Chemical and nutritional characteristics of Cannabis sativa L. co-products

Cannabis sativa L. is an annual herbaceous plant. It was used for centuries to obtain different products. In the last century, hemp cultivation was forbidden due to the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA). In the last years, new strains, characterized by high cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and low THCA level, were developed renewing the interest in hemp cultivation to obtain food or to extract essential oils from flowers. All these processes produce many residues with different chemical–physical characteristics. In order to evaluate their potential use also in animal nutrition, some hemp co-products were evaluated. Two different co-products of seed processes (flour and oil) and two co-products obtained trimming the flowers, differing in granulometry were used. The samples were analysed for chemical composition and evaluated in vitro using the gas production technique with buffaloes' ruminal inoculum. All hemp co-products showed interesting nutritional characteristics, such as crude protein content always higher than 20% on a dry matter basis, and high neutral detergent fibre concentration partially lignified. The in vitro gas production parameters at 120 h of incubation showed quite low fermentability testified by the low organic matter degradability and cumulative gas volume (OMD from 28.09 to 45.64% and OMCV from 110 to 164 ml/g, respectively). Also, the methane produced after 24 h of incubation was particularly low (from 1.78 to 11.73 ml/g dOM). These results could be due to the high lipid and ash amounts or to the CBDA content that probably affected the CH₄ formation processes. According to preliminary results obtained by this study, it is possible to hypothesize that these co-products could be useful to mitigate the methane production into the rumen. Further studies are necessary in order to evaluate the correct inclusion into the diet for ruminants.     

Egg production,fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some chicken strains under high ambient temperatures

This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some local developed Egyptian chicken strains under high ambient temperatures. A total of 108 (26 weeks old) laying hens of Matrouh, Silver Montazah, Mandarah and Inshas (9 hens × 3 replicates × 4 strains) were used to evaluate the impact of thermal stress (24-34ºC) during summer season (June, July and August) on egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses. The obtained results revealed that final body weight (FBW/g) and body weight change (BWC/g) among different chicken strains were not affected. The daily feed consumption (FC/g) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p ≤ .05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The mean egg production (EP/%) and egg mass (EM) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p ≤ .05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The highest percentages of hatchability of total eggs (HTE) and fertile eggs (HFE) were recorded in Inshas chickens, while the lowest value was recorded in Mandarah chickens. Also, the highest embryonic mortalities (p ≤ .05) and lowest chick weight at hatch (CWH/g) were recorded in Mandarah chickens compared with the other strains. The highest values for antibody titres against phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were recorded in Mandarah chickens, while the least values were recorded in Inshas chickens.     

Developmental competence of heat stressed oocytes from Holstein and Limousine cows matured in vitro

The negative effects of heat stress on dairy cattle's fertility have been extensively studied, but the relevant knowledge for beef cattle is rather limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of HS during in vitro maturation on the developmental potential of oocytes derived from Limousine and Holstein cows and to estimate the effect of the differential gene expression of important genes in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts in the growth competence between the breeds. In seven replicates, cumulus oocyte complexes from Holstein and Limousine cows were matured for 24 hr at 39°C (controls C; Hol_39, Lim_39) or at 41°C from hour 2 to hour 8 of IVM (treated T; Hol_41, Lim_41), fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39°C. Cleavage and embryo formation rates were evaluated 48 hr post-insemination and on days 7, 8 and 9, respectively. From all groups, subsets of cumulus cells, oocytes and blastocysts were analysed for the relative expression of genes related to metabolism, stress, apoptosis and placentation. No difference was detected in cleavage rate or in blastocyst formation rate among the control groups. In both breeds, heat stress reduced blastocyst yield, but at all days the suppression was higher in Limousines. In Holsteins, altered gene expression was detected in cumulus cells (G6PD, GLUT1) and blastocysts (PLAC8), while in Limousines, differences were found in oocytes (G6PD, HSP90AA1), in cumulus cells (CPT1B, HSP90AA1, SOD2) and blastocysts (DNMT, HSP90AA1, SOD2). It appears that Holstein COCs are more tolerant than Limousine COCs, possibly due to compulsory, production driven selection.     

兴安盟地区旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种生产性能和饲用价值比较

为筛选兴安盟地区旱作条件下适宜引进栽培的优良苜蓿品种,在兴安盟乌兰浩特市呼和马场种植11个苜蓿(Medicago sativa)品种,通过连续2年观测参试品种的越冬率、株高、产量、茎叶比及营养成分等指标,对旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种的生产性能和饲用价值进行灰色关联分析。结果表明:图牧2号、敖汉苜蓿和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的平均越冬率较高;SK3010、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿和敖汉苜蓿在株高、生长速度和干草产量方面表现较好;图牧2号的茎叶比均最大,其次是呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、SK3010和敖汉苜蓿;WL168HQ、斯普雷德和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的粗蛋白质含量均高于18%;巨能2和斯贝德的粗纤维含量较高;WL168HQ、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、WL343HQ、SK3010和WL319HQ的粗灰分含量均高于10%。对11个苜蓿品种的越冬率、产量特性和饲用品质进行灰色关联分析表明,呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿的综合表现最优,适合在该地区种植推广。     

丁酸梭菌在家禽生产中应用的研究进展

丁酸梭菌作为一种益生菌,存在于人和动物的肠道中,不易受到胃酸、消化酶和胆汁酸等因素的影响,不仅可以通过把营养物质降解成丁酸为动物提供营养与能量,而且可以保护肠道健康,促进营养物质的吸收和动物的生长,以及增强免疫功能等,因此丁酸梭菌可以作为饲料添加剂用于畜禽生产。本文对丁酸梭菌对家禽生理、生产性能的影响及其机制进行综述,以便为丁酸梭菌在家禽生产中的应用提供参考。     

不同饲养方式对蛋鸡生产性能、鸡蛋品质及经济效益的影响

文章旨在评估不同饲养方式对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和血清生化指标的影响。试验选择产蛋性能接近的22周龄海兰褐壳蛋鸡540只,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复36只。笼养组蛋鸡采用三层阶梯饲养（0.6 m2/只）,网上平养组蛋鸡在金属网丝上饲养（1.5 m2/只）,垫料平养组在平铺20 cm稻壳的水泥地板上平养（1.8 m2/只）。试验共开展28周,包括2周的适应期。结果：网上平养和垫料平养组24～36 w和24～29 w蛋鸡平均日采食量较笼养组蛋鸡分别显著提高5.71%、6.22%和4.81%、4.48%（P＜0.05）。此外,垫料平养组24～36 w和24～49 w蛋鸡的料重比较笼养组分别显著提高7.31%和4.09%（P＜0.05）。在36 w时,垫料平养组鸡蛋的蛋壳强度最高,脏蛋率最低（P＜0.05）。在49 w时,笼养组鸡蛋的蛋壳厚度最低（P＜0.05）,脏蛋率最高（P＜0.05）。笼养组蛋鸡血清葡萄糖、甘油三酯、总蛋白和胆固醇浓度均最高（P＜0.05）,但高密度脂蛋白浓度最低（P＜0.05）。结论：网上平养和垫料平养可以提高蛋鸡采食量,但笼养蛋鸡的饲料效率表现最佳。此外,垫料平养提高了鸡蛋的蛋壳强度和蛋壳厚度,降低了破蛋率。     

子午岭黑山羊与辽宁绒山羊产肉性能、肉品质、肌肉营养成分和脂肪酸含量比较

1990年,甘肃省庆阳市开始引入辽宁绒山羊对子午岭黑山羊进行杂交改良,但目前尚不清楚2个品种在脂肪酸含量、肌肉营养成分等方面的差异,影响了杂交改良效果。试验旨在分析两个绒山羊品种的产肉性能、肉品质、肌肉营养成分和脂肪酸含量差异,为绒山羊的杂交改良提供理论依据。本研究选取相同饲养管理条件下、9月龄的子午岭黑山羊和辽宁绒山羊公羊各5只,测定其屠宰性能以及背最长肌、前腿肌和后腿肌处的肉品质、脂肪酸含量和肌肉营养成分。结果表明：子午岭黑山羊的胴体重、屠宰率、净肉重、净肉率、眼肌面积、GR值、剪切力和滴水损失低于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.05）,但其肌肉的平均亮度值、色度值、pH₁和pH₂₄高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）。营养成分测定结果表明,子午岭黑山羊肌肉的水分和粗灰分含量高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.05）,但肌内脂肪和粗蛋白含量低于辽宁绒山羊。在2个山羊品种的肌肉中均检测到11 种饱和脂肪酸（SFA,以棕榈酸和硬脂酸为主）、10种多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA,以亚油酸和顺-11,14-二十碳二烯酸为主）和6种单不饱和脂肪酸（MUFA,以油酸为主）,子午岭黑山羊肉中的SFA、PUFA、n-3 PUFA、n-6 PUFA含量和PUFA/SFA值均高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）,但MUFA含量低于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）。结果表明,辽宁绒山羊有更高的产肉力,但子午岭黑山羊肌肉品质和营养成分更佳,脂肪酸组成和含量更符合人类健康膳食标准。     

Production,chemical composition,and fatty acid profile of milk from buffaloes fed with cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) cake and murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru) cake in the Eastern Amazon

The objective was to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation using by-products of the Amazonian industry on milk production, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile of dairy buffaloes. Twelve lactating buffaloes (544.5 ± 35.6 kg, 6.4 ± 2.2 years old, 59 ± 6 days in milk) were allotted in a pasture of Mombaça grass and managed under rotational grazing (4 days occupancy/28 days rest). A 3 × 3 Latin square was adopted, and each animal alternately received three supplementary treatments based on corn bran + soybean meal or cupuaçu cake or murumuru cake for 21 days per treatment. Murumuru cake increased the levels of lauric acid and myristic acid in the milk (p < 0.05). Murumuru cake reduced the unsaturated fatty acid contents in the milk compared with animals fed control diet or cupuaçu cake (24.27% vs. 25.24% vs. 25.08%). The n-6/n-3 ratio was 2.6, 1.97, and 2.0 in the control, cupuaçu, and murumuru groups, respectively. Based on this parameter, cakes made from cupuaçu as well as murumuru could be considered to be adequate for inclusion in dairy water buffalo feed. However, the murumuru cake addition requires some caution because its use induces the secretion of higher levels of lauric and myristic fatty acids that are related to human cardiovascular disease.     

Single nucleotide polymorphism in avian uncoupling protein gene is associated with thermoregulation in chicks

Avian uncoupling protein (av-UCP) is a key protein for thermoregulation in poultry. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the av-UCP gene has been reported in chickens. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the association between this av-UCP gene mutation and thermoregulation in chickens. Wild and mutant type chicks for the av-UCP gene SNP (g. 1270 of the av-UCP gene exon 3 with C to T substitution and amino acid substitution) were exposed to high ambient temperature. Rectal temperature, radiation temperature on the body surface, and the expression of heat dissipation behavior (wing drooping and panting) during heat exposure were measured. In addition, oxygen consumption rate in the thermoneutral zone in wild and mutant type chicks was measured. Changes in wing temperature during heat exposure in wild-type chicks were lower than those in mutants. The latency of continuous wing drooping during heat exposure in wild-type chicks was shorter than in mutant chicks. It was also found that the SNP in the av-UCP gene caused reduced oxygen consumption. These results suggest that the av-UCP gene mutation affects thermoregulation, especially heat production, in chickens.     

我国不同奶业产区规模化牧场饲料结构分析

在奶牛养殖规模化水平不断提高,养殖成本日益增加,且区域间差异明显的背景下,饲料作为奶牛养殖主要投入品,了解其在规模化牧场生产成本中的结构对于优化奶牛日粮结构、降低养殖成本、缩小区域间养殖效益差距等具有重要意义。本文利用2018—2020年规模牧场月度调研数据,分析了我国规模化牧场饲料结构情况。研究发现,大城市周边产区和南方产区的精饲料和粗饲料的比例相对更加科学,华北产区仍有较大提升空间,并且玉米、豆粕、玉米青贮和苜蓿草在日粮中占有较大比重,达到84.62%;不同产区奶牛日粮结构具有明显差距,玉米青贮和苜蓿草在西北产区占比最高,玉米和豆粕在南方产区占比最高。注重发挥区域优势,加大优质粗饲料和可替代饲料的利用,有利于降低养殖成本,提高养殖的科学性和可持续性。