八角抽提油和蚯蚓粉对肉鸡肠道发育和养分利用率的影响

本试验旨在研究八角抽提油(八角油)和蚯蚓粉对肉鸡肠道发育和养分利用率的影响。试验一选用1日龄爱拔益加肉鸡384只,随机分为4个处理,每个处理12个重复,对照组饲喂基础日粮,八角油组、蚯蚓粉组和杆菌肽锌组分别在基础日粮中添加50 mg/kg八角油、100 mg/kg蚯蚓粉和20 mg/kg杆菌肽锌;试验二选用21日龄爱拔益加肉鸡120只,随机分为5个处理(处理1~4同试验一,处理5为内源组),每个处理12个重复。结果表明:与对照组相比,其余各组均能显著改善肉鸡21 d小肠各段的相对长度和相对重量(P0.05);与对照组相比,八角油和蚯蚓粉均显著提高肉鸡部分肠段的绒毛高度(P0.05);与对照组相比,其余各组均显著提高部分肠段绒腺比(P0.05);与对照组相比,其余各组均极显著提高肉鸡氮的表观和真利用率(P0.001);与对照组和杆菌肽锌组相比,八角油组和蚯蚓粉组肉鸡蛋氨酸的表观和真利用率均显著提高(P0.001)。由此可见,八角油和蚯蚓粉作为饲料添加剂均可以一定程度上改善肉鸡肠道发育,提高养分利用率。     

Effect of marine by‐product meals on hen egg production parameters,yolk lipid composition and sensory quality

The effect of including 5% marine by‐product meals in feeds of laying hens on egg production, composition and sensory characteristics was tested. Marine by‐product meals were prepared using two methods: (i) cooking (100°C/10 min) followed by drying (60°C/24 hr) or (ii) grinding followed by drying. The raw materials used for meal production were scallop or squid viscera, shrimp heads or whole mackerel. A total of 108 laying hens were allocated to nine diet treatments; one control diet (corn and soya bean based) and eight experimental diets, containing 95% of the control feed and 5% of the experimental meal for three weeks. Daily intake was higher in hens fed the dried mackerel and cooked shrimp meals. All the experimental treatments showed significantly higher concentration of n‐3 HUFA in yolk reserves and phospholipids compared to the control (0.12–0.13 g per 100 g), especially those with scallop or squid prepared by both methods (0.53–0.95 g per 100 g). Scallop, squid and shrimp meal inclusion in the feed produced eggs with more astaxanthin (0.22 mg per 100 g) while this carotenoid was absent in the control and mackerel treatments. Visual evaluation of raw yolk colour increased with the inclusion of marine by‐product meals with higher values in hens fed shrimp heads (13), followed by scallop viscera (11), squid viscera (9), and with similar values for mackerel and control (4). The taste, aroma, texture and colour of cooked eggs from different treatments were not statically different when evaluated by a panel of 60 untrained people. These results suggest that meals from marine by‐products are a better alternative for improving egg yolk composition by increasing n‐3 HUFA when compared to fishmeal as they also increase astaxanthin and yolk pigmentation without affecting egg sensory characteristics.     

Renal energy excretion of horses depends on renal hippuric acid and nitrogen excretion

The prediction of renal energy excretion is crucial in a metabolizable energy system for horses. Phenolic acids from forage cell walls may affect renal energy losses by increasing hippuric acid excretion. Therefore, the relationships were investigated between renal energy, nitrogen (N) and hippuric acid excretion of four adult ponies (230–384 kg body weight (BW)) consuming diets based on fresh grass, grass silage, grass cobs (heat‐dried, finely chopped, pressed grass), alfalfa hay, straw, extruded straw and soybean meal. Feed intake was measured; urine and faeces were quantitatively collected for three days. Feed was analysed for crude nutrients, gross energy, amino acids and neutral‐detergent‐insoluble crude protein (CP); faeces were analysed for crude nutrients and cross energy; urine was analysed for N, hippuric acid, creatinine and gross energy. Renal energy excretion (y; kJ/kg BW^0.75) correlated with renal N excretion (x₁; g/kg BW^0.75) and renal hippuric acid excretion (x₂; g/kg BW^0.75): y = 14.4 + 30.2x₁+20.7x₂ (r = .95; n = 30; p < .05). Renal hippuric acid excretion was highest after intake of fresh grass and lowest after intake of soybean meal. The ratio of hippuric acid to creatinine in urine and the excretion of hippuric acid per gram of dry matter intake was significantly higher for fresh grass than for all other rations. There was no relationship between aromatic amino acid intake and renal hippuric acid excretion. The results of the present study and literature data suggest that feed can be categorized into four groups with regard to the energy losses per gram CP intake: (i) protein supplements (e.g., soybean meal): 4.2–4.9 kJ/g CP intake (ii) alfalfa hay, grains, dried sugar beet pulp: 6.4 kJ/g CP intake, (iii) hay, preserved grass products, straw: 5.2–12.3 kJ/g CP intake (mean 8) and (iv) fresh grass. For group (iii) a negative relationship was observed between renal energy losses per gram of CP and the content of CP or neutral‐detergent‐insoluble CP in dry matter.     

The effect of pomegranate seed oil and grapeseed oil on cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA (rumenic acid), n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids deposition in selected tissues of chickens

The aim of this study was to determine whether diet modification with different doses of grapeseed oil or pomegranate seed oil will improve the nutritive value of poultry meat in terms of n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids, as well as rumenic acid (cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid) content in tissues diversified in lipid composition and roles in lipid metabolism. To evaluate the influence of applied diet modification comprehensively, two chemometric methods were used. Results of cluster analysis demonstrated that pomegranate seed oil modifies fatty acids profile in the most potent way, mainly by an increase in rumenic acid content. Principal component analysis showed that regardless of type of tissue first principal component is strongly associated with type of deposited fatty acid, while second principal component enables identification of place of deposition—type of tissue. Pomegranate seed oil seems to be a valuable feed additive in chickens’ feeding.     

Effect of fermented total mixed rations on the growth performance,carcass and meat quality characteristics of Hanwoo steers

This study was conducted to assess the effects of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) on the growth performance, carcass and meat quality traits of Hanwoo steers. The present study evidenced that the FTMR had a strong effect on dry matter intake, body weight, daily gain, slaughter weight and carcass characteristics compared with control animals. The results showed that the dry matter intake (7.17 ± 0.13 kg), average body weight (615.20 ± 112.82 kg), and daily gain (0.56 ± 0.16 kg) were greater in animals receiving FTMR than in control animals (P < 0.05). The meat quality characteristics indicated that cooking loss and the pH values did not vary between control and FTMR treated animals; however, animals in the treated groups (FTMR) had higher meat quality grades, carcass weight (396.13 ± 18.35), fat thickness (13.25 ± 1.75), marbling score (5.63 ± 0.56), meat color (40.06 ± 1.23), crude fat (18.39 ± 1.32) and sensory characteristics (flavor 5.03 ± 0.17; tenderness 4.42 ± 0.33; juiciness 5.10 ± 0.16). Nevertheless, the shear force values decreased significantly in FTMR‐treated animals compared with control group steers. Overall, FTMR may not only improve the growth performance, biochemical metabolites, and fatty and acetic acid profiles of steers, but may also enhance the carcass and meat quality characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Regarding economics, our research findings suggest that FTMR‐based feeds may enhance Hanwoo steer meat quality at a low cost.     

Regulation of intestinal health by branched‐chain amino acids

Besides its primary role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the intestine also interacts with a complex external milieu, and is the first defense line against noxious pathogens and antigens. Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier is associated with enhanced intestinal permeability and development of various gastrointestinal diseases. The branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) are important nutrients, which are the essential substrates for protein biosynthesis. Recently, emerging evidence showed that BCAAs are involved in maintaining intestinal barrier function. It has been reported that dietary supplementation with BCAAs promotes intestinal development, enhances enterocyte proliferation, increases intestinal absorption of amino acids (AA) and glucose, and improves the immune defenses of piglets. The underlying mechanism of these effects is mediated by regulating expression of genes and proteins associate with various signaling pathways. In addition, BCAAs promote the production of beneficial bacteria in the intestine of mice. Compelling evidence supports the notion that BCAAs play important roles in both nutrition and intestinal health. Therefore, as functional amino acids with various physiological effects, BCAAs hold key roles in promoting intestinal development and health in animals and humans.     

Does the level of forage neutral detergent fiber affect the ruminal fermentation,digestibility and feeding behavior of goats fed cactus pear?

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of forage neutral detergent fiber (fNDF) levels on the voluntary feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and feeding behavior of goats fed diets with cactus pear. Five non‐lactating ruminally cannulated goats fed ad libitum were randomly assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of levels of fNDF at 0, 109, 222, 339 and 463 g/kg of dry matter (DM) in cactus pear‐based diets. The intakes of DM and NDF were quadratically affected (p ≦ .045) by fNDF levels. Voluntary water intake (VWI) increased linearly as the fNDF levels increased in the diet. The digestibility coefficients of organic matter, NDF and ether extract and total digestible nutrients concentration were quadratically affected (p ≦ .048) by fNDF levels. The ruminal pH linearly increased (p = .001) with fNDF levels, ranging from 5.44 to 5.81 for diets containing 0 and 463 g fNDF/kg DM, respectively. The fNDF levels promoted a linear increase (p = .006) in chewing time, linearly decreased (p = .007) resting time and quadratically affected (p = .033) rumination time. The inclusion of fNDF in the diets provided favorable conditions for ruminal function, digestibility and feeding behavior in goats fed diets containing cactus pear.     

牛乳腺上皮细胞SNAT2对氨基酸调节乳合成的影响

试验旨在研究氨基酸转运体钠离子依赖的中性氨基酸转运蛋白（the sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter 2,SNAT2）在牛乳腺上皮细胞（bovine mammary epithelial cell,BMEC）中对氨基酸调节乳合成的影响。利用组织块法成功培养原代BMEC,添加不同氨基酸（蛋氨酸（Met）、赖氨酸（Lys）和亮氨酸（Leu）刺激BMEC后,通过实时荧光定量PCR、Western blotting技术和甘油三酯试剂盒检测SNAT2、酪蛋白（β-casein）基因的表达量和BMEC培养液上清甘油三酯的分泌量;将N-flag-SNAT2真核表达载体及SNAT2 siRNA分别转入细胞中进行SNAT2基因的过表达和敲低试验;通过Western blotting和甘油三酯试剂盒分别检测SNAT2、哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（the mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR）、β-casein蛋白表达量和BMEC培养液上清的甘油三酯含量。结果显示,3种氨基酸（Met、Lys、Leu）均能显著促进BMEC分泌乳蛋白和乳脂,并激活mTOR信号途径,其中Met、Lys还能够显著上调SNAT2基因表达;SNAT2能够正向调节BMEC乳蛋白和乳脂肪的合成,并激活mTOR信号通路,说明氨基酸激活mTOR信号通路是通过SNAT2基因介导完成的,进而调节了BMEC乳蛋白和乳脂肪合成。     

蛋黄果种子营养成分分析与评价

为了进一步开发和利用蛋黄果种子的潜在价值,对其主要营养成分、挥发油成分进行分析和检测,并研究了挥发油对5种细菌的抑制作用。结果表明：种子中淀粉、多糖、粗脂肪、多酚、灰分等成分含量较多,分别为13.89、8.04、6.27、2.58、2.22 g/100 g;Vc、黄酮、粗蛋白、氨基酸的含量分别为0.002、1.90、1.12、2.295 g/100 g。从种子挥发油中鉴定出22种化合物,主要成分为油酸、棕榈酸、邻苯二甲酸单（2-乙基己基）酯、芥酸酰胺,其相对百分含量分别为10.466%、8.158%、6.643%、4.216%。研究还证实蛋黄果种子挥发油对四联球菌、蜡状芽孢杆菌、白色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌有抑制作用,其中对四联球菌和蜡状芽孢杆菌的抑制作用较强。鉴于蛋黄果种子的营养和药用价值丰富,建议大力开发和利用。     

Microbial response to rhizodeposition depending on water regimes in paddy soils

Rhizodeposit-carbon (rhizo-C) serves as a primary energy and C source for microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Despite important progress in understanding the fate of rhizo-C in upland soils, little is known about microbial community dynamics associated with rhizo-C in flooded soils, especially depending on water regimes in rice systems. In this study, rice grown under non-flooded, continuously flooded and alternating water regimes was pulse labeled with ¹³CO₂ and the incorporation of rhizo-C into specific microbial groups was determined by ¹³C in phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) at day 2 and 14 after the labeling.A decreased C released from roots under continuously flooded condition was accompanied with lower total ¹³C incorporation into microorganisms compared to the non-flooded and alternating water regimes treatments. Continuous flooding caused a relative increase of ¹³C incorporation in Gram positive bacteria (i14:0, i15:0, a15:0, i16:0, i17:0, a17:0). In contrast, Gram negative bacteria (16:1ω7c, 18:1ω7c, cy17:0, cy 19:0) and fungi (18:2ω6, 9c, 18:1ω9c) showed greater rhizo-C incorporation coupled with a higher turnover under non-flooded and alternating water regimes treatments. These observations suggest that microbial groups processing rhizo-C differed among rice systems with varying water regimes. In contrast to non-flooded and alternating water regimes, there was little to no temporal ¹³C change in most microbial groups under continuous flooding condition between day 2 and 14 after the labeling, which may demonstrate slower microbial processing turnover. In summary, our findings indicate that belowground C input by rhizodeposition and its biological cycling was significantly influenced by water regimes in rice systems.