Intermittent suckling improves post-weaning feed uptake but does not change functional gut characteristics of piglets

Suckling pigs were separated from their dam for 24 h on day 21 (1 × 24 h fasting, n = 10) or day 21 and 24 (2 × 24 h fasting, n = 10). Pigs in the control group (n = 10) were not fasted before weaning. All pigs were weaned on day 28 postpartum. Feed intake during the first 4 days post-weaning was higher (P < 0.05) for pigs exposed to 1 × 24 h fasting compared with controls. Water consumption was not affected by fasting prior to weaning. The difference in post-weaning feed uptake was not reflected in any clinical traits, intestinal morphology, or activity of digestive enzymes (maltase, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, aminopeptidases A and N; P > 0.15). In conclusion, a short period of fasting prior to weaning can increase post-weaning feed uptake, although this had no clinical impact under the present experimental conditions.     

Thromboelastographic tracings in retired racing greyhounds and in non-greyhound dogs

BACKGROUND: Bleeding disorders in patients with normal coagulation test results are frequently reported in Greyhounds. The purpose of this study was to compare Greyhounds to non-Greyhounds by thromboelastography (TEG). HYPOTHESIS: TEG parameters in Greyhounds are different from those in non-Greyhounds. ANIMALS: Forty-three healthy dogs (28 Greyhounds and 15 non-Greyhounds) based on the results of physical examination, CBC, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, and platelet count. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recalcified citrated native TEGs were performed in both groups; data were compared using Student's, Mann-Whitney, and Pearson's statistical tests. RESULTS: In Greyhounds, mean +/- SD were as follows: R-time 4.3 +/- 1.7 minutes, K-time 3.8 +/- 1.4 minutes, angle (alpha) 50.0 +/- 8.0 degrees , maximum amplitude (MA) 47.6 +/- 5.6 mm, clot strength (G) 4,647 +/- 1,097 dyn/cm2, and percent lysis at 60 minutes (LY60) 2.8 +/- 5.0%. In the non-Greyhounds they were R-time 3.7 +/- 1.6 minutes, K-time 2.5 +/- 0.9 minutes, angle 59.8 +/- 7.0 degrees , MA 53.1 +/- 5.6 mm, G 5,811 +/- 1,256 dyn/cm2, and LY60 3.1 +/- 2.5%. All parameters were significantly different between the groups, except for R-time and LY60. CONCLUSION: In Greyhounds, clotting kinetics are slower and clot strength are weaker than in non-Greyhounds, supporting the increased tendency to bleed observed after minor trauma or surgical procedures in the breed. The findings may also be attributed to blood viscosity or to the concentration of citrate in the sample (ie, Greyhounds have higher hematocrit and less plasma per unit volume).     

北京地区3种冷季型禾本科草坪草生物量及养分吸收动态的研究

以北京地区常见的3种草坪草多年生黑麦草Lolium perenne、草地早熟禾Poa pratensis和高羊茅Festuca arundinacea为研究对象,采用田间试验和实验室内分析相结合,对3种冷季型草坪草年季间生长变化规律,营养元素N、P、K养分吸收特性进行初步研究。结果表明:3种草坪草中高羊茅的年生长量最大,草地早熟禾和多年生黑麦草,二者差异不显著,但显著低于高羊茅。3种草坪草组织中N、P、K营养元素含量存在一定差异,整个生长季变化趋势相近,且变幅相对较小。N和K养分含量较高,变幅较小,P养分含量较低,变幅较大,养分含量的变化与草坪草生长变化不完全同步。而N、P、K养分每年带出量变化趋势与生长量的变化相近,即多年生黑麦草和高羊茅为"高-低-高"型,以夏季带出量较低;P养分带出量变化不大。3种草坪草地下生物量的变化趋势与地上部分生长变化趋势具有一定的相似性。高羊茅地下生物量最高,草地早熟禾次之,多年生黑麦草最少;3草种分布都是以0~10 cm层占主导地位。草地早熟禾在0~10 cm层的根系分布较多,而在10~20 cm层和20~30 cm层多年生黑麦草和高羊茅分布较多。     

沼液灌溉对黑麦草生长及土壤性质的影响

在盆栽条件下,设置4种沼液灌溉量,即0(对照),667,867和1133mL·kg^-1土,研究了沼液灌溉对一年生黑麦草(Lolium multiflorum Lam.)分蘖数、地上/地下生物量及根冠比、养分吸收性能、土壤理化及酶活性的影响。结果表明:沼液灌溉量为667mL·kg^-1土时,黑麦草的分蘖数和地上生物量均增加140%以上,地下生物量下降,导致根冠比显著降低(P<0.05);黑麦草植株全氮、全磷、全钾含量分别增加250%,16%,50%。沼液灌溉量继续增加时,分蘖数、生物量、植株养分含量无进一步增加趋势。土壤全氮、全磷、有机质含量和电导率随沼液灌溉量的增加呈增加趋势,而土壤pH值因沼液灌溉而下降。沼液灌溉后土壤脲酶活性提高,脱氢酶活性下降,但不同灌溉量间无显著差异。综合分析认为,黑麦草对过量沼液灌溉有一定耐受性,但从生产和环境安全的角度考虑,667mL·kg^-1土的沼液灌溉量即可满足其生长所需。     

砷污染区黄牛和水牛姐妹染色单体交换和细胞周期动力学的研究

本文以外周血淋巴细胞姐妹染色单体互换(SCE)频率和细胞周期动力学为指标,以较长期(4～13年)生活在砷污染区的黄牛和水牛为对象,对砷在动物体内慢性蓄积所诱发细胞遗传学效应进行了研究。其结果表明,砷污染区黄牛和水牛SCE频率均显著高于对照组,参照有关评价标准,可判为弱阳性,提示在当地污染水平下,黄牛和水牛都诱发了一定程度的细胞遗传学效应。对细胞周期动力学的观察结果表明,砷对黄牛和水牛没有明显的细胞毒性。本试验还报告了正常黄牛和水牛外周血液淋巴细胞SCE的自发频率以及培养72小时各期细胞的正常比率。     

不同天然草地开垦年限下土壤特性对CH4吸收的影响

通过培养实验,称取过2mm筛的风干土样50g于300mL的培养瓶中,调节含水量至25%(W/W)后密封,在(25±1)℃条件下恒温培养一周,探讨内蒙古锡盟太仆寺旗典型草原天然草地转变为农田后,在相同的水分温度条件下,不同开垦年限(5、10、50年)农田的土壤特性对CH₄吸收的影响。结果表明:天然草地转变为农田后降低了土壤吸收CH₄的能力,开垦年限对CH₄吸收有显著影响(F=20.998,P<0.001),CH₄的吸收量随开垦年限的增加而逐渐降低,4个样地土壤CH₄的吸收量按大小顺序为:天然草地>开垦5年的农田>开垦10年的农田>开垦50年的农田,以天然草地为对照,开垦5年、10年、50年后农田土壤CH₄的吸收量分别降低了17.1%、44.1%、50.1%;CH₄的累积吸收量随土壤有机碳、全氮含量和微生物生物量碳、氮的降低而降低,单因子相关分析表明,土壤有机碳含量、全氮含量、土壤微生物量碳、氮是影响土壤CH₄吸收的主要因子。     

Flow-cytometric Studies of the Phagocytic Capacities of Equine Neutrophils

Methodological aspects of flow-cytometric evaluation of the phagocytic properties of equine neutrophils were elucidated. The kinetics of attachment and ingestion were studied, and the phagocytic process was more rapidly completed when serum-opsonized yeast cells were used than with use of IgG-opsonized yeast cells. Trypan blue was successfully used to quench fluorescence of non-ingested yeast cells. There were only minor differences in the kinetics of phagocytosis between quenched and un-quenched samples, indicating that attachment is rapidly followed by ingestion. Trypan blue quenching caused loss of cells with light scattering properties of granulocytes, although this did not affect the determined frequencies of truly phagocytic neutrophils. Aggregation of yeast cells proved to be a disturbance but not an obstacle to the determination of frequencies of actively phagocytic cells. Flow cytometry is well suited for studies of phagocytosis of yeast cells by equine neutrophils, and the trypan blue quenching provides a means of eliminating false-positive events due to aggregation of yeast cells. The main advantage of the flow-cytometric method is the possibility of rapid processing of a large number of samples, making the method useful for studies of herds.     

Kinetics and kinematics of the horse comparing left and right rising trot

Reasons for performing study: At rising trot the rider sits alternately down on one diagonal pair of limbs and rises up on the other. The possible effects on asymmetry of locomotion induced by rising trot have rarely been studied. Objectives: To demonstrate whether, and if so to what extent, rising trot causes asymmetrical loading in the vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and/or asymmetrical effects on the locomotion pattern, comparing left and right side. Methods: Seven elite horses were ridden in left and right rising trot on a treadmill, while VGRF and kinematics were measured, with the horses' neck raised, the poll high and the bridge of the nose slightly in front of the vertical. Results: Force loading was generally increased in the limbs of the sitting diagonal. The lumbar back was lower between mid‐stances of the sitting and nonsitting stance, pelvic roll was limited and the tuber coxae heights were lower on the sitting side. Maximal hindlimb protraction was decreased. Forelimb retraction was increased and the T6 height decreased. Conclusion: The rider movement induces an uneven biphasic load that affects the back, pelvis and limb kinematics and VGRF. Potential relevance: The generally advocated technique of alternating limbs when riding in rising trot is supported. The VGRF changes between rising on the left or right diagonal were distinct, but minor in absolute terms and therefore unlikely to have direct impact on the occurrence of locomotor injuries. Knowledge of an increase of asymmetry in rising trot is potentially useful for riders/trainers.     

施用不同氮肥对盐碱地湖南稷子生产性能以及养分吸收的影响

为探讨盐碱地湖南稷子(Echinochloa frumentacea)高效生产的最佳施氮种类和施氮量,采用单因素随机区组设计,通过在湖南稷子拔节期设置不施肥(CK)、尿素和硫酸铵(N1,N2)轻施肥(F1:50 kg·hm^-2)、中施肥(F2:100 kg·hm^-2)、重施肥处理(F3:150 kg·hm^-2),研究不同氮肥和施氮水平下湖南稷子田间农艺性状、养分吸收及氮肥利用率的变化,探讨盐碱地湖南稷子实现高效生产的适宜氮肥和施氮量。结果表明：与对照相比,施氮量为F2和F3时能够显著提高盐碱地湖南稷子产量及氮磷钾吸收量(P<0.05),植株不同部位氮含量上升,施氮量F3时能够显著提高氮肥利用效率(P<0.05),且同一施氮量下追施硫酸铵后湖南稷子产量、养分吸收及氮肥利用率均高于尿素。综上所述,氮肥追施量在150 kg·hm^-2时,有利于盐碱地湖南稷子的产量的提升和养分的吸收,且同一条件下追施硫酸铵较追施尿素效果显著。     

棉花品种间苗期钾吸收效率的差异研究

在水培条件下研究了转基因抗虫棉中棉所41和常规棉中棉所36、中棉所35三个品种苗期钾吸收效率的差异及其机制.结果表明,在营养液中钾浓度为0.5 mmol·L-1,可使棉花幼苗生长速率达到最高生长速率80%左右的条件下,中棉所35和中棉所41在6～7叶期的生物量和体内钾吸收量显著高于中棉所36.中棉所35的吸钾量多主要与其根系活跃吸收表面积大有关;中棉所41的吸钾量多可能是相对较大的根系活跃吸收表面积和相对较高的Imax综合作用的结果.中棉所36的Imax虽然显著高于其它两个品种,但体内钾累积量却比较低,这与其较小的根系活跃吸收表面积有关,该品种体内较高的钾浓度也可能对吸收产生反馈抑制作用.在本试验条件下,转基因抗虫棉中棉所41的苗期钾吸收能力与常规棉相比并不低.