bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary Rhodobacter capsulatus on cholesterol, triglycerides concentration, and meat quality of finishing pigs
Authors: TSUJII Hirotada , KUWABARA Yasushi , SALMA Ummay , MIAH Abdul Gaffar , NISHIMURA Miki , MAKI Takaaki 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe study was designed to investigate the effect of Rhodobacter capsulatus on serum and meat cholesterol, fatty acid composition in meat, as well as meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 16 120‐day‐old Landrace female pigs of about 60 kg initial body weight were randomly assigned into two groups. The pigs were fed a supplemented diet with 0.04% dietary R. capsulatus or a control diet for 60 days. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol concentration in serum was significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet compared to the control diet. Carcass weight, carcass length, shoulder fat, back fat and loin fat thickness, longissimus muscle (LM) area, and color score did not differ significantly between the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet and control diet. Among the nutrient composition of LM meat, neutral fat and triglyceride concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the finishing pigs by dietary supplementation of R. capsulatus. The proportions of n‐6 PUFA were higher (P < 0.05) in the pigs fed the R. capsulatus supplemented diet than in the pigs fed the control diet. The supplementation of dietary R. capsulatus to finishing pig diet played important roles in reducing serum cholesterol and meat triglycerides, as well as in increasing polyunsaturated fatty acid content in LM meat.
Performance of New Zealand White and Californian male weaned rabbits in the subtropical environment of Egypt
Authors: MARAI Ibrahim F. M. , HABEEB Al‐Sa‐ied A. M. , GAD Ahmed E. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe New Zealand White (NZW) was superior significantly (P < 0.05) to the Californian (Cal) breed in final body weight, final total body solids and preslaughter weight. In contrast, Cal showed greater plasma creatinine (P < 0.001) than the NZW. The differences in the other traits were not significant. NZW also showed higher dressing percentage and Cal showed higher mortality percentage. The Temperature‐humidity Index (THI) values indicated absence of heat stress in the first period (mild period) and exposure to moderate (very close to severe) heat stress in the second one (hot period). The heat stress conditions caused significant (P < 0.001, 0.01 or 0.05) decreases in each of final body weight, daily body gain, daily feed intake, final total body solids, solids daily gain, plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, glucose, thyroid hormone T3, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and preslaughter weight. At the same time, significant (P < 0.001 or 0.01) increases occurred in each of water intake, water/feed ratio, total body water (mL/100 g body solids), blood urea‐N, creatinine, respiration rate and rectal, skin and ear temperatures. The interaction of breed x period effects was significant (P < 0.01 or 0.05) on plasma creatinine and hind‐limb cut. Estimations of ‘adaptability’ to the subtropical environment of Egypt were found to be 83.1% for NZW and 82.6% for Cal breeds.
Relationship between milk production and plasma concentrations of oxidative stress markers during hot season in primiparous cows
Authors: TANAKA Masahito , KAMIYA Yuko , SUZUKI Tomoyuki , KAMIYA Mitsuru , NAKAI Yutaka 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTOxidative stress markers, ascorbic acid, and sulfhydryl (SH) residue concentration in primiparous cows' plasma and their relationship to milking performance during hot seasons were investigated. The rectal temperature of cows correlated negatively with SH residue (r = −0.38, n = 38, P < 0.05) and ascorbic acid (r = −0.34, P < 0.05) concentrations in the cows' plasma. The group with a higher concentration of ascorbic acid over the mean value produced significantly more milk (P < 0.05) than did the group with a lower ascorbic acid concentration. Although the cows' milk production showed a positive correlation with ascorbic acid concentration in plasma (r = 0.47, P < 0.05), the relation of SH residue concentration to milk yield was not constant. The plasma SH residue concentration during the hot season correlated positively with milk protein % (r = 0.38, P < 0.05), lactose % (r = 0.35, P < 0.05), and solid‐non‐fat (SNF) % (r = 0.47, P < 0.05), respectively, but not with fat %. On the other hand, ascorbic acid concentration in plasma showed negative correlations with milk fat % (r = −0.34, P < 0.05) and protein % (r = −0.49, P < 0.05), but correlated positively with lactose % (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). The produced amount (g/day) of milk protein (r = 0.42, P < 0.05), lactose (r = 0.61, P < 0.05), and SNF (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) showed positive correlations with ascorbic acid concentration in plasma.
Chemical composition, palatability and physical characteristics of venison from farmed deer
Authors: DAHLAN Ismail , NORFARIZAN HANOON Noor A. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe quality of venison from farmed deer were evaluated based on chemical composition, palatability scores, W‐B shear force, ultimate pH, and color. The samples of venison were derived from javan rusa (Cervus timorensis russa), moluccan rusa (Cervus timorensis moluccensis), sambar (Cervus unicolor brookei), fallow (Dama dama) and imported red deer (Cervus elaphus). Moluccan rusa and red deer were fed grass. Javan rusa, sambar and fallow deer were fed concentrate. The venison obtained from grazing deer (grass‐fed) gave higher moisture content (75.3%) than concentrate‐fed or confinement‐raised deer (74.4%) and imported venison (70.62%). Fat content in venison shows some differences between muscles and species. The concentrate‐fed animals had a higher (P < 0.05) fat content in the venison than the grazing deer. Temperate deer (fallow and red deer) showed higher (P < 0.05) fat content than tropical deer (rusa and sambar deer). Venison obtained from concentrate‐fed deer showed normal ultimate pH values (pH ≤ 6.0) and more reddish in color than grass‐fed deer. The concentrate‐fed venison produced slightly higher (P > 0.05) palatability scores than grass‐fed venison. Feeding regimens (grass‐fed vs. concentrate‐fed) significantly (P < 0.05) influenced fat composition in the venison of farmed deer in this study.
Seasonal and sex differences in area preference and behavior of young cattle just after long distance transport
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTTo determine seasonal and sex differences in behavioral motivation of cattle just after long transport, 54 Japanese Black × Holstein cattle were observed at 5 min intervals for 2 h just after 25‐h transport by road and ferry. The stocking pen (12.0 × 9.5 m) consisted of an eating area (near a feeding alley), a drinking area (near water bowls) and a resting area (all areas except for other two areas). First, the effect of season was determined with heifers in summer (n = 12: 7.9 ± 0.6 months of age; 292.0 ± 18.5 kg) and autumn (n = 19: 8.2 ± 0.6 months of age; 295.8 ± 15.5 kg). The mean temperature on the observation day was 28.5 (max: 34.5, min: 24.5)°C in summer and 20.3 (max: 26.5, min: 16.4)°C in autumn. Percentage of cattle staying in each area was different by season (χ2 = 22.0; P < 0.01). In summer, the percentage of cattle staying in the drinking area (26.7%) was greater than the expected percentage (16.7%). Percentage of cattle staying in the eating area was greater in both seasons (31.3% in summer and 53.6% in autumn) than the expected percentage (16.7%). However, the mean percentage of cattle performing each behavior was not significantly different by season. Secondly, the effect of sex was determined with steers (n = 23: 7.6 ± 0.6 months of age; 301.9 ± 20.7 kg) and heifers (n = 19: same as above) in autumn. Although the percentage of cattle staying in each area was different by sex (χ2 = 20.2; P < 0.01), the percentages of steers (25.5%) and heifers (53.6%) staying in the eating area were both greater than the expected percentage (16.7%). However, percentage of animals performing each behavior was not different by sex. These results recommend to stockpersons that they should install additional troughs for hay and water into a pen just after long distance transport, since the number of cattle that can eat and drink at the same time was limited.
Steer stress levels during long distance transport throughout the year in Japan
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate transportation conditions and behavioral and physiological responses of beef steers to long distance commercial transport throughout the year Japan. Japanese Black × Holstein steers (7.9 ± 0.6 months of age; 320.0 ± 19.0 kg) were transported by truck in spring (n = 8), summer (n = 5), autumn (n = 8) and winter (n = 5). Transport distances (time) were 1020.6 km (25 h including lairage periods): 615.4 km (6.4 h) on expressways, 163.2 km (3.7 h) on arterial roads and 242.0 km (10.5 h) by ferry. The space allowance of the truck was about 1.6 m2/head in all seasons. Internal temperatures of the truck were 14.7 ± 4.7°C in spring, 27.9 ± 2.6°C in summer, 24.4 ± 2.8°C in autumn and 9.2 ± 4.3°C in winter. Although internal noise and airflow velocity of the truck were louder and greater while moving on expressways (101.1 ± 8.3 dB and 1.50 ± 1.50 m/s) than on arterial roads (92.0 ± 15.2 dB and 1.32 ± 1.41 m/s) (both P < 0.05), more steers lay down while moving on expressways (P < 0.001). Blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations and ALT activity were higher in spring (all P < 0.05). This could be explained by that vibration acceleration (m/s2) of the truck in the longitudinal direction was greater in spring (−0.19 ± 0.43) than in the other seasons (−0.14 ± 0.09 in summer, −0.15 ± 0.20 in autumn and −0.15 ± 0.13 in winter) (all P < 0.05). Heart rate, serum concentrations of T3, total cholesterol, total protein, and AST and ALT activities were higher just after transport than 1 week after transport (all P < 0.05). However, transport stress should be not severe, since no difference between before and after transport was shown on concentrations of plasma cortisol, blood lactate and serum NEFA, serum triglyceride and serum pH and liveweight.
Comparison of time budget of behaviors between penned and ranged young cattle focused on general and oral behaviors
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , KILGOUR Robert J. , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTTo consider cattle welfare, time budget of behaviors of young cattle in pen and pasture conditions were compared. Behavioral observations of 103 steers in seven pens and 1136 steers in six ranges were performed during daylight over 3 days in each rearing condition. The pen condition had Japanese Black × Holstein cross, and the pasture conditions had assorted breeds of Angus, Murray Grey, Shorthorn, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis and their crosses aged 5–15 months. The ranges varied in vegetation from extensive native pasture to intensive improved pasture. The daytime proportion of behaviors and activity patterns were compared between rearing conditions. The proportion of walking was much lower in the pen condition (1.0 ± 0.2%) compared to all pasture conditions (at least 9.4 ± 4.0%; all P < 0.05), but grooming (5.9 ± 1.2%), investigating (2.5 ± 0.2%) and tongue playing (1.1 ± 0.2%) covered the loss. Fluctuation patterns of the proportions of eating (P < 0.001) and resting (P < 0.001) were different between pen and pasture conditions, whereas the pattern of the proportion of walking was not different. The proportion of eating in the pen condition (32.4 ± 0.3%) was not different to that in one on the farm (42.2 ± 12.6%), which had a thick improved pasture. However, the proportion of eating in the pen condition (32.4 ± 0.3%) was lower than that in two farms (58.8 ± 5.0% and 61.6 ± 16.5%) with low pasture availability (both P < 0.05). The proportions of oral behaviors such as self‐grooming (3.9 ± 1.0%), allogrooming (2.0 ± 0.2%), licking objects (1.3 ± 0.4%) and tongue‐playing (1.1 ± 0.2%) compensated for the lack of eating. These results indicate that we can learn a well‐balanced proportion of behaviors for cattle by making comparisons of time budget of behaviors and activity pattern between various rearing conditions. In addition, it is indicated that cattle under pen conditions under a restricted feeding period might compensate for a lower time spent feeding by performing other oral behaviors.
Performance of camels (Camelus dromedrius) kept by pastoralists with different degrees of experience in camel keeping in Borana, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: MEGERSA Bekele , REGASSA Alemayehu , KUMSA Bersissa , ABUNNA Fufa 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to investigate the performances of camels kept by pastoralists with different degrees of experience in camel production. The study was conducted on 60 selected camel herds twice a year; during wet and dry seasons of 2003 and 2004 in Borana, Southern Ethiopia. The average ages at first parturition and calving intervals of breeding females were 68.1 ± 0.5 and 25.5 ± 0.4 months (LSMean ± SE), respectively. Age at first parturition was significantly reduced by use of veterinary services, while variation was not observed among Borana, Guji, Gabra and Somali herds. Calving intervals were significantly shorter (P < 0.05) in Borana (24.8 ± 0.6) and Guji (24.5 ± 1.5) than Somali herds (27.0 ± 0.5). Calving intervals were also prolonged (P < 0.05) by fixing breeding time. Annual calving, abortion and calf mortality rates were similar for the four populations and averaged 37.3%, 9.3%, 20.3% in 2003, and 41.3%, 8.2%, 14.9% in 2004, respectively. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Borana (10.0 ± 2.1) than in Gabra herds (4.2 ± 0.8). However, mortality was not statistically different for use of veterinary services and other managemental practices. The study showed an increase in annual herd growth by 5.7% in 2003 and 11.6% in 2004 with similarity of herd dynamics between the two years. Daily milk yield differed significantly (P < 0.05) depending on veterinary services, watering frequency and the season (7.6 L during wet and 4.3 L during dry season). Similarly, milk yield was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Somali herds than in Borana and Gabra herds. In conclusion, the study revealed that some production and reproduction performances in camel herds have showed significant variation with varying levels of herding experience and veterinary services. This may suggest performance in pastoral camels can be enhanced with learning more about and using traditional management practices as well as improving animal health service delivery.
Interactive Effects of Drought Stresses and Elevated CO2 Concentration on Photochemistry Efficiency of Cucumber Seedlings
Authors: Li Qing‐Ming , Liu Bin‐Bin , Wu Yang , Zou Zhi‐Rong 
Published: July 2008

Abstract To reveal and quantify the interactive effects of drought stresses and elevated CO2 concentration [CO2] on photochemistry efficiency of cucumber seedlings, the portable chlorophyll meter was used to measure the chlorophyll content, and the Imaging‐PAM was used to image the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and rapid light response curves (RLC) of leaves in two adjacent greenhouses. The results showed that chlorophyll content of leaves was reduced significantly with drought stress aggravated. Minimal fluorescence (Fo) was increased while maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) decreased significantly by severe drought stress. The significant decrease of effective quantum yield of PSII (Y(II)) accompanied by the significant increase of quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation (Y(NPQ)) was observed under severe drought stress condition, but there was no change of quantum yield of nonregulated energy dissipation (Y(NO)). We detected that the coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP) decreased, and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) increased significantly under severe drought stress. Furthermore, we found that maximum apparent electron transport rate (ETRmax) and saturating photosynthetically active radiation (PPFDsat) decreased significantly with drought stress aggravated. However, elevated [CO2] significantly increased Fv/Fm, qP and PPFDsat, and decreased NPQ under all water conditions, although there were no significant effects on chlorophyll content, Fo, Y(II), Y(NPQ), Y(NO) and ETRmax. Therefore, it is concluded that CO2‐fertilized greenhouses or elevated atmospheric [CO2] in the future could be favorable for cucumber growth and development, and beneficial to alleviate the negative effects of drought stresses to a certain extent.
Aluminum‐activated Oxalate Secretion does not Associate with Internal Content among Some Oxalate Accumulators
Authors: Yang Jian Li , Zhang Lei , Zheng Shao Jian 
Published: July 2008

Abstract Although aluminum (Al)‐activated secretion of oxalate has been considered to be an important Al‐exclusion mechanism, whether it is a general response in oxalate accumulators and related to oxalate content in roots are still not clear. Here, we examined the oxalate secretion and oxalate content in some oxalate accumulators, and investigated the role of oxalate secretion in Al resistance. When oxalate content in amaranth roots was decreased by about 50% with the increased ratio of NH4+‐N to NO3−‐N in nutrient solution, the amount of Al‐activated oxalate secretion still remained constant. There was no relationship between the content of the water soluble oxalate in four species of oxalate accumulators and the amount of the Al‐activated oxalate secretion in roots. Furthermore, oxalate secretion is poorly associated with Al resistance among these species. Based on the above results, we concluded that although all of the oxalate accumulators tested could secrete oxalate rapidly, the density of anion channels in plasma membrane may play a more important role in Al‐activated oxalate secretion.
Intensity and Importance of Competition for a Grass (Festuca rubra) and a Legume (Trifolium pratense) Vary with Environmental Changes
Authors: Zhang Junyan , Cheng Genwei , Yu Feihai , Kräuchi Norbert , Li Mai‐He 
Published: July 2008

Abstract How plant competition varies across environmental gradients has been a long debate among ecologists. We conducted a growth chamber experiment to determine the intensity and importance of competition for plants grown in changed environmental conditions. Festuca rubra and Trifolium pratense were grown in monoculture and in two‐ and/or three‐species mixtures under three environmental treatments. The measured competitive variations in terms of growth (height and biomass) were species‐dependent. Competition intensity for Festuca increased with decreased productivity, whilst competition importance displayed a humpback response. However, significant response was detected in neither competition intensity nor importance for Trifolium. Intensity and importance of competition followed different response patterns, suggesting that they may not be correlated along an environmental gradient. The biological and physiological variables of plants play an important role to determine the interspecific competition associated with competition intensity and importance. However, the competitive feature can be modified by multiple environmental changes which may increase or hinder how competitive a plant is.
Anatomical and Chemical Alterations but not Photosynthetic Dynamics and Apoplastic Transport Changes are Involved in the Brittleness Culm Mutation of Rice
Authors: Duan Zhuang‐Qin , Wang Jun‐Min , Bai Lei , Zhao Zhi‐Guang , Chen Kun‐Ming 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBrittleness culm is an important agronomic trait that has a potential usefulness in agricultural activity as animal forage although the developmental mechanism is not clear yet. In the present study, the anatomical and chemical characteristics as well as some ecophysiological features in the brittleness culm mutation of rice (Oryza sativaL.) were investigated. Compared with the wild type (WT), the brittleness culm mutant (bcm) exhibited higher culm vascular bundle distance and lower culm wall thickness, leaf interveinal distance and leaf thickness. Ratio of bundle sheath cell/whole bundle and areas of whole vascular bundles and bundle sheath of leaves were reduced while ratios of xylem and phloem to whole bundles were elevated inbcm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy analysis and further histochemical and physiological measurements revealed that the different contents and depositions of cell wall components such as pectins, lignin, suberin and cellulose all participated in the mutation of brittleness. However, the mutant presented no significant changes in leaf photosynthetic dynamics and apoplastic transport ability. These results strongly indicate that the alterations in anatomical and chemical characteristics, rather than changes in major ecophysiological features such as photosynthesis and apoplastic transport were involved in the brittleness mutation of rice.
Influence of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Endophyte Infection on Ecophysiological Parameters and Mineral Element Content of Perennial Ryegrass
Authors: Ren An‐Zhi , Gao Yu‐Bao , Wang Wei , Wang Jin‐Long , Zhao Nian‐Xi 
Published: July 2008

Abstract An experiment was designed to determine the effect of the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium lolii on the growth, physiological parameters and mineral element content of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perennel L.), when growing at two N supply levels. Endophyte infection had a significant positive effect on both shoot and root growth of ryegrass, but this difference was only significant in the high N supply treatment. At high N supply, endophyte‐infected (EI) plants accumulated more soluble sugar in the sheath and the root than endophyte‐free (EF) plants. Endophyte infection affected mineral element concentrations in the root more than in the shoot. We found a significant effect of endophyte infection on B, Mn and Mg in the root, but significant effect was only found on B in the shoot. EI plants tended to accumulate less B in the shoot at both N levels, but accumulated more B, Mn and Mg in the root at low N levels. The difference of growth parameters in different periods was significant. The content of soluble sugar and crude protein in the sheath were also dependent on the growth stages of both EI and EF plants.