丝茅侵入量对3种冷季型草坪草竞争力及生长潜力影响的差异

通过复合取代试验设计,设置5个侵入梯度,模拟丝茅入侵高羊茅、草地早熟禾、多年生黑麦草3种冷季型草坪幼坪,测定草坪草单株生物量、相对产量、相对产量总和、攻击力和竞争力及株高、分蘖数、茎基和根系性状等指标,研究侵入量对3种草坪草竞争力及生长潜力影响的差异。结果表明,1)丝茅与草坪草为拮抗关系,3种草坪草相对产量、相对产量总和极显著受丝茅入侵的影响(P<0.01),随侵入量增加草坪草的攻击力指数和种间竞争力不断下降,草种是影响草坪草攻击力和竞争力的主要因子,丝茅侵入量次之,受影响顺序为高羊茅>早熟禾>黑麦草;2)丝茅草侵入对3种草坪草分蘖数、茎基性状和根系性状均有显著影响,对分生再生能力的影响顺序为早熟禾>黑麦草>高羊茅,对根长和根生物量影响顺序为黑麦草>早熟禾>高羊茅;3)幼苗期黑麦草的现实攻击力和竞争力显著大于高羊茅和早熟禾(P<0.05),丝茅入侵对黑麦草根系胁迫度显著大于高羊茅和早熟禾(P<0.05),致使其生长潜力降低;高羊茅竞争力和攻击力虽低,而茎基和根系性状受丝茅入侵影响显著低于黑麦草和早熟禾,保持了极高的潜在生长力;4)丝茅入侵对3种草坪草竞争力和生长潜力均有影响,必将导致草坪种群组成与结构的破坏。所以,加强草坪养护、防治丝茅入侵,是提高草坪品质、延长草坪寿命的根本途径。     

干旱对细叶结缕草和入侵杂草丝茅的竞争、生长及抗旱性的影响

针对亚热带地区伏旱频发条件下,丝茅入侵细叶结缕草草坪引起功能退化的问题,通过设置4个干旱梯度(水分充足、轻度、中度和重度干旱),采用取代试验设计了5个不同比例的丝茅入侵细叶结缕草草坪试验,进行60 d干旱处理后,测定丝茅和结缕草地下和地上相对产量、相对产量总和、攻击力、竞争平衡指数等竞争指标,分析两种植物的株高、分蘖数、叶片数、生物量和根冠比等生长指标,比较超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、可溶性糖(SS)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、脯氨酸(Pro)、丙二醛(MDA)等生理指标,研究干旱对两种植物之间的竞争、生长及抗性系统的影响。结果表明:1)干旱程度和丝茅入侵比例对两种植物的地上和地下竞争指标产生显著影响(P<0.05),轻度干旱且丝茅入侵比例≤30%时,结缕草地下攻击力指数和地下竞争平衡指数为正值,中度和重度干旱使结缕草种间竞争力丧失,当丝茅入侵比例≥20%时,拮抗作用使结缕草易被排挤出群落。2)干旱主要影响结缕草地下竞争力,丝茅入侵主要影响结缕草地上竞争力,干旱和丝茅入侵协同作用对结缕草地下攻击力和地下平衡指数影响大于地上部分,随干旱程度和丝茅入侵比例增加结缕草地上和地下竞争力降为负值。3)轻度干旱利于两种植物生长,中度和重度干旱降低了结缕草的株高、分蘖数、叶片数和单株生物量,对丝茅影响较少;>10%丝茅入侵比例限制了结缕草分蘖数和叶片数,>20%则降低了结缕草单株生物量和根冠比,干旱和丝茅入侵协同作用抑制了结缕草生长与再生能力。4)结缕草SOD、POD和CAT含量随干旱程度增加而显著增加(P<0.05),轻度干旱对丝茅SOD无影响而降低了CAT活性(P<0.05);>10%丝茅入侵比例增加了结缕草SOD活性,>20%增加了CAT活性,>30%增加了POD活性(P<0.05)。干旱对结缕草影响为CAT>SOD>POD,对丝茅为SOD>POD>CAT,丝茅入侵比例对两种植物影响均为SOD>CAT>POD,干旱对结缕草抗氧化酶系统影响大于丝茅入侵。5)轻度干旱增加了结缕草SS和SP的含量(P<0.05),增加了丝茅SP的含量,中、重度干旱使两种植物的SS、SP、Pro和MDA含量增加(P<0.05);>10%丝茅入侵比例增加了结缕草SS、SP和MDA的含量(P<0.05),>20%时增加了Pro的含量(P<0.05),干旱程度和丝茅入侵比例协同作用加剧了两种植物的受伤程度,对生境胁迫时结缕草反映为SS>Pro>SP>MDA,丝茅反映为MDA>Pro>SS>SP。故夏季避免重度干旱和控制丝茅侵入比例≤10%是维持结缕草草坪健康的基本养护要求。     

丝茅侵入量对结缕草相对产量及竞争力的影响

通过取代试验设计,设置5个丝茅侵入量梯度,模拟入侵草坪细叶结缕草(Zoysia tenuifolia)100d后,测定草坪草单株生物量、相对产量、相对产量和、攻击指数、竞争平衡指数等指标,研究侵入量对结缕草竞争力及生长潜力影响的差异。结果表明:丝茅侵入量对结缕草的地上相对产量无显著影响(P>0.05),但对地下相对产量(RS)有极显著影响(P<0.01);侵入量对群落地上相对产量总和(S)有显著影响(P<0.05),对群落地下相对产量总和(R)无显著影响(P>0.05),两物种的地上茎叶系统有拮抗作用。当丝茅侵入量为20%～30%时,两物种地下部分也有拮抗作用;侵入量对丝茅地上、地下攻击力指数均有极显著影响(P<0.01),10%侵入量时丝茅的攻击力最强,随侵入量增加丝茅的攻击力指数急剧下降,表现为种内竞争;丝茅侵入量对竞争平衡指数无显著影响(P>0.05),结缕草的竞争能力小于丝茅。丝茅入侵主要影响结缕草的分蘖能力和地上茎叶的生物量累积,从而刺激了地下根系的发育。所以,增加草坪密度、加快生物量积累是提高结缕草竞争力的有效途径。     

高温冲击对受丝茅入侵的细叶结缕草现实和潜在竞争力的影响

针对亚热带地区丝茅入侵造成暖季型草坪退化的问题,模拟了40、42、44℃夏季高温条件,对取代试验设计形成的5个丝茅入侵的细叶结缕草草坪进行连续30d(2h·d^-1)的高温冲击处理,测定丝茅和结缕草的地下和地上相对产量、相对产量总和、攻击力、竞争平衡指数等现实竞争参数,通过株高、分蘖数、叶面积、叶绿素和生理活性物质含量等指标,分析丝茅和结缕草的光合同化、再生能力和抗性生理等后续生长物质基础,研究高温冲击对不同入侵比例的丝茅和结缕草的现实和潜在竞争力影响。结果表明:1)高温冲击引起结缕草地上与地下相对产量的平衡性下降,丝茅表现为地上与地下均衡性降低,高温冲击增加了两种植物地上部分的拮抗作用,丝茅侵入量比高温冲击对结缕草相对产量的影响更大,≥30%侵入量与高温协同作用使结缕草地上与地下相对产量急剧下降。2)42℃时结缕草地上和地下攻击力指数及地上和地下竞争平衡指数最大,>42℃时结缕草攻击力和竞争平衡指数降低(P<0.05),但丝茅的攻击力和竞争平衡指数则增加。仅40和42℃条件下,当侵入量≤20%时,结缕草地上竞争力占优势,其他温度和侵入量条件下,丝茅地上和地下攻击力大于结缕草,从而有利于丝茅入侵和拓展。3)高温冲击增加了丝茅的株高和分蘖数,>42℃高温限制了结缕草的分蘖数,≥30%丝茅侵入量抑制结缕草分蘖而促进株高(P<0.05);高温冲击降低了结缕草叶片数和叶面积,增加了丝茅叶片数和叶面积,≥10%丝茅侵入量降低了结缕草叶面积,≥30%侵入量降低了结缕草叶片厚度和叶片数。4)高温冲击和丝茅入侵对结缕草叶绿素含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸(Pro)含量存在显著影响,结缕草生理反应比丝茅更易受到高温冲击的影响。5)高温冲击对结缕草形态、生理、相对产量及攻击力的影响大于丝茅,丝茅入侵对结缕草造成显著危害,高温和丝茅侵入量的协同作用,降低了结缕草的攻击力和竞争平衡指数等现实竞争力,限制了结缕草分蘖、光合及抗性物质等潜在竞争力。因此,控制丝茅侵入量≤20%是夏季结缕草草坪养护的基本要求。     

不同修剪频次和丝茅入侵量对细叶结缕草 竞争力和草坪质量的影响

针对亚热带地区暖季型草坪夏季易受丝茅入侵影响的问题,通过设置4个修剪频次(0~3次·月^-1),对取代试验设计形成的5个丝茅侵入量(10%、20%、30%、40%、50%)的细叶结缕草草坪,进行留茬高度7 cm,连续3个月修剪处理后,测定丝茅和结缕草地下和地上相对产量、相对产量和、攻击力、竞争平衡指数等竞争参数,分析丝茅和结缕草的株高、分蘖数、叶数、生物量和根茎比等生长参数,以密度、质地、叶色、均一性、草层高度和生物量等指标对草坪质量进行综合评定,研究修剪频次对不同丝茅侵入量下结缕草竞争力、单株生长及草坪质量的影响。结果表明:1)修剪频次对丝茅和结缕草的地上和地下竞争参数产生显著影响(P<0.05),修剪增加了两种植物地上部分的拮抗作用,2~3次·月^-1修剪则降低了地下部分的拮抗作用。2)结缕草地上部分受修剪频次和丝茅比例的影响大于地下部分,1次·月^-1修剪可提高结缕草地上竞争力,2次·月^-1修剪可提高其地下竞争力,修剪频次和侵入量协同作用增加了丝茅对结缕草的根系攻击力。3)修剪频次和侵入量对丝茅和结缕草的后续生长产生显著影响(P<0.05),1~2次·月^-1修剪增加了两种植物的分蘖数和叶片数,2次·月^-1修剪下结缕草的分蘖数和叶片数增加约40%,丝茅比例≥10%下结缕草生物量降低,≥20%下结缕草分蘖减少,≥30%下结缕草株高增加而叶数减少,修剪频次是影响结缕草株高、分蘖数、叶片数和根茎比的主要因子,丝茅侵入量主要影响结缕草的单株生物量。4)修剪频次主要影响草坪的密度、高度和生物量,丝茅比例主要影响草坪的质地、叶色和均一性(P<0.05),≤10%丝茅比例和2次·月^-1修剪下草坪综合质量高于其他处理,草坪质量主要受修剪频次影响,丝茅比例影响次之。5)1~2次·月^-1修剪可显著提高受丝茅入侵的细叶结缕草的地上或地下竞争力,促进结缕草分蘖形成,降低草坪高度,提升草坪密度和质地,但修剪无法改变结缕草相对丝茅地上、地下竞争力弱的特点,故控制丝茅侵入量≤10%和2次·月^-1修剪是夏季结缕草草坪养护的基本要求。     

坡向对3种冷季型草坪草表观性状及叶绿素含量的影响

以3个坡向的冷季型混播护坡草坪为研究对象,分别于幼坪期、成坪期、建成1年后,通过测定高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)、黑麦草(Lolium perenne)和草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)密度、高度、盖度、茎叶性状及叶绿素含量,分析坡向对3种草坪草生长及表观性状影响的差异。结果表明:1)坡向对3个时期3种草的株高、密度和盖度均有显著影响(P0.05),且随时间推移影响越来越大。2)坡向对幼坪期草坪群落密度有极显著影响(P0.01),对成坪期和建成1年后草坪群落总盖度和密度均有极显著影响(P0.01),受影响时期大小顺序为成坪期建成1年后幼坪期,受影响坡向大小顺序为半阴坡(EN)阴坡(WN)阳坡(WS)。3)坡向对3种草叶面积、根冠比有显著影响(P0.05),对根长、分蘖数有极显著影响(P0.01),坡向与草种互作(AS×S)仅对根长有显著影响。4)坡向对3种草Chl a、Chl b、Chl(a+b)有极显著影响(P0.01),对Chl a/b有显著影响(P0.05);坡向与草种互作对Chl a、Chl b、Chl(a+b)有极显著影响(P0.01),而对Chl a/b无影响(P0.05)。5)高羊茅在3个坡向草坪生长良好,黑麦草仅在阴坡表现较好,草地早熟禾在3个坡向生长均较差。所以,边坡草坪建植时,要依据坡向微环境进行草种与建植养护技术的选择,以提高草坪的生态效益与景观价值。     

不同光强对4种草坪草类胡萝卜素的影响

为明确不同光照强度对不同遗传背景的草种体内的色素比值的影响,设33%,66%,100%正常光强3个光强梯度处理沿阶草(Othiopogon japanicus)、高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Shreb.cv.ruby)、崂峪苔草(Carex giraldiana)和紫羊茅(Festuca vubra L.cv.boreal)草坪草,采用高效液相色谱仪和Waters Spherisorb ODS-2 columns封口色谱柱,测定各草种色素的相对含量,并比较叶绿素a/b(Chla/Chlb)、黄体素/叶黄素库(L/V)、α-胡萝卜素及其衍生物/β-胡萝卜素及其衍生物(αC/βC)和类胡萝卜素/叶绿素(Car/Chl)。结果表明:随着光照强度的减弱,4种植物体内的Chla/Chlb比值在逐渐减少,αC/βC比值反而增加,Chla/Chlb,L/V,Car/Chl在4草种间差异不显著,αC/βC比值在不同遮荫强度下各草种间差异显著(P<0.05),沿阶草的比值最低,紫羊茅的最高,因此可将α-胡萝卜素及其衍生物/β-胡萝卜素及其衍生物的比值作为植物耐荫性的指标。     

丝茅入侵对高羊茅根系及土壤性状的影响

针对南方地区丝茅(Imperata koenigii (Retz.) P. Beauv.)入侵对冷季型草坪造成严重危害的实践生产问题,通过模拟高羊茅(Festuca arundiacea L.)草坪建植时丝茅入侵形成的混生群落,连续测定群落中根长密度、根干重密度和根体积密度等根系性状指标,土壤容重、土壤含水量及pH等土壤性状指标,分析丝茅入侵对高羊茅草坪根系及土壤性状影响的动态变化。结果表明:丝茅入侵对高羊茅草坪根长密度、根干重密度和根体积密度均有极显著影响(P<0.01);丝茅入侵60 d起影响根长密度,90 d起影响根干重密度,150 d起影响根体积密度;侵入持续时间对高羊茅根系指标影响排序为根体积密度>根干重密度>根长密度;丝茅对草坪分层土壤的含水量、容重和pH均有极显著影响(P<0.01);入侵60 d起首先影响高羊茅根系主要分布的10~20 cm层的土壤性状,影响逐渐向上、向下扩展;持续时间对土壤性状的影响排序为土壤含水量>容重>pH;丝茅入侵使高羊茅根系分生和更新能力下降,使其根系分布土壤层的含水量降低、透气性变差、酸度增高,从而降低高羊茅根系活性与吸收能力,使其竞争力降低而逐渐退化。本试验结果将为草坪中丝茅的防治提供基础数据。     

暖季型结缕草对低温响应的生理生态特性

以沟叶结缕草和结缕草为材料,测定了两种结缕草在低温胁迫下叶片主要抗性生理指标及其内源激素的变化,结果表明:在低温胁迫下,两种结缕草叶片可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸含量都显著增加,叶片SOD、POD和CAT三种酶活性和MDA含量都有不同程度增强或增加.其中沟叶结缕草叶片可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量及SoD和CAT值增幅均大于结缕草,表现出更强的生长优势;低温对两种结缕草叶片的类胡萝卜素(Car)含量,叶绿素a (Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)以及Chla/Chlb的比值也产生了较大的影响.在低温胁迫下,两种结缕草叶片内ABA含量增加,GA3含量下降,抑制类激素ABA含量与促进类激素GA3、IAA和ZR含量总和的比值升高,IAA和ZR含量则表现为10℃时增加,O℃时减少.     

草坪抗逆增绿剂对细叶结缕草抗寒性的影响

以细叶结缕草（Zoysia tenuifolia）为材料，研究自然降温过程中施用草坪抗逆增绿剂对草坪草生长和叶绿素含量、CAT、SOD、POD和PAL活性的影响。结果表明，自然降温过程中施用草坪抗逆增绿剂后，在恢复生长期草坪草叶绿素含量，CAT和POD 酶活性升高，而SOD、PAL酶活性无变化。 降温前、降温后施用草坪抗逆增绿剂可使叶片CAT、POD酶活性升高，与对照之间差异显著（P<0.05），尤其是降温前施用效果更佳。因此，在自然降温前施用草坪抗逆增绿剂可有效增强CAT、POD酶活性及其对生物体活性氧的清除能力、增加叶绿素含量、提高草坪草抗寒性和观赏性。     

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.     

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     

Evaluation of the Microbiological Status of Milk and Various Structures in Mammary Glands from Naturally Infected Dairy Cows

A knowledge of the microbiological status of milk and of the different structures in the mammary glands has great importance in elucidating the pathogenesis of mammary gland infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological status of various structures in the mammary glands from naturally infected dairy cows following slaughter. A total of 94 samples of milk, 184 samples of mammary parenchyma, 168 samples of gland cisterns, and 168 samples of teat cisterns were collected for microbiological examination. Microorganisms were detected in 59.9% of all samples, 67.0% of the milk samples, 70.1% of the mammary parenchymas, 55.9% of the gland cisterns and 48.8% of the teat cistern samples. When all samples were considered, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were the most prevalent (35.7%) followed by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (12.2%), Corynebacterium bovis (2.4%), Prototheca sp. (1.9%), and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (1.5%). There was a significantly higher occurrence of microorganisms in the milk and mammary parenchyma compared to the gland cisterns and teat cisterns. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Development and survival of free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats on pasture in the Nigerian derived savanna

Four grass plots were sequentially contaminated with goat faeces containing known numbers of unembryonated eggs of predominantly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. between October 1982 and April 1983. Four other plots were similarly contaminated with sheep faeces between February and May 1987. An additional plot was repeatedly contaminated with sheep faeces from February to April 1987. Populations of free-living stages in faeces and of infective larvae (L₃) in the herbage were subsequently monitored until the end of April and June of 1983 and 1987 respectively. During February and May 1987 two control cultures of sheep faeces were incubated in the laboratory at 25°C–30°C and at a constant temperature of 50°C and the free-living development was also monitored. L₃ developed very readily in the faeces cultured at 25°C–30°C and in those spread on a grass plot in October, at the end of the wet season, but developed less on the plot contaminated in May at the start of the wet season. Worm eggs in faeces deposited on plots during the hot dry season (December to April) or incubated at 50°C died and disintegrated after 24–48 h exposure to the high environmental temperatures. The results indicate that it is unlikely that gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats can develop or survive on open pasture during the dry season in the Nigerian derived savanna zone.