Alfalfa Phytoestrogen Content: Impact of Plant Maturity and Herbage Components

Legumes contain a range of non‐nutritional phytochemicals that may have health‐promoting effects in humans. In this study, we determined the concentrations of four phytoestrogens (coumestrol, apigenin, luteolin and quercetin) in field‐grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Differences between plants of different stages of maturity, between plant parts, and different canopy segments were assessed. The concentration of individual phytoestrogen in whole herbage varied between 15 and 225 μg g^?1 dry matter (DM) and was strongly affected by stage of maturity. Coumestrol and apigenin concentrations were highest at early vegetative stages, luteolin and quercetin at early vegetative and late flowering stages. All phytoestrogens were found in lowest concentrations at the early flowering stage (average 68 μg g^?1 DM); stage at which alfalfa is usually harvested when used as a forage source for animals. At vegetative stages, apigenin was the predominant phytoestrogen in herbage followed by coumestrol, the reverse being observed upon initiation of flowering; luteolin and quercetin were found at all stages in similarly lower concentrations. Concentrations of luteolin, quercetin and apigenin were 225, 410 and 690 % greater, respectively, in flowers than in leaves or stems; coumestrol concentration was similar between plant parts. In flowers and stems the predominant phytoestrogens were apigenin and quercetin, followed by coumestrol and luteolin. Similar concentrations (average 26 μg g^?1 DM) of each of the four phytoestrogens were found in leaves. Concentrations through the herbage canopy varied and were greatest at >60 cm from the soil surface for apigenin and coumestrol, but greatest at >60 and 0–20 cm for quercetin and at 0–20 cm for luteolin. The results suggest that if alfalfa is to be used as a source of phytoestrogens and is harvested for the production of herbal supplements or nutraceuticals, management will need to be adapted.     

腐蚀管道剩余寿命的性能衰减模型研究

管道在长期的运行过程中，由于介质和土壤的腐蚀性，管材的微塑性变形、结构转变和渗氢等。不仅会使管道出现各种腐蚀损伤，而且还存在着老化效应和氢化作用，导致管材的脆变并改变材料的塑性，使机械性质参数发生衰退，从管材性能衰减和腐蚀损伤角度研究了管道的剩余寿命，提出了根据结构承载能力的极限值确定塑性变形时工作寿命的方法，为了确定剩余使用寿命，对剪切损伤率和屈服性能比等概念进行定义，在掌握管材金属剪切损害率和屈服性能比的时间特性基础上，建立了剩余寿命计算模型。并给出了算例。     

The effect of dietary chloride and bicarbonate on blood pH, haematological variables, pulmonary hypertension and ascites in broiler chickens.

1. The effect of supplementing grower diets with bicarbonate or chloride on haematological variables, pulmonary hypertension syndrome and ascites in broilers exposed to cold temperature was investigated. 2. High concentrations of dietary chloride had no effect on the pH of the venous blood but a low chloride/high bicarbonate diet significantly increased blood pH. There was no consistent effect of dietary chloride or bicarbonate concentrations on growth performance, although in 1 experiment birds given a low chloride/high bicarbonate diet consumed less food and gained less weight than controls. 3. Birds fed on high-chloride diets tended to have a higher incidence of ascites and pulmonary hypertension than controls. Birds fed on low-chloride and high-bicarbonate diets had significantly lower pulmonary hypertension and lower heart weights, which may have indicated a decrease in pulmonary and systemic blood pressure. 4. We conclude that increasing dietary bicarbonate and reducing dietary chloride has potential as a low cost and effective method to reduce the pulmonary hypertension which leads to ascites in broiler chickens.     

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma in dogs: 33 cases (1995-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IC) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 33 dogs with IC and 153 dogs with malignant mammary tumors other than IC. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, and signalment, history, physical examination findings, and results of thoracic radiography and necropsy were obtained. RESULTS: 33 of 436 (7.6%) dogs examined at a veterinary teaching hospital because of dysplasia or tumors of the mammary glands and 33 of 186 (17.7%) dogs with at least 1 malignant tumor had IC. Thirty-two of the 33 dogs were sexually intact. Dogs with IC were significantly older than were dogs with other malignant mammary tumors, and in dogs with IC, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 52 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus, whereas in dogs with other mammary tumors, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 137 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus. Dogs with IC were more likely to be anorectic and to have generalized weakness, weight loss, and thoracic metastases. Dogs with IC survived a mean of 25 days with palliative treatment. Histologically, involvement of dermal lymphatic vessels was identified in 14 of 19 (74%) dogs with IC. Two clinical forms of IC (primary and secondary) were identified. Dogs with primary IC had a worse clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that IC is an uncommon but distinct entity in dogs. A histologic finding of dermal lymphatic involvement should be considered a hallmark for the pathologic diagnosis of IC in dogs.     

Suppression of ovarian progesterone production in dairy cows using an implant of GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) for the purpose of evaluating progesterone metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of an implant of a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying progesterone (P4) metabolism in intact cows by measuring blood P4 and faecal P4 metabolites. METHODS: Experiment 1: Eighteen non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to one of three groups to study plasma P4 concentrations preceding an intravaginal insert. These groups comprised: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); ii) a PGF group receiving two injections of prostaglandin (PGF2alpha) 12 days apart; and, iii) an ovariectomised (OVX) group. An intravaginal device (CIDR) was inserted into the vagina of each animal and left in place for 11 days. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured during the study period. Experiment 2: Twelve non-lactating cycling Holstein-Friesian cows, 4 to 7 years old, were allocated to two groups: i) a deslorelin group (GnRH-agonist implanted); and ii) an ovariectomised group. Plasma P4 and faecal P4 metabolites (20-oxo-pregnanes, 20alpha-OH and 20beta-OH) were monitored for a period of 5 weeks. RESULTS: Experiment 1: Average plasma P4 concentration did not differ between the three groups (1.28, 1.43 and 1.55 ng/mL for deslorelin, OVX and PGF cows, respectively, P = 0.8) during the period of supplementation. Experiment 2: There was no difference in plasma P4 (mean plasma P4 < 0.02 ng/mL, P = 0.9) and faecal P4 metabolites between deslorelin and OVX cows 2 weeks after the implantation (P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) implant may be used as an alternative to ovariectomy to create a progesterone free animal suitable for studying the metabolism of administered P4.     

Effects of Benzyl Adenine and Abscisic Acid on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Triticale and Wheat

Grain yield and yield components (grains per ear, grain weight, 1000-grain weight, ear weight, ear seed ratio and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed) were examined in a wheat genotype (PBW-343) with well-filled grains and a Triticale genotype (DT-46) with poorly filled grains (showing grain shrivelling) grown in pots. Six days after anthesis (DAA), benzyladenine (BA) @2 µg ear⁻¹ and abscisic acid (ABA) @4 µg ear⁻¹ were injected at the base of the mother shoot ear in both species. It was observed that, in both wheat and Triticale , BA increased the grain weight, grain number and partitioning of dry matter between ear and seed, whereas ABA decreased the grain weight, grain number and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed. However, these decreases were slower in Triticale than in wheat. BA treatment increased the grain dry matter accumulation, which in turn resulted in better filling of grains and increased the grain weight in both wheat and Triticale . The average grain weight of Triticale was lower than that of wheat. Thus, it appears that variation in grain weight between wheat and Triticale might be due to different availabilities of growth-promoting phytohormones such as cytokinins and assimilates.     

Trends in mortality ratios among cattle in US feedlots.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in feedlot cattle mortality ratios over time, by primary body system affected, and by type of animal. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Approximately 21.8 million cattle entering 121 feedlots in the United States during 1994 through 1999. PROCEDURES: Yearly and monthly mortality ratios were calculated. Numbers of deaths were modeled by use of Poisson regression methods for repeated measures. Relative risks of death over time and by animal type were estimated. RESULTS: Averaged over time, the mortality ratio was 12.6 deaths/1,000 cattle entering the feedlots. The mortality ratio increased from 10.3 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1994 to 14.2 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1999, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Cattle entering the feedlots during 1999 had a significantly increased risk (relative risk, 1.46) of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with cattle that entered during 1994, and respiratory tract disorders accounted for 57.1% of all deaths. Dairy cattle had a significantly increased risk of death of any cause, compared with beef steers. Beef heifers had a significantly increased risk of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with beef steers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that although overall yearly mortality ratio did not significantly increase during the study, the risk of death attributable to respiratory tract disorders was increased during most years, compared with risk of death during 1994. The increased rates of fatal respiratory tract disorders may also reflect increased rates of non-fatal respiratory tract disorders, which would be expected to have adverse production effects in surviving animals.