Sheep fed with banana leaf hay reduce ruminal protozoa population

A ciliate protozoa suppression can reduce methane production increasing the energy efficiency utilization by ruminants. The physicochemical characteristics of rumen fluid and the profile of the rumen protozoa populations were evaluated for sheep fed banana leaf hay in replacement of the Cynodon dactylon cv. vaqueiro hay. A total of 30 male sheep were raised in intensive system during 15 days of adaptation and 63 days of experimental period. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design that included six replicates of five treatments with replacement levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of the grass vaquero for the banana leaf hay. Samples of fluid were collected directly from the rumen with sterile catheters. Color, odor, viscosity, and the methylene blue reduction potential (MBRP) were evaluated and pH estimated using a digital potentiometer. After decimal dilutions, counts of genus protozoa were performed in Sedgewick Rafter chambers. The averages of pH, MBRP, color, odor, and viscosity were not influenced by the inclusion of the banana leaf hay. However, the total number of protozoa and Entodinium spp. population significantly decreased at 75 and 100% inclusions of banana leaf hay as roughage.     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> antibodies in camels in Katsina State,Nigeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the status of Brucella infection in one-humped (Dromedary) camels in the North and Central senatorial districts of Katsina State, Nigeria. Nine hundred and eighty serum samples from live and slaughtered camels were tested. Modified Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA) were used as screening and standard tests, respectively. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies were 110 (11.2%) and 103 (10.5%) for RBPT and SAT, respectively. Of the 472 and 508 serum samples tested from the herds and abattoirs, respectively, 63 (13.3%) and 47 (9.3%) were positive by RBPT while 62 (13.1%) and 41 (8.1%) were positive by SAT, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that Brucella antibodies were present in camels in the study area. Poor management practices and mixing of camels with other species of livestock as well as unrestricted movement of camels were proposed to be the reasons for the prevalence of the disease in the study area. In view of the public health importance of the disease, it is recommended that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.     

颈静脉灌注不同模式的氨基酸混合物对泌乳奶牛乳蛋白合成的影响

本试验旨在比较颈静脉灌注酪蛋白模式和理想模式的氨基酸混合物对泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛乳产量、乳成分以及乳腺对氨基酸摄取利用的影响。选择8头泌乳中期[泌乳天数:(82±11)d]荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,试验采用随机区组设计,将试验牛随机分为2组,分别颈静脉灌注160g/d酪蛋白模式(Casein组)和理想模式的氨基酸混合物(R组)。2个试验组分别以各自灌注前作为空白对照组(C1组为Casein组的空白对照组,C2组为R组的空白对照组)。预试期14d,灌注期5d。试验采用全混合日粮(TMR)饲喂,以玉米、豆粕、棉籽粕、玉米青贮、苜蓿干草和羊草为主要原料,参照NRC(2001)奶牛饲养标准配制。结果表明:灌注酪蛋白模式的氨基酸混合物后,乳蛋白产量和含量较灌注前呈上升趋势(乳蛋白产量上升7.14%,P=0.078;乳蛋白含量上升3.27%,P=0.072);并且,奶牛动脉血浆中异亮氨酸(Ile)、亮氨酸(Leu)、赖氨酸(Lys)和组氨酸(His)的浓度较灌注前有不同程度的上升(Ile的浓度提高31.5%,P=0.097;Leu的浓度提高65.9%,P=0.041;Lys的浓度提高36.9%,P=0.088;His的浓度提高40.1%,P=0.010),而苏氨酸(Thr)、缬氨酸(Val)、蛋氨酸(Met)、苯丙氨酸(Phe)和精氨酸(Arg)的浓度在数值上虽较灌注前高但无显著差异(P0.05)。灌注酪蛋白模式的氨基酸混合物后,奶牛乳腺对天冬氨酸(Asp)和半胱氨酸(Cys)的摄取率显著升高(Asp的摄取率提高95.2%,P=0.031;Cys的摄取率提高49.6%,P=0.031),而奶牛乳腺对甘氨酸(Gly)的摄取率显著降低(降低158.3%,P=0.041)。灌注理想模式的氨基酸混合物后,乳蛋白含量比灌注前有上升趋势(提高5.78%,P=0.064),而乳脂产量显著低于灌注前(降低8.57%,P=0.015);并且,奶牛动脉血浆中Arg的浓度有上升趋势(提高18.0%,P=0.093),而酪氨酸(Tyr)的浓度呈下降趋势(降低47.8%,P=0.074)。灌注理想模式的氨基酸混合物后,奶牛乳腺对谷氨酸(Glu)、Cys和Ile的摄取率显著上升(Glu的摄取率提高118.7%,P=0.015;Cys的摄取率提高77.4%,P=0.032;Ile的摄取率提高46.0%,P=0.012),而奶牛乳腺对Ser的摄取率呈下降趋势(降低56.2%,P=0.052)。灌注氨基酸混合物后,Casein组乳脂产量增量显著高于R组(P=0.012),且Casein组的乳产量增量(P=0.095)和乳糖产量增量(P=0.091)较R组有升高的趋势,而2组间其他指标增量无显著差异(P0.05)。由此得出,在本试验条件下,颈静脉灌注酪蛋白模式和理想模式的氨基酸混合物均可提高泌乳奶牛的乳蛋白含量,而灌注酪蛋白模式氨基酸混合物同时可以促进乳蛋白产量的升高,因此,颈静脉灌注酪蛋白模式氨基酸混合物的效果优于灌注理想模式氨基酸混合物。     

Effect of spineless cactus intake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Opuntia ficus-indica</Emphasis>) on blood glucose levels in lactating sows and its impact on feed intake,body weight loss,and weaning-estrus interval

The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI^?1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow’s body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI^?1, TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI^?1, BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI^?1, lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.     

Normal bacterial flora from vaginas of Criollo Limonero cows

In order to describe the normal bacterial flora in vaginas of Criollo Limonero cows, 51 healthy multiparous cows, at least 90-day postpartum, were selected. Duplicated swabs (N = 102) were taken from the vaginal fornix of cows to perform aerobic and anaerobic cultures as well as conventional biochemical tests. Out of 102 swabs, bacterial growth was obtained in 55 (53.9%) while the remaining 47 (46.1%) did not exhibited any bacterial growth. Of the 55 bacterial growths, 23 (41.8%) were aerobic whereas 32 (58.1%) were anaerobic. Likewise, 29 (52.72%) of bacterial growths were pure and 26 (47.27%) were mixed. Under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, Gram positive bacteria were predominant (81.82% and 73.08%, respectively) over Gram negative bacteria (18.18% and 26.92%, respectively). Isolated bacteria were Arcanobacterium pyogenes (22.92%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.63%), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (17.71%), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (6.25%), Bacteroides spp. (13.54%), and Peptostreptococcus spp. (7.29%). In conclusion, normal vaginal bacterial flora of Criollo Limonero cows was predominantly Gram positive and included A. pyogenes, S. aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, E. rhusiopathiae, Bacteroides spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. In Criollo Limonero cattle, adaptive aspects such as development of humoral and physical mechanisms for defense, and bacterial adaptation to host deserve research attention.     

Lack of glucokinase regulatory protein expression may contribute to low glucokinase activity in feline liver

In most mammals, glucokinase (GK) acts as a hepatic “glucose sensor” that permits hepatic metabolism to respond appropriately to changes in plasma glucose concentrations. GK activity is potently regulated by the glucokinase regulatory protein (GKRP), which is encoded by the GCKR gene. GKRP binds GK in the nucleus and inhibits its activity. GK becomes active when it is released from GKRP and translocates to the cytosol. Low glucokinase (GK) activity is reported to be a principal feature of feline hepatic carbohydrate metabolism but the molecular pathways that regulate GK activity are not known. This study examined the hypothesis that species-specific differences in GKRP expression parallel the low GK activity observed in feline liver. Hepatic GKRP expression was examined using RT-PCR, immunoblot, and confocal immunomicroscopy. The results show that the GCKR gene is present in the feline genome but GCKR mRNA and the GKRP protein were absent in feline liver. The lack of GKRP expression in feline liver indicates that the low GK activity cannot be the result of GKRP-mediated inhibition of the GK enzyme. However, the absence of the permissive effects of GCKR expression on GK expression and activity may contribute to reduced GK enzyme activity in feline liver. The study results show that the cat is a natural model for GCKR knockout and may be useful to study regulation of GCKR expression and its role in hepatic glucose-sensing and carbohydrate metabolism.     

玉米酒精糟的营养价值及其对生长育肥猪肉品质的影响

玉米酒精糟(corn distillers dried grains with solubles,DDGS)是燃料乙醇工厂以玉米为原料发酵生产酒精的副产品,含有丰富的蛋白质、脂肪、有效磷和维生素,是一种良好的饲料原料。近年来,随着燃料乙醇工厂数量的增多、规模的扩大及加工工艺的改进,玉米DDGS的产量和质量也不断提高,并且被越来越多地用于养猪生产中。但是其中过高的脂肪含量,特别是不饱和脂肪酸,导致生长育肥猪的肉品质下降,对猪肉的货架期及深加工造成了一定的负面影响。作者综述了玉米DDGS的营养价值及其对猪肉品质的影响。     

荣昌猪仔猪性别间DNA甲基化水平的差异研究

应用HPLC方法检测了96头30日龄荣昌猪仔猪(公、母各半)耳组织全基因组DNA的甲基化程度,探讨性别间DNA甲基化水平的差异。结果表明:仔公猪、仔母猪的DNA甲基化含量分别为4.296%和3.902%,在统计上无显著差异(P0.05)。研究结果证实,性别不是影响荣昌猪仔猪DNA甲基化状态的主要因素。     

浅谈精细化管理在动物卫生检疫证照管理中的应用

检疫合格证明是动物产品溯源的重要途径,检疫证明的管理是否规范关系到动物卫生监督职能发挥的有效性。本文从检疫证照管理的具体实践中探讨引进精细化管理理念的优势,从而证明在精细化管理过程中,从"精细思维"的养成到"索证、验证、上缴核销"流程中的精细化操作,有效促进检疫证照管理的规范化、精细化,切实提高整个证照管理的科学性。