Epidemiological studies of clinical and subclinical ovine mastitis in Awassi sheep in northern Jordan

Forty-six Awassi sheep flocks selected by stratified random sampling were subjected to a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of intramammary infections, to assess the influence of flock size and parity on the prevalence of somatic cell count (SCC) and to identify major udder pathogens. Of the 3472 udder halves examined, 29.8% had over 10⁶ SCC/ml and 0.03% had dry teats due to chronic mastitis. Flocks with 30–49 milking ewes (small flock size) were much younger (P < 0.001) than flocks with 50–99 ewes (medium) and flocks with ≥ 100 ewes (large). Pairwise analysis of the InSCC of both halves of the udders revealed significant mean differences for small and large flock size (P < 0.05), and for medium and large flock size (P < 0.001). Mean InSCC was lower (P < 0.05) in samples obtained from the left half compared with samples of the right half of the udder. Multiparous ewes had higher (P < 0.001) mean InSCC than primiparous ewes. Also, ewes with twin lambs had higher (P < 0.001) mean InSCC in the right half of the udder compared with single-lamb ewes. Samples collected in January (winter) had lower (P < 0.05) mean InSCC compared with samples collected in June. The most common organisms isolated from subclinical mastitis cases were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (17.8%), E. coli (13.6%), Streptococcus agalactiae (6.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (6.8%). Of the 46 flocks, 20 were monitored monthly for 9 consecutive months to determine the incidence of clinical mastitis diagnosed by shepherds or/and sheep farmers with major pathogens. The incidence of clinical mastitis (expressed as the number of clinical cases per 100 ewe-months) were 2.1 ± 1.9 (SD), 1.9 ± 1.1, and 1.2 + 2.1 for small, medium and large flocks size strata, respectively. The overall population estimate was 1.7 ± 0.02 cases per 100 ewe-months. The most-common clinical isolates were S. aureus (22% of all clinical isolates) and E. coli (14.2%).     

The Effect of Gender on Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality in Sunite Sheep

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of gender on the slaughter performance and meat quality of Sunite sheep.Twelve 6-month-old Sunite rams and ewes at the same body condition were selected from the grazing herds of the Sunite Zuoqi Improvement Station Breeding Farm to determine their slaughter performance and meat quality.The slaughter test results showed that the bone quality and bone-meat ratio of the rams were significantly higher than that of the ewes (P<0.05),and the net meat quality and net meat rate of the ewes were significantly higher than that of the rams (P<0.05).The results of meat quality traits showed that the drip loss of ewes were significantly lower than that of rams (P<0.05),and the other indicators were not significantly different (P>0.05).The results of conventional nutrient composition of muscles showed that the intramuscular moisture content of the rams were significantly higher than that of the ewes (P<0.05),and the intramuscular fat content of the ewes were significantly higher than that of the rams (P<0.05),while the other indicators were not significantly different (P>0.05).The results of amino acid determination showed that the essential amino acid ratio in muscle of sunite ewes were significantly higher than that of rams (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the rams and ewes that formed the precursor amino acid content of meat flavor (P>0.05).Fatty acid measurement results showed that the saturated fatty acid ratio in the subcutaneous fat of rams was significantly lower than that of ewes (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the ratio of saturated fatty acids in muscle fat and tail fat (P>0.05);The ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids in ewes tail fat was significantly higher than that of rams (P<0.05).The ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat and intermuscular fat was not significantly different between rams and ewes (P>0.05).The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids in intermuscular fat of rams was significantly higher than that of ewes (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat and tail fat (P>0.05).In summary,it showed that gender had a certain influence on the slaughter performance and meat quality of 6-month-old Sunite sheep.     

不同性别苏尼特羊屠宰性能与肉品质研究

本试验旨在研究性别对苏尼特羊屠宰性能和肉品质的影响。从苏尼特左旗改良站种羊场放牧群中选取体况相同、6月龄苏尼特羊24只（公母各半）,测定其屠宰性能和肉品质。屠宰试验结果显示,公羊骨重和骨肉比显著高于母羊（P<0.05）,母羊净肉重和净肉率则显著高于公羊（P<0.05）。肉质性状测定结果表明,苏尼特母羊的滴水损失显著低于苏尼特公羊（P<0.05）,其余指标则差异不显著（P>0.05）。肌肉常规营养成分结果表明,公羊肌内水分含量显著高于母羊（P<0.05）,母羊粗脂肪含量则显著高于公羊（P<0.05）,其他指标差异不显著（P>0.05）。氨基酸测定结果表明,苏尼特母羊肌肉必需氨基酸比率显著高于公羊（P<0.05）,形成肉品香味的前体氨基酸含量在公母羊间无显著差异（P>0.05）。不同部位脂肪酸含量测定结果表明,公羊皮下脂肪中饱和脂肪酸比率显著低于母羊（P<0.05）,肌内脂肪和尾脂中饱和脂肪酸比率公母羊差异不显著（P>0.05）;母羊尾脂中单不饱和脂肪酸比率显著高于公羊（P<0.05）,皮下脂肪和肌间脂肪中单不饱和脂肪酸比率在公母羊间差异不显著（P>0.05）;公羊肌内脂肪中多不饱和脂肪酸比率显著高于母羊（P<0.05）,而在皮下脂肪和尾脂中多不饱和脂肪酸含量在公母羊间差异不显著（P>0.05）。综上所述,性别对6月龄苏尼特羊屠宰性能和肉品质均有一定影响。     

Posttranslational processing of progonadotropin-releasing hormone (PROGnRH) in ewes

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released from hypothalamic neurons into the hypophyseal-portal blood system following enzymatic cleavage of the decapeptide from a large precursor (proGnRH) molecule. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ability of GnRH-producing neurons to synthesize and/or process proGnRH differed during physiological states associated with a suppressed and enhanced release of GnRH in ewes. Tissues were collected from ovariectomized ewes (OVX, N=4), OVX-estradiol treated ewes (OVX-E, N=5), and ewes (n=7) slaughtered 5 d after parturition (PP). Following euthanasia and exsanguination, stalk-median eminence (SME), medial-basal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic areas (POA) were collected. Concentrations of GnRH and proGnRH were determined by radioimmunoassay using specific antisera. Concentrations of GnRH in the SME did not differ (P>.05) between OVX-E and OVX ewes, but both groups contained less (P<.05) GnRH than the SME from PP ewes (4.4 ± 0.7, 12.1 ± 3.8 vs 24.3 ± 5.1 fmol/mg tissue, respectively). Concentrations of proGnRH in SME mimicked those of GnRH and were less (P<.05) in OVX-E ewes than PP ewes, but were not different (P>.05) from those in OVX ewes (.34 ± .34 vs 3.76 ± 1.53 and 1.7 ± .78 fmol/mg, respectively). In the MBH, OVX-E ewes had greater (P<.05) concentrations of GnRH than PP ewes (0.76 ± 0.29 vs 0.24 ± 0.04 fmol/mg) and OVX ewes were intermediate (0.41 ± 0.13 fmol/mg). No differences (P>.05) in concentrations of GnRH in the POA were detected among groups. Concentrations of proGnRH in MBH and POA were not different (P>.05) among groups. In summary, proGnRH is present in the SME which contains nerve terminals of GnRH-producing cells. Although concentrations of proGnRH and GnRH in the SME and MBH were affected by physiological state, ratio's of the prohormone:mature decapeptide remained constant. Therefore, alterations in posttranslational processing of the prohormone leading to formation of the mature GnRH-decapeptide were not demonstrated.     

肉用绵羊二元杂交组合的筛选及CLPG基因遗传效应研究

为了筛选出适宜于河北省唐山地区养殖的肉用绵羊最佳杂交组合,更好地指导生产实践,本研究以小尾寒羊为母本,分别以澳洲白羊（AWF）、杜泊羊和夏洛莱羊为父本,分3组进行杂交试验,其中,1组为澳洲白羊和小尾寒羊杂交（AH组）,2组为杜泊羊和小尾寒羊杂交（DH组）,3组为夏洛莱羊和小尾寒羊杂交（XH组）。对3组肉羊杂交F1代羊的生长性能和CLPG基因的遗传效应进行测定和分析。结果表明,在相同饲养条件下,除夏寒F1代母羊的初生重略低于澳寒F1代母羊外,夏寒杂交F1代羊的初生重（公羊）、断奶重、6月龄体重、初生到断奶时的平均日增重均为最高,且显著或极显著的高于杜寒和澳寒F1代羊（P<0.05,P<0.01）。断奶到6月龄时的平均日增重,杜寒F1代公、母羊均为最高,其次是夏寒F1代公、母羊,杜寒F1代公、母羊与其余两组均未达显著性差异（P>0.05）。3月龄体尺指标除了体长和胸宽,6月龄体尺指标除了体长和体高,其余均是夏寒F1代羊最大,且部分指标极显著高于澳寒F1代羊（P<0.01）。以上研究结果说明,夏寒F1代羊,基础体重较高,出生后生长速度始终较快,而杜寒F1代羊在断奶后表现出较快的生长速度。3个肉羊杂交组合F1代羊CLPG基因的遗传效应分析结果表明,CLPG基因的第41 bp处存在一个错义突变位点（g.C > T）,该位点有CC和CT 2种基因型,其中CC为优势基因型,C为优势等位基因。具CT型个体的初生重、断奶重、6月龄体重以及3月龄和6月龄各体尺指标,均明显高于具CC型的个体。综合以上结果,提示夏洛莱羊与小尾寒羊杂交优势较为明显,T等位基因可促进肉用绵羊的生长发育,建议在河北省唐山地区进行肉羊生产时,尽可能选择夏寒杂交组合且携带有T等位基因的个体。     

Linearity of eprinomectin pharmacokinetics in lactating dairy sheep following pour-on administration: excretion in milk and exposure of suckling lambs

Pharmacokinetics of eprinomectin (EPR) were studied in blood plasma and milk in two groups of six Istrian Pramenka dairy sheep and their suckling lambs following pour-on administration of EPR to ewes at dose levels of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg. Maximum concentration in plasma was 2.22 and 5.25 μg/l, and AUC was 13.6 and 33.7 μg day/l for the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg dose, respectively. These results indicate that drug exposure with a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, which is commonly used in cattle, may be subtherapeutic. The concentration time course in milk paralleled plasma concentrations. In the dose range studied, linear pharmacokinetics of EPR were demonstrated. Milk-to-plasma AUC ratio was 0.79 ± 0.12 and 1.12 ± 0.43; the fraction of dose recovered in milk was 0.037 ± 0.011 and 0.058 ± 0.027% for the low and high dose, respectively. Maximum residual levels in milk were below the maximum acceptable level of 20 μg/kg; however, EPR was detected in all samples investigated. Despite low permeability in milk, AUC in plasma of suckling lambs was between 20 and 30% of the AUC in plasma of ewes.     

Feeding value for finishing beef steers of wheat grain conserved by different techniques

The objective was to determine the feeding value of high moisture grain as an alternative to dry grain for finishing beef cattle. Winter wheat grain was harvested sequentially for rolling, acid treatment and ensilage (ER; 705 g dry matter (DM)/kg), urea whole grain treatment and anaerobic storage (UN; 746 g DM/kg) and whole grain propionic acid treatment and aerobic storage (rolled before feeding; PR; 849 g DM/kg). Friesian steers (n = 120; mean starting live-weight 518 kg) were allocated on a live-weight basis to 12 replicate blocks and then randomly assigned from within blocks to ten treatments. Treatments were grass silage offered ad libitum together with (i) no wheat, (ii–iv) PR at 3 or 6 kg/head daily, or ad libitum, (v–vii) UN at equivalent DM allowances to (ii) and (iii) above, or ad libitum, (viii–x) ER at equivalent DM allowances to (ii) and (iii) above, or ad libitum. Mean daily live-weight gains were 852 (ER), 726 (UN) and 855 g (PR) (s.e. = 65.5; P < 0.05) with corresponding values for carcass gain of 522, 425 and 528 g (s.e. = 35.6; P < 0.001) and daily silage DM intakes of 3.5, 4.0 and 3.6 kg (s.e. = 0.15; P < 0.001). Wheat DM intake when offered ad libitum was 7.8, 8.3 and 8.2 kg (s.e. = 0.10; P < 0.05) for ER, UN and PR, respectively. The content of apparently undigested whole grains and starch in faeces was higher (P < 0.001) for UN than for ER and PR, particularly at higher rates of wheat ingestion. It is concluded that ER treatment of wheat grain can be an acceptable alternative to the more traditional PR and superior to the UN treatment in the diets of finishing beef cattle.     

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.     

Influence of sex hormones on the subcellular distribution of copper in sheep liver

At the 14th to 16th week of pregnancy the copper content in the maternal liver was low while that in the fetus was high. After ovariectomy there was a decrease in liver copper and ceruloplasmin which was prevented by treatment with oestrogens but not with progesterone. Five groups of sheep were studied: control (barren ewes), pregnant, ovariectomised and ovariectomised treated with oestrogens or progesterone. In all, with high or low liver copper, the nuclear fraction contained the most copper. This suggests a species specificity of the copper metabolism in sheep.     

The effects of feeding level upon protein and fat deposition in Iberian heavy pigs

Eighteen Iberian barrows of 100 kg initial BW were used in a comparative slaughter experiment to investigate the effects of feeding level (FL; 0.70 and 0.95 × ad libitum) on growth, protein- and fat-deposition rates and body composition. They were fed on a diet supplying the optimum level of digestible ideal protein:ME ratio (4.82 g/MJ) and slaughtered at 150 kg BW. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, total N and GE, and the ME:GE and ME:DE ratios were not affected by FL. The average daily gain increased with the increase in FL (691 and 918 g/day respectively). Neither the gain:feed (g/g DM) nor the gain:ME intake (g/MJ) ratios were significantly affected however. An energy cost of 59.9 kJ ME/g gain was calculated. The rate of whole-body protein deposition was not significantly altered by FL. On average it reached 80 g/day. The pigs fed at the lowest level exhibited lower fat deposition (P < 0.01) and total energy retention (P < 0.01) than those in the group subjected to only a slight feed restriction. The overall efficiency of utilization of ME for energy gain (ER:ME intake) remained at 0.363 on average, irrespective of the FL imposed. Relative proportions of energy retained as protein and fat were not statistically altered by changes in FL. Mean values for ERP:ER and ERF:ER were 0.100 and 0.903 respectively. No differences between treatments were observed in fat, ash, water or energy content of the whole-body (g/kg) at 150 kg empty BW, the mean values (n = 12) being 512 ± 8.5, 27.6 ± 0.63 and 353 ± 6.7 g/kg for fat, ash and water respectively and 22.90 ± 0.31 MJ/kg for energy. Nevertheless, the proportion of protein tended to decline with the increase in FL (111 vs 104; P = 0.069). At 150 kg the Iberian pigs contained more fat and energy and less ash and water than at 100 kg. Whilst the percentage of lean tissue decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and protein content in the carcass showed a strong tendency to decline in the pigs fed close to ad libitum (104 vs 96; P = 0.056), the proportions of fat, ash, water and energy remained constant at 564 ± 9.0, 22.2 ± 0.91, 312 ± 6.6 g/kg, and 24.82 ± 0.32 MJ/kg, respectively. It was concluded that a degree of feed restriction may result in a discernible improvement in carcass quality.     

Effect of supplements during the cold season on the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes

We examined the development of the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes when fed only oat hay (CON) or supplemented with either lick blocks (BS) or concentrate feed (CS) during the cold season. The average daily gain of the CS ewes was greater than that of the BS ewes (P  < 0.05), which was greater than that of the CON ewes. The same pattern was observed in the number of ovarian follicles (P  < 0.001), that is, CS > BS > CON. Serum concentrations of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteotrophic hormone, estradiol and progesterone in the CS and BS groups were higher than in the CON group (P  < 0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of KiSS‐1, GPR54 (G protein‐coupled receptor 54), ERα (estradiol receptor α) in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular area of the CS group were higher than in both the BS and CON groups (P  < 0.05), while the BS group was higher than in the CON group (P  < 0.05). Similar differences among groups were observed for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the pituitary, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the ovary. These results indicated that the KiSS1/GPR54 system was more active with nutrition or trace mineral supplementation during the cold season. The system stimulated the hypothalamic–pituitary?gonadal axis and enhanced folliclar development in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes. We concluded that energy, protein and trace minerals supplements could improve the reproductive performance of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau.     

两个呼伦贝尔羊品系不同部位脂肪细胞形态及脂肪代谢相关基因表达差异分析

试验旨在探讨呼伦贝尔羊巴尔虎品系（半椭圆状尾）和短尾品系（小桃状尾）脂肪沉积差异的分子机制。随机选择处于相同饲养管理条件下5月龄呼伦贝尔母羊21只（其中巴尔虎品系11只、短尾品系10只）,测量其体尺、尾型和胴体重指标。组织切片观察8个部位脂肪细胞的形态,测定脂肪组织甘油三酯（TG）含量,并进一步用实时荧光定量PCR检测脂肪代谢相关基因在不同脂肪组织中的表达差异。结果显示,同月龄两品系羊胴体重、体尺及尾型指标差异显著或极显著（P<0.05;P<0.01）。虽然两品系羊同一部位的脂肪细胞形态基本一致,但巴尔虎品系尾部脂肪细胞面积和体积均大于短尾品系（P<0.01）,并且皮下、网膜和尾部脂肪组织中的TG含量在两品系羊间差异显著或极显著（P<0.05;P<0.01）。ATGL、PPARγ、C/EBPα和SREBP 4个脂代谢相关基因在巴尔虎品系个体中的mRNA水平均显著或极显著高于短尾品系（P<0.05;P<0.01）;巴尔虎品系中ATGL和SREBP基因的表达与TG含量分别呈显著负相关和正相关（r=-0.965、0.972）。综上所述,两个呼伦贝尔羊品系在生长和脂肪代谢等方面存在较大差异。本研究结果可为进一步深入解析绵羊脂尾形成的分子机制提供理论依据。     

新疆5个品种羊不同月龄MSTN基因mRNA表达水平及其与生长性状相关性分析

为了探讨不同品种绵羊肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)表达水平及其与生长性状(体重、体高、体长、胸围和管围)的关联性,试验采用实时荧光定量 PCR方法比较阿勒泰羊、吐鲁番黑羊、也木勒白羊、哈萨克羊、巴什拜羊不同月龄(初生及1、2、3、4、5月龄)肌肉和脂肪MSTN mRNA的表达水平,运用SPSS 19.0软件分析与其生长性状的相关性.在肌肉中:初生时,阿勒泰羊、哈萨克羊、巴什拜羊MSTN基因mRNA表达水平均明显低于其他各月龄;也木勒白羊3月龄MSTN基因mRNA水平均显著低于其他各月龄(P<0.05);阿勒泰羊、吐鲁番黑羊MSTN基因mRNA在4月龄表达水平最高;哈萨克羊MSTN基因mRNA初生时表达水平最低,5月龄表达水平最高.在脂肪中:也木勒白羊MSTN基因mRNA表达水平初生时显著低于其他各月龄(P<0.05);阿勒泰羊、也木勒白羊、巴什拜羊MSTN基因mRNA 5月龄表达水平最高,巴什拜羊MSTN基因mRNA 5月龄显著高于其他各月龄(P<0.05);哈萨克羊MSTN基因mRNA 2月龄表达水平最高,显著高于5月龄(P<0.05).相关性分析结果发现,MSTN基因mRNA表达水平与生长性状多呈负相关关系.阿勒泰羊在肌肉和脂肪中MSTN基因mRNA表达水平与其生长性状均呈负相关关系;吐鲁番黑羊MSTN基因mRNA在肌肉中的表达水平与体高、体长呈负相关,其余均呈正相关;也木勒白羊MSTN基因mRNA在肌肉中的表达水平与胸围、管围呈正相关,在脂肪中表达水平与体长呈正相关,其余均呈负相关;哈萨克羊在肌肉和脂肪中除与体长呈正相关外,其余均呈负相关;巴什拜羊在肌肉中MSTN基因mRNA表达水平与体长、管围呈正相关,其余均呈负相关.MSTN基因mRNA在不同月龄不同品种间的表达水平存在差异性,无固定表达模式;且与生长性状多呈负相关关系,与部分体尺性状呈正相关关系.MSTN基因mRNA表达水平可能与生长性状和骨骼生长有直接关系.     

Antibody response and antigen-specific gamma-interferon profiles of vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant sheep experimentally infected with Brucella melitensis

It is well known that the immune response in sheep against Brucella melitensis is subject to individual variation, depending on diverse factors. It bears asking whether these factors (e.g. clinical disease, active infection, state of previous immunity), when affecting a group, can cause variation in the performance of different diagnostic tests. To clarify some of the circumstances in which this immune response can vary, we examine the immune-response profile of sheep protected against the clinical disease by prior vaccination with strain Rev. 1 in comparison with the profile of unprotected females showing the classical brucellosis symptoms. An experimental infection was provoked at midpregnancy under controlled conditions of both non-vaccinated (n=7) and previously Rev.1-vaccinated ewes (n=5). Their immune response was monitored from 7 to 9 weeks before abortion or normal birth to 30 weeks afterwards. Antibody response was assessed by classical tests (Rose Bengal test, complement fixation test (CFT)) in comparison with other diagnostic tests (indirect ELISA (iELISA), competitive ELISA (cELISA), fluorescence polarization assay (FPA), immunocapture test (ICT)). In addition, the cell-mediated immune response was indirectly evaluated by the in vitro antigen-specific release of gamma-interferon. The antibody levels and antigen-specific gamma-IFN profile of the non-vaccinated ewes having the disease and excreting the pathogen was notably high and differed significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) from those of vaccinated ewes that neither contracted brucellosis nor excreted the pathogen. In general, all the tests detect the infection in the non-vaccinated ewes with substantial effectiveness. It can be concluded that the high levels of circulating antibodies and of antigen-specific gamma-IFN are related to active Brucella infection. Similarly, the state of protection against the disease, but not necessarily against infection, due to a previous immunization with the Rev. 1 vaccination, appears to be responsible for a low level of detectable immune response. Nevertheless, the design of the study limits conclusions to pregnant ewes and cannot be extrapolated to non-pregnant ewes or rams. Likewise, the study provides no information on animals which are carriers of B. melitensis.     

Different Months of MSTN Gene mRNA Expression Levels and their Correlation with Growth Traits in Five Xinjiang Local Sheep

To explore the different varieties of five Xinjiang local sheep myostatin (MSTN) expression levels and their correlation with growth traits (body weight,body height,body length,heart girth and cannon circumference).The MSTN mRNA expression level in different month(Birth,1 months,2 months,3 months,4 months,5 months) of muscle and fat in Altay sheep,Turpan Black sheep,Emil White sheep,Kazakh sheep,Bashbay sheep by quantitative Real-time PCR method,using SPSS 19.0 software to analyze the correlation with growth traits.The MSTN mRNA expression levels in muscle:The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels of Altay sheep,Kazakh sheep and Bashbay sheep at birth were lower than other months;The MSTN gene mRNA expression level of Emil White sheep in 3 months was significantly lower than other months (P<0.05);The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels of Altay sheep,Turpan Black sheep were the highest in 4 months;The MSTN gene mRNA expression level of Kazakh sheep was the lowest at birth,and was the highest in 5 months.The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in fat:The MSTN gene mRNA expression level of Emil White sheep at birth was significantly lower than other months (P<0.05); The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels of Altay sheep,Emil White sheep and Bashbay sheep were the highest in 5 months,the MSTN gene mRNA expression level of Bashbay sheep in 5 months was significantly higher than other months (P<0.05);The MSTN gene mRNA expression level of Kazakh sheep was the highest in 2 month,it was significantly higher than 5 months (P<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed that the MSTN gene mRNA expression levels were mostly negatively correlated with growth traits.The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in muscle and fat of Altay sheep were all negatively correlated with growth traits;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in muscle of Turpan Black sheep were negative correlated with body length and body height,others were positively;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in muscle of Emil White sheep were positive correlated with heart girth and cannon circumference;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in fat were positive correlated with body length,others were negatively correlation;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in muscle and fat of Kazakh sheep were positive correlated with body length,others were negatively correlation;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels in muscle of Bashbay sheep were positive correlated with body length and cannon circumference,others were negatively correlation.The MSTN gene mRNA expression level was discrepancy in different month of different varieties,and was no fixed expression pattern;The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with the part of the body size.The MSTN gene mRNA expression levels might have a direct relationship with the growth traits and bone growth.     

Effects of dietary neutral detergent fiber on muscle fiber type composition and meat quality characteristics of black Tibetan sheep北大核心CSCD

The effects of different neutral detergent fiber （NDF） diets on body size indexes，muscle fiber type and meat quality of Qinghai black Tibetan sheep were investigated. Forty healthy 2-month-old black Tibetan sheep with similar body weights ［（10.28±0.43 kg］ were randomly divided into 2 groups with 20 rams per group. They were fed diets with differing neutral detergent fiber （NDF） levels of 26.33% （group L） and 46.14% （group H）. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay， ATPase histochemical stain and real-time PCR， the muscle fiber characteristics，gene expression of myosin heavy chains （MyHCs） and meat quality in Black Tibetan sheep were evaluated. Results were as follows：1） The tagma indexes in group H were significantly lower than those in group L （P<0.05）. 2） The number of type II a muscle fibers in group H was significantly more than in group L （P< 0.05），and the areas of type I and type II a muscle fibers in group H were also greater than in group L （P< 0.05）. 3） The mRNA expression levels of MyHC I and MyHC IIa in group L were lower than those in group H （P<0.05），but the mRNA expression levels of MyHC IIb and MyHC IIx exhibited an opposite movement （P< 0.05）. 4） Compared with group L，superoxide dismutase，glutathione peroxidase，catalase and total antioxidant capacity contents increased （P>0.05） in group H，while the malondialdehyde （MDA） content was significantly decreased with in group L. 5） The muscle shear force in Group L was higher than that in Group H （P<0.05），while the redness （a*） was lower than that in Group H （P>0.05）. In conclusion，compared with a low-NDF diet，the high-NDF diet effectively reduced the proportion of glycolic muscle fiber and also enhanced antioxidant capacity，improving the muscle quality of black Tibetan sheep. © 2022 Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.     

饲粮能氮比对简州大耳羊生长性能及养分消化代谢的影响

【目的】本试验旨在研究全价颗粒饲粮代谢能/总氮（ME/N）和性别对全舍饲简州大耳羊生长性能及养分消化代谢的影响。【方法】采用2×4两因素试验设计,选择健康、体况良好的5月龄简州大耳羊64只,公羊（26.56 kg±2.96 kg）和母羊（25.75 kg±2.46 kg）各32只,公母各随机分成4组,每组8只羊,分别饲喂ME/N为0.59、0.51、0.43、0.35的全价颗粒饲粮,过渡期5 d,预饲期10 d后进行30 d饲养试验,再按照平均体重每组选择4只羊开展为期11 d的全收粪尿消化代谢试验（预饲7 d,正试期4 d）。【结果】①饲粮ME/N显著影响试验羊平均日增重（ADG）和干物质采食量（DMI）（P＜0.05）,在ME/N为0.43时ADG达到最佳（259±58 g/d）;试验公羊ADG和DMI显著高于试验母羊（P＜0.05）,饲粮ME/N和性别对DMI具有显著的交互作用（P＜0.05）。②随着ME/N降低,试验羊尿能（UE）显著增加（P＜0.05）,对总能摄入量（GEI）、粪能（FE）、消化能（DE）和总能（GE）表观消化率无显著影响（P＞0.05）;试验公羊GEI、FE、DE均显著高于试验母羊（P＜0.05）。③随着饲粮ME/N降低,试验羊摄入氮（NI）和氮表观消化率均显著增加（P＜0.05）,公羊NI、沉积氮（NR）、净蛋白利用率（NPU）和氮的生物学价值（BV）均显著高于母羊（P＜0.05）。④随着饲粮ME/N降低,试验羊粗脂肪（EE）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）的表观消化率先增加后降低（P＜0.05）,其他养分消化率无显著变化（P＞0.05）;公羊干物质（DM）、磷（P）、ADF、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）的表观消化率均显著高于母羊（P＜0.05）;性别和饲粮ME/N对养分表观消化率无显著交互作用（P＞0.05）。【结论】当全价颗粒饲粮能量一致,适当降低ME/N（增加N浓度）可以显著提高全舍饲生长育肥期简州大耳羊生长性能和养分表观消化率,但继续降低ME/N不能提高试验羊生长性能和养分消化代谢,在本试验条件下最适的饲粮ME/N为0.43;生长育肥期公羊对养分消化代谢及生长性能均优于同期母羊。     

Effect of constant-release melatonin implants and prolonged exposure to a long day photoperiod on prolactin secretion and hair growth in mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon)

The aims of this study were to examine whether mouflons exposed to constant long and short day photoperiods are able to exhibit an annual cycle of hair growth and moult, and prolactin (PRL) secretion. Mouflon ewes were assigned to three groups of treatment. Ewes were maintained, either under natural photoperiod (control, n=9), or received a series of subcutaneous melatonin implants from December to April (n=8), or were exposed to a constant long day photoperiod (16-h light:8-h dark; 16L:8D) during 18 months (n=7). Blood was collected weekly to determine PRL concentrations, and hair samples were clipped weekly from the base of the neck to measure the length of predominant hair. Under constant long days and with melatonin implants, mouflons expressed an annual rhythm of PRL secretion, even though these treatments modified the times of rise or falling of PRL concentrations throughout the year. Hair growth initiation was almost coincident with the summer solstice in both control and melatonin-implanted mouflons but occurred two months earlier in long day hold mouflons (P<0.001). Long day hold mouflons had a lower hair growth rate than control and melatonin-implanted mouflons (P<0.001), and at the end of the experiment, a shorter hair length (3.4±0.24 cm; P<0.01) than control (4.3±0.17 cm), and melatonin-implanted mouflons (4.2±0.12 cm). Our data support the conclusion that in mouflon, an endogenous circannual rhythm of PRL secretion exists, and that the seasonal cycle of hair growth and moult appears to depend, at least in part, on circulating levels of PRL.     

The inclusion of a daisy plant (Chrysanthemum coronarium) in dairy sheep diet. 1: Effect on milk and cheese fatty acid composition with particular reference to C18:2 cis-9, trans-11

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect on milk and cheese fatty acid composition of the inclusion of Chrysanthemum coronarium L., (Asteracea) into dairy sheep diet. Plots sown either with a binary mixture consisting of Lolium rigidum Gaudin and Medicago polymorpha (LM) or a ternary mixture including the above species and C. coronarium were (LMC) grazed by groups of Sarda dairy ewes during May. The botanical composition of diet, as measured by n-alkane method, showed that 34% of LMC group diet consisted of Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves. Exposure of sheep to this non-conventional forage did not affect animal performance and milk composition (fat and casein, P > 0.05) but resulted in different milk and cheese fatty acid composition. In particular conjugated linoleic acid, vaccenic acid and linoleic acid were all higher in LMC than LM groups (P < 0.05). The probable main reason was the higher proportion of linoleic acid in Chrysanthemum forage and hence in LMC than LM diet.     

Sexual Performance of Rams Sequentially Exposed to Short-tailed and Fat-tailed Ewes

The objective of the study was to compare sexual performance of pure and crossbred rams, and to evaluate whether prior exposure of rams to short-tailed females would enhance their mating ability when later exposed to fat-tailed females. Twenty-two virgin, yearling Awassi (A; n = 7), F₁ Charollais × Awassi (CA; n = 7) and F₁ Romanov × Awassi (RA; n = 8) rams were subjected to sexual performance tests on six 20-min occasions. Each ram was individually exposed to two short-tailed oestrous ewes for three 20-min occasions on three consecutive days. Following 1 day of rest, the same 3-day procedure was repeated for each ram with fat-tailed ewes. Leg kicking bout frequency increased in CA and RA rams and decreased in A rams, when they were exposed to fat-tailed compared with short-tailed ewes. No differences in anogenital sniffing were observed among rams exposed to either short-tailed or fat-tailed ewes. However, greater (p < 0.001) anogenital sniffing bouts were recorded, when rams were exposed to short-tailed females. Upon exposure to fat-tailed ewes, CA and RA rams experienced a marked increase in mounting frequency compared with a slight increase in mounting of A rams (p < 0.001). The ability of Awassi rams to raise the fat tail of Awassi ewes was greater (p < 0.001) than CA and RA rams. Mating was improved in A while declining in CA and RA, when they were exposed to fat-tailed compared with short-tailed ewes (p < 0.001). Based on the results of the current study, it seems that all yearling rams were capable of mating with short-tailed ewes, whereas only Awassi rams managed to mate with fat-tailed ewes. It appears that brief exposures of yearling crossbred rams to short-tailed ewes do not improve their mating ability when later exposed to fat-tailed ewes.