Achievements and Prospects of Aquaculture and Aquafeed Industry in China

This article presents a comprehensive review on the achievements obtained in the past a few decades and the prospects in aquaculture and aquafeed industry in China. The total production of aquaculture in China increased from 2.38 million tons in 1978 to 36 million tons in 2008, growing 15 times in 30 years.     

GAA and Chinese Foodservice Provider Cooperate on Responsible Aquaculture

The Global Aquaculture Alliance （GAA） has signed a memorandum of understanding （MOU） with Wuhan Lanesync Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. to cooperate on cross-promoting the organizations＇activities and to advance responsible aquaculture.     

Discussion of current Chinese flag issure

Flag issue refers to a question of what methodology to be adopted as a guiding ideology,and which road to take.Solving the problem correctly concerns to the prospect and fortune of our nation.In the tide of economic globalization and world multi-polarization,that means we must hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics,implement the scientific approach on the development comprehensively,change all the wrong ideas,and don’t copy"western"mode blindly,to make the right direction of banner deeply into the hearts of people.     

A gene expression estimator of intramuscular fat percentage for use in both cattle and sheep

Background：The expression of genes encoding proteins involved in triacyglyceride and fatty acid synthesis and storage in cattle muscle are correlated with intramuscular fat（IMF）%.Are the same genes also correlated with IMF%in sheep muscle,and can the same set of genes be used to estimate IMF%in both species？Results：The correlation between gene expression（microarray） and IMF%in the longissimus muscle（LM） of twenty sheep was calculated.An integrated analysis of this dataset with an equivalent cattle correlation dataset and a cattle differential expression dataset was undertaken.A total of 30 genes were identified to be strongly correlated with IMF%in both cattle and sheep.The overlap of genes was highly significant,8 of the 13 genes in the TAG gene set and 8 of the 13 genes in the FA gene set were in the top 100 and 500 genes respertively most correlated with IMF%in sheep,P-value = 0.Of the 30 genes,CIDEA,THRSP,ACSM1,DGAT2 and FABP4 had the highest average rank in both species.Using the data from two small groups of Brahman cattle（control and Hormone growth promotant-treated[known to decrease IMF%in muscle]） and 22 animals in total,the utility of a direct measure and different estimators of IMF%（ultrasound and gene expression） to differentiate between the two groups were examined.Directly measured IMF%and IMF%estimated from ultrasound scanning could not discriminate between the two groups.However,using gene expression to estimate IMF%discriminated between the two groups.Increasing the number of genes used to estimate IMF%from one to five significantly increased the discrimination power;but increasing the number of genes to 15 resulted in little further improvement.Conclusion：We have demonstrated the utility of a comparative approach to identify robust estimators of IMF%in the LM in cattle and sheep.We have also demonstrated a number of approaches（potentially applicable to much smaller groups of animals than conventional methods） to using gene expression to rank animals for IMF%within     

Efficient production of chimeric mice from embryonic stem cells injected into 4- to 8-cell and blastocyst embryos

Background： Production of chimeric mice is a useful tool for the elucidation of gene function. After successful isolation of embryonic stem （ES） cell lines, there are many methods for producing chimeras, including co-culture with the embryos, microinjection of the ES ceils into pre-implantation embryos, and use of tetraploid embryos to generate the full ES-derived transgenic mice. Here, we aimed to generate the transgenic ES cell line, compare the production efficiency of chimeric mice and its proportion to yield the male chimeric mice by microinjected ES cells into 4- to 8-cell and blastocysts embryos with the application of Piezo-Micromanipulator （PMM）, and trace the fate of the injected ES cells. Results： We successfully generated a transgenic ES cell line and proved that this cell line still maintained pluripotency. Although we achieved a satisfactory chimeric mice rate, there was no significant difference in the production of chimeric mice using the two different methods, but the proportion of the male chimeric mice in the 4- to 8-cell group was higher than in the blastocyst group. We also found that there was no tendency for ES cells to aggregate into the inner cell mass using in vitro culture of the chimeric embryos, indicating that they aggregated randomly. Conclusions： These results showed that the PMM method is a convenient way to generate chimeric mice and microinjection of ES cells into 4- to 8-cell embryos can increase the chance of yielding male chimeras compared to the blastocyst injection. These results provide useful data in transgenic research mediated by ES cells.     

Is China going through an Organic Revolution

The transformation China has being through during the last decades is the probe that companies must adjust their market strategy inorder to succeed in China.The present article gives an approach of the evolution and performance of the organic sector in China.According to thestatistics and an additional SWOT and strategies analysis of the market,the increasing international demand,growth in organic production and theexpansion of the internal market for organic products indicate that the sector has potential to develop further in the future,only if companies knowhow to adapt to the market and follow the right strategies.     

Intestinal microbiota and its interaction to intestinal health in nursery pigs

The intestinal microbiota has gained increased attention from researchers within the swine industry due to its role in promoting intestinal maturation,immune system modulation,and consequently the enhancement of the health and growth performance of the host.This review aimed to provide updated scientific information on the interaction among intestinal microbiota,dietary components,and intestinal health of pigs.The small intestine is a key site to evaluate the interaction of the microbiota,diet,and host because it is the main site for digestion and absorption of nutrients and plays an important role within the immune system.The diet and its associated components such as feed additives are the main factors affecting the microbial composition and is central in stimulating a beneficial population of microbiota.The microbiotaehost interaction modulates the immune system,and,concurrently,the immune system helps to modulate the microbiota composition.The direct interaction between the microbiota and the host is an indication that the mucosa-associated microbiota can be more effective in evaluating its effect on health parameters.It was demonstrated that the mucosa-associated microbiota should be evaluated when analyzing the interaction among diets,microbiota,and health.In addition,supplementation of feed additives aimed to promote the intestinal health of pigs should consider their roles in the modulation of mucosa-associated microbiota as biomarkers to predict the response of growth performance to dietary interventions.     

The Increased Import of Feed Wheat Has Put the World Supply and Demand in Tension

According to the media information on November 9th, the Agriculture Department of the United States said in their latest prediction report that the feed wheat need of China will increase up to two million ton, which will cause the tension of the world inventory by the end of the year. A few months ago,     

Pregnancy recognition signaling mechanisms in ruminants and pigs

Maternal recognition of pregnancy refers to the requirement for the conceptus（embryo and its associated extraembryonic membranes） to produce a hormone that acts on the uterus and/or corpus luteum（CL） to ensure maintenance of a functional CL for production of progesterone;the hormone required for pregnancy in most mammals.The pregnancy recognition signal in primates is chorionic gonadotrophin which acts directly on the CL via luteinizing hormone receptors to ensure maintenance of functional CL during pregnancy.In ruminants,interferon tau（IFNT） is the pregnancy recognition signal.IFNT is secreted during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy and acts on uterine epithelia to silence expression of estrogen receptor alpha and oxytocin receptor which abrogates the oxytocin-dependent release of luteolytic pulses of prostaglandin F2-alpha（PGF） by uterine epithelia;therefore,the CL continues to produce progesterone required for pregnancy.Pig conceptuses secrete interferon delta and interferon gamma during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy,but there is no evidence that they are involved in pregnancy recognition signaling.Rather,pig conceptuses secrete abundant amounts of estrogens between Days 11 to 15 of pregnancy required for maternal recognition of pregnancy.Estrogen,likely in concert with prolactin,prevents secretion of PGF into the uterine venous drainage（endocrine secretion）,but maintains secretion of PGF into the uterine lumen（exocrine secretion） where it is metabolized to a form that is not luteolytic.Since PGF is sequestered within the uterine lumen and unavailable to induce luteolysis,functional CL are maintained for production of progesterone.In addition to effects of chorionic gonadotrophin,IFNT and estrogens to signal pregnancy recognition,these hormones act on uterine epithelia to enhance expression of genes critical for growth and development of the conceptus.     

Reduced-particle size wheat bran and endoxylanase supplementation in broiler feed affect arabinoxylan hydrolysis and fermentation with broiler age differently

Since the caecal microbiota of young broilers are not yet able to ferment the dietary fibre(DF) fraction of the feed to a large extent, increasing the accessibility of DF substrates along the gastrointestinal tract is crucial to benefit from the health stimulating metabolic end-products(e.g. butyric acid) generated upon microbial DF fermentation. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of reduced-particle size wheat bran(RPS-WB) and endoxylanases as feed additives to stimula...     

The rapid growth in China and its major consequences an analysis on the imbalances

The objective of this paper is to unveil the imbalances currently present in the Chinese economy and society that were generated from the fast growth experienced by the country since the beginning of the reforms in 1978 and got even more accentuated after the ascension to the WTO after 2001.The large inflow of investment and disparities of progress between rural and urban zones are definitely a decisive point to the government in order to provide effective policies to reduce growth and coordinate the shift from an export-led economy into a self sustainable economy pushed by consumption and uniform development.     

Why cuckoos should parasitize parrotbills by laying eggs randomly rather than laying eggs matching the egg appearance of parrotbill hosts?

The coevolutionary interaction between cuckoos and their hosts has been studied for a long time, but to date some puzzles still remain unsolved. Whether cuckoos parasitize their hosts by laying eggs randomly or matching the egg morphs of their hosts is one of the mysteries of the cuckoo problem. Scientists tend to believe that cuckoos lay eggs matching the appearance of host eggs due to selection caused by the ability of the hosts to recognize their own eggs.In this paper, we first review previous empirical studies to test this mystery and found no studies have provided direct evidence of cuckoos choosing to parasitize host nests where egg color and pattern match. We then present examples of unmatched cuckoo eggs in host nests and key life history traits of cuckoos, e.g. secretive behavior and rapid egg-laying and link them to cuckoo egg laying behavior. Finally we develop a conceptual model to demonstrate the egg laying behaviour of cuckoos and propose an empirical test that can provide direct evidence of the egg-laying properties of female cuckoos. We speculate that the degree of egg matching between cuckoo eggs and those of the host as detected by humans is caused by the ability of the hosts to recognize their own eggs, rather than the selection of matching host eggs by cuckoos. The case of Common Cuckoos(Cuculus canorus) and their parrotbill hosts(Paradoxornis alphonsianus), where it has been shown that both have evolved polymorphic eggs(mainly blue and white), was used to develop a conceptual model to demonstrate why cuckoos should utilize parrotbill hosts by laying eggs randomly rather than laying eggs matching the appearance of host eggs.In conclusion, we found no evidence for the hypothesis that cuckoos lay eggs based on own egg color matching that of the parrotbill-cuckoo system. We argue theoretically that laying eggs matching those of the hosts in this system violates a key trait of the life history of cuckoos and therefore should be maladaptive.     

Fujian Steps up International Cooperation in the Fishery Industries

ork imports by Russia from China have resumed for the first time since 2004, according to the website of Russia＇s consumer watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor. China is set to increase the number of pork suppliers to the Russian market to 10 companies.     

Yurun continuing the expansion and the live-pig slaughtering capacity keeping leading in the world

The live-pig slaughtering capability of Jiangsu Yunrun Group will be up to 25 mil heads by the end of 2009. The Chairman of the Board, Zhu Yicai said that the group will be on the way to merge and acquisition; the productivity will be expanded to 30 mil heads in 2010.     

Model Optimization of Litter Size and Genetic Analyses of Model Parameters in Sows

According to two properties of the life cycle and to fluctuation with parities, four mathemati- cal models, the Poisson cycle model, the cubic polyno- mial model, the modified quadratic polynomial model- I artd the modified quadratic polynomial model-H, were used to fit the records of litter size in Jiangquhai sows. From the viewpoint of statistics and biological significance, the modified quadratic polynomial mod- el-I was found to be the optimum model. A single traitanimal model and DFREML procedures were further used to estimate the heritability values of optimum model parameters. The results show that the heritabili- ty values for the coefficients A and B and the herita- bility value for the acme of the model pure quadric curve are larger than the heritability value for the litter size. This suggests that selection for model parameters may be more effective than direct selection for litter size.     

Amino acid digestibility in low-fat distillers dried grains with solubles fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the standardized ileal digestibility（SID） of amino acids（AA） in 3sources of distillers dried grains with solubles（DDGS） with different concentrations of fat.Twelve growing barrows（initial body weight：76.1 ± 6.2 kg） were randomly allotted to a replicated 6×4 Youden square design with 6 diets and 4 periods.The fat content of the 3 sources of DDGS were 11.5,7.5,and 6.9%respectively.Diets contained 60%DDGS and fat concentration of the diets were 7.5,52,and 5.2%,respectively.Two additional diets containing the 2sources of DDGS with 75 and 6.9%fat were also formulated,and corn oil was added to these diets to increase the concentration of fat in the diets to levels that were calculated to be similar to the diet containing conventional DDGS with 11.5%fat.A N-free diet was also formulated to calculate endogenous losses of crude protein（CP） and AA from the pigs.Pigs were fed experimental diets during four 7-d periods.The first 5 d of each period were an adaptation period and ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period.The apparent ileal digestibililty（AID） and SID of CP and all indispensable AA,except AID Pro and SID of Trp,were greater（P 〈 0.01） in conventional DDGS than in the 2 sources of DDGS with reduced fat.Adding oil to the diets containing the 2 sources of DDGS with reduced fat did not consistently increase SID of AA.In conclusion,conventional DDGS has greater SID values for most AA compared with DDGS that contains less fat and inclusion of additional oil to diets containing low-fat DDGS does not increase AID or SID of AA.The lower AA digestibility in low-fat DDGS could not be overcome by the inclusion of additional fat to the diets.     

Uterine biology in pigs and sheep

There is a dialogue between the developing conceptus (embryo-fetus and associated placental membranes) and maternal uterus which must be established during the peri-implantation period for pregnancy recognition signaling, implantation, regulation of gene expression by uterine epithelial and stromal cells, placentation and exchange of nutrients and gases. The uterus provide a microenvironment in which molecules secreted by uterine epithelia or transported into the uterine lumen represent histotroph required for growth and development of the conceptus and receptivity of the uterus to implantation. Pregnancy recognition signaling mechanisms sustain the functional lifespan of the corpora lutea (CL) which produce progesterone, the hormone of pregnancy essential for uterine functions that support implantation and placentation required for a successful outcome of pregnancy. It is within the peri-implantation period that most embryonic deaths occur due to deficiencies attributed to uterine functions or failure of the conceptus to develop appropriately, signal pregnancy recognition and/or undergo implantation and placentation. With proper placentation, the fetal fluids and fetal membranes each have unique functions to ensure hematotrophic and histotrophic nutrition in support of growth and development of the fetus. The endocrine status of the pregnant female and her nutritional status are critical for successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This review addresses the complexity of key mechanisms that are characteristic of successful reproduction in sheep and pigs and gaps in knowledge that must be the subject of research in order to enhance fertility and reproductive health of livestock species.     

Ministry of Agriculture Intensifying the Supervision of Animal Drugs to Ensure Animal Drug＇s Quality and Safety of Animal Products

Recently, the Veterinary Bureau of Ministry of Agriculture publicized the plan on animal drug supervision in the latter half of 2010, requiring more stringent measures to be taken by the veterinary departments at all levels in an all-round way, focusing on the guaranteed quality of key vaccines for animal diseases and quality safety of animal products, so as to ensure the healthy development of animal husbandry and safeguard the safety of public hygiene.