Breeding soundness evaluation of bulls by semen analysis, testicular fine needle aspiration cytology and trans-scrotal ultrasonography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of trans-scrotal ultrasonography and testicular fine needle aspiration cytology in assessing bulls for breeding suitability. These two techniques were also compared with semen analysis. Bulls presented for breeding soundness evaluation were assessed using all three techniques. The findings of each technique were compared. There was agreement in classification of fertile bulls using all three techniques, suggesting that the combined use of these techniques enhances routine breeding soundness examination. Use of the three techniques also enhances detailed investigation of suspected sub-fertile bulls while accurately identifying testicular cause(s) of sire sub-fertility.

A study of greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement and a history of poor racing performance.

Fifteen greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement were subjected to detailed investigation. Affected greyhounds exhibited coughing, poor racing performance and tonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia over a period of months. Each of the 15 affected animals had evidence of respiratory tract disease. Twelve had non-specific respiratory tract disease, two had pneumonia and one had pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils (PIE). Histopathological examination of the tonsils from affected dogs revealed that greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement are more likely to have tonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia than tonsillitis. As a result, lymphoid hyperplasia would be a suitable term to describe this tonsillar condition. Respiratory tract diseases, rather than tonsillar hyperplasia, was the more likely cause of the poor racing performance of affected dogs. The aetiological relationship, if any, between respiratory disease and tonsillar enlargement is unclear from this study and requires further investigation.

Superoxide dismutase and catalase do not affect the pulmonary hypertensive response to group B streptococcus in the lamb.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with conjugated antioxidant enzymes could attenuate or abolish pulmonary hypertension induced by group B streptococcus (GBS). Lambs, 3-7 d old, were anesthetized and ventilated. Intravascular catheters were placed in the left ventricle, descending aorta, right atrium, and pulmonary artery for continuous monitoring of intravascular pressures. Cardiac output was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 15 and 60 min into a 60-min GBS infusion, and 60 min after GBS was stopped. Blood gas values were held constant and PaO(2) was maintained >100 mm Hg. The control group received saline vehicle only (n = 6), the GBS group received GBS infusion only (n = 9), the enzymes (ENZ) group received polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) and polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-CAT) treatment only (n = 6), and the ENZ+GBS group received PEG-SOD and PEG-CAT then GBS (n = 9). Plasma samples were obtained to confirm increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the groups receiving enzymes. Compared with baseline, pulmonary vascular resistance increased by 119% and 101% at 15 min and 87% and 81% at 60 min in the GBS and ENZ+GBS groups, respectively. Sixty minutes after the termination of the GBS infusion, PVR returned to baseline in the GBS group but did not in the ENZ+GBS group. Enzyme infusions resulted in at least a ninefold increase in plasma enzyme activities. As opposed to previously published data from endotoxin models, PEG-CAT and PEG-SOD were ineffective in altering the GBS-induced pulmonary hypertensive response in this model. This suggests that acute administration of antioxidant enzymes may not be effective in ameliorating GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension.

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Health surveillance of cattle in the vicinity of a chemical industrial complex.

Following allegations of environmental contamination, a scheme for the surveillance of animal health on dairy farms in the vicinity of a large complex of chemical industries in the region of Cork harbour was initiated in 1991. Multidisciplinary investigations were undertaken as a result of unusual incidents of animal ill-health or decreased productivity, and an explosion and fire at one of the industrial plants. There was no evidence that exposure to environmental pollutants caused variations in either productivity or the incidence of disease. Many incidents which might have been linked with environmental pollution were found to have other causes. A broad database of animal disease incidence, productivity and blood composition has been established, and a bank of tissues taken from animals submitted for routine slaughter has been frozen, so that they may be analysed for toxins if required. The main difficulty encountered during the study was inadequate disclosure of information by some herd owners.

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