Biomedical subjects

R Sartori

Publications and source records attributed to R Sartori.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Myocardial infarction and other arterial occlusions in hemophilia a patients. A cardiological evaluation of all 42 cases reported in the literature.

Myocardial infarction and other arterial occlusions are considered to be rare in hemophilia A. However, a systematic study of the subject has never been attempted. All case reports of myocardial infarction or other arterial occlusions have been now gathered and properly evaluated from a cardiological point of view. Thirty-six patients with myocardial infarction and 6 patients with documented cerebrovascular event were retrieved from the literature. The age of the patients varied between 7 and 79 years, with a mean of 44 years. In 16 cases, the arterial occlusion occurred in men <40 years of age. The majority of myocardial infarctions (MIs) were anterolateral (12 cases). Posterior-inferior MI was present in 6 cases whereas it was of the non-Q type in 4 patients. It was multiple in 6 cases, and in the remaining patients the type of infarction could not be determined. In 26 cases, the thrombotic event (22 myocardial infarctions and 4 ischemic cerebrovascular accidents) occurred during or after the infusion of factor VIII concentrates and, more frequently, after prothrombin complex concentrates (activated or non-activated ones) or recombinant factor VIIa preparations. In 3 cases, the vascular complication occurred after intravenous desmopressin administration. MI was fatal in 7 instances. After the event, signs and symptoms of heart failure were seen as sequels in 7 patients. One patient had to undergo cardiac transplant 5 months after the MI. No death occurred after ischemic cerebrovascular accidents. Since not all hemophilia patients develop inhibitors and therefore are not usually treated with activated concentrates, this series of patients is somewhat biased and does not allow general conclusions. The high prevalence of MI and other arterial complications which occurred after transfusion therapy, usually in patients with inhibitors, clearly indicates the need for a careful evaluation of the appropriate therapeutic approach in each single patient.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of artificial insemination versus embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows.

Conception rates (CR) are low in dairy cows and previous research suggests that this could be due to impaired early embryonic development. Therefore, we hypothesized that CR could be improved by embryo transfer (ET) compared with AI. During 365 days, 550 potential breedings were used from 243 lactating Holstein cows (average milk production, 35 kg/day). Cows had their ovulation synchronized (GnRH-7d-PGF(2alpha)-3d-GnRH) and they were randomly assigned for AI immediately after the second GnRH injection (Day 0) or for transfer of one embryo 7 days later. Circulating progesterone concentrations and follicular and luteal size were determined on Days 0 and 7. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on Days 25 or 32 and pregnant cows were reevaluated on Days 60-66. Single-ovulating cows with synchronized ovarian status had similar CR on Days 25-32 with ET (n = 176; 40.3%) and AI (n = 160; 35.6%). Pregnancy loss between Days 25-32 and 60-66 also did not differ (P = 0.38) between ET (26.2%) and AI (18.6%). When single (n = 334) and multiple (n = 57) ovulators were compared, independent of treatment, multiple ovulators had greater (P < 0.001) circulating progesterone concentrations on Day 7 (2.7 ng/ml versus 1.9 ng/ml) and there was a tendency (P = 0.10) for a greater CR in multiple ovulators (50.9% versus 38.1%). However, there was no difference in CR between AI and ET cows with multiple ovulations (50.0% versus 51.7%). In single-ovulating cows, CR tended to be lower for AI than ET in cows ovulating smaller follicles (diameter < or = 15 mm; 23.7% versus 42.3%; P = 0.06) but not average-diameter follicles (16-19 mm; 41.2% versus 37.3%; P = 0.81) or larger (> or =20 mm; 34.3 versus 51.0%; P = 0.36) follicles. Thus, although ET did not improve overall CR in lactating cows, follicle diameter and number of ovulating follicles may determine success with these procedures.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Main clinical manifestations of a bleeding diathesis: an often disregarded aspect of medical and surgical history taking.

A suitable clinical evaluation of a bleeding diathesis is often forgone. The young doctor is often unprepared to describe in an accurate way the different types of bleeding. An adequate classification and adequate clinical information about a bleeding diathesis are instead of paramount importance. Bleeding may be cutaneous, mucous, articular, muscular, parenchymal, intracavitary, orificial. Each of these sites and forms may have diagnostic implications. An accurate description of the several forms of cutaneous bleeding (petechiae, purpuric spots, ecchymosis, haematomas, etc.) is needed for referrals and for controls. The correct evaluation of cutaneous bleeding manifestations of children (battered child syndrome) is absolutely important for clinical and medico-legal purposes. The same is true for the battering syndrome seen in women abused by their spouses. The grading of haemarthrosis in haemophilia patients is important for the follow-up. A proper description of haematuria is essential in suggesting the probable site of bleeding (kidney or bladder or urethra). A proper evaluation of bleeding may give also useful information on the general health status of the patients (presence of anaemia, poor nutrition, renal insufficiency, etc.). The combination of bleeding and thrombosis in the same patient is also a clinical challenge. The relationship between haemorrhage and thrombosis may be sequential or concomitant. Sequential thrombosis may occur in a patient confined in bed for a brain haemorrhage. Concomitant thrombosis and bleeding occur in DIC and in patients with thrombosis being treated with anticoagulants. Finally, it should be kept in mind that a proper evaluation of the bleeding diathesis of a given patient may help the caring doctor in ordering appropriate laboratory tests (e.g. a platelet count for petechiae, a PTT for a patient with haemarthrosis, etc.).

Abdomen↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of ovarian function and circulating steroids in estrous cycles of Holstein heifers and lactating cows.

Ovarian function was compared between nulliparous heifers (n = 29; 10 to 16 mo old) and lactating Holstein cows (n = 31; 55.9 +/- 3.5 d postpartum). Follicular dynamics, corpus luteum growth, and regression, and serum steroid concentrations were evaluated through ultrasonography and daily blood sampling. Most heifers (27 of 29) but only 14 of 31 cows had typical spontaneous estrous cycles after cycles were initiated. Twelve cows had atypical cycles, and 5 became anovulatory during the study. The 12 cows with atypical estrous cycles had low serum estradiol after luteolysis and failed to ovulate the dominant follicle present at luteolysis. Heifers and cows with typical cycles were compared directly. Interovulatory intervals were similar between heifers (22.0 +/- 0.4 d) and cows (22.9 +/- 0.7 d). Those animals had estrous cycles with either 2 (15 heifers; 11 cows), 3 (9 heifers; 2 cows), or 4 follicular waves (3 heifers; 1 cow). Cows ovulated later after luteolysis than heifers (5.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.1 d, respectively), and had more multiple ovulations (17.9 vs. 1.9%). Maximal serum estradiol concentration preceding ovulation was lower in cows than in heifers (7.9 +/- 0.8 vs. 11.3 +/- 0.6 pg/mL) even though ovulatory follicles were larger in cows (16.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 14.9 +/- 0.2 mm). Similarly, maximal serum progesterone concentration was lower for cows (5.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.4 ng/mL), whereas maximal volume of luteal tissue was larger for cows than heifers (11,120 +/- 678 vs. 7303 +/- 308 mm3). Thus, higher incidence of reproductive anomalies in lactating cows, such as low conception rate, ovulation failure, delayed ovulation, and multiple ovulations, may be due to lower circulating steroid concentrations in spite of larger ovulatory follicles and luteal structures.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Haemoglobin E in pregnancy. A case report. Diagnosis, familiar study and counselling, follow up until delivery and new-born observation.

Haemoglobin E is a beta chain variant quite common in Southeastern Asia. The case of a gravid Thai woman with a microcytic anaemia is reported. The diagnosis of homozygous haemoglobin E was suspected on the basis of ethnic considerations when analysis of her haemoglobin showed the absence of normal HbA1 and about 100% of a variant Hb with electrophoretic mobility with HbC and HbA2. Identification of the haemoglobin variant was performed by using an association of alkaline electrophoresis on agarose gel, acid electrophoresis on agarose gel, haemoglobin isoelectrofocusing, high performance liquid chromatography. A study of haemoglobin pattern in the partner, parents and siblings was also performed. Pregnancy continued without any problems until the 40th week when a caesarean section was performed due to a difficult labour with foetal distress. The haemoglobin pattern of the new-born was studied at birth and after 1 year; as expected, it was quite normal at birth and a heterozygous condition for HbE was observed after 1 year. HbE, in even heterozygous and homozygous states, gives a mild clinical picture but its association with other haemoglobinopathies, such as a double heterozygous state (i.e. HbE/beta Thalassaemia) gives rise to a severe transfusion dependent thalassaemia syndrome. It is the authors' opinion that only a strict interaction between obstetricians and pathologists is the possible correct answer to the new diagnostic question proposed by a rapidly evolving inter-ethnic society.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Improvement in recovery of embryos/ova using a shallow uterine horn flushing technique in superovulated Holstein heifers.

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1). to compare recovery of embryos/ova from superovulated Holstein heifers by flushing the uterine horns through insertion of the catheter very close to the tip of the horn (deep) or just after the uterine bifurcation (shallow) and (2). to evaluate the hormonal and superovulatory response to estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment prior to superovulation. Ten Holstein heifers (12-16 months) underwent two superovulatory treatments in a cross-over design. Heifers were treated with decreasing doses of FSH from Days 8 to 12.5 of a synchronized estrous cycle. At 4 days prior to superovulation, half of the heifers received EB (5mg, i.m.) or served as Controls, followed by the alternative treatment in the subsequent superovulation. At embryo recovery, one uterine horn was flushed with deep ( approximately 7 cm caudal to the tip of the horn) and the other with shallow ( approximately 5 cm cranial to the beginning of the uterine bifurcation) flushing techniques. Embryos/ova were recovered, counted, and scored. Number of ovulations was estimated by ultrasound. Pretreatment with EB reduced circulating FSH and regressed the first wave dominant follicle with no change in number of large follicles, number of ovulations, number of embryos/ova recovered, or number of transferable embryos. The shallow flushing technique was superior to the deep technique for number of embryos/ova recovered per horn (5.4+/-1.1 versus 3.9+/-0.8) or percentage of embryos/ova recovered per CL (63.9+/-8.6% versus 37.4+/-6.5%). Thus, flushing the entire uterine horn increased recovery of embryos/ova.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed2002

Physiological classification of anovulatory conditions in cattle.

Evaluation of follicular growth patterns by ultrasound combined with measurement of circulating reproductive hormones has allowed designation of three functionally critical follicular sizes during the final stages of follicular growth: emergence (-4 mm), deviation (-9 mm), and ovulation (variable from 10 to 20 mm). Classification of anovulatory conditions on the basis of these three critical points is logical and provides for rational diagnosis and treatment of the underlying physiological condition. In extreme undernutrition, there is growth of follicles to emergence but not to deviation; however, the underlying pathophysiology is not defined because of relatively few scientific investigations of this condition. Anovulatory conditions with growth of follicles to deviation but not to ovulatory size have been extensively studied. Undernutrition and/or suckling can cause this anovulatory condition. It is characterized by a greater negative feedback effect of estradiol on GnRH/LH pulses than found in normally cycling cows. Another anovulatory condition that is common in high producing lactaing dairy cows is characterized by growth of follicles to larger than ovulatory size, such as is observed in cows with follicular cysts. This condition is characterized by an insensitivity of the hypothalamus to the positive feedback effects of estradiol. Thus, these last two common anovulatory conditions appear to be primarily due to changes in the responsiveness of the hypothalamus to estradiol. Treatments that increase circulating progesterone concentrations can help in the treatment of these two conditions by potentially altering GnRH/LH pulses and allowing the final stages of follicular growth or resetting the hypothalamic responsiveness to the positive feedback effects of estradiol.

Anestrus↗

PubMed2002

A GnRH/LH surge without subsequent progesterone exposure can induce development of follicular cysts.

Our hypothesis was that follicular cysts would develop if cows experienced an estradiol-induced GnRH LH surge in the absence of an ovulatory follicle. Further, we hypothesized that estradiol would fail to induce a subsequent GnRH/LH surge in these cows until they were treated with progesterone. In experiment 1, seven cows were synchronized with a controlled internal drug releasing device (CIDR) for 9 d and each received 500 microg of cloprostenol on d 7. All follicles (> or = 5 mm in diameter) were aspirated at the time of CIDR removal using transvaginal follicular aspiration. Two days after aspiration, cows were treated with 5 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) to induce a GnRH/LH surge in the absence of an ovulatory-sized follicle. All cows had an LH surge following the estradiol treatment and three of seven developed an anovulatory condition that resembled follicular cysts. The four cows that did not develop follicular cysts luteinized remaining cells from one aspirated follicle each. Thus, all cows with a progesterone elevation after the estradiol/GnRH/LH surge had subsequent ovulatory cycles, whereas the absence of progesterone was followed by follicular cysts. After 49 d, the anovulatory cows were induced back to normal cyclicity by insertion of a CIDR for 7 d. In two subsequent experiments, nine of 26 cows were induced to have follicular cysts by follicular aspiration followed by 5 mg of EB. After 26 d of observation, all cystic cows received a second treatment with 5 mg of EB and none of the cows showed an LH surge or ovulation. Cystic cows were untreated (n = 4 controls) or treated for 7 d with a CIDR (n = 5). All cystic cows were subsequently treated for a third time with 5 mg of EB. All CIDR-treated cows had an LH surge and ovulated, whereas none of the control cows had an LH surge or ovulation after the estradiol treatment. Thus, a large follicle anovulatory condition, similar to follicular cysts, can be induced by estradiol induction of a GnRH/LH surge in the absence of subsequent luteinization, and this condition prevents a GnRH/LH surge in response to high doses of estradiol. Progesterone eliminates this condition by reinitiation of GnRH/LH surges in response to estradiol.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Effect of presence or absence of corpora lutea on milk production in East Friesian dairy ewes.

The potential luteal effects on milk production were examined in dairy ewes that were not superovulated in contrast to studies using superovulated ewes. Lactating East Friesian crossbred ewes (n = 24) were synchronized using intravaginal progesterone (controlled intravaginal drug-releasing device), PGF2alpha, and gonadotropins. After ovulation, corpora lutea (CL) were counted via laparoscopy on d 4 and 11. On d 5, ewes received either saline (CLYES, n = 12) or PGF2alpha (CLNO, n = 12) to allow CL persistence (2.4 +/- 0.3 CL on d 11) or regression (0 CL on d 11), respectively. Each ewe received two CIDR d 5 to 18 to maintain high concentrations of plasma progesterone (P4) and to suppress estradiol (E2). Each ewe received PGF2alpha on d 18. Data were collected during three periods (pretreatment: d 0 to 5; treatment: d 6 to 18; posttreatment: d 19 to 25). Milk yield and milking time were recorded daily, milk samples were obtained for analyses of fat and protein, and blood samples were collected for P4 and E2 immunoassay. During treatment, CLYES ewes had higher milk yield (1.56 vs. 1.44 +/- 0.01 kg/d), milk fat (92.2 vs. 81.1 +/- 1.3 g/d), and milk protein (83.7 vs. 77.5 +/- 0.8 g/d) compared with CLNO ewes, respectively. Differences were maintained posttreatment, despite luteolysis in CLYES ewes. Estradiol concentrations did not differ between treatments and were low after d 5. Milk production was increased in East Friesian ewes in the presence of an average of 2.4 corpora lutea, an effect independent of estradiol.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Fertilization and early embryonic development in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter.

Two experiments in two seasons evaluated fertilization rate and embryonic development in dairy cattle. Experiment 1 (summer) compared lactating Holstein cows (n = 27; 97.3 +/- 4.1 d postpartum [dppl; 40.0 +/- 1.5 kg milk/d) to nulliparous heifers (n = 28; 11 to 17 mo old). Experiment 2 (winter) compared lactating cows (n = 27; 46.4 +/- 1.6 dpp; 45.9 +/- 1.4 kg milk/d) to dry cows (n = 26). Inseminations based on estrus included combined semen from four high-fertility bulls. Embryos and oocytes recovered 5 d after ovulation were evaluated for fertilization, embryo quality (1 = excellent to 5 = degenerate), nuclei/embryo, and accessory sperm. In experiment 1, 21 embryos and 17 unfertilized oocytes (UFO) were recovered from lactating cows versus 32 embryos and no UFO from heifers (55% vs. 100% fertilization). Embryos from lactating cows had inferior quality scores (3.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3), fewer nuclei/embryo (19.3 +/- 3.7 vs. 36.8 +/- 3.0) but more accessory sperm (37.3 +/- 5.8 vs. 22.4 +/- 5.5/embryo) than embryos from heifers. Sperm were attached to 80% of UFO (17.8 +/- 12.1 sperm/UFO). In experiment 2, lactating cows yielded 36 embryos and 5 UFO versus 34 embryos and 4 UFO from dry cows (87.8 vs. 89.5% fertilization). Embryo quality from lactating cows was inferior to dry cows (3.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3), but embryos had similar numbers of nuclei (27.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 30.6 +/- 2.1) and accessory sperm (42.0 +/- 9.4 vs. 36.5 +/- 6.3). From 53% of the flushings from lactating cows and 28% from dry cows, only nonviable embryos were collected. Thus, embryos of lactating dairy cows were detectably inferior to embryos from nonlactating females as early as 5 d after ovulation, with a surprisingly high percentage of nonviable embryos. In addition, fertilization rate was reduced only in summer, apparently due to an effect of heat stress on the oocyte.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Ovarian structures and circulating steroids in heifers and lactating cows in summer and lactating and dry cows in winter.

Two experiments compared follicular and luteal development and circulating steroid concentrations from induced luteolysis to ovulation in lactating Holstein cows (n = 27; 40.0 +/- 1.5 kg milk/day) vs. nulliparous heifers (n = 28; 11 to 17 mo-old) during summer (Experiment 1), and in lactating (n = 27; 45.9 +/- 1.4 kg milk/d) vs. dry cows (n = 26) during winter (experiment 2). All females received PGF2,, 6 d after ovulation and were monitored until next ovulation by daily ultrasound and assay of serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2). Every female was used two or three times. In Experiment 1, lactating cows had high incidence of multiple ovulation (63.5%) compared with heifers (1.3%). Among single ovulators, there was no difference in maximal size of ovulatory follicles between lactating cows and heifers (15.8 vs. 16.5 mm, respectively). However, lactating cows had lower peak serum E2 (8.6 vs. 12.1 pg/ml), took longer to ovulate after luteolysis (4.6 vs. 3.8 d), developed more luteal tissue volume (7,293.6 vs. 5,515.2 mm3), and had lower serum P4 on d 6 after ovulation (2.0 vs. 3.0 ng/ml) than heifers (data included multiple ovulators). In experiment 2, multiple ovulations were similar between lactating and dry cows (17.9 vs. 17.2%, respectively). Peak serum E2 was also similar between lactating and dry cows (7.6 vs. 8.5 pg/ml) although lactating cows had larger ovulatory follicles (18.6 vs. 16.2 +/- 0.4 mm). Lactating cows took longer to ovulate (4.8 vs. 4.2 d), developed more luteal tissue (7,599 vs. 5,139 +/- 468 mm3), but had similar serum P4 (2.2 vs. 1.9 ng/ ml) compared with dry cows. Therefore, lactating cows had similar or lower circulating steroid concentrations than dry cows or heifers, respectively, despite having larger ovarian structures.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

High feed intake increases liver blood flow and metabolism of progesterone and estradiol-17beta in dairy cattle.

Increased liver blood flow (LBF) resulting from elevated feed intake in lactating dairy cows may increase steroid metabolism. Continuous infusion of bromosulphthalein (BSP; specifically metabolized in liver) was used to measure LBF. Similarly, progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17beta (E2) were administered by continuous infusion. Circulating concentrations at steady state were used to calculate the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of BSP, P4, and E2. Experiment 1: Variation in LBF was determined in thee nonlactating and four lactating cows over 3 d at 3 to 5 h after feeding. Coefficients of variation ranged from 14 to 31% among cows within day and from 4 to 8% within cows across days. Experiment 2: Six nonlactating cows were used in a 3 x 3 Latin-square design with three feed regimens: no feed, 0.5 maintenance diet (M), and 1.5 M. Experiment 3: Eight lactating cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin-square design with four feed regimens: no feed, 0.5 M, 1.5 M, and 2.2 M. In experiments 2 and 3, LBF and MCR of P4 increased immediately after feed consumption and increases persisted longer at higher intakes. The LBF reached a maximum at 2 h after feeding and MCR of P4 reached maximum at 3 h after feeding with a positive correlation (r = 0.92) between LBF and MCR for P4. Experiment 4: A crossover design was used to determine MCR of E2 in unfed or full-fed lactating dairy cows. The MCR of E2 increased immediately after feeding and stayed elevated throughout the 4.5-h infusion period. Thus, LBF and steroid metabolism were acutely elevated by feed consumption in lactating and nonlactating cows. Higher rates of LBF and steroid metabolism in lactating than in nonlactating cows may indicate chronic effects of higher feed intakes as well.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2002

Extending the postpartum anovulatory period in dairy cattle with estradiol cypionate.

Estradiol cypionate (ECP), a long-acting estrogen, has been used therapeutically in early postpartum (PP) dairy cows. In experiment 1, effects of ECP on circulating reproductive hormones, cyclicity, and ovarian function in early PP dairy cows were investigated. Lactating Holsteins received 10 mg of ECP (ECP; n = 17) or placebo (CON; n = 16) on d 7 PP. Serum and ultrasound data were acquired from 5 to 90 d of lactation. Compared to CON, ECP cows had greater serum estradiol for 10 d and lower serum FSH for 15 d posttreatment. After ECP, the appearance of follicles > or = 10 mm and time to first ovulation were delayed. Nevertheless, by 90 d PP, normal estrous cycles were found in only 50% of CON versus 88% of ECP cows. Primiparous, but not multiparous, cows receiving ECP had higher milk yields. Experiment 2 investigated effects of ECP on reproduction and milk production on a commercial dairy. Cows were blocked by parity and randomized to three treatments: 0 (n = 85), 4 (n = 85), or 10 (n = 86) mg of ECP on d 5 to 8 PP. Data included cycling status (two ultrasound examinations at 30 to 33 d PP and 7 d later), individual reproduction records, and daily milk yields from 10 to 90 d PP. In primiparous cows, ECP had no significant effects on ovulatory status or milk yields. By 40 d PP, a greater percentage of multiparous cows receiving 10 mg of ECP remained anovulatory compared with those receiving 0 or 4 mg. Milk yields were highest for multiparous cows receiving 4 mg of ECP, intermediate for the 10-mg dose, and lowest for controls. Lower conception was observed in multiparous cows receiving 4 mg of ECP. In summary, ECP delayed time to first ovulation particularly in multiparous cows, an effect associated with observed inhibition of circulating FSH. Milk yield responses to ECP were inconsistent within parity groups across the two experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Reduction in size of the ovulatory follicle reduces subsequent luteal size and pregnancy rate.

We hypothesized that reducing the size of the ovulatory follicle using aspiration and GnRH would reduce the size of the resulting CL, reduce circulating progesterone concentrations, and alter conception rates. Lactating dairy cows (n=52) had synchronized ovulation and AI by treating with GnRH and PGF2alpha as follows: Day -9, GnRH (100 microg); Day -2, PGF2alpha (25 mg); Day 0, GnRH (100 microg); Day 1, AI. Treated cows (aspirated group; n=29) had all follicles > 4 mm in diameter aspirated on Days -5 or -6 in order to start a new follicular wave. Control cows (nonaspirated group: n=23) had no follicle aspiration. The size of follicles and CL were monitored by ultrasonography. The synchronized ovulation rate (ovulation rate to second GnRH injection: 42/52=80.8%) and double ovulation rate of synchronized cows (6/42=14.3%) did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups. Aspiration reduced the size of the ovulatory follicle (P < 0.0001; 11.5 +/- 0.2 vs 14.5 +/- 0.4 mm), and serum estradiol concentrations at second GnRH treatment (P < 0.0002; 2.5 +/- 0.4 vs 5.7 +/- 0.6 pg/mL). The volume of CL was less (P < 0.05) for aspirated than nonaspirated cows on Day 7 (2,862 +/- 228 vs 5,363 +/- 342 mm3) or Day 14 (4,652 +/- 283 vs 6,526 +/- 373 mm3). Similarly, serum progesterone concentrations were less on Day 7 (P < 0.05) and Day 14 (P < 0.10) for aspirated cows. Pregnancy rate per AI for synchronized cows was lower (P < 0.05) for aspirated (3/21=14.3%) than nonaspirated (10/21=47.6%) cows. In conclusion, ovulation of smaller follicles produced lowered fertility possibly because development of smaller CL decreased circulating progesterone concentrations.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Follicular deviation and acquisition of ovulatory capacity in bovine follicles.

Selection of dominant follicles in cattle is associated with a deviation in growth rate between the dominant and largest subordinate follicle of a wave (diameter deviation). To determine whether acquisition of ovulatory capacity is temporally associated with diameter deviation, cows were challenged with purified LH at known times after a GnRH-induced LH surge (experiment 1) or at known follicular diameters (experiments 2 and 3). A 4-mg dose of LH induced ovulation in all cows when the largest follicle was > or =12 mm (16 of 16), in 17% (1 of 6) when it was 11 mm, and no ovulation when it was < or =10 mm (0 of 19). To determine the effect of LH dose on ovulatory capacity, follicular dynamics were monitored every 12 h, and cows received either 4 or 24 mg of LH when the largest follicle first achieved 10 mm in diameter (experiment 2). The proportion of cows ovulating was greater (P < 0.05) for the 24-mg (9 of 13; 69.2%) compared with the 4-mg (1 of 13; 7.7%) LH dose. To determine the effect of a higher LH dose on follicles near diameter deviation, follicular dynamics were monitored every 8 h, and cows received 40 mg of LH when the largest follicle first achieved 7.0, 8.5, or 10.0 mm (experiment 3). No cows with a follicle of 7 mm (0 of 9) or 8.5 mm (0 of 9) ovulated, compared with 80% (8 of 10) of cows with 10-mm follicles. Thus, follicles acquired ovulatory capacity at about 10 mm, corresponding to about 1 day after the start of follicular deviation, but they required a greater LH dose to induce ovulation compared with larger follicles. We speculate that acquisition of ovulatory capacity may involve an increased expression of LH receptors on granulosa cells of the dominant follicle and that this change may also be important for further growth of the dominant follicle.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Assessment of a commercially available early conception factor (ECF) test for determining pregnancy status of dairy cattle.

The Early Conception Factor (ECF) test is a commercially available qualitative assay that reportedly detects a pregnancy-associated glycoprotein present in bovine serum within 48 h after conception. One concern with previous assessments of this test is that animals with viable embryos early during pregnancy that subsequently undergo embryonic loss before pregnancy diagnosis increase the rate of false-positive results and bias the assessment. To preclude this possibility, noninseminated Holstein cows (n = 9) and heifers (n = 8) were evaluated as an unequivocal source of nonpregnant animals, and Holstein cows (n = 17) and heifers (n = 1) inseminated at estrus and in which at least one embryo of transferable quality was recovered at a nonsurgical flush 6 d after artificial insemination were evaluated as an unequivocal source of pregnant animals. Blood samples were collected from all animals 6 d after estrus, which was immediately before embryo collection in pregnant animals. Each serum sample was evaluated using two ECF test cassettes (tests 1 and 2), and the result of each test cassette was interpreted by two independent readers (readers 1 and 2). Test sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 86, 4, 49, 23, and 46%, respectively. Although the observed agreement between readers (91% for test 1; 89% for test 2) and between tests for the same serum sample (94% for reader 1; 91% for reader 2) was high, the overall rates of false-positive and false-negative ECF test results were 96 and 14%, respectively. We conclude that the ECF test is an unreliable method for determining pregnancy status of dairy cattle on day 6 after estrus.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Synthesis, structure, and antitumor activity of a novel tetranuclear titanium complex.

The coordination complex cyclo-tetrakis[bis(1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolon-5-ato++ +)mu-o xotitanium(IV)] has been synthesized and characterized with IR and NMR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The core of this species consists of an eight-membered Ti-mu-oxo ring with alternate short-long Ti-O bond lengths. Besides these two O ligands, each metal is bound octahedrally to four O atoms from two chelating 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolon-5-ato anions. Several sets of Ti-O bond lengths are present: the shortest are the two Ti-O(oxo) (which are cis to each other), the longest are the two Ti-O(acyl) (cis to each other), and the two Ti-O(pyrazolonato) (trans to each other) are intermediate. The beta-diketonate ligand asymmetry, a feature considered essential in other antitumor Ti compounds, induces the short-long Ti-O(oxo) sequence of bond lengths. The antitumor activity of this compound, encapsulated in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposome, has been studied in vitro using TA-3 (mouse mammary adenocarcinoma), HEP-2 (human epithelial larynx carcinoma), and VERO (African green monkey kidney) cell lines and in vivo in CF-1 and AJ female mice ip inoculated with TA-3. In vitro cytotoxicity is greater for TA-3 than for HEP-2 and null for VERO cell lines. In vivo results show a marked increase in survival time (T/C = 293% for AJ and 208% for CF-1), whereas tumor weight decrease was observed for CF-1-treated mice. These results suggest the Ti complex-liposome system may be promising as an antitumor drug.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

PubMed2000

Clinical and laboratory factors that affect the post-transfusion platelet increment.

Transfusion of platelet concentrates (PC) reduced the incidence of fatal hemorrhages in several thrombocytopenic conditions. Unfortunately, long-term platelet supportive care may be complicated by the development of a state of refractoriness, resulting in inadequate recovery of functional platelets. PC handling, clinical conditions of the patients and alloimmunization are the main factors affecting refractoriness. We evaluated the post-transfusion platelet increase in 25 patients (M=6, F=19) with hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia receiving random ABO-compatible PC within 24 h after collection. Quality of PC was assessed by platelet count, pH measuring, LDH release, glycocalicin levels, CD-62 and CD-42b expression. Besides history, clinical status and therapy, we searched for the presence of anti-HLA class 1 and anti-HPA 1-4-5 antibodies. Only six patients (24%) were refractory to PC transfusion, as assessed by a corrected count increment (CCI)<5000. Four of such six patients (67%) had anti-HLA antibodies, as compared to zero of 19 responders (P<0.02). No other investigated clinical or laboratory feature was significantly different in refractory and responsive patients. Although post-transfusion bleeding time was shorter in responders than in refractory patients (297.33+/-249.95 versus 673.33+/-409.96; P<0.02), it did not significantly change even in patients with adequate correct count increment. Our data confirm the importance of anti-HLA antibodies in determining adequate post-transfusion recovery or refractoriness.

Adult↗