Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

In 2008, two deer hunters in Virginia and Connecticut were infected with a unique strain of pseudocowpox virus, a parapoxvirus. To estimate the prevalence of this virus, and in an attempt to define the reservoir, Parapoxvirus surveillance was undertaken between November 2009 and January 2010. 125 samples from four ruminant species (cows, goat, sheep and white‐tailed deer) were collected in Virginia, and nine samples from white‐tailed deer were collected in Connecticut. We found no evidence that the parapoxvirus species that infected the deer hunters is circulating among domesticated ruminants or white‐tailed deer. However, parapoxvirus DNA of a different parapoxvirus species, bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), was detected in 31 samples obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Virginia. Parapoxvirus DNA–positive cattle originated from the same counties indicating probable transmission among animals. Molecular analysis identified BPSV as the parapoxvirus affecting animals. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock, particularly young animals, may be common, and further investigation will inform our knowledge of virus transmission.     

Milk utilisation patterns in the low-input production systems in South Africa

Understanding the utilisation patterns of milk assists in designing appropriate dairy development schemes in rural communities. The objective of the study was to determine milk utilisation patterns in different smallholder farming systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the administration of recording sheets to 130 randomly selected households in Alice, Fort Beaufort and Queenstown districts. Amounts of milk produced per household ranged from 9 to 21 l per household per day. Milk consumption/household/day was similar among the three districts. Milk consumption in the early lactation doubled the amount consumed in late lactation (P < 0.05). Milk in the communal areas was largely utilised as fresh or sour milk. Fresh milk was mostly used in tea/coffee or to make porridge for children. Sour milk was consumed with thick boiled maize meal. Fort Beaufort (10.2 ± 1.37 l/day) had the highest sour milk sales whilst Queenstown had the highest fresh milk sales (9.7 ± 5.57 l/day). It was concluded that quantities of milk consumed or sold as fresh or sour were generally low and varied across smallholder farming systems.     

山东省沂南县动物强制免疫“先打后补”现状分析

2021年,沂南县推进动物疫病强制免疫“先打后补”工作,依托“鲁牧云”信息平台,通过强化组织领导,加强政策宣贯,强化人员培训,放开强免疫苗经营渠道,提供抗体检测无偿服务等措施,提升了养殖场户“先打后补”的积极性、自主性、灵活性,强化了养殖场户动物防疫主体责任,满足了养殖场户疫苗多样化需求。但由于 “先打后补”补助金额少、社会化服务不规范、基层动物防疫体系弱化、缺少配套工作经费等原因,部分养殖场户实施“先打后补”的积极性不高。建议通过规范社会化服务组织,强化培训水平,提高补助标准,强化三级（县乡村）基础设施建设,升级“鲁牧云”等措施,确保“先打后补”政策惠及更多养殖场户。     

高寒牧区碱茅＋杂花苜蓿混播试验初报

为选择适合在高海拔，寒冷地区推广的多年生混播牧草品种，采用近年培育出的甘农１号杂花苜蓿与碱茅，在肃南县进行了混播试验，结果表明，高寒地区碱茅与甘农１号杂花苜蓿混播有较强的抗寒性和越冬能力，碱茅与苜蓿以７：４比例混播，可获得最佳产草量和牧草品质。     

陇西南塬区农业生产系统结构与效益研究

本研究通过对陇西南塬区农业生产系统的结构分析，确认该系统的特征为产业结构不合理（以种植业为主），种植业以粮食生产为主，复种指数低（１１１％）；养殖业中草食家畜比例低，饲养技术落后，良种率低；林果业效益低下；人口密度高，劳动力过剩，生产能源短缺等。通过系统分析提出了调控方针，该系统整体效益提高的关键是发展以草食家畜为核心的养殖业，种植业应及时调整结构，提高经济作物和饲料作物的比例，提高复种指数，林果     

Sequence of the canine c-yes proto-oncogene

Cloning of the canine yes oncogene was attempted from a c library derived from a healthy canine spleen using a human c-yes-1 probe. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed that the canine yes gene contained an open reading frame consisting of 539 amino acids. Its product had a molecular mass of 60,368 Daltons and showed 95·9 per cent and 90·4 per cent homology with human and chick p61^c-yes, respectively. Moreover, the product had a myristylation signal, src homology region (SH) 3, SH2, and tyrosine kinase domains showing 98·8 per cent and 96·0 per cent homology with those of human beings and chickens, respectively. These findings indicate that the products of the canine yes gene may have non-receptor-type tyrosine kinase activity on the cell membrane, as is the case in human and chick p61^c-yes     

采用“诱乳素”诱导空怀母牛泌乳的效果分析

试验选择6头500—800kg屡配不孕的荷斯坦母牛采用“诱乳素”进行诱导泌乳处理。结果表明,“诱乳素”在春季对母牛处理后开始出现泌乳的时间有差异,但到23天后,其产奶量可逐渐达到20kg。对体重大的母牛,虽然诱导泌乳处理时加大了药物的剂量,处理的时间延长,但开始出现泌乳的时间却推迟到8～9天,达到产奶高峰的时间也较晚。采用“诱乳素”处理除了对空怀母牛有明显的诱导泌乳作用外,对母牛的诱导发情亦有明显的作用。采用“诱乳素”处理空怀母牛,不仅可以在短期内达到诱导泌乳的效果,而且可以改善母牛的生殖功能,使不发情的母牛发情趋于正常,提高了其繁殖率。     

Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus australis</Emphasis>) reproduction in Orbata,a nature reserve in Tunisia

The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 ± 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 ± 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 ± 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.     

Seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China

Chlamydia spp. are obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria that cause a wide range of significant diseases in humans and animals worldwide, resulting in significant economic losses. Chlamydial infection in cattle has been reported in many countries including China. However, there has been no survey of chlamydial infection of dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the chlamydial seroprevalence in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, subtropical southern China by using an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). The overall seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy cattle was 7.25% (29/400). Greater than or equal to eight-yr-old dairy cattle had the highest seroprevalence (10.34%), followed by those that were ≥ 6 years old or < 7 years old dairy cattle (10.20%), although there were no statistically significant differences among different groups (P > 0.05). Dairy cattle with 5 pregnancies had the highest seroprevalence (10.81%). These results indicate that chlamydial infection was present in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, subtropical southern China, and integrated strategies and measures should be executed to control and prevent chlamydial infection and disease outbreak in the study region.     

Effects of tea saponins on rumen microbiota,rumen fermentation,methane production and growth performance—a review

Reducing methane emission from ruminant animals has implications not only for global environmental protection but also for efficient animal production. Tea saponins (TS) extracted from seeds, leaves or roots of tea plant are pentacyclic triterpenes. They have a lasting antiprotozoal effect, but little effect on the methanogen population in sheep. There was no significant correlation between the protozoa counts and methanogens. The TS decreased methanogen activity. It seems that TS influenced the activity of the methanogens indirectly via the depressed ciliate protozoal population. The TS addition decreased fungal population in the medium containing rumen liquor in in vitro fermentation, but no such effect was observed in the rumen liquor of sheep fed TS. Tea saponins had a minor effect on the pattern of rumen fermentation and hence on nutrient digestion. When added at 3 g/day in diets, TS could improve daily weight gain and feed efficiency in goats. No positive associative effect existed between TS and disodium fumarate or soybean oil on methane suppression. Inclusion of TS in diets may be an effective way for improving feed efficiency in ruminants.