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Estimation of seroprevalence of encephalomyocarditis in Dutch sow herds using the virus neutralization test.

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) has been found on pig farms worldwide and can cause myocarditis in young pigs and reproduction disorders in sows. So far, clinical signs of EMCV have not been reported in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of EMCV infection in Dutch sow herds. A total of 277 Dutch sow herds were randomly selected, from which 3237 serum samples were collected. These samples were tested for EMCV antibodies using the virus neutralization test (VN test). The apparent prevalence of EMCV antibodies was 9.3% in the total sow population, and the apparent herd prevalence was 58.8%. An exact determination of the prevalence of EMCV infections in the Dutch sow population was not possible because the characteristics of the VN test under field circumstances were not known. However, Dutch sow herds seem to be infected with EMCV because the distribution of positive blood samples in the tested sow population was significantly different from that expected if random false-positive reactions had occurred.

Animals↗

Identification of health hazards to rural population living near pesticide dump sites in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present project was to assess population exposure to pesticides in the vicinity of pesticide dump sites and make a preliminary evaluation of the potential health hazards to humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 286 pesticide dump sites registered in Poland, 40 were selected as the largest source of ecological hazard. The application of the Hazard Ranking System made it possible to identify 17 priority dump sites where pesticide wastes are deposited. For population exposure assessment, two dump sites located close to the residence area and drinking water intakes were selected as potentially most hazardous to health. They have a piezometric system installation that enables ground water sampling for analysis. RESULTS: In water samples collected from the water-bearing layer in areas adjacent to pesticide dump site, 31 different pesticides in total have been detected (15 organochlorine pesticides, 10 organophosphorous pesticides and 6 phenoxyacids), 12 of which - dichlorvos, mevinphos, endosulfan, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, 2,4-D, MCPA, MCPP--had concentration levels higher than the detection limit. The estimated size of the potentially exposed population approximates 900 inhabitants; 33% of this population are children (aged 0-14 years) and women at reproductive age (aged 15-45 years). Both these target populations are considered particularly susceptible to the adverse health effects of pesticides. Assessment of population exposure to pesticides (p,p'-DDT - 0.15 microg/l; p,p'-DDD - 0.13 microg/1; MCPP - 12.3 microg/l; MCPA - 0.64 microg/l; methoxychlor - 0.31 microg/l; 2,4'-D - 5.4 microg/l) with concentration levels higher than the drinking water standard (0.1 microg/1) was based on pesticide daily intake in drinking water. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a low cancer risk (R = 10(-8)) for people drinking water contaminated with p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDD as well as low non-cancer risk related to MCPA, MCPP and methoxychlor exposure. At one of the dump sites examined, the level of population exposure to 2,4'-D implies possible hematopoietic, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects as well as reproductive disorders.

Environmental Exposure↗

Management of recurrent early pregnancy loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a devastating health problem that affects many couples who are trying to establish a family. Evaluation depends on a number of factors, including the pattern of pregnancy loss, underlying medical disease and life-style issues. A detailed obstetric history, including gestational age at the time of death, ultrasound, pathology and cytogenetic results, is key in the evaluation and management of recurrent pregnancy loss. This complex reproductive disorder requires a multidisciplinary approach since genetic, endocrinologic, anatomic, immunologic, infectious, thrombophilic and iatrogenic factors may require evaluation and management. Monitoring of subsequent pregnancies requires close supportive care.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Experimental models of endotoxaemia related to abortion in the mare.

Three different routes of administering Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin to mimic naturally occurring endotoxaemia were tried in the mare. Bolus injection, repeated bolus injections and continuous low-dose infusion were compared with prostaglandin F2 alpha release, leucocyte count and clinical response. A biphasic prostaglandin release and a pronounced leucopenia of almost identical patterns were seen in all models. Repeated bolus injections showed that the second injection initiated only a small prostaglandin release indicating the development of refractoriness to the treatment. A similar refractoriness or desensitization occurred during the low-dose infusion. Flunixin meglumine, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, administered in different combinations in association with endotoxin demonstrated that this compound must be used at an early stage to prevent endotoxaemia and its deleterious effects on pregnancy. Taken together, the results show that horses are sensitive to endotoxins such that a short period of challenge (about 30 min) is enough to cause clinical signs and reproductive disorders.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Comparison of allergenic skin test with serological and bacteriological examinations of cattle for Listeria monocytogenes.

Five herds, each containing 200 to 300 cows, were surveyed for listeriosis. Since listeriosis is predominantly linked to reproductive diseases in the surveyed area, suspected cows were first selected according to the records on their previous reproductive disorders such as abortion, endometritis and sterility. By simultaneous serological, bacteriological and skin allergenic testing 40 cows suffering from listeriosis were detected. But, only seven of those cows were occasionally shedding listeriae in milk. The specific agglutinins for Listeria monocytogenes were detected in blood sera of all seven cows and the titre was from 1:20 to 1:160. The difference of skin thickness induced by allergenic test was from 1 to 2 mm. L. monocytogenes was isolated from milk of all seven cows and indirectly through the inoculation in enrichment broth, and directly only from milk of two cows. The results indicate that the positive skin allergenic and serological tests do not necessarily mean the shedding of listeriae in milk. However, the listeria-shedding in milk was always accompanied by a positive skin allergenic test and the presence of agglutinins in blood sera.

Agglutinins↗

Onset of spermatozoal degeneration in low-fertility Delaware roosters and test for autoimmune basis.

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the onset of a heritable reproductive disorder in the rooster that is characterized by extensive spermatozoal degeneration within the ductus deferens, and 2) to determine if autoimmunity was associated with spermatozoal degeneration. Seventy-five percent of the affected roosters did not ejaculate large percentages of degenerate spermatozoa at 20 wk of age, approximately the age of sexual maturity. Rather, seminal quality gradually declined over the next 6 wk, as both ejaculate volume and number of spermatozoa ejaculated increased. The evaluation of testicular and excurrent duct tissues via immunofluorescence failed to reveal either IgY or IgA associated with spermatozoa. While histological examination revealed greater lymphocyte numbers (P less than .05) in the proximal ductus deferens, these cells were not associated with spermatozoa nor spermatozoal clumping. While spermatozoal degeneration tends to be latent at the onset of semen production, it does not appear to be due to spermatozoal autoimmunity.

Aging↗

[Diseases and culling of Swiss dairy cows. 2. Culling and relation between diseases and milk production parameters].

During three years (1982 to 1984) data were collected concerning diseases and reasons for culling in 612 dairy farms with Brown Swiss, Simmental and Black and White cattle. The frequency of culling increases in all three breeds with increasing age, from 20% at the first lactation up to 33% from the 4th lactation on. The main reasons for disposal are insufficient production, reproductive problems or udder diseases. After treatment for reproductive problems, mastitis or acetonemia, the risk for culling within the same lactation period is increased. Reproductive problems (no heat symptoms, repeat breeder, ovarian cysts) and acetonemia increase with increasing milk production in all three breeds. In cows with high 100-day-performance they are also more frequent. The occurrence of acute mastitis shows no general trend with increasing milk production or with high 100-day-performance. No systematic relationship is found between reproductive disorders or acute mastitis and persistency of milk production. On the other hand, acetonemia is somewhat more frequent in cows showing higher persistency.

Age Factors↗

[The role of a sanatorium-health resort factor in the complex treatment of patients with chronic prostatitis].

The results of two-step treatment of 62 patients with chronic prostatitis are presented. The first-step treatment was given at the clinic of the Urologic Research Institute of the RSFSR Ministry of Health, and the second step was completed at the Zheleznovodsk Urologic Clinic of the Pyatigorsk Research Institute of Health Resort Treatment and Physiotherapy. In addition to its medical aspect, treatment for chronic prostatitis has significant social implications, as chronic prostatitis mostly affects males of young or middle age, with the inflammation persisting for long periods of time and leading to sexual and reproductive disorders as well as psychoneuroses. Since chronic prostatitis is regarded as an inflammatory disease of infectious-immunologic etiology, with both parenchymal and interstitial tissues of the prostatic gland affected, the patients underwent antibacterial treatment, adjusted to the causative agent's sensitivity to antibacterial drugs, and the availability of physiotherapeutic procedures in hospital as the first stage of treatment. Those to whom further rehabilitation was indicated were referred to the Zheleznovodsc Urologic Clinic where they were given a treatment course making use of the natural factors: oral and external administration of mineral waters of the Smirnovsky and Slavyanovsky springs, mud treatments and physiotherapy where indicated. Treatment was designed to improve microcirculation in prostatic tissues, and used natural factors, capable of normalizing and activating systemic protective potentials. There were good results (considerably improved general condition, both subjectively felt and objectively documented) in 78%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chronic Disease↗

[The significance of ketonuria in lactating cows].

In two large sized farms in Hungary and in several small and medium farms in Bavaria the authors studied the development of ketonuria in cows after calving. In two flocks without problems 30 percent of the cows developed ketonuria, whereas the rate was 56 percent in one problematic flock. Milk yield of the cows observed was above 5000 kg per year, their age differing only slightly. Cows with ketonuria revealed an increased enzyme activity of AST and a decreased plasma-glucose concentration in comparison to the ketone-free animals. Also, the ketonuria cows showed higher amounts of free fatty acids in plasma and lower amounts of total cholesterol. Additionally, these animals more often revealed reproductive disorders. The rate of culling and emergency slaughter was also increased, whereas their pregnancy rate was decreased.

Animals↗

[Characteristics of sexual maturation of girls born in the state of hypotrophy].

A total of 156 adolescent and young girls, delivered at term with birth weights below 3000 g were examined. In puberty, they showed a considerable incidence of skeletal disproportions, a retardation in the increment of pelvic dimensions, disturbed menarche, disrupted sequence and degree of development of secondary sexual characters. Continuity of medical surveillance of children, delivered with low birth weights, by a pediatrician and a pediatric gynecologist is essential in order to prevent reproductive disorders.

Adolescent↗

[Pulsatile administration of GnRH: from the future to the present].

Since the first clinical reports of the successful induction of ovulations and pregnancies using pulsatile administration of the neuropeptide GnRH by G. Leyendecker and L. Wildt's group in 1979, the role of the hypothalamic generator, as demonstrated in primates by E. Knobil, is widely accepted in human reproduction. During this time, an increasing number of group has experienced these therapies and there continues to be some controversies about the route of administration, the indications, the need for adjuvant therapies. A correct evaluation of these therapies needs multicentric studies and more accurate criteria: the MINITEL network provides a fast, inexpensive way to collect data from different groups and to perform studies with larger sample sizes. The Life table analysis method represents the more suitable method for evaluating and for comparing various therapy regimens. LH plasma pulsatility studies have been performed in humans in order to classify various "supra-pituitary" reproductive disorders. These studies are exposed to several methodological drawbacks and must be cautiously interpreted. Modelling is one of the new methodological issues which can give access to more physiological parameters.

Female↗

Frequency of ovarian follicular cysts, reasons for culling, and fertility in Holstein-Friesian cows given gonadotropin-releasing hormone at two weeks after parturition.

Holstein-Friesian cows (n=204) were given saline solution or 200 microgram of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by intramuscular injection at 8 to 23 days after parturition. Of cows culled, fewer GnRH-treated cows were culled for infertility, compared with number of cows given saline solution (26 vs 57%; P less than 0.05). Frequency of ovarian follicular cysts was reduced from 15.2% in controls to 5.7% for cows given GnRH (P less than 0.01). The interval to 1st insemination, interval to conception, and inseminations per conception did not differ among saline solution or GnRH-treated cows which remained in the herds. These data provide evidence for reduction in infertility and reproductive disorders in early postpartum dairy cows given GnRH as a prophylactic.

Animals↗

Male hypogonadism--current concepts and trends.

Important advances have been made recently in our knowledge of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular functions. Current understanding of the hypothalamic control of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion and the mechanisms of testicular feedback is beginning to yield benefits in the clinical management of certain reproductive disorders. But much remains to be learned about the neuroendocrine control of hypothalamic GnRH secretion--an area which encompasses the mechanisms regulating the onset of puberty. Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process involving subtle interactions between endocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulators acting on different cell populations within and without the testis. Until basic research can advance the very limited knowledge in this area, we cannot expect to improve the currently unsatisfactory management of infertile men. It is not surprising that only limited information can accrue from conventional semen analysis and measurement of systemic hormones. Nor is it unexpected that empirical or seemingly rational treatments for male infertility are of dubious benefit. In future, assessment of the infertile man should be improved by studying sperm functional capacities and testicular synthesis and metabolism of gonadal steroids and by the definition of representative markers of Sertoli cell and epididymal functions. Reversible male contraception is another objective that remains beyond our reach at present. Hormonal disruption of spermatogenesis is often incomplete and invariably suppresses Leydig cell function, so that androgen replacement for sustaining sexual function is mandatory. Alternative approaches to male contraception aimed at the epididymis and sperm-egg interaction seem more promising avenues for future exploration.

Aging↗

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in female infertility and ectopic tubal pregnancy.

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa has been studied in relation to female infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of this lesion in a control Caucasian population was 0.6%, as compared with incidences of 2.86% in an ectopic group and 50% in a small infertility group undergoing tuboplasty. It is suggested that salpingitis isthmica nodosa should be considered as an etiologic factor in these reproductive disorders. Chronic tubal spasm is suggested as the underlying process.

Adolescent↗

[Reduction, by atropine, of symptomatic shock induced by PGF2 alpha in the dog].

Two groups of 5 bitches different in breed, age and size were given a single dose of PGF2 alpha at a dosage of 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg of body weight respectively. Since the administration of PGF2 alpha is usually associated with a syntomatic shock in the bitch, four bitches per group were additionally treated with a single dose of atropine (0.050 mg/kg). Two of the four bitches were injected with atropina I.M. contemporaneously with the PGF2 alpha and the other two at the beginning of the symptomatology. Both the former and the latter show a marked reduction of symptomatic shock. The AA. discuss the possible use of PGF2 alpha associated to the administration of atropine in the current therapy of some reproductive disorders of the bitch.

Animals↗

Prolactin secretion in patients with chromophobe adenomas of the pituitary: incidence and presentation of hyperprolactinaemia: results of surgical treatment.

In order to assess the frequency of hyperprolactinaemia in patients with "functionless" pituitary tumours, serum prolactin concentrations have been measured (by radioimmunoassay) in 111 patients with enlargement of the sella turcica who do not have acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome or Nelson's syndrome. The diagnosis of a chromophobe adenoma was confirmed in 76 patients who underwent surgery and was presumptive in the remaining 35. 45 of 64 (70%) patients studied before treatment and 15 of 47 assessed only after pituitary surgery had hyperprolactinaemia. Patients with raised prolactin levels usually presented with amenorrhoea or impotence, whereas reproductive disorders were rare in normoprolactinaemic patients. In many cases the presence of an underlying pituitary tumour was not initially suspected. The results of pituitary surgery were assessed in 25 patients with a chromophobe adenoma; of the 21 hyperprolactinaemic patients, surgery was most successful in those who had a small tumour treated by transsphenoidal adenomectomy. In conclusion, chromophobe adenomas formerly described as "functionless" are commonly associated with hypersecretion of prolactin and the hyperprolactinaemic patients frequently present with amenorrhoea or impotence. Prolactin levels should be measured in all patients with AMENORRHOEA or impotence and in patients with known (or suspected) pituitary tumours, before or after pituitary surgery.

Adenoma, Chromophobe↗

[Anticardiolipin antibodies and oncofetal antigens in pregnant women].

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) in the blood stream is associated with some reproductive disorders in women. In the serum of 84 pregnant women, using the Elisa method, anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were examined. The first group of 53 women was formed by women with pathological levels of at least one of the oncofoetal antigens (alpha-1-fetoprotein-AFP, human chorionic gonadotropin-HCG and trophoblast-specific beta-1-glycoprotein- SP1). The second group of 31 pregnant women comprised women hospitalized on account of a risk pregnancy. In the first group women with reduced HCG were most frequently represented, where in 8.8% positive ACA were recorded. Of 11 patients with elevated HCG only in one the presence of ACA was detected. In nine pregnant women with reduced HCG and SP1 or AFP ACA positivity was found in 44.4%. In the second group ACA were detected in the serum of six pregnant women who had also pathological SP1 or HCG levels. From the results ensues that ACA could interfere with transduction signalizing processes in the cell and thus influence the synthesis of some proteins.

Adult↗

[Application of the high resolution chromosomic technic in patients in high risk of cytogenetic anomalies].

Since the beginning of cytogenetics, there has been a constant improvement of chromosomal culture and banding techniques. In 1976, Yunis described a high chromosomal resolution technique (HRC), that permits the detection of subtle chromosomal abnormalities. The present work, reports the results obtained when HRC was applied to the study of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with high risk of such. The study comprised 434 specimens of venous blood and 182 bone marrow aspirates. The samples were classified according to the presuntive diagnoses. The highest frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, was found in blood samples from patients with physical deformities with or without mental retardation (22.22%), followed by mental retardation autism and/or fragile X chromosome (13.66%), and in couples with reproductive disorders (5.8%). In bone marrow, the most frequent abnormalities corresponded to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (78.43%), acute lymphocytic leukemia (62.10%), acute myeloide leukemia (61.9%), myelodisplastic syndromes (43.7%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (14.2%). The present results stress the need to apply the HRC technique when the probability of minute chromosomal abnormalities is high.

Chromosome Aberrations↗