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.     

Differential gene expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP with high or low number of embryos in pigs during implantation

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expressions of implantation‐related genes (erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular receptor–ligand A1, Eph‐ephrin A1 and leptin receptor–leptin, LEPR‐LEP) differed between pigs with high and low number of embryos, and whether these differences in gene expression might affect embryo implantation. Experimental pig groups (n = 24) for high and low number of embryos were prepared by altering the number of eggs ovulated in pre‐pubertal gilts treated with 1.5 × (High) or 1.0 × (Low) PG600 ([400 IU PMSG + 200 IU hCG]/dose, AKZO‐NOBEL). Gilts expressing oestrus were artificially inseminated twice and maintained in breeding and gestation until the reproductive tract was collected on day 22 of pregnancy. At slaughter, the reproductive tracts from each pregnant gilt from each treatment were immediately processed to collect samples for RNA and protein analysis. Within each gilt, three conceptus points were sampled, one from each horn and then a random conceptus within the tract. At each conceptus point, endometrial attachment site, chorion–allantois and embryo were collected and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Number of corpus luteum (CL) (35.4 vs. 12.6) and total embryo number (18.8 vs. 10.2) were greater in the high‐embryo compared to the low‐embryo group, respectively (p < .05). Real‐time qPCR results showed that Eph‐ephrin A1 mRNA expression was less in the high‐embryo (p < .05) compared to the low‐embryo group. In addition, Western blotting analysis indicated that Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEP protein expression at endometrial attachment site in high‐embryo was less (p < .05) compared to low‐embryo group. It was also noted that mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant gilts (p < .05). Moreover, mRNA expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 (p < .05) and LEPR‐LEP was greatest at endometrial attachment site among all three tissues. There was a positive correlation between expressions of Eph‐ephrin A1, LEPR‐LEP and embryo length with the correlation coefficient 0.31–0.59. For Eph‐ephrin A1, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between Eph A1 expression and normal embryo number, between ephrin A1 expression and embryo length. For LEPR‐LEP, the highest correlation coefficient appeared between LEPR‐LEP expression and ovary weight (0.79 for both, p < .05), followed by embryo length and weight. The results of this study suggest that low expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP is somehow related to increased embryo number during implantation and that endometrial attachment site might be the main target tissue of these gene products. Yet, the increased expression of Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP appeared associated with increased embryo growth (length and weight) and ovary weight, Eph‐ephrin A1 and LEPR‐LEP might play roles in the regulation of embryo implantation in pigs.     

紫茎泽兰对萨能奶山羊血常规及重要脏器病理学的影响

紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)在中国作为入侵物种,可造成食草动物中毒死亡,并给畜牧业带巨大的损失。为研究反刍动物采食紫茎泽兰后的中毒机理,本研究探讨了日粮中添加不同剂量的紫茎泽兰对萨能奶山羊(Saanen goat)血常规及肝、脾、肾的病理学影响。选择16只5~6月龄健康萨能奶山羊,随机分成对照组(日粮中未添加紫茎泽兰)和试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组(日粮配比中分别添加紫茎泽兰40%、60%和80%),每组4只。试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别饲喂含40%、60%和80%紫茎泽兰的混合日粮3个月,每两周检测一次血常规,试验末屠宰奶山羊,并观察其肝、肾、脾的病理学变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,各试验组血液中的白细胞(white blood cell,)和中性粒细胞(neutrophil,NEUT)均显著升高(P0.05),试验后期极显著高于对照组(P0.01);而各试验组血液中淋巴细胞(lymphocyte,LY)与血红蛋白(hemoglobin,HGB)均呈下降趋势,试验后期均极显著低于对照组(P0.01)。肝和脾肿大,肝组织出现淤血,肝细胞发生水泡变性及脂肪变性等,肾组织伴有出血、坏死、颗粒变性及水泡样变性的现象。因此,本研究结果说明紫茎泽兰对萨能奶山羊血液指标有显著影响,且长期摄入紫茎泽兰可引起动物肝、肾、脾等主要实质器官不同程度的损伤。     

补饲水平对甘肃高山细毛羊生产性能的影响

为了探讨补饲水平对高寒牧区甘肃高山细毛羊生产性能的影响,本研究选择12月龄甘肃高山细毛后备母羊48只,随机分为补饲Ⅰ组(颗粒饲料)、Ⅱ组[玉米(Zea mays)和苜蓿(Medicago sativa)干草]、Ⅲ组[玉米、苜蓿干草和燕麦(Avena sativa)干草]和对照组(不补饲),进行冬春季"放牧"+"补饲"试验,比较了后备母羊体重,剪毛量,毛纤维长度、细度、白度、强度和伸度等物理指标。结果表明,试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组试验羊平均日增重分别比对照组高148.29%、133.09%、96.76%;剪毛量各组之间差异不显著(P0.05);自然长度和伸直长度对照组均极显著低于Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组(P0.01),且自然长度Ⅰ组极显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组(P0.01),伸直长度Ⅲ组极显著低于Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组(P0.01),Ⅱ组显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05);细度(直径)Ⅰ组最大,Ⅰ组极显著高于对照组(P0.01),且显著高于Ⅱ组(P0.05);白度Ⅰ组最高,Ⅰ组显著高于对照组(P0.05),其他各组之间均差异不显著(P0.05);强度和伸度补饲组均极显著高于对照组(P0.01),且强度Ⅰ组极显著高于Ⅱ组(P0.01),伸度Ⅰ组显著高于Ⅱ组(P0.05)。由此可见,补饲对体重、羊毛品质都有显著正向影响,高寒牧区冬春季节牧草营养缺乏,为了满足羊只营养需要,使甘肃高山细毛羊后备母羊能在1.5岁进行配种繁殖,在冷季放牧的基础上补饲1号料为最佳选择。     

紫花苜蓿细胞质雄性不育恢复基因的初步定位

以紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)不育系MS-GN-1A为母本,恢复系MS178为父本组合构建BSA分离群体,获得的F1代均表现为雄性可育,在大田种植了221株F2代群体单株,盛花期将花粉颗粒染色后,显微镜下观察统计出,不育的F2代株数为57,可育F2代株数164,并没有观察到半不育植株。将所有植株划分为可育和不育两组,并构建可育和不育DNA混池,混池DNA从可育和不育植株组DNA中各随机抽取20个样品,以此对恢复基因定位。随机挑选160对已知的四倍体苜蓿SSR引物扩增基因池DNA,获得2个具有多态性的分子标记,分别是Mt2c12、AW166,初步定位Rf基因在类群Composite5上。将类群Composite5上的所有引物进行合成,进一步进行引物筛选,最终获得4个具有多态性的标记BI68、Mt2c12、BG267和AW776153,遗传距离分别为19.0、20.9、44.6和72.1cM。     

Impact of cold-season grazing and supplementary feeding on rumen metabolic parameters and micro-organisms in the ewes of Gansu Alpine Fine Wool Sheep北大核心CSCD

An experiment was conducted to scientifically identify the appropriate feed for Gansu Alpine Fine Wool ewes in order to change the animals' breeding mode, which currently can only be mated at the age of 2.5 years due to insufficient nutritional supply. The experiment selected 48 12-month-old ewes and randomly divided them into group a (Diet 1), group b (Diet 2), group c (Diet 3), and a control group with no supplementary feeding. The feed test was run for 90 days. The rumen pH of groups a and b were very significantly higher (P<0.01) or group c significantly lower (P<0.05) than control group. The rumen ammonia nitrogen, protein nitrogen and total nitrogen of groups a, b and c were all higher than control group (P<0.01). The total volatile fatty acids of group a and b were all higher than the control group (P<0.01), group b significantly higher than group c (P<0.05). The molar ratio of acetic acid and propionic acid in group a was very significantly higher than control group (P<0.01), group b and c were significantly higher than control group (P<0.05). The molar ratio of butyric acid in group a was very significantly higher than group c (P<0.01). The ratio of acetic acid and propionic acid in group b was significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). The number of several rumen fiber-degrading bacteria and protozoa in groups a, b and c were very significantly (P<0.01) or significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control. In conclusion, this study shows that supplementary feeding can positively affect the rumen metabolic parameters and the number of several rumen microorganisms in Gansu Alpine Fine Wool ewes. In general, the effects of Diet 1 were the strongest, while Diet 2 also produced notable improvements. © 2018, Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.     

湖南省某生猪批发市场疫病传播风险评估

为评估湖南省某生猪批发市场猪群疫病的发生风险,找出可能的风险因素,便于提出针对性预防措施,采用自行设计的调查问卷,结合访谈和现场调查,对27户经营户进行了调查,并将调查结果和调运数据相结合进行了疫病传播风险定性评估。结果显示:该市场疫病传入的可能性"高",内部传播的可能性"中等",疫病传出的可能性"高"。生猪调运频次多、数量大,经纪人行为复杂,运输车辆清洗消毒不彻底是可能的风险因素。评估结果提示,应尽量减少经纪人行为影响,重点加强对运输车辆的清洗消毒。     

鳢肠对棉铃虫生长发育的影响

通过饲料混毒法测定鳢肠对棉铃虫生长发育的影响。结果表明,随饲料中鳢肠比例的加大和棉铃虫幼虫取食时间的延长,鳢肠对棉铃虫幼虫的生长发育具有明显的抑制作用。幼虫取食鳢肠比例高的饲料后,棉铃虫蛹质量显著降低,但羽化率和单雌日均产卵量与对照处理差异不显著;给棉铃虫幼虫饲喂鳢肠明显延长了幼虫和成虫历期,但对蛹历期的影响较小。