Effects of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin during nighttime in female goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on nighttime secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. Adult female goats were kept at 20°C with an 8 h or 16 h dark photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH for 8 h in the dark period were examined with the profile of prolactin (PRL) secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner in the dark period. There were no significant differences in pulse frequency between the 8‐ and 16‐h dark photoperiods; however, pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h dark photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the same photoperiod (P < 0.05). PRL secretion increased quickly after lights off under both photoperiods. The PRL‐releasing responses were weaker in the 8‐h than 16‐h dark photoperiod. The secretory response to photoperiod was more obvious for PRL than GH. The present results show that a long dark photoperiod enhances the nighttime secretion of GH in female goats, although the response is not as obvious as that for PRL.     

Effects of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone in female goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. Adult female goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH for 4 h (12.00 to 16.00 hours) were compared. In addition, the goats were kept under a 16‐h photoperiod and orally administered saline (controls) or melatonin, and the effects of melatonin on the secretion of GH were examined. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There were no significant differences in pulse frequency between the 8‐ and 16‐h photoperiods; however, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The GH‐releasing response to GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH) was also significantly greater for the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in GH pulse frequency between the saline‐ and melatonin‐treated groups. However, GH pulse amplitude and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the saline‐treated group (P < 0.05). The present results show that a long photoperiod enhances the secretion of GH, and melatonin modifies GH secretion in female goats.     

Effects of photoperiod on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relation between salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) release and photoperiod in goats. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL was given to adult female goats under short (8 h light, 16 h dark) or long (16 h light, 8 h dark) photoperiod conditions at two different ambient temperatures (20°C or 5°C), and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared to that of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist, sulpiride. SAL, as well as TRH or sulpiride, stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both 8‐ and 16‐h daily photoperiods at 20°C (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve (AUC) of PRL for the 60‐min period after injections of saline (controls), SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the 16‐h daily photoperiod group was greater than each corresponding value in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the AUC of PRL among the values produced after the injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in 16‐h daily photoperiod group; however, the values produced after the injection of TRH were smallest among the three in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). The PRL‐releasing responses to SAL, TRH and sulpiride under a short and long photoperiod condition at 5°C resembled those at 20°C. These results show that a long photoperiod highly enhances the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH or sulpiride in either medium or low ambient temperature in goats.     

Effects of hypothalamic dopamine on growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐induced growth hormone secretion and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. The GH‐releasing response to an intravenous (i.v.) injection of GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH, 0.25 μg/kg body weight (BW)) was examined after treatments to augment central DA using carbidopa (carbi, 1 mg/kg BW) and L‐dopa (1 mg/kg BW) in male and female goats under a 16‐h photoperiod (16 h light, 8 h dark) condition. GHRH significantly and rapidly stimulated the release of GH after its i.v. administration to goats (P < 0.05). The carbi and L‐dopa treatments completely suppressed GH‐releasing responses to GHRH in both male and female goats (P < 0.05). The prolactin (PRL)‐releasing response to an i.v. injection of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 μg/kg BW) was additionally examined in male goats in this study to confirm modifications to central DA concentrations. The treatments with carbi and L‐dopa significantly reduced TRH‐induced PRL release in goats (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that hypothalamic DA was involved in the regulatory mechanisms of GH, as well as PRL secretion in goats.     

Effects of exposure to artificial long days on milk yield,maternal insulin‐like growth factor 1 levels and kid growth rate in subtropical goats

This study was designed to determine whether any relationship exists between exposure to artificial long days, milk yield, maternal plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) levels, and kid growth rate in goats. One group of lactating goats was maintained under naturally decreasing day length (control group; n = 19), while in another one, they were kept under artificial long days (LD group; n = 19). Milk yield was higher in goats from the LD group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Maternal IGF‐1 levels at day 57 of lactation were higher (P < 0.05) in goats from the LD group than the levels in the control group and were positively correlated with the total milk yields per goat at days 43 and 57 of lactation (r = 0.77 and r = 0.84, respectively; P < 0.01). Daily weight gain at week 4 was higher (P < 0.01) in kids from the LD group than that in kids from the control group and was correlated with total and average IGF‐1 maternal levels (r = 0.60 and r = 0.60, P < 0.05). It was concluded that submitting lactating goats to artificial long days increases milk yield, plasma IGF‐1 maternal levels and the growth rate of the kids.     

Effects of melatonin on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of melatonin (MEL) on the salsolinol (SAL)‐induced release of prolactin (PRL) in goats. Female goats were kept at 20°C with 16 h of light, 8 h of darkness, and orally administered saline or MEL for 5 weeks. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of saline (controls), SAL, thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine receptor antagonist, sulpiride, was given to the goats 3 weeks after the first oral administrations of saline or MEL, and the responses were compared. The mean basal plasma PRL concentrations in the control group were higher for the saline treatments than MEL treatments (P < 0.05). SAL as well as TRH and sulpiride stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both the saline‐ and MEL‐treated groups (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve of PRL for the 60‐min period after the i.v. injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the saline‐treated group was greater than each corresponding value in the MEL‐treated group (P < 0.05). These results show that daily exposure to MEL under a long day length reduces the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH and sulpiride in goats.     

Effects of photoperiod on circadian clock genes in skin contribute to the regulation of hair follicle cycling of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats

This study investigated how the effects of photoperiod on circadian clock genes in the skin contribute to the regulation of hair follicle cycling of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats. Twenty‐four female (non‐pregnant) Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats aged 1 ? 1.5 years old with similar live weights (mean, 20.36 ± 2.63 kg) were randomly allocated into two groups: a natural daily photoperiod group (NDPP group:10 ? 16 hr Light, n = 12) and a short daily photoperiod group (SDPP group: 7 hr Light:17 hr Dark, n = 12). All goats were housed in individual pens from May 15 to October 15, 2015 and were fed the same diets. We detected the mRNA expression of brain and muscle arnt‐like protein‐1 (Bmal1), circadian locomotor output control kaput (Clock), cryptochrome‐1 (Cry1), period homolog‐1 (Per1) and Rev‐erbα genes in the goat skin. ANOVA revealed a significant 24 hr (10:00 hr, 14:00 hr, 18:00 hr, 22:00 hr, 02:00 hr, 06:00 hr, 10:00 hr) variation between the SDPP and NDPP groups for three months (July, September, and October). In summary, the current results confirm that an intrinsic oscillating molecular clock exists in goat skin, and that the clock is important for potential timing mechanisms at the anagen phase of hair follicles, which would contribute to the regulation mechanisms of hair follicle cell proliferation.     

母马生长激素细胞和催乳激素细胞的形态计测学研究

利用免疫组织化学和形态计测学的方法 ,观察了 1 8匹成熟雌性蒙古马的脑垂体前叶生长激素细胞和催乳激素细胞的数量和面积 ,同时利用放射免疫分析方法检测了这两种激素的血浆水平。结果表明 ,每个马脑垂体前叶中 ,生长激素细胞的平均数量为 6 .42× 1 8,每个细胞的平均面积为 82 .40μm2 ;催乳激素细胞的平均数量为 6 .0 7× 1 0 8,每个细胞的平均面积为 47.31μm2 。生长激素的血浆含量平均为 2 .84ng/ m L,但个体差异较大 ,变异系数高达 78.5 % ,催乳激素的血浆含量平均为 7.2 6 ng/ m L。本研究结果揭示 :母马脑垂体生长激素细胞和催乳激素细胞的数量和面积并不是决定母马这两种激素血中浓度的唯一重要因素 ;生长激素血中浓度上的个体差异 ,可能与其搏动性分泌形式有关     

Ghrelin对莎能奶山羊垂体催乳素和生长激素mRNA表达的影响

垂体催乳素和生长激素对雌性哺乳动物泌乳的启动和维持以及乳腺的发育都发挥着重要的调节作用.为探讨ghrelin对奶畜泌乳的调节作用,10只泌乳期莎能奶山羊随机分为2组(试验组和对照组),每组5只.试验组羊静脉注射ghrelin(3.0μg/kg)3 h后检测垂体催乳素(Prolactin,PRL)和生长激素(Grouth hormone,GH)mRNA的表达,结果显示一定剂量的ghrelin对催乳素mRNA的表达具显著上调作用(P<0.01);对生长激素mRNA的表达也有显著促进作用(P<0.01).结果表明,ghrelin在垂体水平上对催乳素和生长激素mRNA的表达具有上调作用,提示ghrelin可能通过对这些激素的作用参与了对奶畜泌乳的调节.     

Effect of castration at 10 months of age on growth physiology and behavior of male feral beef cattle

This study compared the growth performance, plasma testosterone and cortisol levels around castration at 10 months of age, and plasma insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I concentration and flight speed, in intact bulls and steers from 10 to 21 months of age in a feral Spanish breed. Fourteen bulls (366.5 ± 48.5 kg live weight) were assigned at random to one of two treatments: surgically castrated (steers) or intact (bulls), and submitted to an identical fattening period. Steers reared until heavy live weights (21 months of age) grew slowly and had lower plasma IGF‐I concentrations than intact bulls. These differences were mainly highlighted the month after surgery (11 months of age) and the last part of the fattening period (from 19 to 21 months of age). After surgical castration (11 and 12 months of age), steers showed a tendency to display greater flight speed values than intact bulls but baseline plasma cortisol concentration did not differ between groups at this time. At the end, steers and bulls reached nearly similar temperament, as flight speed did not differ between them. The results confirm the role of IGF‐I as a key anabolic hormone in male beef cattle and thus it may reflect growth differences due to altered sex steroids production.     

Kisspeptin‐10 stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone and testosterone in pre‐ and post‐pubertal male goats

The aims of the present study were to clarify the effect of kisspeptin‐10 (Kp10) on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in pre‐pubertal and post‐pubertal male ruminants. Four male goats (Shiba goats) were given an intravenous (i.v.) injection of Kp10 (5 µg/kg body weight (b.w.)), gonadotoropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH, 1 µg/kg b.w.), or 2 mL of saline as a control at the ages of 3 (pre‐pubertal) and 6 (post‐pubertal) months. A single i.v. injection of Kp10 significantly stimulated the release of LH and T in both groups. The area under the response curve (AUC) of LH for a 60‐min period after the i.v. injection of Kp10 was significantly greater in the pre‐pubertal goats (P < 0.05). The AUC of T for a 120 min period post‐injection did not differ between the two age groups. A single i.v. injection of GnRH also significantly stimulated the release of LH and T in both groups (P < 0.05). The secretory pattern of LH and T in response to GnRH resembled that in response to Kp10. These results show that the LH‐releasing response to Kp10 is greater in pre‐pubertal than post‐pubertal male goats. They also show that Kp10, as well as GnRH, is able to stimulate the release of T in male goats.     

Effects of heat exposure on nutrient digestibility, rumen contraction and hormone secretion in goats

The present study investigated changes in nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, behavior and hormone (growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1)) secretion among goats (three male goats) in a hot environment (H, 35 ± 1.2°C; relative humidity (RH), 80 ± 7.2%; 13 days), in a thermoneutral environment (T, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days), and in a thermoneutral environment accompanied by the same restricted diet as provided in the hot environment (TR, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days). The following results were obtained: rectal temperature and water intake were higher in the H treatment than in the T treatment or TR treatment, while hay consumption was lower. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility was highest in H treatment. The concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the rumen was also highest in the H treatment. Time spent eating in the H treatment was also the highest, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. Ruminating time was lower in H treatment than in T treatment or TR treatment, and reposing time was highest in the TR treatment. When eating and ruminating, the amplitude values of the rumen contraction were lowest in the H treatment, as was the frequency of rumen contraction. Excretion of plastic particles was faster in T treatment and TR treatment than H treatment. Heat exposure was associated with world lowered concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid in plasma. The plasma glucose concentration was highest in the T treatment, followed in order by TR treatment and H treatment. The plasma GH concentration was lowest in the H treatment, while the plasma insulin was highest in the H treatment. The IGF‐1 concentration was highest in the H treatment, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. In conclusion, heat exposure in goats decreased feed intake and rumen contraction, but increased digestibility. However, when goats in a thermoneutral environment received the same restricted feeding as they received in the hot environment, digestibility increased without a change in rumen contraction. Between the H treatment and TR treatment, the changes in digestibility were accomplished by coordinate changes in hormone secretion in order to maintain body homeostasis.     

妊娠期山羊腺垂体中催乳素促卵泡素和促黄体素的分布特点

为了阐明妊娠期垂体中催乳素(PRL)、促卵泡素(FSH),促黄体素(LH)的分布和三者之间协调关系.本试验采用免疫组化SP法检测了PRL、FSH,LH三种激素在妊娠各期山羊的腺垂体细胞中免疫反应产物的分布特点.结果显示,在山羊妊娠过程中,腺垂体中PRL阳性细胞多存在于远侧部,数量逐渐增多,胞质呈强阳性;FSH和LH阳性细胞分布在远侧部和结节部,FSH胞质内颗粒着色深浅不一,LH多核膜着色;相对表达量都逐渐升高,而升高程度不同,表现为妊娠后期LH表达量急剧升高,FSH则变化较小,除了FSH的相对表达量在妊娠前期和中期之间无显著差异(P>0.05)外,3种激素的相对表达量在妊娠前期、中期和后期3个时期之间都存在显著差异(P<0.05),妊娠前、中期FSH的相对表达量均高于PRL和LH,妊娠后期LH的表达量最高.FSH次之,PRL最低.提示PRL,FSH和LH三种激素相互协同以促进胚胎着床并维持妊娠,而且在妊娠早期PRL起主要作用,之后协同FSH和LH维持妊娠.     

Effects of exogenous melatonin and photoperiod on sexual maturation in pullets

Hy‐Line Gray commercial pullets were maintained under 8‐h photoperiods, 16‐h photoperiods and 16‐h photoperiods supplemented with a diet containing 20 or 200 mg/kg melatonin (MEL) to investigate the role of MEL in sexual development. A total of 256 Hy‐Line Gray commercial pullets were placed, four birds to a cage, in four similar light‐proof rooms (8‐h photoperiod) at 6 weeks of age. At 70 day, three rooms containing a total of 192 birds were transferred to a 16‐h photoperiod, whereas 64 birds were maintained under the 8‐h photoperiod. Diets containing MEL at 20 and 200 mg/kg were fed to birds in two of the rooms under 16‐h photoperiods. Birds maintained under an 8‐h photoperiod matured 11.25 day later than those maintained under a 16‐h photoperiod (p < 0.05). The group of birds receiving 20 mg/kg MEL matured 1.19 day later than those maintained under the 16‐h photoperiod and 10.06 day earlier than those maintained under the 8‐h photoperiod. The group of birds receiving 200 mg/kg MEL matured 3.13 day later than those maintained under a 16‐h photoperiod and 8.12 day earlier than those maintained under an 8‐h photoperiod. The average body weight of birds maintained under the 8‐h photoperiod was greater than that of birds maintained under the 16‐h photoperiod (p < 0.05) and was similar between the different MEL groups. The abdominal fat weight was lower in 16L:8D group compared with 8L:16D group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestrogen and insulin did not differ significantly among the groups. The melatonin concentration in 200 mg/kg melatonin group was higher than that observed in the other groups; however, this concentration did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). These data suggest that the birds did not perceive the final 8‐h photoperiod as being part of the night when they were given the MEL diets; continuously high plasma MEL was not observed in birds that responded as if they were in constant darkness. However, the later maturity of the groups administered MEL diets compared with the groups maintained under a constant 16‐h photoperiod clearly indicated that MEL has some influence on the sexual maturity of pullets.     

Temporal secretory patterns of growth hormone in young meat-type poultry

Temporal secretory patterns of plasma growth hormone were measured in young, male meat-type poultry at three stages (22, 30 and 44 d of age) during normal growth. Birds were cannulated in the jugular vein and, after a 2-d period of recovery were serially bled every 10 min for 3.5, 5.5 and 10 h for birds 22, 30 and 44 d of age respectively. GH secretion was found to be pulsatile and episodic, with a mean (+/- SE) peak frequency (number/h) of 0.85 (+/- 0.03) over all ages (n = 15). Birds at 22 d of age had significantly greater peak magnitudes, baseline concentrations and overall mean concentrations than those at 30 and 44 d of age.     

The onset of puberty in Cameroon Dwarf goats kept as pets in northwestern Croatia

The aim of this study was to determine onset of puberty in Cameroon Dwarf goats (CDGs) kept as pets in northwestern Croatia by determining progesterone (PGS) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) levels in the blood by RIA methods. The first cyclic ovarian activity was estimated according to hormone profiles as determined in CDG in a moderate climate environment. Sixteen female CDG kids were kept in stables with access to pasture which provided space for exercise. The goat kids born in winter (December–January–February), spring (March–April–May), summer (June–July–August) and autumn (September–October–November) were assigned into four groups according to the season of the year of birth (n = 4 in each group). At 75 days of age at the initiation of the study, they weighed between 3.2 and 5.1 kg (4.24 ± 0.53 kg). The onset of ovulatory activity was determined by PGS and IGF‐I serum concentrations every 10 days starting from 75 days to 155 days of age. The onset of puberty in CDG kids occurred on average at 141.15 ± 2.66 days of age, but varied depending on the season of birth. All CDG kids born during summer were in heat by 155 days of age. In the other groups (kids born in autumn, winter or spring), one goat in each group was not in heat. Changes in blood serum PGS and IGF‐I concentrations during prepubertal and pubertal periods could aid in the evaluation of reproductive status and determination of the onset of puberty in CDG during all seasons of the year in a moderate climate region.     

中草药对山羊生长性能和胴体特征的影响

文章旨在研究在山羊日粮中添加中草药对其生长性能和胴体特征的影响.试验将平均体重为(19.22±0.08)kg的45头山羊随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复5头羊.对照组饲喂基础日粮,两个处理组分别用10％的穿心莲茎叶和全珠穿心莲替代苜蓿草,试验共进行14周.结果:饲喂全珠穿心莲的山羊末重、屠体重、采食量和日增重分别较...     

Effects of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax senticosus on gastrointestinal tract development in calves

Twenty‐four newborn Holstein dairy male calves (with initial body weight of 38 ± 3.0 kg) were used in a randomized block design experiment to determine effects of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) on gastrointestinal tract development. Calves were fed milk (10%/body weight) three times at 06.00, 12.00 and 18.00 hours daily with one to four treatments during the experimental periods (4 to 28 days): no supplementation of AS (control group, CG); 1.0 g/L?time of micro‐powder AS (MP); 1.0 g/L?time of superfine powder AS (SP); or 1.0 g/L?time of coarse powder AS (CP). On days 7, 14, 21 and 28, 20 mL blood samples were collected at 06.00 hours before the morning feeding. At the end of the trial (28 days), all calves were euthanized, and tissue samples were taken and placed in 4% buffered formaldehyde for analyses. In the rumen of MP treatment, compared with the CG treatment, wall thickness and papillae diameter was both significantly lower (P <0.05), while crypt depth was significantly greater (P <0.05). In the duodenum, villi diameter of AS supplemented treatments was significantly lower than that of CG treatment (P <0.05) . Results indicate that calves during sucking period supplemented with AS as MP style could promote gastrointestinal development.     

Actions of intravenous injections of AVP and oxytocin on plasma ACTH,GH, insulin and glucagon concentrations in goats

This study was conducted to investigate the arginine‐vasopressin (AVP)‐ and oxytocin‐induced changes in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), insulin and glucagon levels and their metabolite concentrations in goats. In this study, five goats were intravenously injected with either AVP (0.3 nmol/kg body weight (BW)) or oxytocin (0.7 IU/kg BW). AVP injection significantly increased ACTH and GH secretions compared to controls, although insulin and glucagon concentrations were not altered. The incremental areas (ICAs) of the ACTH and GH concentrations were higher in the AVP group than in the saline group. Oxytocin injections increased insulin and glucagon secretions, while ACTH level was not altered. GH levels became elevated 30 min after the oxytocin injection. The ICAs of insulin and glucagon after oxytocin was injected were higher than those of the control. Results indicate that AVP is a potent stimulant of ACTH and GH secretions, while oxytocin uses different pathways to regulate insulin and glucagon secretions in goats.     

咪达唑仑对山羊不同脑区GABA和Gly含量的影晌

为研究咪达唑仑对山羊不同脑区抑制性氨基酸类神经递质含量变化的影响,探讨咪达唑仑的中枢麻醉作用机制,将25只山羊随机分成5组,分别为对照组、诱导组、麻醉组、恢复I组和恢复II组,在相应麻醉期取不同区域脑组织,采用高效液相色谱法检测GABA和Gly的含量。结果显示,大脑、丘脑和脑干的GABA含量在麻醉组升至最高且差异极显著（P〈0．01）;海马、小脑和脑干的Gly含量在麻醉组升高,差异显著（P％0．05）。结果表明,咪达唑仑的中枢麻醉作用与升高大脑、丘脑、脑干内GABA含量和海马、小脑、脑干内Gly含量有关。