放牧强度对南方人工草地和绵羊生产性能的影响

放牧强度对草地生存环境和家畜生产性能关系密切。我国对放牧强度的研究集中于北方，南方草地建设比较晚，尤其是南方人工草地相关研究比较少。本试验旨在探讨南方人工草地不同放牧强度与草地植物产量和放牧家畜生产性能之间的关系，为确定合理的载牧量提供参考依据。     

放牧强度对混播草地群落数量特征的影响(简报)

放牧强度对人工草地群落数量特征的影响,国内外学者已有报道^[1~2],而有关青藏高原的研究则很少^[3]。Reategui^[4]认为,载畜量增大将使丛生禾草向矮生禾草演替,而导致草地退化。另外,放牧强度对植物群落组成和生物多样性也有很大影响,随着放牧强度的增加,一些适口性高、再生性强、不耐牧的种类减少,而适口性差、耐牧的种类增多^[5]。本试验研究放牧强度对垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)/星星草(Puccinellia tenuflora)混播草地群落数量特征的影响,旨在为人工草地的放牧利用提供科学依据。     

草地斑块面积对肉牛采食行为的影响(简报)

家畜采食行为和采食策略是放牧生态学的研究热点之一^[1]。目前有关放牧家畜采食行为、采食模型和采食理论的研究进展迅速,但大多数仅局限在对某个植物等级水平(个体、斑块)家畜采食特征的研究^[2~6],而对不同等级(个体、斑块、群落、景观)水平间的动物采食行为的整合研究不多见。本文通过测定放牧肉牛在草甸草原植物个体和斑块区域的采食方位和采食参数,分析家畜采食策略,以期进一步完善采食理论,并为制定合理的草地管理制度提供理论支持。     

基于高寒草地放牧系统次级生产力的优化放牧强度研究

依据小嵩草（Kobresia parva）高寒草甸和垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）/星星草（Puccinellia tenuflora）高寒混播人工草地牦牛放牧系统、紫花针茅（Stipa purpurea）高寒草原藏系绵羊放牧系统中草地次级生产力（家畜增重）的试验数据,构建了放牧家畜个体增重与放牧强度之间的模型：Y=a-bX（b>0）,以此为基础确定了单位面积草地次级生产力（家畜增重）与放牧强度之间的数学模型：Y=aX-bX²（b>0）;计算出各放牧系统最大生产力放牧强度：高寒草甸冷季和暖季草场分别是1.68头·hm^-2和2.52头·hm^-2,高寒人工草地牧草生长季为7.23头·hm^-2,高寒草原冷季、暖季和全年连续放牧草场分别是4.33,6.45,2.36只·hm^-2。     

不同季节南方人工改良草地载畜量研究

在南方高海拔山区，研究不同放牧强度（7．5、15、30和45羊／hm2）和放牧季节对人工改良草地和家畜生产性能的影响，对不同季节人工改良草地适宜载畜量进行探讨。结果表明：不同放牧强度对地上现存量和家畜生产性能有显著影响（P〈0．05）。地上现存量（Yh，g／m2）与放牧率（S，羊／hm2）之间呈线性负相关；日增重（Ya...     

亚热带中山地区不同放牧强度与草地植物产量和放牧家畜生产性能之间的关系研究

研究了亚热带中山地区草地不同放牧强度与草地植物产量和放牧家畜生产性能之间的关系,试验结果表明,不同放牧强度对草地植物产量和放牧家畜生产性能的影响不同。在A组放牧强度的载畜量水平,草地植物利用率高,植物产量和畜产品产量低;在C组放牧强度的载畜量水平,草地植物利用率低,老草残留,植物再生力降低;在B组放牧强度的载畜量水平,草地植物的利用率为60～70％,对植物生长和利用有利。     

内蒙古典型草原三种家畜采食量和食性选择的研究

放牧家畜的采食量和对不同牧草的选食性是制定草地放牧管理的基本参数。本研究选取内蒙古典型草原,在相同放牧强度下比较绵羊、山羊和牛的采食量及牧草选择性。结果表明：在相同放牧强度下,夏秋季节放牧牛的平均日采食量为9.64 kg·（头·天）^-1,喜食大针茅、黄囊苔草和一些非优势种牧草（选食系数1 < SI≤1.5）,而对羊草和糙隐子草表现为可食（0.5 < SI≤1）;绵羊的平均日采食量为1.87 kg·（头·天）^-1,喜食羊草、黄囊苔草和其它非优势种牧草（1 < SI≤1.5）,而对大针茅和糙隐子草表现为可食（0.5 < SI≤1）;山羊的日均采食量为1.65 kg·（头·天）^-1,嗜食其它非优势种牧草（SI>1.5）,喜食黄囊苔草和糙隐子草（1 < SI≤1.5）,而对羊草和大针茅表现为可食（0.5 < SI≤1）。本研究意味着不同家畜或多种家畜混牧可更高效的利用草地资源,如放牧绵羊和牛可能分别减少羊草和针茅在草地中的丰度,因而采用不同家畜放牧或多种家畜混牧有利于草地的可持续利用。     

放牧强度对肉牛行为的影响

为研究家畜行为对不同放牧强度和月份的响应规律，本文通过控制试验和随机区组排列方法，设置3个放牧强度（轻度（G1：0.23 cow·Au·ha^-1）、中度（G3：0.46 cow·Au·ha^-1）、重度（G5：0.92 cow·Au·ha^-1））和3个重复，在2018年7—9月，每个小区选取2头肉牛佩戴GPS电子项圈并人工观测、记录其各行为发生的时间，分析其时空特征。结果表明，时间上，家畜采食时间>休息时间>游走时间，采食时间比例分别为53.19%（G1），62.06%（G3）和66.60%（G5）；空间上，随着放牧强度的增加，家畜的运动距离越大，分别为3.53 km （G1），4.05 km （G3）和4.89 km （G5）；家畜的活动区范围随着放牧强度的增加显著增加，重度放牧为69.62%，8月份家畜活动区范围最大，为67.25%。考虑放牧强度和月份两个影响家畜行为的因子，放牧强度占据主导地位。家畜行为监测有利于实现草地资源合理利用的同时，也对家畜进行智能化管理。     

高寒地区暖季草场放牧牦牛的生产性能及其土壤养分变化

旨在通过不同放牧强度下高寒小嵩草(Alpine Kobresia parva(Nees)Wang et Tang ex Y.C.Yang)草甸和垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans Griseb.)/星星草(Puccinellia tenuiflora(Griseb.)Scribn.et Merr.)高寒混播草地暖季草场植物初级生产力、土壤养分含量以及牦牛生产性能的研究,为草地合理利用提供有益的依据。结果表明:牦牛个体增重与放牧强度均呈线性关系;高寒小嵩草草甸暖季草场最适放牧强度为1.26头/hm²,垂穗披碱草/星星草混播高寒混播草地暖季草场的最适放牧强度是7.23头/hm²;放牧强度对高寒混播草地速效氮和速效磷的影响不显著,对速效钾的影响显著(P<0.05);随着放牧强度的提高,高寒小嵩草草甸土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮、全磷的含量呈减小趋势;当放牧强度分别达到1.07头/hm²,1.08头/hm²和1.22头/hm²时,0~5 cm,5~10 cm,10~20cm土壤速效氮含量依此达到最小;随着放牧强度的提高,高寒小嵩草草甸禾草和莎草的比例下降,可食杂草和毒杂草比例增加,而高寒混播草地垂穗披碱草的比例降低,星星草和杂类草的比例增加。     

阿坝牧区草地不同利用方式与程度对植被碳含量的影响

为探讨不同利用方式与程度对草地植被碳含量的影响,对阿坝牧区不同利用方式草地(封育天然割草地、人工栽培、放牧草地)和植物生长季不同利用程度草地植被的地上部分、地下根系和枯落物的碳含量进行调研。结果表明,1)草地地上植被碳含量在不同利用方式上表现为封育天然割草地、冬春放牧草地和人工栽培草地显著高于夏秋放牧草地(P<0.05);生长季不同利用程度上冬春和夏秋轻度放牧草地显著高于重度和中度放牧草地(P<0.05)。2)草地枯落物碳含量在不同利用方式与程度上差异均不显著。3)从根系总碳含量来看,不同利用方式上夏秋放牧草地和封育天然割草地显著高于冬春放牧草地和人工栽培草地 (P<0.05);生长季不同利用程度上夏秋中度和轻度放牧草地显著高于夏秋重度和冬春放牧草地(P<0.05),且各种利用方式与程度草地地下根系总碳含量均从表层向下依次显著的递减(P<0.05),0~10 cm 的根系碳含量占总量的65%以上,10~30 cm各草地根系碳含量差异不显著(P<0.05)。通过数量关系得出,草地植被碳含量在利用方式上表现为封育天然割草地(356.509 g/m²)>冬春放牧草地(297.780 g/m²)>人工栽培草地(164.953 g/m²)>夏秋放牧草地(137.577 g/m²),地上植被碳含量分别为地下根系碳含量的15.334,17.130,9.167和5.146倍;在生长季不同利用程度上表现为冬春放牧草地(297.780 g/m²)>夏秋轻度放牧草地(217.002 g/m²)>夏秋重度放牧草地(113.849 g/m²)>夏秋中度放牧草地(81.882 g/m²),地上植被碳含量分别为地下根系碳含量的17.130,8.636,4.412和2.430倍。利用方式和放牧强度是影响草地植被碳含量的重要因素。     

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.     

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     

Evaluation of the Microbiological Status of Milk and Various Structures in Mammary Glands from Naturally Infected Dairy Cows

A knowledge of the microbiological status of milk and of the different structures in the mammary glands has great importance in elucidating the pathogenesis of mammary gland infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological status of various structures in the mammary glands from naturally infected dairy cows following slaughter. A total of 94 samples of milk, 184 samples of mammary parenchyma, 168 samples of gland cisterns, and 168 samples of teat cisterns were collected for microbiological examination. Microorganisms were detected in 59.9% of all samples, 67.0% of the milk samples, 70.1% of the mammary parenchymas, 55.9% of the gland cisterns and 48.8% of the teat cistern samples. When all samples were considered, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were the most prevalent (35.7%) followed by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (12.2%), Corynebacterium bovis (2.4%), Prototheca sp. (1.9%), and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (1.5%). There was a significantly higher occurrence of microorganisms in the milk and mammary parenchyma compared to the gland cisterns and teat cisterns. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Development and survival of free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats on pasture in the Nigerian derived savanna

Four grass plots were sequentially contaminated with goat faeces containing known numbers of unembryonated eggs of predominantly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. between October 1982 and April 1983. Four other plots were similarly contaminated with sheep faeces between February and May 1987. An additional plot was repeatedly contaminated with sheep faeces from February to April 1987. Populations of free-living stages in faeces and of infective larvae (L₃) in the herbage were subsequently monitored until the end of April and June of 1983 and 1987 respectively. During February and May 1987 two control cultures of sheep faeces were incubated in the laboratory at 25°C–30°C and at a constant temperature of 50°C and the free-living development was also monitored. L₃ developed very readily in the faeces cultured at 25°C–30°C and in those spread on a grass plot in October, at the end of the wet season, but developed less on the plot contaminated in May at the start of the wet season. Worm eggs in faeces deposited on plots during the hot dry season (December to April) or incubated at 50°C died and disintegrated after 24–48 h exposure to the high environmental temperatures. The results indicate that it is unlikely that gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats can develop or survive on open pasture during the dry season in the Nigerian derived savanna zone.