阿拉善荒漠地区围栏草地建设及效益分析

阿拉善左旗荒漠地区自７０年代至今已兴建了封育型、培育型和种植型围栏草地（草库伦）达２６１４处，围建面积为１９０３８ｈｍ２。每年由围栏草地可收割干草１．６万ｔ，每头（只）约占有１５ｋｇ的贮备干草。封育型围栏草地的投资８８．１７～９７８．００元／ｈｍ２不等；培育型围栏草地（飞播区）每个面积均为１００ｈｍ２以上，造价相对较低；五配套畜群草库伦的面积在１ｈｍ２左右，每个平均投资２２４８～５４５２元，为２７１６～３７６９元／ｈｍ２。封育型和培育型草年产值为１６８．０８元／ｈｍ２，五配套畜群草库伦的年产值可达３２８４元／ｈｍ２。但也有近１／３的五配套畜群草库伦尚未产生效益。     

Mirabel（万瑞佰）百脉根引种及生产性能的动态研究

文章对Ｍｉｒａｂｅｌ百脉根品种的饲草和种子生产有关的特性进行了系统的观测。结果表明，该品种具抗寒抗旱，耐盐碱性强，分枝多，叶片丰富，生活第２、第３年饲草产量可达４５００ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２，种子产量近９００ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２，叶量占茎叶总量的４６％；饲草营养价值高，开花期粗蛋白质含量占干物质量的２０．７９％；粗纤维占２６．４３％；蛋白质的含量高于紫苜蓿、红豆草；而粗纤维又比它们低等优点，在我国西北内陆寒冷干     

行距及施肥量对兰引3号结缕草种子产量的影响

研究了不同行距及施肥量对兰引３号结缕草种子产量与种穗数量的影响，并对种穗数与其种子产量间的关系进行了回归和相关分析。结果表明：在１０ｃｍ，３０ｃｍ，４０ｃｍ，５０ｃｍ和６０ｃｍ的行距处理中，５０ｃｍ处理的种子产量和种穗数均极显著地高于其它处理，种穗数与其种子产量呈极显著正相关（ｐ＝０．０００，ｒ＝０．８７５），种穗数控制了种子产量的７６．６％；种子田的施肥量以Ｎ——１００ｋｇ／ｈｍ２、Ｐ２Ｏ５——５０ｋｇ／ｈｍ２、Ｋ２Ｏ——５０ｋｇ／ｈｍ２最为经济，施肥后兰引３号结缕草生殖枝数量显著增多是其种子产量大幅度提高的主要原因。     

Mirabel（迈瑞佰）百脉根引种及生产性能的动态研究

文章对Ｍｉｒａｂｅｌ百脉根品种的饲草和种子生产有关的特性进行了系统的观测，结果表明，该品种具抗寒抗旱，耐盐碱性强，分枝多，叶片丰富，生活第２、第３年饲草产量可达４５００ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，种子产量近９００ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，叶量占茎叶总量的４６％；饲草营养价值高，开花期粗蛋白质含量占干物质量的２０．７９％；粗纤维占２６．４３％；蛋白质的含量高于紫苜蓿、红豆草；而粗纤维又比它们低等优点，在我国西北内陆寒冷干旱具有灌溉条件的甘肃河西走廊地区具有较高的引种栽培价值。     

施肥对无芒雀麦和老芒麦种子产量的影响

以无芒雀麦和老芒麦为材料,研究不同施肥处理对其种子产量的影响,结果表明,无芒省麦种子产量随着春季施氮量的增加而增加,其中以施氮２００ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２的种子产量最高;而秋季则以施氮１００ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２的种子产量最高,春秋分期施１００ｋｇＮ／ｈｍ＾２（秋季７０ｋｇＮ／ｈｍ＾２＋春季３０ｋｇＮ／ｈｍ＾２）种子产量不仅高于分期施２００ｋｇＮ／ｈｍ＾２,而朋也高于春季或秋季其它施肥处理,此外,施肥可以大幅度提     

不同行距及播种量对宁农苏丹草种子生产性能的影响

试验于１９９５年在宁夏农学院草业科学研究所试验地进行。研究结果表明，苏丹草的株高和茎粗随播种量增加而减少，随行距增加而增加；行距越窄，单位面积上的总穗数越多，但千粒重越小；在一定范围内，随播种量的增加千粒重和单位面积上总穗数逐渐增加，但穗粒重减轻；行距对种子产量影响不大，播量２２．５ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２时种子产量最高，为４１５０．２ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２，故在生产上应推荐采用低播量中等行距的栽培方式。     

高寒半干旱区油菜与豆科牧草混播草地施肥效应

油菜与豆科牧草混播草地施肥效应表明，氮磷合理配施促进土壤水分消耗，干草、植物量和施肥产投比显著提高。坡梁地最高植物产量施肥量Ｎ为７８．０６ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，Ｐ２Ｏ５为６１．１５ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，最高干草产量施肥量Ｎ为７６．６５ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，Ｐ２Ｏ５为５７．２９ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，增产效果Ｎ＞Ｐ２Ｏ５；旱滩地最高植物产量施肥量Ｎ为５８．３３ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，Ｐ２Ｏ５为５５．６８ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，最高干草产量施肥量Ｎ为５３．６０ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，Ｐ２Ｏ５为５９．１１ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，增产效果Ｐ２Ｏ５＞Ｎ；且氮磷具有明显的正交互效应。氮磷合理配施还显著提高了水分利用效率，坡梁地和旱滩地分别提高３．０５和２．６７ｋｇ／（ｍｍ．ｈｍ２）。     

磷与海南柱花草生产

对热带地区柱花草生产的主要限制因子——磷进行了盆栽和田间试验研究，以探索柱花草的营养诊断适宜值和海南地区缺磷土壤的磷肥用量。试验表明，施用磷肥能提高产量、改善品质，随磷肥用量的增加，柱花草含磷量和粗蛋白含量提高；柱花草营养诊断的适宜磷含量为０．１４％～０．３４％，磷含量与采样时间无明显差异；根据磷肥试验建立的回归模型Ｙ＝５３２４．８５＋７４５．０５Ｘ－５０．５５Ｘ２，海南缺磷土壤推茬施磷（Ｐ２Ｏ５）量为：５２．５～９７．５ｋｇ／ｈｍ２（过磷酸钙３２９～６０９ｋｇ／ｈｍ２），最大施磷（Ｐ２Ｏ５）量应低于１１０ｋｇ／ｈｍ２。     

俄罗斯野麦草引种试验

俄罗斯野麦草青草产量，４７３７０ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２，种子产量为２２９５ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２，抗逆性强，适应范围广，返青早，枯黄期迟，青绿期长，利用价值高，适宜甘肃省绝大多数牧区和半农半牧区推广种植。     

植物动力2003对天然草地增产效果的应用研究

应用动物动力２００３试验结果表明，该植物微量元素营养液对天然草地具有明显的增产效果。其平均增产幅度在５００ｍｌ／ｈｍ＾２、１０００ｍｌ／ｈｍ＾２，１５００ｍｌ／ｈｍ＾２剂量下依次为２１．５２％、１８．４１％和２１．５２％，适宜用量为５００ｍｌ／ｈｍ＾２；分１次、２次、３次喷施，分别增产２．４３％、２５．７９％和３５．６０％，以３次喷施效果最佳。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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