放牧苜蓿品种选育研究进展

苜蓿放牧草地以其成本相对低(与干草型苜蓿草地相比)、营养价值高、放牧家畜生产性能优异得到了家畜生产者的青睐。长期以来苜蓿的利用一直是以生产干草为主。多数干草型品种的耐牧性并不好，因此选育耐牧性强的苜蓿品种是育种家的重要目标。国外1990年后推出的耐牧性品种不仅耐牧性强。且抗病虫害能力强、产草量高、适口性好。为此。从放牧型苜蓿品种的特点、选育指标、选育过程及放牧苜蓿品种的评价体系等方面。综述了放牧型苜蓿育种的研究进展，为今后我国放牧型苜蓿品种的选育提供指导。     

苜蓿放牧地生产性能与管理

苜蓿(Medicago sariva)放牧草地以其成本相对低、营养价值高、家畜生产性能优异而得到生产者的青睐.但用于干草的苜蓿不耐践踏,不适合放牧,而且家畜鼓胀病也限制其利用,因而使之成为苜蓿科研的新方向.有关放牧型苜蓿品种的选育以及家畜鼓胀病的管理研究,笔者将分别在其他文章中阐述.本文主要就苜蓿放牧地的管理(放牧方式、时间和强度)、合理利用及其对不同家畜生产性能的影响,以及目前育成的放牧型苜蓿品种进行综述,以期为苜蓿放牧的管理和利用提供参考.     

适宜放牧的根蘖型苜蓿新品种放牧利用研究

筛选新育成的根蘖型苜蓿品种综合种4号、5号、6号共三个品系,建立人工放牧草地,第二年进行2次放牧。按放牧前后植被特征(盖度、密度、株高、根蘖发生率等)和产草量来比较,综合种6号、5号、4号均优于加拿大兰吉兰德根蘖型苜蓿和公农1号紫花苜蓿,并具有耐牧性强的特点。     

适宜放牧的根蘖型苜蓿新品种放牧利用研究

筛选新育成的根蘖型苜蓿品种综合种 4号、5号、6号共三个品系 ,建立人工放牧草地 ,第二年进行2次放牧。按放牧前后植被特征 (盖度、密度、株高、根蘖发生率等 )和产草量来比较 ,综合种 6号、5号、4号均优于加拿大兰吉兰德根蘖型苜蓿和公农 1号紫花苜蓿 ,并具有耐牧性强的特点。     

黄花苜蓿个体水平耐牧性的形态学成因机制研究

为揭示黄花苜蓿(Medicago falcata L.)耐牧性的形态学成因机制,探索其耐牧型品种选育的新途径。以从耐牧性鉴定中获得的耐牧性强和弱的2组黄花苜蓿个体植株为材料,对其放牧前后的相关形态指标的观测数据进行分析。结果表明:各形态指标与耐牧性强弱的显著性相关程度依次为根颈宽度>根颈入土深度> 茎数> 株高,对黄花苜蓿耐牧性的促进作用大小依次为根颈入土深度> 根颈宽度> 茎数> 株高> 株丛茎>植株投影盖度。根颈入土深度可单独增强黄花苜蓿的耐牧性,其他性状则通过相互协同作用促进其耐牧性。具有根颈粗大且入土深、单株茎数多且株丛大的黄花苜蓿植株耐牧性强,可作为耐牧育种材料早期选育的形态学指标。     

草种的选择

种草的草种和品种应按利用形式(刈剂、放牧或刈割与放牧结合)来选定。刈割利用时,牧草的产量是最重要的。为此,要选高大直立型的和营养价值随时间变化小、收获适期长的草种,放牧利用时,应选定再生能力强、耐家畜践踏、适口性强的草种。一般地说,寒地型禾本科疏从性草(鸡脚草、(?)状羊茅等)适于刈割放牧,匐匍型草种(草地早熟禾,小糠草等)适于放牧;豆科的红三叶、苜蓿适于刈割;白三叶适于刈割、放牧;高燕麦草适于调制干草。暖地型的牧草适于刈割的有:象草、无芒虎尾草等;放牧用的有巴哈雀稗、毛花雀稗。     

适宜放牧的“图牧3号”和“图牧4号”根蘖型苜蓿新品种选育及放牧利用研究

针对我国北方广大半干旱草原的生境条件，培育适宜放牧的根蘖型苜蓿新品种是当务之急。我所于1984年开始采用综合育种手段，育成“图牧3号”和“图牧4号”根蘖型苜蓿新品种，经7年时间生产应用，鲜草产量明显高于加拿大“Rangelander”苜蓿和内蒙地方品种准噶尔苜蓿。1995年起建立单播和混播人工草地，根蘖率和产草量完全超过育种指标，具有持久、耐牧和抗逆性强等特点。2000年先后在美国和加拿大半干旱草原带试种，放牧利用效果显著。目前在国内已建立2个种子繁育基地，为提供天然草地补播和建立人工放牧草地所需要的种子。     

不同放牧强度对根蘖型苜蓿＋羊草混播草地和细毛羊生产性能研究（初报）

不同放牧强度对草地生存环境和家畜生产性能的影响是密切相关的。采用3种不同放牧强度(每只羊1000、1333．4、1666．8m^2)对根蘖型苜蓿 羊草混播人工草地，进行分区轮牧试验。研究表明在中、低度放牧强度下，牧草的根蘖(分蘖)率、产草量和细毛羊增重都有明显的增长，对根蘖型苜蓿的耐牧、高产和适应性强等特点有所了解。     

苜蓿与放牧家畜臌胀病研究概况

饲喂新鲜苜蓿Medicago sativa时,家畜患臌胀病的风险很大,因此苜蓿传统上主要用作调制干草,放牧利用较少.就家畜臌胀病的概念、引发的原因及放牧管理中的相应预防方法和紫花苜蓿引起的臌胀病做一简要综述,旨在阐明已知的臌胀病可能起因及防治方法,为容易引起家畜臌胀病的苜蓿及其他相关豆科牧草的合理放牧利用提供指导.     

家畜的选择性采食对草地植物的反应

在放牧生态系统中,家畜和草地植物共同组成了草地放牧生态系统中的采食者与被采食者, 两者的关系是极其复杂的,家畜的选择性采食促进了植物抗牧性的发展,而植物抗牧性的发展又进一步强化了家畜的选择性采食习性,家畜和植物成为一个事物不可缺少的两个方面.     

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