Effects of phytoestrogens on testosterone secretion by Leydig cells from Biłgoraj ganders (Anser anser)

1. The aim of this study was to examine ganders at different stages of the reproductive season and the effect of: (1) diets with high phytoestrogen content and (2) in vitro phytoestrogen treatment on testosterone secretion by isolated Leydig cells.

2. Thirty-six male Bi?goraj geese were fed control diets with low phytoestrogen content (containing grass meal) and diets with high phytoestrogens (containing alfalfa meal and soy).

3. Testes were obtained from both groups of ganders at three different times of the breeding season: peak of reproductive activity (March), second half of reproductive activity (May) and beginning of photorefractoriness (July).

4. Isolated Leydig cells were incubated with LH as well as genistein, daidzein, equol and coumestrol and the concentration of testosterone in the medium was determined by radioimmunoassay.

5. The mean weight of testes from ganders in May and July decreased relative to their weights in March, but no significant differences among experimental groups were noted.

6. No differences were observed in basal and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion by Leydig cells of ganders fed the control diets and the diets with higher phytoestrogen content. In July, LH did not stimulate testosterone secretion in either group. In vitro treatment with genistein, daidzein and equol (5 and 50?µM) inhibited basal and LH-stimulated testosterone production by Leydig cells from both groups. Coumestrol (5 and 50?µM) inhibited basal testosterone secretion only in March in the control group.

7. Dietary exposure to phytoestrogens had a slight effect on in vitro testicular secretion in ganders. In vitro treatment with phytoestrogen inhibited testosterone production by Leydig cells. Genistein showed the strongest effect and coumestrol had the weakest influence on testicular secretion.     

光照对马岗鹅季节性繁殖活动和内分泌的调控

研究了光照对马岗鹅季节性繁殖活动和内分泌的调控。在整个试验期（2004.01.13-12.18）对照组接受自然光照,处理组接受人工控制的长短光照处理。在非繁殖期（4-7月份）,对照组公母鹅血浆PRL浓度升高,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平降低,鹅换羽;在繁殖期（8-3月份）,公母鹅血浆PRL水平下降,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平则上升。在处理组,延长光照均使公母鹅PRL浓度升高,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平降低,鹅群进入休产期并换羽;缩短光照则降低PRL水平,促进LH分泌和公鹅睾酮水平上升,鹅群进入繁殖期。整个试验阶段,两组中公鹅甲状腺素T3水平均无明显季节性变化,处理组和对照组母鹅平均产蛋48.8和26.3枚,前者比后者高85.6%。试验结果表明,长光照抑制,短光照促进马岗鹅繁殖活动,光照通过调节PRL和LH的分泌调控马岗鹅繁殖活动的季节性变化。     

The influence of caecectomy on amino acid availability of three feedstuffs for ganders

1. Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of caecectomy on amino acid availability (AAA) of three feedstuffs for goose. 2. Nine caecectomised and 9 intact Yangzhou ganders, 24 weeks old, were used in these experiments. Fish meal, soybean meal and cottonseed meal were used as the sole source of protein. The endogenous amino acid (AA) losses were evaluated by a nitrogen (N)-free diet method. The influence of caecectomy on apparent amino acid availability (AAAA) in fish meal, soybean meal and cottonseed meal was assessed in experiment 1 and true amino acid availability (TAAA) of three protein diets was determined in experiment 2. 3. Results showed that, in the soybean meal and cottonseed meal, the AAAA and TAAA of most AA determined by the intact ganders were higher than in the caecectomised ganders; in the fish meal, the AAAA and TAAA of most AA determined by the intact ganders were lower than in the caecectomised ganders. 4. Results of the present study suggest that the effect of caecectomy on AAA in geese was dependent on the feedstuff assayed, and it was better to use caecectomised poultry for AAA assessment.     

Seasonal and photoperiodic regulation of secretion of hormones associated with reproduction in Magang goose ganders

This study examined the reproductive endocrine profile under natural and artificial photoperiods in Magang goose ganders. Group 1 ganders (n=8) served as non-treated controls and were exposed to natural photoperiod throughout the experiment from 13th January to 17th December 2004. Group 2 ganders (n=8) were exposed to 18 h long daily photoperiod for 60 days from 13 January till 15 March 2004 and again to 16 h photoperiod for 75 days till 10th October 2004, and the 11h short photoperiod in the remainder periods of the experiment. In control ganders, plasma LH concentrations were high in normal breeding seasons (August-March) and decreased to low levels in non-breeding season from April to July. Testosterone concentrations changed similarly to that of LH throughout the seasons. Seasonal pattern of PRL concentrations was opposite to those of LH and testosterone, with low values in breeding season and high values in non-breeding season. In artificial photoperiod treated ganders, increasing photoperiod increased PRL and decreased LH and testosterone concentrations, while decreasing photoperiod reversed these changes. There were no seasonal or photoperiod caused changes in plasma T3 concentrations in both control ganders and artificial photoperiod treated ganders. These results demonstrated that in Magang goose ganders that long photoperiod stimulates PRL secretion and decreases LH secretion, which terminates reproductive season in spring and early summer, and short photoperiod stimulates LH secretion and inhibits PRL secretion rendering ganders enter into reproductive season.     

不同水平膨化血粉对生长鹅生产性能及盲肠微生物菌群的影响

为了研究不同水平膨化血粉对生长鹅生长性能及盲肠微生物菌群的影响,试验选择300只28日龄、体重为(1 142.68±50.64)g的豁眼鹅,随机分为3组(日粮中分别添加1.5%、3.0%、4.5%的膨化血粉),每组设5个重复,每个重复20只鹅,进行为期28 d的饲养试验。结果表明:不同水平的膨化血粉对生长鹅的生长性能有显著的影响,3.0%膨化血粉组的平均日增重、平均日采食量显著高于膨化血粉4.5%组、膨化血粉1.5%组;在料重比方面,3.0%膨化血粉组显著低于其他两组。在3种不同水平的膨化血粉处理中,3.0%膨化血粉组乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量显著高于其他组,而大肠杆菌的数量却最低;1.5%膨化血粉组乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌的数量均低于其他组,而大肠杆菌的数量在3种处理中最高。说明在生长鹅的基础日粮中添加3.0%膨化血粉具有较好的应用效果。     

Dietary L-carnitine increases plasma leptin concentrations of gestating sows fed one meal per day

Thirty-four sows (parity=1.8; BW=206 kg) were used to determine the influence of L-carnitine and/or chromium tripicolinate on plasma leptin concentrations of gestating sows fed one meal daily. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with main effects of carnitine (0 or 50 ppm) and chromium (0 or 200 ppb). Diets were fed for approximately 167 days (through one gestation, the following lactation, the interval from weaning to estrus, and 28 days into the following gestation) prior to blood collection. Leptin concentration was determined in plasma that was collected at feeding, every 15 min for the first 3h after feeding, and at 6, 9, 15, 20, and 24h after feeding. Sows fed diets containing carnitine had greater (P<0.02) overall mean plasma leptin concentrations and greater (P<0.05) leptin concentrations at 2.25, 3, 6, 15, 20, and 24h after feeding compared to sows fed either the control diet or the diet containing chromium. Leptin concentrations of sows fed diets containing carnitine also were greater (P<0.05) than control sows at 2.5 and 2.75 h postprandial and greater than (P<0.05) sows fed diets with both carnitine and chromium at 6h after feeding. Chromium had no effect (P>0.10) on plasma leptin concentration. These results suggest that dietary carnitine, but not chromium, increases circulating leptin in gestating sows fed one meal per day. These results may help to explain the improvements in reproductive function previously observed from feeding sows diets containing carnitine.     

不同膨化血粉水平对生长鹅营养物质代谢及血清生化指标的影响

选择300只28日龄、体重（1142.68±50.64） g的豁眼鹅,随机分为3组,每组设5个重复,每个重复20只鹅,进行为期28 d的饲养试验。在3组日粮中分别添加1.5%、3.0%、4.5%的膨化血粉,研究不同水平的膨化血粉对生长鹅日粮营养物质表观代谢率及血清生化指标的影响。结果表明：①各日粮营养物质表观代谢率以3.0%膨化血粉组最高,与1.5%膨化血粉组和4.5%膨化血粉组相比,ADF、CP的表观代谢率显著提高（P＜0.05）;NDF、E的表观代谢率,3.0%膨化血粉组显著高于4.5%膨化血粉组（P＜0.05）;各营养物质表观代谢率在1.5%膨化血粉组和4.5%膨化血粉组间差异均不显著（P＞0.05）。②血清中ALT、AST、ALB、GLOB和TP 5个指标均以3.0%膨化血粉组最高,但各组间差异均不显著（P＞0.05）。综合各项指标,本试验条件下,豁眼生长鹅日粮中膨化血粉的最适添加量为3.0%。     

玉米干酒糟及其可溶物对仔鹅生长性能及肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平玉米干酒糟及其可溶物（ＤＤＧＳ）对仔鹅生长性能和肉品质的影响。选取 １６０只 ３周龄扬州鹅（母）,随机分为 ４个组,每个组 ４个重复,每个重复１０只鹅。对照组饲喂玉米 －豆粕型基础饲粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组玉米 ＤＤＧＳ占饲粮的比例分别为 １０％、２０％、３０％。在试验期每周末称量禁食 １２ｈ后的仔鹅体重,以重复为单位记录周采食量,在仔鹅 １０周龄末屠宰采样,分离胸肌和腿肌,测定仔鹅肉品质。预试期 １周,正试期 ６周（４～１０周龄）。结果表明：饲粮中添加玉米 ＤＤＧＳ对试验组的平均日采食量、料重比无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）;５周龄时,试验Ⅰ组的体重显著高于试验Ⅲ组（Ｐ＜０．０５）,８、９周龄时,试验Ⅱ组的体重显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）,但在整个试验期间各组的平均日增重无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。试验组胸肌的 ｐＨ、肉色、剪切力、失水率与对照组无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。在脂质过氧化水平测试期第 １天,试验Ⅰ和Ⅱ组硫代巴比妥酸反应物含量显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）,在第４、５天,３个试验组均显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）,从整个测试期的每天测试结果看,各组间的硫代巴比妥酸反应物含量均有随着玉米 ＤＤＧＳ添加水平的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势。综上所述,在仔鹅的饲粮中添加至 ３０％的玉米 ＤＤＧＳ对仔鹅的生长和常规的肉品质指标无不利影响,但会提高仔鹅肌肉的脂质氧化水平,容易引起酸败。     

Carob pod (Ceratonia siliqua) meal in geese diets.

1. The apparent and true metabolisable energy values of carob pods meal for geese were measured to be 6.1 MJ/kg and 6.6 MJ/kg respectively. 2. Performance from 5 to 12 weeks was examined in geese fed on four diets containing 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg of carob pods meal. 3. The inclusion of carob pods meal up to 200 g/kg in geese diets did not affect the performance. 4. At 300 g/kg performance was highly depressed. 5. The digestibility of protein in the diets decreased linearly with an increase in the level of inclusion of carob pods meal. 6. The length of small intestine, large intestine and caeca and the weight of gizzard expressed per kg of body weight increased with an increase in the level of carob pods meal, which is rich in fibre, in the diets.     

鹅对11种非常规饲料代谢能和纤维利用率的研究

本研究旨在探索鹅对不同非常规饲料的利用率。试验以30只成年太湖鹅公鹅为研究对象,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复1只鹅,其中1组为内源排泄物对照组。空腹24h后,每组强饲1种饲料,各组内每只鹅强饲量相同,内源排泄物对照组不强饲。采用平板收粪法收集24h排泄物。2次试验间恢复期12d。测定生产中常见的11种非常规饲料代谢能(ME)和中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、半纤维素(HC)利用率。结果表明:鹅对啤酒糟、白酒糟、瘪稻、黑麦草粉、稻壳、玉米秸、稻草、麦秸、麦糠、平菇菌糠、花生藤的真代谢能(TME)分别为9.29、8.67、8.97、5.89、3.85、3.10、3.32、3.02、5.29、2.48、3.15M J/kg。用TME法测得的11种非常规饲料的NDF利用率为6.14%~45.01%,ADF利用率为4.52%~32.57%,HC利用率为18.45%~61.59%。TME最佳一元预测方程为TM E=12.205-0.232CF(R2=0.817)。研究结果显示鹅对非常规饲料有较高的利用率,能量利用率和粗纤维(CF)的含量呈极显著的负相关。试验所测ME值可为非常规饲料合理利用,准确计算与调整鹅饲料配方提供参考依据。     

外生殖器发育不全公鹅睾丸组织学及血浆睾酮水平研究

本试验以天府肉鹅母系 (四川白鹅 ,WW)、天府肉鹅父系 (川朗鹅 ,WL)、朗德鹅 (LL)为试验材料 ,研究不同品种公鹅和外生殖器官发育不同 (发育正常 :WLn、LLn ,发育异常 :WLa、LLa)公鹅睾丸的形态学、组织学特性、超微结构及血浆睾酮水平。结果表明 :公鹅睾丸重量、体积、曲细精管直径、生殖上皮高度、生殖细胞总数的数密度、精原细胞的数密度、精母细胞的数密度、精细胞的数密度、精子的数密度、间质细胞的数密度 ,WW公鹅显著大于WLn和LLn ;WLn大于LLn ,但差异不显著 ;WLn、LLn显著大于WLa和LLa ;WLa与LLa间差异不显著。公鹅睾丸超微结构可观察到各级生殖细胞数量WW多于WLn和LLn ;WLn、LLn多于WLa和LLa ;血浆睾酮水平 ,WW公鹅显著高于WLn和LLn ;WLn、LLn显著高于WLa和LLa ;WLn显著高于LLn ,WLa显著高于LLa。睾丸重量、体积及定量组织学指标与阴茎发育情况、血浆睾酮水平高低有关 ,因此可以通过观测公鹅阴茎发育情况、血浆睾酮水平 ,来对种公鹅进行选择。     

Boar Taint is Related to Endocrine and Anatomical Changes at Puberty but not to Aggressive Behaviour in Entire Male Pigs

This study aimed to describe the association between incidence of boar taint and pubertal changes in gonadal hormones, size of reproductive organs and aggressive behaviour in entire male pigs. In total, 111 entire male pigs were included in the study. Sampling was performed first at 90 kg live weight (LW) and, then, at 115 kg LW. Variables measured were skatole and androstenone levels in plasma and fat, testosterone and oestrone sulphate in plasma, free oestrone in fat, weight of testes and length of bulbourethral glands. Aggressive interactions between pigs were registered when a limited amount of feed was provided to the pigs prior to routine feeding. The number of initiated interactions (attacks) and the difference between number of initiated and received interactions (relative attacks) were calculated for each pig. Multivariate analysis revealed that gonadal hormones and reproductive organ size influenced prevalence of boar taint, accounting for 30% of the variation in skatole levels in fat and for 37% of the variation in androstenone levels in fat. These relations were independent of aggression levels in entire male pigs. Skatole levels were influenced by the levels of oestrone sulphate in plasma and free oestrone in fat, but not levels of plasma testosterone. Pigs with testes weight below 565 g and a bulbourethral gland length <90 mm did not produce high amounts of skatole; therefore, these values can be used as a threshold level to detect pig carcasses with low skatole levels. High androstenone levels could not be predicted by measuring reproductive organ sizes. More research is required to develop a rapid and accurate method for the analysis of carcasses of entire male pigs.     

Effects of supplemental vitamin E in diet of Japanese quail on male reproduction, fertility and hatchability

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding higher supplemental vitamin E (VE) concentrations on male reproductive variables, fertility and hatchability of quails. 2. In experiment 1, sixty 5-week-old male quails, reared in individual cages, were fed male breeder diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg. At 10 weeks, observations on cloacal gland size, foam production, testes weight and blood samples for testosterone estimation were taken. 3. In experiment 2, 50 male and 50 female cage-reared quails (5 weeks old) were fed male breeder and layer rations, respectively, supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. At 13 weeks, 9 different mating pairs (5 pairs/group) were formed. Group 1 contained one control male and one control female in each of 5 pens. In groups 2 to 5, control males were paired with females on supplements of 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. In groups 6 to 9, control females were paired with males on supplements of 75, 150, 225 and 300 IU/kg. During subsequent adaptation and egg collection periods, each of 10 d, control layer ration was fed to all groups. All the eggs laid during the 10-d egg collection period were incubated artificially to estimate fertility and hatchability. The trial was repeated at 15 weeks. 4. Adult male quails receiving moderate supplemental VE (75 and 150 IU/kg) had a higher cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone than quails fed on either VE-deficient or more highly supplemented diets (225 and 300 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg). 5. It was concluded that a supplement of 75 IU VE/kg in maize/soybean diet could provide the best reproductive performance of male breeder quails. Cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone can serve as indirect indicators of testicular activity and fertilising ability in quails. Supplemental VE did not affect the fertility and hatchability of male and female Japanese quails.     

Oral administration of Kaempferia parviflora did not disturb male reproduction in rats

To investigate the androgenic effect of Kaempferia parviflora (KP), a Thai herbal plant, adult male rats were randomized into control and KP-treatment groups. Rats were treated orally with water in the control group and with 1,000 mg/kg/day of KP in the treatment group for 45 days. Blood samples were collected on days 10, 20, 30 and 45 for measurement of the serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, progesterone and corticosterone levels. The reproductive and non-reproductive organs were dissected on day 45 and weighed. Mating behavior was also observed on days 20 and 30. Body weight was measured throughout the study period. The results showed that KP induced an increase in body weight compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in the weights of either reproductive (testis, seminal vesicle plus coagulating gland, levator ani muscle plus bulbocarvernosus muscle and glans penis, except the prostate gland) or non-reproductive organs (kidney, adrenal gland and gastracnemius muscle). There were no significant differences in serum levels of either FSH or LH between the two groups. The serum testosterone and progesterone levels were insignificantly lower in the KP group during the first 30 days. The serum corticosterone levels in the KP group were lower than those in the controls throughout the study period and were significantly low on days 20 and 30. There were no significant changes in mating behavior in the rats treated with KP. Although KP affected the body weight and serum corticosterone level, it did not affect mating behavior, reproductive and non-reproductive organ weights or hormones related to the reproductive system in the adult male rats. Therefore, we conclude that the testosterone-like effect of KP did not disturb the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis or male reproduction.     

不同蛋白源对生长鹅营养物质代谢及血清生化指标的影响

为了研究等比例的鱼粉、膨化血粉和普通血粉对生长鹅日粮营养物质表观代谢率及血清生化指标的影响,选择了300只28日龄、体重(1 142.68±50.64)g的豁眼鹅,随机分为3组,每组设5个重复,每个重复20只鹅,进行为期28 d的饲养试验。结果表明:各饲粮营养物质表观代谢率及血清生化指标的高低顺序为鱼粉组>膨化血粉组>血粉组,在鱼粉组和膨化血粉组间差异不显著(P>0.05);鱼粉组和膨化血粉的NDF、ADF、CP、E的表观代谢率,血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)活性、白蛋白(ALB)含量均显著高于血粉组(P<0.05);总蛋白(TP)含量,鱼粉组显著高于血粉组(P<0.05),而膨化血粉组和血粉组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合各项指标,本试验条件下,可用3.0%膨化血粉替代相同水平的鱼粉用于豁眼生长鹅的日粮中。     

皖西白鹅3种常用蛋白饲料原料的氨基酸标准回肠消化率测定

为研究皖西白鹅对常用蛋白饲料原料豆粕、菜籽粕及DDGS的氨基酸标准回肠消化率（SIAAD）,选取体重相近的56日龄皖西白鹅288只,随机分为24个饲喂栏,每个饲喂栏12只（公、母各半）,试验期为35 d,0~28 d为预饲期,全部饲喂相同基础日粮;29~35 d为试验期,分别饲喂待测饲粮和无氮饲粮6 d,每种饲粮6个饲喂栏（重复）,第35天早上饲喂前采集回肠食糜并测定食糜中的氨基酸含量。结果显示：豆粕、菜籽粕和DDGS的平均SIAAD分别为88.30%、81.17%、88.99%,且豆粕和DDGS平均SIAAD显著（P<0.05）高于菜籽粕。豆粕中氨基酸的SIAAD如下：赖氨酸（Lys）81.27%、蛋氨酸（Met）95.14%、苏氨酸（Thr）85.08%、缬氨酸（Val）88.25%、亮氨酸（Leu）88.20%、异亮氨酸（Ile）87.33%、苯丙氨酸（Phe）91.66%、组氨酸（His）87.77%和精氨酸（Arg）92.18%;菜籽粕氨基酸的SIAAD如下：Lys 75.19%、Met 87.87%、Thr 82.96%、Val 84.25%、Leu 83.19%、Ile 81.94%、Phe 86.08%、His 84.39%和Arg 83.10%;DDGS 中氨基酸的SIAAD如下：Lys 83.74%、Met 94.59%、Thr 90.85%、Val 91.97%、Leu 93.67%、Ile 91.38%、Phe 94.73%、His 90.59%和Arg 94.09%。该试验结果为豆粕、菜籽粕和DDGS在皖西白鹅饲粮上的高效利用和合理配制低氮饲粮提供数据参考。     

Effects of lighting intensity on growth and reproductive performance of breeder geese

This study investigated the effects of lighting intensity on egg production among white Roman geese kept in an environmentally controlled house. Two hundred and fifty-two White Roman geese aged 10 mo were randomly distributed among 12 pens, with each pen containing 5 ganders and 16 females on the floor, based on a completely random design (CRD). At the beginning of the study, each treatment group was comprised of 5 ganders and 16 geese in each pen; these groups included: control (40 lux group), geese under 170 lux (170 lux group), geese under 300 lux (300 lux group), and geese under 430 lux (430 lux group). The age of the geese at first lay was 10 mo, on average. The results showed that geese under 40 lux in egg number per goose or laying rate had lower than those of the 430 lux group. The reproductive characteristics were no different for the 170 lux, 300 lux, or 430 lux light groups. The hatchability in the 170 lux light group was significantly higher than in the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the egg weight in the 170 lux and 430 lux groups was significantly heavier than the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Therefore, if lighting intensity supplementation of lux is defined as X (lux/geese), and egg number production is defined as Y₄ (egg), then Y₄ = 35.7 + 0.46X-0.002X²+0.00000296X³ (R² = 0.868, P < 0.001) for the entire experimental period. In conclusion, geese raised under 170 lux lighting intensity in an environmentally controlled house achieved higher hatchability and egg weight during the laying season.     

Nutritional value and physiological effects of soya-free diets fed to rats during growth and reproduction

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of substitution milk and egg for soya products in breeding diets for rats, with concomitant decrease of the dietary protein level and supplementation with amino acids. Soya-containing (S) and two soya-free (NS and NSA) diets were evaluated as protein and energy sources, and their effects on reproductive performance during two cycles, and on the quality of the offspring were assessed. Organ weights were registered in females and blood parameters were determined in males. In the offspring males from S and NS groups, plasma LH, testosterone and prolactin levels were measured on the 22nd and the 60th day of life. The S diet contained more protein of smaller concentration of methionine and cystine and lower biological value than both NS and NSA diets and promoted similar post-weaning growth rate, similar body weight changes of dams during gestation and lactation and slightly lower mating efficiency. Within each reproductive cycle, the number and individual and total body weight of newborn and weanling pups did not differ but in two cycles mean number of neonates per litter and mean litter weight were significantly lower on S than on NSA diet. Plasma concentration of hormones did not differ in 22-day-old offspring males while in the older ones LH and prolactin levels were higher in animals fed on S than on NS diet. It is concluded that replacing soya protein by milk and egg protein with concomitant lowering dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation does not impair the growth rate and tends to improve reproductive performance. Feeding soya-free vs. soya-containing diets differentiates hormonal status of young males.     

Effect of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism on adrenal and gonadal functions in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

To investigate the effect of hypothyroidism on gonadal and adrenal functions in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), hypothyroidism was induced in male adult Japanese quail by daily administration of 2-Mercapto-1-methylimidazole (methimazole) in their drinking water. Four weeks after methimazole treatment, the Japanese quail were sacrificed, and the plasma concentrations of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total T3 (TT3), total T4 (TT4), corticosterone, testosterone, LH and immunoreactive (ir) inhibins were measured by radioimmunoassay, the testes and adrenal glands were removed and weighed and the thyroid glands and testes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histological observation. The results showed that the hypothyroidism induced by methimazole caused a significant decrease in body and testes weight; the plasma levels of FT3, FT4 and TT4 significantly decreased, and the hypothyroid quail possessed a greater number of small follicles and more follicular epithelial cells in the thyroid gland. In addition, hypothyroidism resulted in a significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of corticosterone, LH, testosterone and ir-inhibin. Furthermore, no spermatogenesis was found in the seminiferous tubules of the methimazole treatment groups. These results clearly demonstrate that hypothyroidism caused both gonadal and adrenal disturbances in the adult male Japanese quail.     

日粮粗纤维水平对鹅生产性能、代谢激素和生化指标的影响

以500只29日龄生长鹅为试验动物,以砻糠和玉米秸秆为主要纤维源,进行28 d的饲养试验,研究日粮在等能量等蛋白水平下,不同粗纤维(crude fiber,CF)水平(3%、5%、7%、9%和11%)对鹅生产性能、代谢激素和血清生化指标的影响。结果表明:随着日粮粗纤维水平的增加,生长鹅的日采食量呈增加的趋势,但各处理组间差异不显著(P>0.05),饲料转化率和日增重呈先增加后减少的趋势(P<0.05);5?组与7?组生长鹅的生产性能最佳,与11?组相比,日增重分别提高了22.60%与24.25%(P<0.05),饲料转化率分别改善了22.65%与21.74%(P<0.05);日粮粗纤维水平对生长鹅血清中血糖(GLU)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、生长激素(GH)和IGF-I有显著影响(P<0.05),而对尿酸(UA)、总蛋白(TP)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、胰高血糖素(GLU)、胰岛素(INS)、促甲状腺素(TSH)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和甲状腺素(T4)均无显著影响(P>0.05)。