Single step genomic evaluation for female fertility in Nordic Red dairy cattle

Joint Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Sweden) genetic evaluation of female fertility is currently based on the multiple trait multilactation animal model (BLUP). Here, single step genomic model (ssGBLUP) was applied for the Nordic Red dairy cattle fertility evaluation. The 11 traits comprised of nonreturn rate and days from first to last insemination in heifers and first three parities, and days from calving to first insemination in the first three parities. Traits had low heritabilities (0.015–0.04), but moderately high genetic correlations between the parities (0.60–0.88). Phenotypic data included 4,226,715 animals with records and pedigree 5,445,392 animals. Unknown parents were assigned into 332 phantom parent groups (PPG). In mixed model equations animals were associated with PPG effects through the pedigree or both the pedigree and genomic information. Genotype information of 46,914 SNPs was available for 33,969 animals in the pedigree. When PPG used pedigree information only, BLUP converged after 2,420 iterations whereas the ssGBLUP evaluation needed over ten thousand iterations. When the PPG effects were solved accounting both the pedigree and the genomic information, the ssGBLUP model converged after 2,406 iterations. Also, with the latter model breeding values by ssGBLUP and BLUP became more consistent and genetic trends followed each other well. Models were validated using forward prediction of the young bulls. Reliabilities and variance inflation of predicted genomic breeding values (values for parent averages in brackets) for the 11 traits ranged 0.22–0.31 (0.10–0.27) and 0.81–0.95 (0.83–1.06), respectively. The ssGBLUP model gave always higher validation reliabilities than BLUP, but largest increases were for the cow fertility traits.     

Determination and Analysis of Heavy Metal Content in the Soil from Beef Cattle Farms in Three Regions of Xinjiang

In order to study and evaluate the feeding environment of the beef cattle farms in Xinjiang, the contents of heavy mentals in the soil from 8 beef cattle farms in Xinjiang Aksu, Yili and Tacheng regions were tested according to the Field of Livestock and Poultry Environment Quality Standard (NY/T 388—1999).The atomic absorption spectroscopic method was used to determine the contents of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr.The mean contents of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr in 8 beef cattle farms soil were 0.389, 0.568, 22.708, 0.573 and 149.449 mg/kg, respectively, and they were all below the upper limit of NY/T 388—1999.The comprehensive heavy metal pollution index of 8 beef cattle farms were 0.577 to 0.994, and the index were 0.7 to 1 of two observation points in Yili and one observation point in Tacheng.The soil environment quality of these 3 farms were at the level of slight cleaning.The comprehensive heavy metal pollution index of other five observation points were ≤0.7, the soil environment was in a clean level.The soil environment of beef cattle farms in these three regions conformed to the standards of livestock for environment quality and safe products.     

安格斯牛和南阳牛肌内脂肪组织中差异表达circRNAs分析

【目的】筛选牛肌肉脂肪组织中差异表达的circRNAs,为进一步探索circRNAs在牛肌内脂肪沉积和代谢过程中的潜在作用及肉牛改良提供理论基础。【方法】采集安格斯牛和南阳牛右侧背部最长肌第12/13肋骨间肌肉,分离其脂肪组织并提取RNA,采用RNA-seq和生物信息学方法分析2种牛肌内脂肪组织中circRNAs的表达情况,筛选差异表达的circRNAs,并对其进行GO和KEGG富集分析。选取4个差异表达的circRNA(circRNA.9560、circRNA.7431、circRNA.2083、circRNA.6528),对其表达水平进行qRT-PCR验证。【结果】在所有牛样本肌内脂肪组织中共检测到14 649个circRNAs,从中筛选并初步鉴定出111个安格斯牛与南阳牛差异表达的circRNAs,其中有75个在安格斯牛肌内脂肪组织中表达上调,36个表达下调。差异表达的circRNAs主要富集于细胞进程、单有机体进程、代谢过程、细胞、细胞部分、细胞器、分子结合、催化活性、核酸结合转录因子活性的GO条目中。KEGG富集分析结果发现,差异表达的circRNAs共富集到66条信号通路中,其中具有显著差异(P0.05)的信号通路有10个。qRT-PCR验证结果显示,circRNA.9560和circRNA.7431表达量显著下调,circRNA.2083和circRNA.6528表达量显著上调,与测序结果一致。【结论】筛选出111个安格斯牛与南阳牛差异表达的circRNAs,这些circRNAs可能在牛脂肪沉积和脂质代谢过程中发挥着一定的调控作用。     

稻草与牛粪混合腐解的最佳配比筛选

【目的】以腐殖质组成特征为评价依据,筛选稻草与牛粪混合腐解的最佳配比,为两类农业固体废弃物的资源化应用提供参考。【方法】以稻草和牛粪为材料,采用室内培养法,研究稻草与牛粪质量比为10∶0(Rs),9∶1(Rd1),7∶3(Rd2),5∶5(Rd3),3∶7(Rd4),1∶9(Rd5)和0∶10(Dm)混合腐解90 d,各处理水溶性物质(WSS)、可提取腐殖酸(HE)、胡敏酸(HA)、胡敏素(Hu)组分的有机碳含量(依次表述为C_(WSS)、C_(HE)、C_(HA)、C_(Hu)),以及胡敏酸碱溶液E_4/E_6、腐殖化系数(C_(HA)/C_(FA))的动态变化,筛选稻草与牛粪腐解的最佳配比。【结果】与0 d相比,在腐解完成(90 d)后,各处理C_(WSS)含量均有不同程度降低,相比于稻草,牛粪腐解后更易促进微生物对C_(WSS)的利用,使其下降86.2%;Rd2和Rd5处理使物料C_(HE)含量分别增加10.2%和28.6%,其余处理C_(HE)均有不同程度消耗;与0 d相比,腐解完成后,Rd1、Rd3和Dm处理均有助于C_(HA)的积累,其中牛粪腐解更易促进C_(HA)的形成,使其增加30.5%。在各处理下,物料HA分子均先发生降解、脂族化,而后逐渐缩合、芳香化,但HA分子结构仍趋于简单;在促进HA分子脂族化方面,Rd4处理的优势最大,而Dm处理更有利于HA结构的稳定。Rd3处理在促进腐殖质品质方面的贡献最大,其次为Rd1处理,Dm和Rs处理次之,但Rd2和Rd5处理不利于腐殖质品质的改善;Rs、Rd1、Rd2、Rd3和Rd4处理在腐解过程中更有利于C_(Hu)的分解,且Rd3处理的优势最大,使C_(Hu)含量下降91.0%,而牛粪比例≥90%更有助于C_(Hu)的累积。【结论】稻草与牛粪按照质量比5∶5混合腐解,易促进C_(Hu)的分解和C_(HA)的积累,利于腐殖质品质提升。     

The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real-time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.     

Comparative Study on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Different Month Old of Xinjiang Brown Cattle Steers

In this research,12 heads of 28 to 30 months (low months age group) and 8 heads of 32 to 34 months (high months age group) Xinjiang Brown cattle steers which fed in the same mode of nutrition were chose for the slaughter test,in which the carcass traits,nutrient composition and some edible quality index were measured and comparative analyzed,a research which through comparative analysis the carcass traits and meat quality of nutritional components of different months of Xinjiang Brown cattle steers was carried out.The results indicated that the marbling,carcass grade,fat,meat color of high months age group were better than that of low months age group,the traits of the low months age group on fat color,moisture,protein,cooking loss and shear force value were better than that of high months age group,and there were significant difference on the traits of fat and meat color L^* between the two groups (P<0.05),while the differences of other traits between them were not significant (P>0.05);As high-grade beef,in addition to the traits of meat color and pH value of the chunk roll,tenderloin and striploin,each site of the meat traits on the fat,protein,moisture,cooking loss,shear force value indicators were all better than other parts,and showed the best of nutritional value and edible quality.28 to 34 months of Xinjiang Brown cattle steers could produce high-grade beef,the meat could be used as the raw materials of steak and boiled beef.     

低海拔异地育肥牦牛与本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)在不同非蛋白氮水平饲粮条件下血液生理生化指标及生长性能的差异

为探究异地育肥牦牛模式,本试验对比了低海拔异地育肥耗牛与本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)在同等条件下血液生理生化指标和生长性能的差异。将体重相近的8头1岁本地杂交肉牛(秦川×西门塔尔)和8头4岁青海牦牛各分为2组,每组4头,同一品种的2组试验牛分别饲喂低非蛋白氮饲粮[LNPN,饲粮中缓释尿素添加量为1.0%(干物质基础)]和高非蛋白氮饲粮[HNPN,饲粮中缓释尿素添加量为1.5%(干物质基础)]。预试期10 d,正试期50 d。结果发现:牦牛与肉牛均在LNPN条件下表现出最高的平均日采食量和最小的料重比。饲粮非蛋白氮水平未对牦牛与肉牛的血常规指标造成显著影响(P0.05),但是牦牛在各饲粮条件下中性粒细胞数目(Gran#)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量(MCH)、红细胞分布宽度标准差(RDW-SD)、平均血小板体积(MPV)和血小板分布宽度(PDW)显著高于肉牛(P0.05),而平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度(M CHC)和血小板数目(PLT)显著低于肉牛(P0.05)。饲粮非蛋白氮水平未对肉牛和牦牛各项血清生化指标产生显著影响(P0.05)。牦牛在各饲粮条件下血清总蛋白(TP)、尿素氮(UN)、肌酐(GREA)、免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)、免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)和免疫球蛋白G(Ig G)水平均显著高于肉牛(P0.05)。牦牛在HNPN条件下的血清白蛋白(ALB)水平显著低于LNPN条件下(P0.05)。本试验结果表明,在肉牛和牦牛育肥饲粮中添加1.0%的缓释尿素替代饲粮蛋白质是可行的;低海拔异地育肥牦牛不会对牦牛健康产生不利影响。     

新疆褐牛应激综合症的防控

新疆褐牛是新疆养牛业的主导品种。随着社会经济的发展和养牛新技术的推广,在新疆褐牛养殖过程中,新疆褐牛的推广力度和养殖水平也逐步提高,新疆褐牛架子牛、育肥牛、种公牛及生产母牛异地调运频繁;同时为提高养殖效益,新疆褐牛断奶犊牛月龄逐步提前到4月龄;在养殖生产过程中,常常发生运输应激综合症和早期断奶应激症。本文通过探讨新疆褐牛运输综合症发生病因、症状和早期断奶犊牛应激表现,提出防控应对措施,以期为广大新疆褐牛养殖户在牛只调运和早期断奶技术上提供参考。     

干扰TP53INP2抑制牛成肌细胞分化

【背景】肌肉可以维持哺乳动物运动功能并调节机体代谢,它的数量和分布对肉质有重要影响,骨骼肌的生长发育及其遗传特性在很大程度上影响甚至决定家畜的产肉量和肉品质,研究骨骼肌的生长发育具有重要意义。TP53INP2对自噬的调控作用以及对前体脂肪细胞分化的调控机制已有研究,而对于牛成肌细胞分化的影响尚未报道。【目的】探究TP53INP2对秦川牛成肌细胞分化的影响,为肉牛肉用性状分子育种工作提供理论依据。【方法】利用实时荧光定量PCR（real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR）技术检测了TP53INP2在24月龄秦川牛不同组织中的表达特性,同时分析了其在体外培养的牛骨骼肌成肌细胞不同分化时期的表达规律;合成TP53INP2基因siRNA并转染秦川牛成肌细胞,转染后12h进行诱导分化,观察成肌细胞表型变化,并利用RT-qPCR技术和Western Blot技术分别检测其在诱导分化第四天时分化标志基因和蛋白的表达情况。【结果】1.RT-qPCR结果显示,TP53INP2在成年秦川牛背最长肌组织中表达量最高,在小肠组织中表达量最低。TP53INP2在成年牛心脏、肝脏、肾脏、网胃、瘤胃中表达量较高,在其余组织中表达量较低（与背最长肌相比）。2.随着成肌细胞的分化,该基因在第0—4天表达量呈上升趋势且在第4天达到峰值,随后表达量呈下降趋势。3.在成肌细胞中干扰TP53INP2后,试验组肌管的数量和长度均显著低于对照组。4.干扰TP53INP2并提取细胞总RNA,RT-qPCR结果显示,成肌细胞分化标志基因肌细胞生成素（MYOG）和肌球重链蛋白3（MYH3）相对于对照组表达量显著降低。5.干扰TP53INP2并提取细胞总蛋白,Western Blot结果显示,试验组MYOG、MYH3、MYOD的蛋白表达量均降低且与对照组相比差异极显著。【结论】干扰TP53INP2对牛成肌细胞的分化具有抑制作用,提示该基因可能对秦川牛肌肉组织的生长发育具有重要的调控作用,可对其进行深入的功能研究以期用于肉牛的分子育种实践中。