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The present study was set out to explore the effects of diets supplemented with synbiotics, as a possible antibiotic substitute, on growth performance, intestinal barrier function and cecal microorganisms of Cherry Valley ducks. Briefly, a total of 540 Cherry Valley ducks (one-day-old) were randomly categorized into 3 groups for 42 days: control group (basal diets free from the antibiotic), antibiotic group (basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg bacitracin zinc), and synbiotic group (basal diets supplemented with 1 000 mg/kg synbiotic). Each group consisted of 6 replicates of 30 ducks each. In synbiotic group, average-day-gain (ADG) throughout the trial period (p=0.05) and average-day-feed-intake (ADFI) during the starter and grower periods (p=0.05) were increased as compared with the control group. Moreover, dietary synbiotics enhanced ileal villus height to crypt depth (V/C), decreased ileal crypt depth compared with the control group (p=0.05). In addition, the synbiotics increased numbers of Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells in the small intestine (p=0.05), and secretory IgA (sIgA) concentration in the duodenum and jejunum (p=0.05) of 42-day-old ducks as compared with the control group. Furthermore, synbiotics supplementation increased the mRNA expression of jejunal mucosal occluding (OCLN) and the population of Bifidobacterium in cecal chyme (p=0.05). In conclusion, diets supplemented with synbiotics could improve growth performance and intestinal morphology, enhance intestinal barrier function, and modulate the cecal microorganisms in Cherry Valley ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatio-temporal distribution of forests is related to climate. Pinus sibirica is a native species in areas subject to continental temperate cold climate that favors its growth. This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the climatic suitability of northeast and northwest China for the introduction of Pinus sibirica. For this purpose, climate of the northeast and northwest China was compared with the climate of Western Siberia (Russia). The Climatic data was obtained from NMKI Climate explorer and China meteorological administration. The Tukey Pairwise Comparison test found that Mohe weather station in northeast China shows (-4.7 °C, -3.26 °C, -5.31 °C and -3.9 °C) resemblance in temperature with three of western Siberian stations where Pinus sibirica is distributed in association with Larix sibirica and Picea obovata. The annual mean precipitation for all the weather stations including Mohe and Huma, China was more than 420 - 609 mm. This specie is also found to grow in various elevations in Western Siberia from 45 to 25 m in Altai Mountains, and from 300 to 700 m in Daxing' anling Mountains. In conclusion, climatic regimes in terms of temperature and precipitation in Daxing' anling Mountains allow the introduction of the Pinus sibirica into northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibin A (INHA) is a glycoprotein hormone which has a role in regulating the synthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone. In this paper, single nucleotide polymorphisms of 5' regulatory region and exon 1 of INHA gene were detected in one prolific goat breed (Jining Grey goat) and five low to medium fecundity breeds (Boer, Liaoning Cashmere, Wendeng Dairy, Taihang and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats) by PCR-SSCP and sequencing methods. Its effects on litter size in Jining Grey goats were analyzed. Concerning primer P2, two genotypes (AA and Aa) were detected in Jining Grey, Liaoning Cashmere, Wendeng Dairy and Taihang goats. Sequencing revealed a G→-A transition at the 258th position of the amplified region in the genotype AA in comparison to the genotype Aa. For primer P4, two genotypes (BB and Bb) were identified in six goat breeds tested. Sequencing revealed a G→A transition at the 759th position of the amplified region in the genotype BB compared with Bb. Jining Grey goat does with genotype Bb had 0.79 (P<0.01) kids more than those with genotype BB. These results preliminarily showed that G841A of the INHA gene was a potential marker for improving litter size in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited land resources are compelling the farming community to implement high-yielding measures. Straw mulching is an effective way to sustain soil fertility and increase summer maize grain yield. To evaluate the effect of straw mulching on summer maize productivity, field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 at Experimental Station of Shandong Agricultural University. The experiment adopted a split plot design arranged in randomized blocks with three replications. Main plots were plant type, including compact type, Chaoshi1 (C), and flat type, Danyu86 (D); subplots consisted of straw mulching amount: 0, 0.6, and 1.2 kg/m2, treatments consists of C0, C0.6, C1.2; D0, D0.6 and D1.2. The results indicated that straw mulching increased LAI at the earlier growing stage but decreased LAI at the later growing stage; there was a significant effect on PAR capture ratio for Danyu6 but not in Chaoshi1, the capture ratio was significantly higher in D0.6 and D1.2 than D0, and the increasing the proportion were by 8.3% and 11.0%, respectively. Straw mulching increased both cob dry matter and stems and leaves dry matter in Danyu86; however, straw mulching increased cob dry matter and decreased stems and leaves dry matter in Chaoshi1. Results support the application of straw mulching in combination with plant types for maximizing summer maize grain yield in the North China Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]