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Biomedical subjects

J M Wallace

Publications and source records attributed to J M Wallace.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Influence of early post partum ovulation on the re-establishment of pregnancy in multiparous and primiparous dairy cattle.

To investigate the influence of early ovulation after calving on subsequent fertility, milk progesterone concentrations were monitored twice weekly in multiparous (n = 87) and primiparous (n = 60) Holstein/Friesian dairy cattle. Luteal activity before 21 days post partum was defined as 'early'. In multiparous cows, calving-to-conception interval (CCI) was longer, services per cow were more numerous and conception rate to all inseminations was lower with early luteal activity (n = 41, 16.8 +/- 0.39 days post partum) than with later luteal activity (n = 46, 37.8 +/- 2.09 days post partum); multiparous cows with early luteal activity required more exogenous fertility treatments and were more likely to fail to conceive by 100 days post partum. In contrast, in primiparous cows, no significant relationships were detected between early (n = 32) or later (n = 28) luteal activity and the CCI, number of services per cow or conception rates to all inseminations. However, primiparous cows that ovulated before 21 days post partum had fewer normal progesterone profiles. Early ovulation after calving was associated with reduced pregnancy rates and prolonged CCIs in multiparous but not in primiparous dairy cows.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Growth and metabolism of fetal and maternal muscles of adolescent sheep on adequate or high feed intake: possible role of protein kinase C-alpha in fetal muscle growth.

From days 4-104 of pregnancy, adolescent sheep, weighing 43.7 (SE 0.87) kg were offered a complete diet at two different intakes (approximately 5 or 15 kg/week) designed to meet slightly, or well above, maternal maintenance requirements. The fetal and maternal muscles were taken on day 104 of pregnancy and analysed for total DNA, RNA and protein. Ewes offered a high intake to promote rapid maternal weight gain, weighed more (76.5 (SE 4.5) v 50.0 (SE 1.7) kg) and had muscles with a greater fresh weight, whilst their fetuses had smaller muscles, than those fed at a lower intake. Plantaris muscle of the ewes fed at the high intake contained more RNA and protein; again the opposite situation was found in the fetal muscle. On the higher maternal intakes, the DNA, RNA and protein contents of the fetal plantaris muscle were less than in fetuses of ewes fed at the lower intake. To investigate the possible mechanisms involved in this decrease in fetal muscle mass, cytosolic and membrane-associated muscle proteins were subjected to Western immunoblotting with antibodies to nine isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC), a family of enzymes known to play an important role in cell growth. Five PKC isoforms (alpha, epsilon, theta, mu, zeta) were identified in fetal muscle. One of these, PKC-alpha was located predominantly in the cytosolic compartment in the smaller fetuses of the ewes fed at a high plane of nutrition, but was present to a greater extent in the membranes of the more rapidly growing fetuses of the ewes fed at the lower intake. This was the only isoform to demonstrate nutritionally related changes in it subcellular compartmentation suggesting that it may mediate some aspects of the change in fetal growth rate.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1998

School social workers and school violence: personal safety, training, and violence programs.

This article reports findings from a national survey that questioned school social workers on school violence. The article focuses on personal reports of victimization, precautions taken to avoid victimization, training needs to deal with school violence, programs in schools, and social workers' involvement with violence intervention. Findings suggest that many respondents believe social skills programs are not as effective as ecological interventions. Findings also indicate that the majority of school social workers have received school violence prevention training. These skills could be used in a national effort to reduce school violence. The authors recommend specific strategies for increasing the school social workers' role in school-based violence prevention efforts.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The assessment of platelet derived growth factor concentration in post myocardial infarction and stable angina patients.

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. PDGF is released by aggregating platelets and monocytes which gather around sites of arterial injury. In the study reported here the concentration of plasma PDGF was measured in post myocardial infarction (MI) patients (n = 28), angina patients (n = 25), and control subjects (n = 27). Venous blood samples were taken and the concentration of PDGF determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma PDGF concentrations were significantly higher in the post MI group compared to both the control and angina groups (P < or = 0.05). The increase in PDGF concentration may be due to increased activation of platelets or monocytes since these two cells are major sources of plasma PDGF. High concentrations of PDGF in the circulation could further accelerate the progression of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Religion's role in promoting health and reducing risk among American youth.

Although past research has long documented religion's salutary impact on adult health-related behaviors and outcomes, relatively little research has examined the relationship between religion and adolescent health. This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to examine the relationship between religion and behavioral predictors of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Relative to their peers, religious youth are less likely to engage in behaviors that compromise their health (e.g., carrying weapons, getting into fights, drinking and driving) and are more likely to behave in ways that enhance their health (e.g., proper nutrition, exercise, and rest). Multivariate analyses suggest that these relationships persist even after controlling for demographic factors, and trend analyses reveal that they have existed over time. Particularly important is the finding that religious seniors have been relatively unaffected by past and recent increases in marijuana use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors and outcomes associated with identification of Aspergillus in respiratory specimens from persons with HIV disease. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the significance of previously suggested risk factors and assess outcomes associated with Aspergillus identification in respiratory specimens from HIV-seropositive individuals. DESIGN: This was a nested case-control study. Patients who had Aspergillus species identified in respiratory specimens were matched at the time of study entry 1:2 with control subjects according to study center, age, gender, race, HIV transmission category, and CD4 count. SETTING: The multicenter Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study. PARTICIPANTS: HIV-seropositive study participants. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Between November 1988 and March 1994, Aspergillus species were detected in respiratory specimens from 19 (1.6%) participants. The rate of Aspergillus identification among participants with CD4 counts <200 cells per cubic millimeter during years 2 through 5 after study entry ranged from 1.2 to 1.9%. Neutropenia, a CD4 count <30 cells per cubic millimeter, corticosteroid use, and Pneumocystis carinii infection were associated with subsequent identification of Aspergillus in respiratory specimens. Cigarette and marijuana use, previously suggested risk factors, were not associated with Aspergillus respiratory infection. A substantially greater proportion of patients with Aspergillus compared with control subjects died during the study (90% vs 21%). Excluding four cases first diagnosed at autopsy, 67% died within 60 days after Aspergillus was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Although Aspergillus is infrequently isolated from HIV-infected persons, the associated high mortality would support serious consideration of its clinical significance in those with advanced disease and risk factors.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

HIV and the lung.

The spectrum of HIV-related respiratory diseases has evolved since initial years of the epidemic. With changes in the definition of AIDS, shifts in demographic and behavior risk factors for HIV infection, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis, the incidence of bacterial pneumonia has matched that of PCP. Combination antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors has been a major contributor to a recent decline in HIV-related opportunistic infections. These advances will almost certainly affect the rates of PCP, bacterial pneumonia, and other pulmonary opportunistic infections associated with HIV disease. Over the last year, progress has been made in assessment of risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of several HIV-related pulmonary infections including PCP, cytomegalovirus pneumonia, mycobacterial infections, and fungal pneumonias. More information has become available regarding HIV-related airway disease, and rarer complications including primary pulmonary hypertension and primary lung cancer.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

A 3-dimensional analysis of modes of cardiovascular adaptation: concepts, methods and preliminary findings.

OBJECTIVE: To present a 3-dimensional approach to displaying and interpreting processes of cardiovascular adaptation. DESIGN: Laboratory study of blood pressure changes in response to a protocol set in advance. The authors plotted the coordinates of 3711 cardiovascular change events (CVCEs) in 3-dimensional space defined by changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. This was followed by cluster analyses and preliminary estimates of reliability and construct validity. SETTING: The teaching hospitals of a large southwestern US medical centre. PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 100 female nursing personnel aged 25 to 50 years. INTERVENTIONS: Medical history, self-administered questionnaires, laboratory protocol of pressor challenges, rest periods. RESULTS: Nine distinct clusters ("species of response") were identified and replicated in randomly chosen halves of the sample. Postural, isomorphic and psychologic challenges generated several distinctive profiles of "rising" responses, and were also followed by distinctive "declining" responses. The frequencies of various cardiovascular reactions ("clusters") to the same protocol were correlated with psychosocial characteristics and hypertension risk indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-dimensional approach reveals many features of cardiovascular adaptation not discernible from traditional univariate displays and analyses. This paradigm might prove useful for matching patients with hypertension by their cluster patterns to their most suitable medication, but it requires further validation by direct hemodynamic measurements.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1997

Incidence of tuberculosis in the United States among HIV-infected persons. The Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The resurgence of tuberculosis in the United States is largely linked to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Despite this link, the epidemiology of tuberculosis and preventive strategies in patients infected with HIV are not completely understood. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and predictors of tuberculosis in HIV-infected persons. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter cohort study. SETTING: Community-based cohort of persons with and without HIV infection at centers in the eastern, midwestern, and western United States. PARTICIPANTS: 1130 HIV-seropositive patients without AIDS who were followed for a median of 53 months (814 homosexual men, 261 injection drug users, and 55 women who had acquired HIV through heterosexual contact). MEASUREMENTS: Delayed hypersensitivity response to purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin and mumps antigen, CD4 T-lymphocyte counts, and frequency of tuberculosis. RESULTS: 31 HIV-seropositive patients developed tuberculosis (0.7 cases per 100 person-years [95% CI, 0.5 to 1.0]). The most important demographic risk factor was location (adjusted risk ratio for eastern compared with midwestern and western United States, 4.1 [CI, 2.0 to 8.4]). Tuberculosis occurred more frequently in persons with CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm3 (1.2 cases per 100 person-years [CI, 0.7 to 1.9]) than in those with higher counts (0.5 cases per 100 person-years [CI, 0.3 to 0.8]). The rate of tuberculosis was highest among tuberculin converters (5.4 cases per 100 person-years [CI, 1.1 to 15.7]), lower among patients who were PPD positive at first testing (4.5 cases per 100 person-years [CI, 1.6 to 9.7]), and lowest among patients who remained PPD negative (0.4 cases per 100 person-years [CI, 0.2 to 0.7]). Tuberculosis was not reported among persons who had PPD reactions of 1 to 4 mm. Compared with that of patients who tested positive for mumps, the risk for tuberculosis of those who tested negative was increased about sevenfold if they were PPD positive (P < 0.03) and fourfold if they were PPD negative (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of tuberculosis was higher in the eastern United States, in patients with CD4 counts of less than 200 cells/mm3, and in PPD-positive patients. Analysis of tuberculin reaction size supports the current interpretive criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonreactivity to mumps antigen indicated increased risk for tuberculosis independent of PPD response.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Myocardial bridging in a young patient with sudden death.

Systolic compression of a coronary artery is considered to be a benign phenomenon, although numerous case reports have suggested an association between bridging and sudden death or ischemia in certain patients without other abnormalities on cardiovascular evaluation. We present the case of a young patient with two episodes of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation and electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia, whose only primary abnormality on extensive workup was a long segment of left anterior descending systolic compression. This case adds to the growing body of anecdotal evidence that myocardial bridging may be associated with significant cardiac events.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The effect of prenatal photoperiodic history on the postnatal endocrine status of female lambs.

Postnatal photoperiodic experience plays a pivotal role in determining the timing of ovarian activity in female lambs. This study examines whether a photoperiodic history gained while in utero is able to influence this timing. Pregnant Soay ewes were maintained in either long days (n = 7, 18 h light: 6 h dark; group PLD) or short days (n = 12, 6 h light: 18 h dark; group PSD) from 25 days of gestation. At birth, female lambs (n = 8 per group) were transferred to long days for 10 weeks, and then placed under short days until the end of the experiment at 38 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected from lambs on the day of birth and three times weekly for the duration of the study and the resulting plasma assayed for progesterone and prolactin. Although both gestational photoperiods produced, at best, abbreviated periods of ovarian activity, lambs born to ewes which experienced long days during gestation (group PLD) exhibited elevated plasma progesterone concentrations significantly earlier (P < 0.05) than lambs born to ewes exposed to short days during gestation (group PSD) (mean +/- SEM, 193 +/- 17 versus 244 +/- 14 days for PLD and PSD groups, respectively. Plasma prolactin concentrations in newborn lambs born between late December and early April were not affected by the ambient photoperiod, but reflected the artificial daylength experienced by their mothers during gestation. Lambs born to ewes maintained under long days during gestation (group PLD) had significantly higher prolactin concentrations on the day of birth than lambs born to ewes maintained under short days during gestation (group PSD) (45 +/- 5.4 ng/ml versus 7 +/- 3.7 ng/ml respectively, P < 0.001). The mean birth weight, rate of live weight gain and live body weight of lambs at the end of the experiment did not vary significantly between treatment groups. These results suggest that the ovine foetus is sensitive to photoperiodic information prior to birth, and develops a photoperiodic history which, under the present experimental conditions, modulates the subsequent endocrine status of the neonatal lamb.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Perceptions of school violence as a problem and reports of violent events: a national survey of school social workers.

Awareness of violence as a problem is important in developing school-based interventions to reduce violence. How would social workers who reported a potentially lethal event in their schools within the past year rate the seriousness of the problem in their schools? What variables would be associated with the perception of a serious violence problem in a school? These questions were explored in a national survey of school social workers. The results suggest that school social workers did not perceive violence as a serious problem on the basis of a single event even when the event was life threatening. From a zero-tolerance perspective, school violence as a problem was underestimated in all community settings but more often in suburban and rural settings than in inner-city or urban settings. The social workers' perception of a serious problem was contingent on the presence of multiple types of violence and the community setting of the school.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Predictors of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected persons. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

The Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study is a prospective, multicenter, observational study evaluating pulmonary disease among HIV-infected persons. For approximately 52 mo, 1,182 HIV-infected subjects were followed. All participants were evaluated for pulmonary disease on a predetermined schedule. There were 145 episodes of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Low CD4 count correlated with risk of PCP (p < 0.0001); 79% had CD4 counts less than 100/microl and 95% had CD4 counts less than 200/microl. Subtle changes in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were associated with PCP. Univariate analysis identified recurrent undiagnosed fevers, night sweats, oropharyngeal thrush, and unintentional weight loss to be associated with risk among persons with CD4 counts above 200/microl. Subjects in whom CD4 counts declined to below 200/microl and who were not receiving preventive therapy were nine times more likely to develop PCP within 6 mo compared with subjects who received such therapy. A strong trend toward differences between the sexes was detected. Black subjects had less than one third the risk of developing PCP as did white subjects (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in risk by HIV transmission category, study site, frequency of follow-up, age, education, smoking history, or use of antiretroviral therapy. Multivariable analysis revealed low CD4 lymphocyte count (p < 0.0001), use of prophylaxis (p < 0.0001), racial differences (p < 0.0001), and declining DLCO (p = 0.015) to influence risk. Constitutional signs and symptoms indicate increased risk for PCP among HIV-infected persons with CD4 counts above 200/microl.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Intensive care of patients with HIV infection: utilization, critical illnesses, and outcomes. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

To examine intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and diagnoses of patients with HIV infection, and to determine the outcomes of different critical illnesses, we analyzed data derived from the 63 patients who were admitted to an ICU from among the 1,130 adults with HIV infection who did not have AIDS at the time of enrollment in a multicenter prospective study. Patients were admitted and treated according to the judgment of their physicians. During 4,298 patient-years of follow-up for the entire cohort, there were 1,320 hospital admissions, of which 68 (5%) included admission to an ICU. Twenty-five (40%) of the patients admitted to the ICU died during that admission. Twenty-four patients (38%) were admitted with a principal diagnosis of lung disease; 11 had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), one of whom was coinfected with Aspergillus fumigatus and Legionella pneumophilia, and six of them (55%) died. Four had bacterial pneumonia, two had pulmonary edema caused by renal failure, and one each had pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma, pneumothorax, adult respiratory distress syndrome, severe pulmonary fibrosis, cytomegalovirus pneumonitis, and metastatic adenocarcinoma to the lungs. Eleven of these 14 patients (79%) died. Thirty-nine patients had 44 admissions for nonpulmonary diagnoses, including gastrointestinal disorders (14 admissions), cardiovascular disorders (nine), sepsis syndrome (six), neurologic disorders (four), monitoring and ICU nursing care during or after a procedure (four), metabolic disorders (three), trauma (two), drug overdose (one), and unknown reasons (one). Nine (23%) of these patients died. Twenty-eight patients underwent mechanical ventilation, and 16 (57%) died. Seven (25%) had PCP (five died), seven had other primary pulmonary diseases (six died), and 14 were placed on mechanical ventilation for nonpulmonary disorders (five died). Survival did not correlate with CD4 count determined within 6 mo of admission to the ICU. In conclusion, the range of indications for critical care in patients with HIV infection is diverse. PCP accounted for only 16% of the ICU admissions, and mechanical ventilation for PCP and other pulmonary disorders was associated with a high mortality rate. In contrast, mechanical ventilation for nonpulmonary disorders, and admission to the ICU for nonpulmonary diagnoses was associated with a more favorable outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Respiratory disease trends in the Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study cohort. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

We examined trends in the incidence of specific respiratory disorders in a multicenter cohort with progressive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease during a 5-yr period. Individuals with a wide range of HIV disease severity belonging to three transmission categories were evaluated at regular intervals and for episodic respiratory symptoms using standard diagnostic algorithms. Yearly incidence rates of respiratory diagnoses were assessed in the cohort as a whole and according to CD4 count or HIV transmission category. The most frequent respiratory disorders were upper respiratory tract infections, but the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections increased as CD4 counts declined. Specific lower respiratory infections followed distinctive patterns according to study-entry CD4 count and transmission category. Acute bronchitis was the predominant lower respiratory infection of cohort members with entry CD4 counts > or = 200 cells/mm3. In cohort members with entry CD4 counts of 200 to 499 cells/mm3, the incidence of bacterial and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia each increased an average of 40% per year. In members with entry CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm3, acute bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia, and P. carinii pneumonia occurred at high rates without discernible time trends, despite chemoprophylaxis in more than 80% after Year 1, and the rate of other pulmonary opportunistic infections increased over time. Each year, injecting drug users had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia than did homosexual men. The yearly rate of tuberculosis was < 3 episodes/100 person-yr in each entry CD4 and HIV-transmission group. We conclude that the time trends of HIV-associated respiratory disorders are determined by HIV disease stage and influenced by transmission category. Whereas acute bronchitis is prevalent during all stages of HIV infection, incidence rates of bacterial pneumonia and P. carinii pneumonia rise continuously during progression to advanced disease. In advanced disease, the incidence of acute bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia and P. carinii pneumonia is high despite widespread chemoprophylaxis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness in HIV disease. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: HIV disease is frequently complicated by episodic acute bronchitis, suggesting the presence of chronic bronchial inflammation. To further examine this concept, we investigated the possible association of nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and HIV disease. DESIGN: Methacholine inhalation challenge studies were performed on 66 HIV-seropositive and 8 HIV-seronegative members of the Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Cohort. AHR was defined as 20% or more decline in FEV1 from the postdiluent value after inhalation of 125 or less cumulative breath units. The prevalence of AHR in HIV-seropositive cohort members was compared with that in matched control subjects who had undergone methacholine challenge testing for two unrelated studies. Demographic, behavioral, and clinical features in HIV cohort members with and without AHR were contrasted. The relationship between AHR and the occurrence of episodic airway disease or symptoms suggestive of airway disease was examined. RESULTS: AHR was not more prevalent in HIV-seropositive cohort members than control subjects (19.3% vs 12.9%; p > 0.1). Within the cohort, AHR was detected more frequently in members with than without a history of asthma (60% vs 16%; p < 0.05). A greater proportion with than without AHR had 1 or more episode of pneumonia within 2 years (46% vs 9%; p < 0.01), 1 or more asthma episode during the study period (39% vs 1.9%; p < 0.001), or wheeze noted during clinic visits (62% vs 17%; p < 0.01). The proportion that experienced acute bronchitis did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that HIV-infected persons do not have increased prevalence of nonspecific AHR. In HIV disease, AHR is associated asthma, but not episodic acute bronchitis. Thus, the possibility that airway injury without demonstrable AHR might complicate HIV disease remains.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Pregnancy-specific protein B and progesterone concentrations in relation to nutritional regimen, placental mass and pregnancy outcome in growing adolescent ewes carrying singleton fetuses.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether peripheral plasma profiles of pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) are predictive of pregnancy outcome in adolescent sheep in which growth of the placenta has been compromised by the competing nutrient demands of maternal tissue synthesis. Embryos recovered on day 4 after oestrus from adult ewes inseminated by a single sire were transferred in singleton to prepubertal adolescent recipients. After transfer, the adolescent recipients were individually offered a high or low proportion of a complete diet to promote rapid (RMG) or normal (NMG) maternal growth rates (n = 12 per group). After day 100 of gestation the feed intake of the NMG group was adjusted weekly to meet the nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus. Blood was sampled three times a week throughout gestation and analysed for PSPB and progesterone. Liveweight gain during the first 120 days of gestation was 229 +/- 9.1 and 105 +/- 3.9 g day-1 for the RMG and NMG groups, respectively. For ewes delivering live young, mean placental mass at term was 263 +/- 16.8 and 438 +/- 44.6 g (P < 0.002), while lamb birthweight was 2.74 +/- 0.25 and 4.34 +/- 0.27 kg (P < 0.001) for the RMG (n = 8) and NMG (n = 11) groups, respectively. The biphasic pattern of PSPB secretion during gestation was similar in all ewes delivering live young, but individual concentrations within treatment groups were highly variable. Mean PSPB concentrations were lower in RMG than in NMG ewes throughout gestation (P < 0.05) and the major differences in relative terms were detected between days 50 and 100 of pregnancy. PSPB concentrations during this latter period were correlated (P < 0.05) with placental mass at term but not with lamb birthweight. High dietary intakes, leading to rapid maternal growth rates were associated with low peripheral progesterone concentrations (P < 0.02) throughout gestation. Irrespective of treatment group, progesterone concentrations during the second half of pregnancy were positively associated with both placental mass at term (P < 0.002) and lamb birthweight (P < 0.01). The incidence of non-infectious abortion during late gestation (125 +/- 1.3 days) was higher (P < 0.001) in the RMG (4 of 12) than in the NMG (1 of 12) group and was associated with abnormal PSPB profiles in the former group. The mass of the fetus at the time of abortion was highly correlated (P < 0.01) with mean PSPB concentrations up to day 120 of gestation, but was independent of peripheral progesterone concentrations. These results suggest that sequential measurement of PSPB may provide a reliable indicator of fetal distress and adverse pregnancy outcome in singleton bearing ewes. PSPB and progesterone analysis may also have prognostic value as a biochemical marker of suboptimal placental growth and function in sheep.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗