放牧对鸭茅能量积累及分配的影响

通过长期放牧试验，探讨了不同放牧强度下亚热带高山草地鸭茅种群能量积累规律及能量在不同构件之间的分配特征。在无放牧的对照草地及采食率分别为55％、65％、80％的放牧草地，鸭茅热值随放牧强度的增加而呈单峰曲线型变化，一定强度范围内的放牧干扰提高了鸭茅热值及能量的积累；根部能量的积累随放牧强度的提高而逐渐减少。在禁牧草地，鸭茅种群能量主要被低密度的大分蘖丛所分摊，随着放牧强度的提高，种群能量则逐渐均摊给高密度的小分蘖丛。     

放牧强度对羊草草地植被特征的影响

通过小区控制放牧实验，研究了放牧强度对松嫩平原羊草草地植被特征的影响。结果表明：主要种群的高度、密度和生物量随季节的变化趋势不同，草地高度随放牧强度的增大而降低；一定程度的放牧可增加禾草在群落中的比例，提高牧草质量；随着放牧强度的增大，群落密度有增大的趋势，植物多样性指数先增高后降低，即中度放牧下多样性指数最大，有利于多样性的维持，多样性增加又增强草地对放牧的缓冲力。植物种数与多样性指数间没有明显的线性关系。     

川西北地区老芒麦人工草地生长季种群数量和构件对不同放牧强度的响应

为探讨老芒麦人工草地适宜的放牧强度,在生长季设置对照(扣笼)、轻度、中度和重度4个放牧强度进行划区轮牧试验,采用对角线随机样方取样法对老芒麦种群数量特征和构件特征进行取样调查和室内测定,结果表明:不同放牧强度下老芒麦种群的数量特征(高度、盖度、密度、地上生物量和重要值)随放牧强度的增加显著下降;生长季内随着放牧月份的增加,老芒麦的高度和地上生物量呈抛物线变化,盖度变化不明显,密度和重要值略有下降。老芒麦茎叶比在各放牧强度间变化不显著,叶片数、生殖枝数和叶面积指数随放牧强度的增大显著下降;生长季内叶片数和叶面积指数在7月和8月显著大于其他月份,生殖枝数呈下降趋势,茎叶比9月最大。不放牧时老芒麦种群数量特征和构件特征表现最优,超过轻度(利用率50%)及以上放牧强度时显著影响老芒麦的生长发育,降低老芒麦的优势度。     

不同放牧强度下陇东天然草地土壤微生物三大类群的动态特征

对陇东黄土高原天然草地的4个放牧处理(0、2.7、5.3和8.7只羊/hm2)生境下的土壤微生物三大类群时空动态特征进行了研究。结果表明,同一放牧强度下不同土层(0～10、10～20、20～30 cm),随着土层深度的增加土壤微生物三大类群呈减少趋势;在不同放牧强度下同一土层土壤微生物三大类群的数量不同,未放牧、轻度放牧条件下微生物种群数量较高,而过度放牧的天然草地土壤微生物数量最高;不同放牧条件下,土壤微生物三大类群表现出基本一致的变化趋势,真菌、细菌最高值出现在9月,放线菌最高峰出现在11月。     

施肥草地刈割和放牧利用的研究

对黄土丘陵区的退化天然草地进行施肥处理，研究施肥草地在刈割，放牧利用下以种群生物一的季节动态和年动态的变化规律。为选择该地区最适宜的刈割期，刈割次数和放牧强度以及放牧次数对群落结构的影响提供理论依据。     

羊群宿营对蛴螬控制及草地恢复的影响

羊群在受到蛴螬严重为害的草地上宿营，对蛴螬数量有显著的控制作用，并能有效地改善土壤养分状况，促进受害牧草根恢复生长，从而有利于草地植被的复壮更新，因而是一种廉价，有效，易行的草地管理技术。研究结果表明，对蛴螬的控制效果随载畜率的提高而增强，而就草地恢复情况而，以畜率为４０００－５０００只羊／公顷，连续宿营４天的处理效果最为显著。     

放牧强度对黑麦草/白三叶混播草地种群牧草量构成与年生产力的影响

研究了不同放牧强度下(轻牧、适牧、重牧、过牧),黑麦草/白三叶混播草地的牧草现存量,种群牧草量构成及年产量变化。随放牧强度增大,草地牧草现存量呈下降,牧草利用率呈增加趋势。放牧强度对黑麦草茎、叶生长具明显影响,对白三叶影响则较小;黑麦草绿色茎叶比随放牧强度增大而降低,白三叶茎、叶植物量分配主要受季节影响。适牧的黑麦草和白三叶种群牧草量呈线形函数变化,而轻牧、重牧和过牧则呈幂函数变化,各放牧强度黑麦草现存量均随白三叶牧草量的增大而增多。黑麦草种群和群落产量均为:适牧>重牧>过牧>轻牧;白三叶种群产量为:适牧>过牧>重牧>轻牧。随放牧强度增大,黑麦草组分相近,白三叶组分呈增加,杂草和死物质组分呈降低趋势。因此,放牧能提高白三叶组分,抑制杂草植物生长,降低混播草地凋落、枯死损失,增强黑麦草和白三叶种群生长的正效应作用;适度放牧利于混播草地中黑麦草、白三叶组分比的稳定,维持混播草地高生产力。合理的草地利用率是保持高产、优质草地的关键。     

不同放牧强度对牦牛生长和草地第二生产力的影响

试验研究了６种放牧强度对牦牛生长及草地第二性生产力的影响，结果表明，放牧强度对牦牛日增重有明显影响，日增重以０．２４牦牛单位／ｈｍ＾２处理组最高，达７０７．９ｇ随着放牧强度的增大，牦牛日增重明显降低。其中，放牧强度对１岁牦牛影响最大，２岁牦牛次之，３岁牦牛再次。试验全期当放牧强度于１．２牦牛单位／ｈｍ＾２时，增大放牧强度，草地第二性生产力明显提高，当放牧强度高于１．２牦牛单位／ｈｍ＾２时，增大放牧     

不同放牧强度对草地和绵羊生产性能影响

本试验是1988年在湖南省南山牧场改良草地上用绵羊进行的3种放牧强度的放牧研究。结果表明:不同放牧强度对牧草产量、绵羊繁殖率和增重差异均不显著(P>0.05),但以每亩草地计算,不同放牧强度绵羊增重差异显著(P<0.01)。高放牧强度(每羊1.5亩草地)能促进人工栽培牧草分蘖,抑制野生杂草数量。     

放牧对小叶锦鸡儿种群数量特征的影响

本研究通过测定禁牧(CK)、轻度放牧(LG)、中度放牧(MG)和重度放牧(HG)下小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)种群总盖度、密度、高度和总生物量,旨在掌握放牧对小叶锦鸡儿种群数量特征的影响。结果表明:随着放牧强度的增加,小叶锦鸡儿灌丛密度呈现先增加后减少的趋势,但各处理间无显著差异(P=0.11)。这说明中度放牧在一定程度上有利于小叶锦鸡儿的繁殖。灌丛盖度、高度和总生物量随着放牧强度的增加而显著降低(P0.05),这说明放牧对灌木种群有明显的负作用。综合考虑小叶锦鸡儿种群的数量特征和生产力,在荒漠草原上适宜的载畜率应为中度放牧。     

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.     

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.     

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     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -