The physical appearance of the vulva in ureaplasma infected ewes

The vulvar labia of ewes naturally infected with ureaplasma were significantly more swollen and red than those of uninfected ewes. Similar changes were observed following experimental infection of previously uninfected ewes. These differences, although statistically significant, were not sufficiently marked to be useful in diagnosing infection by clinical examination.     

Rotavirus infection in calves in Bangladesh

Faecal samples from 434 calves under 1 year of age (307 diarrhoeal and 127 normal) were collected from three dairy farms and one village in selected areas of Bangladesh. The samples were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of rotavirus antigen. Of 402 dairy calves tested, 28 (7.0%) were positive, of which 21 (7.2%) were from diarrhoeic calves and 7 (6.3%) from non-diarrhoeic calves. Rotavirus infection varied from farm to farm (2.7–9.2%) and there was no positive response from any of the 32 village calves. Rotavirus was most commonly found in calves of 1 week of age or less (up to 22.2% in one group) but was not found in any calves later than 6 months of age. More than 80% of rotavirus-positive samples from diarrhoeic calves exhibited a titre of 128 or more (geometric mean 345±4.5), whereas non-diarrhoeal calves had titres less than or equal to 128 (geometric mean=29±1.9), suggesting that rotavirus infection in calves in Bangladesh was mostly associated with diarrhoea.     

柞蚕肠液理化性质与饲料效率的相关性研究

对柞蚕肠液的理化性质与饲料效率的相关性进行研究的结果表明 :柞蚕肠液对促进蚕体抗病与消化吸收功能有着重要作用 ,平均每头蚕有肠液 1 76mL ,品种间开差为 0 78mL ,相对开差 5 7 80 % ,肠液量越多 ,饲料效率越高 ;柞蚕不同品种肠液pH平均值未发现明显差异 ,但强健好养饲料效率高的品种个体间开差小 ;柞蚕肠液缓冲力除与品种强健性有关外 ,还与品种的饲料效率呈正相关 ,在强健丰产与高饲料效率品种中 ,肠液恢复pH原值所需时间越短 ,饲料效率越高 ,电刺法取出肠液后 ,肠液恢复缓冲力所需时间是恢复其pH原值时间的 1 8倍多 ,同恢复肠液pH原值所需时间长短与品种强健性和饲料效率的关系完全一致。     

Bovine sire effects on daughters' in vitro blood neutrophil functions, lymphocyte blastogenesis, serum complement and conglutinin levels

Blood neutrophil functions, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, serum complement, and serum conglutinin activity of 98 lactating Holstein cows from two genetic lines were evaluated. The genetic lines were produced in a selection experiment that created and perpetuated genetic differences in milk production for up to seven generations. No significant differences between the two genetic lines of cows were found for neutrophil function, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, serum complement levels, or serum conglutinin levels. Significant differences between sire progeny groups within lines were found for unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis (P less than 0.0001), and almost all neutrophil functions (antibody independent neutrophil cytotoxicity, antibody dependent neutrophil cytotoxicity, ingestion of bacteria, iodination, chemiluminescence, chemokinesis, and chemotaxis (P less than or equal to 0.05)). Sire progeny group differences (P less than or equal to 0.0001) within lines for serum complement and conglutinin activity were also found. Neutrophil chemiluminescence activity (positive relationship; P less than or equal to 0.001), concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis (positive relationship; P less than or equal to 0.004), and serum conglutinin activity levels (negative relationship; P less than or equal to 0.01) each had small but significant associations with the total milk somatic cell count. Cows seropositive for bovine leukosis virus had increased resting and mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenic activity and were associated with increased in vitro neutrophil random migration and production of superoxide anion. Estimates of genetic parameters of various immune cell functions, of serum complement and of conglutinin levels for daughters of 11 sires with 4-6 daughters in the data set were determined. In this report, genetic variation was demonstrated for nonspecific humoral and cellular immunity.     

Study on Site-specific Nutrient Management in Cotton Field

The study on the characteristics of spatial variability of soil nutrients and fertilizer recommendations in cotton field under certain conditions of agricultural management was conducted with GIS and systematic approach for soil nutrient constrains. The results showed that of the spatial variability of soil nutrient was greatly related to the management condition of previous crops. Grid sampling and variable rate application technology (VRAT) were the tools that would hopefully increase fertilizer efficiency. The fertilizers were applied where they were needed and at proper rate. Balance fertilization demonstration showed that fertilizer recommendations according to the available nutrient level in soil could decrease fertilizer cost with 657.4 yuan / ha and increase seed cotton yield by 19.8%. A net profit of the balanced fertilization was 5314.9 yuan / ha higher than that of local fertilization practice.