BMP-2 and -6 modulate porcine theca cell function alone and co-cultured with granulosa cells

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are emerging as a family of proteins crucial in the regulation of fertility and ovulation rate. We have shown that porcine theca cells express BMP receptors, however, there is a paucity of information regarding the effect(s) of BMPs on theca cell function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BMP-2 and -6 on theca cells cultured under serum-free conditions in terms of steroidogenesis, cAMP release and proliferation. The study was further extended to determine whether BMP responses in theca cells are affected by the addition of granulosa cells to the culture system. Both BMPs suppressed progesterone and androstenedione synthesis by theca cells (P < 0.05) after 144 h in culture. Oestradiol synthesis was suppressed (P < 0.05) by BMP-2, but not BMP-6, and theca cell proliferation was stimulated (P < 0.05) by BMP-6, but not BMP-2, after 144 h in culture. Both BMP-2 and -6 inhibited cAMP release (P < 0.05) by theca cells. Furthermore, progesterone and androstenedione synthesis by co-cultured theca and granulosa cells were suppressed (P < 0.05) whereas cell proliferation was stimulated (P < 0.05). These results provide strong evidence for a functional BMP system in the porcine ovary and that theca cells are responsive to BMPs in terms of steroidogenesis and proliferation. BMP-2 and -6 may have a role as luteinisation inhibitors in this polyovular species.     

Expression of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in chicken ovary: potential role in ovarian steroidogenesis

Adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) mRNAs are expressed in various chicken tissues including ovary. However, the cellular expression and the role of adiponectin system have never been investigated in chicken ovary. Here, we have shown that the level of adiponectin mRNA is about 10- to 30-fold higher (p < 0.001) in theca cells than in granulosa cells from each hierarchical yellow follicle studied (F4–F1). In contrast, the level of AdipoR1 mRNA expression was about two-fold lower in theca cells than in granulosa cells (p < 0.05) whereas those of AdipoR2 was similar in both ovarian cells. Whereas expression of adiponectin mRNA increased with follicular differentiation in theca cells, it decreased in granulosa cells. In contrast, mRNA expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in both theca and granulosa cells remained stable during yellow follicle development. To determine whether adiponectin is involved in the ovarian steroidogenesis, LH (100 ng/ml)-, FSH (100 ng/ml)- and IGF-1 (100 ng/ml)-induced progesterone production was measured in absence or presence of human recombinant adiponectin (10 μg/ml) for 36 h in cultured granulosa cells from F1, F2 and mixed F3 and F4 follicles. In absence of LH, FSH and IGF-1, adiponectin treatment had no effects on progesterone production whatever vitollegenic follicle studied. However, it increased by about two-fold IGF-1-induced progesterone secretion in F2 and F3/4 follicles whereas it halved progesterone production in response to gonadotropins (LH and FSH) in F3/4 follicles. Thus, in chicken, adiponectin, mainly expressed in theca cells, could exert paracrine or autocrine effect on the ovarian steroidogenesis.     

Regulation of uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 in porcine adipose tissue

This study was performed to determine whether or not uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and UCP3 expression in porcine subcutaneous adipose tissue are hormonally regulated in vitro and whether their expression is correlated with changes in metabolic activity. Tissue slices (approximately 100 mg) were placed in 12-well plates containing 1 mL of DMEM/F12 with 25 mM Hepes, 0.5% BSA, pH 7.4. Triplicate slices were incubated with basal medium or hormone supplemented media at 37 °C with 95% air/5% CO₂. Parallel cultures were maintained for either 2 or 24 h to evaluate metabolic viability of the tissue. Slices were transferred to test tubes containing 1 mL of DMEM/F12 with 25 mM Hepes, 3% BSA, 5.5 mM glucose, 1 μCi ¹⁴C-U-glucose/mL and incubated for an additional 2 h at 37 °C. Glucose metabolism in 2-h incubations did not differ from 24-h (chronic) incubations, indicating viability was maintained (P > 0.05). Expression of UCP2 and UCP3 was assessed in slices following 24 h of incubation with various combinations of hormones by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of UCP2 was induced by leptin (100 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Growth hormone (100 ng/mL) inhibited UCP2 expression (P < 0.05). Expression of UCP3 was inhibited by growth hormone (100 ng/mL; P < 0.05), tri-iodothyronine (10 nM; P < 0.05) or leptin (100 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Changes in UCP expression could not be associated with overall changes in glucose metabolism by adipose tissue slices in chronic culture.     

Follicular fluid concentrations of free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I during follicular development in mares

The objective of the present study was to evaluate changes in concentrations of free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in follicular fluid (FFL) during follicle development in the mare. Mares (n = 14) were classified as either in the follicular phase (n = 8) or luteal phase (n = 6). Follicles (n = 92) were categorized as small (6–15 mm; n = 54), medium (16–25 mm; n = 23) or large (>25 mm; n = 15) and FFL was collected. Free IGF-I levels in FFL in large follicles of follicular phase mares were greater (P < 0.05) than in large follicles of luteal phase mares and small or medium follicles of luteal and follicular phase mares. Free IGF-I concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in large follicles of luteal phase mares than small but not medium follicles of luteal phase mares. FFL ratio of estradiol:progesterone paralleled changes in free IGF-I. Free IGF-I concentrations were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2, -4 and -5 but not IGFBP-3 levels. In addition, free IGF-I concentrations in FFL were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with FFL estradiol, progesterone, androstenedione, estradiol:progesterone ratio, total IGF-I and total IGF-II. We conclude that increases in intrafollicular levels of bioavailable (free) IGF-I are associated with increased steroidogenesis in developing mare follicles.     

Correlation between carcass conformation and fat cover degree, and muscle fatty acid profile of yearling bulls depending on breed and mh-genotype

The objective was to study the relationships between the actual European beef carcass classification scale, which classifies carcasses with regard to conformation and degree of fat cover scores, and muscle fat quality, depending on breed and mh-genotype. For this purpose samples from 100 yearling bulls from “Asturiana de los Valles” (24 AV(mh/mh), 26 AV(mh/+), 25 AV (+/+)) and “Asturiana de la Montaña” (25 AM) were analysed. The results of the study showed that breed or genotype affect carcass measurement scores and muscle fatty acid profile through its important effect on animal overall fatness. Homozygous double-muscled animals produced carcasses with high conformation and low intramuscular (IM) fat content. While early-maturing and rustic AM animals produced low carcass yield and high IM fat content. The other genotypes (mh/+, +/+) showed, in general, intermediate characteristics. Referring to correlations, carcass conformation was negatively related to saturated (SFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) groups, and positively to polyunsaturated (PUFA) (r = 0.72), n-6 (r = 0.72), n-3 (r = 0.71) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) (r = 0.69) groups, being all of them significant (P < 0.001). However, carcass degree of fat cover was positively related to SFA (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and MUFA (r = 0.62, P < 0.001), and negatively to PUFA (r = − 0.61), n-6 (r = − 0.60), n-3 (r = − 0.62) and UFA (r = − 0.53) groups, being all of them significant. Moreover, simple and low-cost prediction equations were calculated for a rapid and sufficiently accurate fatty acid group (SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-6, n-3, UFA) estimation (R² > 0.46, P < 0.001). In general, meat obtained from double-muscled animals display a more appropriate IM fatty acid profile from the nutritional point of view according to actual recommendations, but it could happen the disability of these lean animals to deposit sufficient IM fat to ensure consumer overall liking or acceptability.     

Concentrate supplementation responses of the pasture-fed dairy cow

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing amounts of cereal-based concentrate on milk production. The study consisted of a series of three separate experiments in which cows were grazed in intensive rotation on timothy-meadow fescue pasture. In Experiment 1, 28 multiparous Holstein–Friesian cows received 0, 3, 6 and 9 kg concentrate in a cross-over designed trial with a fixed daily herbage allowance of 21 kg DM/cow. The energy-corrected milk yield increased linearly 0.84 kg/kg DM (P < 0.001), up to the 9 kg concentrate level. The milk fat (P < 0.001) and urea (P < 0.001) content decreased linearly (0.41 g/kg DM and 0.15 mmol/kg DM, respectively). The milk protein content tended (P = 0.08) to increase 0.10 g/kg DM with increasing supplementation.

In Experiment 2, 17 primiparous cows and 28 multiparous cows were used in a randomized-block designed trial with 3, 6 and 9 kg concentrate supplementation and a fixed 25 kg DM herbage allowance. The energy corrected milk yield increased linearly (P < 0.01) 0.67 kg/kg DM, whereas the milk urea content decreased linearly (P < 0.001) 0.27 mmol/kg DM. The milk protein content increased and the fat content decreased, but these differences were not significant.

In Experiment 3, a cross-over design was used to assess the response to concentrate supplementation of 24 multiparous cows (treatments: 6, 9 and 12 kg; fixed herbage allowance 25 kg DM) and 12 primiparous cows (treatments: 4, 7 and 10 kg; herbage allowance > 25 kg DM). The energy-corrected milk yield of the multiparous cows varied quadratically (P_quad < 0.001; 30.0, 32.5 and 32.2 kg for 6, 9 and 12 kg supplementation, respectively). Supplementation linearly decreased the urea (P < 0.001) 0.13 mmol/kg DM and fat (P < 0.001) 0.46 g/kg DM contents. The milk fat content also varied quadratically, showing the lowest content with the 12 kg level (P_quad < 0.05; 37.3, 37.3 and 34.9 g/kg for 6, 9 and 12 kg supplementation, respectively). The energy-corrected milk yield of the primiparous cows increased linearly (P < 0.001) 0.54 kg/kg DM up to 10 kg supplementation, whereas the milk urea (P < 0.001) and fat contents decreased linearly (P < 0.01) by 0.19 mmol/kg DM and 0.61 g/kg DM, respectively.

The results showed that the milk response remained linear up to the 9 kg supplementation level, but the highest level of supplementation resulted in only a marginal increase in milk yield. There was no interaction between season and milk or milk protein yield, which indicates that it is possible to maintain stable grazing conditions during the main grazing season in Nordic latitudes. The results support to some extent the hypothesis that the marginal milk response to supplementation increases with increasing milk production.     

The effect of dietary crude protein concentration and inulin supplementation on nitrogen excretion and intestinal microflora from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) concentration (200 vs 140 g/kg) and inulin supplementation (0 vs 12.5 g/kg) on nitrogen (N) excretion and intestinal microflora from 16 boars (n = 4, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy and lysine. Pigs offered the high CP diets had a higher excretion of urinary N (P < 0.01), faecal N (P < 0.01) and total N (P < 0.001) than the pigs offered the low CP diets. Inulin supplementation increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.05) and decreased urine: faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) compared to the inulin free diets. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on N retention. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary CP concentration and inulin supplementation on caecal E.coli. Pigs offered the diet containing 200 g/kg CP plus inulin decreased the population of E.coli compared to the inulin supplemented 140 g/kg protein diet. However, CP concentration had no significant effect on the population of E.coli in the unsupplemented diets. Inulin supplementation increased caecal bifidobacteria (P < 0.01) compared to the inulin free diets. In conclusion, inulin supplementation favourably altered N excretion and lowered the population of E.coli at high CP concentrations.     

The effects of increasing the level of dietary wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on intake, digestibility, N balance and ruminal fermentation characteristics in sheep

This study investigated the effect of replacing concentrates with dry wormwood (Artemisia montana) on the performance of sheep. Four Corriedale × Polwarth sheep (41.3 ± 1.3 kg) were fed diets with an 8 : 2 straw to supplement ratio, for four, consecutive 16 d periods (10 d adaptation, 6 d collection) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Supplements were made by substituting 0 (Control), 30 (LW), 50 (MW) or 100 (HW) g/kg DM of concentrate (15.6% CP, 72.1% of TDN) with dried, ground wormwood. Ruminal pH, NH₃–N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured on d 6 of collection. Ether extract (EE) intake was linearly decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing wormwood inclusion, otherwise intake was unaffected. The Control diet had lower (P < 0.05) DM and CP digestibility than LW and MW diets and lower EE digestibility than the LW diet. Retained N (P < 0.05) and microbial N yield (P < 0.01) linearly increased with dietary wormwood level, but efficiency of microbial N synthesis linearly decreased (P < 0.001). Mean concentrations of rumen NH₃–N, total VFA and propionic acid were quadratically increased (P < 0.05) by increasing wormwood inclusion. Replacing concentrates with 30–50 g/kg DM of wormwood increased N retention, microbial N yield and EE digestibility.     

Changes in hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs fed betaine

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on carcass characteristics, hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (Seghers × Seghers × Duroc) weighing about 55 kg were divided into two groups, each with three replicates of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) per replicate, and fed corn–soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0 and 0.125% betaine for 42 days. At trial termination, two pigs (one barrow and one gilt) weighing about 90 kg were selected from each replicate and slaughtered for analyses. The results showed that betaine increased carcass lean percentage and longissimus muscle area by 5.19% (P < 0.01) and 17.85% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased carcass fat percentage and average backfat thickness by 13.07% (P < 0.01) and 10.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and insulin levels in pigs fed betaine were elevated by 45.61% (P < 0.01), 55.50% (P < 0.01), 57.95% (P < 0.01), 51.80% (P < 0.01) and 42.34% (P < 0.05), respectively. Fatty acid synthase activity in the 10th rib subcutaneous adipose tissue was decreased by 24.35% (P < 0.05) with betaine supplementation, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum free fatty acids concentration in betaine-fed pigs was 25.75% higher compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that betaine could induce changes in hormones and growth factor in finishing pigs, and therefore could inhibit fat synthesis through reducing lipogenic enzymes activities and promote fat degradation by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity, with a resultant decrease in adipose tissue mass and improvement in carcass characteristics.     

Influence of gonadotropins on insulin- and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-induced steroid production by bovine granulosa cells

To determine the effect of gonadotropins on insulin- and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)-induced bovine granulosa cell functions, granulosa cells from bovine ovarian follicles were cultured for 2 days in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), and then cultured for an additional 2 days in serum-free medium with added hormones. In the presence of 0 or 1 ng/mL of insulin or IGF-I, FSH had little or no effect (P>0.05) on estradiol production by granulosa cells from both small (1–5 mm) and large (≥8 mm) follicles. However, in the presence of ≥3 ng/mL of insulin, FSH increased (P<0.05) estradiol production by granulosa cells from small and large follicles such that the estimated dose (ED₅₀) of insulin necessary to stimulate 50% of the maximum estradiol production was decreased by 2- to 3-fold from 22 to 28 ng/mL in the absence of FSH to 7–14 ng/mL in the presence of FSH. Similarly, in the presence of ≥3 ng/mL of IGF-I, FSH increased (P<0.05) estradiol production by granulosa cells from small and large follicles such that the ED₅₀ of IGF-I for estradiol production was decreased by 4- to 5-fold from 25 to 36 ng/mL in the absence of FSH to 5–6 ng/mL in the presence of FSH. In the presence of FSH, the maximal effect of insulin on estradiol production was much greater than that of IGF-I (137- versus 12-fold increase) and were not additive; when combined, 100 ng/mL of IGF-I completely blocked the stimulatory effect of 100 ng/mL of insulin. In the absence of FSH, the maximal effect of insulin and IGF-I on estradiol production was similar. Concomitant treatment with 30 ng/mL of LH reduced (P<0.05) insulin-stimulated estradiol production by 52% on day 1 and 19% on day 2 of treatment. Insulin, IGF-I and FSH also increased (P<0.05) granulosa cell numbers and progesterone production but their maximal effects were less (i.e., <4-fold increase) than their effects on estradiol production. In conclusion, insulin and IGF-I synergize with FSH to directly regulate ovarian follicular function in cattle, particularly granulosa cell aromatase activity.     

Effect of chicken egg yolk antibody against adipose tissue plasma membranes on carcass composition and lipogenic hormones and enzymes in pigs

Chicken egg yolk antibody against pig adipose tissue plasma membranes (AIgY) was raised and used in the present experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary AIgY supplementation on pig growth and carcass composition. 160 crossbred (Duroc–Jersey × Landrace·Meishan) pigs, with initial live body weight of 27.5 ± 2.4 kg, were treated with AIgY or non-immunized control egg yolk powder (NIgY) at the inclusion level of 75 mg/kg diet. Following a 104-day trial, the pigs were slaughtered for analyzing the carcass and meat quality traits. The perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were weighed and the diameter of adipocytes from different fat depots was measured with histological methods. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin as well as the activities of malic enzyme (ME) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue were measured. Dietary supplementation of AIgY enhanced average daily gain and feed efficiency by 13.03% (P < 0.01) and 7.49%, respectively, with no influence on feed consumption. AIgY increased the lean mass by 10.3% (P < 0.01) without affecting the dressing percentage. Backfat thickness at 6th–7th rib and the weights of perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were reduced by 24.14% (P < 0.01), 27.27% (P < 0.05), 20.42% (P < 0.01) and 29.21% (P < 0.01), respectively. Dietary supplementation of AIgY reduced the size of adipocytes in all the three fat pads (P < 0.05). The meat color was improved whereas the marbling score, the intramuscular fat content, and pH₄₅ of the longissimus muscle remained unaffected. Serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) while urea-N content was reduced (P < 0.05). No alterations were detected for the serum levels of triacylglycerides (TG) and glucose. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin were decreased by 26.19% (P < 0.05) and 26.53% (P < 0.05), respectively. LPL activity in adipose tissue was depressed significantly (P < 0.05) without affecting ME activity. This study demonstrates that dietary supplementation of AIgY can effectively improve growth and carcass composition of pigs and the changes of serum insulin and leptin levels as well as the tissue LPL activity may be involved in the acting mechanism.     

Follicular fluid concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 is negatively correlated with estradiol and follicle size at the early stage of development of the first-wave cohort of bovine ovarian follicles

The objectives of this study were to characterize the relationship between estradiol and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) concentrations in follicular fluid of growing bovine ovarian follicles, and to examine the effect of TGF-β1 on FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion in cultured bovine granulosa cells. Follicular fluid was collected from individual follicles >5 mm in diameter by ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture (n = 12 heifers). Follicles were sampled at four different stages of development of the first post-ovulatory wave during selection of the single dominant follicle. Estradiol, progesterone and total TGF-β1 were measured in follicular fluid of the three or four largest follicles sampled when the largest follicle (F1) had reached either 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5 ± 0.5 mm stage of development. There was a significant negative relationship between follicular fluid TGF-β1 and estradiol concentrations (R² = 0.44; p < 0.002), and between TGF-β1 concentrations and follicle diameter (R² = 0.23; p < 0.01) in cohort follicles at the 6.5 mm stage, but not at any later stage of development of the follicle wave. There was no correlation between progesterone and TGF-β1 concentrations at any stage. To assess the causal relationship between TGF-β1 and estradiol, granulosa cells from follicles measuring 2–5 mm at dissection were placed in serum-free culture. TGF-β1 caused a dose-dependent decrease in FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that TGF-β1 has an inhibitory effect on estradiol secretion in FSH-stimulated follicles and that a reduction in TGF-β1 inhibition may be part of the mechanism of selection of a single dominant follicle.     

Effects of progestagens on follicular growth and oocyte developmental competence in FSH-treated ewes

Previous research has reported evidence for negative effects of progestagens on follicular growth and oocyte competence. In the present study, negative effects of progestagens on follicular growth and oocyte developmental competence were assessed. During the breeding season, 20 Sarda ewes were treated with two doses of cloprostenol, 10 days apart, to assure the presence of a corpus luteum (CL). On day 5 after the second cloprostenol dose, 10 ewes were treated with a progestagen sponge while 10 females remained untreated. Starting on day 7 after the second cloprostenol dose, all the ewes were treated with 6 equal doses of 24 I.U. of FSH (Ovagen™, ICP, NZ), every 12 h. The number of follicles ≥2 mm in diameter increased (P < 0.0005) in all the ewes from 24 h before to 60 h after the first FSH dose (from 12.8 ± 1.1 to 23.4 ± 1.3 in treated and from 12 ± 0.6 to 22 ± 1.2 in untreated ewes, n.s.). There were no significant differences in follicle dynamics between groups, but concentrations of estradiol in control ewes were higher than in the progestagen group (P < 0.05). Twelve hours after the last FSH dose, oocytes were collected by ovum pick-up. Recovery rates were lower for progestagen-treated ewes (71.1 versus 83%; P < 0.001). After IVP procedure, cleavage rate was also lower in the progestagen group (39.1 versus 82.6%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, blastocysts output revealed that oocyte developmental competence was lower in progestagen group (17.3 versus 30.4%; P = 0.245), although differences were not significant. These results suggest deleterious effects from progestagen on oocyte developmental competence and set the basis for new protocols for in vitro embryo production.     

The effect of quality of grass and maize silage on the intake and performance of beef cattle

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of incorporating high (HMS) and low (LMS) maturity maize silages into diets based on low (LGS) and high (HGS) feed value grass silages offered to beef cattle. Seventy-two continental cross-bred steers were used in a 14-week continuous design, randomised block experiment. The six treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial design incorporating the LGS and HGS offered as the sole forage, along with each of the two grass silages offered in a 60:40 ratio (DM basis) with the HMS and LMS. All diets were supplemented with 3 kg/head/day concentrates. Total daily DM and metabolisable energy intakes were higher (P < 0.001) for diets based on HGS compared to those based on LGS. Intakes were similar (P > 0.05) between diets containing LMS and HMS, both of which were higher (P < 0.001) than diets containing grass silage as the sole forage. Highest DM intakes were recorded with a mixture of HGS and HMS (P < 0.05 or greater). Cattle offered diets containing HGS had higher live-weight gain (P < 0.05), final live weight, carcass gain and carcass weight (P < 0.001) than those offered diets containing LGS. Feed conversion efficiency, assessed on a carcass gain basis, was poorer (P < 0.05) with diets containing LGS compared with those containing HGS, though differences between diets containing either LMS or HMS and GS as the sole forage were not significant (P > 0.05).     

Impacts of a modified farrowing pen design on sow and litter performances and air quality during two seasons

The impacts of using a modified farrowing pen (MOD) on the performance of sows and their litters and on ambient air quality over a hot and a cool season were evaluated. Primiparous Yorkshire × Landrace sows farrowed either during the months of February and March (thermoneutralily, TN) or June and July (heat-stress, HS). Temperatures within each season were controlled to 21 and 29 °C, respectively, for TN and HS. Animals from each group were assigned to a standard farrowing crate (STD; TN, n = 17; HS, n = 16) or a MOD pen (TN, n = 19; HS, n = 19). The MOD pen consisted of a STD crate with a 1.5 × 1.6-m comfort zone in the back, equipped with rubber floor mats, a feeder and a nipple waterer. Litter size was standardized to 10 or 11. No creep feed was provided and piglets were weighed weekly. Sows were weighed on days 2 and 22. Feed intake of sows was monitored daily, a milk sample was obtained on day 21 for compositional analyses and jugular blood samples were collected on days 2 and 21 to measure prolactin, IGF-I and urea. Sows consumed less feed (3.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 kg/day, P < 0.001) in a hot than in a cool season and, at 29 °C, sows in MOD pens consumed more feed (3.9 vs. 3.0 ± 0.2 kg/day, P < 0.01) than sows in STD pens. Sow lactation weight loss was greater (− 26.4 vs. − 19.1 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.05) for sows in STD than MOD pens in a hot season. The reduction in prolactin concentrations from days 2 to 22 of lactation tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in a hot season for sows in STD pens. Concentrations of urea and IGF-I increased as lactation advanced (P < 0.01) and IGF-I was lower for HS compared to TN sows on both days (P < 0.01), whereas urea was greater for HS sows on day 2 only (P < 0.01). Milk DM was less in a hot than in a cool season (P < 0.01). Average piglet weight gain was reduced in a hot compared to a cool season during the second week of lactation (P < 0.05) and this reduction was less in MOD than STD pens during the third week of lactation (P < 0.01). During a hot season, even though not significant, average weight gain of piglets from days 2 to 21 of lactation was reduced by 6.0% in MOD pens compared to 9.7% in STD pens.     

Effects of low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids on performance and intestinal development in piglets over the first 2 weeks after weaning

This study was conducted to determine the effects of low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids (AA) on performance and intestinal development in barrows (n = 32) over 2 weeks after weaning at 18 ± 1 day. Four maize-soybean meal based diets providing 0.93 g standardized ileal digestible lysine/MJ ME were prepared. The treatments were a control diet containing 23.1% CP (crude protein) and three low-protein diets (21.2, 18.9, and 17.2% CP, respectively), which were supplemented with crystalline AA to achieve an ideal AA pattern. Piglets were raised individually and had free access to feed and water. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured weekly. Severity of diarrhea was monitored twice per day. Blood from all piglets was taken for determining serum urea nitrogen on d 0, 7, and 14 and serum free AA concentration on d 14. At the end of the experiment, all piglets were killed to measure morphology of the small intestine and disaccharidase activities. Reducing CP level did not affect ADFI (P > 0.10) but resulted in poorer (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.05) ADG and feed:gain ratio (F:G) over the 2-week study period. However, most of the effect of dietary CP was due to the significant deterioration of performance with the 17.2% CP diet. Faecal consistency was improved linearly (P < 0.01) with dietary CP decrease. Reducing dietary CP from 23.1 to 17.2% resulted in a linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P < 0.001) decrease in serum urea nitrogen levels on d 7 and 14. Serum arginine (P < 0.001), glutamine (P < 0.05), and proline (P < 0.05) concentrations were decreased in pigs fed the 17.2% CP diet compared with those fed the control diet on d 14. Villous height was decreased (P < 0.05) in the duodenum and jejunum by the reduction of dietary CP. As dietary CP declined, lactase and sucrase activities were reduced (P < 0.01) in the proximal jejunum. In conclusion, reducing CP concentration from 23.1 to 17.2% led to decreased growth performance associated with morphological changes of the gut and reduced disaccharidase activities in the small intestine. But reducing dietary CP from 23.1 to 18.9% did not affect intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities.     

The effect of dietary protein supply on carcass composition, size of organs, muscle properties and meat quality of pigs

This study investigated the effect of dietary protein supply on growth performance, carcass composition and size of organs in pigs slaughtered at the age of 165 ± 2 d. In addition, we analysed muscle fibre properties and glycolytic potential of light muscles longissimus lumborum (LD), semimembranosus (SM), and gluteus superficialis (GS), and dark muscles infraspinatus (IS) and masseter (M) of 20 gilts and 20 barrows. Of these pigs, 16 were Finnish Landrace, 16 were Finnish Yorkshire, and 8 were crosses of these breeds. The pigs were fed low-or high-protein diets formulated to contain 6.0 and 9.5 g of apparent ileal digestible lysine/feed unit (1 fu = 9.3 MJ NE), respectively. The pigs were fed according to a restricted weight-based feeding scale (13–30 MJ NE/d). Lean meat, fat, bones, and skin of the carcasses as well as organs were dissected and weighed. The pH value was measured 45 min post mortem from LD, and 24 h post mortem from LD, SM and GS. Drip loss, lightness (L) and redness (a) were measured from LD, SM and GS. Pigs with a low-protein supply showed a lower growth rate (P < 0.01), carcass weight (P < 0.01), and carcass lean meat content (P < 0.01), but higher carcass fat content (P < 0.01) and smaller kidneys (P < 0.01) than did pigs with a high-protein supply. In LD, the differences in cross-sectional areas in all muscle fibre types (P < 0.05) between the feeding groups were significant; in GS we found significant differences in cross-sectional areas of type IIA and type IIB (P < 0.05), while in SM we found no differences in muscle fibre cross-sectional areas between the feeding groups (P > 0.05). We found no such differences in the dark muscles studied. We also took into account the effect of both the breed and sex on the studied properties. The low-protein diet increased glycolytic potential in porcine LD and SM, and decreased the pH value measured 45 min post mortem from LD. The dietary protein supply affected no other meat quality traits studied. A more rapid drop in pH in LD resulted in a lighter and less red meat with higher drip loss.     

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and plasma concentrations of urea N and protein, while increasing backfat thickness linearly (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 13.6% CP diet exhibited the poorest growth performance. On d 53, dietary CP affected plasma IGF-I (quadratic, P < 0.01) and leptin (linear, P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma leptin levels were correlated positively with backfat thickness (r = 0.76, P < 0.05) and negatively with LMA (r = − 0.64, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ADG and plasma IGF-I concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that adequate provision of nonessential AA and all EAA is required for achieving maximum growth performance and reducing fat accretion in growing pigs fed low-CP diets.     

Erhualian and Pietrain pigs exhibit distinct behavioral, endocrine and biochemical responses during transport

This study describes the breed-specific coping characteristics of pigs in response to transport stress. The dynamic changes of behavior, the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as the plasma concentrations of stress and metabolic hormones in Erhualian (EHL) and Pietrain (PIE) pigs during 2 h transport were investigated. The majority of the behavior of EHL pigs consisted of oral/nasal/facial (ONF) and fit behaviors during the initial observations (first 15 min after start), and these behaviors were replaced by increased time sitting and lying in later observations (middle and last 15 min of transport). In contrast, PIE pigs showed high levels of ONF behaviors in initial observation, followed by high frequency and duration of standing during the middle and the last observation period. PIE pigs demonstrated significantly higher plasma CK (P < 0.01) and LDH activities (P < 0.05). There were significant effects of time and time × breed interaction (P < 0.05) on CK activities (P < 0.01) in both breeds. Plasma ACTH levels did not differ between breeds, yet a significant effect of time (P < 0.05) was shown during transport. EHL pigs exhibited consistently higher basal and stimulated plasma cortisol levels (P < 0.05). There were significant time effects on metabolic hormones (insulin, T3 and T4) (P < 0.01), whereas no significant breed effect for these hormones were found. These results indicate that different coping strategies apply in EHL pigs, as reflected by different behavioral, endocrine and biochemical responses during transport as compared with PIE pigs.     

A comparison of the direct and residual response of dairy cows to once or twice-daily milking, in late lactation

Two experiments were undertaken to examine the direct and residual responses of late lactation (mean of 232 days calved) autumn calving dairy cows (Experiment 1), and late lactation (mean of 240 days calved) spring calving dairy cows (Experiment 2), to once-daily milking. Experiments 1 and 2 involved 50 and 44 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows respectively. In each of the two experiments, cows were milked either once daily (ODM) or twice daily (TDM), during the late lactation period (mean of 79 and 66 days in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively). Cows in Experiment 1 were managed within a grazing system, and were offered 3.0 kg of concentrate/day, while cows in Experiment 2 were housed, and offered grass silage supplemented with 6.0 kg concentrate/day. Forty-one cows from Experiment 1, and 32 cows from Experiment 2, completed the first eight weeks of the subsequent lactation on a twice-daily milking regime. Food intakes were not measured in Experiment 1, while treatment had no significant effect on dry matter intake in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). In each of Experiments 1 and 2, total milk output was increased with twice-daily milking (P ≤ 0.05), while milk fat (P ≤ 0.01) and protein (P < 0.001) concentrations increased with once-daily milking. Somatic cell counts were higher with animals milked once daily in Experiment 1 (P < 0.001), while not being significantly affected by milking frequency in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Milking frequency had no significant effect on cow live weight or on cow condition score at the point of drying off in either Experiment (P > 0.05). Milking time per cow during morning milking was unaffected by treatment in either experiment, while total daily milking time per cow (morning and evening combined) was significantly longer with the TDM treatment (P < 0.001). In Experiment 1, milk flow rates during the morning milking were higher with animals on the ODM treatment, compared to those on TDM treatment (P < 0.001), while being unaffected by treatment in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Neither daily milk yield, milk fat content, milk protein content, or somatic cell count during the subsequent lactation, were affected by previous lactation milking frequency in either of Experiments 1 or 2 (P > 0.05).