Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers

The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.     

日本结缕草ZjNAC1的克隆、转录激活活性、亚细胞定位及表达分析

采用RACE技术从日本结缕草中克隆得到ZjNAC1转录因子(GenBank No. MH428376),其开放阅读框为945bp,编码314个氨基酸。ZjNAC1编码的蛋白在N端有1个典型的NAM保守结构域,属于NAC转录因子家族。通过染色体步移的方法,获得ZjNAC1基因ATG上游1635bp序列,分析发现其包含响应脱落酸(ABA)、茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)及逆境胁迫的作用元件。构建pGBKT7-ZjNAC1载体,转化Y2HGold酵母感受态细胞,发现ZjNAC1具有转录激活活性。农杆菌介导的35S-ZjNAC1-YFP载体注射本生烟草叶片瞬时表达结果显示,ZjNAC1定位于细胞核。实时荧光定量结果表明,ZjNAC1在日本结缕草根中表达量最高;此外,ZjNAC1的表达受10μmol/L MeJA和20%PEG4000处理的诱导,但受200μmol/L乙烯(ET)、10μmol/L ABA和300mmol/L NaCl处理的抑制。     

Microbial protein formation of different carbohydrates in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial protein yield of different pure carbohydrates to contribute to a more precise prediction of the microbial protein formed in the rumen. In a first experiment, sucrose, wheat starch, microcrystalline cellulose and citrus pectin were incubated for 8 and 24 hr in the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) system (3 runs × 2 syringes) including gas production, ammonia and short‐chain fatty acid concentration measurements. Ammonia values were used for estimation of the microbial protein formation. In a second experiment, the same substrates were incubated for 96 hr in the HGT system (2 runs × 3 syringes) and gas production was measured after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 96 hr of incubation to obtain the fermentation kinetics and the time of half‐maximal gas production (t_1/2) of the substrates. The substrates differed considerably in their fermentation kinetics, and therefore, comparison on the basis of t_1/2 was chosen as the most meaningful. At t_1/2, microbial protein yield [g/kg dry matter] was higher for cellulose than for sucrose and pectin and higher for starch than for sucrose. The microbial protein expressed in g/L gas production was higher for starch and cellulose than for sucrose and pectin at t_1/2. Effects of carbohydrates related to ruminal pH may remain undetected in in vitro trials.     

Effect of Season on Travel Patterns and Hoof Growth of Domestic Horses

Four Morgan mares and five Morgan geldings ranging in age from 5- to 12-years-old were fitted with Global Positioning System units to determine if season has an influence on travel pattern. Body and hoof growth measurements were obtained so that the influence of season on body condition and hoof growth could be determined. Waist and heart circumference, cresty neck score, and body condition score were determined in each season. The ambient temperature and precipitation was recorded for each season. Waist circumference was the greatest (P < .05) in the spring and summer and the least in the fall and winter. Hoof growth was the greatest (P < .05) in the fall and the least in the winter. The front and rear hooves grew at similar rates in all horses. Hoof growth in geldings and mares were also similar. The average distances traveled were similar across seasons; however, the horse did numerically travel more in the spring and summer compared with the fall and winter. The range of the travel pattern was influenced by season with the horses traveling significantly less in the winter, although the average travel distances were similar. In conclusion, season in temperate zones will influence body condition, hoof growth, and pattern of travel, but the total distance traveled will be similar. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the influence of season on hoof growth and travel patterns.     

Influence of animal age on body concentrations of minerals in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Mathematical modelling of the relationships between mineral inputs and outputs would enable the prediction of mineral requirements of poultry under a wide range of conditions. To establish the feasibility of possible modelling of mineral requirements, the current study aimed to describe the individual mineral concentrations of whole bodies of quail over the life cycle from hatching to 70 days of age. Quail were reared indoors without any restrictions that could limit growth. Sampling of birds (n = 6–18) was carried out at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49 and 70 days after hatching. Freeze‐dried samples of whole bodies (digestive contents removed) were analysed for ash, and macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium) and microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc). Ash concentration followed a curvilinear trend, with a maximum of 101.7 g/kg dry matter at 32.77 days. Individual mineral concentrations, expressed as a proportion of ash, were fluctuating over time, with the most prominent changes at 3 days and again at either 14 or 21 days. Dissimilar patterns in individual mineral concentrations resulted that ratios between minerals followed inconsistent patterns over time. Although mineral contents in absolute quantities can be described through modelling over the entire life cycle of the bird, it can be concluded that variable concentrations of individual minerals could complicate further model development.     

Effects of Photoperiod on Stem Cells Activation in Cashmere Goat Hair Follicles

In order to extend the anagen of cashmere goat hair follicles and increase the production of cashmere,this study was performed with artificially shorten the daylight time among Arbas White cashmere goats. Skin tissue sections from cashmere goats were collected to compare the morphologic changes between artificial daylight and natural daylight,and immunohistochemical method was used to study the hair follicle cell proliferation and important protein expression in related signaling pathways. The results showed that strong cell proliferation occurred in cashmere goat hair follicle cells during artificial daylight,plenty of cytokeratin 15 (K15) positive signals were distributed in the outer root sheath,β-catenin protein was actively expressed in hair matrix and root sheath, indicating that the hair follicles were in the anagen growth phase;Meanwhile,cashmere goat hair follicles under natural daylight were in telogen with weak signals. Above all prove that short photoperiod played an important role in promoting hair follicle growth,the artificial short photoperiod could change hair follicle growth cycle and make hair follicles earlier enter to the anagen growth phase,causing a variety of typical gene expressions during hair follicle growth.     

饲粮能量水平对德州驴生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响

本研究旨在探讨饲粮能量水平对德州驴生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响。试验选用健康的7～8月龄德州公驴36头,体重(123.9±5.0) kg,随机分为3个组,每组3个重复,每个重复4头驴。各组饲粮消化能水平分别为10.43 (低能组)、11.03 (中能组)和11.90 MJ/kg(高能组),粗蛋白质水平相近。预试期20 d,正试期40 d。结果表明：1)中能组和高能组的平均日增重显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的平均日增重显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能组的料重比显著低于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的料重比显著低于中能组(P<0.05)。2)中能组和高能组的干物质、有机物和碳水化合物消化率显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的干物质、有机物和碳水化合物消化率显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。3)高能组的血清总蛋白、甘油三酯含量显著高于中能组和低能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能组的血清白蛋白含量显著高于低能组(P<0.05),且高能组的血清白蛋白含量显著高于中能组(P<0.05)。中能组和高能...     

发挥进口贸易作用 促进经济协调发展——基于我国1978—2007年进口与经济增长关系的实证分析

改革开放以来,出口对我国经济增长的贡献几乎无人质疑,但进口是否促进了经济增长,却存在争论。笔者根据1978—2007年中国的进口和GDP数据,利用协整检验和因果关系检验等计量方法,对二者关系进行了检验,发现我国进口贸易与经济增长之间存在十分稳定且长期的动态均衡关系,进口增长对我国经济增长具有很强的促进作用。笔者据此联系当前国际国内形势提出了相应建议。     

Influence of feeding Tinospora cordifolia peripartum on lactation parameters in crossbred cows

For studying the effect of dietary supplementation of guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) peripartum on lactation an investigation was conducted on 15 pregnant Karan Fries crossbred cows which were divided into two groups: treatment group of eight cows which were supplemented with guduchi at 60 g/day for 45 days prepartum and 120 g/day for 45 days postpartum; control group of seven pregnant cows which were not supplemented with guduchi. Jugular blood samples were collected from all cows during the periparturient period for analysis of various blood cell and plasma parameters. A significantly higher total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was recorded in the guduchi supplemented treatment group in comparison to untreated control cows throughout the experimental period. The increase of milk production over 305 days of lactation due to guduchi supplementation was significant (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in somatic cell count was also observed during the experimental period. Milk composition (fat, protein, lactose and SNF) was similar (p > 0.05) for both the groups. Plasma non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in cows supplemented with guduchi throughout the course of study. Plasma concentration of growth hormone in the treated cows was also significantly higher beginning on the day of parturition up to 3 weeks postpartum (p < 0.05) in comparison to unsupplemented group.