贵州黄喉鹀繁殖生态初步观察

2012年和2013年4~8月,在贵州贵定县境内采用定点观察法对黄喉鹀(Emberiza elegans)的繁殖行为进行了初步观察,并测量了雏鸟的体重和体长,第5飞羽、尾长、嘴峰长、跗跖等生长情况,用Logistic方程对体重和体长进行拟合。黄喉鹀常常结成小群活动于山间溪流平缓处的阔叶林间以及山间的草甸和灌丛,极少活动于针叶林带。其种群遇见率为3.13只/km,种群密度为7.82只/km2。繁殖期是4~7月份。共发现17巢,地面巢11个,树上巢6个。营巢期6~8 d(n=9),巢分为外中内3层。巢外径(10.8±0.6)cm×(10.7±0.7)cm,内径(7.2±0.3)cm×(7.0±0.4)cm,巢深(6.1±0.4)cm,巢高(7.4±0.2)cm。卵有褐色斑点,卵重(2.20±0.01)g,卵长径(18.34±0.45)mm,卵短径(15.03±0.05)mm。窝卵数(3.6±0.4)枚(3~6枚)(n=9)。对2巢亲鸟(2♀,2♂)13 d白天坐巢时间统计,雌鸟坐巢时间9.69 h/d,雄鸟3.49 h/d。孵卵期12~14 d(n=8),孵化率84.37%。雏鸟留巢11~12 d(n=6),雏鸟离巢率74.07%。雏鸟的外部器官的生长发育符合雀形目外部器官发育规律。体重和体长生长的Logistic拟合方程分别为W=18.03/1+e3.06-0.27t和L=15.60/1+e1.21-0.17t。     

桑植角蟾Megophrys sangzhiensis Jiang,Ye et Fei,2008形态特征补记(Amphibia,Anura,Megophryidae)

基于新采集的桑植角蟾标本(1只雌性成体、6只雄性成体),本文对桑植角蟾的形态特征进行了补充。新采集到的雄性标本符合桑植角蟾的鉴别特征,在外形上与正模标本总体上一致。雌性个体与雄性差异明显:雌性个体(SVL73.0mm,n=1)明显比雄性个体大(SVL53.0～60.8mm,n=7);背面皮肤明显较雄性红;胸腹部花斑较雄性大而稀少,红色或暗红色;前肢较雄性弱,没有声囔及声囔孔,指无婚刺。卵团发现于溪流石块下,呈不完整的圆圈状,卵团卵粒数为483～542枚(n=2);卵粒乳白色,动植物极颜色差异不明显;卵径3.56mm±0.13mm(n=10)。     

袁河花个体繁殖力研究

对采自江西省袁河的68尾花个体繁殖力及其与生物学指标的关系进行了研究。结果表明,体长在11.0～28.5cm、体重在27.3～418g的个体,绝对繁殖力(F)为540～47477.06粒,相对体长繁殖力(FL)和相对体重繁殖力(FW)分别为31.40～1683.96粒/cm、5.82～249.17粒/g,F、FL与年龄、体长、体重、体长×体重、净体重、卵巢重和成熟系数显著相关,FW与卵巢重和成熟系数显著相关;个体绝对生殖力与各指标逐步回归方程为:F=20062.53+604.307Wg+244.982W-1365.731L-134.223W0-4183.265K(R2=0.935,n=68),经卵径分布频数图初步推断,袁河花为一次产卵鱼。     

张氏(餐)的繁殖生物学特性

文章对赤水河河口段张氏(餐)的繁殖生物学进行了研究.结果表明:5-9月份为其繁殖期;最小性成熟个体为雌性体长77mm,体重5.3g;雄性体长108mm,体重9.4g,均为1龄;繁殖群体性比为1.07:1,由4个年龄组组成,其中2龄个体占绝对优势.性成熟系数3-7月份逐渐增大,然后持续减小,至12月降到全年最小值.卵径(0.75±0.14)mm呈单峰型,绝对繁殖力(11010±7723)粒,相对繁殖力(275.1±138.4)粒/g,每克卵巢卵粒数(3789±1389)粒.该种为单批产卵类型鱼类.绝对繁殖力随着鱼体体长、体重和年龄的增长而增大.     

云南云县黑喉山鹪莺繁殖生态初报

2016年3~9月对云南云县中岭岗村(24°15′42″N,100°02′42″E,平均海拔1 650 m)的黑喉山鹪莺(Prinia atrogularis)繁殖生态进行了研究。研究期间共发现42巢,主要位于杂草丛中(n=37)和灌木丛(茶树)中(n=5),筑巢期一般5~6 d,巢材有蜘蛛丝、苔藓植物、茅草花、茅草叶、铁线莲花、竹根须、枯枝、棕丝、干枯草穗等。巢呈球状,中上部侧方开口,巢重为(8.3±1.7)g,巢长为(13.2±0.9)cm,宽为(8.2±0.5)cm,巢口长(4.9±0.7)cm,巢口宽为(4.0±0.5)cm(n=25)。窝卵数为(3.9±0.4)枚(n=21,3~4枚)。卵的底色为白色、淡绿或者淡粉,遍布褐红色斑点,有的在钝端呈环状。卵重为(1.38±0.09)g,卵长为(17.3±0.7)mm,宽为(12.6±0.3)mm,卵体积为(1.4±0.1)cm3(n=65)。孵卵期(13.9±0.9)d(n=5,13~15 d),育雏期为(13.5±1.3)d(n=4,12~15 d)。利用Logistic曲线拟合雏鸟体重及外部器官增长,雏鸟的体重和嘴峰在5日龄左右增长最快,体长、翼长、跗跖在7日龄增长最快。对繁殖时间和地点较近的28巢进行连续观察,其中有7巢成功、21巢失败。造成繁殖失败的主要原因分别是巢捕食(62%)、亲鸟弃巢(14%)、人为破坏(14%)。     

高体近红鲌的生长与繁殖

高体近红鲌为长江上游的特有鱼类,以2008年5—11月从赤水河赤水市江段采集的540尾高体近红鲌标本为材料,对其生长与繁殖特性进行了研究和分析。结果表明:高体近红鲌鳞片年轮结构呈疏密切割型,年龄特征显著。种群由1—4龄共4个年龄组组成,其中以2龄个体为主。体长分布主要集中在100—160 mm;体重分布主要集中在20.0—50.0 g。总性比为♀∶♂=1.30∶1。体长与鳞径呈直线关系,体长和体重呈幂函数关系且幂指数接近3,基本符合匀速生长类型,体长和体重Von Bertalanffy方程分别为Lt=217.38(1-e-0.2867(t+0.757))和Wt=118.151-e-0.2867(t+0.757)2.8103;生长拐点为2.85龄,拐点对应的体长和体重分别为Lt=140.09 mm,Wt=34.37 g。雌雄初次性成熟年龄均为1龄;繁殖高峰期为6—7月。Ⅳ期雌鱼的绝对繁殖力为950—8655粒,平均值(3087.90±1602.15)粒;体长相对繁殖力FL为10.00—56.20粒/cm,平均值(24.26±10.16)粒/cm;体重相对怀卵量FW为66.08—197.67粒/g,平均值(116.49±32.05)粒/g;卵径频率分布显示高体近红鲌为一次产卵类型。       

叶尔羌高原鳅的年龄、生长与繁殖特征

分析了2008年5月采自新疆克孜河264尾叶尔羌高原鳅(Triplophysa yarkandensis)的年龄结构、生长特征和繁殖力。结果显示,种群年龄由2～11龄组成,其中2～4龄组个体占94.49%。平均体长和体重雌性为(9.39±2.10)cm和(16.55±15.85)g,雄性为(9.17±2.27)cm和(15.38±15.20)g,两者在雌雄群体间差异均不显著(P0.05)。体长和体重关系式为W♀+♂=0.014 0L2.988 9(r=0.975 4),W♀=0.016 7L2.889 5(r=0.980 9),W♂=0.011 7L3.083 1(r=0.975 7)。生长指标和年增重均以4龄组最大,分别为1.86和18.79 g/年。雌雄性比为0.7∶1.0。2龄性即成熟。最小成熟体长和体重雌性为6.2 cm和4.46 g,雄性为4.6 cm和1.67 g。绝对怀卵量为6 136～405 555(平均28 716±42 698)粒,相对怀卵量为672～6 134(平均2 310±1 427)粒/g。卵径呈单峰型分布,推测为不分批产卵类型。依据同年8月采集的19尾幼体日龄推算,其繁殖期为5月下旬至6月下旬。     

西藏浪错兰格湖裸鲤种群繁殖生物学特征

2017年7月至2018年6月,于西藏自治区昂仁县浪错采集兰格湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris chui)307尾,开展种群繁殖生物学研究。结果显示,浪错兰格湖裸鲤在3～5月性成熟系数较高。雌性最小性成熟个体年龄为7龄,体长217mm,体重122.68g,成熟系数为3.92%;雄性最小性成熟个体年龄为6龄,体长198 mm,体重91.93 g,成熟系数为3.34%。其平均成熟卵径为2.18 mm,卵径分布为单峰型。绝对繁殖力为862～8 933粒/尾,平均绝对繁殖力为(2 885±2 765)粒,相对繁殖力为7～43粒/g,平均相对繁殖力为(15±11)粒/g。绝对繁殖力与体长和体重呈显著正相关,相对繁殖力与体长、体重的相关性不显著。繁殖群体性比(♀︰♂)为1︰0.967,符合1︰1比例。     

哈尔滨家燕mandschurica亚种繁殖生态特征

许多鸟种因具有较强的适应性而分布广泛,例如家燕(Hirundo rustica)。在不同纬度地区研究其繁殖生态学特征有助于了解家燕对不同环境的适应。家燕mandschurica亚种在国内仅分布于黑龙江省,且该亚种的繁殖资料少有报道,为此,于2016和2017年每年的4至10月,在哈尔滨对其繁殖生态特征开展研究,并与国内目前已发表的家燕gutturalis亚种繁殖生态特征进行对比。家燕mandschurica亚种4月底或5月初迁来哈尔滨,9月下旬或10月初南迁;窝卵数为4～6枚(n=19);卵长径(18.7±1.4)mm(15.9～22.5 mm)、卵短径(13.0±0.5)mm(12.2～14.2 mm),卵重(1.6±0.1)g(1.3～1.9 g),n=35;孵卵期为(16±2)d(14～18 d,n=19);育雏期为(17±1)d(16～18 d,n=6)。雏鸟的体长、翅长及尾羽长的生长曲线能与Logistic较好地拟合;体重、嘴峰和跗跖在5日龄左右生长最快,体长和翅长在7日龄左右增长最快,雏鸟的生长模式符合能量分配假说。与我国南方的家燕gutturalis亚种相比,在哈尔滨繁殖的mandschurica亚种的卵更小、更轻,二者孵卵期相似,但后者育雏期更短。这或许与不同地区食物丰富度及亲鸟喂食策略有关。     

雅鲁藏布江黑斑原鮡繁殖生物学研究

对2004-2006年采集于雅鲁藏布江拉萨河的190尾黑斑原鮡进行了繁殖生物学研究。雄性最小性成熟(精巢Ⅳ期)个体体长141.7mm,体重45.2g,性体指数1.09%,雌性最小性成熟(卵巢Ⅳ期)个体体长146.8mm,体重66.7g性体指数11.52%,相应年龄均为5龄。初次性成熟年龄(L50):♂,170.1mm相应年龄为7龄;♀,150.2mm,相应年龄5龄。通过组织切片法和GSI的周年变化分析,繁殖时间集中在5-6月,每年繁殖一次,繁殖之后的6-8月卵巢从Ⅵ期回复到Ⅲ期,9月卵巢发育到Ⅳ期越冬。卵径频率分布显示,卵巢发育类型为分批同步型,卵巢中至少存在2批卵径,每年成熟一批卵并同时产出,产卵类型为完全同步产卵。卵黏性,成熟卵卵径在2.04-3.37mm之间,平均(2.83±0.16)mm。对19尾产卵前夕(体长为151.0-210.0mm)的标本进行统计,其绝对繁殖力范围在525-2058粒之间,平均为(1244±346)粒,相对繁殖力为(14.7±5.8)粒/g。绝对繁殖力与体长呈直线正相关,表达式为F=13.624L-1187。       

红瘰疣螈的繁殖生态

红瘰疣螈(Tylototriton shanjing)为国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物,对其繁殖生态尚无系统的研究。2007～2010年在云南省新平县哀牢山对红瘰疣螈形态、繁殖栖息地、求偶和交配行为、产卵及孵化等繁殖特征进行了研究。结果表明,红瘰疣螈雌雄两性在广泛的形态学度量特征上存在着差异;繁殖栖息地主要为稻田和潮湿的沟渠;参与繁殖的雌雄成体性比随繁殖时间的推移而不断变化,繁殖前期和后期雄性比例高,中期雌性比例高。求偶和交配主要在陆地潮湿的水沟中完成,也可在静水中进行。成体产卵活动从5月初持续至6月下旬,呈现出波浪式的产卵进程,个体完成产卵平均时间为(22.2±2.7)h。繁殖前期雌螈产卵于稻田,中后期产于多杂草的田埂草丛和泥壁,平均产卵数(126±18)枚(n=17)。平均孵化期(17.3±0.1)d(n=225),孵化率59.8%(n=79),孵化时幼体平均体长12.7mm(n=6)。     

Ovarian response of prepubertal Murrah heifers to exogenous GnRH

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the ovarian follicular response to GnRH at two dose levels in prepubertal Murrah buffalo heifers during hot-humid months. Heifers received 10μg (Group A, n=7) or 20μg (Group B, n=6) of GnRH during the growing phase of the dominant follicle (DF>6mm), as identified by pretreatment regular ultrasound scanning. A similar dose was repeated approximately 30 days later, again coinciding with another growing DF. Post-treatment ovarian activity was studied by alternate day transrectal ultrasonography until 25 days post-second GnRH. In both groups, three types of response were recorded: formation of a corpus luteum (CL), luteinization of the follicle wall, i.e. luteinized follicle (LF) or no response (NR). Pooled data at GnRH injections revealed that the DF diameter in relation to the type of response in Group A heifers was, NR: 6.83±0.17 (n=3), LF: 8.10±0.67 (n=6) and CL: 8.88±0.96mm (n=5), while respective values in Group B heifers were 8.68±0.44mm (n=4), 9.37±0.46 (n=6) and 8.95±0.55mm (n=2). The pattern of response was more evident in Group A but unpredictable in Group B. Corpora lutea developed in response to both the GnRH injections were short-lived. Mean maximum diameter of LFs in Groups A and B were 16.07±0.99 and 16.58±1.20mm respectively and wave duration of these follicles in both groups was 23.33±1.67 and 25.33±1.12 days, respectively. None of the heifers commenced cyclicity following regression of the CL or LF.     

HICT对超重人群身体成分、心肺功能及代谢指标的影响

为了揭示12周高强度循环训练(high-intensity circuit training, HICT)对于超重肥胖男性的身体组成、心肺功能及代谢症候指标的影响,本研究将23位中年超重男性随机分配至HICT组((45.7±4.0) yrs,(172.1±5.1) cm,(76.6±10.2) kg, n=13)和控制组((47.8±4.8) yrs,(173.5±4.8) cm,(76.6±8.5) kg, n=10)。运动干预前、后分别测量受试者的各项指标。HICT组进行每周6次,为期12周(共72次)的高强度循环训练,即最大努力完成12个动作,运动30 s,休息15 s;控制组则维持日常身体活动。研究显示,相较于控制组,HICT组的体脂肪百分比由(25.1±5.1)%降至(23.2±4.1)%、体脂肪重由(19.5±5.7) kg降至(17.5±4.4) kg;体力指数由63.9±14.1升至72.4±16.9,腰围由(88.2±8.6) cm降至(84.2±8.1) cm、臀围由(99.5±5.1) cm降至(96.7±4.1) cm、收缩压由(136.1±11.8) mmHg降至(120.9±9.4) mmHg、舒张压由(88.9±9.3) mmHg降至(80.6±8.1) mmHg、空腹血糖由(105.9±25.0) mg/d L降至(97.1±22.1) mg/dL、血浆甘油三脂(triglyceride, TG)浓度由(101.5±61.7) mg/dL降至(117.5±50.3) mg/dL、胆固醇(total cholesterol, TC)浓度(161.9±20.0) mg/dL降至(117.5±50.3) mg/dL、高密度脂蛋白(high-density lipoproteincholesterol, HDL-C)浓度由(161.9±20.0) mg/dL升至(148.9±21.8) mg/dL,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C)浓度由(105.1±25.0) mg/dL降至(97.2±23.5) mg/dL,实验前后,HITC组与控制组后测数值具有显著差异(p<0.05)。本研究表明,每周运动时间约60 min,为期12周共72次的高强度循环训练可有效改善中年超重肥胖男性的身体成分、心肺功能和代谢症候指标。     

Effect of different frequencies of creatine supplementation on muscle size and strength in young adults

The purpose was to determine if creatine supplementation, consumed immediately before and immediately after exercise, with different dosing frequency (i.e., 2 or 3 d wk) could enhance the gains in muscle size and strength from resistance training (RT) in young adults. A group of 38 physically active, nonresistance trained university students (21-28 years) was randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups: CR2 (0.15 g·kg creatine during 2 d wk of RT; 3 sets of 10 repetitions; n = 11, 6 men, 5 women), CR3 (0.10 g·kg creatine during 3 d wk of RT; 2 sets of 10 repetitions; n = 11, 6 men, 5 women;), PLA2 (placebo during 2 d wk of RT; n = 8, 5 men, 3 women), and PLA3 (placebo during 3 d wk of RT; n = 8, 4 men, 4 women) for 6 weeks. Before and after training, measurements were taken for muscle thickness of the elbow and knee flexor and extensor muscle groups (ultrasound), 1-repetition maximumleg press and chest press strength, and kidney function (urinary microalbumin). Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that strength and muscle thickness increased in all groups with training (p < 0.05). The CR2 (0.6 ± 0.9 cm or 20%; p < 0.05) and CR3 groups (0.4 ± 0.6 cm or 16.4%; p < 0.05) experienced greater change in muscle thickness of the elbow flexors compared to the PLA2 (0.05 ± 0.5 cm or 2.3%) and PLA3 groups (0.13 ± 0.7 cm or 6.3%). Men supplementing with creatine experienced a greater increase in leg press strength (77.3 ± 51.2 kg or 62%) compared to women on creatine (21.3 ± 10 kg or 34%, p < 0.05). We conclude that creatine supplementation during RT has a small beneficial effect on regional muscle thickness in young adults but that giving the creatine over 3 d wk did not differ from giving the same dose over 2 d wk.     

The effects of creatine monohydrate loading on anaerobic performance and one-repetition maximum strength

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 7 days of supplementation with 20 g·d?1 of creatine monohydrate (CM) on mean power (MP) and peak power (PP) from the Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), body weight (BW), 1-repetition maximum (1RM) bilateral leg extension (LE) strength, and 1RM bench press (BP) strength. This study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Twenty-two men (mean ± SD: age = 22.1 ± 2.0 years; height = 178.0 ± 5.8 cm; body weight [BW] = 77.6 ± 7.6 kg) were randomly assigned to either a supplement (SUPP; n = 10) or placebo (PLAC; n = 12) group. The SUPP group ingested 20 g·d?1 of CM powder for 7 days, whereas the PLAC ingested 20 g·d?1 of maltodextrin powder. Measurements for the PLAC and SUPP groups included BW, PP, and MP from two 30-second WAnTs (separated by 7 minutes), and 1RM strength for LE and BP. Testing was conducted before (PRE) and after (POST) 7 days of ingesting either the supplement or placebo. The results of this study indicated that there was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase from PRE to POST testing in MP for the SUPP group (5.4%) but not for the PLAC group (-0.3%). There were no between-group differences, however, for 1RM LE and 1RM BP strength. Furthermore, there were no changes in PP or BW for either group. The findings of this study indicated that loading with 20 g·d?1 of CM for 7 days increased MP (5.4% increase) from the WAnT, but it had no effect on strength (1RM LE and 1RM BP), PP, or BW.     

Determination of ciprofloxacin in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection: application to a population pharmacokinetics study in children with severe malnutrition

Clinical pharmacokinetic studies of ciprofloxacin require accurate and precise measurement of plasma drug concentrations. We describe a rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC method coupled with fluorescence detection for determination of ciprofloxacin in human plasma. Internal standard (IS; sarafloxacin) was added to plasma aliquots (200 μL) prior to protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Ciprofloxacin and IS were eluted on a Synergi Max-RP analytical column (150 mm×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size) maintained at 40°C. The mobile phase comprised a mixture of aqueous orthophosphoric acid (0.025 M)/methanol/acetonitrile (75/13/12%, v/v/v); the pH was adjusted to 3.0 with triethylamine. A fluorescence detector (excitation/emission wavelength of 278/450 nm) was used. Retention times for ciprofloxacin and IS were approximately 3.6 and 7.0 min, respectively. Calibration curves of ciprofloxacin were linear over the concentration range of 0.02-4 μg/mL, with correlation coefficients (r(2))≥0.998. Intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviations (SD) were <8.0% and accuracy values ranged from 93% to 105% for quality control samples (0.2, 1.8 and 3.6 μg/mL). The mean (SD) extraction recoveries for ciprofloxacin from spiked plasma at 0.08, 1.8 and 3.6 μg/mL were 72.8±12.5% (n=5), 83.5±5.2% and 77.7±2.0%, respectively (n=8 in both cases). The recovery for IS was 94.5±7.9% (n=15). The limits of detection and quantification were 10 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was stable in plasma for at least one month when stored at -15°C to -25°C and -70°C to -90°C. This method was successfully applied to measure plasma ciprofloxacin concentrations in a population pharmacokinetics study of ciprofloxacin in malnourished children.     

Ultrasonographic and endocrine aspects of follicle deviation, and acquisition of ovulatory capacity in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers

The objectives of this study were to determine the interval from ovulation to deviation and the diameter of the dominant (DF) and largest subordinate (SF) follicles at deviation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers. Two methods of evaluation (observed vs. calculated) were used. FSH and LH profiles encompassing follicle deviation (Experiment 1), and the follicular diameter when the DF acquired ovulatory capacity (Experiment 2) were also determined. The time of deviation and the diameter of the DF and the largest SF at deviation did not differ between observed and calculated methods. Overall, follicle deviation occurred 2.6 ± 0.2d (mean ± SEM) after ovulation, and the diameters of the DF and SF at deviation were 7.2 ± 0.2 and 6.4 ± 0.2mm, respectively. No changes in plasma levels of FSH or LH were observed (P=0.32 and P=0.96, respectively). Experiment 2 was conducted in two phases according to the diameter of the DF during the first wave of follicular development at the time of LH challenge (25mg of pLH). In the first phase, follicles ranging from 5.0 to 6.0mm (n=7), 6.1 to 7.0mm (n=11), or 7.1 to 8.0mm (n=9) were used, and in the second phase, follicles ranging from 7.0 to 8.4mm (n=10), 8.5 to 10.0mm (n=10), or 10.1 to 12.0mm (n=9) of diameter were used. After the pLH treatment, the DF was monitored by ultrasonography every 12h for 48h. No ovulations occurred in heifers in the first phase. However, in the second phase, an effect of follicular diameter was observed on ovulation rate [7.0-8.4mm (0.0%, 0/10), 8.5-10.0mm (50.0%, 5/10), and 10.0-12.0mm (55.6%, 5/9)]. In summary, follicle deviation occurred 2.6d after ovulation in buffalo (B. bubalis) heifers, when the diameters of the DF and SF were 7.2 and 6.4mm, respectively. No significant changes in plasma concentrations of FSH or LH were detected. Finally, the acquisition of ovulatory capacity occurred when the DF reached 8.5mm in diameter.     

Effects of the anabolic steroid, boldenone undecylenate, on certain reproductive parameters in bulls

A total of 17 bulls was used to study the effects of boldenone undecylenate on growth and semen characteristics in beef bulls. In trial 1 nine mature mixed-breed beef bulls with satisfactory semen quality were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 5) received boldenone undecylenate (1.1 mg/kg) at 21 d intervals for a total of seven treatments (147 d). Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. Semen was collected from each group by electroejaculation on each treatment day and evaluated according to the standards of the Society for Theriogenology. Although neither the percentage of spermatozoa with primary or secondary morphological abnormalities was different, the ejaculates of Group I bulls contained a higher percentage of abnormal spermatozoa than those in Group II. In trial 2, eight mixed-breed bull calves, average weight 140.4 kg, were maintained under drylot conditions in a single paddock. The bulls were divided into two equal groups. Group I (n = 4) received boldenone undecylenate as in Trial 1. Group II (n = 4) served as untreated controls. The bulls were weighed and the scrotal circumference (SC) was measured every 21 d until it reached 30 cm, at which time semen was collected and evaluated as in Trial 1. Group I bulls had a higher percentage of spermatozoa with primary morphological abnormalities than bulls in Group II. Group I bulls had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than Group II bulls and required 21 d longer for the SC to reach 30 cm. Semen quality for all bulls was satisfactory at each sampling day.     

Biomechanical measurements of torsion-tension coupling in human cadaveric femurs

The mechanical behavior of human femurs has been described in the literature with regard to torsion and tension but only as independent measurements. However, in this study, human femurs were subjected to torsion to determine if a simultaneous axial tensile load was generated. Fresh frozen human femurs (n=25) were harvested and stripped of soft tissue. Each femur was mounted rigidly in a specially designed test jig and remained at a fixed axial length during all experiments. Femurs were subjected to external and internal rotation applied at a constant angulation rate of 0.1 deg/s to a maximum torque of 12?N?m. Applied torque and generated axial tension were monitored simultaneously. Outcome measurements were extracted from torsion-versus-tension graphs. There was a strong relationship between applied torsion and the resulting tension for external rotation tests (torsion/tension ratio=551.7±283.8?mm, R(2)=0.83±0.20, n=25), internal rotation tests (torsion/tension ratio=495.3±233.1?mm, R(2)=0.87±0.17, n=24), left femurs (torsion/tension ratio=542.2±262.4?mm, R(2)=0.88±0.13, n=24), and right femurs (torsion/tension ratio=506.7±260.0?mm, R(2)=0.82±0.22, n=25). No statistically significant differences were found for external versus internal rotation groups or for left versus right femurs when comparing torsion/tension ratios (p=0.85) or R(2) values (p=0.54). A strongly coupled linear relationship between torsion and tension for human femurs was exhibited. This suggests an interplay between these two factors during activities of daily living and injury processes.