Stress and fear as possible mediators of reproduction problems in group housed sows: a review

The number of herds with group housed non-lactating sows is increasing rapidly in Europe as a consequence of changed legislation initiated by elevated public concern for animal welfare. However, lower litter size and pregnancy rate in group housed compared to individually housed non-lactating sows has been observed in several on-farm studies. Based upon existing knowledge, it is considered whether stress and fear caused by social interactions are possible mediators of impaired reproduction in group housed sows. A review of 15 experiments with group housed sows showed that although the results are few and inconsistent, there are indications that stress and fear may be contributory reasons for the impaired reproduction seen in group housed sows and that possible initiators of stress and fear might be the mixing of unfamiliar sows and high stocking rate levels. A suggestion for indicators of stress and fear related reproduction problems suitable for use in practice are put forward.     

应用生物技术提高黄牛双犊率试验报告

本文通过对低剂量PMSG、FSH、AI ET鲜胚移植和冻胚移植的试验,得出应用三种激素试验结果。FSH试验组受胎率、双犊率分别比低剂量PMSG试验组提高4％和6．6％,比PMSG试验提高4％和8．6％。AI ET试验组双犊率高2％,比冻胚移植双犊率高8％。     

Review of hypoxaemia in anaesthetized horses: predisposing factors,consequences and management

Objective

To discuss how hypoxaemia might be harmful and why horses are particularly predisposed to developing it, to review the strategies that are used to manage hypoxaemia in anaesthetized horses, and to describe how successful these strategies are and the adverse effects associated with them.

Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: The case definition for an unrecognised cause of abortion in mares

A series of abortions occurred in mares in New South Wales during 2004 that involved similar and unusual findings on post mortem examination of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes. The term Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL) was developed to describe the condition. This form of abortion had not been previously recognised in Australia. The pathology alone is not specific for EAFL and diagnosis requires demonstration of a combination of certain pathological and bacteriological features. The purpose of this paper is to describe patterns considered consistent with EAFL cases as a working case definition for use by veterinarians and veterinary pathologists in identifying future cases of EAFL. More detailed papers are in preparation to fully describe the epidemiological, histopathological, and microbiological aspects of EAFL.     

高海拔地区鸡胚发育关键因素研究

对藏鸡(T)、饲养在北京的藏鸡(TB)、矮小隐性白(D)、农大小型蛋鸡商品代种蛋(M)、寿光鸡(S)、藏鸡×矮小隐性白(TD)、藏鸡×寿光鸡(TS)7组种蛋在西藏林芝进行孵化研究,通过阶段死亡率、出雏率、失水率数据分析了影响高海拔地区胚胎发育的关键因素。结果表明胚胎本身的高原生活力是鸡蛋高海拔孵化主要因素,其次是蛋壳传导力。     

采用深部输精与常规输精研究不同剂量和有效精子数对经产母猪繁殖力的影响

为探讨不同输精剂量与不同有效精子数对经产母猪繁殖力的影响,使用深部输精和常规输精作为主要配种方式。将发情母猪随机分为2组,A组为深部输精组(n=60),B组为常规输精组(n=60)。对A、B组内母猪分别用不同的输精剂量(Ⅰ:30亿/80 mL、Ⅱ:15亿/80 mL、Ⅲ:15亿/40 mL;n=20)进行输精。结果表明:与常规输精相比,深部输精组的受胎率和分娩率分别为93.33%和88.33%,略高于常规输精组的86.67%和83.33%,但差异不显著(P>0.05);但深部输精可显著提高经产母猪的产仔数和产活仔数,分别提高1.07头和1.15头。无论是深部输精还是常规输精,15亿/80 mL的输精量,均可获得与30亿/80 mL输精量一致的产仔效果,这一结果可以使优秀种公猪的利用率提高1倍,降低了最新国标《GB23238-2009》中对外种猪输精剂量的要求,建议扩大实验并推广使用。     

European outbreak of atypical myopathy in the autumn 2009

Background – Atypical myopathy is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak occurred in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described. Key Findings – The survival rate in this outbreak was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congested mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, sweating, and myoglobinuria. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic factors, symptomatic treatment, and preventive measures are discussed. Significance – Differences were encountered during the described outbreak of atypical myopathy in October 2009 compared with previous outbreaks reported. Equine practitioners should be aware that previous epidemiological studies have shown that after a high prevalence in the autumn, new cases are likely to occur in the following spring.     

The Efficacy of the Vaginal Plug Formation after Mating for Pregnancy Diagnosis,and Embyonic Resorption In Utero in the Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus,Temminck)

The efficacy of the detection of vaginal plug formation after mating for pregnancy diagnosis, and the degree of embryonic resorption were studied in 67 wild greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) at Esiam in the Ekumfi District, Ghana, over a period of 3 months. Vaginal plug formation was first observed on day 59 of gestation, and could be used for pregnancy diagnosis on or after that date. However, the vaginal orifice subsequently opened a couple of times prior to day 105 of gestation and further checks for pregnancy after day 59 of gestation are suggested. Animals with unplugged vaginas 105 days after mating could, however, be considered as not pregnant. The mean (±SE) number of implantation sites and litter size in the greater cane rat were 7.2±0.18 and 3.4±0.29, respectively, the embryonic resorption rate being 42.7±6.66%. The significant positive correlation between the number of implanted embryos and the bled-out carcase weight suggests a positive role of maternal nutrition in increasing the litter size in the greater cane rat. The incidence of post-partum oestrus during the study period was 42.1%, which suggests that the greater cane rat can be re-bred immediately after parturition.     

种母猪淘汰率的调查报告

对桌猪场的母猪淘汰率、淘汰原因和疾病进行了调查,并提出了降低生产母猪死淘率的措施.研究发现,该猪场的种猪场的淘汰率较高,达到56.56%,商品一场的母猪淘汰率为47.83%,商品二场的母猪淘汰率为41.63%.母猪淘汰的原因主要是屡配不孕、久不发情、蹄病瘫痪、年龄过老、子宫炎等.     

Birth of live triplets in a mare

An 11‐year‐old American Buckskin mare gave birth to live triplets unattended at approximately 300 days gestation. All foals were small and dysmature, requiring intensive care. The smallest foal died 4 days after admission, the second was subjected to euthanasia 24 days after admission due to poor healing of a third metatarsal fracture. The remaining foal survived to discharge and was considered small but otherwise normal at age one year.