Effects of surgical implantation of temperature dataloggers on reproduction of captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

A total of 20 (14 females, six males) captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) with miniature temperature dataloggers implanted free in the abdominal cavity were examined for reproductive performance and pathology because of implants. Eleven of 12 female skunks reproduced successfully 45.9+/-3.7 days after surgery to remove implanted dataloggers. The pregnancy rate of 91.7% (11/12) was much higher than other captive studies and was comparable with that of wild skunks. Eight striped skunks (six males, two females) that were euthanatized and necropsied after having implants in the abdominal cavity for 5 mo showed no apparent pathology associated with the implant. Implantation of the intraperitoneal devices did not lead to complications in abdominal tissues. Neither implant nor surgery affected reproduction. We conclude that implanted dataloggers can safely be used in physiologic studies of striped skunks or possibly other small carnivores in captive or field studies.     

Adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 to swine buccal epithelial cells involves fibronectin

The swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 was investigated for its ability to adhere to swine, rat, and human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). The highest number of bacteria adhered was to swine BEC. This binding ability was affected by heating, extreme pH, treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, or periodate, and proteolysis, suggesting that cell-surface glycoproteins participate in adherence and that adherence is based mostly on ionic interactions. Mannose and swine fibronectin may play a direct role in this interaction. Convalescent-phase serum from naturally infected pigs inhibited the adhesion. There was a correlation between bacterial pathogenicity as well as host specificity and the capacity for adherence to swine BEC. Adhesion to swine BEC provides a convenient method to study in vitro the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae and other pathogens of the pig respiratory tract.     

保定地区几个早熟苹果品种(系)生长观察

为筛选适宜保定地区栽植的早熟苹果品种,以嫁接在SH40中间砧上的不同早熟苹果品种(系)为试材,测定了不同品种(系)早熟苹果树体生长发育指标和果实品质。结果表明:除嘎啦早熟变异外,其他供试品种(系)树体生长较好,3年生时Xu2-7、Xu3-2树高330.0~352.5 cm,4年生时为394.0~417.5 cm,Xu3-2、藤牧1号、信浓红4年生为336.5~381.0 cm。4年生时,干径以Xu2-5最大;短枝、中枝、叶丛枝均以Xu2-5最多,长枝以Xu2-7最多,总枝量以Xu2-5最多;藤牧1号短枝所占比例最高(57.4%)。应用模糊综合评判法得出Xu2-5、Xu2-7、信浓红、藤牧1号果实品质较高。     

玉米青贮与花生秧配比对奶牛瘤胃中花生秧降解特性的影响

本试验旨在研究玉米青贮与花生秧配比对奶牛瘤胃中花生秧降解特性的影响。选择4头体重、生理状态、生产性能相近,装有永久瘤胃瘘管的中国荷斯坦奶牛,分别饲喂含有玉米青贮与花生秧不同配比的全混合日粮(TMR),3种TMR中玉米青贮与花生秧的干物质(DM)配比分别为3.9∶1.0(A组)、1.2∶1.0(B组)、0.4∶1.0(C组)。试验分3期进行,依次进行A、B、C组试验。每期预试15 d,采样期4 d;共57 d。采用尼龙袋瘤胃降解技术测定花生秧在奶牛瘤胃中DM、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的72 h瘤胃降解率,并求得目标养分的动态降解参数及有效降解率。结果表明:1)花生秧的DM在瘤胃中有效降解率为56.49%~59.62%,CP为40.45%~47.36%,NDF为33.26%~35.20%,ADF为36.31%~37.45%。2)B组DM的有效降解率显著高于C组(P0.05),极显著高于A组(P0.01);B、C组的CP有效降解率显著高于A组(P0.05)。3)B、C组的NDF快速降解部分含量显著高于A组(P0.05);3种TMR对花生秧粗NDF和ADF有效降解率无显著影响(P0.05)。由此可见,花生秧具有较高的饲用价值。本试验条件下,玉米青贮与花生秧DM配比为1.2∶1.0时,可有效提高花生秧DM和CP的瘤胃降解率。     

产前和产后香味剂印迹训练对仔猪断奶后采食偏好的影响及其机理

仔猪断奶后受到心理、营养、环境等多方面的刺激,导致应激反应,影响仔猪的采食量。固体饲粮代替母乳是最大的应激源,通过在母猪饲粮中添加香味剂对仔猪产前和产后进行香味剂印迹训练,使仔猪逐渐喜欢这种气味,降低其对添加相同香味剂饲粮的应激反应,并对有相同气味的饲粮有采食偏好,从而提高仔猪的采食量。本文对产前和产后香味剂印迹训练对仔猪断奶后采食偏好的影响及其机理进行综述,为养猪业相关试验研究提供理论依据。     

Quantification of stress sensitive markers in single fecal samples do not accurately predict excretion of these in the pig

All feces produced during 24 h were collected from five pigs and cortisol and immunoreactive cortisol metabolites (CICM), and IgA were quantified. Within pigs, the concentrations of CICM and IgA varied extensively between random samples obtained from a single fecal dropping, and deviated in most cases significantly from the true concentration measured in total fecal output (CV 6.7-130%). The CICM and IgA contents varied considerably (CV 8.1-114%) within and between individual fecal droppings from the same pig compared to the total fecal excretion. In conclusion, single random samples could not be used to reliably quantify the total fecal concentration or excretion of CICM or IgA in pigs. Analyses of all feces collected during shorter periods than 24 h did not provide an accurate estimate of the daily excretion of CICM. Thus, the concentration of stress sensitive molecules in random single fecal samples as an indicator of animal welfare should be interpreted with prudence.     

Comparison of water status indicators for young peach trees

We measured a series of physiological and physical indicators and compared them to xylem sap flow, to identify the most sensitive and reliable plant water status indicator. In the growing season of 1998, 4-year-old peach trees (Prunus persica Batsch cv. 'Suncrest', grafted on 'GF 677' rootstock) were studied under two irrigation treatments, 25 l day^у and no irrigation, and during recovery. Trials were conducted near Pisa (Italy) in a peach orchard situated on a medium clay loam soil and equipped with a drip-irrigation system (four 4 l h^у drippers per tree). Measurements of leaf water potential (ƒ_W), stem water potential (ƒ_S), and leaf temperature (T_l) were taken over 5 days (from dawn to sunset) and analyzed in conjunction with climatic data, sap flow (SF), trunk diameter fluctuation (TDF) and soil water content (SWC). Physiological indicators showed substantial differences in sensitivity. The first indication of changes in water status was the decrease of stem radial growth. TDF and SF revealed significant differences between the two irrigation treatments even in the absence of differences in pre-dawn leaf water potential (pdƒ_W), up until now widely accepted as the benchmark of water status indicators. Irrigated trees showed a typical trend in SF rate during the day, while in non-irrigated plants the maximum peak of transpiration was anticipated. Measurements of water potential showed ƒ_S to be a better indicator of tree water status than ƒ_W. T_l was found to have poor sensitivity. In conclusion, we found the sensitivity of the indicators from the most to the least was: TDF >SF rate >SF cumulated = pdƒ_W=ƒ_S>mdƒ_W>T_l.     

Controlled water table management as a strategy for reducing salt loads from subsurface drainage under perennial agriculture in semi-arid Australia

Recent community based actions to ensure the sustainability of irrigation and protection of associated ecosystems in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) of Australia has seen the implementation of a regional Land and Water Management Plan. This aims to improve land and water management within the irrigation area and minimise downstream impacts associated with irrigation. One of the plan objectives is to decrease current salt loads generated from subsurface drainage in perennial horticulture within the area from 20 000 tonnes/year to 17 000 tonnes/year. In order to meet such objectives Controlled Water table Management (CWM) is being investigated as a possible ‘Best Management Practice’, to reduce drainage volumes and salt loads.During 2000–2002 a trial was conducted on a 15 ha subsurface drained vineyard. This compared a traditional unmanaged subsurface drainage system with a controlled drainage system utilizing weirs to maintain water tables and changes in irrigation scheduling to maximize the potential crop use of a shallow water table. Drainage volumes, salt loads and water table elevations throughout the field were monitored to investigate the effects of controlled drainage on drain flows and salt loads.Results from the experiment showed that controlled drainage significantly reduced drainage volumes and salt loads compared to unmanaged systems. However, there were marked increases in soil salinity which will need to be carefully monitored and managed.