Growth performance, energy, and nitrogen balance of weanling pigs fed a cereal-based diet supplemented with Chinese rhubarb

Forty Swiss Large White piglets of 4 weeks of age were used to determine the effect of dietary Chinese rhubarb on growth performance, as well as on energy and nitrogen metabolism by means of indirect respiration calorimetry studies. A cereal-based diet, supplemented with four different dosages of Chinese rhubarb (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%), was offered ad libitum to the piglets. Gaseous exchange was measured, and urine, faeces, and blood samples were taken. The addition of 0.25% dietary rhubarb increased feed intake (+32%) and daily weight gain (+67%) compared to the diet containing the greatest amount of rhubarb (1%). The piglets fed diet supplemented with 0.25% rhubarb digested and metabolised more energy and nitrogen relative to the animals of treatment 1%. As a consequence, the same group (0.25%) converted more energy and nitrogen into body protein than piglets receiving diet supplemented with 1% rhubarb. However, compared to the control group, the addition of 0.25% rhubarb to the diet resulted in not significantly alter growth performance, energy, and nitrogen metabolism of the animals.Blood parameters were not affected by the rhubarb supplementation. The dose-responding effect of Chinese rhubarb was reflected by the dry matter content of faecal samples. According to the laxative effect of higher doses of rhubarb, the addition of 1% rhubarb to the diet reduced dry matter content of faeces. This effect was well visible in practice, although not relevant in statistical terms. The addition of 0.5% dietary rhubarb had no relevant effect on growth performance or on energy and nitrogen metabolism of treated animals.     

Changes of intracellular potassium activity and membrane potential in guinea pig ventricular myocardium during superfusion with low sodium solutions and effects of low pH

AIM:To investigate the changes in intracellular potassium activity(aⁱK) and membrane potential(V_m) induced by low external sodium infusion (Low [Na]_o) and to detect the mechanisms involved and the relationship between aⁱK and V_m. METHODS:aⁱK and V_m were measured in infusion with different sodium concentrations using methods of convenient and ion selective microelectrodes in guinea pig ventricular myocardium. RESULTS:Low [Na]_o resulted in a decrease in aⁱK and an increase in V_m in a Na⁺ concentration-dependent manner.At the same time,contraction and resting potential increased, and action potential duration decreased markedly,but action potential amplitude was not affected. A change of the pH from 7.4 to 7.0 in low [Na]_o solution reduced the decrease in aⁱK, but did not affect the increase in V_m.CONCLUSION:A better linear relationship appeared between the changes in aⁱk and [Na]_o or in V_m and [Na]_o,while during each low [Na]_o the change in both aⁱK or V_m may reach a new balance level.     

Branched‐chain amino acid ratios in low‐protein diets regulate the free amino acid profile and the expression of hepatic fatty acid metabolism‐related genes in growing pigs

Liver metabolism is affected by nutrients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of low‐protein diets (17% crude protein, CP) supplemented with branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), on hepatic amino acid profile and lipid metabolism in growing pigs. The ratio of Leu : Ile : Val in all groups was 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (20% crude protein, CP), 1 : 1 : 1 (17% CP), 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 (17% CP), 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (17% CP) and 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 (17% CP) respectively. Results revealed that compared to the positive control group (1 : 0.51 : 0.63, 20% CP), the low‐protein diets significantly augmented the concentrations of most essential amino acids and non‐essential amino acids (p < .05), with the greatest values observed in the 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 group. Moreover, relative to the control, the low‐protein diets with the Leu : Ile : Val ratio ranging from 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 to 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 markedly downregulated the mRNA abundance of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP‐4) (p < .05), and upregulated the mRNA expression of hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐g coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) and liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (L‐CPT‐1) (p < .05). Therefore, our data suggest that protein‐restricted diets supplemented with optimal BCAA ratio, that is, 1 : 0.75 : 0.75–1 : 0.25 : 0.25, induce a shift from fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid oxidation in the liver of growing pigs. These effects may be associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Lipopolysaccharide and cytokines modulate leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTC4 production by porcine endometrial endothelial cells

Uterine inflammatory response is mediated by inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and cytokines produced by immune and endometrial cells. Interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endothelium, important for the host defence during the inflammation, are unknown. We studied the effect of LPS, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 on 5‐lipooxygenase (5‐LO), LTA₄ hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC₄ synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein expression, LTB₄ and LTC₄ release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and cell viability. For 24 hr, cells were exposed to LPS (10 or 100 ng/ml of medium) and cytokines (each 1 or 10 ng/ml). 5‐LO mRNA/protein expression augmented after incubation with larger doses of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐10 and smaller dose of IL‐1β. Larger dose of TNF‐α, smaller doses of LPS and IL‐1β and both doses of IL‐10 increased LTAH mRNA/protein expression. LTAH protein content was up‐regulated by larger dose of LPS, but it was reduced in response to both doses of IL‐4. LTCS mRNA expression was elevated by larger doses of LPS, IL‐4 and IL‐10 or both doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. LTCS protein level increased after treatment with both doses of IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10, smaller dose of LPS and larger dose of TNF‐α. Both doses of LPS and larger doses of TNF‐α and IL‐10 increased LTB₄ release. LPS, IL‐1β and IL‐10 at smaller doses, or TNF‐α and IL‐4 at larger doses stimulated LTC₄ release. Smaller doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β or both doses of IL‐4 enhanced the cell viability. This work provides new insight on the participation of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in LTB₄ and LTC₄ production/release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and the effect of above factors on these cells viability. The used cellular model gives the possibility to further establish the interactions between inflammatory mediators.     

通城猪肉质性状分析

通城猪是湖北省的主要地方品种,具有产仔多、性成熟早、发情明显、配种容易、母性好、抗逆性强、遗传性稳定、杂交配合力好等优良特性,尤以肉嫩清香鲜美著称,2000年被列为19个国家级优良地方猪保护品种之[1-2].     

猪Cathepsin B基因和Cystatin B基因mRNA表达的发育性变化及组织差异

 【目的】研究猪肉嫩度性状候选基因-组织蛋白酶B（cathepsin B,CTSB）和半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制素B（cystatin B,CSTB）在体内不同组织、不同发育阶段的表达变化规律,为研究嫩度性状的遗传调控机理提供依据。【方法】采用荧光探针RT-PCR,定量分析CTSB和CSTB mRNA在两个品种猪的多个组织、多个发育时间点的表达量。【结果】RT-PCR结果表明,CTSB和CSTB mRNA表达量最高的组织为肾脏,心肌和骨骼肌中表达丰度低,股四头肌CSTB mRNA表达量极显著高于背最长肌。CTSB mRNA表达量在0～5月龄长白猪和梅山猪背最长肌中表现出先升高后降低的变化趋势,梅山猪峰值出现较早,并在4月龄后再次出现急剧上升。CSTB mRNA表达量在梅山猪中表现出生初期较高,随后逐渐降低的表达模式,长白猪的表达模式则为出生后表达量急剧升高,2月龄达到峰值,随后逐渐降低。2品种猪背最长肌组织CTSB和CSTB mRNA表达量表现出显著正相关。【结论】CTSB和CSTB mRNA表达量受到组织、发育阶段和品种影响,2基因mRNA表达量呈显著正相关。     

不同低蛋白日粮添加氨基酸对生长猪生长性能及血液生化指标的影响

采用完全随机设计,选用体重为(18.0±0.5)kg的杜长大三元杂交猪54头,随机分为3个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复(栏)6头猪.对照组日粮配制参照美国NRC(1998)猪饲养标准和当前福建省规模养猪常用的日粮营养水平,粗蛋白为18.59%,表观可消化赖氨酸(Lys)为0.85%.试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组日粮在对照组日粮基础上粗蛋白浓度下调为16.96%和15.53%,相应补充合成的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸,各处理日粮赖氨酸浓度相同.结果表明,Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组的日增重分别比对照组提高3.83%和2.59%(P>0.05),料重比Ⅰ组比对照组增加3.54%(P>0.05),Ⅱ组比对照组降低1.18%(P>0.05);与对照组相比,Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组血清尿素氮浓度分别降低10.43%(P<0.05)和26.78%(P<0.01),血清总蛋白、血清白蛋白各处理间相近(P>0.05);随日粮蛋白质浓度的降低(1.5和3.0个百分点),生长猪的生长性能、相关血液生化指标得到一定改善.     

高能复合酶蛋白饲料对生长育肥猪生长性能、脂肪酸组成的影响

本试验探讨高能复合酶蛋白饲料对生长育肥猪生长性能、脂肪酸组成的影响。试验采用60头生长育肥猪,分为4个处理,每个处理3组,每组5头猪。研究表明:第Ⅳ组平均日增重、平均日采食量下降,与其它3组相比差异极显著(p<0.01);第四组的料重比高于其它3组,并且与第一组、第二组之间差异显著(p<0.05)。各组之间棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸的含量差异均极显著(p<0.01)。结论:高能复合酶蛋白饲料的适宜添加量为5%￣10%。     

二花脸猪和大白猪背最长肌中肌肉生长抑制素和生肌调节因子基因的表达及其性别特点

用相对定量RT—PCR方法研究大白猪和二花脸猪背最长肌中肌肉生长抑制素（Myostatin）和生肌调节因子（Myo—genin）基因表达的发育性变化并进行品种及性别间比较。研究结果表明：大白猪公猪Myostatin mRNA表达水平在20日龄时达到高峰且显著高于相同日龄二花脸公猪（P〈0．05）,而二花脸公猪在45日龄时才显著升高,其他日龄品种间差异不显著。二花脸公猪和母猪出生后Myostatin mRNA表达水平均表现为上升,45日龄时达到高峰,120日龄时公母猪间差异显著（P〈0．05）。二花脸公猪与大白猪公猪Myogenin mRNA的表达发育模式基本相同,均在20日龄达到最高值,品种问差异不显著。90日龄二花脸母猪Myogenin mRNA表达水平较公猪显著下调（P〈0．05）。结果提示,猪背最长肌中Myostatin和Myogenin基因表达水平在猪出生后早期均较高,但没有出现随着日龄的增加而一直升高或降低的趋势;两种基因的表达在20日龄出现品种间差异;性成熟前后二花脸公母猪间表达有差异。