Culicoides antigen extract stimulates equine blood mononuclear (BMN) cell proliferation and the release of eosinophil adherence-inducing factor(s)

Intradermal injection of a Culicoides antigen extract (CAgX) induces T lymphocyte and eosinophil accumulation in the skin of horses with sweet itch. Blood mononuclear (BMN) cells from normal ponies proliferate when stimulated by mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin, PHA) or antigen (tetanus toxoid, TT) and, as shown here, release soluble factor(s) that induce eosinophil adherence. CAgX also caused concentration dependent proliferation of BMN cells from sweet itch and normal ponies [stimulation index: 29 (13) and 17 (7) for BMN cells from sweet itch and normal ponies, respectively during the active phase of disease; 4 microg protein ml(-1)CAgX; 168 h]. A heat labile factor(s) which caused eosinophil adherence was also released [sweet itch ponies: 6.0 (1.6) per cent adherence versus 1.3 (0.4) per cent; normal ponies: 6.6 (0.5) per cent adherence versus 0.9 (0.1) per cent for supernatants from CAgX (4 microg protein ml(-1); 48 hours) stimulated versus unstimulated BMN cells, respectively]. These results suggest that soluble proteins released from T lymphocytes could affect eosinophil function in the lesional skin of sweet itch horses.     

猪FRZB、ABCF1基因多态性与生长性状的关联分析

FRZB基因通过抑制Wnt信号途径调控细胞生长,ABCF1(也称为ABC50)结合e IF2,在翻译起始中发挥着重要的作用,可作为猪生长性状相关的候选基因。本研究采用直接测序法检测FRZB基因和ABCF1基因5'非翻译区中单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)基因型分布,并分析基因型与生长性状的相关性。结果表明:在美系大白猪中,FRZB基因位点ins(A-532G)多态性与背膘厚呈极显著相关(P0.01),与体长接近显著水平(P=0.05);ABCF1基因254A/G多态性与背膘厚、左乳头数和右乳头数均呈显著相关(P0.05);在法系大白中,ABCF1基因254A/G多态性与初生重呈显著相关(P0.05)。结果表明,FRZB和ABCF1基因是潜在的影响猪生长性状的候选基因。     

Pigs led by rope

Up to the midth of the 20th century in central europa single pigs were led by a rope, fixed on a hindleg. This technique can be proved back by pictures to antique. As shown by several illustrations this form was customary during Middle Ages and later.     

生长肥育猪胴体品质和瘦肉生长指数的研究

为验证NRC( 1998)生长猪营养需要模型 ,进而建立我国生长猪营养需要模型 ,本试验在较高营养水平下研究测定了生长肥育猪生产性能、胴体品质和瘦肉生长指数。全期试验结果表明 ,在一定营养水平和环境条件下 ,公、母猪日增重、采食量、饲料转化率差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5) ,但公猪日增重有高于母猪日增重的趋势。胴体品质上 ,公、母猪热胴体重、瘦肉重、背脂、瘦肉脂肪含量差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5)。通过测定热胴体重、最后肋背脂得到瘦肉生长指数为 :去势公猪 2 78g/d ,母猪 2 82g/d ,公母平均 2 81g/d。通过测定热胴体重 ,第 10肋背脂、第 10肋眼肌面积得到的瘦肉生长指数为 :去势公猪 2 56g/d ;母猪 2 72g/d ;公母平均 2 64g/d。将瘦肉生长指数、温度、饲养密度等参数输入NRC( 1998)模型得到的营养需要量估测值有一定实际意义 ,但在实践中的应用情况有待进一步评估验证     

宗地花猪H-FABP基因mRNA的表达与肉质性状的相关研究

为研究不同饲养条件对地方猪种宗地花猪心脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白(heart fatty acid binding protein,H-FABP)基因表达及肌内脂肪(intramuscular fat,IMF)含量的影响,试验利用实时荧光定量PCR技术,分别测定放养型和圈养型宗地花猪背最长肌中H-FABP基因的表达水平,并测定背最长肌的IMF、大理石纹、嫩度.结果发现,圈养型宗地花猪的IMF、大理石纹、嫩度均高于放养型宗地花猪(P >0.05),pH、肉色极显著高于放养型宗地花猪(P <0.01);放养型宗地花猪背最长肌中H-FABP mRNA 水平显著高于圈养型宗地花猪(P <0.05);放养型、圈养型宗地花猪H-FABP基因表达与IMF均无显著相关性(P >0.05).以上结果表明,不同饲养条件影响H-FABP基因表达并在一定程度上影响IMF,但影响不显著.     

藏猪和大约克猪ACADM基因表达量与脂肪沉积性状的相关性分析

为探究中链酰基辅酶A脱氢酶(ACADM)基因在不同品种猪组织中的表达水平,并分析其与猪脂肪沉积性状的相关性,采用Sange测序法对藏猪(58头)和大约克猪(60头)ACADM基因起始密码子上游1 kb区域进行了单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)筛选与基因分型,选取180日龄藏猪和大约克猪各10头屠宰后分别采集肝脏、背脂、心脏和...     

Serological evidence of Trichinellosis in local pigs of Nepal

In Nepal, animal husbandry is a major source of income. Pig husbandry is practiced in rural, peri-urban, and urban communities. Free ranging "back yard" pigs and the practice of feeding offal is a very common management practice which potentially allows for the transmission of trichinellosis; however, this zoonosis has never been reported from this region. A total of 425 serum samples were collected from local pigs. These were initially screened by ELISA after which positive samples were examined by Western blot. This procedure identified two samples which had clear specific bands for Trichinella; however, muscle samples tested by HCL-pepsin digestion were found to be negative. If these highly specific serological analyses are confirmed, this would be the first report of trichinellosis in Nepal and a prevention program should be initiated to limit the access of pigs to open garbage dumps which exist both in towns and on farms.     

Transsplenic portal catheterization combined with a jugular double-lumen catheter for pharmacokinetic and presystemic metabolization studies in pigs

The reliability of a silicone double-lumen catheter implanted into the external jugular vein and tunnelled towards the neck region was investigated in eight pigs. Surgery was uneventful without interference with the normal homoeostasis during 8 days. After injection of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid through the distal port of the catheter, analysis of drug components in the simultaneous blood samples obtained by the proximal port and a Venoject^® system were comparable in one pig. Histological control of the catheterized jugular veins pointed to an acceptable tissue reaction while bacteriological examination of the tip of the catheters was negative in only three animals. A moulding of the intestinal veins was made in a pig cadaver to determine the optimal length of insertion of a silicone portal catheter from the splenic vein towards the portal vein. Surgery was straightforward in four pigs whereby the catheter was exteriorized towards the back region. No complications were encountered during and after surgery for 9 days. The technique of a double-lumen catheter placed into the jugular vein and a transsplenic portal catheter is a useful tool for the study of the pharmacokinetics and also the first-pass effect of drugs in experimental pigs.     

日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪脂肪代谢相关酶活性的影响

为研究日粮不同蛋白质水平对乌金猪脂肪代谢相关酶活性的影响。选取体重约15 kg的乌金猪54头,随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复6头,在15~30 kg体重阶段饲喂18%(高蛋白质组)、16%(中蛋白质组)和14%(低蛋白质组)蛋白质水平的日粮,30~60 kg体重阶段饲喂16%(高蛋白质组)、14%(中蛋白质组)和12%(低蛋白质组)蛋白质水平的日粮, 60~100 kg体重阶段饲喂14%(高蛋白质组)、12%(中蛋白质组)和10%(低蛋白质组)蛋白质水平日粮,在体重30、60和100 kg体重时分批屠宰,取肝脏及背部皮下脂肪组织测定脂肪酶(LPS)、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G-6-PDH)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活性。结果表明,在30 kg体重时,日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪肝脏和脂肪组织中脂肪代谢相关酶活性差异不显着(P>0.05),在60和100 kg体重时,高蛋白质日粮组乌金猪肝脏和脂肪组织LPS的活性明显高于低蛋白质日粮组(P<0.05),G-6-PDH和MDH活性则明显低于低蛋白质日粮组(P<0.05)。因此,高蛋白质日粮增加了生长中后期乌金猪的内源性能量释放,可能影响了体脂沉积比例。     

Effect of replacing soybean protein by taro leaf (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) protein on growth performance of exotic (Landrace × Yorkshire) and native (Moo Lath) Lao pigs

The impact of replacing soybean crude protein (CP) with CP from ensiled taro leaves (ET) on growth performance, carcass traits, and organ weights in Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) and Moo Lath (ML) Lao pigs was studied. Twenty-four castrated male pigs, 12 of each breed, were allocated to the treatments according to a completely randomized 3?×?2 factorial (three levels of ET × two breeds) arrangement with four pigs per treatment. The pigs were kept in individual pens and were fed at 4 % dry matter of body weight for 105 days. The control diet (ET0) was formulated with soybean meal as the main CP source, and in the other two diets, soybean CP was replaced to 25 % (ET25) and 50 % (ET50), respectively, with CP from ensiled taro leaves. Calculated metabolizable energy intake decreased with increasing replacement of soybean CP in the diet, while dry matter intake (DMI), CP intake (CPI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were unaffected. Carcass weight, back fat thickness, and dressing percentage were unaffected by soybean CP replacement, while organ weights (except for spleen) increased (P?<?0.001) when soybean CP was replaced by CP from ensiled taro leaves in the diet. LY pigs had higher (P?<?0.001) DMI, CPI, and ADG and better (P?<?0.001) FCR than ML pigs. LY pigs had higher carcass weight (P?<?0.001), lower back fat thickness (P?<?0.001), and higher organ weights (P?<?0.05–0.001) than the ML pigs. In conclusion, taro leaf silage can replace up to 50 % of soybean CP in the diet of growing Lao LY and ML pigs without negative effects on performance and carcass traits.     

Reproductive and growth performance in Jin Hua pigs cloned from somatic cell nuclei and the meat quality of their offspring

Somatic cell cloning is expected to be a valuable method for conserving genetic resources in pigs. In this study, we compared the reproductive and growth performance of Jin Hua cloned pigs with that of naturally bred Jin Hua pigs. In addition, we generated offspring from the cloned sows and examined the productivity and quality of meat in the progeny. The birth weights and growth rates of somatic cell-cloned pigs were similar to those of Jin Hua pigs. The cloned pigs reached puberty very early, and this is typical of the Jin Hua breed. Furthermore, reproductive performance, in terms of traits such as gestation period, litter size, and raising rate in the cloned pigs were similar to Jin Hua pigs. Although the offspring of the cloned (OC) pigs had lower birth weights than the Jin Hua breed, the daily weight gain of the OC pigs was significantly higher, especially at the finishing stage. The carcass quality of the OC pigs had similar characteristics to the Jin Hua breed, namely thick back fat and a small loin area. Furthermore, the meat qualities of the OC pigs were similar to those of Jin Hua pigs in terms of intramuscular fat content and tenderness. These results demonstrate that cloned pigs and their offspring were similar to the Jin Hua breed in most of the growth, reproductive, and meat productive performances. This strongly suggests that pigs cloned from somatic cell nuclei have the potential to be a valuable genetic resource for breeding.     

藏猪和大约克猪CKMT2基因多态性分析及其组织表达模式

为探究藏猪和大约克猪肌节线粒体肌酸激酶2（creatine kinase,mitochondrial 2,CKMT2）基因多态性位点及其在各组织中的表达差异,试验采用Sanger测序法对藏猪（50头）和大约克猪（60头）CKMT2基因起始密码子上游1 000 bp区域进行单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）筛选与基因分型;180日龄藏猪和大约克猪（各10头）屠宰后分别采集心脏、背脂和背最长肌组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测CKMT2基因在各组织中的表达水平。结果显示,在CKMT2基因起始密码子上游1 000 bp区域,筛选到5个SNPs位点：G-357A、T-469C、G-649T、A-784G和A-953G,且藏猪与大约克猪等位基因频率差异明显。转录因子预测发现,这些SNPs位点与骨骼肌生长发育、肌肉能量代谢、抗缺氧有关。藏猪CKMT2基因在背最长肌和心脏组织中的mRNA表达量极显著高于大约克猪（P<0.01）,在背脂中的mRNA表达量极显著低于大约克猪（P<0.01）,推测CKMT2基因具有正向调控抗低氧和肌肉组织生成、负向调控脂肪生成的作用,该分析结果与藏猪和大约克猪的品种特性相吻合。本试验结果为进一步探索猪生长发育、脂肪沉积和低氧适应性提供了一定的新思路。     

Moving Devices for Finishing Pigs: Efficacy of Electric Prod,Board, Paddle,or Flag

A total of 320 finishing pigs (72 to 90 kg) was used in four studies to assess the efficacy of various moving devices by evaluation of pig behavior and time to complete a standardized course. The handler was behind the pigs (n = 3) with the objective of moving the pigs forward. In the first study, pig reactions to an electric prod or paddle touching their ham, neck, rear hock or back, or on their left or right side were recorded. The percentage of pigs moving forward was greatest (P<0.05) when pigs were touched on their back. Future work standardized touching pigs on their back to get them to move forward. In the second study, paddles colored blue, red, or green were found equally effective (P>0.05) at moving pigs. Studies then standardized evaluations using blue devices. In the third study, the electric prod, paddle, and board were evaluated for time to complete the course. A handler using a board required less time (P<0.05) to move pigs compared with an electric prod or paddle. Pig vocalization was similar after being touched with either the paddle or electric prod, but these devices caused more pig vocalization than the board (P<0.05). In the fourth study, the board was compared with a flag. The board and flag were statistically equal in time required to move pigs through the course. In conclusion, the board was the most efficacious moving device among those evaluated.     

Rotaviral diarrhea in pigs: brief review.

Rotavirus is a name given to a group of viruses that have similar characteristics and are generally capable of causing diarrhea in the young. Infection of pigs with porcine rotavirus is common and widespread and can result in diarrhea, especially in 1- to 4-week-old pigs. This virus is frequently associated with a diarrheal syndrome popularity known as "white scours," "milk scours," or "3-week-old scours." Pigs less than 1 week old are infrequently infected, presumably because of adequate passive immunity. The infection resembles enzootic transmissible gastroenteritis. Diagnosis can be made by immunofluorescent staining of mucosal scrappings from the small intestines.     

On the effect of food magnesium level on the activity of BASP, ALAT, ASAT and LD in pig serum

Studies were made to investigate the effect of food Mg level on ALAT, ASAT, LD and BASP values in pigs. The following conclusions were drawn:--a high food Mg level (0.31% in ordinary pig food) can cause an increase in serum BASP values.--leg weakness, at the primary stage, is hardly caused by disturbances in bone.--an ordinary diet low in Mg may cause an abnormal rise in ALAT values in pigs.--when feeding pigs on an ordinary diet, pigs may suffer from Mg deficiency despite the fact that the food Mg content is distinctly higher than that recommended by international norms for feeding.--a prompt lowering of food Mg level can cause a manifest increase in ASAT, LD and BASP values within 2 to 3 days in pigs. Heart and liver injuries caused by low Mg diets and the individual ability of pits to utilize magnesium were discussed.     

Polymorphism and Tissue Expression Patterns of CKMT2 Gene in Tibetan and Yorkshire Pigs

In order to explore the polymorphism site and difference of expression level of creatine kinase,mitochondrial 2 (CKMT2) gene in muscle segments of Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs,in this experiment,Sanger sequencing method was used to screen and genotype the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the 1 000 bp region upstream of the initiation codon of CKMT2 gene in 50 Tibetan and 60 Yorkshire pigs.The expression of CKMT2 gene was detected by Real-time quantitative PCR in heart,back fat and longissimus dorsi muscle of 180-day-old of 10 Tibetan and 10 Yorkshire pigs.The results showed that 5 SNPs (G-357A,T-469C,G-649T,A-784G and A-953G) were found in the upstream 1 000 bp region of the initiation codon of CKMT2 gene,the allele frequency of Tibetan pigs at all sites were significantly different from those of Yorkshire pigs.These SNPs were related to skeletal muscle growth and development,muscle energy metabolism and anti-hypoxia.The mRNA expression of CKMT2 gene in longissimus dorsi muscle and heart of Tibetan pigs were extremely significantly higher than Yorkshire pigs (P<0.01),and the mRNA expression in back fat of Tibetan pigs was extremely significantly lower than Yorkshire pig (P<0.01),which indicated that CKMT2 gene could positively regulate anti-hypoxia and muscle tissue production,and negatively regulate fat production,the analysis results were consistent with the breed characteristics of Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs.This experiment results provided some new ideas for further exploration of pig growth and development,fat deposition and hypoxia adaptability.     

Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in the porcine upper respiratory tract as a complement to serological tests.

Attempts were made to isolate Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae from the nasal cavities and tonsils of 442 healthy pigs from 15 herds. Samples were streaked onto different media formulations. Serum samples were assayed for antibodies to A. pleuropneumoniae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and complement fixation test. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was isolated from the nasal cavities only in 24 pigs, from tonsils only in 90 pigs, and from both the nasal cavities and the tonsils in 11 pigs. A PPLO medium supplemented with lincomycin, bacitracin and crystal violet allowed recovery of A. pleuropneumoniae from more animals than a tryptic soy agar medium from both sites. Incubation of plates in an enriched CO2 atmosphere did not affect the recovery rate. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae belonging to serotypes 1, 2, 3, 5a, 5b, 7, 8, 10 and 12 were isolated, and, in several herds, more than one serotype were recovered. Serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae were isolated from nine herds which were found seronegative to these. The isolation of A. pleuropneumoniae from the upper respiratory tract can be useful for detection of carrier pigs and complements serological screening.     

Total body and regional measurements of bone mineral content and bone mineral density in pigs by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to make total body and regional measurements of bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and bone area during the growth of pigs from 3 to 138 kg. In all, 1,053 total body scans were performed on 587 live pigs. Regional measurements consisted of the front legs, trunk, and back legs. In addition, bone mineral density readings were recorded for the head, pelvis, spine, and ribs. From about 5 to 75 kg, a greater percentage of the total body bone mineral content (BMC) was located in the trunk region. However, the percentage of BMC in the front and back legs continued to increase linearly whereas the percentage of BMC in the trunk region peaked at about 25 kg and then decreased logarithmically. Allometric analysis revealed that up to about 30 kg the BMC increased more rapidly in the trunk region compared to the front or back leg regions (P > 0.05), but after 30 kg the increase in BMC was more rapid in the leg regions (P < 0.05). Overall, the rate of increase in BMC in the back legs was slightly more than in the front legs (P > 0.05). Positive allometric growth of BMC was observed when compared with the increase in bone area for the same region. By far, the highest measured level of bone mineral density (BMD) was in the head region (P < 0.05), followed in order by the front legs, spine, back legs, pelvis, and ribs. Over the entire range of growth from 3 to 138 kg, the highest relative growth coefficient for the increase in BMD occurred in the pelvic and back leg regions and the lowest was in the ribs (P < 0.05). For pigs < 30 kg, the highest growth coefficient for BMD relative to BW was in the spine (P > 0.05). The growth coefficients for BMD in the back legs and total body increased in pigs > 30 kg and those of the front legs and trunk regions decreased.     

冬夏两季环境温度对藏猪生理特征及相关基因表达的影响

试验旨在探讨藏猪低温适应性相关指标,为研究藏猪种质特征提供理论依据,以期更好地开发和利用地方品种资源。在甘肃榆中县某藏猪养殖场随机选择哺乳期间体况良好的20日龄仔猪（分别于冬季环境温度-16 ℃和夏季环境温度30 ℃时选择藏猪各4只）,对其体尺指标、呼吸频率、背部脂肪厚度、皮肤厚度、血液生理生化指标进行测量。HE染色观察腹股沟、肩胛、背部的脂肪细胞形态,并进一步采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测产热相关基因在不同部位脂肪组织间的相对表达情况。结果显示,冬季低温组藏猪的呼吸频率极显著低于夏季高温组藏猪（P<0.01）;背部脂肪厚度和颈部、背部、臀部皮肤厚度均极显著高于高温组藏猪（P<0.01）;低温组藏猪的血小板数目（PLT）、血小板积压（PCT）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、葡萄糖（GLU）、甘油三酯（TG）含量显著高于高温组藏猪（P<0.05）;平均血小板体积（MPV）和血小板分布宽度（PDW）显著低于高温组藏猪（P<0.05）。HE染色结果显示,低温组藏猪腹股沟和肩胛处的脂肪细胞大小不等,存在多腔脂滴形态;同时发现低温组藏猪腹股沟和肩胛部解偶联蛋白3（uncouple protein3,UCP3）、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体-γ共激活因子-1α（peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α,PGC-1α）和Ⅱ型脱碘酶（type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase,Dio2）基因mRNA的相对表达量显著高于高温组藏猪（P<0.05）。综上所述,环境温度对藏猪的生理指标和脂肪代谢等方面有较大影响,并且低温刺激白色脂肪褐变是藏猪御寒的重要因素之一。     

Isolation of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus from goats in Mexico.

A lentivirus was isolated from 2 goats in Mexico that were seropositive to caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. The lentivirus was identified as CAEV by the observation of giant multinucleated cells (syncytia) in goat synovial membrane (GSM) monolayers co-cultivated with blood mononuclear (BMN) cells from the seropositive goats, and by amplifying a DNA segment of the CAEV gag gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Subsequently, cell supernatants from the GSM cells co-cultivated with BMN cells were used to infect 2 CAEV-seronegative goats. These goats seroconverted to CAEV as determined by the AGID test, and CAEV was re-isolated from these goats. One of the goats developed polyarthritis 8 mo after inoculation. Previous serological surveys indicate that infection with CAEV is prevalent among goats in Mexico. To our knowledge this is the first report of CAEV isolation in Mexico. Because of globalization of markets and increased trading among nations, the rapid identification and reporting of diseases such as CAEV are important to prevent the dissemination of these diseases.