The influence of premating feed intake on the reproductive performance of gilts.

In an attempt to improve the reproductive performance of gilts mated at puberty, 70 Yorkshire x Landrace gilts were allocated at 120 d of age and 60 kg body weight to one of two treatments. Restricted gilts were fed 2.0 kg d-1 of a diet formulated to provide 18% crude protein and 14.5 MJ DE kg-1 from selection until mated at their first estrus (n = 35). Flushed gilts were fed 2.0 kg d-1 of the same diet from 120 to 150 d of age, but then had their feed intake increased to 3.5 kg d-1 until mated at their first estrus (n = 35). An additional group of gilts (control fed; n = 33) were fed 3.0 kg d-1 from selection until they were bred at their third estrus in order to investigate the influence of feed restriction on the onset of puberty. During gestation all gilts were fed 1.8 to 2.2 kg d-1 of a 16.8% crude protein diet having 13.7 MJ DE kg-1. Control fed gilts were younger (p less than 0.05) at puberty (150 d) than restricted (165 d) or flushed gilts (165 d). There was no difference in subsequent litter size between the restricted and flushed gilts (7.7 and 8.0, respectively). It is concluded that the institution of a flushing nutritional regime in the prepubertal period will not enhance piglet production from gilts mated at puberty.     

The effect of infusion of urea into the vena cava on feed intake of finishing gilts

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between feed intake and plasma urea concentration. In Exp. 1, six gilts (BW 53 kg) with catheters in their venae cavae were used in a 5x5+1 Latin square design to determine the amount of infused urea needed to mimic the plasma urea concentration of pigs fed a 25% CP diet. Five gilts were fed a 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet and were infused continuously with either saline or one of four doses of urea (6, 12, 18, and 24 g/d) during each of five periods (12 h/period). Between periods, infusions were stopped for 36 h. The sixth pig was fed a 25% CP diet and infused with saline during each of the experimental periods. Venous blood samples were obtained at 1-h intervals starting 1 h before infusion. As expected, plasma urea concentration increased with increasing amount of urea infused. A daily infusion of 24 g of urea resulted in a plasma urea concentration similar to that of the pig fed the 25% CP diet with saline infusion. In Exp. 2, 12 gilts (BW 60 kg) were used in a crossover design. Pigs received a 16% CP diet and a different treatment (saline or 24 or 30 g/d of urea) in each of three infusion periods. Each infusion period lasted 2 wk. Infusions were stopped for 2 d between periods. Blood samples were obtained before infusion and daily after infusions started. Feeders were weighed daily to determine ADFI. Experiment 3 was similar to Exp. 2, except that only two treatments (saline and 30 g/d of urea) were used. Data from Exp. 2 and 3 were combined for statistical analysis. Plasma urea concentration increased linearly (P<.001) with increasing amount of urea infused. Overall, there was a trend (P<.10) for urea infusion to decrease ADFI, and pigs infused with 30 g/d consumed less (P<.05) feed than pigs infused with saline. Therefore, plasma urea concentration may play a role in regulating feed intake in gilts consuming excess protein.     

Consequences of different patterns of feed intake during the estrous cycle in gilts on subsequent fertility

The impact of different patterns of feed restriction between d 1 and 15 of the estrous cycle on subsequent reproductive performance of 23 trios of littermate gilts was tested. Some gilts were fed a high plane of nutrition (HH gilts) throughout the cycle, in contrast to HR gilts, which were restricted from d 8 to 15, and RH gilts, which were restricted from d 1 to 7. During feed restriction, weight gain in RH gilts (2.5 +/- .7 kg) was lower (P = .006) between d 1 and d 7 than in their HH and HR littermates (5.6 +/- .7 and 5.6 +/- .8 kg, respectively) and it was lower (P = .0001) in HR gilts (5.5 +/- .5 kg) between d 8 to d 15 than in their HH and RH counterparts (8.5 +/- .4 and 9.4 +/- .5 kg, respectively). There were no differences in backfat changes among groups. Embryonic survival in HR gilts at d 28 of gestation (68.3 +/- 4.8%) was lower (P < .05) than in HH and RH gilts (83.6 +/- 4.3 and 81.7 +/- 4.5%, respectively). Plasma progesterone concentrations in HR gilts were lower (P < .05) at 48 and 72 h after onset of standing estrus (.82 +/- .2 and 3.6 +/- .5 ng/mL, respectively) than in HH and RH gilts (1.44 +/- .2 and 1.24 +/- .2 ng/mL, 5.0 +/- .4 and 5.0 +/- .5 ng/mL, respectively at 48 and 72 h). No differences in ovulation rate were observed among treatments. Placental area was positively correlated to embryo size at d 28 (embryo size = .0003 x (area) + 18.35; r = .28, P = .03) but placental volume was negatively correlated to the number of embryos in utero (placental volume = -4.317 x (number) + 207.55, r = -.39, P = .002). These data demonstrate that the timing of feed restriction during follicular development has important consequences for subsequent embryo survival, possibly mediated by differences in progesterone concentrations in early pregnancy.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on prolactin secretion in ovariectomized gilts

Five ovariectomized (OVX) gilts were placed in each of two chambers at 20 C with a photoperiod of 12 h light and 12 h dark for 8 d (12L:12D). On d 1, blood samples were collected via jugular cannula every 30 min from 0830 to 1630. At 1630, 200 micrograms of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) were injected iv and blood samples taken every 10 min for 1 h and every 30 min for the next 2 h. On d 2, samples were taken every 30 min from 0830 to 0930 and from 1530 to 1630. Temperature was changed to 10 C or 30 C on d 3. Samples were taken from 0830 to 1630 on d 3, 4 and 9. At 1630 on d 9, the TRH challenge was repeated. Mean basal serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL) were similar for all gilts and for all periods. However, serum PRL response (ng PRL X ml-1 X 150 min-1) to TRH increased (P less than .0001) after exposure to 30 C, while exposure to 10 C failed to alter PRL response. In Exp. 2, six ovariectomized gilts were assigned to each chamber. The protocol of Exp. 1 was followed through d 3, except temperature and photoperiod were changed to 10 C and 8L:16D or 30 C and 16L:8D. On d 34 the TRH challenge was repeated. Mean basal serum concentration of PRL was similar for all gilts and all periods. However, simultaneous increases in temperature and photoperiod increased (P less than .005) serum PRL response to TRH, whereas simultaneous decreases in temperature and photoperiod failed to alter PRL response to TRH.     

The relationship between residual feed intake and feed intake behavior in group-housed Duroc barrows

Because feed is the major input in pork production, conversion of feed into lean tissue at minimum costs has been a focus for improvement. Several researchers have proposed using residual feed intake (RFI) rather than feed conversion ratio (FCR) for genetic improvement of feed efficiency. Little is known about the variation in RFI in pigs. As several studies suggest a greater RFI is related to greater animal activity levels, the current study investigated the phenotypic relationship between RFI and feed intake (FI) behavior of 104 group-housed growing Duroc barrows allowed ad libitum access to feed. Feed intake, BW gain, feeding time (TIME), feeding frequency (VISITS), RFI, and FCR were calculated for 5 periods of 14, 23, 28, 21, or 23 d in length (periods 1 through 5, respectively) on animals that were between 73 to 95 d of age at the start of the testing period. Barrows that grew faster consumed more feed (P < 0.001), and barrows that consumed more feed were fatter (P < 0.01). There were no correlations between VISITS and TIME, between VISITS and FI, or between VISITS and RFI. Barrows that spent more time at the feeder, however, consumed more feed (P < 0.05) and had greater RFI in periods 1, 3, and 5 (P < 0.05). As expected, FI and FCR were highly correlated with RFI (P < 0.001). These results suggest that a greater FI rather than greater feed intake activity resulted in greater RFI values.     

The effects of salt loading via two different routes on feed intake, body water turnover rate and electrolyte excretion in sheep.

The effect of dosing identical amounts of sodium chloride, via 2 different routes, on feed intake and water and electrolyte balance was investigated in sheep. Feed intake and plasma sodium concentrations were unaffected by salt loading, while water intake, fractional turnover of body water, plasma and urine potassium concentrations and urine sodium concentration changed significantly from control values (P less than 0.05). With a few exceptions, parameters were in general similar irrespective of the route whereby sodium chloride was administered.     

Luteinizing hormone secretion in ovariectomized gilts: effects of age, reproductive state and estrogen replacement

Crossbred gilts were ovariectomized (OVX) at 120, 150, 180 and 210 d of age to determine whether various characteristics of luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations are influenced by age and reproductive state (prepuberal vs postpuberal). All 120-d-old gilts were prepuberal and all 210-d-old animals were postpuberal, whereas gilts 150 and 180 d old included both prepuberal and postpuberal animals. Blood was collected at 15-min intervals for 2 h, 2 d before OVX (d -2), and 2 (d +2), 8 (d +8) and 14 (d +14) d after OVX. Mean LH concentrations for prepuberal gilts were similar among age groups (P greater than .05) on d -2 and +2; however, LH increased (P greater than .05) from d -2 to +2. No change in LH secretion was found in postpuberal gilts during these two periods. After OVX, LH increased from d +2 to +14 in both prepuberal and postpuberal gilts in all age groups. In postpuberal gilts, LH increased linearly (P less than .05) between d +2 and +14; rate of increase accelerated with advancing age (P less than .01). In prepuberal gilts, LH increased in a nonlinear manner, but it did not increase between d +2 and +8. The increase observed in prepuberal and postpuberal gilts after OVX resulted primarily from an increase in magnitude of peak concentrations of LH. Implants of estradiol-17 beta (E2) were used to determine whether the postovariectomy increase in LH is affected differently by E2 in prepuberal and postpuberal gilts during advancing ages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of feed intake and body weight on purine derivative excretion and microbial protein supply in sheep.

Urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was used to estimate the microbial N (MN) supply to sheep in three experiments designed to examine the effects of DMI and BW on the efficiency of microbial N supply (EMNS) to the host animal. In Exp. 1, four sheep of about 45 kg BW were given 328, 656, 984, and 1313 g of DM/d of a hay/concentrate diet in a Latin square design. Excretion of PD per kilogram of digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) increased with intake, and EMNS increased from 12.0 to 28.3 g of MN/kg of OM digested in the rumen (DOMR). In Exp. 2, 19 sheep ranging from 22 to 73 kg BW were all offered 820 g of DM/d of the same diet as that fed in Exp. 1. Although DM digestibility was relatively constant, PD excretion varied from 4.5 to 13.5 mmol/d and EMNS from 8 to 36 g of MN/kg of DOMR, both inversely related to animal BW. In Exp. 3, five sheep of 48 to 57 kg BW were given a different diet at 702, 966, or 1,237 g of DM/d. Purine derivative excretion per kilogram of DOMI increased with the DMI:BW ratio. Calculated EMNS ranged from 23 to 35 g of MN/kg of DOMR. Pooled data from all experiments showed EMNS to be related to the DMI:BW ratio. It is suggested that the DMI:BW ratio defines the ruminal digesta passage rate and hence outflow of microbial protein. The results imply that the EMNS for a given diet is not constant, but changes with intake.     

Effect of a prolonged low-dose lipopolysaccharide infusion on feed intake and metabolism in heifers.

Prolonged infusions of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are known to model gram-negative bacterial infections, but the basic mechanisms of the LPS effects on feed intake and metabolism and their potential interdependence are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to distinguish and to better characterize the feeding suppressive and metabolic effects of LPS. Six heifers were infused intravenously for 100 min with either 1) LPS (2 microg/kg BW) with free access to feed, 2) saline with free access to feed, or 3) saline with feeding restricted to the amount of feed consumed after LPS infusion. Feed intake, body temperature, plasma concentrations of various metabolites and hormones, and the respiratory quotient and heat production were measured. The LPS reduced feed intake and induced pronounced changes in metabolic energy turnover and fat and carbohydrate metabolism that were largely independent of the concomitant feed intake reduction. Some of the metabolic changes were biphasic; the first phase resembled a stress response with increases in plasma glucose and cortisol, and the second phase reflected a beginning energy deficit with low plasma glucose and enhanced lipolysis. The coincidence of a short-term surge of plasma insulin with marked transient decreases in plasma FFA, glycerol, and beta-hydroxybutyrate as well as with the transition from hyper- to hypoglycemia indicates that insulin plays a role in some of the metabolic responses to LPS. The failure of LPS to clearly increase energy expenditure despite the increase in body temperature suggests that anaerobic mechanisms of heat production and, perhaps, a reduced peripheral blood flow contributed to the fever. Many of the initial metabolic responses occurred before and, therefore, independent of, an increase in circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha.     

Digestion and metabolism of low and high residual feed intake Nellore bulls

Understanding the reasons why animals of similar performances have different feed requirements is important to increase profits for cattle producers and to decrease the environmental footprint of beef cattle production. This study was carried out aiming to identify the associations between residual feed intake (RFI) and animal performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites related to energy balance of young Nellore bulls during the finishing period. Animals previously classified as low (n?=?13) and high RFI (n?=?12), with average initial body weight of 398 kg and age of 503 days were used. Cattle were fed a high energy diet and were slaughtered when rib fat thickness measured by ultrasound between the 12th and 13th ribs reached the minimum of 4 mm. A completely randomized design was adopted, being data analyzed with a mixed model that included the random effect of slaughter group, the fixed effect of RFI class, and linear effect of the covariate feedlot time. No differences were found (p?>?0.10) between RFI classes for performance, dry matter, and nutrients intake. However, dry (p?=?0.0911) and organic matter (p?=?0.0876) digestibility tended to be lower, and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (p?=?0.0017), and total digestible nutrients (p?=?0.0657) were lower for high RFI animals, indicating lesser capacity of food utilization. Difference between low and high RFI animals was also found for blood cortisol at the end of the trial (p?=?0.0044), having low RFI animals lower cortisol concentrations. Differences in the ability to digest food can affect the efficiency of transforming feed into meat by Nellore cattle.     

Residual feed intake, body composition, and fertility in yearling beef heifers

One hundred thirty-seven spring-born yearling beef heifers of British breed types were used to determine the relationships between residual feed intake (RFI) and growth rate, body composition, mature size, and fertility. Heifers were housed in a dry lot facility during the experimental period, and data were collected over a 2-yr period (yr 1, n = 67; yr 2, n = 70). Individual feed intake, BW, BCS, hip height, and ultrasonic measurements [subcutaneous rib fat (UBF), rump fat (URF), LM area (LMA), and intramuscular fat (IMF)] of body composition were recorded. Individual feed intakes (kg of TDN consumed/d) were used to calculate RFI combining both years of data. Heifers averaged 387.0 ± 19.4 d of age and 337.1 ± 29.9 kg of BW at initiation of the experiment. Mean ADG was 1.14 ± 0.21 kg/d during the trial. Based on RFI, with year of test and farm of origin included in the model as covariates, heifers were classified into groups: positive (POS; 0.74 kg of TDN/d) or negative (NEG; -0.73 kg TDN/d) for first analysis and high (HI), medium (MED), or low (LO; mean RFI = 1.06, -0.01, and -1.13 kg of TDN/d, respectively) subsequently. An initial phenotypic relationship (P < 0.05) between RFI and both UBF and URF (r = 0.19 and 0.17, respectively) was sustained (P < 0.01) with UBF (r = 0.27) and URF (r = 0.24) to trial conclusion. No other correlations with RFI were significant. Heifers classified as POS reached puberty earlier than those classified as NEG (414 ± 3.83 vs. 427 ± 4.67 d of age, P = 0.03), and possessed greater LMA per 100 kg of BW (LMACWT) at conclusion of the trial (P < 0.01). Medium heifers exhibited less URF (P < 0.05) compared with either HI or LO heifers at trial initiation. Low heifers possessed less LM area (cm(2)) per 100 kg of BW (P < 0.05) than HI but did not differ (P > 0.10) from MED heifers at either the beginning or the end of test. Additionally, a negative linear relationship was observed between RFI and age at puberty (P < 0.05). Each 1-unit increase in RFI corresponded to a decrease of 7.5 d in age at puberty, but did not affect pregnancy or conception rates (P > 0.10). Differences in body fat and rate of metabolism associated with RFI could delay reproductive maturity.     

Effect of growth hormone-secreting tumors on body composition and feed intake in young female Wistar-Furth rats

Growth hormone (GH) was elevated in young growing, intact female Wistar-Furth rats bearing growth hormone (GH1) or growth hormone and prolactin (GH3) secreting tumors. Animals were injected with GH1 or GH3 cells at 1 wk of age. Total feed intake was measured for the 8-wk period from weaning until killed at 11 wk of age. Animals were fed a commercial chow diet throughout the trial. Body composition and composition of the liver and tibialis anterior muscle were determined. Tumor-bearing rats were about 65% heavier than control rats at 11 wk of age: most of the difference in body weight gain was obtained during the last 4 wk of the trial. Total feed intake during the 8 wk after weaning was increased in both GH1 and GH3 tumor-bearing rats when compared with controls. Overall feed efficiency (grams feed consumed/gram body weight gain) was improved in tumor-bearing animals when compared with controls. The GH1 tumor-bearing rats were slightly hyperphagic during wk 8, 9 and 10 (grams feed consumed/gram body weight) when compared with controls. The total amount of body dry matter, protein and ash was increased in tumor-bearing rats when compared with controls. There was no effect on total body fat. Tumor-bearing rats had increased liver weight and increased fat, protein, RNA, DNA and dry matter content when compared with controls. Tumor induction increased the weight, total RNA and total fat content of the tibialis anterior muscle when compared with controls. There was no effect on muscle protein content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Steam-rolled wheat diets for finishing cattle: effects of dietary roughage and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary roughage concentration and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 126 steers (334 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed (120 d) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5, 10 or 15% roughage (50% alfalfa hay:50% corn silage). Steers fed 5 or 10% roughage gained faster (quadratic, P less than .05) and were more efficient (quadratic, P less than .05) than steers fed 15% or no roughage. In Exp. 2, six ruminally cannulated steers (447 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 latin square design and fed (twice daily) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5 or 15% alfalfa hay at twice or three times NE required for maintenance. Increasing dietary roughage increased (linear, P less than .01) ruminal liquid passage 38%, indigestible ADF passage 63%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 75% and fiber fill 31%. The rate of in situ starch digestion tended to increase (linear, P = .16), and ruminal VFA concentration was 40 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding with increased roughage. Increased feed intake increased (P less than .05) ruminal starch fill, fiber fill, liquid fill and liquid passage 23%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 50% and Dry-labeled hay passage 20%. It reduced protozoa five- to sixfold (P less than .01) but doubled total bacterial counts (P less than .01). Ruminal NH3N was lower (P less than .01) and total VFA concentration was 50 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding. The acetate:propionate ratio was reduced from 2.3 to 1.3 (P less than .01) with increased intake. Adding roughage to a steam-rolled wheat diet increased passage and tended to increase rate of starch digestion; increased feed intake with its associated effects on ruminal fill and passage dramatically shifted the microbial population and fermentation end products.     

A prolonged photoperiod improves feed intake and energy metabolism of weanling pigs

In a 2-wk experiment, the effect of photoperiod on performance and energy metabolism of newly weaned pigs was studied. Forty 4-wk-old crossbred weanling barrows weighing 8.0 kg (SE = 0.13) were assigned to one of eight groups (five pigs per group) based on BW and litter. Groups were allotted to one of two lighting schedules: 8 h light:16 h darkness or 23 h light:1 h darkness. Each group was housed in a climate respiration chamber. Piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. Energy and nitrogen balances, heat production, ADFI, and ADG were measured weekly. Heat production, energy metabolism, and performance were unaffected (P > 0.10) by photoperiod during wk 1. However, in the 2nd wk ADFI (418 vs 302 g/d) and ADG (381 vs 240 g/d) were higher (P < 0.05 and P = 0.05, respectively) for pigs on the 23:1 h lighting schedule than for those on the 8:16 h schedule. Furthermore, heat production (P < 0.10), total energy retention, and energy retained as protein and as fat were higher (P < 0.05) during wk 2 in pigs on the 23:1 h lighting schedule (8, 125, 41, and 350%, respectively) than in those on the 8:16 h schedule. Moreover, metabolizability of energy tended to be higher (P < 0.10) and energy requirements for maintenance were lower (P < 0.05) during wk 2 for pigs on the 23:1 h schedule compared with those on the 8:16 h schedule (P < 0.10). In conclusion, exposing pigs to a longer period of light after weaning stimulated ADFI and ADG. In addition to the feed intake, the high ADG is due to an improved metabolizability of energy and a reduced energy requirement for maintenance. This study suggests that lighting schedule can be used as a tool to stimulate feed intake after weaning.     

Effects of body weight and feed intake level on basal ileal endogenous losses in growing pigs

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of feeding level, body weight, and time after surgery on basal ileal endogenous amino acid (AA) and N losses in growing pigs. Three pairs of littermate pigs were surgically prepared with ileo-rectal anastomoses. One pig in each pair was anastomosed at 38 kg BW, and the remaining pigs were anastomosed at 67 kg BW. Each pig received at different periods 50, 70, or 90 g of dry matter per kilogram of BW.75 of a protein-free diet according to a Latin square design involving three pigs starting at 45 kg BW and involving six pigs starting at 77 kg BW. For most AA, the time after surgery x feeding level interaction was significant. The basal endogenous losses (in g/d) increased linearly with feeding level at both BW. At the higher BW, the basal endogenous losses (in g/kg DMI) were constant regardless of feeding level, whereas at the lower BW they responded quadratically. At the low feeding level, the endogenous losses were higher than at the medium or high feeding level. We concluded that the basal endogenous losses are proportional to DMI when the feeding level is higher than 70 g/kg BW.75. The AA profile was not influenced by these three variables, but there was a large animal effect. These results suggest that, in digestibility trials, an assessment of the basal ileal endogenous AA losses must be performed on each pig to correct the apparent ileal AA digestibility data.     

Lactation efficiency as a result of body composition dynamics and feed intake in sows

Through genetic selection and improvement of environment, litter size of sows increases. Increased energy requirement during lactation, increases the risk of excessive mobilization from body stores, with detrimental effects on reproductive performance. Feed intake capacity tends to decrease due to selection towards leaner pigs with a lower feed conversion ratio. However, to facilitate sows to wean large litters extra feed intake, or even better, a higher feed efficiency during lactation would be favourable. The objective of the present study was to describe the dynamics of body composition of sows and piglets during lactation, and to relate these traits to a newly introduced trait called “lactation efficiency”. Energy metabolism of lactating sows was described, based on on-farm observations of weight and backfat of sows before parturition and at weaning, weight of piglets at birth and at weaning and feed intake of sows during lactation. “Lactation efficiency” was defined as energy efficiency of sows, and calculated for individual sows at two different farms. The average lactation efficiency was 68% and 65% for both farms; meaning that 68 and 65% of the metabolisable energy through feed intake or mobilization from body stores, above maintenance of the sow (input), was used for piglet growth and piglet maintenance (output). The association between lactation efficiency and other reproductive traits was studied by estimating the correlations within farms. Sows with a higher lactation efficiency showed lower feed intake (r = − 0.27 and r = − 0.35 for both farms respectively) and smaller fat losses (r = − 0.34 and r = − 0.29, respectively). The energy output of efficient sows was slightly higher (r = 0.23 and r = 0.30). The more efficient sows were the better mothers, as mortality of their piglets was lower (r = − 0.12 and r = − 0.16), piglet growth rate was higher (r = 0.16 and r = 0.23), and at weaning their litters were less variable (r = − 0.08; only available at one farm). Results were remarkably similar for the two farms, despite different feeding strategies. Extra input, by means of feed intake or mobilization from body stores generated extra output by means of litter weight at weaning. This experiment demonstrated that an accurate recording of energy metabolism and relevant reproduction traits with little intervention is possible on commercial farms.     

胆囊收缩素对动物消化和摄食的调节

胆囊收缩素是一种广泛分布在动物消化系统、中枢及外周神经系统的脑肠肽,对动物胃肠道的作用主要是直接抑制胃酸分泌,抑制进食后的胃排空,并通过外周和中枢神经系统抑制胃运动。同时作为一种内源性生理饱感信号,抑制摄食行为,本文就此进行了阐述。     

猪肝和蚯蚓对黄鳝诱食效果的研究

黄鳝具有喜食动物性活饵的习性,然而活饵的数量有限,且转化率低,不能作为规模养殖的取向。人工配合饲料虽然转化率高、成本低、原料易得,但由于黄鳝不喜食,同时由于饲料易漂浮分散,难以定点投喂,污染水体。本研究着重探讨猪肝和蚯蚓对黄鳝的诱食效果。