Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin,triglycerides, glucose,fructosamines, and ɣ-GT)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most prevalent endocrine disease in horses. Although donkeys and mules may also be affected, only a few data have been published. Reference values for diagnostic parameters, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are especially scarce or even lacking. Therefore, in the present study, available data from the literature have been verified and completed to facilitate a reliable diagnosis. Clinical inspections and haematological and biochemical examinations were carried out four times in a three-month interval (February to November) in 44 donkeys and 31 mules. Data from clinically healthy animals were used as an orientation. Plasma ACTH concentrations showed seasonal changes in both animal groups. However, it was generally higher in donkeys than mules. Although blood glucose (EDTA plasma) showed no difference between groups, serum insulin concentrations were consistently higher in donkeys. Serum fructosamine levels were slightly higher in mules, whereas, in some cases, serum triglyceride levels were considerably higher in donkeys. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase showed a striking peak in mules in August, whereas the remaining gamma-glutamyltransferase values were lower compared to donkeys. By comparing donkeys and mules, the present work reveals differences in various blood parameters which should be considered for diagnoses and future studies.     

AGENESIS OF THE DISTAL PHALANX IN A MULE

Agenesis of the distal phalanx of a mule foal is documented. The condition was identified when the foal was 14 days old and supported by follow-up radiographs obtained at four months of age.     

马、骡蹄角质某些物理性能的测定

对马(20)、骡(10)蹄角质的测定结果表明,硬度、弹性,抗张强度、弹性模量均为蹄壁>蹄底>蹄叉;蹄底的磨耗大于蹄壁;蹄壁的磨擦系数大于蹄底;蹄壁纵向拉伸的抗张强度大于其横向拉伸,强度越大其伸长率越小;在相同压力下,蹄壁侧压弹性模量值大于纵压值,而蹄底侧压模量值则小于纵压值;蹄角质在材料力学上表现为一种各向异性的特点。作者认为,马、骡蹄角质物理性能的差异与蹄病的发生密切相关。     

半番鸭适宜日粮营养水平的研究

在相同饲养管理条件下，三组半番鸭分别饲喂不同营养水平的日粮，观察各组肉鸭的增重、成活率、饲料报酬、屠体品质等性状。结果表明：4～7周龄日粮适宜蛋能比为14．41克／兆焦、粗蛋白17％、8～9周龄12．08克／兆焦、粗蛋白14．5％。     

Pack wounds of donkeys and mules in the Northern High Atlas and lowlands of Morocco

Reasons for performing study: Wounds are one of the primary welfare concerns of working equids and are often related to harness or load‐bearing packs. Objectives: To identify and quantify factors associated with the presence of pack wounds in donkeys and mules working in the wood trade in the Midelt (Northern High Atlas) region of Morocco, and to compare wounds of these donkeys and mules to those working in other trades. Methods: The study population comprised equids working in the Midelt region involved in the wood trade. Comparison populations were comprised of equids working in other trades, in the same region and in Khemmiset region (lowlands of Central Morocco). Wounds were numbered and scored according to their severity. Questionnaires were used to gather data from owners, and objective data regarding the animal, berdaa (back‐pack) and load were collected. Data were analysed using multilevel uniand multivariable regression models to allow for clustering of wound sites within an equid. Results: Analysis showed an overall pack wound prevalence of 54% (n = 80/147). The most common site was the withers. Equids working in the wood trade were at increased risk of suffering pack wounds. Equids in the lowland study population were at increased risk of developing pack wounds, and donkeys were at increased risk of suffering pack wounds compared to mules both overall and within the wood trade. Other factors affecting the prevalence of wounds included the cleanliness of the berdaa and the frequency and distances of work imposed on the equid. Conclusion: Pack wounds in donkeys and mules are common in the 2 study regions of Morocco and appear to be associated with work factors including the trade the equids work in, the frequency and distances of work imposed and cleanliness of the pack. Donkeys are more susceptible than mules to developing pack wounds. Potential relevance: These results allow recommendations to be made to owners of equids that may decrease the prevalence of wounds and, therefore, improve welfare and working capability of these equids. Research is required to identify reasons for regional difference in prevalence of pack wounds in equids not working in the wood trade.     

半番鸭和北京鸭MC1R基因的克隆与序列分析

羽色是半番鸭一个重要的经济性状。黑素皮质素受体1 （melanocortin receptor 1,MC1R）基因是控制动物黑色素合成的重要基因。本研究根据鸡、鹌鹑、雪雁、孔雀等MC1R基因同源序列的保守区设计1对引物,以半番鸭、北京鸭总DNA 为模板,PCR扩增,克隆测序。结果,获得了2个长度为900bp 的基因片段, 并提交GenBank, 登录号分别为EU877265和EU877264。经比对,发现北京鸭与半番鸭核苷酸序列存在8个变异位点,其中位于184bp（T/A）、229bp（G/A）、364bp（A/G）、385bp（G/A）处的变异导致了氨基酸序列分别在第62位（C/S）、77位（E/K）、122位（T/A）和129位（V/I）发生突变。为进一步研究半番鸭羽色MC1R基因单核苷酸多态性（SNP）奠定了基础;通过BLAST进行相似性搜索,结果表明,鸭与黑雁MC1R基因的核苷酸序列同源性最高为98.4％,与其他家禽的同源性也保持在92.8％～98.2%之间。可见禽类的MC1R 基因编码区序列具有高度的保守性;系统进化分析表明,半番鸭、北京鸭与雪雁、黑雁、皇雁亲缘关系相近,从分子角度验证了它们在动物学分类上的地位。     

Anaesthesia and analgesia of the donkey and the mule

The number of donkeys and mules throughout the world is stable, and awareness of their use and concern for welfare, pain recognition and treatment are receiving increasing veterinary interest. Therefore, accurate information about anaesthesia and analgesia in donkeys and mules is important to ever more equine practitioners. Since donkeys are physiologically and pharmacologically different from horses, knowledge on species specific aspects of anaesthesia and analgesia are very important. Mules combine elements from both donkey and horse backgrounds, leading to great diversity in size, temperament and body type. Physiologically, they seem to resemble horses more than donkeys. This review highlights the current knowledge on various anaesthetic and analgesic approaches in donkeys and mules. There is still much information that is not available about donkeys; in many circumstances, the clinician must use available equine information to treat the patient, while monitoring carefully to observe for differences in response to therapy compared to the horse.     

半番鸭及其母本AFLP标记与羽色性状相关分析

为分析AFLP标记与羽色性状的相关性,本研究在利用64对引物对黑、白羽半番鸭及其母本（闽农白鸭和莆田黒鸭）池DNA进行AFLP标记全面筛查,获得3个差异带(H1、H2和H3)的基础上,再次利用AFLP技术分别对上述4个群体的全部个体进行检测,进一步验证这3个AFLP标记是否为半番鸭白羽性状特有或与其相关。结果发现,H1、H2和H3这3个差异带在黑羽半番鸭和莆田黒鸭中均不表达;在白羽半番鸭中以H1的频率最高达89%,H3的频率最低只有52%;在闽农白鸭中H1的频率也达到81%。以此表明差异带H1可作为半番鸭白羽性状辅助选择的一个分子标记。     

Suspected ivermectin toxicosis in a miniature mule foal causing blindness

A 9-week-old miniature mule foal presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for acute blindness, ataxia, and depression following an overdose of an over-the-counter ivermectin-based de-worming medication. Ophthalmic examination and electrodiagnostic evaluation eliminated outer retinal abnormalities as the primary cause of the bilateral blindness, implicating instead a central neurologic effect of the drug. With symptomatic and supportive care, the foal recovered fully and regained its vision.