Effects of supplementary probiotics to two different diets on dry matter intake, daily gain, digestibility, ruminal pH, and fecal microbial populations and metabolites in ewes

To study the effects of supplementary probiotics on dry matter intake (DMI), daily gain (DG), digestibility, ruminal pH, and fecal microbial populations and metabolites in ruminants, two reversal trials were conducted by using four Suffolk ewes fitted with rumen cannula. The ewes were fed with oat hay and with concentrate and oat hay in the ratio of 60 : 40 in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. The ewes in the treatment groups were supplemented with 10 g/day/head probiotics for 49 days. Fresh fecal samples were collected to measure microbial populations and metabolites. On days 43–47 total feces was collected to measure digestibility, and on the days 48 and 49 ruminal pH was measured. No significant difference of DMI, DG, dry matter digestibility, and ruminal pH was observed between the control and treatment groups. The probiotics treatment tended to increase crude fiber (P = 0.11) and organic cell wall digestibility (P = 0.18). In the final week, probiotics treatment significantly increased the fecal population of Bacilli (P < 0.05) and mold (P < 0.01) in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. No significant difference of fecal VFA and ammonia concentrations between the control and treatment groups was observed. The supplementary probiotics changed population of some microbial strains in the feces and possibly the large intestine of ewes.     

Production of a transgenic pig expressing human albumin and enhanced green fluorescent protein

We introduced a fusion gene of human albumin and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into porcine oocytes using the sperm vector method, and produced a piglet that showed clear expression of GFP in the hooves and skin. PCR and Southern blotting analysis of genomic DNA extracted from the piglet's tissues, including the liver, showed that the tissues carried the transgene. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that both the human albumin and EGFP genes were expressed in the tissues. The fact that human albumin gene was integrated and expressed in the liver of the transgenic pig opened a way for us to achieve our goal, which was the use of transgenic pigs for the bioartificial liver support system.     

Virulence characteristics of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolated from breeding monkeys in Japan

Between April 2001 and 2007, 18 Yersinia pseudotuberculosis outbreaks occurred in breeding monkeys at 12 zoological gardens in Japan, and 28 monkeys of 8 species died. A total of 18 Y. pseudotuberculosis strains from the dead monkeys, comprising one strain per outbreak, were examined for serotype and the presence of the virulence genes virF, inv, ypm (ypmA, ypmB and ypmC) and irp2. Of the 18 Y. pseudotuberculosis strains, 7 (38.9%) were serotype 4b, 7 (38.9%) were serotype 1b, and there was one each of serotypes 2b, 3, 6 and 7. All the 18 strains examined harbored virF and inv. Sixteen (88.9%) strains, including the strain of serotype 7, harbored ypmA. However, no strain harbored ypmB, ypmC and irp2.

This study demonstrated that among other pathogenic factors, almost all the Y. pseudotuberculosis isolated from the outbreaks had the ypm gene encoding the superantigenic toxin, YPM. As most of the monkeys who died in those outbreaks originated from South America and other regions, where the presence of the ypm gene have not been reported, YPM might be the cause, or at least the most important factor for, the high mortality of the breeding monkeys infected by Y. pseudotuberculosis in Japan. This is also the first report of a fatal case due to Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype 7 infection in the world.     

Deer-proof fence prevents regeneration of Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis through seed predation by increased woodmouse populations

The indirect consequence of sika deer (Cervus nippon) grazing on the regeneration of Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis through its effect on the small rodent population was assessed by evaluating seed predation by mice inside and outside the deer-proof fence on Mt Ohdaigahara, central Japan. Following construction of the deer-proof fence, Sasa nipponica, which covers the forest floor and is the main forage of deer, grew thicker inside the fence due to the absence of deer grazing than outside of the fence. Higher numbers of two species of woodmice (Apodemus speciosus and A. argenteus) were found inside the fence, possibly because the thick S. nipponica growth provides better cover. Inside the fence, more seeds of P. jezoensis var. hondoensis were eaten by the mice than outside the fence. These results suggest that the mouse populations inside the fence increased due to changes in S. nipponica cover, which subsequently increased seed predation by the mice, possibly preventing regeneration of P. jezoensis var. hondoensis.     

Investigation into the durability of washed rice straw for equine bedding and the repetitive use of washing water

The present experiment investigated durability during the repetitive use of washed rice straw, as bedding material, and washing water as a model study. Residual nitrogen levels, elasticity, and water suction rates for washed rice straw‐adhered urea were measured. In addition, outflow levels of nitrogen and mineral ions (Na⁺, NO₂^‐ + NO₃^‐, SO₄^2?, PO₄^3?, Cl^‐) for washing water were measured to determine durability. Nitrogen levels of rice straw significantly (P < 0.05) decreased after two washings. There was no significant change in elasticity of repetitively used rice straw. Suction rates of rice straw after the second and third washings increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the first time. With regard to the number of washings, the mineral ion outflow level in the washing water for nitrogen, Na⁺, NO₂^‐ + NO₃^‐ and PO₄^3? after each washing was not significant. However, nitrogen outflow level tended to decrease after the third washing. SO₄^‐ and Cl^‐ did significantly decrease (P < 0.05) with the number of washings. In this study, it was considered that rice straw and washing water could be used repetitively three times. Furthermore, in order to maintain effluent standards, washing water from the first washing needs to be processed in a septic tank.     

Effect of different photoperiod cycles on metabolic rate and energy loss of both fed and unfed young tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: Part I

ABSTRACT: The influence of different photoperiod cycles (3L : 3D, 6L : 6D, 12L : 12D, and 24L : 24D) on the metabolic rate and energy loss of either fed or unfed young tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (bodyweight 8.6–9.5 g) was investigated at 28°C. A computer-operated respirometer with a closed tank was used to prevent water from evaporating into the air or condensing from the air. The photoperiods acted as strong Zeitgeber (i.e., cue or synchronizer) during the experiments with either fed or unfed fish. A photoperiod-mediated metabolic cycle was demonstrated in fed and unfed fish in which oxygen consumption was higher during the light phase compared with during the dark phase for all photoperiods. Mean oxygen consumption during the 3L : 3D, 6L : 6D, 12L : 12D, and 24L : 24D periods for fed and unfed fish were 685.06 mg/kg per h and 299.33 mg/kg per h; 658.52 mg/kg per h and 284.80 mg/kg per h; 591.09 mg/kg per h and 249.62 mg/kg per h; and 500.64 mg/kg per h and 239.14 mg/kg per h, respectively. The highest post-prandial increase in energy loss was recorded during the 3L : 3D period (145.88 kJ/kg per day), followed by 141.19 kJ/kg per day during the 6L : 6D, 128.70 kJ/kg per day during the 12L : 12D, and 99.92 kJ/kg per day during the 24L : 24D periods. The results suggest that higher energy conservation would be achieved if fish are exposed to longer rather than shorter photoperiod cycles.     

Epizootology and experimental infection of Yokose virus in bats

To reveal whether bats serve as an amplifying host for Yokose virus (YOKV), we conducted a serological survey and experimentally infected fruit bats with YOKV isolated from microbats in Japan. YOKV belongs to the Entebbe bat virus group of vector unknown group within the genus Flavivirus and family Flaviviridae. To detect antibodies against YOKV, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using biotinylated anti-bat IgG rabbit sera. Serological surveillance was conducted with samples collected in the Philippines and the sera supplied from Malaysia. One of the 36 samples from the Philippines (2.7%) and 5 of the 26 samples from Malaysia (19%) had detectable ELISA antibodies. In the experimental infections, no clinical signs of disease were observed. Moreover, no significant viral genome amplification was detected. These findings revealed that YOKV replicates poorly in the fruit bat, suggesting that fruit bats do not seem to serve as an amplifying host for YOKV.     

山羊草属杀配子染色体2C特异SCAR标记的建立

用40条10碱基随机引物,对普通小麦“中国春”、“中国春”-杀配子染色体2C二体附加系、柱穗山羊草进行RAPD分析,筛选到1个杀配子染色体2C特异引物OPF03。从“中国春”-杀配子染色体2C二体附加系中克隆了该DNA片段。测序结果表明,该片段长1 496 bp,与大麦1个cDNA的同源性为92%。根据OPF03₁₄₉₆的序列设计了1对SCAR引物2C-F₅₈₆、2C-R₅₈₆,对普通小麦“中国春”、“中国春”-杀配子染色体2C二体附加系、柱穗山羊草、二倍体长穗偃麦草、“中国春”-长穗偃麦草7E二体附加系等材料进行了SCAR分析,在“中国春”-杀配子染色体2C二体附加系、柱穗山羊草中扩增出了586 bp的片段,而在普通小麦“中国春”、二倍体长穗偃麦草、“中国春”-长穗偃麦草7E二体附加系中没有该产物,初步证明此标记可以用于杀配子染色体2C的检测。进一步用该对SCAR引物对“中国春”-杀配子染色体2C二体附加系与“中国春”-长穗偃麦草7E二体附加系的杂种F₁代、F₂代进行了分析,结果在全部F₁代以及部分F₂代材料扩增出了目的片段,进一步证明了此SCAR标记可以用来检测小麦背景下的杀配子染色体2C,为小麦背景中杀配子染色体2C的快速跟踪检测提供了新途径。     

Mobility of the forearm skeleton in the Asiatic black (Ursus thibetanus), brown (U. arctos) and polar (U. maritimus) bears

In several primates and carnivores, pronation/supination angles of the forearm skeleton were examined, and it is thought that a larger angle is useful to acquire dexterous behaviors in feeding and/or life style, including climbing. In this study, the pronation/supination angles in Asiatic black, brown and polar bears were nondestructively examined. These specimens were classified as adult or non-adult. Three or four carcasses of each group of Asiatic black and brown bears were used for CT analysis, whereas only one adult polar bear was used. The forearms were positioned within the gantry of a CT scanner in both maximally supinated and pronated states. Extracted cross-sectional CT images of two positions were superimposed by overlapping the outlines of each ulna. The centroids of the radii were detected, and then the centroid of each radius and the midpoint of a line which connects between both ends of the surface of each radius facing the ulna, were connected by lines to measure the angle of rotation as an index of pronation/supination. In adult brown and polar bears, the angles were smaller as compared with the other groups (Asiatic black and non-adult brown bears). Asiatic black and non-adult brown bears can climb trees, whereas adult brown bears and polar bears cannot. This suggests that the pronation/supination angle is related to arboreal activity in Ursidae.