Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) for the characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

In a prospective study, we compared the different perfusion kinetics of HCC and ICC using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with proven HCC and ICC were included. Three-minute video clips of CEUS examinations (CPS - low MI mode) after a bolus injection of 1.2 ml SonoVue were recorded and analyzed with quantification software (VueBox). Parameters for the arterial contrast enhancement [rise time (RT), time-to-peak (TTP)] towards portal venous contrast enhancement [mean transit time (local) (mTTl) and fall time (FT)] were quantified. Furthermore, contrast wash-out after peak enhancement (PE) (40 s, 80 s, 100 s and 120 s after PE) was compared between HCC and ICC.

RESULTS

43 patients with proven HCC (n = 23 HCC; cirrhosis n = 16) and ICC (n = 20 ICC; Cirrhosis n = 6) were examined. No statistical difference of the arterial DCEUS parameters was found between HCC and ICC. Contrast enhancement of the portal venous and late phases showed significantly lower values in the ICC group indicating early wash-out of the contrast agent: mTTl (p = 0.0209): HCC 118.4 s (SD± 88.4); ICC 64.8 s (SD± 49.7). FT (p = 0.0433): HCC 42.5 s (SD± 27.7); ICC 27.7 s (SD± 16.2). The percental loss of intensity at a definite time point after PE was significantly higher in ICC than in HCC lesions.

CONCLUSION

DCE-US is able to detect and quantify differences in perfusion kinetics between HCC and ICC. Whereas arterial contrast enhancement patterns may overlap between HCC and ICC, a timed characterization of wash-out kinetics may offer an additional tool to characterize HCC and ICC. The presence of a rapid loss of signal intensity in the early portal venous phase is significantly higher in ICC than in HCC lesions.

LI-RADS-CEUS - Proposal for a Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in High-Risk Populations

Purpose: To develop a contrast-enhanced ultrasound algorithm (LI-RADS-CEUS = liver imaging reporting and data system with contrast-enhanced ultrasound) for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients at risk. Materials and Methods: A CEUS algorithm (LI-RADS-CEUS) was designed analogously to CT- and MRI-based LI-RADS. LI-RADS-CEUS was evaluated retrospectively in 50 patients at risk with confirmed HCC or non-HCC lesions (test group) with subsequent validation in a prospective cohort of 50 patients (validation group). Results were compared to histology, CE-CT and CE-MRI as reference standards. Results: Tumor diagnosis in the test group/validation group (n = 50/50) were 46/41 HCCs, 3/3 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs) and 1/6 benign lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of LI-RADS-CEUS for HCC, ICC and non-HCC-non-ICC-lesions was 89 %. For the diagnosis of HCC, the diagnostic accuracy was 93.5 % (43/46 cases) in the test group and 95.1 % (39/41 cases) in the validation group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 94.3 %, 66.6 %, 94.3 % and 66.6 %, respectively (mean values from both cohorts). Histological findings of HCC were available in 40 versus 23 cases (in total: G1 / G2/G3: 15/35/13). Arterial hyperenhancement was seen in 68/87 (78.2 %) of HCCs. Arterial hyperenhancement with subsequent portal venous or late phase hypoenhancement was seen in 66 % of HCCs. Conclusion: LI-RADS-CEUS offers a CEUS algorithm for standardized assessment and reporting of focal liver lesions in patients at risk for HCC. Arterial hyperenhancement in CEUS is the key feature for the diagnosis of HCC in patients at risk, whereas washout is not a necessary prerequisite.

Timed artificial insemination in blocks: A new alternative to improve fertility in lactating beef cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changing the interval from CIDR removal to timed artificial insemination (TAI) according to the diameter of the preovulatory follicle (POF) would improve pregnancy per AI in cows. In Study 1, a retrospective analysis of TAI experiments (n=96 cows) was performed to characterize the time of ovulation according to the diameter of the dominant follicle. It was observed that cows with a larger POF had ovulations earlier than cows with smaller POF, according to the equation: y=0.72x(2)-26.74x+264.54 (R(2)=0.63; P<0.001). In Study 2, lactating Nelore cows (n=412) were subjected to an EB-CIDR based TAI protocol. On the morning of Day 10 (time of TAI), cows were randomized into Control (n=209) and Block (n=203) groups; (1) Cows in the Control Group were TAI 48 h after CIDR removal (08:00 am on Day 10), and; (2) Cows in the block group were inseminated once at one of the following time points, according to the diameter of the POF on Day 10: B0 (POF≥15mm, TAI 0 h after convetional TAI), B1 (POF 13-14.9 mm, TAI 6h later), B2 (POF 10.1-12.9 mm, TAI 24h later) and B3 (POF≤10mm, TAI 30 h later). The cows of the Block Group had greater pregnancy rates per AI than the Control Group (129/203, 63.5% when compared with 102/209, 48.8%, respectively; P<0.01). In conclusion, results of the present study demonstrate that adjusting the timing of TAI according to the diameter of the POF can be an effective practice for improving fertility of cows in TAI protocols.

The acute effect of intravenous lipopolysaccharide injection on serum and intrafollicular HDL components and gene expression in granulosa cells of the bovine dominant follicle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an acute systemic inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) components, hormone concentrations and granulosa cell gene expression. For this purpose, twenty non-lactating Jersey dairy cows were submitted to a progesterone (P4) - estradiol (E2) based synchronization protocol. Cows received a single i.v. dose of LPS (2.5 μg/kg of body weight) or saline solution (CTL Group) 2 h after P4 insert removal. Blood, granulosa cells and FF samples were collected six hours after LPS injection. Five hours after LPS injection rectal temperature was increased in LPS (P < 0.0001, 40.4 ± 0.1 °C) compared to the CTL cows (38.8 ± 0.1 °C). Serum PON1 activity was reduced by LPS injection (130.2 ± 5.1 vs. 99.6 ± 3.3 U/mL; P < 0.001), as well as HDL-cholesterol concentrations (70.3 ± 5.3 vs. 50.1 ± 6.2 mg/dL; P < 0.05). The FF E2 and P4 concentrations were not different between groups (P > 0.05). The PON1 activity in the FF was also decreased by LPS injection (P = 0.01). In comparison to CTL group, cows injected with LPS had a ten fold reduction in STAR, TLR4 and TNF mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In conclusion, an intravenous LPS challenge in cows induced an acute systemic inflammatory response reducing HDL and its components in serum but not in the FF. Only PON1 activity serum reduction was reflected in the FF in the short term. Additionally, steroidogenic and inflammatory genes had reduced expression in the granulosa cells.

Quantitative perfusion analysis in pancreatic contrast enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US): a promising tool for the differentiation between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

In the work-up of focal pancreatic lesions autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare differential diagnosis to pancreatic cancer (PC) with similar clinical constellations. The aim of our study was to compare differences between proven AIP and PC using transabdominal dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US). Therefore we recorded 3-minute-clips of CEUS examinations and analyzed perfusion parameters with VueBox®-quantification software. To obtain DCE-US Parameters, Regions-of-Interest were selected within the lesions and the surrounding pancreas parenchyma, serving as reference tissue. We compared 3 patients with AIP (mean age: 58 years; lesion mean size: 40 mm) to 17 patients with PC (mean age: 68 years; lesion mean size: 35.9 mm). Significant differences between PC and parenchyma could be found in the following parameters: Peak-Enhancement (PE), Wash-in-and-Wash-out-AUC, Wash-in Perfusion-Index. PE of AIP was comparable to normal parenchyma. The relation of PE between parenchyma and lesion (ΔPE) AIP and PC was significantly different [AIP: 0.21 (±0.06); PC: 0.81 (±0.1); p<0.01]. PE of neoplastic lesions was significantly lower as AIP and normal parenchyma (p<0.01). Therefore perfusion analysis in DCE-US can help to differentiate hypovascular PC from AIP presenting nearly isovascular time intensity curves. Diagnostic accuracy of DCE-US in this setting has to be validated in future prospective studies in comparison to CT and MRI.

Liver stiffness assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology is considerably increased in patients with cholestasis

PURPOSE

To explore the impact of cholestasis on liver stiffness assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Over a period of four months, patients with sonographic cholestasis and increased cholestatic blood values (Bilirubin, γGT, AP > 2 times ULN) scheduled for endoscopic therapy were recruited. Exclusion criteria were: known liver disease; signs of cirrhosis at ultrasound (irregular liver veins and/or surface); heart insufficiency (NYHA III-VI). ARFI (Siemens S2000), ultrasound and blood examinations were performed before and in a subgroup after successful biliary drainage.

RESULTS

In total, 21 patients with cholestasis were included in the study. ARFI measurements were above the cut-off for cirrhosis (1.8  m/s) in all patients with a mean of 2.91  m/s ± 0.89  m/s without a history or signs of cirrhosis. Bilirubin, γGT and AP were elevated on average to 9.7 ± 5.3  mg/dl, 1192 ± 960  U/l and 730 ± 389  U/l. A subgroup of 10 patients was measured after successful drainage. ARFI measurements declined in all patients of that subgroup on average by 0.76  m/s at a mean time interval of 4.5 days (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cholestasis significantly increases liver stiffness assessed by ARFI. Therefore, it is important to exclude profound cholestasis when using ARFI for evaluating patients for liver fibrosis.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome: difficulties with prenatal diagnosis

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), though a well-delineated clinical and morphological entity, can be difficult to diagnose by prenatal ultrasound examination when incomplete forms occur. We present a case with sonographic results including hydronephrosis, cardiomegalia, hepatomegalia, macroglossia, and prominent forehead. No abdominal wall defect was detected. Karyotype was normal. In spite of intensive prenatal diagnostics, BWS could not be diagnosed definitely until birth.

Prospective Evaluation of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography and High-Frequency B-Mode Ultrasound in Compensated Patients for the Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis/Cirrhosis in Comparison to Mini-Laparoscopic Biopsy

PURPOSE

Ultrasound is a well-established noninvasive test for assessing patients with liver disease. This study aims to prospectively compare ultrasound to the new technique elastography (ARFI) for the assessment of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-frequency B-mode ultrasound (liver surface/vein irregularity, liver homogeneity, spleen size), ARFI quantification, mini-laparoscopic liver evaluation including biopsy were prospectively obtained in compensated patients scheduled for liver biopsy. For the diagnosis of cirrhosis, a combined gold standard (cirrhosis at histology and/or at macroscopic liver evaluation) was used.

RESULTS

Out of 157 patients, 35 patients were diagnosed cirrhotic. Ultrasound (combination of liver vein and/or surface irregularity) showed no significant difference compared to ARFI quantification for the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis (Ishak> = 3) and cirrhosis. Diagnosis of cirrhosis had a sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV of 83 %(± 12) / 82 %(± 7) / 57 %(± 14) / 94 %(± 4), respectively, with ultrasound and 86 %(± 12) / 81 %(± 7) / 57 %(± 13) / 95 %(± 4), respectively, with ARFI quantification. The sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV for the detection of significant fibrosis were 68 %(± 13) / 86 %(± 7) / 71 %(± 13) / 84 %(± 7), respectively, for ultrasound and 70 %(± 12) / 84 %(± 7) / 69 %(± 12) / 84 %(± 7), respectively, for ARFI quantification.

CONCLUSION

ARFI elastography and high-frequency B-mode ultrasound show similar and good results for the diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis and high-grade fibrosis. A key benefit of both methods is the high NPV suggesting them as noninvasive exclusion tests.

Uterine inflammation and fertility of beef cows subjected to timed AI at different days postpartum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the uterine health and fertility of postpartum beef cows subjected to timed AI (TAI) protocols at different days from calving. Lactating Nelore cows (Bos indicus; n = 244) were used in this study. The TAI protocols were initiated between 20 and 60 days postpartum (DPP). Cows were subjected to an estradiol-progesterone based TAI protocol. The cows were divided into three groups according to the days postpartum at the time the hormonal treatment was initiated: 1) Early (n = 64), cows between 20 and 30 DPP; 2) Middle (n = 115), cows between 31 and 45 DPP; and 3) Late (n = 65), cows between 46 and 60 DPP. At Day 0 of the protocol, endometrial cytobrush samples were collected. Slides for polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell counting were prepared and cytobrush was used for RNA extraction and analysis of relative abundance of il1, il6, il8, and tnf mRNA. Cows from the Early group had less (P < 0.05) pregnancies per AI (P/AI) than cows from Middle and Late groups; 29.7% (19/64), 45.2% (52/115), and 52.31% (34/65), respectively. Accordingly, the Early group had a greater (P < 0.05) proportion of PMN cells in the uterus than Middle and Late groups; 9.0%, 3.8%, and 2.2%, respectively. Relative abundances of il1 and il8 mRNA were greater (P < 0.05) in the Early group than Middle and Late groups. These results indicate that beef cows subjected to TAI protocols early postpartum (< 30 DPP) are less likely to become pregnant, which is associated with increased inflammation and relative abundance of mRNA for the proinflammatory cytokines il1 and il8.

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and high-frequency ultrasound of the liver surface for the diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and high-frequency ultrasound of the liver surface, using histology as a gold standard for the diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

73 patients without ascites undergoing liver biopsy were included in the study. The left and right liver lobes were examined with ARFI and high-frequency ultrasound. Liver surface irregularity was quantified using image analysis software to calculate the difference between the real surface and the approximated physiological surface through a 20 mm standardized line.

RESULTS

There is a significant difference between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients for both quantified liver surface (QLS) and ARFI (p < 0.001). The mean values for QLS of the left lobe were 0.71 ± 0.24 mm and 1.17 ± 0.80 mm, of the right lobe 0.56 ± 0.26 mm and 0.87 ± 0.26 mm for non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients, respectively. The mean values of ARFI measurements of the left lobe were 2.04 ± 0.76 m/s and 2.85 ± 0.81 m/s, of the right lobe 1.65 ± 0.61 m/s and 3.02 ± 0.77 m/s for non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy (AUROC) was 0.78/0.80 for QLS and 0.77/0.91 for ARFI of the left/right lobe, respectively. ARFI of the right lobe is significantly better than ARFI of the left (p = 0.023) or QLS of the left (p = 0.025)/right (p = 0.046) lobe of the liver.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of liver surface irregularity by high-frequency ultrasound (QLS) is a useful diagnostic test for the assessment of compensated liver cirrhosis. ARFI of the right liver lobe is significantly better than high-frequency ultrasound (QLS of the left/right lobe of the liver) and ARFI of the left lobe of the liver.

Determination of NADH in frozen rat brain sections by laser-induced fluorescence

Methods to assess metabolism are important analytical tools in neuroscience. The fluorophore nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is a parameter of cellular metabolism. NADH fluorescence was measured using a laser-based fluorescence detector with spectral and temporal filters. Distribution and intensity of NADH fluorescence were investigated in frozen brain sections. In sections containing hippocampus the intensity of NADH fluorescence was correlated to brain structures. In order to investigate the consequences of neurotoxic lesions, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine was injected into the dorsal raphe nucleus 4 to 240 days prior to the measurement. NADH fluorescence decreased in the affected region by 50%, indicating that no recovery in metabolic activity had occurred.

Prostaglandin F2α regulation and function during ovulation and luteinization in cows

Although prostaglandins are important in the ovulation process, a precise role for prostaglandin F2α (PGF) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the regulation of PGF receptor mRNA (PTGFR) in granulosa cells and the local effect of PGF on ovulation and luteinization. In Experiment 1, using samples collected in vivo before (Day 2), during (Day 3) and after (Day 4) follicular deviation, expression of PTGFR in bovine granulosa cells was more abundant in the dominant follicle after deviation than in subordinates (P < 0.05). However, the expression of PTGFR was not regulated (P = 0.1) in preovulatory follicles at different time-points (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h) after ovulation induction with GnRH. In Experiment 2, to assess the role of systemic PGF treatment on luteinization and vascularization of preovulatory follicles, flunixin meglumine (FM), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was used to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. Cows with preovulatory follicles were induced to ovulate with GnRH (0 h) and allocated to three groups: Control, with no further treatment; FM, treated with 2.2 mg/kg FM im 17 h after GnRH treatment; and FM + PGF, treated with FM 17 h after GnRH, followed by 25 mg dinoprost tromethamine (PGF) 23 h after GnRH treatment. FM injection was able to reduce the concentration of PGF in the follicular fluid (FF) (P < 0.001). However, contrary to our hypothesis, color Doppler ultrasound evaluations revealed decreased vascular flow in FM + PGF group (P < 0.05), and no effect of the treatments on intrafollicular P4 and E2 concentrations 24 h after GnRH. The prostaglandin metabolite (PGFM) concentrations in the FF were greater in cows receiving systemic PGF (P < 0.001), which prompted us to further check its role on ovulation. Therefore, in Experiment 3, in a final attempt to demonstrate the local effect of PGF on ovulation, cows with preovulatory follicles received an intrafollicular injection (IFI) of PBS (Control) or 100 ng/mL purified PGF (PGF group). PGF treatment did not affect the time of ovulation after IFI (66 ± 6.4 and 63 ± 8.5 h for control and PGF, respectively; P > 0.05), further suggesting that it has no direct effect in the ovulatory process. Based on our findings, we concluded that FM decreased PGF synthesis within the follicle, whereas PGF treatment decreased follicular vascularization. In addition, the in vivo model of intrafollicular injection evidenced that PGF alone is not able to locally induce ovulation.

Comparison of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography Measurements with the 4C1 Transducer to the 6C1HD Transducer: A Phantom and Patient Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography done with the 4C1 probe yields comparable results to the recently introduced 6C1HD probe. Materials and Methods: Measurements with the 4C1 and 6C1HD probes (Acuson S2000) were performed and compared in four different inclusions of an elasticity phantom model (QA049 CIRS) as well as in the liver of healthy individuals and patients with liver cirrhosis. Results: Measurements with the 6C1HD probe were slightly higher in all phantom inclusions (8, 14, 45, 80kPA) with a mean of 1.48 m/s (95 %-CI; 1.47 - 1.49), 2.18 m/s (95 %-CI; 2.17 - 2.19), 3.61 m/s (95 %-CI; 3.57 - 3.64) and 4.34 m/s (95 %-CI; 4.29 - 4.39) compared to the 4C1 transducer with 1.46 m/s (95 %-CI; 1.45 - 1.47), 2.15 m/s (95 %-CI; 2.14 - 2.16), 3.39 m/s (95 %-CI; 3.37 - 3.41) and 3.98 m/s (95 %-CI; 3.75 - 4.21), respectively (p = 0.04, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01). Cirrhotic patients (n = 40) had a higher mean shear wave speed with 3.00 m/s (95 %-CI; 2.80 - 3.21) with the 6C1HD transducer compared to 2.81 m/s (95 %-CI; 2.64 - 2.99) with the 4C1 transducer (p = 0.03). Healthy individuals (n = 20) had a mean shear wave speed of 1.12 m/s (95 %-CI; 1.06 - 1.17) with the 6C1HD probe and 1.12 m/s (95 %-CI; 1.05 - 1.19) with the 4C1 probe (p = 0.96). Conclusion: ARFI values assessed with a 6C1HD transducer are slightly higher than measurements with a 4C1 transducer in an ARFI phantom and in patients with liver cirrhosis. As the difference is small, current cut-off values keep their usefulness but should be interpreted with caution if measurements are close to the cut-off.

Intrafollicular lipopolysaccharide injection delays ovulation in cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of intra-follicular (i.f.) treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on follicular and luteal development in cows. There were 18 non-lactating cows assigned to two groups to address this aim: control group (n = 9), which received an i.f. injection of saline; and LPS group (n = 9), which received an i.f. injection of 1 μg of LPS per mL of follicular fluid. Cows were treated with an intravaginal P4 releasing device (IVD) and estradiol benzoate on D0. On D4 and D5 cows were treated with cloprostenol sodium and on D7 the IVD was removed. At 12 h after IVD removal, cows were administered the i.f. injection of LPS or saline. After administration of these treatments, follicular development was evaluated every 12 h until ovulation. The LPS treatment increased blood flow in pre-ovulatory follicles (P = 0.05). Follicle growth was reduced by LPS injection (P < 0.02) resulting a longer period to the time of ovulation for cows in the LPS than control group (P = 0.03). The percentage of cows having ovulations was less for the LPS than control group (P = 0.03). The diameter of the CL, CL blood flow and P4 concentrations 5 and 12 days after ovulation did not differ between groups (P> 0.05). In conclusion, intra-follicular treatment with LPS resulted in a decreased rate of follicle growth, delayed timing of ovulations and a lesser number of cows having ovulations.

role of prostaglandin F2α on ovulation and LH release in cows

This study aimed to evaluate the role of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) on ovulation. In Experiment 1, cows were randomly allocated to two treatments to receive 150 μg of d-Cloprostenol (PGF Group, n = 12) or 2 mL of NaCl 0.9% (Control Group, n = 11) and CIDRs, were removed 4 days later. No cow ovulated in Control and PGF groups. In Experiment 2, cows were randomly separated into two experimental groups to receive 4 injections of 150 μg of d-Cloprostenol (n = 9) or 2 mL of NaCL 0.9% (n = 9). In this experiment, ovulation was not observed in any cows. In Experiment 3, ovariectomized cows receive three injections of 300μg of PGF analog (PGF Group, n = 5), 100μg of Lecirelin (GnRH Group, n = 5) or 2 mL of PBS (Control Group, n = 4). The LH concentration was higher (P <0.0001) in cows from the GnRH group than in the PGF and Control groups. In experiment 4, cows with preovulatory follicles (>11.5 mm) were treated with Saline (Control Group, n = 6); Lecirelin (GnRH Group, n = 7) or Cloprostenol Sodium (PGF Group, n = 6). There was a significant increase in the vascular area of follicles from 0 to 24 h in GnRH and PGF treatments. In conclusion, PGF was not able to induce ovulation in cows with high or low plasma progesterone concentration. Additionally, PGF alone was not able to induce LH release and follicle luteinization, but increased follicular vascularization.

Prenatal diagnosis of the acute form of proximal spinal muscular atrophy: experience on the acceptance of linkage analyses by the families

The acute form of proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe autosomal recessive inherited neuromuscular disorder. It has been mapped to chromosome 5q 11.2-13.3. Using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) or (CA)n repeats of DNA probes in this region, prenatal diagnosis is, in principle, possible. Misdiagnosis can be due to incorrect diagnosis in the index patient, and crossing-over events. Using the DNA probes D5S6, D5S112, D5S39, and D5S78, we cover a region of 10.4 mega-base pairs (Mbp) of partially NotI-digested genomic DNA without overlap of fragments. The DNA probes D5S6 and D5S112, most likely flanking the SMA gene, cover a distance of about 6.6 Mbp. This corresponds to the genetic distance of 6 cM (Morrison et al., 1992; Daniels et al., 1992). But since the precise localization of the SMA gene is still unknown (Simard et al., 1992), a 10 per cent risk of misdiagnoses due to crossing-over events cannot be excluded. The acceptance of this 10 per cent risk for prenatal diagnoses differs in SMA families. We observed a case in which a woman accepted a 25 per cent risk because RFLPs and (CA)n repeats were both uninformative. In contrast, another family did not accept the minimal 10 per cent risk and the pregnancy was terminated. In two families, we performed prenatal diagnosis by linkage analysis. One child predicted to be healthy has been born in the meantime and has shown no indication of SMA during her first 8 months.

Effect of prepartum somatotropin injection in late pregnant Holstein heifers with high body condition score on metabolic parameters, resumption of ovulation and milk production

Acosta, D. A. V., Pfeifer, L. F. M., Schmitt, E., Schneider, A., Silveira, P. A. S., Jacometo, C. B., Brauner, C. C., Rabassa, V. R., Corrêa, M. N. and Del Pino, F. A. B. 2013. Effect of prepartum somatotropin injection in late pregnant Holstein heifers with high body condition score on metabolic parameters, resumption of ovulation and milk production. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 287–292. In the early post-partum period of dairy cows the duration and intensity of negative energy balance, the level of body condition score (BCS) loss and the milk yield are strongly associated with the timing of the first ovulation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pre-partum injections of somatotropin in dairy heifers with high BCS on the metabolism, resumption of ovarian activity and milk production. Holstein heifers (n=20) with high BCS, were divided randomly into two groups: somatotropin (n=10), which received two doses of somatotropin (500 mg) at −28 and −14 d from calving and Control (n=10), which received placebo. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. Follicular development was also monitored via ultrasound. Somatotropin had no effect on plasma NEFA (P=0.35 and P=0.46) or BHBA (P=0.20 and P=0.44,) concentrations in the pre-partum and post-partum period, respectively. Milk production was not different between control (17.53±0.66 kg cow−1 d−1) and somatotropin groups (16.13±0.67 kg cow−1 d−1) (P=0.14). Pre-partum somatotropin administration did not affect (P=0.28) the time of the first post-partum ovulation. The proportion of cows ovulating the first post-partum follicular wave was not different between groups (P=0.49). In conclusion, pre-partum somatotropin treatment in dairy heifers with high body condition score seems not to have any effect on markers of energy balance, milk production or development of the first follicular wave in the early post-partum period.