牦牛品种的AFLP分析及其遗传多样性研究

采用AFLP分子标记技术对麦洼牦牛、九龙牦牛、大通牦牛和天祝白牦牛进行了遗传多样性分析,结果表明:7个AFLP引物组合共获得156个片段,其中98个为多态性标记,标记多态频率为34.8%~54.65%,平均每对引物可获得17.57条带。九龙牦牛、麦洼牦牛、大通牦牛、天祝白牦牛的Shannon遗传多样性指数分别为0.268、0.251、0.160、0.130,九龙牦牛最大,麦洼牦牛次之,天祝白牦牛最小。用Rogers遗传距离公式分析得到4个牦牛品种间的遗传距离DR,天祝白牦牛与九龙牦牛遗传距离最大(0.028 2),天祝白牦牛与大通牦牛的距离最小(0.025 3)。根据DR值,将4个牦牛品种聚为两大类,九龙牦牛聚为一类,其它3个牦牛品种聚为一类。     

牦牛和犏牛促卵泡素受体基因5′-侧翼区序列多态性研究

本研究旨在分析牦牛和犏牛促卵泡素受体(follicle-stimulating hormone receptor,FSHR)基因的多态性,为从遗传角度上解决其繁殖产仔率低的问题提供参考,为筛选繁殖性状分子标记奠定理论基础。研究采用PCRSSCP和直接测序技术,对麦洼牦牛、九龙牦牛、大通牦牛和犏牛共110头个体的FSHR基因5′-侧翼区进行遗传多态性分析,统计基因频率和基因型频率,进行Hardy-Weinberg平衡性检测,计算纯合度、杂合度、多态信息含量和有效等位基因数等遗传多态性指标。结果表明,麦洼牦牛、大通牦牛和九龙牦牛FSHR基因5′-侧翼区核苷酸序列具有多态性,犏牛无多态性;麦洼牦牛存在AA、AB和BB 3种基因型,九龙牦牛和大通牦牛均存在AA、AB 2种基因型,AB基因型在3个牦牛品种中占绝对优势,等位基因A为优势等位基因;麦洼牦牛、九龙牦牛和大通牦牛的多态信息含量分别为0.3693、0.3565、0.3705,均达到了中度多态(0.25PIC0.5),表明各牦牛品种遗传变异较大。     

中甸牦牛mtDNA D-Loop区遗传多样性及系统进化分析

根据牦牛线粒体DNA序列设计引物,扩增获得了中甸牦牛线粒体D-loop区全序列,并以山羊为外属对牛亚科部分牛种(野牦牛、九龙牦牛、麦洼牦牛、西藏牦牛、天祝牦牛、青海牦牛、大通牦牛、美洲野牛、欧洲野牛、印度野牛、亚洲水牛和普通牛)的mt DNA D-loop序列进行了系统进化分析,以期了解中甸牦牛的遗传多样性,从而为中甸牦牛遗传资源的保护、开发和利用奠定理论基础。结果表明:(1)中甸牦牛线粒体D-loop区序列长在890~910 bp之间,T、C、A、G四种碱基的平均含量分别为28.78%、24.41%、32.34%和14.47%,存在一定的碱基组成偏倚性;(2)中甸牦牛共有13种单倍型,平均单倍型多样性(Hd)为0.983 3,平均核苷酸多样性(Pi)为0.005 34,遗传多样性较为丰富;(3)中甸牦牛与已知牛种mt DNA D-loop区序列双参数距离显示,其与麦洼牦牛距离最小(0.006),与亚洲水牛距离最大(0.179);(4)系统进化分析显示,中甸牦牛是我国众多家牦牛类群中的一支,与麦洼牦牛聚为一类,推测其可能与麦洼牦牛因地理位置存在基因交流,由共同祖先进化而来。     

麦洼牦牛的随机扩增多态性DNA遗传多样性分析

利用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)分子标记对麦洼牦牛粉嘴和纯黑2个选育群共100头个体进行遗传多样性分析,并用DCFA、Popgen1.32等软件分析了群体间和群体内的基因频率、群体分化指数(Gst)和基因流(Nm)等参数。结果表明:8个RAPD随机引物共检测到65种清晰谱带,其中具有多态性的谱带57条,多态频率为87.7%。在粉嘴群中,多态位点有45个,多态频率为69.23%,Nei氏基因多样性指数(H)为0.245;纯黑群中,多态位点有52个,多态频率为80.00%,H为0.260,显示2个群体遗传多样性均较丰富,且多样性相近。麦洼牦牛2个群体总的多样性指数(Ht)为1.877,有效等位基因数(Ne)为1.455,H为0.280,表明麦洼牦牛的遗传多样性较丰富。纯黑群体与粉嘴群体间的遗传距离(D)为0.073,群体内遗传变异大于群体间。     

牦牛品种资源与生态环境的关系

近十年来,通过畜群品种资源的调查研究,基本模清了牦牛品种资源的分部、流向、数量和特征特性。牦牛地方品种计有:九龙牦牛、麦洼牦牛、天祝白牦牛、甘南牦牛、西藏高山牦牛、青海高原牦牛、青海白牦牛、中甸牦牛、新疆巴洲牦牛等,其中列入《中国牛品种志》的有:九龙牦牛、麦洼牦牛、天祝白牦牛、青海高     

基于mtDNA D-loop序列探究门源白牦牛与天祝白牦牛间的遗传差异

为从分子水平上探究青海省门源白牦牛与甘肃省天祝白牦牛间的母系遗传差异,本研究对31头门源白牦牛mtDNA D-loop区部分序列进行测定,结合GenBank中已报道的235条天祝白牦牛相应序列,对共计266条白牦牛D-loop序列进行了综合分析。结果表明,在截取的638 bp白牦牛D-loop区分析序列中,排除64处插入或缺失后共检测到80个多态位点,包括5个单一多态位点和75个简约信息位点。根据序列间核苷酸变异共确定了56种单倍型,其中门源白牦牛拥有特有单倍型7种,天祝白牦牛包含特有单倍型43种,二者共享的单倍型只有2种。门源白牦牛单倍型只分布在A、B和C单倍型组中,而天祝白牦牛单倍型分布在A、B、C、D、E和F单倍型组中,并含有4种普通牛单倍型序列,提示天祝白牦牛中存在普通牛遗传渗入。门源白牦牛单倍型多样度为0.862,核苷酸多样度为0.007,而天祝白牦牛单倍型多样度为0.946,核苷酸多样度为0.014,表明天祝白牦牛的遗传多样性水平高于门源白牦牛。门源白牦牛与天祝白牦牛间的遗传分化指数(Fst)为0.114,表明2个品种(群体)间呈中等分化水平。系统发育分析结果显示,56种单倍型可分为2个明显的分支(即Ⅰ和Ⅱ),表明白牦牛有2个母系起源。综上所述,天祝白牦牛的遗传多样性水平高于门源白牦牛,门源白牦牛母系遗传多样性较低;2个品种(群体)间呈中等遗传分化水平,天祝白牦牛存在一定程度的普通牛基因渗入;2个品种(群体)均由2个母系支系组成,提示白牦牛有2个母系起源。鉴于2个品种(群体)间呈中等遗传分化水平,且都拥有特有的单倍型遗传信息,故建议将其均作为独立的"遗传单元"进行遗传资源保护进而开展保种和选育实践。     

不同地方品种牦牛IGF-1基因的PCR-SSCP分析

为了检测高原地区4个不同地方牦牛品种IGF-1基因第1外显子和第2外显子的多态性,采用PCR-SSCP分析了牦牛IGF-1基因在天祝白牦牛、甘南牦牛、青海高原牦牛及培育品种大通牦牛4个品种中的遗传多态性。结果表明:牦牛IGF-1基因的第1外显子不存在遗传多态性;第2外显子在4个品种中检测到了AA、AB和BB基因型,而且A等位基因为4个牦牛群体的优势等位基因,分布较高。在4个品种中,天祝白牦牛AA基因型频率最高,达到0.8559,而大通牦牛、甘南牦牛和青海高原牦牛则相对较低,分别为0.8333、0.6970和0.5689。大通牦牛和天祝白牦牛,青海高原牦牛和甘南牦牛基因和基因型相近,其它牦牛群体之间基因和基因型存在差异。     

西藏牦牛的RAPD遗传多样性及其分类研究

为了解西藏地区牦牛品种或类群的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,本研究从33个RAPD多态性引物中筛选出8个条带清晰且多态性丰富的引物对西藏地区的巴青牦牛、类乌齐牦牛、丁青牦牛、桑日牦牛、工布江达牦牛、江达牦牛、康布牦牛、桑桑牦牛、嘉黎牦牛、帕里牦牛、斯布牦牛等11个类群的核基因组DNA进行了RAPD分析,并用Nei氏标准距离和UPGMA聚类法分析了类群间的亲缘关系.结果表明:(1)西藏牦牛类群的遗传多样性指数变异范围在0,185 7～0.405 3之间,其中帕里牦牛最小(0.185 7),说明相对较纯,群体较整齐;而工布江达牦牛最大(0.405 3),显示该群体内部具有较多的遗传变异.(2)在11个类群中,其遗传多样性指数大小分别为:工布江达牦牛(0.405 3)＞江达牦牛(0.353 6)＞斯布牦牛(0.344 8)＞康布牦牛(0.342 8)＞嘉黎牦牛(0.332 3)＞桑日牦牛(0.282 3)＞巴青牦牛(0.279 3)＞桑桑牦牛(0.269 8)＞丁青牦牛(0.259 7)＞类乌齐牦牛(0.224 1)＞帕里牦牛(0.185 7),具有西藏东部牦牛类群遗传多样性相对较高,而西部牦牛类群遗传多样性相对较低的趋势,预示着西藏东部可能是牦牛的起源地之一.(3)遗传距离构建的分子聚类关系图表明:西藏11个牦牛类群可分为2大类,帕里牦牛(PL)为一类,其余10个牦牛类群为另一类.综上所述,西藏牦牛具有较丰富的遗传多样性,品种或种群内的遗传分化显著,这是西藏牦牛业持续发展和牦牛适应外界环境的遗传基础,是将来培养牦牛新品种或品系的重要基因资源;西藏牦牛品种可分为2大类群.     

三个牦牛群体DRB3.2基因PCR-RFLP多态性研究

为了研究牦牛DRB3.2基因exon 2遗传多样性,试验采用PCR-RFLP对天祝白牦牛、甘南牦牛、大通牦牛3个类群757头个体的MHC-DRB3.2基因进行PCR-RFLP分析。结果表明:共检测出8个HaeⅢ酶切位点、11种基因型;在3个牦牛类群中,HaeⅢC基因型(225 bp/175 bp/85 bp/35 bp)在大通牦牛、天祝白牦牛中是优势基因型,基因型频率分别为0.387和0.366;而在甘南牦牛中,HaeⅢA基因型(175 bp/85 bp/35 bp)为优势基因型,基因型频率为0.306。3个群体的多态信息含量分别为0.739,0.754,0.743,均达到了高度多态(PIC>0.50)。说明牦牛DRB3.2基因具有高度多态性,在研究牦牛抗病育种和提高牦牛生产性能方面具有独特的效力和广泛的应用前景。     

野牦牛、家牦牛及其杂交种的生物学特性和遗传多样性研究

为深入研究野、家牦牛及其杂交种的生物学特性和遗传多样性,对青海大通牛场野牦牛(1岁)、大通牦牛(1～2岁)及甘肃天祝县天祝黑牦牛(1～2岁)的生长及部分血液生理指标,做了为期一年(分三期)的跟踪测定.同时,亦对三种群牦牛从血红蛋白、转铁蛋白、白蛋白及淀粉酶4个血液生化位点和9个微卫星DNA位点进行了对比分析.测试结果表明,在生长性状方面,野牦牛头形与天祝黑牦牛差异极显著(P＜0.01),野牦牛角基间宽、最大额宽与头长的比值接近欧洲原牛;三种群牦牛体重和体尺在采样期间差异极显著(P＜0.0),生长表现出明显的季节不均衡性,暖季(5月到10月)增重较快,冷季(10月到翌年5月)生长缓慢;但在冷季,三种群牦牛生长变化趋势不同,野牦牛和大通牦牛体重略有增加,而天祝黑牦牛体重普遍下降,说明野牦牛和大通牦牛更能适应高寒少氧及缺草的生态环境,家野牦牛间的杂交是目前提高牦牛生产性能的有效繁育措施之一.野牦牛及大通牦牛红细胞直径大于天祝黑牦牛;红细胞数(RBC)及红细胞压积(PCV)在种群和采样期之间均差异显著(P＜0.05),血红蛋白差异不显著;野牦牛、大通牦牛RBC在采样期间差异显著,至暖季末期(此时牧场海拔较高)达最大,而天祝黑牦牛在采样期间差异不显著,表明RBC的季节变化是野牦牛和大通牦牛能更有效地进行生理调节的标志之一.4个血液蛋白和等位酶(血红蛋白,Hb;转铁蛋白,Tf;白蛋白,Alb;淀粉酶,Amy)位点中,只有大通牦牛和天祝黑牦牛在淀粉酶位点具有多态,且其平均预期基因杂合度分别0.0531和0.0746,表明三种群牦牛在血液蛋白及等位酶水平遗传多样性贫乏;在9个微卫星DNA位点,三种群牦牛有较高的基因杂合度,野牦牛、大通牦牛和天祝黑牦牛平均预期基因杂合度分别为0.47、0.71和0.67,说明在微卫星位点有丰富的遗传多样性,用微卫星DNA标记能充分揭示牦牛群体的遗传变异.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in