Induction of abortion in cows with Prostaglandin F2α-analogue or with Dexamethasone.
Yohji Ohnami, M. Sasaki, M. Kikuchi (School of Vet. Med. Anim. Sci., Kitasato Univ.)
When plostaglandinF2α-analogue (PGF2α-A) was administered at a dose of 0.8-2.4mg into 29 cows in the 2nd-8th month of pregnancy, an abortion was induced in all of the 16 cows in the 2nd to the 4th month of pregnancy, 5 of the 6 in the 5th month, but not in the cows in the 6-8th month. When administered with dexamethasone (Dx) at 30mg, an abortion was induced in neither of the two cows that were less than 5 months pregnant. However, abortions were induced in 2 of the 3 in the 5th month, one in the 6th month, and both in the 8-9th month of pregnancy experienced an abortion or went into premature labor.
Retained placenta was not found in the cows up to the 4th month of pregnancy, but it was observed in all of the cows that were pregnant more than 5 months. In respect to the occurrence of retaind placenta, there was no difference between PGF2α-A and Dx administration. The mean blood progesterone (P) level in the cows which underwent an abortion were 0.9 ng/ml or less at the time around the abortion, although the level was 5.7 ng/ml on the day of PGF2α-A administration. The P level of the cows in which an abortion was induced by Dx, was 6.8 ng/ml on the day of drug administration and reached 1.0 ng/ml or less more than 3 days later. These results indicate that PGF2α-A is markedly effective in inducing an abortion in cows up to the 4th month of pregnancy and Dx is effective in cows pregnant 6 months or more.

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Three cases of nephrosis induced by excess administration of sulfonamide.
Naoichiro Hatakeyama, H. Izu, S. Takahashi, K. Yosai, T. Suzuki (Akita Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Assoc., Chuobu Clinic Center)
Sulfonamide crystals were found in kidney of three calves because of the excess administration of sulfonamide. The volume of treatment of sulfonamide have to keep in nornal range in the cases of calves with diarrhea and dehydration. Still more sulfonamide would be treated in the calves after removing of dehydration or dysuria in cases.

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After three Holstein or Jersey cows had one or two injections of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccine administered under the cervical region one or two months before delivery, the effect of the cows' colostrum on different calves was examined. With the result of this study, the efficiency of deep freezing dehydrated colostrum was sludied.
As a result of these studies, the titer of agglutinin against the adhesive factors K99, FY, and 31A in the colostrum of cows that were vaccinated was 32.0±27.7, 1, 194.7±782.1, and 1, 194.7±782.1 times that of the titer of agglutinin against these same factors in cows that were not vaccinated.
In spite of varying numbers of administrations for each cow, the increase of agglutinin (P<0.01) was significant compared with that of the cows without vaccine administration. However, each titer of agglutinin at the milking after 12-24 hours showed a 70-80% decrease. When this colostrum at the first milking was put into a dehydrated deep freeze and then administered to calves, the amount of γ-globulin in the serum was absorbed into the blood of the 3 liter administration group so fast that it reached the peak ratio of 0.89 g/dl 24 hours after administration. However, the peaks of the 1 liter administration group and the 2 liter administration group were low, about 0.7g/dl, and the time to reach the peaks was delayed for four days.
On the other hand, although the changes in the titer of agglutinin showed that the increase of the titer of agglutinin was recognized in proportion to the dose of deep frozen dehydrated colostrum, FY showed the highest amount of agglutinin in the 1 liter administration group: Moreover, the delay of absorbing agglutinin into the blood was recognized in FY and 3IA. Each case, however, showed that the titer of agglutinin absorbed into the blood with the deep frozen dehydrated colostrurm was higher than than that of the agglutinin with the colostrum that was not deep frozen dehydrated. These results showed that the deep frozen dehydrated colostrrum with vaccine was very effective in preserving colostrum and in protecting newly born calves against infection.

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A mass outbreak by strangles was occurred in a horse pasture land of our area during June to August in 1995. Almost all foals and mares (77.1%) were infected with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and a mare died of a sickness. Horses with strangles showed a characteristic swelling of the mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes, in addition to the general symptoms. Pathological swelling of lymph nodes were reduced or ruptured after treatment with antibiotics and horses recovered from a sickness several weeks later. From the results of the bacterial examination, it was identified the separated bactria with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi by the biochemical properties. Although the fertility rate was more than 70% before the occurrence of strangles, it was lower to be 63% in this year. As the mass outbreak in horses with similar symptoms to strangles were reported in some areas, it seemed that strangles would be spread in Iwate prefecture.

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In four cases of Japanese cows with urethral calculosis, their S-shaped curvature proximal parts around the phallus were slowly laid open under sedation, and parts of the urethral calculus were taken. About 4-5 mm sized calculuses were crushed on the albuginea by an injection needle (18G) and a woodworking hand drill. This allowed all substances to flow freely through the urethra. 3 of the 4 cases showed recovery, but the other relapsed and fell into disuse.

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Two cases were reported as showing development of obstructive icterus due to focal fat necrosis around the common bile duct in fattening Japanese Black cattle. Case 1 was 31 month of age, and Case 2 was 34 month of age, both of which showed clear icterus on visible mucosae during the first medical examination. In their blood tests, each case showed an increase in the total amount of bilirubin caused by the increase in the direct bilirubin, and the symptoms of obstructive icterus, such as an increase in γ-GTP activity. The serum vitamin A and β-carotin in each case was low, and Case 2 showed a high rate of amylase and lipase. Pathologically, each of these cases showed some fat necrosis focalized around the common bile duct. These cases were diagnosed as obstructive icterum caused by fat necrosis.

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We discovered the case of a male Japanese Short horn calf which had thumd-sized neoplasms on its head and hindquarters at birth. The neoplasm on the hindquarters fell off after the calf was born, but it appeared again and grew bigger and bigger later, while the neoplasm on the calf's head fell off 20 days after the calf was born. It was a little bit swollen after that. Although the vigor and appetite of the calf were fine, some dysuria and paralysis of the hindquarters were recognized at about 40 days of age, and the calf became unable to walk. It was killed by bloodletting at 58 days of age and was pathologically examined. While studying the results, masses of neoplasm were found all over the internal organs. Histopathologically, the neoplasm cells developed several shapes, such as a round shape, a spindle shape, and various other shapes, all of various sizes. A few cells with some yellow-brown granules were recognized and showed fontana-masson chromatic positive in eytoplasm. The nucleus had a clear cell with a round shape, and a number of cell segmentations were recognized. Based on these results, this case was diagnosed as melanoma.

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