The Effects of Growth Factor on Testicular Germ Cell Apoptosis in the Stallion

Apoptosis is necessary for both initiation and control of spermatogenesis; however, an increase in apoptosis can lead to subfertility/infertility in stallions, causing substantial financial loss in the equine industry. The ability of stem cell factor (SCF), leukemia-inhibiting factor (LIF), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and estradiol (E₂), alone or in combination, to prevent apoptosis of germ cells in short-term equine testicular cultures was examined. Testicular tissue was sectioned into approximately 2-mm cubes and placed in media-filled culture chambers. Concentrations of SCF (100 ng/mL), LIF (10 ng/mL), GM-CSF (5 ng/mL), and E₂ (10⁻⁹ mol/l) were added alone or in combination to each well. After 6 hours in culture, the tissue was fixed and immunohistochemically (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling; TUNEL) stained for apoptosis detection. Apoptotic cells per 100 Sertoli cell nuclei within seminiferous tubules were counted until the 500^th Sertoli cell nuclei was reached. This counting procedure was used for each slide. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a Tukey's test was used to compare apoptotic rates. In comparison with the control, GM-CSF alone lowered apoptosis by 34.77%. GM-CSF–treated tissue combined with SCF and LIF as well as GM-CSF combined with SCF, LIF, and E₂ reduced apoptosis when compared with the control (37.45% and 44.40%, respectively) or other treatment combinations. GM-CSF alone reduced apoptosis; results suggest possible synergy for the combinations of SCF and LIF with GM-CSF and for E₂ with SCF, LIF, and GM-CSF.     

不同海拔对幼年牦牛生长发育的观察

对幼年牦牛断乳后分别在海拔3200m和4229m地区饲养,结果高海拔饲养的牦牛的体重和各项体尺均显著高于低海拔饲养的牦牛。     

Evaluation of single and double centrifugation tube methods for concentrating equine platelets

The aim of this study was to evaluate single and double centrifugation tube methods for concentrating equine platelets. Whole blood samples were collected from clinically normal horses and processed by use of single and double centrifugation tube methods to obtain four platelet concentrates (PCs): PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D, which were analyzed using a flow cytometry hematology system for hemogram and additional platelet parameters (mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, mean platelet component concentration, mean platelet component distribution width). Concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) were determined in all the samples. Platelet concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D were 45%, 44%, 71%, and 21% higher, respectively, compared to the same values for citrated whole blood samples. TGF-beta(1) concentrations for PC-A, PC-B, PC-C, and PC-D were 38%, 44%, 44%, and 37% higher, respectively, compared to citrated whole blood sample values. In conclusion, the single and double centrifugation tube methods are reliable methods for concentrating equine platelets and for obtaining potentially therapeutic TGF-beta(1) levels.     

Body weight growth Model of Datong Yak in Qinghai

Summary:This study was conducted to develop a suitable model for describing the growth pattern of the yak. The data used consisted of body weight records of 76 growing yak aged between 5 to 37 months. Three mathematical models were applied to describe the growth curves during this development period:①Y1=20.105 + 11. 250x-0. 526x2 ;used for describing the growth curve of yak aged 5 to 13 months;②Y2 = -359.687 + 49. 977x - 1. 249x2 ;used for animals aged 13 to 25 months;and ③Y3 = -833. 339 + 63. 772x - 1. 019x2 ;used for animals aged 25 to 37 months.     

生长激素释放肽-6缓释微球的制备及其对动物生长的影响

以生物降解材料乳酸乙醇酸共聚物(PLGA,LA-GA 8515)为载体,采用复乳-液中蒸发法制备含生长激素释放肽-6的乳酸乙醇酸共聚物微球,并通过体外药物释放试验评价载药微球的释药特征.结果得到收率、粒径大小和分布及含药量均满意的微球,其中包封率为100%,平均体积径为3.45μm,收率为79%.在37℃、pH7.0的生理等渗缓冲液中,首日释药19.19%,其后以平均日释药3.23%的速度释药25 d.小鼠肌肉注射微球30 d后,累积增重比注射生长激素释放肽-6、生理盐水分别高22.56%(P<0.05)和53.17%(P<0.01).结果表明,生长激素释放肽-6乳酸乙醇酸共聚物微球有望发展成为新型长效制剂.     

Growth,feed efficiency and blood profile of buffalo calves consuming high levels of fluoride

Twelve male buffalo calves of 10 to 12 months of age were divided into 3 groups of four each. They were fed wheat straw+concentrate mixture +3 Kg greens. The chemical composition of the diet was same in all the three groups except fluoride which was added (as NaF) in concentrate mixture of group B and C to make the final fluoride concentration 30 ppm and 60 ppm respectively. The animals were kept on scheduled diet for a period of 90 days. Body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at fortnightly interval thereafter. Analysis of data revealed that the dry matter intake decreased non significantly in group B and C as compared to control group. A significant decrease in serum calcium and a significant increase in phosphorus concentration were observed in group C animals. A significant increase was observed in alkaline phosphatase activity in group C animals. A non significant decrease was observed in T₄ values in group C animals. On the basis of these results it could be concluded that fluoride in the diet of buffalo calves @ 30 ppm is a safe level whereas 60 ppm has affected the blood metabolites.     

Infection, immunity and the neuroendocrine response

The Central Nervous (CNS) and Immune Systems (IS) are the two major adaptive systems which respond rapidly to numerous challenges that are able to compromise health. The defensive response strictly linking innate to acquired immunity, works continuously to limit pathogen invasion and damage. The efficiency of the innate response is crucial for survival and for an optimum priming of acquired immunity. During infection, the immune response is modulated by an integrated neuro-immune network which potentiates innate immunity, controls potential harmful effects and also addresses metabolic and nutritional modifications supporting immune function. In the last decade much knowledge has been gained on the molecular signals that orchestrate this integrated adaptive response, with focus on the systemic mediators which have a crucial role in driving and controlling an efficient protective response. These mediators are also able to signal alterations and control pathway dysfunctions which may be involved in the persistence and/or overexpression of inflammation that may lead to tissue damage and to a negative metabolic impact, causing retarded growth.This review aims to describe some important signalling pathways which drive bidirectional communication between the Immune and Nervous Systems during infection. Particular emphasis is placed on pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulator hormones such as Glucocorticoids (GCs), Growth hormone (GH), Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), and Leptin, as well as nutritional factors such as Zinc (Zn).Finally, the review includes up-to-date information on this neuroimmune cross-talk in domestic animals. Data in domestic animal species are still limited, but there are several exciting areas of research, like the potential interaction pathways between mediators (i.e. cytokine-HPA regulation, IL-6-GCS-Zn, cytokines-GH/IGF-1, IL-6-GH-Leptin and thymus activity) that are or could be promising topics of future research in veterinary medicine.     

诱导滞育的温度和光照节律对家蚕滞育激素基因Dh表达的影响

滞育激素(DH)是导致家蚕滞育生理现象出现的关键因素。研究卵期不同温度和光照节律引起家蚕滞育激素基因Dh表达的变化,探讨温度和光照对家蚕滞育调控的机制。催青期25℃持续光照(25LL)条件下,蚕卵中Dh基因mRNA高水平稳定转录;而在15℃持续黑暗(15DD)条件下,蚕卵中只有痕迹量Dh基因mRNA存在;25LL或者20℃、光照与黑暗12h交替(20LD)条件下,胚胎发育至单眼着色后(有效积温2160℃.h以后)Dh基因mRNA转录水平显著上调,与此时期胚胎对诱导滞育的温度和光照节律更加敏感一致。从催青期开始整个世代的保护温度和光照节律,呈现高温25℃显著上调整个胚后时期Dh基因mRNA转录水平,光照上调蛹期与蛾期Dh基因mRNA转录水平,且高温的作用强于光照。5龄第3天幼虫的基因芯片表达谱显示,Dh基因mRNA转录水平存在显著的性别与组织差异,雌蚕多个组织中的Dh基因mRNA转录水平都显著低于雄蚕,卵巢中的Dh基因mRNA只有痕迹量。亲代卵的催青温度与光照节律决定子代卵的滞育性,也影响到Dh基因mRNA的转录水平;但子代卵内Dh基因mRNA转录水平高低不是蚕卵滞育与否的关键。推测家蚕Dh基因表达的性别差异及在早期蚕卵中表达特征与滞育性不一致的现象,可能与Dh基因的前体多肽翻译产物剪切有关。     

天然植物制剂“开口健”对小鼠淋巴细胞功能及营养生长因子的影响

目的：探讨口服＂开口健＂对小鼠淋巴细胞功能以及营养生长因子的影响。方法：36只ICR小鼠随机分为4组,即生理盐水组＂,开口健＂低、中、高剂量组。给小鼠连续灌胃10 d后,用MTT法检测淋巴细胞刺激指数,RT-PCR方法检测ConA刺激后淋巴细胞产生的IL-4、IL-10、IL-12和INF-γmRNA水平,ELISA方法检测小鼠血清胰岛素样生长因子（IGF-1）和生长激素释放肽（Ghrelin）水平。结果：口服＂开口健＂小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞SI显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）,并随＂开口健＂剂量的增加而升高;口服＂开口健＂小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞产生IL-4、IL-10、IL-12和IFN-γmRNA水平显著高于对照组（P〈0.05）。口服＂开口健＂显著提高了小鼠血清的IGF-1和Ghrelin水平（P〈0.05）,且与＂开口健＂剂量呈正相关性。结论：口服＂开口健＂可增强小鼠淋巴细胞功能并提高血清营养生长因子水平。     

N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸对肥育猪生长及激素水平的影响

选取体重51 kg左右杜长大肥育猪84头,随机分为2组,每组设3个重复,2组分别饲喂添加0、50 mg/kg N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)的饲粮,试猪体重达88 kg时结束饲养试验,并对猪生长性能及血液相关激素指标进行分析,结果表明50 mg/kg NMDA可以显著影响猪的生长性能及内分泌水平,试猪日增重提高9.31%(P＜0.01),料重比降低7.16%(P＜0.02);血清生长激素含量提高了92.54%(P＜0.01),IGF-I水平增加了50.68%(P＜0.05),TSH、FT 3、FT 4的浓度分别提高了78.40%(P＜0.02)、123.33%(P＜0.01)和60.58%(P＜0.03),胰岛素水平提高了62.61%(P＜0.05).由此可见,NMDA可以显著影响猪的生长及血清相关激素水平.