First Established Pregnancies in Mediterranean Italian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Following Deposition of Sexed Spermatozoa near the Utero Tubal Junction

At the time of AI following Ovsynch protocol, a total of 51 buffaloes were randomly divided in a first group (n = 30) subjected to conventional AI into the uterine body with 20 million non-sex sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa, while a second group (n = 21) was inseminated near the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) ipsilateral to the ovary carrying the preovulatory follicle with 2.5 million live (4 million total) sex-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The semen used for flowcytometric sorting was collected and processed on a farm in Italy, and then shipped to a laboratory in Germany. Eleven buffaloes were inseminated with X-chromosome bearing spermatozoa and 10 with Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa. Conception rates after conventional and UTJ inseminations were 43.3% (n = 13) and 42.8% (n = 9) respectively (p = 0.97). Eight of the nine foetuses obtained after insemination with sexed spermatozoa corresponded to the sex as predicted by the cell sorting procedure (five male and four female foetuses by ultrasound vs six male and three female foetuses by cell sorting). In conclusion, for the first time buffalo semen has been successfully subjected to procedures for flowcytometric sperm sorting and freezing. Low doses of sexed spermatozoa have been deposited near the UTJ giving conception rates similar to those of conventional AI with full dose.     

Low potassium diets with different levels of calcium in comparison with different anionic diets fed to prepartum dairy cows: Effects on sorting behaviour,total tract digestibility,energy metabolism,oxidative status and hormonal response

This study investigated the effects of low potassium diets with different levels of Ca compared to two diets low in dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) fed prepartum as a strategy to prevent hypocalcemia on sorting behaviour, total tract digestibility, oxidative status and energy and protein metabolism of transition cows. Forty-eight pregnant dairy cows were assigned to 4 treatment groups: Low Ca, low K (LCLK), High Ca, low K (HCLK), Supplementation with anionic mineral mixture (AMS) supplementation with SoyChlor (CAS). After parturition, all animals were fed a standard postpartum diet. Data were collected until 21 DIM. Prepartum urinary pH was significantly reduced by the low DCAD diets, while postpartum Ca homeostasis was affected by the HCLK ration. Feeding AMS induced sorting against particles <1.18 mm in favour of particles >19 mm prepartum. In contrast, cows fed CAS showed an increase in selective consumption of fine particles and sorted against longer particles similar to the HCLK and LCLK groups. Postpartum sorting activity was not affected by the dietary treatments. After calving, apparent digestibility of NDF was significantly reduced in the HCLK group. Prepartum, we observed effects on serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids were higher and insulin sensitivity was lower in the AMS group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was decreased in cows fed the CAS ration. Postpartum, we found serum protein to be decreased with the low DCAD diets while BUN was decreased in the CAS group. The low DCAD rations increased prepartum serum malondialdehyde concentrations, while postpartum total antioxidant capacity was lower in the HCLK and the AMS group. From these data, we conclude that AMS decreased prepartum intake due to compromised palatability. Intermediate protein metabolism was affected by the low DCAD diets, while parameters of oxidative stress were probably affected by acid–base balance and Ca homeostasis.     

大豆水溶性多糖的黏度性质及其应用研究

研究了不同条件下大豆水溶性多糖溶液的黏度变化情况，同时和其他常用的稳定剂如果胶等也做了比较。试验结果表明。本实验室生产的大豆水溶性多糖的水溶液的黏度随着温度的升高、浓度的降低、外加盐量的增加而降低；随着外加蔗糖量、pH值的增加而增加；相比较于其他稳定剂大豆水溶性多糖的黏度很低，使酸乳饮料具有清爽的口味。     

防病促生枯萎病拮抗菌“98-Ⅰ”对4种枯萎病防治效果研究

经 8年系统试验研究从 330个细菌菌株中筛选出 1株防病促生枯萎病拮抗菌“98 Ⅰ” ,经鉴定属蜡质芽孢杆菌。该菌对黄瓜枯萎病、西瓜枯萎病、青椒枯萎病和番茄枯萎病 4种土传病害均有显著防治效果 ,其平皿孢子萌发抑制率分别为 79 2 %、75 1%、72 3%和 95 7% ,且该菌对多种蔬菜有促生和促进种子发芽功效。     

关于开发建设项目水土保持监督管理体系的思考与建议

把依法行政分解为法律基础和行政体系2个方面,分析了开发建设项目水土保持监督管理体系在法律基础和行政体系2个方面存在的问题。法律基础方面存在的问题:一是相关法律中提到开发建设项目水土保持监督管理的内容较少,各项职责落实不到位;二是法律中没有明确流域机构的水土保持职能。行政体系方面存在的问题有:规范化建设还不够完善,个别地方水保部门对监督管理工作内容不了解,权大于法的情况时有出现。提出了完善开发建设项目水土保持监督管理体系的建议。     

Effects of bacterial direct-fed microbials and yeast on site and extent of digestion,blood chemistry,and subclinical ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle

Two studies were conducted to determine whether a bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) alone or with yeast could minimize the risk of acidosis and improve feed utilization in feedlot cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Eight ruminally cannulated steers, previously adapted to a high-concentrate diet, were used in crossover designs to study the effects of DFM on feed intake, ruminal pH, ruminal fermentation, blood characteristics, site and extent of digestion, and microbial protein synthesis. Steers were provided ad libitum access to a diet containing steam-rolled barley, barley silage, and a protein-mineral supplement (87, 8, and 5% on a DM basis, respectively). In Exp. 1, treatments were control vs. the lactic-acid producing bacterium Enterococcus faecium EF212 (EF; 6 x 10(9) cfu/d). In Exp. 2, treatments were control vs EF (6 x 10(9) cfu/d) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; 6 x 10(9) cfu/d). Supplementing feedlot cattle diets with EF in Exp. 1 increased (P < 0.05) propionate and (P < 0.05) decreased butyrate concentrations, decreased the nadir of ruminal pH (P < 0.05), enhanced the flow of feed N (P < 0.10) to the duodenum but reduced that of microbial N (P < 0.10), reduced (P < 0.10) intestinal digestion of NDF, and increased (P < 0.10) fecal coliform numbers. Other than the increase in propionate concentrations that signify an increase in energy precursors for growth, the other metabolic changes were generally considered to be undesirable. In Exp. 2, providing EF together with yeast abolished most of these undesirable effects. Combining EF with yeast increased the DM digestion of corn grain incubated in sacco, but there were no effects on altering the site or extent of nutrient digestion. The diets used in this study were highly fermentable, and the incidence of subclinical ruminal acidosis, defined as steers with ruminal pH below 5.5 for prolonged periods of time, was high. Supplementing the diet with EF, with or without yeast, had limited effects on reducing ruminal acidosis. It seems that cattle adapted to high-grain diets are able to maintain relatively high feed intake and high fiber digestion despite low ruminal pH. The Enterococcus faecium bacterium and yeast used in this study were of limited value for feedlot cattle already adapted to high-grain diets.     

Oestradiol Induced Inhibition of Neuroendocrine Marker Expression in Leydig Cells of Adult Rats

The objectives of this work were to determine the changes in the expression of neuroendocrine markers in Leydig cell by oestradiol treatment, and to determine whether testosterone is able to recover partially the effects of hormonal suppression induced by oestradiol. Adult male rats were injected daily with either 50 microg of oestradiol or oestradiol plus testosterone propionate (25 mg every 3 days) for 15 days. The animals were sacrificed and testicles were dissected and processed by routine histological protocols. FSH and LH serum levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The visualization of antigens was achieved by the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method. Antibodies against chromogranin A (CrA), S-100 protein (S-100), P substance (PS), synaptofisin (SYN), neurofilament protein (NF), gliofibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were used. The mean LH and FSH serum concentrations were consistently suppressed with hormonal treatments. Intermediate filaments (NF and GFAP) showed no difference in their expression. The expression of S-100, NSE and SYN was significantly lower in both hormone-treated groups. In oestradiol-treated rats, the immunoreactivity of CrA and SP decreased significantly but was restored after testosterone supplementation. Although the nature and functions of many of these substances in Leydig cells remain unknown, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the expression of some neuroendocrine markers is hormonally controlled.     

Effect of Relaxin on Fertility Parameters of Frozen–Thawed Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Sperm

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of relaxin on fertility parameters of buffalo frozen/thawed sperm. Sperm were incubated in the absence of capacitating agents (negative control), with a known capacitating agent such as heparin (positive control) and with 50 and 100 ng/ml relaxin for 2 and 4 h. Sperm viability, motility, capacitation and the effect of relaxin on the fertilizing ability after heterologous IVF were evaluated. Although viability was not affected, relaxin increased (p < 0.05) sperm motility compared to the negative and positive controls both after 2 h (60.0 ± 2.0, 60.0 ± 3.1, 68.3 ± 1.7 and 69.4 ± 2.7, respectively, in negative control, positive control, 50 and 100 ng/ml relaxin) and 4 h (55.0 ± 2.5, 53.3 ± 3.0, 62.2 ± 3.0 and 65.0 ± 3.2, respectively, in negative control, positive control, 50 and 100 ng/ml relaxin) incubation. When sperm were incubated with both 100 ng/ml relaxin and heparin, a decrease (p < 0.01) of pattern A, that is low capacitation level, was observed compared to the negative control both after 2 h (54.4, 34.3 and 36.4%, respectively, in negative control, positive control and 100 ng/ml relaxin) and 4 h (51.9, 35.0 and 34.3%, respectively, in negative control, positive control and 100 ng/ml relaxin). Moreover, an increase (p < 0.01) of pattern EA, that is high capacitation level, was recorded with 100 ng/ml relaxin and heparin compared to the negative control both after 2 h (44.1, 59.3 and 57.7%, respectively, in negative control, positive control and 100 ng/ml relaxin) and after 4 h (43.0, 54.4 and 56.0%, respectively, in negative control, positive control and 100 ng/ml relaxin). Finally, relaxin increased (p < 0.01) cleavage rate compared to the negative control (57.1 ± 4.4, 72.5 ± 6.0, 71.4 ± 5.5 and 73.6 ± 2.9, respectively, in negative control, positive control, 50 and 100 ng/ml relaxin). In conclusion, relaxin has a beneficial effect on motility, capacitation and fertilizing ability of frozen–thawed buffalo sperm.     

Effects of straw treatment and nitrogen supplementation on digestibility,intake and physiological responses of water intake as well as urine and faecal characteristics

This study investigates the effects of feeding diet based on untreated (UT) or ensiled alkali‐treated (ET) barley straw with either urea or casein supplementation, on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal pH, water intake and faecal and urinary characteristics. Four sheep fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Barley straw was treated by the dry (spraying) method in pH adjusted of hydrogen peroxide (pH 11.5), ensiled for 6 weeks and included at 65% of the diet dry matter (DM). The results showed that straw pH reduced from 11.58 to 8.60 after 6 weeks of ensilage. The ET diet increased average DM digestibility and intake by 19% and 43% respectively. Total water intake was similar across treatments, while the water/DM intake ratio was 23% higher with the UT diet than with the ET one. Ruminal (6.73 vs. 6.84) and faecal (8.67 vs. 9.05) pH decreased but urinary pH (6.14 vs. 8.13) increased as a result of feeding animals on the ET diet compared with the UT diet. Compared with the UT diet, the ET one decreased faecal fibre (12%), moisture (32%) and water holding capacity, while it increased faecal ash (10%) and density (20%). The volume of urine excreted by the sheep fed with the ET diet increased by 67%, but their urine specific gravity (SG) decreased. No significant effects were observed for the dietary N supplementation and interactions between straw type × N supplementation with regard to any of the measured characteristics except for DM intake, which reduced due to the casein supplementation in the ET diet. These results indicate that the alkali treatment and ensilage of barley straw increased digestibility, intake, faecal consistency and urinary pH and dilution but decreased straw alkalinity as well as ruminal and faecal pH.