Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Zinc Gluconate Associated with Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Sexually Mature Canine Males Chemical Neutering

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs’ libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37 150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.     

Correlated responses to selection for large body size in oMt1a-oGH mice: growth, feed efficiency and body composition

Correlated responses were determined for growth, feed consumption, feed efficiency and body composition following short‐term selection for large 8‐week body weight in transgenic and nontransgenic mice. Replicate lines which either carried or did not carry the sheep metallothionein 1a‐sheep growth hormone transgene (oMt1a‐oGH) were established. The lines carrying the transgene at an initial frequency of 0.5 came from a high‐growth (TM) and a randomly selected (TC) background. The respective nontransgenic lines were identified as NM and NC. Control replicates (CC) came from the randomly selected background. During the selection process the transgene was activated by adding 25 mm ZnSO₄ to the drinking water of all mice. Correlated responses were measured with (Z) and without (C) the addition of zinc. After seven and eight generations of selection, the frequency of transgenic mice in line TM had fallen sharply, whereas transgene frequency had risen moderately in TC. The reduced frequency of oMt1a‐oGH in the high‐growth genetic background may have been caused by a lower additive effect compared with the randomly selected background combined with a fitness disadvantage of the transgene. Therefore, the utility of a transgene in improving a quantitative trait may depend in part on genetic background. Correlated responses for most traits in NC were similar for Z and C. In contrast, correlated responses in TC showed marked differences in C compared with Z. For example, daily gain and feed efficiency showed no significantly correlated responses under C and positive responses (p < 0.001) under Z, and the reverse was found for indicators of body fat percentage. These line by environment (Z versus C) interactions may represent a genetic correlation of less than one between a trait expressed in two distinct environments. Thus, in developing lines with a transgene that can be regulated, a critical question is whether selection for quantitative trait(s) should be conducted when the transgene is activated or not activated.     

Comparison of medical and surgical treatment for impaction of the small colon in horses: 84 cases (1986-1996)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical findings and compare effects of treatment and outcome for horses treated medically or surgically for impaction of the small colon. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 84 horses with impaction of the small colon. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, treatment, response to treatment, complications, out-come, and necropsy findings. RESULTS: 47 horses were treated medically and 37 horses were treated surgically. Significant differences between groups were not identified for duration of clinical signs, physical examination findings, or laboratory values. Horses treated surgically were hospitalized longer than horses treated medically. Complications recorded during hospitalization included diarrhea, jugular thrombophlebitis, recurrent colic, fever, and laminitis. Salmonella organisms were isolated from 20 horses. Horses treated surgically were more likely to have signs of moderate abdominal pain, gross abdominal distention, and positive results for culture of Salmonella spp than horses treated medically. Follow-up information was available for 27 horses treated medically and 23 horses treated surgically. Twenty-four (72%) and 21 (75%) of the horses, respectively, survived and were being used for their intended purpose at least 1 year after treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Colitis may be a predisposing factor for impaction of the small colon in horses. Prognosis for horses treated surgically or medically is fair.     

土壤磷酸酶活性及其与有机磷组分的相关性

为探讨土壤磷有效性管理的措施,该文对北京八达岭地区9种林分类型下土壤的磷酸酶活性、有机磷组分以及二者之间的关系进行了系统研究。结果表明:土壤磷酸酶的类型以酸性磷酸酶为主。表层0～5cm土层的磷酸酶活性显著高于5～25cm和25～45cm土层的磷酸酶活性,且与土壤有机碳、氮有显著的相关性。土壤有机磷有明显的表聚性,在全磷中的比例为15.51%～17.48%。在土壤有机磷组分中,以中活性有机磷含量最高,其次为活性有机磷,而高稳性有机磷的含量最低。活性有机磷与中活性有机磷含量的相关性显著。磷酸酶活性与有机磷含量有密切的关系,无论是酸性磷酸酶还是碱性磷酸酶,都与活性有机磷、中活性有机磷、中稳性有机磷以及土壤有效磷含量有极显著的相关性。增加土壤有机质,诱导磷酸酶的产生,是提高土壤有效磷含量的途径。     

Effect of body condition score and reuse of progesterone‐releasing intravaginal devices on conception rate following timed artificial insemination in Nelore cows

This study had the aim of investigating the efficiency of timed artificial insemination (TAI) through the progesterone‐releasing intravaginal device (PRID), used in new condition and for the second and third times in Nelore cows. The effects of device reuse and body condition score (BCS) on the conception rate (CR) were evaluated in 1,122 multiparous Nelore cows (mean BCS of 2.7 ± 0.4), which were randomly distributed into three groups that received new (n = 330), once (n = 439) and twice used (n = 353) PRID. Among the 1,122 females that underwent TAI, 573 became pregnant, thus representing an overall CR of 51.06%. Cows with BCS between 2.75 and 4.0 had greater (p < .0001) CR (69.75%) than cows with BSC of 2.0–2.5 (32.98%). It was observed that the CR through using PRID was 60.00%, 51.71% and 41.93% for new, once and twice used PRID, respectively, with difference between all groups (p < .0001). Under tropical conditions, animals with BCS greater than 2.5 had a higher CR, and the CR decreased proportionally with the number of times that the PRID had been used.     

Surgical repair of a mandibular degloving injury in a 5‐month‐old colt

A 5‐month‐old colt sustained a mandibular degloving injury and penetrating cheek wound after catching his cheek on a metal hook. Avulsion of the lower left lip and cheek exposed parts of the underlying labial surface, interalveolar margin and body of the mandible. The injury prevented the colt from closing his mouth completely and food accumulated between the degloved mandible and avulsed soft tissues. Surgical repair included 7 stented, transmandibular mattress sutures placed over the length of the interalveolar margin, closing the dead space and repositioning the avulsed soft tissues. The horse recovered without complications and functional as well as cosmetic outcome were excellent.     

华北落叶松林不同发育阶段种群分布格局研究

根据北京雾灵山自然保护区1hm2华北落叶松林样地调查资料,采用点格局分析方法,对群落的结构特征和不同发育阶段种群在不同尺度下的空间分布格局及其相互关系进行了研究。结果表明:①华北落叶松林群落处于旺盛的生长发育时期,群落内中树的个体数最多,大树的个体数最少,幼苗相当丰富;②群落高度级结构呈"Z"型,个体频率高峰出现在Ⅰ级和Ⅶ级,主林层高度范围在10～16m,林下灌木层不发达;③华北落叶松林不同发育阶段种群分布格局与尺度关系密切,小树和中树分布格局在小尺度下基本呈集群分布,在大尺度下呈随机分布,大树的分布格局在不同尺度下,均呈随机分布;④不同发育阶段种群之间存在着相关性,小树和中树、小树和大树之间的相关性较高,中树和大树之间的相关性在中小尺度下(r<30m)相关性不强,在大尺度(r>30m)下中树和大树之间的正关联性增强。     

Effects of forage and sunflower oil levels on ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid formation in beef steers fed finishing diets

Six Hereford steers (295 kg) cannulated in the proximal duodenum were used to evaluate the effects of forage and sunflower oil level on ruminal biohydrogenation (BH) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) outflow. Steers were fed one of six treatment diets in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (grass hay level: 12, 24, or 36% of DM; and sunflower oil level: 2 or 4% of DM) in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. The remainder of the diet was made up of steam rolled corn and protein/mineral supplement. Duodenal samples were collected for 4 d following 10-d diet adaptation periods. Data were analyzed with animal, period, forage level, sunflower oil level, and two-way interaction between forage and sunflower oil level in the model. Dry matter intake showed a quadratic response (P < 0.04), with an increase in DMI as forage level increased from 12 to 24% followed by a decrease in DMI when 36% forage was fed. Flow of fatty acids at the duodenum was higher (P < 0.03) for 4 vs. 2% sunflower oil diets, and similar among forage levels. Apparent ruminal digestibility of NDF increased in a linear manner (P < 0.04) as dietary forage level increased. Ruminal BH of dietary unsaturated 18-C fatty acids, oleic acid, and linoleic acid increased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary forage level increased. Linoleic acid BH tended (P < 0.07) to be greater for 4 than 2% sunflower oil level. Duodenal flow of pentadecyclic, stearic, linolenic, and arachidic acids increased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary forage level increased from 12 to 36%. Duodenal flow of linoleic acid decreased in a linear manner (P < 0.03) with increasing dietary forage level. Flow of trans-10 octadecenoate decreased linearly (P < 0.03) as dietary forage level increased, whereas trans-11 vaccenic acid flow to the duodenum increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increased dietary forage. Dietary forage or sunflower oil levels did not alter the outflow of cis-9, trans-11 CLA. Flows of cis-11, trans-13, and cis-9, cis-11 CLA increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased dietary forage. Flows of cis-11, cis-13, and trans-11, trans-13 CLA decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased dietary forage. Increasing dietary forage levels from 12 to 36% in beef cattle finishing diets increased BH of unsaturated 18-C fatty acid and outflow of trans-11 vaccenic acid to duodenum without altering cis-9, trans-11 CLA outflow.