Background: The aims of this study were(a) to ascertain age-related changes in the reference values in hematological and serum biochemical examinations of beagles,and(b) to clarify the changes in these findings, inclu...Background: The aims of this study were(a) to ascertain age-related changes in the reference values in hematological and serum biochemical examinations of beagles,and(b) to clarify the changes in these findings, including acute phase proteins and oxidative stress, throughout pregnancy and after parturition.Methods: Clinicopathological parameters were measured in young beagles at 6, 9 and 12 months and in adult beagles aged from 24 to 60 months. Likewise, pregnant beagles were investigated throughout the pregnancy and after parturition.Results: Apparent age-related changes were found in erythrocytic parameters during the growth and development of beagles. Most of the parameters(total protein,albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urate, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and creatine kinase(CK) exhibited age-dependent transitions. White cell count significantly increased after 30 days of pregnancy. The values of erythrocytic parameters moderately decreased during the second half of the pregnancy. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, free cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations increased in the mid- and late stages of pregnancy. ALP, lactate dehydrogenase, CK and cholinesterase activities markedly increased during pregnancy and/or after parturition. C-reactive protein(CRP) concentrations gradually increased and reached a maximum after 30-40 days of pregnancy. Serum amyloid A(SAA) levels markedly increased at 30 days of pregnancy before subsiding, and then increased again 3 days after parturition. Reactive oxygen metabolites(d-ROMs) showed significant increases after 30 and 40 days of pregnancy.Conclusions: Reference values for hematological and serum biochemical examinations should be used for health evaluation of dogs, taking sex, age and the stage of pregnancy into consideration. Measurements of CRP, SAA and d-ROM levels are also useful for assessing maternal conditions in mid-pregnancy.展开更多
Increased predation losses in beef cattle in the Northern Rocky Mountains raise the importance of research concerning maternal behavior around the time of parturition. Separation behavior of multiparous cows at partur...Increased predation losses in beef cattle in the Northern Rocky Mountains raise the importance of research concerning maternal behavior around the time of parturition. Separation behavior of multiparous cows at parturition was studied by measuring the distance (m) between the birth place and the main herd with a GPS device. Age of cows and forehead hair whorl pattern (HW) were analyzed as possible factors affecting separation distance. A total of 333 cows (95% Red Angus and 5% Angus × Hereford commercial crossbreds;age range: 3 - 6 yrs) were studied. Separation distance was determined by approaching the cow-calf pair with a utility vehicle that gradually decreased the distance to the pair. The geographic coordinates per pair were recorded and the separation distance was calculated as a straight line between each pair and the main herd. The HW on the forehead of each animal was used as a measure of individual differences in temperament. Age and HW were collected when the animals were held in a squeeze chute. HW was classified into one of six groups: high, middle, low, abnormal, multiple HWs and no HW. The age of a cow influenced the separation distance for parturition (P < 0.001). Four-year-old cows were on average about 150 m further away than other aged cows when calving. Eighty-eight percent of cows separated more than 100 m from the herd. The hair whorl position had no influence on the separation distance (P = 0.405). Distinct separation behavior for parturition was observed in this herd which appears to be an innate behavior that is influenced by the individual temperament of the cow.展开更多
Enhanced vegetation index(EVI)data can be used to identify and define the space in which ungulates practice parturition and encounter predation.This study explores the use of EVI data to identify landscapes linked to ...Enhanced vegetation index(EVI)data can be used to identify and define the space in which ungulates practice parturition and encounter predation.This study explores the use of EVI data to identify landscapes linked to ungulate parturition and predation events across space,time,and environmental conditions.As a case study,we used the moose population(Alces alces)of northern Minnesota in the USA.Using remotely sensed EVI data rasters and global positioning system collar data,we quantified how vegetation phenology and moose movement shaped the births and predation of 52 moose calves from 2013 to 2020 on or adjacent to the Grand Portage Indian Reservation.The known sources of predation were American black bears(Ursus americanus,n=22)and gray wolves(Canis lupus,n=28).Satellite-derived data summarizing seasonal landscape features at the local level revealed that landscape heterogeneity use by moose can help to quantitatively identify landscapes of parturition and predation in space and time across large areas.Vegetation phenology proved to be differentiable between adult moose ranges,sites of cow parturition,and sites of calf predation.Landscape characteristics of each moose group were consistent and tractable based on environment,suggesting that sites of parturition and predation of moose are predictable in space and time.It is possible that moose selected specific landscapes for parturition despite risk of increased predation of their calves,which could be an example of an"ecological trap."This analytical framework can be employed to identify areas for future ungulate research on the impacts of landscape on parturition and predation dynamics.展开更多
Objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone in combination with estradiol benzoate in controlled induction of parturition in heifers, especially in the subjects of retained fetal membran...Objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone in combination with estradiol benzoate in controlled induction of parturition in heifers, especially in the subjects of retained fetal membranes and dystocia caused by fetal oversize. A total number of 100 Holstein-Friesian heifers aged 24-25 months, mean weight 450 kg and body condition score of 3-4 from a dairy herd located in the suburb of Tabriz with similar nutrition and management systems were allocated at random into two groups. Group A （Control, n = 50） heifers, after passing the minimum 270 d of pregnancy were injected with 30 mg dexamethasone IM. Group B （Treatment, n = 50） heifers with the same period of pregnancy received 30 mg dexamethasone plus 20 mg estradiol benzoate IM on the same days of pregnancy. The overall durations of initial treatments to induction of parturition were （41.50 ~ 2.65） h in group A and （37.50 ：i： 1.27） h in group B. In group A, more dystocia cases were observed than in group B. After parturition, group A showed a higher percentage of retention of fetal membranes as well as the calf mortality and dystocia compared to group B. The differences between two groups were statistically significant （P 〈 0.05）. In conclusion, our results indicate that induction of parturition by estradiol benzoate and dexamethasone together will be more effective than dexamethasone alone because of the less retention of fetal membranes, easy calving and shorter time from induction to parturition.展开更多
文摘Background: The aims of this study were(a) to ascertain age-related changes in the reference values in hematological and serum biochemical examinations of beagles,and(b) to clarify the changes in these findings, including acute phase proteins and oxidative stress, throughout pregnancy and after parturition.Methods: Clinicopathological parameters were measured in young beagles at 6, 9 and 12 months and in adult beagles aged from 24 to 60 months. Likewise, pregnant beagles were investigated throughout the pregnancy and after parturition.Results: Apparent age-related changes were found in erythrocytic parameters during the growth and development of beagles. Most of the parameters(total protein,albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urate, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and creatine kinase(CK) exhibited age-dependent transitions. White cell count significantly increased after 30 days of pregnancy. The values of erythrocytic parameters moderately decreased during the second half of the pregnancy. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, free cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations increased in the mid- and late stages of pregnancy. ALP, lactate dehydrogenase, CK and cholinesterase activities markedly increased during pregnancy and/or after parturition. C-reactive protein(CRP) concentrations gradually increased and reached a maximum after 30-40 days of pregnancy. Serum amyloid A(SAA) levels markedly increased at 30 days of pregnancy before subsiding, and then increased again 3 days after parturition. Reactive oxygen metabolites(d-ROMs) showed significant increases after 30 and 40 days of pregnancy.Conclusions: Reference values for hematological and serum biochemical examinations should be used for health evaluation of dogs, taking sex, age and the stage of pregnancy into consideration. Measurements of CRP, SAA and d-ROM levels are also useful for assessing maternal conditions in mid-pregnancy.
文摘Increased predation losses in beef cattle in the Northern Rocky Mountains raise the importance of research concerning maternal behavior around the time of parturition. Separation behavior of multiparous cows at parturition was studied by measuring the distance (m) between the birth place and the main herd with a GPS device. Age of cows and forehead hair whorl pattern (HW) were analyzed as possible factors affecting separation distance. A total of 333 cows (95% Red Angus and 5% Angus × Hereford commercial crossbreds;age range: 3 - 6 yrs) were studied. Separation distance was determined by approaching the cow-calf pair with a utility vehicle that gradually decreased the distance to the pair. The geographic coordinates per pair were recorded and the separation distance was calculated as a straight line between each pair and the main herd. The HW on the forehead of each animal was used as a measure of individual differences in temperament. Age and HW were collected when the animals were held in a squeeze chute. HW was classified into one of six groups: high, middle, low, abnormal, multiple HWs and no HW. The age of a cow influenced the separation distance for parturition (P < 0.001). Four-year-old cows were on average about 150 m further away than other aged cows when calving. Eighty-eight percent of cows separated more than 100 m from the herd. The hair whorl position had no influence on the separation distance (P = 0.405). Distinct separation behavior for parturition was observed in this herd which appears to be an innate behavior that is influenced by the individual temperament of the cow.
基金This project was funded by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grant,U.S.Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration InitiativeBureau of Indian Affairs Endangered Species Program+1 种基金Funding was also provided by the Minnesota Zoo Ulysses S.Seal Conservation GrantIndianapolis Zoo Conservation Fund.
文摘Enhanced vegetation index(EVI)data can be used to identify and define the space in which ungulates practice parturition and encounter predation.This study explores the use of EVI data to identify landscapes linked to ungulate parturition and predation events across space,time,and environmental conditions.As a case study,we used the moose population(Alces alces)of northern Minnesota in the USA.Using remotely sensed EVI data rasters and global positioning system collar data,we quantified how vegetation phenology and moose movement shaped the births and predation of 52 moose calves from 2013 to 2020 on or adjacent to the Grand Portage Indian Reservation.The known sources of predation were American black bears(Ursus americanus,n=22)and gray wolves(Canis lupus,n=28).Satellite-derived data summarizing seasonal landscape features at the local level revealed that landscape heterogeneity use by moose can help to quantitatively identify landscapes of parturition and predation in space and time across large areas.Vegetation phenology proved to be differentiable between adult moose ranges,sites of cow parturition,and sites of calf predation.Landscape characteristics of each moose group were consistent and tractable based on environment,suggesting that sites of parturition and predation of moose are predictable in space and time.It is possible that moose selected specific landscapes for parturition despite risk of increased predation of their calves,which could be an example of an"ecological trap."This analytical framework can be employed to identify areas for future ungulate research on the impacts of landscape on parturition and predation dynamics.
文摘Objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone in combination with estradiol benzoate in controlled induction of parturition in heifers, especially in the subjects of retained fetal membranes and dystocia caused by fetal oversize. A total number of 100 Holstein-Friesian heifers aged 24-25 months, mean weight 450 kg and body condition score of 3-4 from a dairy herd located in the suburb of Tabriz with similar nutrition and management systems were allocated at random into two groups. Group A （Control, n = 50） heifers, after passing the minimum 270 d of pregnancy were injected with 30 mg dexamethasone IM. Group B （Treatment, n = 50） heifers with the same period of pregnancy received 30 mg dexamethasone plus 20 mg estradiol benzoate IM on the same days of pregnancy. The overall durations of initial treatments to induction of parturition were （41.50 ~ 2.65） h in group A and （37.50 ：i： 1.27） h in group B. In group A, more dystocia cases were observed than in group B. After parturition, group A showed a higher percentage of retention of fetal membranes as well as the calf mortality and dystocia compared to group B. The differences between two groups were statistically significant （P 〈 0.05）. In conclusion, our results indicate that induction of parturition by estradiol benzoate and dexamethasone together will be more effective than dexamethasone alone because of the less retention of fetal membranes, easy calving and shorter time from induction to parturition.
