Effects of different selenium sources on tissue selenium concentrations,blood GSH-Px activities and plasma interleukin levels in finishing lambs

Thirty-two wether lambs of Tan sheep were randomly assigned into four dietary treatment groups (eight per group) for an 8-wk study and then fed a basal diet deficient in Se (0.06 mg/kg) or diets supplemented to provide 0.10 mg/kg Se from sodium selenite, selenized yeast, and selenium-enriched probiotics, respectively. Blood samples were collected at d 0, 28, and 56 of the experiment and tissue samples were collected at experiment termination. Tissue and blood Se concentrations, blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and plasma interleukin levels were analyzed. The results showed that the concentrations of Se in the kidney, liver, and muscle increased in all of the supplemented groups (p<0.01) compared with the control group. However, the Se concentrations in the kidney, liver, and muscle in the groups supplemented with Se yeast and Se-enriched probiotics were higher than those in the group supplemented with sodium selenite (p<0.01). The activities of GSH-Px and the concentrations of Se in blood also increased in all of the supplemented groups during the period of supplementation (p<0.01) compared with the control group. The activities of GSH-Px and the concentrations of Se in the whole blood of the lambs fed with selenized yeast and Se-enriched probiotics were higher than those of lambs fed with sodium selenite (p<0.01 or p<0.05). The concentrations of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 in plasma significantly increased in all of the supplemented groups during the entire period of experiment (p<0.01) compared with the control group, but had no significant differences among all of the supplemented groups. In conclusion, a diet supplemented with Se for finishing lambs was able to increase the concentrations of Se in tissue and blood, activities of GSH-Px in blood, and levels of interleukins in plasma. Organic Se sources (selenized yeast and Se-enriched probiotics) were more effective than the inorganic Se source (sodium selenite) in increasing tissue and blood Se concentrations and blood GSH-Px activities of lambs. However, there were no significant differences in plasma interleukin levels of lambs between organic and inorganic Se sources.     

Effects of low selenium diets on antioxidant status and MPTP toxicity in mice

To investigate the role of chronic oxidative stress in MPTP neurotoxicity, C57BL mice were maintained 6–8 weeks on diets deficient in nutrients essential to cellular antioxidant defenses, selenium (Se) and alpha-tocopherol (vit E), and the effects on tissue antioxidant status and MPTP toxicity were evaluated relative to controls on supplemented diets. Activities of the major antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and levels of malondialdehyde as a marker for oxidative stress, were measured in brain, lung, liver and blood. Caudate depletion of dopamine and its metabolites served as a measure of MPTP neurotoxicity. For mice on the Se deficient diet, levels of the selenoenzyme GPx decreased from 50% in brain to 90% in blood. No compensatory changes in the activities of the other antioxidant enzymes were observed and addition of vit E to the diet did not alter antioxidant enzyme activities or malondialdehyde levels. In animals not treated with MPTP, the Se deficient diet significantly increased malondialdehyde only in liver. No protective effect of the antioxidant supplements against caudate depletion of dopamine and its metabolites was observed. However, malondialdehyde levels were increased in the brains of MPTP treated mice on the low Se diets, suggesting the possibility of secondary oxidative damage to tissues accompanying the destruction of substantia nigra neurons by MPTP.     

Effects of copper source and concentration on copper status and immune function in growing and finishing steers

Forty-eight individually fed purebred Angus steers (7±1.1 mo of age, 218±9.1 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of copper (Cu) source and concentration on Cu status and immune function. Steers were stratified by weight and initial liver Cu concentration and randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Treatments were: (1) control (no supplemental Cu), (2) 10 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) from Cu sulfate (CuSO₄), (3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from a Cu-amino acid complex (Availa Cu; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA), (4) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄, and (5) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu. Steers were housed in individual pens and fed an alfalfa-corn based growing diet (7.1 mg Cu/kg DM) for 56 d then gradually switched to a high concentrate diet (6.1 mg Cu/kg DM) for 144 d. On d 56 of the growing phase and d 112 of the finishing phase, liver Cu concentrations were higher (P<0.01) in Cu supplemented steers. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM had higher (P<0.01) liver Cu concentrations than steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM. On d 112 of the finishing phase, steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (P<0.01) liver Cu concentrations than steers supplemented 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄. Cell mediated immune response to phytohemagglutinin was higher (P<0.01) in steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM compared to steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations specific to pig red blood cells (PRBC) were higher (P<0.01) in steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄ than steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu. During the finishing phase, IgG concentrations specific to PRBC were higher (P<0.03) and antibody titers specific to ovalbumin (OVA) were lower (P<0.05) in control steers relative to Cu supplemented steers. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM had higher (P<0.02) antibody titers specific to OVA than steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (P<0.01) antibody titers specific to OVA than steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄. Results indicate that the immune response to an antigen varies depending on the type of antigen administered as well as the concentration and source of Cu supplemented.     

不同亚硒酸钠浓度对党参生长、生理特性和品质的影响

为综合了解党参的施硒效应,该研究基于水培试验探究不同亚硒酸钠浓度处理条件下党参幼苗的硒积累、生长、生理和品质的变化规律。结果表明：(1)适宜硒浓度(0.2 mg·L^-1)可以促进党参的叶片面积、株高、生物量的增长,而高硒浓度(10 mg·L^-1)则抑制党参生长。(2)增加亚硒酸钠浓度和硒暴露时间均可提高党参幼苗在根和叶中的硒含量,不同器官硒积累表现为根>叶>茎。(3)适宜硒浓度(0.2 mg·L^-1)处理可提高光合色素含量和根系活力,并减少丙二醛、脯氨酸和过氧化氢的积累,而高硒浓度(10 mg·L^-1)则与之相反。(4)适宜硒浓度(0.2 mg·L^-1)有利于党参炔苷、多糖、可溶性蛋白的积累,而高硒浓度(10 mg·L^-1)可以对多糖和可溶性蛋白的积累产生不利影响。综上认为,亚硒酸钠对党参具有双重效应,施加适量浓度对党参的生长、生理和品质有益,并以0.2 mg·L^-1硒浓度处理的效果最佳。该研究结果有助于了解亚硒酸钠浓度对...     

Effect of different selenium source (sodium selenite and selenium yeast) on broiler chickens

A feeding experiment was carried out to compare the effects of supplementing a poultry meal-based diet with selenium as sodium selenite or selenium yeast on broiler chickens. Three groups with three replicates of broiler chickens (mean weight 710 ± 5.3 g) were given a basal diet either unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 0.2 mg Se kg⁻¹ as sodium selenite (trial 1) or selenium yeast (trial 2) respectively, for 21 days. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of trials 1 and 2 compared with the control. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in FCR between trials 1 and 2. Final weight, survival rate and Daily Gain (DG) were not affected by the dietary Se source. Chickens fed the basal diet showed lower (P<0.05) selenium content in muscle, kidney, liver and pancreas compared to that fed selenium supplements (trials 1 and 2). Furthermore, trial 2 showed the highest value (P<0.05) among these treatments. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in muscle selenium content of chickens between trials 1 and 2. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in broiler chickens plasma and liver of all selenium treatment groups (trials 1 and 2) were significantly different (P<0.05) from that of the control. The GSH-Px activity in plasma was higher (P<0.05) in trial 2 compared with trial 1 and the control. However, there was no difference (P>0.05) in hepatic glutathione peroxidase between trials 1 and 2 although the average value of GSH-Px activity in trial 2 presented the trend of increase.     

Effects of dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio on growth performance,meat quality,postmortem glycolysis and muscle fibre type transformation of finishing pigs

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio on growth performance, meat quality, postmortem glycolysis and muscle fibre type transformation of finishing pigs. Twenty-four barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight of 61.7 ± 2.01 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with amylose: amylopectin ratios of 1:1 (HD), 1:2 (MD), 1:3 (CD) and 1:4 (LD). The results showed that the average daily weight gain of finishing pigs tended to reduce with the ratio of amylose and amylopectin decreased (p = 0.09). Diet LD increased the pH_24h value and decreased the shear force in longissimus dorsi (LM) compared with diet HD (p < 0.05). Diet LD decreased the lactate content and the HK-2 mRNA abundance and increased the mRNA abundance of ATP5B in LM compared with diet HD (p < 0.05). Higher mRNA abundance of MyHC I and lesser abundance of MyHC IIb in LM were found in pigs fed diet CD and LD than those fed diet HD (p < 0.05). Furthermore, pigs fed diet LD had higher mRNA abundances of PGC-1α and PPAR δ in LM than other groups (p < 0.05). These results suggested that diet with low amylose and amylopectin ratio could improve meat quality of finishing pigs via delaying muscle glycolysis capacity and shifting muscle fibre types.     

Effects of long-term selenium yeast supplementation on selenium status studied in the rat

To investigate the selenium status during long-term dietary supply of selenium yeast, 30-day-old male rats were fed for 379 days a methionine-adequate low-selenium diet supplemented with 0.2 mg Se/kg (selenium-adequate diet) or 1.5 mg Se/kg (high-selenium diet) in the form of selenium yeast that contained 60% of the element as l-selenomethionine. Their selenium load was determined at several intervals by neutron activation analysis of the selenium concentrations in the main selenium body pools, skeletal muscle and liver. After 64 days the tissue selenium concentrations plateaued in both groups and then stayed at that level. Compared with the selenium-adequate group, elevated tissue selenium concentrations were found in the high-selenium group, but the increase by a factor of 3.5 in the muscle and by a factor of 2.3 in the liver was smaller than the 7.5-fold increase in the selenium intake. In the selenium-adequate group about 50% of the muscle selenium and 30% of the liver selenium and in the high-selenium group about 85% of the muscle selenium and 70% of the liver selenium were estimated to be present in non-selenoprotein forms. During selenium depletion the liver glutathione peroxidase activity in the high-selenium group remained unaffected for 4 weeks and then decreased more slowly than that in the selenium-adequate group. From these results it can be concluded that selenium incorporated from the selenium yeast diet into non-selenoprotein forms can serve as an endogenous selenium source to maintain selenoprotein levels in periods of insufficient selenium supply.     

Uptake and distribution of selenium in different fern species

There has been an interest in using hyperaccumulating plants for the removal of heavy metals and metalloids. High selenium (Se) concentrations in the environment are detrimental to animals, humans, and sustainable agriculture, yet selenium is also an essential nutrient for humans. This experiment was conducted to screen fern plants for their potential to accumulate selenium. Eleven fern species, Pteris vittata, P. quadriaurita, P. dentata, P. ensiformis, P. cretica, Dryopteris erythrosora, Didymochlaena truncatula, Adiantum hispidulum, Actiniopteris radiata, Davallia griffithiana, and Cyrtomium fulcatum, were grown under hydroponic conditions for one week at 20 mg L(-1) selenate or selenite. Root Se concentrations reached 245-731 and 516-1082 mg kg(-1) when treated with selenate and selenite, respectively. The corresponding numbers in the fronds were 153-745 and 74-1,028 mg kg(-1) with no visible toxicity symptoms. Only three fern species were able to accumulate more Se in the fronds than the roots, which were D. griffithiana when treated with selenate, P. vittata when treated with selenite, and A. radiata regardless of the forms of Se. A. radiata was the best species overall for Se accumulation. More research is needed to further determine the potential of the fern species identified in this study for phytoremediation of the Se contaminated soils and water.     

施硒对两种类型玉米硒元素分配及产量、品质的影响

通过盆栽试验,以普通玉米品种郑单958(ZD958)和糯玉米品种京紫糯218(JN218)为试验材料,研究了不同硒水平(0、10、25、50 mg·kg-1)下,玉米植株各器官对硒的分配和转运差异以及硒对玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响.结果表明： 低含量(≤10 mg·kg-1)硒促进了玉米生长,植株生物量和籽粒产量均显著增加;高含量(≥25 mg·kg-1)硒抑制了玉米生长,植株干物质积累量减少,籽粒产量和品质下降.施硒显著提高了玉米植株各器官的硒含量,硒在各器官的分配为根系>叶片>茎秆>叶鞘,两种类型玉米各器官硒含量均与土壤硒含量呈显著正相关.JN218在自然低硒土壤环境中具有较强的硒富集能力,而ZD958在10 mg·kg-1 硒水平下硒积累量高于JN218.如果以籽粒和地上部营养器官的硒积累量为评价标准,自然低硒(025 mg·kg-1)或高硒(25 mg·kg-1)土壤适宜种植JN218,而富硒(10 mg·kg-1)或硒污染(50 mg·kg-1)土壤适宜种植ZD958.     

Vitamin E and selenium status of guinea pigs with myocardial necrosis

Myocardial necrosis and mineralization has been identified in a colony of guinea pigs which were subsequently tested for vitamin E and selenium deficiency. Serum vitamin E and whole blood selenium levels were within normal ranges. The erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase test has potential as a predictor of whole blood selenium levels in the guinea pig. The red blood cell hemolysis test used in this study did not correlate consistently with the serum vitamin E levels. We suspect that myocardial necrosis and mineralization may have resulted from inbreeding guinea pigs within the closed colony.     

Effects of selenium supplementation on selenium status of farmed fallow deer in outdoor pens

The study investigated the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in farmed fallow deer. Fallow deer were housed on grass pasture and adapted to consume ∼200 g of pelleted grain daily. Animals were divided into two groups. One group received pelleted grain enriched with sodium selenate for 12 weeks (Se+ group, N = 10). Se intake for the first 7 weeks was 0.18 mg/kg dry matter (DM) and 0.32 mg/kg DM for the subsequent 5 weeks. The control group was fed pelleted grain without extra Se (Se− group, N = 9, 0.06-0.08 mg/kg DM). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of the experiment. After the animals were slaughtered, tissue samples were collected for analysis of Se concentrations and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) activity. In addition, Se-independent α-glutathione-S-transferase (α-GST) activity was analyzed in liver tissue. Se supplementation significantly increased Se levels in plasma and in tissues as follows: liver > spleen > skeletal muscle > myocardium > kidney. Se supplementation also significantly increased GPx1 activity in tissues in the following order: liver > skeletal muscle > spleen = myocardium > kidneys. However, hepatic α-GST activity did not differ between Se+ and Se− groups. As expected, Se supplementation increased blood and tissue Se concentrations and GPx1 activity, which suggests a better antioxidant status. However, the activity of α-GST, an important Se-independent antioxidant enzyme, was not altered, presumably because GPx provided an adequate antioxidant capacity even though Se intake was low.     

Effects of fermented oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreats) by-product supplementation on growth performance, blood parameters and meat quality in finishing Berkshire pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of fermented oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreats) by-production (FOMP) supplementation on the growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits and meat quality in finishing Berkshire pigs. FOMP was made by mixing oyster mushroom by-production with rice bran and barley bran and this mixture was fermented for 60 days. The experimental diets were 0, 3, 5 and 7% of FOMP added to C, T1, T2 and T3 in the basis diet for 7 weeks. Average daily gain (kg/day) was higher in C and T1 than in T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). Average daily feed intake (kg/day) and feed conversion increased by the addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). Total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in T3 than other treatments ( P < 0.05). Carcass weight (kg) was higher in C and T1 than in T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). Dressing (%) was higher in C than in T3 ( P < 0.05). Crude protein was lower in T3 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Crude fat was higher in T2 and T3 than in C ( P < 0.05). pH₂₄ was higher in C than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Cooking loss (%) was higher in T1 than T2 ( P < 0.05). Water-holding capacity (%) was higher in C than in T1 ( P < 0.05). In meat colour, CIE a* was lower by the addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). CIE b* was higher in C than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). In backfat colour, CIE L* was lower in T3 than other treatments ( P < 0.05). CIE b* was lower by addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). Palmitoleic and oleic acid were higher in T3 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Linoleic and arachidonic acids were higher in T2 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). The results indicate that 3% of FOMP affected the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid in contrast to addition of 5% of FOMP for Berkshire pigs during the finishing period.     

Mapping carcass and meat quality QTL on Sus Scrofa chromosome 2 in commercial finishing pigs

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting carcass and meat quality located on SSC2 were identified using variance component methods. A large number of traits involved in meat and carcass quality was detected in a commercial crossbred population: 1855 pigs sired by 17 boars from a synthetic line, which where homozygous (A/A) for IGF2. Using combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping (LDLA), several QTL significantly affecting loin muscle mass, ham weight and ham muscles (outer ham and knuckle ham) and meat quality traits, such as Minolta-L* and -b*, ultimate pH and Japanese colour score were detected. These results agreed well with previous QTL-studies involving SSC2. Since our study is carried out on crossbreds, different QTL may be segregating in the parental lines. To address this question, we compared models with a single QTL-variance component with models allowing for separate sire and dam QTL-variance components. The same QTL were identified using a single QTL variance component model compared to a model allowing for separate variances with minor differences with respect to QTL location. However, the variance component method made it possible to detect QTL segregating in the paternal line (e.g. HAMB), the maternal lines (e.g. Ham) or in both (e.g. pHu). Combining association and linkage information among haplotypes improved slightly the significance of the QTL compared to an analysis using linkage information only.     

Effects of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on growth, blood metabolites, immune traits and tissue chromium in finishing pigs

Effects of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Cr-CNP) on growth performance, blood metabolites, immune traits, and tissue chromium in finishing pigs were investigated. A total of 160 crossbred barrows (66.06 ± 1.01 kg initial weight) were randomly divided into four groups, each group with four pens, ten pigs per pen. Pigs were fed on the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (the control), 100, 200, and 400 μg/kg Cr from Cr-CNP. All pigs were given free access to feed and water. Eight pigs from each treatment were selected to collect blood and tissue samples after 35 days on trial for analysis of blood metabolites and immune traits and tissue chromium. The results of feeding trial showed that there were no significant difference in growth performance between control and Cr-CNP-treated groups. The supplementation of Cr-CNP decreased serum glucose (P < 0.001) in a linear and quadratic manner. Serum immunoglobulins A and M were linearly increased in Cr-CNP-treated groups (P < 0.001), and serum complement 4 in Cr-CNP-treated groups was also linearly increased (P < 0.05). Cr-CNP supplementation linearly increased the chromium content in the blood, longissimus muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas (P < 0.001). These results suggested that dietary supplementation of Cr as Cr-CNP affects serum glucose, influences immune status, and increases the tissue chromium content of blood, muscle, and selected organs in finishing pigs.     

Oxidative DNA base damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and selenium status in highly iodine-deficient goitrous children

The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative DNA damage, and the levels of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and selenium (Se) in relation to iodine deficiency and/or goiter in children. The study was performed in a group of goitrous high school children (15-18 years of age) ( n =14) with severe or moderate iodine deficiency. Thyroid hormones (TSH, FT 4 , TT 4 , FT 3 , TT 3 ), urinary iodine (UI) and plasma Se levels, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined and compared with those of a control group consisting of non-goitrous high school children ( n =14) with normal UI levels or mild iodine deficiency. In the goitrous group, concentrations of FT 4 , TT 4 , plasma Se and UI, and activities of GSHPx and SOD were found to be significantly lower. Six typical hydroxyl radical-induced base lesions in genomic DNA of peripheral blood were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (GC/IDMS), and higher levels of DNA base lesions were observed in the goitrous group. The results suggest that highly iodine-deficient goitrous children may be under oxidative stress, which may lead to greater level of oxidative damage to DNA. This study supports the evidence for the reported relationship between iodine deficiency and the increased incidence of thyroid malignancies.     

Very high expander processing of maize on animal performance,digestibility and product quality of finishing pigs and broilers

The present study investigated the effect of hydrothermic maize processing and supplementation of amino acids (AA) in two experiments. In total, 60 barrows and 384 broilers were fed four diets including either unprocessed (T1), or hydrothermically processed maize, that is short- (T2), or long-term conditioned (LC) (T3), and subsequently expanded maize of the same batch. Assuming a higher metabolizable energy (ME) content after processing, the fourth diet (T4) contains maize processed as treatment T3, but AA were supplemented to maintain the ideal protein value. Performance, digestibility and product quality in both species were assessed. Results show that in pigs receiving T4 the average daily feed intake was lower compared with the other treatments, whereas no difference was observed in broilers. The T3 improved the feed conversion rate compared with T1 (P<0.10) for both species. In contrast, average daily gain (ADG) (1277 g/day for T2 and 1267 g/day for T3 v. 971 g/day for T1) was only altered in pigs. The hydrothermic maize processing increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, starch and ether extract after acid hydrolysis. This may be a consequence of higher ATTD of gross energy in the finishing phase for both animal species, suggesting a higher ME content in diets with processed maize. The higher ME content of diets with processed maize is supported also by measurements of product quality. Supplementation of AA in T4 enhanced the loin depth in pigs as well as the amount of breast meat in broilers. Further effects of processing maize on meat quality were the reduced yellowness and antioxidative capacity (P<0.10) for broilers, likely due to the heat damage of xanthophylls and tocopherols. Processing also increased springiness and chewiness (P<0.10) of the broilers breast meat, whereas the loin meat of pigs showed a decreased lightness and yellowness (P<0.10) in meat when hydrothermic processed maize was used (for T2, T3 and T4). LC processed maize (T3) showed the lowest springiness in pork, however the supplementation of AA in T4 did not show differences between the treatments. Shown results demonstrated positive effects of hydrothermic processing of maize on animal performance and digestibility in both species. However, effects on carcass characteristics and product quality differed. The negative effects on product quality could be partly compensated with the AA supplementation, whereas a change in meat colour and reduced antioxidative capacity was observed in all groups fed hydrothermic maize processing.     

Effects of rearing systems on production performance,antioxidant capacity and immune status of meat ducks at different ages

As potential substitutes for traditional free-range rearing system, floor-rearing system (FRS) and net-rearing system (NRS) are the current predominant dryland duck rearing systems. However, the influence of these two systems on production performance and duck health is poorly understood. In this study, a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two rearing systems (FRS and NRS) and three ages (4w, 8w and 13w) was conducted to study the effects of FRS and NRS on production, antioxidant capacity and immune status of Nonghua ducks. The production performance was mainly affected by the effect of rearing systems at 8w. Body weight, average daily gain, eviscerated weight and semi-eviscerated weight were higher in NRS ducks at 8w, but carcass yield at 8w and 13w was decreased (P < 0.05). Lipid deposition was enhanced in NRS and higher sebum and abdominal fat yields were seen at 8w and 13w (P < 0.05). NRS resulted in developmental retardation of the liver at 4w and decreased gizzard index at all ages (P < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity indicators were unaffected by rearing systems (P > 0.05), however, in NRS, slightly better antioxidant capacity was seen at 4w, while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was higher at 13w (P < 0.05). NRS ducks had higher thymus weight at 8w and higher spleen weight at 13w (P < 0.05). Immune cytokines were extensively affected by rearing system (P < 0.05) and higher levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-4 and immunoglobulins were seen in NRS ducks. Serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) showed that NRS was better for liver health, and in the liver of FRS ducks, ALP was higher at 13w, and both ALP and interferon-γ were higher at 13w than at 4w and 8w (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that NRS was, to an extent, conducive to production performance and duck liver health, but compared to FRS, defects were seen in visceral organ development and lipid deposition. Although antioxidant capacity was not significantly affected, NRS ducks may have better antioxidant capacity at the early breeding stage, and GSH-Px activity was increased for scavenging excess free radicals at the later one. NRS increased serum levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-4 and immunoglobulins and promoted thymus and spleen development, thus improving duck immune function. These findings will provide a reliable reference for selecting a rearing system.     

砷对玉米生长、抗氧化系统及离子分布的影响

采用温室砂培试验,研究了不同浓度砷（As）处理对玉米郑单958幼苗生物量积累、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统、As及矿质离子吸收、分布的影响.结果表明：低浓度（＜2 mg·L^-1）的As刺激了玉米幼苗的生长,植株株高、主根长和生物量积累均显著增加;高浓度（＞4 mg·L^-1）As严重抑制了玉米幼苗生长.2 mg·L^-1As处理下,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b含量均达到峰值;随As处理浓度增加,叶绿素含量逐渐下降;电镜观察发现,10 mg·L^-1 As处理下,叶片叶绿体结构遭到破坏,类囊体膜溶解.根系3种抗氧化酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性均随As浓度增加而增大;叶片3种抗氧化酶活性在8 mg·L^-1出现峰值,且对As处理的敏感性表现为POD>CAT>SOD.MDA、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量与As浓度呈正相关.高浓度的As明显抑制了P、K、Ca、Fe等元素的吸收.根系对As胁迫的反应比地上部更为敏感,因此根系生长发育指标更适合作为植物As毒害的指示指标.