http://hdl.handle.net/2268/147 Search this channel search http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150524 Title: La diversité bactérienne et son évolution pendant la conservation de viandes bovines fraîches de différentes origines conditionnées sous vide <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Didimo Imazaki, Pedro Henrique; Tahiri, Assia; Taminiau, Bernard; Nezer, Carine; Daube, Georges; Clinquart, Antoine <br/> <br/>Abstract: Le but de cette étude à été d'évaluer la diversité bactérienne et son évolution pendant la conservation de viandes bovine fraîches sous vide, en fonction de leur origine et du respect ou non d’une température proche du point de congélation. Les dénombrements réalisés ont mis en évidence que les viandes d’origines britannique et belge testées présentent un écosystème microbien différent. Les analyses par approche métagénomique permettront d’éclaircir ces différences, surtout en ce qui concerne la présence de bactéries pouvant jouer un rôle "bioprotecteur" permettant d’améliorer la conservabilité des viandes. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150514 Title: A clinical case of congenital tremors in piglets without evidence of PCV-1 and PCV-2 <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: wavreille; Simon, Fanny (Co-first author); Servais, Vincent; Cassart, Dominique; Dipongkor, Saha; Nauwynck, Hans (Co-last author); Laitat, Martine <br/> <br/>Abstract: Congenital tremor (CT) is a disease of newborn pigs characterized by spontaneous clonic contractions of one or more groups of voluntary muscles. Besides suspected or confirmed etiologies of CT such as classical swine fever virus, pseudorabies virus, Japanese encephalomyelitis virus, hereditary disorders in Landrace or Saddleback pigs, organophosphorus poisoning etc., porcine circovirus (PCV) has been described as a potential cause of CT. The type AII seems to be the most common form of CT. Although a potential association between PCV1 or PCV2 and CT-AII has been observed, about 50% CT cases described up till now are caused by unknown reasons. In a PCV-seropositive 108-sow, farrow-to-finish Belgian pig farm breeding hyperprolific Landrace, 42 litters with shaking piglet(s) were reported since June 2006. On March 2012, piglets born from four sows of a 27 sow batch demonstrated CT. After exclusion of main etiologies of CT from these CT-affected piglets, it was hypothesized that PCV1 or PCV2 could be the reason. Necropsies (n=8) and histopathology (n=3) were performed and no evidence of macroscopic or microscopic lesions were seen in cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. Pre-suckled and post-suckled (after 3 days of colostrum uptake) serum samples were also collected from 9 piglets to determine PCV1- and PCV2-specific Ab titres by an immuno-peroxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). No PCV-specific Ab titres were observed in pre-suckled serum samples (≤40), whereas IPMA Ab titres of ≥640 were observed in post-suckled serum samples. Both PCV1 and PCV2 could not be isolated (<101.7 TCID50/g tissue) from 4 tested piglets (in heart, brain and lungs). The present results do not support the hypothesis that PCV1 or PCV2 are linked to CT in newborn piglets. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150512 Title: Prevalence of PRRS virus in Wallonia (Belgium) <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Czaplicki, Guy; Thilmant, Pierre; Hooyberghs, Josef; Ceulemans, Kirstine; Lomba, Marc; Wavreille, José; Laitat, Martine <br/> <br/>Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes major economical losses in pig farms. In different parts of the world, there is a growing consensus that PRRS virus (PRRSv) eradication should be performed on a regional basis, particularly in low density areas of pig production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the apparent prevalence of PRRSv in Wallonia, a low density area of pig production (0.05 pig farms/km²). At this stage of the study, a phone survey has been addressed to 61/276 Walloon breeding pig owners. Fifty-eight answered to the questionnaire: 51 are responsible of a farrow-to-finish farm, 6 of a farrowing farm and 1 of a PRRS-free boar station. In 35% of the tested farms, sows are vaccinated with a modified live virus (MLV) PRRS vaccine (n=11) or with a killed PRRS vaccine (n=9). In two farms, both sows and piglets are vaccinated with a MLV PRRS vaccine. Replacement gilts are purchased in 33% farms. Among the 38 farms raising replacement gilts, 39% purchase boar(s). Boar semen is purchased in 86% of the farms: 56% purchase only boar semen; 30% purchase both semen and boar(s) and 14% of farms only purchase boar(s). In 22/57 tested farms, clinical signs evocative of PRRSv infection were observed over the last 10 years. In 30 farms a PRRS diagnostic test was performed in the past with a positive result in 17. When the pig owner did agree and if no vaccination was carried out on sows or on piglets, a serological Elisa test was performed in 10 breeding pigs and/or 5 feeder pigs >70 kg (or in all available sera if a smaller number of pigs was present). Globally, at herd level and at animal level, the apparent prevalence were respectively 35.2% (95% CI: 23.0-47.4%) and 23.4% (95% CI: 20.1-26.6%). http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150416 Title: Study of subtilisin Sub3 secreted by Microsporum canis and new approaches to the diagnosis of dermatophyte infections <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Bagut, Elena-Tatiana http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150364 Title: Gestion et prévention des hypomagnésémies <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Gaillot, Claire; Guyot, Hugues <br/> <br/>Abstract: Magnesium plays an important role at different levels in the body. It is absorbed essentially in the rumen. Numerous factors, such as an increase in the ruminal concentration of potassium, interfere with the bioavailability of magnesium in the body. There is no hormonal control of magnesium, so prevention of hypomagnesaemia is by intake of magnesium supplementation in the ration and management of risk factors. The different forms of tetany are treated in the same manner, that is, by perfusion of the animal and corrective supplementation for the at-risk animals on the farm. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150363 Title: De la suspicion à la confirmation de l’acétonémie de la vache laitière : - quels outils diagnostics ? - quelles actions correctrices et préventives ? <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Guyot, Hugues; Hanzen, Christian http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150312 Title: Effects of environmental factors on yield and milking number in dairy cows milked by an automatic system located in pasture <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Dufrasne, Isabelle; Robaye, Vincent; Knapp, Emilie; Istasse, Louis; Hornick, Jean-Luc <br/> <br/>Abstract: A herd of 45 Holstein dairy cows was milked with an automatic milking system (AMS) located on a permanent pasture. The cows grazed from 22.06.2010 until 20.10.2010 on a rotational system. They were fetched twice a day to the AMS but they could also reach it freely. The sward height was measured at the entry and exit of each paddock. Data about daily milk yield and milking number were analysed according to a GLM including the effect of animal, days in paddock, distance between AMS and paddock, rotation cycle number and complementation. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150294 Title: Can horses be clinically screened for West Nile fever ? <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: van galen; Calozet, L; Leblond, Agnès; Tritz, Pierre; Dal Pozzo, Fabiana; Porter, Sarah R; Cay, Brigitte; Amory, Hélène; Saegerman, Claude http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150291 Title: Rôle des oligo-éléments dans la santé du veau <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Guyot, Hugues <br/> <br/>Abstract: Trace elements (TE) are essential for ruminant health. Numerous deficiencies are seen in Europe that cause diseases mainly in young animals. The main clinically important TE in ruminants are selenium (Se), iodine (I), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). They play a role in organogenesis and have most effect on immunity and growth. Placental passage of TE from the dam to the calf occurs, and after calving, Se and I pass via the colostrum/milk. Trace element supplements are essential during gestation for the development of the calf in utero, as well as for the animal’s health and growth after birth. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150143 Title: Study on environmental factors influencing the urea content of cow milk in Wallonia and estimation of nitrogen rejection <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Dufrasne, Isabelle; Knapp, Emilie; Istasse, Louis; Robaye, Vincent; Hornick, Jean-Luc http://hdl.handle.net/2268/150009 Title: Intérêt de l'épidémiologie et des modèles animaux expérimentaux dans l'étude des valvulopathies en cardiologie humaine et équine <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Leroux, Aurélia <br/> <br/>Abstract: Les valvulopathies sont des pathologies cardiaques majeures chez l’homme et les animaux domestiques. De nombreuses études, dont des essais cliniques, des études épidémiologiques, et la mise au point de modèles expérimentaux animaux, ont été réalisées afin de développer de nouvelles techniques diagnostiques et thérapeutiques pour ces pathologies. L’électrocardiographie, les différentes techniques d’échocardiographie, l’angiographie, l’imagerie par résonnance magnétique (IRM) et la tomodensitométrie sont actuellement couramment utilisées en cardiologie pour poser un diagnostic et un pronostic. Enfin, différentes perspectives thérapeutiques, à la fois médicales et, chez l’homme, chirurgicales, peuvent être envisagées afin d’augmenter l’espérance et la qualité de vie des patients souffrant de ces pathologies. Chez le cheval, les souffles et les arythmies cardiaques sont des anomalies relativement fréquentes, même si ces dernières sont souvent physiologiques. Une pathologie cardiaque significative peut néanmoins être problématique chez les chevaux de sport ou de travail puisqu’elle peut induire une intolérance à l’effort. A notre connaissance, aucune étude épidémiologique de grande échelle sur les pathologies cardiaques équines n’a été réalisée dans une grande population de chevaux de races variées. En effet, la plupart des études rapportant l’incidence de souffles ou d’arythmies cardiaques dans l’espèce équine concernent essentiellement les chevaux de course. Le premier objectif de ce travail est donc la réalisation d’une étude épidémiologique des pathologies cardiaques dans une grande population d’équidés et la détermination de leurs principaux facteurs de risques. Cette étude épidémiologique a permis de confirmer la prévalence des principales pathologies cardiaques dans une large population d’équidés puisque l’insuffisance mitrale (IM), la fibrillation auriculaire (FA), l’insuffisance aortique (IA) et l’insuffisance tricuspide (IT) sont les pathologies les plus fréquemment observées dans la population étudiée. Plusieurs facteurs de risques ont été statistiquement démontrés : la prédisposition des chevaux âgés et des mâles entiers au développement d’une IA, celle des chevaux lourds et de grande taille pour la FA, et les chevaux d’âge moyen pour l’IT. Enfin, l’IM s’est avérée être la pathologie la plus à risque d’entraîner le développement d’une insuffisance cardiaque congestive (ICC), à l’inverse de l’IA. Chez l’homme, l’insuffisance mitrale fonctionnelle (IMF), généralement causée par une cardiomyopathie ischémique secondaire à un ou plusieurs infarctus du myocarde touchant la paroi postéro-latérale basale du ventricule gauche (VG), constitue une des principales vavulopathies. Son approche thérapeutique est difficile et encore controversée à l’heure actuelle. A notre connaissance, aucun modèle animal expérimental d’IMF induit par voie percutanée n’a été jusqu’à présent développé. Pourtant, la création d’un tel modèle permettrait de disposer d’un modèle expérimental d’IMF moins invasif que ceux préalablement développés à thorax ouvert, ce qui permettrait d’étudier la composante dynamique de l’IMF. Le deuxième objectif de ce travail, est donc la mise au point d’un modèle d’IMF dans l’espèce caprine, sélectionnée en raison de la taille de son cœur comparable à celle du cœur humain, de la faible variabilité anatomique de ses coronaires et de ses capacités d’apprentissage lui permettant de réaliser aisément un test d’effort standardisé sur tapis roulant. Peu de publications sont disponibles concernant la morphologie et la fonction cardiaque de cette espèce. Les trois premières études ont permis de mettre au point chez la chèvre, les techniques d’échocardiographie bidimensionnelle (2D), temps-mouvement (TM), Doppler pulsé, et speckle tracking bidimensionnel (2DST), et ont permis de déterminer des valeurs de référence pour des animaux adultes sains non sédatés. Ces études étaient basées sur des protocoles standardisés d’échocardiographie réalisés une fois par jour pendant 3 jours consécutifs, sur 10 à 12 chèvres. La technique 2D et TM chez la chèvre a démontré une bonne répétabilité et une faible variabilité, tandis que la technique d’échocardiographie Doppler pulsé s’est avérée être faiblement répétable mais avec une variabilité acceptable. Quant à la technique 2DST, elle a présenté une répétabilité acceptable et une variabilité relativement élevée. Elle a cependant permis de mettre en évidence des variations physiologiques significatives de la fonction myocardique lors d’un test d’effort. Dans un deuxième temps, un modèle expérimental d’IMF a été développé dans l'espèce caprine. Préalablement à la réalisation de l’infarctus proprement dit, l’anatomie des artères coronaires de la chèvre a été étudiée pour identifier les vaisseaux qui, une fois occlus, étaient susceptibles d’engendrer une IMF secondaire. Réalisée grâce à une technique de moulage utilisant de la résine auto-polymérisante, cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence 2 artères coronaires intéressantes pour le développement du modèle d’IMF: la 2ème marginale (2ème MgCx) et l’interventriculaire postérieure (IVP) de l’artère circonflexe gauche, qui vascularisent chacune une partie de la paroi postéro-latérale du VG. La mise au point du modèle expérimental d’IMF par voie percutanée a été réalisée grâce à la mise en place, sous guidage fluoroscopique, d’un microcoil dans la 2ème MgCx, dans l’IVP ou en amont de ces 2 vaisseaux. Ce protocole a permis de confirmer que l’occlusion concomitante de la 2ème MgCx et de l’IVP produit un large infarctus de la paroi postéro-latérale du VG et une IMF sévère immédiate (n=3), contrairement à l’occlusion seule de la 2ème MgCx (n=2) ou de l’IVP (n=2). Le taux de mortalité associé à cette procédure s’est révélé important (56%) surtout lors de l’occlusion simultanée de la 2ème MgCx et de l’IVP (87,5%). L’infarctus et l’IMF secondaire ont été identifiés au moyen des techniques d’échocardiographie développées précédemment et de l’IRM cardiaque. La technique 2DST a permis de mettre en évidence la dysfonction myocardique du VG après création de l’infarctus expérimental. L’IMF a pu être quantifiée en utilisant la technique Doppler de l’aire de la zone de convergence (PISA) et les mesures 2D de distorsion géométrique de la valve mitrale (tenting area et distance de coaptation). Enfin la zone ischémiée et l’IMF ont pu être confirmées en IRM. Ce modèle pourrait donc être intéressant pour l’étude de la composante dynamique de l’IMF ischémique, qui est déjà un élément pronostique utilisé en pratique clinique. En conclusion, les études présentées dans ce travail ont permis non seulement d’atteindre les deux objectifs fixés : améliorer les connaissances des pathologies cardiaques équines en recherchant leurs facteurs de risques permettant d’affiner leur pronostic et leur diagnostic, et développer un modèle caprin d’IMF ischémique par voie percutanée. La mise au point du modèle animal expérimental d’IMF chez la chèvre apporte un outil qui pourrait s’avérer à l’avenir extrêmement intéressant pour étudier plus en détail la pathophysiologie de cette maladie et pour optimiser la gestion thérapeutique des patients atteints, même si ce modèle devrait être amélioré pour réduire la mortalité qui y est associée. Quant à l’étude épidémiologique des pathologies cardiaques équines, elle a permis l’identification des facteurs de risques de développement de ces pathologies, elle a apporté de nombreuses confirmations statistiques d’informations suspectées, et elle permettra à l’avenir une gestion plus pointue des cas de pathologie cardiaque en pratique clinique équine.; Valvular regurgitations are one of the most common causes of cardiac diseases in humans and in domestic animals. Clinical studies, epidemiological studies, and animal experimental models have been developed to test new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Electrocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography are currently used in clinical practice for diagnosis and prognosis. Medical management and, in humans, surgical treatments can increase life expectancy and improve quality of life of cardiac patients. In horses, cardiac clinical abnormalities including murmurs and arrhythmias are relatively common while the prevalence of clinically significant cardiac diseases is low. However, investigation of these with ECG and Doppler echocardiography is recommended as even mild cardiac abnormalities may lead to significant cardiac disease and cause poor performance in sport horses. To our knowledge, risk factors for several cardiac diseases have been suspected in equids. Few have been statistically demonstrated in a large equine population, since most studies about cardiac murmurs or arrhythmias concerned only racehorses. The first aim of this research work was to perform an epidemiological study in a large equine population to describe risk factors for various cardiac diseases. The prevalence of main cardiac diseases in the studied population was in accordance with previously described prevalence as mitral regurgitation (MR), atrial fibrillation (AF), aortic regurgitation (AR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were the most frequently observed cardiac diseases. Various risk factors of these cardiac diseases were statistically demonstrated: Ageing and male gender appear to predispose to AR, TR appears to affect middle-aged patients, and AF was significantly more common in larger and heavier horses. Moreover MR was an important cardiac disease since it led to congestive heart failure (CHF) whereas AR was not a direct risk factor for CHF. Functional ischemic MR is one of the main human valvular diseases and is caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy with one or more prior myocardial infarctions involving most commonly the basal posterolateral myocardium of the left ventricle (LV). The therapeutic approach to functional MR is difficult and still controversy as regards the timing and the nature of the treatment. To our knowledge, no percutaneous large animal model of functional MR has been conceptualized. This model would be the first one to allow studying the dynamic component of functional MR. Therefore the second aim of this work was the development of an experimental animal model of functional ischemic MR. Goats appeared as good candidates for the model as they fulfill all requested conditions. They have a body and heart size comparable to that of humans and can be handled easily even during exercise tests. As few publications are available in this species, three first studies were designed to test the repeatability and to establish the reference values of measurements obtained using Two-Dimensional (2D), M-Mode, Pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler and 2D speckle tracking (2DST) echocardiography in unsedated standing adult goats. Standardized echocardiographic protocols were performed three times by the same observer at one day interval on 10 to 12 goats and the intra-observer inter-day repeatability and variability was calculated. 2D and M-Mode echocardiography showed a good inter-day repeatability and a low variability of the cardiac measurements, whereas PW Doppler measurements had a poor inter-day repeatability and a moderate variability. Caprine 2DST parameters demonstrated a poor but acceptable repeatability and a high variability and allowed determination of significant physiologic differences between measurements at rest and after exercise. Then the experimental model of functional ischemic mitral regurgitation induced by a percutaneous approach in goats was developed. This experimental study was conducted in two steps: first, the study of the goat coronary arteries anatomy to determine the best myocardial infarction location to induce ischemic MR in adult Saanen goats and, secondly, the development and the imaging characterization of the goat model of functional ischemic MR. The anatomic pattern of the coronary artery system of the goat was determined using casts made of auto polymerizing resin. Two coronary arteries branches were highlighted from the results of this anatomical study: the left marginal branch (LMB) and the posterior descending branch (PDB) of the left circumflex artery, which could supply the posterolateral wall of the LV. Then myocardial infarction was induced by microcoil embolization of LMB, PDB, or both, under fluoroscopic guidance. The results confirmed that LMB and PDB occlusion produced a large myocardial infarction and an immediate severe functional MR (n=3) unlike only LMB (n=2) or only PDB occlusion (n=2). Mortality rate of this model was high (56%), particularly when LMB and PDB were simultaneously occluded (87,5%). After the myocardial infarction, a complete follow-up was performed in each surviving goat using echocardiographic techniques previously described and MRI. 2DST techniques allowed quantifying LV dysfunction during acute ischemic MR. Quantification of functional MR was performed by Doppler techniques including measurements of the vena contracta width, the effective regurgitant orifice area and the regurgitant volume using the proximal isovelocity surface area method (PISA), and by 2D-echocardiographic technique analyzing the geometrical distortion of the mitral apparatus in mid-systole (tenting area and coaptation distance). Finally, MRI confirmed the location of myocardial ischemia and the presence of functional MR. These findings make this model an interesting alternative to study the pathophysiology of the functional ischemic MR, especially for its dynamic component yielding useful prognostic information. In conclusion, the two major aims of this research were met: the prevalence of various cardiac diseases and their risk factors in a large population of equids were described and an experimental model of functional ischemic mitral regurgitation induced by a percutaneous approach in goats was developed. This model of experimental ischemic MR could be useful to further study the pathophysiology of the functional ischemic MR, especially for its dynamic component and to maximize further treatment in problem patients. Our epidemiologic study confirmed that horses with cardiac murmurs or arrhythmias and presenting demonstrated risk factors, should routinely undergo ECG and Doppler echocardiography to diagnose and to evaluate the severity of any pathological cardiac abnormalities and to identify potential signs of evolution into CHF, including the presence of multiple cardiac diseases and enlargement of the cardiac chambers. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149946 Title: Stimufol: un produit original pour omptimiser les traitements de superovulation. <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Beckers, Jean-François; Merial http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149945 Title: Suivi de gestation: L'évolution des taux de protéines associées à la gestation se précise <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Beckers, Jean-François http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149943 Title: Plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) profiles in sheep <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Ledezma-Torres, R.A; Beckers, Jean-François; Holtz, W http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149942 Title: Sensitivity of follicles from prepubertal calves ovaires to in vitro stimulation with LH and FSH <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Bister, J.L; De roover, R; Dessy, F; Delahaut, P; Beckers, Jean-François <br/> <br/>Abstract: Ovaries from prepubertal calves were harvested in an abattoir and quickly brought to the laboratory for the dissection of the follicles. The intact entire follicles were put in individual chambers and continuously perifused with TCM199 at the rate of 1ml/30 min. The medium was added LH at the time 60–90 min and FSH at the time 120–180 min. The perifusion lasted 5 hours and the perifused medium was collected every 30 min. The samples were assayed for Progesterone, D4-Androstenedione and Estradiol. Four different stimulations were assayed: LH +FSHc (FSH commercial with an estimated 20% LH contamination), LH + FSHp (pure FSH, with 0% LH activity), FSHc alone, and FSHp alone. No difference were observed between the treatments; this confirms the results of De Roover eet al. (this workshop) that the absence of LH is not the reason for the lack of Estradiol peak after FSH stimulation of calves ovaries in vivo. Only large follicles (diameter ³ 13 mm) were able to produce Estradiol in vitro. According to the follicular size, no difference can be measured in D4 production, but medium sized follicles produced significantly more Progesterone than small or large ones. It can be interpreted as a growing ability to produce Progesterone and the late acquisition of ability to produce Estradiol. The observation of the small proportion of follicles with diameter ³ 13 mm may be the explanation of the lack of E2 peak production after in vivo stimulation. High levels of Estradiol are suspected to be necessary for the acquisition of the oocyte competency to develop into viable embryos. The incapability of most of the follicles present in ovaries of prepubertal calves to produce significant level of E2 might be the reason of the poor results in embryo development after ovum pick-up in this kind of animal. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149939 Title: Preliminary results for measuring bovine PAG in milk samples <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Metelo, R; Sulon, J; Moreira da Silva, F; Beckers, Jean-François http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149938 Title: Inseminazione artificiale e transferimento embrionale come stumenti efficace per un miglior controllo sulla transmissione delle malattie infettive <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Gonzalez, F; Cabrera, F; Rodriguez, N; Remy, B; Meurens, F; Beckers, Jean-François http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149937 Title: Fertility,serum haptoglobin levels, albumin-globulin ratio, and healthy status in dairy cows <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Godeau, Jean-Marie; Czaplicki, G; Sulon, J; Humblet, M.F; Beckers, Jean-François http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149936 Title: PAG profiles in postpartum dairy cows and newborn calves <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Ropstad, E; Kalberg, K; Dahl, E; Waage, S; Fjerdingby, N; Vath, T; Beckers, Jean-François <br/> <br/>Abstract: In ruminants, pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG), synthesized in the outer layers of the trophoblast, enter the maternal bloodstream. In this study, blood samples from cows in the postpartum period, pregnant cows and calves were collected to determine 1) the clearance rate of PAG, 2) the accuracy of PAG measurements used for pregnancy diagnosis and 3) PAG concentrations and clearance rate in newborn calves. A curvilinear decline in PAG was found with increasing days from calving. Between day 70–80 pp 3 out of 11 samples (27%) had PAG concentrations > 4 ng/ml plasma. A cut-off value of 4 ng/ml was found to give the best accuracy for pregnancy diagnosis 28–36 days after service (n ¼58: sensitivity¼0.97; specificity ¼1.0). PAG concentrations in newborn calves (n¼10) varied between 78–880 ng/ml, declining with increasing age in a curvilinear pattern to < 1 ng/ml between 20–40 days pp. In two male twin calves PAG concentrations were 880 and 101 ng/ml, respectively, at one day of age. We conclude: 1) 4 ng PAG /ml provides the best cut-off value for pregnancy diagnosis. 2) Cows serviced before 60 days pp can produce false positive pregnancy diagnoses due to PAG originating from the previous pregnancy. 3) High PAG concentrations can be found in newborn calves. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/149934 Title: Comparison between transrectal ultrasonography and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein determination for early pregnancy diagnosis in the goat <br/> <br/>Author, co-author: Quesada, E; Gonzalez, F; Calero, P; Cabrera, P; Batista, M; Sulon, J; Beckers, Jean-François; Gracia, A <br/> <br/>Abstract: The aim of the present workwas to compare the efficiency of transrectal ultrasonography technique and the determination of the pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) concentrations in plasma samples for pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Thirty nine Canary goats were synchronized and naturally mated every 12 hours throughout oestrous. Blood samples were collected on days 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 and transrectal ultrasonography was carried out on days 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 (Day 0¼day of the last mating). PAG concentrations were analysed by a RIA method previously validated. There were 23 pregnant goats (10 single and 13 multiple pregnancies) and 16 nonpregnant goats. The pregnancy diagnosis was a little earlier by PAG determination than transrectal ultrasonography (sensitivity: 95 and 91% on Day 24 and 100 and 96% on Day 26, respectively). The ultrasonography allowed to discriminate between single and multiple pregnancies in 70% of goats (16/23) on Day 28 of pregnancy. The PAG concentrations were significantly higher in multiple than single pregnancies from Day 19 onwards, suggesting that it could also be used as a tool to discriminate between single and multiple gestations. (Supported by D.G. de Universidades del Gobierno de Canarias).