Efficacy of intravaginal progesterone administration as an additional treatment on two types of timed AI protocols in a commercial herd of Holstein heifers

Reproductive performance of two types of timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols with or without intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR) was investigated in a commercial herd of Holstein heifers. A total of seventy-four heifers with 14.4 months of age were allocated to two groups; Ovsynch (n=44) and estradiol benzoate (EB) used Heatsynch (EB-Heatsynch, n=30), and each group was additionally divided into two subgroups with CIDR insertion from day 0 to 7 (n=36) and without CIDR group (n=38). Blood was collected for progesterone (P4) analysis and ovarian finding was monitored with ultrasonography. Heifers in CIDR-treated group resulted in higher pregnancy rate as compared to No-CIDR-treated group (63.9% vs 21.1%, P<0.01). Heifers with functional corpus luteum (CL) on day 0 resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rate in CIDR-treated group than No-CIDR-treated group (day 0: 67.9% vs 13.0%, P<0.01). CIDR insertion suppressed the intermediate ovulation during the first 7 days and the period from the second GnRH or EB administration to TAI as compared to No-CIDR-treated group (first 7 days: 33.3% vs. 52.6%; P<0.05, before TAI: 11.1% vs. 37.0%; P<0.05). In conclusion, the selected TAI protocols with CIDR provided acceptable pregnancy rate and contributed to the economical improvement by shortening the average age of first calving approximately for 2.5 months as compared to the previous management without TAI protocols.     

Impact of paralarvae and juveniles feeding environment on the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort stock

In this study, we found that there were significant positive correlations between the catch per unit effort (CPUE, a squid abundance index) for the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort and the satellite‐derived chlorophyll a concentrations in their spawning grounds located at 140–160°E where 21°C < sea surface temperature < 25°C from February to May. The spawning grounds of the winter–spring cohort are located in a quiet stream region, and a particle tracking experiment, based on the velocity field obtained from an ocean data assimilation system, showed that paralarvae and juveniles aged <90 days remained in their spawning grounds and the chlorophyll a concentration in their habitat had a significant positive correlation with the CPUE. A backward particle tracking experiment also showed that the chlorophyll a concentration in the spawning grounds had a significant positive correlation with the autumn–winter mixed layer depth. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the CPUE interannual variability is caused by variations in the feeding environment of the paralarvae and juveniles, which may be linked to autumn–winter mixed layer depth variations.     

Intraperitoneal injection of sulfur amino acids enhance the hepatic cysteine dioxygenase activity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

As part of the investigation into cysteine metabolism in fish, sulfur amino acids and their derivatives were injected intraperitoneally to fingerling rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to examine how the doses of these compounds affect the hepatic cysteine dioxygenase [EC 1.12.11.20] in this species. A dose of 0.25 mmol L-cysteine per 100 g body weight induced the enzyme activity as much as 2.5 times that of the control fish within 4h after the injection. The activity increased proportionally to the increasing dose of cysteine up to the dose of 0.15 mmol per 100 g body weight. The induction was observed to be rather specific to L-cysteine. These findings suggested that the cysteine sulfinate pathway might play an important role in the metabolism of excess cysteine in rainbow trout. The dosage of L-cysteine larger than 0.50 mmol per 100g body weight led to mortality of the fish. The pathway of cysteine catabolism was considered to function to prevent toxic accumulation of cysteine in rainbow trout, as in the case of mammals.     

The effects of protein sources supplemented with urea-treated potato pulp (PP) silage and feeding levels of the PP silage-based concentrate on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers

Six Japanese Black (Wagyu) steers (average initial weight 467 ± 45 kg) fitted with a ruminal cannula were used in a split‐plot design experiment comprising a 3 × 3 Latin square design (whole‐plot) and a randomized block design (subplot). The whole‐plot treatments were three different feeding levels of urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) silage‐based concentrate: 1.00%, 1.75% and 2.50% of body weight (BW) (on a dry matter (DM) basis). The subplot treatments consisted of the concentrate formulated to contain either soybean meal (SBM) as a rapidly rumen‐degraded protein source or corn gluten meal (CGM) as a slowly degraded protein source. Dry matter intake tended to be lower (P = 0.071) for CGM (8.9 kg/day) than for SBM (9.4 kg/day). Protein sources had no significant effect on digestibility and in situ degradation. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N) was lower (P = 0.033) for CGM (7.5 mg/dL) than for SBM (9.5 mg/dL). Protein sources did not affect ruminal pH and the total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations. The molar proportions of ruminal acetate and valerate were higher (P = 0.032) for CGM than for SBM. The maximum daily intake of the PP silage‐based concentrate expressed as a percentage of BW was approximately 1.4% of BW. Dry matter intake was higher (P = 0.046) for steers fed at 1.0% of BW of the PP silage‐based concentrate than for steers fed at 1.75% or 2.5% of BW of the concentrate. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate had no effect on DM and nutrients digestibility, except for crude protein (CP) digestibility. CP digestibility tended to be lower (P = 0.071) for steers fed at 1.75% of BW of the PP silage‐based concentrate than for steers fed at 1.0% or 2.5% of BW of the concentrate. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate also did not affect the in situ degradation parameter of hay and PP silage. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate did not affect ruminal pH, NH₃‐N and total VFA concentrations. The molar proportion of acetate was highest for steers fed at 1.0% of BW of the concentrate. In conclusion, in the urea‐treated PP silage‐based concentrate, CGM seems to be more effective than SBM for stabilizing the ruminal NH₃‐N concentration and to be advantageous for fiber digestion in the rumen. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate did not change the amount of VFA production in the rumen and the DM digestibility.     

Thermal stability of myosin and protective effect of F-actin on myosin affect the thermal inactivation of calcium-ATPase in unstable kuruma prawn myofibrils

Fisheries Science - The thermal stability of myosin and the protective effect of F-actin on myosin in kuruma prawn myofibrils were investigated from the thermal inactivation rates at...     

Relationship between bacterial translocation and isolation of enteric bacteria from extraintestinal organs in slaughtered pigs

Enteric bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, have been isolated from porcine livers affected with ascariasis. We hypothesized that reason for this bacterial isolation was due to bacterial translocation (BT). In order to clarify the association between ascariasis and isolation of Enterobacteriaceae in the livers,12 pigs with ascariasis (ascariasis group), 12 pigs without ascariasis (non-ascariasis A group) were used. Jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, livers, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and portal blood were obtained from these pigs. Furthermore, in order to confirm the presence of BT in pigs, the samples mentioned above as well as spleens were obtained from 11 pigs without ascariasis (non-ascariasis B group) and 6 specific pathogen free (SPF) pigs without ascariasis (non-ascariasis SPF group). In the first experiment, the gram-negative bacteria were isolated from livers (66.7%), MLN (91.7%), and portal blood (55.6%) regardless the presence of ascariasis. In the second experiment, isolation rates of gram-negative and -positive bacteria were 52.9 and 66.7% for livers, 52.9 and 80% for MLN, 11.8 and 26.7% for spleens, and 40 and 20% for portal blood of the pigs examined, respectively. E. coli and Staphylococcus were the predominant isolates from these pigs. A large number of antigens immunodetected by E. coli polyclonal antibody were found in the damaged cecal mucosa. These findings present evidence that BT is generally observed in slaughtered pigs regardless the presence of ascariasis. This has challenged our notion that extraintestinal organs of pigs are usually maintained as sterile.     

Effects of days on feed,roughage sources and inclusion levels of grain in concentrate on finishing performance and carcass characteristics in cull beef cows

An experiment was conducted with 16 Japanese Black cows to determine the effects of different days on feed (89, 208, 271 and 341 days), inclusion levels of grain in concentrate (60% vs. 40%; dry matter (DM) basis) and roughage sources (hay vs. rice straw) on finishing performance. Additional four cows were slaughtered at 0 days on feed to obtain non‐fed carcass data. Maximum carcass weights were observed in cows fed for 271 days; an increase in carcass weight of only 14 kg was shown from 208 days to 271 days. The marbling score increased (P < 0.05) with days on feed. The percentage of fat in the subprimal rib linearly increased (P < 0.05) with days on feed. The percentage of lean meat was higher (P < 0.05) for cows fed rice straw than for cows fed hay as a roughage source. Increasing the days on feed decreased (P < 0.05) the yellowness of the fat. The effects of the inclusion levels of grain in concentrate on the finishing performance of cows were lower than the other two factors. In conclusion, feeding improves carcass values, but feeding over 208 days is an inefficient system of production in cows.     

Effect of different dietary taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth performance of juvenile and fingerling Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

This study investigated the effects of different taurine levels on the conjugated bile acid composition and growth performance of juvenile and fingerling Japanese flounder. Five level diets of dietary taurine were prepared by the supplementation of taurine (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.5%) to a basal composition. Fish meal washed with 70% ethanol to remove taurine was used as the sole protein source. Two feeding experiments were carried out at 20 °C by using different sized fish (BW: 0.7 g and 9.6 g). Both size groups of fish were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks. At the end of experiments, fish were weighed and stored at − 80 °C for analysis of free amino acids and conjugated bile acids composition. The body weight and feed efficiency of Japanese flounder were improved by taurine supplementation in the experimental diets. The taurine contents of the whole body and tissues increased with the increase of the taurine supplementation. The conjugated bile acids in gall bladder were composed with taurocholic acid (Expt.I: 33.0-146.8 mg/ml; Expt.II: 64.8-145.3 mg/ml) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (Expt.I: 0.8-5.5 mg/ml; Expt.II: 3.5-4.9 mg/ml). These bile acids increased with the increase of the dietary taurine level. Taurocholic acid accounted for more than 95% of the total conjugated bile acids. No other conjugated bile acids except the taurine conjugated bile acids were detected in the gall bladder of Japanese flounder. This means that taurine is the sole amino acid to conjugate bile acid in Japanese flounder. Dietary taurine intake affects the conjugated bile acid composition in juvenile and fingerling Japanese flounder.     

Breeding and brewing quality of the Canadian malting barley variety ‘CDC Goldstar’ lacking lipoxygenase-1

Various types of malt quality profiles have been investigated to benefit the North American brewing industry. Herein, we report the development and brewing quality of the hulled, two-row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety ‘CDC Goldstar’ lacking lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1-less). This new variety offers a novel malt type for the improvement of beer flavor stability. The agronomic performance of ‘CDC Goldstar’ was tested in the Western Cooperative Two Row Barley Registration Trials during 2013–2014. In addition to high lodging tolerance, the new variety showed 6% higher yield than the current leading variety ‘CDC Copeland’. The malt quality of ‘CDC Goldstar’ showed higher diastatic power and lower wort β-glucan content than ‘CDC Copeland’ and controllable proteolytic modification (soluble nitrogen and Kolbach Index). Pilot- (100 L) and commercial-scale (5,000 L) brewing trials were conducted using ‘CDC PlatinumStar’, another LOX-1-less variety with a low enzymatic profile, as the control variety. Absence of the LOX-1 trait from ‘CDC Goldstar’ maintained trans-2-nonenal levels in aged beers as low as those in other LOX-1-less varieties without affecting major beer parameters, such as ester and aldehyde content or foam stability. The newly developed ‘CDC Goldstar’ malting barley provides added value for the beer industry and consumers.