Density-induced social stress alters oxytocin and vasopressin activities in the brain of a small rodent species

It is known that social stress could alter oxytocin (OT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) expression in specific regions of brains which regulate the aggressive behavior of small rodents, but the effects of density-induced social stress are still unknown. Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) are small herbivores in the grassland of China, but the underlying neurological mechanism of population regulation is still unknown. We tested the effects of housing density of Brandt's voles on OT/AVP system with physical contact (allowing aggression) and without physical contact (not allowing aggression) under laboratory conditions. Then, we tested the effects of paired-aggression (no density effect) of Brandt's voles on OT/AVP system under laboratory conditions. We hypothesized that high density would increase aggression among animals which would then increase AVP but reduce OT in brains of animals. Our results showed that high housing density induced more aggressive behavior. We found high-density-induced social stress (with or without physical contact) and direct aggression significantly increased expression of mRNA and protein of AVP and its receptor, but decreased expression of mRNA and protein of OT and its receptor in specific brain regions of voles. The results suggest that density-dependent change of OT/AVP systems may play a significant role in the population regulation of small rodents by altering density-dependent aggressive behavior.     

Reproductive Seasonality in Sheep

Unlike most domestic livestock species, sheep are widely known as animals with marked seasonality of breeding activity. The annual cycle of the daily photoperiod has been identified as the determinant factor of this phenomenon, while environmental temperature, nutritional status and social interactions may modulate it. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge of reproductive seasonality in sheep. Following general consideration of the importance of seasonal breeding as a reproductive strategy for the survival of the species, the paper describes manifestations of seasonality in both the ram and the ewe. Both determinant and modulating factors are discussed, and special emphasis is given to the neuroendocrine base of photoperiodic regulation of seasonal breeding. Other aspects such as the role of melatonin, the progestogens and ram effects with or without anestrus period are also reviewed.     

不同不育比例对布氏田鼠种群增长的影响

在围栏条件下采用重捕法跟踪了不同比例不育个体对种群的影响.结果表明:正常繁殖组(对照)6-8月份均有新生小鼠,9月份以后停止繁殖.其中6月份雌鼠繁殖率为 5 %,7月份雌鼠繁殖率为0%,8月份雌鼠繁殖率为33%.繁殖期后,种群数量下降.在当年数量波动呈单峰型曲线.而各不育比例的试验组则均呈下降趋势;无论雄性或雌性的完全不育组的种群均在3-个月的时间内全部灭绝.说明在没有新生幼鼠的加入种群更替的情况下,由越冬鼠组成的种群将很快消亡;部分不育组的繁殖率均低于对照组.其中1/3雄性不育组及1/3雌性不育组的繁殖率均高于2/3雄性不育组及2/3雌性不育组,这种现象意味着该鼠的婚配制度并非混交制.在试验期间所有部分不育的种群均呈负增长;部分不育组中,当年出生的鼠没有参加繁殖.可能是不育个体干扰了其交配.因此,使用不育剂可能成为控制布氏田鼠种群数量的有效对策.     

Nutritional value and physiological effects of soya-free diets fed to rats during growth and reproduction

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of substitution milk and egg for soya products in breeding diets for rats, with concomitant decrease of the dietary protein level and supplementation with amino acids. Soya-containing (S) and two soya-free (NS and NSA) diets were evaluated as protein and energy sources, and their effects on reproductive performance during two cycles, and on the quality of the offspring were assessed. Organ weights were registered in females and blood parameters were determined in males. In the offspring males from S and NS groups, plasma LH, testosterone and prolactin levels were measured on the 22nd and the 60th day of life. The S diet contained more protein of smaller concentration of methionine and cystine and lower biological value than both NS and NSA diets and promoted similar post-weaning growth rate, similar body weight changes of dams during gestation and lactation and slightly lower mating efficiency. Within each reproductive cycle, the number and individual and total body weight of newborn and weanling pups did not differ but in two cycles mean number of neonates per litter and mean litter weight were significantly lower on S than on NSA diet. Plasma concentration of hormones did not differ in 22-day-old offspring males while in the older ones LH and prolactin levels were higher in animals fed on S than on NS diet. It is concluded that replacing soya protein by milk and egg protein with concomitant lowering dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation does not impair the growth rate and tends to improve reproductive performance. Feeding soya-free vs. soya-containing diets differentiates hormonal status of young males.     

Effects of sarcoptic mange on the reproductive performance of ewes and transmission of Sarcoptes scabiei to newborn lambs

In each of two experiments, the reproductive performance of ewes naturally infested with sarcoptic mange and of uninfested ewes was assessed in in-season natural breeding conditions (experiment I) or in out-of-season controlled breeding conditions (experiment II). A statistically significant difference was observed in the total lambs born per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.6), in the liveborn lambs per ewe (infested ewes, 1.2; controls, 1.5) and in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.33kg; controls, 4.53kg) under natural breeding conditions, as well as in the lamb body weight per ewe (infested ewes, 3.37kg; controls, 4.14kg) among ewes under controlled breeding conditions. No adverse effects were observed in the other reproductive indices, cycling rate, mating rate, return-to-oestrus rate, abortion rate, lambing rate and stillbirth rate. Sarcoptic mange was observed in the offspring of infested ewes after 30 days and in the offspring of uninfested controls 60 days after their birth.     

Voles and weasels in the boreal Fennoscandian small mammal community: what happens if the least weasel disappears due to climate change?

Climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats for populations and a challenge for individual behavior, interactions and survival. Predator–prey interactions are modified by climate processes. In the northern latitudes, strong seasonality is changing and the main predicted feature is shortening and instability of winter. Vole populations in the boreal Fennoscandia exhibit multiannual cycles. High amplitude peak numbers of voles and dramatic population lows alternate in 3–5‐year cycles shortening from North to South. One key factor, or driver, promoting the population crash and causing extreme extended lows, is suggested to be predation by the least weasel. We review the arms race between prey voles and weasels through the multiannual density fluctuation, affected by climate change, and especially the changes in the duration and stability of snow cover. For ground‐dwelling small mammals, snow provides thermoregulation and shelter for nest sites, and helps them hide from predators. Predicted increases in the instability of winter forms a major challenge for species with coat color change between brown summer camouflage and white winter coat. One of these is the least weasel, Mustela nivalis nivalis. Increased vulnerability of wrong‐colored weasels to predation affects vole populations and may have dramatic effects on vole dynamics. It may have cascading effects on other small rodent–predator interactions and even on plant–animal interactions and forest dynamics.     

Effect of ENSO-driven precipitation on population irruptions of the Yangtze vole Microtus fortis calamorum in the Dongting Lake region of China

The Yangtze vole (Microtus fortis Buechner, 1889) is a small herbivore species that inhabits lake beaches in the Dongting Lake region along the Yangtze River in Southern China. Its population shows strong oscillations during the wet season due to summer precipitation-induced immigration away from the lake into adjacent rice fields. The effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on population abundance and growth of the vole species is not fully understood. We undertook an analysis of the combined data of 4 time series covering 1981–2006 from 4 different sites and a separate analysis on a single time series (1981–2006) from one site. Our results demonstrate that a dual effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation-driven precipitation on the population abundance of voles is time-dependent: precipitation in the current year has a positive effect, whereas precipitation in the previous year has a negative effect. The dual effect of precipitation on vole population is well explained by the unique interactions among vole population, precipitation water level and the lake beach habitat around Dongting Lake. We found that drier than average weather of the previous year benefited voles because their breeding habitats, lake beaches, were exposed for long stretches of time. Wet weather was found to increase the number of voles inhabiting rice fields because as the water level of the lake rose they were forced from beaches into surrounding rice fields. Summer precipitation in the Dongting Lake region was found to be positively associated with the sea surface temperature (SST) of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean of the previous year and winter SST and spring SST of the current year. Annual rates of increase in the vole population of the reconstructed time series are negatively associated with the vole abundance and autumn precipitation of the previous year and winter precipitation of the current years. These results suggest that both extrinsic and density-dependent intrinsic factors may affect population dynamics of the Yangtze voles.     

Microtus species as new herbivorous laboratory animals: Reproduction; Bacterial flora and fermentation in the digestive tracts; And nutritional physiology

In a study of the possible introduction of Japanese field vole (Microtus montebelli) and Hungarian voles (M. arvalis) as herbivorous experimental animals, the following biological characteristics were investigated: breeding and reproductive performance; bacterial flora and fermentation in the digestive tracts; and nutritional physiology. The animals are polyestrus, show postpartum estrus on the day of parturition, and there is little or no delay in implantation due to lactation, especially inM. arvalis. On examination of vaginal smears, Japanese field vole did not show any definite pattern, whereas most Hungarian voles showed 6- to 18- day cycles. From the esophageal sac of voles fed rations with a high fiber content, cellulolytic bacteria similar toRuminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, andBacteriodes succinogenes were isolated. More than 1000 000/g anaerobic bacteria were present in the esophageal sac and the pattern and the types of bacteria resembled those found in the rumen. Gastric fermentation took place in the esophageal sac. The pH and total VFAs were much smaller in the fundic and pyloric regions of the stomach than in the esophageal sac. Acetic and lactic acids were the major fermentation products in the esophageal sac. Following deficiency or lowering of the cellulose decomposing abilities, a decrease of VFAs and an increase in lactic acid production in the esophageal sac were observed. These effects resulted in high glucose, FFA and ketone bodies in the blood, and a higher incidence of glucosuria. Diabetes induced by administrations of drugs such as alloxan, streptozotocin and phloridzin were compared usingMicrotus and mice.Microtus had low sensitivity to alloxan but high sensitivity to streptozotocin. The influence of monensin onMicrotus was also investigated by using diets containing 20 and 80 mg/kg monensin. Diets containing 80 mg/kg monensin led to 50 % mortality in 7 weeks and growth was hindered. Gas production from the esophageal sac contents of voles in the monensin-medicated group was much smaller than that of the non-medicated group. In the monensin group the total VFA concentrations of the esophageal sac contents was decreased.     

Inheritance of reproductive traits of female common ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in pure breeding and in inter-generic crossbreeding with muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata)

1. Genetic parameters of reproductive traits were estimated in a population of common duck, in purebreeding and crossbreeding (with Muscovies) insemination systems. A total of 989 females were studied over three generations as well as 4025 purebred offspring and 4,125 male mule offspring. 2. Traits studied were age at first egg, total number of eggs laid until the age of 48 weeks, fertility and hatchability rates in pure and crossbreds, weight at 6 and 30 weeks of age, average egg weight and body weight of the male mule ducks at 6 weeks of age. 3. Heritability estimates were found to be medium range for reproductive traits (0.15 to 0.47). Heritability value for fertility or hatchability in crossbreds was twice as high as in purebreds (0.32 vs 0.15 for fertility; 0.36 vs 0.16 for hatchability). 4. Fertility in purebreeding and in crossbreeding were two different traits (r(g) = 0.49) while hatchability displayed a high genetic correlation between breeding systems (r(g) = 0.88). 5. Genetic correlations with number of hatched mule ducks were medium or high and favourable. Genetic correlations between reproductive traits and weights were low (< 0.36), the most related trait being the body weight of the male mule duck at 6 weeks of age.     

美系与德系獭兔杂交组合的繁殖性能观测

以美系(A系)和德系(G系)獭兔为基础育种群体,进行正、反交及其子代杂交。其中选择美系(A系)和德系(G系)獭兔公兔各20只,母兔各200只左右;进行正、反杂交试验,并以其杂种后代美德獭兔(AG系)和德美獭兔(GA系)继续进行杂交试验;并以公兔组建家系,对所有杂交组合的繁殖性能和后代体重生长性能进行系统测定,优化杂交组合,选择优良家系。美系与德系獭兔正反杂交组合的繁殖性能均大于德系獭兔亲本(P<0.01),在亲本中,美系獭兔繁殖性能显著优于德系獭兔(P<0.01);在所有杂交组合中,以德美獭兔♂×美德獭兔♀组合的平均产仔数(8.18只)、初生窝重(436.41 g)、断乳活仔数(7.6只)为最高,杂交优势率亦最高。美系獭兔♂×德系獭兔♀杂交组合家系间的产仔数、断乳活仔数、断乳成活率等繁殖性状总体上差异不显著(P>0.05),部分家系间初生窝重有显著差异。德系獭兔♂×美系獭兔♀杂交组合家系间仅少数家系间初生窝重有显著差异(P<0.05);德美獭兔♂×美德獭兔♀家系间的产仔数、初生窝重、断乳活仔数、断乳成活率等繁殖性状均无显著差异(P>0.05)。以德美獭兔(GA)♂×美德獭兔(AG)♀为最佳杂交组合。     

模拟条件下布氏田鼠对草原植被的作用1——植被生物量的影响

2007年5-10月在模拟条件下研究了不同密度的布氏田鼠Lasiopodomys brandtii啃食对草原植被生物量、植物补偿生长量的影响。结果表明:1）植被生物量与布氏田鼠密度关系呈现了“低-高-低”的变化趋势;鼠密度每100 m2<5只时,植被生物量呈增加趋势。鼠密度每100 m2为5只时,其植被生物量增长达到最高值,随鼠密度的增加,植被生物量下降。2）植物补偿生长量与布氏田鼠密度相关呈单峰型曲线,鼠密度每100 m2为8只时植被的补偿生长量最高。3）植被生长可承受的鼠密度每100 m2 为4只(折合400只/hm2),鼠密度每100 m2≤4只时刺激植物生长,且可稳定植被群落结构。     

Microtus species as new herbivorous laboratory animals: reproduction; bacterial flora and fermentation in the digestive tracts; and nutritional physiology

In a study of the possible introduction of Japanese field vole (Microtus montebelli ) and Hungarian voles (M. arvalis) as herbivorous experimental animals, the following biological characteristics were investigated: breeding and reproductive performance; bacterial flora and fermentation in the digestive tracts; and nutritional physiology. The animals are polyestrus , show postpartum estrus on the day of parturition, and there is little or no delay in implantation due to lactation, especially in M. arvalis. On examination of vaginal smears, Japanese field vole did not show any definite pattern, whereas most Hungarian voles showed 6- to 18- day cycles. From the esophageal sac of voles fed rations with a high fiber content, cellulolytic bacteria similar to Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens , and Bacteroides succinogenes were isolated. More than 1 000 000/g anaerobic bacteria were present in the esophageal sac and the pattern and the types of bacteria resembled those found in the rumen. Gastric fermentation took place in the esophageal sac. The pH and total VFAs were much smaller in the fundic and pyloric regions of the stomach than in the esophageal sac. Acetic and lactic acids were the major fermentation products in the esophageal sac. Following deficiency or lowering of the cellulose decomposing abilities, a decrease of VFAs and an increase in lactic acid production in the esophageal sac were observed. These effects resulted in high glucose, FFA and ketone bodies in the blood, and a higher incidence of glucosuria. Diabetes induced by administrations of drugs such as alloxan, streptozotocin and phloridzin were compared using Microtus and mice. Microtus had low sensitivity to alloxan but high sensitivity to streptozotocin. The influence of monensin on Microtus was also investigated by using diets containing 20 and 80 mg/kg monensin. Diets containing 80 mg/kg monensin led to 50 % mortality in 7 weeks and growth was hindered. Gas production from the esophageal sac contents of voles in the monensin-medicated group was much smaller than that of the non-medicated group. In the monensin group the total VFA concentrations of the esophageal sac contents was decreased.     

采用布氏田鼠建立动物流感病毒感染模型的试验研究

应用流感病毒A/WSN/33(H1N1),通过人工滴鼻接种的方式感染布氏田鼠,评估其对流感病毒的易感性,并在其易感性较强的基础上,进一步对建立流感病毒感染布氏田鼠疾病动物模型的可能性及其评价指标进行研究。通过对感染的布氏田鼠进行体内病毒分离及鉴定等方法,成功分离到了流感病毒,证实了流感病毒在布氏田鼠组织中的存在。试验结果表明,流感病毒对布氏田鼠具有很强的感染性,其主要侵害的靶器官为肺脏。综合感染布氏田鼠的临床症状及病理变化、体质量变化、死亡率、流感病毒的分离及鉴定等指标,表明成功建立了流感病毒感染布氏田鼠的疾病动物模型。     

哺乳动物繁殖节律相关基因的研究进展

季节性繁殖动物在长期进化过程中形成了固定的生殖节律,保证后代出生在一年中最适宜的季节。已经确定一些基因与哺乳动物繁殖的节律性有关,笔者简要介绍了钟基因、Leptin基因、RFamide-related peptide基因与繁殖节律的关系。     

Vole preference of bilberry along gradients of simulated moose density and site productivity

Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores, depending on the plant response. Using a cafeteria test, we studied the preference by root voles (Microtus oeconomus [Pallas, 1776]) for bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) previously subjected to 4 levels of simulated moose (Alces alces [Linnaeus, 1758]) density. The different levels of moose density were simulated at population densities relevant for Fennoscandian conditions, in exclosures situated along a site productivity gradient. We expected: (i) voles to prefer bilberry from high productivity sites over low productivity sites; (ii) voles to prefer browsed bilberry, if plants allocate resources to compensatory growth or to avoid browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to defense; (iii) these effects to increase with increasing simulated moose density; and (iv) the concentration of plant chemicals and the plant morphology to explain vole preference. Specifically, we predicted that voles would prefer: (i) plants with high nitrogen content; (ii) plants with low content of defensive substances; and (iii) tall plants with long shoots. Voles preferred bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites. We also found an interaction between site productivity and simulated moose density, where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites. There was no effect of plant chemistry or morphology on vole preference. We conclude that moose browsing impacts the food preference of voles. With the current high densities of moose in Fennoscandia, this could potentially influence vole food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas.     

Effect of orally administered pilocarpine on serum enzymes, organ weights and histopathology in meadow voles

Fifteen mature meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were assigned to each of four diets: 1) basal; 2) basal + .001% pilocarpine (PLCN); 3) basal + .01% PLCN; 4) basal + .10% PLCN in a completely randomized design to measure the effect of PLCN on liver, kidney and parotid gland histopathology and feed intake. Meadow voles were fed each treatment for 14 d prior to euthanasia. Serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were unaffected by dietary PLCN. Liver fresh weight tended to decrease with PLCN treatment, but kidney weight was not consistently affected. Parotid gland fresh weight decreased by 31% as the dietary level of PLCN increased from 0 to .10%. One of 15 voles on the control treatment died. Twelve of the remaining 14 voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs studied, but one showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules and one showed chronic cortical interstitial nephritis. One vole of the 15 on the .001% PLCN treatment died. Eleven of the 14 remaining voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs studied, while two voles showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules and one showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes. There was no mortality among voles fed .01% PLCN. Nine of the 15 voles showed no histopathological changes in the organs, while four showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes and one showed segmental cystic dilation of some convoluted tubules. Three of 15 voles died while fed .10% PLCN. The remaining 12 voles showed no histopathological changes in the above-mentioned organs, although three voles showed slight hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes.     

哺乳动物繁殖季节性相关基因的研究进展

光照周期或季节更替调控松果体褪黑激素的分泌,下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴接收来自褪黑激素的信息并整合机体内部生理状态后调控下丘脑GnRH的脉冲释放,确保动物在一年中最适宜的时间进行繁殖。哺乳动物在长期进化过程中形成了一定的繁殖节律,已确定一些基因与繁殖的季节性有关。笔者简要介绍了褪黑激素受体1A基因、褪黑激素受体1B基因、KiSS-1/GPR54基因等与哺乳动物繁殖季节性的关系。     

Quantitative genetic changes in reproductive performance of giant freshwater prawn after 10 years of selection for increased growth rate

Effect of long‐term selection for improved growth on reproductive performance of giant freshwater prawn (GFP) Macrobrachium rosenbergii has not been reported in the literature. The present study aimed to measure correlated responses in reproductive traits and to estimate genetic parameters for these characters in a GFP population selected for high growth over ten generations from 2007 to 2016. A total of 959 breeding females (offspring of 515 sires and 810 dams) had measurements for seven reproductive traits (weight before spawn WBS; weight after spawn WAS; Fecundity FEC or number of larvae per female at hatching; first age to reach post‐larvae PLAGE; zoea (e) weight ZOEAWT; larval survival during hatchery phase SURV1 and survival from PL to tagging SURV2. The restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and mixed model analysis were used to estimate genetic parameters and evaluate selection responses for the seven traits studied. Our REML analysis showed that heritability for these traits ranged from 0.04 to 0.42 (SE: 0.19–0.28). Female body weight either before or after spawning had strong positive phenotypic correlations with fecundity (0.52–0.98). By contrast, the phenotypic correlations of WBS/WAS with larval and fry survivals were not significant (?0.08–0.05). Genetic correlations among fecundity‐related traits studied were not different from zero due to their high standard errors. Correlated responses in reproductive traits were measured by comparing least squares means of the selection line and control group. Females of the selected line for high growth had significantly greater weight before or after spawning than that of the control group. There were, however, no statistical differences between the two lines in the other traits. It is concluded that selection for high growth did not have detrimental impact on reproductive performance of breeding females in the present population of GFP.     

德国弗莱维赫(Fleckvieh)牛和本地牛杂交F1代母牛生长发育性状测定及分析

[目的]为了研究德国弗莱维赫(Fleckvieh)牛与本地母牛杂交F_1代育成母牛生长发育性状和生长发育规律,为培育北大荒乳肉兼用牛品种,开展选育提高奠定基础。[方法]采用各批次测定体重校正到统一月龄,测定了其初生、4月龄(断奶)、12月龄及18月龄4个阶段的体重、体尺,并对各阶段表型值比较分析。[结果]德国弗莱维赫(Fleckvieh)牛与本地母牛杂交F_1代母牛平均日增重、胸围和体斜长性状,在初生至4月龄断奶阶段生长发育最快;从4月龄断奶至18月龄,与纯种德国弗莱维赫种公牛与澳系(澳大利亚)西门塔尔母牛杂交后代相比,在体重和体尺上有一定差异。[结论]需要不断地改良,以提高后代的生长发育性状,进一步提高生产性能。