Genetic variation of in vivo muscle glycerol,glycogen, and pigment in Danish purebred pigs

Heritability values of glycerol, glycogen and pigment concentrations measured on muscle biopsy samples from longissimus dorsi obtained from 85?kg boars of Danish purebred pigs (Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc) and their genetic correlations to performance and meat quality traits were calculated. The heritability values of glycogen, pigment, and glycerol were 0.38±0.02, 0.17±0.02, and 0.065±0.016, respectively. Glycogen was negatively related to the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (r _g =?0.25±0.06) and ultimate meat pH (r _g =?0.41±0.04), and positively to the carcass meat percentage (r _g =0.35±0.04), L* (lightness of meat, r _g =0.32±0.04) and a* (redness of meat, r _g =0.12±0.03). Pigment was positively related to the FCR (r _g =0.12±0.05), the meat percentage (r _g =0.28±0.05), and a* (r _g =0.59±0.04), and negatively to the L* (r _g =?0.46±0.06). The concentrations of pigment and glycogen (r _g =0.27±0.05) were interrelated. Based on the heritability values and the signs of the genetic correlations the present data suggest that it is possible to select for higher ultimate pH and improved colour by selection for either lower muscle glycogen or higher pigment concentration, respectively. However, the positive genetic correlation between these two traits may restrict the efficiency of simultaneous selection for lower glycogen and higher pigment. All genetic parameter estimates presented are calculated across three purebreds. Values for each breed are warranted for use in pig production. However, this requires more animals per breed.     

Assessment of Carbon Balance in Community Forests in Dolakha, Nepal

This study assessed the net above-ground carbon stock in six community forests in the Dolakha district, Nepal. A survey was conducted of above-ground timber species, using random sampling. A tree-ring chronology for Pinus roxburghii was created to construct a growth model representative of the various mainly-pine species. The allometric model combined with tree ring analysis was used to estimate carbon stock and annual growth in the above-ground tree biomass. The out-take of forest biomass for construction material and fuelwood was estimated on the basis of interviews and official records of community forest user groups. The average annual carbon increment of the community forests was 2.19 ton/ha, and the average annual carbon out-take of timber and fuelwood was 0.25 ton/ha. The net average carbon balance of 1.94 ton/ha was equivalent to 117.44 tons of carbon per community forest annually. All the community forests were actively managed leading to a sustainable forest institution, which acts as a carbon sink. It is concluded that community forests have the potential to reduce emissions by avoiding deforestation and forest degradation, enhance forest carbon sink and improve livelihoods for local communities.     

Cellular Antioxidant Effect of Four Bromophenols from the Red Algae,Vertebrata lanosa

Three known bromophenols, 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzylaldehyde (1), 2,2′,3-tribromo-3′,4,4′,5-tetrahydroxy-6′-hydroxymethyldiphenylmethane (2) and bis(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxylbenzyl) ether (3), and one new one, 5,5″-oxybis(methylene)bis(3-bromo-4-(2′,3′-dibromo-4′,5′-dihydroxylbenzyl)benzene-1,2-diol) (4), were isolated from an extract of the red alga, Vertebrata lanosa. The antioxidant activity of these four bromophenols was examined using one biochemical and two cellular assays: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) and Cellular Lipid Peroxidation Antioxidant Activity (CLPAA) assays. Compound 2 distinguished itself by showing potent activity, having a better antioxidant effect than luteolin in both the CAA and CLPAA assays and of quercetin in the CLPAA assay. Although several bromophenols are known to be potent antioxidants in biochemical assays, this is the first time their cellular antioxidant activity has been demonstrated.     

Parallelism in thermal growth response in otoliths and scales of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from alpine lakes independent of genetic background

Low density in natural populations of salmonids has predominantly been managed by stocking of non‐native conspecifics. Due partly to domestication, introduced non‐native fish may be maladapted under natural conditions. Interbreeding between introduced and wild individuals may therefore impair local adaptation and potentially population viability. Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from three headwaters (with stocked fish) and three interconnected lakes (with native fish) on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, southern Norway, were tested for differences in thermal effects on scale and otolith growth. Otolith and scale annuli widths from immature brown trout showed positive correlation with mean annual summer temperature for all six sampled populations. In mature individuals, a similar positive thermal correlation was evident for the otoliths only. Interannuli width measurements from scales indicate a halt in somatic growth for brown trout in this alpine environment when reaching ages between 7 and 9 winters, coinciding with age at maturity. Our study indicates that otolith growth follows summer temperature even when individuals do not respond with somatic growth in these populations and that introduced brown trout and introgressed populations have similar thermal growth responses. Due to the continued otolith growth after stagnation in somatic growth and the impact of fluctuations in summer temperature, the utilisation of otolith annuli widths for back calculation of length at age should be treated with caution.     

The cytokine response of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells is changed after intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide in cattle

The aim of the study was to investigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced short and long term changes in capacity for intracellular cytokine-production of bovine circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Eight dairy cows each received three intravenous injections of Escherichia coli LPS (10, 100 and 1000ng/kg, consecutively) at 3week intervals. Intracellular cytokine production was determined by flow cytometry in PBMCs obtained 0, 2, 6 and 24h after each LPS challenge. After LPS administration, proportions of monocytes producing tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-8, as well as proportions of circulating lymphocytes producing interferon (IFN) gamma, decreased significantly. Within 24h, proportions had returned to or increased above pre-injection levels. Proportions of lymphocytes producing IL-4 and IL-10 increased significantly after injection of 1000ng LPS/kg. This study demonstrated that cytokine profiles shift quickly, but temporarily, to favour the anti-inflammatory response immediately after LPS exposure. The long term response to LPS was opposite to the immediate response, as cytokine profiles shifted in the 3weeks between challenges towards a pro-inflammatory response. Proportions of monocytes producing IL-1beta and TNFalpha determined immediately before the second and/or third LPS injection were higher than proportions determined before the first injection, whereas pre-injection proportions of lymphocytes producing IL-4 decreased with each challenge. These changes may result in a quicker host response to invading pathogens.     

Characterization and inheritance of partial resistance to downy mildew, Peronospora parasitica, in breeding material of broccoli, Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. italica

Twenty doubled haploid broccoli lines from breeding material were evaluated for resistance to Peronospora parasitica at the seedling stage. All lines supported sporulation of the pathogen but to varying extents and intensities. Partial resistance of the more resistant lines,‘br8’and ‘br9′, reduced conidia production on cotyledons by 50-70% compared with the most susceptible lines. Inoculation of the two most resistant lines with 13 isolates of different geographical origins revealed that ‘br9′, showed a rather uniform level of resistance to all isolates while ‘br8’showed some isolate specificity Partial resistance was evaluated in six of the broccoli lines in a half diallel set of crosses. Disease assessment of seedlings showed that additive genetic effects explained 45.8% and 31.8% of the total variation of sporulation score and conidia production, respectively This suggests that recurrent selection for partial resistance to P. parasitica in early generation in breds or in populations of broccoli will be efficient to obtain cotyledon resistance.     

Plant protection in spring cereal production with reduced tillage. II. Pests and beneficial insects

In five field experiments run for four years the infestation of pests and the activity of carabids and staphylinids were compared in autumn ploughed and reduced tillage (no-tillage or spring harrowing) plots. Differences were generally most evident in experiments with no-tillage. Weed cover was denser in reduced tillage, and could explain much of the differences. The agromyzid Chromatomyia fuscula was most common in autumn ploughed plots, probably due to healthier plants. Thrips numbers were correlated with grain quality in no-tillage plots. Field slugs were most common in reduced tillage, and were positively correlated with weed cover. Generally, more carabids and staphylinids were caught in reduced tillage. This was especially true for Amara-species and Loricera pilicornis, Philonthus cognatus and Tachinus signatus, which also were positively correlated with weed cover. Aloconota gregaria, Bembidion quadrimaculatum, B. lampros, Harpalus rufipes and Trechus quadristriatus were more common in autumn ploughed plots, several of them preferring open soil.     

Choline supplementation increased total body lipid gain,while surplus methionine improved growth and amino acid retention in adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Methionine–choline‐deficient (MCD) mammals are known to accumulate liver TAG probably due to phosphatidylcholine (PC) deficiency and thus assembly of VLDL and transport of lipids from liver to peripheral organs. To assess whether supplementation of choline could spare methionine and secure a healthy liver metabolism, by reducing the endogenous PC synthesis without interfering with lipid transport and distribution, Atlantic salmon with initial BW of 700 g were fed adequate (1.9 g Met/16 gN) or surplus methionine (2.5 g Met/16 gN) diets of which were supplemented with choline or not for a period of 19 weeks. Fish fed the low‐methionine diets had reduced growth (p = .013) due to reduced protein gain (p = .007), while lipid gain slightly improved in fish fed the choline‐supplemented diets (p = .047). Also, feed conversion improved when fed surplus methionine (p < .001), while choline supplementation had no impact on feed conversion. No interaction between choline and methionine on growth performance or retention existed. Phospholipid status in liver and muscle was not affected by treatments, and no liver TAG accumulation occurred at the methionine levels used. Gene expression of ApoB100 necessary for assembling VLDL or pemt necessary for endogenous PC synthesis was unaffected by treatments. Capacity of methylation (MAT, BHMT) within the liver was not affected by treatment nor was the gene expression of enzymes in liver transsulfuration (CBS or CDO). Methionine status within liver was unaffected by treatments, while free methionine reduced in those fish fed the low‐methionine diets in muscle and plasma. Cystathionine and taurine were elevated when fed surplus methionine. Choline supplementation had no impact on sulphur amino acid metabolites in either tissue. Neither did choline supplementation improve TAG mobilization from liver to muscle. To conclude, choline does not improve endogenous phospholipid synthesis or transport of TAG from liver to muscle depot when added to diets containing 1.9 g Met/16 gN, while surplus methionine improved growth and protein retention, indicating that 1.9 g Met/16 gN is enough to support a healthy liver metabolism, but too low to support muscle protein deposition in adult salmon fed high plant protein diets for longer periods of time.