Heritability and genetic correlations between rumination time and production traits in Holstein dairy cows during different lactation phases

So far, rumination has been used as a proxy for monitoring dairy cow health at farm level. However, investigating its genetic aspects as well as its correlation with other important productive traits may turn this management tool into a new informative selection criterion. However, scientific evidences on genetic correlation among rumination time (RT) and milk production and milk composition are still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of RT across three lactation phases and its genetic correlation with milk production, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC). Results of our study showed that heritability for RT was 0.34 and was constant across lactation. The mean genetic correlations between RT and milk production and composition traits were 0.07 (milk production), ?0.07 (protein yield), ?0.31 (fat yield), and ?0.32 (fat/protein ratio). The mean genetic correlation between RT and the SCC was 0.05.     

Endocannabinoids as endometrial inflammatory markers in lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to consider endocannabinoid system as inflammatory markers in bovine endometrium to better understand the role of this system in regulating many of the functions that are related to inflammatory condition. At day 26 post‐partum, fourteen cows were divided into two groups depending on the inflammatory condition: 1‐ subclinical endometritis (n = 7, with purulent or mucopurulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina) and 2‐ healthy (n = 7, No (muco)) purulent discharge. Blood samples were collected at 26 and 30 days relative to calving to determine plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) concentrations; moreover, uterine biopsy was carried out on day 26 post‐partum to measure mRNA abundance of TNF, interleukin‐1B (IL1B), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), endocannabinoid receptor (CNR2), N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N‐acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) by real‐time PCR. Results showed mean plasma concentrations of TNF and LBP were lower in healthy cows compared to subclinical endometritis cows (p < .05). Relative mRNA expression for NAAA and FAAH was decreased (p < .05), and relative mRNA expression for CNR2 and NAPEPLD increased in cows with subclinical endometritis compared to healthy cows. In conclusion, relative mRNA expression of TNF, IL1B and CXCL8 and plasma concentration of LBP increased during inflammatory condition along with decreased endocannabinoids hydrolyzing enzyme (NAAA and FAAH), increased enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoids (NAPEPLD) and relative gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptor; together, these contribute to increased endocannabinoids levels during inflammation. Overall, we provide evidence that endocannabinoid system is altered in endometrium tissue during inflammation through increased mRNA expression of CNR2 and synthesis enzyme and decreased mRNA expression of hydrolyzing enzymes interfere with pro‐cytokine production and signalling, which may interfere with the onset and progression of inflammation.     

Investigation of Clinical Medicine for Treating Cows Endometritis in Baotou Area

In 4 dairy farms located in Baotou area, clinical medicine investigation and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria were conducted, and then curative effects of different treatment methods were analyzed.Epidemic materials were collected from diary cows infected by endometritis, from which pathogenic bacteria were isolated using conventional microbiology technologies.Broth microdilution method was used to detect the sensitivity and resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics commonly used in clinic.On this basis, the sensitive drugs were used to treat mastitis or endometritis, the clinical curative effect of traditional treatment group was compared with that of therapeutic test group.The result of traditional treatment group showed 13 antibiotics were used to treat 160 cases of endometritis, florfenicol was most effective, penicillin was most ineffective.The results of therapeutic test group showed that Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus were the main pathogenic bacteria of endometritis, which were sensitive to gentamicin and cefalotin, etc.The results of statistical analysis showed that the curative effect of therapeutic test group was extremely significantly different from that of traditional treatment group(P<0.01).Sensitive drugs screened by drug sensitive test could be used to target therapy, and obtain satisfied curative effect.Moreover, this approach could avoid antibiotic abuse.     

Identification of Suspected Stem/progenitor Cells in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Culture System

To develop the potential function of dairy cow mammary stem cells (DCMECs) in regulation of lactation,we identify putative DCMECs which were BrdU label retaining epithelial cells,at the same time,analysis the location of two new mammary stem cells molecular marks FNDC3B and PROCR to verify the feasibility of them to indicate DCMECs.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-1 and their receptors were detected along with cell passage by Real-time quantitative PCR.The results showed that the proportion of BrdU label-retaining epithelial cells was nearly 0.4% after 25 d continuous culture (passaged 4 times) and few cells were positive for FNDC3B or PROCR.Moreover,we observed the BrdU labelled epithelial cells by asymmetric division.The mRNA levels of prolactin,growth hormone,insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ and their receptors in primary and passage cells were extremely significant difference(P<0.01).DCMECs would rapidly lose some physiological characteristics and the ability of milk synthesis when not under the condition of induction of lactation differentiation,but a certain percentage of mammary stem/progenitor cells will be retained,whose potential effects on the regulation of lactation and mammary acinar remodeling were worthy of attention.     

黑龙江农垦齐齐哈尔管理局奶牛养殖小区饲养经营模式及效益的探析

对农垦齐齐哈尔管理局奶牛养殖小区的饲养经营模式及效益进行了调查,分析了奶牛小区建设给奶牛群带来的主要变化。通过分析不同模式奶牛小区生产经营状况,确定适合该地区奶牛业发展的奶牛小区经营模式。     

体外棕榈酸诱导自噬调节奶牛淋巴细胞炎症通路

为探讨体外棕榈酸(Palmitic acid,PA)是否可以通过自噬调节奶牛淋巴细胞炎症信号通路的激活,分离健康奶牛淋巴细胞,采用3-MA(3-Methyladenin,细胞自噬抑制剂)和不同质量浓度PA作用于淋巴细胞,收集细胞及上清,利用qRT-PCR检测淋巴细胞LC3B、Beclin1、mTOR、UKL1、SQSTM1、IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-αmRNA表达情况;利用CCK-8和酶联免疫吸附法分别测定细胞活性和促炎细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β的释放量。CCK-8结果表明:PA显著抑制淋巴细胞活性(P0.01),添加自噬抑制剂3-MA后细胞活性显著增强(P0.01);qRT-PCR结果表明:与对照组(PA=0μg/mL)相比,PA处理组(不含3-MA)ULK1和LC3B mRNA表达极显著增加(P0.01),mTOR、Beclin1和SQSTM1 mRNA表达极显著降低(P0.01);IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA表达显著增强(P0.01),而TNF-α未表达;添加3-MA后,与1μg/mL PA处理组相比较,SQSTM1和Beclin1极显著增加,而LC3B mRNA表达极显著降低(P0.01);IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA表达显著下调(P0.01);PA增加促炎因子IL-6和IL-1β的释放(P0.01),显著抑制TNF-α释放(P0.01),而含有3-MA的PA混合处理组则显著降低(P0.01)。综上,PA可通过自噬调节奶牛淋巴细胞炎症信号通路的激活。     

The effect of life history events on carcass merit and price of cull dairy cows

Cull dairy cows contribute almost 10% of national beef production in the United States. However, different factors throughout the life of dairy cows affect their weight and overall body condition as well as carcass traits, and consequently affect their market price. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess relationships between price ratio and carcass merit of cull dairy cows sold through several sites of an auction market and (2) to investigate the effect of animal life history events and live weight on sale barn price (BP) and price ratio (as a measure of relative price), as an indicator of carcass merit. Data from 4 dairy operations included 3,602 cull dairy cow records during the period of 2015 to 2019. Life history events data were collected from each dairy operation through Dairy Comp software; live weight and price were obtained periodically from the auction market, and the carcass data were provided by a local packing plant. Cow price in dollars per unit of live weight ($/cwt) and price ratio were the 2 outcome variables used in the analyses. Price ratio was created aiming to remove seasonality effects from BP (BP divided by the national average price for its respective month and year of sale). The association between price ratio and carcass merit traits was investigated using canonical correlation analysis, and the effect of life history events on both BP and price ratio was inferred using a multiple linear regression technique. More than 70% of the cows were culled in the first 3 lactations, with an average live weight of 701.5 kg, carcass weight of 325 kg, and dressing percentage of 46.3%. On average, cull cows were sold at $57.0/cwt during the period considered. The canonical correlation between price ratio and carcass merit traits was 0.76, indicating that price ratio reflected carcass merit of cull cows. Later lactations led to lower BP compared with cows culled during the first 2 lactations. Injury, and leg and feet problems negatively affected BP. Productive variables demonstrated that the greater milk production might lead to lower cow prices. A large variation between farms was also noted. In conclusion, price ratio was a good indicator of carcass merit of cull cows, and life history events significantly affected sale BP and carcass merit of cull cows sold through auction markets.     

Effect of feed restriction on dairy cow milk production: a review

In the dairy cow, negative energy balance affects milk yield and composition as well as animal health. Studying the effects of negative energy balance on dairy cow milk production is thus essential. Feed restriction (FR) experiments attempting to reproduce negative energy balance by reducing the quantity or quality of the diet were conducted in order to better describe the animal physiology changes. The study of FR is also of interest since with climate change issues, cows may be increasingly faced with periods of drought leading to a shortage of forages. The aim of this article is to review the effects of FR during lactation in dairy cows to obtain a better understanding of metabolism changes and how it affects mammary gland activity and milk production and composition. A total of 41 papers studying FR in lactating cows were used to investigate physiological changes induced by these protocols. FR protocols affect the entire animal metabolism as indicated by changes in blood metabolites such as a decrease in glucose concentration and an increase in non-esterified fatty acid or β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations; hormonal regulations such as a decrease in insulin and insulin-like growth factor I or an increase in growth hormone concentrations. These variations indicated a mobilization of body reserve in most studies. FR also affects mammary gland activity through changes in gene expression and could affect mammary cell turnover through cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and exfoliation of mammary epithelial cells into milk. Because of modifications of the mammary gland and general metabolism, FR decreases milk production and can affect milk composition with decreased lactose and protein concentrations and increased fat concentration. These effects, however, can vary widely depending on the type of restriction, its duration and intensity, or the stage of lactation in which it takes place. Finally, to avoid yield loss and metabolic disorders, it is important to identify reliable biomarkers to monitor energy balance.     

木薯渣与甜菜颗粒粕组合效应对奶牛瘤胃发酵特性的影响

本试验旨在通过体外产气法研究木薯渣与甜菜颗粒粕组合用作泌乳中后期奶牛饲料的可行性及适宜组合比例。试验设计7个处理:木薯渣分别以0%(对照组)、5%、10%、15%、20%、25%和30%与甜菜颗粒粕(风干物质基础)组合,使用AGRS-Ⅲ型微生物发酵产气系统进行体外瘤胃微生物发酵试验,监测体外培养3、6、12、24、48h后的发酵液pH、氨态氮(NH3-N)、微生物蛋白(MCP)含量和体外培养48h后干物质消失率(IVDMD)、累积产气量(GP)及挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量等指标。结果表明:体外培养48 h后,GP和底物的最大降解率(RmaxS)随木薯渣占比增加呈线性或二次增加(P<0.05);发酵液各VFA和TVFA含量均随木薯渣占比增加呈线性或二次降低(P<0.05);根据多项组合效应值,以0%组为对照时,5%组和10%组表现为正组合效应,其余组合均表现为负组合效应。在本试验条件下,当木薯渣与甜菜颗粒粕组合使用,且木薯渣为5%~10%较为适宜,但此结果仍需奶牛饲养试验进一步验证。     

奶牛胃肠道菌群与奶牛乳房炎关联性及其对乳房炎调控潜力的研究进展

乳房炎是严重影响奶牛机体健康状态及乳品质量的疾病之一。一直以来,外源致病菌入侵乳房并引发感染被认为是奶牛乳房炎发病的主要因素。然而,最近的研究表明,胃肠道菌群同样能够影响奶牛乳房炎的发病并对炎症进行调控。其主要机制可能涉及"肠道-乳腺"内源途径,即来自胃肠道的某些细菌可以通过涉及单核免疫细胞（主要是吞噬细胞）机制进行转移,通过内源性细胞途径（细菌性肠-乳途径）迁移到乳腺。本文就奶牛乳房炎的致病因素及其影响、胃肠道菌群与奶牛乳房炎的关联性及其对乳房炎的调控（包括饮食、短链脂肪酸（short-chain fatty acids,SCFAs）、益生菌及共生菌等因素）等方面进行了综述,旨在为奶牛乳房炎的发病机制及缓解措施提供新的思路。