Ontogenetic development of the ophthalmic rete in relation to brain cooling in chickens and pigeons

The brain cooling capacity of the altricial pigeon increases during posthatching growth at a higher rate than that of the precocial duck and chicken. To determine if this difference between the altricial and the precocial modes of development can be related to growth rates of the vascular heat exchanger involved in brain cooling (the ophthalmic rete), we performed a morphometric analysis of this structure during the post-hatching maturation of the three species. The number of vascular units in the rete did not change during development but differed significantly among species. The retia continued to grow in length and diameter in an exponential relation with body mass at similar rates in all species. The surface area of the retial arteries, which reflects the area available for countercurrent heat exchange, also increased exponentially with body mass, but without significant differences among the three species. However, the effectiveness of the rete in brain cooling, as indicated by the degree of brain cooling per unit of heat-exchange area in the rete, was higher in the altricial pigeon than in the precocial chicken and duck. It is concluded that the posthatching morphometric changes in the ophthalmic rete (rete ophthalmicum) are important for the development of brain cooling capacity, but cannot solely explain differences in brain cooling between growing altricial and precocial birds. These differences are most likely related to differences in the maturation of the central thermoregulatory control system and the peripheral effector mechanisms among the two groups of birds.     

Insights into the genetic history of Green‐legged Partridgelike fowl: mtDNA and genome‐wide SNP analysis

The Green‐legged Partridgelike (GP) fowl, an old native Polish breed, is characterised by reseda green‐coloured shanks rather than yellow, white, slate or black commonly observed across most domestic breeds of chicken. Here, we investigate the origin, genetic relationships and structure of the GP fowl using mtDNA D‐loop sequencing and genome‐wide SNP analysis. Genome‐wide association analysis between breeds enables us to verify the genetic control of the reseda green shank phenotype, a defining trait for the breed. Two mtDNA D‐loop haplogroups and three autosomal genetic backgrounds are revealed. Significant associations of SNPs on chromosomes GGA24 and GGAZ indicate that the reseda green leg phenotype is associated with recessive alleles linked to the W and Id loci. Our results provide new insights into the genetic history of European chicken, indicating an admixd origin of East European traditional breeds of chicken on the continent, as supported by the presence of the reseda green phenotype and the knowledge that the GP fowl as a breed was developed before the advent of commercial stocks.     

The Rete tibiotarsale and Arteriovenous Association in the Hind Limb of Birds: A Compartive Morphological Study on Counter-current Heat Exchange Systems

Arterio-venous association was investigated in the tibial region of 66 bird species representing 21 orders. An intermingled network of arteries and veins (rete tibiotarsale) was found in all stages of complication, ranging from the most simple with only 3 arteries and 5–7 veins (tinamou and owl) to the most elaborate types with more than 60 arteries and 40 veins (flamingo). As opposed to what has hitherto been believed, elaborate retia are present in many short-legged species, while most of the long-legged wading birds only have retia of a very simple type. Arctic forms of eider ducks were found to possess elaborate retia comparable to those in other ducks. In species lacking the rete tibiotarsale, the single artery and its counter-current veins are forming a venae comitantes system. The number of counter-current veins increases with foot size and in ravens and crows up to 8 veins were surrounding the artery, resembling the pattern described in the fins of whales. In species of gulls and guillemots, the contact surface between the veins and the artery appeared to be higher in arctic forms than in more southerly distributed birds. The findings are discussed in relation to heat economy, foot size, and ecology of the species. Further, theories for the evolution of the different types of heat exchange systems are presented. It is concluded that no single selective factor can explain the evolution and occurrence of the rete tibiotarsale.     

Effect of genetic background on the developmental expression of c-fos and c-myc in chicken

The developmental expression of the protooncogenes, c-fos and c-myc, in muscle and liver of 14-and 19-day embryos and 1-, 6-, 8-and 28-day-old chicks of Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) and Peterson X Arbor Acres commercial broiler (PXAA) was determined. For the three stocks of chicken, significant differences were found in c-fos and c-myc expression. For both muscle and liver, averaged across ages, abundance of c-fos RNA was highest in PXAA and lowest in ACRB with differences significant at the P<0.01 level. c-myc RNA levels were significantly higher (P<0.01) in PXAA than in ACRB or SCWL liver. Taken over the developmental period, expression of c-fos RNA in muscle increased at different rates between breeds from 14-day embryo levels to peak levels in 6- to 8-day-old chicks and declined in 28-day-old chicks. Levels of c-fos were much lower in liver and showed no consistent differences related to developmental stage. A steady decline in c-myc from 14-day embryo levels to 28-day-old chicks was found in both muscle and liver. This decline in c-myc levels generally parallels the decline in relative growth rates which occurs in all breeds over the developmental period. In liver, the fast growing PXAA had the highest levels of c-myc. c-fos, on the other hand, showed elevated levels in PXAA for both muscle and liver and distinctly different patterns between these two tissues over the developmental period, suggesting tissue-specific involvement in growth.     

Summer season induced rhythmic alterations in metabolic activities to adapt to heat stress in three indigenous (Osmanabadi,Malabari and Salem Black) goat breeds

A study was conducted to assess the adaptive capability of three indigenous goat breeds to heat stress. Thirty six 10 months to one-year-old female goats of Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black breeds were randomly divided into six groups, OC (n = 6; Osmanabadi control), OHS (n = 6; Osmanabadi heat stress), MC (n = 6; Malabari control), MHS (n = 6; Malabari heat stress), SBC (n = 6; Salem Black control) and SBHS (n = 6; Salem Black heat stress). Among the metabolic activity controlling hormones, the breed factor significantly (P < 0.05) influenced only plasma triiodothyronine (T3). However, heat stress significantly (P < 0.05) decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in both MHS and SHS groups while significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the plasma T3 in MHS. The rumen metabolites such as acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) showed significant (P < 0.05) variation for both breed and treatment effect. The Salem Black breed did not show any significant variation for most of the rumen metabolites as compared to both Osmanabadi and Malabari breeds for the heat stress treatment. The study indicated the importance of the metabolic alterations in indigenous goat breeds to cope to the seasonal rhythms. The results indicated that on comparative basis, Salem Black breed adapted better to the heat stress challenges.     

Blood Vessels in the Hind Limb of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): Anatomical Evidence for a Sphincteric Action of Shunt Vessels in Connection with the Arterio-venous Heat Exchange System

Midtgård, U. 1980. Blood vessels in the hind limb of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): anatomical evidence for a sphincteric action of shunt vessels in connection with the arterio-venous heat exchange system. (Institute of Comparative Anatomy, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.) — Acta zool. (Stockh.) 61(1): 39–49. The rete tibiotarsale is the main arterio-venous heat exchange system in the hind limb of the Mallard. A large arterial shunt and a venous shunt allow the blood to by-pass the rete. These shunt vessels must be able to constrict so as to direct the blood to the rete when heat conservation is needed. Using ordinary histological methods and the technique of Falck and Hillarp for demonstration of biogenic monoamines, it was shown that the arterial shunt is more muscular and receives a more dense adrenergic innervation than adjacent segments of the same vessel. Perfusion with noradrenaline before fixation revealed that the arterial shunt was able to reduce its lumen to near closure. No structure, in the ordinary sense of a sphincter, was found in the shunt vein but adrenergic nerves were scattered throughout the tunica media at the base of venous valves, suggesting that a sphincteric action at these sites is possible.     

Posthatching development of the rete ophthalmicum in relation to brain temperature of mallard ducks (anas platyrhynchos)

In posthatching mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), brain cooling improves with growth. To determine whether this may be correlated with growth-related changes in morphology of the rete ophthalmicum, we studied the development of this rete in immature mallards from hatching to 29 days of age. We found that the number of arteries and veins was fixed at hatching. The rete continued to grow, however, in length and vessel diameter during body and brain growth. The vascular surface area for heat exchange in the rete therefore also increased with body and brain mass. The increase in retial heat-exchange area was faster than the simultaneous increase in brain mass. The increase in body-to-brain temperature difference (delta T) described previously occurred nearly in direct proportion to heat-exchange area, such that the ratio of delta T to exchange area was nearly constant at about 0.1 degrees C per mm2 during growth. It is concluded that the increase in heat-exchange area of the rete ophthalmicum plays a major role in the development of brain cooling capacity of posthatching ducks.     

The development of thermoregulation in turkey and guinea fowl hatchlings: similarities and differences

The development of thermoregulation was studied in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo, 60.5 g) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris, 33.5 g) from 2 to 24 h after hatching. Thermoregulation was measured at different ages during 1 h of cold exposure (20°C). Final body temperature rose linearly with age in turkeys, but reached a plateau in guinea fowl between 12 and 16 h. At 2 h after hatch final body temperature was highest in guinea fowl, while at 24 h after hatch there was no difference between the species. The development of mass-specific metabolic rate with age resembled the pattern of final body temperature. At 2 h post-hatch mass-specific metabolic rate was highest in guinea fowl; however, at 24 h post-hatch there was no difference between the species. since mass-specific metabolic rate reached a plateau in guinea fowl at 16 h. In turkeys mass-specific dry thermal conductance decreased with age initially, while in guinea fowl it remained stable. Nevertheless, at both 2 and 24 h after hatch mass-specific wet conductance did not differ significantly between the species. In turkeys mass-specific wet conductance increased initially. This increase in mass-specific wet conductance may be due to the rapid onset of feather growth in turkeys. The O₂ consumption per breath doubled during the first 24 h in turkeys but remained stable in guine fowl. This suggests that at least two different developmental patterns of O₂ intake exist within Galliformes. The results show that 2 h post-hatch the thermoregulatory ability was lowest in turkeys, despite their larger body mass. However, at 24 h post-hatch the difference between the species was not significant, because the thermoregulatory ability had increased more in turkeys.Abbreviations B _f breathing frequency - BM body mass - BMR basal metabolic rate - C _D mass-specific dry thermal conductance - C _w mass-specific wet thermal conductance - HI homeothermy index - H _E evaporative heat loss - H _B loss of stored body heat - MR metabolic rate - M _MS mass-specific metabolic rate - RH relative humidity - I _A ambient temperature - T _Bi initial body temperature - T _Bf final body temperature - VO₂ volume oxygen consumed - VCO₂ volume carbon dioxide produced     

西北干旱区河西走廊荒漠绿洲土地覆盖类型与蒸散的关系研究——基于Landsat 8和ZY3数据融合

蒸散是地表水热平衡的重要分量,也是陆地生态过程与水文过程之间的重要纽带,尤其在干旱区地-气相互作用、碳循环、水循环等过程所包含的物质与能量交换中占有极其重要的地位。基于Landsat 8遥感影像和资源三号影像(ZY3)的高分辨率植被信息,利用SEBS模型对西北干旱区河西走廊中段临泽绿洲北部区域地表蒸散量进行了估算,并用绿洲内部和绿洲-荒漠过渡带两个通量塔涡动相关数据对模型进行评估,分析了不同土地覆盖类型对蒸散量空间分布的影响。结果表明:(1)SEBS模型模拟值与实测日蒸散值之间拟合效果较好,且在均一地表时(绿洲农田区)估算精度更高(R~2=0.96,P0.001),RMSE、MAE分别为0.84 mm/d、0.56 mm/d;(2)从季节变化来看蒸散量与作物生长密切相关,夏季灌溉和降雨使得研究区水分充足,植被覆盖度高,蒸散量相应增加,在绿洲地区可达5.95 mm/d,而冬季最小仅为0.52 mm/d;(3)从蒸散量的空间变化来看,水体蒸散值最大,其余依次为农田、防护林、裸地和灌木丛,说明除水体外,随着植被覆盖的增大,蒸散量也逐渐增加。通过ZY3影像的高分辨率植被信息与Landsat 8影像热红外数据融合,提高了SEBS模型对该区域蒸散量的模拟效果,增进了我们对绿洲下垫面与大气间水热交换规律、水文过程、生态-水文相互作用的深入理解。     

The association of haplotypes in IGFBP-3 gene promoter region and tissue expressions in three pig breeds

Bama Xiang pig (BM) and Tibetan mini-pig (TM) are used as experimental animals in China; however, the dwarf molecular mechanisms of these Chinese local pig breeds are unknown. IGFBP-3 affects animal growth, carcass and meat quality. The aim of this study was to identify the polymorphisms in the promoter of the IGFBP-3 and analyse their effect on the IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level in liver and muscle tissues. High-density single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (31) and InDels (5) were detected in the promoter of the IGFBP-3 in the BM, TM and Junmu No. 1 White (JM, control) pig breeds from 114 individuals by re-sequencing. A perfect Linkage disequilibrium consisted of 13 SNPs was observed in the promoter region and 2 main haplotypes were identified, of which the h1 genotype (GCA-ATGTACATAT) was more prevalent in JM breed than in TM or BM breeds (P?h2 (ATGTGCACG--CGC) was the dominant haplotype in TM and BM breeds (P?IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level in liver and muscle tissues of pigs. The IGFBP-3 mRNA expression level was determined higher in the liver and muscle tissues of pigs with h2 genotype as compared to that in pigs with h1 genotype (P?IGFBP-3 gene may serve as useful molecular markers for the body growth traits and the breeding in swine.     

放牧强度对内蒙古荒漠草原土壤有机碳及其空间异质性的影响

放牧是内蒙古荒漠草原主要利用方式之一,研究不同放牧强度下土壤有机碳分布规律对退化草原恢复以及推广精准放牧技术具有重要的指导意义。基于不同放牧强度长期放牧样地（0、0.93、1.82、2.71羊单位hm^-2（a/2）^-1）,采用高样本数量的取样设计并结合地统计学分析方法,研究荒漠草原土壤有机碳及其空间异质性。结果表明：中度放牧会显著降低0-30 cm土层全氮含量（P<0.05）,全磷含量随放牧强度增强出现先降低后升高趋势;放牧样地土壤有机碳含量均显著低于对照样地（P<0.05）,不同放牧强度处理土壤有机碳含量没有显著差异;土壤有机碳密度受放牧影响在0-20 cm土层出现显著下降（P<0.05）,变化趋势同有机碳含量相似,碳氮比在重度放牧区0-10 cm土层显著降低（P<0.05）。土壤有机碳空间异质性和异质性斑块的破碎程度随放牧强度增加而增大;土壤有机碳含量与海拔高度在对照、轻度放牧和中度放牧区均呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,在重度放牧区土壤有机碳含量和海拔无显著相关性;土壤有机碳含量与土壤全氮、全磷含量均呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）。综上所述,放牧降低土壤有机碳含量,提高土壤有机碳空间异质性,土壤有机碳含量的空间变异受海拔和土壤养分含量等因素的共同影响。     

Polymorphisms of caprine <Emphasis Type="Italic">GDF</Emphasis>9 gene and their association with litter size in Jining Grey goats

The exons 1, 2 and flanking region of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene in five randomly selected does of Jining Grey, Boer and Liaoning Cashmere goats were amplified and analyzed. Thirteen nucleotide differences were identified in GDF9 gene between sheep (AF078545) and goats. Four SNPs (G3288A in intron 1, G423A, A959C [Gln320Pro] and G1189A [Val397Ile] in exon 2) were detected in four goat breeds with different prolificacy, in which G3288A was a new SNP in goats. The results showed that loci 3288, 423 and 1189 in Boer goats, loci 3288 and 423 in Guizhou White goats, loci 423 and 1189 in Liaoning Cashmere goats were all in complete linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 1, r ² = 1), respectively. In moderate (Boer goat) and low prolificacy (Liaoning Cashmere goat) breeds, linkage analysis indicated that there were more fervent linkage disequilibrium among loci 3288, 423 and 1189 than high prolificacy (Jining Grey and Guizhou White goats) breeds. For the 959 locus, the genotype distribution showed obvious difference between high prolificacy breeds and moderate or low prolificacy breeds (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The Jining Grey goat does with genotype CC or AC had 0.81 (P < 0.01) or 0.63 (P < 0.01) kids more than those with genotype AA, respectively. The present study preliminarily showed an association between allele C at 959 locus of GDF9 gene and high litter size in Jining Grey goats. These results provide further evidence that the GDF9 gene may be significantly correlated with high prolificacy in goats.     

鸡的血型研究 Ⅹ.我国11个地方鸡种的血型和血浆蛋白质多态分析

对我国11个地方鸡种1087羽鸡群进行了血型和血浆蛋白质多态7个位点22个等位基因的群体遗传学分析。结果表明,血型A、C位点,基因频率各鸡种存在显著差异,B位点则没有显著差异,血型和血浆蛋白质多态位点基因纯合系数普遍较低,血型因子分布在群体中较为分散,表明这些地方品种存在较大的选择潜力。血浆蛋白质多态位点,中国与外国的某些鸡种比较,存在着较大的相同或相异,可能意味着我国和外国鸡种起源上的同缘或品种起源、进化上的多样性。聚类分析表明,这11个地方鸡种可系统聚类成4个类群,其结果与目前人们对这些鸡种的表征分类不尽一致。     

Effects of the MyoG Gene on the Partial Growth Traits in Pigs

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the MyoG gene were tested using PCR-SSCP in different pig breeds including Landrace, Large White, Duroc, Shanxi Black, and Mashen pigs, and the effects of the MyoG gene on the birth weight, the weaning weight, the 6-month body weight, and the backfat thickness were also analyzed. On the basis of the published sequence of the porcine MyoG gene, ten pairs of primers were designed, and one polymorphism was found in the PCR product amplified with In2-3 primers. The results showed that: (1) the Landrace, the Large White, and the Duroc breeds differ significantly (P < 0.05) in genotype distribution from the Shanxi Black and the Mashen breeds; (2) On the basis of the fixed effect model, significant differences were found in the birth weight and the backfat thickness among the different MyoG genotypes, whereas no significant differences existed in the weaning weight and the 6-month body weight; (3) Using least square analysis, it was seen that individuals of the BB genotype had significantly less (P < 0.01) birth weight than those of the AA and AB genotypes, with the order being AA>AB>BB; the pigs of the AA genotype had significantly lower (P < 0.01) backfat thickness than those of the AB and BB genotypes, with the order being AA<AB<BB. These results suggest that the genotype has significant effects on the individual birth weight and the backfat thickness, and that the selection of the A allele is favored with regard to the birth weight and the backfat thickness.     

Global diversity and genetic contributions of chicken populations from African,Asian and European regions

Genetic diversity and population structure of 113 chicken populations from Africa, Asia and Europe were studied using 29 microsatellite markers. Among these, three populations of wild chickens and nine commercial purebreds were used as reference populations for comparison. Compared to commercial lines and chickens sampled from the European region, high mean numbers of alleles and a high degree of heterozygosity were found in Asian and African chickens as well as in Red Junglefowl. Population differentiation (F_ST) was higher among European breeds and commercial lines than among African, Asian and Red Junglefowl populations. Neighbour‐Net genetic clustering and structure analysis revealed two main groups of Asian and north‐west European breeds, whereas African populations overlap with other breeds from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Broilers and brown egg layers were situated between the Asian and north‐west European clusters. structure analysis confirmed a lower degree of population stratification in African and Asian chickens than in European breeds. High genetic differentiation and low genetic contributions to global diversity have been observed for single European breeds. Populations with low genetic variability have also shown a low genetic contribution to a core set of diversity in attaining maximum genetic variation present from the total populations. This may indicate that conservation measures in Europe should pay special attention to preserving as many single chicken breeds as possible to maintain maximum genetic diversity given that higher genetic variations come from differentiation between breeds.     

Study of the differential transcription in liver of growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factors (IGF1, IGF2) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) genes at different postnatal developmental ages in pig breeds

The objective of this study was to determine hepatic expression levels of GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes in young growing gilts at different developmental ages (60–210 days) in five pig breeds: Polish Large White (PLW), Polish Landrace (PL), Pulawska (Pul), Duroc (Dur) and Pietrain (Pie). We studied the differences among pig breeds as well as within each breed for pigs in different developmental ages. Obtained results revealed major differences among breeds in hepatic gene expression of porcine GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes in different developmental ages. The differences among breeds of GHR expression were significantly higher in PLW, PL at the age of 60, 90, 120 days as compared to Pul, Dur and Pie. In turn, the highest level of IGF1R expression was observed in PL at age of 150, 180 and 210 days, whereas in case of IGF1 the highest level was recorded in Pie gilts at the age of 60 and 90 days. Moreover trait associated study revealed highly significant correlations between hepatic expressions of IGF1R and IGF2 genes and carcass composition traits (P < 0.01) The results of study suggest that porcine GHR, IGF1R, IGF1 and IGF2 genes may be potential candidate genes for postnatal growth and carcass composition traits. Therefore, the implementation of the hepatic expression of GH/IGF genes into the pig breeding and gene assisted selection program in different pig breeds should be considered. However, further population wide study is needed to clarify the hepatic expression association with economic traits, such as body growth, meat quality and carcass composition traits.     

Soft Sedentarization: Bedouin Tourist Stations as a Response to Drought in Egypt’s Eastern Desert

Since the late 1990s, there has been a boom in tourism focused on the Khushmaan Ma’aza Bedouin of Egypt's northern Eastern Desert. While entrepreneurship on the part of a Bedouin, along with growing numbers of potential visitors, has fuelled this growth, a natural drought has pushed large numbers of Bedouin into the tourist trade. Almost no rain fell over the Khushmaan homeland between 1997 and 2005. Historically, such severe droughts compelled households to settle permanently along the Nile Valley, or men to take up temporary jobs in Red Sea coastal cities. The response to this drought is unique. Bedouin have clustered not in towns or villages but in a dozen tourist mahattas (stations) in the desert, where tourists visit for a few hours. The station structures are made of reeds, and two other factors make this sedentarization “soft”. Most Bedouin say they would disperse into the desert if rains return. The capricious trade itself could evaporate due to political events in the region. But is also possible that sustained drought combined with tourism impacts could take Khushmaan culture beyond a tipping point, depriving youth of traditional pastoral education and channeling them toward a permanent settled existence.