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.

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.

Phase formations and tunable red luminescence of Na₂CaMg_1−<i>x</i>Mn_<i>x</i>(PO₄)₂ (<i>x</i> = 0.05–1.0)

Lü,, Juan,Du, Fuping,Zhu, Rui,Huang, Yanlin,Seo, Hyo Jin Royal Society of Chemistry 2011 Journal of materials chemistry Vol.21 No.41

<P>Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-doped phosphates Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Mn<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> (<I>x</I> = 0.05–1.0) were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the emission and excitation spectra, and decay measurements were employed to characterize the synthesized phosphors. The XRD patterns show that Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Mn<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> (<I>x</I> = 0.05–0.3) forms the single low temperature monoclinic phase α-Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> with the crystal group of <I>P</I>2<SUB>1</SUB>/<I>c</I> (No.14). The heavily Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-doped Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Mn<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> (<I>x</I> = 0.6–1.0) crystallizes in the single high-temperature trigonal phase of β-Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> with space-group <I>P</I>3̄<I>m</I>1 (No. 164). The members with <I>x</I> = 0.3–0.5 form a series of solid solutions containing two distinct phases, α- and β-Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>. The dependence of luminescence spectra on the Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-doping concentration in Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Mn<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> (<I>x</I> = 0.05–1.0) was investigated. The great red-shift of Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> emission with increasing Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-concentration in Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> were observed. The results are discussed in relation with the detailed crystal structure and the spectral analyses. The CIE coordinates and the luminescence decay (lifetimes) of Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> ions were discussed in order to further investigate the potential applications.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Na<SUB>2</SUB>CaMg<SUB>1−<I>x</I></SUB>Mn<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>(PO<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB> demonstrates the low-temperature monoclinic α-phase to the high-temperature trigonal β-phase transition and the red-shift of luminescence wavelength with increasing Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-doping (<I>x</I> = 0.05–1.0). <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c1jm12854j'> </P>

The luminescence properties of Eu2+ doped Na2CaMg(PO4)2 phosphor

Lü,, Juan,Huang, Yanlin,Shi, Liang,Seo, Hyo Jin Springer-Verlag 2010 APPLIED PHYSICS A MATERIALS SCIENCE AND PROCESSING Vol.99 No.4

Fabrication and characterization of fluorohydroxyapatite nanocrystals/poly(d,l-lactide) composite scaffolds

L. Cheng,S.M. Zhang,P.P. Chen,S.L. Huang,L. Liu,W. Zhou,J. Liu,H. Gong,Q.M. Luo 한국물리학회 2007 Current Applied Physics Vol.7 No.s1

Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA)/uorohydroxyapatite nanocrystals (nano-F-HA) porous scaolds were successfully fabricated through asolvent-casting and particulate-leaching technique. Nano-HA/PDLLA scaold and PDLLA scaold were prepared by using the sameprocess for comparison. The structure, phase and morphology of the nanocomposite scaolds were observed by SEM. The results indi-cated that F-HA nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in the PDLLA matrix. The porosity of the scaolds was up to 90%, andmacropores and micropores coexisted and interconnected throughout the scaolds. Cell culture experiments demonstrated that the nano-F-HA/PDLLA scaffold had the best adhesion tendency to chondrocytes among the scaffolds investigated.

Effect of Corticosterone Administration on Small Intestinal Weight and Expression of Small Intestinal Nutrient Transporter mRNA of Broiler Chickens

Hu, X.F.,Guo, Yuming,Huang, B.Y.,Zhang, L.B.,Bun, S.,Liu, D.,Long, F.Y.,Li, J.H.,Yang, X.,Jiao, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.2

The effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on the weight of small intestine and the expression of nutrient transporter mRNA in the small intestine of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were investigated. One hundred and eight sevenday-old birds were randomly divided into two equal groups comprising a control group (CTRL) and an experimental group (CORT). CTRL birds were fed a basal diet and the CORT birds were fed a basal diet containing 30 mg corticosterone/kg from d 8 to 21. At 21 d of age, average daily feed intake (ADFI), serum corticosterone level, small intestinal absolute wet weight and relative weight, and relative abundance of SGLT1, CaBP-D28k, PepT1 mRNA in the duodenum and L-FABP mRNA in the jejunum were determined. The results showed that serum corticosterone level, liver weight and small intestinal relative weight (small intestinal wet weight/body weight) of CORT chickens were about 30.15%, 26.72% and 42.20% higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). CORT birds had relative mRNA abundance of CaBP-D28k and PepT1 in the duodenum, and L-FABP in the jejunum which was 1.77, 1.37 and 1.94 fold higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05); the relative abundance of SGLT1 was 1.67 fold higher than in the CTRL group (p = 0.097). ADFI, small intestinal wet weight and length in CORT-treated broiler chickens was about 29.11%, 31.12% and 12.35% lower, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). In conclusion, corticosterone administration lowered the wet weight but increased the relative weight of the small intestine and the expression of intestinal nutrient transporter mRNA of broiler chickens.

The Expression of Genes Related to Egg Production in the Liver of Taiwan Country Chickens

Ding, S.T.,Ko, Y.H.,Ou, B.R.,Wang, P.H.,Chen, C.L.,Huang, M.C.,Lee, Y.P.,Lin, E.C.,Chen, C.F.,Lin, H.W.,Cheng, Winston Teng Kuei Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.1

The purpose of this study was to detect expression of genes related to egg production in Taiwan Country chickens by suppression subtractive hybridization. Liver samples of mRNA extraction from two Taiwan Country chicken strains (L2 and B), originated from the same population but with very distinct egg production rates after long-term selection for egg and meat production respectively. Two-way subtraction was performed. The hepatic cDNA from the low egg production chickens (B) was subtracted from the hepatic cDNA from the high egg production strain (L2). The reversed subtraction (L2 from B) was also performed. The resulting differentially expressed gene fragments were cloned and sequenced. We sequenced 288 clones from the forward subtraction and 96 clones from the reverse subtraction. These genes were subjected to further screening to confirm the differential expression between the two genetic breeds of chickens. The apolipoprotein B (apoB) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the L2 than in the B line chickens. The 5-aminoimidazole- 4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (PURH) was expressed to a greater extent in the liver of the B than in the L2 strain chickens. We demonstrated that both apoB and PURH were more highly expressed in the liver than that in other tissues (muscle, ovary, and oviduct) in laying Taiwan Country chickens. Taken together, these data suggest that after the selection for egg production, expression of apoB and PURH genes were also changed. Whether the changed expression of these genes is directly related to egg production is not known, but these two genes may be useful markers for egg laying performance in Taiwan Country chickens.

Effects of Free-range Farming on Carcass and Meat Qualities of Black-feathered Taiwan Native Chicken

Cheng, F.Y.,Huang, C.W.,Wan, T.C.,Liu, Y.T.,Lin, L.C.,Lou Chyr, Chu-Ying Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.8

The effects of free-range farming, compared to a conventional production system, on carcass and meat qualities were studied using black-feathered Taiwan native chickens. Twenty 16-week old females were purchased separately from a free-range farm and a conventional production farm and used for this study. The results showed similarities in the live weight (roughly 2.1 kg), dressing percentage (69%) and meat percentage (19%) of deboned leg quarter. Significant differences (p<0.05) found for the free-range chickens included: a higher percentage of meat for the breast, an increased crude protein content and chewiness value for the breast, but decreased crude fat content and lower hardness and fracturablility values for the leg quarter. Significantly higher L* values were found for the breast and leg meat of conventionally produced chickens, whereas no significant differences were found for WHC and purge loss between the breast and the leg, and between the two production systems as well. Results of sensory evaluation showed a significant preference for leg over breast meat (p<0.05). The scores of all the attributes including aroma, flavor, firmness, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of leg meat from free-range chickens were slightly higher than for conventional chickens, while the reverse was true for breast meat, though no significant difference could be found. Free-range Taiwan native chicken appeared to yield the best of the results, with flavorful yet tender leg meat for higher sensory satisfaction, and high-protein but low-fat breast meat for healthier diet choice.

Magnetic Properties and Microstructure of Nano-grain L1₀ FePt(200) Films

An-Cheng Sun,F.T. Yuan,H.W. Chang,P.C. Kuo,S.C. Chen,C.T. Lee,Jen-Hwa Hsu,H. L. Huang 한국자기학회 2007 한국자기학회 학술연구발표회 논문개요집 Vol.- No.-

Design load-carrying capacity estimates and an improved wooden shore setup

Huang, Y.L.,Lin, Y.C.,Lee, C.F.,Chen, H.J.,Yen, T. Techno-Press 2004 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.17 No.2

The design load-carrying capacities of wooden shores depend on factors, such as the wood species and properties, and construction methods. This paper focuses on the construction methods, including an upright single shore, group of upright shores, group of inclined shores, butt connections and lap connections. This paper reports experiments to obtain critical loads and then developed an empirical equation based on Euler' formula for the critical loads and design load-carrying capacities. The test results show that the critical loads for an upright single wooden shore are greater than the average values for a group of upright shores, and the latter are greater than the average values for a group of inclined shores. Test results also show that the critical loads become smaller when butt or lap connections are used, butt connections possessing greater critical loads than lap connections. Groups of inclined shores are very popular at work sites because they have some practical advantages even though they actually possess inferior critical loads. This paper presents an improved setup for constructing groups of inclined shores. With this method, the inclined shores have larger critical loads than upright shores. The design load-carrying capacities were obtained by multiplying the average critical loads by a resistance factor (or strength reduction factor, ${\phi}$) that were all smaller than 1. This article preliminarily suggests ${\phi}$ factors based on the test results for the reference of engineers or specification committees.