A total of 110 Japanese Black cattle, diagnosed with Claudin-16 (CL-16) deficiency by DNA test between June 1999 and June 2001, were studied. The ages of affected cattle ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean±SD. 13.3± 8.9). There were 48 males (44%) and 62 females including 3 dams (56%). All but one dam were carriers of CL-16 deficiency. The non-carrier dam, diagnosed by DNA test, had a new type null mutation of CL-16 (Type 2). At birth, affected calves usually appeared healthy, although almost all showed signs of growth retardation and anorexia in the last stage of this disease, and in 67% hoof growth was observed. In blood and serum biochemical tests, affected cattle had high serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, creatinine, and inorganic phosphorus, but low calcium concentrations. The kidneys were atrophic and tough, and pathological findings showed renal tubular dysplasia, interstitial fibrosis, and degeneration of uriniferous tubular epithelium. Immuno-histopathological studies by ABC stain, using the specific CL-16 antibody for the first antibidy, revealed that CL-16 was observed in the uriniferous tubular epithelium of normal cattle, but not in affected cattle. Dams investigated in one Yamagata prefecture district, showed putative genotype carriers frequencies of 7.5%, and semen utilization of carrier sires as high as 44% (1999), therefore occurrence rate of affected calves in this area was estimated at 0.8% .

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Pregnancy rate from 970 imported frozen-thawed bovine embryos was 63.4%. Pregnancy rate (number of recipients) of USA, Canada and Netherlands embryos was 66.2 (524), 59.9 (409) and 62.1% (37), respectively. Pregnancy rate (number of recipients) using cryoprotectants of 1.4 M glycerol (Gly), 1.4 M Gly + 0.1 M sucrose (Suc), 1.5 M ethylene glycol (EG) and 1.7 M EG was 67.5 (570), 52.5 (61), 59.2 (306) and 51.5% (33), respectively. Pregnancy rate with deep point or shallow point transfer position of uterine horn using 1.5 M EG (32.6 or 63.7%) and 1.7 M EG (15.4 or 75.0%) was significantly different (p< 0.05). Deep point of uterine horn was about 10-14 cm apart (deep intrauterine) and shallow point was about 2-4 cm apart (close to uterine body) from the uterine body bifurcation, respectively. Pregnancy rate of poor quality embryos (61 embryos) after dilution with 1.4M Gly was significantly different (p< 0.05) with deep point (48.3%) or shallow point (25.0%) uterine horn transfer. Abortion occurred in 39 head, and abortion rate was 6.3% of total pregnant recipients. Abortion rate of embryos after dilution with 1.4M Gly was significantly different (p< 0.05) with good quality embryos (5.9%) or poor quality embryos (18.2%).

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We studied clinical bovine mastitis which were recognized as CNS infection in 20 cows (control group:10, experimental group:10). An antibiotic appropriate for the infecting organism was administered to both groups. Ice pack therapy was combind with current standard treatment to shorten duration of clinical bovine mastitis. Ice pack therary was applied twice a day for two hours to experiment group for 1-3 days. Symptoms were scored and changes recorded. Scores of experimental versus control group had more rapid decreases of body temperature, mammary swelling and mammary temperature. Excessive inflammation of the mammary glands disappeared rapidly and the treatment period was shortened with ice pack therapy. Ice pack therapy may be a useful addition to current standard bovine mastitis treatment.

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We investigated changes in bovine plasma inhibin α-subunit concentra-tion with time-resolved enzyme immunoassay using bovine inhibin α-subunit antiserum during LH surge and ovulation of healthy Holstein cows. Inhibin α-subunit level increased after ovulation for 15-21 hours in 3 cases, and did not increase clearly in 4 cases. We hypothesized that inhibin α-subnit in follicular fluid of ovulating follicle is absorbed to the circulation.

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Five cases of cleft lips (four males and one female) and one case of cheilognathoschisis in Japanese shorthorn cattle (0-10-months-old) were examined. There were no disturbances in appetite or on physical examination, except that case No.3 hadcheilognathoschisis. Case No.3 had difficulty suckling. No.3 died and all the other animals were sold in November 1996. Necropsy of case No.3 revealed craniofacial skeletal abnormalities. The cause of this disease was not apparent, but inbreeding may be a possible cause.

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