Reproductive performance of cat breeds in Bangladesh

This study aimed to investigate the craniometric and topographic measurements of the skull and mandible of British shorthair and Scottish fold cats using computed tomography and 3D software. For this purpose, in a total of 26 cats, 13 British shorthair (7 males and 6 females) and 13 (7 males and 6 females) Scottish fold cats were used in the study. The skulls were scanned with 64-detector multislice Siemens computed tomography devices at 80kV, 200 MA, 639 mGY and 0.625mm section thickness. The resulting images were saved in DICOM format. They were modelled and measured with 3D slicer software. In the study, surface area measurements were found to be statistically significant in both cat breeds (British shorthair: p<0.01; Scottish fold: p<0.05). However, in mandibular measurements, the CAP parameter was statistically significant only in Scottish fold cats (p<0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in British shorthair cats (p>0.05). Craniometric and topographical measurements were performed in British shorthair and Scottish fold cats using a 3D model to reveal the differences between male and female. It will also guide the determination of taxonomic locations of these two species and the detection of morphometric differences between the sexes.

Dermatophytosis is an infectious skin disease caused by fungal organisms collectively known as dermatophytes. In cats, the most commonly isolated dermatophyte is Microsporum canis. Known predisposing factors include young age, long hair coat, lifestyle, warm geographical locations and Persian breed. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of dermatophytosis in cats of different breeds in a dermatological referral practice in Italy over a 9 year period, highlighting clinical and breed-related differential features. 1457 cats of different breeds, 54 of which were affected by dermatophytosis. Cases of feline dermatophytosis diagnosed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2024 were searched. Cases were included based on availability of signalment, clinical presentation and confirmation of diagnosis with positive microscopic examination of hair shafts and/or Wood's lamp examination and positive fungal culture. The prevalence of feline dermatophytosis in our sample was 3.7%, with M. canis identified in all cases. Dermatophytosis was more frequently diagnosed in Persian cats (14 of 66, 21.2%) and Persian-related breeds, including British shorthair (10 of 39, 25.6%), exotic shorthair (two of 22, 9.1%) and Scottish fold (two of 20, 10%). Among Domestic short hair (DSH) cats, the prevalence was 2.1%. Young age was a predisposing factor and in pure-bred kittens contagion most likely occurred at the breeder's facility. Pruritus was reported in 63% of the cats. The disease was frequently diagnosed in Persian cats and Persian-related breeds. Cats aged < 1 year are predisposed. Pruritus is common, regardless of the breed.

Thoracic wall deformity in Bengal cats - Morphological findings and results from a breeder questionnaire.

Fertility and reproductive management were investigated, via questionnaires, in breeding establishments of Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coon, Persian and Bengal cats in Italy. Six Bengal, five Maine Coon, eight Norwegian Forest Cat and seven Persian breeders responded for a total of 128 queens, 565 heats, 337 litters and 1424 kittens spanning the period 1998-2012. The mean number of queens per cattery was 4.9 ± 2.3, with primiparous queens constituting 20.5%. Of the catteries, 61.5% were indoor, with 50% of them having access to a fenced balcony. Fifteen percent of the catteries were outdoor with cat runs. No light supplementation was used in any of the catteries. Queens showed oestrous cycles throughout the year, although 67% of oestrous cycles occurred from January-June. Puberty occurred, on average, at 12.3 ± 7.4 months. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed routinely in only 30% of catteries. Both pregnancy length (average 64.7 ± 2.4 days, range 59-76 days) and litter size (average 4.2 ± 1.8 kittens, with 11.8% of kittens stillborn) showed some breed-specific differences; in Norwegian Forest Cats larger litter size was associated with shorter pregnancy length. Kitten mortality between birth and weaning was, on average, 14%. Stillborn kittens (P <0.01) and kitten mortality (0.01 <P <0.05) increased with litter size. In Maine Coons and Persians, a total of 3% of parturitions occurred via caesarean section (CS); litters born via CS were larger and characterised by a greater number of stillborn kittens and kitten mortality. No previous data concerning reproductive patterns of pedigree cats raised in Southern Europe are available. Feline reproductive management should be adjusted for latitude owing to different climate and daylight patterns that may have an impact on feline reproduction.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats with a suspected genetic origin. Previous studies have identified five HCM-associated variants in three genes (Myosin binding protein C3: MYBPC3 p.A31P, p.A74T, p.R820W; Myosin heavy chain 7: MYH7 p.E1883K; Alstrom syndrome protein 1: ALMS1 p.G3376R). These variants are considered breed-specific, with the exception of MYBPC3 p.A74T, and have rarely been found in other breeds. However, genetic studies on HCM-associated variants across breeds are still insufficient because of population and breed bias caused by differences in genetic background. This study investigates the ubiquitous occurrence of HCM-associated genetic variants among cat breeds, using 57 HCM-affected, 19 HCM-unaffected, and 227 non-examined cats from the Japanese population. Genotyping of the five variants revealed the presence of MYBPC3 p.A31P and ALMS1 p.G3376R in two (Munchkin and Scottish Fold) and five non-specific breeds (American Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Minuet, Munchkin and Scottish Fold), respectively, in which the variants had not been identified previously. In addition, our results indicate that the ALMS1 variants identified in the Sphynx breed might not be Sphynx-specific. Overall, our results suggest that these two specific variants may still be found in other cat breeds and should be examined in detail in a population-driven manner. Furthermore, applying genetic testing to Munchkin and Scottish Fold, the breeds with both MYBPC3 and ALMS1 variants, will help prevent the development of new HCM-affected cat colonies.

Simple SummaryFrom the taxonomic point of view, it is important to reveal the interspecific and interracial differences in the shape of the skull. This study revealed differences in the shape of the skulls of three different cat breeds. The differences generally occurred around the orbit. It has been shown that the shape of the orbit’s edge is a distinctive feature that differentiates the skulls of cats.A variety of skull shapes are frequently used for discrimination between animal species, breeds, and sexes. In this study, skulls of three different breeds of cats were examined by the geometric morphometric method, with the aim of revealing skull shape differences. For this purpose, 27 cats (6 British Shorthair, 7 Scottish Fold, and 14 Van cats) were used. The skulls of cats were modeled by computed tomography. Geometric morphometrics was applied using dorsal (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) and lateral (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) skull projections on these models. Centroid size differences between the breeds were statistically insignificant. However, the differences in shape were statistically significant for both the dorsal view and lateral view. Shape variation was less in the British Shorthair than in other breeds. Shape differences generally occurred around the orbit. In the skull of Scottish Folds, the orbit was situated more caudally than in other breeds. The British Shorthair had the largest orbital ring. In dorsal view, the Scottish Fold had the largest orbital diameter. The orbital ring of Van cats was smallest in both dorsal and lateral views. In the canonical variate analysis, it was seen that the breeds were separated from each other. The shape difference in the skull between different cat breeds could be revealed by geometric morphometrics. The results of this study provide useful information for taxonomy.

Feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited autosomal dominant disease, has been reported to occur mostly in Persian or Persian related cats, and to be associated with a mutationfrom C to A at position 10063 in exon 29 of the feline PKD1 gene (PKD1 mutation). Many clinical cases have been recognized in Japan, but the mutation ratein cats has not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics and clinical features in cats with the PKD1 mutation. Referringveterinarians sent blood samples of 377 cats for the PKD1 gene evaluation. The blood samples were from 159 cats with renal cysts confirmed by ultrasonography, 60 catswithout renal cysts, and 158 cats that did not undergo ultrasonography. In total, 150 cats carried the PKD1 mutation and the signalment, site and number of renal cysts, andresults of blood test were evaluated in cats with the PKD1 mutation. The breeds with the highest rate of the PKD1 mutation were Persian (46%), Scottish Fold(54%) and American Shorthair cats (47%). However, mixed breed cats also showed high rates of the PKD1 mutation. Of cats with the mutation, the incidence of high plasmacreatinine (≥1.6 mg/dl) was greater in cats ≥3 years old, although a few cats ≥9 years of age had low plasma creatinine (<1.6 mg/dl). The coincidence ofrenal and hepatic cysts was 12.6%, with the high prevalence in Persian cats (31%).

There are numerous cat breeds, grouped according to the phylogenetic or geographic origin. A plethora of reports have been published regarding the distribution and prevalence of the blood groups in pedigree and non-pedigree cats, but in Ukraine such data have not been systematically generalized. Therefore, the objectives of our research were to study the distribution of the blood groups in cats according to their breed features and enumerate the percentage proportion of each group in relation to the general number of the examined cats, and also identify the blood group of both the donor and recipient. In this study, we present the data on the blood groups and breeds of cats that we came across in 2018–2023. For each breed of cats, we estimated the percentage of prevalence in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The general number of patients in our statistical studies was 519. Having analyzed the obtained results and having grouped the animals according to the blood groups, we see that the blood groups A and B were most often found in mixed-breed cats, accounting respectively for 55.4% (250 cases) and 33.3% (18 animals) of the general number. Also, we should note that according to our studies, the other commonest breeds of cats were the Scottish Folds, in which the group A was found in 7.8%, 35 cases, and the group B in 22.2% and 14.8%, in 12 and 8 animals, respectively. The AB blood group system is the most important cat system, and identifying the blood group using specific methods is an important step towards avoiding or reducing the risk of side-effects in the recipient patient during transfusion. Inferring from our study, the AB system was found only in 14 animals over a five year period, most commonly in Scottish Fold, measuring 50.0%, or 7 individuals.

To determine whether breed, age, sex, or reproductive status (i.e., neutered versus sexually intact) was associated with the apparent increase in prevalence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths and the decrease in prevalence of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) uroliths in cats over time. Case-control study. Case cats consisted of cats with CaOx (n = 7,895) or MAP (7,334) uroliths evaluated at the Minnesota Urolith Center between 1981 and 1997. Control cats consisted of cats without urinary tract disease admitted to veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States and Canada during the same period (150,482). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Foreign Shorthair, Havana Brown, Himalayan, Persian, Ragdoll, and Scottish Fold cats had an increased risk of developing CaOx uroliths, as did male cats and neutered cats. Chartreux, domestic shorthair, Foreign Shorthair, Himalayan, Oriental Shorthair, and Ragdoll cats had an increased risk of developing MAP uroliths, as did female cats and neutered cats. Cats with CaOx uroliths were significantly older than cats with MAP uroliths. Results suggest that changes in breed, age, sex, or reproductive status did not contribute to the apparent reciprocal relationship between prevalences of CaOx and MAP uroliths in cats during a 17-year period. However, cats of particular breeds, ages, sex, and reproductive status had an increased risk of developing CaOx and MAP uroliths.

The aim of the present study was to establish the incidence of dystocia in pedigree cat breeds and investigate mortality rates in kittens up to the age of 12 weeks. A retrospective study was conducted that utilised convenience sampling. Registered cat breeders from 29 countries whose cats had given birth within a single year (2019) were asked to complete an online questionnaire. This study is the third in a series over 30 years that have assessed changes in birth-related statistics in cat breeds. Data were collected from 448 breeders on 853 litters, with 3560 live-born kittens from 45 pedigree breeds (as per the queens' breed). The incidence of dystocia that required veterinary intervention was 14.9% and varied by breed (range 0-22.2%). Caesarean section was required for 10.7% of litters, most commonly in Cornish Rex cats. Despite apparent breed variation, there was no statistically significant difference among breeds. Queens aged over 5 years and litters of more than six kittens were associated with a reduced risk of dystocia, whereas a longer gestation period increased the risk. Bengal cats had the highest cumulative kitten mortality up to the age of 12 weeks (23.4%). Significant breed differences (P <0.001) were noted, with Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cats having lower litter mortality compared with Bengal and British Shorthair/Longhair cats. The incidence of dystocia in pedigree cats was higher than the historical values for non-pedigree and pedigree cats. The age of the queen, gestation length and litter size affected the incidence of dystocia. Kitten mortality was affected by the requirement for caesarean section, presence of birth defects and breed.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited disease in cats. In most cases, the responsible abnormality is a nonsense single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 29 of the PKD1 gene (chrE3:g.42858112C>A, the conventional PKD1 variant). The aim of this study was to conduct a large-scale epidemiological study of ADPKD caused by the conventional PKD1 variant in Japan and to search for novel polymorphisms by targeted resequencing of the PKD1 using a next-generation sequencer. A total of 1281 cats visiting the Veterinary Medical Center of the University of Tokyo were included in this study. DNA was extracted from the blood of each cat. We established a novel TaqMan real-time PCR genotyping assay for the conventional PKD1 variant, and all cases were examined for the presence of this variant. Targeted resequencing of all exons of the PKD1 was performed on the DNA of 23 cats with the conventional PKD1 variant, six cats diagnosed with cystic kidneys but without this variant, and 61 wild-type normal cats. Among the 1281 cats examined in this study, 23 (1.8%) harboured the conventional PKD1 variant. The odds of having the conventional PKD1 variant were significantly higher in Persian cats, Scottish Folds and Exotic Shorthairs than in the other breeds, although the number of cases in each breed was small. Furthermore, we identified four variants unique to cats with cystic kidneys that were not found in wild-type normal cats, all of which were in exon 15. In particular, two (chrE:g.42848725delC, pGly1641fs and chrE:g.42850283C>T, pArg2162Trp) were candidate variants. This study revealed that the conventional PKD1 variant was prevalent in Scottish Fold, Persian and Exotic Shorthair breeds in Japan, and variants in exon 15 of PKD1, in addition to the conventional variant in exon 29, would be key factors in the pathogenesis of ADPKD in cats.

Objective. —To analyze pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates among US adolescent girls in 1980, 1985, and 1990. Design. —Retrospective analysis of trends in data on pregnancies, abortions, and births. Population. —US adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years. Main Outcome Measures. —Pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates (with and without adjustment for sexual experience) among teenaged girls aged 15 to 19 years and girls under 15 years. Results. —Although pregnancy rates among all teenaged girls 15 to 19 years old remained fairly stable from 1980 to 1985, they increased by 9% during the last half of the decade, totaling 95.9 pregnancies per 1000 teenaged girls 15 to 19 years old by 1990. Because rates of sexual experience increased even faster, pregnancy rates among sexually experienced teens aged 15 to 19 actually declined between 1980 and 1990 by approximately 8%. Abortion rates among these teens remained stable during the 1980s, with 35.8 and 36.0 abortions per 1000 in 1980 and 1990, respectively. As with overall pregnancy rates, abortion rates among these sexually experienced teenaged girls declined during the 1980s. Between 1980 and 1985, birth rates among teenaged girls aged 15 to 19 years declined by 4%, but they increased by 18% during the latter half of the decade, totaling 59.9 births per 1000 in 1990. Among these sexually experienced teenagers, birth rates also declined between 1980 and 1985 and then increased over the next 5 years. In 1990, pregnancies and abortions among girls younger than 15 years accounted for only 3% of all adolescent pregnancies and abortions. However, the number of births among these younger adolescents increased by 15% over the decade. In that age group, trends in pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates over the decade were similar to those for older teens. However, during the late 1980s, the abortion rate declined and the pregnancy rate remained stable, resulting in a 26% increase in the birth rate. Conclusions. —Despite efforts to reduce adolescent pregnancy in the United States, pregnancy and birth rates for that group continue to be the highest among developed countries. Considering that 95% of adolescent pregnancies are unintended, increased efforts to prevent these pregnancies are warranted. ( JAMA . 1996;275:989-994)

Scottish Fold cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus 1758) are one of the most well-known and popular cat breeds in the world, characterized by their folded ears attached to the head. Very frequently, cats fall prey of different trauma and accidents that can cause bone fractures especially in the metapodial bones. The method of radiometry is used in veterinary practice to visualize and measure different parts of the animal skeleton. The aim of this study was to assess the linear parameters derived from radiographic images of the metacarpals and metatarsals in Scottish Fold cats and additionally detecting potential sexual dimorphism. Radiographic images of 24 adult Scottish Fold cats (12 male and 12 females) of different ages and weights were analysed. Six linear measurements of the metapodial bones were evaluated to investigate any differences between the sexes. The linear radiometric measurements of the five metacarpals (MC1-5) and the four metatarsals (MT2-5) bones were larger in male metapodial bones than that of female cats. The maximum length (Ml) of the MC1 and MC2 was statistically different between sex, respectively, (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.05). The others metacarpal bones were different in mostly all linear parameters but not statistically significant. The most significant differences between sexes were observed in the parameter of width proximal end (Wp) of MC1-3 (p = 0.001) and MC4 (p = 0.05). More statistical different was MT2 and less MT3. The linear parameter of Bd of the MT4 was the most different statistically between sex (p = 0.001). The results of the study will be useful in function of comparative anatomy, in veterinary clinical practice, in zoo archaeology and in the veterinary forensic investigation.

To analyze pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates among US adolescent girls in 1980, 1985, and 1990. Retrospective analysis of trends in data on pregnancies, abortions, and births. US adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years. Pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates (with and without adjustment for sexual experience) among teenaged girls aged 15 to 19 years and girls under 15 years. Although pregnancy rates among all teenaged girls 15 to 19 years old remained fairly stable from 1980 to 1985, they increased by 9% during the last half of the decade, totaling 95.9 pregnancies per 1000 teenaged girls 15 to 19 years old by 1990. Because rates of sexual experience increased even faster, pregnancy rates among sexually experienced teens aged 15 to 19 actually declined between 1980 and 1990 by approximately 8%. Abortion rates among these teens remained stable during the 1980s, with 35.8 and 36.0 abortions per 1000 in 1980 and 1990, respectively. As with overall pregnancy rates, abortion rates among these sexually experienced teenaged girls declined during the 1980s. Between 1980 and 1985, birth rates among teenaged girls aged 15 to 19 years declined by 4%, but they increased by 18% during the latter half of the decade, totaling 59.9 births per 1000 in 1990. Among these sexually experienced teenagers, birth rates also declined between 1980 and 1985 and then increased over the next 5 years. In 1990, pregnancies and abortions among girls younger than 15 years accounted for only 3% of all adolescent pregnancies and abortions. However, the number of births among these younger adolescents increased by 15% over the decade. In that age group, trends in pregnancy, abortion and birth rates over the decade were similar to those for older teens. However, during the late 1980s, the abortion rate declined and the pregnancy rate remained stable, resulting in a 26% increase in the birth rate. Despite efforts to reduce adolescent pregnancy in the United States, pregnancy and birth rates for that group continue to be the highest among developed countries. Considering that 95% of adolescent pregnancies are unintended, increased efforts to prevent these pregnancies are warranted.

1. We investigated age-related changes in two reproductive traits (laying date and annual fecundity) in barn swallows Hirundo rustica L. using a mixed model approach to di-stinguish among between- and within-individual changes in breeding performance with age. 2. We tested predictions of age-related improvements of competence (i.e. constraint hypothesis) and age-related progressive disappearance of poor-quality breeders (i.e. selection hypothesis) to explain age-related increase in breeding performance in early life. 3. Reproductive success increased in early life, reaching a plateau at middle age (e.g. at 3 years of age) and decreasing at older age (> 4 years). Age-related changes in breeding success were due mainly to an effect of female age. 4. Age of both female and male affected timing of reproduction. Final linear mixed effect models (LME) for laying date included main and quadratic terms for female and male age, suggesting a deterioration in reproductive performance at older age for both males and females. 5. We found evidence supporting the constraints hypothesis that increases in competence within individuals, with ageing being the most probable cause of the observed increase in breeding performance with age in early life. Two mechanisms were implicated: (1) advance in male arrival date with age provided middle-aged males with better access to mates. Yearling males arrived later to the breeding grounds and therefore had limited access to high-quality mates. (2) Breeding pairs maintaining bonds for 2 consecutive years (experienced pairs) had higher fecundity than newly formed inexperienced breeding pairs. 6. There was no support for the selection hypothesis because breeding performance was not correlated with life span. 7. We found a within-individual deterioration in breeding and migratory performance (arrival date) in the oldest age-classes consistent with senescence in these reproductive and migratory traits.