Influence of temperature,humidity duration and growth stage on the infection and mycotoxin production by Fusarium langsethiae and Fusarium poae in oats

High occurrence of Fusarium poae (FP) and Fusarium langsethiae (FL) and their mycotoxins nivalenol (NIV) and T-2/HT-2 have been observed in Swiss oats. Early prediction of mycotoxin levels is important for farmers and the cereal industry to minimize the risk of contaminated food and feed. Therefore, climate chamber experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different temperatures (10, 15, 20 °C) and durations (4, 8, 12 h) at 99% relative humidity (RH) on the infection of oats with FP and FL. In addition, to discover the most susceptible period of oats, artificial FL inoculations were conducted at different growth stages. Field experiments were performed to observe the dispersal of these fungal species within the field and to investigate the weather conditions that influence the dispersal. The climate chamber experiments revealed higher contamination with NIV and T-2/HT-2 in the 10 °C treatments and with a prolonged humidity duration of 12 h 99% RH. Inoculations of oat plants at early (DC 61) and mid (DC 65) anthesis, led to higher FL infection and T-2/HT-2 accumulation in the grains compared with treatments at earlier growth stages, which might be due to an increased susceptibility during anthesis. No indication for spore dispersal was observed in the field experiments. The results obtained, together with the cropping factors that influence infection and mycotoxin production, could be used as a first step in developing forecasting models to predict the contamination of oats with the mycotoxins NIV and T-2/HT-2.     

牛体外受精胚胎衍生干细胞能力影响因素的研究

以牛卵巢卵母细胞体外受精获取囊胚期胚胎，比较体外受精牛胚胎不同获取内细胞团的方法和不同培养液对体外培养胚胎干细胞能力的影响。结果表明，囊胚期胚胎不除去透明带而直接培养产生胚胎干细胞，初次克隆率为55％；胰酶法去透明带分离的内细胞团（ICM）培养产生胚胎干细胞，初次克隆率为90％。免疫外科法去透明带分离的ICM在4种不同的培养液中，初次克隆率分别为16．4％、11．5％、21．8％、18．2％，但是其分离的ICM经传代后形成的衍生细胞不易发生分化，经过4～6代的传代，仍然保持其完整的形态，说明免疫外科法是一种理想的牛ICM分离法，培养液为D20＋LIF（40ng／mL）可用于牛胚胎干细胞培养。     

Performance of Legume Mixtures under Small-plot Periodic Grazing

The potential of pastures sown with species mixtures of tropical legume species compared with single species was investigated in subhumid west Africa, over a period of three grazing seasons. Through compensation and complementation of the individual legume species, the mixtures were seasonally and temporally (seasonal refers to different seasons in a year, temporal to different years) more stable than the single species stands. Crude protein contents of individual legumes in the mixtures were higher than of the same species grown in single stands, indicating possible synergistic effects in the mixtures. The ability of legume mixtures to withstand environmental and management variations and, thus, their subsequent potential for on-farm utilization under farmers' conditions are discussed.     

梨果实石细胞团的发育,分布及其对果实品质的影响

１９９７年对梨果实石细胞团的发育和分布进行了观察分析，供试品种４３个。通过对苹果梨、南果梨、丰水梨，伏茄梨四个品种的石细胞团形成过程的观察，及４３个梨品种的成熟果实中石细胞团大小和分布的观察测定发现，梨果实石细胞团的形成从花后１５ｄ左右开始，花后２个月内基本结束，梨果实中石细胞团分布一般以近果皮处和近果心处密度高、直径大，中层果肉中石细胞团密度低，直径小，果实中石细胞团直径较大，密度高的品种肉质较     

Study on Nutritional Characteristics of Cottonseed Hull as a Feed of Sheep

In this paper through digestive and metabolic experiments studied the voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of cottonseed hulls (kernel-contained CH,kernel-free CH) and cornstalk on sheep to evaluate the nutrition value and digestion characteristics of cottonseed hulls.12 of adult Xinjiang merino rams were selected and divided into two groups (n=6 each group),and on the basis of 300 g/(head·day) of mixed concentrate,fed with kernel-free CH by 400 (group 1) or 800 (group 2) g/(head·day) respectively,to estimate the digestibility of CH by difference method;As well,another 18 of adult Xinjiang merino rams were selected and divided into three groups (n=6 each group),and on the basis of 300 g/(head·day) of mixed concentrate,cafeteria feeding with kernel-contained CH (group 3),kernel-free CH (group 4) or ground cornstalks (group 5) respectively,to study the effects of three diets on the voluntary intake,digestion and metabolism of sheep.The results showed that the apparent digestibility of the DM,OM,CP,cellulose,hemicellulose and energy of kernel-free CH by sheep were 46.71%,47.37%,-53.40%,66.60%,62.48% and 42.59%,respectively.There were no significant differences in the intake of DM,OM,cellulose,hemicellulose,energy and Ca between kernel-contained CH and kernel-free CH groups (P> 0.05);Intake of CP and P in kernel-contained CH group were extremely significantly higher than that in kernel-free CH group (P< 0.01);Intake of lignin in kernel-contained CH group was extremely significantly lower than that in kernel-free CH group (P< 0.01).There were no significant differences in the apparent digestibility of DM,OM and energy between kernel-contained CH and kernel-free CH groups (P> 0.05).The apparent digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose in kernel-free CH group were significantly and extremely significantly higher than that in kernel-contained CH group (P< 0.05;P< 0.01),respectively.The apparent digestibility of CP in kernel-contained CH group was extremely significantly higher than that in kernel-free CH group (P< 0.01).The apparent digestibility of DM,OM,CP,cellulose and energy in ground cornstalks group were extremely significantly higher than that in kernel-contained CH and kernel-free CH groups (P< 0.01),however,the apparent digestibility of Ca and P were lower than that in kernel-contained CH and kernel-free CH groups (P> 0.05).Intake and retention of nitrogen in kernel-contained CH group were extremely significantly higher than that in kernel-free CH group (P< 0.01);The was no significant difference in the retention of nitrogen between kernel-free diet group and cornstalk diet group (P> 0.05).It was concluded that CH was a kind of special forage with larger intake,higher digestibility on the fiber substances and energy,but with a serious obstruction on protein digestion;The nutritional value between kernel-free diet and cornstalk diet was almost equal,and with lower nitrogen digestibility on kernel-free diet.     

Prevalence of bluetongue virus antibodies and associated risk factors among cattle in East Darfur State,Western Sudan

Background

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an insect-transmitted virus, which causes bluetongue disease (BT) in sheep and a fatal hemorrhagic infection in North American white-tailed deer. However, in cattle the disease is typically asymptomatic and no overt clinical signs of disease appear to be associated with BTV infection. Serological evidence and isolation of different BTV serotypes have been reported in Sudan, however, no information is currently available in regard to previous exposure of Sudanese livestock to BTV infection in East Darfur State, Sudan.

Aims

To determine the prevalence of BTV antibodies and to identify the potential risk factors associated with BTV infection among cattle in East Darfur State, Sudan.

Methods

A total of 224 blood samples were collected randomly from five localities in East Darfur State, Sudan. The serum samples were screened for detection of BTV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA).

Results

Serological evidence of BTV infection was observed in 150 out of 224 animals accounting for a 67% prevalence rate among cattle in East Darfur State. Older cattle (>2 years of age) were six times more likely to be infected with BTV (OR = 6.62, CI = 2.87-15.26, p-value = 0.01). Regarding animal source (contact with other herds) as a risk factor, it was shown that cattle purchased from market or introduced from other herds were 3 times at higher risk of being infected with BTV (OR = 3.87, CI = 1.07-13.87, p value = 0.03). Exposure of cattle to the insect vector increased the risk of contracting BTV infection by six times compared to non-exposed cattle (OR = 6.44, CI = 1.53-27.08, p value = 0.01).

Conclusion

The present study indicated that age, animal source and the intensity of the insect vector are influential risk factors for BTV infection in cattle in the Darfur region. Surveillance for BTV infection should be extended to include other susceptible ruminants and to study the distribution of the insect vectors to better predict and respond to a possible BTV outbreak in the State of East Darfur, Sudan.     

Characterisation of Nocardia farcinica isolated from cattle with bovine farcy

Twenty-one strains of Nocardia farcinica isolated from cattle with bovine farcy in the Sudan were examined to determine their taxonomic relationships. The strains had morphological, cultural and physiological properties of Nocardia, but exhibited some variations of minor taxonomic importance. All strains contained lipids characteristic of nocardiae (LCN-As) and all except two were found by immunodiffusion tests to be serologically related to each other, to N asteroides but not to Mycobacterium tuberculosis nor M bovis. Consequently, these organisms were regarded as true members of the genus Nocardia.     

Diprosopus, craniorachischisis, arthrogryposis, and other associated anomalies in a stillborn lamb

Congenital malformations with multiple anomalies have been described infrequently in the veterinary literature. A stillborn male crossbred lamb with diprosopus, craniorachischisis, and arthrogryposis was examined macroscopically and histopathologically in this study. The left head was smaller than the right head. Micrencephaly, agnathia, and a rudimentary tongue, which was adherent to the palate, were present in the left head. Micrencephaly, brachygnathia superior, and cleft palate were present in the right head. Cerebellar agenesis and spinal cord hypoplasia were observed. The cerebrums and the spinal cord were covered with a tapering membranous structure. Neural and dermal tissues were noted to intervene upon microscopic examination of this structure. Disorganization of neurons was observed in both cerebrums, though it was more severe in the left one. This case demonstrates many congenital defects occurring together in a lamb.