Animal Science Journal最新文献

This study investigates the effects of L-carnitine on nuclear maturation and fertilization in cattle and goat oocytes. Ovaries were collected from females with poor reproductive efficiency in the tropical climate, and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were retrieved from large antral follicles. COCs were cultured with varying concentrations of L-carnitine (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg/mL for goats; 0, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5 mg/mL for cattle). Cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation were assessed, while bovine oocytes underwent in vitro fertilization. Here, L-carnitine enhanced cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation, with the highest maturation rates at 1 mg/mL in goats and 0.375 and 0.5 mg/mL in cattle. Fertilization rates in cattle improved with L-carnitine supplementation, particularly at 0.375 and 0.5 mg/mL. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that L-carnitine modulates pathways related to oxidative stress reduction, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial function. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified key regulatory genes, including SOD2, SIRT3, IGFBP3, PRL, NOS2, NOX4, SOD1, HMOX1, LEP, and AKT1, which may mediate L-carnitine's effects on oocyte maturation and fertilization. In conclusion, L-carnitine supplementation enhances oocyte competence possibly by improving cellular metabolism and reducing oxidative stress, providing valuable insights for optimizing assisted reproductive technologies in ruminants.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk (WGH) supplemented to ration on rumen fermentation by in vitro gas production technique. WGH was supplemented at different ratios (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) to the total mixture ration formed from 80%/20% roughage/concentrate feed. Experimental rations were incubated with 1/2 rumen fluid/artificial saliva mixture in in vitro gas production syringes in a water bath at 39°C ± 1°C for 24 h. WGH supplemented to the ration at different ratios increased in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), gas production (GP), ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), and pH values linearly and quadratically. Methane ratio in total gas, metabolizable energy (ME) value, true digestibility (TD), and microbial protein (MP) synthesis also increased quadratically. With the supplementation of WGH to the ration, acetic acid (AA) concentration decreased linearly, while acetic acid/propionic acid ratio (AA/PA) decreased both linearly and quadratically. Overall, it was observed that WGH had positive effects on many rumen fermentation parameters. It is thought that the use of WGH in ruminant ration should be supported by new experiments with different supplementation ratios or ration mixtures.

Dietary n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) balance critically modulates various physiological processes, including inflammation and cell death. This study investigated the effects of different n-6 PUFA ratios (1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1) on ferroptosis in porcine IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells. Cells treated with varying PUFA ratios showed a significant reduction in cell viability, which was alleviated by the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (fer-1). The 20:1 n-6 PUFA ratio exhibited the most pronounced decrease in cell viability and the greatest increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), total iron, and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 were significantly elevated in the 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1 groups, with fer-1 treatment mitigating these effects. The GSSG/GSH ratio, an indicator of oxidative stress, also significantly increased in the 10:1 and 20:1 groups. These findings suggest that higher n-6 PUFA content exacerbates lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation, and inflammatory responses, leading to ferroptosis in IPEC-J2 cells. This study highlights the importance of dietary n-6 PUFA balance in modulating ferroptosis and intestinal health, offering potential insights into strategies for improving intestinal function by regulating ferroptosis pathways.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of some environment- and animal-based factors, such as body condition score (BCS) on 15–20 days before parturition, parity, and calving season on colostrum dry matter (DM), fat, solids-nonfat (SNF), protein, and lactose contents as well as colostrum and calf's serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM), IGF-1, and lactoferrin concentrations in buffaloes. Therefore, the components of colostrum (at the first milking) and calf serum samples (at 24–48 h and 28 days after birth) from 86 Anatolian buffalo cows were analyzed by an infrared milk analyzer and ELISA test. The high BCS enhanced colostrum DM, fat, and IgG content; calf serum IgG concentration at 24–48 h, and lactoferrin at 28 days compared to low BCS. At 28 days, the serum IgA and IgM concentrations were higher in the calves of cows with a parity of 2 and 4, respectively, compared to other parities. The colostrum SNF and protein percentage in summer were higher than that in autumn but not in winter and spring. In conclusion, a high BCS could ensure successful passive immunity transfer in buffalo calves by improving the studied colostrum and calf serum parameters, which are affected by parity and calving season.

Recent advancements in genomic technology have increased interest in using calves as oocyte sources through the laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) method, which shortens generation intervals and enhances genetic gain. This study aimed to produce embryos in vitro using oocytes from endangered Anatolian Native Black calves and to increase the number of embryos in the gene bank through LOPU, a method not previously studied in Turkey. Four Anatolian Native Black calves, approximately 3 months old, were used. The super stimulation protocol involved the application of an intravaginal sponge starting on day −5 and continuing until the LOPU procedure. FSH was administered intramuscularly six times at 12-h intervals starting at −72 h, with laparoscopic oocyte aspiration on day 0. A total of 42 A-B quality oocytes were collected, averaging 10.5 per calf. Maturation completion was 88.09%, with a cleavage rate of 76.19% at 24 h after fertilization. On day 7, blastocyst success was 28.57%. The study demonstrates that LOPU can successfully produce in vitro embryos in prepubertal endangered breed calves in Turkey, proving that LOPU is an effective method for gene bank embryo production.

Elevated blood nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration in prepartum increases the risk of postpartum diseases. This study evaluated whether intraruminal propylene glycol (PG) or sucrose (SC) administration could mitigate elevated blood NEFA induced by intravenous lipid infusion. Four nonlactating, nonpregnant Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design: intravenous saline infusion and ruminal administration of water (S + WT), lipid infusion and administration of water (L + WT), lipid infusion and PG administration (L + PG), and lipid infusion and SC administration (L + SC). The intravenous infusion lasted for 11 h, followed by ruminal administration 4 h after the start of the infusion. Blood NEFA concentration was increased by lipid infusion but was lower in L + PG compared to L + WT. In association with this, higher ruminal propionate and butyrate, blood glucose and insulin, and lower β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations were observed in L + PG. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mRNA expression was higher in L + PG and L + SC compared to L + WT. SC administration increased insulin concentrations associated with increased ruminal butyrate concentration but had a smaller NEFA-reducing effect than PG. To alleviate NEFA elevation, PG was more effective than SC, which may have involved sustained stimulation of insulin secretion of PG.

We have previously reported the new lysine requirements for fattening pigs raised in Japan. This study aimed to determine whether a low-lysine diet based on this newly estimated requirement could increase the intramuscular fat content in fattening pigs. Twenty-nine (Large White × Landrace) × Duroc crossbreeds, 14 weeks old and weighing 50 kg, were used in this experiment. The pigs were assigned to the control and low-lysine groups. The control pigs were fed a control diet, and the low-lysine pigs were fed a low-lysine diet for 2 months. As expected, the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle was higher in the low-lysine group (p < 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that a low-lysine diet based on the newly estimated lysine requirement promotes intramuscular fat accumulation in the longissimus dorsi muscles of fattening pigs.