[Stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome in dairy heifers: results of a pilot study]. / Doodgeboren kalveren bij vaarzen op melkveebedrijven: resultaten van een oriënterend onderzoek.

A pilot study of 10 Dutch dairy herds was performed to investigate possible causes of stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome in heifers. Possible causes and advice for further investigations on farms affected by this syndrome are discussed based on the results of investigations of blood and urine from pregnant young stock, postmortem examination of still-born calves, and a questionnaire held among farmers. Infections with Neospora caninum, Salmonella spp. or Leptospira hardjo, or a deficiency of iodine could be excluded.

Estrone sulfate concentrations as an indicator of fetal demise in horses.

Serum and urinary estrone sulfate concentrations were determined in 7 pregnant mares before and after prostaglandin-induced abortion (n = 4) or surgical removal of the fetus (n = 3) to determine the source of estrogen during early pregnancy (gestation days [GD] 44 to 89). Estrone sulfate concentrations also were determined in serum samples (stored frozen for 2 years) from 3 mares that had been ovariectomized between GD 51 and 58. Estrone sulfate concentrations decreased in serum and urine after expulsion or removal of the fetus (urinary patterns were more definitive than were patterns for serum), whereas a transient decrease in serum estrone sulfate concentration was observed after ovariectomy. Seemingly, products of conception are the major source of estrone sulfate during early pregnancy, although there appears to be some ovarian contribution. Serum or urinary estrone sulfate measurements provide a simple and accurate test for fetal viability after GD 44 in the mare.

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona associated with abortion in cattle: isolation methods and laboratory animal histopathology.

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was successfully isolated from cattle urine in the western Transvaal after an abortion storm had occurred. Direct inoculation of EMJH medium proved the most successful method. The selective agent, 5-fluorouracil, was most effective in controlling contamination when used at the 0,4 mg/ml level. The strain isolated was pathogenic in hamsters, but specific lesions and the leptospirae were seen only where overwhelming infection occurred.

Urinary chorionic gonadotropin levels in pregnant golden lion tamarins. Preliminary observations.

We have established the interval over which urinary chorionic gonadotropin can be detected by a radioimmunoassay during pregnancy in the golden lion tamarin. Preliminary findings indicate the potential value of this radioimmunoassay system for (1) diagnosis of pregnancy at about four weeks after fertilization; (2) estimation of the expected time of delivery; and (3) identification of individual monkeys having an apparent high risk of spontaneous abortion.