Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K R Refsal

Publications and source records attributed to K R Refsal.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Estradiol-17 beta cyclopentylpropionate and prostaglandin F for induction of abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy in feedlot heifers.

The ability of estradiol-17 beta cyclopentylpropionate (ECP, 20 mg) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha; 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg) to induce abortion during early gestation (days 40 to 90, as estimated by palpation per rectum) in pregnant feedlot heifers was compared. All treatments were given by IM injection. All heifers treated with 20 and 40 mg of PGF2 alpha aborted within 7 days after treatment. Six of 10 heifers aborted in the same period after ECP treatment; 1 additional heifer aborted by day 13. Abortions did not occur by day 13 in 10 placebo-treated heifers. Five and 10 mg of PGF2 alpha aborted 2 of 3 and 8 of 10 heifers, respectively, within 7 days of treatment. Quantitation of serum progesterone by specific radioimmunoassay showed that a luteolytic effect was evident in aborting heifers. Complications were not detected in any heifers after treatment or abortion. Ten of the 20 heifers that aborted in response to the 20- and 40-mg doses of PCF2 alpha developed a new corpora lutea by day 20 after treatment. However, none of the heifers that aborted after ECP treatment had a corpus luteum by day 20. It was concluded that PGF2 alpha is a more effective compound than ECP for induction of abortion during the 1st trimester of pregnancy in feedlot heifers, that a wide range of PGF2 alpha doses are capable of inducing abortion in at least some animals treated, and that heifers are likely to resume ovarian activity sooner if aborted with PGF2 alpha than with ECP.

Abortion, Induced↗

Effect of stage of diestrus and number of cloprostenol (ICI 80, 996) injections on intervals to estrus, LH peak and ovulation in heifers.

Intervals to the onset of estrus, luteinizing hormone (LH) peak and ovulation were compared in diestrous heifers after each of two cloprostenol treatments. Diestrous heifers were grouped at the first treatment (T1) according to day of the cycle, with heifers on days 5 through 8 designated as early diestrus and heifers on days 9 through 17 designated as late diestrus. Cloprostenol treatment was repeated (T2) 11 days after T1, at which time heifers in both groups were at similar stages of the estrous cycle. Visual observation, identification of the preovulatory LH peak, and rectal palpation were utilized to estimate data parameters. Split-plot analysis of variance showed a significant treatment x group interaction (P < .05). Time from prostaglandin treatment to the onset of estrus was similar for the early diestrous group after T1 (x = 53.1 hours ) and the early and late diestrous groups after T2 (x = 49.4 hours and 45.4 hours respectively). This interval was longer (P < .05) for the late diestrous group after T1 (x = 60.8 hours ) than for either group after T2, but not different from that for the early diestrous group after T1. Serum progesterone concentrations were higher (P < .05) at the time of T1 in the late diestrous group (x = 5.8 ng/ml ) than in the early diestrous group (x = 3.0 ng/ml ) or in either group at the time of T2 (x = 2.8 and 3.2 ng/ml respectively). Over all heifers, the synchrony of the onset of estrus was more precise (P < .05) after T2 than T1. Intervals from the onset of estrus to ovulation were not affected by group or treatment (overall mean = 24.4 +/- 1.0 hours, n = 42). We conclude that different recommendations for appointment artificial insemination (AI) may be indicated depending on the number of prostaglandin injections which are used in a prostaglandin synchronization program prior to insemination.

Journal Article↗

The use of fibre-optic techniques in clinical diagnosis and visual assessment of experimental intrauterine therapy in mares.

Intrauterine fibroscopy was used in the clinical evaluation of 40 mares with established histories of subfertility. The average age of the mares was 12.2 years with a 2.8-year interval from last foaling in multiparous mares. Transluminal adhesions, endometrial cysts, diffuse fibrosis, fluid accumulation or myometrial tumours were found in 26 mares. When compared to other techniques, fibroscopy did not seem to be superior to uterine biopsy but had some advantage over rectal palpation as a single diagnostic technique. Only 3 mares failed to exhibit pathological findings when all 3 techniques were used. A second study was conducted to examine visually the effect of infusing various antibiotics and disinfectants into the uteri of clinically normal dioestrous mares. Fibre-optic examinations were performed before and after infusion of 3 mares/treatment. No gross pathological changes were seen 3 days after infusion of potassium penicillin, chloramphenicol succinate or a soluble oxytetracycline powder in a dextrose base. Lugol's solution caused severe inflammation, fibrin deposition, and ulceration of the endometrium. Ampicillin resulted in a white precipitate which adhered to the the endometrium for 10 days after treatment.

Animals↗