Effects of daily management changes on behavioral patterns of a solitary female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a zoo

This study investigated the effects of changes in daily management on behavior of a solitary female elephant in a zoo. The activity budget and space utilization of the subject and the management changes were recorded for 1 year after the conspecific male died. The observation days could be categorized into five clusters (C1–C5) by the characteristic behavioral pattern of each day. C1 had the highest percentage of resting of all clusters, and was observed after the loss of the conspecific and the beginning of use of the indoor exhibition room at night. C2, which had the highest percentage of stereotypy of any cluster, was observed after the beginning of habituation to the indoor exhibition room. Also, when the time schedule of management was changed irregularly, the subject frequently exhibited stereotypic pacing (C2, C4). The subject tended to rest when exhibiting lameness in the left hind limb (C3). In C5, activity reached a high level when she could utilize a familiar place under a stable management schedule. These results indicate that management changes affected the mental stability of an elephant in the early stage of social isolation.     

Social behavior in laboratory rats: Applications for psycho-neuroethology studies

The social behavior in laboratory animals occurs in conspecific groups. In the past two decades, the physiological basis of the social behavior in laboratory rats has been gradually elucidated through various neural approaches. In addition, the relevance of social related behavior for psycho‐neuroethology studies has been extensively proposed. An analysis of social recognition behavior of new conspecifics is a useful approach for the study of memory without aversive alternatives such as fear, pain and anxiety. Furthermore, it is considered that artificial or experimental social isolation can induce altered emotional states in laboratory rats. This article reviews the past findings regarding social behavior and aspects of its expression, and discusses further possibilities for animal models of human neuro‐psychiatric disorders.     

养殖企业从业人员“动物福利”社会态度研究

1 525份有效问卷的调查表明,中国畜牧行业大多数从业人员对动物福利有基本的认知。如75.4%的从业人员听说过动物福利,76.5%的从业人员赞成就动物福利立法,强迫生产者为猪鸡提供良好的生长和生存条件等。从业人员普遍认同动物的生理福利和环境福利,但对行为福利等却认知不足。从业人员在赞同动物福利的同时,又不太愿意因推行动物福利而承担过大的成本,如59.8%的从业者只愿意承担因遵守动物福利而导致5%及以下的成本增加。     

Effects of single caging and cage size on behavior and stress level of domestic neutered cats housed in an animal shelter

Cats need a minimum amount of space even in animal shelters. In this study the effects of single caging and cage size on the behavior and stress level of domestic cats were investigated. Six neutered cats (2–15 years old) that had been housed in a group for at least 7 months were moved to three kinds of single cages (small, medium and large) by rotation on a Latin square design. They experienced each cage size for 6 days. Cats could use vertical dimensions when housed in a group room and the large cage. Behavioral observation was conducted for 3 h in the evening, and stress levels were assessed by urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios. The amounts (estimated proportions) of time spent in locomotion and social/solitary play were lower even in large cages than in group housing (both P < 0.05). Conversely, the amount of time spent resting tended to increase when housed singly (P = 0.104). The urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios of singly housed cats tended to be higher than that of group‐housed cats (P = 0.086). The results indicate that cats become less active when they are housed singly in cages regardless of the cage size. Cats seem to feel no undue stress even in small cages if the stay is short.     

Considerations on ethics and animal welfare in extensive pig production: Breeding and fattening Iberian pigs

The extensive pig production in Spain is traditionally characterised by: the use of the Iberian pig, an autochthonous breed perfectly integrated into the environment in which they have developed; a long duration of the productive cycle for about 23–24 months; a high level of animal welfare level, specially in the fattening process with freedom of movement and feeding base on natural sources: acorns and grass, and an equilibrated “dehesa” agro-forestry system where this activity has been developed. Nowadays, the introduction of more intensificated methods due to the increasing demand led to important changes, such as: the shortening of the productive cycle (10–12 months); freeing from the territorial base; changes during the fattening period, fattening with mixed feed and less animal freedom. All these facts may implicate a loss of the animal welfare condition. These circumstances lead us to question it from an ethical point of view.     

The assessment of the effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress using saliva sampling in cows

The effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress was assessed by saliva sampling in cows. Three Japanese Black test cows and another companion cow were used. At 09.00 hours, one of the test cows was housed in an experimental pen with the companion in a neighboring pen. At 11.30 hours, the test cow was socially isolated by taking the companion out the neighboring pen. At 12.00 hours, the test cow was exposed to one of four treatments until 15.00 hours; presenting a blank picture (P‐Blank), a white‐ground picture of the companion's face (P‐Com) or an unfamiliar Holstein's face (P‐Hol), or the companion in the neighboring pen and a blank picture (Com). The cows were randomly exposed to all treatments. The cows' saliva were sampled for measuring salivary cortisol and chromogranin A concentrations (Sa‐Cort, Sa‐ChA) at 11.30, 12.00, 12.30 and 14.00 hours. At 12.00 hours, Sa‐ChA was higher than that at 11.30 hours (P < 0.01). At 12.30 hours Sa‐ChA of Com and P‐Com were lower than that of P‐Blank (P = 0.09, P = 0.08). At 14.00 hours Sa‐Cort of Com was lower than that of P‐Blank (P < 0.01), but Sa‐Cort of P‐Com was higher than that of P‐Blank (P < 0.01). It is suggested that P‐Com might decrease isolation stress only a short time, but afterward induced stress in cows.     

群体规模和地面空间占有量对猪的福利和生产性能的影响

猪是一种群居性很强的哺乳动物。在野生状态下,它们可以根据需要自己调整群体的大小来适应自然环境。可是在集约化生产条件下,猪被限定在一定的群体规模下高密度饲养,它们不能自由地进行调整。密度过大可引起争斗、咬尾等异常行为的发生;群体规模的大小可影响猪争斗行为的发生频率等,这样势必会影响到猪的福利和生产性能。作者综述了地面空间占有量和群体规模对猪的福利和生产性能的影响。在研究群体规模和地面空间占有量时,很容易混淆二者的影响作用,以前出现过很多把群体规模和地面空间占有量搞混现象。所以针对以前的研究中出现的混淆地面空间占有量和群体规模的现象,作者提出了避免或减少这些混淆发生的一些方法。     

古法林下牧猪初探

文章以跳石子村产业脱贫为例,分析了古法林下牧猪的特点,实施过程中存在的问题,以及解决问题的对策,以期为山区贫困农民脱贫提供借鉴。     

Considering the relationship between domestic violence and pet abuse and its significance in the veterinary clinical and educational contexts

This thematic review examines the literature regarding the relationship between domestic violence (DV) and pet abuse (PA) particularly in the veterinary clinical and educational contexts. It examines the significance of this relationship for the veterinary profession including the veterinarian’s role and associated legal and ethical obligations, and relevant current veterinary education standards, to identify future clinical and educational directions. Articles were sourced from online databases by searching the keywords without date restrictions. Overall, 70 articles were retrieved and reviewed.

Pet abuse has been identified as a potential risk factor for DV, and DV perpetrators may harm or kill a pet to exert physical, psychological or emotional control over an intimate partner. Given that victims of DV often seek veterinary aid for their pets, veterinarians may act as frontline professionals in the recognition of the link between PA and DV. Veterinarians must assess individual cases for diagnostic indicators of non-accidental injury and consider demographic factors to identify suspected PA and DV. Despite existing legal and ethical obligations of the veterinarian relating to suspected PA and victims of DV, veterinarians have uncertainty and unpreparedness in addressing PA and DV in a clinical context. Many factors may contribute to the lack of veterinary intervention in suspected cases of PA and DV including concern for animal welfare, confusion about the reporting process and uncertainty in differentiating accidental versus non-accidental injuries in pets. Specific published guidelines regarding the recognition and reporting of PA and DV in the veterinary clinical context are required. Limited published evidence exists examining the implementation and success of veterinary training regarding the relationship between DV and PA. Ultimately, veterinary student education is needed to prepare veterinarians for their response to PA and DV in practice. Further research is required to examine the effects of the delivery of content regarding the link between PA and DV in the veterinary curriculum on veterinary student knowledge and attitudes.     

A complex three breakpoint translocation in the domestic pig

A structural rearrangement involving three autosomes, numbers 2, 4 and 15, was transmitted from an A.I. boar of Finnish Landrace breed to its offspring. The boar was used extensively for breeding work; its phenotype was normal, and it had normal sexual functions and semen characteristics. However, because of the small size of its litters, blood samples were taken from the offspring for chromosome analysis.     

A simulation model for predicting the voluntary feed intake of a growing pig

Abstract

The main goal of this simulator is to predict voluntary feed intake based on the effects of temperature and stocking density. The model indicates the limiting factors relative to diet (protein, energy or ash), housing environmental conditions and stocking density. The concepts of compensatory protein growth, correction of lipid growth, the desired feed intake to meet energy, protein and ash requirements, and influences of stocking density, genotype and sex are also introduced in this model. This study draws a flow chart and steps to predict feed intake of a growing pig to make it clear how the model works. The model simulates the outcomes of feed intake, energy and protein requirements for maintenance, the energy cost for cold thermogenesis, and protein and lipid retention on a daily basis until slaughter weight. This model was also validated by comparison with published experiments.     

氟苯尼考在哺乳猪体内药代动力学研究

目的研究氟苯尼考注射液在哺乳仔猪体内的药物代谢动力学,为临床更加合理使用该药提供理论基础。方法:选取健康哺乳仔猪6头,按15mg/kg.bw肌内注射氟苯尼考,于给药后24h内采集不同时间点血浆样品,用乙酸乙酯进行二次提取,高效液相色谱-DAD检测法测定药物浓度,得到氟苯尼考在哺乳仔猪体内的药-时数据,PKS药动学软件分析得到药动学数据。结果哺乳仔猪肌内注射氟苯尼考后药动学数据符合开放式一级吸收二室模型,其重要药动学数据如下:分布半衰期tl/2α=62.12min,消除半衰期t1/2β=284.84min,药时曲线下面积AUC=75837μg·mL-·1h,tmax=100.00min,Cmax=118.96mg/L。     

浅析生猪养殖用地政策

文章介绍了近年来,国家出台的支持生猪生产发展的新政策及各地的经验和做法,分析了生猪养殖用地面临的新情况新问题,提出了一些合理化建议。     

海口地区商品猪场生产工艺和环境设计方法初探

地域气候差异、环境控制措施的选择对猪场设计及运行影响巨大。针对不同的养猪生产区,如何综合考虑气候特点对猪场进行标准化设计是满足猪场建成后正常运营的重要条件。海口市属华南地区,地处低纬度热带区域,年平均气温24℃,极端最高气温可达约41℃,平均相对湿度85％。文章针对海口地区特有的气候和地理环境特点,探讨了海口地区商品猪场在工艺设计、建筑设计和环境控制设计方面的设计思路,并通过案例分析进行了详细的说明。     

L-肉碱对猪精液冷冻保存效果的研究

本试验用5%二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)替代甘油作为冷冻保护剂,研究不同浓度(0、0.02、0.04、0.06、0.08 mg/mL)L-肉碱对猪精液冻后常规指标(精子活率、线粒体活性、顶体完整性、质膜完整性)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和总抗氧化酶(T-AOC)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明:添加0.04和0.06 mg/mL的L-肉碱可有效改善猪精液冷冻后效果。0.04 mg/mL组可显著提高精子冻后活率和线粒体活性(P<0.05);0.06 mg/mL组可显著提高顶体完整性和质膜完整性(P<0.05)。添加0.06 mg/mL L-肉碱可显著提高冷冻后精子内T-AOC酶活性并且抑制MDA的产生(P<0.05),但CAT活性与0.04 mg/mL组差异不显著。在冷冻稀释液中添加0.06 mg/mL L-肉碱可以提高猪精液冷冻保存效果。     

苏氨酸在养猪生产中的应用研究

苏氨酸是猪营养需要的必需氨基酸,尤其是添加合成赖氨酸配制低蛋白日粮时,猪日粮中的苏氨酸就成为第一限制性氨基酸,可进一步改善饲料的氨基酸平衡和降低饲料的配方成本。本文综述了苏氨酸在养猪生产中的生理作用、免疫功能、缺乏症、营养需要量和应用效果。     

几种断奶仔猪饲料原料系酸力的比较研究

试验研究了不同工艺形式及不同营养水平的几种断奶仔猪饲料原料的系酸力水平,结果表明:普通玉米与膨化玉米、直火工艺鱼粉与蒸汽鱼粉系酸力差异不显著(P0.05),普通豆粕蛋白水平越高,系酸力越高(P0.01),高蛋白乳清粉系酸力极显著高于低蛋白乳清粉(P0.01),高蛋白水平发酵豆粕(CP48.03%)系酸力低于普通豆粕(CP46.4%()P0.01),膨化大豆(CP39.13%)系酸力极显著低于其他形式豆粕系酸力(P0.01),血浆蛋白粉系酸力极显著高于鱼粉和乳清粉(P0.01),矿物质饲料原料有较高的系酸力。     

夏河县鼠荒地治理与牧草栽培试验

垂穗披碱草(Elymms nutans)与当地燕麦(Auena fatua)混播改良鼠荒地,当年鲜草产量达到19765kg/hm2,第二年,第三年达到13760kg/hm2、14200kg/hm2,鼠荒地改良,在一定程度上起到当年改良,当年见效,冬季有贮草,这能使牧畜安全越冬,抗御大风雪的突然袭击,减少牲畜死损.     

夏河县鼠荒地治理与牧草栽培试验

垂穗披碱草(Elymms nutans)与当地燕麦(Auena fatua)混播改良鼠荒地,当年鲜草产量达到19765kg/hm2,第二年,第三年达到13760kg/hm2、14200kg/hm2,鼠荒地改良,在一定程度上起到当年改良,当年见效,冬季有贮草,这能使牧畜安全越冬,抗御大风雪的突然袭击,减少牲畜死损。