长春市南湖公园滨水植物景观评价与分析

以长春市南湖公园滨水植物景观为研究对象,通过实地考察和调查问卷等方法,对其滨水植物的景观、空间、生态、功能等方面进行了评价和分析。结果表明:滨水植物景观在总体上发挥着综合效益,但在局部稍有不足,并据此提出建议,为公园滨水植物景观设计和建设提供依据。     

Influence of season on the freezability of free-range poultry semen

The purpose of the present study was to examine the seasonal variation in freezing damage in free-range rooster sperm. Over a period of 1 year, heterospermic semen samples were collected weekly by massage from the roosters of 14 Spanish chicken breeds, all housed under natural photoperiod and climatic conditions. All samples were frozen in straws using DMA as a cryoprotectant, placing them first in nitrogen vapour and then plunging them into liquid nitrogen. No seasonal effects on fresh sperm quality were found. Neither did season affect the percentage of viable frozen-thawed spermatozoa nor the percentage with an intact acrosome. However, the collection season influenced (p < 0.05) most frozen-thawed sperm motility values. The percentage of immotile frozen-thawed spermatozoa was lower (p < 0.05) in spring-collected sperm than in summer- or autumn-collected samples. The percentage of spermatozoa showing progressive motility was higher in spring-collected sperm compared with winter-, summer- or autumn-collected samples (p < 0.05). The curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP) values of spring-collected sperm were also higher (p < 0.05). In conclusion, spring would appear to be the best season for collecting and freezing the semen of free-range Mediterranean chicken breeds.     

Detection and molecular characterization of Suid herpesvirus type 1 in Austrian wild boar and hunting dogs

Aujeszky's disease (AD), caused by Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV-1), is an economically important disease in domestic swine. Thus, rigorous control programmes have been implemented and consecutively AD in domestic swine was successfully eradicated in many countries, including Austria. However, SuHV-1 continues to thrive in wild boar populations, as indicated by high seroprevalences in a number of European countries and by occasional cases of AD in hunting dogs. For the first time, SuHV-1 was detected in Austrian wild boar and a molecular characterization of SuHV-1 isolated from wild boar and hunting dogs was performed. Results of preliminary serological analyses suggest a regional SuHV-1 seroprevalence of over 30% in free-living and almost 70% in fenced wild boar from Eastern Austria. Molecular typing of Austrian SuHV-1 isolates of wild boar origin revealed the presence of two genetically distinct variants of SuHV-1, both capable of infecting dogs that have been exposed to infected wild boar during hunting.     

Differences in helminth infections between captive and wild spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca in southern Spain: a potential risk of reintroductions of this species

Although the spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca, is one of the most widely distributed species of tortoises, its natural populations are threatened through its whole range. Particularly at south-eastern Spain, the species is mainly threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection, given that this chelonian has been traditionally considered an appreciate pet. As south-eastern Spanish wildlife recovery centers shelter hundreds of captive animals mainly coming from illegal trade or captive-bred, there is a strong debate about what to do with these animals: maintaining them in captivity all along their lives or reintroducing them to wildlife. It is well known that the reintroduction of captive animals supposes a risk for the wild population due to the uncertainty of their genetic origin and to the possible spread of infectious diseases. However, despite the increasing evidence that infectious agents are a potential health hazard for wildlife, little is known about the risk that introduced parasites could suppose for the wild populations of spur-thighed tortoise. The present study investigates for the first time the presence of helminth eggs and worms in faeces from 107 wild and captive individuals collected from mid-March to mid-June 2010, and relates the findings to different environmental and host variables. Sixteen oxyurid species and the ascarid Angusticaecum holopterum were identified. This last nematode and the oxyurid species Tachygonetria palearticus and T. seurati had not been reported in Spanish wild T. graeca previously. The prevalence of oxyurid eggs and worms were 94% and 70%, respectively; while, ascarid eggs and worms were found in 26% and 5% of tortoises, respectively. Ascarid infections affected mostly captive animals and were associated to caparace deformities and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease (p<0.05). Oxyurid infections were not associated to negative health traits and prevalence increased with age. In free-living tortoises, the distribution of pharingodonid genera also varied according to habitat; moreover, T. longicollis, T. pusilla, T. conica, T. robusta and Mehdiella stylosa where significantly more frequent in wild compared to captive tortoises (p<0.05). Study results highlight important differences in the nematode fauna of captive and free-living tortoises and questions one more time if the reintroductions of captive animals suppose a risk for the wild population since the former ones can harbor and distribute among free populations pathogens like ascarid nematodes.     

Differential immune response between fundic and pyloric abomasal regions upon experimental ovine infection with Haemonchus contortus

The effect of experimental haemonchosis on the number of tissue eosinophils, plasma cells and lymphocyte subpopulations was evaluated in the fundic abomasal region, the pyloric abomasal region and the abomasal lymph node of Blackbelly lambs, which are resistant to infection, and Columbia lambs, which are susceptible to infection. An increase in the number of tissue eosinophils and CD4+ and WC1(+)γδ T-cells was observed in the pyloric abomasal region of Blackbelly lambs and correlated with lower worm burden and greater resistance to infection. Increases in IgA+ plasma cells from the pyloric abomasal region were observed in both infected groups, but there was no difference between the groups. Therefore, increases in IgA+ plasma cells did not explain the resistance observed. Infection caused a significant increase in tissue eosinophils in the abomasal lymph node of Blackbelly lambs and a decrease in the number of CD4+ T-cells in lambs of both breeds. CD8+ T-cells and IgG+ and IgM+ plasma cells were not associated with either infection or resistance. In this work, clear differences were observed in the numbers of CD4+ and WC1(+)γδ T-cells, tissue eosinophils and IgA+ plasma cells between the abomasal regions studied. These differences indicate that the immunological response is not homogenous in all abomasal mucosa and that evaluating the response from a single abomasal region may not be representative of the cellular response across the abomasum.     

Seminal plasma proteins as modulators of the sperm function and their application in sperm biotechnologies

Seminal plasma (SP) is known to play an important role in mammalian fertilization. However, the variability found in its composition among species, males and even fractions of the same ejaculate has made difficult to completely understand its effect in sperm function. Proteins are one of the major SP components that modulate sperm functionality. During the last years, intensive work has been performed to characterize the role of these proteins. They have been found to influence sperm capacitation, formation of the oviductal sperm reservoir and sperm-oocyte interaction. Sperm biotechnologies, such as sperm cryopreservation and flow cytometric sex-sorting, that involve a substantial dilution of the SP are detrimental to sperm quality. Attempts to improve the outcome of these biotechnologies include the restoration of SP, which has produced contradictory results. To overcome this variability, different research groups have proposed the application of isolated SP proteins. Herein, we will review the current knowledge in the role of the major SP proteins as modulators of sperm functionality. Furthermore, we will discuss the possible applications of the SP proteins in sperm cryopreservation and flow cytometric sex-sorting.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS OF AN INTRACRANIAL EPIDURAL TUBERCULOMA IN A DOG

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is highly sensitive for detecting tuberculomas in human patients but the specificity of the MR imaging features is low. Misdiagnosis with intracranial neoplasia is common, especially with dural‐based lesions or lesions located in the epidural space. We describe the MR imaging characteristics of an intracranial epidural tuberculoma caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a dog. The intracranial mass and skull flat bone lysis and erosion are similar to those described in human caseating tuberculomas and can mimic intracranial neoplastic disease.     

Effect of area decrease in a food competition situation in captive wild boars (Sus scrofa)

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of area reduction on the hierarchy-dependent behaviors of wild boars and crossbred sows (wild boar × Vietnamese pot-bellied pig) living in captivity, with regard to a food competition situation. We first defined the hierarchy system among 7 individuals, living together for more than a year, with a mathematical model based on wins and defeats. We then tested the possibility of a correspondence between the rank position and the age and/or weight. In a first experiment, we defined the frequency of dominant and submissive behavioral elements depending on the rank and on the group level in a food competition situation. We analyzed individually the time spent feeding. In a second experiment, we reduced the size of their living area and observed the potential modifications of the dominant and submissive elements’ frequency as well as the time spent feeding.We found a linear hierarchy among the sows. We did not find any relationship between the rank and the age or the rank and the weight of the animals. However, after excluding the youngest and the lightest leader from the analysis, significant correspondence was found among the aforementioned variables. In such cases, the older and heavier sows occupied the higher ranks in the hierarchy. We also observed that the sow with the higher rank position spent more time feeding and presenting aggressive behaviors compared with the other individuals, whereas the sow with the lowest rank position spent the most time displaying submissive behavior. Moreover, the frequency of dominant and submissive behavioral elements increased when reducing the size of the living area.Based on our results, we found that the area reduction and, therefore, the higher density increased the frequency of aggressive and submissive behavioral elements of the sows.