Ovulation rate, lambing rate, litter size and embryo survival of Rambouillet sheep selected for high and low reproductive rate

Ewes from lines selected for high and low reproductive rate and a control line bred and selected randomly were endoscopically examined 3 to 5 d after breeding to determine ovulation rates in the fall of 1985, 1986 and 1987. Fertility (ewes lambing per ewe exposed), lambing rate (lambs born per ewe exposed) and litter size (lambs born per ewe lambing) were evaluated at lambing in the spring of each year. Embryonic survival was estimated as the number of lambs born per corpora lutea. Ovulation rates were 1.28, 1.73 and 1.46 for low, high and control lines, respectively. More (P less than .01) single ovulations occurred in low-line ewes than in the other two lines; high-line ewes had more (P less than .01) twin ovulations than did low- or control-line ewes. Fertility did not differ among lines. Selection line affected (P less than .01) lambing rate at first and all services. Control-line ewes had mean lambing rates at first and all services that were intermediate between those of the low and high lines, which were different from each other. Line x age of ewe interactions existed (P less than .01) for lambing rate at all services and litter size at first and all services. High-line ewes had lower lambing rates and litter sizes as 2-yr-olds than other lines, but their performance increased steadily to 6-yr-olds, whereas the low and control lines remained relatively constant. Embryo survival differed (P less than .10) between lines, being 74%, 63% and 67% for low, high and control lines, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feeding time and feeding rate and its relationship with feed intake, feed efficiency, growth rate, and rate of fat deposition in growing Duroc barrows

Because feed is the major cost to pork production, management practices and breeding strategies are aimed at optimizing feed intake. Knowledge about the shape of feed intake and feeding behavior curves may be of interest for optimization of lean meat production. This study investigated trends based on daily measurements of feeding behavior in 200 Duroc barrows, originating from 5 sires and 200 dams, during growth. Daily values were examined between 88 and 188 d of age. Furthermore, phenotypic correlations between feeding length and feeding rate, and feeding frequency, feed intake, residual feed intake, growth rate, and rate of fat deposition were investigated for a period between 95 and 175 d of age. No differences were observed between sires for parameter estimates of a curvilinear function fitted to data on feeding length as a function of age, but the effect of sire was significant (P < 0.01) for values at individual ages up to 132 d of age. Feeding rate (feed ingested for each minute spent eating) increased in a linear fashion with age (average R(2) = 0.80) and differently so for different sires (P < 0.05 for the intercept and P < 0.01 for the regression coefficient). Because the increase in BW is linear over this time period (average R(2) = 0.99), the results suggest that feeding rate increased with increased BW and is related to the physical capacity for feed intake. Results indicate that pigs that ate faster also ate more (r = 0.29, P < 0.001), grew faster (r = 0.40, P < 0.001), and grew fatter (r = 0.28, P < 0.001), but had no greater or lower residual feed intake (r = -0.01). The linear regression slope of feeding rate on age seemed inherent to the individual and was correlated with feed intake but not with residual feed intake. Feeding length may be selected for in order to regulate absolute feed intake at different stages of growth.     

苏打盐碱胁迫对羊草光合、蒸腾速率及水分利用效率的影响

采用温室土培试验法,研究了羊草叶片光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率等对不同苏打盐碱胁迫的响应特征。结果表明,随着模拟光辐射的增强,羊草叶片光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和蒸汽压亏缺等表现为升高,胞间CO₂浓度表现为降低,叶片水分利用效率则呈先升高后降低的趋势。同一光强下,随着土壤苏打盐碱胁迫程度的增大,羊草光合速率和蒸腾速率均有所下降,水分利用效率则有所升高。以光强1 500 μmol/(m²·s)为例,pH 9.78的盐碱胁迫处理的羊草光合速率和蒸腾速率分别比对照(pH 7.15)的处理降低了43.8%和51.3%。苏打盐碱胁迫下,羊草蒸腾速率的降低幅度大于光合速率降低幅度,保持了叶片较高的水分利用效率,可能是羊草适应苏打盐碱逆境的重要生理机制。     

紫花苜蓿的需水量、耗水量、需水强度、耗水强度和水分利用效率研究

为明确紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa的需水量、耗水量、需水强度、耗水强度和水分利用效率的影响因子和范围,对其进行了较为详尽地探讨.不同气候区域和年份紫花苜蓿的需水量和耗水量不同;增加刈割次数可降低需水量;在一定范围内耗水量随着灌溉量的增加而提高,不同灌溉模式耗水量不同.紫花苜蓿全生长季需水量和耗水量的范围分别为400～2 250和300～2 250 mm.不同气候区域、气候年份、刈割茬次及生长发育阶段紫花苜蓿的需水强度和耗水强度不同;需水强度与大气蒸发力成正相关,耗水强度与土壤含水量成正相关;增加刈割次数可降低需水强度;在一定范围内耗水强度随着灌溉量的增加而提高,不同灌溉模式耗水强度不同.紫花苜蓿全生长季需水强度和耗水强度的范围分别为3～7和2～7 mm/d;短期极端最高需水强度为14 mm/d.不同气候区域、气候年份、灌溉量、灌溉模式、施肥量、施肥模式及刈割茬次紫花苜蓿的水分利用效率不同;建植2年及以上高于建植当年;不同品种差异不显著.在相对正常的田间栽培管理条件下,建植当年紫花苜蓿的生物产量和经济产量(含水量14%)水分利用效率的范围分别为8～12和9～14 kg/(mm·hm2),建植2年及以上者分别为12～25和14～29 kg/(mm·hm2).     

Arterial baroreflex control of heart rate in the horse, pig, and calf

The heart rate (HR) response to stepwise changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) produced by methoxamine and sodium nitroprusside was studied in conscious horses, pigs, and calves. The respective steady-state arterial baroreflex sensitivities (delta HR/delta MAP expressed as beats min-1 . mm of Hg-1) were -1.20, -1.21, and -0.39 for decreasing MAP and -0.08, -0.91, and -0.56 for increasing MAP. After parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) blockade with atropine, the reflex sensitivity to decreasing MAP in horses and the pigs decreased to -0.62 and -0.65, respectively (P less than 0.05), whereas the sensitivity in calves was not significantly different from the calves' base-line sensitivity (P greater than 0.05). In pigs, the sensitivity to increasing MAP decreased to -0.43 after PNS blockade (P less than 0.05). Horses and calves had a response to small increases in MAP similar to that observed in the absence of PNS blockade. There was no additional change in HR with larger increases in MAP in these 2 species. These responses indicate that varying degrees of mixed PNS and sympathetic nervous system activity changes mediate the baroreflex change in HR seen for increasing and decreasing MAP in pigs and for decreasing MAP in horses. Predominantly PNS activity is responsible for the response to increasing MAP in the horses and calves, whereas predominantly sympathetic nervous system activity is responsible for the response to decreasing MAP in calves. Comparisons were made between the observations in these 3 species and other mammalian species.     

Reproduction rate and viability of Merino,Nilagiri and halfbred Merino. II. Age specific replacement rate and net reproduction rate

Summary Age specific replacement rate, net reproduction rate and intrinsic rate of population increase were estimated from records over a period of 11 years of Merino, Nilagiri and halfbreds. On an average for every 1000 ewes mated 830 ewes lambed, 917 lambs were born, 898 lambs were weaned and 422 ewe lambs survived to joining age (one and a half years) in Nilagiri sheep. The corresponding figures were 665, 685, 590 and 228 in Merino and 664, 709, 691 and 341 in halfbreds. Nilagiri ewes in intermediate ages had more multiple births and older ewes weaned more lambs. The flock strength was not maintained unless the ewes were kept till the fifth lambing in Merino, third lambing in Nilagiri and fourth lambing in halfbred Merino. These results along with the culling levels indicated that the low reproductive efficiency in halfbreds may not be critical enough to avoid introduction of Merino for improvement in productivity. However, the poor reproductive efficiency of the Merino in this country may necessitate repeat importations of Merino rams for production of halfbreds.

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Resumen Se estimó la tasa específica de edad de reemplazo, la tasa neta de reproducción y la tasa intrínsica de incremènto poblacional, a partir de registros tomados a través de II a?os, de ovejas de las razas Merino, Nilagiri y Merino media sangre. En promedio, por cada 1000 ovejas apareadas, 830 parieron, 917 corderos nacieron, 898 corderos se destetaron y 422 alcanzaron la edad de apareamiento (1 1/2 a?os), en ovejas Nilagiri. Los promedios correspondientes en Merino, fueron 665, 685, 590 y 228, y en Merino media sangre 664, 709, 691 y 341. Las ovejas Nilagiri en edad intermedia, tuvieron más mellizos y las ovejas más viejas, destetaron más corderos. La vitalidad del reba?o no se pudo mantener, a memos que las ovejas se dejaran hasta el quinto parto en Merino, tercero en Nilagiri y cuarto parto en media sangre. Estos resultados junto con los niveles de descarte, indicaron, que la baja eficiencia reproductiva de las media sangre, posiblemente no es suficientemente crítica, para evitar la introducción de sangre Merino, tendiente al mejoramiento de la productividad. Sin embargo, la pobre eficiencia reproductiva de la raza Merino observada en el país, solo podría superarse mediante la importación contínua de machos, para la producción de media sangre.

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Résumé Le taux de renouvellement, le taux net de reproduction et le taux intrinsèque d’augmentation de la population ont été enregistrés pendant une période de onze ans pour les races Mérinos, Nilagiri et demi-sang. En moyenne, on a eu 917 agneaux nés pour 1000 brebis accouplées/830 brebis agnelantes; 898 agneaux ont été sevrés et 422 jeunes brebis ont survécu jusqu’à l’age de la lutte (un an et demi) dans la race Nilagiri. Pour les Mérinos, les chiffres correspondant sont: 665, 685, 590 et 228, et pour les demi-sang: 664, 709, 691 et 341. Les brebis Nilagiri d’age intermédiaire ont eu plus de naissances multiples et les plus vielles brebis donnent naissance à plus d’agneaux. Pour que l’effectif du troupeau se maintienne, les brebis doivent être conservées jusqu’au cinquième agnelage chez les Mérinos, au troisième chez les Nilagiri et au quatrième chez les croisés Mérinos. Ces résultats, ainsi que les niveaux de réforme, indiquent que le bas rendement en reproduction des demi-sang n’est pas suffisamment crucial pour éviter l’introduction de Mérinos dans le but d’augmenter la productivité. Toutefois les maigres performances de reproduction du Mérinos dans le pays obligent à des importations répétées de béliers Mérinos pour la production des demi-sang.

     

Cortisol release,heart rate,and heart rate variability in transport-naive horses during repeated road transport

Domestic animals are often repeatedly exposed to the same anthropogenic stressors. Based on cortisol secretion and heart rate, it has been demonstrated that transport is stressful for horses, but so far, changes in this stress response with repeated road transport have not been reported. We determined salivary cortisol concentrations, fecal cortisol metabolites, cardiac beat-to-beat (RR) interval, and heart rate variability (HRV) in transport-naive horses (N = 8) transported 4 times over a standardized course of 200 km. Immunoreactive salivary cortisol concentrations always increased in response to transport (P < 0.001), but cortisol release decreased stepwise with each transport (P < 0.05). Concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites increased from 55.1 ± 4.6 ng/g before the first transport to 161 ± 17 ng/g the morning after (P < 0.001). Subsequent transport did not cause further increases in fecal cortisol metabolites. In response to the first transport, mean RR interval decreased with loading of the horses and further with the onset of transport (1551 ± 23, 1304 ± 166, and 1101 ± 123 msec 1 d before, immediately preceeding, and after 60–90 min of transport, respectively; P < 0.05). Decreases in RR interval during subsequent transports became less pronounced (P < 0.001). Transport was associated with a short rise in the HRV variable standard deviation 2 (P < 0.001 except transport 1), indicating sympathetic activation. No consistent changes were found for other HRV variables. In conclusion, a transport-induced stress response in horses decreased with repeated transport, indicating that animals habituated to the situation, but an increased cortisol secretion remained detectable.     

Effects of epidural opioid analgesics on heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, and behavior in horses

Heart rate, arterial blood pressures, respiratory rate, body temperature, and central nervous system excitement were compared before and after epidural administration of morphine (0.1 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.08 mg/kg), alfentanil (0.02 mg/kg), tramadol (1.0 mg/kg), the k-opioid agonist U50488H (0.08 mg/kg), or sterile water using an incomplete Latin square crossover design in five conscious adult horses. Treatments were administered into the first intercoccygeal epidural space. Significant (P <.05) reductions in respiratory rate were detected after epidural administration of morphine, alfentanil, U50488H, and sterile water. Additionally, significant (P <.05) head ptosis was observed within the first hour after administration of morphine, U50488H, and tramadol, but neither of these changes appeared to be of clinical significance. No treatment-related changes in motor activity or behavior were observed.     

Effects of halothane and isoflurane on mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in adult Pekin ducks

Although the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of halothane and isoflurane have been documented in a variety of common mammalian laboratory animals, they have not been investigated in birds. In this study, the effects of halothane and isoflurane anesthesia on respiratory rate, heart rate, heart rhythm, and mean arterial pressure in adult Pekin ducks were evaluated. Both anesthetics significantly increased heart rate and depressed blood pressure and respiration. Halothane induced a more profound alteration in heart rate and respiratory rate. With the ducks under halothane anesthesia, abnormal cardiac rhythms included ventricular fibrillation, ventricular bigeminy, and multifocal ventricular rhythms. Other than cardiac tachycardia, isoflurane induced no changes in cardiac rhythm.     

汇率及利率调整对商品进出口的影响

中国人民银行日前宣布,经国务院批准．自2005年7月21日起,我国开始施行以市场供求为基础、参考一篮子货币进行调节、有管理的浮动汇率制度。针对广大现货生产、加工、贸易企业关心的人民币汇率变动对利率以及进出口的影响,笔者略作探讨。     

Crossing beef x beef and beef x Brown Swiss: pregnancy rate, calf survival, weaning age and rate

October pregnancy rate, calf survival to weaning, weaning age, weaning rate and actual kg of calf weaned/cow exposed were determined in a 4-yr study involving 880 matings of Angus (A), Hereford (H) and Charolais (C) sires to A, H, C and Brown Swiss (BS) dams. Cows were mated in single-sire herds for 45 or 60 d under pasture conditions; heifers were bred to produce their first calf at 3 yr of age. Pregnancy rate of lactating dams was 9.4% higher (P less than .01) than for non-lactating dams. Pregnancy rates for straightbred matings were 87.5%, 80.6% and 75.4%, respectively, for A, H and C groups (P less than .05). No differences (P greater than .10) due to sire breed were found for any of the traits studied except for calf age at weaning. Calves from C sires were younger (P less than .01) at weaning than calves from H and A sires. Breed-of-dam differences (P less than .05 to P less than .01) were found for all traits studied except calf survival rate. All BS dams produced crossbred calves and had lower pregnancy and weaning rates (both P less than .01), calves were younger at weaning (P less than .05), had lower kg of calf weaned/cow exposed (P less than .05) than for beef-breed dams producing crossbred calves. Crossbred calves from BS dams were 4.9, 11.0 and 3.4 d younger (P less than .05 to P less than .01) at weaning, respectively, than crossbred calves from H, A and C dams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of hot-iron branding on heart rate, breathing rate and behaviour of anaesthetised Steller sea lions

This study assessed the heart rate, breathing rate and behavioural responses of 12 juvenile Steller sea lions during hot-iron branding under isoflurane anaesthesia. Physiological and behavioural measures were recorded in four periods: baseline (five minutes), sham branding (one minute), branding (approximately 2.7 minutes) and postbranding (five minutes). No difference in heart rate was noted from baseline to sham branding, but heart rate increased from mean (sem) 78.3 (2.4) bpm in the baseline period to 85.6 (2.5) bpm in the branding period. Heart rate remained elevated in the postbranding period, averaging 84.7 (2.5) bpm. Breathing rate averaged 2.5 (1.0) breaths/minute in the baseline and sham branding periods increased to 8.9 (1.0) breaths/minute during branding, but returned to baseline by the postbranding period. Behaviourally, half of the sea lions exhibited trembling and head and shoulder movements during branding.     

播期、播种量与施肥量对裸燕麦籽粒产量及农艺性状的影响

为探明适合成都平原地区裸燕麦(Avena sativa)的高产栽培方案,以燕选1号、坝莜6号和白燕11号为材料,采用两种播期、4种播种量和4种施肥量的4因素-随机区组设计,研究不同品种、播期、播种量和施肥量对裸燕麦主要农艺性状及籽粒产量的影响。结果表明,播期对裸燕麦有效穗数、株高和产量影响显著(P0.05),早播(B1)时,各主要农艺性状均显著(P0.05)高于晚播;播种量对株高影响不显著(P0.05),对燕麦产量影响显著(P0.05),在播种量为360万株·hm-2(C4)水平下燕麦产量最高;施肥量对有效穗数、株高、生育期和产量影响显著(P0.05),燕麦有效穗数、株高和产量随着施肥量的增加而增加,但增加幅度逐渐降低。主成分分析结果表明,4个栽培因子对裸燕麦产量及主要农艺性状的贡献率大小顺序为施肥量播期品种播种量。根据各主成分综合得分排名及对比各组合实际产量可以看出,早播组合较晚播组合产量高;播种量在180万株·hm-2(C2)、270万株·hm-2(C3)或者360万株·hm-2(C4)水平时、施肥水平在600 kg·hm-2(D3)或者825 kg·hm-2(D4)时均有较高产量。综合各因素之间的影响可知,成都平原地区种植裸燕麦时,以播期为11月1日,播种量为180万株·hm-2、施肥量为600 kg·hm-2为最佳。