Innovative layer genetics to handle global challenges in egg production

1. In commercial layer breeding, extensive gene pools are tested and selected for market requirements which must be anticipated at least 5 years ahead. Field results confirm a continuous positive genetic trend in egg output and better feed efficiency which can be converted into land savings.

2. Animal welfare and cage-free housing dominate future needs of the market. Nesting behaviour and minimal tendency to develop feather-pecking or cannibalism without beak treatment are key trait complexes. Stronger shells for longer production cycles without moulting have to be combined with better bones.

3. No single big gene effect can be expected to control the multifactorial problem of feather-pecking. Adjusting the shape of the beak, with a heritability of .10–.25, can contribute to reducing the risk of severe cannibalism.

4. For better skeletal integrity, the assessment of bone quality in pedigree birds housed in enriched cages is done by keel bone palpation or ultrasound measurement of the humerus. Both traits show similar heritabilities in the range of .15–.30 and can be included in a balanced selection approach for performance, quality and welfare traits.

5. The combination of performance testing and genome-wide DNA marker analysis is a promising tool to generate more progress for a balanced performance and behaviour profile.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Effect of water restriction on milk yield and quality in Lacaune breed ewes

The effect of water restriction on body weight, body condition score, milk yield, and milk composition and rheological characteristics in intensively reared Lacaune ewes was evaluated. After 7 days of adaptation, the trial lasted 28 days. Thirty lactating ewes (48 ± 5 months of age; mean value ± standard deviation) at the beginning of third lactation month were divided into three groups (n = 10), corresponding to the following water restriction treatment: a group control received no drinking water restriction (W100), and two groups received water to the extent of 80% and 60% of W100 daily consumption (W80 and W60 group respectively). The effects of water restriction were assessed at the beginning of experiment (D0), at D14 and D28. The W60 group resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, body condition score, milk yield and feed consumption of hay due to the experimental treatment; whereas a marked increase in both W60 and W80 groups of milk lactose, urea, sodium, sodium chloride content and titratable acidity was observed. Rheological parameters of milk, rennet coagulation time and curd‐firming time were positively affected by water restriction treatments, with a decrease in both experimental groups of the time required for the formation of a stable and firm curd. Results highlight the importance of water consumption in dairy sheep. The scarce availability of water, significantly affecting ewes milk production, is worthy of particular attention in arid area where water stress‐resistant breeds should be considered. This study underlines that milk yield, being closely linked to the availability of water of the breeding habitat due to its high water content (about 81%), could be reached in area where water is not a limiting factor without reducing the genetic expression of the animals. Less severe water restrictions, such as 20% of daily voluntary water intake, produce no detrimental effect on milk yield.     

采后减压预处理对番木瓜果实贮藏品质及抗氧化活性的影响

以"日升"品种番木瓜果实为材料,研究了不同梯度的减压预处理(0 MPa(常压),0.025、0.050、0.075 MPa)对15℃贮藏条件下番木瓜果实品质变化和抗氧化活性的影响。结果表明:减压处理能显著延缓番木瓜果实硬度下降,延缓可溶性固形物(TSS)、抗坏血酸(VC)、类黄酮及总酚含量的变化,维持较高的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和抑制丙二醛的积累,有利于番木瓜果实贮藏品质和抗氧化能力的保持,而且以0.050 MPa处理的保鲜效果最为显著。     

稻麦两熟制条件下钵苗机插方式对不同类型水稻品种米质的影响

为探明钵苗机插方式在稻麦两熟地区对水稻米质性状的影响及其品种类型间差异,本文以常规粳稻、杂交籼稻和籼粳交水稻为材料,比较了钵苗机插、毯苗机插和机械直播3种种植方式在稻麦两熟制高产栽培条件下的稻米加工品质、外观品质、营养品质、蒸煮食味品质特性变化及其品种类型间差异。结果表明,钵苗机插的整精米率比毯苗机插和机械直播分别提高1.6%和4.9%(P0.05),整精米产量分别提高7.8%和25.9%(P0.05),改善了稻米加工品质;与毯苗机插和机械直播相比,钵苗机插的稻米垩白米率、垩白面积和垩白度显著增加,对稻米外观品质有不利影响,但钵苗机插精米蛋白质含量较高,有利于稻米营养品质的改良,其精米蛋白质产量分别比毯苗机插和机械直播提高8.7%和28.0%;3种种植方式相比,钵苗机插稻米蒸煮食味品质表现出一定程度的变优趋势,其中,稻米直链淀粉含量、消减值和糊化温度呈钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播的趋势,胶稠度、峰值黏度、热浆黏度、最终黏度和崩解值呈钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播的趋势;食味值于种植方式间无显著差异,呈籼粳交水稻和常规粳稻钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播,杂交籼稻毯苗机插钵苗机插机械直播的趋势。由此得出,钵苗机插不仅能增加稻谷产量,还能改善部分稻米品质特征,是稻麦两熟地区实现高产高效优质协调水稻生产的潜力型机械化种植方式。     

Research Progress on Influence Factors of Mutton Quality

Meat quality means the characteristics such as appearance is related to palatability in fresh meat or manufactured meat, it includes meat color, meat structure, hardness, marbling, water holding capacity and so on.The physical characteristics of mutton quality determines the consumer acceptability of meat and there is a close relationship between chemical composition of mutton quality and nutrient substance.With the improvement of living standards, consumers are increasingly high demand for mutton.From quantitative to qualitative change, we need to continuously improve mutton quality.At present, the production of high quality animal products has become a hot topic.This paper is a summary of the effects of breed, gender, age, environment and feed nutrition on mutton quality, and aims to provide a scientific basis for improving of mutton quality with nutritional regulation measures.     

外施苹果酸对紫色小白菜生长、生理与品质的影响

【目的】探究外施苹果酸对紫色小白菜生长、生理与品质的影响,筛选最适的外施苹果酸质量浓度,为紫色小白菜的优质培育以及高产栽培奠定理论基础。【方法】以‘京研'紫色小白菜为试验材料,采用水培技术,设置外施苹果酸0 mg/L(对照,CK)、0.5 mg/L(T1)、1.5 mg/L(T2)、3.0 mg/L(T3)、5.0 mg/L(T4)、10.0 mg/L(T5)共6个处理,研究不同质量浓度外施苹果酸对紫色小白菜叶片和根系形态学指标、根系显微结构及相关品质指标的影响。【结果】(1)随苹果酸质量浓度的增大,紫色小白菜叶片和根系形态指标均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,其中T1、T2处理显著优于对照,叶片表面积、体积较大,且可促进植株根系增长、面积增大、侧根增粗,而T5处理因苹果酸质量浓度过高阻碍了根系伸展。(2)根系显微结构观察发现,T1、T2、T3处理紫色小白菜新生侧根根尖1 cm处直径均显著高于对照,维管束和木质部区域直径增大,有助于运输更多的营养物质和水分。T5处理根系皮层细胞层数较少,细胞体积较大且排列疏松。(3)紫色小白菜叶片可溶性蛋白和维生素C含量随处理时间延长逐渐增高,随苹果酸质量浓度的增大呈先上升后下降的趋势,以T2处理最优。紫色小白菜叶片可溶性糖和总有机酸含量9 d时整体下降,且随苹果酸质量浓度的增大呈先上升后下降趋势,T1、T2处理显著高于对照。(4)苹果酸、丙二酸、琥珀酸和酒石酸含量随苹果酸质量浓度的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势,而柠檬酸含量呈先下降后上升的趋势。T1、T2、T3处理苹果酸、丙二酸、琥珀酸含量较高,对照、T4、T5处理柠檬酸含量较高。【结论】外施苹果酸能够影响紫色小白菜的生长及生理状况,施用适宜质量浓度(1.5 mg/L)的苹果酸可有效促进紫色小白菜地上部和根系生长,提高苹果酸、丙二酸、琥珀酸含量,提升植株营养品质。     

不同光质组合对生菜生长和能量利用效率的影响

【目的】筛选较优的光质组合,提高人工光植物工厂生菜产量和能量利用效率。【方法】以光强为200μmol/(m~2·s),R/B为4/1的红蓝光(RB)为对照,在光强为150μmol/(m~2·s),R/B为4/1的红蓝背景光基础上,分别添加50μmol/(m~2·s)的绿光(G)、黄光(Y)、橙光(O)和远红光(FR)组成4种不同光质组合处理,分别用RBG、RBY、RBO和RBFR表示,对不同光质组合处理生菜的生长及形态、光合能力、能量利用效率等指标进行比较研究。【结果】RBG、RBO和RBFR处理生菜地上部鲜质量较RB处理分别增加14.5%,14.5%和30.8%,地上部干质量分别增加13.3%,24.1%和29.9%(P0.05)。RBG处理可以增加生菜的株高、总叶面积、净光合速率和能量利用效率。与RB处理相比,RBY处理对生菜的地上部干、鲜质量影响不显著;RBO处理可以提高生菜叶片的光合能力和能量利用效率。RBFR处理可以增加生菜的地上部干、鲜质量,但在实际生产中,生菜叶片较易出现烧尖现象。【结论】RBG和RBO是工光植物工厂生产中较为合适的光质组合。