Identification of key genes and metabolites involved in meat quality performance in Qinchuan cattle by WGCNA

Understanding the genetic and metabolic elements that impact meat quality is crucial to improving production and meeting consumer demands in the beef sector.Differences in meat quality among various muscle areas in beef cattle can impact pricing in the market.Despite progress in genomics,the specific genes and metabolites that affect meat quality characteristics in Qinchuan cattle remain inadequately understood.Therefore,this study aims to evaluate the meat quality characteristics of four specific muscle locations(tenderloin,striploin,high rib,and ribeye muscles)in Qinchuan bulls,including 10 traits(total protein content(TPC),intramuscular fat(IMF),non-esterified fatty acid(NEFA),meat color(L*,a*,and b*),shear force(SF),cooking loss(CL),pH0,and pH24).This experiment uses transcriptome,metabolome sequencing,and sophisticated analytical methodologies such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)and protein–protein interaction networks(PPI)to identify the key genes and metabolites associated with specific traits.The findings highlight three notable genes(NDUFAB1,NDUFA12,and NDUFB7)linked to intramuscular fat(IMF),three key genes(CSRP3,ACAA3,and ACADVL)correlated with non-esterified fatty acids(NEFA),and one crucial gene(CREBBP)influencing meat color.In conclusion,this investigation offers a new perspective on the differences in bovine muscle locations and contributes to the molecular understanding of bovine meat quality.Future research endeavors could delve deeper into the identified genes and pathways to enhance beef cattle’s quality and yield.

Effects of Fermented Puffed Feather Meal on Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Indices,Meat Quality,and Intestinal Microbiota in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented puffed feather meal(FPFM)on growth performance,serum biochemical indices,meat quality,and intestinal microbiota in Arbor Acres(AA)broilers.A single-factor design was adopted,and four treatments were administered with five replicates to 240 one-day-old AA broilers.The control group(group A)received a basal diet,while the experimental groups received a basal diet plus 33%(group B),67%(group C)and 100%(group D)FPFM,respectively.Compared with group A,(1)the average daily gain(ADG)in group C decreased(P<0.05),and the feed conversion ratio(FCR)in group D increased(P<0.05);(2)the level of serum urea nitrogen in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of triglyceride,high density lipoprotein,low density lipoprotein,cholesterol,and glucose contents in group D increased(P<0.05)at day 21;(3)the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group B and the immunoglobulin A in group C increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group D decreased(P<0.05)at day 42;(4)the share force of breast muscle and thigh muscle in group D increased(P<0.05);(5)the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum of group B increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the villus height in group C and D increased(P<0.05)at day 42;(6)the proteobacteria counts in the cecum digesta in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05)at day 21.The basal diet supplemented with 33%FPFM promoted protein metabolism,enhanced immunity and improved meat quality,promoted the digestion and absorption of nutrients,increased intestinal microbial diversity,and improved the content of beneficial bacteria without affecting the growth performance,it was possible to be used as a good substitute for fish meal.

ANALYSIS OF INTERNAL WAVERIDER INLET AND TYPICAL SIDEWALL COMPRESSION INLET PERFORMANCE

A new internal waverider inlet with a rectangular shape of entrance and exit in front view is designed at Ma=6.0.The design is based on a better basic flowfield ICFC than traditional one and derived with the technology of stream tracing and shock cutting.Comparison between the newly designed inlet and a typical sidewall compression inlet is given.The design Mach number and entrance shape of this new inlet are chosen according to the sidewall compression inlet.Numerical results show that most of the performance parameters of the internal waverider inlet are a bit higher than the sidewall inlet,such as the flow capture coefficient,total pressure recovery and the kinetic efficiency.The performances of these two inlets at off-design points are compared.The internal waverider inlet can capture more than 91% of incoming flow under all simulated conditions.Results show that internal waverider inlet using 3-D compression and high flow capture coefficient is a kind of fixed-geometry inlet with better performance.

Research on the Effect of Microbial Fermentation Feeds on Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality in Pig with Large-scale Feeding

In this paper, Duroc-lanndrae-Yorkshire crossbred piggy of born at 75 days of age, bouncing with health and similar body weight were randomly divided into experimental group （136 pigs） and control group （136 pigs）. Pigs in control group were fed with conventional diets, and 4% microbial fermentation feeds were added to the basal diet of experimental group to research on the effect of performance and meat quality of pig breeding. The results indicated that after feeding 106 d, compared to control group, the slaughter performance, meat quality and content of fatty acid and amino acid of experimental group were all better, its slaughter rate increased 1.53%, the carcass weight increased 2.75% and the backfat thickness decreased 0.02 cm. In addition, the pork meat in test group hadn＇t antibiotic and heavy metal residues, while it had higher color score, lower pH45min and pH24h value, better tenderness and rate of cooked meat and higher content of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Microbial fermentation feed using in test group can significantly improved the flavor and aroma of pork, and eating this pork conducive more to human health. Thus, the application of microbial fermenta- tion feed can provide a more safe, healthy and nutritious flavor pork for human beings.

Analysis of Correlation between the Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Frizzle Chicken

[Objective]This study aimed to evaluate the meat quality of frizzle Chick-en, and to find out the correlation between the meat quality and slaughter perfor-mance. [Method] The slaughter performance such as live chicken weight, carcass weight, semi-eviscerated weight, eviscerated weight, chest muscle weight, leg mus-cle weight, abdominal fat weight and the meat quality indices like color, pH and shear force of 12-week-old frizzle chickens were measured to analyze the correla-tion between slaughter performance and meat quality. [Result] The carcass percent-age, semi-eviscerated percentage, eviscerated percentage, chest muscle percentage, leg muscle percentage, abdominal fat percentage, intramuscular fat width and subcu-taneous fat thickness of the male chickens were 89.76%, 81.54%, 67.53%, 7.82%, 11.29%, 2.42%, 0.69 cm and 0.48 cm, of female chickens were 89.78%, 80.87%, 62.94%, 6.19%, 9.92%, 3.91%, 0.78 cm and 0.61 cm. Some of these traits exhibit-ed significant difference between the male and female chickens （P〈0.05）. In male chickens, the chest muscle color, pH and shear force were 5.93, 6.15 and 3.72 kg, and the leg muscle color, pH and shear force were 6.18, 6.54 and 3.41 kg; in fe-male chickens, the chest muscle color, pH and shear force were 5.77, 6.05 and 3.41 kg, and the leg muscle color, pH and shear force were 6.03, 6.21 and 2.74 kg. The quality of chest and leg muscles of frizzle chickens significantly differed （P〈0.05）. Carcass weight had significant positive correlations with semi-eviscerated weight and meat color （P〈0.05）, and an extremely significant positive correlation with pH （P〈0.01）. Semi-eviscerated weight and pH value shared a significant posi-tive correlation （P〈0.05）. Eviscerated weight and leg muscle weight shared an ex-tremely significant negative correlation （P〈0.01）. Abdominal fat weight correlated sig-nificantly and negatively with shear force （P〈0.05）. Meat color and pH value had a significant positive correlation （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] This study provides theoretical basis for the breeding of excellent chicken varieties producing high-quality meat.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Nutritional Components of Twenty-four-month-old Tibetan Goats

[Objective] This study was conducted to understand goat germplasm char- acteristics. [Method] With some 24-month-old males and females Tibet goats as experimental materials, a slaughter experiment was carried out to determine their slaughter performance, muscle quality and muscle nutritional components. [Result] The body weights of males and females before slaughter were （20.16±1.26） and （19.33±4.86） kg, respectively; the dressing percentages of males and females were （43.86±1.74）% and （44.08±5.46）%, respectively; the meat percentages were （32.43± 1.52）% and （32.72±3.97）%, respectively; and the meat production rates of carcass were （73.28±0.09）% and （73.16±0.85）%, respectively. There were less differences in carcass measurements, carcass segmentation, muscle quality, muscle fiber charac- teristics, muscle nutritional components, muscle mineral contents and heavy metal contents between males and females, while eye muscle area and hind leg meat weight of males were significantly higher than those of females. In muscles of males and females, 18 amino acids were detected totally, EAA/TAA values were （39.23±0.24）% and （38.70±0.15）%, respectively, and EAA/NEAA values were （64.73± 0.65）% and （63.17±0.41）%, respectively. [Conclusion] This study lays a foundation for overall understanding of germplasm characteristics of Tibetan goats.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Muscle Nutrients of Twelve-month-old Tibetan Goat

This study aimed to study the germplasm characteristics of Tibetan goat distributed in Sichuan. Three male and three female goats of twelve-month-old Ti-betan goat were selected, and they were slaughtered for analysis of slaughter per-formance, muscle quality and muscle nutrients. The results showed that the pre-slaughter body weights, dressing percentages, meat percentages and carcass meat production rates of male and female Tibetan goats were （14.33±1.53） and （12.50±2.18） kg, （42.11±5.26）% and （43.85±4.51）%, （31.34±3.36）% and （32.84±3.16）%, and （72.34±0.54）% and （72.30±0.78）%, respectively. There were smal differences in car-cass size, carcass segmentation, muscle fiber properties, muscle quality, muscle nu-tritional composition, muscle minerals contents and muscle heavy metals contents between male and female Tibetan goats. A total of 18 kinds of amino acids were detected in the muscle of male and female Tibetan goats. The EAA/TAA ratios and EAA/NEAA ratios of male and female Tibetan goats were （39.18＆#177;0.38）%and （38.70±0.72）%, and （64.31±1.03）% and （63.21±1.92）%, respectively.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Muscle Nutrients of Twelve-month-old Danba Goat

[Objective] The aim was to discuss the resource characteristics of Danba goat. [Method] Three male and three female goats of twelve-month-old Danba goat were selected to slaughter,and their slaughter performance, muscle qulity and mus- cle nutrients were determined. [Result] The pre-slaughter weights, dressing percent- ages, meat percentages and carcass meat production rates of the male and female Danba goats were （25.83±1.04） and （18.50±2.29） kg, （45.18±0.78）% and （38.89± 2.08）%, （33.76±1.4）% and （28.59±1.99）%, and （74.30±0.85）% and （74.08±0.65）%, respectively. The carcass length, carcass hind leg circumstance, carcass hind leg length, lumbar muscle thickness, hind leg meat yield, shoulder muscle yield and breast meat yield of male goats were significantly higher than those of female goats （P〈0.05）, and no significant differenceswere found in other carcass size and carcass segmentation indices between male and female goats （P〉0.05）. There were small differences in muscle fiber properties, muscle quality, muscle nutritional composition, muscle mineral content and muscle heavy metal content between male and female goats （P〈0.05）. A total of 18 kinds of amino acids were detected in the male and female goats. The EAA/TAAs and EANNEAAs of male and female goats were （39.56±0.26）% and （39.48±0.66）%, and （65.45±0.71）% and （65.43±1.80）%, respec- tively. [Conclusion] This study will provide the basis for the understanding of the resource characteristics of Danba goat.

Effects of Amino Acid or Fulibao Nutritional Additives on Slaughter Performance and Pork Quality of Pigs

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of amino acid or Fulibao nutritional additives on slaughter performance and pork quality of pigs,and to provide a theoretical basis for improving pork quality in pig breeding industry.[Method]Six Landrace×Yorkshire castrated male piglets were divided into three groups.The piglets in the first group were fed with conventional diet and used as the control.The piglets in the experimental group I were fed with the conventional diet supplementing 0.1%Fulibao,and those in the experimental group II were fed with the conventional diet supplementing 0.36%compound amino acid preparation.The piglets were reared for 2 months before being slaughtered.[Result]The average daily gains of piglets in the experimental groups I and II were 17.7%and 6.73%higher than that in the control group,but there was no difference in feed/gain ratio among the three groups.The dressing percentages of piglets in the experimental groups I and II were 2.7%and 1.72%higher than that in the control group,and the lean meat percentages were 3.5%and 7.97%higher than that in the control group,respectively.The meat fat ratios in the two experimental groups were significantly higher than that in the control group.The intermuscular fat in the experimental group II was significantly higher than that in the control group.However,the contents of intermuscular fat and inosinic acid in the experimental group II were significantly lower than those in the control group.[Conclusion]Both additives can improve the average daily gain and main slaughter performance of pigs,but can not improve the inosine acid content,and the compound amino acid preparation can not improve the intermuscular fat content.

A Framework for Identifying and Managing Information Quality Metrics of Corporate Performance Management System

Corporate Performance Management （CPM） system is an information system used to collect, analyze, and visualize key performance indicators （KPIs） to support both business operations and especially strategic decisions. CPM systems display KPIs in forms of scorecard and dashboard so the executives can keep track and evaluate corporate performance. The quality of the information as shown in the KPIs is very crucial for the executives to make the right decisions. Therefore, it is important that the executives must be able to retrieve not only the KPIs but also the quality of those KPIs before using such KPIs in their strategic decisions. The objectives of this study were to determine the role of the CPM system in the organizations, current data and information quality state, problems and perspectives regarding data quality, as well as data quality maturity stage of the organizations. Survey research was used in this study; a questionnaire was sent to collect data from 477 corporations listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand （SET） on January, 2011. Forty-nine questionnaires were returned. The results show that about half of the organizations have implemented CPM systems. Most organizations are confident in the information in CPM system, but information quality issues are commonly found. Frequent problems regarding information quality are information not up to date, information not ready by time of use, inaccuracy and incomplete. The most concerned and frequently assessed quality dimensions were security, accuracy, completeness, and validity. When asked to prioritize, the most important quality dimensions are accuracy, timeliness, completeness, security, and validity respectively. In addition, most organizations concern about data govemance management and have deployed such measures. This study showed that most organizations are on level 4 on Gartner＇s data governance maturity stage in which data governance is concerned and managed, but still not effective.

Influence of the Nature of the Incoming Sludge on the Performance of a Vertical Flow Reed Beds in Dakar-Senegal

This work investigates the influence of the type sludge on drainage, plant development, purification performances and biosolids quality. Drainage properties were measured through the frequency of clogging, the percentage of leachate recovered and the dryness of accumulated sludge. Plant development was measured through the density, the height and the stem diameter. Purification performance was evaluated from the reduction rate. Biosolids quality was measured after 3 months of maturation. The results show that the clogging frequencies were 9.5%;0% and 3.7%;the volume of leachate recovered was 42.2%;20.4% and 24.7% and, the dryness was 33.4%;61.1% and 52.4% for FS-ST, FS-STT and SS respectively. Plants densities were about, with densities 197.1, 171.3 and 178.3 plants/m2 in beds fed respectively with FS-ST, FS-STT and SS. Despite the high removal rates, the concentrations of pollutants in the leachates are above the Senegalese standard NS 05-061 for discharge into the environment. The biosolids are all mature with C/N and NH4+/NO3?ratios lower than 12 and 1 respectively. The biosolids are also rich in organic and mineral elements. The concentrations of Ascaris eggs are higher than the WHO recommendations. These biosolids should be stored for additional time or composted.

Influence of Valve's Characteristic on Total Performance of Three Cylinders Internal Combustion Water Pump

Intenal combustion pump （ICP） is a new type power device turning the thermal energy from fuel combustion into fluid pressure energy. Three cylinders prototype has just been developed. The study on the influence of valve＇s characteristic on ICP＇s total performance will found the base for its optimum design. Based on the theoretical and testing fruits of single cylinder prototype, the performance of the valves and complete appliance of the latest is simulated. When the natural frequency of valves is approximately to the round number times of the working frequency, volumetric efficiency is seriously low. The nominal rotational speed of the prototype is nearly to the speed where the volumetric efficiency is lowest, which is harmful to the normal work of ICP, so further structure optimization of valves should be carried out. The change of volumetric efficiency has great influence on the fuel consumption rate, output flow, effective thermal efficiency, effective power, and so on, but little on output pressure.

Effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on growth performance,carcass trait,meat quality,and plasma metabolites in pigs of different genotypes

Background： The protein/energy ratio is important for the production performance and utilization of available feed resources by animals. Increased protein consumption by mammals leads to elevated feed costs and increased nitrogen release into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and plasma metabolites of pigs of different genotypes. Methods： Bama mini-pigs and Landrace pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups （Chinese conventional diet with low protein/energy ratio or National Research Council diet with high protein/energy ratio; n = 24 per treatment） in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Blood and muscle samples were collected at the end of the nursery, growing, and finishing phases. Results： We observed significant interactions （P 〈 0.05） between breed and diet for total fat percentage, intramuscular fat （IMF） content, protein content in biceps femoris （BF） muscle, and plasma urea nitrogen （UN） concentration in the nursery phase; for average daily gain （ADG）, average daily feed intake （ADFI）, dry matter, IMF content in psoas major （PM） muscle, and plasma total protein and albumin concentrations in the growing phase; and for drip loss and plasma UN concentration in the finishing phase. Breed influenced （P 〈 0.05） growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality, but not plasma metabolites. Throughout the trial, Landrace pigs showed significantly higher （P 〈 0.0_5） ADG, ADFI, dressing percentage, lean mass rate, and loin-eye area than did Bama mini-pigs, but significantly lower （P 〈 0.0.5） feed/gain ratio, fat percentage, backfat thickness, and IMF content. Dietary protein/energy ratio influenced the pH value, chemical composition of BF and PM muscles, and plasma activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and plasma concentration of UN. Conclusions： Compared with Landrace pigs, Bama mini-pigs showed slower growth and lower carcass performance, but had better meat quality. Moreover, unlike Landrace pigs, the dietary protein/energy ratio did not affect the growth performance of Bama mini-pigs. These results suggest that, in swine production, low dietary protein/energy ratio may be useful for reducing feed costs and minimizing the adverse effects of ammonia release into the environment.

Studies on Reducing Nitrogen Excretion: Ⅰ. Net Energy Requirement of Finishing Pigs Maximizing Performance and Carcass Quality Fed Low Crude Protein Diets Supplemented with Crystalline Amino Acids

Two experiments were conducted to in- vestigate the effects of net energy （NE） level on the performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs fed low crude protein （CP） diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids （CAA）. A total of 216 （Exp. 1） and 360 （Exp. 2 ） barrows （ Yorkshire × Landrace× Duroc ） were allotted to one of six treatments （n =6）. The experimental diets were based on corn and soybean meal, and consisted of a high-CP diet that contained approximately 16% CP and 2.50 Mcal/kg of NE as well as five low-CP diets in which the CP level of the diet was reduced by approximately four percentage units but was supplemented with crystalline lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan. The low CP diets provided 2.64, 2.58, 2.50, 2.42, or 2.36 Mcal/kg in Exp. 1 as well as 2.45, 2.40, 2.35, 2.30, or 2.25 Mcai/kg in Exp.2. In Exp. 1, a linear （P=0.03） increase in weight gain was observed with decreasing NE level while the ratio of gain to feed was unaffect- ed （P 〉 0.05） by NE level. There was a linear in-crease （P = 0.01 ） in the percentage of fat-free lean and a linear decrease （ P = 0.03 ） in the percentage of total fat with decreasing NE levels. In Exp. 2, a sig- nificant quadratic （ P = 0.03 ） effect of NE level was observed for weight gain. The ratio of gain to feed demonstrated a significant （P 〈0.01 ） quadratic effect with pigs fed 2.35 and 2.40 Mcal/kg of NE, Pigs fed the diet containing 2.40 Mcal/kg of NE had the lowest percentage of total fat （36. 95% ） and the highest percentage of fat-free lean （49.36%）. The overall results of these experiments indicate that feed- ing either a surplus or a deficiency of NE is detrimen- tal to both pig performance and carcass composition when low CP diets supplemented with CAA are fed. Our results indicate that when the CP content of the diet is reduced by four percentage units and the diet is properly supplemented with CAA, maximum per- formance and carcass quality will be obtained if the diet provides approximately 2.42 Mcal/kg of NE.

Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance,meat quality,and metabolic status of broilers

Background： Highly automated cage-rearing systems are becoming increasingly popular in China. However, a high stocking density can cause oxidative stress and decrease broiler performance. The tryptophan （TRP） derivative 5-hydroxytryptophan （5-HT） has been shown to preserve membrane fluidity in birds suffering from oxidative stress Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietan/TRP supplementation on performance, breast meat quality and oxidative stress in broilers reared in cages with a high or low stocking density. Methods： Female Arbor Acres broilers （25-d-old, n = 144） were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. The birds were fed a diet based on corn, soybean meal, cottonseed meal and corn gluten meal containing either 0.18 or 0.27% TRP and were housed with stocking densities of 11 or 15.4 birds/m2 in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Broiler performance was evaluated from d 25 to 42. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on d 42 and plasma and breast muscle samples were collected to measure biochemical indices. Results： A higher stocking density tended to be associated with reduced weight gain （P 〈 0.10）, and significantly increased plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （GPT） activity （P 〈 0.001）. Increased dietary TRP significantly reduced the activities of lactic dehydrogenase and GPT while increasing total cholesterol in the plasma （P 〈 0.01）, reducing drip loss of breast muscle （P 〈 0.10） and improving feed efficiency （P 〈 0.10）. Conclusions： An increase in dietary TRP, ].S-fold higher than the standard supplementation level, can alleviate oxidative stress as well as improve welfare and feed efficiency in broilers reared in cages with a high stocking density.

Effects of selenium source and level on growth performance, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium(Se) source and level on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers. A total of 320 one-d-old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments with 8 replicates in a completely randomized design involving a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments plus one Se-unsupplemented basal diet control for 42 d. The two Se sources were sodium selenite and Se yeast, and the two supplemental Se levels were 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results showed that broilers fed the Se-supplemented diets had higher(P<0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake from 22 to 42 d of age, eviscerated yield and abdominal fat percentages, Se concentrations and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activities in breast and thigh muscles on d 42, and lower(P<0.05) feed/gain from 1 to 21 and 22 to 42 d of age, mortality from 22 to 42 d of age and malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration in thigh muscle on d 42 than those fed the control diet. Broilers fed the diets supplemented with Se yeast had higher(P<0.05) p H value and lower(P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle than those fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite. Additionally, broilers fed the diets supplemented with 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had lower(P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle and higher(P<0.05) GSH-Px activities in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diets supplemented with 0.20 mg Se kg^–1. Furthermore, broilers fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had higher(P<0.05) Se concentrations in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.20 mg Se kg^–1, but no differences(P<0.05) were observed in these indices of broilers fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite between 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results from the present study indicated that supplemental Se could increase the growth performance, muscle Se concentration and antioxidative ability of broilers;and the Se from Se yeast was more effective than the Se from sodium selenite in improving meat quality of broilers.

Chinese herb feed additives improved the growth performance, meat quality, and nutrient digestibility parameters of pigs

Background:Since the use of antibiotics in animal feed has become a critical concern worldwide due to severe threats to human health and environment,we are in need of finding alternatives to antibiotics in pig breeding,maintaining the health of pigs,and getting high-quality pork.As traditional Chinese herbs(TCH)are rich natural resources in China and show great benefits to human health we propose to transfer this abundant resource into animal production industry as additives.Methods:Three groups of Chinese herbs(groups A,B,and C)were used as feed additives in the diet for pigs.In total 32 pigs were arranged in four groups(groups A,B,C,and control group,NC),fed in the same facility,eight pigs(one group)in each colony,free drinking,for 120 days.The feed:gain ratio(F/G),meat quality,total protein,and amino acid concentration of muscle were checked in the experiments.Results:After 120 days of feeding,the feed:gain ratio(F/G)of pigs in groups A,B,and C was decreased 17.56%,9.31%,and 13.86%compared with NC treatment,respectively.The diets supplemented with Chinese herbs improved meat quality,increased loin eye area(especially group A and C showed significant difference,P<.001),the total protein(increased ratio vs NC was A=4.54%,B=0.38%and C=3.53%),amino acid concentration of muscle,increased the villus height:crypt depth ratio,and induced positive effects on serum biochemical parameters and immune function(serum TC and TG concentrations were significantly lower than those in the NC group,P<.05.).Conclusions:The use of Chinese herbal feed additives can reduce the cost of pig breeding and produce high-quality pock.The combination of these effects would contribute to better absorption ability of the intestinal tract and yield a better growth performance.

Effects of Fermentation Product Containing Phytase on Productive Performance,Egg Quality,and Phosphorous Apparent Metabolism of Laying Hens Fed Different Levels of Phosphorus

This study investigated the effects of fermentation product containing phytase （FPP） that was fermented using waste vinegar residue （WVR） as substrate from Aspergillusficuum NTG-23 on productive performance, egg quality, and phosphorus apparent metabolism of laying hens. First, 375 22-wk-old Jinghong hens were allocated into 5 treatments （5 replicates of 15 hens each） in an 8-wk experiment for evaluating the parameters of productive performance, egg quality, serum, and tibia. Experimental diets contained 4% FPP and 96% corn-soybean diet. The levels of dicalciurn phosphate （DCP） were 1.34, 1.01, 0.67, 0.34 and 0%. Next, thirty 31-wk-old Jinghong hens were fed 5 types of diets for evaluating phosphorous apparent metabolism rate. Egg productive rate, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, Haugh unit, egg albumen height, serum calcium, tibia ash, tibia ash calcium and tibia breaking strength were not different significantly among 5 treatments. The significant difference of average daily feed intake was not appeared when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.67%; the eggshell hardness, eggshell thickness and serum phosphorus were not reduced significantly until the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.34%. The yolk color was improved when the laying hens fed deficient DCP corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 22.14% reduction in excreta phosphorus was observed when the laying hens fed low phosphorus （0.67% DCP） corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 30% elevation of phosphorus apparent metabolism rate was obtained when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was decreased from 1.34 to 1.01%. The reducing cost of layer diet was totalized about 120 CNY 1000 kg1 diet when the content of DCP was 0.67% in corn-soybean-FPP diet. These results indicated that FPP could be applied in laying hen as a potential, cost-effective and rational application of WVR.

Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality of Hainan Black Goat and Its Hybrid Offsprings with Nubian Black Goat

In order to compare the slaughter performance and meat quality of Hainan black goats and hybrid offsprings of Nubian Black Goat and Hainan Black Goat, six 7-month-old Hainan black goats and six hybrid offsprings were selected to determine slaughter performance and muscle quality. The results showed that hybridization of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat significantly improved the production performance and slaughter performance of hybrid offsprings (P>0.05). The meat quality of F1 hybrid black goat had no significant difference with that of Hainan black goat except for the hardness and elasticity (P<0.05). Therefore, the crossbred progenies of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat have advantages in meat yield and meat performance, and the main meat quality indexes are not significantly different, which meets the market requirements for high-yield and high-quality hybrid combinations, and can be used for cross promotion.

Effect of dietary supplementation with flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on growth performance,meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi（SBGFN） as SBGFN-zinc（SBGFN-Zn） on growth performance, meat quality, immune responses and antioxidation of broilers. A total of 450 one-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to 5 treatments with 6 replicates of 15 birds per replicate for each treatment in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed a SBGFN-unsupplemented cornsoybean meal basal diet（control） or the basal diet supplemented with 60, 120, 180 or 240 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） from SBGFN-Zn for 42 d. Dietary SBGFN supplementation affected（P〈0.03） drip loss in thigh muscle, total superoxide dismutase（T-SOD） and glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px） activity in liver of broilers at 42 d of age. Chicks fed the diets supplemented with 120, 180 and 240 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） had lower（P〈0.03） drip loss of thigh muscle than those fed the control diet. Chicks fed the diet supplemented with 180 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） had higher（P〈0.03） liver T-SOD and GSH-Px activity than those fed the diets supplemented with 0, 60 and 120 mg SBGFN kg-（–1）. The results from the present study indicate that dietary supplementation with 180 mg SBGFN kg-（–1） as SBGFN-Zn improved both meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers.