长期放牧对青藏高原高寒灌丛植被的影响

通过在青藏高原对放牧第18年的植物种多样性、群落结构、地上现存生物量和草场质量的研究结果表明：随放牧率增加，植物种多样性指数的变化是一个典型的单峰曲线模式。长期重度放牧使高寒灌丛群落结构简化，地上现存生物量特别是优良牧草的现存量减少。植物群落的高度、总盖度和枯草盖度随着放牧强度的降低而增加，绿色植物的盖度在中度放牧样地最高。从轻牧到重牧，灌木和禾草的优势地位被典型杂类草替代。长期重度放牧在青藏高原草场退化过程中起重要作用，在青藏高原实施“取半留半”的放牧原则，对于防止草场退化，提高牧草利用率，维持较高的生物多样性都有益处。     

牦牛放牧模式对西藏高山嵩草草甸群落特征的影响

利用样方法对西藏高山嵩草（Kobresia pygmaea）草甸群落进行实地调查,分析了2010-2012年不同强度的牦牛放牧试验对植物群落动态和地上生物量的影响,以期为高寒牧区退化草地的恢复及草地高效利用提供理论指导。结果表明：适度放牧能提高物种多样性、丰富度、均一度和地上生物量,降低植物群落盖度;重度放牧降低植物群落的多样性和生物量;重度延迟放牧能缓减重度放牧对草地的不良影响;相关分析结果表明,植物群落盖度与均匀度、丰富度、植物密度、多样性和地上生物量成正相关。高山嵩草草甸的功能群随着放牧强度的增加而显著变化,其优势功能群多年生根茎型牧草高山嵩草和苔草（Carex moorcroftii）、多年生丛生型牧草紫花针茅（Stipa purpurea）的盖度和地上生物量随着放牧强度增加而下降。     

牦牛放牧率对小嵩草高寒草甸植物群落的影响

两年的放牧实验结果表明随着放牧率的提高,优良牧草的盖度和比例降低,杂草的盖度和比例增加;两季草场各放牧处理植物群落发生了变化轻度放牧和重度放牧的优势种没有变化,中度放牧的优势种发生了变化.在暖季草场,放牧率与植物群落多样性指数、均匀度指数和植物群落组成种的种数呈显著的线性回归关系 (R=0.9840,P<0.01;R=0.9986,P<0.01;R=-0.8660,P<0.05);在冷季草场,放牧率与植物群落多样性指数、均匀度指数和植物群落组成种的种数均呈显著的二次回归关系(P<0.05).地上现存量的变化基本呈"S"型变化,而且随着放牧率的提高,地上现存量减小.在冷季草场,放牧率与优良牧草的盖度和地上现存量之间呈极显著的线性回归关系,而与杂草的盖度和地上现存量之间呈显著的二次回归关系;在暖季草场,放牧率与各植物类群盖度和地上现存量之间呈极显著的线性回归关系.     

东祁连山不同退化阶段高寒草甸群落结构与植物多样性特征研究

采用样方法对东祁连山地区不同退化程度高寒草甸植物群落进行了调查,对群落结构、物种组成和群落生产力进行了分析,并运用α多样性、β多样性等指标研究了其物种多样性变化.结果表明,1)研究样地内共有植物种13科27属40多种,从未退化-轻度退化-中度退化-重度退化-极度退化,不同退化演替阶段的优势种分别为线叶嵩草 禾草、线叶嵩草 珠芽蓼、珠芽蓼 线叶嵩草、珠芽蓼 杂类草、平车前 杂类草.2)随退化程度的加剧,草地总盖度降低,优良牧草生物量减少,而毒杂草的比例逐渐上升,草地质量下降;地上、地下生物量均明显降低,地上生物量远低于地下生物量,分布在各层的植物根量越来越少,地下根系具有浅层化特点.3)高寒草甸植物群落α多样性指数基本上与均匀度、丰富度指数呈正相关,与生态优势度指数呈负相关;群落的物种丰富度在中度退化阶段最高,但多样性指数和均匀度指数在重度退化阶段最高,群落多样性更多地受均匀度的影响.4)随退化程度的加剧,样方内微生境或资源异质性减小,样方间异质性增大,从而导致β多样性增加;各草地植物群落物种替代速率由大到小的顺序为重度退化-极度退化>未退化-轻度退化>中度退化-重度退化>轻度退化-中度退化.     

科尔沁沙地草甸草场退化的原因与植物多样性变化

对科尔沁沙地典型草甸植被主要群落的优势种群在22年间的消长和物种多样性的变化进行了研究,分析了造成草场退化的主要原因。结果表明,科尔沁沙地草甸植被已出现了严重退化现象,物种多样性和均匀度下降,生态优势度上升。牧草产量和质量显著下降,优良牧草数量减少,适口性较差和有毒有害植物增加。造成草甸草场退化的主要原因有气候的暖干化、生境干旱化、土壤盐渍化和过度放牧,其中过度放牧是造成草甸植被退化的直接原因。分析了过度放牧对群落组成、生物量、物种多样性以及对建群种根茎中营养物质含量的影响等。     

短花针茅草原群落特征对全年放牧和春季休牧的响应

本文以内蒙古高原短花针茅草原为研究对象,研究全年放牧和春季休牧下草地植被在盖度、重要值,植物功能群生物量、多样性等的响应。结果表明,春季体牧下草地主要植物种盖度较高,其中春季零放牧＋夏季适度放牧＋秋季适度放牧效果最好。春季休牧＋夏季适牧＋秋季适牧处理下短花针茅的重要值较低,但是无芒隐子草重要值高于春季体牧＋夏季重牧＋秋季重牧处理,碱韭重要值低于春季休牧＋夏季重牧＋秋季重牧处理,银灰旋花则相反。春季休牧处理下植被群落的地上生物量和Shannon多样性指数显著高于其他放牧处理（P〈0．05）,其中春季休牧＋夏季适牧＋秋季适牧处理最为明显。     

牦牛放牧强度对高寒草甸暖季草场植被的影响

暖季草场2年的放牧试验结果表明:随着放牧强度的提高,优良牧草盖度降低,杂草盖度增加,而且优良牧草盖度的年度变化与放牧强度呈极显著负相关,杂草盖度的年度变化与放牧强度呈极显著正相关;经过1年的放牧,不同放牧强度下植物群落发生了变化,进一步回归分析,相似性系数的年度变化与放牧强度呈极显著的负相关;地上生物量的变化基本呈"S"型变化,而且随着放牧强度的加重,地上生物量趋于减小,优良牧草的比例减少,杂草比例增加;优良牧草比例的年度变化与放牧强度呈极显著负相关,而杂草比例的年度变化与放牧强度呈极显著正相关.     

短期降雨改变对荒漠草原植物群落特征的影响

为了研究长期放牧效应和短期降雨改变对草原生态系统植被特征的影响,以长期控制载畜率(禁牧、轻度放牧、中度放牧、重度放牧)试验为基础,分析模拟不同降雨梯度(减少环境降雨50%、环境降雨、增加环境降雨50%和100%)下植物群落个体数量特征、物种多样性以及地上生物量对水分变化的响应。结果表明:1)长期放牧和短期降雨改变均显著影响群落盖度(P0.05),群落盖度随放牧强度的增加而减少,却随降雨的增加而增大;2)短期降雨改变对物种多样性影响显著(P0.05),中度放牧后在增加环境降雨100%处理下,最多出现22种物种;3)长期放牧和短期降雨改变对地上生物量均有显著影响(P0.05),禁牧样地在环境降雨处理下地上生物量最高,为408.3g·m-2,重度放牧样地在减少环境降雨50%处理下地上生物量最低,为118.2g·m-2。     

放牧和封育对青藏高原南缘亚高山草甸群落结构及物种多样性的影响

为探讨青藏高原南缘亚高山草甸的适宜管理措施,本研究以自由放牧、4年全年封育、4年生长季封育+非生长季放牧和20年生长季封育+季末割草管理下的亚高山草甸典型样地为研究对象,开展放牧和封育管理措施下亚高山草甸群落结构及物种多样性的比较研究。结果表明:退化亚高山草甸经4年的生长季封育+非生长季放牧管理,草地有害植物的优势地位降低,优良牧草的优势地位增加,物种丰富度显著下降,草地生产力、密度、盖度、多样性和均匀度无显著变化;经4年的全年封育管理,草地生产力、密度、盖度及优良牧草的优势度显著增加,优良牧草草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)成为群落的单优势物种,群落的生态优势度急剧增加,丰富度、多样性和均匀度显著降低;经20年的生长季封育+季末割草管理,草地生产力、密度、盖度及优良牧草的优势度显著增加,草地早熟禾和大花嵩草(Kobresia macrantha)成为群落的优势物种,群落的生态优势度指数和丰富度指数显著增加,多样性和均匀度显著降低。可见,与自由放牧相比,3种封育措施均可增加滇西北退化亚高山草甸优良牧草的优势度,促进退化亚高山草甸植被的恢复,但封育后因群落中单个或少数物种在群落中的优势地位大大增加,草地中伴生种消失,物种丰富度和多样性降低。     

围栏封育对黄河源区退化高寒草地植被组成及生物量的影响

在黄河源区-青海省果洛藏族自治州玛沁县选取4个不同退化程度的天然草地,以围栏内封育和围栏外自由放牧草地作比较,采用样方法调查草地围栏内外的群落结构特征和草地初级生产力生物量,并通过计算地上与地下生物量比值以及植物群落干鲜比来评价围栏封育的效果。结果表明:不同退化程度围栏内外的植被组成存在显著差异;随着退化程度的加剧,植物群落的盖度、高度以及多样性指数有下降趋势,且围栏内的盖度、高度及多样性指数均大于围栏外的;植物群落高度、盖度、地上生物量和生物量干鲜比随着退化程度加剧有减小的趋势。围栏封育有利于改善青藏高原退化高寒草地的植物群落结构,提高草地植物群落的盖度和生物量,促进其恢复演替。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

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.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

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