Effect of Collection Rhythms and Season on Rabbit Semen Production

The effects of collection regimen and time of year on rabbit semen production were determined in this study. A total of 14 crossbreed Hyla bucks were used in winter and summer. In each season, rabbits were assigned to two groups. In group 1, (n = 7) rabbits were subjected to an extensive collection regimen (two ejaculates per male, once daily/week) and in group 2, (n = 7) a semi‐intensive semen collection regimen was performed (two ejaculates per male, twice weekly). The traits recorded for each sample were libido, volume, pH, motility, sperm concentration, percentage of alive spermatozoa and sperm abnormalities. The results obtained in this study indicate that when increasing collection frequency, the rate of useful collections decreased (from 0.81 ± 0.017 to 0.69 ± 0.016; p < 0.01). The rate of useful collection also decreased in the transition from winter to summer (from 0.79 ± 0.018 to 0.70 ± 0.017; p < 0.01). Among the ejaculate characteristics studied, only volume/ejaculate (from 0.64 ± 0.015 to 0.53 ± 0.017; p < 0.01) and spermatozoa/ml (from 406 ± 15 to 359 ± 13 million; p < 0.01) appeared negatively affected by collection. In winter fewer volume/ejaculates were produced (0.55 ± 0.015 vs 0.60 ± 0.016 ml; p < 0.01) and fewer spermatozoa/ml (360 ± 14 vs 394 ± 16 million; p < 0.01) than in summer. The doses produced per ejaculate decreased as collection frequency increased, but the number of doses produced per week was higher in the semi‐intensive than the extensive rhythm (26.5 ± 2.1 vs 20.9 ± 1.5; p < 0.01). The results suggest that a semi‐intensive rhythm may be viewed favourably.     

Different biological behaviour of Waldenström macroglobulinemia in two dogs

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is a low‐grade immunosecretory disorder associated with lymphoid tumours, which is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. In this study, we describe two clinical cases of this rare syndrome in dogs, each characterized by a different onset and clinical course. In one case, a hyperacute onset and aggressive behaviour of the neoplasm was observed. Absolute serum viscosity (SV) was retrospectively evaluated in order to explain clinical findings. Rotational viscosimetry showed good precision in measuring SV. Both dogs had SV values higher than a control groups of healthy dogs although only one subject developed hyperviscosity symptoms and complications. At high paraprotein concentrations, a slight reduction of the M‐component was associated with a marked decrease in SV. Thus, this work suggests that SV assessment is a relevant tool for managing monoclonal gammopathies, whose usefulness should be further confirmed in larger cohorts of dogs.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific to the M serotype of plum pox potyvirus

A monoclonal antibody to an Albanian isolate of plum pox potyvirus (PPV) was obtained (MAbAL), that specifically recognized strain M of this virus. The specificity of MAbAL, assessed by comparative ELISA on 130 PPV isolates of different geographical origin, 22 of which were also tested by comparative IC-PCR, gave consistent and highly reproducible results. MAbAL seems to be elicited by a stable surface determinant that makes it particularly suitable for successful use under a wide range of conditions. MAbAL is an useful addition to the panel of PPV-specific MAbs available to date.     

Use of computer tomography for imaging of Crassicauda grampicola in a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).

A mature male Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) stranded along the coasts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, northeast Italy, in May 2001. Parasitic infection with Crassicauda grampicola is often found in the tympanic bullae and pterygoid sinuses in many of the Risso's dolphins examined from the same area. For this reason, it was decided to perform computed tomography of the head to assess this imaging technique for the diagnosis of crassicaudosis in dolphins. A full postmortem examination confirmed the pathologic findings of the computed tomography scan. This technique can be considered a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cranial crassicaudosis in live dolphins.     

Fine structure of the canal neuromasts of the lateral line system in the adult zebrafish

The mechanosensory lateral line system of fish is responsible for several functions such as balance, hearing, and orientation in water flow and is formed by neuromast receptor organs distributed on head, trunk and tail. Superficial and canal neuromasts can be distinguished for localization and morphological differences. Several information is present regarding the superficial neuromasts of zebrafish and other teleosts especially during larval and juvenile stages, while not as numerous data are so far available about the ultrastructural characteristics of the canal neuromasts in adult zebrafish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate by transmission electron microscopy the ultrastructural aspects of cells present in the canal neuromasts. Besides the typical cellular aspects of the neuromast, different cellular types of hair cells were observed that could be identified as developing hair cells during the physiological turnover. The knowledge of the observed cellular types of the canal neuromasts and their origin could give a contribution to studies carried out on adult zebrafish used as model in neurological and non‐neurological damages, such as deafness and vestibular disorders.     

内蒙古羊屠宰场致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌污染状况分析

为了解内蒙古地区羊屠宰场各屠宰环节致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的携带情况,评估是否存在污染风险,选取不同规模屠宰场,用棉拭子法分别采集不同屠宰环节样品349份,36 h内进行试验;应用PCR方法分离鉴定病原菌,对鉴定为致泻性大肠杆菌的分离株进行16S r DNA测序并构建系统发育树。结果显示:从刚宰杀的羊胴体表面和环境中共分离到致泻性大肠杆菌12株,其中11株携带毒力基因elt,1株携带毒力基因eae和elt;大中型屠宰场(1.21%)的致泻性大肠杆菌阳性率低于小型屠宰场(5.43%),不同规模屠宰场的预冷间均未检出致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌;从屠宰环境中分离出1株携带inv A基因的沙门氏菌,阳性率为0.29%;经高压冲洗和排酸预冷等屠宰工艺后,在羊胴体表面均未发现致泻性大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌。     

亚洲棉GaPP2C24基因的克隆及表达分析

PP2C是一大类重要的蛋白磷酸酶,广泛参与不同的逆境胁迫响应。为了解PP2C基因在干旱响应中的功能,以亚洲棉石系亚1号为材料,利用RT-PCR方法从中克隆了GaPP2C24基因,并对该基因进行了生物信息学分析,荧光定量PCR研究了其在亚洲棉不同组织和干旱胁迫下的表达情况。结果表明,GaPP2C24基因CDS序列全长为1 251 bp,编码416个氨基酸。序列同源比对发现,GaPP2C24与其他植物的PP2C氨基酸序列有较高的相似性,其中与可可树(EOY33930.1)、黄麻(OMO91132.1)的相似性分别为85%,84%。进化分析表明,GaPP2C24与同属锦葵目的黄麻聚在一支,亲缘关系最近,与可可树的亲缘关系次之。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,GaPP2C24基因在子叶、下胚轴、胚根、叶、茎和根均有表达,且在茎中的表达量最高,根中次之。GaPP2C24受干旱胁迫的诱导表达,其在根和叶片中的相对表达量在处理1 h后最高,分别达到对照的53.9,6.9倍,推测该基因在棉花干旱响应中有重要作用。     

蓖麻环核苷酸门控离子通道RcCNGC2克隆与盐胁迫下表达分析

为探讨RcCNGC2在蓖麻耐盐中的作用,以通蓖5号叶片为材料,克隆获得环核苷酸门控离子通道RcCNGC2完整编码区序列(CDS),并对该序列进行序列比对、蛋白结构分析,构建多元表达载体,分析了在盐胁迫下蓖麻RcCNGC2基因根、茎、叶组织中6个时间点的表达量变化。结果显示,RcCNGC2 CDS长度为2 148 bp,编码715个氨基酸,蛋白分子量为34.15 ku,等电点为9.96,存在5个跨膜结构域。氨基酸序列一致性分析表明,RcCNGC2与橡胶树一致性最高,达89.15%。qRT-PCR分析结果显示,NaCl处理后RcCNGC2表达量在根中上调且差异显著,在茎、叶中随NaCl处理时间延长而显著减少。综上,RcCNGC2在蓖麻受到盐胁迫时起重要信号传导作用。