Genome-wide Association Study on Alive Litter Size Trait in Bama Xiang Pigs

In order to identify the molecular markers related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs,the genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to map and screen the candidate genes affecting the alive litter size trait.Ear tissue samples of 297 Bama Xiang pigs with multiple parity records were collected,and DNA was extracted and genotyped by porcine 50K SNP beadchip.After quality control and genotype imputation,the alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs were GWAS by Tassel.The results showed that the average number born alive per litter of Bama Xiang pigs increased gradually with the increasing of parity in the range of 1-9 parities.A total of 32 816 SNPs were obtained after quality control and filtration.8 SNPs related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs were screened by genome-wide association analysis,which were significant at genome or chromosome level.Based on the enrichment analysis of the coding genes in the region between 500 kb upstream and downstream of the associated significant SNP loci,and the QTL regions and gene functions related to porcine reproductive traits,4 genes (CAPZB,MSH3,CITED2 and HSD17B7) were finally identified to be candidate genes related to alive litter size of Bama Xiang pigs.     

Characterization of a line of pigs previously selected for increased litter size for RBP4 and follistatin

The objective of this study was to determine if selection response for increased litter size in pigs could be partially attributed to three type 1 marker loci coding for genes known to affect litter size: oestrogen receptor (ESR), retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4) and follistatin (FS). In the high litter size line (LS), pigs from the largest litters, based on number of pigs born alive (NBA), were retained to parent the next generation. A randomly selected control line (LC) was maintained. Gilts were reared in litters of 10 pigs or less to minimize maternal effects. Pigs were measured at generations 10–12. Additional traits scored were number of fully formed pigs (NFF) and number of mummified fetuses (MUM). Breeding values for NFF and NBA were greater (p < 0.05) in LS than LC in generations 11 and 12, but no significant line differences were found for MUM. The A allele of the ESR locus was fixed in both lines. After adjustment for effects of genetic drift, frequency of the two alleles segregating for the FS and RBP4 loci did not differ significantly between lines. No significant additive or dominance effects of the FS markers were detected for NFF, NBA and MUM in either LS or LC. Response to selection for increased litter size could not be attributed to effects at the ESR, RBP4 or FS loci.     

Comparison of genetic improvement for litter size at birth by direct and indirect selection in swine herd

Responses to selection for number of piglets born alive (NBA) by the total number of piglets born (TNB), the NBA, and the NBA plus number of piglets born dead (NBD) were compared using the accuracy of selection and expected genetic gain calculated from the selection index with family information and the real response to selection, using data generated by Monte Carlo computer simulation. The accuracy of selection for NBA selected by TNB was higher than that by NBA only if the genetic correlation between TNB and NBA was close to 1.0, or the value of heritability for the TNB was much larger than that for the NBA. The accuracy of selection for the NBA selected by the combination of the TNB and the NBA was generally highest in the three selection methods in each family structure. Selection by the TNB resulted in the greatest expected genetic gain for the TNB among the selection methods. In the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) selection, the genetic gain for the NBA accumulated by the NBA tended to be similar to that accumulated by the combination of the NBA and the NBD, and both genetic gains at generation 10 were significantly larger than that by the TNB (P < 0.001). The accumulated responses selected by the two‐trait animal model BLUP estimated from genetic parameters with errors were similar to those estimated from the true parameters, and there was no significant difference between them. These results indicate that selection by the NBA or by the NBA and the NBD gives more genetic improvement in the NBA than that by the TNB.     

Leptin基因对陆川猪和大白猪产仔数的影响

根据leptin基因在GenBank中的已知序列设计两对引物,采用PCR-SSCP技术在陆川猪和大白猪群体中进行单核苷酸多态性（SNPs）检测,发现了两个SNPs位点,并对其不同基因型个体PCR回收产物进行测序,同时对这两个SNPs位点与产仔数进行了关联分析。结果表明：这两个SNPs位点分别是在第3 469碱基处发生了T→C突变和第3 714碱基处发生了T→G突变,这两个突变都是同义突变;T3714G SNP对陆川猪产仔数影响显著（P〈0.05）,而对大白猪产仔数影响不显著（P〉0.05）,T3 469C SNP对陆川猪和大白猪产仔数影响均不显著（P〉0.05）。     

Vermicompost as a substitute for peat in potting media: Effects on germination,biomass allocation,yields and fruit quality of three tomato varieties

Commercial potting media often contain substantial amounts of peat that was mined from endangered bog and fen ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to assess (1) whether the amendment of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% (v/v) of vermicompost (VC) to a fertilized commercial peat potting substrate has effects on the emergence, growth and biomass allocation of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under greenhouse conditions, (2) whether possible impacts on seedlings can affect tomato yields and fruit quality even when transplanted into equally fertilized field soil, and (3) whether effects are consistent among different tomato varieties. Amended VC was produced in a windrow system of food and cotton waste mainly by earthworms Eisenia fetida Sav. Vermicompost amendments significantly influenced, specifically for each tomato variety, emergence and elongation of seedlings. Biomass allocation (root:shoot ratio) was affected by VC amendments for two varieties in seedling stage and one field-grown tomato variety. Marketable and total yields of field tomatoes were not affected by VC amendments used for seedling husbandry. However, morphological (circumference, dry matter content, peel firmness) and chemical fruit parameters (contents of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, l-ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose) were significantly affected by VC amendments in seedling substrates; these effects again were specific for each tomato variety. Overall, vermicompost could be an environmentally friendly substitute for peat in potting media with similar or beneficial effects on seedling performance and fruit quality. However, at least for tomatoes, variety-specific responses should be considered when giving recommendations on the optimum proportion of vermicompost amendment to horticultural potting substrate.     

Predicting Carbon Stocks Following Reforestation of Pastures: A Sampling Scenario‐Based Approach for Testing the Utility of Field‐Measured and Remotely Derived Variables

Reforestation of agricultural lands is an important means of restoring land and sequestering carbon (C). At large scales, the labour and costs of direct measurement of ecosystem responses can be prohibitive, making the development of models valuable. Here, we develop a new sampling scenario‐based modelling approach coupled with Bayesian model averaging to build predictive models for absolute values in mixed‐species woody plantings and differences from their adjacent pasture, for litter stocks, soil C stocks and soil C:N ratios. Modelling scenarios of increasing data availability and effort were tested. These included variables that could be derived without a site visit (e.g. location, climate and management) that were sampled in the adjacent pasture (e.g. soil C and nutrients) or were sampled in the environmental planting (e.g. vegetation, litter properties, soil C and nutrients). The predictive power of models varied considerably among C variables (litter stocks, soil C stocks and soil C:N ratios in tree plantings and their differences to their adjacent pastures) and the model scenarios used. The use of a sampling scenario‐based approach to building predictive models shows promise for monitoring changes in tree plantings, following reforestation. The approach could also be readily adapted to other contexts where sampling effort for predictor variables in models is a major potential limitation to model utilization. This study demonstrates the benefit of exploring scenarios of data availability during modelling and will be especially valuable where the sampling effort differs greatly among variables. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

滇中高原区主要森林类型枯枝落叶层对降雨的截留功能

枯枝落叶层是森林植被对降雨再分配的第２作用层，也是对土壤发育具有重要影响的层次。在实测本区主要森林类型枯枝落叶量及其持水能力的基础上，采用１００ｍ２最大截留能力、１００ｇ枯枝落叶最大持水能力及最大持水率等指标对不同森林类型枯枝落叶量、组成及其发育情况进行了综合评价。     

家兔发情状态与受胎率和产仔数关系的研究

本文研究了家兔的发情状态与配种后的受胎率，以及产仔数之间的关系。以家兔阴粘膜颜色作为表观指标，将家兔的发情分为５个状态，其相应的阴粘膜颜色分别为：苍白、粉色、红色、大红、黑紫。经促排２号诱发排卵后，人工授精，相应状态下的受胎率为：２９．５％、４２．９％、５６．８％、５３．８％、２５．０％；相应状态下的平均产仔数分别为：５．５４、６．６９、６．６２、７．２１、５．５２。用促排３号处理后，相应状态下的受胎率为：９．０％、４３．２％、５３．２％、７０．０％、２１．７％。结果表明：无论是用促排２号，还是用促排３号处理，当阴粘膜颜色为苍白和黑紫时的受胎率或产仔数，都显著地低于或少于阴粘膜颜色为粉色、红色、大红时的受胎率（Ｐ＜０．０１）或产仔数（Ｐ＜０．０５）。说明，家兔的发情状态与配种后的受胎率和产仔数有密切的相关     

The effects of the herbicide metsulfuron-methyl on litter invertebrate communities in a coastal dune invaded by Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. rotundata

We investigated the impacts of application of the sulfonylurea herbicide, metsulfuron-methyl, on soil and litter invertebrates in coastal vegetation where the weed Chrysanthemoides monilifera has invaded. We followed changes in litter invertebrates for 125 days following treatment to investigate direct toxic and indirect effects of treatment. Overall we found no effect of treatment on abundance, taxonomic richness or composition of litter invertebrates. In general, abundance and richness declined with time in both treated and untreated sites, suggesting that climatic factors were far more important in determining invertebrate communities than the effects of the treatment. Even changes in cover of vegetation as a result of death of the weed resulted in few measurable effects on invertebrates. It is concluded that metsulfuron-methyl had no impact on invertebrate communities up to 125 days following treatment.     

蛋壳粉少量替代石粉对蛋鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及钙代谢的影响

【目的】研究蛋壳粉少量替代石粉对蛋鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质和钙代谢的影响。【方法】试验选择80只180日龄的健康山麻鸭蛋鸭,随机分为两组,每组5个重复,每个重复8只蛋鸭。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮基础上,用2 g蛋壳粉取代饲料中等量的钙添加量。试验为期56 d,试验期间检测蛋鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质、钙沉积量、血液中钙磷含量和钙代谢相关激素水平等指标。【结果】试验组平均蛋重、蛋壳强度和蛋白高度均显著高于对照组,表明添加蛋壳粉能明显提高蛋品质量。试验组蛋壳钙沉积量、血磷含量和血浆甲状旁腺素水平显著高于对照组,试验组血钙含量为4.74(±1.17)μmol/mL,极显著高于对照组的2.79(±1.00)μmol/mL,表明蛋壳粉更有利于钙沉积,能明显提高血液中钙磷含量和甲状旁腺素水平。【结论】蛋壳粉少量替代石粉可促进蛋鸭钙吸收代谢和蛋壳钙沉积,提高平均蛋重,改善蛋品质。