The effect of age at introduction and number of milk-portions on the behaviour of group housed dairy calves fed by a computer controlled milk feeder

This study is an investigation of the effect of age at introduction (6 days versus 14 days) and number of milk-portions (four milk-portions a day versus eight milk-portions a day) on integration into a large dynamic group of calves, fed by a computer controlled milk feeder. Forty calves (Jerseys, Danish Reds and Holstein-Friesians) were allocated equally to the two age conditions (A6 and A14) and the two milk-portion conditions (M4 and M8) in a 2 × 2 factorial design, according to sex and breed, and introduced into the group in pairs (one A6 and one A14). The behaviour of each pair was video-recorded for 8 h from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 1 h from 1 to 2 a.m. on days 1, 8 and 15 after introduction.

The A6 calves performed less licking and sniffing, changed posture more often and tended to spend less time standing than the A14 calves. In the course of time A14 calves lay closer to other calves than the A6 calves.

The M8 calves, which were offered the same daily milk allowance as the M4 calves stood for a longer time in the milk feeding station and the M8 calves also sucked the empty teat more frequently than the M4 calves. Finally, the M8 calves initiated more social play behaviour than the M4 calves. On the first day after introduction the M8 calves lay closer to other calves than the M4 calves.

The results suggest that calves integrate better into a group when introduced at the age of 14 days than at the age of 6 days. Distributing the milk into eight daily milk-portions, rather than four milk-portions in the first period after introduction, increased milk feeder occupancy, which may facilitate learning to use the milk feeder. Surprisingly, more milk-portions also stimulated play behaviour, which is suggested to be due to M8 calves encountering more calves in the milk feeder area.     

A note on the effect of isolation during testing and length of previous confinement on locomotor behaviour during open-field test in dairy calves

This study investigated firstly if confined calves perform more locomotor behaviour when open-field tested in pairs than when tested individually, and secondly if length of confinement affects the build-up of motivation to perform locomotor behaviour. In the first experiment,14 calves were open-field tested on two successive days either individually or as a pair. Calves walked more and performed more locomotor play when tested in pairs, suggesting that it may be appropriate to avoid isolation when aiming to measure the effects of confinement on locomotor behaviour. In the second experiment, in each of three successive weeks, 24 calves had access to an exercise arena for 45 min daily on three successive days either: (i) the first 3 days, (ii) the third, fourth and fifth day, or (iii) the fourth, fifth and sixth day. On the seventh day the calves were released into the arena for 10 min (open-field test). All calves received all three treatments in a Latin square design. Calves performed more locomotor play, and they trotted more after 3 days without access to the arena than after 1 or 0 days, suggesting that in calves the motivation to perform locomotor play and trotting increases with length of confinement.     

Effect of pretreatment with paste and sauce extract made using Tenebrio molitor larvae on ethanol‐damaged HepG2 cells

In this study, we made koji using protein‐rich Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae, and then used the koji to prepare a paste and a sauce. The TML koji showed the highest amino nitrogen, protease activity, and free amino acids content when it was fermented for 72 h after inoculation with 0.8% A. oryzae. The koji was aged in 20% saltwater for 50 days, and then the paste and sauce were separated. To evaluate the effect of TML paste and sauce on ethanol (EtOH)‐damaged hepatocytes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) were measured in EtOH‐treated HepG2 cells after pretreatment with TML paste and sauce extract. As a result, we confirmed that TML paste and sauce extracts lowered the AST and ALT content in the medium, compared to soybean sauce and paste extracts. TML paste and sauce extract significantly reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6, a biomarker of inflammation, and significantly increased the activity of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in proportion to the amount of TML added to the paste and sauce. These results suggest that the intake of TML paste and sauce, a new type of fermented food made from insects, may provide effective protection to the liver against hepatocyte injury by EtOH via anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects.     

Gender differences in the antinociceptive effect of tramadol,alone or in combination with gabapentin,in mice

Gender difference in the antinociceptive effect of tramadol and gabapentin (alone or in combination) were investigated in mice. For investigation of acute antinociceptive effect, tramadol and gabapentin were administered to mice by intraperitoneal injection and per os, respectively, and antinociceptive activity was measured by the tail-flick test 30 min after drug administration. For investigation of the development of antinociceptive tolerance to analgesics, mice were injected with tramadol (60 mg/kg), alone or in combination with gabapentin (75 mg/kg), twice daily for seven consecutive days and the tail-flicks were tested on experimental days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Results showed there was a lower ED₅₀ value of tramadol antinociception in males than in females, indicating that females were less sensitive to the drug. Gabapentin produces a limited antinociception in both males and females. The combination of gabapentin and tramadol produced synergistic effect without gender difference. Repeated administration of tramadol produced antinociceptive tolerance in both genders. Gabapentin produced synergistic effect in tramadol-tolerant mice and repeated administration of gabapentin did not alter the synergistic effect in tramadol-tolerant mice. Because females show a higher overall prevalence of pain and less sensitivity to opioids, our finding may suggest a clinical significance of combined use of the two drugs.     

Effect of the differentiated or dedifferentiated state of tobacco pith tissue on its behaviour after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes

The ability of Nicotiana tabacum (cv. Wisconsin 38) pith tissue to give rise to transformed roots after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (agropine type strain 1855) has been examined in relation to its state of differentiation. In young plants, all the stem tissues are able to initiate transformed roots while pith of adult plants does not react. Mature pith, composed mostly of polyploid and non-dividing cells, is able to recover susceptibility when placed in vitro on a medium containing auxin and kinetin. The optimal production of transformed roots is obtained after 6–10 days, when proliferating cells redifferentiated cambial-like layers and tracheids. The relationships between the inability of fully differentiated pith to give rise to roots and the underlying cell states are discussed.     

The effects of enhancing cage complexity on the behaviour and welfare of laboratory rats

This experiment was carried out to investigate the long-term effects of enhancing cage complexity on behavioural measures of welfare in laboratory rats. We housed 72 rats in groups of four in either ‘enriched’ or ‘unenriched’ cages for six weeks. Scan and focal animal sampling were conducted in both the light and dark phase of the second, fourth and sixth weeks. Results revealed that rats in the ‘enriched’ cages showed longer durations of sleep behaviour, and low levels of agonistic behaviour compared to rats in the ‘unenriched’ cages. Results importantly demonstrated that the behavioural changes observed in the enriched environment were due to the presence of the enrichments themselves in the cages (indirect effects) and not due merely to rats interacting with the enrichment items in their environment. Thus, enhancing the complexity of conventional laboratory cages can promote behaviour such as longer bouts of sleep that is likely to be indicative of good welfare, and diminish levels of behaviour such as aggression that is likely to lead to poor welfare.     

Effect of implanting bull calves with testosterone propionate, dihydrotestosterone propionate or oestradiol-17 beta prepubertally on the pituitary-testicular axis and on postpubertal social and sexual behaviour.

Twelve non-implanted crossbred bull calves served as controls and 30 crossbred bull calves (10/treatment) were implanted for 82 days, beginning at 34 days of age, to determine the influence of testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) and oestradiol-17 beta (E2) on prepubertal and pubertal pituitary-testicular function and on postpubertal social and sexual behaviour. Compared with control bulls, concentrations of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin concentrations were suppressed (P less than 0.01) in all implanted bulls. Testosterone (T) concentration increased (P less than 0.001) in TP-implanted, but decreased (P less than 0.01) in DHTP and E2 bulls during the implant period. LH response to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) challenge during the implant period (2.5 months of age) was less (P less than 0.01) in TP, E2 and DHTP bulls than in controls. A small but significant T response to GnRH occurred in control bulls at 2.5 months of age. LH and T responses to GnRH challenge at 7 months of age (100 days after implant removal) was similar (P greater than 0.20) in control and implanted bulls. Steroid implants administered prepubertally had no effect (P greater than 0.10) on postpubertal social and sexual behaviours, including number of flehmen responses, abortive mounts, services and competitive order score. Body weight did not differ (P greater than 0.10) between treatment groups, but testis size was reduced (P less than 0.01) during the implant period and up to 10 months of age in treated bulls compared with controls. Testes remained smaller in E2-treated bulls up to the end of the study (23 months of age), but daily sperm production and epididymal weight did not differ (P greater than 0.10) between treatment groups at slaughter. Control bulls reached puberty earlier (P less than 0.01; 270 +/- 11 days of age) than did TP (302 +/- 11 days), DHTP (309 +/- 11 days) or E2 (327 +/- 11 days) bulls. Although puberty was delayed in all implant groups, there was no difference in scrotal circumference at puberty (average 28.4 +/- 0.4 cm) between treatment groups. Our findings indicate that TP, DHTP and E2 implants administered prepubertally result in acute suppression of serum LH, FSH and inhibin during the implant period and in post-implant suppression of testis size and delayed puberty in bulls. The lack of treatment effect on behaviour suggests that steroidal programming of sexual behaviour occurs before 1 month of age in bulls.     

A note on pre-spawning maternal cortisol exposure in farmed Atlantic salmon and its impact on the behaviour of offspring in response to a novel environment

This study was designed to assess whether pre-spawning maternal cortisol administration and an additional stressor, here modelled by mild hyperthermia experienced during incubation, affected the behavioural responses of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) offspring when exposed to a novel environment. Mature females were injected prior to stripping with 0, 50 or 100 mg/kg cortisol. After fertilization the eggs were kept at incubation temperatures of either 8 or 10 °C. Four months after hatching, the fish were introduced to a novel environment, i.e. an aquarium (38 l). In each trial two individuals originating from different exposure groups were video recorded and their activity (number of turns, time spent not swimming, time spent at the bottom) and feeding behaviour were measured. Maternal cortisol increased time spent non-swimming and also time spent at the bottom, while cortisol and temperature together additionally affected number of turns. To the best of our knowledge this study is the first in fish to demonstrate a possible link between the maternal endocrinological state at spawning and the offspring's behavioural reactivity to novel situations.     

耳穴压豆与腕踝针对经皮肾镜取石术后疼痛及睡眠质量影响的比较研究

摘要 目的：探讨腕踝针与耳穴压豆对经皮肾镜取石术（PCNL）后疼痛及睡眠质量的影响。方法：选取2019年8月至2020年5月就诊于我院接受PCNL干预的90例患者为研究对象,按随机数字法将患者随机分为A组（n=45）和B组（n=45）。A组行腕踝针治疗,B组行耳穴压豆治疗,均连续治疗3 d,比较两组视觉模拟疼痛评分（VAS）、术后不良反应、镇痛药物应用情况、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）积分等指标的差异。结果：两组术后1 h、12 h的VAS评分差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,A组术后24 h、48 h、72 h的VAS评分均低于B组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组术后1 h和72 h均未使用曲马多,A组术后12 h、24 h、48 h曲马多应用率低于B组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。A组头晕与呕吐发生率低于B组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,两组恶心发生率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,两组不良反应总体发生率差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组入院时PSQI总积分差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,A组治疗后PSQI总积分高于B组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：相较于耳穴压豆,腕踝针在缓解PCNL术后病人疼痛,降低术后不良反应与镇痛药物应用率方面更具优势。虽然腕踝针对PCNL术后病人睡眠无明显促进作用,但在临床镇痛中更具有效性与安全性。     

Butterflyfish social behaviour,with special reference to the incidence of territoriality: a review

Synopsis Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) are among the best studied of coral reef fishes. Feeding ecology and some aspects of behaviour have been firmly established. However, spacing behaviour remains controversial. Two major studies made in the 1970s concluded that the majority of species were not territorial. We suggest that these and other studies which have concluded that territories are not held have generally suffered from short observation periods, and have not mapped the ranges occupied by individuals. Further, low frequencies of agonistic behaviour have been interpreted as evidence of non-territoriality. By contrast, studies which have proven territoriality have had long observation periods and have mapped ranges. These have shown that territories are usually maintained with very little overt aggression. Spacing behaviour and feeding behaviour are clearly linked, with territoriality common among benthic-feeding species, especially obligate corallivores. Species with broad dietary flexibility tend to have flexible social systems, while plankton feeders are usually gregarious. The widespread occurrence of monogamy in butterflyfishes appears linked to territoriality, the majority of territorial species identified to date occurring predominantly as pairs. Data currently available suggest that this is because pair defence of the territory is more efficient than by individuals. However, several alternative hypotheses for the evolution of monogamy based on spawning constraints and predation risk cannot yet be ruled out.     

Effects of early separation on the dairy cow and calf: 2. Separation at 1 day and 2 weeks after birth

This study investigated the effects of separating dairy calves from their mothers at 1 day (early separation) and 14 days (late separation) after birth. Behavioural observations were conducted on 24 Holstein dairy cow–calf pairs during the first 24 h after separation. Before separation, cow–calf pairs were generally inactive. After separation, cows from the late-separation treatment group showed higher rates of calling, movement and placing the head outside the pen, than cows in the early-separation group. Parity did not influence cow behaviour. During the first 2 weeks after calving, cows in the late-separation group (i.e. still with their calves) yielded less milk at milking, a difference at least partly due to the milk consumed by the calf. Milk yields from days 15–150 did not differ between the two groups. After separation, calves in the late-separation group moved and placed their heads outside the pen more often than early-separation calves. During the first 14 days after birth, late-separation calves gained weight at more than three times the rate of those separated early. When introduced to an unfamiliar calf at 6 weeks of age, calves from the late-separation group showed more intense social behaviour towards the unfamiliar calf than did those calves separated early. Thus, the response to separation by both cows and calves increased when calves were separated at 2 weeks rather than 1 day of age, but calves separated at the later age gained more weight and delayed separation appeared to influence the development of calf social behaviour.     

炙甘草汤加减缓解神经根型颈椎病大鼠疼痛和对炎症反应的影响及机制研究

摘要 目的：探究炙甘草汤加减缓解神经根型颈椎病大鼠疼痛和对炎症反应的影响及机制。方法：采用免疫组织化学对接受炙甘草汤加减治疗的大鼠的脊髓组织神经元、小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞中sPLA2的表达进行检测。使用免疫组织化学法通过测量DNA损伤标记物8-OHG检测氧化应激的程度。结果：与在神经根受压之前进行炙甘草汤加减灌胃可显著减少脊髓炎症以及DRG中的外周氧化损伤（P<0.05）。炙甘草汤加减降低了脊髓中的小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞的激活,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与第7天神经胶质激活减少的同时,脊髓sPLA2的产生亦受到抑制,神经胶质和神经元均减少,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。在疼痛性神经根损伤后,氧化应激标记物8-OHG几乎只存在于脊髓神经元中。在神经创伤前立即进行炙甘草汤加减治疗可防止外周DRG神经元中DNA和RNA中8-OHG增加,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：炙甘草汤加减可以通过减少中枢和外周神经炎症和氧化应激来预防疼痛的发展。     

Determination of catalase-like activity in plants based on the amperometric monitoring of hydrogen peroxide consumption using a carbon paste electrode modified with ruthenium(IV) Oxide

A carbon paste electrode containing ruthenium(IV) oxide as a modifier was tested as an effective hydrogen peroxide amperometric sensor in bulk measurements (hydrodynamic amperometry). Factors that influence its overall analytical perform ance, such as pH and the applied potential, were examined. The RuO2-modified electrode displayed high sensitivity towards hydrogen peroxide, with detection limits as low as 0.02 mm at pH 7.4 and 0.007 mM at pH 9.0. The method was applied for monitoring the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (by catalase) in phosphate buffer of pH 7.4. The relative response of the electrode towards ascorbic acid was assessed and it was found that the selectivity of the RuO2-modified electrode towards hydrogen peroxide over ascorbic acid could be significantly improved by electro-polymerizing m-phenylenediamine on its surface prior to measurements. The RuO2-modified electrode was used for the kinetic (fixed time) determination of catalase activity in the range of 4-40 U/mL (detection limit 1.2 U/mL). The method was applied to the determination of catalase-like activity in various plant materials (recov-ery ranged from 93 to 101%, detection limit 480 U/100 g).     

七氟烷与异丙酚联合瑞芬太尼对脊椎骨折麻醉效果的影响

目的:探讨七氟烷与异丙酚分别联合瑞芬太尼对脊椎骨折患者血清炎症因子及疼痛指数的影响。方法:选取2010年2月至2014年12月期间,我院收治的脊椎骨折患者124例作为研究对象,按照麻醉方法随机分为两组:七氟烷组62例,给予七氟烷联合瑞芬太尼麻醉,异丙酚组62例,采用异丙酚联合瑞芬太尼麻醉。观察比较两组患者临床麻醉效果,包括血清炎症因子变化、出血量、疼痛指数及不良反应等情况并做出评价。结果:两组患者的出血量、血清炎症因子变化比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组镇痛效果均较佳,但异丙酚组的VAS评分优于七氟烷组,苏醒时间更短,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。七氟烷组和异丙酚组患者的总不良反应发生率分别为22.6%和14.5%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:七氟烷与异丙酚分别联合瑞芬太尼对脊椎骨折患者的疼痛均具有较佳的镇痛效果,出血量低,不良反应少,安全性较高,临床应用价值较高。     

Effect of individual or paired housing during post-weaning on feed intake, growth rate and behaviour of lambs

The aim of this study was to compare the behaviour and weight gain of weaned lambs penned either in pairs or alone, with visual and tactile contacts between pens. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted over seven weeks. Forty-eight Dorset lambs (twenty-five females and twenty-three males) were randomly distributed among pens. All pairs were non-twin lambs of the same sex. They were fed haylage (48.9% of DM) and a commercial pelleted feed both provided ad libitum. Weight of lambs was recorded at d0 and then weekly until d49. Consumption of dry matter and average daily gain (ADG) were also recorded. Lamb postures, activities and total bleats were directly observed in the morning and in the afternoon on six different days (d1, d2, d5, d12, d19, d26). On d1, observations were done only in the afternoon. For paired lambs, data were averaged by pen. Lambs penned alone were less active, slept more (P < 0.03) and walked less (P < 0.001) than paired lambs. Total bleats were not affected by housing treatment or sex, but were significantly higher for the first two days (P < 0.0001). Lamb growth performance was unaffected by the type of housing (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in ADG (P < 0.001), total gain (P < 0.001), kg concentrate kg⁻¹ gain (P < 0.05) and final body weight (P < 0.05) in favor of males as compared to females. Our results suggest that a housing system in which individually raised lambs are allowed visual, tactile, and auditive contact with each other, compared to lambs housed in pairs, does not impact negatively on their growth and behaviour.     

胸腔镜肺癌根治术与开胸肺癌根治术对肺癌患者临床疗效的影响及机制

目的:比较胸腔镜肺癌根治术和传统开胸肺癌根治术治疗肺癌的临床疗效并探讨其可能作用机制。方法:选取2011年3月至2015年3月于本院进行肺癌根治术的120例患者为研究对象,随机分为观察组(胸腔镜手术组)60例与对照组(开胸手术组)60例,比较两组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量和引流管留置时间;并比较两组患者术前1 d及术后1 d、3 d、7 d的血清炎症因子和疼痛物质水平的变化。结果:两组患者在手术时间、手术出血量和术后引流等临床指标方面差异无明显统计学意义(P0.05);两组肺癌患者术前1 d的血清炎症因子和疼痛物质水平比较无明显统计学意义(P0.05),而术后1 d、3 d及7 d胸腔镜手术组的细胞炎症因子及疼痛物质血清表达水平均低于对照组(P0.05),血液流变指标较小,存在显著差异(P0.05)。结论:相较于传统开胸根治术,胸腔镜肺癌根治术不仅减少了患者体表创口,亦减小了患者的炎症反应和应激反应,且对血液循环的影响亦较小。     

哈尔滨医科大学附属第二临床医学院风湿免疫科

目的:本研究旨在探讨实施护理干预对类风湿性关节炎患者疼痛的影响。方法:选取我院2010年1月--2011年6月风湿免疫科收治的300例类风湿性关节炎患者为研究对象,将300例患者随机分为两组,对照组与干预组,每组150例患者。对照组实施常规护理措施;干预组在常规护理的基础上,侧重对患者的心理护理及康复指导等。分别于入院时及入院15d对两组患者使用11点疼痛数字等级量表(PI-NRS)对患者的疼痛程度进行评估。结果:患者入院15d后,对两组使用11点疼痛数字等级量表(PI-NRS)对患者的疼痛程度进行评估。统计结果显示,对照组与干预组间存在差异,P<0.05,有统计学意义,即干预组好于对照组。结论:实施护理干预对类风湿性关节炎患者的疼痛治疗有积极明显的作用,有效的心理护理及康复指导可以促进患者的康复。     

Effect of feed restriction on the performance and behaviour of pigs immunologically castrated with Improvac®

For centuries, entire male pigs have been castrated to reduce the risk of boar taint. However, physical castration of pig is increasingly being questioned with regard to animal welfare considerations. Immunization against gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) provides an alternative to physical castration. Using the currently available commercial product (Improvac®; Pfizer Animal Health), a two-dose regimen of a GnRH vaccine is administered. After the second vaccination, a substantial increase in feed consumption has been reported, which may be associated with increased body fatness and decreased feed efficiency when compared with unvaccinated entire male pigs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a feed restriction on these traits and on the behaviour of 120 group-housed entire males (five pigs/pen) vaccinated against GnRH. The first vaccination was performed at 62 days of age and the second (V2) at 130 days of age. Pigs were slaughtered in two batches 4 to 5 weeks after V2. They were either offered feed ad libitum over the 22 to 114 kg BW range (AL treatment) or ad libitum up to a maximum of 2.50 (R2.50 treatment) or 2.75 kg/day per pig (R2.75 treatment). Behavioural observations and skin lesion scoring were conducted 1 week before V2, and 1 and 3 weeks after V2. At slaughter, the volumetric lean meat content was measured using an X-ray computed tomography scanner. Between V2 and slaughter, the average feed intakes for the R2.75 and R2.50 treatments were 15% and 22% lower than the average AL feed intake (3.20 kg/day), respectively. Feed restriction was associated with a reduced average daily gain after V2 (846, 932 and 1061 g/day in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P < 0.01) but had no effect on the feed conversion ratio (3.00 kg feed/kg BW gain on average, P = 0.62). No difference was observed in the lean meat content (71.8%, 70.7% and 70.4% in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P = 0.14), despite a reduced backfat thickness measured in restrictively fed pigs (12.0, 13.0 and 13.6 mm in the R2.50, R2.75 and AL groups, P < 0.01). Higher skin lesion scores were observed 3 weeks after V2 in R2.50 and R2.75 pigs than in the AL ones (scores 33.4, 27.7 and 25.5, respectively, P = 0.04). These results, combined with an unimproved feed efficiency and no marked change in carcass characteristics, suggest that immunologically castrated pigs should not be restrictively fed during the late finishing period.     

Effect of an asynchrony between ovulation and insemination on the results obtained after insemination with fresh or frozen sperm in rabbits

The effects of the introduction of an 8-h asynchrony between ovulation and insemination on litter size components from rabbits were assessed. A total of 202 females belonging to a maternal line were used. Fresh and frozen sperm were used to perform the inseminations. Sperm was frozen with an extender composed of 1.75 M DMSO and 0.05 M sucrose. Four experimental groups were obtained depending on the type of sperm used (fresh or frozen) and on the moment that ovulation had been induced relative to the insemination (at the same time as insemination (t(0)) or 8 h before insemination (t(8))). Laparoscopy was performed on 12th day of pregnancy in pregnant females, and the ovulation rate, normal and total implanted embryos were noted. At kindling, total and live-born rabbits were noted. Results showed that better results were obtained after insemination with fresh semen than with frozen sperm (for females in the group t(0): 79% versus 61% fertility rate, 10.2 versus 6.4 normal implanted embryos and 8.1 versus 5.2 total number born, for fresh and frozen sperm, respectively). On the other hand, after the introduction of an 8-h asynchrony between ovulation and insemination, results were lower for both fresh (50% fertility rate, 7.5 normal implanted embryos and 5.7 total number born for the group of the asynchrony) and frozen sperm (31% fertility rate, 4.6 normal implanted embryos and 3.4 total number born for the group of the asynchrony). Although an approach between the moment of insemination and ovulation is justified when sperm survival could be compromised, results observed after the induction of an 8-h asynchrony were not those expected, perhaps due to the ageing of the oocytes before being fertilised, leading to both lack of fertilisation or early embryonic mortality.     

Effect of infestation with Psoroptes ovis on the nocturnal rubbing and lying behaviour of housed sheep

The relationship between Psoroptes ovis infestation and the nocturnal rubbing and lying behaviour of sheep was examined as part of a longitudinal study of sheep scab. A total of 40 non-infested, scab-na?ve sheep were divided into six groups of between 6 and 20 individuals and each group was subsequently penned with a single infested index case. Multilevel statistical models showed that 75% of the variation in rubbing behaviour could be explained by a combination of three variables: the age of the lesion, the size of the affected area and the time since the introduction of the index case. There were significant differences between sheep in both the baseline level of rubbing activity and the rate at which this behaviour increased over time. Increased rubbing behaviour was associated with reduced total lying times and more interrupted lying behaviour. This work has contributed to our understanding of the role of parasite-induced behavioural changes on welfare and disease transmission.