Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynival...Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynivalenol(DON) toxicosis in immature gilts.Methods: A total of forty pre-pubertal female gilts(61.42 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments: CO(positive control); MO(negative control, ZEA 596.86 μg/kg feed and DON 796 μg/kg feed);COA(CO + 2 g MBA/kg feed); MOA(MO + 2 g MBA/kg feed). Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 gilt per replicate. Gilts were housed in an environmentally controlled room with the partially slatted floor.Results: During the entire experimental period of 28 d, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of gilts in MO group was significantly reduced compared with those in CO group. The vulva size of gilts was significantly higher in MO group than CO group. In addition, significant increases in the plasma levels of Ig A,Ig G, IL-8, IL-10 and PRL were determined in MO group compared with that in CO group. ZEA and DON in the diet upregulated apoptotic caspase-3 in ovaries and uteri, along with down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in ovaries. The supplementation of MBA into diets co-contaminated with ZEA and DON significantly increased ADG, decreased the vulva sizes, reduced the levels of Ig G, IL-8 and PRL in plasma, and regulated apoptosis in ovaries and uteri of gilts.Conclusions: The present results indicated that feeding diet contaminated with ZEA and DON simultaneously(596.86 μg/kg + 796 μg/kg) had detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma immune function and reproductive status of gilts. And MBA could reduce the negative impacts of these two toxins, believed as a promising feed additive for mitigating toxicosis of ZEA and DON at low levels in gilts.展开更多
Earthworms, as the ecosystem engineers, both directly and indirectly affect the nitrogen(N) cycle. We aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of the contribution of earthworms to the terrestrial ecosystem N cycle u...Earthworms, as the ecosystem engineers, both directly and indirectly affect the nitrogen(N) cycle. We aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of the contribution of earthworms to the terrestrial ecosystem N cycle using meta-analysis of 130 publications selected. The natural logarithm of the response ratio(lnRR) was used to indicate the effect size of earthworms on N dynamic variables. The results showed that earthworms significantly affected soil N-cycling microorganisms, including the amoA gene abundance of soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB), and significantly promoted soil N cycle processes,including denitrification, mineralization, and plant assimilation. The effects of earthworms on the N cycle were experimental design dependent and affected by factors such as the functional group of earthworm and residue input. The presence of the anecic earthworms decreased the rates of mineralization and nitrification, and increased nitrification and denitrification responses were more pronounced in the presence of the endogeic earthworms than that of the other two functional groups of earthworms. In addition, residue input enhanced the effects of earthworms on the N cycle. The effects of earthworms on nitrous oxide(N_(2) O) emission increased when residues were added. These findings indicate that residue input and introducing suitable functional groups of earthworms into the field can lead to N sustainability without increasing N2 O emission. This meta-analysis also provides systematic evidence for the positive effects of earthworms on the plant N pool, N availability(soil ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)) content), and soil microbial biomass N content, showing the potential to alter ecosystem functions and services in relation to N cycling.展开更多
HMOX1 is an important functional candidate gene for chicken blue egg in view of its role in biosynthesis of biliverdin for blue egg coloration. To elucidate molecular mechanism of blue egg formation, this study detect...HMOX1 is an important functional candidate gene for chicken blue egg in view of its role in biosynthesis of biliverdin for blue egg coloration. To elucidate molecular mechanism of blue egg formation, this study detected expression of HMOX1 in blue-shelled chickens and brown-shelled chickens. Expression and alternative splicing of HMOX1 were detected by Northern blot, expression traits of HO-1 protein in shell glands of blue- （n=4） and brown-shelled （n=4） chickens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. 3＇ UTR of HMOX1 was cloned using 3＇RACE. Results showed that the expression of HMOX1 at mRNA level had no significant difference between two groups of chickens, but at protein level HO-1 protein was highly expressed in blue-shelled chickens. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that HO-1 protein expression was predominately located in villus epithelial cell of shell gland. Length of HMOX1 3＇ UTR were 586 bp. In 3＇ UTR we found a SNP of rs13866562 showing significant association with blue egg phenotype. Further miRNA prediction showed that it might influence interaction of some miRNAs and target sequences. The data suggested that blue egg is relevant to high expression of HO-1 in villus epithelial cell of shell gland. Further experimental validation for biological relevance of miRNAs is dispensable to elucidate reason for differential expressions of HO-1 protein.展开更多
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum(SSGL),a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of broilers.Three hund...This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum(SSGL),a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of broilers.Three hundred male broilers with similar body weights(40.0±1.0 g)at 1 d of age were assigned randomly to 4 treatments.Each treatment contained 5 replicates of 15 birds per replicate.The dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal basal diet supple mented with SSGL at the concentrations of0(control),100,200 and 500 mg/kg diet.The results showed that diets supplemented with SSGL significantly increased(P<0.05)the average daily gain and decreased(P<0.05)the feed:gain(F:G)ratio of birds during the finisher period(22 to 44 d of age).Moreover,the total antioxidant capability,glutathione reductase and catalase activities in the liver and spleen were significantly higher(P<0.05)in broilers fed diets with SSGL than in broilers fed the control diet.Additionally,dietary SSGL also increased(P<0.05)the serum interleukin(IL)-2,immunoglobulin(Ig)A and IgG levels of broilers compared with the control diet.These results suggest that SSGL have ameliorative effects on growth performance,free radical-scavenging activity,antioxidant capability,and immune function of broilers.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31772637,31301981)a Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(201403047)+1 种基金Science and Technology Project of Fuzhou City(2017N0033)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant(Grant No.2016 M600871)
文摘Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynivalenol(DON) toxicosis in immature gilts.Methods: A total of forty pre-pubertal female gilts(61.42 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments: CO(positive control); MO(negative control, ZEA 596.86 μg/kg feed and DON 796 μg/kg feed);COA(CO + 2 g MBA/kg feed); MOA(MO + 2 g MBA/kg feed). Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 gilt per replicate. Gilts were housed in an environmentally controlled room with the partially slatted floor.Results: During the entire experimental period of 28 d, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of gilts in MO group was significantly reduced compared with those in CO group. The vulva size of gilts was significantly higher in MO group than CO group. In addition, significant increases in the plasma levels of Ig A,Ig G, IL-8, IL-10 and PRL were determined in MO group compared with that in CO group. ZEA and DON in the diet upregulated apoptotic caspase-3 in ovaries and uteri, along with down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in ovaries. The supplementation of MBA into diets co-contaminated with ZEA and DON significantly increased ADG, decreased the vulva sizes, reduced the levels of Ig G, IL-8 and PRL in plasma, and regulated apoptosis in ovaries and uteri of gilts.Conclusions: The present results indicated that feeding diet contaminated with ZEA and DON simultaneously(596.86 μg/kg + 796 μg/kg) had detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma immune function and reproductive status of gilts. And MBA could reduce the negative impacts of these two toxins, believed as a promising feed additive for mitigating toxicosis of ZEA and DON at low levels in gilts.
文摘Earthworms, as the ecosystem engineers, both directly and indirectly affect the nitrogen(N) cycle. We aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of the contribution of earthworms to the terrestrial ecosystem N cycle using meta-analysis of 130 publications selected. The natural logarithm of the response ratio(lnRR) was used to indicate the effect size of earthworms on N dynamic variables. The results showed that earthworms significantly affected soil N-cycling microorganisms, including the amoA gene abundance of soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB), and significantly promoted soil N cycle processes,including denitrification, mineralization, and plant assimilation. The effects of earthworms on the N cycle were experimental design dependent and affected by factors such as the functional group of earthworm and residue input. The presence of the anecic earthworms decreased the rates of mineralization and nitrification, and increased nitrification and denitrification responses were more pronounced in the presence of the endogeic earthworms than that of the other two functional groups of earthworms. In addition, residue input enhanced the effects of earthworms on the N cycle. The effects of earthworms on nitrous oxide(N_(2) O) emission increased when residues were added. These findings indicate that residue input and introducing suitable functional groups of earthworms into the field can lead to N sustainability without increasing N2 O emission. This meta-analysis also provides systematic evidence for the positive effects of earthworms on the plant N pool, N availability(soil ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)) content), and soil microbial biomass N content, showing the potential to alter ecosystem functions and services in relation to N cycling.
基金Supported by the Northwest Scientific Startup Foundation for Doctor(Z109021112)the National Nature Science Foundation(31072024)Lueyang Chicken Breeding Project of Northwest A&F University(Z109021127)
文摘HMOX1 is an important functional candidate gene for chicken blue egg in view of its role in biosynthesis of biliverdin for blue egg coloration. To elucidate molecular mechanism of blue egg formation, this study detected expression of HMOX1 in blue-shelled chickens and brown-shelled chickens. Expression and alternative splicing of HMOX1 were detected by Northern blot, expression traits of HO-1 protein in shell glands of blue- （n=4） and brown-shelled （n=4） chickens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. 3＇ UTR of HMOX1 was cloned using 3＇RACE. Results showed that the expression of HMOX1 at mRNA level had no significant difference between two groups of chickens, but at protein level HO-1 protein was highly expressed in blue-shelled chickens. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that HO-1 protein expression was predominately located in villus epithelial cell of shell gland. Length of HMOX1 3＇ UTR were 586 bp. In 3＇ UTR we found a SNP of rs13866562 showing significant association with blue egg phenotype. Further miRNA prediction showed that it might influence interaction of some miRNAs and target sequences. The data suggested that blue egg is relevant to high expression of HO-1 in villus epithelial cell of shell gland. Further experimental validation for biological relevance of miRNAs is dispensable to elucidate reason for differential expressions of HO-1 protein.
基金funded by Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.6172017),ChinaOpening Foundation of Key Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Materials of Jiangsu Province(JSBEM2016013),ChinaNational Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFD0500500),China.
文摘This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum(SSGL),a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,on growth performance,antioxidant ability,and immunity of broilers.Three hundred male broilers with similar body weights(40.0±1.0 g)at 1 d of age were assigned randomly to 4 treatments.Each treatment contained 5 replicates of 15 birds per replicate.The dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal basal diet supple mented with SSGL at the concentrations of0(control),100,200 and 500 mg/kg diet.The results showed that diets supplemented with SSGL significantly increased(P<0.05)the average daily gain and decreased(P<0.05)the feed:gain(F:G)ratio of birds during the finisher period(22 to 44 d of age).Moreover,the total antioxidant capability,glutathione reductase and catalase activities in the liver and spleen were significantly higher(P<0.05)in broilers fed diets with SSGL than in broilers fed the control diet.Additionally,dietary SSGL also increased(P<0.05)the serum interleukin(IL)-2,immunoglobulin(Ig)A and IgG levels of broilers compared with the control diet.These results suggest that SSGL have ameliorative effects on growth performance,free radical-scavenging activity,antioxidant capability,and immune function of broilers.
