封育,灌溉,补播改良荒漠草地的效果

对柴达木盆地松叶猪毛菜砾石荒漠草地进行封育，灌溉，补播等试验表明，封育２年后草地的产量比对照提高３．９１倍，灌溉后产量对比照提高４．２９倍，补后备军的产量比对照提高４．９７～６．２２倍，三种措施的改良效果均显著。     

“利用荒漠和盐碱地建立人工草地的研究”总结报告

课题在柴达木盆地实施，４年的研究结果：①碱茅是利用盐渍地建立人工草地的首选牧草，可在中一重度含盐量（０．５％～１．４７％）的土壤上生长，种植第三年产青于草４５００ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２；②在荒漠地区采用围栏封育２年产量比对照提高３．９１倍，封育＋灌溉提高４．２９倍，灌溉＋补播＋封育提高１．４２～６．２倍；③用沙棘、小红柳、绵柳建立物围栏５ＫＭ，成活率分别为７６％，９６．８％和９４％；④以单位面积粗蛋白产量     

江河源区退化天然草地的恢复及其生态效益分析

根据天然草地退化程度的差异,采用松耙 补播 施肥 封育(退化较严重的草地)、封育 施肥(轻度退化草地)等措施,植物群落物种组成、多样性等特征值及其植被盖度发生明显变化.研究第2年结果表明,物种数封育 施肥处理最高(32种),对照居中(26种),补播 施肥处理最低(13种);多样性指数大小依次为封育 施肥(3.126)、对照(2.819)、补播 施肥(1.494);均匀度指数大小依次为封育 施肥(0.902)、对照(0.865)、补播 施肥(0.582);群落总盖度大小依次为封育 施肥(85.9%)、补播 施肥(79.7%)、对照(72.9%);补播 施肥 封育处理后地上生物量最大(460.65 g/m2),原生植被 封育 施肥处理居中(310.14 g/m2),对照最低(178.96 g/m2);地下生物量大小依次为封育 施肥(6 920.37 g/m2)、补播 施肥(1 458.96 g/m2)、对照(828.91 g/m2);补播 施肥 封育处理优良牧草较对照提高近50倍,杂草类减少82.81%,封育 施肥处理较对照良牧草比例提高48倍,杂草类比例减少80.46%.半人工草地通过灭除杂草和施肥相结合的示范试验表明:单纯进行灭杂,地上生物量减少,灭杂和施肥相结合不仅可提高地上生物量,而且可提高优良牧草的比例;不同处理区土壤养分含量各不相同,其中封育 施肥处理全氮、全碳、有机碳最高,对照居中,补播 施肥较低.     

退化草地生态修复技术试验研究

采用草地生态学、恢复生态学、农业栽培学、畜牧学等多学科理论,应用宏观与微观相结合的方法,对退化草地的生态修复重建技术进行了系统研究。试验研究结果表明：围栏封育、施肥、松土补播均是退化草地修复的有效措施,封育使草地四度一量分别提高1.97倍、1.18倍、3.31倍、5.11倍、1.85倍;施肥使草产量提高21.62%-80.00%;补播提高5.40%-62.16%,退化草地修复后优良植物群落、营养成份明显提高,植物多样性、丰富度、均匀度明显改善,土壤侵蚀量仅为对照草地的13.46%-33.99%。     

退化草地生态修复技术试验研究

采用草地生态学、恢复生态学、农业栽培学、畜牧学等多学科理论,应用宏观与微观相结合的方法,对退化草地的生态修复重建技术进行了系统研究.试验研究结果表明:围栏封育、施肥、松土补播均是退化草地修复的有效措施,封育使草地四度一量分别提高1.97倍、1.18倍、3.31倍、5.11倍、1.85倍;施肥使草产量提高21.62%～80.00%;补播提高5.40%～62.16%,退化草地修复后优良植物群落、营养成份明显提高,植物多样性、丰富度、均匀度明显改善,土壤侵蚀量仅为对照草地的13.46%～33.99%.     

锡林河流域退化草地植被恢复措施及水土保持效应研究

以内蒙古北部锡林河流域退化草地为研究对象,通过对围栏封育、免耕补播、旱作人工草地、灌溉人工草地和灌溉饲料地5种措施作用下植物生长状况、土壤水分保持作用、抗风蚀能力的试验研究。结果表明:围栏封育、免耕补播在恢复退化草地植被、提高生产力方面效果显著,是退化草地生态修复的主要措施;适地实施旱作人工草地、灌溉人工草地和灌溉饲料地面积各1hm~2,可置换出退化草地面积分别为10hm~2,18hm~2和79hm~2;通过灰色关联度进行效益评价,各种植被恢复措施之间的综合效益差异不明显,植被恢复措施实施后,综合效益均达到较高水平。     

希拉穆仁草原草地退化机理及各种修复技术的适用性

通过研究希拉穆仁草原退化过程,并以封育、灌溉、松土补播、干草覆盖等技术实施人工修复测试,对测试的试验地进行植被调查、土壤肥力化验和土壤种子库发芽试验,比较各种技术对当地退化草地的恢复作用及其各自的优缺点。结果表明:灌溉对退化草地的恢复作用最为明显;封育的恢复作用较为显著,但恢复能力总体来说只有灌溉的50%左右;松土补播和干草覆盖反而影响了植被的恢复。     

改则高寒荒漠草地改良效果

对西藏阿里地区改则县高寒荒漠退化草地,采用了围栏、围栏＋灌溉及围栏＋灌溉＋补播3种改良措施,以围栏外天然草地为对照,通过研究几个改良措施对草地植物高度、盖度、密度、地上生物量、重要值及物种多样性的影响,寻求适宜于该类退化草地恢复的最佳措施。结果表明,3种改良措施与对照相比均能明显改善退化草地群落中所有植物的生长状况;围栏＋灌溉、围栏＋灌溉＋补播措施可以提高高寒荒漠退化草地的物种多样性;与其他改良措施相比,围栏＋灌溉＋补播措施可以显著提高高寒荒漠退化草地物种均匀度;综合考虑,围栏＋灌溉措施更适宜于改则县高寒荒漠退化草地的改良恢复。     

退化人工草地补播改良研究初报

对亚热带中山地区退化工草地补播改良方法进行的初步试验表明，条、穴、撒等三种补播惊讶攻以多年生黑麦草作为补播草种时其地上生物量为对照的１．９－２．３倍，综合效果以穴播最佳，补播改良还具有省时、劣力、节约生产资金等益外。     

重耙、补播几种牧草改良重度盐碱化草地的当年效果调查

重度盐碱化草地经重耙、补播耐盐碱的几种优良禾本科、豆科牧草后，调查结果表明，改良后植被盖度提高50％，草地载畜量增加5倍，第一性生产纯产值和第二性生产产值分别是总投资的1．4倍和2．74倍。此项综合改良技术是治理重度盐碱化草地有效的技术措施和手段。     

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