Low‐density lipoproteins and milk serum proteins improve the quality of stallion sperm after vitrification in straws

Lipids and proteins can be used for sperm vitrification to preserve the integrity of sperm membranes or to increase the viscosity of the medium. This study evaluated the effect of low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) and milk serum proteins (Pronexcell) for stallion sperm vitrification. Hippex extender (Barex Biochemical Products, The Netherlands), plus 1% of bovine serum albumin and 100 mM of trehalose, was used as control for sperm vitrification. In experiment 1, different concentrations of LDL (L1 = 0.25, L2 = 0.5, L3 = 1%) and in experiment 2 of Pronexcell (P1 = 1, P2 = 5, P3 = 10%) were added to control extender. Vitrification was performed in 0.25‐ml straws directly plunged into liquid nitrogen. Total motility (TM, %) and progressive motility (PM, %) were analysed by CASA, and plasma membrane (IMS, %) and acrosome membrane integrity (AIS, %) were assessed under epifluorescence microscopy. Post‐warmed sperm parameters were compared between treatments by ANOVA. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. In both experiments, the minimum concentration of LDL and Pronexcell obtained significantly higher values (p < 0.01) than the control extender for TM (L1 = 52.95 ± 4.4; P1 = 58.99 ± 4.6; C = 30.88 ± 3.0), PM (L1 = 36.79 ± 5.5; P1 = 47.25 ± 4.3; C = 19.20 ± 2.4), IMS (L1 = 68.88 ± 3.6; P1 = 47.25 ± 4.3; C = 52.81 ± 2.6) and AIS (L1 = 45.88 ± 3.6; P1 = 47.25 ± 4.3; C = 26.00 ± 2.1). No differences in sperm parameters were found among different concentrations of LDL or Pronexcell. In conclusion, the addition of 0.25% LDL and 1% Pronexcell to the vitrification extender is recommended to improve the quality of stallion sperm after vitrification.     

温度、光照和发芽床对假俭草种子萌发的影响

实验室内进行了假俭草种子净度检验样品最低限量和发芽检验方法的研究，探讨了光照（以黑暗为对照）、温度（分别包括２０℃恒温，１５／２５℃、２０／３０℃、２０／３５℃和２５／３５℃变温）和发芽床（分设纸上ＴＰ和砂中Ｓ）等因素对种子发芽的影响。结果表明：假俭草种子净度检验样品最低限量是３ｇ，送验样最低量以及计数其它植物种子检验样品最低量均为３０ｇ；最佳萌发条件为２０／３０℃或２０／３５℃变温（１６小时低温，８小时高温），高温时段设光照，和纸上（ＴＰ）发芽；发芽的初次和未次计数时间分别以第１０天和第２１天为宜；种子的幼苗发育可划分为单子叶植物子叶留土类型。     

Substitution of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles for barley grain or barley silage in feedlot cattle diets: intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) for barley grain and barley silage on intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in feedlot beef cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (initial BW 455 ± 10.8 kg) were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 treatments: control, low (25%), medium (30%), and high (35%) wheat DDGS (DM basis). The diets consisted of barley silage, barley concentrate, and wheat DDGS in ratios of 15:85:0 (CON), 10:65:25 (25DDGS), 5:65:30 (30DDGS), and 0:65:35 (35DDGS; DM basis), respectively. The diets were formulated such that wheat DDGS was substituted for both barley grain and barley silage to evaluate whether wheat DDGS can be fed as a source of both energy (grain) and fiber in feedlot finishing diets. Intakes (kg/d) of DM and OM were not different, whereas those of CP, NDF, ADF, and ether extract (EE) were greater (P < 0.01) and intake of starch was less (P < 0.01) for the 25DDGS compared with the CON diet. The digestibilities of CP, NDF, ADF, and EE in the total digestive tract were greater (P < 0.05) for 25DDGS vs. CON. Ruminal pH and total VFA concentrations were not different (P > 0.15) between 25DDGS and CON diets. Replacing barley silage with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS (i.e., from 25DDGS to 35DDGS) linearly reduced (P < 0.05) intakes of DM and other nutrients without altering (P=0.40) CP intake. In contrast, digestibilities of DM and other nutrients in the total digestive tract linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing wheat DDGS except for that of EE. Additionally, with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS, mean ruminal pH tended (P=0.10) to linearly decrease, and ruminal pH status decreased with longer (P=0.04) duration of pH <5.5 and <5.2, and greater (P=0.01) curve area under pH <5.8 and <5.5 without altering (P > 0.19) ruminal VFA and NH(3)-N concentrations. Results indicated that wheat DDGS can be effectively used to replace both barley grain and silage at a moderate amount to meet energy and fiber requirements of finishing cattle. However, when silage content of the diet is low (<10%), wheat DDGS is not an effective fiber source, so replacing forage fiber with wheat DDGS in finishing diets decreases overall ruminal pH status even though the rapidly fermentable starch content of the diet is considerably reduced.     

盐分浓度对星星草种子萌发的影响

星星草（Ｐｕｃｃｉｎｅｌｌｉａｔｅｎｕｉｆｌｏｒａ）种子经不同浓度ＮａＣｌ溶液处理结果表明；与对照相比，低于０．６ｇ／１００ｍｌ的盐浓度对种子萌发有促进作用；介于０．７ｇ／１００ｍｌ—３．６ｇ／１００ｍｌ间，种子的萌发势和累积发芽率显著下降，但尚不影响其萌发潜势，解除盐分限制后，还可正常萌发；高于３．７ｇ／１００ｍｌ后，不仅抑制种子萌发，并对其萌发潜势有显著影响。     

甘州区畜间布鲁氏杆菌病监测净化分析

布鲁氏杆菌病是一种由布鲁氏杆菌引起的人畜共患慢性传染病。1995-2008年,甘州区对9个新老疫区乡(镇)和13个非疫区乡(镇)的牛、羊、猪及全区奶牛进行了畜间布鲁氏菌病监测。应用血清学平板凝集、试管凝集反应共监测牲畜40811头(只),其中:牛18884头(含奶牛7205头)、羊19871只、猪2056头,检出阳性牛6头,阳性率为0.11%;应用细菌学方法分离培养流产犊、流产羔等病料346份,未检出布鲁氏杆菌。结果表明:畜间布病的阳性检出率在"稳定控制区"标准的基础上稳中有降,正在逐步向净化和消灭的目标挺进。     

Association of a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene （LHCGR） with superovulation traits in Chinese Holstein heifers

Background: Upon binding luteinizing hormone in the ovary, the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is necessary for follicular maturation and ovulation, as well as luteal function. We detected mutations in the LHCGR gene and evaluated their association with superovulation. Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing, we examined polymorphisms in LHCGR and the genotypes associated with superovulation traits in 127 Chinese Holstein heifers. Results: A G/T polymorphism (ss52050737) in exon 11 was significantly associated with the total number of ova and the number of transferable embryos. Conclusions: LHCGR may be a new predictor for superovulation in Chinese Holstein heifers.     

桑青尺蠖的生物学特性研究

研究了桑树常见害虫桑青尺蠖的形态特征、继代繁殖等生物学特性 ,以及幼虫食叶量、寄生性天敌及温度对青尺蠖发育历期的影响。该虫在室温下全年可继代繁殖 5代 ,以蛹越冬。随着饲养温度的升高 ,其发育历期缩短。在 2 0 95、2 4 16和 2 9 70℃的温度下 ,全代历期分别为 5 8 1、43 9和 35 2d。幼虫多为 6龄 ,少数 5龄。平均每头幼虫全龄食叶量为 2 948 11mg ,其中第 5龄和第 6龄食叶量占全龄食叶量的 95 48%。     

High prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 in Chinese swine herds

Nested RT-PCR was used to investigate bovine viral diarrhea virus in 511 specimens collected from Chinese pigs exhibiting clinical symptoms between 2007 and 2010. Of these, 137 samples were BVDV-positive and the BVDV prevalence rate was 23.1% (9/39) in 2007, 27.7% (44/159) in 2008, 33.6% (34/101) in 2009, and 23.6% (50/212) in 2010. Twenty of 137 BVDV-positive samples were used for further genetic analysis of the 5'-UTR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that they were BVDV-1 and subtyped into BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, BVDV-1m, BVDV-1o and an unknown subgenotype. This study showed that BVDVs were highly prevalent in Chinese pig herds and appropriate measures should be taken to control BVDV prevalence in pig herds.