Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Bovine foetal sex determination—Different DNA extraction and amplification approaches for efficient livestock production

Foetal sex determination using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in mammals is based on the amplification of gender‐specific foetal DNA sequences circulating in maternal blood. The bovine synepitheliochorial placenta does not allow a direct contact between the trophoblast and the maternal blood, resulting in difficult passage of foetal DNA and, consequently, its very small amounts in maternal bloodstream. Circulating cell‐free foetal DNA (ccffDNA) encompasses short nucleotide fragments (300–600 bp) in maternal circulation. The aim of this study was to assess this non‐invasive method in accurate prenatal sexing in early and late gestational periods in comparison with ultrasound diagnostics. As various DNA isolation and amplification methods were tested, their success in obtaining reliable results was evaluated. Two groups were tested, each consisting of 20 pregnant cows. Blood of a bull and a non‐pregnant heifer was the controls. Extraction of foetal DNA was accomplished by three different methods: using tubes with silicone membranes, a single‐tube extraction without silicone membranes and phenol–chloroform extraction. Following each extraction method, foetal DNA was amplified using PCR and real‐time PCR with both bAML and TSPY primers in a separate reaction. Positive results were obtained only after amplification of foetal DNA extracted with a single‐tube extraction kit. In comparison with ultrasound examination results and foetal gender recorded at birth, the sensitivity of the PCR test was 90% in Group I, but the technique failed to detect male foetuses in Group II. The real‐time PCR test sensitivity in Group I was 90% and in Group II 91.6%.     

Comparative expression profile of microRNAs and piRNAs in three ruminant species testes using next‐generation sequencing

microRNA (miRNA) and piwi‐interacting RNA (piRNA) are two classes small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play crucial roles in multiple biological processes such as spermatogenesis. However, there are no published studies on conjoint analysis of miRNA and piRNA profiles among cattle, yak and their interspecies (the dzo) using sequencing technology. Next‐generation sequencing technology was used to profile miRNAs and piRNAs among those three ruminants to elucidate their functions. A total of 119, 14 and six differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained in cattle vs. dzo, cattle vs. yak and yak vs. dzo comparison groups, while there were 873, 1,065 and 1,158 differentially expressed piRNAs in those three comparison groups. The expression of three miRNAs was validated in the three ruminants, and the results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, the putative targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by their own genome, it is worth to note that both the cattle and yak genome were used for dzo, then the targets were subjected to GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis, revealing the likely roles for these differentially expressed miRNAs in spermatogenesis. In conclusion, this study provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs and piRNAs regulatory roles in spermatogenesis. It may also facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for dzo reproduction research.     

Caecal intussusceptions and typhlocolitis in horses with severe Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus infestation

The intestinal trematode Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (G. aegyptiacus) has been recognised in equids around the world for many years, but its pathogenicity is yet to be confirmed. This report describes seven cases of severe G. aegyptiacus infestation, including six cases of caecal intussusception.     

化学法和生物法制备巨菌草腐植酸的比较

对化学方法和生物方法制备巨菌草(Pennisetum sp.)腐植酸和黄腐酸进行分析比较。结果表明,硝酸、盐酸、乙酸、草酸、氨水均能降解纤维素、半纤维素或木质素从而生产腐植酸和黄腐酸,其中10.0%氨水提取巨菌草得到的腐植酸含量最高,其次为37.5%硝酸和37.5%盐酸,草酸和乙酸提取得到的腐植酸含量最低。枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)、毛霉(Mucor)、根霉(Rhizopus)、青霉(Penicillium)在巨菌草腐殖质的形成中均起到了积极作用,其中根霉对木质素的降解程度最高,生成总腐植酸的含量最高。根霉发酵制备得到的总腐植酸含量是10.0%氨水提取得到的总腐植酸含量的1.45倍,毛霉发酵制备得到的总腐植酸含量是10.0%氨水提取得到的总腐植酸含量的1.29倍,而枯草芽孢杆菌和青霉发酵制备得到的总腐植酸含量比10%氨水提取得到的总腐植酸含量低。37.5%硝酸提取得到的黄腐酸含量是毛霉发酵制备得到的黄腐酸含量的1.79倍,22.5%盐酸提取得到的黄腐酸含量是毛霉发酵制备得到的黄腐酸含量的1.98倍。综上可知,生物发酵法制备得到的总腐植酸含量比化学法提取得到的总腐植酸含量要高,而化学方法提取得到的黄腐酸含量比生物发酵法制备得到的黄腐酸含量要高。     

温度和水分对赖草种子萌发的影响

利用聚乙二醇(PEG)试剂室内模拟不同干旱(0、-0.10、-0.20、-0.40、-0.80、-1.60 MPa)和温度(10、15、20、25、30℃)环境条件,对西藏班戈县野生型赖草(Leymus secalinus)种子萌发特性进行研究。结果表明,赖草种子在恒温10~30℃和变温10~30℃均能萌发.恒温25℃处理下,种子萌发达到了最佳响应;恒温15℃和变温20/30℃处理对赖草种子发芽率具有显著影响(P0.05),而恒温10和30℃对赖草种子发芽率具有极显著影响(P0.05);随着PEG渗透势的增加,赖草种子发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数和胚芽长均出现了不同程度的下降现象,而胚根则表现为先升后降的变化现象。25℃和蒸馏水处理下,野生赖草种子萌发效果最佳;而在25℃和-0.10~0 MPa渗透势处理下,赖草种子胚根优于胚芽生长。     

火龙果镰刀菌果腐病病原菌鉴定及生物学特性研究

采用形态学特征观察、rDNA-ITS序列、EF-1α序列比对和系统发育树分析的方法对引起火龙果镰刀菌果腐病病原菌进行鉴定,并初步研究其生物学特性。结果表明:引起火龙果镰刀菌果腐病是单隔镰刀菌(Fusarium dimerum Penzig in Saccardo),这是该菌引起火龙果果腐病在国内的首次报道。该菌菌丝生长的适宜温度25~35℃,最适温度30℃,适宜产孢温度25~35℃,最适产孢温度30~35℃,致死温度75℃(10 min);适宜pH5~9,最适pH7,最适产孢pH4;连续光照、D-果糖为碳源、牛肉膏和蛋白胨为氮源时最有利于该菌菌丝生长;完全黑暗、D-半乳糖为碳源、尿素为氮源时最有利于该菌产孢。综合分析认为,该菌耐高温,光照充足、弱酸和富含有机营养的环境有利于该菌的生长和繁殖。     

基于纵向传导的蔬菜批零价格关系研究——以北京市果类蔬菜为例

从蔬菜产业的纵向看,批发和零售是两个重要环节,蔬菜批发价格和零售价格的走势以及它们之间的关系是各界关注的焦点。本文以北京市场为例,以番茄和黄瓜两种果类蔬菜的按日批零价格为对象,运用有限分布滞后模型和误差修正模型进行实证分析,研究蔬菜批零价格间的传导关系,并在此基础上揭示蔬菜批发价格在蔬菜价格形成中的作用。研究发现:蔬菜批零价格走势基本一致,相关系数很高;批零价格间存在批发价格向零售价格单向传导的因果关系;批零价格的传导是顺畅的,但不同种蔬菜传导的时间效应有所不同;批发价格在蔬菜价格形成中占据主导作用,当蔬菜价格受到冲击时,若零售价格过高则其会向着批发价格下调,若批发价格过高则零售价格会随之走高。