Feline breeding management

A comprehensive understanding of behavioral-gonadal-endocrine interrelationships is a prerequisite for the effective management of any feline breeding program. Some of the topics discussed in this article are seasonality of breeding behavior, problems associated with copulation, suggested mating schemes, and pharmacologic control of reproductive cyclicity.     

环尾狐猴的饲养繁殖与人工育幼技术

2010年,对吉林省东北虎园所饲养的环尾狐猴进行了饲养繁殖方面的研究。从环尾狐猴的日粮配制、繁殖行为、人工育幼等方面入手,就笼养条件下环尾狐猴的饲养繁殖进行了较系统地阐述,以期为饲养繁殖环尾狐猴提供参考和借鉴。     

笼养丹顶鹤繁殖行为和粪样中性激素水平变化的关系

2007年3月～2008年2月,在哈尔滨北方森林动物园,选2对健康的成年丹顶鹤,采用目标取样和扫描取样相结合的方法进行了行为观测,同时收取粪便提取激素,利用放射免疫分析法（RIA）测定了笼养丹顶鹤粪样中睾酮、孕酮、雌二醇的浓度。试验结果表明：笼养丹顶鹤繁殖行为呈显著的季节变化,其对鸣、炫耀行为的高发期在3、4月（P〈0．05）,营巢行为在3月极显著高于其他月份（P〈0．01）,丹顶鹤的交尾行为集中出现在3、4月（P〈0．05）;繁殖期雄性丹顶鹤粪便中睾酮平均水平为（259．59±149．70）ng／dl,非繁殖期为（84．81±27．35）ng／dl,二者差异显著,繁殖期雄鹤求偶炫耀、交尾、卧巢等的发生频次与粪便中睾酮呈极显著相关（P〈0．01）,其对鸣、警戒以及营巢都与睾酮变化水平呈显著相关（P〈0．05）。繁殖期雌性丹顶鹤粪便中的孕酮平均浓度为（9．65±7。15）rig／m1,非繁殖期为（2．76±0．97）ng／ml,差异显著,繁殖期雌鹤粪便中的孕酮激素水平与其卧巢行为呈显著性相关（R=0．8848,P〈0．05）;繁殖期雌性丹顶鹤粪便中雌二醇平均浓度为（30．50±61．77）pg／ml,非繁殖期为（8．17±3．72）pg／ml,二者差异显著,繁殖期雌鸟雌二醇变化水平与其繁殖行为的相关性不显著（P〉0．05）;雌性丹顶鹤粪样中雌二醇激素的变化水平与其产卵时间有着较为密切的关系。     

Evaluation of the stallion for breeding soundness.

The breeding soundness evaluation of a stallion is a thorough investigation of a stallion's libido, mating ability, and semen quality. The evaluation should include historical data about the medical aspects of the horse's performance and breeding career, observations and breeding behavior characteristics, collection and evaluation of semen, tests to determine freedom from infectious or contagious disease, and production of foals free of genetic defects. This information should allow the examiner to anticipate the impact of the stallion on the reproductive efficiency of a group of mares. The breeding soundness evaluation should also assist farm management in optimizing stallion, mare, veterinary, and management influences on total herd breeding performance.     

Llama reproduction

The reproductive anatomy, physiology, and breeding behavior of the llama is unique enough to make familiarity with it imperative. Female puberty averages 12 months, while many males are not reproductively functional until after 3 years. Proper management of a breeding pair or herd is necessary to maintain maximum reproductive performance. Proof of pregnancy is suggested by rejection of the male and may/should be confirmed by progesterone assay, rectal palpation, or ultrasound techniques. The postpartum female is notable for breeding back rapidly, with high pregnancy rates resulting. Both male and female factors enter into llama infertility, with each gender having significant incidence of reproductive anatomical abnormalities. Management as well as acquired infertility problems (heat factors, trauma, infection, neoplasia, and hormonal imbalances) contribute to the bulk of infertility cases investigated. Techniques used to diagnose infertility in llamas are quite comparable to the equine species; however, female body size and semen analysis in the male present significant challenges. The approach to therapy has been quite empirical to date, owing to lack of consistent problems and numbers to afford conclusive trials. Alterations of pregnancy include resorption, abortions, and stillbirths. Resorption between 30 to 60 days of gestation is reported regularly. Abortions caused by stress occur regularly. Infection abortions caused by leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and chlamydiosis are to be expected. Ponderosa pine-related abortions are suspected. In summary, I find use for a broad background in large animal theriogenology to apply to llama infertility. There no doubt are additional diagnostic techniques and therapeutic regimens that have application, and it is up to us all to keep good records and share the information.     

2020年国内外家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究进展

家兔是中国传统的畜禽品种,同时也是中国畜牧业的重要组成部分。近年来,随着产业升级,生物技术快速发展,国内外家兔遗传育种取得了较大进展。文章分别从传统育种与分子育种2个方面对2020年国内外家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究进展进行了综述,以期为家兔种质资源利用与保护提供参考。国外在传统育种与分子育种上均作了较多研究,在传统育种上主要针对选择和环境因素对家兔生长及繁殖性能的影响进行研究;在分子育种上对生长及肉质相关基因、繁殖性能相关基因及遗传多样性等方面进行研究。国内开展的家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究数量相较国外更多,研究重点集中于分子育种,包括对皮毛性状、肉质性状及繁殖性能相关基因的研究;传统育种主要包括选择和环境效应对家兔生长与繁殖性能的影响。     

2021年国内外家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究进展

兔业是节粮、环保、低耗草食畜牧业中的代表性产业,是中国畜牧业的重要组成部分。家兔遗传育种与繁殖的相关研究是推进兔业发展的重要基础与保障。遗传学、分子生物学、统计学及计算机科学等学科的交叉融合与不断进步,为家兔育种提供了更加先进全面的技术手段。作者从家兔传统育种与分子育种2个方面对国内外2021年家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究进展进行了综述。国外在传统育种与分子育种上均作了一定研究,主要集中在选择与环境效应的影响。国内开展的家兔遗传育种与繁殖研究数量相较国外更多,主要以分子育种为主,包括品种与遗传多样性、皮毛性状功能基因、脂肪和肉质性状相关基因及繁殖性能相关基因的研究;传统育种主要包括选择和环境效应对家兔生长与繁殖性能的影响及生产性能测定等。本综述旨在为家兔育种研究和生产提供参考。     

缅甸蟒的人工饲养与繁殖

缅甸蟒分布于东南亚的泰国、缅甸、越南、马来西亚和印度尼西亚等国家的雨林地区,在我国云南等地也有分布,是典型的潮湿雨林性品种。缅甸蟒是我国国家Ⅰ级、CITES附录Ⅱ保护动物,由于缅甸蟒的蛇皮和蛇肉具有很高的经济价值、营养价值,野生种群数量不断减少。缅甸蟒性情温顺,体质强健,适于人工养殖。本文主要介绍了缅甸蟒的外部形态特征,生活习性,养殖场的建设,繁殖习性,人工饲养与管理,越冬技术和疾病防治等,以期对我国蟒蛇养殖业的健康发展起到一定的指导作用。     

Reflections on mare behavior: Social and sexual perspectives

Among horse owners “mare-ishness” is easily recognized, if poorly defined, as generally awkward or recalcitrant behavior. In common with other mammals, however, horses do show a range of female-specific behavior patterns concerned particularly with sexual and maternal functions but also encompassing aspects of social peer interaction. Many of these behavior patterns are observed more easily in free living feral populations and are repressed at least partially under standard domestic management regimes. Feral horses form small stable breeding groups within which mares create linear dominance hierarchies based on the outcomes of aggressive encounters and positive social bonding. Rank within the social hierarchy may also influence reproductive success, with dominant mares having shorter foaling intervals and earlier foaling than lower ranking subordinate mares. Advantageous early foaling may reflect preferential mating by the group stallion based either simply on enhanced physical condition leading to earlier reproductive cycling in dominant mares or on an increased attractiveness to dominant mares by the stallion contingent on some aspect of dominance characteristics. The endocrine axis responsible for regulation of sexual behavior in the mare shows a degree of commonality with systems underlying social dominance. Both these behavior patterns are driven by a complex interaction of endocrine and neuro-endocrine factors sensitive to physical and social environmental cues and in feral free-living horses these are interlinked to an extent that may be under appreciated in domestic breeding populations.     

灰雁繁殖期的行为日节律及时间分配

2011年4～6月,采用瞬时扫描法对徐州睢宁金桥禽业发展有限公司2对繁殖良好的灰雁的繁殖行为时间分配和活动节律进行研究,采用非参数检验的Kruskal-Wallis H法分析不同性别灰雁繁殖前中后期行为的性别差异,以及相同性别的灰雁在繁殖的不同时期的行为差异。结果显示：灰雁在采食、理羽、静立、趴卧、孵化等行为上存在着明显的节律性。取食行为多发生在上午和下午的中间时段,孵化多在早晨和傍晚,而中午的大部分时间处于休息状态。孵化期内雌雄个体的行为差异很大,灰雁繁殖时期各种行为所占的比例不仅存在着一定的性别差异,而且同一性别个体在不同的繁殖阶段各种行为所占的比例也有很大变化。     

Breeding biology of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster in relation to diet,rainfall and life history theory

The breeding habits of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster were examined in relation to rainfall and diet. Breeding is seasonal and associated with regular summer rainfall. The duration of the breeding season is variable, which is indicative of a temporally dynamic reproductive strategy. Litter size is large, and the punctuated iteroparity of T. leucogaster is associated with a xeric environment. The reproductive tactics of T. leucogaster are discussed in relation to other gerbils and rodents exhibiting similar reproductive strategies. Tatera leucogaster is a selective feeder on transient but seasonally available insects and seeds, but feeds on herbage when preferred foods are unavailable.     

导致牛繁殖障碍的遗传因素及其分析

繁殖障碍的发生几乎都是遗传与环境因素相互作用的结果,因而育种方法有助于减少各种繁殖障碍的蔓延,并且随着牛生产性状遗传进展的累积,必须将在经济重要性方面不低于产肉、产奶等性状的繁殖障碍纳入育种计划中。本文以上述观点为基点,综述了牛的繁殖障碍的遗传性影响因素,介绍了繁殖障碍的几种遗传学分析方法,阐述了控制遗传性繁殖障碍的4项育种措施,提议以寻求适当的标记性状作为繁殖障碍遗传流行病学研究和临床诊断指标的突破口。     

Reproductive techniques in sheep.

This article reviews current methods of evaluating reproductive performance in the sheep industry. The reproductive technologies of breeding soundness examination, reproductive ultrasonography, estrus manipulation, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer are also extensively discussed. The veterinarian's current and future role in the application of these technologies is discussed.     

家兔热应激研究进展

夏季高温高湿的气候极易引起家兔的热应激反应,导致生长性能、繁殖性能和抗氧化能力降低,阻碍兔产业的健康发展。文章综述热应激对家兔行为及生理生化指标、生产性能、繁殖性能等方面的影响,家兔热应激期的分子调控机制,以及热应激的营养调控措施,旨在为制定家兔热应激调控策略提供参考。     

Canine fertility: The consequences of selection for special traits

Pedigree dogs and cats are bred aiming to conform breed standards with very poor consideration for breeding stock fertility. At the same time, the genetic asset underlining reproductive traits could be effectively analysed like in other species under selection. The definition of selection targets is very important in breeding protocols determination. The aim of the present work is to present an overview of the different correlations between reproduction and genetics, starting from selection procedure and inbreeding coefficient moving to genomic and the application of SNPs and GWAS on population study and identification of genes involved in phenotypical variation of reproductive traits in dogs. Particular relevance has been given to the concept of inbreeding which effects on canine reproduction have been presented. The use of genomic information in inbreeding coefficient calculation can be considered an improved effective procedure in the evaluation of the genetic variability loss in canine population and its negative effects on reproductive traits.     

热应激对鸡的影响及抗热应激药物

对热应激引起鸡生长速度、繁殖能力、种蛋品质、胴体组成、采食量、行为、呼吸、循环、体温、消化、代谢、免疫应答的影响和糖皮质激素、中枢神经镇静剂、电解质、维生素C、维生素 E、中草药等抗热应激药物进行了简要的综述。并指出了热应激对鸡生理生化指标变化规律以及对免疫机能的影响和可能发生的机理。     

Resolution of a hyperprolactinemia in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Prolactin plays an important role in lactation and is involved in producing some of the normal mammalian breeding and maternal behaviors. Elevated serum prolactin concentrations can adversely affect the reproductive cycle in females by inhibiting the normal lutenizing hormone surge that stimulates ovulation. A 17-year-old western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) presented with low fertility and hyperprolactinemia. An MRI confirmed a pituitary mass and treatment was initiated with cabergoline. Following 8 mo of treatment, mass size decreased and serum prolactin was within normal limits. The gorilla began to engage in normal breeding behavior, and within 6 mo of completing treatment, was pregnant. Hyperprolactinemia, secondary to presumed microprolactinoma, may be more common among breeding-age gorillas than is currently diagnosed and in humans is an easily diagnosed and treatable condition.     

繁殖母羊分期饲养技术

繁殖母羊是羊场快速扩繁的基础,饲养繁殖母羊的最终目的是充分挖掘母羊的生产潜力,增加羊群数量,提高羊群质量。母羊每年都要经历1~2次配种、妊娠、哺乳这一复杂的繁殖生理过程,每一次繁殖经历,都是对繁殖母羊体质的一次重要考验。只有不断优化繁殖母羊空怀期、妊娠期和哺乳期各阶段、各环节的饲养管理,才能保证繁殖母羊的体质健康,提高产羔率和羔羊成活率,从而提高养羊效益。     

生殖激素产品的应用和发展趋势

生殖激素是调控动物体内复杂生殖过程并影响繁殖性能的一系列的重要激素。近年来，利用生殖激素的批次化生产繁殖技术被广泛使用，提高了母猪的繁殖效率，促进了养猪业向集约化和规模化方向的发展。目前在批次化生产过程中主要采用孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）和人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）以及化学类激素进行繁殖调控。但是这些产品的应用仍存在一些问题，因此需要开发出成本低、活性好的高品质蛋白类生殖激素产品，应用于猪场批次化生产中，提高生猪养殖效率和降低生产成本，为提升我国乃至全球畜牧业的动物繁殖效率做出贡献，为动物和人类的健康提供重要保证。