Genetic variability in French dog breeds assessed by pedigree data

Pedigree data of nine French dog breeds, namely Barbet (BAR), Basset fauve de Bretagne (BAF), Beauceron (BEN), Berger des Pyrénées (BRP), Bouledogue Français (BUF), Braque Saint‐Germain (BQG), Dogue de Bordeaux (DOB), Epagneul Breton (EPB) and Montagne des Pyrénées (MOP), were analysed. The effective numbers of ancestors of dogs born from 1997 to 2001 were equal to 6.7 (BAR), 40.2 (BAF), 36.5 (BEN), 16.0 (BRP), 37.0 (BUF), 13.1 (BQG), 28.9 (DOB), 33.3 (EPB) and 34.0 (MOP). The expected contributions of the major ancestors were found to be highly unbalanced in the EPB and BRP. The average coefficient of inbreeding of dogs born from 1997 to 2001 with both parents known was equal to 12.4% (BAR), 3.9% (BAF), 5.4% (BEN), 7.2% (BRP), 3.3% (BUF), 6.0% (BQG), 4.1% (DOB), 4.5% (EPB) and 4.0% (MOP). These values were found to be significantly higher than the average coefficient of kinship between the male and the female parents of these animals, except in the BAR and BQG, revealing an usual practice of mating between related animals. The results are discussed in relation with the demographic situation and the use of each breed. The method used to class an endangered breed and the ways to preserve the genetic variability, when necessary, are evoked.     

汇率及利率调整对商品进出口的影响

中国人民银行日前宣布,经国务院批准．自2005年7月21日起,我国开始施行以市场供求为基础、参考一篮子货币进行调节、有管理的浮动汇率制度。针对广大现货生产、加工、贸易企业关心的人民币汇率变动对利率以及进出口的影响,笔者略作探讨。     

Effects of Exogenous Glycine Betaine on the Physiological Characteristics in Medicago sativa Seedlings under Low-temperature Stress北大核心CSCD

In this study,the 'Ganong 5th' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was used as experimental material,and two application methods (leaf application,root application) and six exogenous betaine concentrations (0,10,20,30,40 and 50 mmol·L-1) were used to treat the seedlings of alfalfa. Plant growth and related physiological indexes were measured after 7 days of low temperature (4?) stress,and the physiological mechanism of exogenous betaine to alleviate the low temperature stress of alfalfa was explored. The results showed that exogenous GB alleviated the loss of plant height,root length,leaf dry weight,root dry weight and chlorophyll content,and increase the content of soluble sugar (SS) and free proline (Pro),and reduced the increase in leaf relative membrane permeability and MDA content. Exogenous GB increased antioxidant enzyme activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant content. And also,exogenous GB enhanced the osmotic adjustment capacity of the plant by increasing endogenous GB accumulation and BADH activity. These results indicated that exogenous GB enhanced the resistance of Medicago sativa to low-temperature stress under low temperature adjustment. The membership function analysis indicated that spraying 30 mmol·L-1 GB on the leaves and spraying 40 mmol·L-1 GB on the roots had the best effect on alleviating the low-temperature stress of alfalfa seedlings. © 2019 Ｊｏｕｒｎａｌ ｏｆ Ｒｅｆｒｉｇｅｒａｔｉｏｎ. All rights reserved.     

Thermoregulatory capacity of the Thoroughbred racehorse and its relationship to the pathogenesis of exertional heat illness

When racehorses fail to thermoregulate effectively, whether due to intrinsic or extrinsic factors, a condition called exertional heat illness (EHI) may occur, which can be life-threatening and represents a significant welfare issue. Horses usually become affected in the recovery phase soon after racing, so that a knowledge of the ‘normal’ thermoregulatory processes which operate at this time and their variations is essential to enable early detection of EHI. Racing in hot or warm and humid weather conditions represents the upper extreme of thermoregulatory variations, and observations on how horses normally recover at the racetrack may provide a clearer perspective on the physiology of that process for all sports horses. This review focuses on the post-exercise thermoregulatory capacity of the Thoroughbred racehorse, with a view to understanding the physiological mechanisms that should efficiently dissipate excess heat. The clinical manifestations of exertional heat illness are due to inadequate or harmful physiological responses, and if recognised and treated early can be effectively curtailed.     

Effect of several supplemental Chinese herbs additives on rumen fermentation, antioxidant function and nutrient digestibility in sheep

Two experiments were carried out in this study. Experiment 1 was conducted to examine the effects of several supplemental Chinese herbs on antioxidant function and slaughtered body weight in sheep. Results indicated that Fructus Ligustri Lucidi supplementation improved the blood antioxidant function [higher concentration of glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase and lower concentration of malondialdehyde] and slaughtered body weight in sheep (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 was conducted to investigate the effect of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract (FLLE) on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility in sheep. Four levels of FLLE treatments, i.e. 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg dry matter (DM), were used in this part. Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and propionate proportion, decreased ammonia-N concentration in the ruminal fluid, reduced blood urea nitrogen concentration at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Addition of FLLE at all dosages had no effect on ruminal pH value and acetate concentration at all sampling time points in sheep (p > 0.05). Dynamic degradation coefficient c of maize DM was significantly increased by supplementing FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on degradation coefficients a, b, c of DM and nitrogen of soybean meal; a, b of maize DM; a, b, c of maize nitrogen; and a, b, c of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of Chinese wildrye (p > 0.05). Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased DM and organic matter digestibility of diet (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on digestibility of diet's NDF, ADF and crude protein (p > 0.05). From the aforementioned results, it is indicated that FLLE improved antioxidant status and slaughtered body weight. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition has capability to modulate rumen fermentation, increase the maize degradation rate, total volatile fatty acid concentration and propionate proportion in sheep.     

美国乙醇市场和玉米消费

3月3日,美国乙醇工业协会(EIA)公布了12月美国乙醇产量报告,另外,近期报道称甲基叔丁基醚(MTBE)将停止使用,在此对乙醇产业市场和玉米消费以及今年剩余时间里可能会影响该产业的因素进行略为详尽的研究。图1显示出美国乙醇产业持续强劲增长的状况。3月3日EIA公布的2005年12月报告显示:美国每天乙醇产量为28万桶,再次创下月度高点。2005年美国乙醇产量为9300万桶(39亿加仑),全年平均日产量为25.5万桶。2005年乙醇产量高于2004年的8100万桶(34亿加仑),2004年日产量为22.1万桶。12月份数据显示当月用于乙醇生产的玉米用量约为1.29亿蒲式耳,…     

Seasonal changes in weight and body composition of yak grazing on alpine-meadow grassland in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau of China

Forty-five male yaks (born April 2001) were studied to determine how seasonal changes on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau affected BW and body composition. Thirty yaks were weighed monthly from birth to 26 mo of age to determine seasonal changes in BW. The remaining 15 yaks were allocated randomly to five groups (three yaks per group), designated for slaughter at 13, 15, 18, 22, and 25 mo to measure seasonal effects on body chemical composition. All yaks were grazed on the alpine-meadow grassland of the plateau without any supplementation. All BW and body composition data were calculated on an individual basis. Body weight and body composition data were both compared across seven growth periods spanning 2 yr and defined by season. From April (birth) to December 2001 of the first growing season, yak BW increased (P < 0.01); however, during the subsequent cold season (December 2001 to May 2002), BW decreased (P < 0.01). The second growing season ran from May 2002 (13 mo of age) to October 2002 (18 mo of age), and the second live weight-loss season ran from October 2002 until May 2003. The weight loss experienced by yaks during the first weight-loss season was 25.64% of the total weight gain in the first growing season. The weight loss experienced by yaks during the second weight-loss season was 29.73% of the total weight gain in the second growing season. Energy retention in the second growing season was 291.07 MJ, 50.8% of which was consumed during the subsequent cold season. Energy accumulation in the summer (from May to July) and fall (from July to October) of the second growing season did not differ (5.01 and 6.30 MJ/kg of EBW gain, respectively; P = 0.63). The energy mobilized during the second winter (from October 2002 to February 2003) was 16.49 MJ/kg of EBW, and in the second spring (from February to May 2003), it was 9.06 MJ/kg of EBW. These data suggest that the decrease in grazing yak BW during the first cold season is much less than during the second cold season, and that the energy content per unit of BW mobilized is greater (P = 0.02) in winter than in spring. Results from this study demonstrate highly efficient compensatory growth in grazing yaks following the first weight loss period during the first cold season. This benefit could be exploited by herders to improve yak production. Yaks may have developed a type of self-protection mechanism to overcome the long cold seasons in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.     

Changes in ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in growing Holstein heifers from 80 to 250 kg fed high-concentrate diets with different forage-to-concentrate ratios

Six Holstein heifers (initial BW = 65.2 +/- 1.8 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a repeated measures trial to assess the effect of age and forage-to-concentrate ratio on ruminal fermentation end products and in situ degradation kinetics of four plant protein supplements (soybean meal, sunflower meal, peas, and lupin seeds). Alfalfa hay also was incubated in situ to estimate NDF degradation. Three experimental periods were conducted at 13, 27, and 41 wk of age. Heifers were fed one of two diets, 12:88 vs. 30:70 forage-to-concentrate ratio (DM basis), offered as total mixed ration on an ad libitum basis. Intakes of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADG were not affected (P > or = 0.105) by diet. The 30:70 diet resulted in faster (P = 0.045) fluid passage rate and decreased (P = 0.015) ammonia N concentration compared with the 12:88 diet, but no differences (P > or = 0.244) were detected in ruminal pH and total VFA concentration between diets. The rate of degradation and the effective degradability of N in protein supplements was greater with the 30:70 diet for peas (P < or = 0.008) and lupin seeds (P < or = 0.02), and in the 12:88 diet for sunflower meal (P < or = 0.06). Degradation of NDF of alfalfa hay was low with both diets (18.5 and 23.7 % for 12:88 and 30:70, respectively); however, the rate and extent of DM and NDF degradation were greater (P < or = 0.016) with the 30:70 diet, suggesting a higher cellulolytic activity. Total VFA concentration and the proportion of propionate increased (P < or = 0.035), and the acetate proportion decreased (P = 0.021) with age. Average pH, ammonia N concentration, and passage rates were not affected (P > or = 0.168) by age. Degradation rate and effective degradability of N of sunflower meal, peas, lupin seeds, and of DM of alfalfa hay increased (P < or = 0.08) with age, but degradation kinetics of NDF of alfalfa hay was not affected (P > or = 0.249). The increase in the rate and extent of N degradation with age would suggest an increase in proteolytic activity, and the changes in the fermentation pattern may reflect an increase in amylolytic activity caused mainly by an increase in the gross intake of nonstructural carbohydrates and by adaptation of ruminal microflora after long exposure to these nutrients.