The ecological dimension of psychoanalysis and the concept of inner sustainability.

An "ecological-cum-psychoanalytic" perspective elucidates the innate kinship between modern, critical ecological thinking and the assumptions on the nature of the human animal underlying Freudian psychoanalysis. "Critical ecology" engages with the issues posed by a meaningful, "sustainable" design for the relationship between nature and culture; psychoanalysis investigates and engages therapeutically with human self-relations in the field of tension existing between the culture-imprinted and culture-productive "ego," on the one hand, and the independent, naturally established motivational sides of the psyche subsumed by Freud under the term "id" on the other. Against an ecological-cum-psychoanalytic backdrop, modern developments in object relations theory and self psychology can be understood in a way that places them in a conceptual framework corresponding to Freud's central concern with the balance or integration-successful or unsuccessful-of the motivational (interactional) strivings of "internal nature" and the requirements posed by human "self-production" via culture.

Xenogenous fertilization of equine oocytes following recovery from slaughterhouse ovaries and in vitro maturation.

The in vitro production (IVP) of equine embryos using currently available protocols has met limited success; therefore investigations into alternative approaches to IVP are justified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of xenogenous fertilization and early embryo development of in vitro matured (IVM) equine oocytes. Follicular aspirations followed by slicing of ovarian tissue were performed on 202 equine ovaries obtained from an abattoir.

Interpretation of the detection of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in the serum of young horses.

Horses that are exposed to Sarcocystis neurona, a causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, produce antibodies that are detectable in serum by western blot (WB). A positive test is indicative of exposure to the organism. Positive tests in young horses can be complicated by the presence of maternal antibodies.

In vitro and xenogenous capacitation-like changes of fresh, cooled, and cryopreserved stallion sperm as assessed by a chlortetracycline stain.

Like the human female, the mare experiences reproductive tract pathology that may sometimes be circumvented by the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). One such technology, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), may be used in mares that exhibit ovulatory, oviductal, or uterine abnormalities that limit the use of common ARTs, such as embryo transfer. Homologous GIFT has been successfully performed in the horse; however, the logistics, costs, and associated risks of surgically transferring gametes to the oviducts of a recipient mare are considerably high.

Effects of season and diet on tensile strength and mineral content of the equine hoof wall.

Studies evaluating nutritional and seasonal influences on hoof strength and composition in horses, as well as the scientific justification for feeding supplements to improve hoof quality, are lacking. The horseman and veterinarian need controlled studies in this area to make informed decisions. This project quantified, in 2 trials, relative elasticity, tensile strength, % moisture, and mineral composition of hooves of 48 mature Thoroughbred mares maintained on different nutritional/management regimens, sampled quarterly over 12 month periods.

Intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint alleviates lameness associated with the navicular bursa in horses.

Objective: To determine if intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint could alleviate lameness associated with the navicular bursa in horses.

Study Design: Experimental investigation.

Animals: Six clinically normal horses.

Equine herpesvirus type 2: prevalence and seroepidemiology in foals.

Whole blood and serum were collected from foals to determine the prevalence of Equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV 2) infection in foals, age at which infection can first be identified and serological responses to infection. Equine herpesvirus type 2 was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 68 of 69 foals, 1-8-months-old, sampled once. Virus isolation was performed twice at intervals of 2-7 months on PBMCs from 33 foals and EHV2 was isolated on both occasions in all but one foal (negative, then positive).

Calcium decreases and parathyroid hormone increases in serum of periparturient mares.

Changes in serum concentrations of Ca and parathyroid hormone (PTH) may develop in periparturient mares, may be influenced by dietary Ca, and may be associated with changes in Ca concentration of mammary secretion. Milk and blood samples were taken from eight mares on Farm A and eight on Farm B for 10 d before parturition and from four mares on each farm for 5 d postpartum. Milk Ca was measured by two commercial tests.

The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of measuring calcium carbonate in mares' prepartum mammary secretions.

A colorimetric test kit marketed for water quality analysis was used to measure calcium carbonate changes in diluted prefoaling mammary secretions. Daily samples (1 to 3 ml/day) were obtained from 59 Thoroughbred and Warmblood mares starting 14 days prior to foaling to the day of parturition. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the test were calculated on the data collected from 56 mares and 377 prefoaling mammary secretion samples.

Scrotal circumference measurements in purebred Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk lamb and yearling rams.

Purebred Suffolk, Hampshire and Dorset lamb and yearling rams (n=753), underwent performance testing from 1986 to 1989. Scrotal circumference, birth date and entry weight were recorded for each ram entering the test station. Mean age in days at entry, weight (lbs), and scrotal circumference (SC; cm) were greatest for the Hampshire rams.

Use of the point-score system for breeding soundness examination in yearling Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk rams.

Performance tests were conducted on 583 purebred Dorset, Hampshire and Suffolk yearling rams at the Virginia Ram Test Station from 1986 to 1989. Birth dates at entry and weights (lbs) at entry and end-of-test were recorded for each ram. Entry and exit scrotal circumference (SC; cm) data were recorded for each year of the study.

A survey of whole blood selenium concentrations of horses in Maryland.

We surveyed the whole blood selenium status of a randomly sampled population of horses from 4 contiguous counties in northern Maryland. Two hundred and two horses from 74 farms were sampled. Whole blood selenium levels greater than or equal to 0.

Dimethyl sulfoxide intrauterine therapy in the mare: effects upon endometrial histological features and biopsy classification.

The effects upon equine endometrial histological features produced by 10 to 30% concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in sterile saline were compared with the effects of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) alone as an intrauterine infusion therapy in 16 barren mares. No harmful histological changes were noted (P>0.

Use of the partial farm budget technique to predict the economic impact of the flock management decision to use B-mode ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis.

A computer spreadsheet was developed to predict the economic impact of a management decision to use B-mode ultrasonographic ovine pregnancy diagnosis. The spreadsheet design and spreadsheet cell formulas are provided. The program used the partial farm budget technique to calculate net return (NR) or cash flow changes that resulted from the decision to use ultrasonography.

Disease outbreak investigation. Three case studies.

Three case studies of the investigation of outbreaks of disease or deviations from target performance are presented. The first is a study of a mastitis problem in a dairy herd, made evident by increased somatic cell counts. The pattern of the production problem is carefully analyzed and conclusions are reached that indicate an infection with environmental contaminant organisms, thus permitting control measures to be introduced.

The effects of prostalene and alfaprostol as uterine myotonics, and the effect on postpartum pregnancy rate in the mare following daily treatment with prostalene.

The effects of oxytocin and two prostaglandin (PG) F(2)alpha analogues, prostalene and alfaprostol, on uterine pressure in the mare were measured using balloon-tipped catheters connected to pressure transducers. The PGF(2)alpha analogues caused increased uterine pressure beginning 7 to 15 min postinjection and persisting for the duration of each 60 min recording session. Forty postpartum mares of light-horse breed were used to evaluate the effects of prostalene on postpartum pregnancy rate.

Early pregnancy loss in brood mares.

During 1985, linear-array ultrasonography was used to study early pregnancy loss in commercial brood mares: 600/1115 (54%) of the cycles resulted in detected pregnancy at Week 2 after ovulation and 80 (13%) of these pregnancies resulted in early pregnancy loss. The pregnancy loss rate was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) for twin pregnancies (10/41) than for singleton pregnancies (70/559).

Efficacy of ivermectin in controlling Strongyloides westeri infections in foals.

Twenty-eight foals whose dams were treated IM with ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg of body weight) on the day of parturition were compared with 35 foals whose dams were administered only the vehicle. The effect of ivermectin on the vertical transmission of Strongyloides westeri and foal heat diarrhea was determined by a comparison of results obtained in the 2 groups. Foals from treated mares had significantly fewer S westeri eggs per gram of feces from 17 to 28 days postpartum.

Effects of washing on the bacterial flora of the stallion's penis.

Six stallions were subjected to extensive cleansing of the penis and prepuce with water, Ivory Soap and water, or Betadine surgical scrub and water. The stallions were all washed for 14 days, and then allowed 14 days respite. This pattern of washing and resting was repeated consecutively.