Re: Advances in animal welfare in New Zealand

Extract

The review article which appeared in the Jubilee Issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal (Stafford et al 2002) provided a good summary of recent research into the animal suffering associated with normal farming practices and pest control. In many cases, such research has been helpful in making improvements to animal welfare regulations, and the knowledge gained may prove even more useful in making further beneficial changes during the current submission round on codes of ethical conduct.     

Assessment of serum thyroid hormone concentrations in lambs with selenium deficiency myopathy

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in serum concentrations of thyroid hormones associated with selenium deficiency myopathy in lambs. ANIMALS: 35 lambs with selenium deficiency myopathy and 30 healthy lambs. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture from lambs with selenium deficiency myopathy and healthy lambs. Activities of markers of selenium deficiency myopathy (erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] and plasma creatine kinase [CK]) and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (tT(4)) and total triiodothyronine (tT(3)) concentrations were assessed; values in affected lambs were compared with those in healthy lambs. Correlations of erythrocyte GSH-Px and plasma CK activities with serum concentrations of TSH, tT(4), and tT(3) were investigated, and the tT(3):tT(4) concentration ratio was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with findings in healthy lambs, erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, serum tT(3) concentration, and tT(3):tT(4) concentration ratio were significantly decreased and serum concentrations of tT(4) and TSH and the activity of plasma CK were significantly increased in affected lambs. Analysis revealed a significant negative correlation in the affected group between erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and each of the following: plasma CK activity (r = -0.443), serum TSH concentration (r = -0.599), serum tT(4) concentration (r = -0.577), and serum tT(3) concentration (r = -0.621). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that notable changes in circulating amounts of thyroid hormones develop in association with selenium deficiency in lambs. Such alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism may be involved in the high incidence of disorders, such as stillbirths and neonatal deaths, in selenium-deficient flocks.     

猪仿生消化中小肠阶段消化酶对饲粮总能与粗蛋白质消化率的贡献

本试验旨在探讨猪仿生消化中小肠阶段主要消化酶的组成及活性对饲粮养分消化率的贡献,为仿生消化法评定猪饲粮养分的消化率提供参考。试验采用单因素完全随机设计,5个处理分别为胃模拟消化、胃+小肠(淀粉酶)模拟消化、胃+小肠(淀粉酶+糜蛋白酶)模拟消化、胃+小肠(淀粉酶+糜蛋白酶+胰蛋白酶)模拟消化、胃+小肠(淀粉酶+糜蛋白酶+胰蛋白酶+小肠消化4 h时补充消化酶)模拟消化,每个处理5个重复,每个重复1根消化管。考察各处理条件下玉米、豆粕、小麦麸及玉米-豆粕型饲粮的干物质、粗蛋白质及总能消化率的差异和各消化酶的贡献。结果表明:1)模拟小肠液中淀粉酶、糜蛋白酶均可显著提高胃消化后玉米、豆粕、小麦麸及玉米-豆粕型饲粮的干物质、粗蛋白质以及总能的消化率(P<0.05);胰蛋白酶可以进一步提高胃消化后豆粕、小麦麸的干物质、粗蛋白质以及总能消化率(P<0.05);补充3种消化酶可以提高对小麦麸粗蛋白质及玉米-豆粕型饲粮干物质、粗蛋白质及总能的消化率(P<0.05)。2)小肠液中消化酶对饲粮养分消化率的贡献上,因饲粮底物的不同而异,其中淀粉酶、糜蛋白酶对总能和粗蛋白质消化率的贡献相对较高,而胰蛋白酶和补充消化酶对饲粮养分消化率的贡献虽然相对较少,但也可以引起消化率显著性差异(P<0.05)。在猪的小肠模拟消化阶段,淀粉酶、糜蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶及补充消化酶对饲粮养分的消化程度均有显著性贡献。     

基于动物福利的羊捻转血矛线虫病防控技术研究进展

捻转血矛线虫是牛羊等反刍动物常见的寄生蠕虫,该虫寄生在牛羊等宿主体内,可导致宿主贫血,给畜牧业生产带来巨大的损失。近年来,随着国内对动物福利理念的普及,基于动物福利的疫病防控技术受到越来越多的重视,然而却未见基于此的相关论述。论文就现有羊捻转血矛线虫病防控技术,包括药物防控、生物防控、疫苗预防等进行综述,为今后研发基于动物福利的羊捻转血矛线虫病防控技术提供参考。     

Intestinal surgery in small animals: historical foundations,current thinking,and future horizons

Intestinal wounds require precise closure after intestinal biopsy, enterotomy, or enterectomy in small animals. Preexisting factors such as intra‐abdominal sepsis and hypoalbuminemia as well as poor surgical technique increase the risk of intestinal dehiscence, with considerable negative impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Live dog studies have demonstrated the dangers of mucosal eversion especially in the septic abdomen. Approximating patterns preserve luminal diameter, heal optimally, and have equal bursting strength compared with inverting patterns after 24 hours. Simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns and disposable skin staples are established alternatives for manual wound closure. Knotless quilled suture currently used in laparoscopic gastropexy techniques shows bursting strength equal to monofilament sutures in dog cadaveric intestine. Dehiscence rates with hand sewn vs titanium automated stapling anastomosis are similar in uncomplicated cases; however, auto stapling devices may be the preferred method of anastomosis when preexisting abdominal sepsis is present and when patient size allows it. Regardless of the technique, current standard of care involves leak testing and omental wrapping, followed by early postoperative feeding. The past decade has ushered in an exciting new era of laparoscopic assisted techniques that have the potential to reduce postoperative pain and patient morbidity. An understanding of these applications will establish the future of minimally invasive small animal intestinal surgery for veterinary specialists. In summary, surgeons have a variety of methods at their disposal for optimal clinical outcome in small animal intestinal surgery.     

短期休牧对克氏针茅草原植物群落物种多样性及稳定性影响研究

文章采用野外植物样方采取及实验室数据分析相结合的方法,以阿巴嘎旗北部牧户常年放牧和隔年休牧的冬季草场为例,探讨短期休牧对克氏针茅草原植物物种多样性及群落稳定性的影响。结论如下:(1)两个草场植物群落内植物数量差异不大,主要差异表现在主要植物的平均重要值及两个草场仅有2对共优种。此外,短期休牧冬季草场的禾本科植物比重提升的同时,一年生藜科植物也显著提升;(2)短期休牧冬季草场的植物群落物种多样性指数略高于常年放牧冬季草场,但差异不显著;(3)两个草场植物群落处于中等相似水平,植物种间存在分异化趋势;(4)短期休牧冬季草场植物群落总体呈微弱正联结,种间联结松散,处于正向演替阶段,常年放牧冬季草场呈微弱负相关,群落较不稳定,存在一定退化风险;(5)两个草场的植物群落离稳定性都有一定差距,但短期休牧冬季草场植物群落稳定性略好于常年放牧冬季草场。可见,短期休牧有利于克氏针茅草原植物群落物种多样性和稳定性保持。     

Non-Destructive Evaluation of Edible Coatings Effects on Keeping Quality of European Plums (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus domestica</Emphasis> L.) by Laser Light Backscattering Imaging

Fruits of European plum (Prunus domestica L.) show high rates of transpiration. Consequently, they are highly perishable fruit. In the present study, the potential of an edible coating (Versasheen®-based with sorbitol as plasticizer) to improve storage life and keeping quality was evaluated on fruit of the plum cultivars ‘Jojo’ and ‘Tophit plus’. Plums were picked at commercial harvest date and stored at 2?±?0.5?°C (90?±?2% rh) for up to 28?d plus 2?d at 20?°C to simulate shelf life. Every seventh day, plums were analysed for transpiration, colour changes and laser light backscattering imaging (LLBI) at a wavelength of 785?nm to non-destructively investigate variations in quality properties of plums. Finally, fruit flesh firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity were determined destructively. Results indicated that coating of fruit of both cultivars increased their surface resistance against water vapour transfer resulting in lower transpiration rates and thus lower mass losses compared to controls. Consequently, coating of fruit considerably delayed the decrease in flesh firmness. Moreover, edible coating retarded the increase of FWHM785 in coated plums. In this context, FWHM785 proved as a rapid and non-destructive tool to monitor changes in mechanical properties in heavily coloured plums. Results highlight that edible coatings successfully extend post-harvest life of plums.     

Abscisic acid alleviates the deleterious effects of cold stress on ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants by improving the anti-oxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity of leaves

The effects of exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) on anti-oxidant enzyme activities and photosynthetic capacity in ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) were investigated under cold stress. When vines had an average of 15 leaves, 0 (control), 50, 100, or 200 µM ABA was sprayed to run-off on all leaves of each plant. Twenty-four hours after foliar spraying with ABA, half (n = 5) of the water-only control vines and half (n = 5) of each group of ABA-treated plants were subjected to 4°C for 12 h, followed by a recovery period of 3 d under greenhouse conditions (25°/18°C day/night). The remaining plants in each treatment group were kept at 24°C. Cold stress increased H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in vine leaves, whereas all foliar ABA treatments significantly reduced their levels. Chilled plants showed marked increases in their total soluble protein contents in response to each ABA treatment. ABA significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase in cold-stressed grapevine leaves. In contrast, cold stress markedly decreased the rates of leaf photosynthesis (A) and evaporation (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), and chlorophyll concentrations in leaves, but increased intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i) in leaves. Treatment with all concentrations of ABA resulted in lower leaf A, E, and g_s values, but higher C_i values at 24°C. However, following cold stress, ABA-treated vines showed higher leaf A, E, and g_s values, but lower C_i values compared to control vines without ABA treatment. The application of 50–200 µM ABA allowed chilled vines to recover more quickly when re-exposed to normal temperatures, enabling the vines to resume their photosynthetic capacity more efficiently following cold stress. These results showed that, by stimulating anti-oxidant enzyme systems and alleviating cold-induced stomatal limitations, ABA reduced the inhibitory effect of cold stress on the rate of CO₂ fixation in ‘Sultana’ grapevine plants.     

Self-assembled aggregates of rod-coil block copolymers and their solubilization and encapsulation of fullerenes

Amphiphilic poly(phenylquinoline)-block-polystyrene rod-coil diblock copolymers were observed to self-organize into robust, micrometer-scale, spherical, vesicular, cylindrical, and lamellar aggregates from solution. These diverse aggregate morphologies were seen at each composition, but their size scale decreased with a decreasing fraction of the rigid-rod block. Compared to coil-coil block copolymer micelles, the present aggregates are larger by about two orders of magnitude and have aggregation numbers of over 10(8). The spherical and cylindrical aggregates have large hollow cavities. Only spherical aggregates with aggregation numbers in excess of 10(9) were formed in the presence of fullerenes (C60, C70) in solution, resulting in the solubilization and encapsulation of over 10(10) fullerene molecules per aggregate.     

Tracking the long-term decline and recovery of an isolated population

Effects of small population size and reduced genetic variation on the viability of wild animal populations remain controversial. During a 35-year study of a remnant population of greater prairie chickens, population size decreased from 2000 individuals in 1962 to fewer than 50 by 1994. Concurrently, both fitness, as measured by fertility and hatching rates of eggs, and genetic diversity declined significantly. Conservation measures initiated in 1992 with translocations of birds from large, genetically diverse populations restored egg viability. Thus, sufficient genetic resources appear to be critical for maintaining populations of greater prairie chickens.