Agroforestry systems recover tree carbon stock faster than natural succession in Eastern Amazon,Brazil

Agroforestry Systems - The potential of agroforestry systems (AFS) for atmospheric carbon sequestration in degraded tropical lands is of key interest for climate change and rural development...     

Effects of alfalfa extract, anise, capsicum, and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in beef heifers fed a high-concentrate diet

Four Holstein heifers (360 +/- 22 and 450 +/- 28 kg of BW in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) fitted with ruminal trocars were used in 4 x 4 Latin square designs to evaluate the effects on ruminal microbial fermentation of the following: Exp. 1, no additive, alfalfa extract (30 g/d, AEX), a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.18 g/d) and eugenol (0.09 g/d; CIE1), and AEX and CIE1 in combination; and Exp. 2, no additive, anise oil (2 g/d), capsicum oil (1 g/d), and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d). Heifers were fed a 90:10 concentrate:barley straw diet (16% CP; 25% NDF) for ad libitum intake. Each period consisted of 15 d for adaptation and 6 d for sampling. On d 16 to 18, DM and water intakes were measured. On d 19 to 21 ruminal contents were sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after feeding to determine ruminal pH and the concentrations of VFA, L-lactate, large peptides, small peptides plus AA (SPep+AA), and ammonia N. On d 20 and 21, samples of ruminal fluid were collected at 0 and 3 h after feeding to determine protozoal counts. In Exp. 1, CIE1 and AEX decreased (P < 0.05) total DMI, concentrate DMI, and water intake. The increase (P < 0.05) in SPep+AA and the decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia N when supplementing CIE1 suggest that deamination was inhibited. Treatment AEX increased (P < 0.05) the acetate to propionate ratio, which is less efficient for beef production. Treatment CIE1 increased (P < 0.05) counts of holotrichs. Effects of AEX and CIE1 were not additive for many of the measured metabolites. In Exp. 2, treatments had no effect on ruminal pH, total VFA concentration, and butyrate proportion. The capsicum oil treatment increased (P < 0.05) DMI, water intake, and SPep+AA N concentration and decreased (P < 0.05) acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA concentration, and large peptide N concentration. The cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d) treatment decreased (P < 0.05) water intake, acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA, L-lactate, and ammonia N concentrations and increased (P < 0.05) propionate proportion and SPep+AA N concentration. The anise oil treatment decreased (P < 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio, branched-chain VFA and ammonia N concentrations, and protozoal counts. The results indicate that at the doses used a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, anise oil, and capsicum oil may be useful as modifiers of rumen fermentation in beef production systems.     

Changes in rumen microbial fermentation are due to a combined effect of type of diet and pH

Low ruminal pH may occur when feeding high-concentrate diets. However, because the reduction in pH occurs at the same time as the amount of concentrate fed increases, the changes observed in rumen fermentation may be attributed to pH or the type of substrate being fermented. Our objective was to determine the contribution of pH and type of substrate being fermented to the changes observed in rumen fermentation after supplying a high-concentrate diet. Eight dual-flow, continuous culture fermenters (1,400 mL) were used in 4 periods to study the effect of pH and type of diet being fermented on rumen microbial fermentation. Temperature (39 degrees C), solid (5%/h), and liquid (10%/h) dilution rates, and feeding schedule were maintained constant. Treatments were the type of diet (FOR = 60% ryegrass and alfalfa hays and 40% concentrate; CON = 10% straw and 90% concentrate) and pH (4.9, 5.2, 5.5, 5.8, 6.1, 6.4, 6.7, and 7.0). Diets were formulated to have similar CP and ruminally undegradable protein levels. Data were analyzed as a mixed-effects model considering the linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of pH, the effects of diet, and their interactions. Semipartial correlations of each independent variable were calculated to estimate the contribution of each factor to the overall relationship. True digestion of OM and NDF were affected by pH, but not by type of diet. Total VFA were reduced by pH and were greater in CON than in FOR. Acetate and butyrate concentrations were reduced by pH but were not affected by diet. Propionate concentration increased as the pH decreased and was greater in CON than in FOR. Ammonia-N concentration decreased with decreasing pH and was lower in CON than in FOR. Microbial N flow was affected by pH, diet, and their interaction. Dietary N flow increased as pH decreased and was greater in CON than in FOR. The degradation of CP followed the opposite pattern, increasing as pH increased, and was less in CON than in FOR. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (g of N/kg of OM truly digested) was slightly reduced by pH and was less in CON than in FOR. These results indicate that the effects of feeding a high-concentrate diet on rumen fermentation are due to a combination of pH and substrate. Furthermore, the digestion of OM in high-concentrate diets is likely limited by the pH-induced effects on the microbial population activity.     

Identification of RSVP14 and RSVP20 components by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western-blotting.

We have already shown that RSVP14 and RSVP20, two ram seminal plasma (SP) proteins postulated to be involved in sperm capacitation and gamete interaction can protect spermatozoa against cold-shock. In this study, we use two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for the analysis of SP proteins of Rasa Aragonesa rams, using enhanced protein solubilization in the presence of tributyl phosphine (TBP) and a polyacrylamide linear gradient gel with a narrow pH range (4-7). The image analysis of the 2D map detected 195 protein spots, with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 4.5 to 6.6, and molecular weight (M(r)) from 11.7 to 90.4. Staining of 2D gels with Pro-Q Emerald 300 Glycoprotein Stain revealed that most significant proteins in ram SP are glycosylated. The removing of protein N-linked oligosaccharides improved the gel resolution. 2D-PAGE analysis of the whole fraction 6 (F6) separated from ram SP by exclusion chromatography showed six main protein spots, four (a, b, c, d) in the 14 kDa and two (e, f) in the 20 kDa region. Western-blot analyses indicated that the anti-P14 antibody recognized four spots on the SP map, 4, 5, 6 and 7, that matched with spots a, b, c, d of F6 map. The anti-P20 antibody recognized spots 13 and 14 of SP map that corresponded to spots e, f of F6 map. The deduced sequences by de novo sequencing evidenced that protein spots 7 and 13 have significant similarities to BSP family, while protein spots 4 and 14 did not appear to be homologous with any reported protein in the current mammalian Proteinbank databases.     

Effects of shrimp pond water on phytoplankton: importance of salinity and trophic status of the receiving environment

Aquaculture generates a large load of effluents rich in organic matter and nutrients that may be introduced into the environment. This study aimed to assess in a microcosm experiment, the effect of shrimp pond water mixed with Patos Lagoon estuary water on phytoplankton chlorophyll a and primary production, simulating two salinities. Chlorophyll a, dissolved inorganic nutrients and primary production were measured in two experiments. In Harvest I, salinity of shrimp pond and environment water was similar, and chlorophyll a showed different trends over time, according to the amount of nitrogen available. In Harvest II, with different salinities and high nutrient concentrations in environment water, chlorophyll a levels showed a similar increasing trend over time in all mixtures. Net primary production showed differences among treatments in the first sampling in Harvest I, but not in the second, whereas no differences were observed among treatments in Harvest II. We conclude that shrimp pond effluent can lead to short‐term variations in chlorophyll a and primary production levels, with similar salinities. Salinity differences result in lower chlorophyll a and primary production values than expected according to the nutrient input. Differences in salinity can be an important management strategy to choose the best harvest period.     

Estimation of daily milk yield of Nellore cows grazing tropical pastures

Beef cows’ milk yield is typically determined by measuring milk yield once daily and then doubling this value to estimate daily production. However, it is not known whether this is accurate. Thus, we aimed to determine the association between morning and afternoon milk yield in grazing Nellore cows. Eighty Nellore cows were used, with initial weight of 516.0?±?1.0 kg. The experiment was a completely randomized factorial scheme, with 20 replications and four treatments (i.e., +?or ??pre-partum supplementation in combination with +?or ??post-partum supplementation): PRMM—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum; MMPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days post-partum; PRPS—1 kg of supplement/cow/day for 90 days pre-partum and 90 days post-partum; and MM—only mineral mix ad libitum during pre- and post-partum. Milk was sampled on days 45, 135, and 225 post-partum (early, middle, and late lactation, respectively). No effects were observed of pre- and post-partum supplementation on milk yield (P?>?0.05). The afternoon/morning proportion of 0.45 in the early third of lactation was higher than other stages, which had a proportion of 0.41 (P?<?0.05). Post-partum supplementation increased milk protein in the morning and afternoon milking (P?<?0.05). There was also no effect of pre- and post-partum supplementation on afternoon-morning proportion other milk components (P?>?0.05). We conclude that estimating daily milk production of grazing beef cattle by multiplying a once daily milking amount times two is not accurate. Under the conditions of this study, proportion of total daily production represented by the ratio of afternoon/morning milking was 0.45 in early lactation (first third) and 0.41 in mid- and late lactation.     

Assessment of the usage of biodegradable polymeric matrix in vaginal devices to sustain progesterone release in cows

The usage of timed artificial insemination (TAI) at a low cost leading to better reproductive rates has been the aim of several research groups in the field. Usually during TAI protocols, sustained progesterone (P₄) release devices are employed. Most devices are constituted of a nylon skeleton covered with a silicon layer with P₄. A device based on biopolymers was developed in order to reduce costs and decrease its environmental impact. In this study, we compared the kinetics of sustained progesterone release among devices manufactured with a polymeric blend made of polyhydroxybutyrate‐valerate (PHBV) and poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) (DISP) which were compared with DIB® (Internal Bovine Device) used as the control. In the in vitro and in vivo progesterone release tests, two types of biopolymer‐based devices with a superficial area of 147 cm² were used: DISP8 (46% PHBV, 46% PCL and 8% P₄; n  = 4), DISP10 (45% PHBV, 45% PCL, 10% P₄; n  = 4) and DIB® (1 g P₄, 120 cm² area; n  = 3). The in vitro tests were carried out according to USP XXIII specifications and were performed in a dissolutor sink using an alcohol/water mixture (60/40 v/v) as a release media and samples were collected at 2 min, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 h. P₄ concentrations were measured through spectrophotometry in a 244 nm long wave. Three to 3 comparisons of angular coefficients of the straight lines obtained by regression analysis of accumulated P₄ concentrations as a function of square root of time were carried out. Furthermore, the diffusion coefficient values of P₄ were also determined for DISP8 and DISP10. The results showed that the concentrations of P₄ were higher in the DISP10 (774.63 ± 45.26 μg/cm²/t^1/2) compared to DISP8 (566.17 ± 3.68 μg/cm²/t^1/2) (P  < 0.05). However, both DISP10 and DISP8 P₄ concentrations did not differ from DIB® (677.39 ± 16.13 μg/cm²/t^1/2). For the analysis of released quantities per day of the in vitro test, four periods were considered: 0–24, 24–48, 48–72 and 72–96 h. In the first 24 h, DISP8 released significantly less P₄ than DISP10 or DIB®, which did not differ among them. Between 24 and 48 h, DISP10 released significantly more P₄ than DIB®. DISP8 released an intermediate P₄ amount and did not differ significantly from DIB® or DISP10. Between 48 and 72 h, P₄ quantity released by DISP10 was significant higher (P  < 0.01) than that of DIB® and DISP8, which did not differ among themselves. Between 72 and 96 h, DISP10 released significantly more P₄ than DIB®, and DISP8 released an intermediate amount which did not differ from DIB® or DISP10 (P  < 0.01). There was interaction between treatment and time (P  = 0.0024). The diffusion coefficient values were: 1.36 × 10^?8 (cm²/s) for DISP10 and 1.12 × 10^?8 (cm²/s) for DISP8. For the in vivo test, ovariectomized crossbred cows received DIB® (n  = 4) or DISP8 (n  = 8) in an alternate design with a non‐balanced sequence (cross‐over) added of measures repeated in time referring to 16 days of blood samples collection. Samples were analyzed through radioimmunoassay in solid phase using the commercial kit of DPC (Diagnostics Products Corporation). Plasma concentrations of P₄ peaked at 4 h after the placement of the device, this being the only time in which plasma P₄ concentrations differed between DIB® (11.45 ± 1.96) compared with DISP8 (9.23 ± 1.15 ng/mL) (P  = 0.027). On day 8, plasma P₄ concentrations were similar for DIB® (2.44 ± 0.09) and DISP8 (1.89 ± 0.13 ng/mL) (P  = 0.58) showing that both devices were able to keep P₄ concentrations above 1 ng/mL in the plasma of the cow during the 16 day in vivo test. In conclusion, devices manufactured with the blend of PHBV/PCL biopolymers can sustain the release of P₄ in a similar manner as silicon.     

日粮中添加植物提取物对泌乳初期奶牛生产性能的影响

选择100头健康泌乳初期奶牛,按照产量、泌乳天数、胎次基本一致原则随机分成对照组和试验组,每组各50头,进行植物提取物＂NE300＂对产奶量和乳成份的影响研究。结果表明：植物提取物＂NE300＂作为一种瘤胃调节剂,有促进奶产量、乳脂肪含量、乳蛋白含量增加的趋势,同时有降低乳体细胞数量、乳尿素氮含量的趋势。     

Selective liquid CO2 extraction of purine alkaloids in different Ilex paraguariensis progenies grown under environmental influences

In this investigation, liquid carbon dioxide at 20 degrees C and 150 bar was used for the selective extraction of caffeine and theobromine from dry leaves of mate. A comparison between the chromatograms from CO2 extraction and traditional solvent extraction supports the selectivity of carbon dioxide for these purine alkaloids. The advantages of selective liquid CO2 extraction in terms of speed and resolution of UV/HPLC is also evidenced. A randomized block design of experiments was proposed to investigate the influence of 16 progenies of Ilex paraguariensis grown in 3 diverse sites on the contents of caffeine and theobromine in liquors of mate leaves obtained by extraction with compressed CO2. A significant effect of both these factors on the parameters investigated was observed by involving the F distribution in the statistical analysis. A cluster analysis based on the experimental uncertainties in the contents of these two methylxanthines has identified from four to six different groups of mate progenies.     

Effects of natural plant extracts on ruminal protein degradation and fermentation profiles in continuous culture

Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in four consecutive periods of 10 d to study the effects of six natural plant extracts on ruminal protein degradation and fermentation profiles. Fermenters were fed a diet with a 52:48 forage:concentrate ratio (DM basis). Treatments were no extract (CTR), 15 mg/kg DM of a mixture of equal proportions of all extracts (MIX), and 7.5 mg/kg DM of extracts of garlic (GAR), cinnamon (CIN), yucca (YUC), anise (ANI), oregano (ORE), or pepper (PEP). During the adaptation period (d 1 through 8), samples for ammonia N and VFA concentrations were taken 2 h after feeding. On d 9 and 10, samples for VFA (2 h after feeding), and peptide, AA, and ammonia N concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding) were also taken. Differences were declared at P < 0.05. During the adaptation period, total VFA and ammonia N concentrations were not affected by treatments. The acetate proportion was higher from d 2 to 6 in CIN, GAR, ANI, and ORE, and the propionate proportion was lower from d 2 to 4 in CIN and GAR, and from d 2 to 5 in ANI and ORE, compared with CTR. However, the proportion of individual VFA (mol/100 mol) was similar in all treatments after d 6, except for valerate in d 9 and 10, which was lower in PEP (2.8 +/- 0.27) compared with CTR (3.5 +/- 0.27). The average peptide N concentration was 31% higher in MIX, and 26% higher in CIN and YUC compared with CTR (6.5 +/- 1.07 mg/100 mL). The average AA N concentration was 17 and 15% higher in GAR and ANI, respectively, compared with CTR (7.2 +/- 0.77 mg/100 mL). The average ammonia N concentration was 31% higher in ANI and 25.5% lower in GAR compared with CTR (5.5 +/- 0.51 mg/100 mL). The accumulation of AA and ammonia N in ANI suggested that peptidolysis and deamination were stimulated. The accumulation of AA N and the decrease in ammonia N in GAR suggests that deamination was inhibited. The accumulation of peptide N and the numerical decrease in AA N in CIN suggest that peptidolysis was inhibited. Results indicate that plant extracts modified ruminal fermentation, but microbes were adapted to some extracts after 6 d of fermentation. Therefore, data from short-term in vitro fermentation studies may lead to erroneous conclusions, and should be interpreted with caution. Careful selection of these additives may allow the manipulation of protein degradation in the rumen.