[Comparison of vaginal devices CIDR and PRID in ovariectomized cows using hormone analysis]. / Hormonanalytischer Vergleich der Vaginaleinlagen CIDR und PRID bei ovariektomierten Kühen.

Plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol were compared in 7 ovariectomised cows after application of 2 different intravaginal releasing devices. Peak concentrations of 4-6 ng/ml progesterone were found within 2 hours after application of the devices. From day 2 to day 6 concentrations sank continuously to 2 ng/ml. Progesterone levels of 1-2 ng/ml prevailed from day 6 to the day of removal of the pessaries (day 12 for PRID, day 15 for CIDR). No differences between the two devices were detected. Increased concentrations of estradiol were found for PRID only, reaching maximum levels of 6-7 pg/ml plasma 150 minutes after application.

[Studies of facilities with increased abortion rates in cattle]. / Untersuchungen in Betrieben mit gehäuftem Verwerfen beim Rind.

Cases of abortions in cattle were investigated using several different laboratory procedures. The purpose was to collect information on an individual animal and on a herd basis that would allow a correct etiological diagnosis and also the institution of prophylactic measures. The cause of the abortion was diagnosed in 30% of the cases and in 16.3% of the herds. Due to the complexity of the problem, there is no routine diagnostic procedure that can universally be recommended and applied. There was no association between the number of tests performed or the number of herd mates included in the diagnostic work-up and the diagnostic success rate. In order to make a more efficient use of the diagnostic procedures, a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to abortion, on an individual animal basis and on a herd basis, is required.

[Brucella ovis infection in rams of the "white Alp" breed. Case report]. / Brucella ovis-Infektion bei Widdern der Rasse "Weisses Alpenschaf" Fallberichte.

The clinical findings of seven "White Alp" rams are discussed. Six of the animals contracted Brucella ovis and exhibited signs of illness. The seventh animal indicated no Brucella ovis contact. The ejaculates of all rams showed significant changes. A spermatocele, typical for Brucella ovis, could be proven, pathologically and anatomically, in only one case. Brucella ovis was isolated from two samples. A brief discussion on the treatment of herds infected with Brucella ovis is included.

[Estradiol and progesterone concentrations in the plasma of nonpregnant bitches during the sexual cycle]. / Ostradiol- und Progesteronkonzentrationen im Plasma von nicht trächtigen Hündinnen während des Sexualzyklus.

Measurement of the plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone in six bitches on 180 consecutive days showed large fluctuations in the levels of both hormones. The concentrations of oestradiol began to increase 10-12 days before the peak levels of 38.1-89.7 pg/ml were reached, then declined again over the next 3-7 days to or below the minimum measurable value of 9 pg/ml. On the day after the maximum concentrations of oestradiol were recorded, plasma progesterone began to rise rapidly, reaching a plateau after approximately two weeks, then declining gradually after a further two weeks. At the height of the luteal phase, peak levels of 12.6-70.1 ng/ml were measured, although on some days values of less than 1 ng/ml were recorded. The time of occurrence of the initial rise in the progesterone concentration during oestrus presumably indicates that preovulatory luteinization had taken place. During anoestrus the basal concentration of progesterone was generally less than 1 ng/ml and that of oestradiol less than 9 pg/ml. The normal values derived from these observations are discussed with regard to the interpretation of oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in domestic pets under treatment in veterinary practice.

[Uterine motility of cattle during late pregnancy, labor and puerperium. III. Use of flunixin meglumine and endocrine changes]. / Die Uterusmotorik des Rindes während Spätgravidität, Geburt und Puerperium. III. Anwendung von Flunixin Meglumin und endokrine Veränderungen.

In the present study the effect of Flunixin meglumine (FM), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, was investigated on postpartal prostaglandin production and uterine activity in the cow. For that purpose 8 cows were given FM in a dose of 2.2 mg/Kg b.w. twice daily (08.00 and 16.00 h) for the first 10 days p.p. Blood samples were collected at various times before, during and after parturition and the concentrations of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha (PGFM), progesterone as well as adrenaline and noradrenaline determined. Eight cows served as controls. Uterine activity was measured by means of pressure microsensors and electrodes which were surgically implanted into the uterine wall before parturition. During the whole treatment period FM inhibited endogenous PG-production by more than 80% (p < 0.05). The suppressive effect of FM was maximal 4 h after the last injection and lasted no longer than 8 h. PGF2 alpha-suppression clearly decreased spontaneous uterine motility and reduced the myometrial response to ocytocin (5 IU i.v.) and PGF2 alpha (15 mg i.v.). Treatment with FM did not interfere with uterine involution, the return to cyclicity and the first postpartal cycle length. Also, no obvious effects were seen on catecholamine concentrations which fluctuated during parturition without regularly representing the actual stress situation. Our results demonstrate that FM is able to effectively inhibit PGF2 alpha-secretion as well as uterine activity in the cow. Further evaluation of FM as a tocolyticum or in the treatment of uterine infections is required.

[Estrus induction in bitches by the administration of PMSG and HCG]. / Brunstinduktion bei Hündinnen durch Verabreichung von PMSG und HCG.

Oestrus was induced in 14 anoestrous beagle bitches by intramuscular injection of PMSG in a dose of 20 I.U./kg once daily on five consecutive days, followed by an additional single i.m. injection of 500 I.U. of hCG on the fifth day. The day on which the first injection was given was counted as Day 1 of the experiment. Between the fourth and sixth day, the bitches began to attract the attention of male dogs and between Days 9 and 15 all bitches came in heat. Matings occurred on two to ten occasions, and six of the bitches conceived. The maximum concentrations of oestradiol in the plasma were in most cases reached on Days 10 or 12 and ranged from 42 to 195 pg/ml. In all cases progesterone concentrations rose sharply between Days 10 and 20. The incretion phase of the corpora lutea was noticeably brief in the non-gravid bitches; in five of these eight bitches, anoestrous values below 2 ng/ml were already obtained before the 65th day of the experiment. These results indicate that the administration of PMSG on five consecutive days supplemented by a final single injection of hCG stimulates the ovaries adequately to afford good prospects of conception. The concentrations of ovarian hormones are discussed.

[The uterine motility in cattle during late pregnancy, labor and puerperium. II. Drug modification]. / Die Uterusmotorik des Rindes während Spätgravidität, Geburt und Puerperium. II. Medikamentelle Beeinflussung.

The uterine effects of oxytocin, the prostaglandins dinoprost and cloprostenol as well as clenbuterol, ergometrin, xylazine and Utrorale were investigated in 8 cows during late pregnancy, parturition and early puerperium (until 4th day p. p.). Uterine motility was measured by means of pressure microsensors and electrodes which were surgically implanted 3 to 4 weeks before parturition. Hysterograms were characterized by means of pressure amplitude, frequency and duration of uterine contractions and also by electromyography. Oxytocin (2-5 IE) given intravenously always provoked strong uterine contractions until the 4th day p.p. From the prostaglandins examined during early puerperium only dinoprost (15 mg i.v.) produced uterotonic effects, while the synthetic analogue cloprostenol (0.25 mg i.v.) had a weak stimulatory activity only on day 1 p.p. Both prostaglandins were ineffective when injected intramuscularly. Clenbuterol (0.3 mg i.v.) a beta 2-mimetic compound effectively induced long lasting tocolysis during parturition, which could be abolished by oxytocin. Xylazine (10 mg i.v.) was able to significantly increase uterine motility during late gestation. Following intravenous administration of ergometrin (1 and 10 mg), bunitrolol (1-16 mg) and Utrorale (0.1-4 ml) including its compounds oleum sabinae, oleum terebinthinae, balsamum copaivale and Styrax no uterokinetic activity was recorded at any time.

[The uterine motility of cattle during late pregnancy, labor and puerperium. I. Spontaneous motility]. / Die uterusmotorik des rindes während spätgravidität, geburt und puerperium. i. die spontanmotorik.

In the present study spontaneous uterine motility was recorded in 4 cows during late pregnancy, parturition and the puerperium using pressure microsensors and electrodes which were surgically implanted into the myometrium of the pregnant horn 3 to 4 weeks before parturition. Hysterograms were evaluated by means of pressure amplitude, frequency, duration, interval of uterine contractions and also by electromyography. During the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy only single weak uterine contractions of different intensity were seen. About 18-20 hours a.p. frequency and amplitude of mainly tubocervical directed waves continuously increased. When the fetus entered the birth canal and especially during expulsion of the calf extremely strong irregular contractions occurred, which became very regular during the first hours p. p. After the placenta has been released 3-8 hours p. p., spontaneous uterine motility drastically decreased until the second postpartal week, when it started to increase again.

Carprofen in veterinary medicine. II. Inhibitory effect on the release of PGF2 alpha in the early postpartum cow.

Carprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, was given intravenously in five cows at a daily dose of 0.7 mg/kg for five days beginning on day 1 postpartum. Blood samples were collected at various times over a period of six days following the first injection. At this dose, carprofen reached highest plasma values of about 45 micrograms/ml after the fifth injection and was well tolerated by all the cows. During the whole experimental period, mean plasma levels of 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha, the primary metabolite of PGF2 alpha, were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in treated than in control animals (28-47% vs 64-101% of pretreatment concentrations). The suppressive effect of carprofen on PGF2 alpha-production occurred immediately after its application and was maximal 3-6 h post injection on the first and on the fifth experimental day (60-80% and 40-85%, respectively). We conclude from our results that carprofen in a single dose of 0.7 mg/kg b.w. effectively suppresses PGF2 alpha-release in the postpartum cow. Whether this effect is beneficial in the treatment of uterine inflammatory processes remains to be determined.

[Value of scintigraphy in aseptic loosening of cemented and cement-free hip endoprostheses]. / Aussagekraft der Szintigraphie zur aseptischen Lockerung bei zementierten und zementfreien Hüftendoprothesen.

Scintigraphic findings in 24 cemented and 25 cement-free prostheses were compared to determine the information value of scintigraphy in the diagnosis of loosening of total hip replacements. The scintigraphic findings were evaluated on the basis of specificity (indicates the percentage of complaint-free hips in which the scan is also negative) and sensitivity (indicates the percentage of clinically loosened hips in which the scan is also positive) in relation to the clinical diagnosis. For the cemented prostheses, the specificity value was 58% and the sensitivity 66%. The figures for the cemented prostheses were 15% and 83% respectively. On the basis of the authors' results it may be inferred that for cemented hip replacements the scan represents a valuable supplement to clinical and radiologic diagnosis. For the cement-free type of prostheses used by the authors, neither the scan nor radiology are suitable for diagnosing loosening; with these prostheses the findings obtained by clinical examination are the most reliable.

Twenty-four-hour secretory pattern of cortisol in the bull: evidence of episodic secretion and circadian rhythm.

A single antibody RIA method for measurement of plasma cortisol concentrations in the bull is described. Antisera were obtained from rabbits immunized against cortisol-3-oxime-bovine serum albumin. By this technique, peripheral cortisol levels were determined in seven adult bulls (one blind) during 24- and 48-h periods, with blood collections every 30 min. Statistical evaluation of the 24-h profiles using time series analysis revealed that cortisol is secreted episodically throughout the day-night cycle (range, 0.4-9.7 ng/ml). Despite individual variability in both frequency and amplitude of secretory episodes, a distinct circadian secretion pattern was recognized. After dividing the 24 h into three 8-h time periods (I, 0900-1700 h; II, 1700-0100 h; III, 0100-0900 h), a depressed secretory activity with small episodic bursts not exceeding 3.5 ng/ml plasma consistently occurred during time period II. Increased cortisol secretion with high fluctuating levels was evident during time periods I and III. Maximum cortisol concentrations greater than 8 ng/ml were noticed in the morning at the onset of daylight, whereas lowest values were recorded in the evening when darkness began. Results from this study indicate that there is a temporal correlation between the rhythm of cortisol secretion and the light-dark cycle in the bovine species.

The control of myometrial functions during parturition with Abeta(2) - mimeticcompound, Planipart(R).

A betamimetic and tocolytic compound (Planipart(R) = 4-amino-alpha-[(tert.-butyl-amino)-methyl] 3-5-dichlor-benzylalcohol-hydrochloride; Boehringer Ingelheim, Vetmedica GmbH) was used to effectively interrupt or postpone parturition in 39 cows and heifers, 13 pigs and three sheep. Its fast action, long duration, and freedom of clinical side effects were confirmed in clinical and tocographical in-vivo studies. Parturition was interrupted during stage I and early stage II of labor. With declining effects of Planipart(R), oxytocin can initiate renewed labor. Oxytocin is ineffective if the myometrium is under full control of Planipart, while Planipart(R) is ineffective when oxytocin (endogenous or exogenous) exerts its control on the myometrium. Deliveries after postponement or interruption seem subjectively to proceed faster and easier. No deleterious effects on mother or offsprings were observed in the postpartum phase or during lactation. Planipart may be used effectively in obstetrics and for biotechnical purposes.