Genetic parameters for abnormal sucking traits in Austrian Fleckvieh heifers

Cross‐sucking and intersucking are considered abnormal behaviours in cattle and constitute a common problem in dairy farming. Cross‐sucking in calves is defined as sucking any body parts of another calf whereas intersucking in heifers and cows is defined as sucking the udder or udder area. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic variability for abnormal sucking behaviour by estimating genetic parameters and examining individual differences between sires with large progeny groups. By means of a questionnaire, cattle breeders in the federal state Lower Austria were requested to identify all currently kept animals which are known of either inter‐ or cross‐sucking (both defined as the same binary trait ‘sucking’ with 0 and 1 referring to the absence and presence of this abnormal behaviour) or allowing sucking (also treated as a binary trait, scored as 1 if an animal was known of allowing herd mates to suck and 0 otherwise). Records of 1222 farms and 13 332 dual purpose Simmental females aged between 21 and 700 days were investigated applying a linear animal model with fixed herd × year × season and random genetic animal effect and a threshold sire model with the herd × year × season effect being treated as random. In total, 8.6% and 4.1% of all calves/heifers were observed sucking and allowing sucking, respectively. Heritabilities of 0.040 ± 0.014 and 0.007 ± 0.006 (linear animal model) and 0.116 ± 0.041 and 0.026 ± 0.024 (threshold model) were found for the traits sucking and allowing sucking, respectively. Breeding values were estimated applying the same models for the trait sucking. Taking all 254 sires into account, the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients between breeding values estimated by linear animal and sire threshold model were 0.86 and 0.80. Thus, little difference was observed between the two methods.     

草地生态系统安全及其评价研究

探讨了草地生态安全及其评价的概念与内涵,认为草地生态系统安全判断与度量准则应该是草地生态系统健康、草地生态系统服务功能及生态风险与管理的科学统一。同时尝试提出了草地生态系统安全评价的"健康-服务功能-风险与管理(health-service-risk and management,HSRM)"模型,构建了HSRM评价模型的指标体系,提出草地生态安全评价中草地生态安全度计算公式和安全状态分级标准。     

牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养模式的构建与实践

为了提高葡萄园资源利用率和综合效益,构建了牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养体系。实践表明,在设施葡萄园推广套种牧草养鹅、鹅粪生产有机肥料、有机肥料种植葡萄和牧草等高效配套技术,取得了良好的经济效益、生态效益和社会效益。实施牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养是江苏沿海地区发展现代农业的一种有效生产模式。     

柞蚕饲料转化效率的遗传模型与基因效应值的估算

利用2对柞蚕杂交组合8821×四青、8822×青6号的6个世代材料,对柞蚕茧重转化率和茧层生产率两个数量性状进行了遗传分析,结果表明:茧重转化率的基因作用复杂,不符合加-显性遗传模型,存在着基因互作,且显性互作大于显性效应,使茧重转化率增加;茧层生产率的基因作用符合简单的加-显性遗传模型,显性效应为正值,使茧层生产率增加。     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with pancreatic β cell dysfunction in 3 horses confirmed with minimal model analysis

Reasons for performing study: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diagnosed rarely in equine practice although it may be under‐recognised. A greater awareness of the condition and therapeutic considerations would be to the benefit of such cases presenting in practice. More investigation into the pharmacological management of these cases is needed. Objectives: Three cases of diabetes mellitus were investigated using a specific test for insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell function in order to define accurately and characterise the existence of T2DM in all 3 subjects. Methods: The insulin‐modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test was performed in each case and the data so obtained were subject to minimal model analysis of insulin‐glucose dynamics. Cases were then monitored following treatment using a combination of dietary modification, metformin, glibenclamide and pergolide. Results: Marked insulin resistance was identified in each case and, furthermore, severe pancreatic β cell dysfunction was present therefore classifying each case as end stage T2DM. Treatment was nevertheless associated with restoration of normoglycaemia in all cases. Conclusions: T2DM in horses may be more common than generally considered. In some cases individuals may respond to therapy aimed at restoring insulin sensitivity and pancreatic function. Drugs used in other species for the treatment of T2DM have not yet been adequately tested in horses. Potential relevance: T2DM should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in mature to elderly horses and ponies suffering from weight loss, polydipsia and polyuria. Clinicians should be encouraged to offer treatment and management advice when such cases are encountered.     

Genetic analyses of piglet survival and individual birth weight on first generation data of a selection experiment for piglet survival under outdoor conditions

Genetic parameters of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated on the first generation data of a selection experiment aimed at improving piglet survival using a multiple trait linear and threshold model. Data on 5293 piglets for survival at birth, at day one after birth and during the entire nursing period, as well as individual birth weight and litter size, were recorded in an outdoor production system. Genetic effects of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated based on threshold and Gaussian models, respectively, using a Bayesian approach. The statistical model included as fixed effects selection group, parity, gender, fostering, gestation length and month of farrowing and, alternatively, an adjustment for litter size. Direct genetic effects (i.e. the piglet's genetic potential) for piglet survival and birth weight were estimated separately, whereas maternal genetic and environmental effects could only be estimated for the given data structure in a combined litter effect. Posterior means of heritabilities for direct genetic effects of survival at birth, at first day after birth and the entire nursing period, as well as birth weight, were 0.08, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.20, respectively. Genetic correlations among survival traits were in the range of 0.29 to 0.40 and indicate that these traits were mainly attributable to different genetic effects. Genetic correlations between direct effects of survival traits and birth weight ranged between 0.18 and 0.23 and were reduced when weights of stillborn piglets were omitted in the analysis or the traits were adjusted for litter size. The magnitudes of direct genetic effects of survival traits are substantially higher than estimates in the literature, which may indicate that these traits have a higher genetic influence under outdoor conditions. The use of birth weight in the multiple trait estimation provided important information for the estimation of survival traits due to its favourable genetic correlations with survival, its high heritability and its high information content as a continuously measured trait.     

应用动物模型REML法估计金华猪繁殖性状遗传参数

试验资料取自金华猪场 1 979～1 999年金华猪繁殖性能的生产记录。采用动物模型约束性最大似然法 (REML)对该猪群的遗传参数进行估计 ,测定 1 1 4 4头纯繁金华母猪的产仔哺育记录。结果表明 ,产仔数 (TNB)、产活仔数 (NBA)、初生重 (PBW)、初生窝重 (LBW)、 2 0日龄头数(NFC)、 2 0日龄窝重 (LWFC)、 2 0日龄重 (PWFC)、 60日龄头数 (NW)、 60日龄窝重 (LWW)、 60日龄重 (PWW)、乳头数 (TN)的遗传力分别为0 1 2± 0 0 9、 0 1 8± 0 1 1、 0 1 5± 0 0 9、 0 0 2± 0 0 9、 0 1 0± 0 1 1、 0 0 8± 0 1 3、 0 1 8± 0 1 0、 0 2 3± 0 1 1、 0 31± 0 1 3、 0 35± 0 1 1和 0 1 9± 0 1 0。TNB与NBA、LBW、NW、LWW的遗传相关范围为 0 66～ 0 88,TNB与PBW的遗传相关为 - 0 43。NBA与LBW、NW、LWW的遗传相关范围为 0 60～ 0 64,NBA与PBW遗传相关为 - 0 63。PBW与PWW的遗传相关为 0 51。     

Closed system anaesthesia in dogs using liquid sevoflurane injection; evaluation of the square-root-of-time model and the influence of CO2 absorbent

Objective To determine whether predictable alveolar concentrations of sevoflurane are reliably produced in dogs when liquid sevoflurane is injected into closed circuit breathing systems, as calculated by Lowe's square‐root‐of‐time anaesthetic uptake model, and to confirm the validity of the model using soda lime and calcium hydroxide lime. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Eleven healthy dogs with a mean body mass of 34 ± 9 kg scheduled for pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery. Materials and methods Following pre‐anaesthetic medication, anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane in a closed circle system. Epidural anaesthesia was performed with morphine and bupivacaine. Liquid sevoflurane was injected into the circuit by syringe, using dosages and time intervals derived from Lowe's square‐root‐of‐time anaesthetic uptake model. The target alveolar concentration chosen was 1.1 × MAC (2.6% end‐tidal sevoflurane). Either soda lime (group S; n = 6) or calcium hydroxide lime (Amsorb; group A; n = 5) were used for CO₂ absorption. Sevoflurane concentration and the respiratory gas composition were measured with an infrared gas analyser. Results End‐tidal sevoflurane concentrations were close to the predicted value of 2.6% at 9 minutes (2.53 ± 0.1% group S; 2.60 ± 0.26% group A) and 16 minutes (2.55 ± 0.30 group S; 2.52 ± 0.28% group A) but declined thereafter to reach 50% (group S) and 64% (group A) of the predicted value at 121 minutes. There was a constant trend towards higher end‐tidal sevoflurane concentrations in group A but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The square‐root‐of‐time model leads to significantly lower alveolar concentrations than expected, suggesting that the rate of sevoflurane uptake in dogs declines less rapidly than predicted. The use of Amsorb tends to reduce the deviation from predicted concentrations. Clinical relevance The model used in this study provided only an approximate guide to the volume of liquid sevoflurane required. Consequently, the definitive dose schedule must be based on measured anaesthetic concentrations and clinical monitoring.     

对退耕还林工程中种草的探讨

分析种草在退耕还林工程中的重要地位和作用 ,提出退耕种草的草种选择和种植模式 ,并探讨发展草产业的途径和方向