甘肃棘豆黄酮抗氧化活性及免疫活性的研究

为研究甘肃棘豆黄酮的抗氧化及免疫活性,试验通过1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（DPPH）自由基、超氧阴离子自由基和羟基自由基的清除率测定其抗氧化活性,通过测定不同浓度甘肃棘豆黄酮对小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖能力、白细胞介素2（IL-2）和免疫球蛋白G （IgG）抗体形成的影响研究其免疫活性。结果显示,甘肃棘豆黄酮对DPPH自由基清除率最高为32.23%,略高于维生素E （28.55%）,低于维生素C （97.05%）;对超氧阴离子自由基清除率最高为80.03%,高于维生素E （69.70%）,低于维生素C （98.69%）;对羟基自由基清除率最高为30.39%,低于维生素C （98.98%）、略低于维生素E （32.57%）。在小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖试验中,随着甘肃棘豆黄酮溶液浓度的提高,脾脏淋巴细胞相对增殖率也提高,当其浓度为200 μg/mL时,小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖率为23.40%;200 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组IL-2水平极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,50和100 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）;各甘肃棘豆黄酮组IgG抗体水平均极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,其中,50 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组极显著高于100和200 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组（P<0.01）,100 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组极显著高于200 μg/mL甘肃棘豆黄酮组（P<0.01）。综上所述,甘肃棘豆黄酮具有较好的抗氧化活性及免疫活性。     

Seasonal changes in pasture biomass and grazing behaviour of cattle in the Guinea Savanna agroecological zone of Ghana

Spatial and temporal availability of pasture vegetation and cattle grazing behaviour in three seasons (intermediate season [IM], peak season [PS] and dry season [DS]) in the Guinea Savanna agroecological zone of Ghana was examined. The frequency of occurrence of three species groups (grass, legume and forbs) and biomass yield was estimated in 1 m² plots. The grazing behaviour of 18 cows from six herds was monitored over three days per animal. Season affected the prevalence of species groups with grasses being most dominant in all seasons. Most grazing lands were heavily grazed in IM and DS but moderately grazed in PS. Whilst harvested rice fields represented the most frequently grazed land in DS, fallowed hard pans were used in PS and IM. Biomass yield was highest in DS owing to the contribution of crop residues from harvested farmlands. Carrying capacity was linked to biomass production and averaged 0.55 in DS, 0.38 in PR and 0.21 in IM. Animals spent less time outside the kraal in PS than IM and DS. Walking time was higher in DS than in IM and PS. Less than 20% of the time on pasture was spent on resting, watering and social interaction across seasons.     

Combined effect of apigenin and ferulic acid on frozen‐thawed boar sperm quality

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of apigenin (AP) and ferulic acid (FA) on boar sperm during cryopreservation. AP and FA were both demonstrated to be high‐efficiency antioxidants and had not previously been used to protect sperm from cryodamage. As boar sperm is sensitive to oxidative stress, suitable antioxidants are still needed for improving frozen‐thawed sperm quality. With this purpose, semen samples coming from five boars were used in this study. Ejaculates of five boars were mixed and split into 16 aliquots, in which different doses of AP and FA were added separately or together. The motility, the plasma membrane integrity, the mitochondrial activity, the acrosomal integrity, the antioxidase activities and the malondialdehyde concentration of the frozen‐thawed boar sperm were assessed. The results suggested that both AP and FA significantly improved the frozen‐thawed boar sperm quality in all these aspects when they were added to the freezing extender separately, while the highest improvement was recorded when the extender was supplemented with 0.1 mmol/L AP plus 0.15 mmol/L FA. These findings demonstrated that supplementation of freezing extender with both AP and FA had a combined, beneficial effect on frozen‐thawed boar sperm.     

Relationships between ultimate pH and antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression in pork loins

Ultimate pH (pH_u) is a major determinant factor of meat quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of pH_u on the muscle antioxidant capacity, and the relationship between pH_u and muscle antioxidant capacity of pigs. A total of 137 pigs from three pig breeds with the same feeding condition were slaughtered and used to measure the pH_u, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4. Loins from 137 pigs of three breeds were classified based on pH_u into three groups: low (L‐pH: ≤5.50), intermediate (I‐pH: 5.51‐5.90), and high (H‐pH: ≥5.91). A majority of loins (47.5%–52%) were classified into the intermediate group. The results suggested that the pH_u value was correlated with the activity of SOD, GSH‐PX, T‐AOC, and MDA, and gene expression of SOD1 and GPX4 in all pigs. In addition, our results also indicated a linear relationship between the pH_u value and antioxidant traits. The pH_u value accounted for 23%–40% of the variation in the antioxidant traits. These results suggested that increased pH_u reduce the lipid peroxidation, and also indicated that pHu may be a key factor explaining the variation in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in pork loins.     

NO介导的Ca2+信号对渗透胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗光合特征及抗性的影响

以紫花苜蓿幼苗为材料,用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)作为渗透介质人工模拟干旱条件,外源喷施NO供体硝普钠(SNP)、钙信号试剂CaCl₂、NO抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB)和Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃,对紫花苜蓿幼苗光合特征、抗氧化酶活性及过氧化物酶(POD)同工酶图谱进行研究,探讨了渗透胁迫下NO介导的Ca²⁺信号对紫花苜蓿幼苗光合作用及抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明:在渗透胁迫条件下,施加SNP、CaCl₂均能够有效缓解叶片叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素及总叶绿素含量降低,提高叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)及气孔限制值(L_s),而对胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)没有缓解作用。SNP、CaCl₂及SNP+CaCl₂处理提高了幼苗叶片中抗氧化酶活性和脯氨酸含量,降低了丙二醛(MDA)含量。其中共处理时效果最为显著,第4天 SOD、POD、CAT活性较PEG处理升高了39.29%、30.41%和56.24%,脯氨酸含量增加了45.59%,MDA含量降低了45.59%。POD同工酶图谱在第4天时酶谱带数最多,POD活性最强,且SNP+CaCl₂共处理下出现新酶带。而添加外源NO的同时添加Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃,紫花苜蓿幼苗光合速率、抗氧化酶活性及脯氨酸含量均降低,丙二醛含量增加,添加Ca²⁺信号的同时施加NO抑制剂MB也具有相同的作用,说明Ca²⁺信号参与NO信号转导过程并相互作用共同调节渗透胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗的生理应答响应。     

铅胁迫对金丝草生长及生理生化的影响

采用土培方法,探究不同梯度铅胁迫(0、1000、2000和3000 mg·kg^-1)对金丝草生长形态、体内抗氧化系统和渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明:低浓度(1000 mg·kg^-1)处理会诱导金丝草叶片过氧化物酶(POD)活性、可溶性蛋白(SP)含量和根系抗超氧阴离子自由基活力(ASAFR)、可溶性糖(SS)及脯氨酸(Pro)含量增加,使得金丝草植株总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)处于较高水平,促进了金丝草株高、叶长和生物量的增加。随胁迫浓度增加,高浓度(2000~3000 mg·kg^-1)处理下,金丝草叶片和根系丙二醛(MDA)含量迅速增加,株高、叶长、叶面积和生物量下降,生长受到抑制。但金丝草通过增强叶片和根系POD、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性来抵御过氧化作用,提高可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量维持细胞正常运作,增加根系生物量占比来加强根系发育,一定程度适应了高浓度铅胁迫。综上表明,金丝草主要通过叶片和根系不同抗氧化酶差异化响应、提高渗透调节物质含量,提升金丝草植株总抗氧化能力等途径来提高Pb耐性,对Pb污染矿区植物修复有较大潜力。     

开食料中不同NDF水平对犊牛生长性能、瘤胃内环境及血清生化指标的影响

为探索开食料中不同NDF水平对犊牛生长、瘤胃发酵参数以及血清生化指标的影响,选用初生重相近(42±2.5) kg、饲喂足量初乳的中国荷斯坦犊牛60头,其中公犊牛36头,母犊牛24头。随机分为A、B、C和D 4个处理组,每个处理15头,其中9头公犊牛+6头母犊牛,试验犊牛于犊牛岛(1.5 m×3.4 m)单独饲养。15日龄开始分别饲喂NDF水平不同的4种开食料,分别为:A处理10%,B处理15%,C处理20%和D处理25%,70日龄断奶,试验期112 d。结果表明:1)0~42日龄和70~112日龄,B组日增重均高于A、C和D组(P<0.05),分别高出45.69、39.79、117.13 g·d^-1和35.33、153.29、 145.93 g·d^-1。70~112日龄,B、C和D组开食料采食量显著高于A组(P<0.05),分别高出255.20、252.48和392.27 g·d^-1。A(0.61)和B(0.60)组犊牛的饲料转化率显著高于C(0.55)和D(0.54)组(P<0.05);2)犊牛瘤胃pH在35和70日龄时,C组显著高于其他3组(P<0.05),112日龄时,A和B组显著高于C和D组(P<0.05);3)瘤胃NH₃-N含量在90日龄前差异不显著(P>0.05),但在112日龄时, B、C和D组较A组显著降低16.72%、44.19%和52.10%(P<0.05);4)C和D组乙酸比例显著高于A和B组(P<0.05);B组丙酸比例较A、C和D组高出4.24%、3.18%和6.43% (P<0.05),乙酸/丙酸显著低于A、C和D组(P<0.05);5)各处理组间血清总蛋白、葡萄糖和尿素氮含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。1~3月龄犊牛开食料中NDF适宜水平为15%有利于提高断奶后日增重,促进饲料利用效率,改善瘤胃内环境,且对犊牛血清生化指标无不利影响。     

低温胁迫对狗牙根生理及基因表达的影响

以耐寒性差异较大的杂交狗牙根品种运动百慕大、天堂419和普通狗牙根品种保定狗牙根为试验材料,分析了昼夜温度为适温(30 ℃/25 ℃)、亚适温(18 ℃/12 ℃)、冷害(8 ℃/4 ℃)和冻害(4 ℃/-4 ℃)4种温度处理下,低温对狗牙根生长速率和草坪质量、MDA含量、叶绿素荧光(F_v/F_m)、光合作用(P_n、G_s、C_i、T_r)、H₂O₂和O2·-含量、抗氧化酶活性(SOD、POD、CAT、APX)、抗氧化酶及耐寒相关基因(CBF1、COR、LEA)表达的影响。结果表明,随着温度的降低,狗牙根草坪质量、生长速率、F_v/F_m和光合作用显著下降,但在耐寒性强的运动百慕大中下降幅度较小;低温下叶片MDA和H₂O₂含量及O2·-产生速率显著升高,其中在耐寒性弱的保定狗牙根中升高程度更大;狗牙根叶片抗氧化酶活性及抗氧化酶基因的表达水平随着处理温度的下降而显著升高,其中在运动百慕大中更为明显;狗牙根CBF1、COR和LEA基因表达量随着温度的下降而显著升高,尤其是在耐寒狗牙根运动百慕大中更为显著。低温诱导的抗氧化酶和耐寒相关基因上调表达,增强了细胞内的抗氧化防御,有助于狗牙根植株维持较高的光合作用和细胞膜稳定性,延缓叶片的衰老,从而提高了狗牙根的抗寒能力。     

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves improved the egg and meat qualities and protected against ethanol‐induced oxidative damage in laying hens

Polyphenols in Eucalyptus leaves (PE) were value resources due to various pharmacological activities, but data on the effect on laying hens are very scare. This study was conducted to determine the effect of PE on the laying performance, egg traits, meat quality, antioxidant status and liver tissues of laying hens. One hundred and twenty 256‐day‐old Yueqinhuang laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (different levels of PE at 0, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg diet) for 63 days with 15 replicates per group. Addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg trait by increasing the eggshell thickness and decreasing MDA production and cholesterol content in the egg yolk, but also significantly enhanced meat quality of hens, as suggested by the increase pH_45 min (p < .01) and a* value, and decrease drip loss rate (p < .01). Meanwhile, under acute ethanol‐induced oxidative damage condition, supplementation of 0.8 g/kg PE enhanced the serum antioxidant status by increasing enzymatic activities (GSH‐PX, T‐SOD, T‐AOC), inhibited oxidative damage and provided protective effect to liver tissue. In conclusion, addition of 0.8 g/kg PE not only improved the egg traits and meat quality without obvious adverse effects, but also increased the serum antioxidant status of the hens and protected their liver tissue from ethanol‐induced oxidative damage. This study indicated that PE could be utilized as an effective feed additive for laying hens to improve health performance and egg traits.     

Effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk yield,nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) as a partial substitute of alfalfa hay on milk yield, nutrient apparent digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of dairy cows. MO was harvested at 120 days post‐seeding. Fresh MO was cut, mixed with chopped oat hay (425:575 on a DM basis), ensiled and stored for 60 days. Sixty healthy Holstein dairy cows were allocated to one of three groups: NM (no MO or control), LM (low MO; 25% alfalfa hay and 50% maize silage were replaced by MO silage) or HM (high MO; 50% alfalfa hay and 100% maize silage were replaced by MO silage). The feeding trial lasted 35 days. The LM and HM diets did not affect dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield or milk composition (lactose, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was lower for HM group than NM group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in serum biochemical indexes between the LM and NM groups. The HM group had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher serum concentrations of urea than the NM group. The partial replacement of alfalfa hay (≤50%) and maize silage with MO silage had no negative effects on milk yield, in vivo nutrient apparent digestibility or serum biochemical indexes of lactating cows.