Trehalose in glycerol-free freezing extender enhances post-thaw survival of boar spermatozoa

Cryopreservation of boar semen is still considered suboptimal due to lower fertility as compared with fresh samples when glycerol, a permeating cryoprotectant, is used. Trehalose is a non-permeable cryoprotectant and nonreducing disaccharide known to stabilize proteins and biologic membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cryosurvival and in vitro penetrability of boar spermatozoa when glycerol was replaced with trehalose in a freezing extender. Ejaculated Berkshire semen samples were diluted in egg yolk-based freezing extender containing glycerol (100 mM) or trehalose (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mM) and cryopreserved using a straw freezing procedure. Thawed samples were analyzed for motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and acrosome integrity. In experiment 2, penetrability of spermatozoa cryopreserved with 100 mM glycerol or trehalose was examined. Replacement of cryoprotectant glycerol (100 mM) with trehalose had no effect on sperm viability, but replacing it with 100 mM trehalose improved motility, MMP and acrosome integrity significantly. Sperm motility and MMP were considerably higher in 100 mM trehalose, whereas the acrosome integrity was substantially higher in 100–250 mM trehalose. The in vitro penetration rate was also significantly higher in spermatozoa cryopreserved with trehalose (61.3%) than in those cryopreserved with glycerol (43.6%). In conclusion, 100 mM non-permeable trehalose can be used to replace glycerol, a permeating cryoprotectant, for maintenance of better post-thaw quality of boar spermatozoa.     

阿莫西林混悬注射液在猪体内的生物等效性研究

为了研究阿莫西林混悬注射液在猪体内的药代动力学和生物等效性,采用双处理、双周期随机交叉试验设计,将24头健康猪随机分成2组,按15 mg/kg体重肌肉分别单剂量注射受试制剂和参比制剂,采用高效液相色谱法测定血浆中阿莫西林的浓度,利用Win Nonlin6.4软件计算主要药动学参数,并评价两种制剂的生物等效性。结果显示,受试制剂和参比制剂的Tmax分别为(3.45±2.49)h,(1.34±1.74)h;Cmax分别为(6.94±4.73)mg/L,(4.39±2.87)mg/L;AUC0-t分别为(37.00±11.48)mg·h·L-1,(30.02±8.93)mg·h·L-1;AUC0-∞分别为(40.26±13.36)mg·h·L-1,(38.46±15.38)mg·h·L-1。阿莫西林混悬注射液受试制剂和参比制剂的AUC0-t、AUC0-∞、Cmax、Tmax均有显著性差异,双单侧t检验结果显示两种制剂生物不等效,试验为兽医临床给药方案的制定以及合理用药提供参考。     

Specific proteins allow classification of pigs according to sire breed, rearing environment and gender

The present study used a proteomic data set obtained from a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment on longissimus muscle of 24 pigs to identify single or couples of proteins allowing correct classification of pigs according to gender, sire breed, or rearing environment. An actin isoform, a myosin light chain 2 isoform and cytochrome Bc1 allowed each, correct classification of all pigs according to gender. Peroxiredoxin 6 allowed correct classification of 23 pigs according to indoor or outdoor rearing environment, but only if gender was also taken into account. Heat shock protein 73 allowed correct classification of 21 pigs according to sire breed, Duroc or Large White. Results show that proteins may be used as biomarkers for traceability or genetic research. Relationships between treatment factors and intracellular regulatory mechanisms associated with these proteins are discussed.     

In growing pigs, chlortetracycline induces a reversible green bone discoloration and a persistent increase of bone mineral density dependent of dosing regimen

We studied in growing pigs the effects of exposure to dietary chlortetracycline on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone color. Pigs were randomly allocated to a drug-free diet (n = 48) or a diet fortified with 800 ppm of chlortetracycline, starting either at 28- or 84-d of age, and for either a 28- or 56-d duration (n = 16 pigs/group). The lumbar vertebral discoloration and BMD of randomly chosen pigs were evaluated at 28-d intervals up to 168-d of age. The odds of bone discoloration increased with dosing duration and age at treatment onset, and decreased with the withdrawal time and age at treatment onset interaction (p ? 0.001). The measured trabecular BMD linearly increased with age and squared treatment duration (p ? 0.005). Therefore, TC-induced bone discoloration is reversible, and may be prevented with proper dosing regimen design. Moreover, TC induces a persistent increase on BMD that could be detected with quantitative computed tomography.     

Respiratory function and pulmonary lesions in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Pulmonary dysfunction was evaluated in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV, isolate VR-2332) and compared to clinical and pathological findings. Infected pigs developed fever, reduced appetite, respiratory distress and dullness at 9 days post-inoculation (dpi). Non-invasive pulmonary function tests using impulse oscillometry and rebreathing of test gases (He, CO) revealed peripheral airway obstruction, reduced lung compliance and reduced lung CO-transfer factor. PRRSV-induced pulmonary dysfunction was most marked at 9–18 dpi and was accompanied by a significantly increased respiratory rate and decreased tidal volume. Expiration was affected more than inspiration. On histopathological examination, multifocal areas of interstitial pneumonia (more severe and extensive at 10 dpi than 21 dpi) were identified as a possible structural basis for reduced lung compliance and gas exchange disturbances.     

Transmission of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among pigs during transportation from farm to abattoir

The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs at abattoirs is higher than in pigs sampled on farms. This study investigated whether MRSA negative pigs can become MRSA positive during transportation from the farm to the abattoir after exposure to other pigs and environmental sources of MRSA. Nasal swabs were collected from four batches of pigs during loading at the farm, on arrival at the abattoir and after stunning. Environmental wipes were taken from lorries after transporting pigs and from lairages after holding pigs. All pigs (n = 117) tested MRSA negative before transportation. On arrival at the abattoir, 12/117 (10.3%) pigs in two batches tested MRSA positive. In lorries that tested positive after transportation, the prevalence of MRSA positive pigs was 21.1%, whereas no MRSA was detected in pigs that had been transported in lorries that tested negative after transportation. At stunning, all batches and 70/117 (59.8%) pigs tested MRSA positive. Pigs can become MRSA positive in the short period of time during transportation from the farm to stunning at the abattoir.     

甘肃白猪胴体性状的遗传特性

对甘肃白猪胴体性状及２０～９０ｋｇ阶段日增重的遗传参数进行了估测，并根据估测结果对各性状的遗传特性和各性状间的相互关系进行了分析。此外，还讨论了在选种选育过程中应注意的问题。     

浅谈动物福利与我国现代养猪工艺模式

近年来,我国的猪肉及生猪产品在对外贸易中屡屡受到抵制,主要原因是畜产品的质量问题和动物福利没有得到重视。这一问题将在很长一段时间内影响并制约着我国养猪业的发展和在国际上的竞争力。简要分析阐述了我国目前广泛使用的养猪工艺模式、存在的问题及如何通过改善养猪工艺来提高动物的福利,从根本上改善猪肉产品的质量,为保障猪肉产品安全,提高国际贸易水平提供全新思路。     

南昌白猪选育研究报告

南昌白猪是用含有滨湖黑猪血统的混血杂种母猪与大约克杂交，经五个世代选育而成的母本新品种。五世代头胎产仔１０．２８头，６０日龄窝重１５７．２７ｋｇ，经产母猪产仔１２．３６头，６０日龄窝重１７２．４５ｋｇ；后备公猪６月龄体重９５．８８ｋｇ，日增重６３０．９４ｇ，三点均膘２．２８ｃｍ，料重比２．９９∶１；后备母猪６月龄体重８５．６３ｋｇ，日增重５６０．２７ｇ，三点均膘２．４５ｃｍ；同胞（半同胞）肥育测定，日增重６５１ｇ，料重比３．１２∶１，屠宰测定瘦肉率５８．８９％。肉色鲜红，系水力强，无ＰＳＥ和ＤＦＤ肉，贮藏损失少，熟肉力高，肌纤维密度和肌纤维直径优于大约克、长白、杜洛克，肌内脂肪达３．２１％，超过大约克、长白和杜洛克，继承了滨湖黑猪肉质优良的特点。与杜洛克公猪杂交，日增重６９７ｇ，料重比３．０２∶１，优势率分别为１０．６３％和－６．２％，胴体瘦肉率６２．４１％，接近双亲均值，窝产瘦肉量４８４．３ｋｇ。已育成４个品种和１个支系，经ＤＮＡ指纹图谱分析，证实南昌白猪４个品系遗传纯度达到定型品种的水平。     

Practical starter pig amino acid requirements in relation to immunity,gut health and growth performance

Immune system activation begins a host of physiological responses. Infectious agents are recognized by monocytes and macrophages which in turn stimulate cytokine production. It is the hormone-like factors called cytokines that orchestrate the immune response. The classic responses observed with immune system activation and cytokine production include: anorexia, fever, lethargy, recruitment of other immune cells, and phagocytosis. While production of immune system components is known to require some amino acids, increases in amino acid requirements are more than offset by the associated decrease in protein accretion and increased muscle protein degradation that also accompanies immune system activation. However, the biggest impact of cytokine production is a decrease in feed intake. Therefore, as feed intake decreases, the energy needed to drive protein synthesis is also decreased. This suggests that diets should still be formulated on a similar calorie:lysine ratio as those formulated for non-immune challenged pigs. The evidence is sparse or equivocal for increasing nutrient requirements during an immune challenge. Nutritionists and swine producers should resist the pressure to alter the diet, limit feed, or add expensive feed additives during an immune challenge. While immune stimulation does not necessitate changes in diet formulation, when pigs are challenged with non-pathogenic diarrhea there are potential advantages on gut health with the increased use of crystalline amino acids rather than intact protein sources (i.e., soybean meal). This is because reducing crude protein decreases the quantity of fermentable protein entering the large intestine, which lowers post weaning diarrhea. It also lowers the requirement for expensive specialty protein sources or other protein sources such as soybean meal that present immunological challenges to the gut. The objective of this review is two-fold. The first is to discuss immunity by nutrition interactions, or lack thereof, and secondly, to review amino acid requirement estimates for nursery pigs.