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Our aim was to identify a suitable microRNA housekeeping gene for real-time PCR analysis of bovine mastitis-related microRNA in milk. We identified miR-92a, miR-375, and let-7g as housekeeping gene candidates on the basis of previous Solexa sequencing results. Threshold cycle (CT) values for miR-92a, miR-375, and let-7g did not differ between milk from control cows and milk from mastitis-affected cows. NormFinder software identified miR-92a as the most stable single housekeeping gene. We evaluated the suitability of the housekeeping gene candidates by using them to assess expression levels of the inflammation-related gene miR-146a. Regardless of the housekeeping gene candidates used for normalization, relative expression levels of miR-146a were significantly higher in mastitis-affected samples than in control samples. However, of all the housekeeping genes and gene combinations investigated, normalization with miR-92a alone generated the difference in relative miR-146a expression between mastitis-affected and control samples with the highest significance. These results suggest that miR-92a is suitable for use as a housekeeping gene for analysis of bovine mastitis-related microRNA in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method has been developed by us to observe the movements of the abomasum by using a magnet and digital magnetometer. Four cows with left displacement of the abomasum underwent conventional correction by rolling without tacking. A doughnut-type magnet was sutured to the pyloric region in a routine operation. The same was done in three control cows. The position of the pyloric region was observed with a digital magnetometer from outside the cow's body. The magnets in the pyloric region of the control cows were located at the right side of the abdominal cavity at 10-30 cm anterior to the udder base, and moved slightly in various directions within the span of a day. On the other hand, the magnets in the pyloric region of cows with abomasal displacement moved widely in the abdominal cavity from the normal right side to the abnormal left front side. A large movement of the magnet from the normal right side to the abnormal left side of the abdominal cavity was observed within 12 h of the onset of abomasal displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the ultrasonographic, laboratory and clinicopathological findings of an omasal leiomyoma in a Holstein cow. Proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the omasal muscularis in intertwisting fascicles of well differentiated cells; Characteristics of the omasal leiomyoma detected in the cow; Utility of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for bovine gastrointestinal tumors.

It was previously reported that intravaginal (IVAG) administration of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) might be protective against bovine hypocalcaemia. In the present study, various doses of exogenous 1.25(OH)2D3 administered WAG to ovariectomised cows. and the subsequent changes in the biochemical parameters of the blood were measured to assess the characteristics of vaginal absorption. Five cows received 1,25(OH)2D3 IVAG at a dose of 0. 125, (1.25.0.5, or 1.0 μg/kg of body weight (BW) or intravenously at a dose of 1.0 μg/kg BW. Dosing was at intervals of at least two weeks in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Vaginally administered 1.25(OH)2D3 was absorbed in a dose-dependent manner. There was no correlation between the 1VAG dose of 1.25(OH)2D3 and subsequent changes in plasma calcium concentrations. The bioavailability of 1.251(OH) (OH)2D3 administered IVAG at 1.0 μg/kg BW was approximately 93%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]