A gene expression estimator of intramuscular fat percentage for use in both cattle and sheep

Background：The expression of genes encoding proteins involved in triacyglyceride and fatty acid synthesis and storage in cattle muscle are correlated with intramuscular fat（IMF）%.Are the same genes also correlated with IMF%in sheep muscle,and can the same set of genes be used to estimate IMF%in both species？Results：The correlation between gene expression（microarray） and IMF%in the longissimus muscle（LM） of twenty sheep was calculated.An integrated analysis of this dataset with an equivalent cattle correlation dataset and a cattle differential expression dataset was undertaken.A total of 30 genes were identified to be strongly correlated with IMF%in both cattle and sheep.The overlap of genes was highly significant,8 of the 13 genes in the TAG gene set and 8 of the 13 genes in the FA gene set were in the top 100 and 500 genes respertively most correlated with IMF%in sheep,P-value = 0.Of the 30 genes,CIDEA,THRSP,ACSM1,DGAT2 and FABP4 had the highest average rank in both species.Using the data from two small groups of Brahman cattle（control and Hormone growth promotant-treated[known to decrease IMF%in muscle]） and 22 animals in total,the utility of a direct measure and different estimators of IMF%（ultrasound and gene expression） to differentiate between the two groups were examined.Directly measured IMF%and IMF%estimated from ultrasound scanning could not discriminate between the two groups.However,using gene expression to estimate IMF%discriminated between the two groups.Increasing the number of genes used to estimate IMF%from one to five significantly increased the discrimination power;but increasing the number of genes to 15 resulted in little further improvement.Conclusion：We have demonstrated the utility of a comparative approach to identify robust estimators of IMF%in the LM in cattle and sheep.We have also demonstrated a number of approaches（potentially applicable to much smaller groups of animals than conventional methods） to using gene expression to rank animals for IMF%within a single farm/treatment,or to estimate differences in IMF%between two farms/treatments.

First survey of hard ticks(Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle, sheep and goats in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties, Iran

Objective:To carry out the distribution survey of hard ticks of livestock in Boeen Zahra and Takistan counties of Qazvin province from April 2010 to September 2010.Methods:Nearly about 2638 sheep, 461 goats and 318 cattle of 38 herds in different geographical areas were searched for tick infestation.Results:The species compositions collected from the livestock of Boeen Zahra and Takistan wereHaemaphysalis concinna(0.63%),Haemaphysalis sulcata(12.66%),Hyalomma anatolicum(3.80%),Hyalomma asiaticum(3.16%),Hyalomma detritum(5.70%),Hyalomma dromedarii(28.48%),Hyalomma marginatum(13.29%),Hyalomma schulzei(1.89%),Rhipicephalus bursa(3.16%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus(3.16%), and for Takistan's livestock were Hyalomma dromedarii(9.86%),Hyalomma marginatum(13.29%),Hyalomma schulzei(1.89%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus(3.16%), respectively. Hard ticks compositions in different topographic areas were different.Hyalommaspecies had the most prevalence in the areas.Conclusions:The veterinary and public health investigation of the above species should be taken.

Transcriptional Features of Cattle Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues: A Study of RNA-seq

Visceral and subcutaneous are the two major types of bovine adipose tissues, and they show metabolic and functional differences according to their distribution, exploring the transcriptional features of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues is necessary. In the present study, we conducted RNA-seq analysis to compare the transcriptome between visceral (great omental) and subcutaneous (backfat) adipose tissues from Chinese Simmental cattle and validate them by qRT-PCR. We found that 5864 genes were differentially expressed between two tissues, including 2979 up-regulated and 2885 down-regulated in visceral adipose tissue. Functional analysis revealed a variety of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in lipid metabolism and immune response processes. This may provide valuable information to further our understanding of the complexity of gene regulation governing the physiology of different fat depots. This work highlighted potential genes regulating lipid metabolism and immune responses;it may contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic and functional differences between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep and Cattle Meat Using PCR-RFLP Technique

distribution.The main source of infection for humans is livestock and meat-producer animals.The relationships between Toxoplasma genotype and biological characteristics of the parasite have already been identified.According to the pathogenicity of the parasite in laboratory animals,Toxoplasma is divided into three genotypes included type I,II and III.Understanding the genotype of the parasite,could help us to predict clinical features and severity of disease.The aim of this study was to identify genotypes of T.gondii in cattle and sheep meat and meat products in Ahvaz city southwest of Iran.One hundred and ninety samples of tongue,heart and muscles of sheep and cattle and meat products,including sausages and burgers,were collected from slaughterhouses and stores.To identify Toxoplasma gondii,DNA were extracted from samples and B1 gene were amplified by specific primers.To determine the genotype of T.gondii,PCR-RFLP was done on positive samples using by amplifying GRA6 gene and endonuclease Msel enzyme.Data analysis showed that the strain of the parasite in all positive samples belonged to genotype I.In this study the predominant Toxoplasma genotype was type I which can cause severe clinical symptoms in immunocompromised patients.Further research is needed to determine the genotype of the parasite in humans and other animals.

HISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES IDENTIFYING MAST CELLS IN PIG,CATTLE AND SHEEP

Carnoy′s fluid and neutral buffered formalin(NBF)have been proved to be good fixatives for preservation of mast cells in pig,cattle and sheep except NBF blocked staining of most porcine mast cells,especially those located in intestinal mucosa(MMC)and in thymus medulla(TMMC). Both toluidine blue and Alcian blue were the excellent stains generally,but Alcian blue stained more porcine mast cells than did toluidine blue( P <0 01). Staining with toluidine blue of a wide pH range(from 0 1 to 7 0)showed that porcine mast cells were not very pH dependent,but the dye at pH 0 5 seemed to have the strongest affinity for all mast cells in pigs and it was also suitable for bovine and ovine mast cell staining. In the three species,unlike in rodents,the Alcian blue method did not distinguish between mast cells in the intestinal mucosa(MMC)and those in the connective tissue of the intestinal submucosa,tongue and skin(CTMC). Porcine CTMC,but not MMC,fluoresced strongly when stained with berberine sulphate or with a mixture of berberine sulphate and acridine orange. It suggested that porcine CTMC contained heparin proteoglycan.

Prevalence of ruminants fascioliasis and their economic effects in Kashan,center of Iran

Objective:To determine the prevalence and economic losses of Fasciola spp.isolates and costs incurred due to liver condemnation from ruminants in Kashan region,center of Iran from 2012 to 2013.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,a total number of 251 325 slaughtered sheep,goats and cattle(88939 sheep.151 924 goats and 10462 cattle) were examined via necropsy for fasciolasis in industrial Kashan abattoirs located in center of Iran.The average weight was calculated as 1 000 g for sheep,900 g for goat and 5000 g for cattle in this study region.Based on market value,the average price of a kilo gram of normal liver at Kashan city during the study period was 8 USD.The amount of main nutrients and vitamins elimination in liver contaminated to fascioliasis was determined.Results:Overall 3.28%of the livers were found to be infected.For total number of sheep,goats and cattle slaughtered annually in region study,it was estimated that 7505 livers were infected and total annual economic losses of fascioliasis of studied animals was 41 784 USD(based on market prices in study period).Of this.23 360 USD,30240 USD and 15400 USD were associated with the fascioliasis of sheep,goats and cattle,respectively.Conclusions:This study indicated that the Fasciola sp.clearly remains prevalent and causes considerable economic losses in study region in sheep,goats and cattle and presumably,other areas and hosts of Iran,providing baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important parasitic infection in the country.

Distribution of Selenium and Mercury in Heilongjiang Province and Its Effect on Body of Beef Cattle

The aim of this study was to study the distribution of Selenium （Se） and Mercury （Hg） in feed and drinking water in Heilongjiang Province and the effect on body of beef cattle. The experiment selected four areas of Qiqihar, Harbin, Jixi and Hegang Cities in Heilongjiang Province. In each area, a pasture was selected. Five beef cattle from each ranch were collected. At the same time, blood, liver, muscle, kidney, urine and faece of the cattle were collected, as well as drinking water, feed and formula feed from the ranch. The contents of Se and Hg in the collected samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that the contents of Se in liver, kidney, urine and blood of beef cattle were increased with the increase of Se contents in drinking water, while the contents of Se in muscle tissue and manure were decreased. When the contents of Se in feed increased, the contents of them in muscle, manure and liver of beef cattle were increased frst and then decreased, while the contents of Se in kidney, urine and blood were decreased frst and then increased. When Hg contents in drinking water were increased, the contents of them in beef cattle tissue, blood and manure were increased frst and then decreased, and the contents of Se in urine were increased frst and them decreased. And when Hg contents in feed increased, the contents of Se and Me were also increased. In conclusion, Se and Hg contents in these areas were within the safety standards, meanwhile, the contents of Se and Hg in body tissues of beef cattle were affected to varying degrees by the contents of selenium and mercury in feed.

Impacts of prenatal nutrition on animal production and performance： a focus on growth and metabolic and endocrine function in sheep

The concept of foetal programming（FP） originated from human epidemiological studies, where foetal life nutrition was linked to health and disease status later in life. Since the proposal of this phenomenon, it has been evaluated in various animal models to gain further insights into the mechanisms underlying the foetal origins of health and disease in humans. In FP research, the sheep has been quite extensively used as a model for humans. In this paper we will review findings mainly from our Copenhagen sheep model, on the implications of late gestation malnutrition for growth, development, and metabolic and endocrine functions later in life, and discuss how these implications may depend on the diet fed to the animal in early postnatal life. Our results have indicated that negative implications of foetal malnutrition, both as a result of overnutrition and, particularly, late gestation undernutrition, can impair a wide range of endocrine functions regulating growth and presumably also reproductive traits. These implications are not readily observable early in postnatal life, but are increasingly manifested as the animal approaches adulthood. No intervention or cure is known that can reverse this programming in postnatal life. Our findings suggest that close to normal growth and slaughter results can be obtained at least until puberty in animals which have undergone adverse programming in foetal life, but manifestation of programming effects becomes increasingly evident in adult animals.Due to the risk of transfer of the adverse programming effects to future generations, it is therefore recommended that animals that are suspected to have undergone adverse FP are not used for reproduction. Unfortunately, no reliable biomarkers have as yet been identified that allow accurate identification of adversely programmed offspring at birth,except for very low or high birth weights, and, in pigs, characteristic changes in head shape（dolphin head）. Future efforts should be therefore dedicated to identify reliable biomarkers and evaluate their effectiveness for alleviation/reversal of the adverse programming in postnatal life. Our sheep studies have shown that the adverse impacts of an extreme, high-fat diet in early postnatal life, but not prenatal undernutrition, can be largely reversed by dietary correction later in life. Thus, birth（at term） appears to be a critical set point for permanent programming in animals born precocial,such as sheep. Appropriate attention to the nutrition of the late pregnant dam should therefore be a priority in animal production systems.

Expression of <i>HMGR</i>in Lilu cattle tissues

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR ) is an essential enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. To study the expression of HMGR in adipose and muscle tissues, and some performance indexes of four age stages, twelve Lilu cattle were selected. The results indicated that the Lilu beef cattle have good production and slaughter performance. HMGR mRNA expression level in adipose was higher than in muscle, but the trend in adipose was the same as in muscle. HMGR mRNA expression is difference in adipose and muscle tissues suggesting this gene is expressed in a tissue-dependent manner in cattle. Understanding the causes of variation in HMGR gene expression may provide crucial information about cholesterol biosynthesis in Lilu beef cattle.

Vitamin A regulates intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle development:promoting high-quality beef production

During growth in cattle,the development of intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle is dependent upon cell hyperplasia(increased number of adipocytes)and hypertrophy(increased size of adipocytes).Based on the results of previous studies,other adipose tissue depots(e.g.,perirenal and subcutaneous)develop from the fetal stage primarily as brown adipose tissue.The hyperplastic stage of intramuscular adipose is considered to develop from late pregnancy,but there is no evidence indicating that intramuscular adipose tissue develops initially as brown adipose tissue.Hyperplastic growth of intramuscular adipose continues well into postweaning and is dependent on the timing of the transition to grain-based diets;thereafter,the late-stage development of intramuscular adipose tissue is dominated by hypertrophy.For muscle development,hyperplasia of myoblasts lasts from early(following development of somites in the embryo)to middle pregnancy,after which growth of muscle is the result of hypertrophy of myofibers.Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound that is required for the normal immunologic function,vision,cellular proliferation,and differentiation.Here we review the roles of vitamin A in intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle development in cattle.Vitamin A regulates both hyperplasia and hypertrophy in in vitro experiments.Vitamin A supplementation at the early stage and restriction at fattening stage generate opposite effects in the beef cattle.Appropriate vitamin A supplementation and restriction strategy increase intramuscular adipose tissue development(i.e.,marbling or intramuscular fat)in some in vivo trials.Besides,hyperplasia and hypertrophy of myoblasts/myotubes were affected by vitamin A treatment in in vitro trials.Additionally,some studies reported an interaction between the alcohol dehydrogenase-1C(ADH1C)genotype and vitamin A feed restriction for the development of marbling and/or intramuscular adipose tissue,which was dependent on the timing and level of vitamin A restriction.Therefore,the feed strategy of vitamin A has the visible impact on the marbling and muscle development in the cattle,which will be helpful to promote the quality of the beef.

Production of Methane Emissions from Ruminant Husbandry: A Review

The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of methane (CH4) production from ruminants. The objectives are to identify the factors affecting CH4 production. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Ruminant livestock constitute worldwide the most important source of anthropogenic emissions of methane. There are two main factors influencing global warming change, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of the ozone layer. Methane is associated with both factors. Ruminants (dairy, beef, goats, and sheep) are the main contributors to CH4 production. Their CH4 production is a natural and inevitable outcome of rumen fermentation. Feed is converted into products such as milk and meat. Many factors influence ruminant CH4 production, including level of intake, type and quality of feeds, energy consumption, animal size, growth rate, level of production, and environmental temperature. The methane emissions in dairy cows represent values from 151 to 497 g·day-1. Lactating cows produced more CH4 (354 g·day-1) than dry cows (269 g·day-1) and heifers (223 g·day-1). Dairy ewe generates 8.4 kg·head-1 annually. Holstein produced more CH4 (299 g·day-1) than the Crossbred (264 g·day-1). Methane emission by heifers grazing on fertilized pasture was higher (223 g·day-1) than that of heifers on unfertilized pasture (179 g·day-1). The average CH4 emissions are from 161 g·day-1 to 323 g·day-1 in beef cattle. Mature beef cows emit CH4 approximately from 240 g·day-1 to 396 g·day-1. Suffolk sheep emit 22 - 25 g·day-1. The bison’s annual CH4 emissions per year were 72 kg·head-1. The CH4 emission from manure depends on the physical form of the feces, the amount of digestible material, the climate, and the time they remained intact. The annual emissions from the pens and storage pond at dairy farm were 120 kg·cow-1.

A Zooarchaeological Study on the Origins of Animal Domestication in Ancient China

A series of criteria such as morphological metrics, pathology, age structure, sex ratios, relative proportions, archaeological phenomena, diet analysis, and DNA studies are established for identifying the origins of domestic animals in ancient China in a scientific way. Using these criteria, it is established that the earliest domestic dog has been found in southern Hebei Province(ca. 10,000 BP), and the earliest domestic pig in southern Henan Province(ca. 9000 BP). Domestic sheep have been found in the Gansu–Qinghai region dating from 5600–5000 BP, and domestic cattle in eastern Gansu Province(ca. 5000 BP). Domestic horses from the period 4000–3600 BP have been discovered in eastern Gansu, and domestic chickens have been identified from sites in eastern Henan Province dating to ca. 3300 BP. Although the locations and time of the origins of animal domestication vary, they are mostly located in northern China.

Determination of Selected Heavy Metals in the Organs of Some Animals Reared in the Gold-Mining Areas of Zamfara State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cd and Pb) in the liver, kidney and flesh of Cattle, Sheep and Goats from Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government areas of Zamfara State Nigeria. The levels of heavy metals in the liver, kidney and flesh of beef, mutton and caprine ranged from 56 to 549 μg&#183g-1 for Zn;109 to 576 μg&#183g-1 for Fe;0.0 to 4.0 μg&#183g-1 for Pb;2.52 to 13.25 μg&#183g-1 for Mn;0.00 to 19.64 μg&#183g-1 for Cr;0.00 to 0.25 μg·g-1 for Cd;0.00 to 2.71 μg&#183g-1 for Co and 3.59 to 538 μg&#183g-1 for Cu. The concentration of Cr, Pb and Mn in the kidneys and livers of the samples were observed to be higher than the maximum allowable level. Similarly, the exception of Cr in the liver of sheep and goat from Anka and liver of sheep from Bukkuyum, Pb in some liver and kidney samples and Mn in some liver, kidney samples and flesh of cattle from Anka were found to be polluted and hence unsafe for consumption.

牛羊布鲁氏菌病虎红平板凝集试验技术要点分析

牛羊布鲁氏菌病(布病)为牛羊养殖过程中的重大传染性疾病,既是养殖场(户)在生产管理中的关键防控对象,也是我国兽医部门每年春防、秋防规定必须严格监测的疫病。为了提升当前基层兽医人员对牛羊布病的防控检测水平,提高检测结果的准确性,结合团队成员近几年在基层牛羊布病虎红平板凝集试验检测指导的经验,依据中华人民共和国卫生行业标准WS269-2019《布鲁氏菌病诊断标准》,对基层兽医技术人员在检测过程中的操作误区进行详尽剖析,并提出精细化、规范化的指导建议。旨在提升基层技术人员的操作技能,并为相关研究提供参考。

安徽省牛羊布鲁氏菌病监测工作现状调研

为全面了解安徽省牛羊布鲁氏菌病监测工作现状,通过实地走访和书面调研相结合方式开展了为期3个月的调研。调研发现:安徽省牛羊布鲁氏菌病流行率总体较低(0.22%),但各年份的个体阳性率有差异;在种畜场、商品代饲养场、散养户以及屠宰场、交易市场等场点均检出阳性样品;有3个地级市未建设市级兽医实验室,9个县级实验室没有正式运行,实验室现有人员平均配备数量只达到了实际需要的60%左右;全省各级兽医实验室工作经费普遍不足,缺少稳定来源;人间布鲁氏菌病病例数量和地域范围整体呈上升和扩大趋势,病例以养殖相关从业人员为主。总体来看,安徽省牛羊布鲁氏菌污染面较广,兽医实验室监测能力不足,对高危职业人群的布鲁氏菌病防护宣传不到位。因此,在全省牛羊饲养业稳定发展的形势下,应持续加强牛羊布鲁氏菌病监测和对高危职业人群的防护宣传,重视兽医实验室经费投入和专业技术人员配备,以确保布鲁氏菌病监测工作顺利开展,稳定提升重点地区重点环节的监测能力。

湖南省2023年5—6月跨省调入饲养用牛羊追溯调查与布鲁氏菌病监测

为评估分析外省份调入湖南省饲养用牛羊引入布鲁氏菌病(以下简称“布病”)的风险,对“湖南省动物卫生监督信息平台”2023年5—6月跨省调入饲养用牛羊开展监测排查,并就其来源、去向及布病检测结果等进行调查统计。结果显示:全省共调入饲养用牛羊270批次12850头/只,涉及19个省/自治区/直辖市,其中13个省份为原布病防控一类地区;有164批次牛羊来源于布病免疫区,占60.74%;有96批次牛羊实际用于继续饲养,占35.56%;采集牛羊血清样品1396份,检出布病抗体阳性7份。结果表明,湖南省存在牛羊布病输入性风险,应加大调运监管力度,减少牛羊布病从高风险地区向低风险地区传播的风险。

河南省牛羊规模场布鲁氏菌病感染情况调查

[目的]掌握河南省牛羊布鲁氏菌病流行情况,为牛羊布病防控和净化工作提供理论和科学依据。[方法]2022年对河南省168个场次的4 902头牛羊血清样品进行布病感染抗体检测,并按动物种类、场点类别等对检测结果进行统计分析。[结果]2022年河南省牛羊布病感染抗体平均场群阳性率为5.36%,平均个体阳性率为0.47%;牛布病感染抗体场群阳性率为3.61%,个体阳性率为0.24%;羊场群阳性率为7.06%,个体阳性率为0.71%;阳性样品均来自商品代养殖场(户),种畜场、屠宰场无阳性样品检出。[结论]河南省牛羊布病流行情况整体处于可控水平,种畜场布病净化工作取得了一定成效,随着牛羊养殖规模化程度的提升,当前牛羊布病防控的重点在于商品代规模场(户),应依据调查结果,结合场群实际,进一步完善和推进布病净化工作。

猪、牛、羊和禽抗蠕虫药临床有效性试验研究要点

抗蠕虫药是指能杀灭或驱除人和动物寄生蠕虫的药物,市场需求巨大。为满足兽药行业发展和寄生虫病防控的实际需要,农业农村部兽药评审中心根据抗蠕虫药临床有效性试验评审现状,充分借鉴兽用药品注册技术要求国际协调会(International Coordination on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medical Products,VICH)的兽药研究指导原则和技术评审要求,组织制订了《猪/牛/羊/禽抗蠕虫药临床有效性试验技术指导原则》,科学指导抗蠕虫药研发和评审工作,促进兽药行业高质量发展。本文从《猪/牛/羊/禽抗蠕虫药临床有效性试验技术指导原则》的制订思路和主要内容,科学、系统阐述猪/牛/羊/禽抗蠕虫药临床有效性研究的要点,以期为抗蠕虫药物的研发、申报注册和技术评审提供科学指导和依据。

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法检测牛组织和奶中咪多卡残留的研究

建立了一种检测牛组织和牛奶中咪多卡残留检测的高效液相色谱-串联质谱法。牛组织(肌肉、肝脏、肾脏、脂肪)和奶在NaAc缓冲体系中酶解,经HCl溶液提取,WCX固相萃取柱净化,以0.3%甲酸水溶液(含20 mM甲酸铵)和0.3%甲酸乙腈为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在HILIC色谱柱上分离,在电喷雾正离子(ESI^(+))模式下,用多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,同位素内标法定量。结果表明:咪多卡在2.5~1000 ng/mL的浓度范围内呈现良好线性关系,相关系数(R^(2))大于0.99;咪多卡在牛组织和奶中的检测限均为10μg/kg,定量限均为20μg/kg;咪多卡在牛组织和奶中20~4000μg/kg添加浓度水平上的回收率在70.9%~109%范围内;批内RSD在0.55%~9.59%之间,批间RSD在2.21%~12.1%之间。该方法具有灵敏度高、定量准确,重复性好等特点,可以满足牛组织和奶中咪多卡残留检测的要求。

发酵杂交构树饲料在牛羊生产中的应用

发酵杂交构树饲料是以杂交构树为原料通过青贮发酵所得到的一种新型非常规饲料,具有蛋白含量高、制作成本低等优点,已被广泛应用于解决当前蛋白质饲料不足问题的尝试中。本文综述了发酵杂交构树的营养价值及其发酵方法,并对其在牛羊养殖中的应用进行了整理讨论,为发酵杂交构树今后在反刍动物生产中的进一步推广利用提供理论参考。