Evaluation of effects of olfactory and auditory stimulation on separation anxiety by salivary cortisol measurement in dogs

Separation anxiety (SA) is a serious behavioral problem in dogs. In this study, salivary cortisol was studied to determine if the owner''s odor or voice could reduce SA in dogs. Twenty-eight dogs with SA were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (with owner''s clothes during the separation period; SP) and group 3 (a recording of the owner''s voice was played during SP). The dog''s saliva was collected after the owner and their dog were in the experimental room for 5 min (PRE). The dog was then separated from the owner for 20 min and saliva collected four times at intervals of 5 min (SP1–4). Finally, the owner was allowed back into the room to calm the dog for 5 min, after which saliva was collected (POST). Evaluation of salivary cortisol concentrations by ELISA revealed that the ratios of SP1 concentration to PRE or POST concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 or 3. Additionally, the concentrations of SP1–PRE and SP1–POST among groups differed significantly. These findings indicate that the owner''s odor or voice may be helpful to managing stress in dogs with SA.     

Effect of micronized pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) as a substitute of soybean meal on tissue fatty acid composition and quality of broiler chicken meat

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of micronized pea seeds introduced into feed mixes for broilers on the slaughter yield, blood lipid parameters, content of fatty acids in selected tissues, and meat quality. The studies involved 150 1‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks split into three groups (for 42 days). The feed rations differed in terms of the source of proteins: in the control group (C), it was post‐extraction soybean meal (SBM) 100%; in group I, SBM 50% and micronized peas 50%; and in group II, micronized peas only, 100%. Irradiated pea seeds added to the feed ration for chicks reduced the fattening grade of carcasses (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvement of blood lipid indices was recorded. The share of the irradiated pea seeds in feed mixes decreased the share of saturated fatty acids in the muscles and abdominal fat and had a positive effect on the n‐6/n‐3 ratio, hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic ratio, as well as the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (P < 0.05).     

Physiological response of one of South Africa’s premier freshwater sport angling species,the Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus,to catch-and-release angling

The practice of catch-and-release fishing has been widely promoted by angling fraternities as a fisheries manage- ment tool. The aim of this investigation was to determine the physiological response of Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus aeneus, to catch-and-release angling in the Vaal River, South Africa. Fish were collected using standard fly-fishing techniques, anaesthetised in clove oil and blood was drawn from the caudal vein; thereafter the fish were weighed, measured, revived and released. Blood plasma was analysed for concentra- tions of glucose, cortisol and lactate to determine the effects of angling duration, fish size and water tempera- ture. Larger fish were angled for a longer duration compared with smaller fish. Levels of glucose were affected by water temperature (influenced by time of year). Plasma glucose concentrations decreased with greater angling duration. Few individuals (n = 12) showed increased plasma cortisol concentrations. In extended-capture fish (angled for >1 min), lactate concentrations increased significantly above values for rapid-capture fish (angled for >30 s). These data suggest that catch-and-release causes physiological stress to fish, but nonetheless this practice can be a valuable fisheries management tool to ensure the sustainability of fish populations. Other factors beyond the ‘angling’ time are likely to contribute to physiological disruptions in homeostasis and therefore handling and air exposure of angled fish should be included in future catch-and–release angling studies. In addition, the longer-term impact of angling on fish health should also be determined.     

Impact of heat stress,nutritional restriction and combined stresses (heat and nutritional) on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams under semi‐arid tropical environment

A study was conducted to assess the combined effect of heat stress and nutritional restriction on growth and reproductive performances in Malpura rams. Twenty‐eight adult Malpura rams (average body weight (BW) 66.0 kg) were used in this study. The rams were divided into four groups: CON (n = 7; control), HES (n = 7; heat stress), NUS (n = 7; nutritional stress) and COS (n = 7; combined stress). The study was conducted for a period of 2 months. CON and HES rams had ad libitum access to their feed while NUS and COS rams were under restricted feed (30% intake of CON rams) to induce nutritional stress. The HES and COS rams were kept in climatic chamber at 42 °C and 55% relative humidity for 6 h a day between 10 : 00 h and 16 : 00 h to induce heat stress. Body weight increased significantly (p < 0.05) in CON as compared to NUS and COS. When compared within groups, scrotal width morning, scrotal width afternoon, scrotal circumference morning and scrotal circumference afternoon were significantly (p < 0.05) larger in CON while smaller in COS rams. The higher testicular length was recorded both during morning (p < 0.05) and afternoon (p < 0.01) in COS rams while the lowest in NUS rams. The highest plasma testosterone concentration was recorded in CON and lowest in COS rams. Semen volume and mass motility also differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest semen volume and mass motility was recorded in CON and NUS while lowest in both HES and COS rams. It can be concluded from this study that when two stressors occur simultaneously, they may have severe impact on reproductive performance of rams.     

Comparison of tracheal aspirates before and after high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether percentages of neutrophils in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples collected from racehorses are increased after exercise and whether interpretation of results from TA samples taken before and after exercise agree. DESIGN: Case series of 40 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training presented for evaluation of poor performance. PROCEDURE: TA samples were collected endoscopically from racehorses presented for poor performance 24 h before and 1 to 2 h after high speed treadmill exercise testing. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears were stained with Diff-Quik. Mean neutrophil counts were expressed as percentages of the total number of inflammatory cells counted and subsequently were categorised as either above or below an accepted cut-off of 20%. Comparisons between percentages of neutrophils before and after exercise were made. RESULTS: Percentage of neutrophils from TA samples obtained from racehorses after exercise was significantly higher than neutrophil percentages from TA samples collected from the same horse before exercise. In horses with TA specimens that were categorised as having < or = 20% neutrophils before treadmill exercise, the percentage of neutrophils in their TA specimens after exercise was, on average, significantly higher and was greater than the cut-off value of 20%. CONCLUSION: Recent strenuous exercise may change the proportion of neutrophils in lower airways of racehorses and practitioners should be aware of this when collecting and interpreting the results from TA samples. The most practical time for collection of a TA sample to obtain the most diagnostically useful information might be after a suitable washout period of at least 1 to 2 h post-exercise.     

灌木抗旱机理研究

从灌木生长性状、形态结构、细胞质膜透性、光合、渗透调节(可溶性糖、脯氨酸、甜菜碱和无机离子)、ABA和LEA蛋白变化及其与灌木抗旱性的关系方面,综述了灌木抗旱机理研究.     

TeMV与PWV侵染对西番莲代谢生理及组织微结构的影响

以西番莲品种‘台农1号’为实验材料,通过电镜扫描技术比较观测TeMV和PWV侵染与健康西番莲的叶片、幼嫩果实外果皮组织形态结构,分析测定其叶片生理生化变化,研究西番莲病毒侵染对西番莲叶片和幼嫩果实外果皮组织结构和生理生化的影响。结果表明：TeMV与PWV侵染后,西番莲植株叶片的海绵组织细胞间隙缩小,发生成团堆积状排列,栅栏组织细胞萎缩,呈不规则长条形;幼嫩果实外表皮组织中石细胞层发生严重断裂,排列松散,海绵层细胞变得松散,且发生较严重的木质化现象;叶片与幼嫩果实外表皮表面纹理粗糙、褶皱,气孔保卫细胞萎缩,气孔周围组织皱缩、粗燥;感病果实外果皮表面上的腺毛凸起无序。病毒侵染后,感病植株第1～3叶的蔗糖含量较第4～6叶的高23.11%;健康叶片则相对平衡,降低了淀粉积累、PG酶、纤维素酶与PPO酶活性,提高了感病植株第1～3叶的α-淀粉酶、GS酶与POD酶活性。西番莲受TeMV与PWV侵染后,植株叶片第1～6叶营养物质分配不平衡,相关物质的合成分解与抗氧化防御酶系统受伤害,叶片与果实组织形态结构受到不同程度的损坏,植株正常吸收功能遭到破坏。