畜禽数量性状基因座位的精细定位

数量性状基因座位(QTL)的精细定位是实施QTL克隆及标记辅助选择(MAS)的重要基础。然而就目前畜禽QTL定位的结果来看,除了通过候选基因法识别的少数基因外,大多数QTL定位的精度仍无法满足实际应用的要求。为进一步提高QTL定位的精度,缩小QTL定位的置信区间,人们相继提出并发展了一系列新的QTL定位方法。本文在分析畜禽QTL定位的基本方法及影响畜禽QTL定位精度的主要因素基础上,对提高QTL定位精确性的策略和方法进行了相应的探讨。     

畜禽数量性状座位（QTL）定位研究进展

综述了畜禽数量性状座位（QTL）定位的原理、基本策略、统计分析方法以及对未来的展望。     

利用连锁不平衡进行畜禽QTL定位的研究进展

一般家养畜禽群体规模小、选择强度高，连锁不平衡（linkage disequilibrium , LD）现象普遍存在，尤其在杂种或新培育品种群体中更为突出。随着分子遗传学的发展，我们可以直接选择影响性状的基因或包含基因的染色体区域（QTL），可分型的遗传标记和QTL之间是否存在连锁不平衡是畜禽群体中QTL定位和应用的关键。目前，畜禽群体中用基因组范围内SNPs的连锁不平衡精细定位影响畜禽重要经济性状的QTL正受到广泛关注。作者从LD定位QTL的原理、畜禽群体中LD程度、利用LD进行QTL定位的试验设计及统计分析方法、LD在畜禽QTL精细定位中的应用等几个方面进行了综述。并进一步阐述了畜禽群体中利用LD进行标记辅助选择（MAS）的策略，对LD在畜禽QTL定位及标记辅助选择方面的应用进行了新的探讨。     

鸡抗病性状QTL的研究进展

选育抗病性能高的商品鸡品系是世界范围内商品鸡育种的奋斗目标。通过分子标记的方法对控制鸡抗病性状的QTL进行定位、分析,进而进行标记辅助选择是目前的研究热点。文章概述了数量性状基因座位(QTL)的检测方法及在家禽育种中有关鸡抗病性状QTL的研究状况。     

猪重要经济性状QTLs定位研究进展

数量性状的选择定位是猪的育种进程中的重要基础。本文介绍了数量性状基因座(QTL)的起源、定位方法、遗传图谱研究以及猪主要QTL的应用现状,并对生猪数量性状开发利用的前景进行总结与展望。     

猪数量性状QTL定位研究进展

人类基因组计划和分子生物学技术的发展，推动了猪基因图谱的研究进展，使猪的QTL定位研究取得长足的进展，从而为利用分子标记进行数量性状位点的鉴别和定位奠定了坚实的基础。目前，对影响猪的数量性状的QTL的研究已成为国际上的研究重点，并已取得了一定的成果。猪主要性状的QTL定位结果见表1。     

全基因组关联分析在水禽主要数量性状基因座定位的应用现状

水禽的经济性状多为数量性状,数量性状基因座(quantitative trait loci, QTL)是调控数量性状表达的遗传基础,因此QTL的定位是分子育种的基础。全基因组关联分析(genome wide association studies, GWAS)作为鉴定表型与基因型关系的一种分析策略,是挖掘畜禽QTL的重要手段,并已经成功应用于猪、牛、鸡等畜禽的遗传育种工作中。利用GWAS可以定位与水禽经济性状相关的QTL,确定影响水禽性状的功能基因或主效基因,从而实现对水禽重要性状的改良。文章综述了GWAS在水禽重要性状研究上的应用效果,并分析了不足之处,以期为完善水禽遗传育种与遗传改良方法提供参考。     

鸡QTL定位的研究进展

鸡的大多数重要经济性状均属于数量性状,研究鸡数量性状遗传对鸡育种具有十分重要意义。数量遗传性状变异位于染色体特定位点的连锁编码基因被称为数量性状位点(quantitative trait locus,QTL)。近年来,大量研究揭示了鸡QTL的基本特征,剖析了重要经济性状的遗传基础,已经精细定位和克隆了鸡特定数量性状基因,给鸡资源保护遗传改良提供了新策略。文章综述了QTL定位的理论基础及鸡QTL定位的研究进展,并对鸡QTL研究的趋势进行了展望。     

绵羊QTL的研究进展

绵羊许多重要经济性状都受数量性状位点（QTL）控制的。本文综述了QTL定位的群体设计、标记的选择、绵羊遗传连锁图谱及QTL定位的研究现状。     

绵羊QTL的研究进展

绵羊许多重要经济性状都受数量性状位点(QTL)控制的。本文综述了QTL定位的群体设计、标记的选择、绵羊遗传连锁图谱及QTL定位的研究现状。     

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