Use of ultrasonographic fetometry for the estimation of days to kidding in dairy does.

The objective of this study was to predict the number of days to kidding in dairy goats by ultrasonographic measurement of three consecutive ribs and intercostal spaces or trunk diameter of fetuses. Two groups of primiparous and multiparous goats were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography. Actual kidding date was used to compute the true number of days to kidding relative to the ultrasound examination day.

The knobbed acrosome defect in four closely related dogs.

The knobbed acrosome defect (KAD) has only once been reported in dog sperm. This report describes the breeding history, clinical presentation and semen evaluation of four closely related miniature Schnauzer dogs that had between 8 and 44% sperm with KAD. Two of the dogs had no substantial reproductive or sperm defects other than the KAD and were of normal fertility.

The effects of storage time and temperature and anticoagulant on laboratory measurements of canine blood progesterone concentrations.

The effects of anticoagulant, storage time, storage temperature, and assay method, on laboratory measurements of blood progesterone concentrations of dogs is unclear; these factors have had a dramatic effect on blood progesterone concentrations in other species (particularly cows). In six experiments, we determined the effects of assay technique (chemiluminescence versus radioimmunoassay (RIA)), storage time, and temperature, as well as the use of heparinized plasma versus serum (coagulated blood) on measured progesterone concentrations of bitches. The studies showed that: (a) RIA measured significantly higher serum progesterone concentration (SPC) than chemiluminescence; (b) refrigeration of whole blood during the first 2 h after sample collection significantly decreased measured SPC; (c) progesterone concentration in heparinized plasma was not affected by storage temperature of whole blood for at least 5 h; (d) refrigeration of whole, clotted blood did not affect SPC, provided that samples were held at room temperature for the first 2 h after collection.

Characterization and localization of alkaline phosphatase in canine seminal plasma and gonadal tissues.

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a useful indicator of the presence of the sperm-rich (2nd) fraction in the canine ejaculate. Two AP isoenzymes originating from separate genes have been identified in the dog: tissue nonspecific (TNS) and intestinal. Bone, liver, and corticosteroid-induced AP are different isoforms of the TNS and intestinal isoenzymes.