Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level

1. The aim of this study was to investigate if male-to-female aggression of common pheasants in the course of the breeding season was related to the concentration of plasma testosterone and/or other biochemical plasma indicators in male pheasants housed in breeding cages. The influence of season on the concentration of testosterone and biochemical indicators was also investigated.

2. Males were divided into non-aggressive and aggressive groups during the breeding season based on ethological evaluation. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the breeding season, a blood sample was taken from all males on the same day and the concentration of selected biochemical indicators and the total circulating testosterone in the plasma were determined.

3. Male-to-female aggression during the breeding season of pheasants was not influenced by the total plasma testosterone of males.

4. The concentration of total plasma testosterone in males decreased gradually during the breeding season.

5. Male-to-female aggression of pheasants did not have a significant effect on any of the assessed biochemical indicators.

6. The influence of the breeding season affected the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the concentrations of glucose, magnesium, potassium and chloride in the blood plasma of cage-housed male pheasants.     

Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats

Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypoglycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats. Our research included six healthy middle‐aged cats. Xylitol was dissolved in deionized water and administered p.o. at three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight). These dosages have been considered toxic and can cause liver failure or even death in dogs. After every xylitol administration, the basic health status and the blood glucose of cats were observed regularly. Additionally, prior to and 6, 24 and 72 hr after xylitol administration, blood samples were taken to check complete blood count, clinical biochemical parameters and enzymes such as ALT, ALKP, GGT, GLDH, bile acids, BUN, creatinine, phosphate, total protein, albumin, sodium and potassium. There were no significant changes (p > .05) in any of the haematological or biochemical parameters. Blood glucose concentrations did not show any significant alterations, except at 1,000 mg/kg dose, where a mild but significant increase was observed, but it was in physiological range. Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Effect of Luteolin on Blood Indexes,Liver and Kidney in Mice with Acute Mercury Poisoning

To study the effect of luteolin on blood indexes,liver and kidney in mice with acute mercury poisoning,28 mice were randomly divided into four groups:Control group (intraperitoneal injection 0.9% saline),luteolin group (lavage 100 mg/kg luteolin),mercuric chloride group (intraperitoneal injection 4 mg/kg mercury chloride) and mercury chloride+luteolin group (intraperitoneal injection 4 mg/kg mercuric chloride,lavage 100 mg/kg luteolin).The activities of ALT in serum,AST,CREA and BUN contents,blood WBC,RBC,HGB content and GSH and MDA contents of liver tissue were detected.Morphological changes of liver and kidney tissues were observed.The results showed that compared with the control group,the activities of ALT and AST of mercuric chloride group were extremely significantly increased (P < 0.01),serum CREA,BUN,blood WBC and liver tissue MDA contents were significantly increased (P < 0.05) while blood RBC,HGB and liver tissue GSH contents were significantly decreased (P < 0.05).Liver,kidney pathological changes were obviously.Compared with mercuric chloride group,the activities of ALT,AST in serum,CREA,BUN,blood WBC and liver tissue MDA contents of mercuric chloride+luteolin group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05),while blood RBC,HGB and liver tissue GSH contents were significantly elevated (P < 0.05).Liver,kidney pathological changes were attenuated obviously.The poisoning were characterized by inflammation and the occurrence of anemia when acute mercury poisoning occurred,liver and kidney showed different degrees of injury in mice.Luteolin could reduce the toxic effects of acute mercury poisoning on blood,liver and kidney.     

丹江口水源涵养区绿色高效农业技术创新集成与示范——模式设计、技术集成与机制创新

2017年5月，中国农业科学院科技创新工程协同创新任务“丹江口水源涵养区绿色高效农业技术创新集成与示范”正式启动。项目在农业绿色高效生产、种养耦合、生态循环、面源污染控制、多功能田园生态系统构建等方面开展协同创新。按照单一技术规范化、复合技术集成化、体系技术系统化的思路，任务创新集成水源涵养区生物多样性利用与农业种植结构调整、主要农产品全产业链绿色高效生产、种养循环新模式、生态型高效设施农业、农村生活污染物控制等环节的十大关键技术，总结形成一套水源涵养区绿色高效农业全域综合性的技术解决方案，可为其他同类地区提供可复制、可推广的经验、模式和示范样板，为保障南水北调水质安全，推动水源涵养区农业绿色发展、农民增收及区域脱贫攻坚提供有效的科技支撑。     

低海拔异地育肥牦牛与本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)在不同非蛋白氮水平饲粮条件下血液生理生化指标及生长性能的差异

为探究异地育肥牦牛模式,本试验对比了低海拔异地育肥耗牛与本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)在同等条件下血液生理生化指标和生长性能的差异。将体重相近的8头1岁本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)和8头4岁青海牦牛各分为2组,每组4头,同一品种的2组试验牛分别饲喂低非蛋白氮饲粮[LNPN,饲粮中缓释尿素添加量为1.0%(干物质基础)]和高非蛋白氮饲粮[HNPN,饲粮中缓释尿素添加量为1.5%(干物质基础)]。预试期10 d,正试期50 d。结果发现:牦牛与肉牛均在LNPN条件下表现出最高的平均日采食量和最小的料重比。饲粮非蛋白氮水平未对牦牛与肉牛的血常规指标造成显著影响(P0.05),但是牦牛在各饲粮条件下中性粒细胞数目(Gran#)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量(MCH)、红细胞分布宽度标准差(RDW-SD)、平均血小板体积(MPV)和血小板分布宽度(PDW)显著高于肉牛(P0.05),而平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度(M CHC)和血小板数目(PLT)显著低于肉牛(P0.05)。饲粮非蛋白氮水平未对肉牛和牦牛各项血清生化指标产生显著影响(P0.05)。牦牛在各饲粮条件下血清总蛋白(TP)、尿素氮(UN)、肌酐(GREA)、免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)、免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)和免疫球蛋白G(Ig G)水平均显著高于肉牛(P0.05)。牦牛在HNPN条件下的血清白蛋白(ALB)水平显著低于LNPN条件下(P0.05)。本试验结果表明,在肉牛和牦牛育肥饲粮中添加1.0%的缓释尿素替代饲粮蛋白质是可行的;低海拔异地育肥牦牛不会对牦牛健康产生不利影响。     

施用羊粪对多花黑麦草生产性能和氮素生产效率的影响

为了探讨羊粪施用量对多花黑麦草生产性能和氮素生产效率的影响,以3个多花黑麦草品种为材料,采用5种羊粪施用梯度进行田间试验。结果表明:在0~60 t/hm2范围内,随着羊粪施用量的增加,多花黑麦草的分蘖数、株高、产量、粗蛋白含量均能显著提高,但氮素的生产效率逐步降低,且3个品种间的差异不显著(P0.05);证实3个品种均适合利用羊粪种植,在多次刈割条件下,最佳羊粪施用量为45~60 t/hm2(折合纯氮778.5~1038 kg/hm2)。     

颗粒日粮中添加柠条对滩羊生长性能、血液生化指标、瘤胃发酵及羊肉品质的影响

[目的]研究颗粒日粮中添加柠条对滩羊生长性能、血液生化指标、瘤胃发酵及羊肉品质的影响。[方法]选择体重相近的健康去势滩羊20只,随机分成两组,每组10只;对照组饲喂含有10%菊花粕的颗粒日粮,试验组饲喂含有6%柠条和4%菊花粕的颗粒日粮;开展周期为50天的育肥试验,测定滩羊的生长性能指标;育肥试验结束后,测定滩羊血液生化指标;屠宰后测定滩羊的屠宰性能指标,并取瘤胃液测定瘤胃发酵指标;取背腰最长肌,测定粗脂肪、粗蛋白、氨基酸含量以及脂肪酸组成。[结果]试验组和对照组滩羊的初始体重和终末体重无显著（P>0.05）差异;试验组平均日增重较对照组降低10.84%,差异不显著（P>0.05）;对照组平均日采食量显著（P<0.05）高于试验组;两组试验羊料肉比相同。试验组滩羊血清中的总蛋白含量显著（P<0.05）高于对照组,其他血液生化指标无显著（P>0.05）差异。对照组滩羊屠宰率比试验组高1.59%,差异不显著（P>0.05）;两组试验羊肝脏重、肝脏指数、心脏和肺脏重、心脏和肺脏指数差异不显著（P>0.05）。试验组滩羊瘤胃液中丁酸浓度显著（P<0.05）高于对照组,异戊酸浓度显著（P<0.05）低于对照组。对照组和试验组滩羊背腰最长肌中分别检测出18种和20种脂肪酸,粗蛋白含量分别为17.51%和20.92%,粗脂肪含量分别为3.22%和3.89%,总氨基酸含量分别为13.25%和14.09%。[结论]颗粒日粮中加入柠条对滩羊生长性能、血液生化指标和屠宰性能影响不明显,但可改善瘤胃发酵,丰富羊肉中脂肪酸组成及含量,增加肉中粗蛋白、粗脂肪和氨基酸含量。