A comparison of serum biochemical changes in two breeds of sheep (Red Masai and Dorper) experimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica.

Twelve Red Masai and 12 Dorper sheep aged between 6 and 9 months, were acquired from a fluke-free area and sheep of each breed divided into two equal groups of six. Each animal in one group of each breed was experimentally infected with 400 viable metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica. The other groups acted as uninfected controls. Blood samples were taken at weekly intervals for the determination of serum bilirubin, albumin, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels. Following the establishment of infection, albumin levels declined in both breeds of infected animals without any significant difference between the two breeds. However, serum bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the infected animals were elevated significantly more in the Dorper than in the Red Masai sheep. Based on these findings, it would appear that Dorper sheep are more susceptible to the infection than Red Masai sheep.     

Comparative Parasitological and Haematological Changes in Two Breeds of Sheep Infected with Fasciola gigantica

Twelve each of Red Masai and Dorper sheep, aged between 6 and 9 months, were acquired from a Fasciola-free area of eastern Kenya. Each breed was divided into two groups of 6. The sheep in one group of each breed were experimentally infected with 400 viable metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica. The other group of 6 sheep of each breed remained as uninfected controls. The animals were monitored regularly for any evidence of disease. Blood samples taken weekly revealed a general reduction in red cell counts and packed cell volume, which was much faster in the infected Dorper sheep than in the Red Masai. This reduction started from the tenth week after infection and persisted to the end of the experiment 18 weeks post infection (PI). The absolute eosinophil counts rose in all the infected animals, but the values were higher among the Dorper than among the Red Masai. Patency occurred at weeks 12 and 13 PI in the Red Masai and Dorpers, respectively, with the latter shedding significantly more fluke eggs. The worm recovery rates were higher among the Dorpers than among the Red Masai, though not significantly so. On the basis of egg counts and clinicopathology, the Dorper sheep were considered to be more susceptible to F. gigantica infections.     

Chromatographic analysis of lypophilic compounds in eggs from organically fed hens

Egg yolks represent a common foodstuff in the human diet and are an important source of nutrients including lipids and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to compare the carotenoid, fatty acid and vitamin E contents of the yolk of eggs from nine hen breeds (Barred Plymouth Rock, Speckled Italian, Black Italian, Red Italian, Rhode Island, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Gold Araucana, Partridge Brahma and Yellow Cochin) raised in barns in an enclosed house. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the fatty acid analyses, and reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (RP-HPLC-PDA) for carotenoids and vitamin E quantification. The major carotenoids identified were lutein and zeaxanthin, which together represented more than 93% of the total carotenoids, followed by β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene.The results indicated that the total carotenoid content of the eggs ranged from 16.84–87.31 μg/g egg yolk (average value 49 μg/g egg yolk). The most representative fatty acids found were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Significant differences in the proportions of α-linolenic acid were observed among the samples. The α-tocopherol content was directly correlated with the total carotenoid content. The results show that the chemical composition of egg yolk varies greatly among hen breeds.     

Genetic correlation between performance of pure‐bred white leghorn pullets and their paternal half‐sisters from Rhode Island red dams

The genetic correlations for age at first egg, part‐year egg production, egg weight and body weight at 20 weeks were high and positive in pure‐breds and their cross‐bred half‐sibs. This indicates that the performance of the cross between White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red can be further improved through intra‐population selection for these characters in the two parental breeds.     

Effect of Dietary Carotenoid on Egg Yolk Color and Singlet Oxygen Quenching Activity of Laying Hens

The effects of dietary carotenoids on egg yolk were investigated in this study. Forty Rhode Island Red (RR) and 40 Silky Fowl (SF) hens that were 60 weeks old were used. Hens of each breed were randomly divided into four dietary groups. One group was fed a basal diet (crude protein 17%, metabolizable energy 2800 kcal/kg) only, whereas the other groups received a specific additive, namely, paprika extract, marigold petal extract, or Paracoccus cell powder, in addition to the same basal diet. The color and carotenoid content of egg yolk and singlet oxygen quenching activity were measured after 4 weeks. The total carotenoid content, zeaxanthin content, and singlet oxygen quenching activity in the yolk differed significantly between breeds and between diets (two-way ANOVA). The lutein content in egg yolk was affected by breed and diet, as well as by the interaction between these two factors. Regarding the Roche Yolk Color Fan values, only the effect of diet was significant. In terms of objective egg yolk color, there was a significant difference in lightness and yellowness between breeds. The total carotenoid content was higher in SF than in RR in all the groups. Likewise, the levels of zeaxanthin and lutein in the yolk were higher in SF than in RR (P<0.05). The results of the present study suggest that dietary carotenoids are effective feed additives for laying hens, especially SF, to improve the color and singlet oxygen quenching activity of egg yolk.     

Effects of Scavenging on Diet Selection and Performance of Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi Breeds of Chicken Offered a Choice of Energy and Protein Feeds

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of scavenging on diet selection and the comparative performance of Rhode Island Red and Fayoumi breeds of chicken. The breeds were compared under three feeding/management regimes: (1) a choice of ground noug cake and cracked maize, with confinement; (2) a choice of ground noug cake and cracked maize, but being allowed to scavenge for about 6 h; and (3) a commercial layer mash, with confinement. Scavenging did not change the pattern of diet selection. About 90% of the daily intake of both the confined and scavenging birds under choice feeding comprised maize. The efficiency of feed utilization and nutrient intake were also similar in these groups. The Fayoumi were more efficient in terms of feed conversion, although the egg production performance of the two breeds did not vary significantly. Scavenging hens had a significantly lower egg production than the birds under confinement offered a choice of feeds. Scavenging significantly increased the mortality in both breeds. In conclusion, scavenging affected the performance adversely and, despite the provision of a choice of feed providing a source of energy and protein, both the scavenging and confined birds on choice feeding failed to eat sufficient to meet their protein requirements.     

Genotype X environment interaction in two breeds of chickens kept under two management systems in Southern Ethiopia

Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Fayoumi chickens were evaluated on-station in a college farm and on-farm in village farms, whereas local chickens were only tested under on-farm condition. Traits recorded are egg production and egg quality, body weight and feed efficiency at 4, 8 and 12 months of age. Significant age effect was found for most traits except for shell thickness, albumen height and egg length. Also, significant breed by management system interactions were found for all traits measured in both systems. Fayoumi chickens were higher in egg production in both management systems. Moreover, they were higher than RIR in feed efficiency. RIR were higher in most egg quality traits and had higher weight gain. Local chickens performed below the two exotic breeds in most of the traits, but had higher weight gain than Fayoumi. Chickens kept on-farm had poorer performance than those kept on-station in all traits except for yolk colour.     

3个品种鸡的蛋品质比较研究

随机选取43周龄的拉萨白鸡鸡蛋、藏鸡鸡蛋和白来航鸡鸡蛋各30枚,进行蛋品质测定。结果表明,3个品种鸡的蛋品质存在差异,除蛋比重差异不显著（P〉0.05）外,拉萨白鸡鸡蛋、白来航鸡鸡蛋与藏鸡鸡蛋的蛋重、蛋壳颜色、气室直径、蛋壳百分率、蛋壳强度、蛋黄重量、蛋壳厚度均存在极显著差异（P〈0.01）;拉萨白鸡鸡蛋、藏鸡鸡蛋与白来航鸡鸡蛋的蛋形指数存在极显著差异（P〈0.01）;拉萨白鸡鸡蛋与藏鸡鸡蛋、白来航鸡鸡蛋的蛋白高度、哈氏单位存在极显著差异（P〈0.01）;蛋白重量、蛋黄比色在3个品种鸡的鸡蛋中存在极显著差异（P〈0.01）;拉萨白鸡鸡蛋与藏鸡鸡蛋、白来航鸡鸡蛋的蛋白百分率存在显著差异（P〈0.05）;3个品种鸡的蛋壳重量和蛋黄百分率相互表现出显著或极显著差异（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;拉萨白鸡鸡蛋、白来航鸡鸡蛋与藏鸡鸡蛋的血肉斑存在显著差异（P〈0.05）。综合来看,拉萨白鸡的蛋品质最佳,具有良好的市场前景,应加大对拉萨白鸡的品种培育力度。     

七个鸡种蛋品质比较分析

鸡蛋品质是鸡蛋生产者和消费者都非常关注的性状,为分析蛋品质在鸡种内及鸡种间的差异,本试验测定了5个地方鸡种和2个国外蛋鸡品种各30个蛋共12项常规蛋品质指标。分析结果表明:遗传背景对蛋品质影响较大,2个国外鸡种的蛋重、哈氏单位等指标高于地方鸡种,而地方鸡种在蛋形指数、蛋壳质量、蛋黄颜色以及蛋黄比率上占优,国内蛋用鸡种改良可以选择蛋黄性状为重点选育方向。7个鸡种中,海兰白蛋鸡的蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度、蛋黄重是最大的,但海兰褐蛋鸡却与之完全相反,两者之间差异显著(P<0.05)。从品种内差异角度来看,商业化鸡种蛋品质变异系数小,国内鸡种整齐度有待进一步提高。     

不同品种、不同周龄鸡蛋营养成分比较研究

本试验选用北京油鸡、白来航、海兰褐3个品种,每个品种随机挑选17或19周龄(北京油鸡)、42周龄、70周龄母鸡收集鸡蛋进行蛋黄营养成分的测定。结果表明:不同品种3个产蛋时期的蛋黄比例、蛋白比例、蛋黄维生素E含量都有极显著差异(P<0.01)。其中白来航、海兰褐在不同产蛋时期的蛋黄、蛋白比例呈现相同的变化趋势,即蛋黄比例为70周龄蛋最高,蛋白比例为初产蛋最高。3个品种不同产蛋时期维生素E含量变化亦势趋相同,初产蛋最高。3个品种42周龄蛋中的必需氨基酸比例显著高于其他2个时间点(P<0.01)。商业品种与中国地方鸡种所产蛋在蛋黄、蛋白比例、维生素B2变化趋势迥异,无统一规律可循。     

Biological type effects on gestation length, calving traits and calf growth rate

Gestation length, birth weight calving difficulty, calf mortality rate at birth, calf mortality rate from birth to weaning, preweaning calf growth rate and calf 200-d weight were evaluated in a biological type study in which four sire breeds were bred by AI to Hereford dams. Angus and Red Poll sires represented breeds of medium size, and Pinzgauer and Simmental sires represented large breeds. Angus and Pinzgauer represented breeds with medium milk production, and Red Poll and Simmental represented breeds with high milk production. Dams mated to large sire breeds had longer (P less than .01) gestation lengths (.95 d) and higher calving difficulty scores than dams mated to medium-sized sire breeds. Calves from large sire breeds had heavier birth weight (P less than .01) and 200-d wt (6.1 kg; P less than .01) than calves from medium-sized sire breeds. Calf death loss and ADG to weaning were similar (P greater than .10) for all breeds of sire. Calves from the higher milk level sire breeds exceeded the medium-milk breeds in birth weight (1.3 kg; P less than .01) but did not (P greater than .10) in other traits. Calves from the higher milk level sire breeds exceeded the medium-milk breeds in birth weight (1.3 kg; P less than .01) but not (P greater than .10) in other traits. Interaction between size and milk production of sire breed existed for gestation length, birth weight, ADG from birth to weaning and 200-d calf weight (P less than .01). In general, mature size of sire breed was a good indication of expected performance traits not easily influenced by environment. Not all differences, however, could be explained by size and milk production of the size breed.     

Variability of resistance in goats infected with Haemonchus contortus in Brazil

The variability between and within breeds with respect to nematode egg counts (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) was studied in 36 yearling female goats of the Caninde (15), Bhuj (6) and Anglo-Nubian (15) breeds, exposed to Haemonchus contortus. Nematode-free goats were turned to a contaminated paddock in late February. From then on, fecal egg per gram counts (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) were determined at 2-week intervals up to Week 18. The EPG, transformed as [log(EPG + 75)], varied (P < 0.01) between goats within breeds and between weeks of exposure, but not between goat breeds (P > 0.05). PCV and Hb were affected by goat breeds (P < 0.05), by goats within breeds (P < 0.01) and by weeks of exposure (P < 0.01). Anglo-Nubians had higher (P < 0.01) PCV and Hb than Caninde; Bhuj had intermediate values. There were two EPG rises; one between Weeks 6 and 10 and the other between Weeks 14 and 16. The within breed variability was marked during the EPG rise on Week 6, when individual egg counts ranged from 130 to 2500. The EPG rises coincided with drops in Hb. PCV presented a similar trend, though not as marked. Haemonchus was responsible for more than 95% of nematode eggs counted. Considering the goat as experimental unit, the correlation coefficients (r) were: -0.45, P = 0.0064, between log(EPG + 75) and PCV; and -0.53, P = 0.0009, between log(EPG + 75) and Hb. The negative correlation between egg counts and blood values suggested breed differences in PCV and Hb were related to resistance to H. contortus infection and/or to its effects.     

隆林牛与郏县红牛线粒体DNA全基因组遗传多样性比较研究

摘　要：［目的］本研究旨在从基因组水平探究隆林牛和郏县红牛的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）全基因组遗传多样性与母系起源,并对2个黄牛品种的mtDNA全基因组遗传多样性进行比较分析。［方法］采用全基因组重测序及生物信息学方法。［结果］在15头隆林牛和28头郏县红牛mtDNA全基因组序列中,共检测到36种单倍型,其中郏县红牛有26种单倍型,隆林牛仅有8种单倍型,2个黄牛品种共享2种单倍型。郏县红牛和隆林牛的平均单倍型多样度（Hd）分别为1.000和0.943,平均核苷酸多样度（Pi）分别为0.0080和0.0053,表明其遗传多样性丰富。构建的系统发育树表明,隆林牛和郏县红牛具有瘤牛和普通牛两个母系支系。［结论］隆林牛以瘤牛起源为主,郏县红牛为普通牛与瘤牛的混合起源,这2个地方黄牛品种具有独特的母系遗传信息,表现出明显的母系遗传差异。     

畜牧兽医专业职业教育分级制改革实践

职业教育分级制度改革是对构建现代职业教育体系的新探索、新实践。畜牧兽医专业是首批北京市职业教育分级制度改革的试验专业之一。本文以畜牧兽医专业职业教育分级制改革试验为例，介绍了“职业仓”构建、分级标准制定、职业岗位能力分析与入学条件、课相开发与教学设计、质量控制和评价等方面的改革成果。     

Evaluation of red blood cell fragility in Pygmy goats

Red blood cells from 6 Pygmy goats were determined to be significantly (P less than 0.01) more susceptible to osmotic lysis and mechanical stress than were RBC from 6 Toggenburg goats. Differences in RBC size and shape and adenosine 5'-triphosphate concentration between the 2 breeds were not significant. The differences observed in the in vitro tests may be attributable to differences in RBC membrane composition.     

Genetic diversity among some cattle breeds in the Alpine area

Seven autochthonous Italian cattle breeds bred in the alpine area (Aosta Black Pied, Aosta Red Pied, Aosta Chestnut, Oropa Red Pied, Grey Alpine, Rendena and Burlina) were investigated in order to characterise their genetic structure and to study their phylogenetic origin. Two cattle breeds from Germany (Original German Brown and Holstein) and four from Switzerland (Simmental, Herens, Evolene and Brown Swiss) were included in the study in order to determine the genetic diversity existing among Italian local breeds, similar breeds bred on the other side of the Alps and in the well known Holstein.
Seventeen microsatellites, of the internationally accepted panel for the study of cattle biodiversity, were used for the analysis.
Microsatellites were highly polymorphic with a mean number of 5,5 alleles (ranging from 2 to 12 per locus). For each locus, allelic frequencies, heterozygosity (H) and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) were computed. The genetic equilibrium according to Hardy–Weinberg was calculated for each population and for each locus. Allele frequencies were used to estimate genetic distances and to draw a phylogenetic tree. The two closest breeds were Aosta Red Pied and Aosta Black Pied, while the two genetically most different were Holstein and Aosta Chestnut. Aosta valley breeds, Evolene and Herens constituted a tight cluster in the phylogenetic consensus tree. Principal component analysis showed a similar pattern for all the alpine breeds, while Holstein and Original German Brown were far away. The genetic differences among breeds were in accordance with their geographical and historical origins.     

卵黄性腹膜炎、鸡白血病对种鸡死亡率、产蛋率影响的初步调查

为了探讨卵黄性腹膜炎和鸡白血病对种鸡死亡率和产蛋率的影响，在2016年1月至2017年4月中旬，对江苏省常州市某种鸡场岭南黄鸡、花鸡（金茅花鸡）、草鸡（金茅草鸡）、黄脚麻鸡4个品种鸡的发病及死亡情况进行临床症状观察及病理剖解；同时记录鸡场每日的鸡死亡数、产蛋数、每日免疫和用药情况，分析不同时期的死亡率和产蛋率，比较不同品种鸡的产蛋率及产蛋高峰期产蛋率与正常蛋鸡产蛋高峰期产蛋率（参考值80%）之间的差异。从死亡鸡的剖解结果来看，腹腔内卵黄凝固黏连在肠道上，输卵管肿大，充满白色或淡黄色干酪样物，初步诊断为卵黄性腹膜炎；肝脏和脾脏肿大，肠系膜或胸壁有肿瘤状物体，初步诊断为鸡白血病。岭南黄鸡产蛋后期的死亡率极显著高于产蛋上升期和高峰期（P<0.01），黄脚麻鸡产蛋后期的死亡率极显著低于产蛋高峰期（P<0.01）；花鸡、草鸡、黄脚麻鸡产蛋高峰期产蛋率平均值均低于60%，与参考值（80%）差异极显著（P<0.01）。综合试验结果，卵黄性腹膜炎和鸡白血病对鸡场影响严重，导致鸡死亡率上升，产蛋率下降；抗应激药和营养药可以起到缓解预防的作用，但无法根治，尚无有效的治疗方法。     

中国6个地方鸭品种蛋品质比较

本研究测定了处于产蛋高峰6个地方鸭品种同一天各30枚种蛋的蛋重、壳重、蛋黄重、蛋白重、膜重、蛋黄蛋白比、哈氏单位、蛋壳厚度、蛋黄色泽、蛋形指数、蛋壳强度等11项蛋品质的指标。结果表明:高邮鸭除哈氏单位稍低外,其他10项指标均比其他5个鸭品种高;11项指标主成分分析说明了蛋重是蛋品质的一个重要指标,6个鸭品种分别依特征值排序的结果中,由前到后顺序为:高邮鸭、金定鸭、莆田黑鸭、山麻鸭、攸县麻鸭、连城白鸭。研究结果为进一步开发利用品种资源提供了参考依据。     

鸡蛋淀粉酶多态现象

本研究以聚丙烯酰胺凝胶水平电泳法测定了鸡蛋淀粉多态现象，发现蛋清淀粉酶呈单态，蛋黄淀粉酶呈现多态现象，其表现与血清淀粉酶相似，因而提出了相同的遗传机制假设：即蛋黄淀粉酶多态现象受Ａｍｙ－１和Ａｍｙ－２两个基因座位控制，本试验发现Ａｍｙ－１座位有Ａｍｙ－１＾Ａ和Ａｍｙ－１＾Ｂ两个等位基因，控制ＡＡ，ＡＢ和ＢＢ３种表型；Ａｍｙ－２座位由Ａｍｙ－２＾Ｉ和Ａｍｙ－２＾ｉ两个等位基因决定（＋）和（－）２种表     

Live weight,conformation, carcass traits and economic values of ram lambs of Red Maasai and Dorper sheep and their crosses

Meat production is the most important trait in the breeding objectives of sheep production in East Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate breed differences in live weight, conformation, carcass traits and economic values for meat production among Red Maasai and Dorper sheep and their crosses. In total, 88 ram lambs, which were reared at the ILRI experimental station, Kapiti plains Estate in Central Kenya, were used for the study. The lambs were slaughtered at Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) at about 1 year of age. Prior to slaughter, the lambs were weighed, measured and assessed by experienced evaluators, and at the abattoir carcass traits were recorded. Large breed differences were found for most traits. Dorper lambs were heavier at delivery for slaughter and had better carcass grade but lower dressing percentage and fat levels than Red Maasai. Crossbreds were generally better than the parental breeds. Evaluators were willing to pay more for the Dorper lambs for slaughter although carcass weights later were shown not to be higher than for Red Maasai. Evaluators undervalued Red Maasai lambs by 8–13 % compared to Dorper lambs according to the prices quoted per kilogramme live or carcass weight by KMC. Live weight was better than any other live measure in predicting carcass weight. Due to the overall higher ranking of the crossbred lambs for meat production, Dorper may be useful as a terminal sire breed for crossing with Red Maasai ewes.