肉种鸡饲粮添加肌苷酸对生长后期子代肉鸡生长性能及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究肉种鸡饲粮中添加不同水平肌苷酸(IMP)对生长后期(22~42日龄)子代生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。试验选取遗传背景相同、体重相近的20周龄健康爱拔益加(Arbor Acres)肉种鸡480只,随机分为4组,Ⅰ组(基础日粮)、Ⅱ组(基础日粮+0.2%肌苷酸)、Ⅲ组(基础日粮+0.5%肌苷酸)和Ⅳ组(基础日粮+1%肌苷酸)。子代肉鸡根据肉种鸡饲粮中肌苷酸添加情况相应分为Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组,每组6个重复,每个重复80只,子代肉鸡仅饲喂基础日粮,试验期为子代肉鸡22~42日龄。结果显示:与Ⅰ组相比,22~42日龄子代肉鸡各组生长性能无显著差异(P>0.05);在子代肉鸡42日龄时,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组、Ⅳ组子代肉鸡血清中总蛋白(TP)的含量显著提高(P<0.05);与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组血清中低密度脂蛋白(LDL-c)含量显著提高(P<0.05);与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组、Ⅳ组血清中甘油三酯(TG)含量显著降低(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,肉种鸡饲粮中添加肌苷酸对子代生长性能无显著影响,但饲粮中添加0.2%肌苷酸可显著提高生长后期子代血清中TP的含量,降低TG的含量,添加0.5%和1%肌苷酸可显著提高生长后期子代血清中LDL-c含量,且添加1%肌苷酸可显著提高TP含量。     

种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质及相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸(IMP)对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质及相关基因表达的影响。选取遗传背景相同、体重相近、产蛋率达到5%的20周龄健康爱拔益加(AA)种鸡864羽,随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复72羽。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加0.5%肌苷酸,试验期30 d。试验结束前1周,母鸡产蛋率到达高峰期,连续收集7 d种蛋,共3 700枚种蛋孵化,孵化结束后,依据母代分组情况,选取孵化所得1日龄健康子代肉仔鸡3 000羽,分成4组,分别记为II(母代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸,子代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸)、IN(母代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸,子代饲喂基础饲粮)、NI(母代饲喂基础饲粮,子代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸)和NN组(母代饲喂基础饲粮,子代饲喂基础饲粮),每组6个重复,每个重复125羽。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡的平均日增重、平均日采食量和料重比均无显著差异(P0.05)。2)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡胸肌率和腿肌率均无显著差异(P0.05);II组腹脂率显著高于NI组(P0.05)。3)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡胸肌、腿肌的红度(a*)和黄度(b*)值均无显著差异(P0.05),II组胸肌的亮度(L*)值显著降低(P0.05);IN和NI组胸肌和腿肌pH45 min显著提高(P0.05),IN和NI组胸肌pH24 h显著提高(P0.05),II、IN和NI组腿肌pH24 h显著升高(P0.05)。4)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组21和42日龄胸肌和腿肌的谷氨酰胺磷酸核糖焦磷酸酰胺转移酶(GPAT)基因相对表达量没有显著差异(P0.05),21日龄NI组胸肌和IN组腿肌的腺苷琥珀酸裂解酶(ADSL)基因相对表达量显著提高(P0.05),42日龄II和IN组胸肌的ADSL基因相对表达量显著提高(P0.05)。以上结果提示,种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能无显著影响;能够提高肌肉pH,降低胸肌L*值,提高胸肌ADSL基因表达量,在一定程度上能够提高子代肉仔鸡肉品质。     

母鸡饲粮添加肌苷酸对种蛋品质、1～21日龄子代肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究母鸡饲粮中添加不同水平肌苷酸(IMP)对种蛋品质、1~21日龄子代肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。选取20周龄健康爱拔益加(Arbor Acres)肉鸡480只,随机分为对照组(基础饲粮)、Ⅰ组(基础饲粮+0.2%肌苷酸)、Ⅱ组(基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸)和Ⅲ组(基础饲粮+1.0%肌苷酸)。出壳后的子代肉鸡随机选取480只,根据其母鸡饲粮中肌苷酸添加情况相应分为对照组、Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组,每组6个重复,每个重复20只鸡。试验期21 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,各试验组32周龄末母鸡的种蛋品质指标、1~21日龄子代肉鸡的生长性能指标和血清蛋白质代谢及酶活性相关指标均无显著差异(P0.05)。与对照组相比,Ⅲ组21日龄子代肉鸡的血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HLD-C)含量显著升高(P0.05),各试验组的血清总胆固醇(T-CHO)、甘油三酯(TG)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量无显著差异(P0.05)。与对照组相比,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组21日龄子代肉鸡的血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T_3)含量显著升高(P0.05),Ⅱ组的血清甲状腺素(T4)和胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)含量显著升高(P0.05),各试验组的血清生长激素(GH)含量无显著差异(P0.05)。与对照组相比,Ⅲ组21日龄子代肉鸡的血清免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)、白细胞介素2(IL-2)和白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量有上升趋势(P0.05)。以上结果表明,母鸡饲粮添加肌苷酸增强了子代肉鸡体内的脂质代谢,提高了子代肉鸡血清生长与免疫相关激素水平和免疫因子含量;综合种蛋品质、生长性能及血清生化指标,母鸡饲粮添加0.5%~1.0%肌苷酸效果最佳。     

L-精氨酸对肉种鸡产蛋后期生产性能以及肉种鸡、鸡蛋和后代鸡的抗氧化能力的影响

本试验主要研究L-精氨酸对肉种鸡生产性能以及肉种鸡、蛋黄和一日龄后代鸡的抗氧化能力的影响。试验期为9周,210只60周龄的AA健康肉种母鸡随机分为5个处理组,每个处理组6个重复,每个重复7只鸡。试验基础饲粮为玉米豆粕型饲粮,5个处理组在基础日粮中分别添加0.96%,1.16%,1.36%,1.56%和1.76%可消化氨基酸。检测肉种鸡生产性能以及肉种鸡、蛋黄和一日龄后代鸡的抗氧化能力。结果显示,饲粮中可消化精氨酸的水平对肉种鸡产蛋率有显著的影响(线性和二次方效应,P0.0001)。饲粮中添加1.36%精氨酸,肉种鸡的产蛋率最高。饲粮中可消化精氨酸的水平对肉种鸡血清、蛋黄和一日龄后代鸡肝脏和胸肌重的T-AOC水平和MDA浓度有显著影响(线性和二次方效应,P0.05)。饲粮中添加1.36%精氨酸,肉种鸡所有组织的T-AOC水平最高并且MDA的浓度最低。各个处理组间肉种鸡血清中GSH-PX活性无显著差异。饲粮中可消化精氨酸的水平对蛋黄(线性效应,P0.01;二次方效应,P0.05)和一日龄后代鸡的肝脏和胸肌的GSH-PX活性(线性和二次方效应,P≤0.01)有显著影响。饲粮中添加1.36%精氨酸,肉种鸡所有组织的GSH-PX活性最高。根据这些结果得出,饲粮中添加1.36%精氨酸(1,972 mg/d)是产蛋后期最适宜的精氨酸添加水平。     

不同能量水平饲粮中添加白酒糟酵母培养物对肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体组成和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在探究不同能量水平饲粮中添加白酒糟酵母培养物对肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体组成和血清生化指标的影响。选用350只1日龄爱拔益加健康公雏,随机分为5个组,分别为:Ⅰ组(基础饲粮,对照组)、Ⅱ组(基础饲粮+0.5%白酒糟酵母培养物)、Ⅲ组(基础饲粮+1.0%白酒糟酵母培养物)、Ⅳ组(基础饲粮降低0.21 MJ/kg代谢能+0.5%白酒糟酵母培养物)和Ⅴ组(基础饲粮降低0.42 MJ/kg代谢能+1.0%白酒糟酵母培养物),每组7个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验期42 d。结果显示:1)21日龄肉仔鸡平均体重以对照组最低,其他各组略有升高,Ⅲ组升高趋势明显(P0.10)。与对照组相比,Ⅱ组和Ⅳ组肉仔鸡22~42日龄料重比有所改善(P0.10),Ⅱ组料重比在1~42日龄低于对照组(P0.05)。2)与对照组比,Ⅳ组肉仔鸡21日龄腹脂率显著降低(P0.05),Ⅴ组肉仔鸡腹脂率在21日龄和42日龄有降低的趋势(P0.05)。3)饲粮添加白酒糟酵母培养物对肉仔鸡血清总蛋白、白蛋白、尿酸、肌酐、钙和磷含量影响均不显著(P0.05)。4)21日龄时,对照组肉仔鸡血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性最低,且显著低于Ⅱ组和Ⅳ组(P0.05);各试验组肉仔鸡血清超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05),Ⅱ组和Ⅳ组肉仔鸡血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著高于对照组(P0.05)。42日龄时,各试验组肉仔鸡血清T-AOC均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。综上,不同能量水平饲粮中添加0.05%~0.10%白酒糟酵母培养物可提高肉仔鸡体增重,改善料重比,降低腹脂率,提高血清抗氧化能力。     

维生素 A对罗斯308×海兰褐肉杂鸡生长性能、钙磷代谢和免疫功能的影响

本试验研究了维生素A对肉杂鸡生长性能、钙磷代谢和免疫功能的影响,旨在为肉杂鸡饲粮中合理添加维生素A提供依据。选取1日龄罗斯308×海兰褐肉杂鸡720只,随机分为6组(每组6个重复,每个重复20只),分别饲喂在玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮中添加1 000、2 000、6 000、10 000、14 000和18 000 IU/kg维生素A的饲粮,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)18 000 IU/kg维生素A添加组肉杂鸡21日龄体重显著高于1 000、2 000和6 000 IU/kg维生素A添加组(P0.05),与10 000和14 000 IU/kg维生素A添加组差异不显著(P0.05),并且14和21日龄肉杂鸡体重及1～21日龄耗料量与饲粮维生素A添加量呈显著正相关关系(P0.05)。各组肉杂鸡22～42日龄耗料量和料重比、42日龄体重和1～42日龄存活率无显著差异(P0.05)。2) 21和42日龄肉杂鸡肝脏、脾脏和法氏囊指数组间无显著差异(P0.05)。6 000 IU/kg维生素A添加组肉杂鸡21和42日龄血清新城疫抗体效价显著高于1 000和2 000 IU/kg维生素A添加组(P0.05),并且血清新城疫抗体与饲粮维生素A添加量有显著二次曲线回归关系(P0.05),维生素A添加量为12 000 IU/kg时效价最高。肉杂鸡血清禽流感H9抗体效价随饲粮维生素A添加量的增加有增加趋势(0.05≤P0.10),血清法氏囊病毒抗体效价则没有显著变化(P0.05)。3)各组肉杂鸡21和42日龄血清钙、磷含量、血清碱性磷酸酶活性和胫骨灰分含量差异均不显著(P0.05)。由此可见,提高饲粮维生素A水平一定程度上可提高肉杂鸡血清新城疫和禽流感H9抗体效价以及21日龄生长性能,但对肉杂鸡骨骼代谢和42日龄生长性能没有显著影响。综合考虑各项指标,认为1～21日龄和22～42日龄玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮中分别添加6 000和1 000 IU/kg维生素A可满足肉杂鸡获得良好的生长性能、免疫状况和骨骼发育的需要。     

白酒糟酵母培养物对肉仔鸡生长性能、血清抗氧化指标和肠道形态结构的影响

本试验旨在研究白酒糟酵母培养物(DGYC)对肉仔鸡生长性能、血清抗氧化指标和肠道形态结构的影响,以确定肉仔鸡饲粮中DGYC的适宜添加水平。选取525只1日龄健康的爱拔益加肉仔鸡公雏,随机分为5个组,每组7个重复,每个重复15只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮基础上分别添加0.25%、0.50%、1.00%和2.00%的DGYC。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮添加1.00%DGYC提高了肉仔鸡生长后期(22～42日龄)平均日增重(0.05≤P<0.10),显著降低了料重比(P<0.05),且均随DGYC添加水平提高呈二次曲线变化(P<0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮添加0.25%DGYC显著降低了肉仔鸡21日龄腹脂率(P<0.05),显著提高了42日龄腿肌率(P<0.05);饲粮添加0.50%和1.00%DGYC有降低肉仔鸡42日龄胸肌滴水损失的趋势(0.05≤P<0.10)。3)饲粮添加DGYC线性提高了肉仔鸡21和42日龄血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P<0.05);饲粮添加DGYC二次性提高了肉仔鸡21日龄血清GSH-Px活性以及42日龄血清SOD活性和T-AOC (P<0.05)。与对照组相比,饲粮添加1.00%DGYC显著提高了肉仔鸡21日龄血清GSH-Px活性(P<0.05);饲粮添加0.50%、1.00%和2.00%DGYC显著提高了肉仔鸡21日龄血清SOD活性(P<0.05),显著提高了肉仔鸡21和42日龄血清T-AOC(P<0.05);饲粮添加0.50%和1.00%DGYC显著提高了肉仔鸡42日龄血清SOD活性(P<0.05)。4) 1.00%DGYC添加组肉仔鸡21日龄空肠绒毛高度和42日龄绒毛高度/隐窝深度(V/C)显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且均随DGYC添加水平提高呈二次性升高(P <0.05)。5)肉仔鸡生长性能、血清抗氧化指标和空肠形态结构随DGYC添加水平升高存在二次曲线效应。二次曲线拟合结果表明,DGYC添加水平为0.9%～1.1%时,空肠形态结构最佳;添加水平为1.1%～1.2%时,生长性能和血清抗氧化能力最佳。由此可见,饲粮添加DGYC能提高肉仔鸡血清抗氧化能力,改善空肠黏膜形态结构,从而改善生长性能。以肉仔鸡生长性能、血清抗氧化指标和肠黏膜形态结构为判断指标,推荐肉仔鸡基础饲粮中DGYC添加水平为0.9%～1.2%。     

饲粮不同硒水平对22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化指标的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮不同硒水平对22~42日龄黄羽肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化指标的影响,从而确定快大型黄羽肉鸡饲养中期的最适硒水平。选用22日龄健康、发育良好的快大型岭南黄羽肉公雏鸡1 200只,根据体重随机分为5个组,每组6个重复,每个重复40只,试验组1(对照组)为基础日粮组(硒含量0.037 mg/kg),试验组2、3、4、5饲粮则在基础日粮中分别添加0.075、0.15、0.225、0.30 mg/kg硒,试验期为21 d。结果表明:饲粮添加不同水平硒对试验鸡生长性能无显著影响(P0.05);各硒添加组血浆、红细胞和肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力显著高于对照组(P0.05),饲粮添加不同水平硒对试验鸡血浆和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量无显著影响(P0.05)。综合考虑,22~42日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮硒适宜水平为0.337 mg/kg。     

肉种鸡产蛋中期饲喂不同能量水平饲粮对子代生长性能和肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究爱拔益加(AA)肉种鸡产蛋中期(40～42周龄)饲喂不同能量水平饲粮对子代生长性能和肉品质的影响。试验采用单因子试验设计,选用20周龄体重相近的AA肉种母鸡300羽,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复20羽。当产蛋率达到5%时开始正式试验,对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,高能组、低能组饲粮能量水平分别为对照组的120%和80%,各组均限饲且饲喂量相同。子代选用孵化后的1日龄公雏300只,试验分组与母代相同。子代饲喂正常能量水平饲粮,自由采食、饮水,试验期为49 d。结果表明:1)和对照组相比,高能组显著降低了子代的初生重,1～28日龄、1～49日龄的平均日采食量,28日龄腿肌的粗蛋白质含量和胸肌剪切力以及49日龄胸肌和腿肌的亮度值(P<0.05);显著提高了子代28、49日龄胸肌和腿肌的粗脂肪含量和滴水损失(P<0.05)。2)和对照组相比,低能组显著降低了子代的初生重(P<0.05),显著提高了子代1～49日龄的平均日采食量和平均日增重(P<0.05);显著提高了子代28日龄胸肌的粗脂肪含量(P<0.05);显著降低了子代28日龄胸肌和腿肌的剪切力、49日龄腿肌的滴水损失(P<0.05);显著提高了子代49日龄腿肌的亮度和红度值以及28日龄腿肌、49日龄胸肌和腿肌的黄度值(P<0.05)。结果提示,相比高能组和对照组,低能组更有利于提高子代生长性能,改善子代的肌肉品质。     

低蛋白质饲粮中添加半胱氨酸对肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体组成、血清生化指标及氮代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究低蛋白质(LP)饲粮中添加半胱氨酸(Cys)对肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体组成、血清生化指标及氮代谢的影响,以确定肉仔鸡LP饲粮中Cys的适宜添加水平。选取432只1日龄、体重相近的健康爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡公雏,随机分为6个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。正对照(PC)组饲喂基础饲粮[前期(1～21日龄)和后期(22～42日龄)蛋白质水平分别为22%和20%],负对照(NC)组的蛋白质水平在PC组的基础上降低4.5个百分点(前期和后期蛋白质水平分别为17.5%和15.5%),Cys组在NC组的基础上分别添加0.05%、0.10%、0.15%和0.20%的Cys。各组前期和后期总含硫氨基酸水平分别为0.83%和0.79%。试验期42 d,分为前期和后期2个阶段。结果表明:1)饲粮蛋白质水平降低4.5个百分点,21和42日龄肉仔鸡的平均体重(ABW)、各生长阶段的平均日增重(ADG)和平均日采食量(ADFI)均显著降低(P0.05),试验前期的料重比(F/G)显著提高(P0.05);添加0.10%和0.15%Cys后,21和42日龄的ABW、试验后期和试验全期的ADG和ADFI均显著提高(P0.05),且均随Cys添加水平的提高呈线性和二次提高(P0.05),试验前期的F/G显著降低(P0.05),达到了与PC组相似的生长性能。2)饲粮添加Cys未见显著影响42日龄肉仔鸡的全净膛率(EP)和腿肌率(LMP)(P0.05),但有提高LMP的趋势(0.05≤P0.10);饲粮添加Cys线性和二次降低胸肌率(BMP)(P0.05),腹脂率(AFP)显著提高(P0.05)。3)饲粮添加Cys对21和42日龄肉仔鸡的血清生化指标无显著影响(P0.05)。4)饲粮添加Cys显著降低19～21日龄和40～42日龄肉仔鸡的氮摄入量、氮排泄量和氮存留量(P0.05),显著提高19～21日龄的氮存留率(P0.05)。5)二次曲线拟合结果表明,LP饲粮中Cys添加水平为0.13%～0.17%时,生长性能和氮代谢最佳。综上所述,LP饲粮中添加0.15%Cys能改善肉仔鸡的体增重、采食量和F/G,提高氮存留率;以生长性能和氮代谢为判断指标,推荐肉仔鸡LP饲粮中Cys的适宜添加水平为0.13%～0.17%(Cys占总含硫氨基酸的比例为45%～49%)。     

Plasma growth hormone concentrations during growth in turkeys

1. The concentrations of circulating GH were low in 1‐week‐old birds (male plasma pool 30 ng/ml, female 32 ng/ml), reached a maximum at 7 weeks in male birds (142 ± 26 SEM ng/ml) or 4 weeks in females (185 ± 32 ng/ml) and then decreased to 17.3 ± 2–8 ng/ml in males and 8?7 ± 0–6 ng/ml in females at 17 weeks.

2. Significant inverse correlations between GH concentration and age or body weight were found (male, r = —0–693), female, r = —0–623).

3. In males, but not females, the weekly increase in body weight was correlated with the plasma GH concentration (r = 0–291).     

Regulation of in vitro growth of preantral follicles by growth factors in goats

Goat preantral follicles were cultured to investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the in vitro growth and viability of oocytes. Preantral follicles were isolated mechanically and enzymatically (using collagenase and DNase) from prepuberal goat ovaries. The working medium was composed of Defined Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (DMEM) supplemented with HEPES (20 mM), 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), hypoxanthine (2 mM), dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dbcAMP) (2 mM), penicillin (75 ng/ml) and streptomycin (50 ng/ml). The culture medium consisted of the working medium with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (100 ng/ml) and hydrocortisone (40 ng/ml) added. In the experiment, goat preantral follicles were cultured for 9 days in the culture medium and in the culture medium supplemented with either IGF-I (100 ng/ml), EGF (50 ng/ml), bFGF (50 ng/ml) or IGF-I (100 ng/ml)+EGF (50 ng/ml). The results indicated that IGF-I (100 ng/ml) effectively maintained the survival of oocytes and promoted their growth; EGF (50 ng/ml) enhanced the survival rate of oocytes but had a negative effect on oocyte growth; bFGF (50 ng/ml) stimulated oocyte survival but had no obvious effect on their growth while IGF-I (100 ng/ml) and EGF (50 ng/ml) in combination had a greater effect on both survival and growth rate of oocytes than IGF-I or EGF alone. The supplementation of IGF-1 and EGF to the culture medium is recommended in the culture of goat preantral follicles.     

Immunolocalization of basic fibroblast growth factor in porcine epiphyseal growth plate

Recent evidence clearly indicates that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) signal transduction is essential for normal skeletal development. Here, we report that bFGF and its receptor are specifically localized in the terminal hypertrophic chondrocytes of the porcine epiphyseal growth plate, the tissue responsible for longitudinal bone growth. Similar observations were obtained with the chondrocytes immediately adjacent to resorbing blood vessels in the secondary center of ossification of the epiphysis. These results are consistent with a recent proposal that bFGF functions in coupling osteogenesis with chondrogenesis by attracting the vascular invasion of cartilage from adjacent trabecular bone.     

Effect of selection for growth rate on relative growth in rabbits

The effect of selection for growth rate on relative growth of the rabbit body components was studied. Animals from the 18th generation of a line selected for growth rate were compared with a contemporary control group formed with offspring of embryos that were frozen at the seventh generation of selection of the same line. A total of 313 animals were slaughtered at 4, 9, 13, 20, and 40 wk old. The offal, organs, tissues, and retail cuts were weighed, and several carcass linear measurements were recorded. Huxley's allometric equations relating the weights of the components with respect to BW were fitted. Butterfield's quadratic equations relating the degree of maturity of the components and the degree of maturity of BW were also fitted. In most of the components studied, both models lead to similar patterns of growth. Blood was isometric or early maturing and skin was late maturing or isometric depending on the use of Huxley's or Butterfield's model. Full gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, thoracic viscera, and head were early maturing, and the chilled carcass and reference carcass were late maturing. The retail cuts of the reference carcass showed isometry (forelegs) or late maturing growth (breast and ribs, loin, hind legs, and abdominal walls). Dissectible fat of the carcass and meat of the hind leg had a late development, whereas bone of the hind leg was early maturing. Lumbar circumference length was later maturing than the carcass length and thigh length. Sex did not affect the relative growth of most of the components. Butterfield's model showed that males had an earlier development of full gastrointestinal tract and later growth of kidneys than females. No effect of selection on the relative growth of any of the components studied was found, leading to similar patterns of growth and similar carcass composition at a given degree of maturity after 11 generations of selection for growth rate.     

银羽王鸽早期生长规律及生长曲线拟合的分析

试验随机选取银羽王鸽120只,测定从初生到4周龄的银羽王鸽早期生长发育情况,并对其进行了分析。运用Logistic、Gompertz、von Bertalanffy 3种生长曲线模型拟合其生长曲线,并对拟合结果进行比较分析。结果发现,von Bertalanffy模型能更好地拟合银羽王鸽的生长曲线(R2=0.9996)。     

Use of growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone to determine growth potential in beef heifers.

The response of GH to GHRH at weaning is known to predict postweaning growth and body composition in beef bulls. The objective of this study was to determine whether GH response to a challenge of GHRH and plasma IGF-I can predict growth rate and body composition in the beef heifer. Growth hormone response to a challenge with two doses of GHRH was measured in 67 Angus heifers averaging 225 d of age (SD = 21) and 217 kg BW (SD = 32). Blood samples were collected at 0 and 10 min relative to an initial "clearance dose" (4.5 micrograms GHRH/100 kg BW) and again, 3 h later, relative to a challenge dose (1.5 or 4.5 micrograms GHRH/100 kg BW). Each animal received each of the two challenge doses, which were randomly assigned across 2 d of blood collection. Serum GH concentration was measured by RIA. Plasma was collected every 28 d during a 140-d growth test and assayed for IGF-I by RIA. Body weight was measured every 28 d and hip height was measured at weaning and at the end of a 140-d growth test. Average daily gain was calculated on d 140 of the growth test and body composition measurements were estimated by ultrasound 2 wk after completion of the growth test. Responses to the two GHRH challenges were dose-dependent (P < 0.05). Average daily gain tended to be related to GH response to the 1.5 micrograms GHRH/100 kg BW dose (R2 = 0.05; P = 0.06), but no relationship was observed at the 4.5 micrograms GHRH/100 kg BW dose (R2 = 0.00; P = 0.93). An inverse relationship (R2 = 0.06; P = 0.02) was observed between response to the 1.5 micrograms GHRH/100 kg BW dose and intramuscular fat percentage. Mean plasma IGF-I concentration was positively associated with ADG (R2 = 0.06; P < 0.01). Growth hormone response to GHRH is modestly related to body composition but not to ADG in weanling beef heifers and likely has limited use in evaluation of growth performance in replacement beef heifers.     

Appraisal of growth curve in Sirohi goat using non-linear growth curve models

Tropical Animal Health and Production - In the present study, the appropriateness of five non-linear mixed growth curve models was studied to describe body weight growth of Sirohi male and female...     

Effects of growth rate and compensatory growth on body composition in lambs

Fifty lambs were used in a comparative slaughter experiment to determine the effects of growth rates and compensatory growth on body composition. The study consisted of a growing and a finishing phase. During the growing phase, lambs (20 to 30 kg) were fed three different concentrate levels (30, 50 or 70%) to gain at three different rates (slow, medium and rapid). The finishing phase was evaluated in two periods (early, 30 to 38 kg; late, 38 to 45 kg). All lambs received 70% concentrate diets during the finishing phase. Groups of five lambs were sacrificed at 20, 30, 38 and 45 kg fleece-free weights for whole-body chemical analysis. At 30 kg live weight, lambs on a rapid growth diet were the fattest (P less than .01) and contained the least protein (P less than .05) in their empty bodies. The slower the lambs gained during the growing phase, the greater (P less than .05) was the response in rate of gain and feed efficiency during both periods of the finishing phase. Compensatory growth occurred in two stages; a greater proportion of protein gain was made early while a greater proportion of the fat gain was made during the late period of the finishing phase.     

Analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone induce release of growth hormone in the bovine

Biological potencies of three 29 amino acid growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs (GHRH[1-29]) were determined in the bovine and compared to synthetic human GHRH (44 amino acids; hGHRH[1-44]NH2) for their ability to increase serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations. Four prepubertal Holstein heifers (179 +/- 10 kg) received hGHRH(1-44)NH2 or analogs (D-Ala2, Nle27, Agm29 GHRH[1-29], [JG-73]; D-N-MeAla2, Nle27, Agm29 GHRH[1-29], [JG-75]; and desamino-Tyr1, D-Ala2, Nle27, Agm29 GHRH[1-29], [JG-77]) at the following doses: 0, 6.25, 25, 100 and 400 micrograms/animal. All treatment-dose combinations were administered to each heifer with at least a 1-d interval between treatments. Sixteen blood samples were collected via jugular cannulas 20 min before and up to 6 h after treatment injection. There was a linear dose-dependent GH release in response to hGHRH(1-44)NH2 and the three analogs. Growth hormone peak amplitudes for the three analogs were similar to those observed after administration of the hGHRH(1-44)NH2 (P greater than .05). However, when total area under the GH response curves for each treatment was averaged over all the doses, JG-73 stimulated greater GH release than hGHRH(1-44)NH2 (P less than .05) Heifers injected with the 400-microgram dose of hGHRH(1-44)NH2 or the three analogs showed a primary release of GH followed by a secondary release 1 h later. At all other doses, only a primary GH release was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)