The production of short chain fatty acid and colonic development in weaning piglets

Weaning process widely affects the small intestinal structure and function in piglets, while the responses of large intestine to weaning stress are still obscure. The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental changes (i.e., short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations, growth parameters, crypt‐related indices and antioxidant capacity) in colon of piglet during weaning. Forty piglets were weaned at day 21 and euthanized to collect colonic tissues and digesta samples on day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 post‐weaning (n = 8). Piglet growth performance was improved (p < .001) on day 7 and 14 post‐weaning. The concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate and total SCFAs were higher (p < .001) during the late post‐weaning period. The mRNA abundances of SCFAs transporters were greater (p < .001) on day 7 and 14. The absolute and relative weights, absolute length and perimeter of colon were greater (p < .001) on day 7 and 14. Similarly, post‐weaning increases (p < .001) in colonic crypt depth and Ki67 positive cells numbers per crypt were observed during the same period. Colonic crypt fission indices decreased (p < .01), while total crypt numbers increased (p < .001) on day 14 after weaning. Moreover, total SCFAs concentration was significantly associated with colonic growth parameters and Ki67 cells/crypt (p < .001). In addition, catalase content was decreased on day 3, 7, and 14, whereas, the concentrations of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and manganese‐containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) were higher (p < .05) on day 1 and 3 post‐weaning. These results showed that weaning process has a significant effect on colonic growth and development, which might be associated with the change of SCFAs concentrations in colon.     

Combined microRNAome and transcriptome analysis of follicular phase and luteal phase in porcine ovaries

The aim of this study was to explore the expression difference of miRNAs and mRNAs between the follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in porcine ovaries and provide a theoretical basis for the research on mammalian reproductive regulation. RNA‐Seq and miRNA‐Seq were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs) between the FP and LP in ovaries of six sows (3‐year‐old Yorkshire pigs with similar weights and same parities). Bioinformatic analysis was used to screen potential genes and miRNAs related to porcine ovarian function. Real‐time qualitative PCR was used to validate the sequencing results. RNA‐Seq results showed that 3,078 genes were up‐regulated, and 1,444 genes were down‐regulated in the LP compared with the FP, and DEGs were significantly enriched in 242 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 33 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. miRNA‐Seq identified 112 DEMs, of which 25 were up‐regulated and 87 were down‐regulated in the LP compared with the FP. We obtained 186 intersection genes (IGs) between the 4,522 DEGs and 2,444 target genes predicted from the 112 DEMs. After constructing a miRNA‐gene‐pathway network, we identified key miRNAs and genes including miR‐17‐3p, miR‐214, miR‐221‐5p, miR‐125b, FGF1, YWHAG, YWHAZ, FDFT1 and DHCR24, which are enriched in Hippo and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathways, and various metabolic pathways. These results indicate that these key genes and miRNAs may play important roles in the developmental transition from FP to LP in porcine ovaries and represent candidate targets for further study.     

广西动物防疫物资信息管理系统的构建与应用

为实现广西动物防疫物资的信息化管理,适时掌握广西动物防疫物资的流转状况,广西壮族自治区动物疫病预防控制中心开发了“广西壮族自治区动物防疫物资信息管理系统”。该系统为B/S架构,采用JSP技术和MySQL数据库平台。该系统建立后,广西各级动物疫病预防控制机构均可通过互联网登录,及时存储和统计动物防疫物资信息数据,全程监控和实时了解物资流转情况。该系统为广西动物防疫物资的规范化管理提供了重要的技术支持,也为全区重大动物疫病防控提供了坚强的后勤保障。     

Kaempferol alleviates the reduction of developmental competence during aging of porcine oocytes

Kaempferol (KAE) is a natural flavonoid present in different plant species and exhibits anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer therapeutic properties. In the present study, we investigated the influence and underlying mechanisms of KAE supplementation on porcine oocytes during in vitro aging. The results show that KAE treatment can alleviate the aging‐related reduction of developmental competence. We observed that the blastocyst production rate in aged oocytes treated with 0.1 μM KAE was significantly higher than in untreated aging oocytes (36.78 ± 0.86% vs. 27.55 ± 2.60%, respectively, p < .05). The KAE‐treated aging oocytes had significantly reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (p < .05). Furthermore, the mRNA levels of the embryonic pluripotency‐related genes Oct4, NANOG, and ITGA5 were significantly increased in blastocysts derived from KAE‐treated oocytes (p < .05). During excessive oocyte culture, KAE treatment maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced apoptosis; however, this was not observed in untreated aging oocytes. In conclusion, our results suggest that KAE treatment can alleviate the aging of porcine oocytes by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function.     

6个种源地不同桑树品种叶柄解剖结构与水分运输能力初探

叶柄是水分和营养物质在茎和叶间运输的重要组织。采用石蜡切片技术和木材离析技术,分析6个种源地不同的桑树品种一年生扦插苗叶柄的显微结构特征,对叶柄的水分运输能力和抗蒸腾能力进行评价,并对桑树的抗旱性进行探讨。结果显示在6个桑品种中,吴堡桑的叶柄角质层和厚角组织厚度较小,但维管束最为发达,具有较高的维管束面积占比、中等水平的导管直径和最大的导管长度,水分运输能力最强,同时还能保持对栓塞较强的抵抗性,推测其抗旱能力可能较强,适宜种植在较为干旱的地区;育711号的叶柄角质层较薄,云果桑1号叶柄的厚角组织最薄,这2个品种的叶柄具有较多的维管束,但其维管束面积占比、导管孔腔面积以及导管直径在6个品种中较小,故抗蒸腾能力与水分运输能力均较低,其抗旱能力可能相对较弱,更加适合在水分充足的环境中生长。研究结果为阐释桑树叶柄结构、水分运输能力与桑树抗旱能力之间的关系提供了一定的实验依据。     

对动物卫生防疫条件审核实行量化分级管理的探讨

新修订的《中华人民共和国动物防疫法》于2008年1月1日起生效执行。该法第二十条规定:兴办动物饲养场(养殖小区)和隔离场所,动物屠宰加工场所,以及动物和动物产品无害化处理场所,应当向县级以上地方人民政府兽医主管部门提出申请,     

新时期加强动物防疫法律法规宣传工作的思考

依法治疫是整个动物防疫工作的主线和灵魂,而要实现真正意义上的依法治疫,根本前提就是要加大动物防疫法律法规宣传的力度,提高全民动物防疫意识和法制观念。新修订的《动物防疫法》,进一步强化动物防疫工作,有效预防、控制和扑灭动物疫病,促进畜牧业发展,保护人民群众身体健康,维护公共卫生安全,全面推进我国依法治疫进程,实现畜牧业持续健康稳步发展具有十分重要的意义。     

H5N1 亚型禽流感病毒NS1的克隆和原核表达

利用RT-PCR技术扩增了一株H5N1亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)的NS1基因,克隆到pGEM T-easy载体上,经序列测定和分析正确后,将该基因插入到pET-32a载体中构建原核表达载体pET-NS1,阳性重组质粒转化BL21感受态细胞,用1mmol/L的IPTG诱导和SDS-PAGE电泳后获得了分子质量约为51ku的NS1融合蛋白。通过Western-blotting发现NS1蛋白可与H5N1亚型AIV单因子血清反应。为建立H5N1亚型AIV野毒株和疫苗株的特异性鉴别方法奠定了基础。