Innovative layer genetics to handle global challenges in egg production

1. In commercial layer breeding, extensive gene pools are tested and selected for market requirements which must be anticipated at least 5 years ahead. Field results confirm a continuous positive genetic trend in egg output and better feed efficiency which can be converted into land savings.

2. Animal welfare and cage-free housing dominate future needs of the market. Nesting behaviour and minimal tendency to develop feather-pecking or cannibalism without beak treatment are key trait complexes. Stronger shells for longer production cycles without moulting have to be combined with better bones.

3. No single big gene effect can be expected to control the multifactorial problem of feather-pecking. Adjusting the shape of the beak, with a heritability of .10–.25, can contribute to reducing the risk of severe cannibalism.

4. For better skeletal integrity, the assessment of bone quality in pedigree birds housed in enriched cages is done by keel bone palpation or ultrasound measurement of the humerus. Both traits show similar heritabilities in the range of .15–.30 and can be included in a balanced selection approach for performance, quality and welfare traits.

5. The combination of performance testing and genome-wide DNA marker analysis is a promising tool to generate more progress for a balanced performance and behaviour profile.     

Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level

1. The aim of this study was to investigate if male-to-female aggression of common pheasants in the course of the breeding season was related to the concentration of plasma testosterone and/or other biochemical plasma indicators in male pheasants housed in breeding cages. The influence of season on the concentration of testosterone and biochemical indicators was also investigated.

2. Males were divided into non-aggressive and aggressive groups during the breeding season based on ethological evaluation. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the breeding season, a blood sample was taken from all males on the same day and the concentration of selected biochemical indicators and the total circulating testosterone in the plasma were determined.

3. Male-to-female aggression during the breeding season of pheasants was not influenced by the total plasma testosterone of males.

4. The concentration of total plasma testosterone in males decreased gradually during the breeding season.

5. Male-to-female aggression of pheasants did not have a significant effect on any of the assessed biochemical indicators.

6. The influence of the breeding season affected the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the concentrations of glucose, magnesium, potassium and chloride in the blood plasma of cage-housed male pheasants.     

The use of ultrasonography in the reproductive evaluation of boars

The objective was to study the use of ultrasound as a complementary test in the breeding soundness evaluation in male pigs and study the pattern of echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in boars of different racial groups. Twenty‐six adult boars from four different racial groups were used, 10 from the Piau breed (group 1), four from the commercial and finishing group (group 2), six Pietrain breed (group 3) and six from the Duroc breed (group 4). All animals were evaluated for breeding soundness evaluation and the ultrasound examination of the testicles. The groups of animals that were evaluated showed no difference in the main semen parameters that were evaluated, except for the sperm volume, concentration of the ejaculated sperm and the supravital staining; the lowest figures were for the animals from the Piau breed (group 1). In relation to the testicular biometrics, Duroc animals (group 4) had a greater scrotal width compared to the other groups. But when we assessed the intensity of pixels of the testicles, there was a difference between groups. The groups 2 (finishing animals), 3 (Pietrain) and 4 had no difference between themselves. Group 3 had greater pixel intensity in relation to group 1. Of the 26 animals studied, five showed an abnormality during ultrasound evaluation, like hydrocele, hyperechoic mass in the testicular parenchyma, cyst in the head of the epididymis and the presence of fluid in the head and tail of the epididymis. The various animal groups studied did not differ in the principal reproductive parameters evaluated, showing that despite the great variability of reproductive traits between breeds and within the same breed, the breeding soundness evaluation, the more complete it is, is essential for the selection of breeders and the ultrasonography of the reproductive system becomes an important addition in this examination.     

广州石门国家森林公园野生观赏植物资源调查

通过野外调查和查阅文献资料,得出石门国家森林公园共有野生观赏植物122科267属377种,其中蕨类植物19科23属28种,裸子植物4科5属7种,被子植物99科239属342种。分析了石门国家森林公园野生观赏植物资源的基本特征和用途,并探讨其保护和开发利用。     

大连国家生态工业示范园净水厂使用林地可行性分析

首先,提出了大连国家生态工业示范园净水厂建设的必要性;然后,分析项目使用林地对当地森林资源、生物多样性、生态效能、景观风貌、环境质量及林业发展的影响;最后,结合园区供水安全现状、相关法规及其自然地理情况,综合分析该项目使用林地的可行性,为林业管理者科学管理提供参考依据。分析表明,为了保障大连国家生态工业示范园区供水安全,建设大连国家生态工业示范园净水厂使用林地是可行的。     

芒属植物叶绿体InDel标记的开发与应用

研究利用芒属植物(芒02381和荻04005)叶绿体全基因组测序的结果,开发12对InDel标记。采用正交设计法优化cpInDelPCR体系,得到模板DNA、dNTPs、Mg2+、引物、TaqDNA聚合酶5个关键因素在体系中的最佳组合。12对InDel标记对43份芒属和2份甘蔗材料进行扩增,共扩增出538条条带,其中3对引物扩增出13条多态性条带,占总数的2.4%。将所有位点读带转化为数值矩阵并用UPGMA法聚类,在遗传相似系数1.4的水平上,和南荻聚为一类,而芒和与五节芒、双药芒、红山茅、尼泊尔芒、甘蔗聚为一类,4个具有杂交种特征的材料单独聚为一类。试验开发的芒属植物cpInDel标记可用于芒与荻的区分,指导芒属植物的杂交育种。     

浅谈二种生活用具在棉花自交与杂交中的应用

棉花在栽培过程中,为了获得好性状的棉珠,利用自交与杂交技术进行育种,本文论述小铁夹和吸汽水管方法的精髓及注意事项。     

生态养猪技术要点及未来发展趋势

猪肉作为主要的食物来源之一,传统的自然养殖已不能填补人们对品质的要求。有机养猪作为此类食品的主要新型品种之一,最重要的特点是生态性、绿色性和安全性。该文主要分析生态养猪技术的要点及其未来发展形势。     

从可持续发展浅谈森林保护与利用对策——以森林生物多样性保护与病虫害控制为例

通过分析森林生物多样性与森林病虫害的现状及其对森林可持续发展的意义,提出了提高意识、加强管理,依靠科技手段保护生物多样性和防治病虫害等措施建议,以期可持续发展森林保护与利用。