Effect of Donor Age on the Developmental Competence of Bovine Oocytes Retrieved by Ovum Pick Up

To study the effect of donor age on oocyte developmental competence and steroid profiles, the crossbred cow (Murray Grey × Brahman) in Yunnan province of China were selected and divided into three groups according to its age. The three groups were young cows (n = 12; 12 months old), middle‐aged cows (n = 15; parity: ≤3 calvings; age: 7–8 years old) and old cows (n = 10; parity: ≥8 calvings; age: ≥15 years old). Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by 10 consecutive ovum pick up (OPU) sessions with a 4‐day interval between each session, followed by in vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo development. Results showed that cleavage rates (CR) and blastocyst rates (BR) were higher in the young cows than those in the middle‐aged and old cows (p < 0.05). CR and BR from COCs of the first and the fourth OPU sessions were lower than those from other sessions in the young cows and the middle‐aged cows (p < 0.05), whereas the similar phenomenon was not observed in the old cows. Plasma concentrations of oestradiol were higher, and plasma concentrations of progesterone were lower before and during OPU sessions in the young cows compared with those in the same period in the middle‐aged cows or the old cows (p < 0.01). In conclusion, donor age of oocytes could affect developmental competence of oocytes recovered by OPU through the action of steroid hormonal balance on follicle development.     

陶藏杂一代羔羊与藏羔羊育肥效果比较研究

试验选择体重相近、健康良好的无角陶赛特羊与藏羊杂一代羔羊28只,藏羊羔羊15只进行育肥,测定其育肥效果。结果表明,试验组绝对增重、平均日增重和相对增重分别比对照组提高4．35kg、72．5g／d和23．87％,差异显著（P〈0．05）;试验组胴体重、屠宰率分别较对照组提高4．55kg和4．74％,差异显著（P〈0．05）,试验组GR值和眼肌面积分别较对照组提高2．12cm。和0．7mm,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）;经济效益分析表明,育肥后杂一代羊较藏羊多收入174．0元／只。     

Safety,tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of 6‐month daily dosing of an oral formulation of cyclosporine (ATOPICA for cats®) in cats

Cyclosporine was proven efficacious in the treatment of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis. This target animal study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ATOPICA for Cats^® (cyclosporine oral solution, USP) MODIFIED following 6‐month daily dosing in cats. Forty healthy cats (four cats/sex/group) received 0, 8 (1×), 16 (2×), 24 (3×), or 40 (5×) mg/kg cyclosporine once daily for 6 months (183 days). Body weight, food consumption, ophthalmoscopic, physical examinations including neurological assessments, blood pressure, electrocardiography, clinical pathology (hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, urinalysis), organ weights, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed and assessed. In addition, blood concentrations of cyclosporine were measured at the pretreatment trough on Days 1, 2, 7, 14, 31, 91, 154, and 182, and post‐treatment on Days 1, 31, and 182. Adverse effects possibly related to treatment included prolonged APTT and one report each of bone marrow hypocellularity and lymphoma; all occurred in cats treated with doses more than 16 mg/kg. There was no significant accumulation of cyclosporine beyond the first week of treatment. Results confirm that ATOPICA for Cats is safe and well tolerated in cats without unexpected accumulation beyond the first week of treatment when administered as directed.     

欧拉羊与山谷型藏羊杂交效果观察初报

引进草地型藏羊欧拉羊杂交改良山谷型藏羊,结果表明:引进的欧拉羊生理指标正常,对在林间草甸类和高山灌丛草场与山谷型藏羊同群放牧较适应;试验组受胎率、繁殖率、繁殖成活率比对照组分别高2.65%、2.69%、3.81%;欧×山杂交F1代初生公、母羊体高、体长、胸围及管围比同期对照组公、母羊分别提高了3.20 cm和4.50 cm、1.97 cm和2.25 cm、4.10 cm和2.20 cm、0.53cm和0.40 cm;体重提高0.62 kg和0.53 kg,比对照组分别提高了19.68个百分点和17.97个百分点。经过t检验,杂交F1代初生公、母羊体重、体高、体长、胸围极显著的高于对照组初生公、母羊(P0.01);管围差异显著(P0.05)。     

Constant Light Exposure Causes Dissociation in Gonadotrophin Secretion and Inhibits Partially Neuroendocrine Differentiation of Leydig Cells in Adult Rats

The objective of this work was to study the changes that occur in the Leydig cells of rats exposed to continuous light. The laboratory rat is considered a non-photoperiodic species because exposure to short photoperiod has little or no effect on the reproductive status. However, exposure of adult female rats to constant light induces polycystic ovaries, indicating that extreme changes in the photoperiod affect the reproductive function seriously. Adult male rats were placed under continuous light conditions for a duration of 15 weeks. After this period, the animals were killed and testicles were dissected and processed by routine histologic protocols. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) serum levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The visualization of antigens was achieved by the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method. Antibodies against chromogranin A, S-100 protein, P substance, synaptofisin, neurofilament protein-200, gliofibrillary acidic protein and neurone-specific enolase were used. The mean LH serum concentration was significantly lower, while the mean FSH level was significantly higher in treated animals. The expression of S-100, NSE, CrA, SP and SYN was significantly lower in treated animals. In conclusion, the constant light exposure acting directly at the pituitary level decreases LH secretion. The increased FSH secretion may be due to a partial reduction of the negative androgen feedback in the pituitary gland. Moreover, the constant light exposure affects the expression of some immunomarkers in Leydig cells, possibly because of the changes found in the gonadotrophin level and feedback mechanism.     

阴外动脉灌注氨基酸、葡萄糖混合物对奶山羊血浆总蛋白、白蛋白及相关激素受体mRNA表达量的影响

本试验旨在研究阴外动脉乳成分前体物浓度的变化对奶山羊乳腺吸收及相关激素受体mRNA表达量的影响.选用2～3岁,体重、产奶量相近、安装有阴外动脉和腹部皮下静脉血插管的关中奶山羊3只,由阴外动脉灌注氨基酸和葡萄糖混合物,在灌注前后分别采集动静脉血浆、乳腺组织,测定动静脉血浆中总蛋白、白蛋白的含量及乳腺组织β-酪蛋白、催乳素受体、生长激素受体和类胰岛素生长因子Ⅰ的mRNA表达量。结果表明,与灌注前相比,乳成分前体物含量及乳腺对其的摄取量均提高(P<0.05).乳腺组织中β-酪蛋白、生长激素受体和类胰岛素生长因子Ⅰ的mRNA表达量显著提高(P<0.05),催乳素受体的mRNA表达量极显著提高(P<0.01),说明阴外动脉灌注氨基酸、葡萄糖混合物可以显著地提高乳成分前体物的浓度,有效地刺激血液中激素发生变化,提高乳腺组织中相关受体mRNA的表达.