Testing whether adrenal steroids mediate phenotypic and physiologic effects of elevated salinity on larval tiger salamanders

Salinity (sodium chloride, NaCl) from anthropogenic sources is a persistent contaminant that negatively affects freshwater taxa. Amphibians can be susceptible to salinity, but some species are innately or adaptively tolerant. Physiological mechanisms mediating tolerance to salinity are still unclear, but changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO) are prime candidates. We exposed larval barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) to environmentally relevant NaCl treatments (<32–4000 mg·L⁻¹) for 24 days to test effects on growth, survival, and waterborne CORT responses. Of those sampled, we also quantified waterborne ALDO from a subset. Using a glucocorticoid antagonist (RU486), we also experimentally suppressed CORT signaling of some larvae to determine if CORT mediates effects of salinity. There were no strong differences in survival among salinity treatments, but salinity reduced dry mass, snout–vent length, and body condition while increasing water content of larvae. High survival and sublethal effects demonstrated that salamanders were physiologically challenged but could tolerate the experimental concentrations. CORT signaling did not attenuate sublethal effects of salinity. Baseline and stress-induced (after an acute stressor, shaking) CORT were not influenced by salinity. ALDO was correlated with baseline CORT, suggesting it could be difficult to decouple the roles of CORT and ALDO. Future studies comparing ALDO and CORT responses of adaptively tolerant and previously unexposed populations could be beneficial to understand the roles of these hormones in tolerance to salinity. Nevertheless, our study enhances our understanding of the roles of corticosteroid hormones in mediating effects of a prominent anthropogenic stressor.     

Survival is negatively associated with glucocorticoids in a wild ungulate neonate

It is unknown how ungulate physiological responses to environmental perturbation influence overall population demographics. Moreover, neonatal physiological responses remain poorly studied despite the importance of neonatal survival to population growth. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones potentially facilitate critical physiological and behavioral responses to environmental perturbations. However, elevated GC concentrations over time may compromise body condition and indirectly reduce survival. We evaluated baseline salivary cortisol (CORT; a primary GC in mammals) concentrations in 19 wild neonatal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a northern (NS) and southern (SS) area in Pennsylvania. After ranking survival models consisting of variables hypothesized to influence neonate survival (i.e. weight, sex), the probability of neonate survival was best explained by CORT concentrations, where elevated CORT concentrations were associated with reduced survival probability to 12 weeks of age. Cortisol concentrations were greater in the SS where predation rates and predator densities were lower. As the first evaluation of baseline CORT concentrations in an ungulate neonate to our knowledge, this is also the first study to demonstrate CORT concentrations are negatively associated with ungulate survival at any life stage. Glucocorticoid hormones could provide a framework in which to better understand susceptibility to mortality in neonatal white-tailed deer.     

Effect of simulated transport stress on the rat small intestine: A morphological and gene expression study

The present study investigated the effects of simulated transport stress on morphology and gene expression in the small intestine of laboratory rats. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 35 °C and 0.1×g on a constant temperature shaker for physiological, biochemical, morphological and microarray analysis before and after treatment. The treatment induced obvious stress responses with significant decreases in body weight (P < 0.01), increases in rectal temperature, serum corticosterone (CORT), serum glucose (GLU), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (P < 0.01), as well as expression of Hsp27/70/90 mRNA (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). The rat jejunum was severely damaged and apoptotic after mimicking transport stress, which may mainly be related to cell death, oxidation reduction and hormone imbalance determined by microarray analysis. The bioinformatics analysis from the present study would provide insight into the potential mechanisms underlying transport stress-induced injury in the rat small intestine.     

Use of adrenocorticotropin challenges to indicate chronic stress responses of laying hens in several housing alternatives

The use of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) challenges was tested as an indicator of the level of physiological stress response of laying hens in several housing alternatives. Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens were challenged with intravenous ACTH injections (either .33, 1.0 or 3.0 IU/kg body weight). Plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations taken at intervals from 10 to 180 min following ACTH challenges revealed CORT response curves which peaked within 30 min at 34-, 54- and 60-fold increases over pre-challenge CORT levels with doses of .33, 1.0 and 3.0 IU/kg ACTH, respectively. Peak CORT levels for 1.0 and 3.0 IU/kg of ACTH did not differ; however, CORT levels for 1.0 IU/kg ACTH were significantly elevated above the peak for .33 IU/kg ACTH. Laying hens housed in cage and floor management alternatives were challenged with .33 and 1.0 IU/kg of ACTH after 10 months of lay. Cage management treatments were 3, 4 or 5 hens per cage and floor treatments with hens kept at 2 densities. Significant differences in the ACTH-induced CORT response between management alternatives could be detected following injection of .33 IU/kg ACTH, but not with the higher ACTH dose (1.0 IU/kg). These studies demonstrated that the CORT response to the lower dose of ACTH seemed to be more effective in assessing management differences, but further clarification may be necessary before ACTH challenges can be accurately used to evaluate physiological stress responses of laying hens housed in different conditions.     

Concentrations of hormones, glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma of broiler chickens selected for weight gain or food conversion

1. The concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse-triiodothyronine (rT3), triglycerides (Tri), free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose (Glu) were determined at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of age in blood plasma of male and female chickens of broiler lines selected for body weight (GL) or food conversion (FC). 2. Plasma concentrations measured in the same animal over a 24 h or a 2 week interval were not significantly correlated with each other. For different traits measured in the same plasma sample only the correlation between T4 and rT3 differed significantly from zero. 3. All traits were dependent on age. Line and sex effects were significant (P less than 0.05) for GH, T4, Tri, FFA and Glu. Additionally, line significantly influenced the plasma T3/T4 ratio and sex influenced plasma rT3. Interactions between line, sex and/or age were seldom significant. 4. Within line and sex, GH (at 6 weeks of age) and T3 (at 4 weeks of age) were negatively, and IGF-I and Tri (both at 6 weeks of age) positively correlated with the amount of abdominal fat at 6 weeks of age. No significant correlation between body weight at 2, 4 or 6 weeks of age and any of the plasma traits was found.     

The metabolic profile of growing lambs fed diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids

The effect of two diets enriched with unsaturated fatty acids – one containing the addition of dried distillers grains with solubles (DGS) and the other the addition of false flax – Camelina sativa cake (CS) – on some metabolic parameters and hormone concentration in growing lambs was determined in this experiment. A total of 21 ram lambs of the Polish Whiteheaded mutton sheep were divided into three groups (the control, receiving DGS and CS). The diets were administered to animals for 6 weeks. During the experiment, peripheral blood was collected. Glucose (GL), total cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), insulin (IN), leptin (LE), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were assayed in serum. The age‐dependent reduction in CH and TG limited by both experimental diets were observed. A significant increase in FFA concentration was observed in samples collected in the last, that is, third, time period. This was most probably caused by a 12‐h pre‐slaughter fasting period. A significantly lower dynamic of FFA increase in that experimental period was found in animals receiving the experimental feed. Insulin concentration in DGS‐receiving lambs was increased, in contrast to the CS‐receiving lambs, in which it was lower when compared to the control. LE concentration was decreased by both experimental diets, more markedly in the DGS‐receiving animals. No differences between the experimental groups and the control were observed in T3 and T4 concentrations. The effect of 12‐h pre‐slaughter fasting was statistically highly significant for the levels of examined blood markers and hormones, except for TG and IN in the group of lambs receiving the experimental diet with CS.     

蛋鸡血浆甘油三酯与蛋黄性状关系的研究

本实验对蛋鸡血浆甘油三酯 (Triglyceriche ,TG)浓度进行高、低选择之后 ,测定了两个世代的产蛋早期的褐壳鸡的血脂成分 (血浆中胆固醇、磷酯、游离脂肪酸 )及其鸡的蛋黄性状 (蛋黄比例、蛋黄胆固醇含量 ) ;且以父系半同胞法估计了血脂和蛋黄性状的遗传参数。研究了与鸡体脂肪代谢关系密切的血脂成分和蛋黄性状的变化规律及其之间的相互关系 ,来寻找能降低蛋黄胆固醇的新途径。结果表明 :血浆甘油三酯的变异系数较大为 5 3.5 2 % ;血浆甘油三酯、蛋黄比例和相对蛋中胆固醇含量的遗传力较高分别是 0 .2 74、0 .90 2、0 .30 4 ,它们之间的遗传相关分别是 0 .2 71、0 .36 6。即血浆甘油三酯可以作为间接选择蛋中胆固醇含量的指标。     

Identification of candidate genes for blood metabolites in Iranian chickens using a genome-wide association study

1. In order to identify loci associated with metabolic traits, a genome-wide association study was carried out in a chicken F2 population derived from a reciprocal cross between Iranian Urmia indigenous chickens and Arian broiler line using Illumina 60K Chicken single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BeadChip.

2. Six traits including plasma level of triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol (Chol), glucose (Glu), total protein, albumin (Alb) and globulin (Glo) were recorded. The association between the identified SNPs and metabolic traits was estimated by general linear model (GLM) and compressed mixed linear model (CMLM).

3. A total of 38 SNPs were identified at the genome-wide significant and suggestive levels, of which 5 SNPs reached a 5% Bonferroni genome-wide significance (P < 2.58E-6) for TG, Alb and Glo through CMLM, and 21 SNPs were significantly associated with TG, Chol, Glu, Alb and Glo through GLM.

4. Gene ontology showed that these SNPs were located within or near the candidate genes responsible for metabolic traits.

5. In conclusion, the identified candidate genes provided novel information for molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic traits. These findings are important in marker-assisted selection in the chicken breeding scheme.     

南荻种质资源表型性状遗传多样性

本研究测定了采自于黄淮平原亚地区(ⅢD9a),江汉平原亚地区(ⅢD9b),赣南-湘东丘陵亚地区(ⅢD9d)和川、鄂、湘亚地区(ⅢD10c)4个植物区系32份南荻(Miscanthus lutarioriparius)种质材料的干物质产量、冠层高、花茎高、茎径、茎密度、叶长、叶宽、叶茎比、含水量9个表型性状,并采用巢式方差分析、偏相关分析和UPGMA聚类分析方法进行了数据分析。结果表明,1)干物质产量、冠层高、花茎高、茎径、茎密度和含水量6个表型性状在区系间存在显著差异(P0.05),9个表型性状在区系内均存在极显著差异(P0.01),其变异系数范围为13.53%~45.54%。2)干物质产量与茎径显著正相关(P0.05),与叶茎比显著负相关(P0.05);冠层高与花茎高、含水量极显著正相关(P0.01);茎径与叶茎比极显著正相关(P0.01);叶宽与叶长显著正相关(P0.05),与含水量显著负相关(P0.05);海拔与冠层高、茎径显著负相关(P0.05),与茎密度极显著正相关(P0.01);经度与干物质产量显著负相关(P0.05);纬度与茎密度极显著正相关(P0.01),与茎径显著负相关(P0.05)。3)采用UPGMA聚类方法进行综合聚类,4个区系被分为3类,黄淮平原亚地区和赣南-湘东丘陵亚地区为第Ⅰ类,该类群南荻植株较矮、茎秆细小、产量较小;江汉平原亚地区和川、鄂、湘亚地区为第Ⅱ类,该类群南荻植株高大、茎秆粗壮、产量大;江汉平原、赣南-湘东丘陵和川、鄂、湘3个亚地区的南部地区为第Ⅲ类,该类群南荻介于第Ⅰ类和第Ⅱ类之间。     

Hematocrit and plasma chemistry values in adult collared scops owls (Otus lettia) and crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela hoya)

In this study, we report hematocrit and plasma chemistry values for adult captive collared scops owls (Otus lettia) and crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela hoya). In particular, we address the gender-specific differences within these values. We measured hematocrit (HCT) and plasma chemistry values for uric acid (UA), plasma urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), creatine (CRE), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), amylase (AMY), calcium (CA), ionic phosphorous (IP) and sodium (NA), potassium (K) and chloride ions (CL) in 37 adult captive collared scops owls and 39 adult captive crested serpent eagles. Significant differences between the sexes were found for UA, GLU and CPK in the collared scope owls. UA and GLU concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.01 and P<0.05) among males than females, while the CPK concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) in males. There were no significant differences in of all of the measured parameters between male and female eagles. These finding suggested that HCT and plasma chemistry values of raptors vary individually according to species and sex. Our results provide the 1st available reference data for ranges of plasma values in adult captive collared scops owls and crested serpent eagles, making them a potentially useful complementary diagnostic tool for veterinary care of individuals for both species in captivity.     

低温高能饲粮对笼养产蛋鸭生产性能及生化指标的影响

本文研究了低温高能饲粮对笼养产蛋鸭生产性能和生化指标的影响。结果表明 :(1)低温使日采食量、料蛋比显著升高 (P<0.01) ,使日产蛋量、产蛋率显著降低 (P<0.05) ;高能饲粮则使日采食量显著降低 (P<0.05) ,使日产蛋量、产蛋率有升高的趋势 ;在低温下提高饲粮代谢能水平使日采食量、料蛋比显著降低 (P<0.05) ,使日产蛋量、产蛋率有升高的趋势。(2)低温使血清中T3 水平显著升高 (P<0.05) ,而T4 水平略有降低 ;高能饲粮使T3 水平略有降低 ,T4水平略有升高。在适温下和低温下提高饲粮代谢能水平使T3 水平有升高趋势 ,而T4 水平有降低趋势。 (3)低温显著升高血清中游离脂肪酸和尿酸水平 (P<0.01) ,显著降低血清中葡萄糖水平 (P<0.05) ;高能饲粮显著升高血清中游离脂肪酸和葡萄糖水平 (P<0.05) ,使血清中尿酸水平有降低的趋势。在适温下和低温下提高饲粮代谢能水平有使血清中游离脂肪酸、葡萄糖升高的趋势 ,使血清中尿酸有降低趋势     

饲粮添加乳化剂与L-肉碱对肉鸡生长性能和血脂指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加乳化剂与L-肉碱对肉鸡生长性能和血脂指标的影响。试验采用2×2因子完全随机设计,选用960只1日龄科宝白羽肉公鸡,随机分为4个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复40只鸡。试验分为前期(1～21日龄)、后期(22～49日龄)和全期(1～49日龄)。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,添加乳化剂极显著或显著降低了1～21和1～49日龄料重比(P<0.01,P<0.05),提高了21、49日龄血清游离脂肪酸含量(P<0.01);添加L-肉碱或乳化剂与L-肉碱合用均极显著或显著降低了各期料重比(P<0.01,P<0.05),显著降低了21日龄血清甘油三酯和极低密度脂蛋白含量(P<0.05);添加L-肉碱极显著提高了49日龄血清游离脂肪酸含量(P<0.01)。2)主效应分析表明,添加乳化剂显著提高了21日龄血清总胆汁酸、游离脂肪酸含量(P<0.05);添加L-肉碱极显著降低了各期料重比(P<0.01),提高了胸肌率(P<0.01),降低了21、49日龄血清甘油三酯、极低密度脂蛋白含量(P<0.01,P<0.05),降低了21日龄血清总胆固醇和游离脂肪酸含量(P<0.05);乳化剂与L-肉碱的交互作用显著或极显著影响1～21和1～49日龄料重比、21和49日龄血清游离脂肪酸含量(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结果提示,饲粮单独添加乳化剂、L-肉碱或二者合用均可改善肉鸡的饲料利用率,提高胸肌率,降低血清甘油三酯、极低密度脂蛋白含量。单独添加乳化剂或L-肉碱均可提高血清游离脂肪酸含量,二者合用较单独添加降低了血清游离脂肪酸含量。高温(30～35℃)饲养环境下,建议在肉鸡饲粮中单独添加乳化剂或L-肉碱。     

Effect of exogenous glucagon and free fatty acids on gluconeogenesis in fasting neonatal pigs

Thirty-two pigs (1 d old) were used to determine if exogenous glucagon and(or) free fatty acids (FFA oleic acid) would enhance gluconeogenesis and glucose homeostasis during fasting. Pigs were acquired at birth, fitted with an indwelling arterial cannula (via umbilicus) and fasted 24 h to deplete liver glycogen. A jugular cannula was inserted nonsurgically 8 to 10 h before initiation of a primed-continuous infusion consisting of control (excipient), glucagon (Glu), oleic acid (FFA), or both glucagon and oleic acid (Glu-FFA). Plasma Glu averaged 395 pg/ml preinfusion and was similar across treatments. The concentration increased fivefold (P less than .05) by 80 min for Glu and Glu-FFA pigs and remained constant thereafter (160 min: 2,379, 2,258 pg/ml; 240 min: 2,355, 2,274 pg/ml, respectively). Glucagon infusion did not alter plasma glucose after 240 min of infusion (control, 50 vs Glu, 51 mg/dl); however, Glu-FFA effected an increase (60 mg/dl, P less than .10). In contrast, pigs infused with FFA alone had a lower glucose concentration (40 mg/dl, P less than .10). Rate of glucose synthesis was determined using liver slices, acquired immediately postinfusion, with alanine and lactate as substrate (7.5 mM). The rate of synthesis was not altered by Glu or Glu-FFA infusion (2.91, 2.43 mumol glucose X g-1 X h-1 vs 2.91 for control). In contrast, exogenous FFA reduced synthesis to 1.85 mumol glucose X g-1 X h-1 (P less than .05) with lactate as substrate. It appears that Glu is not the primary factor limiting gluconeogenesis in fasting newborn pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

海拔高度对披碱草属植物形态特征的可塑性

海拔是影响植物生物进化和亲缘关系的重要因素,为了探明海拔对披碱草属植物表型特征的影响,本试验对不同海拔(3098~4203 m)的3种披碱草属植物:六倍体垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)、四倍体的昆仑披碱草(Elymus burchan-buddae)和老芒麦(E. sibiricus),27个种群810个体的13个表型性状进行测定,结果表明,垂穗披碱草的变异系数范围为8.8%~59.1%,昆仑披碱草为8.2%~53.7%,老芒麦为7.6%~56.7%,外稃长是3种披碱草变异系数最小的表型性状。聚类分析可以看出形态上相似的种群海拔来源基本相同,而且聚为一类的多数种群具有相似的生境。相关分析表明:海拔和供试材料的多个表型性状之间存在着明显的相关性(P<0.01)。本研究表明,海拔对披碱草属植物形态特征具有较强的可塑性,不同披碱草属植物的形态特征对海拔变化的反应不同,四倍体披碱草属植物对海拔的变化反应更加敏感。因此,部分形态特征可以用于披碱草属植物在海拔梯度上的演化规律的分析。     

持续高温对不同性别北京油鸡脂肪代谢及血液脂肪细胞因子水平的影响

本研究旨在考察持续高温对不同性别北京油鸡脂肪代谢及血液脂肪细胞因子水平的影响.选择健康、体重相近的49日龄北京油鸡公母各72只[公鸡平均体重(608.58±13.07)g;母鸡平均体重(518.50±8.33)g],随机分在2个处理中:高温组,(35.00±0.37)℃;适温组,(25.00±0.38)℃,每个处理设6个重复,每个重复6只鸡.试验持续23 d.测定试验第12、23天时的血液生化指标、血液脂肪细胞因子水平及脂肪组织脂蛋白酯酶活性.结果表明:1)对公鸡而言:持续高温12 d时血清胰岛素水平显著升高(P＜0.01),血浆甘油三酯含量显著降低(P＜0.01).持续高温23 d时血清胰岛素水平和血浆甘油三酯含量显著降低(P＜0.01),血浆葡萄糖含量显著升高(P＜0.01);对母鸡而言:持续高温12 d时血浆甘油三酯、游离脂肪酸含量显著降低(P＜0.05).持续高温23 d时血浆甘油三酯、游离脂肪酸含量无显著变化(P＞0.05),血浆极低密度脂蛋白含量有增加趋势(P =0.065),血浆葡萄糖含量显著升高(P＜0.01).2)持续高温12 d时公母鸡的肌间脂肪脂蛋白酯酶活性都显著降低(P＜0.05),持续高温23 d时公鸡的肌间脂肪脂蛋白酯酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05),而母鸡的无显著变化(P＞0.05).3)公母鸡血浆脂联素、抵抗素水平在高温下都无显著变化(P＞0.05);持续高温12 d时公鸡血浆瘦素水平显著降低(P＜0.01),母鸡的显著升高(P＜0.05).由此可知,随着持续高温时间的延长,母鸡血浆游离脂肪酸、甘油三酯含量及肌间脂肪组织脂蛋白酯酶活性受高温影响下降程度减小,公鸡血浆甘油三酯含量及脂肪组织脂蛋白酯酶活性下降程度加大.     

Effect of intracerebroventricular injections of prolactin‐releasing peptide on prolactin release and stress‐related responses in steers

Some evidence suggests that there might be a species difference in the effect of intracerebroventricularly administered (ICV) prolactin‐releasing peptide (PrRP) between rodents and sheep. We compared the levels of cortisol (CORT) and prolactin (PRL), rectal temperature (RT) and behavioral responses to ICV bovine PrRP (bPrRP) in steers. ICV bPrRP (0.2, 2 and 20 nmol/200 µL) tended to evoke a dose‐related increase in CORT concentrations and 0.2 nmol of bPrRP induced transient increase in PRL concentrations. A significant time–treatment interaction was observed for the percent change of CORT (P < 0.05) and PRL (P < 0.05) from pre‐injection value. The time–treatment interaction for changes in RT was not significant (P = 0.50). There tended to be a difference among the four treatments in terms of maximum change in RT from the pre‐injection value between 0 and 90 min (P < 0.1). Stress‐related behavioral signs were not observed in the present experiment. These findings indicate that ICV bPrRP increased CORT and PRL levels, suggesting that central PrRP might participate in controlling the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and PRL release in cattle, unlike sheep. In contrast, central PrRP is unlikely to be involved in controlling the behavior of this species because ICV bPrRP did not induce marked changes in their behavior.     

Growth,behavioural, serum biochemical and morphological changes in female rabbits fed high-fat diet

This study aimed to determine whether high-fat diet (HFD) could cause growth, behavioural, biochemical and morphological changes in young female rabbits. Thirty-six female rabbits were randomly divided into two groups fed with either a high-fat diet (HFD) or a standard normal diet (SND) for 5 weeks. Growth and behavioural changes were recorded during the 5-week feeding period. Tissue samples, including blood and adipose tissue, were obtained after slaughter. HFD rabbits weighed more by the end of the feeding period, had a higher percent body weight and adipose tissue weight change and had longer body and bust lengths than SND rabbits. HFD rabbits significantly reduced their feed intake and feeding frequency during the fourth and fifth weeks. HFD rabbits also showed lower frequency of drinking and resting and increased stereotypical behaviour. Besides, HFD rabbits showed significant physiological abnormalities. HFD rabbits had higher serum cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels than SND rabbits at the end of the feeding period, and higher free fatty acid (FFA) levels than rabbits in the SND group after the third week of feeding. Serum thyroxine (T4) increased significantly in week 2 and week 5 and triiodothyronine (T3) increased significantly in week four. However, there was no significant change in serum glucose (GLU) and insulin (INS) levels. Additionally, HFD reduced the area and diameter of perirenal and subcutaneous fat cells and increased their density. Our findings suggest that HFD rabbits had higher weight gains, accumulation of fat, and more behavioural changes than SND rabbits. Although high levels of fat in the diet had a low impact on hyperglycaemia, it could lead to hyperlipidemia and hyperthyroidism. Our results also suggest that sustained HFD may cause the proliferation of adipocytes in young female rabbits.     

Correlation Analysis of Ecological Traits and Economic Traits for Chinese Native Chicken Breeds

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of ecological traits on body size traits and economic traits (body size traits and slaughter traits) in Chinese native chicken breeds and reveal the essential connection of three group traits.In this study,simple correlation analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) were applied to estimate the relationship between local 6 ecological traits and 8 body size traits,6 ecological traits and 8 slaughter traits,8 body size traits and 8 slaughter traits of Chinese native chicken breeds.The result of ecological traits and slaughter traits suggested that the first canonical correlation coefficient was 0.536 (P < 0.01),the value of pct was 55.046% for the total correlation information.It showed that the correlation between two sets of traits mainly by mean annual temperature and dressed weight closely related to the cause,the lower mean annual temperature,the heavier dressed weight.The result of ecological traits and body size traits suggested that the first canonical correlation coefficient was 0.679 (P < 0.01),the value of pct was 54.118%,for the total correlation information.It showed that the correlation between two sets of traits mainly by latitude and shank girth closely related to the cause,the higher latitude,the smaller shank girth.The second canonical correlation coefficient was 0.556 (P < 0.05),the value of pct was 28.251% for the total correlation information.It showed that the correlation between two sets of traits mainly by forst free period and chest bone length closely related to the cause,the longer forst free period,the longer chest bone length.The result of body size traits and slaughter traits suggested that the first canonical correlation coefficient was 0.901 (P < 0.01),the value of pct was 81.063% for the total correlation information.It showed that the correlation between two sets of traits mainly by chest bone length and dressed weight closely related to the cause,the longer chest bone length,the greater dressed weight.     

Reference data on the anatomy and serum biochemistry of the silver fox

Clinically healthy silver foxes obtained from a closed colony were investigated for the purpose of establishing base-line data for this species. The anthropometry (body weight; body length; length and width of the head; width, depth, and circumference of the chest; length of the tail), anatomical measurements (weight; longitudinal and transverse length; thickness of the main organs) and serum biochemical assays (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, CK, lipase, GGT, T-Cho, beta-Lipo, TG, Phos-Lip, Tp, T-Bil, UA, BUN, Crea, Glu, Ca, IP, Mg, Fe, Na, K, Cl, LDH and CK isoenzymes) were carried out. The data were presented as mean values with standard deviations, and compared with those of the dog. The coefficient of variation (CV) for each of the anthropometric parameters was low, except for that of female body weight for which the CV was 17%. The body size of the male was larger than the female, and the weights of the main organs, corresponding to body size, were greater than the female. The results were equivalent to those for a Beagle dog aged between 3 and 5 months. Significant differences between the sexes were detected in the following parameters: concentrations of BUN, beta-Lipo and T-Bil (p less than 0.01); concentration of Mg and Glu (p less than 0.05); activity of LDH and lipase (p less than 0.05). The biochemical data ware uniform with some exceptions. These were AST (142 IU/l) and ALP (122 IU/l) in a 5-year-old male fox, Glu (over 200 mg/dl) in four 2-year-old female foxes, CK (629 IU/l) in a 2-year-old female fox, and finally CK (366 IU/l) and lipase (428 IU/l) in an 8-year-old female fox, all of which were elevated. These data were similar to the reference values for the dog previously reported. The reference values presented in this report for the silver fox will be valuable as a guide for clinical diagnosis and research.     

布氏艾美耳球虫感染后鸡血清生化指标变化的研究

以１５日龄公雏作为试验对象，利用ＴＥＣＨＮＩＣＯＮＲＡ－１００ＳＹＳＴＥＭ血液生化分析仪，研究了鸡在人工感染Ｅ．brunetti（４１５００个孢子化卵囊/只）后３、５、 ７、９和１１d时其血清中葡萄糖、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶碱性磷酸酶、乳酸脱氨酶、淀粉酶、尿酸、总蛋白、白蛋白、钙和镁的变化。结果表明：Ｅ．brunetti感染鸡后其血清谷丙转氨酶活性显著升高（Ｐ〈０．０１）；血清白蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶活性均明显降低（