Sucrose assists selection of high‐quality oocytes in pigs

We investigated whether high‐quality in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes can be distinguished from poor ones based on the morphological changes after treatment with hyperosmotic medium containing 0.2 mol/L sucrose in pigs. We hypothesize that IVM oocytes maintaining round shape have higher quality than mis‐shapened oocytes following dehydration. Oocyte quality was verified by determining embryonic developmental competence using in vitro fertilization, nuclear transfer and parthenogenetic activation. In all cases, the round oocytes had greater (p < .05) developmental competence than that of mis‐shapened oocytes in terms of blastocyst rate and total cell number in blastocysts obtained after 6 days of in vitro culture. We also confirm that round aged oocytes are higher in quality than mis‐shapened aged oocytes. In an attempt to find out why high‐quality oocytes maintain a round shape whereas poorer oocytes become mis‐shapened following sucrose treatment, we examined the arrangement of actin microfilaments and microtubules. Abnormal organization of these cytoskeletal components was higher (p < .05) in mis‐shapened oocytes compared to round oocytes after 52 hr of IVM. In conclusion, sucrose treatment helps selection of high‐quality oocytes, including aged oocytes, in pigs. Abnormal cytoskeleton arrangements partly explain for low developmental competence of mis‐shapened oocytes.     

New lactic acid bacteria for skin health via oral intake of heat‐killed or live cells

Lactic acid bacteria play an essential role in the food industry in the manufacture of many fermented products (cheese, yogurt, fermented vegetables, etc.). Application of these organisms is now being extended to the area of health improvement, as their probiotic activities become known. Probiotics are defined as viable microorganisms that exert a beneficial effect on the health of the host when they are ingested in sufficient quantity. Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria isolated from the human intestine are the most common probiotics used for human consumption. The development of new probiotics with new beneficial effects is eagerly awaited in the food industry. This review introduces Lactococcus, which are one of the genera of lactic acid bacteria and are mainly isolated from dairy products and fermented vegetables, as new probiotics, focusing especially on Lactococcus lactis H61, which improves skin status in Japanese women with oral intake of heat‐killed or live cells. The deduced mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of strain H61 are also discussed.     

Relationships between ultimate pH and antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression in pork loins

Ultimate pH (pH_u) is a major determinant factor of meat quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of pH_u on the muscle antioxidant capacity, and the relationship between pH_u and muscle antioxidant capacity of pigs. A total of 137 pigs from three pig breeds with the same feeding condition were slaughtered and used to measure the pH_u, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4. Loins from 137 pigs of three breeds were classified based on pH_u into three groups: low (L‐pH: ≤5.50), intermediate (I‐pH: 5.51‐5.90), and high (H‐pH: ≥5.91). A majority of loins (47.5%–52%) were classified into the intermediate group. The results suggested that the pH_u value was correlated with the activity of SOD, GSH‐PX, T‐AOC, and MDA, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4 in all pigs. In addition, our results also indicated a linear relationship between the pH_u value and antioxidant traits. The pH_u value accounted for 23%–40% of the variation in the antioxidant traits. These results suggested that increased pH_u reduce the lipid peroxidation, and also indicated that pHu may be a key factor explaining the variation in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in pork loins.     

Occurrence of reproductive disorders in pig herds with and without Chlamydia suis infection – statistical analysis of breeding parameters

Chlamydiae are frequently encountered Gram‐negative intracellular eubacteria that can cause clear manifestations or clinically asymptomatic disorders. C. suis and other chlamydia are primarily isolated in cases of reproductive disorders. This study was performed to estimate the impact of Chlamydia suis infection on reproduction in sows by analyzing reproduction rates and breeding parameters. The test was conducted on first generation (F1) pigs from Polish Landrace (PL) × Polish Large White (PLW). Sixty‐four herds were investigated and 500 vaginal swabs were collected. Isolation of DNA was carried out directly from the swabs. All samples were analyzed for Chlamydia suis by real‐time PCR with a locked nucleic acid (LNA)‐containing probe. To analyze the impact of chlamydia infection on reproductive parameters, evaluation questionnaires were used. Reproductive problems were found in 77.3% of the farms tested. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that in the farms with 10 up to 120 sows, there were higher reproductive problems with chlamydia infection than in smaller and bigger pig farms. The most common problems were estrus repetition, which was reported by 57.81% of the surveyed farms, and the birth of dead piglets, which was reported by 31.25% of the investigated pig farms. Abortions, which were reported by 28.12% of the surveyed farms, were the least common reproductive disorders.     

Effects of different forage combinations in total mixed rations on in vitro gas production kinetics,ruminal and milk fatty acid profiles of lactating cows

This study aimed to determine the effects of different forage combinations on in vitro gas production (GP) kinetics, ruminal and milk fatty acid profiles. Forty‐five lactating cows were randomly arranged into three groups and fed three total mixed rations (TMRs) with different forage combinations: TMR1, 23% alfalfa hay, 7% Chinese wild ryegrass hay and 15% whole corn silage; TMR2, 30% corn stover plus 15% whole corn silage; TMR3, 30% rice straw plus 15% whole corn silage. In vitro dry matter disappearance ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3, and highest cumulative GP and asymptotic GP occurred in TMR1 while no difference occurred between TMR2 and TMR3. The average GP rate ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3. TMR1 in comparison with TMR2 and TMR3 presented lower rumen contents of acetate and butyrate and greater rumen contents of propionate, valerate, C13:0, C14:0, C15:0, C18:1cis‐9, C18:2n‐6, C18:3n‐3, C20:0 and C22:0 as well as milk C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 proportions. Transfer efficiencies of C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 from diet to milk ranked: TMR1 > TMR2 > TMR3. The findings suggest TMRs containing alfalfa hay and Chinese wild ryegrass hay in comparison with corn stover or rice straw improve rumen fermentation and transfer efficiency of C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3.     

Effects of illite supplementation on in vitro and in vivo rumen fermentation,microbial population and methane emission of Hanwoo steers fed high concentrate diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding supplemental illite to Hanwoo steers on methane (CH₄) emission and rumen fermentation parameters. An in vitro ruminal fermentation technique was conducted using a commercial concentrate as substrate and illite was added at different concentrations as treatments: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% illite. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were different (P < 0.05) at 24 h of incubation where the highest total VFA was observed at 1.0% of illite. Conversely, lowest CH₄ production (P < 0.01) was found at 1.0% of illite. In the in vivo experiment, two diets were provided, without illite and with addition of 1% illite. An automated head chamber (GreenFeed) system was used to measure enteric CH₄ production. Cattle received illite supplemented feed increased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations in the rumen compared with those fed control. Feeding illite numerically decreased CH₄ production (g/day) and yield (g/kg dry matter intake). Rumen microbial population analysis indicated that the population of total bacteria, protozoa and methanogens were lower (P < 0.05) for illite compared with the control. Accordingly, overall results suggested that feeding a diet supplemented with 1% illite can have positive effects on feed fermentation in the rumen and enteric CH₄ mitigation in beef cattle.     

Evaluation of three hormonal protocols for anovulatory lactating cows under regulations restricting the use of estrogenic compounds

When European Union regulations restricted the use of estrogenic compounds in food‐producing animals, refined hormonal protocols were no longer applicable for anovulatory cows. However, Ovsynch and its adaptations are routinely and uniformly applied to all cows regardless of ovarian function. To evaluate their efficacy on anovulatory cows, 143, 147 and 144 anovulatory cows received Ovsynch, Presynch and G6G protocols, respectively. In comparison, 150 cyclic cows were bred without using a synchronized protocol. Results showed that cows in the Presynch group had luteolysis responding to the last prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) injection greater than the Ovsynch group. The serous progesterone levels at the first gonadotropin‐releasing hormone of Ovsych and the last PGF_2α injection was greater in the G6G group than the other two hormonal treatment groups. Concentrations of Ca²⁺ and total protein in cervical mucus in all three hormone‐treated groups before artificial insemination (AI) were significantly different from the controls. The G6G group obtained a greater pregnancy rate compared with Ovsynch and Presynch, but significantly less than the controls. For open cows in the Ovsynch group, estrus rate within 24 days after the first AI was significantly less than the controls. In conclusion, the G6G treatment resulted to better reproductive performance in anovulatory cows.     

Influences of quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria on the gut microbial community and immune function in weaning pigs

The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic gut microbial diversity in weaning swine after administering feed supplemented with probiotic bacteria that specifically inhibit the activity of quorum molecules. Initially, the universal quorum molecule autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2) bioassay results indicated that AI‐2 activity was profoundly inhibited in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 in the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 30SC cell extract, although the growth of EHEC was not affected. Based on plate counting results, bacterial community analysis revealed a specific reduction in coliforms compared to the control, whereas the population of lactobacilli increased in weaning swine in in vivo trials. Supplementation with L. acidophilus strain 30SC did not affect the counts of other communities, such as total aerobes and yeast/mold. In addition, PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed a significant difference in the 16S rRNA gene products after administering L. acidophilus strain 30SC. Selected bands were sequenced, and most of them were identified as uncultured bacterium clones or a Lactobacillus‐ and Bifidobacterium‐specific community. Therefore, our results indicate that quorum‐quenching probiotic bacteria can significantly modulate the gut microbiota of swine and these beneficial effects can contribute to the improvement of performance and health in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning pigs.