牛体外受精胚胎卵裂阶段对其体发育能力影响的研究

将经过体外成熟培养（ＩＶＭ），体外受精（ＩＶＦ）后获得的牛早期胚胎，按其所处卵裂阶段的不同，划分为２细胞、３～４细胞和５细胞以上３个试验组，在体外条件十继续培养到发育囊胚和孵化囊胚阶段，以观察在胚胎早期，受精卵裂发育的快慢与其后胚胎所获得的继续发育能力的关系。结果显示，牛早期胚胎体囊胚发育率的高低，与其在体外培养（ＩＶＣ）前卵裂发育的快慢成正比。在ＩＶＦ后４２～４６ｈ处于２细胞、３～４细胞和５细胞     

牛体外受精早期胚胎与小鼠胎仔成纤维细胞共培养的研究

探讨了人工合成培养液ＣＲ１ａａ和小鼠胎仔成纤维细胞对牛体外受精早期胚胎体外发育的影响。结果表明，牛体外受精卵在ＣＲ１ａａ液中的卵裂率达７６．２％，８细胞胚的比率达４４．８％。小鼠胎仔成纤维细胞能够显著促进牛体外受精的早期囊胚以上胚胎的发育。牛体外受精后第５、６天的早期胚胎分别与小鼠胎仔成纤维细胞共培养，在受精后第７天发育至囊胚以上的比率分别达１９．８％和２４．６％；受精后第８天，孵化的囊胚比例分别达５．２％和７．５％。实验表明，受精后第５、６天的牛体外受精早期胚胎与小鼠胎仔成纤维细胞共培养，可显著提高扩张囊胚和孵化囊胚数量。小鼠成纤维细胞对胚胎发育的支持作用取决于胚胎发育阶段     

牛胚胎体外生产技术的简化研究

利用屠宰牛卵巢分离的卵母细胞，以卵裂率和囊胚发育率为标准，对牛胚胎体外生产过程进行了简化试验。结果显示：不加卵丘细胞的高密度卵母细胞体外成熟（１００～２００枚／平皿）可代替加卵丘细胞的标准密度（５０枚／平皿）培养，其卵裂率（５７．６％比６２．５％）和囊胚发育率（２３．７％比２９．１％）没有显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５），体外授精时间可从成熟培养后２２ｈ延长至２７ｈ，卵裂率和囊胚发育率均没有显著变化，卵母细胞体外成熟后可以不经洗涤直接移入受精滴，原成熟培养皿内残留卵丘细胞再培养４８ｈ形成的单层细胞，可代替标准方法制作的单层小滴用于体外受精胚胎的共同培养，供胚胎发育培养的单层细胞使用多次不影响囊胚发育率，经简化的ＩＶＦ技术获得的胚胎非手术移入情期同步受体牛子宫角２～２．５个月后直检有５８．３％（７／１２）妊娠。我们认为，传统的牛胚胎体外生产技术经过简化可以提高生产效率，不会减少囊胚发育率和妊娠率，值得推广应用。     

BFF,rbGH对牛卵泡卵母细胞体外受精后发育的影响

利用屠宰黄牛卵巢，对２～５ｍｍ卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟（ＩＶＭ）、体外受精（ＩＶＦ）、受精卵的体外培养（ＩＶＣ）进行了系列研究。结果表明，在成熟培养液中单独添加１０％Ｄ０ＥＣＳ（发情当天牛血清）获得了卵泡卵母细胞受精后较高的卵裂率（６４．７％）、桑椹胚发育率（３９．９％）和囊胚发育率（２４．８％），说明在成熟培养液中单独添加Ｄ０ＥＣＳ是可行的；在含１０％Ｄ０ＥＣＳ的成熟培养液中再添加１０％或２０％ＢＦＦ（牛卵泡液），均能提高受精卵的卵裂率以及桑椹胚和囊胚的发育率，以添加２０％ＢＦＦ效果较好，其囊胚发育率（３５．０％）显著高于对照组（２４．８％，Ｐ＜０．０５）；在卵泡卵母细胞成熟培养系统和受精卵共同培养系统中添加１０μｇ／Ｌ重组牛生长因子（ｒｂＧＨ），虽对体外受精卵的卵裂率无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５），但能显著提高卵裂胚的囊胚发育率（Ｐ＜０．０５）     

电激活对完全体外化牛细胞核移植的影响

牛卵母细胞在体外成熟２３～２４ｈ时去核，去核卵用８０Ｖ／ｍｍ４０μｓ两次电脉冲激活（Ⅰ组）或不激活（Ⅱ组），然后将体外受精、发育的８～３２细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球注入卵周隙，用８０Ｖ／ｍｍ４０μｓ两次电脉冲诱导卵裂球与去核卵母细胞融合。Ⅰ组操作后存活率和融合率（８８．４％和５５．０％）显著低于Ⅱ组（９５．９％和６５．１％，Ｐ＜０．０５）。融合卵体外培养２４ｈ和５～８ｄ后，Ⅰ组核移植胚胎的卵裂率和桑椹／囊胚发育率（６３．０％和１５．２％）与Ⅱ组（５０．５％和７．８％）无显著差异，但Ⅰ组结果均好于Ⅱ组。将来自两组的２５枚桑椹和囊胚移植到１６头同期受体，在已检查过的８头受体中２头受体妊娠，其中１头于妊娠后４个多月流产，１头于妊娠期满后产出一雄性牛犊。研究结果表明：去核卵母细胞的电激活尽管对重组卵的存活与融合不利，但可改善核移植胚的卵裂和发育。本研究在我国首次获得牛细胞核移植的成功，证明用ＩＶＭ卵母细胞和ＩＶＦ胚胎进行完全体外化的牛细胞核移植是可行的。     

用屠宰场绵羊卵巢和附睾进行胚胎体外生产的研究

研究了从屠宰场得到的绵羊卵巢可采集的Ａ级卵母细胞数在不同月份的变化规律及运用屠宰场母羊的卵母细胞、公羊的附睾精子生产早期胚胎的可行性。结果表明在我国新疆地区，９、１０两个月份每个卵巢得到的平均Ａ级卵母细胞数显著高于其它月份（Ｐ＜０．０５），是进行绵羊体外受精研究的理想季节。卵巢卵母细胞经成熟培养后与附睾精子体外受精３０ｈ后，入孵卵母细胞在Ｍ１９９＋ＦＣＳ和Ｍ１９９＋ＦＣＳ＋ＣＣｓ培养液中的卵裂率分别为２２．４％和４４．５％；继续培养４～７ｄ，卵裂胚发育为１６－细胞以上的比例分别为６３．２％和８３．９％，差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。     

不同超数排卵方法所获羔山羊卵母细胞体外成熟率及体外受精率的比较

本研究观察了不同超排处理方法对羔山羊卵母细胞体外成熟及体外受精的影响，并将体外受精胚胎进行了移植，以便探讨利用羔山羊卵母细胞生产体外受精胚胎的技术途径。对２～４月龄羔山羊用ＦＳＨ、ＦＳＨ＋ＬＨ（静脉注射）和ＦＳＨ＋ＬＨ（肌肉注射）三种方法进行超排处理，平均分别回收１６．０、２０．３和１５．０枚卵母细胞。将这些卵母细胞进行２０～２４ｈ的成熟培养后，其成熟率分别为４５．５％，４４．４％和７６．５％。成熟卵母细胞经体外受精，体外发育培养后其２～４细胞胚胎的发生率分别为５．６％ａ、６．７％和３１．７％ｂ（ｂ，ｖｓ，ａ，Ｐ＜０．０５）。将９枚２～４细胞期胚胎移植给６只受体母羊，结果有２只妊娠并产羔２只。     

牛体外受精胚胎细胞核移植的实验研究

将采自肉联厂屠宰车间的牛卵巢中的卵母细胞置于ＴＣＭ－１９９＋１０％ＥＣＳ（０ｄ）＋ＦＳＨ（１万ＩＵ／Ｌ）＋ＬＨ（５ｍｇ／Ｌ）中培养成熟，用含０．３％透明质酸酶的消化液将卵母细胞周围的卵丘细胞去掉，并以７．５ｍｇ／Ｌ的ＣＢ液处理后，用微吸管吸去透明带内的第一极体及极体下面的部分卵母细胞质，然后将经体外受精并发育至８～１６细胞期胚胎的卵裂球注入去核卵母细胞的卵周隙中，再将移核胚置于电融合槽内进行融合（电场强度为１２００Ｖ／ｃｍ，持续时间为８０μｓ，１次脉冲刺激）。将融合的胚胎移入生长有单层贴壁颗粒细胞的发育培养液（ＴＣＭ－１９９＋１０％牛血清）中培养，观察移核胚的融合率及发育率，部分去核卵母细胞经染色后观察去核率。结果表明：（１）移核胚的融合率为８６．９％（５３／６１）；（２）发育至２～８细胞期的胚胎占培养的移核胚胎总数的２１．３％（１０／４７）；（３）卵母细胞的去核率为６８．２％（４５／６６）。     

牛性机能发育阶段与卵泡、黄体因素对卵母细胞体外成熟及体外受精的影响

利用屠宰母牛卵巢．对来自不同性机能发育阶段母牛的卵巢卵母细胞．不同状态卵巢卵泡的卵母细胞的体外成熟（ＩＶＭ）、体外受精（ＩＶＦ）进行了系列研究。结果表明．来自初情期、性成熟母牛卵巢的卵母细胞受精后的卵裂率（ ７４． ７％和 ８１． ５％）、囊胚率（ ２３．０％和 ２６． ８％）显著高于来自初情期前母牛卵巢卵母细胞的卵裂率（１８．８％）和囊胚率（１．８％）,Ｐ＜０．０５;有黄体卵巢的卵母细胞体外受精后的发育能力显著低于无黄体卵巢卵母细胞（卵裂率５８．０％：７９． ９％,囊胚率１３．％：２７．１％,Ｐ＜０．０５）;优势卵泡的有无对卵母细胞的卵裂率和囊胚率无明显影响。     

猪早期胚胎体内、外发育规律研究

系统地掌握猪早期胚胎体内外发育规律是进行猪胚胎冷冻、胚胎分割、鲜胚移值、长途运输引种以及基因转移等生物技术研究和应用的基础。本研究包括２个实验，实验１，利用８９头超排母猪和１９头自然发情母猪，于配种后第２、３、４、５、６、７、８、９和１０天手术采得胚胎１６１２枚，系统地观察猪早期胚胎体内发育规律，即：２日龄胚胎中原核胚占７７．３９％（３９７／５１３），３日龄胚胎中４和６细胞胚占７９．０５％（８３／１０５），４日龄胚胎中４～８细胞占４０％（３５／７６），５日龄胚胎多为桑椹和囊胚８３．１２％（６４／７７），６日龄胚多为膨胀囊胚４２．０９％（１８１／４３０）和孵化囊胚３４．１９％（１４７／４３０），７和８、９、１０日龄胚发育到孵化囊胚分别为７６．３４／ｏｏ（７１／９３）和１００％（７７／７７），而自然发情的５日龄胚胎中桑椹和囊胚仅占３２．５％（１３／４０），６日龄胚胎中膨胀囊胚仅占１１．１１％（１７／１５３），孵化胚仅占１９．６１％（３０／１５３）。各发育阶段的胚胎比例均明显低于５、６日龄超排供体（Ｐ＜０．０５）。实地２，将１３８枚囊胚和膨胀囊胚，分别体外培养２４和１２小时，囊胚发育阶段的胚胎５０％（４８／９６）?     

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     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -