The objectives of this experiment were to determine interrelationships among mastitis indicators and evaluate the subclinical mastitis detection ability of infrared thermography (IRT) in comparison with the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Somatic cell count (SCC), CMT, and udder skin surface temperature (USST) data were compiled from 62 Brown Swiss dairy cows (days in milk=117+/-51, milk yield=14.7+/-5.2 kg; mean +/- SD). The CORR, REG, and NLIN procedures of Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) were employed to attain interrelationships among mastitis indicators. The diagnostic merit of IRT as an indirect measure of subclinical mastitis was compared with CMT using the receiver operating characteristics curves. The udder skin surface temperature was positively correlated with the CMT score (r=0.86) and SCC (r=0.73). There was an exponential increase in SCC (SCC, x10(3) cells/mL=22.35 x e(1.31 x CMT score); R(2)=0.98) and a linear increase in USST (USST, degrees C=33.45+1.08 x CMT score; R(2)=0.75) as the CMT score increased. As SCC increased, USST increased logarithmically [USST, degrees C=28.72+0.49 x ln(SCC, x10(3) cells/mL); R(2)=0.72]. The USST for healthy quarters (SCC 400,000 cells/mL; n=135) (mean +/- SE; 33.45+/-0.09 vs. 35.80+/-0.08 degrees C). The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 95.6, 93.6, 14.97, 0.05, 95.0, and 93.6, respectively, for IRT and 88.9, 98.9, 83.56, 0.11, 99.2, and 86.1, respectively, for CMT. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for IRT and CMT was not different. In conclusion, as a noninvasive and quick tool, IRT can be employed for screening subclinical mastitis via measuring USST, with a high predictive diagnostic ability similar to CMT when microbiological culturing is unavailable. However, the reliability of IRT among cows with different characteristics and those living under various environmental conditions remains to be determined.

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SummaryLong-acting GnRH agonists have been used both in canine estrus induction and prevention. The objective of the study was to investigate the clinical and endocrine short-term effects of a deslorelin implant (4.7 and 9.4 mg) in terms of initial "flare-up" in prepubertal bitches. Fourteen healthy, cross-breed prepubertal female dogs, aged 4 months, were used in the study. An implant containing 9.4 mg (G1, n=5) and 4.7 mg (G2, n=4) deslorelin (Suprelorin®) or a placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%, G3, n=5) was inserted subcutaneously. Estrus was monitored once daily by physical and sexual behavioral changes. Vaginal cytology, serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17β (E2) concentrations were monitored weekly for the first five weeks throughout the treatment. None of the bitches in the treatment (G1 and G2) and control (G3) group showed any signs of estrous throughout the study period. No local reactions were observed at the implantation site. Two bitches showed an increase in serum P4 concentrations (>1.0 ng/ml) in G1 (2/5; 40%), however, only one of these two animals (P4=6.37 ng/ml) showed an increase in serum E2 concentrations up to 37 pg/ml. No marked increase in serum P4 and E2 concentrations were observed during the first 13 weeks of treatment in G2. These data demonstrate that in prepubertal bitches, insertion of a deslorelin implant does not cause a "flare-up effect" which commonly occurs in anestrus adult bitches during the first month after implantation. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate that the "flare-up" effect of deslorelin implant in bitches especially during later prepubertal stages. Keywords: Prepubertal bitches, Suprelorin®, Flare-up effect Prepubertal Köpeklerde GnRH Analoğu Deslorelinin Kısa DönemKlinik ve Endokrinolojik Etkileri: "Flare-up" Gözlenir mi? ÖzetUzun etkili GnRH agonistleri köpeklerde hem östrusun uyarılmasında hem de baskılanmasında kullanılmaktadırlar. Bu çalışmada, pubertas öncesi dönemdeki dişi köpeklerde deslorelin implant (4.7 ve 9.4 mg) kullanımının "flare-up" dönemi olarak değerlendirilebilecek klinik ve endokrinolojik kısa dönem etkilerinin varlığı araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla pubertas öncesi dönemde olduğu belirlenen ortalama 4 aylık yaşta on dört adet sağlıklı melez dişi kopek kullanıldı. Köpeklere deri altı yolla 9.4 mg (G1, n=5) ve 4.7 mg (G2, n=4) deslorelin (Suprelorin®) etken maddesi içeren implantlar ya da plasebo (sodyum klorür %0.9; G3; n=5) uygulandı. Östrus belirtileri günlük olarak fiziksel değişiklikler ve davranış değişiklikleri yönünden takip edildi. Ayrıca çalışma süresince vaginal sitoloji, serum progesteron (P4) ve östradiol 17β (E2) konsantrasyonları haftalık olarak izlendi. Tedavi (G1 ve G2) ve kontrol grubundaki (G3) hayvanların hiçbirinde östrus bulgusu belirlenmedi. İmplantın yerleştirildiği bölgede herhangi bir lokal yan etki gözlenmedi. Grup 1'de iki köpekte (2/5; %40) serum P4 düzeyinde bir artış gözlenirken, bu köpeklerden yalnızca birinde (P4=6,37 ng/ml) serum E2 düzeyinin 37 pg/ml'ye kadar yükseldiği belirlendi. Grup 2'de 13 haftal...

Aim:The aim of this study is to determine serum ceruloplasmin levels in cows with endometritis of varying degrees of severity and to establish whether or not there is a correlation between acute phase protein (APP) levels and biochemical parameters.Material and Methods:The study was conducted with 100 Brown Swiss cows (3-8 years of age) on days 28-32 postpartum. Cows were divided into endometritis (mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis) and healthy groups based on ultrasonography, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. Blood samples were collected from all cows. Levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, albumin, and some biochemical parameters were analyzed.Results:Hp, SAA, and ceruloplasmin levels were higher in cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (p=0.001), and the levels of these APPs increased as endometritis became more severe (p=0.001). Some significant correlations were found between APPs and the biochemical parameters that were analyzed. In conclusion, it was determined that ceruloplasmin levels increase significantly in the presence of endometritis and proportionate to the severity of endometritis. A significant correlation was found between ceruloplasmin levels and Hp and SAA levels.Conclusion:It was concluded that ceruloplasmin levels can be used in the diagnosis of endometritis as an alternative to Hp and SAA levels.