Effects of Combining Feed Grade Urea and a Slow-release Urea Product on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy in Steers Fed Diets with Different Starch:ADF Ratios

Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Rivera-Mendez, C.R.,Aguilar-Hernandez, J.A.,Barreras, A.,Calderon-Cortes, J.F.,Plascencia, A.,Davila-Ramos, H.,Estrada-Angulo, A.,Valdes-Garcia, Y.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

As a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e. DDGS) in feedlot diets is a common practice. This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and greater amount of fibre. Hypothetically, combining feed grade urea (U) with slow release urea (Optigen) in this type of diet should elicit a better synchrony between starch (high-rate of digestion) and fibre (low-rate of digestion) promoting a better microbial protein synthesis and ruminal digestion with increasing the digestible energy of the diet. Four cannulated Holstein steers ($213{\pm}4$ kg) were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to examine the combination of Optigen and U in a finishing diet containing different starch:acid detergent fibre ratios (S:F) on the characteristics of digestive function. Three S:F ratios (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) were tested using a combination of U (0.80%) and Optigen (1.0%). Additionally, a treatment of 4.5 S:F ratio with urea (0.80% in ration) as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used to compare the effect of urea combination at same S:F ratio. The S:F ratio of the diet was manipulated by replacing the corn grain by dried distillers grain with solubles and roughage. Urea combination did not affect ruminal pH. The S:F ratio did not affect ruminal pH at 0 and 2 h post-feeding but, at 4 and 6 h, the ruminal pH decreased as the S:F ratio increased (linear, p<0.05). Ruminal digestion of OM, starch and feed N were not affected by urea combination or S:F ratio. The urea combination did not affect ADF ruminal digestion. ADF ruminal digestion decreased linearly (p = 0.02) as the S:F ratio increased. Compared to the urea treatment (p<0.05) and within the urea combination treatment (quadratic, p<0.01), the flow of microbial nitrogen (MN) to the small intestine and ruminal microbial efficiency were greater for the urea combination at a S:F ratio of 4.5. Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved (2.8%, p = 0.02) postruminal N digestion. As S:F ratio increased, OM digestion increased, but ADF total tract digestion decreased. The combination of urea at 4.5 S:F improved (2%, p = 0.04) the digestible energy (DE) more than expected. Combining urea and Optigen resulted in positive effects on the MN flow and DE of the diet, but apparently these advantages are observed only when there is a certain proportion of starch:ADF in the diet.

True Digestibility of Phosphorus in Different Resources of Feed Ingredients in Growing Pigs

Wu, X.,Ruan, Z.,Zhang, Y.G.,Hou, Y.Q.,Yin, Y.L.,Li, T.J.,Huang, R.L.,Chu, W.Y.,Kong, X.F.,Gao, B.,Chen, L.X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

To determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs, two experiments were designed with the experimental diets containing five true digestible P levels (0.16%, 0.20%, 0.23%, 0.26% and 0.39%) and the ratio of total calcium to true digestible P (TDP) kept at 2:1. In Experiment 1, five barrows (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 27.9 kg were used in a $5{\times}5$ Latin-square design to evaluate the effect of different dietary P levels on the digestibility and output of P and nitrogen. In Experiment 2, sixty healthy growing pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 21.4 kg were assigned randomly to one of the five dietary treatments (12 pigs/diet), and were used to determine the true digestible phosphorus (TDP) requirement of growing pigs on the basis of growth performance and serum biochemical indices. The results indicated that the true digestibility of P increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing dietary TDP level below 0.26%. The true P digestibility was highest (56.6%) when dietary TDP was 0.34%. Expressed as g/kg dry matter intake (DMI), fecal P output increased (p<0.05) linearly with increasing P input. On the basis of g/kg fecal dry matter (DM), fecal P output was lowest for Diet 4 and highest (p<0.05) for Diet 5. The apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) did not differ (p>0.05) among the five diets, with the average nitrogen output of 12.14 g/d and nitrogen retention of 66% to 74% (p>0.05), which suggested that there was no interaction between dietary P and CP protein levels. During the 28-d experimental period of Experiment 2, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs was affected by dietary TDP levels as described by Eq. (1): $y=-809,532x^4+788,079x^3-276,250x^2+42,114x-1,759$; ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = ADG, g/d; x = dietary TDP, %), F/G for pigs by Eq. (2): $y=3,651.1x^4-3,480.4x^3+1,183.8x^2-172.5x+10.9$ ($R^2=0.99$; p<0.01; y = F/G; x = dietary TDP, %), and Total P concentrations in serum by Eq. (3): $y=-3,311.7x^4+3,342.7x^3-1,224.6x^2+195.6x-8.7$ (R2 = 0.99; p<0.01; y = total serum P concentration and x = dietary TDP, %). The highest ADG (782 g/d), the lowest F/G (1.07) and the highest total serum P concentration (3.1 mmol/L) were obtained when dietary TDP level was 0.34%. Collectively, these results indicate that the optimal TDP requirement of growing pigs is 0.34% of the diet at a total Ca to TDP ratio of 2:1.

Effect of Cattle Breeds on Milk Composition and Technological Characteristics in China

Yang, T.X.,Li, H.,Wang, F.,Liu, X.L.,Li, Q.Y. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.6

Cattle breeds have a striking effect on milk, including milk composition and technological characteristics. This study aims to compare milk composition, acidification activity, viscosity, milk dispersion system stability and casein molecular weight among three buffalo breeds in China. The technological characteristics of milk produced by three cattle breeds of river buffalo (Murrah), crossbreed 1st generation ($F_1$), crossbreed multiple generation ($F_H$, $H{\geq}3$) buffaloes were investigated. Cattle breeds showed evident effect on milk protein, fat and total solids content, but little effect on most of buffalo casein molecular weight. Milk fat, protein content and the viscosity of buffalo milk from river buffalo were lower than those of $F_1$ and $F_H$, so was the buffer capacity. The viscosity was negatively correlated to temperature and concentration. Results of stability coefficient showed that milk dispersion system had the best dynamic stability characteristics under pH 6.6 and 6 times dilution, while zeta potential of Murrah milk was slightly higher than that of hybrid offspring ($F_1$, $F_H$). SDS-PAGE results showed that buffalo ${\alpha}_s$-casein had a slightly faster mobility than standard ${\alpha}_s$-casein; while buffalo ${\beta}$-casein showed a slightly slower mobility than standard ${\beta}$-casein. There is no clear differences in molecular weight of ${\alpha}_s$-, ${\beta}$-, and ${\kappa}$-casein among Murrah, $F_1$ and $F_H$.

Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

H.C. Liu,J.F. Huang,S.R. Lee,H.L. Liu,C.H. Hsieh,C.W. Huang,M.C. Huang,C. Tai,J.P. Poivey,R. Rouvier,Y.S. Cheng 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.5

A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie (h2 = 0.07±0.03) and M (h2 = 0.07±0.01), moderately low for Dm (h2 = 0.13±0.02), of medium values for H (h2 = 0.20±0.03) and F (h2 = 0.23±0.03). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm (rg = 0.93), between F and H (rg = 0.97) and between Dm and H (rg = 0.90). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings’ feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.

Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Liu, H.C.,Huang, J.F.,Lee, S.R.,Liu, H.L.,Hsieh, C.H.,Huang, C.W.,Huang, M.C.,Tai, C.,Poivey, J.P.,Rouvier, R.,Cheng, Y.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.5

A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.03$) and M ($h^2=0.07{\pm}0.01$), moderately low for Dm ($h^2=0.13{\pm}0.02$), of medium values for H ($h^2=0.20{\pm}0.03$) and F ($h^2=0.23{\pm}0.03$). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm ($r_g=0.93$), between F and H ($r_g=0.97$) and between Dm and H ($r_g=0.90$). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings' feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.

Feed Intake Patterns and Growth Performance of Purebred and Crossbred Meishan and Yorkshire Pigs

Hyun, Y.,Wolter, B.F.,Ellis, M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.6

Two experiments were conducted to compare the feed intake patterns and growth performance of Meishan and Yorkshire growing pigs. Experiment 1 was carried out over a 6-wk period and used 48 barrows with equal numbers of purebred Meishan (M) and Yorkshire (Y). Pigs were allocated to four groups of 12 pigs consisting of equal numbers of M and Y. Initial BW were $36.4{\pm}0.32kg$ and $42.1{\pm}1.41kg$ for M and Y, respectively. Experiment 2 was carried out over a 5-week period and used 48 pigs consisting of equal numbers of both barrows and gilts and of crossbred Meishan$\times$Yorkshire (MY) and purebred Yorkshire (Y) animals. Pigs were allotted to 6 pens of 8 pigs, with 4 single- and 2 mixed-genotype groups (initial $BW=28.5{\pm}0.99kg$). In both experiments, pigs were given ad libitum access to a grower diet (17% crude protein, 0.9% lysine, 3365 kcal/kg ME) via feed intake recording equipment (F.I.R.E.). Pigs carried an ear-tag transponder with an unique identification which allowed the time, duration, and size of individual meals to be recorded. In Exp. 1, Y had higher ADG (721 vs 353 g, p<0.01), daily feed intake (DFI; 2.338 vs 1.363 kg, p<0.01), made more frequent visits to the feeder per day (NFV; 18.5 vs 7.7, p<0.01), had a shorter feeder occupation time per visit (FOV; 7.4 vs 12.9 min, p<0.01), and ate less feed per visit (FIV; 130 vs 177 g, p<0.01) than M pigs. Feed consumption rates (CR) were greater for Y compared to M (19.3 vs 14.8 g/min, p<0.01). Feeder occupation time per day (FOD) was longer for Y than M (114.3 vs 82.8 min/pig, p<0.01). Yorkshire pigs visited the feeder more frequently between 0800 and 1100 h. Meishan pigs showed more frequent feeder visits between 0600 and 0800 h, and between 1600 and 2100 h when feeding competition with Y was reduced. In Exp. 2, there was no effect of genotype or group composition on DFI, ADG or gain:feed ratio. Crossbred pigs (MY) made fewer feeder visits (12.6 vs 17.7, p<0.01), and had greater FIV (124 vs 98 g/visit, p<0.01), and longer FOV (8.11 vs 7.24 min/visit, p<0.01) and FOD (112 vs 100 min, p<0.05) than Y pigs. Results of this study suggest substantial genetic variation in feeding patterns as well as in growth performance.

DdeI Polymorphism in Coding Region of Goat POU1F1 Gene and Its Association with Production Traits

Lan, X.Y.,Pan, C.Y.,Chen, H.,Lei, C.Z.,Hua, L.S.,Yang, X.B.,Qiu, G.Y.,Zhang, R.F.,Lun, Y.Z. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.9

POU1F1 is a positive regulator for GH, PRL and TSH${\beta}$ and its mutations associate with production traits in ruminant animals. We described a DdeI PCR-RFLP method for detecting a silent allele in the goat POU1F1 gene: TCT (241Ser)>TCG (241Ser). Frequencies of $D_1$ allele varied from 0.600 to 1.000 in Chinese 801 goats. Significant associations of DdeI polymorphism with production traits were found in milk yield (*p<0.05), litter size (*p<0.05) and one-year-old weight (*p<0.05) between different genotypes. Individuals with genotype $D_1D_1$ had a superior performances when compared to those with genotype $D_1D_2$ (*p<0.05). Hence, the POU1F1 gene was suggested to the potential candidate gene for superior milk performance, reproduction trait and weight trait. Genotype $D_1D_1$, characterized by a DdeI PCR-RFLP detection, was recommended to geneticists and breeders as a molecular marker for better performance in the goat industry.

P2Y1 receptor signaling is controlled by interaction with the PDZ scaffold NHERF-2

Fam, S. R.,Paquet, M.,Castleberry, A. M.,Oller, H.,Lee, C. J.,Traynelis, S. F.,Smith, Y.,Yun, C. C.,Hall, R. A. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2005 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF Vol.102 No.22

<P>P2Y(1) purinergic receptors (P2Y(1)Rs) mediate rises in intracellular Ca(2+) in response to ATP, but the duration and characteristics of this Ca(2+) response are known to vary markedly in distinct cell types. We screened the P2Y(1)R carboxyl terminus against a recently created proteomic array of PDZ (PSD-95/Drosophila Discs large/ZO-1 homology) domains and identified a previously unrecognized, specific interaction with the second PDZ domain of the scaffold NHERF-2 (Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor type 2). Furthermore, we found that P2Y(1)R and NHERF-2 associate in cells, allowing NHERF-2-mediated tethering of P2Y(1)R to key downstream effectors such as phospholipase Cbeta. Finally, we found that coexpression of P2Y(1)R with NHERF-2 in glial cells prolongs P2Y(1)R-mediated Ca(2+) signaling, whereas disruption of the P2Y(1)R-NHERF-2 interaction by point mutations attenuates the duration of P2Y(1)R-mediated Ca(2+) responses. These findings reveal that NHERF-2 is a key regulator of the cellular activity of P2Y(1)R and may therefore determine cell-specific differences in P2Y(1)R-mediated signaling.</P>

Experimental investigation on effect of ion cyclotron resonance heating on density fluctuation in SOL at EAST

Y.C. Li,M.H. Li,M. Wang,L. Liu,X.J. Zhang,C.M. Qin,Y.F. Wang,C.B. Wu,L.N. Liu,J.C. Xu,B. J. Ding,X. D. Lin,B. J. Ding,X. D. Lin,J. F. Shan,F. K. Liu,Y. P. Zhao,T. Zhang,X. Gao 한국원자력학회 2022 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.54 No.1

The suppression of high-intensity blob structures in the scrape-off layer (SOL) by ion-cyclotron range offrequencies (ICRF) power, leading to a decrease in the turbulent fluctuation level, is observed first in theExperimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) experiment. This suppression effect from ICRFpower injection is global in the whole SOL at EAST, i.e. blob structures both in the regions that aremagnetically connected to the active ICRF launcher and in the regions that are not connected to theactive ICRF launcher could be suppressed by ICRF power. However, more ICRF power is required to reachthe full blob structure suppression effect in the regions that are magnetically unconnected to the activelauncher than in the regions that are magnetically connected to the active launcher. Studies show that apossible reason for the blob suppression could be the enhanced Er B shear flow in the SOL, which issupported by the shaper radial gradient in the floating potential profiles sensed by the divertor probearrays with increasing ICRF power. The local RF wave power unabsorbed by the core plasma isresponsible for the modification of potential profiles in the SOL regions.

Substitution of Wheat for Corn in Beef Cattle Diets: Digestibility, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Serum Metabolite Contents and Ruminal Fermentation

Liu, Y.F.,Zhao, H.B.,Liu, X.M.,You, W.,Cheng, H.J.,Wan, F.C.,Liu, G.F.,Tan, X.W.,Song, E.L.,Zhang, X.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.10

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing different amounts of wheat, as a partial or whole substitute for corn, on digestibility, digestive enzyme activities, serum metabolite contents and ruminal fermentation in beef cattle. Four Limousin${\times}$LuXi crossbred cattle with a body weight ($400{\pm}10kg$), fitted with permanent ruminal, proximal duodenal and terminal ileal cannulas, were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with four treatments: Control (100% corn), 33% wheat (33% substitution for corn), 67% wheat (67% substitution for corn), and 100% wheat (100% substitution for corn) on a dry matter basis. The results showed that replacing corn with increasing amounts of wheat increased the apparent digestibility values of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein (p<0.05). While the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were lower with increasing amounts of wheat. Digestive enzyme activities of lipase, protease and amylase in the duodenum were higher with increasing wheat amounts (p<0.05), and showed similar results to those for the enzymes in the ileum except for amylase. Increased substitution of wheat for corn increased the serum alanine aminotransferase concentration (p<0.05). Ruminal pH was not different between those given only corn and those given 33% wheat. Increasing the substitution of wheat for corn increased the molar proportion of acetate and tended to increase the acetate-to-propionate ratio. Cattle fed 100% wheat tended to have the lowest ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentration compared with control (p<0.05), whereas no differences were observed among the cattle fed 33% and 67% wheat. These findings indicate that wheat can be effectively used to replace corn in moderate amounts to meet the energy and fiber requirements of beef cattle.