Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 2 of 2 items for

  • Author or Editor: Jonathan E. Wheaton x
  • Refine by Access: All Content x
Clear All Modify Search

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether concentrations of dimeric inhibin (αβA) are greater in plasma and tumor fluid from mares with granulosa-theca cell tumors (GTCT), compared with concentrations in plasma and equine follicular fluid (eFF) from control mares.

Animals

6 mares with GTCT and 12 clinically normal mares.

Procedure

The αβA immunoradiometric assay used 2 antibodies, one against each subunit of inhibin (α and βA subunits). Tumor tissue, tumor fluid, and a single blood sample were collected at the time of surgical removal of the GTCT. A single blood sample was collected from 7 control mares during various stages of the estrous cycle. Five other control mares were ovariectomized when their ovaries contained growing follicles of 25 to 35 mm in diameter. A blood sample and eFF from the largest follicle were collected at the time of ovariectomy.

Results

Mares with GTCT had significantly greater plasma concentrations of αβA (mean ± SEM, 0.86 ± 0.53 ng of recombinant human-αβA/ml), compared with control mares (0.14 ± 0.02 ng/ml). Concentrations of αβA in tumor fluid and eFF were similar. Concentrations of αβA were significantly lower after ovariectomy.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Dimeric inhibin concentration was higher in plasma from mares with GTCT than in plasma from control mares. Increased granulosa cell mass and loss of mechanisms regulating αβA release in mares with GTCT likely accounted for the increase in plasma concentrations. Measurement of αβA concentrations may be useful for identifying mares with GTCT. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:1407–1410)

Free access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To compare well-being, performance, and longevity of gestating sows housed in stalls or in pens with an electronic sow feeder (ESF).

Animals—382 pregnant sows of parities 1 through 6.

Procedure—Sows were housed in separate stalls (n = 176) or group pens (206) with an ESF. Well-being of sows was assessed at various time points in terms of injuries, salivary cortisol concentration, and behavior in a novel arena or to a novel object. Farrowing performance and longevity of sows were also assessed.

Results—Total injury scores (TIS) of sows in pens were significantly higher at initial introduction and mixing. In stall-housed sows, TIS was significantly higher during late gestation. The TIS and cortisol concentration were significantly lower in stall-housed sows, compared with values for sows in pens. As parity increased, the likelihood of higher median TIS decreased significantly in pen-housed sows and increased significantly in stall-housed sows. The TIS of sows in pens was negatively correlated with body weight and backfat thickness, whereas these correlations were positive in stall-housed sows. Farrowing performance and results for novel arena or objects did not differ. Proportion of sows removed was significantly higher for pens than for stalls; lameness was the major reason for removal for both systems.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Stalls impose space restrictions for larger sows, resulting in injuries during late gestation. Interventions are needed to minimize aggression during initial introduction and mixing and at the ESF in pens to reduce severe injuries or lameness of gestating sows. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:1630–1638)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research