维生素E对绵羊鲜精及冻精精液品质的影响

日粮中添加维生素E可以提高绵羊鲜精的活率 ,对照组和试验组的活率分别为 0 72± 0 0 7和 0 78± 0 0 6(P <0 0 5 ) ,显著改善鲜精精液品质。采用两步稀释法在绵羊冷冻精液稀释液中添加维生素E ,可以极显著降低冷冻对精子顶体的冷刺激损害程度 ,试验组的活率 ( 0 43 5± 0 0 2 0 )极显著高于对照组 ( 0 3 65± 0 0 2 6) (P <0 0 1) ,精子顶体的总异常率试验组 ( 3 3 72 % )极显著低于对照组 ( 4 4 3 5 % ) (P <0 0 1) ,其中试验组顶体膨胀率和脱落率与对照组分别为 1 2 8%±0 5 8%、2 3 0 8%± 1 45 %与 2 68%± 0 5 9%、2 8 96%± 3 14 %。冷冻精液品质显著改善。     

禽网状内皮组织增生病病毒和马立克氏病病毒共感染对鸡的致肿瘤作用

用禽网状内皮组织增生病病毒(REV)和马立克氏病病毒(MDV)共感染肉鸡，研究这2种病毒对鸡的致瘤作用，结果表明肉鸡共感染MDV和REV后13d即可发生死亡．接种后100d死亡率达84％。死亡鸡的肝脏、脾脏、肾脏和心脏等可以形成2种外观明显不同的散在的大肿瘤结节和弥漫性的小肿瘤结节。取发病鸡的肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、心脏和腺胃等组织样品做连续石蜡切片，HE染色后发现这些脏器均存在2种不同类型的肿瘤细胞增生。对这些连续切片分别用MDV和REV的单克隆抗体进行间接荧光试验，则同1份样品存在可以与REV和MDV分别呈现阳性反应的肿瘤细胞团，结果表明REV和MDV可以在感染鸡的体内分别诱发形成肿瘤。在接种后14、21、28和42d随机采集3只鸡的全血分离MDV和REV，均可以同时分离到MDV和REV。表明REV和MDV的共感染延长了病毒血症的时间。     

野外放归大熊猫肠道菌群变化的研究

对四川卧龙中国保护大熊猫研究中心的一只野外放归亚成体大熊猫肠道菌群的组成和季节变化规律进行了研究,同时与其圈养双胞胎兄弟的肠道菌群进行了比较。从放归大熊猫粪便中分离出17种肠道菌,优势菌群为肠杆菌、肠球菌和乳杆菌。与圈养大熊猫相比,放归大熊猫肠道菌群中优势菌群的种类未发生改变,但是肠球菌数量增加,肠杆菌和乳杆菌的数量减少。研究发现放归大熊猫肠道菌群中的肠杆菌和肠球菌的数量随季节变化有较大波动,乳杆菌的数量随季节变化波动不大;而圈养大熊猫三种优势菌的数量随季节变化波动都不大。     

川西北高寒沙地不同年限高山柳林下优势植物碳、氮、磷生态化学计量特征

通过采集川西北高寒沙地不同年限(6、18、24年)高山柳林下3种优势植被藏沙蒿、裂叶独活和镰荚棘豆,分别测定分析3种植被叶片、根部C、N、P化学计量特征变化特征。结果表明:不同年限高山柳林下植被C、N、P含量及其比值间存在显著差异且呈现出不同变化趋势。林下植被C含量整体下降;叶N含量呈上升趋势,根N含量随年限增长而下降;除藏沙蒿外,林下植被P含量变化不显著;C∶N变化范围为1.92~12.86;C∶P为29.18~196.88;不同年限高山柳林下植被N∶P间虽存在差异,但均表现出主要受到P限制,表明该区域植被生长主要受P限制,应注意P养分的适当补充。     

A review on breeding and genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of current study was to review breeding progress and update information on genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes. Iranian buffalo is one of the vital domestic animals throughout north, north-west, south and south-west of Iran with measurable characteristics both in milk and meat production. The species plays an important role in rural economy of the country due to its unique characteristics such as resistance to diseases and parasites, having long productive lifespan and showing higher capability of consuming low-quality forage. In Iran, total production of milk and meat devoted to buffaloes are 293,000 and 24,700 tons, respectively. Selection activities and milk yield recording are carrying out by the central government through the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran. The main breeding activities of Iranian buffaloes included the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for performance traits using different models and methods, estimation of economic values and selection criteria and analysis of population structure. Incorporating different aspects of dairy buffalo management together with improved housing, nutrition, breeding and milking, is known to produce significant improvements in buffalo production. Therefore, identifying genetic potential of Iranian buffaloes, selection of superior breeds, improving nutritional management and reproduction and developing the education and increasing the skills of practical breeders can be useful in order to enhance the performance and profitability of Iranian buffaloes.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir,Ethiopia

Haemonchus contortus is a parasite of major economic importance of most sheep-rearing areas of the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 with objectives of determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. Of the total 7000 sheep slaughtered during the study time period, 384 sheep were randomly selected and examined for parasites. The overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection was 264 (68.75%). Infection rate of poor body condition animals was significantly (P?=?0.000) higher than good body conditioned animals. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) values (%) of parasitemic and aparasitemic sheep were 23.73?±?3.7 SD and 37.66?±?4.736 SD, respectively. The prevalence in adult sheep (>?1 year) was insignificantly (P?=?0.653) higher than that of young sheep (≤?1 year). The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep that originated from Seka district (73.3%) and the lowest in Kersa district (63.4%) with non-significant variation (P?=?0.691). The highest monthly mean worm burdens and prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection were recorded in November and lowest in March. The current study revealed that Haemonchus contortus infection is an important and common parasitic disease and requires special attention to its control.     

Can treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachiaria decumbens</Emphasis> (signal grass) improve its utilisation in the diet in small ruminants?—a review

Brachiaria decumbens is an extremely productive tropical grass due to its aggressive growth habit and its adaptation to a varied range of soil types and environments. As a result of the vast availability, treated B. decumbens demonstrates as a promising local material that could be utilised as an improved diet for sheep and goats. Despite the fact that the grass significantly increases weight gains in grazing farm animals, there were many reports of general ill-thrift and sporadic outbreaks of photosensitivity in livestock due to the toxic compound of steroidal saponin found in B. decumbens. Ensiling and haymaking were found to be effective in removing toxin and undesirable compounds in the grass. Biological treatments using urea, activated charcoal, polyethylene glycol, and effective microorganisms were found to be useful in anti-nutritional factor deactivation and improving the nutritive values of feedstuffs. Besides, oral administration of phenobarbitone showed some degree of protection in sheep that fed on B. decumbens pasture. In this review, we aim to determine the effect of B. decumbens toxicity and possible treatment methods on the grass to be used as an improved diet for small ruminant.     

Stem cell factor supports migration in canine mesenchymal stem cells

Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) are cells that can be defined as multipotent cells able to differentiate into diverse lineages, under appropriate conditions. These cells have been widely used in regenerative medicine, both in preclinical and clinical settings. Initially discovered in bone marrow, MSC can now be isolated from a wide spectrum of adult and foetal tissues. Studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these cells are based on their ability to arrive to damaged tissues. In this paper we have done a comparative study analyzing proliferation, surface markers and OCT4, SOX9, RUNX2, PPARG genes expression in MSC cells from Bone marrow (BMMSC) and Adipose tissue (ASC). We also analyzed the role of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) on MSC proliferation and on ASCs metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9 secretion. Healthy dogs were used as BMMSC donors, and ASC were collected from omentum during elective ovariohysterectomy surgery. Both cell types were cultured in IMDM medium with or without SCF, 10% Dog Serum (DS), and incubated at 38 °C with 5% CO2. Growth of BMMSCs and ASCs was exponential until 25–30 days. Flow citometry of MSCs revealed positive results for CD90 and negative for CD34, CD45 and MCH-II. Genes were evaluated by RT-PCR and metalloproteinases by zymografy. Our findings indicate morphological and immunological similarities as well as expression of genes from both origins on analyzed cells. Furthermore, SCF did not affect proliferation of MSCs, however it up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in ASCs. These results suggest that metalloproteinases are possibly essential molecules pivoting migration.     

Risk factors associated with feline urolithiasis

Urinary tract diseases are among the main reasons for consultation in veterinary clinics and hospitals. It affects animals of any age, breed and gender. Among the diseases that affect this system, urolithiasis is the second largest cause of clinical signs compatible with feline urinary tract disease. The term urolithiasis refers to the presence of uroliths in any region of the urinary tract, but it is more commonly seen in the bladder and urethra. Uroliths are classified based on the type of mineral present in their composition, therefore, quantitative and qualitative analyzes are important for a better therapeutic approach. The animals may suffer from the disease and be asymptomatic, or show nonspecific clinical signs, making the diagnosis difficult. The disease should not be seen as a single problem, but as a consequence of various disorders. As dietary, metabolic, genetic and infectious causes, as well as factors that potentiate the chance of development of uroliths such as breed, age, sex, age range, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, geographic region and climate. Thus, the knowledge of the factors that influence the formation of uroliths, as well as the understanding of the pathophysiology, are key elements for better alternatives of therapy and prevention. The recognition of these factors helps to identify susceptible populations, minimizing exposure and increasing the protection factors, which facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of patients with urolithiasis. The objective of this paper is to present the main risk factors involved in the formation of urinary lithiasis in felines.     

Genomic characterization of the first oral avian papillomavirus in a colony of breeding canaries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Serinus canaria</Emphasis>)

Papillomaviruses are non-enveloped, DNA viruses that infect skin and mucosa of a wide variety of vertebrates, causing neoplasias or simply persisting asymptomatically. Avian papillomaviruses, with six fully sequenced genomes, are the second most studied group after mammalian papillomaviruses. In this study, we describe the first oral avian papillomavirus, detected in the tongue of a dead Yorkshire canary (Serinus canaria) and in oral swabs of the same bird and other two live canaries from an aviary in Madrid, Spain. Its genome is 8,071 bp and presents the canonical papillomavirus architecture with six early (E6, E7, E1, E9, E2, E4) and two late open reading frames (L1 and L2) and a long control region between L1 and E6. This new avian papillomavirus L1 gene shares a 64% pairwise identity with FcPV1 L1, so it has been classified as a new species (ScPV1) within the Ethapapillomavirus genus. Although the canary died after showing breathing problems, there is no evidence that the papillomavirus caused those symptoms so it could be part of the oral microbiota of the birds. Hence, future investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of the virus.