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.     

西葫芦新品种济葫2号的选育

济葫2号是以QL0133和QLO119配制而成的西葫芦一代杂交种,植株生长旺盛、株型紧凑、矮蔓、早熟、丰产,抗病毒病、白粉病、蔓枯病.瓜浅绿色,嫩瓜长20.0 cm,粗6.0 cm,粗细均匀、品质佳.每667 m2产量达6 500kg,适于早春茬、秋冬茬及越冬茬栽培.     

从甜瓜子叶中提取总DNA

用分子标记方法检测甜瓜杂交种子纯度,如果从真叶中提取DNA,检测周期至少需要15d。为了缩短检测周期,我们分别以甜瓜的成熟干种子、吸胀水后“露白”种子、3d龄刚转绿子叶、6d龄子叶、9d龄子叶和12d龄子叶为材料,进行了提取总DNA的研究。结果表明:除了干种子和吸胀水后“露白”种子外,其他的材料都可以提取到DNA,但是DNA的质量因子叶日龄不同而存在很大的差异。不同日龄的子叶中,以3d龄子叶提取的DNA质量好。子叶6d龄时,提取的DNA质量次于3d龄,少量DNA开始出现降解,以后随着子叶日龄的增加,DNA降解加重。另外,与以真叶为材料提取的DNA样品相比较,子叶DNA样品中的蛋白质等杂质含量高,应增加氯仿抽提纯化次数。     

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.     

Serum contents of E-selectin,sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome

AIM:To explore the serum levels of certain adhesion molecules and its significance in acute coronary syndrome(ACS). METHODS:The subjects included 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and 40 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Among the 80 patients, 60 patients accepted a follow-up 4 months. At the same time we selected 40 controls from people who attended a routine health check in the university. Serum levels of E-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 were measured by ELISA.RESULTS:Serum levels of E-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in the ACS group(AMI or UAP) than in the control group. Four months later, the levels of E-selectin, sICAM-1 became significantly lower in the follow-up group than in the ACS group, while sVCAM-1 showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION:Serum levels of E-selectin, sICAM-1 may have certain diagnostic value for ACS, and can be a useful marker reflecting the stability of the disease.     

矮桩牛心型大白菜龙白3号的选育

龙白 3号大白菜为矮桩牛心型一代杂种。亲本P 2 0自交不亲和系由通化×胶二叶　60 Coγ辐射诱变群体中选出 ,亲本 2 36自交弱亲和系以龙白 1号大白菜为试材经连续自交育成。龙白 3号高抗病毒病 ,兼抗霜霉病 ,品质优良 ,净菜率高 ,产量为 4 2 2 3.5～ 5 2 0 0 .8kg·(6 6 7m2 ) -1,较对照品种增产 2 0 %左右。     

茄子新品种蒙茄4号的选育

蒙茄 4号是以 86D0 1 1 1 1为母本 ,79B0 1 2 2 2为父本配制的一代杂种。该品种中早熟 ,始花节位第 7～ 8节。果实近圆形稍扁 ,果皮深紫色 ,光泽度强 ,耐贮运 ,果肉紧密 ,商品性好。平均单果质量 4 0 0～ 4 5 0g,露地每6 6 7m2 产量 4 5 0 0kg左右。适宜露地栽培。