Syd, When I first got involved with GSDs (over 25 yrs ago) I was always told to be sure and NOT?have the x-rays that would be submitted to OFA taken immediately?before, during?or immediately?after a bitch came in season...due to the temperory hormonal changes that would be going on during that time period that would affect the ligaments and joints etc...so if that is factual and from a common sense standpoint, it would seem to have merit...perhaps that might be what is behind the inclusion of hip dysplasia in this statement from ACTP....Whether it is fact or not, I always kept it in mind whenever I had the x-rays taken..It would be interesting to check with them and find out if there is actual data to back that up...Pauline Pauline Moon www.ropajagsd.com Ropaja German Shepherds From: Elsyd1@xxxxxxx Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:50:31 EDT Subject: Re: The American College of Theriogenologists Position o If this is true, the hip dysplasia thing might have some hormonal elements. So interesting! Syd ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================