Incorporation in vitro of 14C fatty acids into bovine sebaceous gland and dermal lipids

A study has been made of the incorporation in vitro of 14C palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids into the skin lipids of cattle. Linoleic acid was incorporated into the triglyceride (triacylglycerol) fraction of the sebaceous gland lipid at a greater rate than palmitic and oleic acids. Its incorporation was much greater when presented as a free acid than when presented either as cholesteryl linoleate or linoleoyl lecithin. However, the ability of cholesteryl ester and phospholipid to make a substantial indirect contribution of linoleic acid to sebum triglyceride synthesis by hydrolytic release of fatty acid was indicated. The association between the observed preferential incorporation of linoleic acid into the sebum triglycerides and the uniquely unsaturated triglycerides found on the skin surface of cattle is discussed.     

蚕蛹油成分及提取工艺研究进展

蚕蛹油脂含量丰富,具有多种药理作用。介绍了超临界CO2萃取蚕蛹油,并进一步提取不饱和脂肪酸以及α-亚麻酸的工艺研究概况。蚕蛹油功能性成分提取工艺的改进,对蚕蛹综合利用具有重要意义。     

The development of naturally acquired cyathostome infection in ponies.

Groups of animals of different ages and experience of previous parasite exposure were allowed to graze a single pasture for 5 weeks in autumn (7 October to 11 November). There was evidence that previous exposure modified cyathostome development, as acquired burdens in foals which had previously grazed were smaller and developed more slowly than those of helminth-naive animals of the same age. The burdens acquired by yearling and adult ponies were of a similar size to those of the previously grazed foals, but the incidence of arrested development was higher in the younger groups of foals and yearlings when compared with adults. Further evidence of an effect of age on cyathostome development was that the level of faecal egg output of the adult ponies was lower than in the groups of young animals.     

Experimental lead intoxication in dogs: a comparison of blood lead and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid following intoxication and chelation therapy.

Intravenous lead administration to dogs produced an acute syndrome of lead intoxication charcterized by depression, vomiting, anorexia and weight loss. The effect of chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, penicillamine or both was determined by serially monitoring changes in blood lead and urine delta-aminolevulinic acid. Following therapy, blood lead values were significantly lower in chelated dogs than non-treated lead exposed dogs on days 7 and 10. Urine delta-aminolevulinic acid at day 7 was significantly higher in untreated lead exposed dogs than in other groups. There was no significant difference in blood lead or urine delta-aminolevulinic acid between lead intoxicated dogs which underwent the indicated chelation therapy protocols. There was, however, a trend for higher urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid excretion in those intoxicated dogs undergoing calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate therapy as opposed to those undergoing penicilamine therapy. There was no significant correlation between blood lead and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid previous to lead exposure. However, after lead exposure significant correlation was present at days 4, 7, 10 and 14. Certain lead exposed dogs following chelation therapy were noted to have normal blood lead levels but elevated urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid suggesting that blood lead does not always correlate with metabolic effects of lead in the body. Urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid was therefore recommended as an additional laboratory parameter which improved assessment of lead exposure in dogs, particularly in determining adequacy of chelation therapy.     

Output of triglyceride from the sebaceous gland and to the skin surface of cattle

Radiolabelled fatty acids, when injected intradermally into cattle skin, were largely incorporated into the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of the sebaceous gland lipids. Linoleic acid was incorporated into the triglycerides to a greater extent than oleic or palmitic acids, whereas the phospholipids had a greater affinity for palmitic acid. The peak uptake of linoleic acid into the glandular triglyceride fraction was at about 61 hours compared with 52 hours and three hours for oleic and palmitic acids. Radioactively 14C labelled triglycerides appeared on the skin surface within one day of intradermal injection of 14C linoleic acid. At an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C, a single output-peak occurred at nine days while at 35 degrees C two peaks at four and eight to nine days were observed. From the data an estimate of 6.5 days for the mean storage time of sebum triglycerides in the hair follicle canal at 20 degrees C has been made.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Ileal endogenous amino acid flow of broiler chickens under high ambient temperature

High environmental temperature has detrimental effects on the gastrointestinal tract of poultry. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of acute heat stress on endogenous amino acid (EAA) flow in broiler chickens. A total of 90, day‐old broiler chicks were housed in battery cages in an environmentally controlled chamber. Chicks were fed a nitrogen‐free diet on day 42 following either no heat exposure (no‐heat) or 2 weeks exposure to 35 ± 1 °C for 3 h from days 28 to 42 (2‐week heat) or 1 week exposure to 35 ± 1 °C for 3 h from days 35 to 42 (1 week heat). The most abundant amino acid in the ileal flow was glutamic acid, followed by aspartic acid, serine and threonine in non‐heat stressed group. The EAA flow in 1‐week heat and 2‐week heat birds were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those under no heat exposure (14682, 11161 and 9597 mg/kg of dry matter intake respectively). Moreover, the EAA flow of 2‐week heat group was less than 1‐week heat group by approximately 36%. These observations suggest that the effect of heat stress on EAA flow is mostly quantitative; however, heat stress may also alter the content of EAA flow qualitatively.     

降低肉鸭皮脂的可行性探讨

肉鸭皮脂作为一个数量性状进行选择是有效的、可行的，本文从营养、饲养管理、遗传各因素与皮脂的关系探讨降低皮脂的可行性。     

Seasonal influences on quantitative changes in sweat-associated anatomy in native and thoroughbred horses

Stereological techniques were used to assess seasonal influences on morphometric characteristics of hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands in abattoir pelts of ponies (PN), thoroughbred (TB) and non-thoroughbred (NTB) horses. Volume density of sweat glands increased significantly from winter (0.061) to summer (0.098) in TB, and showed no change in NTB and a positive tendency in PN. There might be a body surface area : volume effect for sweat gland parameters as PN had smaller values than either TB or NTB, probably attributable to control of heat loss in winter. In summer, the skin remained thick and the volume density of sebaceous glands was increased in NTB, in contrast to TB where both were decreased. It is possible that in summer, sebum has a particular importance in NTB to enhance wicking of sweat through the pelt. TB showed significantly higher volume measurements of sebaceous glands than NTB and PN for winter: sebum has probably a special importance for water-proofing in TB in winter. PN showed no significant seasonal changes in sebaceous glands, but had a thinner summer skin. Winter values for hair follicle volume density between equine groups were similar (TB, NTB 0.066; PN 0.059), as was skin thickness (1.14-1.19 mm). The volume density lowered significantly in summer in TB and NTB. The volume of hair follicles under a unit area of skin surface decreased significantly in TB and nonsignificantly in NTB and PN. The seasonal adaptations of the skin shown here were most pronounced in TB and differed between breeds.     

北京鸭胸肌肌内脂肪含量与屠体性能指标的关系

对Z型北京鸭3个品系的肌内脂肪含量与屠体性能的关系进行了分析。结果表明:Z2系母鸭腿肌重、皮脂重与肌内脂肪含量的相关系数分别为0.3738、0.4349(P<0.01),均为极显著中强正相关,而皮脂率为显著弱正相关。Z4系公母鸭肌内脂肪含量与胸肌重(率)、腿肌重(率)、腹脂重(率)、皮脂重(率)均相关较弱,表现为相关不显著。杂交系公鸭皮脂重与肌内脂肪含量相关系数为0.3(P<0.05),表现为显著弱正相关;母鸭胸肌重、腿肌重与肌内脂肪含量均表现为显著弱正相关。综合本试验可得出:由于各品系间及品系内肌内脂肪含量与屠体各指标相关程度的不同,在瘦肉型北京鸭选育过程中,要针对不同品系公母单独制定育种目标,以加快北京鸭的选育速度。     

Passage of lanthanum through the intercellular spaces of the sebaceous gland

Lanthanum introduced intradermally into cattle, sheep, goats, ponies and rats penetrated into the sebum through the intercellular spaces of the sebaceous gland. It is concluded that the sebaceous gland is permeable to the passage of small molecules outwards and probably in some circumstances inwards. Since the constituents of sebum are not all produced by necrosis it is likely that the sebaceous gland is not a simple holocrine gland.     

Effects of constant environmental temperatures on the performance of laying pullets

1. Two experiments are described in which laying pullets maintained at constant temperatures were fed a range of diets with a view to defining optimum combinations of temperature and nutrient intake. 2. In the first experiment, all combinations of 6 temperatures (15 degrees, 18 degrees, 21 degrees, 24 degrees, 27 degrees and 30 degrees C) 9 diets (three protein concentrations and three energy contents) and two stocks were tested for 34 weeks using 4320 pullets. In experiment 2, all combinations of three rearing temperatures, three laying temperatures (18 degrees, 22.5 degrees and 27 degrees C) three diets (protein concentration) and two stocks were tested for 61 weeks using 2160 pullets. 3. As anticipated, higher dietary protein concentrations were needed to maintain egg output at higher temperatures. If diets suplying adequate amino acid intakes were provided, egg output was unaffected by temperatures in the range 15 degrees to 27 degrees C although, at the highest temperature, egg weight was slightly reduced and rate of lay (particularly in the later part of the laying year) was increased. At 30 degrees C, egg output was depressed whichever diet was fed. 4. Dietary energy content had small but significant effects on egg weight and egg output but did not interact with temperature. It was not possible to maintain egg weight or egg output at 30 degrees C by feeding a high energy, high protein diet. 5. Estimated heat output of the birds increased during the course of the experiment at the lower temperatures but decreased with time at 30 degrees C. Feather loss occurred earlier at the lower temperatures and this is interpreted as an effect of temperature on the timing of the annual moult, which also accounts for the better persistency of lay observed at 27 degrees C.     

Relation between the level of free amino acids in milk and milk production

A negative relationship of glutamic acid content and milk yield over the first 100 days of lactation was found in a set of 20 cows. In some free amino acids, large differences exist between the cows with the higher milk yield and those with the lower milk yield, the largest difference being recorded in the content of glutamic acid (in favour of the cows with the lower milk output). The group of cows with the higher milk output per day or per first 100 days of lactation showed no dependence on any of the free amino acids in milk. The group of cows with the lower milk yield showed a significant negative relation of glutamic acid content to milk yield over the first 100 days of lactation and a significant to highly significant positive relation between serine, threonine and alanine contents on the one hand and daily milk yield on the other.     

The effect of first season chemoprophylaxis in calves on second season pasture contamination and acquired resistance and resilience to gastrointestinal nematodes

Two groups of second grazing season cattle, which had been treated with an ivermectin-sustained-release bolus (ISRB) in their first grazing season, were monitored during consecutive years (1995 and 1996) on the same second grazing season pasture. In the preceding year (1994), this pasture had been grazed by yearlings that had not received chemoprophylaxis in their first grazing season. The objectives of the study were, firstly, to investigate whether the chemoprophylactic-treated yearlings were less resistant to gastrointestinal nematodes upon subsequent exposure, and hence excreted more strongyle eggs compared to the control yearlings; secondly, whether an increased susceptibility of the previously treated animals resulted in a yearly increase of the pasture infestation on the second grazing season pasture; and finally, whether this affected the second year weight gain of the animals. In 1996, the yearlings that had been chemoprophylactic-treated in 1995 excreted higher numbers of nematode eggs, compared to the previously ‘untreated' yearlings. In addition, the proportion of Cooperia larvae was markedly higher in the faecal cultures from the chemoprophylactic treated-animals, suggesting a negative effect of preventive treatment with an ISRB on the acquired resistance of the animals. However, there was no evidence that the slightly higher egg output in the previously treated yearlings had an effect on the larval contamination of the second grazing season pasture. A significant yearly decrease in the second season average daily weight gains was observed, but it could not be inferred from the results of the parasitological parameters that the differences in second year growth were caused by different levels of resilience between chemoprophylactic-treated and -untreated animals. As the study covered three consecutive second grazing seasons, an effect of differences between years (e.g. in weather conditions or grass growth) on the results cannot be excluded.     

体外法研究不同剂量延胡索酸二钠对绵羊瘤胃发酵的影响

利用体外产气法研究添加不同剂量延胡索酸二钠对绵羊瘤胃发酵的影响。采用单因素完全随机设计,发酵底物以可溶性淀粉和纤维素为碳源,以胰蛋白胨为氮源,对照组不添加延胡索酸二钠,试验1、2、3组分别添加占发酵底物干物质1.0%、2.0%和3.0%的延胡索酸二钠。结果显示,与对照组相比,添加1%的延胡索酸二钠（试验1组）可显著（P<0.05）提高瘤胃的总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸产量以及体外产气量和干物质降解率;添加2%的延胡索酸二钠（试验2组）可显著（P<0.05）提高瘤胃的总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸产量和干物质降解率;添加3%的延胡索酸二钠组（试验3组）的瘤胃氨氮浓度、总挥发性脂肪酸和乙酸产量、产气量、干物质降解率与对照组差异不显著（P>0.05）,但丙酸产量显著增加（P<0.05）。综上表明,添加1%和2%的延胡索酸二钠会显著提高绵羊瘤胃发酵性能,但添加3%的延胡索酸二钠,瘤胃发酵能力有所降低。     

Effects of ethanol,molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum on the fermentation quality,in vitro digestibility and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silages in the Tibetan plateau of China

In Tibet, it is common practice to make and relocate total mixed ration (TMR) silages before feeding due to the uneven distribution of forages temporally and spatially. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (L), molasses (M) or ethanol (E) on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of local adaptive TMR silage. After 45 days of ensiling, pH and ammonia nitrogen in inoculated TMR silages were significantly lower than control. During the first 6 days of the aerobic exposure test, a small fluctuation in lactic acid concentration for all TMR silages was observed, and then silages with ethanol continued this trend, while lactic acid in silage without ethanol sharply decreased until the end of the aerobic exposure period. Meanwhile, pH gradually increased along the aerobic exposure; silages treated with ethanol showed lower pH after 9 days of aerobic exposure. The population of yeast gradually increased during 6 days of aerobic exposure, after that an accelerated rise was observed in TMR silages without ethanol. The combinational beneficial effect of L. plantarum and ethanol was found in combined addition of ethanol and Lactobacillus plantarum silages (EL), indicated by intermediate fermentation quality and higher aerobic stability.     

Structure of the sheep epidermis.

The stratum corneum measured on fresh frozen sections was found to be considerably thicker than previously reported. It was uniformly permeated with sebum, which also formed an intact film over the skin surface and it could readily be divided into two zones. The living epidermis was approximately half as thick as the stratum corneum.     

Fermentation and microbial population dynamics during the ensiling of native grass and subsequent exposure to air

To study the microbial population and fermentation dynamics of large needlegrass (LN) and Chinese leymus (CL) during ensiling and subsequent exposure to air, silages were sampled and analyzed using culture‐based techniques and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). A total of 112 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated and identified using the 16S rRNA sequencing method. Lactic acid was not detected in the first 20 days in LN silage and the pH decreased to 6.13 after 45 days of ensiling. The temperature of the LN silage increased after approximately 30 h of air exposure and the CL silage showed a slight temperature variation. Enterococcus spp. were mainly present in LN silage. The proportion of Lactobacillus brevis in CL silage increased after exposure to air. LN silage with a higher proportion of Enterococcus spp. and propionic acid concentration did not show higher fermentation quality or aerobic stability than CL silage, which had a higher concentration of acetic acid, butyric acid and increased proportion of L. brevis after exposure to air.     

Effects of molybdenum and sulfur on digestion by steers.

Effects of Mo and S on the digestion of dietary DM, ash, OM, NDF, CP, and nonprotein OM were evaluated using four Holstein steers, each with cannulas in the rumen, proximal duodenum (PD), and terminal ileum (TI). Steers were continuously fed diets with high (13.3 mg/kg DM) and low (1.8 mg/kg DM) Mo (HM and LM, respectively) and high (3.9 g/kg DM) and low (1.3 g/kg DM) S (HS and LS, respectively) as combinations LMLS, LMHS, HMLS, and HMHS in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Daily flows of dietary components at the PD and TI and as fecal excretion were estimated using dysprosium as an inert marker. With HM diets, the balance between absorption and endogenous input in the stomach was such that there was a lower (P less than .10) net (intake minus duodenal flow) output of mineral from the stomach. A lower (P less than .10) net output of diaminopimelic acid as an indicator of bacterial CP and DM was associated with a lower (P less than .10) net output of CP from the stomach of steers fed HM diets. This lower net output of CP from the stomach, coupled with no effect (P greater than .10) of Mo on CP in the small intestine, indicated that less CP was absorbed from the small intestine. Supplemental Mo in association with S appeared to prevent (P less than .10) an apparent higher net output of methionine from the stomach when supplemental S alone was in the diet. Effects of supplemental S were minor compared with those of supplemental Mo. Dietary Mo had negative effects on ash as an indicator of mineral balance in the stomach of steers and on the output of CP as bacterial CP and of DM of bacterial origin from the stomach of steers.     

Ileal amino acid digestibility assay for the growing meat chicken--comparison of ileal and excreta amino acid digestibility in the chicken

1. The apparent and true amino acid digestibilities in sorghum, wheat, soyabean meal, meat-and-bone meal, fish meal and blood meal for growing meat chickens were determined using an assay based on the collection of digesta from the terminal ileum and comparison was made with digestibility values determined using an excreta-based assay. 2. Five-week-old meat chickens were given maize-soyabean meal basal diet or mixtures of the basal diet and test diets containing the 6 ingredients as the sole source of dietary protein (50:50 on weight basis). Apparent amino acid digestibility values of assay diets at ileal and excreta levels were calculated using chromic oxide as the indigestible marker. True digestibility values were calculated using endogenous outputs determined by feeding a protein-free diet. Amino acid digestibilities of the ingredients were calculated by difference. 3. The site of measurement had no influence on endogenous amino acid output, the exceptions being aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The output of these two amino acids was higher in the excreta. 4. Significant differences were found between ileal and excreta-based digestibility of certain amino acids in some ingredients, with excreta values being usually higher than the ileal values, indicating a net catabolism of amino acids in the large intestine. The degree of net amino acid disappearance was found to be variable among amino acids and ingredients. In general, threonine had the lowest digestibility at the ileal level and, compared with other amino acids, the highest degredation during passage through the hindgut. 5. The results showed that digestibility determination based on excreta collection will overestimate the uptake for some amino acids in some feeds. The degree of overestimation was often considerable, ranging from 8.9% (apparent digestibility of threonine in soyabean meal) to 56% (apparent digestibility of aspartic acid in wheat). It is concluded that digestibility values measured at the terminal ileum provide a more reliable measure of amino acid availability than those measured in the excreta.     

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase activity and immunodetectable protein in adipose tissues of ruminants: effect of temperature and feeding level

To gain insights into the regulation of fat synthesis, we have investigated the effect of cold environmental exposure and feed restriction of sheep on activity and immunodetectable protein content of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase in adipose tissue. Subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissues were collected at slaughter from sheep exposed to either cold (0+/-2 degrees C) or warm (23+/-2 degrees C) environment, and given either ad libitum or restricted access to feed for three 5-wk periods. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase was isolated from frozen adipose tissue samples and activity determined as the rate of incorporation of H14CO3- into acid stable malonyl-CoA. Cold exposure and feed restriction reduced (P < .05) ACC activity in the two adipose tissue depots. Western blot analysis with peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin showed that both adipose tissue depots express a single isoform of ACC. In s.c. adipose tissue, cold exposure increased (P < .05) ACC protein abundance, which is opposite to the change in activity. However, feed restriction reduced immunodetectable ACC protein. There was no significant effect of environment or feeding level on ACC protein abundance in mesenteric tissue. Fatty acid synthase activity determined in ammonium sulfate extract by measuring the malonyl-CoA- and acetyl-CoA-dependent oxidation of NADPH was decreased (P < .05) by feed restriction in both s.c. and mesenteric tissues. Cold exposure reduced fatty acid synthase activity in s.c. but not in mesenteric tissue. There was no effect of environment on fatty acid synthase protein abundance in either adipose tissue depot. However, feed restriction significantly reduced fatty acid synthase protein abundance in the two depots. The data suggest that feed restriction and exposure of ruminants to cold environmental conditions may significantly down-regulate the activity of key lipogenic enzymes.