Comparison of Blood Physiological and Biological Indexes of the Polled Yak and Horned Yak

The blood physiological and biological indexes were determined in both polled and horned yaks, to investigate the differences of body condition and metabolism between the two breeds, and provide a comprehensive understanding for new yak breeds. Thirty physiological and biochemical indexes of the polled and horned yaks were measured, and all these data were analyzed by independent-samples t test to compare the same index between the two groups. The results showed that there were extremely significant differences (P<0.01) in 11 indexes,5 indexes reached significant differences (P<0.05) and no significant differences (P>0.05) in 14 indexes between the polled and horned yaks. The results suggested that the polled yak was easier to adapt to the plateau hypoxia and there were many differences in adaptability of plateau hypoxia, kidney metabolism, liver metabolism and the growth and development of the bone between the polled and horned yak. This study could provide scientific basis for better protection and utilization of yak and the selection of the new yak breeds.     

A role for DNA characterisation in ovine footrot

Bacteroides nodosus involved in several outbreaks of ovine footrot over a number of years were subjected to DNA restriction endonuclease analysis. Individual isolates were found to have characteristic Bam HI profiles which permitted their accurate identification and differentiation from other isolates. Bam HI profiles of B. nodosus isolates were used in epidemiological investigations involving consecutive outbreaks of footrot on individual and neighbouring farms. The relationship of given isolates to a common source could be established by this means. Restriction endonuclease analysis provides an additional epidemiological tool in ovine footrot investigations as it accurately identifies interstrain differences in a manner not possible by conventional bacteriological and serological means.     

The large‐scale capture of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) and its application to a population management project

Objective: A large‐scale capture method was developed to enable sterilisation of a macropod population in western Sydney from 2005 to 2018. Methods: Until March 2007, free ranging eastern grey kangaroos and red kangaroos were herded into purpose‐built 15 m diameter capture yards (CYs) for darting with a projectile syringe. From March 2007 onwards, animals were free‐range darted in large areas without herding. Kangaroos were darted with 1.33–5.10 mg/kg tiletamine/zolazepam and 0.01–0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, ± 0.03 mg/kg acepromazine. Deaths were monitored. Population counts were performed annually. Results: There were 5825 capture events involving 3963 kangaroos. Over 85% of all captures occurred from 2005 to 2008. Of all reported deaths (n = 523), 135 were attributed to ill health. Musculoskeletal injuries incurred during capture were the main project‐related cause of death (n = 116). Post capture myopathy was uncommonly diagnosed following capture (n = 19). Conclusion: The herding and capture method enabled a large number of kangaroos to be mobilised and captured with low mortality rates, and the use of CYs resulted in fewer capture‐related injuries and deaths than free‐range capture. The drug doses and combinations used for darting were safe and effective, and the capture technique was successfully applied to a population management project.     

Subtropical goats ovulate in response to the male effect after a prolonged treatment of artificial long days to stimulate their milk yield

The objectives of this study were to determine (i) if in subtropical goats that gave birth during mid‐December, the exposition to an artificial long‐day photoperiod consisting in only 14 hr of light per day can increase the milk yield and (ii) to test whether these females can respond to the male effect at the end of the prolonged photoperiodic treatment. In experiment 1, 17 lactating goats were maintained under natural short days (control group), while another 22 goats were maintained under artificial long days (treated group) consisting in 14 hr light and 10 hr darkness starting at day 10 of lactation. The continuous exposition to an artificial long‐day photoperiod produced an increase in the milk yield level during the first 110 days of lactation (time × treatment interaction; p = .01), while none of the milk components were modified due to the photoperiodic treatment (p > .05). In experiment 2, all control and treated anovulatory goats were submitted to the male effect using photostimulated males. All females showed oestrous behaviour within the first 10 days that were in contact with males (100% in both groups; p > .05). Thus, the latency to onset of oestrus did not differ between females from control (58.2 ± 3.0 hr) and treated (62 ± 4.6 hr) groups. Male exposition provoked ovulation independently if females were previously under long days or natural photoperiod (96 vs 100%, respectively; p = .79). It was concluded that exposure to 14 hr of light per day in subtropical goats that gave birth in late autumn stimulates milk yield without preventing the ovulation in response to the male effect at the end of the prolonged photoperiodic treatment.     

表面活性剂辅助的甲硫氨酸和色氨酸叶面喷施对芥蓝生长及菜薹芥子油苷组分和含量的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了脂肪族芥子油苷和吲哚族芥子油苷的合成前体甲硫氨酸和色氨酸单独及配合表面活性剂叶面喷施对芥蓝(Brassica alboglabra L.)生长及菜薹中芥子油苷组分和含量的影响。结果表明,各处理对芥蓝生长指标及芥子油苷组分无显著影响,在芥蓝菜薹中均检测到7种脂肪族芥子油苷和4种吲哚族芥子油苷。与喷施清水对照相比,甲硫氨酸、色氨酸单独叶面喷施及表面活性剂辅助的色氨酸叶面喷施,对芥蓝菜薹总芥子油苷含量、总脂肪族芥子油苷含量和总吲哚族芥子油苷含量均无显著影响。表面活性剂辅助下甲硫氨酸叶面喷施处理中菜薹总芥子油苷和总脂肪族芥子油苷含量比清水对照处理分别提高28.5%和31.9%,其中在11种芥子油苷中脂肪族芥子油苷3-丁烯基芥子油苷含量提高幅度最大,达到44.3%,同时表面活性剂辅助下甲硫氨酸叶面喷施显著提高了芥蓝菜薹全硫含量并降低了氮硫比(N/S)。本试验结果表明,有效供给甲硫氨酸能明显促进脂肪族芥子油苷的合成和积累,而辅之以表面活性剂能增进叶面对甲硫氨酸的吸收效果,其影响机理还有待进一步研究。