Improving the reproductive,immunity and health status of rabbit does using honey bee venom

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effect of using bee venom (BV) on the reproductive performance, immune, and health status of rabbit does and its effect on their litters. Sixty mature does, from Spanish V-line rabbit stock, were randomly assigned to four homogeneous groups with 15 does each. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd groups were injected twice weekly under the neck skin with 0.1 ml solution contains 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg BV/rabbit respectively. The 4^th group served as a control group. From the results, litter size at birth, litter weight and survival rate at weaning age as well as milk yield were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in BV groups than in the control group. Serum estradiol 17-β (E2) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher (15%) in the rabbit does treated with BV compared to the control group. The treated does with BV at any study doses showed a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease (12%) in serum progesterone levels (P4) compared to the control. They also showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in conception (17%) and fertility rates (10%) compared to the control does. Treatment of rabbit does with BV caused a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (16%) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (37%) liver enzyme activities. Additionally, results have shown that BV resulted in a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels with significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in BV groups compared to the control group. Results suggest that BV can be used in rabbit farming as an effective and safe alternative to artificial chemical drugs (sexual-stimulants) to improve certain reproductive traits, immune response and health.     

Two successful embryo transfers of mini-donkey embryos in Brazilian Northeastern jennies using an alternative method: Case report

Pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET) are disappointing in donkey species. This study aims to report two successful ET of mini-donkey embryos using Brazilian Northeastern jennies as recipients. Eighteen embryo flushes were performed 9 days post-ovulation in two non-pregnant mini-donkeys jennies (11 and 7 cycles per jenny). Eleven embryos (61%, 11/18) were collected and transferred to Brazilian Northeastern jennies 4–6 days post-ovulation by conventional (n = 6) or an alternative (n = 5) technique. The alternative method consisted of inserting a Polansky equine vaginal speculum smeared with lubricant in the vagina of the recipient jenny. The arms of the speculum were extended to allow the visualization of the cervix. Then, using an adapted crafted, elongated, toothed tissue grasping forceps, the external cervical os was held, and the cervix was gently pulled backward, aiming to straight the cervical canal. The ET gun was inserted through the vagina and cervix by visual inspection, and the embryo was released into the uterine lumen. All embryos collected were Grade 1 and classified as Expanded Blastocysts. No jennies become pregnant after conventional ET (0/6), whereas two recipient jennies (40%, 2/5) become pregnant and delivered offspring in the following year after ET using the alternative technique. In conclusion, Brazilian Northeastern jennies can be used as embryo recipients using the alternative method proposed in the present study. However, further investigations are needed to improve the knowledge and results of ET in donkey species.     

火烧后亚高山草甸恢复过程中物种组成和群落特征变化规律的研究

为了解火烧对植物群落结构和植被恢复速度的影响,本研究以甘肃省皇城羊场亚高山草甸为研究对象,于2017年5月进行了火烧试验,并分别在2017,2018及2019年的5月（返青期）、7月（生长期）和9月（生长末期）测量了该区域火烧样地和原生样地的植被覆盖度、群落多样性和裸地百分比等指标。结果表明：2019年5月后火烧样地与原生样地间植物群落多样性指数（Margalef指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数）间差异不显著;火烧后引起的植物结构变化是短暂的,并随着时间的推移逐渐减少甚至消失,恢复时间大约16个月左右;同时火烧改变了物种组成,其中在火烧样地中甘肃马先蒿（Pedicularis kansuensis）和锐果鸢尾（Iris goniocarpa）逐渐消失,而鳞叶龙胆（Gentiana squarrosa）和火绒草（Leontopodium leontopodioides）逐渐出现。本研究说明春季火烧对亚高山草甸植物组成和结构有一定的调节作用,可作为亚高山草甸管理的有效措施。     

香猪基因组外显子SNPs检测及繁殖和体型性状候选基因分析

为从基因组水平上探究香猪性成熟早、产仔数少、体型小的分子机理,本研究下载与香猪在繁殖和体型性状方面有明显差异的梅山猪、杜洛克猪的重测序数据作为参照,对26头香猪、24头梅山猪和24头杜洛克猪的重测序数据进行SNPs检测和等位基因频率差值分析,筛选香猪基因组外显子上与梅山猪、杜洛克猪高度分化的SNPs位点,并使用AS-PCR方法和Sanger测序方法统计其中8个SNPs位点的群体等位基因频率。最后,对含有高度分化SNPs位点的基因进行GO功能富集和KEGG通路分析。结果显示,SNPs检测获得香猪基因组外显子上SNPs共236 710个,包括193个终止密码子丢失、1 238个终止密码子获得、90 945个错义SNPs和144 334个同义SNPs。得到1 046个香猪高度分化SNPs,包括429个错义SNPs、2个终止子丢失、6个终止子获得和609个同义SNPs,影响524个蛋白质编码基因;并发现X染色体上44-58 Mb的一段富含高度分化SNPs的热点区域。群体等位基因频率验证结果与重测序结果一致,鉴定了8个位点均为香猪与梅山猪、杜洛克猪高度分化的SNPs。对524个含有高度分化SNPs的基因进行GO和KEGG分析,富集到卵母细胞减数分裂、雌激素信号途径等繁殖相关通路;GO功能注释到细胞内雌激素受体信号、纤毛运动等繁殖相关条目,骨骼系统形态发生、骨骼发育、成骨细胞分化等体型相关条目。得到含有香猪高度分化SNPs的18个繁殖性状候选基因PTGFR、TRO、DNAH17、PKDREJ、KAT8、DNAI2、VDR、TEX14、QSOX1、AR、WNK3、ADCY3、SPEF1、MIGA2、SLC2A8、PSMF1、TBC1D20、IFT172和7个体型相关基因IBSP、NR6A1、HSPG2、TARS、PDZD2、FGF4、AMER1,可能是决定香猪性成熟早、产仔数少、体型小的关键基因。     

甘氨酸锌在动物生产中的应用研究

锌是动物体内的必需微量元素之一,在动物生长发育和健康方面起着关键作用。甘氨酸锌作为有机微量元素具有生物利用率高、减排环保等优势。综述了甘氨酸锌对动物的生长性能、繁殖性能、免疫能力及肠道健康的影响,探讨了动物对甘氨酸锌的需要量,旨在为动物生产中科学利用甘氨酸锌改善动物健康,促进动物生长提供理论依据。     

巴音布鲁克新疆假龙胆适生地植物群落物种多样性及其环境解释

为研究新疆巴音布鲁克地区不同土壤层次环境因子对新疆假龙胆适生地植物群落物种多样性的影响,为新疆假龙胆物种多样性保护提供理论依据。采用野外样地调查的方法,在新疆假龙胆适生海拔范围内共设置了16个样地进行植物多样性统计分析,共调查到植物72种,隶属22科48属,以豆科和禾本科植物为主。根据样地内各物种重要值的大小将所有采样点的植物群落划分为5类。通过单因素方差分析和RDA分析,对植物群落多样性指数与土壤环境因子间的关系进行了分析,结果表明:物种多样性指数与土壤环境因子之间具有显著的相关关系,其中土壤全磷、全氮、总盐是影响物种多样性的主导因素。对植物群落多样性指数与土壤不同层次理化指标的进一步分析表明:影响植物群落物种多样性极显著的环境因子是0~20cm土层的全磷,其次分别是0~10cm土层的全钾和30~50cm土层的总盐和pH值。     

Horse Preference,Forage Yield,and Species Persistence of 12 Perennial Cool-Season Grass Mixtures Under Horse Grazing

Cool-season grass mixtures are rarely evaluated for preference, yield, and persistence under horse grazing. The objectives of this research were to evaluate horse preference, forage yield, and persistence of cool-season grass mixtures under horse grazing. Eight commercially marketed and four experimental perennial cool-season grass mixtures were planted in 2009 in a randomized complete block with five replicates and grazed by four adult horses during 2010, 2011, and 2012. All mixtures contained four to six cool-season perennial grass species. Specie density measurements were taken in each spring and fall, and yield was mechanically measured before each grazing period. After grazing, preference was determined by visually assessing percentage of forage removal on a scale of 0 (no grazing) to 100 (100% of vegetation removed). Data were analyzed using a mixed-model analysis of variance and liner regression. Horses preferred mixtures containing tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and timothy (P < .001). Horses had less preference for mixtures containing ≥30% orchardgrass (P < .001). Mixtures had similar (P = .11) forage yields that ranged from 6,100 to 7,082 kg ha⁻¹. After 2 years of grazing, orchardgrass and tall fescue increased; Kentucky bluegrass remained stable; and festulolium, meadow fescue, and perennial ryegrass had the greatest rate of decline in mixtures. Orchardgrass became the dominate species, regardless of initial percentage in the mixture. Mixtures containing tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and timothy should be planted in midwestern US horse pastures; however, mixtures will likely transition to tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass–dominated pastures.     

Suppression of behavioural and physiological oestrus in the mare by vaccination against GnRH

OBJECTIVE: To examine the immunogenicity of an equine immunocontraceptive vaccine and its efficacy in controlling hormone-related behaviour. DESIGN: A total of 24 mares at two sites in Australia were vaccinated with an immunocontraceptive vaccine comprising gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) conjugated to a carrier protein in immunostimulating complex as an adjuvant. Twelve animals at each site received a placebo of adjuvant alone and served as controls for seasonal oestrus, hormonal and behaviour patterns. Animals were observed for injection site reactions, ovarian and follicular activity, and serum levels of antibody, 17beta-oestradiol and progesterone in the weeks following vaccination. Mares were also examined for oestrous behaviour by teasing with a stallion. RESULTS: All mares responded to vaccination. Two weeks following the second vaccination there was a peak in antibody response to GnRH that declined gradually over the following weeks. Commensurate with the elevated anti-GnRH antibody there was a marked effect on ovarian activity with a reduction in 17beta-oestradiol and progesterone levels in the 24 vaccinated mares. There was also a reduction of oestrus-related behaviour as determined by a teaser stallion. This effect lasted a minimum of 3 months and correlated with the initial level of antibody response. CONCLUSION: Following a conventional two-dose immunisation regime this commercially available equine immunocontraceptive vaccine was effective at inhibiting oestrous behaviour for at least 3 months. This vaccine has a high level of safety since there were no significant local reactions nor were there any adverse systemic responses to vaccination.