奶牛刻板行为的成因及机制研究进展

奶牛刻板行为是一系列重复的、没有明显功能的行为活动,可以看作是自然行为无法正常表达或受到应激时出现的替代活动,是福利水平低的表现.刻板行为的发生与动物机体稳态失衡、情感状况消极低下或自身疾病息息相关.本文综述了奶牛刻板行为的特征、发生的原因及其机理,为相关领域研究和生产应用提供参考.     

犊牛的养护(六)

接本刊2012年第1期14犊牛的管理奶牛在面临危险状况时,会非条件反射地产生自我保护行为。这些行为中,有些形式是刻板而不易改变的,有些是可以通过经历或熟悉后而     

夏季奶牛行为学观察

奶牛的行为与其健康状态、所处环境舒适度等有着密不可分的关系。在夏季热应激条件下,它们的很多表现、行为会告诉饲养者它是否舒适。本文主要针对这些行为特征展开论述,力求能及时有效地评估、提高热应激状态下奶牛的舒适度,保证奶牛安全健康度过夏季。     

奶牛的行为模式分析及对生产的指导意义

每种动物都有其特定的行为习性,奶牛也不例外。搞好奶牛养殖的前提是养牛者应充分了解奶牛的正常行为特点,并尽量遵从其行为习性,尽量创造一个适合奶牛生活的环境。本文介绍和分析了奶牛的采食行为、排泄行为、寻找庇护行为、探究行为、性行为、动机争胜性行为、护仔行为和寻求保护行为等。     

应用气味丰容减少圈养华南虎（Panthera tigris amoyensis）的刻板行为

2012年3～7月,对上海动物园2只雄性华南虎的刻板行为特征进行总结和分析,并开展同种其他个体的气味丰容,旨在减少圈养华南虎的刻板行为.华南虎的刻板行为主要出现在外展区4个区域,分别位于外展区的水池边、饲料投喂口、动物串门,室内笼舍.主要表现为重复性踱步,整体形状为“8”字形或者直线;华南虎的刻板行为主要发生于早晨（7：00～8：00）、傍晚（16：00～18：00）.气味丰容前后,华南虎的昼间行为的整体分配出现显著性差异（P＜0.05）,其中刻板行为的发生频率显著降低（P＜0.05）;活动行为的发生频率显著提升（P＜0.05）,标记行为显著增加（P＜0.05）;站立行为、卧息行为及睡眠行为减少,其他行为（如嗅闻和探索）增加,但均无显著差异（P＞0.05）.     

奶牛的行为及其在生产中的利用

奶牛的行为是科学饲养管理的基础。从事奶牛生产者应该了解在自然的或饲养的环境中,奶牛的正常或异常行为及其本质,并利用和顺应其行为的特点,改善饲养管理,以期获得最佳的生产效果。下面概略地介绍一下同生产联系较密切的奶牛行为表现,及生产中从行为学角度应注意的问题。 1 奶牛的结群行为奶牛祖先的结群行为比较发达,在野生条件下自发地组成一个以母牛为主体的“母性群体”。现代化的生产中,人为组成的“同质”群代替了自     

多重丰容对圈养小熊猫个体刻板行为的影响

小熊猫(Ailurus fulgens)是亚洲特有的濒危动物。由于圈养小熊猫活动空间受限、环境单调等因素,时常有刻板行为表现。本研究依据小熊猫自然行为特性及动物福利要求,以环境、食物、气味等因素进行多重丰容,观察频繁出现刻板行为的2只圈养小熊猫个体的行为修正效果。应用聚集动物取样法,从9:00到17:00,全事件记录并观察小熊猫行为。观察发现,受试小熊猫主要表现摇晃与踱步两种刻板行为。通过丰容前与三个阶段的丰容后刻板行为发生率比较,丰容后的刻板行为均显著低于丰容前,而探究行为和修饰行为有所增加。由此可见,多重丰容可以减少圈养小熊猫刻板行为的发生,促进自然行为的表达。     

奶牛摄食行为学在营养性管理中的有效应用

将奶牛摄食行为学应用于奶牛营养性生产管理是提高其临床健康、福利和经济效益的有效方法。首先对奶牛正常行为特征及平均每日行为活动所占时间的分布进行了总结,随后讨论了奶牛饲养中现实条件及管理操作(如:竞争性环境,牛群密度、分组方案等)对其采食行为产生影响;并对利用摄食行为预测围产期疾病的最新研究成果进行了阐述和探讨。相关学者及饲养人员在科研生产中需更有效地利用摄食行为学相关知识,以促进奶牛健康,提高奶牛福利及实际生产效益。建议今后在营养学相关领域的研究能进一步地深入了解奶牛的摄食行为,并加以合理应用,从而满足生产的需要。     

食物丰容对圈养猩猩行为的影响研究

试验以重庆动物园饲养的3只婆罗洲猩猩为研究对象,观察食物丰容对猩猩行为的影响。结果:(1)食物丰容使成年雄性猩猩的休息、玩耍、刻板行为占比分别下降8.34、1.05、5.21个百分点,休息、刻板行为下降幅度分别为30%、23%,玩耍行为变化不大;摄食、运动、探索、好奇行为占比分别上升1.04、8.33、5.21、1.04个百分点,运动行为增加幅度为53%,探索行为由无到有增加到5%,而摄食行为和好奇行为变化不大。(2)雄性亚成年猩猩的休息、运动、好奇、社群、刻板行为占比分别下降3.12、3.13、2.09、5.20、3.12个百分点,刻板行为下降幅度为37%;摄食、玩耍、探索行为占比分别上升2.08、6.25、9.37个百分点,其中探索行为增加幅度达225%。(3)雌性亚成年猩猩的休息、运动、社群、刻板行为占比分别下降2.08、4.16、5.20、3.13个百分点,刻板行为下降幅度为30%;摄食、玩耍、探索、好奇行为占比分别上升4.17、5.21、5.21、1.05个百分点,其中探索行为增加幅度为250%。结论:食物丰容恢复了圈养猩猩的多种野外自然行为,可减少刻板行为的发生,增加摄食、玩耍、探索、好奇行为,有利于圈养猩猩的身心健康。     

金钱豹采食前后行为研究

为恢复并提高笼养金钱豹的野性和兽性，使其不至于丧失在野外生存的能力，对广州动物园试验场的4只金钱豹进行了为期近2个月的采食过程行为观察。结果表明，笼养金钱豹的年龄越大，越常表现出一系列的刻板行为，这种行为在采食前表现更为突出。而采食活体动物能有效地减少刻板行为的发生，并提高其野性和兽性。     

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.     

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