Fertilizer value of nitrogen in hen and broiler manure after application to spring barley using different application timing

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer effect of layer hen and broiler manure applied at different times on spring barley yield was studied in seven Swedish field experiments during 2005–2008. Two experiments had parallel field incubations to study N release after fertilizer application. The effect of total N in manure on N offtake was 30–40% that of mineral N, except in a dry year, when the effect was very low. Although the relative proportions of ammonium N, uric acid N and other N differed between the hen and broiler manure, the effect of total N was similar for both. In field incubations, mineral N decreased from 75 to 60% of total N applied in hen manure, whereas it increased from 20 to 50% in broiler manure, because of net immobilization and release, respectively. The limited fertilizer nitrogen replacement value, corresponding to only 30–40% of total N, could be as a result of ammonia volatilization after rather shallow incorporation with harrow. Net N release from broiler manure lasted for 6–8 weeks after application, after which it generally ceased. In some cases, manure application in early spring gave better yield effects than application at sowing, probably because of better synchronization of the N release with crop N requirements. The residual N effect on the N offtake in crop in the year after manure application was on average 3% of the total N applied, equivalent to a fertilizer replacement value of about 6%.     

Nutrient digestibility of extruded canola meal in ileal-cannulated growing pigs and effects of its feeding on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance in weaned pigs

Canola meal (CM) contains less crude protein (CP) and more fiber and anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates than soybean meal (SBM) and consequently has a lower nutrient digestibility. Therefore, processing strategies that may increase the feeding value of CM warrant study. In two experiments, the effects of extrusion of Brassica napus CM on apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) in growing pigs, and growth performance and diet digestibility in weaned pigs were assessed. Solvent-extracted CM was extruded using a single-screw extruder at three screw speeds: 250 (CM-250), 350 (CM-350), or 450 (CM-450) rpm. In exp. 1, in a double 4 × 4 Latin square, eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight [BW], 68.1 kg) were fed corn starch-based diets containing 50% CM or extruded CM. The CM sample contained 43.2% CP, 33.2% total dietary fiber (TDF), and 8.9 µmol of total glucosinolates/g on a dry matter (DM) basis. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the AID of CP, reduced (P < 0.05) apparent hindgut fermentation of CP, and decreased (P < 0.05) predicted net energy (NE) value of diets. Extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of most indispensable AA by 3.1 to 5.3%-units. In exp. 2, 200 weaned pigs (initial BW, 8.3 kg) were fed diets containing 20% SBM, CM, or extruded CM starting 2 wk postweaning for 3 wk. The CM sample contained 42.7% CP, 28.3% TDF, and 5.3 µmol total glucosinolates/g DM. Wheat-based diets provided 2.3 Mcal NE/kg and 5.1 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. Dietary inclusion of extruded CM replacing SBM decreased (P < 0.05) diet ATTD of DM, GE and CP, and DE value. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (G:F) of pigs did not differ between extruded CM and SBM diets and were not affected by extrusion, but increasing extruder screw speed linearly increased (P < 0.05) ADG for day 1 to 7 and G:F for the entire trial. In conclusion, extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of AA but not DE and predicted NE values of CM. However, increasing extruder speed did not further increase the SID of most of the AA of CM in growing pigs. Dietary inclusion of 20% CM or extruded CM did not affect the growth performance in weaned pigs.     

Influence of amount and frequency of protein supplementation to steers consuming low-quality,cool-season forage: intake,nutrient digestibility,and ruminal fermentation

This experiment evaluated the influence of protein supplementation frequency (SF) and amount offered on intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation by rumen-fistulated beef steers consuming low-quality [2.9% crude protein (CP); dry matter (DM) basis], cool-season forage. Seven Angus × Hereford steers (300 ± 27 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments in an incomplete 7 × 4 Latin square. Treatments, in a 2 × 3 factorial design plus a non-supplemented control (CON), consisted of 2 levels of supplemental soybean meal, 100% (F) or 50% (H) of the estimated rumen-degradable protein requirement, provided daily (D), once every 5 d (5D), or once every 10 d (10D). Experimental periods were 30 d and dry matter intake (DMI) was measured from days 19 to 28. On days 21 (all supplements provided) and 30 (only daily supplements provided; day immediately prior to supplementation for 5D and 10D treatments) ruminal fluid was collected for ruminal pH, ammonia-N (NH₃), volatile fatty acids (VFA), and determination of ruminal fermentation variables. Forage and total DM, organic matter (OM), and nitrogen (N) intake increased with supplementation (P ≤ 0.04). However, a linear effect of SF × amount of supplement interaction was observed for forage and total DM, OM, and N intake (P ≤ 0.04), with each variable decreasing as SF decreased, but the decrease being greater with F vs. H. Apparent total tract DM, OM, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility was not affected by supplementation or amount of supplement provided (P ≥ 0.10). In contrast, N digestibility increased with supplementation and for F vs. H (P < 0.01). Digestibility of DM, OM, and N increased linearly as SF decreased (P ≤ 0.03). When all supplements were provided, ruminal NH₃, total VFA, and molar proportions of all individual VFA increased with supplementation (P ≤ 0.04), whereas acetate:propionate ratio decreased (P < 0.01). When only daily supplements were provided, none of the aforementioned fermentation parameters were affected (P ≥ 0.09). In summary, reducing the amount of supplemental CP provided to ruminants consuming low-quality forages, when supplementation intervals are >5 d, can be a management tool to maintain acceptable levels of DMI, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation while reducing supplementation cost.     

Influence of amount and frequency of protein supplementation to ruminants consuming low-quality cool-season forages: efficiency of nitrogen utilization in lambs and performance of gestating beef cows

We evaluated the influence of amount and crude protein (CP) supplementation frequency (SF) on nitrogen (N) use by wethers and the performance of late-gestation beef cows. In exp. 1, seven Western whiteface wethers (31.8 ± 1.4 kg) were used in an incomplete 7 × 4 Latin square to evaluate intake and N use. Wethers received one of the seven treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial design containing two levels of supplemental soybean meal offered at a rate of 100% (F) or 50% (H; 50% of F) of the estimated CP requirement daily, once every 5, or once every 10 d, plus a non-supplemented control (CON). Low-quality cool-season forage (4.9 % CP; dry matter [DM] basis) was provided daily for ad libitum intake. Experimental periods lasted 30 d. In exp. 2, 84 Angus × Hereford cows (560 ± 35 kg) were stratified by age, body condition score (BCS), and expected calving date and allocated to 1 of the 21 feedlot pens (three pens per treatment). Pens were randomly assigned to receive the same treatments as in exp. 1 and cows had free access to low-quality cool-season forage (2.9% CP; DM basis). Cow body weight (BW) and BCS were measured every 14 d until calving and within 24 h after calving. In exp. 1, supplementation did not alter total DM and organic matter (OM) intake (P ≥ 0.26), but both parameters linearly decreased as SF decreased (P = 0.02). Supplementation increased DM, OM, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (P ≤ 0.02). Additionally, F feeding linearly increased DM, OM, and NDF digestibility as SF decreased (P ≤ 0.04). Digestibility of N, N balance, and digested N retained were greater with supplementation (P < 0.01), and N digestibility linearly increased as SF decreased (P = 0.01). Mean plasma urea-N concentration was not only greater (P < 0.01) for supplemented vs. CON wethers but also greater (P = 0.03) for F vs. H. In exp. 2, pre-calving BCS change was greater (P = 0.03) for supplemented cows. A linear effect of SF × supplementation rate for pre-calving BCS change was noted (P = 0.05), as F-supplemented cows lost more BCS compared with H as SF decreased. When considering supplementation intervals greater than 5 d, reducing the quantity of supplement provided, compared with daily supplementation, may be a feasible management strategy to maintain acceptable nutrient use and animal performance while reducing supplement and labor costs.     

长白和大白猪主要生长性状的遗传参数估计

旨在分析母猪的出生年份、出生季节、初生重、开测日龄等固定效应对长白、大白猪主要生长性状的影响,并对目标生长性状进行遗传参数估计（遗传力、遗传方差、表型相关和遗传相关）,为猪的遗传改良提供基本依据。本试验利用GLM模型分析试验猪群（398头长白猪和1 176头大白猪）的固定效应对猪生长性状的影响,并采用多性状动物模型对目标性状进行遗传参数估计。目标生长性状包括达100 kg体重日龄（age to 100 kg,AGE）、达100 kg背膘厚（backfat to 100 kg,BF）、100 kg平均日增重（average daily gain to 100 kg,ADG）。研究表明,在大白和长白猪中,猪的出生年、出生季、初生重以及开测日龄对生长性状均具有极显著的影响（P<0.001）;长白猪的AGE、ADG和BF的遗传力分别为0.321、0.327和0.324,大白猪对应性状的遗传力分别为0.454、0.469和0.408;长白猪的ADG和AGE之间的遗传相关、表型相关分别为-0.990、-0.995,大白猪的ADG和AGE之间的遗传相关、表型相关分别为-0.993、-0.998,均呈现较强的负相关。长白、大白猪的生长性状（AGE、ADG、BF）均属于中等遗传力性状,其出生年份、出生季节、初生重和开测日龄对猪的生长性状影响较大。在遗传参数估计分析时,提高样本数量并提升表型数据质量,可以增加遗传参数估计的可靠性。本研究中的生长性状遗传参数估计结果较为可靠,可为后续的遗传改良提供参考。     

猪C1QTNF3基因可变剪接体的鉴定及介导miR-101调控成脂分化的研究

旨在研究猪C1QTNF3基因可变剪接体的特性及miR-101通过C1QTNF3基因促进猪脂肪SV细胞成脂分化的机制。本研究采集3头30日龄健康马身猪仔公猪心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、股二头肌、腰大肌、皮下脂肪和背部脂肪组织样品,首先利用RT-PCR技术和生物信息学方法对C1QTNF3基因的不同转录本进行扩增和生物学特性分析,采用qRT-PCR技术检测C1QTNF3基因不同转录本在猪组织中的表达变化。随后,利用生物信息学预测发现,C1QTNF3上游的调控因子是miR-101,采用双荧光素酶报告试验验证miR-101对C1QTNF3的调控作用。最后,利用油红O染色和qRT-PCR技术检测过表达miR-101对猪脂肪SV细胞成脂分化的影响。基因克隆得到猪C1QTNF3存在两个转录本C1QTNF3和C1QTNF3-1,其中C1QTNF3-1为新鉴定的转录本;测序分析显示,与C1QTNF3相比,C1QTNF3-1的第1外显子区域缺失了219个碱基,少编码73个氨基酸。进化树分析显示,猪C1QTNF3和C1QTNF3-1蛋白序列与人和马来亚穿山甲等物种的亲缘关系较近。C1QTNF3和C1QTNF3-1在猪各组织中均有表达,且在各组织中C1QTNF3-1的表达量均极显著高于C1QTNF3（P<0.01）。过表达miR-101极显著下调C1QTNF3 3'UTR区域的荧光素酶活性（P<0.01）和C1QTNF3 mRNA的表达（P<0.01）,同时增加了脂肪细胞成脂分化关键基因PPARγ、C/EBPβ、SREBP-1c和FABP4的mRNA表达量（P<0.01）。本试验成功克隆了猪C1QTNF3基因的两个可变剪接体,其中C1QTNF3-1在猪不同组织中均高表达,推测该转录本为基因发挥功能的主要亚型。并深入研究了C1QTNF3基因的上游调控因子,揭示了miR-101靶向C1QTNF3促进成脂分化的机制,丰富了C1QTNF3的生物学作用和调控网络。     

皱皮香猪HAS2基因SNPs的鉴定及生物信息学分析

为了探究皱皮香猪全身性皮肤褶皱是否与透明质酸合成酶2（hyaluronan synthase 2,HAS2）基因变异有关,本研究以普通香猪为对照,采用特异性PCR方法克隆HAS2基因的外显子编码区,应用生物信息学方法分析测定基因编码区的碱基变异,检测变异位点在群体中的分布频率。结果显示,皱皮香猪HAS2基因中检测到4个SNPs位点：位于外显子1的T221A错义突变（导致亮氨酸替换为赖氨酸）和A228G同义突变,位于外显子2的T183C和外显子4的C537T同义突变。生物信息学分析发现,T221A和A228G位点构成4种单倍型,其中T-A为皱皮香猪群体的主要单倍型（27.5%）,且在皱皮香猪群体中紧密连锁（r²=0.253）,而且T221A和A228G突变可引起mRNA自由能和蛋白质结构发生变化,TA组合的自由能为-573.29 kJ·mol^-1,TG组合的自由能为-580.89 kJ·mol^-1,AG组合的自由能为-572.66 kJ·mol^-1;AA组合的自由能为-571.03 kJ·mol^-1;蛋白序列中亮氨酸替换为赖氨酸后,α螺旋由35.52%降为32.97%,自由卷曲由43.17%升至44.51%,同时引起蛋白序列三级结构的改变。位点T221A和A228G在香猪群体中呈现出丰富的多态性,均表现出3种基因型;关联分析结果显示,皱皮香猪T221A位点的A等位基因频率显著高于普通香猪（P<0.05）,A228G位点中皱皮香猪的G等位基因频率极显著高于普通香猪（P<0.01）。T183C位点的C等位基因频率和C537T位点的T等位基因频率在皱皮香猪和普通香猪间未达到显著性差异（P>0.05）。研究结果揭示,HAS2基因的外显子1中发生的两个碱基变异可能影响基因转录后mRNA的稳定性以及蛋白的三维结构,影响HA的合成量,并与皱皮香猪体侧皮肤不均匀增厚且发生褶皱有关。     

中兽医药技术是猪只康养最佳供给体系

在我国养猪业面临产品安全和环境污染两大瓶颈的情势下,如何使所生产的猪肉食用卫生,所排粪污环境安全,纯天然、无污染、广效低毒、绿色环保的中兽医药学为破解这两大瓶颈提供了技术支撑。充分发挥我国传统的中兽医药技术的特色和优势,构建以中兽医药为主体的猪只康养技术供给体系,旨在集生产管理"适其天性"、所喂药料"无污染"、治疗药物"纯天然"、预防措施治"未病"、治疗方法"和谐调节"和四季保健"药饲同源"于一体的技术供给体系,从源头上破解这两大难题,从而实现猪只康养,环境安全,猪肉安康,凸显出中兽医药是猪只康养的最佳供给体系。     

Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

绿肥影响农田土传病害的研究进展

土传病害是制约我国农业可持续发展的因素之一。绿肥作为高效清洁的有机肥源,与主作物合理搭配,可有效降低主作物土传病害的发生和危害,是减少化学药剂使用的重要措施。因此,综述绿肥对土传病害的防控效果与机制,对于绿肥推广应用和土传病害绿色防控具有重要意义。绿肥影响作物土传病害的研究主要集中于土传真菌病害和线虫病害,且大多数研究表明,绿肥可通过增强主作物整体抗病水平,对病原菌的化感抑制作用和改善土壤理化性质,增加土壤微生物中拮抗菌多样性和丰富度等,显著降低主作物土传病害发病率和严重程度。然而,绿肥影响主作物病害的作用机制研究不够深入,绿肥-主作物搭配模式和绿肥调控主作物病害的社会经济学效益仍需探究。同时,加强绿肥-主作物病害一体化防控及绿肥与根际促生菌、生防菌等其他有机改良剂或与适当的化学防控措施之间协同作用的研究,是未来需要加强的研究方向。