The coefficient of dominance is not (always) estimable with biallelic markers

The genetic relationship among individuals at one locus is characterized by nine coefficients of identity. The coefficients of inbreeding, coancestry and dominance (or fraternity) are just linear functions of them. Here, it is shown how they can be estimated using biallelic and triallelic markers using the method of moments, and comparisons are made with other methods based on molecular coancestry or molecular covariance. It is concluded that in the general case of dominance and inbreeding with biallelic markers, only the coefficients of inbreeding and coancestry can be estimated, but neither the single coefficients of identity nor the coefficient of dominance can be estimated. More than two alleles are required for a full estimation as illustrated with the triallelic situation.     

自然感染日本血吸虫病耕牛血清循环抗原消长规律的研究

为了观察疫区自然感染日本血吸虫病耕牛血清循环抗原消长规律,本试验将血吸虫病非疫区的水、黄牛各１０头,转运至安徽省血吸虫病疫区,接受为期８周的自然感染。用斑点酶联免疫吸附试验测定牛血清循环抗原。结果,水、黄牛血清循环抗原滴度均于自然感染第４周后明显上升,水、黄牛自然感染第８周的血清循环抗原最高滴度分为１∶１０２４０和１∶５１２０,最低滴度则分别为１∶１２８０和１∶６４０,水牛循环抗原滴度高于黄牛。虫荷数与血清循环抗原滴度未见有相关性。     

A retrospective analysis of radiation therapy for the treatment of feline vaccine‐associated sarcoma*

We retrospectively evaluated predictive prognostic factors in 73 cats with vaccine‐associated sarcoma given postsurgical curative (n = 46, most with clean margins) or coarse fractionated radiotherapy (n = 27, most with either macroscopic disease or dirty margins). The former animals displayed a median survival of 43 months and a median progression free interval (PFI) of 37 months, the latter reached a median survival of 24 months and a median PFI of 10 months. In cats undergoing coarse fractionated therapy, factors predictive of a better outcome included lack of visible mass (n = 10) as opposed to macroscopic disease (n = 17, survival: 30 versus 7 months, P = 0.025; PFI: 20 versus 4 months, P = 0.01), adjuvant chemotherapy for gross disease (n = 5/17, survival: 29 versus 5 months, P = 0.04) and a smaller number of surgeries preceding radiation therapy (coeff = 0.41, P = 0.03). The Ki67 index was not predictive for survival. We concluded that postsurgical curative and coarse fractionated radiotherapy are effective legitimate options for managing vaccine‐associated sarcomas.     

Suspected venous air embolism in three horses

Venous air embolism was suspected in 3 hospitalised horses on the basis of an inadvertently open jugular venous line. Subsequently the 3 horses developed clinical signs including cardiovascular collapse, cardiac dysrhythmia, pulmonary oedema, behavioural abnormalities and neurological signs consistent with central nervous system injury. Treatment included intranasal oxygen therapy, i.v. fluid administration and anti‐inflammatory therapy. Specific therapy aimed at treating air embolism in man is reviewed, with pertinent therapy potentially applicable to horses emphasised.     

Bone strength of laying hens kept in an alternative system, compared with hens in cages and on deep-litter

1. Observations of vigorous wing movements and measurements of bone strength were compared in two experiments with birds in three different housing systems: a semi-intensive alternative system under development, a battery cage system and a deep-litter system. 2. A significant effect of housing system on the frequency of vigorous wing movements was found. The highest frequency was seen in the deep-litter system, about half this number in the alternative system, while in the battery cages they were never observed. 3. Corresponding to this a reduction in humerus strength of 9% was found in hens from the alternative system and of 45% in hens from cages, compared with deep-litter. A reduction in tibial breaking strength was also found in caged hens, when compared to deep-litter hens. 4. Keeping hens in cages thus restricts their movements, especially wing movements, to the degree that bone strength is greatly reduced. 5. This has welfare implications, for hens with low bone breaking strength risk a possibility of breakage, especially when handled and transported. When alternative systems are designed opportunities for movement in the three dimensions should be considered.     

浅谈强化《家畜外科手术学》教学效果的体会

《家畜外科手术学》课程是本科生兽医专业教学的一个重要环节,是提升学生学习兴趣、强化实践操作能力的重要桥梁。提高《家畜外科手术学》的教学质量,对于学生培养基本技能和掌握手术的基本操作技术,具有非常重要的意义。经过多年教学实践,摸索并总结出兴趣+理论+实践的教学方法,取得了良好的教学效果。     

内蒙古阿拉善草地毒草灾害调查与控制对策

内蒙古阿拉善草地毒草灾害一直困扰着当地畜牧业的发展.采用以现场走访和查阅文献相结合的方式,对阿拉善草地毒草灾害的历史和现状、毒草灾害造成的损失、毒草种类和地理分布、主要毒草生物学特性等进行调查,提出草地毒草灾害控制对策.结果表明,阿拉善草地牲畜毒草中毒发病率高达60%,病死率为30%;形成优势种群的毒草有14种,其中造...     

Genetic (co)variances and breeding value estimation of Gompertz growth curve parameters in Finnish Yorkshire boars, gilts and barrows.

This paper's objectives were to estimate the genetic (co)variance components of the Gompertz growth curve parameters and to evaluate the relationship of estimated breeding values (EBV) based on average daily gain (ADG) and Gompertz growth curves. Finnish Yorkshire central test station performance data was obtained from the Faba Breeding (Vantaa, Finland). The final data set included 121,488 weight records from 10,111 pigs. Heritability estimates for the Gompertz growth parameters mature weight (alpha), logarithm of mature weight to birth weight ratio (beta) and maturation rate (kappa) were 0.44, 0.55 and 0.31, respectively. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations between the growth curve parameters were high and mainly negative. The only positive relationship was found between alpha and beta. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between EBV for ADG and daily gain calculated from Gompertz growth curves were 0.79. The Spearman rank correlation between the sire EBV for ADG and Gompertz growth curve parameter-based ADG for all sires with at least 15 progeny was 0.86. Growth curves differ significantly between individuals and this information could be utilized for selection purposes when improving growth rate in pigs.