Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA-Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.     

12种藏药对鸡胚成纤维细胞的安全浓度和生长的影响

用MTT法测定了藏菖蒲、红景天、决明子、灵芝盖、灵芝柄、龙胆、天冬、降香、乳香、仁青芒觉、二十五味珍珠丸、二十五味松石丸等12种藏药对体外培养的鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)的安全浓度和生长的影响.结果显示,各藏药的最大安全质量浓度红景天为31.25 mg/L,天冬、降香、决明子和二十五味松石丸为62.5 mg/L,乳香为125mg/L,二十五味珍珠丸为250 mg/L,藏菖蒲和灵芝柄为1 000 mg/L,龙胆和仁青芒觉为2 500 mg/L,灵芝盖为5 000 mg/L,藏菖蒲为1.954～500 mg/L,天冬为1.954～15.625 mg/L,决明子为1.954～3.907 mg/L,灵芝柄为1.954～7.813 mg/L,仁青芒觉为19.54～1 250 mg/L,龙胆为312.5～625 mg/L,可显著促进细胞生长.     

搜爆犬训练应把握好“四个奖励点”

在搜爆犬的初期训练中,为了尽快提高训练犬的兴奋性,培养出犬对训练物品的衔取欲和占有欲,对犬的奖励要做到充分、及时、准确,恰当地把握好强化的量、点和时机,以达到预期的训练效果.具体来讲,要注重做到以下"四个奖励点"的把握.     

A novel herpesvirus associated with chronic superficial keratitis and proliferative conjunctivitis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

An adult great‐horned owl (Bubo virginianus; GHOW) presented with a history of recurrent corneal ulceration of the right eye (OD). Findings included ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes. The ulcer was initially nonresponsive to medical therapy, but showed rapid and appropriate healing following diamond burr debridement. Proliferative conjunctivitis markedly improved following topical antiviral therapy with cidofovir 1%, interferon alpha 2B ophthalmic solutions, and oral l ‐lysine. Histopathologic evaluation of a conjunctival biopsy revealed epithelial features suspicious for viral cytopathic changes and intranuclear structures suspicious for viral inclusions, suggestive of a possible viral‐induced papillomatous conjunctivitis. A novel alphaherpesvirus, referred to as Strigid Herpesvirus 1 (StrHV1), was identified using PCR and gene sequencing. This case represents a new clinical manifestation of a previously unreported herpesvirus in the GHOW. Identification of the herpes virus was critical to administration of appropriate therapy and resolution of the conjunctivitis, and corneal epithelial debridement promoted resolution of the chronic corneal epithelial defect.     

Tulathromycin enhances humoral but not cellular immune response in pigs vaccinated against swine influenza

The effect of a standard, single dose therapy with tulathromycin was investigated on the postvaccinal humoral and cellular immune response in pigs vaccinated against swine influenza. Forty‐five pigs, divided into 3 groups, were used (control not vaccinated (C, n = 15), control vaccinated (CV, n = 15), and experimentally received tulathromycin (TUL, n = 15)). For vaccination of pigs, an inactivated, commercial vaccine was used. Pigs from TUL group received single dose of tulathromycin intramuscularly, at the recommended dose (2.5 mg/kg body weight). Pigs from TUL and CV groups were vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks of age. The specific humoral and cellular immune response against swine influenza virus (SIV) was evaluated. The results of present study showed that humoral postvaccinal response after vaccination against SIV can be modulated by treatment with tulathromycin. In pigs from TUL group, the significantly higher titers of anti‐SIV‐specific antibodies were observed 4 and 6 weeks after booster dose of vaccine. Simultaneously, T‐cell‐mediated immune response against SIV was not affected by tulathromycin. Our recent study confirmed the importance of defining the modulatory activity of tulathromycin because of its influence on the immune response to vaccines. Since the antibodies against hemagglutinin are crucial for the protection against SIV, the present observations should prompt further studies on the practical significance of recent results in terms of clinical implications (postvaccinal protection) in the field conditions.     

ZD制剂对马肢蹄软组织损伤部位肌组织形态及VEGF和bFGF表达的影响

ZD制剂为治疗马非开放性软组织损伤的经典验方,为探索其作用机制,通过建立马前肢急性软组织损伤模型,对其进行组织形态学观察,评价ZD制剂对马急性软组织损伤的作用效果,采用免疫组织化学方法检测ZD制剂对VEGF、bFGF在肌肉中表达的影响。用20匹蒙古马随机分为4组,选取左前肢肩部臂部肌肉,制造急性软组织损伤模型。于造模前、后用取样器进行组织取样,制作成石蜡切片,观察其形态学变化,用免疫组织化学方法对阳性细胞分析VEGF、bFGF的表达。结果表明,试验药物组在损伤后的修复能力优于阳性药物组和阴性对照组。表明ZD制剂可通过促进成纤维细胞、毛细血管新生和肌细胞的生成来进行组织的修复再生,试验药物组在损伤后VEGF、bFGF的表达优于阴性对照组和阳性药物组,ZD制剂可能通过提高VEGF、bFGF的表达进行损伤的修复。     

当前畜产品质量安全问题与对策刍议

放心肉、放心奶、放心蛋真能让人放心么?近年来,国际上先后发生牲畜口蹄疫、疯牛病、二口恶英、禽流感事件,我国也相继发生"瘦肉精"、"苏丹红"事件及亚洲I型口蹄疫、禽流感、人感染猪链球菌病、高致病性猪蓝耳病、兽药残留等问题。2008年9月石家庄三鹿奶粉事