Risk factors associated with the incidence of seroconversion to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus in goats on California dairies.

Incidence of seroconversion to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was determined for 1,194 goats on 11 dairies, using 2 repeated annual herd tests for CAEV. Current life table methods were used to compare age-specific incidence of seroconversion for pasteurized milk-raised and unpasteurized milk-raised goats. Logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors associated with CAEV seroconversion, and to estimate odds ratios for seroconversion for various factor levels. Goats raised by unpasteurized milk-feeding methods were 2.5 to 6.7 times more likely to seroconvert than were goats raised by pasteurized milk-feeding methods, depending on the method of comparison. Similarly, 61.6 to 85.0% of seroconversions in yearling goats possibly were attributable to unpasteurized milk feeding. Among yearling goats, CAEV seroconversion was associated with feeding method, breed, and source of goat (herd of origin) when the effect of dairy was considered. In addition to the 6.7 times greater risk of seroconversion for unpasteurized milk-raised goats, yearling goats of the Saanen and Toggenburg breeds were 2.2 and 3.3 times, respectively, more likely to seroconvert than were Alpine yearling goats. Yearling goats purchased from another source were less likely to seroconvert than were yearlings raised on the dairy where they were studied. Among goats > 1 year old, age was associated with risk of seroconversion. Goats that were 3 years old or were > or = 4 years old were 1.7 and 3.2 times, respectively, more likely to seroconvert than were 2-year-old goats, when adjusted for effect of dairy. The effects of dairy were significant (P < or = 0.001) in yearling and older goats.     

Goat papillomatosis

The present study indicates that the development of caprine mammary gland warts seems to depend on several factors--namely, nonpigmented skin, adult age, excessive exposure to sunlight, and contact with a yet undefined infective agent. Three types of goat papillomas are described: mammary, cutaneous, other than mammary, and genital. Warts on animals lacking pigmented skin are more frequent in adult animals that live in areas where there is abundant sunlight. Mammary gland papillomas are the most numerous and occur in different stages: ie, goats with mammary gland papillomas that regress, never to recur, goats with papillomas that regress in the winter and reoccur in summer, goats with persistent papillomas of which some are from the group that had previous winter time regression, and goats that have progression of persistent papilloma to carcinoma. Saanen, Saanen crossbreeds, and goats of other breeds that lack pigmented skin and live in sunbelt areas are at high risk for papillomatosis. An infective agent was not defined even after electron microscopic, immunocytochemical, and DNA-DNA hybridization studies. Yet, there is high probability that an infective agent is involved, because mammary gland papillomas usually occur in the susceptible herd 4 to 6 months after an affected goat is introduced.     

东海毛颚类优势种及与环境的关系

根据1997～2000年东海23°30′～33°N、118°30′～128°E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,对东海毛颚类(Chaetognatha)优势种与环境的关系进行研究。结果表明,毛颚类优势种季节交替不明显,优势度最高的种分别是:夏季肥胖箭虫(Sagittaenflata)、冬、春季海龙箭虫(Sagittanagae)和秋季百陶箭虫(Sagittabedoti)。主要优势种中,百陶箭虫聚集强度指标值最高,其次是海龙箭虫,肥胖箭虫最低。肥胖箭虫与表层温度线性关系极其显著,肥胖箭虫和海龙箭虫与表层盐度的关系以及百陶箭虫与表层温度和表层盐度的关系符合YieldDensity模型。肥胖箭虫高丰度区往往位于台湾暖流与浙江沿岸流交汇处偏暖水的一侧,海龙箭虫高丰度区位于暖流与沿岸流交汇处偏冷水团的一侧。在水温较高的环境下,百陶箭虫高丰度区位于暖流与沿岸流交汇处偏淡水水团的一侧。     

Q fever in pregnant goats: humoral and cellular immune responses

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Both humoral and cellular immunity are important in the host defence against intracellular bacteria. Little is known about the immune response to C. burnetii infections in domestic ruminants even though these species are the major source of Q fever in humans. To investigate the goat’s immune response we inoculated groups of pregnant goats via inhalation with a Dutch outbreak isolate of C. burnetii. All animals were successfully infected. Phase 1 and Phase 2 IgM- and IgG-specific antibodies were measured. Cellular immune responses were investigated by interferon-gamma, enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot test (IFN-γ Elispot), lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT) and systemic cytokines. After two weeks post inoculation (wpi), a strong anti-C. burnetii Phase 2 IgM and IgG antibody response was observed while the increase in IgM anti-Phase 1 antibodies was less pronounced. IgG anti-Phase 1 antibodies started to rise at 6 wpi. Cellular immune responses were observed after parturition. Our results demonstrated humoral and cellular immune responses to C. burnetii infection in pregnant goats. Cell-mediated immune responses did not differ enough to distinguish between Coxiella-infected and non-infected pregnant animals, whereas a strong-phase specific antibody response is detected after 2 wpi. This humoral immune response may be useful in the early detection of C. burnetii-infected pregnant goats.     

应用新蛋白源饵料饲喂对虾的试验研究

选用一种酶解新型蛋白源以不同比例替代原配方中的动物蛋白源,以另一种发酵原料替代原配方中的植物蛋白源,配制成饵料１～５号,以市售优质饵料作为对照,用不同饵料饲喂６组对虾,结果经统计分析,对虾体长增长率、增重率、成活率、饵料系数等均有显著差异。生物学综合评定表明：用酶解新蛋白源替代原配方中２／３鱼粉制成的配合饵料饲喂对虾效果最好,甚至优于市售饵料;而发酵原料替代植物蛋白源饲喂对虾效果最差;其他３组饵料饲喂效果介于上述二者之间,但劣于市售饵料。     

Scintigraphy of normal mouse ovaries with monoclonal antibodies to ZP-2, the major zona pellucida protein

The zona pellucida is an extracellular glycocalyx, made of three sulfated glycoproteins, that surrounds mammalian oocytes. Parenterally administered monoclonal antibodies specific for ZP-2, the most abundant zona protein, localize in the zona pellucida. When labeled with iodine-125, these monoclonal antibodies demonstrate a remarkably high target-to-nontarget tissue ratio and provide clear external radioimaging of ovarian tissue.