Growth-related changes in the pulmonary function of goats

Growth-related changes in pulmonary function values were investigated in 20 healthy French Alpine goats, aged between 20 and 550 days, weighing 7–55 kg. Pulmonary ventilation, mechanics of breathing and arterial oxyten tension were measured using standardized techniques and methods adapted for goats of different body sizes. The Ppl values and the tI/tTOT ratio showed no significant changes with age and body size. The ventilation values (Vt, Ve, mVI and mVE) increased linearly with growth. There was a significant correlation of age and body weight with dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), total pulmonary resistance (RL), viscous work of breathing (Wvis tot) and minute viscous work (Wvis min) throughout the age range studied. Cdyn, Wvis tot and Wvis min increased and RL decreased with age and body weight. Arterial blood gases (PaO₂ and PaCO₂) did not show significant changes over the age range studied. Regression equations for each pulmonary function parameter are given with body weight as the independent variable. Data for the mechanics of breathing were compared with those elsewhere for cattle, horses, man and dogs.     

不同生长阶段群体数量特征对产草量作用的分析

在相同的光，温，水，肥条件下，同时对营养生长期的高羊茅和生殖生长期的多年生黑麦草人工草地产草量和群体数量特征的定量关系进行研究。在营养生长期，参数的变异程度小于生殖生长期。营养生长期各因子对产草量直接作用的程度排序这：叶面积指数〉草丛高度〉分蘖密度，生殖生长期为；草丛高度〉叶面积指数〉分蘖密度。     

高米糠粕日粮中添加酶制剂对番鸭生长性能的影响

选择22日龄商品代番鸭180只，研究在高米糠粕日粮中添加酶制剂对其生长性能的影响。结果表明：添加0．1％酶制剂使番鸭日增重提高10．83％（P〈0．01），饲料利用率提高10．35％（P〈0．01），肝重率提高16．87％（P〈0．01），腹脂率降低10．38％（P〉0．05）。添加酶制剂有利于番鸭羽毛生长，防止啄羽，试验第2、第3周加酶组啄羽率比对照组均下降50％。     

Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers

The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.     

Microbial protein formation of different carbohydrates in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial protein yield of different pure carbohydrates to contribute to a more precise prediction of the microbial protein formed in the rumen. In a first experiment, sucrose, wheat starch, microcrystalline cellulose and citrus pectin were incubated for 8 and 24 hr in the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) system (3 runs × 2 syringes) including gas production, ammonia and short‐chain fatty acid concentration measurements. Ammonia values were used for estimation of the microbial protein formation. In a second experiment, the same substrates were incubated for 96 hr in the HGT system (2 runs × 3 syringes) and gas production was measured after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 96 hr of incubation to obtain the fermentation kinetics and the time of half‐maximal gas production (t_1/2) of the substrates. The substrates differed considerably in their fermentation kinetics, and therefore, comparison on the basis of t_1/2 was chosen as the most meaningful. At t_1/2, microbial protein yield [g/kg dry matter] was higher for cellulose than for sucrose and pectin and higher for starch than for sucrose. The microbial protein expressed in g/L gas production was higher for starch and cellulose than for sucrose and pectin at t_1/2. Effects of carbohydrates related to ruminal pH may remain undetected in in vitro trials.     

Effect of Season on Travel Patterns and Hoof Growth of Domestic Horses

Four Morgan mares and five Morgan geldings ranging in age from 5- to 12-years-old were fitted with Global Positioning System units to determine if season has an influence on travel pattern. Body and hoof growth measurements were obtained so that the influence of season on body condition and hoof growth could be determined. Waist and heart circumference, cresty neck score, and body condition score were determined in each season. The ambient temperature and precipitation was recorded for each season. Waist circumference was the greatest (P < .05) in the spring and summer and the least in the fall and winter. Hoof growth was the greatest (P < .05) in the fall and the least in the winter. The front and rear hooves grew at similar rates in all horses. Hoof growth in geldings and mares were also similar. The average distances traveled were similar across seasons; however, the horse did numerically travel more in the spring and summer compared with the fall and winter. The range of the travel pattern was influenced by season with the horses traveling significantly less in the winter, although the average travel distances were similar. In conclusion, season in temperate zones will influence body condition, hoof growth, and pattern of travel, but the total distance traveled will be similar. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the influence of season on hoof growth and travel patterns.     

Influence of animal age on body concentrations of minerals in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Mathematical modelling of the relationships between mineral inputs and outputs would enable the prediction of mineral requirements of poultry under a wide range of conditions. To establish the feasibility of possible modelling of mineral requirements, the current study aimed to describe the individual mineral concentrations of whole bodies of quail over the life cycle from hatching to 70 days of age. Quail were reared indoors without any restrictions that could limit growth. Sampling of birds (n = 6–18) was carried out at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49 and 70 days after hatching. Freeze‐dried samples of whole bodies (digestive contents removed) were analysed for ash, and macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium) and microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc). Ash concentration followed a curvilinear trend, with a maximum of 101.7 g/kg dry matter at 32.77 days. Individual mineral concentrations, expressed as a proportion of ash, were fluctuating over time, with the most prominent changes at 3 days and again at either 14 or 21 days. Dissimilar patterns in individual mineral concentrations resulted that ratios between minerals followed inconsistent patterns over time. Although mineral contents in absolute quantities can be described through modelling over the entire life cycle of the bird, it can be concluded that variable concentrations of individual minerals could complicate further model development.     

Effects of Photoperiod on Stem Cells Activation in Cashmere Goat Hair Follicles

In order to extend the anagen of cashmere goat hair follicles and increase the production of cashmere,this study was performed with artificially shorten the daylight time among Arbas White cashmere goats. Skin tissue sections from cashmere goats were collected to compare the morphologic changes between artificial daylight and natural daylight,and immunohistochemical method was used to study the hair follicle cell proliferation and important protein expression in related signaling pathways. The results showed that strong cell proliferation occurred in cashmere goat hair follicle cells during artificial daylight,plenty of cytokeratin 15 (K15) positive signals were distributed in the outer root sheath,β-catenin protein was actively expressed in hair matrix and root sheath, indicating that the hair follicles were in the anagen growth phase;Meanwhile,cashmere goat hair follicles under natural daylight were in telogen with weak signals. Above all prove that short photoperiod played an important role in promoting hair follicle growth,the artificial short photoperiod could change hair follicle growth cycle and make hair follicles earlier enter to the anagen growth phase,causing a variety of typical gene expressions during hair follicle growth.     

饲粮能量水平对德州驴生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响

本研究旨在探讨饲粮能量水平对德州驴生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响。试验选用健康的7～8月龄德州公驴36头,体重(123.9±5.0) kg,随机分为3个组,每组3个重复,每个重复4头驴。各组饲粮消化能水平分别为10.43 (低能组)、11.03 (中能组)和11.90 MJ/kg(高能组),粗蛋白质水平相近。预试期20 d,正试期40 d。结果表明：1)中能组和高能组的平均日增重显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的平均日增重显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能组的料重比显著低于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的料重比显著低于中能组(P<0.05)。2)中能组和高能组的干物质、有机物和碳水化合物消化率显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的干物质、有机物和碳水化合物消化率显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。3)高能组的血清总蛋白、甘油三酯含量显著高于中能组和低能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能组的血清白蛋白含量显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的血清白蛋白含量显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能...     

发挥进口贸易作用 促进经济协调发展——基于我国1978—2007年进口与经济增长关系的实证分析

改革开放以来,出口对我国经济增长的贡献几乎无人质疑,但进口是否促进了经济增长,却存在争论。笔者根据1978—2007年中国的进口和GDP数据,利用协整检验和因果关系检验等计量方法,对二者关系进行了检验,发现我国进口贸易与经济增长之间存在十分稳定且长期的动态均衡关系,进口增长对我国经济增长具有很强的促进作用。笔者据此联系当前国际国内形势提出了相应建议。