Genetic differences based on a beef terminal index are reflected in future phenotypic performance differences in commercial beef cattle

The increased demand for animal-derived protein and energy for human consumption will have to be achieved through a combination of improved animal genetic merit and better management strategies. The objective of the present study was to quantify whether differences in genetic merit among animals materialised into phenotypic differences in commercial herds. Carcass phenotypes on 156 864 animals from 7301 finishing herds were used, which included carcass weight (kg), carcass conformation score (scale 1 to 15), carcass fat score (scale 1 to 15) at slaughter as well as carcass price. The price per kilogram and the total carcass value that the producer received for the animal at slaughter was also used. A terminal index, calculated in the national genetic evaluations, was obtained for each animal. The index was based on pedigree index for calving performance, feed intake and carcass traits from the national genetic evaluations. Animals were categorised into four terminal index groups on the basis of genetic merit estimates that were derived before the expression of the phenotypic information by the validation animals. The association between terminal index and phenotypic performance at slaughter was undertaken using mixed models; whether the association differed by gender (i.e. young bulls, steers and heifers) or by early life experiences (animals born in a dairy herd or beef herd) was also investigated. The regression coefficient of phenotypic carcass weight, carcass conformation and carcass fat on their respective estimated breeding values (EBVs) was 0.92 kg, 1.08 units and 0.79 units, respectively, which is close to the expectation of one. Relative to animals in the lowest genetic merit group, animals in the highest genetic merit group had, on average, a 38.7 kg heavier carcass, with 2.21 units greater carcass conformation, and 0.82 units less fat. The superior genetic merit animals were, on average, slaughtered 6 days younger than their inferior genetic merit contemporaries. The superior carcass characteristics of the genetically elite animals materialised in carcasses worth €187 more than those of the lowest genetic merit animals. Although the phenotypic difference in carcass traits of animals divergent in terminal index differed statistically by animal gender and early life experience, the detected interactions were generally biologically small. This study clearly indicates that selection on an appropriate terminal index will produce higher performing animals and this was consistent across all production systems investigated.     

混合甲醛固定液固定大肠癌淋巴结标本的最佳免疫组化效果研究

目的:探讨混合甲醛固定液固定大肠癌淋巴结标本的最佳免疫组化效果。方法:采用不同pH值(6.0、7.0、8.0)的混合甲醛固定液对39枚大肠癌淋巴结标本进行不同时间(6 h、6 h-12 h、1 d-7 d)的固定处理。以细胞角蛋白20(CK20)为目标抗原,运用OIympusdp 70图像采集分析仪抽选出混合甲醛固定液最佳免疫组化染色的pH值及固定时间。结果:经pH值为7.0混合甲醛固定液处理后,阳性率为92.31%,高于经pH值为6.0、8.0的混合甲醛固定液处理后的76.92%、74.36%,且经pH值为7.0、8.0处理后的阳性率比较有统计差异(P0.05)。混合甲醛固定液的固定时间在6 h-12 h时的阳性率为94.87%,高于固定时间为6 h、1 d-7 d处理的30.77%、76.92%(P0.05)。结论:对于大肠癌淋巴结标本,以CK20为目标抗原,选择pH值为7.0的混合甲醛固定液固定6 h-12 h能够得到质量较佳的免疫组化染色效果。     

山西省健康成年人淋巴细胞亚群正常参考值范围

目的:建立山西省健康成人外周血淋巴细胞亚群的正常参考值范围,为机体免疫状态的分析和肿瘤患者的免疫评估提供理论依据。方法:选取山西省1 238例健康成人体检人群,采用流式细胞术测定外周血淋巴细胞亚群的绝对计数和相对计数。结果:确定了健康成人外周血淋巴细胞表达水平,并发现CD3~+T细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4~+T细胞相对计数、CD8~+T细胞相对计数和绝对计数、NK细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD19细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4/CD8比值在不同年龄组间存在显著差异性(P0.05);不同性别之间CD8~+T细胞相对计数、CD4~+T细胞绝对计数和CD19细胞绝对计数无统计学意义,CD3~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞、NK细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4~+T细胞、CD19细胞相对计数均存在显著差异(P0.05)。结论:初步建立了山西省健康成年人外周血淋巴细胞亚群参考值范围,为机体免疫功能的评价和肿瘤免疫治疗、诊断提供了参考依据。     

Life‐history parameters and predation capacity of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on eggs of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

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