The roles of calving migration and climate change in the formation of the weak genetic structure in the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii)

Geographical barriers and distance can reduce gene exchange among animals, resulting in genetic divergence of geographically isolated populations. The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) has a geographical range of approximately 1600 km across the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which comprises a series of tall mountains and big rivers. However, previous studies indicate that there is little genetic differentiation among their geographically delineated populations. To better understand the genetic structure of P. hodgsonii populations, we collected 145 samples from the 3 major calving regions, taking into consideration their various calving grounds and migration routes. We used a combination of mitochondrial sequences (Cyt b, ATPase, D‐loop and COX I) to investigate the genetic structure and the evolutionary divergence of the populations. Significant, albeit weak, genetic differentiation was detected among the 3 geographical populations. Analysis of the genetic divergence process revealed that the animals gradually entered a period of rapid genetic differentiation approximately 60 000 years ago. The calving migration of P. hodgsonii cannot be the main cause of their weak genetic structure because this cannot fully homogenize the genetic pool. Instead, the geological and climatic events as well as the coupling vegetation succession process during this period have been suggested to greatly contribute to the genetic structure and the expansion of genetic diversity.     

不同类型藏羊消化率与采食量的比较研究

采食量是放牧家畜生产性能的重要影响因素,在草地生态系统中起重要作用。夏季在甘南夏河分别选取不同生理类群(羔羊、1岁母羊、2岁母羊、3岁母羊、4岁母羊、羯羊和种公羊)的欧拉型、甘加型和乔科型藏羊各4只进行试验。采用二氧化钛指示剂法与粪氮指数法分别测定藏羊排粪量和牧草有机物质消化率,从而计算放牧采食量,并对特征间的相关性进行研究。结果表明:欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊的平均放牧采食量分别为1031.93、834.59和956.15 g·d^-1,乔科型藏羊放牧采食量显著(P<0.05)小于欧拉型和甘加型藏羊。3个类型藏羊的每kg代谢体重采食量和干物质采食量占体重比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊对夏河天然草地牧草的平均有机物质消化率分别为50.79%、47.22%和55.58%。欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊的平均排粪量分别为561.26、484.06和466.74 g·d^-1,其中欧拉型藏羊的排粪量显著高于其他两个类型。试验在高寒地区天然草地研究不同类型藏羊的排粪量、有机物质消化率和放牧采食量,旨在为该地区放牧藏羊的科学饲养与管理提供理论依据。     

不同饲养方式对藏羔羊生长发育的影响

为了研究不同饲养方式对藏羔羊生长发育的影响,本试验对120只藏羔羊初生至12月龄体重、体尺测量数据进行了分析。结果表明:藏羔羊生长发育速度随月龄、季节的变化而变化。试验组羔羊初生到12月龄生长发育呈持续增长的态势。6月龄前生长发育迅速,6月龄平均体重由初生3.76 kg增长到24.43 kg,各项体尺数据均极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。对照组藏羔羊9～10月龄开始体重因牧草质量下降、营养供给不足出现负增长,而体高、体长均增长缓慢。因此,在甘南藏羊的生产中应大力推广暖季放牧+冷季(放牧+补饲)饲养方式。     

阿莫西林在藏系羊体内的药物动力学研究

为研究阿莫西林在藏系羊体内的药物动力学特征,了解阿莫西林在藏系羊体内的吸收、分布、转化及排泄规律,以期为牧区兽医临床用药提供依据。本试验选取8只成年藏系羊,阿莫西林口灌给药,不同时间点采集藏系羊血液,利用高效液相色谱法测定血浆中药物浓度。结果表明,阿莫西林经藏系羊口灌给药(15 mg/kg.B.W)后,其主要药动学参数为:t_(1/2α)为(0.773±0.097)h,t1/2ka为(0.156±0.021)h,t_(1/2β)为(3.787±0.973)h,AUC为(8.249±1.023)μg·h/m L,T_(max)为(0.497±0.036)h,C_(max)为(2.667±0.198)μg/m L。表明阿莫西林口灌给药后,在成年藏系羊体内吸收迅速,消除较快。     

Contribution of flavonoids to the antioxidant properties of common and tartary buckwheat

The objective of this study was to characterize the flavonoid compounds found in the different grain parts of common and tartary buckwheat, and to determine the contribution of these flavonoids to the antioxidant properties of buckwheat. Eight flavonoid compounds were quantified and their antioxidant activity determined by FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Of the flavonoid compounds identified rutin was the most abundant, particularly in tartary buckwheat, in which it comprised approximately 90% of total flavonoid content. Flavan-3-ols were detected in common but not tartary buckwheat, and quercetin was detected only in tartary buckwheat. Flavonoid content—in particular, levels of rutin, orientin, and/or epicatechin gallate—was found to influence the total antioxidant activity of buckwheat. Results from this study indicate that antioxidant activity is not only closely associated with flavonoid content, but that different flavonoids contribute differently to the total antioxidant activity of common and tartary buckwheat.     

Hull to caryopsis adhesion and grain skinning in malting barley: Identification of key growth stages in the adhesion process

Strong adhesion between the hull and the caryopsis is essential for barley to be of good malting quality. Poor hull adhesion, a condition known as grain skinning, is undesirable for malting and downstream processes. At present, the processes mediating hull adhesion during grain development are poorly understood. The barley cultivar Chariot was grown in greenhouse conditions and grain development was recorded at defined growth stages to examine the timing of hull adhesion. Initiation of adhesion was first observed when caryopsis fresh weight and volume were approaching their maximum at 19 days after anthesis, during early dough. Hull adhesion was complete by 27 days after anthesis, or soft dough. Sections of developing grains were observed using light and transmission electron microscopy to examine a lipid-rich cementing layer believed to be responsible for adhesion between the hull and the pericarp. Evidence for a lipid-rich cementing material was supported by the observation that neither pectinase nor cellulase effected hull loosening. Grain growth, the presence of globular material originating from the pericarp and an electron dense material in the cementing layer are discussed in relation to hull adhesion. Grain skinning could be caused by poor adherence of cuticular material or inadequate fusion between cuticles.     

Metabolite profiling of the response to high-nitrogen fertilizer during grain development of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat yield and quality are dependent largely on nitrogen (N) availability. In this study, we performed the first metabolomic analysis of the response to high-N fertilizer during wheat grain development using non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Quality parameter analyses demonstrated that high-N fertilizer application led to a significant increase in grain protein content and improvement in starch and bread-making quality. Comparative metabolomic profiling of six grain developmental stages resulted in identification of 74 metabolites, including amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids and lipids/alcohol, which are primarily involved in carbon and N metabolism. Under high-N fertilizer treatment, numerous metabolites accumulated significantly during grain development. Principal component analysis revealed two principal components as being responsible for the variances resulting from N-fertilizer treatments. Metabolite–metabolite correlation analysis demonstrated that the high-N treatment group had a greater number of positive correlations among metabolites, suggesting that high-N fertilizer treatment induced a concerted metabolic change that resulted in improved grain development. Particularly, the high-N treatment-mediated significant accumulation of metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, starch and storage protein synthesis could be responsible for the improvement of grain yield and quality. Our results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of wheat grain development and yield and quality.     

Effect of quinoa flour on gluten-free bread batter rheology and bread quality

A new gluten-free bread formulations composed of quinoa, buckwheat, rice flour and potato starch were developed in the present study. Rheological characteristics of the bread batter with increasing amount of quinoa were determined; storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) values were also measured for investigation of viscoelastic properties. To evaluate the quality of breads; technological and physical (bake loss %, specific volume, texture, microstructure, color), chemical (protein, moisture, ash) and sensory properties were determined. All batter formulations independent of the quinoa amount exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, and G′ values were found to be higher than G″ values in expressing the solid like characteristics of the batter. Amount of quinoa flour addition did not present significant difference on bake loss%, specific volume and protein content (p>0.05); however, 25% quinoa flour bread displayed better results with its higher sensory scores and softer texture. Quinoa and buckwheat flour mixture therefore will be a good alternative for conventional gluten-free bread formulations.     

Effects of particle size on the quality attributes of reconstituted whole-wheat flour and tortillas made from it

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of whole-wheat flour (WWF) particle size on the quality attributes of WWF tortillas. WWF samples of different particle size distributions from commercial U.S. hard white (median diameters: 175.7, 128.6, 120.0, 108.5 and 102.4 μm), hard red winter (median diameters: 173.7, 133.6, 124.3, 110.8 and 104.2 μm) and hard red spring (median diameters: 173.7, 132.1, 124.7, 112.9, 106.3 μm) wheat classes were obtained by fine grinding of bran and shorts and re-combining with the rest of fractions. For all three wheat classes, as WWF median particle size decreased, the L* (lightness) value decreased but the adjusted damaged starch, polyphenol oxidase activity, and a* and b* values increased. Mixolab data showed that development time decreased as WWF particle size was reduced, while stability time and starch retrogradation increased. As for WWF tortilla quality, the breaking force and extensibility increased with decreasing particle size from ∼175 to 129–134 μm, but diameter and thickness were not significantly affected. The results indicated that reducing the median particle sizes of WWFs from ∼175 μm to ∼130 μm would significantly improve the WWF tortilla quality.     

藏山羊乳主要营养成分及乳酶、乳清蛋白的研究

本文研究了分布于西藏和四川地区的藏山羊乳蛋白、乳糖和乳脂含量,并对乳中4种酶活力及乳清蛋白的组成进行了研究。结果表明:藏山羊乳中3种营养成分存在一定的地区差异,脱脂乳中乳酸脱氢酶,碱性磷酸酶,γ-谷氨酰转肽酶、乳过氧化物酶活力分别为81.9±37.8、7.7±3.5、437.4±93.0、532.7±202.6单位。乳过氧化物酶在体外可被10~(-5)M的硫氰酸根或乳酸根活化。用琼脂糖凝胶电泳可将乳LDH分出LDH_1、LDH_2和LDH_3三带,各带所占百分比例分别为50.6±4.5、31.6±4.2和17.8±3.3,提示乳LDH不是来源于血液。用SDS—PAGE可将乳清蛋白分出5条区带。