Fibres from a variety of sources are a common constituent of pig feeds. They provide a means to utilise locallyproduced plant materials which are often a by-product of the food or drink industry. The value of a high f...Fibres from a variety of sources are a common constituent of pig feeds. They provide a means to utilise locallyproduced plant materials which are often a by-product of the food or drink industry. The value of a high fibre diet in terms of producing satiety has long been recognised. However the addition of fibre can reduce feed intake, which is clearly detrimental during stages of the production cycle when nutrient needs are high, for example in growing piglets and during lactation. More recently, fibre has been found to promote novel benefits to pig production systems,particularly given the reduction in antimicrobial use world-wide, concern for the welfare of animals fed a restricted diet and the need to ensure that such systems are more environmentally friendly. For example, inclusion of dietary fibre can alter the gut microbiota in ways that could reduce the need for antibiotics, while controlled addition of certain fibre types may reduce nitrogen losses into the environment and so reduce the environmental cost of pig production.Of particular potential value is the opportunity to use crude fibre concentrates as ’functional’ feed additives to improve young pig growth and welfare. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for the use of high fibre diets is to improve the reproductive efficiency of pigs. Increased dietary fibre before mating improves oocyte maturation, prenatal survival and litter size; providing a consumer-acceptable means of increasing the amount of saleable meat produced per sow. The mechanisms responsible for these beneficial effects remain to be elucidated. However, changes in plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of key hormones and metabolites, as well as effects of the hypothalamic satiety centre on gonadotrophin secretion and epigenetic effects are strong candidates.展开更多
Aims:The mucopolysaccharidoses(MPS)are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterised by accumulation of glycosaminoglycans within multiple organ systems.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severit...Aims:The mucopolysaccharidoses(MPS)are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterised by accumulation of glycosaminoglycans within multiple organ systems.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of ocular complications in patients with MPS.Methods:Clinical ophthalmic features and electrodiagnostic results of 50 patients with a diagnosis of MPS were retrospectively reviewed.Results:A total of 79% of MPS IH patients had a visual acuity of less than 6/12 equivalent in their better eye,compared to 44% of MPS IH/S and 25% of MPS VI patients.In total,16% of MPS IH and 25% of MPS IH/S had severe corneal opacification,compared to 38% of MPS VI patients.16% of MPS IH patients had optic atrophy;21% of MPS VI patients had mild disc swelling,29% had markedly swollen discs,and 14% had optic atrophy.One patient with MPS IH,one with MPS IH/S and six with MPS VI had ocular hypertension.One MPS VI patient had glaucoma that required topical therapy.Nine patients with MPS IH had electrodiagnostic evidence of retinopathy,as did one MPS VI patient.Conclusions:Ocular complications causing significant reduction in vision are common in MPS.The majority of MPS I and MPS VI patients have corneal opacification,which can lead to difficulties in diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma,optic disc changes,and retinopathy.展开更多
Emerging evidence suggests an important role of vitamin D in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy,and the regulation of foetal growth across mammalian species.However,the temporal changes in maternal vitamin...Emerging evidence suggests an important role of vitamin D in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy,and the regulation of foetal growth across mammalian species.However,the temporal changes in maternal vitamin D sta-tus throughout gestation in the pig and the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and litter characteristics of interest across gestation remain poorly understood and under-investigated.The abundance of 25(OH)D in maternal plasma was quantified by HPLC–MS/MS at gestational days(GD)18,30,45,60 and 90(n=5–11 gilts/GD).Maternal plasma 25(OH)D concentrations significantly increased between GD18 and GD30(P<0.05).The relationship between maternal vitamin D metabolite concentrations and litter characteristics of interest including gilt weight,ovulation rate,mean litter weight,number of live foetuses,percentage prenatal survival,and sex ratio of the litter was assessed.Maternal 25(OH)D(P=0.059)concentrations tended to be positively associated with percentage prenatal survival on GD60.On GD90,maternal 25(OH)D(P<0.05)concentrations were inversely associated with gilt weight.Maternal plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with the percentage of male foetuses in the litter on GD90(P<0.05).This study has provided novel insights into temporal changes in maternal vitamin D status throughout ges-tation and the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and the economically important litter characteristics of gilt weight,percentage prenatal survival and percentage of male foetuses in the litter.Improving the understanding of the role of vitamin D across important developmental timepoints in relation to foetal growth is essential to improve reproductive success in livestock species.展开更多
Agroforestry systems have the potential to provide year-long income opportunities via the integrated forage or crop, timber, and livestock. Legumes are an attractive alternative option during the growing season when m...Agroforestry systems have the potential to provide year-long income opportunities via the integrated forage or crop, timber, and livestock. Legumes are an attractive alternative option during the growing season when more traditional forages may not be as productive. The objective of this study was to test the establishment of arrowleaf and white clover grown under varying pine tree alley widths. In 2011, existing forage was removed in 15-yr old loblolly pine tree row alleys of different widths (3.7, 4.9, 7.3, and 9.8 m), including an open area. Arrowleaf, as an annual, was replanted in 2012. Seedlings were counted twice/year, while dry matter was measured three times/year. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured in all alley widths to compare light penetration through the canopy. Hot and dry conditions occurred throughout 2012, affecting results. In 2012 and 2013, the greatest PAR for most treatments was observed in June. Seedling counts for all treatments were greatest immediately after establishment, and gradually declined throughout the course of the study. Dry matter yields increased throughout the growing season, and were greatest in arrowleaf clover in the open area on all measurement dates;however, increased weed pressure and repeated flooding affected yields. This study demonstrated that clover establishment in shady wooded areas is possible, but only under suitable environmental conditions.展开更多
Background:Impaired reproductive performance is the largest contributing factor for the removal of boars from commercial systems.Intrauterine growth restricted piglets represent 25%of the total number of piglets born ...Background:Impaired reproductive performance is the largest contributing factor for the removal of boars from commercial systems.Intrauterine growth restricted piglets represent 25%of the total number of piglets born and have impaired reproductive performance.This study aimed to improve the understanding of temporal changes in testicular gene expression during testes development in fetuses of different size.The lightest and closest to mean litter weight(CTMLW)male Large White×Landrace littermates were collected at gestational days(GD)45,60 and 90(n=5-6 litters/GD).Results:Testes weight and testes weight as a percentage of fetal weight were not associated with fetal size at GD60 or 90.Fetal plasma testosterone was not associated with fetal size at GD90.There was no association between fetal size and seminiferous tubule area and number,number of germ or Sertoli cells per tubule.The lightest fetuses tended to have wider seminiferous tubules compared to the CTMLW fetuses at GD90(P=0.077).The testicular expression of KI67(P≤0.01)and BAX:BCL2 ratio(P=0.058)mRNAs decreased as gestation progressed.Greater SPP1 mRNA expression was observed at GD60 when compared with GD45 and 90(P≤0.05).Lower expression of DMRT1 and SPP1(P<0.01)mRNAs was observed in testes associated with the lightest fetuses compared to the CTMLW fetuses at GD90.Conclusions:These findings provide novel insights into the expression profiles of genes associated with testicular development and function.Further,these data suggest that programming of reproductive potential in IUGR boars occurs late in gestation,providing a platform for further mechanistic investigation.展开更多
文摘Fibres from a variety of sources are a common constituent of pig feeds. They provide a means to utilise locallyproduced plant materials which are often a by-product of the food or drink industry. The value of a high fibre diet in terms of producing satiety has long been recognised. However the addition of fibre can reduce feed intake, which is clearly detrimental during stages of the production cycle when nutrient needs are high, for example in growing piglets and during lactation. More recently, fibre has been found to promote novel benefits to pig production systems,particularly given the reduction in antimicrobial use world-wide, concern for the welfare of animals fed a restricted diet and the need to ensure that such systems are more environmentally friendly. For example, inclusion of dietary fibre can alter the gut microbiota in ways that could reduce the need for antibiotics, while controlled addition of certain fibre types may reduce nitrogen losses into the environment and so reduce the environmental cost of pig production.Of particular potential value is the opportunity to use crude fibre concentrates as ’functional’ feed additives to improve young pig growth and welfare. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for the use of high fibre diets is to improve the reproductive efficiency of pigs. Increased dietary fibre before mating improves oocyte maturation, prenatal survival and litter size; providing a consumer-acceptable means of increasing the amount of saleable meat produced per sow. The mechanisms responsible for these beneficial effects remain to be elucidated. However, changes in plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of key hormones and metabolites, as well as effects of the hypothalamic satiety centre on gonadotrophin secretion and epigenetic effects are strong candidates.
文摘Aims:The mucopolysaccharidoses(MPS)are a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterised by accumulation of glycosaminoglycans within multiple organ systems.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of ocular complications in patients with MPS.Methods:Clinical ophthalmic features and electrodiagnostic results of 50 patients with a diagnosis of MPS were retrospectively reviewed.Results:A total of 79% of MPS IH patients had a visual acuity of less than 6/12 equivalent in their better eye,compared to 44% of MPS IH/S and 25% of MPS VI patients.In total,16% of MPS IH and 25% of MPS IH/S had severe corneal opacification,compared to 38% of MPS VI patients.16% of MPS IH patients had optic atrophy;21% of MPS VI patients had mild disc swelling,29% had markedly swollen discs,and 14% had optic atrophy.One patient with MPS IH,one with MPS IH/S and six with MPS VI had ocular hypertension.One MPS VI patient had glaucoma that required topical therapy.Nine patients with MPS IH had electrodiagnostic evidence of retinopathy,as did one MPS VI patient.Conclusions:Ocular complications causing significant reduction in vision are common in MPS.The majority of MPS I and MPS VI patients have corneal opacification,which can lead to difficulties in diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma,optic disc changes,and retinopathy.
基金The Roslin Institute receives Institute Strategic Grant funding from the BBSRC(BB/J004316/1).
文摘Emerging evidence suggests an important role of vitamin D in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy,and the regulation of foetal growth across mammalian species.However,the temporal changes in maternal vitamin D sta-tus throughout gestation in the pig and the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and litter characteristics of interest across gestation remain poorly understood and under-investigated.The abundance of 25(OH)D in maternal plasma was quantified by HPLC–MS/MS at gestational days(GD)18,30,45,60 and 90(n=5–11 gilts/GD).Maternal plasma 25(OH)D concentrations significantly increased between GD18 and GD30(P<0.05).The relationship between maternal vitamin D metabolite concentrations and litter characteristics of interest including gilt weight,ovulation rate,mean litter weight,number of live foetuses,percentage prenatal survival,and sex ratio of the litter was assessed.Maternal 25(OH)D(P=0.059)concentrations tended to be positively associated with percentage prenatal survival on GD60.On GD90,maternal 25(OH)D(P<0.05)concentrations were inversely associated with gilt weight.Maternal plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with the percentage of male foetuses in the litter on GD90(P<0.05).This study has provided novel insights into temporal changes in maternal vitamin D status throughout ges-tation and the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and the economically important litter characteristics of gilt weight,percentage prenatal survival and percentage of male foetuses in the litter.Improving the understanding of the role of vitamin D across important developmental timepoints in relation to foetal growth is essential to improve reproductive success in livestock species.
文摘Agroforestry systems have the potential to provide year-long income opportunities via the integrated forage or crop, timber, and livestock. Legumes are an attractive alternative option during the growing season when more traditional forages may not be as productive. The objective of this study was to test the establishment of arrowleaf and white clover grown under varying pine tree alley widths. In 2011, existing forage was removed in 15-yr old loblolly pine tree row alleys of different widths (3.7, 4.9, 7.3, and 9.8 m), including an open area. Arrowleaf, as an annual, was replanted in 2012. Seedlings were counted twice/year, while dry matter was measured three times/year. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured in all alley widths to compare light penetration through the canopy. Hot and dry conditions occurred throughout 2012, affecting results. In 2012 and 2013, the greatest PAR for most treatments was observed in June. Seedling counts for all treatments were greatest immediately after establishment, and gradually declined throughout the course of the study. Dry matter yields increased throughout the growing season, and were greatest in arrowleaf clover in the open area on all measurement dates;however, increased weed pressure and repeated flooding affected yields. This study demonstrated that clover establishment in shady wooded areas is possible, but only under suitable environmental conditions.
基金The Roslin Institute receives Institute Strategic Grant funding from the BBSRC(BB/J004316/1)a studentship from the University of Edinburghfunded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID)/Scholarship Program/DOCTORADO BECAS CHILE/2016-72170349.
文摘Background:Impaired reproductive performance is the largest contributing factor for the removal of boars from commercial systems.Intrauterine growth restricted piglets represent 25%of the total number of piglets born and have impaired reproductive performance.This study aimed to improve the understanding of temporal changes in testicular gene expression during testes development in fetuses of different size.The lightest and closest to mean litter weight(CTMLW)male Large White×Landrace littermates were collected at gestational days(GD)45,60 and 90(n=5-6 litters/GD).Results:Testes weight and testes weight as a percentage of fetal weight were not associated with fetal size at GD60 or 90.Fetal plasma testosterone was not associated with fetal size at GD90.There was no association between fetal size and seminiferous tubule area and number,number of germ or Sertoli cells per tubule.The lightest fetuses tended to have wider seminiferous tubules compared to the CTMLW fetuses at GD90(P=0.077).The testicular expression of KI67(P≤0.01)and BAX:BCL2 ratio(P=0.058)mRNAs decreased as gestation progressed.Greater SPP1 mRNA expression was observed at GD60 when compared with GD45 and 90(P≤0.05).Lower expression of DMRT1 and SPP1(P<0.01)mRNAs was observed in testes associated with the lightest fetuses compared to the CTMLW fetuses at GD90.Conclusions:These findings provide novel insights into the expression profiles of genes associated with testicular development and function.Further,these data suggest that programming of reproductive potential in IUGR boars occurs late in gestation,providing a platform for further mechanistic investigation.
