Infectious and non-infectious causes for pregnancy loss in South American camelids - A review.

South American camelids (SAC) are gaining popularity for various purposes, including fiber production, trekking, and companionship. High abortion rates pose a significant health issue in SAC herds, leading to substantial economic losses for breeders. Often, the causes of these abortions remain unidentified.

Comparison between intrauterine application of an antibiotic and an herbal product to treat clinical endometritis in dairy cattle - A randomized multicentre field study.

Uterine diseases are main indications for antibiotic use in dairy cows. To test a non-antibiotic treatment option, we compared the effect of an intrauterine cephapirin (Metricure®; cefapirin benzathin 500 mg per dosis; CEPH) with an intrauterine applied herbal product (25 ml of EucaComp® PlantaVet containing alcoholic extracts of Calendula officinalis L., Mellissa officinalis L.

Two Years after Detection: Pathogen Shedding and Phase-Specific Antibody Response in Three Dairy Goat Herds.

The infection dynamics of were investigated in three dairy goat herds (A, B, and C) 2 years after the first pathogen detection. A total of 28 and 29 goats from herds A and B, and 35 goats from herd C, were examined. Sera were analyzed on three sampling dates using phase-specific serology.

Immunization against Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Female Beef Calves to Avoid Pregnancy at Time of Slaughter.

Precocious puberty in beef heifers can result in unwanted pregnancies due to accidental breeding by farm bulls. Inbreeding, premature calving followed by dystocia and a high stillbirth rate or slaughtering of pregnant heifers are the consequences of this behaviour. The aim of the study was to postpone puberty by using Improvac, an anti-GnRH vaccine.

Causes of Abortions in South American Camelids in Switzerland-Cases and Questionnaire.

Over the last decade, South American camelids (SAC) have gained increasing popularity in Switzerland. They are used for several purposes such as fiber and meat production, as companion or guard animals and for trekking activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and reasons for pregnancy loss and perinatal death in SAC herds.

Evaluation of an investigative model in dairy herds with high calf perinatal mortality rates in Switzerland.

The objective of this study was to evaluate an investigative model which encompassed the risk factors, incidence, timing and causes of perinatal mortality (PM) (0-48 h) on high risk dairy farms (PM of >5% in the previous year) in Switzerland. This pilot-study was carried out on 47 predominantly Holstein PM calves from 21 dairy farms, between September 2016 and January 2018. Gross pathological examinations of calves and placentae as well as histopathological examinations of internal organs and placental tissue were performed.

Therapy of retained fetal membranes in cattle: Comparison of two treatment protocols.

This prospective study was conducted to compare two treatment protocols for retained foetal membranes (RFM) in cattle. The routine therapy consisting of intrauterine tetracycline boluses was compared with the administration of ozone foam, both intrauterine therapies without attempts to manually remove the placenta. Cows undergoing caesarean section, suffering from uterine torsion or prolapse of the uterus, and other illnesses than RFM on the first day post-partum were excluded.

Prediction of calving time in dairy cattle.

This prospective study was carried out to predict the calving time in primiparous (n=11) and multiparous (n=22) Holstein-Friesian cows using the combination of data obtained from the RumiWatch noseband-sensor and 3D-accelerometer. The animals included in the study were fitted with the RumiWatch noseband-sensor and 3D-accelerometer at least 10days before the expected calving day. The calving event was defined as the time of the first appearance of the calves' feet outside the vulva, and this moment was determined by farm staff and/or confirmed by video monitor.

Immunization against GnRF in adult cattle: a prospective field study.

Background: Suppression of cyclic activity in cattle is often desired in alpine farming and for feedlot cattle, not intended for breeding. A cattle specific anti-GnRF vaccine (Bopriva™) is registered for use in heifers and bulls in different countries. In adult cows vaccinated with Bopriva™, the median period until recurrence of class III follicles was 78 days from the day of the 2nd vaccination and reversibility could be proven, as out of 11 experimental cows 10 cows became pregnant at first, and one cow at second insemination.

Simplicimonas-like DNA in vaginal swabs of cows and heifers cross-reacting in the real-time PCR for T. foetus.

Cows on an alpine pasture were presented with severe signs of vaginitis. To rule out infection with Tritrichomonas foetus, vaginal swabs were taken and real-time PCR based on detection via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes and targeting the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was performed. PCR was positive in 25 of totally 34 assessed cows.

Comparison of the effect of a CIDR-Select Synch versus a long-term CIDR based AI protocol on reproductive performance in multiparous dairy cows in Swiss dairy farms.

Background: Synchronization programs have become standard in the dairy industry in many countries. In Switzerland, these programs are not routinely used for groups of cows, but predominantly as a therapy for individual problem cows. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a CIDR-Select Synch and a 12-d CIDR protocol on the pregnancy rate in healthy, multiparous dairy cows in Swiss dairy farms.

Alopecia areata in Eringer cows.

Alopecia areata is a hair loss disorder in humans, dogs and horses with a suspected autoimmune aetiology targeting anagen hair follicles. Alopecia areata is only sporadically reported in cows. Recently, we observed several cases of suspected alopecia areata in Eringer cows.

Spontaneous myometrial contractility in cows suffering from endometritis-Influence of localisation, smooth muscle layer and cycle phase. An in vitro study.

Contractility of the healthy bovine myometrium depends on the reproductive state. Furthermore, contractility is influenced by localisation and the direction of smooth muscle strips. However, little is known about the contractile behaviour of the uterus when affected by endometritis.

In vitro effects of bethanechol on abomasal and duodenal smooth muscle preparations from dairy cows with left displacement of the abomasum and from healthy dairy cows.

This study investigated the effects of bethanechol (BeCh) on abomasal and duodenal smooth muscle preparations from dairy cows with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) and from healthy dairy cows, and determined the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes 2 and 3 (M(2) and M(3)) in mediating contraction. Concentration-response curves for BeCh, with or without prior incubation with an M(2) antagonist (AF-DX 116) or an M(3) antagonist (4-DAMP), were established and evaluated. BeCh induced a significant, concentration-dependant increase in the contractility variables for all locations in both groups of cows.

Effects of a single administration of prostaglandin F2alpha, or a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2, or placebo on fertility variables in dairy cows 3-5 weeks post partum, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Delayed uterine involution has negative effects on the fertility of cows; use of prostaglandin F2alpha alone as a single treatment has not been shown to consistently improve fertility. Combined administration of PGF2alpha and PGE2 increased uterine pressure in healthy cows. We hypothesized, that the combination of both prostaglandins would accelerate uterine involution and have, therefore, a positive effect on fertility variables.

An in vitro study on spontaneous myometrial contractility in the mare during estrus and diestrus.

Uterine smooth muscle specimens were collected from euthanatized mares in estrus and diestrus. Longitudinal and circular specimens were mounted in organ baths and the signals transcribed to a Grass polygraph. After equilibration time and 2 g preload, their physiologic isometric contractility was recorded for a continuous 2.

Spontaneous in vitro contractile activity of specimens from the abomasal wall of healthy cows and comparison among dairy breeds.

Objective: To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds.

Sample Population: Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows.

Procedure: Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period.

An in vitro study on spontaneous myometrial contractility in the cow during estrus and diestrus.

Myometrial smooth muscle strips were collected from slaughtered cows in estrus and diestrus. Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle strips were mounted in organ baths and after equilibration time and 2g preload, their physiologic contractility was recorded for 3h. Area under the curve (AUC), mean amplitude (MA) and frequency of contractions (F) were studied.