Cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the Java fruit bat (Pteropus vampyrus) and the Japanese lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus cornutus)

The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the Java fruit bat, Pteropus vampyrus, and the Japanese lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus cornutus, was investigated by light microscopy and the characteristics of spermiogenesis were compared between these two species. In the Java fruit bat, the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium was divided into 11 stages and developing spermatids were subdivided into 13 steps. While in the Japanese lesser horseshoe bat, the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium was divided into 10 stages and developing spermatids were subdivided into 13 steps. Excepting slight morphological differences, the characteristics of acrosomal formation in both species were almost similar with each other. In the Java fruit bat after stage VII, the acrosome gradually elongated, flattened and finally became scoop-like in shape. In the Japanese lesser horseshoe bat after stage VIII, the acrosome elongated, flattened and then slightly shortened. Before spermiation, the acrosome became long spatula-like in shape. The elongation and flattening of spermatids in these two species were similar to those in insectivores. The finding may reflect the fact that the order Chiroptera is phylogenetically close to the order Insectivora.     

Purification and some of the properties of alkaline phosphatase in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata)

1. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the plasma of different strains of guinea fowls showed considerable variation both within and between sexes as well as within and between strains. 2. The enzymes from different strains of wild guinea fowls had different mobilities on disc polyacrylamide electrophoresis but each was characterised by a single band. 3. When the enzyme was purified 163-fold from the plasma of a domesticated grey breasted strain, both ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration purification steps yielded a single band of enzyme. 4. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 79,400 +/- 3,000 and was stable up to 60 degrees C at the optimum pH of 9.6. 5. Evidence is provided that guinea fowl alkaline phosphatase is a metalloenzyme.     

日粮苯丙氨酸水平对0～4周龄泰和乌鸡生产性能及组织黑色素含量的影响

为研究日粮苯丙氨酸水平对泰和乌鸡生产性能和组织黑色素含量的影响。选用1日龄泰和乌鸡108只,随机分成3组,每组设3个重复,每个重复12只鸡(公母各半),饲养至4周龄。试验鸡组分别饲喂3种苯丙氨酸水平的日粮,日粮苯丙氨酸水平分别为0.73%、1.00%和1.27%。结果表明:日粮苯丙氨酸水平显著影响0~4周龄泰和乌鸡平均日增重(P<0.01),其中1.27%组日增重极显著高于0.73%组(P<0.01),显著高于1.00%组(P<0.05);1.00%组显著高于0.73%组(P<0.05)。但日粮苯丙氨酸水平对泰和乌鸡的饲料转化效率(料重比)和平均日采食量无显著影响(P>0.05)。胸肌黑色素含量随着日粮苯丙氨酸水平的提高而降低,1.27%组胸肌黑色素含量极显著低于0.73%和1.00%组(P<0.01),但0.73%和1.00%两组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。尽管腿肌和皮肤黑色素含量在各组之间不存在显著差异(P>0.05),但黑色素含量有随日粮苯丙氨酸水平提高而增大的趋势。     

生长前期丝羽乌骨鸡饲粮适宜能量、蛋白水平研究

两因子设计 ,以1日龄丝羽乌骨鸡504只为材料 ,进行饲养试验结合代谢试验考察了饲粮代谢能(ME)、粗蛋白质(CP)对生长前期(0～8周)丝羽乌骨鸡生产性能的影响规律。结果表明 ,通过饲粮营养调控可显著改善生长前期丝羽乌骨鸡的生长速度和生产性能 ,ME显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)影响各阶段平均日采食量(ADFI)和饲料转化率(FCR) ,CP显著影响3周龄前的生产性能指标(P<0.05) ,二者互作影响不显著(P>0.05) ;增加营养素摄入量有利于改善丝羽乌骨鸡对营养素的表观利用率。推荐3周龄前饲粮ME为13.40MJ/kg、CP为20 % ,整个生长前期(0～8周)推荐使用ME为12.35MJ/kg、CP为18 %饲粮以获得较好生产成绩和经济效益     

Use of RAPD-PCR for genetic analysis of Nicobari fowl of Andamans

1. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic relatedness among Nicobari fowls (Brown, Black and White) and an exotic bird (White Leghorn) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism. 2. A total of 25 decamer primers were screened among all the breeds of which 24 primers amplified the genomic DNA, generating 2000 to 200 bp bands. Ten primers generated reproducible and distinct RAPD profiles and were used for further analysis. 3. A total of 94 bands were amplified and 30 polymorphic bands (32%) were produced. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 3.0. 4. Among the native breeds Brown Nicobari showed higher genetic similarity (0.85) than Black Nicobari (0.80) and White Nicobari fowl (0.82). 5. Brown Nicobari showed high genetic similarity with Black Nicobari (0.87 +/- 0.029); least similarity was between White Nicobari and White Leghorn (0.77 +/- 0.028). 6. The RAPD profile of all Nicobari fowls on amplification with the primers PBG5 and PBA12 showed specific bands of molecular size 1050 and 785 bp, respectively. 7. The native breeds showed the least genetic distance with each other while White Leghorn appeared to be most distant from the native breeds.     

饲粮铜添加水平对泰和乌骨鸡生产性能和组织黑色素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮铜添加水平对 １～２８日龄泰和乌骨鸡生产性能和组织黑色素含量的影响。选用 １日龄泰和乌骨鸡 ２７０只,随机分成 ６组,每组设 ３个重复,每个重复 １５只鸡。试验鸡分别饲喂在基础饲粮（铜含量为 ４．７５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）中添加 ０、５、１５、３０、６０、１２５ｍｇ／ｋｇ铜的饲粮,饲养至 ２８日龄。结果表明：饲粮铜不同添加水平对 １～２８日龄泰和乌骨鸡平均日增重、平均日采食量和料重比均无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）,但适量添加可显著或极显著影响其血清、肝脏、肾脏、皮肤及肌肉的黑色素含量、酪氨酸酶活性（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）,并呈现出随饲粮铜添加水平的提高先升后降的趋势。当饲粮铜添加水平为 ３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ时,泰和乌骨鸡血清和组织酪氨酸酶活性及黑色素含量达到峰值。由此可知,玉米 －豆粕型基础饲粮中添加铜可提高泰和乌骨鸡组织黑色素含量,其适宜添加水平为 ３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ。     

Model for the prediction of mean time of oviposition for hens kept in different light and dark cycles

1. Evidence from 26 short-term experiments with laying fowls has been analysed to determine the relationship between onset of darkness and mean time of oviposition for light-dark cycles ranging from 21 h to 30 h incorporating various dark periods from 5 h up to 23 h. 2. When the light-dark cycle is equal to or longer than 24 h, mean time of lay (H) in hours from onset of darkness is predicted by the equation: H = 64.62-2.161C + 0.268S, where C = cycle length (h) and S = scotoperiod (h) (multiple correlation coefficient = 0.977). 3. For light-dark cycles shorter than 24 h, the best equation found was: H = -4.97 + 0.740C + 4.482S - 0.175CS (multiple correlation coefficient = 0.981). 4. The meaning of these equations in relation to events in the ovulation cycle of the fowl is discussed.     

H5亚型禽流感疫苗对特禽及水禽的免疫效果观察

用H5N2亚型禽流感疫苗,分别免疫SPF鸡、乌鸡、珍珠鸡、贵妃鸡、火鸡、鸭及鹅,免疫后采血测定其HI抗体,观察我国现有的H5N2亚型禽流感疫苗对特禽及水禽的免疫效力.结果,免疫后3周,SPF鸡、乌鸡、珍珠鸡、贵妃鸡、火鸡、鸭及鹅的平均HI抗体滴度分别为2 7.2、2 7.6、2 4.3、2 4.83、2 4.6、2 6.2及2 5.3,乌鸡两次免疫,其中一次HI抗体为2 9.65.试验证明,SPF鸡、特禽及水禽用H5N2亚型禽流感疫苗免疫后,均能产生一定水平的HI抗体,但不同种类的家禽所产生的HI抗体滴度存在较大差异,以SPF鸡及乌鸡所产生的HI抗体滴度最高,而珍珠鸡、贵妃鸡及火鸡所产生的HI抗体滴度较低,水禽对H5N2亚型禽流感疫苗可产生一定水平的HI抗体.     

日粮酪氨酸、苯丙氨酸、色氨酸水平和比例对泰和乌骨鸡生产性能及组织黑色素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮酪氨酸、苯丙氨酸和色氨酸供给水平和比例对泰和乌骨鸡生产性能和组织黑色素含量的影响.选用612只1日龄泰和乌骨鸡,随机分成17个处理,每个处理设3个重复,每个重复12只鸡(公母各占1/2),饲养至4周龄.采用三因素二次回归正交组合设计试验方法,建立日粮三种氨基酸水平与泰和乌骨鸡日增重和组织黑色素含量的二次回归数学模型,得出0～4周龄泰和乌骨鸡分别取得最大日增重和组织黑色素含量时日粮三种氨基酸适宜供给量和比例模式.结果表明,日粮酪氨酸,苯丙氨酸和色氨酸供给水平和比例显著影响泰和乌骨鸡日增重和胸肌、腿肌黑色素含量(P<0.01),且泰和乌骨鸡取得最大日增重和组织黑色素含量时日粮三种氨基酸最适水平和比例模式各不相同.当日粮氨基酸含量分别为酪氨酸0.79%、苯丙氨酸1.06%和色氨酸0.13%,三者比例模式为Tyr:Phe:Trp=85:113:14(相对于日粮Lys含量的比值,Lys定为100)时,可取得最大日增重5.81 g/d;而当日粮三种氨基酸含量分别为酪氨酸0.81%、苯丙氨酸1.14%和色氨酸0.13%时,胸肌黑色素含量可取得最大值3.73%,三者最佳比例模式为Tyr:Phe:Trp=87:121:14.因此,通过调节日粮酪氨酸、苯丙氨酸和色氨酸供给水平和比例可改善泰和乌骨鸡生产性能以及体内黑色素的沉积.     

Changes in oestrogen,progesterone and epidermal growth factor receptor concentrations and affinities during the oestrous cycle in the normal mammary gland and uterus of dogs

Changes in the concentrations and affinities of receptors for oestrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) were studied in mammary glands of healthy bitches with regard to age, the location in the mammary chain and the stage of the oestrous cycle. Uterus was used as the reference tissue for the evaluation of steroid receptors. Mammary and uterine samples from 7 healthy bitches were taken at five stages of the oestrous cycle in such a way that all the locations in the mammary chain were represented at each stage of the cycle (10 samples/dog). ER, PR and EGF-R were detected by biochemical assays using increasing concentrations of tritiated (steroids) or iodinated (EGF) ligands. A significant direct correlation was found between the ER and PR concentrations for mammary and uterine samples. No significant correlation was found between the steroid receptors and EGF-R concentrations. Mammary ER concentrations were significantly higher in bitches of 5 years of age or older than in younger ones; in posterior glands (4th and 5th pairs) than in anterior glands; and in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary PR did not vary significantly with age or location but was significantly lower in the early luteal phase than in other phases. A similar decrease in PR concentrations was observed in the uterus during the early luteal phase and uterine ER and PR concentrations were very low in the mid-luteal phase. Mammary EGF-R were not significantly higher in the early or mid-luteal phase than in pro-oestrus or anoestrus.The differences observed between the uterine and mammary steroid receptor concentrations during the oestrous cycle could be due to different mechanisms for regulating steroid receptor expression in the two tissues. Mammary EGF-R concentrations may be linked, as in other species, to cellular proliferation and/or to the serum progesterone concentrations.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - EGF epidermal growth factor - EGF-R receptor for epidermal growth factor - ER oestrogen receptor - K _d dissociation constant - LH luteinizing hormone - p probability of error - PR progesterone receptor     

The pathogenicity of four avian influenza viruses for fowls, turkeys and ducks

Groups of 10 two-week-old chicks, turkey poults and ducklings were each infected by the intranasal route with one of four avian influenza viruses: a/fowl/Germany/34 (Hav 1N))--Rostock, A/FPV/Dutch/27 (Hav 1 Neq 1)--Dutch, A/fowl/Victoria/75 (Hav 1 Neq 1)--Australian, and A/parrot/Ulster/73 (Hav 1 N1)--Ulster. Eight hours after infection 10 birds of the same age and species were placed in contact with each group and allowed to mix. The clinical signs of disease and onset of sickness and death were recorded. Ulster virus was completely avirulent for all birds. Rostock, Dutch and Australian viruses were virulent for fowls and turkeys causing death in all birds with the exception of 3/10 in contact fowls from the Rostock virus group and 2/10 in contact fowls from the Australian virus group. Only Rostock virus caused sicked sickness or death in ducks, 9/10 intranasally infected and 6/7 in contact birds showed clinical signs and 2/10 intranasally infected and 3/7 in contact ducks died. Intranasal and in contact pathogenicity indices were calculated for each virus in each bird species and indicated quantitatively the differences in virulence of the four virus strains. Virus isolation and immune response studies indicated that surviving in contact fowls in the Rostock virus group had never been infected but that surviving Australian virus in contact fowls had recovered from infection. Infection was not established in Ulster virus in contact fowls and Australian virus intranasally infected and in contact ducks. The birds in all other groups showed positive virus isolations and a high incidence of positive immune response. The last virus isolation was made at 22 days after intranasal infection of ducks with Ulster virus.     

Pattern of vascular canals in the bone extremities of the pelvic appendicular skeleton in broiler type fowl

Broiler fowls were reared from hatching till 20 weeks old. Birds were killed throughout the growth period and the bone extremities of the pelvic appendicular skeleton prepared for study. The patterns of vascular canals in these broiler fowls were very similar to earlier reports in laying strain fowls. There was a great range of and variation in the vascular morphology of broiler fowl. The physeal vasculature of the rapidly growing broilers was frequently disrupted, and such areas were often associated with dyschondroplastic lesions. The rapidly growing bone extremities in broiler fowls were susceptible to occlusion of epiphyseal vascular canals. lesions were frequently seen at similar sites in different specimens. Links are suggested between the growth rate, weight and behavioural characteristics of broiler fowls and the development of lesions.     

Artificial lighting in poultry houses: Do hens perceive the modulation of fluorescent lamps as flicker?

1. Many poultry houses are illuminated by fluorescent lamps which produce discontinuous illumination with a frequency of either 100 or 120 Hz. 2. This study investigated whether domestic fowls perceive this discontinuity as flicker by training two Leghorn hens to choose between a continuous and a discontinuous light, all other variables being identical. 3. The light-stimulus was either monochromatic with 100% sinusoidal modulation or a fluorescent lamp whose modulation frequency could be electrically adjusted. 4. Each (correct) choice for the discontinuous light was followed by a 5 Hz higher frequency, whereas an incorrect choice was followed by a 10 Hz lower frequency. 5. On the basis of this principle the animals themselves established the highest perceivable frequency of the discontinuous light, called the Critical Fusion Frequency (CFF), that they could discriminate from continuous light. 6. These frequencies typically depend on the stimulus intensity increasing with increasing intensities, until a maximum value is reached. 7. Two factors limited the magnitudes of the CFF's that were recorded: the maximum stimulus intensities produced and variability in the chicken's response ("behavioural noise"). In spite of these constraints 105 Hz was established as the maximum CFF. 8. On the basis of extrapolation it is concluded that the direct light from fluorescent lamps driven by 50 Hz alternating current is seen by the chicken as flickering. 9. The results justify large-scale comparison of behaviour and production in poultry houses that are illuminated either by low-frequency or by high-frequency fluorescent lamps.     

急性热应激对泰和乌骨鸡胸肌酪氨酸酶表达和黑色素含量的影响

试验旨在研究急性热应激对泰和乌骨鸡胸肌酪氨酸酶基因表达及黑色素含量的影响。选取144只42日龄泰和鸟骨鸡．随机分为2组：即常温对照组和急性热应激组,每组4个重复．每个重复18只鸡。结果表明,急性热应激极显著地提高了热应激12h时泰和乌骨鸡胸肌酪氨酸酶mRNA的表达（P〈0．01）,并具有提高其热应激24h时的表达量的趋势（P〉0．05）,对其恢复常温后24h、6d、20d的表达量无显著影响（P〉0．05）;急性热应激极显著地降低了热应激24h时泰和乌骨鸡胸肌黑色素的含量（P〈0．01）。并具有降低其热应激12h时黑色素含量的趋势（P〉0．05）,极显著地提高了其恢复常温后24h时胸肌黑色素的含量（P〈0．01）,对其恢复常温后6d、20d的黑色素含量无显著影响（P〉0．05）。     

Vascular pattern of the developing knee joint in the domestic fowl

Laying strain fowls were reared from hatching till 20 weeks old. Birds were killed throughout the growth period and specimens from the distal femur and proximal tibiotarsus prepared for study. The origin and nature of cartilage canals were established in the two bone extremities. The canals follow a pattern of development which was similar in fowls of the same age. Similarities were noted with the vascular patterns reported in other species. The epiphyseal ossification centre of the proximal tibiotarsus formed in an area extensively perfused by cartilage canals. Anastomoses occurred between epiphyseal vascular canals in association with the formation and growth of the epiphyseal ossification centre in the proximal tibiotarsus. Anastomoses between epiphyseal vascular canals did not occur at any other site. The development of the epiphyseal ossification centre in the proximal tibiotarsus suggests that this is a traction epiphysis.     

The effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on plasma histaminase activity in the domestic fowl and the involvement of caeruloplasmin.

The injection of four-to nine-week-old fowls with Escherichia coli O111:B4 endotoxin (0-1 and 1-0 mg/kg) produced a two to eight fold rise in the histaminase activity of the plasma 24 h afterwards. In some cases this increase was still detectable after 48 h. This activity was strongly correlated with the p-phenylenediamine oxidase activity of caeruloplasmin. Electrophoretic studies with 7-5 per cent polyacrylamide gels indicated that fowl caeruloplasmin also was histaminase and putrescinase activity and that the release of this protein from the liver by endotoxin is largely responsible for the increase in the activity of the plasma. In untreated fowls this activity was lower than published values for several mammals and does not explain the relative resistance of the fowl to the acute effects of endotoxins and large doses of histamine.     

不同植酸酶对雏期乌骨鸡生长性能的影响

选用80只4日龄雏期乌骨鸡,随机分成4组(1个对照组和3个处理组),每组20只试鸡。以玉米、豆粕为基础日粮,通过降低饲料中有效磷水平,添加不同水平植酸酶的方法进行饲喂试验,确定植酸酶在雏期乌骨鸡饲料中的应用是否可行。结果表明,处理组与对照组在日增重上无明显差异(P>0.05),处理组Ⅰ和处理组Ⅲ试验鸡日增重较对照组分别提高了11.69%和4.05%。另外,处理组Ⅰ日增重比处理组Ⅱ、处理组Ⅲ分别提高了13.91%、7.33%,且处理组Ⅰ显著高于处理组Ⅱ(P<0.05)。此外,处理组试验鸡的日采食量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),处理组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ较对照组分别提高了16.84%、37.28%和41.22%,但随着植酸酶添加水平的增加各处理间日采食量处理组Ⅲ>处理组Ⅱ>处理组Ⅰ,达到了极显著水平(P<0.01)。而在料肉比方面,对照组与处理组Ⅰ极显著低于处理组Ⅱ和Ⅲ(P<0.01),但处理组Ⅱ与处理组Ⅲ之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

Studies on the response of guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) to antibiotics

1. The response of growing male guinea fowls to dietary supplements of oxytetracycline, Roxarsone and zinc bacitracin were investigated. 2. The antibiotics produced significant increases in body weight, efficiency of food utilisation and nitrogen retention in guinea fowls at 12 weeks of age. 3. Carcase protein was not affected by antibiotic supplementation but carcase dry matter and fat were significantly higher in guinea fowls receiving medicated food than in controls. 4. The results show that the growth rate of guinea fowls is significantly increased by similar inclusion rates of oxytetracycline, Roxarsone and zinc bacitracin as those generally recommended for broiler chickens.     

Effect of colostomy on the utilisation of dietary nitrogen in the fowl fed on a low protein diet.

1. The effect of the inhibition of urine back-flow into the colon and caeca by colostomy on the utilisation of dietary nitrogen by fowls fed on a low protein diet and receiving free or restricted water supply was investigated. 2. Colostomy caused an increase in water excretion and a resultant increase in water intake to maintain water balance. 3. Colostomy tended to decrease nitrogen balance and nitrogen utilisation (N balance/N intake) to negative values, and these decreases became significant when water was restricted (P less than 0.05). 4. Excretory uric acid, ammonia, urea and total nitrogen were significantly increased after colostomy in water-restricted fowls (P less than 0.05), but such significant effects were not observed, except for ammonia, in fowls given water ad libitum. 5. It is concluded that the back-flow of urine into the caeca plays a significantly useful role in the utilisation of nitrogen in the fowl fed on a low protein diet especially when water intake is restricted.     

The epizootiology of Salmonella menston infection of fowls and the effect of feeding poultry food artificially infected with salmonella

The cycle of infection of Salmonella menston in poultry has been shown to be similar to that of S. thompson in that S. menston was shown to be present in adult fowls, the eggs laid by these fowls, chicks hatched from these eggs and the eggs laid by these progeny at maturity. When poultry are fed infected foods the water founts may also become contaminated and the importance of this alternative source of infection is noted. The increased occurrence of S. menston in poultry, poultry products and man is discussed.