应用竞争PCR检测丙酸盐对体外培养牛肝细胞丙酮酸羧化酶mRNA水平的影响

根据牛肝细胞内PC(丙酮酸羧化酶)基因组与PCcDNA相比多含有一个内含子序列．在其中再插入一外源DNA序列．从而使最终构建的突变体片段的长度大于PCcDNA的长度，成功构建了PCcDNA的竞争DNA模板，然后应用竞争PCR方法研究了丙酸盐对体外培养新生牛单层肝细胞PCmRNA水平的影响。使单层肝细胞培养液中丙酸钠浓度分别为0、1．5、2．5、3．5、4．5、8．5、11．5mmol／L，处理24h，提取总RNA、逆转录，在同一体系中用相同引物扩增目的带和竞争模板带。结果表明．随着丙酸钠浓度的升高．PCmRNA水平呈上升趋势，提示肝细胞内PCmRNA的表达水平受培养液中丙酸钠浓度的影响。     

重组抵抗素对犊牛肝细胞PC mRNA丰度及其活性的影响

取单层培养72 h生长良好的犊牛肝细胞,采用单因素重复试验,分别添加0、25、50、100、200、400 ng/L的牛重组抵抗素(resistin),每个处理3个重复(每重复2孔).继续培养12 h后分别提取RNA并制备细胞上清液.应用荧光定量PCR方法检测牛重组Resistin对肝细胞糖异生关键酶丙酮酸羧化酶(Pyruvate carboxylase,PC)基因表达的影响,同时用比色法检测其对肝细胞PC酶活性的影响.结果表明,一定浓度的resistin显著下调了肝细胞PCmRNA表达,且降低了PC酶活性.     

In ovo feeding of creatine pyruvate modulates growth performance,energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers

The effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) on the growth performance, energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of late‐term embryos and neonatal broilers were investigated. After candling on 16 day of incubation, a total of 960 eggs were randomly assigned to three treatments: (i) non‐injected control, (ii) saline group injected with 0.6 ml of 0.75% physiological saline and (iii) Creatine pyruvate group injected with 0.6 ml of physiological saline containing 12 mg CrPyr/egg. After hatching, 120 male chicks with average body weight (BW) were randomly allocated into each treatment group for a 7‐day feeding trial. The results showed that broilers subjected to CrPyr treatment had higher BW than those of the control and saline groups on 1, 3 and 7 day post‐hatch, as well as the yolk sac weight on 19 day of incubation (19 E), the day of hatch and 3 day post‐hatch (p < .05). Compared with the control and saline groups, IOF of CrPyr increased the plasma creatine concentration on the day of hatch, and the plasma pyruvate concentration on the day of hatch and 3 day post‐hatch (p < .05). Moreover, IOF of CrPyr increased the liver pyruvate and glucose concentrations on 19 E and the day of hatch, and the liver glycogen concentration during the experiment (p < .05). Broilers in the CrPyr group showed increased mRNA expression levels of pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glycogen synthase 2 (GYS2) on 19 E and the day of hatch (p < .05). These results indicated that IOF of CrPyr increased energy reserves in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers possibly through upregulating the mRNA expression levels of PC, PEPCK and GYS2, which could benefit the increase of BW in broilers on 7 day post‐hatch.     

Metabolism of propionate and 1,2-propanediol absorbed from the washed reticulorumen of lactating cows

To investigate the metabolism of 1,2-propanediol (PPD) in lactating cows independently of normal rumen microbial metabolism, three ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein cows were subjected to three experimental infusion protocols under washed reticulo-ruminal conditions in a Latin square design. Reticulo-ruminal absorption rates were maintained for 420 min by continuous intraruminal infusion of VFA and PPD. With the control treatment, 1,246 +/- 39 mmol/ h of acetate and 213 +/- 5 mmol/h of butyrate were absorbed from the reticulorumen. With the propionate treatment, 1,148 +/- 39 mmo/h of acetate, 730 +/- 23 mmol/h of propionate and 196 +/- 5 mmol/h of butyrate were absorbed from the reticulorumen. With PPD treatment, 1,264 +/- 39 mmol/h of acetate, 220 +/- 5 mmol/h of butyrate and 721 +/- 17 mmol/h of PPD were absorbed from the reticulorumen. Glucose irreversible loss rate (ILR), as well as the relative enrichment of plasma lactate and alanine, were determined by primed continuous infusion of [U-13C]glucose in a jugular vein. Treatments did not affect (P > 0.10) the plasma concentrations of glucose (4.2 +/- 0.1 mmoVL), alanine (0.14 +/- 0.01 mmol/L), or insulin (80 +/- 25 pmol/L). The plasma concentration of lactate was higher (P < 0.05) with both propionate (0.84 +/- 5 mmol/L) and PPD treatment (0.81 +/- 5 mmol/ L) compared with the control treatment (0.29 +/- 0.5 mmol/L). The plasma concentration of pyruvate was higher (P < 0.05) with the propionate treatment (0.09 +/- 0.01 mmol/L) compared with the control treatment (0.03 +/- 0.01 mmol/L). The plasma concentration of 3-hydroxybutyrate was lower (P < 0.05) with the propionate treatment (0.15 +/- 0.03 mmol/L) compared with the control treatment (0.40 +/- 0.03). With the PPD treatment, the plasma concentrations of pyruvate and 3-hydroxybutyrate were in between the other treatments and tended (P < 0.10) to be different from both. The plasma concentration of PPD increased throughout the infusion period with the PPD treatment and reached a concentration of 4.9 +/- 0.6 mmol/L at 420 min. The ILR of glucose was not affected (P > 0.10) by treatments (441 +/- 35 mmol/h). The relative 13C enrichment of plasma lactate compared with that of glucose decreased (P < 0.05) with the PPD treatment compared with the control treatment (44 to 21 +/- 3%). It was concluded that PPD has a low rate of metabolism in cows without a normal functioning rumen, although about 10% of the absorbed PPD was metabolized into lactate.     

Effect of cyclodextrin diallyl maleate on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes in vitro and in vivo

Effects of β‐cyclodextrin diallyl maleate (CD‐M) on methane production, ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD‐M using hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as a substrate. The CD‐M was added at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/L). The pH of the medium and numbers of protozoa were not affected by the addition of CD‐M. Total volatile fatty acids were increased and ammonia‐N was decreased, molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased (P < 0.05) by CD‐M. Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) by 14–76%. The effect of CD‐M on methane production and ruminal fermentation was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a cross‐over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay and concentrate mixture (1.5:1) with or without CD‐M (2% of feed dry matter) as a supplement. Ruminal proportion of acetate tended to decrease and that of propionate was increased (P < 0.05) 2 h after CD‐M dosing. Total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing, acetogenic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected while methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) by CD‐M. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased, whereas that of urea‐N was decreased (P < 0.05). Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) from 36.4 to 30.1 L/kg dry matter intake by the addition of CD‐M. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were not affected while that of crude protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the medicated steers. These data suggested that dietary supplementation of CD‐M decreased methane production and improved nutrient use.     

Preliminary study of the effects of condensed barley distillers soluble on rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites in Japanese Black cows

In Japan, condensed barley distillers soluble (CBDS) is a widely known liquor byproduct that contains a high level of protein and is used as a supplementary protein feed for cattle. The present study evaluated the effects of CBDS feed on rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites in Japanese Black cows. Applying a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, nine cows were offered CBDS and hay (CBDS‐t), soy bean meal and hay (Soybean‐t) and only hay (Hay‐t) over 35 days. We collected ruminal fluid and plasma just before feeding and at 3 h after feeding. The concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the rumen before feeding were lower in the CBDS‐t than in the Soybean‐t group (P < 0.05). However, after 3 h, the concentrations were higher in the CBDS‐t than in the Soybean‐t and Hay‐t groups (P < 0.05). Although, there were no differences in the compositions (% mol) of propionate and butyrate in the rumen and the concentration of plasma β‐hydroxybutyric acid before feeding between treatments, after 3 h they were significantly higher in the CBDS‐t than in the Soybean‐t and Hay‐t groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate that feeding CBDS promotes rumen fermentation and butyrate metabolism.     

Coordinate regulation of ovine adipose tissue gene expression by propionate

The current study examined the acute effects of intravenous propionate infusion on plasma hormones and metabolites and the expression of adipose tissue lipogenic genes. Four yearling rams were assigned to one oftwo groups (saline or propionate infusion) in a crossover design. All sheep were cannulated in both jugular veins and infused with 1.2 M propionate at a rate of 64 micromol x mix(-1) x kg BW(-1) for 30 min. Blood samples were collected at -10, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 min after initiation of infusion. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from the tailhead at 0 and 2 h after propionate infusion and analyzed for gene expressions of lipoprotein lipase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, leptin, and uncoupling protein-2 using a nonisotopic ribonuclease protection assay. The partial cDNA of the enoyl reductase region of ovine fatty acid synthase was cloned and sequenced from s.c. adipose tissue of sheep. The deduced amino acid sequence (210 amino acids) was 86% identical to human, 88% identical to rat, 88% identical to mouse, and 72% identical to chicken. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations abruptly increased 5 min after beginning propionate infusion and further increased up until 30 min but were unaffected in saline-infused sheep (P < 0.05). Plasma concentration of NEFA decreased (P < 0.05) during propionate infusion, whereas IGF-I levels were unaltered. The amounts of lipoprotein lipase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and leptin mRNA increased (P < 0.05) in s.c. adipose tissue of propionate-infused sheep compared with those of saline-infused sheep. However, uncoupling protein-2 mRNA decreased (P < 0.05) in propionate-infused sheep. This study demonstrates that an acute nutrient challenge, in the form of i.v. propionate, can stimulate or inhibit the expression of various adipose tissue genes involved with lipogenesis and adipose tissue metabolism.     

生糖底物和神经内分泌因子对新生犊牛肝细胞PEPCK-C mRNA表达水平的影响

在原代单层培养的新生犊牛肝细胞培养液中分别加入不同浓度丙酸钠、丙酮酸钠、胰岛素、胰高血糖素和瘦蛋白，培养12h后，应用半定量RT-PCR方法检测体外培养的肝细胞PEPCK—C mRNA的丰度。结果显示，随着丙酸钠、丙酮酸钠浓度的升高，肝细胞PEPCK-C mRNA的丰度均先升高后下降（P〈0．01）；随胰岛素、胰高血糖素和瘦蛋白浓度的升高，肝细胞PEPCK-C mRNA的丰度分别剂量依赖性地降低、升高（P〈0．01）和无显著变化。表明，丙酸钠、丙酮酸钠能通过上调体外培养的新生犊牛肝细胞PEPCK—C mRNA的表达而促进肝糖异生代谢，但上调作用是有限的；胰岛素能通过下调体外培养的新生犊牛肝细胞PEPCK—C mRNA的表达而抑制肝糖异生代谢，且下调作用呈剂量依赖性；胰高血糖素与胰岛素作用刚好相反；瘦蛋白未起直接的调节作用。     

Propionate is not an important regulator of plasma leptin concentration in dairy cattle

Propionate was recently shown to increase leptin synthesis in rodents. To determine if a similar effect occurs in ruminants, propionate was administered to lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, 31 cows were given an intrajugular Na propionate bolus (1,040 micromol/kg body weight), increasing plasma propionate from 160 to 5,680 microM and plasma insulin from 6.8 to 77.8 microIU/mL. Plasma leptin concentration decreased from 2.11 ng/mL before bolus to 1.99 ng/mL after dosing (P<0.05) with no differences in leptin concentrations at 20, 50, and 100 min post-bolus (P>0.10). In experiment 2, 12 cows were used in a duplicated 6 x 6 Latin square experiment to assess the dose-response effect of ruminal propionate infusion on plasma leptin concentration. Sodium propionate was infused at rates of 0, 260, 520, 780, 1040, or 1,300 mmol/h, while total short-chain fatty acid infusion rate was held constant at 1,300 mmol/h by addition of Na acetate to the infusate. Coccygeal blood was sampled following 18 h of infusion. Increasing the rate of propionate infusion linearly increased plasma propionate concentration from 180 to 330 microM (P<0.001) and plasma insulin concentration from 6.7 to 9.1 microIU/mL (P<0.05). There was a quadratic response in plasma leptin concentration (P=0.04) with a maximum at 780 mmol/h propionate, but leptin concentrations increased by no more than 8% relative to the 0 mmol/h propionate infusion. Leptin concentrations were correlated with insulin concentrations but not with propionate concentrations in plasma. Propionate is not a physiological regulator of leptin secretion in lactating dairy cows.     

Effects of Quillaja saponaria extract alone or in combination with Yucca schidigera extract on ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis in vitro

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of Quillaja saponaria (QS) with or without Yucca schidigera extract (YS) on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis. The culture media consisted of 400 mL of strained rumen fluid collected from two non‐lactating Holstein cows and 400 mL of artificial saliva. The culture media was anaerobically incubated with 10 g of a mixture of concentrate and oat hay (1:1, w/w) at 39°C for 24 h. The treatments were arranged as 2 × 3 factorial design experiment consisting of three levels of QS (0, 2 or 4 mL/L) and two levels of YS (0 or 2 mL/L). Treatment interactions between QS and YS were observed for pH and ammonia N concentration. CH₄ production was not modified by addition of QS but decreased (P < 0.05) when added with YS. Addition of QS with YS increased (P < 0.05) propionate concentrations. Protozoa numbers were decreased (P < 0.05) by QS addition alone or with YS. Results show that QS and YS exhibited strong antiprotozoal effects and combinations of both plant extracts may have potential as safe manipulators of ruminal fermentation.     

不同精粗比条件下添加支链氨基酸对绵羊瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响

本试验旨在利用体外发酵培养技术和正交试验设计研究在不同精粗比（20：80、40：60和60：40）条件下添加支链氨基酸（缬氨酸、亮氨酸和异亮氨酸）不同组合对瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响,并对支链氨基酸间的组合效应进行分析以筛选在不同精粗比底物条件下支链氨基酸的最佳组合。结果表明,无论发酵底物精粗比如何,添加支链氨基酸对体外发酵pH、NDF降解率（NDFD）和乙酸/丙酸均无显著影响（P>0.05）,而DM降解率（DMD）在各组合间存在差异。当发酵底物精粗比为20：80时,3种氨基酸对氨态氮（NH₃-N）、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）、总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）的影响均具有组合效应（P<0.05）;其中异丁酸和戊酸水平随缬氨酸添加水平的增加而升高（P<0.01）;异戊酸水平则受亮氨酸和异亮氨酸添加水平的影响（P<0.05）。当发酵底物精粗比为40：60时,异丁酸水平随着缬氨酸添加水平增加而升高（P<0.01）;异戊酸浓度受3种支链氨基酸的影响（P<0.05）。当精粗比为60：40时,添加支链氨基酸主要影响异丁酸、异戊酸和戊酸的水平;其中异丁酸主要受缬氨酸的影响（P<0.01）,异戊酸受亮氨酸和异亮氨酸的影响（P<0.01）,戊酸受缬氨酸和异亮氨酸的影响（P<0.05）。从异丁酸、戊酸和异戊酸来看,添加3种氨基酸均表现出明显的组合效应（P<0.05）。综上所述,以DMD为指标,当发酵底物精粗比为20：80时,缬氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸的最佳添加水平为0.67、2.00、1.33 mmol/L;当底物精粗比为40：60和60：40时,无需额外添加3种支链氨基酸。     

Effect of dietary monensin inclusion on performance,nutrient utilisation,rumen volatile fatty acid concentration and blood status of West African dwarf bucks fed with basal diets of forages

This experiment investigated the effect of dietary monensin on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen volatile fatty acid and blood status in West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed with basal diets of forages. Four concentrate supplements were formulated to include 0 (MO), 15 (M15), 30 (M30) and 45 (M45) mg monensin/kg dry matter. Twenty-four WAD bucks (7.3 ± 1.20 kg initial body weight, aged 9–12 months) were randomly allotted to four experimental diets in a completely randomised design for 90 days, six animals per diet. Results indicated that animals fed M15, M30 and M45 diets had lower (P < 0.01) dry matter and water intake than those fed M0 diet. Crude protein and neutral detergent fibre intakes by the bucks followed similar trend. Animals on M15, M30 and M45 had better (P < 0.001) feed and protein efficiency ratio than those fed M0 diet. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentration were maintained (P > 0.05) while monensin decreased (P < 0.001) acetate/propionate ratio. Blood glucose increased (P < 0.001) from 59.1 mg/dl in animals on M0 diet to 67.8, 66.0 and 66.3 mg/dl in animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. Overall, there were no variations among animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. It is concluded that feeding monensin at 15 to 45 mg/kg DM of supplemental concentrate diets to West African dwarf bucks could be effective in improving feed and protein efficiency, manipulating the rumen for increased propionate production and increasing blood glucose levels.     

Point-of-care β-hydroxybutyrate measurement for the diagnosis of feline diabetic ketoacidaemia

Objectives : To evaluate accuracy and precision of a hand‐held ketone meter measuring β‐hydroxybutyrate and to determine its diagnostic performance to rule out ketoacidaemia in diabetic cats. Methods : The ketone meter was validated by calculating within‐day precision at different β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations and by comparison with a laboratory method. To determine its diagnostic performance to diagnose ketoacidaemia, 217 sets of data (venous blood gas analysis and β‐hydroxybutyrate measurements) were retrospectively analysed. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated with the help of receiver‐operating characteristic curves. Results : The ketone meter reliably detected β‐hydroxybutyrate at concentrations >0·1 mmol/L and reproducibility was acceptable. Measurements highly correlated with laboratory results (r=0·97; P<0·001), but a significant negative bias was found at high concentrations. A β‐hydroxybutyrate concentration of >2·55 mmol/L had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 68% for diagnosing ketoacidaemia. Many cats with high β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations and normal blood pH had an elevated chloride gap suggestive of superimposed hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis. Clinical Significance : The commercially available point‐of‐care ketone meter Precision Xtra is a valid tool to measure β‐hydroxybutyrate in diabetic cats. Concentration <2·55 mmol/L enable ketoacidaemia to be excluded and should lead to redirection of differential diagnoses.     

亮氨酸对猪胎盘滋养层细胞增殖及氨基酸转运的影响

为研究亮氨酸(Leu)对猪胎盘滋养层细胞(pTr)增殖、凋亡以及氨基酸转运载体表达的影响及其机制,本试验用不同浓度Leu(0、1、10 mmol/L)分别处理pTr细胞24 h和48 h后,使用荧光定量PCR技术检测pTr细胞增殖和凋亡相关基因、氨基酸转运载体以及mTOR信号通路关键蛋白等的mRNA表达水平。结果表明:Leu处理pTr细胞24 h后,1 mmol/L试验组的SNAT1(P<0.01)、4E-BP1 (P<0.05)和eIF4G(P<0.05)的mRNA相对表达量低于对照组;Leu处理pTr细胞48 h后,1 mmol/L试验组LAT1(P<0.05)、4E-BP1(P<0.01)的mRNA相对表达量低于对照组,10 mmol/L试验组CDK4(P<0.05)、4E-BP1 (P <0.01)、SNAT1 (P <0.01)、SNAT2 (P <0.01)、LAT1 (P <0.01)以及rBAT (P <0.05)的mRNA相对表达量也低于对照组;Leu处理pTr细胞24 h和48 h后,10 mmol/L组mTORC1的mRNA相对表达量较对照组和1 mmol/L组均极显著提高(P<0.01)。可见,10 mmol/L Leu会抑制pTr细胞的增殖活力,并可能通过mTOR信号通路的介导,降低了pTr细胞氨基酸转运载体的表达。     

神经肽Y对犊牛肝细胞PC mRNA丰度及其活性的影响

取单层培养72 h生长良好的犊牛肝细胞,采用单因素重复试验,分别添加0、50、100、200、500、1000 pg/ml的羊体外合成神经肽Y（neuropeptide Y,NPY）,每个处理3个重复（每重复2孔）,再培养12 h后分别提取RNA和制备细胞上清液。应用荧光定量PCR方法检测外源NPY 对肝细胞糖异生关键酶丙酮酸羧化酶（pyruvate carboxylase,PC）基因表达的影响,同时用比色法检测其对肝细胞PC活性的影响。结果表明,一定浓度的NPY显著促进了肝细胞PC mRNA表达,增强了PC活性。     

β-羟丁酸抑制脂多糖诱导奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB信号通路的激活

高酮血症造成奶牛中性粒细胞先天免疫机能受到抑制,本研究探讨β-羟丁酸(BHBA)是否抑制脂多糖(LPS)诱导的奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB(NF-κB)信号通路的激活。分离健康奶牛中性粒细胞,采用LPS(100 ng/mL)和不同浓度(0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 mmol/L)BHBA作用于中性粒细胞,收集细胞,应用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测中性粒细胞中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平,Western blot检测NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平,比色法检测核因子-κB抑制物激酶β(IKKβ)激酶活性,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测促炎细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β的分泌量。结果表明：与对照组(不进行BHBA和LPS处理)相比较,LPS组(单独LPS处理)中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平和NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平极显著增加(P <0.01),IKKβ激酶活性极显著增强(P<0.01),IL-1β和TNF-α的分泌...     

Effect of short‐chain fatty acids on triacylglycerol accumulation,lipid droplet formation and lipogenic gene expression in goat mammary epithelial cells

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major energy sources for ruminants and are known to regulate various physiological functions in other species. However, their roles in ruminant milk fat metabolism are still unclear. In this study, goat mammary gland epithelial cells (GMECs) were treated with 3 mmol/L acetate, propionate or butyrate for 24 h to assess their effects on lipogenesis. Data revealed that the content of triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipid droplet formation were significantly stimulated by propionate and butyrate. The expression of FABP3, SCD1, PPARG, SREBP1, DGAT1, AGPAT6 and ADRP were upregulated by propionate and butyrate treatment. In contrast, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FASN and LXRα was not affected by propionate, but reduced by butyrate. Acetate had no obvious effect on the content of TAG and lipid droplets but increased the mRNA expression of SCD1 and FABP3 in GMECs. Additionally, it was observed that propionate significantly increased the relative content of mono‐unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1 and C16:1) at the expense of decreased saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0). Butyrate and acetate had no significant effect on fatty acid composition. Overall, the results from this work help enhance our understanding of the regulatory role of SCFAs on goat mammary cell lipid metabolism.     

Infusion of short chain fatty acids in the ileum improves the carcass traits,meat quality and lipid metabolism of growing pigs

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the main products of indigestible carbohydrates undergoing bacterial fermentation in the hindgut, which are related to some physiological functions. This study was designed to investigate the effects of SCFA infusion by ileum on the carcass traits, meat quality and lipid metabolism of growing pigs. In a 28-day study, 24 growing barrows fitted with a T-cannula in distal ileum were divided into 4 treatments: 1) Control, 2) antibiotics (AB), 3) AB + 300 mL of SCFA1 solution (ABS1), 4) AB + 300 mL of SCFA2 solution (ABS2). The concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate in SCFA1 solution were respectively 61.84, 18.62 and 12.55 mmol/L, and in SCFA2 were respectively 40.08, 15.41 and 9.78 mmol/L. The results showed that the SCFA infusion increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of pigs (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the SCFA treatments increased longissimus dorsi area (P < 0.05) and carcass weight (P = 0.058), decreased the drip loss of longissimus dorsi (P = 0.059), and reduced serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol and urea nitrogen (P < 0.05). Besides, the SCFA administration inhibited the mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in longissimus dorsi (P < 0.05), the mRNA expression of FAS in the liver (P < 0.05), and the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase in abdominal fat (P < 0.05). Short chain fatty acid infusion also enhanced the mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α in the liver (P < 0.05), the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma and lipoprotein lipase in abdominal fat (P < 0.05), and the mRNA expressions of free fatty acid receptor 2, glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 in the colon (P < 0.05). These results suggested that SCFA administration in the ileum could improve the carcass traits and meat quality of growing pigs, which was possibly due to the fact that SCFA modulated lipid metabolism.     

Effect of supplementation of rice bran and fumarate alone or in combination on in vitro rumen fermentation,methanogenesis and methanogens

This study investigated the effect of fumarate (FUM) and rice bran (RB), alone and together, on in vitro rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and methanogens. In vitro incubation was performed with six media that were either unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 10% RB, 5 mmol/L FUM, 10% RB + 5 mmol/L FUM, 10 mmol/L FUM, or 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM. Methane (CH₄) production, dry matter digestibility, CH₄ per digested dry matter, total short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, proportion of SCFA, acetate : proprionate ratio, production of NH₃‐N, and population density of rumen microbes were determined. Supplementation with 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM yielded a 36% decrease in CH₄ production compared to the control. Supplementation of FUM, in the presence or absence of RB, provided increases in total SCFA production and propionate proportion up to 61% and 31%, respectively. Total bacteria, methanogens and protozoa populations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with the 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM supplementation. The effect of anti‐methanogenesis of FUM was enhanced by the addition of RB. Notably, the CH₄ production attenuation was achieved by 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM without reduction of digestibility or of ruminal fermentation.