Identification of polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits in the porcine KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B genes

Skeletal muscle genes are potential candidates for production and meat quality. Screening a subtracted cDNA library constructed with mRNA obtained from longissimus dorsi muscles of F1 hybrids Landrace × Yorkshire and their female parents Yorkshire, we isolated two partial sequences coding for the H3-K4-specific methyltransferase (KIAA1717) and skeletal muscle myosin regulatory light chain (HUMMLC2B) genes. Database search revealed KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B encoded proteins with SET domain and EF-hand calcium binding motif, respectively. In the present work we identified their partial polymorphisms and two SNPs, one (C1354T) at the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of KIAA1717 and one (A345G) at the SINE (PRE-1) element of HUMMLC2B, both created/disrupted a restriction site for endonuclease Msp I. The selected pigs were genotyped at the KIAA1717 C1354T and HUMMLC2B A345G sites by means of a PCR-RFLP protocol. Significant associations were observed for the KIAA1717 C1354T polymorphic site with meat marbling (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)) and intramuscular fat (p < 0.01). HUMMLC2B A345G were significantly associated with meat pH (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)), drip loss (p < 0.01), water holding capacity (p < 0.01) and meat color value (longissimus doris (p < 0.01), biceps femoris (p < 0.05)). Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.     

对通过DHI改进奶牛场生产管理的观察与分析

本试验对沈阳军区农副基地奶牛场成年母牛群进行了DHI测定。试验结果表明,通过DHI测定使奶牛群平均产奶量和乳成分都有不同程度的提高,尤其是大幅度降低了牛奶中的体细胞数,由原来的78.9万/mL下降到16.9万/mL。说明DHI测定可以提高牛场的科学管理水平,有利于奶牛产奶量和牛奶质量的提高。     

Ectoparasites are the major causes of various types of skin lesions in small ruminants in Ethiopia

Ectoparasites are the major causes of skin lesions in animals. Clinical, skin scraping examination, and histopathological studies were conducted to identify and characterize skin lesions in small ruminants caused by ectoparasites. Mange mites, lice, sheep keds, and ticks were collected from the skin of affected animals for species identification. Skin biopsies were collected from affected part of the skin and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology. Of 1,000 sheep and 600 goats examined, 815 (81.50%) sheep and 327 (54.5%) goats were infested with one or more types of ectoparasites. Sarcoptes scabiei var ovis, Demodex ovis, Psoroptes ovis, Bovicola ovis, Melophagus ovinus, and Amblyomma variegatum and other tick species were identified from sheep. S. scabiei var caprae, Demodex caprae, Linognathus stenopsis, and A. variegatum and other tick species were identified from goats. Gross skin lesions or defects observed on the skin include stained and ragged wool, loss of wool/hair, nodules, crusts, lichenification, and fissuring. Microscopic evaluation of H and E stained skin sections revealed lesions in the epidermal layer such as hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and melanin inconsistency on the basal cells of the epidermis. Follicular keratosis, perifolliculitis, frunculosis, perivasculitis, and aggregates of inflammatory cells (of acute and chronic type) with fibrosis were experiential in the dermal layer of the skin. Most of the skin lesions caused by ectoparasites are overlapping. Thus, ectoparasites control program should be executed to reduce skin lesions as skins are the major export commodity of the country.     

从动物毛中提取DNA研究初探

利用蛋白酶Ｋ分解毛发蛋白，并使用酚和氧仿除去蛋白质杂质方法提取毛中ＤＮＡ。结果测量获得的数据和曲线表明：动物脱落毛发以及从保存多年标本获得的毛发均可用来提取到具有一定纯度和数量的ＤＮＡ，完全可以满足聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）所需。     

Milk utilisation patterns in the low-input production systems in South Africa

Understanding the utilisation patterns of milk assists in designing appropriate dairy development schemes in rural communities. The objective of the study was to determine milk utilisation patterns in different smallholder farming systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the administration of recording sheets to 130 randomly selected households in Alice, Fort Beaufort and Queenstown districts. Amounts of milk produced per household ranged from 9 to 21 l per household per day. Milk consumption/household/day was similar among the three districts. Milk consumption in the early lactation doubled the amount consumed in late lactation (P < 0.05). Milk in the communal areas was largely utilised as fresh or sour milk. Fresh milk was mostly used in tea/coffee or to make porridge for children. Sour milk was consumed with thick boiled maize meal. Fort Beaufort (10.2 ± 1.37 l/day) had the highest sour milk sales whilst Queenstown had the highest fresh milk sales (9.7 ± 5.57 l/day). It was concluded that quantities of milk consumed or sold as fresh or sour were generally low and varied across smallholder farming systems.     

犬瘟热、犬细小病毒胶体金二联检测卡研制

本研究通过细胞融合、间接ELISA方法筛选出4株可稳定分泌犬瘟热病毒(canine distemper virus,CDV)和犬细小病毒(canine parvovirus,CPV)单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,以此为基础研制了一种可同时检测CDV和CPV的胶体金二联检测卡,并对其特异性、灵敏度及准确性进行了测试。结果显示：4株杂交瘤细胞可稳定传代,分泌的单克隆抗体纯度高,效价均在1:320以上。制备的胶体金二联检测卡特异性强,只与CDV和CPV产生特异性条带,而不与其他犬类病毒反应;灵敏度高,最低检测限可达到10²拷贝/μL;准确性好,与荧光定量PCR结果的符合率高于88.0%,与市面上单一病毒检测卡的符合率高于97.2%。结果表明,本研究制备的CDV、CPV胶体金二联检测卡特异性强、灵敏度高、准确性好,兼具操作简便、肉眼可判读、结果易保存和无需特殊仪器设备等优势,可用于两种疾病的临床快速诊断和大规模检测工作。     

一例种鸡维生素B2缺乏症的诊治

2003年4月中旬,济宁某种鸡场连续孵化3批种蛋,孵化期间均发生大批胚胎死亡,出壳的雏鸡表现弱雏,成活率极低。经询问种鸡饲养状况和观察死亡胚、死亡雏鸡的症状,确诊为种鸡维生素B2缺乏症。送检的死亡胚胎和1日龄死亡雏鸡症状基本相似。胚胎多在孵化后12-14天死亡,死胚颈部弯曲,足肢缩短,关节变形,水肿,比相同日龄的正常发育胚要小。死雏的特征性症状非常明显,即所有的雏鸡均无绒毛,只在胸部、背部、颈部等部位无规则地出现疏密不一的棒状羽,短而粗,有的羽毛紧贴于皮肤呈结节状。多只死雏表现典型的“鹦鹉嘴”,嘴尖而短,喙部向里侧弯曲,使得…     

Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus australis</Emphasis>) reproduction in Orbata,a nature reserve in Tunisia

The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 ± 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 ± 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 ± 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.     

Effects of tea saponins on rumen microbiota,rumen fermentation,methane production and growth performance—a review

Reducing methane emission from ruminant animals has implications not only for global environmental protection but also for efficient animal production. Tea saponins (TS) extracted from seeds, leaves or roots of tea plant are pentacyclic triterpenes. They have a lasting antiprotozoal effect, but little effect on the methanogen population in sheep. There was no significant correlation between the protozoa counts and methanogens. The TS decreased methanogen activity. It seems that TS influenced the activity of the methanogens indirectly via the depressed ciliate protozoal population. The TS addition decreased fungal population in the medium containing rumen liquor in in vitro fermentation, but no such effect was observed in the rumen liquor of sheep fed TS. Tea saponins had a minor effect on the pattern of rumen fermentation and hence on nutrient digestion. When added at 3 g/day in diets, TS could improve daily weight gain and feed efficiency in goats. No positive associative effect existed between TS and disodium fumarate or soybean oil on methane suppression. Inclusion of TS in diets may be an effective way for improving feed efficiency in ruminants.     

桑毛虫食叶量的研究

通过本研究,得出桑毛虫食叶量５龄虫全龄为１０４９．６５ｍｇ／条,６龄虫全龄为２４０６．５ｍｇ／条,明确了桑毛虫食叶量与发育时间的关系式,为确定桑毛虫的防治适期提供了依据。