Temperature Before Cold Acclimation Affects Cold Tolerance and Photoacclimation in Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

The expected temperature rise in late summer/early autumn can change the conditions for acclimation and affect the winter survival of perennial crops. This study examined the effect of the temperature just before the onset of cold acclimation (pre‐acclimation) on freezing tolerance of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations (both cultivars and breeding populations) adapted to either northern or southern parts of Norway. Using phytotron experiments, we studied whether increasing pre‐acclimation temperature delays growth cessation, affects photoacclimation and reduces freezing tolerance. Furthermore, we assessed whether these effects were related to the latitudinal adaptation of the plant material. The results showed that a rise in pre‐acclimation temperature decreased both cold acclimation capacity and photoacclimation in these species. This affected the freezing tolerance, which was reduced significantly more in northern‐adapted population of timothy and perennial ryegrass compared with southern‐adapted populations. Red clover was less affected by temperature changes than the grasses.     

Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing KLH binding natural antibodies and specific antibody response to Newcastle disease in Kenyan chicken populations

This study aimed at investigating the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on immune traits to inform on possibilities of genetic improvement of disease resistance traits in local chicken of Kenya. Immune traits such as natural and specific antibodies are considered suitable indicators of an individual's health status and consequently, used as indicator traits of disease resistance. In this study, natural antibodies binding to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH-NAbs) was used to measure general disease resistance. Specific antibodies binding to Newcastle disease virus (NDV-IgG) post vaccination was used to measure specific disease resistance. Titers of KLH-NAbs isotypes (KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG and KLH-IgA) and NDV-IgG were measured in 1,540 chickens of different ages ranging from 12 to 56 weeks. A general linear model was fitted to determine the effect of sex, generation, population type, phylogenetic cluster, line, genotype and age on the antibody traits. A multivariate animal mixed model was fitted to estimate heritability and genetic correlations among the antibody traits. The model constituted of non-genetic factors found to have a significant influence on the antibody traits as fixed effects, and animal and residual effects as random variables. Overall mean (±SE) concentration levels for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 10.33 ± 0.04, 9.08 ± 0.02, 6.00 ± 0.02 and 10.12 ± 0.03, respectively. Sex, generation and age (linear covariate) significantly (p < 0.05) influenced variation across all the antibody traits. Genotype effects (p < 0.05) were present in all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Interaction between generation and line was significant (p < 0.05) in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG while nesting phylogenetic cluster within population significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Heritability estimates for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 0.28 ± 0.08, 0.14 ± 0.06, 0.07 ± 0.04 and 0.31 ± 0.06, respectively. There were positive genetic correlations (0.40–0.61) among the KLH-NAbs while negative genetic correlations (−0.26 to −0.98) were observed between the KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG. Results from this study indicate that non-genetic effects due to biological and environmental factors influence natural and specific antibodies and should be accounted for to reduce bias and improve accuracy when evaluating the traits. Subsequently, the moderate heritability estimates in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG suggest selection possibilities for genetic improvement of general and specific immunity, respectively, and consequently disease resistance. However, the negative correlations between KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG indicate the need to consider a suitable approach that can optimally combine both traits in a multiple trait selection strategies.     

Effects of Compound Plant Nutrients on Rumen Fermentation Parameters,Rumen Microbiota and Fatty Acid Composition of Longissimus dorsi Muscle in Finishing Small Tail Han Sheep北大核心CSCD

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of compound p1ant nutrients (CPN) on rumen fermentation parameters, rumen microbiota and fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi musc1e in finishing sma11 tai1 Han sheep. Sixteen 4-month-o1d finishing sma11 tai1 Han sheep with an initia1 body weight (BW) of (24.18±0.31) kg were random1y divided into two groups, name1y, with 8 rep1icates per group and 1 sheep per rep1icate. The sheep in the contro1 group were fed a basa1 diet, whereas the sheep of the contro1 group (CPN group) was fed the basa1 diet supp1ementation with 3‰ CPN. The experiment 1asted for 97 days after 7 days adaption. The resu1ts showed as fo11ows: compared with the contro1 group, 1) adding CPN decreased the concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) (P<0.05); 2) CPN supp1ementation affected beta diversity of rumen microbiota; 3) the re1ative abundance of Acidobacteriota, Erysipe1otrichaceae_UCG-002, Lactobacillus, and Megasphaera were enhanced by adding CPN (P<0.05), whereas, the re1ative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Prevotella was 1ower (P<0.05); 4) the supp1ementation of CPN had no significant effect on fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi musc1e of fattening sma11-tai1ed Han sheep (P>0.05); 5) the contents of tota1 MUFA, C18:1n9c, C14:1, C16:1, C18:2n6c, C18:3n3 and n-3PUFA in the longissimus dorsi musc1e were corre1ated with the re1ative abundance of Megasphaera, Erysipe1otrichaceae_UCG-002, Succiniclasticum and Ruminococcus (P<0.05). In conc1usion, CPN can regu1ate the rumen microbiota structure and reduce the rumen NH3-N concentration of fattening sma11-tai1ed Han sheep. In production practice, CPN can be used as a rumen eco1ogica1 regu1ator. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.     

短期高温下6个品种甜樱桃幼苗耐热性比较

为对不同品种甜樱桃耐热性进行比较,以6个品种甜樱桃幼苗为试材,通过模拟高温,探究高温胁迫下其叶片生理、叶绿素荧光指标变化,结合相关性分析、主成分分析等对其耐热性综合评价,并通过逐步回归模型的建立筛选出甜樱桃耐热生理评价指标。结果表明,6个品种甜樱桃幼苗在高温胁迫后抗氧化酶、渗透调节物质等生理指标变化有所不同,叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ 最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、表观电子传递速率(ETR)3个参数值均显著下降,除4号甜樱桃品种NPQ值显著升高外,其余品种NPQ 值均呈下降趋势。6个品种甜樱桃幼苗的耐热综合性排名为 ‘红蜜’＞‘桑提娜’＞‘早大果’＞‘雷尼’＞‘拉宾斯’＞‘布鲁克斯’,基于多元回归模型建立筛选出过氧化物酶(POD)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、脯氨酸含量、Fv/Fo 4个指标可高效、准确地对甜樱桃耐热性进行评价。本研究为甜樱桃耐热性评价体系建立及耐热性品种选育提供参考,为今后南方地区甜樱桃耐高温品种（系）进一步育种工作奠定理论基础。     

不同栽培模式西番莲的光响应特性

以黄果西番莲Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener和紫果西番莲P. edulis Sims为实验材料,采用Li-6400便携式光合测定仪测定露地及设施栽培模式两种西番莲的光合参数,非直角双曲线模型进行拟合,分析不同栽培模式对两种西番莲叶绿素及光合参数的影响。结果表明,与露地栽培相比,设施栽培模式黄果西番莲的叶绿素含量、表观量子效率（AQY）、光补偿点（Ic）和暗呼吸速率（Rd）无显著变化,最大净光合速率（Pnmax）和光饱和点（Isat）显著降低。紫果西番莲叶绿素含量显著增加,AQY、Pnmax和Isat无显著变化,Ic与Rd降幅较大。两种西番莲叶绿素a/b（Chl a/b）值均显著降低。说明黄果西番莲和紫果西番莲分别在露地栽培模式和设施栽培模式的光合效率更高,能积累更多的光合产物。     

薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及应用

疮痂病是薄壳山核桃上最具毁灭性的病害,带菌植物材料是传播疮痂病的重要来源。准确、灵敏、快速的检测方法可为该病害流行规律调查和防控提供有力的依据。本文通过比较薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌Venturia effusa及其近似种之间的ITS序列差异,设计了特异性引物和TaqMan探针,建立了薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌的荧光定量PCR检测方法。特异性检测结果表明,该方法可以检测不同地区的薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌菌株,而对其近似种以及薄壳山核桃上的其他真菌均没有信号。本研究建立的检测方法对薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌DNA的最低检测限可达0.5 pg/μL。该方法用于田间样品检测时,检测时间仅需1 h,远快于常规的分离培养法。本研究建立的基于TaqMan探针的荧光定量PCR检测方法为薄壳山核桃疮痂病菌的快速检测和监测提供了有力工具。     

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.     

粪肠球菌替代抗生素对断奶仔猪生长性能、腹泻率、血液生化指标和免疫器官的影响

本试验在断奶仔猪饲粮中添加不同水平的粪肠球菌,研究其替代抗生素对断奶仔猪生长性能、腹泻指数和腹泻率、血液生化指标以及免疫器官的影响。选取120头(28±2)日龄平均体重为(7.60±0.81)kg的"杜×长×大"断奶仔猪,随机分为5组,每组6个重复(公母各占1/2),每个重复4头,每个重复为1圈。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,抗生素组在基础饲粮中添加100mg/kg硫酸黏菌素和400 mg/kg杆菌肽锌,3个粪肠球菌组分别在基础饲粮中添加40、200和1 000 mg/kg粪肠球菌,试验期31 d。试验结果显示:1)在1~14 d,饲粮中添加抗生素和粪肠球菌对断奶仔猪的平均日采食量(ADFI)、平均日增重(ADG)以及料重比(F/G)无显著影响(P0.05)。在15~31 d,与对照组和抗生素组相比,200和1 000 mg/kg组可极显著提高ADFI和ADG(P0.01)。在1~31 d,与对照组相比,200和1 000 mg/kg组的ADFI均极显著提高(P0.01),而ADG分别显著和极显著增加(P0.05和P0.01);与抗生素组相比,1 000 mg/kg组可极显著提高ADFI(P0.01),而200和1 000 mg/kg组的ADG分别显著和极显著增加(P0.05和P0.01)。2)在1~14 d,与对照组相比,40 mg/kg组的腹泻指数和腹泻率显著降低(P0.05)。在15~31 d和1~31 d,与对照组和抗生素组相比,40和1 000 mg/kg组均可在一定程度上降低腹泻率(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,粪肠球菌可以显著提高血液中总蛋白含量(P0.05),其中200和1 000 mg/kg组达到极显著水平(P0.01),且这2组分别可以显著和极显著提高球蛋白含量(P0.05和P0.01)。与抗生素组相比,200和1 000 mg/kg组可以显著提高总蛋白含量(P0.05)。与对照组相比,抗生素组和1 000 mg/kg组的白球比显著降低(P0.05),另外,抗生素组血液中谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性显著降低(P0.05),200 mg/kg组的谷丙转氨酶活性显著降低(P0.05)。4)与对照组相比,1 000 mg/kg组的肝脏重量和脾脏指数有一定程度的提高(P0.05),与抗生素组相比,200和1 000 mg/kg组可显著提高肝脏重量(P0.05)。结果表明,饲粮中添加粪肠球菌可改善断奶仔猪的生长性能(饲喂15~31 d),降低腹泻率,提高仔猪免疫力,其中添加量为1 000 mg/kg时效果最好。     

豆秸、花生秧和青贮玉米秸间的组合效应研究

本试验旨在研究豆秸、花生秧和青贮玉米秸间的组合效应。试验将豆秸、花生秧和青贮玉米秸分别以0∶100、20∶80、40∶60、60∶40、80∶20、100∶0比例进行两两组合,利用体外瘤胃发酵技术,分析不同组合对产气量及产气参数、pH、氨态氮、菌体蛋白的影响,计算各组合的单项组合效应值和综合组合效应值,进而筛选各饲料组合的适宜比例。结果表明：豆秸-花生秧、豆秸-青贮玉米秸、花生秧-青贮玉米秸组合在产气参数上差异显著(P<0.05),豆秸-花生秧和豆秸-青贮玉米秸均以20∶80时各产气参数最优,花生秧-青贮玉米秸以60∶40时各产气参数为最优;各组合对体外瘤胃液pH影响差异不显著(P>0.05);不同组合的氨态氮浓度差异显著(P<0.05),在39~64 mg/dL变化;豆秸-花生秧和花生秧-青贮玉米秸的菌体蛋白浓度随花生秧比例增多而增多,豆秸-青贮玉米秸的菌体蛋白浓度在两者比例为20∶80时最高。以多项组合效应评定指数评定各组合效应,豆秸与花生秧、青贮玉米秸均以20∶80的比例较为适宜,花生秧与青贮玉米秸比例以60∶40时较为适宜,综合组合效应指数均达到最大。     

Stress and pain response after oligofructose induced-lameness in dairy heifers

Lameness is one of the most painful conditions that affects dairy cattle. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical signs and plasma concentration of several pain and stress biomarkers after oligofructose-induced lameness in dairy heifers. Lameness was induced using an oligofructose overload model in 12 non-pregnant heifers. Clinical parameters and blood samples were obtained at 48 and 24 h and at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after induction of lameness. Clinical parameters included heart rate, respiratory rate, ruminal frequency and lameness score. Plasma biomarkers included cortisol, haptoglobin, norepinephrine, beta-endorphin and substance P. Differences were observed in all parameters between control and treated heifers. The plasma concentration of biomarkers increased significantly in treated animals starting 6 h after induction of lameness, reaching maximum levels at 24 h for cortisol, 48 h for haptoglobin, 6 h for norepinephrine, 12 h for substance P and at 24 h for beta-endorphin. Overall, our results confirm that lameness associated pain induced using the oligofructose model induced changes in clinical parameters and plasma biomarkers of pain and stress in dairy heifers.