Breeding objectives for beef cattle used in different production systems: 2. Model application to production systems with the Charolais breed

A general bio-economic model for beef cattle production was used to define breeding objectives for Charolais cattle to be utilized in a variety of linked production systems. Economic weights were calculated for 16 traits (some with both direct and maternal components) in three production systems (pure-breeding and terminal crossing with beef or dairy cows) and two marketing strategies (sale or fattening of weaned surplus calves). Economic weights for the total breeding objective were calculated as weighted averages, where weights were numbers of cows expected to be mated with Charolais bulls in each production system and marketing strategy. Results suggest that the direct component of calving performance and cow longevity were of primary economic importance in all systems. Conception rate of cows and weaning weight reached about 50% of the standardized economic weight of calving performance in purebred systems with sale of weaned calves, whereas in purebred systems with fattening the economic importance of the direct component of cow conception rate, losses at calving, mature weight of cows, weaning weight, and fattening traits were of equal importance (each approximately about 20% that of calving performance). In terminal crossing systems, weaning weight was important when calves were sold at weaning, and fattening traits were important for systems selling fattened animals. The bio-economic model performed well under the conditions of this demonstration and could easily be customized for other applications.     

Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Verocytotoxic Escherichia coli,and Antibiotic Resistance in Indicator Organisms in Wild Cervids

Faecal samples were collected, as part of the National Health Surveillance Program for Cervids (HOP) in Norway, from wild red deer, roe deer, moose and reindeer during ordinary hunting seasons from 2001 to 2003. Samples from a total of 618 animals were examined for verocytotoxic E. coli (VTEC); 611 animals for Salmonella and 324 animals for Campylobacter. A total of 50 samples were cultivated from each cervid species in order to isolate the indicator bacterial species E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis/E. faecium for antibiotic resistance pattern studies. Salmonella and the potentially human pathogenic verocytotoxic E. coli were not isolated, while Campylobacter jejuni jejuni was found in one roe deer sample only. Antibiotic resistance was found in 13 (7.3%) of the 179 E. coli isolates tested, eight of these being resistant against one type of antibiotic only. The proportion of resistant E. coli isolates was higher in wild reindeer (24%) than in the other cervids (2.2%). E. faecalis or E. faecium were isolated from 19 of the samples, none of these being reindeer. All the strains isolated were resistant against one (84%) or more (16%) antibiotics. A total of 14 E. faecalis-strains were resistant to virginiamycin only. The results indicate that the cervid species studied do not constitute an important infectious reservoir for either the human pathogens or the antibiotic resistant microorganisms included in the study.     

Pregnancy Rates in Repeat-breeder Heifers Following Multiple Artificial Inseminations during Spontaneous Oestrus

Hormonal asynchronies during oestrus, related to the presence of suprabasal plasma-progesterone (P4) concentrations and a delayed ovulation, interfere with the fertility of repeat-breeder heifers (RBH). Since tubal dysfunction can occur in connection with hormonal asynchronies and constrained availability of fertile spermatozoa at the time of ovulation, the present study tested the hypothesis that frequent sperm deposition from onset of oestrus to ovulation may improve pregnancy rates in RBH. Five RBH and five virgin heifers (VH; controls) were repeatedly artificially inseminated (AI) at 6 h intervals from onset of oestrus to spontaneous ovulation. Hormone analyses revealed suprabasal P₄ concentrations and a delay in the occurrence of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge, but a normal cortisol profile in RBH. Compared with controls, RBH presented longer interval from onset of oestrus to ovulation, and therefore, received more AIs. Pregnancy rates in RBH reached control levels (60%; NS), indicating that the hypothesis might be correct. Pregnancy rates in VH were below the expected range, presumably attributed to a deleterious influence of the frequent handling. The study suggests that pregnancy rates can be improved in RBH by frequent AI in relation to spontaneous ovulation. However, this practice of repeated manipulations, while seeming not to show adverse effects, lacks practicality for routine use.     

青脚鸡杂交组合肉用性能的研究

以江苏省家禽科学研究所家禽育种中心崇仁麻鸡♂×(崇仁麻鸡♂×隐性白羽鸡新品系♀)♀(配套1)和固始鸡♂×(崇仁麻鸡♂×隐性白羽鸡新品系♀)♀(配套2)为素材,进行肉用性能试验,结果表明①两配套组合体重差异极显著(P＜0.01),配套2比配套1重109.6克且饲料报酬高0.171;②两配套组合龙骨长、冠长、冠高、胸宽差异不显著(P＞0.05),体斜长、胫长、胫围、胸角差异极显著(P＜0.01),配套2均高于配套1.③两配套组合屠体率、半净膛率、全净膛率、胸肌率、腹脂率差异不显著(P＞0.05),配套1腿肌率显著高于配套2(P＜0.05).④两配套组合胸肌失水率、PH值、肉色、剪切力差异不显著(P＞0.05).总体而言,配套2的肉用性能优于配套1,隐性白羽鸡新品系在优质鸡配套系中应用是可行的.     

Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.

Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined. The presence of anti-Em2 antibodies analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 3 monkeys. In 2 of these 3 monkeys, multilocular structures compatible with metacestodal cysts in the liver were identified, using ultrasonography. The presence of alveolar echinococcosis was subsequently confirmed at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other animals are still alive. Two other monkeys were negative in the serological examination but had cystic structures in the liver, which were identified as bile duct cysts at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other monkey is still alive. These findings suggest that serology for antibodies against the Em2 antigen may represent a useful method in identifying animals that might be infected with E. multilocularis and are therefore at risk of developing fatal alveolar echinococcosis.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on proliferation and apoptosis of rat mesangial cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the effect of cyclophosphamide(CTX) on proliferation and apoptosis of mesangial cells(GMC) of rat in vitro. METHODS:GMC proliferat ion was detected by MTT method,GMC apoptosis was examined by inverted microscopy for phase-contract and fluoroscopy and flow cytometry analysis.The levels of Fas and Bcl-2 were also detected by immunohistology. RESULTS:The proliferation of GMC were inhibited by CTX, methylprednisolone(MP), low molecular weight heparin(LMWH). Apoptosis of GMC was induced by CTX, the apoptosis rate of GMC was 8.2%, and the Fas level was increased. CONCLUSION:CTX could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of GMC possibly by enhancing the Fas level.     

枣新品种‘延川狗头枣’

 ‘延川狗头枣’为鲜食、制干兼用中晚熟枣新品种。果实大、卵圆形或锥形，似狗头状。单果平均质量18.7 g，最大25.4 g；果肉细脆，汁液中多，味酸甜；鲜食、干制品质优良。适宜平均气温10—11l℃ 、降雨量500 mm左右的北方地区栽培。     

Effect of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-dimethylphenol on human erythrocytes

The effects of exposure of human erythrocytes to different concentrations of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and its metabolite—2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP) were studied. The investigations concerned mainly the content of glutathione (GSH and GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione transferase (GST), and the level of adenine energy charge (AEC). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide are produced during normal processes in the cell. Under normal conditions, antioxidant systems of the cell minimize damage caused by ROS. When ROS generation increases to an extent that it overcomes the cellular antioxidant systems, the result is oxidative stress. We observed that MCPA and 2,4-DMP decreased the level of GSH in erythrocytes in comparison with control. MCPA did not affect glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase activity, while 2,4-DMP increased their activity. 2,4-DMP decreased the level of ATP and increased the content of ADP and AMP, leading to the fall of the level of AEC. MCPA and 2,4-DMP transform hemoglobin into methemoglobin, thus preventing oxygen transport. Comparison of the toxicity of MCPA and 2,4-DMP revealed that the most prominent changes occurred in human erythrocytes incubated with 2,4-DMP.     

哈茨木霉几丁质酶诱导及其对水稻纹枯病菌的拮抗作用

 在实验室条件下分别以几丁质和水稻纹枯病菌(Rhizoctonia solani)细胞壁作唯一碳源诱导哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)菌株NF9、TC3和P1产生几丁质酶,用硫酸铵沉淀法制备几丁质酶粗提液。上述木霉菌株内切几丁质酶活性(对胶体几丁质浑浊度的减少率)分别为79.8%、74.4%和76.0%,均显著高于非诱导的阳性对照。培养第5 d几丁质诱导的木霉菌株NF9和TC3内切几丁质酶活性显著高于由水稻纹枯病菌细胞壁诱导的酶活性。体外测定表明,通过诱导的木霉菌株TC3、NF9和P1几丁质酶粗提液对水稻纹枯病病菌的拮抗圈直径可达38、21和23 mm,与非诱导的阳性对照比较有显著性差异。对木霉几丁质酶拮抗作用的特点及生防应用进行了讨论。