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Showing papers in "Animal Science Journal in 2012"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is indicated that high ambient temperature during summer increases both body temperature and oxidative stress, and also reduces signs of estrus in Japanese Black cows.
Abstract: This study investigated the effect of summer heat environment on estrous cycles and blood antioxidant levels in Japanese Black cows. A total of 13 non-lactating Japanese Black cows (summer: 9, winter: 4) were examined. Body temperature was measured rectally and intravaginally using a thermometer and data logger, respectively. Estrous behavior was monitored using a radiotelemetric pedometer that recorded walking activity. Rectal temperatures were higher during summer than winter (P<0.001). There was an acute increase in vaginal temperature at the onset of estrus during winter but such an increase was not observed during summer. Walking activity during estrus decreased dramatically in the summer compared to the winter. Duration of estrous cycle was longer in summer (23.4 days, P<0.05) than winter (21.5 days), and the subsequent rise in progesterone concentrations following estrus tended to be delayed in summer. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in peripheral blood cells was higher during summer (P<0.05), while the levels of superoixde dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione were lower (P<0.05). These results indicate that high ambient temperature during summer increases both body temperature and oxidative stress, and also reduces signs of estrus in Japanese Black cows.

75 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Min Zhang1, Xiaoting Zou1, Hui Li1, Xin-Yang Dong1, Wenjing Zhao1 
TL;DR: The results indicated that oral GABA improved laying performance and physical condition mainly by modulating hormone secretion, enhancing anti-oxidation and immune activity, and maintaining electrolyte balance.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on laying performance, egg quality, digestive enzyme activity, hormone level and immune activities in Roman hens under heat stress. Roman hens (320 days old) were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg GABA, respectively during a 60-day experiment. Compared with control, supplementation of 50 mg/kg GABA improved the laying performance and egg quality by significantly increasing egg production, average egg weight and shell strength (P < 0.05), while decreasing the feed-egg ratio and cholesterol level. Anti-oxidation activity was improved by significantly increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but decreasing malondialdehyde level in serum (P < 0.05), while significantly increasing the glucose and total protein (TP) level, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2) ), insulin, triiodothyronine (T(3) ) and free triiodothyronine (FT(3) ) levels, and IgG, IgA and complement (C3)activity in serum (P < 0.05). The results indicated that oral GABA improved laying performance and physical condition mainly by modulating hormone secretion, enhancing anti-oxidation and immune activity, and maintaining electrolyte balance. Fifty mg/kg was the optimum level for laying hens under heat stress in the present study.

61 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that, for various well-preserved silage preparations, the isolates may be useful in producing novel inoculants corresponding to their optimally climatic and ecological niches.
Abstract: Twenty-three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from three cultivars (Akiaoba, Nagahahikari and Tachiwase) of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage were precisely characterized by a combination of phenotypic tests, genotypic 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing and rapid PCR-based analyses, focusing on their useful phenotypes for silage preparation as inoculants. We successfully identified both at the species and subspecies levels: phenotypically novel Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, Lactobacillus sakei subsp. carnosus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum and Pediococcus parvulus. This is the first report to elucidate the presence of Lactobacillus coryniformis ssp. torquens and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum in Italian ryegrass silages. Physiological and biochemical tests revealed that phenotypic characteristics are different among the different strains of the same species and subspecies, and that the isolates show unique and diverse phenotypes related to fermentation factors, such as available carbohydrates, optimal growth pH and temperature. These results suggest that, for various well-preserved silage preparations, the isolates may be useful in producing novel inoculants corresponding to their optimally climatic and ecological niches.

48 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two lactic acid bacteria strains, Pediococcus pentosaceus SC1 and Lactobacillus paraplantarum SC2 isolated from king grass silage, were characterized and their effectiveness to improve the silage fermentation quality of stylo was studied.
Abstract: Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, Pediococcus pentosaceus SC1 and Lactobacillus paraplantarum SC2 isolated from king grass silage, were characterized and their effectiveness to improve the silage fermentation quality of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis Sw) was studied Strain SC1 was able to grow at a high temperature of 45°C, while SC2 did not SC2 normally grew at a low pH of 40, while SC1 could not These two strains and a commercial inoculant of LAB (L plantarum, LP) were used as additives to stylo silage preparation at various temperatures (20°C, 30°C and 40°C) All LAB inoculants significantly (P 005)

45 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Some isolates showed a wide range of growth preferences for carbohydrate utilization, optimal growth pH and temperature in vitro, indicating that they have a high growth potential.
Abstract: In order to understand the relationship between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species and silage fermentation, a total of 65 LAB strains isolated from mixed pasture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and its badly preserved silages were subjected to phenotypic and genetic analysis. According to these analyses, the isolates were divided into 13 groups, including Enterococcus gallinarum, Lactobacillus acidipiscis, L. coryniformis subsp. coryniformis, L. coryniformis subsp. torquens, L. curvatus, L. paraplantarum, L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis, L. plantarum subsp. plantarum, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, Lactococcus garvieae, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella hellenica, Weissella paramesenteroides and Carnobacterium divergens. This is the first report to document that C. divergens, L. acidipiscis, L. sakei subsp. carnosus, L. garvieae, phenotypically novel L. lactis subsp. cremoris, E. gallinarum and W. hellenica are present in vegetative forage crops. L. plantarum group strains were most frequently isolated from the badly preserved silages. Some isolates showed a wide range of growth preferences for carbohydrate utilization, optimal growth pH and temperature in vitro, indicating that they have a high growth potential. These results are useful in understanding the diversity of LAB associated with decayed silage of timothy and orchardgrass.

44 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicate that feeding FB in a lactation diet supported lactation performance similar to cows fed traditional SBM-based diet, and the results may elicit great interest for countries where soybean utilization is adversely influenced by high supply costs.
Abstract: Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were utilized in a completely randomized design to examine the effect of feeding field beans (FB, Vicia faba L. var. minor) as substitute for soybean meal (SBM) on lactation performance and metabolic response during the early lactation period. Cows were individually divided into two equal groups and fed for 16 weeks on one each of the two experimental diets. The controls were fed pelleted concentrate contained 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) of SBM as the main protein source, whereas the experimental concentrate contained 345 g/kg DM of FB. Oat hay was offered ad libitum to cows and water was freely available. Blood samples were assayed for their content of: urea, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Inclusion of FB had no detectable effects on DM intake (DMI), body weight (BW), or body condition score (BCS). Neither milk yield nor quality were influenced by dietary treatment, except for milk urea nitrogen (MU) that was reduced in cows fed the FB diet (P < 0.05). Clotting properties of milk were not affected adversely by added dietary FB. Concentration of blood urea (BU) was lower in cows fed the FB diet than in those fed the control SBM diet (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that feeding FB in a lactation diet supported lactation performance similar to cows fed traditional SBM-based diet, and the results may elicit great interest for countries where soybean utilization is adversely influenced by high supply costs.

43 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of the study was to determine the changes in composition and physicochemical features (pH, density, thermostability and acidity) of mare colostrum and milk, and of protein fraction contribution (serum albumin, β-casein, γ- casein, α-lactalbumin, G class immunoglobulins) depending on lactation stage.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the changes in composition and physicochemical features (pH, density, thermostability and acidity) of mare colostrum and milk, and of protein fraction contribution (serum albumin, β-casein, γ-casein, α-lactalbumin, G class immunoglobulins) depending on lactation stage. The research material was colostrum and milk samples from 12 Arabian mares. Colostrum samples were collected within 2 h after parturition and milk samples were collected twice, in the 3rd and 6th weeks of lactation. The level of basic milk components decreased significantly (only lactose content increased) as compared to colostrum. Total bacteria count and somatic cell count decreased significantly with an increase in resistance and urea level. The changes observed were connected to differentiated contribution of particular protein fractions and their relative proportions. Lower levels of γ-casein (P ≤ 0.05), β-casein, serum albumin as well as α-lactalbumin were observed in colostrum as compared to those in milk. Any relationship between lactation stage and β-casein content was observed. Serum albumin and α-lactalbumin content increased in subsequent milkings. The level of G class immunoglobulins decreased significantly and its highest level was noted in colostrum. Any significant differences between the 3rd and 6th lactation weeks were obtained.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of reciprocal communication between mother and infant in the formation of bonding for several mammalian species is described and the comparative understanding of cognitive functions of mother and infants may help understand the biological significance of mother-infant communication in mammalian species.
Abstract: Mother-infant bonding is a universal relationship of all mammalian species. Here, we describe the role of reciprocal communication between mother and infant in the formation of bonding for several mammalian species. Mother-infant bond formation is reinforced by various social cues or stimuli, including communicative signals, such as odor and vocalizations, or tactile stimuli. The mother also develops cross-modal sensory recognition of the infant, during bond formation. Many studies have indicated that the oxytocin neural system plays a pivotal role in bond formation by the mother; however, the underlying neural mechanisms for infants have not yet been clarified. The comparative understanding of cognitive functions of mother and infants may help us understand the biological significance of mother-infant communication in mammalian species.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results show that the LH-releasing response to Kp10, as well as GnRH, is able to stimulate the release of T in male goats, and is greater in pre-pubertal than post- pubertal male goats.
Abstract: The aims of the present study were to clarify the effect of kisspeptin-10 (Kp10) on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in pre-pubertal and post-pubertal male ruminants. Four male goats (Shiba goats) were given an intravenous (i.v.) injection of Kp10 (5 µg/kg body weight (b.w.)), gonadotoropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 1 µg/kg b.w.), or 2 mL of saline as a control at the ages of 3 (pre-pubertal) and 6 (post-pubertal) months. A single i.v. injection of Kp10 significantly stimulated the release of LH and T in both groups. The area under the response curve (AUC) of LH for a 60-min period after the i.v. injection of Kp10 was significantly greater in the pre-pubertal goats (P < 0.05). The AUC of T for a 120 min period post-injection did not differ between the two age groups. A single i.v. injection of GnRH also significantly stimulated the release of LH and T in both groups (P < 0.05). The secretory pattern of LH and T in response to GnRH resembled that in response to Kp10. These results show that the LH-releasing response to Kp10 is greater in pre-pubertal than post-pubertal male goats. They also show that Kp10, as well as GnRH, is able to stimulate the release of T in male goats.

37 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings indicate that elevation of serum adiponectin might be involved in energy metabolism just around parturition, and might exert its action through regulation of receptor expression levels in target tissues in each lactational stage in Holstein dairy cows.
Abstract: Although our previous report demonstrated that adiponectin and AdipoR1 gene expressions changed among different lactation stages in the bovine mammary gland, its in vivo kinetics remain unclear in ruminant animals. In this study, we investigated the changes in circulating concentrations of adiponectin, as well as other metabolic hormones and metabolites, (i) during the periparturient period and (ii) among different lactation stages, in Holstein dairy cows. In experiment 1, serum adiponectin concentrations increased after parturition. Serum insulin concentrations were lower in the postpartum than prepartum period, whereas serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations increased in the postpartum period. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels were increased during the postpartum period and were dependent on the parity. In experiment 2, there was no significant difference in plasma adiponectin concentrations among lactational stages. Plasma insulin concentrations tended to be lower in early lactation while plasma GH levels tended to be higher. Plasma NEFA concentrations were significantly lower in mid- and late-lactation stages than non-lactation stages. These findings indicate that elevation of serum adiponectin might be involved in energy metabolism just around parturition, and might exert its action through regulation of receptor expression levels in target tissues in each lactational stage in Holstein dairy cows.

36 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, embryo transfer is used to bypass the inhibitory effects of heat stress on the oocyte and early embryo, which can also improve reproductive performance in cows and heifers, and probably the most effective cooling systems currently in use are those that couple evaporative cooling with tunnel ventilation or cross ventilation.
Abstract: Heat stress (HS) causes hyperthermia, and at its most severe form, can lead to death. More commonly, HS reduces feed intake, milk yield, growth rate and reproductive function in many mammals and birds, including the important cattle breeds in Japan. Rectal temperatures greater than 39.0°C and respiration rates greater than 60/min indicate cows are undergoing HS sufficient to affect milk yield and fertility. HS compromises oocyte quality and embryonic development, reduces expression of estrus and changes secretion of several reproductive hormones. One of the most effective ways to reduce the magnitude of HS is embryo transfer, which bypasses the inhibitory effects of HS on the oocyte and early embryo. It may also be possible to select for genetic resistance to HS. Cooling can also improve reproductive performance in cows and heifers, and probably, the most effective cooling systems currently in use are those that couple evaporative cooling with tunnel ventilation or cross ventilation. Its effect on improving reproductive performance in Japan remains to be evaluated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work will build on the 'Animal Trait Ontology of Livestock' (ATOL) project with the objective of defining precisely the phenotypes of interest for farm animals and combine an environmental information system related to animal husbandry and associated methods to capture the phenotypic differences between animals.
Abstract: Providing phenotypic information, which is accurate, reliable, repeatable and comparable across countries or laboratories, is critical to gain a better understanding of the relationship between genes and phenotypes. So far, it is indeed extremely difficult to combine different sources of phenotypic data from multiple origins, partly because of the variability in the methods of phenotyping. The phenotyping program of livestock involves the definition of complex phenotypes obtained from data integration at different levels (from molecules to herds), the implementation of the latest technologies to accurately characterize at high speed and low cost, the greatest number of animals in a better characterized environment, and the development and sharing of large databases for data analysis and modeling. Such a program also involves the construction of a coordinated network of research and professional facilities and a common language with shared definition of unambiguous animal traits and of methods to assess them. To this end, it will build on the ‘Animal Trait Ontology of Livestock’ (ATOL) project with the objective of defining precisely the phenotypes of interest for farm animals. Then, it will be necessary to combine an environmental information system related to animal husbandry and associated methods to capture the phenotypic differences between animals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The positive correlation between muscle triacylglycerol content and A-FABP messenger RNA level (a marker of adipocyte differentiation) suggests that A- FABP may be a good marker of the ability of bovines to deposit intramuscular fat.
Abstract: Genetic selection in favor of muscle growth at the expense of fat should affect characteristics of muscles, and therefore beef quality. This study was conducted with two extreme groups of six animals selected among 64 Charolais young bulls ranked according to their genetic potential for muscle growth. Muscle characteristics were assessed in Rectus abdominis (RA, slow oxidative) and Semitendinosus (ST, fast glycolytic) muscles. Intramuscular fat content and proportions of myosin heavy chains I (slow) and IIA (fast oxido-glycolytic) and certain indicators of oxidative metabolism (activities of citrate synthase (CS), isocitrate dehydrogenase and cytochrome-c oxidase (COX); expression of H-fatty acid binding protein (FABP)) were higher in RA than in ST muscle. Genetic selection for muscle growth reduced intramuscular fat content and the activities of some oxidative metabolism indicators (namely CS, COX only). The positive correlation between muscle triacylglycerol content and A-FABP messenger RNA level (a marker of adipocyte differentiation) (r = 0.53, P < 0.05) suggests that A-FABP may be a good marker of the ability of bovines to deposit intramuscular fat. In conclusion, the metabolic muscle characteristics which respond to the selection process in favor of muscle growth clearly differ from the muscle characteristics which allow muscle types to be differentiated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the administration of FGP at a level of 2 or 4 g/kg improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs.
Abstract: One hundred pigs (BW=50.7 ± 1.89 kg) were used to investigate the effects of fermented garlic powder (FGP) in growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were allotted to one of five treatments, included: (i) NC (basal diet); (ii) PC (NC+44 mg/kg of Tylosin); (iii) FGP1 (NC + 1 g/kg FGP); (iv) FGP2 (NC + 2 g/kg FGP); and (v) FGP4 (NC+4 g/kg FGP). Supplemental FGP increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio compared with those fed NC diet throughout the experiment (P<0.05, linearly). Dietary PC treatment increased the ADG and average daily feed intake during the first 6 weeks (P<0.05). The inclusion of FGP2 and FGP4 treatments had higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (P<0.05) than those in the NC treatment. Dietary NC treatment exhibited lower (P<0.05) lymphocyte count (6 and 12 weeks) and immunoglobulin G (12 weeks) than those in the other treatments. Marbling scores were higher (P<0.05) in FGP treatment groups than the NC treatments. Pigs fed on FGP2 and FG4 diets evidenced lower 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (P<0.05) than those in the NC and PC treatments. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FGP at a level of 2 or 4 g/kg improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel protocol of AI using frozen-thawed boar sperm is designed using bacteria-released endotoxin and seminal plasma, which suppresses cryo-capacitation induced by thawing stress and thereby improves reproductive performance by artificial insemination.
Abstract: Cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa offers an effective means of long-term storage of important genetic material. Many researchers have investigated how to improve reproductive performance by artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved boar spermatozoa. Recently, we and other groups reported that high conception rates (70-80%) can be achieved by AI with frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa using a modified temperature program during freezing, or a novel cryopreservation extender to improve sperm quality (including sperm survivability, motility, membrane status and fertilization ability) after thawing, or a novel sperm infusion method, deep intra uterine insemination. However, these techniques have not yet been used for commercial pig production. The variation in sperm freezability among boars or among ejaculations in an identical boar is one of the main reasons for this problem. In our previous study, it was revealed that some components of seminal plasma have a negative effect on the freezability of boar sperm. One of these factors is bacteria-released endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS). LPS binds to Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) expressed on the sperm surface, resulting in induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, seminal plasma suppresses cryo-capacitation induced by thawing stress. On the basis of these findings, we designed a novel protocol of AI using frozen-thawed boar sperm.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A better understanding of the time-coordinated levels of HGF, FGF2 and TGF-β3 that drive regulation of Sema3A expression during regenerative intramuscular moto-neuritogenesis is provided.
Abstract: Successful regeneration and remodeling of neuromuscular junctions are critical for restoring functional capacities and properties of skeletal muscle after damage, and axon-guidance molecules may be involved in the signaling that regulates such restoration. Recently, we found that early-differentiated satellite cells up-regulate a secreted neural chemorepellent Sema3A upon in vivo muscle-crush injury. The study also revealed that Sema3A expression is up-regulated in primary satellite-cell cultures in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and is prevented by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, 3. In order to verify the physiological significance of this regulation in vitro, the present study was designed to estimate the time-course of extracellular HGF, FGF2 and TGF-β3 concentrations after crush-injury of Gastrocnemius muscle in the rat lower hind-limb, using a combination of a non-homogenization/non-spin extraction of extracellular wound fluids and enhanced chemiluminescence-Western blotting analyses. Results clearly demonstrated that active HGF and FGF2 are prevalent in 2-8 days post-crush, whereas active TGF-β3 increases after 12 days, providing a better understanding of the time-coordinated levels of HGF, FGF2 and TGF-β3 that drive regulation of Sema3A expression during regenerative intramuscular moto-neuritogenesis.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicated that the c.2002C>T SNP of LEPR has a strong effect on BF, fat area ratios and LEPC.
Abstract: The leptin receptor (LEPR) gene is considered a candidate gene for fatness traits. It is located on SSC 6 in a region in which quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for backfat thickness (BF), fat area ratios, and serum leptin concentration (LEPC) have previously been detected in a Duroc purebred population. The objectives of the present study were to identify porcine LEPR polymorphisms and examine the effects of LEPR polymorphisms on fatness traits in this same population. The Duroc pigs (226 to 953 pigs) were evaluated for BF, fat area ratios using image analysis, and LEPC. A total of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the full-length LEPR coding region were identified in pigs from the base population. Four non-synonymous SNPs of the LEPR gene and 15 microsatellite markers on SSC 6 were then genotyped in all pigs. During candidate gene analysis, we detected significant effects of the non-synonymous SNP c.2002C>T in exon 14 on all traits. In fine mapping analysis, significant QTLs for BF, fat area ratios, and LEPC were detected near the LEPR gene in the same region. These results indicated that the c.2002C>T SNP of LEPR has a strong effect on BF, fat area ratios and LEPC.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this study, 714 cows from 26 dairy herds were reclassified as healthy or mastitic cows on the basis of long-term somatic cell count (SCC) in milk, and the associations of various amino acid motifs in DRB3 alleles with resistance or susceptibility to mastitis pathogens were re-examined.
Abstract: In this study, 714 cows from 26 dairy herds were reclassified as healthy or mastitic cows on the basis of long-term somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. Cows with more than three consecutive lactation records of SCC from the first or second to fifth lactation, were selected, and their BoLA-DRB3 (DRB3) alleles were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Cows with an SCC of 300 000 cells/mL in two consecutive tests or four non-consecutive tests or cows with an SCC of > 500 000 cells/mL in any one test during lactation, regardless of parity, were classified as mastitic (n=201). Mastitic cows (n=153) from another 40 herds were considered to be infected if bacteriological testing revealed mastitis pathogens in milk. Their DRB3 alleles were identified using PCR-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT). The differences in DRB3 allelic frequencies between healthy cows and cows with various degrees of mastitis were re-investigated. Moreover, the associations of various amino acid motifs in DRB3 alleles with resistance or susceptibility to mastitis pathogens were re-examined. DRB3.2*8(DRB3*1201) and DRB3.2*16(DRB3*1501) alleles were found to be associated with susceptibility, while DRB3.2*22(DRB3*1101), DRB3.2*23(DRB3*2703), and DRB3.2*24(DRB3*0101) alleles were found to be associated with resistance.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although Apo E-/- mice are more resistant to becoming obese, they develop more severe adipose tissue inflammation companied by its consequences.
Abstract: Apolipoprotein E deficient (Apo E-/-) mice are more resistant to the development of obesity compared to C57BL/6 wild type mice. They also hold a high basal oxidative status due to the loss of antioxidant action of apolipoprotein E. Since obesity is also an inducer of inflammation, we studied the effect of high-fat diet on obesity and oxidative stress in C57BL/6 and Apo E-/- mice for 9 weeks. The results confirmed that Apo E-/- mice fed high-fat diet are more resistant to the increase of both body weight and adiposity compared to C57BL/6 mice. Despite this, Apo E-/- mice presented a higher basal oxidative stress that was enhanced by high-fat diet. Macrophage infiltration, macrophage forming crown-like structures and proinflammatory adipokines (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were all higher in adipose tissue from Apo E-/- compared to C57BL/6 mice, regardless of diet type. In conclusion, although Apo E-/- mice are more resistant to becoming obese, they develop more severe adipose tissue inflammation companied by its consequences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is confirmed that shrub contained a relatively high content of crude protein; its silages can be preserved in good quality, and they are new potential resources for livestock feed.
Abstract: Effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants and cellulase additives on fermentation quality and chemical compositions of shrub silages were studied by using a small-scale fermentation system. Two LAB inoculants of Qingbao (Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilacticii, Lactobacillus casei and Clostridium phage) and Caihe (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Pediococcus acidilactici) and a commercial cellulase made from Trichoderma reesei were used as additives for intermediate pea-shrub, rush bushclover, arborescent ceratoides and shrubby silage preparation. The crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of the four shrub materials were 10.1-14.2, 62.6-67.2 and 1.9-3.5% on a dry matter basis, respectively. All shrub silages had pH 3.40-4.43, ammonia-N 0.1-0.2% g/kg and lactic acid 1.3-2.9% on a fresh matter basis. The silage quality of LAB-inoculated silages did not have a greater effect than control silages, except shrubby silage preparation. Silages treated with the cellulase, the pH of rush bushclover and shrubby sweetvetch silage were significantly (P < 0.05) lower and the lactic acid content were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the control silages. The results confirmed that shrub contained a relatively high content of crude protein; its silages can be preserved in good quality, and they are new potential resources for livestock feed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data suggest that the anthocyanin-rich corn has a lowering effect on AST activity with concomitant enhancement of SOD activity in lactating dairy cows, which is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.
Abstract: Anthocyanin in purple corn (Zea mays L.) has been reported to show several functional and biological attributes, displaying antioxidant, antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in monogastric animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding anthocyanin-rich corn (Zea mays L., Choko C922) silage on digestibility, milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows. The cows were fed diets based on the control corn or the anthocyanin-rich corn silage (AR treatment) in a crossover design. The anthocyanin-rich corn silage-based diet had a lower starch content, nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrients content when compared to the control diet. The milk yield, lactose and solids-not-fat contents in the AR-treatment cows were lower than in the control cows. The feeding of the anthocyanin-rich corn silage led to a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plasma. These data suggest that the anthocyanin-rich corn has a lowering effect on AST activity with concomitant enhancement of SOD activity in lactating dairy cows. However, a new variety of anthocyanin-rich corn with good nutritional value is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results showed that the finishing pigs would gain better nutrient digestibility when the dietary lysine content was 0.80%, and dietaryLysine levels influenced the expression of cationic amino acid transporter mRNA in the small intestine of finishing pigs.
Abstract: One hundred and twenty pigs were used to evaluate the effects of different dietary lysine levels on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and abundance of cationic amino acid transporter messenger RNA (mRNA) in the small intestine of finishing pigs. Pigs received a low lysine diet (LL, 0.60% lysine), moderate lysine diet (ML, 0.80% lysine) or a high lysine diet (HL, 1.00% lysine) for 28 days. A digestion test was carried out during the third week. Although the apparent nutrient digestibility in pigs fed experimental diets were different (P < 0.05) and the highest when pigs were fed ML diet, diets did not change the growth performance. In the duodenum, mRNA abundance of PepT-1, as detected by real-time RT-PCR, was reduced in the LL diet (P < 0.05). A greater abundance of b(0,+) AT and PepT-1 mRNA was associated with the ML diet (P < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum, respectively. In the ileum, the HL diet had a lower abundance of CAT-1 mRNA compared with other diets. These results showed that the finishing pigs would gain better nutrient digestibility when the dietary lysine content was 0.80%, and dietary lysine levels influenced the expression of cationic amino acid transporter mRNA in the small intestine of finishing pigs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicate that steam-flaked BR is a suitable replacement for steam- Flaked corn in dairy cow diets, and that it can be included in rations to a level of at least 31.2% of dry matter without adverse effects on milk production, when cows were fed rice silage and corn silage-based diets.
Abstract: Nine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of substituting corn grain with brown rice (BR) grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage on milk yield, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen (N) balance. The TMR silages were made from the ensiling of TMR containing (dry matter basis) 50.1% forage in rice silage and corn silage combination, and 49.9% concentrate. The grain portion of the diets contained 31.2% steam-flaked corn, 31.2% steam-flaked BR or an equal mixture of corn and BR. Dietary treatments did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat, protein and lactose yields. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. The urinary N excretion decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in response to increased levels of BR, with no dietary effect on N intake, N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. Our results indicate that steam-flaked BR is a suitable replacement for steam-flaked corn in dairy cow diets, and that it can be included in rations to a level of at least 31.2% of dry matter without adverse effects on milk production, when cows were fed rice silage and corn silage-based diets.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is confirmed that the g.570C>A polymorphism is significantly associated with breast muscle yields in the F2 population, therefore, this polymorphism in the IGF1 gene may help improve breast Muscle yields by marker-assisted selection.
Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) plays an important role in muscle development in chickens. In this study, an F2 chicken population of 362 individuals, obtained from an intercross between high breast muscle yield line males and low breast muscle yield (LB) line females, was constructed for investigating the associations between IGF1 gene and breast muscle yields. The IGF1 sequence was investigated in the grandparents. There were no differences in the exon sequences. However, sequence analysis of the IGF1 promoter revealed a known single nucleotide polymorphism (g.570C>A) in LB line grandparents. PCR - restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for screening the F2 population, which was evaluated for body weight (BW), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW), and breast fillet weight (BFW). Significant associations with the polymorphism were detected for BMW, BFW, BMW% and BFW%, although there were no associations between the polymorphism and BW or CW. The allelic effect on BMW, BFW, BMW% and BFW% acted in additive and dominance modes. We confirmed that the g.570C>A polymorphism is significantly associated with breast muscle yields in the F2 population. Therefore, this polymorphism in the IGF1 gene may help improve breast muscle yields by marker-assisted selection.

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TL;DR: Feeding A. awamori improves growth performance because skeletal muscle proteolytic activity is reduced and digestibilities of energy and protein are increased.
Abstract: This study was conducted to show that dietary supplementation of a fungus, Aspergillus awamori called Koji in Japan, reduces skeletal muscle protein breakdown and stimulates growth in broiler chickens. A total of 30 chicks at 15 days of age was divided into control and two treatment groups (10 birds per treatment). Control group was fed basal diet and treatment groups were fed the basal diets supplemented with A. awamori at levels of 0.05% and 0.2%. The birds were raised for 12 days from 15 to 27 days of age and then the effect on growth, organ weights and plasma 3-methylhistidine concentration and digestibilities of protein and energy was evaluated. The messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of atrogin-1, ubiquitin, proteasome, m-calpain, µ-calpain, β-actin, myosin and pax-7 in the breast muscle were also measured. Body weight gain and breast muscle weight were increased, although feed intake was decreased by the fungus and thus feed efficiency was increased. Protein and energy digestibilities were increased. Furthermore, plasma 3-methylhistidine concentration was decreased by the fungus. The mRNAs of atrogin-1, ubiquitin, proteasome, m-calpain and µ-calpain were all decreased. The mRNA of β-actin but not myosin and pax-7 was slightly increased by the fungus. In conclusion, feeding A. awamori improves growth performance because skeletal muscle proteolytic activity is reduced and digestibilities of energy and protein are increased.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicated that the calpain and CSTN expressions are regulated by muscle type, suggesting especially by muscle fiber type, andCalpains/CSTN-I ratios, especially 28 kDa/C STN- I, may account for higher extent of post mortem proteolysis previously observed in LT and PM muscles.
Abstract: Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of calpain-1 (µ-calpain), -2 (m-calpain), -3 (p94), small subunit (calpain-4; 28 kDa), and three types of calpastatin (CSTN) isoform were investigated for 10 skeletal muscles of Holstein cattle by real-time and/or semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Noticeably, effect of muscle type was observed on 28 kDa expression (P < 0.001) with a tendency of higher 28 kDa expression in myosin heavy chain (MyHC)-2x-rich muscles compared to MyHC-slow-rich muscles. The CSTN-I and -III expression in Longissimus thoracis (LT) showed the lowest value among the muscles tested. Moreover, 28 kDa/CSTN-I ratio was higher in the diaphragm (DP), psoas major (PM), and LT than those in the lingual muscles (TN), masseter (MS) and pectoralis (PP) (P < 0.05). Calpain-1/CSTN I, calpain-2/CSTN I in LT and PM were higher than that in TN (P < 0.05). Calpain-3/CSTN-I and -III in LT and/or PM showed higher values than that in TN (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the calpain and CSTN expressions are regulated by muscle type, suggesting especially by muscle fiber type. Calpains/CSTN-I ratios, especially 28 kDa/CSTN-I, may account for higher extent of post mortem proteolysis previously observed in LT and PM muscles.

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TL;DR: Dietary consumption of 5 mg/kg TRP can increases the thigh meat shelf-life storage and quality in broiler chickens after slaughter.
Abstract: Two hundred and fifty-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used to investigate the dietary supplementation effects of different levels of 0.0 turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) (free TRP, F.TRP), 0.25 (low TRP, L.TRP), 0.5 (medium TRP, M.TRP) and 0.75% TRP (high TRP, H.TRP) or 50 mg/kg vitamin E (VE) on antioxidant properties of thigh meat in broiler chickens after slaughter. No effect of treatment was observed for the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in thigh meat (P > 0.05) but all were reduced over time (P 0.05). Three days after refrigerator storage, MDA content in thigh meat of M.TRP birds was lower than that of F.TRP birds (P < 0.05). Both the M.TRP and VE birds showed a lower MDA content in thigh meat as compared with F.TRP birds 7 days after storage (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary consumption of 5 mg/kg TRP can increases the thigh meat shelf-life storage and quality in broiler chickens after slaughter.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The neutral-pH cell-free supernatant of this bacterium inhibited the growth of several lactic acid bacteria and food spoilage and pathogenic organisms, including Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum.
Abstract: The purification and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain 406 that was isolated from traditional Mongolian fermented mare's milk, airag, were carried out. Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain 406 was identified on the basis of its morphological and biochemical characteristics and carbohydrate fermentation profile and by API 50 CH kit and 16S ribosomal DNA analyses. The neutral-pH cell-free supernatant of this bacterium inhibited the growth of several lactic acid bacteria and food spoilage and pathogenic organisms, including Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. The bacteriocin was heat-stable and not sensitive to acid and alkaline conditions, but was sensitive to several proteolytic enzymes such as pepsin, pronase E, proteinase K, trypsin, and α-chymotrypsin, but not catalase. Optimum bacteriocin production (4000 activity units/mL) was achieved when the strain was cultured at 25°C for 24-36 h in Man Rogosa Sharpe medium. The bacteriocin was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation (80% saturation), dialysis (cut-off MW: 1000), and gel filtration chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the bacteriocin had a molecular weight of approximately 3.3 kDa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of a bacteriocin-producing Leuconostoc strain from airag. An application to fermented milks would be desired.

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TL;DR: It is suggested that Bean husk supplementation, especially lablab bean husk, might improve the nutritive value of rice straw diet by stimulating fibrolytic bacteria.
Abstract: This study evaluated the suitability of easily digested fiber sources as a supplemental fiber to improve overall fiber digestion in ruminants. First, the degradation of five fibrous feedstuffs and the stimulatory effects on rumen bacteria were examined in situ. Chickpea and lablab bean husks were selected for their potential use due to their large degradable fraction (>94%), which had a stimulatory effect on fibrolytic rumen bacteria such as Fibrobacter succinogenes. Second, a possible improvement in the digestibility of rice straw diet by husk supplementation was monitored in vivo. Four dietary treatments comprising RS (rice straw and concentrate), CHM (RS supplemented with Myanmar chickpea husk), CHE (RS with Egyptian chickpea husk) and LH (RS with lablab bean husk) were allocated to four wethers. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber was 3.1-5.5% greater in CHM and LH than RS. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was higher in LH than other treatments. Acetate proportion was higher in LH than RS. Ruminal abundance of F. succinogenes was 1.3-1.5 times greater in CHM and LH than RS. These results suggest that bean husk supplementation, especially lablab bean husk, might improve the nutritive value of rice straw diet by stimulating fibrolytic bacteria.

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TL;DR: It is suggested that chemerin analog regulated insulin secretion related to glucose metabolism and the release of triglycerides in sheep in vivo.
Abstract: Accumulating data suggest a relationship between chemerin and energy metabolism. Our group previously described gene cloning, expression analysis and the regulatory mechanism of chemerin and its own receptor in mice and cattle. The objective of the present study was to investigate the physiological effect of chemerin on endocrine changes and energy metabolism in sheep using a biologically stable chemerin analog. The chemerin analog was intravenously administrated (100 or 500 µg/head) to sheep, and plasma insulin and metabolites (glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglyceride, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) were analyzed. The chemerin analog dramatically increased the insulin levels, and glucose levels were decreased. NEFA levels were slightly decreased at 20 min but then increased gradually from 60 to 180 min after analog administration. In addition, injection of the chemerin analog immediately increased triglyceride and total cholesterol but not HDL levels. These results suggested that chemerin analog regulated insulin secretion related to glucose metabolism and the release of triglycerides in sheep in vivo. This study provides new information about endocrine and metabolic changes in response to chemerin in sheep.