Effects of in ovo feeding of L‐arginine on the development of digestive organs,intestinal function and post‐hatch performance of broiler embryos and hatchlings

This study was to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) L‐arginine (Arg) solution on the development of digestive organs, the duodenal mucosa of broiler embryos and hatchlings, and the growth performance of chicks during the first week post‐hatch. A total of 720 fertilized eggs with similar weight were randomly allocated to three groups, consisting of eight replicates of 30 eggs each. Three treatments were arranged as non‐injected control, diluent‐injected (0.75% NaCl solution) group and Arg solution‐injected group containing 1% Arg, dissolved in diluent. At 17.5 days of incubation, 0.6 ml of IOF solution was injected into amniotic fluid of each egg of injected groups. Results showed IOF of Arg solution increased (p < .05) the chick embryo weight at 19 days of incubation; the body weight gain of post‐hatch broilers during 1–7 days; the weights of liver, pancreas, proventriculus and gizzard; the concentrations of duodenal ghrelin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and glucagon‐like peptide 2; and the duodenum mucosal enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, maltase, sucrase and inducible nitric oxide synthase of 7‐day‐old post‐hatch broilers compared with other groups. The IOF of Arg solution also increased (p < .05) the villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) and decreased (p < .05) the CD in duodenum of broiler embryos and post‐hatch hatchlings, except for the CD at 19 days of incubation. In conclusion, IOF of 1% Arg solution into the amnion at 17.5 days of incubation could improve the development of digestive organs, the duodenal morphology, the releasing of gastrointestinal hormones and mucosal enzyme activities of broiler embryos and hatchlings and finally the growth performance of chicks during the first week post‐hatch. Therefore, IOF of appropriate Arg solution could be an effective technology for regulating early nutrition supply and subsequent growth development in poultry industry.     

Effects of dietary L‐arginine supplementation to early pregnant mares on conceptus diameter—Preliminary findings

The importance of the amino acid L‐arginine (ARG) for conceptus growth and litter size has been demonstrated in various species. L‐arginine is part of embryo‐derived polyamines, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase and stimulates protein synthesis by the embryo. In the present study, we have investigated whether dietary L‐arginine supplementation stimulates early conceptus growth in mares. Warmblood mares with singleton pregnancies received either an arginine‐supplemented diet (approximately 0.0125% of body weight, n = 12) or a control diet (n = 11) from days 15 to 45 after ovulation. Diameter of the embryonic vesicle (days 14, 17, 20 of pregnancy) and size of the embryo respective foetus (length and maximal diameter, days 25–45 of pregnancy at 5‐day intervals) were determined by transrectal ultrasound. At foaling, weight and size of the foal and the placenta were determined. Blood for determination of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and progestin concentrations was collected repeatedly. Neither eCG nor progestin concentration in plasma of mares differed between groups at any time. No effects of arginine treatment on diameter of the embryonic vesicle between days 14 and 20 of pregnancy were detected. Diameter of the embryo/foetus on days 40 to 45 of pregnancy strongly tended to be enhanced by arginine supplementation (p = 0.06). Weight and size of neither the foal nor placenta at birth differed between groups. In conclusion, L‐arginine supplementation was without negative effects on early equine embryos and may support embryonic growth at the beginning of placentation.     

Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP‐dependent and cGMP‐independent manner

We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L‐arginine (L‐arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp‐8‐Bromo‐β‐phenyl‐1,N²‐ethenoguanosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2‐Phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L‐arg + RP‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase‐contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L‐arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L‐arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L‐arg/NO.     

Research Advanced on Functions of Nutritional Regulation and Intestinal Barrier of Arginine

Arginine is one of the most important amino acids for animals,and participates in the synthesis and metabolism of many nutrients,plays a role in the development and function of the gastrointestinal tract.Intestinal barrier function is one of the most functions for intestine.The article will summarize the effect of arginine on intestinal barrier.It was explicated the influence on inteseinal immunity of Toll-like receptor.This research provided some references for further study of arginine regulation on animal production.     

吉富罗非鱼对饲料精氨酸的需要量

以饲料精氨酸水平分别为0.67%、0.94%、1.24%、1.58%、1.86%和2.11%的6种等氮等能的半纯化饲料(粗蛋白质含量30.21%,总能17.77 MJ/kg),投喂初始体重为(81.52±2.00)g的吉富罗非鱼60 d,考察饲料精氨酸水平对吉富罗非鱼生长性能、饲料利用、体成分、血清生化指标和非特异性免疫指标的影响,以期获得吉富罗非鱼对饲料精氨酸的最佳需要量。每种饲料投喂3个网箱,每个网箱放养15尾鱼。结果表明:随着饲料精氨酸水平的升高,吉富罗非鱼的增重率、特定生长率、蛋白质效率以及蛋白质沉积率均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,并均在1.58%组达到最高值,与其他组差异显著(P0.05);饲料系数、肝体比、脏体比则呈现先下降后上升的趋势,饲料系数在1.58%组达到最低值,与其他组差异显著(P0.05);全鱼粗脂肪和肌肉粗灰分含量的变化趋势与饲料系数相似,肌肉粗脂肪呈现与增重率和特定生长率相似的变化趋势,而全鱼粗灰分和肌肉粗蛋白质含量则呈先上升后稳定的趋势。饲料精氨酸水平对吉富罗非鱼的肥满度,全鱼水分、粗蛋白质及肌肉水分含量无显著影响(P0.05)。肌肉中各氨基酸(除酪氨酸、甘氨酸、丙氨酸外)、必需氨基酸、总氨基酸含量均随饲料精氨酸水平的升高呈先上升后下降的趋势。饲料精氨酸水平显著影响血清中谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性及总胆固醇、甘油三酯、总蛋白、尿素氮和葡萄糖含量(P0.05),也显著影响肝脏和血清中总超氧化物歧化酶、总一氧化氮合酶和溶菌酶的活性(P0.05)。以增重率、饲料系数和蛋白质效率为主要评价指标,通过二次回归分析可知,吉富罗非鱼对饲料中精氨酸需要量为1.51%~1.58%,占饲料蛋白质的4.99%~5.25%。     

动物脂肪沉积程序化及精氨酸的调控作用

脂肪的过度沉积常伴随着胰岛素抵抗、Ⅱ型糖尿病等代谢病症,既危害人类健康,带来经济负担,也会在农业生产中影响畜牧产品的质量。脂肪的沉积,始于胚胎期脂肪组织的发育,是一系列程序化作用的结果。脂肪沉积受多方因素影响,营养干预可以通过胚胎环境中的糖皮质激素浓度、线粒体功能、表观遗传、食欲中枢发育等方面影响胚胎脂肪沉积程序化。论文阐述了动物出生前后营养状况对脂肪沉积程序化的作用,对脂肪沉积的机制进行了初步探讨,并介绍了精氨酸营养在脂肪沉积中的应用。饮食中添加精氨酸为治疗脂肪过度沉积,提高畜牧生产水平,改善人类生活质量,开拓了新的思路。     

仔猪精氨酸的内源合成及其影响因素

由于精氨酸及其代谢产物具有广泛生物学作用,使得近年来研究者们在生理、生化和营养等方面对其作了大量的研究。母乳严重缺乏精氨酸,仔猪精氨酸内源合成对精氨酸的平衡起了重要作用,使得哺乳仔猪精氨酸的内源合成成为精氨酸营养的研究核心。通过对精氨酸内源合成路径和场所的了解,研究者们进一步研究了精氨酸内源合成的影响因素,主要有仔猪日龄、日粮中精氨酸的水平、乳酸盐和皮质醇的浓度等。本文就仔猪精氨酸内源合成的途径和场所、内源合成的量、影响因素以及精氨酸的需要量等进行了综述,重点阐述了精氨酸内源合成的影响因素。     

饲粮补充精氨酸对低出生重哺乳仔猪肝脏氧化还原状态和线粒体功能的影响

本试验通过研究精氨酸(Arg)对低出生重(LBW)哺乳仔猪机体氧化还原平衡状态和线粒体功能的影响,探讨Arg改善LBW哺乳仔猪生长发育的可能机制。试验选取体况接近、产期一致和胎次相近的初产母猪所产仔猪,4日龄时,选取20头LBW[体重(1.16±0.08)kg]和10头正常出生重(NBW)[体重(2.07±0.10)kg]仔猪,按体重相近、公母比例一致的原则分为NBW组(饲喂基础饲粮)、LBW组(饲喂基础饲粮)和LBW+Arg组(基础饲粮补充1%Arg)3个组,每组10个重复,每个重复1头猪,人工乳饲养21 d。在第22天,屠宰并收集所有试验猪的血清与肝脏样品,检测生长性能、氧化还原状态与线粒体功能指标。结果表明:1)与NBW仔猪相比,LBW仔猪末重、平均日增重(ADG)和平均日干物质摄入量(ADMI)显著降低(P<0.05),肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和ATP含量显著下降(P<0.05),肝脏环氧化酶(COX)ⅠmRNA表达量显著下调(P<0.05),肝脏视神经萎缩症蛋白1(OPA1)mRNA表达量有下调的趋势(P=0.089);2)饲粮补充Arg显著提高LBW仔猪末重、ADG和ADMI(P<0.05),显著提高血清CAT活性和肝脏CAT、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活性(P<0.05),显著提高肝脏ATP含量(P<0.05),显著上调肝脏GPx1和线粒体融合蛋白1(Mfn1)mRNA表达量(P<0.05),并且有上调肝脏CAT(P=0.056)、COXⅣ(P=0.063)和OPA1(P=0.087)mRNA表达量的趋势。以上研究表明,LBW仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力下降,线粒体功能受阻,生长发育受到抑制;而饲粮补充1%Arg显著提高LBW仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力,改善线粒体功能,提高LBW仔猪生长性能。     

哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响

本文旨在研究哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响。试验成对选取7日龄体重相近40头哺乳仔猪,分为对照组(CON组)和精氨酸组(Arg组),每组20头猪(公母各占1/2)。7日龄起,在自然哺乳的同时,CON组仔猪每日灌服生理盐水40 mL,Arg组每日灌服精氨酸40 mL[250 mg/(kg·d]。在21日龄时,仔猪断奶并饲喂基础饲粮。每组在断奶当天(21日龄)和断奶后第3天(24日龄)每次随机挑选8头仔猪(公母各占1/2)屠宰并采取肝脏。结果表明:1)断奶后第3天,仔猪的体重与肝脏重均极显著低于断奶当天(P<0.01);与CON组相比,断奶后第3天,Arg组仔猪肝脏指数极显著提高(P<0.01)。2)与CON组相比,Arg组仔猪肝细胞粒径极显著提高(P<0.01),肝细胞面积显著提高(P<0.05)。3)断奶后第3天,仔猪肝脏中总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)含量极显著高于断奶当天(P<0.01);断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL⁃C)含量显著高于CON组(P<0.05),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL⁃C)含量极显著低于CON组(P<0.01)。4)与CON组相比,断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)基因相对表达水平显著提高(P<0.05)。由此可得,哺乳期补饲精氨酸能够促进断奶仔猪肝脏发育,提高肝脏中HDL⁃C含量,降低肝脏中LDL⁃C含量,提高肝脏中LPL基因的表达水平,进而提高断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢的功能。