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.     

Use of two doses of cloprostenol in different intervals for estrus synchronization in hair sheep under tropical conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study evaluated the effect of two doses of prostaglandin at different intervals on reproductive parameters of crossbred ewes. In Experiment 1, 30 ewes...     

Heritability and genetic correlations between rumination time and production traits in Holstein dairy cows during different lactation phases

So far, rumination has been used as a proxy for monitoring dairy cow health at farm level. However, investigating its genetic aspects as well as its correlation with other important productive traits may turn this management tool into a new informative selection criterion. However, scientific evidences on genetic correlation among rumination time (RT) and milk production and milk composition are still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of RT across three lactation phases and its genetic correlation with milk production, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC). Results of our study showed that heritability for RT was 0.34 and was constant across lactation. The mean genetic correlations between RT and milk production and composition traits were 0.07 (milk production), ?0.07 (protein yield), ?0.31 (fat yield), and ?0.32 (fat/protein ratio). The mean genetic correlation between RT and the SCC was 0.05.     

北京市部分地区城镇居民狂犬病认知情况初步调查

为了解北京市部分地区城镇居民对狂犬病的认知情况及其影响因素,随机选取海淀区、怀柔区、延庆区9个居民区的160名当地居民开展问卷调查,得到有效问卷112份;采用单因素分析方法对调查数据进行统计分析。结果显示,83.92%(94/112)的居民对狂犬病知识认知程度一般,15.18%(17/112)的居民部分了解,而仅0.89%(1/112)的居民非常了解。其中,居民对狂犬病易感动物、传播途径和被犬咬伤后正确处理方法等问题回答正确率低于40%。单因素分析发现,文化程度对北京地区城镇居民狂犬病认知水平有较大影响(P0.05),随着文化程度的提高,回答正确率不断提高。另外,当地居民希望通过微信、微博等新媒体(80.36%)、电视(78.57%)、社区宣传(72.32%)等方式获取狂犬病知识。以上结果表明,北京市城镇居民对狂犬病认知程度一般,对狂犬病易感动物、传播途径和被犬咬伤后正确处理等方面认知水平较低。因此,应选择微信、微博等新媒体,结合电视、社区宣传等方式,开展狂犬病流行病学等方面的宣传,以此提升北京市城镇居民的狂犬病认知水平。     

热带农业科技国际合作项目评价体系初探

从国际科技合作项目的特点出发,探讨提出热带农业科技国际合作项目评价体系的雏形,并对评价体系的项目前评价、项目中评价及项目后评价3个阶段的评价指标加以充实,为热带农业科技国际合作项目的科学、规范管理提供参考依据。     

种植密度对不同株型青贮玉米产量及相关性状的影响

本研究以平展型玉米(Zea mays)雅玉青贮8号、半紧凑型品种京科青贮516和紧凑型品种黎民518为材料,研究4个种植密度对不同株型的青贮玉米产量及相关性状的影响。结果表明,青贮玉米鲜草产量和籽粒产量的最佳适宜密度不同,鲜草产量的适宜密度高于籽粒产量的适宜密度。随群体密度的增加玉米刈割青贮时的绿叶片数、单株鲜重、穗长、穗粗、穗行数、行粒数呈下降趋势;秃尖长、株高、穗位高、空秆率、倒伏(折)率、瘤黑粉病病株率逐渐增加;高密度下千粒重降低;青贮生育期略有延长。供试品种中黎民518最耐密植,京科青贮516边行优势强,最不耐密植。     

Early resynchronization protocols for goats: Progestogens can be used prior to an early pregnancy diagnosis without affecting corpus luteum functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G_NPSP: Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge: n = 8; G_NPNSP: Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge: n = 6; G_PSP: Group of pregnant does with second sponge: n = 5; G_PNSP: Group of pregnant does without second sponge: n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G_NPSP: 3.1 ± 2.8; 1.7 ± 1.8; 0.4 ± 1.0; and 0.0 ± 0.0 vs. G_NPNSP: 4.4 ± 1.8; 3.0 ± 2.2; 0.8 ± 0.8; and 0.0 ± 0.0 or G_PSP: 4.2 ± 1.0; 3.4 ± 0.6; 3.3 ± 1.6; 3.2 ± 0.9; 3.6 ± 1.2; 3.5 ± 1.3; 2.7 ± 1.3 vs. G_PNSP: 4.4 ± 1.6; 3.6 ± 1.5; 3.7 ± 1.5; 3.8 ± 1.4; 3.2 ± 1.2; 3.1 ± 1.2; 3.6 ± 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.     

Unravelling the relationship between a seasonal environment and the dynamics of forage growth in grazed swards

It is well reported in the scientific literature that pastures can have similar net forage accumulation when managed with contrasting structures. However, we hypothesized that the dynamics of forage accumulation in grazed swards is linked to seasonal-environmental conditions. Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] was used as the forage species model. The experimental treatments were four grazing heights (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) allocated to experimental units according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates and evaluated throughout four contrasting environmental seasons (summer, autumn, winter–early spring and late spring). Under rainy and warm periods, greater net forage accumulation was observed in pastures maintained taller; on the contrary, during the mild and dry periods, net forage accumulation rate reduced as grazing height increased. Such patterns of responses were related to compensations between tiller population density and tissues flows during summer and late spring and the reduced capacity of taller canopies to compensate lower population with greater growth rates during autumn and winter–early spring. Grazed swards changed their patterns of forage growth as they transitioned from favourable to more abiotic stressful conditions, suggesting that seasonal adjustments in grazing intensities are necessary in order to maximize forage production.