Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two independent experiments. Healthy, BT negative heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated at oestrus. In total, six groups of three heifers received semen from four batches derived from three bulls naturally infected with BTV-8. Each experiment included one control heifer that was not inseminated and that remained BT negative throughout. BTV viraemia and seroconversion were determined in 8 out of 18 inseminated heifers, and BTV was isolated from five of these animals. These eight heifers only displayed mild clinical signs of BT, if any at all, but six of them experienced pregnancy loss between weeks four and eight of gestation, and five of them became BT PCR and antibody positive. The other two infected heifers gave birth at term to two healthy and BT negative calves. The BT viral load varied among the semen batches used and this had a significant impact on the infection rate, the time of onset of viraemia post artificial insemination, and the gestational stage at which pregnancy loss occurred. These results, which confirm unusual features of BTV-8 infection, should not be extrapolated to infection with other BTV strains without thorough evaluation. This study also adds weight to the hypothesis that the re-emergence of BTV-8 in France in 2015 may be attributable to the use of contaminated bovine semen.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between antimicrobial use and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in the digestive and respiratory tract in three different production systems of food producing animals. A longitudinal study was set up in 25 Belgian bovine herds (10 dairy, 10 beef, and 5 veal herds) for a 2 year monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibilities in E. coli and Pasteurellaceae retrieved from the rectum and the nasal cavity, respectively. During the first year of observation, the antimicrobial use was prospectively recorded on 15 of these farms (5 of each production type) and transformed into the treatment incidences according to the (animal) defined daily dose (TIADD) and (actually) used daily dose (TIUDD). Antimicrobial resistance rates of 4,174 E. coli (all herds) and 474 Pasteurellaceae (beef and veal herds only) isolates for 12 antimicrobial agents demonstrated large differences between intensively reared veal calves (abundant and inconstant) and more extensively reared dairy and beef cattle (sparse and relatively stable). Using linear mixed effect models, a strong relation was found between antimicrobial treatment incidences and resistance profiles of 1,639 E. coli strains (p<0.0001) and 309 Pasteurellaceae (p≤0.012). These results indicate that a high antimicrobial selection pressure, here found to be represented by low dosages of oral prophylactic and therapeutic group medication, converts not only the commensal microbiota from the digestive tract but also the opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in the respiratory tract into reservoirs of multi-resistance.

Deep intra-uterine insemination is commonly accepted as a routine procedure for artificial insemination in horses. The motives and principles of deep insemination are well described, but the equipment used may differ. In this trial, the efficiency of two different insemination pipettes for deep intra-uterine insemination in the mare was compared with insemination into the uterine body using commercially available frozen-thawed semen of two stallions of proven fertility. These inseminations were performed using two different doses. The semi-flexible Minitube pipette was compared with a newly designed insemination device with a more flexible telescopic insemination catheter (Ghent device). The semi-flexible Minitube pipette performed better than the newly designed insemination device with respect to pregnancy outcome (p = 0.008). The superiority of deep horn insemination over uterine body insemination was reflected by the better pregnancy rates obtained after deep insemination using the same low doses (30.6% better pregnancy rates) (p = 0.0123).

Obstetrical procedures are common place in dairy practice in the UK, and both fetotomy to allow delivery per vaginum and a standing left paralumbar celiotomy approach for caesarean section are standard techniques. In some clinical presentations, neither of these techniques may be appropriate for a complicated dystocia. In some cases, where a calving has been missed for some days or where a second calf is found to be present some days after the delivery of its twin, euthanasia of the cow may be considered to be the only option available, since without its removal, the putrefaction of the fetus may result in life-threatening toxaemia to the cow. This article describes the use of a ventrolateral (low flank) approach to caesarean section as an alternative option in such a case.

The main objective of this review is to provide current information regarding non-infectious risk factors associated with stillborn piglets. These factors can be roughly categorized as genetic, maternal, piglet and environmental factors, but also interactions exist between several factors. An understanding of this multifactorial problem should help practitioners and farmers implementing a more effective farrowing management to obtain a high reproductive efficiency. From the papers studied in this review, it can be concluded that litter size, parity, sow's body condition and farrowing supervision/birth assistance seems to be the most relevant risk factors associated with stillborn piglets.

Housing is a key factor in animal welfare as it determines whether or not cows spend time in a comfortable living place. Appropriate housing results in healthy cows living in a comfortable barn, optimizing production and reproduction. This article reviews some critical points of housing dairy cattle. In particular, free-stall barns with cubicles are discussed, as these are the most common barn type in Belgium. First, the dimensions and all parts of the free-stall are considered as not applying the recommended dimensions leads to adverse consequences for welfare, hygiene and udder and claw health. Next, different types of bedding material and floor type, including their advantages/disadvantages, are highlighted. Finally, the effects of photoperiodicity and stocking density are discussed.

Partusinductie verhoogt het toezicht tijdens het werpen, waardoor het geboortegetal kan toenemen. Wanneer partusinductie echter niet correct wordt toegepast, kan dit leiden tot vroeggeboorte. Daarom mag partusinductie pas ten vroegste twee dagen vóór de gemiddelde drachtduur van de zeugen op een bedrijf worden uitgevoerd. Voor partusinductie bestaan verschillende protocols, zoals de eenmalige toediening van prostaglandinen, de dubbele toediening van prostaglandinen met zes uur interval (split-dose-techniek) en de combinatie van prostaglandinen met oxytocine 24 uur later en verschillende toedieningswegen, zoals intramusculaire injectie in de nekregio en injectie in de buurt van de vulva. Andere strategieën bestaan maar zijn minder effectief en/of worden minder frequent gebruikt. Na een eenmalige injectie van prostaglandinen werpt 60% van de zeugen binnen de werkuren (22-32 uur na injectie). Met de split-dose-techniek of de combinatie van prostaglandinen en oxytocine 24 uur later is dit 80%. Bij incorrect gebruik is oxytocine echter een risicofactor voor asfyxie bij biggen. Het wel of niet toepassen van partusinductie en welk protocol het beste wordt gebruikt hangen af van het bedrijf en de wensen van de veehouder.

Multiple extenders have been developed to preserve cooled stallion semen. Comparisons of some extenders have been made but there is need for further research in this area. Extenders tested included EZ Mixin (Animal Reproduction Systems, Chino, CA), Kenney's, Universal (NASCO, Fort Atkinson, WI), EquiPro, EquiPro CellGuard (Minitube of America, Verona, WI), and INRA 96 (IMV, Maple Grove, MN). Semen was collected and each ejaculate was divided and extended in each of the aforementioned extenders and stored at 4°C. Motility measures were determined using computer-assisted sperm analysis at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after collection. Samples were evaluated for total motility, progressive motility (PM), straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line distance, and curvilinear distance. Total motility and PM decreased over time in storage (P < .05). Sperm stored in INRA 96, EquiPro, and EquiPro Cell Guard retained the most total motility and PM over the 72 hour period (P < .05). Universal, EquiPro, and EquiPro Cell Guard had the highest measurements for curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and curvilinear distance (P < .05). There were no significant differences among the extenders for straight-line distance.

To achieve optimal reproductive performance in pig herds, sows need to become pregnant as soon as possible after weaning. The aim of this study was to investigate herd and management factors associated with reproductive performance of sows after weaning. A questionnaire pertaining to sow management at weaning and herd reproductive data were collected from 76 randomly selected commercial pig herds in Belgium. Associations between the herd factors and two reproductive parameters after weaning (weaning-to-oestrous interval: WEI and percentage of repeat breeders: RB) were analysed using general linear mixed models. A separated feeding strategy of breeding gilts from 60 kg onwards was significantly associated with a shorter WEI (5.54 vs 7.28 days; p = 0.040). Factors significantly associated with a lower percentage of RB were housing the newly weaned sows separated from the gestating sows (7% vs 12%; p = 0.003), using semen < 4 days after collection (7-9 vs 14%; p = 0.014) and stimulating oestrus twice a day (8 vs 11%; p = 0.025). In conclusion, some management practices, such as feeding strategy of breeding gilts, housing conditions of sows, method of oestrous stimulation and storage duration of semen, have an influence on the outcome of reproductive parameters such as weaning-to-oestrous interval and percentage of repeat breeders. These practices can be implemented rather easily by pig producers and may consequently lead to improvements of reproductive performance of sows after weaning.

In view of supporting the study of the complex domain of equine obstetrics, a FoalinMare multimedia package with 3D designs has been developed. The present study centers on questions as to the most optimal implementation of the multimedia package in veterinary education. In a pretest-posttest crossover design, students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Experimental conditions varied - next to a traditional lecture based introduction to equine obstetrics - from independent exploration of the FoalinMare DVD, to independent guided DVD usage, to guided classroom usage of the DVD. As dependent measures, student mastery of knowledge and skills, cognitive load and self-efficacy were measured. Results point at the significant superior impact of studying with the FoalinMare DVD on skills acquisition and higher levels of self-efficacy. In addition, experimental conditions that build on guided usage of the multimedia application, result in superior performance. Building on the cross-over design, the guided classroom usage boosts in a significant way the knowledge acquisition in the subsequent learning phase in the control condition. Building on these results, implications and directions for future research are presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY:Sperm motility is considered to be one of the key features of semen analysis. Assessment of motility is frequently performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Nevertheless, no uniform standards are present to analyse a semen sample using CASA.OBJECTIVES:We hypothesised that the type of counting chamber used might influence the results of analysis and aimed to study the effect of chamber type on estimated concentration and motility of an equine semen sample assessed using CASA.METHODS:Commonly used disposable Leja chambers of different depths were compared with disposable and reusable ISAS chambers, a Makler chamber and a World Health Organization (WHO) motility slide. Motility parameters and concentrations obtained with CASA using these different chambers were analysed. The NucleoCounter was used as gold standard for determining concentration.RESULTS:Concentration and motility parameters were significantly influenced by the chamber type used. Using the NucleoCounter as the gold standard for determining concentration, the correlation coefficients were low for all of the various chambers evaluated, with the exception of the 12 µm deep Leja chamber. Filling a chamber by capillary forces resulted in a lower observed concentration and reduced motility parameters. All chambers evaluated in this study resulted in significant lower progressive motility than the WHO prepared slide, with the exception of the Makler chamber, which resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, increase in progressive motility estimates.CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE:Computer-assisted sperm analysis can only provide a rough estimate of sperm concentration and overestimation is likely when drop-filled slides with a coverslip are used. Motility estimates using CASA are highly influenced by the counting chamber; therefore, a complete description of the chamber type used should be provided in semen reports and in scientific articles.

Huisvesting bepaalt of koeien zich al dan niet comfortabel in hun leefomgeving voelen. Een goede huisvesting moet leiden tot een comfortabele leefomgeving waarin een gezonde melkveestapel optimaal kan produceren en reproduceren. Dit artikel geeft een overzicht van enkele kritische punten bij de huisvesting van melkvee. Vooral loopstallen met ligboxen worden besproken omdat dit in België het meest voorkomende staltype is. In het eerste deel worden de afmetingen en de verschillende onderdelen van een ligbox behandeld. Verkeerde afmetingen en opstellingen leiden tot ongewenst gedrag met nadelige gevolgen voor het welzijn, voor de boxhygiëne en voor de uier- en klauwgezondheid. Daarna volgt een overzicht van de verschillende beddingmaterialen en hun invloed op het beenwerk en op de klauw- en uiergezondheid. Vervolgens worden de voor- en nadelen van een betonnen vloer, een rubberen toplaag en van gietasfalt besproken. Tot slot wordt het belang van een optimale bezetting toegelicht in relatie tot het aantal ligbedden en het aantal voeder- en drinkplaatsen. De conclusie is dat de huisvesting een zeer belangrijke rol speelt bij de gezondheid, het welzijn en de productie- en reproductieresultaten van melkvee. De kritische punten hebben vooral betrekking op de constructie van de ligbox, de kwaliteit van de bodem, de fotoperiodiciteit en de dierbezetting.

ContentsHydrallantois in the mare is a very rare condition, and clinical reports help to gather information to elucidate its pathogenesis, treatment options and prognosis. Five different cases of hydrallantois in the mare are reported in this article, all with the involvement of placentitis. The five mares were presented because of acute distention of the abdomen, dyspnoea, stiff gait and a lack of appetite. After a gradual release of the excessive amount of allantoic fluid, an abortion was induced in all five mares. The foals were either born dead or euthanized. The mares recovered quickly. One mare conceived within the same season, one remained barren despite several cycles of natural breeding, and no data were available on the other three mares. In this series, the condition is reported for the first time in two Shetland ponies, both pregnant with foals sharing a close genetic background. In both cases, the condition led to hyperlipidemia. The condition as it occurs in nulliparous mares is also discussed. Finally, the possible involvement of placentitis in the pathogenesis is emphasized.

Leiomyomas of the ovary are rare in mares. The diagnosis is based on histological and immunohistochemical analysis. This case report describes a leiomyoma of the left ovary in a Friesian mare with a history of intermittent signs of colic.

Veterinary RecordVolume 169, Issue 4 p. 101-101 Research Severe disease in neonatal calves with detection of cytopathic BVDV J. Laureyns DVM, Corresponding Author J. Laureyns DVM jozef.laureyns@ugent.be Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumE-mail for correspondence jozef.laureyns@ugent.beSearch for more papers by this authorC. Letellier DVM, PhD, C. Letellier DVM, PhD Department of Virology, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, 1180 Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorV. Meganck DVM, V. Meganck DVM Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorB. Pardon DVM, B. Pardon DVM Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Biology of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorP. Deprez DrMedVet, DipECBHM, P. Deprez DrMedVet, DipECBHM Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Biology of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorA. de Kruif DrMedVet, DipECAR, A. de Kruif DrMedVet, DipECAR Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this author J. Laureyns DVM, Corresponding Author J. Laureyns DVM jozef.laureyns@ugent.be Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumE-mail for correspondence jozef.laureyns@ugent.beSearch for more papers by this authorC. Letellier DVM, PhD, C. Letellier DVM, PhD Department of Virology, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, 1180 Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorV. Meganck DVM, V. Meganck DVM Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorB. Pardon DVM, B. Pardon DVM Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Biology of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorP. Deprez DrMedVet, DipECBHM, P. Deprez DrMedVet, DipECBHM Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Biology of Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorA. de Kruif DrMedVet, DipECAR, A. de Kruif DrMedVet, DipECAR Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this author First published: 23 July 2011 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.d2611Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume169, Issue4July 2011Pages 101-101 RelatedInformation

This paper describes a case of uterine fibrosarcoma in an 18-year-old Warmblood mare. The mare had exhibited bloody fluid accumulation inside the uterus and vaginal haemorrhagic discharge since the previous foaling. The mare was euthanized, and on pathological examination, in addition to the uterine neoplasia, multiple metastases were found in the lungs, liver and spleen. The histological and immunohistochemical examination determined that the tumour was a fibrosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to describe a uterine fibrosarcoma in a mare.

Ovariële cysten vormen een belangrijke oorzaak van verminderde vruchtbaarheid bij gelten en zeugen.Hoewel het ontstaansmechanisme nog niet volledig bekend is, wordt aangenomen dat folliculaire cysten ontstaan door het doorgroeien van rijpe follikels wanneer de LH-piek onvoldoende hoog is en ovulatie uitblijft.Luteale cysten ontstaan mogelijk door een voortijdige sluiting van de follikelwand na ovulatie.De ontwikkeling van ovariële cysten is multifactorieel en de gevoeligheid voor deze aandoening wordt deels genetisch bepaald.Bekende risicofactoren zijn stress, mycotoxinen en een langdurige en/of een ongepaste toediening van hormonale producten.Daarnaast spelen wellicht nog tal van onbekende factoren een rol.Ovariële cysten kunnen leiden tot anoestrus, oestrus met onregelmatige intervallen, gedragsveranderingen, verlaagde drachtigheidspercentages en een kleinere worpgrootte.Desalniettemin worden niet alle gevallen klinisch opgemerkt.De diagnose wordt gesteld via echografisch onderzoek.Een medicamenteuze behandeling is mogelijk (GnRH, hCG of PGF2α) maar de kans op een succesvolle dracht binnen 42 dagen na de behandeling blijft lager dan 50%.Meestal wordt beslist om de zeug af te voeren naar het slachthuis.