The change of dry matter intake, milk yield and bone turnover in primiparous cows compared to multiparous cows during early lactation

Data from six primiparous and nine multiparous Holstein cows were used to clarify the difference of Ca and P mobilization between primiparous and multiparous cows during early lactation. The dry matter intake (DMI) of primiparous cows was lower (P < 0.01) than those of multiparous cows. Milk yield was lower in primiparous cows at 7, 14, 21 (P < 0.01), and 28 days (P < 0.05) after parturition. There was no significant difference in milk Ca and P concentrations between primiparous and multiparous cows. There were no significant differences in plasma Ca and P concentrations between primiparous and multiparous cows. The plasma P level at 7 days postpartum in primiparous cows was lower (P < 0.05) than 28 days postpartum. The concentration of plasma osteocalcin (OC) measured as bone formation marker of primiparous cows was significantly higher than multiparous cows (P < 0.01) at 21 and 28 days postpartum. The urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) as bone resorption marker of primiparous cows tended to be higher (P < 0.10) than multiparous cows at 21 days after parturition and decreased to the same level as that of multiparae toward the peak lactation. These results show that Ca and P mobilization of primiparous cows are more active than multiparous cows.     

施肥和刈割日期对杂交狼尾草钙、磷、镁含量的影响及其与家畜需要的关系

研究了不同施肥处理和刈割日期对杂交狼尾草Ca、P和Mg含量的影响及其与家畜营养的关系,结果表明,有机肥的施用显著降低了植株Ca含量,对植株P和Mg含量无显著影响;随无机氮施用水平的提高,杂交狼尾草植株Ca和Mg含量显著提高,P含量显著降低;植株Ca、Mg含量均随刈割日期的推迟而显著提高,植株磷含量随刈割日期的推迟呈先降后升的规律;根据NRC推荐的饲养标准(奶牛、肉牛和绵羊),所有处理杂交狼尾草植株Mg含量均能满足家畜的需要,Ca:P为(0.95～2.67):1;利用杂交狼尾草饲喂高产奶牛时,应注意日粮中Ca、P的添加.     

Seasonal Changes in Forage Nutrients and Mineral Contents in Water Resources,Forage and Yak Blood

This paper reports results of a study conducted to investigate the concentrations of seven mineral elements in yak blood, forage and water resources around the Qinghai Lake in Qinghai Province in different seasons. Meanwhile, the nutritional compositions of the forage were also surveyed. The results suggest that the mineral elements and the forage nutrients change in a seasonal pattern. In yak blood,the sodium(Na)concentration varies from 0.291 to 0.034 mg/mL,and this is lower than the normal value. In the forage,the ratio calcium(Ca)to phosphorus(P)is 4.06～7.47:1 and potassium(K)to Na 30～27:1. These results indicate that the nutrition of the yak in the area is deficient in Na but high in K. For the withered forage sampled in February,the protein content is only 31.14% of the total protein in the forage growing at puerile stage in June. The severe loss of protein by 68. 9% and decrease of effective nutrients in the wintered forage are considered to be the reasons resulting in the poor condition of yak in winter and spring seasons.     

DCAB对荷斯坦奶牛泌乳性能、血液酸碱平衡及血清矿物质含量的影响

试验选用荷斯坦泌乳早期奶牛15头,采用3X3复拉丁方试验设计,研究日粮DCAB水平分别为+367、+514、+663mmol/kgDM对奶牛生产性能、血液酸碱平衡和血清矿物质含量的影响。试验结果,不同DCAB水平日粮对奶牛奶产量差异不显著(P>0.05),高DCAB水平日粮可增加奶牛血液标准HCO-3含量(P<0.05),不同DCAB水平对奶牛各种血清常量矿物质含量没有影响(P>0.05)。试验表明,日粮DCAB水平超过+514mmol/kgDM可对奶牛奶产量产生不利影响。     

Evaluation of three popular diets fed to pet sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps): Intake,digestion and nutrient balance

Three diets fed to 12 pair‐housed sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps, were evaluated through 5‐day intake and digestion trials following 10‐day transitions. Diets 1 and 2 comprised liquid formula mixes with added vegetables and fruit, and Diet 3 comprised extruded pellets and a liquid formula. Diets eaten contained 16 —19% crude protein, 3%–15% crude fat, 10%–11% neutral detergent fibre, 4%–20% starch and 8%–49% sugar (dry basis). Calculated individual dry matter intakes (DMI) ranged from 3.9 to 5.1 g/day, representing 58.2–78.4 kJ/day. DMI was greater for Diet 2 (7.2% BW) vs. Diet 1 (5.6; p = .006) and Diet 3 (4.2% BW; p = .003). Although these differences were no longer detectable on a MBW basis, animals were shown to have gained BW (+14.2 g; p = .03) on Diet 2. In addition to nutrient composition differing widely among diets, DM digestibility (DMD) was higher in Diet 1 (91.2%) compared to Diet 2 (87.3%; p = .03), but DMD for Diet 3 (88.9%) did not differ from other diets. Gliders demonstrated ability to digest a variety of energy substrates, including simple sugars (96%–99%), fats (81%–96%) and starches (79%–98%), as well as substantial insoluble dietary fibre (58%–75%), with significant difference among diets demonstrated for some nutrients. Animals displayed selective feeding behaviours, rejecting insoluble fibre in produce and preferring the lipid‐coated exterior of pellets. The diets used appeared to be balanced with respect to energy, protein and macromineral content, but may predispose to iron excess, other mineral imbalances (especially Ca deficiency) and obesity—clinical health issues described for pet gliders. Future focus on concentrations, types and utilization of dietary fibre in natural and captive diets, vitamin D metabolism and trace mineral interactions in sugar gliders would assist diet optimization for this highly gummivorous species.     

Effect of sweet potato vines on performance parameters and some carcass characteristics of rabbits

Conventional feedstuffs in Brazil are expensive, which has led to the search for less conventional cheaper and locally available feedstuffs. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the dietary effect of dry sweet potato vines (SPV) on the performance and some carcass characteristics of rabbits. A total of twenty‐seven weaned White New Zealand rabbits (14 male and 13 female) 35 days old with an average initial weight of 755 g were allocated into three treatments. Nine rabbits were assigned to each treatment in a completely randomized design. Three diets were formulated to similar protein and energy levels: 0SPV – diet without inclusion of dry sweet potato vines; 10SPV – diet with 10% alfalfa hay replaced by dry sweet potato vines; and 15SPV – diet with 15% of alfalfa hay replaced by dry sweet potato vines. The experiment lasted for 49 days during which data for feed intake and body weight were recorded. The daily feed intake ranged from 73.17 to 78.02 g; daily weight gain from 22.32 to 23.17 g; feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 3.16 to 3.49 and final live weight ranged from 1839.44 to 1880.55 g. None of the evaluated performance parameters as well as carcass weight, heart weight and percentages of fat and protein in meat were significantly affected by any of the tested dietary treatments. However, the liver weight was statistically lower in animals fed the diets containing 10% of SPV, mainly due to lower glucose content. Glycogen within the tissue, did not differ significantly among treatments. It was therefore concluded that up to 15% of SPV can successfully be included in the diet of rabbits as a cheaper replacement for alfalfa hay without adversely affecting performance.     

In ovo feeding of nutrients and its impact on post‐hatching water and feed deprivation up to 48 hr,energy status and jejunal morphology of chicks using response surface models

A Box–Behnken design (BBD) in a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the response of broiler chicks to in ovo feeding (IOF) of beta‐hydroxy beta‐methylbutyrate (HMB), dextrin and the timing of the first water and feed deprivation. On day 18th of incubation, 1,500 eggs were randomly assigned to 15 experimental runs of BBD, each with 4 replicates, as 3 levels IOF of HMB (0%, 0.5% and 1%) and dextrin (0%, 20% and 40%), and 3 levels of the first water and feed deprivation (6, 27 and 48 hr). Day‐old chicks from each replicate were then used to assess the effect of IOF and time first water and feed access on chick's responses. The IOF of dextrin leads to respectively 9.7%–15.5% lower hatchability for 20% and 40% inclusion (p < .05), whereas HMB inclusion appeared with no effect on hatchability (p > .05). Administration of dextrin or HMB into the amnion of embryos elevated length, width and surface area of villus, and increased glycogen content of liver and breast (p < .05). In all parameter models, the linear terms showed highest contribution (R² = 0.81–0.97) to explain existing variation in chick's responses. The first water and feed deprivation had largest effect on BW2 and glycogen content of liver and breast. It is concluded that if possible, place chicks before 7 hr of hatch to preserve BW loss and have maximum response from IOF. If not possible, use IOF with 40% dextrin + 0.5% HMB to preserve gut integrity and energy status up to 48 hr. This should give advantage to chicks to recover fast after feeding, but that would have to be confirmed by trials growing birds to slaughter age.     

Research Progress on Influence Factors of Mutton Quality

Meat quality means the characteristics such as appearance is related to palatability in fresh meat or manufactured meat, it includes meat color, meat structure, hardness, marbling, water holding capacity and so on.The physical characteristics of mutton quality determines the consumer acceptability of meat and there is a close relationship between chemical composition of mutton quality and nutrient substance.With the improvement of living standards, consumers are increasingly high demand for mutton.From quantitative to qualitative change, we need to continuously improve mutton quality.At present, the production of high quality animal products has become a hot topic.This paper is a summary of the effects of breed, gender, age, environment and feed nutrition on mutton quality, and aims to provide a scientific basis for improving of mutton quality with nutritional regulation measures.     

东北地区春玉米临界氮浓度稀释曲线的建立和验证

过量施氮是目前玉米栽培中存在的普遍现象,基于临界氮浓度稀释曲线计算得出的氮营养指数是诊断氮营养丰缺的重要手段。基于东北地区4个生态点的试验数据,构建了东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释曲线,并在此基础上建立了氮营养指数模型和需氮量模型,结果表明,东北地区春玉米地上部临界氮浓度与生物量符合幂函数关系。利用独立试验资料对建立的临界氮浓度稀释曲线进行检验,发现基于临界氮浓度稀释模型计算的氮营养指数可以准确诊断玉米植株的氮营养状况,并计算出实时的氮素需求量。该研究建立的东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释模型可以为该地区春玉米的氮营养诊断和动态调控提供较好的理论和技术指导。