The Effect of a Chronic Stressor, Lameness, on Detailed Sexual Behaviour and Hormonal Profiles in Milk and Plasma of Dairy Cattle

The objectives of the present study were to quantify the effects of a biological chronic stressor (lameness) on the duration and frequency of different oestrous behaviours in parallel with milk hormone profiles. Dairy cows 51.8 ± 1.4 days postpartum (n = 59), including 18 non‐lame control cows, were scored for lameness and closely observed for signs of oestrus having had their follicular phases synchronized by administration of gonadotrophin‐releasing‐hormone (GnRH) followed by prostaglandin F_2α (PG) 7 days later. Lameness shortened the period when herd‐mates attempted to mount the lame cows (1.83 ± 0.69 h vs 5.20 ± 1.53 h; p = 0.042) but did not affect the overall duration of total behaviours (lame 12.3 ± 1.3 h vs non‐lame 15.2 ± 1.3 h). Lameness also lowered the intensity of oestrus [1417 ± 206 points (n = 18) vs 2260 ± 307 points (n = 15); p = 0.029]. Throughout the synchronized oestrous period, lame cows mounted the rear of herd‐mates less frequently (p = 0.020) and tended to chin rest less (p = 0.075). Around the period of maximum oestrous intensity, lameness also diminished the proportion of cows mounting the rear of another cow and chin resting (p = 0.048, p = 0.037, respectively). Furthermore, lame cows had lower progesterone values during the 6 days before oestrous (p ≤ 0.05). Fewer lame cows were observed in oestrus following PG (non‐lame 83%, lame 53%; p = 0.030); however, if prior progesterone concentrations were elevated, lame cows were just as likely to be observed in oestrus. In conclusion, following endogenous progesterone exposure, lameness shortens the period when herd‐mates attempt to mount lame cows but does not affect the incidence of oestrous. However, lame cows are mounted less frequently and express oestrus of lower intensity. This is associated with lower progesterone prior to oestrus but not with abnormal oestradiol or cortisol profiles in daily milk samples.     

Use of Biosolids for Phytocapping of Landfill Soil

Conventional clay capping for post-closure management of landfill commonly cracks and deteriorates over time. As a consequence, water ingress into waste increases as a function of time, potentially causing a range of environmental issues. An alternative approach is known as phytocapping, which utilizes select plant species to control cap stability and moisture percolation. In this study, growth of Arundo donax L. (giant reed), Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (Indian mustard), and Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) on a landfill site was studied with different biosolid amendment rates (0, 25, and 50?Mg?ha^?1). Cultivation of the landfill cap and amendment with biosolids significantly improved the characteristics of the soil. Growth of each plant species increased due to biosolid addition. Giant reed produced the largest biomass in the 50?Mg?ha^?1 biosolid amendment rate (38?Mg?ha^?1 dry weight). The high pH and clay content of landfill cap soil, and the low metal concentrations of the biosolid resulted in low heavy metal (copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead) accumulation in leaves of most treatments. The improvement in growth and limited uptake of metal contaminants to plant shoots indicated that biosolid application to landfill clay caps improves the application of phytocapping of old landfill sites.     

Organoclays reduce arsenic bioavailability and bioaccessibility in contaminated soils

Purpose  

Naturally occurring layer silicate clay minerals can be value added by modifying their surface properties to enhance their efficacy in the remediation of environmental contaminants. Silicate clay minerals modified by the introduction of organic molecules into the mineral structure are known as organoclays and show much promise for environmental remediation applications. The present study assesses the extent of decrease in bioavailable and bioaccessible arsenic (As) via enhanced adsorption by soil treated with organoclays.     

Not All Phosphate Fertilizers Immobilize Lead in Soils

The effects of six phosphate (P) fertilizers in mobilizing and immobilizing water-soluble lead (Pb) were determined in a contaminated soil (Alfisol from Shaoxing) from China and four Australian soils (an Oxisol from Twonsville Queensland and three South Australian soils from Cooke Plains (Typic Palexeralf)), Inman Valley (Vertisol), and Two Wells (Natric Palexeralf). The fertilizers tested were single superphosphate (SSP), triple superphosphate (TSP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), monocalcium phosphate (MCP), and dicalcium phosphate (DCP) to produce an initial P concentration of 1,000 mg/L. The Chinese soil contained 16,397 mg/kg total Pb, but the Australian soils were uncontaminated. The four Australian soils were each spiked with 1,000 mg Pb/kg soil (as Pb(NO₃)₂) and incubated for a month. Single superphosphate treatments decreased total soluble Pb in soil solution to 2–14 % of those of the nil-P (0P) treatment in the four Pb-spiked soils and to 48 % in the Chinese Pb-contaminated soil. The DAP treatment followed by the MAP treatment greatly increased the total soluble Pb in soil solution up to 135–500 % of the 0P treatment, except in the Two Wells soil. MCP could decrease the total soluble Pb in Cooke Plains, Inman Valley, Shaoxing, and Two Wells soils while increase it in the Queensland soil; DCP decreased the total soluble Pb in Cooke Plains and Queensland soils while increased it in the Shaoxing and Inman Valley soils. There were close relationships between the total soluble Pb, total soluble Al, and total soluble Fe in the water extracts of each. Soluble Al and Fe ions in soil solution increased soluble Pb concentrations. We conclude that not all phosphate fertilizers immobilize Pb in soils equally well. SSP and TSP are excellent Pb-immobilizing fertilizers, while MAP and DAP are strong Pb-mobilizing fertilizers. MCP and DCP are either Pb-immobilizing fertilizers or Pb-mobilizing fertilizers depending on their reactions with individual soils.     

Effect of Seaweeds on Degradation of DDT in Soils

There are concerns over the environmental risks posed by Cu-based fungicide use, and there is community and regulatory pressure on viticultural industries to restrict the use of Cu-based fungicides. This study assesses the relative environmental risks posed by Cu-based and alternative synthetic organic fungicide compounds used in Australian vineyards, giving particular consideration to their adverse effects on soil microbial activity and how risks vary across different viticultural regions. The study was guided by key steps in the ecological risk assessment framework to analyse the risks of Cu-based fungicides towards soil organisms and involved four key steps: (1) problem formulation, (2) analysis (characterise exposure and effects), (3) risk characterisation and (4) risk assessment. There is evidence of a build-up of Cu-based fungicide residues in Australian vineyard soils, although this has occurred over many years, thus allowing the availability of Cu in the soil to be attenuated over time due to aging processes. On the whole, it appears that Cu-based fungicide residues are currently unlikely to pose a significant risk to soil organisms in Australian vineyard soils. However, there are indicators that continued applications of Cu-based fungicides may well have implications on the use of impacted land for sustainable agricultural production. Further detailed studies are required to enable a more definitive characterisation of the risks posed by Cu-based fungicide residues, such as establishing a clearer link between the laboratory and agricultural settings, investigating effects on other indicators of microbial activity and biodiversity and understanding the resilience of soil microbes to additional stressors. The challenge for agricultural industries and governments, both in Australia and globally, is to formulate appropriate plans to reduce the risks associated with Cu-based fungicide use. Further research is required to consider the relative risks of a wide range of alternative fungicide compounds to ensure that they pose a lower environmental risk than the Cu-based fungicides they may replace.     

利用F2-NIL定位一个控制水稻穗颖花数、株高和抽穗期的多效QTL

利用重组自交系合适世代(F7或F8)的单株具有一定杂合率的特点,在重组自交系的一个家系内,选择到水稻每穗颖花数(SPP)、株高(PH)和抽穗期(HD)3个性状同时分离的2个单株。以这2个单株为亲本快速构建F2群体(F2-NIL)。由于这2个单株背景高度一致,故这个群体就是快速构建的近等基因系群体。后代测验结果为3个数量性状中的每一个性状的3种基因型分离数目均相同(29,63,33),且卡方测验符合1∶2∶1的孟德尔分离比例,表明3个数量性状——每穗颖花数、抽穗期和株高均表现为质量性状分离。利用这个群体定位了一个位于第8染色体上、同时控制水稻每穗颖花数、抽穗期和株高3个性状的多效区段RM310~RM126,这个QTL可以解释这3个性状的很大的表现型方差(66.0%~81.1%)。利用后代测验结果,定位了控制这3个性状的基因位置。控制3个性状的基因和QTL位于相同的位置,QTL遗传效应的方向也相同,表明控制3个性状的遗传机制更可能是一因多效的结果,而非3个紧密连锁基因单独控制的结果;同时也表明利用重组自交系群体构建近等基因系的方法是快速构建近等基因系的有效方法。     

Susceptibility of cats to equine morbillivirus

Objective To assess the susceptibility of cats to equine morbillivirus (EMV) by direct administration of the virus by subcutaneous, intra-nasal or oral routes, and following exposure to infected cats.
Design A disease transmission study, with controls, using ten cats.
Procedure Groups of cats were given the virus by the designated methods and assessed for evidence of infection by clinical examination, plus pathological and virological tests.
Results All cats administered the virus by subcutaneous, intra-nasal or oral routes became infected and developed the disease within 4 to 8 days. One of two cats in contact with affected cats also developed the disease, but two cats kept near to affected cats did not become infected. The virus was isolated from a range of tissues collected from the infected cats, and the lesions observed in affected cats were similar to those previously observed in horses naturally and experimentally infected with the virus.
Conclusion This is the first demonstration that animals can be infected with EMV by non-parenteral means, that the virus can transmit naturally between animals and confirms other reports of the similarity of EMV disease in horses and cats.     

A retrospective evaluation of the surgical management of equine carpal injury

SUMMARY: Records of 220 thoroughbred horses presented to the Randwick Equine Centre or the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital for surgical management of carpal injury were reviewed. Details of racing performance were obtained, enabling evaluation of racing success following surgery. Age and sex matched control horses not known to have suffered carpal injury were selected from the Australian Stud Book and the Australian Racehorse Register. Control and treated populations were compared in terms of overall career racing success.
Radiographs or xeroradiographs from 198 horses were available for evaluation. The dorsomedial aspects of the distal articular surface of the radial carpal bone and the proximal articular surface of the third carpal bone were the most commonly observed locations of osteochondral fracture. Bilateral carpal injury was found to be sufficiently common to warrant routine radiographic examination of both limbs. The dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique, flexed lateral and dorsoproximal-dorsodistal oblique (skyline) projections were the most useful views for evaluation of carpal degenerative joint disease. Surgical removal of osteochondral fractures by arthrotomy or arthroscopy was found to be a suitable method of treatment.
Arthroscopy was associated with a significantly shorter convalescent period than arthrotomy. Seventy-six percent of the treated population returned to racing following surgery. Average earnings following surgery were 20 000. However, the median value was only 1400 and 48% of the treated population failed to earn more than 1000. Male horses in both the treated and control groups performed significantly better than females. Treated horses performed significantly better than the randomly selected control population.