Porcine non-conventional B-1-like cells are a potent source of -binding IgM.

Introduction: serotype () 2 is an important bacterial pathogen in piglet nurseries and an emerging zoonotic agent without effective vaccines available. Immunoglobulin (Ig)M plays an essential role in host defense against . In mice, non-conventional B-1 cells are a major source of protective IgM against encapsulated bacterial pathogens, such as .

A single, episodic event of unilateral/bilateral scrotal swelling in a group of adult boars at an Austrian boar stud.

Background: Scrotal swelling is a clinical situation which can be caused by different aetiologies. In this case report, we describe a multi-week episode of unilateral and bilateral scrotal swelling in boars at an Austrian boar stud and its diagnostic work-up.

Case Presentation: In the summer of 2020, the herd veterinarian of an Austrian boar stud reported that over a period of six weeks, five out of 70 boars presented with unilateral severe swelling of the left scrotum and three out of 70 boars with bilateral severe swelling of the left and moderate swelling of the right scrotum, respectively.

Reproductive health of the sow during puerperium.

The modern hyperprolific sow is susceptible to metabolic disease and chronic inflammation. The most sensitive phase is parturition, when the sow experiences systemic inflammation and stress, and major changes in metabolism and endocrinology. Resolution of inflammation and stress needs to happen quickly to ensure good reproductive health during puerperium.

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) can deteriorate vaccination efficacy against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) at subtoxic levels.

Background: Feedgrain contamination with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON, "vomitoxin") is relatively frequently encountered. Pigs are particularly sensitive to the toxicity of DON. To assess the interplay between DON and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), we performed an experimental DON exposure-PRRSV vaccination-challenge infection trial.

[Continuous, subjective sonographic grayscale analysis of uterine involution in sows during the postpartum period].

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the continuous and subjective evaluation of echogenicity, echotexture of the puerperal uterus as well as the presence of intrauterine fluid in sows of differing parity stages. The goal was to determine associations between grayscale values and simultaneously assessed uterine diameter, body condition, and additional performance parameters such as farrowing duration, placenta expulsion duration, placenta weight and litter weight.

Material And Methods: The study population included 95 sows housed either in free farrowing (n = 46) or crated (n = 49) stables.

[Pathomorphology und microbiology of the urogenital tract of reproductively failed sows with positive deoxynivalenol result].

Objective: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by fungi of spp. It causes vomiting, but also exerts immunosuppressive effects that may be seen at local level e. g.

An investigation into uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire versus German Saddleback).

Litter size in modern so called hyperprolific pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) breeds such as of crossbred Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire (LY/YL) sows increased remarkably over recent years, however, commonly associated with reduced piglet birth weight and higher within litter birth weight variability likely due to a limited uterine capacity. Since investigation into this issue is patchy, the aim of this study was to investigate uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy, that is crossbred Danish genetic (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire; DG; n = 14) and purebred German Saddleback (GS) sows (n = 12). Parameters recorded were litter size, piglet birth weight and vitality, placental weight and surface area as well as placental vascularization.

Ultrasonographic examination of postpartum uterine involution in sows.

Physiological uterine involution during the puerperium period is essential for sow reproductive health. Uterine involution in sows has mainly been described using macroscopic and histological examination after slaughter. The aim of this study, therefore, was to describe the continuous regression of uterine diameter from day 2-14 after parturition and on the day before weaning using ultrasonography in sows housed in a free farrowing system and in farrowing crates.

Principles and Clinical Uses of Real-Time Ultrasonography in Female Swine Reproduction.

Within the past 30 years, through ongoing technology and portability developments, real-time (b-mode) ultrasonography (RTU) has increasingly become a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing the female reproductive tract in swine. Initially applied in swine production to visually determine pregnancy status, RTU use has expanded to include assessment of the peri-pubertal and mature non-pregnant females as well. Transabdominal and transrectal modalities to visualizing the reproductive tract in swine have been reported with the transabdominal approach more common due to the fact of its ease of accessibility, animal/personnel safety, and reduced time to perform.

Feasibility of transabdominal Doppler ultrasonography for studying ovarian blood flow characteristics in cycling gilts.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess ovarian blood flow characteristics by applying transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography during the course of the estrous cycle in gilts.

Materials And Methods: Estrus and ovulation were synchronized in 15 pubertal gilts. During their consecutive spontaneous estrous cycle the gilts were sonographically scanned daily and ovarian blood flow was determined by imaging perfused areas of the ovarian hilus and the ovarian tissue.

Interaction of different Chlamydiae species with bovine spermatozoa.

Background: Interaction of spermatozoa and Chlamydiae spp. might contribute to reduced fertility in cattle. To proof this hypothesis, bovine semen was incubated with viable or heat inactivated Chlamydia (C.

GnRH-agonist deslorelin implant alters the progesterone release pattern during early pregnancy in gilts.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of progesterone (P) and luteinizing hormone (LH) during recognition and establishment of pregnancy in the gilt. Therefore, the effects of eliminating episodic LH pulses on P patterns were determined during early pregnancy. To this end, a slow-release GnRH implant deslorelin was used for GnRH down-regulation.

Feasibility of transabdominal Doppler sonography for studying uterine blood flow characteristics in cycling gilts.

Objective: To test for the feasibility of transabdominal Doppler sonography (color, power, pulse wave) to define uterine perfusion characteristics throughout the estrous cycle in gilts.

Materials And Methods: A total of 15 gilts were synchronized for estrus and scanned in their following spontaneous cycle while being restrained in a purpose-designed mobile crate. To define uterine perfusion characteristics, vessels in between and within uterine cross-sections were imaged and recorded as video sequences to be analyzed by PixelFlux® software for perfused area (Amix), blood flow velocity (vmix) and intensity (Imix) as well as resistance (RIvmix) and pulsatility index (PIvmix).

Prolonged parturition and impaired placenta expulsion increase the risk of postpartum metritis and delay uterine involution in sows.

It was hypothesized that prolonged parturition and impaired placenta expulsion increase the risk of postpartum metritis and delay uterine involution. At parturition, for 99 Yorkshire x Large White sows (parity 2-5), we determined the number of liveborn (NLP; 14.8 ± 3.

Development of Deep and Upper Neuronal Layers in the Domestic Cat, Sheep and Pig Neocortex.

The neocortex plays a key role in cognition, volitional motor control and sensory perception and has undergone tremendous expansion during evolution. The mature neocortex consists of radially aligned neurons that are arranged in six layers. Layers II-VI are often split into two groups: deep and upper layers, both building up the so-called cortical plate during embryonic and foetal development.

Effect of a GnRH analogue (peforelin) on the litter performance of gilts and sows.

Background: Maintaining optimal reproductive and litter performance is essential for meeting economic targets in commercial pig production. Treatment with exogenous gonadotropins in sows after weaning or in gilts after altrenogest treatment has been used to stimulate follicular development leading to more piglets born and eventually higher birth weights. The effect of peforelin on litter performance was investigated in 212 gilts, primi- and pluriparous sows in three herds.

Analytic validation of commercially available immunoassays for the measurement of serum cobalamin and folate concentrations in pigs.

Background: Cobalamin (vitamin B12 ) and folate (vitamin B9 ) are important for the amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. Immunoassays for the measurement of both vitamins in serum are routinely used in people, cats, and dogs, serving as indicators for clinical disorders including cobalamin and/or folate deficiency, small intestinal dysbiosis, or inadequate dietary supply of these vitamins. The analysis of these analytes may also be clinically useful in pigs.

[Uterine neoplasia in two geriatric miniature pet pigs - diagnostics and therapy. Two case reports].

Miniature pet pigs are becoming ever more common among the patients of small animal practices. Due to an advanced age attained in these animals in comparison with conventional pigs in pork production, miniature pet pigs develop age-related diseases that are infrequently observed in farm pigs, including neoplastic alterations of the uterus. We describe two cases of a uterine adenocarcinoma and a leiomyoma, respectively, in two miniature pet pig sows.

Advances in Breeding Management and Use of Ovulation Induction for Fixed-time AI.

The objective of the breeding herd is the predictable and consistent production of high quality pigs. To achieve this objective, an appropriate number of females need to be mated in each breeding week and they should maintain their pregnancy and deliver large litters. Many factors can impact achievement of optimal sow productivity, particularly breeding management.

[Reproductive disorders in the female pig: causes, manifestation, diagnostics and approach in herd health care].

Reproductive failure is the most common cause for culling sows from production herds. These failures can affect individual pigs, but can also be a farm problem. Any region of the pig's genital tract can be diseased, with the uterus being the most frequently affected organ.

Establishment of a practical sperm penetration test for bovine semen.

Objective: Several methods for evaluating semen quality have been developed in addition to traditional semen analysis. Most of these methods are very complex and require expensive technical equipment as well as special knowledge to be performed. The aim of this study was to establish an easy and cost-effective sperm penetration test for bovine semen using artificial media.

Effect of a GnRH analogue (Maprelin) on the reproductive performance of gilts and sows.

The ability of peforelin (l-GnRH-III) to stimulate follicular growth, FSH release, and estrus in gilts after altrenogest treatment and in sows after weaning was investigated. In three farrow-to-wean herds, with at least 600 sows and average production performance, 216 gilts, 335 primiparous, and 1299 pluriparous sows were randomly allocated to three treatments: peforelin (M group: Maprelin), eCG (F group: Folligon), and physiological saline solution (C group). Animals were treated 48 hours after their last altrenogest treatment (gilts) or 24 hours after weaning (sows).

[Physiology and pathology of reproduction in domesticated New World camelids with special emphasis on ultrasonography].

The number of New World camelids in Germany is increasing. Owners and breeders are usually well educated regarding their animals. For practitioners, this means being up-to-date with respect to their veterinary knowledge.

Effects of long-term treatment with the GnrH agonist deslorelin (Suprelorin) on sexual function in boars.

Immunization against GnRH has been proven effective for boar taint removal, and long-term treatment with GnRH analogues has been shown to suppress GnRH dependent reproductive processes in several species. This study was conducted to treat boars (n = 5) with Suprelorin, i.e.