Changes in vaginal microbiota composition and potential functions from estrus to post-estrus in cows
Xu Jingyi;He Guitian;Wang Jieru;Fang Di;Gao Qinghua;To investigate the dynamic changes and potential functional characteristics of the vaginal microbiota during estrus in cows, ten healthy Simmental cows with similar body condition were selected as the study subjects. A paired longitudinal sampling design was adopted, in which vaginal swab samples were collected from the same cows during estrus(E group) and 48 h after estrus(PE group). The diversity, community structure, and composition of the vaginal microbiota at the two physiological stages were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Differential genera were analyzed using STAMP and LEfSe, and the potential functions of the vaginal microbiota were predicted using PICRUSt. The results showed that 10 759 and 9 132 OTUs were obtained in the E and PE groups, respectively, with 3 635 OTUs shared between the two groups. PCoA showed substantial overlap between samples from the two groups in the ordination space. No significant differences were observed in the Ace, Chao1, Shannon, or Simpson indices(P>0. 05), indicating that the overall richness, diversity, and community structure of the vaginal microbiota did not change markedly between the two stages. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in both groups. At the genus level, the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Parabacteroides were significantly lower in the PE group(P<0. 05), whereas those of BD1-7 clade, Coprococcus 2, and Terrisporobacter were significantly higher(P<0. 05). LEfSe analysis further identified differential microbial taxa characteristic of the E and PE stages. PICRUSt functional prediction revealed differences between the two stages in potential functional categories including carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and cofactor and vitamin metabolism.
Effects of donor pretreatment with E2, P4 and vitamin ADE and different CIDR removal timings in recipients on superovulation and estrus synchronization in Simmental cattle
Zhang Lei;Liu Jianan;Niu Peng;Li Xiaopeng;Wang Jieru;Huang Fei;Fang Di;Han Chunmei;This study aimed to investigate the effects of estradiol(E2), progesterone(P4), and vitamin ADE pretreatment in donor cows on superovulatory responses in Simmental cattle, as well as the effects of different CIDR removal timings in recipient cows on estrus synchronization between donors and recipients, with the objective of providing a reference for optimizing superovulation and embryo transfer protocols in Simmental cattle. Two experimental protocols were conducted. In protocol Ⅰ, 24 healthy Simmental donor cows were randomly assigned to two groups under identical feeding and management conditions. Group 1(n=14) received an intramuscular injection of 2 mg E2 + 100 mg P4 + 10 mL ADE at the time of CIDR insertion, whereas group 2(n=10) received CIDR insertion only. Thereafter, both groups underwent the same decreasing-dose FSH superovulation protocol. The numbers of mature follicles, ovulations, and viable embryos were compared between the two groups. In Protocol Ⅱ, 10 Simmental cows were selected as donors and 50 as recipients. The recipient cows were randomly divided into three groups according to CIDR removal timing relative to the donor cows: 24 h earlier, 12 h earlier, or simultaneously(0 h). The onset and end of estrus were recorded for each group, and the differences in estrus timing between donors and recipients were compared. The results showed that, in protocol Ⅰ, the numbers of mature follicles and ovulations in group 1 were 16. 93±3. 81 and 11. 29±3. 50, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than those in group 2, respectively(12. 90±2. 77 and 7. 90±2. 73, P<0. 05). Although the number of viable embryos in group 1(8. 64±2. 65) was higher than that in group 2(6. 40±2. 67), the difference did not reach statistical significance(P=0. 054). In protocol Ⅱ, group C(CIDR was removed 12 h earlier in recipients than in donors)showed a 1 h difference with the donor group, whereas group B(24 h earlier group) and group D(simultaneous-removal group) showed differences of 4 h and 5 h, respectively. These results indicate that pretreatment of donor cows with E_2+P4 +vitamin ADE at the initial stage of CIDR insertion can significantly increase the numbers of mature follicles and ovulations.In recipient cows, PG administration combined with CIDR removal 12 h earlier than in donor cows can achieve a high degree of estrus synchronization between donors and recipients.
Effects of two treatment protocols on conception rate in Simmental cows
Jiang Hongxing;Hu Xiaolong;Hou Yongfeng;Chen Jianming;Bai Liangyao;Wang Siyi;Zhang Liang;Nijiati Abulimiti;Alimujiang Silamu;Bao Tiezhu;Jiang Chaoxiang;Xinjiang Bazhou Animal Husbandry Station;To enhance the reproductive efficiency of housed Simmental cows in the Bayingolin region of Xinjiang, a synchronized estrus-timed artificial insemination trial was conducted at a large-scale cattle farm in Qigexing Town, Yanqi County, Bayingol Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. This trial aimed to compare the effects of two hormonal treatment protocols on the conception rates of non-pregnant cows. Fifty-six healthy non-pregnant Simmental cows, aged between 2. 5 and 5. 0 years, were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into two groups. Experimental groupⅠ underwent a timed artificial insemination protocol utilizing a controlled internal drug release(CIDR) device in conjunction with gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), pregnant mare serum gonadotropin(PMSG), and prostaglandin(PG). In contrast, experimental groupⅡ received long-acting progesterone injections instead of CIDR for synchronization treatment. The results, indicated that the conception rate was 68. 97% in experimental groupⅠ and 68. 18% in experimental groupⅡ with no significant difference observed between the two groups(P>0. 05). From an economic perspective, the material cost per individual in experimental groupⅡ was 80 yuan, which is lower than the cost in experimental group Ⅰ(120 yuan). Considering the conception effectiveness, operational risks, and cost inputs comprehensively, it is recommended to flexibly select the appropriate scheme based on varying farming scales and technical conditions.
Effect of adding empagliflozin(Empa) to the cryopreserved diluent on insemination of frozen-thawed semen from Chengde hornless goats
Pang Zhaoqi;Li Mengqi;Zhang Jinlong;Li Junjie;Tao Chenyu;The experiment aimed to explore the effect of adding empagliflozin(Empa) to the cryopreserved diluent on the insemination of frozenthawed semen from Chengde hornless goats. Ninety healthy multiparous ewes aged 2 to 3 y were randomly divided into control group(n=45) and experimental group(n=45). The frozen semen from control group was thawed using self-prepared cryopreservation dilution solution, while that of experimental group was added with 0. 8 μmol/L Empa to the cryopreservation dilution solution. Laparoscopic insemination was performed on the ewes of the two groups respectively. The results showed that the sperm motility and motion parameters such as linear velocity(VSL), curvilinear velocity(VCL), mean path velocity(VAP), and linear(LIN) were significantly improved(P<0. 05) and the pregnancy rate and lambing rate were slightly higher(P>0. 05) in the experimental group than those in the control group. It suggested that the addition of Empa to the cryopreservation dilution solution for the frozen-thawed semen of Chengde hornless goat could effectively alleviate oxidative stress responses, improve sperm quality and the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination.
Effects of different induction protocols on the synchronization of daytime farrowing in sows
Xia Mingyi;Li Kaiyang;Hou Haozhe;Ma Xiaojun;Liu Kexiong;Wen Junhui;Bai Jiahua;Xia Wei;Liu Yan;Qin Yusheng;This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different induced parturition synchronization protocols on daytime farrowing in sows. A total of 984 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows were selected and divided into three groups according to practical farrowing-intervention protocols applied on the farm. Sows in the cloprostenol group were intramuscularly injected with 0. 2 mL per head of DL-cloprostenol sodium at 08:00 one day before the expected farrowing date. Sows in the carbetocin group received an intramuscular injection of 1 mL per head of carbetocin at 08:00 on the expected farrowing date. For the combined cloprostenol-carbetocin group, sows were intramuscularly injected with 0. 2 mL per head of DL-cloprostenol sodium in the neck at 08:00 one day before the expected farrowing date; 24 h later, 1 mL per head of carbetocin was injected behind the ear at 08:00 on the expected farrowing date. The daytime farrowing rate and litter performance of sows were determined. The results showed that the daytime farrowing rate in the combined group was significantly higher than that in the cloprostenol group and carbetocin group(96. 24% vs. 86. 84% vs. 86. 67%,P<0. 05), and the farrowing duration in the combined group was extremely significantly shorter than that in the cloprostenol group(P<0. 01). In primiparous sows, the daytime farrowing rate of the combined group was significantly higher than that of the cloprostenol group(100. 00% vs. 87. 64%, P<0. 05). For multiparous sows, the combined treatment significantly shortened farrowing duration(P<0. 01) and increased the number of live-born piglets per litter(P<0. 05). In conclusion, combined administration of DL-cloprostenol sodium and carbetocin could effectively increase the proportion of concentrated daytime farrowing, which helps improve piglet uniformity during batch production on large-scale pig farms.
Analysis of factors affecting the efficiency of bovine OPU-IVEP
Song Yukun;Gao Xinxin;Kang Yin;Fan Cuiting;Feng Chuntao;Zhang Jiaxin;The aim of this experiment was to analyze the effects of in vitro culture methods, pituitary FSH(pFSH) pretreatment, and physiological status on Holstein bovine OPU-IVEP efficiency. In the experiment, two different in vitro culture systems(single-step and two-step culture methods), pFSH from different sources of(N-pFSH, S-pFSH, and B-pFSH), and different physiological conditions(non-pregnant and early pregnant) were chosen to evaluate the developmental competence of OPUderived oocytes in Holstein bovine. The results showed that compared with the singlestep culture method, the two-step culture method could significantly increase the cleavage rate[(82. 7±3. 8)% vs.(75. 6±5. 7)%,P<0. 05] and A-grade blastocyst rate[(37. 2±2. 7)% vs.(27. 8±2. 9)%, P<0. 05], and no significant difference in the blastocyst rate between the two culture methods [(55. 1±2. 6)% vs.(49. 2±1. 8)%, P>0. 05]. Compared with S-pFSH and B-pFSH, N-pFSH pre-treatment significantly increased the average number of viable oocytes [(26. 5±2. 9)% vs.(17. 3±2. 2)% vs.(15. 8±2. 6)%, P<0. 05], and blastocyst rates and A-grade blastocyst rate were similar among all groups(P>0. 05). In addition, the similar average number of viable oocytes, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and A-grade blastocyst rate in early-pregnancy donor was observed, compared to non-pregnancy donor(P>0. 05). In summary, N-pFSH pre-treatment combined with the two-step culture method could improve the OPU-IVEP efficiency, and early-pregnancy cows can also be effectively used for OPU-IVEP.
The feasibility of using display devices to visualize operations in porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer
Umar Saeed;Wang Fengchong;Chen Xi;GuoJianxiong;Kui Hua;Wei hongjiang;To explore the work-load characteristics of personnel engaged in long-term micromanipulation experiments and evaluate the effects of display-visualized micromanipulation on operating posture, operational efficiency and the identification of early embryonic developmental indicators in porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT), questionnaire surveys and ergonomic assessment methods were conducted in this study for a comparison of work-related discomforts among micromanipulation operators, working posture, operation duration and the identification of early development of SCNT reconstructed embryos between the traditional eyepiece-based operation and the display-visualized operation. The data of the operational workload of 62 technicians performing porcine embryo micromanipulation was collected, and the developmental outcomes of porcine SCNT reconstructed embryos under traditional eyepiece micromanipulation and display-visualized micromanipulation were used for comparison. The results showed that technicians performing long-term traditional eyepiece micromanipulation mainly suffered from musculoskeletal discomfort, visual fatigue and mental fatigue, in which shoulder-neck soreness, low-back pain, lack of concentration and eye strain were listed in the most prevalent complaints, and significant positive correlations were observed among different fatigue symptoms(P<0. 05). Compared with traditional eyepiece micromanipulation, display-visualized operation significantly reduced neck flexion angle(from 41. 0° ±1. 0° to 6. 24°±0. 94°) and trunk forward inclination angle(from 20. 0°±3. 0° to 10. 16°±1. 10°), showing improved working posture, during embryo manipulation. However the time consumed for relevant micromanipulation steps increased significantly under display-visualized operation. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found in the cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of porcine SCNT reconstructed embryos derived from the two operation approaches(P>0. 05). In conclusion, the display-visualized micromanipulation method is applicable to porcine SCNT embryo production, could effectively improve operating conditions without compromising the early developmental competence of reconstructed embryos and may bring about prolonged operation time under current experimental conditions.
Effects of dietary fat supplementation on growth performance, slaughter performance and meat quality of spent Baicheng You chickens
Peng Xiao;Wu Yingping;Zhao Xiaoyu;Zhan Baohong;Zhang Fan;Wang Junhua;Xinjiang Agricultural University;This study investigated the effects of dietary fat supplementation at different levels on the meat production performance and meat quality of spent Baicheng You chickens, aiming to establish a scientific basis for their efficient finishing. A total of 180 Baicheng You chickens aged 380 days were randomly allocated into three groups. Chickens in the control group received a basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1% or 2% fat, respectively. The results revealed that:(1) Breast muscle weight of male chickens in both the 1% and 2% groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0. 05), and thigh muscle weight in the 1% group was significantly higher than that in the 2% group(P<0. 05).(2) For female chickens, the 1% group exhibited significantly higher breast and thigh muscle weights compared with the control group(P<0. 05), with breast muscle weight being highly significantly greater than that of the 2% group(P<0. 01); thigh muscle weight and breast muscle rate in the 1% group were also significantly higher than those in the 2% group(P<0. 05).(3) Compared with the control group, the brightness of the breast muscle of male chickens in the 1% group was significantly reduced(P<0. 05), while the redness of the breast muscle and the shear force of the leg muscle were significantly increased(P<0. 05); In the 2% group, the brightness of the leg muscle of male chickens was significantly reduced(P<0. 05), and the redness and yellowness of the breast muscle were extremely significantly increased(P<0. 01). The redness of the breast muscle of male chickens in the 2% group was extremely significantly higher than that of the 1% group(P<0. 01), and the yellowness of the breast muscle was significantly higher than that of the 1% group(P<0. 05). The redness of the leg muscle of female chickens in the 1% group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0. 05). In conclusion, dietary fat supplementation at 1% is recommended as the optimal level for the finishing of spent Baicheng You chickens.
Tracking the information about your manuscript
Communicate with the editorial office
Query manuscript payment status Edit officeCollecting, editing, reviewing and other affairs offices
Managing manuscripts
Managing author information and external review Expert Information Expert officeOnline Review
Online Communication with the Editorial Department
Announcements
Downloads
Expert Spotlight
Page Views
Page visits today: 102
Sow Batch Production | Paper
Effects of different induction protocols on the synchronization of daytime farrowing in sows The prevention and control effect of precise immunization on porcine epidemic viral diarrhea in batch production system of large-scale pig farms Effect of a fixed-time artificial insemination program on reproductive performance of replacement gilts across seasons Effects of age at puberty on reproductive performance in French sows Research advances in single fixed-time artificial insemination in sows Practical exploration of batch production to improve reproduction efficiency in sows Carbetocin-induced synchronous daytime parturition in sows
Album Estrous Synchronization
Album Ruminant Clinical Disease Control
Album Embryo Production of Sheep and Goats
Album Artificial Insemination of Sheep ＆ Goats