Clients' Perspectives on the Effects of Laparoscopic Ovariectomy on Equine Behavior and Medical Problems

Because laparoscopic surgery eliminates the side effects of general anesthesia, the success and therefore the use of laparoscopic surgery continues to broaden. Laparoscopic ovariectomy, once only used to treat medical problems such as granulosa cell tumors, is now being expanded to treat behavioral problems in mares. Thirty-five mares with behavioral or medical problems were treated with ovariectomies, and their owners were later contacted and questioned concerning the effect of ovariectomy on their mares.Behavioral improvement was seen in 83% (19/23) of mares treated for behavior-related problems. Aggression problems improved in 86% (12/14) of cases, general disagreeable demeanor improved in 81% (17/21), and excitability improved in 75% (12/16) of cases in which these behaviors were previously observed. Kicking and biting improved in 73% (8/11), problems in training improved in 72% (13/18), and frequent urination and problems with other horses improved in 64% (7/11 and 9/14, respectively) of cases.Owners with nonovariectomized mares also were contacted to compare the normal progression of mare behavior over time with the behavioral change in ovariectomized mares. A statistically significant change in behavior of ovariectomized mares over nonovariectomized mares was seen in the categories of decreased aggression (P < .01), decreased training problems (P < .025), decreased frequency of problem behaviors (P < .001), and improved overall behavior (P < .01).In cases in which medical problems such as granulosa cell tumors, ovarian cysts, and cycle-related colic were treated with ovariectomy, all of the clients were very satisfied with the treatment, whereas clients attempting to treat cycle-related laminitis were dissatisfied.     

Diverse production system and social status effects on pig immunity and behavior

Pig performance, immunity, and behavior may be influenced by production system and social status. A conventional indoor housing system was compared with an outdoor system to determine the effects of diverse production systems on pig performance, behavior, and immunity. At 21 days of age, weight matched pigs reared in a conventional indoor or an outdoor production system were weaned and randomly selected for use in the present study. Six replicate pens were evaluated per treatment, with two littermate female pigs in each pen. Social status was determined at 7 weeks of age by a feed competition test. Pig behavior was recorded for 24 h using a scan sample technique. At 9 weeks of age, blood samples were taken from indoor- and outdoor-reared pigs and immune assays performed. Both indoor- and outdoor-reared pigs were given a sheep red blood cell (SRBC) challenge at 6 and 8 weeks of age, and antibody titers to SRBC were measured at 6, 7, and 9 weeks of age. Performance data were recorded throughout the study period. Body weight and average daily gain were not influenced by the production system in which the pig was reared. The production system effected standing, lying, drinking, and oral/nasal/facial behaviors. The production system influenced the expression of certain behaviors depending on the time of day. Immune and blood measures were affected by production system. The percentage of phagocytosis was greater (P ≤ 0.05) and antibody titers to SRBC challenge tended to be greater (P = 0.066) among outdoor-reared pigs compared with indoor-reared pigs. Outdoor reared pigs had higher hemoglobin concentrations (P < 0.005), percentage of hematocrit (P < 0.005), mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.005), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P < 0.005) compared with indoor-reared pigs. Furthermore, dominance order influenced the immune system. Dominant pigs had greater phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (P < 0.01) and baseline antibody titers to sheep red blood cells (P < 0.05) compared with submissive pigs. In conclusion, in the present study body weight and average daily gain were similar among diverse production systems. However, pig behavior and immune system were significantly influenced by the production system. Dominance order influenced the immune system regardless of the production system.     

Effects of fitch odor (Mustila eversmanni) on behavior and breeding of root voles (Microtus oeconomus)

From April to December in 1997 at Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, the effect of predation risk on social behavior, feeding, reproduction and sexual hormones of the root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied when the root voles (Microtus oeconomus) were exposed to the odor of fitch (Mustila eversmanni). The results showed that the root voles delayed breeding period and the frequency of the copulation significantly lowered (P<0.01). Comparing with the control group, the accumulated time of amicable behavior in females, and general activity of both sexes increased significantly (P<0.01). The frequencies of general activity (P<0.01), investigating activity (females:P<0.05, males:P<0.01), and self-grooming (P<0.01) of both sexes were less significantly. At the same time, the amount of energy intake (P<0.05) and body weight (P<0.01) of the root voles decreased significantly. The litter weight and ovary index of females decreased (P<0.01). For males the sperm count in epididymides also decreased significantly (P<0.01). The progesterone in the blood serum of root voles females increased significantly under fitch odor (P<0.01). Biography: WANG Zhen-long (1971-), male, lecture in Department of Biology, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, P.R. China Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

梅花鹿微卫星标记与行为性状的关联分析

对扬州市动物园和扬州平山堂养殖场梅花鹿遗传变异以及行为性状进行研究,旨在为梅花鹿及其它动物品种分子标记和行为性状研究提供参考.采用筛选的14对微卫星引物,通过计算基因频率、平均杂合度、多态信息量、有效等位基因数目等,评估其遗传变异.根据微卫星位点信息,结合行为数据观察,利用SPSS 11.5分析程序,将位点信息与行为性状进行相关分析.结果表明,动物园梅花鹿群体14对微卫星位点的平均期望杂合度为0.441,观察杂合度为0.354,平均多态信息量为0.332,各位点基因分化系数平均为0.231.平山堂梅花鹿群体平均期望杂合度为0.372,观察杂合度为0.300,平均多态信息量为0.303,各位点基因分化系数平均为0.149.微卫星位点和梅花鹿行为性状的最小二乘分析表明,TGLA53和BM4107位点对修饰行为有显著影响;2AL2位点对观望行为有显著影响;2AL13和Mber14位点对卧息行为有极显著影响;BM6506位点对反刍和其他行为有显著影响;BL42位点对取食和卧息行为有显著影响.不同基因型个体均值的多重比较表明,对于动物园群体,在TGLA53、BM4107、2AL2、2AL13及BM6506位点,不同基因型之间在行为性状上差异显著(P＜0.05).对于平山堂养殖场群体,在TGLA53,CEH-5、2AL10、BM4107、Mb33、Mber710及BM3628位点,各基因型之间在一些行为性状上亦存在显著差异(P＜0.05).微卫星标记是评估梅花鹿遗传多样性较好的方法,微卫星位点和行为性状存在一定的相关性,但有待于进一步分析验证.     

Snf907真菌代谢物对甘薯茎线虫活性的影响

研究了Snf907真菌代谢物原液及不同稀释液对甘薯茎线虫活性及运动行为的影响。结果表明,在1,5,10,20,50倍稀释液浓度下二龄幼虫的校正死亡率分别是87.06%,78.73%,41.21%,24.37%,14.00%,均与无菌水对照差异显著;其不同浓度的代谢物对甘薯茎线虫的行为影响不同,随着浓度的增大和时间的延长,对甘薯茎线虫活动频率的抑制也增强。     

牦牛行为研究及其应用探析

对牦牛的群体争斗、性行为、母性行为、采食、反刍和饮水等社会行为和个体行为进行了综合阐述,分析了牦牛上述行为研究成果在其饲养管理中的指导作用和意义.并就牦牛行为研究中存在的问题进行了分析探讨,提出了该领域今后研究的重点和发展前景.     

柑桔小实蝇的行为学与综合治理技术研究进展

综述了柑桔小实蝇BactroceradorsalisHendel的行为学研究及综合治理技术进展,讨论了在进一步发展柑桔小实蝇综合治理技术体系中要解决的问题。     

山西两种检疫性斑潜蝇研究初报

本研究表明：山西部分地区已有美洲斑潜蝇和南美斑潜蝇为害,其中美洲斑潜蝇普遍发生,南美斑潜蝇局部发生,对二者从形态和为害状作了详细比较。此外,还观察了美洲斑潜蝇各虫态的行为、习性。     

秦岭细鳞鲑稚鱼对底质颜色、光照强度及光色的选择行为

光照、底质颜色是影响鱼类行为、生存的重要环境因子,为探究秦岭细鳞鲑(Brachymystax tsinlingensis)稚鱼对光照及底质颜色环境偏好,本研究以秦岭细鳞鲑子代为实验鱼[平均全长为(3.31±0.67) cm;平均体重为(0.42±0.18) g]开展了秦岭细鳞鲑稚鱼对底质颜色、光照强度及光照颜色的选择行为。结果显示,秦岭细鳞鲑稚鱼个体与群体均对黑色底质偏好明显;个体对3种光照强度(弱光区为1~5 lx,过渡区为5~10 lx,强光区为10~25 lx)均无明显趋向性(P>0.05),而群体对强光(10~25 lx)有明显趋避性;在相同光照强度(1~3 lx)下,个体对4种光照颜色(黄、红、绿和蓝)无明显趋向性(P>0.05),而群体对绿光有明显趋避性(P<0.05)。秦岭细鳞鲑个体和群体对光照强度和光照颜色的差异性表现可能与其信息传递特征或环境反应机制不同有关,而个体和群体均偏好黑色底质,其偏好光照强度为1~10 lx,对绿光具有趋避性,这可能与该物种生活环境特征相关。本研究结论可进一步为秦岭细鳞鲑苗种培育和增殖放流环境选择提供参考。