AGRIS - 

2024

Mohammad-Hossein Izadbakhsh | Farzad Hashemzadeh | Masoud Alikhani | Gholam-Reza Ghorbani | Mohammad Khorvash | Mostafa Heidari | Morteza Hosseini Ghaffari | Farhad Ahmadi

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of feeding diets with different fiber content and forage particle size on the performance, health, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and behavioral and sorting activity of Holstein dairy calves kept under elevated environmental temperature. Sixty weaned Holstein female calves (age = 96.7 ± 7.62 days old; body weight = 82.4 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments arranged in a 2-by-2 factorial design in a 70-day experiment. Dietary forage content (moderate, 22.5%; or high, 40.0% on DM basis) and alfalfa hay particle size (short, 4.39 mm; or long, 7.22 mm as geometric mean) were the experimental factors, resulting in the following combinations: (1) high-fiber (HF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60 and long particle-sized alfalfa hay (LPS; HF-LPS); (2) HF diets with short particle-sized alfalfa hay (SPS; HF-SPS); (3) moderate-fiber (MF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 22.5:77.5 with LPS (MF-LPS); and (4) MF diets with SPS (MF-SPS). The temperature–humidity index averaged 73.0 ± 1.86, indicating that weaned calves experienced a moderate extent of heat stress. Fiber level and AH particle size interacted and affected dry matter intake, with the greatest intake (4.83 kg/d) observed in MF-SPS-fed calves. Final body weight was greater in calves receiving MF vs. HF diets (164 vs. 152 kg; <i>p</i> < 0.01). Respiration rate decreased when SPS vs. LPS AH was included in HF but not MF diet. Lower rectal temperature was recorded in calves fed MF vs. HF diet. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was greater in calves fed MF than HF diets, resulting in lower ruminal pH (6.12 vs. 6.30; <i>p</i> = 0.03). Fiber digestibility was greater in calves fed SPS compared with those fed LPS alfalfa hay. Feeding HF compared with MF diet increased acetate but lowered propionate molar proportions. The inclusion of SPS vs. LPS alfalfa hay decreased lying time in HF diet (920 vs. 861 min; <i>p</i> < 0.01). Calves fed MF vs. HF diets spent less time eating but more time lying, which is likely indicative of better animal comfort. Dietary fiber level and forage particle size interacted and affected sorting against 19 mm particles, the extent of which was greater in HF-SPS diet. Overall, dietary fiber level had a stronger effect than forage particle size on the performance of weaned calves exposed to a moderate degree of heat stress as feeding MF vs. HF diet resulted in greater feed intake, final body weight, structural growth measures, nutrient digestion, as well as longer lying behavior. The inclusion of SPS alfalfa hay in MF diets increased feed consumption.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Directory of Open Access Journals - Sweden

2023

Yujiao Zu | Mandana Pahlavani | Latha Ramalingam | Shasika Jayarathne | Jose Andrade | Shane Scoggin | William T. Festuccia | Nishan S. Kalupahana | Naima Moustaid-Moussa

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) plays a central role in thermogenic tissues by uncoupling cellular respiration to dissipate energy. Beige adipocytes, an inducible form of thermogenic cells in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), have become a major focus in obesity research. We have previously shown that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ameliorated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity by activating brown fat in C57BL/6J (B6) mice at thermoneutrality (30 °C), independently of UCP1. Here, we investigated whether ambient temperature (22 °C) impacts EPA effects on SAT browning in wild-type (WT) and UCP1 knockout (KO) male mice and dissected underlying mechanisms using a cell model. We observed resistance to diet-induced obesity in UCP1 KO mice fed HFD at ambient temperature, with significantly higher expression of UCP1-independent thermogenic markers, compared to WT mice. These markers included the fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ATPase 2b (SERCA2b), suggesting the indispensable role of temperature in beige fat reprogramming. Surprisingly, although EPA induced thermogenic effects in SAT-derived adipocytes harvested from both KO and WT mice, EPA only increased thermogenic gene and protein expression in the SAT of UCP1 KO mice housed at ambient temperature. Collectively, our findings indicate that the thermogenic effects of EPA, which are independent of UCP1, occur in a temperature-dependent manner.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Directory of Open Access Journals - Sweden

2023

Naryshkina, E.N

The studies on the influence of climatic meteorological parameters (ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity) on the sperm production in 226 Holstein bulls of different age groups were conducted on the territory of the Moscow Oblast for the period 2012-2016. To do this, there were used the archival data of the weather station 27523. Due to the high dynamics of the fluctuation of meteorological parameters during the seasons of the year, the "season" factor itself has a slight effect on the quantitative indicators of the sperm production of 0.1...0.5%. While the direct influence of meteorological parameters is as follows: ambient temperature 3.1...3.7, atmospheric pressure 2.7...3.1% and relative humidity 2.9...3.8%. At an average daily temperature above 27.4 deg. C, the values of ejaculate volume and sperm count are significantly lower by 0.85 ml (P more than 0.05) and 1.13 billion (P more than 0.01), respectively. When the temperature drops below –17.3 deg. C, the values of all quantitative signs also worsen: the volume of ejaculate is less by 0.6 ml (P more than 0.05); the total number of spermatozoa decreases by 1.6 billion (P more than 0.01). In the range of the average daily ambient temperature of +14.2...+24.7 and –6.8... –17.3, the number of defective ejaculates is by 1.6...1.9% lower. The atmospheric pressure of 760...762 mmHg is comfortable for the animal's body. Deviations of +-3 sigma, at which the pressure is more than 777 and less than 746 mmHg, there is a decrease in the volume of ejaculate by 0.47...0.42 ml, the total number of spermatozoa and their concentration in 1 ml also decreased by 0.7...0.8 billion (P more than 0.05) and 0.06 billion/ml, respectively, while the number of defective ejaculates increased by 1.35...1.71%. Relative humidity did not have a significant effect on the quantitative values of sperm production. At the same time, there was a tendency to increase the proportion of defective ejaculates by 0.3...0.5%. | Исследования по влиянию климатических метеопараметров (температура воздуха, атмосферное давление, относительная влажность) на выработку спермопродукции у 226 быков голштинской породы разного возраста были проведены на территории Московского региона за период 2012-2016 гг. Для этого использовали архивные данные метеостанции 27523. В связи с высокой динамикой колебания метеопараметров в течение сезонов года, сам фактор "сезон" оказывает небольшое влияние на количественные показатели спермопродукции 0,1…0,5%. В то время как непосредственное влияние метеопараметров следующее: температура окружающей среды 3,1…3,7, атмосферное давление 2,7…3,1% и относительная влажность 2,9…3,8%. При среднесуточной температуре выше 27,4С значения объёма эякулята и количество сперматозоидов достоверно ниже на 0,85 мл (P больше 0,05) и на 1,13 млрд (P больше 0,01) соответственно. При понижении температуры ниже -17,3 град. С значения всех количественных признаков также ухудшаются: объем эякулята меньше на 0,6 мл (P больше 0,05); общее количество сперматозоидов снижается на 1,6 млрд (P больше 0,01). В диапазоне среднесуточной температуры окружающей среды +14,2…+24,7 и -6,8…-17,3 количество бракованных эякулятов ниже на 1,6…1,9%. Комфортным для организма животного является атмосферное давление 760…762 мм рт.ст. Отклонения +-3 сигмы, при котором давление более 777 и менее 746 мм рт.ст. отмечается снижение объема эякулята на 0,47…0,42 мл, общее количество сперматозоидов и концентрация их в 1 мл также снизилась на 0,7…0,8 млрд (P больше 0,05) и на 0,06 млрд/мл соответственно, при этом количество бракованных эякулятов увеличивалось на 1,35…1,71%. Относительная влажность достоверного влияния на количественные значения спермопродукции не оказала. Вместе с тем, наблюдалась тенденция увеличения доли бракованных эякулятов на 0,3…0,5%.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Central Scientific Agricultural Library - Russian Federation

2022

Liu, Huijie | Han, Xuewei | Fadiji, Tobi | Li, Zhiguo | Ni, Jiheng

Fruit cracking is one of the most common physiological disorders that causes fruit loss and reduces tomato fruit marketability and quality. In this study, a three-point bending extended finite element (XFEM) model including five parts: a loading probe, exocarp, mesocarp, pre-crack, and two rigid fixed support points was developed for investigating the cracking susceptibility of pericarp during fruit development and postharvest handling. During pericarp cracking simulation, a displacement load of the probe was applied over a cuboid pericarp sample to replace the increasing turgor pressure of mesocarp cells. The XFEM-based three-point bending model with average tissue mechanical data was found to be able to reproduce the probe loading force-pericarp deflection behavior and the crack propagation length-pericarp deflection behavior in the three-point bending test up to 6 mm tomato pericarp deflection deformation with an average relative error of about 7.8% and 5.2%, respectively. The XFEM model’s crack propagation area and volume were affected by environmental temperature, exocarp and mesocarp thickness. Three multiple linear regression mathematical models were established for quantitatively predicting the tomato pericarp cracking susceptibility. It was found that the factors affecting the cracking susceptibility of pericarp in descending order include exocarp thickness, pericarp deflection, mesocarp thickness, and temperature. This study provides a new approach to quantitatively predict the cracking susceptibility of tomato pericarp, especially in the breeding industry for reversely and quickly locating the fruit anti-cracking gene.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

National Agricultural Library - United States of America

2022

Kazunori K. Fujii | Yuki Taga | Yusuke K. Takagi | Ryo Masuda | Shunji Hattori | Takaki Koide

Triple helix formation of procollagen occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where the single-stranded α-chains of procollagen undergo extensive post-translational modifications. The modifications include prolyl 4- and 3-hydroxylations, lysyl hydroxylation, and following glycosylations. The modifications, especially prolyl 4-hydroxylation, enhance the thermal stability of the procollagen triple helix. Procollagen molecules are transported to the Golgi and secreted from the cell, after the triple helix is formed in the ER. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the thermal stability of the collagen triple helix and environmental temperature. We analyzed the number of collagen post-translational modifications and thermal melting temperature and α-chain composition of secreted type I collagen in zebrafish embryonic fibroblasts (ZF4) cultured at various temperatures (18, 23, 28, and 33 °C). The results revealed that thermal stability and other properties of collagen were almost constant when ZF4 cells were cultured below 28 °C. By contrast, at a higher temperature (33 °C), an increase in the number of post-translational modifications and a change in α-chain composition of type I collagen were observed; hence, the collagen acquired higher thermal stability. The results indicate that the thermal stability of collagen could be autonomously tuned according to the environmental temperature in poikilotherms.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Directory of Open Access Journals - Sweden

2022

Rybalko, E.A. | Baranova, N.V.

Presented is an analysis of territorial distribution of climatic factors that characterize the heat supply of the Crimean Peninsula territory. The materials used were the SRTM-3 electronic terrain model of the Crimean Peninsula and long-term meteorological observation data from 17 meteorological stations in Crimea and Sevastopol for the period of 1985-2020. To conduct the research, there has been collected and analyzed meteorological information, necessary for calculating climatic factors that characterize heat supply of the Crimean Peninsula territory for grape production. To do this, 6 climatic indicators related to the thermal conditions of the territory were selected: the Huglin heliothermal index, the Winkler index, the sum of temperatures above 10 deg С, the sum of temperatures above 20 deg С, the average temperature of growing season, the ratio of the sum of temperatures above 20 deg С to the sum of temperatures above 10 deg C. To optimize the location of grapevine plantations, a comparative analysis of consistent patterns of spatial variation in the values of given climatic factors was carried out. It is established that the analyzed factors have similar patterns of variation under the influence of terrain, hydrological and geographical parameters of the territory. Therefore, the classification step of values of every analyzed factor was selected to match the class limits. According to the group of analyzed factors characterizing the heat supply of the territory, a complex digital large-scale map of spatial distribution of heat supply on the Crimean Peninsula territory was constructed, according to which 5 classes were identified. The achieved developments can provide the basis for agro-ecological optimization of varietal composition and terroir specialization of viticulture and winemaking industry of the Republic of Crimea. | Представлен анализ территориального распределения климатических факторов, характеризующих теплообеспеченность территории Крымского полуострова. В качестве материалов были использованы электронная модель рельефа SRTM-3 территории Крымского полуострова и многолетние данные метеонаблюдений по 17 метеостанциям Крыма и Севастополя за 1985–2020 гг. Для проведения исследований был проведен сбор и анализ метеорологической информации, необходимой для расчёта климатических факторов, характеризующих теплообеспеченность территории Крымского полуострова для производства винограда. Для этого были выбраны 6 климатических показателей, связанных с термическими условиями территории, такие как гелиотермический индекс Хуглина, индекс Уинклера, сумма температур выше 10 град. С, сумма температур выше 20 град. С, средняя температура вегетационного периода, отношение суммы температур выше 20 град. С к сумме температур выше 10 град. С. Для оптимизации размещения виноградных насаждений, проведён сравнительный анализ закономерностей пространственного варьирования величин приведенных климатических факторов. Установлено, что анализируемые факторы имеют схожие закономерности варьирования под влиянием рельефа, гидрологических и географических параметров территории. Поэтому был осуществлён подбор шага классификации величин каждого из анализируемых факторов для совмещения границ их классов. По группе проанализированных факторов, характеризующих теплообеспеченность территории, построена комплексная цифровая крупномасштабная карта пространственного распределения теплообеспеченности на территории Крымского полуострова, согласно которой выделено 5 классов. Полученные разработки могут служить основой для агроэкологической оптимизации сортового состава и терруарной специализации виноградарско-винодельческой отрасли Республики Крым.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Central Scientific Agricultural Library - Russian Federation

2022

Matsishina, N.V. | Ermak, M.V. | Fisenko, P.V. | Volkov, D.I.

На юге Дальнего Востока России ощутимый вред растениям семейства Пасленовых (Solanaceae) наносит картофельная коровка Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata. Цель исследования – изучение продолжительности стадий онтогенеза картофельной коровки при различных температурах, а также активности ее питания в зависимости от плотности популяции. Наблюдения по влиянию температуры воздуха на рост и развитие картофельной коровки проводили путем ежедневной фиксации с последовательным анализом продолжительности развития. Яйца помещали в чашки Петри, ежедневно фиксировали появление личинок. Отродившихся личинок помещали в стеклянные изоляторы объемом 1 по 10 штук. Личинок выкармливали на картофеле сорта Смак. Для оценки активности питания использовали величину съеденной площади листьев. Перед началом кормления, через 10 дней и в конце опыта взвешивали имаго на аналитических весах. После предварительного отбора имаго размещали в чашках Петри, плотность популяции регулировалась размещением в чашки Петри различного количества питающихся особей с учетом их пола. Контролем служила серия с изолированным размещением самок. Установлено, что для развития картофельной коровки на разных стадиях онтогенеза благоприятны различные температуры. Так, для эмбриональной стадии развития картофельной коровки благоприятна температура воздуха 21-25 град. С. При этой температуре было отмечено наиболее быстрое протекание стадии, потребовалось 3,0±0,11 – 5,6±0,06 сут. Для стадии личинки оптимальна температура 17-20 град. С, при которой доля (%) выживших личинок была наибольшей (77,3±0,21 - 87,6±0,09), но продолжительность стадии увеличилась в среднем на 3-4 сут (19,6±0,06 - 13,6±0,07). Для стадии куколки наиболее благоприятна температура воздуха 21-25 град. С, при которой продолжительность была 8,6±0,09 – 14,0±0,09 сут, а выживаемость 55,1±0,11 – 73,4±0,05%. При температуре 21-25 град. С прохождение онтогенеза от яйца до имаго заняло 28,9±0,05 сут и было минимальным по продолжительности. | The potato ladybug Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata causes significant damage to plants of Solanaceae family in the south of the Far East. The effect of air temperature on the duration of ontogenesis stages and offspring mortality, as well as the dependence of nutrition activity on population density were studied. Observations of the temperature influence on the potato ladybug rearing were carried out by the daily fixing method. Eggs were placed in Petri dishes and emergence of larvae was recorded daily. The larvae were fed on potato plants of 'Smak' variety. Feeding activity was estimated from the eaten leaf area. Eaten area was assessed daily for 20-25 days in quadruple replications. Beetle individuals were weighed on scales before feeding, ten days later, and at the end of the experiment. After pre-selection, imago were placed in Petri dishes in predetermined number and gender rate. In the control series, females were placed without males. It was found that different temperatures are favorable for the development of the potato ladybug at differing ontogenesis stages. During an embryonic stage, the temperature of 21-25 deg. С is most favorable. In such condition, the stage was the fastest, it lasted 3.0±0.11 - 5.6±0.06 days. For the larval, the optimum temperature was 17-20 deg. C, at which the percentage of surviving was greatest (77.3±0.21 to 87.6±0.09), but stage duration increased by 3-4 days (19.6±0.06 to 13.6±0.07). For the pupas, the most favorable temperature was 21-25 deg. С, at which the stage duration was 8.6±0.9 - 14.0±0.09 days, and the survival rate was 55.1±0.11 - 73.4±0.05%. At 21-25 deg. C, the ontogenesis transition from egg to adult individuals took 28.9 ± 0.05 days, and it was minimal duration observed.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Central Scientific Agricultural Library - Russian Federation

2022

Suphachai Nuanualsuwan | Tapanut Songkasupa | Prakit Boonpornprasert | Nutthakarn Suwankitwat | Walaiporn Lohlamoh | Chackrit Nuengjamnong

Abstract Background African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal contagious disease affecting both domestic pigs and wild boars. Even though it is a non-zoonotic disease, ASF causes economic loss in swine industries across continents. ASF control and eradication are almost impossible since effective vaccines and direct antiviral treatment are not available. The persistence of ASFV on fomites plays an important role in the indirect transmission of ASFV to pigs encountering ASFV-contaminated fomites. ASFV persistence on porous and non-porous fomites (glass, metal, rubber, and cellulose paper) at different environmental temperatures was determined. The persistence of ASFV of fomites was determined by the rate of ASFV inactivation in terms of D T, or the time required to reduce ASFV per 1 log at each selected environmental temperature (T). D T is used to compare the persistence of ASFV on the fomites. Results The mean D 25, D 33, and D 42, of dried infectious ASFV on glass, metal, rubber, and paper were in the ranges 1.42–2.42, 0.72–1.94, and 0.07–0.23 days, respectively. The multiple D T were used to develop a D T model to predict the D T for some other environmental temperatures. The D T models to predict the persistence of dried infectious ASFV on glass, metal, rubber, and paper are log D T = (− T/21.51) + 1.34, log D T = (− T/20.42) + 1.47, log D T = (− T/14.91) + 2.03, and log D T = (− T/10.91) + 2.84, respectively. A spreadsheet as a quick and handy tool predicting the persistence time of dried infectious ASFV on fomites at various environmental temperatures based on these D T models is available for public to download. Conclusion Persistence of dried infectious ASFV on paper are significantly the longest at lower environmental temperatures whereas that of dried infectious ASFV on paper is significantly the shortest at higher environmental temperature.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

Directory of Open Access Journals - Sweden

2021

Fernandez, Maria Emilia | Labaque, Maria Carla | Orso, Gabriel | Marin, Raúl Hector | Kembro, Jackelyn Melissa

Organisms have evolved endogenous timing systems that enable them to predict temporal changes and to coordinate complex internal processes. However, temporal dynamics of biological responses are most often ignored in fields such as dietary supplementation of farm animals exposed to artificial environmental challenges. Herein, we hypothesized that the potential for thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) to alleviate physiological and behavioral consequences of heat stress is time-dependent on both long-term (i.e. weeks) and short-term (i.e. within day) time scales. First, during 3-weeks adult female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were exposed daily to 9h of increased environmental temperature (34.2 ± 0.1 °C). Controls remained at standard temperatures (23.6 ± 0.1 °C). Simultaneously, half received thymol dietary supplementation and the other half a control basal diet. On day 4, both thymol and heat stress decreased body weight and feed intake respect to controls (basal, standard temperature). After three weeks, feed intake recovered for thymol groups. Therefore, we performed a second experiment focused on the critical first week of treatment, sampling variables three times a day. The beneficial effects of thymol supplementation were mainly observed during the morning, including prevention of high respiratory rates and reduction in the weight of droppings induced by heat stress, and increased walking under both temperatures. In summary, thymol's potential for alleviating heat stress consequences is time-dependent, and can be conceived as an emergent property resulting from the complex interplay between the dynamics of the biological response to thymol and heat stress. Findings highlight the importance of considering time-related factors when developing supplementation protocols to mitigate environmental challenges.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

National Agricultural Library - United States of America

2021

Li, Jiao | Fang, Liu | Liang, Xu-Fang | Guo, Wenjie | Lv, Liyuan | Li, Ling

The disease outbreak of Chinese perch poses a severe threat to aquaculture industry. To explore the relationship between microbial communities in farming water and those in the intestine, and to further reveal the relationship between fish disease and environmental microbes (internal and external environments), 16S rRNA were sequenced. Although the composition and abundance of bacterial phyla varied with month in water samples, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were always the top 2 dominant phyla. Furthermore, most dominant genera in water were not significantly affected by environmental factors and seasonal changes, but there were specific dominant genera for each month. Besides, most dominant genera in water were not pathogenic bacteria. The Chinese perch ponds often breakout disease in September. 16S rRNA of the gut samples from the diseased and healthy Chinese perch were sequenced. In September, high water temperature and high contents of nitrite and ammonia-N might be environmental factors causing the disease outbreak of Chinese perch. The gut samples presented similarity in the phylum categories between the diseased and healthy Chinese perch, but they exhibited different abundances of microbiota at phylum level. Fusobacteria (44 %) exhibited the highest abundance in diseased Chinese perch, whereas Firmicutes (58 %) displayed the highest abundance in healthy Chinese perch. In addition, Lactococcus were dominant genus in September water samples and gut samples from diseased fish, which might be the pathogenic bacteria to infect the Chinese perch. Our findings provide novel information for improving microbial communities in aquaculture environments.

Show more [+]

Less [-]

National Agricultural Library - United States of America