Effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the body temperature of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions

Feed intake and diet composition appear to affect the body temperature of pigs. Two trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the intestinal temperature (IT) of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions. Ten pigs (64.1 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight) fitted with an ileal cannula were used. A thermometer set to register the IT at 5‐min intervals was implanted into the ileum through the cannula. In both trials, the ambient temperature ranged from 19.1 to 21.6°C and the pigs were fed at 07:00 and 19:00 hr (same amount each time). In trial 1, the pigs were fed daily 1.2 or 1.8 kg of a wheat–soybean meal diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along a 24‐hr period regardless the feed intake level. The IT rapidly increased up to 0.61 and 0.74°C after the morning meal and up to 0.53 and 0.47°C after the evening meal in pigs fed 1.2 and 1.8 kg/d respectively. The postprandial IT was higher in pigs fed 1.8 kg after each meal (p < .05). In trial 2, pigs were fed daily 1.8 kg of a low (11%) or a high (22%) crude protein diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along the 24‐hr period regardless the dietary protein level. The postprandial IT did not differ between pigs fed the low protein or the high protein (p > .10). The IT rapidly increased up to 0.66 and 0.62°C after the morning meal in pigs fed the high‐ and low‐protein diet (p < .05), but there was no change after the evening meal (p > .10). In conclusion, the feed intake level affected the IT of pigs housed under TN conditions, but the dietary protein content had no effect.     

β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate promotes leucine metabolism and improves muscle fibre composition in growing pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of excess leucine (Leu) vs. its metabolites α‐ketoisocaproate (KIC) and β‐hydroxy‐β‐methyl butyrate (HMB) on Leu metabolism, muscle fibre composition and muscle growth in growing pigs. Thirty‐two pigs with a similar initial weight (9.55 ± 0.19 kg) were fed 1 of 4 diets for 45 days: basal diet, basal diet + 1.25% L‐Leu, basal diet + 1.25% KIC‐Ca, basal diet + 0.62% HMB‐Ca. Results indicated that relative to the basal diet and HMB groups, Leu and KIC groups exhibited increased Leu concentrations and decreased concentrations of isoleucine, valine and EAAs in selected muscle (p < 0.05) and had lower mRNA levels of MyHC I and higher expression of MyHC IIx/IIb (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the basal and HMB‐supplemented groups. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of AMPKα and UCP3 were higher but the myostatin mRNA levels were lower in the soleus muscle of the HMB group than those from other groups (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrated that doubling dietary Leu content exerted growth‐depressing effects in growing pigs; dietary KIC supplementation induced muscular branched‐chain amino acid imbalance and promoted muscle toward a more glycolytic phenotype; while dietary HMB supplementation promoted the generation of more oxidative muscle types and increased muscle growth specially in oxidative skeletal muscle, and these effects of HMB might be associated with the AMPKα‐Sirt1‐PGC‐1α axis and mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Lipopolysaccharide and cytokines modulate leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTC4 production by porcine endometrial endothelial cells

Uterine inflammatory response is mediated by inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and cytokines produced by immune and endometrial cells. Interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endothelium, important for the host defence during the inflammation, are unknown. We studied the effect of LPS, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 on 5‐lipooxygenase (5‐LO), LTA₄ hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC₄ synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein expression, LTB₄ and LTC₄ release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and cell viability. For 24 hr, cells were exposed to LPS (10 or 100 ng/ml of medium) and cytokines (each 1 or 10 ng/ml). 5‐LO mRNA/protein expression augmented after incubation with larger doses of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐10 and smaller dose of IL‐1β. Larger dose of TNF‐α, smaller doses of LPS and IL‐1β and both doses of IL‐10 increased LTAH mRNA/protein expression. LTAH protein content was up‐regulated by larger dose of LPS, but it was reduced in response to both doses of IL‐4. LTCS mRNA expression was elevated by larger doses of LPS, IL‐4 and IL‐10 or both doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. LTCS protein level increased after treatment with both doses of IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10, smaller dose of LPS and larger dose of TNF‐α. Both doses of LPS and larger doses of TNF‐α and IL‐10 increased LTB₄ release. LPS, IL‐1β and IL‐10 at smaller doses, or TNF‐α and IL‐4 at larger doses stimulated LTC₄ release. Smaller doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β or both doses of IL‐4 enhanced the cell viability. This work provides new insight on the participation of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in LTB₄ and LTC₄ production/release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and the effect of above factors on these cells viability. The used cellular model gives the possibility to further establish the interactions between inflammatory mediators.     

猪SENP1基因克隆、生物信息学分析与表达研究

试验旨在对猪SUMO特异性蛋白酶1(sentrin-specific protease 1,SENP1)基因CDS区进行克隆和生物信息学分析,并探讨SENP1基因在乙脑病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)感染PK15细胞后的表达情况。根据GenBank中公布的猪SENP1基因预测序列(登录号:XM_013997974.2)设计特异性引物,通过RT-PCR和T/A克隆技术对猪SENP1基因CDS区序列进行克隆测序,并进行生物信息学分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR分析猪SENP1基因在JEV感染PK15细胞不同时间点(0、12、24、36、48 h)的表达情况。结果显示,猪SENP1基因CDS序列全长2 034 bp,共编码677个氨基酸。序列比对和系统进化树分析结果表明,猪SENP1蛋白序列和山羊、犬、人、牛的相似性分别为94.8%、94.2%、93.9%和93.8%,说明在这些物种中SENP1的保守性较强;猪与犬的SENP1分子亲缘关系较近。生物信息学分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白相对分子质量为76 825.76,等电点为8.53,体外半衰期为30 h,不稳定系数为53.59,总平均亲水指数为－0.622。SENP1蛋白不含信号肽序列,无跨膜结构域。二级结构分析结果显示,SENP1蛋白中α-螺旋、无规则卷曲、延伸链和β-转角分别占31.31%、46.68%、16.25%和5.76%。三级结构分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白中存在8个α-螺旋区和7个β-转角区。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,猪SENP1基因在JEV感染的PK15细胞中呈现上调表达趋势,其中在感染后48 h SENP1基因表达量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。本试验结果为后续深入研究SENP1基因功能提供了参考。     

加强生长育肥猪的饲养管理减少疾病的发生

在整个养猪生产中,育肥是养猪的最后一个生产环节,是检测猪种选择是否正确,营养饲料是否适合,饲养技术是否过硬,疫病防控是否完善的关键,不仅关系到市场供应,而且对猪场经济效益有着重要影响,也是发展养猪生产的最终目的。     

固态发酵醋糟饲料对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率、血清指标及粪便中挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响

本试验旨在研究固态发酵醋糟饲料(SFVD)对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率、血清指标及粪便中挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量的影响。选择体况相近[(59.04±0.33)kg]的健康“杜×长×大”三元杂交生长育肥猪60头,随机分为2个组,每组3个重复,每个重复10头猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮+150 mg/kg土霉素钙,试验组饲喂基础饲粮+5%的SFVD。预试期6 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,基础饲粮中添加5%的SFVD对育肥猪平均日采食量(ADFI)具有一定的促进趋势(P=0.056);显著降低了育肥猪饲粮中干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、有机物(OM)和总能(GE)的表观消化率(P<0.05),对粗脂肪(EE)表观消化率有一定的促进趋势(P=0.052);显著提高了育肥猪血清谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性(P<0.05),血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL)和免疫球蛋白A(IgA)含量也呈现出一定的升高趋势(P=0.055和P=0.077);显著提高了育肥猪粪便中丙酸含量(P<0.05),粪便中甲酸和总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量也呈现出一定的升高趋势(P=0.071和P=0.054)。由此可见,基础饲粮中添加5%的SFVD对育肥猪生长性能、肠道健康及免疫性能的提高具有潜在的促进作用。     

PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异及其表达量与肉质的关系

本试验中旨在比较PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异,并探讨PRKAG3基因与肉质的关系。挑选15 kg左右的汉普夏阉公猪17头和长撒阉公猪16头,饲喂相同饲粮,当体重分别达到20和50 kg时,2个品种的猪分别屠宰5头,体重达到100 kg时分别屠宰7和6头。各生长阶段屠宰后均测定骨骼肌pH、肌糖原含量以及PRKAG3基因表达量,且在100 kg阶段屠宰后同时测定肉质性状。结果表明:1)在不同生长阶段长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均高于汉普夏猪,特别是在100 kg阶段,长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量是汉普夏猪的6.81倍(P0.05)。长撒猪与汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均随体重的增加而增加,但汉普夏猪不同生长阶段PRKAG3基因的表达量差异不显著(P0.05),而长撒猪PRKAG3基因的表达量在100 kg阶段时显著高于20和50 kg阶段时(P0.05)。2)汉普夏猪和长撒猪的肉质存在差异。汉普夏猪的滴水损失和失水率显著高于长撒猪(P0.05),而熟肉率、黄度(b)值极显著低于长撒猪(P0.01),剪切力和pH2(屠宰后24 h的pH)显著低于长撒猪(P0.05)。与长撒猪相比,汉普夏猪具有较高的肌糖原含量(P0.05)。3)猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质的相关性存在品种效应。汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失呈正相关,与熟肉率呈负相关,与pH2呈显著负相关(P0.05)。长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失和失水率呈正相关,与pH2呈负相关。上述结果表明,猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因具有品种和生长阶段表达差异;猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质性状相关,特别是与pH2,二者呈显著负相关。     

长白和大白猪主要生长性状的遗传参数估计

旨在分析母猪的出生年份、出生季节、初生重、开测日龄等固定效应对长白、大白猪主要生长性状的影响,并对目标生长性状进行遗传参数估计（遗传力、遗传方差、表型相关和遗传相关）,为猪的遗传改良提供基本依据。本试验利用GLM模型分析试验猪群（398头长白猪和1 176头大白猪）的固定效应对猪生长性状的影响,并采用多性状动物模型对目标性状进行遗传参数估计。目标生长性状包括达100 kg体重日龄（age to 100 kg,AGE）、达100 kg背膘厚（backfat to 100 kg,BF）、100 kg平均日增重（average daily gain to 100 kg,ADG）。研究表明,在大白和长白猪中,猪的出生年、出生季、初生重以及开测日龄对生长性状均具有极显著的影响（P<0.001）;长白猪的AGE、ADG和BF的遗传力分别为0.321、0.327和0.324,大白猪对应性状的遗传力分别为0.454、0.469和0.408;长白猪的ADG和AGE之间的遗传相关、表型相关分别为-0.990、-0.995,大白猪的ADG和AGE之间的遗传相关、表型相关分别为-0.993、-0.998,均呈现较强的负相关。长白、大白猪的生长性状（AGE、ADG、BF）均属于中等遗传力性状,其出生年份、出生季节、初生重和开测日龄对猪的生长性状影响较大。在遗传参数估计分析时,提高样本数量并提升表型数据质量,可以增加遗传参数估计的可靠性。本研究中的生长性状遗传参数估计结果较为可靠,可为后续的遗传改良提供参考。     

花椰菜尾菜发酵饲料对保育猪生长性能、血清生化指标、小肠组织形态及经济效益的影响

为研究花椰菜尾菜发酵饲料对保育猪生长性能、血清生化指标、小肠组织形态及经济效益的影响。选取42头体重相近（11.40±1.36） kg、体况良好的40日龄保育猪,随机分为两组,每组3个重复,每个重复7头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂由80%基础饲粮和20%花椰菜尾菜发酵饲料组成的试验饲粮。试验共30 d,其中预试期8 d,正试期22 d。结果表明：与对照组相比,1）试验组保育猪的平均日采食量和平均日增重分别显著提高了16.50%和18.68%（P<0.05）,腹泻率显著降低了74.35%（P<0.05）。2）试验组保育猪十二指肠、空肠、盲肠、结肠和直肠食糜pH值分别显著降低了19.16%、11.59%、14.09%、15.95%和11.23%（P<0.05）。3）试验组血清尿素氮、白蛋白、免疫球蛋白M的含量显著升高了69.84%、5.22%、100%（P<0.05）,血清总胆固醇、谷丙转氨酶的含量分别显著降低了29.43%、60.51%（P<0.05）。4）试验组保育猪的空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度和回肠绒毛高度分别显著升高了13.64%和11.49%（P<0.05）,空肠隐窝深度显著降低了9.56%（P<0.05）。5）试验组每头猪的增重收益、毛利润分别显著提高了30.84%和44.48%（P<0.05）,饲料成本显著降低了21.58%（P<0.05）。综上所述,饲喂花椰菜尾菜发酵饲料能够降低保育猪的腹泻率,提高保育猪的生长性能,增强其免疫性能,促进肠道发育,提高经济效益。     

不同能量和蛋白质水平饲粮对宁乡猪生长性能、胴体品质和肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究不同能量和蛋白质水平饲粮对宁乡猪生长性能、胴体品质及肉品质的影响。选用体重约18 kg的宁乡猪仔猪72头,随机分为3组(每组4个重复,每个重复6头):对照组饲喂基础饲粮(前、中、后3期蛋白质水平分别为14.03%、12.06%、11.01%;全期消化能为12.15 MJ/kg);试验A组饲喂在基础饲粮的基础上3期蛋白质水平各降低约2个百分点、全期消化能降低1.25 MJ/kg的低营养水平饲粮;试验B组饲喂在基础饲粮的基础上3期蛋白质水平各降低约3个百分点、全期消化能降低2.50 MJ/kg的超低营养水平饲粮。试验期180 d。结果表明:1)试验组前期料重比和平均日增重较对照组显著提高(P<0.05);从全期来看,3个组间生长性能差异不显著(P>0.05)。2)试验B组的肥肉率较对照组和试验A组显著降低(P<0.05),瘦肉率有提高趋势。与对照组相比,试验组胴体垂直长均极显著提高(P<0.01);试验B组胴体斜长、皮厚显著提高(P<0.05)。3)试验组背最长肌pH 1 h显著降低(P<0.05),其他肉品质性状各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,降低饲粮能量和蛋白质水平,对宁乡猪生长性能和肉品质没有明显负面影响,且能提高屠宰性能,改善胴体组成。在本试验中,超低营养水平饲粮对胴体组成的改善效果优于低营养水平饲粮。