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Biomedical subjects

D E Noakes

Publications and source records attributed to D E Noakes.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Acute phase protein response of ewes and the release of PGFM in relation to uterine involution and the presence of intrauterine bacteria.

The rate of uterine involution postpartum was monitored in 13 suckling mule ewes by using radio-opaque markers and radiography, and each ewe was also monitored for intrauterine bacterial contamination during the first week, using a sterile guarded swab. Peripheral plasma or serum concentrations of haptoglobin, seromucoid, ceruloplasmin and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were measured up to six weeks postpartum. The maximum reduction in the length of the uterine body and in the diameters of the horns occurred by 28 days postpartum, except in one ewe in which the size of the uterus continued to decrease for 42 days. Four ewes were positive for intrauterine bacterial contamination; Escherichia coli, clostridial species, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and Enterococcus species were isolated in pure or mixed culture. The presence of intrauterine bacteria did not affect the time for the completion of uterine involution. No bacteria were isolated from the ewe in which involution was delayed, but it had a different acute phase protein response and was therefore excluded from further analyses. In the remaining 12 ewes the mean postpartum haptoglobin response increased, with peak concentrations occurring on day 1, and decreased slowly as uterine involution progressed, but the four contaminated ewes had a significantly greater response. There was no difference between the prepartum and postpartum concentrations of seromucoid in the eight sterile ewes, but significant increases were observed in the contaminated group; the concentrations of ceruloplasmin did not vary in either group. The concentrations of PGFM were higher during the early postpartum period in the ewes with contaminated uteri.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Effect of maternal nutrient restriction in early gestation on development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in fetal sheep at 0.8-0.9 of gestation.

The fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has numerous key roles in development. Epidemiological data have linked adverse prenatal nutrition with altered organ development and increased incidence of disease in adult life. We studied HPA axis development in resting and stimulated states in late gestation fetal sheep, following 15% reduction in maternal nutritional intake over the first 70 days of gestation (dGA). Fetuses from control (C) and nutrient-restricted (R) ewes were chronically catheterised and response profiles for ACTH and cortisol were determined at 113-116 and 125-127 dGA after administration of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP). At 126-128 dGA cortisol profiles were also determined following ACTH administration. Basal ACTH and cortisol concentrations were not different between C and R fetuses. In R fetuses, ACTH response to CRH+AVP was significantly smaller at 113-116 dGA (P<0.01), and cortisol responses were smaller at both 113-116 dGA (P<0.01) and 125-127 dGA (P<0.0001). Cortisol response to ACTH was also smaller in R fetuses (P<0.001). We conclude that, in late gestation fetal sheep, pituitary and adrenal responsiveness is reduced following modest maternal nutrient restriction in early gestation.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1998

Uterine bacterial flora and uterine lesions in bitches with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (pyometra).

Thirty-eight complete genital tracts were obtained fresh from local veterinary practices after bitches had been ovariohysterectomised for the treatment of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (pyometra). The aerobic and anaerobic culture of swabs obtained aseptically from the uterine lumen demonstrated the presence of Escherichia coli in 28 of the 29 cases from which bacteria were isolated and, from 25, a pure culture was obtained. Sixteen different serotypes were identified from 24 genital tracts; 032K+ CNF+ was isolated from four of 16 cases and 04K-; from three of 16 cases. Cytotoxin necrotising factors (CNFs) were identified in seven of the 16 serotypes; they included 02, 04, 06, 022, 025, 045 and 075, which except for 06 and 045 were haemolytic. Strains 04K- and 07K+ completely destroyed the integrity of the endometrial epithelium whereas 088K+ and 088K- had the least effect. The scores for the reduction in the integrity of the endometrial epithelium and the degree of infiltration of inflammatory cells were greater in the presence of CNF 1.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of three treatments for bovine endometritis.

Three commercial preparations for the treatment of bovine endometritis were compared: an intrauterine infusion of 1500 mg oxtytetracycline hydrochloride solution, an intramuscular injection of 500 micrograms cloprostenol (a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F2 alpha), and an intramuscular injection of 3 mg oestradiol benzoate/500 kg estimated bodyweight. A total of 300 cases of endometritis were treated, of which 225 involved first, 67 involved second, and eight involved third or subsequent treatments. The overall success rate of treatment was 68 per cent. Oxytetracycline was successful in 73 per cent of cases, cloprostenol in 67 per cent and oestradiol in 63 per cent of cases. There was no significant difference between the success rates of the treatments, except for cows with mild endometritis in which oxytetracycline was more successful than oestradol (86 v 66 per cent, P < 0.05). Mild cases were treated more successfully than moderate cases (78 v 61 per cent, P < 0.01), and more successfully than severe cases (78 v 44 per cent, P < 0.001). Prostaglandin F2 alpha was more successful if the milk progesterone concentration was > 7 ng/ml at the time of treatment (P < 0.05). The presence of a smelly discharge at the time of treatment reduced the success rate by 17 per cent (P < 0.02). The treatment to conception interval for all successful treatments of endometritis by prostaglandin F2 alpha was 18.1 days shorter than for oestradiol (68.3 v 86.4 days, P < 0.02), and the interval for oxytetracycline was 16.2 days shorter than for oestradiol (70.2 v 86.4 days, P < 0.05).

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1998

Changes in the capacity of the vagina and the compliance of the vaginal wall in ovariectomized, normal cyclical and pregnant ewes, before and after treatment with exogenous oestradiol and progesterone.

The 'capacity' of the vagina and the compliance of the vaginal wall was measured in bilaterally ovariectomized ewes (n = 7) before and after treatment with exogenous oestradiol and progesterone; in nulliparous ewes (n = 7) at oestrus (Day 0) and dioestrus (Day 10) and during pregnancy, and in another group of pregnant ewes (n = 15) treated with exogenous oestradiol and progesterone. Measurements were remarkably consistent within individual animals but there were considerable differences between individual animals. The 'vaginal capacity' and the compliance of the vaginal wall were greater at oestrus than during dioestrus. In the same seven ewes, which were studied during their first and second pregnancies, the 'capacity' of the vagina increased whereas the compliance of the vaginal wall declined; from 90 days to term both parameters remained fairly constant. For the first 2 months of gestation the vaginal capacity was greater in year 2 than year 1 but this was reversed during the last 3 months. The compliance of the vaginal wall was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) in year 2 than year 1 at all stages of pregnancy. In ovariectomized ewes, progesterone only significantly increased the vaginal capacity at the highest dose rate (viz. 100 mg); the compliance of the wall was reduced at the 25 and 50 mg dose rates. Oestradiol produced an inconsistent dose response effect; whilst 5 mg and 20 mg had no effect upon the vaginal capacity, the 10 mg dose rate significantly reduced it. Similarly, the highest and lowest dose rates reduced the compliance of the vaginal wall but the 10 mg dose rate increased it. At 90 and 120 days of gestation, both 5 mg oestradiol and 100 mg progesterone increased the vaginal capacity but reduced the compliance.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Displacement of the tubular genital tract of the ewe during pregnancy.

The displacement of the tubular genital tract of ewes during pregnancy, in particular of the cervix relative to the cranial pelvic brim, was studied by sequential radiography using radio-opaque markers attached surgically before tupping. In the first year, 13 two-year-old parous ewes were fed a complete pelleted diet containing either 15 or 25 per cent fibre throughout pregnancy. The distances between the markers attached to the tubulogenital tract increased and the distance between the cervix and the cranial pelvic brim increased slightly with advancing pregnancy; the diet had no effect. In the second year, only cervical displacement was studied in 11 ewes that had suffered a cervicovaginal prolapse the previous year, and in five of their female progeny. They were divided into two groups, one of which was fed a 15 per cent-fibre complete pelleted diet and the other hay ad libitum throughout pregnancy. In two ewes, one from each dietary group, the prolapse recurred less than two weeks from term; initially it was a stage 2 prolapse, where the vaginal wall fails to return to its normal position when the ewe stands, but in one ewe it became a stage 3 prolapse, with the vagina completely everted and the cervix visible. During the stage 2 prolapse there was no evidence of caudal displacement of the cervix, whereas during the progression to the stage 3 prolapse the cervix became displaced 33 cm caudally over two to three hours.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Immunocytochemical localization of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterus of the normal bitch during oestrus and metoestrus.

Frozen uterine biopsy samples obtained from eight bitches during oestrus and metoestrus were used to develop immunocytochemical methods for identifying steroid receptors. The use of anti-steroid receptor monoclonal antibodies DAKO ID5 and NCL-PGR resulted in reliable detection of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, respectively. The distribution and heterogeneity of both oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression varied during the oestrous cycle. During oestrus, steroid receptor expression was greatest as indicated by a distinct and homogeneous distribution of nuclear staining within cells of the endometrial glandular and luminal epithelium and myometrium. In contrast, during metoestrus there was an overall reduction in both the number and intensity of staining of nuclei. Distribution and intensity of nuclear staining was heterogeneous. This reduction was obvious within the luminal epithelial cells where nuclear staining was negligible compared with that of the glandular epithelial cells. This method could be used for further receptor studies, particularly in those diseases mediated by steroid hormones such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia and mammary neoplasia.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Seasonal variations in the semen quality of young British goats.

Physical characteristics of semen quality were studied over a 12 month period in 10 post pubertal, young male goats (7-19 months of age) maintained under the naturally prevailing climatic conditions characteristic of the South of England (latitude N 51 degrees 46'). Semen was collected fort-nightly using an artificial vagina and an ovariectomized, oestrogenized teaser doe. The physical appearance of the ejaculates varied from a yellow or whitish-yellow colour during September-December to a creamy-white colour during the remainder of the year. Ejaculate volume decreased from 0.96 +/- 0.06 ml in October to the minimum value of 0.39 +/- 0.03 ml in April and 0.38 +/- 0.02 ml in July, after which there was a sharp increase to the highest value, 1.04 +/- 0.05 ml, in September. Sperm cell concentration per ml was lowest (3.66 +/- 0.16 x 10(9)), during November and highest (6.56 +/- 0.29 x 10(9)) during May. However, the total sperm per ejaculate were highest during the September and lowest in December. The mass and individual motilities were higher during August-December than in the remainder of the year. The percentages of dead and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa were highest during May. The effect of the months and seasons of the year on all parameters of semen quality were significant (P < 0.01).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Sexual maturity in British breeds of goat kids.

Eight male kids of British Sannen and one each of the British Alpine and British Toggenberg breed, born between the last week of February and first week of March 1990, were used. From the age of 12 weeks, they were monitored every week for body and testicular growth and sexual development, until they attained sexual maturity. The development of the sexual behaviour was a gradual process. From 12 weeks of age, the body weight increased at a constant rate. Testicular development, however, showed a biphasic pattern; the testis size increased rapidly between 12 and 20 weeks of age and was followed by a period of slow growth. Sexual maturity occurred at a mean age of 172.7 +/- 4.47 days, and at a mean body weight of 31.25 +/- 1.50 kg when the mean values of scrotal circumference, testis diameter and paired testes width were 24.13 +/- 0.47 mm, 54.01 +/- 1.26 mm and 88.31 +/- 1.61 mm, respectively. In most kids, the quality of the first ejaculate was good, although it varied widely between animals. It appeared that sexual maturity in British goat kids occurs at a younger age than in different breeds in other parts of the world that have been reported in the literature.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

A clinical and ultrasonographic study of the testes and related structures of goats and rams after unilateral vasectomy.

The semen quality, plasma testosterone concentrations and ultrasonographic changes were studied for up to 20 weeks after the unilateral vasectomy of two adult goats and two rams, and the gross and histological changes were examined post mortem. An intact ram and an intact goat served as controls. There was a marked decrease in the sperm concentration and the total numbers of sperm per ejaculate in both species. However, there seemed to be no effect on ejaculatory volume, mass motility and individual motile sperm, percentages of dead and abnormal sperm and plasma concentrations of testosterone. Ultrasonographically, the epididymal tail lost its characteristic heterogeneous texture and appeared enlarged. Anechoic masses, representing sperm granulomata, were visible within the epididymal tail of both the rams, and the epididymal head of one of the goats and at the cut end of the vas deferens in the other. They were observed as early as four to six weeks after surgery and their nature was confirmed post mortem. The sequential ultrasonographic changes in the testis and the epididymis are described.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Use of ultrasound to diagnose testicular degeneration in a goat.

A seven-year-old infertile British alpine buck with small testes had bilateral testicular degeneration, as confirmed by the presence of a large number of dead and abnormal spermatozoa and a low percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa in its semen. Histopathological examination of the testes post mortem showed typical degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules, with some tubules showing evidence of calcification. Ultrasonographically, the testicular parenchyma was uncharacteristically heterogeneous with an abundance of dense echogenic areas scattered through it.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A radiographic method for measuring the effect of exogenous hormone therapy on uterine involution in ewes.

Twenty-six pluriparous Suffolk ewes were used to monitor the effects of four hormone treatments on the rate of uterine involution, which was assessed by means of radio-opaque markers and radiography. The close correlation between measurements of the genital tract in live sheep and after slaughter indicated that this method of monitoring uterine involution was acceptably accurate. Uterine involution was complete by about 29 days after lambing. None of the hormone treatments with progesterone, oestradiol-17 beta, prostaglandin F2 alpha or an oxytocin analogue, administered shortly after lambing, had any effects on the rate of uterine involution. There was no correlation between the duration of increased plasma concentrations of 13.14 dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 (PGFM) and the rate of uterine involution.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of four hormone treatments after calving on uterine and cervical involution and ovarian activity in cows.

Uterine and cervical involution after calving was measured sequentially in 25 parous commercial Friesian cows by using electronic calipers and real-time ultrasound imaging, transrectally. Ovarian activity was monitored by using real-time ultrasound imaging and by the assay of milk progesterone concentrations. Peripheral plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite concentrations were assayed during this period. Five groups of five cows were treated intramuscularly, approximately 48 hours after calving, with either 100 mg progesterone in oil, 25 mg dinoprost tromethamine, 5 mg oestradiol benzoate, 1.2 mg of the long-acting oxytocin analogue carbetocin or 5 ml sterile water. There were no statistically significant differences between the intervals from calving to the completion of involution or between the intervals from calving to the first ovulation for the cows in the different groups. The mean PGFM concentrations in the peripheral circulation were significantly higher in the carbetocin-treated group, presumably owing to the stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha secretion. This study provides no evidence that a single treatment with any of the four hormones significantly affected the reproductive function of the cows after calving.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

B-mode real time ultrasonographic imaging of the testis and epididymis of sheep and goats.

Ten male goats and five rams were examined from 11 and 15 weeks of age, respectively, for six months to study the ultrasonic appearance of normal testes and epididymides before and after puberty. Five adult rams with lesions of these organs were also examined. A portable, B-mode, real time scanner fitted with a 7.5 MHz, linear array transducer was used. The testis appeared as a homogeneous and moderately echogenic structure with a centrally located mediastinum testis represented by an hyperechogenic line in images taken in the longitudinal plane and by an almost circular spot in transverse images. The testicular capsule and skin were evident as a distinct hyperechogenic line encircling the testicular parenchyma. A thin non-echogenic layer of fluid, presumably between two layers of tunica vaginalis, was observed. The tail of the epididymis was more heterogeneous and less echogenic than the testis. The epididymal head was also less echogenic but homogeneous in texture, and the body of the epididymis was difficult to image. The pampiniform plexus was easily identified as numerous convoluted sonolucent tubular structures. The ultrasonic images of possible cases of epididymitis, spermatocele, testicular cyst and abscess and scrotal hernia are described.

Animals↗