Association of Polymorphisms of Leptin Gene with Body Weight and Body Sizes Indexes in Chinese Indigenous Cattle

PCR-SSCP was used to analyze the polymorphism of leptin gene in 539 samples of six cattle breeds, namely Nanyang （NY）, Qinchuan （QC）, Jiaxianred （JXR）, Xizhen （XZ）, Luxi （LX）, and Holstein cow （HOL） breeds. PCR products with a 330 bp were amplified and sequenced. The results showed that the frequencies of alleles A/B of NY, QC, JXR, XZ, LX, and HOL breeds were 0.558/0.442, 0.492/0.508, 0.571/0.429, 0.658/0.342, 0.591/0.409, and 0.615/0.385, respectively. The association of variations of leptin gene with growth traits in NY, QC, JXR breeds was analyzed. Some indexes of the individuals with genotype BB were higher than that with genotype AA and AB in NY breed, such as the indexes of body length, heart length, body weight, hucklebone width, body height, and average day gain. The height at hip cross of the individuals with genotype BB was higher than that of those with genotype AA and AB in QC breed （P 〈 0.05）. So leptin gene may be one of the candidate genes for growth traits with height at hip cross, but not for body weight, heart length, and body length trait. However, the height at hip cross and hucklebone width of the individuals with genotype AB and BB were higher than that of those with genotype AA in JXR breed （P 〈 0.05）, but the difference was not statistically significant in body weight and body sizes （body height, body length, and heart length）. And the polymorphisms in leptin gene were caused by G→T transversion at the 66th bp position, A→C transversion at the 67th bp position and G→T transversion at the 299th bp position. These results may be applied to marker-assisted selection of Chinese cattle breeds.

Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of Lfcin Gene of Datong Yak

[Objective] This study was to clone Lfcin gene from Datong yak, so as to provide reference for applying this gene in feed industry and breeding industry. [Method] Using PCR technology, the lactoferricin(Lfcin)-encoding gene was obtained from genome of Datong yak; then it was cloned into pGEM-T easy vector, and then sequenced; the sequencing results were subsequently aligned with the sequences of dairy cow accessed in GenBank. Moreover, amino acid sequences of Lfcin gene from various species including yak, dairy cow, human and mouse were used for sequence alignment and phylogenesis analysis. [Result] The second exon of lactoferrin(LF) from Datong yak, which is 778 bp in length, was obtained, within which the coding region of Lfcin gene is 75 bp (25 amino acid residues); sequence analysis showed that there is discrepancy of eleven bases between Datong yak and dairy cow; Lfcin proteins from various species shared high homeology, of which that from Datong yak and dairy cow were completely identical; phylogenesis analysis showed that cladogram based on Lfcin was consistent with species evolutionary law. [Conclusion] This study laid a foundation for the prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression of Lfcin gene and further understanding the activity of Lfcin protein.

Study on the Correlation between Blood Enzyme Activity and Production Performance in Tibetan Yaks

Yak ( Bos grunniens ) is classified as Bovine genus,they live in Qingzang Plateau with elevation more than 3500m and it's neighbor highland,where the weather is high chilly,short of oxygen and large difference of temperature between day and night.But yak have adapted that circumstance after thousands of years' artificial and natural selection and has great anti adversity capacity.Yak is an important sustenance and means of production to Tibetan.China is a country with the largest number of yak,whose amount of livestock on hand accounts for 95% of the world and Tibet region takes the second place next to Qinghai in the number of yak.Tibetan yak has formed some groups for Tibetan's large area,complicated geological ecosystem conditions,geological isolation.The typical better groups are Yadong yak,Jiali yak and Sibu yak. Study about yak fell behind other animals due to the restriction of inconvenient transportation,difficult sampling and poor experimental technology.Study about the relationship between yak blood enzyme activities and milk production was little,only Jing (1992) studied correlation of milk production with serum amylase,esterase in Gansu Jiulong yak,Maiwa yak and no report was found in other groups.This study discussed six Jiali yak blood enzyme activities lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),alkaline phosphatases (AKP),acid phosphatase (ACP),catalase (CAT),amylase (Amy) and superoxide dismutase (SOD),and explored their relationship with milk production in Jiali yak,so as to supply with theoretical evidence by using blood enzyme activity as biochemical assisted selection marker in the breeding of Tibetan yak milk yield. This experiment investigated activity of six blood enzymes from 28 Tibetan yaks and explored its relationship to production performance.The results showed a extremely positive significant difference ( P <0.01) between activity of LDH and milk yield,CAT activity and length of belly hair respectively,while a positive significant difference ( P <0.05) was observed between AKP activity and body weight,Amy activity and body weight and a negative significant difference ( P <0.05) for SOD activity and body weight.Stepwise Regression Analysis showed that activity of LDH could be used for the prediction of milk yield,AKP,CAT,Amy for body weight,CAT,Amy for length of belly hair.So it is expected to use activity of LDH,AKP,CAT,Amy as biochemical genetic marker in the selection of milk yield,body weight and length of belly hair.

Analysis on Polymorphisms of GHR Gene in Improved Hybrid Yellow Cattle Groups from Liupan Mountain Area in Ningxia

[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze the polymorphism of the growth hormone receptor （GHR） in improved hybrid yellow cattle group from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia Autonomous Region,so as to provide technological basis for hybrid improvement. [Method] Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms （PCR-RFLP） technology was carried out to examine polymorphisms of GHR gene of 70 individuals. [Result] The target fragment of 338 bp was amplified. The PCR product digested by restriction enzyme Alu I showed polymorphisms. The frequencies of the two genotypes （AA,BB） were 75.71% （53 individuals） and 24.29% （17 individuals）,respectively. [Conclusion] Two genotypes of GHR gene were detected in improved hybrid yellow cattle groups from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia.

Analysis of Nutritional Characteristics of Boletus edulis Mycelium

This study aimed to investigate the nutritional characteristics of Boletus edulis mycelium. The results showed that the optimal carbon source was glucose;the optimal nitrogen source was peptone; the optimal inorganic salt was KH2PO4;the optimal vitamin was VB1. The optimal medium, in which B. edulis mycelium in-cubated at 28 ℃ and pH 5.5 exhibited the strongest growth vigor and the rapidest growth rate, contained 3.0% glucose, 0.20% peptone, 0.60% KH2PO4, 0.20% Mg-SO4＆#183;7H2O and 0.000 50% VB1.

Composition Analysis on Intermuscular Fatty Acid of Qinghai Datong Yak

[ Objective] The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for rational utilization of Datong yak resource. [ Method] By qualitative and quantitative determination with gas chromatograph, the composition and content of intermuscular fatty acid of Datong yak were compared with those of Datong yellow cattle. [ Result] Comparing with Datong yellow cattle, Datong yak had lower saturated fatty acid （SFA） content and higher polyunsaturated fatty acid （PUFA） content at extremely significant level （P 〈0.01 ）, while the difference of monounsaturated fatty acid （MUFA） contents between them was not significant （P〉0.05）. The PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 PUFA of Datong yak were in accordance with the recommended proportions. [ Conclusion] The intermuscular fatty acid composition of Datong yak is superior to that of local yellow cattle, which indicates that Datong yak meat has high nutritive value and wide development prospect.

Study on Multiplication, Rooting and Transplanting of Tissue Culture Plantlets of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall

[Objective] This study aimed to shorten the multiplication culture and root- ing culture periods of Rh. chrysanthum Pall. [Method] The Rh. chrysanthum Pall tis- sue culture plantlets collected from Changbai Mountain were used as material, and the effects of different hormone combinations and coconut milk on the proliferation and differentiation of Rh. chrysanthum Pall tissue culture plantlets were investigated. In addition, the rooting medium and transplanting matrix for Rh. chrysanthum Pall tissue culture plantlets were explored. [Result] The medium composed of modified MS, iBA （3 mg/L） and ZT （1.5 mg/L） was the optimum medium for subculture mul- tiplication of Rh. chrysanthum Pall tissue culture plantlets. The multiplication multiple and average plant height were significantly improved by adding coconut milk into the medium （150 mg/L）. [Conclusion] For Rh. chrysanthum Pall tissue culture plantlets, the optimum rooting culture medium was composed of modified MS （1/4） and IBA （5.0 mg/L）, and the tissue culture plantlets began to root 8 d after the inoculation. The root induction treatment was carried out after a 15-d sand culture, and the suitable matrix was composed of tufty soil, humus soil and perlite （2：1：1） with a survival rate of 95.66%.

Effects of EMS Treatment on Leaf Regeneration and Heat Tolerance of Tissue-cultured Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. Seedlings

With tissue cultured-seedlings of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. in Changbai Mountain as test material, the effect of EMS treatment on the heat toler- ance of R. chrysanthum, as well as the possible heat tolerance mechanism, was in- vestigated in this study so as to lay a foundation for the popularization, application and germplasm resource innovation of R. chrysanthum. The results showed that when the leaves of the tissue cultured seedlings were treated with medium with 0.1% of EMS for 2 d, the survival rate of the leaves was 48.92%, thus the con- centration of EMS was close to the semi-lethal dose, and the EMS concentration and treatment time could be used as screening conditions for heat-tolerant mutants. The plantlets regenerated from EMS-treated leaves were treated with different tem- peratures, and related physiological indicators were determined. The results showed that the chlorophyll content, MDA content, Pro content, SOD activity, POD activity and soluble sugar content of regeneration plantlets in the treatment group were sig- nificantly different from those in the control group. At the same temperature, the chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, Pro content, SOD activity and POD ac- tivity were significantly higher and the MDA content was significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control. In conclusion, EMS treatment improved the heat tolerance of tissue-cultured R. chrysanthum seedlings.

Why do brood parasitic birds lay strong-shelled eggs?

Brood parasitic birds constitute a model system for the study of coevolution.Such parasites are unique by having evolved unusually thick eggshells for their body size.ick eggshells have been hypothesized to evolve as 1) a means of preventing damage to parasite eggs when the brood parasite lays its egg at a distance from the host clutch(the laying damage hypothesis);2) a consequence of host puncture ejection(the puncture resistance hypothesis);3) a means for the brood parasite to allocate calcium to development of a disproportionately large skeleto-muscular system in evicting parasite chicks(the chick vigour hypothesis);or 4) a means of protecting the cuckoo embryo from microorganisms in the nest of the host(the anti-bacterial protection hypothesis).Here we review the literature studying the evolutionary mechanisms promoting thick eggshells in avian brood parasites,and provide proposals for future studies to test their validity.Available data are insu cient to rigorously test exclusive predictions and assumptions of these not necessarily exclusive hypotheses,although the laying damage and the puncture resistance hypotheses seem to currently be the most well supported alternatives.We discuss how quanti cation of rejection modes(grasp ejection,puncture ejection and desertion) may disclose the validity of the puncture resistance hypothesis,and nally we provide perspectives for future research on testing this speci c hypothesis.

Effects of Dairy Cattle Manure and Chemical Fertilizers on Fertility of Soils Grown with Cichorium intybus

[Objective] The aim was to explore recycling utilization of manure of dairy cattle through returning of manures into fields. [Method] Effects of dairy cattle ma- nure and chemical fertilizer on fertility of soils grown with Cichorium intybus were in- vestigated through a pot experiment. [Result] After manure of dairy cattle was ap- plied, it can be concluded that organic matter, total N, total P, alkali-hydrolyzable ni- trogen, available P, activities of urease and invertase in soils increased by 0.14-1.28 times, 43.8%-79.7%, 17.4%-30.8%, 147%-188%, 7 times, 17.2%-38.5%, and 1.36%- 3.34%, respectively. Furthermore, organic matter, total N. urease and invertase activi- ties in group of M7F3 increased most; total P and available P achieved the best in group of M3F7. These indicated that the applied manures of dairy cattle would maintain and improve soil fertility, providing better soils for Cichorium intybus. [Conclusion] The research provides reference for recycling of cattle manures and construction of ecological cyclical pattern of ＂grass planting-cattle breeding-methane fermentation-returning of manures into fields＂.

Effect of Transport Time and Handling on Physiological Responses of Cattle

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of transport time （up to 11 hours） on animal welfare. 540 animals （cows, bulls and calves）, three transport times of 2, 4 to 6, and 10 to 11 hours, and two space allowances （2 m2 and 1.5 m2 per animal for cows and bulls; and 1.2 m2 and 0.8 m2 per animal for calves） were used for the experiment during transport from farms to the abattoir in Uppsala, Sweden. Measurements were made on five animals on each trip. Stress response parameters considered were cortisol, glucose, lactate, creatine kinase and heart rate. Blood samples were taken before and after transport. Heart rate sensors were mounted on the animals at least 30 minutes before loading and measurements were made continuously from farms to the abattoirs until stunning. The results of heart rate measurement indicated that loading, un-loading and forced movement in the stunning box were the most stressful events. However, the results of statistical analysis confirmed that transport time doesn＇t have significant effect （P 〈 0.05） on heart rate. Concentration level of cortisol increased by 10 folds during short transport. However, cortisol concentration decreased with an increase of transport times （P 〈 0.01）. Glucose concentrations increased with transport time in all animal categories （P ≤ 0.01）. Transport time has significant effect on concentration levels of glucose （P ≤ 0.01）, creatine kinase （P 〈 0.001） and lactate （P 〈 0.01） particularly after 6 hours journey time.

Breeding Soundness Examination of Breeding Bull after Infecting Mycoplasma wenyonii

[Objective] The research aimed to study the reproductive health of breed- ing bull after infecting Mycoplasma wenyoniL [Method] The blood and semen quality of breeding bull before and after drug treatment was studied by the methods of blood routine examination and breeding soundness examination （BSE）. [Result] Be- fore the treatment with primaquine phosphate, slight anaemia was seen in diseased bull and a lot of M.wenyonfi were seen on blood smears. The scrotal wall of dis- eased bull swelled, testis was softened, the semen quality was reduced, semen quality was decreased and the proportion of primary and secondary deformed sperms was increased. After drug treatment, M.wenyonfi quickly disappeared from blood and the clinical systems were gradually alleviated, so BSE of breeding bulls after one month was passed. [Conclusion] The research laid the foundation for fur- ther study on the relationship between M.wenyonfi and the reduction of bull＇s repro- ductive functions.

Quality Analysis of Dairy Herd Improvement Data from Henan Province

The dairy herd improvement data from Henan Province were analyzed statistically to establish screening criteria for relevant data, thereby laying a foundation for genetic evaluation of dairy cows. With the 2 152 451 test-day records about 155 893 Chinese Holstein dairy cows collected by the Henan Dairy Herd Improvement Center from January 2008 to April 2016, the dynamics of test times during a complete lactation, test interval during a complete lactation, days in milk （DIM） of first test-day record, daughter descendant number and herd number of bull, age at first calving and pedigree integrity rate among different years and different herd sizes were analyzed by MEANS order of SAS 9.4. In addition, the data that were applicable to genetic evaluation were screened by SQL program. The results showed that during 2008-2015, the number of cow individuals participating in DHI in Henan Province increased from 7 379 to 93 706; the test-day milk yield increased from 19.91 to 24.05 kg; the somatic cell count reduced from 411.09×10^3 to 277.08×10^3 cells/ml; the percentage of cows with DIM ranging from 5-305 d reached 70.92%; the average test times increased from 3.20 to 6.31 times; the test interval decreased from 70.22 to 33.83 d; the dairy cows with age at first calving of 25 months were dominant, accounting for 12.57%; the bulls whose daughter descendant number was 20 or more and the daughters were distributed in 10 or more farms accounted for 6.05%; the one-generation pedigree integrity rate was 82.54%; the percentage of data that could be used for genetic evaluation was screened as 20.67%, which was lower than the results of other similar studies.

Removal of HeS during Anaerobic Bioconversion of Dairy Manure

The main aim of this research was the experimental study at lab scale to check the absorption technology for the in situ removal of H2S from biogas during anaerobic digestion process. The reagent FeCl3 was used to check the removal efficiency of H2S produced from dairy manure during anaerobic bioconversion process. The experiments were conducted under mesophilic conditions. The composition of biogas was analyzed by gas chromatography analyzer equipped with flame photometer and thermal conductivity detectors. Experimental results under the same conditions demonstrate that high concentration of H2S in the form of FeS can be removed totally from the biogas using FeCl3 dosing with in anaerobic batch digester.

Use of fluorometry for determination of skim milk powder adulteration in fresh milk

A FAST (fluorescence of advanced Maillard products and Soluble Tryptophan) method for identification of recon- stituted milk made from skim milk powder in the fresh milk was developed. Considering milk and skim milk powders variations from different seasons and countries, milk was collected from different dairy farms in different seasons and skim milk powders were collected from different countries to measure the Tryptophan (Trp), advanced Maillard products (AMP) fluorescence values. The results showed that there were differences (P<0.01) between raw and reconstituted milk. The plot of values in each mixed level of raw and reconstituted milk had a correlation coefficient >0.97. The FAST method is a simple, rapid, low-cost and sensitive method enabling the detection of 5% reconstituted milk in fresh milk. The measurement of the Trp, AMP fluorescence values and calculation of the FAST index is a suitable method for large-scale monitoring of fresh milk samples.

Induction of pancreatic duct cells of neonatal rats into insulin-producing cells with fetal bovine serum: A natural protocol and its use for patch clamp experiments

AIM： To induce the pancreatic duct cells into endocrine cells with a new natural protocol for electrophysiological study. METHODS： The pancreatic duct cells of neonatal rats were isolated, cultured and induced into endocrine ceils with 15% fetal bovine serum for a period of 20 d. During this period, insulin secretion, MTT value, and morphological change of neonatal and adult pancreatic islet cells were comparatively investigated. Pancreatic β-cells were identified by morphological and electrophysiological characteristics, while ATP sensitive potassium channels （KATP）, voltage-dependent potassium channels （Kv）, and voltage-dependent calcium channels （KcA） in β-cells were identified by patch clamp technique. RESULTS： After incubation with fetal bovine serum, the neonatal duct cells budded out, changed from duct-like cells into islet clusters. In the first 4 d, MTT value and insulin secretion increased slowly （MTT value from 0.024 ±0.003 to 3.028±0.003, insulin secretion from 2.6±0.6 to 3.1±0.8 mIU/L）. Then MTT value and insulin secretion increased quickly from d 5 to d 10 （MTT value from 0.028 ±0.003 to 0.052±0.008, insulin secretion from 3.1±0.8 to 18.3±2.6 mIU/L）, then reached high plateau （MTT value 〉0.052±0.008, insulin secretion 〉18.3±2.6 mIU/L）. In contrast, for the isolated adult pancreatic islet cells, both insulin release and MTT value were stable in the first 4 d （MTT value from 0.029±0.01 to 0.031±0.011, insulin secretion from 13.9±3.1 to 14.3±3.3 mIU/L）, but afterwards they reduced gradually （MTT value 〈0.031 ±0.011, insulin secretion 〈8.2±1.5 mIU/L）, and the pancreatic islet cells became dispersed, broken or atrophied correspondingly. The differentiated neonatal cells were identified as pancreatic islet cells by dithizone staining method, and pancreatic β-cells were further identified by both morphological features and electrophysiological characteristics, i.e. the existence of recording currents from KATP, Kv, and KCA. CONCLUSION： Islet cells differentiated from neonatal pancreatic duct cells with the new natural protocol are more advantageous in performing patch clamp study over the isolated adult pancreatic islet cells.

Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Callus Induction and in vitro Rapid Propagation of Wild Petunia Juss.

In this study,the seeds of wild Petunia Juss.were used as explants to investigate the optimal condition for tissue culture.Several different kinds and concentrations of growth regulators were adopted to produce more multiple bud clumps,callus or roots in this study.The experiments may provide experimental foundation for the rapid propagation technology and establishment of tissue culture system for wild Petunia Juss.

Obtaining Cheese with Milk Mixture and Inca Peanut （Plukenetia Volubilis）

The Inca peanut, a plant native to the Peruvian Amazon, has an important nutritional contribution to 53% oil and 33% protein [ 1, 2], high content of Omega 3 and 6, Vitamin E. Recent research suggests the nutritional and therapeutic significance of consumption for the control of free radicals [3], being an alternative food to reduce nutritional deficiencies of macro and micronutrients in the diet. The results show that the cheese made from a mixture of milk and Inca peanut （70：20 v/v） 0.15 M of Ca sulphate is of firm consistency, with a clotting time of 9 min and yields 14.56% at 80 ℃, is similar to fresh milk cheese sensory characteristics determined by the test of acceptability. Respect to nutrition cheeses present values of protein and fat （16.3% and, 25.05%, respectively）. Sensory evaluation process cheese 70：30 v/v showed an acceptance of 67% relative to a commercial cheese. The texture profile of the finished product, applying a deformation of 30%, have hardness values for 1.88 N, elasticity 0.08, cohesiveness 0.86, adhesiveness 0.36, gumminess 1.62 and chewiness 0.13.

Sustainability and Market Orientation in the Brazilian Beef Chain

The demand for natural resources, energy and food facing the contemporary perception of sustainability is imposing challenges to the productive sectors in accordance with market guidelines. In this context, the Brazilian agribusiness seeks to maintain external competitiveness and to satisfy growing domestic demands. In beef production, this competitiveness pervades traceability, food safety and sustainability. This article aims to identify the sustainability state of the art in agribusiness and characterize it within the Brazilian beef chain. Descriptive methodology, combining a literature review and a documentary data survey were adopted. An outline of the dimensions of agribusiness sustainability, drawn from benchmark practices, indicates that environmental, social and technological demands have become part of the industry＇s agenda. The data for beef cattle point to a growth in production but demonstrate that expansion has occurred in areas of environmental tension, which creates a demand for sustainability in the beef chain. A table of guidelines for sustainability demonstrates that although perceptions are not yet harmonized among the links in the whole beef chain, many of the technological guidelines for sustainable production may increase the producer＇s economic efficiency. In the Brazilian case, the increment of initiatives and dissemination of sustainable practices among the beef chain is desirable to provide a coordinated response of production, processing and distribution organizations facing market opportunities for sustainable livestock.

Organic Dairy Cattle Breeding in Turkey： A Review

Organic animal breeding means the production of certified animal products by considering the well-being of animals without damaging the environment and without using any pesticide in a controlled manner. All aquaculture activities other than organic farming can be defined as conventional farming. Organic animal production has increased significantly annually over the past decade in the world. Dairy cattle production is examined with particular focus on the possibilities of improving the sustainability of ruminant systems and on the possible role of organic production to meet the demand of sustainability. Organic dairy cattle production can improve animal welfare, protect the environment and sustain rewarding rural life styles. Future of organic dairy cattle production will have to rely on continuous search for alternatives in nutrition, disease prevention and control that are environmentally friendly. Understanding organic dairy cattle farming from economic, ecological and animal welfare perspectives will increase the likelihood of success. In the current study, besides the basic principles of organic dairy cattle breeding that is a quite popular branch of business in recent years, the current state, weaknesses and strengths of organic dairy cattle breeding both in Turkey and the world and how organic dairy cattle breeding can be developed are discussed.