Validation of the otoliths for age determination in Barbus sclateri (Günth.)

Abstract – Otoliths were used to explore the timing of annulus formation in Barbus sclateri. Lapillus exhibited opaque and translucent zones whose combination was formed once a year. Opaque zones appeared formed from July and January, and the translucent ones from February to June. We describe a procedure to assess age by using the number of annulii, the condition of the otolith's edge and the capture date. The use of otoliths for age determination in this cyprinid endemic to the Iberian Peninsula provides a useful alternative to the traditional methods of scale reading. ^Note     

Mapping genomic regions for reproductive traits in beef cattle: Inclusion of the X chromosome

Although the second largest chromosome of the genome, the X chromosome is usually excluded from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Considering the presence and importance of genes on this chromosome that are involved in reproduction, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of its inclusion in GWAS on reproductive traits (scrotal circumference [SC], early pregnancy [P16] and age at first calving [AFC]) in a Nelore herd. Genotype data from 3,263 animals with the above-mentioned phenotypes were used. The results showed an increase in the variances explained by the autosomal markers for all traits when the X chromosome was not included. For SC, there was an increase of more than 10% for the windows on chromosomes 2 and 6. For P16, the effect was increased by almost 20% for windows on chromosome 5. The same pattern was found for AFC, with an increase of more than 10% for the most important windows. The results indicate that the noninclusion of the X chromosome can overestimate the effects of autosomes on SC, P16 and AFC not only because of the additive effect of the X chromosome itself but also because of its epistatic effect on autosomal genes.     

Complex Carbohydrates Occurring in the Digestive Apparatus of Umbrina Cirrosa (L.) Fry

The glycosoaminoglycans in the digestive apparatus of immature fish have important biological functions and are involved in morphofunctional differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the glycoconjugate histochemistry in the different parts of the digestive apparatus (oesophagus, stomach, intestine) of Umbrina cirrosa (L.) fry using classical histochemical reactions (periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian blue pH 2.5, Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff, high iron diamine, low iron diamine) in conjunction with glycolytic digestions that degrade different classes of glycosoaminoglycans. No differences were observed in the reactivity to conventional histochemical staining of the oesophagus, stomach or intestine among 27-, 34- or 44-day-old fry. In the oesophagus, the mucopolysaccharides contained chondroitin sulphates B and A and/or C, heparan sulphate and chondroitin. In the stomach, only neutral glycoconjugates were revealed, whereas in the intestine there were only chondroitin sulphates. Some differences in the type and content of glycoconjugates were found in Umbrina cirrosa (L.) fry compared to those of adult subjects, probably related to different dietary habits and to changes in the environmental conditions.     

秦川牛保种情况的分析 Ⅰ群体规模、年龄结构与迁移

采用群体遗传学理论与方法研究了陕西省秦川牛场秦川牛保种群30多年来的保种情况,详细地分析了保种群的规模、年龄结构及迁移情况。研究发现,该保种群规模变化剧烈,总的来说规模偏小,尤其是公牛群远小于保种遗传学基本法则规定的最小值;畜群结构不稳定,迁入不规则,该研究结果将为今后采取适当的措施提高保种效果提供科学的参考依据。     

松嫩平原羊草草地水淹干扰恢复过程的群落动态

根据随机取样的测定数据，经过幂函数和多元回归分析及相关检验，揭示了草地水淹干扰对羊草 寸草苔、羊草 杂类草群范数量性状的变化规律。水淹干扰对草地植被的物种组成及其比例有明显的影响。水淹后基本恢复到正常草地的种类数量和生产量配置大约需要6—7年。随着生境水分减少和土壤变干，羊草种群的数量和生物量均以幂函数形式增加，而寸草苔和杂类草的数量和生物量则呈先增后降的变化过程。     

Growth-related changes in the pulmonary function of goats

Growth-related changes in pulmonary function values were investigated in 20 healthy French Alpine goats, aged between 20 and 550 days, weighing 7–55 kg. Pulmonary ventilation, mechanics of breathing and arterial oxyten tension were measured using standardized techniques and methods adapted for goats of different body sizes. The Ppl values and the tI/tTOT ratio showed no significant changes with age and body size. The ventilation values (Vt, Ve, mVI and mVE) increased linearly with growth. There was a significant correlation of age and body weight with dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), total pulmonary resistance (RL), viscous work of breathing (Wvis tot) and minute viscous work (Wvis min) throughout the age range studied. Cdyn, Wvis tot and Wvis min increased and RL decreased with age and body weight. Arterial blood gases (PaO₂ and PaCO₂) did not show significant changes over the age range studied. Regression equations for each pulmonary function parameter are given with body weight as the independent variable. Data for the mechanics of breathing were compared with those elsewhere for cattle, horses, man and dogs.     

早期热习服对肉鸡耐热力发育的影响研究进展

从早期热习服的概念、耐热力的评价指标以及早期热习服的时机出发,总结与分析了早期热习服对肉鸡后期耐热力形成的影响规律,试图探索出早期热习服提高肉鸡后期耐热力的机理。     

植物-土壤微生物反馈在草地演替过程中的作用机制

植物-土壤反馈影响生态系统结构、功能及过程,推动植物群落组成的变化,对解释植物群落的演替进程和方向、维持植物群落多样性和稳定性有着重要意义,已成为近年生物学和生态学研究热点。植物-土壤微生物反馈是植物-土壤反馈的重要组成部分。重点综述植物-土壤微生物反馈在植物群落演替过程中的作用机制,简要指出目前研究中存在的不足,并对未来研究中值得重点关注的科学问题进行了探讨与展望。     

不同年龄肉牛育肥性能的研究

先用34 头西门塔尔杂交阉牛,按年龄分为2±0.5 岁(8 头)、3±0.5 岁(9 头)、4±0.5 岁(8 头)、5～9 岁(9 头)4 个年龄组,进行了不同年龄组对育肥效果、屠宰性能影响的研究。结果表明,在相同饲养条件下,肉牛的增重速度(P< 0.01)、饲料转化率、大理石花纹等级(P< 0.05)及眼肌面积(P< 0.05)均以3 岁以下为好。随着年龄的增长,虽然屠宰率略微见增(P> 0.05),但肉的品质下降,饲养效果降低。