Impact of postovulatory food deprivation on the ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes in sows.

The effect of food deprivation on ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes was studied in 20 crossbred multiparous sows during their second oestrus after weaning. To determine the time of ovulation, transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed. The sows were divided into 2 groups, one control group (C-group), which was fed according to Swedish standards, and one experimental group (E-group). The E-group sows were deprived of food from the first morning meal after ovulation until slaughter. Blood samples were collected every second hour from about 12 h before expected ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning until slaughter and were analysed for progesterone, prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids and triglycerides. All sows were slaughtered approximately 48 h after ovulation and the genital tract was recovered. The isthmic part of the oviduct was divided into 3 equally long segments and flushed separately with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Uterine horns were also flushed with PBS. A significantly greater number of ova were found in the first and second part of the isthmus in the E-group (p = 0.05) while in the C-group most of the ova were found in the third part of the isthmus or the uterus (p = 0.01). The level of prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite was significantly higher in the E-group compared with the C-group. The concentration of progesterone increased in both groups after ovulation but there were no significant differences between the groups. The other blood parameters showed that the food-deprived sows were in a catabolic state. The 48 h period of fasting results, directly or indirectly in an delayed ova transport, which may be due to a delayed relaxation in the smooth circular muscle layer of the isthmus.     

Filtration of Green Algae and Cyanobacteria by Freshwater Mussels in the Partitioned Aquaculture System

Abstract.— The freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata was provided water containing green algae and cyanobacteria delivered from the Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) at eight flow rates to determine algal filtration rates as mg of particulate organic carbon (POC)/kg wet tissue weight per h. The dominant taxon in cyanobacterial waters was Microcystis while the dominant taxa in green algal waters were Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus . The cell counts of Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus were the only algal taxa that were significantly different between the incoming water and water filtered by mussels. Filtration rates of POC obtained from green algal water were significantly greater than from cyanobacteria-dominated waters at all flow rates. A significant increase in mean filtration rate was observed as flow rates increased. The filtration rate of green algae increased as POC concentration increased, peaking at 28 mg C/L. A maximum filtration rate was not observed with cyanobacterial waters.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Grain Growth, Starch Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Differing in Grain Weight Stability

The effect of heat stress on the components of grain weight was analysed in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties differing in grain weight stability. The wheat varieties PBW154, Sonalika and Hindi62 were raised in the field (New Delhi, India; 77°12' E, 28°40' N, 228.6 m a.s.l.) at three dates of sowing: 19 November 1992 (DOS I), 14 December 1992 (DOS II) and 18 January 1993 (DOS III). The late-sown crop (DOS III) experienced 6–8 °C warmer temperatures during grain development than the crop sown at the normal time (DOS I). The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed that grain weight was less susceptible to heat in Sonalika and PBW154 than in Hindi62. Heat stress reduced both the grain growth duration (GGD) and the grain growth rate (GGR). The grain weight reduction in PBW154 and Sonalika was mainly due to a reduction in GGR, while that of Hindi62 was due to a reduction in GGD. In vivo studies on starch and protein synthesis in excised endosperm at 15, 25 and 35 °C revealed that both processes were more thermotolerant in Hindi62 than in PBW154. The grain starch content was stable in Hindi62 while that in PBW154 was significantly reduced under heat stress. The grain nitrogen content at maturity increased in both varieties under heat stress. It was concluded that the heat susceptibility of grain weight in Hindi62 was mainly due to a reduction in GGD, although GGR, starch and protein synthesis were more thermotolerant in developing grains of Hindi62 than in those of PBW154.     

樟子松枯梢病的防治研究

樟子松移植苗枯梢病Sphaeropsis sapinea可以通过药剂有效地进行防治。移植前以50％多菌灵wp500倍液浸苗；在人工林中，内吸性杀菌剂－甲基托布津、多菌灵为首选药剂；在树木新梢生长停止期和展叶中期（辽西北为6月初和6月中旬），70％甲基托布津wp 1000倍液或50％多菌灵wp 500倍液防治2次。保护性杀菌剂－百菌清效果不佳。适时的卫生伐对该病有明显的抑制作用。     

白浆土的氮素分布特征

本文以黑龙江省三江平原耕地白浆土为主要研究对象,并以复区内存在的草甸土和暗棕壤作比较,研究了土壤各种理化性质与不同形态氮素之间的相关关系:白浆土中 HA 和 FA 的主要差别,在于前者含有较多的碱性氨基酸,而后者则含有较多的酸性氨基酸;各种不同形状 N素与土壤 pH 值,质地等相关性不显著,而与土壤有机质、全 N 和 C/N 比值等的相关性极为显著。     

Neurotrophins and the Thymus: Morphological Analysis of Mice Carrying a Non-functional Mutation on the Trka and Trkb Genes

Veterinary Research Communications -     

微量元素相对生物学利用率的研究方法

有机微量元素具有多种优点,本文阐述了有关外源微量元素生物学利用率,回顾了微量元素不同添加方法的研究成果并进行比较。1影响动物对微量元素吸收的因素微量元素的吸收水平直接影响动物机体对微量元素的利用。如果饲喂量超过机体的代谢量,微量元素的吸收下降;如果饲喂量不足,机体则会提高对微量元素的吸收,这就说明机体自我平衡作用可以调节营养素的吸收。日粮总体消化率及各营养素间的相互作用均会影响矿物质吸收,这种相互作用包括协同作用(如铁和维生素C)和拮抗作用(如钙和锌,铜和钼、硫)。动物种类、品种、年龄、性别等也会影响微量元…     

Maladies de l'eucalyptus1

Les eucalyptus constituent—au moins au meme titre que les genres Pinus et Populus—l'un des genres d'arbres forestiers les plus importants à l'échelle mondiale, et en particulier par l'extension considérable des reboisements (plus de 4 millions d'ha) en régions tropicales, sahéliennes et tempérées chaudes. L'article tente de faire le point sur les problèmes posés par les maladies pouvant gener cet effort de reboisement, notamment en région méditerranéenne, et souligne l'importance et l'avenir des eucalyptus dans cette région. Il est procédéà un inventaire général, à l'échelle mondiale, des maladies des eucalyptus et de l'importance des parasites en cause. Un certain nombre d'entre eux sont étudiés plus en détail, selon qu'ils sont présents dans le pays d'origine des eucalyptus ou dans les zones où ils ont été introduits. Une section est réservée à la région méditerranéenne, où certaines maladies s'en prenant aux racines, aux rameaux, aux feuilles ou au bois ont été identifiées; pour l'instant, la plupart d'entre elles ne sont pas trop graves. Enfin, des propositions et des règles de protection phytosanitaire, visant à restreindre les risques d'introduction des parasites les plus dangereux ou d'extension de ceux existant actuellement, sont citées, en insistant sur les risques de transport de maladies d'une région à une autre par l'intermédiaire des échanges de matériel végétal autres que les graines.     

Alfalfa Phytoestrogen Content: Impact of Plant Maturity and Herbage Components

Legumes contain a range of non‐nutritional phytochemicals that may have health‐promoting effects in humans. In this study, we determined the concentrations of four phytoestrogens (coumestrol, apigenin, luteolin and quercetin) in field‐grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Differences between plants of different stages of maturity, between plant parts, and different canopy segments were assessed. The concentration of individual phytoestrogen in whole herbage varied between 15 and 225 μg g^?1 dry matter (DM) and was strongly affected by stage of maturity. Coumestrol and apigenin concentrations were highest at early vegetative stages, luteolin and quercetin at early vegetative and late flowering stages. All phytoestrogens were found in lowest concentrations at the early flowering stage (average 68 μg g^?1 DM); stage at which alfalfa is usually harvested when used as a forage source for animals. At vegetative stages, apigenin was the predominant phytoestrogen in herbage followed by coumestrol, the reverse being observed upon initiation of flowering; luteolin and quercetin were found at all stages in similarly lower concentrations. Concentrations of luteolin, quercetin and apigenin were 225, 410 and 690 % greater, respectively, in flowers than in leaves or stems; coumestrol concentration was similar between plant parts. In flowers and stems the predominant phytoestrogens were apigenin and quercetin, followed by coumestrol and luteolin. Similar concentrations (average 26 μg g^?1 DM) of each of the four phytoestrogens were found in leaves. Concentrations through the herbage canopy varied and were greatest at >60 cm from the soil surface for apigenin and coumestrol, but greatest at >60 and 0–20 cm for quercetin and at 0–20 cm for luteolin. The results suggest that if alfalfa is to be used as a source of phytoestrogens and is harvested for the production of herbal supplements or nutraceuticals, management will need to be adapted.