@article{llanes_whisnant_knox_farin_2019, title={Assessment of ovulation synchronization protocols in goats and use of pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) enzyme linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA) to determine kid number at birth}, volume={67}, ISSN={["1879-0054"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.11.002}, abstractNote={The efficacy of several protocols for ovulation synchronization and timed artificial insemination (TAI) in goats was examined. In addition, the relationship between levels of pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) during gestation assessed with a commercially available ELISA and the number of offspring at birth was determined. In Experiment 1, 70 does were randomized into four treatments: (1) breed by estrus [BBE], (2) 6-d treatment with a new [C6N], (3) once-used [C61], or (4) twice-used Controled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) device [C62)]. BBE does received two 15 mg doses of prostaglandin-F2α (PGF) at a 10-d interval and were bred 12 h after estrus onset. CIDR groups received a CIDR for 6 d with 15 mg PGF given at CIDR removal. TAI was performed 48 h after CIDR removal and does were given 50 μg GnRH. All does were inseminated with a single dose of frozen semen using a non-surgical, transcervical technique. Pregnancy rates for the BBE, C6N, C61 and C62 treatment groups were 39% ± 12%, 64% ± 12%, 77% ± 12% and 57% ± 12%, respectively, and did not differ. Reuse of CIDRs, even with reuse extending for a total of 21 d, was as effective as new CIDRs for synchronization of ovulation. In Experiment 2, 68 does were randomized into four treatments: (1) BBE, (2) C6N, (3) NC.Synch [NCS], (4) modified NCS [NCSM]. The BBE and C6N groups were as described for Experiment 1. The NCS and NCSM groups received 15 mg PGF on Day 1, 50 μg GnRH on Day 8 and 15 mg PGF on Day 15 (NCS) or Day 15.5 (NCSM). Does were bred by TAI at 72 h (NCS) or 60 h (NCSM) after the second PGF injection. All does in the NCS and NCSM groups received 50 μg GnRH at TAI. Pregnancy rates were 53% ± 12%, 30% ± 11%, 50% ± 11% and 41% ± 12% for does in the BBE, C6N, NCS and NCSM group, respectively, and did not differ. In Experiment 3, 62 does pregnant to TAI were bled at Days 48 and 85 post-insemination for PSPB. Data on kid numbers and birth weights were subsequently recorded. At Day 48 of gestation, PSPB levels for does birthing singletons were lower than for does birthing twins or triplets (25.0 ± 0.1a, 28.8 ± 0.1b and 30.7 ± 0b ng/mL, respectively, abP<0.05). At Day 85 of gestation, PSPB levels were progressively greater for does birthing singletons versus twins versus triplets (27.0 ± 0.1a, 28.5 ± 0.1b and 31.6 ± 0c ng/mL, abcP<0.05). In conclusion, PSPB concentrations detected using a commercially available ELISA at Day 48 or 85 of gestation could distinguish does carrying single versus multiple fetuses.}, journal={DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY}, author={Llanes, A. and Whisnant, C. S. and Knox, W. B. and Farin, C. E.}, year={2019}, month={Apr}, pages={54–62} }
 @article{schweizer_foster_knox_sylvester_anderson_2016, title={Single vs. double dose of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) for treatment of anthelmintic resistant Haemonchus contortus in weanling lambs}, volume={229}, ISSN={["1873-2550"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.09.011}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.09.011}, abstractNote={Haemonchus contortus parasitism is a major disease of sheep, with these parasites frequently demonstrating multi-drug class anthelmintic resistance. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) have shown potential as adjuncts or alternatives to anthelmintics in resistant flocks. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different COWP treatment regimens or placebo in the control of H. contortus in weaned lambs within a flock historically shown to have multi-drug resistant H. contortus using the DrenchRite® assay. Data from 43 lambs within 3 treatment groups in a double blind study were included in the experiment. Treatments were administered as a total of 2 boluses, each given on separate occasions (day 0 and day 42), so that each lamb received either 2 placebos, a single dose of 2g COWP followed by placebo, or two doses of 1g COWP. Strongyle-type fecal egg counts (FEC) were performed at initial treatment (day 0), on day 10, at second treatment (day 42), on day 52, and at study end (day 84). At the start of the trial, mean±standard deviation FEC were 1634.4±825.2, 2241.7±1496.8, and 2013.3±1194.2epg for the 2g, 1g×2, and control groups, respectively. At the end of the trial, FEC were 757.1±825.3, 483.4±557.2, and 1660.0±1345.3epg for the 2g, 1g×2, and control groups, respectively. Lambs given a 2g single dose of COWP or a 1g dose of COWP twice had reductions in strongyle-type FEC (p≤0.01) from trial start to trial end, whereas lambs given placebo did not. Average daily gains did not differ significantly among groups. Although copper is potentially toxic to sheep, no signs of toxicity were observed during this trial, which was consistent with similar studies at this treatment dose. The study indicated that administering COWP to lambs at weaning reduced FEC.}, journal={VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY}, author={Schweizer, Nikki M. and Foster, Derek M. and Knox, William B. and Sylvester, Hannah J. and Anderson, Kevin L.}, year={2016}, month={Oct}, pages={68–72} }
 @article{bowdridge_knox_whisnant_farin_2013, title={NCSynch: A novel, progestagen-free protocol for ovulation synchronization and timed artificial insemination in goats}, volume={110}, ISSN={["1879-0941"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.07.025}, abstractNote={The objective of this study was to compare overall pregnancy success achieved using a combined ovulation synchronization-timed artificial insemination (NCSynch-TAI) protocol with that obtained using estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI). Multiparous Boer and Boer-cross does (n = 132) were randomly assigned within age (year 1) or parity (years 2 and 3) to one of two treatments. Control does received 15 mg prostaglandin F (PGF; Lutalyse®) on days 1 and 10 of treatment. Estrus onset was checked twice daily with separately penned, intact bucks (year 1) or a vasectomized buck penned with the does (years 2 and 3). Control does were bred by AI 12 h after estrus onset using frozen semen. NCSynch-TAI does received 15 mg PGF on day 1 of treatment. Does received 50 μg GnRH (Cystorelin®) on day 8, and 15 mg PGF was given on day 15. On day 18, NCSynch-TAI does were appointment bred using frozen semen and received 50 μg GnRH at breeding. Pregnancy status was determined using transabdominal ultrasonagraphy with kidding rates also recorded. In year 1, 13 of 15 control does (87%) were detected in estrus with 8 pregnant to AI for an overall pregnancy rate of 53%. For NCSynch-TAI, 15 does were bred and 11 (73%) became pregnant. In year 2, 24 of 26 controls (92%) were detected in estrus with 19 pregnant to AI (73% overall pregnancy rate). For NCSynch-TAI, 26 does were bred and 20 (77%) became pregnant. In year 3, 21 of 25 controls (84%) were detected in estrus with 8 pregnant to AI (32% overall pregnancy rate). For NCSynch-TAI, 25 does were bred and 14 (56%) became pregnant. Across all years, the overall pregnancy rate for NCSynch-TAI does (45/66, 68%) did not differ (P = 0.075) compared to controls (35/66; 53%). Kidding rates for the two treatments (68% vs. 51%, respectively) also did not differ (P = 0.075). In summary, pregnancy success following the use of NCSynch-TAI was comparable to that obtained when does were bred based on detection of estrus.}, number={1}, journal={SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH}, author={Bowdridge, E. C. and Knox, W. B. and Whisnant, C. S. and Farin, C. E.}, year={2013}, month={Feb}, pages={42–45} }