Effect of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Hepatic Protein Metabolism in Early-Weaned Intrauterine Growth Retardation Piglets

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with folic acid on growth performance,hepatic protein metabolism and serum biochemical indices of early-weaned intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR) piglets,24 male(Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire)) weaned(14-d-old) IUGR piglets were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 8 replicates of 1 piglet per replicate.The piglets in each treatment were fed basal diet supplementation with either 0(control),5 and 10 mg kg-1 folic acid.The trial lasted for 21 d.Dietary folic acid supplementation reduced average daily feed intake(ADFI)(P<0.05).In addition,the average daily gain(ADG) in 10 mg kg-1 folic acid group was significantly decreased(P<0.01) and the ratio of feed:gain(F/G) increased slightly(P>0.05).Serum folic acid concentration increased(P<0.01) with increasing folic acid inclusion,however,serum homocysteine concentration decreased significantly(P<0.01).Enhanced serum urine nitrogen(SUN) and diminished serum total protein(TP) as well as liver TP content were observed in 10 mg kg-1 folic acid group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the relative mRNA expressions of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and mammalian target of rapamycin(m-TOR) in liver were respectively tended to reduce(P=0.06) and significantly downregulated(P<0.05) in 10 mg kg-1 group,in compared with 5 mg kg-1 group.However,when compared with control group,folic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the mRNA abundance of IGF-1 and m-TOR.The results indicated that supplementation with 10 mg kg-1 folic acid impaired growth performance and hepatic protein metabolism of early-weaned IUGR piglets while 5 mg kg-1 folic acid enriched diet exerted limited positive effects.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Zinc-Methionine on Growth Performance and Serum Parameters of Jirong Rabbits

A 45-day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of 4 concentrations （0, 40, 80, 120 mg·kg^-1 Zinc- Methionine （Zn-Met） supplementation on growth and serum biochemical indexes of Jirong rabbits （60-day-old）. A total of 72 Jirong rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, 3 replicates with 6 rabbits each. The Met value in the basal diet was 0.60%. ADGs of group Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly different than that of control, increased by 3.16%, 7.53%, 8.14% during 0-15 days and 7.58%, 15.60%, 15.71% during 16-30 days and 8.27%, 12.43%, 11.44% during 31-45 days （P〈0.05）, but it was not significantly different in ADG among group Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ （P〉0.05）. The fur area and the density of hair of groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were not significantly different than that of control （P〉0.05）. The content of serum zinc, AKP, ALB for groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly different than that of control （P〈0.05）. The serum TP and SUN in group Ⅱ, Ⅲ and IV were not significantly different than that of control （P〉0.05）. The results show that dietary supplementation of Zn-Met is much more efficient than dietary without Zn-Met for 60-day-old Jirong rabbits.     

Oral Insulin Stimulates Intestinal Department and Enzyme Maturation in Newborn Pigs

The effects of oral insulin on intestinal tissue growth and brush border enzyme activities in newborn pigs were examined in this study. Newborn unsuckled pigs were bottle-fed for 3 days with artificial milk (M), milk supplemented with 60 mIUmL^-1 of insulin (IM) or hydrolyzed milk (HM). Compared with newborn unsuckled pigs, piglets bottle-fed for 3 days all gained in intestinal weight and length significantly despite a mild loss in body weight during the experimental period. The activities of lactase and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the small intestinal mucosa declined markedly in pigs fed with M, but the activity of maltase increased significantly during the experimental period. Dietary protein pre-hydrolysis had no significant effect on intestinal tissue mass or length,but it moderated the decline of intestinal lactase and AKP activities. Dietary supplementation of insulin significantly increased mucosal protein content and brush border activities of lactase, maltase, AKP and aminopeptidase (AP) in the small intestine.The effect of insulin treatment was particularly obvious at the distal region of the small intestine. These results demonstrate that oral insulin can stimulate intestinal digestive enzyme activities in newborn pigs. The finding supports the hypothesis that milk-borne insulin plays a role in regulating postnatal gut development in the suckling young.     

代乳料对羔羊生产性能及血液生化指标的影响（英文）

[Objective] In this study,the performance and blood biochemical indices in lamps fed on milk replacer were researched,the feasibility of early weaned in lamps was discussed.[Method] 37 of 10 days lambs of Suffolk(♂)×XiaoWeiHanYang(♀)were randomly divided into group A,B,C,D for this experiment.Group A,B,C were fed by 3 milk-replacers containing milk for different protein source respectively,and ten lambs in each group;group D(seven lambs)were fed by ewes as the control.The performance and blood biochemical indices of the lamps were determined.[Result] The results showed that the average daily gains of 10-15 days of age was not significantly different between group A and D(P>0.05),the control were higher significantly than the group B,C(P<0.05).The average daily gains of 16-25,26-35 days of age were not significantly different in group A,B,C,D.The daily weight gains of Group A,B,C in 45-55 days of age were higher significantly than the control(P<0.05).Plasma urea nitrogen(PUN)of group B and C were higher than group A significantly(P<0.05);Total protein(TP),Plasma albumin(ALB)and Plasma total amino acid were no significant difference among the other 3 groups(P>0.05).[Conclusion] So,the milk-replacers were available for early-weaned lamb.     

Effect of Weaning Ages on Pancreatic and Intestinal Chymotrypsin Activity in Piglet

Twelve litters of new born piglets were divided randomly into groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, and weaned at 17, 21, 28 and 35 days of age, respectively, to determine the effect of weaning age on pancreatic and intestinal chymotrypsin activity in piglets. The results showed that the relative and specific activity of pancreatic chymotrypsin increased significantly 12h after weaning compared with that of sucking piglets at the same age and then decreased and remained low for 2 - 3 weeks after weaning. Total pancreatic chymotrypsin activity had no change with the increase of pancreas weight during day 18 - 50 regardless of weaning (P ＞0.05). Chymotrypsin activity of jejunum had the same change as that of pancreas during sulking stage.Jejunum chymotrypin activity decreased in the first week post-weaning in the piglets weaned before day 28, but had no change in groups weaned at 28 or 35 days. The earlier the weaning age, the longer the restoring time.Chymotrypsin activity in jejunum is more sensitive to the effects of weaning age than in duodenum and ileum.     

Effects of Exogenous NSP Enzymes(Xylanase, β-glucanase and Cellulase) on Morphology and Functions of Digestive Tract in Growing Pigs Fed with Paddy-Based Diets

Ninety Landrace X Jia 35±0.40 kg weight growing pigs were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which was replicated three times with ten pigs per replicate. The pigs were reared on either a conventional corn-based diet (control Ⅰ ) or a paddy-based diet (control Ⅱ ) or a paddy diet supplemented with 0.2% NSP enzymes (test group). All pigs were given ad libitum access to both feed and water. The results of feeding trial showed that supplementation of NSP enzymes significantly increased ADG by 8.78 % (P＜0.05) and decreased F/G by 9.42% (P＜0.05) over the control group Ⅱ. No significant differences were found in ADG and F/G between control group I and the test group. The digestive trial showed that adding NSP enzymes significantly improved apparent digestibility of CP, EE and CF by 18.76 (P＜0.01), 16.04 (P ＜0.05) and 108.57%(P＜0.05), respectively, compared to control Ⅱ. The activities of proteolytic enzyme and α-amylase in duodenal contents were increased by 99.07 (P＜0.01) and 18.41% (P＜0. 05) with the addition of NSP enzymes. No significant differences between test and control Ⅱ group were found in activities of the pepsin in the gastric content, the trypsin and lipase in duodenal contents, the disaccharidase and γ-glutany transferase (γ-GT) in intestinal mucosa, but there was a tendency towards higher activities associated with the NSP enzymes diet (P＞0. 05). The lengths of the villi within the duodenal, jejunal and ileal sections of the small intestine of pigs receiving the NSP enzymes diet were increased by 23.68 (P＜0. 05), 56.00 (P＜0. 01)and 76.90%(P＜0.01) respectively, relative to the pigs in control Ⅱ.     

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Lactation in Half-lactating Yak

Yaks of two lactating types, the half-lactating yak and the total lactating yak, were investigated in their milk compositions, milk coagulation properties, and contents of three kinds of hormones, glucose,and protein in plasma. The half-lactating Maiwa yak and Jiulong yak contained significantly higher contents of protein, fat, and activities of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in milk than that of the corresponding total-lactating yak breeds, with reduced milk yield and similar lactose level and relative percentages of main milk protein components. The half-lactatin yak resembled yaks in a late stage of lactation in their biochemical composition of milk; however, significant differences were also observed, which indicated that the former was in a special stage of lactation quite different from dairy cows. Milk of the total-lactating or halflactating yaks could be coagulated normally by adding chymosin, with a similar coagulation time. No significant difference was observed between prolactin and progesterone concentrations in plasma of the half-lactating yaks and total-lactating yaks; however, half-lactating yaks had significantly lower level of oestradiol-17 β in plasma than total-lactating yaks.     

The Absorption and Transportation of Glutamine Containing Small Peptides-Arg-Gly-GIn and Gly-GIn in Jejunum of Weaned Piglets

In order to research the absorption and transportation differences ofglutamine containing small peptides and free glutamine in intestine of weaned piglets, 28-day-old weaned piglets were selected to get the sample for jejunum culture in vitro in this study. Trial 1 was conducted to study the stability of tripeptide （Arg-Gly-Gln） in the jejunum to determine the ideal culture time. It was designed into 2 treatments： control group （Kreb＇s solution, GC） and tripeptide group （by adding 556μmol/L of Arg-Gly-Gln to Kreb＇s solution, GP）. They were cultured for 60 min. The absorption and transportation differences ofglutamine existing as Arg-Gly-Gln, Gly-Gln and free Gin were studied in trial 2. It was designed into 4 treatments： group 1 （G1, control group）, Kreb＇s solution; Group 2 （G2）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L Arg-Gly-Gln; group 3 （G3）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L Gly-Gln and Arg; group 4 （G4）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L arginine, glycine and glutamine. They were cultured for 40 minutes. The results indicated that the absorption and transportation of glutamine existing as Arg-Gly-Gln was more efficient than those of Gly-Gln while Gly-Gln was more efficient than free glutamine. Arg-Gly-Gln may be more excellent than Gly-Gln in physiological functions and nutrition potential.     

Piglet Diarrhea and Technology Transfers to Prevent E. coli Infection at Small-Holder Pig Farms in Binh Dinh,Vietnam

The study aims at finding alternative interventions for the prevention ofE. coli infection in piglets so as to boost farmers＇ benefits and improve environment in the area. Data were collected from one experimental group consisting of 210 small pig holder farms and one control group of 70 farms. All of 280 litters and sows were analyzed and the techniques of early vaccination at 60-80 d of pregnant （time 1） were applied and repeated after 10 d with E. coli vaccine to produce antibodies through milk. The percentage of piglets with diarrhea caused by E. coli significantly decreased from 75.7% to 18.9%. Injection of E. coli vaccine for the pregnant sows created antibodies for young piglets through colostrums. The treatment of E. coli cost 45,420 Vietnam Dong （VND） per litter in the experimental group and that was 156,000 VND/litter in the control group. Use of betel-bokashi （bio-product as plant antibiotics and Lactobacillus） to treat piglet diarrhea was proved safe and effective. Litter size and average weight at birth and weaning were improved significantly （P 〈 0.05）. The average weaned weight of piglets and sows were 11.2 kg and 118.6 kg in the experimental group, compared to 9.4 kg and 89.9 kg in the control group, respectively. Piglets in the experimental group had good health, no diarrhea and a shorter weaning time （2 d） and mating interval 2.22 days earlier than those in the control group. The average profit of 210 households was significantly higher in the experiment group： feed-cost was much lower than that in the control group. Small-holder farms implementing the experiments of applying the techniques received more financial profit, which was 1,502,000 VND per year per sow, while those who did not apply the techniques gained only 223,000 VND per year per sow.     

Variation of Serum Protein Level in Xiang Piglets at Different Month of Age

Usual clinieal methods were used to determine the concentrations of serum protein,albumin and globulin in Xiang piglets from the lst month to the 6th month of age.Thirteen piglets(eight males and five females)born is Spring were selected from the Livestock Experimental Station of NEAU.The results showed that the serum protein level was different at different month of age.The lowest level was found at the 1st month of age,and the highest at the 4th month of age.The difference in serum protein concentration was significant between different months of age.There was ,however,no significant difference between sexes at the same month of age.     

Effects of Soybean Active Peptides on Performance and Serum Lipid of 14-day Old Early Weaned Piglets

This purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of soybean active peptides (SAP) in 14-day old early weaned piglets feed. Eighteen crossbreed piglets Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire (14-day old) were randomly divided into three groups with six piglets each group. Control was fed with 8% animal plasma (AP). Trial 1 was fed with 4.9% AP and 4.9% SAP. Trial 2 was fed with 12.62% SAP. This raising period was 30 days and divided into three periods with earlier period (0-15 days), latter period (16-30 days) and whole period (0-30 days). The results showed that average daily gains (ADG) in trial 1 were increased 16.33%, 12:64% and 13.94% (P ＞0.05) and Efficiency of feed conversions (EFC) improved 17.35%, 11.40% and 13.46% than control in respective periods; ADG in trial 2 were reduced 12.24%, increased 4.21% and reduced 0.40% (P＞0.05) and EFC were improved 19.81%, 13.08% and 15.76% than control in respective periods. Means of TG and LDL-C/HDL-C in trial 1 were lowest in three groups and reduced 6.54% (P ＞0.05) and 0.96% than control. Means of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C were the highest in trial 2 among three groups and increased 8.93% (P ＞0.05), 39.69% (P ＜0.05), 34.94% (P ＞0.05), 27.31% (P ＞0.05) and 5.96% than control respectively. It was concluded that substituting part Ap for SAP in 14-day old piglets Feed was practicable.     

仔猪痢清对动物细胞免疫功能影响的研究(英文)

[Objective] The study aimed to explore the effects of Zizhuliqing Oral Liquid on animal cellular immune function.[Method] MTT method and phagocytizing natural red method were used to determine the effects of Zizhuliqing Oral Liquid on piglet lymphocyte transformation and the phagocytosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages respectively.[Result] The lymphocyte transformation rates of piglets in medicated groups were significantly higher than that in control group;the difference of mouse peritoneal macrophage activities between the medicated groups and the control group was obvious.[Conclusion] Zizhuliqing Oral Liquid could promote the transformation of piglet T lymphocytes induced by ConA and the phagocytosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages to natural red,indicating its good immune enhancement function.     

Extracellular Enzyme Activity of Sclerotia-forming and Non-Sclerotia-forming Morchella Strains

The extracellular enzyme activities of sclerotia-forming and nonsclerotia- forming single spore strains of Morchella conica and M. crasspies were determined and compared. The non sclerotia-forming strains of M. conica exhibited higher aver- age activities of protease, catalase and xylanase but lower laccase activity than those of sclerotia-forming strains. However, the differences did not reach significance level. The soluble amylases activity of M. crasspies was significantly higher than that of M. conica, while the mean activity of other enzymes had differences between them, but the differences did not reach significance level.     

Effects of Different Compound Trace Element Premixed Materials on Beef Cattle Production Performance and Anti-oxidation Capacity

In this study, the effects of two types of premixed materials with different combinations of trace elements on the production performance and antioxidant capacity of simmental beef cattle were examined.Fifteen healthy simmental beef cattle of similar weight(approximately 330 kg), the same age(12 months), without castration, and a good physique were divided into three groups, with five beef cattle in each group.Food of GroupⅠ beef cattle was supplemented with a commercially marketed 5% compound trace element premixture for fine beef cattle.Food of GroupⅡbeef cattle was supplemented with a 5% compound microelement premixture for beef cattle that was designed to address local nutrient deficiencies and surpluses.In the blank control group, the beef cattle were not fed a premixture.The pretest period was 15 days, and the test period was divided into prefattening(45 days) and postfattening(45 days) stages.Body weight and body size indices were recorded at 1, 2 and 3 months, and blood samples were collected regularly.In GroupⅠ, the daily weight gain increased significantly by 15.7% compared with that of the control group.The largest daily weight gain was in Group Ⅱ, which increased by 31.6% compared with that in the control.During the test period of 90 days, the body size indices of the three different groups increased in different months, with significant increases in the indices for both test groups compared with those of the control.In GroupⅠ, the activity of CP, the total activity of SOD and Cu-Zn-SOD increased significantly(p0.05) compared with those in the control group, with a highly significant increase observed in GSH-PX activity(p0.01).In GroupⅡ, the increases in the activity of CP and the total activity of SOD and Cu-Zn-SOD were highly significant compared with those in the control group(p0.01).In addition, a significant increase was observed in GSH-PX activity(p0.05).Based on pretest results, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mo, Mn, Se and Co in the blood of experimental beef cattle were lower than those of the normal range.After feeding for 90 days, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mo, Mn, Se and Co in the blood of GroupsⅠ andⅡ were significantly higher than those in the control group(p0.05).The concentrations of elements in the blood of Group II were close to the appropriate levels.Thus, the effects of the specifically designed compound microelement premixture on the prevention of nutrient imbalances and control of beef cattle nutrition metabolism and the production of fattened beef cattle were significant.     

Virus Location and Lymphocyte Apoptosis in Lymph Nodes of Piglets Infected with PCV-2

The present study has been performed to understand the location of the virus, type of apoptotic cells, and their relation to lymph nodes of piglets infected with porcine circovirus type Ⅱ （PCV-2）. Nine 32-day-old conventional piglets free of infection with PCV-2 were used, and distributed into three groups： control group （n = 3）, piglets inoculated with PCV-2 alone （PCV-2, n = 3）, and PCV-2 inoculated and KLH immunostimulated group （PCV-2 ＋ KLH, n = 3）. Superficial inguinal lymph nodes from all piglets were collected for histological examination after 32 days postinoculation, and immunohistochemistry for PCV-2 detection. Location of apoptotic cells was detected with TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） and cell cycle, and the apoptotic rates were measured by flow cytometry. The characteristic histopathological lesions of the piglets in PCV-2 and PCV-2 ＋ KLH were lymphocyte depletions in the cortex and paracortex of the lymph nodes, epithelioid-like macrophage infiltration, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies presented in epithelioid-like macrophages. PCV-2 was mainly found in epithelioid-like macrophages by immunohistochemistry. In the lymph nodes, lymphocytes presented higher apoptotic rates in the cortex by TUNEL, special B-cell areas, and similar apoptotic cells were found in this compartment in the control. The apoptotic rates of the lymph nodes were 0.41, 3.34, and 4.88% in the control, PCV-2, and PCV-2 ＋ KLH groups by flow cytometry, respectively. The apoptotic rates of lymph nodes for PCV-2 and PCV-2 ＋ KLH piglets were significantly higher than those for the control group （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01）. The proliferation index （PI） was 0.17_＋0.01, 0.12_＋0.01 and 0.12_＋0.04 in the control, PCV-2, and PCV-2 ＋ KLH group, the PI of the control group was higher than that of the other groups, but without the statistical difference. PCV-2 can induce lymphocyte depletion in lymph nodes of piglets by blocking cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. This is one o     

Effects of different proportions of two Bacillus sp. on the growth performance,small intestinal morphology,caecal microbiota and plasma biochemical profile of Chinese Huainan Partridge Shank chickens

A total of 900 one-d-old Chinese Huainan Partridge Shank chickens were randomly allocated into nine groups with five replicates of 20 each.Birds were fed with basal diet,basal diet supplemented with 150 mg kg~(–1) aureomycin,basal diet supplemented with different proportions of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis,which was 0:1.0×10~6,2.5×10~5:7.5×10~5,3.3×10~5:6.6×10~5,5.0×10~5:5.0×10~5,6.6×10~5:3.3×10~5,7.5×10~5:2.5×10~5 and 1.0×10~6:0,respectively.The duration of the experiment was 56 d.The results indicated that dietary supplementation of 6.6×10~5:3.3×10~5 of B.lichenifornis:B.subtilis improved final body weight,increased the average daily gain,and reduced feed/gain ratio(P0.05).The numbers of total Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium sp.in the caecum significantly increased,and the numbers of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.significantly declined compared to that of the control(P0.05).Intestinal villous height and villous height to crypt depth ratio of the duodenum,jejunum,and ileum were significantly higher than that of the control,and intestinal crypt depth of the duodenum and ileum was significantly lower(P0.05).The total antioxidant capacity,total superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase ability in plasma significantly improved,while the malondialdehyde concentration in plasma decreased(P0.05).Compared to the control,plasma concentrations of ammonia,uric acid and urea nitrogen and the activity of xanthine oxidase were reduced(P0.05).In conclusion,an inclusion of 6.6×10~5:3.3×10~5 of B.licheniformis:B.subtilis to the diet improved the growth performance,caecal microbiota,plasma biochemical profile,and significantly improved the small intestine morphology,while reducing the mortality rate.     

Accumulation and Gene Expression of Anthocyanin in Storage Roots of Purple- Freshed Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas （L.） Lam] Under Weak Light Conditions

Anthocyanidin in plants, an important pigment, is of great interest to researchers, consumers, and commercial entities due to its physiological functions. Anthocyanin content and mRNA levels of anthocynin biosynthesis genes were investigated in storage root of different purple-fleshed sweet potatoes （PFSP） genotypes to understand the regulation mechanism of anthocyanin under weak light conditions. Anthocyanin content, its amount of accumulation, and the expression of CHS, DFR, F3H, GT, and ANS genes in the PFSP storage root under weak light conditions were studied. The results demonstrated that the anthocyanin content of the treatments was decreased and was obviously lower than that of the control until 30 days after shading in Ayamurasaki, while it was lower than that of the control from the beginning of shading in Jishu 18. Their accumulation rates of both treatmeants were lower than its control before 10-20 d of shading in Jishu 18, while those of Ayamurasaki weren＇t in their treatments. This indicated that Jishul 8 is more sensitive to light as compared to Ayamuraska. Under the different weak light conditions, mRNA levels for ibCHS, ibF3H, ibDFR, and ibANS were obviously decreased, while the expression of ibGT was increased. These results indicated that anthocyanin content was regulated by light at the mRNA levels and the enzymatic level in sweet potato. Therefore, the development dynamic response to anthocyanin content varied in different genotypes of PFSP, and mRNA levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis were inhibited under the weak light condition.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium on growth performance,meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone(PQQ) in the form of PQQ disodium(PQQ·Na2) on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers. A total of 720 one-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments with 8 replicates of 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed a PQQ·Na2-unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet(control) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg PQQ·Na2 kg–1 for 42 d. Compared with the control chicks, the chicks fed the diets supplemented with PQQ·Na2 had lower(P0.05) feed:gain(F/G) during the grower phase and drip losses of breast muscles on day 42. As supplemental PQQ·Na2 level increased, plasma total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) on d 42, liver T-AOC on d 21 and heart T-AOC on d 21 and 42 increased linearly(P0.05), but malondialdehyde concentrations in plasma, liver and heart on d 21 or 42 decreased linearly(P0.001) or quadratically(P0.005). The results from the present study indicate that dietary supplemental PQQ·Na2 can improve antioxidant ability and meat quality of broilers, and in general, it is implied that the optimal supplemental PQQ·Na2 level is 0.1 mg kg–1 of diet for broilers from 1 to 42 d of age.     

Developmental Changes of the LPL mRNA Expression and Its Effect on IMF Content in Sheep Muscle

This study investigates the developmental changes of the lipoprotein lipase （LPL） mRNA level in sheep muscle and its effect on intramuscular fat （IMF） accumulation. Male Kazak and Xinjiang Merino sheep at 2-120 days old were selected. Six animals of each breed were slaughtered at 2, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days （only the Xinjiang Merino sheep at 120-day old were available） to collect samples from longissimus dorsi muscle for the purpose of determining the IMF content and extracting total RNA that was used to investigate the developmental changes of the LPL mRNA expression by real-time PCR. The results showed that in male Kazak sheep, the IMF content increased with the progress of development and there were significant differences （P〈0.05） between the age groups. However, there was no difference （P〉0.05） between age groups in Xinjiang Merino sheep. Furthermore, the IMF content of the male Kazak sheep was significantly higher （P 〈 0.01） than that of the Xinjiang Merino sheep aged from 30 to 90 days. The highest LPL mRNA expression appeared at day 2 and it was significantly higher than that of all other age groups （P 〈 0.01）, while animals at 60-day old had the lowest LPL mRNA expression in the male Kazak sheep. In Xinjiang Merino sheep, the highest one occurred at 30-day old （P〈0.01）, followed by a continuous decrease to the lowest level at 90-day old, and then it started to increase slightly. At 2 to 60-day old, the LPL mRNA expression was negatively correlated to the IMF content （r=-0.625, P 〈 0.05） in male Kazak sheep, but no such relationship was detected in the male Xinjiang Merino sheep.     

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on digestion and mortality in the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate whether supplementation with a probiotic could enhance digestion and reduce mortality in the volcano rabbit in captivity. Two enclosures at Chapultepec Zoo, Mexico(114 individuals) were used in a crossover design(two periods of 60 days) with the following treatments: control group and supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae(2×108 CFU/exhibit/day). Supplementation with the probiotic negatively affected(P<0.01) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber(NDF) and energy. Mortality increased(P<0.04) following supplementation with the probiotic(4.26% vs. 8.89%), primarily in the juvenile rabbits. The results indicate that yeast supplementation in the volcano rabbit negatively affects digestion and mortality in captivity.