Genetic screening of FecB,FecXG and FecXI mutations and their linkage with litter size in Barki and Rahmani sheep breeds

Characterization of fecundity genes offers the opportunity to improve production efficiency, and the consequent increase in litter size in livestock industry, through utilizing them in breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to detect the BMPR‐IB, BMP15 and GDF9 gene mutations and to investigate whether these mutations are associated with litter size in Egyptian sheep breeds. To achieve this goal, 73 adult ewes representing Barki (n = 33) and Rahmani (n = 40) breeds were used. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) screening approach was used to detect the presence of FecB, FecX^G and FecX^I mutations in the two selected breeds. Results of this study showed that the three different candidate gene mutations, namely FecB, FecX^G and FecX^I are not present among these selected populations of the Egyptian breeds. Further studies regarding other mutations and/or other genes, which may influence ovulation rate, should be carried out to determine the type and mode of inheritance of such genes in Egyptian sheep breeds.     

Frequency of pancreatic amyloid deposition in cats from south-eastern Queensland

Summary Stereological procedures were used to estimate the amount of amyloid deposition in the pancreatic islets of 83 cats from random sources in south-eastern Queensland. Most had only minor deposits of less than 20% of islet volume (median 9%), but deposits equal to more than 50% of the islet volume were found in 10% of the cats. Amyloid deposition in pancreatic islets was correlated with the age of the cat. Although similar observations have been made previously in cats from the USA, the frequency of amyloid deposition was higher in this population of cats from south-eastern Queensland.     

An unusual presentation of suspected oedema disease of swine in Kenya

From a group of 11 recently weaned pigs, 4 were reported to be sick. Clinical examination of the sick pigs revealed marked dyspnoea, bluish-red discolouration of the skin, incoordination and difficulty in walking. Bacteriological examination of the gut contents of 2 pigs that had died earlier yielded pure cultures of haemolytic Escherichia coli. Post mortem examination of the remaining 2 pigs that died subsequently revealed progressive pulmonary collapse. One of these also showed subcutaneous oedema of the head and marked oedema of the mesentery of the spiral colon and oedema of the brain. Microscopically there was pulmonary alveolar collapse and degenerative changes in the liver. On the basis of the clinical signs, isolation of haemolytic E. coli and the post mortem findings, a diagnosis of oedema disease was made.     

Novel polymorphism of the canine dopamine receptor D4 gene intron II region

Various dog breeds are remarkably different from each other not only in their sizes and shapes but also in behavioral traits, suggesting that some of these characteristics are under genetic control. However, little is known about genes related to behavioral traits in canine species. In humans, it has been reported that the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) includes polymorphism at several regions that relate to personality or psychiatric disorders. In an earlier study by the authors of the present study, the polymorphisms in canine DRD4 exon III and exon I regions were reported. In the present study, a novel polymorphism in canine DRD4 intron II was found based on a 17 base pair insertion/deletion, and the two alleles detected were named P (shorter allele) and Q (longer allele). The allelic distribution in 28 breeds of dog, including a total of 1114 unrelated individuals, were then investigated. Both P and Q alleles were detected in most of the breeds investigated; however, the frequencies of P and Q differed greatly between breeds. With respect to classification based on breed origin, P and Q alleles were frequent in Occidental and Oriental breeds, respectively. Furthermore, two subspecies of wolves, the ancestors of dogs, were analyzed for the comparison of allele frequencies with dogs, and the P allele was predominant in both European and Chinese wolves.     

Microscopic changes in infected bovine teats

Two hundred and fifty-two teats from the udder quarters of 68 dairy cows were studied by bacteriological examination of quarter milk samples and microscopic examination of the teats. Of 252 quarters, 169 teats showed inflammatory changes, while 83 were of normal appearance. The inflammatory changes consisted of either neutrophil infiltrations, mononuclear cell infiltrations and fibrosis, or a combination of these changes. The reaction was restricted to the teat cisterns and/or Fürstenberg's rosettes, but very rarely also in the teat canal. In 136 of 169 cases, the inflammatory reaction was associated with bacteria in the milk, while in 33 cases no bacteria could be recovered from milk, in spite of inflammatory changes in the teat structures. Only 36 of 83 of normal teats were bacteriologically positive.     

新疆天然甜型葡萄酒原料种植区划研究

运用层次分析法和模糊数学综合评判方法,根据石河子、昌吉、吐鲁番等8个地区的无霜期、温度、积温和降水因素,建立了数学模型,并对新疆天然甜型葡萄酒原料种植区域进行了区划研究.结果表明:吐鲁番的综合评价最高,其次为和田,评价值分别为0.97和0.91,属非常适宜种植区;哈密和喀什的评价值分别为0.81和0.87,属适宜种植区;库尔勒的为0.71,属次适宜种植区,而石河子、昌吉和霍城的评价值均小于0.59,属不适宜种植区.     

含氮、磷、钾吸水保水剂的合成与性能研究

采用自由基聚合法,以过硫酸钾为引发剂,磷酸酯淀粉与丙烯酸钠和丙烯酸钾进行接枝共聚,合成了含磷、钾的高吸水树脂;磷酸酯淀粉与低中和度的丙烯酸接枝共聚合成的高吸水树脂用氨水浸泡,自然凉干得到含氮、磷、钾的高吸水树脂,详细考察了丙烯酸的中和度对吸水保水剂吸液性能的影响。通过实验得到了合成该吸水保水剂的适宜条件。     

辣椒新品种华美105的选育

华美105是以自交系HA015为母本,以抗CMV的株系LR002为父本杂交育成的螺丝形羊角椒。早熟,从定植到始收45 d(天)左右,首花节位在第9～10节。植株健壮,生长势强,叶片小,节间短,耐低温弱光。连续坐果能力强,单株结果 25～30个,单果质量80～120 g,产量稳定在8 500 kg·(667 m~2)~(-1)以上。青熟果深渌色,老熟果红色,辣味中等,肉质脆嫩,市场接受度高。田间对CMV和疫病的抗性强于对照陇椒3号。适合北方早春、秋延后、越冬设施及南方露地栽培。     

绵羊放牧方式及强度对围封恢复草场牧草细胞壁成分及营养价值的影响

选取内蒙古自治区典型草原区封育恢复中天然放牧草场,进行毛肉兼用细毛羊的暖季放牧试验.采用2×5完全随机试验设计,设定不同放牧方式（不放牧,连续放牧,四区、五区、六区轮牧）及2种放牧强度（1.0,1.4 hm2/un.sh）,运用酶分析方法分析比较了围封过程中放牧绵羊对封育草场牧草细胞壁成分月动态变化及营养价值的影响.结果表明,整个暖季放牧期内,不同放牧区牧草营养物质含量主要受到放牧方式的显著影响（P＜0.05）.具体表现为,不放牧处理牧草细胞壁有机物（OCW）含量始终显著低于各放牧处理,不同放牧处理间没有明显差异;划区轮牧处理牧草始终保持着较高的消化性部分且显著高于连续放牧处理;不放牧处理牧草始终保持着较高的Oa和较低的Ob,而连续放牧处理与其相反,各轮牧处理间没有显著差异;轮牧处理总可消化养分（TDN）和代谢能（ME）含量较高,尤其在牧草生长旺盛期（八月份）,六区轮牧放牧场牧草可利用营养物质含量最高,营养价值最高.