河南林县鸡、羊、驴的“自发性”肿瘤

林县为食管癌高发区。检查在该地区自然环境中生活的家畜、家禽的肿瘤发生情况,可能为研究食管癌病因提供线索。作者们于1971—1992年检查了林县肉类加工厂宰杀的鸡、羊、驴。1973—1974年又观察了少数从当地群众收购的雌鸡。现将检查结果报告如下。 材料来源和方法 一、材料来源:以林县当地的鸡、羊、驴为检查对象。被检动物的年龄,雄鸡1岁左右,雌鸡3—4岁;羊约在2—3岁之间;驴在20岁左右。在肉类加工厂检查鸡391只,未记录性别。收集当地雌鸡29     

Epizoochory by large herbivores: merging data with models

The dispersal of plant seeds in the fur of large herbivores (epizoochory) is an important but complex long-distance dispersal mechanism. We developed a spatially explicit simulation model of epizoochorous seed dispersal, which was parameterized based on empirical studies of the movement and behaviour of donkeys, and the distribution, seed production, seed accessibility, seed adhesion, and seed retention on donkey fur of selected plant species in a coastal dune nature reserve in Flanders, Belgium. We compared predicted and observed seed numbers of the 14 plant species on donkey fur.

Modelled seed shadows indicate that for most species about half of all seeds dispersed by donkeys should travel a net distance of >100 m, and about 1% should travel >500 m within this more or less isodiametric 100 ha nature reserve. Seeds with longer retention times are expected to travel further than those with short retention times. Enlarging the reserve area had little impact on the forecasted dispersal distances.

Variation among plant species in the observed seed numbers found on donkey fur were well predicted by the model (R²=0.56, P=0.002), though the predictions relied on relatively crude estimates of seed production and accessibility to donkeys, indicating that more accurate estimates of these parameters are needed.

Our model confirms the important role of epizoochory in affecting long-distance seed dispersal, and provides a modelling framework for integrating the multiple components of the dispersal process.     

Clinical,ultrasonographic, and endocrinological studies on donkey pregnancy

Although donkey breeding has gained new interest in the past two decades, knowledge about donkey reproduction is still scarce, particularly on jenny pregnancy. The aim of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic and endocrine profiles of the physiological pregnancy in the jenny. The study was performed on 12 pregnancies of 7 Amiata donkeys from Day 10 after ovulation to delivery. Because three pregnancies, respectively at weeks 42, 44, and 45, were considered pathologic and treated pharmacologically, data collected from 2 weeks before diagnosis to the end of pregnancy were removed from the analysis. Average length of the normal pregnancies was 353.4 ± 13.0 days (range, 339–370 days). Timing, dimensions, and development during the first phases of embryonic growth, evaluated using transrectal ultrasound, were similar to that previously described in jennies and mares: first detection of embryonic vesicle was at 11.8 ± 1.3 days of gestation and diameter was 6.5 ± 1.9 mm, loss of spherical shape occurred at 18.5 ± 1.4 days, and embryo and heart beat were first seen at 22.0 ± 1.1 and 25 ± 1.1 days, respectively. The intrauterine growth in the second half of pregnancy, evaluated using the transrectal and transabdominal approach, also showed strong positive correlations, similar to that reported for the mare. The trends of the combined thickness of the utero-placental unit and the echogenicity of the amniotic and allantoic fluids are examples. The diameters (mm) of fetal chest, eye orbit, and aorta increased throughout pregnancy and were 40.6 ± 2.9, 8.7 ± 1.5, and 3.5 ± 0.7, respectively, at week 13, and 190.9 ± 12.0, 21.4 ± 1.5, and 30.6 ± 1.8 at the last evaluation before parturition. In contrast, heart rate decreased as pregnancy progressed. Regression analyses between these parameters and day of gestation were statistically significant (P < 0.001). All fetuses consistently showed some intrauterine activity. Maternal plasma progestagens and estrone sulfate concentrations followed a pattern similar to that seen in mares, although the prepartal progestagen peak was lower in jennies. This study provides a range of ultrasonographic and endocrine values for normal pregnancy in jennies.     

Blood analysis in newborn donkeys: hematology,biochemistry, and blood gases analysis

The knowledge of reference ranges for hematologic, biochemical, and blood gas parameters in the different species and the influence of breed and age on them is a fundamental tool for the clinician. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the age-related changes of hematologic and biochemical parameters in Martina Franca donkey foals during the first 3 weeks of life and of blood gases during the first 24 hours of age. Fifteen healthy donkey foals were enrolled; blood samples were collected from each foal at 10 minutes after birth, 1 hour after the first and second suckles, 12 and 24 hours after birth, daily from Day 2 to 7, and at Days 10, 14, and 21 of life. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets counts were assessed; also metabolic (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinphospokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total proteins, albumins, cholesterol, and total bilirubin) and electrolytic parameters (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, and Cl) were evaluated. Finally, blood gases and metabolic parameters (pH, pCO₂, pO₂, sO₂, TCO₂, HCO₃, lactate, and base excess) on venous blood were assessed with a portable analyzer. A statistical analysis to evaluate the influence of age and sex was performed. Several differences were found between sampling times, demonstrating that age influences these parameters. Moreover differences were found compared with data reported in literature for donkey foals of another species, horse foals, and adult donkeys. Although a great interindividual variation for some parameters exists, this study demonstrated that interval references should be addressed not only to different species, but also to specific breeds and to the neonatal period.     

Space availability influence laterality in donkeys (Equus asinus)

Cerebral lateralization is the portioning of the cognitive functions between the two cerebral hemispheres. Several factors, like embryological manipulations, light exposure, health conditions, sex and age can influence the left-right brain asymmetries and contribute to increasing the variability in the strength and direction of laterality within most species. We investigated the influence of an environmental constraint, namely space availability, as a new source of variation on laterality in an adult vertebrate model, the donkey. In a baseline condition we tested whether donkeys show a motor lateralization bias at population level, while in an experimental condition we manipulated space availability to verify if a reduction in this parameter could represent a new source of variation in laterality. Results show that donkeys are lateralized at population level with a strong bias to standing with the right forelimb advanced over the left and that a reduction of space availability is an important source of variation in the laterality strength and direction within this species. The comparative analysis of the environmental and developmental factors that give origin to neural and behavioural laterality in animal models will be very important for a better understanding of the evolutionary origin of such multifaceted phenomenon.     

Genetic variation (protein markers and microsatellites) in endangered Catalonian donkeys

Genetic variation of the endangered Catalonian donkey breed (Equus asinus) has been analysed at 19 loci including seven protein loci and 12 microsatellite loci isolated from the domestic horse, in 98 individuals of both sexes. Only four protein markers and three microsatellites were polymorphic. Allele frequencies of the analysed loci showed close agreement with Hardy–Weinberg proportions, with the exception of the MPZ002 locus (P<0.01). The within-population inbreeding estimate was not significantly different from zero (as measured by F_IS-statistic). The cumulative-exclusion probability for all polymorphic loci was 82.9%, this value still being very low so that these markers could efficiently be utilised for verification of parentage.     

马传染性贫血病毒减毒疫苗诱导马外周血单个核细胞白细胞介素12的转录

目的 探讨马传染性贫血病毒(EIAV)驴白细胞减毒疫苗(DLV)免疫马后,外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中白细胞介素12(IL-12)mRNA转录水平与免疫保护应答的关系,揭示DLV的免疫保护机制。方法 应用分子克隆及实时定量反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术,建立马PBMC中IL-12 mRNA转录水平的定量检测方法,在不同时间点定期观察4组(疫苗免疫组、阴性对照组、强毒株阳性对照组和EIAV自然感染组)12匹马PBMC中IL-12 mRNA转录水平及分布特征,同时监测体温变化等指标。疫苗株免疫动物8个月后,用EIAV强毒株攻击,观察攻击前、后IL-12 mRNA转录水平的变化。结果 DLV免疫马在免疫期内,PBMC中IL-12 mRNA转录的量略高于阴性对照组及自然感染组,但免疫后8个月用EIAV强毒株攻击,IL-12 mRNA转录量显著升高,4匹免疫马获得完全保护;强毒株阳性对照组IL-12转录量随疾病进展波动,发热期下降。结论 本研究首次证明EIAV减毒疫苗可诱导马外周血PBMC中IL-12基因高效转录,其转录水平与DLV的免疫保护密切相关。此结果在分子水平为阐明DLV的免疫保护机制提供了新的实验依据。     

Effect of the season on some aspects of the estrous cycle in Martina Franca donkey

The Martina Franca (MF) donkey breed, with 48 jackasses and 515 jennies, is considered an endangered breed according to the data from the Monitoring Institute for Rare Breeds and Seeds in Europe. The knowledge of the estrous cycle characteristics has a great impact for assisted reproduction, especially in endangered species. In this study, the estrous cycle characteristics were investigated in 12 MF jennies throughout the year. Estrous cycle, estrous and diestrous lengths, follicular growth and ovulation, and estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) plasma concentrations were monitored in MF jennies and compared in different seasons. In all jennies (100%) estrous cycle was detected during the whole year, with no differences in the estrous cycle length among seasons. However, a significant increase of estrous length in spring and summer compared with autumn and winter was found. Diestrus was shorter in summer than in the other seasons. Estrous behavior was always shown and characterized by rhythmic eversion of the vulvar labia (winking) with exhibition of the clitoris, urination, male receptivity and clapping, with sialorrhoea, neck and head extension, and back ears. Estrus was characterized by the ovulation of a larger follicle in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The pattern of E2 and P4 plasma concentrations during the estrous cycle were similar to that reported for the mare, but without differences among the four seasons, so that a negligible effect of environmental conditions on ovarian E2 and P4 secretion was hypothesized, despite the larger diameter of the ovulating follicle in spring and summer.     

Genomic analyses reveal distinct genetic architectures and selective pressures in Chinese donkeys

Donkey (Equus asinus) is an important livestock animal in China because of its draft and medicinal value. After a long period of natural and artificial selection, the variety and phenotype of donkeys have become abundant. We clarified the genetic and demographic characteristics of Chinese domestic donkeys and the selection pressures by analyzing 78 whole genomes from 12 breeds. According to population structure, most Chinese domestic donkeys showed a dominant ancestral type. However, the Chinese donkeys still represented a significant geographical distribution trend. In the selective sweep, gene annotation, functional enrichment, and differential expression analyses between large and small donkey groups, we identified selective signals, including NCAPG and LCORL, which are related to rapid growth and large body size. Our findings elucidate the evolutionary history and formation of different donkey breeds and provide theoretical insights into the genetic mechanism underlying breed characteristics and molecular breeding programs of donkey clades.