Oral administration of Kaempferia parviflora did not disturb male reproduction in rats

To investigate the androgenic effect of Kaempferia parviflora (KP), a Thai herbal plant, adult male rats were randomized into control and KP-treatment groups. Rats were treated orally with water in the control group and with 1,000 mg/kg/day of KP in the treatment group for 45 days. Blood samples were collected on days 10, 20, 30 and 45 for measurement of the serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, progesterone and corticosterone levels. The reproductive and non-reproductive organs were dissected on day 45 and weighed. Mating behavior was also observed on days 20 and 30. Body weight was measured throughout the study period. The results showed that KP induced an increase in body weight compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in the weights of either reproductive (testis, seminal vesicle plus coagulating gland, levator ani muscle plus bulbocarvernosus muscle and glans penis, except the prostate gland) or non-reproductive organs (kidney, adrenal gland and gastracnemius muscle). There were no significant differences in serum levels of either FSH or LH between the two groups. The serum testosterone and progesterone levels were insignificantly lower in the KP group during the first 30 days. The serum corticosterone levels in the KP group were lower than those in the controls throughout the study period and were significantly low on days 20 and 30. There were no significant changes in mating behavior in the rats treated with KP. Although KP affected the body weight and serum corticosterone level, it did not affect mating behavior, reproductive and non-reproductive organ weights or hormones related to the reproductive system in the adult male rats. Therefore, we conclude that the testosterone-like effect of KP did not disturb the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis or male reproduction.     

30个紫花苜蓿品种对苜蓿花叶病毒病的田间抗性初步研究

为了比较不同紫花苜蓿品种对病毒病的抗性,对30个紫花苜蓿品种的病毒病发病情况进行了田间调查,利用小RNA深度测序技术结合RT-PCR技术检测鉴定各紫花苜蓿品种中的病毒种类,并测定了各紫花苜蓿品种的发病率、病情指数、相对株高、相对单株干重、相对茎秆直径、相对叶面积、相对叶长和相对叶宽,综合比较各紫花苜蓿品种的抗性,并对部分指标进行系统聚类分析。结果表明:30个紫花苜蓿品种均只受到苜蓿花叶病毒(alfalfa mosaic virus, AMV)的侵染,所有紫花苜蓿品种的田间发病率均超过94%,病情指数范围为31.53～55.50;30个紫花苜蓿品种中,抗性较强的品种有1个,为射手2号,抗性一般的品种有6个,其余23个品种的抗性较差,分别占供试品种的3.33%,20.00%和76.67%;聚类分析结果表明,抗性较强的射手2号与其他紫花苜蓿品种的亲缘关系较远,与其杂交有可能产生较大的杂种优势。     

The effects of dietary Eucommia ulmoides Oliver on growth,feed utilization,antioxidant activity and immune responses of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Eucommia ulmoides (EU) on growth, feed utilization, antioxidant activity and immune responses of turbot fed a basal diet (CON) or EU‐supplemented diets with 5.0 g/kg (EU1), 10.0 g/kg (EU2) and 20.0 g/kg (EU3) EU leaf powder. After 70‐day trial, EU supplementation did not affect nutrient utilization, but reduced feed intake (FI) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish at doses above 5.0 g/kg. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) activities in the EU‐supplemented groups were significantly higher than those in the control group at a dose of 20.0 g/kg. Significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were observed in EU‐supplemented groups at doses over 5.0 g/kg. Furthermore, fish fed 20.0 g/kg EU showed the highest lysozyme (LZM) activity among groups. The EU‐supplemented diets with doses above 5.0 g/kg significantly enhanced the mRNA expressions of cytokines. The expression level of major histocompatibility complex II alpha (MHC IIα) was significantly upregulated compared to that of the control fish when the supplemental level was at 20.0 g/kg. Taken together, the present study indicated that the EU could remarkably enhance the antioxidant activity, non‐specific immunity and maintain an active immune response in turbot.     

低氧适应相关基因及其研究策略的思考

目的筛选藏绵羊血红蛋白基因和EPAS1基因的低氧正选择位点,并解析位点遗传效应,揭示两基因在藏绵羊低氧适应中的作用。方法以血红蛋白、EPAS1为候选基因,筛选藏绵羊的优势SNP位点,并扩大样本检测3个海拔梯度(1 500、2 500和3 500 m)绵羊的海拔趋势位点和血液生理指标,进行基因型与血液生理指标关联分析。结果藏绵羊血红蛋白、EPAS1基因分别检测到6个和12个SNPs。血红蛋白6个SNPs均为同义突变,其基因频率均未呈现海拔趋势。EPAS1基因第8内含子C871T位点突变等位基因(T)频率呈现明显海拔趋势,该位点TT基因型具有增加血红蛋白含量(HGB)、红细胞平均血红蛋白含量(MCH)和血液黏稠度的遗传效应(P<0.05);通过转录因子结合位点预测,发现该突变导致 GATA (造血调控因子)结合位点丢失。EPAS1基因第9外显子G1001A为非同义突变VAL352MET,但突变等位基因频率仅为0.34,此位点3种基因型与各血液生理指标之间差异均不显著(P>0.05);通过蛋白结构同源预测,未发现蛋白结构功能变化。结论藏绵羊EPAS1基因第8内含子C871T位点突变等位基因(T)的频率随海拔升高而升高,其TT型能显著提高血红蛋白质量浓度14.14 g/L,是藏绵羊高血红蛋白浓度的潜在关联位点。     

Identification of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) adrenal glands and kidneys

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides.     

藻类净化含氮磷有机污水及其利用研究进展

从利用藻类净化含氮、磷有机污水其净化作用及其机理、藻类培养环境调控及其生物量利用和新型藻类处理系统三方面介绍了国内外的有关研究现状及其发展趋势。     

Ontogeny of testicular inhibin and activin in ducks: An immunocytochemical analysis

The ontogeny of testicular inhibin/activin in ducks was investigated. Testicular localization of three inhibin/activin subunits (α, β_A and β_B) was determined in embryonic and newly hatched ducks from 12 days of incubation to 1 day of age, in immature ducks and in adult ducks. In the duck embryonic testis, positive α‐subunit immunostaining was first detected in the Leydig cells and Sertoli cells on day 15 of incubation, whereas β_A‐subunit and β_B‐subunit immunostaining were found in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells on day 18 of incubation. In 1 month old ducks, intense staining of α‐subunit was present in the seminiferous epithelium consistent with localization in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells, and the immunostaining of the β_A‐ and β_B‐subunit was also present in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells. Specific immunostaining with inhibin/activin α‐, β_A‐ and β_B‐subunits antisera occurred in Sertoli cells in the adult duck testes. In conclusion, it was shown that, in the duck testis, the majority of α‐, β_A‐ and β_B‐subunits are colocalized in Sertoli cells with a certain degree of staining in germ cells and the α‐subunit is present in Leydig cells of embryonic testes before day 18 of incubation. These results indicate that Sertoli cells and possibly germ cells in the embryonic testes of late stage of incubation and newly hatched ducks, immature ducks and mature ducks may produce bioactive inhibin dimers, inhibin A and inhibin B, as a possible regulator of follicle‐stimulating hormone secretion. Free inhibin/activin subunits and their dimers may also play an autocrine/paracrine role in the development of the testis and spermatogenesis. Furthermore, early onset of the α‐subunit in duck testes indicates that it may have an autocrine/paracrine effect on steroid hormones, which is important for sex differentiation.     

黄鹤楼品牌导向型烤烟新品种(系)筛选试验

为了满足黄鹤楼品牌需求,在南雄市基地对6个自育和外引烤烟品种(K326、NX232、KRK26、NC297、粤烟97和华烟06)的关键指标进行统计分析。综合性状结果表明:传统品种K326表现最差,当前基地主栽品种粤烟97最优,NX232和华烟06则表现出了较大的潜质,其他品种性状一般。     

生物炭对菜园土化学肥力的影响（英文）

[目的]探讨生物炭对菜园土化学肥力的影响。[方法]采用盆栽试验,研究菜园土添加生物炭后土壤pH、有机质、有效氮、速效钾、有效磷、水溶性磷、交换性Ca、Mg等养分含量的变化。试验设置5个处理,分别为对照CK（不施生物炭）、T1（0.10%生物炭）、T2（0.25%生物炭）、T3（0.50%生物炭）、T4（1.00%生物炭）。[结果]不同处理的土壤pH、有机质、速效钾含量均随生物炭施用量的增多而显著增加,表现为T4〉T3〉T2〉T1〉CK;土壤有效磷和水溶性磷含量则呈现先增加后降低的趋势,均表现为T3最高,CK最低;有效氮和交换性Mg无显著性变化;与不施生物炭对照相比,适量添加生物炭后土壤的交换性Ca含量显著增加。[结论]生物炭能够显著提高菜园土化学肥力和化学性状,并且在T3（0.50%生物炭）施用条件下效果最佳。     

Changes in Serum Concentrations of Prolactin,Progestagens, and Estradiol-17β and Biochemical Parameters During Peripartum in an Agalactic Mare

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), progestagens, and estradiol-17β and biochemical parameters during peripartum in an agalactic mare, as well as to study the periparturient indices of the foal. A 4-year-old Thoroughbred, primiparous, pregnant mare was diagnosed as agalactic from clinical conditions such as absence of observable udder development and weight loss of her foal after parturition. Serum PRL concentrations of the agalactic mare during prepartum tended to be lower than those of the control mares (19.5 ng/mL and 67.0 ± 15.0 ng/mL on the day of parturition, respectively). The progestagens and estradiol-17β concentrations were not markedly different between the agalactic mare and the control mares. Concentrations of γ-glutamyl transferase of the agalactic mare were higher than those of the control mares (P < .05). Although the serum immunoglobulin G concentrations of the foal of the agalactic mare after 24 hours of age were lower than those of the foals of the control mares (P < .05), all periparturient indices regarding the agalactic mare were considered to be within the normal range. In contrast, insufficient udder development and milk production was observed in the agalactic mare through the pre- and postpartum periods. We have ruled out the known causes for agalactia in mares based on other parameters, clinical symptoms, and nutritional causes. Clinical symptoms and PRL parameters in this case report are consistent with the category of agalactia in mares of unexplained causes, and we have determined additional blood parameters associated with agalactia in mares that are consistent with this category.