Low-Cost Livestock Global Positioning System Collar from Commercial Off-the-Shelf Parts

Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices are a fundamental technology for quantifying the distribution and movement of livestock across landscapes. Although costs of GPS devices have decreased, it is still cost prohibitive to implement a large number of collars per study. Our objective was to develop and test a low-cost GPS collar using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic components to study livestock distribution and movement. Our COTS GPS tracker was built using the popular Arduino open-source microcontroller and a low-power timer board to cycle a GPS at defined intervals. Location data were saved to a data card in an open format for easy analysis. Total cost per COTS GPS device (including housing and collar) was $54.78. Average displacement from a known location and 95% circular error probability was 4.58 m, commensurate with other GPS collars. We tested durability and field performance of 25 COTS GPS collars against 24 existing GPS collars recording data at 5-min intervals in a southwest Idaho, United States study area. Our COTS GPS design and test showed that it is possible to manufacture low-cost location tracking devices, but the limitations of such devices must be considered relative to study objectives and duration. Low-cost location trackers will encourage collection of a higher density of location information to better understand patterns of livestock use in rangeland landscapes.     

A review of nutritional and toxicological implications of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal in animal feeding systems

The nutrient‐rich defatted castor meal has been tested as a potential source of protein in diets of many livestock species but has limitation due to challenges of toxins. This review was conducted to compile the relevant research information on advances in the use of raw and differently processed castor seed meal in animal feed. In this article, distribution and uses of castor and its products were identified. Research findings on the nutrients profile, principal toxins, various detoxification strategies, nutritional value and toxicity on common livestock species were compiled and reviewed. The defatted seed meal had crude protein range of 32–48%, gross energy of about 3200 kcal/kg. Ricin content was 9.3 mg/g seed, and the average RCA content was 9.9 mg/g. The meal had high activity of lectin, which produced agglutination at about 4.70 mg/ml minimum assays. Reports of detoxification strategies showed varying degrees of success but high pH, moist heating and microbial techniques appeared to exert greater effect on deactivating ricin. Detoxification strategy for the allergen component is inconclusive. Tannins and the phenolic contents were present at trace level and did not constitute notable threat. It was concluded that castor seed holds great potential as feedstuff when upgraded but such upgrading must be safe, cost‐effective and labour efficient for commercial acceptability.     

piggyBac转座子在畜牧兽医科学中应用研究进展

piggyBac（PB）转座子已被证明是一种高效的非病毒基因工程操作工具,现广泛用于基因操作和转基因动物研究中。借助PB转座子已获得转基因小鼠、鸡、猪、山羊等动物。文中重点就PB转座子在畜牧兽医科学研究中的应用进行综述。     

玉米赤霉烯酮和脱氧血腐镰刀菌烯醇对雌性动物的生殖毒性及作用机制

镰刀菌毒素玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)和脱氧血腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)广泛存在于受污染的谷物和饲料中。体内和体外研究表明,ZEA和DON均可影响雌性动物的繁殖性能,引起生殖器官、胎儿形态,生殖细胞成熟率,性激素分泌的改变。本文综述了ZEA和DON对雌性动物繁殖性能的影响及潜在的作用机制。     

脂肪细胞因子对动物脂类代谢的调控机理

脂肪细胞是一种能分泌多种细胞因子的内分泌细胞,如脂联素(APN)、瘦素、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及抵抗素等,这些细胞因子通过多种信号通路在机体脂类代谢中发挥着重要作用。本文主要综述了脂肪细胞因子对动物脂类代谢的调控机理,为通过饲粮途径调控动物的脂类代谢和改善肉品质提供参考依据。     

A blend of benzoic acid and essential oil compounds as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets

The discussions about the possibility of bacterial resistance resulting from the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in broiler feed. The limitations of international market have forced the exporting countries to search for alternatives to ensure the animal growth without affecting the quality of the final product. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of in-feed CRINA® Poultry Plus (CPP, a mixture of benzoic acid and essential oils) in enhancing broiler growth performance and reducing coccidial lesions, as a non-antibiotic growth promoter. Effect of CPP on litter moisture content was also assessed. The treatments were: NC, a basal diet without growth promoters; PC, a basal diet with 10 ppm of Avilamycin (AVI); CPPD, a basal diet with 300 ppm of CPP from 1 to 42 d; AVI_(1–21d)/CPP_(22–42d), a basal diet with 10 ppm of AVI from 1 to 21 d and 300 ppm of CPP from 22 to 42 d; and AVI + CPP (1–42 d), a basal diet with 10 ppm of AVI and 300 ppm of CPP from 1 to 42 d. The 5 treatments were applied in a completely randomized arrangement and 10 replicate with 31 birds per pen. The diets with CPP increased body weight gain and feed conversion rates in the 1 to 42 d period and European productive efficiency index compared to birds fed with negative control diet (NC). Furthermore, lesion scores induced by E. acervulina were highest in the NC. The results suggest that CRINA® Poultry Plus can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets without losses in productive performance.     

Wnt5a expression in canine osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone in dogs and is associated with poor long‐term outcomes due to its highly metastatic nature. A better understanding of the signalling pathways and proteins involved with osteosarcoma pathogenesis may aid in improved outcomes through the use of targeted therapies. The Wnt5a protein, a ligand for the non‐canonical Wnt signalling pathway, is implicated in mediating the aggressiveness of cancer cell lines, including those of human osteosarcoma origin. Given the close relationship between human and canine osteosarcoma, the primary goal of this study was to characterize Wnt5a expression in canine osteosarcoma. Second, if Wnt5a expression was present in canine osteosarcoma, the study aimed to determine any potential association with clinical outcome and clinical variables in similarly treated osteosarcoma‐bearing dogs. Wnt5a expression was present in 26 of the 48 (54%) cases of canine osteosarcoma. Wnt5a expression was not associated with progression‐free survival (P = 0.4) or overall survival (P = 0.1).