Effect of feed intake during late development on pubertal onset and resulting body composition in crossbred gilts.

A total of 105 nonboar-exposed, F2 ([Landrace x Yorkshire] x Duroc) gilts were used in two replicates of a randomized complete block experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary feed intake on pubertal onset and subsequent body composition. Feed intakes were established at 50% of ad libitum (AL-50), 75% of ad libitum (AL-75), or at ad libitum (AL-100) levels from 4.5 to 9 mo of age. A corn-soybean meal diet fed to all gilts was formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements except for energy. Puberty was measured by two methods: 1) monitored once daily by back pressure applied by the herdsman or 2) from elevated plasma progesterone concentrations. Body composition was evaluated by the deuterium oxide method after plasma progesterone concentrations were elevated. Daily feed intake for the experimental period averaged 1.6, 2.3, and 3.2 kg, and the BW of gilts at 8 mo of age were 111, 131, and 154 kg for the AL-50, AL-75, and AL-100 groups, respectively. Body weight, backfat thickness, and body fat content increased linearly (P < .01) as feed intake increased, but age at puberty was not severely influenced. A minimum body fat content or percentage did not seem to initiate pubertal onset. There was a trend for a lower percentage of the AL-50 gilts to ovulate (P = .08) than those fed the AL-75 and AL-100 intakes. An inverse relationship resulted between the percentage of gilts that ovulated to the percentage that showed behavioral estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential effects of heparin on NO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in bovine blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolisaccharide.

We investigated the influence of heparin, one of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, on nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocytes left to adhere for 2 (freshly adherent monocytes) and 48 h (resting monocytes), activated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24-h stimulation with LPS, heparin (100 microg/ml) increased (by about 40%) NO production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and by freshly adherent monocytes. However, it did not change NO synthesis by the resting monocytes. Unlike its influence on NO level, heparin diminished TNF-alpha production by PBMC and monocytes stimulated with LPS. Microscopical examination of PBMC stained with biotin-labeled heparin, showed that both lymphocytes and monocytes were able to bind this glycosaminoglycan. We suggest that heparin, as a component of ECM, modulates the early response of monocytes to exogenous stimuli.     

Managing the lactating sow for optimal weaning and rebreeding performance.

Management of the lactating sow influences milk production and subsequent reproduction through changes in nutrient intake. The management goal during lactation is to maximize feed intake. Decreasing the effective environmental temperature, increasing the nutrient density of the lactation diet, maintaining fresh adequate supplies of feed and water, and preventing excess weight gain during the prior gestation period will increase nutrient intake during lactation. Effective environmental temperature of the lactating sow can be maintained in the thermoneutral zone by using drip cooling, increased ventilation rates and flooring materials with superior conductive properties. Sow parity, genetics, litter size, and disease level will also influence feed intake. Management practices must account for these factors and, thus, should be tailored to individual farm situations to ensure adequate nutrient intake and prevent aberrations in subsequent reproductive performance.     

An Ecological Foodniche Concept as a Proxy for Fish-Pond Stocking Rates in Integrated Aquacultural Farming for Malaysia

The merits of integrated aquaculture farming (IAF) as a strategy for bolstering income for the rural poor have been recognized, but the economic efficiency and sustainability are yet to be determined. The effects of one species on another and the economic benefits, net of government support, have not been critically evaluated. The concept of a foodniche for alternative species in an aquatic environment has not been properly tested in an economic setting. Thus, this report reflects the results of applying the technique of mixed integer linear programming to determine the optimum combination of species within the context of a foodniche. The objective also included maximizing revenues, with minimal external input requirements, for a representative small Malaysian wet-rice farm. It was found that the foodniche concept permitted flexibility in stocking rates, and that farmers could actually stock species at the exact rate that was optimal for profit, instead of standard fixed rates. Also, government subsidies for pond construction were essential for IAF success. The net revenues from IAF were low without interest-free loans for pond construction.     

Experience with fireblight in the Czech Republic1

Erwinia amylovora has been spreading in the Czech Republic since 1986 regardless of emergency phytosanitary measures which have been taken. Its spread follows the predominant wind direction (west to east). The infested area now covers two thirds of the area of the country. Wild Crataegus spp. are the most important and widespread host plants. E. amylovora is still regulated as a quarantine pest, and areas free from fireblight are subject to special phytosanitary measures.     

辣椒新雄性不育系P-MS的选育

辣椒杂种一代的制种迄今几乎全靠人工授粉进行，需要花费大量的人工或劳动力。利用雄性不育繁制杂交种子已在不少农作物和园艺作物上得到利用，至于辣椒雄性不育的研究于1958年曾有过报道(Peterson，1958)。辣椒细胞质雄性不育由与S细胞质互作的隐性基因rf控制，但雄性不育的表达对温度敏感，在冷凉条件下会产生可育花粉(Peterson，1958；Shifriss ＆ Guri 1979；Shifriss，1997)。     

Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey)

Annual sex hormonal profiles, gonad development and age determination of 18 (13–14 kg body weight) and three (145–226 kg body weight) Mekong giant catfish (MGC) (Pangasianodon gigas, Chevey) reared in earthen ponds in Chiang Mai and from the Mekong River in Chiang Rai, Thailand, respectively, were investigated. The hormonal profiles were determined from blood samples of the fish by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay during May to August in 2000. The highest testosterone levels of 0.06 ng mL^?1 in both sexes and the highest oestradiol of 47.8 and 14.23 pg mL^?1 in females and males, respectively, were observed in May. The gonadosomatic index was found to be 0.07 for males and 0.38 for females from ponds in comparison with 2.27 for males and 8.29 for females from the Mekong River. Higher development stages of spermatocytes and oocytes of the cultured fish in May than in February and November were demonstrated. No mature germ cells were obtained from either the males or females, indicating no sexual maturity. The average age of fish was determined from the annual rings of the cross‐section of the pectoral fins by a stereomicroscope. The average age of fish in earthen pond determined from the annual ring was 8 years, which agreed with the actual culture records, while those from the Mekong River were 21 years. This information will be beneficial for the breeding programmes and conservation of the MGC.     

Demography of Abutilon theoprasti and Setaria faberi in three crop rotation systems

Field experiments were conducted to characterize the demography of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi in a conventionally managed 2‐year (maize/soya bean) rotation, and in 3‐year (maize/soya bean/triticale + red clover) and 4‐year (maize/soya bean/triticale + lucerne/lucerne) rotations managed with 72% and 79% lower herbicide inputs respectively. Rates of weed seedling recruitment, seedling survival and adult plant fecundity were determined for populations in each phase of each rotation and used to calculate annual rates of weed population change, Δ. In both years of the study, Δ for A. theophrasti populations declined or remained stable in all three rotation systems. Despite greater rates of seedling survival and fecundity in maize and soya bean in the 3‐ and 4‐year rotations, increases in Δ for A. theophrasti populations were prevented in these systems because of low fecundity in triticale and low seedling survival and fecundity in lucerne. For Setaria faberi populations, Δ remained stable in the 2‐year rotation, increased in the 3‐year rotation in both years, and increased in the 4‐year rotation in 1 year. The results of this study indicate that when herbicide use is reduced, rotations that include triticale and lucerne can facilitate the suppression of A. theophrasti. Rotations that include lucerne can contribute to restraining S. faberi population growth, given adequate levels of seedling mortality in this crop.