Reproductive and Endocrine Characteristics of Delayed Pubertal Ewe-Lambs after Melatonin and l-Tyrosine Administration

The investigation was carried out to study the impact of melatonin and L-tyrosine administration on the onset of cyclicity in delayed pubertal ewe-lambs. Fifteen delayed pubertal ewe-lambs (age >16 months) were used in this study after being assigned randomly into three groups. In the first group (melatonin treated group, n = 5), each lamb was administered 3 mg melatonin orally at 16:00 hours from 1 July to 15 September while in the second group (L-tyrosine treated group, n = 5), each lamb was administered L-tyrosine at the level of 100 mg/kg b.w. as a single oral dose. The third group (n = 4) served as control. Lambs were exposed to mature, fertile rams daily and blood samples were collected twice weekly. The progesterone concentrations (P4 evaluations) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in treated groups than the control group. Ovarian activity, assessed by P4 evaluations, showed that all animals in the first group came in oestrus and from them four got pregnant (80%) while in the second group, only three lambs came in heat and from them two became pregnant (40%). On the contrary, none of the control lambs showed oestrus. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the oral administration of melatonin and L-tyrosine played an essentially physiological roles to induce cyclicity in delayed pubertal ewe-lambs and improved their reproduction.     

Environmental effects on forage and longline fishery performance for albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in the American Samoa Exclusive Economic Zone

The South Equatorial Counter Current (SECC) strongly influences the American Samoa Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and changes strength on a seasonal and ENSO cycle. A strong SECC is associated with a predominantly anticyclonic eddy field as well as increased micronekton biomass and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) for albacore tuna, the economically important target species of the local longline fishery. A strong SECC carries chlorophyll a -rich waters from upwelling regions at the north coast of New Guinea towards the EEZ, most likely resulting in the observed increase in micronekton biomass, forage for albacore. Relatively stable anticyclonic eddies show a further increase in micronekton biomass, apparently advected from neighboring SECC waters. The presence of forage presumably concentrates albacore, thus resulting in the observed increase in CPUE. High shear regions of neither anticyclonic nor cyclonic eddies correlate with increased micronekton biomass. Areas characterized by South Equatorial Current (SEC) waters correspond to areas with the lowest micronekton biomass and the highest number of aggregative structures, which are most likely small pelagic fish shoals. Micronekton composition in SEC waters differs from that in the SECC. During El Niños, the seasonal signals at the north shore of New Guinea and in the SECC are exceptionally strong and correspond to higher albacore CPUE in the EEZ. My results suggest that the strength of upwelling and the resulting increase in chlorophyll a at New Guinea, as well as the Southern Oscillation Index, could be used to predict the performance of the local longline fishery for albacore tuna in the American Samoa EEZ.     

Pyloric outflow obstruction secondary to sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a dog

A 6-year-old, male neutered mixed breed dog was presented emergently with a three-week history of hyporexia, vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. Upon examination, the patient was dull, had generalised muscle atrophy, moderate abdominal pain and a mild amount of peritoneal effusion. A fluid-filled, distended, corrugated small bowel with marked gastroparesis and moderate peritoneal effusion was noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Endoscopy revealed hyperaemic and friable mucosa and a subjectively narrowed pylorus. Emergency exploratory celiotomy was performed due to worsening patient condition and revealed thick, diffuse, fibrous adhesions of the abdominal cavity. Based on these findings, sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) was suspected. A large mass of omentum adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach had caused a pyloric outflow obstruction. Adhesiolysis was attempted but was unsuccessful due to the friability of the small intestines. The dog was humanely euthanased under anaesthesia. A diagnosis of SEP was confirmed via necropsy. No underlying cause was identified. This is the first known case of a pyloric outflow obstruction secondary to SEP in a dog. Although rare, this condition should be considered as a differential for dogs with signs of a pyloric outflow obstruction with concurrent ascites and abdominal pain, hyporexia, vomiting and diarrhoea.     

美国黑核桃组织培养技术

采用组织培养方法对美国黑核桃进行组织培养研究。结果表明：获得外植体的最佳方法是用新鲜且经层积处理的种子育苗．再用其实生苗的顶芽或茎段;适合黑核桃茎尖(段)培养的培养基为1／2MS(、其中大量元素用量减半,微量元素用量不变)．且培养基中其他物质的含量为．VB15mg／L．VB62mg／L．烟酸2mg／L．腺素2mg／L．肌醇按1／2MS量．6-BA1．5mg/L．NAA0．05mg／L;外植体接种用流水冲洗．适当缩短转瓶周期(每10～l5d转瓶一次)．可减轻褐变现象。     

不同精粗比全混合颗粒饲粮对母羊营养物质表观消化率、氮代谢和能量代谢的影响

本试验研究了不同精粗比全混合颗粒饲粮对母羊营养物质表观消化率、氮代谢和能量代谢的影响,以确定母羊饲粮适宜精粗比[或中性洗涤纤维(NDF)水平]。试验采用单因素完全随机区组设计,将30只体况良好、8月龄、体重相近的杂交母羊(萨福克羊×阿勒泰羊)随机分为6个处理,每个处理5只羊,分别饲喂6种不同精粗比(85∶15、70∶30、55∶45、40∶60、25∶75、10∶90)的全混合颗粒饲粮。预试期10 d,消化代谢试验18 d,呼吸测热试验2 d。结果表明:1)全混合颗粒饲粮精粗比对母羊干物质(DM)、有机物(OM)和NDF表观消化率均产生了极显著影响(P<0.01),DM和OM表观消化率随精粗比的上升而升高,精粗比为55∶45的饲粮NDF表观消化率最高,与精粗比为85∶15和70∶30的饲粮差异不显著(P>0.05)。2)消化氮随着精粗比的上升而升高,过高或过低精粗比均不利于氮的沉积,精粗比为55∶45时,母羊对氮的利用效率最高。3)消化能、代谢能、总能消化率和总能代谢率均随着精粗比的上升而出现极显著的升高(P<0.01)。在本试验条件下,母羊对精粗比为70∶30和55∶45(NDF水平分别为37.78%和45.80%)的全混合颗粒饲粮消化吸收较好。     

过量表达小麦TaCYP78A5增加花器官的大小

【目的】利用表达模式分析、转基因过表达和细胞学观察等策略,解析TaCYP78A5调控花器官大小的功能和机制,为作物遗传改良提供基因资源和理论基础。【方法】根据EnsemblPlants基因组数据库中不同物种CYP78A家族成员的序列信息,对小麦TaCYP78A5和其他物种中的同源基因进行序列比对和进化分析;利用生物信息学分析小麦TaCYP78A5的基因和蛋白结构,以及不同器官的表达模式;通过在拟南芥中组成型过表达和生殖器官局部特异性过表达TaCYP78A5的策略,明确TaCYP78A5具有调控花器官大小的功能;利用显微镜观察不同转基因拟南芥花器官的细胞学特征,解析TaCYP78A5调控花器官大小的细胞学机制;利用小麦转基因过表达策略,明确TaCYP78A5调控小麦穗部大小等其他穗部性状的功能;利用323份小麦品种的单倍型数据与穗部表型数据进行关联分析,探析不同小麦品种TaCYP78A5表达量的高低对穗部大小等其他穗部性状的影响。【结果】小麦TaCYP78A5与拟南芥AtCYP78A5的基因和蛋白序列相似性较低,但基因和蛋白结构相似性较高。小麦TaCYP78A5和拟南芥AtCYP78A5...