[Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8)-associated brain malformations in two calves]

Congenital brain malformations such as hydranencephaly as well as internal and external hydrocephalus combined with porencephaly were diagnosed in two calves which were born in spring 2008. In both calves bluetongue virus was detected by real-time PCR. Teratogenic pestiviruses were not found by serological, molecular or immunohistological methods. A causal relationship between the malformations and the bluetongue serotype 8 epidemic in 2007 has to be considered.

[Relationship between body condition (back fat thickness and body condition scoring) and fertility in dairy cows (German Black Pied/HF)]

It was the aim of this study to compare body condition scoring with ultrasonographic back fat thickness. Additionally, the relationship between back fat thickness and fertility, milk yield, number of parity and stage of lactation in dairy cows was examined. Body condition of 211 cows (German Black Pied/HF) was determined by means of ultrasonographic back fat thickness (BFT) and body condition scoring (BCS). The BFT and the BCS were measured at four different stages during the course of lactation (Time point 1 (T1) = 1.-3. d postpartum (pp); T2 = 40.-42. d pp; T3 = 90.-92. d pp and T4 = 130.-150. d pp). Number of parity, 100-day-milk-yield, incidence of ovarian cysts, incidence of acyclicity and fertility measures were recorded. There was a significant correlation between body condition scoring and ultrasonographic measurement of back fat thickness at the four time points (r = 0.68 to 0.74). Therefore, both methods were suitable to evaluate body condition. The number of lactations had an influence on body condition. At T1, the BFT in older cows was significantly higher than in younger cows (P < 0.05). At T3, the BFT in younger cows was higher than in older cows (P < 0.05). With regards to the stage of lactation, there was a significant decrease in body condition from T1 to T2 and T3. At T4, body condition increased, but did not reach the level of the postcalving values. In addition, cows with a high BFT at the beginning of lactation had a higher milk yield and a higher loss of body fat than cows with lower milk yield. Heifers compensated this loss of body fat significantly faster than older cows. Particularly at T3, body condition had an impact on fertility. Cows with a high loss of body condition between T1 and T3 developed significantly more often ovarian cysts than cows with low loss of back fat thickness. Cows with the lowest BFT at T3 had the longest calving to first service intervall and the highest 200-day-non-pregnancy index. In conclusion, our results suggest that there might be a certain relationship between body condition and fertility (delayed first service, ovarian disorders, reduced pregnancy results).

Vergleichende palpatorische, sonographische und endoskopische Untersuchungen der Zitzen eutergesunder und -kranker Kühe

Gegenstand und Ziel: Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Vergleich der drei Untersuchungsmethoden Palpation, Sonographie und Endoskopie von Zitzen gesunder und kranker Euterviertel. Der Schwerpunkt wurde hierbei auf die Endoskopie über den Zitzenkanal und die Erfassung des Zustands der Zisternenschleimhaut gelegt. Weiterhin sollte geklärt werden, ob es Unterschiede zwischen den Zitzen von Eutervierteln ohne und mit Mastitis sowie zwischen den unterschiedlichen Mastitiskategorien (klinisch, subklinisch, unspezifisch) gibt. Material und Methoden: Das Untersuchungsmaterial umfasste 203 Zitzen von 53 laktierenden Kühen der Rasse »Deutsche Schwarzbunte«. Die Euterviertel und die dazugehörigen Zitzen wurden basierend auf den Ergebnissen der klinischen und zytobakteriologischen Untersuchung in vier Gruppen eingeteilt (normale Sekretion, unspezifische Mastitis, subklinische Mastitis, klinische Mastitis) und die verschiedenen Befunde der Palpation, Sonographie und Endoskopie zwischen diesen Gruppen verglichen. Ergebnisse: Mittels der Endoskopie über den Zitzenkanal wurden Veränderungen der Zisternenschleimhaut registriert, die weder palpatorisch noch sonographisch erfassbar waren. Bezogen auf die unterschiedlichen Mastitiskategorien wurden keine pathognomonischen Veränderungen gefunden, die eine klare Unterscheidung zwischen eutergesunden und euterkranken Eutervierteln ermöglicht hätten. Bestimmte Abweichungen (Fibrin-/Eiterauflagerungen, Abweichungen in der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit und der Farbe der Zisternenschleimhaut) traten allerdings bei Eutervierteln mit klinischer Mastitis und zum Teil auch mit subklinischer Mastitis signifikant häufiger auf als bei solchen mit normaler Sekretion oder unspezifischer Mastitis. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die bildgebenden Verfahren Ultraschall und Endoskopie erweitern die Methoden der klinischen Diagnostik an der Zitze, wenngleich die Palpation der Zitze ein nicht zu ersetzendes Untersuchungsverfahren darstellt. Endoskopisch nachweisbare Veränderungen an der Zisternenschleimhaut finden sich allerdings sowohl bei eutergesunden als auch bei euterkranken Tieren und stellen somit kein Merkmal für eine bestimmte Mastitisform oder für bestimmte Mastitiserreger dar.

[Back fat thickness and fertility in Brown Swiss cows]

In a total of 94 cows the mean back fat thickness (BFT) on Day 275 of pregnancy and 2 to 3 days after calving (peripartal) as well as between Days 42 and 44 post partum (postpuerperal) has been examined sonographically. Based on their BFT levels all examined cows have been divided into three groups: overconditioned, optimal conditioned and underconditioned cows. Cows which were peripartal overconditioned had more often ovarian cysts (p < 0.05) and were culled more frequently (p < 0.1) because of infertility than peripartal cows which were optimal or underconditioned. Nevertheless, the interval from calving to conception of peripartal cows being in different physical conditions was not significantly different. Postpuerperal cows which were overconditioned had more often ovarian cysts (p < 0.05) and were more frequently (p < 0.05) slaughtered because of infertility than postpuerperal cows which were optimal or underconditioned. Postpuerperal cows which were over- or underconditioned had a significantly longer interval from calving to conception than cows which were optimal conditioned 6 weeks after calving. The correlation coefficient between peripartal and postpuerperal BFT was 0.82 (p < 0.05). The decrease of BFT between the peripartal and postpuerperal timepoint had no significant influence on the frequency of ovarian cysts, the interval from calving to conception and the infertility caused culling rate.