Mineral requirements of hair sheep in tropical climates

In this study, we evaluated the requirements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) for sheep hair growth. Experimental diets contained different levels of metabolizable energy [ME; 0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg of dry matter, (DM), corresponding to 4.23, 5.64, 7.58, 9.61 and 11.55 MJ/kg DM]. The lambs' hair (n = 48) at 2 months of age presented an average body weight (BW) of 12.05 ± 1.81 kg. At the beginning of the experiment, eight animals were slaughtered as a reference group to estimate the initial empty body weight and body composition. Net mineral requirements (g/day) ranged from 0.73 to 0.71 g of Ca, 0.51 to 0.49 g of P, 0.026 to 0.026 g of Mg, 0.16 to 0.19 g of Na and 0.15 to 0.13 g of K for animals with a BW ranging from 15 to 30 kg and a daily gain of 100 g. The results of this study indicate that the net macromineral requirements for weight gain in Morada Nova lambs are different from the values commonly recommended by the Agricultural and Food Research Council.     

Fractures of the humerus

Humeral fractures are the least common long bone fracture in small animals. The low incidence of these fractures combined with the unique anatomy of the humerus makes repair of humeral fractures challenging. This chapter provides a review of humeral fracture management.     

黄土丘陵区流域主要植被类型养分循环特征

以黄土丘陵沟壑区典型小流域纸坊沟流域为例,系统研究流域在植被稳定恢复期1种乔木、4种灌木和9种草地植被类型的养分循环平衡特征。结果表明,乔灌植被类型的叶片养分含量明显高于当年的新生枝条,新生枝条则明显高于枝干;乔木植被类型的生物量、氮磷养分累积量明显高于灌木植被类型,灌木植被类型则高于草地植被类型;乔木的氮养分循环速率是0.789,灌木为0.742,草地为1.000;乔木P2O5循环速率是0.881,灌木为0.758,草地为1.000。乔木的氮养分年盈余量是333.0 kg/km2,灌木为508.5 kg/km2,草地为597.0 kg/km2;乔木的P2O5年盈余量是333.0 kg/km2,灌木为423.0 kg/km2,草地为531.0 kg/km2。     

四川青衣江、岷江流域鹅观草遗传多样性的溶蛋白分析

用酸性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(A-PAGE)技术对采自青衣江流域和岷江流域的97份鹅观草材料的种子醇溶蛋白进行了分析。在对四川青衣江、岷江流域鹅观草居群的醇溶蛋白分析中,鹅观草材料醇溶蛋白带谱存在显著差异,共出现27个条带,其中多态性条带25条,占总条带数的92.59%;鹅观草的遗传相似性与其地理分布较为一致,表现在:1)青衣江、岷江流域鹅观草总遗传多样性指数为0.345 1,其中青衣江流域鹅观草遗传多样性指数为0.340 0,岷江流域鹅观草遗传多样性指数为0.310 0,表明青衣江流域鹅观草比岷江流域存在更为丰富的遗传变异,多样性指数更高;但流域间遗传分化系数仅为0.04,表明两江流域间遗传分化较小;各居群间遗传变异系数达0.326,表明总遗传多样性的32.6%来自居群间。2)在同一流域不同居群也存在遗传分化,其中青衣江流域各居群(除峨眉山居群分散聚在各居群外)能聚在一起;而岷江流域各居群在成都平原区段互相渗透,但能以上、中、下游区段聚开;青衣江流域各居群中以蒙山居群遗传多样性指数最高,达0.339 8,洪雅居群最低,仅0.094 7;岷江流域上游居群多样性指数最高,为0.301 7,而下游以乐山居群遗传多样性指数最低,为0.131 7。3)同一居群内鹅观草存在遗传变异,两江流域以蒙山居群变异最大,多样性指数最高。对居群遗传多样性的研究还表明,鹅观草垂直分布的遗传多样性高于水平分布;在成都平原居群由于生境片断化,导致岷江流域鹅观草生境片断化后小居群遗传分化增加,而整个成都平原“大居群”遗传多样性降低。     

Effects of testosterone on rat placental development

We investigated the morphological effects of testosterone on placental development in a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Testosterone propionate (TP), which was subcutaneously administered to pregnant rats with 5 mg/animal from gestation day (GD) 14 to GD 18, induced a maternal weight reduction without mortality or clinical signs from GD 19 onwards. A decrease in fetal and placental weight, an increase in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) rates, and histological changes in the placenta were observed on GD 21 but not on GD15 or 17. Histopathologically, on GD 21, the trophoblast septa thickened, and the maternal sinusoids were narrowed in the labyrinth zone, resulting in a small placenta. Additionally, the placental weight, thickness, and histological morphology in the labyrinth zone on GD 21 in the TP-treated group were nearly identical to those on GD 17 in the control and TP-treated groups. Therefore, it was assumed that the testosterone-induced small placenta was induced in association with the developmental inhibition of the fetal part of the placentas from GD 17 onwards.     

Genome-wide detection of signatures of selection in three Valdostana cattle populations

The Valdostana is a local dual purpose cattle breed developed in Italy. Three populations are recognized within this breed, based on coat colour, production level, morphology and temperament: Valdostana Red Pied (VPR), Valdostana Black Pied (VPN) and Valdostana Chestnut (VCA). Here, we investigated putative genomic regions under selection among these three populations using the Bovine 50K SNP array by combining three different statistical methods based either on allele frequencies (F_ST) or extended haplotype homozygosity (iHS and Rsb). In total, 8, 5 and 8 chromosomes harbouring 13, 13 and 16 genomic regions potentially under selection were identified by at least two approaches in VPR, VPN and VCA, respectively. Most of these candidate regions were population-specific but we found one common genomic region spanning 2.38 Mb on BTA06 which either overlaps or is located close to runs of homozygosity islands detected in the three populations. This region included inter alia two well-known genes: KDR, a well-established coat colour gene, and CLOCK, which plays a central role in positive regulation of inflammatory response and in the regulation of the mammalian circadian rhythm. The other candidate regions identified harboured genes associated mainly with milk and meat traits as well as genes involved in immune response/inflammation or associated with behavioural traits. This last category of genes was mainly identified in VCA, which is selected for fighting ability. Overall, our results provide, for the first time, a glimpse into regions of the genome targeted by selection in Valdostana cattle. Finally, this study illustrates the relevance of using multiple complementary approaches to identify genomic regions putatively under selection in livestock.     

Small mammal diversity and density on the Bokkeveld escarpment,South Africa – implications for conservation and livestock predation

A preliminary investigation of the diversity and density of small mammals in four structurally distinct habitat types in an actively-utilized farming landscape was carried out. We sought to understand how diversity and density are influenced by landscape structure, habitat structure and management decisions. Farmers in the area believe small mammals provide a service as an alternative food source, other than sheep, for predators. We assessed the validity of this reported ecosystem service. A total of 10 species and 219 individuals were recorded during this survey of 3600 trap-nights, with a total trap success rate of 6.1%. Significantly more individuals were caught during the winter than in summer. Vegetation transformation had a negative impact on small mammal diversity. Density, diversity and distribution were correlated with vegetation and landscape structural diversity. Management decisions that reduce vegetation structure and cover will have a negative impact on small mammal density and diversity. Ensuring the conservation of small mammals may have the benefit of providing an alternative food source to predators, a valuable ecosystem service to farmers.     

Variation and distribution of virulence phenotypes of Bremia lactucae in natural populations of Lactuca serriola

During 1997–2000 the virulence variation and distribution of virulence phenotypes of Bremia lactucae (lettuce downy mildew) in natural populations of Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce) were studied. Altogether 139 isolates of B. lactucae originating from the Czech Republic, France and Germany were examined for the presence of 27 virulence factors (v-factors) and their combinations. In the Czech population, 37 different v-phenotypes (P1–P37) of B. lactucae were found to occur on L. serriola . Most v-phenotypes were characterized by v-factors that match resistance ( Dm genes/R-factors) carried by L. serriola . A wide diversity of v-phenotypes was recorded every year, but most were rare and did not reappear in other populations of B. lactucae . The three v-phenotypes P21, P28 and P29 were most frequent and widely distributed. There was variation both between spatially isolated populations and within populations of the pathogen. Geographic differences in virulence were found for the southern parts of Moravia, where the phenotypic composition of pathogen populations was completely different from the remaining part of the area investigated. However, some populations had v-phenotypes similar to those of spatially distant populations in Moravia.     

小肽对家禽肠道生理功能的影响

家禽肠道生理功能与家禽机体健康状态关系密切,维护家禽肠道生理功能是实现家禽健康养殖的关键。小肽以其独特的营养特性和吸收机制能够促进家禽肠道系统发育、肠道消化酶的分泌、肠道有益菌的大量繁殖、微量元素的吸收及肠道免疫力的提高,从而增强肠道的屏障作用和养分吸收能力,对肠道起到保护作用。开发以小肽为主的新型饲料添加剂在维护家禽肠道生理功能,实现健康养殖方面潜力巨大。     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN SPINAL CORD INFARCTION IN THREE SMALL BREED DOGS

Fibrocartilaginous embolization (FCE) of the spinal cord is a common disease in large breed dogs. There are only a few reports about this entity in small breed dogs and it has never been reported in chondrodystrophic breed. For definitive diagnosis histopathologic examination is necessary. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential diagnostic tool for intravitam diagnosis of FCE has been mentioned before, but results have not been reported so far. This report describes the neurological findings and MRI results in three small breed dogs, including a Pekingese dog, with FCE of the spinal cord. The disease was suspected in two animals based upon clinical and MRI-appearance and confirmed in the third by histopathological examination. In all three cases, similar focal intramedullary lesions, consisting of hyperintensive signals on T2-weighted images, were detected. Based on these findings, high-field MRI may be used as an antemortem tool for the diagnosis of FCE. It is also shown that FCE can occur in chondrodystrophic dogs.