Genetic analyses of piglet survival and individual birth weight on first generation data of a selection experiment for piglet survival under outdoor conditions

Genetic parameters of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated on the first generation data of a selection experiment aimed at improving piglet survival using a multiple trait linear and threshold model. Data on 5293 piglets for survival at birth, at day one after birth and during the entire nursing period, as well as individual birth weight and litter size, were recorded in an outdoor production system. Genetic effects of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated based on threshold and Gaussian models, respectively, using a Bayesian approach. The statistical model included as fixed effects selection group, parity, gender, fostering, gestation length and month of farrowing and, alternatively, an adjustment for litter size. Direct genetic effects (i.e. the piglet's genetic potential) for piglet survival and birth weight were estimated separately, whereas maternal genetic and environmental effects could only be estimated for the given data structure in a combined litter effect. Posterior means of heritabilities for direct genetic effects of survival at birth, at first day after birth and the entire nursing period, as well as birth weight, were 0.08, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.20, respectively. Genetic correlations among survival traits were in the range of 0.29 to 0.40 and indicate that these traits were mainly attributable to different genetic effects. Genetic correlations between direct effects of survival traits and birth weight ranged between 0.18 and 0.23 and were reduced when weights of stillborn piglets were omitted in the analysis or the traits were adjusted for litter size. The magnitudes of direct genetic effects of survival traits are substantially higher than estimates in the literature, which may indicate that these traits have a higher genetic influence under outdoor conditions. The use of birth weight in the multiple trait estimation provided important information for the estimation of survival traits due to its favourable genetic correlations with survival, its high heritability and its high information content as a continuously measured trait.     

Ultra‐frequent HRAS p.Q61R somatic mutation in canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma reveals pathogenic similarities with human ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumour that occurs in humans and dogs. Most ameloblastomas (AM) in humans harbour mutually‐exclusive driving mutations in BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS or FGFR2 that activate MAPK signalling, and in SMO that activates Hedgehog signalling. The remarkable clinical and histological similarities between canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (CAA) and AM suggest they may harbour similar driving mutations. In this study, aimed at characterizing the mutational status of SMO, BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS and FGFR2 in CAA, we used RNA sequencing, Sanger sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays to demonstrate that 94% of CAA (n = 16) harbour a somatic HRAS p.Q61R mutation. The similarities in MAPK‐activating mutational profiles between CAA and AM implicate conserved molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, thus, qualifying the dog as a potentially useful model of disease. Given the relevance of RAS mutations in the pathogenesis of odontogenic tumours and other types of cancer, the results of this study are of comparative, translational, and veterinary value.     

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with pancreatic β cell dysfunction in 3 horses confirmed with minimal model analysis

Reasons for performing study: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is diagnosed rarely in equine practice although it may be under‐recognised. A greater awareness of the condition and therapeutic considerations would be to the benefit of such cases presenting in practice. More investigation into the pharmacological management of these cases is needed. Objectives: Three cases of diabetes mellitus were investigated using a specific test for insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell function in order to define accurately and characterise the existence of T2DM in all 3 subjects. Methods: The insulin‐modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test was performed in each case and the data so obtained were subject to minimal model analysis of insulin‐glucose dynamics. Cases were then monitored following treatment using a combination of dietary modification, metformin, glibenclamide and pergolide. Results: Marked insulin resistance was identified in each case and, furthermore, severe pancreatic β cell dysfunction was present therefore classifying each case as end stage T2DM. Treatment was nevertheless associated with restoration of normoglycaemia in all cases. Conclusions: T2DM in horses may be more common than generally considered. In some cases individuals may respond to therapy aimed at restoring insulin sensitivity and pancreatic function. Drugs used in other species for the treatment of T2DM have not yet been adequately tested in horses. Potential relevance: T2DM should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in mature to elderly horses and ponies suffering from weight loss, polydipsia and polyuria. Clinicians should be encouraged to offer treatment and management advice when such cases are encountered.     

《宠物外科手术学》教学模式改革与探讨

《宠物外科手术学》是一门实践性很强的学科,与其他专业相比,更强调能力的培养,强调实验技能和临床技能的训练,是宠物相关专业技能培养的重要组成部分。该课程对培养学生的临床思维能力、合理运用手术基本操作技术能力、学生对宠物外科手术技能综合运用能力、学生的社会就业方向等有着积极而重要的作用。为此,如何给学生更好地传授理论知识,提供更多临床实践和动手能力的机会,需要学校和教师在人才培养方面不断思索和改革。通过多年的临床教学经验,对该课程进行了一些教学改革尝试,旨在更好地培养学生宠物外科手术的实践能力,以适应社会的需要与发展。     

绵羊实验性硒过多症的研究Ⅰ.硒过多症动物模型的建立

对14只绵羊以0.1％亚硒酸钠液肌肉注射,逐渐增加剂量,历时3～4个月,复制出了慢性硒过多症动物模型。此动物模型是随着硒在体内的不断累积,呈现起病、中毒和致死三个不同的效应阶段,血硒水平在0.30、0.50、及1.00μg/ml以上,依次分别作为三个效应阶段的临界值。     

草地生态系统安全及其评价研究

探讨了草地生态安全及其评价的概念与内涵,认为草地生态系统安全判断与度量准则应该是草地生态系统健康、草地生态系统服务功能及生态风险与管理的科学统一。同时尝试提出了草地生态系统安全评价的"健康-服务功能-风险与管理(health-service-risk and management,HSRM)"模型,构建了HSRM评价模型的指标体系,提出草地生态安全评价中草地生态安全度计算公式和安全状态分级标准。     

柞蚕饲料转化效率的遗传模型与基因效应值的估算

利用2对柞蚕杂交组合8821×四青、8822×青6号的6个世代材料,对柞蚕茧重转化率和茧层生产率两个数量性状进行了遗传分析,结果表明:茧重转化率的基因作用复杂,不符合加-显性遗传模型,存在着基因互作,且显性互作大于显性效应,使茧重转化率增加;茧层生产率的基因作用符合简单的加-显性遗传模型,显性效应为正值,使茧层生产率增加。     

海兰褐蛋鸡早期生长模型的拟合与分析简

为了掌握海兰褐蛋鸡早期的生长发育规律,运用Gompertz、vonBertalanffy和Richards三种非线性模型对0～10周龄的海兰褐蛋鸡体重数据进行了拟合与分析。结果表明：三种模型均能很好地模拟海兰褐蛋鸡早期的生长过程,拟合度均在0．99以上,但vonBertalanffij模型拟合效果更好,此模型拟合的生长曲线拐点周龄为19．98周,拐点体重为2358．44g,最大周增重为159．94g／周。yonBertalanffy模型在模拟海兰褐蛋鸡早期生长状况方面为理想的数学模型,此研究结果可作为科学饲养该鸡种的重要参考。     

应用动物模型REML法估计金华猪繁殖性状遗传参数

试验资料取自金华猪场 1 979～1 999年金华猪繁殖性能的生产记录。采用动物模型约束性最大似然法 (REML)对该猪群的遗传参数进行估计 ,测定 1 1 4 4头纯繁金华母猪的产仔哺育记录。结果表明 ,产仔数 (TNB)、产活仔数 (NBA)、初生重 (PBW)、初生窝重 (LBW)、 2 0日龄头数(NFC)、 2 0日龄窝重 (LWFC)、 2 0日龄重 (PWFC)、 60日龄头数 (NW)、 60日龄窝重 (LWW)、 60日龄重 (PWW)、乳头数 (TN)的遗传力分别为0 1 2± 0 0 9、 0 1 8± 0 1 1、 0 1 5± 0 0 9、 0 0 2± 0 0 9、 0 1 0± 0 1 1、 0 0 8± 0 1 3、 0 1 8± 0 1 0、 0 2 3± 0 1 1、 0 31± 0 1 3、 0 35± 0 1 1和 0 1 9± 0 1 0。TNB与NBA、LBW、NW、LWW的遗传相关范围为 0 66～ 0 88,TNB与PBW的遗传相关为 - 0 43。NBA与LBW、NW、LWW的遗传相关范围为 0 60～ 0 64,NBA与PBW遗传相关为 - 0 63。PBW与PWW的遗传相关为 0 51。