Effect of Oestrous Synchronization with Estradiol 17β and Progesterone on Follicular Wave Dynamics in Dairy Heifers

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of estradiol‐17β (E17β) on follicular wave dynamics and ovulatory response in Holstein heifers receiving either a progestogen ear‐implant (Crestar^®; Intervet International b.v. Boxmeer, The Netherlands) or an intravaginal progesterone‐releasing device [controlled internal drug release‐bovine device (Eazibreed, CIDR‐B^®; Bodinco BV, Alkmaar, The Netherlands)]. For comparison, another group of heifers was also synchronized using Crestar plus an injection of estradiol valerate (EV) and norgestomet as recommended by the pharmaceutical company. Twenty 20–22‐month‐old cycling Holstein heifers were allocated to one of the following treatment groups at random stages of the oestrous cycle: (I) simultaneous insertion of Crestar and intramuscular injection of 3 mg norgestomet and 5 mg EV (Crestar 9 + EV 9); (II) simultaneous insertion of Crestar and intramuscular injection of 5 mg E17β (Crestar 9 + E17β 9); (III) insertion of Crestar followed 2 days later by intramuscular injection of 5 mg E17β (Crestar 9 + E17β 7); or (IV) insertion of CIDR‐B device followed 2 days later by intramuscular injection of 5 mg E17β (CIDR 9 + E17β 7). The CIDR‐B or Crestar implants were removed after 9 days and all heifers received 500 μg Cloprostenol (Estrumate^®, Pitman‐Moore Nederland BV, Houten, The Netherlands). Ovarian ultrasonographic examinations were performed once daily during the synchronization period using a B‐mode scanner equipped with a 7.5 MHz linear‐array transrectal transducer. In addition, heifers were scanned every 12 h after implant/device withdrawal until 3 days after ovulation in order to monitor follicular activity, detect ovulation and subsequent early luteal formation. Detection of oestrus was performed every 6 h for 4 days after device/implant removal. Oestrus was observed 24–32 h before ovulation in all heifers. The mean hours interval from treatment withdrawal to ovulation was not significantly different (84.0 ± 16.5, 77.6 ± 4.1, 73.6 ± 4.1 and 64.0 ± 4.4 h for treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively; p > 0.1). However, the variance for heifers treated with EV + norgestomet was significantly larger (Levene’s Test; p < 0.01) than those treated with E17β. All E17β treatments resulted in dominant follicle suppression and a new wave emerged 4.1 days after treatment compared with 6.6 days for the EV + norgestomet treatment (p < 0.05). The time from emergence of the new ovulatory wave to ovulation was longer for the new wave that emerged after E17β treatment (9.2 ± 0.3 days) than after EV + norgestomet treatment (6.9 ± 0.4 days; p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the four treatments used were effective in inducing synchronous behavioural oestrus and ovulation. However, a higher degree of oestrus and ovulation synchrony was observed in heifers treated with E17β than in heifers treated with EV + norgestomet. Synchronization treatments with exogenous E17β or EV + norgestomet at the time of progestin device insertion (Crestar or CIDR‐B) or 2 days later in heifers can regulate a different emergence pattern of ovarian follicular development in randomly cyclic heifers. The E17β was effective in inducing follicular suppression and resulted in the consistent emergence of a new follicular wave.     

Effects of Benzyl Adenine and Abscisic Acid on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Triticale and Wheat

Grain yield and yield components (grains per ear, grain weight, 1000-grain weight, ear weight, ear seed ratio and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed) were examined in a wheat genotype (PBW-343) with well-filled grains and a Triticale genotype (DT-46) with poorly filled grains (showing grain shrivelling) grown in pots. Six days after anthesis (DAA), benzyladenine (BA) @2 µg ear⁻¹ and abscisic acid (ABA) @4 µg ear⁻¹ were injected at the base of the mother shoot ear in both species. It was observed that, in both wheat and Triticale , BA increased the grain weight, grain number and partitioning of dry matter between ear and seed, whereas ABA decreased the grain weight, grain number and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed. However, these decreases were slower in Triticale than in wheat. BA treatment increased the grain dry matter accumulation, which in turn resulted in better filling of grains and increased the grain weight in both wheat and Triticale . The average grain weight of Triticale was lower than that of wheat. Thus, it appears that variation in grain weight between wheat and Triticale might be due to different availabilities of growth-promoting phytohormones such as cytokinins and assimilates.     

甘蓝型双低隐性核不育杂交种沪油杂1号的选育

沪油杂1号(原编号SH-19)是利用隐性上位互作核雄性不育系20118A育成的甘蓝型双低杂交油菜品种.20118A的育性由2对隐性重叠基因和1对隐性上位基因控制,基因型为aabbRfRf,临保系的基因型为aabbrfrf,恢复系的基因型为AA__或__BB__.沪油杂1号种子含油量42.43%,芥酸含量0.62%,硫甙含量24.23μmol/g.在上海市油菜区域试验中平均产量2 243.3kg/hm2,比双高对照汇油50增产11.9%,比双低对照沪油15增产3.8%;在上海市油菜生产试验中平均产量2 244.0kg/hm2,分别比对照汇油50增产33.6%,比对照沪油15增产15.9%.     

羊源链球菌的分群鉴定及多价灭活苗的研制

2000～2003年,从安阳、邯郸等6个地区采取280份羊的病料,从中分离到150株链球菌,对其中20株典型分离株进行了生化分群鉴定及兰氏分群A～G诊断试剂鉴定.结果表明,6个地区发生的羊的链球菌病主要由C群兽疫链球菌(7/20),D群(8/20),E群(2/20)引起.其分布无明显地域性.选择C、D、E群中各1株为菌种,制备多价链球菌灭活苗,通过免疫试验,保护率达92%以上,免疫期半年以上,疫苗4℃保存期1年以上,证明该灭活苗安全性好,免疫效果明显.     

辛亥革命前后张謇与袁世凯的交往

张謇与袁世凯的交往长达三十余年,他从最初的相识荐袁、拥袁合作、相互借重到后来的分离,张謇曾幻想依靠袁世凯实现自己“实业救国”的抱负,却以失败而告终。二人分分合合,充满波折的交往过程反映了中国近代资本主义发展的艰难与坎坷。     

“龙源”益生菌液在水稻及稻田养蟹上的应用效果

阐述了“龙源”益生菌液的应用效果,于水稻分蘖前期兑水冲施“龙源”益生菌液2～3次（每次2 L/667 m2）,可使水稻增产10%以上;蟹料添加6%,扣蟹增产23.1%.     

Survey of tick infestation and tick-borne ehrlichial infection of dogs in Ishigaki Island, Japan.

Twelve (54.5%) of 22 free-roaming dogs in Ishigaki Island had tick infestation identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus. There were 121 ticks recovered and consisted of 28 females, 58 males, 22 nymphs and 3 larvae. Infection of dogs possibly with canine ehrlichial pathogens was examined by both indirect immunofluorescence assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two dogs of the 13 examined were sero-positive for the human granulocytic ehrlichia agent, and one of two dogs was PCR positive for Ehrlichia platys. This dog had platelet numbers slightly lower than normal value, however, no morulae were found within platelet on peripheral blood smear stained with Giemsa.     

Trends in mortality ratios among cattle in US feedlots.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in feedlot cattle mortality ratios over time, by primary body system affected, and by type of animal. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Approximately 21.8 million cattle entering 121 feedlots in the United States during 1994 through 1999. PROCEDURES: Yearly and monthly mortality ratios were calculated. Numbers of deaths were modeled by use of Poisson regression methods for repeated measures. Relative risks of death over time and by animal type were estimated. RESULTS: Averaged over time, the mortality ratio was 12.6 deaths/1,000 cattle entering the feedlots. The mortality ratio increased from 10.3 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1994 to 14.2 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1999, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Cattle entering the feedlots during 1999 had a significantly increased risk (relative risk, 1.46) of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with cattle that entered during 1994, and respiratory tract disorders accounted for 57.1% of all deaths. Dairy cattle had a significantly increased risk of death of any cause, compared with beef steers. Beef heifers had a significantly increased risk of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with beef steers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that although overall yearly mortality ratio did not significantly increase during the study, the risk of death attributable to respiratory tract disorders was increased during most years, compared with risk of death during 1994. The increased rates of fatal respiratory tract disorders may also reflect increased rates of non-fatal respiratory tract disorders, which would be expected to have adverse production effects in surviving animals.