Vachellia karroo leaf meal: a promising non-conventional feed resource for improving goat production in low-input farming systems of Southern Africa

Among a vast number of forage trees, Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) remains one of the most widely distributed indigenous plant legumes in Southern Africa. The plant possesses some striking attributes, such as rapid growth rate, drought tolerance, adaptation to alkaline and acidic sterile soils, and resistance to a variety of edaphic and temperature changes. In past years V. karroo was recognised to be a major threat to rangeland productivity owing to its invasive nature. Research interest has shifted from its eradication as an unwanted plant to its utilisation as a feed resource for livestock. Extensive utilisation of V. karroo is mainly hindered by the presence of tannins and spines. Prospects to lessen the adverse effects of the anti-nutritional influences are now recognised. Vachellia karroo possesses desirable fatty acid profiles, and high protein and mineral contents that can improve animal performance. Presently, the use of V. karroo for goat production in communal areas is restricted owing to limited evidence for its nutritional value as animal feed. The present review, therefore, seeks to demonstrate the utility potential of V. karroo to improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, chevon quality, meat fatty acid profiles and as a natural anti-helminth for goats raised under an extensive system of production.     

乏情期奶山羊下丘脑催产素样神经元的分布

为了揭示不同生理期催产素(Oxytocin,OT)在下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴中的分布特点,采用链霉素抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶(Streptaridin-peroxidase,SP)法研究了OT免疫反应产物在乏情期奶山羊下丘脑中的分布。结果显示:OT样神经元存在于视上核、室旁核弓状核、室周核、穹隆周核、下丘脑前核、下丘脑后核、腹外侧核、背内侧核、下丘脑外侧区以及乳头体各核团等27个核区,分布区域呈前端尖、中部宽、后钝圆的梭形带。此外,在室旁核观察到大量的强阳性神经纤维,第三脑室附近的纤维伸向脑室内。说明OT在下丘脑广泛存在,且下丘脑OT经神经垂体、第三脑室、血管3条途径释放,经血液循环最终作用于靶细胞而发挥生理作用。     

Comparison of DNA probe test and cultivation methods for detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in caprine and ovine faeces

OBJECTIVE: To compare a DNA probe test with two cultivation methods for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in goat and sheep faeces. DESIGN: Comparison of the results of the three methods with histological examination as the reference standard. PROCEDURE: Faecal specimens were obtained from goats and sheep originating from flocks known to be affected with paratuberculosis and tested for Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis with a DNA probe test and two cultivation methods (old conventional culture and new double incubation method in Herrold's and Lowenstein-Jensen medium). RESULTS: In goats, the sensitivity of the various tests were for the DNA probe test 17.2%, for the double incubation culture method 25.4% and for the old conventional culture method 22.8% using the histopathological results as reference. In sheep the sensitivity of the various tests were for the DNA probe test 13.2%, for the double incubation culture method 8.8% and for the old conventional culture method 5.9% using the histopathological results as reference. The specificity of the above tests was 100% in goats and sheep and the specificity of the double incubation culture method in goats was 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA probe test is a rapid and specific test that could be used in a control program if the sensitivity of the test were improved and possibly in combination with another test.     

Detection of Antibodies Against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Sera of Cattle,Camels, Sheep and Goats in Sudan

Detection of antibodies against peste des petits ruminants virus in sera of cattle, camels, sheep and goats in Sudan.     

Confirmation of the Prophylactic Value of Paromomycin in a Natural Outbreak of Caprine Cryptosporidiosis

Veterinary Research Communications -     

山羊FSH类似物基因构建及其表达

以HCGβ亚基羧基末端延长肽CTP基因为连接序列，重组山羊FSHα和β亚基基因，获得单链gFSHβ-CTP-α，克隆人表达载体pVITRO，测序后转染CHO细胞。结果表明，成功完成了单链山羊FSH类似物表达载体的构建，并得到稳定表达的CHO细胞株，其表达量为0．120mIU／mL，为进一步研究CTP结构与功能的关系，以及长效FSH制剂的研制奠定了分子基础。     

波尔山羊FSHR5’端序列的SNP多态性及超排效果分析

为探索波尔山羊超排个体排卵数差异与个体遗传特性的相关性,对波尔山羊的FSHR基因(950 bp),分成四段分别设计引物进行PCR-SSCP多态性分析,结果发现一个SNP位点,导致5-’1出现两种基因型。序列分析显示该突变位点位于转录起始点上游-739bp处,属于远端转录启动调控区。统计分析表明AA型个体的平均排卵数与AB型个体的平均排卵数差异极显著(P<0.01),平均胚胎可利用率差异显著(P<0.05),这说明个体的超排潜力可能与其本身的FSHR基因的遗传特性有关。     

舍饲成年波尔公羊行为习性观测初报

选用5只舍饲成年波尔山羊连续进行3昼夜行为习性观测,结果表明:试验羊昼夜采食222.4±34.2 min,反刍456.2±40.3 min,卧息480.9±25.0 min,自由活动220.5±38.8min,其它行为60.0±6.4min,反刍与采食时间比为2.1:1.0。反刍、卧息多发生在夜间(P<0.01),采食多发生在白天(P<0.01),白天与黑夜排粪、排尿时间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

内蒙古荒漠草原优势牧草营养价值评价

通过测定内蒙古荒漠草原26种优势牧草的常规养分含量、纤维组成、两极离体消化率,分析了不同牧草对放牧内蒙古白绒山羊的营养价值,同时应用随意采食量、静能估测模型计算了荒漠草原优势牧草的分级指数（GI值）,对牧草进行了综合评价。结果表明：（1）用营养成分和消化率指标评定,紫花苜蓿和五星蒿的营养价值最高,其次为中间锦鸡儿、圆头藜,最次为驼绒藜;（2）紫花苜蓿、五星蒿、中间锦鸡儿、圆头藜、碱蓬、全叶马兰、蒺藜草、沙打旺、阿尔泰狗娃花9种牧草GI值较高,牛枝子、甘草、猪毛蒿、松叶猪毛菜、软毛虫实、小针茅居中,灰绿藜、冷蒿、中亚狼尾草、针茅、无芒隐子草、西藏锦鸡儿、驼绒藜、黑沙蒿、刺叶柄棘豆、芨芨草、差巴嘎蒿11种牧草的GI值较低。     

激素对波尔山羊超排效果影响的研究

以波尔山羊为研究对象,研究激素对供体超排效果的影响。结果表明,FSH剂量对供体超排效果有显著影响,随FSH剂量的增加,育成羊的黄体数极显著增多,经产羊的可用胚数显著增加;国产和进口激素对超排效果影响不显著(P>0.05),国产激素完全可以代替进口激素用于波尔山羊的超排;供体发情配种时用LHRH-A3促排的效果比LH、hCG好。