人工草地绵羊系统母羊繁殖性能和羔羊育肥试验

分别以考尔木母羊和考尔木公羊杂交羔羊(R×C)、考尔木母羊和罗姆尼公羊杂交羔羊(C×C)为试验对象,在优质人工草地上划区轮牧,进行考尔木母羊繁殖性能和羔羊育肥定期监测试验。结果表明:二系统羔羊初生重和断奶重几乎一样;断奶后,R×C系统羔羊体重比C×C系统高,7月龄出栏体重和1岁龄体重分别为:R×C系统35 5、44 0kg,C×C系统30 7、39 9kg;3月龄(断奶重)羔羊日增重最高,R×C和C×C系统分别为203 3、180g/d。系统间母羊繁殖性能指标基本一样。牧草生长季羔羊育肥效益分别为:R×C系统1925元/hm2、C×C系统1781元/hm2,为原系统(860元/hm2)的2 24、2 0倍。     

A serological investigation of caseous lymphadenitis in four flocks of sheep

A double antibody sandwich ELISA developed by ID-DLO, Lelystad to detect Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection was used on 329 sheep from four pedigree Suffolk flocks in which clinical cases of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) had occurred. At subsequent necropsy, typical CLA lesions were seen in 133 sheep, and the diagnosis was confirmed on culture. Lesions were most commonly seen in lungs (n = 46), parotid lymph nodes (n = 44), prescapular lymph nodes (n = 38) and mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 31). The sensitivity of the ELISA test for detecting culture-positive sheep was 0.88, while the specificity of the test was 0.55. The antibody ELISA detected 87.5 per cent of sheep that had CLA lesions restricted to internal organs only. It was concluded that the ELISA test has a valuable role in detecting sheep with both clinical and subclinical CLA.     

A longitudinal study of the risks for introduction of severe footrot into sheep flocks in the south west of Norway

In 2008, ovine footrot was detected in Norway for the first time since 1948. By December 2012 it had spread to 99 flocks, all in the county of Rogaland in the south west of Norway, and 42% of which were located in the municipality of Rennesøy in Rogaland. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for contracting severe footrot in flocks of sheep. A flock was considered positive for severe footrot based on positive virulence test or by clinical signs in addition to a positive PCR test.     

Risk factors and impacts of clinical and subclinical mastitis in commercial meat-producing sheep flocks in Quebec, Canada

We conducted a prospective observational study on clinical and subclinical mastitis in 30 commercial meat-producing sheep flocks from 2 regions of the province of Quebec, Canada. A total of 2792 ewes selected in late gestation were followed from lambing to weaning of lambs. The incidence of clinical mastitis for the total lactation period (average of 58 days) ranged among flocks from 0 to 6.6%, with a median of 1.2%. The most frequently isolated bacteria from the cases of clinical mastitis, in pure or mixed culture, were Mannheimia haemolytica (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (23%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (17%). Incidence of clinical mastitis was higher in ewes that gave birth to 3 or more lambs and from the Estrie region, and was associated with an increase in ewe mortality, an increase in lamb mortality at the litter level, and a decrease in lamb's weaning weight for lambs born in multiple litter size or from ewes ≥4 years old.Among 354 selected ewes with clinically normal udder at the end of lactation, 28.8% had potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from milk. The most prevalent bacteria were S. aureus (9.3%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (9.3%). The risk of having a positive culture in at least one half was different between the two regions. Prevalence of ewes (n = 261) with California Mastitis Test (CMT) positive result in at least one half was 24.1 and 14.9% using a cut-off of ≥1+ and ≥2+, respectively. Prevalence of culture-positive udder halves was 11.7% for CMT-negative compared with 53.6% for CMT 3+ halves. CMT status was positively associated with the isolation of coagulase-negative staphylococci, M. haemolytica, S. aureus, and various Streptococcus species, but not with other isolated bacteria. Additionally, prevalence of CMT-positive halves was higher in ewes from the Estrie region, aged of ≥4 years versus 1 year, having clinical mastitis previously detected in the lactation and/or with low body condition score. Lamb weaning weight was associated with CMT status of ewes, while weaning weight was not associated with milk culture results. More research is needed to understand the dynamic of milk SCC and IMI in ewes from meat-producing flocks, its economical impact and best ways to control it.     

The prevalence and dynamics of Salmonella enterica IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) in sheep flocks in Norway

Fifty randomly selected sheep flocks from a region in central Norway were sampled in December 1999 to determine the flock prevalence of Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) (S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7)). From each flock, 15–41 rectal swabs were collected from individual sheep of different age groups and examined for S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7). Positive flocks were visited again in January–April and each time, rectal swabs from the same animals were collected and examined for this specific serovar. Seven flocks (14%; 95% CI 6.3–27%) were positive for S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) in December; in all, 10 sheep out of the 1233 (0.8%) were positive at the first sampling. From the seven positive flocks, six, five, six, and nine animals were positive in January, February, March, and April, respectively. Of the total 21 individual sheep tested positive from January to April, 15 were >2 years old (OR_ex=3.26; 1.1–10.2). Six out of the seven positive flocks were large flocks (>117 ewes). Sharing of rams between flocks did not seem to be a risk factor for the presence of S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7) in a flock.     

饲养管理、环境及体况对妊娠母猪繁殖性能影响的研究进展

在母猪饲养过程中,通过考虑到个体差异可以降低饲料成本,从而提高动物生产效率.因此,对母猪进行精准饲喂可以提供有关动物生产性能和生活条件的实时信息,这些信息应被集成到需求估计中.到目前为止,只有体重和背膘厚度的生产数据被集成到个体营养需求计算中.但文献报道,健康状况和行为(如身体活动、社会行为和在围栏中的位置)会强烈影响...     

Management,health, and abnormal behaviors of horses: A survey in small equestrian centers in Brazil

Care conditions of horses housed in small equestrian establishments and the occurrence of health and behavioral problems were assessed in 197 animals. Based on questionnaires and direct observations of the animals, it was noted that 8% of all animals were fed exclusively on pasture, whereas 92% received commercial concentrate or grain with limited or no grass. Sixty percent of the horses spent 20-24 hours/day in the stalls, 30% spent 12 hours/day, and 10% were kept outdoors. Eighty five percent exercised regularly, whereas 15% did not exercise at all. Wounds (18%), colic (6%), and strangles (3%) were the most cited diseases in the interviews. Fifty-six percent of the horses showed behavioral problems; the frequency and type of abnormal behavior varied according to horse use (P < 0.001). The management of the horses presented numerous concerns regarding feeding and housing, probably leading to increased behavioral problems. The results presented here would be a useful tool for the education of owners and caretakers.     

A survey of antibodies to pestivirus in sheep in the Republic of Ireland

: Sera from 1,448 adult ewes in 91 flocks, representing all 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland, were examined for pestivirus antibodies using a commercially available ELISA which detected IgG1 antibody to border disease virus. Eighty-one sheep (5.6%) in 42 flocks (46.0%) were antibody-positive. Within infected flocks, the mean seroprevalence level was 11.4% with a range of 6.3% to 30.0%. The highest antibody prevalence was detected in sheep from central lowland counties of Ireland. Comparative neutralisation testing of 42 ELISA-positive sera detected geometric mean antibody titres of 136 to the NADL strain of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), 92 to the Moredun strain of border disease virus and 21 to the 137/4 strain of border disease virus. These results suggest that BVDV may be the major ruminant pestivirus infecting sheep in Ireland. Although there are high numbers of infected flocks, many sheep within such flocks remain antibody-negative and are at risk of giving birth to lambs with congenital border disease.     

Effect of induced body condition score differences on physiological response,productive and reproductive performance of Malpura ewes kept in a hot,semi‐arid environment

This study was undertaken to study the influence of induced body condition score (BCS) differences on physiological response, productive and reproductive performance of Malpura ewes to optimise BCS for these ewes for maximising production making it economically viable. The study was conducted for a period of 1 year using thirty healthy Malpura ewes (2–4 year old). The animals were randomly divided and different BCS was induced within three groups named Group I (BCS 2.5; n = 10), Group II (BCS 3.0–3.5; n = 10) and Group III (BCS 4.0; n = 10). The parameters included in the study were allometric measurements, physiological response, wool yield and reproductive performance. BCS had a significant influence on allometric measurements, respiration rate and different reproductive parameters studied, while wool production differed significantly during spring and non‐significantly during autumn. The results revealed that the reproductive performance of Malpura ewes with a BCS of 3.0–3.5 was better in comparison with the groups with lower and higher BCS. It may be concluded from this study that an active management of breeding sheep flock to achieve a BCS of 3.0–3.5 may prove to result in an economically viable return from these flocks.     

不同精料补饲水平对藏绵羊生产性能和消化代谢影响的研究

选择1~2岁藏羊30只,以青干草为基础日粮,每只按每天150,300,450 g 3种精料水平补饲。研究不同精料补饲量对藏羊生产性能和日粮营养物质的消化代谢的影响。结果表明:随精料补饲水平提高,日粮干物质、有机物、氮和钙、磷的表观消化率随之提高。藏羊能量摄入量、表观消化率和代谢率也随之升高,在300 g与450 g精料水平下,能量表观消化率和代谢率差异不显著(P>0.05);300 g粪能损失最低。ADF表观消化率随补饲水平提高而下降。在本试验条件下,从生产性能和藏羊营养代谢方面考虑,藏羊每天补饲精料300 g效果最佳。     

A paired case-control study of risk factors for scrapie in Irish sheep flocks

We did a case–control study of the association of several animal, flock and management factors with scrapie in Irish sheep flocks. The characteristics of 61 sheep flocks with at least one laboratory-confirmed case of scrapie (1990–1998) were compared to 61 flocks with no history of scrapie and matched by geographical location and attending veterinary surgeon. The 61 scrapie-affected flocks were from the database of known scrapie flocks in the Republic of Ireland at the start of the study. In conditional multiple logistic regression, factors associated with increased odds of scrapie in a sheep flock were (i) larger breeding-flock size, (ii) purchasing replacement sheep through the market, (iii) spreading sheep compost on the land and (iv) disposing of the placenta in the compost. Factors associated with decreased odds of scrapie were (i) using cattle slurry on the land and (ii) feeding proprietary concentrates to lambs.     

Effect of supplements during the cold season on the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes

We examined the development of the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes when fed only oat hay (CON) or supplemented with either lick blocks (BS) or concentrate feed (CS) during the cold season. The average daily gain of the CS ewes was greater than that of the BS ewes (P  < 0.05), which was greater than that of the CON ewes. The same pattern was observed in the number of ovarian follicles (P  < 0.001), that is, CS > BS > CON. Serum concentrations of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteotrophic hormone, estradiol and progesterone in the CS and BS groups were higher than in the CON group (P  < 0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of KiSS‐1, GPR54 (G protein‐coupled receptor 54), ERα (estradiol receptor α) in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular area of the CS group were higher than in both the BS and CON groups (P  < 0.05), while the BS group was higher than in the CON group (P  < 0.05). Similar differences among groups were observed for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the pituitary, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the ovary. These results indicated that the KiSS1/GPR54 system was more active with nutrition or trace mineral supplementation during the cold season. The system stimulated the hypothalamic–pituitary?gonadal axis and enhanced folliclar development in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes. We concluded that energy, protein and trace minerals supplements could improve the reproductive performance of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau.     

Analysis of some factors affecting fertility levels in a high‐producing dairy herd in south‐western Japan

The present study aimed to know whether all cows have been showing declining fertility or only a proportion of cows are attributed to the declining fertility, and to describe factors affecting the level of fertility. A total of 131 cows calved from February 2005 to December 2007 in a dairy herd were examined. Fourteen cows were excluded from the study because of early culling. Of the remaining 117 cows, 47 (40%) conceived within 115 days postpartum after 1–3 artificial insemination (AI) (normal fertility cows), 42 (36%) conceived after 115 days postpartum following 1–3 AI or were culled after 1–2 (sub‐fertility cows/culled), and 28 (24%) were inseminated more than three times without detectable genital tract abnormalities (repeat breeders). Calving to conception interval in the normal fertility group was 72 + 3 days, while in the sub‐fertility/culled and repeat breeding groups the intervals were 170 + 8 and 259 + 16 days, respectively. Endometritis was the risk factor for sub‐fertility/culled (odds ratio (OR) = 3.76). Prolonged luteal phase (OR = 4.08), delayed first ovulation (OR = 6.02), and delayed corpus luteum formation after AI (OR = 8.55) were the risk factors for repeat breeding. In conclusion, 60% cows showed reduced fertility in a herd, while the other 40% had normal fertility. Uterine infection and some ovarian disorders contributed to reduced fertility.     

Farmer reported prevalence and factors associated with contagious ovine digital dermatitis in Wales: A questionnaire of 511 sheep farmers

In 2012, 2000 questionnaires were sent to a random sample of Welsh sheep farmers. The questionnaire investigated farmers’ knowledge and views on contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) – an emerging disease of sheep responsible for causing severe lameness, welfare and production problems. The overall response rate was 28.3% with a usable response rate of 25.6%. The between farm prevalence of CODD was 35.0% and the median farmer estimated prevalence of CODD was 2.0%. The disease now appears endemic and widespread in Wales. Furthermore, there has been a rapid increase in reports of CODD arriving on farms since the year 2000. Risk factors for CODD identified in this study include the presence of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) in cattle on the farm and larger flocks. Farmers also consider concurrent footrot/interdigital dermatitis, buying in sheep, adult sheep, time of year and housing to be associated with CODD. Further experimental research is necessary to establish whether these observations are true associations.     

Examination of non-genetic factors affecting the growth performance of djallonke sheep in soudanian zone at the Okpara breeding farm of Benin

A study was carried out at the Okpara breeding farm in Benin. Records on 558 lambs of the Djallonke sheep breed, born from 1997 to 2000, were used to determine the weekly growth curve from birth up to 119 days of age. Non-genetic factors affecting lamb weights at birth and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days and average daily gains from 0 to 30 days, from 0 to 60 days, from 0 to 90 days and from 0 to 120 days were investigated. A linear model comprising the fixed effects of birth season, birth year, parity number of ewe and sex of lambs was used for analysis of variance by least squares. All fixed effects were significant for weight at 30 and 60 days and average daily gains at 30 days, with the exception of the parity of the ewe for birth weight, weight and average daily gain at 90 days. All fixed effects tended to cancel out for weight and average daily gains by 120 days. Lambs born in the dry season were the heaviest. Single lambs and male lambs were heavier than twins and females. Lambs from ewes of 3rd and 4th parity were heavier, with higher, average daily gains.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区放牧补饲和舍饲肉羊的屠宰与肉质性能比较研究

栽培草地生产系统肉羊舍饲生产利弊共存。本研究通过对比舍饲与放牧补饲条件下的肉羊屠宰及肉质性能，旨在探究肉羊优质高效生产的模式。选取80只体况相当的6月龄育肥小尾寒羊，随机分为两组（全舍饲组和放牧补饲组），每组40只。其中舍饲组（HF）于圈舍内以全混合颗粒饲料饲喂，剩料10%的方式进行饲养。放牧补饲组（GS）白天于红豆草草地进行放牧，夜晚归牧后于圈舍进行补饲，补饲饲料与舍饲组相同。在90 d育肥试验结束后，从每个试验组选取6只接近该组平均体重的试验羊用于屠宰试验。研究发现不同饲养方式下，小尾寒羊的宰前活重、胴体重和滴水损失率均无显著差异（P>0.05）。GS组背最长肌肌纤维直径和肌纤维面积均极显著高于HF组（P<0.01）;GS组与HF组相比总不饱和脂肪酸（TUFA）、总饱和脂肪酸（SFA）含量并无显著差异（P>0.05）。GS组γ-亚麻酸（C18:3n-6）含量高于HF组（P<0.05）。HF组小尾寒羊背最长肌中缬氨酸含量低于GS组（P<0.05），其余氨基酸含量则无显著差异（P>0.05）。由此可见，相较于全舍饲，放牧补饲可提升小尾寒羊肉营养品质，...     

Fasciola hepatica: A comparative survey of adult fluke resistance to triclabendazole,nitroxynil and closantel on selected upland and lowland sheep farms in Northern Ireland using faecal egg counting,coproantigen ELISA testing and fluke histology

In order to investigate the incidence and distribution of adult fluke resistance to the fasciolicide tricalbendazole (TCBZ) amongst populations of Fasciola hepatica in sheep flocks in Northern Ireland (NI), individual rectal faeces samples were collected from 3 groups of 20 sheep, before (pre-dose), and 21 days after (post-dose) treatment of the animals with TCBZ, nitroxynil or closantel, on each of 13 well-managed sheep farms distributed across the province. The efficacy of each flukicide was determined for each farm, using faecal egg count reduction (FECRT) and F. hepatica coproantigen ELISA testing. In certain flocks, 2 sheep with high pre-dose faecal egg counts (FEC) were killed 3 days and 21 days respectively after TCBZ treatment, and the histology of the fluke reproductive organs was compared with that of flukes from untreated sheep, and from sheep treated with nitroxynil or closantel 2 days prior to death, using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and an in situ hybridisation method (TdT-mediated dUDP nick end labelling [TUNEL]) to demonstrate apoptosis. Results from FECRT revealed that in all flocks with a high fluke burden, TCBZ was ineffective in treating chronic fasciolosis, and this finding was generally supported by the results of the coproantigen reduction test (CRT). The histology of reproductive organs of flukes from TCBZ-treated sheep in these flocks was normal, when compared with untreated flukes, and this, together with the FECRT and CRT findings, indicated a likely diagnosis of TCBZ resistance in all the flocks with a high fluke burden. In contrast, nitroxynil and closantel were found to be fully effective against TCBZ-resistant flukes in each of the flocks bearing a high chronic fluke burden. All of the flocks with a high fluke burden and TCBZ resistance were managed on lowland in the South and East of NI. Upland flocks, in the North and West, had low fluke burdens, or were clear of infection; and FECs were too low to allow valid resistance testing. The study highlights the high level of penetration of TCBZ resistance throughout F. hepatica populations in areas of intensively managed sheep production with a high level of fluke challenge. Further, it emphasises the importance of pre-emptive chemotherapeutic action against chronic fasciolosis, using flukicides effective against the egg-producing adult flukes to minimise pasture contamination for the next season's lamb crop. This study also exemplifies the use of several complementary methods (FECRT; CRT; fluke histology; comparative anthelmintic efficacy testing) for confirmation of a diagnosis of fluke drug resistance.