致乌苏里母貉腹泻性疾病病原的检测分析

为了鉴定乌苏里母貉腹泻性疾病病原,采集患腹泻母貉的肛拭子及粪便样品,通过胶体金试纸条、卵囊分离法、PCR法和细菌分离鉴定等方法对采集的病料进行病原检测。结果显示,犬瘟热病毒、细小病毒、冠状病毒抗原检测为阴性,分离鉴定的病原为钩口线虫和大肠杆菌,通过致病性试验验证其致病性,分离的大肠杆菌对小白鼠具有很强的致病性。引起貉腹泻的病原为钩口线虫和大肠杆菌混合感染,且分离的致病性大肠杆菌对头孢曲松、头孢噻呋、美罗培南、左氧氟沙星4种药物敏感,其他的药物具有不同的耐药性。为貉腹泻病的防控提供研究基础。     

基于线粒体Cyt b基因和CR序列的养殖貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)种群遗传多样性和结构分析

貉(Nyctereutes procyonoides)是一种重要的经济动物。经过50年的人工驯养繁育,国内养殖种群不断扩大,但对其遗传多样性和结构了解很少,难以开展有效的遗传管理。本研究分析了东北、华北地区养殖貉种群(N=160)的线粒体细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因和控制区(CR)序列,并与已经发表的同源序列进行比较。结果定义了5个Cyt b基因和6个CR序列单倍型,其中与俄罗斯产乌苏里亚种共享单倍型分别是3个和4个。种群遗传多样性分析表明,养殖貉种群单倍型多样性处于临界点(Hd=0.50)、核苷酸多样性处于较高水平(Pi>0.5%),但二者均明显低于俄罗斯野生乌苏里貉种群。这种遗传多样性模式可能主要是由奠基者效应(founder effect)导致的。此外,红褐色型貉遗传多样性水平显著低于野生型和白色型貉。系统发育分析表明国内养殖貉种群分为3个世系,主要是乌苏里亚种、与同亚种的俄罗斯野生种群亲缘关系密切。研究还发现有1个单倍型(CH5-DH5)与越南产指名亚种共享同一个单倍型世系。这说明建群引种中可能偶然引入了华南地区分布的指名亚种。综上分析,我国养殖貉种群已经出现遗传多样性下降的迹象,需要监控种群遗传多样性的变化,引入具有新基因型的野生貉种,制定科学的交配模式,避免近交衰退。     

Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) are the new natural definitive hosts of Metagonimus hakubaensis

The definitive hosts of Metagonimus hakubaensis are reported to be hamsters, rats, mice, dogs, cats, chickens, and quails in experimental infection and Japanese water shrews in natural infection. Here we report that raccoon dogs are new natural definitive hosts of M. hakubaensis, based on morphological and molecular analyses of Metagonimus flukes collected from the host species from Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Moreover, M. hakubaensis recovered from raccoon dogs showed higher fecundity than those recovered from Japanese water shrews. Therefore, raccoon dogs were considered as a more suitable natural definitive host of M. hakubaensis than Japanese water shrews.     

Severe hydrocephalus in a raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common central nervous system malformations in domestic dogs, yet they are poorly documented and studied in wild carnivoran mammals. A pup of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was rescued and brought to Wildlife Center. The pup showed generalized ataxia, a domed skull, and an open bregmatic fontanelle. Ultrasound and MRI showed severe enlargement of the lateral ventricle with the loss of septum pellucidum resulting in a single large ventricle and cervical syringohydromyelia. Although treatment was attempted, the animal was euthanized due to poor prognosis. At necropsy, macroscopic findings were identical to the diagnostic imaging, where marked enlargement of the calvarium, and attenuated gyri and sulci were observed. Finally, hydrocephalus was confirmed. Here, we describe a case of hydrocephalus in a raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).     

Seasonal changes in immunolocalization of inhibin/activin subunits and testicular activity in wild male raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Thirty-four pairs of testes from wild adult raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were obtained between September 2000 and May 2003. The cellular localization of the inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits in wild raccoon dog testes was investigated. The testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured. There were marked seasonal variations in testicular weight and size and seminiferous tubule diameters, with values relatively low in September and high in March. Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were observed in September, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids were present in January. All types of spermatogenic cells, including mature spermatozoa, were found in March, indicating that the breeding season is around March in Japan. Thereafter, spermatogonia and degenerating spermatocytes were observed in April. The sections of testes were immunostained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method (ABC) using polyclonal antisera raised against porcine inhibin alpha, inhibin/activin betaA and inhibin/activin betaB. The inhibin alpha and inhibin/activin (betaA and betaB) subunits were only expressed in Leydig cells in September. On the other hand, the inhibin alpha, betaA, and betaB subunits were observed in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, but not in germ cells, in March. These results suggest that the testes of wild raccoon dogs have the ability to synthesize inhibins, and the cellular localization of inhibin/activin subunits showed season-related changes in the breeding and non-breeding seasons.     

Radiographic evaluation of congenital vertebral anomalies in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis)

BackgroundThe normal vertebral anatomy of Korean raccoon dogs and their variants require research attention as a prerequisite for identifying pathologies and anomalies.ObjectivesThis retrospective study aimed at describing the vertebral formula and congenital vertebral anomalies in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis).MethodsRadiographs of 82 raccoon dogs (42 males, 40 females) acquired from May 2013 to June 2020 in the Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center were reviewed to evaluate the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae of the spine.ResultsNormal morphology of all vertebrae was observed in 50 of the 82 raccoon dogs, and the vertebral formula was cervical 7, thoracic 13, and lumbar 7. Congenital vertebral anomalies were found in 32 raccoon dogs: transitional vertebrae (TV) in 31 and block vertebrae in 2. Two raccoon dogs had 2 types of vertebral anomalies: one had TV and block vertebra, and the other had 2 types of TV. Twenty-nine raccoon dogs had thoracolumbar TV (TTV) and 3 had lumbosacral TV. TTV was morphologically classified into 4 different types: unilateral extra-rib in 5 raccoon dogs, bilateral extra-ribs in 14, bilateral elongated transverse processes in 4, and an asymmetric mixed formation of extra-rib with elongated transverse process in 6.ConclusionsThis study showed that TTV is common in Korean raccoon dogs, and that the vertebral formula is relatively diverse. The bilateral extra-ribs type TTV is the most common variant, which is almost similar to normal rib to be confused the radiographic evaluation.     

貉肠道寄生虫感染情况调查

为了解貉肠道寄生虫感染情况,采用卢戈氏碘液染色法、饱和蔗糖溶液漂浮法和改良抗酸染色法对南阳地区某特种动物养殖场笼养貉的232份新鲜粪便进行检查,结果显示：75份样品呈阳性,总感染率为30.17%,其中贾第虫感染率为6.47%,隐孢子虫为0.86%,球虫为5.17%,圆线虫为15.95%,钩虫为3.88%。本次调查结果为预防和临床治疗貉肠道寄生虫病提供了参考和依据。     

Effects of alprazolam on capture stress-related serum cortisol responses in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alprazolam on the stress that Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may experience while caught in a live trap by measuring their serum cortisol response. The animals were placed in a live trap with or without being pretreated with oral doses of alprazolam. In both groups, pre-trap blood samples were initially collected without anesthesia before the animals were positioned in the live trap; then post-trap blood samples were collected after the animals had remained in the live trap for 2 h. Changes in cortisol levels were observed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The level of cortisol increased in the control group and decreased in the alprazolam-pretreatment group (p < 0.05). In this study, we demonstrated that alprazolam pretreatment reduced stress during live trap capture.     

Vitamin B12 Supplementation to Mink (Mustela vison) in the Prevention of Feed-Induced Iron Deficiency Anaemia: I. Effect on Growth Performance and Fur Quality Characteristics

Abstract

Vitamin B₁₂ supplementation in the prevention of feed-induced iron deficiency anaemia was evaluated with six treatment groups of mink kits, comprising a control group and five groups fed an anaemiogenic diet either unsupplemented, supplemented with vitamin B₁₂ orally, or by intramuscular injection, with iron therapy by ferrous fumarate and cysteine, and iron therapy plus vitamin B₁₂ orally. Unsupplemented animals showed symptoms of anaemia including poor growth performance, achromotrichia and poor fur quality. Oral vitamin B₁₂ supplementation, but not injections, had some effect in preventing anaemia, indicating an influence on intestinal iron absorption. Iron therapy completely prevented the occurrence of anaemia, and simultaneous addition of vitamin B₁₂ had no further positive effect.     

First molecular detection of Pneumocystis spp. in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes linnaeus, 1758) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides gray, 1834)

Fungal organisms of the genus Pneumocystis may cause Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans, but also domestic and wild mammals. Almost every animal species hosts its own genetically distinct Pneumocystis species, however information is sparse. In this study, 62 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 37 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were collected in North-East Germany. The lung tissues of the animals were analysed by a new designed specific pan-Pneumocystis mtLSU rRNA gene PCR and sequencing. With this PCR, detection and discrimination of all known Pneumocystis spp. in a single step should be possible. This first detection of Pneumocystis spp. in 29/62 (46.8%) red foxes and 29/37 (78.4%) raccoon dogs indicated, that they harbour two dissimilar strains, as seen by specific single nucleotide position changes (SNPs). Nevertheless, five samples with contrary SNPs showed a probable inter-species transmission.     

Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes and their expression during the breeding season in the testes of wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

The objective of this study was to investigate immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes 3βHSD, P450c17 and P450arom and their expression during the breeding season in wild male raccoon dogs. The testicular weight, size and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured, and histological and immunohistochemical observations of testes were performed. The messenger RNA expression (mRNA) of 3βHSD, P450c17 and P450arom was measured in the testes during the breeding season. 3βHSD was found in Leydig cells during the breeding and non‐breeding seasons with more intense staining in the breeding season. P450c17 was identified in Leydig cells and spermatids in the breeding season, whereas it was present only in Leydig cells in the non‐breeding season. The localization of P450arom changed seasonally: no immunostaining in the non‐breeding season; more extensive immunostaining in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and elongating spermatids in the breeding season. In addition, 3βHSD, P450c17 and P450arom mRNA were also expressed in the testes during the breeding season. These results suggested that seasonal changes in testicular weight, size and seminiferous tubule diameter in the wild raccoon dog were correlated with spermatogenesis and immunoreactivity of steroidogenic enzymes and that steroidogenic enzymes may play an important role in the spermatogenesis and testicular recrudescence and regression process.     

Multiphasic Growth Curves in Mink (Mustela vison) Selected for Feed Efficiency

Growth of mink from 1 to 28 weeks of age was modelled, using weekly body weights, and effects on model parameters of selection lines for high and low feed efficiency, sex and interaction were tested. From results on average growth curves, individual growth curves were modelled using a multiphasic logistic growth function with three phases. Individual growth curve parameters were tested for effects of selection line, sex, and interaction by analysis of variance.

Selection for feed efficiency affected the growth curve of mink. Selection lines differed for time of maximum increase (center) for each phase; the high feed efficiency line was centered later than the low line, the growth curve being shifted to the right. Males gained more weight in phases 2 and 3 than females; phase 2 was centered later for males than for females; males had a shorter duration for phase 3 than females. There was no line–sex interaction.     

Size Allometry in Mink (Mustela vison) Selected for Feed Efficiency

Objectives were to analyse absolute and relative size of mink at maturity, and to test effects of selection line, sex and interaction on size. For male and female mink selected for high or low feed efficiency, size at 30 weeks was analyzed for body weight, carcass weight, pelt weight, subcutaneous fat weight, and pelt length. For absolute size, an ANOVA model included effects of line, sex, and interaction. For relative size, two models were used: an allometric model and an extended allometric model, which included effects of line, sex, and interaction.

For the ANOVA model, sexes differed for each variable; females were less than males. As a percentage of body weight, however, carcass weight was larger in females than males, whereas fat weight was smaller in females than males. For the extended allometric growth model, sexes differed for carcass weight and subcutaneous fat weight; females fattened faster than males.     

Seasonal and age effects on energy requirements in domestic short‐hair cats (Felis catus) in a temperate environment

There is little information known about the energy requirements of cats in temperature climates. Energy requirement of domestic short‐haired cats was determined using three groups of mixed gender – old kept outside (approximately 9.9 years of age; 4.8 kg; n = 9), young kept outside (approximately 3.1 years of age; 3.9 kg; n = 8) or young kept inside (approximately 3.1 years of age; 3.9 kg; n = 8). Cats were housed individually for 5 weeks during summer (18.5 ± 0.5 °C) and winter (8.5 ± 0.4 °C) and were fed a commercially available maintenance diet ad libitum. In both periods, energy expenditure was determined from the rates of ²H and ¹⁸O elimination for blood H₂O over a 12 day period, from a doubly labelled water bolus ²H₂O (0.7 g/kg BW) and H₂¹⁸O (0.13 g/kg BW) administered intravenously. During the summer period, macronutrient digestibility was determined. Older cats had a reduction (p < 0.05) in apparent digestibility of dry matter (approximately 9%), energy (approximately 8%) and protein (6%). There was a significant effect of age and season on energy intake and energy expenditure. While lean mass was affected by age and season, there was no effect of age or season on energy expenditure when expressed as a proportion of lean mass. Possible seasonal differences in nutrient digestibility may explain these results.     

Effects of Carbohydrate-free Diets on the Performance of Lactating Mink (Mustela vison) and the Growth Performance of Suckling Kits

The effects of carbohydrate-free diets on body weight changes, feed consumption, and plasma concentrations of nutrients, metabolites, and hormones in lactating mink and on growth performance in kits were investigated in a total of 108 litters during the lactation period of seven weeks. The litters were distributed in three experimental groups fed different ratios of metabolisable energy (ME) derived from protein and fat (61:38; 47:52; 33:66). The females and kits were weighed at parturition and 2, 3, 4, and 7 weeks after parturition. Blood samples were collected from females in the second, fourth, and sixth week of the lactation period. Carbohydrate-free diets fed to lactating mink can in principle support normal performance, health of the females, and growth performance of the kits. However, mink need a sufficient supply of available gluconeogenic precursors in the form of amino acids. In the present experiment, the diet with 33% of ME from protein contained insufficient amounts of gluconeogenic precursors for lactating mink, and three weeks post partum this group was excluded from the experiment. The differences in dietary protein level (61% and 47% of ME) and fat level (38% and 52% of ME) influenced the plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and urea, but had minimal influence on plasma concentrations of other nutrients, metabolites, and hormones.     

Studies on the Haematology and Trace Element Status of Adult Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) in China

Reference values were established for some haematological and serum biochemical constituents in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in China. The contents of seven trace elements in the blood, hair, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lung, cerebrum, cerebellum, rib, ovary, pancreas and gluteal muscle of Bactrian camels were also measured. Some of these values are reported for the first time for Bactrian camels in China. Most haematological and serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, yaks, sheep and dromedary camels, but the mean serum albumin concentration and the albumim/globulin ratio were significantly higher than those in other ruminants and the mean thyroxine concentration was half that in dromedary camels. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, zinc, manganese and iron, and the renal cortex contained the highest concentration of selenium. The concentrations of selenium, cobalt, zinc, manganese and molybdenum in the tissues were within the reference ranges for other ruminants, but the mean iron and copper concentrations in the liver were significantly higher than those in other ruminants.     

Genetic variation in litter size and kit survival of mink (Neovison vison)

The aims of this study are to estimate variance components of litter size and kit survival rate and estimate genetic correlations of litter size and kit survival rate with dam's juvenile body weight and pregnancy length. Variance components for litter size and kit survival were analysed using an AI-REML approach, based on data from 1940 litters of the black colour type mink from 1996 to 2001. The models included (i) additive genetic effect of dam; (ii) dam and sire genetic effects; (iii) additive genetic effect of dam in relation to litter size and dam and sire genetic effects in relation to survival rate; (iv) additive genetic effect of dam to estimate the correlations of litter size or kit survival with dam juvenile body weight and pregnancy length on yearling dams (1357 litters). The dam heritabilities were of litter size (0.02-0.08) and survival rate (0.05-0.10). The permanent effects of dam were important for litter size (0.15-0.19) but not for survival rate. A positive dam genetic correlation between litter size and survival rate was found at 1 week postpartum (0.42), and a positive sire genetic correlation between number of weaned kits and survival rate at the age of 6 month (0.72). Litter size and survival rate were genetically antagonistically related to dam's juvenile body weight (-0.34 to -0.53). These results indicate the following: (i) it is possible to improve litter size and kit survival by selection, (ii) effective improvement of kit survival rate in the suckling period requires selection for maternal effect on kit survival and kit's own capacity to survive and later in the growth period for kit's own ability to survive and (iii) antagonistic genetic correlation of dam juvenile body weight with litter size and survival rate should be taken into consideration in mink breeding programs.     

Body status and blood metabolites profiles during resumption of postpartum ovarian activity in yak (Poephagus grunniens)

We examined the changes in body weight (BW), back-fat thickness (BFT) and blood metabolites in relation to postpartum (PP) ovarian activity status in twenty female yaks raised under semi-intensive system. BFT and ovarian activities, like follicle development, ovulation (OV) and corpus luteum (CL) development, were monitored from 4 to 15 weeks (wk) PP using ultrasonography. Resumption of ovarian activity was confirmed with ovulation of dominant follicle (DF) and subsequent CL development, and >1 ng/ml progesterone concentration in blood plasma sample after 1week of ovulation. Yaks were further classified as cyclic (with CL), acyclic (without CL), and cystic (with >25 mm follicular cyst; FC). Within 20 weeks PP, 60% yaks resumed cyclic ovarian activity, while 25% failed to initiate cycling activity, and 15% developed follicular cysts. In all categories of yak, BW gradually decreased (p < .05) till nadir; however, nadir reached earlier (p < .05) in acyclic yaks. BFT differed (p < .05) among the yak groups, but it tended to be higher in cyclic yaks as compared to acyclic and cystic. No difference (p > .05) in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) values was found among the different categories of yaks, whereas, beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) levels were higher in cystic animals as compared to acyclic and cyclic. Blood glucose levels decreased in all yaks during initial 2 weeks after calving. Our findings suggest that yaks with low BW, BFT and glucose levels, and higher BHB values were at risk of delayed resumption of ovarian activity and concomitant development of follicular cysts.     

Plasma growth hormone concentrations in female mithun (Bos frontalis) of different ages: relations with age and body weight

The role of growth hormone (GH) in postnatal somatic growth is well established. Its basal level and relation to growth performance in different age group mithun (Bos frontalis), a semiwild ruminant has not been characterized until now. To estimate the normal blood GH level and also to assess the influence of age and body weight (BW) on blood GH level in captive mithuns, a total of 65 female mithuns was divided into six age groups (group I, 0-6 months; group II, >6-12 months; group III, >1-2 years; group IV, >2-2.5 years; group V, >2.5-3.0 years and group VI, >3.0 years). Blood samples collected weekly for six consecutive weeks were assayed for GH. GH was also estimated in the samples collected from six growing mithuns at -60, -45, -30, -15, -10, -5 and 0 min prior to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) administration for calculation of basal GH level and at 5, 10, 15, 30 min and thereafter at 15-min interval up to 8 h post-GHRH to assess blood GH response following GHRH administration in growing mithuns. For calculation of basal plasma GH in adult mithuns, GH was measured in blood samples collected at 30-min interval for 24 h from four animals. BW of all animals was recorded on two consecutive days per week and average of weekly BW was considered for growth rate calculation. It was found that both mean GH and GH per 100 kg BW between the age groups differ (p < 0.01). With increasing age and BW, GH and GH per 100 kg BW both decreased (p < 0.01). The age group with higher plasma GH and GH per 100 kg BW showed higher growth rates (r = 0.83 and 0.97 respectively). Interestingly, mean plasma GH for six consecutive weeks in all the groups showed much greater GH concentration (group I, 86.6 +/- 9.7 ng/ml to group VI 33.2 +/- 5 ng/ml) than reported in other species. Mean basal plasma GH calculated in growing and adult mithuns was 29.6 +/- 4.01 ng/ml and around 25 +/- 3.6 ng/ml respectively. The GH peak (444 +/- 21.3 ng/ml) was registered at 15 min post-GHRH administration in growing mithuns. In conclusion, age and BW influence plasma GH and GH per 100 kg BW but the latter is a better indicator of growth. The basal plasma GH and GH response to GHRH administration is six to eight and four to five times higher in mithun than in other species reported so far. An accurate assessment of the relationship between GH profiles and protein metabolism, proper receptor level study for GH action at the cellular level and the interaction of GH with other growth factors awaits better understanding of higher GH in this unique species.