Heart Rate Variability in Horses Engaged in Equine-Assisted Activities

Although there has been a recent surge in using horses to treat mental and emotional human health issues, the consequences of horse-assisted interventions on the stress response of horses have not been well documented. Assessment of the autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function has been used as an indicator of acute and chronic stress in human beings and horses. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive measurement that has been used to assess autonomic nervous system regulation of cardiovascular function. There is evidence to suggest that several factors including the genotype, behavior, environment, temperament, and nutritional status of the horse play a key role in the large inter-individual variations in basal HRV. The present study determined whether 24-hour HRV recordings in horses currently working in equine-assisted therapy (EAT) differ from those previously shown in Thoroughbred horses. Findings from the present study found that in contrast to previous studies in Thoroughbred horses, diurnal and nocturnal low frequency and high frequency powers were not significantly different in horses that are currently engaged in EAT. Future studies are needed to determine the short- and long-term consequences of horses participating in EAT programs. Findings from this study will provide the basis for the development of a physiological/behavioral assessment criteria to determine the consequences of EAT on the well-being of horses as well as to help EAT Centers to improve the beneficial effects of EAT in human beings.     

The strategic use of closantel and albendazole in controlling naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in the Kenya highlands

The strategic use of closantel, a narrow-spectrum salicylanilide anthelmintic against bloodsucking helminths, and of albendazole, a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic, in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep was investigated on a farm in Nyandarua District in the highlands of Kenya. Thirty Corriedale female lambs aged between 9 and 12 months were assigned to three treatment groups of 10 lambs each. The three groups were set stocked on separate paddocks for 12 months. Lambs in group 1 (strategic treatment group) were treated with closantel and albendazole at the beginning and towards the end of the long rains (April and June, respectively) and towards the end of the short rains (December). During the intervening dry season, the lambs were treated with albendazole. Lambs in group 2 (suppressive treatment group) were kept worm free by regular deworming with albendazole at 3-weekly intervals for 12 months. The third group of lambs remained untreat ed (control group). Gastrointestinal nematode infections and pasture infectivity were well controlled in the case of the strategic treatment group. This resulted in higher weight gains, wool production, packed cell volume, and serum albumin and protein concentrations compared with the untreated control lambs. These parameters were comparable between the strategic treatment and the suppressive treatment groups of lambs. It was concluded that worm control strategies based on the epidemiology of the parasites and the sustained anthelmintic action of closantel in combination with broad-spectrum anthelmintics can provide effective control of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in the study area.     

西藏草原毛虫的发生及防治对策

草原毛虫是西藏草地的主要害虫,它对草地的危害是毁灭性的,导致牧草缺乏,生态环境恶化。通过物理、化学和生物等防治方法,采取合理的措施,可以有效控制草原毛虫的发生和危害。     

健全质量管理体系 保证蚕种检验检疫质量

阐述了浙江省蚕种质量检验检疫站质量管理体系的构建与运行实效,对确保全省蚕种质量的作用。     

高原牛羊胃肠道线虫驱治模式研究

根据高原地区＂春乏＂期间,牛、羊因胃肠道线虫病引起死亡严重的突出情况,自列项目,在全州范围划为三大区域,以项目区为中心,在牛、羊发病率和死亡率相对高的乡（镇）、村设点,将93330头（只）牛、羊分为三个组,作为高原地区牛、羊胃肠道线虫病防治技术模块,结果3个试验组用药前胃肠道寄生虫感染率均为100%,早晨在放牧前投喂赛爱吉夏结、克虫特和丙硫苯咪唑等药物后,7 d粪检EPG,虫卵转阴率和虫卵减少数均为100%。间隔7 d重复驱虫1次,防治效果显著。有计划的用驱虫药丙硫咪唑,克虫特、伊维菌素。在每年春季2~3月,秋季8~9月份进行两次驱虫。可提高牛、羊有机体的免疫力,降低牛、羊胃肠道线虫病的发病率和死亡率,减轻对养殖业的危害。     

贵南县乡镇农业技术推广体系存在的问题及其对策建议

乡镇农业技术推广体系是实施科技兴农战略的重要力量,乡镇农业技术推广人员对于提高农民科学文化整体素质起到重要作用。笔者通过对贵南县乡镇农业技术推广现状分析,指出乡镇农业技术推广工作存在着基础设施条件差、推广经费不足、管理体制不顺、推广工作难度大、专业技术人员少、业务素质不高、农技人员待遇低等突出问题,并结合实际,有针对性地提出了搞好乡镇农业技术推广工作的对策建议。     

遮荫胁迫下外源一氧化氮对高羊茅的生理调控作用

用外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)处理遮荫胁迫下的2个高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)品种,探讨外源NO对遮荫胁迫下其叶绿素含量、膜透性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活性及脯氨酸(Pro)含量的影响.结果表明:外源NO可以显著提高遮荫胁迫下高羊茅叶片的叶绿素含量(P＜0.05),减弱质膜相对透性的增加,减缓膜质过氧化产物MDA含量的升高,促进Pro的积累,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性(P＜0.05).遮荫胁迫下高羊茅品种踏火二号的电解质渗透率、MDA含量、CAT活性和Pro含量的变化显著(P＜0.05),NO的作用效果     

几种常见桑树病害的识别与防治

桑树是蚕桑产业的重要物质基础。为确保桑树健康成长,促进产业发展,桑树病害的有效识别与及时防控尤为重要。真核微生物、原核微生物及非细胞类病毒中均存在能引发桑树传染性病害的病原微生物。其中由真核微生物引起的桑里白粉病与桑椹菌核病,原核微生物引起的桑青枯病与桑疫病是爆发频繁、危害极大的桑树病害。本文就这四种桑树病害的病原、侵染循环、病害识别及防治方法等进行系统梳理,并简要介绍几种非细胞类微生物引起的桑树病害,以期为生产上防治相关病害提供参考。     

几种农药对桑椹小粒性菌核病的防治效果试验

桑椹菌核病是果用桑树的重要病害,为高效、安全控制该病对桑果生产的危害,进行了大田农药防治筛选试验。结果表明,70%甲基托布津可湿性粉剂500倍液、50%多菌灵-硫磺粉剂500倍液和1 000倍液对桑椹小粒性菌核病具有较好的防治效果,且对桑叶和桑椹无明显药害;70%甲基托布津粉剂1 000倍液、25%吡唑醚菌酯乳油1 500倍和3 000倍液以及40%嘧霉胺粉剂1 000倍液也有一定的防治效果。     

绵羊转移饲养的效应

在草原－家畜生产系统中牧草生产的季节性，与放牧绵羊对营养需求的相对均匀性之间存在尖锐供求矛盾，依据系统耦合理论，在枯草季来临之际将牧地过量家畜转移到作物栽培区短期育肥出栏或存留饲养，间的耦合可使草地资源有效和家畜稳定生产。在本试验条件下，日粮营养成分对增重影响的重要性，蛋白质为最优因素，依次为代谢能，干物质，粗纤维。