Effect of heat stress on endotoxin flux across mesenteric-drained and portal-drained viscera of dairy goat

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of heat stress on endotoxin flux across mesenteric-drained and portal-drained viscera of dairy goats. Three Saanen first lactation dairy goats were surgically fitted with indwelling catheters in the portal vein, the mesenteric vein and carotid, and were kept in thermal-neutral and then heat stress environment, for examining the effect of heat stress on endotoxin absorption and redox status. Average net absorption of endotoxin (EU/h) across mesenteric-drained viscera (MDV) and portal-drained viscera (PDV) during the whole period of heat stress increased by 279.05% and 227.92% in relation to thermo-neutral period. Plasma concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) in mesenteric and portal vein, and that of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mesenteric vein, increased significantly during heat stress. Main conclusions were: (i) net absorption of endotoxin in portal vein is mainly from non-mesenteric tissues both in heat stress and in thermo-neutral condition; (ii) heat stress may lead to the significant decrease in plasma SOD, GSH-Px, CAT flux across PDV and MDV, and the significant increase in endotoxin flux across PDV and MDV; and (iii) the increase in gastrointestinal permeability in dairy goats during heat stress may not be induced by the increase in oxidative stress.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for conformation and yield traits in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds

This study presents genetic parameters for conformation traits and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with milk production traits and somatic cell score (SCS) in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds. Data on first lactations from Holstein (67 839), Brown Swiss (173 372) and Red & White breeds (53 784) were available. Analysed conformation traits were stature and heart girth (both in cm), and linear scores of body depth, rump width, dairy character or muscularity, and body condition score (only in Holstein). A sire model, with relationships among sires, was used for all breeds and traits and variance components were estimated using AS‐REML. Heritabilities for stature were high (0.6–0.8), and for the linear type traits ranged from 0.3 to 0.5, for all breeds. Genetic correlations with production traits (milk, fat and protein yield) and SCS differed between the dairy breeds. Most markedly, stronger correlations were found between SCS and some conformation traits in Brown Swiss and Red & White, indicating that a focus on a larger and more ‘dairy’ type in these breeds would lead to increased SCS. Another marked difference was that rump width correlated positively with milk yield traits in Holstein and Red & White, but negative in Brown Swiss. Results indicate that conformation traits generally can be used as predictors for various purposes in dairy cattle breeding, but may require specific adaptation for each breed.     

Comparison of casein haplotypes between two geographically distant European dairy goat breeds.

The aim of this paper was to characterize the diversity among haplotypes based on 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one deletion within four casein genes in two geographically distant goat populations, the Sicilian Girgentana breed and the Norwegian goat breed. Forty Girgentana goats were genotyped for the aforementioned polymorphisms and the resulting data set was compared with 436 goats from the Norwegian population previously genotyped for these markers. Several casein gene polymorphisms were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium either in Girgentana, or in the Norwegian breed. The SNP haplotype frequencies for the four casein genes were calculated and despite the large geographical distance and phenotypic divergence between these breeds, a proportion of casein loci haplotypes were found to be identical between both Norwegian and Girgentana goats. However, for the CSN2 gene there were no common haplotypes between the two populations. The level of linkage disequilibrium between the casein genes was less in the Girgentana population than in the Norwegian population.     

Comparative assessment of growth performance of three different indigenous goat breeds exposed to summer heat stress

A study was conducted to assess comparatively the growth performance of three different indigenous goat breeds during exposure to summer heat stress. The primary objective of the study was to observe the heat stress impact on the growth performance based on the body weight changes, allometric measurements, growth hormone (GH) concentration and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) mRNA expression pattern during the summer season in comparison with the local breed (Osmanabadi). Thirty‐six ten‐month‐ to one‐year‐old female goats of Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black breeds were randomly divided into six groups, OC (n = 6; Osmanabadi control), OHS (n = 6; Osmanabadi heat stress), MC (n = 6; Malabari control), MHS (n = 6; Malabari heat stress), SBC (n = 6; Salem Black control) and SBHS (n = 6; Salem Black heat stress). Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals, whereas other growth and allometric measurements and blood collection were carried out at fortnightly intervals. Breed factor significantly (p < .05) influenced only few growth variables such as body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body condition score (BCS). However, heat stress treatment significantly (p < .05) reduced all growth parameters expect BMI. Further, the heat stress significantly (p < .01) increased plasma GH concentration in goats with significantly higher (p < .05) concentration recorded in OHS. Among the stress groups, the lower (p < .05) PBMC IGF‐1 mRNA expression was recorded in OHS, while the higher (p < .05) expression was observed in SBHS indicating the extreme adaptive capability of Salem Black breed. Thus, the results indicated that the Salem Black breed performed much better compared to both Osmanabadi and Malabari breeds indicating the superior ability of this breed to adapt to heat stress challenges. The results also indicated that plasma GH and IGF‐1 gene may act as ideal biomarkers for assessing the heat stress impact on growth performance in indigenous goats.     

夏季奶牛血液中热休克蛋白的表达量

选择40头体质健康的中国荷斯坦奶牛,根据胎次和泌乳天数,按照随机区组试验设计分为Ⅰ组（30kg/d）、Ⅱ组（30～35kg/d）、Ⅲ组（35～40kg/d）和Ⅳ组（40kg/d）。热应激前、热应激前期、热应激中期、热应激后期和热应激后分别于尾静脉采血,用ELISA试剂盒测定热休克蛋白（HSP）27,70,90的表达量。结果显示,Ⅳ组HSP27表达量最高,Ⅱ组表达量最低,Ⅳ组、Ⅲ组和Ⅰ组均显著高于Ⅱ组（P〈0.05）。HSP70表达量各组间没有明显差异,但随产奶量呈线性增加（P〈0.05）。HSP90的表达量,Ⅳ组和Ⅲ组明显高于Ⅱ组（P〈0.05）。HSP27的表达量热应激后差异较大;HSP70的表达量各组整个过程差异较大;HSP90的表达量在热应激前、热应激前期和热应激后差异较大。总之,在热应激过程,高产奶牛血清中热应激蛋白的表达量较高,HSP70表达量随产奶量呈线性增加,而不同热应激蛋白的变化规律差异较大。     

Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of early lactating dairy cows under heat stress

One hundred and twenty early lactating Holstein dairy cows were assigned to investigate the effect of dietary chromium (Cr) supplementation (0 or 6 mg Cr/head/day from organic preparation) on the productive and reproductive performance as well as on some blood serum parameters under heat stress (35–40 °C). Cows received treatment from 3 weeks pre‐partum through 12 weeks post‐partum. Chromium supplemented diet had lower body weight loss and improved dry matter intake with consequent reduction in the energy balance deficits during the first period after calving when compared with the control group. Chromium supplementation increased (p < 0.05) milk yield by 6.7%, 12.3% and 16.5% at 4, 8 and 12 weeks post‐partum, respectively, whereas milk composition and milk to feed ratio were unaffected (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. Moreover, dietary Cr supplementation had no effect (p > 0.05) on blood serum glucose, calcium and phosphorus concentrations. A reduction (p < 0.05) of non‐esterified fatty acids at 1 week pre‐partum, 2 and 4 weeks post‐partum was also observed. Serum insulin concentration increased whereas cortisol concentration decreased, when compared with the control group, throughout the whole experimental period. Also Cr supplementation showed a trend towards improving reproductive performance as indicated by increased percentage of pregnant cows in the first 28 days of breeding. It could be concluded that dietary Cr supplementation at level of 6 mg/head/day may offer a potential protective management practice to lessen the effect of heat stress in dairy cattle.     

我国6个绵(山)羊群体遗传分化的微卫星分析

为进一步了解我国绵(山)羊群体的品种特性及其遗传分化,本文利用微卫星标记对我国6个绵(山)羊群体遗传分化进行了分析。采用中心产区典型群随机抽样方法用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测乌珠穆沁羊7个微卫星位点,并引用同实验室小尾寒羊、滩羊、湖羊、同羊、长江三角洲白山羊(参照群体)的相关资料进行群体遗传分化水平分析。研究表明:7个微卫星位点在乌珠穆沁羊、小尾寒羊、滩羊、湖羊、同羊、山羊这6个品种中均存在遗传多态性,各座位等位基因均较丰富。根据标准遗传距离、DA遗传距离以及模糊相容关系进行聚类分析,湖羊与同羊首先聚为一类,乌珠穆沁羊和小尾寒羊聚为一类,然后与滩羊聚为一类,5个绵羊品种最后与山羊相聚。     

Genetic parameters for total lactation yields of milk,fat, protein,and somatic cell score in New Zealand dairy goats

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for lactation yields of milk (MY), fat (FY), protein (PY), and somatic cell score (SCS) of New Zealand dairy goats. The analysis used 64,604 lactation records from 23,583 does, kidding between 2004 and 2017, distributed in 21 flocks and representing 915 bucks. Estimates of genetic and residual (co) variances, heritabilities, and repeatabilities were obtained using a multiple‐trait repeatability animal model. The model included the fixed effects of contemporary group (does kidding in the same flock and year), age of the doe (in years), and as covariates, kidding day, proportion of Alpine, Nubian, Toggenburg, and “unknown” breeds (Saanen was used as the base breed), and heterosis. Random effects included additive animal genetic and doe permanent environmental effects. Estimates of heritabilities were 0.25 for MY, 0.24 for FY, 0.24 for PY, and 0.21 for SCS. The phenotypic correlations between MY, FY, and PY ranged from 0.90 to 0.96, and the genetic correlations ranged from 0.81 to 0.93. These results indicate lactation yield traits exhibit useful heritable variation and that multiple trait selection for these traits could improve milk revenue produced from successive generations of New Zealand dairy goats.     

浅谈热应激对奶牛的影响及调控措施

在炎热的夏季,热应激会导致奶牛生理机能发生紊乱,采食量下降,生产性能降低,甚至导致奶牛发病,严重者造成死亡。预防夏季奶牛热应激的发生,为奶牛创造适宜的、良好的饲养环境,可使奶牛安全、顺利地度过炎热的夏季,防止热应激造成不必要的损失。笔者等从奶牛热应激发生的原因与生理机制入手,综合论述热应激对奶牛的危害和预防热应激的调控措施。     

氟病奶山羊血清细胞因子含量的变化

以奶山羊为实验动物 ,按体重灌服氟化钠复制奶山羊氟病模型 ,通过对血清细胞因子的检测 ,进一步探讨氟病的发生机理。结果表明 :氟可引起白细胞介素 2 (IL 2 )、白细胞介素 6 (IL 6)含量降低 ;肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF)含量升高。证明氟引起细胞因子含量的变化是氟致机体免疫抑制的机制之一。     

西农莎能奶山羊和布尔山羊GnRH基因多态性与产羔数的相关分析

根据牛GnRH基N序列设计4对引物,采用PCR—SSCP技术检测GnRH基因的多态性,同时用最小二乘法研究了其多态性与产羔数和生长体质量的关系。所研究的西农莎能奶山羊和布尔山羊群体在P4扩增片段存在多态性,分别定义为CC、CT和TT3种基因型;P1、P2和P3扩增片段均不存在多态性,只表现一种带型。通过测序发现CC型与GG型相比扩增片段的第185、336bp处同时有C—T的单碱基突变。在西农莎能奶山羊和布尔山羊群体中,CC和CT基因型产羔数最小二乘均值均极显著或显著高于TT基因型（P〈0．05）。研究结果表明,GnRH基因对西农莎能奶山羊和布尔山羊的产羔数均有显著影响,因此认为GnRH基因P4扩增位点的突变可作为西农莎能奶山羊和布尔山羊多胎性状的有效分子标记。     

不同DCAD值对崂山奶山羊尿液pH值及血气指标的影响

为了探讨不同日粮阴阳离子差值(DCAD)对崂山奶山羊尿液pH值及血气指标的影响,试验选取健康崂山奶山羊4只,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,在保证日粮营养水平一致的条件下,调整各试验组日粮DCAD值分别为0、50、100、200 mEq/kgDM。试验结果表明,尿液pH值与日粮阴阳离子差值呈显著正相关,相关系数为0.899 7;DCAD水平能够显著影响血液血气指标(P0.05)。     

Genetic variability of six indigenous goat breeds using major histocompatibility complex-associated microsatellite markers

The present study aimed at analyzing the genetic variability of indigenous goat breeds (Capra hircus) using the MHC-associated microsatellite markers BF1, BM1818, BM1258, DYMS1, and SMHCC1. The following breeds were included: Chinese Xuhuai, Indian Changthangi and Pashmina, Kenyan Small East African (SEA) and Galla, and Albanian Vendi. To examine genetic variability, the levels of heterozigosity, degrees of inbreeding, and genetic differences among the breeds were analyzed. The mean number of alleles ranged from nine in the Galla to 14.5 in the Vendi breed. The mean observed heterozygosity and mean expected heterozygosity varied from 0.483 in the Vendi to 0.577 in the Galla breed, and from 0.767 in the SEA to 0.879 in the Vendi breed, respectively. Significant loss of heterozygosity (p < 0.01) indicated that these loci were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The mean F_IS values ranged from 0.3299 in the SEA to 0.4605 in the Vendi breed with a mean value of 0.3623 in all breeds (p < 0.001). Analysis of molecular variance indicated that 7.14% and 4.74% genetic variation existed among the different breeds and geographic groups, whereas 92.86% and 95.26% existed in the breeds and the geographic groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The microsatellite marker analysis disclosed a high degree of genetic polymorphism. Loss of heterozygosity could be due to genetic drift and endogamy. The genetic variation among populations and geographic groups does not indicate a correlation of genetic differences with geographic distance.     

不同外源寡糖对奶山羊粪便双歧杆菌数量的影响

采用平板计数法研究不同外源寡糖对崂山奶山羊粪便双歧杆菌数量的影响。试验选用安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的健康崂山奶山羊6只,采用分期分组试验设计,在不同时期分别饲喂添加1%(有效含量计)甘露寡糖、半乳甘露寡糖、寡木糖、低聚异麦芽寡糖、果寡糖的日粮,并设立空白对照组,每期35 d。结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组粪便双歧杆菌数量有所增加,其中试验第1、7、14 d果寡糖组,第21 d半乳甘露寡糖组、寡木糖组、果寡糖组均达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。本试验条件下,果寡糖对提高奶山羊粪便中双歧杆菌数量效果较明显。     

Genetic diversity in Egyptian and Italian goat breeds measured with microsatellite polymorphism.

Seven microsatellite markers were used to study genetic diversity of three Egyptian (Egyptian Baladi, Barki and Zaraibi) and two Italian (Maltese and Montefalcone) goat breeds. The microsatellites showed a high polymorphic information content (PIC) of more than 0.5 in most of the locus-breed combinations and indicated that the loci were useful in assessing within- and between-breed variability of domestic goat (Capra hircus). The expected heterozygosity of the breeds varied from 0.670 to 0.792. In the geographically wider distributed Egyptian Baladi breed there were indications for deviations from random breeding. Analysis of genetic distances and population structure grouped the three Egyptian goat breeds together, and separated them from the two Italian breeds. The studied Mediterranean breeds sampled from African and European populations seem to have differentiated from each other with only little genetic exchange between the geographically isolated populations.     

波尔山羊繁殖性状遗传参数的估计

对 2 4 8窝波尔山羊的胎产羔数、羔羊初生重和 2月龄体重的资料进行了遗传分析。结果表明 :公羊和胎次均对母羊产羔数具有显著的影响(P <0 0 5)。不同产羔季节对羔羊初生重和 2月龄体重也具有显著影响。产羔数的遗传力为 0 1 52 ,属低遗传力 ,而羔羊初生重和 2月龄体重 2个性状 (0 433 ,0 347)有中等或较高的遗传力。波尔母羊胎产羔数与羔羊初生重、 2月龄体重之间存在显著或极显著的表型相关 ,但是它们之间却存在显著或极显著的负遗传相关 (P <0 0 5或 P<0 0 1 )。羔羊的初生重和 2月龄体重间 ,无论是表型相关还是遗传相关 ,都呈极显著的正相关(P <0 0 1 )。     

Ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum and the gravid uterus during heat stress in dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to assess alterations in, echogenic appearance, size and blood flow in the corpus luteum, the placentomes and the blood flow in umbilical and uterine arteries that heat stress can cause in cooled pregnant dairy cows. Pregnant cows were allocated in two groups and the gravid uteri, along with the ipsilateral corpora lutea were examined during the winter (group W, n = 9) or the summer (group S, n = 10). The grey-scale ultrasound and colour flow imaging of the corpus luteum and placentome were performed. In addition, the umbilical and uterine artery diameters and haemodynamic parameters in the vessels were calculated. At the time of ultrasonographic examination, cortisol concentrations were higher, and progesterone levels tended to be lower in group S compared to group W. The grey-scale ultrasound evaluation of corpora lutea and placentomes was lower in group S compared to group W. The diameter of umbilical artery and the blood volume in the vessel were less in group S than in group W. We infer that heat stress affects foetal blood supply and possibly the structure of placentomes and corpora lutea, but it differently affects the blood flow characteristics in the umbilical and uterine arteries.     

Genetic diversity of Chinese domestic goat based on the mitochondrial DNA sequence variation

The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity of domestic goat in China. For this purpose, we determined the sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region in 72 individuals of the Yangtze River delta white goat, and reanalysed 723 published samples from 31 breeds/populations across China. All goat haplotypes were classified into four haplogroups (A–D) previously described. The phylogenetic pattern that emerged from the mtDNA control region sequence was confirmed by the analysis of the entire cytochrome b sequence of eight goats representative of the four haplogroups. It appeared that in Chinese domestic goat, haplogroups A and B were dominant and distributed in nearly all breeds/populations, while haplogroups C and D were only found in seven breeds/populations. Four breeds/populations contained all four haplogroups. When grouping the breeds/populations into five geographic groups based on their geographic distributions and ecological conditions, the southern pasturing area had the highest diversity whereas the northern farming area had the lowest diversity. 84.29% and 11.37% of the genetic variation were distributed within breeds and among breeds within the ecologically geographical areas, respectively; only 4% of genetic variation was observed among the five geographic areas. We speculate that the traditional seasonal pastoralism, the annual long-distance migrations that occurred in the past, and the commercial trade would account for the observed pattern by having favoured gene flows.