The size and shape of the foramen magnum were studied in skulls from 75 adult and 5 juvenile Pekingese dogs. After maceration of the skulls, the height, width, and area of each foramen magnum were measured, and various skull indices were determined. The shape of the foramen varied from ovoid to rectangular and had a dorsal notch in aU but 2 skulls. Prolapse of cerebellum or brain stem through the enlarged opening was prevented by a fibrous membrane covering he dorsal notch. Mean +/- SD area of the foramen was 138.1 +/- 26.1 mm(2); its mean total height was 15.0 +/- 2.9 mm, and its mean maximal width was 13.3 +/- 1.1 mm. Statistically, variability in the area of the foramen was mainly correlated with total height of the foramen, including the dorsal notch. Total height of the foramen was not correlated with age or gender. The degree of dysplasia, notch index, and occipital index of each foramen magnum were determined. To allow a more accurate evaluation of the morphology of the foramen, the foramen magnum index, defined as the ratio between the maximal width and the total height of the foramen, was also computed. Mean +/- SD foramen magnum index was 91.8 +/- 17.1 in the adult Pekingese dogs. Foramen magnum index was not significantly correlated with age, but was significantly larger in male than in female dogs. The large variability in the shape and size of the foramen magnum and the absence of any neurologic problems in dogs of this study indicate that the dorsal notch of the foramen magnum in brachycephalic dogs is a normal morphologic variation, rather than a pathologic condition.

Although power analysis is of important tool research, investigators in veterinary medicine are unaware of the concepts of the statistical power. Two types of error occur in classical hypothesis testing and, those errors should be avoided, if possible. Since power is highly dependent on the sample size, whenever declaring non-statistically significant result they should consider the potential for committing a Type Ⅱ error in their studies, which refers to the probability of falsely stating that two treatments are equivalent despite true difference between them. Also, sample size determination is one of the most important tasks facing the researcher when planning a diagnostic study, and provides valuable information on the characteristics of a test performance. This type of analysis forms the basis for proper interpretation of test results. The aim of this article was to re-evaluate some selected studies on diagnostic test reported in the domestic veterinary publications to determine the power and necessary sample size for inequality testing to ensure the desired power. Power calculations were illustrated using real-life examples of comparison of a new test and a reference test for detecting antibodies of various animal diseases. Factors affecting to the power were also discussed.

In course of realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus evaluation of growing intensity and level of meat productivity depending on cattle sex there was conducted the scientific and economic experiment by an example of two groups of white-and-black bull-calves and heifer calves. In the first growing period the animals of experimental groups were fed with milk substitute. At the stage of completion of growing and fattening the bulls and heifers of experimental groups obtained ration containing haylage, plus 2 kg of flattened grains and 2 kg mixed fodders. Results of linear and weight indexes analysis showed that in changes of exterior of bulls and heifers of black-and-white breed there was noted a certain regularities in their growth and development. The most intensive growth and development of analyzed young cattle was stated at age from 6 till 12 months. At the same time, bulls exceeded heifers according to the main exterior indexes. According to the visual evaluation of bulls and heifers there were determined the differences in constitutional type

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was presented a characteristic of breeding stock of mares of Trakensky breed in accordance with body conformation and exterior. In course of the study there were taken measurements of height at the shoulder, heart-girth, metacarpus circumference at 1 year old and two year old age stages. There was calculated an index of massiveness which characterize the development of chest, index of bone which provided insight into skeleton development. Research results showed that in accordance with an exterior the breeding stock mares had a deep and massive barrel, good skeleton and developed muscle. The index of massivness was 118,4-120,5, bone index – 20,8-21,6, that corresponded to a type of riding horses. In accordance with the exterior, measurements and quality of posterity the mares of the bred lines obtained high grades and 93,5% were graded as elite class.