Effects of Diet and Weight Gain on Body Condition Scoring in Thoroughbred Geldings

In the horse, the body condition score (BCS) system to assess subcutaneous fat deposition is a useful tool for making feeding management decisions. The system includes assessing fat deposition at six body areas (neck, withers, shoulders, ribs, loin, and tail head) and was developed in Quarter Horse mares. It has not been tested for use on other breeds or genders, possibly compromising the system's ability to describe fat accretion in other classes of horse. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of the previously developed fat accretion characteristics to describe fat deposition in mature Thoroughbred (TB) geldings. An additional goal was to determine whether fewer body areas could be used. Fifteen mature TB geldings were fed for weight gain over an 8-month period on one of two diets and were independently assessed for BCS on a monthly basis by two judges. BCS was determined by averaging the scores that were assigned to each of the six body areas. Fat accretion characteristics were also recorded. Across both diets, the neck area scored significantly higher than the withers and loin (P < 0.05) throughout the study. A BCS derived only from the body areas of neck, shoulders, ribs, and tailhead was found to accurately predict the six body area−derived mean BCS. The results of this study provide justification for modifications of the BCS system for use in TB geldings and also demonstrated that fewer body areas can be used to accurately predict mean BCS.     

低聚糖对雏鸡大肠粪便NH3-N含量及肠道菌群的影响

试验选取1日龄罗曼蛋公雏250只，随机分为5组，试验组饲料或饮水中分别添加海藻糖(500mg／kg)、海藻胶(600mg／kg)、大豆寡糖(500mg／kg)、圆葱寡糖(500mg/d)。结果表明，四种低聚糖均可促进肠道乳酸菌及双歧杆菌的生长繁殖，对魏氏梭菌的生长呈现抑制作用。海藻糖、海藻胶对降低大肠粪便NH3—N含量效果不显著(P＞0．05)，而大豆寡糖效果显著(P＜0．05)，圆葱寡糖效果极显著(P＜0.01)。     

Exploratory trials on reinforcement of veld with legumes in the south‐eastern transvaal highveld

Abstract

The feasibility and potential of reinforcing veld with legumes in the south‐eastern Transvaal highveld was assessed in a number of trials during the period 1974–84. Experience was gained with regard to methods of establishment, adaptation of legumes to the local environment, responses to fertilization, especially with lime and superphosphate, and the reaction of legumes to fire and grazing. In all, 17 legumes were involved, including the genera Coronilla, Desmodium, Glycine, Lespedeza, Lotus, Macroptilium, Medicago, Neoto‐nonia, Trifolium and Vigna. Only Coronilla varia (crownvetch) showed a satisfactory degree of persistence. However, crownvetch is slow to establish, is intolerant of waterlogging and has a relatively high requirement for lime and phosphate. Considering these features, and the probability of undesirable changes in grass species composition in reinforced veld, it is recommended that intensification be achieved through development of improved pastures for use in conjunction with veld, rather than by means of veld reinforcement.     

家蚕幼虫体黄酮类化合物的提取及测定方法

为推进家蚕幼虫体的药用开发,研究了家蚕幼虫体黄酮类化合物含量的测定方法。将家蚕幼虫粉过80目筛,选用80%乙醇为溶剂,原料质量浓度按00333g/mL在60℃下抽提4h,重复抽提3次,可高效地提取家蚕幼虫体黄酮类化合物。以NaNO2Al(NO3)3显色,用紫外分光光度计于510nm波长下比色,可精确、稳定地测定出家蚕幼虫体中黄酮类化合物含量。家蚕幼虫体富含黄酮类化合物,其质量比达23770mg/g左右。     

湖羊在西北寒旱地区行为学和生理指标的观测

为了研究西北寒冷干旱气候条件下湖羊的行为和生理指标变化,进而为西北地区湖羊引种提供数据支持和理论依据,本试验选用12只(公、母各半)舍饲周岁湖羊,通过近红外摄像技术研究了不同季节(A因子,A₁夏季,A₂冬季)、性别(B因子,B₁♂,B₂♀)和不同时段(C因子,C₁昼,C₂夜)条件下湖羊的采食、饮水、反刍、卧息等行为。结果表明,季节因子(A因子)对湖羊采食、卧息、反刍等行为均有极显著影响(P<0.01);性别因子(B因子)仅对湖羊采食和卧息行为有显著影响(P<0.05);昼夜因子(C因子)对湖羊的卧息行为有显著影响(P<0.05),对其采食和反刍行为有极显著影响(P<0.01)。季节和性别的交互作用对湖羊采食行为有显著影响(P<0.05),对反刍行为有极显著影响(P<0.01)。其余因子间交互作用对湖羊行为学无显著影响。试验羊体温、心跳、呼吸频率和血常规等生理指标均在正常范围内。以上结果说明湖羊在当地表现出了良好的适应性,在西北地区引种湖羊可行。     

Milk progesterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a tool to investigate ovarian cyclicity of water buffaloes in relation to body condition score and milk production

Background

Application of assisted reproductive technologies in buffaloes is limited to some extent by farmers’ inability to detect oestrus because of its poor expression. The present study aimed at investigating reliability of a milk progesterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the ovarian cyclicity during post partum, oestrus and post-breeding periods in water buffaloes.

Methods

Progesterone concentrations were measured by an ELISA in milk of 23 postpartum buffaloes in relation to oestrus, pregnancy, body condition score (BCS) and milk production. Two milk samples were taken at 10 days intervals, every month starting from day 30 and continued to day 150 post partum. BCS and milk production were recorded during sample collection. Milk samples from bred buffaloes were collected at Day 0 (day of breeding), Days 10–12 and Days 22–24. Defatted milk was preserved at −80°C until analysis. Pregnancy was confirmed by palpation per rectum on Days 70–90.

Results

Seventeen buffaloes had 47 ovulatory cycles, one to four in each, 13 were detected in oestrus once (28 % oestrus detection rate). Progesterone concentration ≥1 ng/ml in one of the two 10-day-interval milk samples reflected ovulation and corpus luteum formation. The intervals between calving to first luteal activity and to first detected oestrus varied from 41 to 123 days (n = 17) and 83 to 135 (n = 13) days, respectively. Eight buffaloes were bred in the course of the study and seven were found pregnant. These buffaloes had a progesterone profile of low (<1 ng/ml), high (≥ 1 ng/ml) and high (≥ 1 ng/ml) on Day 0, Days 10–12 and Days 22–24, respectively. Buffaloes cycling later in the postpartum period had fewer missed oestruses (P < 0.05). Buffaloes with a superior BCS had a shorter calving to oestrus interval and produced more milk (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Milk progesterone ELISA is a reliable tool for monitoring ovarian cyclicity and good BCS may be an indicator of resuming cyclicity in water buffalo.     

Associations between postpartum diseases and milk yield and changes in body condition between drying off and parturition of dairy cows in Argentina

ABSTRACT

Aims: To assess the change in body condition score (BCS) during the early and late dry periods and its association with postpartum diseases and milk yield in grazing dairy cows from central Argentina.

Methods: BCS assessments during the dry period, and cow health and milk production records up to 90 days in milk (DIM), were collated for cows from 28 farms at monthly visits between 2007 and 2008. Cows were categorised into four groups; those in Group 1 (n=7,067) maintained or gained BCS during the early and late dry periods; Group 2 (n=2,615) maintained or gained BCS during the early dry period and lost BCS during the late dry period; Group 3 (n=1,989) lost BCS during the early dry period and maintained or gained BCS during the late dry period; and Group 4 (n=5,144) lost BCS during the early and late dry periods.

Results: Cows in Group 1 had reduced odds of having retained fetal membranes (RFM), metritis, and clinical mastitis up to 90 DIM than cows in Group 2 (p<0.001), but the odds of disease were similar to cows in Group 3. The odds of having RFM or clinical mastitis tended to be lower in cows in Group 1 than cows in Group 4 (p=0.08). The odds of cows being culled or dying during the first 90 DIM were lower for cows in Group 1 than for those in Groups 2, 3, and 4 (p≤0.05). Mean accumulated milk yield up to 90 DIM was higher in cows in Group 1 than Group 2 and Group 4 (p<0.001), but was similar to that of cows in Group 3 (p=0.28).

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Cows that lost BCS during the late dry period had increased odds of being diagnosed with several postpartum diseases and had decreased milk yield compared to cows that maintained or gained BCS during the entire dry period. Loss of BCS during any stage of the dry period was also associated with increased incidence of culling or death during the first 90 DIM. These results should raise awareness among dairy cattle producers of the importance of properly managing cow body condition during the dry period, especially during the late dry period.     

丝胶溶解条件、组分及结构特性的研究

探讨了H_2O、1％SDS高温极短时间抽提丝胶和LiBr、NaSCN、CaCl_2浓溶液溶解丝胶对丝胶的破坏性。用SDS—聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法分析了丝胶的肽链组分和分子量,归纳出丝胶含有约25种肽链,它们的分子量约从14000到256000。指出丝胶分子中含有两条肽链通过二硫键连结的结构。