Effects of the Oat Hay Feeding Method and Compound Probiotic Supplementation on the Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Rumen Bacteria Community of Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the oat hay feeding method and compound probiotics (CMP) on the growth, health, serum antioxidant and immune indicators, rumen fermentation, and bacteria community of dairy calves from 3 to 5 months of age. Forty-eight female Holstein calves (80 ± 7 days of age, 93.71 ± 5.

Polymorphisms in adrenergic receptor genes in Qinchuan cattle show associations with selected carcass traits.

The beta-adrenergic receptors coded by the ADRB1, ADRB2 and ADRB3 genes play important roles in mediating metabolic effects, especially lipolysis, insulin resistance and energy balance. This study investigated the expression levels of these three genes in different tissues of Qinchuan cattle by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expressed levels of RNA from the ADRB2 gene were generally much higher than for ADRB1 and ADRB3.

Molecular Characterization of Bovine SMO Gene and Effects of Its Genetic Variations on Body Size Traits in Qinchuan Cattle (Bos taurus).

Smoothened (Smo)-mediated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway governs the patterning, morphogenesis and growth of many different regions within animal body plans. This study evaluated the effects of genetic variations of the bovine SMO gene on economically important body size traits in Chinese Qinchuan cattle. Altogether, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: 1-8) were identified and genotyped via direct sequencing covering most of the coding region and 3'UTR of the bovine SMO gene.

The advantages of low-density lipoproteins in the cryopreservation of bull semen.

Egg low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was added at concentrations (w/v) of 7%, 8% or 9% to the extenders used to freeze bull semen and its effects on seminal parameters and anti-oxidant activities of frozen-thawed sperm were assessed. Analysis of data showed that sperm exposed to 8% LDL exhibited the greatest percentages of sperm motility, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity, compared to the control which differed from the treatment groups by replacing LDL with 20% egg yolk (P<0.05).