Vitrification for bovine embryos with low-quality grade.

This study was conducted to examine the utility of vitrification for bovine embryos with low-quality grade, and simple cryoprotectants dilution method for practitioners. In Experiment 1, survival of frozen embryos was compared with that of vitrified embryos using minimum volume cooling (MVC). Then, vitrified embryos were used to confirm the optimum sucrose concentration in Experiment 2.

Behavioral Responses of Chicks to a Saccharin-Quinine Mixture.

To date, few reports have been published on the sensitivity of birds to sweet tastes. Therefore, in this study, the behavioral responses of White Leghorn chicks to the sweet taste of saccharin and the bitter taste of quinine were assessed. Three chicks were provided with a solution of 3.

Estimation of dietary threonine requirement using plasma amino acid concentrations in mature thoroughbreds.

The experiment was conducted to estimate dietary threonine (Thr) requirement using plasma amino acid concentrations as a criterion in mature thoroughbreds. Four adult thoroughbreds were used, and a 4 × 4 Latin square design was used for four dietary Thr levels. Plasma Thr concentration was constant until 0.

Effect of estrus synchronization treatment after luteolysis on Holstein heifers as embryo transfer recipients.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of estrus synchronization treatments on recipient heifers for embryo transfer (ET). Holstein heifers were separated into the following three groups: (i) an administration of 50 µg GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) analog was given to heifers at a random stage of the estrus cycle, followed 7 days later by two administrations of 7.5 mg prostaglandin F2 alfa analog (PG) as control; (ii) another administration of 100 µg GnRH was given to the control group at 48 h after the administration of PG as the second GnRH group; and (iii) an administration of 0.

Association of BoLA-DRB3 alleles with mastitis resistance and susceptibility in Japanese Holstein cows.

In this study, 714 cows from 26 dairy herds were reclassified as healthy or mastitic cows on the basis of long-term somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. Cows with more than three consecutive lactation records of SCC from the first or second to fifth lactation, were selected, and their BoLA-DRB3 (DRB3) alleles were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Cows with an SCC of < 200 000 cells/mL in all monthly records were classified as healthy (n=91).

Relation of reproductive performances and rectal palpation for luteum function of heifers 7 days after estrus.

Diagnosis of corpus luteum (CL) function by rectal palpation (RP) has been widely used for recipient selection of embryo transfer (ET), a technology essential for genetic improvements in cattle. To examine the accuracy of RP diagnosis method, the relationship between RP-based CL function and reproductive performance was compared in this study. In Experiment 1, CL of Holstein heifers on day 7 after estrus was classified into functional or hypoplastic by RP, and the results were compared with ultrasonographic (US) images and plasma progesterone (P4) levels.

Umbilical center insertion method for initial trocar placement in pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

Background: For laparoscopic surgery in pediatric patients, the initial trocar insertion is usually made employing open laparotomy to avoid injury to the viscera. It is safe but somewhat time-consuming for establishing a pneumoperitoneum, and requires additional sutures for anchoring or preventing air leakage. We devised a new initial trocar insertion technique employing an umbilical center incision to shorten the surgical duration and improve the esthetic appearance.

Overgrowth of costal cartilage is not the etiology of pectus excavatum.

Purpose: The etiology of pectus excavatum (PE) has not been clarified. In 1944, Sweet (Sweet RH. Pectus excavatum.

Association of the amino acid motifs of BoLA-DRB3 alleles with mastitis pathogens in Japanese Holstein cows.

The association of the polymorphism of bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA-DRB3) genes, identified by the polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method, with resistance and susceptibility to mastitis caused by Streptococci, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. Blood samples for DNA extraction were collected from 170 Holstein cows (129 mastitis and 41 healthy cows) from 5 districts in Chiba prefecture, Japan. Susceptibility or resistance to the mastitis-causing pathogens was thought to vary by the presence of amino acid substitutions at the 9, 11, 13, and 30 positions.

Association of BoLA-DRB3 alleles identified by a sequence-based typing method with mastitis pathogens in Japanese Holstein cows.

The association of the polymorphism of bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA-DRB3) genes identified by the polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method with resistance and susceptibility to mastitis caused by pathogenic bacteria was investigated. Blood samples for DNA extraction were collected from 194 Holstein cows (41 healthy cows and 153 mastitis cows including 24 mixed-infection cows infected with 2 or 3 species of pathogens) from 5 districts of Chiba prefecture, Japan. Sixteen BoLA-DRB3 alleles were detected.

Clinical and pathological features of ascending testis.

Background: The clinical features and principles of surgery of the Ascending Testis (AT), in which the testis ascends from the scrotum with age, are controversial. We selected AT that met the treatment guidelines and examined the clinical features and principles of surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 12 AT and 530 Congenital Undescended Testis (CUDT) patients to investigate the statistics of AT among all CUDT, the side of the maldescent, the associated disorders, and the clinical course.

Expression of mRNA for 3HADH in manipulated embryos to produce germline chimeric chickens.

Germline chimeric chickens were produced by the transfer of primordial germ cells (PGCs) or blastoderm cells. The hatchability of eggs produced by transfer of exogenous PGCs is usually low. The purpose of the present study was investigated to express (3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase) 3HADH which is a limiting enzyme in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids for hatching energy.

Catheter enterostomy and patch repair of the abdominal wall for gastroschisis with intestinal atresia: report of a case.

A male infant, weighing 2177 g, was born with the entire intestine protruding through a defect on the right side of the navel. Intestinal atresia, approximately 70 cm from the Treitz ligament, was also confirmed. Primary anastomosis and abdominal wall repair were impossible because of the intestinal dilation and thick peel, as well as the small abdominal cavity.

Transfer of blood containing primordial germ cells between chicken eggs development of embryonic reproductive tract.

The present study was carried out to investigate development of recipient chicken embryonic reproductive tracts which are transferred chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). It is thought that differentiation of PGCs is affected by the gonadal somatic cells. When female PGCs are transferred to male embryos, it is possible that they differentiate to W-spermatogonia.

Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula in both members of monozygotic twins.

A 29-year-old healthy woman bore monozygotic male twins at 37 weeks of gestation by cesarean section. They weighed 2,350 and 2,140 g, respectively. Twin B was found to have a ventricular septal defect.

Surveillance of bacteriological examinations at hospitalization in a pediatric surgical ward.

Purpose: Bacteriological examinations at hospitalization were monitored to identify carriers of pathogenic bacteria and prevent the outbreak of nosocomial and postoperative infections.

Methods: In 557 patients, bacteriological examinations were performed within 48 hours after hospitalization. All people were instructed to wash their hands before and after treating carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).

Anopenile urethral fistula.

A newborn male weighing 3,650 g was born without an anal opening and a perineal fistula. However, an invertography showed rectal gas below the ischium. At the age of 1 day, the patient underwent colostomy.

Comparison of the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum by age and uncommon complications.

Background: We summarized our experience of the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum with comparison by age and uncommon complications.

Methods: Twenty-three patients underwent the Nuss procedure. Their age ranged from 3 to 19 years old.

Indications for surgical repair of funnel chest based on indices of chest wall deformity and psychological state.

Purpose: We examined the surgical indications for funnel chest, taking psychological factors into consideration.

Methods: We assessed 36 young people with funnel chest who were seen as outpatients, including 31 boys and 5 girls aged from 1 to 22 years old. Respondents were asked whether they suffered psychological distress, and if they wanted surgery.