Forage production and small ruminant grazing responses in Mediterranean shrublands as influenced by the reduction of shrub cover

Reduction of shrub cover in Mediterranean shrublands is considered as a method of optimising forage and animal production. In this study, forage production in grazed and protected plots and grazing responses of small ruminants in cleared (25% shrub cover), slashed (34% shrub cover) and not treated (control, 55% shrub cover) kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) shrublands were compared during the spring seasons of 1992, 1993 and 1994. The alterations in shrub density were done in October 1991 and pastures remained ungrazed until spring of 1992. Clearing and slashing of shrub vegetation resulted in higher amounts of available herbaceous forage and useable browse. At the end of the growing season, averaged across years, herbaceous biomass was generally two to three times higher in the treated shrublands than in the control; also, browse biomass was slightly less (1,078 vs 1,533 kg/ha) but easily accessible because of the open structure and the lower height of the sprouting shrubs. There were generally no grazing response differences between the cleared and slashed pastures. However, grazing animals (sheep and goats) had a higher bite rate (bites/min; P 0.05) in the treated pastures than in the control. Levels of crude protein in the forage selected by animals were higher (P 0.05) in the treated pastures than in the control. Animals in the improved pastures maintained diets that were significantly more digestible (53.5%) than those in the control pasture (48.5%). Neutral detergent fibre and lignin contents of animal diets were similar in the improved pastures but lower (P 0.05) than those of the control. It is concluded that removing of woody vegetation in Mediterranean shrublands results in increased forage production (available herbage and useable browse) and improved forage quality and availability for small ruminants.     

多肽的酶法制备

以羊脾脏为原料,用菠萝蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶双酶水解,选择最佳水解条件。结果表明,温度60℃,pH值7.0,加酶量5.0%,时间5.0h为最佳水解条件。     

Examination of non-genetic factors affecting the growth performance of djallonke sheep in soudanian zone at the Okpara breeding farm of Benin

A study was carried out at the Okpara breeding farm in Benin. Records on 558 lambs of the Djallonke sheep breed, born from 1997 to 2000, were used to determine the weekly growth curve from birth up to 119 days of age. Non-genetic factors affecting lamb weights at birth and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days and average daily gains from 0 to 30 days, from 0 to 60 days, from 0 to 90 days and from 0 to 120 days were investigated. A linear model comprising the fixed effects of birth season, birth year, parity number of ewe and sex of lambs was used for analysis of variance by least squares. All fixed effects were significant for weight at 30 and 60 days and average daily gains at 30 days, with the exception of the parity of the ewe for birth weight, weight and average daily gain at 90 days. All fixed effects tended to cancel out for weight and average daily gains by 120 days. Lambs born in the dry season were the heaviest. Single lambs and male lambs were heavier than twins and females. Lambs from ewes of 3rd and 4th parity were heavier, with higher, average daily gains.     

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serovars in apparently healthy slaughtered sheep and goats of central Ethiopia

The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence, distribution and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella serovars in apparently healthy slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia. A total 1224 samples consisting of faeces, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and abdominal and diaphragmatic muscle samples were collected from 104 sheep and 100 goats. Salmonella was isolated from 12 of 104 (11.5%) sheep and 3 of 100 (3%) goats. Of the total 624 and 600 samples examined from sheep and goats, 18 (2.9%) and 4 (0.7%), respectively, were Salmonella positive. The 22 Salmonella isolates belonged to 9 different serovars. The common serovars isolated were S. typhimurium, followed by S. heidelberg, S. reading, S. give, and S. poona. Seven of the 22 isolates (31.8%) were multidrug-resistant to various antimicrobials.     

Peritoneal fluid analysis in adult, nonpregnant Awassi sheep

BACKGROUND: To the authors' knowledge, there is no information in the literature about normal peritoneal fluid values in ovine species. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study reported here was to establish reference intervals for peritoneal fluid from clinically normal Awassi sheep and to compare the values to those in blood. METHODS: Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were collected into tubes containing EDTA, from 40 clinically healthy, nonpregnant, female Awassi sheep, aged 2 to 7 years. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC) was determined using an electronic cell counter. Total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, and glucose concentrations and aspartate transaminase activity were analyzed using commercially available kits. RESULTS: TNCC (mean +/- SD) of peritoneal fluid was 1.1 +/- 0.87 X 10(3)/microl, with neutrophils (3.9%), lymphocytes (33.5%), macrophages/monocytes (61.2%), and eosinophils (1.4%). Biochemical results in peritoneal fluid were: total protein, 1.7 +/- 0.74 g/dL; albumin, 1.0 +/- 0.04 g/dL; urea, 12.6 +/- 3.95 mg/dL; creatinine, 0.6 +/- 0.19 mg/dL; glucose, 54.8 +/- 6.11 mg/dL; and aspartate transaminase, 23.5 +/- 8.82 U/L. Eosinophil percentage and creatinine concentration did not differ significantly from blood values. CONCLUSION: Baseline values for cytologic and biochemical parameters in peritoneal fluid of Awassi sheep, with comparison to blood, have been generated. Such data may be applicable to other ovine species and can be used in the clinical investigation of ovine abdominal disorders.     

不同断奶日龄对母羊体况和雌激素分泌的影响

以滩羊为试验动物,采用30 d、45 d、60 d断奶,4月龄断奶为对照。研究结果表明,羔羊的早期断奶有利于母羊产后和断奶后体况的恢复和母羊发情期的提前到来,以30 d断奶母羊体况恢复最佳和对提前母羊的发情期效果最好。     

甘加羊畜群结构调整探讨

科学地对畜群结构进行调整、是发展畜牧业生产、加快羊群周转、提高广大农牧民经济效益的重要条件,提高适龄母畜比例是调整畜群结构的主要措施和提高畜群出栏率的关键,在分析夏河县畜群结构现状的基础上提出了合理调整畜群结构的建议及措施,为甘加羊生产提供依据。     

羊经济性状主效基因研究进展

与畜禽经济性状相关的主效基因的研究越来越受到关注。本文就与绵、山羊经济性状相关的主效基因研究进展进行综述,为羊主效基因的进一步研究提供参考。     

绵羊FecB基因遗传多样性及其产羔数的关联分析

FecB是19世纪80年代在布鲁拉美利奴（Booroola Merino）绵羊中发现的能增加排卵数和产羔数的一个常染色体突变基因,是在绵羊中识别出的第一个高繁殖力主效基因。本研究利用PCR-SSCP以及PCR-RFLP方法对湖羊、小尾寒羊、阿勒泰羊、洼地绵羊共470只的FecB基因进行单核苷酸多态性分析,验证FecB基因为绵羊的高繁殖力的主效基因,并以洼地绵羊为研究对象,检验FecB基因是否为洼地绵羊高繁殖力的主效基因。实验结果表明上述两种方法均能准确判型,稳定可靠性良好,并且判断的结果一致。研究结果显示：上述4个绵羊品种均携带FecB突变,且能证明FecB基因为洼地绵羊高繁殖力的主效基因。     

敖汉细毛羊Ⅰ型内根鞘角蛋白基因表达模式的研究分析

[目的]探讨细毛羊毛囊生长期及休止期特异基因的表达模式以及该模式对敖汉细毛羊选育的意义。[方法]通过基因芯片技术对敖汉细毛羊羊毛生长期和休止期的颈部、腹股沟部的上皮基因表达进行检测。[结果]统计分析Ⅰ型内根鞘角蛋白基因KRT25、KRT26、KRT27和KRT28在细毛羊颈部与腹股沟部的表达,发现该基因在细毛羊生长期颈部表达量极显著高于腹股沟部的表达量(差异倍数2,P0.01);对比分析生长期与休止期该基因的表达变化,结果显示在腹股沟部所有芯片涵盖的Ⅰ型内根鞘角蛋白基因的表达都表现出由生长期进入休止期的显著下调(P0.05),除KRT25(LOC443079)外,其他基因的表达变化都在2倍以上。[结论]该研究结果表明Ⅰ型内根鞘角蛋白基因家族的表达与特异部位羊毛密度的控制以及整个毛囊发育生长周期都有着重要的联系。