金属硫蛋白参与肺缺血预处理的保护作用

本实验旨在探讨金属硫蛋白是否参与肺缺血预处理(ischemic preconditioning,IP)的保护作用。实验用健康雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠24只,随机分为对照组、肺缺血/再灌注(ischemia-reperfusion,I/R)组和IP组,对比观察各组肺组织中金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)的含量,血清中丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)及髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase,MPO)活性的变化,用原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)检测肺组织细胞的凋亡情况,用透射电镜观察肺组织超微结构的改变。结果显示,与对照组相比,I/R组肺组织中MT的含量显著下降(P0.05),血清MDA含量、MPO活性明显升高(P0.01),SOD活性明显下降(P0.01),凋亡指数(apoptosis index,AI)显著增高(P0.01),肺组织超微结构发生异常改变;与I/R组相比,IP组肺组织中MT的含量显著升高(P0.01),血清MDA含量、MPO活性明显下降,SOD活性明显升高(P0.05或P0.01),AI为14.76±1.35,显著低于I/R组(P0.01),肺组织超微结构显著改善。根据以上结果,我们推断诱导MT的产生可能是IP肺保护作用的机制之一。     

不同时机介入“醒脑开窍”针刺法对脑缺血再灌注大鼠SOD活性和MDA含量的影响

目的:观察不同时机介入“醒脑开窍”针刺法治疗对脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响.方法:将健康成年雄性SD大鼠按随机对照原则分为假手术组、模型组、3h针刺组、6h针刺组、药物组,采用线栓法制备脑缺血再灌注大鼠模型,模型制备成功后,针刺组分别于造模成功后3h、6h予以“醒脑开窍”针法治疗,药物组于在造模成功5h后予香丹注射液腹腔内注射,每日1次,治疗3次.治疗72 h后采集标本检测血清及脑组织中SOD的活性和MDA的含量.结果:与模型组比较,5h药物组血清SOD活性明显降低(P＜0.01),3h针刺组血清MDA的含量明显升高(P＜0.01);6h针刺组血清SOD活性高于3h针刺组和5h药物组(P＜0.01),而6h针刺组血清MDA含量、5h药物组血清SOD活性和MDA含量均显著低于3h针刺组(P＜0.01),6h针刺组血清SOD活性显著高于5h药物组(P＜0.01).3h针刺组脑组织SOD活性和5h药物组脑组织SOD活性及MDA含量均显著高于模型组(P＜0.01);与6h针刺组比较,3h针刺组脑组织SOD活性、5h药物组脑组织内SOD活性和MDA含量均显著升高(P＜0.01).结论:不同时机介入“醒脑开窍”针刺法可不同程度调节血清及脑组织SOD活性水平,增强氧自由基代谢,有效改善脑缺血再灌注引起的缺血性损伤,进而对损伤脑组织起到一定保护作用;且早期介入疗效更佳.     

注射用丹酚酸A防治肝纤维化的实验研究

目的：探讨注射用丹酚酸A抗肝纤维化的作用,为丹酚酸A的临床应用提供理论依据。方法采用CCl4体外诱导肝细胞损伤,观察丹酚酸A对肝细胞活性及其细胞培养上清液ALT、AST、LDH水平和细胞裂解液中SOD活性和MDA含量的变化;另采用皮下注射CCl4诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,观察丹酚酸A对肝纤维化大鼠血清LN、HA、SOD和MDA含量的影响以及肝脏组织病理改变情况。结果与模型对照组比,丹酚酸A高、低剂量组和Vit E组的细胞存活率显著提高（P ＜0.01）,丹酚酸A高剂量组ALT、AST和LDH活性显著降低（P ＜0.01）,丹酚酸A高剂量组和Vit E组SOD活性明显升高（P ＜0.05）,MDA含量显著降低（P ＜0.05）;体内试验发现,与模型对照组比,丹酚酸A高剂量组纤维化大鼠的血清LN和HA水平显著降低（P ＜0.05）,高、低剂量组SOD活性显著升高（P ＜0.05, P ＜0.01）,MDA含量显著降低（P ＜0.01, P ＜0.05）,并能改善肝脏病理形态。结论注射用丹酚酸A可通过抗脂质过氧化作用,起到保护肝细胞,减轻肝纤维化的作用。     

半夏总生物碱对帕金森病大鼠的学习记忆及氧化应激反应的影响

目的 探讨半夏总生物碱(total alkaloids from Pinellia Ternate,TAPT)对帕金森病模型大鼠的防治作用及其抗氧化机制.方法 采用脑内定位注射6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)建立帕金森病大鼠模型,在模型建立成功的同时给予半夏总生物碱预防性治疗.采用Morris水迷宫进行帕金森病大鼠的行为学检测,用化学比色法检测大脑皮质及血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H2O2)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量.结果 与正常组比较,帕金森病模型组大鼠的逃避潜伏期明显延长(P＜0.01),跨越平台次数明显减少(P＜0.01);经半夏总生物碱治疗组,大鼠逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),跨越平台次数明显增加(P＜0.01).帕金森病模型组大鼠脑皮质及血清中MDA、H2O2的含量增加,SOD活性及GSH的含量降低(P＜0.01);经半夏总生物碱治疗组,脑皮质MDA、H2O2的含量显著减少(P＜0.01),皮质GSH、SOD含量显著增加(P＜0.01);半夏总生物碱给药组中低浓度组、中浓度组血清MDA的含量无统计学意义(P＞0.05),高浓度组血清MDA含量下降(P＜0.01),各治疗组中血清H2O2含量明显下降(P＜0.01),血清GSH含量显著增加(P＜0.01).结论 半夏总生物碱具有改善学习记忆能力,对抗大鼠神经系统的退行性变有一定的作用,可能通过改变帕金森病模型大鼠皮质部分及血清SOD、GSH的含量,而抑制了MDA和H2O2的产生.     

硬膜外皮质电刺激治疗急性颅脑脑损伤的初步实验研究

目的:探讨硬膜外皮质电刺激(EECS)对急性颅脑脑损伤(ACCI)后的影响.方法:SD大鼠24只,随机分为A组(假损伤组),B组(损伤组)和C组(治疗组),侧方液压打击损伤(LFPI)大鼠脑组织建立ACCI模型后,C组给予硬膜外电刺激治疗.术后24小时处死动物,检测A组脑组织含水量、血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)含量与B、C组上述指标的差异.结果:与A组相比,B组与C组脑组织含水量明显增加(P＜0.01),与B组相比,C组大鼠脑含水量减少(P＜0.05),差异有统计学意义;与A组相比.B组与C组大鼠血清NSE明显增加(P＜0.01),与B相比,C组大鼠大鼠血清NSE明显减少(P＜0.01),差异有统计学意义.结论:EECS可减轻ACCI后脑水肿,降低血清NSE水平,从而起到脑保护的作用.     

白藜芦醇联合乌司他丁治疗急性胰腺炎的疗效分析

目的:观察白藜芦醇联合乌司他丁对大鼠急性胰腺炎(AP)的治疗效果。方法:将250只雄性Wister大鼠随机分为5组,分别为假手术(A)组、急性胰腺炎组(B组)、白藜芦醇组(C组)、乌司他丁组(D组)和白藜芦醇联合乌司他丁治疗组(C+D组)。制备各组AS大鼠模型,观察各组腹水量及血淀粉酶、脂肪酶、TNF-α、NF-κB、丙二醛(MDA)及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平,并观察胰腺病理改变。结果:B组与A组相比,SOD水平明显降低(P<0.05),MDA水平明显升高(P<0.05);C、D及C+D组与B组相比,血清SOD水平明显升高(P<0.05),MDA水平明显降低(P<0.05);C+D组与C组、D组相比,血清SOD水平明显升高(P<0.05),血清MDA水平明显降低(P<0.05)。与B组比较,C和D组血淀粉酶、脂肪酶、TNF-α、病理学评分均降低,细胞超微结构损伤减轻,有显著性差异(P<0.05或P<0.01)。C+D组上述指标改善较C组和D组更明显,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:乌司他丁、白藜芦醇通过升高SOD保护性因子、降低MDA损伤性因子,对急性胰腺炎有治疗作用,尤其在乌司他丁与白藜芦醇合用时效果更显著。     

石菖蒲及α-细辛醚对疲劳运动大鼠学习记忆的影响及其机制*

目的: 研究石菖蒲及其活性成分-α-细辛醚改善疲劳运动大鼠学习记忆的作用及其机制。方法: 80只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(A)、单纯运动组(B)、运动+α-细辛醚低、中、高剂量组(C、D、E)、运动+石菖蒲低、中、高剂量治疗组(F、G、H),每组10只。并在疲劳运动开始前2 h分别以0.10、0.50 和 1.00 mg α-细辛醚,灌胃C、D、E组,以0.12、1.20和4.80 g. kg^-1. wt^-1石菖蒲提取物,灌胃 F、G、H组。实验结束后采用水迷宫实验进行学习记忆检测,采用生化法检测SOD、NOS活性和MDA含量,免疫印迹法检测海马nNOS蛋白表达水平。结果: 实验后E和H组大鼠逃避潜伏期、海马脑组织MDA含量低于B、C、D、F和G组;穿越平台次数、海马脑组织SOD和NOS活性、nNOS蛋白表达高于B、C、D、F和G组,P均＜0.01。A、E、H组大鼠海马脑组织SOD活性依次为A＞E＞H组, 而MDA含量则相反,P均＜0.01;E组大海马脑组织NOS活性和nNOS蛋白表达低于A和H组,P＜0.01或P＜0.05,但A和H组,差异无显著性,P均＞0.05。A、E、H组大鼠逃避潜伏期和穿越平台次数,差异均无显著性,P均＞0.05。结论: 石菖蒲及α-细辛醚改善疲劳运动大鼠学习记忆的作用基本一致,其机制与纠正海马自由基代谢失衡和上调海马nNOS/NO信号有关。     

硫辛酸通过激活PI3K/Akt通路保护帕金森小鼠神经元的作用研究

目的:明确硫辛酸(lipoic acid,LA)是否通过活化脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(Phosphoinositide 3-kinases/Protein kinase B,PI3K/Akt)通路保护小鼠帕金森(Parkinson's disease,PD)神经元损伤。方法:将130只健康C57BL雄性小鼠随机分为PD模型组(A组)、PD模型自然恢复组(B组)、硫辛酸干预组(C组)、硫辛酸加阻滞剂干预组(D组),对照组(E组)。采用免疫组化方法检测黑质内酪氨酸羟化酶(Tyrosine hydroxylase,TH)阳性细胞数,Western Blot方法检测中脑TH、总Akt和p-Akt蛋白表达,相应试剂盒检测中脑内GSH(Glutathione)和MDA(Malondialdehyde)的含量。结果:(1)与E组比较,A组TH阳性细胞数显著减少(P0.01),B组、D组明显减少(P0.05),C组无明显统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)与E组比较,A组、B组TH蛋白表达显著减少(P0.01),C组、D组TH表达明显减少(P0.05);分别与A组、B组比较,C组TH表达显著增多(P0.01),D组无明显统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)与E组比较,A组、B组、D组中脑内p-AKT表达显著减少(P0.01),C组差异无明显统计学意义(P0.05);分别与A组、B组比较,C组pAkt表达显著增多(P0.01),D差异无明显统计学意义(P0.05)。(4)与E组比较,C组中脑GSH水平明显增加(P0.05),A组、B组明显减少(P0.05),D组差异无统计学意义(P0.05;与E组比较,A组、B组MDA表达显著增加(P0.01),C组、D组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:硫辛酸可能通过激活PI3K/Akt通路,减轻氧化应激损伤,进而发挥其保护神经元的作用。     

中药组方“回乳康”对回乳期奶牛血清PRL、GH和STAT5含量的影响

为探究中药组方"回乳康"对回乳期奶牛血清催乳素(PRL)、生长激素(GH)和信号转导和转录激活因子5(STAT5)含量的影响。试验选择规模化奶牛场产奶量为15.42±0.71 kg的妊娠后期,即将干乳的健康奶牛80头。随机分为A、B、C和D组,每组20头,采用逐渐干奶法回乳,干乳开始当天记为第0 d,A组为对照组,不饲喂"回乳康",B、C、D组均从回乳开始第1 d,每日上午8:00分别饲喂"回乳康"400、500、600 g,回乳完成后停止饲喂。分别采集奶牛回乳期第0、1、3、5、7、9和11 d尾静脉血,并记录奶牛单日产奶量,ELISA法检测血清PRL、GH和STAT5含量。结果显示,各组回乳期奶牛产奶量均随时间推移降低,A、B、C和D组回乳时间分别为11、7、5和5 d。各组PRL、GH和STAT5含量均呈下降趋势,GH和STAT5含量在回乳期后回升,且A组下降趋势较各中药组慢,C组PRL、GH、STAT5含量及产奶量均分别与D组差异不显著(P0.05);回乳期奶牛血清PRL、GH、STAT5含量与产奶量两两间均呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。综上,饲喂500 g/日"回乳康"即可使奶牛回乳效果达到最佳。     

无花果多糖对鲫鱼非特异性免疫功能的影响

实验研究了无花果多糖对鲫鱼非特异性免疫功能的影响。将鲫鱼分成A0、A1、A2、A3和A4五个组,其中A0组投喂基础饵料,设为对照组,而A1、A2、A3和A4分别投喂添加0.1%、0.2%、0.4%、0.8%无花果多糖的基础饵料,并在试验的第0、第7、第14、第21、第28、第35天检测鲫鱼血清补体C3含量、总蛋白含量、溶菌酶活力、SOD活性和血液白细胞吞噬活性。结果表明,A2组的补体C3含量、总蛋白含量、溶菌酶活力、SOD活性和血液白细胞吞噬活性显著高于A0组(P3组补体C3含量、SOD活性和血液白细胞吞噬活性极显著的高于A0组(P1组、A4组(P3组补体C3含量、总蛋白含量、溶菌酶活力、SOD活性和血液中白细胞吞噬活性与A2组相比差异不显著。A0组、A1组和A4组之间的补体C3含量、总蛋白含量、溶菌酶活力、SOD活性和血液白细胞吞噬活性无显著差异(P>0.05)。       

Effect of a single growth hormone (rbST) treatment at breeding on conception rates and pregnancy retention in dairy and beef cattle

Initiation of long-term treatment with rbST (Posilac, Monsanto, St. Louis, MO) coincident with first insemination increased pregnancy rates in dairy cattle, but neither the efficacy of using only the initial injection, nor its effects on retention of pregnancy are known. Lactating dairy cows, dairy heifers, and lactating beef cows were assigned at random to treatment (rbST) or control. Dairy cows, dairy heifers, and beef cows received 500 mg rbST (n = 48, 35, 137 inseminations, respectively) at artificial insemination or were left untreated (n = 62, 33, 130 inseminations, respectively). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 28-36 days. Treatment with rbST at insemination improved conception rates in dairy cows (60.4% versus 40.3%; P < 0.05), but not in dairy heifers or beef cows. Conception rates did not differ in dairy cows at < or =100 days in milk (DIM), but were improved in cows treated with rbST after 100 DIM (64.3% versus 25.8%; P < 0.05). Retention of pregnancy to approximately 60 days and sizes of CL, diameter of follicles > or =5 mm, and crown-rump lengths of embryos were not affected by treatment. The second objective was to examine the effects of rbST at insemination on birth weight and post-natal calf growth in beef cows. However, birth and weaning weights of beef calves were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, a single treatment with rbST at insemination increased conception rates in dairy cows, specifically in those >100 DIM.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">UCP2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">UCP3</Emphasis> Genes Polymorphisms on Functional Traits in Dairy Cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between genotypes of UCP2 and UCP3 genes, milk, and reproduction traits in dairy cattle. The study included two herds: Jersey cows and Polish Holstein-Friesian (Red and White strain) cows. All cows were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method and allele frequencies were determined. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between polymorphism in the UCP3 gene and the milk yield and fat content of milk (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01) and between the UCP2 gene and the calving interval (P ≤ 0.05). Information contained in this study may be useful in further analysis to define the role of analysed genes in relation to functional traits in dairy cattle, nevertheless, the obtained results should be verified by conducting research on a larger group of animals and various cattle breeds.     

牛α1-AT基因5’侧翼区新SNPS的鉴定及其与产奶性状的相关性

以中国荷斯坦奶牛(Chinese Holstein dairy cattle)为对象,以α1 抗胰蛋白酶基因(α1-AT)为候选基因,扩增5′侧翼区668 bp和999 bp的片段并进行测序.首次发现,在+3 142 bp处P1和+4 408 bp处P2分别发生C-T、T-C突变.随后采用PCR-RFLP方法对随机采自6个牛场,共计294头牛进行了检测,遗传变异和产奶性状分析结果显示：2个位点的等位基因在群体中都有分布,且处于中度多态.P1位点A和B等位基因的频率分别为50.34%和49.66%; AA、AB和BB基因型频率分别为23.81%、53.06%和23.13%;P2位点E和F等位基因的频率分别为30.61%和69.39%, EE、EF和FF基因型频率分别为11.90%、37.41%和50.68%. χ2适合性检验表明,该群体在P1位点的突变达到Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态（P>0.05）,在P2位点未达到平衡.基因与产奶性状关联分析表明,AB基因型个体产奶量与脂蛋比显著高于AA基因型个体(P＜0.05);FF基因型个体乳蛋白率显著高于EF基因型个体(P＜0.05);9种单倍型组合与乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数、产奶量及脂蛋比均存在不同程度相关性.     

Effects of bull exposure on postpartum ovarian activity of dairy cows

The effects of bull exposure on postpartum reproduction have been previously studied in beef, but not in dairy cattle. The objective of this experiment was to investigate effects of bull exposure on postpartum reproductive characteristics during early lactation in high-producing Holstein dairy cattle. Forty-five multiparous dairy cows (9764 +/- 140 kg milk/lactation) were randomly grouped at the time of calving. Treatment 1 (NBE) was never exposed to the bull, treatment 2 (2 x BE) experienced fenceline contact with a mature Holstein bull twice daily during routine detection of oestrus, and treatment 3 (CBE) was in continuous proximity to the bull. All cows were observed for oestrous behaviour twice daily for 1/2 h following milking. Blood samples were collected every other day for progesterone (P4) assay. Postpartum ovarian reactivation, indicated by the occurrence of the first sustained rise in P4, was later (P = 0.02) during the postpartum period in both bull-exposed (2 x BE, CBE) treatments compared to the NBE treatment. Time postpartum until completion of the first ovarian cycle tended (P = 0.08) to be shorter in NBE cows compared to bull-exposed cows. Peak P4 concentrations were higher (P = 0.05) in NBE cows compared to bull-exposed cows prior to the second postpartum ovulation. Results indicate an extended period to ovarian reactivation in dairy cattle exposed to a bull, but bull exposure had no effect on long-term reproductive performance of exposed cows.     

Flaxseed supplementation decreases methanogenic gene abundance in the rumen of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a flaxseed-supplemented diet on archaeal abundance and gene expression of methanogens in the rumen of dairy cows. In all, 11 non-lactating dairy cows were randomly divided into two groups: group A (five cows) and B (six cows). The two diets fed were: (1) the control diet, a conventional dry cow ration; and (2) the flaxseed-supplemented diet, the conventional dry cow ration adjusted with 12.16% ground flaxseed incorporated into the total mixed ration. A cross-over experiment was performed with the two groups of cows fed the two different diets for five 21-day periods, which included the first adaptation period followed by two treatment and two wash out periods. At the end of each feeding period, rumen fluid samples were collected via rumenocentesis and DNA was extracted. Quantitative PCR was utilized to analyze the gene abundance of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) targeting the ruminal archaea population and the mcrA gene coding for methyl coenzyme-M reductase subunit A, a terminal enzyme in the methanogenesis pathway. Results demonstrated a 49% reduction of 16S rRNA and 50% reduction of mcrA gene abundances in the rumen of dairy cows fed the flaxseed-supplemented diet in comparison with those fed the control diet. This shows flaxseed supplementation effectively decreases the methanogenic population in the rumen. Future studies will focus on the mechanisms for such reduction in the rumen of dairy cattle, as well as the relationship between methanogenic gene expression and methane production.     

不同季节荷斯坦牛3个微卫星座位与GSH-Px、SOD和Na+/K+-ATP酶活性及日产奶量的关系

选择分别与谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶基因紧密连锁的3个微卫星座位BMS2258、SOD1和BM723, 采用PCR及非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析其在130头荷斯坦牛中的遗传变异, 计算了3个微卫星座位的多态信息含量、有效等位基因数和遗传杂合度, 并利用最小二乘法拟合线性模型初步探索了它们与荷斯坦牛夏、秋季GSH-Px、SOD、Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活性及日产奶量的关系。结果表明, 3个微卫星座位与其紧密连锁基因的酶活性及日产奶量均存在显著相关(P<0.05)。BMS2258座位182 bp/164 bp的GSH-Px活性和日产奶量对应的最小二乘均值较高; SOD1座位148 bp/146 bp对应的SOD活性的最小二乘均值较高, 148 bp/148 bp对应的日产奶量最小二乘均值较高; BMS2258座位161 bp/111 bp对应的Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活性和日产奶量的最小二乘均值较高, 它们是各自座位上的最有利基因型。     

Differential expression of genes during mastitis in Holstein-Zebu crossbreed dairy cows

Among the potential public health problems of animal production, infectious-contagious diseases stand out. Mastitis is among the main diseases affecting dairy cattle. One of the most promising options to reduce the problems caused by this disease, besides proper sanitary and management practices, is selective breeding of resistant animals. To shed light on the immune response mechanisms involved in the resistance/susceptibility phenotype to this disease, we quantified the relative expression of the genes IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TLR-2, SEMA5A, and FEZL in cells of crossbreed dairy cows, divided into two groups, one healthy and the other suffering from clinical mastitis. Total RNA was extracted from the cells in the milk from the animals in each group (with and without clinical mastitis). Gene expression was determined using the real-time PCR method. The levels of gene expression were compared, and the cows with mastitis were found to express 2.5 times more TLR-2 than those free of mastitis (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of the other genes.     

Odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in milk fat from Holstein dairy cows are influenced by physiological factors

Dairy products are the major source of odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs), a group of nutrients with emerging health benefits. The animal diet is known to influence milk fat OBCFAs of dairy cows; however, little is known about the effects of physiological factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of parity and lactation stage on OBCFAs in milk fat of dairy cows. Holstein dairy cows (n = 157) were selected according to parity (first, second, third, or greater) and days in milk (DIM) (≤21 DIM, 21 < DIM ≤ 100, 100 < DIM ≤ 200, >200 DIM). All cows were fed the same total mixed ration for three weeks. Milk samples were collected during the last three days of each lactation stage for fatty acid (FA) analyses via gas chromatography. Results showed that first- and second-parity cows displayed significantly higher proportions and yields of iso-14:0, iso-15:0, iso-16:0, total iso-FA, and total branched-chain FA (P < 0.05) compared with other parities. The proportions of C17:0 and C17:1 cis-9 were also greater in first-parity cows (P < 0.05), while the yields of C17:0 and C17:1 cis-9 were similar among different parities (P > 0.05). The proportions of total OBCFAs were greater in first- and second-parity cows (P < 0.05), whereas the highest yield was observed in second-parity cows. Lactation dairy cows in ≤ 21 DIM group displayed lower proportions of iso-13:0, anteiso-13:0, C13:0, iso-14:0, C15:0, iso-16:0, total iso-FA, and total OBCFAs compared with that of the other groups (P < 0.05), and also lower yields of iso-14:0 and iso-16:0 (P < 0.05). In contrast, C17:0 and C17:1 cis-9 proportions and yields were higher in dairy cows with ≤ 21 DIM (P < 0.05). Iso-17:0 and anteiso-17:0 were not affected by lactation stage (P > 0.05). Taken together, our data showed that both parity and lactation stage have considerable effects on milk fat OBCFAs of dairy cows. In summary, first- and second-parity cows had higher milk OBCFAs compared with later parity cows, and OBCFAs with medium chain lengths were lower in dairy cows with ≤ 21 DIM, while C17:0 and C17:1 cis-9 were higher. These findings show that milk OBCFA contents are differentially modulated by physiological state. They will be useful in future studies that seek to alter OBCFA composition of Holstein dairy cow milk fats.     

Ovulation rate and its relationship with follicle diameter and gene expression of the LH receptor (LHR) in Nelore cows

The objective was to determine the relationship among the diameter of ovarian follicles, ovulation rate, and gene expression of the LH receptor (LHR) in Nelore cattle. In Experiment 1, ovulation was synchronized in 53 Nelore cows. Three days after ovulation, ovaries were assessed with ultrasonography, all cows were given 6.25 mg LH im, and they were allocated into three groups, according to diameter of their largest ovarian follicle: G1 (7.0-8.0 mm); G2 (8.1-9.0 mm); and G3 (9.1-10.0 mm). For these three groups, ovulation rates were 9, 36, and 90%, respectively, (P <0.03; each rate differed significantly from the other two). In Experiment 2, granulosa and theca cells were subjected to total RNA extraction, and gene expression of the LHR was determined by RT-PCR. Follicles were allocated in three groups based on their diameter (similar to the Experiment 1), which were denoted Groups A, B, and C. Expression of the LHR gene in granulosa cells was lower in Group A than Group C (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences among groups in expression of the LHR gene in theca cells. We concluded that ovulatory capacity in Nelore cattle was related to increased follicular diameter and expression of the LHR gene in granulosa cells.