牦牛生长分化因子-9基因cDNA克隆及序列分析

根据GenBank中普通牛生长分化因子9(GDF-9)基因序列(AF 307092)设计1对引物,以麦洼牦牛卵母细胞总RNA为模板,通过RT-PCR技术对牦牛GDF-9基因cDNA进行克隆测序和序列分析.结果表明:所克隆的1399 bp片段为预期的牦牛GDF-9基因cDNA序列,包含由2个外显子组成的全编码区和3′-下游部分序列.牦牛GDF-9基因编码区核苷酸序列长度为1362 bp,编码453个氨基酸,与GenBank中报道的普通牛、水牛、绵羊、山羊相应序列一致,而与人和黑猩猩存在差异.和普通牛相比,牦牛GDF-9基因编码区存在1处碱基转换(C→T),导致相应的氨基酸由丙氨酸(A)转换为缬氨酸(V).牦牛与普通牛、水牛、绵羊、山羊、人和黑猩猩的核苷酸同源性分别为99.9%、98.4%、97.0%、96.8%、85.6%和85.1%;氨基酸同源性分别为99.8%、97.1%、95.1%、95.4%、79.4%和79.5%.利用NJ法和MP法以该基因编码区核苷酸序列构建的物种间分子系统进化树结果基本一致,即牦牛与普通牛先聚为一类,再与水牛聚为一类,而后与绵羊和山羊聚为一类,最后与人和黑猩猩聚为一类.该聚类结果与物种间遗传距离大小一致,也与各物种在动物学上的分类相吻合,表明GDF-9基因编码区适用于构建物种间系统进化树.     

牦牛心脏脂肪酸结合蛋白基因的分子克隆和进化分析

对牦牛心脏脂肪酸结合蛋白（H-FABP）基因进行了克隆测序，并与GenBank中9个物种相应基因编码区核苷酸序列进行了比对分析，在此基础上采用邻接法、最大简约法和最小进化法构建了牦牛与其它物种间分子系统进化树。结果表明，牦牛H-FABP基因由4个外显子和3个内含子组成，外显子1、外显子2、外显子3和外显子4大小分别为73、173、102和54bp，内含子1、内含子2和内含子3大小分别为3460、1892和1495bp。CDS序列全长为402bp，前体氨基酸数为133个。不同物种间在该基因核苷酸序列上有较高的保守性。牦牛与普通牛、绵羊、山羊、猪、人、大鼠、小鼠、鸡、斑马鱼各物种在H-FABP基因编码区核苷酸序列上同源性大小分别为99．8％、97．8％、97．0％、92．8％、88．8％、83．3％、83．1％、76．4％、68．7％。通过邻接法、最大简约法和最小进化法用H-FABP基因编码区核苷酸序列构建的物种间分子系统进化树，结果表明，3种方法构建的物种间分子系统进化树基本一致。系统树总体分为两支，斑马鱼为独立的一支，而牦牛与其它物种为另一大分支。牦牛与普通牛、绵羊与山羊先分别聚在一起，然后再聚为一类；后与猪、人依次聚为一类。小鼠和大鼠先聚为一类，再与人和其它物种聚类，然后再与鸡聚为一类。该系统聚类结果与动物学分类一致，表明H-FABP基因适合于构建不同物种间的系统进化树。     

大额牛Myf-5基因克隆、序列分析及其分子系统进化研究

对大额牛Myf-5基因进行PCR扩增、T—A克隆和序列分析，并应用DNAMAN4．0、BioEdit4．8．10、DnaSP4．10、Mega3．1等生物信息学软件同普通牛、黑猩猩、恒河猴、人、狗、家鼠、软体贝壳、鸡、斑马鱼9个物种相应基因编码区核苷酸序列和氨基酸序列进行了比对分析，在此基础上采用NJ、ME和UPGMA法对其编码区核苷酸序列构建了分子系统进化树。结果表明：①大额牛Myf-5基因由3个外显子和2个内含子组成，其大小分别为660、76、1226、852、407bp；外显子和内含子数与其他9个物种相同，但大小存在较大的差异；外显子与内含子连接区遵循GT—AG基因组成规则。②大额牛与普通牛、黑猩猩、恒河猴、人、狗、家鼠、软体贝壳、鸡、斑马鱼的Myf-5基因编码区核苷酸序列同源性分别为99．0％、90．0％、90．5％、90．5％、87．2％、84．8％、72．9％、64．3％、51．8％，相应的氨基酸序列同源性分别为99．6％、94．9％、94．6％、94．9％、89．9％、88．7％、81．6％、70．4％、56．6％，这说明大额牛与其他9个物种在Myf-5基因的编码区核苷酸和相应氨基酸序列上具有较高的保守性。③用NJ、ME和UPGMA等3种方法聚类构建的分子系统进化树表明，3种方法的聚类结果基本一致，即大额牛与普通牛首先聚为一类，人、黑猩猩、恒河猴也先聚为一类，这两类相聚后再依次同其他物种聚在一起。这与mtDNA、其他功能基因和动物学分类的研究结果一致，表明Myf-5基因适合用于物种间系统进化关系的研究。     

德州驴心脏脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)基因的克隆及序列分析

本试验对德州驴心脏脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)基因进行了克隆测序,并与GenBank中11个物种相应基因编码区核苷酸序列、氨基酸序列进行了比对分析,同时通过最小进化法(ME法)、邻接法(NJ法)和非加权组平均法(UPGMA法)对H-FABP基因编码区核苷酸序列进行了物种间分子系统进化树分析。结果表明,德州驴H-FABP基因由4个外显子和3个内含子组成,外显子1、2、3、4大小分别为73、173、1025、7 bp,内含子1、2、3大小分别为3500、1980、1425 bp。CDS序列全长为405 bp,前体氨基酸数为134个;德州驴与马、野猪、人、牛、山羊、牦牛、大鼠、小鼠、红原鸡、绿头鸭、斑马鱼各物种在H-FABP基因编码区核苷酸序列上有较高的保守性,同源性大小分别为96.79%、91.36%、89.14%、88.89%、88.89%、88.64%、84.07%、83.46%、75.80%、74.81%、67.90%;3种方法构建的物种间分子系统进化树基本一致,并且3种分子进化树结果与动物学分类一致,表明H-FABP基因适合于构建不同物种间的系统进化树。     

中国牛亚科家畜GH基因编码区序列的遗传变异研究

采用PCR产物直接双向测序法,分段扩增普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛、大额牛和亚洲水牛共5个牛种的GH基因,并拼接成编码区全序列,分析中国牛亚科家畜不同牛种GH基因编码区序列变异及其分子进化特征。结果表明,牛GH基因编码区序列全长654bp,种间核苷酸突变率在0．1％～1．84％。5个牛种编码区序列定义了10种单倍型,瘤牛的单倍型多样性最高,大额牛和水牛均无单倍型多样性。GH基因编码区序列的密码子使用存在偏倚性,共发现了25个偏好性密码子。核苷酸的替代以转换为主,转换明显高于颠换,转换／颠换比为3．0。非同义突变位点远远少于同义突变位点,同义与非同义替代发生的速率比都小于或等于1,表明GH基因编码区序列不受达尔文正选择的影响。以GH基因单倍型序列为基础的分子进化树表明,水牛与普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛、大额牛间分化很明显;普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛、大额牛间序列分化并不明显,并且它们共同拥有一条相同的祖先核苷酸序列。说明中国牛亚科家畜GH基因编码区序列的变异相当贫乏,并且由于功能的约束表现得相当保守,进化速率相当缓慢。     

大额牛HSL基因外显子Ⅰ部分片段的序列测定及分析

对大额牛HSL基因外显子Ⅰ部分序列进行PCR扩增、测序及氨基酸预测,并同其它牛种的资料进行了比对分析,构建了分子系统进化树。结果表明:大额牛其核苷酸序列与牦牛、普通牛、瘤牛、水牛间的同源性分别为99.6%、99.4%、99.2%、97.0%。相应的氨基酸序列大额牛与水牛的同源性为97.6%;与普通牛、瘤牛、牦牛的同源性均为99.4%,仅在第33位有1个氨基酸变异,即大额牛为异亮氨酸,而其它3个牛种均为缬氨酸,这是由该基因片段的第97位碱基发生转换(A←→G)造成的。从分子系统进化树看,瘤牛和普通牛先聚为一类,再依次与牦牛、大额牛、水牛相聚,这与传统的牛种分类结果一致。     

BMY牛MSTN基因exon 2克隆及序列分析

[目的]克隆BMY牛MSTN基因外显子2的序列,以期分析其遗传变异.[方法]通过对PCR产物进行克隆,比较哺乳动物MSTN基因外显子2之间的同源性,并构建其系统发育关系.[结果]通过PCR扩增,对PCR产物克隆得到BMY牛MSTN基因exon 2序列为372 bp编码124个氨基酸残基,牛亚科物种间的核苷酸同源性较高,在98.7％～100.0％之间,BMY牛、瘤牛、牦牛与大额牛079-gayal(Bos frontalis)的氨基酸序列一致,而日本和牛在第89位发生了天冬酰胺(Asn)→丝氨酸(Ser)的突变.构建的牛亚科几个物种之间的系统发育关系表明,含有瘤牛血统的BMY牛与瘤牛、牦牛的关系较近,且大额牛079-gayal与瘤牛的关系也近,推测大额牛在其形成历史中曾经受过瘤牛的基因渐渗.牛亚科物种的牦牛、大额牛、日本和牛、瘤牛与BMY牛聚为一支,而与水牛的关系较远.人与黑猩猩、猕猴聚为明显的一支.[结论]BMY牛MSTN基因外显子2长度为372 bp,系统聚类分析表明BMY牛含有瘤牛血统和典型的瘤牛特征.     

新疆阿勒泰羊MSTN基因序列的多样性分析

为进一步探究新疆阿勒泰羊的遗传分化状况,根据普通绵羊的MSTN基因设计引物,用PCR的方法扩增并对新疆阿勒泰羊MSTN基因编码区进行测序,并与绵羊以及GenBank上5个物种相应基因编码区核苷酸序列进行比对分析.结果表明:在阿勒泰羊群体内部亲缘性较高,同时测得阿勒泰羊MSTN基因和绵羊、山羊、普通牛、猪、家鼠、鸡的同源性大小分别是99.9%,99.5%,96.4%,94.6%,89.5%,82.3%,依据序列构建的分子进化树显示表明MSTN基因具有很高的保守性,适合研究物种的进化分析,为新疆阿勒泰羊的遗传资源保护,开发与利用提供分子遗传学方面的基础.     

河流型与沼泽型水牛FSHR基因密码子偏好性分析

为了确定河流型与沼泽型水牛促卵泡素受体(FSHR)基因密码子的使用模式,试验采用PCR产物直接测序法对9头河流型水牛、15头沼泽型水牛、6头大额牛和6头中甸牦牛的FSHR基因编码区序列进行了群体变异检测和单倍型划分,并结合已发表的普通牛、野牛、山羊、绵羊、人和黑猩猩的同源序列,对河流型与沼泽型水牛FSHR基因密码子使用的偏好性及与其他物种的差异进行了探讨。结果表明:两类水牛FSHR基因的密码子使用特征较为相似,河流型与沼泽型水牛分别有28个和27个偏好使用的密码子,对于编码Pro的4个密码子CCC、CCA、CCU和CCG而言,河流型水牛偏好使用CCC和CCA,而沼泽型水牛偏好使用CCC。水牛与其他物种共同偏好使用的密码子有20种,均偏好使用以G/C结尾的密码子。基于密码子的同义密码子相对使用度(RSCU)构建的聚类树显示河流型水牛与沼泽型水牛先聚为一类,再与大额牛、牦牛聚为一类,普通牛与山羊、绵羊和野牛聚为一类,人和黑猩猩聚为一类,揭示聚为一类的物种间在密码子使用上的偏好性较相似。     

版纳微型猪近交系VEGF基因克隆及其组织中转录水平的检测

为克隆版纳微型猪近交系血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)基因并检测该基因在各组织中的转录水平,本研究提取版纳微型猪近交系18种组织RNA,利用RT-PCR方法扩增VEGF基因编码区全长序列,进行克隆测序。利用VEGF基因序列的推导氨基酸序列与牛等8个物种的VEGF氨基酸序列构建物种系统进化树,同时采用半定量RT-PCR方法分析VEGF基因在版纳微型猪近交系18种组织中的转录水平。结果显示,版纳微型猪近交系VEGF基因编码区全长573 bp,编码190个氨基酸。氨基酸序列同源性分析表明,与牛等8个物种具有90%以上的相似性,分子系统进化表明其序列与人的关系最近,其次为牛、羊和兔。多组织半定量RT-PCR研究表明VEGF mRNA在版纳微型猪近交系的18个组织中均有转录水平的表达,其中在卵巢、脾脏、心脏、肺脏及皮肤中表达量较高,其他组织中表达量略低。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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