Innovative layer genetics to handle global challenges in egg production

1. In commercial layer breeding, extensive gene pools are tested and selected for market requirements which must be anticipated at least 5 years ahead. Field results confirm a continuous positive genetic trend in egg output and better feed efficiency which can be converted into land savings.

2. Animal welfare and cage-free housing dominate future needs of the market. Nesting behaviour and minimal tendency to develop feather-pecking or cannibalism without beak treatment are key trait complexes. Stronger shells for longer production cycles without moulting have to be combined with better bones.

3. No single big gene effect can be expected to control the multifactorial problem of feather-pecking. Adjusting the shape of the beak, with a heritability of .10–.25, can contribute to reducing the risk of severe cannibalism.

4. For better skeletal integrity, the assessment of bone quality in pedigree birds housed in enriched cages is done by keel bone palpation or ultrasound measurement of the humerus. Both traits show similar heritabilities in the range of .15–.30 and can be included in a balanced selection approach for performance, quality and welfare traits.

5. The combination of performance testing and genome-wide DNA marker analysis is a promising tool to generate more progress for a balanced performance and behaviour profile.     

Male-to-female aggression in cage-housed common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during the breeding season was not related to male plasma testosterone level

1. The aim of this study was to investigate if male-to-female aggression of common pheasants in the course of the breeding season was related to the concentration of plasma testosterone and/or other biochemical plasma indicators in male pheasants housed in breeding cages. The influence of season on the concentration of testosterone and biochemical indicators was also investigated.

2. Males were divided into non-aggressive and aggressive groups during the breeding season based on ethological evaluation. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the breeding season, a blood sample was taken from all males on the same day and the concentration of selected biochemical indicators and the total circulating testosterone in the plasma were determined.

3. Male-to-female aggression during the breeding season of pheasants was not influenced by the total plasma testosterone of males.

4. The concentration of total plasma testosterone in males decreased gradually during the breeding season.

5. Male-to-female aggression of pheasants did not have a significant effect on any of the assessed biochemical indicators.

6. The influence of the breeding season affected the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as the concentrations of glucose, magnesium, potassium and chloride in the blood plasma of cage-housed male pheasants.     

The use of ultrasonography in the reproductive evaluation of boars

The objective was to study the use of ultrasound as a complementary test in the breeding soundness evaluation in male pigs and study the pattern of echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in boars of different racial groups. Twenty‐six adult boars from four different racial groups were used, 10 from the Piau breed (group 1), four from the commercial and finishing group (group 2), six Pietrain breed (group 3) and six from the Duroc breed (group 4). All animals were evaluated for breeding soundness evaluation and the ultrasound examination of the testicles. The groups of animals that were evaluated showed no difference in the main semen parameters that were evaluated, except for the sperm volume, concentration of the ejaculated sperm and the supravital staining; the lowest figures were for the animals from the Piau breed (group 1). In relation to the testicular biometrics, Duroc animals (group 4) had a greater scrotal width compared to the other groups. But when we assessed the intensity of pixels of the testicles, there was a difference between groups. The groups 2 (finishing animals), 3 (Pietrain) and 4 had no difference between themselves. Group 3 had greater pixel intensity in relation to group 1. Of the 26 animals studied, five showed an abnormality during ultrasound evaluation, like hydrocele, hyperechoic mass in the testicular parenchyma, cyst in the head of the epididymis and the presence of fluid in the head and tail of the epididymis. The various animal groups studied did not differ in the principal reproductive parameters evaluated, showing that despite the great variability of reproductive traits between breeds and within the same breed, the breeding soundness evaluation, the more complete it is, is essential for the selection of breeders and the ultrasonography of the reproductive system becomes an important addition in this examination.     

芒属植物叶绿体InDel标记的开发与应用

研究利用芒属植物(芒02381和荻04005)叶绿体全基因组测序的结果,开发12对InDel标记。采用正交设计法优化cpInDelPCR体系,得到模板DNA、dNTPs、Mg2+、引物、TaqDNA聚合酶5个关键因素在体系中的最佳组合。12对InDel标记对43份芒属和2份甘蔗材料进行扩增,共扩增出538条条带,其中3对引物扩增出13条多态性条带,占总数的2.4%。将所有位点读带转化为数值矩阵并用UPGMA法聚类,在遗传相似系数1.4的水平上,和南荻聚为一类,而芒和与五节芒、双药芒、红山茅、尼泊尔芒、甘蔗聚为一类,4个具有杂交种特征的材料单独聚为一类。试验开发的芒属植物cpInDel标记可用于芒与荻的区分,指导芒属植物的杂交育种。     

浅谈二种生活用具在棉花自交与杂交中的应用

棉花在栽培过程中,为了获得好性状的棉珠,利用自交与杂交技术进行育种,本文论述小铁夹和吸汽水管方法的精髓及注意事项。     

生态养猪技术要点及未来发展趋势

猪肉作为主要的食物来源之一,传统的自然养殖已不能填补人们对品质的要求。有机养猪作为此类食品的主要新型品种之一,最重要的特点是生态性、绿色性和安全性。该文主要分析生态养猪技术的要点及其未来发展形势。     

柞蚕新品种永青的选育

柞蚕新品种永青是以“青六号”为基础材料,利用系统选育手段,采用分区饲养、系统分离、定向培育的方法,同时兼顾各项经济指标的综合平衡,通过9年18代的系统选育,育成的具有青黄蚕血统的柞蚕新品种。选育结果：全茧量12.47g,千粒茧重11.99kg,虫蛹统一生命率94.81%;与吉柞88-2、方山黄杂交,增产幅度达15.5%以上。     

鄂西南民族地区养殖业与旅游业互动发展研究

为了研究鄂西南民族地区养殖业、旅游业的互动发展,文章在文献分析的基础上,结合实地调研掌握的资料和收集的数据,分析了鄂西南少数民族地区养殖业与旅游业互动发展的意义、基础条件和存在的主要障碍。结果表明,鄂西南民族地区具备开展养殖旅游的基础条件,但在发展观念、目标、层次以及人力资源等方面仍存在一些障碍。因此,文章从发展观念转变、发展规划制定、发展层次提升、人才培养和政策支持等方面提出了促进该地区养殖业、旅游业互动发展的对策建议。