木刀脱粒机对不同牧草种子脱粒效果的影响

采用自制木刀种子脱粒机对10kg种子材料脱粒,用Φ0.8cm、Φ0.4cm和Φ0.2cm筛孔对威提特东非狼尾草种茎脱粒后种子的重量分别为973.3g、953.8g和897.9g,以Φ0.8cm筛片脱粒出种率最高,净种子859.9g,种子受损率最低8.37%,种子纯净度为88.33%。“楚雄”南苜蓿和环峡南苜蓿的脱粒以孔径Φ0.4cm筛片脱粒效果最佳,而银子蜗牛苜蓿豆荚种子用Φ0.8cm筛片脱粒仍造成大量的子实破碎,种子受损率高达30.42%。三叶草花序的脱粒也以孔径Φ0.4cm筛片脱粒比较合适,白三叶、红三叶两种三叶草的种子产量均较高,种子纯净度在93%以上。     

产业化生产中楚雄南苜蓿种子脱粒技术的研究

比较了5种筛孔直径对楚雄南苜蓿种子产业化生产中脱粒后种子数量、质量和脱粒速度。结果表明，楚雄南苜蓿种子产业化生产中适宜的种子脱粒方法为筛孔直径D=0．5cm的脱粒方法，其次为筛孔直径D=0．4cm的脱粒方法。     

不同脱粒方法对狼尾草种子数量和质量的影响研究

比较了8种脱粒方法对威提特东非狼尾草Pennisetum clandestinum cv.whittet种子数量和质量的影响,结果表明,人工锤打脱粒法获得的种子破损率最低,纯净度和发芽率最高;木刀脱粒机脱粒法(筛孔直径0.8 cm)获得的种子数量最多, 10 kg种子材料可获得937.3 g种子,种子的破损率也较小,为8.37%,种子的纯净度为88.33%,种子的发芽率高达92.33%,仅次于人工锤打脱粒法.综合排名表明,人工锤打脱粒法和木刀脱粒机脱粒法(筛孔直径0.8 cm)同为第一,但人工锤打脱粒种子数量偏低,费时费力,经济效益不高.因此,最终确定木刀脱粒机脱粒法(筛孔直径0.8 cm)为威提特东非狼尾草种子脱粒的最佳方法.     

海法白三叶种子脱粒技术的研究

比较了5种筛孔直径对海法白三叶种子产业化生产中脱粒后种子数量、质量和脱粒速度。结果表明：海法白三叶种子产业化生产中适宜的种子脱粒方法为筛孔直径D=0．5cm的脱粒方法，其次为筛孔直径D=0．4cm的脱粒方法。     

东非狼尾草种子脱粒技术的研究

比较了5种筛孔直径对东非狼尾草种子产业化生产中脱粒后种子数量、质量和脱粒速度。结果表明,东非狼尾草种子产业化生产中适宜的种子脱粒方法为筛孔直径D=0．5cm的脱粒方法,其次为筛孔直径D=0．4cm的脱粒方法。     

紫花苜蓿拌种“富思德”根瘤菌剂的效果

采用“富恩德”苜蓿根瘤菌剂对紫花苜蓿拌种，调查结果表明：幼苗结瘤率比对照区提高36．4％～40．6％；单株根瘤数量增加27．9％～29．4％；产草量提高13．0％～15．5％；种子产量提高13．0％～28．9％。     

天蓝苜蓿种子休眠特性的研究

通过对天蓝苜蓿种子不同时期发芽试验研究，结果表明：新收获的天蓝苜蓿的种子发芽率很低，为9．1％左右，种子萌发对温度反应不敏感；经砂擦种皮后，发芽率提高到74．8％。对刚脱未经晾晒的新鲜种子的试验表明：种子一旦成熟脱落，胚已经成熟，胚没有后熟期。发芽率低的主要原因是硬实导致种子很难吸胀或吸胀后胚的伸长受阻，存在种皮抑制胚的现象，排除了胚后熟造成休眠的可能性。     

不同株距处理对苜蓿种子产量影响的研究

研究不同株距对苜蓿种子产量及相关因素的影响。通过3年的试验结果表明,在5—70cm的8个处理间,株距40cm和50cm处理种子产量为最高,平均产种子219．0kg／hm^2和211．7kg／hm^2,显著高于其他6个处理,前者好于后者。苜蓿单株分枝数、小花数、结荚数和千粒重随着株距加大而有增加趋势。但以株距40cm处理综合比较表现为优。     

冷蒿浸提液对几种饲用植物的化感作用

采用生物测定方法研究了冷蒿茎叶水浸提液和50％甲醇浸提液对苏丹草、黄花草木樨、阿尔刚金苜蓿、准格尔苜蓿和沙打旺种子萌发以及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明;随着冷蒿茎叶水浸提液浓度的增加,受试植物种子发芽率逐渐降低,5mg／mL水浸提液使苏丹草、黄花草木樨、阿尔刚金苜蓿、准格尔苜蓿和沙打旺种子发芽率分别降低了3．9％、7．1％、3．6％、5．9％和1．8％;冷蒿茎叶水浸提液通过影响种子萌发期间幼苗对营养物质的分配与积累,进而抑制幼芽与幼根的生长,使五种饲用植物幼芽生长量分别降低了1．5％、8．3％、14．2％、13．0％和3．6％,幼根生长量分别降低了1．0％、4．8％、18．5％、30．7％和4．7％;在相同浓度下,甲醇浸提液对受试植物种子萌发以及幼苗生长的抑制作用明显增加。     

宁蒗县冷温带气候区光叶紫花苕种子的品质测定

对宁蒗县海拔2200-2650m地区生产的光叶紫花苕种子7个样品进行品质测定结果：-x值种子净度95．2％（90．1％-97．1％）,千粒重25．9g（21．28-32．7g）,发芽势51．2％（31．6％~59．9％）,发芽率89．9％（86．7％-94．7％）,单个样品3个重复间S〈2。以上结果表明,宁蒗县冷温带气候区生产的光叶紫花苕种子质量基本达到豆科牧草种子种用标准。硬实率高是造成种子发芽率低的主要因素,提高种植、收割、加工、贮藏环节的科技含量是保证种子质量的关键。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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