bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of first breeding age on the production and reproduction of Holstein heifers up to the third lactation
Authors: SAKAGUCHI Minoru , SUZUKI Takahiro , SASAMOTO Yoshihiko , TAKAHASHI Yoshiyuki , NISHIURA Akiko , AOKI Mari 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe effects of early initiation of first service for dairy heifers on their fertility and productivity up to the third lactation were examined under constant raising and management conditions. Eight Holstein heifers in their early breeding regimens and eight Holstein heifers in their late breeding regimens were initiated to be bred at 12 and 15 months of age, respectively, and were first calved at 21.5 and 25.1 months of age, respectively, with bodyweights of 563 and 638 kg after calving, respectively. Early first breeding resulted in a lower bodyweight and a lower body condition score, but it did not affect the fertility or milk production during the first lactation of heifers as cows. The calving intervals of cows to the second and third calving were similar in early and late bred heifers. Although the early bred heifers had a significantly lower fat‐corrected milk yield at the second lactation than that of the late bred heifers, early breeding did not impair the productivity indicated by the mean milk yield per day from birth to the end of the third lactation with a shorter production period.
Ontogeny of testicular inhibin and activin in ducks: An immunocytochemical analysis
Authors: YANG Peixin , MEDAN Mohamed S. , ARAI Koji Y. , JIN Wanzhu , WATANABE Gen , TAYA Kazuyoshi 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe ontogeny of testicular inhibin/activin in ducks was investigated. Testicular localization of three inhibin/activin subunits (α, βA and βB) was determined in embryonic and newly hatched ducks from 12 days of incubation to 1 day of age, in immature ducks and in adult ducks. In the duck embryonic testis, positive α‐subunit immunostaining was first detected in the Leydig cells and Sertoli cells on day 15 of incubation, whereas βA‐subunit and βB‐subunit immunostaining were found in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells on day 18 of incubation. In 1 month old ducks, intense staining of α‐subunit was present in the seminiferous epithelium consistent with localization in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells, and the immunostaining of the βA‐ and βB‐subunit was also present in Sertoli cells and primary germ cells. Specific immunostaining with inhibin/activin α‐, βA‐ and βB‐subunits antisera occurred in Sertoli cells in the adult duck testes. In conclusion, it was shown that, in the duck testis, the majority of α‐, βA‐ and βB‐subunits are colocalized in Sertoli cells with a certain degree of staining in germ cells and the α‐subunit is present in Leydig cells of embryonic testes before day 18 of incubation. These results indicate that Sertoli cells and possibly germ cells in the embryonic testes of late stage of incubation and newly hatched ducks, immature ducks and mature ducks may produce bioactive inhibin dimers, inhibin A and inhibin B, as a possible regulator of follicle‐stimulating hormone secretion. Free inhibin/activin subunits and their dimers may also play an autocrine/paracrine role in the development of the testis and spermatogenesis. Furthermore, early onset of the α‐subunit in duck testes indicates that it may have an autocrine/paracrine effect on steroid hormones, which is important for sex differentiation.
Effect of dietary enzymes on the ileal digestibility and abdominal fat content in broilers
Authors: SALEH Fuad , OHTSUKA Akira , HAYASHI Kunioki 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe effects of purified cellulase and a commercial feed enzyme (FE) containing cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase and so on, on the performance, abdominal fat content, digestibility of ileal contents and metabolizable energy of broilers were examined. Male broiler chicks (Cobb strain) were divided into three groups: control, cellulase (1 U/g feed) and FE (0.6 mg/g feed) with seven replicates. Chicks were raised under a temperature condition of 25°C in wire bottom cages for 12 days from 15 days of age. Feed (corn–soybean meal diet: crude protein, 21%; metabolizable energy, 3000 kcal/kg) and water were offered ad libitum. Dietary cellulase had a negative effect on the bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio. The FE had no effect on bodyweight gain, but tended to improve the feed conversion ratio. The ileal crude protein and ash digestibilities were improved by the FE, but not by the cellulase. Furthermore, cellulase decreased the abdominal fat content and the FE increased metabolizable energy. In conclusion, digestion is enhanced and an improvement in performance is brought about by FE and, interestingly, fat metabolism is affected by cellulase by an unknown mechanism.
Effects of bacterial strains on the development of the ripening flavor of cured pork loins
Authors: YAMANAKA Hiroyuki , AKIMOTO Masanobu , SAMESHIMA Takashi , ARIHARA Keizo , ITOH Makoto 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTTo determine the effect of bacteria on the development of the ripening flavor of cured meat, pork loins were cured with pickles containing 8 or 16% sodium chloride at 0 and 8°C. The bacterial flora, total free amino acid content and total free fatty acid content in the cured loins, sensory properties of cooked pork loins and the relationships between the proteolytic and lipolytic activities of isolates and curing conditions were investigated. Desirable bacteria, including salt‐tolerant bacteria and lactic acid bacteria, were predominant under the condition of 8% sodium chloride in the pickles and a curing temperature of 8°C. The total free amino acid content and total free fatty acid content at a curing temperature of 8°C were higher than those at 0°C. Cooked pork loins cured in pickles containing 8% sodium chloride at a temperature of 8°C for more than 7 days were preferred in terms of color, flavor and taste. Before the curing procedure, gram‐negative bacteria (Vibrio, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae) were predominant in the pork loins. During the curing period, the numbers of viable gram‐positive bacteria (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus and Pediococcus) increased and the numbers of viable gram‐negative bacteria decreased. Strains of Micrococcus and Staphylococcus with proteolytic and/or lipolytic activities in cured meat also increased during the curing period and were more predominant in the pork loins cured in pickles containing 8% sodium chloride and at a curing temperature of 8°C than in pork loins cured in pickles containing 16% sodium chloride and at a curing temperature of 0°C. The actions of these bacteria were thought to be important factors affecting the flavor of the cured pork. Micrococcus and Staphylococcus with proteolytic activity might contribute to the development of the ripening flavor of ham. The results of the present study together with the results of further investigations on the relationships of the enzyme activities of Micrococcus and Staphylococcus in cured meat with a preferable flavor would be useful for establishing a novel effective method for using bacteria to produce ham of a high quality.
Inhibitory effects of epigallocatechin gallate on the propagation of bovine coronavirus in Madin‐Darby bovine kidney cells
Authors: MATSUMOTO Mitsuyo , MUKAI Takao , FURUKAWA Satoru , OHORI Hitoshi 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) is the main active component of tea polyphenol and shows several biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antitumor‐promoting, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative activities. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of EGCg on bovine coronavirus (BCV) propagation in Madin‐Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells was investigated. EGCg at concentrations of less than 10 µg/mL did not show any cytotoxicity to MDBK cells. BCV propagation was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of the virus with EGCg (0.5–10 µg/mL) before virus inoculation in dose‐dependent, incubation time‐dependent and temperature‐dependent manners. The antiviral effect of pretreating MDBK cells with EGCg on BCV propagation was much weaker than that of pretreating BCV with EGCg. The hemagglutination activity of BCV was also reduced by EGCg in a dose‐dependent manner. These results demonstrate that EGCg possesses a distinct anti‐BCV activity and strongly suggest that EGCg interferes with the adsorption of BCV to MDBK cells by the interaction of EGCg with BCV particles. EGCg may therefore be a useful candidate for controlling BCV infection more effectively.
Development of X‐ray computed tomography for live standing cattle
Authors: NADE Toshihiro , FUJITA Kazuhisa , FUJII Masashi , YOSHIDA Masaya , HARYU Teikichi , MISUMI Satsuki , OKUMURA Toshiaki 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTAn X‐ray computed tomography (CT) system for live standing cattle was developed for studying the meat yield, carcass composition and so on. The gantry contained three X‐ray tubes and detectors that corresponded to each X‐ray tube. The system was able to operate while the animal remained standing. The scan area had a diameter of 900 mm. The Musculus longissimus and Musculus trapezius areas, and the back fat thickness in the CT image were evaluated and compared to the actual cross‐section of the carcass using eight cattle. The differences among the muscles, and the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were easily recognized. The correlation coefficient between the CT image and the actual carcass photograph of the M. longissimus area and the back fat thickness was high (r = 0.84, r = 0.93, P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that muscle, fat and bone can be clearly imaged from a live standing animal using X‐ray equipment.
Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.): Growth behavior and multipurpose usages
Authors: Islam M. Anowarul , Hirata Masahiko 
Published: September 2005

AbstractFor sustainable and profitable agricultural production and conservation of environment, wildlife and amenity resources, it is important to use appropriate plant species in respective grassland systems. In recent years in Japan, there has been increased interest in using centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.) as a low‐input plant for soil conservation and gazing purposes. The history of cultivation and use of centipedegrass in Japan is not long and thus, detailed information on growth habit, establishment, management and utilization of this grass is lacking. In the present paper, the distribution and occurrence of centipedegrass are traced and the growth habit and importance are discussed. Since its introduction into the USA from China in 1916, it is increasingly being used as a popular turfgrass. This grass forms a relatively short and highly dense sward with rapidly spreading leafy stolons, which is advantageous in terms of soil conservation, particularly in high rainfall and sloped areas. This grass can also be used for grazing due to high leafiness and high palatability by animals. Therefore, there may be real potential in utilizing centipedegrass for multipurpose usages and the usefulness of this grass needs reevaluation.
Floristic composition and plant biomass production of steppe communities in the vicinity of Kharkiv, Ukraine
Authors: Kawada Kiyokazu , Vovk Alexandra G. , Filatova Olga V. , Araki Masayuki , Nakamura Toru , Hayashi Ichiroku 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn grassland in the vicinity of Kharkiv, Ukraine, we determined the floristic composition of the plant communities, v‐values of the species and above‐ground plant biomass. The plant communities in Kharkiv were dominated by Stipa capillata L., Medicago romanica Prodan, Inula ensifolia L. and Poa angustifolia L. There were 46 species in eight 1‐m2 quadrates and the above‐ground plant biomass was 245 g m−2 in the Stipa capillata stand. In the Medicago romanica stand, the number of species and above‐ground plant biomass were 37 per 10 quadrates of 1 m2 and 195 g m−2, respectively. The numbers of species in the stands were 40 in Poa angustifolia and 45 in Inula ensifolia. The plant biomass of the Poa angustifoia stand was 380 g m−2. These values were similar to those from Inner Mongolia. The species diversity of the stand (H) was calculated as: H = −Σpi log2 pi. The species diversity of the two stands was 2.98 for the Stipa capillata stand and 2.66 in the Medicago romanica stand. The stand changed by various human impacts, such as grazing and cultivation. Plantago schwarzenbergiana Schur. seemed to become established after the exposure of Stipa capillata stands to grazing, while Inula ensifolia stands became established in an abandoned field. The species composition in Kharkiv was different from that of Inner Mongolia, though the genus of plants was similar.
Mineral properties and their balance in manure, soil, plant and water of pot‐cultured napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)
Authors: Idota Sachiko , Hasyim Hadijah , Wadi Ahmad , Ishii Yasuyuki 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn order to investigate mineral properties in manure, soil, plant and water of pot‐cultured napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach cv. Wruk wona), napiergrass plants were grown in a sandy soil of 1/2000 a Wagner pots, designated as a plant (P) plot and a without‐plant (WP) plot and were set under the same levels of manure application to compare the mineral properties with a P plot in 2002 and 2003. Plants were treated under four (control, low, medium and high) and three (control, low and high) levels of basal cattle manure application in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphoric acid (TP) concentrations of applied manure were higher than those of sampled manure during the growing period in all application levels in both P and WP plots, while the rate of decrease in each element was higher in P plots than in WP plots. Soil inorganic nitrogen (IN) concentration changed in the same pattern with the soil electric conductivity (EC), was lower in P plots than in WP plots and also decreased greatly from July to August and tended to decrease from August to September in all manure application levels. The contents and concentrations of TN and TP in the whole plant, as well as in each plant part of napiergrass, increased with the increase in manure application and the major nutrient elements of total potassium (TK), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents also increased, where the equivalent ratio of K/(Ca + Mg) was higher in stem with leaf sheath than in leaf blade. In all application levels, TN concentrations of percolating water were consistently lower in P plots than in WP plots and were not significantly different among application levels in P plots, while they increased with the increase in manure application in WP plots. Nitrogen and phosphoric acid use efficiencies by napiergrass in P plots were calculated at approximately 42% and 25–30%, respectively. The significance of accumulated nutrients from the previous cropping by manure application was discussed under the sequence of cropping systems in napiergrass.
Alpine grassland degradation and its control in the source region of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, China
Authors: Zhou Huakun , Zhao Xinquan , Tang Yanhong , Gu Song , Zhou Li 
Published: September 2005

AbstractSerious grassland degradation is endangering the environment of the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers (SRYYR). There is an urgent need to analyze and review the grassland resources, status of grassland degradation, factors causing grassland degradation, and measures for grassland protection and restoration so as to ensure sustainable development in the SRYYR. This review shows that: (1) The alpine meadow, one of the most important grassland types in the SRYYR, can be divided into four subtypes: typical alpine meadow, alpine swamp meadow, alpine steppe meadow and alpine shrub meadow. (2) There is approximately 357.13 × 104 ha degraded grassland in this area, which is 34.34% of the area of all the investigated grasslands in the SRYYR, and heavily degraded grasslands cover an area of 74.34 × 104 ha, approximately 20.82% of the degraded grasslands. (3) Alpine grassland degradation in the SRYYR follows the following sequence: non‐degraded grassland → lightly degraded grassland → moderately degraded grassland → heavily degraded grassland. (4) Grassland degradation in the SRYYR is caused by the integrated effect of anthropogenic and natural factors. The principal factors causing grassland degradation are thought to be long‐term overgrazing and the destruction by rodents that follows, and climate warming, which accelerates the grassland degradation process. (5) Some effective management practices (e.g. rodent and ruderal weed control, establishment of artificial grassland, rational management of grassland, and optimizing livestock structure) and integrated countermeasures for the restoration of degraded grasslands have been developed in the SRYYR.
Patterns of floristic composition under different grazing intensities in Bulgan, South Gobi, Mongolia
Authors: Sasaki Takehiro , Okayasu Tomoo , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Jamsran Undarmaa , Jadambaa Sanjid 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe surveyed the floristic composition and analyzed the patterns of floristic composition under different grazing intensities in the semiarid area of Bulgan, in the South Gobi, Mongolia. We sampled 90 quadrats at six points (15 quadrats each) along a transect from a spring and grouped them into five vegetation types by using TWINSPAN. All or most of the quadrats at each point corresponded to one of the five vegetation types. DCA axis 1 arranged all the quadrats in order of grazing intensity, and the floristic composition changed dramatically in a lopsided stepwise‐pattern along this axis. The composition ratio for five groups clustered by TWINSPAN according to plant functional type (toxicity or palatability, and life‐form) and family varied to a greater or lesser extent. Background environmental factors such as soil moisture or landform did not affect the pattern of the floristic composition at this site. The patterns of floristic composition were determined by grazing intensity (determined as distance from the spring) together with palatability, which was the dominant environmental effect at the site.
Rotational grazing system for beef cows on dwarf napiergrass pasture oversown with Italian ryegrass for 2 years after establishment
Authors: Ishii Yasuyuki , Mukhtar Muhammad , Idota Sachiko , Fukuyama Kiichi 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe examined an intensive rotational grazing system for dwarf and late‐heading (DL) napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) pasture in a summer period, and an oversown Italian ryegrass (IR) pasture in a winter period for the 2 years following establishment. Four 0.05‐ha paddocks of DL napiergrass pasture (20 m × 25 m) were established on 6 May 2002. They were rotationally grazed for 1 week, followed by a 3‐week rest period by 2–3 breeding or raising beef cattle (Japanese‐Black) for three and six cycles in a summer period during the first and second years of establishment, respectively. In the IR pasture, which was established by oversowing IR in both years, rotational grazing by 3–4 animals was conducted in March and April for two cycles of grazing for 1–2 days in each paddock in 2003 and for 3–5 days in all four paddocks in 2004. In the DL napiergrass pasture before grazing, the plant height, leaf area index and the ratio of leaf blade to stem were highest in the hot summer season, while tiller number increased and herbage mass tended to increase as grazing occurred, except for the first grazing cycle both years, and for one paddock in the second year. Herbage consumption, rate of herbage consumption and dry matter intake tended to decrease in three paddocks from the first to the third cycle in the first year, while herbage consumption and rate of herbage consumption tended to increase as grazing occurred in the second year. Dry matter intake averaged 10.2–14.5 and 15.4–23.2 g DM kg−1 liveweight (LW) day−1 over the four paddocks in the first and second year, respectively, and average daily gains were 0.09 and 0.35 kg head−1 day−1 in the first and second year, respectively. In the oversown IR pasture, herbage consumption tended to increase as grazing occurred, and the average daily gains were 1.49 and 1.36 kg head−1 day−1 in 2003 and 2004, respectively, except for the LW decrease during the first cycle in early March 2004. The carrying capacities on DL napiergrass pasture and IR pasture were estimated at 1016 and 208 cow‐days (CD) ha−1, respectively (annual total 1224 CD ha−1) in the first year and at 1355 and 207 CD ha−1, respectively (annual total 1562 CD ha−1) in the second year. Thus, DL napiergrass pasture oversown with IR can expand the grazing period for beef cows to late November, March and April, in addition to the summer season for the 2 years following establishment.
Influence of atmospheric exposure period on the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins, dibenzofurans and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxins) in forage
Authors: Uegaki Ryuichi , Seike Nobuyasu , Otani Takashi 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe correlation between the period of atmospheric exposure and dioxin concentration in forage was examined to confirm whether a dioxin accumulation effect could be found in forage. Because it was clear from a previous study that most of the dioxins in forage originated from the atmosphere, if there was a dioxin accumulation effect, there would be a correlation between the concentration of dioxins in the forage and the period of atmospheric exposure. Alfalfa and Sudangrass were grown in two separate areas. The forage in one area was not cut during cultivation, whereas the forage in the other area was cut and allowed to regrow several times. The concentrations of dioxins in samples of uncut forage were compared with the concentrations of dioxins in samples of regrowth forage. There was no tendency in dry samples for a higher dioxin concentration to be associated with longer exposure to the atmosphere. No correlation was found between the concentration of dioxins and forage growing period; in other words, the atmospheric exposure period and the dioxin concentrations were unrelated. These results show that the dioxin accumulation effect does not occur in forage. Furthermore, it would not be possible to decrease the level of dioxins in forage by adjusting the cultivation period.
Additive effects of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria on the fermentative quality of guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) silage
Authors: Bureenok Smerjai , Namihira Tomoyuki , Kawamoto Yasuhiro , Nakada Tadashi 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) prepared with glucose, sucrose or molasses as additives on the fermentative quality of guineagrass silage. The numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in all FJLB increased from 105 c.f.u. mL−1 to 108−109 c.f.u. mL−1 after 2 days of anaerobic incubation. FJLB mixed with 3% of the three sugar substrates were added at various volumes (0.2, 0.5 and 1%[v/w]) in experiment 1. As the volume of FJLB added increased, increases in lactic acid and decreases in butyric acid and the pH value were observed, except when FJLB prepared with molasses was used. In experiment 2, FJLB prepared with various levels of glucose, sucrose and molasses were made and added to guineagrass. The level of lactic acid production in silage was higher (P < 0.05) when treated with glucose‐FJLB than with sucrose‐FJLB or molasses‐FJLB. The fermentative quality of silages tended to increase with increasing levels of sucrose or molasses in the FJLB preparation. We suggest that both increasing the volume of FJLB and increasing the level of sugar substrates in FJLB will produce high fermentative quality in guineagrass silage. Glucose‐FJLB is effective even when prepared with a low level of glucose.