半细毛羊5种玉米的可消化粗蛋白质和有效能的测定及其预测

本试验旨在采用概略养分分析法测定5种玉米的营养成分含量以及通过消化代谢试验实测玉米的可消化粗蛋白质含量和有效能值,并利用先采集的4种玉米(奥美特、杰尼336、巨丰66、京科665)数据拟合可消化粗蛋白质、消化能和代谢能分别与营养成分之间的回归方程,然后利用第5种玉米(禾育九)可消化粗蛋白质和有效能数据来对回归方程进行验证和修正。选取16只体重为(56.44±5.11)kg的云南半细毛羊,采用完全随机设计,平均分为4组,每组4只。试验共分2期进行,共6种日粮,分别是基础日粮和5种试验日粮,第1期饲喂4种日粮,第2期饲喂2种日粮。结果表明:京科665的可消化粗蛋白质(DCP)、消化能(DE)和代谢能(ME)含量最高,杰尼336的DCP、DE和ME含量最低;玉米的DE和ME分别与EE呈极显著负相关关系(P<0.01),相关系数分别为-0.985和-0.994;试验所得的预测方程为DCP(g/kg)=258.961-52.624EE(粗脂肪)、DE(MJ/kg)=40.506-6.876EE、DE(MJ/kg)=34.677-6.398EE+0.492CP(粗蛋白质)、DE(MJ/kg)=-115.182-6.572EE+0.473CP+1.525OM(有机物)、ME(MJ/kg)=-1.028+0.945DE、ME(MJ/kg)=2.950+0.916DE-1.060CF(粗纤维)和ME(MJ/kg)=37.586-6.586EE。综合DCP含量和有效能值,京科665的品质最佳,其次是巨丰66、奥美特和禾育九,杰尼336品质最差;以半细毛羊为试验对象得出,可以利用玉米的营养成分预测其DCP含量以及有效能值。     

饲粮类型对育肥湖羊肌肉脂肪酸和氨基酸组成的影响

本试验旨在研究不同饲粮类型对育肥湖羊肌肉脂肪酸和氨基酸组成的影响。选用90只体重为(24.65±2.80)kg的90日龄健康公湖羊,随机分为3组,分别饲喂传统精粗饲粮+舔砖(CK组)、全混合饲粮(TMR组)、粗料+精料颗粒料(CP组),每组3个重复,每个重复10只羊。预试期10 d,正试期120 d。结果表明:饲粮类型对育肥湖羊血清和肝脏的总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶活性和丙二醛含量以及总抗氧化能力均无显著影响;与CK组相比,TMR组育肥湖羊背最长肌中棕榈酸和总的饱和脂肪酸的比例分别降低了10.77%和9.18%(P<0.05),但CK与CP组差异不显著;TMR组油酸和总的单不饱和脂肪酸的比例较CK组分别升高了4.78%和4.71%(P<0.05),但CK与CP组差异不显著;与CK组相比,TMR组湖羊肌肉中异亮氨酸和必需氨基酸含量分别上升了10.34%和4.45%(P<0.05);TMR组非必需氨基酸和总氨基酸含量较CK组分别升高了2.33%和3.42%(P<0.05),但CK与CP组差异不显著。上述结果提示,与传统精粗饲粮相比,TMR可显著增加育肥湖羊肌肉中不饱和脂肪酸和必需氨基酸含量,降低饱和脂肪酸比例,改善肉品质,提升羊肉的营养食用价值。     

Genome‐wide association studies revealed candidate genes for tail fat deposition and body size in the Hulun Buir sheep

Fat‐tailed sheep have a unique characteristic of depositing fat in their tails. In the present study, we conducted genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) on traits related to tail fat deposition and body size in the Hulun Buir sheep. A total number of 300 individuals belonging to two fat‐tailed lines of the Hulun Buir sheep breed genotyped with the Ovine Infinium HD SNP BeadChip were included in the current study. Two mixed models, one for continuous and one for binary phenotypic traits, were employed to analyse ten traits, that is, body length (BL), body height (BH), chest girth (CG), tail length (TL), tail width (TW), tail circumference (TC), carcass weight (CW), tail fat weight (TF), ratio of CW to TF (RCT) and tail type (TT). We identified 7, 6, 7, 2, 10 and 1 SNPs significantly associated with traits TF, CW, RCT, TW, TT and CG, respectively. Their associated genomic regions harboured 42 positional candidate genes. Out of them, 13 candidate genes including SMURF2, FBF1, DTNBP1, SETD7 and RBM11 have been associated with fat metabolism in sheep. The RBM11 gene has already been identified in a previous study on signatures of selection in this specific sheep population. Two more genes, that is, SMARCA5 and GAB1 were associated with body size in sheep. The present study has identified candidate genes that might be implicated in tail fat deposition and body size in sheep.     

Combined treatment with oestradiol benzoate,d‐cloprostenol and oxytocin permits cervical dilation and nonsurgical embryo recovery in ewes

This study examined the feasibility of transcervical embryo recovery after the hormonal treatment to induce cervical dilation, following the 7‐day oestrous synchronization protocol in multiparous Santa Inês ewes. A total of 23 cyclic ewes received two doses of 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol by latero‐vulvar route 7 days apart. After the second injection of d‐cloprostenol, the ewes were checked for oestrus (every 12 hr) and then mated by fertile rams throughout the oestrous period. All ewes received 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol (latero‐vulvar) and 1 mg of oestradiol benzoate by either intramuscular (EBim group; n = 12) or intravaginal (EBivg group; n = 11) route 16 hr before embryo flushing. Twenty minutes before the flushing, 50 IU of oxytocin were administered intravenously. The oestrous response (i.e., the percentage of ewes that showed signs of oestrous behaviour after the second d‐cloprostenol injection) was 91.3% (21/23). The proportion of successfully penetrated ewes (81.8% compared with 80.0%), the mean duration of embryo flushing (24.7 ± 2.0 min compared 26.2 ± 1.9 min), the flushing fluid recovery rate (94.8 ± 1.3% compared with 91.0 ± 2.9%) and the average number of structures recovered per ewe (0.5 ± 0.4 compared with 0.8 ± 0.4) did not vary (p > 0.05) between the EBim and EBivg groups. Viable embryos were recovered from 41.2% (7/17) of successfully penetrated ewes. It can be concluded that nonsurgical (i.e., transcervical) embryo collection can be performed in oestrous‐synchronized Santa Inês ewes pretreated with d‐cloprostenol, oxytocin and oestradiol benzoate, with the latter hormone administered by either the intramuscular or intravaginal route.     

Effect of adding different levels of caffeine in the extender on some biochemical constituents,enzymatic activities and physical characteristics of chilled and frozen ram semen

Two experiments were carried out to determine the efficiency of supplementation of ram semen extender with caffeine on chilled storage and frozen capacity of spermatozoa. In the first experiment, eighty ejaculates were collected by an artificial vagina from five adult Barki rams, aged 2–3 years and weighted 45.0 ± 2.0 kg throughout the experimental period (January to February 2017). The ejaculates were pooled and diluted (1:10) with tris‐citric egg yolk extender and were split into five groups. Group 1 served as control, whereas groups 2‐5 were supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mM caffeine. All diluted semen specimens were evaluated for physical characteristics immediately after dilution (T₀) and throughout preservation period of 48 hr at 4°C. Simultaneously, oxidative stress and indices such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde concentrations (MDA) and alkaline transaminase (AKP) concentrations and value of resazurin reduction test (RRT) were determined. In the second experiment, the raw pooled ejaculates were diluted (1:10) with glycerolated tris‐citric egg yolk extender, receiving the previously mentioned caffeine levels. The post‐thaw assessment of cryopreserved spermatozoa, in all groups, was conducted by a computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. The results revealed that adding caffeine to ram semen extender at low (0.1 mM) or medium (0.2 mM) levels had positive impact on both physical characteristics of ram sperm and the enzymatic activities compared to the other semen groups. Caffeine supplementation also enhanced post‐thaw sperm dynamics, which implies its potential as an exogenous antioxidant supplement.     

Polymorphisms of the melatonin receptor 1A gene that affects the reproductive seasonality and litter size in Small Tail Han sheep

Previous researches have shown that MTNR1A plays an essential role in sheep reproduction. However, most researches focused more on the reproductive seasonality of sheep, and few scientists had studied the association of polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene with ovine litter size and reproductive seasonality. Therefore, we chose MTNR1A gene to detect its novel sequence polymorphisms and population genetics and analyse their association with seasonal reproduction and litter size in ewes. The mRNA expression level in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary was also detected. In this study, five polymorphisms (g.15118664G > T, g.15118683C > T, g.15118756C > T, g.15118774C > T and g.15118951G > A) were identified in exon 2. Most importantly, the g.15118683C > T and g.15118951G > A were significant difference between year‐round oestrous sheep and seasonal oestrous sheep (p < .01), and g.15118756C > T had a great effect on litter size of Small Tail Han sheep (p < .05). In addition, the mRNA expression level of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus of polytocous Small Tail Han sheep was significantly higher than that in monotocous Small Tail Han sheep (p < .01) and the expression of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus of year‐round oestrous sheep was significantly higher than that in seasonal oestrous sheep (p < .01). Polymorphisms in exon 2 may regulate the reproductive seasonality and litter size of ewes by influencing gene expression to regulate the reproductive seasonality and litter size of ewes. Our studies provided useful guidance in marker‐assisted selection of the litter size in Small Tail Han sheep.     

Predisposing factors for bacterial mastitis in ewes

Objective of this review paper is the appraisal of predisposing factors for bacterial mastitis in ewes. Factors that predispose ewes to mastitis can be classified into non‐animal‐related factors (environmental and climatological factors, housing, nutrition, milking practices) and animal‐related factors (anatomic, genetic, litter size—ethological factors, number and stage of lactation period, health problems). There are clear management—environment—animal interactions in mastitis development in ewes, which underline its multifactorial nature. Research and studies regarding risk factors are important, in order to develop strategies for their elimination, control or correction. Control measures for bacterial mastitis, which attempt to eliminate predisposing factors for infection, can thus be developed and implemented.     

赖氨酸席夫碱对到达绵羊小肠游离氨基酸和蛋白质流量的影响

选用4只体重在40 kg左右,安装永久性十二指肠瘘管的中国美利奴（新疆型）细毛羊,采用拉丁方设计,分别添加3.42和6.84 g赖氨酸席夫碱（分别含赖氨酸2、4 g）、2.56和5.12 g赖氨酸盐酸盐作为对照（分别含赖氨酸2、4 g）,以研究对进入绵羊小肠游离氨基酸和蛋白质流量的影响。结果表明,在赖氨酸实际添加水平都为4 g/d时,赖氨酸席夫碱使绵羊小肠液中游离Lys、Glu和Tyr的流量分别提高了25.17%、38.35%和33.88%（P<0.05）,对其他游离氨基酸流量的影响不明显。添加赖氨酸席夫碱对到达绵羊小肠的微生物蛋白质流量、过瘤胃蛋白质（瘤胃非降解蛋白）流量没有影响。添加赖氨酸席夫碱可提高到达绵羊小肠的游离赖氨酸量,且与添加量有关。     

SLC24A5基因影响脊椎动物色素沉积的研究进展

黑色素广泛分布于细菌、真菌、植物和动物体内并扮演了重要的作用。人类浅色皮肤的色素沉积是由于黑色素细胞内黑色素小体数量、大小和密度的减少造成的,而黑色素小体变化也导致斑马鱼由灰色突变为金色,这个金色突变位点编码一个推定的阳离子交换体SLC24A5基因,该基因位于黑色素小体或其前体的细胞膜上。人类和斑马鱼在这个基因的序列及功能上有很高的同源性。该基因的多态性主要出现在非洲和东亚人身上。而等位基因固定在欧洲人的身上,这与局部杂和性大量减少和较浅的皮肤色素沉积有关,表明SLC24A5基因在人类色素沉积方面起关键作用。作者总结了SLC24A5基因与黑色素的研究进展,并简要介绍了乌骨绵羊的发现及其分子特征。