Responses in carcass lean pH at 24 hours post-mortem in lines of Large White pigs selected for growth rate on a fixed ration over a set time

A restricted maximum likelihood analysis applied to an animal model showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in pH value of the longissimus dorsi measured at 24 h post-mortem (pH24) between high and low lines of Large White pigs selected over 4 years for post-weaning growth rate on restricted feeding. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between pH24 and production and carcass traits were estimated using all performance testing records combined with the pH24 measurements (5.05–7.02) on slaughtered animals. The estimate of heritability for pH24 was moderate (0.29 ± 0.18). Genetic correlations between pH24 and production or carcass composition traits, except for ultrasonic backfat (UBF), were not significantly different from zero. UBF had a moderate, positive genetic correlation with pH24 (0.24 ± 0.33). These estimates of genetic correlations affirmed that selection for increased growth rate on restricted feeding is likely to result in limited changes in pH24 and pork quality since the selection does not put a high emphasis on reduced fatness.     

Effects of Different Forced Molting Methods on Postmolt Production,Corticosterone Level,and Immune Response to Sheep Red Blood Cells in Laying Hens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different molting methods on postmolt production, plasma corticosterone levels, and antibody production to SRBC for the welfare of laying hens. This experiment was conducted with 120 IGH-type Brown laying hens (70 wk of age), randomly divided into 3 experimental groups. The hens in one group were fed a whole-grain barley diet during the first 10 d (WB diet). On d 11, hens consumed 100 g of layer diet/d until d 28. In the second group, hens were fed a Zn diet containing 10,000 mg/kg of Zn as ZnO for 10 d (Zn diet). Hens were then provided 100 g of a layer diet from d 11 to 28. In the third group, feed was withdrawn for 10 d, and on d 11 hens were fed a cracked corn diet ad libitum until d 28 (California method; CAL diet). Hens in all groups were returned to the layer diet ad libitum on d 29. Egg weight was lower in the Zn treatment than in the other treatments. Feed intake and plasma corticosterone levels were higher and antibody production was lower in the CAL treatment than in the WB and Zn groups. The FCR was better in the WB than in the Zn group. Mortality, egg production, and egg quality were not significantly different among the molting methods. As a result, the WB molting program was the best method for postmolt production among the programs examined.     

Prediction of response to marker-assisted and genomic selection using selection index theory

Selection index methods can be used for deterministic assessment of the potential benefit of including marker information in genetic improvement programmes using marker-assisted selection (MAS). By specifying estimates of breeding values derived from marker information (M-EBV) as a correlated trait with heritability equal to 1, it was demonstrated that marker information can be incorporated in standard software for selection index predictions of response and rates of inbreeding, which requires specifying phenotypic traits and their genetic parameters. Path coefficient methods were used to derive genetic and phenotypic correlations between M-EBV and the phenotypic data. Methods were extended to multi-trait selection and to the case when M-EBV are based on high-density marker genotype data, as in genomic selection. Methods were applied to several example scenarios, which confirmed previous results that MAS substantially increases response to selection but also demonstrated that MAS can result in substantial reductions in the rates of inbreeding. Although further validation by stochastic simulation is required, the developed methodology provides an easy means of deterministically evaluating the potential benefits of MAS and to optimize selection strategies with availability of marker data.     

Effect of 12-hour road transportation on physiological, immunological and haematological parameters in bulls housed at different space allowances

The effects of transporting Holstein Friesian bulls (n=72; bodyweight 403+/-3.5 kg) for 12h by road were examined. Adrenal, haematological and immune responses, body temperature and performance were recorded. The animals had been previously housed for 96 days at three space allowances (1.2, 2.7 or 4.2m(2) per bull). The bulls were allocated to one of two treatments: T (transport for 12h; n=16 per space allowance) and C (control; n=8 per space allowance). Basal cortisol plasma concentrations and interferon (IFN)-gamma production from cultured lymphocytes did not show any statistically significant difference (P>0.05) following the housing period. Removing bulls from their home pens and walking them to the pre-loading crush facility, loading onto the transporter, and unloading following the 12h road journey, significantly (P<0.001) increased plasma cortisol concentration. The bulls housed at 4.2m(2) had greater (P<0.05) plasma cortisol concentrations than bulls housed at 1.2m(2) at loading, unloading, or on return to the crush holding facility; those housed at 1.2m(2) had greater (P<0.05) plasma cortisol concentrations than bulls housed at 2.7 and 4.2m(2) in their home pens after transport. There was an increased (P<0.05) plasma cortisol response in the T than in the C bulls following adrenocorticotrophic hormone administration. Transport significantly reduced (P<0.05) IFN-gamma production, lymphocyte % and body weight and significantly increased (P<0.05) neutrophils, eosinophils, packed cell volume, red blood cell numbers and haemoglobin. In conclusion, housing bulls for 96 days in a range of space allowances did not affect basal cortisol response or immune function parameters. Whereas transport increased plasma cortisol and reduced the immune response in the short-term, the changes were transient and within normal physiological ranges, suggesting that 12h road transport had no adverse effect on welfare status over the longer term. Furthermore, transport of bulls housed at increased space allowance (4.2m(2)/bull) resulted in a greater plasma cortisol response, albeit still within normal physiological range.     

狗牙根种质对冷害的生理反应

对采自佛山市的3个狗牙根材料(狗牙根1号,3号和5号)及杂交狗牙根品种天堂419的抗寒性进行了比较研究,发现田间种植的狗牙根材料在受到2004年12月的寒潮袭击后,相对电导率升高,其中天堂419的升高幅度最大,而狗牙根1号和5号的升高幅度较小;天堂419的光合速率降低最多,而狗牙根5号的光合速率仅轻微降低;叶片的可溶性糖含量均提高,狗牙根5号的根系可溶性糖含量升高,但其他材料的可溶性糖含量降低。在韶光地区霜冻条件下的试验结果表明,狗牙根5号的草坪质量评分最高,绿期最长,表明狗牙根5号的抗寒性较强。     

3个棘孢木霉菌株对山新杨组培移栽苗生长和光合特性的影响

为了收集具有促进林木生长作用的棘孢木霉(Trichoderma asperellum)功能菌株,本研究采用盆栽方法,以1年龄山新杨(Populus davidiana×P.albavar.pyramidalis)组培移栽苗为试材,分析了根施5×10~3 cfu·cm~(-3)土的3个棘孢木霉菌株Ta492、Ta536和Ta4分生孢子对山新杨幼苗生长状况、叶绿素含量、光合日变化及光响应曲线特征参数的影响。结果发现,经3个棘孢木霉菌株诱导后,杨树苗苗高、地径及生物量均不同程度地高于对照组(CK);杨树苗叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b在多数时间点均显著高于CK(P0.05),为光合速率的提高奠定了物质基础。同时,试验组杨树苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)的日变化均高于CK,但变化趋势均与CK相同;并且,最大净光合速率(P_(n max))、光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(AQY)等光响应曲线特征参数也在不同程度上高于CK。说明这3个棘孢木霉菌株均能有效提高山新杨的光合能力,促进其生长。并且,Ta536菌株对山新杨幼苗的诱导效果最好。     

不同生境种源盐地碱蓬幼苗生长发育对盐分胁迫的响应和适应

为探讨盐地碱蓬适应不同生境的生理机制,研究了不同盐分处理(0,200和400 mmol/L的NaCl;0,200和400 mmol/L的KCl)对盐碱地和潮间带两种种源盐地碱蓬的生长发育、植株离子积累、叶片光合荧光指标和植株抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,200 mmol/L的NaCl处理使盐地碱蓬的地上部鲜重、干重、肉质化程度显著增加,400 mmol/L的NaCl处理和两种浓度的KCl处理使盐地碱蓬的鲜重、干重、肉质化程度显著降低。不同浓度的NaCl处理使盐地碱蓬地上部Na⁺和Cl^-含量显著增加,K⁺含量显著降低;不同浓度的KCl处理使盐地碱蓬地上部K⁺和Cl^-含量显著增加,Na⁺含量显著降低。200 mmol/L的NaCl处理对碱蓬叶片的净光合速率、光合放氧速率、F_v/F_m值和φPSⅡ值无明显影响,而KCl处理则使碱蓬叶片各光合荧光参数显著降低。低浓度(200 mmol/L)NaCl处理使碱蓬SOD活性显著增加,但高浓度(400 mmol/L)NaCl处理和两种浓度的KCl处理均使碱蓬SOD活性显著降低。两种离子的不同浓度处理均使碱蓬POD活性显著增加。潮间带种源盐地碱蓬的地上部鲜重、干重、肉质化程度、光合荧光参数、地上部离子含量(Na⁺和Cl^-)均显著低于盐碱地生境。钾盐对盐地碱蓬的胁迫效应显著大于钠盐。盐碱地生境种源盐地碱蓬对盐分胁迫的响应显著高于潮间带。     

Inflammatory Response of Healthy Horses Subjected to Small Colon Enterotomy and Treated or Not With Heparin

The acute phase response is a response to injury and depends on the severity of the trauma. Heparin is routinely used for postsurgical treatment of horses to prevent abdominal adhesions; however, its effect on inflammation is unknown. This study aimed to assess systemic inflammatory response of horses subjected to small colon enterotomy and to evaluate heparin effects on postsurgical inflammation. Ten adult horses were subjected to small colon enterotomy and were assigned to a control or a treatment group. Both groups received prophylactic antibiotics and flunixin, and the treatment group received 150 IU/kg heparin subcutaneously after surgery and every 12 hours for five days. WBC counts, peritoneal fluid evaluation, determination of serum and peritoneal haptoglobin (Hp), and serum amyloid A (SAA) were performed before, 12 hours, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 14 days after enterotomy. Forty-eight hours after surgery, a significant increase in serum Hp was observed in the control group, and SAA concentrations increased significantly in the both groups between 24 hours, 48 hours, and 4 days after surgery. The SAA and serum Hp concentrations produced no significant differences between the groups. Peritoneal Hp increased significantly in the control group 4 days after surgery and was significantly higher in the control group than in the treated group 14 days after surgery. Serum Hp and SAA identified the acute phase response changes faster, however, were not able to identify differences between groups. Peritoneal Hp concentrations identified inflammatory differences between the groups 14 days after surgery; the difference suggests that heparin may act decreasing inflammation.     

内质网应激偶联炎性反应研究进展

内质网是真核细胞蛋白合成和折叠的主要细胞器,当内质网内蛋白合成或折叠负担增加,引起未折叠或错误折叠蛋白增多时,可激活内质网几条特定信号通路,启动未折叠蛋白反应,这对维持细胞稳态有重要意义。越来越多研究表明,多种炎性反应疾病与内质网应激有密切联系。一方面,内质网应激引起的未折叠蛋白反应可以诱发或者抑制炎症,另一方面,炎性反应也能影响蛋白折叠,从而促进或缓解内质网应激。2型糖尿病、肿瘤和动脉粥样硬化等多种重大疾病的病理机制都涉及内质网应激与炎性反应的相互作用,对该问题的深入研究不仅能加深人们对这些疾病发病机制的理解,也有助于相关药物的研发。     

粗粮型羊乳奶泡加工工艺的响应面优化

以羊乳、玉米面为主要原料,以产品的感官评分和硬度为响应值,利用响应面分析法对粗粮型羊乳奶泡的加工工艺进行优化。结果表明：最佳工艺参数为：玉米面与羊乳比例（m/V）0.435∶1、木糖醇与蔗糖比例（m/m）约0.712∶1、蔗糖酯（以质量分数计,下同）0.18%、β-环状糊精2.8%,柠檬酸0.0958%、明胶1.994%。研制出的产品不仅外观光滑、色泽均匀、口感清凉且甜度适中、兼有羊乳和玉米面的特有香味,感官分值达95.48分,硬度为371.95 g,适合于绝大部分人群,产品中的营养物质和保健成分也得以最大程度保留。