Study on the Nutritional-ecologic Environment of Fe,Cu,Mn,Zn and Se in Yili Summer Pasture of Xinjiang (Ⅱ)

This experiment objective was to study the Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se five kinds of trace element contents and change rule in the blood and wool of sheep pastured of different age and different gender, provide the basis for summer grazing sheep scientific supplementary feeding trace elements.At the altitudinal belt of 1 400 to 2 999 m of the summer pasture of the Karajon grassland (South slope) and Tangbula grassland (North slope) of Yili, Xinjiang, Chinese merino (Xinjiang type) sheep wool and sheep blood were collected, to determine their contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se for evaluating the nutritional-ecologic environment of trace elements of summer pasture of Yili.The results showed that the contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se in wool of grazing sheep wool were 520.70, 3.89, 30.16, 102.64 mg/kg and 41.18 μg/kg, respectively, in which the contents of the Cu and Se were lower than normal value by 48.3% and 79.9%, respectively, and that of Fe was higher by 603.4%.The contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se in blood were 357.05, 4.18, 0.25, 3.08 mg/L and 45.23 μg/L, respectively, in which the contents of the Cu and Se were lower than normal value by 29.9% and 73.9%, respectively, and that of Fe was higher by 95.5%.The contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se in the wool and blood were increased with the age.The blood contents of Zn and Se between male and female were extremely different.     

新疆伊犁夏牧场铁、铜、锰、锌、硒营养生态环境的研究(Ⅰ)

试验旨在研究新疆伊犁牧区土壤－牧草－水(溪流)中铁、铜、锰、锌、硒5种微量元素的含量、分布特征与相互关系,以评估新疆伊犁夏牧场微量元素的营养生态环境。在伊犁夏牧场卡拉卓恩(南坡)和唐布拉草地(北坡)海拔1400~2999 m垂直带,根据海拔分别采取土壤(n=75)、牧草(n=75)和溪水(n=75)样品,测定其铁、铜、锰、锌和硒含量。结果表明,伊犁夏牧场土壤中铁、铜、锰和锌平均含量分别为15 418.4、32.6、474.5和115.8 mg/kg,牧草中分别为446.0、7.8、85.7和41.9 mg/kg,土壤与牧草铁、铜、锰和锌含量的相关性(R²)分别为0.43、0.82、0.47和0.72,土壤和牧草中铁、铜、锰、锌含量随海拔变化规律不明显;溪水中不含以上4种元素;土壤和牧草中不含硒,溪水含硒极微量。由此说明,伊犁夏牧场铁元素过多,锌、锰基本适宜,铜缺乏,而硒则严重缺乏。     

新疆伊犁夏牧场铁、铜、锰、锌、硒营养生态环境的研究(Ⅱ)

本试验通过研究伊犁夏牧场不同年龄、不同性别绵羊羊毛与血液中铁、铜、锰、锌、硒5种微量元素的含量及变化规律,为夏季放牧绵羊科学补饲微量元素提供依据。选择在新疆伊犁夏牧场卡拉卓恩(南坡)和唐布拉草地(北坡)1 400~2 999 m垂直带放牧的中国美利奴羊(新疆型)羊毛和血液样品,测定其铁、铜、锰、锌和硒含量,并评估其微量元素的营养生态环境。结果表明,放牧绵羊羊毛铁、铜、锰、锌和硒含量分别为520.70、3.89、30.16、102.64 mg/kg和41.18 μg/kg,其中铜和硒分别低于正常值48.3%和79.7%,而铁高于正常值603.4%;血液中铁、铜、锰、锌和硒含量分别为357.05、4.18、0.25、3.08 mg/L和45.23 μg/L,其中铜、硒分别低于正常值29.9%和73.9%,而铁高于正常值95.5%。羊毛与血液中铁、铜、锰、锌、硒含量均随年龄而增加。不同性别绵羊间血液中锌、硒含量差异明显。     

Se、Cu、Zn、Fe微量元素缓释剂对奶牛生产性能的影响

在甘肃省的城关、伏龙坪、临泽、花庄奶牛场给2076头奶牛投服了含有Cu、Zn、Se、Fe四种元素的缓释剂。定期检测了奶牛体内的相关元素的变化情况，收集了投服奶牛的奶产量、受胎率、流产率的变化及其所产犊牛的成活情况等资料。结果表明，微量元素缓释剂对奶牛机体保持健康水平、减少疾病、提高生产性能有良好的作用。     

内蒙古锡林浩特地区土壤-牧草-家畜系统中Cu、Fe、Zn、Mn、Mg、Se六种元素含量的分析

对内蒙古锡林浩特地区土壤，牧草，家畜（羊）被毛中6种元素含量进行了测定。结果表明：土壤硒含量于缺乏的临界水平；尖草，羊草及针草中锌含量低于羊正常生长对锌的需求数量，兔毛草及羊草中的硒的含量很低，不能满足其正常生长需要，被毛中硒含量低于临界值，提示羊群缺硒。     

Study on the Polymorphisms of IGF-ⅠR Gene Alu Ⅰ Locus and Genetic Effect on Growth and Reproduction Traits in Bian Chicken

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 2 of insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ receptor (IGF-ⅠR) gene were detected by PCR-RFLP in Bian chicken,which was to find the correlation markers of growth and reproduction traits in Bian chicken.The results showed that AluⅠsite displayed polymorphic, and a G→A mutation at the position of the 376 bp in exon 2 was occurred. There were three genotypes (GG, GA and AA), the genotypes frequencies were 0.687, 0.296 and 0.017, respectively, GG genotype was the dominant genotype, the frequency of G allele was 0.835, which was the dominant allele. This site was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed that GG genotype had significantly higher body weight than those of GA genotype at the age of 8, 14, 16 and 18 weeks (P<0.05);The GG geno type had extremely significantly higher body weight at first egg than those of GA genotype (P<0.01),but it didn't mean that this locus could be used as a genetic marker for reproduction traits in Bian chicken. This results suggested that the AluⅠsite (G→A) in exon 2 of IGF-ⅠR gene could be used as a genetic marker for growth traits in Bian chicken.     

Reproduction and Development of the Released Przewalski’s Horses (Equus przewalskii) in Xinjiang,China

In China, the first Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii) group was released in Kalamaili Ungulate Protected Area in Xinjiang, in August 2001. The objective of this study was to investigate reproduction and development of released Przewalski’s horses in Xinjiang, China from 2002 to 2006. Twenty-four descendants were naturally born, average reproduction rate was 38.7%, and average survival rate of foals was 69.1% in this interim. Frequent alternation of the leading stallion and infertility in female horses due to environmental factors were main causes for the low reproduction rate. The infant mortality rate of released Przewalski’s horses was 25.0%, and 83.3% of death in infants was due to the leading stallion infanticide. The released Przewalski’s horses exhibited seasonal breeding, 70.8% of infants were born in May and June. The fertility rates were 8.3% in April and 37.5% in May, which were lower compared to those of the captive Przewalski’s horse groups (18.3% and 44.3%, respectively). Furthermore, the fertility rate in June was 33.3% and higher than the captive groups (18.3%). These findings showed that the breeding peak of the released Przewalski’s horse groups was later than the captive groups, and suggested that the altered survival environment and food supplies were the main reasons contributing to the delayed breeding peak.     

The Impact of Demographic,Social, and Environmental Factors on the Development of Steroid‐Responsive Meningitis‐Arteritis (SRMA) in the United Kingdom

Background

Steroid‐responsive meningitis‐arteritis (SRMA) is an inflammatory disease of dogs that is suspected to be immune‐mediated. The development of other immune‐mediated diseases has been linked to vaccinations, time of the year, geographic location, sex, neuter status, and breed.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To identify if the development of SRMA is associated with time of year, vaccination, geographic location, sex, neuter status, and breed.

Animals

Sixty SRMA cases and 180 controls, all ≤24 months of age and matched for year of presentation, from a referral hospital population in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control study with unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results

Beagles (P = .001), Border Collies (P = .001), Boxers (P = .032), Jack Russell Terriers (P = .001), Weimaraners (P = .048), and Whippets (P < .001) had significantly greater odds of developing SRMA in this population of dogs. Vaccination, time of year, geographic category, sex, and neuter status did not increase the odds of developing SRMA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Only breed increased the odds of developing SRMA. It would be prudent to investigate the genetics of the identified breeds to help elucidate the etiopathogenesis of SRMA.     

A Comparative Study on the Oestrous Response to PGF2α Analogue Treatment,and Conception Rates According to Time of Artificial Insemination,in Zebu (Bos indicus) and Baoulé (Bos taurus) Cattle

The oestrous response, interval and conception rates were studied after synchronization with a prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) and artificial insemination (AI) performed at different times in 50 Zebu (Bos indicus) and 83 Baoulé (Bos taurus) cattle indigenous to Burkina Faso. The overall proportion of cows responding to synchronization was 70% (93/133). Although the response was higher for the Baoulé cattle, at 73.5% (61/83), than for the Zebu, at 64% (32/50), the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean oestrous interval from treatment to the onset of oestrus (TOI) was shorter in the Zebu (54.1 h, SD 6.7) than in Baoulé (65.2 h, SD 12.9) cattle (p<0.001). Of the Zebu (n = 32) that responded, 65.7% presented oestrus over a period of 12 h ranging from 48 h to 60 h after treatment. For the Baoulé cows, the highest proportion of animals in oestrus over a period of 12 h was 41% between 60 h and 72 h after treatment. The frequency distribution of onset of the oestrus indicated that up to 64.5% of the Zebu and 79.5% of the Baoulé cattle showed onset of oestrus during the daytime. For Zebu and Baoulé cows inseminated 13 h or 18 h after the onset of oestrus, conception rates were 56% and 57% (p>0.05) and 33% and 64% (p<0.05), respectively. Based on these findings, it appears that the oestrous response to synchronization was adequate for both Zebu and Baoulé cattle and that the time to onset of oestrus varied according to genotype. It was also concluded that conception rates were satisfactory for both genotypes but that, for Baoulé cattle, AI performed 18 h after oestrus significantly increased conception rates compared to AI at 13 h after oestrus.     

The effect of tick infestation on the serum concentrations of the cardiac biomarker troponin I, acid–base balance and haematobiochemical profiles in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in camels with tick infestation as a marker of potential myocardial injury and its prognostication. The effects of acid–base and electrolyte balance and haematobiochemical profiles were also investigated. Twenty-three camels (Camelus dromedarius) with tick infestation and suffering from anorexia, incoordination of movement, unsteady gait, recumbency, opisthotonus, anaemia and reduced production were examined. Ticks were visible, deeply embedded in the skin over the whole body, especially under the neck and around the udder or testis. Of the camels, 15 recovered after treatment and 8 did not. Blood samples were collected from the diseased camels on the day of admission to our clinic. Blood samples were also collected from 12 healthy camels and were used as controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in the camels with tick infestation was 1.7?±?1.6 ng/ml compared to 0.03?±?0.02 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in those camels that recovered was 0.36?±?0.53 ng/ml compared to 3.0?±?1.1 ng/ml in the camels that did not. Venous blood gas alterations included an increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide and decreases in partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation. Haematological parameters involved decreases of red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit and increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Biochemical parameters included significant elevations in the serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphates. Other biochemical alterations observed were decreases in total protein and albumin and increases in globulin and glucose concentrations. In conclusion, the data of this study suggest the possibility of using cTnI as a biomarker for cardiac injury in camels with tick infestation and for the prognosis of the outcome in the treated animals. Generally, values above 1.0 ng/ml were considered bad prognostic indicators.     

Studies on the toxic effects of crambe meal and two of its constituents, 1‐cyano‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐butene (GHB) and epiprogoitrin,in broiler chick diets

1. Studies were undertaken to determine a safe inclusion rate for crambe (Crambe abyssinica) meal in broiler chick diets, and to determine the mechanism for adverse effects by investigating its constituents; l‐cyano‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐butene (CHB) and 3‐butenyl glucosinolate (epi‐progoitrin, E‐PG).

2. Crambe meals were prepared to differ in E‐PG (19, 36 and 40 g/kg) and CHB contents (0.1, 0.7 and 1.9 g/kg), and with either active or inactive thioglucosidase.

3. Meals were fed to 7‐d‐old broiler chicks at 50 or 100 g/kg of the diet for 12 or 13 d. In separate studies, isolated E‐PG or CHB were mixed into the diet or administered by gavage to 7‐d‐old broiler chicks in amounts equivalent to 50 or 100 g/kg crambe meal diets for 10 and 12 d, respectively.

4. Weight gain decreased (P<0.05) in chicks fed on the high glucosinolate crambe diets or isolated E‐PG. Food consumption decreased (P<0.05) in chicks fed on the diet containing the high E‐PG meal with active enzyme.

5. Mild liver lesions and increased serum aspartate aminotransferase were found in chicks fed on the diet containing the high glucosinolate meal with active enzyme. Other organs, including thyroids, were normal.

6. Commercially‐processed crambe meal appeared safe at an inclusion rate of 50 or 100 g/kg diet, but could not be recommended at this point for long term feeding.     

Effect of thyroxine on testicular function,circulating luteinising hormone and pituitary sensitivity to luteinising hormone‐releasing hormone in the cockerel (Gallus domesticus)

1. The effect of thyroxine (T4) on reproductive function in the adult cockerel was followed for 11 weeks. Broiler cockerels aged 96 weeks were fed on diets containing either 0, 2 or 5 mg T4/kg for 4 weeks.

2. Daily sperm output (DSO) was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in the T4‐treated groups compared with that of controls at weeks 5 and 7. In the group given 5 mg T4/kg, plasma testosterone concentration was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) compared with that in controls during the T4 treatment, in spite of the fact that there was a decrease in concentration in both control and experimental birds. Plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in both of the groups given T4 treatments after 3 weeks.

3. Plasma testosterone concentrations and DSO had returned to control values at weeks 5 and 11 respectively, while plasma LH showed a transient but significant (P < 0.001) rebound after removal of thyroxine from the food.

4. In contrast to other variables, the pituitary responsivity to cLHRH‐I injections, was not decreased during the feeding of the T4 diet but was, on the contrary, significantly increased (P < 0.05) during treatment with 5 mg T4/kg diet, and after the end of the treatment with 2 mg T4/kg diet.

5. These results provide some evidence for an inhibitory effect of large doses of T4 on the reproductive function in the adult cockerel. Although the possibility of a direct effect of T4 on the testes cannot be excluded, T4 is likely to act, at least in part, at the hypothalamo‐pituitary level, and not through a reduction in the pituitary sensitivity to LHRH.     

Effects of a prebiotic, Immunogen®, on feed utilization, body composition, immunity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) fingerlings

This study evaluated the effects of a commercial prebiotic, Immunogen, on feed utilization, growth rate, immunity promotion and carcass composition of the common carp Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. The fingerlings were adopted for 2 weeks and then reared in triplicate groups in 250-l tanks (n = 15 per tank with average initial weights of 11.12 ± 0.55 g). The fish fed on five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets containing different levels of Immunogen (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2.5 g prebiotic/kg diet) to apparent satiation thrice a day for 8 weeks. Weight gain showed no differences among the groups fed different Immunogen levels. Both feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing Immunogen levels from 0.5 to 1.5 g/kg diet. The highest protein content (p < 0.05) was found in the fish fed a diet containing 2.5 g/kg prebiotic. Haematological parameters and plasma total protein concentration were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the fingerlings fed diets containing 1.5 and 2.5 g/kg prebiotic in relation to the control. The control fish contained the highest mean of total bacterial counts. The lowest mean (p < 0.05) of total bacterial counts was observed in the fish fed the diet containing 2.5 g/kg Immunogen. The present study reveals that a dietary Immunogen supplementation from 1 to 1.5 g/kg is capable to improve the feed efficiency and growth performance of C. carpio fingerlings as well as their resistance to A. hydrophila infection.