Animal Science Journal, Nihon Chikusan Gakkaihō

Antimicrobial resistance, genotype, and virulence gene content of Escherichia coli isolated from bovine clinical mastitis in Tehran Province, Iran, were studied. Two hundred seven (207) milk samples from individual cows presenting mastitis symptoms collected from different dairy farms were used to determine the presence of specific genes of E. coli responsible for this pathology. Multiplex PCR was used to differentiate E. coli isolates into different phylogenetic groups/subgroups and to detect their virulence and involved resistance genes...

We describe the development of a genetically modified strain of lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) capable of producing a recombinant mouse calcitonin gene-related peptide (rCGRP). This strain (NZ-CGRP) was generated by introducing a CGRP secretion plasmid into Lactococcus lactis NZ9000. Western blotting confirmed the secretion of rCGRP in the presence of the inducer nisin. Highly purified rCGRP was obtained from the culture supernatants of NZ-CGRP. We demonstrated that prophylactic exposure of a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages to rCGRP inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)...

Absorption of ammonia from the rumen of cattle decreases nitrogen availability for fermentational protein synthesis, leading to increased competition of cattle with humans for protein and enhancing the release of toxic nitrogenous compounds into the environment. Given that differences in feeding and breeding might induce differences in ruminal ammonia transport, we compared electrophysiological, histological, and molecular biological characteristics of ruminal epithelia of Bos indicus crossbreds (Sahiwal-Mix, SWM) with those of Bos taurus (Holstein-Friesian, HF)...

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of organic acid (OA) and medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) blends on production performance of sows and their litters. A total of 36 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, average parity is 3.3, SE = 0.2) were randomly allocated to three treatments with 12 replicates. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; MC1, CON + 0.1% OA, and MCFA blends; MC2, CON + 0.2% OA, and MCFA blends. During lactation, no differences were observed in body weight (BW) loss, average daily feed intake, backfat thickness, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, or energy of sows...

Vietnamese Yellow cattle are native cattle well adapted to local tropical environment. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic characteristics of the Yellow cattle using molecular markers. We investigated the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA and SRY gene on Y chromosome, and genotyped SREBP-1, SCD1, EDG1, NCAPG, DGAT1, MC1R, and HSP70 genes in the Yellow cattle population. The sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA showed that most of the cattle possesses zebu (Bos indicus) type I1 haplotype, suggesting relatively low genetic diversity in maternal lineage...

The present study investigated whether a three-times compared to two-times feeding frequency during lactation affects sows' body condition, reproductive performance as well as growth performance of the piglets . In a commercial farm, eight groups (8-10 animals) with a total number of 68 sows were included in the study. During lactation, four groups received feed two times (treatment 2DF) and four groups three times daily (treatment 3DF). Within treatments, sows were classified into young (<2 parities) and old (≥3 parities)...

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are widely used for genetic and genomic analyses in cattle breeding. However, the relationship among sample genotyping efficiency (call rate per individual), accuracy of SNP genotypes, and DNA quality (integrity, concentration, and mixture of DNA, i.e., chimerism) remains unknown. We determined the effect of DNA quality on call rate per individual and accuracy of SNP genotypes using artificial DNA samples of various qualities. Integrity and concentration of DNA were less sensitive to call rate per individual and accuracy of genotyping in the SNP array...

This study estimated the effect of Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey, Simmental and Alpine Grey cattle breeds on milk mineral contents (Ca, Mg, P, K, and Na) in multibreed herds using data predicted with mid-infrared spectroscopy. The dataset included 139,821 observations from 16,566 cows and 977 herds. Fixed effects considered in the mixed model were breed, parity, stage of lactation and first-order interactions, and random effects were cow, herd-test-date, and the residual. Multiple comparisons of least squares means were performed for the main effect of breed, parity, and stage of lactation using Bonferroni adjustment...

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three Bacillus strains on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidative capacity, serum immunity, and biochemical parameters in broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated into four groups with three replicates per group (n = 30). The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the other groups fed basal diet supplemented with either Bacillus subtilis natto or Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus cereus (108  cfu/kg) for 42 days, respectively...

The objective of this study was to characterize the variations in fatty acid (FA) profile during 7 days of colostrum production and 5 months of mature milk production in Laoshan goats. The individual FA profiles of each sample were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Significant differences in FAs were found between colostrum and mature milk. The contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA), unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and sum of C6, C8, and C10 (SC6+C8+C10 ) were all significantly affected by lactation period...

The spleen is a unique lymphoid organ that plays a key role in immune regulation. Interferon-tau induces upregulation of interferon-stimulated gene 15-kDa protein (ISG15) in the uterus during early pregnancy in sheep. Prostaglandins (PGs) have important effects in both the activation and the inhibition of immune response through an autocrine and paracrine manner. In this study, splenic samples were obtained at Day 16 of the estrous cycle, and Days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnancy from ewes, and the expression of ISG15 and PG synthases, including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), COX-2, PGE synthase (PTGES), and PGF synthase (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B1, AKR1B1), was detected through quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis...

Endometrial gene expression is primarily regulated by the ovarian steroids and pregnancy recognition factors. This study was aimed to characterize differential expression genes (DEGs) in bovine endometrium together with the analysis of their promoter region. Bovine uteri at follicular stage (FS), luteal stage (LS), and implantation stage (IS) at Day 18 of pregnancy were collected. Total RNA extracted and prepared cDNA were then subjected to high-throughput sequencing. For promoter analysis, 1 kb upstream promoter region of each DEG was analyzed...

Rumen responses to cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) were evaluated in a feeding study. Four wethers were fed a hay and concentrate diet for 4 weeks (pre-CNSL period), and then fed the same diet supplemented with low and high levels of CNSL for 2 weeks each (L-CNSL and H-CNSL periods respectively). The diet was then reverted to the unsupplemented control diet for another 2 weeks (post-CNSL period). Rumen parameters were monitored in each feeding period. CNSL, regardless of the two levels tested, did not show any adverse effects on total short chain fatty acid concentration and dry matter digestibility in the rumen...

Oleum cinnamomi (OCM) is increasingly used as a feed additive in animal diets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with coated-OCM (cOCM) on the immunity and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens. A total of 396 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned into six groups. The basal diets were supplemented with 50 mg/kg of flavomycin (positive control) as well as 0 (control), 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of cOCM. Compared with the control, both positive control and cOCM treatments did not improve the growth performance...

The use of residues as substitutes for conventional ingredients in animal feed is a promising alternative able to reduce both costs and environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using sweet potato vines (SPV) as a replacement for alfalfa hay in diets for growing rabbits. The performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition and metabolic parameters of the liver were evaluated in 30 New Zealand rabbits weaned at 35 days old and an average weight of 900 g. The animals were allotted into three dietary groups: 0SPV, control diet without SPV; 50SPV, diet with 50% replacement of alfalfa hay by SPV; 100SPV, diet with 100% replacement of alfalfa hay by SPV...

Touching the skin by gentle stroking is frequently used to reward horses. The objective of the study was to examine emotional excitability and behaviour of horses in response to stroking different regions of their bodies. The study included 15 adult warmbloods and 15 adult ponies, nine geldings and six mares within each type of horse. First, a novel-object test was conducted. For five successive days, one of five regions of the horse's body was stroked on each side for 5 min. Heart rate and heart rate variability were monitored at rest, during the test and stroking...

Lactic acid bacteria were screened for potential probiotics for use as feed additives. We obtained 3,000 isolates from feces of: cattle, dogs, goats, and infants; milk; yogurt; cheese; fermented sausages; Kimchi; and Cheonggukjang and tested their antibacterial activity toward indicator pathogens, including Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica Enteritidis. We further tested their tolerance to artificial gastric juice (1% [w/v] pepsin, pH 2.5) and bile acid (0...

This study investigated the effects of bamboo vinegar (BV) supplementation on performance, eggshell quality, ileal microflora, and villus morphology in aged laying hens. A total of 320 hens (70 weeks old) were divided into 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 8 hens each. They were fed a basal diet supplemented with BV at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.8% level until 86 weeks of age. The level of BV in the diet had no effect on egg performance, feed intake, or feed efficiency (p > 0.10). Damaged egg rate decreased in the hens fed the 0...

Frequent use of pesticides to control soil-borne plant disease leads to environmental pollution and the development of pesticide resistance in phytopathogens. Soil amendment is considered to have the potential of suppressing plant disease because of its biological properties. However, information on anaerobic digestate is limited. In this study, potential of antagonistic activities of anaerobic digestate against phytopathogens were investigated by detecting the amounts of antagonistic bacteria (Bacillus and Pseudomonas) in anaerobic digestates of dairy manure...

Early weaning can improve body condition and reproductive performance of cows. The objectives of this study were to examine and compare oestrous cycling resumption, behaviour and blood parameters of yak cows following four different strategies of calf weaning. Twenty-six yak cows (4-8 years) and their calves (94.3 ± 2.4 days) were studied in which calves were: weaned naturally with free access to their mothers (NW; n = 13); weaned abruptly and separated permanently from their mothers (PW; n = 5); separated temporarily from their mothers for 15 days (TW; n = 5); and fitted with nose plates for 15 days, but allowed free access to their mothers (NP; n = 3)...