Atrioventricular valvular insufficiency and congestive heart failure in a carpet python

Right atrioventricular valve insufficiency and bilateral congestive heart failure were identified in a carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata) with the aid of colour Doppler echocardiography, electrocardiography and radiography. The snake failed to respond to diuretic therapy and was euthanased. Based on this case, it appears that bilateral congestive failure is feasible in univentricular animals with lesions restricted to one side of the heart. Loop diuretic therapy may be inappropriate in non-crocodilian reptiles because reptiles lack a loop of Henle.     

Molecular and biological characterisation of Cryptosporidium in pigs

OBJECTIVE: Genetic and biological characterisation of 12 isolates of Cryptosporidium from pigs and comparing them with Cryptosporidium isolates from humans and cattle. DESIGN: Cryptosporidium isolates from pigs were compared with those obtained from human and cattle using rDNA sequence analysis. The infectivity of two of the porcine isolates was determined in neonatal mice and the clinical history of the infected pigs recorded. RESULTS: Pig-derived isolates of Cryptosporidium exhibited two distinct genotypes; a porcine genotype and a bovine genotype, which is common to cattle and other livestock. The porcine genotype did not produce any infection in neonatal mice whereas the bovine genotype did. CONCLUSION: Two distinct genetically and biologically differing strains of Cryptosporidium appeared to be associated with acute diarrhoea in pigs. Whether Cryptosporidium was a primary or secondary pathogen is unclear but warrants further investigation. As the bovine genotype is known to infect humans, the results suggest that pigs can act as reservoirs of cryptosporidial infections for humans and other live-stock. The zoonotic potential of the pig-adapted genotype is uncertain and requires further study.     

Production and oxidation of wool grease after shearing

OBJECTIVE: To measure the production and amount of oxidation of wool grease secreted immediately after shearing. To identify components of wool grease that might act as a carrier to facilitate lateral diffusion of topically applied insecticides. DESIGN: Fine-wool Merino sheep were shorn and residual greasy wool was collected from the sheep's flank. The quantity of grease produced, and the amount of oxidation was measured during 18 days after shearing. Wool grease was fractionated into five component groups based on their polarity and the degree of oxidation in these fractions determined. RESULTS: There was a 24% increase in grease production within 2 days after shearing but secretions returned to pre-shearing amounts after 4 days. During this period wool grease oxidized rapidly. Of the grease fractions examined, sterol and wax esters remained essentially unoxidized whereas free sterols such as cholesterol and lanosterol, fatty acids and polar lipids, aldehydes and alcohols were extensively oxidized within 7 days after shearing. CONCLUSION: The transient increase in grease production after shearing may facilitate diffusion of topically applied synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. Oxidation of grease components may then contain the insecticide and limit further diffusion. Incorporating the insecticide in non-oxidising fractions of wool grease may make insecticide dispersion more efficient.     

Variation of pesticide concentration in sheep dips operated according to traditional and revised methods

OBJECTIVE: To quantify stripping in traditional dipping operations and to revise dipping methods, based on prediction of stripping so that a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dipwash is achieved. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plunge and shower dips were operated sequentially according to traditional and revised dipping instructions. Dips were operated by continuous and intermittent replenishment. Samples of mixed dipwash were collected periodically and assayed for pesticide (diazinon) concentration. RESULTS: Diagrammatic representations of pesticide concentration versus number of sheep dipped indicated traditional dipping leads to wide variations in the concentration of pesticide in dipwash during dipping. Intermittent replenishment led to a 'saw-tooth' pattern in the pesticide concentration. Traditional continuous replenishment (using the starting concentration of pesticide) indicated both the rate and extent of stripping was higher in shower dipping. If sufficient sheep were dipped, equilibrium was reached between the rate of pesticide replenishment and removal. An alternative method of dip operation by continuous replenishment, using a low starting concentration of pesticide and a replenishment concentration high enough to offset the pesticide loss through stripping resulted in a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dip. CONCLUSION: Revision of dipping instructions can lead to exposure of sheep to stable concentrations of stripping pesticide during dipping.     

伊氏锥虫弱毒株免疫家兔的T细胞应答反应

以ANAE染色法和~3H-TdR掺入的淋巴细胞转化试验,测定了伊氏锥虫弱毒株免疫家兔的T细胞动态变化.结果,免疫兔外周血T细胞增殖反应在免疫后第24d达到高峰,ANAE阳性细胞百分率这72.65%,对照组仅为41.2%;约1周后,出现抑制性T细胞,其增殖反应也明显减弱,最后完全被抑制.而外源性白细胞介素2的加入,可解除这种免疫抑制.攻虫后,特异性T细胞应答反应未再出现强烈的回忆反应,但伊氏锥虫弱毒株免疫家兔获得9/12的保护.因此,T细胞在这种抗锥虫免疫中,没有起到主导作用.     

乾宁狼尾草和中序狼尾草的某些生物学特性初探与核型分析

从牧草种质资源鉴定利用角度,对中国产狼尾草属的两个新野生种农艺性状生长、栽植密度以及核型分析等方面,进行了比较研究。结果表明,乾宁狼尾草与中序狼尾草在自然状况下,结实率低,分别仅为41.2％和17.8％,但两者营无性繁殖的地下茎十分发达。生长分析的各项指标上,乾宁狼尾草最大叶面积指数13.1比中序狼尾草3.56大,平均净同化作用率前者小,后者大(36.2和54.1克平方米~(-2)周~(-1)),两者差异均极显著(P=0.01),平均相对生长率分别为0.56和0.52克~(-1)周~(-1),与其它各项均不显著。不同栽植密度,使得草种对光照条件、CO_2流通率以及单位植株营养面积表现出巨大差异,导致形成的生物量也不尽同。乾宁狼尾草与中序狼尾草分别以35cm和25cm行距栽植时,当年生物产量较高;从营养成分上,不单含高量的粗蛋白,营养期与开花期分别达21.45％、16.02％和21.05％、16.88％;赖氨酸含量也表现出同步优势。经染色体数目及核型分析,两种的体细胞染色体数均为36,属四倍体(X=9)。其核型彼此无差异。初步可认定两种,亲缘关系属同源染色体组。     

钙锌对蛋用型鸡育成期体组织中矿物元素含量的影响

试验研究了在玉米—豆饼型基础饲粮中添加不同水平锌和钙对蛋用型鸡育成期体组织中矿物元素含量的影响。结果表明,随着饲粮锌水平的提高,肝脏(P<0.01)、肾脏(P<0.05)、胰脏(P<0.01)中锌含量显著升高,而肺脏中锌含量没有显著变化(P>0.05)。饲粮高钙对组织中锌含量的影响未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。饲粮高锌使肝脏磷含量(P<0.05)、肾脏磷(P<0.01)和铜含量(P<0.05)、肺脏钙(P<0.01)和镁含量(P<0.01)显著降低。饲粮商钙使胰脏铜含量(P<0.05)显著提高,使胰脏锰含量显著降低(P<0.05)。     

甘蓝型低芥酸油菜单株产量基因效应的研究

用5×5半双列杂交研究甘蓝型低芥酸油菜单株产量的遗传,结果表明:供试的甘蓝型低芥酸油菜品系中,单株产量的遗传符合加性显性模型,显性性质为超显性,平均显性度为1.404。显性基因约为隐性基因的3倍多,并且多数增效基因表现显性,但也有显性的减效基因存在。单株产量的广义遗传力h_B~2=71.4％,狭义遗传力h_N~2=33.18％。供试亲本显性效应的强弱依次为81007>81006>81018>81004>81033,增效基因的多少依次为81018>81006>81007>81004>81033。一般配合力的大小依次为81018>81006>81004>81033>81007。     

稚蚕人工饲料中桑绿枝粉的添加效果及加工特点

在家蚕稚蚕人工饲料中分别添加 15 %的桑绿枝粉、冬桑条粉、桑皮粉等 ,并与豆腐渣、市售纤维素粉末等进行了对照试验 ,结果以添加桑绿枝粉的稚蚕人工饲料各项成绩最为理想 ,稚蚕对其有良好的摄食性 ,从而为研制稚蚕低成本人工饲料开辟了新的原料来源     

内蒙古大兴安岭林区发展草地畜牧业潜力分析与对策

内蒙古大兴安岭林区草地资源较为丰富，发展林区草地畜牧业的潜力较大，但该地区草地资源和利用不均衡，有的草地严重超载，造成草场退化；而有此可利用草地尚未被充分利用，本文着重对充分利用的区域和自然条件优势及丰富的草地资源，发展林区畜牧业，建立绿色畜产品基地的潜力和对策，进行了切实可行的分析。