In the 1966 study of the population of Busselton, Australia, blood sugar and serum insulin levels were measured one hour after an oral glucose load, in addition to the conventional cardiovascular risk factors. The six-year incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the 12-yr mortality from CHD and from all cardiovascular diseases is described in relation to the initial baseline variables measured using the upper 20th percentile values (age-specific and sex-specific) to define the risk ratios. In younger subjects (ages less than 60 yr), elevated blood pressure levels for both sexes (risk ratios from 2.9 to 5.2) and elevated serum cholesterol concentrations for males (risk ratios from 3.0 to 3.3) were strong predictors of cardiovascular risk. In men aged 60 to 69 yr, those with upper range one-hour serum insulin concentrations showed marked associations with the six-year incidence of CHD, the 12-yr mortality from CHD, and the 12-yr mortality from all cardiovascular diseases (risk ratios were 2.0, 2.3, and 2.4, respectively). The relationship of elevated serum insulin and cardiovascular mortality persisted when males of all ages were analyzed, and it appeared to be independent of the other major risk factors. In females, no association between serum insulin and CHD or cardiovascular disease could be found. Although the age and sex specific upper 20th percentile values for one-hour blood sugar concentrations showed a low grade association in patients with subsequent cardiovascular disease end points, more noticeable risk ratios were demonstrated at the higher blood sugar level of 200 mg/100 ml or greater (in the age group 60 yr and over, risk ratios were 2.2 in males and 2.6 in females.

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In 2119 unselected Busselton subjects 40 to 79 years of age, the 13 year mortality from cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in those whose initial electrocardiogram showed Q and QS patterns, left axis deviation, ST depression, T wave depression, flat or biphasic T waves, atrial fibrillation or flutter, and ventricular extrasystoles. In angina-free subjects whose electrocardiographic codes occurred in isolation from any other electrocardiographic abnormality, ventricular extrasystoles were associated with significantly higher mortality from cardiovascular disease compared with controls.

Partial neutralization of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) bioactivity by immunization is known to increase ovulation rate in sheep. However, it remains uncertain whether BMP15 vaccination would be a suitable procedure for increasing lambing rate. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a BMP15 vaccination treatment on lamb production to that of commercially-available androstenedione-based vaccines that are used for this purpose. Ewes were immunized for 3 yr against androstenedione, BMP15, or no antigen (control). Vaccination with androstenedione or BMP15 altered (P < 0.05) ovulation rate as well as litter size at midpregnancy, birth, and weaning compared with controls. No differences were detected in the proportions of ewes conceiving in the first cycle or partial failure of multiple ovulations. Both gender and litter size affected birth weight of the lamb (P < 0.05), but no effect of treatment was found. Growth rate was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by gender, birth weight, and the number of lambs raised, but not treatment. In conclusion, immunization against either androstenedione or BMP15 increased ovulation rate. Androstenedione vaccination also increased the number of lambs weaned (P < 0.05). Bone morphogenetic protein 15 vaccination altered the pattern of the number of lambs weaned, but no increase in lamb production was observed as more ewes produced zero or three lambs. Overall, androstenedione or BMP15 vaccination did not significantly affect embryo or fetal survival or lamb performance independently of the effects of these treatments on ovulation rate.