Reproductive seasonality in the mare: neuroendocrine basis and pharmacologic control

Reproductive seasonality in the mare is characterized by a marked decline in adenohypophyseal synthesis and secretion of LH beginning near the autumnal equinox. Thus, ovarian cycles have ceased in most mares by the time of the winter solstice. Endogenous reproductive rhythms in seasonal species are entrained or synchronized as a result of periodic environmental cues. In the horse, this cue is primarily day length. Hence, supplemental lighting schemes have been used managerially for decades to modify the annual timing of reproduction in the mare. Although a full characterization of the cellular and molecular bases of seasonal rhythms has not been realized in any species, many of their synaptic and humoral signaling pathways have been defined. In the mare, neuroendocrine-related studies have focused primarily on the roles of GnRH and interneuronal signaling pathways that subserve the GnRH system in the regulatory cascade. Recent studies have considered the role of a newly discovered neuropeptide, RF-related peptide 3 that could function to inhibit GnRH secretion or gonadotrope responsiveness. Although results that used native peptide sequences have been negative in the mare and mixed in all mammalian females, new studies that used an RFRP3 antagonist (RF9) in sheep are encouraging. Importantly, despite continuing deficits in some fundamental areas, the knowledge required to control seasonal anovulation pharmacologically has been available for >20 yr. Specifically, the continuous infusion of native GnRH is both reliable and efficient for accelerating reproductive transition and is uniquely applicable to the horse. However, its practical exploitation continues to await the development of a commercially acceptable delivery vehicle.     

干旱胁迫下侧柏、苦楝等树种的生理生化响应及抗旱性评价

采用盆栽试验研究干旱胁迫条件下5种树种侧柏、苦楝、栾树、黄连木、乌桕1年实生苗的抗旱生理生化指标丙二醛(MDA)、电导率(EC)、叶绿素(Chl.)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)、过氧化物酶活性(POD)等的变化。在研究生理生化指标与抗旱性关系的基础上,采用隶属函数法对上述指标进行综合分析,得出其抗旱能力从大到小的顺序为:侧柏、栾树、黄连木、乌桕、苦楝,这一结果与5种植物的实际表现一致。     

玉米干酒糟及其可溶物饲粮中添加共轭亚油酸或甜菜碱对肥育猪生长性能、血清生化指标及抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究在玉米干酒糟及其可溶物(DDGS)饲粮中添加共轭亚油酸(CLA)或甜菜碱(BET)对肥育猪生长性能、血清生化指标及抗氧化功能的影响。选用(60±2)kg"杜×长×大"三元杂交猪32头,随机分为4个处理,每个处理8个重复,每个重复1头猪。Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮;Ⅱ组在Ⅰ组的基础上用30%的玉米DDGS替代豆粕和部分玉米;Ⅲ、Ⅳ组在Ⅱ组的基础上分别添加1%的CLA和0.1%的BET。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)各组间生长性能差异不显著(P>0.05)。2)血清生化指标方面,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组总蛋白(TP)含量以及谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性显著降低(P<0.05),Ⅳ组胆固醇(CHO)含量显著下降(P<0.05)。与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅳ组葡萄糖(GLU)含量显著升高(P<0.05)。3)血清抗氧化指标方面,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高(P<0.05)。与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅲ组MDA含量显著降低(P<0.05),总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性以及总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均显著升高(P<0.05);Ⅳ组T-SOD以及GSH-Px活性显著升高(P<0.05)。4)肌肉抗氧化指标方面,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组MDA含量显著升高(P<0.05)。与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组MDA含量显著下降(P<0.05),同时T-AOC显著升高(P<0.05)。综上所述,在肥育猪饲粮中添加30%的玉米DDGS对其生长性能无显著影响,但机体抗氧化能力有所降低;而在玉米DDGS饲粮中添加1%的CLA或0.1%的BET后,机体抗氧化能力在一定程度上得到了改善。     

3种半数致死浓度计算方法之比较

通过对寇氏法、概率单位法及线性回归法等3种半数致死浓度(50%lethal concentration,LC50)计算方法的阐述,比较了其基本公式与操作方法等。结果表明不同时间的半数致死浓度均依线性回归法、寇氏法、概率单位法的顺序逐步升高,但差异性不显著(P>0.05)。在操作上,概率单位法和线性回归较寇氏法更容易掌握。     

小肽对家禽肠道生理功能的影响

家禽肠道生理功能与家禽机体健康状态关系密切,维护家禽肠道生理功能是实现家禽健康养殖的关键。小肽以其独特的营养特性和吸收机制能够促进家禽肠道系统发育、肠道消化酶的分泌、肠道有益菌的大量繁殖、微量元素的吸收及肠道免疫力的提高,从而增强肠道的屏障作用和养分吸收能力,对肠道起到保护作用。开发以小肽为主的新型饲料添加剂在维护家禽肠道生理功能,实现健康养殖方面潜力巨大。     

脑心肌炎病毒及其蛋白结构和功能研究进展

脑心肌炎病毒(EMCV)是一种重要的人畜共患病病原,高危感染动物是猪,自然宿主是啮齿动物,人也可以感染这种病毒。也有研究报道,病毒可分解为前体蛋白P1、P2、P 3和L蛋白,最终切割成11个蛋白终产物,其中VP1蛋白存在主要抗原表位,具有良好的中和作用。目前尚不能阐明病毒感染后的发病机制,宿主感染病毒的影响因素等。因此,对病毒特性进行的研究有助于对该病的预防及控制,对病毒基因组及它所编码蛋白的结构与功能的研究对新型疫苗及动物机体的抗感染免疫机制的研究有重要的生物学作用。论文综述了脑心肌炎病毒基因组结构及其编码蛋白的结构和功能。     

犁鼻器的结构和功能

大多数陆生脊椎动物的鼻腔都有两套化学感受器,即嗅器和犁鼻器。犁鼻器(vomeronasal organ)是临近犁鼻骨的一对盲囊,被覆发达的犁鼻上皮。嗅器主要接受挥发性的小分子物质;犁鼻器主要感受非挥发性的大分子化学物质,如信息素等。犁鼻器在脊椎动物的演化过程中差异明显。鱼类、鳄鱼、鸟类及大多数的蝙蝠和海洋哺乳动物均无犁鼻器;两栖类开始出现犁鼻器;有鳞类和啮齿类的犁鼻器非常发达,且成为一个独立器官。目前,犁鼻器的功能是对陆生环境的特异适应还是对水生环境的适应,仍存在争议。犁鼻器的发生及其功能的研究对于探讨脊椎动物由水生到陆生过程中嗅觉系统的适应进化意义重大。     

中药组方对黄曲霉毒素B1中毒雏鸭肝功能的影响

为观察黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)对试验雏鸭肝功能血清指标的影响及复方中药对AFB1的颉颃效应,本试验选用7日龄健康雏鸭90只,分为3组,每组30只。Ⅰ组为空白对照组,灌胃与试验组等体积二甲基亚砜;Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组为试验组。每天分别按0.1mg/kg剂量给Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组雏鸭灌胃AFB1一次,连续投药21d,试验期间给Ⅲ组雏鸭日粮中添加2%复方中药。分别在给雏鸭投药后7、14、21d,检测雏鸭肝功能部分血清指标。结果显示,Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组雏鸭丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)与Y-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)活性显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),而血清总蛋白(TP)与白蛋白(ALB)含量显著下降(P<0.05);与Ⅱ组比较,在日粮中添加复方中药的Ⅲ组雏鸭各项血清指标均有显著改善(P<0.05)。说明黄曲霉毒素B1导致雏鸭肝功能发生显著的变化,而复方中药能明显改善其变化。     

秦岭羚牛角结构与功能的研究

通过对秦岭羚牛的野外观察发现,秦岭羚牛头上长有2只洞角,在与雄性同类个体争偶打斗时,角的使用方式与非争偶的打斗不同;在争偶打斗时,角的前缘具有瞄准对方的作用,通过分析计算羚牛角的前缘也证明了不争偶的雌性与争偶的雄性此处存在差异。     

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in healthy cats using single-slice dynamic CT and Patlak plot analysis

Commonly used clinical indicators of renal disease are either insensitive to early dysfunction or have delayed results. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) indicates renal dysfunction before there is a loss of 50% of functional nephrons. Most tests evaluate global rather than individual kidney function. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) and Patlak plot analysis allows for individual GFR to be tested. Our objectives were to establish a procedure and provide reference values for determination of global GFR in 10 healthy cats using dynamic CT (CTGFR). This method of GFR determination was compared against serum iohexol clearance (SIC). A single CT slice centered on both kidneys and the aorta was acquired every fifth second during and after a bolus injection of iohexol (240 mgI/ml; 300 mgI/kg) for 115 s. Using data from this dynamic acquisition, Patlak plots were obtained, GFR was calculated, and results were compared to global GFR determined by iohexol clearance. The average global CTGFR estimate was 1.84 ml/min x kg (SD = 0.43; range = [1.22, 2.45]). The average global GFR measured using SIC was 2.45 ml/min x kg (SD = 0.58; range = [1.72, 3.69]). GFR measurements estimated by both dynamic CT and SIC were positively associated (estimated Spearman rank correlation coefficient = 0.72; P = 0.0234). The CTGFR method consistently underestimated GFR with a bias of -0.62 (SE = 0.1307) when compared to SIC (P = 0.0011). In healthy cats, CTGFR was capable of determining individual kidney function and appears clinically promising.