Housing During Early Pregnancy Affects Fertility and Behaviour of Sows

From 1.1.2013 EU legislation will permit stall‐housing of dry sows for only 4 weeks post‐service. Stalls are associated with compromised animal welfare, but group housing comes with risks from social confrontations. Studies on housing effects on fertility have produced contradictory results as systems are inconsistently defined. Effects of housing on pregnancy rate 28 days post‐service (P28), early disruption of pregnancy (EDP) and behaviour were investigated in 12 replicates of 40 sows. Half of the animals were stalled (treatment S, mean parity 2.4) and half group‐housed adjacent on 5.1 m² deep litter per sow (treatment G, mean parity 2.3). Pregnancy was detected using real‐time ultrasound. An EDP‐diagnosis required a drop of salivary progesterone concentration from >15.9 to <15.9 mmol/l in a series of samples taken on days 17, 20, 24 and 27 post‐service. Behaviour was scan sampled on day 27 for 120 min with 10‐min intervals. Data was analysed using mixed regression models in MLwiN. Treatment S increased the odds for P28 with 2.3 and the pregnancy rate of a treatment group with 0.1 compared with G. G increased the odds for EDP with 4.6. Treatment did not affect total exploratory or total passive behaviour. S sows explored floor and fixtures (not bedding) more and performed more passive sitting than G sows. Social stress may have caused the impaired reproductive performance in G sows. S sows showed behavioural signs of decreased welfare, but no corresponding reproductive effects. An interdisciplinary approach is needed when evaluating the appropriateness of housing systems.     

怀孕母猪孕期管理

母猪从受精到分娩产仔的整个过程中，是胎儿生长发育与母猪机体关系的集中表现。一定要高度重视这一时期的饲养与管理，这也是饲养怀孕母猪的基础，只要管理到位，营养跟上，才能母强仔壮。     

妊娠期背膘厚对母猪产程及繁殖性能的影响

为优化母猪繁殖效率,探究妊娠期不同背膘厚对母猪繁殖性能和分娩产程的影响,本研究以广西某公司2 969头大白母猪和1 787头长白母猪为试验群体,收集2017年1月至2017年10月妊娠期3个阶段(妊娠30、80和107 d)背膘厚与分娩接产记录数据,分析背膘厚与分娩产程、总产仔数、产活仔数和初生窝重等性状的关系。研究结果表明,大白母猪分娩产程时间显著短于长白母猪(P<0.05),大白母猪总产仔数、产活仔数和初生窝重显著优于长白母猪(P<0.05)。在妊娠30 d时,背膘厚在18～20 mm组的大白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高,且初生窝重最大;背膘厚在18～20 mm组的长白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高。在妊娠80 d时,背膘厚≥20 mm组的大白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高,且初生窝重最大、产程最短;背膘厚在16～18 mm组的长白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高,且初生窝重较高、母猪产程较短。在妊娠107 d时,背膘厚在14～16 mm组的大白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高,且初生窝重最大,但母猪产程与其他组差异不显著(P>0.05);背膘厚≥20 mm组的长白母猪总产仔数和产活仔数最高,且初生窝重较大。妊娠期背膘厚减少1～2 mm的大白母猪,其总产仔数和产活仔数最高,初生窝重较小,产程较长。而背膘厚减少>2 mm的长白母猪,其总产仔数和产活仔数最高,初生窝重较大,产程较短。上述试验结果说明,在母猪妊娠期间,合适的背膘厚可有效提高母猪繁殖性能和母猪分娩期间的福利水平。养殖场可以根据营养配方和猪群品种建立背膘数据库,通过精准饲喂将母猪背膘厚调整至最佳范围,同时合理控制妊娠期背膘变化。     

Decreased Sperm Quality in Mice Fed a Diet with Fish Oil

Polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs )play an important role in sperm quality and fertility.This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with PUFAs on male mice reproductive capacity.Mice were fed a diet of 4％ soybean oil (SO),4％ fish oil (FO),or 4％ conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for 30 days.Litter sizes and sperm quality were measured during the study.Litter size decreased in females mated with FO group males.Although sperm total number,motility,and in virto fertilization did not differ among treatments,the proportion of intact sperm membrane decreased in the FO group compared to other groups.This was supported by the increased proportion of damaged sperm membrane in the FO group.Furthermore,the percentage of high mitochonddal membrane potential (MMP) declined,but the percentage of low MMP was increased by dietary FO and CLA supplementation compared to the SO group.Sperm membrane phospholipid in mice receiving the FO diet had a higher concentration of docosapentenoic acid ( C22 ∶5n-3,DPA ),docosahexaneoic acid ( C22 ∶ 6n-3,DHA),and n-3 PUFAs,but lower levels of arachidonic acid ( C20∶4n-6,AA) and n-6 PUFAs compared to those receiving the SO diet.These data suggest that decreased sperm quality in mice fed a FO diet may be due to excessive DPA and DHA in the membrane.     

Ovarian follicular structure of White Leghorns fed ad libitum and dwarf and normal broiler breeders fed ad libitum or restricted until point of lay

1. Yellow follicle numbers when the first egg was laid were 6.3, 9.0 and 12.4 for ad libitum reared Leghorns, sex-linked Dwarf (AL Dwarf) and Normal broiler breeders respectively. Multiple ovulation resulted in low egg production and a high proportion of defective egg shells in AL Dwarf and Normal broiler breeders during early lay. 2. Restricting the growth of broiler breeders during rearing by restricting food intake (R Dwarfs) reduced the number of yellow follicles to 6.8 and increased the rate of lay. 3. Atretic yellow follicles were common among broiler breeders but not in Leghorns or R Dwarfs when the first egg was laid. 4. Poor egg production in older broiler breeders was caused by birds with few or no developing yellow follicles, atresia in yellow follicles and the continued occurrence of multiple ovulations. 5. There was no relationship between the number of yellow follicles and the number of white follicles less than 5 mm diameter but atresia in white follicles 2 to less than 5 mm was negatively related to the number of yellow follicles. 7. No relationship was observed between abdominal fat weight and yellow follicle number, though birds which ate more had more yellow follicles. 8.The sex-linked dwarfing gene dw was associated with increased atresia among the white follicles and low numbers of yellow follicles compared with the Normal DW broiler breeder genotype.     

Reproductive Performance of Native Pulawska and High Productivity Polish Landrace Sows in the Context of Stress During the Period of Early Pregnancy

Experiments revealed that it is necessary to get rid of genotypes RYR1C/T and RYR1T/T because of problems with meat quality and reproduction of gilts and sows. This phenomenon, however, is of individual nature and is characterized by high variability. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence of stressogenic factors in native Pu?awska and high productivity Polish Landrace breed sows during the period of low pregnancy on reproductive performance and maternal behaviour. Sows in the 2nd reproduction cycle were assigned into groups of five animals as follows: control (C) of RYR1 C/C genotype and experimental (E) of RYR1 C/T genotype. In all, 30 Pu?awska breed sows and 30 PL breed sows were analysed. During the early stage of pregnancy (days 42–84), experimental groups were subjected to the action of stressogenic factors: elevated temperature, noisy and rough treatment of sows by service personnel and immobilization stress. The effect of stressogenic factors was referred to the reproductive performance of sows. Pu?awska and PL breed sows from the experimental groups were subjected to the evaluation of maternal traits on the basis of perinatal behaviour determined with the help of an ethogram. Analysis of the results of reproduction and the behaviour of the sows confirmed the higher resistance to stressogenic factors of the Pu?awska breed. The performed analysis of reproduction and behaviour confirmed that heterozygotic genotypes in the RYR1 locus exhibited less advantageous reproduction, which corroborates the hypothesis about a negative impact of the T allele on swine productivity.     

母猪妊娠期营养水平对后代仔猪肌肉生长和发育的影响

本试验旨在研究母猪妊娠期营养水平对后代仔猪肌肉生长和发育的影响。选取体重和日龄相近的长大(LY)杂交后备母猪33头,按体重[(150±9)kg]和日龄[(255±10)日龄]随机分到3个组:低营养水平组(LN组)、适宜营养水平组(AN组)和高营养水平组(HN组)。每组11个重复,每个重复1头母猪。妊娠前期(1~30 d)各组营养摄入量分别是0.75、1.00和1.50倍维持需要,妊娠中期(31~90 d)在前期基础上提高20%,妊娠后期(91~112 d)在中期基础上提高25%。结果表明:1)与LN组相比,AN和HN组仔猪出生体重和断奶体重及初生仔猪肌肉重(除比目鱼肌)显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01);AN组仔猪半腱肌和背最长肌相对重极显著高于LN组(P0.01),AN组新生仔猪肌肉蛋白质浓度显著或极显著高于LN和HN组(P0.05或P0.01)。2)AN组新生仔猪背最长肌肌球蛋白重链Ⅱx的mRNA表达量极显著低于LN组(P0.01)。3)AN组新生仔猪背最长肌生肌调节因子4的mRNA表达量显著高于LN和HN组(P0.05)。由此可见,母猪妊娠期营养水平能显著影响仔猪出生和断奶体重及肌肉重,但是过高或者过低的营养水平都会降低后代肌肉重和肌肉蛋白质的浓度,这可能与生肌调节因子4基因差异表达有关。     

Copper poisoning of sheep after ad libitum supplementation of rations by a mineral feed

Within 8 weeks 22 of 400 sheep died with symptoms of Cu intoxication. In the liver of 2 dead sheep Cu contents of 491 and 830 mg/kg dry matter were found. The concentration of copper in the concentrate and other feedstuffs (grass, hay, straw, kale, dried sugar beet pulp) could not explain the development of Cu-toxicosis. The mineral-vitamin-supplement contained 86.7 mg Cu/kg. Obviously the Cu intoxication of previously Cu loaded sheep was provoked by offering the mineral supplement ad libitum (with intervals of 3-4 days), the intake of this mixture reached values up to 400 g/animal and day. By renunciation of mineral supplements in the same flock 7 months later lambs died due to Cu deficiency (Cu content in the liver: 13-14 mg/kg dry matter).     

Longitudinal growth analysis of horses following limited and ad libitum feeding

Eighteen colts were assigned to one of two groups: limit or ad libitum feeding. Three periods were evaluated: 1) six to 12 months, 2) 12 to 18 months and 3) 18 to 24 months of age. At 24 months of age, ad libitum fed horses weighed 13 per cent (51 kg) more and were 3.6 per cent (5.2 cm) taller than those fed limited amounts. Total, fore and hind body mass increased quadratically irrespective of dietary treatment. Fore body mass comprised 57 per cent of total body mass for both groups and this did not change with age or dietary treatment. Heart girth was directly related (R2 = 0.96) to total body mass. Average daily gains in total body mass of ad libitum fed horses were 13 and 71 per cent more rapid (P less than 0.05) than for limit fed horses in Periods 1 and 3, respectively. Ad libitum fed horses gained hind body mass 25 per cent more rapidly (P less than 0.05) than limit fed horses only in Period 1. Growth curves of wither and croup heights were quadratic in form. Ad libitum fed horses gained 12 and 13 per cent more rapidly at the wither than limit fed horses in Period 1 and overall, respectively. Ad libitum fed horses grew 33 per cent more rapidly at the croup than limit fed horses but only in Period 2. From six to 12 months of age, the wither and croup grew two-fold and four-fold more rapidly than between 12 to 18 months and between 18 to 24 months of age, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The feeding of ad libitum dietary protein to organic growing-finishing pigs

The effects of three dietary protein levels on growth, meat, and carcass traits were studied in organic pigs fed a three-phase diet. Assuming lysine was the first limiting amino acid, feeds were formulated to ileal digestible (ID) lysine content, with the ID lysine:crude protein ratio set at a constant of 4%. Feeds were also formulated to an isocaloric rate (net energy: 9.4 MJ/kg during the first feeding phase, 9.25 MJ/kg during the second feeding phase and 9.1 MJ/kg during the finisher phase), with a high (HP), a medium (MP) or a low (LP) protein content ranging from 20% to 14% crude protein (CP). ID lysine content of the LP and MP feed was, respectively, 80% and 90% of the ID lysine content of the HP feed. The nutrient formulation of the HP feed was similar to nutrient levels commonly used in conventional Belgian pig farming. From 20 to 40 kg liveweight, the pigs showed better feed conversion ratios, with an increasing dietary protein concentration (r(2)=0.84). This effect was not observed in the second and third phases, although a significant effect of protein concentration on voluntary feed intake in the second phase did occur (P=0.018), probably as a compensation for the lower protein concentration in the LP diet. Analysis of the carcasses showed a lower meat percentage with lower protein concentration (P<0.05), whereas influences on meat quality were limited. It was concluded that whereas during the first phase of growth, higher protein concentration leads to better performance, from the second phase onwards (45 kg), at least with isocaloric diets, a decrease in protein content (corresponding to a 10% reduction in dietary ID lysine levels compared to conventional pig fattening) may be used in organic growing-finishing pig nutrition.     

基础日粮添加蜂胶对母猪生产性能的影响

为了研究蜂胶对母猪生产性能的影响,选择16头配种时间、胎次基本一致的长大妊娠母猪为材料,随机分成对照组和试验组。对照组只饲喂基础日粮,试验组则在基础日粮中添加蜂胶。试验从母猪妊娠81d进产房开始,到仔猪21日龄断奶后7d结束。研究结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组仔猪断奶重平均提高0.62kg,差异极显著(P<0.01);成活率提高4.51%,差异显著(P<0.05);在哺乳和断奶前7d,试验组仔猪腹泻率分别比对照组低1.37%(P<0.05)、2.96%(P<0.01)。因此,蜂胶对提高母猪生产性能有较大促进作用。     

妊娠后期营养水平对初产母猪繁殖性能及血液生化指标的影响

为研究妊娠后期营养水平对初产母猪体况、繁殖性能及血液生化指标的影响,本试验选用背膘厚及体重相近的初产杂交母猪36头,按体况和配种时间随机分为3组（Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组）,每组6个重复,每个重复2头母猪,饲喂营养水平依次为维持需要的1.5、2.0和2.5倍的日粮,母猪妊娠81 d时开始试验至母猪分娩结束,试验期33 d。结果显示,分娩时Ⅰ组母猪背膘厚显著低于Ⅲ组（P<0.05）,断奶时各组背膘厚度差异不显著（P>0.05）;Ⅰ组母猪泌乳期背膘损失显著低于Ⅲ组（P<0.05）;Ⅲ组母猪分娩后体重、分娩前体重均显著高于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）,各组母猪妊娠81 d体重及泌乳期失重等差异均不显著（P>0.05）。试验组间窝产仔数、窝产活仔数、断奶个体重及母猪断奶-发情间隔均无显著差异（P>0.05）;Ⅲ组仔猪初生均重、断奶窝重、泌乳期窝增重均显著高于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）。随营养水平升高,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组雌激素水平显著高于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）;各组催乳素和孕酮水平差异不显著（P>0.05）;Ⅰ组甘油三酯水平显著低于Ⅱ、Ⅲ组（P<0.05）;各组尿素氮和葡萄糖含量随营养水平的升高逐渐增大,且差异显著（P<0.05）;Ⅲ组胰岛素含量显著高于I组（P<0.05）;各组总蛋白含量无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,母猪妊娠后期饲喂营养水平为2.0倍维持需要的日粮时可使后备母猪分娩时体况达到标准水平,而饲喂营养水平为2.5倍维持需要的日粮可使母猪产仔性能得到提高。     

Impact of Probing the Reproductive Tract During Early Pregnancy on Fertility of Beef Cows

This short communication reports the impact of endometrial biopsies, uterine flushings and follicular fluid aspiration procedures at day 6 post artificial insemination (AI) on pregnancy rates. In Experiment 1, cows were timed AI (TAI) and assigned to the following treatment groups: control (n = 37), uterine flushing (n = 35) and endometrial biopsy (n = 38). On day 30 post AI, pregnancy rates were 40.5%, 33% and 28.5%, respectively (p > 0.1). Pregnancy rate on day 60 was lower (p < 0.004) in flushed cows than in the controls. In Experiment 2, oestrus was detected and cows were assigned to flushing (n = 32) or biopsy (n = 33) treatments 6 days after AI, which resulted in pregnancy rates of 31% and 36%, respectively (p > 0.1). In Experiment 3, cows were, 6 days after TAI, randomly assigned to the following treatments: control (n = 84) or aspiration of the largest follicle (n = 73). Pregnancy rates on day 30 post AI were 63.5% for the control group and 53% for the aspirated group (p > 0.1). In conclusion, uterine flushing and endometrial biopsy negatively affect pregnancy rates, but neither procedure can be considered to be incompatible with pregnancy maintenance. Follicular aspiration during pregnancy does not interact with pregnancy success. The amount and quality of samples obtained are compatible with the use of cellular and molecular analysis of uterine variables from cows that failed or succeeded on maintaining pregnancy.     

Glaucoma in a New Zealand White Rabbit Fed High-cholesterol Diet

Goniodysgenesis, malformation of the filtration angle, was observed in a New Zealand white rabbit supplied with 100 g/day rabbit chow containing 0.2% cholesterol for 10 months. Histopathology revealed cupping of the optic disc, atrophy of the retina and hyalinization of the ciliary body in the bilateral eyeballs. These findings corresponded with histopathological features caused by glaucoma. On the basis of these findings, we diagnosed this lesion as glaucoma, and classified it as primary glaucoma because of the presence of developmental defects of the filtration angle. In this case, hypercholesterolemia-induced changes, such as aggregation of lipid-laden macrophages and cholesterin clefts in the sclera or choroid, might cause deterioration of the lesions in glaucoma.     

海带粉对饲喂高精料饲粮奶牛瘤胃发酵参数和菌群结构的影响

本试验旨在探究海带粉作为饲料原料对饲喂高精料饲粮奶牛瘤胃发酵参数及菌群结构的影响。试验选用体重为(605±36)kg的健康泌乳中后期荷斯坦奶牛15头,随机分为3组,每组5头。采用随机试验设计,3组奶牛分别饲喂45%低精料饲粮、55%高精料饲粮和55%高精料+5%海带粉饲粮。试验期为35d,于试验末对晨饲前奶牛经口腔采集瘤胃液,测定其pH,氨态氮、微生物蛋白、挥发性脂肪酸浓度和菌群结构。结果显示:1)相比55%高精料饲粮,在55%高精料饲粮中添加5%海带粉后,瘤胃中pH显著升高(P<0.05),氨态氮和微生物蛋白的浓度显著降低(P<0.05),总挥发性脂肪酸的浓度以及挥发性脂肪酸中丁酸、异丁酸和异戊酸的比例显著增加(P<0.05)。2)在55%高精料饲粮中添加5%海带粉降低了样本独有的操作分类单元(OUT)数量,但对瘤胃细菌α多样性的影响不显著(P>0.05)。在门水平上,与44%低精料饲粮相比,55%高精料饲粮显著增加了瘤胃中放线菌门的相对丰度(P<0.05),显著降低了瘤胃中SR1_Absconditabacteria的相对丰度(P<0.05);而在55%高精料饲粮中添加5%海带粉后,瘤胃中拟杆菌门的相对丰度显著降低(P<0.05),瘤胃中厚壁菌门的相对丰度显著增加(P<0.05),同时进一步显著增加了瘤胃中放线菌门的相对丰度(P<0.05)。在属水平上,相对于45%低精料饲粮,55%高精料饲粮显著增加了瘤胃中瘤胃球菌属2(Ruminococcus_2)和毛螺菌科NK3A20类群(Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group)的相对丰度(P<0.05),显著降低了瘤胃中普雷沃氏菌属1(Prevotella_1)和普雷沃氏菌科UCG-003(Prevotellaceae_UCG-003)的相对丰度(P<0.05);在55%高精料饲粮中添加5%海带粉后,进一步显著降低了瘤胃中Prevotella_1的相对丰度(P<0.05),并显著增加了瘤胃中Ruminococcus_2的相对丰度(P<0.05)。综上可见,在55%高精料饲粮中添加5%的海带粉可以改善饲喂高精料饲粮奶牛的瘤胃发酵环境,调整瘤胃菌群结构,对瘤胃细菌多样性的影响较小。     

丁酸梭菌对高胆碱饮食小鼠血浆游离脂肪酸组成的影响

【目的】分析丁酸梭菌对高胆碱饮食造成脂代谢异常小鼠血浆游离脂肪酸组成(FFA)的影响,以阐明丁酸梭菌调节高胆碱膳食脂代谢的作用机制。【方法】选取4周龄健康的雄性昆明小鼠24只,随机分为3组：正常组、模型组和丁酸梭菌组,每组8只。高胆碱饮食造模8周后,给药7 d,禁食12 h,采集血浆、肝脏、附睾脂肪垫和肾周脂肪,对肝脏、脂肪称重,利用生化仪检测血脂水平;通过HE染色及油红O染色分别观察肝脏组织结构变化及脂滴沉积程度;利用液相色谱-质谱联用(LC-MS)技术检测小鼠血浆氧化三甲胺(TMAO)含量;利用气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)技术及多元统计分析研究血浆中FFA组成。【结果】与模型组相比,丁酸梭菌组小鼠体重、脂肪增长得到显著抑制(P<0.05),给予丁酸梭菌后小鼠肝脏脂肪沉积减少;丁酸梭菌显著或极显著降低了高胆碱饮食小鼠血浆中甘油三酯(TG)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)含量(P<0.05;P<0.01),并使高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)含量显著升高(P<0.05);丁酸梭菌灌胃后,高胆碱饮食小鼠血浆TMAO浓度显著降低(P<0.05);丁酸梭菌可显著降低高...     

Effects of ad libitum feeding on performance of different strains of broiler breeders

(1) Tolerance to ad libitum feeding was compared in three genotypes of broiler breeder hens: a standard broiler breeder fed ad libitum (SA) or restricted (SR), a slow growing 'label' broiler breeder (L) and an experimental dwarf heavy broiler breeder (E). Two similar experiments were conducted in two distinct research centres. (2) Feed intake and body weight were measured every 3 weeks from hatch to 40 to 49 weeks of age. Egg production and egg abnormalities were recorded. The number of yellow follicles in ovaries was counted at the age of 32 weeks. (3) Body weight was stabilised at 2.2, 3.7 and 5.4 kg after 24 weeks of age in L, E and SA hens, respectively. Growth of the SR hens was similar to that of L up to 20 weeks and stabilised at a similar level to that of E hens after 30 weeks of age. (4) Sexual maturity was delayed by 6 weeks in restricted breeders compared to ad libitum fed hens that started to lay at 20 weeks. SA hens had low egg production and a high proportion of defective eggs, which was largely compensated for by feed restriction. However, productivity of SR hens remained lower than that of L breeders. (5) Compared to the low viability and reproductive fitness observed with SA hens, the E dwarf broiler breeder tolerated ad libitum feeding and had better egg production, fewer egg abnormalities and yellow follicles per ovary and a higher egg production. However, laying rate was still lower than that of the SR and L groups. Energy conversion (kJ/g egg) from 32 to 40 weeks of age was much higher in the SA group than in the other three groups. 6. The feasibility of feeding a dwarf broiler breeder ad libitum calls for further research on implications of specific IGF and GH-receptor expression at the level of the ovary in dw chickens.     

猪妊娠期母胎对话的研究进展

母胎对话是母体与胎儿在妊娠过程中建立的一种复杂对话关系,是成功附植和妊娠的必要条件,这一对话关系受到众多因素的调控。母胎对话异常会导致胚胎附植及妊娠的失败,并影响妊娠期胎儿的正常发育,因此妊娠期的母胎对话对于提高繁殖效率意义重大。本文主要以猪为模式动物综述了母体与胎儿从妊娠识别(妊娠前)、胚胎附植(妊娠中)到胎儿发育(妊娠后)过程中影响母胎对话的因素,包括激素、细胞因子、黏附因子、基因和蛋白质等,以期为猪母胎对话的研究和产仔数提高提供参考。