Sustained-release deslorelin acetate implants disrupt oestrous cyclicity in the mare.

There is a need for a safe, effective and practical method of oestrus suppression in the mare. The aim of this study was to monitor ovarian activity in mares exposed to either 9.4 or 28.

Comparison of the initial ovarian response, the synchrony of oestrus and ovulation and chronic stress response after administration of 100 or 250 μg of GnRH to randomly cycling Bos indicus cattle.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of administering saline, 100 or 250 μg of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) on ovarian response, synchrony of oestrus and ovulation and chronic stress response in Bos indicus cattle.

Design: Randomised control.

Methods: Animals were either left untreated (n = 20) or on day 0 treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device and either saline (n = 24), 100 μg (n = 35), or 250 (n = 35) μg of GnRH, intramuscular (IM).

Modification of a GnRH-based system to synchronise oestrus in Bos indicus cattle improves pregnancy rates to AI in heifers but not cows.

Objective: To investigate if modification of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) based protocol to synchronise oestrus in Bos indicus cattle will improve response rates to the first administration of GnRH and improve pregnancy rates to artificial insemination (AI).

Design: Randomised control study.

Methods: Bos indicus heifers, nonlactating and lactating cows allocated to a GnRH-18 treatment (n = 237) were treated with an intravaginal device (IVD) and cloprostenol (0.

The contraceptive efficacy of a self-assembling intra-uterine device in domestic mares.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contraceptive efficacy of a self-assembling uterine device (iUPOD™) in the mare. In addition, the effects of iUPODs on oestrous cyclicity, uterine health and circulating concentrations of cortisol were evaluated.

Methods: Domestic mares underwent oestrous monitoring and artificial insemination.

Factors Associated with Intrapartum Cesarean Section in Women Submitted to Labor Induction.

Objective:  To evaluate the results of induced labor and to determine the main factors associated with intrapartum cesarean section after patients being submitted to this procedure at the Hospital Universitário of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (HU/UFSC, in the Portuguese acronym), Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Methods:  A retrospective cross-sectional study that included all the pregnancies that resulted in single-fetus births, whose gestational-age was > 22 weeks and that had been submitted to labor induction at the HU/UFSC in the period from 2013 to 2016.

Results:  During the proposed period, 1,491 pregnant women were submitted to the labor induction protocol.

Use of a sanitary sheath at artificial insemination by nonprofessional technicians does not markedly improve pregnancy rates to artificial insemination in pasture-based dairy cows.

Plastic sanitary sheaths over artificial insemination (AI) guns have been used at the time of AI to improve hygiene at AI and fertility in cattle, but fertility responses have been variable in studies when AI was performed by professional inseminators. The aims of this study were to investigate whether the use of a sanitary sheath at the time of AI carried out by nonprofessional (do-it-yourself, or DIY) inseminators improves pregnancy rates to AI in pasture-based dairy cows and whether effects of sheaths are greater in cows with contaminated vulvas and in cows at increased risk of extended calving to conception intervals. Lactating dairy cows located in 10 pasture-based herds in a subtropical region of northern Australia were inseminated by herd-based DIY inseminators and assigned to be inseminated with (n = 3,655) or without (n = 3,969) a sanitary sheath, with potential effects assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Enhancing Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content of Dairy-Derived Foods for Human Consumption.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA) are termed essential fatty acids because they cannot be synthesized by humans due to the lack of delta-12 and delta-15 desaturase enzymes and must therefore be acquired from the diet. PUFA include α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3), and the less recognized docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3). The three long-chain (≥C) PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA), EPA, DHA, and DPA play an important role in human health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Absence of a corpus luteum and relatively lesser concentrations of progesterone during the period of pre-ovulatory follicle emergence results in lesser pregnancy rates in Bos indicus cattle.

Concentrations of progesterone before AI have had variable effects on fertility in both Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle. The aim of this study was to determine if fertility and concentrations of progesterone after AI were affected in Bos indicus females when pre-ovulatory follicles develop in the absence or presence of a corpus luteum (CL). Between 6.

Effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin on reproductive performance in a dairy herd in Northern Queensland, Australia.

This study evaluated the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on reproductive performance, when incorporated into the first Ovsynch + P4 synchronization following planned start mating (PSM) in pasture-based lactating dairy cows. Two synchrony programs were compared in a randomized controlled trial in Queensland, Australia. Lactating cows from a single dairy herd (n = 782) were randomly allocated to Control and eCG groups.

Randomised controlled trial of the effect of concentration of progesterone before artificial insemination on fertility in ovulatory and anovulatory Bos indicus cattle.

Objective: To investigate the effect of concentration of progesterone (P4) before artificial insemination (AI) on fertility in ovulatory or anovulatory Bos indicus cattle.

Design: Randomised control study METHODS: The study included 162 heifers and 96 lactating cows. On days -10 to -12, animals were examined using transrectal ultrasound, administered PG and examined for a corpus luteum (CL).

Supplementation with plant-derived oils rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for lamb production.

In this report, an overview of the health benefits of omega-3 long-chain (≥C) polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) and recent progress in using alpha linolenic acid (ALA) rich sources derived from oilseeds to enhance productive performance, n-3 PUFA profiles and sensory properties of lamb for human consumption is reviewed. Omega-3 LC-PUFA can prevent mental health issues and chronic human disorders including cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The median amount of n-3 LC-PUFA consumption is generally lacking in Western diets.

Effect of treatment of Bos indicus heifers with progesterone 0, 3 and 6 days after follicular aspiration on follicular dynamics and the timing of oestrus and ovulation.

Synchronisation of wave emergence is used to synchronise oestrus in cattle. The aim of this study was to determine if treatment with high concentrations of progesterone in Bos indicus heifers for 3 days would synchronise new wave emergence when treatment commenced at early, mid and late stages of follicular development. Heifers were treated with a sc silicone implant containing norgestomet from Days -7 to 9 and cloprostenol (IM) on Days -7 and -2.

Examination of the use of intraovarian administration of CaCl and zinc gluconate as potential chemosterilants in Bos indicus heifers.

Objective: To investigate if administration of potential chemosterilants by transvaginal, ultrasound-guided intraovarian injection is an alternative to surgical sterilisation.

Design: Randomised control study.

Methods: Bos indicus heifers were treated with intraovarian injections of saline (n = 10), CaCl (n = 10), zinc gluconate (ZG; n = 10) or a combination of CaCl and ZG (CaCl + ZG; n = 10).

Chemical sterilisation of animals: A review of the use of zinc- and CaCl based solutions in male and female animals and factors likely to improve responses to treatment.

Chemical sterilisation can be used as an alternative to surgical castration in some circumstances. This review focuses on responses to treatment with zinc- or CaCl-based chemosterilants, factors that have affected treatments and their potential use to sterilise female cattle. Successful treatment with a low incidence of adverse side effects in male animals has occurred with the use of zinc gluconate (ZG), neutralised in arginine and a 20% solution of CaCl in ethanol.

Short-term supplementation with maize increases ovulation rate in goats when dietary metabolizable energy provides requirements for both maintenance and 1.5 times maintenance.

This study aimed to evaluate ovarian follicular dynamics in goats submitted to synchronization of estrus and supplemented with diets that differed in the metabolizable energy source and amount of energy. The experiment was carried out using 42 does allocated into three treatments, fed for 9 days with a ration providing 1.0 times maintenance containing maize (1 MM, n = 14) or without maize (1 M, n = 14) or a ration providing 1.

Effect of hormonal synchronisation and/or short-term supplementation with maize on follicular dynamics and hormone profiles in goats during the non-breeding season.

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive response of anoestrous goats that were either hormonally treated and/or supplemented with maize for 9days to determine which treatment combination was the most effective in enhancing follicular development and ovulation rate, and whether these responses were associated with increases in metabolic hormones. The experiment was carried out using 28 does, using a 2×2 factorial design with seven does in each group to test the effect of synchronisation of oestrus, supplementation with maize and their interactions. Synchronisation of oestrous cycles (P<0.

Chemical sterilisation of Bos indicus bull calves following intratesticular injection of zinc acetate: Effects on growth and concentrations of testosterone.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects in Bos indicus calves of intra-testicular injection of either saline (n=9) or one of two doses of zinc acetate ((ZA1, 57.75mg, n=10, or ZA2, 71.75mg, n=10) or surgical castration (n=9) on circulating concentrations of testostosterone and liveweight.

Chemical sterilisation of Bos indicus bull calves following intratesticular injection of zinc acetate: effects on semen quality and testicular changes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects in Bos indicus bull calves of intratesticular administration of 1mL of either saline (n=9) or one of the two doses of zinc acetate (ZA1, 57.75mg, n=10 or ZA2, 71.75mg, n=10) on semen quality and testicular changes.

Curriculum integration within the context of veterinary education.

Curriculum integration has been applied across a range of educational levels as a means of attempting to improve learning outcomes, but there is a paucity of information that has defined and explored curriculum integration as it relates to the teaching of veterinary science. A definition of curriculum integration in the teaching of veterinary science is suggested, which places students as lifelong learners at the center of the educational model. Learning activities are designed to help students see connections among disciplines and topics, thus reinforcing their relevance and helping them to apply their knowledge to different contexts.

Veterinary student attitudes toward curriculum integration at James Cook University.

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of veterinary science students to activities designed to promote curriculum integration. Students (N = 33) in their second year of a five-year veterinary degree were surveyed in regard to their attitudes to activities that aimed to promote integration. Imaging, veterinary practice practicals, and a field trip to a cattle property were classified as the three most valuable learning activities that were designed to promote integration.

Veterinary student responses to learning activities that enhance confidence and ability in pig handling.

This study examined the use of resource-based learning, consideration of potential troublesome concepts, and knowledge and student evaluation as a method of improving learning outcomes in pig-handling skills for first-year Bachelor of veterinary science students. Learning resources consisted of information and videos provided online, instructors, and animals. Difficulties with regional anatomy, venipuncture technique, fear of pigs, knowledge of their behavior, anesthesia, and dosage calculations were anticipated and steps were taken to minimize these difficulties.

Ovarian follicular development and hormone concentrations in inseminated dairy cows with resynchronized estrous cycles.

The objective was to investigate ovarian follicular development and hormone concentrations in previously inseminated cows with estrous cycles resynchronized with various resynchronization treatments. Lactating dairy cows were treated with a previously used intravaginal progesterone releasing device (IVD) for 7 d (EB+IVD 7+EB, n=15) or 8 d (EB+IVD 8+EB, n=16), starting 13 d (Day 13) after a first estrus (Day 0) and AI. Estradiol benzoate (EB; 1 mg im) was given at device insertion and 24 h after removal.

Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows and heifers resynchronized for a second insemination with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device for 7 or 8d with estradiol benzoate injected at the time of device insertion and 24h after removal.

One aim of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of cows and heifers when resynchronizing returns to estrus for a second insemination by treating with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (IVD) for 7 or 8d when estradiol benzoate (EB) was administered at the start of treatment and again 24h after device removal. An additional aim was to document the pattern of onset and characteristics of estrus with each resynchrony treatment. Lactating cows in three herds were synchronized for a first estrus and AI by treatment with an IVD for 8d, starting on Day 0, cloprostenol (0.

Manipulation and control of the estrous cycle in pasture-based dairy cows.

Treatments designed to synchronize luteolysis, preovulatory follicular development, and ovulation, and resynchronize estrus after a first AI have improved responses to synchronization treatments. Protocols based only on the use of PGF result in variable onset of estrus. Concentrations of progesterone prior to administering PGF have affected submission rates and fertility while administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) after inducing luteolysis has improved the synchrony of estrus and ovulation in some studies.