In response to the requests of our customers, Synbiotics is pleased to announce that the expiration dating for our popular, WITNESS® LH kit has been extended to at least 15 months from the date of manufacture. This longer dating makes it easier for clinics, shelters, veterinarians and distribution to keep the product available for immediate use.

WITNESS® LH provides a semi-quantitative measurement of luteinizing hormone. The assay features Rapid Immuno Migration RIMTM technology. Using this format, samples which are positive for the antigen of interest will cause formation of a test line equivalent to or greater than the control line which always appears in valid tests. In addition to accuracy, benefits of the tests include room temperature storage, ease of use, and rapid results.

Although originally designed as a canine ovulation timing aid, WITNESS® LH may be used to distinguish between ovariectomized and sexually intact queens and bitches as well as to predict whelping dates. In addition, scientists and veterinarians have utilized the diagnostic kit successfully in species as varied as dolphins and elephants. The versatility of the diagnostic kit makes it a viable option for expanding laboratory services.

WITNESS® LH can be purchased through Synbiotics distributors worldwide. Customers may also purchase direct through offices in Lyon, France at +33 4 72 76 11 11 or customerservice@synbiotics.fr or by contacting Synbiotics within the United States at 1-800-228-4305 or customerservice1@synbiotics.com. For delivery within the US, purchases can also be made online at www.buyWitness.com. To learn more about WITNESS® LH or Synbiotics’ global products and services, visit www.synbiotics.com.

In order to better address the demands of our customers, Synbiotics Europe is pleased to announce the release of numerous diagnostic kits for sale from our Lyon manufacturing facility.  For use within the United States, customers are encouraged to contact Synbiotics regarding import availability.

The newest addition to our broad ruminant product line is SERELISA® BTV Ab Mono Blocking kit.  The ELISA detects antibodies specific to a major group antigen of bluetongue (VP7) in serum or plasma from ruminants (sheep, cattle and goats).   The kit offers greater sensitivity and specificity than AGID.  It can be used for infection free certification as well as to monitor vaccine response.  

Synbiotics has been a leader in the development and production of diagnostic kits to aid in the detection of Avian Influenza Virus for many years.  Using that knowledge, Synbiotics Europe now offers kits for the detection of Equine Influenza Virus and Swine Influenza Virus.  Flu DETECT® offers the convenience of room temperature storage and a 15 minute test time. 

From Lyon, Synbiotics manufactures Flu DETECTTM Equine, a Rapid Immuno Migration (RIM™) format, and Flu DETECT® BE, a blocking ELISA, for use in the detection of Equine Influenza Virus Type A antigen and antibody, respectively.  Flu DETECT® BE offers excellent sensitivity and specificity, can be used in multiple species and is ideal for screening a large number of animals.  Influenza Type A virus subtypes known to infect equine species include H3N8 and H7N7. 

Flu DETECTTM Swine and Flu DETECT® BE kits are now available through Synbiotics Europe.  Influenza Type A virus subtypes HIN1 and H3N2 are associated with disease in swine. 

Synbiotics Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, livestock and poultry producers, reference laboratories and animal breeders world-wide.  With headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, Synbiotics develops and manufactures its products at both our production facilities in San Diego, California and Lyon, France.

Synbiotics, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is pleased to report that WITNESS® LH may prove to be a useful tool in identification of the LH (luteinizing hormone) surge in elephants.  Dr. Romain Potier, head veterinarian at Zooparc de Beauval in France, reported that the test successfully identified two peaks of LH in serum collected from “M'bili”, an African elephant (Loxodonta africana).  Dr. Potier also reported that one of his colleagues from Kolmarden Zoo, Sweden, has utilized WITNESS® LH for assisting in the timing of AI (artificial insemination) in an Asian elephant. 

For information regarding the LH surges in elephants, please see (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/ReproductiveScience/ElephantBreedRepro/EstrousCycle.cfm).

Unlike other mammals, elephants have two surges of luteinizing hormone (LH) during their follicular phase instead of just one (Brown et al., 1991 and 1999).  The first surge is an anovulatory surge because it does not induce ovulation.   However, identification of this surge is very useful because it occurs 19-22 days prior to the ovulatory LH surge, depending on the individual in question.  By using WITNESS® LH to detect the anovulatory surge and then confirm the ovulatory surge, greater success may be achieved with both AI and arranged natural breedings.

While ELISA technology is available for identification of LH, ELISA does not offer the simplicity available with RIMTM technology.  WITNESS® LH is a very easy to use test which can be stored and transported at room temperature and requires only a few seconds of hands on time.  It provides a semi-quantitative measurement of canine and feline luteinizing hormone through Rapid Immuno Migration (RIM™).   Although originally designed as a canine ovulation timing aid, WITNESS® LH may be used to distinguish between ovariohysterectomized and sexually intact queens and bitches.  In addition, scientists and veterinarians have utilized the diagnostic kit successfully in species as varied as dolphins and now elephants.

Synbiotics is encouraged that our kit may have significance in helping to expand the population of exotic species.  It may facilitate success in the breeding programs of Asian and African elephants by AI, which requires precise timing of the insemination.  The product may be especially important to zoological parks throughout the world. 

Synbiotics manufactures a range of diagnostic kits for companion animals, production animals and nonhuman primates throughout the world.  In addition, Synbiotics is widely recognized as a global leader in the area of canine reproduction.

Kansas City, MO – Back by popular demand at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida, the WITNESS® the Positive contest. This contest allowed participants to observe the ease of use of the WITNESS® HW product first hand.  In addition, Synbiotics will donate to Wayside Waifs, an animal shelter in the Kansas City area, one well for each participant plus the matching amount of wells of ViraCHEK® FeLV.  This year eight kits worth over $2500 will be donated.  Synbiotics thanks participants for their support of this worthy cause.  The lucky winners who selected positive samples and each won one of 12 iPod® Nano® MP3 players included: LaDawn Scott, S. Cynthia Fiore-Brooks, Chad Ackerman, Kathleen Nyland, Katherine Devore, Jessica Leeman, Austin Browning, Susan Woodman, Kristin Husband, Mike Giusti, Jeff McDonald and Jennifer Zulick. 

Visitors to the Synbiotics booth also had the opportunity to sign up for the WITNESS® Protection Program offered through the new online ordering site, buyWITNESS.com.  Thanks to this new e-commerce site, not only are WITNESS® tests easy to run, but they are easier-than-ever to order.  The WITNESS® line of Rapid Immuno Migration (RIMTM), room temperature storage kits, includes accurate and convenient tests for HW, CPV, FeLV, Relaxin and LH.  Benefits of the WITNESS® Protection Program are: protection from high prices, ordering convenience and eligibility for future rewards programs.  Individuals who created a buyWITNESS.com account during NAVC were automatically eligible for STARBUCKS® gift card hand outs during the show and also entered into a random drawing for one of three Netbook computers.  The lucky computer winners were: Drs. Pat Clark, Andrea Fochios and Mitchel Bendit.  Congratulations to these individuals and thank you to all who participated.

Synbiotics is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, reference laboratories and animal breeders world-wide.  To learn more about Synbiotics and its global line of products visit our corporate website at www.synbiotics.com.  To order WITNESS® products, visit www.buyWITNESS.com.