Relationship of Progesterone,Bovine Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein-1 and Nitric Oxide with Late Embryonic and Early Fetal Mortalities in Dairy Cows

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of progesterone (P4), bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 (bPAG-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels with late embryonic (LEM; day 28 to day 42) and early fetal mortalities (EFM; > day 42 to day 56) in dairy cows. Transrectal ultrasonography (6–8 MHz) was performed in 100 Holstein-Friesian cows at days 28, 42 and 56 after artificial insemination (AI; day 0) to diagnose pregnancy and to monitor the fate of the embryo. After ultrasound scanning of each cow, a milk sample was collected for assessment of P4 by an ELISA test and a blood sample was collected for assessment of bPAG-1, by using a double-antibody radioimmunoassay, and serum NO metabolites (nitrate + nitrite). Based on ultrasonographic examinations and bPAG-1-RIA, 41 of 100 inseminated cows were confirmed pregnant at day 28 after AI. Nine cows suffered of LEM, and 6 cows suffered of EFM and the overall pregnancy loss rate was 36.6% (15/41) between days 28 and 56 of pregnancy. By logistic regression analysis, there were no significant relationships between the level of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 28 after AI and the occurrence of LEM and EFM. Also, there were no significant relationships between the levels of P4 and bPAG-1 at day 42 and the occurrence of EFM. On the other hand, a significant relationship (P<0.05) was found between NO level at day 28 and the occurrence of LEM. In conclusion, measurement of the serum NO concentration at day 28 of pregnancy might help to predict the outcome of pregnancy by day 42 in dairy cows but further studies are needed to confirm this.     

Genetic variation in the ovine uncoupling protein 1 gene: association with carcass traits in New Zealand (NZ) Romney sheep,but no association with growth traits in either NZ Romney or NZ Suffolk sheep

The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) plays an important role in the regulation of lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Genetic variation within three regions (the promoter, intron 2 and exon 5) of the ovine UCP1 gene (UCP1) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction‐single‐strand conformational polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analyses. These revealed three promoter variants (designated A, B and C) and two intron 2 variants (a and b). The association of this genetic variation with variation in lamb carcass traits and postweaning growth was investigated in New Zealand (NZ) Romney and Suffolk sheep. The presence of B in a lamb's genotype was associated with decreased subcutaneous carcass fat depth (V‐GR) (p = 0.004) and proportion of total lean meat yield of loin meat (p = 0.005), and an increased proportion of total lean meat yield of hind‐leg meat (p = 0.018). In contrast, having two copies of C was associated with increased V‐GR (p < 0.001) and proportion of total lean meat yield of shoulder meat (p = 0.009), and a decreased hind‐leg yield (p = 0.032). No associations were found with postweaning growth. These results suggest that ovine UCP1 is a potential gene marker for carcass traits.     

Volatile fatty acid profile for grass hay or alfalfa hay fed to alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

The purpose of this study was to determine the diurnal composition and concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and to determine VFA composition and concentration differences between stomach compartment 1 (C1) and caecum of alpacas fed grass and alfalfa hay. The study was divided into two experiments. In Experiment 1 (EXP 1), 10 male alpacas (3+ years old, 65 kg BW) were divided into two groups, housed in drylot pens, provided ad libitum water and fed alfalfa (AH) or grass hay (GH) for 30 days. The alpacas were slaughtered and the digestive tract collected, divided into sub‐tract sections, weighed and digesta sampled for pH, dry matter (DM) and NDF. Volatile fatty acid composition and concentration were determined on C1 and caecal material. Four adult male (3+ years old, 60 kg BW), C1 fistulated alpacas were housed in metabolism crates and divided into two forage groups for Experiment 2 (EXP 2). Alpacas were fed the forages as in EXP 1. Diurnal C1 VFA samples were drawn at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 h post‐feeding. There were no differences between forages for tract weight, C1 and caecum digesta DM or NDF. Differences were noted (p < 0.05) for pH between forages and sub‐tract site. Volatile fatty acids concentrations were different (p < 0.05) for forage and site, and total VFA was higher for AH than GH (110.6 and 79.1 mm ) and C1 than caecum (40.7 and 27.6 mm ). Proportion of VFA was significant (p < 0.05) for forage and site, C1 acetate highest for GH (84.8 vs. 74.0 mm ) and caecum acetate 83.7 and 76.2 mm for GH and AH respectively. These data demonstrate the level of VFA produced in C1 and the caecum of alpacas and the diurnal VFA patterns. Composition of VFA is similar to other ruminant species.     

布鲁菌感染小鼠RAW264．7细胞对IRGl基因的表达调控作用

针对小鼠RAW264．7细胞IRGl基N设计4个RNA干扰靶位,筛选出最佳干扰序列构建shRNA慢病毒载体质粒并包装获得慢病毒颗粒,进而经嘌呤霉素筛选获得稳转细胞系,实现IRGl基因在RAW264．7细胞基因表达的沉默。并通过布鲁菌l6M株及M5株感染基因沉默细胞对IRGl基因在布鲁菌感染中的作用进行研究。结果表明,慢病毒介导的shRNA高效、稳定地沉默了IRGl基因的表达,布鲁菌侵染RAW264．7细胞后IRGl基因表达上调。未试验为1RG1基因及相美调控基因抗布鲁菌病作用研究奠定了基础。     

产蛋循环过程中TRPV6、CaBP-D_（28K）和PMCA 1b在蛋壳腺的动态表达

将40羽220日龄ISA蛋鸡分为5组,于产蛋后0、2、4.5、8、16h断头处死,采集蛋壳腺组织,运用Real-time PCR和Western-blot方法检测产蛋循环过程中瞬时性受体单位香草精受体6（Transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 6,TRPV6）、钙结合蛋白（calbindin D28K,CaBP-D28K）、质膜钙离子ATP酶1b（plasma membrane Ca2＋-ATPase 1b,PMCA 1b）mRNA和蛋白浓度的动态变化。结果显示,卵子未进入蛋壳腺前（产蛋后0~4.5h）,蛋壳腺内TRPV6、CaBP-D28K和PMCA 1bmRNA表达水平较低,随后表达量逐渐升高,在蛋壳钙化过程中达到最大值（产蛋后16h）,与0h相比,TRPV6和CaBP-D28KmRNA表达差异均极显著（P〈0.01）;另外,产蛋循环过程中,TRPV6、CaBP-D28K和PMCA 1b蛋白浓度变化与mRNA变化一致,产蛋后16h到达最大值,其中CaBP-D28K蛋白浓度与0h相比,差异显著（P〈0.05）。结果表明,产蛋循环可调控蛋壳腺内TRPV6、CaBP-D28K和PMCA 1b的表达,并提示钙离子跨细胞转运途径在钙离子进入蛋壳腺形成蛋壳过程中发挥重要作用。     

美国褐牛杂交改良新疆褐牛效果的研究

[目的]旨在为研究美国褐牛对新疆褐牛杂交改良的效果。[方法]选取伊犁新褐种牛场纯种新疆褐牛母牛30头作为对照组、美新 F1代母牛30头作为试验组,跟踪测定两组0~36月生长发育性能指标,进行体重、体尺对比分析,计算体尺指数,构建体重、体尺生长曲线,分析体重、体尺相对增长曲线。[结果]表明：美新 F1代母牛在18~36月龄体高、体长、胸围和体重等指标极显著高于新疆褐牛母牛（P 〈0.01）;新疆褐牛、美新 F1代母牛6~36月龄体重体尺整体呈现快速增长趋势,且美新 F1代母牛各项指标总体上均高于新疆褐牛母牛;新疆褐牛、美新 F1代母牛在12月龄之前体重、体尺增加速度均较快,12月龄之后增加速度均减慢。[结论]表明两组牛早期生长强度明显高于后期,体重的增加速度和强度一直高于体尺,且美新 F1代母牛6~24月龄体尺指标相对增长值要高于新疆褐牛母牛。     

血清1型鸭甲型肝炎病毒实时定量PCR检测方法的建立与初步应用

为建立了一种可检测血清1型鸭甲型肝炎病毒（DHAV-1）的实时定量PCR方法,根据GenBank中DHAV-1 5,非编码区的保守区,设计合成1对引物和1条TaqMan探针,以构建的重组质粒作为标准品,绘制标准曲线,并对所建立方法进行了特异性、敏感性和可重复性试验以及临床病料检测初步应用。结果,该方法与血清3型鸭甲型肝炎病毒、鸭瘟病毒、新城疫病毒、禽流感病毒、呼肠孤病毒、传染性支气管炎病毒等无交叉反应性;最低可以检测到10copies/μL;组内和组间变异系数均小于3%;临床病料的检测结果与测序检测结果一致。结果表明,所建立的实时定量检测方法具有特异、敏感、稳定等优点,可用于DHAV-1的快速检测与定量分析。     

金焰笛鲷rDNA基因转录间隔区ITS-1序列分析

以持异性引物扩增了金焰笛鲷(Lutjamts fulviflamma)的核糖体第一转录间隔区(ITS-1),扩增产物经克隆后测序,测得 ITS-1长度为566 bp。其中 A、T、G、C 4种碱基的含量分别为14.1%、16.1%、30.2%、39.6%,G C(69.8%)含量明显高于 A T 含量(30.2%)。将此引物在笛鲷属其他4种鱼类中扩增,发现该对引物有很好的通用性;比较发现在不同种中 ITS-1存在着较大的差异,适合将其应用于分子系统学和种质资源方面的研究。     

ISSR分子标记对杧果实生苗父本的早期鉴定

[目的]采用ISSR分子标记技术对杧果实生苗进行亲本早期鉴定,为提高杧果育种效率提供参考.[方法]采用ISSR分子标记技术,筛选不同引物鉴定97-1实生苗的父本.[结果]采用优化的ISSR反应体系,从18条引物中筛选获得4条特异引物UBC-848、UBC-857、UBC-864和UBC-868,其扩增条带多、稳定性强、多态性高、背景清晰.利用引物UBC-848、UBC-857、UBC-864、UBC-868分别对四川红柁、紫花柁和97-1实生苗进行扩增,获得的扩增片段长度在100～2000bp,四川红杧与97-1实生苗、紫花杧与97-1实生苗的共有特异性条带约为180和380 bp、280和380 bp、180和680 bp、680和770bp.[结论]采用ISSR分子标记技术和引物UBC-848、UBC-857、UBC-864、UBC-868构建了杧果实生苗亲本鉴定体系,可鉴定出97-1实生苗的父本为四川红杧,97-1实生苗是紫花杧和四川红杧的杂交种.