家鹅细胞色素b基因系统发育研究

本研究测定了中国家鹅15个品种、欧洲鹅2个品种共44个个体的细胞色素b基因全序列(1143 bp),与Genbank库中白额雁细胞色素b基因序列合并进行比对分析,结果表明各序列同义替换速率(dS)和非同义替换速率(dN)分别为0.0787和0.0011,dS与dN值间的差异极显著(Z=4.713,P＜0.01),dS＜0.5,可使用dS值来构建分子系统发育关系树,构建的最大简约树与邻接树拓扑结构一致,支持中国家鹅的双起源学说,即除伊犁鹅外的其它中国鹅品种起源于鸿雁,伊犁鹅和欧洲的郎德鹅、莱茵鹅起源于灰雁.     

家鹅细胞色素b基因序列进化研究

测定了中国家鹅15个品种、欧洲鹅2个品种共44个个体的细胞色素b基因全序列（1143bp），与Gen—Bank中白额雁细胞色素b基因序列合并在一起比对分析，结果表明：全序列中没有缺失、插入或移码突变，转换数（Ts）明显高于颠换数（Tv），密码子第3位点呈现了相当强烈的转换偏倚性；密码子第1位点的替换速率变异最大；同义密码子表现出一定程度的使用偏倚性；dS与dN值间的差异极显著（Z=4．713，P〈0．01），而ω（dS／dN）=0．0284，明显小于0．3，表明雁属鹅细胞色素b基因序列经历了中度净化选择作用；单步非同义替换分布模式与Grantharm’距离之间的关系说明密码子的3个位点所受的净化选择强度不同，第2位点的净化选择作用强度最大（Granthem距离为204）。     

四川黄牛品种线粒体DNA 遗传多样性研究

测定了四川黄牛5个品种的线粒体细胞色素b部分片段（420bp）42个个体以及28个个体线粒体DNA控制区（D-loop）的全序列，结合已报道的中国8个黄牛品种22个个体的线粒体DNA控制区（D-loop）全序列，分析结果表明：四川黄牛的部分Cytb基因片段有5个变异位点，7种单倍型可分为以2个单倍型为主的2大类型；线粒体DNA控制区检测到64个变异位点，28种单倍型，单倍型H1～H23为普通黄牛类型，单倍型H24～H28为瘤牛类型的单倍型。在四川黄牛中，67．86％为普通牛类型，32．14％为瘤牛类型。研究结果表明四川黄牛主要有2类母系来源。     

宁夏滩羊mtDNA Cyt b基因遗传多样性分析

为了分析宁夏滩羊线粒体DNA(mtDNA)细胞色素b脱复辅基酶(Cytb)基因的遗传多样性,试验采用PCR扩增和基因测序的方法对线粒体Cyt b基因在宁夏地区3个绵羊品种(滩羊、小尾寒羊和蒙古羊)群体的遗传多样性进行检测,分析其碱基组成及序列间碱基的变异。结果表明:滩羊线粒体Cyt b基因部分序列长度为363 bp,A、C、G、T的平均含量分别为39.11%、19.84%、19.26%、21.79%,碱基组成的百分比显示,G相对缺乏,A+T平均含量(60.90%)比G+C(39.10%)平均含量高。在滩羊与蒙古羊、小尾寒羊品种间存在1个变异位点,在47位点处发生了A/G的转换,可以作为候选基因用于辅助检测。     

基于线粒体DNA D-loop区序列分析我国小型鹅种的系统进化

为了探究我国小型鹅种的系统进化,运用DNA测序技术测定了我国13个小型鹅种群体mtDNA D-loop区521 bp序列。结果显示这13个小型鹅种D-loop区的A、G、C、T含量分别为32.2%,15.0%,29.0%,23.8%。平均单倍型多样度和核苷酸多样度分别为0.2153和0.00046。13个家鹅种间变异大于种内变异,且均未出现群体扩张现象。群体聚类和系统进化树表明,伊犁鹅来源于灰雁（Anser anser）,其余12个鹅种来源于鸿雁（Ansercygnoides）     

基于线粒体DNA D-loop区序列分析我国小型鹅种的系统进化

为了探究我国小型鹅种的系统进化,运用DNA测序技术测定了我国13个小型鹅种群体mtDNA D-loop区521 bp序列。结果显示这13个小型鹅种D-loop区的A、G、C、T含量分别为32.2%,15.0%,29.0%,23.8%。平均单倍型多样度和核苷酸多样度分别为0.2153和0.00046。13个家鹅种间变异大于种内变异,且均未出现群体扩张现象。群体聚类和系统进化树表明,伊犁鹅来源于灰雁（Anser anser）,其余12个鹅种来源于鸿雁（Ansercygnoides）     

石岐鸽mtDNA Cytb基因遗传多样性分析

为探究石岐鸽的遗传多样性和母系起源，研究对60只石岐鸽线粒体DNA(Mitochondrial genome,mtDNA)细胞色素b(Cytochrome b,Cytb)基因进行PCR扩增和测序，并结合GenBank中鸽Cytb基因序列进行系统发育分析。结果显示：石岐鸽mtDNA Cytb基因序列全长为1 143 bp，碱基T、C、A和G的平均比例分别为24.57%、35.79%、27.36%和12.28%；单倍型多样性为0.782±0.029，核苷酸多样性为0.001 69±0.000 04，平均核苷酸差异为1.927；共发现11个变异位点，其中8个为单一变异位点，3个为简约信息位点，基于变异位点定义了8种单倍型；石岐鸽和原鸽分为A和B两个分支，石岐鸽只分布于A分支。研究表明石岐鸽具有较高的线粒体遗传多样性，母系来源单一。     

浙江省本地及引进鹅种遗传多样性研究

本研究利用PCR和DNA克隆测序技术扩增并分析了浙江省5个地方鹅种和1个引进家鹅品种96个个体的线粒体DNA D环区(D-loop)全序列。结果表明:浙江省境内的家鹅线粒体DNA D-loop全序长为1 166～1 179 bp,共发现89个变异位点,定义了36种单倍型,群体总核苷酸多样度达到了0.007 25,单倍型多样度为0.862,说明鹅群的遗传资源较为丰富,其中磐石灰鹅的遗传多样性最丰富,朗德鹅的遗传多样性最匮乏,而且没有发现朗德鹅与其他本地鹅种之间的显著差异。同时,个体聚类图中同品种内的个体没有聚在一起,说明浙江省鹅品种的母系来源比较混杂,品种选育偏重于父系,应同时结合基因组水平对其遗传结构进行分析。     

牦牛线粒体DNA细胞色素b基因序列测定及其起源、分类地位研究

牦牛在牛亚科中的分类地位仍存在较大的分歧。根据普通牛线粒体基因组序列设计引物对家牦牛基因组进行PCR扩增和克隆测序，获得了家牦牛细胞色素6（Cytochromeb）基因的全长序列，并以羊亚科绵羊（Ovisaries）为外类群，对牛亚科代表性物种进行了系统发育分析。结果显示：牛亚科不同物种间线粒体细胞色素b基因的转换／颠换比值为4．9，突变未达到饱和状态；牦牛与牛属间的序列差异百分比为8．0％～8．6％，大于牦牛与美洲野牛间的序列差异百分比；系统发育分析发现家牦牛与野牦牛首先聚为一类，再与美洲野牛聚为一类；说明牦牛与美洲牦牛属间的遗传相似性较高，而与牛属间的遗传相似性较低，结果支持现在的家牦牛和野牦牛都是同一祖先原始牦牛的后代，推测两者分化时间大约为0．55百万年前；支持将牦牛划分为牛亚科牦牛属的观点，牦牛属包括家牦牛和野牦牛两个种。     

Cytb分子标记技术在物种鉴定中的应用

细胞色素b（Cytochrome b,Cytb）基因作为一种线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA）分子标记,其结构和功能是mtDNA的13个蛋白质编码基因中了解得最清楚的基因。它的进化速度适中,一个较小的基因片段就包含着从种内到种间、属间乃至科间的进化遗传信息,被认为是解决分类及系统进化问题可信的分子标记之一,目前,在很多领域已经得到了广泛的应用。本文将简要介绍Cytb基因及其研究方法,重点总结和归纳Cytb分子标记在物种鉴定中的应用现状并对其应用中的问题及发展趋势做一阐述。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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