Methyl donors dietary supplementation to gestating sows diet improves the growth rate of offspring and is associating with changes in expression and DNA methylation of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 gene

The study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal dietary methyl donors on the performance of sows and their offspring, and the associated hepatic insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) expression of the offspring. A total of 24 multiparous sows were randomly fed the control (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with methyl donors (MD) at 3 g/kg betaine, 15 mg/kg folic acid, 400 mg/kg choline and 150 μg/kg VB₁₂, from mating until delivery. After farrowing, sows were fed a common lactation diet through a 28‐days lactation period and six litters per treatment were selected to be fed until at approximately 110 kg BW. Maternal MD supplementation resulted in greater birthweight (p < 0.05) and increased the piglet weights (p < 0.01) and litter weights (p < 0.05) at the age of day 28, compared with that in CON group. The offspring pigs in the MD group had greater ADG (p < 0.05) and tended to lower F:G ratio (p = 0.07) compared with that of CON group from day 28 to 180 of age. The offspring pigs from MD group had greater serum IGF‐1 concentrations and expressions of hepatic IGF‐1 gene and muscular IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1r) protein at birth (p < 0.05), and greater hepatic IGF‐1 protein (p = 0.03) and muscular IGF‐1r gene expressions (p < 0.05) at slaughter, than that from the CON group. Moreover, the methylation at the promoter of IGF‐1 gene in the liver of newborn piglets and finishing pigs was greater in the MD group than that of the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal MD supplementation throughout gestation could enhance the birthweight and postnatal growth rate of offspring, associated with an increased expression of the IGF‐1 gene and IGF‐1r, as well as the altered DNA methylation of IGF‐1 gene promotor.     

Influence of organic phosphorus on reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics at the end of breeding season

The effect of organic phosphorus on metabolic, haematological and hormonal status, restoration of ovarian functions and conception rate in anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics were evaluated. Anoestrous Farafra ewes (n  = 24; 34.72 ± 0.52 kg body weight) were allocated into two equal groups: control and phosphorus groups. The ewes of phosphorus group were treated with sodium 4‐dimethylamino‐2‐methyl‐phenyl‐phosphonate as an organic bound phosphorous twice a week for successive 3 weeks. Ovarian follicle development and corpora lutea were checked three times a week till occurrence of oestrus using ultrasonography while pregnancy was confirmed at 30 days post‐service. Plasma metabolites, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and minerals were detected at weeks ?2, ?1, 0 (mating day) and + 4 weeks post‐oestrus. Phosphorus group had significantly (p  < .05) short interval to oestrous resumption if compared to control ewes (2.1 ± 0.8 weeks vs . 4.6 ± 1.1 weeks). In addition, phosphorous supplementation significantly (p  < .05) increased the number of antral follicles (developed and their sizes in addition to sizes of corpora lutea (8.72 ± 0.3 mm vs . 7.46 ± 0.9 mm) as well. Number of services per conception (2.6 vs . 1.4; p  < .01) was higher in control group than that of phosphorus group. Pregnancy rate (80 vs . 50%) was significantly (p  < .01) higher in phosphorus group when compared to control. White blood cells in treated ewes (10.8 ± 0.44; p  < .05) and monocytes (2.93 ± 0.13; p  < .01) were higher than that of control group (white blood cells; 9.53 ± 0.50 and monocytes; 2.24 ± 0.14). Metabolic parameters did not differ between phosphorus and control groups during different times of treatment. It could be concluded that phosphorous administration to anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics could improve reproductive performance and restore ovarian activity at the end of spring and early summer.     

The effect of depopulation and restocking on reproductive and growth performances on Japanese commercial swine farms

This study compared the reproductive and growth performances of pigs before and after depopulation and restocking after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Japan. Data for the time period before and after depopulation and restocking were obtained from three farrow-to-finish farms. As a result of depopulation and restocking, hygiene levels were improved, and common infectious diseases, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and Aujeszky’s disease, remained undetected on the farms. Compared with before depopulation, reproductive and growth performances improved after depopulation; the number of total pigs born was higher, the postweaning mortality rate was lower, and the age at slaughter was lower (P<0.05). In summary, depopulation and restocking improved the reproductive and growth performances of pigs.     

Effects of Medium-chain Triglyceride on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Indices in Broilers

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of medium-chain triglyceride replacing the soybean oil in the basal diet on growth performance and serum biochemical indices of broilers.One hundred and forty four healthy,similar body weights AA broilers at the age of 14 days were randomly assigned to four groups with six replicates ger group and six broilers per replicate.Groups A,B,C and D were respectively fed with 0,0.6%,1.2% and 2% medium-chain triglyceride substituted the equivalent amount of soybean oil (using corn flour to balance the energy levels in each group) .The test lasted for 28 days and the indexes were measured once every two weeks.The results showed that the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of groups B,C and D were higher than that of group A,and the F/G was lower than group A.The average daily gain of groups C and D at 28 to 42 days old and group D at 14 to 42 days old were significantly higher than that of group A (P < 0.05).The serum glucose,total content of amino acid,total protein and albumin of groups B,C and D at age of 28 and 42 days old were higher than that of group A,while the serum triglyceride,total cholesterol and urea nitrogen levels were lower.The total cholesterol content at 42 days old and triglyceride concentrations at 28 days old of group C were significantly lower than those of group A (P < 0.05).The results indicated that medium-chain triglyceride could raise average daily gain and reduce the total cholesterol content and triglyceride concentrations of broilers,which were useful for improving the growth performance.     

沙地生境不同播期对紫花苜蓿生产性能及其越冬率的影响

为确定科尔沁沙地种植苜蓿（Medicago sativa）的适宜播期，本研究于2017年在内蒙古阿鲁科尔沁旗，选择骑士T、公农1号、擎天柱3个紫花苜蓿品种，7月1日开始播种，每5天播种1期，共10个播期，分析播期、生产性能、越冬率之间的关系。结果表明：建植当年苜蓿播种越晚干草产量越低，骑士T干草产量在7月21日播期显著降低（P<0.05），公农1号干草产量在7月16日播期显著降低（P<0.05），擎天柱干草产量在7月11日播期显著降低（P<0.05）；随播种时期的推迟，苜蓿株高、单枝条重呈降低的变化趋势，单位面积株数和枝条数呈先增加后降低的变化趋势；苜蓿越冬率从播期7月16日开始显著降低，公农1号在7月16日以前播种越冬率显著高于骑士T和擎天柱（P<0.05）；播种翌年第1茬苜蓿干草产量和株高随着播期的推迟而逐渐降低，2，3茬则无明显变化；苜蓿单位面积株数和枝条数都随播期的推迟呈降低的变化趋势，随着刈割茬次的增加，苜蓿的株数逐渐降低。因此，在科尔沁沙地种植紫花苜蓿最佳播期为7月1日—7月16日。     

拔节期氮肥运筹对不同滴灌量下冬小麦光合特性及产量的影响

为探明拔节期氮肥运筹对不同滴灌量下冬小麦光合特性及产量的影响,在大田滴灌技术条件下,以‘新冬41号’为试验材料,研究4种拔节期氮肥运筹处理[N0(0 kg/hm²)、N1(90 kg/hm²)、N2(180 kg/hm²)、N3(270 kg/hm²)]对3种不同滴灌量[W1(1500 m³/hm²)、W2(3000 m³/hm²)、W3(3450 m³/hm²)]下冬小麦叶绿素含量（SPAD值）、叶面积指数(LAI)、叶片光合特性及产量的影响。结果表明,在3种滴灌量下各氮肥处理冬小麦拔节至乳熟期叶片SPAD值均呈“先增后降”的变化规律,最大值均在灌浆期;LAI呈现“先增后降”的变化规律,在孕穗期达最大。在同一施氮水平下,滴灌量增加,叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)均增加,而胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)则降低。滴灌量较低时（W1处理）,增加拔节期施氮量能有效提高滴灌冬小麦的有效穗数、穗粒数、千粒重、产量和收获系数;水分充足时（W2、W3处理）,增加拔节期施氮量反而不利于产量的提高。综合考虑各项产量指标及氮肥利用效率得出,在滴灌量3000 m³/hm²条件下,拔节期施氮量180 kg/hm²时,滴灌冬小麦籽粒产量较高,氮肥利用率最大,可供生产参考。     

12份燕麦品种在阿鲁科尔沁旗地区的生产性能研究

【目的】筛选适宜内蒙阿鲁科尔沁旗地区种植的燕麦品种。【方法】对12份燕麦(Avena sativa)品种的生育期、草产量、茎叶比、营养特性等进行测定和分析,并运用灰色关联度分析法对各品种的生产性能进行综合评价。【结果】12份供试燕麦品种均能在阿鲁科尔沁旗地区完成整个生育期,表现出较好的适应性,生育期为83～94 d,其中枪手的生育期最短(83 d),爱沃的生育期最长(94 d)。贝勒二代和牧王的株高均达到100 cm以上。枪手、贝勒二代和牧王的干草产量较高,分别为9.99,8.69和8.59 t/hm~2。贝勒二代的茎叶比最低(1.12),适口性最好;美达的茎叶比最高(3.19)。爱沃和贝勒二代的粗蛋白含量(质量分数)较高,分别为12.20%和11.90%;太阳神、贝勒二代和领袖的中性洗涤纤维及酸性洗涤纤维含量较低,领袖和贝勒二代的相对饲喂价值较高。灰色关联度分析表明,综合评价排在前2位的燕麦品种为贝勒二代和牧王,其加权关联度分别为0.838 2和0.799 1。【结论】燕麦品种贝勒二代和牧王综合表现最好,适宜在阿鲁科尔沁旗地区推广种植。     

支管射流三通结构优化与试验

为了提高支管射流三通水力性能,改善滴灌的灌水均匀性,基于CFX数值模拟技术,对进口宽度为15 mm的支管射流三通进行结构优化.选取位差、劈距、劈尖半径和侧壁倾角为影响因素,通过四因素三水平正交设计了9组模型,边界条件设定为进口压力100 kPa.选取支管射流三通出口设计流量为评价标准,支管射流三通最优结构尺寸为位差5.5 mm、劈距113 mm、劈尖半径13 mm、侧壁倾角10°.此结构尺寸参数下的支管射流三通水力性能试验结果表明:在进口水压为100 kPa时,支管射流三通脉冲频率为148次/min,水头压力振幅为37.9 kPa,水头压力损失为16.7 kPa,出口流量为0.698 L/s;支管射流三通所接滴灌带长度为60 m时,与普通支管三通相比,支管射流三通的灌水均匀系数提高了2.78%,流量偏差率降低了4.72%.该研究可为射流技术在脉冲滴灌系统的研究、开发与应用提供理论依据.     

不同保水处理下苏丹草光合特性研究

为了研究矿区生态修复过程中植物对不同保水措施的生理响应,以常用修复植物苏丹草为研究对象,利用CIRAS-2型(PP-Systems)光合仪测定苏丹草的光合指标,探讨高温下苏丹草对不同保水措施的生理响应,以期为矿区生态修复中的保水措施提供理论依据。结果表明：不同保水处理下苏丹草的光合速率Pn和瞬间水分利用效率WUE日变化均呈“W”型曲线,蒸腾速率Tr日变化呈“M”型曲线。苏丹草的Pn有“午休”现象存在,主要受非气孔因素的影响。影响苏丹草Pn、Tr的主要环境因子为大气CO₂浓度Ca、大气温度Tc、大气相对湿度RH。在土壤上覆盖火烧石和添加粉煤灰均显著增大了苏丹草的Pn和WUE,增强了苏丹草适应高温环境的能力。从Pn的指标来看,土壤表面覆盖火烧石处理比土壤中添加粉煤灰处理的效果好,但两者同时作用效果略低于单独用火烧石处理,原因有待进一步研究。