Search

The purpose of this study was to compare between the histochemical characteristics and the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and it's receptor (EGFR) in the submandibular gland (SMG) of adult yaks and yellow cattle. The SMG tissues of yaks and yellow cattles were collected for histochemical, immunohistochemical (IHC), immunofluorescence (F‐IHC)，real‐time quantitative polymerasechain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blotting methods. The results showed that the striated ducts of SMG were highly developed and connected to the intercalated ducts, which were shorter and directly connected to the acini. Compared with yellow cattle, yak SMG contains more mucous acini. Immunofluorescence showed significant expression of EGF and its receptor in both striated and intercalated ducts of these two species of cattle. Statistical analysis divulged that the distribution density of EGF and EGFR in the SMG of the yak was both significantly higher than that in yellow cattle (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of EGF and EGFR in yak SMG was also higher than that in yellow cattle. The above results indicated that the intercalated ducts and striated ducts are the main expression sites of EGF and EGFR, the acidic mucin and EGF secreted from SMG of yak were more than that from yellow cattle. The results of this study provide powerful data for the study of physiological functions of submaxillary gland in ruminants and also provide important clues for the study of adaptive physiological mechanisms in plateau organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine the influence of uni and bilateral castration on growth performance and lipid metabolism in yellow cattle. Eighteen 9-month-old healthy yellow cattle (average body weight 184.03 ± 4.09 kg) were selected and divided into three groups: The uncastrated cattle (C), half castrated cattle (HC) and full castrated cattle (FC). The results showed that the growth rate of FC group was significantly reduced as compared to HC and C group, while the feed to gain ratio exhibited an opposite trend. The concentrations of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were increased significantly in FC group from day 60 to the end of the trial compared to HC and control groups. Serum testosterone concentration of FC group cattle was decreased from day 60 to 120 d of the trial compared to HC and control groups. The concentration of the lauric acid in FC cattle was significantly increased from the HC and control groups. In the FC group, the acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), ACC and fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expression levels were significantly higher compared to control and HC groups. Our results of this study suggest that bilateral castration increased the lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition compared to unilateral castrated and un-castrated cattle. Bilateral castration alters the growth performance in yellow cattle. Bilateral castration alters hormones levels and lipid metabolites levels in serum. Bilateral castration improves the lipid metabolism and fatty acid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The trichomonad species Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis have been reported in the bovine digestive tract in only a few studies, and the prevalence and pathogenicity of these two protists in cattle herds remain unknown. In this study, the prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in yellow cattle, dairy cattle, and water buffalo in Anhui Province, China, was determined with a PCR analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The overall infection rates for T. buttreyi and P. hominis were 8.1% and 5.4%, respectively. Double infections were found in 15 (1.6%) samples from four farms. The prevalence of P. hominis in cattle with abnormal feces was significantly higher than that in cattle with normal feces (χ2 = 13.0, p < 0.01), and the prevalence of T. buttreyi in the northern region of Anhui Province was also significantly higher than that in the mid region (χ2 = 16.6, p < 0.01). Minor allelic variations were detected in the T. buttreyi isolates from cattle in this study, as in other hosts in previous studies. Morphological observations, together with the PCR analysis, demonstrated that the trichomonads isolated in this study were P. hominis. The presence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis indicated that cattle are natural hosts of these two trichomonads and could be a potential source of P. hominis infections in humans and other animal hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive components in five tisues (longissimus muscle (LSM), biceps femoris muscle (BFM), liver (LV), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and abdominal adipose tissue (AAT)) of yak in Tibet and yellow cattle in Hubei were investigated. Yak was significantly higher (p<0.01) than yellow cattle in the squalene content of lipids of BFM (59.82/19.07 mg/100g), LSM (20.99/7.81 mg/100g) and LV (6.94/2.67 mg/100g), respectively, but not in SAT and AAT (p>0.05). Yak was also significantly higher (p<0.05) than yellow cattle in the total tocopherol content. Additionally, yak hepatic lipids showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids (58.11%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, 25.81%) and the lowest content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, 16.08%), while yellow cattle AAT had the highest content of MUFA (47.54%) and the lowest content of PUFA (2.36%). The considerable differences between the two in composition suggest that the five tissues of yak are potential sources of bioactive components and essential fatty acids for humans. Practical applications: The results from the analysis of the contents of squalene, tocopherols, total lipids，moisture, ash, and pH and fatty acid profile in the studied tissues of Tibet yak and Hubei yellow cattle provide useful information for developing functional foods using yak meat or other tissues as materials. Comparison of squalene and total tocopherol contents in different tissues of yak and yellow cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]