Effective population size and inbreeding depression on litter size in rabbits. A case study

The purpose of this study is to use demographic and litter size data on four Spanish maternal lines of rabbits (A, V, H and LP), as a case study, in order to: (i) estimate the effective population size of the lines, as a measure of the rate of increase of inbreeding, and (ii) study whether the inbreeding effect on litter size traits depends on the pattern of its accumulation over time. The lines are being selected for litter size at weaning and are kept closed at the same selection nucleus under the same selection and management programme. The study considered 47 794 l and a pedigree of 14 622 animals. Some practices in mating and selection management allow an increase of the inbreeding coefficient lower than 0.01 per generation in these lines of around 25 males and 125 females. Their effective population size (Ne) was around 57.3, showing that the effect of selection, increasing the inbreeding, was counterbalanced by the management practices, intended to reduce the rate of inbreeding increase. The inbreeding of each individual was broken down into three components: old, intermediate and new inbreeding. The coefficients of regression of the old, intermediate and new inbreeding on total born (TB), number born alive (NBA) and number weaned (NW) per litter showed a decreasing trend from positive to negative values. Regression coefficients significantly different from zero were those for the old inbreeding on TB (6.79 ± 2.37) and NBA (5.92 ± 2.37). The contrast between the coefficients of regression between the old and new inbreeding were significant for the three litter size traits: 7.57 ± 1.72 for TB; 6.66 ± 1.73 for NBA and 5.13 ± 1.67 for NW. These results have been interpreted as the combined action of purging unfavourable genes and artificial selection favoured by the inbreeding throughout the generations of selection.     

Genetic parameters for litter size,piglet growth and sow's early growth and body composition in the Chinese–European line Tai Zumu

Genetics of piglet growth in association with sow's early growth and body composition were estimated in the Tai Zumu line. Piglet and sow's litter growth traits were calculated from individual weights collected at birth and at 3 weeks of age. Sow's litter traits included the number of piglets born alive (NBA), the mean piglet weight (MW) and the standard deviation of weights within the litter (SDW). Sow's early growth was measured by the age at 100 kg (A₁₀₀), and body composition included backfat thickness (BF₁₀₀). A main objective of this study was to estimate separately the direct genetic effect (d) and the maternal genetic effect (m) on piglet weight and daily weight gain during lactation. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood methodology based on animal models. The heritability estimates were 0.19 for NBA, 0.15 and 0.26 for SDW and MW at 3 weeks and 0.42 and 0.70 for A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀. The NBA was almost independent from SDW. Conversely, the A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀ were correlated unfavourably with SDW (r_g<−0.24, SE<0.12). A stronger selection for litter size should have little effect on litter homogeneity in weights. Selection for lean growth rate tends to favour heterogeneity in weights. The direct effect on piglet weight at birth and daily weight gain accounted for 12% (h² (d) = 0.02) and 50% (h² (d) = 0.11) of the genetic variance, respectively. The association between d and m for piglet weight was not different from zero at birth (r_g = 0.19, SE = 0.27), but a strong antagonism between d and m for daily weight gain from birth to 3 weeks was found (r_g = −0.41, SE = 0.17). Substantial direct and maternal genetic effects influenced piglet growth until weaning in opposite way.     

不同粒度猫尾草对羔羊体外发酵特性和微生物数量的影响

通过Rusitec-s体外发酵系统研究不同粒度猫尾草对羔羊体外发酵参数与微生物数量的影响,选取6种不同粒度(1.00、2.36、3.35、4.75、8.00和12.50 mm)的猫尾草作为试验饲粮的纤维来源,按照猫尾草的粒度将试验分为6个处理组,每个处理4个重复,利用Rusitec-s型人工瘤胃模拟装置进行48 h体外发酵,测定养分降解率、发酵参数及发酵液中6种微生物菌群的拷贝数。结果表明：与其他处理组相比,2.36 mm组显著提高了体外中性洗涤纤维降解率(IVNDFD)、丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸摩尔比和溶纤维丁酸弧菌(B. f)数量(P<0.05),且显著降低总产甲烷菌(TMe)数量(P<0.05)。总菌(TB)与氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度、乙酸摩尔比呈正相关(R²=0.84,P=0.038;R²=0.88,P=0.021);B. f数量与丙酸摩尔比呈正相关(R²=0.82,P=0.045),且与pH呈负相关(R²=-0.98,P=0.001);TMe数量与体外粗蛋白质降解率(IVCP...     

荷斯坦奶牛牛嘴宽度影响因素分析及遗传参数估计

【目的】探究中国荷斯坦奶牛牛嘴宽度的群体规律,并估计其遗传参数。【方法】2021年7月至2021年8月分别在2个规模化奶牛场测定了628头泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛的牛嘴宽度及臀高、体高、体斜长和胸围等体尺性状,同时利用体斜长和胸围估计试验牛体重。利用SPSS 26.0软件分析了牧场、月龄和泌乳阶段等因素对牛嘴宽度的影响,以及牛嘴宽度与各体尺性状之间的相关关系;基于DMU软件采用单性状动物模型估计了牛嘴宽度的方差组分及遗传力。【结果】荷斯坦奶牛牛嘴宽度的群体平均值为17.28 cm,变异系数为5%,变异相对较小;牧场和月龄对牛嘴宽度均有极显著影响（P<0.01）,泌乳阶段对牛嘴宽度有显著影响（P<0.05）,牛嘴宽度随母牛月龄的增加呈逐渐增加的趋势,泌乳初期牛嘴宽度显著小于其他泌乳阶段（P<0.05）;牛嘴宽度与各体尺性状之间存在极显著正相关（P<0.01）;荷斯坦奶牛牛嘴宽度的遗传力估计值为0.28,为中高遗传力性状。【结论】牧场和月龄对奶牛牛嘴宽度影响极显著,泌乳阶段对奶牛牛嘴宽度影响显著,牛嘴宽度与臀高呈较弱相关。荷斯坦奶牛牛嘴宽度是一个具有中高遗传力的体尺性状。     

初始含水率对SiO2溶胶在两种木材中渗透性的影响

采用两种粒径（30 nm和150 nm）的SiO2溶胶真空浸渍不同含水率（绝干、气干、调湿）的欧洲赤松和南方松边材,比较其24 h内吸液率变化规律和24 h增重率,并通过质量法分析硅溶胶处理材轴向SiO2的浓度梯度,从而考察处理材的初始含水率对SiO2溶胶在木材中渗透性的影响。研究结果表明：（1）两种木材均在绝干状态下吸液率最低,30 nm硅溶胶在气干状态下吸液率最高,而150 nm硅溶胶在调湿状态下吸液率最高。（2）初始含水率对增重率的影响与吸液率不同,30 nm硅溶胶在调湿状态下浸渍木材的增重率低于绝干状态,欧洲赤松气干状态的增重率最高。（3）初始含水率对试材中整体SiO2量的影响与增重率结果基本一致,欧洲赤松中SiO2轴向分布梯度远高于南方松,其渗透的均匀性较差。     

Effect of the particle size on the ammonia removal rate and the bacterial community composition of bioflocs

The total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) removal efficiency and bacterial community composition of bioflocs with <50-μm particle size, > 50-μm particle size and un-sieved bioflocs were investigated in the current study. The initial ratio of dissolved organic carbon to TAN (DOC/TAN) in the three groups were about 14:1. No significant difference was found in the removal rate of TAN, average concentrations of TAN and nitrite nitrogen among the three groups (P > 0.05). The C/N (w/w) ratio of the > 50-μm bioflocs was significantly higher than those of the other groups. No significant differences were found in the crude protein content in the bioflocs among the three groups. The development of the bacterial community compositions of the bioflocs was analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing analyses. Most OTUs were shared among the three groups at all the sampled time points. With the increase in the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes, that of phylum Proteobacteria, Chorolexi, and Bacteroidetes decreased in all the three groups. The phylum Firmicutes and genus Bacillus were predominant in all the sampled time points. At the end of the experiment, genus Bacillus accounted for 81% in the < 50-μm group, 82% in the > 50-μm group, and 75% in the un-sieved group.     

Interactive effects of family and stocking density on survival and growth of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

To investigate the effects of family, stocking density, and their interaction on mortality, growth rate, and size dispersal in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, 1,440 juveniles from six full‐sib families were exposed to three stocking densities, that is, low stocking density (LD), middle stocking density (MD), and high stocking density (HD), and reared for 10 months in sea‐based suspended cages. The results demonstrated significant family effects on cumulative mortality rate (CMR); specific growth rate for test diameter (SGR for TD); specific growth rate for body weight (SGR for BW); coefficient of variation for body weight at the 10th month (CV for BW₁₀); and significant stocking density effects on SGR for TD, SGR for BW, and CV for BW₁₀. Statistically significant family by stocking density interaction was only found in SGR for TD. A certain degree of family‐ranking inversions occurred in SGR for TD. The present study provides evidence for the existence of family by stocking density interaction on the growth rate of test diameter in the family selection for S. intermedius. More attention should be paid to this interaction effect to select correct parents in S. intermedius.     

Impact of fish feed on airlift pumps in aquaculture systems

Airlift pumps are commonly used in aquaculture systems to circulate water and maintain critical gas levels. In production marine reuse systems, a significant decrease in airlift pump flowrate was visually observed immediately after feeding. In experimental systems without fish, it was found that feed additions of less than 10 mg/L decreased water flow by as much as 78% for diffuser injectors but only 10% for pumps with direct air injection. For both injector types, feed impact diminished over several hours but persisted longer in seawater than in freshwater. Video footage revealed increasing bubble coalescence with the addition of feed. The decrease in pump flow is likely attributed to water property changes due to compounds leaching out of the feed. This decrease in pumping rate has the potential to negatively impact water quality, system performance, and fish health.     

基于自压滴灌工程过滤装置尺寸的确定及应用

由于新疆牧业灌区无电供应,水源无法过滤,实现滴灌工程难,目前采用地面灌溉。地形坡度大、灌水量多、大量水土流失。灌区下游排水不畅,洼地沼泽化面积剧增,地下水位上升导致土壤盐碱化,弃田面积逐渐扩大、种植面积萎缩。为了解决上述问题,充分利用地形落差,研制了自压滴灌工程过滤装置。同时渠道进水流量、调水池的调节流量、集水桶流量及系统流量之间建立了平衡关系。用实例说明不同地形落差与自压滴灌工程系统流量及过滤装置尺寸的计算过程。解决了自压滴灌工程水源的过滤、排沙、冲沙及自行冲洗等问题。为无电牧业灌区实现节水灌溉技术提供依据。