Reproductive performance of crossbred and purebred male rabbits

The effect of buck genetic type and crossbreeding parameters on fertility and prolificacy were estimated using two rabbit sire lines and their reciprocal crosses. The relationship between the reproductive performance of inseminated multiparous does and several semen quality traits was also investigated. The semen characteristics evaluated were: pH (pH), mass and individual motility (MM, IM), percentage of viable spermatozoa (Vi), spermatozoa with normal apical ridge (NAR), normal spermatozoa (NSP), spermatozoa with morphological abnormalities of head (HAP), neck-midpiece (NAP), and tail (TAP), spermatozoa with the presence of proximal (PD) and distal (DD) cytoplasmic droplets.

Fertility was analysed as a continuous trait (kindling rate) or as a binary trait (success or failure of kindling). In the first case, the analysis was performed using GLM procedures of SAS v.8 according to a model that included the fixed factors of buck genetic type, number of ejaculates per pool and week of insemination. In the second case, fertility was analysed using GENMOD procedures of SAS v.8 according to a mixed model including the same fixed factors as before plus the physiological status of the does and the permanent random effect of female. Number of kits born alive and number of stillborn were analysed with MIXED procedures of SAS v.8 with the same model used for the analysis of fertility as a binary trait. Estimates of the estimable functions of crossbreeding genetic parameters of the lines were obtained from the solutions of the corresponding models by generalized least squares using GLM, GENMOD and MIXED procedures. Crossbreeding parameters were estimated according to the model of Dickerson. A linear regression was used to determine the relationship between fertility and litter size and the semen characteristics evaluated.

Significant differences in fertility were observed among buck genetic types, which were favourable to type R. Differences between lines in maternal genetic effects were relevant and favourable to type R for fertility. Individual heterosis was important but unfavourable for fertility.

A slight correlation was obtained between all semen quality traits and fertility and prolificacy. Two multiple models were found for fertility, including NAP, IM, NSP, buck genetic type and Vi in one model or NAR in other model. Individual motility had an important positive effect, while NAP had a small negative effect. When MM, TAP and buck genetic type were included in a multiple model for the number of kits born alive, both MM and TAP had significant small effects. Individual motility and DD appeared to be related to number of kits stillborn, but only DD had a significant although negligible effect.     

Heterosis, direct and maternal genetic effects on semen quality traits of rabbits

A complete diallel cross involving two rabbit sire lines (C and R) was carried out to estimate the crossbreeding genetic parameters of seminal traits. 2140 ejaculates from 153 males were analyzed. The traits studied were: presence of gel plugs (G), urine (U), and calcium carbonate deposits (CC), number of useful ejaculates (UE), pH, volume (V), mass and individual motility (Mm, Mi), useful Mi (UM), concentration (Cn), number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (TSE), percentage of viable spermatozoa (Vi), spermatozoa with normal apical ridge (NAR), normal spermatozoa (Nr), spermatozoa with morphological abnormalities of head (H), neck-midpiece (Nm), and tail (T), presence of proximal and distal cytoplasmic droplet (Dp, Dd).

Estimates of heterosis, direct and maternal genetic effects were obtained from the solutions of the mixed model. There were major differences in direct genetic effects between lines, which were favourable to line C for Cn and TSE, and unfavourable for CC, Nm and Dp. Smaller differences were also observed in Vi and NAR favourable to line R. Differences between lines with respect to the maternal genetic effects were relevant and favourable to line C for V and to line R for U, UM, Cn, TSE, Nm, Mi, and Mm. Individual heterosis was high for Dp and Dd.     

牛冷冻精液质量评估研究进展

人工授精(AI)是第一代动物繁殖生物技术,最近几十年以来,研究人员已经探索出了许多评估冷冻-解冻后精液品质的新技术。由于精子质膜在低渗条件下的功能状态、离子分布及浓度和各种细胞器的功能都与冷冻解冻后精子的存活能力相关,冻精质量的评定也从最初的形态和主观活率分析,发展到更精确的染色质、质膜完整性及分解代谢活性的分子变化分析。但是,在实际应用当中,许多方法花费很大,况且单个的评估参数都与动物精子实际的受精力相关性不强。因此,要提高牛冻精质量的预言强度,应该将这些独立的参数结合起来,利用多元回归分析,建立一套更完美更精确的评估体系。     

Advances in the Research and Application of Artificial Insemination to Equids in China: 1935–2012

China was one of the first countries to use artificial insemination (AI) in equids, and it achieved international recognition for its widespread application of AI to commercial horse breeding. This article reviews the history of equine AI in China. The technique originated from the high demand for horses to be used in agriculture, transportation, and the military. Artificial insemination was identified as an ideal tool for Chinese horse breeding to improve the productivity of native horses, especially during 1950-1970. Presently, AI is still practiced commonly in China, and it includes the use of fresh semen and transported cooled semen. The use of frozen semen has also been resumed to broaden the range of elite Sporthorse stallions and to preserve threatened or endangered native breeds. Accurate prediction of the optimum time for insemination depended mainly on transrectal palpation of the mare's ovaries. In addition to controlled methods of insemination, factors like volume and number of spermatozoa in the inseminate and timing and frequency of insemination were optimized to accomplish high fertility rates in the field. Production of hinnies and mules for agricultural labor and donkeys for meat and hide gelatin stimulated a nationwide upsurge of research into the reproductive physiology of and AI technology in donkeys. In the future, there will be further increases in the use of traditional and modern AI techniques in the breeding of Chinese equids.     

Fertility and motility of sperm from Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in relation to dose and timing of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist implant

In broodstocks of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, male and female gamete production often becomes unsynchronised towards the end of the spawning season—milt becomes very viscous and difficult to express while the females are still producing batches of good quality eggs. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) has been shown to stimulate spermiation in a number of fish species. Therefore, we conducted two experiments where male halibut were implanted intramuscularly with pellets containing GnRHa. The effect of the pellets was tested at three periods: before, at the height of and at the end of spermiation. In the middle period, GnRHa was tested at two doses (5 and 25 μg/kg bodyweight). Measurements were made of milt hydration, sperm motility and fertilisation rate. Implanted males began spermiation at least 4 weeks before control males. Both doses of GnRHa increased the fluidity of the milt. This effect lasted for at least 20 days in the low dose group and for 40 days in the high dose group. When applied at the end of the season, GnRHa reversed the normal trend for the milt to become more viscous. GnRHa treatments did not affect fertilisation rates obtained with the sperm. However, towards the end of the spawning season, sperm motility was enhanced in males treated with the high dose of GnRHa (25 μg/kg) compared to controls. As described previously, plasma concentrations of the gonadal steroids, 5β-pregnane-3β,17,20β-triol 20-sulphate and 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, were significantly enhanced by GnRHa treatment. Concentrations of testosterone on the other hand decreased when spermiating males were treated with GnRHa. Our data suggest that 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one or its metabolites are involved in milt hydration, possibly through affecting ion transport.     

马蔺叶中黄酮的超声提取工艺优化及抗氧化性能的测定

在30℃条件下,采用L9(34)正交试验优化马蔺叶中黄酮的最佳提取工艺,最佳提取条件如下:乙醇浓度60%,料液比1∶30,提取次数3次,提取时间30 min。在此条件下,测得马蔺叶中黄酮的含量为9.25 mg/g,回收率为93.15%~103.92%,变异系数小于2.32%。用流动注射化学发光法试验发现,马蔺叶的抗氧化性能较强。     

Semen alterations in porcine rubulavirus-infected boars are related to viral excretion and have implications for artificial insemination

Porcine rubulavirus (PoRV), also known as blue eye disease (BED) of swine, causes respiratory and reproductive problems in pigs at several developmental stages. To study the effect of PoRV infection on semen production, five boars were infected with 1 x 10(6) TCID(50)/ml of PoRV strain PAC-3 and evaluated for 59 days post inoculation (DPI). Infected boars developed reproductive tract pathology that included swelling of the testes and epididymides. Analysis of the semen showed that the infection had little effect on semen production in four animals, but semen from one boar showed severe alterations in sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. When motility was analyzed in BTS-diluted semen after 24, 48, or 72 h, alterations were detected in all boars. Furthermore, viral antigen was detected in semen, the seminal plasma fraction, or sperm fraction from all boars. These results showed that PoRV is excreted via semen and, therefore, artificial insemination is a potential route of dissemination.     

萨福克羊精液低温液态保存效果的研究

[目的]为了提高萨福克羊精液低温液态保存的效果。[方法]用葡萄糖、柠檬酸钠、乳糖、卵黄为主要成分配制了5种萨福克羊精液稀释液,分别4、81、21、6倍稀释精液并5℃保存,通过观测精子存活时间、有效存活时间、生存指数等指标,筛选出精液保存时适宜的稀释液、渗透压、pH值及稀释倍数。[结果]4倍稀释不利于精液保存,8、121、6倍稀释精液保存效果好(P<0.01),结合母羊受胎率稀释保存倍数以8倍为宜;以葡萄糖3.0 g、柠檬酸钠2.0 g、卵黄10 ml为主要成分的稀释液保存效果优于其他4种稀释液(P<0.05)。稀释液pH值和渗透压与精液越接近保存效果越好。[结论]调整稀释液成分、稀释倍数、pH值、渗透压,可以提高萨福克羊精液低温液态保存效果。     

乳铁蛋白对牛精液冷冻效果的影响

[目的]探索乳铁蛋白在牛精液冷冻中的应用效果,为乳铁蛋白在家畜精液保存中的研究与应用提供初步的参考数据。[方法]在常用稀释液(果糖-柠檬酸钠-卵黄-甘油液)的基础上,分别添加不同浓度(250、500、1000mg/L)的乳铁蛋白,观察乳铁蛋白对牛精液冷冻效果的影响。[结果]3种浓度的乳铁蛋白对精子的冻后活力、复苏率、VAP、VSL、VCL、畸形率、顶体完整率及低渗肿胀率均没有显著影响。[结论]在该试验条件下,乳铁蛋白未能显著提高牛精液的冻后质量。     

贵州钙果发展前景、存在的问题及对策

从钙果的生物学特性、适应性、开发利用前景、贵州钙果发展优势等方面进行综合分析,探讨贵州钙果产业发展的对策措施。