Effects of different levels of protein supplementary diet on gene expressions related to intramuscular deposition in early‐weaned yaks

This study was conducted to estimate different levels of protein supplementary diet on gene expressions related to intramuscular deposition in early‐weaned yaks. Results showed that supplementary dietary protein significantly increased final weight, average daily gain (ADG), intramuscular fat (IMF), serum free fatty acid (FFA), total triglycerides, total cholesterol (Ch), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) content. There was a quadratic response of ADG, IMF, FFA, Ch, HDL and LDL to dietary crude protein (CP) level. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzyme activities were significantly increased by supplementary dietary CP, while hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) activities were significantly decreased. LPL, ACC and FAS enzyme activities showed quadratic increase as dietary CP increased. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), LPL, FAS, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1), ACC, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) and heart fatty‐acid binding protein (H‐FABP) gene expression were significantly increased by supplementary dietary CP, while HSL and CPT‐1 gene expression were significantly decreased. PPARγ, LPL, SREBP‐1, ACC and H‐FABP gene expression showed quadratic increase as dietary CP increased. These results indicated that supplementary dietary protein increased IMF accumulation mainly to increased intramuscular lipogenic gene expression and decreased lipolytic gene expression.     

Effects of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Yellow breed × Simmental cattle

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue in Yellow breed × Simmental cattle. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. The results showed that final weight, average daily gain, average backfat thickness, (testicles + kidney + pelvic) fat percentage and subcutaneous fat percentage in the high and medium energy groups were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group but that the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein in the high‐energy group were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group. With dietary energy increasing the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) significantly increased, whereas hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) significantly diminished. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), LPL, FAS, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1), ACC, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) and adipocyte‐fatty acid binding proteins (A‐FABP) gene expression were significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, and HSL and CPT‐1 gene expression were significantly decreased. These results indicated that with dietary energy increasing, the subcutaneous fat accumulation mainly increased due to adipose tissue lipogenic gene expression and decreased lipolytic gene expression.     

Effects of dietary dihydroartemisinin supplementation on growth performance,hepatic inflammation,and lipid metabolism in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on growth performance, hepatic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)‐affected weaned piglets. Eight piglets with normal birth weight (NBW) and 16 IUGR‐affected piglets were selected and fed either a basal diet (NBW and IUGR groups) or the basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg DHA (IUGR‐DHA group) from 21 to 49 day of age. Blood and liver samples were collected on day 49. DHA supplementation significantly alleviated the compromised growth performance and liver damage in IUGR‐affected piglets. Additionally, DHA supplementation decreased the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the serum levels of non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), very‐low‐density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. In the liver, the concentrations of interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, triglycerides, and NEFA were decreased. Fatty acid synthesis was decreased by DHA supplementation, whereas the activities of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, and total lipase were increased. Dietary DHA supplementation led to upregulation of the expression of AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway‐related genes, whereas that of inflammatory factor‐related genes were downregulated. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 80 mg/kg DHA can alleviate IUGR‐induced impairments in piglets.     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acids increase intramuscular fat deposition and decrease subcutaneous fat deposition in Yellow Breed × Simmental cattle

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on intramuscular and subcutaneous fat deposition in Yellow Breed × Simmental cattle. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. The results showed that the average backfat thickness, (testicles + kidney + pelvic) fat percentage and subcutaneous fat percentage in dietary CLA were significantly lower than in the control group, while intramuscular the fat percentage was significantly higher. Compared to the control group, the Longissimus muscle enzyme activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) in dietary CLA and the subcutaneous fat enzyme activities of LPL, hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) were significantly increased. Similarly, compared to the control group, the Longissimus muscle sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1), FAS, stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase (SCD), ACC, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), heart fatty‐acid binding protein (H‐FABP) and LPL gene expression in dietary CLA were significant increased, as were the subcutaneous fat of PPARγ, H‐FABP, LPL, CPT‐1 and HSL in dietary CLA. These results indicated that dietary CLA increases IMF deposition mainly by the up‐regulation of lipogenic gene expression, while decreasing subcutaneous fat deposition mainly by the up‐regulation of lipolytic gene expression.     

日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪肝脏组织脂类代谢相关基因表达的影响

为探讨日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪肝脏组织脂类代谢相关基因表达的影响,试验选取体重约15 kg的乌金猪54头,随机分为3组,每组18头,为低、中和高蛋白质组,其在15～30、30～60及60～100 kg生长阶段的蛋白质水平分别为14%、12%、10%,16%、14%、12%和18%、16%、14%。猪在体重为30、60和100 kg时屠宰,取其肝脏组织,Real-time PCR定量检测脂类代谢相关基因的表达水平。结果显示,在30、60和100 kg时,乌金猪肝脏组织中ACC、FAS、SREBP-1C基因的表达水平均随着蛋白质水平的升高而降低;CPT-Ⅰ和PPARα基因的表达水平则随着蛋白质水平的升高而升高。由此表明,日粮高蛋白质水平显著降低肝脏脂肪酸合成代谢基因(ACC、FAS和SREBP-1C)的表达(P<0.05),提高脂肪酸分解代谢基因(CPT-Ⅰ和PPARα)的表达水平(P<0.05);脂肪酸合成减少,且被氧化的量增加,两者共同作用导致用于合成甘油三酯(TG)的脂肪酸含量降低,从而减少了从肝脏组织被运输到各个组织的TG含量,使机体沉积TG的能力降低。     

l‐carnitine and fat type in the maternal diet during gestation and lactation modify the fatty acid composition and expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets

This study examined the influence of adding different amounts of maternal dietary l ‐carnitine and two fat types on fatty acid (FA) composition and the expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets. The experiment was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial with two fat types (3.5% soyabean oil, SO, and 3.5% fish oil, FO) and two levels of l ‐carnitine (0 and 100 mg/kg) added to the sows' diets. A higher proportion of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a lower ratio of n‐6/n‐3 PUFA in sow milk and piglet tissues were observed in the FO groups than in the SO groups. Adding l ‐carnitine increased the proportion of C16:1 in sow milk and decreased n‐3 PUFA in piglet subcutaneous fat. Hepatic peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPAR‐α) was more abundantly expressed in piglets from the FO groups than from the SO groups (p < 0.05), whereas stearoyl‐CoA‐desaturase (SCD), sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 (SREBP1) and ?6‐desaturase (D6D) genes were less expressed in the FO groups compared with piglets from the SO groups. The expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes was decreased in the SO groups with l ‐carnitine compared to that of the other dietary treatments. No differences among dietary treatments were observed with regard to the expression of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC). In conclusion, FO and l ‐carnitine supplementation in sows affect FA composition and hepatic gene expression in piglets.     

Effect of dietary fish oil on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle of lactating sows

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of fish oil as a source of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influences the expression of target genes of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBP)‐1 and (SREBP)‐2 involved in triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism in the liver, and moreover activates the expression of target genes of peroxisome proliferation‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐α involved in TAG and fatty acid catabolism in liver and skeletal muscle. Twenty lactating sows were fed a control diet or a fish oil diet with either 50 g of a mixture of palm oil and soya bean oil (4:1, w/w) or fish oil per kg. The diet of the fish oil group contained 19.1 g of n‐3 PUFA (mainly 20:5 n‐3 and 22:6 n‐3) per 100 g of total fatty acids, while the diet of the control group contained 2.4 g of n‐3 PUFA (mainly 18:3 n‐3) per 100 g of total fatty acids. The fish oil group had reduced relative mRNA concentrations of various target genes of SREBP‐1 involved in fatty acid and TAG synthesis in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Relative mRNA concentrations of target genes of PPARα involved in fatty acid catabolism in both liver and muscle, and mRNA concentrations of target genes of SREBP‐2 involved in cholesterol synthesis and uptake were not influenced by fish oil supplementation. Concentrations of cholesterol and TAG in plasma, fat content of milk and weight gains of litters during the suckling period were not different between the two groups of sows. In conclusion, this study suggests that fish oil has only minor effects on hepatic lipid metabolism, which are non‐critical with respect to milk production in sows.     

The response of gene expression associated with intramuscular fat deposition in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Simmental × Yellow breed cattle to different energy levels of diets

This study was designed to estimate dietary energy level on intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in Simmental × Yellow breed cattle. Results showed that ultimate weight and average daily gain in high and medium energy groups were significantly higher than low‐energy group, yet feed conversion ratio was significantly lower. IMF content was significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas longissimus muscle shear force significantly decreased. Serum‐free fatty acids, triglycerides and glucose significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas growth hormone (GH) significantly decreased. Enzyme activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) significantly diminished. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase, adipocyte‐fatty acid‐binding proteins, ACC, LPL, and FAS gene or protein expression significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas HSL, CPT‐1, and GH gene or protein expression significantly decreased. These results indicated that high dietary energy promoting IMF deposition is mainly by downregulating pituitary GH gene expression, decreasing serum GH concentration, increasing lipogenic genes levels of mRNA, enzyme activities and protein expression, and decreasing lipolytic genes levels of mRNA, enzyme activities, and protein expression.     

长期饲喂不同蛋白质水平饲粮对猪脂肪代谢相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究长期饲喂不同蛋白质水平饲粮对猪脂肪代谢相关基因表达的影响。试验选用18头三元(杜×长×大)杂交28日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头。对照组[高粗蛋白质(HCP)组]采用符合NRC(2012)推荐营养需要的饲粮,试验组是根据NRC(2012)标准,在添加赖氨酸(Lys)、蛋氨酸(Met)、苏氨酸(Thr)、色氨酸(Try)4种必需氨基酸基础上,将饲粮蛋白质水平分别降低3%[中粗蛋白质(MCP)组]和6%[低粗蛋白质(LCP)组]。试验期125 d。结果表明:1)在肝脏中,与HCP组相比,LCP组显著降低脂肪酸合成相关基因乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)、脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)、苹果酸酶1(ME1)及锚蛋白1(ANK1)的基因表达量(P0.05);同时显著提高脂肪酸转运相关基因过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)及脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP)的基因表达量(P0.05);而MCP组与HCP组相比,脂肪酸合成、转运相关基因表达量均无显著性差异(P0.05);与HCP组相比,MCP及LCP组均显著降低脂肪酸氧化分解相关基因、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体α(PPARα)、肉毒碱棕榈酰转移酶(CPT)的基因表达量(P0.05)。2)在背最长肌(LDM)中,MCP组中脂肪酸合成相关基因胆固醇调节元件结合蛋白(SREBP)、FAS、硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)的基因表达量显著高于其他2组(P0.05);ACC及FABP在LCP组的基因表达量显著低于其他2组(P0.05);CPT基因表达量及LDM的肌内脂肪(IM F)含量在LCP及M CP组显著低于HCP组(P0.05)。3)肝脏和LDM中,各组甘油三酯脂酶(ATG L)及二烯酰辅酶A还原酶(DECR)基因表达量均无显著性差异(P0.05)。由此可见,在NRC(2012)基础上,适当的降低饲粮蛋白质水平(3%)可促进LDM中脂肪酸合成、转运相关基因的表达,但对肝脏中脂肪酸合成相关基因的表达无显著影响;适当的降低饲粮蛋白质水平(3%)可降低LDM及肝脏中脂肪酸氧化分解相关基因的表达,但并不增加LDM肌内脂肪含量。     

Dietary α‐ketoglutarate supplementation improves hepatic and intestinal energy status and anti‐oxidative capacity of Cherry Valley ducks

α‐Ketoglutarate (AKG) is an extensively used dietary supplement in human and animal nutrition. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of dietary AKG supplementation on the energy status and anti‐oxidative capacity in liver and intestinal mucosa of Cherry Valley ducks. A total of 80 1‐day‐old ducks were randomly assigned into four groups, in which ducks were fed basal diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% AKG, respectively. Graded doses of AKG supplementation linearly decreased the ratio of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the liver, but increased ATP content and adenylate energy charge (AEC) in a quadratic and linear manner, respectively (P < 0.05). Increasing dietary AKG supplemental levels produced linear positive responses in ATP content and AEC, and negative responses in AMP concentration, the ratio of AMP to ATP and total adenine nucleotide in the ileal mucosa (P < 0.05). All levels of dietary AKG reduced the production of jejunal hydrogen peroxide and hepatic malondialdehyde (P < 0.05). Hepatic and ileal messenger RNA expression of AMP kinase α‐1 and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α were linearly up‐regulated as dietary AKG supplemental levels increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary AKG supplementation linearly or quadratically enhanced hepatic and intestinal energy storage and anti‐oxidative capacity of Cherry Valley ducks.     

Effect of roxarsone inclusion in the diet on the performance and hepatic lipid metabolism of laying Tsaiya duck

1. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) inclusion in the diet on the performance, liver function and lipid metabolism in the liver of laying Brown Tsaiya ducks. 2. Sixty 36-week-old laying ducks were selected and allocated at random into 4 dietary treatments with 3 replications for each treatment. Feeding was for 7 weeks with 3 weeks of experimental diets followed by a 4 week withdrawal period. The experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 300 mg/kg roxarsone, respectively 3. Dietary inclusion of 50 or 100 mg/kg roxarsone did not significantly promote performance. Inclusion of 300 mg/kg significantly depressed (P<0.05) performance, liver weight and content, serum triacylglycerol (TG), serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and increased (P<0.05) cholesterol, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum at the end of 3 weeks on the experimental diet. 4. Laying characteristics returned to normal 4 weeks after withdrawal of roxarsone. The liver weight, fat and TG in the liver and serum concentrations of TG, NEFA, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and AST increased significantly (P<0.05), while the level of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) decreased (P<0.05) at the end of the withdrawal period. More prominent vacuolised hepatic fatty cells were observed in laying ducks treated with 300 mg/kg of roxarsone.     

Effect of different dietary concentrations of inorganic and organic copper on growth performance and lipid metabolism of White Pekin male ducks

1. The effect of different dietary concentrations of inorganic and organic copper on performance and lipid metabolism of White Pekin ducks (WPD) was investigated from 1-49 d of age. A common basal diet was supplemented with 4, 8, 12 and 150?mg/kg of copper (Cu) from inorganic and organic sources to obtain 9 treatments, including 4 concentrations of Cu x two sources, and the unsupplemented control group. Each treatment contained 5 replicates of 9 male ducks each.

2. Supplementation of Cu at 8?mg/kg in inorganic form was adequate for growth of male WPD from 1-56 d of age. Inorganic Cu significantly decreased feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio, compared with the organic form.

3. Plasma Cu significantly increased, while plasma Zn significantly decreased, due to Cu supplementation. Organic Cu showed better efficacy than inorganic for improving liver Cu concentration, Cu excretion and apparent Cu retention.

4. Dietary Cu concentration significantly affected percentage blood and Hgb and abdominal fat deposition. In addition, inorganic Cu increased percentage blood and abdominal fat deposition compared with the organic source.

5. Supplementation of 150?mg/kg of Cu significantly decreased liver and meat lipids, cholesterol, and colour and tenderness of meat; while liver protein and moisture was increased. In addition, dietary 150?mg/kg of Cu supplementation significantly decreased plasma lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol, while increasing plasma AST and ALT.

6. Organic Cu was more potent for decreasing plasma triglycerides than the inorganic source. However, plasma cholesterol was only significantly decreased with the inorganic source of Cu, compared with the unsupplemented control.

7. The organic Cu was safer as a feed additive for WPD, especially at the lower concentrations up to 12?mg; while some mild to moderate changes may be developed at the higher doses, when fed at pharmacological concentrations as a growth promoter.     

Magnolol additive improves carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by modulating antioxidative status

Magnolol rich in Magnolia officinalis is a bioactive polyphenolic compound. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of magnolol additive (MA) on carcass and meat quality, biochemical characteristics and antioxidative capacity of Linwu ducks, by comparing it to that of antibiotic additive (colistin sulphate, CS). A total of 275 49‐d‐old ducks were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 5 cages of 11 ducks each and fed by the diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of MA/kg and 30 mg of CS/kg for 3 weeks, respectively. The results revealed that MA administration not only increased dressed percentage (calculated as a percentage of live weight), percentage of breast muscle, leg muscle and lean meat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), but also remarkably increased a*_{45 min} and pH_{45 min} of leg muscle. Moreover, MA administration decreased the percentage of abdominal fat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), 45‐min cooking loss, water loss rate of leg muscle, 45‐min cooking loss and drip loss of breast muscle at 24 hr and 48 hr. Furthermore, MA administration enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum or liver, serum total antioxidant capacity and hepatic reduced glutathione concentration significantly, compared with the basal diet or CS group (p < .05). On the other hand, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine contents in serum and liver were significantly increased in Linwu ducks fed with CS, compared with MA groups (p < .05). Taken together, these data demonstrated that magnolol could effectively improve the carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by regulating the in vivo antioxidant status and would be a potential candidate to replace antibiotic.     

Dietary L‐arginine supplement alleviates hepatic heat stress and improves feed conversion ratio of Pekin ducks exposed to high environmental temperature

The current intensive indoor production system of commercial Pekin ducks never allows adequate water for swimming or wetting. Therefore, heat stress is a key factor affecting health and growth of ducks in the hot regions and season. Experiment 1 was conducted to study whether heat stress was deleterious to certain organs of ducks. Forty‐one‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to four electrically heated battery brooders comprised of 10 ducks each. Ducks were suddenly exposed to 37 °C ambient temperature for 3 h and then slaughtered, in one brooder at 21 days and in another brooder at 49 days of age. The results showed that body weight and weight of immune organs, particularly liver markedly decreased in acute heat stress ducks compared with the control. Experiment 2 was carried out to investigate the influences of dietary L‐arginine (Arg) supplement on weight and compositions of certain lymphoid organs, and growth performance in Pekin ducks, under daily cyclic hot temperature environment. A total of 151‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly divided into one negative control and two treatment groups, fed experimental diets supplemented with 0, 5, and 10 g L‐Arginine (L‐Arg)/kg to the basal diet respectively. Ducks were exposed to cyclic high temperature simulating natural summer season. The results showed that the addition of L‐Arg improves feed conversion ratio (FCR) during a period of 7‐week trial, as well as increases hepatic weight relative to body weight at 21 days, while decreases the hepatic water content at 49 days of age. This study indicated that the liver was more sensitive to acute heat stress, and the hepatic relative weight and chemical composition could be regulated by dietary L‐Arg supplementation in Pekin ducks being reared at high ambient temperature. These beneficial effects of Arg on liver might be a cause of improved FCR.     

Effect of dietary fibres on small intestine histomorphology and lipid metabolism in young broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary fibres on small intestine histomorphology and lipid metabolism in broilers from 1 to 21 day of age. In experiment 1, diets containing insoluble [cellulose (CEL); 2% and 4%] or soluble [carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); 2% and 4%] fibre were fed to broilers from day 1 to 21 post‐hatch and ileal tissue was collected at day 21 of age for histological evaluation. In experiment 2, broilers diet was supplemented with 0%, 1% or 2% insoluble fibre (Arbocel) during day 7 to 21 post‐hatch and plasma and liver lipid metabolism were evaluated at day 21. In experiment 1, inclusion of CMC reduced body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with others. Intestinal histomorphology was unaffected by CEL, but CMC led to an increase in crypt depth (CD) and serosa thickness and a decrease in villus height (VH), villus width (VW), VH:CD ratio and villus surface area (VSA), rather than control and CEL groups. Treatment did not affect goblet cell type. Moreover, the CMC‐fed birds had greater total goblet cell count (GCC) as compared with others. In experiment 2, fibre inclusion was associated with increases in BWG from 7 to 14 day of age and an improvement in FCR, whereas FI was not influenced by treatments. Inclusion of fibre in the diet decreased the weight of the abdominal fat and cholesterol concentrations of liver and plasma. No significant effects on fatty acid composition of liver lipid were observed by fibre supplementation. These findings suggest dietary fibre affects performance, intestinal histomorphology and lipid metabolism in young chicks, which may directly affect poultry feeding strategies.     

Effect of maternal rearing on lipid metabolism-related gene expression in offspring broilers during embryonic development

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal rearing on lipid metabolism and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in offspring broilers during embryonic development. 2. One hundred laying Sanhuang breeders were divided into two groups, and either floor-reared or cage-reared on the same diet. Liver and serum samples were extracted on days 14 and 19 of embryonic development and at hatching. The lipid metabolism related gene expressions of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME), apolipoprotein B100(apoB100), sterol regulating element binding protein (SREBP-1c), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPARα) genes were determined using real time RT-PCR. 3. The results showed that embryonic weight, liver weight, serum and hepatic total cholesterol (TC) concentration and serum triglyceride (TG) content were not significantly different between the cage-reared group and the floor-reared group during embryonic development. However, embryonic weight, liver weight, serum and hepatic TC concentration and serum TG content in the cage-reared group were significantly higher than in the floor-reared group at hatching. 4. Hepatic ACC, FAS, SREBP-1c, ME and apoB genes expression were not significantly different between the cage-reared and the floor-reared groups during E9 and E14 development. Hepatic ME gene expression in the cage-reared group was higher than in the floor-reared group during E19 development. However, hepatic FAS, SREBP-1c, CPT-1 and PPARα gene expressions in the cage-reared group was higher than in the floor-reared group. 5. A change in the maternal regime could regulate lipid metabolism in offspring broilers during embryonic development, and especially at hatching.     

纳米氧化锌对育肥牛生产性能、血清指标和背最长肌肌内脂肪沉积相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究纳米氧化锌对育肥牛生产性能、血清指标及背最长肌肌内脂肪(IMF)沉积相关酶活性和基因表达的影响。选用16头西杂阉公牛(西门塔尔牛×本地黄牛),随机分2组,每组8个重复,每个重复1头牛。对照组饲喂基础饲粮(不添加锌),纳米氧化锌组在基础饲粮的基础上添加80 mg/kg锌(纳米氧化锌形式)。试验期为60 d。结果表明：1)与对照组相比,添加纳米氧化锌显著提高了育肥牛的平均日增重(P<0.05),显著降低了料重比(P<0.05)。2)与对照组相比,添加纳米氧化锌极显著提高了血清游离脂肪酸、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白、葡萄糖和胰岛样生长因子-Ⅰ含量(P<0.01),显著提高了胰岛素含量(P<0.05),极显著降低了葡萄糖/胰岛素比值(P<0.01)。3)与对照组相比,添加纳米氧化锌显著提高了背最长肌IMF含量和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)活性(P<0.05),极显著降低了激素敏感脂肪酶(HSL)活性(P<0.01),显著降低肉碱转移酶-1(CPT-1)和脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)活性(P<0.05)。4)与对照组相比,...     

The effect of a combined dietary treatment with cholesterol and cholic acid on the lipid metabolism of geese at low or high choline concentrations.

A previous study demonstrated that a dietary treatment of young geese with cholesterol and cholic acid raises lipid concentrations in the liver. The present study was carried out to investigate whether such a lipid accumulation caused by those hyperlipidemic compounds can be intensified by low dietary choline concentrations. Therefore, 38 eight-week old geese were divided into four groups of 9 or 10 animals each and received a basal diet poor in choline which consisted predominately of maize and soy protein isolate over a period of 8 weeks. Treatment factors were supplementation of diets with cholesterol and cholic acid (0 vs. 5 g of cholesterol and cholic acid each per kg) and supplementation of choline chloride (0 vs. 1.5 g/kg). Final body weights as well as carcass weights were neither influenced significantly by dietary treatment with cholesterol and cholic acid nor by low dietary choline concentrations. However, feeding diets supplemented with cholesterol and cholic acid markedly increased liver weights (two-fold), hepatic triglyceride (3.7-fold) and cholesterol (12-fold) concentrations and percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids at the expense of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. In geese fed diets with cholesterol and cholic acid, insufficient choline supply did not intensify, but even slightly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. Geese fed diets with cholesterol and cholic acid exhibited markedly increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in plasma and very low-density lipoproteins, regardless of the choline supply. Muscle tissue of geese fed diets supplemented with cholesterol and cholic acid exhibited also increased concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol whereas the fatty acid composition of muscle lipids remained unchanged. Among geese without hyperlipidemic treatment, concentrations of triglycerides in plasma and very low-density lipoproteins as well as the concentrations of phosphatidylcholine in liver and muscle tissue were not reduced by low dietary choline concentrations. Therefore, it is suggested that those animals were able to synthesize endogenous sufficient choline.