Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria

Sexual size dimorphism is a key evolutionary feature that can lead to important biological insights. To improve methods of sexing live birds in the field, we assessed sexual size dimorphism in Nigerian local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) using multivariate techniques. Measurements were taken on 125 twenty-week-old birds reared under the intensive management system. The body parameters measured were body weight, body length, breast girth, thigh length, shank length, keel length, wing length and wing span. Univariate analysis revealed that toms (males) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean values than hens (females) in all the measured traits. Positive phenotypic correlations between body weight and body measurements ranged from 0.445 to 0.821 in toms and 0.053–0.660 in hens, respectively. Three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) were extracted in toms, each accounting for 63.70%, 19.42% and 5.72% of the total variance, respectively. However, four principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4) were extracted in hens, which explained 54.03%, 15.29%, 11.68% and 6.95%, respectively of the generalised variance. A stepwise discriminant function analysis of the eight morphological traits indicated that body weight, body length, tail length and wing span were the most discriminating variables in separating the sexes. The single discriminant function obtained was able to correctly classify 100% of the birds into their source population. The results obtained from the present study could aid future management decisions, ecological studies and conservation of local turkeys in a developing economy.     

Decreased expression of p63, a regulator of epidermal stem cells, in the chronic laminitic equine hoof

Reasons for performing study: Abnormal epidermal stem cell regulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of equine chronic laminitis. Objective: To analyse the involvement of p63, a regulator of epidermal stem cell proliferative potential, in chronic laminitis. Methods: Epidermal tissues from skin, coronet and lamellae of the dorsal foot were harvested from 5 horses with chronic laminitis and 5 control horses. Tissues were analysed using histopathology, immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative immunoblotting Results: Hoof lamellae of laminitic horses had a lower frequency of p63 positive cells than control lamellae, particularly in the distal region. Quantitative immunoblotting confirmed reduced p63 expression in the laminitic distal lamellar region. The decreased p63 expression in laminitic epidermal lamellae was most apparent in the abaxial region adjacent to the hoof wall and highly associated with the formation of terminally differentiated, dysplastic and hyperkeratotic epidermis in this region, whereas lamellae from control horses maintained high p63 expression throughout the axial‐abaxial axis. Conclusions: Expression of p63 in equine skin resembles that reported in other species, including man and rodents, suggesting that p63 can serve as a marker for the proliferative potential of equine epidermal stem cells. p63 expression was significantly lower in the chronic laminitic hoof than in that of control horses, suggesting laminitic hoof epithelium has more limited proliferative potential with a shift towards differentiation. This may reflect reduced activity of epidermal stem cells in laminitic hoof. It is proposed that p63 contributes to the maintenance of hoof lamellae and that misregulation of p63 expression may lead to epidermal dysplasia during lamellar wedge formation. Potential relevance: This study suggests that loss of epidermal stem cells contributes to the pathogenesis of equine laminitis. Autologous transplantation of p63‐positive epidermal stem cells from unaffected regions may have regenerative therapeutic potential for laminitic horses.     

鲁西黄牛主要经济性状的数量遗传学分析

采用动物模型和DFREML,估测了1989—1994年期间出生的1050头鲁西黄牛的主要经济性状的遗传参数。结果表明:鲁西黄牛的初生重、6月龄体重、18月龄体重、体高、体长、尻长、胸围和管围的遗传力分别为0.396、0.330、0.249、0.617、0.462、0.561、0.374和0.592;初生重与6月龄体重和18月龄体重之间的遗传相关分别为0.487和0.673;6月龄体重与18月龄体重之间的遗传相关为0.561;18月龄体重与18月龄体尺的遗传相关在0.681￣0.947之间。     

Xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and plasmacytic infiltrates of the salivary glands (Sjögren's-like syndrome) in a cat

A 2.5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of dysphagia and weight loss of 4 weeks' duration. MIld blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia were evident in both eyes, oral mucous membranes were tacky on palpation, and salivary glands were enlarged. Results of a Schirmer tear test were 0 mm/min for both eyes. Administration of atropine did not cause salivation or caused secretion fo thick rope-like saliva. Examination of biopsy specimens of salivary glands revealed a plasmacytic infiltrate. Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) was diagnosed. Oral administration of prednisone was instituted but was discontinued after a minimal positive response was evident 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Palliative treatment with a 6% solution of pilocarpine 4 to 5 times/d, cyclosporine, hylan A, and neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin ophthalmic ointment resulted in clinical improvement in the cat. Although reported rarely in animals, SS may be more common than currently is recognized. Most treatment regimens for SS are aimed at alleviating clinical signs.     

民族音乐对奶牛产奶性能及血液激素水平的影响

试验旨在探讨民族音乐对奶牛产奶性能和血液激素含量的影响。选用体重相近、体况良好的40头处于泌乳期赫斯坦奶牛,随机分成2组,每组20头。对照组不播放民族音乐,处理组播放民族音乐,两组牛饲喂管理方式相同。结果表明:在21、42和56 d处理组产奶量分别低于对照组2.42%、4.44%和2.22%(P<0.05)。处理组奶牛血液中γ-氨基丁酸、生长激素低于对照组,五羟色胺和皮质醇含量高于对照组。综上所述,民族音乐对奶牛产奶性能有不利的影响,因此,避免在牧场中给奶牛播放民族音乐。     

棉酚含量测定的新方法

棉籽含有35～38％的蛋白质,用作饲料,有较高的经济价值。但是,棉籽仁中含有以棉酚为主要成分的毒物。测定棉酚含量,对饲用棉籽饼的安全性有重要意义。棉酚含量的测定有多种方法,以苯胺分光光度法最为常用。但是,该法试剂的稳定性较差,毒性也大。因此迫切需要研究一种简便、快速、灵敏的分析方法。本文提出利用分光光度法测定棉籽混合     

Evaluation of 65% permethrin spot-on for prevention of canine visceral leishmaniasis: effect on disease prevalence and the vectors (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a hyperendemic area

A study was designed to examine the effect of 65% permethrin spot-on on the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis and the abundance of sand flies in two neighborhoods in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil known to have a high prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis. An enrollment survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis. Area residents were provided with information about the project; the study area was defined, and all dogs (160 in Cristo Redentor and 230 in Popular Velha) identified in the study area were enrolled. Three 65% permethrin spot-on treatments (June 15-25, July 13-15, and August 10-12) were administered to 150, 110, and 99 dogs, respectively, in Popular Velha, according to label recommendations. Dogs in Cristo Redentor were untreated controls. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed periodically by indirect immunofluorescence assay. A reduction in canine visceral leishmaniasis prevalence was observed at the Popular Velha site. The infection rate for treated dogs 1 month following the final treatment was approximately 50% reduced from that observed before treatment(19.3% vs 9.6%). Conversely, the infection rate at the control site was more than 80% higher at the September sampling than that observed pretreatment (4.1% vs 7.4%). Similar numbers of sand flies were captured and identified from both sites throughout the study. The results suggest that regular use of 65% permethrin during months of high risk for canine visceral leishmaniasis can be a useful strategy for reducing the prevalence of this disease in hyperendemic areas. It should be stressed, however, that the success of this strategy depends not only on the efficacy of the product itself but also on the adoption of other control measures and on economic variables, considering the low purchasing power of the populations living in higher-risk neighborhoods.     

舒适型奶牛卧床的改造及新型垫料的应用

奶牛卧床是奶牛日常生活和休息的主要场所,其舒适度越来越受到重视。浙江省瑞安市健丰奶牛饲养场根据南方气候特点,以抬高式水泥床面作为奶牛卧床,并铺以干牛粪+锯木屑作为新型奶牛卧床混合垫料,既柔软舒适,又成本较低廉,推广应用后明显提高了奶牛产奶量。     

鸡痘病毒282E4株2.2kbTK基因序列分析

将鸡痘病毒２８２Ｅ４弱毒株基因组中的３．７ｋｂＨｉｎｄⅢ片段克隆到ＫＳ（－）质粒中，亚克隆后，获得含ＴＫ基因正反方向插入的２．２ｋｂＨｉｎｄⅢ－ＣｌａＩ片段的质粒ｐＫＦＡ和ｐＫＦＢ，进而构建出正反方向的系列嵌套缺失质粒。用Ｔ７、Ｔ３引物所做的核苷酸序列分析表明，２．２ｋｂＨｉｎｄⅢ－ＣｌａＩ ＴＫ基因序列长为２１５９ｂｐ，含有两个完整的读码框架（ＯＲＥ）Ｘ和ＴＫ，并确证了ＴＫ基因内存在单一酶切点Ｎ     

鸡粪是喂猪的好饲料

为了使鸡粪这一廉价的饲料资源在我县得到开发和充分利用,笔者于1985年初开始试用新鲜鸡粪喂猪,通过第一批猪整个饲养期的观察,收到了较好的效果。由第二批猪开始,继续用鸡粪喂猪,正式进行试验,做了详细记录。