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.     

Influence of Heat Stress on the Cortisol and Oxidant‐Antioxidants Balance During Oestrous Phase in Buffalo‐Cows (Bubalus bubalis): Thermo‐protective Role of Antioxidant Treatment

In the present study, the effect of heat stress, which is commonly observed in the animals of Upper Egypt area in summer, as well as the effect of antioxidant treatment as a thermo‐protective was examined. In this study, the animals (n = 120) were divided into winter group (n = 40, bred during winter) and summer group (n = 80, bred during summer) as well as, animals in the summer group were divided into first subgroup animals (n = 40) and injected with Viteselen intramuscularly (15 ml) twice weekly for 10 weeks and second subgroup animals (n = 40) were not treated (as control). Serum levels of progesterone (P4), oestradiol (E2), cortisol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidase (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured. The pregnancy rate of all animals was detected rectally. The levels of oestradiol and the activity of the antioxidant SOD were decreased in serum of animals in behavioural oestrus during summer as compared with those in winter. During the same time period the levels of oxidants such as LPO and NO were increased in the serum of animals again in the phase of oestrus. In another group of animals treated by intramuscular injection with 15 ml viteselen (antioxidant) twice weekly for 6 weeks during hot months, the activities of serum SOD showed an increase and the levels of oxidants and cortisol decreased. Moreover, the levels of oestradiol were increased during the oestrous behaviour. The pregnancy rate was decreased in animals under heat stress and the pregnancy rate was enhanced dramatically when these animals received antioxidants during the heat stress. This means that the heat‐stress in Upper Egypt may affect the fertility of animals and pregnancy rate and this effect may be through an increased production of free radicals and decreased production of antioxidants as well as increased levels of cortisol. Treatment of animals or supplementation with antioxidants before the beginning of months of heat‐stress and also during the stress period may correct the infertility due to heat‐stress through the decrease in cortisol secretion and a decrease in the oxidative stress. These results resulted in an increase in pregnancy rate in treated animals.     

钙离子在植物生理调节中的作用

钙是植物必须的营养元素,同时也是植物体内转导多种生理过程的胞内胞外信号物质之一。胞外Ca2+通过Ca2+通道内流进入胞质,并通过Ca2+-ATPase和Ca2+/H+反向转运蛋白外流,以保持胞质内低Ca2+浓度。同时为了应对植物发育和环境胁迫信号,Ca2+由质膜、液泡膜和内质网膜的Ca2+通道内流进入胞质,导致胞质Ca2+浓度迅速增加,产生钙瞬变和钙振荡,传递到钙信号靶蛋白(如钙调素、钙依赖型蛋白激酶及钙调磷酸酶B类蛋白,引起特异的生理生化反应),这一系列钙信号调节、应答机制构成了植物的钙信号系统。对钙转运系统、钙信号调节和放大及应答方式进行了综述。     

嘧肽霉素高产菌株的选育

以不吸水链霉菌辽宁变种为出发菌株,经紫外线、亚硝酸诱变和紫外线与嘧肽霉素复合诱变,选育出了嘧肽霉素的高产菌株,抑菌圈直径由原来的20.5mm提高到36.4mm。传代培养5代表明,该高产菌株遗传特性稳定。     

Salmonella monitoring programs in Australian feed mills: a retrospective analysis

The availability of safe, commercially prepared stock feed for production animals is an important step in ensuring animal health and welfare and the safety of food animal products for human consumption. Animal feed quality assurance programs include microbiological monitoring of raw materials, mill equipment and finished feed. Over a period of 16 years, 23,963 samples for Salmonella culture and serotyping were collected from 22 stock feed mills. A multivariable generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to identify mill and sample type factors that increase the odds of detecting Salmonella. The odds of detecting a Salmonella positive sample was greatest in samples from raw materials and in mills that processed restricted animal material (RAM). The percentage of positive samples ranged from 7.2% in 2003 to 2.8% in 2017. Of the 1,069 positive samples, 976 were serotyped with 61 different Salmonella serotypes isolated. The serotype most frequently isolated from raw materials was S. Agona, (n = 108) whilst S. Anatum was the serotype most frequently isolated from equipment and finished feed (n = 156). The diversity of Salmonella serotypes differed between mills and different stages of the production line. Microbiological monitoring in the commercial preparation of animal feed in Australian stock feed mills guides the implementation of quality control measures and risk mitigation strategies thereby reducing the prevalence and diversity of potentially zoonotic bacteria such as Salmonella, enhancing food safety for both animal and consumer.     

The incidence, cost and factors associated with foot lameness in dairy cattle in south-western Victoria

A survey of 73 dairy farms in south-western Victoria was conducted to assess the cost and mean herd incidence of foot lameness for the period from calving to the end of November, 1985, and to identify the herd, management and environmental factors associated with foot lameness. The mean herd size was 125 cows (range 82 to 220). Lameness occurred in 64 (88%) herds, and the mean herd incidence was 7.0% (range 0.0 to 30.9%). The main clinical signs associated with lameness were the presence of overworn and/or bruised soles, or stones lodged in the interdigital cleft. Factors associated with lameness were: property and herd size, age of cow, bail feeding, voluntary entry into the bails, and features of the farm track including its length, the presence of steep slopes, the type of surface material, presence and treatment of broken sections and maintenance including rolling history. The association of these factors with specific clinical signs was examined. The mean cost was estimated to be $42.90 per lame cow due to loss of production, treatment, the culling or death of lame cows, and extra man hours spent managing lame cows. It was concluded that the site, construction, maintenance and use of the farm track were of major importance to the incidence of lameness in herds in this area and recommendations for reducing lameness are made.     

青藏高原“黑土滩”退化高寒草甸草原的形成机制和治理方法的研究进展

高寒草甸是青藏高原天然草地的主体,也是我国最重要和面积最大的一个草地类型。“黑土滩”是高寒草甸退化的综合表现,对当地、我国甚至东南亚和南亚的生态安全和经济发展具有重大的影响。本文论述了高寒草甸生态系统的气候、土壤、植被和动物特点,全面综述了“黑土滩”退化草地的特征和表现,分析了导致“黑土滩”形成的诸因素及其形成的综合原因和机理,阐述了“黑土滩”对生态环境和草地畜牧业生产的不利影响和危害,提供了恢复和治理“黑土滩”退化草地的原则和具体技术方法。     

体外酶解法研究玉米的不同加工处理方式对过瘤胃淀粉小肠消化率的影响

本试验以体外酶解法来研究不同加工处理的玉米12 h瘤胃非降解残渣在小肠中的消化率。试验结果表明,不同加工处理方式对小肠淀粉消化率的影响不同,膨化加工可以显著提高过瘤胃淀粉的小肠消化率(P<0.05);烘烤、制粒、压扁以及焙炒加工处理对过瘤胃淀粉的小肠消化率没有显著影响(P>0.05)。