Kid depletion in mouse oocytes associated with multinucleated blastomere formation and inferior embryo development

This study investigated the knockdown (KD) of Kid on maturation developmental competence and multinucleation of mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes after parthenogenetic activation. Data revealed that Kid messenger RNA (mRNA) was expressed in GV and MII stage oocyte and 1‐ and 2‐cell embryos. Additionally, Kid mRNA expression in the Kid KD group decreased by nearly 46% compared to the control small interfering RNA (siRNA) groups. The rate of multinucleated embryos in the Kid KD group (52.4%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control siRNA group (4.7%). Finally, the developmental rates were significantly lower in the Kid siRNA group at > 4‐cell stage (28.6% vs. 53.5%) and the blastocyst stage (2.4% vs. 23.3%) compared to the control siRNA groups. Suppression of Kid using siRNA caused multinucleation in early embryos with high frequency and it may increase 2‐ to 4‐cell arrested embryos and reduce the developmental competence to blastocyst.     

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on the Extracting Activity of Kid Rennet

Using 2-3 weeks kid abomasums as materials, the ultrasound intensity, extracting time, NaC1 concentration and pH value in extracting solution and ratio of abomasums to extracting solution were studied by ultrasonic method. The results showed that the main factor affecting kid rennet activity during extraction was ultrasound intensity, and then NaC1concentration, extracting time and ratio of abomasums to extracting solution in order. Kid rennet activity reached peak with ultrasound intensity 30 W cm-2, extraction time 40 min, NaC1 concentration 8%, pH value 3.0, ratio of abomasums to extracting solution 1:15.     

羔羊皱胃酶凝乳特性的研究

对羔羊皱胃酶的凝乳特性进行了研究。结果表明，皱胃酶的最适作用温度为50℃，低于40℃酶稳定性较好，60℃处理10rain，酶活完全丧失。在乳pH5．5～7．5之间，随乳pH的增大而降低，当pH达到7．5时酶活近乎完全丧失；酶液在pH2．0～7．0之间处理20h后，酶活还保持稳定。AP^3＋，Ca^2＋和Na^＋对皱胃酶有较强的促凝乳作用，K^＋，Mg^2＋，Mn^2＋，Fe^3＋无较明显的促进和抑制凝乳作用，而Cu^2＋和Zn^2＋有明显的抑制酶活的作用。并研究了底物浓度对酶活的影响，得出羔羊皱胃酶催化反应的米氏常数Km为1．893g／L。     

超声处理对羔羊皱胃酶比活的影响

以2周龄羔羊皱胃为原料,研究了超声强度、超声提取时间、食盐浓度以及皱胃黏膜与提取液的比率(W/V)对羔羊皱胃酶比活的影响,并进行验证试验。结果表明,此4因素对羔羊皱胃酶的比活均有极显著的影响,超声强度和皱胃黏膜与提取液比率、提取时间和皱胃黏膜与提取液比率间还存有交互作用,且对酶比活也有显著的影响。超声提取羔羊皱胃酶的最优条件为:超声强度38 W/cm2下处理25 min,提取液浓度14%,皱胃与提取液比率1∶30,预测出提取羔羊皱胃酶的比活最高可达267.320 SU/mg,与试验值无显著差异。     

Relationships between the contents of vaccenic acid, CLA and n − 3 fatty acids of goat milk and the muscle of their suckling kids

The relationship between goat milk fatty acid composition, especially trans-11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid, VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n − 3 fatty acids, and that of the meat from their suckling kids was investigated by feeding the dams a diet supplemented with whole cottonseed (COT) or extruded linseed (LIN). Fifteen Sarda goats, fed 1.2 kg/day per head of concentrate and hay ad libitum, were divided into two groups and supplemented during weeks 4 and 5 post-partum with 32 g/day per head of fat from LIN and COT, which have high C18:3 and C18:2 content, respectively. Fifteen kids were fed exclusively by suckling maternal milk until slaughtering (at 9–10 kg of body weight and approximately 6 weeks of age). Twenty-four hour after slaughter, the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was removed from each carcass. Fatty acid profiles of milk and LD were significantly affected by diets. Compared to COT, feeding LIN changed the milk fatty acid profiles by decreasing the proportion of C16:0 and increasing the contents of VA, C18:3 n − 3 (linolenic acid) and total CLA, including cis-9, trans-11-, trans-11, cis-13-, trans-11, trans-13- and trans, trans isomers. The concentrations of VA, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 (rumenic acid, RA) and linolenic acid in milk and those in kid muscle were strongly correlated. The fatty acid profile of meat from suckling kids was effectively modified by manipulating the diet of the dams.     

The impact of free-roaming dogs on gazelle kid/female ratio in a fragmented area

One of the consequences of fragmentation is a combination of increased proximity to human dominated areas and an influx of free-roaming dogs. In fragmented habitats those dogs are expected to have a considerable impact on ungulate populations since conditions are, in effect, similar to alien species on islands. We studied the impact of free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) on the kid/mother ratio of mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella gazella) in an isolated area heavily disturbed by human activity. We used the kid/female ratio as an index of recruitment in the gazelle populations and evaluated the impacts of dog presence, intensity of human disturbance, and forage and cover availability on this ratio over space and time. Data were collected from direct observations. Overall, kid/female ratio in the area is too low for population growth; a finding that is in agreement with drive counts indicating a consistent decline over the past four years (1998-2001). Our results show that free-roaming dogs were the overwhelming factor affecting kid/female ratio in this area. Gazelles responded positively and quickly to dog culling. Thus, free-roaming dogs appear to be a considerable threat to the gazelle population in the study area. Removal of those dogs on a regular basis is an adequate short-term management protocol for increasing gazelle recruitment rate. However, a permanent solution would require reducing the number of dogs by limiting human waste disposal. These results suggest that, in addition to the loss of habitat and connectivity, free-roaming dogs can be a major threat to native ungulates in human dominated fragmented landscapes.     

Effect of doe milking and supplementation using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichrostachys cinerea</Emphasis> pods on kid and doe performance in grazing goats during the dry season

Effects of supplementation and milking of Matebele does four weeks pre-partum to weaning, on milk yield, kid birth weight and growth rate were studied. Forty does were divided into four treatments: supplemented and milked (SM), supplemented and not milked (SNM), not supplemented and milked (NSM); and not supplemented and not milked (NSNM). Supplemented goats were given 200 g/doe/day of Dichrostachys cinerea pods containing 19% CP. The study was carried out in September during time of feed unavailability and animals were grazed on rangelands for seven hours before being given the supplement. Fifty-six kids were born from all the experimental animals and 24 were singles whereas 32 were twins. Milk yield was higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented than non-supplemented does. Although supplementation had no effect on kid birth weights, growth rates were higher (P < 0.05) in the SNM group (103 ± 10.1 g/day) than in the SM group (74 ± 10.8 g/day). Among the non-supplemented groups, kids from milked does had higher (P < 0.05) daily gains (85 ± 10.9 g/day) than those from non-milked does (67 ± 10.7 g/day). Weaning weights were higher (P < 0.05) in SNM does (12.8 ± 1.30 g/day) than in the SM does (10.2 ± 1.17 g/day). Among kids from the non-supplemented does, those from milked does had superior (P < 0.05) weaning weights (11.2 ± 1.23 g/day) than those from non - milked does (9.2 ± 1.27 g/day). Mortalities were also lowest in kids born from SNM does. It is concluded that pre-partum to weaning supplementation generally increases milk production which then increases kids growth rates and weaning weights, as well as reduce kid mortalities.     

超声处理对羔羊皱胃酶提取活性的影响

 以2～3周龄羔羊皱胃为原料，利用超声提取法研究了超声强度，提取时间，提取液NaCl浓度，皱胃与提取液比例以及提取液pH对羔羊皱胃酶（kid rennet）提取活性的影响。结果表明，超声强度是影响羔羊皱胃酶提取活性的主要因素，其次为NaCl浓度，提取时间和皱胃与提取液比例。在超声强度为30 W·cm-2下提取40 min，提取液NaCl浓度为8%，pH为3，皱胃与提取液比例为1∶15时，羔羊皱胃酶提取活性最高。     

Analysis of size and conformation of native Creole goat breeds and crossbreds used in smallholder agrosilvopastoral systems in Puebla,Mexico

Liveweight (LW) of does and bucks of the native Creole goat breed and crosses of Creole does and Nubian bucks, aged 1.5–5 years, were recorded and body traits including: head length (HL), head width (HW), body length (BL), trunk length (TL), chest girth (CG), abdominal perimeter (AP), rump length (RL), and height at withers (HW) were measured to develop equations for predicting LW from the body measurements. Weight, sex, breed and kidding date of 354 kids were recorded at birth, and LW of the kids was measured monthly for one year to determine the effect of kidding season on growth rate. Bucks had higher (p < 0.05) body measurements than the does (HL 15.1 ± 0.1 vs 16.6 ± 0.2 cm; BL 97.6 ± 0.4 vs 104.6 ± 1.2 cm; CG 78.8 ± 0.4 vs 79.9 ± 1.0 cm; AP 82.4 ± 0.5 vs 87.2 ± 1.1 cm; HW 62.7 ± 0.4 vs 70.1 ± 0.8 cm). With the exception of TL, F₂ does had higher (p < 0.05) body measurements and LW (28.8 ± 1.5 vs 27.7 ± 0.5 kg) than Creole does. The body traits of the F₁ does were similar (p > 0.05) to those of Creole does with the exception of HL, BL and HR. The F₂ kids were heavier (p < 0.05) at birth (3.31 ± 0.1 vs 2.60 ± 0.1 kg) and grew faster than the Creole kids. Male kids were heavier (p < 0.05) at birth (3.21 ± 0.10 vs 2.73 ± 0.13 kg), and grew faster than female kids. Season had a significant effect on birth weight. The results showed that LW of Creole goats and Creole × Nubian does could be estimated in the field using body traits. Birth weight and growth rate of kids could be improved by management practices that affect season of kidding.