断奶日龄对消化器官形态及小肠组织化学的影响

本研究选用了12窝0～56日龄仔猪，以断奶日龄为主要因素，随机分成17、21、28、35日龄断奶4个处理组，每个处理3个重复，每个重复为1窝仔猪。试验期间，实行三阶段饲养，7日龄开始补饲，7～28日龄采食日粮Ⅰ，29～42日龄采食日粮Ⅱ，42～56日龄采食日粮Ⅲ。17日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、4天、4天＋1周、4天＋2周，22、28日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、1周、2N、3周，35日龄断奶组于断奶后12小时、1周、2周采血和剖杀，每次剖杀1头：同时，35日龄断奶组作为对照组，分别在17、21、28日龄断奶组采血和剖杀时间点的相同日龄，每次每个重复也各剖杀1头，共计剖杀54头。剖杀取得的样品用于测定仔猪消化道形态及肠道组织化学指标。结果表明：断奶后，仔猪小肠各段、胃、胰、肝组织结构模糊，小肠绒毛脱落，粘膜水肿，固有膜中大量嗜酸性白细胞浸润（炎症反应），细胞发生不同程度的颗粒变性、脂肪变性或空泡变性，且断奶越早，这些变化越严重。17、21日龄断奶组仔猪小肠粘膜AKP活性低于28、35日龄断奶组同周龄仔猪，其中空肠、回肠粘膜AKP活性高于十二指肠AKP活性；随着周龄的增加，仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性增强，至5周龄时达到高峰，断奶后次日及1周时，仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性减弱；断奶越早，仔猪十二指肠腺及肠腺糖原阳性反应较弱。     

断奶日龄对消化器官形态及小肠组织化学的影响

本研究选用了12窝0～56日龄仔猪，以断奶日龄为主要因素，随机分成17、21、28、35日龄断奶四个处理组，每个处理三个重复，每个重复为一窝仔猪，试验期间，实行三阶段饲养，7日龄开始补饲，7～28日龄采食日粮I，29～42日龄采食日粮Ⅱ，42～56日龄采食日粮Ⅲ，17日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12h,4d、4d 1w、4d 2w，22、28日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12、1w、2w、3w，35日龄断奶组于断奶后12h、1w、2w采血和剖杀，每次剖杀1头，同时35日龄断奶组作为对照组，分别在17、21、28日龄断奶组采血和剖杀时间点的相同日龄，每次每个重复也各剖杀1头，共计剖杀54头，剖杀取得的样品用于测定仔猪消化道形态及肠道组织化学指标，结果表明，断奶后，仔猪小肠各段，胃，胰，肝组织结构模糊，小肠绒毛脱落，粘膜水肿，固有膜中大量嗜酸性白细胞浸润（炎症反应），细胞发生不同程度的颗粒变性，脂肪变化或空泡变化，且断奶越早，这些变化越严重，17、21日龄断奶组仔猪小肠粘膜AKP活性低于28、35日龄断奶组同周龄仔猪，其中空肠，回肠粘膜AKP活性高于十二指肠AKP活性，随着周龄的增加，仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性增强，至5周龄达到高峰，断奶后次日及一周时，仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性减弱；断奶越早，仔猪十二指肠腺及肠腺糖原阳性反应较弱。     

断奶日龄对消化器官形态及小肠组织化学的影响

本研究选用了12窝0～56日龄仔猪,以断奶日龄为主要因素,随机分成17、21、28、35日龄断奶四个处理组,每个处理三个重复,每个重复为一窝仔猪.试验期间,实行三阶段饲养,7日龄开始补饲,7～28日龄采食日粮Ⅰ,29～42日龄采食日粮Ⅱ,42～56日龄采食日粮Ⅲ.17日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12 h、 4 d、 4 d+1 w、 4 d+2 w,22、28日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12 h、 1 w、 2 w、 3 w, 35日龄断奶组于断奶后12 h、 1 w、 2 w采血和剖杀,每次剖杀1头;同时35日龄断奶组作为对照组,分别在17、21、28日龄断奶组采血和剖杀时间点的相同日龄,每次每个重复也各剖杀1头,共计剖杀54头.剖杀取得的样品用于测定仔猪消化道形态及肠道组织化学指标.结果表明断奶后,仔猪小肠各段、胃、胰、肝组织结构模糊,小肠绒毛脱落,粘膜水肿,固有膜中大量嗜酸性白细胞浸润(炎症反应),细胞发生不同程度的颗粒变性、脂肪变化或空泡变化,且断奶越早,这些变化越严重.17、21日龄断奶组仔猪小肠粘膜AKP活性低于28、35日龄断奶组同周龄仔猪,其中空肠、回肠粘膜AKP活性高于十二指肠AKP活性;随着周龄的增加,仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性增强,至5周龄时达到高峰,断奶后次日及一周时,仔猪小肠粘膜ANAE活性减弱;断奶越早,仔猪十二指肠腺及肠腺糖原阳性反应较弱.     

断奶对仔猪肠上皮间淋巴细胞、杯状细胞数量的影响

试验选用12窝0～56日龄仔猪,以断奶日龄为主要因素,随机分成17、21、28、35日龄断奶4个处理组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复为一窝仔猪。试验期间,实行三阶段饲养,7日龄开始补饲,7～28日龄采食日粮Ⅰ,29～42日龄采食日粮Ⅱ,43～56日龄采食日粮Ⅲ。17日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、4天、4天+1周、4天+2周,22、28日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、1周、2周、3周,35日龄断奶组于断奶后12小时、1周、2周剖杀,每次每个重复分别剖杀1头;同时35日龄断奶组作为对照组,分别在17、21、28日龄断奶组剖杀时间点的相同日龄,每次每个重复也各剖杀1头,共计剖杀54头。剖杀取得的样品用于测定仔猪小肠上皮间淋巴细胞和杯状细胞数量。结果表明:断奶日龄和日龄对仔猪小肠各段上皮间淋巴细胞数量、杯状细胞数量均有显著影响(P<0 05),28日龄断奶组仔猪小肠各段上皮间淋巴细胞数量显著高于其它3组(P<0 05),而21日龄断奶组仔猪小肠各段上皮间淋巴细胞数量显著低于其它3组(P<0 05)。断奶越早、日龄越小的仔猪肠上皮间杯状细胞数量显著升高(P<0 05)。     

断奶日龄对仔猪肠粘膜形态的影响

本文研究了不同断奶日龄对仔猪肠粘膜形态的影响。试验分17日龄（1组）、21日龄（2组）、28日龄（3组）、35日龄（4组）断奶4个处理组，每个处理3个重复，每个重复1窝，定时定点制杀取十二指肠、空肠上段、空肠下段、回肠作组织切片，观察其绒毛高度、隐窝 深度、绒毛宽度、肠壁厚度。结果表明，仔猪十二指肠、空肠上段、空肠下段和回肠的绒毛高度、隐窝深度、绒毛宽度、肠壁厚度均有不同程度的变化；断奶日龄越早，仔猪肠粘膜变化越大，其中绒毛高度下降幅度越大，恢复时间越长，一般在断奶后8－12d降至最低，随后恢复较快。1组仔猪十二指肠、空肠上段、回肠隐窝深度显著下降；绒毛宽度各组各部位均呈先变窄后变宽趋势，肠壁厚度以1组变化明显。从小肠各部位比较，绒毛高度十二指肠最高，空肠上段次之；隐窝深度、绒毛宽度也以十二指肠最深或最宽；肠壁厚度以回肠最厚。仔猪在29日龄时各组各部位肠粘膜指标降至最低水平，之后，随着日龄的增加，各指标增加显著。     

断奶日龄和日龄对仔猪生产性能及主要消化器官重量的影响

本试验选用12窝0～56日龄仔猪研究了断奶日龄对仔猪生产性能及主要消化器官重量的影响。试验猪在原窝不变的情况下,随机分成17、21、28、35日龄断奶4个处理组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复为1窝仔猪。试验期间,实行三阶段饲养,7日龄开始补饲,7～28日龄采食日粮I,29～42日龄采食日粮Ⅱ,43～56日龄采食日粮Ⅲ。17日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、4天、4天+1周、4天+2周,21、28日龄断奶组分别于断奶后12小时、1周、2周、3周,35日龄断奶组于断奶后12小时、1周、2周剖杀,每次每个重复分别剖杀1头;同时以35日龄断奶组作为对照组,分别在17、21、28日龄断奶组剖杀时间点的相同日龄,每次每个重复也各剖杀1头,共计剖杀54头。剖杀时取胃、胰脏和肝脏称重。结果表明:断奶日龄和日龄对仔猪体重、日增重、相对生长速率和日采食量均有显著影响(P<0.05),且断奶越早,这些指标于断奶后下降的幅度越大。断奶可显著促进仔猪采食(P<0.05)。至42日龄,各处理组仔猪体重、日增重、相对生长速率及日采食量已无显著差异(P>0.05)。断奶可促进胃和胰脏的发育,但对肝脏的发育影响不大。     

加温饲养和定时饲喂对断奶仔猪肠黏膜形态和肠道发育的影响

试验旨在探索对仔猪床进行加温处理以及采用定时饲喂的方式的对早期断奶仔猪不同肠段黏膜形态和肠道发育的影响,从而为确定断奶仔猪适宜的饲养温度和科学的饲喂方式提供理论依据。试验采用2×2因子设计。选用21日龄杜长大断奶仔猪240头,随机分到4个处理组:1):28~30℃的仔猪床加温处理组;2)23~25℃的低温对照组(炉火暖气管道舍内加热);加温处理组和低温对照组中又根据不同的饲喂模式分为每天6次定时饲喂组和自由采食组。每个处理6个重复,每个重复10头猪。经过14 d的试验之后,在每圈仔猪中随机抽取1头,屠宰后取样检测小肠黏膜的绒毛高度、隐窝深度和肠壁厚度。结果表明:加温饲养组(28~30℃)的仔猪空肠中段的绒毛高度显著高于低温对照组(23~25℃)(P<0.05)。加温饲养组十二指肠的隐窝深度和空肠中段的肠壁厚度显著低于低温对照组(P<0.05)。定时饲喂饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度显著高于自由采食饲养的仔猪(P<0.05)。定时饲喂组仔猪空肠中段的肠壁厚度和十二指肠隐窝深度显著低于自由采食组(P<0.05)。2因子的互作效应表明:加温定时饲喂组饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度显著高于其他处理组。低温自由采食组饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度极显著低于其他处理组(P<0.01)。加温定时饲喂组的仔猪空肠中段的肠壁厚度极显著低于其他处理组(P<0.01)。由结果可知,28~30℃的加温饲养组以及定时饲喂的饲喂模式有利于仔猪的肠道黏膜形态的改善,有益于肠道的发育和健康。     

α-酮戊二酸对LPS慢性应激仔猪小肠黏膜形态与功能的影响

为了探讨α-酮戊二酸(AKG)能否缓解LPS慢性应激导致的仔猪小肠黏膜损伤及其机理,本试验研究了AKG对LPS慢性应激仔猪的小肠黏膜形态、血浆D-木糖的含量、血浆和小肠黏膜二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性及小肠黏膜mTOR及磷酸化的mTOR表达量的影响.18头(24±1)日龄健康断奶仔猪随机分成3个处理组(空白对照组、应激对照组、AKG组),每个处理6个重复.各组基础日粮一致,空白对照组和应激对照组饲喂基础日粮+1%淀粉,AKG组饲喂基础日粮+1%AKG.试验期为16 d.应激对照组和AKG组仔猪分别于第10、12、14和16天腹膜注射80μg·kg~(-1)BW的LPS,空白对照组注射相应剂量的灭菌生理盐水.第16天注射LPS 2 h后,按0.1g·kg~(-1)BW的剂量给仔猪灌服D-木糖溶液,注射LPS 3 h后,前腔静脉采血.第17天屠宰取小肠组织样,刮取肠黏膜及制作组织切片.结果表明:(1)与空白对照组相比,应激对照组十二指肠、空肠和回肠黏膜绒毛高度/隐窝深度、空肠和回肠磷酸化mTOR/mTOR(P-mTOR/mTOR)显著降低(P<0.05),血浆DAO活性显著升高(P<0.05).(2)与应激对照组相比,AKG组十二指肠、空肠和回肠黏膜绒毛高度/隐窝深度、空肠黏膜DAO活性、血浆D-木糖及十二指肠、空肠和回肠黏膜P-mTOR/mTOR显著升高(P<0.05).结果显示,日粮中添加1%AKG可在一定程度上改善仔猪的小肠组织学形态和吸收功能,缓解LPS慢性应激导致的仔猪小肠黏膜损伤,这与mTOR信号通路有关.     

仔猪补饲及不同类型的饲粮蛋白质对仔猪小肠粘膜形态结构的影响

试验研究了玉米—豆饼(CSM)、豆饼(SM)、乙醇处理豆饼(TSM)和乳蛋白(MP)等不同类型蛋白质对3周龄断奶仔猪小肠形态变化的影响。仔猪从7日龄起补饲,断奶后一部分仔猪换喂复合开食料(CS),其余仔猪饲料类型不变。试验至35日龄结束。结果表明,断奶导致绒毛变短(P<0.05),腺窝增深(P<0.05),绒毛/腺窝比下降(P<0.01),空肠上皮淋巴数增加(P<0.05),蔗糖酶活降低(P<0.01),血清脲氮上升(P<0.01)。断奶后肠道损伤程度与蛋白类型有关(P<0.01):豆饼引起的损伤程度最大,乳蛋白最小;玉米代替部分豆饼或用乙醇处理豆饼后可明显降低小肠粘膜损伤程度。断奶后换料组的粘膜损伤比相同料型组严重(P<0.01),但补饲豆饼组例外。十二指肠的绒毛萎缩(P>0.05)和腺窝增深(P<0.01)比空肠明显。断奶后第一周肠粘膜损伤最严重,第二周开始恢复。这些结果充分证明,仔猪对补饲及不同类型蛋白质的反应符合过敏理论。     

谷氨酰胺和牛磺酸对仔猪肠黏膜形态的影响

甘氨酰谷氨酰胺( Gly-Gln)和牛磺酸(Tau)对早期断奶仔猪小肠各段黏肠DNA和形态的影响.以28日龄杜×长×大断奶仔猪为研究对象,通过饲养和屠宰试验,研究Gly-Gln和Tau对早期断奶仔猪十二指肠、空肠和回肠黏肠DNA及形态的影响.结果表明:饲粮中分别或同时添加Gly-Gln和Tau均可提高小肠各段黏膜DNA的含量.Gly-Gln组能显著提高空肠和回肠段的黏膜DNA含量,Tau组和复配组对小肠各段黏膜DNA含量影响不显著;Gly-Gln组极显著增加了十二指肠和回肠的黏膜厚度(MT),显著提高了十二指肠和回肠后段的绒毛高度(VH),显著或极显著降低了空肠前段和中段的隐窝深度(CD),极显著提高了空肠前段和中段的VH/CD,显著提高了回肠段的VH/CD;Tau组极显著提高了十二指肠段的VH并降低了CD,极显著提高了十二指肠段和空肠中段的VH/CD;复配组显著或极显著降低了十二指肠段和空肠中段的CD,极显著提高了空肠前段、中段和回肠段的VH/CD.这说明,在早期断奶仔猪饲粮中分别或同时添加0.25%Gly-Gln和0.1% Tau能有效提高仔猪肠黏膜的发育及功能.     

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.     

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