Evaluation of association between polymorphism within the thyroglobulin gene and milk production traits in dairy cattle

In dairy cattle, many studies have reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) on the centromeric end of chromosome 14 that affect milk production traits. One of the candidate genes in this QTL region – thyroglobulin (TG) – was previously found to be significantly associated with marbling in beef cattle. Thus, based on QTL studies in dairy cattle and because of possible effects of this gene on fat metabolism, we investigated the association of TG with milk yield and composition in Holstein dairy cattle. A total of 1279 bulls from the Cooperative Dairy DNA Repository Holstein population were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism in TG used previously in beef cattle studies. Analysis of 29 sire families showed no significant association between TG variants and milk production traits. Within‐sire family analysis suggests that TG is neither the responsible gene nor a genetic marker in association with milk production traits.     

Neuraminidase production by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

In order to characterise neuraminidase activity by Erysipelothrix, 85 isolates of Erysipelothrix spp. from a variety of sources including human clinical, marine and terrestrial animals, and the environment were investigated for neuraminidase production. Neuraminidase activity was detected by a peanut lectin haemagglutination method. The effects of media, incubation conditions and pH on the production and activity of neuraminidase were also investigated. Enzyme activity was detected only in the supernatants of the isolates of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae which had been incubated in cooked meat broth and Todd Hewitt broth supplemented with horse serum after 16 and 36 h incubation at 37 degrees C. The maximum titres were reached at 40 h in cooked meat broth and 56 h in Todd Hewitt broth supplemented with horse serum. All 58 isolates and the type strain (ATCC 19414) of E. rhusiopathiae produced detectable neuraminidase activity with titres between 10 and 320. The optimal pH for the enzyme activity varied among the isolates with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 covering the highest enzyme activity of the most. There was no statistically significant difference in the level of neuraminidase activity between isolates from different sources (p > 0.05). Neuraminidase activity was not detected in the non-pathogenic Erysipelothrix spp. such as E. tonsillarum. Neuraminidase was detected only in E. rhusiopathiae suggesting its possible role as a virulence factor. Enzyme production and activity were medium and pH dependent. The peanut lectin haemagglutination assay is a simple, rapid and sensitive method and is particularly useful for the analysis of multiple samples.     

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the laying period on the reproductive performance of Taiwan native chickens

1. One-day-old Taiwan Native Breeder female chicks were fed on maize/soybean growing diets without supplemental vitamin E from hatch to 17 weeks of age. After 17 weeks the birds (n = 300) were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments and fed on maize/soybean laying diets supplemented with 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate), respectively, until 46 weeks of age. The variates measured included: age at first egg, feed consumption (FC), feed efficiency (FE), egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg specific gravity (ESG), eggshell strength (ESS), fertility and hatchability. 2. The addition of 120mg/kg of vitamin E lowered the first EW (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the age or body weight (BW) of pullets at first egg or mortality rate to 46 weeks of age among the treatments. FE and egg mass were improved (P<0.05) in pullets fed 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. A significant increase in EP was observed after peak EP in pullets given 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. However, this favourable effect decreased as supplemental vitamin E exceeded 80 mg/kg. 3. From 17 to 46 weeks of age, egg quality (ESG and ESS) decreased with age. However, there was no correlation between age and fertility or hatchability during the experimental period, suggesting that egg quality is more age-sensitive than reproductive performance for breeder pullets. 4. Compared with the control, fertility and hatchability of all eggs set for the treatment with 80 mg/kg supplemental vitamin E increased by 7.7 and 13.4%, respectively. There was no difference in the hatchability of fertile eggs. 5. These results suggest that using supplemental vitamin E during the laying period can improve the reproductive performance of breeder pullets. The addition of 80 mg/kg of vitamin E obtained the best performance in EP, egg mass, FE (feed/egg), hatchability and fertility.     

中国南方荷斯坦奶牛κ-CN基因第四、第五外显子的多态性研究

本文利用PCR-RFLP技术，检测了中国南方荷斯坦牛κ-酪蛋白（κ-casein，κ-CN）基因第4、第5外显子的遗传多态性。结果表明：κ-CN基因第4、第5外显子均存在遗传多态性，第4外显子上存在突变位点g．10943A〉C，第5外显子上存在突变位点g．15153T〉C。第4外显子有两种基因型（AA，AB），等位基因频率分别为0．9379和0．0621，第5外显子有三种基因型（AA，BB，AB），等位基因频率分别为0．6512和0．3488。κ-CN两个外显子PCR-RFLP位点的基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律（p〉0．05）。κ-CN基因第4、第5外显子座位的多态信息含量分别为0．1097和0．3511，第4外显子呈现低度多态，第5外显子呈现中度多态；其杂合度、有效等位基因数分别为0．1165、1．1318和0．4543、1．8324。     

Pathology and Neurotoxicity in Dogs after Repeat Dose Exposure to a Serotonin 5-HT1B Inhibitor

AZD3783, a cationic amphiphilic drug and a potent inhibitor of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT_1B) receptor, was explored as a potential treatment for depression. To support clinical trials, repeat dose toxicity studies in rats and dogs were conducted. Here we report toxicity findings in dogs after dosing from 1 to 3 months. In the 1-month study, there were minimal neuronal vacuolation in the brain, a marked increase in liver enzymes accompanied by hepatocellular degeneration/necrosis and phospholipidosis (PLD), and PLD/cholecystitis in the gallbladder of animals dosed at 47 mg/kg/day. In the 3-month study, neurotoxicity resulted in euthanasia of one animal dosed at 30 mg/kg/day after 86 days. Extensive pathologic changes were seen in all animals in retina epithelium (inclusion bodies), brain (neuronal vacuolation, degeneration, or necrosis and nerve fiber degeneration), spinal ganglia (vacuolation, degeneration, or necrosis), as well as sciatic and optic nerves (degeneration). Pigment-laden macrophages were observed in the lung, kidney, liver, gallbladder, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and lymphoid tissues. Also seen were vitrel and retinal hemorrhage in the eyes. A brain concentration and pathology study showed that the concentration of AZD3783 in the brain was approximately 4 times higher than in the plasma after 4 weeks of dosing, however, they were similar in all regions examined, and did not correlate with areas with pathologic findings. Our findings with AZD3783 in dogs have not been reported previously with other CNS compounds that effect through serotonergic pharmacology.     

Equine hyperimmune serum protects mice against Clostridium difficile spore challenge

Clostridium (C.) difficile is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea in horses. Vancomycin and metronidazole have been used as standard treatments but are only moderately effective, which highlights the need for a novel alternative therapy. In the current study, we prepared antiserum of equine origin against both C. difficile toxins A and B as well as whole-cell bacteria. The toxin-neutralizing activities of the antibodies were evaluated in vitro and the prophylactic effects of in vivo passive immunotherapy were demonstrated using a conventional mouse model. The data demonstrated that immunized horses generated antibodies against both toxins A and B that possessed toxin-neutralizing activity. Additionally, mice treated with the antiserum lost less weight without any sign of illness and regained weight back to a normal range more rapidly compared to the control group when challenged orally with 10⁷ C. difficile spores 1 day after serum injection. These results indicate that intravenous delivery of hyperimmune serum can protect animals from C. difficile challenge in a dose-dependent manner. Hence, immunotherapy may be a promising prophylactic strategy for preventing C. difficile infection in horses.     

Polysaccharide storage myopathy in Morgan, Arabian, and Standardbred related horses and Welsh-cross ponies

Polysaccharide storage myopathy is an equine neuromuscular disorder characterized by accumulation of glycogen-related polysaccharide inclusions within skeletal muscle fibers. The pathologic criteria for diagnosis of this disorder are somewhat controversial; however, periodic acid-Schiff-positive, amylase-resistant inclusions are considered pathognomonic. Although these inclusions are most often found in affected horses related to the Quarter Horse, draft horse, and Warmblood breeds, this report describes these characteristic inclusions in muscle of five horses from nonrelated breeds (two Morgans, one Arabian, one Arabian x Thoroughbred, and one Standardbred) and two Welsh cross ponies. Affected horses had histories of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis, and one developed progressive weakness leading to increased recumbency. The affected ponies were part of an unrelated research project and had no apparent clinical signs.     

蜂胶抗炎功效成分研究

为确定中国杨属型蜂胶的抗炎功效成分,用100ng/ml脂多糖(LPS)和40μg/ml氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)分别诱导脐静脉血管内皮细胞(HUVECs)损伤。通过SRB法分别检测蜂胶水提物中分离的11种组分和蜂胶乙酸乙酯提取物中分离的8段组分对2种炎症细胞模型细胞存活率的影响。结果表明:蜂胶水提物中的11种组分不同程度的促进2种炎症细胞的细胞存活率,乙酸乙酯提取物中的8段组分也是不同程度的提高2种炎症细胞的细胞存活率。由此可知,蜂胶的抗炎功效成分十分复杂,很可能是多种成分协同功效的结果,而且酚酸类物质发挥了一定的作用。     

安吉白茶对柱状黄杆菌抑菌机理的研究

为探讨安吉白茶对柱状黄杆菌的抑菌机理,本试验通过测定安吉白茶提取液与细菌作用前后培养液电导率和紫外吸收物的变化,以及菌体磷代谢和可溶糖的变化,初步阐明了安吉白茶对柱状黄杆菌的抑菌机理。研究结果显示,经安吉白茶提取液处理后,细菌培养液的电导率和可溶糖浓度均增大,菌悬液中的紫外吸收物也随作用时间的延长而增加,表明安吉白茶提取液可破坏细胞膜的结构、导致细胞通透性增加,进而使细胞内容物外泄。此外,经安吉白茶处理后的柱状黄杆菌对磷的消耗量降低,以致严重影响了核酸、磷脂等细胞重要成分的合成及能量代谢,导致细菌正常生理功能的丧失。结果表明,安吉白茶可通过破坏菌体细胞膜及干扰磷代谢等途径抑制柱状黄杆菌的生长。     

鸭瘟病毒的PCR检测及其产物分析

根据基因库中已有的鸭瘟 Ul6的序列 ,合成一对引物 ,对 3株鸭瘟病毒进行 PCR扩增 ,均扩增出大小约 42 0 bp的特异性片段。进行测序 ,结果表明 3个毒株扩增后的片段均为 42 1bp。经重复实验后确定最佳反应条件 ,按该条件对两例临床病料进行检测 ,结果均出现大小约为 42 0 bp的特异片段。PCR产物与 L ake Andes株的相关序列比较 ,广东毒株与 L ake Andes株同源性较高