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.     

饲用荞麦在畜牧业中的应用与研究

荞麦(Fagopyrum esulentum)原产于中国,其栽培种甜荞和苦荞在世界各地已被广泛种植,我国西南地区蕴含着丰富的野生荞麦资源。荞麦营养丰富,除含有常见的蛋白质、纤维素和糖类外,还富含芦丁等抗氧化物质,具有耐瘠薄、抗病虫害、适应性强、生长迅速等优点,特别是一些野生种叶片大、叶量多,更适合于刈割,这些优点使其成为一种很具有发展潜力的优质牧草资源。但目前荞麦的饲用价值仍未得到充分的发掘与利用。本文着重介绍了荞麦在我国的栽培、饲用历史和现状,结合荞麦饲用于猪、反刍动物及家禽等方面的研究进展,分析了荞麦在饲用化发展中将面临的问题,并对其应用前景进行了评价与展望。     

过量表达甘菊CBF1基因提高拟南芥抗旱耐盐能力

CBF是一类植物特异性、具有多种功能的转录因子。本研究将从甘菊(Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium)中分离的ClCBF1基因构建到植物表达载体pBI121上,并采用农杆菌介导的花序浸染法对拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)进行遗传转化,共获得4个转基因株系经过抗性筛选和RT-PCR验证,对其中表达量较高的3个转基因株系进行研究,结果表明:在150mmol·L~(-1)甘露醇培养基中转基因拟南芥的种子萌发率和根长平均为野生型的2.0倍和1.2倍,在150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl培养基中转基因拟南芥种子萌发率和根长平均为野生型的1.1倍和1.4倍;在干旱和盐胁迫条件下,转基因拟南芥幼苗的成活率高于野生型,并且超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著高于野生型(P0.05),丙二醛(MDA)含量及相对电导率显著低于野生型植株(P0.05)。说明ClCBF1基因在拟南芥受到干旱和盐胁迫过程中发挥一定作用。     

棘孢木霉葡聚糖酶基因Glu1的克隆及原核表达

从棘孢木霉(Trichoderma asperellum)ACCC30536中克隆获得一个葡聚糖酶基因Glu1,其cDNA全长984bp,编码327个氨基酸。该葡聚糖酶属于Glyco-hydro-12家族,推测为β-1,4-葡聚糖酶,与深绿木霉IMI 206040的Glycohydro-12家族蛋白(XP_013940397.1)有91%相似性,且亲缘关系较近。运用qRT-PCR技术检测9种诱导条件下棘孢木霉Glu1基因的表达水平,结果表明,Glu1基因能参与棘孢木霉对山新杨(Populus davidiana×P.alba var.pyramidlis)或杨树病原菌的识别。构建原核表达载体并获得重组蛋白rGlu1。酶活特性分析结果表明,该酶最适pH为4.5,最适温度为45℃,且酶活性随诱导时间延长逐渐升高,在5h达到稳定。     

广东省广州市活禽批发市场从业人员H7N9流感“知信行”现状调查

为了解广东省广州市活禽批发市场从业人员对H7N9流感的认知、态度和行为,也为制定针对性的健康教育措施提供依据,2017年4—5月对广州市全部6个活禽批发市场的435名从业人员进行了问卷调查。调查结果显示:318名密切接触人员和117名非密切接触人员对H7N9流感相关知识的总知晓率分别为80.59%和69.60%;在"发现对禽高致病性的H7N9流感病毒""病死禽应该进行深埋或焚烧等无害化处理""外省养殖场发生过H7N9流感疫情"方面,密切接触者的知晓率显著高于非密切接触者(P0.03);获取H7N9流感知识的途径主要有培训,以及电视、网络和海报等宣传媒介;绝大多数市场从业人员认为政府有能力防控H7N9流感,对政府采取的H7N9流感防控措施及对目前的"1110"制度感到满意,认为活禽集中屠宰可行(P0.01);从业人员在预防H7N9流感时,接触禽类后用肥皂或洗手液洗手的占比最高(83.45%),其次是戴手套(69.20%)和穿水鞋(63.91%),而戴口罩(39.77%)和用消毒液消毒手(35.86%)的占比较低。调查认为,广州市活禽批发市场从业人员的H7N9流感知识知晓率较高,但个人防护措施实施不全面。调查结果提示,应充分利用培训,以及电视和网络等优势媒介,强化微信和微博等新兴媒介,加强对H7N9流感防控知识的宣传。