Role of genetically engineered animals in future food production

Genetically engineered (GE) animals are likely to have an important role in the future in meeting the food demand of a burgeoning global population. There have already been many notable achievements using this technology in livestock, poultry and aquatic species. In particular, the use of RNA interference (RNAi) to produce virus‐resistant animals is a rapidly‐developing area of research. However, despite the promise of this technology, very few GE animals have been commercialised. This review aims to provide information so that veterinarians and animal health scientists are better able to participate in the debate on GE animals.     

Heat stress as a manageable risk factor to mitigate pneumonia in lambs

Abstract

Extract

The paper by Goodwin et al (2004 Goodwin, KA, Jackson, R, Brown, C, Davies, PR, Morris, RS and Perkins, NR. 2004. Pneumonic lesions in lambs in New Zealand: patterns of prevalence and effects on production. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 52: 175–9. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) which appeared in the August 2004 issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal highlighted the prevalence and costs to the sheep industry of pneumonia in lambs. The costs are considerable, and the article begs the question, “what can sheep farmers do to reduce the effects of pneumonia in lambs?”     

Characterisation of a potentially abortigenic strain of feline calicivirus isolated from a domestic cat.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) was isolated from one of four dead fetuses delivered by ovariohysterectomy from a queen with an acute FCV infection. The most prominent lesions in the fetuses were petechial haemorrhages in the skin. The virus isolated was characterised as FCV by antigenic analysis and cDNA sequence analysis. This is the second report of abortion associated with acute FCV infection.     

The influence of diel period on fish assemblage in the unstructured littoral of reservoirs

Abstract Diel changes in littoral fish assemblage were studied in four reservoirs in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The sampling was performed by beach seining in an unstructured littoral zone. Perch, Perca fluviatilis L., roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), bream, Abramis brama (L.), carp, Cyprinus carpio L., ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernua (L.), pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.), eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.) and A. brama × R. rutilus hybrids exhibited higher densities at night. Only bleak, Alburnus alburnus (L.) exhibited higher densities during the day. The number of species was higher in night hauls, and mean body size of roach and bleak was also higher at night. Diel changes in fish densities resulted in the change in species composition between day and night. The study has implication for the sampling design to assess littoral fish assemblages using beach seine netting and recommends night sampling for a representative assessment or sampling during both diel periods for a robust assessment.     

Habitat suitability,coverage by protected areas and population connectivity for the Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis Schneider, 1801

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A comparison of the nutritive values of early and late varieties of timothy

In vitro digestibility, fibre, lignin and protein were determined in 50 varieties of timothy differing markedly in maturity date. The grasses were field-grown as single plants and were sampled at 10% ear emergence, 30% flowering and the mature seed stage and were compared in four groups according to date of ear emergence.
Significant differences were found between maturity groups in digestibility and protein concentration particularly at the earlier growth stages. Considerable variation also occurred within maturity groups. Differences in digestibility, fibre, lignin and protein were significantly correlated with the number of days between 30 April and harvest date.
The results are discussed in the context of an appropriate evaluation scheme for timothy varieties.     

新疆褐牛体尺性状指标与体重的主成分分析

选择30头18月龄左右新疆褐牛进行体尺、体重测定,选择累计贡献率达89.505%的7个主成分进行分析。结果表明,新疆褐牛体尺指标尻长、腰角宽、髋宽、坐骨宽及体重的变异较大,选育潜力大;体重与体斜长、胸围、腰角宽、髋宽等指标存在极显著相关（P＜0.01）,与管围呈显著相关（P＜0.05）;从主成分的特征根与累计贡献率来看,第1至第3主成分起主导作用的第1主成分主要反映体型外貌特征,第2主成分主要反映尻部特征,第3主成分主要反映后躯特征。     

Influence of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on the plant water relations,gas exchange and growth of Chenopodium quinoa at limited water availability

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Piriformospora indica to colonize the root of Chenopodium quinoa and to verify whether this endosymbiont can improve the growth, performance and drought resistance of this species. The study delivered, for the first time, evidence for successful colonization of P. indica in quinoa. Hence, pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse, where inoculated and non‐inoculated plants were subjected to ample (40%–50% WHC) and deficit (15%–20%WHC) irrigation treatments. Drought adversely influenced the plant growth, leading to decline the total plant biomass by 74%. This was linked to an impaired photosynthetic activity (caused by lower g_s and C_i/C_a ratio; stomatal limitation of photosynthesis) and a higher risk of ROS production (enhanced ETR/A_gross ratio). P. indica colonization improved quinoa plant growth, with total biomass increased by 8% (controls) and 76% (drought‐stressed plants), confirming the growth‐promoting activity of P. indica. Fungal colonization seems to diminish drought‐induced growth hindrance, likely, through an improved water balance, reflected by the higher leaf ψ_w and g_s. Additionally, stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was alleviated (indicated by enhanced C_i/C_a ratio and A_net), so that the threat of oxidative stress was minimized (decreased ETR/A_gross). These results infer that symbiosis with P. indica could negate some of the detrimental effects of drought on quinoa growth, a highly desired feature, in particular at low water availability.