Intake and digestibility in sheep and chemical composition during different seasons of some West African browse species

Foliage of Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Khaya senegalensis, from 10 trees per species, was collected every two weeks during the late dry, rainy and cool season to determine the seasonal effects on chemical composition. Fifteen rams of the Djallonké breed, weighing on average 20.0 kg, were used to evaluate the voluntary intake and digestibility of hay of A. gayanus, foliage of A. africana (as a sole feed), and A. africana, P. erinaceus and K. senegalensis offered with 30% of the diet as A. gayanus hay. The crude protein (CP) content of A. africana, and P. erinaceus decreased significantly from the late dry season to the cool season when that of K. senegalensis tended to increase. The mean CP of A. africana, P. erinaceus and K. senegalensis differed significantly (173 g, 139 g and 114 g/kg DM, respectively). The DM intake of A. africana offered with hay (571 g/d) or as a sole feed (598 g/d) were not significantly different, but was higher than that of P. erinaceus (428 g/d) and K. senegalensis (298 g/d). The digestibility calculated by difference of DM and CP of A. africana (582 g/kg DM and 795 g/kg CP, respectively) did not differ significantly from A. africana as a sole feed, but were higher than for the other species. The nutritive value of A. africana seems to justify the high preference of herders for this species.     

Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus australis</Emphasis>) reproduction in Orbata,a nature reserve in Tunisia

The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 ± 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 ± 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 ± 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.     

Effects of tea saponins on rumen microbiota,rumen fermentation,methane production and growth performance—a review

Reducing methane emission from ruminant animals has implications not only for global environmental protection but also for efficient animal production. Tea saponins (TS) extracted from seeds, leaves or roots of tea plant are pentacyclic triterpenes. They have a lasting antiprotozoal effect, but little effect on the methanogen population in sheep. There was no significant correlation between the protozoa counts and methanogens. The TS decreased methanogen activity. It seems that TS influenced the activity of the methanogens indirectly via the depressed ciliate protozoal population. The TS addition decreased fungal population in the medium containing rumen liquor in in vitro fermentation, but no such effect was observed in the rumen liquor of sheep fed TS. Tea saponins had a minor effect on the pattern of rumen fermentation and hence on nutrient digestion. When added at 3 g/day in diets, TS could improve daily weight gain and feed efficiency in goats. No positive associative effect existed between TS and disodium fumarate or soybean oil on methane suppression. Inclusion of TS in diets may be an effective way for improving feed efficiency in ruminants.     

美国兽医教育

1农业科学高中 为4年制公立学校,不收学费.多设于城市郊区.为培养新农民及农业有关的城市服务性行业人员.我们曾参观一所费城农业中学.全校600名学生(一般为14～16岁),45名教师(大多有硕士、博士学位),所学课程范围较广,除农业技术课外,还包括数理化史地和生物科学.毕业生可就业亦可升大学.     

奥芬哒唑可湿性粉剂驱除藏羊线虫绦虫试验

使用５,１０,２０ｍｇ／ｋｇ剂量奥芬哒唑可湿性粉剂,对放牧藏系绵羊进行驱除线虫、绦虫试验。试验结果：５ｍｇ／ｋｇ剂量对消化道线虫、绦虫的虫卵转阴率,下降率均为１００％,对原圆科线虫幼虫转阴率为６０％,下降率为９４．１％;１０,２０ｍｇ／ｋｇ剂量的虫卵（幼虫）转阴率,下降率均为１００％,安全性良好。按５ｍｇ／ｋｇ剂量给当年生羔羊进行大群秋季示范驱虫,结果粪检虫卵（幼虫）呈阴性,驱虫羔羊比同一地区未驱虫的当年生羔羊保活率提高４．４８个百分点,全部投药羊未发生毒副反应。试验初步证明奥芬哒唑可湿性粉剂安全有效,与本品原粉、片剂的驱虫效果及安全性一致。而该剂型投服方便,计量准确,省时省力,易推广。     

蛋鸡锰缺乏症的病理学研究

１日龄父母代罗曼（Ｌｏｈｍａｎｎ）蛋鸡１２０只,随机分为３组,分别喂以低锰（基础日粮含锰１３．６２ｍｇ／ｋｇ）、低锰高磷（基础日粮＋０．５％的磷）、补锰对照（基础日粮＋锰８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）日粮。试验期８周。饲喂５～８周发病。低锰组发病率２６％,低锰高磷组２８％,补锰对照组无一发病。第４周时,体重分别为（２６７．９±８．３２）、（２１４．２±１０．４２）、（２６５．０±１２．１８）ｇ,低锰组、补锰对照组与低锰高磷组之间差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。肝锰含量分别为（５．４０±０．７４）、（２．８２±０．３６）、（８．４８±０．９６）ｍｇ／ｋｇ,补锰对照组与低锰组差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０５）,与低锰高磷组差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。发病症状：精神沉郁,不愿走动,伏卧,跛行,单腿发病病腿向外侧伸展,双腿发病则内收呈“Ｏ”字形或外展呈“八”字形。剖检跗关节肿大,胫骨髁骨骨质增生、肿大,髁间沟变平坦。组织学检查,胫骨骺生长板增殖区变窄,软骨基质中粘多糖减少。超微结构变化,心肌纤维、肝细胞、胫骨骺生长板软骨细胞、睾丸精原细胞等线粒体肿胀与空泡化。     

Effect of different hand-milking techniques on milk production and teat treatment in Zebu dairy cattle

The aim of the study was to test three different hand-milking techniques (“pull down”, “thumb in”, and “full hand grip”) and their effects on milk production and teat treatment. This is important since milk production in many tropical areas still rely on hand-milking. The study was carried out at a peri-urban farm in the Bobo-Dioulasso area in Burkina Faso. Twelve indigenous Zebu cows in early lactation were used in the study. The sequences of the treatments (hand-milking techniques) and the milkers were balanced for carry-over effects between successive periods and days, respectively. The sequences were constructed by using special Latin squares. Yield and composition of saleable milk was not affected by milking technique but there were differences between the milkers in milk yield. There was also a significant interaction for saleable milk yield between milker and milking technique. Hemoglobin in milk was measured as an indicator of teat damage. The hemoglobin content was numerically higher in post-milking strip milk samples than in saleable milk. It was concluded that the amount of milk removed depends mainly on the milker and how well the milking technique works for the individual milker. No effect of milking technique was observed on teat treatment.     

酚酸类物质对黄瓜幼苗生长及保护酶活性的影响

 以对羟基苯甲酸和苯丙烯酸为代表性酚酸类物质 ,研究其对黄瓜幼苗生长和保护酶活性的影响。结果表明 ,该 2种酚酸物质对黄瓜幼苗的生长有抑制作用 ,鲜重、株高、茎粗、叶面积均有减小 ,随处理浓度的增加抑制作用增强 ,苯丙烯酸比对羟基苯甲酸具有更强的抑制作用 ;与对照 (CK)相比 ,2种酚酸物质对过氧化物酶 (POD)活性的影响呈现出先升高、然后下降 ,最后低浓度处理有回升趋势而高浓度无回升趋势 ;对过氧化氢酶 (CAT)活性的影响则呈现出低浓度处理其活性先升高、然后下降、最后回升的变化趋势 ,高浓度处理首先表现为活性降低、然后略有升高、最后下降而无回升趋势 ;对超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)活性的影响表现出首先高于CK ,然后逐渐下降低于CK ,最后低浓度处理逐渐回升趋于CK ,而高浓度处理无回升趋势。高浓度酚酸类物质使丙二醛 (MDA)含量增加     

Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) integrins αvβ3 and αvβ6 as FMDV receptors: Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and comparison with other species

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors that participate in a variety of cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix protein interactions. Many integrins recognize RGD sequences displayed on extracellular matrix proteins and the exposed loops of viral capsid proteins. Four members of the αv integrin family of cellular receptors, αvβ3, αvβ6, αvβ1 and αvβ8, have been identified as receptors for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in vitro, and integrins are believed to be the receptors used to target epithelial cells in the infected animals. To analyse the roles of the αv integrins from a susceptible species as viral receptors, we have cloned Bactrian camel αv, β3 and β6 integrin cDNAs and compared them to those of other species. The coding sequences for Bactrian camel integrin αv, β3 and β6 were found to be 3165, 2289 and 2367 nucleotides in length, encoding 1054, 762 and 788 amino acids, respectively. The Bactrian camel αv, β3 and β6 subunits share many structural features with homologues of other species, including the ligand binding domain and cysteine-rich region. Phylogenetic trees and similarity analyses showed the close relationships of integrin genes from Bactrian camels, pigs and cattle, which are each susceptible to FMDV infection, that were distinct from the orders Rodentia, Primates, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Galliformes and Xenopus. We postulate that host tropism of FMDV may in part be related to the divergence in integrin subunits among different species.