Branched‐chain amino acid ratios in low‐protein diets regulate the free amino acid profile and the expression of hepatic fatty acid metabolism‐related genes in growing pigs

Liver metabolism is affected by nutrients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of low‐protein diets (17% crude protein, CP) supplemented with branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), on hepatic amino acid profile and lipid metabolism in growing pigs. The ratio of Leu : Ile : Val in all groups was 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (20% crude protein, CP), 1 : 1 : 1 (17% CP), 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 (17% CP), 1 : 0.51 : 0.63 (17% CP) and 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 (17% CP) respectively. Results revealed that compared to the positive control group (1 : 0.51 : 0.63, 20% CP), the low‐protein diets significantly augmented the concentrations of most essential amino acids and non‐essential amino acids (p < .05), with the greatest values observed in the 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 group. Moreover, relative to the control, the low‐protein diets with the Leu : Ile : Val ratio ranging from 1 : 0.75 : 0.75 to 1 : 0.25 : 0.25 markedly downregulated the mRNA abundance of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP‐4) (p < .05), and upregulated the mRNA expression of hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐g coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) and liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (L‐CPT‐1) (p < .05). Therefore, our data suggest that protein‐restricted diets supplemented with optimal BCAA ratio, that is, 1 : 0.75 : 0.75–1 : 0.25 : 0.25, induce a shift from fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid oxidation in the liver of growing pigs. These effects may be associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Effect on Rendement Napole genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed different levels of fat

We investigated effects of Rendement Napole (RN ) genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed diets with different levels of dietary fat. Thirty‐two pigs, belonging to either the wild‐type (WT , rn⁺/rn⁺) or carrier (CAR , RN ^?/rn⁺) genotypes (n  = 16/genotype), were divided into two dietary groups, (high fat [HF ] or low fat [LF ]) diets, for 12 weeks (n  = 8 pigs/genotype/diet) after which pigs were killed for gene expression analysis by RT ‐PCR . Feeding HF diet caused increased daily gain (ADG , p  <  .05) and final body weight (BW ) (p  <  .05) in comparison with the LF diet (p  <  .05). Feed efficiency (gain:feed) was higher (p  <  .05) in pigs on the HF and was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR pigs compared to WT . There was genotype × diet interaction (p  =  .05) on final BW such that CAR animals on LF diet had the same final BW as animals of both genotypes on HF diet. Carrier pigs on LF diet had higher (p  <  .05) average daily gain and gain:feed than WT pigs. There was a trend (p  <  .08) for a higher feed consumption in pigs on the LF diet. Backfat thickness was higher (p  <  .01) in pigs on the HF diet. Serum triglyceride was higher (0.62 vs. 0.33 mg/dl, p  <  .01) in pigs on HF diet. Serum insulin was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR versus WT pigs (0.40 vs. 0.015 μg/ml). Pigs on the HF diet had a higher (p  <  .05) serum insulin compared to those on the LF diet (0.032 vs. 0.023 μg/ml). Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1‐alpha was higher (p  <  .05) in the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles of pigs on HF diet. Acyl‐CoA oxidase I was elevated (p  <  .05) in the liver of pigs on HF diet. Fatty acid synthase was lower in the longissimus dorsi muscle, liver and mesenteric fat (p  <  .05) of carrier pigs. The RN gene regulates specific metabolic markers in the Ossabaw pigs.     

Effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the body temperature of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions

Feed intake and diet composition appear to affect the body temperature of pigs. Two trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the intestinal temperature (IT) of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions. Ten pigs (64.1 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight) fitted with an ileal cannula were used. A thermometer set to register the IT at 5‐min intervals was implanted into the ileum through the cannula. In both trials, the ambient temperature ranged from 19.1 to 21.6°C and the pigs were fed at 07:00 and 19:00 hr (same amount each time). In trial 1, the pigs were fed daily 1.2 or 1.8 kg of a wheat–soybean meal diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along a 24‐hr period regardless the feed intake level. The IT rapidly increased up to 0.61 and 0.74°C after the morning meal and up to 0.53 and 0.47°C after the evening meal in pigs fed 1.2 and 1.8 kg/d respectively. The postprandial IT was higher in pigs fed 1.8 kg after each meal (p < .05). In trial 2, pigs were fed daily 1.8 kg of a low (11%) or a high (22%) crude protein diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along the 24‐hr period regardless the dietary protein level. The postprandial IT did not differ between pigs fed the low protein or the high protein (p > .10). The IT rapidly increased up to 0.66 and 0.62°C after the morning meal in pigs fed the high‐ and low‐protein diet (p < .05), but there was no change after the evening meal (p > .10). In conclusion, the feed intake level affected the IT of pigs housed under TN conditions, but the dietary protein content had no effect.     

Lipopolysaccharide and cytokines modulate leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTC4 production by porcine endometrial endothelial cells

Uterine inflammatory response is mediated by inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and cytokines produced by immune and endometrial cells. Interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endothelium, important for the host defence during the inflammation, are unknown. We studied the effect of LPS, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 on 5‐lipooxygenase (5‐LO), LTA₄ hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC₄ synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein expression, LTB₄ and LTC₄ release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and cell viability. For 24 hr, cells were exposed to LPS (10 or 100 ng/ml of medium) and cytokines (each 1 or 10 ng/ml). 5‐LO mRNA/protein expression augmented after incubation with larger doses of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐10 and smaller dose of IL‐1β. Larger dose of TNF‐α, smaller doses of LPS and IL‐1β and both doses of IL‐10 increased LTAH mRNA/protein expression. LTAH protein content was up‐regulated by larger dose of LPS, but it was reduced in response to both doses of IL‐4. LTCS mRNA expression was elevated by larger doses of LPS, IL‐4 and IL‐10 or both doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. LTCS protein level increased after treatment with both doses of IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10, smaller dose of LPS and larger dose of TNF‐α. Both doses of LPS and larger doses of TNF‐α and IL‐10 increased LTB₄ release. LPS, IL‐1β and IL‐10 at smaller doses, or TNF‐α and IL‐4 at larger doses stimulated LTC₄ release. Smaller doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β or both doses of IL‐4 enhanced the cell viability. This work provides new insight on the participation of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in LTB₄ and LTC₄ production/release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and the effect of above factors on these cells viability. The used cellular model gives the possibility to further establish the interactions between inflammatory mediators.     

猪SENP1基因克隆、生物信息学分析与表达研究

试验旨在对猪SUMO特异性蛋白酶1(sentrin-specific protease 1,SENP1)基因CDS区进行克隆和生物信息学分析,并探讨SENP1基因在乙脑病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)感染PK15细胞后的表达情况。根据GenBank中公布的猪SENP1基因预测序列(登录号:XM_013997974.2)设计特异性引物,通过RT-PCR和T/A克隆技术对猪SENP1基因CDS区序列进行克隆测序,并进行生物信息学分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR分析猪SENP1基因在JEV感染PK15细胞不同时间点(0、12、24、36、48 h)的表达情况。结果显示,猪SENP1基因CDS序列全长2 034 bp,共编码677个氨基酸。序列比对和系统进化树分析结果表明,猪SENP1蛋白序列和山羊、犬、人、牛的相似性分别为94.8%、94.2%、93.9%和93.8%,说明在这些物种中SENP1的保守性较强;猪与犬的SENP1分子亲缘关系较近。生物信息学分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白相对分子质量为76 825.76,等电点为8.53,体外半衰期为30 h,不稳定系数为53.59,总平均亲水指数为－0.622。SENP1蛋白不含信号肽序列,无跨膜结构域。二级结构分析结果显示,SENP1蛋白中α-螺旋、无规则卷曲、延伸链和β-转角分别占31.31%、46.68%、16.25%和5.76%。三级结构分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白中存在8个α-螺旋区和7个β-转角区。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,猪SENP1基因在JEV感染的PK15细胞中呈现上调表达趋势,其中在感染后48 h SENP1基因表达量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。本试验结果为后续深入研究SENP1基因功能提供了参考。     

饲粮代谢能水平对14～17周龄不同性别北京油鸡育肥期生长性能、屠宰性能、肉品质及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮代谢能水平对14～17周龄不同性别北京油鸡育肥期生长性能、屠宰性能、肉品质及血清生化指标的影响，为确定北京油鸡适宜饲粮代谢能水平提供依据。本试验严格按照完全随机区组试验设计进行。选取13周龄北京油鸡600只，公母各占1/2，根据体重一致原则随机分为6组，其中3个组均为公鸡，另外3个组均为母鸡，每组5个重复，每个重复20只。3个组分别为低代谢能组（饲粮代谢能水平为12.20 MJ/kg）、中代谢能组（饲粮代谢能水平为12.64 MJ/kg）、高代谢能组（饲粮代谢能水平为13.08 MJ/kg）。预试期1周，正试期4周（14～17周龄）。结果显示：1）高代谢能组公鸡和母鸡的平均日增重显著高于其他2组（P <0.05），且高代谢能组母鸡的料重比显著低于其他2组（P <0.05），饲粮代谢能水平为13.08 MJ/kg时公鸡和母鸡有较好的生长性能。2）公鸡方面，低代谢能组的腿肌率显著高于其他2组（P<0.05）；母鸡方面，低代谢能组的全净膛率显著高于高代谢能组（P<0.05），翅膀率显著低于高代谢能组（P <0.05）。低代谢能组公鸡和母鸡的皮脂...     

加强生长育肥猪的饲养管理减少疾病的发生

在整个养猪生产中,育肥是养猪的最后一个生产环节,是检测猪种选择是否正确,营养饲料是否适合,饲养技术是否过硬,疫病防控是否完善的关键,不仅关系到市场供应,而且对猪场经济效益有着重要影响,也是发展养猪生产的最终目的。     

固态发酵醋糟饲料对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率、血清指标及粪便中挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响

本试验旨在研究固态发酵醋糟饲料(SFVD)对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率、血清指标及粪便中挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量的影响。选择体况相近[(59.04±0.33)kg]的健康“杜×长×大”三元杂交生长育肥猪60头,随机分为2个组,每组3个重复,每个重复10头猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮+150 mg/kg土霉素钙,试验组饲喂基础饲粮+5%的SFVD。预试期6 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,基础饲粮中添加5%的SFVD对育肥猪平均日采食量(ADFI)具有一定的促进趋势(P=0.056);显著降低了育肥猪饲粮中干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、有机物(OM)和总能(GE)的表观消化率(P<0.05),对粗脂肪(EE)表观消化率有一定的促进趋势(P=0.052);显著提高了育肥猪血清谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性(P<0.05),血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL)和免疫球蛋白A(IgA)含量也呈现出一定的升高趋势(P=0.055和P=0.077);显著提高了育肥猪粪便中丙酸含量(P<0.05),粪便中甲酸和总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量也呈现出一定的升高趋势(P=0.071和P=0.054)。由此可见,基础饲粮中添加5%的SFVD对育肥猪生长性能、肠道健康及免疫性能的提高具有潜在的促进作用。     

饲料中添加不同水平的发酵豆渣对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益指标的影响

为研究饲料中添加不同水平的发酵豆渣对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益指标的影响,采用单因素随机设计试验,选择体重相近的健康育肥猪80头随机分成4组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头,1组饲喂基础日粮为对照组,试验2、3、4组分别在基础日粮中添加5%、10%、15%发酵豆渣,预试验7 d,试验期56 d。结果表明:(1)试验3、4组的平均日增重较1组比分别提高15.5%、14.1%(P<0.05),料重比较1组比分别降低14.7%、11.9%(P<0.05),试验2、3、4组的平均采食量均高于1组(P>0.05);(2)试验2、3、4组的宰前活重、屠宰率高于1组(P>0.05),试验3、4组的瘦肉率、眼肌面积较1组比分别提高12.1%、8.9%、12.3%、8.2%(P<0.05),背膘厚较1组比分别降低8.5%、7.0%(P<0.05);(3)试验3、4组毛利润较1组比分别提高22.4%、18.0%。综上,添加10%发酵豆渣可以提高育肥猪的生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益。     

PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异及其表达量与肉质的关系

本试验中旨在比较PRKAG3基因在不同品种猪不同生长阶段骨骼肌中的表达差异,并探讨PRKAG3基因与肉质的关系。挑选15 kg左右的汉普夏阉公猪17头和长撒阉公猪16头,饲喂相同饲粮,当体重分别达到20和50 kg时,2个品种的猪分别屠宰5头,体重达到100 kg时分别屠宰7和6头。各生长阶段屠宰后均测定骨骼肌pH、肌糖原含量以及PRKAG3基因表达量,且在100 kg阶段屠宰后同时测定肉质性状。结果表明:1)在不同生长阶段长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均高于汉普夏猪,特别是在100 kg阶段,长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量是汉普夏猪的6.81倍(P0.05)。长撒猪与汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量均随体重的增加而增加,但汉普夏猪不同生长阶段PRKAG3基因的表达量差异不显著(P0.05),而长撒猪PRKAG3基因的表达量在100 kg阶段时显著高于20和50 kg阶段时(P0.05)。2)汉普夏猪和长撒猪的肉质存在差异。汉普夏猪的滴水损失和失水率显著高于长撒猪(P0.05),而熟肉率、黄度(b)值极显著低于长撒猪(P0.01),剪切力和pH2(屠宰后24 h的pH)显著低于长撒猪(P0.05)。与长撒猪相比,汉普夏猪具有较高的肌糖原含量(P0.05)。3)猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质的相关性存在品种效应。汉普夏猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失呈正相关,与熟肉率呈负相关,与pH2呈显著负相关(P0.05)。长撒猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因表达量与滴水损失和失水率呈正相关,与pH2呈负相关。上述结果表明,猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因具有品种和生长阶段表达差异;猪骨骼肌中PRKAG3基因的表达量与肉质性状相关,特别是与pH2,二者呈显著负相关。