Diurnal and individual variations in bile acids in the plasma of normal dairy cows

Blood samples were collected every 2 h during a 24 h period from 6 cows of one herd and 10 cows of another herd. In a third herd 9 cows were sampled every 2 h from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Concentrations of total bile acids, acetoacetate, glucose and free fatty acids were determined in blood plasma. A marked difference in individual bile acid concentrations and patterns of diurnal variation was found. For most cows the highest bile acid values were observed between 2 and 6 a.m. (overall mean (+/- SD) at 6 a.m.: 104 +/- 84 mumol/l, range: 20-307 mumol/l). Fourteen cows with a bile acid value greater than 90 mumol/l at 6 a.m. ("high BA") were characterized as a group by showing a pronounced decrease in the mean bile acid concentration after morning feeding. In the group of 11 cows with a 6 a.m. bile acid value less than 90 mumol/l ("low BA") the time of day did not contribute significantly to the bile acid variation. For the "high BA" group a nearly synchronous variation between the mean values of the 3 feeding dependent parameters (acetoacetate, glucose and free fatty acids) and the mean values of bile acids was found. The within animal coefficients of correlation between bile acids and the feeding dependent parameters were significantly higher in the "high BA" group than in the "low BA" group. No direct connection was found between bile acid levels and the quantity of concentrates fed or the individual milk yield.     

Dynamics ofRhizoctonia solani (black scurf) in successive potato crops

The position of plants withRhizoctonia solani sclerotia (black scurf) on progeny tubers was mapped for an experimental field at Haren where potatoes were grown continuously and in rotation with other crops for five successive years, and for another field at Borgercompagnie with a 12 frequency of potatoes during three potato crops. Initially, the distribution of plants with black scurf on both fields was rather dense and homogeneous. In the following years the distribution became heterogeneous and patchy. The local decline ofR. solani AG 3 (the common potato pathogen) in Haren was apparently caused by an unknown factor selectively suppressingR. solani AG 3, while simultaneouslyR. solani AG 5 increased in mass. This AG 5 type proved to be an inferior competitor of AG 3 on the potato plant in a laboratory experiment. The specificR. solani antagonistVerticillium biguttatum did not play a role. A similar factor could have reduced the formation of black scurf in the experimental field at Borgercompagnie, whereV. biguttatum was also too infrequent to account for the decline.R. solani AG 5 was not present here and could not indicate the presence of a selective factor against AG 3.     

香蕉ACC氧化酶基因(MAO3)的克隆及其表达特性分析

 根据同源扩增得到香蕉(Musa acuminata) ACC氧化酶基因(MAO3) 的核心部分, 再通过3'和5'RACE扩增上、下游序列以及Genome-Walker的方法得到启动子部分, 共获得3 718 bp长度的序列。将所得结果进行聚类分析, 发现香蕉中ACC氧化酶的氨基酸序列非常保守, 各序列间的同一性高达99% ,与单子叶植物和双子叶植物中ACC氧化酶的氨基酸序列的同源性在66.7%～71.8%之间。组织原位杂交试验表明MAO3基因的表达具有组织特异性, 初步认为是在韧皮部筛管组织中特异表达。运用实时荧光定量PCR技术, 实时监测到了MAO3基因和香蕉乙烯受体基因ERS2受机械伤诱导的定量变化。     

Growth performance, energy, and nitrogen balance of weanling pigs fed a cereal-based diet supplemented with Chinese rhubarb

Forty Swiss Large White piglets of 4 weeks of age were used to determine the effect of dietary Chinese rhubarb on growth performance, as well as on energy and nitrogen metabolism by means of indirect respiration calorimetry studies. A cereal-based diet, supplemented with four different dosages of Chinese rhubarb (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%), was offered ad libitum to the piglets. Gaseous exchange was measured, and urine, faeces, and blood samples were taken. The addition of 0.25% dietary rhubarb increased feed intake (+32%) and daily weight gain (+67%) compared to the diet containing the greatest amount of rhubarb (1%). The piglets fed diet supplemented with 0.25% rhubarb digested and metabolised more energy and nitrogen relative to the animals of treatment 1%. As a consequence, the same group (0.25%) converted more energy and nitrogen into body protein than piglets receiving diet supplemented with 1% rhubarb. However, compared to the control group, the addition of 0.25% rhubarb to the diet resulted in not significantly alter growth performance, energy, and nitrogen metabolism of the animals.Blood parameters were not affected by the rhubarb supplementation. The dose-responding effect of Chinese rhubarb was reflected by the dry matter content of faecal samples. According to the laxative effect of higher doses of rhubarb, the addition of 1% rhubarb to the diet reduced dry matter content of faeces. This effect was well visible in practice, although not relevant in statistical terms. The addition of 0.5% dietary rhubarb had no relevant effect on growth performance or on energy and nitrogen metabolism of treated animals.     

Effect of live weight and dietary supplement of raw potato starch on the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate in entire male pigs

This study evaluated the effect of supplement of raw potato starch (RPS) on the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate in plasma from entire male pigs. The study also evaluated relationships between plasma levels of skatole and testicular steroids at three different live weights (LW) of approximately 90, 100 and 115 kg. A total of 111 entire male pigs of a crossbred (Yorkshire dams×Swedish Landrace sires) were used. Animals were raised either in mixed pens, with females and males, or single-sex pens. Each pen contained seven or nine pigs. The most fast-growing three pigs from the pens with nine pigs were slaughtered when they reached 90 kg LW, and the remaining pigs were slaughtered at 115 kg LW. All pigs were fed the same commercial diet until the average pen weight reached 100 kg. Then, 33 out of 80 remaining pigs received RPS, 0.6 kg per pig and day, for 2 weeks prior to slaughter. Blood samples were taken from the pigs at three occasions: first, the day prior to first slaughter occasion, low-weight group; second, the day prior to change in diet, middle-weight group; and third, the day prior to second slaughter occasion, high-weight group. Plasma was analysed for the levels of skatole, androstenone, testosterone and oestrone sulphate. Fat samples were taken at slaughter and analysed for the levels of skatole and androstenone. The levels of skatole and testicular steroids in plasma were significantly higher in entire male pigs from the high-weight group fed no RPS compared to those from low- and middle-weight groups. The levels of the investigated compounds did not differ between low- and middle-weight groups (P>0.1). The diet with RPS induced a decline in skatole levels in plasma and fat (P<0.001), but not plasma levels of testicular steroids and fat levels of androstenone (P>0.05). Skatole levels were positively correlated to testosterone and oestrone sulphate levels in the middle- and high-weight pigs fed no RPS as well as to testosterone in the low-weight group. In the high-weight group fed RPS, skatole levels were not correlated to any of the analysed compounds. Approximately 26% of the entire male pigs (11 out of 43) from the high-weight group fed no RPS produced skatole levels in fat above 0.20 μg/g, whereas the pigs from the low- and high-weight group fed RPS did not produce skatole levels above 0.20 μg/g in fat. Androstenone levels in fat were high in all groups. In total 47% (52 out of 111) pigs expressed androstenone levels above the rejection levels in fat of 1.0 μg/g and 88% (98 out of 111) had androstenone levels above 0.5 μg/g. It was concluded that a lower slaughter weight and the supplement of raw potato starch to the diet could be used to reduce skatole levels in entire male pigs. Androstenone levels in fat, however, could not be reduced by either a lower weight at slaughter or dietary manipulation.     

硝酸钙和IAA对温州蜜柑果实钙含量及其品质的影响

在花期、花后1周、3周、采前2周对龟井蜜柑进行Ca(NO3)2、IAA和IAA+Ca(NO3)2喷布处理,同时测定了不同发育时期各处理果实钙含量及其采后果实的主要品质,并与采后浸钙处理和完熟采收果实品质进行了对比分析,结果表明:1)各处理的果皮钙含量在花后51d和112d均有所提高,但此期整个果实钙含量并无显著性差异,采收时各处理整个果实和果肉钙含量均显著高于对照;2)采收时各处理果实的可溶性固形物和可滴定酸均显著低于对照,可溶性糖、单果重、果皮色差值和相对电导率与对照无显著性差异,各处理糖酸比显著高于对照;3)采后30d时IAA+Ca(NO3)2喷布和采后浸钙处理果实的维生素C及完熟采收果实的可溶性固形物和可溶性糖均显著高于对照和其他处理。     

大蒜新品种成蒜早2号和成蒜早3号的选育

成蒜早2号和成蒜早3号是从温江蒜的自然变异株中,经系统选育而成的早熟新品种.成蒜早2号从播种到蒜薹始收需153～180 d(天),平均单薹质量12.7 g,单头质量10.7 g,多数蒜头由6～9瓣组成,蒜瓣紧密抱握蒜薹轴,一般蒜薹和蒜头产量分别为340和350 kg·(667 m2)-1,抽薹比温江蒜早,抗寒力比温江蒜弱;成蒜早3号从播种到蒜薹始收需153～186 d(天),平均单薹质量和单头质量分别为14.5和12.0 g,多数蒜头由5～8瓣组成.一般蒜薹和蒜头产量分别为320和410kg·(667 m2)-1,抽薹比温江蒜早,抗寒力与温江蒜相当.     

日粮纤维及其对幼龄单胃动物消化功能的影响

日粮纤维能提供大量的能量,而且有利于维持动物机体的正常消化功能。本文综述了日粮纤维的代谢及对幼龄单胃动物消化功能的影响。     

L-肉碱在水产养殖中的应用

L-肉碱是一种具有多种生理功能的新型添加剂。在水产饲料中添加适量L-肉碱不但可以提高饲料利用效率、降低饵料系数、加快水产动物的生长,还能节约蛋白质日粮,改善肉质。