Influence of post-ovulatory insemination on sperm distribution,pregnancy and the infiltration by cells of the immune system,and the distribution of CD2, CD4, CD8 and MHC class II expressing cells in the sow endometrium

This study investigates the distribution of leucocytes, CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations and MHC class II expressing cells in the sow endometrium following post-ovulatory insemination in relation to clinical findings and pregnancy outcome. Crossbred multiparous sows were inseminated once either at 15-20 h after ovulation [experiment 1, slaughtered at 20-25 h (5-6 h after artificial insemination (AI), group 1-A, n = 4), at 70 h after ovulation (group 1-B, n = 4), on day 11 (group 1-C, n = 4, first day of standing oestrus = day 1) or on day 19 (group 1-D, n = 4)] or 30 h after ovulation [experiment 2, slaughtered at 5-6 h after AI (group 2-A, n = 4) or on day 19 (group 2-D, n = 3)]. The uterine horns were flushed to control for the presence of spermatozoa and neutrophils and/or for recovery of oocytes and/or embryos. Mesometrial uterine samples were plastic embedded and stained. Cryofixed uterine samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry using mAbs to lymphocyte subpopulations and MHC class II molecules. Light microscopy was used to examine surface (SE) and glandular epithelia (GE), and connective tissue layers, both subepithelially (SL) and glandular (GL). In experiment 1, group 1-A, only one sow had spermatozoa in the utero-tubal junction (UTJ). Marked/moderated numbers of neutrophils and spermatozoa were observed in the flushings of two sows. In group 1-B, altogether 23 of 48 oocytes were cleaved. Day 11 (1-C), embryos with small diameter were observed. Day 19 (1-D), no embryos were found but small pieces of foetal membrane were observed in one of the sows. In group 1-A, large numbers of neutrophils were found within the SE and SL but with high individual variation. For T lymphocyte subpopulations, in the SE, most CD2+ cells were found in group 1-A. For both SE and GE in all groups, the number of CD8+ cells was significantly larger than that of CD4+ cells. In experiment 2, group 2-A, no sow had spermatozoa in the UTJ or in the uterine flushings. At day 19, no sow was pregnant. In group 2-A, large numbers of neutrophils were found within the SE and SL but with high individual variation. At day 19, high E2 levels showed a hormonal prooestrous stage but the endometrial neutrophil infiltration normally expected at pro-oestrus was absent. In conclusion, post-ovulatory insemination (about 18 h after ovulation) resulted in impaired spermatozoa transport within the uterus and embryonic degeneration. In sows post-ovulatory inseminated at a later stage (30 h after ovulation), no sow was pregnant. In both experiments, disturbed immune cell patterns were observed in some individuals.     

Immunization against gnRH in mature mares: antibody titres,ovarian function,hormonal levels and oestrous behaviour

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of active immunization against GnRH in mature Standardbred mares (three experimental and one control mare) on antibody titres, ovarian function, hormonal levels and oestrous behaviour. The mares were individually teased with a stallion once each day. During the first part of the experiment (period I: late April until November), blood was sampled every third day during the first 3 months, thereafter once per week. In the second part of the experiment (period II: December until August), sampling was carried out every second week. Progesterone, oestradiol-17beta and LH were analysed. Rectal gynaecological examination was made with the same intervals as the blood samplings and included palpation of the genital organs and ultrasonography. The experimental mares were immunized against GnRH with a GnRH-BSA conjugate. Equimune (Vetrepharm, Bracetown, Business Park, Clonee, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland) was used as adjuvant. The mares were immunized on four occasions (20-30 day intervals) and GnRH antibody titre was determined. All immunized mares produced antibodies against GnRH but the maximum titres as well as the duration of a greater than 10% binding capacity varied between the mares (1 : 1600 to 1 : 50 000; 5 to 12 months, respectively). After the first injection, all mares showed one oestrus and ovulated at the regular time. In two of the mares, the immunization resulted in ovarian atrophy. Their hormone levels of progesterone, oestradiol- 17beta and progesterone decreased to basal levels and the cyclical hormone pattern was interrupted from approximately 30 days onwards. They continued to show oestrous signs but with irregular durations and intervals. The third mare showed ovarian suppression only for short periods and not in both ovaries at the same time; the hormone levels were basal for only about 20 days (days 50-70) and the mare ovulated on day 75 after start of immunization. The other mares ovulated after 13.5 and 15 months, respectively. It is concluded that the effect of immunization against GnRH in mature mares was individual concerning antibody titre response and the suppression of ovarian activity and hormone levels. Mares with totally inactive ovaries continued to show oestrous signs but with irregular intervals and durations.     

莱航鸡rDNA重复基因家族的克隆

动物rDNA基因是一种GC含量较高、结构复杂的重复序列。通过结合生物信息学技术,经反复摸索后选用LAPCR法扩增莱航鸡rDNA基因重复序列,经测序鉴定最终克隆了莱航鸡的3个rDNA基因及其2个间隔序列。研究对克隆复杂DNA序列时引物设计的特别规则、反应体系的改进、DNA聚合酶的选用、循环参数的调整等进行了探索。     

Evaluation of the level of threat and protective classification of the vegetation of Makehe Forest in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, west China

After investigating and studying the vegetation, we have established that Makehe Forest, in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, Qinghai Province, is host to a total of 364 different species, representing 173 “genera” in 55 different vegetative families. We propose five quantifiable indices for evaluating the level of threat to these plants: 1) the distribution frequency of the “line transect”; 2) the distribution frequency of sample plots; 3) the distribution density inside sample plots; 4) the existing abundance in the forest region; and 5) plant fidelity. The results show that there are two endangered species, six vulnerable species, 12 nearly threatened species and 344 safe species. The study tried to evaluate the urgency for conserving these plants, according to coefficients of closeness to disappearance, of genetic loss and of usefulness. Results also showed that the number of species of primary concern is two; of secondary concern, nine; of the third level, 23; and of least concern, 330 species. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(3): 20–25 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Surveys on Coxiella burnetii infections in Swedish cattle,sheep, goats and moose

Background

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Prevalence data in ruminant species are important to support risk assessments regarding public and animal health. The aim was to investigate the presence of or exposure to C. burnetii in cattle, sheep, goats and moose, and to compare two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). National surveys of antibodies against C. burnetii were performed for dairy cattle (n=1537), dairy goats (n=58) and sheep (n=518). Bovine samples consisted of bulk milk, caprine of pooled milk, and ovine of pooled serum. Antibodies were investigated in moose samples (n=99) from three regions. A one-year regional cattle bulk milk survey was performed on the Isle of Gotland (n=119, four occasions). Cattle, sheep and goat samples were analysed with indirect ELISA and moose samples with complement fixation test. For the sheep, goat, and parts of the cattle survey, samples were run in parallel by ELISAs based on antigens from infected ruminants and ticks. Bulk milk samples from the regional cattle survey and vaginal swabs from a subset of the sheep herds (n=80) were analysed for the agent by polymerase chain reaction. Spatial clustering was investigated in the national cattle survey.

Results

The prevalence of antibodies in dairy herds was 8.2% with large regional differences. High risk clusters were identified in the southern regions. The prevalence among dairy herds on the Isle of Gotland varied from 55.9% to 64.6% and 46.4% to 58.9.0% for antibodies and agent, respectively, overall agreement between agent and antibodies was 85.2%. The prevalence of antibodies in sheep was 0.6%, the agent was not detected the vaginal swabs. Antibodies were not detected in goats or moose, although parts of the moose samples were collected in an area with high prevalence in cattle. The overall agreement between the two ELISAs was 90.4%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii in dairy cattle in Sweden shows large regional differences. The results suggest that C. burnetii is a rare pathogen among Swedish moose, dairy goat and sheep. ELISAs based on ruminant and tick antigen performed in a similar manner under Swedish conditions.     

Reproductive characteristics in female Swedish moose (Alces alces), with emphasis on puberty,timing of oestrus,and mating

Background

The moose (Alces alces) is an intensively managed keystone species in Fennoscandia. Several aspects of reproduction in moose have not been fully elucidated, including puberty, timing of mating and oestrus, and the length of the oestrus period. These aspects are relevant for an adaptive management of moose with respect to harvest, population size, demography and environmental conditions. Therefore, an investigation of female moose reproduction was conducted during the moose-hunting period in southern Sweden from 2008 to 2011.

Results

A total of 250 reproductive organs and information on carcass weight and age was collected from four different hunting areas (provinces of Öland, Småland, Södermanland, and Västergötland) in southern Sweden. The results showed that puberty in female moose varied with carcass weight, age, and time of season. The period for oestrous/mating lasted from about mid September to the beginning of November.

Conclusions

The oestrus period (predominantly for heifers) is longer than previously reported and was not finished when the hunting period started. Sampling the uterine cervix to detect spermatozoa was a useful method to determine if mating had occurred. To avoid hunting of moose during oestrus, we suggest that the hunting period should be postponed by at least 14 days in southern Sweden.     

Continuity and discontinuity of the riparian vegetation along a fluvial corridor

The concept of continuity/discontinuity is applied to the riparian vegetation of the corridor of the River Adour (S.W. France), in order to precisely define longitudinal structure, and to test the degree of floristic continuity of the fluvial axis. The measure of floristic connectance along the river course is based on presence/absence data, and is applied to successive stretches of the river, at various resolution levels. This analysis shows that the River Adour corridor cannot be assumed to be floristically continuous. The observed discontinuities may correspond to two types of change in the riparian vegetation: zones of slow change (high level of floristic connectance) or zones of sharp change (low level of floristic connectance).     

崩岗堆积土体渗透特性及剖面水分特征——以广东省五华县莲塘岗崩岗为例

[目的]崩岗内部堆积土体是侵蚀的主要物质来源。通过对其渗透过程进行研究,揭示其中的规律性,探索崩岗的侵蚀机理。[方法]采用自制双环渗水试验装置,结合PR2/6土壤剖面水分测定仪,在广东省五华县莲塘岗崩岗野外现场进行渗水试验。[结果](1)崩积锥稳渗率在0.58~2.41mm/min之间,3个试验点平均稳渗率为1.37mm/min,沟道土体平均稳渗率高达5.58mm/min,渗透过程以重力流为主,土体结构稳定;(2)入渗速率与时间成负指数幂函数关系,符合Kositakov模型;(3)初始含水率越高,湿润锋移动速度越快,影响范围越深,稳渗时湿润锋深度在600~1 000mm及以上;(4)土体剖面含水率分布受土体非均质性的影响,自上而下呈波动式下降。[结论]崩岗堆积土体最大失稳深度至少为600~1 000mm,甚至可以达到1 000mm以上,崩积锥的非均质性具有阻渗作用,易形成滞水层并发生潜蚀,对崩岗侵蚀过程产生影响,是渗透研究的重点。     

澜沧江上游森林珍稀草本植物生态位研究

20 0 2年和 2 0 0 3年 7— 8月 ,笔者采用常规调查方法对三江源自然保护区内澜沧江上游物种进行了调查研究 .以不同群落类型和海拔高度作为资源位 ,分别以物种重要值和个体多度为生态位计测的状态指标 ,对澜沧江上游桃儿七、星叶草和角盘兰及选取的几种对照草本植物进行生态位的计测和分析 .结果表明 :桃儿七、星叶草、角盘兰生态位宽度值小 ,充分显示了它们的稀有性 ,在该地区应优先保护 .桃儿七种群在海拔 36 0 0～ 36 5 0m分布最多 ,并且种群数量随海拔高度的增加逐渐减少 ;星叶草种群在海拔 36 5 0～ 375 0m分布最多 ,但种群数量不随海拔高度变化呈现规律性变化 .草本植物物种的生态位相似性比例值大于 0 5的占 5 0 % ,桃儿七、星叶草、角盘兰的生态位相似性比例大 ,说明它们在该地区的生态位相似程度大 .草本植物的生态位重叠值较小 ,大于 0 0 1的占 2 1 4 3% .桃儿七、星叶草、角盘兰之间生态位重叠程度小 ,它们分布的群落类型相似程度小 .