Predicting the energy and protein requirements of the pregnant grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) using the changes in weight and composition of the foetus and associated tissues of pregnancy.

Eighteen (18) gravid uteri collected from hunters' kills during February and March 2008 were used to investigate growth and accretion of energy and protein in the gravid uterus during pregnancy in the grasscutter. Each gravid uterus was separated into foetal, placental, empty uterus and foetal fluids (amniotic and allantoic fluids combined) components. Individual tissues were weighed and analyzed for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP) and crude fat.

Metabolic fecal nitrogen and digestibility estimates in the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus).

The metabolic fecal nitrogen and digestibility estimates in the grasscutter were determined using 12 captive-bred adult animals fed with four experimental diets differing primarily in crude protein content using nitrogen balance trial approach. Grasscutters required 343.5 mg N kg(-0.

Embryonic resorption, litter size and sex ratio in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus.

This study was conducted using 210 whole uteri collected from hunters' kills from July 2006 to March 2007 at Esiam and Sokode in the Ekumfi and Ho Districts respectively; and data on 148 dams from eight farms in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana from January to December 2007. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of embryonic resorption, litter size and parity on sex ratio in the grasscutter. Embryonic resorption rate, which occurred at all stages of pregnancy, ranged between 41.

Indications for gynecologic surgery and their implications for sexual function in menopausal women.

Objective: To determine the indications for gynecologic surgery and the effect of surgery on dyspareunia and sexual intercourse frequency in menopausal women in Accra, Ghana.

Method: Women who had gynecologic surgery between January 2005 and December 2007 were invited for an interview about dyspareunia and frequency of intercourse before and after surgery.

Results: Of the 93 women interviewed who underwent hysterectomy, 29 (31.

Determination of the ovulatory mechanism of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus).

The ovulatory mechanism of the grasscutter was determined in two phases. Phase one was the histological examination of ovaries of sexually mature grasscutters in various reproductive conditions (non-mated, mated, pregnant) for Corpora lutea (an indicator of ovulation). The second phase was an evaluation of the reproductive performance (female's acceptance to mate, ability to conceive and deliver) of sexually mature grasscutters in oestrus (open vagina, sealed vagina) and anoestrus (closed vagina).

Behavioural interactions between West African dwarf nanny goats and their twin-born kids during the first 48 h post-partum.

West African dwarf nanny goats and their twin-born kids were tested to determine their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition during the first 48 h post-partum. Does and their kids were given scores ranging from 1 to 5, depending on how they performed in the tests. Animals that showed maximum response and recognition ability were given a score of 5, while those with minimum response and recognition ability scored 1.

Behavioural interactions between West African dwarf nanny goats and their single-born kids during the first 48 hours post-partum.

West African dwarf nanny goats and their single-born kids were tested to find out their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition during the first 48 h post-partum. The tests were conducted at 18, 24, 36 or 48 h post partum. Chi-square analyses were used to determine whether age, sex and birth weight of kids as well as h partum and parity of dams had an effect on post-partum bahaviours.

Pregnancy, parturition, and lactation in hypophyseal stalk-transected beef heifers.

Progesterone secretion is crucial for maintaining pregnancy to parturition in mammalian species, and in cattle the corpus luteum is the primary source of this hormone. This study determined the roles of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the luteotropic process in beef heifers hypophyseal stalk-transected (HST, n=7) or sham operated (sham operated controls, SOC, n=9) during midgestation. The main finding was that endogenous PRL and GH maintained progesterone secretion in HST heifers in a similar manner to that in SOC throughout pregnancy.

Effects of pulsatile infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on luteinizing hormone secretion and ovarian function in hypophysial stalk-transected beef heifers.

Hypothalamic regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and ovarian function were investigated in beef heifers by infusing LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) in a pulsatile manner (1 microgram/ml; 1 ml during 1 min every h) into the external jugular vein of 10 hypophysial stalk-transected (HST) animals. The heifers were HST approximately 30 mo earlier. All heifers had increased ovarian size during the LHRH infusion.