Effects of dietary energy intake and cold exposure on kinetics of plasma glucose metabolism in sheep

An isotope dilution method using [U-(13)C]glucose injection was applied to determine the effects of dietary energy intake and cold exposure on plasma glucose metabolism in sheep. The sheep were assigned to two dietary treatments and were fed on diets containing either 100% or 160% of ME and both containing 150% of dietary crude protein intake for maintenance. The sheep were exposed from a thermoneutral environment (23 degrees C) to a cold environment (2-4 degrees C) for 5 days. The isotope dilution method was performed on the 18th day in the thermoneutral environment and on the fifth day of cold exposure. Plasma concentrations of glucose and NEFA increased (p < 0.05) during cold exposure for both diets. Plasma glucose pool size remained unchanged (p = 0.67), but plasma glucose turnover rate tended to increase (p = 0.07) with increased energy intake. Both pool size and turnover rate of plasma glucose increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001, respectively) during cold exposure. No significant diet x environment interaction was detected. It is concluded that plasma glucose metabolism was influenced by both dietary energy intake and cold exposure, and plasma glucose metabolism in response to cold exposure was not modified by energy intake in sheep under the conditions (2-4 degrees C on the fifth day) of the present experiment.     

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine on plasma glucose,protein and energy metabolism in sheep

Background

The use of antibiotics in animal diets is facing negative feedback due to the hidden danger of drug residues to human health. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been used to replace antibiotics in the past two decades and played an increasingly important role in livestock production. The present study was carried out to assess the feeding effects of a traditional nourishing Chinese herbal medicine mixture on kinetics of plasma glucose, protein and energy metabolism in sheep. Ruminal fermentation characteristics were also determined.

Methods

Four sheep were fed on either mixed hay (MH-diet) or MH-diet supplemented with 2% of Chinese herbal medicine (mixture of Astragalus root, Angelica root and Atractylodes rhizome; CHM-diet) over two 35-day periods using a crossover design. The turnover rate of plasma glucose was measured with an isotope dilution method using [U-¹³C]glucose. The rates of plasma leucine turnover and leucine oxidation, whole body protein synthesis (WBPS) and metabolic heat production were measured using the [1-¹³C]leucine dilution and open circuit calorimetry.

Results

Body weight gain of sheep was higher (P = 0.03) for CHM-diet than for MH-diet. Rumen pH was lower (P = 0.02), concentration of rumen total volatile fatty acid tended to be higher (P = 0.05) and acetate was higher (P = 0.04) for CHM-diet than for MH-diet. Turnover rates of plasma glucose and leucine did not differ between diets. Oxidation rate of leucine tended to be higher (P = 0.06) for CHM-diet than for MH-diet, but the WBPS did not differ between diets. Metabolic heat production tended to be greater (P = 0.05) for CHM-diet than for MH-diet.

Conclusions

The sheep fed on CHM-diet had a higher body weight gain and showed positive impacts on rumen fermentation and energy metabolism without resulting in any adverse response. Therefore, these results suggested that the Chinese herbal medicine mixture should be considered as a potential feed additive for sheep.     

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine on plasma glucose,protein and energy metabolism in sheep

Background： The use of antibiotics in animal diets is facing negative feedback due to the hidden danger of drug residues to human health. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been used to replace antibiotics in the past two decades and played an increasingly important role in livestock production. The present study was carried out to assess the feeding effects of a traditional nourishing Chinese herbal medicine mixture on kinetics of plasma glucose, protein and energy metabolism in sheep. Ruminal fermentation characteristics were also determined. Methods： Four sheep were fed on either mixed hay （MH-diet） or MH-diet supplemented with 2% of Chinese herbal medicine （mixture of Astragalus root, Angelica root and Atractylodes rhizome; CHM-diet） over two 3S-day periods using a crossover design. The turnover rate of plasma glucose was measured with an isotope dilution method using [U-^13C]glucose. The rates of plasma leucine turnover and leucine oxidation, whole body protein synthesis （WBPS） and metabolic heat production were measured using the [1-^13C]leucine dilution and open circuit calorimetry. Results： Body weight gain of sheep was higher （P = 0.03） for CHM-diet than for MH-diet. Rumen pH was lower （P = 0.02）, concentration of rumen total volatile fatty acid tended to be higher （P = 0.05） and acetate was higher （P = 0.04） for CHM-diet than for MH-diet. Turnover rates of plasma glucose and leucine did not differ between diets. Oxidation rate of leucine tended to be higher （P = 0.06） for CHM-diet than for MH-diet, but the WBPS did not differ between diets. Metabolic heat production tended to be greater （P = 0.05） for CHM-diet than for MH-diet. Conclusions： The sheep fed on CHM-diet had a higher body weight gain and showed positive impacts on rumen fermentation and energy metabolism without resulting in any adverse response. Therefore, these results suggested that the Chinese herbal medicine mixture should be considered as a potential feed additive for sheep.     

中草药复方制剂对新疆巴音布鲁克羊生长性能和养分消化的影响

为研究不同水平的中草药复方制剂对巴音布鲁克羊生产性能的影响,试验选择健康巴音布鲁克4月龄断奶羔羊80只,公母各半,初始体重相近,随机分为5组,每组4个重复,每个重复4只,5组分别饲喂添加中草药复方制剂0％、1.0％、2.0％、3.0％和4.0％的日粮.通过饲养试验测定增重及饲料转化率,通过消化试验测定养分代谢率,通过屠...     

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on kinetics of plasma phenylalanine,tyrosine and whole body protein synthesis in sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding decoction of a traditional nourishing Chinese herbal medicine formula on rates of plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine turnover and whole body protein synthesis in sheep. Ruminal fermentation characteristics and blood metabolites were also determined. Six sheep were subjected to either mixed hay (MH‐diet, as control) or MH‐diet supplemented with 2% of Chinese herbal medicine (mixture of Astragalus root, Angelica root, and Atractylodes rhizome; CHM‐diet) in a crossover design for each of 3‐week period. The isotope dilution of [²H₅]phenylalanine and [²H₂]tyrosine was performed as a primed‐continuous infusion to measure plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acid, acetate, and propionate in the rumen tended to be higher (p < 0.10), and the pH value was lower (p = 0.04) for the CHM‐diet than the MH‐diet. Turnover rates of plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine tended to be higher (p < 0.10) for the CHM‐diet than the MH‐diet. Furthermore, whole body protein synthesis was greater (p = 0.04) for the CHM‐diet compared with the MH‐diet. The Chinese herbal medicine improved rumen fermentation and enhanced protein metabolism in sheep. Hence, it is suggested that the decoction of Chinese herbal medicine formula could be considered as a potential feed additive for ruminant production.     

中草药方剂对肉仔鸡脂类代谢的影响

选取225只1日龄艾维茵肉鸡,随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复15只鸡,研究中草药方剂对肉仔鸡脂类代谢的影响。基础日粮为玉米-豆粕型,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分别在基础日粮中添加0.5%、1.0%、1.5%、2.0%的中草药复方添加剂,进行为期6周的饲养试验。结果表明:日粮中添加该方剂显著影响了肉仔鸡血液中总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG3)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)的含量,且随着中草药添加水平的升高,TC、TG3、LDL-C含量有下降的趋势,而HDL-C则显著升高,并且能显著降低腹脂率、肝脂含量和肌肉中胆固醇含量。     

中草药抗雏鸡冷应激机理的研究

选用附子、女贞子、干姜3味中草药,对雏鸡进行了慢性（5、10 d）冷应激（12±1）℃实验,通过NO、谷胱苷肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）、红细胞及白细胞数量变化探索中草药抗雏鸡冷应激的机理。结果表明,应用附子后雏鸡血清和下丘脑中NO含量显著下降（P〈0.01）,而GSH-Px活性、红细胞和白细胞数量显著升高（P〈0.01）。表明附子可使冷应激雏鸡NO含量、GSH-Px活性发生变化,具有明显抗冷应激的作用。     

几种中草药对绵羊瘤胃发酵、抗氧化功能和营养物质消化率的影响

本研究包括2个试验。试验一,采用单因素随机区组试验设计研究了黄芪、党参、女贞子对绵羊屠宰体增重和抗氧化功能的影响。试验共4个处理,含3种中草药和1个对照组。每个处理4个重复,每个重复1只羊。中草药添加量为6 g/d。结果表明,女贞子组提高了绵羊屠宰体增重(P<0.05),改善了绵羊血液抗氧化功能,提高了谷胱甘肽还原酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性,降低了血浆丙二醛含量(P<0.05)。其他组对绵羊屠宰体增重和血液抗氧化功能影响不显著(P>0.05)。试验二,采用4×4拉丁方试验设计研究了女贞子提取物对绵羊瘤胃发酵和血液生化指标的影响。试验分4个处理,女贞子提取物的添加量分别为0、100、300 mg/kg和500 mg/kg。结果表明:添加量为300mg/kg和500 mg/kg组在晨饲后2、4、6、8 h显著提高了绵羊瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸浓度和丙酸的浓度,降低了瘤胃液氨态氮的浓度和血浆尿素氮的浓度。300 mg/kg和500 mg/kg组显著提高了日粮有机物质和干物质表观消化率(P<0.05)。     

寒冷应激对阿勒泰羊硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶表达的影响以及序列分析

本试验以阿勒泰羊为研究对象,对硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)基因的部分编码区的cDNA进行克隆、测序,与GenBank中已收录的其他12种动物的SCD基因序列进行同源性分析,并构建分子进化树,采用RT-PCR方法,研究不同的寒冷应激温度对阿勒泰羊SCD mRNA表达的影响。结果显示,所克隆的SCD基因与绵羊SCD基因序列同源性最高,达98.91%;与虾夷扇贝和斑马鱼序列同源性最低,分别为56.52%与63.14%。在寒冷条件下阿勒泰羊和湖羊各种组织中SCD mRNA的表达都有所增加,阿勒泰羊尤为显著。结果表明,寒冷应激条件下,阿勒泰羊组织中表达较高水平的SCD,其高效表达能够提高脂膜的流动性,提升抵御低温的能力,这说明阿勒泰羊对寒冷应激的耐受性高于湖羊,体现了阿勒泰羊的种间优越性。序列分析结果也为阿勒泰羊SCD基因的生物学功能研究和遗传进化研究提供分子依据。     

Effect of several supplemental Chinese herbs additives on rumen fermentation, antioxidant function and nutrient digestibility in sheep

Two experiments were carried out in this study. Experiment 1 was conducted to examine the effects of several supplemental Chinese herbs on antioxidant function and slaughtered body weight in sheep. Results indicated that Fructus Ligustri Lucidi supplementation improved the blood antioxidant function [higher concentration of glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase and lower concentration of malondialdehyde] and slaughtered body weight in sheep (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 was conducted to investigate the effect of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract (FLLE) on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility in sheep. Four levels of FLLE treatments, i.e. 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg dry matter (DM), were used in this part. Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and propionate proportion, decreased ammonia-N concentration in the ruminal fluid, reduced blood urea nitrogen concentration at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Addition of FLLE at all dosages had no effect on ruminal pH value and acetate concentration at all sampling time points in sheep (p > 0.05). Dynamic degradation coefficient c of maize DM was significantly increased by supplementing FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on degradation coefficients a, b, c of DM and nitrogen of soybean meal; a, b of maize DM; a, b, c of maize nitrogen; and a, b, c of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of Chinese wildrye (p > 0.05). Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased DM and organic matter digestibility of diet (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on digestibility of diet's NDF, ADF and crude protein (p > 0.05). From the aforementioned results, it is indicated that FLLE improved antioxidant status and slaughtered body weight. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition has capability to modulate rumen fermentation, increase the maize degradation rate, total volatile fatty acid concentration and propionate proportion in sheep.     

Effects of dietary energy levels on plasma leptin in sheep

This experiment investigates the changes in the plasma leptin levels of sheep fed a diet of three energy levels (low, moderate and high). Four mature wethers were used for this experiment. For the first 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.2 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, low energy levels (LE). During the second 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.5 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, moderate energy levels (ME). During third 4‐week period, the sheep were fed a diet to provide 1.8 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, high energy levels (HE). Body weight was determined every week. Blood samples were collected prior to the morning meal at 3 days intervals throughout the experiment, and plasma leptin, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were assayed. Body weight decreased in week 1 after the start of the experiment, it continued to decrease during the LE feeding, but it gradually increased until the end of HE period. Similarly, plasma leptin concentration decreased during LE feeding, but increased during the HE feeding. Additionally, positive correlation was obtained between leptin and insulin or glucose concentrations, whereas no clear relationship with circulating NEFA was observed. In conclusion, it was suggested that plasma leptin concentrations were affected by the metabolizable energy in feed.     

中药驱治羊胃肠道线虫效果试验

应用研究筛选出的中药方剂和剂量进行羊胃肠道线虫驱虫,经和伊维菌素对比试验,其驱虫效果差异不显著,但费用降低50%,显著提高了养羊的经济效益,便于生产中推广应用。     

饲料中添加发酵中草药对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、血清生化指标和脂代谢的影响

试验旨在研究发酵中草药对京红蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、血清生化指标和脂代谢的影响.选取体重相近、饲养管理水平一致的54周龄京红蛋鸡480只,随机分为2组,每组4个重复,每个重复60只蛋鸡.对照组蛋鸡饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加4 g/kg发酵中草药.预试期10 d,正式试验期56 d.结果显示:与对照组相比,试验组...     

Effects of feed restriction and cold exposure on glucose metabolism in response to feeding and insulin in sheep.

The effects of feed restriction, cold exposure, and the initiation of feeding on blood glucose metabolism, other blood metabolites, hormones, and tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were measured in sheep. The sheep consumed orchardgrass hay ad libitum (AL) or were restricted to 82% of the ME requirement for maintenance (RE) and were exposed to a thermoneutral (20 degrees C) or a cold environment (2 degrees C). An isotope dilution method and a glucose clamp approach were applied to determine blood glucose metabolism and insulin action, respectively. Plasma NEFA and insulin concentrations were influenced by feed restriction. Concentrations of plasma glucose, NEFA, insulin, and glucagon were influenced by cold exposure. Plasma NEFA concentration for RE decreased after the initiation of feeding and plasma insulin concentration increased transiently for all treatments. [U-13C]Glucose was continuously infused for 8 or 7 h after a priming injection starting 3 h before the initiation of either feeding or insulin infusion, respectively. When responses to feeding were studied, blood glucose turnover rate was less (P < .001) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The rate changed little after the initiation of feeding. For the glucose clamp approach, insulin was infused over four sequential 1-h periods at rates from .64 to 10 mU x kg BW(-1) x min(-1), with concomitant glucose infusion to maintain preinfusion plasma glucose concentrations. The rates of glucose infusion and blood glucose turnover increased (P < .001) dose-dependently with insulin infusion rate. The maximal glucose infusion rate was greater (P < .05) for RE than for AL and was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The plasma insulin concentration at half-maximal glucose infusion rate was lower (P < .1) during cold exposure. Blood glucose turnover rate tended to be greater (P = .10) for RE than for AL, and it was greater (P < .001) during cold exposure than in the thermoneutral environment. The ratio of endogenous production to utilization of glucose was suppressed by insulin infusion. In sheep fed a roughage diet, blood glucose turnover rate seems to be influenced by both intake level and environmental temperature, but not by the act of feeding. Moreover, the action of insulin on glucose metabolism is enhanced during cold exposure, and the effect of feed restriction is somewhat enhanced.     

不同能量水平低氮饲粮对藏羊表观消化率、氮代谢和生长性能的影响

试验旨在研究不同能量水平低氮饲粮对藏羊表观消化率、氮代谢和生长性能的影响,为高寒地区反刍家畜冷季补饲提供参考。选取1.5周岁、体重(48.5±1.89) kg和体况相近的健康去势藏羊24只,随机分为低能(LE)、中低能(MLE)、中高能(MHE)和高能(HE)4个处理组,每组6个重复。试验饲粮的粗蛋白质(CP)含量相近[(6.97±0.05)%]而能量不同,其消化能(DE)水平分别为8.21、9.33、10.45和11.57 MJ·kg^-1。经过49 d的饲养和全收粪尿法,结果表明:1)藏羊的干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、总能(GE)采食量在各处理组间基本相同(P>0.05),其中DM、GE表观消化率都随着能量水平的提高而线性增加(P<0.05);2)当饲粮能量水平升高时,藏羊血清尿素氮(BUN)浓度线性增加(P<0.05),而游离脂肪酸(FFA)浓度却线性降低(P<0.05);3)随着饲粮能量水平升高,藏羊尿氮排出量线性降低(P<0.05),氮平衡和氮沉积率均线性升高(P<0.05),并且氮沉积率(NDR,%)与饲粮能量水平(DE, MJ·kg^-1)呈显著线性正相关,其关系式为NDR=5.2143DE-39.006(R²=0.9616,n=24);4)藏羊的平均日增重(ADG)随着饲粮能量水平的提高而线性增加(P<0.05),除LE组外,其余ADG都为正值。上述研究结果表明,藏羊的蛋白和能量维持需要量较低,低氮条件下提高能量水平可改善藏羊的饲料营养消化率、氮代谢以及生长性能。     

不同组合饲粮对绵羊消化代谢的影响

选用3只安装永久瘤胃瘘管的甘肃高山细毛羯羊(1.5岁,平均体重22.5kg),采用3×3拉丁方设计,研究3种组合饲粮,即对照饲粮(Ⅰ)、含甜菜渣饲粮(Ⅱ)、含苹果渣饲粮(Ⅲ)对绵羊消化代谢的影响。试验分3期,每期预试期10d,正试期9d。结果表明,饲粮Ⅰ、Ⅱ的干物质(DM)和有机物质(OM)消化量与消化率均显著高于Ⅲ(P＜0.05);饲粮Ⅱ的中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)消化量及消化率呈现出高于Ⅰ、Ⅲ的趋势(P＞0.05),饲粮Ⅲ的NDF和ADF消化率也呈现出低于Ⅰ的趋势;饲粮Ⅱ的氮消化量显著高于Ⅰ(P＜0.05),其消化率显著高于饲粮Ⅰ、Ⅲ(P＜0.05),呈现出其氮存留量高于Ⅰ及氮存留率高于Ⅰ、Ⅲ的趋势;饲粮Ⅱ钙的表观消化率显著高于Ⅰ(P＜0.01)、Ⅲ(P＜0.05),Ⅲ也显著高于Ⅰ(P＜0.05);饲粮Ⅲ的磷表观消化量显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ(P＜0.05),且呈现饲粮Ⅲ磷消化率高于Ⅱ,Ⅱ也高于Ⅰ的趋势。     

复方中药对热应激条件下杂交小尾寒羊生产性能、生理参数和血液理化指标的影响

针对目前生产中绵羊遭受热应激的现状,研究了热应激条件下复方中药对杂交羊（小尾寒羊×内蒙古细毛羊）生产性能、生理参数和血液理化指标的影响。选择4味中草药（香薷、大黄、厚朴和黄芩）,按3∶3∶2∶2进行组方。选择240只、体重（36.61±0.73） kg相近的育肥后期杂交绵羊,随机分为4组,各组羊分别饲喂含干物质含量的0（对照组）、0.5%、1.0%和1.5%的复方中药,每组60只羊。试验期为28 d,试验期间羊舍温湿指数平均达79.68。结果表明：1）从生理指标上,日粮中添加不同剂量的中药可显著降低羊的呼吸频率（P<0.05）,并提高了羊的躺卧比例,尤其是下午12：00-16：00,较对照组提高了13.38%~19.15%。2）从生产性能上,饲喂中药显著提高了羊的平均日采食量（ADFI）和平均日增重（ADG）（P<0.05）,不同中药组的ADFI较对照组提高了1.05%~7.21%（P<0.05）,ADG和料重比（F/G）以0.5%组效果最好,ADG较对照组提高了12.12%（P<0.05）,F/G降低了14.68%（P<0.05）。3）从血液理化指标上,饲喂中药组的血清甲状腺素（T₄）和皮质醇（COR）含量分别表现出增加和降低趋势（P<0.05）,尤其0.5%组,T₄含量较对照组提高了13.97%（P<0.05）,而COR含量降低了33.15%（P<0.05）。从血清常规代谢营养指标看,各组间尿素氮（BUN）和葡萄糖（GLU）含量均表现出显著性差异（P<0.05）,0.5%组GLU含量较对照组极显著提高（P<0.01）,而BUN含量显著下降（P<0.05）。4）从经济效益分析,饲喂0.5%~1.5%中药可使增重效益提高了7.50%~13.91%,0.5%组净收益最高（4.85元·d^-1·只^-1）。可见,该复方中药可以有效缓解杂交小尾寒羊的热应激,添加日粮干物质的0.5%最佳。     

日粮不同精粗比与中草药添加剂对滩羊增重、肉理化性能、血液生化和免疫指标的影响

试验探讨在不同精粗比日粮中添加中草药对滩羊增重、肉理化性能、血液生化及免疫指标的影响。试验1组日粮精粗比为1.59,不添加中草药添加剂;试验2、3、4组日粮精粗比分别为1.59、2.31、0.98,且添加0.65%中草药添加剂。结果表明:各试验组间增重、日增重差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验3组增重和日增重高于试验2组和试验4组;饲喂中草药添加剂的试验2、3、4组IgA、IgG、IgM、WBC、LYM指标均高于不添加中草药添加剂的试验1组,且试验4组IgA、IgG、IgM、WBC、LYM均高于其他各组。试验90 d,试验4组与试验3组之间白细胞差异显著(P<0.05),试验30 d与试验90 d,试验3组淋巴细胞差异显著(P<0.05),试验4组淋巴细胞差异显著(P<0.05),中草药添加剂与合适的精粗比日粮可显著提高滩羊的血液生化指标和免疫水平;试验4组与试验3组间熟肉率差异显著(P<0.05),试验3组与其他各组pH值差异显著(P<0.05),且在各组中最高。说明滩羊育肥期日粮中添加0.65%中草药添加剂精粗比为0.98对其增重、肉理化性能、血液...     

青贮非常规原料对绵羊养分摄入、氮代谢及瘤胃发酵性能的影响

文章旨在研究青贮非常规原料对绵羊养分摄入、氮代谢及瘤胃发酵性能的影响.将体重一致的90头绵羊随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复5头.试验期间对照组和处理组绵羊分别饲喂青贮非常规饲料原料(马铃薯茎块和木薯按照1:1青贮)水平为0、10％和20％的全混合日粮.结论:随着日粮青贮非常规原料添加水平的升高,绵羊粗脂肪摄入量显...