陇东紫花苜蓿生态特征及水分利用率研究

通过分析陇东紫花苜蓿Medicag sativa在原产地陇东栽植的生物物候与热量条件的关系,鲜、干质量与水分利用率随生长年限的变化特征,以及地上生长量和地下生长量在生长年的变化特征,认为陇东紫花苜蓿在陇东塬区完成3个生长周期从气候角度来说是不可能的.陇东紫花苜蓿随着生长年限的延长,鲜、干质量和水分利用率等要素各年逐茬增加,现蕾期前后是紫花苜蓿产量形成的关键时期.陇东紫花苜蓿生长前3年,地下生长高峰期出现在第2年第2茬生长发育期间.夏季根生长比秋季活跃,秋季主、侧根直径的增长较缓慢.陇东紫花苜蓿不但适宜原产地陇东地区栽植,在西北区域属于优质品种.但该品种干草率较低,适宜青饲,应以生产鲜草带动当地畜牧业发展为主,不宜作为当地商用草产业发展的当家品种.     

紫花苜蓿品种比较试验

通过对26个紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa）品种的生育期、株高、产量、越冬率等指标的试验比较，结果表明：公农一号、保丰、陇东、德福等几个品种的表现优于其他参试品种，适宜在辽西北风沙地地区推广种植。     

雷达克之星——极抗旱、能持久利用的紫花苜蓿新品种

“雷达克之星”紫花苜蓿是从美国引进的优秀紫花苜蓿新品种．它集诸多优良特性于一身．深受众多客户的青睐。     

雷达克之星——极抗旱、能持久利用的紫花苜蓿新品种

“雷达克之星”紫花苜蓿足从美国引进的优秀紫花苜蓿新品种，它集诸多优良特性于一身，深受众多客户的青睐。     

紫花苜蓿引种品比试验

在甘肃省永昌县牧草种子繁殖基地，对来自国内、外12个紫花苜蓿品种(国内仅1个陇东苜蓿，国外11个品种：阿尔冈金、牧歌、德宝、巨人、金皇后、威龙、德福、赛特、神农、朝阳、苜蓿王)于200l—2002年进行了牧草品种比较试验，结果表明：美国的神农、牧歌、苜蓿王及荷兰的德宝、德福、赛特、加拿大的阿尔冈金等品种的表现比其他供试品种好，生长快，越冬率高，产量高，适宜在永昌的清河、东河地区推广种植。     

陇东地区6个紫花苜蓿品种生产性能比较试验

为筛选适合陇东地区种植的紫花苜蓿品种,2012～2016年在甘肃省庆阳市西峰区对6个苜蓿品种进行了比较试验,并应用层次分析法对其生产性能进行综合评价。结果表明：(1) 5年干草总产量由高到低依次是先行者、哥萨克、WL-343HQ、陇东苜蓿、甘农1号和惊喜,前三位分别为13.42、12.63和12.29 t/hm²,其中先行者较陇东苜蓿平均增产9.28%。(2)不同年份的苜蓿产量具有显著差异,其中5个外引品种第3～4年产量最高,陇东苜蓿第5年最高、第3年次之。(3)综合评价表明,哥萨克、先行者和WL-343HQ总得分为3.41、3.30和3.07,生产性能最好;陇东苜蓿和甘农1号总得分为2.86和2.71,生产性能较好;惊喜总得分2.19,生产性能最差。综合分析5年结果,先行者、哥萨克和WL-343HQ丰产性好、稳产性强、品质较好,综合性状最好,适宜在陇东及周边地区大面积推广种植;陇东苜蓿和甘农1号粗蛋白含量高、品质优良、耐连作,稳产性较好,综合性状较好,可在当地继续种植;惊喜稳产性好,但产量最低、品质一般,不适合在当地种植。     

2种紫花苜蓿氮代谢及其关键酶(NR、GS)活性差异研究

为探究不同紫花苜蓿氮代谢差异及氮代谢差异的生理机制,采用盆栽砂培法,通过对2个具有典型特征的紫花苜蓿品种(LW6010和陇东苜蓿)在2个氮素水平及3个生育时期下其氮代谢产物及氮代谢酶活性差异进行研究,探讨氮代谢产物与氮代谢酶活性的相互关系。结果表明:LW6010和陇东苜蓿在N210水平下其干物质重、氮含量、氮积累量及硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性均高于N21。在2个氮水平下,LW6010的干物质重、NR和GS活性均显著大于陇东苜蓿,而LW6010的氮含量显著低于陇东苜蓿。其中,LW6010的NR活性比陇东苜蓿在N210和N21下分别高24%和15%(苗期)、31%和40%(现蕾期)、20%和11%(盛花期);GS活性分别高30%和29%(苗期)、33%和20%(现蕾期)、7%和14%(盛花期)。在苗期和盛花期时,LW6010的氮积累量显著大于陇东苜蓿,而在现蕾期差异不显著。LW6010的氮积累量在N210下各生育期分别比陇东苜蓿高25%,3%和16%,而在N21下LW6010的氮积累量在苗期和盛花期下比陇东苜蓿高45%和12%。同时,紫花苜蓿干物质重、氮积累量、NR活性与GS活性呈极显著正相关关系。综上分析,紫花苜蓿的不同品种在不同氮素水平下其氮代谢能力不同,不同紫花苜蓿品种间氮代谢具有差异;LW6010较陇东苜蓿具有较好的氮代谢能力;NR和GS活性可为不同紫花苜蓿氮代谢差异评价提供参考。     

野生及栽培苜蓿种质资源遗传多样性的同工酶分析

采用过氧化物酶、淀粉酶、过氧化氢酶电泳技术,对两份野生紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)种质资源和27份栽培苜蓿品种的遗传多样性进行分析。结果显示,3种同工酶共检测到30条稳定酶带,其中6条为特异酶带,出现在陇东野生紫花苜蓿、拜城野生紫花苜蓿、兰杰兰德和大西洋紫花苜蓿酶谱中。过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶和淀粉酶的多态位点百分率分别为75.00%、55.56%和33.33%。29份苜蓿材料间的相似系数介于0.633～1.000,平均值为0.867,两份野生紫花苜蓿种质资源与栽培品种间的相似系数相对较小,栽培品种间的相似系数相对较大。聚类分析表明,在相似系数0.772处可将29份苜蓿材料聚为3类,第1和第2类分别由陇东野生紫花苜蓿和拜城野生紫花苜蓿单独组成。陇东野生紫花苜蓿和拜城野生紫花苜蓿在主成分分析图中的位置也相对孤立,表现出野生种质资源与栽培品种间较远的亲缘关系。     

不同苜蓿品种生产性能研究

为筛选适宜辽西北风沙半干旱地区栽培的紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)品种,于2007年采用随机区组法设计,对30个国内外紫花苜蓿品种的生产性能进行了比较研究。结果表明:不同苜蓿品种间返青期差异较大,最多相差22d,其中甘农3号(Gannong No.3)返青最早,其次为公农1号(Gongnong No.1)、敖汉(Aohan)和甘农1号(Gannong No.1),国内品种普遍返青早于国外品种;抗寒性方面,国内品种强于国外品种,具有较高的越冬率;5个入选生产性能因子中,分枝数和越冬率决定苜蓿的鲜草和青干草产量,在晾制青干草过程中,还受到主枝侧枝数的较大影响。综合评价参试品种的生产性能,以公农1号、保丰(Baofeng)、甘农3号、陇东(Longdong)、德福(Defy)、皇冠(Phabulous)、爱菲尼特(Affinity)7个品种表现最佳,具有较强的分枝能力和较高的株高,适宜该地区推广种植。     

不同品种紫花苜蓿根系形态及生理特征对磷水平的响应

为明确不同品种紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)根系形态和生理特征对磷水平的响应,以营养液水培的试验方法,分析了0(P0)、50(P1)、100(P2)、500(P3)1000(P4)和1500ymol·L-1(P5)磷水平下,6种紫花苜蓿根系形态及生理特征对磷水平的响应.结果发现,各品种总根长、根表面积均在P1处理时达到最大,新牧一号、耐盐之星、肇东、巨能Ⅱ 4个品种在P2低磷水平时总根长、根表面积高于陇东、龙牧801.设定磷水平下,各品种根体积仅在P0、P1处理时存在差异性,陇东根体积在Pl、P2、P3、P5处理下均小于其他品种.P1处理时新牧一号、龙牧801根系磷吸收效率高于其他4个品种,P2、P3、P4处理下肇东根系磷吸收效率显著(P＜0.05)高于其他品种.根系酸性磷酸酶活性均在P1时达到最大且同浓度磷水平时各品种间存在显著差异.低磷水平下,耐盐之星、巨能Ⅱ根系酸性磷酸酶活性显著高于其他4个品种,综合各耐低磷指标表明新牧一号、耐盐之星的耐低磷性高于其他品种是较好的磷高效品种,其次是肇东、巨能Ⅱ,而陇东、龙牧801则可归纳为磷低效品种.     

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.     

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