鸡胚胎原始生殖细胞的体外培养

旨在对影响鸡胚胎原始生殖细胞（PGCs）体外培养、传代过程的各种影响因素进行探讨。将分离到的19期鸡胚胎生殖腺的PGCs在以鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）为饲养层，添加细胞因子的培养体系中进行培养、传代。经冷冻保存的PGCs在添加细胞因子的培养体系中能增殖，并具有分化能力。从细胞形态、集落形态、增殖生长能力、核型检测、碱性磷酸酶测定等方面对培养过程中的鸡胚胎PGCs进行检测。结果表明，采用传至3代的CEF为饲养层，多次离散法进行传代所获得的5代鸡胚胎PGCs不但能有效维持PGCs的未分化状态和正常二倍体核型，也具有其作为多能性胚胎干细胞的一系列特征。     

鹌鹑PGCs的传代培养及鉴定

试验采用鸡胚胎制作的成纤维细胞饲养层培养细胞,成功实现鹌鹑原始生殖细胞(PGCs)的传代培养;并通过对比试验,验证了生长因子LIF、SCF、bFGF能够显著提高PGCs存活率和抑制其分化。     

对鸡的原生殖细胞冻存后重建种群的研究

在家禽面临意想不到的疾病(例如禽流感)大流行时,或者不喜爱某些家禽产品的时候,(冷冻)保存现有种群的遗传多样性,并在未来通过回交重新建立种群,是家禽业生物安全保障、预防禽种(特别是珍稀品种)遗传资源减少或流失的关键措施。从单个供体鸡胚胎(阶段16,孵化2.5d)的背侧主动脉抽出血液,体外培养原生殖细胞(PGCs)、冷冻保存。若干年之后,解冻PGCs、体外培养使其苏醒。将PGCs注入寄主鸡胚胎(阶段16,孵化2.5d)背侧主动脉,继续孵化至出雏,有些后代鸡就会携带供体鸡的遗传基因。通过繁殖扩大数量,就可重新建立供体鸡种群。     

鸡胚血液中PGCs的分离及原代培养

在鸡胚孵化48,50,54,56,60h的不同时期，分离血液中原始生殖细胞（PGCs)，分离前的浓度分别为0.011%,0.007%,0.006%,0.006%,0.004%,0.001%,分离后的浓度分别为0.245,1.21%,1.02%,0.64%,0.27%,孵化48－54h，血液中PGCs浓度差异不显著，但孵化48h的鸡胚液较少，PGCs绝对量较低。孵化52－54h的鸡胚血液量较大，获取PGCs的绝对值较高，故分离PGCs的时间以孵化52－54h为宜，鸡胚血液中PGCs在未中任何外源生长因子而含10％FCS的TCM－199培养基中体外培养，能够存活3－4d。     

四氯联苯对鸡胚性腺原始生殖细胞的毒性影响

采用四氯联苯处理发育至Ⅹ期的白来航鸡种蛋,孵化5.5天后取出胚胎进行全固定,用石蜡切片和PAS染色(高碘酸希夫试剂)研究四氯联苯对鸡胚性腺原始生殖细胞(PGCs)的影响.结果表明,四氯联苯对发育至5.5日胚龄的鸡胚性腺PGCs数量和结构有明显影响,但雌二醇处理的5.5日胚龄鸡胚PGCs数量变化不显著,其结构无明显变化.表明四氯联苯对5.5日胚龄的鸡胚性腺PGCs的影响主要来自于其毒性作用.     

鸡胚胎体外操作技术的研究现状和进展（续）

5嵌合体鸡的生产　　嵌合体制作最早主要用于发育生物学、细胞遗传学等学科的理论研究。目前，禽类嵌合体的制作中作供体细胞用的囊胚层细胞(BC)和原生殖细胞(PGCs)可以代替受精卵和早期胚胎用于体外遗传操作，已成为禽类转基因研究的一个热点。同时，BC和PGCs还可以在体外进行培养和冷冻保存。基本原理是经过遗传操作的BC细胞或PGCs细胞作供体，嵌合到受体胚胎中。如果是嵌合在生殖细胞，则该嵌合体性成熟后可产生一定比例经过遗传操作的配子。　　有关鸡嵌合体方面的报道及鸡嵌合体制作方法、嵌合体的嵌合程度的判断以及怎样提高嵌…     

哺乳动物PGCs用于胚胎干细胞培养的研究

本文综述了哺乳动物原始生殖细胞（PGCs）的研究进展；归纳了影响用PGCs分离胚胎干培养的因素。阐述了在PGCs用于胚胎干细胞培养研究中存在的问题及应用前景。     

寿光鸡胚原始生殖细胞的形态和分布观察

采用连续切片法进行鸡胚胎显微观察,研究寿光鸡原始生殖细胞（PGCs）形态和分布规律。试验结果表明,PGCs在迁移过程中出现3次聚集高峰。第1次是在孵化19～22 h时聚集在生殖新月处;第2次是在孵化48～55 h时聚集在心脏和背主动脉中;第3次是孵化4~5 d时的生殖嵴中。生殖新月区的PGCs呈不规整的圆形或卵圆形,细胞内含有大量的糖原颗粒,血液中PGCs呈规整的圆形。性腺中PGCs呈圆形或卵圆形,有伪足。胞核均呈圆形或椭圆形,偏向细胞边缘。细胞直径为10~22.5 μm,细胞核的大小均为7.5 μm左右。     

从原始生殖细胞中分离克隆胚胎干细胞的研究

作者探讨了从原始生殖细胞（PGCs）中分离克隆胚胎干细胞的优势、用于分离克隆胚胎干细胞的PGCs获取方法及其向胚胎干细胞转化的能力。     

LncRNA PGCT8正向调控鸡原始生殖细胞形成

研究旨在对前期测序筛选到的关键LncPGCT8对鸡原始生殖细胞（PGCs）形成的影响进行深入探究。试验通过qRT-PCR和组织表达谱分析LncPGCT8在鸡PGCs和生殖嵴中的表达量。在体内外过表达/干扰LncPGCT8，通过qRT-PCR、流式细胞术、间接免疫荧光和免疫组织化学染色检测体内外PGC形成效率。结果显示：LncPGCT8在鸡PGCs和性腺中均显著高表达（P<0.05），过表达LncPGCT8组PGCs形成效率显著高于对照组（P<0.05），干扰LncPGCT8则会显著降低PGCs形成数量（P<0.05）。结果表明LncPGCT8在体内/外均促进鸡PGCs形成，为提高体外诱导PGCs效率奠定理论基础。     

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 -