M. Battocchio

Strategies for proteomics with incompletely characterized genomes: The proteome of Bos taurus serum

A reference map for Bos taurus serum was obtained using proteomic tools: 21 proteins, plus several serum albumin fragments, have been identified in 47 spots. One of the major acute‐phase reactants, haptoglobin, was also detected in a pathological serum. A number of technical problems had to be solved. (i) Spot resolution in two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) is not easily optimized, as several proteins have similar molecular mass; different polyacrylamide concentration gradients were used for the analysis of various size ranges. (ii) Identification of proteins through mass spectrometry (MS) procedures is also difficult as the genome of Bos taurus is incompletely characterized. The program FASTS proved particularly useful, since it allows simultaneous searching of several unordered sequence fragments, which may be individually too short to provide a statistically valid match using BLAST.

Agreement between ultrasonographic classification of the CL and plasma progesterone concentration in dairy cows

We evaluated the agreement between ultrasonographic characteristics of the corpus luteum (CL) and plasma progesterone (P4) concentration in dairy cows. In Phase I of the study, the ovaries of 8 cows were ultrasonographically examined, and P4 was analyzed daily from estrus (Day 0) to Day 4, then at Day 7 and Day 10, and again daily from Day 17 to the onset of next estrus. In Phase 2, the ovaries of 157 randomly selected Friesian cows were examined once by ultrasonography, and blood samples collected concurrently were analyzed for plasma P4. On the basis of the P4 values, the function of CLs was classified as follows: 1) non-secretory CL when plasma P4 was lower than 1 ng/mL (n=41); 2) evolving CL when plasma P4 was between 1 and 4 ng/mL (n=55); and 3) mid-cycle CL when plasma P4 was more than 4 ng/mL (n=61). On the basis of ultrasonographic examination, 3 additional groups were established (absence of CL, evolving CL, midcycle CL). Ultrasonographic characteristics and size of Day 3 to 4 CLs and their respective plasma P4 concentrations were not distinguishable from those of CLs observed 3 to 4 d before the subsequent estrus. The degree of agreement between the two classification was 72%. The data indicate that the functional classification of CLs is difficult to determine based on ultrasonography alone.

Ultrasonographic appearance of tissue is a better indicator of CL function than CL diameter measurement in dairy cows

In this study, the ovaries of 99 randomly selected Friesian cows were examined by ultrasonography measuring the diameter and evaluating the appearance of corpora lutea (CLs) in order to assess the most reliable method for their functional classification. Concurrently, blood samples were taken and analyzed for plasma progesterone (P4) concentration. On the basis of the ultrasonographic measurement of the diameter of the CL, three groups were established: (A) CL not detected (n = 30), (B) CL psi < 20 mm (n = 22), and (C) CL psi > or = 20mm (n = 47). On the basis of the ultrasonographic appearance, three different groups were established: (A) CL not detected (n = 30), (B) evolving CL (n = 25), and (C) mid-cycle CL (n = 44). On the basis of the P4 values, CLs were functionally classified in the following three groups: (A) CL not detected when plasma P4 was lower than 1 ng/ml (n = 27), (B) evolving CL when plasma P4 was between 1 and 4 ng/ml inclusive (n = 29), and (C) mid-cycle CL when plasma P4 was more than 4 ng/ml (n = 43). The degree of agreement between plasma P4 concentrations and either ultrasonographic classification (diameter or appearance) was highly significant (P < 0.001). However, the results of the present study suggest that for the evaluation of functional classification of the CL in cows ultrasonographic appearance is more reliable than the evaluation of the diameter.

Urinary incontinence after spaying in the bitch: incidence and oestrogen-therapy.

A. Angioletti1*, I. De Francesco2, M. Vergottini1 and M.L. Battocchio1 1,2Department of Veterinary Clinical Science; 1Section of Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology; 2Section of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy *Correspondence: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie – Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Veterinaria – Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, V ia Celoria, 10, Milano, Italy E-mail:andrea.angioletti@tiscali.it

Relationship between pharmacological induction of estrous and/or ovulation and twin pregnancy in the Thoroughbred mares

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship of pharmacological induction of estrous and/or ovulation with the occurrence of twin pregnancies in Thoroughbred mares. Out of 680 mares, 356 received one of the following treatments during the estrous cycle in which they became pregnant: injection of 0.5mg of cloprostenol at the ultrasonographic detection of a CL (n=86); injection of 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) immediately before mating (n=221); injection of 0.5mg of cloprostenol at the ultrasonographic detection of a CL plus injection of 5000 IU hCG immediately before mating on cloprostenol-induced estrous (n=49). The other 324 mares, not treated for induction of estrous or ovulation in the estrous cycle resulting in pregnancy, were used as control group. The occurrence of twin and single pregnancies in treated and control mares underlines that the percentage of twin pregnancy in treated mares (16.6%) was statistically significantly higher (P<0.0001; odds ratio, OR=2.87) than the percentage of twinning in the control group (6.5%). Comparison of the occurrence of twins between treatments revealed a statistically significant difference between mares treated with hCG alone compared to animals given prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) plus hCG. The results show a statistically significant difference for each treatment compared to controls, with the least difference (P<0.05; OR=2.18) for the comparison between hCG treatment group and controls, a significance of P<0.01; OR=3.05 for the comparison between PGF2alpha treatment and controls, and a highly statistically significant difference (P<0.0001; OR=6.37) for the comparison between PGF2alpha plus hCG-treated animals and controls.

Spaying-related urinary incontinence and oestrogen therapy in the bitch

Some aspects of spaying-related urinary incontinence in the bitch still remain incompletely clarified. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence of the disease among spayed dogs, to detect differences in risk related to the type of surgery, to describe the characteristics of incontinent bitches, to assess the influence of age at surgery on the onset of incontinence occurrence, and to assess the effectiveness and long-term side effects of oestrogen therapy in affected bitches. Among 750 bitches submitted to ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy, those showing spaying-related urinary incontinence were evaluated. Oestrogen replacement therapy consisted of administering an effective dose followed by an individual maintenance dose. The results showed that the disease occurred in 5% of neutered bitches, the type of surgery did not affect the disease occurrence, affected bitches frequently represented large or giant breeds or large-size mongrels, the body weight of the affected bitches at surgery was often > 20 kg, the disease seems to be associated with tail docking, the age at surgery influences the onset ofincontinence, with earlier occurrence in older bitches, and that a strong co-operation between owners and veterinarians is necessary to achieve successful response to oestrogen replacement therapy. Long-term administration seems to be unrelated to oestrogenic side effects.

Estradiol-17β, Progesterone and Testosterone Plasma Concentrations during Estrus in the Bitch

Rota, A., Veronesi, M.C., Volpe, S., Riccardi, A. and Battocchio, M., 2007. Estradiol-17β, progesterone and testosterone plasma concentrations during estrus in the bitch. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 197–199

Factors associated with survival in pathological neonatal equine foals : Preliminary results

M.C. Veronesi1,∗, M. Magri2, M. Villani1, P.A. Martino3, S. Capelli2 and M. Battocchio1 1Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie, Università di Milano, Università di Milano, Italy; 2Medico Veterinario, Clinica Veterinaria Spirano, Università di Milano, Italy; 3Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università di Milano, Italy ∗Correspondence: E-mail: maria.veronesi@unimi.it

Recovery Rate and Recovery Time in Cows with Luteal and Follicular Ovarian Cysts after Treatment with Buserelin

M.C. Veronesi1*, M. Battocchio1, F. Cairoli1, A. Comin2 and M. Isola3 1Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Veterinaria, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita di Milano, Milano; 2Dipartimento di Scienze Alimentari, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita di Udine, Udine; 3Cattedra di Biometria e Statistica Medica, Facolta di Medicina, Universita di Udine, Udine, Italy *Correspondence: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie, Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Veterinaria, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, V ia Celoria, 10, 20133 Milano, Italy E-mail: maria.veronesi@unimi.it

Hormonal and metabolic profiles in post partum ovarian cysts in dairy cows

Hormonal and metabolic profiles in post partum ovarian cysts in dairy cows F. Cairoli & A. Comin & S. Scocca & U. Fazzini & I. De Amicis & M. Battocchio Published online: 7 August 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008