Wpływ odłączenia jagniąt oraz liczebności miotu na wydajność i skład mleka maciorek owcy kołudzkiej

The research was carried out on 38 Kołuda ewes. Two trial milkings were done in June 2013 – the first in the 9th week of lactation, in the final suckling period, and the second in the 11th week of lactation, 14 days after weaning of lambs was complete. Thirty-eight ewes were chosen and randomly assigned to two groups, each consisting of 6 ewes rearing single lambs, 10 with twins and 3 with triplets. Before the first trial milking (I) the ewes were separated from their lambs for 12 hours. Half of the ewes were milked in the presence of lambs (group A) and the other half in the absence of lambs (group B). Samples of milk from the same ewes were taken during the commercial milking period, 2 weeks after the lambs had been weaned (second trial milking – I). There were no differences in milk yield or milk composition between ewes milked in the presence and absence of lambs. Milk of ewes milked 12h after separation from lambs had lower content of total solids (15.05 vs. 16.48 g/100 g, P≤0.01), protein (4.82 vs. 5.18 g/100 g, P≤0.01) and fat (4.84 vs. 6.05 g/100 g, P≤0.01) but higher content of lactose (5.02 vs. 4.78 g/100 g, P≤0.01) compared to milk from the same ewes 2 weeks after the lambs were weaned. The research showed a tendency in ewes rearing twins milked following separation from lambs to produce more milk, with higher content of total solids and fat but lower lactose content, in comparison to ewes rearing single lambs. Milk of ewes rearing triplet lambs did not differ from that of ewes rearing single and twin lambs, with one exception – milk of ewes rearing triplets had lower lactose content than the milk of ewes with single lambs.Badania przeprowadzono na 38 matkach owcy kołudzkiej. Dwa próbne doje owiec przeprowadzono w czerwcu 2013 roku – pierwszy w 9. tygodniu laktacji, w końcowym okresie karmienia jagniąt (12 godzin po odseparowaniu jagniąt od matek) oraz drugi w 11. tygodniu laktacji, 14 dni po odsadzeniu jagniąt od matek. Owce przydzielono losowo do dwóch grup, w każdej po 6 matek odchowujących pojedyncze jagnięta i 13 odchowujących bliźnięta i trojaczki. Połowa owiec była dojona bez obecności swojego potomstwa (grupa A), a pozostałe w obecności jagniąt (grupa B). Próby mleka od tych samych owiec pobrano również w okresie doju towarowego, po upływie dwóch tygodni od definitywnego odsadzenia jagniąt. Nie stwierdzono statystycznie potwierdzonych różnic w wydajności mleka i zawartości jego składników między owcami dojonymi w obecności lub bez obecności jagniąt. Mleko owiec dojonych 12 godzin po odseparowaniu jagniąt zawierało mniej suchej masy (15,05 vs. 16,48 g/100 g, P≤0,01), białka (4,82 vs. 5,18 g/100 g, P≤0,01) i tłuszczu (4,84 vs. 6,05 g/100 g, P≤0,01), ale więcej laktozy (5,02 vs. 4,78 g/100 g, P≤0,01) w porównaniu z mlekiem od tych samych owiec udojonym 2 tygodnie po odsadzeniu jagniąt. Matki odchowujące bliźnięta i dojone po odseparowaniu jagniąt miały wyższą wydajność mleka, suchej masy i tłuszczu, a niższą laktozy oraz niższy stosunek białko/tłuszcz w porównaniu z matkami odchowującymi jedynaki. W okresie po odsadzeniu jagniąt, u dojonych owiec odchowujących bliźnięta, w porównaniu z odchowującymi jedynaki, obserwowano tendencje do wyższej produkcji mleka, o wyższej zawartości suchej masy i tłuszczu, przy niższej zawartości laktozy i niższym stosunku białkowo-tłuszczowym. Mleko owiec odchowujących trojaczki nie różniło się od mleka matek odchowujących jedynaki, z wyjątkiem niższej zawartości laktozy

Genetic parameters for the size of udder cisterns in ewes diagnosed by ultrasonography among breeds: Improved valachian, tsigai, lacaune and their crosses

Udder cistern size in ewes was diagnosed by ultrasonography, using a 3.5MHz linear probe applied laterally from side or ventrally from bottom. The acquired ultrasound images were used to digitally determine the left and right cistern sizes. Both cisterns were scanned approximately 12 hours after the last milking. The area of the left (ALC1; 1933.35 mm2) and right udder cisterns (ARC1; 1970.72 mm2), were determined using from side scans of 378 ewes, obtained at different phases of the lactation cycle), for a total of 1198 measurements. The area of the left (ALC2; 2137.67 mm2) and right udder cisterns (ARC2; 2171.12 mm2) as determined using from bottom scans, from 265 ewes; for a total of 753 measurements. The sums of both cross-sectional areas detected by the method from side (SLRC1) was 3904.07 mm2, and by the method from bottom (SLRC2) was 4308.77 mm2. Primary data were processed using REML methodology and the multiple trait animal model, using the programs REMLF90 and VCE 4.0. In the models, animal was ascribed as a random additive genetic effect and ewe as a permanent effect. Control year (7 or 5 levels), lactation stage (4 levels), breed group (9 levels) and parity (3 levels) were all ascribed as fixed effects. We found higher values of heritability (h2) for the parameters determined by the method from bottom. Heritability coefficients for ALC1 and ALC2 were 0.07 and 0.18 respectively, for ARC1 and ARC2 were 0.17 and 0.2 respectively, and for SLRC1 and SLRC2 were 0.12 and 0.17 respectively. Genetic correlations between ARC1 and ARC1 or ARC2 and ARC2 were high (rg= 0.73 and 0.91). Similarly, the correlations between the size of left and/or right cistern and the total size of both cisterns were high using both ways of scanning (rg= 0.90 to 0.98). In conclusion, measuring the size of the udder cisterns from side is recommended, although measurements from bottom show slightly higher heritability coefficients.La taille de la citerne de lait a été diagnostiquée chez les brebis en utilisant l’échographie et la sonde linéaire de 3,5 MHz de deux façons: La méthode de côté et celle de bas. L’échographie a été faite à partir de chaque scan et ensuite la taille du réservoir à gauche et à droite a été mesurée en utilisant la technique numérique. Les deux citernes ont été scannées environ 12 heures après la dernière traite. L’espace gauche de la citerne (ALC1; 1.933.35 mm2) et celui de droite (ARC1; 1.970.72 mm2), détectés par la méthode de côté, ont été diagnostiqués à plusieurs reprises chez 378 brebis (pendant l’allaitement ainsi qu’entre lactations); un total de 1198 mesures ont été effectuées. L’espace gauche de la citerne (ALC2; 2.137.67 mm2) et de droite (ARC2; 2.171.12 mm2), détectés par la méthode du bas, ont également été diagnostiqués à plusieurs reprises, notamment chez 265 brebis; 753 mesures ont été réalisées au total. La somme des deux zones de section transversale détectées par la méthode de côté (SLRC1) était de 3904.07 mm2, et celle détectée par la méthode de fond (SLRC2) était 4308.77 mm2. Les données primaires ont été traitées en utilisant la méthodologie REML et le modèle animal trait multiple, en utilisant des programmes comme REMLF90 et VCE 4.0. En plus de l’effet génétique additif aléatoire des animaux et l’effet permanent des brebis, les modèles incluent l’année de contrôle comme facteur fixe (7 ou 5 niveaux), un stade de lactation (4 niveaux), un groupe de race (9 niveaux) et la parité (3 niveaux). Nous avons trouvé des valeurs plus élevées de h2 pour les paramètres diagnostiqués par la méthode du bas. Le coefficient d’héritabilité pour ALC1 et ALC2 était de 0.07 et 0.18, respectivement; pour ARC1 et ARC2 de 0.17 et 0.2, resp.; et pour SLRC1 et SLRC2 de 0.12 et 0.17, respectivement. Les corrélations génétiques entre ARC1 et ARC1 ou ARC2 et ARC2 étaient élevées (rg= 0.73 ou 0.910). De même, les corrélations entre la taille de la citerne gauche et/ou droite, et la taille totale des deux citernes étaient élevées avec les deux modes de scan (rg= 0.90 à 0.98). En conclusion, la mesure de la taille des citernes de lait par la méthode de côté est plus recommandée, bien que les mesures avec la méthode du bas montrent des coefficients d’héritabilité légèrement plus élevés

The mammary gland in small ruminants: major morphological and functional events underlying milk production - a review

The importance of small ruminants to the dairy industry has increased in recent years, especially in developing countries, where it has a high economic and social impact. Interestingly and despite the fact that the mammary gland is the specialised milk production organ, very few authors studied the modifications occurring in the mammary gland through the lactation period in production animals, particularly in the small ruminants, sheep (Ovis aries) and goat (Capra hircus). Nevertheless, understanding the different mammary gland patterns throughout lactation is essential to improve dairy production. In addition, associating these patterns with different milking frequencies, lactation number or different diets is also of high importance, directly affecting the dairy industry. The mammary gland is commonly composed of parenchyma and stroma, which includes the ductal system, with individual proportions of each changing during the different periods and yields in a lactation cycle. Indeed, during late gestation, as well as during early to mid-lactation, mammary gland expansion occurs, with an increase in the number of epithelial cells and lumen area, which leads to increment of the parenchyma tissue, as well as a reduction of stroma, corresponding macroscopically to the increase in mammary gland volume. Throughout late lactation, the mammary gland volume decreases owing to the regression of the secretory structure. In general, common mammary gland patterns have been shown for both goats and sheep throughout the several lactation stages, although the number of studies is limited. The main objective of this manuscript is to review the colostrogenesis and lactogenesis processes as well as to highlight the mammary gland morphological patterns underlying milk production during the lactation cycle for small ruminants, and to describe potential differences between goats and sheep, hence contributing to a better description of mammary gland development during lactation for these two poorly studied species

Table_4_Diet-Induced Obesity Affects Muscle Regeneration After Murine Blunt Muscle Trauma—A Broad Spectrum Analysis.docx

<p>Injury to skeletal muscle affects millions of people worldwide. The underlying regenerative process however, is a very complex mechanism, time-wise highly coordinated, and subdivided in an initial inflammatory, a regenerative and a remodeling phase. Muscle regeneration can be impaired by several factors, among them diet-induced obesity (DIO). In order to evaluate if obesity negatively affects healing processes after trauma, we utilized a blunt injury approach to damage the extensor iliotibialis anticus muscle on the left hind limb of obese and normal weight C57BL/6J without showing any significant differences in force input between normal weight and obese mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the injury and regeneration process revealed edema formation and hemorrhage exudate in muscle tissue of normal weight and obese mice. In addition, morphological analysis of physiological changes revealed tissue necrosis, immune cell infiltration, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and fibrosis formation in the damaged muscle tissue. Regeneration was delayed in muscles of obese mice, with a higher incidence of fibrosis formation due to hampered expression levels of genes involved in ECM organization. Furthermore, a detailed molecular fingerprint in different stages of muscle regeneration underlined a delay or even lack of a regenerative response to injury in obese mice. A time-lapse heatmap determined 81 differentially expressed genes (DEG) with at least three hits in our model at all-time points, suggesting key candidates with a high impact on muscle regeneration. Pathway analysis of the DEG revealed five pathways with a high confidence level: myeloid leukocyte migration, regulation of tumor necrosis factor production, CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cell differentiation, ECM organization, and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Moreover, changes in complement-, Wnt-, and satellite cell-related genes were found to be impaired in obese animals after trauma. Furthermore, histological satellite cell evaluation showed lower satellite cell numbers in the obese model upon injury. Ankrd1, C3ar1, Ccl8, Mpeg1, and Myog expression levels were also verified by qPCR. In summary, increased fibrosis formation, the reduction of Pax7⁺ satellite cells as well as specific changes in gene expression and signaling pathways could explain the delay of tissue regeneration in obese mice post trauma.</p

Table_2_Diet-Induced Obesity Affects Muscle Regeneration After Murine Blunt Muscle Trauma—A Broad Spectrum Analysis.docx

<p>Injury to skeletal muscle affects millions of people worldwide. The underlying regenerative process however, is a very complex mechanism, time-wise highly coordinated, and subdivided in an initial inflammatory, a regenerative and a remodeling phase. Muscle regeneration can be impaired by several factors, among them diet-induced obesity (DIO). In order to evaluate if obesity negatively affects healing processes after trauma, we utilized a blunt injury approach to damage the extensor iliotibialis anticus muscle on the left hind limb of obese and normal weight C57BL/6J without showing any significant differences in force input between normal weight and obese mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the injury and regeneration process revealed edema formation and hemorrhage exudate in muscle tissue of normal weight and obese mice. In addition, morphological analysis of physiological changes revealed tissue necrosis, immune cell infiltration, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and fibrosis formation in the damaged muscle tissue. Regeneration was delayed in muscles of obese mice, with a higher incidence of fibrosis formation due to hampered expression levels of genes involved in ECM organization. Furthermore, a detailed molecular fingerprint in different stages of muscle regeneration underlined a delay or even lack of a regenerative response to injury in obese mice. A time-lapse heatmap determined 81 differentially expressed genes (DEG) with at least three hits in our model at all-time points, suggesting key candidates with a high impact on muscle regeneration. Pathway analysis of the DEG revealed five pathways with a high confidence level: myeloid leukocyte migration, regulation of tumor necrosis factor production, CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cell differentiation, ECM organization, and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Moreover, changes in complement-, Wnt-, and satellite cell-related genes were found to be impaired in obese animals after trauma. Furthermore, histological satellite cell evaluation showed lower satellite cell numbers in the obese model upon injury. Ankrd1, C3ar1, Ccl8, Mpeg1, and Myog expression levels were also verified by qPCR. In summary, increased fibrosis formation, the reduction of Pax7⁺ satellite cells as well as specific changes in gene expression and signaling pathways could explain the delay of tissue regeneration in obese mice post trauma.</p