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Abstract
Hypothyroidism in bitches has been reported to cause a variable interestrus interval, infertility, abortion, and stillbirth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of experimentally induced hypothyroidism in bitches on fertility, pregnancy, parturition, and neonatal health. Eighteen healthy multiparous bitches were used; hypothyroidism was induced (by radioiodine administration) in nine bitches and the remaining nine served as untreated controls. After breeding, bitches were evaluated for pregnancy, fetal resorption, gestation length, litter size, duration and strength of uterine contractions (during parturition), interval between delivery of pups, viability of pups at birth, periparturient survival, and weight of pups at birth through 4 weeks of age. Bitches were bred a median of 19 weeks after induction of hypothyroidism. All bitches became pregnant and delivered term litters. There was no difference in the interestrus interval, litter size, or gestation length between hypothyroid and control bitches. Duration of uterine contractions was longer, but contraction strength was weaker in hypothyroid than control bitches; however, the interval between delivery of pups was not affected. Periparturient puppy mortality was significantly higher in litters from hypothyroid bitches. Viability scores and weight at birth were significantly lower in pups from hypothyroid bitches than controls. There was no difference between groups in pup weight gain during the first 4 weeks, in the interval from birth to the eyes opened, or to the onset of walking. Although hypothyroidism of relatively short duration did not affect fertility, it prolonged parturition and reduced pup survival in the periparturient period.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Panciera
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States.
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2
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Abstract
There is real need worldwide to control the population growth of companion animals. Throughout the world and particularly in the United States, overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats is a concern for many reasons. Feral populations pose risk to native species by spread of disease and predation. That unwanted animals are humanely eradicated is of concern to many persons. The need to control population growth has led to various approaches to contraception, including immunocontraception. Concerns regarding efficacy, duration of action, harm to the individual, and species specificity are among the issues being addressed. As new technologies emerge, ethical, political, and safety issues evoke differing opinions. It is hoped that in the near future, different strategies will be developed to solve this disturbing problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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3
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Forrester SD, Inzana KD, Leib MS, Purswell BJ. Using the World Wide Web to enhance the problem-solving skills of third-year veterinary students. J Vet Med Educ 2001; 28:31-33. [PMID: 11548774 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.28.1.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A Web site was created for the small animal problem-solving elective at Virginia Tech. In addition to signalment, history, physical examination findings, and results of routine laboratory tests, students were able to view images of cytologic and histologic specimens, radiographs, and endoscopic findings and hear examples of breath and cardiac sounds. Students commented that the availability of Web-based case materials allowed them increased opportunities to practice problem-solving skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Forrester
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061, USA.
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4
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Parker NA, Bailey TL, Bowen JM, Ley WB, Purswell BJ, Dascanio JJ. In vitro and xenogenous capacitation-like changes of fresh, cooled, and cryopreserved stallion sperm as assessed by a chlortetracycline stain. J Androl 2000; 21:45-52. [PMID: 10670518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
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. Use of a less costly species in a heterologous or xenogenous procedure would therefore be beneficial. This study represents the preliminary investigation into the use of sheep as recipients for xenogenous GIFT procedures using equine gametes. We investigated the capacitation response of fresh, cooled, or frozen stallion sperm after 1) in vivo incubation in the reproductive tract of estrous and anestrous ewes as well as 2) in vitro incubation in a modified Krebs/ Ringer extender at 37 degreesC with and without the addition of heparin at 10 IU/mL for up to 8 hours. A chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescent stain was used to assess the capacitation response of sperm. Findings indicated that oviductal fluid samples recovered from estrous ewes had significantly higher numbers of sperm exhibiting capacitation-like staining patterns when compared to samples recovered from anestrous ewes (P < .05). Fresh semen yielded higher capacitation-like staining patterns after in vivo incubation than did frozen-thawed or cooled samples. A transition from majority CTC unreacted sperm to majority CTC non-acrosome intact sperm was demonstrated for both in vivo and in vitro studies. In vitro incubation of stallion sperm with heparin did not result in an increased capacitation-like staining response over time when compared with nonheparinized samples. Results from this study suggest that xenogenous capacitation of stallion sperm may occur in the estrous ewe.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Parker
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg 24061-0442, USA.
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5
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Purswell BJ, Parker NA, Bailey TL, Dascanio JJ, Sponenberg DP. Theriogenology question of the month. Persistent estrus caused by functional granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999; 215:193-5. [PMID: 10416470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, USA
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6
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May KA, Moll HD, Duncan RB, Pleasant RS, Purswell BJ. Unilateral Leydig cell tumour resulting in acute colic and scrotal swelling in a stallion with descended testes. Equine Vet J 1999; 31:343-5. [PMID: 10454096 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K A May
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Departments of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Blacksburg, USA
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Purswell BJ. Pharmaceuticals used in canine reproduction. Semin Vet Med Surg Small Anim 1994; 9:54-60. [PMID: 8146495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061
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Ley WB, Bowen JM, Purswell BJ, Irby M, Greive-Crandell K. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of measuring calcium carbonate in mares' prepartum mammary secretions. Theriogenology 1993; 40:189-98. [PMID: 16727305 DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(93)90352-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/1992] [Accepted: 03/31/1993] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
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. The results indicate that this test is both sensitive and specific. The predictive value of a positive test (PVPT; positive test defined as the first occurrence that prefoaling mammary secretion calcium carbonate >/= 200 ppm) indicated that 51.4% of late term pregnant mares would foal within the ensuing 24-hour period, 84.1% within 48 hours and 97.2% within 72 hours. The predictive value of a negative test (PVNT; negative test defined as prefoaling mammary secretion calcium carbonate < 200 ppm) indicated that 99.6% of late term pregnant mares would not be expected to foal within the ensuing 24 hour period, % within 48 hours and 81.8% within 72 hours. This test is helpful as a prognostic tool in indicating the mare's approaching readiness for birth. It is also an accurate prognostic tool to predict that the mare is not likely to foal within 24h when calcium carbonate < 200 ppm in the diluted prefoaling mammary secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- W B Ley
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Purswell BJ. Management of apparent luteal insufficiency in a bitch. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 199:902-3. [PMID: 1769879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Serum progesterone concentration in a pregnant bitch with suspected luteal insufficiency was monitored by use of a commercially available ELISA kit, and exogenous progesterone was administered as needed to enable the bitch to deliver normal-term pups. Progesterone in oil was administered at a dosage of 2 mg/kg of body weight at 72-hour intervals. The bitch delivered 2 clinically normal male pups and 1 mummified female pup within 12 hours after the exogenous progesterone was calculated to have been metabolized.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0442
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Purswell BJ, Dawe DL, Brown J. Lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens and natural killer cell activity in crossbred swine during the reproductive cycle. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1989; 22:29-37. [PMID: 2603383 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2427(89)90161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The effect of pregnancy and lactation on the cell-mediated immune response of first litter gilts was assessed using the response of circulating lymphocytes to in vitro mitogen stimulation and the cytotoxic activity of the circulating natural killer (NK) cells. Groups of gilts were sampled during the first, second and third trimester of gestation, weekly during lactation, at weaning and estrus following weaning of the piglets. No significant differences were found in the response of the cells from any of the groups to phytohemagglutinin A or concanavalin A stimulation. The natural killer cell activity, measured as cytotoxicity, decreased during gestation reaching a low point during the second and third week of lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602
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Purswell BJ, Dawe DL, Brown J, Williams DJ. Effect of levamisole on immune function and reproductive performance in first-litter gilts. Am J Vet Res 1988; 49:856-9. [PMID: 3400922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
First-litter commercial cross-bred gilts were treated with levamisole (1.5, 2.5, or 3.5 mg/kg of body weight) weekly during the last 4 weeks of gestation, because similar treatment of dairy heifers had improved postpartum maternal health and neonatal survival. In the gilts, differences in reproductive performance were not found on the basis of pig survival at birth, pig survival at weaning, birth weight, or weaning weight. Also, differences between treated and control gilts were not found in response of circulating lymphocytes to mitogen stimulation (phytohemagglutinin A, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen). In all gilts, the lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation was decreased during the first week after farrowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602
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Purswell BJ. Are all estrogens created equal? J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988; 192:1166. [PMID: 3391845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Ley WB, Purswell BJ, Bowen JM. The effects of prostalene and alfaprostol as uterine myotonics, and the effect on postpartum pregnancy rate in the mare following daily treatment with prostalene. Theriogenology 1988; 29:1113-21. [PMID: 16726434 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(88)80036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/1987] [Accepted: 01/10/1988] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
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. Eighteen mares were injected by aseptic technique subcutaneously with 1 mg prostalene twice daily, beginning on the day of foaling (Day 0) and continuing for 10 consecutive days (Day 10) or until the mare was first bred at foal heat. Twenty-two postpartum mares were injected with 1.0 ml sterile saline by the same technique as the controls. Of treated mares, 76.9% were diagnosed pregnant after breeding versus 44.4% of the control mares (P = 0.07). Of treated mares, 66.7% bred at their second postpartum estrus became pregnant versus 28.6% of control mares (P = 0.03). Prostalene, given at 1 mg twice daily for 10 d postpartum, produced an increased pregnancy rate after both foal heat and second postpartum estrus breedings in the mare.
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Abstract
Cyclosporin A was administered orally to 10 cats for 28 consecutive days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight daily divided into 2 equal doses. Serum trough CyA concentrations ranged from 134 to 902 ng/ml with a mean of 567 +/- 249 ng/ml (means +/- SD). Immunosuppression by CyA was suggested in 5 cats by significantly depressed lymphoblast transformation responses. Various hematologic, serum chemical, and urinalysis parameters were monitored on a weekly basis in 10 cats. Serum urea nitrogen concentration increased significantly from baseline values on days 7, 14, and 21, but not on day 28. Urine concentrating ability was unimpaired. Alanine aminotransferase activity was decreased significantly from baseline values at each sample period during CyA administration. Drug-related side effects were minor; one cat developed gingival hypertrophy which regressed within 21 days of CyA withdrawal.
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Purswell BJ, Dawe DL, Caudle AB, Williams DJ, Brown J. Spermagglutinins in serum and seminal fluid of bulls and their relationship to fertility classification. Theriogenology 1983; 20:375-81. [PMID: 16725854 DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(83)90198-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/1983] [Accepted: 08/19/1983] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five satisfactory and 25 unsatisfactory potential breeder bulls were examined with a modified Shulman spermagglutination test for the presence of spermagglutinating antibodies in their serum and seminal fluid. This was done to determine whether antibodies to spermatozoa were a contributing factor to classification of the bull as an unsatisfactory potential breeder. No correlation was found between classification as an unsatisfactory potential breeder and the presence of spermagglutinating antibodies. In addition, indirect fluorescent antibody tests were performed to detect antisperm antibodies in the serum and seminal fluid of the bulls. Again, no correlation was found between antisperm antibodies and breeding soundness classification. Finally, there was no correlation between the age of the bulls and occurrences of spermagglutination antibodies in serum or seminal fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Purswell
- Department of Medical Microbiology College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602 USA
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