青贮饲用高粱对肉牛瘤胃液微生物多样性的影响

本研究旨在通过16SrDNA基因高通量测序技术探究青贮饲用高粱对30头肉牛瘤胃液细菌区系组成的影响.选择发育水平相近、膘体基本一致的西门塔尔与安格斯阉牛30头,随机分为10个组,每组3头.在实验最后一天晨饲后3 h,采用瘤胃口腔导管法采集瘤胃液样品,对其细菌区系进行高通量基因测序.结果表明:瘤胃液细菌区系中主要含有厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes).其相对丰度分别为49.82％、42.83％,是试验牛瘤胃液的优势菌门.在瘤胃液细菌区系己知属水平分类中优势菌群为普雷沃菌属(Prevotella)及解琥珀酸菌属(Succiniclasticum).DMG组的细菌物种丰富度最高,普通精料组的细菌物种丰富度随着青贮饲料比例的变化而增大,生物精料的细菌物种丰富度随着青贮饲用高粱的比例的升高而降低.普通精料组日粮饲喂肉牛,对肉牛瘤胃液细菌物种丰富度及细菌群落多样性影响不显著.生物精料组日粮饲喂肉牛,显著增加了肉牛瘤胃液细菌物种丰富度及细菌群落多样性.     

叶酸调控对高尿酸血症大鼠肠道微生物的影响

探究叶酸对高尿酸血症大鼠肠道微生物的影响,为治疗高尿酸血症提供新思路。将SPF 级雄性大鼠分为空白对照组、模型组和叶酸组,采集大鼠的粪便样本,采用16S rRNA高通量测序技术分析肠道微生物的多样性、群落组成以及结构的变化。研究结果显示,Alpha多样性和Beta多样性分析表明,空白对照组、模型组和叶酸组大鼠粪便中微生物多样性和群落组成存在明显差异,其中模型组大鼠粪便微生物具有较高的物种丰度和种群差异性。对门分类水平上的物种丰度分析发现,微生物种群主要由厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）和拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）组成;对属分类水平上的物种丰度分析发现,微生物种群由乳杆菌属（Lactobacillus）、Muribaculaceae、拟杆菌属（Bacteroides）、柯林斯菌属（Collinsella）、梭菌属（Clostridium）、罗姆布茨菌（Romboutsia）、劳特氏菌属（Blautia）和毛螺菌科NK4A136群（Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group）等菌属组成,与空白对照组相比,模型组中Muribaculaceae和柯林斯菌属的丰度显著升高,乳杆菌属、梭菌属、罗姆布茨菌和毛螺菌科的丰度显著下降;叶酸组中Muribaculaceae、拟杆菌属、柯林斯菌属和劳特氏菌属的丰度显著升高,梭菌属、罗姆布茨菌和毛螺菌科的丰度显著下降。研究探索了叶酸干预调控高尿酸血症大鼠肠道微生物的变化,为治疗高尿酸血症提供参考。     

脑卒中后抑郁症患者粪便微生物种群多样性和均衡性分析CSCD

目的分析脑卒中后抑郁症患者粪便中的微生物种群多样性和均衡性。方法选择我院2018年10月至2020年10月神经内科住院部收治的68例脑卒中后抑郁症患者为试验组。在同一时期选择我院体检中心的68例健康体检者作为对照组。采用第二代高通量测序技术对其粪便中的微生物种群多样性和均衡性进行分析。结果(1)两组对象粪便样本微生物种群Good′s Coverage指数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而试验组OTU种类、Chao 1指数和Ace指数高于对照组(均P<0.05)。(2)两组对象粪便样本微生物种群Shannon指数、Simpson指数和Evenness指数差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。(3)两组对象粪便样本微生物种群均包括变形菌门、拟杆菌门、梭杆菌门以及厚壁菌门,其中试验组厚壁菌门相对丰度显著低于对照组,而其他3种菌门则高于对照组(均P<0.05)。(4)试验组患者粪便样本微生物种群理研菌科、氨基球菌科、梭杆菌科、Erigeronaceae、肠杆菌科和紫单胞菌科的相对丰度较高,而瘤胃菌科、普雷沃菌科、毛螺菌科以及单毒丝菌科的相对丰度较低(均P<0.05)。(5)在属水平上,试验组对象粪便样本微生物种群有11种菌属的相对丰度高于对照组,有3种菌属的相对丰度低于对照组(均P<0.05)。结论脑卒中后抑郁症患者粪便中微生物种群与健康人群存在较大差异。     

基于16S rDNA测序绝经综合征抑郁患者肠道菌群结构与功能性分析

目的 通过16S rDNA测序技术对绝经综合征抑郁患者肠道菌群分布、多样性和基因功能进行分析,探讨肠道菌群与绝经综合征抑郁发生的关联。方法 选取2021年6月至2022年3月就诊于我院妇科门诊的绝经综合征抑郁患者19例为观察组（A组）,同期绝经综合征患者10例为对照组（C组）。利用16S r DNA基因测序法对患者肠道菌群进行物种注释分析和功能比较,统计两组肠道菌群分布、多样性和基因功能的变化。结果 两组肠道菌群差异明显。GraPhlAn物种组成图显示,患者肠道菌群总体以厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、放线菌门和变形菌门组成。在门水平,与C组相比,A组放线菌门、变形菌门相对丰度较低,拟杆菌门相对丰度较高。在属水平,与C组相比,A组拟杆菌属、小杆菌属、巨单胞菌属、Lachnospiracea＿incertae＿se相对丰度较高,而Gemmiger、布劳特菌属、普雷沃菌属、粪球菌属、粪杆菌属、双歧杆菌属相对丰度偏低。进一步在属水平上选取了10种相对丰度差异具有统计学意义的菌群（P<0.05）：韦氏球菌属、消化球菌属、巨单胞菌属、史雷克菌属在A组的相对丰度较高（P<0.05）,柯林斯菌属、C...     

基于“肠道菌群―肠―脑轴”探讨风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫患者的肠道菌群特点

目的 分析风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫患者肠道微生物群的组成特点。方法 选取湖北省中西医结合医院13名风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫患者作为观察对象,13名匹配的健康人作为对照进行研究,采用粪便基因组DNA检测,对数据进行生物信息学分析,探索风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫人肠道菌群的结构组成特征,并进行血清炎性因子分析及相关性分析。结果在风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫患者中观察到更高的微生物alpha丰富度,且病例组人群粪便中检测的变形菌门、γ-变形菌纲、肠杆菌目、肠杆菌科、埃希―志贺菌属、梭杆菌门、梭杆菌纲、梭杆菌目、梭杆菌科、梭杆菌属丰度较对照组增加,拟杆菌门、拟杆菌纲、拟杆菌目、栖粪杆菌属丰度较对照组减少（LDA值>4,P<0.05）。风痰闭阻型耐药性癫痫患者体内血清TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IL-8水平显著增加,血清IL-10水平显著降低,且变形菌门、γ-变形菌纲、埃希―志贺菌属与血清TNF-α水平呈正相关,拟杆菌门、拟杆菌纲、拟杆菌目、栖粪杆菌属与血清TNF-α水平呈负相关;埃希―志贺菌属与血清IL-1β水平呈正相关,梭杆菌门、梭杆菌纲、梭杆菌目、梭杆菌科、梭杆菌属与血清IL-6水平呈正相关;...     

精神分裂症患者肠道菌群特征与认知损害的关系

目的 观察精神分裂症患者肠道菌群特征,并分析其与认知损害的关系。方法 选择2020年3月至2022年3月我院收治的175例精神分裂症患者作为研究对象。所有患者入院时均接受轻度认知损害筛查量表（sMCI）评估,根据认知损害发生情况,分为认知损害组和非认知损害组。统计两组患者一般资料和肠道菌群特征,分析精神分裂症患者肠道菌群特征与认知损害的关系。结果 175例精神分裂症患者中出现认知损害91例（52.00%）,未出现认知损害84例（48.00%）。认知损害组患者sMCI评分低于非认知损害组（P<0.05）。两组患者肠道菌群α多样性比较差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。两组对象肠道菌群的特征性物种在门水平为拟杆菌门（LDA=2.54）,厚壁菌门（LDA=4.25）;在纲水平为拟杆菌纲（LDA=3.57）,梭菌纲（LDA=4.31）;在科水平为产碱杆菌科（LDA=4.23）和梭菌科（LDA=2.76）;在属水平为萨特菌属（LDA=3.18）。认知损害组患者肠道拟杆菌门丰度高于非认知损害组,厚壁菌门丰度低于非认知损害组;拟杆菌纲丰度高于非认知损害组,梭菌纲丰度低于非认知损害组;产碱...     

腹泻柴达木马亚成体粪便微生物多样性分析及其生物标记物的筛选

为比较青藏高原柴达木马亚成体腹泻与健康个体粪便微生物群落多样性和结构组成的差异, 我们利用16S rRNA测序技术对采集的腹泻 (n = 3) 和健康 (n = 13) 个体粪便样本细菌的组成与分布进行分析比较,并利用实时荧光定量PCR测定相关菌属的含量。结果显示,无论健康还是腹泻,厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、疣微菌门、变形杆菌门和螺旋体门是柴达木马亚成体粪便中的优势菌门。相比健康组,腹泻组粪便微生物的Alpha多样性显著下降 (P < 0.05),厚壁菌门相对丰度下降而变形杆菌门的相对丰度显著增加 (P < 0.05),推断这两个门中的梭菌属、普雷沃菌属、纤杆菌属等丰度的失衡可能是导致柴达木马腹泻的原因之一。此外,通过机器学习的随机森林算法筛选出12个对健康和腹泻柴达木马亚成体粪便微生物差异具有较大影响的特征菌属,包括甲烷短杆菌属、纤杆菌属、Paludibacter、肉食杆菌属和迷踪菌属等。研究揭示了健康和腹泻柴达木马亚成体粪便微生物组的变化,为进一步研究青藏高原地区家畜腹泻提供一定的数据支持。     

血清连蛋白、高迁移率族蛋白B1水平与双相障碍患者认知功能和肠道菌群相对丰度的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨血清连蛋白、高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）水平与双相障碍患者认知功能和肠道菌群相对丰度的相关性。方法：选取2018年5月～2021年5月北京回龙观医院收治的80例双相障碍患者,其中狂躁发作43例,抑郁发作37例,分别作为狂躁组、抑郁组,取同期于我院体检的健康志愿者62例作为对照组。比较三组血清连蛋白、HMGB1水平,并采用重复性成套神经心理状态测验（RBANS）评估三组认知功能。收集受试者的粪便标本,经聚合酶链反应（PCR）与测序技术分析肠道菌群相对丰度。利用Pearson线性相关检验分析血清连蛋白、HMGB1水平与RBANS评分及肠道菌群相对丰度的相关性。结果：狂躁组、抑郁组血清连蛋白、HMGB1水平高于对照组,即刻记忆、言语功能、注意、延时记忆、视觉广度评分及RBANS总分均低于对照组（P＜0.05）。狂躁组、抑郁组拟杆菌纲、拟杆菌目相对丰度均低于对照组,大肠埃希菌种相对丰度高于对照组,且狂躁组青春双歧杆菌相对丰度高于对照组、抑郁组,抑郁组青春双歧杆菌相对丰度低于对照组,抑郁组毛螺菌属相对丰度高于狂躁组与对照组（P＜0.05）。血清连蛋白与拟杆菌纲、拟杆菌目呈负相关,与大肠埃希菌种呈正相关（P＜0.05）,但与RBANS总分无相关性（P＞0.05）。血清HMGB1与RBANS总分、拟杆菌纲、拟杆菌目呈负相关,与大肠埃希菌种呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：双相障碍患者的血清连蛋白、HMGB1水平增高,其中连蛋白与患者认知功能异常无明显关联,而HMGB1与认知功能异常有关,且二者均会影响患者的肠道菌群变化。     

肝硬化患者与健康人群唾液菌群的对比分析

目的 分析肝硬化患者（LC组）与健康人群（N组）唾液菌群丰度及多样性的差异，为后续研究提供参考。方法 收集45例肝硬化患者和44例健康人群唾液样本，应用高通量测序技术进行测序分析，对有效序列进行物种注释及多样性分析。结果 共获得7 729 352条有效序列，平均每个样本获得有效序列86 847条。两组人群唾液样本内菌群丰度及多样性差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）；而唾液菌群结构差异有统计学意义（F=20.13,P<0.01）。肝硬化患者口腔中厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）、拟杆菌门（Bacteroidota）、梭杆菌门（Fusobacteriota）相对丰度较高，而在健康人群口腔中变形菌门（Proteobacteria）相对丰度较高（均P<0.05）。结论 肝硬化患者与健康人群唾液菌群结构有差异，肝硬化患者相较于健康人群可能更易患龋病、牙周炎。重视口腔健康，防治口腔菌群失调对肝硬化的治疗具有重要意义。     

克罗恩病患者肠道菌群多样性变化研究初探

目的探讨克罗恩病(CD)患者肠道菌群多样性变化。方法收集8例确诊CD患者的粪便标本(CD组),以同期8例健康人群粪便作为对照组(CN组)。收集新鲜粪便样本提取DNA,并将样本进行PCR扩增,最终进行16SrRNA数据分析。结果测序共获得990 890条高质量序列,CD组和CN组多样性指数Shannon和Simpson比较差异有统计学意义(t=-3.802和t=-2.886,P0.05)。OTUs(可操作分类学单位)比较韦恩图显示CD组共有7 437株菌种,而CN组共有7 744株菌种,其中3 438株菌种重叠。LDA差异贡献分析图提示CD患者肠道菌群以芽胞杆菌、变形菌、乳杆菌目、放线菌目、异常球菌纲、栖热菌目、假单胞菌目和交替单胞菌目等为主要特征差异细菌菌类,而CN组则以双歧杆菌目及双歧杆菌科,Odoribacteraceae、Christensenellaceae、弧菌目及弧菌科等为主要特征差异细菌菌类。据物种进化树的样本菌落分布图显示:两组样本厚壁菌门、放线菌门、拟杆菌门、变形菌门、疣微菌门、酸杆菌门和螺旋菌门占主要门类分布。CD组及CN组细菌科类分析结果:毛螺菌科、韦荣球菌科、瘤胃菌科、丹毒丝菌科、红蝽菌科、紫单胞菌科、双歧杆菌科、普雷沃菌科、拟杆菌科、产碱菌科和链球菌科在两组样本中共同存在。同时从该进化树可发现,CD组中红蝽菌科、产碱菌科、丹毒丝菌科和链球菌科相对于CN组优势丰度分布,而普雷沃菌科、拟杆菌科和双歧杆菌科比CN组丰度明显减少。此外,Dethiosulfovibrionaceae、丙酸杆菌科、盐单胞菌科、希万菌科等为CD组特有菌种。结论 CD组的菌群多样性明显少于CN组,CD组有其特有优势菌群。     

Rumen Methanogenic Genotypes Differ in Abundance According to Host Residual Feed Intake Phenotype and Diet Type

Methane is an undesirable end product of rumen fermentative activity because of associated environmental impacts and reduced host feed efficiency. Our study characterized the rumen microbial methanogenic community in beef cattle divergently selected for phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) while offered a high-forage (HF) diet followed by a low-forage (LF) diet. Rumen fluid was collected from 14 high-RFI (HRFI) and 14 low-RFI (LRFI) animals at the end of both dietary periods. 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were used, and methanogen-specific tag-encoded pyrosequencing was carried out on the samples. We found that Methanobrevibacter spp. are the dominant methanogens in the rumen, with Methanobrevibacter smithii being the most abundant species. Differences in the abundance of Methanobrevibacter smithii and Methanosphaera stadtmanae genotypes were detected in the rumen of animals offered the LF compared to the HF diet while the abundance of Methanobrevibacter smithii genotypes was different between HRFI and LRFI animals irrespective of diet. Our results demonstrate that while a core group of methanogen operational taxonomic units (OTUs) exist across diet and phenotype, significant differences were observed in the distribution of genotypes within those OTUs. These changes in genotype abundance may contribute to the observed differences in methane emissions between efficient and inefficient animals.     

Colonic microbiome profiles for improved feed efficiency can be identified despite major effects of farm of origin and contemporary group in pigs

While feed efficiency (FE) is a trait of great economic importance to the pig industry, the influence of the intestinal microbiome in determining FE is not well understood. The objective of this experiment was to determine the relative influence of FE and farm of birth on the pig colonic microbiome. Animals divergent in residual feed intake (RFI) were sourced from two geographically distinct locations (farms A + B) in Ireland. The 8 most efficient (low RFI (LRFI)) and 8 least efficient (high RFI, (HRFI)) pigs from farm A and 12 LRFI and 12 HRFI pigs from farm B were sacrificed. Colonic digesta was collected for microbial analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and also for volatile fatty acid analysis. The α-diversity differed between the farms in this study, with pigs from farm A having greater diversity based on Shannon and InvSimpson measures compared to pigs from farm B (P < 0.05), with no difference identified in either Chao1 or observed measures of diversity (P > 0.05). In the analysis of β-diversity, pigs clustered based on farm of birth rather than RFI. Variation in the management of piglets, weight of the piglets, season of the year, sanitary status and dam dietary influence could potentially be causative factors in this large variation between farms. However, despite significant variation in the microbial profile between farms, consistent taxonomic differences were identified between RFI groups. Within the phylum Bacteroidetes, the LRFI pigs had increased abundance of BS11 (P < 0.05) and a tendency toward increased Bacteroidaceae (P < 0.10) relative to the HRFI group. At genus level, the LRFI pigs had increased abundance of Colinsella (P < 0.05), a tendency toward increased Bacteroides and CF231 (P < 0.10). At species level, Ruminococcus flavefaciens had increased abundance in the LRFI compared to the HRFI animals. In conclusion, while farm of birth has a substantial influence on microbial diversity in the pig colon, a microbial signature indicative of FE status was apparent.     

Pigs that are divergent in feed efficiency,differ in intestinal enzyme and nutrient transporter gene expression,nutrient digestibility and microbial activity

Feed efficiency is an important trait in the future sustainability of pig production, however, the mechanisms involved are not fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to examine nutrient digestibility, organ weights, select bacterial populations, volatile fatty acids (VFA’s), enzyme and intestinal nutrient transporter gene expression in a pig population divergent in feed efficiency. Male pigs (n=75; initial BW 22.4 kg SEM 2.03 kg) were fed a standard finishing diet for 43 days before slaughter to evaluate feed intake and growth for the purpose of calculating residual feed intake (RFI). Phenotypic RFI was calculated as the residuals from a regression model regressing average daily feed intake (ADFI) on average daily gain (ADG) and midtest BW^0.60 (MBW). On day 115, 16 pigs (85 kg SEM 2.8 kg), designated as high RFI (HRFI) and low RFI (LRFI) were slaughtered and digesta was collected to calculate the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID), total tract nutrient digestibility (CATTD), microbial populations and VFA’s. Intestinal tissue was collected to examine intestinal nutrient transporter and enzyme gene expression. The LRFI pigs had lower ADFI (P<0.001), improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.001) and an improved RFI value relative to HRFI pigs (0.19 v. −0.14 SEM 0.08; P<0.001). The LRFI pigs had an increased CAID of gross energy (GE), and an improved CATTD of GE, nitrogen and dry matter compared to HRFI pigs (P<0.05). The LRFI pigs had higher relative gene expression levels of fatty acid binding transporter 2 (FABP2) (P<0.01), the sodium/glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) (P<0.05), the glucose transporter GLUT2 (P<0.10), and the enzyme sucrase–isomaltase (SI) (P<0.05) in the jejunum. The LRFI pigs had increased populations of lactobacillus spp. in the caecum compared with HRFI pigs. In colonic digesta HRFI pigs had increased acetic acid concentrations (P<0.05). Differences in nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial populations and gene expression levels of intestinal nutrient transporters could contribute to the biological processes responsible for feed efficiency in pigs.     

Effect of phenotypic residual feed intake and dietary forage content on the rumen microbial community of beef cattle

Feed-efficient animals have lower production costs and reduced environmental impact. Given that rumen microbial fermentation plays a pivotal role in host nutrition, the premise that rumen microbiota may contribute to host feed efficiency is gaining momentum. Since diet is a major factor in determining rumen community structure and fermentation patterns, we investigated the effect of divergence in phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) on ruminal community structure of beef cattle across two contrasting diets. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were performed to profile the rumen bacterial population and to quantify the ruminal populations of Entodinium spp., protozoa, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminococcus albus, Prevotella brevis, the genus Prevotella, and fungi in 14 low (efficient)- and 14 high (inefficient)-RFI animals offered a low-energy, high-forage diet, followed by a high-energy, low-forage diet. Canonical correspondence and Spearman correlation analyses were used to investigate associations between physiological variables and rumen microbial structure and specific microbial populations, respectively. The effect of RFI on bacterial profiles was influenced by diet, with the association between RFI group and PCR-DGGE profiles stronger for the higher forage diet. qPCR showed that Prevotella abundance was higher (P < 0.0001) in inefficient animals. A higher (P < 0.0001) abundance of Entodinium and Prevotella spp. and a lower (P < 0.0001) abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes were observed when animals were offered the low-forage diet. Thus, differences in the ruminal microflora may contribute to host feed efficiency, although this effect may also be modulated by the diet offered.     

The Effect of Divergence in Feed Efficiency on the Intestinal Microbiota and the Intestinal Immune Response in Both Unchallenged and Lipopolysaccharide Challenged Ileal and Colonic Explants

Feed efficiency is an important trait in pig production, with evidence to suggest that the efficiencies of a variety of biological systems contribute to variation in this trait. Little work has been conducted on the contribution of the intestinal innate immune response to divergence in feed efficiency. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine select bacterial populations and gene expression profiles of a range of targets relating to gut health and immunity in the intestine of pigs phenotypically divergent in feed efficiency in: a) the basal state; and (b) following an ex-vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge of ileal and colonic tissue. Male pigs (initial BW 22.4 kg (SD = 2.03)) were fed a standard finishing diet for the final 43 days prior to slaughter to evaluate feed intake and growth for the purpose of calculating residual feed intake (RFI). On day 115, 16 animals (average weight 85 kg, SEM 2.8 kg), designated high RFI (HRFI) and low RFI (LRFI) were slaughtered. The LRFI pigs had increased lactobacillus spp. in the caecum compared to HRFI pigs (P < 0.05). RFI groups did not differ in the expression of the measured genes involved in the innate immune system in the basal ileal or colonic tissues (P > 0.10). Interestingly, there was an interaction between RFI and LPS for the cytokines IL-8, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and SOCS3, with the LRFI group having consistently lower gene expression in the colon following the LPS challenge, compared to the HRFI group. The lower gene expression of SOCS and cytokines following an ex vivo LPS challenge supports the theory that a possible energy saving mechanism exists in the intestinal innate immune response to an immune challenge in more feed efficient pigs.     

Association analysis between feed efficiency studies and expression of hypothalamic neuropeptide genes in laying ducks

Residual feed intake (RFI) is now considered a more reasonable metric to evaluate animal feed efficiency. In this study, the correlation between RFI and other feed efficiency traits was investigated and gene expression within the hypothalamus was determined in low RFI (LRFI) and high RFI (HRFI) ducks. Further, several hypothalamic neuropeptide genes were measured using quantitative real‐time PCR. The mean feed intake value was 160 g/day, whereas the egg mass laid (EML) and body weight were approximately 62.4 g/day and 1.46 kg respectively. Estimates for heritability of RFI, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake were 0.26, 0.18 and 0.23 respectively. RFI is phenotypically positively correlated with feed intake and FCR (P < 0.01). The expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neuropeptide Y receptor Y5 (NPY5R) mRNA was higher in HRFI ducks compared with LRFI ducks (P < 0.05), whereas that of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and cholecystokinin (CCK) was lower (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone 1 (luteinizing‐releasing hormone) (GNRH1) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) was unchanged between LRFI and HRFI ducks. The results indicate that selection for LRFI could reduce feed intake without significant changes in EML, whereas selection on FCR will increase EML.     

Impact of hygiene of housing conditions on performance and health of two pig genetic lines divergent for residual feed intake

Pigs selected for high performance may be more at risk of developing diseases. This study aimed to assess the health and performance of two pig lines divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) (low RFI (LRFI) v. high RFI (HRFI)) and housed in two contrasted hygiene conditions (poor v. good) using a 2×2 factorial design (n=40/group). The challenge period (Period 1), started on week zero (W0) when 12-week-old pigs were transferred to good or poor housing conditions. At week 6 (W6), half of the pigs in each group were slaughtered. During a recovery period (Period 2) from W6 to W13 to W14, the remaining pigs (n=20/group) were transferred in good hygiene conditions before being slaughtered. Blood was collected every three (Period 1) or 2 weeks (Period 2) to assess blood indicators of immune and inflammatory responses. Pulmonary lesions at slaughter and performance traits were evaluated. At W6, pneumonia prevalence was greater for pigs housed in poor than in good conditions (51% v. 8%, respectively, P<0.001). Irrespective of hygiene conditions, lung lesion scores were lower for LRFI pigs than for HRFI pigs (P=0.03). At W3, LRFI in poor conditions had the highest number of blood granulocytes (hygiene×line, P=0.03) and at W6, HRFI pigs in poor conditions had the greatest plasma haptoglobin concentrations (hygiene×line, P=0.02). During Period 1, growth rate and growth-to-feed ratio were less affected by poor hygiene in LRFI pigs than in HRFI pigs (hygiene×line, P=0.001 and P=0.02, respectively). Low residual feed intake pigs in poor conditions ate more than the other groups (hygiene×line, P=0.002). Irrespective of the line, fasting plasma glucose concentrations were higher in poor conditions, whereas fasting free fatty acids concentrations were lower than in good conditions. At the end of Period 2, pneumonia prevalence was similar for both housing conditions (39% v. 38%, respectively). During Period 2, plasma protein concentrations were greater for pigs previously housed in poor than in good conditions during Period 1. Immune traits, gain-to-feed ratio, BW gain and feed consumption did not differ during Period 2. Nevertheless, at W12, BW of HRFI previously housed in poor conditions was 13.4 kg lower than BW of HRFI pigs (P<0.001) previously housed in good conditions. In conclusion, health of the most feed efficient LRFI pigs was less impaired by poor hygiene conditions. This line was able to preserve its health, growth performance and its feed ingestion to a greater extent than the less efficient HRFI line.     

Effects of red cabbage extract rich in anthocyanins on rumen fermentation,rumen bacterial community,nutrient digestion,and plasma indices in beef bulls

Dietary anthocyanins (ATH) have probiotic and antioxidant functions in humans. They may also have beneficial impacts on rumen microorganisms and subsequently nutrient digestion in cattle. The experiment aimed to study the effects of dietary red cabbage extract (RCE) rich in ATH on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community, and nutrient digestibility in beef bulls. Eight Simmental beef bulls and two RCE levels (0 and 120 g/d) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. Each experimental period included 15 days for adaptation and subsequent 5 days for sampling. The results showed that dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportion of propionate, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and tended to decrease the molar proportion of acetate, but it did not affect the ruminal pH and the concentrations of ammonia N, microbial CP, monophenols, polyphenols, and total phenolics. ATH was undetectable in the ruminal fluid of beef bulls in both groups. RCE did not affect the alpha diversity of rumen bacterial community, and the relative abundances of major rumen bacteria at the phylum level, but it increased the relative abundances of Ruminobacter and Anaerovibrio and tended to increase the relative abundances of Oribacterium and Monoglobus at the genus level. RCE tended to increase the plasma concentrations of globulin and total protein, but it did not affect the plasma albumin, urea, triglyceride, glucose, and antioxidant activities. Dietary addition of RCE did not affect the apparent nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, the ATH in RCE was highly hydrolysable in rumen fluid. Dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and slightly modified the rumen bacterial community, but it did not affect the nutrient digestibility and the plasma antioxidants in beef bulls.