Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in trigeminal ganglia by avidin-biotin complex method in chickens: short communication

Detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was studied in trigeminal ganglia (TRG) during the acute and post-acute or latent period in chickens inoculated with an A96 strain of the antigen. TRG tissue samples were collected from uninoculated (10 chickens) and inoculated (30 chickens) animals at various intervals post inoculation (PI), and stained by the ABC method. The results indicated that no ILTV antigen was detected in the TRG between PI days 3 and 11. However, the antigen was detected in most of the chickens between PI days 13 and 41. It is concluded that the ABC method can be used successfully for the detection of ILTV antigens in TRG during post-acute or latent period.     

Critical review on the withdrawal period calculation for injection site residues

This review concerns a statistical method for calculating withdrawal period for injection site residues. A recently adopted Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use/European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Product (CVMP/EMEA) guideline recommends to apply the same method for the calculation of withdrawal period for injection site residues as for other edible tissues. For reasons in this study developed below, this approach is deemed to be inappropriate for the injection site residues. The injection site residues often violate regression assumptions with regard to homoscedasticity (same variance in residue concentrations for different slaughter times) and linearity (of the mean depletion curve in log(e)-scale). The currently recommended method cannot adequately handle these aspects. An alternative pragmatic method taking into account the last slaughter time with all data below the reference threshold, combined with a safety span, is proposed for injection site residues. A nonparametric approach for calculating the withdrawal period is also presumed to be a sound alternative. The references commonly used are the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) and the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Unfortunately these references are not relevant to the acute risk exposure associated with injection site consumption. The use of alternative references, such as the Acceptable Single Dose Intake (ASDI) or the Acute Reference Dose (ARD) are thought to be more appropriate.     

血管活性肠肽在皖西白鹅间脑内的定位分布

应用免疫组织化学SABC染色法，观察到在皖西白鹅间脑内视上核、室旁核、背外侧核、圆核、卵圆核、视上交叉、下丘脑外侧核、丘脑额束核和螺旋外侧核等处，广泛分布有VIP免疫反应阳性细胞。用计数法定量观察了就巢期、产蛋期和休产期皖西白鹅间脑内免疫阳性细胞的数量变化。结果表明，就巢期间脑的VIP含量显著高于产蛋期和休产期。     

Influence of feeding methods on blood biochemical parameters of Japanese Black breeding herd

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different feeding methods on blood biochemical parameters by using a total of 32 Japanese Black breeding cows. The diet (silage) was distributed at a rough estimate for 18 days (FN period), and stanchions were not used in this period. After the FN period, the cows were separated in stanchions for feeding and were fed specified amount of silage by using scales on a feeder wagon, which was determined according to the diet formulation and average body weight of cows, for 30 days (FW period). On the last day of the two experiment periods, the body weight of all cows was recorded and blood samples were collected from 10 randomly selected cows. β‐hydroxybutyric acid and albumin (Alb) levels were significantly higher after the FW period than after FN period. The variation of glucose, Alb, calcium and lactic acid was significantly smaller after the FW period. Several blood parameters of the FW period were approximately the appropriate range of a Japanese Black breeding herd in the dry period. Our results suggest that the feeding method by use of a stanchion and proper diet formulation affects blood biochemical parameters and improves nutritional conditions for breeding cows.     

The effects of weaning beef calves in two stages on their behavior and growth rate

Four trials were conducted to explore possible advantages of weaning beef calves in two stages compared with the traditional method of weaning by abrupt separation. In the two-stage treatment, calves were prevented from nursing their dam for a period (Stage 1) before their separation (Stage 2). Control calves nursed from their dams until they were separated. Calf weights and behavior were recorded before and after the separation of cows and calves. Following separation, calves weaned in two stages vocalized 96.6% less (P = 0.001) and spent 78.9% less time walking (P = 0.001), 23.0% more time eating (P = 0.001), and 24.1% more time resting (P = 0.001) than control calves. Compared with controls, two-stage calves had lower (P < 0.001) ADG when nursing was deprived (Stage 1), but greater (P < 0.001) ADG during the 7 d following separation. In Trial 3, calves weaned by the two-stage method had greater (P = 0.05) growth rates than control calves for 7 wk after separation, but no treatment effects on ADG were detected (P > 0.38) in Trials 1 and 2. Over the entire study period (before and after separation), ADG did not differ (P > 0.10) for both treatments. In Trial 4, calves weaned in two stages walked 1.3 km/d more (P < 0.05) during the 4-d period when nursing was prevented (Stage 1) and 5.8 km/d less (P < 0.05) during the 4-d period after separation than controls. Differences between treatments were the greatest in the 2 d after separation. On the first day after separation, two-stage calves walked 5.2 +/- 0.5 km/ d, whereas control calves walked 16.7 +/- 3.1 km/d. Calves weaned in two stages were less distressed than calves weaned by the traditional method of abrupt separation based on behavioral data, but overall calf ADG did not differ for either method in this study. Nutritional management of two-stage weaned calves during the nursing-deprived period should be evaluated in future research because poor pasture conditions may have decreased gains by calves weaned by the two-stage method in this study.     

Platelet aggregation in platelet suspensions from Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Blood obtained from Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) by cardiac puncture was used to develop a method for preparing platelet suspensions suitable for biochemical and aggregometric studies. The aggregation responses of gerbil platelet suspensions to 10 microM adenosine diphosphate and to 0.2 U/mL thrombin were immediate and irreversible. In addition, thrombin produced a short lag period. Bovine acid-soluble collagen (1:800) produced a long lag period coupled with an irreversible aggregation. Indomethacin (10 microM) significantly depressed adenosine diphosphate--induced aggregation but had no effect on thrombin-induced aggregation. Indomethacin significantly prolonged the lag period and reduced the rate of collagen-induced aggregation. Our results strongly indicate that platelet suspensions from the Mongolian gerbil, an animal which is responsive to hypercholesterolemic diets, may be useful in studying dietary lipid factors which influence platelet aggregation.     

Review of the Results of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Breeding at a Large-Scale Hatchery

Long‐term data on the induced spawning of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at a large‐scale hatchery were evaluated. Breeders at the farm prefer medium‐size fish with body weights between 4 and 8 kg. The number of females selected for propagation in the first period of the spawning season made up about half of the total number of females (47.5%). The average spawning ratio from the data of 2620 females receiving hormonal injections was 79.8%. From the egg production data of 2086 females, the average pseudogonadosomatic index (PGSI) was calculated as 16.3 ± 5.87% (mean ± SD) for the same period. There was a high correlation between fish weight and the time of induction, determined by the breeder on the basis of secondary sexual characteristics. The similarity of the responses of females among the different weight categories proved the reliability of this method for identification. The time of induction has a significant effect on both the responsiveness of the females and the relative quantity of eggs released. Spawning ratio was significantly lower in the third period of the reproductive season, compared with those in the first and second period. Mean PGSIfor the third period was significantly lower than that for the first period. The considerable decrease of both reproductive parameters by the end of the spawning season is attributed to ovarian atresia. The spawning ratio and the mean PGSIfor the mirror and scaled varieties were similar.     

磺胺二甲嘧啶及其加入方式对猪粪厌氧消化的影响

为研究磺胺二甲嘧啶(SMZ)残留对猪粪厌氧消化系统的影响,采用两种加入方式,即经体内代谢法(加入经饲SMZ后所获含SMZ的猪粪)和直接加入法(加入空白猪粪+SMZ),并比较分析了两种研究方法间的差异。试验在有效容积为1 300 mL的厌氧消化系统模型中恒温30℃进行,为期28 d,前7 d为加药期,后21 d为停药期,在加药期每天加入SMZ浓度为56.04 mg/kg和47.10 mg/kg的猪粪。结果表明:(1)两种加入方式对厌氧消化系统中SMZ及其代谢产物N4-ACE-SM2浓度影响差异不显著(P>0.05);(2)分别加入SMZ浓度为56.04 mg/kg和47.10 mg/kg的猪粪时,在加药期经体内代谢组的产甲烷量分别比同浓度的直接加入组显著降低了17.36%和23.60%(P<0.05),在停药期直接加入组比同浓度的经体内代谢组显著降低了13.79%和16.34%(P<0.05),且经体内代谢组与空白组无显著差异(P>0.05);(3)经体内代谢组产甲烷菌多样性变化趋势与空白组相似,而与直接加入组不同,试验结束时,经体内代谢组产甲烷菌群落结构与空白组相似性为1,而与直接加入组相似性为0.86。由此可知,在本试验条件下,两种加入方式下SMZ对猪粪厌氧消化系统的影响不同,采用经体内代谢法评估SMZ对厌氧消化系统的影响更具合理性。     

不同生理时期梅花鹿血液GSH-Px含量测定及其纯化

研究不同生理时期梅花鹿全血中GSH-Px含量变化及其纯化技术,为开发鹿血抗衰老资源奠定理论基础.用DINB法测定梅花鹿的溶血液、血细胞内容物、血浆和血细胞细胞膜中GSH-Px含量并计算全血GSH-Px含量；利用10％～100％饱和度的(NH4)2SO4盐析和柱层析技术纯化GSH-Px;用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测定其亚基相对分子质量.试验结果表明:全血GSH-Px含量以生茸期最高为(1 973.07士25.43)U·mL-1,与配种期的(1 727.74士12.46)U·mL-1差异极显著(P＜0.01),与生茸前期的(1 961.83士16.54)U·mL-1差异不显著(P＞0.05)；GSH-Px的初始比活力为24.9 U·mg-1,经纯化后得到GSH-Px 0.37 mg· mL-1,最终比活力1 347.7U·mg-1,纯化倍数为54.1倍,回收率25.00％；鹿血GSH-Px亚基的相对分子质量为17.2 ku.结果提示生茸期鹿血的GSH-Px含量最高,开发利用价值最大,GSH-Px含量与生理特性相关；鹿血GSH-Px盐析条件为40％～80％饱和度的(NH4)2SO4,此时所得GSH-Px纯化倍数较高.     

Efficacy of repeated trickle applications of oxalic acid in syrup for varroosis control in Apis mellifera: influence of meteorological conditions and presence of brood

Oxalic acid field trails for the control of varroosis (Varroa destructor) were carried out in an apiary located on the Mt. Imittos (Attica, Greece). The colonies received four successive applications (approximately one every 16 days) with 4.2% oxalic acid (OA) and 60% sugar solution by trickling method with two alternative types of syringes (an automatic self-filling dosing and a single-use) from the broodright to broodless period. The results indicate that the first three applications (from 6th October to 25th November-broodright period) resulted in 65.3% cumulative mite mortality, while only the last application (after the 26th November-broodless period) resulted in 77.3% mite mortality. Very low outern temperatures reduce to the minimum the bee movability, which may result into a slower development of the OA efficacy. No poor colony growth or queen loss were observed even if the bee colonies were received the four successive OA applications with the last one taken place at a very low outern temperature (6.2 degrees C). The trickling method using an automatic-filling syringe seems to be a very quick way for applying oxalic acid in large apiaries (approximately 150hives/h).     

Influence of level of feed input and procedure on metabolisable energy and endogenous energy loss (EEL) with adult cockerels

1. Two experiments were performed to study the relationship between apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and true metabolisable energy (TME) values at different feed intakes. Rhode Island Red (RIR) adult cockerels were used in two bioassays, under standard conditions. 2. In the first experiment (precision feeding) the birds were not fed for 24 h and then various quantities of maize were fed. There were 6 replicates per treatment. Droppings voided during the 48 h of the experimental period were collected and assayed for gross energy and nitrogen. 3. In the second experiment, each bird was given a 3-d adaptation period, fasted for 24 h and then given maize as an admixture (conventional addition method: CAM) to the same rations as those used in the first experiment. During the 3 d of the experimental period, droppings were collected and frozen for chemical analysis. 4. The results showed that mean metabolisable energy (ME) values obtained by the precisionfeeding procedure were higher than those obtained by CAM. The endogenous energy loss (EEL) (FE m + UE e ) determined by precision feeding was lower than that given by CAM. 5. It was concluded that the method of feeding does not influence ME of maize at different feed inputs. However, differences among intercepts of the regression between ME and feed input suggest that EEL varies at different maize inputs. 6. The optimum maize quantity was approximately 35 to 40 g for adult RIR cockerels by both procedures.     

柞蚕卵黄磷蛋白的鉴定、纯化及其在卵形成和胚胎发育中的变化

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳、离子交换纤维素柱层析和薄层扫描等方法鉴定、纯化了柞蚕卵黄磷蛋白,并考察了该蛋白质在卵形成和胚胎发育期间的变化.结果表明:(1)发育卵巢和成熟卵内存在着一种卵黄磷蛋白(Vtn),其前体是雌蛹血淋巴内的卵黄原蛋白(Vg),该蛋白质具有雌特异性.(2)Chino等的方法也适用于以柞蚕卵为材料纯化Vtn,初步纯化的Vtn亚单位分子量是200KDa.(3)后蛹期,发育卵巢中可溶性总蛋白和Vtn的相对百分含量都迅速上升,至卵粒成熟期达最大值.(4)胚胎发育前期,卵可溶性总蛋白和Vtn的相对百分含量基本维持原水平;胚胎发育后期,二者都急剧地减少;孵化时卵可溶性总蛋白含量和Vtn的相对含量分别降至刚产下时的50%和10%以下.     

Effect of sequential feeding using whole cereal grains during finishing period in male mule ducks (Carina moschata × Anas platyrinchos)

The feeding of waterfowl for fatty liver production is largely based on the use of completely pelleted feed. To reduce both the economic and environmental costs caused by transport and processing of feed and to respond to consumer demands for natural feeding systems, the use of whole grains has increased recently. The aim of this trial was to study the influence of 1) sequential feeding based on cereal grain and 2) cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance traits in male mule ducks. Present results suggest that a sequential feeding system modifies feeding behavior, growth, and body traits, and reduces feed intake during the finishing period (−6 and −10% for corn and triticale, respectively), but has no effect on performance during the overfeeding period. This system offers interesting prospects for a more sustainable rearing method, and the use of locally grown grains could reduce both the economic and environmental impacts of duck feeding.     

Comparison of three techniques for estimating the forage intake of lactating dairy cows on pasture

Quantifying DMI is necessary for estimation of nutrient consumption by ruminants, but it is inherently difficult on grazed pastures and even more so when supplements are fed. Our objectives were to compare three methods of estimating forage DMI (inference from animal performance, evaluation from fecal output using a pulse-dose marker, and estimation from herbage disappearance methods) and to identify the most useful approach or combination of approaches for estimating pasture intake by lactating dairy cows. During three continuous 28-d periods in the winter season, Holstein cows (Bos taurus; n = 32) grazed a cool-season grass or a cool-season grass-clover mixture at two stocking rates (SR; 5 vs. 2.5 cows/ha) and were fed two rates of concentrate supplementation (CS; 1 kg of concentrate [as-fed] per 2.5 or 3.5 kg of milk produced). Animal response data used in computations for the animal performance method were obtained from the latter 14 d of each period. For the pulse-dose marker method, chromium-mordanted fiber was used. Pasture sampling to determine herbage disappearance was done weekly throughout the study. Forage DMI estimated by the animal performance method was different among periods (P < 0.001; 6.5, 6.4, and 9.6 kg/d for Periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively), between SR (P < 0.001; 8.7 [low SR] vs. 6.3 kg/d [high SR]) and between CS (P < 0.01; 8.4 [low CS] vs. 6.6 kg/d [high CS]). The period and SR effect seemed to be related to forage mass. The pulse-dose marker method generally provided greater estimates of forage DMI (as much as 11.0 kg/d more than the animal performance method) and was not correlated with the other methods. Estimates of forage DMI by the herbage disappearance method were correlated with the animal performance method. The difference between estimates from these two methods, ranging from -4.7 to 5.4 kg/d, were much lower than their difference from pulse-dose marker estimates. The results of this study suggest that, when appropriate for the research objectives, the animal performance or herbage disappearance methods may be useful and less costly alternatives to using the pulse-dose method.     

温带草地蒸散发及波文比观测与比较:涡动相关及波文比系统

蒸散发的精确观测及估算是水资源管理及水文遥感验证的基础。该文利用已有的涡动塔观测数据集,配合波文比系统进行了同步观测,对二者观测的结果进行了对比分析。结果表明:涡动相关法和波文比方法估算的蒸散发均值及季节变动分别为298.73±128.58 W·m-2和272.37±116.87 W·m-2,整体而言这两种方法所观测的蒸散发较为一致,决定系数R2=0.75,平均相对误差小于6%。较涡动相关法,波文比方法估算潜热较低。生长季内,植被在生长初期及割草期出现明显的差别,表明波文比系统在植被生长旺盛期测量潜热效果更为稳定。两种方法估算的波文比具有相似的日变化及季节变动趋势。波文比存在明显的日变化及季节变动,其变动均值及标准差为0.21±0.42;其日变化与太阳辐射相关度较强(R2变动为0.41~0.52),其季节变化与叶面积指数(LAI)具有较高的非线性相关性(R2=0.65),而土壤水分对季节变动影响较小。该研究表明:在温带湿润草地生态系统,植被的生长很大程度上调节着该系统能量的分配。以上研究结果对波文比系统的实际应用具有一定的参考价值。     

羔羊期和性成熟期奶山羊下丘脑中催产素的表达

采用免疫组化链霉素抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶法(SP法),检测羔羊期和性成熟期雌性奶山羊下丘脑中催产素表达的变化规律.结果显示,催产素免疫反应阳性神经元在羔羊和性成熟羊的视上核、室旁核、乳头体内侧核等核团均有分布,在羔羊的室周核、视前内侧核等核团广泛分布,但在性成熟羊的这些核团却未见分布.在视上核、室旁核、乳头体内侧核等核团的催产素免疫阳性神经元数量,性成熟羊显著高于羔羊(P＜0.01);这些核团中催产素免疫阳性产物的平均灰度值,羔羊显著低于性成熟羊(P＜0.01),在其他核团则羔羊高于性成熟羊,且大部分差异明显(P＜0.01).结果提示,性成熟羊下丘脑中除室周核、视前内侧核等核团外,室旁核、视上核、乳头体内侧核、乳头体后核等核团,催产素的表达高于羔羊,说明这些核团对生殖系统的发育成熟可能有重要作用.     

Repeatability of equine health and management information obtained via a telephone questionnaire

The repeatability of equine health and management data obtained via a telephone survey of 60 horse owners and trainers was evaluated by using a test-retest method. One month following completion of the initial telephone questionnaire, the owners and trainers were asked to complete a retest questionnaire which contained a subset of 31 questions from the original survey. The second (retest) questionnaire collected information concerning the same time period as the first interview, i.e. the 4 week period prior to the original admission date of the horse. Measures of agreement were calculated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for continuous variables and the Kappa statistic for categorical variables.

Overall, measures of agreement were very favorable, ranging from good to excellent for nearly all questions examined. The results of this study indicate that repeatable information concerning equine health and management data can be obtained via a telephone interview and that a telephone questionnaire is a feasible method for obtaining information from horse owners and trainers.     

Feed restriction in young bulls alters the onset of puberty in relationship with plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding proteins

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of feed restriction and re-alimentation on the onset of puberty and IGF status in peripubertal male calves and to compare the radioimmunoassay (RIA) and western ligand blotting (WLB) methods for bovine IGFBP-2. Twelve prepubertal 290 d-old Belgian Blue bulls (mean weight: +/- 290 kg) were randomly assigned in three groups: a control group (NG; n = 4) receiving a classic fattening diet to induce "normal" growth (1.48 kg/d), a feed restricted group (RG; n = 4) to obtain reduced growth (0.50 kg/d) and, a severely restricted group (SG; n = 4) to nearly stop growth (0.08 kg/d). The feed restriction period was maintained over a period of 114 d. After the period of differential feeding, all animals received the control feed regime over a period of 100 d. Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals. Circulating IGF-I was measured by RIA whereas plasma IGFBPs was evaluated by WLB; IGFBP-2 was additionally quantified by RIA procedure. At the beginning of the trial, IGF-I levels were low (<100 ng/ml) and similar in the three groups in accordance with prepubertal status. In the NG group, a progressive rise in IGF-I was observed from Day 42 to Day 142 whereas in the RG and SG groups, IGF-I levels did not change until the experimental restriction period ended. The delay of the rise in plasma IGF-I was longer for the SG group, IGF-I remained low until 2 wk after the end of the period of restricted feeding. Surprisingly, although differences were detected for IGF-I levels between the three groups, the IGFBP-2 and -3 data, evaluated by WLB could only discriminate between NG and SG group and not between NG and RG. However, by using a RIA method, an IGFBP-2 decrease was observed in the NG group coincident with increasing IGF-I levels. For both RG and SG groups, IGFBP-2 levels remained high throughout the feed restriction period whereas plasma IGFBP-2 levels declined upon feeding in both groups. During this feed restriction period, IGFBP-2 was significantly lower in NG than in RG or SG groups. Moreover, SG group animals had higher levels in plasma IGFBP-2 than RG animals. In conclusion, puberty is characterized by developmental changes in plasma IGF-I and IGFBPs that were altered by feed restriction. Moreover, RIA evaluation of plasma IGFBP-2 is able to better reflect group differences than WLB.     

Evaluation of a rapid inoculum standardization system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates from the bovine mammary gland

A commercially available rapid inoculum standardization system (RISS) was compared to the broth inoculum standardization method (BIS) for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates from the bovine mammary gland. Overall agreement between RISS and the BIS method was 95.9%. RISS bypasses the 2-8 h incubation period required by BIS, thus providing antimicrobial susceptibility test data in a more timely manner. RISS was determined to be an acceptable alternative method to the BIS method for preparation of standardized inoculum for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bovine mammary gland isolates.