Expression study on the porcine PTHLH gene and its relationship with sow teat number

Teat number is an important trait in sows that should accompany the increase in litter size that has been achieved in the last decades through selection. We have previously identified a genome-wide significant QTL for teat number in porcine chromosome SSC5 by means of an experimental Meishan by Iberian F(2) intercross population. In the present report, we have studied the porcine parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH) gene, which maps to SSC5, as a candidate gene for this trait, as PTHLH is involved in nipple formation during embryogenesis and nipple development during pregnancy and lactation. We have found that porcine PTHLH gene is transcribed into three mRNA species differing in the 5'UTR region. Two of these variants are reported in pigs here for the first time: one was similar to variant 1 described in humans while the other, which was generated by the retention of two small introns, has not been identified before in any other species. In addition, mRNA expression profile for two of the mRNA variants was assessed in 19 pig tissues. Porcine PTHLH showed a widespread expression as it was present in all tested tissues and relative expression of each variant was tissue dependent. Finally, we have performed an association study between a non-synonymous mutation in the coding region of this gene and sow teat number. The PTHLH polymorphism was segregating in our Meishan by Iberian F(2) population at intermediate allelic frequencies. We compared here six different statistical models to choose the one with a better fit and a lower degree of complexity. However, despite the potential negative effect of the PTHLH mutation in the signal peptide of this protein, we did not detect any association between the PTHLH genotype and the sow teat number phenotype, concluding that the causal mutation of the observed QTL is very likely not related to this gene.     

水牛PTHLH基因克隆分析及其真核表达载体构建

为揭示甲状旁腺激素样激素（parathyroid hormone-like hormone,PTHLH）基因对水牛繁殖性能的影响,本研究对水牛PTHLH基因进行克隆,并对其核苷酸和氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析。以牛PTHLH基因为种子序列（GenBank登录号：NM_001290949）,应用CE Design软件设计引物序列,运用PCR扩增和测序技术获得水牛完整编码区序列,使用DNAMAN、ProtParam、SOPMA、PSORTⅡ Prediction等在线软件分析PTHLH蛋白的一级结构、二级结构、三级结构与理化性质,并进行同源性比对分析及系统进化树构建。结果显示,试验克隆了水牛PTHLH基因完整编码区序列,该序列长为534 bp,可编码177个氨基酸。水牛PTHLH基因编码区核苷酸序列与黄牛、猪、马、山羊、绵羊和骆驼的同源性分别为98.3%、90.4%、90.1%、98.1%、97.5%和89.2%,物种之间同源性较高,系统进化树分析结果与其亲缘关系远近一致,表明水牛PTHLH基因编码区在进化过程中比较保守。蛋白理化性质分析显示,水牛PTHLH蛋白分子式为C₈₉₅H₁₄₅₁N₂₇₁O₂₆₆S₂,分子质量为2 885 u,半衰期为30 h,理论等电点（pI）为10.00,水溶液在280 nm处的消光系数为23 950,肽链N端为蛋氨酸（Met）,不稳定系数为60.04,属于碱性不稳定蛋白;脂肪系数为72.15,总平均亲水性为－0.928,该蛋白属于不可溶性蛋白,亚细胞定位于细胞核、细胞质和线粒体。结构域预测结果显示,水牛PTHLH蛋白包含有1个PTH区域,同时还包含有1个低复杂度区域。二级结构分析显示,水牛PTHLH蛋白包含83个α-螺旋（46.89%）、17个延伸链（9.60%）、10个β-转角（5.66%）和67个无规则卷曲（37.85%）,与三级结构预测结果相一致。试验构建了PTHLH基因真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-PTHLH,并通过电泳和测序验证了载体的准确性。PTHLH基因的成功克隆及其真核表达载体的成功构建为今后研究水牛PTHLH基因的功能和遗传特性提供了材料。     

Effect of added dietary threonine on growth performance,health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to Escherichia coli infection and challenged with E. coli K88ac

Threonine (Thr) is important for mucin and immunoglobulin production. We studied the effect of added dietary Thr on growth performance, health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to E. coli K88ac (ETEC) infection and challenged with ETEC. Forty‐eight 24‐day‐old weaned pigs were divided into two groups by their ETEC susceptibility using mucin 4 (MUC4) gene as a marker (2 MUC4^?/?, not‐susceptible, and 2 MUC4^+/+, susceptible, pigs per litter). Within genotype, pigs were fed two different diets: 8.5 (LThr) or 9.0 (HThr) g Thr/kg. Pigs were orally challenged on day 7 after weaning and slaughtered on day 12 or 13 after weaning. Before ETEC challenge, HThr pigs ate more (p < 0.05). The diet did not affect post‐challenge growth, but HThr tended to increase post‐challenge feed efficiency (p = 0.087) and overall growth (p = 0.087) and feed efficiency (p = 0.055). Before challenge, HThr pigs excreted less E. coli (p < 0.05), while after challenge, diet did not affect the number of days with diarrhoea and ETEC excretion. MUC4^+/+ pigs responded to the challenge with more diarrhoea, ETEC excretion and anti‐K88 IgA in blood and jejunal secretion (p < 0.001). HThr pigs had a higher increase of anti‐K88 IgA values in jejunal secretion (p = 0.089) and in blood (p = 0.089, in MUC4^+/+ pigs only). Thr did not affect total IgA and IgM values, morphometry of jejunum, goblet cells count in colon, total mucin from jejunum and colon, but varied jejunal goblet cells counts (p < 0.05). In the first two post‐weaning weeks, 8.5 g Thr/kg diet may be not sufficient to optimize initial feed intake, overall feed efficiency and intestinal IgA secretion and to control the gut microbiota in the first post‐weaning week, irrespective of the pig genetic susceptibility to ETEC infection.     

Effect of teat number, teat abnormalities and underline length on litter sizes and weights at 21 and 42 days in swine

Data from 80 first-litter purebred and crossbred gilts of Duroc and Landrace breeding were analyzed to determine the effects of traits associated with their udder on the sizes and weights of their litters at 21 and 42 d. Traits measured on each first-litter gilt included: number of teats in front of the navel; number of functional teats; number of inverted and pin nipples; length of the underline; body length and weight at parturition. When the litter size nursed at 1 d was held constant, litter size at 21 and 42 d was not influenced by number of teats in front of the navel, number of functional teats, number of inverted nipples, number of pin nipples, body length or weight at parturition. First litter gilts with shorter underlines tended to raise larger litters at 21 and 42 d (P less than .05). Litter weights at 21 and 42 d were not affected by the number of teats in front of the navel, number of functional teats, number of inverted nipples, or by the number of pin nipples when the size and weight of the litters born alive were held constant. First-litter gilts with shorter body lengths tended to have heavier litters at 21 d, (P less than .05) while those with shorter underlines (P less than .05) and those that weighed more at parturition (P less than .10) tended to have heavier litters at 42 d. Results from this study are interpreted to indicate a replacement-gilt selection program that applies selection pressure for only increased teat number and against teat abnormalities seems unwarranted.     

Teat lesions and their relationship to intramammary infections on small-scale dairy farms in Kiambu district in Kenya

Mammary gland quarters of 139 lactating dairy cows from small-scale dairy herds were examined visually and by palpation for teat lesions and by California mastitis test (CMT) and bacterial culture for subclinical mastitis. Teat lesions were observed in 97 teats. These included teat chaps (39.2%), teat papillomas (23.7%), teat erosions (22.7%), teat fistulae (5.1%), inverted teats (5.1%) and blocked teats (4.2%). According to the CMT, the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 33.4% in all the mammary gland quarters, 71.0% in quarters with teat lesions and 24.5% in quarters without teat lesions. There was a significant (P < 0.01) association between teat lesions and the prevalence of subclinical mastitis. The mammary gland quarters with teat lesions were 7.2 times more likely to have a positive CMT (P < 0.01) and 5.6 times more likely to have bacterial organisms (P < 0.01) isolated from them than those without any teat lesions. The bacterial organisms most frequently isolated from the CMT-positive milk samples from both the mammary gland quarters with teat lesions and those without teat lesions were Staphylococcus aureus (50.0%), Streptococcus spp. (34.8%) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (6.2%).     

Genome-wide Association Study of Teats Number Traits in Kele Pigs

Teats number is one of the most important reproductive traits,and closely related to the economic benefit in pig industry.In order to reveal the underlying genetics of left teats number,right teats number and total teats number traits,a genome-wide association study（GWAS）was performed.Samples of DNA were collected to genotyping for 22 Kele pigs using the Illumina Porcine SNP 60K Chip.The GWAS was performed using a mixed-effects model and linear regression approach.When a genome-wide threshold was determined using the Bonferroni method（P<2.06E-5),4 single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP）markers were potentially associated with left teats number,right teats number and total teat number.However,3 SNPs were significant associated and 18 SNPs were potentially associated in chromosomes level.304 Ensembl genes were retrieved around 1 cM of the associated SNPs.The candidate genes in Wnt and Fgf signaling pathway（BTRC,FGF5,FGF8,BMP3,RASGEF1B and HMGB3）might have effect on target traits.These results provided valuable information about the selective breeding for Kele pigs.     

Identification of mutations of zona pellucida glycoprotein (ZP3) and its association with pig reproductive traits

Reproduction is a complex trait, controlled by genetic and environmental factors. Genetic improvement of this trait is important for animal breeders to improve the animal's production efficiency. Apart from genetic factors, animal production can be affected by environmental factors, i.e. the nursing ability of the sow, which is in turn affected directly by effective teat number (teats producing milk normally, TN) and number of piglets born alive (NBA). The objective of this study was to find new mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Zona Pellucida glycoprotein gene (ZP3) using Single Strand Chain Polymorphism (SSCP) and nucleotide sequencing and to investigate association between genetic variations and sow reproductive traits. We identified 13 new SNPs from exon 1, two new SNPs from intron 2, one SNP from intron 6 and a 18 bp (GCACGTGGTCCTCCTGG)‐deletion/insertion from intron 2 of the ZP3 gene. Five out of these mutations were selected to genotype in five different breeds (Small Meishan, Qingping, Duroc, Landrace and Large White) and association with reproductive traits in European breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White). The sows with genotype AA had more 1.11 piglets NBA than of the sows with genotype AB (p < 0.05) in the 18 bp deletion/insertion of intron 2, while non‐significant associations between the other mutations and reproductive traits (NBA and TN) were found.     

Effect on Rendement Napole genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed different levels of fat

We investigated effects of Rendement Napole (RN ) genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed diets with different levels of dietary fat. Thirty‐two pigs, belonging to either the wild‐type (WT , rn⁺/rn⁺) or carrier (CAR , RN ^?/rn⁺) genotypes (n  = 16/genotype), were divided into two dietary groups, (high fat [HF ] or low fat [LF ]) diets, for 12 weeks (n  = 8 pigs/genotype/diet) after which pigs were killed for gene expression analysis by RT ‐PCR . Feeding HF diet caused increased daily gain (ADG , p  <  .05) and final body weight (BW ) (p  <  .05) in comparison with the LF diet (p  <  .05). Feed efficiency (gain:feed) was higher (p  <  .05) in pigs on the HF and was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR pigs compared to WT . There was genotype × diet interaction (p  =  .05) on final BW such that CAR animals on LF diet had the same final BW as animals of both genotypes on HF diet. Carrier pigs on LF diet had higher (p  <  .05) average daily gain and gain:feed than WT pigs. There was a trend (p  <  .08) for a higher feed consumption in pigs on the LF diet. Backfat thickness was higher (p  <  .01) in pigs on the HF diet. Serum triglyceride was higher (0.62 vs. 0.33 mg/dl, p  <  .01) in pigs on HF diet. Serum insulin was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR versus WT pigs (0.40 vs. 0.015 μg/ml). Pigs on the HF diet had a higher (p  <  .05) serum insulin compared to those on the LF diet (0.032 vs. 0.023 μg/ml). Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1‐alpha was higher (p  <  .05) in the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles of pigs on HF diet. Acyl‐CoA oxidase I was elevated (p  <  .05) in the liver of pigs on HF diet. Fatty acid synthase was lower in the longissimus dorsi muscle, liver and mesenteric fat (p  <  .05) of carrier pigs. The RN gene regulates specific metabolic markers in the Ossabaw pigs.     

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and their effect on growth and carcass muscle traits in New Zealand Romney sheep

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development in mammals, and variation in ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) has been demonstrated to be associated with variation in the muscularity of sheep. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) was used to look for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 304‐bp amplicon from the promoter region of ovine MSTN. Sequence analyses revealed two previously identified SNPs (c.?2449G/C and c. ?2379T/C) that resulted in three haplotypes (H₁ (c.[?2449G; ?2379C]), H₂ (c.[?2449C; ?2379C]) and H₃ (c.[?2449G; ?2379T]). The effect of these SNPs on growth and carcass traits was investigated in 357 NZ Romney lambs. General linear mixed‐effect models revealed that sheep with the genotype c.?2449GC had a higher loin meat yield (p = 0.032) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.028), than those with the genotype c.?2449GG. The genotype c.?2379CC was associated with an increase in three weight traits: birthweight (p = 0.003), tailing weight (p = 0.009) and weaning weight (p = 0.028), when compared with the genotype c.?2379TC, but it was not found to have an association with growth rate. This suggests that c.?2379T/C has an effect that originates at, or before birth. Haplotype H₃ was associated with a decrease in birthweight (p = 0.002), tailing weight (p = 0.003) and weaning weight (p = 0.011). Haplotype H₂ was associated with increased loin yield (p = 0.012) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.002). The SNPs may have value as genetic markers for improved Romney breeding.     

Immunohistochemical study of Ki‐67 protein,androgen receptor,and estrogen receptor beta in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated with different times of GnRH vaccination

This study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac?, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H‐score of AR (r = ?0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki‐67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki‐67 index and mean H‐scores of AR and ERβ of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki‐67 index and mean AR H‐scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki‐67, AR, and ERβ in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki‐67 protein, AR, and ERβ immunoexpressions.     

可乐猪乳头数性状全基因组关联分析

乳头数性状是猪最重要的繁殖性状之一,与养猪业的经济效益密切相关。本试验以Illunima Porcine SNP 60K芯片对22头可乐猪进行基因分型,通过Plink 1.07软件,基于混合线性模型对左乳头数、右乳头数和总乳头数性状进行全基因组关联分析。经过严格的质量控制和多重检验之后,共鉴定出全基因组水平潜在关联的SNPs位点4个（P<2.06E-5）;染色体水平显著关联位点3个,潜在关联位点18个;在关联SNP位点可能连锁的上、下游1 cM区间内检索到304个基因,其中Wnt及Fgf信号通路中的候选基因BTRC、FGF5、FGF8和BMP3、RASGEF1B、HMGB3可能影响猪的乳头数性状或繁殖性状。通过全基因组关联分析策略发掘出的关联SNP位点及潜在候选基因,将为可乐猪的选育保种奠定基础。     

Effect of Polymorphisms in the Genes for LIF and RBP4 on Litter Size in Two German Pig Lines

The association of two diallelic polymorphisms in the porcine genes for leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) with number of piglets born alive (NBA) in two German pig lines was studied. The investigated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the porcine LIF gene has been located in the 3'-untranslated region of its third exon, whereas the SNP in the RBP4 gene genotyped in this study is intronic. At the LIF locus the allele frequencies were 0.613 for the A allele and 0.387 for the B allele in German Landrace (GL) and 0.276 for A and 0.724 for B in German Large White (GW). At the RBP4 locus, the allele frequencies were 0.586 for the A allele and 0.414 for the B allele in GL and 0.733 for A and 0.267 for B in GW. There was a significant additive effect of the LIF B allele on NBA in GW over all parities (p ≤ 0.05) and a significant positive dominance effect of 0.69 ± 0.22 (p = 0.002) was observed for first parity on NBA in GL. For RBP4, no association of genotypes and NBA was detected in GW but a significant additive effect of the A allele of 0.24 ± 0.11 (p = 0.027) and a significant dominance effect of 0.31 ± 0.13 (p = 0.020) were found in GL over all parities and confirmed through the evaluations by parity.     

Teat characteristics in relation to animal temperament during milking in buffaloes,and comparison of buffalo and cow teat morphology

This study aimed to examine the teat characteristics in relation to the animal temperament during milking in the Anatolian buffaloes using ultrasonographic, histomorphological and immunohistochemical methods. The teat canal length (TCL), teat wall thickness (TWT), teat cisternal diameter (TCD), teat diameter (TD), teat length (TL), and teat circumference (TC) values in docile (n = 5) and nervous (n = 7) buffaloes were measured at the 0th, 3rd and 6th minute of stimulation. In additional experiments, comparative histomorphology and immunohistochemical examinations of buffalo (n = 7) and cow teats (n = 8) were performed. It was determined that post-stimulation mean TCL values were significantly higher in nervous buffaloes than those of teats in docile buffaloes (p < .05). A significant positive correlation between TCD and TD, TL and TC in both docile and nervous buffaloes was noted (p < .05). Unlike nervous buffaloes where only 3/14 teat canals were open by 3rd minute of milking stimulation, almost all (9/10) teat canals were observed opened in docile buffaloes. There were fewer muscle but more collagen bundles in buffalo teats compared with cow teats. It seems that temperament of animal during milking effects the milking efficiency, and in nervous buffaloes, probably the stimulation alone may not be sufficient for opening of the teat canal and hence achieve complete milking.     

Relationship between teat morphological traits and subclinical mastitis in Frieswal dairy cows

The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between selected morphological traits of teat and subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Frieswal crossbred dairy cows. A total of 1040 quarters from 261 lactating cows were evaluated for teat shape (bottle/fleshy/collapsed/conical/normal/pencil and short), teat-end shape (dished/flat/funnel/pocketed/pointed and rounded), teat orientation (aligned/misaligned) and teat position (front and rear; left-sided and right-sided). Each udder quarter was screened with California Mastitis Test (CMT) for the purpose of defining quarter health status. Data were analysed using Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression procedure. An overall prevalence of SCM (CMT positive) at quarter level was 30.6%. Most of the teats had normal or cylindrical shapes (48%), dished teat-ends (40.7%), and aligned (central or squared) in orientation (65%). At bivariable level, significant association of SCM with teat shape, teat position, teat orientation, parity, and stage of lactation was observed (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Teat-end shapes showed some association with SCM (P = 0.07). Results of multivariable analysis showed that pencil-shaped teats were least associated with SCM (P < 0.05) as compared to other teat shapes. Prevalence of SCM was also higher in rear teats (P = 0.015), misaligned teats (P = 0.01), and cows in second or higher parities (P < 0.01) and late stage of lactation (P < 0.001). The results of the present study indicate that selected morphological traits of teat are associated with SCM in Frieswal crossbred cows; therefore, selection towards desirable morphological traits could help reduce mastitis in this breed.     

Effect of hCG in the Presence of hCG Antibodies on the Follicle, Hormone Concentrations, and Oocyte in Mares

Follicle blood flow, follicular-fluid and plasma hormone concentrations, and oocyte quality were studied 30 h after an ovulation-inducing hCG treatment when the pre-ovulatory follicle was 32 mm. Mares were grouped as positive (n = 16) and negative (n = 44) for hCG antibodies before the experimental hCG treatment. Percentage of the follicle wall with blood flow signals was less (p < 0.05) in the antibody positive group than in the negative group. The concentrations of follicular-fluid oestradiol and free IGF1, and plasma oestradiol were greater (p < 0.001), and follicular-fluid progesterone (p < 0.001) and plasma LH (p < 0.02) were less in the antibody-positive group than in the negative group. For recovered oocytes at 30 h (n = 37), the antibody-positive group had fewer (p < 0.001) mature (MII) oocytes than the antibody-negative group. Results were attributable to highly effective neutralization of the hCG in the antibody-positive group.     

巴马香猪VRTN基因克隆、表达及其多态性与繁殖性状的关联分析

旨在研究VRTN（vertebrae development homolog）基因在巴马香猪群体中的编码区序列特征、组织表达情况、脊椎数性状因果突变位点ins291的等位基因频率及其与乳头数和产仔数性状的关联。本研究采集3头0日龄巴马香猪组织,利用cDNA克隆技术获得VRTN基因编码区全长序列并进行生物信息学分析,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测VRTN在心、肝、脾、肺、肾、背最长肌和皮下脂肪组织中的表达情况;采集279头经产巴马香猪母猪血液,检测ins291位点在该群体中的频率分布,并与乳头数、产仔数性状进行关联分析。结果表明,巴马香猪VRTN基因编码区全长2 097 bp,其编码的氨基酸序列在不同物种间存在大量保守区域;VRTN基因编码698个氨基酸,预测为亲水性蛋白质,存在1个螺旋转角螺旋域超家族结构功能区、2个低复杂度区域和2个内部重复结构,并与核受体辅抑制子1（NR6A1）、果蝇同源框基因Prospero的脊椎动物同源蛋白2（PROX2）和富亮氨酸重复序列74亚基（LRRC74A）等蛋白具有相互作用;VRTN基因在0日龄巴马香猪各组织中均有表达,其中在背最长肌组织中表达量最高;巴马香猪保种群体中VRTN基因有利突变位点ins291的等位基因频率为21.15%,不同基因型个体之间平均产仔数、总乳头数、左侧乳头数、右侧乳头数和单侧最大乳头数性状均无显著差异（P>0.05）,但纯合突变型（ins/ins）个体的乳头数性状均高于其他基因型个体。结果提示,在巴马香猪产业化生产中可通过分子育种手段提高VRTN ins291有利等位基因频率,但不影响其产仔数性状。     

Effect of Estradiol and Progesterone on Metabolic Biomarkers in Healthy Bitches

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between hormonal changes that occur during oestrus and biomarkers related with glucose metabolism (glucose and insulin), lipid metabolism (lipidic profile and BChE) and adipokines (adiponectin and ghrelin) in healthy bitches. For this purpose, we measured these analytes in serum of bitches, at two times: before (T1) and after (T2) the LH peak that were established according to progesterone concentrations. Increased levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.01), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) (p < 0.01), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (p < 0.01), adiponectin (p < 0.01) and ghrelin (p < 0.05) were observed at T2 in comparison with T1. No statistically significant changes were observed in serum glucose, insulin, homoeostasis model assessment for insulin sensitivity (HOMA), triglycerides and BChE. When all data of T1 and T2 were pooled, serum adiponectin showed positive correlation with progesterone (r = 0.353; p = 0.022) and HDL‐C (r = 0.307; p = 0.048), and negative with insulin (r = ?0.429; p = 0.005), HOMA (r = ?0.446; p = 0.003) and BChE (r = ?0.522; p < 0.001). Ghrelin showed negative correlation with estradiol (r = ?0.701; p = 0.004). BChE was negatively correlated with estradiol (r = ?0.441; p = 0.018) and glucose (r = ?0.343; p = 0.028), and positively with insulin (r = 0.460; p = 0.003) and HOMA (r = 0.505; p < 0.001). In conclusion, changes in metabolic biomarkers occur in bitches after LH peak, characterized by increased lipids (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) without changes in BChE activity, and increased adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations, without significant changes in glucose and insulin.     

猪乳头数的参数估计及翻乳头遗传方式的判定

太原花猪总乳头数和先天有效乳头数分别为１４．７２和１３．３４个。山西黑猪分别为１４．３３和１３．６３个。乳头数具有显著的母体效应及性别和品种差异，且品种和性别间存在显著互作。按阈性状估计遗传力可以消除某些系统误差。山西黑猪翻乳头的出现范围大致是０￣６个，多出现在２￣５对乳头。翻乳头呈常染色体隐性遗传，其隐性基因频率为０．４５，外显率为８．４１％。由于其不完全外显，可能呈主基因遗传。