Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus australis</Emphasis>) reproduction in Orbata,a nature reserve in Tunisia

The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 ± 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 ± 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 ± 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.     

Functional analysis and induction of four novel goose (Anser cygnoides) avian β-defensins in response to salmonella enteritidis infection

In the current study, four novel avian β-defensins (AvBDs) (AvBD2, 5, 9, and 10) were identified in tissues from the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides). The antibacterial activity of the AvBDs showed that all of these AvBDs exhibited antibacterial activity against most of the bacteria investigated (P<0.01). In addition, antibacterial activity of all of the AvBDs against Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteurella multocida decreased significantly or was completely abolished at 150mM NaCl (P<0.01). None of the AvBDs showed hemolytic activity. AvBD2 and AvBD10 were expressed widely, whereas AvBD5 and AvBD9 mRNAs were expressed in a limited number of geese tissues. AvBD9 was significantly induced in some immune tissues from geese after Salmonella enteritidis infection. The others were significantly upregulated in small intestine and some immune tissues of the geese (P<0.01). The present results suggest that the AvBDs are part of the host defense mechanism of the goose.     

Effects of tea saponins on rumen microbiota,rumen fermentation,methane production and growth performance—a review

Reducing methane emission from ruminant animals has implications not only for global environmental protection but also for efficient animal production. Tea saponins (TS) extracted from seeds, leaves or roots of tea plant are pentacyclic triterpenes. They have a lasting antiprotozoal effect, but little effect on the methanogen population in sheep. There was no significant correlation between the protozoa counts and methanogens. The TS decreased methanogen activity. It seems that TS influenced the activity of the methanogens indirectly via the depressed ciliate protozoal population. The TS addition decreased fungal population in the medium containing rumen liquor in in vitro fermentation, but no such effect was observed in the rumen liquor of sheep fed TS. Tea saponins had a minor effect on the pattern of rumen fermentation and hence on nutrient digestion. When added at 3 g/day in diets, TS could improve daily weight gain and feed efficiency in goats. No positive associative effect existed between TS and disodium fumarate or soybean oil on methane suppression. Inclusion of TS in diets may be an effective way for improving feed efficiency in ruminants.     

二氢杨梅素对肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数及血液生化指标的影响

1日龄AA肉公雏300只,随机分为5个组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组在基础日粮中分别添加0%、0.025%、0.05%、0.1%和0.25%的二氢杨梅素(DMY),研究DMY对肉仔鸡生长性能、免疫器官指数及血液常规理化指标等影响。结果表明:1)日粮中添加不同剂量的DMY对肉仔鸡日增重有提高的趋势,0.05%的DMY显著提高肉仔鸡饲料转化率(P<0.01);试验期间,各组试验鸡生长发育正常,各组织器官未见异常。2)0.05%DMY显著提高21d肉仔鸡法氏囊指数(P<0.05);3)0.25%DMY组显著降低21d肉仔鸡血清总蛋白、白蛋白含量,对球蛋白无显著影响;4)0.025%、0.05%DMY显著降低21d肉鸡血清谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性(P<0.05,P<0.01),0.025%～0.1%剂量的DMY能显著降低42d肉鸡血清GOT活性(P<0.05);5)各剂量的DMY对21、42d肉鸡血清谷草转氨酶(GOT)无显著影响。     

柠檬酸对三黄土鸡早期生产性能的影响

用海大香特1号三黄土鸡雏鸡进行饲养试验，对添加0．3％、0．5％、0．7％柠檬酸饲养的试验组和不添加柠檬酸饲养的对照组进行体增重、采食量、料肉比等生产性能的比较，试验结果表明：添加0．3％柠檬酸试验组的三黄土鸡早期体增重，显著高于对照组，同时也高于添加0．5％、0．7％柠檬酸的试验组；添加0．3％柠檬酸试验组的料重比、成活率也优于其他试验组。     

苜蓿萌发期耐盐性综合评价与耐盐种质筛选

为探明苜蓿（Medicago L.）萌发期耐盐性评价方法并筛选耐盐种质,采用加权隶属函数法对120个苜蓿种质进行综合评价并划分为不同的耐盐级别。试验以150 mmol·L^-1 NaCl溶液进行盐胁迫,以发芽势等13个性状来鉴定苜蓿对盐胁迫的反应,以耐盐系数为评价依据。结果表明：150 mmol·L^-1的盐溶液对苜蓿种子萌发和幼苗生长均有一定的抑制作用,发芽势、发芽率、萌发指数比幼苗生长受抑制的程度更大;盐胁迫对根的抑制程度大于苗。相关分析表明,加权隶属函数法可以综合评价苜蓿萌发期耐盐性。根据加权隶属函数值和聚类分析,可将120个种质分为耐盐性不同的5个级别：11个种质高耐盐（1级）、24个种质耐盐（2级）、38个种质中等（3级）、36个种质敏盐（4级）、11个种质高敏盐（5级）。     

用PEG“引发”沙打旺种子活力及抗逆性的研究

应用ＰＥＧ“引发”沙打旺种子，能提高发芽率，增强发芽势，缩短发芽成苗时间。可以在北方半干旱地区充分有效地利用早春降雨。还可以提高幼苗的抗逆性，增强对早春寒的低卸能力，并探讨了ＰＥＧ渗透调控的机理和不同时间处理增强发芽势的效果。     

育成期雄性幼貉日粮适宜蛋白质和能量水平的研究

选用健康乌苏里幼公貉63只,随机分为7组(每组9只)。1～4组用以探讨适宜蛋白质水平,其蛋白质水平分别为31.54%、36.39%,40.37%和43.53%;5-7组用以探讨适宜能量水平,其能量水平分别为19589.78,21860.94和22600.04k J/kg。试验分育成前期和冬毛生长期两个阶段进行,饲喂同一营养水平的日粮。结果表明,育成前期饲喂蛋白质水平为36.39%的日粮,可获得理想的体重、体长及经济效益。 冬毛生长期,日粮蛋白质水平在31.54%～43.53%范围内,对幼貉的体重和体长无显著影响。育成期以饲喂能量水平为21860.94～22600.04 k J/kg的日粮为宜。育成前期适宜的蛋能比为16.1～16.6,冬毛生长期为14.0～14.4。     

An Example of Yak Paternity Assignment by Microsatellite Genotyping

12 cattle microsatellite DNA markers were used for establishing the paternity of 4 Datong Yak calves.The results indicated that paternity can be assigned by use of exclusion method directely when the mother is clearly known and data of all likely sires were obtained. The more the alleles of a locus possessed, the more effectively the paternity can be assigned. Not only the microsatellite DNA marker is a promising tool in establishment of yak detail pedigrees, but also can provide us information of reproductive efficiency of the bull(s) based on the numbers of calves it produced in the herd, which will be useful in speeding up the processes of yak genetics improvement.     

藏鸡、茶花鸡染色体核型分析

运用改进的鸡外周血淋巴细胞培养-空气干燥法,分析了藏鸡、茶花鸡染色体核型.研究结果表明:藏鸡和茶花鸡的染色体形态十分相近,染色体2n众数均为78,但No.4、No.6染色体的形态存在一定的差别,即藏鸡分别为sm和m型,而茶花鸡分别为st和sm型.同时收集丝羽乌骨鸡、鹿苑鸡、狼山鸡、萧山鸡、北京油鸡的核型资料进行分析,发现鸟类核型进化可能是由不对称向对称发展的,着丝粒以及着丝粒周边区域的染色体重排可能是地方鸡种分化和形成的重要内在因素.