Effects of music stimulus on behavior response,cortisol level,and horizontal immunity of growing pigs

An enriched environment is widely used to improve domestic animals’ welfare and promote their natural behaviors. Music can reduce abnormal behavior in humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents. However, little is known about the effects of music on pigs. This study aims to explore the effects of repeated music stimulation on the behavior, physiology, and immunity of growing pigs. A total of 72 hybrid piglets (Large White × Duroc × Minpig) were randomly divided into three groups, including music (Mozart K.448, 60 to 70 dB), noise (recorded mechanical noise, 80 to 85 dB), and control (natural background sound, <40 dB), and 6 h sound stimulation was given per day (1000 to 1600 hours) from 40 to 100 d of age. The behavioral activities of the pigs were observed during the music stimulation, and their serum cortisol, salivary cortisol, and serum immune indices were also measured. Compared with the control group, the music group and noise group increased activity but decreased lying of pigs (P < 0.05). A significant increase in tail-wagging, playing, and exploring behaviors of pigs was found in the music group (P < 0.05), and the noise significantly increased the aggressive behavior of the pigs (P < 0.05). Tail-wagging, playing, exploring, manipulating, and aggressive behaviors decreased over time. Short-term (8 d) music stimulus had a lower cortisol level than that of the noise and control groups (P < 0.05), whereas long-term (60 d) music stimulus increased immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels (P < 0.05) and decreased interleukin-4 (IL-4) level (P < 0.05). Long-term noise stimulus significantly reduced the level of IgG (P < 0.05) but did not affect the level of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, short-term music stimulus (8 d) reduced the stress response, whereas long-term music stimulus (60 d) enhanced the immune responses. In addition, the noise increased the aggressive behavior, and long-term noise reduced the immunity of the growing pigs.     

Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

利用SOM聚类分析及主成分分析方法鉴定小麦品种萌发期耐盐性

为了研究不同小麦品种萌发期的耐盐性,为小麦萌发期耐盐性鉴定提供快速、准确的鉴定方法和理论依据。本研究以40个冬小麦品种为试验材料,通过主成分分析法(PCA)与神经网络自组织映射(SOM)聚类分析法,研究盐胁迫对40个小麦品种萌发期各项形态指标的影响。主成分分析法结果表明,发芽势、发芽率、最长根长、第一片叶长及胚芽鞘长在PCA下载荷量最大;根据SOM聚类分析结果,‘德抗961’等4个小麦品种属于高度耐盐品种,‘济麦22’等14个小麦品种属于耐盐性品种,‘济麦20’等16个品种属于中等耐盐性品种,‘鲁麦21’等6个小麦品种属于盐敏感性品种。发芽势、发芽率、最长根长、第一片叶长、胚芽鞘长能够作为萌发期小麦耐盐性筛选的主要评价指标,并且结合主成分、SOM聚类分析方法进行小麦萌发期耐盐性鉴定更为科学、方便。     

Seasonal Changes in the Milt Quality of Waigieu Seaperch,Psammoperca waigiensis: Implications for Artificial Propagation

Milt quality of Waigieu seaperch was sampled at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the spawning season to assess if the sampling season has an effect on milt quality parameters. The milt volume and total sperm production were higher at the middle of the spawning season while the sperm concentration in milt was significantly higher at the beginning and the end of the spawning season. Sperm morphology and the major parameters of seminal plasma (pH, total protein, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ concentrations) did not differ throughout the spawning season. The concentrations of Na⁺ and the osmolality increased throughout the spawning season. The percentage of motile cells did not differ during the spawning season while the duration of sperm motility (swimming duration) and velocity (swimming speed) were significantly different during the spawning season. The fertilization rate (75.7 ± 6.8%) and hatching rate (56.5 ± 3.1%) at the middle of the spawning season were higher than at the beginning and end periods. Results indicated that milt quality parameters and fertility success in the middle of the spawning season were higher compared to earlier and later sampling dates. Thus, we recommend collecting milt during this time for maximal fertilization and hatching success.     

芫花萜药膜中止早,中孕412例效果分析

芫花萜膜终止早中孕４１２例临床观察的结果表明，对孕１２～１６周的流产成功率为９０．８％，给药至排胎平均时间为２３．４６±１０．３２小时，产时、产后失血平均分别为７１．８７±３３．５６ｍｌ和４５．１７±２０．５８ｍｌ。整个流产过程宫缩缓和，极少强直性宫缩，节律良好，痛苦少，类似正常分娩过程，可作为终止１２～１６周妊娠可供选择的一种有效方法。     

饥饿、季节及性别对大鲵肌肉、肝脏生化成分的影响

季节会影响到大鲵肌肉的脂肪及钙的含量,肝脏的脂肪、钙及游离氨基酸的含量,饥饿对肌肉的酸化成分不产生影响,但饥饿程度的增加,会对肝脏脂肪无氮浸出物及游离氨基酸产生影响;繁殖前雌性大鲵的肌肉肝脏的肪肪含量均高于雄性的。     

仔猪初生重与产仔季节的相关性研究

实验以杜洛克×米猪杂交母猪为研究对象,采用大约克公猪配种,经2年研究分析了282窝3001头新生仔猪样本。结果表明:仔猪初生重呈现明显的季节性变化。春、夏、秋、冬出生仔猪的平均初生体重分别为1.101kg、1.049kg、1.152kg、1.163kg,其中春季和夏季分别显著低于秋季和冬季(P<0.05)。仔猪初生重的均匀度以春、冬季最佳。但供试母猪的妊娠期、产活仔数和初生窝重没有类似变化,提示仔猪初生重的这种季节性变化不是由这些因素所致,而很可能与不同季节的环境温度、光照周期以及动物的内分泌特点有关。子宫内生长阻滞(IUGR)的新生仔猪的比例在夏季为10.12%,显著高于秋季的4.83%(P<0.05),证明母猪妊娠后期的热应激会严重阻碍胚胎发育。     

烘烤变黄环境对烤后烟叶石油醚提取物及香吃味的影响

试验采用温湿度二因素回归最优设计,研究贵烟4号变黄阶段烘烤环境与烤后烟叶石油醚提取物含量及香吃味的关系,结果表明:在温度32℃~42℃、相对湿度75%~95%范围内,随着变黄温湿度的逐渐升高,烤后烟叶石油醚提取物含量及香吃味评吸得分均表现出先逐渐增加而后又下降的趋势;在控制变黄温度约37℃~38℃,相对湿度84%~90%即干湿差约1.5℃~2℃烤后烟叶石油醚提取物含量及香吃味评吸得分较高;分析结果还表明,烤后烟叶的石油醚提取物含量与香吃味评吸得分表现出较好的相关性。     

冷季型草坪草建植管理技术研究

采用正交设计进行施肥里、刈割高度、播量，草坪草品种4因素4水平试验，通过测定草坪草越冬率，越夏率，成坪时间，叶绿素，杂草盖度，生长度，初步筛选出不同目的冷季型草坪草的建植管理方案。     

环境温度和饲粮营养浓度对生长期母兔代谢能利用率的影响

选用6只9周龄新西兰母兔,评定环境温度和饲粮营养浓度对生长期母兔代谢能利用率的影响。试验在密闭式的小动物呼吸测热柜中进行。分别对处于环境温度为20±2℃和30±2℃,采食两种不同营养浓度的试兔进行测试。饲粮营养水平实测值,分别为12.22kJ ME/g和13.49kJ ME/g;粗蛋白质(CP)分别为17.3％和21.6％;中性洗涤纤维(NDF)分别为23.7％和16.5％。结果表明:环境温度影响试兔的能量平衡,它与采食量间存在着显著的相关。20±2℃时,相关系数r=0.798;30±2℃时,相关系数r=0.875。在本试验设计范围内,饲粮营养浓度并不影响代谢能食入量(ME_I),热增耗(HP)和能量平衡(EB)。当环境温度为20±2℃和30±2℃时,表观代谢能转化率(NE/ME)分别为51％和71％;每天每兔每千克代谢体重代谢能维持需要分别为396 kJ和361 kJ。试验结果认为:环境温度影响营养物质消化率(P相似文献