光周期变化对山羊褪黑素分泌及免疫和抗氧化功能的影响

光周期可以影响动物体内褪黑素(MLT)的分泌,而MLT能参与机体多种生理功能的调节。本试验旨在研究光周期对山羊MLT分泌、免疫和抗氧化功能及相关基因表达的影响。将18只6月龄雌性绒山羊随机分为3组:对照(CG,自然光周期)组、短光照(SDPP,光照8 h/d,黑暗16 h/d)组和渐减光照(SIPP,光照时间从16 h/d逐渐缩短到8 h/d)组。试验期为60 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,1)在试验第30天,SDPP显著增加了血清MLT含量(P<0.05),在试验第60天,SIPP显著增加了血清MLT含量(P<0.05);2)在试验第30天,SDPP组血清总超氧化物歧化酶(T⁃SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著升高(P<0.05),丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05),而SIPP组上述指标均无显著变化(P>0.05);在试验第60天,SDPP组和SIPP组血清T⁃SOD、GPx和CAT活性均显著升高(P<0.05),MDA含量显著降低(P<0.05);3)在试验第30天,SDPP显著提高了血清免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、白细胞介素-1β(IL⁃1β)和白细胞介素-2(IL⁃2)含量(P<0.05);在试验第60天,SDPP和SIPP均显著提高了血清IgG含量(P<0.05),此外,SDPP显著提高了血清IL⁃1β、IL⁃2和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF⁃α)含量(P<0.05),而SIPP仅显著提高了血清IL⁃1β含量(P<0.05);4)在基因表达方面,在试验第30天,SDPP显著上调了白细胞中SOD1、GPx1、GPx4、CAT、核转录因子2(Nrf2)、IL⁃1β、和IL⁃2基因相对表达量(P<0.05);在试验第60天,SDPP组白细胞中SOD1、CAT、GPx4、IL⁃1β和IL⁃2基因相对表达量显著提高(P<0.05),SIPP组白细胞中SOD1、GPx1、CAT、IL⁃1β和IL⁃2基因相对表达量显著提高(P<0.05)。上述结果表明,持续短光照能分泌更多的MLT,提高山羊的免疫和抗氧化功能。     

Experimental Staphylococcus aureus infection of the mammary gland induces region-specific changes in innate immune gene expression

Staphylococcus aureus is a prolific mastitis-causing bacterium that resides naturally in the environment of the dairy cow. The aim of this study was to profile immune gene expression in tissue from the alveolar, ductal, gland cistern and teat canal regions of the bovine mammary gland following intramammary infection with S. aureus. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to profile expression of innate immune genes including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), cytokines, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and acute phase proteins (APPs). Consistent expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1-10 and NOD-like receptors (NODs) 1-2 was detected in all four tissue regions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL6, IL17A and IL8) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL10) were induced in all 4 tissues. APP (SAA3 and HP) and AMP (DEFB4 and DEFB5) genes showed the greatest induction throughout the mammary gland in response to S. aureus, with particularly high expression in alveolar tissue (SAA3 and HP >133- and >80-fold respectively, P<0.05; DEFB4 and DEFB5 >9- and >27-fold respectively, P<0.05). Collectively, our data show both sentinel and effector immune functions throughout the mammary gland in response to S. aureus challenge.     

Activation of PKCalpha and pulmonary vascular remodelling in broilers

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to examine the presence of protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) in the pulmonary arterioles of broilers during the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodelling. METHOD: One hundred and sixty day-old Avian-2000 broilers were divided equally into a control group and a cold temperature group. All the birds were reared in normal temperatures up to day 14, with the lighting schedule at 24 h per day. Thereafter, birds in the cold temperature group were subjected to low temperature by lowering 1-2 degrees C per day to 12-14 degrees C, and then kept constant until day 49, while birds in the control group were still brooded at normal temperatures. All the birds were fed a diet of pellets throughout the study. Samples of blood were taken from the wing vein, and of heart and lung collected after the birds were killed with an overdose of sodium pentobarbitial, at days 24, 32, 39 and 45 of age, respectively. Right ventricle to total ventricle ratio (RV/TV) and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Vessel wall area to vessel total area ratio (WA/TA) and mean media thickness in pulmonary arterioles (mMTPA) was examined using computer-image analytic software. Expression of PKC in pulmonary muscular arterioles was assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantified by measuring optical density (OD) using computer-image analytic software. RESULTS: The incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) was 12.5% in birds exposed to cold, and 3.75% in the control group (P<0.05). PCV in the cold temperature group was elevated after day 32 (P<0.05), and RV/TV ratio increased on day 45 (P<0.05). Both the WA/TA and mMTPA of birds subjected to cold were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The OD values were not significantly increased before day 32 (P>0.05), however, one week later (at day 39 of age), the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). The increased PKCalpha expression was positively correlated with the values of mMTPA and WA/TA. CONCLUSION: PKCalpha expression was up-regulated during the development of pulmonary hypertension. The activation of PKCalpha might be involved in the development of pulmonary vascular remodelling.     

Serotype and genotype diversity and hatchery transmission of Campylobacter jejuni in commercial poultry flocks.

We investigated the genotype and serotype diversity of Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni in two parent flocks of adult hens and their offspring over two rotations in order to evaluate the role of hatchery mediated transmission and/or vertical transmission of campylobacters in broiler flocks. In total, 314 C. jejuni and 32 C. coli isolates from parent and broiler flocks and from the surroundings of broiler houses were typed by flagellin gene PCR/RFLP (fla-typing), and selected isolates were also typed by serotyping and macrorestriction profiling using PFGE (MRP/PFGE). The combined typing results showed that the broiler flocks could be colonised by 1-3 different Campylobacter clones and parent flocks could be colonised by 2-6 different clones. C. coli was isolated from up to 36% of birds in one parent flock, whereas only C. jejuni was isolated from broiler flocks. C. jejuni clones from different flocks were clearly discriminated by fla-typing as well as by MRP/PFGE, except for a few cases where individual isolates belonging to two different clones were found to have altered fla-types. Similarly, one C. coli clone showed pronounced fla-type variation. The present results lead to the conclusion that vertical transmission or horizontal transmission via the hatchery are not significant transmission routes of C. jejuni to broiler chickens under Danish conditions. In the cases where more than one Campylobacter clone simultaneously colonised flocks, we found that the different clones coexisted in flocks rather than excluding each other.     

PLIN2基因在秦川肉牛皮下脂肪组织中的表达规律及基因多态性与肉质性状的关联分析

试验旨在研究围脂滴蛋白2（PLIN2）基因在秦川肉牛皮下脂肪组织中的表达情况及基因多态性与肉质性状的关联分析。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测PLIN2基因mRNA在不同月龄（6~60月龄）秦川肉牛皮下脂肪组织中的表达情况;选取18~24月龄的健康秦川肉牛536头,采集血样并测定肉质性状指标,研究PLIN2基因单核苷酸多态性（SNP）和氨基酸突变,并与秦川肉牛肉质性状进行关联分析。结果发现,PLIN2基因在秦川肉牛皮下脂肪组织中的表达量呈先上升后下降趋势,18月龄时表达量最高。测序共发现9个SNPs位点,其中g.C7919>T位点不同基因型肌内脂肪含量差异显著（P<0.05）,CT基因型显著高于TT和CC基因型;g.C7933>T位点不同基因型背膘厚及肌内脂肪含量均呈显著差异（P<0.05）,CC和CT基因型个体背膘厚显著高于TT基因型,CT基因型个体肌内脂肪含量显著高于TT和CC基因型;g.G8015>C位点CC基因型个体肌内脂肪含量显著高于GG和GC基因型（P<0.05）;3'UTR区域g.T8496>C位点TC基因型个体肌内脂肪含量显著高于CC和TT基因型（P<0.05）;g.C8578>T位点TT基因型个体背膘厚显著高于CT和CC基因型（P<0.05）。综上,PLIN2基因对秦川肉牛肉质性状发育有一定影响,可作为秦川肉牛现代分子选育的候选参考基因。     

Effect of cytolethal distending toxin of Campylobacter jejuni on adhesion and internalization in cultured cells and in colonization of the chicken gut

Campylobacter jejuni produces cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) that causes host cells to arrest during their cell cycle and that is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diarrhea in humans. To assess the role of CDT in adherence and invasion of different cultured host cells (HeLa and HD-11) and in colonization of the chicken intestine, the genes of C jejuni NCTC11168 encoding the toxin subunits (cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) were inactivated by insertional mutagenesis. No significant difference was found in adhesion of the wild-type C. jejuni and the isogenic mutants to HeLa and HD-11 cells. All of the mutants exhibited a decrease (>10-fold) in the ability to invade HeLa cells, but no significant difference was noticed for HD-11 cells. The ability of mutants to colonize birds either directly or by horizontal transfer was unchanged. These data indicated that although the production of cytotoxin does not play a role in the adherence to either human or avian cells, it may play a role in the invasion, survival, or both of C. jejuni in human cells, which are more susceptible to C. jejuni internalization. The CDT also does not seem to play a role in the colonization of poultry.     

Apo-AI基因多态性与鸡生长和体组成性状的相关研究

以明星肉鸡和丝毛乌骨鸡杂交产生的F2资源群体为试验材料，根据鸡载脂蛋白AI（Apo-AI）基因的5’端序列设计引物，采用测序和PCR—SSCP方法进行SNP检测和基因型分析，探讨Apo-AI基因多态性与鸡生长和体组成性状之间的关系。研究发现在Apo-AI基因序列起始密码子ATG上游163bp处存在一个A／T突变。该突变产生的不同基因型与鸡生长和体组成性状进行的统计分析结果表明，BB基因型个体的1、2周龄体质量显著高于AA和AB基因型个体的相应体质量（P〈0．05）；BB基因型个体腹脂质量显著高于AA基因型个体的腹脂质量（P〈0．05）；BB和AB基因型个体的腹脂率显著高：于AA基因型个体的腹脂率（P〈0．05）。可以尝试将Apo-AI基因应用于鸡生长和腹脂性状的分子标记辅助选择育种方案中。     

Coccidia-induced mucogenesis promotes the onset of necrotic enteritis by supporting Clostridium perfringens growth

This study tested the hypothesis that a host mucogenic response to an intestinal coccidial infection promotes the onset of necrotic enteritis (NE). A chick NE model was used in which birds were inoculated with Eimeria acervulina and E. maxima and subsequently with Clostridium perfringens (EAM/CP). A second group of EAM/CP-infected birds was treated with the ionophore narasin (NAR/EAM/CP). These groups were compared to birds that were either non-infected (NIF), or infected only with E. acervulina and E. maxima (EAM), or C. perfringens (CP). The impact of intestinal coccidial infection and anti-coccidial treatment on host immune responses and microbial community structure were evaluated with histochemical-, cultivation- and molecular-based techniques. Barrier function was compromised in EAM/CP-infected birds as indicated by elevated CFUs for anaerobic bacteria and C. perfringens in the spleen when compared to NIF controls at day 20, with a subsequent increase in intestinal NE lesions and mortality at day 22. These results correlate positively with a host inflammatory response as evidenced by increased ileal interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma RNA expression. Concurrent increases in chicken intestinal mucin RNA expression, and goblet cell number and theca size indicate that EAM/CP induced an intestinal mucogenic response. Correspondingly, the growth of mucolytic bacteria and C. perfringens as well as alpha toxin production was greatest in EAM/CP-infected birds. The ionophore narasin, which directly eliminates coccidia, reduced goblet cell theca size, IL-10 and IFN-gamma expression, the growth of mucolytic bacteria including C. perfringens, coccidial and NE lesions and mortality in birds that were co-infected with coccidia and C. perfringens. Collectively the data support the hypothesis that coccidial infection induces a host mucogenic response providing a growth advantage to C. perfringens, the causative agent of NE.     

The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in gulls in northern Germany

Out of a total of 207 gulls--20 Black headed gulls, 185 Herring gulls and 2 Common gulls--128 (62%) and 23 (11%) birds, respectively, were infected with Campylobacter spp. (C.) and Salmonella spp. C. jejuni was predominant in gulls less than two years old (89%) and C. coli in older birds (75%). Furthermore, the infection rate with Campylobacters was depending on the habitats of the birds. The rate for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, was in gulls from regional garbage dumps 78% and 4%, from the coast 58% and 21%, and from islands 47% and 47% of the isolations in the corresponding area. Salmonellae were mainly isolated in the period from September to February from gulls less than one year old and from birds from the coast.     

Characterization of Campylobacter spp. from wild birds

Bacteria of the genus Campylobacter were isolated from 28 Rooks (Corvus frugilegus), 1 Red Kite (Milvus milvus), 1 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), 1 Coot (Fulica atra), 1 Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and 1 Northern Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Altogether, C. jejuni biovar 1, was isolated 19x, C. jejuni biovar 2 8x and C. coli 5x. Among C. jejuni biovar 1 and 2 there were 5 isolates tolerating a content of 1.5% NaCl in the medium. H2S proof of 3 C. jejuni biovar 2 and 1 C. coli isolates resulted positive or negative dependent on incubation time of the used bacterial inoculum. Concerning Rooks the findings indicate that nestlings are more often infected with campylobacters than older birds. Only 1 campylobacter isolate could be recovered from altogether 54 birds of prey although 16 Buzzards (Buteo buteo) were investigated as nestlings.     

Amikacin-induced Fin Reduction is Mediated by Autophagy

Despite its medical use, little is known about the mechanisms underlying amikacin-induced embryotoxicity, including fin reduction, in zebrafish. In this study, we examined the expression of well-known autophagy markers mTOR (target of rapamycin), atg10 (autophagy-related gene), atg12 and LC3 (mammalian homolog of Atg8) in amikacin-treated zebrafish embryos. Our results indicated that the mRNA expression level of atg12 in the amikacin-treated group was significantly increased by 1.5-fold (p<0.05) compared with the corresponding mock control group, while the expression levels of atg10 and mTOR were significantly decreased by 0.74-fold (p<0.05) and 0.58-fold (p<0.05), respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that LC3 protein expression was induced by amikacin. Taken together, these data suggest that amikacin-induced fin reduction is mediated by fin cell autophagy.     

鸡GDF-5基因外显子1多态性与鸡骨骼发育性状的相关研究

根据GenBank发表的鸡GDF-5基因的mRNA序列设计引物，以白耳鸡和东北农业大学选育的肉鸡高、低腹脂系第8世代鸡群为试验材料，通过测序和PCR-SSCP的方法进行SNP检测和基因型分析，探讨GDF5基因多态性与鸡生长和骨骼发育性状之间的关系。结果发现在GDF-5基因外显子1的84bp处存在1个C／T的突变位点，对该突变位点在研究群体中进行基因型分析，结果产生3种基因型，AA型个体的基因序列和GenBank（Accession No：AF123389）中的一致为C，而BB型个体的基因序列在84bp处突变为T。基因型与鸡体组成性状的统计分析结果表明，AA基因型个体的跖骨围显著高于AB基因型个体（P〈0．05）；AA基因型和AB基因型个体的跖爪重和跖爪率显著高于BB基因型个体（P〈0．05）；AB基因型个体的股骨长和股骨重显著高于BB基因型个体（P＜0．05）；表明该基因对鸡的骨骼性状有较大的影响或与控制骨骼发育性状的主效基因相连锁。     

RNA干扰水牛MTPN基因对颗粒细胞增殖、凋亡及激素分泌的影响

本研究旨在探讨敲低MTPN基因对体外培养水牛颗粒细胞增殖、凋亡及雌激素、孕酮分泌的影响。应用RNAi技术敲低颗粒细胞中MTPN基因的表达水平,通过实时荧光定量PCR方法检测体外培养水牛颗粒细胞中MTPN基因及增殖和周期相关基因的表达情况,CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,借助流式细胞仪检测细胞周期的分布,采用ELISA试剂盒检测细胞培养液中雌激素与孕酮含量。结果显示,经siRNA(si-MTPN)转染颗粒细胞后,MTPN基因相对表达量下降60%(P<0.01);细胞增殖受到显著抑制(P<0.05),G1期细胞数量下降,S期细胞数量上升,G2期细胞数量极显著上升(P<0.01),细胞被阻滞在G2期;增殖与周期相关基因Cyclin D2、Cytochrom C表达量显著上升(P<0.05),Caspase9、Fas基因表达量极显著上升(P<0.01);ELISA检测雌激素和孕酮分泌水平均显著下降(P<0.05)。综上表明,敲低MTPN基因能通过调控相关基因的表达抑制体外培养水牛颗粒细胞的增殖及雌激素、孕酮的分泌水平,为阐明MTPN基因参与家畜卵泡发生的分子机制提供参考。     

Effects of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, or serovar Choleraesuis, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bacillus licheniformis on chemokine and cytokine expression in the swine jejunal epithelial cell line, IPEC-J2

Direct-fed microbials, including Lactobacillus and Bacillus spp., are potential replacements for low dose in-feed antibiotics for swine and other livestock. To understand the function of these microbes in the gut, the current study used pig jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) to evaluate how Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) and Bacillus licheniformis (BL) differed from Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium (ST) or Choleraesuis (SC) in their ability to regulate, stimulate, or modify the proinflammatory mediators, interleukin 8 (IL8), CC chemokine 20 (CCL20), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). To optimize the positive control to drive IL8 secretion by IPEC-J2 cells, cells were treated apically with various concentrations of ST (versus control (CTL)) for 1h, followed by a wash. Media containing gentamicin was added and collected at 6h post-treatment. Compared to CTL, 10(8) ST produced maximal IL8 secretion in both the apical and basolateral directions, with significant basolateral polarization (P<0.0001). We next evaluated the time course of IL8 secretion, and IL8, CCL20, and TNFalpha mRNA expression by IPEC-J2 cells treated apically with 10(8) ST, SC, LR, and BL versus CTL. Media and RNA were collected at 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 h post treatment. Only ST stimulated an increase in IL8 secretion at any time point, with increases in IL8 mRNA at both 3 and 6h (P<0.05). However, BL increased IL8 mRNA at 1.5h (P<0.0001). Neither LR nor SC affected IL8 mRNA expression. CCL20 mRNA was strongly upregulated by ST (P<0.05) and BL (1.5 and 3.0 h; P<0.05), but not LR or SC. Only ST increased TNFalpha mRNA relative to CTL (P<0.05). Two experiments were conducted to determine if pre-exposure of IPEC-J2 cells to LR or BL modified ST induced IL8 secretion. Confluent cells were treated apically overnight with various levels of LR or BL (in separate experiments) followed by ST challenge. Media were collected at 4 (LR experiment) or 5h (BL experiment) post ST. In the LR study, IL8 secretion was increased by ST as compared to CTL (P<0.0001), reduced by LR (P<0.05), and LR+ST co-treatments failed to alter ST stimulated secretion. In the BL experiment, secretion of IL8 was increased by ST (P<0.0001), but blunted basolaterally in BL+ST co-treated wells. The data demonstrate that IPEC-J2 cells increase IL8 secretion in response to ST, and IL8 mRNA in response to ST and BL, but not LR. Furthermore, ST stimulated secretion of IL8 is inhibited basolaterally in the presence of BL.     

Association of growth rate with hormone levels and myogenic gene expression profile in broilers

Background: The growth rate often varies among individual broilers of the same breed under a common management condition. To investigate whether a variation in the growth rate is associated with a difference in hormone levels and myogenic gene expression profile in broilers, a feeding trial was conducted with 10,000 newly hatched Ross 308 chicks in a commercial production facility under standard management. At 38 d of age,30 fast-, 30 medium-, and 30 slow-growing broilers were selected among 600 healthy male individuals. The levels of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), and growth hormone in the serum or breast muscle were assayed by ELISA or RIA kits, and the expression levels of several representative pro-and anti-myogenic genes in the breast muscle were also measured by real-time PCR.Results: Results showed that both absolute and relative weights of the breast muscle were in linear positive correlations with the body weight of broilers(P 0.001). Fast-growing broilers had higher concentrations of IGF-1 than slow-growing broilers(P 0.05) in both the serum and breast muscle. The serum concentration of T3 was significantly higher in fast-growing birds than in slow-growing birds(P 0.05). However, no difference was observed in growth hormone or T4 concentration among three groups of birds. Additionally, a decreased expression of an anti-myogenic gene(myostatin) and increased expressions of pro-myogenic genes such as myogenic differentiation factor 1, myogenin, muscle regulatory factor 4, myogenic factor 5, IGF-1, and myocyte enhancer factor 2B, C, and D were observed in fast-growing broilers(P 0.05), relative to slow-growing broilers.Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggested that the growth rate is linked to the hormone and myogenic gene expression levels in broiler chickens. Some of these parameters such as serum concentrations of IGF-1 and T3 could be employed to breed for enhanced growth.