Diagnosis of freemartinism in heifers born co-twin to a bull

The wide variance in anatomical characteristics among heifers born co-twin to a bull make diagnosis of freemartinism by measurements of vaginal length or the distance between the anus and vulva unreliable. Change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to injection of estrogen or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is different in freemartins compared to normal heifers but is also an unreliable predictor of freemartinism. Presently, the most conclusive way to establish freemartinism in a heifer born co-twin to a bull is to measure the percentage of XX and XY chromosomes in cells from whole blood, which is a specialized and expensive procedure

Syncro-Mate B® induces estrus in cows without ovaries

Syncro-Mate B® was capable of inducing estrous behavior in ovariectomized cows. Lengthening the norgestomet implant period from 9 to 18 days did not prevent estrus. The ability of Syncro-Mate B to induce estrous behavior in ovariectomized cows helps explain the variable conception rates obtained after using this product in intact cows

Effect of post-partum breeding interval on conception rates in beef cows

We analyzed date on 1536 fall calving Angus cows to determine the effect of post-partum breeding interval on conception rates in beef cows. Normal fertility was observed for cows showing heat 40 or more days post-partum

Flushing cows

Starting to flush cows 95 days before the breeding season began significantly increase conception rate and required less total feed

Effects of various uterine treatments on calving-to-conception interval

Cows were given intrauterine infusions of enzymes, antibacterials, bacteria, or a combination of enzymes and antibacterials after calving to study basic changes in the post-partum uterus and effect on rebreeding. The group given nitrofurazone, an antibacterial compound, had the highest conception rate; however, calving-to-conception interval was lengthened. Combining proteolytic enzymes with the nitrofurazone gave an intercal to conception similar to that of control cows. Nitrofurazone caused this uterine lining to erode. Combining enzymes with nitrofurazone prevented some of the erosion. Innoculating the uterus with bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus) after calving did not affect the calving-to-conception interval

Protecting Children From the Dark Side of the Internet

This article examines the history of judicial and legislative responses to the issue of consumption of pornography and other harmful materials over the Internet by children. The article begins by giving a brief overview of free speech law in the US. Next, summaries of relevant U.S. legislation and corresponding litigation on Internet free speech are given. Highlighted are: 1) the Communications Decency Act (CDA) and the U.S. Supreme Court’s response in Reno v. ACLU; 2) The Child Pornography Prevention Act (CPPA) and Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition; 3) the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and United States v. American Library Association; and 4) the Child online Protection Act (COPA) and Ashcroft v. ACLU. The article concludes with an analysis of the issues raised by the legislation and litigation, and comes to the conclusion that the best way to currently protect both children and freedom of speech is to use technology to help control the problems of technology and to use government resources to help empower parents and educators to better protect and supervise children when they use the Internet

Legal Literacy and K-12 Public School Teachers

Courts have long held that public school teachers are “state actors” when they carry out the duties of their job. Despite this, very few teacher preparation programs include an education law class. In order to understand teachers’ legal literacy, a survey was given to 300 public school teachers in Indiana. The survey assessed knowledge of constitutional law issues, statutory law issues, and case law relevant to public school settings (e.g., student free speech, search and seizure, special education law, etc.). Results indicate that very few teachers are legal literate, often mistaking what is within the realm of legal possibility in a school setting. Implications and suggestions for mitigating possible lawsuits are discussed

Effects from using Ralgro sequentially on sexual development of bulls and on growth and carcass characteristics of steers and bulls

Forty-nine Simmental X Hereford and Hereford calves (24 bulls and 25 steers) were used to study the effect of Ralgro on growth, carcass traits, sex drive, sperm production, and development of sex organs. Approximately half of the bulls and half of the steers received a total of four 36-mg. Ralgro implants, one implant each 100 days (approximately 28, 128, 228 and 328 days of age). Implanted bulls and steers had higher average daily gains; however, the effect was greater in steers than bulls. Ralgro impaired all facets of sexual development measured. None of the implanted bulls could have been used for breeding purposes as yearlings

Effect of various levels of Ralgro on reproductive performance of yearling heifers

Implanting heifers at weaning time with 12, 24, or 36 mg of Ralgro did not affect reproductive performance of the heifers when bred as yearlings