Ranking cows’ methane emissions under commercial conditions with sniffers versus respiration chambers

This study assessed the ranking of dairy cows using individual-level correlations for methane (CH₄) emission on-farm using sniffers and in respiration chambers. In total 20 lactating dairy cows, ten Holstein and ten Jerseys were recorded using sniffers installed in milking robots for three weeks of lactation and subsequently in respiration chambers (RC) where they were each recorded on three occasions within the RC. Bivariate linear mixed models were used to determine the individual-level correlations (r_I) between sniffer and RC phenotypes as proxies for genetic correlations. Despite differences in feeding and management, the predicted CH₄ production from sniffers correlated highly with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.77?±?0.18 and CH₄ breath concentration correlated nearly as well with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.75?±?0.20. These correlations between sniffers on-farm and RC demonstrate the potential of sniffers measurements as large-scale indicator traits for CH₄ emissions in dairy cattle.     

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.     

Evaluation of β‐carotene assimilation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Although leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are commonly kept under human care, their vitamin requirements are largely unknown. Many invertebrate preys display a low vitamin A concentration; thus, gut‐loading insects with vitamin A or carotenoids is a common practice. The objective of this prospective experimental study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with β‐carotene, including prey gut‐loading, leads to sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage and prevents epithelial squamous metaplasia development in leopard geckos. Ten clinically healthy female leopard geckos were randomly divided in two groups with various supplementations: a group receiving vitamin A supplementation and a group receiving β‐carotene. Insects were gut‐loaded continuously with a supplement containing vitamin A or β‐carotene, depending on the group. Oral supplementation with cod liver oil or carrot juice was administered weekly to each lizard from “vitamin A group” and “carotenoid group” respectively. After 10 weeks of supplementation, surgical hepatic biopsies were obtained in three geckos of each group while the two remaining geckos were euthanized to undergo complete necropsy. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was determined for each lizard (n = 10) by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology revealed hepatocellular vacuolization and vitellogenic follicles in five females. Epithelial squamous metaplasia was not observed in any of the geckos. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in the carotenoid‐supplemented group than in the vitamin A‐supplemented group (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that in leopard geckos, dietary supplementation with β‐carotene allows sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage.     

套袋对鸭梨果实香气及糖酸组分的影响

采用静态顶空和气相色谱-质谱联用技术、高效液相色谱技术,研究了生长期套袋对鸭梨果实挥发性成分、糖酸组分等风味物质的组成和含量的影响。结果表明:套袋导致鸭梨香气物质种类减少和相对百分含量降低。套袋鸭梨采收时测定的香气成分有3类18种,其中酯类15种、烯类2种、醇类1种;不套袋鸭梨采收时测定的香气成分有3类26种,其中酯类23种、烯类2种、醇类1种。鸭梨的主要香气成分是乙酸己酯、己酸乙酯、丁酸乙酯。套袋和不套袋鸭梨均检测到3种糖、4种有机酸组分,其中糖组分主要为果糖,其次为蔗糖、葡萄糖,有机酸组分主要为苹果酸,其次为乙酸、柠檬酸、草酸,但不同处理间含量存在差异。     

7株根瘤菌菌株与热研2号柱花草共生最适磷浓度研究

采用水培的方法,设3个磷水平,7个菌株,通过对株高、茎叶鲜重、茎叶干重、固氮酶活性、茎叶氮含量、茎叶磷含量的测定及综合分析,确定使热研2号柱花草接种不同根瘤菌菌株达到最佳促生性能的磷浓度。结果表明:7个菌株在中磷时鲜重和含氮量最大,低磷不利于鲜重和含氮量的增加;经主因子综合分析,菌株YM11-1、RJS9-2、PN13-3在高磷时对热研2号柱花草有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株LZ3-2、BS1-1、PN13-3在中等磷条件下有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株FS3-1-1在高磷和中磷都有最好的固氮促生效果。     

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。     

利用SCoT对甜菜种质资源的鉴定及遗传多样性分析

为了研究SCoT分子标记技术对甜菜种质资源鉴定的可行性。利用80条SCoT引物对48份甜菜种质资源进行鉴别,同时对种质资源进行了遗传多样性分析和亲缘关系的鉴定。结果表明,80条SCoT引物中有6条能够扩增出清晰、且多态性高的条带,分别为SCoT1、SCoT12、SCoT13、SCoT14、SCoT17和SCoT23,其中引物SCoT1、SCoT12、SCoT14和SCoT23单独使用均可鉴别全部的48份种质资源,引物SCoT13和SCoT17共同使用可以鉴别48个种质资源;聚类分析结果表明,在遗传距离0.15处,95.8%的种质资源均聚为一类,从分子角度上表明甜菜种质资源遗传距离较小。本研究为利用SCoT分子标记技术鉴别甜菜种质资源、对种质资源进行亲缘关系鉴定、杂交组合亲本选配以及分子标记辅助育种等提供相关科学依据。