Animal‐Level Factors Affecting Ovarian Function in Bos indicus Heifers Treated to Synchronize Ovulation with Intravaginal Progesterone‐Releasing Devices and Oestradiol Benzoate

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of animal‐level factors including energy balance and environmental/management stress, on the ovarian function of Bos indicus heifers treated to synchronize ovulation. Two‐year‐old Brahman (BN) (n = 30) and BN‐cross (n = 34) heifers were randomly allocated to three intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device (IPRD) treatment groups: (i) standard‐dose IPRD [Cue‐Mate^® (CM) 1.56 g; n = 17]; (ii) half‐dose IPRD [0.78 g progesterone (P₄); CM 0.78 g; n = 15]; (iii) half‐dose IPRD + 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at IPRD removal (CM 0.78 g + G; n = 14); (iv) and a control group, 2× PGF_2α [500 μg prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α)] on Day ?16 and ?2 (n = 18). Intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device‐treated heifers received 250 μg PGF_2α at IPRD insertion (Day ?10) and IPRD removal (Day ?2) and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day ?10 and ?1. Heifers were managed in a small feedlot and fed a defined ration. Ovarian function was evaluated by ultrasonography and plasma P₄ throughout the synchronized and return cycles. Energy balance was evaluated using plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I) and glucose concentrations. The impact of environmental stressors was evaluated using plasma cortisol concentration. Heifers that had normal ovarian function had significantly higher IGF‐I concentrations at commencement of the experiment (p = 0.008) and significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations at Day ?2 (p = 0.040) and Day 4 (p = 0.043), than heifers with abnormal ovarian function. There was no difference between the mean pre‐ovulatory cortisol concentrations of heifers that ovulated or did not ovulate. However, heifers that ovulated had higher cortisol concentrations at Day 4 (p = 0.056) and 6 (p = 0.026) after ovulation than heifers that did not ovulate.     

Vaccination and challenge studies with psittacine beak and feather disease virus

SUMMARY: Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) was administered to adult galahs ( Eolophusroselcapillus ) by mouth or by intramuscular injection. Concentration of PBFDV antibodies in serum and excretion of PBFDV were monitored by haemagglutlnation inhibition (HI) and haemagglutination (HA) respectively. After oral administration, 17 of 18 galahs remained clinically normal and a small rise in antibody titre was detected in 3 of 18 birds. After intramuscular administration, antibody was detected in all birds. PBFDV was not detected in the feather dander of birds in either group. One bird developed diarrhoea and high faecal HA titres within 4 days of oral administration and then died. Adult and nestling cockatoos were vaccinated with an experimental inactivated double-oil emulsion vaccine. PBFDV antibody responses are comparable to those induced by a primary-oil emulsion vaccination regimen using Freund's adjuvants. Both vaccines protected nestlings. Three sibling wild-caught sulphur-crested cockatoos were vaccinated but died of PBFD before experimental challenge despite antibody responses in all birds. Unvaccinated control chicks developed acute PBFD within 4 weeks of challenge, probably from PBFDV-induced hepatitis since high concentrations of PBFDV were detected in their livers.     

Constant Light Exposure Causes Dissociation in Gonadotrophin Secretion and Inhibits Partially Neuroendocrine Differentiation of Leydig Cells in Adult Rats

The objective of this work was to study the changes that occur in the Leydig cells of rats exposed to continuous light. The laboratory rat is considered a non-photoperiodic species because exposure to short photoperiod has little or no effect on the reproductive status. However, exposure of adult female rats to constant light induces polycystic ovaries, indicating that extreme changes in the photoperiod affect the reproductive function seriously. Adult male rats were placed under continuous light conditions for a duration of 15 weeks. After this period, the animals were killed and testicles were dissected and processed by routine histologic protocols. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) serum levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The visualization of antigens was achieved by the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method. Antibodies against chromogranin A, S-100 protein, P substance, synaptofisin, neurofilament protein-200, gliofibrillary acidic protein and neurone-specific enolase were used. The mean LH serum concentration was significantly lower, while the mean FSH level was significantly higher in treated animals. The expression of S-100, NSE, CrA, SP and SYN was significantly lower in treated animals. In conclusion, the constant light exposure acting directly at the pituitary level decreases LH secretion. The increased FSH secretion may be due to a partial reduction of the negative androgen feedback in the pituitary gland. Moreover, the constant light exposure affects the expression of some immunomarkers in Leydig cells, possibly because of the changes found in the gonadotrophin level and feedback mechanism.     

马尾松半同胞家系子代林早期生长差异分析

以湖北省京山县太子山林场管理局马尾松无性系嫁接种子园半同胞8年生子代林为研究对象,在对胸径、树高、枝下高、冠幅和材积等生长因子进行实地调查的基础上进行遗传力分析.结果表明:不同半同胞家系林木各生长因子之间存在极显著性差异,显示马尾松半同胞家系林木间存在较为丰富的遗传变异,具有较大的选育潜力;8年生马尾松半同胞家系子代林树高、胸径和材积的遗传力分别为0.7436、0.6055和0.6500;采用20%的入选率时,筛选出5个优良半同胞家系且入选半同胞家系的材积、树高和胸径遗传增益分别为51.34%、17.45%和22.19%.     

玉米的不同温度和时间烘烤加工处理对泌乳奶牛瘤胃干物质和淀粉降解规律的研究

以3头安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳前期荷斯坦奶牛为试验动物，在精粗比为55：45的日粮条件下，采用In sacco法测定了不同温度和时间烘烤加工处理的玉米在奶牛瘤胃内干物质和淀粉的降解规律。结果表明，玉米经过不同温度和时间的烘烤处理，干物质和淀粉的瘤胃降解率都有不同程度的降低，随着温度逐渐升高、作用时间逐渐延长，干物质和淀粉的降解率也逐渐降低。在所有处理组中，140℃35min处理组可以明显降低玉米的瘤胃淀粉降解率（P〈O．05），比未处理玉米组降低了15．26％。淀粉在瘤胃中降解的影响因素最主要的是淀粉的快速可溶部分和降解速率。     

Pregnancy loss in dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand

AIM: To define the incidence rate of pregnancy loss and risk factors for those losses in pasture-fed dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

METHODS: Cows (n=2,004) from 10 pasture-fed, spring-calving dairy herds in the Waikato were enrolled following confirmation of pregnancy 29–45 days after insemination, for inseminations that occurred within the first 16 days of the seasonal breeding period. Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations for pregnancy were conducted at approximately 6, 8, 10, 14 and 22 weeks gestation, and subsequent calving data were recovered. Pregnancy loss was defined as having occurred when a confirmed pregnancy was not rediagnosed, when gross abortion was detected, or when a cow calved <265 days after the confirmed conception date. Data were analysed using reverse stepwise logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 128 (6.4%) pregnancy losses were detected. The incidence rate was higher in early compared to late gestation (10.9 vs 2.8 losses/10,000 cow-days between Weeks 6–10 vs Weeks 10–14, respectively; p<0.001). Higher rates of loss were associated with the occurrence of clinical mastitis (Hazards ratio (HR)=1.57; p=0.071), being treated for anoestrus (HR=1.69; p=0.007), and in cows that had calving-to-conception intervals ≤63 days compared with those that had calving-to-conception intervals >92 days (HR=2.49; p=0.06). In addition, the rate of pregnancy loss differed between herds (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The highest rate of pregnancy loss occurred in early gestation. Clinical mastitis, anoestrus and calving late in the calving season were risk factors for pregnancy loss.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography can be undertaken from 28 days post-insemination. However, due to the high rate of pregnancy loss at this stage of gestation, herdowners need to be warned of possible losses, and cows should be re-examined to confirm pregnancy before certification of pregnancy status is given.     

阿克苏引种面包小麦济南17号超高产栽培初探

阿克苏地区2000-2001年从山东省农科院引进强筋面包小麦新品种济南17号,在地区农业试验站进行品种区域适应性比较试验,并对其生育和植株性状进行了观测,在参试的8个品种中,济南17号平均产量6804kg/hm2,位居第三,较对照邯5316(地区小麦主栽品种)增产840kg/hm2,增产率14%。2001-2002年又在地区农业试验站对该品种示范种植800.04m2,产量8550kg/hm2,首次实现本地区引种面包小麦单产超8250kg/hm2的产量水平,两年试验示范结果表明,该品种在阿克苏地区具有较强的适应性和丰产性,同时取得了实现强筋小麦济南17号高产栽培的实践经验。