Carrier rate of the c.235G>C mutation in the bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) gene of Japanese Black cows at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan,and analysis of the metabolic profiling and reproductive performance of heterozygous cows

Bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) disorder, a major cause of weak calf syndrome, is caused by a homozygous missense (c.235G>C) mutation in the bovine IARS gene of Japanese Black (JB) cattle, which was identified in 2013. However, the extent to which the carrier rate has changed at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, and whether the carrier status is associated with any clinical or reproductive problems, have yet to be ascertained. In this study, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping assay, we determined the carrier rate in a regional JB cow population at Kagoshima prefecture. Comparative analyses were performed on the metabolic profile test (MPT) results and reproductive performance data obtained for heterozygous carrier and homozygous wild-type cows. In 2009 and 2018, DNA samples were collected from 130 and 462 clinically healthy JB cows, respectively, in Kagoshima prefecture. MPT results and reproductive performance data were evaluated for 62 cows, comprising four heterozygous carriers and 58 wild-type cows. Genotyping revealed that the carrier rate was 6.9% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2018, the difference of which was statistically significant (P<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the carrier and wild-type cows with respect to either MPT results or reproductive performance, indicating that the carrier cows have necessary IARS activity to maintain minimal health and reproductive potential.     

Ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum and the gravid uterus during heat stress in dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to assess alterations in, echogenic appearance, size and blood flow in the corpus luteum, the placentomes and the blood flow in umbilical and uterine arteries that heat stress can cause in cooled pregnant dairy cows. Pregnant cows were allocated in two groups and the gravid uteri, along with the ipsilateral corpora lutea were examined during the winter (group W, n = 9) or the summer (group S, n = 10). The grey-scale ultrasound and colour flow imaging of the corpus luteum and placentome were performed. In addition, the umbilical and uterine artery diameters and haemodynamic parameters in the vessels were calculated. At the time of ultrasonographic examination, cortisol concentrations were higher, and progesterone levels tended to be lower in group S compared to group W. The grey-scale ultrasound evaluation of corpora lutea and placentomes was lower in group S compared to group W. The diameter of umbilical artery and the blood volume in the vessel were less in group S than in group W. We infer that heat stress affects foetal blood supply and possibly the structure of placentomes and corpora lutea, but it differently affects the blood flow characteristics in the umbilical and uterine arteries.     

高表达线粒体融合蛋白2(MFN2)可抑制高BHBA活化的奶牛肝细胞NF-κB炎性通路

为研究线粒体融合蛋白2(mitofusin 2,MFN2)对高β-羟丁酸(β-hydroxybutyrate,BHBA)活化NF-κB炎性通路的影响,体外培养奶牛肝细胞,添加不同浓度(0.0,1.2,2.4,4.8 mmol/L)的BHBA,并转染过表达MFN2的腺病毒,运用Western blot和qRT-PCR技术检测NF-κB炎性通路关键分子的基因和蛋白表达。结果显示,随着BHBA浓度的增加,IKBα和NF-κB p65的磷酸化水平以及IL-1β、IL-6和TNFα的mRNA表达均显著升高,MFN2的基因和蛋白表达水平则显著降低;过表达MFN2后,显著抑制了高BHBA诱导的IKBα和NF-κB p65磷酸化水平及IL-1β、IL-6、TNFαmRNA表达水平的升高。结果表明,在奶牛肝细胞中过表达MFN2可以显著抑制高BHBA活化的NF-κB炎性通路。     

奶牛非饲草来源纤维营养研究进展

本文在总结分析国内外最新研究成果的基础上,对非饲草来源纤维(NFFS)对奶牛的营养作用和生理影响及其机理进行了综述,主要从NFFS部分替代饲草对奶牛生产性能、瘤胃草垫层和瘤胃发酵的影响,以及NFFS部分替代精料对饲料效率、生产性能和亚急性瘤胃酸中毒(SARA)奶牛生理的影响等方面进行论述,旨在为NFFS饲料在奶牛饲粮中的科学合理利用提供理论参考和依据。     

Effect of relationships among clinical mastitis incidence,reproductive performance,and culling rate on the lifetime of dairy cows at Hiroshima University Farm

Farm managers' decision to cull dairy cows is based on the cows' milk production, history of disorder(s), and reproductive performance, each of which affects dairy cows' lifetime (herd life and productive lifespan). We investigated the relationships among the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM), the reproductive performance, and the culling rate. We also assessed the effects of these relationships on the lifetimes of dairy cows, using the records made before and after the introduction of an automatic milking system (AMS) at Hiroshima University Farm. Milk yield, CM incidence density, and culling rate of dairy cows increased after the AMS introduction. The CM incidence was associated with an elongation of the calving interval in cows with the same parity. CM in the 1st parity might have caused the reductions of the cows' lifetime and their parity at culling. A higher age at first calving (AFC) was associated with an increase in culling rate but did not lead to a significant decrease in lifetime. Investigations of the factors mediating CM in the 1st parity or AFC with CM incidence or culling rate in the later stages might contribute to the control of lifetime of dairy cows.     

宁夏地区荷斯坦牛成母牛淘汰情况及长寿性影响因素分析

试验通过收集出生、产犊和离群的记录,探究宁夏地区荷斯坦牛成母牛的淘汰情况,分析影响该地区奶牛长寿性的因素。对15 523头荷斯坦牛的生产寿命、在群寿命和利用胎次进行描述性统计,分析淘汰时的胎次、季节和泌乳阶段的分布情况;计算生产寿命、在群寿命和利用胎次之间的表型相关,利用固定模型分析场-出生年、出生季节、牧场规模、淘汰原因和头胎产犊月龄对长寿性的影响。结果显示,宁夏地区荷斯坦牛的平均利用胎次为2.36胎,平均生产寿命为736.59 d。荷斯坦牛成母牛在产后第1个月内的淘汰风险最高,随着泌乳阶段的延长,成母牛在每个胎次内的淘汰风险均逐渐降低;随着淘汰胎次的增加,奶牛淘汰更加集中发生在产后泌乳早期;生产寿命、在群寿命和利用胎次之间存在较高的表型相关（均>0.9）,场-出生年、出生季节、牧场规模、淘汰原因和头胎产犊月龄对长寿性有显著影响（P<0.05）,春季出生和22月龄头胎产犊的奶牛长寿性表现更好。本研究初步揭示了宁夏地区荷斯坦牛成母牛的淘汰规律和长寿性的影响因素,为宁夏地区牛群选育成母牛长寿性状奠定了基础。     

影响荷斯坦奶牛产犊间隔的因素及其研究进展

产犊间隔（calving internal,CI）又称胎间距,即两次产犊间的时间间隔,能够综合反映奶牛发情、配种、妊娠和产犊等繁殖性能,是衡量奶牛繁殖性能的一个重要指标,同时也是影响奶牛产奶量和产犊数量的重要因素,对奶牛养殖经济效益具有直接影响。最新研究显示,适宜产犊间隔与牛群泌乳能力相关,泌乳能力越高,适宜产犊间隔应越长。但是,即使中国规模化牛场产奶量已经有了大幅提升,中国大多数牧场还在追求更短的产犊间隔。为此,作者对影响荷斯坦奶牛产犊间隔的因素及其研究进展进行概述,并简要阐述了产犊间隔对牛场经济效益的影响,以期为中国荷斯坦奶牛养殖确定适宜产犊间隔提供一定的借鉴和理论依据。     

疫情下乳制品需求旺盛,低温鲜奶市场蓬勃发展

2020年新冠肺炎疫情（简称“疫情”）爆发后,我国乳制品消费量一度下降,随着疫情逐步得到控制,液态乳制品销售量于4月后开始恢复为同比正向增长,此后乳制品消费总量加快增长,消费结构不断优化,尤其是低温鲜奶消费一枝独秀。近年来,我国低温鲜奶消费呈加速增长趋势,2020年同比增幅达25.6%,增速创历史新高。总的看,近年来在政策鼓励、技术创新、市场培育三大因素推动下,低温鲜奶消费持续较快增长,而疫情下消费者对营养健康的关注度提高大大助推了这一进程,预计这一趋势仍将持续,建议顺应消费升级趋势,加大奶源生产基地和冷链设施建设,构筑乳业高质量发展的基础。     

数字化技术与装备在奶牛养殖中的应用

数字化技术与装备的发展情况是衡量一个产业现代化水平的重要标志。在奶业快速发展的今天,物联网、大数据、人工智能等信息技术的应用,推动着传统奶业的快速转型和升级,传感器、自动饲喂设备以及挤奶机器人将替代人工实现奶牛高效养殖和经济效益最大化。本文阐述了奶业发展前景和数字化关键技术在环境智能监控、奶牛身份识别、健康感知、繁殖监测、精准饲喂等方面的应用情况,总结了大数据信息挖掘及分析方法,以供行业参考。     

四川凉山地区奶牛乳房炎主要病原菌分离鉴定及药敏情况分析

通过开展凉山地区奶牛乳房炎主要病原菌的分离鉴定和药敏情况试验,为指导凉山地区奶牛场临床合理使用抗生素以及提高抗生素的防治效果提供理论指导。通过采样、增菌培养、细菌鉴定、药敏试验、数据统计分析等方法,结果发现193 份患有乳房炎的乳样中有134 份分离出12 种病原菌,其中65 份检出两种及以上菌,占检出数的48.50%﹔共分离出234 株不重复菌株。分离率居前五位为：葡萄球菌63 株（26.9%）、大肠杆菌56 株（23.8%）、肺炎克雷伯菌42 株（17.9%）、肠球菌24 株（10.3%）、链球菌13 株（5.6%）。对本试验分离到的大肠杆菌、葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌等12 种菌中的10 种细菌药敏试验结果显示,不论是革兰氏阳性菌还是革兰氏阴性菌对试验选取的17 种常见抗生素均表现不同程度的耐药,有部分菌株还表现严重的多重耐药,有些菌株对部分药物耐药率达100.00%。