Plasma cortisol and prolactin secretion rhythms in cattle under varying external environments and management techniques

The secretion rhythms of plasma cortisol (CORT) and prolactin (PRL), hormones related to stress responsiveness and biological rhythm and controlled by light and temperature, were investigated under varying external environments and different management techniques. Serial blood samples were collected from female cattle reared in free‐stall and freely fed (FF) conditions (n = 4) or in tie‐stall and restricted feeding (RF) conditions (hay and concentrate twice daily, n = 4). Plasma CORT and PRL concentrations, eating behavior, and environmental parameters were analyzed. Cyclic patterns for each parameter were examined using spectral analysis, and correlations between CORT, PRL and other parameters were investigated using cross‐spectral analysis. Under FF conditions, CORT secretion was not related to the lighting intensity and eating behavior. However, under RF conditions, the CORT secretion rhythm showed a distinct correlation with lighting intensity and eating behavior. Under FF conditions, the PRL secretion rhythm was similar in all seasons. However, under RF conditions, the PRL rhythm oscillated with high frequency in summer and low frequency in winter, indicating a seasonal change in rhythm. The present study demonstrates that hormone secretion rhythms change under different environments and management techniques.     

Plasma melatonin secretion rhythms in cattle under varying seasonal conditions

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the secretion cycles of melatonin (MEL) in cattle over the course of four seasons. Four female Japanese Shorthorn cattle under free‐stall and ad libitum feeding conditions were used, and plasma MEL concentrations were measured over a 48 h period at 1 h intervals. The time‐series data were analyzed by spectral analysis, and the cycle hour was determined. Data indicated that the secretion cycle for MEL was approximately 23.5 h for all four seasons. The area under the curve of MEL from start to end of experiment for 48 h did not differ significantly among the four seasons. However, the duration of high MEL secretion which defined the duration time of the values were more than 10 pg/mL and differed significantly among the four seasons. In conclusion, this study, which was the first to use spectral analysis to evaluate the cyclic rhythm of MEL in cattle, revealed that MEL secretion cycles did not differ among the seasons. These findings are inconsistent with previous study results in that previous reports suggested that the MEL secretion cycle differed under different lighting conditions.     

Changes in concentrations of plasma metabolites and insulin-like growth factor-1 after feeding in Japanese Black and Japanese Shorthorn cattle

The aim was to characterize the changes of plasma component concentrations after feeding in Japanese Black (B) and Japanese Shorthorn (S) cattle. Eight females, five B and three S, with a mean bodyweight (standard deviation) of 282.0 (20.3) kg were selected and supplied with only water for 28 h after feeding. Blood was taken from the jugular vein at 4‐h intervals for 32 h after feeding. Metabolite (cholesterol, CL; glucose, GLU; nonesterified fatty acid, NEFA; triacylglycerol, TG; total protein, TP) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations in plasma were measured. In both breeds GLU tended to decrease linearly with a similar slope. Differences between the initial mean NEFA at 4 h after feeding (Start) and that at 24 h after the start (End) were significant in both breeds, but S increased significantly more than B at and after 8 h from the Start. The TG in S tended to change more than in B, and CL and IGF‐1 in both breeds changed continuously at similar levels. The TP in B tended to decrease more slowly and be lower than S. The change in NEFA, especially, suggests that nutritional status sensitively reflects genetic background.     

Evaluation of inbreeding and genetic diversity in Japanese Shorthorn cattle by pedigree analysis

The Japanese Shorthorn is a Japanese Wagyu breed maintained at a small population size. We assessed the degree of inbreeding and genetic diversity among Japanese Shorthorn cattle using pedigree analysis. We analyzed the pedigree records of registered Japanese Shorthorn born between 1980 and 2018, after evaluating the pedigree completeness. The average of the actual inbreeding coefficients increased at the same rates annually from approximately 1.5% in 1980 to 4.2% in 2018 and was higher than the expected inbreeding coefficients over time. The effective population size based on the individual coancestry rate largely decreased from 127.8 in 1980 to 82.6 in 1999, and then remained almost constant at approximately 90. Three effective numbers of ancestors decreased over time until 1995, then remained almost constant. In particular, the effective number of founder genomes (N_ge) decreased from 43.8 in 1980 to 11.9 in 2018. The index of genetic diversity based on N_ge decreased from 0.99 in 1980 to 0.96 in 2018 due to genetic drift in non-founder generations. Changes in inbreeding and genetic diversity parameters were similar between Japanese Shorthorn and other Japanese Wagyu breeds, but the magnitude of the changes was lower in the Japanese Shorthorn.     

Effects of a high milk intake during the pre‐weaning period on nutrient metabolism and growth rate in Japanese Black cattle

This study aimed to determine the effects of feeding an increased volume of high‐fat milk during the early post‐natal life on metabolite concentrations in the blood, the expression of key genes regulating intermediary metabolism in the skeletal muscles, and the rate of growth of Japanese Black cattle. All calves were fed a high‐fat milk replacer (crude protein, 26%; crude fat, 25.5%; total dissolved nitrogen, 116%). Control calves (n = 4) were nursed with 500 g milk replacer until 3 months of age, whereas calves in the experimental group (n = 4) were nursed with 1800 g milk replacer until 3 months, and then the volume was gradually reduced until 5 months. Body weight was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 7 months. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the experimental group. Expression of glucose‐transporter‐4 messenger RNA (mRNA) was lower, whereas that of glucose transporter 1, cluster of differentiation 36, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1b mRNA was significantly higher in the Longissimus thoracis of the experimental group. Nutritional status during early post‐natal life appears to strongly influence the growth rate and glucose and lipid metabolism in Japanese Black cattle.     

Initiatives and behavioral sequence of maternal behavior in Japanese Black and Japanese Shorthorn cattle (Bos taurus)

Maternal grooming (MG), nursing (NS) and mother‐infant behavior 5 min before (IB5) and immediately before (LIB) maternal behavior were observed in Japanese Black (JB) and Japanese Shorthorn (JS) cow‐calf pairs. During MG of the JB, the number of calf's IB5 was more than that of cows, but the duration of the MG positively correlated with the number of cow's IB5. During MG of the JS, the duration positively correlated with the number of calf's IB5. The number of the NS with calf's LIB and the number of calf's IB5 in the NS were more than those of cows in both breeds. The duration of the NS tended to correlate with the number of calf's IB5 in the JS. Main behavior sequence was observed like cow's approach, MG, calf's contact and NS, in this order, in both breeds. It is thought that the MG is released by cow's and calf's activities in both breeds and accelerated by the cow's activeness in the JB and by the calf's activeness in the JS, and that the NS is released and accelerated by the calf's activeness in JS.     

Economic losses related to internal diseases in Japanese black cattle

The objective of this study was to estimate the direct economic losses due to the condemnation of the liver and large intestine because of internal diseases (multifocal necrosis in the liver (MNL) and inflammation of the large intestine (ILI)), and the indirect losses because of reductions in carcass performance from MNL, bovine abdominal fat necrosis (BFN) and ILI using data from 5383 Japanese Black cattle. Direct losses were estimated by multiplying the price of the condemned part by the frequency of its occurrence owing to the disease. Similarly, indirect losses were estimated as the product of unit carcass price and reduction in carcass weight (CW) due to the disease. The direct impact on the beef cattle industry from MNL and ILI was estimated at around $1.29 million (US$1 = ¥120) per year. A least‐squares analysis showed that MNL had no influence on any carcass trait, whereas BFN and ILI significantly reduced CW, rib eye area and darkened the beef. ILI also reduced rib thickness. The indirect losses from BFN and ILI were estimated as a maximum of $131.7 and $256.4 per animal and around $6.26 million and $4.03 million for the industry, respectively, mostly because of the reduction in CW.     

铬的生物学功能及其在动物体内的代谢

通过对铬元素的各项理化特性、来源、代谢及生物学功能进行详细的对比、调查和研究，进一步阐述了铬元素的代谢机制、生物学功能与铬在家畜营养学、生物科学及人体医学等方面的重要作用。表明铬元素对人类的生产生活，科学技术的发展有着很高的研究价值。     

Effects of supplementation of chromium histidinate on glucose,lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in cats

In recent years, two meta‐analyses of chromium (Cr) supplementation have shown beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. Chromium histidinate (CrHis) reduces serum glucose levels in rats fed a high‐fat diet but no study has been conducted on cats until now. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of CrHis on glucose and lipid metabolism in cats. To challenge the glucose metabolism, 16 cats were fed a high‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet for three months. One group (n = 8) received 800 ug CrHis per day for two months, while the other group (n = 8) served as control group. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted, blood samples were taken, and biochemical parameters and oxidative stress were measured. CrHis serum levels were significantly increased (p = 0.027) in the treatment group, while fructosamine levels were significantly lower (p = 0.029) in the control group. In both groups, glucose (p < 0.01), b‐hydroxy‐butyrate (p = 0.024) and 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (p = 0.028) levels decreased significantly and cholesterol levels increased significantly (p < 0.01). In conclusion, CrHis did not improve glucose or lipid metabolism and did not affect oxidative stress in healthy cats.     

Effects of long-term exogenous bovine somatotropin on glucose metabolism and the utilization of glucose by the mammary gland in different stages of lactation of crossbred Holstein cattle

The effects of long-term administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on glucose turnover and the utilization of glucose in the mammary gland using a continuous infusion of [3-³H]glucose and [U-¹⁴C]glucose in lactating crossbred Holstein Friesian(HF) cattle were investigated. Glucose turnover of rbST-treated animals was significantly higher than those of control animals ( P  < 0.05) in mid lactation, while plasma glucose concentrations were not affected. The utilization of glucose of non-mammary tissues of rbST-treated animals significantly increased ( P  < 0.05) as lactation advanced. The glucose taken up by the mammary gland in early lactation increased flux through the lactose synthesis and the pentose cycle pathway with significant increases in NADPH formation for fatty acid synthesis during rbST administration. The utilization of glucose carbon incorporation into milk appeared to increase in milk citrate and milk triacylglycerol but not for milk lactose as lactation advances in rbST-treated animals. The stimulant effect for milk yield by rbST treatment was transiently and significantly increased in early lactation and was decreased in late lactation even though there was a high level of udder blood flow. These findings demonstrate that the regulation of biosynthetic capacity within the mammary gland would be influenced more by local than by systemic factors. The proportion of glucose would be metabolized less for lactose synthesis, but metabolized more via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle as lactation advances.     

生物节律对动物生理营养及物质消化利用调控的研究进展

生物钟是生物的计时机制,是生物体内的一种无形的"时钟".实际上是生物体生命活动的内在节律性,是由生物体内的时间结构序列所决定,使行为、生理和新陈代谢的内部循环与外界环境周期性同步.本文就生物节律系统、生物钟的调控基因、生物钟对营养生理代谢和消化器官的调控以及其在实际生产中的应用作一综述.     

Puerarin improved growth performance and postmortem meat quality by regulating lipid metabolism of cattle under hot environment

This study aims to evaluate the effect of puerarin on performance, meat quality, and serum indexes of beef cattle under hot environment. Thirty-two bulls were divided into four groups and fed diet supplemented with puerarin at 0, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg. Results showed that heat stress was employed for 54 out of 60 days, 400 mg/kg group declined serum cortisol (COR) contents, all treatments increased the contents of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total superoxide dismutase activity; in addition, glutathione peroxidase activity of 200 mg/kg group were enhanced, only 800 mg/kg group enhanced immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol contents compared with the control (p < .05). Moreover, 400-mg/kg puerarin increased serum growth hormone levels compared with 200 mg/kg group but declined COR concentrations compared with 200 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups (p < .05). More importantly, average daily gain and daily matter intake, and intramuscular fat contents of 400 mg/kg group were enhanced, but the shear force of beef in 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups were declined compared with the control (p < .05). These findings indicated that supplemental with puerarin enhanced immune and antioxidant, and 400 mg/kg of puerarin improved performance and meat quality by normalizing levels of stress hormones and increasing intramuscular fat deposition of beef cattle under hot environment.     

日粮精粗比对奶牛瘤胃挥发酸模式及血液糖脂代谢相关指标的影响

研究以24头荷斯坦奶牛为试验动物,随机分成2组,设计不同精粗比日粮(60∶40,40∶60),研究其对奶牛瘤胃挥发酸模式及血液糖脂代谢相关指标的影响。结果表明:高精粗比(60∶40)日粮下,瘤胃pH降低4.3%(P <0.05),丙酸浓度提高16.9%(P <0.05);乙酸浓度下降,总挥发酸浓度提高,但差异均不显著(P> 0.05);乙酸/丙酸比例降低20.5%(P <0.05)。随着日粮精粗比提高,奶牛血液葡萄糖浓度提高21.1%(P <0.05),血液非酯化脂肪酸(NEFA)浓度降低13.9%(P <0.05)。随着日粮精粗比提高,奶牛血液甘油三酯下降,胰岛素含量增加,但均未呈现显著性差异(P> 0.05)。     

矢车菊素-3-葡萄糖苷的吸收、代谢及生理功能研究进展

矢车菊素-3-葡萄糖苷是自然界中分布最为广泛的一种花青素,因其强抗氧化、抗炎等生理功能而具有潜在促生长、抗腹泻等作用,但其在体内可被迅速代谢,进入血液循环的大部分为其代谢产物。因此,矢车菊素-3-葡萄糖苷的生理功能在很大程度上基于其代谢产物的生理活性。本文就矢车菊素-3-葡萄糖苷在体内的吸收率、吸收部位、主要代谢途径及代谢产物的生理功能进行综述,为其在新型无抗饲料添加剂中的应用提供理论依据。     

黄芩苷的生物学功能及在奶牛上的应用研究进展

黄芩苷是从黄芩中提取出的一种黄酮类化合物,具有抗菌、抗炎和抗氧化应激等生物功能.黄芩苷作为一种饲料添加剂可提高奶牛的泌乳性能和抗病能力,具有广泛的应用前景和潜在价值.本文就黄芩苷的理化性质、代谢途径、生物学功能以及在奶牛生产上的应用研究进行综述,为黄芩苷在奶牛生产中的实践应用提供理论依据.     

硒代蛋氨酸的生物学功能及其在猪生产中的应用

硒（Se）是机体必需的微量元素,其生理作用主要表现在抗氧化、免疫和抗肿瘤等方面。机体缺硒会引发骨骼肌变性或坏死、肝坏死和心肌纤维变性等疾病,因此,硒在人和动物营养方面越来越被人们重视。硒代蛋氨酸（Se-Met）作为有机硒的一种,比亚硒酸钠等无机硒具有更高的生物利用率和更低的毒性,是替代无机硒的有效有机硒源。应现阶段动物生产中对硒的需要,作者以Se-Met为研究对象,介绍了Se-Met在动物机体中的吸收代谢机制,并在此基础上与无机硒进行了比较分析,突出了Se-Met作为有机补硒剂的优越性;简述了Se-Met在机体抗氧化、免疫和抗肿瘤方面的功能、作用机制以及在猪生产中的应用效果;并进一步阐释了Se-Met在猪生产中的应用现状,通过对日增重、日采食量和料重比等生长指标,以及猪肉的pH、滴水损失、硒沉积量和肉色等肉品质指标的分析,进一步确定了Se-Met在猪生产中广泛应用的可能性,为今后猪营养中Se-Met等有机硒广泛替代无机硒提供了参考依据和理论基础,并期望为后续研究提供参考。     

The Biological Function of Selenomethionine and Its Application in Pigs Production

As an essential nutrient,selenium plays important role in antioxidation,immunity and antitumor.Selenium deficiency in the body can cause diseases such as skeletal muscle degeneration or necrosis,liver necrosis and myocardial fibrosis.Therefore,it has been paid more and more attention in human and animal nutrition.As a kind of organic selenium,selenomethionine (Se-Met) has higher bioavailability and lower toxicity than sodium selenite,and it is an effective organic selenium source to replace inorganic selenium.In response to the current demand for selenium sources in animal production,this article takes Se-Met as the research object,introduces the absorption and metabolism mechanism of Se-Met in the body,and on this basis,makes a comparative analysis with inorganic selenium,highlighting the advantages of Se-Met as an organic selenium supplement.The function and mechanism of Se-Met in the body's antioxidation,immunity and antitumor,and the effect of its application in animal production are briefly described.The application status of Se-Met in pig production is explained,and through the analysis of growth indicators such as daily weight gain,daily feed intake,and feed-to-weight ratio,as well as meat quality indicators such as pH,drip loss,selenium deposition,and meat color of pork,the possibility of Se-Met being widely used in animal production is further determined.This article aims to provide practical reference and theoretical basis for the widespread replacement of inorganic selenium by organic selenium such as Se-Met in animal nutrition in the future,and provide references for subsequent scientific research.     

The use of cultured hepatocytes from goats and cattle to investigate xenobiotic oxidative metabolism

The oxidative metabolism of aldicarb (ALD), a carbamate pesticide, and fenbendazole (FBZ), an anthelmintic, was studied using cultured hepatocytes obtained from 4 goats and a bullock and incubated with ALD (50 mol/L) and FBZ (10 mol/L). The parent compounds and the metabolites were measured by HPLC. Both compounds are metabolized at the sulphur atom via two sequential oxidations, first to the sulphoxide (aldicarb sulphoxide and oxfendazole, respectively) and then to the sulphone. Oxfendazole and fenbendazole sulphone from FBZ, and aldicarb sulphoxide from ALD were found in both species. Aldicarb sulphone was not produced by the hepatocyte preparations from the bullock. The good correlation obtained comparing the in vitro results of FBZ metabolism with published in vivo dat obtained on FBZ kinetics in the same species confirmed the usefulness of in vitro models for predictive analysis of in vivo xenobiotic biotransformations.Abbreviations ALD aldicarb - ALDSON aldicarb sulphone - ALDSOX aldicarb sulphoxide - BSA bovine serum albumin - ID internal diameter - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - FBZ fenbendazole - FBZSON fenbendazole sulphone - HBSS Hanks' balanced saline solution - HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - MFO mixed function oxidase - NCS newborn calf serum - OXF oxfendazole - WME Williams' Medium E     

Plasma parameters related to energy and lipid metabolism in periparturient Modenese and Italian Friesian cows

The aim of this work was to compare energy and lipid metabolism during the peripartum period between Modenese (MO) and Italian Friesian (IF) cows. The study was carried out on 33 pluriparous pregnant cows, 19 IF and 14 MO, reared together in the same herd and kept under equal conditions of management and nutrition. Blood was sampled from jugular vein starting 4 week before expected calving date until 4 week post‐calving, once weekly. Plasma was analysed for glucose, NEFA, BHBA, triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations. Body condition score (BCS) was assessed weekly after blood sampling. Data from antepartum (a.p.) and post‐partum (p.p.) periods were separately analysed as repeated measures by a linear mixed models with the effect of breed, time and their interaction as main factors and random cow within breed. The energy status differed between the two breeds during the peripartum period. We observed higher BCS a.p. and p.p. and lower BCS variations p.p. in MO compared to IF group. Modenese cows showed lower glucose and cholesterol concentrations (p < 0.001), but higher NEFA values, NEFA to cholesterol and NEFA to albumin ratios (p < 0.001) during a.p.; on the contrary, IF cows had higher (p < 0.05) cholesterol, NEFA, BHBA levels and NEFA to albumin ratio than MO ones during p.p. The differences observed between the two breeds suggest how MO cows are subjected to lipid mobilization during late gestation; on the contrary, IF cows are predisposed to mobilize their lipid reserves at the beginning of lactation to support high production. The results indicate a diverse ability to cope with metabolic stress and suggest the hypothesis that the differences in concentrations of plasma parameters and their variation amplitude around the calving period might depend on the different genetic merit for milk production between the two breeds.     

Effects of rice feeding on growth performance and protein (amino acids) metabolism in weanling piglets

We investigated the effects of rice feeding on growth performance and protein (amino acids) metabolism of weanling piglets. In all, 16 weanling piglets with an average initial weight of 7.5 kg were divided into two groups. One group was fed a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet, and the other was fed a rice‐soybean meal diet, containing around 46% of corn or rice, respectively. A two‐week growth trial was conducted. The average daily gain (p = .025) and feed efficiency (p = .011) in rice‐fed piglets were significantly higher than those in corn‐fed piglets. Liver lysine‐ketoglutarate reductase activity tended to be lower (p = .073) in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma urea nitrogen concentration in rice‐fed piglets was significantly lower than that in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma‐free valine, isoleucine, and tryptophan concentrations were significantly higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. In contrast, plasma histidine concentration was significantly lower in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Overall, these results show that rice feeding improves the growth performance and affects the protein (amino acids) metabolism in weanling piglets.