Flow-mediated K+ secretion in horses intoxicated with lolitrem B (perennial ryegrass staggers)

AIM: To investigate the effects of lolitrem B intoxication on renal K⁺ secretion in response to increased tubular flow rates.

METHODS: Results are derived from a repeated measure pilot study of seven horses fed non-perennial ryegrass feed for a week prior to exposing them to perennial ryegrass seed and hay that contained an average of 2 ppm lolitrem B. At the end of the control and treatment period frusemide (1 mg/kg I/V) was administered and serial fractional excretion of K⁺(FEK⁺) and fractional excretion of Na⁺(FENa⁺) calculated. Baseline concentration of aldosterone in plasma, serum K⁺concentration and feed K⁺ concentration were also compared.

RESULTS: Key findings included a reduced change in FEK⁺ from 0 to 15 minutes in response to frusemide administration (p=0.022, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and a reduced baseline concentration of aldosterone in plasma (p=0.022, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) during the treatment period compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that lolitrem B intoxication reduced flow-mediated K⁺ secretion and interfered with aldosterone production or secretion. However, further investigation is required to validate these findings and to further elucidate the underlying pathophysiology.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lolitrem B intoxication in horses may cause disruption to electrolyte handling in addition to neurological deficits.     

Utilisation of N in perennial ryegrass cultivars by stall-fed lactating dairy cows

In the summers of 2000 and 2001, the effect of six diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars on the N utilisation by 12 high productive dairy cows was determined. Experiments were conducted according to a double 3 × 3 Latin square design; within each Latin square, three cultivars were fed to six cows during three periods of 2 weeks each. Two cultivars had a higher water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content than the other cultivars in both years. A higher WSC content was more compensated by a lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content than by a lower crude protein content. In both years, dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production (MP) varied only slightly among cultivars and no differences among cultivars were found in the excretion of N in milk (in g/day and as % of N intake). Furthermore, cows fed the two cultivars with elevated WSC content had a lower N intake and this was associated with a lower milk urea N content and urinary N excretion. The small differences in chemical composition among cultivars did not result in significant differences in DMI, MP and N utilisation in dairy cows fed indoors. The results suggest that there is little scope to improve N utilisation of dairy cows at high N fertilization levels by breeding new cultivars.     

pp333对多年生黑麦草营养生长及结实性能的影响

采用单因素随机区组设计,研究了草坪型多年生黑麦草(LoliumperenneL.)在春季返青期施用多效唑(paclobuturazal,pp333)对其营养生长和结实性能的影响。结果表明,多效唑能有效地抑制多年生黑麦草的植株高度,增强抗倒伏能力,减少种子败育,提高结实率,增加有效分蘖,缩短叶片长度,改变生长格局;穗长和千粒重降低,落粒率降低10%,种子产量提高13 9%。     

Suspected ivermectin toxicosis in a miniature mule foal causing blindness

A 9-week-old miniature mule foal presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for acute blindness, ataxia, and depression following an overdose of an over-the-counter ivermectin-based de-worming medication. Ophthalmic examination and electrodiagnostic evaluation eliminated outer retinal abnormalities as the primary cause of the bilateral blindness, implicating instead a central neurologic effect of the drug. With symptomatic and supportive care, the foal recovered fully and regained its vision.     

6个多年生黑麦草品种的交播性状比较

对6个多年生黑麦草Lolium perenne品种在南京地区进行田间建坪试验,分别对出苗速度、草坪密度、叶片宽度、再生速度、SPAD值、死枯率和表观质量进行观测。结果表明,6个品种在春秋冬季均表现出良好的适应性,出苗迅速,成坪快,草坪质量较高。随着夏季高温季节来临,各供试品种的密度减小、叶宽变窄、再生速度减慢、表观质量下降,其中火炬、富豪5号叶片细腻,成坪快,在春秋冬季综合质量较高而进入夏季后枯死较早且死亡时间一致,适宜于南京及同类气候地区草坪的交播。     

坪用多年生黑麦草在成都的引种适应性研究

研究了 16个多年生黑麦草草坪草新品种的引种适应性 ,结果表明 :16个黑麦草品种基本上均能适应成都地区 ,绿期达 36 5d;冬春季草坪质地较好 ,各项评分得分较高 ,但夏季表现枯草层多 ,草坪密度变稀 ;从总体表现来讲 ,Top hat、Barusa94 - 11、Pinnaele表现较其它品种优 ;从色泽上看 ,Top hat、Barusa94 - 11、J6 1PR2 76得分较高。     

石漠化旱地施用改良剂对黑麦草生长的影响

为研究石漠化区旱地施用改良剂对多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)生长、返青及增产效果的影响,进行外源添加牛粪炭、蚯蚓粪、保水剂、长效有机复合肥和秸秆粉等改良剂的盆栽试验。结果表明,出苗生长期,与对照比较,施用蚯蚓粪处理的黑麦草出苗时间缩短50.00%,出苗率和分蘖数(60 d)分别提高了46.24%和46.34%,且都优于其他改良剂处理。添加复合肥对黑麦草的株高和单株鲜重增加量最大。返青恢复生长期,添加秸秆粉处理的返青时间、株高、鲜重和分蘖数等指标表现最好。本研究得出,施用不同改良剂对黑麦草生长适应性的提高效果为蚯蚓粪复合肥、牛粪炭、保水剂CK秸秆粉,返青恢复性为秸秆粉复合肥、蚯蚓粪、保水剂CK牛粪炭。因此,施加改良剂可促进多年生黑麦草生长。     

Age‐dependent baseline values of faecal cortisol metabolites in the American mink (Neovison vison) under semi‐natural housing conditions

The welfare of an animal is ensured if it is able to fully satisfy its essential species‐typical needs in all functional aspects of behaviour. In mink, stereotypies and apathy, internal and/or external injuries as well as increased susceptibility to disease have been known to occur as a result of chronic stress. The non‐invasive method of analysing faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) allows conclusions to be drawn about the stress level in the respective housing system. The objective of this study is to find out how the cortisol metabolites content in the faecal changes with increasing age of the mink under semi‐natural housing conditions. Thus, 40 American mink (Neovison vison) were housed in two outdoor enclosures imitating natural conditions. Throughout the entire study (13th to 32nd week of life), faecal samples were collected to measure cortisol metabolites. No differences in FCM concentrations between the two outdoor enclosures were found. In the young mink lower, less fluctuating FCM levels were found than in older animals. After the first faecal collection in the 13th/14th week of life, the level of metabolites decreased slightly (p = 0.032; 17th/18th week). From the 22nd/23rd week onwards until the 30th/31st week, shortly before the animals were pelted, continuously increasing concentrations were then measured. Increasing FCM levels with advancing age of the animals are probably attributable to the onset of sexual maturity and/or the respective season. This has to be taken into account in future studies using this method for assessing welfare and when comparing different mink housing systems.     

多年生黑麦草LpGCS基因克隆及其在烟草中的初步功能验证

本研究以多年生黑麦草‘高帽2号’叶片为试材,根据同源基因的CDS序列设计简并引物,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,克隆了多年生黑麦草γ-谷氨酰基半胱氨酸合成酶基因LpGCS。该基因全长为1674 bp(GenBank登录号:KJ551844),具有完整的开放阅读框(ORF),共1125 bp;对其氨基酸序列特性、结构以及与其他8种同源基因氨基酸序列间的同源性进行了研究,预测该蛋白分子量为42.86 kDa,属于不稳定类蛋白质,其蛋白质二级结构以α-螺旋为主;蛋白质氨基酸序列与其他8种同源基因氨基酸序列间同源性都比较高;此外,成功构建了该基因的正、反义植物表达载体pCAMBIA-Ubi-LpGCS+和pCAMBIA-Ubi-LpGCS-,并通过农杆菌介导法获得转正、反义基因烟草。对转基因植株和野生型烟草进行镉离子胁迫试验,生理生化指标测试结果表明镉离子胁迫处理10 d后,转LpGCS+植株中MDA含量低于野生型,光合色素含量与POD、SOD、CAT活性均高于野生型;而转LpGCS-植株中MDA含量高于野生型,光合色素含量与POD、SOD、CAT活性均低于野生型。综上所述,LpGCS基因在烟草中的过量表达可以提高植株的耐镉胁迫能力,为进一步利用该基因转化多年生黑麦草培育抗重金属植株奠定基础。     

高温胁迫对黑麦草生长及生理代谢的影响

以两个耐热性差异较大的多年生黑麦草品种首相(Premier,耐热性强)和顶峰(Pinnacle,耐热性弱)为试验材料,分析了人工模拟昼夜温度为适温(25 ℃/20 ℃)和高温(35 ℃/30 ℃)两种温度条件下,高温胁迫对黑麦草生长、叶片细胞膜稳定性、叶绿素含量、光合作用、内源激素(ABA、IAA,GA₃和ZR)以及碳水化合物(可溶性糖、淀粉、果聚糖)代谢的影响。结果表明,高温胁迫条件下黑麦草生长减缓,叶片电导率升高,叶绿素含量和光合作用显著下降,内源激素脱落酸(ABA)含量升高,而生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA₃)和细胞分裂素(ZR)含量均下降,但是在耐热性强的品种中的变化程度均小于耐热性弱的品种;高温胁迫下碳水化合物中的可溶性糖含量随处理时间的延长呈先升高随后下降的趋势,淀粉含量在两个品种中均呈不同程度的下降,果聚糖含量在耐热性强的品种中升高,在耐热性弱的品种中先升高随后下降。高温胁迫下黑麦草叶片中积累或维持较高的内源激素(ABA、GA₃、IAA、ZR)和碳水化合物(可溶性糖和果聚糖)可能是耐热性较强的主要原因,这些内源激素或碳水化合物的积累或维持有助于黑麦草细胞内渗透平衡和细胞膜稳定性,保护光合器官免受损害以维持光合能力,延缓因高温和呼吸增强导致的叶片的枯黄衰老,从而提高了黑麦草的耐高温能力。     

北大营示范场黑麦草引种与品比试验研究

利用1998年2－11月在云南省北大营示范场引种的10个黑麦草品种的观测资料，统计分析了在高、中、低3种施肥水平下黑麦草的累计产量、月平均产量及其生长速度的变化规律，研究了影响产量的主导因子及其监测模型。结果表明，在10个品种中，伯生（Bison Intermdiate）及安巴瑟（Embassy）具有良好的生产性能。黑麦草产量主要受气候、土壤肥力及品种等因素的影响，其中测草盘高度、降水量、蒸发量、日照时数和牧草生长天数等5个因子，可以较好地模拟、评估黑麦草产量的变化动态。     

不同生育时期白三叶与黑麦草的化感作用研究

试验用分枝期,开花期和成熟期的白三叶品种海法以及分蘖期,孕穗期和成熟期的2个黑麦草品种顶峰、英斯派的根水浸提液处理,按照培养皿砂培的生物检测方法对白三叶和黑麦草的化感作用进行研究。结果表明:分枝期白三叶根浸体液对顶峰的发芽率具有显著的抑制作用,对顶峰苗长具有极显著抑制作用,抑制率分别为90.72%、48.61%;开花期白三叶根浸提液对顶峰及英斯派的发芽率、英斯派根长及顶峰根干重均具有极显著的抑制作用,抑制率分别为35.14%、36.17%、69.18%、68.34%,对英斯派的根干重具有显著的抑制作用,抑制率为49.52%;成熟期白三叶的根浸提液对3个受体的发芽率及根长均具有极显著的促进作用,分别比对照提高67.09%、54.21%、69.21%及93.08%、93.14%、93.04%,对顶峰的根干重具有极显著的促进作用,与对照相比提高了85.42%;顶峰及英斯派是他感作用大于自毒作用的黑麦草品种,且在分蘖期及孕穗期,黑麦草不同品种的根浸提液都显著的抑制了白三叶的干物重。     

土壤改良剂对多年生黑麦草生长的影响

采用4种土壤改良剂对黄河沿岸兰州段盐碱土壤进行改良,观察了改良土壤上多年生黑麦草的生长情况。结果表明,YNEC、康乐、圃园和绿能4种土壤改良剂各用量处理都能不同程度的促进多年生黑麦草的生长;在相同用量水平下,改良剂康乐可明显增加草层高度和植物量;4种改良剂都能促进多年生黑麦草的分蘖,分蘖数随改良剂施用量的增大呈增加趋势,其中改良剂康乐对分蘖的促进作用最为明显,改良剂圃园的效果相对较差;随改良剂施量的增加,各处理地上植物量增大,以2 kg/m2土壤改良剂地上植物量最大。     

多年生黑麦草LpPIL5基因特征分析及转录调控

光敏色素互作因子(PIFs)属于bHLH家族的一个亚家族,在植物光信号、激素信号传导和调控植物耐逆性等方面发挥重要作用。本研究从多年生黑麦草中克隆出一个PIF基因,其与拟南芥AtPIF5的亲缘关系最近,因此命名为LpPIL5-like(LpPIL5)。LpPIL5基因编码区序列(CDS)全长为1410 bp,具有5个外显子,编码470个氨基酸,具有典型的bHLH结构域和APB功能域,且其蛋白定位于细胞核。LpPIL5的启动子区域(1500 bp)具有ABRE、MBS和G-box等多种光、激素和逆境响应顺式作用元件。表达模式分析结果显示LpPIL5在叶片中表达量较高,而在根、茎、叶鞘等部位表达量较低。LpPIL5基因的表达受昼夜节律调控,且在光下的表达量显著高于黑暗。此外,聚乙二醇(PEG)、NaCl、CdCl₂和高温逆境及6-苄基腺嘌呤(6-BA)和脱落酸(ABA)等激素处理显著抑制了叶片中LpPIL5基因表达,而在根中,LpPIL5基因的相对表达量在处理的12 h后明显增加,处理24 h时,显著高于对照。     

Ergovaline does not alter the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B

AIM: To investigate a possible interaction between lolitrem B and ergovaline by comparing the incidence and severity of ryegrass staggers in sheep grazing ryegrass (Lolium perenne) containing lolitrem B or ryegrass containing both lolitrem B and ergovaline.

METHODS: Ninety lambs, aged approximately 6 months, were grazed on plots of perennial ryegrass infected with either AR98 endophyte (containing lolitrem B), standard endophyte (containing lolitrem B and ergovaline) or no endophyte, for up to 42 days from 2 February 2010. Ten lambs were grazed on three replicate plots per cultivar. Herbage samples were collected for alkaloid analysis and lambs were scored for ryegrass staggers (scores from 0–5) weekly during the study. Any animal which was scored ≥4 was removed from the study.

RESULTS: Concentrations of lolitrem B did not differ between AR98 and standard endophyte-infected pastures during the study period (p=0.26), and ergovaline was present only in standard endophyte pastures. Ryegrass staggers was observed in sheep grazing both the AR98 and standard endophyte plots, with median scores increasing in the third week of the study. Prior to the end of the 42-day grazing period, 22 and 17 animals were removed from the standard endophyte and AR98 plots, respectively, because their staggers scores were ≥4. The cumulative probability of lambs having scores ≥4 did not differ between animals grazing the two pasture types (p=0.41).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There was no evidence for ergovaline increasing the severity of ryegrass staggers induced by lolitrem B. In situations where the severity of ryegrass staggers appears to be greater than that predicted on the basis of concentrations of lolitrem B, the presence of other tremorgenic alkaloids should be investigated.     

甘露醇及AgNO_3对根癌农杆菌介导的多年生黑麦草遗传转化的影响

多年生黑麦草是优良的牧草和草坪草.农杆菌介导多年生黑麦草遗传转化非常困难.为了建立稳定的多年生黑麦草遗传转化体系,本研究以品种"多福"种子成熟胚为外植体诱导愈伤组织,携质粒pCAMBIA2301的根癌农杆菌EHA105介导,进行遗传转化.在预培养及共培养基中添加0.1 mol/L甘露醇或5 mg/L硝酸银,并分析了二者对转化的影响.经巴龙霉素筛选、PCR及GUS组织染色检测表明,共获得了转基因植株38株.添加O.1mol/L甘露醇或5 mg/L AgNO3或O.1 mol/L甘露醇+5 mg/L AgNO3,转化效率分别为对照的1.96,1.59和2.95倍.结果表明,在根癌农杆菌介导的多年生黑麦草愈伤组织遗传转化中,在预培养和共培养基中添加甘露醇或AgNO3能提高转化率,且当二者共同添加时可显著提高.     

Feeding strategies for small-scale dairy systems based on perennial (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis>) or annual (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium multiflorum</Emphasis>) ryegrass in the central highlands of Mexico

Small-scale dairying is an option for campesinos in Mexico. The costs of feeding are high and strategies based on quality forages are a priority. The performance, agronomic variables and feeding costs were evaluated for dairy cows continuously grazing perennial ryegrass–white clover for 9 h/day (PRG) or fed cut herbage from annual ryegrass for 8 weeks followed by 9 h/day for 6 weeks on a tethered rotational grazing pattern (ARG). All cows received 3 kg/day of an 18% crude protein (CP) concentrate. A 14-week split-plot on-farm experiment was designed with 10 cows from two participating farmers, and 1.5 ha per strategy. Milk yield was recorded weekly and milk composition, live weight and body condition score were recorded every 14 days. Net herbage accumulation was greater for ARG (8222 kg organic matter (OM)/ha) than for PRG (5915 kg OM/ha) (p < 0.05), with higher CP in PRG (p < 0.05). Milk yield was 19 kg/cow per day for PRG and 15.9 kg/cow per day for ARG (p > 0.05). Over 14 weeks, PRG produced 1422 kg more milk. There were no differences for live weight or condition score (p > 0.05), but linear regression shows a live weight gain of 0.200 kg/cow per day for PRG. Protein and fat content showed no differences (p > 0.05), but milk fat content in PRG was below standard. ARG had 60% higher costs, and margins were 38% higher in PRG. ARG has a place in rain-fed fields. The results provide viable options for improving these systems that may be suitable in their socio-economic context and their social and personal objectives.     

A discriminatory study of a pharmacokinetic model for intramuscular gentamicin in sheep

The resulting serum concentrations were measured in six ewes after intramuscular administration of 10 mg/kg of gentamicin. The model providing the best fit for the experimental data was determined both by linear regression analysis between the experimental and theoretical values and by means of the Minimum Akaike Information Criterion Estimation (MAICE) test.Linear regression analysis showed certain differences favouring the monocompartmental model although the advantage was not conclusive. The MAICE test, however, permitted a clear discrimination in favour of the same model. When linear regression analysis is not conclusive, the MAICE test represents a good alternative.