bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calving rates in a tropical beef herd after treatment with a synthetic progestagen, norgestomet, or a prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol
Authors: FRISCH JE , O'NEILL CJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYMaiden heifers and lactating cows of known ovarian status and of several breeds were treated with a synthetic prostaglandin, cloprostenol, or a synthetic progestagen, norgestomet, at the start of an artificial insemination (AI) program. Animals in the cloprostenol treatment received 2 injections 10 days apart. Over the next 26 days those animals that showed oestrous behaviour were inseminated. Synchronisation rates and calving rates to insemination over the first 7 days were calculated. Those in the norgestomet treatment received an implant of norgestomet plus an injection of norgestomet and oestradiol valerate. The implant was removed 10 days later and the animals were given an injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). They were inseminated at 48 h (maiden heifers) or 56 h (lactating cows) after implant removal. Calving rates to fixed‐time insemination were recorded. After completion of the AI program the animals in both treatments were joined with bulls. Overall calving rates (AI plus bulls) were calculated. By day 7 of the program, 82% of the maiden heifers and 76% of the lactating cows in the cloprostenol treatment had been detected in oestrus. By day 21 the respective figures were 99% and 81% Norgestomet treatment had an immediate and a prolonged effect on ovarian activity in those females classified as having inactive ovaries at the start of the AI program. Calving rates of those females to fixed‐time AI and overall were similar to those of the females with active ovaries in both treatments. Their calving rates to fixed‐time insemination, and overall calving rates for the lactating females, were significantly higher than the corresponding values of their contemporaries treated with cloprostenol and inseminated on observed oestrus over 7 days. For those females classified as having active ovaries at the start of the AI program, calving rates to first insemination and overall were similar for both treatments. Overall calving rates of lactating cows of each breed were, with one exception, higher in the norgestomet treatment than in the cloprostenol treatment. Although norgestomet treatment was more expensive than cloprostenol treatment, the advantage in calf crop resulted in an overall monetary advantage to the norgestomet treatment.
The occurrence of schistosomus reflexus in bovine dystocia
Authors: KNIGHT ROBERT P 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe occurrence of schistosomus reflexus as a cause of bovine dystocia in south western Victoria is described. Examination of records made by 21 veterinarians during a 20‐year period (1966 to 1985) showed that of 6901 cases of bovine dystocia attended, 90 (1.3%) were caused by schistosomus reflexus. Most cases (56.7%) were treated by embryotomy, 25.6% by caesarean section and 3.3% by simple traction. Treatment of the remaining 14.4% of cases was not completed and was considered hopeless, mainly becuase of the emphysematous condition of the foetus and the toxic condition of the cow, which gave a poor prognosis. Some of these hopeless cases were sent to slaughter, but most were euthanased by the attending veterinarian. Sixty‐nine (76.7%) of the patients were cows and 21 (23.3%) were heifers. Seventy‐two (80%) were dairy breeds and 18 (20%) were beef breeds. Jersey was the main dairy breed (63.8%) and Hereford the dominant beef breed.
Genetic improvement in beef cattle using a progeny testing system based on carcase merit
Authors: JOHNSON ER 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA progeny testing system to measure beef carcase merit, the Abtech Test, has been developed. Nine carcase characteristics are measured objectively at a slaughter age of 300 days on the carcases of 12 steer progeny per sire. Five carcase characteristics were used to quantify the carcase, namely, carcase composition as submitted, carcase composition (adjusted to 20% total carcase fat), estimated lean meat yield (adjusted to 20% total carcase fat), muscle‐bone ratio (adjusted to a common muscle plus bone weight), and eye muscle volume index (adjusted for total carcase muscle weight). Four carcase measurements used to describe quality were evaluated: eye muscle area at the 10th rib (adjusted for total carcase muscle weight), marbling of the eye muscle at the 10th rib (chemically determined and adjusted to 20% total carcase fat), muscle texture at the 10th rib (mean muscle bundle diameter) and fat colour (determined on intermuscular fat at the 10th rib under standard conditions).It is proposed that this testing system could be used for the genetic improvement of beef carcases.
Beef carcase characteristics that may be of value in selecting for genetic merit
Authors: JOHNSON ER 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYCommercially important carcase characteristics that may be used for the genetic improvement of Australia's beef cattle were evaluated using, predominantly, published data. Conclusions are based on the relationship of carcase measurements to the anatomical and commercial dissection products of 690 sides of beef and on other Australian and overseas work.Many measurements used as the basis for genetic selection are cost‐effective but unlikely to lead to significant genetic gain. Some of the cost‐effective measurements chosen will confound and impede genetic change. The commonly used saleable beef yield varies so widely in composition because of fat content that it is unlikely to be a reliable measurement for genetic purposes. Because of its homogeneous composition, estimated lean meat yield (muscle), which is seldom used for descriptive purposes in the cattle and beef industries, is a much more reliable measure of genetic merit than saleable beef yield. Eye muscle area, used alone or in conjunction with carcase weight and fat thickness, is of limited value in quantifying muscle, particularly in carcases of similar size. Butt profile, which is strongly influenced by subcutaneous fat deposits, is often negatively associated with beef yield. Subjective muscle score, assessed by competent muscle scorers, when used alone or together with carcase weight and fat thickness did not improve the estimation of saleable beef yield. A second subcutaneous fat thickness measurement generally does not improve upon the accuracy of a single fat thickness measurement for quantifying carcase muscle. Specific breed equations give significant improvements in the prediction of carcase muscle and should be used where possible.For meat quality characteristics, visual marbling score is so poorly correlated with actual marbling fat as to be of no practical value for genetic improvement. Tenderness measurements, because of their low variation between breeds and their susceptibility to slaughter and chilling stresses cannot be used for genetic selection.
Snake envenomation in cats and its detection by rapid immunoassay
Authors: MOISIDIS AV , JAMES T , SMITH HV , COX JC 
Published: March 2008

Objective To determine the usefulness of a snake venom detection kit (SVDK) in the management of envenomed cats.Design A clinical study.AnimalsTwenty‐two cats were investigated.Procedure Cats injected subcutaneously with approximately 0.25 or 1.0 lethal dose (LD) of tiger snake venom or 1 or 4 LD of brown snake venom were observed for clinical symptoms of envenomation at intervals over the ensuring 24 to 48 hours(h). Blood and urine samples were taken at regular intervals and assayed in a quantitative laboratory assay for snake venoms. Selected samples were assayed in parallel in a rapid, semi‐quantitative SVDK.Results The studies showed that it was important to estimate the elapsed time from envenomation to presentation. If this time was less than 8 h, blood was the most appropriate sample and a negative result should exclude serious envenomation. If the elapsed time exceeded 8 h, it was essential that urine be sampled. Venom levels in urine were high at 8 h and approached the level of test sensitivity over 24 to 48 h; however by this time clinical signs were obvious in endangered cats.ConclusionsCareful use of the SVDK is a valuable aid in the management of a potentially envenomed cat.
A latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test for diagnosis and monitoring of therapy for cryptococcosis
Authors: MALIK R. , McPETRIE R. , WIGNEY DI , CRAIG AJ , LOVE DN 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY:A latex cryptococcal antigen agglutination test (LCAT) was performed on sera obtained during the first 14 days of treatment from 58 animals (46 cats, 9 dogs, 2 koalas and 1 long billed corella) with cryptococcosis. The same commercial kit was used for all samples, and most serum samples were treated with pronase before testing. Sera from all 58 cases tested positive with the qualitative LCAT protocol (using undiluted sera), while sera from all 26 cats without cryptococcosis tested negative. Titres determined using the quantitative protocol ranged from 1 to 131 072 (median titre between 2048 and 4096), with 57 of 58 cases (including all 8 animals that presented for neurological signs) having titres 2 and thus considered positive according to the manufacturer's recommendations.The LCAT titre was positively correlated with disease severity (r = 0.4169; P = 0.0011), and patients with disseminated skin and/or lymph node involvement had significantly higher titres than those that did not (P = 0.0157). The presence of neurological signs, the species of the patient, concurrent viral disease (in cats) and the biotype of the isolate had no significant association with the LCAT titre. Cats that died of active cryptococcosis despite treatment did not have significantly higher titres (P = 0.3010) than those that responded to treatment.Sequential LCAT determinations obtained in 37 patients during treatment provided a useful quantitative indication of clinical progress, although the decline in titre lagged somewhat behind clinical improvement. Generally, the antigen titre declined by 2 to 4 fold per month during successful therapy. Although there are insufficent data to make unequivocal recommendations, we suggest that either antifungal therapy be continued until the LCAT titre declines to less than 1, or therapy be discontinued after a 32 fold or greater reduction in titre, with periodic monitoring of the serum antigen titre. Treatment of serum samples with pronase substantially increased the sensitivity of the LCAT.
Chemical immobilisation of giraffe to facilitate short procedures
Authors: VOGELNEST L. , RALPH HK 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo describe the chemical immobilisation of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) for short procedures at Taronga Zoo. DesignA clinical report. AnimalsFive giraffe. ProcedureThe weight of each animal was determined and pre‐immobilisation fasting, careful preparation of the site, and planning were carried out prior to each procedure. Etorphine and acetylpromazine were used as the sole immobilising agents. During immobilisation, elevation of the head and constant monitoring of the heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature were employed; blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation (Sp2) were monitored in one case 5. Intravenous fluids were administered. None of the animals was intubated, and supplemental oxygen was administered via an intranasal cannula in case 5. At the end of the procedures, diprenorphine was administered to reverse immobilisation. ResultsInduction times were 8 to 15 min. The mean heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were 58.6 beats per min, 12.2 breaths per min and 37.1°C2 respectively. SpO2 in case 5 increased to over 90% with the administration of supplemental oxygen. Recovery to standing after reversal of immobilisation was rapid (2 or 3 min) in three cases, but took 30 and 31 min in the other two. Conclusions Successful immobilisation of giraffe relies on consideration of all variables prior to and during the procedure. Careful selection and preparation of the venue and presence of sufficient numbers of adequately trained personnel are essential. Body weight determination allows accurate calculation of immobilising agent dose.Pre‐immobilisation fasting followed by elevation of head and neck help preclude regurgitation and aspiration. Relevant vital signs monitoring, fluid replacement and oxygen supplementation promote cardiopulmonary homeostasis.Preoperative planning to ensure efficient performance of the procedure helps minimise recumbency time and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Benign cranial mediastinal lesions in three cats
Authors: MALIK R. , GABOR L. , HUNT GB , CHURCH DB , BARRS VR , CHURCHER R. , DIXON RT , HUXLEY C. , CANFIELD PJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYCranial mediastinal lesions were detected in three cats, associated with respiratory impairment (case one), spontaneous pneumothorax (case two) and myasthenia gravis (case three), respectively. On gross and histological examination, the first case was considered either a lymphangioma or a branchial cystic mass of the thymic region of the mediastinum; a cystic lesion was suggested by sonographic detection of multiple anechoic cavitations within a circumscribed mass, while fine needle aspiration cytology excluded lymphosarcoma. The second case was diagnosed histologically as a cystic thymoma, but the third case was not examined microscopically. The masses were amenable to surgical excision in the first two cats, while this proved unnecessary in the third case because of resolution following treatment with dexamethasone. Corticosteroid responsiveness was unhelpful in distinguishing between these benign lesions and lymphosarcoma, as in two cases there was a partial or complete response to dosing with prednisolone or dexamethasone. These cases are presented to emphasise that conditions other than lymphosarcoma can produce cranial mediastinal lesions in cats, and that the prognosis for surgical treatment of lymphangiomas, multilocular thymic cysts and cystic thymomas can be excellent.
Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) farming in New Caledonia: impact of different feed levels on herd breeding rate and performance of newborn fawns
Authors: LE BEL S , SALAS M. , CHARDONNET P. , BIANCHI M. 
Published: March 2008

Objective To measure the impact of undernourishment during the rutting period on the breeding rate of Javan rusa deer and performance of fawns from birth to weaning. Design A random controlled trial. Animals Two groups of 37 hinds. Procedure Group P grazed improved pasture and group M native grassland through the rutting period. Hinds were weighed at the beginning and the end of rutting, at ultrasound scan and prior to fawning. Fawning was monitored. Results At the end of the rutting period, the mean difference in weight between the two groups was 8.5 kg and the pregnancy rate was 95% for group P and 57% for group M. Fifty births were recorded which equates to a fertility rate at 24 hours of 60% for group P and 30% for group M. Fawn mortality occurring in the first 24 hours affected 26% of all fawns. In 54% of the cases, newborn deaths were subsequent to abandonment by the hind. Average rusa fawn weight at birth was 3.6 + 0.1 kg, regardless of sex or group. Among fawns that weighed less than 3.0 kg, the mortality rate was 55%. The newborn fawn weight was related to the weight of the hind at ultrasound scanning. The weaning rate at 20 weeks was 84% for both groups. Mean weight gains for sucking fawns were 150 g per day for the first 2 months and 108 g per day from 60 to 120 days regardless of sex or group. The mean weight at 60 and 120 days was 12.7 kg and 18.5 kg, respectively. Two regression equations enable the calculation of the weight at 60 and 120 days using the fawn weight at birth and hind weight at the beginning of the rutting period. Conclusion A 5% weight loss for the hinds resulting from undernourishment during the rutting period causes a 32% reduction in the herd fertility rate, without affecting the weight of newborn fawns, the survival rate nor growth performances in the sucking phase.
A case‐control study to identify farm factors affecting fertility of dairy herds: univariate description of factors
Authors: WEBSTER FB , LEAN IJ , KENNEDY D. , PHILLIPS K. 
Published: March 2008

Objective To identify farm factors which were associated with reproductive performance in dairy herds in New South Wales. Procedure A survey was administered by face to face interview to examine the responses of producers drawn from 757 herds, which used the New South Wales Agriculture Department Dairy Herd Improvement scheme. A case‐control approach was used to select a total of 126 herds from the first (top group ‐ cases) and fourth quartiles (low group ‐ controls) for intercalving interval. Results We found that the estimated interval from calving to first mating was significantly different between groups (P = 0.03) and that the groups significantly differed in both their target for interval to first mating (P = 0.02) and their perceived optimum time for first mating (P = 0.04). Other factors associated with a longer intercalving interval included, use of embryo transfer programs (P = 0.08), younger managers (P = 0.02), fewer breedings per day (P = 0.01), a greater number of people detecting heats (P = 0.07), but less hours spent detecting heats while handling the cows (P = 0.11), and a failure to vaccinate bulls for campylobacteriosis (P = 0.14). Conclusions Managers of herds with poorer reproductive performance did not intend to mate cattle as soon after calving as managers with better reproductive performance, were not as active in seeking veterinary advice on reproduction, and were attempting to treat reproductive diseases and disorders themselves.
Differentiation of Australian isolates ofMycobacterium paratuberculosisusing pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis
Authors: FEIZABADI MM , ROBERTSON ID , HOPE A , COUSINS DV , HAMPSON DJ 
Published: March 2008

Objectives To examine strain variation amongst Australian isolates ofMycobacterium paratuberculosis.Design Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was optimised for differentiation ofM paratuberculosisstrains, and this typing technique was then applied to a collection of Australian isolates.Procedure DNAs from 35 Australian isolates ofM para‐tuberculosisand a UK reference strain were digested with one or other of three restriction endonucleases. The banding patterns obtained after pulsed field gel electrophoresis of the DNA fragments were compared.Results The Australian isolates were divided into two groups on the basis of their DNA banding pattern. Both were different from the UK reference strain. Seven isolates from cattle in Victoria and the Northern Territory had the same pattern as five isolates from alpacas in Victoria and Western Australia. Another 20 isolates from cattle in Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory had the same pattern as isolates from two sheep and a goat in New South Wales.Conclusion Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was a useful tool for strain typing ofM paratuberculosis, and could be used to study the transmission of strains in Australia.
Uptake of drugs from topically applied anti‐inflammatory preparations applied to racing animals
Authors: THOMAS AD , BOWATER IC , VINE JH , McLEAN JG 
Published: March 2008

Objective To determine whether a drug detected in the blood or urine of a racing animal could have penetrated through the skin from a topically applied preparation.Design Blood and urine of dogs and horses were analysed after topical administration of three common nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory preparations.Experimental method Dimethylsulphoxide was analysed using a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector. Phenylbutazone, its metabolites and lignocaine were analysed using a gas chromatograph with a mass selective detector.Results Dimethylsulphoxide, phenylbutazone and ligno‐caine were detected in dog urine after muliple applications of the preparations. The maximum concentration of dimethyl‐sulphoxide in dog urine correlated with the concentration of dimethylsulphoxide in the preparation. Phenylbutazone penetrated the skin more effectively from the cream than from the solution or gel preparations. This penetration was independent of the concentration of dimethylsulphoxide.Conclusion The superior penetration of phenylbutazone from the cream can be explained by it being present as a neutral molecule in an hydrophobic medium. It is proposed that phenylbutazone penetrates the skin of greyhounds most effectively by a hydrophobic lipid route which is likely to be different from the path by which dimethylsulphoxide penetrates the skin.
Evaluating the risk of the establishment of screwworm fly in Australia
Authors: ATZENI MG , MAYER DG , STUART MA 
Published: March 2008

Objective To investigate probabilities of establishment of screwworm fly throughout the year, for several locations around Australias coastline. Methods A simulation model that predicts the spread and economic impact of an established screwworm fly population was modified to include stochastic survival functions, to investigate the risks of the pest actually establishing in this country. The effects of time of year, climate, vegetation and the number of incoming flies or larvae were investigated for four locations around Australia. Results Analysis of variance identified a dominant three‐way interaction between site, time, and the number of introduced flies. These probabilities are graphed. Discussion In southern areas, as exemplified by Fremantle, the cold winters limit survival. A high probability of establishment exists year round in tropical regions, except in areas around the Gulf of Carpentaria and in the Northern Territory where dry weather mid‐year would limit survival. Despite these comparatively lower risks, there were no areas or times where reductions in quarantine efforts could be justified.
Age‐related differences in collagen crimp patterns in the superficial digital flexor tendon core region of untrained horses
Authors: PATTERSON‐KANE JC , FIRTH EC , GOODSHIP AE , PARRY DAD 
Published: March 2008

Objective To measure collagen fibril crimp angles and lengths as well as collagen fibril mass‐average diameters in central and peripheral regions of the superficial digital flexor tendon of wild horses, to ascertain any age‐related changes in either region in the absence of imposed galloping exercise. Design Measurements from a random cull of wild horses. Sample population Superficial digital flexor tendon samples were taken from 23 wild horses ranging in age from two to ten years. Procedure Horses were divided into ‘young’ (< 5 years, n = 10), ‘middle‐aged’ (5 to < 10 years, n = 9) and ‘old’ groups (10+ years, n = 4) and the mean crimp angle, mean crimp length and collagen fibril mass‐average diameter calculated for the central region, and for the peripheral region of each group. Differences between groups and regions were analysed using two‐tailed t tests. Results The crimp angle for the central region was found to decrease with age, so that in old horses it was smaller than that for the tendon periphery (P < 0.05). The crimp angle for the latter region did not alter significantly with age. Crimp period lengths and collagen fibril mass‐average diameters did not show significant changes with age in either region. Conclusion Reduction of the crimp angle in the core of the superficial digital flexor tendon occurs normally with age, as tendons of older animals would have undergone a higher number of loading cycles. It is possible that athletic training increases the frequency and/or the magnitude of high loading cycles experienced by the tendon, and may accelerate and worsen the normal load‐related ageing process in the superficial digital flexor tendons of young performance horses, particularly in the central regions where lesions usually occur.