Influence of age and purpose for testing on the cut-off selection of serological methods in bovine neosporosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the need for different cut-off points, according to animal age and the purpose of testing, for two of the most widely used serological techniques in bovine neosporosis, IFAT and a crude antigen ELISA (Civtest, HIPRA). Therefore, the population reference sera used were defined using a combination of multiple criteria such as epidemiological/clinical and histopathological parameters and an immunoblot test. Firstly, foetuses and breeding cattle (heifers and cows) were considered as separate subpopulations for serological evaluation. Secondly, cut-off points for each serological technique (IFAT and ELISA) according to age group (foetuses and breeding cattle) and the different practical applications (detection of infection and abortion) were calculated following the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Cut-off points were defined, for IFAT and ELISA for aborted breeding cattle and for IFAT alone in the case of the foetuses, assuming an equivalent cost of false positive and negative results. In infected breeding cattle, for IFAT and ELISA and in foetuses for ELISA, two possible cut-off values were obtained, one for a maximum sensitivity and one for a maximum specificity and the intervals of unclear results were defined. In this case, a cut-off value for equal sensitivity and specificity was also estimated. When cut-off points for infected breeding cattle, 1:100-1:250 for IFAT and 0.306-0.451 for ELISA were applied to a target population, optimal and similar negative and positive predictive values together with similar apparent and true prevalence results were observed suggesting the possibility of using both tests interchangeably.     

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.     

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.     

山东小尾寒羊研究概况

介绍了山东小尾寒羊的研究概况 ,主要内容包括该品种的繁殖性能、屠宰性能、杂交利用等方面的最新研究成果 ,比较全面地阐述了山东小尾寒羊的种质特性。     

同工酶与动物发生遗传学

本文对同工酶与动物发生遗传学各自的形成、发展以及二者的结合等问题作了概括的阐述。     

四川猪2型链球菌病的PCR检测

2005年7月中下旬,四川贵阳等地人、猪陆续发生一种发病惠、死亡快、高度散发的疾病,从病死猪组织中分离出19株链球菌,设计合成3对引物,分别对分离菌株进行了猪链球菌16SrRNA、CPS2J、MRP基因片段扩增,有15株菌3个基因的扩增结果均为阳性,表明此次疲情的病原为猪2型链球菌。     

饲料对乳制品风味的影响

低脂奶牛日粮会提高风味干酪内源脂肪酸中硬质脂肪水平、蓝干酪风味甲基酮和桃色椰子风味δ-内酯的前体物,而高脂奶牛日粮则与之相反。日粮在瘤胃中产生的丙酸代谢能从日粮油酸中形成芳香味的γ-十二烷内酯、从日粮亚油酸中形成芳香味的γ-十二-顺-6-内酯。味美牧草会产生富含颜色的奶脂肪,并把植醇、二氢植醇、植物烯、植二烯以及它们的低等同族体引入到奶脂肪中。无蛋白合成日粮会降低动物风味的吲哚和粪臭素。     

预混合饲料的生产技术要点及使用

预混合饲料是同一类的多种添加剂或不同类型的多种添加剂按一定比例配制而成的匀质混合物。虽然预混合饲料在全价饲料中所占比例很小,但其对全价饲料的饲养效果却起着极其重要的作用。科学的预混合饲料配方是预混料生产的关键。要生产出优质的预混料,不仅需要科学的配方,还需要     

Characterization of biological activities of feline eosinophil granule proteins

OBJECTIVE:To characterize eosinophil granule-derived proteins in cats. SAMPLE POPULATION: Eosinophils collected via peritoneal lavage from 2 cats. PROCEDURE: The cats were infested orally with Toxocara canis eggs and subsequently challenge-exposed with T. canis antigen injected IP to induce peritoneal eosinophilia; eosinophils were collected via peritoneal lavage. Eosinophil granule proteins were acid-extracted, separated by gel-filtration chromatography, and examined for their peroxidase, ribonuclease, and bactericidal activities; the N-terminal sequence of some of these proteins was determined and compared with homologue proteins from other species. RESULTS: 3 protein peaks were separated in the chromatogram. The first peak had both peroxidase and bactericidal activities. The second peak had ribonuclease and bactericidal activities, and the N-terminal sequence of the major protein was homologous with that of proteins of the ribonuclease A superfamily, including eosinophil ribonucleases from humans and other animal species. The third protein peak had bactericidal activity, and the N-terminal sequence of the major protein was homologous with that of human and murine major basic proteins. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that feline eosinophil granules contain major basic protein and eosinophil-associated ribonuclease and the granule proteins have peroxidase, ribonuclease, and bactericidal activities. In cats, characterization of eosinophil granule proteins may be useful in elucidation of the mechanism of tissue damage in eosinophil-associated diseases and development of new treatment options for those diseases. In addition, the identification of conserved structure and function of eosinophil granule proteins in cats is relevant from an evolutionary viewpoint.     

频频变脸的中国饲料营销(1)

大饲料集团卖的啥20世纪80年代末和90年代初,这一段时间内中国产生的暴发户之多,真可谓是空前绝后。我国的饲料业就是在这个时候萌芽的,由于饲料行业科技含量低,投资门槛可高可低,营销简单易行,设备可繁可简,最简单时可简单到一把铁锹……一夜之间,一些民企经营高手们逢时而起,像天女散花似的,把饲料厂散遍大江南北,长城内外,造就了不少下辖相当数量子公司的饲料集团公司。在四川,首先是希望集团的崛起。刘氏四兄弟中老三——刘永美(陈育新)是学畜牧专业的,他从养鹌鹑、孵化小鸡开始,然后到为养殖户着想,提供长得快、不生病的饲料,就这样不…