The Alleviating Effect of Elevated CO2 on Heat Stress Susceptibility of Two Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

This study analysed the alleviating effect of elevated CO₂ on stress‐induced decreases in photosynthesis and changes in carbohydrate metabolism in two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different origin. The plants were grown in ambient (400 μl l^?1) and elevated (800 μl l^?1) CO₂ with a day/night temperature of 15/10 °C. At the growth stages of tillering, booting and anthesis, the plants were subjected to heat stress of 40 °C for three continuous days. Photosynthetic parameters, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and contents of pigments and carbohydrates in leaves were analysed before and during the stress treatments as well as after 1 day of recovery. Heat stress reduced P_N and F_v/F_m in both wheat cultivars, but plants grown in elevated CO₂ maintained higher P_N and F_v/F_m in comparison with plants grown in ambient CO₂. Heat stress reduced leaf chlorophyll contents and increased leaf sucrose contents in both cultivars grown at ambient and elevated CO₂. The content of hexoses in the leaves increased mainly in the tolerant cultivar in response to the combination of elevated CO₂ and heat stress. The results show that heat stress tolerance in wheat is related to cultivar origin, the phenological stage of the plants and can be alleviated by elevated CO₂. This confirms the complex interrelation between environmental factors and genotypic traits that influence crop performance under various climatic stresses.     

发动机缸盖用铸造铝硅合金的成分优化与组织性能研究

采用正交试验对ZL101合金进行了成分优化设计，并分析了合金元素对铝硅合金力学性能的影响.对改良后的合金进行了热处理工艺研究，其最佳热处理工艺条件为：500 ℃×5.5 h+180 ℃×5 h.研究结果表明，改良合金在铸态下的力学性能为：抗拉强度为244.57 MPa，伸长率为5.95%，硬度为75.1 HB；在T6态下的力学性能为：抗拉强度为397.92 MPa，伸长率为4.68%，硬度为141.2 HB.     

骆驼乳清蛋白对热应激所致大鼠肝氧化损伤的保护作用

本试验旨在研究骆驼乳清蛋白（CWP）对热应激（HS）大鼠肝损伤、氧化应激及肝功能的保护作用。选取6周龄SD大鼠36只,适应性饲养2周后随机分为6组：正常对照组饲喂基础日粮;CWP对照组添加400 mg·kg^-1的CWP;HS组除饲喂基础日粮外,每天进行2 h HS处理,连续8 d;3个CWP干预组分别于每次HS前灌服100、200和400 mg·kg^-1的CWP。试验结束后,取大鼠肝组织,HE染色观察肝组织病理学变化,同时检测肝功能生物标志物、氧化应激标志物水平及抗氧化酶活性。结果表明：CWP降低了HS大鼠血清谷草转氨酶（AST）和谷丙转氨酶（ALT）活性,400 mg·kg^-1的CWP干预效果最好（P<0.01）;400 mg·kg^-1CWP干预组有效降低了HS诱导的大鼠肝组织病理学改变; CWP降低了大鼠肝活性氧（ROS）及丙二醛（MDA）水平,增加了超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性及谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平,400 mg·kg^-1的CWP干预效果最好（P<0.01）。结果提示,CWP干预能够以剂量依赖性方式降低大鼠肝氧化应激,增加抗氧化系统防御能力,从而缓解HS所致大鼠肝损伤。     

Developmental competence of heat stressed oocytes from Holstein and Limousine cows matured in vitro

The negative effects of heat stress on dairy cattle's fertility have been extensively studied, but the relevant knowledge for beef cattle is rather limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of HS during in vitro maturation on the developmental potential of oocytes derived from Limousine and Holstein cows and to estimate the effect of the differential gene expression of important genes in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts in the growth competence between the breeds. In seven replicates, cumulus oocyte complexes from Holstein and Limousine cows were matured for 24 hr at 39°C (controls C; Hol_39, Lim_39) or at 41°C from hour 2 to hour 8 of IVM (treated T; Hol_41, Lim_41), fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39°C. Cleavage and embryo formation rates were evaluated 48 hr post-insemination and on days 7, 8 and 9, respectively. From all groups, subsets of cumulus cells, oocytes and blastocysts were analysed for the relative expression of genes related to metabolism, stress, apoptosis and placentation. No difference was detected in cleavage rate or in blastocyst formation rate among the control groups. In both breeds, heat stress reduced blastocyst yield, but at all days the suppression was higher in Limousines. In Holsteins, altered gene expression was detected in cumulus cells (G6PD, GLUT1) and blastocysts (PLAC8), while in Limousines, differences were found in oocytes (G6PD, HSP90AA1), in cumulus cells (CPT1B, HSP90AA1, SOD2) and blastocysts (DNMT, HSP90AA1, SOD2). It appears that Holstein COCs are more tolerant than Limousine COCs, possibly due to compulsory, production driven selection.     

Ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum and the gravid uterus during heat stress in dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to assess alterations in, echogenic appearance, size and blood flow in the corpus luteum, the placentomes and the blood flow in umbilical and uterine arteries that heat stress can cause in cooled pregnant dairy cows. Pregnant cows were allocated in two groups and the gravid uteri, along with the ipsilateral corpora lutea were examined during the winter (group W, n = 9) or the summer (group S, n = 10). The grey-scale ultrasound and colour flow imaging of the corpus luteum and placentome were performed. In addition, the umbilical and uterine artery diameters and haemodynamic parameters in the vessels were calculated. At the time of ultrasonographic examination, cortisol concentrations were higher, and progesterone levels tended to be lower in group S compared to group W. The grey-scale ultrasound evaluation of corpora lutea and placentomes was lower in group S compared to group W. The diameter of umbilical artery and the blood volume in the vessel were less in group S than in group W. We infer that heat stress affects foetal blood supply and possibly the structure of placentomes and corpora lutea, but it differently affects the blood flow characteristics in the umbilical and uterine arteries.     

地衣芽孢杆菌对热应激公兔甲状腺和甲状旁腺组织的影响

将成年塞北兔公兔随机分成3组:常温组、热应激组(基础日粮)和地衣芽孢杆菌组(基础日粮+1000 mg/kg地衣芽孢杆菌),常温组温度为20~25℃,其他2个组人工模拟夏季温度。在试验期间测定血浆皮质醇含量。试验结束后测定甲状腺质量,计算甲状腺指数;观察光镜下甲状腺组织、透射电镜下甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞和甲状旁腺嗜酸性细胞变化。结果显示,地衣芽孢杆菌可极显著降低热应激公兔皮质醇含量,提高热应激15 d后公兔甲状腺质量和指数(P<0.01);明显改善甲状腺滤泡结构,膜结构较为清晰,降低细胞核萎缩和胞质内细胞器损伤;降低甲状旁腺嗜酸性细胞中线粒体空泡化程度。结果表明,在塞北兔公兔日粮中添加1000 mg/kg地衣芽孢杆菌可有效降低热应激公兔血浆皮质醇含量,缓解对甲状腺和甲状旁腺的损伤,对保证塞北兔公兔正常生殖机能具有重要作用。     

Betaine Alleviates Heat Stress-Induced Hepatic and Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage in Broilers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary betaine (BET) on growth performance, redox state, and related gene expression in broilers under heat stress (HS). A total of 144 21-day-old male broiler chickens with similar body weights were assigned randomly to three treatments with six replicates (eight chickens per replicate cage). Broilers in the control (CON) group were kept at thermoneutral (TN, 22±1°C) conditions and fed a basal diet until they were 42 days of age. Broilers in the other two groups (defined as HS and HS + BET) were exposed to HS (34±1°C, 8 h/day) and fed the basal diet without or with 1000 mg/kg BET, respectively. Rectal and cockscomb temperature of broilers was increased (P<0.05) in HS and HS + BET groups compared with the CON group, whereas there was no difference between HS and HS + BET groups. Dietary BET supplementation restored (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers and reversed (P<0.05) the increase in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver tissue of broilers under HS. The HS + BET group had higher (P<0.05) activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver tissue and mitochondria than the HS group, and the same pattern was observed for glutathione (GSH) and GSH/glutathione disulphide (GSSG) in the liver tissue. The decreased mRNA levels of GPX1 and uncoupling protein (UCP) in the liver induced by HS were restored by BET supplementation. In conclusion, dietary BET supplementation can alleviate HS-induced hepatic and mitochondrial oxidative damage of broilers by regulating mRNA expressions of GPX1 and UCP.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism in avian uncoupling protein gene is associated with thermoregulation in chicks

Avian uncoupling protein (av-UCP) is a key protein for thermoregulation in poultry. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the av-UCP gene has been reported in chickens. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the association between this av-UCP gene mutation and thermoregulation in chickens. Wild and mutant type chicks for the av-UCP gene SNP (g. 1270 of the av-UCP gene exon 3 with C to T substitution and amino acid substitution) were exposed to high ambient temperature. Rectal temperature, radiation temperature on the body surface, and the expression of heat dissipation behavior (wing drooping and panting) during heat exposure were measured. In addition, oxygen consumption rate in the thermoneutral zone in wild and mutant type chicks was measured. Changes in wing temperature during heat exposure in wild-type chicks were lower than those in mutants. The latency of continuous wing drooping during heat exposure in wild-type chicks was shorter than in mutant chicks. It was also found that the SNP in the av-UCP gene caused reduced oxygen consumption. These results suggest that the av-UCP gene mutation affects thermoregulation, especially heat production, in chickens.     

保温型刚性护面渠道设计

在刚性面层下设置一道性能良好的保温层来防止基土冻结,可以从根本上解决冻胀破坏的问题。这种带保温层的刚性护面渠道称为保温型刚性护面渠道,根据热工原理,提出了保温型刚性护面渠道横断面设计在构造方面的要求,进一步推导出计算保温层厚度的有关公式,并给出算例,还指出了需要进一步研究和探讨的问题。     

Effect of Se and VE Supplement on Semen Quality,Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Heat Shock Protein Expression of Goat in High Temperature Season

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of selenium and vitamin E supplement on semen quality, antioxidant enzyme activities and heat shock protein expression of goat in Hainan high temperature season.16 adult Hainan Black goat with good health and approximate weight were randomly divided into 4 groups, fed with basal diet(control group), basal diet+0.5 mg/kg Se(Se group), basal diet+100 mg/kg VE(VE group), and basal diet+0.5 mg/kg Se+100 mg/kg VE(Se+VE group), respectively.The experimental period was 93 d.Semen samples were collected in the last week of the experiment on two consecutive days.The semen quality, antioxidant enzyme activities and heat shock protein expression were analyzed.The results showed that compared with control group, the ejaculate volume was not significantly affected by Se or VE supplement(P>0.05).Sperm density and sperm motility were increased significantly by Se and VE supplement(P<0.05), and the abnormal rate was decreased extremely significantly(P<0.01).The goats fed with Se and VE also had higher activities of GSH-Px(P<0.01), SOD(P<0.05), CAT(P<0.05) and T-AOC(P<0.01), and lower MDA concentration in seminal plasma(P<0.05).The relative expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA in supplement groups were decreased extremely significantly(P<0.01).However, there were some certain differences between the Se and VE supplement groups on semen quality and heat shock protein expression.In conclusion, the supplementation of Se and VE could help to improve goat semen quality by increasing the sperm density, sperm motility, the antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing the abnormal rate in hot season of Hainan.Finally, Se and VE supplement had good effects on relieving the environment heat stress.