Stress Response of Three-year-old Horse Mares to Changes in Husbandry System During Initial Equestrian Training

For initial training, horses are often transferred from group housing to individual boxes, which is a potential stressor. In this study, salivary cortisol concentrations, locomotion activity, and heart rate (HR) were analyzed and the HR variability (HRV) variables standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) were calculated in 3-year-old mares (n = 8). Mares were transferred abruptly from a group stable with access to a paddock to individual boxes without a paddock and were studied from 4 days before to 5 days after changing the stable. Mares underwent routine equestrian training for young horses. On the days before mares were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentrations showed a diurnal rhythm with values approximately 0.6 ng/ml in the morning and a decrease throughout the day. When horses were moved to individual boxes, cortisol concentrations increased to 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/ml within 30 minutes and did not return to baseline values within 6 hours (0.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml, P < .05 over time). On the following days, a diurnal rhythm was re-established but at a higher level than before the change of stable. Locomotion activity was higher when mares had access to a paddock than when kept in individual boxes. Heart rate increased for approximately 60 minutes when mares were separated from their group. In conclusion, separating young horses from their group and individual stabling are perceived as stressful.     

Calming Benefit of Short-Term Alpha-Casozepine Supplementation During Acclimation to Domestic Environment and Basic Ground Training of Adult Semi-Feral Ponies

To evaluate potential calming effects of alpha-casozepine on horses, we blindly compared behavior and training efficiency of adult semi-feral ponies treated with either alpha-casozepine or control supplement during transition to domestic management and handling. Six ponies (three matched pairs) aged 2 to 8 years that had been reared and kept since birth under semi-feral social and environmental conditions were given either alpha-casozepine (1000 mg orally once daily for ponies weighing 160 to 205 kg) or control supplement, beginning 5 days before being moved to a domestic facility for a 2-week introduction to stabling, haltering, leading, tethering, social separation, stall confinement, grooming, simulated girthing, lifting feet, health care treatments, and transportation. Objective quantitative behavior measures (latencies to complete tasks, avoidance responses, and nervous defecations) were derived from video-recorded handling sessions. For each of the 14 sessions, ponies were ranked 1 (best) to 6 (poorest) for calm, compliance, and acclimation/skill progress. All human–animal interactions, video analyses, and rankings were done blindly to supplement assignments. For most daily sessions across the 2-week training period, each of the three alpha-casozepine-treated ponies performed better than their matched control counterparts, and they also had the top three sums of daily session ranks, with a mean of 35.2 compared with 62.8 for control ponies (P < .05, dependent t-test). At 6 weeks after the 2-week training period, the alpha-casozepine-treated ponies retained the best three sum of ranks for the seven specific skills re-assessed at that time. These results provide evidence of the benefit of alpha-casozepine supplementation to horses undergoing potentially stressful situations inherent to domestic management.     

沙地草原牧户对气候变化适应性调查分析

以内蒙古鄂尔多斯市杭锦旗为例,利用1960-2009年气象数据及牧户家庭调查问卷,研究当地气候变化情况及牧户家庭对气候变化及其影响的感知与应对策略。结果表明:过去50年中,该地区气温显著升高(P<0.01),气温变化曲线线性拟合倾向率为0.413℃·(10 a)^-1,降水总量呈降低趋势 (P>0.05),降水量变化曲线线性拟合倾向率为-12.29 mm·(10 a)^-1;牧户对气候变化的感知存在差异,对气温感知的准确度高于降水;极端天气灾害中,干旱和沙尘暴对牧户生产生活的影响最大;而牧户的适应措施以圈养、适量购买饲料和处理家畜为主;在现有草原政策实施过程中,牧户希望得到畜种改良、人工草地建植和防疫等方面的技术支持。     

Infrared Thermography Applied to Monitoring Musculoskeletal Adaptation to Training in Thoroughbred Race Horses

Infrared thermography has been used to help in diagnosing lameness. It is hypothesized that, if used in a routine basis, it could help in understanding musculoskeletal modifications during race training. This study aimed to evaluate thermal variation in the musculoskeletal regions of young Thoroughbred (TB) horses during their initial months of race training. Thermographic examinations were performed once every 2 weeks on 16 (10 male, 6 female) two-year-old TB racehorses, from arrival to the racetrack in June 2016, until January 2017, for a total of 16 evaluations. Thermographic imaging was performed using the appropriate protocol. Temperature (°C) was measured at the dorsal and palmar/plantar aspects of specific regions of interest (fetlock, metacarpal, metatarsal, carpal, tarsal, thoracolumbar, sacroiliac spine, and both hips). Initially, we found a thermal balance and all regions demonstrated a positive correlation with one another. However, a significant difference was noted between the left and right sides as training progressed. Four horses were withdrawn from the study after 50% of evaluations because of metacarpal conditions associated with training. Thermographic examination revealed changes before the clinical manifestation of these conditions. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that infrared thermography is an image technique that can facilitate understanding of musculoskeletal system modifications to race training and should be further investigated as a predictive tool to anticipate the occurrence of lesions.     

Sperm Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress in the Retuertas Endangered Horse

In order to determine whether the high level of inbreeding of the Retuertas endangered Horses may increase the vulnerability to oxidative stress of the sperm, the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation (LPO) of sperm membranes was evaluated in cooled extended ejaculates. Extended ejaculates (INRA 96) from four Retuertas horses and nine ejaculates from pure Spanish horses were received within 24 hours of collection at our laboratory. An aliquot was analyzed and served as time 0 control. The rest of the ejaculates were split into two additional aliquots: the first aliquot served as an incubation control and the second aliquot received an oxidative insult (Fe₂SO₄). Membrane LPO, motility parameters, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated. The oxidative insult induced a significant increase in the percentage of sperm with LPO in the Retuertas horses (P < .05). Total and progressive motility were not affected by the oxidative insult in both groups. However, curvilinear velocity (VCL), average velocity (VAP), straightness index (STR), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) were significantly affected by the treatment (P < .05) in the Retuertas horse population. The membrane integrity of sperm in this group was also affected: the percentage of sperm with intact membranes decreased (57.31% ± 7.76% vs. 47.52% ± 8.28%); and the percentage of necrotic sperm increased (33.27% ± 7.83% vs. 44.85% ± 9.16%) (P < .05). Finally, the oxidative insult increased the population with low mitochondrial membrane potential in these wild horses. We concluded that the high level of inbreeding of this particular breed apparently leads to a higher susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.     

荒漠草原地区多年生豆科牧草的适应性及其评价

从2000～2002年通过小区试验,对美国、加拿大和中国的6个豆科牧草材料在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟苏尼特右旗荒漠草原地区的适应性、产量和质量进行了比较研究,目的是评价牧草的适应性,筛选适合当地种植的优良牧草.研究结果表明,草原3号苜蓿和阿尔岗金苜蓿的适应性强,夏播翌年返青率在80%以上,产量较高,分别为7125.29 kg/hm2和1648.17kg/hm2,极显著高于润布勒苜蓿和雀沃依斯苜蓿(P<0.01),而且粗蛋白质含量较高,可作为荒漠草原地区推广种植的优良牧草.     

动物园动物的应激及其管理

应激是圈养野生动物所不能避免的,对动物的负面影响是多方面的。针对动物园动物应激的特点,对动物园存在的应激进行分析归类,阐述应激的危害和解释实践中的问题,采取有效措施对应激进行监测与管理,减弱应激的负面影响。     

Adaptation of Equine Locomotor Muscle Fiber Types to Endurance and Intensive High Speed Training

Skeletal muscle constitutes the largest organ system in the mammalian body and is essential for movement and force generation. Muscle tissue has the unique ability to adapt and remodel with regular exercise. Adaptation of equine contractile apparatus to exercise training with a different character occurs at the structural to the cellular and molecular levels and depends on age, breed, and sex. In Andalusian and Arabian horses from 3 months to 24 years of age, it was found that the mean cross-sectional area occupied by IIA and IIX fibers was greater in stallions than in mares. In muscle of Dutch Warmblood foals from birth to 1 year of age, a significant number of fibers coexpress either developmental and type IIa or cardiac–alpha and type I myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms. Endurance training results in increased mitochondrial density, capillary supply, changes in key metabolic enzymes, and increased maximal oxygen uptake and promotes a transition from type II to type I muscle fiber. In horses, prolonged aerobic exercise training has been shown to induce a further decline in the percentage of type IIx MyHC isoform expression and an increase of type I and IIa MyHC isoform expression. Short-duration, high-intensity exercise training stimulates type IIA and hybrid (IIA/IIX) fibers. Therefore, intensive high-speed trotting facilitates muscle fiber hypertrophy and increases the oxidative capacity of type IIX fibers.     

若干禾本科牧草在荒漠草原区的适应性及其生产性能和营养价值评价

于2000-2004年,采用小区试验法研究了来源于中国、美国和加拿大的23个禾本科牧草材料在内蒙古高原锡林郭勒盟苏尼特右旗小针茅荒漠草原的适应性、产草量和营养价值。结果表明:内蒙沙芦草、沙生冰草、沙芦草、蒙古冰草新品系、新麦草P2、新麦草P3和错行新麦草的越冬率大于80%,生产性能好,根量大,水平根幅大,垂直入土深,粗蛋白含量高,可作为荒漠草原地区推广种植的优质牧草。     

绵毛优若藜在我国干旱区的适应性

绵毛优若藜是北美洲的特有种，被引种到我国的干旱区后，其生物学特性和生态适应性都有所变化。在引种地，绵毛优若藜的物候期较原产地推迟，夏秋季所生的簇生叶保持绿色，表现为准常绿灌木。绵毛优若藜的年生长呈单峰型，其高生长和径向生长的高峰期均在7-8月。绵毛优若藜的生态幅较宽，在气温10-30℃之间，种子都可发芽。绵毛优若藜耐土壤贫瘠、耐沙埋，喜欢偏碱性土壤，在养分条件较差的沙丘和pH值为7．0-9．0的沙壤土上均能生长，在透气性较好的沙土上生长量较粘土大。当沙土的土壤含水率为1．69％。3．30％，粘土的土壤含水率为9．04％。16．14％时，绵毛优若藜萎蔫。     

黄河三角洲地区苜蓿生态适应性研究

本文研究了不同苜蓿品种在黄河三角洲地区的生态适应性。结果表明,该地区紫花苜蓿的根系主要分布于０￣３０ｃｍ土层,因受到潜水水位及盐分的影响,主根被伤害从而诱导侧根发育是苜蓿适应该地区的主要特征之一。根系对降低表层土壤含盐量及有机质和全氮含量的增加有明显效果。当地地方品种无棣苜蓿对降低土壤离子含量的程度各异,对降低ＣＯ３＾２－、Ｃｌ＾－、ＳＯ４＾２－和Ｎａ＾＋含量的作用明显,对ＨＣＯ３＾－、Ｃａ＾２＋     

Intermittent Stress in Pigs: Behavioural and Pituitary-Adrenocortical Reactivity

Abstract

Ninetysix pigs, half females and half castrated males from 12 litters, were housed in 24 groups of 4 litter mates (2 females, 2 castrates). The pigs were weaned at 4 weeks of age and from the age of 115 days half of the groups were subjected to a schedule of unpredictable, inescapable electroshocks for 33 days, and half served as control. The adrenocortical reactivity to ACTH stimulation and to an emotional stressor (the procedure associated with initiation of blood collection) was measured in females, whereas the behavioural and pituitary-adrenocortical reactivity to an open field test was measured in castrates, as was the behavioural reactivity in a social test. Intermittent stress increased adrenocortical reactivity to ACTH stimulation significantly. This effect was present within the first week of intermittent stress (p < 0.06), but no difference was found after 4–5 weeks of stress. In contrast, the adrenocortical reactivity to additional emotional stressors was unaffected by stress after one week of intermittent stress, but increased after 4–5 weeks. In the open field test, centre location increased after one week of intermittent stress, whereas exploration decreased and walking and ambulation increased after 4–5 weeks of stress. In addition, 4–5 weeks of intermittent stress decreased aggressiveness in a social test. In conclusion, the change in reactivity to an additional acute stressor during intermittent stress appeared in different variables and contexts at different times during the course of intermittent stress. Thus, assessment of stress based on changed reactivity has to include several distinct measures of behavioural and hormonal reactivity.     

藏系绵羊对高寒环境适应性研究

藏系绵羊(Tibetansheep)是分布于青藏高原上的特有家畜品种之一。采用RA(C) 型密闭回流式呼吸测热装置,将温度控制在5℃、10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃梯度内,测量不同温度下藏系绵羊呼吸频率及直肠温度。当环境温度为12.45℃时,产热量最小值为267.60KJ·d-1·w-0.75。藏系绵羊的热中性区是8～15℃,与其它地区绵羊相比(10～20℃),热中性区更为狭窄,且临界温度下限更低,从而表现出适应寒冷气候条件的生存特征。     

乳品危机事件下奶牛养殖户的发展应对策略

本文在分析乳品危机事件对奶牛行业产生影响的基础上,系统分析了乳品危机事件对奶牛养殖户的影响,并由此提出奶牛养殖户应采取的应对策略:冷静对待危机事件,排查自产牛奶存在的问题;积极寻找新的养殖方式;培育优质奶牛品种,进行科学饲养;加快奶业保险体系建设;发展奶农联合体;建立奶业一体化联合机制.     

Rider and Horse Salivary Cortisol Levels During Competition and Impact on Performance

During competition, stress may affect riders and horses. This stress can affect health, welfare, and/or performance. Our aim was to quantify stress levels during competition in horses and riders. We also searched relationships between these stress levels and performance. Twenty riders and 23 horses were followed up during a show-jumping event (26 courses) held at a riding school. Regular saliva samples taken from horses and riders were assayed to evaluate cortisol levels. We studied salivary cortisol evolution during the days of competition. There was no correlation between instantaneous sampling on horses and their riders. However, we did find a parallel between horse and rider salivary cortisol evolution curves, with a similar peak, reached 20 minutes after the course. The increase was stronger in riders than in horses. Correlations appeared between salivary cortisol concentration and performance, but stress in both partners seems to have an opposite influence on performance. Riders who showed a higher salivary cortisol increase were awarded more penalties, whereas horses that showed a higher increase in salivary cortisol performed better. Stress level measurement in rider–horse pairs would thus lead to improvement in competition conditions and performance, for horses as well as for riders.     

AM菌根真菌对非生物逆境的响应及其机制

丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）广泛存在于农业生态系统中,是土壤中重要的微生物成员之一,能与宿主形成共生体,对植物具有多种有益效应。AM真菌共生体可改善土壤理化性状,改善根围微生物区系,促进植物水分和养分吸收利用,提高植物抗氧化保护酶（SOD,POD,CAT,PPO,PAL）活性和抗氧化剂（谷胱甘肽和抗坏血酸）含量,增加渗透调节物质的含量,减少超氧自由基的产生,诱导信号物质和次生代谢物质产生,诱导植物防卫基因表达,从而促进植物对非生物逆境的抗性,降低逆境胁迫对植物造成的伤害。通过总结近年来国内外有关AM真菌提高宿主植物对干旱、盐、温度、重金属等非生物逆境抗性的研究进展,阐述了AM真菌提高植物抗逆性的作用机制,同时讨论了AM真菌在植物抗生物逆境领域的前景。     

Acute stress hyperglycemia in cats is associated with struggling and increased concentrations of lactate and norepinephrine

We characterized the changes in blood glucose concentrations in healthy cats exposed to a short stressor and determined the associations between glucose concentrations, behavioral indicators of stress, and blood variables implicated in stress hyperglycemia (plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations). Twenty healthy adult cats with normal glucose tolerance had a 5-minute spray bath. Struggling and vocalization were the most frequent behavioral responses. There was a strong relationship between struggling and concentrations of glucose and lactate. Glucose and lactate concentrations increased rapidly and significantly in all cats in response to bathing, with peak concentrations occurring at the end of the bath (glucose baseline 83 mg/dL, mean peak 162 mg/dL; lactate baseline 6.3 mg/dL, mean peak 64.0 mg/dL). Glucose response resolved within 90 minutes in 12 of the 20 cats. Changes in mean glucose concentrations were strongly correlated with changes in mean lactate (r = .84; P < .001) and mean norepinephrine concentrations (r = .81; P < .001). There was no significant correlation between changes in mean glucose concentrations and changes in mean insulin, glucagon, cortisol, or epinephrine concentrations. Struggling and lactate concentrations were predictive of hyperglycemia. Gluconeogenesis stimulated by lactate release is the likely mechanism for hyperglycemia in healthy cats in this model of acute stress. Careful handling techniques that minimize struggling associated with blood collection may reduce the incidence of stress hyperglycemia in cats.     

一例牛口蹄疫疫苗免疫过敏反应的诊治

口蹄疫是由口蹄疫病毒引起的偶蹄动物的一种急性、热性、高度接触性一类传染病,具有发病急、蔓延快、传播广、危害大等特点。我国对本病采取了100%注射疫苗强制免疫的措施,有效地控制了本病的发生及蔓延。然而在注苗免疫过程中,因个体差异等原因,个别家畜往往出现不同程度的过敏反应,有时因救治不及时或治疗方法不当造成死亡,给养殖户带来一定的经济损失,也影响了防疫工作的有效推进。文章通过一例牛口蹄疫免疫过敏病例的救治,介绍了牛在接种口蹄疫疫苗后可能出现的应激反应,并提出了解救措施,为及时、有效处理口蹄疫疫苗应激反应提供参考。