Fecal steroid analysis for evaluating ovarian function in the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis).

Seasonal reproductive-endocrine norms have not been described for the genus Tragelaphus, which consists of seven species of African antelope. Longitudinal patterns of progesterone metabolite excretion were assessed by radioimmunoassays in fecal samples collected noninvasively (three to seven samples per week) from greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros, n = 4) and lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis, n = 4). Progesterone metabolite excretion patterns revealed seasonal estrous cycles in both species, and discrimination of pregnant versus nonpregnant females was achieved in lesser kudu. These data reveal the value of fecal progesterone metabolites for establishing reproductive-endocrine norms in both zoo-maintained and free-living antelopes of the genus Tragelaphus.

Association between hygiene scores and somatic cell scores in dairy cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple system for scoring hygiene in dairy cattle and determine whether hygiene scores were associated with individual cow somatic cell scores (SCSs). DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: 1,191 cows. PROCEDURE: With the aid of a chart containing line drawings and descriptive text, hygiene scores ranging from 1 (clean) to 5 (dirty) were assigned for 5 body areas: tail head, thigh (lateral aspect), abdomen (ventral aspect), udder, and hind limbs (lower portion). To determine repeatability, hygiene scores were assigned to 75 cows twice by 4 experienced evaluators. To determine accuracy and ease of use, hygiene scores assigned by 14 college students to 23 cows were compared with scores assigned by 2 faculty members. To determine association with SCSs, hygiene scores were assigned to each of 1,093 cows by a single observer. RESULTS: Mean correlation coefficients for hygiene scores assigned twice by 4 experienced evaluators were > or = 0.884, indicating high repeatability. Students indicated that the scoring system was easy to use, and mean correlation coefficient for student and faculty member scores was 0.804. Hygiene scores for the tail head, thigh (lateral aspect), and abdomen (ventral aspect) were not significantly associated with SCS. However, hygiene scores for the udder and hind limbs (lower portion) and udder-hind limb composite scores were significantly associated with SCS, with SCS increasing as scores increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the hygiene scoring system was repeatable, accurate, and easy to use. However, only hygiene scores for the udder and hind limbs and the udder-hind limb composite score were significantly associated with SCS.

Medium to Culture and Differentiate Coagulase-Positive and -Negative Staphylococci from Bovine Milk.

A medium which incorporates CAMP factor produced by Streptococcus agalactiae (group B) into sheep blood agar was used to culture and identify coagulase-positive staphylococci from bovine milk. Of 506 staphylococcal isolates from bovine milk, 92.5% of coagulase-positive organisms produced a wide zone of complete hemolysis, whereas 98.9% of coagulase-negative organisms did not. The agreement of this one-step culture and identification test with the standard tube coagulase test was higher than that of the deoxyribonuclease test medium, Baird-Parker egg yolk medium, tellurite glycine medium and slide coagulase tests.

Laboratory Simulation of Fluctuating Temperature of Farm Bulk Tank Milk.

Temperature fluctuation of farm bulk tank milk was simulated in the laboratory. Temperature fluctuations of bulk tank milk on 8 farms were recorded for a week period. The median of the temperature rise and fall at each milking was used as the basis to simulate the fluctuating temperature in the laboratory. A 50-gal capacity aquarium kept in a walk in cooler set at 2°C with proper amounts of 37°C water added at the desired intervals was used to simulate a bulk tank. The recording of temperature fluctuations in farm bulk tanks and the simulated bulk tank in the laboratory were identical.