ABSTRACT Maternal obesity is a risk factor for both maternal and fetal health, and resveratrol (RES) has shown protective effect against adverse pregnancy outcomes in our previous studies. Here, we found that high‐fat diet (HFD) decreased the litter weight (p < 0.05), fetal average weight (p < 0.01), and placenta efficiency (p < 0.01), with increased maternal body weight (p < 0.0001), placental and abdominal lipid accumulation, which were reversed by a supplementation of RES. HFD decreased the angiogenesis in placenta by suppressing the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), whereas RES reversed the expression of phosphorylation phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (p‐PI3K), phosphorylation protein kinase B (p‐PKB/p‐AKT), and phosphorylation mammalian target of rapamycin (p‐mTOR) (p < 0.05). In vitro cell model confirmed that PI3K inhibitor suppressed the tube formation in embryonic trophoblast cells, and RES can activate PI3K by directly binding to the kinase. These findings demonstrated that maternal obesity impairs placenta angiogenesis, which can be rescued by RES through PI3K phosphorylation.

Boar semen quality is a significant factor affecting reproductive efficiency in modern farms, and resveratrol (RES) has the potential to reduce mouse sperm mortality in our previous studies. Here, we found that dietary supplementation of RES (500 mg/kg) delayed the decline in semen quality by increasing sperm motility and survivability in aging boars (P < 0.01, n = 6) by a 12-wk trial. RES increased the testosterone level and total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01), while decreasing the cortisol (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA, P < 0.01) in serum. Immunofluorescence assay and electron microscope scanning revealed that RES reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, and MDA (P < 0.01) to alleviate oxidative damage in semen. Analysis of mitochondrial function-related genes indicated that RES improved mitochondrial structural integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.01) by increasing the mRNA expression of PGC-1α, TFB1M, and TFB2M (P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that RES can enhance semen quality and antioxidant capacity potentially through improving sperm mitochondrial function in aging boars.

Gut microbiota disruption during the weaning process is a significant factor of intestinal injury. Our previous studies have suggested that Prevotella may play a critical role in causing intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to clarify the impact of Prevotella copri on intestinal injury and the protecting effect by dihydroquercetin (DHQ) in weaned piglets. A total of 108 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets, aged 21 d, were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates and 6 piglets per replicate. The piglets were the following diets for 28 d: 1) a basal diet, 2) basal diet containing 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg P. copri, 3) basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg P. copri and 100 mg/kg DHQ. Results showed that P. copri decreased significantly the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.001), which was recovered by supplementation of DHQ with decreased serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-8 but increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and IL-10 in weaned piglets (P < 0.001). Moreover, DHQ increased the expression of tight junction proteins (claudin-2, occludin and tight junction protein zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) in ileum (P < 0.001). Intestinal flora analysis showed that P. copri increased the relative abundance of Prevotella (P = 0.026) and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group (P < 0.001), but decreased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (P < 0.001), while supplementation of DHQ reduced the relative abundance of Prevotella (P = 0.026). Metabolomics results indicated that P. copri enhanced the content of 12-OH bile acid, but decreased the contents of glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) (P < 0.001), while DHQ reduced the 12-OH bile acid content (P < 0.001) and increased the GDCA content (P = 0.020). In summary, P. copri caused intestinal injury and reduced growth performance in weaned piglets, and DHQ showed a protective effect by modulating gut microbiota and bile acids metabolism.

Excessive fat deposition is considered as an important factor impairing reproductive performance in sows, and resveratrol (RES) has shown a hypolipidemic effect in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the impact of fat deposition on reproductive performance of Shaziling sows, and further clarify the intervention by RES. Fifty-six lard-type Shaziling sows at 75 d of gestation (G75d) were divided into four groups (n = 14) based on backfat thickness (BT): backfat thickness between 20 to 24 mm (NBT) and backfat thickness between 26 to 30 mm (HBT). The NBT-CTL and HBT-CTL groups were fed a basal diet, while NBT-RES and HBT-RES were fed a diet containing 500 mg/kg RES until delivery. Results showed that HBT sows had lower total litter weight (P = 0.008), average weight of total births (P < 0.001), live litter weight (P < 0.001), average weight of live birth (P < 0.001), and placental efficiency (P = 0.013), but higher average process of farrowing (P < 0.001) and stillbirth (P = 0.005), while RES recovered these indicators significantly. In addition, HBT sows showed lower placental vascular density with decreased fluorescence intensity of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31; P = 0.006) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF; P = 0.001), and expression of nutrient transport genes including sodium coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SNAT1; P = 0.029), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36; P = 0.004). RES increased nutrient transport genes including glucose transporter protein 3 (GLUT3; P < 0.001), GLUT4 (P = 0.014), cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT-1; P = 0.005), SNAT2 (P = 0.015), and plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm; P = 0.009), but increased placental vascular density by increasing the expression of placental angiogenesis (FGF; P = 0.013), placental growth factor (PlGF; P < 0.001) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A; P = 0.013) in placenta. Additionally, RES recovered the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K; P < 0.001), protein kinase B (AKT; P < 0.001), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; P < 0.001) in placenta of HBT sows. These findings suggest that excessive fat deposition can impair reproductive performance, which is rescued by RES by increasing the expression of placental nutrient transport and angiogenesis genes in lard-type Shaziling sows, and PI3K may play an important role.

This study elucidates the mechanism of obesity-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and further investigates the effect of resveratrol on reproductive performance in a short- or long-term HFD-induced obese mouse model.

Background Comprehending the patterns of alteration in boar semen quality and identifying effective nutritional interventions are crucial for enhancing the productivity of commercial pig systems. This study aimed to examine the alteration in semen quality in boars, and assess the impact of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on semen quality during the phase of declining semen quality. Methods In Exp. 1, a total of 38 Pig Improvement Company (PIC) boars were selected and their semen quality data were recorded from the age of 9 to 37 months. In Exp. 2, 18 PIC boars (28 months old) were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 6) and fed a basal diet, a basal diet containing 500 or 1,000 mg/kg PCA, respectively. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Results The semen volume, concentration, and total number of spermatozoa in boars exhibited an increase from 9 to 19 months old and showed a significant linear decreased trend in 28, 24, and 22 months old. Sperm motility displayed an upward trajectory, reaching its peak at 20 months of age, and showed a significant linear decreased trend at 20 months old. Dietary supplementation of PCA demonstrated an effect to mitigate the decrease in semen volume, concentration of spermatozoa, total number of spermatozoa (P > 0.05), and significantly increased the sperm motility (P < 0.05). Moreover, supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg PCA significantly increased the sperm viability (P < 0.05). Analysis on cellular signaling pathways revealed that PCA restored serum testosterone levels and alleviated oxidative damage by upregulating the expression of HO-1, SOD2, and NQO1 in testicular stromal cells. Notably, PCA can enhance phosphorylation by selectively binding to AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein, thereby improving sperm mitochondrial function and augmenting sperm motility via PGC-1/Nrf1. Conclusions These data elucidated the pattern of semen quality variation in boars within the age range of 9 to 37 months old, and PCA has the potential to be a natural antioxidant to enhance sperm quality through modulation of the AMPK/PGC-1/Nrf1 signaling pathway.

Rosemary extracts have been widely used as feed additives in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) and ursolic acid (UA), the main active components of rosemary, on growth performance, meat quality and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. A total of 72 finishing pigs (Landrace; initial age of 150 d) were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 8 replicates of 3 pigs each, and fed a basal diet or diet containing 500 mg/kg of RA or UA. The results showed that dietary supplementation of RA or UA had no significant effect on the growth performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs (P > 0.05). However, both RA and UA significantly increased the triglyceride (TG) level in soleus muscle (P < 0.001). Supplementation of RA increased the expression of genes related to lipogenesis and transport including fatty acid synthase (FAS) (P < 0.001), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) (P < 0.001) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (P < 0.05), while UA increased the expression of fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), a gene related to lipid uptake (P < 0.05). However, RA reduced the expression of adipogenesis-related gene acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase α (ACCα) (P < 0.01). Characterization of cecal microbiota indicated that RA increased the microbial richness (chao 1, P < 0.001) and diversity (observed species, P < 0.01). Further analysis of the genera revealed that RA increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides and g-UCG-005 (P < 0.05), and UA enriched Prevotella (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that g-UCG-005 was positively correlated with the expression of FAS, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B (CPT1B), SREBP1c and PPARγ (P < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of RA or UA may increase fat deposition in muscle of finishing pigs by regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

Placental function is vital to the fetal growth of sows, and resveratrol (RES) can protect cells against oxidative stress, which is one of the major factors impairing placental function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary resveratrol (RES) on placental function and reproductive performance during late pregnancy in a sow model from the aspects of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and gut microbiota. A total of 26 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 13) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 200 mg/kg of resveratrol from day 85 of gestation until parturition. The dietary supplementation of RES increased the litter weight at parturition by 12.53% (p = 0.145), with ameliorated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), increased triglyceride (TG) levels, and decreased interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels in serum (p < 0.05). Moreover, resveratrol increased the placental vascular density (p < 0.05) with the enhanced expression of nutrient transporter genes (SLC2A1 and SLC2A3) and antioxidant genes, such as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) but declined the expression of inflammatory genes, such as IL-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.05). The characterization of the fecal microbiota revealed that resveratrol decreased the relative abundance of the Christensensllaceae R-7 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008 (p < 0.05), which had a positive linear correlation with the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.05), but had a negative linear correlation with the expression of SOD2, HO-1, SLC2A1, and SCL2A3 genes (p < 0.05). These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation with resveratrol can improve placental function with ameliorated insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation potentially by regulating Ruminococcaceae UCG-008 and the Christensensllaceae R-7 group in sows.

As the precursor of vitamin A, β-carotene has a positive effect on reproductive performance. Our previous study has shown that β-carotene can increase antioxidant enzyme activity potentially through regulating gut microbiota in pregnant sows. This study aimed to clarify the effect of β-carotene on reproductive performance and postpartum uterine recovery from the aspect of inflammation and gut microbiota by using a mouse model. Twenty-seven 6 weeks old female Kunming mice were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=9), and fed with a diet containing 0, 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene, respectively. The results showed that dietary supplementation of β-carotene reduced postpartum uterine hyperemia and uterine mass index (P<0.05), improved intestinal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio, decreased serum TNF-α and IL-4 concentration (P<0.05), while no differences were observed in litter size and litter weight among three treatments. Characterization of gut microbiota revealed that β-carotene up-regulated the relative abundance of genera Akkermansia, Candidatus Stoquefichus and Faecalibaculum, but down-regulated the relative abundance of Alloprevotella and Helicobacter. Correlation analysis revealed that Akkermansia was negatively correlated with the IL-4 concentration, while Candidatus Stoquefichus and Faecalibaculum had a negative linear correlation with both TNF-α and IL-4 concentration. On the other hand, Alloprevotella was positively correlated with the TNF-α, and Helicobacter had a positive correlation with both TNF-α and IL-4 concentration. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene contributes to postpartum uterine recovery by decreasing postpartum uterine hemorrhage and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines potentially through modulating gut microbiota.

β-胡萝卜素是维生素A的合成前体,在动物体内还发挥其独立于维生素A的抗氧化、抗炎和免疫调节等生理功效.β-胡萝卜素具有促进动物机体生长、降低饲养成本及提高动物产品价值等作用.本文阐述了β-胡萝卜素的理化特性、生产制备来源、体内的吸收代谢途径及其主要的生理功能,总结归纳了近10年来β-胡萝卜素在畜禽养殖中的研究和应用现状,为促进β-胡萝卜素在畜禽养殖中的应用提供参考.

1 前言 母猪体况对猪场生产效益有重要的意义.母猪体况过瘦,会导致断奶至配种间隔延长并降低产仔数;母猪体况过肥,会造成因肢蹄病淘汰的母猪比例升高,同时难产和死胎的比例也会升高.大量的研究表明,妊娠期的饲喂水平对母猪的体况有决定性作用.本研究通过商业母猪场中2479胎的分娩数据,对比分析了妊娠期使用固定饲喂水平和根据体况动态调整饲喂水平分别带来的生产成绩以及综合经济效益.

试验旨在探究妊娠后期饲粮中添加β-胡萝卜素对母猪初乳、常乳成分及肠道菌群的影响,并揭示肠道菌群与乳成分之间的相关性.选取胎次相近的妊娠后期二元杂交母猪48头,随机分为3组,每组16个重复,分别饲喂添加0、30和90 mg/kgβ-胡萝卜素的饲粮,试验从妊娠第90天开始到分娩后第14天结束.分娩当天采集母猪初乳和粪便样品,哺乳第14天采集母猪常乳样品.对初乳中免疫球蛋白(Ig)水平以及常乳中乳成分进行测定,粪便样品通过16S rRNA测序技术进行分析.结果显示:与对照组相比,饲粮添加β-胡萝卜素有提高母猪初乳中IgM的趋势(P=0.173),降低IgG的趋势(P=0.155);添加30 mg/kgβ-胡萝卜素显著提高了常乳中乳蛋白和尿素氮含量(P<0.05),同时降低了乳糖含量(P<0.05),而添加90 mg/kgβ-胡萝卜素降低了常乳中总固体含量(P<0.05).对粪便菌群进行分析发现,β-胡萝卜素上调了Eubacterium brachy group、Ruminococcaceae UCG009、Ruminococcaceae UCG014等菌群的丰度,下调了Candidatus Soleaferrea、Coprococcus 3、Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group等菌群的丰度.相关性分析表明,Coprococcus 3与初乳中IgM水平呈显著负相关(P<0.05),Fibrobacter与初乳中IgG、IgM水平呈显著正相关(P<0.05);Lachnospiraceae NK4B4与常乳中乳蛋白和总固体含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05);Ruminococcaceae UCG009与初乳中IgG水平呈显著负相关(P<0.05).以上结果表明,β-胡萝卜素可通过调节肠道菌群影响母猪初乳及常乳的成分组成.

Recent evidences suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating physiological and metabolic activities of pregnant sows, and β-carotene has a potentially positive effect on reproduction, but the impact of β-carotene on gut microbiota in pregnant sows remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanisms of β-carotene on the reproductive performance of sows from the aspect of gut microbiota. A total of 48 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into three groups ( n = 16) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 30 or 90 mg/kg of β-carotene from day 90 of gestation until parturition. Dietary supplementation of 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the number of live birth to 11.82 ± 1.54 and 12.29 ± 2.09, respectively, while the control group was 11.00 ± 1.41 ( P = 0.201). Moreover, β-carotene increased significantly the serum nitric oxide (NO) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity ( P < 0.05). Characterization of fecal microbiota revealed that 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the diversity of the gut flora ( P < 0.05). In particular, β-carotene decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes including Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, but enriched Proteobacteria including Bilophila and Sutterella , and Actinobacteria including Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium 1 which are related to NO synthesis. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and NO, an important vasodilator to promote the neonatal blood circulation, through regulating gut microbiota in sows.

牛至油是从天然植物牛至中提取而来的一种挥发油,具有抗炎、抗氧化等作用,是一种良好的抗生素的替代物.文章主要从牛至油的理化性质及成分、生理功能及作用机理,以及其在猪、禽生产中的应用进展进行论述,为牛至油的进一步开发利用提供参考.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation with Clostridium butyric on growth performance,fecal micro-organism and blood biochemical parameters of piglets during nursery period. 224 healthy (PIC) weaned piglets at 30~32 days of age [the average body weight (8.5+0.50)kg] were selected and divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group and 14 piglets per replicate.The control group was fed with no anti-feed diet .The experimental group were replaced with 0 %,50 %,100 % antibiotics (kanamycin 75 mg/kg + baccatin 40 mg/kg + kitasamycin 50 mg/kg) respectively.The results showed that:(1)There was no significant difference in growth performance among the groups(P＞0.05),but the diarrhea rate decreased linearly ((P=0.04).(2)There was no significant difference between total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB)(P＞0.05),but the serum urea nitrogen had a significant difference (P<0.05).The levels of serum urine nitrogen in the 50% substitution group were 51.19% and 51.19% higher than those in the control group and 100% group respectively (P<0.05).(3)There were significant differences in fecal microbial flora structure among the three groups (P<0.05).The Salmonella decreased in the 100% substitution group compared with the non-resistant group 79.11%(P<0.01).The number of Escherichia coli in the non-resistant group was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P < 0.01). (4)The Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens in 50% and 100% replacement groups,the Escherichia coli in 100% replacement group decreased continuously,and the difference was extremely significant (P<0.01).Using compound probiotics instead of 50% antibiotics could effectively reduce the feed to meat ratio,but may increase the kidney burden.In conclusion,Clostridium butyrate combined with probiotics could be used to replace antibiotics in large-scale pig production,and 100% was a better alternative.

试验旨在探究包被乳酸菌与腐植酸钠对保育猪饲粮高浓度氧化锌的替代效果.选择胎次相同、体重为(9.1±0.5)kg的健康PIC系小猪180头,随机分成高锌对照组(3000 mg/kg氧化锌)、包被乳酸菌替代组(100 mg/kg氧化锌+0.1%包被乳酸菌)、腐植酸钠替代组(100 mg/kg氧化锌+0.4%腐植酸钠),每组4个重复,每个重复15头.结果表明:1)高锌对照组比包被乳酸菌替代组末均重、平均日采食量与平均日增重分别高出4.7%、14.08%及7.2%,但无显著差异(P>0.05).高锌对照组平均日增重及平均日采食量分别比腐植酸钠替代组高出92.4%和29%,存在显著差异(P<0.05).2)包被乳酸菌替代组腹泻频率比高锌对照组、腐植酸钠替代组分别低30.6%、83.9%.从腹泻指数可以看出,腐植酸钠替代组腹泻最为严重,包被乳酸菌替代组次之,高锌对照组腹泻程度较轻.综上所述,在饲料中添加0.4%的腐植酸钠不能替代氧化锌,但0.1%包被乳酸菌能有效替代部分氧化锌.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary oligo-chitosan on reproduction perform-ance, lactation performance and plasma biochemical parameters of sows.Twenty-four healthy female Yorkshire sows with similar parity, body weight and expected date of childbirth were assigned into 3 groups with 8 repli-cates per group and 1 sow per replicate.Sows in the control group were fed the basal diet, and the others in the experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 g/t oligo-chitosan, re-spectively.The experiment lasted from the 85th day of pregnancy to the 21st day after delivery.The results showed as follows: 1 ) compared with the control group, dietary oligo-chitosan significantly increased the healthy piglets and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of lactation of sows (P<0.05), significantly decreased the born process time of sows ( P<0.05 ) , and improved constipation and decreased backfat thickness loss of sows to a certain extent.The birth litter weight of piglets in experimental groupⅠwas significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05) , and the total milk yield during lactation of sows in experimental groupⅡwas significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).2) Compared with the control group, the milk fat content in colostrum of sows in experimental groupsⅠandⅡwas significantly increased ( P<0.05) , and the contents of urea nitrogen ( UN) in colostrum and arginine, total amino acids and limiting amino acids in milk in experimental group Ⅰ were significantly increased ( P<0.05) .3) The activity of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase ( GPT) in plasma of sows in experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05), and the activities of alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) and the contents of total protein ( TP) , albumin ( ALB) , UN, triglyceride ( TG) , total cholesterol ( CHO) , high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) and low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) in plasma had no significant differences among all groups ( P>0.05 ) .In conclusion, dietary oligo-chitosan can promote the reproduction performance and lactation performance of sows.According to the results of this study, the optimum dosage of oligo-chitosan in diet of sow is 50 g/t.

Bacillus natt belonged to Bacillus,Bacillaceae,as a kind of probiotic could be used in medicine,food and feed.Astragalus polysaccharide(APS),as an important natural ingredients,were consist with glucose,galactose,arabinose,and so on.Studies results showed that Bacillusnattoand APS played a role in enhancing animal immunity,improving animal performance,and promotting the role of feeding effect.A large number of domestic and foreign literatures were readed,the application of Bacillus natto and APS in animal production were reviewed in this article,and the application prospect of both combined use in animal production were outlooked.

试验选用健康的21日龄杜×大×长三元杂交断奶仔猪144头,随机分为3个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复12头,在断奶后3周分别在日粮中添加氧化锌0.3%(对照组)、康乐锌0.26%和0.3%组.结果表明,与对照组相比,添加康乐锌0.26%和0.3%组全期仔猪日增重分别提高10.17%和17.2%(P<0.05),采食量增加4.6%和5%,料肉比改善4.66%和11.1%.断奶后整个试验期内,康乐锌0.26%组的腹泻率和腹泻指数高于氧化锌组(P<0.05),康乐锌0.3%组则没有显著差异(P>0.05).

越来越多的研究证实维生素A与动物机体免疫功能密切相关。该文就维生素A对免疫器官、B细胞、T细胞及体液免疫的作用作一综述。