Seasonal growth and diet of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in demonstration channels and the main channel of the Waitaki River, New Zealand, 1982–1983

Abstract– Juvenile chinook salmon in the Waitaki River, New Zealand and demonstration channels, living at about 16°C, increased in length by 0.32 mm day⁻¹ between 4 November and 4 March. They gained weight quickly, accumulated large visceral fat deposits and had high conditions factors. At 1600 h, stomachs averaged half full. The number of prey tended to decline as the fish grew and consumed larger items. Initially the diet was based mainly on chironomid larvae, but by December it included a diversity of prey in more equal proportions. These included Deleatidium in the Waitaki; amphipods in the demonstration channels; various trichopterans, hemipterans, elmid beetles, zooplankton. terrestrial dipterans and a variety of other prey. There were significant differences between sites in numbers of prey consumed and these probably reflected differences in the benthos. Diets in the Waitaki differ from those in the Rakaia River and the food of juvenile salmon appears closely linked to the availability of a diverse range of possible prey.     

南美斑潜蝇及其寄生蜂消长规律

对云南省南美斑潜蝇及其主要寄生蜂潜蝇姬小蜂和潜蝇茧蜂的种群消长规律进行了研究。南美斑潜蝇在昆明关上菜区于 4、7、10月出现 3个高峰。潜蝇姬小蜂在春季蚕豆上种群数量较高 ,是控制南美斑潜蝇的主要蜂种。潜蝇茧蜂在秋季大棚内种群数量较高 ,是控制大棚南美斑潜蝇的主要蜂种。这两种寄生蜂对作物寄主有明显的选择性 ,潜蝇姬小蜂在春季的蚕豆、豌豆和芹菜上种群数量较高 ,潜蝇茧蜂在秋季的莴笋上种群数量较高     

Timing and temperature thresholds of heat stress effects on fertility performance of different parity sows in Spanish herds

High temperature is an environmental factor that impairs sow fertility. In this study, we identified the critical weeks for heat stress effects on aspects of fertility performance, namely weaning-to-first-service interval (WSI) and farrowing rate (FR). We also examined the threshold temperatures above which the fertility performance deteriorated and whether there were any differences between parities regarding heat stress effects or thresholds. Performance data of sows in 142 herds from 2011 to 2016 were matched to appropriate weekly averaged daily maximum temperatures (T_max) from weather stations close to the herds. Two types of ratios (i.e., ratio for WSI and odds ratio for FR) were used to identify the critical weeks for heat stress by comparing the respective measures for two sow groups based on T_max in different weeks around weaning or service events. The ratios for WSI were calculated between groups of sows exposed to T_max ≥ 27 °C or <27 °C in each week before weaning, with the T_max cutoff value based on a recent review study. Similarly, the odds ratios for FR for the two groups were calculated in weeks around service. The weeks with the largest differences in the fertility measures between the two T_max groups (i.e., the highest ratio for WSI and the lowest odds ratio for FR) were considered to be the critical weeks for heat stress. Also, piecewise models with different breakpoints were constructed to identify the threshold T_max in the critical week. The breakpoint in the best-fit model was considered to be the threshold T_max. The highest ratios for WSI were obtained at 1 to 3 wk before weaning in parity 1 and 2 or higher sow groups. The threshold T_max leading to prolonged WSI was 17 °C for parity 1 sows and 25 °C for parity 2 or higher sows. Increasing T_max by 10 °C above these thresholds increased WSI by 0.65, and 0.33 to 0.35 d, respectively (P < 0.01). For FR, the lowest odds ratios were obtained at 2 to 3 wk before service in parity 0, 1, and 2 or higher sow groups. The threshold T_max leading to reductions in FR was 20, 21, and 24 to 25 °C for parity 0, 1, and 2 or higher sow groups, respectively. Increasing T_max by 10 °C above these thresholds decreased FR by 3.0%, 4.3%, and 1.9% to 2.8%, respectively (P < 0.01). These results indicate that the critical weeks for heat stress were 2 to 3 wk before service for FR and 1 to 3 wk before weaning for WSI. The decreases in fertility performance in parity 0 to 1 sows started at temperatures 3 to 8 °C lower than in parity 2 or higher sows.     

Vaccination of Poultry Workers: Delivery and Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Immunization

Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease in poultry and although the risk of human infection is low, concerns exist that it could evolve into a new human strain of pandemic potential if reassortment with a human influenza virus occurs. In January 2007, the UK government introduced a programme to vaccinate poultry workers to reduce the potential of such an event. This study evaluates the delivery, uptake and costs of the programme in three counties of England. A questionnaire survey was completed by consultants in public health in all the Primary Care Trusts in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in May 2007. The delivery of the programme varied between Primary Care Trusts, including being delivered in some cases by clinics in primary care, by general practitioners and occupational health services in others. The uptake of vaccination was low ranging from 7% to 29% at a cost of £29 to £132 per person vaccinated. Vaccination of poultry workers as a public health measure to prevent an influenza pandemic is likely to be ineffective with the level of coverage found in this evaluation in our region.     

转化生长因子βⅠ型受体基因在敖汉细毛羊不同组织及发情时期卵巢中的表达分析

试验旨在探究转化生长因子βⅠ型受体（transforming growth factor-beta receptorⅠ,TGF-βRⅠ）基因在敖汉细毛羊中的组织表达情况,以及在不同发情时期卵巢中表达量的变化规律,为探讨其与绵羊发情的关系奠定基础。以24只季节性发情的敖汉细毛羊为研究对象,分为乏情期、发情间期、发情前期和发情期4组,每组6只。首先利用实时荧光定量PCR检测其发情期甲状腺、下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、肾上腺、心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、胰腺、肌肉12个组织中TGF-βRⅠ基因的表达情况,其次对4个不同发情时期卵巢TGF-βRⅠ基因的表达量变化进行研究。结果显示,TGF-βR Ⅰ在各组织中均有表达,在卵巢和甲状腺中表达量最高,极显著高于其他组织（P<0.01）;在下丘脑、垂体、胰腺、肾上腺、脾脏和肺脏组织表达量较高,显著高于心脏、肝脏、肾脏和肌肉组织（P<0.05）。卵巢中TGF-βRⅠ基因在发情前期表达量最高,极显著高于其他3个时期（P<0.01）,发情间期表达量最低,极显著低于其他3个时期（P<0.01）。综上所述,卵巢组织中TGF-βRⅠ基因在发情前期时可能对排卵前卵泡的成熟起促进作用。     

Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA-Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.     

不同芦苇沼泽湿地土壤全氮季节动态变化和氮储量研究(简报)

以向海湿地为研究对象,研究了封闭性湿地和开放性湿地土壤全氮含量的季节动态变化特征及其氮储量。结果表明,封闭性湿地与开放性湿地土壤全氮含量的季节动态变化过程既存在差异,又具有一定的相似性,2个典型区各层土壤中全氮含量均可采用四次多项式拟合进行动态模拟。封闭性湿地与开放性湿地土壤氮密度均由表层向下逐渐下降,二者1 m深的土壤氮密度分别为0.95和1.05 kg/m2,其中40 cm以上土层的贡献率均达到66%以上。     

Thermal features,ambient temperature and hair coat lengths: Limitations of infrared imaging in pregnant primitive breed mares within a year

Infrared thermography is a non-invasive technique which allows to distinguish between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. Detecting accurate body surface temperatures can be challenging due to external factors altering thermograph measurements. This study aimed to determine the associations between the ambient temperature, the hair coat features and the temperatures of mares' abdomens. It compared pregnant and non-pregnant mares throughout 11 months. The research was carried out on 40 Konik Polski mares, which were divided into pregnant and non-pregnant groups. The temperature (Tmax, maximal; Taver, average; Tmin, minimal) of the mares' abdomen was evaluated in two regions of interest: the whole area of the lateral surface of the mares' abdomen (Px1) and the flank area of the lateral surface of mares' abdomen (Px2). During the increasing period, the slopes in the linear regression equation did not differ significantly for ambient (Tamb) and surface temperatures in both groups. In the decreasing period, the slopes did not differ significantly for Tamb and Tmax in the non-pregnant group. They also did not differ for Tamb and Taver in Px1 and Tamb and Tmin in Px1 in both pregnant and non-pregnant groups respectively. Other slopes varied significantly (p < .001). There was no evidence of parallel changes in hair coat features and measured temperatures. The flank area appears more suitable for thermal imaging in pregnant mares due to the seasonal fluctuations in hair coat lengths.     

西藏典型草地地上生物量季节变化特征

采用高寒草甸、高寒草原、高寒沼泽化草甸和温性草原4种西藏高原典型草地类型地上生物量定点观测数据,分析其地上生物量季节动态变化特征和生长规律。结果表明,高寒沼泽化草甸地上生物量最高,其中围网草地年均地上生物量达384.45 g·m-2,比无围网草地地上生物量高73%,且是温性草原类草地生物量的6倍,是高寒草甸和高寒草原类草地的12~14倍,与自由放牧相比,围栏禁牧措施可以明显提高草原地上生物量,是改良退化草地最有效的措施之一;温性草原草地生产力大于高寒草甸和高寒草原,城市附近山地草地生物量明显大于远离城市的地区,表明城市化进程降低了天然草地放牧强度,是恢复退化草地生产力的有效途径之一;属半干旱气候类型的西藏高原中部,降水是制约草地植被生长的主要因子;草地地上生物量的绝对增长速率和相对增长速率季节动态均在生物量达到高峰期前为正增长,之后为负增长。区域水热条件差异及其季节性变化导致了不同草地类型或同一类型不同区域的草地最快生长期出现的时间存在一定差别。     

荒漠草原家庭牧场不同放牧管理模式下草畜能量平衡模拟研究

本研究以内蒙古乌兰察布市四子王旗家庭牧场调研数据为基础,利用ACIAR草畜平衡模型对荒漠草原家庭牧场在全年放牧和季节牧场及补饲措施的家畜需求与草地供给之间的能量平衡关系进行模拟研究,目的是了解家庭牧场的草畜平衡状态,为草地畜牧业管理提供理论依据。结果表明,划分季节牧场利用可增加家畜在冬季的实际能量摄入,减少在夏季的能量摄入;补饲可以缓解在家畜关键生长期对于能量的需求,并在不额外增加补饲量的条件下,划分季节牧场的家畜也表现出冬季实际能量摄入增加,夏季能量摄入减少。