Effects of protein-energetic supplementation frequency on growth performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate reduced supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle in rainy season. In experiment 1, evaluating the nutritional parameters, four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (BW = 410 kg) were used. In experiment 2, evaluating animal performance, 48 Nellore bulls (BW = 358 kg) were used. The treatments were as follows: mineral supplement (MS) alone and MS plus protein-energy supplement provided 3×, 5× and 7×/week. Supplementation frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) intake and digestibility. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) to supplementation compared with MS. The supplementation 5×/week resulted in greater weight gain per hectare (9.24) and higher economic returns during the study period (1.64%) compared to other supplementations. Supplementation 5×/week increased animal performance and positively influenced economic returns.     

Herbage intake of dairy cows in mixed sequential grazing with breeding ewes as followers

This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that mixed sequential grazing of dairy cows and breeding ewes is beneficial. During the seasons of spring–summer 2013 and autumn–winter 2013–2014, 12 (spring–summer) and 16 (autumn–winter) Holstein Friesian cows and 24 gestating (spring–summer) and lactating (autumn–winter) Pelibuey ewes grazed on six (spring–summer) and nine (autumn–winter) paddocks of alfalfa and orchard grass mixed pastures. The treatments “single species cow grazing” (CowG) and “mixed sequential grazing with ewes as followers of cows” (MixG) were evaluated, under a completely randomized design with two replicates per paddock. Herbage mass on offer (HO) and residual herbage mass (RH) were estimated by cutting samples. The estimate of herbage intake (HI) of cows was based on the use of internal and external markers; the apparent HI of ewes was calculated as the difference between HO (RH of cows) and RH. Even though HO was higher in CowG, the HI of cows was higher in MixG during spring–summer and similar in both treatments during autumn–winter, implying that in MixG the effects on the cows HI of higher alfalfa proportion and herbage accumulation rate evolving from lower residual herbage mass in the previous cycle counteracted that of a higher HO in CowG. The HI of ewes was sufficient to enable satisfactory performance as breeding ewes. Thus, the benefits of mixed sequential grazing arose from higher herbage accumulation, positive changes in botanical composition, and the achievement of sheep production without negative effects on the herbage intake of cows.     

Virulence traits of avian pathogenic (APEC) and fecal (AFEC) <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> isolated from broiler chickens in Algeria

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the etiologic agent of avian colibacillosis, the most common disease responsible for chicken morbidity in the world. Although multiple virulence-associated factors were identified, their prevalence in Algeria is still poorly known. In the present research, 92 avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolates were recovered from broilers with clinical signs and lesions of colibacillosis. In addition, 32 E. coli isolates collected from feces of healthy birds (AFEC) were included for comparison. All isolates were investigated by PCR for the presence of a total of 11 virulence-associated genes described for avian pathogenic (iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, iutA, and fimC) and diarrheagenic E. coli (eae, stx, elt/est, ipaH, and aggR). The sensitivity of 39 APEC isolates to 16 antibiotics was also determined using antimicrobial pretreated microplates. Here, we report that 98% of the examined isolates host at least one of the tested virulence factors. The most prevalent genes in APEC were iutA (90.6%), ompT (86.9%), and iss (85.8%); whereas, iutA (78.1%), fimC (78.1%), and iroN (68.7%) were the highest prevalent genes in AFEC. Our data showed that none of the AFEC isolates harbor any of the tested diarrheagenic genes. Moreover, only elt/est (5.4%), stx (2.1%), and ipaH (2.1%) genes were carried by APEC isolates. We further established that ceftazodime, ceftiofur, mequindox, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and meropenem were the most efficient antibiotics against the analyzed APEC isolates. Overall, our findings provide more insights about APEC and AFEC virulence potential in Algeria which could participate in the fight against colibacillosis.     

Feeding behavior of feedlot lambs fed diets containing levels of cassava wastewater

In this study, we evaluated the effects of including cassava wastewater in the diet on the feeding behavior of feedlot lambs in 35 male uncastrated Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred lambs at an approximate age of 3 months, with an average live weight of 20.0?±?3.4 kg. Diets were formulated with hay of cassava shoots (roughage) and a concentrate based on corn and soybean, with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, plus inclusion of cassava wastewater at the levels of 0, 12, 24, 36, or 48 g/kg of the total diet. Feeding behavior was evaluated between the 46th and 52nd days of the experiment. Increasing cassava wastewater levels in the diet reduced (P?<?0.05) the intakes (kg/day) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber as well as the efficiency of rumination (g/cud and g/h) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. The other behavioral parameters were not affected by wastewater inclusion in the diet. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 48 g/kg of cassava wastewater on fresh matter of diets is not recommended for feedlot lambs.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Effects of in ovo feeding of L‐arginine on the development of digestive organs,intestinal function and post‐hatch performance of broiler embryos and hatchlings

This study was to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) L‐arginine (Arg) solution on the development of digestive organs, the duodenal mucosa of broiler embryos and hatchlings, and the growth performance of chicks during the first week post‐hatch. A total of 720 fertilized eggs with similar weight were randomly allocated to three groups, consisting of eight replicates of 30 eggs each. Three treatments were arranged as non‐injected control, diluent‐injected (0.75% NaCl solution) group and Arg solution‐injected group containing 1% Arg, dissolved in diluent. At 17.5 days of incubation, 0.6 ml of IOF solution was injected into amniotic fluid of each egg of injected groups. Results showed IOF of Arg solution increased (p < .05) the chick embryo weight at 19 days of incubation; the body weight gain of post‐hatch broilers during 1–7 days; the weights of liver, pancreas, proventriculus and gizzard; the concentrations of duodenal ghrelin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and glucagon‐like peptide 2; and the duodenum mucosal enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, maltase, sucrase and inducible nitric oxide synthase of 7‐day‐old post‐hatch broilers compared with other groups. The IOF of Arg solution also increased (p < .05) the villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) and decreased (p < .05) the CD in duodenum of broiler embryos and post‐hatch hatchlings, except for the CD at 19 days of incubation. In conclusion, IOF of 1% Arg solution into the amnion at 17.5 days of incubation could improve the development of digestive organs, the duodenal morphology, the releasing of gastrointestinal hormones and mucosal enzyme activities of broiler embryos and hatchlings and finally the growth performance of chicks during the first week post‐hatch. Therefore, IOF of appropriate Arg solution could be an effective technology for regulating early nutrition supply and subsequent growth development in poultry industry.     

Multimarker and rare variants genomewide association studies for bone weight in Simmental cattle

Bone weight, defined as the total weight of the bones in all the forequarter and hindquarter joints, can reflect somebody conformation traits and skeletal diseases. To gain a better understanding of the genetic determinants of bone weight, we used a composite strategy including multimarker and rare‐marker association to perform genomewide association studies (GWAS) for that character in Simmental cattle. Our strategy consisted of three models: (i) A traditional linear mixed model (LMM) was applied (Q+K‐LMM); (ii) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with p‐values less than .05 from the LMM were selected to undergo the least absolute shrinkage and selector operator (Lasso) in the second stage (LMM‐Lasso); (iii) genes containing two or more rare SNPs were examined by performing the sequence kernel association test (gene‐based SKAT). A total of 1,225 cattle were genotyped with an Illumina BovineHD BeadChip containing 770,000 SNPs. After the quality‐control procedures, 1,217 individuals with 608,696 common SNPs and 105,787 rare SNPs (with 0.001 < minor allele frequency [MAF] <0.05) remained in the sample for analysis. A traditional LMM successfully mapped three genes associated with bone weight, while LMM‐Lasso identified nine genes, which included all genes found by traditional LMM. Only a single gene, EPHB3, surpassed the significance threshold after Bonferroni correction in gene‐based SKAT. In conclusion, based on functional annotation and results from previous endeavours, we believe that LCORL, RIMS2, LAP3, PRKAR2B, CHSY1, MAP2K6 and EPHB3 are candidate genes for bone weight. In general, such a comprehensive strategy for GWAS may be useful for researchers seeking to probe the full genetic architecture underlying economic traits in livestock.     

气候变化对通辽草甸草原草本植物物候期的影响

植物物候期的变化直接反映气候变化,并成为全球变化研究的重点。基于通辽市巴雅尔吐胡硕牧业气象试验站1981-2016年主要植物羊草(Leymus chinensis)、冰草(Agropyron cristatum)、委陵菜(Potentilla chinensis)、车前(Plantago asiatica)物候观测数据和同期气象观测数据,研究了气候变化对草本植物返青期、黄枯期和生长季的影响,结果表明:1)研究区近36年来年均气温上升0.35℃·10 a-1(P0.01),年均降水量减少22.73 mm·10 a-1,气候暖干化特征明显。2)草本植物返青期呈一致性延迟趋势,平均每10年延迟1.16~7.60 d。羊草、车前返青推迟主要受2-3月累计降水量减少的影响,冰草、委陵菜返青推迟主要受2-4月、3-4月累计降水量减少的影响。3)草本植物黄枯期变化趋势不同,羊草、冰草黄枯期延迟主要受夏季、初秋累计降水量影响,委陵菜黄枯期提前主要受夏季、初秋的累计降水量和日照时数共同影响,车前草黄枯期延迟主要受夏季、初秋平均气温影响。4)草本植物生长季长度主要受气温和降水量影响。气候变暖后,研究区夏季、生长季平均气温显著上升,降水量逐渐减少,导致羊草、冰草、委陵菜生长季缩短;而车前对气温反应比较敏感,气温升高有利于车前生长季延长。     

旱、盐胁迫下黄芪种子萌发及其对水杨酸的响应

通过测定不同浓度聚乙二醇(PEG)和NaCl胁迫下膜荚黄芪(Astragalus membranaceus)和蒙古黄芪(A.membranaceus var.mongholicus)种子的最终发芽率、发芽势、简化活力指数、苗长、根长、苗干重、根干重等指标,以及不同施用方式和浓度的水杨酸(SA)对重度PEG和NaCl胁迫下两种黄芪种子最终发芽率的影响,旨在研究两种黄芪种子对PEG和NaCl胁迫响应方式的异同及SA对两种黄芪种子在重度PEG和NaCl胁迫下保护效果的差异。结果表明,低浓度PEG和NaCl只能促进膜荚黄芪种子萌发。在-0.5 MPa PEG和-0.7 MPa NaCl处理下,蒙古黄芪种子的活力指数显著优于膜荚黄芪种子(P0.05)。SA浸种能促进重度PEG和NaCl胁迫下两种黄芪种子的最终发芽率。蒙古黄芪种子的耐胁迫性高于膜荚黄芪种子。两种黄芪种子对SA的响应方式有区别。SA浸种处理优于拌种处理。     

黄花苜蓿花药培养再生体系的建立与单倍体鉴定

花药组织培养再生体系的构建是单倍体育种的重要途径之一。本研究对呼伦贝尔黄花苜蓿(Medicago falcate‘Hulunbeier’)进行了花药组织培养研究并建立了花药组培再生体系。结果显示,液体悬浮培养基比固体培养基更适合呼伦贝尔黄花苜蓿花药愈伤组织的培养,其愈伤形成的培养条件为B5培养基+0.5 mg·L~(-1) 2,4-D+0.25 mg·L~(-1) 6-BA+0.4mg·L~(-1) NAA+3.0mg·L~(-1) KT;分化培养基为MS+1.0mg·L~(-1) 2,4-D+0.5mg·L~(-1) 6-BA+2%蔗糖+0.7%琼脂;生根培养基为1/2MS+0.1mg·L~(-1) NAA+2%蔗糖+0.7%琼脂;获得的再生植株经流式细胞仪鉴定,其单倍体比例高达27%。