新巴尔虎右旗草原布氏田鼠鼠害发生特点

布氏田鼠是新巴尔虎右旗草原主要害鼠之一,其种群数量庞大,分布集中,草地植被破坏严重。通过对新巴尔虎右旗1980-2013年,布氏田鼠鼠害发生及环境气候条件的长期观测发现,布氏田鼠种群数量在自身自然消长和环境降水量、气温等因子综合影响下呈现出周期性波动变化,平均周期6-8年;种群增长时具有爆发性,种群衰退时具有快速性的特征。一定程度上种群数量与环境中降水量呈负相关,与气温呈正相关,并受水热综合影响;种群数量增减是生物与环境综合效应的结果。通过分析布氏田鼠种群波动一般性规律,为今后草原鼠害的预测、防治提供参考。     

贝奥不育剂和溴敌隆抗凝血杀鼠剂对布氏田鼠种群控制作用的试验研究

2013年5-9月,在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟东乌珠穆沁旗草地研究贝奥不育剂、溴敌隆灭鼠剂对草原主要害鼠布氏田鼠的控制作用。通过早春一次性足量投饵(贝奥不育剂野外有效期30~60 d;溴敌隆灭鼠剂野外有效期30 d),按月铗捕调查的方法研究贝奥不育剂和溴敌隆杀鼠剂对该地布氏田鼠种群增长的控制效果。结果表明,5月不育剂组布氏田鼠的家系大小较杀鼠剂组的家系更大且差异显著(P<0.05),6月差异不显著,杀鼠剂组布氏田鼠种群恢复速度比不育剂组快。贝奥不育剂改变了布氏田鼠种群的性比,其幼体出生率比杀鼠剂组低。因此,贝奥不育剂对布氏田鼠有更好的防治效果。     

不同密度布氏田鼠对内蒙古典型草原菌根真菌群落的影响

布氏田鼠是内蒙古典型草原的主要啮齿类动物,其活动既可以改变植物群落组成和多样性,又可以改变土壤理化性质,进而潜在影响与绝大多数草原植物共生的重要土壤微生物-丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）,但目前关于啮齿动物活动对AMF群落组成和多样性影响的研究鲜有报道。基于此,依托内蒙古自治区锡林浩特市毛登牧场的大型野外布氏田鼠围栏实验平台,选择其中3个田鼠密度处理（低、中、高密度,对应的初始投放布氏田鼠数量分别为12、24和48只·样地^-1）,利用Illumina Miseq测序技术分析不同密度布氏田鼠处理对AMF群落的影响,采用标准网格交叉法测定根系侵染率和土壤菌丝密度,探究布氏田鼠活动对典型草原AMF群落的影响机制和作用途径。主要结果表明：1）在土壤样品中共鉴定到6科9属的AMF,其中优势属为球囊霉属（Glomus）;2）高密度布氏田鼠处理显著降低了植物生物量、植被盖度、群落丰富度和多样性,显著降低土壤水分、pH,显著增加土壤硝态氮含量;显著降低AMF侵染率、菌丝密度、丰富度和多样性;3）相关性分析表明,菌丝密度与植物丰富度、多样性指数、土壤pH和含水量显著正相关,与硝态氮含量显著负相关;侵染率与植物多样性指数、土壤pH和含水量显著正相关;AMF多样性指数与土壤pH和含水量显著正相关,不同操作分类单元（OTU）丰富度与植物多样性指数和pH显著正相关;4）NMDS 和 PerMANOVA 分析显示AMF群落结构在低密度和高密度处理间差异显著,其中土壤NO₃^-和pH是影响AMF群落组成的主要因子。因此,布氏田鼠密度过高会导致植物群落生物量、多样性以及土壤养分含量下降,同时两者的改变导致了AMF群落多样性显著降低,可能会加速典型草原的退化。     

模拟条件下布氏田鼠对草原植被的作用1——植被生物量的影响

2007年5-10月在模拟条件下研究了不同密度的布氏田鼠Lasiopodomys brandtii啃食对草原植被生物量、植物补偿生长量的影响。结果表明:1）植被生物量与布氏田鼠密度关系呈现了“低-高-低”的变化趋势;鼠密度每100 m2<5只时,植被生物量呈增加趋势。鼠密度每100 m2为5只时,其植被生物量增长达到最高值,随鼠密度的增加,植被生物量下降。2）植物补偿生长量与布氏田鼠密度相关呈单峰型曲线,鼠密度每100 m2为8只时植被的补偿生长量最高。3）植被生长可承受的鼠密度每100 m2 为4只(折合400只/hm2),鼠密度每100 m2≤4只时刺激植物生长,且可稳定植被群落结构。     

典型草原啮齿动物群落与植物群落相关性分析

在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟东乌珠穆沁旗典型草原区,设置过度放牧、季节轮牧和禁牧(对照)3种干扰区,采用标志重捕法对啮齿动物群落与栖息地植物群落的关系进行研究。结果表明,在过度放牧与禁牧干扰区,啮齿动物群落主要成分布氏田鼠种群密度与植被密度呈极显著正相关(R=0.28;R=0.21,P<0.01);在季节轮牧干扰区,植物密度、地上生物量与草原黄鼠种群密度均呈极显著负相关(R=-0.23;R=-0.28,P<0.01),而且草原黄鼠种群密度与Simpson多样性指数呈显著正相关(R=0.21,P<0.05),与Pielou均匀度指数呈极显著正相关(R=0.32,P<0.01);在禁牧干扰区,布氏田鼠种群密度还与植物群落Shannon-wiener多样性指数呈显著正相关(R=0.21,P<0.05),植物高度、密度和地上生物量与黑线仓鼠种群密度均呈极显著正相关(R=0.40;R=024;R=0.50,P<0.01)。     

布氏田鼠在我旗的发生历史、防治及危害现状的调查报告

上世纪80年中后期布氏田鼠在我旗大面积严重发生，给草牧场造成了严重破坏，为了保护草原生态，我旗曾在1988-1989年连续2年进行了大面积飞灭，通过飞灭基本上控制了鼠害，在这之后10多年的时间内布氏田鼠未发生严重危害。但近2年布氏田鼠又发生严重危害，2003年、2004年鼠害发生面积分别为8万hm^2和14．40万hm^2，重度面积分别为5．33hm^2和10．67hm^2。本文简述了布氏田鼠在我旗发生的历史、防治情况及危害现状，意在提示有关部门给予高度重视，及早做好灭鼠的资金和物资准备，以便及时开展灭鼠工作，同时指出要采取综合防治，加强生态建设，恢复草原生态平衡方可从根本上控制鼠类的危害。     

模拟条件下布氏田鼠对草原植被的作用——植被生物量的影响

2007年5-10月在模拟条件下研究了不同密度的布氏田鼠Lasiopodomys brandtii啃食对草原植被生物量、植物补偿生长量的影响。结果表明:1)植被生物量与布氏田鼠密度关系呈现了"低—高—低"的变化趋势;鼠密度每100 m2<5只时,植被生物量呈增加趋势。鼠密度每100 m2为5只时,其植被生物量增长达到最高值,随鼠密度的增加,植被生物量下降。2)植物补偿生长量与布氏田鼠密度相关呈单峰型曲线,鼠密度每100 m2为8只时植被的补偿生长量最高。3)植被生长可承受的鼠密度每100 m2为4只(折合400只/hm2),鼠密度每100 m2≤4只时刺激植物生长,且可稳定植被群落结构。     

植物生长期布氏田鼠种群密度波动特征

依据1983-2004年布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)捕尽法或标志重捕法调查资料。该鼠在植物生长期的种群波动特征为:不同密度年度间增长幅度差异显著,其高密度年份的增长率137.39%,低于其他密度年份206.63%,且秋季田鼠种群下降幅度34.09%,小于其他年份37.20%;布氏田鼠春季种群密度将显著影响当年高峰期(r=0.643,P<0.05)以及越冬鼠数量(r=0.769,P<0.05);年际与季节波动密切相关,高低数量年可从季节波动中反映出来。布氏田鼠季节消长曲线为单峰型,峰期在7-8月;在高密度年无明显波峰,为持续增长趋势。     

采用布氏田鼠建立动物流感病毒感染模型的试验研究

应用流感病毒A/WSN/33(H1N1),通过人工滴鼻接种的方式感染布氏田鼠,评估其对流感病毒的易感性,并在其易感性较强的基础上,进一步对建立流感病毒感染布氏田鼠疾病动物模型的可能性及其评价指标进行研究。通过对感染的布氏田鼠进行体内病毒分离及鉴定等方法,成功分离到了流感病毒,证实了流感病毒在布氏田鼠组织中的存在。试验结果表明,流感病毒对布氏田鼠具有很强的感染性,其主要侵害的靶器官为肺脏。综合感染布氏田鼠的临床症状及病理变化、体质量变化、死亡率、流感病毒的分离及鉴定等指标,表明成功建立了流感病毒感染布氏田鼠的疾病动物模型。     

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