RESUMEN
In the current study, we assessed the effects of antibacterial peptide-producing Bacillus subtilis (BS), gallic acid (GA) and cellulase (CL) on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of various varieties of whole-plant corn silage. Three different varieties of whole-plant corn (Yuqing386, Enxiai298, and Nonghe35) were treated with 0.02% BS (fresh material basis), 0.2% GA (fresh material basis) and 0.02% CL (fresh material basis), after which 45 days of anaerobic fermentation were conducted. With the exception of its low dry matter content, the results showed that Yuqing386's crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrate, and lactic acid contents were significantly higher than those of the other two corn varieties. However, its acid detergent fiber and cellulose contents were significantly lower than those of the other two corn varieties. Among the three corn variety silages, Yuqing386 had the highest relative abundance of Lactobacillus at the genus level and the biggest relative abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level. In addition, the three additives markedly enhanced the quantity of dry matter and crude protein as compared to the control group. The application of GA considerably decreased the level of neutral detergent fiber while significantly increasing the content of lactic acid and water-soluble carbohydrates. Even though all additives enhanced the structure of the bacterial community following silage, the GA group experienced the greatest enhancement. On a phylum and genus level, the GA group contains the highest relative abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, respectively. Overall, of the three corn varieties, Yuqing386 provides the best silage qualities. GA has the biggest impact among the additions employed in this experiment to enhance the nutritional preservation and fermentation quality of whole-plant corn silage.
RESUMEN
This study aimed to determine the potential effects of alfalfa saponins on the production performance, serum biochemical factors, and immune factors in sheep. Twenty Small-Tailed Han sheep were equally and randomly divided into Groups 1-4, fed with diets containing 0, 5, 10, and 20 g alfalfa saponins per kg, respectively, for 40 consecutive days. During the treatments, the body weight change was recorded for each sheep. Before, during, and after the treatments of alfalfa saponins, serum was collected from each group to compare the levels of biochemical and immune factors. All sheep were killed after the treatments, and the longissimus dorsi muscle was collected to compare the meat quality. The results validated the effects of alfalfa saponins on the growth performance and meat quality in Small-Tailed Han sheep, and the supplementation level of 10 g/kg was the best. Alfalfa saponins also had effects on the levels of biochemical factors in serum. However, both dose- and time-dependent effects were observed. After a shorter feeding period (14 days), the concentrations of cholesterol (CHOL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in Groups 2, 3, and 4 were all lower than those in the control group; however, when alfalfa saponins were continuously fed, this effect was not apparent or even gone. Supplying alfalfa saponins increased serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, IL-1, IFN-α, and IFN-ß. And this effect was distinctly observed in Groups 3 and 4. Based on the current results, the alfalfa saponins concentration of 10 g/kg (for 14 consecutive days) could be suggested as the optimum ratio for good health conditions of Small-Tailed Han sheep.
RESUMEN
This study evaluated the effect of arginine (Arg) on ovarian antioxidant capability during the luteal phase in ewes. A total of 108 multiparous Hu sheep at two years of age were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group (CG), a restriction group (RG), and an Arg group (AG), with six replicates per group and six ewes per replicate. Our results showed that the end body weight was significantly decreased in the RG group (p < 0.05), while the Arg addition reversed this reduction. The estrous cycle days were significantly increased in the RG group (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reversed this time extension. Compared with the control group, restricting feeding could significantly enhance the number of small follicles (SF), total follicles (TF), large corpora lutea, and the SF/TF (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reduced the number of SF and TF. However, the large follicles/TF were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reversed this reduction. In addition, nutrition restriction significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p < 0.05), while significantly decreased the glutathione/glutathione disulfide and the activities of superoxidative dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the ovaries (p < 0.05). However, Arg addition reversed this enhancement of the MDA level and the reductions in these antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition, positive relationships occurred between antioxidant enzyme activities and the enzyme mRNA expressions. Meanwhile, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression was positively connected with antioxidant mRNA expressions and negatively related to the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA expression. The Nrf2 protein expression was negatively related to the Keap1 protein expression. In conclusion, nutrition restriction reduced the ovarian antioxidant capability in ewes, while this was significantly improved by Arg supplementation, which was associated with the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.