川中黑山羊和雷州山羊大小卵泡转录组学分析

试验旨在通过比较两个品种山羊大小卵泡的mRNA表达图谱来挖掘影响山羊卵泡发育的基因,为进一步阐述山羊卵泡发育机制提供数据基础。使用氯前列醇钠对川中黑山羊和雷州山羊进行同期发情处理,屠宰后采集卵巢并在体视显微镜下分离单个卵泡（大卵泡>6 mm;小卵泡<3 mm）,提取卵泡组织总RNA进行RNA-seq,利用生物信息学方法检测mRNA表达谱,筛选差异基因,并对其进行GO功能、KEGG通路富集分析。结果显示,川中黑山羊大小卵泡差异基因共4 451个,雷州山羊2 355个,二者共有差异基因1 771个。分析筛选出两个品种共有（INHBA、INHA、CYP19A1、KITLG、LHCGR和STAR）及各自特有（IGFBP6、BMP6和BMPR2）的已报道与卵泡发育相关的基因,此外还筛选出可能与这两种山羊繁殖性能相关的基因（GADD45B、TC2N和MSMO1）。GO功能分析显示,两个品种共有差异基因主要与各种物质的跨膜转运活性有关;KEGG通路分析显示,类固醇生成、细胞因子受体相互作用和cAMP信号通路在两个品种中均存在显著变化。类固醇生成过程中细胞色素P450代谢差异可能是川中黑山羊高产仔数的一个潜在因素。本研究结果为进一步探究山羊卵泡发育的基因功能及不同山羊品种繁殖性能差异提供参考。     

Differential Ovarian Morphometry and Follicular Expression of BMP15, GDF9 and BMPR1B Influence the Prolificacy in Goat

The variation in the kidding size of Black Bengal and Sirohi breed of goats makes them an interesting genetic material to study the underlying genetic mechanism of prolificacy. Accordingly, we studied the comparative ovarian morphometry including disparity in numbers of antral follicles of different sizes between these two breeds. Further, we evaluated the differential expression of the important candidate genes (viz., BMP15, GDF9 and BMPR1B) known to influence the ovulation rates and the prolificacy. The ovaries of Black Bengal (n = 20) goat were lighter (p < 0.01) in weight and smaller (p < 0.01) in diameter than those of Sirohi (n = 19) goats but possessed more numbers (p < 0.05) of corpus luteum (CL), large and small antral follicles. Quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) analysis revealed differential expression of mRNAs encoding for the BMP15 and GDF9. Small antral follicles of Black Bengal goats expressed 2.78‐fold more (p < 0.05) of BMP 15 than those of Sirohi goat. Expression of BMP15 (p < 0.01) and GDF9 (p < 0.05) mRNAs was more abundant in the small than the large antral follicles of Black Bengal goat. The more numbers of antral follicles per unit of ovarian mass and differential expression of BMP15 and GDF9 may serve as an important clue for higher prolificacy.     

绒山羊皮肤毛囊兴盛前期组织形态、chi-miR-107-3p与RHBDF2基因表达分析

为了探究chi-miR-107-3p和菱形家族蛋白2（rhomboid family member 2,RHBDF2）基因在不同品种（系）和光控增绒绒山羊兴盛前期（5~7月份）皮肤毛囊重建时的表达差异,本试验在7月份采集内蒙古阿拉善型绒山羊、敏盖绒山羊和光控增绒技术处理的阿尔巴斯型绒山羊体侧皮肤毛囊组织,采用组织切片技术对组织形态比较分析,实时荧光定量PCR法检测chi-miR-107-3p和RHBDF2基因的表达量。结果显示,在皮肤毛囊兴盛前期,阿拉善型绒山羊次级毛囊正处于重建阶段,敏盖绒山羊和阿尔巴斯型绒山羊（光控增绒）次级毛囊重建已基本完成;在阿拉善型绒山羊皮肤组织中chi-miR-107-3p表达量极显著高于敏盖绒山羊和阿尔巴斯型绒山羊（光控增绒）（P<0.01）,而RHBDF2基因表达量极显著低于其他两品种（系）（P<0.01）,且RHBDF2基因表达量在敏盖绒山羊皮肤组织中显著低于阿尔巴斯型绒山羊（P<0.05）。不同品种（系）和光控增绒绒山羊皮肤毛囊兴盛前期组织显微结构与chi-miR-107-3p、RHBDF2基因在皮肤组织中的表达差异分析结果相一致,次级毛囊重建初期chi-miR-107-3p表达量较高,而RHBDF2基因表达量极低,随着次级毛囊重建完成,chi-miR-107-3p表达量明显降低,RHBDF2基因表达量逐渐增高,且在不同品种（系）内蒙古绒山羊绒毛生长发育过程中的表达机制基本相同。因此,chi-miR-107-3p和RHBDF2基因是绒山羊皮肤毛囊生长发育的重要调控因子。     

基于线粒体DNA D-loop区序列分析中国及新西兰奶山羊遗传进化关系

[目的]分析我国地方培育奶山羊品种与国外引进品种的遗传进化关系。[方法]以4个国内奶山羊品种（文登奶山羊、关中奶山羊、崂山奶山羊、雅安奶山羊）和3个新西兰引进奶山羊品种（阿尔卑斯奶山羊、吐根堡奶山羊、萨能奶山羊）为研究对象,采集33只个体的外周血样本,提取血液基因组DNA,利用PCR法扩增线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA）D-loop区全长序列,对测序获得的序列进行生物信息学分析,探究不同奶山羊品种的遗传多样性及进化关系。[结果]7个品种奶山羊的mtDNA D-loop区中A、T碱基含量高于G、C碱基含量。共检测到82个多态位点,25个单一多态位点,55个简约信息位点。各品种单倍型多样度（Hd）范围为0.905~1.000,核苷酸多样度（Pi）范围为0.001 51~0.013 32;共存在26种单倍型,文登奶山羊和萨能奶山羊各有5个单倍型,阿尔卑斯奶山羊有4个单倍型,崂山奶山羊、吐根堡奶山羊、关中奶山羊、雅安奶山羊各有3个单倍型;各品种核苷酸平均差异数（K_XY）范围为6.400 00~38.450 00,核苷酸歧异度（D_XY）范围为0.005 79~0.034 76,遗传分化系数（G_ST）范围为0.000 00~0.186 05,遗传分化指数（F_ST）范围为0.231 56~0.971 52。品种间系统发育树表明,文登奶山羊和崂山奶山羊聚为一支;关中奶山羊与3种新西兰奶山羊遗传距离较近,从遗传学角度证实了关中奶山羊由国外奶山羊与地方品种经杂交选育而成;雅安奶山羊与其他品种遗传距离最远。[结论]中国奶山羊存在2个支系起源且未发现群体扩张;中国培育奶山羊品种含有较多的国外奶山羊血统;文登奶山羊与崂山奶山羊亲缘关系较近,雅安奶山羊在遗传进化中可能存在地域隔离。     

光周期对于绒山羊毛囊干细胞激活的影响

为了延长绒山羊毛囊兴盛期,提高羊绒产量,本试验通过人工缩短内蒙古阿尔巴斯型绒山羊的日照时间,利用组织切片技术对比人工短光照和自然光照周期下绒山羊皮肤组织形态变化,利用免疫组织化学方法研究毛囊细胞增殖及相关信号通路重要蛋白的表达。结果显示,人工短光照周期下绒山羊毛囊细胞增殖强烈,干细胞标记角蛋白15（cytokeratin 15,K15）阳性信号大量分布于外根鞘,β-catenin信号活跃表达于毛母质及根鞘,毛囊提前进入兴盛期;而自然光照周期下绒山羊毛囊仍停留在休止期,相应蛋白信号表达较弱。综上表明,短日照对毛囊生长具有明显的促进作用,人工短光照周期可以提前激活毛囊干细胞,使其提前进入兴盛期,引起多种毛囊生长相关蛋白的表达。     

Effects of Photoperiod on Stem Cells Activation in Cashmere Goat Hair Follicles

In order to extend the anagen of cashmere goat hair follicles and increase the production of cashmere,this study was performed with artificially shorten the daylight time among Arbas White cashmere goats. Skin tissue sections from cashmere goats were collected to compare the morphologic changes between artificial daylight and natural daylight,and immunohistochemical method was used to study the hair follicle cell proliferation and important protein expression in related signaling pathways. The results showed that strong cell proliferation occurred in cashmere goat hair follicle cells during artificial daylight,plenty of cytokeratin 15 (K15) positive signals were distributed in the outer root sheath,β-catenin protein was actively expressed in hair matrix and root sheath, indicating that the hair follicles were in the anagen growth phase;Meanwhile,cashmere goat hair follicles under natural daylight were in telogen with weak signals. Above all prove that short photoperiod played an important role in promoting hair follicle growth,the artificial short photoperiod could change hair follicle growth cycle and make hair follicles earlier enter to the anagen growth phase,causing a variety of typical gene expressions during hair follicle growth.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics in heifers: test of two-wave hypothesis by ultrasonically monitoring individual follicles

The two-wave hypothesis for follicular development during the bovine estrous cycle was tested by ultrasonically monitoring individual follicles in 10 heifers during an interovulatory interval. A dominant follicle was defined as one that reached a diameter of at least 11 mm. Subordinate follicles were defined as those that appeared to originate from the same follicular pool as a dominant follicle. A dominant follicle and its cohorts were defined as a wave. Two waves during an interovulatory interval were identified in 9 of 10 heifers. The first wave was first identified, retrospectively, on a mean of Day 0.2 +/- 0.1 (ovulation = Day 0) and gave origin to a dominant anovulatory follicle and a mean of 1.4 +/- 0.3 identified subordinates. The dominant follicle reached maximum diameter (mean, 15.8 +/- 0.8 mm) on an average of Day 7 and then decreased (P less than .04) by Day 11. The subordinate follicles increased in diameter for a few days and then regressed. The second wave was first identified on a mean of Day 10.0 +/- 0.4 and gave origin to the ovulatory follicle and a mean of 0.9 +/- 0.3 subordinates. One of the 10 heifers had 3 waves of follicular activity characterized by an anovulatory wave emerging on Day 0, another anovulatory wave emerging on Day 10, and an ovulatory wave emerging on Day 16. Results strongly supported the two-wave hypothesis but also indicated that a minority of interovulatory intervals in this heifer population may have 3 waves of follicular activity.     

Passive immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin increases ovulation rate in miniature Shiba goats

We reported previously that passive immunization against inhibin enhances follicular growth and increases the ovulation rate. However, the ovulation rate was not comparable to the number of follicles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to attempt to increase the ovulation rate by increasing the interval between inhibin immunization and PGF2alpha injection. Five miniature Shiba goats were treated with 10 ml inhibin antiserum (inhibin-AS) developed against [Tyro30]-inhibin alpha (1-30). A control group (n=5) was treated with normal goat serum. All animals were injected intramuscularly with 125 microg PGF2alpha 72 h after treatment to induce estrus and ovulation. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay and the ovulation rate was determined by laparotomy. In contrast to the control group, there was a significant increase in plasma concentrations of FSH in the immunized group. After luteolysis, plasma concentrations of estradiol-17beta increased markedly to a preovulatory peak about 2 folds higher (P<0.01) than that of controls. In addition, the ovulation rate was greater in the immunized group (14.4 +/- 2.2) than in the control group (2.2 +/- 0.6), and the mean number of follicles > or = 4 mm in diameter was 10.0 +/- 0.8 in the inhibin-AS group compared with 2.4 +/- 0.3 in control group. The present results demonstrate that immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin increased FSH secretions in miniature shiba goats. The increased FSH secretion enhanced follicular growth and increased the ovulation rate. Additionally, increasing the interval between inhibin-AS and PGF2alpha injections (to 72 h) resulted in a greater ovulation rate compared with the previous protocol (48 h). Therefore, inhibin-AS treatment proved to be an effective alternative to exogenous gonadotropin methods for induction of superovulation in goats.     

内蒙古绒山羊次级毛囊及其毛囊群结构的形态发生规律研究

以Ed70～150内蒙古绒山羊胚胎和一月龄羊羔的体侧部皮肤作为研究材料,通过石蜡切片和HE染色,研究内蒙古绒山羊胚胎期次级毛囊的群落结构以及形态发生规律.结果表明,内蒙古绒山羊次级毛囊（S0）的形态发生大约开始于Ed75表皮,位于初级毛囊的锐角侧,衍生次级毛囊（SD）以两种方式持续发生,出生后衍生次级毛囊发生更加活跃,最终构成三元结构毛囊群中的次级毛囊团;内蒙古绒山羊次级毛囊（S0）的形态发生从启动到成熟可划分为9个时期：毛基板前期、基板期、毛芽期、毛钉1～2期、毛囊1～4期;典型的三元结构毛囊群的初级毛囊在次级毛囊发生之前直径均一,此后因初级毛囊的夹角间发生次级毛囊,整个毛囊群被结缔组织膜包围,形成毛囊群,随着次级毛囊数目的增多,三元结构中两侧的初级毛囊直径变小,衍生次级毛囊发生越晚直径越小.     

Effect of Nutrition on Plasma Progesterone Levels, Metabolic Parameters and Small Follicles Development in Unstimulated Goats Reared Under Constant Photoperiod Regimen

Sixteen local adult goats were submitted for 9 weeks to 2.09 (high group) and 0.54 (low group) x dietary maintenance respectively. During the experimental period, goats were weighed, oestrus was detected and plasma insulin, urea, non-esterified fatty acids and progesterone concentrations were assessed. At the end of the experiment, ovarian small follicles population was studied by histological analysis. Final weight loss in low group was 18.37 +/- 2.02%, whereas weight gain of high group was 13.84 +/- 2.70%. Insulin and urea were lower in low group, while non-esterified fatty acids were significantly higher. A lower number of fasted goats was in oestrus or ovulated and an extended length of oestrus (p < 0.05) and a higher frequency of short or long cycles (p < 0.05) were also observed. Fed animals showed heavier ovaries (p < 0.01) and a lower number of primordial follicles (p < 0.05). In restricted goats a significant qualitative alteration of follicle classes involved in the initiation process of primordial pool was found. In this phase, granulosa thickness and oocyte size were the most affected (p < 0.01). However in small follicles beyond the primary stage no differences were found between the groups in either number or qualitative characteristics (p > 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that opposite dietary intakes for a medium period induce a composite reproductive response in goats and can regulate the early onset of follicle growth.     

Effects of aerosolized class C fly ash in weanling goats

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of repeated aerosol exposures to fly ash dust on respiratory tracts of tent-confined goats. ANIMALS: 12 weanling Boer-Spanish crossbred goats. PROCEDURE: Goats were randomly assigned to 2 groups: fly ash treatment group (principal goats, n = 6) or control group (control goats, 6). Aerosolized fly ash dust was provided during a 4-hour period for each of 6 applications given over 3 months and one 2-hour application prior to necropsy. Fly ash particle diameters ranged from 0.1 to 130 microm and averaged 17.8 microm, with 1.5% of fly ash particles in the 0.1- to 5-microm-diameter range. A mean +/- SD of 748 +/- 152 g/treatment was delivered inside a tent containing principal goats; control goats were placed inside a similar tent for 4-hour treatments without dust. Following treatment, rectal temperatures were taken at 0, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 72 hours; Hcts were recorded at 0, 24, and 72 hours. RESULTS: Rectal temperatures were significantly increased at 4, 6, and 8 hours and decreased at 72 hours, compared with 0 hours. Mean +/- SEM Hct values were significantly increased for principal goats (3747 +/- 0.39%), compared with control goats (36.17 +/- 0.42%). A significant increase in the mean area of gross atelectatic lung lesions (1,410 mm2) was found in principal goats (n = 6), compared with control goats (440 mm2; 5). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An increase in atelectatic lung lesions was observed in principal goats, compared with control goats; however, overall, fly ash dust effects were nontoxic.     

Serum enzymes levels and influencing factors in three indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds

Serum enzymes were studied in 163 apparently healthy goats from three indigenous goat breeds of Ethiopia. The effect of breed, age, sex and season on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) / glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / glutamic oxalacetic transaminases (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) levels was assessed. The mean serum enzymes levels of the indigenous Arsi-Bale, Central Highland and Long-eared Somali goat breeds ranged from 14.0–20.2 iu L⁻¹ for ALT/GPT, from 43.2–49.3 iu L⁻¹ for AST/GOT, from 83.7–98.8 iu L⁻¹ for ALP, and from 2.99–4.23 iu L⁻¹ for AcP, were within the normal range for goats elsewhere. Breed had significant influence on AST/GOT values. Sex had significant effect on ALT/GPT for Arsi-Bale goats with higher values in males than females. Age was significant on all serum enzymes studied in the Arsi-Bale goats and on ALP in the Central Highland goats. Season had significant influence on all serum enzymes except for ALT/GPT in the Arsi-Bale goats. The serum enzyme levels of these indigenous goat breeds can be used as normal reference values for Ethiopian goat breeds adapted to similar agro-ecology and production system.     

川渝部分山羊品种(类群)遗传多样性微卫星标记研究

为分析川渝山羊品种(类群)的遗传多样性和系统发生关系,利用30个微卫星标记,对6个山羊品种(类群)进行分析。结果表明:金堂黑山羊遗传多样性最丰富,群体多态信息含量、平均杂合度和有效等位基因数分别为0.777、0.819和6.54;大足黑山羊各项指标最低,分别为0.736、0.787和5.57。对6个品种(类群)聚类分析表明,金堂黑山羊与南江黄羊的首先聚类在一起,然后依次与板角山羊、川东白山羊、大足黑山羊和波尔山羊聚类。各山羊品种(类群)的聚类关系与其来源、育成史及地理分布基本一致。     

四川5个山(绵)羊品种随机扩增多态DNA分析

本研究参阅文献挑选 80个随机引物 ,从中筛选出 3 0个重复性好的引物 ,对四川黑山羊、南江黄羊、北川白山羊、成都麻羊 4个山羊品种和藏绵羊进行RAPD分析 ,并进一步对 1 3只南江黄羊个体 ,1 8只黑山羊个体的基因组DNA进行PCR扩增。用Nei氏公式计算品种间的遗传距离 ,用UPGMA法构建树状聚类图。结果表明 :黑山羊与南江黄羊的遗传距离最小 ,亲缘关系较近 ;藏绵羊与各品种间的遗传距离都很大 ,亲缘关系远 ;RAPD技术可作为一种有效的分子标记用于山羊品种之间遗传亲缘关系的分析     

Preovulatory follicle development in goats following oestrous synchronization with progestagens or prostaglandins.

The study reports on differences in the dynamics of growth and functionality of preovulatory follicles in response to oestrous synchronization, either by the administration of two doses of prostaglandin or by an intravaginal progestagen sponge, in goats. The progestagen-treated group (n = 8) showed more follicles of preovulatory size (> or =5.5 mm) than the cloprostenol group (n = 8) during the follicular phase (4.5 +/- 0.6 vs 1.9 +/- 0.2, p < 0.01). The diameters of the largest follicles (LF1, LF2 and LF3) were also larger in the progestagen group (LF1, 7.8 +/- 0.3 vs 7.0 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.05; LF2, 6.7 +/- 0.2 vs 5.6 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.01; LF3, 5.5 +/- 0.3 vs 4.2 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.01). The study of the preovulatory follicles showed that 27.2% (3/11) of the follicles were in the static phase in the cloprostenol group, whilst 71.4% (10/14) were static in progestagen group (p < 0.05). Higher plasma oestradiol levels were recorded in the progestagen-treated goats during the 48 h prior to cloprostenol injection or progestagen withdrawal (4.2 +/- 0.4 vs 3.0 +/- 0.2 pg/ml, p < 0.05). In conclusion, goats with oestrus synchronized by progestagen showed a higher number of preovulatory-sized follicles, but a decreased oestradiol secretion when compared with does with oestrus synchronized by using prostaglandin analogues. These would support the development of alternative protocols for assisted reproduction.     

Adrenocortical response to ACTH in Angora and Spanish goat wethers.

Angora goats do not cope well with stress compared with goats of other breeds. Our hypothesis that this involves subclinical primary hypoadrenocorticism associated with low cortisol release in response to ACTH stimulation was tested by measuring adrenocortical response (plasma cortisol) in six Spanish (37 +/- 2 kg BW) and six Angora wethers (39 +/- 3 kg BW) under simulated acute and chronic ACTH challenges. In Exp. 1 (acute ACTH challenge), wethers were dosed i.v. with high (2.5 IU/kg BW) or low (.4 IU/kg BW) quantities of ACTH. In Exp. 2 (chronic ACTH challenge), ACTH at the rate of .015 IU/(kg BW x min) or saline (.15 M NaCl) was infused i.v. at 15 mL/h for 6 h. The mean baseline plasma cortisol concentration before ACTH stimulation was similar (P > .05) between Angora and Spanish goats in Exp. 1 (averaged over days) and in Exp. 2. The cortisol concentration response area (ng/ (mL x min) x 10(-3)) above the baseline was similar (P > .05) between Angora and Spanish goats during low (7.6 +/- .5 and 9.0 +/- 1.7, respectively) and high (12.8 +/- 1.0 and 16.0 +/- 1.8, respectively) levels of acute ACTH challenge (Exp. 1) and during chronic ACTH challenge (45.1 +/- 5.9 and 41.8 +/- 7.3, respectively; Exp. 2). In conclusion, these data indicate that, under the conditions of this study, adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH stimulation is not different between Angora and Spanish goat wethers and, thus, may not contribute to stress susceptibility in Angora goats.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics in Caspian mares

The characteristics of the major follicular waves (primary and secondary) throughout estrous cycle were studied in 7 healthy Caspian mares (age, 4-15 years; weight, 198.6 ± 0.9 kg) during the breeding season. Ovarian follicular dynamics were monitored by using an ultrasound scanner equipped with a 5-MHz, B-mode, linear-array, rectal transducer throughout 2 complete estrous cycles. The diameters of antral follicles (5 mm) were measured, averaging the narrowest and widest dimensions. To detect follicular wave emergence, the diameter profile of the 3 largest follicles per ovary of each mare was determined without considering day-to-day identity of follicles but with maintenance of distinction between left and right ovaries. The primary waves originated on day 6.4 ± 0.81 (ovulation = day 0) when the mean diameter of ovarian follicles was 9.6 ± 1.05 mm. Divergence between the dominant preovulatory follicle and subordinate follicles occurred on day 13.4 ± 0.81, when the dominant follicle was 18.1 ± 2.67 mm in diameter. The intervals from emergence to divergence and from divergence to ovulation were 7 ± 0.68 and 8.7 ± 0.68 days, respectively. Secondary major follicular waves were not observed during this study. In conclusion, only 1 major follicular wave was detected in a Caspian mare, confirming the data previously described in other equine breeds. It is also indicated that the occurrence of 1 major follicular wave per cycle is a more common phenomena in equine species.     

Dynamics of follicle populations and gonadotropin concentrations in fillies age two to ten months

Follicle populations and concentrations of circulating gonadotropins were studied during age 2-10 months in 10 spring-born pony fillies. Blood sampling and ultrasound scanning were done every 4 days and daily for four 30 day periods. During 5-12 weeks, FSH concentrations were lower in 6 fillies with follicles > or = 6 mm (mean +/- s.e. 1.4 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) than in 4 fillies with follicles < 6 mm (2.8 +/- 0.3 ng/ml). The diameters and numbers of follicles and gonadotropin concentrations increased progressively during age 2-4 months. A plateau in follicle activity and reduced levels of gonadotropins occurred during 5-7 months. During 8-10 months, follicles grew to > 10 mm and gonadotropin concentrations increased. Waves of follicular growth were identified during the 30 day periods by significant increases in the diameter of the 10 largest follicles. The waves did not partition into dominant and subordinate follicles. Results indicated an initial postnatal period of negative ovarian feedback, temporally related changes in gonadotropins and follicles for months 3-10, and development of follicles in waves.     

The susceptibility of the goat to Fasciola hepatica infections

Mixed breed goats were infected with metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica and the resulting worm burdens were quantitated after primary and secondary exposure of the goats to the parasite. Mean length and width of the parasite recovered after all primary exposures were 1.91 +/- 0.2 cm and 0.91 +/- 0.2 cm, respectively. A mean of 71.8 +/- 5.9% of the flukes were recovered from all of the primary infections. In the secondary infections, the mean length and width of the flukes from the physically smaller population was 0.88 +/- 0.27 cm and 0.53 +/- 0.19 cm, respectively. A mean of 67 +/- 6.7% of the flukes were recovered from this secondary infection. It appears that the goat is susceptible to challenge infections with F. hepatica and that its response to this infection is much like that of sheep.     

Cell proliferation of epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands of beagles and cocker spaniels with healthy skin

Cell proliferation kinetic values were established for the epidermis, hair follicle epithelium, and sebaceous glands of 10 Beagles and 4 Cocker Spaniels with healthy skin and coats. Values were established by intradermal pulse-labeling injections of [3H]thymidine, examination of cutaneous biopsied tissues, and autoradiography. The epidermal basal cell-labeling index was 1.41 +/- 0.46% for Beagles and 1.71 +/- 0.56% for Cocker Spaniels. The hair follicle basal cell-labeling index was 1.46 +/- 0.78 and 1.07 +/- 0.42%, respectively. Calculated epidermal cell-renewal time for viable layers of the epidermis was 23.38 +/- 5.93 days for Beagles and 20.97 +/- 4.92 days for Cocker Spaniels. Differences between cell kinetic data for the 2 breeds were not significant (P greater than 0.05). The basal cell-labeling index for the sebaceous gland was significantly (P = 0.009) lower for Cocker Spaniels (0.40 +/- 0.18%) than for Beagles (1.81 +/- 1.08%). Seemingly, epidermal and follicular cell proliferation kinetics in healthy dogs was similar between the 2 breeds, whereas sebaceous gland basal cells were less proliferative in healthy Cocker Spaniels than in healthy Beagles.