Three SNPs within exons of INHA and ACVR2B genes are significantly associated with litter size in Dazu black goats

The aim of this study was to analyse the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within INHA and ACVR2B and litter size in Dazu black goats. In total, twenty-two SNPs were genotyped in 190 individuals by SNaPshot and resequencing. The results showed that three SNPs (SNP_1, SNP_12 and SNP_13 in this study) were detected to have significant additive genetic effect on the recorded goat litter size (p < .05). The SNP_1 (NC_030809.1), a non-synonymous substitution of G for T at chr2-g. 28314990 in the exon 2 of INHA gene (NM_001285606.1), resulted in homozygote 2 (HOM2) contributed 0.25 and heterozygote (HET) contributed 0.12 larger litter than homozygote 1 (HOM1). Meanwhile, SNP_12 (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T) and SNP_13 (Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) (NC_030829.1) simultaneously mutated at the first and third position of a triplet AAA (lysine, K) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene (XM_018066623.1) had estimated genetic effects of HOM1 (0.00) and HOM2 (0.03) larger than HET (−0.12). In conclusion, one SNPs (chr2-g. 28314990 T > G) within the exon 2 of INHA and two SNPs (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T and Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) i n the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene were highly recommended as candidate markers of litter size in Dazu black goats. A large-scale association study to assess the impact of these variants on litter size is still necessary.     

Seasonal Losses of Surface Litter in Northern Great Plains Mixed-Grass Prairies

Surface litter protects rangeland soils against wind and water erosion and provides food and nesting materials for wildlife and insects. However, the ability of grassland systems to provide these services depends on the little studied topic of seasonal surface litter decomposition. Seasonal and annual surface litter decomposition rates were determined between 2014 and 2015 in central and western South Dakota at three mixed-grass prairie locations. Residue bags containing surface litter were placed in the field in late fall (1 November) of 2014 and removed after the winter (1 April), spring (1 July), and summer + fall seasons (1 November) of 2015. The litter was analyzed for total C, total N, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Average winter temperatures ranged from −5^oC to −15^oC, while summer temperatures ranged from 10^oC to 35^oC. Litter decomposition was lowest during the winter (0.57−0.86 g [kg × day]⁻¹) and greatest during the summer + fall (2.12−2.69 g [kg × day]⁻¹). Over the entire season, 40.8−62% of the surface litter decomposed. Winter litter decomposition was positively correlated with air temperature (r = 0.62, P < 0.01) and snow depth (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with C/N ratio (r = −0.65, P < 0.01), ADF (r = −0.35, P < 0.05), and ADL (r = −0.25, P < 0.05) concentrations. These findings indicate that winter decomposition cannot be ignored and that winter surface litter decomposition increases with snow depth.     

猪血浆转铁蛋白与部分经济性状关系的研究——Ⅰ. 多态性与产仔数和日增重的关系

用经改进的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳铁染法,测定了二花脸猪血浆转铁蛋白多态类型,分析了其基因型频率和基因频率,并探讨了猪血浆转铁蛋白多态性与产仔性能和增重速度的相关性。     

羊草草原枯枝落叶中能量特征 分析

在草原生态系统中，以枯枝落叶为主体的能量的输入，积累和释放，是能量流动的主要环节。每年因植物的枯死，转移到枯枝落叶的能量为３９４９．６７９ＫＪ．ｍ６２．ａ，其季节变化呈指数形式。现存枯枝落叶中贮存的能量为３４２４．１０ＫＪ．ｍ＾２，经１年分解后，残留在枯枝落叶的能量为２２８２．４３ＫＪ．ｍ＾２，释放出的能量为１１４１．６０ＫＪ．ｍ＾２，能量释放的季节动态呈Ｓ型曲线。     

A review of factors influencing litter size in Irish sows

Many factors influence litter size. These include genetics, gilt management, lactation length, parity distribution, disease, stress and boar fertility. In the past 20 years, litter size in Irish sows has increased by only one pig. Born alive figures now average at 11.2 pigs per litter. In this regard, Ireland is falling behind our European competitors who have made significant advances over this time. Denmark, for example, has an average figure of 12.7 pigs born alive per litter and France an average of 12.5. The single area that could be improved immediately is sow feeding. It is important that sows are fed correctly throughout pregnancy. If over-fed during pregnancy, sows will have depressed appetite during lactation. If underfed in pregnancy, sows will be too thin at farrowing. The correct way to feed a pregnant sow is to match her feed allocation to her requirement for maintenance, body growth and growth of her developing foetuses. During lactation, sows should be given as much feed as they can eat to prevent excessive loss of body condition. Liquid-feed curves should be such that lactating sows are provided with a minimum mean daily feed supply of 6.2 kg. A small proportion of sows will eat more and this could be given as supplementary dry feed. Where dry feeding is practised in the farrowing house, it is difficult to hand-feed sows to match their appetite. Ideally ad libitum wet/dry feeders should be used. From weaning to service, sows should once again be fed ad libitum. If liquid feeding, this means giving at least 60 MJ DE (digestible energy) per day during this period. If dry feeding, at least 4 kg of lactation diet should be fed daily. The effort spent perfecting sow feeding management on units should yield high dividends in the form of increased pigs born alive per litter.     

降水、氮沉降及放牧对草地生态系统凋落物分解的影响研究进展

草地生态系统对我国建设生态文明、提供生态系统服务、保障食品安全和维护边疆稳定有举足轻重的作用。全球气候变化和过度的人为干扰打破了草地生态系统原有的平衡及稳定性,造成草地退化、沙化和盐渍化现象严重。草地生态系统结构、功能与过程的稳定是保证草地生态系统稳定的基础。凋落物分解过程是草地物质循环的重要环节,对维持草地生态系统稳定性具有重要作用。草地生态系统凋落物分解对降水格局变化、大气氮沉降增加及放牧干扰的响应已有较多的研究。对目前国内外相关研究进行了梳理和总结,发现降水、氮沉降和放牧对草地生态系统凋落物分解的影响,因地理位置和气候变化以及草地类型的异质性而不同,也有针对同一地区开展的研究呈现不同结果的现象。目前对这三种干扰因素中的两因素或三因素交互作用对草地生态系统凋落物分解过程的影响研究较少,而研究气候变化及人为干扰对草地生态系统凋落物的影响对正确理解草地生态系统结构与功能,以及可持续利用与保护草地生态系统具有重要的意义。