棉花纤维中木质素的相对分子量

分子量是聚合物的重要特性之一,木质素的分子量及其分布是研究苯丙烷类结构的反应、物理化学特性和评价其改性产物质量的内容之一。本研究以陆地棉TM-1成熟纤维为材料,分别利用酶解-温和酸解木质素法和二氧六环法提取棉纤维中木质素,结合凝胶渗透色谱法(gel permeation chromatography,GPC)调查和评价2种方法获得的棉纤维中木质素的相对分子量。结果表明,经二氧六环处理提取的棉花纤维中的木质素(dioxane lignin,DL)的重均分子量为2924g mol~(–1)、数均分子量2403 g mol~(–1),略高于由酶解-温和酸解处理提取的木质素(enzymatic hydrolysis-mild acidolysis lignin,EMAL)的重均分子量(2169 g mol~(–1))和数均分子量(1970 g mol~(–1)),EMAL的多分散系数稍低,说明木质素的均一性比DL高。表明EMAL法提取的木质素更适用于分析棉纤维中木质素的相对分子量。利用EMAL法分析棉纤维中木质素相对分子量表明,不同棉花品种的木质素重均分子量分布范围为938~2169 g mol~(–1),数均分子量分布范围为857~1970 g mol~(–1),多分散性系数在1.09~1.74间,均小于2。重均分子量与纤维马克隆值呈显著负相关,数均分子量与纤维长度呈显著负相关,与纤维马克隆值呈极显著负相关。     

玉米粒重一致性QTL整合图谱的构建及元分析

为进一步研究候选基因发掘、克隆以及基因组结构,在生物信息学基础上,利用公共网络资源上已发表的149个玉米粒重相关QTL位点信息,初步探讨了玉米粒重"一致性"QTL发掘。结果表明:构建出一个包含了80个玉米粒重QTL位点的整合图谱,并在第7染色体上确定出一个"一致性"QTL,由标记bcd349和gpm760a界定,置信区间为463.29~505.50,间距42.21cM。     

Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth: implications on carcass composition and pork quality

Although pork producers typically aim to optimize growth rates, occasionally it is necessary to slow growth, such as when harvest facility capacity is limited. In finishing pigs, numerous dietary strategies can be used to slow growth so pigs are at optimal slaughter body weights when harvest facility capacity and/or access is restored. However, the impact of these diets on pork carcass quality is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary strategies to slow growth in late finishing pigs and evaluate their effects on carcass composition and pork quality. Mixed-sex pigs (n = 897; 125 ± 2 kg BW) were randomly allotted across 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (n = 8 pens/treatment): (1) Control diet representative of a typical finisher diet (CON); (2) diet containing 3% calcium chloride (CaCl₂); (3) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal (Corn); (4) diet deficient in isoleucine (LowIle); (5) diet containing 15% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from soybean hulls (15% NDF); and (6) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF). Over 42 d, pen body weights and feed disappearance were collected. Pigs were harvested in 3 groups (14, 28, and 42 d on feed) and carcass data collected. From the harvest group, 1 loin was collected from 120 randomly selected carcasses (20 loins/treatment) to evaluate pork quality traits. Overall, ADG was reduced in CaCl₂, Corn, and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). However, ADFI was only reduced in CaCl₂ and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was reduced in CaCl₂ and Corn pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weights were reduced in CaCl₂ pigs at all harvest dates (P < 0.001) and were reduced in Corn and 20% NDF pigs at days 28 and 42 compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In general, CaCl₂ and 20% NDF diets resulted in leaner carcasses, whereas the Corn diet increased backfat by 42 d on test (P < 0.05). Loin pH was reduced and star probe increased in CaCl₂ pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.05); no treatments differed from CON pigs regarding drip loss, cook loss, color, firmness, or marbling (P ≥ 0.117). Overall, these data indicate that several dietary strategies can slow finishing pig growth without evidence of behavioral vices. However, changes to carcass composition and quality were also observed, indicating quality should be taken into consideration when choosing diets to slow growth.     

The Blonde d’Aquitaine T3811>G3811 mutation in the myostatin gene: association with growth,carcass, and muscle phenotypes in veal calves

The mutation T3811 → G3811 (TG3811) discovered in the myostatin gene of the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed is suspected of contributing to the outstanding muscularity of this breed. An experiment was designed to estimate the effect of this mutation in an F2 and back-cross Blonde d’Aquitaine × Holstein population. By genotyping all known mutations in the myostatin gene, it was ensured that the TG3811 mutation was indeed the only known mutation segregating in this population. Fifty-six calves (43 F2, 13 back-cross) were intensively fattened and slaughtered at 24.0 ± 1.4 wk of age. The effects of the mutation were estimated by comparing the calves with the [T/T] (n = 18), [T/G] (n = 30), and [G/G] (n = 8) genotypes. Highly significant substitution effects (P < 0.001), above + 1.2 phenotypic SD, were shown on carcass yield and muscularity scores. Birth weight (P < 0.001) was positively affected by the mutation (+0.8 SD) but not growth rate (P = 0.97), while carcass length (P = 0.03), and fatness (P ≤ 0.03) were negatively affected (–0.5 to –0.7 SD). The characteristics of the Triceps brachii muscle were affected by the mutation (P < 0.001), with lower ICDH activity (oxidative) and a higher proportion of myosin type 2X muscle fibers (fast twitch). The effects of the TG3811 mutation were similar to those of other known myostatin mutations, although the Blonde d’Aquitaine animals, which are predominantly [G/G] homozygous, do not exhibit extreme double muscling.     

The effect of life history events on carcass merit and price of cull dairy cows

Cull dairy cows contribute almost 10% of national beef production in the United States. However, different factors throughout the life of dairy cows affect their weight and overall body condition as well as carcass traits, and consequently affect their market price. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess relationships between price ratio and carcass merit of cull dairy cows sold through several sites of an auction market and (2) to investigate the effect of animal life history events and live weight on sale barn price (BP) and price ratio (as a measure of relative price), as an indicator of carcass merit. Data from 4 dairy operations included 3,602 cull dairy cow records during the period of 2015 to 2019. Life history events data were collected from each dairy operation through Dairy Comp software; live weight and price were obtained periodically from the auction market, and the carcass data were provided by a local packing plant. Cow price in dollars per unit of live weight ($/cwt) and price ratio were the 2 outcome variables used in the analyses. Price ratio was created aiming to remove seasonality effects from BP (BP divided by the national average price for its respective month and year of sale). The association between price ratio and carcass merit traits was investigated using canonical correlation analysis, and the effect of life history events on both BP and price ratio was inferred using a multiple linear regression technique. More than 70% of the cows were culled in the first 3 lactations, with an average live weight of 701.5 kg, carcass weight of 325 kg, and dressing percentage of 46.3%. On average, cull cows were sold at $57.0/cwt during the period considered. The canonical correlation between price ratio and carcass merit traits was 0.76, indicating that price ratio reflected carcass merit of cull cows. Later lactations led to lower BP compared with cows culled during the first 2 lactations. Injury, and leg and feet problems negatively affected BP. Productive variables demonstrated that the greater milk production might lead to lower cow prices. A large variation between farms was also noted. In conclusion, price ratio was a good indicator of carcass merit of cull cows, and life history events significantly affected sale BP and carcass merit of cull cows sold through auction markets.     

四川6个地方猪种的育肥和胴体性能以及肉质和风味物质比较研究

为了研究四川地方猪的种质特性,本试验测定了成华猪、雅南猪、青峪猪、内江猪、丫杈猪和凉山猪6个纯种地方猪的肥育性能、胴体性能、肉质常规理化指标和代谢组(滋味物质和挥发性风味物质)相关肉质指标。结果:丫杈猪的日增重、料重比、屠宰率和眼肌面积均显著或极显著地优于成华猪(P<0.01或P<0.05),油酸+亚油酸和己醛+壬醛含量极显著高于成华猪和雅南猪(P<0.01);90 kg体重时的成华猪和雅南猪肌肉中硬脂酸极显著高于其他地方猪种(P<0.01),主要鲜味氨基酸含量则显著或极显著低于其他猪种(P<0.01或P<0.05),且两猪种背膘均随屠宰体重增加明显增厚(P<0.01或P<0.05)。研究结果表明,丫杈猪综合性能最好,而成华猪和雅南猪肉质风味相对较差,且通过提高屠宰体重方式并不能改善肉质。     

The value of incorporating carcass trait phenotypes in terminal sire selection indexes to improve carcass weight and quality of heavy lambs

Genetic selection for carcass traits is paramount to maximize the profitability and long‐term sustainability of any meat‐producing livestock species. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficiency of indicator traits for the genetic improvement of lamb carcass traits and to determine the value of including carcass traits into terminal sire selection indexes for the Canadian sheep industry. The carcass traits included hot carcass weight (HCW), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR) and average carcass conformation score (AVGCONF), and were measured on heavy lambs (slaughter age less than 365 days and HCW greater than 16.3 kg) in commercial abattoirs. Growth traits were found to be moderately efficient indicator traits for the genetic improvement of HCW but selection on ultrasound traits was necessary to substantially improve the carcass quality traits (FATGR and AVGCONF). Economic selection indexes were designed by adding various combinations of carcass traits into the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System terminal indexes. Records measured on individuals and progeny were assumed to be the sources of information for live animal and carcass traits, respectively. The changes in index accuracy, efficiency and expected correlated response were used to assess the value of their inclusion. HCW was found to have a large economic value, and its inclusion into terminal selection indexes was expected to substantially increase their accuracy (0.08–0.12 points) and efficiency (20%–30%). However, further including FATGR (measured 110 mm from the carcass midline over the 12th rib) and AVGCONF had little impact on the accuracy (≤0.03) and efficiency (1%–7%) of the proposed indexes. Thus, the inclusion of carcass traits into the existing terminal selection indexes could be beneficial for the genetic improvement of HCW, but further research is needed to determine optimal methods of increasing carcass fatness and muscularity.     

钠水平及种类对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及血清矿物质水平的影响

文章旨在评估日粮钠水平及种类对肉鸡生长性能、胴体性状及血清矿物质水平的影响。试验选择平均初始体重一致的白羽肉仔鸡832只,随机分为8组,每组4个重复,每个重复26只鸡。试验日粮采用4×2因子设计,即日粮钠水平分别为1.5、2.4、3.3和4.2 g/kg,以小苏打和硫酸钠两种形式添加,试验共进行42 d。结果:1~10 d肉鸡的增重和采食量受钠盐水平及钠盐水平与种类交互作用的显著影响(P<0.05),在1~10 d时,硫酸钠组日增重和采食量最高(P<0.05)。同时,在整个试验期间(1~42 d),2.4 g/kg硫酸钠显著改善了增重(P<0.05)。随着钠水平的升高,血液pH表现为显著升高(P<0.05),硫酸钠组血液pH显著高于小苏打组(P<0.05),硫酸钠组腹脂占比较小苏打组显著提高2.23%(P<0.05)。4.2 g/kg钠水平组血清钠和钙浓度最高(P<0.05),3.3 g/kg钠水平组血清钾、氯和镁浓度最高(P<0.05)。与小苏打组相比,硫酸钠组血清钾水平显著降低0.33%(P<0.05),而血清钙浓度显著提高9.2%(P<0.05)。结论:日粮中钠以硫酸钠的形式添加2.4~3.3 g/kg可改善1~10 d肉鸡的生长性能,而在33~42 d时降低日粮钠水平可以使肉鸡获得最大的增重和采食量。     

计算机视觉技术在智慧羊场中的研究进展

智慧羊场具有科学化、标准化管理的优点,是羊场转型发展的趋势。计算机视觉技术是人工智能的核心,可以实现非接触性、自动化、实时监测羊的个体信息。本文总结并分析了计算机视觉在羊场的个体识别方法、行为识别方法、体尺与体重估测、疾病监测的研究现状,并指出计算机视觉在智慧羊场的进一步发展趋势。 [关键词] 计算机视觉|智慧羊场|个体识别|行为识别|体尺与体重估测|疾病监测