Epidermolysis bullosa in animals: a review

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary mechanobullous disease of animals and humans, characterized by an extreme fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. The main feature of EB in humans and animals is the formation of blisters and erosions in response to minor mechanical trauma. Epidermolysis bullosa is caused by mutations in the genes that code for structural proteins of the cytoskeleton of the basal keratinocytes or of the basement membrane zone. Based on the ultrastructural levels of tissue separation, EB is divided into the following three broad categories: epidermolysis bullosa simplex, junctional epidermolysis bullosa and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Human types of EB are divided into several subtypes based on their ultrastructural changes and the mode of inheritance; subtypes are not fully established in animals. In humans, it is estimated that EB affects one in 17,000 live births; the frequency of EB in different animals species is not known. In all animal species, except in buffalo with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, multifocal ulcers are observed on the gums, hard and soft palates, mucosa of the lips, cheek mucosa and dorsum of the tongue. Dystrophic or absent nails, a frequent sign seen in human patients with EB, corresponds to the deformities and sloughing of the hooves in ungulates and to dystrophy or atrophy of the claws in dogs and cats. This review covers aspects of the molecular biology, diagnosis, classification, clinical signs and pathology of EB reported in animals.     

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in a Great Dane

Autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases in dogs were all classified as bullous pemphigoid until 1998. Since then, refinements in reagents and immunological techniques have allowed diseases which are histologically similar but which have a different molecular pathogenesis to be described. This report describes the first case of one such disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, to be documented in the UK. The dog presented with a severe blistering and ulcerative disease affecting the oral cavity, pinnae and distal limbs. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and direct and indirect immunofluorescent demonstration of immunoglobulin G reactivity to basement membrane antigens. Treatment with glucocorticoids, azathioprine, colchicine and an intravenous infusion of immunoglobulins resulted in complete resolution. The drugs were discontinued 12 months after the start of treatment and the dog remained in remission.     

Effect of shearing on water turnover and thermobiological variables in German Blackhead mutton sheep

Current equations for estimating water requirements in sheep do not differentiate between shorn and unshorn sheep. Furthermore, the effect of shearing on thermoregulative responses in sheep has not been adequately studied under temperate environmental conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of wool coverage on water turnover in relation to thermoregulation in sheep by using the deuterium dilution technique to predict total water intake before and after shearing. Physiological responses, such as water turnover, surface temperature, and rectal temperature, as well as drinking behavior of sheep were also evaluated. Fourteen nonlactating German Blackhead mutton ewes were randomly allocated into 2 groups: a control group (n = 7) that was already shorn, and a treatment group (n = 7) that was left unshorn (wool length: 10.6 ± 1.2 cm). Individual feed and water intakes were recorded throughout the experiment (d 1 to 71). Two weeks after measurements commenced (d 15), treatment sheep were shorn. Water intake was estimated twice for 2 consecutive weeks by using deuterium dilution techniques (d 1 to 15 and d 57 to 71). Ambient temperature (T(a)), relative humidity, and respiratory rate were measured daily, whereas BW, rectal and animal surface temperatures (using infrared thermography), and wool length were measured weekly. In the first 2 wk, when treatment sheep were unshorn, treatment and control ewes differed (P < 0.05) in DMI (52 ± 4 vs. 59 ± 4 g·kg(-0.75)·d(-1)), water intake (165 ± 17 vs. 134 ± 18 g·kg(-0.75)·d(-1)), respiratory rate (66 ± 5 vs. 31 ± 4 breath/min), rectal temperature (39.3 ± 0.2 vs. 38.8 ± 0.1°C), and surface temperatures (body side: 19.3 ± 0.3 vs. 24.5 ± 0.6°C; leg: 25.8 ± 2.4 vs. 27.4 ± 1.6°C). However, after shearing, these differences partly disappeared. The same trend in water intake between groups was confirmed using the isotope dilution technique. We found a significant relationship between T(a) and water intake, respiratory rate, and body surface temperatures. Even under temperate conditions (T(a) < 28°C), shearing significantly reduced core body temperature, water intake, and respiratory rate in German Blackhead mutton sheep, thus indicating heat stress in fleeced animals, which should be considered when determining the optimal shearing time in sheep as well as when estimating water requirements.     

Pancreatic insulin release and peripheral insulin sensitivity in German black headed mutton and Finish Landrace ewes: evaluation of the role of insulin resistance in the susceptibility to ovine pregnancy toxemia

German black headed mutton (GBM) ewes are recognized as being highly susceptible to ovine pregnancy toxemia (OPT). The present trial was performed to evaluate whether a breed-dependent gestational diabetes mellitus-like insulin resistance during late pregnancy might be responsible for the high incidence of OPT in the GBM breed. Modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (300 mg glucose and 0.03 IU insulin per kg of BW) were performed during mid and late pregnancy, the periparturient, and the dry period in polytocous 3.5-yr-old GBM and Finnish Landrace (FL) ewes fed according to their requirements. The corresponding blood samples were analyzed for plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB). In addition, the baseline plasma cortisol concentrations were determined during late pregnancy. The BW gain during pregnancy and the rearing success did not differ between the GBM and FL ewes. In both breeds, late pregnancy was associated with decreased basal plasma glucose concentrations and enhanced glucose disposal, as well as elevated baseline β-HB values. Only in the GBM ewes did the plasma NEFA concentrations increase significantly during advancing pregnancy. Moreover, significantly higher baseline plasma NEFA concentrations as well as lower (P < 0.05) basal plasma glucose values were recorded during late pregnancy in the GBM than in the FL ewes. The first-phase insulin secretion, the peripheral insulin sensitivity, and the baseline plasma cortisol values did not differ between both breeds during late pregnancy. It is concluded that increased lipolysis during late pregnancy is a characteristic of the GBM breed. Moreover, elevated plasma NEFA concentrations may contribute to impaired pancreatic insulin response and peripheral insulin resistance in GBM ewes and thus promote OPT.     

阿旺绵羊产肉性能研究

对6月龄、1.5岁和成年3个年龄段的阿旺绵羊公羊、母羊、羯羊的产肉性能进行了研究.结果表明:6月龄、1.5岁和成年阿旺绵羊羯羊屠宰胴体重分别达到15.04、29.72和35.90 kg;屠宰率分别为50.05%、51.61%和52.03%;胴体眼肌面积分别达13.96、18.03和19.53 cm2;胴体GR值在9.8～14.2 mm之间.对肉质分析结果表明,6月龄羔羊肉中脂肪、蛋白质、热量、钙和镁分别为3.62%、20.73%、4.85 MJ/kg、77.12 mg/kg和882.50 mg/kg,而成年羊肉中脂肪、蛋白质、热量、钙和镁分别为4.58%、21.06%、5.23 MJ/kg、63.18 mg/kg和828.17 mg/kg.因此可见,阿旺绵羊产肉性能优良,特别是羔羊肉脂肪低、蛋白质高、钙镁含量丰富.有较大开发潜力和经济价值.     

青海绵羊与不同品种肉羊杂交筛选试验

在常规放牧条件下,用陶赛特羊(D)、渡德代羊(B)、特克塞尔羊(T)等肉羊为父本,小尾寒羊(X)、青海当地绵羊--山谷型藏羊(Q)为母本,分4个杂交组合进行筛选试验.结果表明:DX、BX组的初生、1月龄、3月龄、6月龄、8月龄平均体重极显著地高于同龄当地羔羊(P＜0.01);DQ、TQ组的初生、1月龄、3月龄、6月龄、8月龄平均体重显著高于同龄当地羔羊(P＜0.05);杂种羊的体长、胸围等体尺也有较大提高;DX、BX、DQ组8月龄杂种羊胴体重极显著高于同龄当地羔羊(P＜0.01);TQ组8月龄杂种羊胴体重显著高于同龄当地羔羊(P＜0.05);杂种羔的屠宰率也高于同龄当地羔羊,且肉质与当地羊相同,体形均趋向父本,肌肉丰满,适应性强.因而,DX、BX、DQ、TQ组合都优于对照组,但DX、DQ组合最优.即利用无角陶赛特羊不论改良当地绵羊,还是引进的小尾寒羊,效果最佳.     

高寒牧区肉用羊与甘细羊杂交后代舍饲育肥试验

2008—2009年,天祝县实施了高寒牧区细毛羊多向利用技术研究与应用项目,引进了特克塞尔羊、萨福克羊、陶赛特羊等优良肉羊品种对本地甘肃高山细毛羊(简称甘细羊)进行了大规模的杂交繁殖试验,年产杂种肉羊5万只以上。为了探索F1代杂种羊在高寒牧区的育肥性能和适应性,特开展本试验,以便为高寒牧区发展肉羊生产提供科学依据。     

自贡黑山羊产肉性能研究

对自贡黑山羊4月龄、6月龄、12月龄和成年羊进行了屠宰测定。4月龄羯羊的屠宰率、净肉率分别为47％、34％;6月龄自贡黑山羊公羊、母羊和羯羊的屠宰率、净肉率分别为45．43％、34．17％,47．13％、35．04％,47．60％、35％。12月龄自贡黑山羊公羊、母羊和羯羊的屠宰率、净肉率分别为48.11％、37．53％,47.27％、36．53％,48％、38.47％。成年自贡黑山羊公羊、母羊的屠宰率、净肉率分别为49．4％、38．2％,45.6％、35．9％。比较分析,表明自贡黑山羊早期产肉性能高于国内其它中小型山羊品种。     

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)。     

东乡羊肉品质特征分析

为探究东乡羊肉品质,选择9月龄健康东乡肉羊、小尾寒羊和湖羊公羊各10只,测定分析肉品质、脂肪酸水平、挥发性风味物质及矿物质含量等.结果显示,东乡羊肉中瘦肉精、抗生素、磺胺类药、重金属等指标均符合绿色安全标准,组织形态、色泽、黏度均符合正常鲜肉标准;东乡羊肉的色度、失水率显著高于其他两种羊(P＜0.05);东乡羊肉所含蛋...     

不同肉羊品种杂交组合生产性能对比试验

近几年我国肥羔生产发展较快,但与世界养羊业发达国家相比差距依然较大,主要是羊的良种产业化程度不高、羊的生长速度稍慢、饲料报酬低、屠宰率不高。随着人们生活水平的不断提高,膳食结构已发生了一定改变,人们对高蛋白、低脂肪、低胆固醇的羊肉,尤其是羔羊肉的需求不断增加。因此,引进国外专用肉用     

对肉羊体型外貌主成分棗Fuzzy多级综合评判的探讨

家畜的体型外貌可以从不同方面反映出家畜的生产性能，因此，可以用它来作为家畜鉴定等级的依据.     

新《动物防疫法》中关乎饲养者的三大关键词

继2007年新《畜牧法》实施半年之后,新修订的《中华人民共和国动物防疫法》于2008年1月1日正式开始实施,两部法律相辅     

2020年我国肉羊产业发展形势及2021年展望

在养殖利好和消费升级的双轮驱动下,2020年我国肉羊生产继续向好。国家统计局数据显示,2020年全国羊肉产量同比增长1.0%。据农业农村部监测,2020年全国肉羊出栏同比增长1.1%,肉羊存栏同比增长5.2%;活羊和羊肉价格上涨,双双创历史新高,肉羊养殖效益显著提升。羊肉进口量有所减少。展望2021年,肉羊产业发展进一步向好,预计羊肉产量稳中有增,羊肉消费需求持续增长,供需仍呈紧平衡状态,羊肉价格保持高位,肉羊养殖收益较好。     

不同肉羊品种与小尾寒羊杂交效果观察

选用160只从山东引进的小尾寒羊作母本,以该场从山西省农科院畜牧所种羊场引进的特克塞尔肉用种羊、无角陶赛特肉用种羊和萨福克肉用种羊为父本,随机分成特寒、陶寒、萨寒和小尾寒羊4组.试验采用全舍饲饲养方式,通过综合比较各杂交组合试验羊的产羔率、羔羊成活率、羔羊初生重、1～6月龄体重以及6月龄体尺指数等指标.结果表明:用肉用羊品种杂交小尾寒羊后,杂种后代的生长发育速度明显高于小尾寒羊,杂种羔羊比小尾寒羊只均收入多135元.     

B超诊断技术在肉羊早期妊娠诊断中的应用

随着肉羊养殖业规模化、集约化程度的不断提高,在肉羊繁殖领域,借助B超诊断技术进行肉羊早期妊娠诊断,有效提高了肉羊早期妊娠鉴定的准确率,缩短了肉羊空怀天数,降低了空怀期饲养成本,进一步提升了肉羊繁殖效率,获得了较好的经济效益.本文通过利用B超诊断技术在肉羊早期妊娠诊断中应用研究,对肉羊的集约化生产管理和提高繁殖率.加快肉羊养殖规模化,产业化发展具有一定的促进意义.