Reproductive seasonality in the mare: neuroendocrine basis and pharmacologic control

Reproductive seasonality in the mare is characterized by a marked decline in adenohypophyseal synthesis and secretion of LH beginning near the autumnal equinox. Thus, ovarian cycles have ceased in most mares by the time of the winter solstice. Endogenous reproductive rhythms in seasonal species are entrained or synchronized as a result of periodic environmental cues. In the horse, this cue is primarily day length. Hence, supplemental lighting schemes have been used managerially for decades to modify the annual timing of reproduction in the mare. Although a full characterization of the cellular and molecular bases of seasonal rhythms has not been realized in any species, many of their synaptic and humoral signaling pathways have been defined. In the mare, neuroendocrine-related studies have focused primarily on the roles of GnRH and interneuronal signaling pathways that subserve the GnRH system in the regulatory cascade. Recent studies have considered the role of a newly discovered neuropeptide, RF-related peptide 3 that could function to inhibit GnRH secretion or gonadotrope responsiveness. Although results that used native peptide sequences have been negative in the mare and mixed in all mammalian females, new studies that used an RFRP3 antagonist (RF9) in sheep are encouraging. Importantly, despite continuing deficits in some fundamental areas, the knowledge required to control seasonal anovulation pharmacologically has been available for >20 yr. Specifically, the continuous infusion of native GnRH is both reliable and efficient for accelerating reproductive transition and is uniquely applicable to the horse. However, its practical exploitation continues to await the development of a commercially acceptable delivery vehicle.     

干旱胁迫下侧柏、苦楝等树种的生理生化响应及抗旱性评价

采用盆栽试验研究干旱胁迫条件下5种树种侧柏、苦楝、栾树、黄连木、乌桕1年实生苗的抗旱生理生化指标丙二醛(MDA)、电导率(EC)、叶绿素(Chl.)、游离脯氨酸(Pro)、过氧化物酶活性(POD)等的变化。在研究生理生化指标与抗旱性关系的基础上,采用隶属函数法对上述指标进行综合分析,得出其抗旱能力从大到小的顺序为:侧柏、栾树、黄连木、乌桕、苦楝,这一结果与5种植物的实际表现一致。     

小肽对家禽肠道生理功能的影响

家禽肠道生理功能与家禽机体健康状态关系密切,维护家禽肠道生理功能是实现家禽健康养殖的关键。小肽以其独特的营养特性和吸收机制能够促进家禽肠道系统发育、肠道消化酶的分泌、肠道有益菌的大量繁殖、微量元素的吸收及肠道免疫力的提高,从而增强肠道的屏障作用和养分吸收能力,对肠道起到保护作用。开发以小肽为主的新型饲料添加剂在维护家禽肠道生理功能,实现健康养殖方面潜力巨大。     

脑心肌炎病毒及其蛋白结构和功能研究进展

脑心肌炎病毒(EMCV)是一种重要的人畜共患病病原,高危感染动物是猪,自然宿主是啮齿动物,人也可以感染这种病毒。也有研究报道,病毒可分解为前体蛋白P1、P2、P 3和L蛋白,最终切割成11个蛋白终产物,其中VP1蛋白存在主要抗原表位,具有良好的中和作用。目前尚不能阐明病毒感染后的发病机制,宿主感染病毒的影响因素等。因此,对病毒特性进行的研究有助于对该病的预防及控制,对病毒基因组及它所编码蛋白的结构与功能的研究对新型疫苗及动物机体的抗感染免疫机制的研究有重要的生物学作用。论文综述了脑心肌炎病毒基因组结构及其编码蛋白的结构和功能。     

犁鼻器的结构和功能

大多数陆生脊椎动物的鼻腔都有两套化学感受器,即嗅器和犁鼻器。犁鼻器(vomeronasal organ)是临近犁鼻骨的一对盲囊,被覆发达的犁鼻上皮。嗅器主要接受挥发性的小分子物质;犁鼻器主要感受非挥发性的大分子化学物质,如信息素等。犁鼻器在脊椎动物的演化过程中差异明显。鱼类、鳄鱼、鸟类及大多数的蝙蝠和海洋哺乳动物均无犁鼻器;两栖类开始出现犁鼻器;有鳞类和啮齿类的犁鼻器非常发达,且成为一个独立器官。目前,犁鼻器的功能是对陆生环境的特异适应还是对水生环境的适应,仍存在争议。犁鼻器的发生及其功能的研究对于探讨脊椎动物由水生到陆生过程中嗅觉系统的适应进化意义重大。     

秦岭羚牛角结构与功能的研究

通过对秦岭羚牛的野外观察发现,秦岭羚牛头上长有2只洞角,在与雄性同类个体争偶打斗时,角的使用方式与非争偶的打斗不同;在争偶打斗时,角的前缘具有瞄准对方的作用,通过分析计算羚牛角的前缘也证明了不争偶的雌性与争偶的雄性此处存在差异。     

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in healthy cats using single-slice dynamic CT and Patlak plot analysis

Commonly used clinical indicators of renal disease are either insensitive to early dysfunction or have delayed results. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) indicates renal dysfunction before there is a loss of 50% of functional nephrons. Most tests evaluate global rather than individual kidney function. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) and Patlak plot analysis allows for individual GFR to be tested. Our objectives were to establish a procedure and provide reference values for determination of global GFR in 10 healthy cats using dynamic CT (CTGFR). This method of GFR determination was compared against serum iohexol clearance (SIC). A single CT slice centered on both kidneys and the aorta was acquired every fifth second during and after a bolus injection of iohexol (240 mgI/ml; 300 mgI/kg) for 115 s. Using data from this dynamic acquisition, Patlak plots were obtained, GFR was calculated, and results were compared to global GFR determined by iohexol clearance. The average global CTGFR estimate was 1.84 ml/min x kg (SD = 0.43; range = [1.22, 2.45]). The average global GFR measured using SIC was 2.45 ml/min x kg (SD = 0.58; range = [1.72, 3.69]). GFR measurements estimated by both dynamic CT and SIC were positively associated (estimated Spearman rank correlation coefficient = 0.72; P = 0.0234). The CTGFR method consistently underestimated GFR with a bias of -0.62 (SE = 0.1307) when compared to SIC (P = 0.0011). In healthy cats, CTGFR was capable of determining individual kidney function and appears clinically promising.     

Relation of reproductive performances and rectal palpation for luteum function of heifers 7 days after estrus

Diagnosis of corpus luteum (CL) function by rectal palpation (RP) has been widely used for recipient selection of embryo transfer (ET), a technology essential for genetic improvements in cattle. To examine the accuracy of RP diagnosis method, the relationship between RP‐based CL function and reproductive performance was compared in this study. In Experiment 1, CL of Holstein heifers on day 7 after estrus was classified into functional or hypoplastic by RP, and the results were compared with ultrasonographic (US) images and plasma progesterone (P4) levels. As a result, heifers with functional CL judged by RP had a mean maximum CL diameter of 20.1 ± 3.1 mm on US and a mean P4 concentration of 8.1 ± 2.3 ng/mL. These values were significantly greater than those of heifers with hypoplastic CL (12.4 ± 5.4 mm, 4.0 ± 2.8 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). In Experiment 2, the length of the estrus cycle was examined between functional CL and hypoplastic CL. The rate of heifers with a normal estrus cycle length with 18–25 days was significantly lower with hypoplastic CL than with functional CL (16/24 vs. 43/46, P < 0.01). In Experiment 3, 543 inseminated heifers were similarly classified by CL function by RP 7 days after estrus. The heifers with functional CL showed higher pregnancy rate compared with the heifers with hypoplastic CL (75.2 vs. 47.9%, P < 0.0001). Finally, the CL function of 66 heifers was examined by RP on day 7 post‐estrus, and ET was performed in 49 (74.2%) heifers with functional CL. As a result, 27 (55.1%) of them became pregnant. Taken together, these results reconfirm that RP on day 7 after estrus is useful for selection of heifers with functional CL.     

Influence of a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on cardiopulmonary function and recovery quality in isoflurane anaesthetized horses

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of a dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion (CRI) in horses anaesthetized with isoflurane.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded, clinical study.AnimalsForty adult healthy horses (weight mean 491 ± SD 102 kg) undergoing elective surgery.MethodsAfter sedation [dexmedetomidine, 3.5 μg kg^?1 intravenously (IV)] and induction IV (midazolam 0.06 mg kg^?1, ketamine 2.2 mg kg^?1), anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/air (FiO₂ 55–60%). Horses were ventilated and dobutamine was administered when hypoventilation [arterial partial pressure of CO₂ > 8.00 kPa (60 mmHg)] and hypotension [arterial pressure 70 mmHg] occurred respectively. During anaesthesia, horses were randomly allocated to receive a CRI of dexmedetomidine (1.75 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) (D) or saline (S). Monitoring included end-tidal isoflurane concentration, cardiopulmonary parameters, and need for dobutamine and additional ketamine. All horses received 0.875 μg kg^?1 dexmedetomidine IV for the recovery period. Age and weight of the horses, duration of anaesthesia, additional ketamine and dobutamine, cardiopulmonary data (anova), recovery scores (Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test), duration of recovery (t-test) and attempts to stand (Mann–Whitney test) were compared between groups. Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsHeart rate and arterial partial pressure of oxygen were significantly lower in group D compared to group S. An interaction between treatment and time was present for cardiac index, oxygen delivery index and systemic vascular resistance. End-tidal isoflurane concentration and heart rate significantly increased over time. Packed cell volume, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, arterial oxygen content, stroke volume index and systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased over time. Recovery scores were significantly better in group D, with fewer attempts to stand and significantly longer times to sternal position and first attempt to stand.Conclusions and clinical relevance A dexmedetomidine CRI produced limited cardiopulmonary effects, but significantly improved recovery quality.