除草剂对土壤微生物生物量和氮矿化的影响

除草剂对土壤微生物生物量和氮矿化有不同的影响效应,这与除草剂类型、除草剂浓度、土壤类型以及包括温度、水分、培养时间等实验条件有关,这些影响效应在土壤肥力和环境保护上的重要性也进行了讨论。     

The effect of some cryoprotectants on dromedary camel frozen‐thawed semen

The cryopreserved camel semen is often associated with poor quality and fertility. This study aimed to improve the dromedary frozen semen quality by comparing the efficiency of four cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) on sperm freezability. Semen samples were collected from seven male Maghrabi camels, diluted with Shotor diluent supplemented with glycerol (Sh‐G), dimethyl formamide (DMF, Sh‐DF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Sh‐DS) or ethylene glycol (EG, Sh‐EG), all at 6% final concentration, and the samples were subjected to cryopreservation. The results revealed the superiority of Sh‐DF over Sh‐G and Sh‐DS in terms of post‐thaw motility (55.83 ± 2.20 vs. 47.50 ± 4.33 and 45.00 ± 2.89%, respectively), sperm membrane (49.00 ± 0.58, 39.33 ± 3.33 and 42.67 ± 1.45%, respectively) and acrosomal integrities (53.00 ± 0.58, 57.33 ± 0.88 and 52.33 ± 1.45%, respectively). Sh‐EG group showed the lowest post‐thaw motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities (12.50 ± 1.44, 22.67 ± 1.45 and 30.67 ± 1.45, respectively). In conclusion, the protocols of dromedary camel semen cryopreservation could be enhanced using 6% DMF as a cryoprotectant agent.     

Identification of sulfur volatiles in canned orange juices lacking orange flavor

The purpose of this study was to understand why some canned orange juices are not perceived as orange juice. Sensory flavor profile data indicated that the primary odor (orthonasal) attributes were tropical fruit/grapefruit, cooked/caramel, musty, and medicine. By comparison fresh-squeezed juice lacked these odor attributes. GC-O analysis found 43 odor-active components in canned juices. Eight of these aroma volatiles were sulfur based. Four of the 12 most intense aroma peaks were sulfur compounds that included methanethiol, 1-p-menth-1-ene-8-thiol, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, and dimethyl trisulfide. The other most intense odorants included 7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene (myrcene), octanal, 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (homofuraneol), (E)-non-2-enal, (E,E)-deca-2,4-dienal, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin), and alpha-sinensal. Odorants probably responsible for the undesirable sensory attributes included grapefruit (1-p-menth-1-ene-8-thiol), cooked [2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (Furaneol), and 3-(methylthio)propanal (methional)], musty [7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene and (E)-non-2-enal], and medicine (2-methoxyphenol). The canned juices also lacked several aldehydes and esters normally found in fresh orange juice.     

Effects of different sources and levels of dietary chromium supplementation on performance of broiler chicks

The current experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different dietary chromium supplementation sources, chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃), chromium methionine (Cr‐Met), or chromium yeast (Cr‐yeast), at different levels each (500 or 1,000 ppb) on growth performance, physiological traits, and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. A total of 490 seven‐day‐old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly distributed into 7 experimental groups each in 10 replicates of 7 birds each. The groups were control, 500 ppb Cr₂O₃, 1,000 ppb Cr₂O₃, 500 ppb Cr‐Met, 1,000 ppb Cr‐Met, 500 ppb Cr‐yeast, and 1,000 ppb Cr‐yeast. The results showed significant superiority of the organic chromium sources (Cr‐Met or Cr‐yeast) concerning body weight and weight gain, the group supplemented with 1,000 ppb Cr‐yeast consumed the lowest feed (3,185 g) and had the best feed conversion ratio (1.60) compared to the control (1.73). The chromium treatments recorded significantly better protein and lipid profile, antioxidant status, and immunological parameters than the control group. Similarly, dietary chromium supplementation increased carcass yield and decreased intestinal pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, supplementing broiler diets with organic chromium sources at 1,000 ppb promotes growth performance, physiological traits, and carcass characteristics; such chromium treatments enhanced the antioxidant status and immunity levels of broilers.     

Factors affecting calving ease in Egyptian buffalo

Calving ease (CE) is a trait of economic importance that affects animal welfare and farm profitability. The objective of present study was to investigate genetic and environmental factors affecting CE among Primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) buffaloes. A total of 9,627 records from 1999 MP and 2,110 PP recorded during the period from 1988 to 2018 were considered. Herd, season of calving, year of calving, birth weight, parity order and gestation length significantly affected CE rate, while age at first calving and sex of calf had no significant effects. Direct and maternal heritabilities of CE in PP and MP were 0.06 and 0.01, respectively. The low heritability of CE indicated that direct selection may not be an effective method to improve CE trait in Egyptian buffalo.     

An outbreak of suppurative osteoarthritis of the tibiotarsal joint in rabbits caused by; Pasteurella multocida

An outbreak of suppurative osteoarthritis of the tibiotarsal joint in 25 rabbits in a colony of 50 animals is described. Pasteurella multocida was isolated in pure culture from the affected joints.     

Temporal Relationships and Repeatability of Follicle Diameters and Hormone Concentrations within Individuals in Mares

Data were collected daily from 23 mares during two consecutive interovulatory intervals (IOIs). Several significant (p < 0.05) new observations on temporal relationships were made. The FSH increase that begins before ovulation temporarily plateaued on the day of discharge of follicular fluid into the peritoneal cavity in association with ovulation. During the declining portion of the pre-ovulatory oestradiol surge, an abrupt reduction in the rate of decrease occurred in synchrony with the peak of the LH surge and is consistent with a negative effect of LH on oestradiol. Repeatability within mares was based on the following positive and significant correlations between the two IOIs: (i) length of the interval between ovulations and between ovulation and the beginning of follicle deviation; (ii) diameter of the pre-ovulatory follicle on days -3 to -1; (iii) number of follicles in diameter classes of 2–5 mm (correlation for 22/23 days of the IOI), 5.1–10 mm (18/23 days), 10.1–15 mm (12/23 days) and 15.1–20 mm (12/23 days) and (iv) concentrations of FSH (18/23 days) and LH (22/23 days). The greatest repeatability for the follicle-diameter classes occurred in the 2–5 mm class, and thereafter the repeatability progressively decreased as the diameters for the classes increased. Results demonstrated measurable repeatability within mares for several end points between consecutive IOIs.     

Intermediate Filament Proteins Expression and Carbohydrate Moieties in Trophoblast and Decidual Cells of Mature Cat Placenta

The aim of this study was to characterize cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins and glycoconjugates of syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and decidual cells of feline endotheliochorial placenta. Samples from 12 normal pregnant female cats, after 45 ± 5 days of gestation, were obtained removing the uterine horns by hysterectomy. Sections were processed for routine observation and for immunohistochemistry using anticytokeratin, antivimentin and antidesmin antibodies. In addition, lectin histochemistry was performed using a panel of several biotinylated lectins to characterize glycosides expression profile. Cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast showed immunoreactivity only with acidic and basic cytokeratins. Decidual cells were only positive to vimentin, consistent with their origin from endometrial fibroblasts. Trophoblast expressed a broad population of glycans, highly exposing terminal N‐acetyl glucosamine residues and non‐sialylated galactose and N‐acetyl galactosamine oligomers. Oligosaccharides bound by Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin were the only highly branched N‐linked residues evidenced in cats, and they were restricted to the syncytium. Unlike results reported on humans, mice and rats on lectin affinity of decidual cells, sialid acids and complex N‐linked oligosaccharides were not demonstrated in cats. Glycosylation of proteins determines many of their final properties, thus becoming essential for the embryo‐maternal dialogue during implantation and placentation. Changes in glycosylation pattern have been related to pathological pregnancies in other species. Hence, the knowledge about glycosylation profile of the normal cat placenta may lead to a better understanding of both normal and pathological reproductive events.     

Effects of a topically applied anaesthetic on the behaviour,pain sensitivity and weight gain of dairy calves following thermocautery disbudding with a local anaesthetic

ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare the effect of a topically applied anaesthetic to no pain relief or meloxicam on the behavioural responses, pain sensitivity and weight gain of calves following disbudding with or without sedation.

Methods: A total of 364, 2–6 week-old calves from three commercial farms were systematically allocated to one of six treatment groups. All calves received a cornual nerve block prior to disbudding, with half restrained in a crate and half sedated with xylazine. Within these groups one third received no further treatment (control), one third were treated with meloxicam >10?minutes prior to disbudding and one third received a topical anaesthetic applied to the horn bud wounds following disbudding. The frequency of ear flicks, head shakes, head scratches and pain sensitivity of the wound were recorded on up to eight occasions over 24 hours after disbudding. Calves were weighed before, and 7 and 28 days after, disbudding to determine average daily weight gain (ADG).

Results: Compared to calves in the crate-control group, all other groups had reduced ear flicks at all times following disbudding (p?<?0.01). Treatment with meloxicam and topical anaesthesia in addition to sedation reduced head scratches compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?≤?0.013). At 22 hours after disbudding head shakes were reduced in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?<?0.001). Pain sensitivity was lower in all sedated calves than unsedated calves (p?<?0.001). The ADG between Days 0–7 was 0.14 (95% CI?=?0.015–0.274) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with meloxicam than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.03), and the ADG between Days 0–28 tended to be 0.06 (95% CI=?0.01–0.13) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.09).

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Sedation of calves for disbudding reduced the pain experienced in the following 24 hours. There was a benefit to providing calves with topical anaesthetic following disbudding on behavioural responses and pain sensitivity, which was similar to that of treating calves with meloxicam.