Use of transrectal ultrasound for the detection of seminal vesiculitis in a bull.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
W D Mickelsen
Publications and source records attributed to W D Mickelsen.
Conception by use of postmortem epididymal semen extraction in a dog.
A 9-year-old sexually intact male Boxer was euthanatized because of progressive, generalized seizures that were refractory to medical treatment. To try to preserve the breeding line, postmortem epididymal semen extraction was attempted. The testes were excised after the dog was euthanatized, and semen was extracted, frozen, and stored in liquid nitrogen. Approximately 3.5 months later, a suitable recipient was identified, and surgical intrauterine insemination was performed. Fifty-seven days after insemination, a viable pup was born.
Animals↗
In utero infections responsible for abortion, stillbirth, and birth of weak calves in beef cows.
A multitude of in utero infections may cause abortion, stillbirths, or the birth of weak calves (see Table 1). Because the diagnostic success for determining the cause of abortions may be low (25%-40%), it is important that more knowledge about the causes and differential diagnoses is gained, and proper samples are collected and submitted. Use of an abortion diagnosis kit enables multiple samples to be analyzed and increases the likelihood of making a diagnosis. The immune response is suppressed during pregnancy. In part, this can be controlled by proper nutrition and appropriately timed vaccination programs.
Abortion, Veterinary↗
Clinical management of bitches with vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
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Animals↗
Diagnosis and treatment of closed-cervix pyometra in a bitch.
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Animals↗
The relationship of semen quality to pregnancy rate and litter size following artificial insemination in the bitch.
Artificial insemination of 31 bitches with fresh, undiluted, semen resulted in 22 31 conceptions (71%) and the birth of 124 puppies. Inseminations using at least 220 x 10(6) spermatozoa of normal morphology resulted in a mean pregnancy rate of 81.5% (22 27 ). The pregnancy rates were significantly influenced by the total number of progressively motile or morphologically normal sperm cells per ejaculate (P < 0.05). The pregnancy rate was not influenced by the percentage of progressively motile or morphologically normal sperm cells per ejaculate (P > 0.1). Litter size was not influenced by sperm motility or morphology (P > 0.1).
Journal Article↗
Rectal palpation and transmission of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle.
To determine whether rectal palpation, using common obstetrical sleeves, serves as a mode of transmission of bovine leukemia virus in dairy cattle, field studies were conducted at 2 dairies. At a commercial dairy, significant difference was not observed in rate of seroconversion in heifers and cows in which the same sleeve or new sleeves were used for palpations. At a university dairy, where cattle were used to teach dairy husbandry and veterinary procedures, significantly (P less than 0.02) greater rate of seroconversion was observed in heifers and cows palpated with unwashed common sleeves than that observed in heifers and cows palpated with sleeves washed between use. Although rectal transmission of bovine leukemia virus under field conditions was documented, it was related to frequency of palpation and age of cattle.
Animals↗
A novel Robertsonian translocation in a family of Walker hounds.
A 5-year-old female Walker hound was presented to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a result of a narrowing of the vulva, which prevented natural breeding. All other physical and clinical findings were normal. Cytogenetic analysis disclosed a chromosome number of 77, with three metacentric chromosomes comprised of two X chromosomes and a Robertsonian translocation of two acrocentric autosomes, chromosomes 21 and 33. Cytogenetic analysis of two full-sister siblings with histories of absence of estrus disclosed one with the same translocation and one with a normal female chromosome constitution. The propositus was artificially inseminated with semen from a karyotypically normal male Walker hound and gave birth to nine live grossly normal pups, six females and three males. Another female pup was stillborn but was grossly normal. Cytogenetic analysis of the live pups disclosed that four (three males and one female) of the nine had the same translocation in all lymphocytes. The remaining five pups (five females) had normal female chromosome constitutions. The litter size was average for this breed. This is a previously unreported Robertsonian translocation in dogs.
Animals↗
Lymphocyte alterations in zinc-deficient calves with lethal trait A46.
Lymphocyte numbers and activities were evaluated at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age in two calves with lethal trait A46 (A46), a genetic disorder affecting intestinal zinc absorption. Plasma zinc concentrations declined to subnormal by 3 weeks of age, after which anorexia, diarrhea, alopecia and hyperkeratosis occurred. Lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation was variably reduced. CD4+ T-lymphocytes were subnormal on at least one observation period following onset of zinc deficiency, and relative numbers of B lymphocytes were decreased at 8 weeks. Secondary antibody responses to bacteriophage phi X 174 were significantly reduced. The results demonstrate that calves homozygous for the A46 trait have normal numbers of functional lymphocyte subpopulations at birth, and that the activity of their lymphocytes is altered once the calves become zinc deficient.
Animals↗
Survey of the prevalence and types of infertility in beef cows and heifers.
Thirty to 180 days after natural mating to bulls, 8,184 beef cows and heifers were palpated rectally for pregnancy determination. Of these, 7,396 (90%) were pregnant and 815 (10%) were not pregnant. Regarding the nonpregnant cattle, 315 (38.7%) had a normal uterus and a functional corpus luteum, suggesting that they were cycling; the rest had palpable pathologic findings: 455 (55.8%) had ovarian inactivity and uterine atrophy; 16 (2%) had pyometra; 12 (1.5%) had a mummified fetus; 7 (0.9%) had chronic metritis; 6 (0.8%) had an involuting uterus; and 4 (0.5%) had adhesions of the uterus, ovaries, or a combination of both. For the purpose of comparison, the cattle were grouped according to age: group 1-1,035 nulliparous heifers 18 to 24 months of age; group 2-1,137 primiparous heifers 30 to 36 months of age; group 3-5,548 multiparous cows between 4 and 9 years of age; and group 4-464 cows 9 years of age or older. The pregnancy rates were 79.1, 72.2, 96.8, and 78.2, respectively, for these groups. The pregnancy rate for 4- to 9-year-old cows was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that for the other age groups.
Aging↗
Mechanisms and therapy for retained fetal membranes and uterine infections of cows: A review.
Literature pertaining to retained fetal membranes and postpartum uterine infections of cows was reviewed. Many therapeutic failures are explained by the effects of the uterine environment on antibacterials, the effects of therapy on the uterine defense mechanism, bacterial resistance patterns and the failure to recognize normal physiological processes in the postpartum period. Prostaglandin F(2)alpha and its analogues provide effective alternatives to antibiotic and antibacterial therapy for most postpartum disorders.
Journal Article↗
Prevalence of postservice pyometra in a herd of beef cows infected with trichomoniasis: A case report.
Trichomoniasis was detected in a herd of beef cows during a routine yearly reproductive examination. The examination revealed that 12.6% of the cows (75 597 ) were not pregnant. Of these, 65.3% (49 75 ) had a normal uterus and a functional corpus luteum, suggesting that they were cyclic; 21.3% (16 75 ) had pyometra; 6.7% had inactive ovaries and uterine atrophy and were not cyclic; 4% (3 75 ) had an involuting uterus, suggestive of a recent abortion; and 2.7% (2 75 ) had a mummified fetus. The herd had been on a reproductive herd health program for the past 10 years and had averaged 92-99% pregnant cows during this time. Pyometra was diagnosed by rectal palpation, and trichomonads were detected in the pyometra exudate.
Journal Article↗
Bacterial interactions in bovine respiratory and reproductive infections.
The ability of the aerobic bacterial flora from the normal bovine respiratory and reproductive tracts to enhance or inhibit the growth of Pasteurella haemolytica, P. multocida, and Haemophilus somnus was tested in vitro. Six strains of each of these pathogens were cross streaked with each isolate of bovine normal flora. Flora which enhanced the growth of these pathogenic bacteria outnumbered inhibitors four to one. An intermediate number of isolates produced no effect on pathogen growth. Most enhancers were gram positive (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, or Rhodococcus isolates), although several isolates of Moraxella and Actinobacter were also good enhancers. For H. somnus, there were proportionally more organisms which produced marked enhancement among the preputial flora than among the nasal flora, which may account for the greater number of genital carriers than nasal carriers. Bacillus isolates were the most significant inhibitors among the nasal flora, whereas no genus or species from the reproductive tract was noted to produce appreciable inhibition. It is proposed that changes in ratios of inhibitors to enhancers may determine, in part, whether a carrier state or disease occurs. Also, suggestions are made for in vitro use of this phenomenon for diagnostic tests.
Animals↗
Seasonal variations in scrotal circumference, sperm quality, and sexual ability in rams.
Seasonal variations in scrotal circumference, spermatozoal motility, morphologically normal spermatozoa, libido, and serving capacity were studied in Suffolk, Lincoln, Columbia, and Polypay rams (5 of each breed). There were marked seasonal variations in the scrotal circumference, morphologically normal spermatozoa, libido, and serving capacity for each of the breed types. Mean scrotal circumference was highest from August through October and lowest in February. Spermatozoa that were morphologically normal were highest in proportion in September (82.3%) and lowest in proportion in February (57.8%). Libido and serving capacity scores were highest from September through November and lowest in March.
Animals↗
The relationship of libido and serving capacity test scores in rams on conception rates and lambing percentage in the ewe.
A procedure for assessing sexual activity (libido) and serving capacity (number of ejaculations) in individual rams is described. Libido and serving capacity was measured by this procedure in 10 Lincoln, 10 Suffolk, 2 Columbia, and 2 Polypay rams prior to the breeding season. Semen was evaluated, and the scrotal circumference measured. The rams were single-sire mated to 10-12 whiteface, crossbred ewes during a 35-day breeding season (September 26 - October 29). First-service conception rates, total conception rate, lambing percentage per ewe lambing, and lambing percentage per ewe exposed were calculated for each ram. The mean libido score for the 24 rams was 8.95 and the mean serving capacity score was 3.16. The 24 rams were classified as low serving capacity (<2 ejaculation), medium serving capacity (2-3 ejaculations), or high serving capacity (>3 ejaculations). There were no significant differences in either conception rate or lambing percentages between the 3 groups of rams. The first-service conception rate, total conception rate, lambing percentage per ewe lambing, and lambing percentage per ewe exposed were 74.8, 93.8, 148.6, and 139.4 percent, respectively, for the 24 rams. Libido and serving capacity tests in the rams, as used in this experiment, prior to the breeding season, were not successful in predicting fertility or prolificacy in ewes.
Journal Article↗
Detection of early pregnancy factor in swine: A need for dialogue.
The rosette inhibition test, which has been used to detect early pregnancy factor (EPF) and other immunosuppressive factors in the serum of pregnant mice, women, and sheep, was adapted for use in swine. Since the initial methods described for use of the assay were cumbersome and time consuming, our first efforts were to simplify the technique. Substitution of microtiter plates for test tubes and treatment of sheep erythrocytes with AET to increase numbers and stability of the rosettes were successful. Although consistently higher rosette inhibition titers were obtained after incubation of lymphocytes in the serum of pregnant sows compared to controls, the variability in numbers of rosettes obtained on a day to day basis and the cumbersome nature of the test have impeded progress in firmly establishing the presence of EPF in pregnant swine and demonstrating the homology between it and the EPF reported in other species.
Journal Article↗
The effect of season on the scrotal circumference and sperm motility and morphology in rams.
Seasonal variations in scrotal circumference, sperm motility, morphology, and body weight were studied in ten Suffolk and ten Lincoln yearling rams. There were marked seasonal variations in the scrotal circumference and sperm morphology for each of the breed types. Mean scrotal circumferences were highest in October, 36 cm and 37 cm for Suffolk and Lincoln, respectively. Sperms which were morphologically normal were highest in October, 92.8% for both breeds, and lowest in February, 56.1% and 58.8% for Suffolk and Lincoln, respectively. There was a subsequent rise in percent of normal sperm which was seen in April with a decline again during the summer months. Mean body weight was 251.5 and 192.5 pounds in October and 250.77 and 200.63 pounds in February for Suffolk and Lincolns, respectively.
Journal Article↗
The effect of scrotal circumference, sperm motility and morphology in the ram on conception rates and lambing percentage in the ewe.
Ten Suffolk and ten Lincoln yearling rams were examined for breeding soundness. Semen was evaluated, and the scrotal circumference measured. They were single-sire mated to ten to twelve, whiteface ewe lambs during a 45-day breeding season (October 15-December 1). First-service conception rates, total conception rate, lambing percentage and lambing percentage per ewe exposed were calculated for each ram and breed. The mean scrotal circumference was 36.5 cm (range 31-41.5 cm). The breeding data was then compared for eleven rams with a scrotal circumference of less than 36.5 cm and nine rams greater than 36.5 cm. No direct relationship was demonstrated between scrotal circumference, sperm motility or morphology with fertility in the rams used in this experiment. However, there was a tendency for rams with a high first-service conception rate to have sired more lambs per ewe exposed. The mean first-service conception rate was 63.2% (range 44.4-80.0%). When rams with greater than 63.2% first-service conception rate were compared to those with less than 63.2%. the lambs born per ewe exposed were 1.04 and .89, respectively, a significant difference (P<.05). There were no significant differences (P<.05) in performance between the two groups when rams with a scrotal circumference less than 36.5 cm and greater than 36.5 cm were compared, nor were there any differences between scrotal circumference, sperm motility, and morphology when rams with total conception rates greater than 80% were compared to those with conception rates less than 80%.
Journal Article↗