Relationship between the ultrasonographic findings of suspected superficial digital flexor tendon injury and the prevalence of subsequent severe superficial digital flexor tendon injuries in Thoroughbred horses: a retrospective study

The onset of severe injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is extremely difficult to predict from slight changes in ultrasonographic findings in cases with no apparent clinical signs. This study investigated the relationship between an increased cross-sectional area (CSA) or edema in the subcutaneous tissue around the tendon and the subsequent onset of severe SDFT injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Horses were classified into three groups based on ultrasound diagnosis (USD) findings: Group A included cases with enlarged tendons; Group B included cases with tendons of normal size but with prominent edema in the peritendinous tissue; and Group C (control group) included cases with no abnormal USD findings. The incidence of subsequent severe tendon injury was significantly higher in the horses in Groups A (25.7%, 28/101) and B (28.3%, 65/212) than in those in Group C (4.9%, 2/41). There were no significant differences in the median period and the median number of races from the first examination to the subsequent tendon injury between Groups A (140 days, 1 race) and B (120 days, 1 race). The results of this study revealed that horses with increased CSA and peritendinous edema are likely to suffer a subsequent severe tendon injury. Also, these two USD findings, i.e., increased CSA and peritendinous edema, indicate the risk of onset of severe SDFT injury.     

天祝白牦牛HSP60基因的克隆及其在下丘脑-垂体-睾丸中的表达定位研究

热休克蛋白60(HSP60)不仅在细胞保护方面发挥作用,也参与雄性动物生殖生理的调控。为研究HSP60基因序列特性及其在天祝白牦牛下丘脑-垂体-睾丸轴(HPT-axis)上的表达情况,探寻其在白牦牛睾丸发育、精子发生过程中的作用机制,本研究采用RT-PCR和RACE技术获得白牦牛HSP60基因全长cDNA序列,采用生物信息学方法分析HSP60蛋白的理化性质、结构及不同物种之间的同源性等,并利用qPCR、Western blotting、免疫组化法分析HSP60在白牦牛下丘脑-垂体-睾丸轴中的表达及定位。结果表明,白牦牛HSP60基因cDNA全长为2 300 bp,开放阅读框为1 722 bp,编码572个氨基酸;其理论分子量为60.977k Da、等电点为5.69,编码的蛋白为非跨膜可溶性蛋白。氨基酸序列比对结果显示,白牦牛HSP60氨基酸序列与牛、瘤牛、绵羊、藏羚羊、骆驼、白犀牛、兔和黑猩猩的氨基酸序列同源性高、进化水平相近。HSP60基因及蛋白在白牦牛的下丘脑、垂体及睾丸组织中均有表达,其中下丘脑及垂体组织表达量显著高于睾丸,下丘脑和垂体之间差异不显著。免疫组化结果显示,HSP60蛋白定位表达于白牦牛下丘脑组织的室旁核大细胞、室旁核小细胞和神经角演网、垂体组织的腺细胞、睾丸组织的精原细胞、精母细胞、支持细胞和间质细胞,而精子细胞中表达较弱。通过对健康成年白牦牛HSP60在下丘脑-垂体-睾丸轴的表达与定位检测,推断HSP60参与雄性白牦牛生殖轴调控,并参与睾丸发育与精子发生。本研究结果为进一步研究HSP60对雄性生殖调控奠定了基础。     

Transpositional feeding rhythm of loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</Emphasis> from larvae to juveniles and its ontogenesis under artificial rearing conditions

The diel feeding rhythm and ontogenesis during early life stage of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were investigated under experimental conditions (light: L 06:00–18:00, D 18:00–06:00 h). Morphological and behavioral developments of loach from newly hatched to 40 days after hatching were observed. Larvae were able to prey on daphnia 3–4 days after hatching at 23 ± 0.5°C. As the larvae grew, they showed an increasing feeding capacity and a distinct feeding rhythm. Feeding intensity and incidence for day-4 larvae were highest at 10:00 and 16:00 h. The highest levels of feeding intensity for day-12 larvae occurred at 08:00, 12:00, and 18:00 h as did feeding incidence. By day 20, when the larvae metamorphosed, the highest levels of feeding intensity occurred at 06:00, 18:00, and 24:00 h and were concurrent with the highest feeding incidence. After metamorphosis, feeding capacity had again increased considerably and, in contrast to the earlier stages before day 20, feeding intensity for day-30 juveniles peaked at 05:00 and 20:00 h, about 1–2 h after the maximum feeding incidence. The feeding rhythm of loach juveniles at day 40 was almost the same as the day-30 juveniles. The estimated maximum daily feeding rates were 43.1%, 33.4%, 19.0%, 12.8%, and 5.8% of body weight on days 4, 12, 20, 30, and 40, respectively. Thus, loach was found to have different feeding rhythms in the pre- and post-metamorphosis stages, with the highest feeding activity in daytime during the larval planktonic stage before metamorphosis, and intensely nocturnal feeding behavior during the juvenile benthic stage after metamorphosis.     

新型水产饲料添加剂--左旋肉碱 (L-Carnitine)

L-肉碱又称肉毒碱，是一种维生素的类似物。参与β-氧化等生理学作用，与脂肪代谢有关。能够维持水产动物体内的能量代谢的正常进行，是一种新型的功能性营养添加剂。在水产动物饲料中添加适量的L-肉碱，有着提高水产动物生长速度，降低饲料系数；提高水产动物蛋白含量，降低体脂率．改善肉质提高鱼类的繁殖率等功能。本文在大量相关研究文献的基础上，概述了L-肉碱的来源、水产动物对其吸收和代谢的机制、生物学功能以及在水产动物体内的营养生理学效应，并针对目前L-肉碱的使用存在的问题。提出了一些建议，展望了其广阔的应用前景。     

Prey selection of common minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Bryde's (Balaenoptera edeni) whales in the western North Pacific in 2000 and 2001

A study of common minke and Bryde's whales was conducted in the western North Pacific in the 2000 and 2001 summer seasons to estimate prey selection of cetaceans as this is an important parameter in ecosystem models. Whale sighting and sampling surveys and prey surveys using quantitative echosounder and mid‐water trawl were carried out concurrently in the study. Biomasses of Japanese anchovy, walleye pollock and krill, which were major prey species of common minke and Bryde's whales, were estimated using an echosounder. The results suggested that common minke whale showed prey selection for Japanese anchovy while they seemed to avoid krill in both the offshore and coastal regions and walleye pollock in the continental shelf region. Selection for shoaling pelagic fish was similar to that in the eastern North Atlantic. Bryde's whale showed selection for Japanese anchovy in August 2000 and July 2001, while it showed prey selection for krill in May and June in 2001.     

Effects on growth and survival of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) larvae when co-fed on live and microparticle diets

The effectiveness of co-feeding loach ( Misgurnus anguillicaudatus ) larvae with live and microparticle diets on weaning performance was described here. Dry weight, total length, length and weight-specific growth rate (SGR) and survivals were monitored at 23–25 °C from the 4th day post hatching (dph) in different diet regimes, which included: microparticle diets (A), live cladocerans (B), enriched cladocerans (C), half microparticle diets plus half live cladocerans (D) and half microparticle diets plus half enriched cladocerans (E). The SGR (L and W) were significantly lower in treatment A than in other treatments after completing metamorphosis (day 4–20, P <0.05). On 30 dph, dry weight (mg) and total length (mm) were significantly lower in treatment A than in other treatments ( P <0.05). There were no significant differences in growth in treatments B, C, D and E before 30 dph. However, when live feed was withdrawn from 31–60 dph, in metamorphosed fish, there were significant differences ( P <0.05) among the treatments in survival and growth. Metamorphosed fish in treatment E had higher survival than the fish in other treatments at the end of the experiment. The SGR (L and W) of weaned fish in treatments B and C were similar but lower than in treatments A, D and E respectively. However, dry weight and total length in treatment A were significantly lower than in treatments D and E. It is suggested that weaning of M. anguillicaudatus from early development would appear to be feasible and that larval co-feeding improves the growth and the survival.     

藏绵羊PRDX5基因的克隆及其在睾丸中的表达

过氧化物氧化还原酶5 (PRDX5)是一种硫氧还蛋白,参与机体多种生物学过程。为了研究PRDX5基因在藏绵羊(Ovis aries)睾丸发育和精子发生过程中的作用,本研究以不同发育阶段(3月龄、1周岁和3周岁)的藏绵羊为研究对象,克隆了PRDX5基因的CDS区,并对其进行生物信息学分析;通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)、Western blot和免疫组织化学染色法,对PRDX5基因在藏绵羊睾丸不同发育阶段的表达和分布进行了检测。结果显示,PRDX5基因CDS区全长659 bp,可编码219个氨基酸;蛋白质结构预测显示PRDX5以α-螺旋为主,无信号肽;系统进化树显示,藏绵羊PRDX5基因与山羊(Capra hircus)亲缘关系最近;1周岁(性成熟期)和3周岁(成年)藏绵羊睾丸中PRDX5 mRNA相对表达量极显著(P <0.01)高于3月龄(性成熟前),但PRDX5蛋白表达量极显著(P <0.01)低于3月龄,且两者在性成熟后趋于稳定;PRDX5蛋白在藏绵羊睾丸不同发育阶段的支持细胞和间质细胞中均有表达。推测PRDX5基因可能通过调节细胞内ROS的水平影响精子发生...     

The pharmacological effects of the anesthetic alfaxalone after intramuscular administration to dogs

The pharmacological effects of the anesthetic alfaxalone were evaluated after intramuscular (IM) administration to 6 healthy beagle dogs. The dogs received three IM doses each of alfaxalone at increasing dose rates of 5 mg/kg (IM5), 7.5 mg/kg (IM7.5) and 10 mg/kg (IM10) every other day. Anesthetic effect was subjectively evaluated by using an ordinal scoring system to determine the degree of neuro-depression and the quality of anesthetic induction and recovery from anesthesia. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured using noninvasive methods. Alfaxalone administered IM produced dose-dependent neuro-depression and lateral recumbency (i.e., 36 ± 28 min, 87 ± 26 min and 115 ± 29 min after the IM5, IM7.5 and IM10 treatments, respectively). The endotracheal tube was tolerated in all dogs for 46 ± 20 and 58 ± 21 min after the IM7.5 and IM10 treatments, respectively. It was not possible to place endotracheal tubes in 5 of the 6 dogs after the IM5 treatment. Most cardiorespiratory variables remained within clinically acceptable ranges, but hypoxemia was observed by pulse oximetry for 5 to 10 min in 2 dogs receiving the IM10 treatment. Dose-dependent decreases in rectal temperature, respiratory rate and arterial blood pressure also occurred. The quality of recovery was considered satisfactory in all dogs receiving each treatment; all the dog exhibited transient muscular tremors and staggering gait. In conclusion, IM alfaxalone produced a dose-dependent anesthetic effect with relatively mild cardiorespiratory depression in dogs. However, hypoxemia may occur at higher IM doses of alfaxalone.     

Central venous blood gas and acid-base status in conscious dogs and cats

To determine the reference level of central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) and clinical efficacy of central venous blood gas analysis, partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, pH, oxygen saturation, base excess (B.E.) and HCO₃ concentration were compared between simultaneously obtained central venous and arterial blood samples from conscious healthy 6 dogs and 5 cats. Comparisons between arteriovenous samples were performed by a paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis. Between arteriovenous samples, B.E. showed good agreement, but there were significant differences in other parameters in the dogs, and no good agreement was detected in cats. The ScvO₂ in dogs and cats were 82.3 ± 3.5 and 62.4 ± 13.5%, respectively. Central venous blood gas analysis is indispensable, especially in cats.     

Genetic variants of the unsaturated fatty acid receptor GPR120 relating to obesity in dogs

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120 is an unsaturated fatty acid receptor, which is associated with various physiological functions. It is reported that the genetic variant of GPR120, p.Arg270His, is detected more in obese people, and this genetic variation functionally relates to obesity in humans. Obesity is a common nutritional disorder also in dogs, but the genetic factors have not ever been identified in dogs. In this study, we investigated the molecular structure of canine GPR120 and searched for candidate genetic variants which may relate to obesity in dogs. Canine GPR120 was highly homologous to those of other species, and seven transmembrane domains and two N-glycosylation sites were conserved. GPR120 mRNA was expressed in lung, jejunum, ileum, colon, hypothalamus, hippocampus, spinal cord, bone marrow, dermis and white adipose tissues in dogs, as those in mice and humans. Genetic variants of GPR120 were explored in client-owned 141 dogs, resulting in that 5 synonymous and 4 non-synonymous variants were found. The variant c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) was found in 40 dogs, and the gene frequency was significantly higher in dogs with higher body condition scores, i.e. 0.320 in BCS4–5 dogs, 0.175 in BCS3 dogs and 0.000 in BCS2 dogs. We conclude that c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) is a candidate variant relating to obesity, which may be helpful for nutritional management of dogs.