Experimental studies on the impact of an increased dose of anionic salts on the metabolism of dairy cows

Summary

This study was initiated to investigate the influence of a daily dose of anionic salts (AS) above the valid upper limit at present on metabolism of dairy cows. Eleven non‐pregnant and non‐lactating Holstein‐Friesian crossbred cows with a permanent rumen cannula were used in a study with a controlled feeding design. The initial daily dose was 2500 meq/day, which resulted in a Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD) of ‐211 meq/kg dry matter. Every seven days, the daily dose was raised by 500 meq. If a cow stopped eating, the application of AS was stopped and these cows were monitored over the next seven days. On day 30 another batch of hay, having the same DCAD but higher concentrations of minerals and energy, was fed. Blood and urine samples were taken to monitor acid‐base balance and calcium concentrations. Acid‐base balance was strongly influenced by AS. Blood pH dropped steadily and reached values around 7.23. Urine pH dropped quickly below 6 and remained at that level regardless of the increased dosage of AS. Net acid base excretion (NABE) fell continuously with the increase of the dosage of AS and reached values below ‐200 mmol/l. Calcium concentrations in the serum were nearly stable, but those in urine increased sharply and remained on an elevated level with increasing doses of AS. A few days before the individual cow's refusal of feed intake, calcium excretion in urine decreased. The majority of cows stopped eating while consuming a diet containing 3500 to 4000 meq AS except two animals who consumed up to 6000 meq/day AS but they received the better hay in the second half of the treatment period. In this time pH in blood increased slowly. NABE remained stable on a low level at ‐100 mmol/l. The results showed that with an increasing amount of AS fed the risk of clinical acidosis increased. The decreasing urine concentrations of calcium indicate a breakdown of the compensation capability of the single cow. Besides the dose of AS fed, the quality of the feed stuff might be another factor concerning the tolerance of cows against AS.     

Effect of time delay and storage temperature on blood gas and acid-base values of bovine venous blood

The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in the gas composition and acid-base values of bovine venous blood samples stored at different temperatures (+4, 22 and 37 degrees C) for up to 48 h. Five healthy cattle were used in the study. A total of 15 blood samples collected from the animals were allocated into three groups, which were, respectively, then stored in a refrigerator adjusted to +4 degrees C (Group I, n=5), at a room temperature of about 22 degrees C (Group II, n=5) and in an incubator adjusted to 37 degrees C (Group III; n=5) for up to 48 h. Blood gas and acid-base values were analysed at 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h of storage. A significant decrease (p<0.001) was found, in the pH of the refrigerated blood after 5 h and its maximum decrease was recorded at 48 h as 0.04 unit. There were also significant alterations (p<0.001) in the blood pH of the samples stored at room temperature and in the incubator after 2 and 3 h, respectively. The maximum mean alteration in pCO(2) value for Group I was -0.72 kPa during the assessment, while for groups II and III, maximum alterations in pCO(2) were detected as +2.68 and +4.16 kPa, respectively. Mean pO(2) values increased significantly (p<0.001) for Group I after 24 h and for Group II after 6 h, while a significant decrease was recorded for Group III after 24 h (p<0.001). Base excess (BE) and bicarbonate (HCO(3)) fractions decreased significantly for all the groups during the study, compared to their baseline values. In conclusion, acid-base values of the samples stored at 22 and +4 degrees C were found to be within normal range and could be used for clinical purposes for up to 12 and 48 h, respectively, although there were small statistically significant alterations.     

以肉牛基地为载体,大力推广畜牧养殖技术

西吉县在肉牛基地建设区,大力推广畜牧科技,促进了养牛产业的提升和发展。本文对重点推广的技术有细管冻精直把式输精技术、玉米秸秆青贮技术、尿素氨化秸秆技术、紫花苜蓿种植技术和肉牛短期育肥技术等的具体做法进行了论述。     

不同品种肉鸡肌肉的组织学特性研究

采用冰冻切片法、借助TIGER细胞图像分析仪对南海麻黄鸡、江西鸡、黄鸡M系、黄鸡N系、黄鸡K系的胸部肌肉的肌纤维直径和肌纤维密度进行了测定。结果表明:①肌纤维直径由小到大依次为江西鸡(30.1±3.1)μm、南海麻黄鸡(35.3±7.8)μm、黄鸡N系(36.7±1.9)μm、黄鸡K系(37.2±0.7)μm、黄鸡M系(38.1±3.1)μm,江西鸡与黄鸡N系、黄鸡K系之间的差异均达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。②肌纤维密度由小到大依次为黄鸡K系(424.5±39.3)根/mm2、M系(465.5±91.9)根/mm2、N系(471.5±63.0)根/mm2、南海麻黄鸡(568.1±59.7)根/mm2和江西鸡(655.5±182.6)根/mm2。③优质肉鸡的肌纤维直径和密度与肌肉品质之间有密切关系。     

牧草病害诊断系统的知识表示——《中国草业开发与生态建设》专家系统病害诊断

针对牧草病害诊断的特点,结合框架知识表示的分层特点和规则表示法的过程性和不确定性,提出二者相结合的表示方法.该知识表示包括基础库和动态库,前者用来存放已经确定的数据,后者用来存放诊断的中间结果.基础库中又包括基础数据库、基础知识库和媒体库,数据库是一个关系数据库,根据牧草病害诊断的特点,采用分层建库的方式.知识库采用规则方式,按照病害名称建立.媒体库主要是辅助诊断而使用的图片、视频数据.动态库包括动态数据库和动态知识库,动态库的结构与基础库中的基础数据库、基础知识库一样.     

Fat depot‐specific differences in leptin mRNA expression and its relation to adipocyte size in steers

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate leptin mRNA expression, adipocyte size, and their relationship in several adipose tissues of fattening steers. Subcutaneous, perirenal, intermuscular and intramuscular adipose tissues were collected from three crossbred steers (Japanese Black cattle X Holstein) aged 21 months. The mRNA level and adipocyte diameter were determined in these adipose tissues. The intramuscular adipose tissue had a lower leptin mRNA level than the intermuscular and perirenal adipose tissues (P < 0.05). Leptin mRNA level was lower in the subcutaneous depot than in the intermuscular depot (P < 0.05). Adipocyte diameter was larger in the intermuscular adipose tissue than in the subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues (P < 0.05). Leptin mRNA level was positively correlated with adipocyte diameter (r² = 0.81, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the cattle have fat depot‐specific differences in leptin gene expression, which are a result of a difference in adipocyte size.     

Zinc supplementation strategies in feedlot heifers receiving an extended-release implant or an aggressive re-implant program

Two hundred eight Angus-crossbred heifers (291 ± 23 kg) from four sources were used in a randomized complete block design. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of implant strategy and Zn supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, muscle fiber diameter, and mineral status of heifers. Heifers were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial study for 168 d, and factors included Zn and implant (IMP). Heifers were supplemented Zn (mg/kg dry matter [DM]; ZnSO₄) at national (30; NRC) or industry (100; IND) recommendations. Implant strategies (Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) included extended-release Revalor-XH on day 0 (REV-XH; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate) containing four uncoated pellets and six coated pellets or the uncoated implant Revalor-200 on day 0 and again on day 91 (REV-200; 20 mg estradiol + 200 mg trenbolone acetate). Heifers were blocked by weight within source to pens of five or six heifers per pen (nine pens per treatment). A corn silage-based diet was fed during the growing period (days 0–55) followed by transition to a corn-based finishing diet. Weights were taken consecutively on days −1/0, 55/56, and 167/168. Liver and muscle from the longissimus thoracis were collected from one heifer per pen on days −5, 14, 105, and 164. Data were analyzed via Mixed Procedure of SAS. Average daily gain (ADG) and liver mineral used Period as the repeated effect. Corresponding to periods of high hormone payout from each implant, days 0–28 and 91–120 ADG were greatest for REV-200, whereas REV-XH numerically peaked during days 56–91 (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). Day 91 IND body weight tended to be heavier (P = 0.06) and day 120 body weight was heavier (P = 0.05) than NRC heifers. No effect of Zn or IMP on final body weight was observed (P ≥ 0.21). Muscle fiber cross-sectional diameter on day 164 was greater (P = 0.05) in IND than NRC. Liver Mn concentrations decreased by day 14 regardless of implant, though days 105 and 164 concentrations were lesser for REV-200 than REV-XH (IMP × Period; P = 0.02). No effects of Zn, IMP, or the interaction were observed for carcass-adjusted gain to feed, days 0–168 DM intake, hot carcass weight, or ribeye area (P ≥ 0.11). The nominal differences in performance between implant strategies suggest that extended-release implants may be an effective implant strategy to replace re-implant programs in heifers, whereas the improved performance of heifers fed IND vs. NRC during times of peak hormone payout suggests a role for Zn in periods of rapid growth.     

子午岭植被恢复过程中土壤团聚体有机碳含量的变化

土壤有机碳是土壤团聚体形成的重要胶结剂之一，土壤团聚体分布影响有机碳含量及其稳定性。对子午岭植被恢复过程中团聚体有机碳含量变化的研究结果显示：相对于农田，植被恢复可增加土壤各个粒径团聚体有机碳含量．同时增加不同层次土壤团聚体有机碳含量。就粒径而言，虽然各个植被下〈0．25mm土壤团聚体有机碳含量最低，植被类型变化对土壤团聚体有机碳含量影响最大的是〈0．25mm粒径，辽东栎林地〈0．25mm土壤团聚体有机碳含量是农田〈0．25mm团聚体有机碳含量的3倍；其次，植被类型对〉5mm团聚体有机碳含量影响较大，辽东栎、早期森林、灌丛、草地和弃耕地土壤〉5mm团聚体有机碳含量比农田土壤〉5ram团聚体有机碳含量高149％，209％，104％，62％，10％。说明植被演替可增加土壤团聚体有机碳含量，但首先是增加较大粒径团聚体的有机碳含量；随着植被的进一步演替，小粒径团聚体有机碳含量也相应的增加，这部分有机碳是稳定的，说明植被恢复增强了土壤的碳汇功能。     

我国农机作业委托决策支持系统研究

在对农机作业委托现存问题分析的基础上,提出了农机作业委托决策支持系统的总体设计和开发原则;拟定了系统的逻辑结构,即以数据库、模型库作为信息基础,完成信息查询和作业调度的功能,实现为决策者提供作业信息和决策支持的功能。     

作物茎秆膨胀收缩监测柔性可穿戴传感器研制与试验

作物茎秆膨胀和收缩变化与其水分状态密切相关,实时监测茎秆的膨胀和收缩变化能够及时掌握作物水分状态,对指导灌溉、提高农业水资源利用率具有重要意义。目前,对于作物茎秆膨胀和收缩变化的监测主要采用基于线性微位移测量原理的传感器,通过测量茎秆的膨胀和收缩引起的位移变化来反映水分状态,存在体积大、价格高、安装不便等问题。为此,该研究提出了一种基于压阻效应的柔性可穿戴传感器,采用柔性压力电极作为传感元件,贴附在作物茎秆表面,通过监测茎秆膨胀和收缩引起的压力变化来反映作物的水分状态,压力检测电路和数据采集电路将作物茎秆的压力信号转换成电信号进行输出和存储。首先在实验室环境下对传感器性能进行测试和标定,然后在温室环境下将传感器安装在番茄茎秆上观测番茄茎秆的压力变化,并与线性微位移传感器观测结果进行比较,最后在充分灌溉和水分亏缺2种条件下观测番茄茎秆的膨胀和收缩变化。结果表明,柔性压力传感器稳定性测试的平均相对变化率为0.109%;弯折前后引起的输出变化非常小,可以忽略不计;标定结果的决定系数大于0.99,最合适的工作压力范围为2～100 kPa;实验室环境下,柔性压力传感器与线性微位移传感器输出值之间的决定系数为0.9551;温室环境下,充分灌溉组中柔性压力传感器与线性微位移传感器输出值变化趋势一致,两者之间的决定系数为0.7672,亏缺灌溉组中两类传感器输出值均因水分亏缺而呈现下降趋势,输出值之间的决定系数为0.8519。本文所设计的柔性可穿戴压力传感器不仅能够实时监测番茄茎秆的膨胀和收缩变化,还可以对番茄亏水胁迫进行诊断,为实现高效节水灌溉提供重要的技术支撑。