Comparison of the microbial communities of alpacas and sheep fed diets with three different ratios of corn stalk to concentrate

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of ruminal microbial communities of alpacas (Lama pacos) and sheep (Ovis aries) fed three diets with varying ratios of roughage (corn stalk) to concentrate, 3:7 (LS), 5:5 (MS) and 7:3 (HS). Six alpacas (one-year-old and weighing 29.5 ± 7.1 kg) and six sheep (one-year-old and weighing 27.9 ± 2.7 kg) were used in this study, in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment. Total protozoa concentration was determined under the microscope; total fungi and methanogens were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and expressed as a percentage of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies; bacterial communities were investigated by targeted 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region) sequencing. The percentage of fungi was significantly higher in alpacas than in sheep under the LS diet, while the concentration of protozoa was significantly lower in alpacas under HS, MS and LS diets. The alpha diversity including Shannon, Chao l and ACE indices of bacterial communities was higher in alpacas than in sheep, under the LS diet. A total of 299 genera belonging to 22 phyla were observed in the forestomach of alpaca and sheep, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominating both animal species. Phyla Armatimonadetes and Fusobacteria, as well as 64 genera, were detected only in alpacas, whereas phyla Acidobacteria and Nitrospira, as well as 44 genera, were found only in sheep. The abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, including Butyrivibrio and Pseudobutyrivibrio, was higher in alpacas than in sheep under all three diets. These differences in the forestomach microbial communities partly explained why alpacas displayed a higher poor-quality roughage digestibility, and a lower methane production. Results also revealed that the adverse effects of high-concentrate diets (70%) were lesser in alpacas than in sheep.     

New technique of sex preselection for increasing female ratio in boar sperm model

In this study, we tried to optimize the porcine semen extender conditions to maximize the differences between live X chromosome-bearing (X) spermatozoa and to Y chromosome-bearing (Y) spermatozoa without a decline in the fertility rate at different pH conditions during storage. We observed the viability of X and Y boar spermatozoa in acidic (pH 6.2), original (pH 7.2), and alkaline condition (pH 8.2) for 5 days to investigate the effect of storage conditions on the X to Y spermatozoa ratio. The functional parameters of spermatozoa were also examined to evaluate sperm quality. Sperm motility was preserved at pH 7.2 and pH 6.2 for 3 days, while sperm motility at pH 8.2 decreased significantly after 2 days. Non-capacitated spermatozoa increased while capacitated spermatozoa decreased during storage. Sperm viability decreased significantly duration-dependent under all pH conditions, but there was no significant difference during storage at pH 6.2 and 7.2. The X: Y ratio of live spermatozoa in acidic condition was maximized (1.2:1) without affecting the sperm function and fertility-related protein expression after 2 days compared to original conditions. Moreover, insemination of sows using acidic extender increased the number of female pups on days 1 and 2 of preservation. These results indicate that the production of female offspring may increase when acidic BTS is used for 2 days without affecting the success rate of AI. Above all, this method is simple and economical compared to other methods.     

Adjusted method of penis fixation during boar semi-automatic semen collection aiming to reduce bacterial contamination

Semen collection has an essential role in the initial bacterial load in boar ejaculates and extended semen. The study aimed to explore the efficacy of an adjusted penis fixation in a semi-automatic collection system on reducing bacterial contamination of ejaculates in two-boar studs with different scenarios. Historically, stud A had low levels of bacterial load in raw semen, while stud B had a high level of contamination. A total of 56 mature boars had their semen collected using two methods of penis fixation: (a) Traditional: The penis was fixed directly with the artificial cervix and transferred to the adjustable clamp; (b) Adjusted: The fixation was performed with one gloved-hand, and after exteriorization, the penis was gripped using the artificial cervix with the other gloved-hand and transferred to the adjustable clamp. The bacterial load (p = .0045) and the occurrence of ejaculates >231 CFU/ml (p = .0101) were reduced in the Adjusted compared to the Traditional method. Bacterial load was reduced when using the Adjusted method in stud B (p = .0011), which showed a greater occurrence of critical factors for bacterial contamination (p ≤ .0034). The Adjusted method reduced the occurrence of ejaculates >231 CFU/ml when the preputial ostium was dirty (p = .016) and the duration of semen collection was >7 min (p = .022) compared to the Traditional method. In conclusion, the Adjusted penis fixation was efficient in reducing bacterial load of ejaculates, mainly in boar stud B, which had high contamination challenges.     

草地利用和管理方式对地木耳生物量的影响

地木耳(Nostoc commune)是一种固氮蓝藻,其固氮活性是可逆的,在天然草地氮素循环中起着非常重要的作用。本研究分析了放牧、刈割、烧荒以及围封对地木耳生长动态的影响,以期为合理利用和管理天然草地提供理论依据。结果表明,围栏封育样地地木耳的生物量最高,适度放牧和刈割样地次之,重度放牧显著抑制了地木耳生长,其总生物量仅相当于围栏封育的11.2%～35.1%;烧荒处理当年地木耳生长受到抑制,但随着凋落物的积累,其生长量逐渐增加;地木耳生物量与凋落物、立枯物的量呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,凋落物和立枯物的量是影响地木耳生长的主要因素。因此,适度放牧和围栏封育有利于草地固氮蓝藻--地木耳的生长和增加草地氮素供应。     

北京地区3种冷季型禾本科草坪草生物量及养分吸收动态的研究

以北京地区常见的3种草坪草多年生黑麦草Lolium perenne、草地早熟禾Poa pratensis和高羊茅Festuca arundinacea为研究对象,采用田间试验和实验室内分析相结合,对3种冷季型草坪草年季间生长变化规律,营养元素N、P、K养分吸收特性进行初步研究。结果表明:3种草坪草中高羊茅的年生长量最大,草地早熟禾和多年生黑麦草,二者差异不显著,但显著低于高羊茅。3种草坪草组织中N、P、K营养元素含量存在一定差异,整个生长季变化趋势相近,且变幅相对较小。N和K养分含量较高,变幅较小,P养分含量较低,变幅较大,养分含量的变化与草坪草生长变化不完全同步。而N、P、K养分每年带出量变化趋势与生长量的变化相近,即多年生黑麦草和高羊茅为"高-低-高"型,以夏季带出量较低;P养分带出量变化不大。3种草坪草地下生物量的变化趋势与地上部分生长变化趋势具有一定的相似性。高羊茅地下生物量最高,草地早熟禾次之,多年生黑麦草最少;3草种分布都是以0~10 cm层占主导地位。草地早熟禾在0~10 cm层的根系分布较多,而在10~20 cm层和20~30 cm层多年生黑麦草和高羊茅分布较多。     

细菌生物被膜与抗生素耐药机制研究进展

细菌引发的感染已成为感染性疾病的主要原因之一,具有耐药性和难治性的特点,而且还可以对抗机体的免疫清除作用,对人类和动物的健康造成很大的危害,也给人们生活的其他方面带来了越来越严重的影响,引起了基础和临床研究的极大关注。但是细菌生物被膜对抗生素的耐药机制目前还不十分清楚,现对近年来细菌生物被膜对抗生素耐药形成的几种可能机制进行综述。     

Successful treatment of infectious (Salmonella type III: 44) polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal

This article describes the acute onset of infectious polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal. Analysis of synovial fluid obtained from the left femoropatellar and right tarsocrural joints combined with clinical signs consisting of joint effusion and lameness yielded a diagnosis of septic arthritis. Bacterial culture of synovial fluid from the left stifle revealed Salmonella type III: 44. Rapid, sustained clinical improvement was noted following discontinuation of empirical antimicrobial therapy (potassium penicillin and amikacin sulphate) and initiation of treatment with ceftiofur and ampicillin. The importance of combining knowledge of veterinary pharmacology and microbiology so that appropriate antimicrobials may be selected with regard to the local environment in which they are to eradicate infection is emphasised. Despite frequent reference to amikacin sulphate as an effective antimicrobial for treating infections in foals caused by Salmonella, factors are discussed that explain why amikacin may not be clinically effective for treating infectious arthritis caused by Salmonella.     

低溶胀壳聚糖/丝素蛋白复合膜的制备及性能测试

为改善单纯壳聚糖膜用作医用创面敷料在湿环境下的力学性能,将壳聚糖(CS)和家蚕丝素蛋白(SF)混合,采用延流法制备壳聚糖/丝素蛋白(CS/SF)复合膜。物理与机械性能测试表明:CS/SF复合膜的溶胀率较单纯CS膜显著降低,且其溶胀能力具有pH依赖性;CS/SF复合膜的水蒸气透过率较单纯CS膜略有下降,但仍保持在2 043～3 363 g/(m2.d);CS/SF复合膜在湿环境下的力学强度较单纯CS膜显著提高,当加入SF的质量分数为15%时,复合膜的力学性能最好,其拉伸强度为34.5 MPa±1.8 MPa,比单纯CS膜提高近18%,而其断裂伸长率也由初始的83.1%±6.7%提高到119.3%±8.2%。CS/SF复合膜具有较好的药物释放性能,对抗感染药物盐酸万古霉素表现出在初始1 h内的突释行为和随后较长时期的缓释行为,十分有利于降低感染和加速伤口愈合。此外,CS/SF复合膜对STO小鼠胚成纤维细胞具有良好的生物相容性。各项性能测试显示CS/SF复合膜作为医用敷料具有潜在的应用前景。     

不同培养条件对捕食性真菌Duddingtonia flagrans生长的影响

为了研究不同生长条件对捕食线虫性真菌Duddingtoniaflagrans生长的影响,本研究将带有D.flagrans菌丝的琼脂块分别接种于不同碳氮比及不同pH值(4.0~8.5)的CMA固体培养基中,在不同温度下(10℃~45℃)进行培养,每天定时观察菌株的发育情况,并测量菌丝生长长度。结果表明,D.flagrans生长最适pH值范围为6.5~7.0,其中以pH 7.0中生长最快;最适温度为35℃;最适碳氮比范围为5∶1~10∶1,其中在碳氮比为5∶1时,生长率最高。菌丝呈辐射状生长,纵横交错,无色,分隔,生长后期有缠绕圈和厚壁孢子的形成。上述结果为进一步研究D.flagrans的生长特性及捕食作用条件奠定了基础。     

汾河河漫滩三种草本植物群落的生物量研究

草本群落是汾河河漫滩的主要植被类型。在对汾河河漫滩植被全面调查的基础上选择了 3种广泛分布的典型群落 :北水苦荬群落、水莎草 +狼把草群落和苔草群落 ,用收获法对它们的生物量进行了研究。研究结果表明 ,这 3种群落的总生物量分别为 785.9g/ m2 、4 94 .6g/ m2 和 34 5.5g/ m2 ,与其它草地群落相比 ,大于荒漠草地和典型草原 ,小于草甸草原。各群落的建群种或共建种的生物量占群落总生物量和各群落地上部分和地下部分生物量的比例均大于 70 %。北水苦荬群落和水莎草 +狼把草群落的地上部分生物量 >地下部分生物量 ,苔草群落的地上部分生物量 <地下部分生物量。另外 ,通过对群落特征、干鲜重比率以及群落生物量的综合分析得出 ,水因子是影响湿地植被群落结构、组成和生物量的主导因子 ,这 3种群落的分布呈现显著的水分生态梯度