基于鸽胸肌转录组挖掘其卓越飞行性能的分子标记

目的对赛鸽和观赏鸽胸肌组织的转录组进行比较分析,探讨鸽胸肌中与飞行性能相关的关键基因。方法通过差异分析获取赛鸽和观赏鸽胸肌中显著上调和下调的差异基因并进行富集分析。结果数据经质量控制共获得18.3 G的有效数据,筛选出477个差异表达基因,包含194个上调基因和130个下调基因。KEGG pathway显著性富集分析共筛选出3个与鸽飞行性能相关的候选基因,分别为MUSTN1、PDK4和MSTN。结论通过比较赛鸽和观赏鸽胸肌转录组数据,筛选与鸽飞行性能相关的关键基因,丰富了鸽的基因组信息,为进一步揭示鸽胸肌分子机理奠定了基础。     

Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci Infection in Racing Pigeons and Pigeon Fanciers in Beijing,China

Over 3 million racing pigeons (Columba livia) are registered in Beijing City Center for gambling purposes. During 2008–2010, we evaluated the occurrence and prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in racing pigeons as well as the possible zoonotic transmission to pigeon fanciers in six districts of Beijing where pigeon races are particularly popular. C. psittaci‐specific serum antibody titres were obtained from 370 pigeons and 79 fanciers using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, 206 and 67 throat swabs were, respectively, collected from pigeons and fanciers and tested for the presence of chlamydial antigen using immunofluorescence. C. psittaci‐specific serum antibody was detected in 37 of 370 pigeons and 19 of 79 fanciers. Of 206 pigeon clinical specimens, 55 were positive for C. psittaci antigen, while 16 of 67 swabs from the pigeon fanciers were positive. Based on ompA sequence analysis, the genotype of several avian and human isolates was genotype B. Thus, both high‐titre C. psittaci‐specific antibody and C. psittaci‐specific antigen were found with relatively high frequency in the pigeon flocks as well as in the pigeon fanciers. Our study suggests that C. psittaci infection is prevalent among the racing pigeon population in Beijing. Moreover, detection of serum antibodies and antigen in pigeon fanciers suggests that exposure and possible zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci from racing pigeons to humans does occur. In view of the life‐threatening respiratory illness C. psittaci may cause in humans, regulatory public health measures, to prevent further spread of the pathogen in avian populations and possible transmission to exposed humans, are urgently needed.     

The compatibility of ronidazol in racing pigeons in a controlled clinical study

Ronidazol is often used in racing pigeons for the treatment of Trichomonas infections and diseases. Therefore, in this study, the compatibility of the drug was examined by oral application over 7 days. For this purpose a randomized blind study was performed using four different groups (control group, 10 mg = therapy-group, 20 mg = double-dose-group and 40 mg = high-dose-group) of pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) with 6 male and 6 female birds each. All birds were clinically healthy and between 6 and 12 weeks of age. The application of ronidazol at a dose of 10 mg/racing pigeon did show no side-effect within the duration of the study, e.g. no influence could be seen on clinical, haematological, blood-chemical and pathological parameters. Low-to middle-grade clinical alterations of the gastro-intestinal tract occurred in the high-dose group at day 6 and 7 of the application of the drug. Therefore a fourfold overdosing of ronidazol should be avoided.     

Animal athletes: a performance review

Major sporting events such as the Olympic Games highlight extraordinary human athletic achievements, performed by the extreme physical outliers of our species. However, there is a range of animal performance that goes far beyond these, both in the wild and in selectively bred 'sports animals' such as the racehorse, racing camel, greyhound, sled-dog and racing pigeon. In this selective review, Craig Sharp assesses how human beings measure up in the animal athletic stakes.     

Paramyxovirus type 1 infections of racing pigeons: 1 characterisation of isolated viruses

Viruses isolated from field outbreaks of disease in racing pigeons in continental Europe and Great Britain were shown to be identical by serological tests using conventional chicken antisera and mouse monoclonal antibodies. The pigeon viruses showed high levels of cross-reaction to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in haemagglutination inhibition tests and Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells infected with pigeon virus isolates bound three out of nine mouse monoclonal antibodies prepared against NDV Ulster 2C. These results confirm their classification in the paramyxovirus type 1 serotype of avian paramyxoviruses. However, the pigeon viruses could be distinguished from more classical paramyxovirus type 1 viruses by the significantly different titres obtained in haemagglutination inhibition tests, the failure of mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against the HN1 epitope of NDV Ulster 2C to inhibit their haemagglutinating activity and a unique binding pattern seen with the nine mouse monoclonal antibodies.     

Serologic detection of the occurrence of avian paramyxoviruses in pigeons

447 blood-serum samples of racing and free living pigeons collected in 11 districts of Czechoslovakia from August 1983 till March 1984 were examined by the haemagglutination inhibition test to the Newcastle disease virus, strain Roakin, to the pigeon PMV-1 and to the PMV-3; 121 of the samples were tested to other serotypes, PMV-2--PMV-9, and to the avian influenza A virus. 58.4% of samples were positive (greater than or equal to 2 log2) to the Roakin strain with the mean titre 3.6 log2 and 65.1% to the pigeon PMV-1 with the mean titre 4.5 log2. All samples tested were negative to other serotypes except two samples of one group positive to PMV-8 with the mean titre 4.3 log2. The titres of HI antibodies to the Roakin strain and to the pigeon PMV-1 were compared. The risk of the transmission and of the readaptation of pigeon virus to poultry was discussed.     

Pathogenicity and cross-protection of pigeon paramyxovirus-1 and Newcastle disease virus in young chickens

Avian paramyxovirus-1 (PMV-1) isolates from Delaware racing pigeons were compared with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in pathogenicity and cross-protection studies in young chickens. The pathogenicity of pigeon PMV-1 isolates was more closely related to mesogenic (Roakin) NDV than to lentogenic (La Sota) or velogenic (Texas GB) NDV strains. Pigeon PMV-1 produced 100% mortality in 1-day-old NDV-susceptible chickens following intratracheal and intracerebral inoculation. Laboratory tests often used in conjunction with chicken pathogenicity procedures for patho-typing NDV gave conflicting results. Pigeon PMV-1 isolates produced large clear plaques (up to 3.5 mm) in chicken-embryo-fibroblast cultures. Chicken embryo mean death times were considerably greater for pigeon PMV-1 (88 and 109 hr) than for Roakin (66 hr) and Texas GB (48 hr). B1 strain NDV and pigeon PMV-1 produced complete cross-protection in challenge studies in chickens. Extensive cross-reaction between pigeon PMV-1 and NDV occurred in hemagglutination-inhibition tests using polyclonal antisera. However, pigeon PMV-1 and NDV were readily distinguishable using a NDV monoclonal antibody, 2F12.     

Haemoproteus columbae infection in a straggler racing pigeon sheltered in Japan

A racing pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica), a straggler from Taiwan, was sheltered in Nara Prefecture, Japan in 2020. This pigeon showed hemolysis and elevated levels of hepatobiliary and muscle enzymes. Gametocytes of Haemoproteus columbae (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida) were observed within the host erythrocytes in thin blood smears. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene amplified from blood DNA was identical to the lineage HAECOL1 previously reported from pigeons worldwide. This is the first record of H. columbae infection in a sheltered bird in Japan.     

Transport of racing pigeons and animal welfare

A short overview about the transport of the racing pigeon from home to the place of liberation will be given. Some facts related to the transport will be explained. Facts like Number of pigeons in one crate, supplying the pigeons with water and food during transportation and at the place of liberation, the supply of the pigeons with fresh air will be explained.     

Comparative pathogenicity tests of eight pigeon paramyxovirus 1 variant isolates in pigeons, turkeys and chickens]

Eight pigeon paramyxovirus-1 isolates which were isolated from diseased pigeons were comparatively tested for their pathogenicity in chickens, turkeys and racing pigeons. Intramuscular inoculation of all of the eight viruses resulted in all pigeons in clinical signs like polyuria, lameness of wings and in parts also in torticollis. Also, intravenously inoculated chickens developed distinct signs such as apathy, liquid droppings and in part also torticollis. Six of the eight PMV-1 isolates induced in turkeys similar signs as in chickens; inoculation of two isolates yielded no signs in turkeys. Legal sanitary consequences of the disease due to pigeon PMV-1 infection in chickens and in turkeys should be identical to that of velogenic Newcastle disease.     

Paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons. Clinical aspects and immunization. A report from the Netherlands

Since 1981 a highly contagious viral disease causing high morbidity and low mortality in racing pigeons has spread over Europe. The virus belongs to the avian paramyxovirus sero group I. Clinical signs include watery droppings, polydypsia and neurologic signs in a high proportion of infected animals. Definitive diagnosis can be made by virus isolation in cell cultures or chicken embryos, and virus identification by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The HI test, using sera from suspected animals, is a useful clinical tool to confirm the diagnosis. The most important differential diagnosis is salmonellosis. Good immunity against this disease can be acquired by subcutaneous vaccination with an inactivated oil adjuvant poultry NDV-vaccine. For the benefit of pigeon racing a plea is made for compulsory vaccination in countries in which the disease is endemic.     

A longitudinal study of racing thoroughbreds: performance during the first years of racing

OBJECTIVES: To develop a profile of the racing careers of Thoroughbred horses in south-eastern Queensland, and to examine factors that affect racing during the first years of racing. DESIGN AND PROCEDURE: A longitudinal study using the racing records of a defined cohort of Thoroughbred horses that were born on or within 12 months following 1 August 1991. Data collection commenced in 1996 and will continue until all horses cease racing. In this paper two measures of performance were examined: race earnings during the first year of racing and cumulative proportion of horses still racing up to 2 years after their first start. Univariable and multivariable methods were used to describe and identify factors associated with the performance of these horses. RESULTS: By 31 July 1997, 1804 horses were enrolled in the study including 916, 701, 152 and 35 horses that first raced at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of age, respectively. During their first year of racing, half the horses earned no more than A$450 from race earnings, and 710 (39.4%) horses earned no money at all. In comparison to poorly performing horses, well-performing horses were more likely to be male, to have started as 2-year-olds and to have had more starts during this year. Of the horses that first started as 2 and 3-year-olds, only 71 and 46% continued racing for at least 1 and 2 years after their first start, respectively. Length of racing life was associated with performance during the first year of racing (number of starts and average earnings per race), and with sex, date of birth and age at first start. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed a high wastage among racing Thoroughbreds. As expected, premature retirement from racing was linked to poor performance. During the first year of racing, the race earnings of an estimated 1567 (86.9%) horses were insufficient to cover training costs. The 2-year-old racing cohort outperformed the older racing cohorts in each of the performance measures under investigation. Interpretation of this result, and the long-term effects of 2-year-old racing, was limited by the problem of confounding.     

Pigeon sport and animal rights

To begin, a short overview of the organization and the realization of the racing pigeon sport. Some physiological facts, relevant to racing pigeons, will be touched on. Lastly, a focus on the flights, their completion and the problems involved with the, in some cases, high number of lost pigeons.The German Club of Pigeon Breeders, has made improvements but, it is certainly not enough.The topic of "City Pigeons" will be briefed.The final part deals with pertinent animal rights issues, causes of mishaps, and some rectifying possibilities, which are available to the government veterinarian. Special emphasis will be placed on the international uniformity of this issue.The lecture should prove that there is a need for every government veterinarian to become actively involved, because the described problematic has a major effect on a very large number of animals.     

系数倍率紫外分光光度法测定赛鸽用复方恩诺沙星胶囊的含量

建立了同时测定赛鸽用复方恩诺沙星胶囊中恩诺沙星和甲氧苄啶含量的系数倍率紫外分光光度法。结果显示,在检测范围内,药物的吸光度与其浓度呈良好线性关系。恩诺沙星的平均回收率为100.2%,RSD为0.13%(n=6);甲氧苄啶的平均回收率为98.7%,RSD为0.94%(n=6)。本法可用于生产企业半成品的质量检测。     

Paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons

Summary

Since 1981 a highly contagious viral disease causing high morbidity and low mortality in racing pigeons has spread over Europe. The virus belongs to the avian paramyxovirus sero group I. Clinical signs include watery droppings, polydypsia and neurologic signs in a high proportion of infected animals.

Definitive diagnosis can be made by virus isolation in cell cultures or chicken embryos, and virus identification by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The HI test, using sera from suspected animals, is a useful clinical tool to confirm the diagnosis. The most important differential diagnosis is salmonellosis. Good immunity against this disease can be acquired by subcutaneous vaccination with an inactivated oil adjuvant poultry NDV‐vaccine.

For the benefit of pigeon racing a plea is made for compulsory vaccination in countries in which the disease is endemic.     

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection of racing pigeons: 3 epizootiological considerations

During July to December 1983 birds in 192 racing pigeon lofts were confirmed as infected with paramyxovirus type 1 virus on the basis of disease signs alone when contact with infected cases was known (10) or with supporting serology (130), virus isolation (eight) or both (44). These outbreaks were mainly concentrated in south Wales (89) and Dorset (40). In all, 29 counties of Great Britain were involved. In the majority of outbreaks (69 per cent) activities associated with racing were strongly implicated in the spread of the disease but trade in birds, stray bird contact, loft visits and contact at shows were also possible methods of spread. Although considerable variation was seen in the pathogenicity of the viruses isolated from affected birds there were no apparent epizootiological links between isolates of similar virulence.     

New data on the transmission of pigeon circovirus

Nineteen racing pigeons aged from one to five years were examined postmortem. pcr tests showed that the spleens of 16 of them were positive for pigeon circovirus, the livers of six were positive, and blood from one of them was positive for the virus. Five of 44 embryos in embryonated eggs collected from three lofts were positive by pcr, but swabs taken from the crops of 64 adult birds which were feeding one- to 10-day-old squabs in these three lofts were negative for the viral dna.     

Evidence for the presence of avian paramyxovirus type 1 in feral pigeons in England and Wales

During the period July 1983 to June 1985, 76 submissions of material from feral pigeons were received. Five separate submissions resulted in the isolation of an avian paramyxovirus type 1 (A/PMV-1) variant indistinguishable from the virus responsible for the 1058 disease outbreaks confirmed in racing pigeons up to the end of 1984. In addition 11 separate submissions of pigeon sera had haemagglutination inhibition titres of log(2)4 or greater to A/PMV-1 antigen. Feral pigeons from six sites widely distributed throughout England had evidence of A/PMV-1 infection.     

PCR法鉴定雏鸽性别的初步研究

雏鸽的雌雄外貌形态差别甚微,极难区别。为有效准确地鉴别雏鸽的性别,淘汰非目的性别,从而降低饲养成本,提高经济效益。本研究通过采用PCR方法,选定特殊的性别CHD1基因及鉴定引物,克隆出雏鸽特定性别基因序列鉴定雏鸽的雌雄。结果表明:在雏鸽雌性样本中扩增出1条带(777 bp),而雄性中未见扩增带,显示出CHD1基因的性别特异性,PCR扩增性别鉴定结果与样本解剖后对性腺观察的形态学鉴定结果也完全一致。在87份样品中,阳性克隆结果为25,阴性克隆结果为62,故87只雏鸽中雌鸽25只,雄鸽62只,其准确率达100%。     

Improving the predictability of performance by prerace detection of dorsal metacarpal disease in thoroughbred racehorses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of dorsal metacarpal disease in 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses by prerace inspection and to evaluate the effectiveness of a dorsal metacarpal disease detection program on the predictability of race performance (finishing in the order predicted by punters) and the distance between the first- and last-placed horse in a field. DESIGN: A retrospective study using client-owned horses. METHODS: A program of prerace detection of dorsal metacarpal disease using digital palpation of the dorsal aspect of the third metacarpal bone of both forelimbs of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds racing at Ascot racecourse was instituted by the Western Australian Turf Club in December 1995. Horses that had significant pain reaction to digital palpation were considered to have pain due to dorsal metacarpal disease, withdrawn from that day's race and not permitted to race for 6 weeks. The race records of all 2-year-old Thoroughbreds racing at Ascot racecourse from December 1993 until December 1995 were compared with the race results from December 1995 until March 1997, after initiation of the dorsal metacarpal disease detection program. RESULTS: After initiation of the program, horses were racing more predictably over 1100 m (P = 2.09) and 1200 m (P = 3.48). These horses finished closer to the winner over 1100 m (P = 3.39) and over 1200 m (P = 3.13). In 1000 m races, the trend for horses to race more predictably (P = 1.07) and for there to be less distance between first and last (P = 1.72) was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The program of prerace digital palpation for dorsal metacarpal disease was considered to be beneficial in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds racing over 1100 m and 1200 m, in that they raced more predictably.