant
nature. Heterologous growths of renal, testicular, thyroid, and ovarian embryonic
tissue transplants showed early differentiation.
One per cent aqueous solution of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was used
to demonstrate reducing enzymes in neoplastic tissues. Thin sections of living
nonneoplastic tissues of animals were immersed in the solution and incubated at
37°c. Neoplastic tissues reduced tetrazolium compound within 15 to 30
minutes whereas non-neoplastic tissues as a rule did not develop the reaction
even after three hours. Normal tissues from guinea pigs and dogs such as jejunum,
ileum, heart and skeletal muscles slowly reduced tetra zolium salt. Malignant
neoplasms developed a positive reaction within 7 to 10 minutes. By intra-venous
injection of bacteria-free filtrate of two per cent aqueous solution of triphenyl-
tetrazolium chloride in doses of 25 mg. per km. it was observed that the neoplastic
lesions developed the reaction earlier than non-neoplastic tissues of the body. The
time required for the reaction seems to be an important factor in the interpretation
of the results and this test can only be used as preliminary step in the diagnosis of
a biopsy material prior to histological examination.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author records his deep gratitude to his faculty adviser, Dr Clarence Russel
Cole, D.V.M., M.Sc., PH.D; chairman of the department of Veterinary Pathology,
Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio for his technical guidance in this work and
for his valuable suggestions in preparation of this paper. He also wishes to acknow-
ledge his thanks to Dr P. M. Narayanaswamy Naidu, B.Sc., L.V.P., Sc. D., F.F.A.S.;
Director of Animal Husbandry services in Mysore for his encouragement and co-
operation in publication of this paper.
REFERENCES
Allan, A. C. (1949). A Reorientation on the Histogenesis and Clinical Significance of Cutaneous
Nevi and Melanomas. Cancer, 2, 28-56
Castroviejo, R. (1932). Modification of Differential Stains with Special Reference to the Trichro-
mic Stains of Cajal. Am. Jour. Clin. Path., 2, 133-140
Dawson, J. W. (1925). The Melanomata, their Origin and Histogenesis. Edinburgh Med. Jour.
32, 501-732
Dublin, W. B. (1943). Bodian's Method Applied to Demonstration of Melanin. Am Jour.
Clin. Path., 13, 127
94 BIOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF SOME ANIMAL NEOPLASMS [Vol. XXI, Part II,
Greene, H. S. N. (1948). On the Development of Cancer. Scientific Am., 179, 41-43
Masson, P. (1948). Pigment Cells in Man. Biology of Melanomas, Special Publications, New
York Academy of Sciences, 15-51
Schilling, J. A., Snell, A. C., Favata, B. V. (1949). Heterologous Ocular Transplantation as a
Practical Test for Cancer. Cancer, 2, 480-89
Straus, F. H., Cheronis, D., and Straus, E. (1948). Demonstration of Reducing Enzyme Systems
in Neoplasms and Living Mammalian Tissues by Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride.
Science, 108, 113-115
Willis, R. A. (1948). The Melanomata. Pathology of Tumors. St. Luis: Mosby Company,
899-918