Single layer centrifugation of stallion spermatozoa consistently selects the most robust spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate in a large sample size

Reasons for performing study: An improvement in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation (SLC) has been seen in previous studies using small sample sizes (for example, n = 10 stallions). There is a need to investigate whether this improvement is repeatable over several breeding seasons with a larger number of stallions (n ≥ 30 stallions). Objective: To make a retrospective analysis of the results of SLC performed on more than 250 sperm samples (176 ejaculates) from 31 stallions in 3 consecutive breeding seasons. Methods: Sperm quality (motility, proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa and the proportion of spermatozoa with undamaged chromatin) was assessed before and after SLC. Results: All parameters of sperm quality examined were significantly better in sperm samples after SLC than in their unselected counterparts (P<0.001 for each parameter). The yield of spermatozoa obtained after SLC was influenced by the type of extender used and also by the concentration of spermatozoa in the original ejaculate, with fewer spermatozoa being recovered when the loading dose contained a high concentration of spermatozoa. The optimal concentration was approximately 100 × 10⁶/ml. Sperm concentration in the samples loaded on to the colloid influenced the sperm yield while the type of semen extender affected sperm quality and survival. Furthermore, the scaled‐up SLC method was found to be suitable for use with a range of ejaculates, with similar sperm kinematics being observed for standard and scaled‐up preparations. Conclusions: SLC consistently improved the quality of stallion sperm samples from a large number of ejaculates. The method could be scaled‐up, allowing larger volumes of ejaculate to be processed easily from a wide range of stallions.     

Assessment of age-related morphological changes in the testes of post-hatch light ecotype Nigerian indigenous chicken

The age-related morphological changes of the testes in light ecotype Nigerian indigenous chicken were evaluated in this study using gross anatomical, histological and histomorphometric techniques. The results showed that the testes of 3- to 9-month-old birds were light pink while testes of sexually mature chicken were creamy white in colour. The left and right testicular weight, length, diameter, circumference and the organosomatic indices increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing age across the groups. Although the mean tubular diameter and epithelial height of the left and right seminiferous tubules increased significantly (p < .05) with age, the tubular diameter, epithelial height and luminal diameter did not vary significantly (p > .05) between the left and right testes of all the groups. The one-cell layer thick germinal epithelium of the left testes at 3 to 6 months old showed islands of cell proliferation that contained spermatogonia and spermatocytes. At 6 to 9 months, the left testes exhibited numerous early spermatids with occasional occurrence of late stage spermatids while the right testes showed scanty early stage spermatids. At 12 to 18 months, the germinal epithelia of both left and right testes were characterized by the presence of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, numerous early and late stage spermatids as well as spermatozoa. In conclusion, the morphological features highlighted in the present study show that at pre-pubertal periods, the left testes may develop faster than the right testes. However, both left and right testes may participate actively in the production of spermatozoa during the post-pubertal life.     

Growth and morphologic response of rumen methanogenic archaea and bacteria to cashew nut shell liquid and its alkylphenol components

The growth and morphology of rumen methanogenic archaea (15 strains of 10 species in 5 genera, including 7 strains newly isolated in the present study) and bacteria (14 species in 12 genera) were investigated using unsupplemented in vitro pure cultures and cultures supplemented with cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and its phenolic compound components, anti-methanogenic agents for ruminant animals. Growth of most of the methanogens tested was inhibited by CNSL and alkylphenols at different concentrations ranging from 1.56 to 12.5 μg/ml. Of the alkylphenols tested, anacardic acid exhibited the most potent growth inhibition. Three gram-negative bacterial species involved in propionate production were resistant to CNSL and alkylphenols (>50 μg/ml). All the methanogens and bacteria that were sensitive to CNSL and alkylphenols exhibited altered morphology; disruption of the cell surface was notable, possibly due to surfactant activity of the tested materials. Cells division was inhibited in some organisms, with cell elongation and unclear septum formation observed. These results indicate that CNSL and alkylphenols, particularly anacardic acid, inhibit both rumen bacteria and methanogens in a selective manner, which could help mitigate rumen methane generation.     

不同来源纤维饲粮对福建黄兔表观消化率、十二指肠组织形态及盲肠纤维消化酶活性的影响

本试验旨在研究不同来源纤维饲粮对福建黄兔表观消化率、十二指肠组织形态及盲肠纤维消化酶活性的影响。试验选用200只健康、体重接近的断奶福建黄兔,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复10只。4组分别饲喂由添加比例为25%的苜蓿草粉、甜菜渣、燕麦草、大麦糠为纤维饲料原料配制而成的饲粮。试验期为60 d,于试验第54天以全收粪法进行消化试验,屠宰后测定十二指肠绒毛高度、隐窝深度及二者比值,盲肠纤维素酶、半纤维素酶和果胶酶活性。结果表明：①苜蓿草粉与甜菜渣组的中性洗涤纤维（NDF）、酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）、不溶性纤维（IDF）、可溶性纤维（SDF）的消化率均极显著高于大麦糠与燕麦草组（P<0.01）。其中,甜菜渣组不溶性纤维、可溶性纤维的消化率最高,与苜蓿草粉组差异显著（P<0.05）。②苜蓿草粉与甜菜渣组的绒毛高度极显著高于大麦糠组（P<0.01）,但显著低于燕麦草组（P<0.05）,隐窝深度显著低于大麦糠和燕麦草组（P<0.05）,其中甜菜渣组隐窝深度最低。甜菜渣组的绒毛高度/隐窝深度（V/C）最高,极显著高于其他组（P<0.01）。③苜蓿草粉与甜菜渣组盲肠3种纤维消化酶活性均极显著高于大麦糠和燕麦草组（P<0.01）,其中甜菜渣组的3种酶活均极显著高于苜蓿草粉组（P<0.01）。综上所述,对比4种纤维饲粮,在饲粮配方中添加25%的甜菜渣能提高肉兔的表观消化率与盲肠纤维消化酶活性,并能改善十二指肠组织形态。     

微灌地膜的节水保墒增温效应研究

在实验基础上 ,分析论述了微灌地膜的节水效果和增温保墒效应。试验结果表明 ,微灌地膜可比地面灌溉节水 61 % ,增加地温 3℃～ 6℃ ,近地面空气相对湿度提高 3 0 %～ 40 % ,综合效应明显。可供微灌地膜或膜下微灌的进一步研究设计参考     

低温条件下组合式生态浮床系统净化微污染水体的特性研究

为研究低温对生态浮床水质净化效果的影响,引入陶粒作为浮床的基质,构筑了美人蕉-陶粒基质组合式生态浮床系统,研究在低温条件下其对微污染水体水质净化的效果特性。结果表明,在进水温度为0.5~15℃,进水DO浓度为4.94~6.65mg/L,水体交换时间为7d下,该生态浮床系统对水体中NH+4-N、NO-3-N、NO-2-N、TN、COD和色度的平均去除率为36.30%、77.37%、50.34%、52.56%、16.89%和70.99%。当水体的温度低于5.0℃,该生态浮床系统对水体中NH+4-N、NO-2-N、TN、COD和色度的去除效果均有所下降。     

Effects of dietary lysozyme levels on growth performance,intestinal morphology,non‐specific immunity and mRNA expression in weanling piglets

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary lysozyme levels on growth performance, gut health and non‐specific immunity of weanling piglets. A total of 150 weanling piglets were allocated to six treatments. The piglets were fed the same basel diet supplemented with 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg lysozyme as well as antibiotics for 28 days. From day 14 to day 28 of dietary treatment, piglets fed 90 mg/kg lysozyme had greater average daily gain than piglets fed control diet. During the whole experimental period, piglets fed 120 mg/kg lysozyme tended to have greater average daily gain than piglets fed control diet. Compared with piglets fed control diet, piglets fed diets containing antibiotics and 90 mg/kg lysozyme had greater villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum. Additionally, dietary supplementation of 60 and 90 mg/kg lysozyme as well as antibiotics enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in piglets. In conclusion, dietary lysozyme can accelerate the growth of weanling piglets by improving gut health and non‐specific immunity and supplementing 90 mg/kg lysozyme is as effective as antibiotics (20 mg/kg colistin sulphate + 50 mg/kg kitasamycin) in improving the growth performance of weanling piglets.     

The influence of polyphenol rich apple pomace or red-wine pomace diet on the gut morphology in weaning piglets

Alternative food ingredients, e.g. secondary plant compounds, are discussed to have beneficial effects and improve gut health. In this study, the effect of three different diets - normal piglets starter without additives, with apple pomace or with red-wine pomace - on the intestinal morphology was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 4 weeks post-weaning. At five time points, six piglets from each treatment group were slaughtered; at first time point only six animals from control group were slaughtered. Villus height, crypt depth and breadth of villi and crypts were determined in the jejunum, ileum and colon in 78 piglets. Additionally, the area of the Peyer's patches in the ileum was measured. In jejunum (p < 0.01) and ileum (p < 0.001) the villus length in the control group decreased after weaning but increased over the entire feeding experiment (p < 0.001). In the two-pomace groups, no decrease was measured after weaning. In jejunum, an increase in villi breadth occurred, 73% in the control group and approximately 10% in both treatment groups. A 35% increase was found in the ileum in all groups. Peyer's patches area increased approximately 21% in the control group over 26 days of treatment, whereas in other groups no significant differences were found. Different polyphenol rich pomaces have diverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract. Red-wine pomace has an inhibitory effect on the jejunum villi growth, whereas apple and red-wine pomace have stimulating effect on crypt size in piglet colon. Apple and red-wine pomace can reduce the GALT activation via the Peyer's patches in the ileum. In conclusion, the flavanoids rich feeding regimen showed positive effects on villi morphology, GALT activation and can improve pig health.     

灌木抗旱机理研究

从灌木生长性状、形态结构、细胞质膜透性、光合、渗透调节(可溶性糖、脯氨酸、甜菜碱和无机离子)、ABA和LEA蛋白变化及其与灌木抗旱性的关系方面,综述了灌木抗旱机理研究.