Erhan Özenç

The importance of staphylococci and threshold value of somatic cell count for diagnosis of sub-clinical mastitis in Pirlak sheep at mid-lactation.

This study investigated the bacterial agents causing sub-clinical mastitis and the mean somatic cell counts (SCC) of milk in Pirlak sheep at mid-lactation. The percentage of infected udder halves was 11.4% (53/464). The most frequently isolated species were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (64.2%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24.5%) and Escherichia coli (11.3%). Among the CNS, the most common species was Staphylococcus epidermidis (38.2%). The other species isolated from milk samples were Staphylococcus xylosus (17.7%), Staphylococcus chromogenes (14.7%), Staphylococcus simulans (8.8%) and Staphylococcus hyicus (8.8%). The mean SCC for culture positive and negative samples was 1742×10(3) and 161×10(3) cells/ml, respectively. A significant difference (p<0.05) was determined between with and without microbial growth groups in terms of the SCC values. Threshold limit for SCC was 374×10(3) cells/ml for Pirlak sheep. In conclusion, it was considered that SCC is an important predictor of sub-clinical mastitis in Pirlak sheep. This is the first study to describe the bacterial agents causing sub-clinical mastitis and threshold limit for SCC in Pirlak sheep in Turkey.

Ultrasonographic foetometry and maternal serum progesterone concentrations during pregnancy in Turkish Saanen goats

The objectives of the present study were (1) to generate reliable equations to estimate the gestational age of Saanen goats by measuring embryonic and foetal structures via B-Mode ultrasonography (USG), (2) determine the maternal serum progesterone (P4) concentrations during pregnancy, and (3) compare the relationship between P4 concentrations and gestational age, litter size, and birth weight of kids. Seven pregnant goats were used in this study. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed transrectally from Days 15 to 27 of pregnancy at 3-day intervals and transabdominally from Days 30 to 128 at 7-day intervals. Blood samples were collected daily between Day 15 and 24 of gestation, and weekly from Day 27 to 128 to determine the serum P4 concentrations. Outer placentome diameter, biparietal diameter, occipito-nasal length, chest diameter, foetal heart rate, transversal heart diameter, orbit diameter, umbilical cord diameter, and kidney diameter were highly correlated with gestational age (P <  0.0001). Goats with twins had greater progesterone concentrations than those with a single foetus (P <  0.001). Furthermore, maternal serum progesterone concentrations detected on Days 51, 107, 114, and 128 of gestation were greater in goats carrying twins than those with a single foetus (P <  0.05). A negative correlation was evident between serum progesterone concentrations and birth weights of the kids (r = -0.78; P =  0.007). In conclusion, gestational age can be estimated using ultrasonographic foetometry, and litter size at specific times during pregnancy can be determined based on maternal serum progesterone concentration in Turkish Saanen goats.

A case of peromelia of all extremities in a calf

Bu olgu sunumunun amaci, buzagilarda nadir olarak gozlemlenen peromelia olgusuna dikkat cekmekti. Sunulan vakada, 3 gunluk Holstayn irki erkek bir buzagida peromelia olgusu klinik olarak degerlendirildi. Anamnezde yeni dogan buzaginin yakin kan bagi olan hayvanlarin ciftlestirilmesi sonucu elde edildigi ogrenilmesine ragmen olusan dogmasal anomalinin esas nedeni belirlenemedi. Yapilan fiziksel muayenede on ekstremitelerde radius-ulna, metacarpus, phalanx kemiklerinin, arka ekstremitelerde ise tibia-fibula, metatarsus, phalanx kemiklerinin olmadigi saptandi. Muayene sirasinda baska bir anomaliye rastlanilmadi. Sunulan vakada yeni dogan bir buzagida peromelia olgusu tartisildi.