华北驼绒藜引种试验

在新疆北部荒漠地区引种栽培华北驼绒藜的试验结果表明，华北驼绒藜在北疆(乌鲁木齐)年降水量220mm的荒漠区域内无灌溉条件下种子出苗、生长发育都表现良好，能够安全越冬。越冬率为95％；华北驼绒藜最佳播种时间是早春。     

驼绒藜属植物种质资源遗传多样性RAPD分析

对驼绒藜属7份材料在分子水平上,采用RAPD技术进行遗传距离的分析和研究。结果表明,驼绒藜种的宁夏生态型、新疆生态型和荒漠生态型以及科尔沁生态型的华北驼绒藜种与华北驼绒藜聚成一个大类群。驼绒藜种和华北驼绒藜种的遗传关系较近。将北美驼绒藜种和心叶驼绒藜种划成两个独立类群。驼绒藜属内的种间存在着较大的遗传差异,具有丰富的遗传多样性。随机引物S64扩增的7种谱带类型可以区别7份材料。     

内蒙古驼绒藜属牧草的初步研究

驼绒藜属牧草是耐旱、抗寒、高产、优质的半灌木优良牧草.各种家畜均喜采食,用于冷季补饲更为理想.内蒙古草原化荒漠及荒漠区分布有驼绒藜,干草原及荒漠草原区分布有华北驼绒藜.探讨了内蒙古驼绒藜属牧草的生态生物学特性、种类分布及利用情况、栽培要点.     

内蒙古驼绒藜属牧草的初步研究

驼绒藜属牧草是耐旱、抗寒、高产、优质的半灌木优良牧草。各种家畜均喜采食,用于冷季补饲更为理想。内蒙古草原化荒漠及荒漠区分布有驼绒藜,干草原及荒漠草原区分布有华北驼绒藜。探讨了内蒙古驼绒藜属牧草的生态生物学特性、种类分布及利用情况、栽培要点。     

不同精粗比水平下华北驼绒藜饲用评价

华北驼绒藜是一种数量可观、广泛分布于我国荒漠草原区的饲草资源,但目前人们对其饲用价值的认识还停留在传统水平,为了充分了解和更好地利用华北驼绒藜这一自然资源,缓解冬春季及“白黑灾害”造成的饲草不足问题,更好地为荒漠草原区探索出高效养羊的新路子,开展了华北驼绒藜饲用评价试验.将华北驼绒藜、谷草、苜蓿铡短、粉碎后,再与50％、30％、20％的精料混合制成颗粒日粮,饲喂绵羊,通过比较不同处理组绵羊的增重情况,结合经济效益分析,评价不同精粗比水平下华北驼绒藜的养羊效益.试验表明,华北驼绒藜和谷草在30％精料水平下,具有与相同精料水平下用苜蓿饲喂绵羊同等的增重效果,并可增加纯收入高于80元/只;华北驼绒藜在精粗比为3:7的条件下有较好的养羊经济效益.     

不同精粗比水平下华北驼绒藜饲用评价

华北驼绒藜是一种数量可观、广泛分布于我国荒漠草原区的饲草资源,但目前人们对其饲用价值的认识还停留在传统水平。为了充分了解和更好地利用华北驼绒藜这一自然资源,缓解冬春季及“白黑灾害”造成的饲草不足问题。更好地为荒漠草原区探索出高效养羊的新路子,开展了华北驼绒藜饲用评价试验。将华北驼绒藜、谷草、苜蓿铡短、粉碎后,再与50％、30％、20％的精料混合制成颗粒日粮,饲喂绵羊,通过比较不同处理组绵羊的增重情况,结合经济效益分析,评价不同精粗比水平下华北驼绒藜的养羊效益。试验表明,华北驼绒藜和谷草在30％精料水平下。具有与相同精料水平下用苜蓿饲喂绵羊同等的增重效果,并可增加纯收入高于80元／只;华北驼绒藜在精粗比为3：7的条件下有较好的养羊经济效益。     

华北驼绒藜生物量测定的方法

在研究调查的基础上,参考相关文献,比较了当前灌木生物量研究中较为常用的样方法、评分数量化方法与目测法、利用数码照片估算等方法,对华北驼绒藜生物量测定方法进行了综合对比,结果表明,利用样方法、样线法和1/4取样法适合于华北驼绒藜生物量的测定,能够得到比较客观精确的数据,以期为在荒漠草原干旱半干旱地区大力推广种植华北驼绒藜和改良天然驼绒藜草地提供技术支撑.     

华北驼绒藜生物量测定的方法

在研究调查的基础上,参考相关文献,比较了当前灌木生物量研究中较为常用的样方法、评分数量化方法与目测法、利用数码照片估算等方法,对华北驼绒藜生物量测定方法进行了综合对比,结果表明,利用样方法、样线法和1／4取样法适合于华北驼绒藜生物量的测定,能够得到比较客观精确的数据．以期为在荒漠草原干旱半干旱地区大力推广种植华北驼绒藜和改良天然驼绒藜草地提供技术支撑。     

荒漠草原区不同饲草组合对苏尼特羔羊饲喂效果研究

为合理利用荒漠草原区饲草资源,开展了分别以华北驼绒藜、紫花苜蓿为主要饲草配合谷草、冰草饲喂苏尼特羔羊的试验.根据组合效应原理科学组合,试验共设100％华北驼绒藜、50％华北驼绒藜+50％谷草、50％华北驼绒藜+50％冰草、100％苜蓿、50％苜蓿+50％谷草、50％苜蓿+50％冰草6个处理.结果表明,100％苜蓿处理的羔羊增重、屠宰率、净肉率都明显高于其他饲草处理,其饲喂效果最好.不同饲草组合饲喂效果为:50％华北驼绒藜+50％谷草＞100％华北驼绒藜、50％华北驼绒藜+50％冰草;100％苜蓿＞50％苜蓿+50％谷草、50％苜蓿+50％冰草.     

荒漠草原区不同饲草组合对苏尼特羔羊饲喂效果研究

为合理利用荒漠草原区饲草资源，开展了分别以华北驼绒藜、紫花苜蓿为主要饲草配合谷草、冰草饲喂苏尼特羔羊的试验。根据组合效应原理科学组合．试验共设100％华北驼绒藜、50％华北驼绒藜＋50％谷草、50％华北驼绒藜＋50％冰草、100％苜蓿、50％苜蓿＋50％谷草、50％苜蓿＋50％冰草6个处理。结果表明，100％苜蓿处理的羔羊增重、屠宰率、净肉率都明显高于其他饲草处理，其饲喂效果最好。不同饲草组合饲喂效果为：50％华北驼绒藜＋50％谷草〉100％华北驼绒藜、50％华北驼绒藜＋50％冰草；100％苜蓿〉50％苜蓿＋50％谷草、50％苜蓿＋50％冰草。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Changes in proportion of canine urinary calculi composed of calcium oxalate or struvite in specimens analyzed from 1981 through 2001

The objective of this report was to characterize 20-year changes in proportion of calcium oxalate (CaOx) calculi and struvite calculi in dogs, and associations with breed, age, and sex. In this retrospective study, results of analysis of urinary calculi from dogs were reviewed for specimens received between July 1, 1981, and December 31, 2001. Breed, sex, age, year of submission of the specimen, and mineral type(s) were analyzed statistically. CaOx or Struvite or both were contained in 18,966 of 20,884 (91%) specimens. For both sexes, a 20-year statistically significant increase was observed in the proportion of calculus specimens that contained CaOx. The increase in this proportion was greater in females (1% to 31%) than in males (18% to 82%). From 1998 to 2001, when proportions may have plateaued, the odds of specimens containing CaOx were markedly higher in 18 breeds, markedly lower in 5 breeds, and not significantly different in 13 breeds compared with crossbreds. For both sexes, a 20-year statistically significant decrease was observed in the proportion of calculus specimens that contained struvite. This decrease in proportion was greater for males (79-16%) than for females (97-68%). From 1998 to 2001, when proportions plateaued, the odds of calculi containing struvite were markedly lower in 20 breeds, markedly higher in 1 breed, and not significantly different in 15 breeds when compared with crossbreds. Breed, age, and sex were associated statistically with CaOx or struvite urolithiasis. In conclusion, there appears to have been a long-term increase in the proportion of specimens of canine urinary calculi that contain CaOx as well as a long-term decrease in the proportion of specimens of calculi that contain struvite for both male and female dogs. The rate of change appeared to begin leveling off in the period 1998 to 2001. The recent proportion of dogs with either CaOx- or struvite-associated urolithiasis may depend on breed, age, and sex, and on interactions among these 3 factors.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.