Field evaluation of 2 collar-mounted activity meters for detecting cows in estrus on a large pasture-grazed dairy farm.

This study tested the hypothesis that a commercially available system for detecting estrus based on cow activity would perform similarly to that of typical, visual assessment of mounting indicators placed on the tail head of the cow. The hypothesis was applied to a large, pasture-grazed, seasonal-calving dairy herd, and the technology was tested as a stand-alone system. One of 2 types of commercially available collar-mounted activity meters was fitted to 635 cows, and the activity data collected during the 37-d artificial breeding period were analyzed.

A randomized controlled trial of a community-based consultation service to prevent falls.

Background: Multifaceted programs that combine assessment with interventions have been shown to reduce subsequent falls in some clinical trials. We tested this approach to see whether it would be effective if offered as a consultation service using existing health care resources.

Methods: The subjects of this randomized controlled trial had to be aged 65 years or more and had to have fallen within the previous 3 months.

Alternative splicing events in the coding region of the cytochrome P450 aromatase gene in male rat germ cells.

Expression of cytochrome P450 mRNA in rat germ cells was characterized by reverse transcription PCR with various primers located at the 3'-end of the coding region. At least two unusual isoforms (Ex10-S and INT) of P450 aromatase (P450arom) mRNA were expressed. Analysis of their sequences demonstrated that an alternative splicing event occurred first at the exon-intron boundary of the GT consensus sequence of the last coding exon, and second in the internal 5' donor inside exon 9 used as a minor cryptic splicing site.

Expression of two aromatase cDNAs in various rabbit tissues.

Aromatase is a steroidogenic enzyme complex which catalyses the conversion of androgens to estrogens. In a previous study, we elucidated the structure of a 2.9 kb aromatase cDNA from ovarian rabbit tissue.

Inhibition by gonadotropins of interleukin-1 production by rabbit granulosa and theca cells: effects on gonadotropin-induced progesterone production.

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines may play a role in ovarian processes. The purpose of this study was to determine if interleukin-1 (IL-1) could modulate rabbit pre-ovulatory follicular function and to explore cellular sites of IL-1 biosynthesis in rabbit follicles. Development of rabbit pre-ovulatory follicles was induced by 200 mIU equine chorionic gonadotropin daily for 2 days.

Luteotrophic factors in hyperstimulated pseudopregnant rabbit: I--Evidence for aromatase activity in luteal tissue and luteal cells.

It is well established that the rabbit corpus luteum (CL) function depends upon endogenous oestradiol, the major source of which in the rabbit ovary is considered to be the ovarian follicles. The absence of oestradiol formation by the rabbit CL has been previously reported. In a hyperstimulated pseudopregnant rabbit model used in our laboratory which developed a large number of corpora lutea in response to chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG)/hCG, we observed the survival of corpora lutea in vivo, and normal levels of plasma progesterone throughout pseudopregnancy (PP), despite the scarcity or the absence of follicles as a source of the luteotrophic hormone.

Rapid sequencing of rabbit aromatase cDNA using RACE PCR.

The sequencing of aromatase cDNA from rabbit granulosa cells was obtained by RACE PCR. This cDNA is 2.9 kb long.