Polymorphisms in growth hormone gene and their associations with calf weight in Japanese Black cattle

The objectives of this study were to detect effective genetic polymorphisms of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene associated with calf weight in Japanese Black cattle. Fifty‐eight sires and 47 breeding cows were used to detect the polymorphisms in exons by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Four homozygous and six heterozygous SSCP genotypes were identified in exon 5. Although each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) had been reported, these genotypes were caused by three SNPs at the nucleotide positions 2141, 2277 and 2291. Four haplotypes C‐C‐A, G‐C‐A, C‐C‐C and G‐T‐A were newly identified. It was suggested that other haplotypes not detected in this study may not exist, considering the allele frequencies reported in Bos taurus and Bos indicus, and the migrating process of native Japanese cattle. Thereafter, we examined associations between the detected polymorphic sites in exon 5 by PCR – restriction fragment length polymorphism and calf weight using 53 breeding dams and 135 calves. The birth weights of calves with haplotype G‐C‐A are significantly lighter and calves' weights produced by cows with such haplotype are also lighter at 30 days old, using regression analysis. Although further research is necessary, these results may serve as a useful criterion to select breeding stocks, especially in maternal abilities.     

Effects of GH gene polymorphism and sex on carcass traits and fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle

To investigate the effects of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene polymorphism on carcass traits and fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle caused by nucleotide substitution of CTG (allele A)/GTG (allele B) at codon 127 and of ACG (allele A and B)/ATG (allele C) at codon 172 of bGH, GH genotypes of 135 cattle were determined using allele specific-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Allele A gave greater rib thickness and lower melting point of fat (MP) while allele B gave higher C18:1% ( P  < 0.05). Allele C gave higher C18:1, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) percentages ( P  < 0.05). It also gave lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) percentages, higher MUFA/SFA and USFA/SFA ratios, and lower MP ( P  < 0.05). Interactions of sex and GH alleles were analyzed. In heifers, allele A gave higher carcass weight, daily carcass gain, rib eye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, and BMS while allele B gave greater rib eye area and rib thickness ( P  < 0.05). Allele C gave higher C18:1 ( P  < 0.01), MUFA ( P  < 0.01), USFA percentages ( P  < 0.05) and MUFA/SFA and USFA/SFA ratios ( P  < 0.01), and lower C16:0 and SFA percentages ( P  < 0.05) and MP ( P  < 0.01). GH gene polymorphism affected carcass traits and fatty acid compositions although the effects were more pronounced in heifers.     

野生日本鸣鹑与家鹌鹑及其杂交后代的行为规律研究

将微山湖野生日本鸣鹑与家鹌鹑杂交F2代按1公∶5母进行分组,采用秒表单位记时法观察鹌鹑的行为,并引用同期亲本和F1代的相同资料,对鸣叫、打斗和交配行为频次进行比较。结果表明:①杂交F2代鹌鹑鸣叫行为比家鹑低,除10∶00～11∶00外,其余时间段均存在显著差异(P<0.05);在14∶00～15∶00与野生日本鸣鹑存在显著差异(P<0.05);在14∶00～16∶00杂交F1代有显著差异(P<0.05);②杂交F2代鹌鹑打斗行为除16∶00～17∶00外与家鹑及杂交F1代无显著差异;③杂交F2代鹌鹑交配行为除16∶00～18∶00外与家鹑及杂交F1代均有显著差异(P<0.05)。     

2岁日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学结构研究

为了探明日本猴睾丸的形态及组织学特征,本实验测量了2岁雄性日本猴及睾丸的基础形态和参数,并通过石蜡切片,苏木精一伊红染色法研究了睾丸的组织学结构。结果发现,2岁幼年日本猴睾丸平均长轴长11．9mm,短轴平均长7．0mm,重0．3073g。光镜下可见幼年日本猴睾丸组织结构明显,有睾丸纵隔、小叶和曲精细管,曲细精管未形成管腔,管内主要是单层排列的精原细胞,未见明显的支持细胞、初级精母细胞、精细胞和精子。本实验为进一步研究日本猴的繁殖性能,保护日本猴这种濒危动物提供了参考。     

Effects of glutathione treatments during sperm washing and in vitro fertilization on the in vitro early development of embryos of Japanese Black cattle

This study was conducted to examine the effects of adding glutathione (1 mM) to media used for sperm washing and in vitro fertilization (IVF) on the improvement of early development of embryos produced using cryopreserved spermatozoa of the less IVF-competent bull (the one considered unqualified as spermatozoa supplier for the production of bovine blastocysts using IVF). The cryopreserved spermatozoa of this bull were characterized by normal motility and lower ATP content and blastocyst productivity than those of IVF-competent bulls. The addition of glutathione to the sperm washing medium was more effective in improving the productivity of blastocysts and ATP content than the addition of glutathione to the IVF medium or no glutathione addition at all (control). These results suggest that this simple method may be used to improve the potential of cryopreserved spermatozoa of less IVF-competent bulls to fertilize oocytes in vitro and to induce normal embryonic development after fertilization.     

蛋鸡首免乙型脑炎病毒后卵黄抗体变化规律的研究

本试验旨在研究疫苗、免疫剂量和注射方式对卵黄抗体效价规律的影响,探讨制备抗猪乙型脑炎病毒卵黄抗体蛋鸡的最佳免疫程序。选用无免疫褐羽蛋鸡180只,随机分成18组,每组10只。1、2组均为对照组,注射无菌生理盐水;3~10组采用皮下和肌肉两种注射方式,并依次注射灭活苗0.2、0.5、1.0和1.5 mL;11~18组同样采取两种注射方式,依次免疫相同剂量弱毒苗。各试验组分别于免疫前1 d、免疫后第3、7、10、14、18、21和28天采集当日鸡蛋6枚,提取卵黄抗体,测定效价。试验结果显示,1~6、11、12组卵黄抗体效价均为0,未产生明显免疫应答;7~10组注射灭活苗后7 d,平均卵黄抗体效价达到峰值,抗体持续时间为14 d;13~18组注射弱毒苗后14 d达到最高值,抗体持续时间为21 d;注射剂量相同但注射方式不同的两组之间比较,卵黄抗体效价差异不显著（P>0.05）;相同注射方式,相同疫苗的各试验组间,随着免疫剂量的增加卵黄抗体效价逐渐加强,且差异显著（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,肌肉或皮下两种注射方式,蛋鸡产生明显免疫应答至少需要免疫灭活苗1.0 mL或弱毒苗0.5 mL。比较弱毒苗与灭活苗,灭活苗刺激机体产生的抗体速度较快,但维持时间较短;较少剂量弱毒苗就可刺激机体产生抗体,但速度慢、维持时间长。     

Population pharmacokinetics of methadone hydrochloride after a single intramuscular administration in adult Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon)

ObjectiveTo assess the population pharmacokinetics of methadone in deer.Study designProspective non-randomized experimental trial.AnimalsTwelve healthy adult sika deer (nine males and three females).MethodsDeer received intramuscular administration of racemic methadone hydrochloride at 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ or 1 mg kg⁻¹. Plasma methadone and its metabolite 2-Ethylidene-1,5-Dimethyl-3,3-Diphenyl-Pyrolidine (EDDP) concentrations were determined by validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry methods, at times 0, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Population pharmacokinetics analysis was undertaken using a non-linear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM).ResultsA two-compartment linear disposition model best described observed time-concentration profiles of methadone and EDDP. Population parameter estimates of methadone were elimination clearance (17.3 L hour⁻¹), metabolic clearance (34.6 L hour⁻¹), volume of distribution of compartment 1 (216.0 L) and volume of distribution of compartment 2 (384.0 L). Population parameter estimates of EDDP were elimination clearance (121.0 L hour⁻¹), volume of distribution of compartment 3 (1.08 L) and volume of distribution of compartment 4 (499.5 L). The total clearance and total volume of distribution of methadone and EDDP were 51.9 L hour⁻¹, 121.0 L hour ⁻¹, 600.0 L and 500.6 L, respectively. The methadone terminal elimination half-life was 8.19 hours. No adverse effects were observed after methadone administration.Conclusions and Clinical relevanceFollowing intramuscular injection, methadone was characterized by a large total volume of distribution, high systemic clearance and intermediate terminal half-life in sika deer.     

Research Progress on Rapid Serological Assays for Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis B

Japanese encephalitis B (JE) is a zoonosis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus which invades the central nervous system,infected by mosquito.Various animals could be the sower and reservoir of JE including swine,horse,cattle and avian.JE could cause a major public health trouble and a horrible crisis of the farm all in Asia and the Western Pacific region.Therefore,it is necessary to diagnose it rapidly and accurately.This review article made a sketch of approaches for the rapid serological assays of JE,including traditional method,emerging technologies and specific improvements of the assay,so as to provide references for the study of rapid,simple and accurate JE diagnose methods.     

家鹑与野生日本鸣鹑群体微卫星DNA标记的遗传学分析

选择10个微卫星标记位点，合成引物对微山湖野生日本鸣鹑和家鹌鹑各40只进行PCR扩增，变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测分型，并对其品种内和品种间的遗传变异进行群体遗传学分析，从分子水平上揭示这两个鹌鹁群体的遗传结构关系、亲缘关系和遗传分化程度，为鹌鹑的遗传资源研究提供新资料。     

Nucleotide sequence homology to bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV 2) in the 5′ untranslated region of BVDVs from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan

Cytopathogenic and non-cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) were isolated from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent infection in Japan. These isolates were compared for antigenic properties by cross-neutralization tests with Japanese reference strains of BVDV belonging to classical type 1. Significantly low cross-reactivity to reference strains was noted, indicating the viruses to possibly represent a new serotype in Japan. Thus, to determine the genotype of the isolates, nucleotide sequences of the 5′ untranslated region were determined and compared with those of previously reported BVDV 1 and 2. The isolates were clearly shown to belong to BVDV 2, not to BVDV 1.