绵羊7号染色体46843356位点多态性与尾脂沉积相关性研究

为探讨绵羊7号染色体上46843356位点多态性与绵羊尾脂沉积的关系,以尾型极端差异的阿勒泰羊、小尾寒羊、中国美利奴细毛羊以及萨福克羊为研究对象,利用PCR-RFLP检测该位点在群体中的多态性。结果表明:46843356位点在尾脂沉积能力较差的中国美利奴细毛羊和萨福克羊群体以AA基因型为主,而尾脂沉积能力强的阿勒泰羊群体则以GG和GA基因型为主,阿勒泰羊和小尾寒羊G/A等位基因频率比值为2.48和4.22,分别是萨福克羊的83倍和141倍。卡方检验结果表明,阿勒泰羊和小尾寒羊在该位点上处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05),而中国美利奴细毛羊和萨福克羊在该位点上处于Hardy-Weinberg极度不平衡状态(P<0.01)。以上结果提示,绵羊7号染色体上46843356SNP位点在脂尾(臀)与瘦尾绵羊群体中存在较大差异,可作为理想的分子标记应用于高、低脂绵羊品种选育。     

绵羊let-7c前体序列突变及其对前体二级结构的影响

为了研究碱基突变对miRNA成熟加工的影响,以绵羊let-7c(oar-let-7c)为研究对象,探讨了其前体序列在阿勒泰羊和中国美利奴羊(军垦型)群体中的突变情况,及相关突变对oar-let-7c前体二级结构和稳定性的影响。结果表明:oar-let-7c前体序列在阿勒泰羊和中国美利奴羊(军垦型)群体中可检测到1处CT突变,该突变位于oar-let-7c成熟序列下游,且在阿勒泰羊群体中以C等位基因为主,而在中国美利奴羊(军垦型)群体中则以T等位基因为主,该突变改变了oar-let-7c前体二级结构且使其自由能值升高了46.89 kJ/mol,推测该突变将对oar-let-7c成熟加工产生影响,进而影响oar-let-7c在阿勒泰羊和中国美利奴羊(军垦型)体内的水平。     

新疆地区绵羊品种TMEM154基因第2外显子G103A位点的多态性分析

绵羊跨膜蛋白154基因(Transmembrane protein 154,TMEM154)多态性与进行性肺炎的易感或抗性有关。本研究以绵羊TEME154基因第2外显子G103A(E35/K35)位点SNP为候选分子标记,利用PCR直接测序法检测TEME154基因型,对该基因在新疆地区8个绵羊品种(阿勒泰羊、哈萨克羊、巴音布鲁克羊、多浪羊、策勒黑羊、巴什拜羊、德国美利奴羊和中国美利奴羊)的遗传多态性进行分析。结果表明:绵羊TMEM154基因在第2外显子103bp处发生了G-A突变,PCR测序共检测到3种基因型;即AA、AG和GG,G103A位点的GG(E35)基因型与绵羊进行性肺炎的高敏感性相关,在阿勒泰羊、哈萨克羊、巴音布鲁克羊、多浪羊、策勒黑羊和巴什拜羊群体中属于优势基因型,而在中国美利奴羊和德国美利奴羊群体中比例较低。方差分析表明,该位点的基因型频率在阿勒泰羊、哈萨克羊、巴音布鲁克羊、多浪羊、策勒黑羊和巴什拜羊等进行性肺炎高敏感群体和中国美利奴羊和德国美利奴羊等低敏感群体间存在显著差异(P0.05)。本研究结果提示,绵羊TMEM154基因第2外显子G103A位点多态性在进行性肺炎高敏感与低敏感的绵羊群体中分布存在较大差异,该SNP可作为一个理想的分子标记应用于绵羊的抗病育种。     

6个绵羊群体骨形态蛋白受体1B基因多态性分析

试验旨在分析6个绵羊群体骨形态蛋白受体1B(bone morphogenetic protein receptor-1B,BMPR-1B)基因多态性,为绵羊繁殖力的标记辅助选择和育种提供理论依据。采集新吉细毛羊、中国美利奴羊(无角型)、东北细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊(F1)、杜×寒杂交羊(F3)、白头杜泊羊6个绵羊群体共381只个体的血样,通过PCR-RFLP技术检测BMPR-1B基因多态性,并用DNAStar软件预测蛋白质二级结构,利用Excel 2003软件计算基因频率、基因型频率、Hardy-Weinberg平衡,以及遗传多样性参数(杂合度(He)、纯合度(Ho)、有效等位基因数(Ne)和多态信息含量(PIC))。结果显示,新吉细毛羊、东北细毛羊、中国美利奴羊(无角型)、白头杜泊羊BMPR-1B基因均不存在多态性;杜×寒杂交羊(F1)、杜×寒杂交羊(F3)具有多态性,存在3种基因型:++、B+和BB。杜×寒杂交羊(F1)χ2值达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态;杜×寒杂交羊(F3)χ2值未达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。杜×寒杂交羊(F1)、杜×寒杂交羊(F3)的PIC分别为0.311和0.264,为中度多态。推测BMPR-1B基因不是新吉细毛羊、东北细毛羊、中国美利奴羊(无角型)、白头杜泊羊4个绵羊群体多胎性状的主效基因,但可作为杜×寒杂交羊(F1)、杜×寒杂交羊(F3)多胎性状的主效基因。     

不同绵羊群体KAP2基因多态性分析

为了探究KAP2基因在不同绵羊群体的多态性,本次试验利用PCR-SSCP的方法,分析新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊和小尾寒羊的基因型和突变位点,并对KAP2基因编码区序列进行多态性分析。结果:新吉细毛羊基因序列第292位点处发生T→C的突变,绵羊群体基因型可分为AA、AB、BB基因型;A基因频率中新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊、小尾寒羊分别为0.3261、0.3696、0.5217,B基因频率中新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊、小尾寒羊分别为0.6739、0.6304、0.4783,AA基因型频率新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊、小尾寒羊分别为0.2609、0.3043、0.3913,AB基因型频率新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊、小尾寒羊分别为0.1304、0.2174、0.2609,BB基因型频率新吉细毛羊、道赛特羊、小尾寒羊分别为0.6087、0.4783、0.3478。结论:绵羊群体分为AA、AB、BB基因型,BB基因型为优势基因型。     

中国美利奴羊TLR2基因多态性及其与布鲁氏菌病的相关性分析

试验旨在研究Toll样受体2（Toll-like receptor,TLR2）基因的多态性及其与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性。利用生物信息学方法对NCBI上公布的绵羊TLR2基因序列进行比对,选出多态位点丰富的片段进行扩增,运用PCR-SSCP的方法对206个中国美利奴布鲁氏菌病阴性样本和80个中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病阳性样本进行TLR2基因的多态性检测,然后对不同等位基因的PCR产物进行测序,确定该基因的多态性位点,经卡方检验分析每个SNP位点的等位基因频率、基因型频率及其多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性,利用生物信息学软件分析RNA二级结构及蛋白质的二级结构。结果表明,在279 bp的序列中共检测到3个SNPs,分别为：C1731T、G1737C和G1749T,均未引起对应氨基酸的改变,属于无义突变。这些位点在病例组和对照组之间的等位基因频率及基因型频率均不存在显著差异（P>0.05）。各突变位点均能引起RNA二级结构和最小自由能的改变,而蛋白质的二级结构均未改变。由此得出,中国美利奴羊TLR2基因的3个SNPs位点（C1731T、G1737C和G1749T）与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性无相关性。     

中国美利奴羊TLR2基因多态性及其与布鲁氏菌病的相关性分析

试验旨在研究Toll样受体2(Toll-like receptor,TLR2)基因的多态性及其与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性。利用生物信息学方法对NCBI上公布的绵羊TLR2基因序列进行比对,选出多态位点丰富的片段进行扩增,运用PCR-SSCP的方法对206个中国美利奴布鲁氏菌病阴性样本和80个中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病阳性样本进行TLR2基因的多态性检测,然后对不同等位基因的PCR产物进行测序,确定该基因的多态性位点,经卡方检验分析每个SNP位点的等位基因频率、基因型频率及其多态性与布鲁氏菌病易感性的相关性,利用生物信息学软件分析RNA二级结构及蛋白质的二级结构。结果表明,在279bp的序列中共检测到3个SNPs,分别为:C1731T、G1737C和G1749T,均未引起对应氨基酸的改变,属于无义突变。这些位点在病例组和对照组之间的等位基因频率及基因型频率均不存在显著差异(P0.05)。各突变位点均能引起RNA二级结构和最小自由能的改变,而蛋白质的二级结构均未改变。由此得出,中国美利奴羊TLR2基因的3个SNPs位点(C1731T、G1737C和G1749T)与中国美利奴羊布鲁氏菌病易感性无相关性。     

不同绵羊品种FGF5基因的多态性分析

根据人和小鼠成纤维细胞生长因子5（FGFS）基因的同源序列设计引物对绵羊基因组进行PCR扩增，将扩增片段进行克隆和测序，并与人和小鼠的成纤维细胞生长因子5基因序列进行同源性比较，确定扩增的片段为绵羊的FGF5基因片段。采用PCR-SSCP技术分析了FGF5基因外显子在小尾寒羊、湖羊、藏羊、中国美利奴等4个绵羊品种的多态性。结果表明：FGF5基因在P1和P2引物扩增片段中存在PCR-SSCP多态性。经克隆测序分析，位于外显子1的引物1扩增产物存在G→T突变，该突变位点使编码的氨基酸发生A→S的改变；引物2扩增产物发生了碱基序列C→T的突变，这一突变位点没有引起编码氨基酸的改变，属于同义突变。对不同绵羊品种的基因型和基因频率统计结果表明，引物1扩增产物小尾寒羊、湖羊、藏羊以等位基因A为主，而中国美利奴羊则以等位基因B为主，且各群体均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡；引物2扩增产物小尾寒羊、湖羊、中国美利奴羊均以等位基因E为主，而藏羊的基因型频率与其它品种有显著差异，中国美利奴羊在引物2位点的基因频率处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态。     

6个绵羊群体骨形态蛋白受体1B基因多态性分析

试验旨在分析6个绵羊群体骨形态蛋白受体1B（bone morphogenetic protein receptor-1B，BMPR-1B）基因多态性，为绵羊繁殖力的标记辅助选择和育种提供理论依据。采集新吉细毛羊、中国美利奴羊（无角型）、东北细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）、白头杜泊羊6个绵羊群体共381只个体的血样，通过PCR-RFLP技术检测BMPR-1B基因多态性，并用DNAStar软件预测蛋白质二级结构，利用Excel 2003软件计算基因频率、基因型频率、Hardy-Weinberg平衡，以及遗传多样性参数（杂合度（He）、纯合度（Ho）、有效等位基因数（Ne）和多态信息含量（PIC））。结果显示，新吉细毛羊、东北细毛羊、中国美利奴羊（无角型）、白头杜泊羊BMPR-1B基因均不存在多态性；杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）具有多态性，存在3种基因型：++、B+和BB。杜×寒杂交羊（F1）χ²值达到显著水平，处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态；杜×寒杂交羊（F3）χ²值未达到显著水平，处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）的PIC分别为0.311和0.264，为中度多态。推测BMPR-1B基因不是新吉细毛羊、东北细毛羊、中国美利奴羊（无角型）、白头杜泊羊4个绵羊群体多胎性状的主效基因，但可作为杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）多胎性状的主效基因。     

绵羊FGF5基因Exon 3多态性对毛用性状的影响

为探寻不同细毛羊品种FGF5基因多态性及其对毛用性状的影响,采用PCR-SSCP方法对苏博美利奴羊和东北细毛羊两个群体的FGF5基因Exon 3区进行了多态性分析,并在苏博美利奴羊群体中对不同基因型个体与其毛用性状进行了差异显著性分析。结果表明:苏博美利奴羊群体FGF5基因Exon 3区存在5种基因型,分别是DD、EE、FF、DE和EF,而东北细毛羊群体只存在DD、EE和DE三种基因型;苏博美利奴羊F等位基因由CDs区c.618和c.733多态位点构成,其中c.733位点C-G突变导致E等位基因型个体氨基酸L-V变异。苏博美利奴羊群体只有FF基因型个体在产毛量指标上显著高于DD基因型个体(P0.05)。不同毛用绵羊品种FGF5基因多态性及其与毛用性状相关性的研究可为利用FGF5基因进行毛用性状选育奠定基础。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Smart Phone Assisted City-scale Wireless Sensor Network Deployment for Transportation System Monitoring

<正>1.INTRODUCTION Ensuring transportation network security is one Of the most daunting challenges confronting homeland security agencies today.Significant research has been dedicated.To model and analyze the vulnerability of transportation systems,while notably fewer studies propose specific strategies for deploying defensive technologies to safeguard these systems.     

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.