Milt quality of Waigieu seaperch was sampled at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the spawning season to assess if the sampling season has an effect on milt quality parameters. The milt volume and total sperm production were higher at the middle of the spawning season while the sperm concentration in milt was significantly higher at the beginning and the end of the spawning season. Sperm morphology and the major parameters of seminal plasma (pH, total protein, Mg2+, or Ca2+ concentrations) did not differ throughout the spawning season. The concentrations of Na+ and the osmolality increased throughout the spawning season. The percentage of motile cells did not differ during the spawning season while the duration of sperm motility (swimming duration) and velocity (swimming speed) were significantly different during the spawning season. The fertilization rate (75.7 ± 6.8%) and hatching rate (56.5 ± 3.1%) at the middle of the spawning season were higher than at the beginning and end periods. Results indicated that milt quality parameters and fertility success in the middle of the spawning season were higher compared to earlier and later sampling dates. Thus, we recommend collecting milt during this time for maximal fertilization and hatching success. 相似文献
Prepubertal gilts of obese (n = 24) or lean (n = 24) genetic lines were injected (s.c.) daily with 0, 2, or 4 mg of porcine somatotropin (pST) for 6 wk starting at 160 d of age to determine whether pST affects follicular function. Blood and ovaries were collected at slaughter 24 h after the last injection. Surface follicles greater than or equal to 1.0 mm in diameter were counted, and pools of follicular fluid (FFL) and granulosa cells were collected from 1.0- to 3.9-mm (small) and 4.0- to 6.9-mm (medium) follicles. Oocytes were collected from small and medium follicles and evaluated for maturational stage and viability. Porcine somatotropin increased (P less than .08) the numbers of small but not the numbers of medium follicles per gilt (P greater than .10). Oocyte maturation and viability were not affected by pST or genetic line. Porcine somatotropin increased (P less than .05) concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in serum and FFL of both obese and lean gilts; IGF-I was lower (P less than .01) in lean gilts. Treatment with pST decreased (P less than .05) IGF-II in FFL of lean but not in that of obese gilts. Dose of pST and line had no effect on concentrations of progesterone in FFL of small or medium follicles or on concentrations of estradiol in FFL of small follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) 相似文献
The relationship between the levels of CO and airborne Pb was evaluated against conditions of traffic flow, ambient air temperature and the ventilation rates in 3 underground car parks. During the study period significant variations were noted in the levels of the pollutants in each of the car parks which frequently exceeded the proposed Malaysian Air Quality Standard of 0.7 μg m?3Pb and 9 μg L?1 (8 hr average) CO for indoor environs. High correlation coefficient values were obtained between the levels of CO and traffic flow and Pb and traffic flow. High traffic flow also increased the mean air temperature inside the car parks. Reductions in the ventilation rates in the car parks caused an almost two-fold increase in the level of CO and vice versa. A simple mathematical model depicting the CO concentrations in relation to other parameters was formulated. 相似文献
Previous studies have documented the effectiveness of porcine somatotropin (pST) administered by daily injection in promoting lean tissue growth in lean and obese pigs and the influence of sex and genotype. The present study examined the accretive responses in pigs of different lines and sexes to a slow release formulation of pST (pST-SR). Implants that deliver 2.0 mg of pST/d were implanted in genetically lean and obese barrows and gilts at 65 +/- .7 kg BW (mean +/- SE). Pigs received no, one, or two implants (i.e., doses of 0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg of pST/d). Pigs (four per line x sex x dose) were housed individually and continuously supplied with fresh water and a 19% CP diet containing 1.08% lysine. Pigs were slaughtered on d 0 (four per line x sex) and at the end of the trial (approximately 42 d after implantation) for estimation of initial composition and calculation of accretion rates. Blood samples were collected at d 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42 to measure endocrine and metabolite responses to pST-SR. Sustained-release pST elevated (P < .05) circulating pST throughout the trial with peak concentrations at d 7. On d 7, serum pST concentrations in the pigs given 2.0 mg of pST-SR per day were 16-fold greater than those in control pigs, and in pigs given 4.0 mg of pST-SR per day pST concentrations were 33-fold greater than in controls. Elevated serum pST resulted in increased (P < .05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, insulin, and glucose and in reduced (P < .05) concentrations of urea nitrogen and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2. Gain was not influenced by pST-SR dose; however, feed consumption was reduced (P < .05) and efficiency of gain was increased (P < .05). Accretion of all body components except cold carcass weight, cecum, and untrimmed Boston butt and ham were changed (P < .05) with pST-SR administration. Heart and stomach were the only components of the carcass and offal whose accretion was not affected by line or sex. Increases in accretion of carcass components (< 75%) induced by sustained-release pST were considerably less than those measured in the organs (liver, 157%; lungs, 748%). The pST-SR treatment resulted in elevated serum concentrations of pST and its mediators and improved efficiency and composition of gain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) 相似文献
1. The objective was to compare three whole grain (WG) inclusion levels (7.5, 15 and 30%) offered to broiler chickens by three modes of WG incorporation: (i) pre-pellet WG inclusion, (ii) post-pellet WG inclusion as a blend of WG and pelleted concentrate and (iii) post-pellet WG inclusion where WG and pelleted concentrate were provided in separate feed trays against a ground-grain, wheat-based control diet.
2. Ten dietary treatments were offered to 6 replicate cages (6 birds per cage) of male Ross 308 chickens from 7 to 28 d post-hatch. The effects of treatment on relative gizzard weights, gizzard contents, pancreatic weights and pH of gizzard digesta were monitored. Parameters of growth performance, nutrient utilisation (apparent metabolisable energy [AME], metabolisable to gross energy [ME:GE] ratios, nitrogen [N] retention and N-corrected AME [AMEn]), apparent starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates in for small intestinal segments and concentrations of free amino acids in plasma taken from the anterior mesenteric vein were determined.
3. Whole grain feeding (WGF) did not influence weight gain, but 30% post-pellet blended and 15 and 30% post-pellet separated treatments significantly depressed (P < 0.05) feed intakes while the 30% post-pellet separated treatment improved (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratios (FCR). WGF regimes significantly increased relative gizzard weights.
4. Overall, WGF generated profound responses in AME, ME:GE ratios, N retention and AMEn that were highly correlated with relative gizzard weights. In general, WGF improved starch and protein (N) digestibilities and again there were some correlations with these outcomes and relative gizzard weights.
5. Post-pellet WG inclusions where WG and pelleted concentrate were offered separately provided chickens with the opportunity to choice feed. Birds showed a preference for the relatively high-protein pelleted concentrate and at 30% WG, this resulted in an improvement in FCR of 7.69% (1.260 versus 1.365; P < 0.001) relative to the ground-grain control diet. 相似文献
BackgroundThe microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae is a global problem in honeybee populations and is known to cause winter mortality. A sensitive and rapid tool for stable quantitative detection is necessary to establish further research related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of this pathogen.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to develop a quantitative method that incorporates ultra-rapid real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (UR-qPCR) for the rapid enumeration of N. ceranae in infected bees.MethodsA procedure for UR-qPCR detection of N. ceranae was developed, and the advantages of molecular detection were evaluated in comparison with microscopic enumeration.ResultsUR-qPCR was more sensitive than microscopic enumeration for detecting two copies of N. ceranae DNA and 24 spores per bee. Meanwhile, the limit of detection by microscopy was 2.40 × 104 spores/bee, and the stable detection level was ≥ 2.40 × 105 spores/bee. The results of N. ceranae calculations from the infected honeybees and purified spores by UR-qPCR showed that the DNA copy number was approximately 8-fold higher than the spore count. Additionally, honeybees infected with N. ceranae with 2.74 × 104 copies of N. ceranae DNA were incapable of detection by microscopy. The results of quantitative analysis using UR-qPCR were accomplished within 20 min.ConclusionsUR-qPCR is expected to be the most rapid molecular method for Nosema detection and has been developed for diagnosing nosemosis at low levels of infection. 相似文献
Southeast Asia is a region of high biodiversity, containing species of plants and animals that are yet to be
discovered. In this region, bats of the subfamily Kerivoulinae are widespread and diverse with six species
recorded in Vietnam. However, the taxonomy of the Kerivoulinae in Asia is complicated. In our study, we used
diagnostic characters and multivariate analysis to determine morphological differences between the genera
Kerivoula and Phoniscus. We showed that the two genera are distinguishable
by the size of second upper incisors, the shape of skull, nasal sinus, canines, second upper and lower
premolars. In addition, the two genera can be osteometrically separated by measurements of the braincase
height, interorbital width and shape of anterior palatal emargination. Our data clearly revealed the
morphological variations in the skull shape of Kerivoula hardwickii in Vietnam. This suggests
a possible separation into three morphotypes, representing cryptic species supported by statistical
differences with wide variation in skull shape, size and teeth. These results demonstrated Kerivoula
hardwickii can be separated three subspecies, and the result will serve as the basis for the future
assessment and classification of this group in Southeast Asia. 相似文献
Thyroxin (T4) is proven to have various functions in fish reproduction. In this study, we investigated oocyte maturation and spawning performance in the rabbit fish, Siganus guttatus, orally exposed to different doses of T4 (0.05, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg fish) during vitellogenesis. No statistically significant differences of reproductive characteristics were observed among the treatments. However, the group that was exposed to the dose of 0.5 mg/kg spawned after receiving a hormone injection. The findings suggest that feeding T4 during vitellogenesis did not advance oocyte maturation, but probably could induce spawning in rabbit fish. In a separate experiment, we investigated the effects of orally administered domperidone (DOM) on reproductive performances of the female rabbit fish. The study showed that oral administration of DOM during the early stages of the reproductive cycle had no significant effects on oocyte maturation and spawning performance. Overall, these findings suggest that DOM may not be needed for the induction of maturation and spawning of this species under aquaculture conditions. These practical investigations were conducted with a view to attempt reducing drug use, production costs, and support sustainable aquaculture. 相似文献