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Biomedical subjects

W C Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to W C Wagner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

In vitro oestrogen synthesis by bovine placenta during pregnancy and induced parturition.

Foetal (cotyledon) placental tissue was collected from 7 pregnant cows and from 8 cows immediately after delivery of the foetus during parturition induced by luteal removal at 250 or 270 days of gestation. These tissues were incubated with [3H]androstenedione (A), [3H]17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha HP), or [3H]pregnenolone (P5) to examine potential oestrogen precursors in the mid to late pregnant cow. Percentage conversion to unconjugated and conjugated oestrone (Oe1) and oestradiol (Oe2) was measured for each tissue with the various substrates. Unconjugated oestrogens predominated over conjugated (P less than 0.001), and Oe1 over Oe2 (P less than 0.001) in all incubations. There was no difference in conversion of A between pre- and post-partum foetal tissues. There was a significant elevation in conversion of P5 in post-partum foetal tissue (P less than 0.05). These data demonstrate a) placental aromatase activity does not appear to increase as pregnancy progresses towards parturition, b) the bovine placenta is able to convert C21 steroids to oestrogens, and c) induction of enzymes for converting pregnenolone or related substrates to oestrogens may be involved in the pre-partum rise in oestrogen levels.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1981

Adrenal-gonad interactions in cattle. Corpus luteum function in intact and adrenalectomized heifers.

To determine the effect of the hyperadrenal state on corpus luteum (CL) function, we treated intact and adrenalectomized (ADRX) heifers with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and hydrocortisone. ACTH treatment of intact heifers by infusion of 1 mg alpha 1-24 ACTH/24 hr from day 2 to 25 of an estrous cycle increased progesterone concentrations in plasma to 4 +/- .52 ng/ml plasma on days 3 to 4. Thereafter, progesterone concentrations declined, indicating severe suppression of CL function as compared to that of control heifers. Similar infusions of ACTH to ADRX heifers did not alter CL function as reflected by progesterone concentrations in jugular plasma. Infusion of ADRX animals with hydrocortisone succinate (100 mg/24 hr) decreased progesterone in plasma during the cycle, with maximum values averaging less than 4 ng/ml, compared to concentrations of 6 to 7 ng/ml in control ADRX heifers. Chronic administration of ACTH or hydrocortisone to heifers caused a decreased progesterone secretion during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. On the basis of these results, we suggest that stress, as indicated by the hyperadrenal state, could inhibit progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1979

Seasonal effects of tropical climate on shaded and nonshaded cows as measured by rectal temperature, adrenal cortex hormones, thyroid hormone, and milk production.

Rectal temperatures and hormone concentrations were monitored at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks, and milk, milk fat, and California mastitis test scores at intervals of 1 week in five shaded and in four nonshaded early lactation cows. Measurements were taken from September to December in the mildly heat stressing climate of Oahu, Hawaii. The daily ambient temperature flux ranged from 22 C to 29 C in September to 20 C to 25 C in December. Average daily temperature-humidity index (THI) values were 75 to 70 for September and December, respectively. Average daily THI values were correlated with rectal temperatures in nonshaded cows and were negatively correlated with plasma adrenal cortex hormones (corticoids) in shaded cows, plasma thyroid hormone in shaded and nonshaded cows, and with milk production in nonshaded cows. Estimated milk production decline per unit increase in THI was 0.32 kg. Nonshaded cows had higher rectal temperatures, a trend for lower plasma corticoids, produced less milk and milk fat, and had higher California mastitis test scores. Shaded cows maintained a higher fat percentage at THI above 74. Average plasma thyroid hormone values were not different between treatment groups. Both groups failed to attain normal rectal temperatures at night. Afternoon rectal temperatures were more highly correlated with the rectal temperature with which the cow started the day than they were with the THI of the day itself.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1977

Effect of local or parenteral application of ACTH or hydrocortisone on bovine corpus luteum function.

Studies were conducted to determine the effect on corpus luteum (CL) function of ACTH or hydrocortisone administered by ovarian perfusion on day 11 of the oestrous cycle or by carotid infusion on days 2-9 of the oestrous cycle. No significant local effects on CL function were observed during the ovarian perfusion study. Continuous carotid infusion of ACTH or hydrocortisone on days 2-9 resulted in a decreased slope of the progesterone increase during the infusion period. However, no difference in plasma progesterone level on days 9-11 between control and treated cycles was detected and there was no difference between treated and control CL at day 11 with regard to CL weight or progesterone content. The data suggest a possible direct effect of hydrocortisone on either the hypothalamus or pituitary which results in decreased progesterone secretion but not CL development. No residual effect was observed.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1976

Bovine plasma oestrogens, progesterone and glucocorticoids during dexamethasone induced parturition.

Plasma samples were collected from jugular, uterine and utero-ovarian veins during glucocorticoid induced parturition. Plasma oestrogens, corticosteroids and progesterone were determined by competitive protein binding methods. Corticosteroids and progesterone began to decline within 8 to 10 h following DXMS treatment. Corticoids were only temporarily suppressed, while progesterone fell to minimum levels and remained low through calving. At this stage of gestation (270 days) peripheral plasma progesterone was primarily of ovarian origin. Pre-treatment with HCG appeared to support progesterone production by the CL despite DXMS treatment in 2 of 6 cows. These 2 cows failed to calve within the expected 96 h after DXMS. Plasma oestrogens did not show significant increased until 24 h after DXMS treatment. Cows which responded to DXMS treatment (calved) had significantly higher oestrogen levels than those which did not respond. It was concluded that oestrogens probably play a permissive rather than an initiating role in parturition.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Relationship of temperature and humidity to conception rate of Holstein cows in Hawaii.

Weather data and breeding records for a Holstein herd of 1300 cows in Hawaii were evaluated to determine effects of climate on reproductive performance. The dairy is in a coastal climate near latitude 21 degrees N. Average maximum temperature, relative humidity, and resulting temperature-humidity index for the warmest month of the year were 31 C, 44%, and 79. Average minimum temperature and attending values for the same period were 20 C, 96%, and 68. From late April to November, conception rates were correlated negatively with the average temperature-humidity index of each day of the estrous cycle beginning 11 days prior to breeding. Slopes of regression lines differed, suggesting varying sensitivity of conception rate to heat stress on different days of the cycle. The temperature-humidity index of the 2nd day prior to breeding was most closely correlated with conception rate. Conception rates declined from 66% to 35% as the index increased from 68 to 78. Only the temperature-humdity index of the 2nd day prior to breeding had a significant partial correlation coefficient when the index of the 2nd and 1st day prior to breeding, the day of breeding, and the day following breeding were each evaluated with the index of the others held constant.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

A field study of coliform mastitis in sows.

Three sows with agalactia and mastitis were compared with 3 normally lactating sows at 8, 16, 24, and 32 hours postpartum. Bacteriologic examination of milk resulted in isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli from affected glands of all 3 agalactic sows. Milk from clinically normal glands of affected sows and from glands of normal sows was culture-negative for coliforms. Affected sows had higher rectal temperatures and lower milk yields, and pigs from affected sows had lower mean weights, but these differences were not significant. Mean total white blood cell counts and plasma protein to fibrinogen ratios were lower in mastitic sows at all 4 periods; differences were significant at certain periods in both cases. Evidence indicated that leukopenia appeared early, 8 to 16 hours postpartum, and was followed by increasing plasma fibrinogen content. Packed cell volumes and plasma concentrations of corticoid, estrone, and estradiol did not differ. Plasma progesterone content was higher in mastitic sows at all periods, but the differences were not significant.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗