Significance of local immunity in hen reproductive organs

The current paper describes aspects of local immunity in the ovary and oviduct, and the significance of immunity to reproductive functions in hens. The immunocompetent cell populations in the ovary and oviduct change with a positive correlation to sexual activity, and gonadal steroid is one of the key factors in the increase. Local immune responses mediated by major histocompatibility complex class II and T cell subsets occur in response to infection by Salmonella enteritidis, which may contaminate eggs. In the ovary, immunocompetent cells are also suggested to play roles in the regulation of ovarian functions. Macrophages and T cells are likely to enhance the regression of atretic follicles to maintain the ovarian tissue microenvironment. Autoantibodies to ovarian tissues appeared in the hens with low egg laying frequency, suggesting that the auto‐antibodies may be one of the factors in the decline of egg production. In the oviduct, local immunity possibly has a role in the selection of sperm, though the immunoreactions may also affect sperm survival leading to the decline in fertility. The concentration of yolk IgY, which plays a role in maternal immunity transmission, significantly decreases with the aging of birds, whereas it is significantly increased by estrogen. Therefore, the immune system plays significant roles not only in defense against infection, but also in the functions of reproductive organs. Investigations on the local immune system in the reproductive organs and factors affecting it are of importance for the production of sterile eggs and improvement of reproductive functions.     

Effect of bilateral cecal ligation on use of dietary energy in growing chickens

In order to determine the role of the cecum on energy use in growing chickens, metabolizability of the dietary energy and energy expenditure were examined in the week following bilateral ligation and washing out of the cecum. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values were 14.30 and 13.69 kJ/g air‐dry matter for sham‐operated and cecally ligated chickens, respectively. These values were found to be significantly different (P < 0.05). Although AME intake and fasting heat production were decreased by cecal ligation, the distribution of AME (measured as fasting and feeding heat production, as well as heat increment and energy retention, as a proportion of AME intake) was not affected. These results suggest that the cecum helps chickens extract AME from corn‐soybean type diets with little, if any, effect on AME use, based on the present study of growing chickens in the week following cecal ligation.     

论陇东紫花苜蓿的产业化生产

从生物学特性、社会需要、经济合理性角度综合考虑 ,陇东地区具有紫花苜蓿生产的理想条件 ,发展苜蓿草产业在技术上和效益上是可行的 ,走产业化发展道路是实现紫花苜蓿开发生产的正确道路     

Changes in productivity and profitability of wool-growing farms that follow recommendations from agricultural and veterinary studies

Objective To estimate the changes in productivity and profitability in a group of wool-growing farms as they adopted major recommendations from agricultural and veterinary studies.
Farms Four wool-growing farms in south western Victoria were selected from the clients of the Mackinnon Project, a farm consultancy service run from the University of Melbourne. Each farm had closely followed recommended procedures, kept comprehensive financial and physical records and had been clients for at least 5 years. The comparison group was the South Western Victoria Monitor Farm Project (SWVMFP), about 45 farms in the same region as the study farms that were monitored annually by Agriculture Victoria.
Procedure For a 7-year period, the financial and physical performance of both groups of farms was estimated. Stocking rate, wool production, gross farm income, farm operating costs, net farm income and return on assets were compared.
Results Mean gross farm income of the four study farms steadily rose from 86% of the average SWVMFP farm before the adoption of recommendations to an average of 155%. During the same period, net farm income rose from 70% to 207% of the average of the SWVMFP. Return on asset of the four farms rose irregularly from 26% to 145% of the average of the SWVMFP. Farm operating costs on the four farms were higher than for the SWVMFP group, but the ratio of costs remained relatively constant.
Conclusion The adoption of proven research results was associated with large increases in net farm income. An increase in gross income, rather than a reduction in costs was the main reason for this. Research results offer a way to increase the financial viability of wool-growing farmers, many of whom are currently unable to maintain their lifestyle, resources and infrastructure.     

粗纤维测定法牧草细胞壁成分损失的研究

测试了１２种牧草的粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维含量和各自的无氮浸出物含量。牧草细胞壁损失含量与ＮＥＦ含量间呈非常显著正相关，款项人线性回归方程式为：ｙ＝－１６．６６＋０．７９ｘ（Ｐ＜０．０５），ＮＤＦＫ法ＮＦＥ含量与ＮＤＦ间呈非常显著相关（ｒ＝－０．９０１９Ｐ＜０．０１），其线性回归方程式为：ｙ＝５６．２５－０．７２ｘ（Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＮＤＦ法ＮＦＥ含量较ＣＦ法ＮＦＥ对照达显著水平（ｔ＝６．７０９＞ｔ０．     

Comparison of production systems for efficient use of indigenous pig breeds in developing countries

Conserving pig genetic resources and improving their productivity is important to increase returns over investment in developing countries. The purebred, first‐cross, rotational cross and backcross matings representing production systems based on pig breeds indigenous to the country and exotic pig breeds were investigated. The number of pigs in the nucleus and commercial herds necessary to produce a defined quantity of pork was considered. The amount of heterosis between the indigenous and exotic breeds, superiority in meat production, and degree of inferiority in reproductive performance of the exotic breed compared with that of the indigenous breed were investigated. The number of breeding pigs in the whole system was in the following order: pure breeding (PB) > first‐cross (F1) > rotational cross (RC) > backcross (BC) systems. The number of breeding pigs in the nucleus herds of the RC and BC systems was smaller than that in the nucleus herds of the PB and F1 systems. The degree of inferiority in reproductive performance of the exotic breed compared with that of the indigenous breed affected the efficiency of the production system.     

The Effect of Levothyroxine Treatment on Resting Energy Expenditure of Hypothyroid Dogs

Thirty adult, client-owned dogs were diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on history, physical examination findings, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, thyrotropin (TSH) response testing, endogenous canine thyrotropin (cTSH) concentration, or both, and total serum thryoxine concentration. All dogs received levothyroxine (L-thyroxine) at an initial dose of 22 μg/kg PO sid in either a tablet (13 dogs) or chewable form (17 dogs). Energy expenditure of each dog during apparent rest was estimated with an open-flow indirect calorimetry system by determining the rates of carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure of apparent rest (EE) was lower in untreated hypothyroid dogs compared with reference values for EE. After treatment with L-thyroxine, EE of the hypothyroid dogs was significantly ( P < .05) higher than pretreatment values.     

云南肉牛生产体系建设

本文根据云南省肉牛生产现状和特点,对云南省肉牛生产体系建设作了全面论述。     

37 ℃持续热应激肉鸡血气改变的动态分析

80只25日龄雄性AA肉鸡,随机分为对照组(21～24 ℃,相对湿度50%±5%)和试验组(37 ℃±0.5 ℃,相对湿度70%±5%),自由采食和饮水.在12 d的试验期间,动态检测血气指标、呼吸频率、直肠温度和生产性能的变化.结果显示热暴露初期呈现代偿性呼吸性碱中毒,其特点为动脉血二氧化碳分压(3.82±0.36)降低,pH(7.48±0.04)升高;中期呈现失代偿性代谢性酸中毒,其特点为血浆HCO-3浓度(19.00±2.55)降低,pH(7.37±0.06)显著下降(P＜0.05);后期酸碱平衡趋于正常.热应激后,肉鸡日增重和日采食量极显著下降(P＜0.01)、料肉比极显著升高(P＜0.01);呼吸频率极显著升高(P＜0.01);热暴露第1、5、7、9和12天体温极显著升高(P＜0.01).动脉血氧分压与呼吸频率呈极显著负相关(P＜0.01),与体温呈显著负相关(P＜0.05);血氧饱和度与体温极显著负相关(P＜0.01).表明37 ℃持续热应激的肉鸡呈现由代偿性呼吸性碱中毒转变为失代偿性代谢性酸中毒,最后趋于正常的动态变化过程.     

半胱胺盐酸盐对泌乳20～42周奶牛产奶性能和部分免疫指标的影响

采用96头多胎荷斯坦奶牛,试验开始时平均泌乳时间为135d,平均日产奶量35kg。根据试验前1周日平均产奶量(M)将牛群分为4个产量组:第1组M≤30kg(n=24),第2组30kg40kg(n=24)。每组内随机划分半胱胺盐酸盐(Lactonin,LT)试验(Treatment,n=49)与对照(Control,n=47)。试验于平均泌乳期第20周开始,按剂量顺序给试验组奶牛添喂经过包被保护的半胱胺盐酸盐(Lactonin)2000～6000U/d,持续23周。试验1组(n=12)平均奶产量增加18%(P<0.05);4个试验组(n=49)平均乳脂率显著增加(P<0.05),乳蛋白率呈增加的趋势(0.05相似文献