Influence of Temperament Score and Handling Facility on Stress,Reproductive Hormone Concentrations,and Fixed Time AI Pregnancy Rates in Beef Heifers

The objectives were (i) to evaluate the effect of temperament, determined by modified 2‐point chute exit and gait score, on artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rates in beef heifers following fixed time AI and (ii) to determine the effect of temperament on cortisol, substance‐P, prolactin and progesterone at initiation of synchronization and at the time of AI. Angus beef heifers (n = 967) at eight locations were included in this study. At the initiation of synchronization (Day 0 = initiation of synchronization), all heifers received a body condition score (BCS), and temperament score (0 = calm; slow exit and walk or 1 = excitable; fast exit or jump or trot or run). Blood samples were collected from a sub‐population of heifers (n = 86) at both synchronization initiation and the time of AI to determine the differences in serum progesterone, cortisol, prolactin and substance‐P concentrations between temperament groups. Heifers were synchronized with 5‐day CO‐Synch+ controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and were inseminated at 56 h after CIDR removal. Heifers were examined for pregnancy by ultrasound 70 days after AI to determine AI pregnancy. Controlling for synchronization treatment (p = 0.03), facility design (p = 0.05), and cattle handling facility design by temperament score interaction (p = 0.02), the AI pregnancy differed between heifers with excitable and calm temperament (51.9% vs 60.3%; p = 0.01). The alley‐way with acute bends and turns, and long straight alley‐way had lower AI pregnancy rate than did the semicircular alley‐way (53.5%, 56.3% and 67.0% respectively; p = 0.05). The serum hormone concentrations differed significantly between different types of cattle handling facility (p < 0.05). The cattle handling facility design by temperament group interactions significantly influenced progesterone (p = 0.01), cortisol (p = 0.01), prolactin (p = 0.02) and substance‐P (p = 0.04) both at the initiation of synchronization and at the time of AI. Inter‐ and intra‐rater agreement for temperament scoring were moderate and good (Kappa = 0.596 ± 0.07 and 0.797 ± 0.11) respectively. The predictive value for calm and pregnant to AI was 0.87, and excited and non‐pregnant to AI was 0.76. In conclusion, the modified 2‐point temperament scoring method can be used to identify heifers with excitable temperament. Heifers with excitable temperament had lower AI pregnancy. Further, cattle handling facility design influenced the temperament and AI pregnancy.     

Comparative performance of juvenile rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, fed to satiation with simulated 'standard' and 'high energy' diet formulations

Abstract. Four experimental diets were formulated to resemble practical rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, grower feeds based on medium and moderate lipid inclusions of 10 and 14% (standard energy levels) to relatively 'high energy' diets containing 18 and 22% lipid respectively. Each of these diets was isonitrogenous with a defined protein content of 42%. During a 10-week growth trial period, juvenile rainbow trout of initial mean weight of 10g were fed each ration to satiation. At the end of the study, there was a significant gain (P> 0.05) in the mean live weights of fish receiving the higher energy diets associated with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and net protein utilization (NPU). Although there was a declining trend in voluntary food intake relative to body weight with increasing dietary lipid content, this was insufficient to prevent greater deposition of body fat.
The results are discussed in relation to practical trout feeds in order to achieve a desired growth performance and acceptable body composition with intensive feeding regimes.     

Joint Acaricidal Action of Diafenthiuron and Fenbutatin-oxide Against Tetranychus cinnabarinus （Boisduval） （Acari： Tetranychidae）

[Objective]This study was conducted to obtain a new high-efficiency acaricide mixture.[Method]The synergism acaricidal of diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide against carmine spider mite was investigated,and the optimal ratio of both acaricides were determined by means of co-toxicity factors and co-toxicity coefficients（CTC）.[Result]At 24 h post-treatment,the LC50values of diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide against T.cinnabarinus female adults were 154.67 and 93.26 mg/L,respectively,and the synergistic mass ratios of diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide ranged from 1：0.06 to 1：0.87,and the optimal diafenthiuron-to-fenbutatin-oxide ratio was 1：0.39 with the LC50and CTC of 67.87 mg/L and 188.93（CTC significantly above 100 strongly indicated synergism）,respectively,and the toxicity relative to diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide was 2.28 and 1.37 times,respectively.[Conclusion]The joint acaricidal action of diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide strongly indicates synergism.These findings proved scientific theoretical basis for mixing diafenthiuron and fenbutatin-oxide to control spider mites and developing a new synergisic acaricide.     

牛GDF-9基因的克隆与组织表达的分析

为了检测牛GDF-9基因mRNA在怀孕期牛生殖系统的表达情况,为GDF-9基因在雌性动物繁殖上的研究提供一定的理论依据。本试验根据GenBank中报道的牛GDF-9基因序列设计引物,从牛卵巢、输卵管、子宫、肾脏中提取RNA,采用RT-PCR技术进行cDNA扩增,扩增产物与载体pGM-T连接,转化大肠杆菌DH5α,筛选阳性克隆,测序。结果表明,已成功克隆的阳性重组子经测序鉴定其片段大小与预期大小完全一致,为264 bp。序列同源性分析比较表明,该cDNA及其推导的氨基酸序列与绵羊GDF-9cDNA和氨基酸序列同源性分别为97%和94%。以-βactin为内参照物,采用RT-PCR技术进行半定量分析,通过检测比较牛GDF-9基因在卵巢、输卵管、子宫、肾脏组织中mRNA的表达情况。结果表明,牛GDF-9基因在卵巢中表达量最高,在输卵管、子宫、肾脏中均有表达,但表达量不高。     

沉水植物化感作用抑制藻类生长的研究进展

根据国内外相关报道,重点对9科15种沉水植物化感作用物质的构成及抑制15种藻类的生长,沉水植物化感作用抑制藻类生长的机理等方面的研究进展进行综合评述。     

浙江天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林生物量研究(Ⅱ)群落生物量及其分配规律

森林生物量测定一直是森林生态系统研究的主要内容,也是地区森林生态系统长期监测所必需的基础性研究。以浙江天童国家森林公园常绿阔叶林为研究对象,于2003年10月份采用收获法(草本层、灌木层)和标准木法(乔木层)相结合的方法,测定了以木荷Schimasuperba,米槠Castanopsis carlesii为优势种的群落地上部分生物量。结果表明:群落地上部分总生物量为(141.0770±17.4298)t.hm-2(平均值±标准差,n=3),其中接近90%集中于乔木层,其他层生物量分配较少。群落及其各层生物量种间分配差异较大,以优势树种木荷和米槠生物量为主,其生物量主要由树干组成,器官分配大小顺序为干>枝>叶。群落萌枝生物量主要集中在灌木层,50%以上由米槠萌枝生物量构成。群落生物量及其分配状况基本体现了以木荷和米槠为优势种的该群落结构特征及常绿阔叶林群落生物量分配特征。表5参15     

上海乡土树种及其在城市绿化建设中的应用

随着生态城市被列为上海市的建设发展目标,城市绿化建设被赋予了新的目标和内涵,生态林将逐渐成为城市绿化的主体,作为生态林建设基础的乡土树种也将得到更为广泛的应用.通过实地调查和资料调查,统计分析了上海市的乡土树种,共42科89属128种(含变种),可以分为常绿阔叶乔木、常绿阔叶灌木、半常绿阔叶灌木、落叶阔叶乔木、落叶阔叶小乔木和落叶阔叶灌木等6个类型.分析了乡土树种在上海绿化建设中的意义和应用现状,并对其应用进行了展望.表1参21     

土豆淀粉废水发酵普鲁兰多糖的研究

普鲁兰多糖是一种具有重要应用价值的微生物胞外多糖。淀粉废水是加工淀粉过程中不可避免的一种产物,成份复杂,营养丰富。利用淀粉废水作为碳源制得普鲁兰多糖,不仅使多糖的生产成本降低,变废为宝,还会减少环境污染。本文通过比较实验获得用土豆淀粉废水(potato starch waste)制多糖产率高于其它碳源,并且确定最佳发酵培养基为(%):土豆淀粉废水10,KH2PO40.6 NaCL0.2(NH4)2SO40.08。     

披针叶黄华生物碱成分研究

采用 GC- MS联用分析技术从披针叶黄华总生物碱中分离鉴定出 12个喹喏里西啶生物碱 ,即无叶豆碱 ,N-甲基金雀花碱 ,金雀花碱 ,白羽扇豆碱 ,黄华碱 ,臭豆碱 ,N-甲醛基金雀花碱 ,Dodecahydro- 7,14 -methanodipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- E][1.5 ]diazocine,Pyridine1- acetyl- 1,2 ,3,4 - tetrahydro- 5 - (2 - piperdinyl) ,7,14 -Methano- 2 H,6 H- dipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- e][1,5 ]diaz,1,1- Dim ethyl- 3- (2 - nitrophenyl) ,7,14 - Methano- 4 H,6 H-dipyrido[1,2 - a:1′,2′- e][1,5 ]diaz。后 5种化合物为首次从该植物中鉴定