饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响

研究旨在探讨饲料中添加还原型谷胱甘肽(Glutathione, GSH)对黄颡鱼幼鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响。选用初始体重为(1.32±0.01) g的黄颡鱼800尾, 随机分为5组, 每组4个重复, 每个重复40 尾鱼, 分别投喂基础饲料和添加100、300、500和700 mg/kg GSH的试验饲料, 饲养56d后采样分析, 并采用氯化铵进行96h氨氮应激试验。结果表明: 除100 mg/kg组外, 饲料中添加GSH显著提高黄颡鱼肝脏、血清GSH含量(P<0.05), 当GSH添加量≥300 mg/kg时, 肝脏和血清GSH含量均呈现稳定状态。随着饲料中谷胱甘肽水平的增加, 血清免疫和肝脏抗氧化指标均呈现先升高后降低的趋势, 其中300和500 mg/kg组溶菌酶与碱性磷酸酶活性、300 mg/kg组免疫球蛋白M与补体4含量、500 mg/kg组酸性磷酸酶活性与对照组相比显著升高(P<0.05)。与对照组和700 mg/kg组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性和总抗氧化能力与血清超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性均显著高升高(P<0.05); 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。氨氮应激96h时, 与对照组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏和血清超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性力均显著升高(P<0.05), 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。由此可见, 饲料中添加谷胱甘肽能提高黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能, 其中以300—500 mg/kg为宜。     

亚硒酸钠对西门塔尔母牛发情周期生殖激素分泌的影响

选用12头18月龄,体况良好,体重380 kg的西门塔尔牛育成母牛,采用完全随机区组设计分为4组,研究亚硒酸钠(0、0.3、0.6和0.9 mg Se/kg DM)对发情周期外周血清促黄体素、促卵泡素、孕酮和雌二醇分泌的影响。结果表明:日粮添加亚硒酸钠后发情周期促黄体素、促卵泡素、孕酮和雌二醇分泌水平提高,0.3 mg/kg组和0.6 mg/kg组显著高于对照组(P<0.05),0.3 mg/kg组较0.6 mg/kg组高(P>0.05)。根据试验结果推断以亚硒酸钠为硒源,添加0.3 mg Se/kg DM对发情周期生殖激素分泌有显著促进作用,兼顾基础日粮的含硒量,建议日粮硒水平为0.37 mg Se/kg DM。     

纳米硒对岢岚绒山羊妊娠母羊及胎儿抗氧化性、硒蛋白表达及生长发育的影响

为研究纳米硒对岢岚绒山羊妊娠母羊及胎儿抗氧化能力、硒蛋白表达和生长发育的影响。选择体重相近的岢岚妊娠绒山羊80只,随机分为2组,分别喂以基础日粮和添加0.5mg/kg DM纳米硒的饲粮,实验期110d。结果表明:日粮中纳米硒的添加极显著(P<0.01)地提高了母羊及胎儿血清中GSH-Px、SOD的活性;极显著(P<0.01)提高了母羊及胎儿肝、胎盘组织中GSH-Px、SOD的活性;极显著(P<0.01)降低了母羊及胎儿血清与胎盘组织中MDA的浓度。在日粮中添加纳米硒后,母羊及胎儿肝、肾组织中cGPx1 mRNA的表达显著提高(P<0.05);胎盘组织中的cGPx、SeP、Trx1 mRNA的表达极显著提高(P<0.01)。妊娠母羊的基础日粮中加入纳米硒,极显著(P<0.01)提高了妊娠母羊及胎儿血清、肝、胎盘组织中IGF-1的含量和IGF-1mRNA表达量,显著增加了胎盘、胎儿及胎儿肝、肾组织的重量(P<0.05)。日粮中添加0.5mg/kg DM纳米硒,增强了妊娠母羊及胎儿的抗氧化能力,提高了IGF-1、cGPx1、SeP和Trx1 mRNA的表达量,进一步促进了胎儿的生长发育。     

蛋氨酸硒对西门塔尔牛发情周期生殖激素分泌的影响

选用16头18月龄、体况良好、体重(380±24)kg的西门塔尔育成母牛,采用随机区组设计分为4组,以蛋氨酸硒为硒源,研究日粮添加硒(0、0.3、0.6和0.9 mg/kg干物质)对其发情周期生殖激素分泌的影响。结果表明,日粮添加蛋氨酸硒显著提高了发情周期LH、FSH、P4、E2水平,其中添加硒0.3 mg/kg组、0.6 mg/kg组显著高于0.9 mg/kg组和对照组,而0.9 mg/kg组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果表明,以蛋氨酸硒为硒源时,添加硒0.3~0.6 mg/kg对发情周期生殖激素分泌有显著促进作用,以0.6 mg/kg为佳,加上基础日粮含硒量,建议以蛋氨酸硒为硒源时日粮硒水平为0.67 mg/kg干物质。     

富铜酵母对西门塔尔牛日粮养分消化率和血液指标的影响

选用16头平均体重420 kg,年龄2.5岁中国西门塔尔牛阉牛,采用随机区组设计,分为4组,以混合精料和风干玉米秸秆为基础日粮,在基础日粮中分别添加富铜酵母0 mg/kg、80 mg/kg、160 mg/kg和240 mg/kg研究富铜酵母对西门塔尔牛营养物质消化代谢和血液指标的影响.结果表明:样品干物质、有机物质、粗蛋白质、无氮浸出物、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维消化率以80 mg/kg和160 mg/kg组较高(P<0.05);粗脂肪消化率以80 mg/kg组较高(P<0.05);80 mg/kg和160 mg/kg组沉积氮和沉积氮/消化氮显著高于对照和240 mg/kg组(P<0.05);160 mg/kg组Ca、P、Fe、Mn、Cu、S、Zn和Mo的存留率显著提高(P<0.05);80 mg/kg和160 mg/kg组血清甘油三酯显著提高(P<0.05);血糖、总胆固醇、白蛋白和总蛋白含量增加(P<0.05);160 mg/kg和240mg/kg组尿素氮显著降低(P<0.05);血清谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、酸性磷酸酶和乳酸脱氢酶无显著差异(P>0.05).160 mg/kg组血浆铜蓝蛋白显著升高(P<0.05);超氧化物歧化酶显著升高(P<0.05);80 mg/kg和160 mg/kg组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶显著提高;240 mg/kg组则显著降低(P<0.05);丙二醛呈明显下降趋势.血清Cu含量逐渐增加,160 mg/kg和240 mg/kg组显著高于对照和80 mg/kg组(P<0.05).根据试验结果,富铜酵母添加量以80 mg/kg～160 ms/kg干物质为宜.     

氯化镧对牛血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、生长激素、胰岛素、三碘甲腺原氨酸和四碘甲状腺原氨酸浓度的影响

选用36头平均体重420 kg,年龄2.5岁的中国西门答尔阉牛,采用随机区组设计分为4组,以混合精料和风干玉米秸秆为基础日粮,研究日粮中添加不同水平氯化镧对西门答尔阉牛营养物质消化、血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、生长激素、胰岛素、三碘甲腺原氨酸和四碘甲状腺原氨酸浓度的影响。结果表明:实验至第60天时,每天添加0.9 g氯化镧的饲粮有机物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率较对照组和其它处理组分别提高了8.09%、7.13%、15.20%、9.47%、13.09%和20.48%,血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性较对照组和其它处理组显著提高了8.22、3.95和5.04个单位,血清生长激素、胰岛素浓度、三碘甲腺原氨酸和四碘甲状腺原氨酸浓度均显著高。     

饲料中添加溶菌酶对吉富罗非鱼生长、免疫-抗氧化功能及血清抗菌性能的影响

为研究在饲料中添加不同水平的溶菌酶制品对吉富罗非鱼(GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)生长性能、免疫-抗氧化功能和血清抗菌性能的影响, 选用平均体重为(11.350.08)g的吉富罗非鱼960尾, 随机分为6组(每组4个重复, 每个重复40尾), 分别投喂基础饲料(对照组)和5种添加水平分别为18、36、54、72和90 mg/kg溶菌酶制品的试验饲料, 养殖周期为60d。结果表明: (1) 54 mg/kg溶菌酶添加组鱼的生长性能和饲料利用情况最优, 增重率和蛋白质效率均显著高于对照组, 饲料系数显著低于对照组(P0.05); 肝体比随溶菌酶添加水平的增加呈现下降趋势, 90 mg/kg添加组显著低于对照组(P0.05); 脾脏指数在36和54mg/kg添加组显著低于对照组(P0.05); 全鱼粗蛋白和粗灰分含量在54 mg/kg添加组均呈现较高水平, 显著高于对照组(P0.05)。(2)溶菌酶添加水平对罗非鱼的免疫-抗氧化能力产生影响, 54和72 mg/kg添加水平能显著提高鱼体血清和肝脏的超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性, 降低丙二醛含量(P0.05); 肝脏溶菌酶活性在54和72 mg/kg添加组均显著高于对照组(P0.05), 而血清溶菌酶活性随溶菌酶添加水平的增加呈现下降趋势(L90组除外), 显著低于对照组(P0.05)。(3)血清抗菌试验显示, 54和72 mg/kg溶菌酶添加组罗非鱼对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、嗜水气单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的抑制能力显著高于对照组(P0.05), 而对枯草芽孢杆菌的抵抗能力最低, 比对照组分别低34.71%和42.21% (P0.05)。结果表明, 在本试验条件下, 在吉富罗非鱼饲料中添加54 mg/kg溶菌酶制品可以改善其生长性能; 当添加水平为54和72 mg/kg时, 罗非鱼的免疫-抗氧化能力和血清抗菌性能均得到了显著提高。     

硒和维生素E对皱纹盘鲍血清抗氧化酶活力的影响

利用双因素实验设计研究了在饲料中添加维生素E(VE) (0 ,5 0IU/kg)和硒 (Se) (0 ,0 2 ,0 6 ,1 5mg/kg)对皱纹盘鲍 (HaliotisdiscushannaiIno)血清中过氧化氢酶 (CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、依赖硒的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶 (GR)、谷胱甘肽转移酶 (GST)这 5种抗氧化酶活力的影响。结果表明 :Se对皱纹盘鲍血清 5种抗氧化酶活力都有显著影响 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而VE仅对GPX和GR的活力有显著影响 (P <0 0 5 )。VE和Se对CAT、GRX和GR的活力的影响具有显著的交互作用。GPX/SOD、GR/GPX、CAT/SOD这 3个抗氧化的重要指标都表明 ,当饲料中含有 4 5 0IU/kg的VE时 ,添加 0 6mg/kg的硒能使皱纹盘鲍血清中的抗氧化物酶系统总体达到相对平衡 ,从而能有效地抵抗氧化损害。     

VE和L-肌肽对大菱鲆幼鱼生长、抗氧化、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标的影响

实验以大菱鲆（Scophthalmus maximus）幼鱼[（14.00±0.02）g]为研究对象,采用2×4双因素设计,设2个VE水平（0和75 mg/kg）和4个L-肌肽水平（0、50、100和200 mg/kg）,研究VE和L-肌肽对其生长、抗氧化、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标的影响。实验共分8组,每组3个重复,每个重复46尾鱼,实验周期为8周。结果显示:（1）在饲料中添加75 mg/kg VE显著提高了大菱鲆幼鱼增重率（WGR）和特定生长率（SGR）（P < 0.05）,L-肌肽添加量≤100 mg/kg对实验鱼生长性能无显著影响（P>0.05）,添加量为200 mg/kg时鱼体WGR、SGR和蛋白质效率（PER）显著降低,饲料系数（FCR）显著升高（P < 0.05）;（2）VE和L-肌肽对血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量及肝脏总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和MDA含量均具有显著的交互作用（P < 0.05）,在VE 75 mg/kg水平下,L-肌肽添加量为50和100 mg/kg时血清GSH-PX活性最高,L-肌肽添加量为100和200 mg/kg时血清CAT活性最高且与添加量为50 mg/kg差异不显著（P>0.05）,添加100 mg/kg肝脏T-AOC和SOD活性达到最高且50 mg/kg组的SOD与100 mg/kg组差异不显著（P>0.05）,主效应结果显示,VE显著提高了血清T-AOC、SOD及肝脏CAT活性（P < 0.05）,L-肌肽显著提高了血清T-AOC（P < 0.05）;（3）VE和L-肌肽对血清补体C3和LZM活性交互作用显著,在75 mg/kg VE水平下,L-肌肽添加量为50 mg/kg时,补体C3水平最高（P < 0.05）,主效应显示,VE和L-肌肽对血清总蛋白（TP）影响均不显著（P>0.05）;（4）添加VE显著降低了血清总胆固醇（TCHO）和甘油三酯（TG）含量（P < 0.05）,添加L-肌肽显著降低了血清TG含量,且在L-肌肽50 mg/kg时达到最低。综合考虑大菱鲆幼鱼[（14.00-39.43）g]的生长性能、抗氧化性能、非特异性免疫及血清生化指标得出,在实验配方条件下（鱼油70 g/kg,大豆卵磷脂10 g/kg）,添加VE 75 mg/kg时,L-肌肽的适宜添加量为50 mg/kg。     

VE对草鱼成鱼肌肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响

在VE含量为24.1 mg/kg的实用基础饲料中分别添加VE 0(对照组)、25、50、100、200 mg/kg,饲喂平均体重为(614.9±60.5)g的草鱼60d.考察VE对草鱼成鱼生长性能、肌肉品质和抗氧化性能的影响.结果表明,各组草鱼增重率分别为51.6%、53.5%、53.4%、53.5%、54.8%,饲料系数分别为2.28、2.17、2.20、2.19、2.15,饲料中添加25-200 mg/kg VE对草鱼成伍增重率、饲料系数无显著影响(P>0.05);在肌肉品质方面,饲料中添加VE对肌肉水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P>0.05).肌肉保鲜肉滴水损失和冷冻肉渗出损失随VE添加量的增加而降低;随饲料中VE添加量的增加,肌肉、肝脏中VE含量增加,丙二醛含量则显著降低(P<0.05),其中VE添加量为200 mr,/kg组的肌肉、肝脏VE含量较对照组增加431.0%、353.7%,丙二醛含量则下降67.2%、61.3%(P<0.01);在血清抗氧化能力方面,当VE添加量≥50 mg/kg后,草鱼血清SOD活性显著提高(P<0.05),而血清总抗氧化能力在VE添加量0-100 mg/kg各组间尤显著差异,200 mg/kgVE组的血清总抗氧化能力较对照组显著增高(P<0.05).上述研究表明,饲料中添加VE能促进草鱼生长,改善肌肉品质,增强机体抗氧化能力.以生长性能为标准,草鱼成鱼饲料(基础饲料含VE 24.1 mg/kg)中的VE添加量25 mg/kg;以肌肉品质、抗氧化能力指标为标准,草鱼成鱼饲料中的VE添加量为200 mg/kg.     

Effects of dietary copper on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fiber characteristics in cashmere goats during the cashmere slow-growing period

Thirty-six 2.5-year-old wether Inner Mongolian White Cashmere Goats (IMWG) (BW = 42.7 ± 3.44 kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary copper (Cu) concentration on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fiber characteristics during the cashmere slow-growing period. Wethers were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, which included a control diet containing 5.60 mg Cu/kg DM, the control diet supplied, respectively, with 10, 20 and 30 mg Cu/kg DM (total dietary Cu level of 5.60, 15.6, 25.6 and 35.6 mg/kg DM). The experiment lasted 50 days including a 10-day preliminary trial and 10-day metabolism trial. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) did not differ among treatment groups (P > 0.05), except that the supplement providing 30 mg Cu/kg DM decreased average daily gain and gain efficiency (P < 0.05). Copper supplementation had no influence on digestibility of DM, CP and ADF (P > 0.05), however, NDF digestibility of the treatment group supplemented with 30 mg Cu/kg DM was lower compared with that of other groups (P < 0.05). Length and growth rate of cashmere fiber were higher in the treatment group supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM compared with other groups (P < 0.05), but cashmere diameter was not affected by Cu supplementation (P > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of Cu at the levels of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg DM to the basal diet containing 5.60 mg Cu/kg DM had no influence on ADFI or nutrient digestibility of DM, CP and ADF in cashmere goats, while 30 mg Cu/kg DM supplementation had a negative effect on growth performance and NDF digestibility. However, 20 mg Cu/kg DM supplementation of the basal diet enhanced cashmere growth. Hence, the appropriate supplemental level during the cashmere slow-growing period is deemed to be 20 mg Cu/kg DM (total dietary Cu level of 25.6 mg/kg DM).     

Effect of Feeding Inorganic Chromium on Growth Performance, Endocrine Variables, and Energy Metabolites in Winter-Exposed Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

We investigated the effect of chromium (Cr) supplementation on the growth performance, energy metabolites, and hormonal variation in winter-exposed buffalo calves. Twenty-four female buffalo calves were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (n?=?6) for a period of 120 days. Feeding regimen was the same in all the groups, except the animals in the four respective groups were additionally supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg of Cr/kg DM in the form of CrCl₃.6H₂O. Calves were monitored daily for physiological variables and dry matter intake (DMI). Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals from each buffalo calves to measure concentrations of hormones (insulin, cortisol, and growth hormone), energy metabolites (glucose and non-esterified fatty acids), and plasma mineral levels. After 120 days of feeding trial, buffalo calves fed with Cr had lower (P?<?0.05) circulating plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and cortisol hormones, whereas plasma thyroid hormone and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were found similar (P?>?0.05) among all the treatments. The results suggested that dietary Cr supplementation influenced plasma Cr levels without affecting the plasma concentrations of other trace minerals. However, physiological variables, nutrient intake, and growth performance of buffalo calves did not differ among all treatments (P?>?005). In summary, the current study showed that supplementation of Cr at the level of 1.0 and 1.5 mg of Cr/kg DMI was more effective in improving glucose utilization by increasing potency of insulin hormone and reducing concentration of cortisol hormone. Results also suggested that supplemental Cr also improves blood plasma Cr levels.     

Effect of Different Levels of Copper and Molybdenum Supplements on Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,and Follicle Characteristics in Cashmere Goats

A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effects of different levels of copper (Cu, 0, 19, and 38 mg/kg, dry matter (DM)) and molybdenum (Mo, 0 and 5 mg/kg, DM) supplements and an interaction of these two factors on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cashmere and follicle characteristics in cashmere goats. Thirty-six Liaoning cashmere goats (approximately 1.5 years of age; 27.53 ± 1.38 kg of body weight) were assigned randomly to one of six treatments and fed with Chinese wildrye- and alfalfa hay-based treatment diets (the basal diet contained 4.72 mg Cu/kg, 1.65 mg Mo/kg, and 0.21% S.). Body weight was measured on two consecutive days at the start and the end of the 70-day experimental period. On day 30, the metabolism trial was conducted to study the effects of dietary Cu and Mo on nutrient digestibility. The cashmere and skin samples were collected on day 70. Copper supplementation increased (P < 0.05) growth performance and fiber digestion, but there were no differences (P > 0.05) between Cu-supplemented groups. Addition of 19 mg Cu/kg DM increased (P < 0.05) cashmere growth length or growth rate by increasing the number of active secondary follicles. Molybdenum supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) growth, but did not affect (P > 0.05) nutrient digestion, cashmere, and follicle characteristics. There is a tendency or significant interaction effect of Cu and Mo on growth performance (P = 0.057), cashmere growth (P = 0.076), or diameter (P < 0.05) which might be accomplished by changing the number of secondary follicle and active secondary follicle, and secondary to primary follicle ratio. In conclusion, the optimal supplemental Cu level for Liaoning cashmere goats fed with the basal diet was 19 mg/kg DM (the total dietary Cu level of 23.72 mg/kg DM), while 38 mg Cu/kg DM supplementation was found to be needed when 5 mg Mo/kg was added in the basal diet during the cashmere growing period.     

口服AdipoRon对2型糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺功能的影响

目的:观察口服AdipoRon对2型糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺功能的影响,为AdipoRon的临床应用提供基础资料。方法:将40只C57/BL6雄性小鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC,n=10)和造模组(n=30),并分别给予普通饲料和高脂高糖饲料喂养。4周后,造模组小鼠腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ,40 mg/kg)以诱导建立2型糖尿病模型。造模成功后将糖尿病模型小鼠随机分为糖尿病模型组(DM)、高剂量AdipoRon(50 mg/kg)(DM+H)组、低剂量AdipoRon(20 mg/kg)(DM+L)组,每组10只。DM+L组和DM+H组灌胃相应浓度的AdipoRon(使用去离子水溶解AdipoRon),NC组和DM组灌胃等体积去离子水,每日灌胃1次,灌胃10 d。末次干预后禁食12 h,处死小鼠取血液、胰腺和脾脏。HE染色光镜下观察胰腺的病理改变; ELISA法检测小鼠胰腺和脾脏组织中胰岛素受体(INSR)、胰岛素受体底物1(IRS-1)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)蛋白质含量;小鼠脾脏系数; Western blot法检测胰腺组织中pIRS-1蛋白质水平;实时荧光定量PCR检测胰腺组织中insulin mRNA表达。结果:光镜下可见正常组小鼠胰腺组织排列紧密、饱满、胰岛体积大,DM组小鼠胰腺组织排列较为疏散、胰岛体积较小,口服AdipoRon组小鼠胰腺组织基本紧密、饱满、胰岛体积略小。与NC比较,DM组小鼠胰腺和脾脏TNF-α水平明显升高,INSR、IRS-1水平均降低,脾脏系数、胰腺p-IRS-1蛋白质水平和insulin mRNA表达均降低,均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);与DM组比较,口服AdipoRon组小鼠胰腺和脾脏TNF-α水平明显下降,INSR和IRS-1水平均升高,脾脏系数升高,DM+H组胰腺p-IRS-1蛋白质水平和insulin mRNA表达均升高(P<0.05);与DM+L组比较,DM+H组小鼠TNF-α水平明显下降,INSR和IRS-1水平均升高(P<0.05)。结论:口服AdipoRon可通过减弱糖尿病小鼠炎症反应,上调INSR表达、提高p-IRS-1水平,从而对糖尿病小鼠脾脏和胰腺组织有一定的保护作用。     

Effects of dietary zinc on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma zinc status in Cashmere goats

Thirty-six 1.0-year-old Liao Ning Cashmere goat wethers (BW = 22.01 ± 0.59 kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary zinc (Zn) level on the performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma Zn status during the cashmere fiber growing period. The goats were randomly divided into four groups that were fed a basal diet containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg dry matter (DM) with 0, 15, 30 or 45 mg Zn/kg DM as reagent grade ZnSO₄·7H₂O. The experiment lasted 60 days including a 7-day metabolism trial. Both average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency were improved (P < 0.05) by Zn supplementation and were higher (P < 0.05) for the treatment groups supplemented with 30 and 45 mg Zn/kg DM compared with 15 mg Zn/kg DM. Zn supplementation had no influence on the length and diameter of cashmere fiber (P > 0.05). Digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). Plasma Zn concentrations were increased (P < 0.01) by Zn supplementation and were higher (P < 0.05) for the treatment groups supplemented with 30 and 45 mg Zn/kg DM compared with 15 mg Zn/kg DM. Zn apparent absorption rate and apparent retention rate were decreased (P < 0.05) by Zn supplementation, but did not differ among Zn supplemented treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, a control diet containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg DM was inadequate for achieving optimal growth performance in Cashmere goats, and the recommended level of dietary Zn for such goats is 52.3 mg/kg DM during the cashmere fiber growing period.     

Dietary Iodine and Selenium Affected the mRNA Expression Levels of Skin Monodeiodinase (II, III) in Liaoning Cashmere Goats

Livestock are frequently provided nutrient-depleted diets, which can negatively impact animal health and productivity. In our previous trial, we found that iodine (I) supplementation (not selenium (Se)) could increase cashmere production. In order to explore the role of I and Se in cashmere growth, we investigated the effects of dietary I and Se supplementation in Liaoning cashmere goats. Serum thyroid hormone status and the mRNA expression levels of skin monodeiodinase (MDII, MDIII) were measured during the cashmere fiber growth period. Forty-eight 2.5-year-old Liaoning cashmere goats (38.6?±?2.65 kg BW) were divided into six equal groups, and their diets were supplemented with I (0, 2, or 4 mg/kg DM) and Se (0 or 1 mg/kg DM) in a 2?×?3 factorial treatment design. The six treatment groups were: I₀Se₀, I₂Se₀, I₄Se₀, I₀Se₁, I₂Se₁, and I₄Se₁. Concentrations of I and Se in the basal diet (group I₀Se₀) were 0.67 and 0.09 mg/kg DM, respectively. The trial started in September of 2009 and lasted 70 days. For every measured parameter, supplemental Se had no significant effect on thyroid hormones, but improved the mRNA expression levels of skin MDIII (P?<?0.01). However, supplemental I increased levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) and improved the mRNA expression levels of skin MDII (P?<?0.05). These results show that the addition of I to cashmere goat feedstock may be an effective means of increasing cashmere production through thyroid hormones regulating the mRNA expression of skin MDII.