[Intake of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc) originating from colored paints and their incorporation into organs and tissues of heifers].

In a feeding trial the effect of heavy metals as lead, cadmium and zinc originating from colour paints was investigated. The study included 30 early pregnant heifers subdivided in five groups with six animals each with an average body weight of 419 kgs. During the testing period the trial was carried out in a three factorial fashion with two time sections: section one--mineral supplementation and lead preexposure; section two--Exposure to heavy metal containing colour paint pigments.

[Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy ("Weaver syndrome") in brown Swiss x Braunvieh cattle: reproductive occurrences, results of embryo transfer].

In the time between 1989 and 1991 seven Brown Swiss heifers, which had clinical signs of the Weaver syndrome were kept at the Bavarian Institute of Animal Breeding in Grub. This was in order to investigate this hereditary trait further. The number of animals carrying this genetic defect was increased by means of embryo transfer.

Endocrinological evaluation of the induction of superovulation with PMSG in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Ten nonlactating buffalo were superovulated with 3000 IU PMSG. Luteolysis was induced with 500 microg Cloprostenol (PG) 60 and 72 h after PMSG. Five buffalo were alloted for natural mating and five were bred by artificial insemination 60 and 84 h after the first PG treatment.

Chimerism in cattle through microsurgical aggregation of morulae.

A cattle chimera was produced by combining four halves of two parent embryos of different breeds (Brown-Swiss x Braunvieh plus Holstein-Friesian x Holstein-Friesian) in one zona pellucida. Parent embryos in the 32-cell morula stage were recovered non-surgically, were bisected, and the combined four halves were transferred non-surgically to recipient heifers. Chimerism of coat colour was used as evidence.