Effect of Pregnancy and Foetal Number on Diameter of Corpus Luteum,Maternal Progesterone Concentration and Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance in Ewes

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in diameter of corpus luteum (CL), maternal progesterone (P) concentration, lipid peroxidation and non‐enzymatic antioxidant levels along with enzymatic antioxidant activities in pregnant ewes bearing single and twin foetuses. The ewes were selected from healthy animals that were brought to the abattoir for slaughtering. The ewes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (non‐pregnant, non‐oestrous, n = 30), Group 2 (pregnant bearing a single foetus, n = 30) and Group 3 (pregnant bearing twin foetuses, n = 12) after they were slaughtered. Pregnant ewes were in the first half of the pregnancy. The diameter of CL and P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus or twin foetuses were found higher than that found in non‐pregnant ewes. Similarly, the P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in both non‐pregnant and pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. The serum glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione‐peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses were found lower than that found in non‐pregnant ewes. Additionally, the GSH‐Px activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was found lower than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. No significant difference was found between pregnant ewes bearing female and male foetus with respect to diameter of CL, P concentration and oxidative stress parameters. There were significant positive correlations between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and diameter of CL, P concentration, MDA level, and between P concentration and diameter of CL, MDA level. However, significant negative correlations were found between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and GSH level, GSH‐Px activity, and between P concentration and GSH‐Px activity. In conclusion, the diameter of CL enlarges, P production increases and oxidant/antioxidant balance impairs because of the gestation stress in ewes during pregnancy.     

Doppler sonographic measurements of arterial blood flow and their repeatability in the equine foot during weight bearing and non-weight bearing

In six normal adult horses, pulsed-wave Doppler sonographic inspections were made of the left and right lateral palmar proper digital artery (LPPDA) of each thoracic limb. Using a two-period, crossover design with repeated measures, each LPPDA was inspected on four occasions throughout the day over a 7 hour period and, on each occasion, with the limb weight bearing and non-weight bearing. In comparison with the observations made during weight bearing, there were significant increases (P<0.001) in blood-flow velocities when the limb was non-weight bearing. There was no relationship between blood velocities and the time of day, the order in which the inspections were made, resting heart rate, age of the horse, or hoof angle. In both weight bearing and nonweight bearing, the Doppler waveform demonstrated a systolic peak followed by at least two diastolic peaks and an end diastolic plateau. Horses that moved least during sonographic inspections had the lowest co-efficients variation.     

Use of bathroom scales in measuring asymmetry of hindlimb static weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

Objective: The study assessed the use and reliability of bathroom scales as an objective measurement tool, and setting a normal variance of static weight bearing between hindlimbs. Methods: Two groups of dogs were tested: a healthy control group (n = 21) and a group (n = 43) of dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis in at least one stifle joint, with or without hip joint osteoarthritis. Static weight bearing was evaluated manually and measured with two bathroom scales. An orthopaedic examination was done and dynamic weight bearing was measured using a force platform. Radiographs were taken to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis, and dogs were divided into groups of severe and non-severe osteo- arthritic changes. Reliability by repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, and the congruity between static weight bearing and other evaluation methods with Kappa statistics and proportion of agreement. Results: The difference between the hindlimbs proportional to the body weight in control dogs was 3.3% (± 2.7%). The repeatability of measuring static weight bearing in the hindlimbs of osteoarthritic dogs with bathroom scales was 81% with osteoarthritic limbs, and 70% for unaffected limbs. The sensitivity of static weight bearing measurements using bathroom scales was 39% and specificity 85%. Clinical significance: Bathroom scales are a reliable, simple, and cost-effective objective method for measuring static weight bearing and can be used as an outcome measure when rehabilitating dogs with osteoarthritic changes in the hindlimbs.     

野生达乌里胡枝子栽培条件下的生长特性研究

采集了7个野生生态型的达乌里胡枝子种子在山西晋中进行栽培,研究物候期,生长特性和生产性能。结果表明,山西5个野生生态型的达乌里胡枝子均能在晋中地区渡过完整的生育期,能够收获成熟的种子,而河南的2个生态型不能渡过完整的生育期,20%的花无法正常形成种子。达乌里胡枝子从分枝期到孕蕾期的生长速度变化最大,从盛花期到结实期的生殖枝生长速度逐渐降低;不同生态型的干鲜比差异显著(P<0.05),干鲜比从分枝期(0.31)到结实期(0.43)呈现出不断增大的趋势。不同生态型野生达乌里胡枝子的干草产量差异显著(P<0.05),结实期干草产量达到最大值。     

Comparison of analysis of bovine surface immunoglobulin bearing and peanut agglutinin binding lymphocytes by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy

Bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined for their binding to anti-immunoglobulin serum, peanut agglutinin, and mu, alpha, and epsilon heavy chain specific antisera by immunofluorescence. The percentage of total lymphocytes with positive staining was determined independently by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The correlation of data from both methods was best for analysis of total surface immunoglobulin and IgM bearing cells. The percentage of lymphocytes bearing surface immunoglobulin (B cells) was determined using both whole antiserum and a F(ab')2 reagent. Quantitation by flow cytometry did not show a significant difference when the two reagents were used, whereas fluorescence microscopy revealed a significant difference (p less than .05). The mean percent of total surface immunoglobulin bearing cells was 30 +/- 3% by either method. Flow cytometry gave significantly larger values than fluorescence microscopy for samples stained with fluorescein conjugated peanut agglutinin. Peanut agglutinin binding cells comprised 70 +/- 3% by flow cytometry and 51 +/- 3% by fluorescence microscopy. Similarly, there was a significant difference between both methods when IgA bearing lymphocytes were examined. Percentages of immunoglobulin E, A, and M bearing lymphocytes as well as total B and T cells in spleen and bronchial lymph node were determined by immunofluorescence using the cytofluorograph. Peanut agglutinin binding cells were less numerous in spleen and lymph node than in peripheral blood. Immunoglobulin E bearing lymphocytes increased from 0.07% in peripheral blood to 4% in spleen and 1.9% in lymph node. In this paper we demonstrate how flow cytometry can be used to examine a large number of samples in a rapid and reproducible manner. This is the first report in which bovine lymphocytes bearing surface IgE are quantitated.     

Application of a Hall-effect transducer for measurement of tendon strains in horses

Custom-designed Hall-effect strain sensors (HES) were implanted surgically onto the superficial digital flexor tendons of the forelimbs of 4 adult Thoroughbreds. Strains were recorded at various gaits, using a portable amplifer and FM cassette recorder. Strain calculations used the original length (L) as the HES position with the forelimb in the relaxed neutral position during anesthesia. A characteristic deflection in the strain cycle recording was confirmed to correspond to initial hoof contact with the ground (heel strike) by simultaneous recording of weight bearing via a footswitch. Heel strike was used as the reference point to determine the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing and nonweight bearing under various conditions. The weight-bearing strains (heel strike to maximal strain) recorded in 2 horses (with a rider) were 3.1% and 7.6% at the walk, 6.5% and 10.1% at the trot, and 11.5% and 16.6% at the gallop. Strain rate during tendon loading at the gallop was approximately 200%/s. The magnitude of strain change during nonweight bearing (minimal strain to heel strike) was smaller than during weight bearing, but also increased with faster gaits. In 3 horses led at the walk and trot, modest increases in hoof angle (baseline 52 degrees) resulted in small increases in the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing at the trot, but the magnitude of strain change at the walk was not affected. Results of the study indicated that the HES can be successfully adapted to provide continuous strain measurement without subjective signs of discomfort or lameness in horses during or after instrumentation.     

2种决明属牧草不同生育期营养成分在肉牛瘤胃降解动态研究

采用瘤胃尼龙袋法,研究威恩圆叶决明(Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv.Wynn)和闽引羽叶决明(C.nictitans cv.Minyin)2个豆科牧草初花期和结荚期干物质(DM)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、粗蛋白质(CP)等养分在肉牛瘤胃内0～72 h降解动态变化,并建立瘤胃降解模型参数。结果表明:不同生育期决明属牧草各营养成分的瘤胃降解特性有着不同差异,牧草初花期的DM,NDF和CP在肉牛瘤胃72 h的有效降解率均高于结荚期。2个牧草品种的DM和NDF的慢速降解部分b值均随着生育期的延长而逐渐降低,但牧草DM的有效降解率差异并不显著。闽引羽叶决明初花期NDF的有效降解率(20.31%)显著高于结荚期(13.01%)(P<0.05);威恩圆叶决明初花期NDF的有效降解率(11.84%)比结荚期(9.12%)高出29.82%,但差异不显著。闽引羽叶决明初花期的CP快速降解部分a值和慢速降解部分b值均显著大于结荚期(P<0.05),有效降解率分别达到65.99%和58.76%;威恩圆叶决明初花期和结荚期CP的快速降解部分a值、慢速降解部分b值及有效降解率均无显著差异。不同品种、不同生育期DM和CP的有效降解率均要高于NDF的有效降解率。此外,从品种间营养成分的瘤胃降解特性综合比较,闽引羽叶决明在瘤胃的降解效果要优于威恩圆叶决明。     

结果母枝留芽量对‘无核翠宝’葡萄萌芽结实能力的影响

为筛选‘无核翠宝’葡萄在上海地区最适宜的冬剪模式,本研究针对其不同结果母枝留芽量下的萌芽结实特性进行系统地分析,结果表明：双芽修剪能显著提升‘无核翠宝’葡萄结果母枝的萌芽情况,萌芽率可达到98.75%,四芽修剪下的结果枝率表现最好,达到73.05%。随着结果母枝留芽量的增多(6～10芽),‘无核翠宝’葡萄的萌芽率和结果枝率呈逐渐下降的趋势。此外,萌芽率随着结果母枝节位的升高而依次升高,表明结果母枝基芽萌芽率、结果系数均较低,易导致结果部位外移。因此,上海地区‘无核翠宝’葡萄冬剪宜采用双芽修剪模式,不仅省去了冬季绑缚枝梢的劳动成本,同时能够促进低节位冬芽的萌发,防止结果部位外移。     

火龙果枝条与果实性状的相关性

对桂热1号火龙果结果母枝性状、果实性状及其相关性进行了调查分析。结果表明：枝条长度与棱厚、茎围显著或极显著负相关,与茎段数显著正相关;茎围与棱厚显著正相关。母枝性状中,枝条的棱厚和果实性状相关性最为密切,与单果重、果实纵径、果形指数间均存在显著正相关性。枝条的茎围与边糖之间显著负相关,但与心糖之间相关性不显著。火龙果果实多项性状指标间同样存在显著相关性,单果重、果实横径、果实纵径和果皮厚度四个指标两两间显著或极显著正相关性。果形指数与单果重、果实纵径呈极显著正相关;心糖和边糖显著正相关;果皮厚度和心糖间显著负相关。92.4%结果母枝的棱厚在14mm以上,单果重随棱厚的增加而增加。此研究结果可为火龙果栽培管理提供参考。     

武威市畜禽粪污土地承载潜力分析

为评估武威市畜禽养殖粪污土地承载潜力,本文按照以地定畜、种养平衡的原则,从畜禽粪污养分供给和土壤粪肥养分需求的角度出发,科学测算了武威市近三年畜禽粪污养分供给量和本区域植物粪肥养分需求量,分析武威市各县区畜禽粪污土地理论承载力和实际承载力差距,推算出潜在承载力,为政府决策、部门制定畜牧业发展规划提供依据。     

半干旱沙地小叶锦鸡儿种子虫害及其对种子质量的影响

种子虫害严重阻碍了我国北方锦鸡儿属(Caragana)灌木造林和产业化利用工作的开展.为此,本研究通过探究科尔沁沙地结实初期(6月9日)、结实中期(6月18日)、结实后期(6月27日)和结实末期(7月6日)小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)植株不同部位(东、南、西和北)的种子虫害情况及其对种子质量的...     

Inhibition of lacteal leukocyte phagocytosis by colostrum, nonlactating secretion, and mastitic milk

The Fc receptors on leukocytes obtained from normal milk, colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion, and mastitic milk were detected by rosette formation, using sensitized erythrocytes. The percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors from normal milk was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that from other secretions. Fc receptors were found primarily on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from normal milk, mastitic milk, and colostrum. However, in nonlactating gland secretion obtained 6 weeks after milking was completed, Fc receptors were predominantly on macrophages. The low percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors obtained from colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion obtained 7 days after milking was completed, and mastitic milk was associated with the presence of a blocking factor in these secretions, which specifically attached to Fc receptors. These secretions significantly (P less than 0.01) blocked the Fc receptors on leukocytes from normal milk and on other cells bearing FC receptors. The presence of Fc receptors on leukocytes obtained from normal milk was related to a high percentage of phagocytizing leukocytes through Fc receptors and a large number of phagocytized bacteria (phagocytic activities). In contrast, the low percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors from colostrum, from nonlactating gland secretion (7 days after milking), and from mastitic milk was associated with depressed phagocytic activities. Preincubation of leukocytes from normal milk with whey from colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion (7 days after milking), and mastitic milk significantly (P less than 0.01) inhibited phagocytosis. This effect was associated with the blocking of Fc receptors by these secretions. Possible mechanisms for and implications of these findings are discussed.     

Effects of lesion size and location on equine articular cartilage repair.

The mechanisms and completeness of equine articular cartilage repair were studied in ten horses over a nine month period. Large (15 mm square) and small (5 mm square) full-thickness lesions were made in weight bearing and nonweight bearing areas of the radiocarpal, middle carpal and femoropatellar joints. The horses were euthanized in groups of two 1, 2.5, 4, 5 and 9 months later. Gross pathology, microradiography, and histopathology were used to evaluate qualitative aspects of articular repair. Computer assisted microdensitometry of safranin-O stained cartilage sections was used to quantitate cartilage matrix proteoglycan levels. Structural repair had occurred in most small defects at the end of nine months by a combination of matrix flow and extrinsic repair mechanisms. Elaboration of matrix proteoglycans was not complete at this time. Statistically better healing occurred in small weight bearing lesions, compared to large or nonweight bearing lesions. Synovial and perichondrial pannus interfered with healing of osteochondral defects that were adjacent to the cranial rim of the third carpal bone. Clinical and experimental experience suggests that these lesions are unlikely to heal, whereas similar lesions in the radiocarpal and femoropatellar joints had satisfactory outcomes. Observations made in this study support the use of early postoperative ambulation, passive flexion of operated joints, and recuperative periods of up to a year for large cartilage defects.     

Pituitary–adrenal axis function in dogs with neoplasia*

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests were done in healthy and tumour‐bearing dogs. In the tumour‐bearing dogs, plasma endogenous ACTH (eACTH) concentration was measured and adrenal gland size was assessed ultrasonographically. Measurements in the tumour‐bearing dogs were taken prior to therapy. No difference existed in basal or ACTH‐stimulated cortisol concentration between tumour‐bearing and healthy dogs. No difference existed in eACTH concentration between dogs with non‐haematopoietic neoplasia (NHN) and lymphoma. However, of 20 dogs with lymphoma, 15% had increased basal serum cortisol concentration, 5% had an exaggerated response to ACTH and 5% had an increased eACTH concentration. Of 15 dogs with NHN, 20% had increased basal cortisol concentration, 7% had an exaggerated ACTH response and no dogs had an increased eACTH concentration. Of the dogs with lymphoma and NHN, 5 and 13%, respectively, had decreased basal cortisol concentrations; 20% of dogs with lymphoma and 13% with NHN had a subnormal ACTH response. eACTH levels were below the reference range in 10% of dogs with lymphoma and 7% with NHN. Overall, 10 adrenal glands were enlarged in seven dogs, five with lymphoma and two with NHN. The clinical significance of these findings remains to be determined.     

Recovery of sperms bearing X chromosomes with different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles in ram

Pre-conceptual sex selection is still a highly debatable process whereby X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa are isolated before oocyte fertilization. Recently, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) have been used to determine X and Y chromosomes bearing spermatozoa as a result of searching for a cheap, highly efficient method using non-toxic materials. This study aimed to recover the sperm bearing X chromosomes in ram with different concentrations of MNP and then evaluate the success of this method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ram sperms were divided into four groups, treated with 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml MNP, respectively. MNP was used to restore sperm cells bearing X chromosomes. Upon recovery, the PCR was performed to identify the X and Y sperms, Methyl ThiazoleTetrazolium (MTT), to assess MNP toxicity and sperm viability and acridine orange (AO) to evaluate sperm DNA integrity. The results of PCR revealed that the treatment of spermatozoa- bearing X chromosomes with 50 μg/ml MNP had the highest effects on the recovery of X sperm rather than the other concentrations of MNP. However, the concentrations of MNP did not have any toxic effects on spermatozoa, sperm viability and, DNA integrity, but the high concentration of MNP (200 μg/ml) significantly reduced DNA integrity. According to MTT and AO results, the concentrations of MNP used in this study had no toxic effects on spermatozoa and did not reduce the sperm viability and DNA integrity, except that 200 μg/ml MNP significantly reduced DNA integrity.     

Reduced dosage of ketoprofen for the short-term and long-term treatment of joint pain in dogs

Two studies were conducted under laboratory conditions with 16 dogs to investigate the analgesic effectiveness of a low dose of ketoprofen in a short-term sodium urate crystal-induced synovitis model of arthritis. The effect of the treatment, defined as the improvement in peak vertical force weight bearing was evaluated in the first study at three dose levels. A single oral dose of 0.25 mg/kg ketoprofen was significantly better (P < 0.01) than the control (0 mg), but doses of 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg did not improve the dogs' weight bearing further. The second study investigated the efficacy and safety of the 0.25 mg/kg dose administered daily for 30 days. The beneficial effects of ketoprofen at this dose were constant, with the treated dogs bearing 89.1 per cent of the baseline vertical force four hours after the induction of arthritis on day 1 and 92.2 per cent on day 29, compared with 42 per cent and 34 per cent of the baseline in the untreated dogs. No gastrointestinal or other side effects were observed during the treatment.     

Enrichment of Y‐Chromosome‐Bearing Bull Spermatozoa by Swim‐up Through a Column

With the advancement of assisted reproductive biotechnologies, preselecting the sex of offspring has become an important goal for cattle and other livestock breeding as well as for research. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of producing enriched pools of X‐ or Y‐chromosome‐bearing sperm by vertical swim‐up through a long, narrow column. Sperm recovered from the top portion of the column was predominantly Y‐bearing (60%, p < 0.05), which were capable of fertilizing matured oocytes and produce significantly more male embryos compared with standard swim‐up protocol.     

氦氖激光合用环磷酰胺对S180荷瘤鼠脾脏淋巴细胞IL-2诱生活性和增殖反应的影响

以S180腹水瘤小鼠为动物模型，应用11.00、14.67和22.00J/cm^2 3种剂量氦氖激光照射荷瘤鼠哈德腺，同时联合应用化疗药物环磷酰胺，对S180荷瘤鼠脾脏淋巴细胞IL-2诱生活性和淋巴细胞增殖反应的影响作了系统地研究。结果表明：CYT/氦氖激光照射联合应用组IL-2诱生活性和淋巴细胞增殖反应均明显高于CYT对照组。CYT可对荷瘤体产生某种程度的免疫抑制效应，而氦氖激光照射则可在某种程度上改善这一效应。     

Uterine blood flow during early pregnancy in ewes: interaction between the conceptus and the ovary bearing the corpus luteum

To determine if a transient increase in uterine blood flow (BF) and estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) secretion occurs during maternal recognition of pregnancy in ewes (as previously observed for sows and cows), 40 nonpregnant (NP) ewes were assigned in equal numbers to surgery on d 9, 11, 13 or 15 postestrus (d 0 = day of estrus). For 20 NP ewes (five/day), each uterine horn (UH) was flushed with saline and uterine flushings (UF) collected. For the remaining 20 ewes, BF was determined for each UH using electromagnetic transducers, and samples of uterine arterial (UA) and uterine venous (UV) blood were obtained from each UH. After an intervening cycle, each ewe was mated, subjected to surgery on the same day postmating as during her previous nonmated cycle, and BF measurements and UA and UV samples were obtained. In addition, each UH of pregnant (P) ewes was flushed and the location of conceptuses was determined. Concentrations of E2 beta and progesterone (P4) in UA and E2 beta in UV and UF were determined by radioimmunoassay. For NP ewes, BF (ml/min) was not different for UH ipsilateral or contralateral to the ovary bearing the corpus luteum (CL), and did not differ across days, averaging 6.5 +/- .4. For P ewes, BF to UH contralateral to the ovary bearing the CL on all days and BF to UH ipsilateral to ovaries bearing CL on d 9 was similar to BF of either UH of NP ewes, averaging 6.8 +/- .6. On d 11, 13 and 15 of pregnancy, BF to UH ipsilateral to the ovary bearing CL was elevated (P less than .01) twofold (13.3 +/- .9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)