Study on the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir, Iran

The aim of this survey was to evaluate the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir and estimation of their gestational age. Over a period of five months in fall and winter, a total number of 3046 uterine tracts were collected. Pregnancy was detected in 56.50% of ewes, 52.36% and 4.13% of which carried singleton and twins, respectively. The highest frequency of pregnancy was detected in January [65.63%] and the lowest frequency was detected in March [35.02%]. Among a total number of 1721 pregnant ewes, the most frequency of gestational age [34.68%] was recorded to be between 2 and 3 months of gestation, while 5.05% was detected to be above 121 days. Overall, the number of pregnant ewes with a gestational age over two months was considerable [59.83%]. It was concluded that reproductive waste resulting from slaughtering of pregnant animals is important in ewes in Khorram Abad and could be prevented by an improved antemortem examination

Comparative sonographic fetometry in dairy cattle

The aim of this study was to compare crown-rump length [CRL], trunk diameter and number of heartbeats of embryos and fetuses in heifers and pluriparous cows and also to compare the growth pattern of these structures and their correlation with fetal age. Six nulliparous heifers and seven pluriparous cows [third to seventh of gestation] of the Holstein breed were selected and impregnated. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed twice weekly during days 26-80 of their pregnancies. By day 80, there was no significant difference in CRL and trunk diameter of embryos and fetuses of heifers and pluriparous cows. All of the measurements had a highly significant correlation with fetal age [P<0.0001] except for pluriparous cows in which the fetal heartbeat was significant at p<0.05. The correlation coefficients [CC] of the CRL, trunk diameter and number of heartbeats in the fetuses of heifers and cows were as follows: 0.97, 0.98, -0.74 and 0.97, 0.98, -0.23, respectively. The growth pattern of the CRL and trunk diameter was quadratic in heifers and cows. Also the heartbeat in the fetuses of heifers decreased progressively in a quadratic pattern from day 31 through day 80. However, heartbeat in the fetuses of cows changed in an approximately stable or intermittent range. Moreover, standard error of heartbeats in the fetuses of cows was high. It was concluded that all of the measurements in heifers and cows are suitable for estimation of fetal age, except for heartbeat in the fetuses of pluriparous cows. This measurement is not practically recommended, due to a low CC and high standard error. In addition, there was no significant difference between the CRL and trunk diameter in heifers and cows until day 80 and this difference probably will become more pronounced in late pregnancy

Cleft palate in buffalo calf [a case report]

To introduce cleft palate in buffalo calf. A 3 days old buffalo calf. Clinical examination and Necropsy. History taking showed dysphagia and nasalregurgitation of milk. Clinical examination diagnosedaspiration pneumonia and cleft palate, necropsy findingsconfirmed