Analysis of systematic and genetic effects on the prevalence of primary cataract, persistent pupillary membrane and distichiasis in the two color variants of English Cocker Spaniels in Germany

Genetic parameters were estimated for prevalences of primary cataract (CAT), persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) and distichiasis (DIST) in 615 single-colored and 617 multi-colored English Cocker Spaniels (ECS) bred in the German kennel club for Spaniels (Jagdspaniel-Klub e.V.). CAT or CAT diagnosed in dogs up to three and a half years of age (early-onset cataract, CAT-early) and CAT diagnosed in dogs over three and a half years of age (late-onset cataract, CAT-late), PPM and DIST were included as binary traits in multivariate genetic analyses. Heritabilities on the underlying liability scale were 0.15 for CAT, 0.34 for CAT-early, 0.13 for CAT-late, 0.46 for PPM, and 0.62 for DIST in single-colored ECS and 0.06 for CAT, 0.13 for CAT-early, 0.14 for CAT-late, 0.10 for PPM, and 0.61 for DIST in multi-colored ECS. There were indications for a different genetic basis of CAT-early and CAT-late in single-colored ECS as genetic correlations were close to zero. In multi-colored ECS, a similar tendency for CAT-early and CAT-late could be observed.     

Analysis of genetic variability in the Czech Dachshund population using microsatellite markers

The primary goal of this study was to analyse genetic variation within and among six Dachshund varieties in the Czech Republic using 10 microsatellites from StockMarks^® Paternity Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Typing kit. A total of 632 Dachshunds were sampled – 99 Standard Smooth-haired, 72 Standard Long-haired, 272 Standard Wire-haired, 42 Miniature Smooth-haired, 73 Miniature Long-haired and 74 Miniature Wire-haired. Average observed heterozygosity and polymorphic information content ranged in particular Dachshund varieties between 0.58–0.70 and 0.57–0.64, respectively. Subsequent analysis of the population structure ( F -statistics; Nei's genetic identity) showed that Standard Dachshunds shared allele frequencies most closely with their miniature equivalents, and smooth coat type is closer to Wire-haired coat type than to the Long-haired one. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 11.81% of the total variance occured among varieties. The value of combined exclusion probability (0.9955) validated usefulness of this panel of microsatellites for parentage verification in all analysed populations. We carried out 234 parentage verifications with 1.28% cases where parentage did not match.     

The effects of Leptospira serotype pomona in sheep of different haemoglobin types

A warm complement fixation test that will detect antibody in sheepserum in the virtual absence of anti-complementary activity is described. Sheep antibody-antigen complexes were detected by fixation of sheep complement. Sheep serum, heparinized or Mg⁺⁺—EGTA plasma was used as the source of sheep complement. Sheep-antibody-sensitized human erythrocytes were used as the haemolytic indicator cells for sheep complement. As the modified complement-fixation test was performed in the presence of Mg⁺⁺—EGTA, sheep C probably reacts with sheep Ab-Ag complexes by a different mechanism than does guinea-pig complement.     

Determination of the prevalence of feline blood types in the UK

The efficacy and diagnostic accuracy of a new desk-top feline blood typing kit was evaluated by comparing the results of the kit with traditional blood typing methods on 35 feline blood samples. The kit was then used to blood type 139 non-pedigree cats from Scotland and the north of England and 207 pedigree cats from throughout the UK. Of the non-pedigree cats, 87.1 per cent were type A, 7.9 per cent were type B and 5.0 per cent were type AB, while of the pedigree cats, 54.6 per cent were type A, 40.1 per cent were type B and 5.3 per cent were type AB. The majority (121 out of 207) of these pedigree cats were British shorthaired, of which 39.7 per cent were type A, 58.7 per cent were type B and 1.6 per cent were type AB. No cats were identified that failed to express the type A and/or type B antigens. The prevalence of type AB cats appears to be higher in this study than previously reported. The prevalence of blood types within specific pedigree breeds in the UK appears to vary from that reported elsewhere.     

猪圆环病毒2型分离株优势基因型分析与检测

为探讨猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)流行株基因型的变化,本研究对1999年～2009年NCBI中登录的556个PCV2分离株全基因序列进行分析。结果表明,1999年～2002年所登录的PCV2的优势流行毒株为基因A型(PCV2A);从2003年开始基因B型(PCV2B)逐渐为优势流行毒株,在PCV2分离株中基因B型所占比例,2004年为95.4%,2007年～2009年均超过76.0%。2003年～2009年国内的PCV2分离株有287个,其中250个为PCV2B,37个为PCV2A,表明PCV2B是国内猪群中的主要优势毒株。通过建立PCV2A和PCV2B PCR检测方法,对70份临床病料的检测显示,PCV2检出率为34.29%(24/70),基因型均为PCV2B,无PCV2A的检出,表明PCV2B为检测猪群中的主要优势毒株。     

Survey of the prevalence and types of infertility in beef cows and heifers

Thirty to 180 days after natural mating to bulls, 8,184 beef cows and heifers were palpated rectally for pregnancy determination. Of these, 7,396 (90%) were pregnant and 815 (10%) were not pregnant. Regarding the nonpregnant cattle, 315 (38.7%) had a normal uterus and a functional corpus luteum, suggesting that they were cycling; the rest had palpable pathologic findings: 455 (55.8%) had ovarian inactivity and uterine atrophy; 16 (2%) had pyometra; 12 (1.5%) had a mummified fetus; 7 (0.9%) had chronic metritis; 6 (0.8%) had an involuting uterus; and 4 (0.5%) had adhesions of the uterus, ovaries, or a combination of both. For the purpose of comparison, the cattle were grouped according to age: group 1-1,035 nulliparous heifers 18 to 24 months of age; group 2-1,137 primiparous heifers 30 to 36 months of age; group 3-5,548 multiparous cows between 4 and 9 years of age; and group 4-464 cows 9 years of age or older. The pregnancy rates were 79.1, 72.2, 96.8, and 78.2, respectively, for these groups. The pregnancy rate for 4- to 9-year-old cows was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that for the other age groups.     

Analysis of systematic effects on congenital sensorineural deafness in German Dalmatian dogs

We have analysed the systematic influences, phenotypic colour markers and the additive genetic variation for congenital sensorineural deafness (CSD) in German Dalmatian dogs in order to help elucidate the importance of phenotypic breed characteristics for genetic differences of CSD. Linear animal models using restricted maximum likelihood methods were employed to estimate variance components. Data were obtained from all three German Dalmatian kennel clubs associated with the German Association for Dog Breeding and Husbandry (VDH). CSD was recorded by standardized protocols for brainstem auditory-evoked response (BAER). The material included 1899 German Dalmatian dogs from 354 litters in 169 different kennels. BAER testing results were from the years 1986 to 1999. Pedigree information was available for up to seven generations. The animal model regarded the fixed effects of sex, coat colour, eye colour, presence of patches, litter size, percentage of examined puppies per litter, kennel club, and inbreeding coefficient. The common environment of the litter and kennel as well as the additive genetic effect of the animal were taken into account as randomly distributed effects. The fixed effects of eye colour, percentage of puppies examined per litter and kennel club were significant in the mixed model analysis. A significant proportion of additive genetic variation could be shown despite corrections for phenotypic colour variants. The heritability estimate for CSD in German Dalmatian dogs was h(2)=0.27+/-0.07. The additive genetic correlation of CSD with presence of blue eyes was r(g)=0.53+/-0.41 and with presence of patches r(g)=-0.36+/-0.24. We concluded that additional genes other than those associated with phenotypic colour markers in German Dalmatian dogs significantly contribute to the occurrence of CSD.     

Review of prevalence, genetic aspects and adverse effects of the mdr1-1Delta mutation in dogs

A mutation in the canine MDR1 gene causes multiple drug sensitivity in dog breeds of the Collie lineage. Dogs with this genetic defect show severe neurotoxic adverse effects if they are treated with particular drugs. Clinical signs depending on the administered drug and its concentration vary from mild toxicosis with salivation and disorientation to severe effects with coma and finally death of the dog. Drugs which provoke adverse effects are structurally different. Although they are used for many different indications, all of these drugs are substrates of a transporting protein encoded by the MDR1 gene.This P-glycoprotein loses its normal protecting function at the tissue barriers in dogs with the mdrl-1Delta mutation.This article gives a short overview about the present state of analyses regarding the canine MDR1 gene.The genetic background, effects and prevalence in affected dog breeds of the mdrl-1Delta mutation are summarized. On the one hand, the overview might help practical veterinarians to understand the aetiology of drug sensitivity in dogs with the mdrl-1Delta mutation, and on the other hand, it might point out appendages for future research works about the canine MDR1 gene as well as for breeding strategies in affected dog breeds.     

2017-2018年吉林部分地区规模化猪场猪细环病毒的遗传变异分析

为了解猪细环病毒（Torque teno sus virus, TTSuVs）在吉林部分规模化猪场的流行及其遗传变异情况。本研究对2017-2018年间,来自吉林地区10家规模化猪场的574份血清样本进行TTSuVs流行情况调查。并根据收地点,对20株TTSuVs进行ORF1全基因序列扩增及遗传变异性分析。结果显示：TTSuV1感染率为35.0%;TTSuV2感染率为63.2%;TTSuV1与TTSuV2混合感染率为30.3％;10株TTSuV1测序株之间的核苷酸同源性为75.7%-94.7%,氨基酸同源性为48.1%-88.2%;10株TTSuV2测序株之间的核苷酸同源性为77.5%-93.7%,氨基酸同源性为70.6%-87.4%;且吉林地区流行的TTSuV1均属于TTSuV1-lb型,而TTSuV2流行情况较为复杂,各种亚型均有涉及。     

不同肉羊杂交组合杂交效果分析

利用引进的无角陶赛特羊、特克塞尔羊和波德代羊与本地藏羊进行杂交试验。结果表明:F1均表现出了良好的杂交效果,各杂交组合F1不同发育阶段主要生长和生产性能指标均显著或极显著高于本地藏羊(P<0.05,P<0.01);其中陶藏F1各项指标均高于其他两杂交组,但各杂交组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

内蒙古不同类型草地NPP时空动态特征及其气候影响因素分析

为揭示内蒙古不同类型草地净初级生产力(NPP)时空动态,探究其与气候因子的相关性,利用2001～2016年遥感数据,气象数据和20世纪80年代中国草地分类数据,采用光能利用率(CASA)模型,模拟获取2001～2016年内蒙古草地NPP,并分析了不同类型草地NPP的时空动态及其对气候因子的响应。结果表明:(1)2001～2016年,内蒙古草地年均NPP为163.9 gC/(m^2·a),空间上呈现东北部高西南部低的特征,年均NPP总量为31.6 TgC/a(1Tg=10¹²g);(2)试验的16年,内蒙古草地年均NPP呈增加趋势增加量为2.1 gC/(m^2·a),年际波动较大;(3)温性草甸草原、热性草丛、低地草甸、山地草甸和沼泽的年均NPP呈显著增加趋势,其他5类呈显著减少趋势;(4)NPP与年均温和年总降水量的相关系数分别为-0.01和0.4;(5)除温性荒漠草原和温性草原化荒漠外,其他类型草地NPP均与温度呈负相关关系,所有类型草地NPP与降水量均呈正相关关系。降水是影响内蒙古草地NPP最主要的气候因子。     

Effect of different fibre types on the digestibility of nutrients in cats

In this study the effect of different fibre types was investigated on the acceptance of foods (in a short-term study) and on the nutrients' digestibility by using 10 adult, castrated cats. Peanut hull (PH, source of lignin), dried sugar beet pulp (SBP, source of hemicelluloses and pectin) and alfalfa meal (ALF, source of cellulose) were mixed to a poultry meat based cat food in 10% on dry matter (DM) basis. The average DM intake did only slightly differ according to the type of fibre added. Supplementation of basal food by dried SBP did not influence the digestibility of DM and crude protein (CP) significantly. Using ALF as a fibre source decreased the digestibility of DM (85.8% vs. 78.6%) and CP (93.8% vs. 92.0%) significantly. More severe decline could be observed in the digestibility of DM (85.8% vs. 63.4%) and CP (93.8% vs. 83.7%) when using PH as a fibre source. Fibre sources also influenced the stool DM content significantly. While application of PH increased the DM content of the faeces (45.0% vs. 49.6%), the use of dried sugar beet or ALF reduced the faecal DM content (45.0% vs. 24.1% and 39.0%, respectively). According to these results the less digestible fibre source (PH) increased the DM content of the faeces while by improving the digestibility of the fibre sources the DM content of the faeces decreased. It can be concluded, that not only the absolute fibre content of the food but also the type of fibre must be taken into account when evaluating its possible role as a component of weight loss products.     

Evaluation of embryonic age and the effects of different proteases on the isolation and primary culture of chicken intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

The present study evaluates the effects of embryonic age and proteolytic enzymes on the isolation and primary culture of chicken enterocyte and to establish an effective technique for chicken intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) cultivation. Fourteen‐day‐old, 16‐day‐old and 18‐day‐old embryos (average weight: 52.23 ± 0.76 g, 50.86 ± 0.99 g, 48.98 ± 1.03 g) were the source for preparation of enterocyte culture, and trypsin‐ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, collagenase, thermolysin and combination of collagenase and thermolysin were used for digestion medium. Optimal culture protocols were determined by qualitative assays of proliferation. Cells isolated by using 14‐day‐old embryo and collagenase obtain the best attachment and growth in culture, and the production of continuously growing IEC cultures. Thus, we conclude that the use of collagenase as a dissociating enzyme and 14‐day‐old embryo as a source can be advantageously applied to the isolation of chicken IEC and this method may be useful for various applications and basic studies of the intestinal tract concerning such objects as physiology, immunology and toxicology.     

The prevalence of feline A/B blood types in the Sydney region

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of A/B blood types in pedigree and crossbred cats in the Sydney region, and to estimate the associated risk of administering incompatible blood in an unmatched random transfusion. DESIGN: A prospective/retrospective study of blood specimens collected from both sick and healthy cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood was collected from 355 cats from the Sydney region over a 12-year period from 1992 to 2003. Specimens were obtained from 187 domestic crossbred cats (short and long-haired) and 168 pedigree cats. The blood type of each cat was determined by one of three different laboratories using standard methods that varied over the duration of the survey. RESULTS: The distributions of blood types obtained by the three laboratories were not significantly different. The prevalence of type-A, type-B and type-AB blood types in crossbred cats was 62%, 36% and 1.6%, respectively. This is the highest percentage of type-B cats so far reported for an outbred population of domestic cats, and is significantly higher than the 26% reported previously for cats in the Brisbane region. The calculated frequency for the type-B allele assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for this feline population is 0.60; the corresponding frequency of the type-A allele is thus approximately 0.40. The calculated proportion of random transfusions from this population giving rise to an incompatible blood transfusion is 46%, with half of these being life-threatening events. The calculated proportion of random matings from this population at risk for developing neonatal isoerythrolysis is 23%. The distribution of A and B blood types for pedigree cats was in general agreement with data reported previously for cats in North America and Europe, suggesting that the distribution of blood types in these purebred populations is relatively consistent throughout the world. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of type B cats in the owned domestic and pedigree cat population is so high that blood typing or cross matching prior to transfusion should be mandatory, except in Siamese/Oriental cats.     

Creatine and creatinine contents in different diet types for dogs – effects of source and processing

The concentrations of creatine and its degradation product creatinine were determined in a variety of unprocessed as well as processed feedstuffs suitable for dogs. Unprocessed feedstuffs were categorised as single feedstuffs, bone and raw food diets (BARF), and small vertebrates, for example prey animals. Processed feedstuffs were categorised as meat/meat and bone meals, complete wet diets and complete dry diets. The feedstuffs were chosen to cover a broad range of each of the three defined processed and unprocessed feed categories available on the market without further subclustering. The creatine content of the samples was compared on a dry matter, protein and energy basis. The relation of creatine to crude protein permitted a rating of the meat quality in terms of muscle tissue. Results: We found no difference in creatine concentrations between the three categories of unprocessed feedstuffs (raw single feedstuffs, prey and BARF diets), neither on a dry matter basis nor when expressed relative to crude protein and metabolisable energy respectively. Significantly lower levels were determined in meat/meat and bone meal and commercial dry diets (e.g. 303 mg creatine/MJ ME in unprocessed vs. 6 mg/MJ ME in processed feedstuffs; p < 0.001). We conclude that in relation to ME, the exclusive use of conventionally processed diets for dogs, especially dry diets, leads to considerably lower intake of creatine which is a natural compound of the diet of this carnivorous and omnivorous species.     

Fisher判别法在青海湖东地区不同草地类型中的应用

为了研究青海湖东普氏原羚(Procapra przewalskii)生境地不同草地类型微量元素变化状况,在夏、秋、冬3季对7个主要草地类型的混合牧草中Cu、Mn、Fe、Zn、Mo和Se 6种微量元素的含量进行测定,利用费歇法判别分析,对普氏原羚生境地不同季节不同草地类型牧草作了定量分析,找出代表草地类型变化的主要微量元素。结果表明,判别方法真实有效,除冷蒿（Artemisis frigida）草地外,Mo元素是代表草地类型变化的主要微量元素,所建立模型可以作为与其他地区相同草地类型的鉴别依据。     

Inheritance of cataracts and primary lens luxation in Jack Russell Terriers

OBJECTIVE: To characterize heritability and mode of inheritance of cataracts and primary lens luxation in Jack Russell Terriers. ANIMALS: 872 Jack Russell Terriers from which buccal epithelial cells were collected and phenotypes for cataracts and lens luxation were determined and an additional 1,898 Jack Russell Terriers without phenotypic information used to complete pedigree relationships and that were included in the analyses. PROCEDURES: Narrow-sense heritabilities and genetic correlation for cataracts and lens luxation were modeled by use of threshold analysis, whereas complex segregation analysis was used to characterize mode of inheritance. For the analyses, dogs < 6 years old, unless confirmed as having cataracts or lens luxation, were classified as an unknown phenotype. The possible involvement of an HSF4 mutation in cataracts was determined by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Cataracts and primary lens luxation were highly heritable and genetically correlated, and neither was controlled by a single gene. Cataracts were not associated with an HSF4 mutation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the data indicated that concerted selection against both cataracts and primary lens luxation when choosing breeding animals can be used to improve ocular health in Jack Russell Terriers.