葛根素对松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞成脂分化的影响

为探究葛根素对松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞成脂分化的调控作用,在细胞诱导液中分别添加0、10、20、40、60和80 μmol/L葛根素进行成脂诱导分化,用油红O染色法和甘油三酯酶法检测脂肪细胞分化过程中脂滴聚集情况和甘油三酯含量以考察脂质沉积和分化效果,并确定葛根素的最佳添加浓度;用实时荧光定量PCR检测对照组(0 μmol/L)和最佳葛根素浓度添加组成脂标志基因细胞过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)、CCAAT-增强子结合蛋白α(C/EBPα)及成脂分化基因乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP4)、应激蛋白(TRIB)和叉头框蛋白O1 (FOXO1)的mRNA的表达水平,用Western blotting检测PPARγ和C/EBPα的蛋白表达水平。结果表明,与对照组相比,20、40和60 μmol/L葛根素均显著增加脂滴和甘油三酯含量(P<0.05),且40 μmol/L葛根素效果最佳;实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,与对照组相比,40 μmol/L葛根素显著上调成脂标志基因PPARγ、C/EBPα及成脂分化基因ACC、FABP4、FOXO1和TRIB的表达(P<0.05);Western blotting结果显示,与对照组相比,40 μmol/L葛根素显著增加PPARγ蛋白表达(P<0.05)。综上所述,40 μmol/L葛根素能够促进松辽黑猪前体脂肪细胞的成脂分化和脂质沉积。     

松辽黑猪METTL23基因多态性及其与繁殖性状的关联分析

为探究松辽黑猪METTL23基因多态性及其与繁殖性状的关联性,试验选取178头松辽黑猪母猪为研究对象,利用Sanger直接测序法查找METTL23基因外显子1~5的单核苷酸多态性(SNP),使用SPSS 19.0软件分析METTL23基因SNP位点与松辽黑猪繁殖性状(总产仔数、产活仔数、断奶仔猪数、初生重、3周龄重、断奶重、乳头数)的关联性。结果显示,仅在松辽黑猪METTL23基因外显子4发现1个SNP位点,命名为A62G,在A62G位点上检测到3种基因型,分别是AA、AG和GG。GG和G分别为优势基因型和优势等位基因,且A62G位点处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(P>0.05)。该位点的遗传纯合度(Ho)为0.6516,高于遗传杂合度(He,0.3484),说明其在松辽黑猪群体中的变异较小;多态信息含量(PIC)为0.2877,属于中度多态位点(0.25<PIC<0.5),说明该遗传标记能够提供一定量的遗传信息。关联分析结果表明,GG基因型个体总产仔数、产活仔数和断奶仔猪数均显著或极显著高于AA基因型个体(P<0.05;P<0.01),总产仔数还显著高于AG基因型个体(P<0.05);AG基因型个体断奶仔猪数显著高于AA基因型个体(P<0.05);初生重、3周龄重、断奶重、乳头数各基因型间差异均不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,METTL23基因外显子4存在多态性位点A62G,该位点与松辽黑猪产仔数存在显著关联,可作为松辽黑猪产仔数的遗传标记,用于分子育种。     

绵羊(ATAG)n四碱基微卫星位点的筛选及其在亲子鉴定中的应用

本试验旨在筛选绵羊高度多态性四碱基微卫星遗传标记,建立适用于绵羊亲子关系鉴定的实验体系。试验以小尾寒羊为主要研究对象,从已有的绵羊参考基因组序列出发,基于全基因组序列筛选法共筛选出53个（ATAG）_n四碱基重复微卫星位点,然后通过基因分型数据共筛选出30个扩增效果好、多态信息含量（PIC）丰富的四碱基重复微卫星位点;30个位点的基因分型结果表明,共扩增出253个等位基因,平均等位基因数为8.433,等位基因数均>5,多态信息含量在0.566~0.898,观测杂合度（Ho）范围在0.548~0.903,期望杂合度（He）范围在0.631~0.921,平均期望杂合度为0.776;哈代-温伯格平衡检验30个位点均处于遗传平衡状态。随后根据PCR的扩增效率从获得的30个多态性位点中筛选出22个微卫星位点用于亲权排除概率的计算,根据多态信息含量的大小由高到低依次增加位点数进行组合。结果表明,在两个亲本的基因型均未知的情况下,标记位点数为15个时,累积排除概率可达到99.99%,其中单个位点的第一非亲排除率（non-exclusion probability of the first parent,NE-1P）介于0.321~0.663之间。利用建立的亲子鉴定体系对16只具有系谱记录的小尾寒羊样本进行检测,结果共鉴定出4个具有高置信度的绵羊家系,鉴定结果与系谱记录完全一致。本试验为绵羊分子系谱的构建、亲子鉴定以及保障绵羊育种工作的正常开展奠定重要基础。     

松辽黑猪OAS1基因多态性及其与繁殖性状的关联分析

为探究寡腺苷酸合成酶1（oligoadenylate synthase 1,OAS1）基因多态性与松辽黑猪繁殖性状的关联性,试验选取130头松辽黑猪母猪为研究对象,利用Sanger直接测序法测序查找OAS1基因外显子1~8的SNP位点,使用SPSS 19.0软件分析OAS1基因SNP位点与松辽黑猪繁殖性状的关联性。结果显示,在松辽黑猪OAS1基因外显子2、3和6上共检测到33个突变位点;其中在外显子2的110 bp处存在1个SNP位点（G110C）,存在3种基因型：GG、GC和CC;在外显子3的176 bp处存在1个SNP位点（C176T）,存在3种基因型：CC、CT和TT;在外显子6的145 bp处存在1个SNP位点（C145T）,存在3种基因型：CC、CA和AA;在166 bp处存在1个SNP位点（G166A）,存在3种基因型：GG、GA和AA;在206 bp处存在1个SNP位点（A206G）,存在3种基因型：AA、AG和GG。卡方适合性检验结果显示,松辽黑猪OAS1基因G110C突变位点符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态,C176T、C145A、G166A和G206A位点均偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。群体遗传参数分析结果显示,各SNPs位点遗传杂合度均位于中等水平,为中度多态（0.25<PIC<0.5）。关联分析结果发现,G110C位点GC基因型个体总产仔数、产活仔数和断奶仔猪数均显著高于GG基因型个体（P<0.05）;C176T位点CT基因型个体断奶仔猪数显著高于CC基因型个体（P<0.05）;C145T位点CC基因型个体总产仔数和产活仔数均显著高于AA基因型个体（P<0.05）;G166A位点GA基因型个体断奶仔猪数显著高于GG基因型个体（P<0.05）;A206G位点GG基因型个体总产仔数和产活仔数显著高于AA基因型个体（P<0.05）。结果表明,OAS1基因外显子区存在突变位点,对松辽黑猪部分繁殖性状有显著性影响。     

Necrotic enteritis challenge regulates peroxisome proliferator-1 activated receptors signaling and β-oxidation pathways in broiler chickens

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is an important enteric disease in poultry and has become a major concern in poultry production in the post-antibiotic era. The infection with NE can damage the intestinal mucosa of the birds leading to impaired health and, thus, productivity. To gain a better understanding of how NE impacts the gut function of infected broilers, global mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed in the jejunum tissue of NE challenged and non-challenged broilers to identify the pathways and genes affected by this disease. Briefly, to induce NE, birds in the challenge group were inoculated with 1 mL of Eimeria species on day 9 followed by 1 mL of approximately 10⁸ CFU/mL of a NetB producing Clostridium perfringens on days 14 and 15. On day 16, 2 birds in each treatment were randomly selected and euthanized and the whole intestinal tract was evaluated for lesion scores. Duodenum tissue samples from one of the euthanized birds of each replicate (n = 4) was used for histology, and the jejunum tissue for RNA extraction. RNA-seq analysis was performed with an Illumina RNA HiSeq 2000 sequencer. The differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified and functional analysis was performed in DAVID to find protein–protein interactions (PPI). At a false discovery rate threshold <0.05, a total of 377 DEG (207 upregulated and 170 downregulated) DEG were identified. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEG were considerably enriched in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling (P < 0.01) and β-oxidation pathways (P < 0.05). The DEG were mostly related to fatty acid metabolism and degradation (cluster of differentiation 36 [CD36], acyl-CoA synthetase bubblegum family member-1 [ACSBG1], fatty acid-binding protein-1 and -2 [FABP1] and [FABP2]; and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase-1 [ACSL1]), bile acid production and transportation (acyl-CoA oxidase-2 [ACOX2], apical sodium–bile acid transporter [ASBT]) and essential genes in the immune system (interferon-, [IFN-γ], LCK proto-oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase [LCK], zeta chain of T cell receptor associated protein kinase 70 kDa [ZAP70], and aconitate decarboxylase 1 [ACOD1]). Our data revealed that pathways related to fatty acid digestion were significantly compromised which thereby could have affected metabolic and immune responses in NE infected birds.     

Preparation and Identification of Canine Parvovirus NY Strain VP2 Protein Polyclonal Antibody

This study was aimed to prepare canine parvovirus (CPV) VP2 protein polyclonal antibody.The recombinant expression vector pET28a-CPV-VP2 was constructed and transfromed into E.coli BL21 (DE3),the expression of recombinant proteins was induced by IPTG from which the fusion protein was identified by SDS-PAGE.The target protein was purified and emulsify with adjuvant,the prepared immunogen was inoculated into rabbit by subcutaneous injections to prepare of VP2 protein specific polyclonal antibody.The immuno-activity,titers,neutralization titers of the prepared polyclonal antibody were determined by immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA).The results showed that the expressed recombinant protein VP2 (rVP2) existed in the form of inclusion body with a molecular weight of 72 ku.The prepared polyclonal antibody titer was 1 600 dilution,the virus titer was 10⁷ TCID₅₀/mL,the neutralizing titer was 1∶2 884.The antibodies showed specific reaction with CPV.In conclusion,rVP2 specific polyclonal antibody showed wonderful immunocompetence,specificity and neutralizing activity,providing foundation for the development of genetic vaccine and clinical therapeutic method.     

Effects of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Growth Performance,Digestion and Metabolism,and Serum Biochemical Indexes of Super Merino Lamb

The experiment aimed to find out the effects of dietary crude protein levels on growth performance, digestion and metabolism and serum biochemical indexes of Super Merino lamb after weaning.According to the dietary crude protein level, 64 Super Merino weaned lambs were divided into four groups, which the crude protein levels were 13.25%(group Ⅰ), 14.33%(group Ⅱ), 15.53%(group Ⅲ) and 16.60%(group Ⅳ), respectively.The experiment lasted for 60 days, 30 days for the early stage and 30 days for the later stage;And on the 30th and 60th day, blood samples were collected from one head sheep chosen from each replication, and at the end of the feeding test, 3 lambs were randomly selected from each experiment group for a 15 days digestion and metabolism experiment.The results showed that ADFI and ADG in the early and total trial period were significant differences(P<0.05), ADFI and ADG of group Ⅲ were higher than others.The apparent digestibility of nutrients and ME/DE were not significantly changed(P>0.05).In the detection of serum biochemical indexes, there was no significant difference in the earlier stage(P>0.05);At the end of the test, PK and CK showed significant difference between groups(P<0.05).PK presented a rising trend as the protein level improved, CK of group Ⅰ was higher than other groups.In Super Merino lamb early weaning diet, 15.53% protein level in the diet could significantly improve ADG, the apparent digestibility of nutrients, metabolic energy digestibility.At the end of the test, PK and CK were affected by dietary crude protein level significantly.     

东北地区奶牛乳房炎表皮葡萄球菌和腐生葡萄球菌的分子流行病学及耐药性研究

为调查表皮葡萄球菌和腐生葡萄球菌在东北地区的流行病学情况和耐药性,本研究对来自东北地区3个大型奶牛场采集的330份奶样进行葡萄球菌的分离、鉴定及其耐药表型的检测,并采用脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)进行分离株的亲缘性分析,对表皮葡萄球菌进行多位点序列分型(MLST),同时应用PCR扩增分离株中携带的相关耐药基因。研究结果表明,在330份奶样中共分离到表皮葡萄球菌32株(9.7%),腐生葡萄球菌34株(10.3%);PFGE分析共获得9种不同谱型的表皮葡萄球菌和11种不同谱型的腐生葡萄球菌。药敏试验结果显示,两种菌对青霉素(70%)、苯唑西林(60%)和林克霉素(55%)的耐药率较高,主要耐药基因为lnu(B)(40%)、erm(B)(30%)和mec A(25%)。本研究结果揭示了东北地区奶牛乳房炎病原菌表皮葡萄球菌和腐生葡萄球菌的耐药谱和流行情况,为临床合理用药及奶牛乳房炎的防控提供了实验依据。     

葡萄VvSUC12基因启动子的克隆及上游调控因子鉴定

枝干病害葡萄溃疡病近年来严重限制了葡萄产业发展。研究表明葡萄蔗糖转运蛋白参与寄主植物和病原菌的互作过程。为解析蔗糖转运蛋白VvSUC12在葡萄免疫反应过程中的功能,本研究克隆了VvSUC12基因翻译起始位点上游1 500 bp的启动子区,通过生物信息学分析发现该区域包含4个Dof转录因子结合序列(A/TAAAG)及多种激素调节与防御相关的顺式元件。实时荧光定量分析显示,接种可可毛色二孢菌显著诱导VvSUC12和VvDof19基因的表达。通过酵母单杂交实验筛选得到与VvSUC12启动子互作的转录因子VvDof19。酵母双杂交实验证实VvDof19具有自激活活性;进一步通过烟草瞬时表达发现Dof19-GFP的相对GUS活性约为对照GFP的9倍,表明转录因子VvDof19能够激活VvSUC12基因的表达。研究结果为深入研究蔗糖转运蛋白在葡萄免疫反应中的功能奠定基础。     

Using genetic tools to inform conservation of fragmented populations of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) across their range in China

A herd of 15 Chinese elephants attracted international attention during their 2021 northward trek, motivating the government to propose establishment of an Asian elephant national park. However, planning is hampered by a lack of genetic information on the remaining populations in China. We collected DNA from 497 dung samples from all 5 populations encompassing the entire range of elephants in China and used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate their genetic and demographic structure. We identified 237 unique genotypes (153 females, 84 males), representing 81% of the known population. However, the effective population size was small (28, range 25–32). Historic demographic contraction appeared to account for low haplotype diversity (H_d = 0.235), but moderate nucleotide and nuclear diversity (π = 0.6%, H_e = 0.55) was attributable to post-bottleneck recovery involving recent population expansion plus historical gene exchange with elephants in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. The 5 populations fell into 3 clusters, with Nangunhe elephants differing consistently from the other 4 populations (F_ST = 0.23); elephants from Mengyang, Simao, and Jiangcheng belonged to a single population (henceforth, MSJ), and differed from the Shangyong population (F_ST = 0.11). Interpopulation genetic variation reflected isolation by distance and female-biased dispersal. Chinese elephants should be managed as 2 distinct units: Nangunhe and another combining Shangyong and MSJ; their long-term viability will require restoring gene flow between Shangyong and MSJ, and between elephants in China and neighboring countries. Our results have the potential to inform conservation planning for an iconic megafaunal species.