共和县天然草地畜草平衡分析

根据农业部草地资源新标准,2005年通过对共和县12个乡草地牧草产量的调查,全县现有可利用草地面积106.9万hm2,平均产草量(干草)1566.69kg/hm2,天然草地实际载畜量179.49万羊单位,与理论载畜量相比,饲草资源尚有盈余。     

共和县天然草地产草量地面监测报告

根据农业部草地资源新标准,2009年通过对共和县12个乡草地牧草产量的调查,全县现有可利用草地面积120.94万公顷,平均产草量为3 238.20kg/hm2,天然草地实际栽畜量为231.60万个羊单位,与理论栽畜量相比,饲草资源尚有盈余.     

乌兰县巴里河滩村草地资源状况及载畜量

为了实现以草定畜、合理利用草地,走生态畜牧业之路,对八里河滩村天然草地进行了调查.结果表明,该村草地共有14个草地型,平均鲜草产量为2658.9kg/hm2,可食产量为2503.95kg/hm2.其中以芨芨草、盐爪爪型最高,红砂型最低.理论载畜量为12763羊单位,本年度超载7234羊单位,超载率为45.34%;按正常...     

青海省草地初级生产力、项目区效益及家畜补饲现状分析

通过对青海省2007年草地生产力、草地载畜量、生态建设工程项目区效益及家畜补饲入户调查情况的统计与分析,结果表明:全省天然草地平均鲜草产量为2371.61kg/hm2,草地超载率为36.49%;生态建设工程项目区生态效益显著,区内产草量明显增加.     

2009年黄南州草地初级生产力、项目区效益及家畜补饲现状调查

通过对黄南州2009年草地生产力、草地载畜量、生态建设工程项目区效益及家畜补饲人户调查情况的统计与分析,结果表明：全州冬春草场理论载畜量126．83万只羊单位,实际载畜量360．38万只羊单位,超载233．55万只羊单位;夏秋草场理论载畜量81．56万只羊单位,实际载畜量360．38万只羊单位,超载278．82万只羊单位;全州全年理论载畜量124．4万只羊单位,实际载畜量360．38万只羊单位,超载235．98万只羊单位,需要出栏235．98万只羊单位。生态建设工程项目区生态效益显著,区内产草量明显增加。     

基于3S技术的景泰县草地资源现状评价

以TM卫星影像为数据源,结合典型区实地样方调查数据,采用3S技术划分了甘肃景泰县天然草地类型的空间分布,包括4类,5个组,7个型;并利用归一化植被指数(NDVI)构建了草地产草量估测模型(y=0.433 5e0.028 5x,R2=0.56);并评价了草地的利用现状,目前景泰县天然草地面积39.18万hm2,理论载畜量7.38万羊单位,研究结果为景泰县天然草地资源的合理规划、保护、建设和利用提供依据。     

互助县2009年草畜平衡工作调查

互助县位于海东农业区。2008年农田种草面积达0.8×104 hm2,载畜量达27.74万羊单位,农作物秸秆载畜量达8.2万羊单位,天然草地载畜量为21万羊单位,全县理论载畜量为56.94万羊单位,与现有载畜量相比超载10.9%。     

尖扎县天然草地产草量地面监测报告

根据农业部草原监理中心《全国草原监测实施方案》和《青海省草地资源与生态监测实施方案》的要求,对尖扎县草地资源进行了监测。结果表明,2008年草地可食鲜草产量2048.49kg/hm2,草地理论载畜量为17.78万羊单位,草地现有载畜量为52.94万羊单位,超载35.16万羊单位,超载率为50.56%。     

肃北县草原资源调查

通过应用3S技术一体化与固定样地、路线调查相结合,对肃北县天然草原资源进行调查,确定了肃北县草地类型、面积、分布及物种组成,并对草地盖度、高度和产草量进行了监测研究。结果表明,1)肃北县有天然草原5 181 889 hm2,划分为9个类,17个亚类,19个组,29个型;2)肃北县各类草原鲜草产量从高到低依次为:低平地草甸5 093 kg/hm2,温性草原化荒漠3 094 kg/hm2,高寒草甸2 561 kg/hm2,高寒灌丛草甸1 933 kg/hm2,高寒荒漠1 822 kg/hm2,温性荒漠化草原1 665 kg/hm2,温性荒漠1 183 kg/hm2,高寒草原1 143 kg/hm2,温性草原760 kg/hm2;3)肃北县天然草原年总产鲜草886 091.71万kg,折合干草(风干)304 763.85万kg;肃北天然草原理论载畜量为135.42万羊单位,目前全县各类牲畜折40.75万羊单位;4)肃北县具有丰富而珍贵的植物资源,南部祁连山区分布的植物有210种,分属42科129属,其中中低等以下的牧草有185种,占植物群落的88%;中等以上的有25种,占12%;马鬃山区分布的植物种有86种,分属23科54属,其中优良牧草有70种,占植物群落的81%。     

豫南地区天然草地类型和利用措施的探讨

为了解豫南地区天然草地的特点和利用现状,对豫南草地开展样方和样地调查。结果表明：豫南山区草地面积为8.64×10⁴ hm²,占全省草地面积的16.54%,共有3类25个型,其中,热性灌草丛面积最大,占66.01%,低地草甸和暖性灌草丛次之,分别占18.14%和15.85%;豫南天然草地平均草层高度41.17 cm,平均盖度89.15%,平均产草量为3.96×10³ kg/hm²,草地载畜量为2.06×10⁵羊单位。综上,豫南天然草地利用率低,大部分属于未利用或者轻度利用。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

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.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

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