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Numerous studies on endometritis of postpartum dairy cows describe the bacterial aetiology of the condition. However, studies on fungal agents causing inflammatory conditions of the reproductive tract are limited. The objective of the present study was to identify the mycotic isolates from the reproductive tract of postpartum dairy cows and analyse their susceptibility to antifungal agents. In this study, 70 endometrial cytobrush samples were collected from dairy cows 40 - 120 days postpartum (dpp) and cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The isolated fungal cultures were identified by Lactophenol Cotton Blue staining and were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing. The frequency of isolation of fungi from endometrial samples was 15.71 per cent (11/70). Aspergillus niger was isolated from four (33.33%) samples, followed by Penicillium spp. (25%), Aspergillus fumigatus (16.67%), Mucor spp. (16.67%) and Absidia spp. (8.33%). Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that 50 per cent of the isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, whereas only 25 per cent of the isolates were completely resistant to amphotericin-B. The prevalence of fungal infection in reproductive tract was higher in cows with an age of ≥ 5 years and a parity of ≥ 2, though this was not significant. A significantly higher number of cattle with history of intrauterine antibiotic therapy were positive for fungal culture. However, the association between prevalence of fungi and reproductive complications was statistically non-significant. Keywords: Postpartum dairy cows, fungal infections, Aspergillus niger, mycotic infections

A study was conducted to perform the quantitative analysis of canine foetal lung and liver sonographic images in the late term of gestation (58-67 days) and to evaluate its association with serum progesterone concentration. Thirty-two pregnant bitches were selected for the study. Lung development of foetus occurs in three different stages viz the pseudo glandular (40-48), canalicular (49-56 d) and saccular phase (57-63 d) of pregnancy. Lungs of the foetus at the time of parturition are in saccular phase of development and the alveolar phase occurs in the neonatal period. In the present study, sonographic changes occurring in the lung during the saccular phase of foetal lung development was evaluated. Mean grey level of the foetal lung and liver sonographic images were estimated using dedicated image analysis software Image J. The lung-to-liver ratio (LLR) of mean grey level (MGL) was recorded. Corresponding progesterone concentrations were also estimated for each animal. Correlation statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between LLR of MGL and progesterone concentration in the animals selected for the study. LLR of MGL is a prognostic indicator of foetal survival and since LLR of MGL and progesterone are positively correlated, it can be used as an indicator of foetal maturity in place of progesterone concentration. Keywords: Lung-to-liver ratio of mean grey level, ultrasonography, progesterone

This study aimed to evaluate the Doppler ultrasonographic features of ventral perineal artery of bitches during different phases of oestrous cycle. Sixteen pluriparous bitches were subjected to transperineal Doppler ultrasonography during different stages of oestrous cycle by confirming the stage by exfoliative vaginal cytotlogy (EVC) and vaginoscopy. The resistivity index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and systolic/ diastolic velocity (S/D) were analysed. No significant difference was found between the Doppler velocimetric parameters of ventral perineal artery during different phases of oestrous cycle by trasnperineal Doppler ultrasonography.

The objective of the current study involved assessment of correlation between the expression of oestrogen receptor (ERα) and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry, in the genital borne neoplasms in 12 postpubertal bitches between 2 to 12 years of age, presented at University Veterinary Hospitals, Kokkalai and Mannuthy. The age group of 5-8 years had the highest incidence of neoplasia (50.00 %) in comparison with other groups. Episiotomy was performed for extraluminal tumours while local excision performed in all intraluminal tumours except canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT). A chemotherapeutic regimen involving intravenous infusion of vincristine sulphate at 0.025 mg/kg was administered to bitches with CTVT and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) until complete remission of the neoplasm. The tumours were histopathologically confirmed as myofibroma (n=6), CTVT (n= 3), leiomyoma (n = 1), SCC (n = 1) and fibroma (n = 1). Immunohistochemical staining of the neoplastic tissues was performed to evaluate ERα and Ki-67 expression status which could aid in estimating the malignancy potential and influence of ERα on the same. Spearman’s rank correlation between the immunohistochemical scores for the expression of ERα and Ki-67 in these tumours was highly significant (p

An experimental design was framed to analyse the effect of cumulus oocyte complex (COC) morphology on in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes. Slaughter house derived bovine ovaries from South Indian breeds and crossbred cattle of Kerala were subjected to three retrieval methods to yield different quality grades of oocytes. Based on the number of layers of cumulus cells and ooplasm character, the oocytes were graded into four classes from A fo D. Each grade of oocytes obtained through different retrieval methods were incubated at 38.5°C with 5% carbondioxide tension and maximum humidity for 24 h in TCM-199 medium supplemented with LH, FSH, estradiol, pyruvate and foetal calf serum. Maturation changes were assessed by cumulus expansion, formation of M Il plates and polar body extrusion. Oocytes with more than three layers of cumulus cells exhibited maximum maturation rate irrespective of their retrieval method. The experiments revealed that COC morphology has a very significant role in maturation of bovine oocytes

This study was conducted in order to find out the effect of air space on the top of glass vial in which semen is stored, on the motility of spermatozoa. 45 samples collected from two bucks over a span of 6 months were used for experiment. Goat milk extender was the diluent used. Two ml each of diluted semen after noting their initial motility was stored in 2 ml and 5 ml vials. Samples were stored at 5°C and motility of spermatozoa noted at 24 and 48 hours. Semen without air space was found to preserve the motility better than semen with air space on 24 and 48 hours of incubation. This could be better attributed to reactive oxygen species production by the spermatozoa, but further investigation is needed in this aspect to confirm it. [Veterinary World 2010; 3(9.000): 421-423]

Thirty-one weeks pregnant Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) heifer of four years of age was presented with a history of sudden enlargement of the abdomen. Animal portrayed a distended round abdominal contour more towards the right. Clinicogynaecological examination revealed highly distended fluid filled uterus, making it difficult to palpate the foetus and placentomes. On trans-rectal B-mode ultrasonography, anechoic fluid filled uterus with a few numbers of caruncles, incompletely attached cotyledons and adventitious placentation were noted. Pulsed wave Doppler and spectral Doppler analysis in triplex mode revealed absence of protodiastolic "notch" signal, which indicated decreased resistance in the middle uterine artery (MUA), compared to non - pregnant/early gestation. Flow velocity analysis disclosed high pulsatility index (PI) and resistivity index (RI) for MU As of both sides compared to normal animals of same gestational age (31 weeks). Increased RI and PI observed after the disappearance of the "notch" signal indicates the initial normal development of placental vasculature followed by increased vascular resistance in MUA associated with hydrallantois at 31st week, which is a significant observation to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on newly emerging disease Endotheliotropic elephant herpes virus (EEHV), with reference to a case study of an elephant which was found dead near Athirapilly waterfalls, Kerala, India. It discusses the symptoms of the disease, including haemorrhagic myocarditis with pericardial effusion, peritoneal cavity, cyanosis of the tongue, intestinal haemorrhage and ulceration.