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St. Croix White hair sheep ewes lambing in July (n = 20) or November (n = 26) were used to evaluate the effect of ram exposure on uterine involution and postpartum luteal function. Ewes were exposed to an epididymectomized ram (EXPOSED) beginning on d 7 after lambing (d 0) or kept isolated from rams (CONTROL) through d 63. The width of each uterine horn was measured using transrectal ultrasonography at 3.5-d intervals beginning within 3 d after lambing. Jugular blood samples were also collected at these times, and plasma was harvested for progesterone ([P.sub.4]) analysis. Days to first estrus postpartum was not different (P > .10) between EXPOSED ewes that lambed in July or November (39.3 [+ or -] 3.1 vs 44.2 [+ or -] 3.8 d, respectively). Cross-sectional area of uterine horns was not different (P > .10) between EXPOSED and CONTROL ewes, ewes bearing one or two lambs, or ewes that lambed in November or July. Cross-sectional area of uterine horns in EXPOSED and CONTROL ewes had decreased to < 30% of initial values by 28 d postpartum (P < .0001). Ewes exposed to rams had a [P.sub.4] concentration greater than 1 ng/mL sooner postpartum (P < .006) than CONTROL ewes (32.4 [+ or -] 2.4 vs 42.1 [+ or -] 2.3 d, respectively). The [P.sub.4] concentration in the first sample greater than i ng/mL was greater (P < .06) in EXPOSED ewes than in CONTROL ewes (3.3 [+ or -] .4 vs 2.3 [+ or -] .4 ng/mL, respectively). In July, ewes exposed to rams had greater (P < .03) [P.sub.4] concentrations than CONTROL ewes during the 63 d after parturition, but this difference was not apparent (P > .10) in ewes that lambed in November. Ram exposure did not hasten uterine involution in hair sheep ewes in the tropics. Luteal function, determined by plasma [P.sub.4] concentrations, was enhanced by ram exposure during July but not during November. The lack of seasonality of hair sheep in the tropics does not seem to totally inhibit the response of ewes to ram exposure. Key Words: Sheep, Postpartum Period, Progesterone, Uterus

We evaluated sexual behavior of St. Croix White (SC; n = 5) and Barbados Blackbelly hair (BB; n = 4) rams under two environmental conditions in the tropics. Sexually naive rams were individually exposed for 15 min to a restrained, ovariectomized ewe, three times during a 3-wk period in June, in a pen with shade (SHADE; 33.1 [+ or -] .3 [degrees] C) or without shade (SUN; 38.3 [+ or -] .3 [degrees] C). Rectal temperature (RT) of rams was measured before and after each test. Sexual behaviors were recorded by observers outside the pens. The number of mounts and ejaculations were similar (P > .10) between the SUN (12.1 [+ or -] 2.8 and 3.6 [+ or -] .5, respectively) and SHADE (10.7 [+ or -] 2.9 and 3.4 [+ or -] .4, respectively) tests. There was no breed x test pen interaction for any of the behaviors recorded (P > .10). The BB rams mounted the ewe more (P < .04) than did the SC rams (15.7 [+ or -] 2.8 vs 7.3 [+ or -] 2.7 mounts, respectively). The overall level of activity (foreleg kicks, attempted mounts, mounts, and ejaculations) was similar (P > .10) between BB and SC rams (64.9 [+ or -] 8.5 vs 45.4 [+ or -] 8.5 events, respectively). Rectal temperature before testing was similar (P > .10) in BB and SC rams (39.4 [+ or -] .1 vs 39.4 [+ or -] .1 [degree] C, respectively). The change in RT of rams was not different (P > .10) between SUN and SHADE tests (.6 [+ or -] .1 vs .8 [+ or -] .1 [degree] C), but BB rams had a greater (P < .02) change in RT than SC rams (.9 [+ or -] .1 vs .5 [+ or -] .1 [degree] C, respectively). The change in RT was positively correlated with time to first service (r = .39, P < .01) and number of mounts (r = .52, P < .001) and negatively correlated with number of services (r = -.47, P < .0008). These results show that under tropical conditions, hair sheep rams exhibit a full repertoire of sexual behaviors. There does not seem to be a negative influence of elevated ambient temperature during testing on the level of sexual behavior of these rams. Key Words: Rams, Environment, Breeds, Sexual Behavior

The 'inner-sphere' complex, formed prior to the synthesis of compound I of peroxidase, was examined using energy minimization and molecular dynamics simulation. Findings were compared to known X-ray cytochrome c peroxidase structures and with the resting state of compound I. An averaged end-on fashion binding was believe to occur in the linking of peroxide to heme iron with oxygen acting as the ligand for the iron. Results further indicated that His52 and Arg48 were involved in the oxygen to oxygen bond cleavage of the peroxide complex to form compound I.

Myotonic goats have a short, wide stature, which gives the appearance of heavier muscling, and limited data has suggested the Myotonic has a larger rib eye area (REA) and higher lean to bone ratio. The objective of this experiment was to compare carcass characteristics of Myotonic and Spanish goats. Intact male Myotonic (n=8) and Spanish (n=8) goats were fed grass hay ad lib supplemented with a 16% CP corn/cottonseed mixed diet at 2% of body weight and weighed every two weeks. After 200 d on feed (approx. 295 d of age), the animals were slaughtered, and hot and chilled carcass weights, REA, backfat (BF), kidney and pelvic (KP) fat, and weights of primal cuts were recorded. A subset (n=4/breed) of carcasses were separated into lean, fat, and bone portions. Spanish had a greater ADG (114 vs. 92 g/d; P Key Words: Meat goat, Carcass characteristics, Myotonic goat

Accelerating mating requires breeding during the transitional and breeding season. This experiment evaluated the reproductive characteristics of mixed breed yearling bucks during June (transitional season) and October (peak breeding season). On d 1 of sampling, bucks (n=12/season) were exposed to two estrus-induced does and time to first sniff, mount and ejaculation were recorded during a 10 min period, and a buck odor score was determined (1-3 scale). On d 2, blood samples for plasma testosterone analysis were collected at 15 min intervals for 6 h, with a GnRH injection (50 [micro]g; iv) after 3 h. On d 3, bucks were castrated, and testis and epididymis were processed for histology and determination of sperm reserves. Data were analyzed in a model with season and breed as main effects. As BW increased (P Key Words: Male goats, Seasonal breeding, Reproductive characteristics

Comments on several issues related to medical care in Great Britain. Risk of Down's syndrome and amniocentesis rate; Information on urinary incontinence in women; Discussion on Marfan's syndrome.

Discusses the abstract of the study 'Growth, intake and carcass characteristics of Boer- and Kiko-sired crossbred goat kids pen-fed a forage-based diet,' presented at the American Society of Animal Science's Southern Section conference on January 31-February 4, 2003, in Mobile, Alabama.

Discusses the abstract of the study 'Growth and carcass characteristics in lambs from three hair sheep breeds raised on pasture and hay-based diets,' presented at the American Society of Animal Science's Southern Section conference on January 31-February 4, 2003, in Mobile, Alabama.

Discusses the abstract of the study 'Indicators of gastrointestinal parasitism after an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection in young goats receiving dietary Quebracho tannin,' presented at the American Society of Animal Science's Southern Section conference on January 31-February 4, 2003, in Mobile, Alabama.

Discusses the abstract of the study 'Gastrointestinal parasitism in pasture and pen-reared lambs of three hair sheep breeds in the southeastern U.S.,' presented at the American Society of Animal Science's Southern Section conference on January 31-February 4, 2003, in Mobile, Alabama.

Abstract: Pen feeding and metabolism trials were conducted to determine intake, diet digestibility and nitrogen (N) use in three hair sheep breeds with differing growth potential offered an alfalfa hay diet. For pen feeding, 24 6-mo-old wether lambs, equally representing the Barbados Blackbelly, Katahdin, and St. Croix breeds, were paired by breed, placed in 12 enclosed cement-floor pens (2.5m×3.5m), and offered chopped alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; 17.6% CP, 50.4% NDF, and 36.4% ADF) ad libitum. Lambs were allowed a 14-d adaptation period to pens and diets, and remained on trial for 56d. Starting body weight (BW) was different (P <0.05) among breeds (Barbados Blackbelly: 23.8kg; Katahdin: 36.5kg; St. Croix: 29.1kg). Daily gain was not different (P <0.10) between Katahdin (131g/d) and St. Croix (117g/d), but both were higher (P <0.05) than Barbados Blackbelly (87g/d). Daily dry matter hay intake was similar among breeds (107–109g/kg BW0.75), and feed to gain ratio ranged from 8.7 in St. Croix and 9.1 in Katahdin to 10.5 in Barbados Blackbelly, but was not different (P >0.10) among breeds. Six lambs per breed were used in the metabolism trial. Total DMI was greater (P <0.01) for Katahdin (1196g/d) than St. Croix (907g/d) and Barbados Blackbelly (858g/d), but was not different (P >0.10) adjusted for body weight (mean: 71g/kg BW0.75). Coefficients of apparent digestibility for DM (P <0.06), OM (P <0.06), N (P <0.05), NDF (P <0.08), and ADF (P <0.08) were higher for Katahdin compared to Barbados Blackbelly with St. Croix intermediate. Intake of N (P <0.01), feces N (P <0.08), urine N (P <0.01), absorbed N (P <0.01), and retained N (P <0.05) also were greater for Katahdin compared to St. Croix and Barbados Blackbelly. Blood glucose, urea-N, and creatinine were not different (P >0.10) among breeds. Breeds differed in their growth performance in line with breed mature size, and differences were observed in N digestibility and absorption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two members of the green fluorescent protein family, the purple asFP595 and yellow zFP538 proteins, are perspective fluorescent markers for use in multicolor imaging and resonance energy-transfer applications. We report the results of quantum based calculations of the solution pK a values for selected protonation sites of the denatured asFP595 and zFP538 chromophores in the trans- and cis-conformations in order to add in the interpretation of photo-physical properties of these proteins. The pK a values were determined from the theromodynamic cycle based on B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2p) calculations of the gas phase free energies of the molecules and the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations of solvation energies. The results show that the pK a’s of the protonation sites of the chromophore from asFP595 noticeably depend on the isomer conformation (cis- or trans-), while those of zFP538 are much less sensitive to isomerization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]