Improving the reproductive,immunity and health status of rabbit does using honey bee venom

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effect of using bee venom (BV) on the reproductive performance, immune, and health status of rabbit does and its effect on their litters. Sixty mature does, from Spanish V-line rabbit stock, were randomly assigned to four homogeneous groups with 15 does each. The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd groups were injected twice weekly under the neck skin with 0.1 ml solution contains 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg BV/rabbit respectively. The 4^th group served as a control group. From the results, litter size at birth, litter weight and survival rate at weaning age as well as milk yield were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased in BV groups than in the control group. Serum estradiol 17-β (E2) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher (15%) in the rabbit does treated with BV compared to the control group. The treated does with BV at any study doses showed a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease (12%) in serum progesterone levels (P4) compared to the control. They also showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in conception (17%) and fertility rates (10%) compared to the control does. Treatment of rabbit does with BV caused a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (16%) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (37%) liver enzyme activities. Additionally, results have shown that BV resulted in a gradual and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels with significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in BV groups compared to the control group. Results suggest that BV can be used in rabbit farming as an effective and safe alternative to artificial chemical drugs (sexual-stimulants) to improve certain reproductive traits, immune response and health.     

Two successful embryo transfers of mini-donkey embryos in Brazilian Northeastern jennies using an alternative method: Case report

Pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET) are disappointing in donkey species. This study aims to report two successful ET of mini-donkey embryos using Brazilian Northeastern jennies as recipients. Eighteen embryo flushes were performed 9 days post-ovulation in two non-pregnant mini-donkeys jennies (11 and 7 cycles per jenny). Eleven embryos (61%, 11/18) were collected and transferred to Brazilian Northeastern jennies 4–6 days post-ovulation by conventional (n = 6) or an alternative (n = 5) technique. The alternative method consisted of inserting a Polansky equine vaginal speculum smeared with lubricant in the vagina of the recipient jenny. The arms of the speculum were extended to allow the visualization of the cervix. Then, using an adapted crafted, elongated, toothed tissue grasping forceps, the external cervical os was held, and the cervix was gently pulled backward, aiming to straight the cervical canal. The ET gun was inserted through the vagina and cervix by visual inspection, and the embryo was released into the uterine lumen. All embryos collected were Grade 1 and classified as Expanded Blastocysts. No jennies become pregnant after conventional ET (0/6), whereas two recipient jennies (40%, 2/5) become pregnant and delivered offspring in the following year after ET using the alternative technique. In conclusion, Brazilian Northeastern jennies can be used as embryo recipients using the alternative method proposed in the present study. However, further investigations are needed to improve the knowledge and results of ET in donkey species.     

香猪基因组外显子SNPs检测及繁殖和体型性状候选基因分析

为从基因组水平上探究香猪性成熟早、产仔数少、体型小的分子机理,本研究下载与香猪在繁殖和体型性状方面有明显差异的梅山猪、杜洛克猪的重测序数据作为参照,对26头香猪、24头梅山猪和24头杜洛克猪的重测序数据进行SNPs检测和等位基因频率差值分析,筛选香猪基因组外显子上与梅山猪、杜洛克猪高度分化的SNPs位点,并使用AS-PCR方法和Sanger测序方法统计其中8个SNPs位点的群体等位基因频率。最后,对含有高度分化SNPs位点的基因进行GO功能富集和KEGG通路分析。结果显示,SNPs检测获得香猪基因组外显子上SNPs共236 710个,包括193个终止密码子丢失、1 238个终止密码子获得、90 945个错义SNPs和144 334个同义SNPs。得到1 046个香猪高度分化SNPs,包括429个错义SNPs、2个终止子丢失、6个终止子获得和609个同义SNPs,影响524个蛋白质编码基因;并发现X染色体上44-58 Mb的一段富含高度分化SNPs的热点区域。群体等位基因频率验证结果与重测序结果一致,鉴定了8个位点均为香猪与梅山猪、杜洛克猪高度分化的SNPs。对524个含有高度分化SNPs的基因进行GO和KEGG分析,富集到卵母细胞减数分裂、雌激素信号途径等繁殖相关通路;GO功能注释到细胞内雌激素受体信号、纤毛运动等繁殖相关条目,骨骼系统形态发生、骨骼发育、成骨细胞分化等体型相关条目。得到含有香猪高度分化SNPs的18个繁殖性状候选基因PTGFR、TRO、DNAH17、PKDREJ、KAT8、DNAI2、VDR、TEX14、QSOX1、AR、WNK3、ADCY3、SPEF1、MIGA2、SLC2A8、PSMF1、TBC1D20、IFT172和7个体型相关基因IBSP、NR6A1、HSPG2、TARS、PDZD2、FGF4、AMER1,可能是决定香猪性成熟早、产仔数少、体型小的关键基因。     

Suppression of behavioural and physiological oestrus in the mare by vaccination against GnRH

OBJECTIVE: To examine the immunogenicity of an equine immunocontraceptive vaccine and its efficacy in controlling hormone-related behaviour. DESIGN: A total of 24 mares at two sites in Australia were vaccinated with an immunocontraceptive vaccine comprising gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) conjugated to a carrier protein in immunostimulating complex as an adjuvant. Twelve animals at each site received a placebo of adjuvant alone and served as controls for seasonal oestrus, hormonal and behaviour patterns. Animals were observed for injection site reactions, ovarian and follicular activity, and serum levels of antibody, 17beta-oestradiol and progesterone in the weeks following vaccination. Mares were also examined for oestrous behaviour by teasing with a stallion. RESULTS: All mares responded to vaccination. Two weeks following the second vaccination there was a peak in antibody response to GnRH that declined gradually over the following weeks. Commensurate with the elevated anti-GnRH antibody there was a marked effect on ovarian activity with a reduction in 17beta-oestradiol and progesterone levels in the 24 vaccinated mares. There was also a reduction of oestrus-related behaviour as determined by a teaser stallion. This effect lasted a minimum of 3 months and correlated with the initial level of antibody response. CONCLUSION: Following a conventional two-dose immunisation regime this commercially available equine immunocontraceptive vaccine was effective at inhibiting oestrous behaviour for at least 3 months. This vaccine has a high level of safety since there were no significant local reactions nor were there any adverse systemic responses to vaccination.     

Seasonal and photoperiodic regulation of secretion of hormones associated with reproduction in Magang goose ganders

This study examined the reproductive endocrine profile under natural and artificial photoperiods in Magang goose ganders. Group 1 ganders (n=8) served as non-treated controls and were exposed to natural photoperiod throughout the experiment from 13th January to 17th December 2004. Group 2 ganders (n=8) were exposed to 18 h long daily photoperiod for 60 days from 13 January till 15 March 2004 and again to 16 h photoperiod for 75 days till 10th October 2004, and the 11h short photoperiod in the remainder periods of the experiment. In control ganders, plasma LH concentrations were high in normal breeding seasons (August-March) and decreased to low levels in non-breeding season from April to July. Testosterone concentrations changed similarly to that of LH throughout the seasons. Seasonal pattern of PRL concentrations was opposite to those of LH and testosterone, with low values in breeding season and high values in non-breeding season. In artificial photoperiod treated ganders, increasing photoperiod increased PRL and decreased LH and testosterone concentrations, while decreasing photoperiod reversed these changes. There were no seasonal or photoperiod caused changes in plasma T3 concentrations in both control ganders and artificial photoperiod treated ganders. These results demonstrated that in Magang goose ganders that long photoperiod stimulates PRL secretion and decreases LH secretion, which terminates reproductive season in spring and early summer, and short photoperiod stimulates LH secretion and inhibits PRL secretion rendering ganders enter into reproductive season.     

Optimising cutting method and timing for the control of Abutilon theophrasti seed production

Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf) is a widespread and problematic annual weed. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different cutting methods on the viability of A. theophrasti seeds. Three cutting methods were assessed: (1) Entire plant cut and dried (EPD)—plants were cut at soil level and dried with capsules attached on the greenhouse bench or soil surface for 4 weeks; (2) capsules detached and dried (CD)—capsules were removed from plants and dried for 4 weeks; and (3) capsules detached and tested while fresh (CF)—a control treatment. Before drying, the developmental stage (stage one, dark green; stage two, light green; stage three, yellowish-green; or stage four, black with the slightly open capsule) and age (days after flowering, DAF) of each capsule was recorded. Seed viability was measured immediately in the CF treatment and after the 4-week drying period in the EPD and CD treatments. No seeds in the EPD and CD treatments were viable when harvested at the first developmental stage (1–8 DAF) in either experiment, but 100% of seeds in the CF treatment in the field were viable when harvested at 8 DAF. In both greenhouse and field experiments, seeds attained full viability at earlier harvest ages in CF than in EPD or CD treatments, suggesting that seeds might become viable relatively early in development but lose viability if allowed to dry. These findings could be applied to optimise late-season mechanical control of A. theophrasti.     

两个地理种群蠋蝽的生物学特性差异比较

蠋蝽Arma chinensis Fallou是一种优良的捕食性天敌昆虫, 在多种农林害虫的生物防治中发挥着重要作用?为明确不同地理来源的蠋蝽种群的生物学特征, 指导蠋蝽的扩繁及在不同地区的释放应用, 本研究测定并比较了河北廊坊和贵州六盘水两个地区蠋蝽种群的表观形态?发育历期?成虫寿命和繁殖能力等生物学指标?结果表明, 贵州六盘水蠋蝽种群的体型显著大于河北廊坊种群; 河北廊坊蠋蝽种群的若虫期虽长于贵州六盘水种群, 但二者无显著差异; 河北廊坊种群配对饲养的雄虫和单雌饲养的雌虫其寿命显著长于贵州六盘水种群, 配对饲养的雌虫寿命两种群间无显著差异; 两个种群蠋蝽雌虫均在羽化后5~8 d进入产卵高峰期, 贵州六盘水种群的产卵前期较短, 且配对饲养条件下其单雌产卵量显著高于河北廊坊种群?     

基于MVC设计模式的奶牛繁殖智能提醒系统

在奶牛场管理中,根据奶牛繁殖过程的生命周期性,从其生物特性和生理特点等各个管理角度出发,在.NET环境下,采用MVC设计模式来构造奶牛繁殖智能提醒系统,并应用到奶牛场,从而为奶牛生产者提供技术支持,以实现牛场生产过程的数字化和智能化.     

豫皖小麦田麦根腐平脐蠕孢交配型基因检测

麦根腐平脐蠕孢是一种可以引起多种植物病害的病原真菌,广泛分布于世界各地,对全世界的禾谷类作物生产带来了不可估量的损失。子囊菌交配型基因具有一定的广泛性,其编码的产物是调控子囊菌有性生殖的重要转录因子。为了对河南、安徽小麦田分离获得的麦根腐平脐蠕孢群体的MAT基因型进行探索,对在河南、安徽两省不同地区分离获得33株麦根腐平脐蠕孢菌株,利用麦根腐平脐蠕孢菌的MAT特异性引物进行基因型检测,并对不同交配型代表菌株进行生长形态、孢子形态观察和致病力测定,对麦根腐平脐蠕孢菌 MAT-2基因进行了系统发育分析。结果表明,河南、安徽两省存在两种MAT基因型的麦根腐平脐蠕孢群体,含有 MAT-2基因的菌株21株,含 MAT-1基因的菌株12株,比例为7∶4（ MAT-2∶ MAT-1）。两种交配型菌株的生长形态、孢子形态和致病力无显著差异,整体分析结果与物种的分子系统学分析表现出来的亲缘关系基本一致。