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.     

Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats

Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypoglycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats. Our research included six healthy middle‐aged cats. Xylitol was dissolved in deionized water and administered p.o. at three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight). These dosages have been considered toxic and can cause liver failure or even death in dogs. After every xylitol administration, the basic health status and the blood glucose of cats were observed regularly. Additionally, prior to and 6, 24 and 72 hr after xylitol administration, blood samples were taken to check complete blood count, clinical biochemical parameters and enzymes such as ALT, ALKP, GGT, GLDH, bile acids, BUN, creatinine, phosphate, total protein, albumin, sodium and potassium. There were no significant changes (p > .05) in any of the haematological or biochemical parameters. Blood glucose concentrations did not show any significant alterations, except at 1,000 mg/kg dose, where a mild but significant increase was observed, but it was in physiological range. Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

简易快速从微量羊血中提取高质量基因组的方法

以碘化钾法为基础,建立了一种简单快速从微量羊血中提取高质量基因组DNA的改进方法。该方法提取的基因组DNA经0．6％琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测,DNA带整齐,无拖尾。OD260／OD280为1．81±O．13,浓度为（234±36．4）μg／mL,PCR扩增得到了满意的扩增效果。     

Chemerin fragments show different effects on systemic blood pressure dependent on carboxyl-terminal cleavage site

Chemerin is an adipocytokine whose concentration in blood correlates positively with blood pressure (BP). We have recently revealed that acute intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of chemerin-9, an active fragment of human chemerin, increased systemic BP in normal Wistar rats, suggesting that chemerin is involved in the central nervous control of peripheral BP. After secreted as an inactive form as prochemerin, a mature form of active chemerin is produced through the cleavage of its carboxyl (C)-terminus by proteases. Although the activity of cleaved products of chemerin has been examined in vitro, in vivo effects remained to be elusive. In order to explore them, we performed acute i.c.v. injection of mouse chemerin-9 (mChemerin-9; 148F-156S), mouse chemerin-8 (mChemerin-8; 148F-155F), and mouse chemerin-7 (mChemerin-7; 148F-154A) into Wistar rats, and examined the effects on systemic BP. After chemerin fragment (1–30 nmol/head, i.c.v.) was cumulatively administered, systemic BP was measured by a cannulation method under an isoflurane anesthesia. mChemerin-9 but not mChemerin-8 and -7 induced a pressor response, which was concentration-dependent. In conclusion, we for the first time demonstrated that mChemerin-9 that corresponds to the C-terminal nine amino acids of active mouse chemerin156S increased systemic BP in rats, and also that chemerin fragments showed different effects on systemic BP dependent on how their C-terminus was cleaved.     

母猪热应激敏感指标体系的研究进展

母猪由于其皮下脂肪厚、汗腺不发达等特点,在高温环境下容易发生热应激。有研究表明:热应激会改变其生理状态和血液生化成分等,降低母猪繁殖力,造成严重的经济损失。然而,目前针对母猪热应激敏感指标的研究总体较粗略、评价体系不全面;而且,母猪的耐热性受遗传、年龄和日粮等多种因素的影响,使得准确评价母猪热应激状态比较困难,成为制约母猪适宜环境参数研究的重要因素。笔者在系统总结母猪热应激研究的基础上,从表型、生理、生化、分子等不同层次探讨了相关指标对热应激的敏感程度及其作为母猪热应激评价指标的可行性,以期为生产中母猪热应激诊断及环境参数的优化奠定基础。总结发现:母猪热应激敏感指标有表皮温度、呼吸频率、直肠温度、血液和肝脏热休克蛋白70(HSP70)等;比较敏感的指标有:血中皮质醇(COR)、天门冬氨酸转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)。其他指标如血清蛋白、血糖、血液免疫细胞、K+、Na+等随母猪热应激也有所变化,可作为辅助参考指标。其中,表皮温度、呼吸频率、直肠温度和HSP70水平可作为评价母猪长期热应激的指标。此外,尽管母猪热应激造成的行为变化相对滞后...     

芝麻对大剂量维生素D3致大鼠动脉钙化的治疗作用

目的研究芝麻对大鼠血管钙化的治疗作用。方法40只SD雌性大鼠随机分成正常组、VitD3模型组、辛伐他汀组和芝麻组4组,每组均为10只。用大剂量VitD3灌胃的方式造成大鼠血管钙化模型,同时分别用辛伐他汀和芝麻进行治疗,比较VitD3模型组和各治疗组大鼠主动脉血管钙化程度及其血脂水平。结果芝麻组的主动脉弓血管钙化面积为(1.29±0.20)%,腹主动脉血管血钙含量(14.7±6.7)μmol/g,明显低于VitD3模型组(60.7±16.7)%和(22.8±8.8)μmol/g(均P<0.01)。VitD3模型组大鼠的血清总胆固醇(TC)含量和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量明显升高,血清甘油三酯(TG)及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)含量明显降低(P<0.05);与模型组比较,辛伐他汀组的TC含量无明显差异,芝麻组的TC含量则明显下降(P<0.05);辛伐他汀组的HDL-C明显升高(P<0.05),芝麻组的HDL-C含量则无明显变化。结论芝麻对VitD3造成的大鼠血管钙化具有预防治疗作用。     

栉孔扇贝夏季大规模死亡的神经网络预测模型

为了比较3种扇贝血液中的K⁺、Na⁺、Ca²⁺和Cl⁻浓度,血氧(pO₂)和血二氧化碳(pCO₂)气体分压及血液酸碱度（pH）的差异情况,实验利用血气分析仪对栉孔扇贝、虾夷扇贝和海湾扇贝的血液生理指标进行测定。结果显示,扇贝的血液生理指标呈现显著的物种差异,其中栉孔扇贝血液的K⁺浓度[(15.74±1.47) mmol/L]、Na⁺浓度[(388.07±11.38) mmol/L]、Cl⁻浓度[(462.43±6.88) mmol/L]和pO₂ [(140.13±15.35) mmHg]最高。此外,栉孔扇贝和虾夷扇贝的Ca²⁺浓度和pCO₂含量较高,而海湾扇贝的pH最高。对相同月龄不同大小栉孔扇贝血液指标进行比较,发现栉孔扇贝的血液pH值与其壳高呈正相关(r=0.611),而生理指标与壳高呈负相关。随着温度的升高,栉孔扇贝血液的Ca²⁺浓度显著增加,而pO₂显著下降,K⁺、Na⁺和Cl⁻浓度先升高后恢复到初始水平,而pH和pCO₂保持相对稳定。研究结果为贝类血液生理研究提供参考,也为贝类生理状态的评估提供了一种新的思路与方法。     

三元猪和宁乡猪血液学参数比较研究

本研究分别采用全血细胞计数分析仪、全自动血液生化分析仪和γ-计数仪测定了三元肥育猪和宁乡肥育猪血常规、血清生化参数和激素含量常值,以供相关研究参考.结果表明,宁乡猪外周血白细胞总数、淋巴细胞计数、红细胞体积分布宽度和血小板分布宽度均显著低于三元猪(P<0.05),平均红细胞血红蛋白、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、血小板计数和血小板比积均显著高于三元猪(P<0.05);宁乡猪血清总蛋白、氨和葡萄糖含量显著低于三元猪(P<0.05),甘油三酯和甲状腺素T3含量显著高于三元猪(P<0.05).上述结果表明,两个品系猪的多数血常规和血清生化参数及激素含量存在显著差异.