Feeding selectivity by mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in relation to leaf secondary chemistry in Hymenaea courbaril.

This study is a quantitative examination of primate feeding selectivity in relation to secondary chemistry within a single plant species, Hymenaea courbaril. It provides the first evidence that sesquiterpenes may act as feeding deterrents in mantled howler monkeys. A free-ranging group of mantled howler monkeys at the study site of Sector Santa Rosa, Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Costa Rica were observed for the 2-month period of H. courbaril leaf flush in 1999. Tree characteristic data and leaf specimens were collected from 22 focal trees. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to estimate relative percentages of sesquiterpenes in leaf specimens. The monkeys fed only on the youngest leaves and only from particular trees. Whereas leaf stage selectivity was likely governed by tannin content and structural carbohydrates in younger and older leaf stages, respectively, differential tree use may be related to variability in sesquiterpene content. There is evidence that alpha-copaene may have played a role in interindividual tree use, and that cyperene may also be implicated. However, there is no reported evidence of antiherbivore activity for cyperene.

Ocular surgery.

The techniques described are considered field techniques. Adequate restraint and the ability to perform the blocking techniques are critical. Selection of a technique should be based on severity of the lesion, type of lesion, function of the animal, and economics. Application of less radical techniques should be preformed when possible; alternatives to enucleation exist in many cases.

Spiral colon intussusception in a three-year-old bull.

Intussusception of the spiral colon was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Charolais bull. Necropsy revealed the intussusception to involve approximately 40 cm of the first centripetal gyrus of the spiral loop, beginning 70 cm distal to the ileocolic junction. Predisposing lesions were not noticed in the mesentery or lumen of the affected intestine; however, the involved intestine was necrotic. Surgical resection of the lesion was not attempted because of the compromised nature of the involved large intestine and because of the inability to exteriorize the region in the standing animal.

Surgical correction of urethral dilatation in an intersex goat.

Multiple congenital urethral abnormalities were successfully corrected in a polled goat kid. Anatomic genito-urinary abnormalities identified were paired testes with associated epididymis, ductus deferens, and active endometrial tissue. Blood karyotyping revealed the female state--XX sex chromosomes. This case exemplifies the complex interactions in addition to Y dominant Mendelian genetics that determine reproductive tract development in goats. The resultant intersex state is clinically recognized with greater frequency in polled progeny.

Conservative management of fourth tarsal bone fracture in a draft horse.

A fourth tarsal bone fracture was treated conservatively in an adult draft horse. Seven months after the injury, the horse had no evidence of lameness and was able to compete in athletic events. It has been suggested that conservative management of these fractures be considered for brood animals or animals used for less strenuous activities. The outcome of this case suggests that fourth tarsal bone fractures can be successfully treated in athletic animals with conservative management.

Excision of neoplasms of the bovine lower eyelid by H-blepharoplasty.

Neoplasms of the lower eyelid in 14 cattle were treated by wide surgical excision and H-blepharoplasty. Healing was by first intention, and cosmetic results were satisfactory in all cases. Lid function was satisfactory in 12 cattle, and there was no evidence of recurrence after at least 6 months in 12 cattle. This therapy can be recommended for large infiltrative masses on the lower lid if there is no evidence of bony involvement, metastasis, or involvement of both puncta at the medial canthus.

Nutritional factors in bovine gastrointestinal disease.

Gastrointestinal disorders may be prevented through proper nutrition. Attention should be placed on establishing optimum feeding programs for cattle in all stages of the life and production cycle. Normal reticuloruminal development in calves and maintenance of gastrointestinal function in adult cattle is dependent upon adequate nutrition. Nutrition is also an important part of therapy of many gastrointestinal disorders.

Management of facial injuries.

Because of the excellent blood supply to the head region, superficial lacerations to the soft tissue structures of the head generally heal rapidly without treatment. Lacerations of the equine tongue frequently go unnoticed because difficulty in eating usually is not apparent. The majority of lacerations heal if left untreated, with no loss in function. Surgical repair is indicated to promote healing and prevent deformity, to amputate a severely compromised apex, and to alter a scar or defect that is unacceptable to the owner. Surgical principles to be adhered to include thorough debridement and copious lavage, multiple layer closure, and placement of tension sutures away from the primary suture line and tied on the dorsum of the tongue. Full-thickness lip lacerations should be repaired using multiple-layer closure and tension sutures tied on the skin surface away from the primary suture line. Reconstructive techniques have been described for extensive lip lacerations when primary repair was inadequate or tissue loss was severe. Thorough evaluation of the equine lid, adnexa, and orbit is essential in determining severity of injury and appropriate treatment methods as well as for establishment of a prognosis. The injury may be minor or more severe, leading to blindness, disfigurement, or loss of the eye itself. Depression fractures involving the frontal, maxillary, or nasal bones are frequently open fractures. Skin abrasions, epistaxis, facial deformity, crepitus, and pain are clinical signs seen with this type of injury. Bone and soft tissue reconstruction should be performed to minimize potential complications. Facial fractures left untreated can result in facial deformity, sequestration, sinusitis, and osteomyelitis.

Hydrallantois in a ewe.

Hydrallantois was detected in a pregnant ewe by physical examination and ultrasonographic evaluation. Clinical signs of disease included acute progressive bilateral abdominal distention, anorexia, and recumbency. Right-flank celiotomy and cesarean section were used to alleviate the condition. Post-operatively, in addition to supportive treatment, oxytocin and fenprostalene (a long-acting prostaglandin) were administered to decrease the likelihood or severity of hydrallantoic sequelae.

Transvaginal sonography of the endometrium during ovum pickup in stimulated cycles for in vitro fertilization.

The endometrium of a series of 190 in vitro fertilization patients was investigated by transvaginal ultrasound. The endometrial pattern was related to the likelihood of implantation. No such relationship was found for the thickness of the endometrium. There was not a strong correlation between the endometrium and hormonal values. However, three endometrial patterns were detected after hormonal stimulation. The predominant pattern consisted of an outer hyperechogenic layer and an inner hypoechogenic layer. This pattern correlated in a positive fashion with subsequent implantation. It is concluded that the texture of the endometrium at the time of ovum pickup has a prognostic value for the likelihood of implantation to occur.

Acrosomal proteinase activity of human spermatozoa and relation of results to semen quality.

An assay for measuring the acrosomal proteinase activity of human spermatozoa with the use of a microscope slide coated with a thin layer of gelatin as a protein substrate was developed and applied to study the semen of 82 males from infertile couples and 15 normal donors. Acrosomal protease activity is indicated by a clear area of proteolyzed gelatin (halo) about the sperm head. Probit analysis revealed two populations divided at a halo diameter of 14 microns. The patient samples were grouped according to semen quality. The mean proteinase activity for most of the infertile groups was significantly below the control and more of the infertile men had a halo diameter less than 14 microns. Decreased activity was also found in 37% of patients with normal semen analysis. It is concluded that low acrosomal proteinase activity is associated with infertility. This reliable, inexpensive and rapid assay may prove to be helpful as an adjunct to semen analysis in the infertility work-up.

Transvaginal sonographically guided oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization.

Between December 1986 and November 1987, 588 transvaginal sonographically guided oocyte retrievals using a vaginal transducer were performed for in-vitro fertilization. All follicles were accessible. No complication occurred except for one case of pelviperitonitis in a patient with preoperatively diagnosed sactosalpinx. Because this technique is safe, non-invasive and can be performed without general anaesthesia, eggs were also retrieved from patients despite poor hormonal values and endogenous LH surge. In all, clinical pregnancies were diagnosed in 85 patients. Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, oocyte retrieval and stimulated cycle, respectively, were 19.0, 14.5 and 12.0%. The advantages of the transvaginal technique compared with laparoscopically guided and with other sonographically guided techniques of oocyte retrieval are obvious, e.g. no general anaesthesia, in general all follicles accessible, very low complication rates, little discomfort to patient, less time and fewer staff. Therefore, this technique seems to be the method of choice. Laparoscopically guided oocyte retrieval is only indicated when a laparoscopic screening of pelvic organs or a gamete intra-Fallopian transfer are to be performed simultaneously.

[Transvaginal, ultrasound-controlled follicle puncture]. / Die transvaginale, sonographisch gesteuerte Follikelpunktion.

Between December 1986 and November 1987, 588 transvaginal sonographically-guided oocyte retrievals, using a vaginal transducer, were performed for in vitro fertilization at the University of Bonn. All follicles were accessible. No complication occurred except one case of pelviperitonitis in a patient with preoperatively diagnosed sactosalpinx. Because this technique is safe, non-invasive, and performable without general anaesthesia, we also retrieved eggs in patients despite poor hormonal values and endogenous LH-surge. In all, clinical pregnancies were diagnosed in 85 patients. Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, oocyte retrieval and stimulated cycle, respectively were 19.0%, 14.5% and 12.0%. The advantages of the transvaginal technique, using a vaginal transducer compared with the laparoscopically-guided as well as with other sonographically-guided techniques of oocyte retrieval, are obvious (possibly without general anaesthesia, in general all follicles are accessible, very low complication rates, low discomfort to patient, and less amount of time and staff). Therefore, this technique seems to be the method of first choice. A laparoscopically-guided oocyte retrieval is only indicated, when a laparoscopic screening of pelvic organs or a gamete intrafallopian transfer are to be performed simultaneously.

Pregnancy following repair of a congenital atresia of the uterine cervix and upper vagina.

A case of congenital atresia of the uterine cervix combined with atresia of the upper vagina and without any other anomalies is reported. Direct anastomosis of cervix and vagina resulted in a restoration of reproductive function. The patient conceived 6 years afterward and delivered a healthy boy by cesarean section at 31 weeks of gestation. Therapeutic reconstructing options for this kind of genital tract malformation with respect to reproductive function are discussed.

[The effect of a synthetic androgen (mesterolone) on semen quality]. / Der Einfluss eines synthetischen androgens (mesterolon) auf die Samenqualität.

224 infertile men were treated with mesterolone (M.;30, or 60 mg/die) for a minimum of three months. When comparing semen analyses done before and after treatment with M., a small but distinct reduction of hyperspermia as well as an augmentation of hypospermia were evident, an increase of sperm density in oligozoospermia grade I (20-40 kx 10(6) sperm/ml) was revealed, and an improvement of sperm motility in asthenozoospermia was seen. These was no change in sperm morphology. According to our data, careful selection of patients for treatment with M. Based on aetio-pathogenic considerations appears to be the "salient point" in the administration M. As a general rule, treatment with M. should be confined to patients with mild idiopathic oligo (astheno) zoospermia where no specific therapy - such as, e.g., high ligation for varicocele - is available.