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The ovarian response to a standard chronogest + eCG treatment with plasma levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), thyroids, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), OH-butyrate (BHB) and urea-N (PUN) was studied in lactating Awassi ewes (n = 105) during the late-summer - early autumn transition period. The ewes were inseminated with diluted fresh semen after gestagen removal, and mated thereafter; 26 of them conceived at the fixed-time AI (fix AI; conception rate is calculated from lambing dates). Ovarian function was monitored by milk progesterone (P4) profiles. Before synchronization, the ovary was still acyclic in 33 and already cyclic in 72 ewes. Twenty-nine and 43 of the cyclic animals were in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. After gestagen removal almost all (n = 104) ewes ovulated, although at AI elevated P4 levels related to the presence of partially luteinized follicles, and short-lived CL-s were observed in 10 and five animals (none of them re-conceived at the fixed time AI). Cycling ewes showed higher insulin and IGF-I levels than the acyclic animals, and those who had not conceived had higher PUN than the pregnant ones. The other metabolic parameters did not differ. Neither conception rate, nor the ovarian response was influenced by the pre-treatment.

Hyperoestrogenism causing progressive alopecia in neutered ferrets may be induced by ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and nodular hyperplasia of the adrenocortex (hyperadrenocorticism, NHA). The objective of the study was to determine whether a slow-release implant of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, deslorelin, has any value in therapy of hyperoestrogenism of adrenocortical origin (NHA). Three supposed cases of NHA with alopecia and other clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism (n = 2 spayed females in oestrous and n = 1 castrated male) were treated with a subcutaneous implant of 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate. Blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of estradiol (E2) were determined just before, and some weeks after treatment. For realistic monitoring, blood samples for E2 determination were also taken from intact, healthy (untreated control) females after the beginning of heat (n = 5), or 9-21 days after, with hCG induced ovulation (n = 6), or out of breeding season (n = 3). Before treatment, all three alopecic ferrets showed elevated E2 concentrations (99.45-139.9 pmol/l) similar to the untreated control females in oestrous (61.6-123.02 pmol/l) (P = 0.229). Some weeks after the deslorelin administration, the hair of these ferrets began to grow again and the elevated E2 concentrations significantly decreased compared to the pre-treatment values (P = 0.035). E2 concentrations reached the basal level (12.89-16.08 pmol/l) typical for that of the untreated control females in anoestrus or in luteal phase (12.0-30.58 pmol/l) (P = 0.137). All treated ferrets were examined again 19-21 months after implant insertion (the implant still being present) and all of them had normal hair and were clinically healthy. These observations prove that deslorelin can suppress the E2 production of NHA, and is therefore a useful tool in the therapy of hormonal alopecia neutered ferrets.

Metabolic and endocrine characteristics of pregnancy toxemia are well documented in small ruminants, but less known in other species. The objective of this study was to measure plasma levels of certain metabolites and metabolic hormones related to the energetic status in blood from sick and healthy, non-pregnant (control) ferrets. Blood was collected from moribund, hypothermic, late pregnant females suffering from pregnancy toxemia (n = 4) and from healthy female ferrets (n = 14) to measure glucose, ketone (βOH-butyrate, BHB), insulin, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. In contrast to healthy animals, hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, hypoinsulinemia and decreased T4 and T3 levels were detected in females with pregnancy toxemia and necropsy showed excessive hepatic lipidosis. In summary, it can be concluded that pregnancy toxemia caused by a negative energy balance in ferrets resembles the late-gestational hyperketonemia of twin-pregnant ewes, and moreover that similar endocrine changes may occur.

Healthy multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 22, parity: 2-4) from a large-scale dairy herd in Hungary were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test 10-15 days after calving. AluI genotype of growth hormone, several plasma metabolites and metabolic hormones were determined, and current and previous lactation yields were recorded. We also used the Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (RQUICKI) and its modified version (RQUICKIBHB) for the estimation of peripheral insulin sensitivity. The majority of cows (n = 18) was leucine homozygous (LL), four were heterozygous (LV) and there were no valine homozygous (VV) animals in the population. Current average milk production was not different between AluI genotypes, but LV cows tended to have higher 305-day previous lactation yields (P = 0.13). AluI polymorphism was not associated with any of the calculated glucose and leptin parameters of the intravenous glucose tolerance test (P > 0.58). Heterozygous cows were prone to higher basal insulin levels (P = 0.064), longer time to reach half of the maximal and basal insulin concentrations (P = 0.035 and P = 0.054, respectively) and larger insulin area under the curve (P = 0.032). Both RQUICKI and RQUICKIBHB estimated decreased insulin sensitivity in LV compared to LL cows (P = 0.055 and P = 0.044, respectively). Higher plasma NEFA and BHB levels accounted for slower glucose disappearance and lower insulin release and insulin clearance rate (P < 0.05). Average yield was inversely related to glucose area under the curve (P = 0.040) and time to reach baseline concentration (P = 0.005). Plasma cortisol lowered glucose clearance rate (P = 0.040) and prolonged time to reach basal levels (P = 0.006). More weight loss was associated with higher glucose peak and prolonged glucose disappearance time (P = 0.055 and P = 0.024, respectively). All cows became cyclic and showed signs of estrus during the study period. There were no differences between leucine homozygous and heterozygous animals in the onset of ovarian activity and in the time of first observed estrus (P > 0.540). We conclude that Holstein-Friesian cows heterozygous for AluI polymorphism of the growth hormone gene may be more likely to develop insulin resistance during early lactation than leucine homozygous cows. Decreased insulin sensitivity could be part of a homeorhetic adaptation process that supports nutrient partioning for the use of the mammary gland and may allow LV cows to reach higher yields throughout lactation.

Pannon White (n = 12) male rabbits (weight: 4050 to 4500 g, age: 9 months) received 2 ml of a suspension containing purified T-2 toxin by gavage for 3 days. The daily toxin intake was 4 mg/animal (0.78 to 0.99 mg/kg body weight (BW)). Control animals (n = 12) received toxin-free suspension for 3 days. Since a feed-refusal effect was observed on the second day after T-2 administration, a group of bucks (n = 10) were kept as controls (no toxin treatment) but on a restricted feeding schedule, that is, the same amount of feed was provided to them as was consumed by the exposed animals. On day 51 of the experiment (i.e. 48 days after the 3-day toxin treatment), semen was collected, and pH, concentration, motility and morphology of the spermatozoa, as well as concentration of citric acid, zinc and fructose in the seminal plasma, were measured. After gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue treatment, the testosterone level was examined. One day of T-2 toxin treatment dramatically decreased voluntary feed intake (by 27% compared to control, P < 0.05) and remained lower (P < 0.05) during the first 2 weeks after the withdrawal of the toxin. BW of the contaminated rabbits decreased by 88% on days 17 and 29 compared to controls (P < 0.05). No effect of toxin treatment was detected on pH and quantity of the semen or concentration of spermatozoa. The ratio of spermatozoa showing progressive forward motility decreased from 65% to 53% in the semen samples of toxin-treated animals compared to controls (P > 0.05). The ratio of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology increased (P < 0.05) in the ejaculates collected from the toxin-treated animals. T-2 toxin applied in high doses decreased the concentration of citric acid in seminal plasma (P < 0.05). No effect of T-2 toxin on the concentrations of the other seminal plasma parameters (fructose and zinc) was observed. T-2 toxin decreased the basic testosterone level by 45% compared to control (P < 0.01) and resulted in lower (P < 0.05) GnRH-induced testosterone concentration. Feed restriction, that is, less nutrient intake, resulted in more morphologically abnormal spermatozoa in the semen, but it did not cause significant loss in BW, motility of the spermatozoa, composition of the seminal plasma or testosterone concentration – its effect needs further examination.

In the title hydrated molecular salt, C(12)H(19)N(2)Se(+)·Br(-)·H(2)O, the two independent bromide anions lie on a twofold rotation axis. Strong intra-molecular N→Se inter-actions [2.185 (3) and 2.181 (3) Å] are established by both N atoms of the organic group in the cation, in trans positions to each other, with an N-Se-N angle of 161.6 (1)°, resulting in a T-shaped (C,N,N')Se core. In the crystal, dimeric associations are formed by Br⋯Se [3.662 (2) Å] and Br⋯H inter-actions [2.56 (6) and 2.63 (7) Å] involving two bromide anions, two cations and two water mol-ecules.

In the title compound, C(24)H(20)P(2)S(5), the P atoms are arranged trans with respect to the S(3) group and the S=P-S-S systems have cisoid geometry, with an average S-P-S-S torsion angle of -56.7°. The dihedral angles between the two phenyl rings attached to the P atoms are 87.33 (12) and 75.67 (10)°. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecules are linked into chains running parallel to the a axis by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Centrosymmetrically related chains are further connected by π-π stacking inter-actions, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.795 (5) Å.

The title compound, C18H24N2Se3, consists of discrete molecules; owing to the presence of strong intramolecular N...Se interactions [N...Se = 2.671 (4) and 2.873 (4) A], the chalcogen Se atoms of the angular Se3 chain exhibit different coordination geometries, i.e. the terminal Se atoms are tricoordinated and exhibit a T-shaped environment of the CNSe2 core [N...Se-Se = 173.73 (9) and 172.29 (9) degrees], while the central Se atom is dicoordinated to the other two Se atoms, with an Se-Se-Se angle of 108.32 (2) degrees.

This study describes the effect of parity (multiparous versus primiparous) and body condition score (BCS) at calving (<3 or > or =3; scale 1-5) on variations of BCS, body weight (BW) and metabolic profiles in Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. Forty-two cows were studied (21 multiparous and 21 primiparous) from 2 months before to 3 months after calving. BCS, BW and milk production were measured every 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks to determine total protein, albumin, urea, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Primiparous cows had lower BCS during the early postpartum (PP) period and produced less milk than multiparous. In primiparous cows NEFA concentrations were higher during the early postpartum period; BHB levels were similar in both categories during this period. Primiparous cows showed a more unbalanced metabolic profile than multiparous cows, reflecting that they are recovering from the loss of BCS after calving with less success.

The effect of parity (multiparous vs primiparous) and body condition score (BCS; <3.0 or > or =3.0, lean vs fat) at parturition on metabolic and endocrine profiles from 1 month before to 2 months after parturition were studied in 42 Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. BCS and milk production were determined every 2 weeks. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxy-butyrate (BHB), insulin, IGF-I, leptin, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-tri-iodothyroinine (T3) were determined in plasma every 10 days. Progesterone was determined three times per week after parturition. Primiparous cows had a lower BCS during the early postpartum period and produced less milk than multiparous animals. Primiparous cows had higher NEFA concentrations and they presented more samples with BHB concentrations of >1 mmol/l than multiparous cows. Multiparous cows had higher T3, T4 and IGF-I concentrations, while fat cows had higher leptin and IGF-I concentrations. All hormone concentrations were diminished in the first week postpartum. Primiparous cows and fat cows presented a steeper decay of IGF-I and leptin around parturition than multiparous cows and lean cows. While thyroid hormones and IGF-I showed increasing concentrations from approximately day 30, leptin concentrations remained low until the end of the experimental period. The initiation of ovarian cyclicity was delayed in primiparous cows and especially in primiparous lean cows, consistent with longer intervals from parturition to first service and to conception. The endocrine signals most likely to inform the reproductive axis regarding a negative energy balance were IGF-I and leptin.

Six Finnish Ayrshire cows were challenged intramammarily with 1500 CFU of Escherichia coli (E. coli) into single udder quarters, and the challenge was repeated into contralateral quarters 3 weeks later. All cows received flunixine meglumine once, and 3 of them were also treated with enrofloxacin. At the 2nd challenge, treatments were changed vice versa. The development of mastitis was followed by monitoring of systemic and local clinical signs, and with serial milk and serum samples. Intramammary challenge with E. coli produced clinical mastitis in all cows, the severity of the disease varying greatly between the animals. No significant changes between the 2 treatment regimens or sequent challenges were found for any of the clinical parameters. The response of each cow followed the same pattern after both challenges; three of the cows became mildly and the other 3 either moderately or severely affected. Two severely affected cows had to be euthanized because of severe mastitis. Serum haptoglobin and amyloid-A concentrations peaked 2-3 days after bacterial challenge. Serum haptoglobin did not correlate with the severity of the disease. Serum amyloid-A rose gradually in the severely affected cows, and significant differences were found between severely versus moderately or mildly affected cows at day 4. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha concentrations increased only in the severely affected cows. Serum cortisol response was prolonged in the severely diseased animals, and was significantly lower after the second challenge. Serum nitrite/nitrate concentration increased in the severely affected cows. This indicated excess nitric oxide production during acute E. coli mastitis. Strongly decreased milk production, and high bacterial growth in the infected quarters were best predictors for the outcome from acute E. coli mastitis.