There are several factors influencing the profitability of production with sheep. Two of the most important factors are ewe fertility and lamb survival. Also growth capacity of the lambs is important. This paper aims to review correlations between the ewe?s fertility and maternal behavior and lamb survival.

Obsterisk plexus brachialisskada (OBPP) är en nervskada som kan uppkomma vid vaginal förlossning. OBPP kan ge neurologisk funktionsnedsättning med varierad svårighetsgrad. Konsekvenserna för barn med OBPP är framförallt funktionsnedsättningar i axel, arm, hand och fingrar men även ögats nerver kan skadas. Den största riskfaktorn för OBPP är klinisk handläggning av skulderdystoci. Skulderdystoci är en svår komplikation som uppstår då barnets axlar fastnat i kvinnans bäcken i samband med förlossningens slutskede.

Dystocia, or difficult birth, is a commonly seen complication to natural birth in veterinary hospitals. Although other methods of resolving Dystocia exist, 60 % of Dystocias will need to undergo caesarean section. To perform a caesarean section, the bitch will have to undergo anesthesia. The purpose of this literary study was to provide a deeper understanding regarding how the physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy influence anesthetic management in the bitch and puppies. Which anesthetic drugs and drug combinations indicated was also investigated as well as how a veterinary nurse can optimize care of the mother throughout the procedure and how resuscitation of the puppies should be carried out for best possible outcome.

Almost for as long as there has been breeding on bovine species, there has been a wish to have a higher proportion of offspring of either one or the other gender. In dairy cattle, heifers are more valuable, while in beef stock bulls are preferred. Semen is sorted based on the difference in DNA content between the X- and Y-chromosome in the genome of the sperm. X-chromosomes contain on average between 3,70 to 4,22% more genetic material than the Y-chromosome. Commercially it is the method of flow cytometry that is being used, which is always under improvement.

Pyometra (chronic purulent uterine inflammation) is a common disease in middle-aged and older intact bitches. The disease most frequently occurs in metoestrus and previous research studies have shown that both hormones and bacteria are involved in the development of the disease. Analysis of the blood levels of prostaglandin metabolite 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2? (PG-metabolite) has previously been shown to be clinically useful in the differentiation of canine uterine diseases such as pyometra and mucometra. The PG-metabolite concentration has also been correlated to severity in pyometra as determined by hospitalisation length. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if blood levels of PG-metabolite can differentiate uterine diseases such as pyometra from other diseases in female dogs.

Kejsarsnitt är den enda möjliga metoden för att förlösa levande kalvar när en vaginal förlossning är ogenomförbar. Trots detta har endast drygt hälften av de svenska nötpraktikerna någon gång utfört ett kejsarsnitt. Det kan ställas i relation till situationen i Nederländerna och Belgien där rasen belgisk blå är vanlig. Praxis vid uppfödning av belgisk blå är att undvika vaginala förlossningar till förmån för planerade kejsarsnitt. Syftet med litteraturstudien är att klargöra vid vilka typer av dystoki som kejsarsnitt är indikerat och vilka alternativ som finns samt att beskriva varför det utförs rutinmässigt på rasen belgisk blå. För att ge läsaren ett sammanhang beskrivs först kons normala anatomi och fysiologi ur ett kalvningsperspektiv. Vid kalvning stöts kalven ut ur livmodern genom cervix och vagina.

The calf extrator?s function has been studied, through measuring traction and how this varies in different situations, in comparison with corresponding manual traction situations. This was done against the background that excessive force at assisted calvings at Dystocia can mean life threatening damages on the calf such as grave acidosis, vertebral fractures, femur fractures and rib fractures. The calf extractor has earlier been measured to pull with greater force than the established maximum force of ?two strong men?.