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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Chen Q, Song Y, Zhang H, Jia J. Evaluation of the BMPR-1B gene functional polymorphisms and their association with litter size in Qinghai Tibetan sheep. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Li B, Jia G, Wen D, Zhao X, Zhang J, Xu Q, Zhao X, Jiang N, Liu Z, Wang Y. Rumen microbiota of indigenous and introduced ruminants and their adaptation to the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1027138. [PMID: 36299720 PMCID: PMC9589358 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1027138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The grassland in the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau provide habitat for many indigenous and introduced ruminants which perform important ecological functions that impact the whole Qinghai–Tibetan plateau ecosystem. These indigenous Tibetan ruminants have evolved several adaptive traits to withstand the severe environmental conditions, especially cold, low oxygen partial pressure, high altitude, strong UV radiation, and poor forage availability on the alpine rangelands. Despite the challenges to husbandry associated with the need for enhanced adaptation, several domesticated ruminants have also been successfully introduced to the alpine pasture regions to survive in the harsh environment. For ruminants, these challenging conditions affect not only the host, but also their commensal microbiota, especially the diversity and composition of the rumen microbiota; multiple studies have described tripartite interactions among host-environment-rumen microbiota. Thus, there are significant benefits to understanding the role of rumen microbiota in the indigenous and introduced ruminants of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau, which has co-evolved with the host to ensure the availability of specific metabolic functions required for host survival, health, growth, and development. In this report, we systemically reviewed the dynamics of rumen microbiota in both indigenous and introduced ruminants (including gut microbiota of wild ruminants) as well as their structure, functions, and interactions with changing environmental conditions, especially low food availability, that enable survival at high altitudes. We summarized that three predominant driving factors including increased VFA production, enhanced fiber degradation, and lower methane production as indicators of higher efficiency energy harvest and nutrient utilization by microbiota that can sustain the host during nutrient deficit. These cumulative studies suggested alteration of rumen microbiota structure and functional taxa with genes that encode cellulolytic enzymes to potentially enhance nutrient and energy harvesting in response to low quality and quantity forage and cold environment. Future progress toward understanding ruminant adaptation to high altitudes will require the integration of phenotypic data with multi-omics analyses to identify host-microbiota co-evolutionary adaptations enabling survival on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Li
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
- Agricultural College, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Gaobin Jia
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
- Colleges of Life Science and Technology, Dalian University, Dalian Economic Technological Development Zone, Dalian, China
| | - Dongxu Wen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Xiuxin Zhao
- Agricultural College, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Junxing Zhang
- Agricultural College, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qing Xu
- Institute of Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Xialing Zhao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Colleges of Life Science and Technology, Dalian University, Dalian Economic Technological Development Zone, Dalian, China
| | - Zhenjiang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yachun Wang
- Agricultural College, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture of China, National Engineering Laboratory of Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Jing XP, Wang WJ, Degen AA, Guo YM, Kang JP, Liu PP, Ding LM, Shang ZH, Zhou JW, Long RJ. Small intestinal morphology and sugar transporters expression when consuming diets of different energy levels: comparison between Tibetan and small-tailed Han sheep. Animal 2022; 16:100463. [PMID: 35193064 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Some non-structural carbohydrates, especially starch, escape ruminal fermentation, are converted into glucose, and are absorbed from the small intestine. This glucose provides an important source of energy, and its usage is more efficient than glucose from carbohydrates which are fermented as short chain fatty acids in the rumen and, subsequently, undergo hepatic gluconeogenesis. Tibetan sheep graze on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) all year round and their carbohydrate and energy intakes fluctuate greatly with seasonal forage availability. Consequently, a high capacity to absorb glucose from the small intestine would be particularly beneficial for Tibetan sheep to allow them to cope with the inconsistent dietary intakes. This study examined how the small intestinal morphology and sugar transporters' expression of Tibetan and Small-tailed Han (Han) sheep respond to fluctuating energy intakes under the harsh conditions of the QTP. Han sheep graze on the QTP only in summer and are generally raised in feedlots. Twenty-four Tibetan sheep and 24 Han sheep, all wethers, were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 6 per breed/group), with each group offered a diet differing in digestible energy content: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ/kg DM. After 49 d, all sheep were slaughtered, tissues of the small intestine were collected, and measurements were made of the morphology and glucose transporters and the related regulation gene expressions. At intakes of low energy levels, Tibetan sheep had a greater villus surface area in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and higher mRNA expression of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 in the duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05) than Han sheep. In the glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) mediated glucose absorption pathway, Tibetan sheep had higher GLUT2 and taste receptor family 1 member 2 and 3 mRNA expressions than Han sheep in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). We concluded that the differences between breeds indicated a greater glucose absorption capacity in the small intestine of Tibetan than Han sheep, which would confer an advantage to Tibetan over Han sheep to an inconsistent energy intake on the harsh QTP. These findings suggested that ruminants raised under harsh environmental conditions with highly fluctuating dietary intakes, as is often the case in grazing ruminants worldwide, are able to absorb glucose from the small intestine to a greater extent than ruminants raised under more moderate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- X P Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China; State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - W J Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - A A Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410500, Israel
| | - Y M Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - J P Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - P P Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - L M Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Z H Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - J W Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
| | - R J Long
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Liu H, Yang G, Degen A, Ji K, Jiao D, Liang Y, Xiao L, Long R, Zhou J. Effect of feed level and supplementary rumen protected lysine and methionine on growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in growing Tan lambs fed low protein diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Hypothalamic regulation of energy homoeostasis when consuming diets of different energy concentrations: comparison between Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep. Br J Nutr 2021; 127:1132-1142. [PMID: 34085612 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114521001902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal energy intake of Tibetan sheep on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) fluctuates greatly and is often well below maintenance requirements. The aim of this study was to gain insight into how the hypothalamus regulates energy homoeostasis in Tibetan sheep. We compared Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep (n 24 of each breed), which were each allocated randomly into four groups and offered one of four diets that differed in digestible energy densities: 8·21, 9·33, 10·45 and 11·57 MJ/kg DM. Sheep were weighed every 2 weeks, and it was assumed that the change in body weight (BW) reflected the change in energy balance. The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in Tibetan sheep had greater protein expressions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) when in negative energy balance, but lesser protein expressions of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) when in positive energy balance than Small-tailed Han sheep. As a result, Tibetan sheep had a lesser BW loss when in negative energy balance and stored more energy and gained more BW when in positive energy balance than Small-tailed Han sheep with the same dietary intake. Moreover, in the hypothalamic adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulation pathway, Tibetan sheep had greater adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α 2 protein expression than Small-tailed Han sheep, which supported the premise of a better ability to regulate energy homoeostasis and better growth performance. These differences in the hypothalamic NPY/AgRP, POMC/CART and AMPK pathways between breeds conferred an advantage to the Tibetan over Small-tailed Han sheep to cope with low energy intake on the harsh QTP.
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de Souza TC, de Souza TC, Rovadoscki GA, Coutinho LL, Mourão GB, de Camargo GMF, Costa RB, de Carvalho GGP, Pedrosa VB, Pinto LFB. Genome-wide association for plasma urea concentration in sheep. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Jing XP, Wang WJ, Degen AA, Guo YM, Kang JP, Liu PP, Ding LM, Shang ZH, Zhou JW, Long RJ. Energy substrate metabolism in skeletal muscle and liver when consuming diets of different energy levels: comparison between Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep. Animal 2021; 15:100162. [PMID: 33485829 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The energy intake of Tibetan sheep on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) varies greatly with seasonal forage fluctuations and is often below maintenance requirements, especially during the long, cold winter. The liver plays a crucial role in gluconeogenesis and skeletal muscle is the primary tissue of energy expenditure in mammals. Both play important roles in energy substrate metabolism and regulating energy metabolism homeostasis of the body. This study aimed to gain insight into how skeletal muscle and liver of Tibetan sheep regulate energy substrate metabolism to cope with low energy intake under the harsh environment of the QTP. Tibetan sheep (n = 24; 48.5 ± 1.89 kg BW) were compared with Small-tailed Han sheep (n = 24; 49.2 ± 2.21 kg BW), which were allocated randomly into one of four groups that differed in dietary digestible energy densities: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ /kg DM. The sheep were slaughtered after a 49-d feeding period, skeletal muscle and liver tissues were collected and measurements were made of the activities of the key enzymes of energy substrate metabolism and the expressions of genes related to energy homeostasis regulation. Compared with Small-tailed Han sheep, Tibetan sheep exhibited higher capacities of propionate to glucose conversion and fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis in the liver, higher glucose utilization efficiency in both skeletal muscle and liver, but lower activities of fatty acid oxidation and protein mobilization in skeletal muscle, especially when in negative energy balance. However, the Small-tailed Han sheep exhibited higher capacities to convert amino acids and lactate to glucose and higher levels of glycolysis and lipogenesis in the liver than Tibetan sheep. These differences in gluconeogenesis and energy substrate metabolism conferred the Tibetan sheep an advantage over Small-tailed Han sheep to cope with low energy intake and regulate whole-body energy homeostasis under the harsh environment of the QTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- X P Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China; International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - W J Wang
- International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - A A Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Beer Sheva 8410500, Israel
| | - Y M Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - J P Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - P P Liu
- International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - L M Ding
- International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Z H Shang
- International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - J W Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
| | - R J Long
- International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Huang X, Denman SE, Mi J, Padmanabha J, Hao L, Long R, McSweeney CS. Differences in bacterial diversity across indigenous and introduced ruminants in the Qinghai Tibetan plateau. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Wang W, M. Ungerfeld E, Degen AA, Jing X, Guo W, Zhou J, Huang X, Mudassar S, Shi F, Bi S, Ding L, Shang Z, Long R. Ratios of rumen inoculum from Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep influenced in vitro fermentation and digestibility. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Comparison between Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep in adipocyte phenotype, lipid metabolism and energy homoeostasis regulation of adipose tissues when consuming diets of different energy levels. Br J Nutr 2020; 124:668-680. [PMID: 32406340 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114520001701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to gain insight into how adipose tissue of Tibetan sheep regulates energy homoeostasis to cope with low energy intake under the harsh environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We compared Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep (n 24 of each breed), all wethers and 1·5 years of age, which were each divided randomly into four groups and offered diets of different digestible energy (DE) densities: 8·21, 9·33, 10·45 and 11·57 MJ DE/kg DM. When the sheep lost body mass and were assumed to be in negative energy balance: (1) adipocyte diameter in subcutaneous adipose tissue was smaller and decreased to a greater extent in Tibetan than in Small-tailed Han sheep, but the opposite occurred in the visceral adipose tissue; (2) Tibetan sheep showed higher insulin receptor mRNA expression and lower concentrations of catabolic hormones than Small-tailed Han sheep and (3) Tibetan sheep had lower capacity for glucose and fatty acid uptake than Small-tailed Han sheep. Moreover, Tibetan sheep had lower AMPKα mRNA expression but higher mammalian target of rapamycin mRNA expression in the adipocytes than Small-tailed Han sheep. We concluded that Tibetan sheep had lower catabolism but higher anabolism in adipose tissue and reduced the capacity for glucose and fatty acid uptake to a greater extent than Small-tailed Han sheep to maintain energy homoeostasis when in negative energy balance. These responses provide Tibetan sheep with a high ability to cope with low energy intake and with the harsh environment of the QTP.
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Jiao J, Wang T, Zhou J, Degen AA, Gou N, Li S, Bai Y, Jing X, Wang W, Shang Z. Carcass parameters and meat quality of Tibetan sheep and Small-tailed Han sheep consuming diets of low-protein content and different energy yields. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2020; 104:1010-1023. [PMID: 31984565 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Today, consumers are very health conscious and are more aware of the nutritional value of food, especially of meat, than they were in the past. The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass parameters and meat quality of Tibetan sheep and Small-tailed Han sheep when consuming a diet of low-protein (~7%) and different energy yields (digestible energy, 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ/kg) in the cold season. Twelve sheep of each breed were divided randomly into four treatments of different diets with three replicates per treatment per breed. Crude protein of the meat decreased linearly (p < .05), whereas energy increased linearly (p < .05) with an increase in energy level. Tibetan sheep tended to have a higher (p < .1) dressing percentage and rib eye area, while live body weight and hot carcass weight did not differ between breeds but increased linearly (p < .01) with an increase in energy level. Water holding capacity, as indicated by pressing loss and drip loss, did not differ between breeds and was not affected by dietary energy. The concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was greater in Tibetan sheep meat but saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and n-6 PUFA did not differ between breeds. With an increase in energy content of the diet, SFA decreased (p < .05), whereas MUFA increased (p < .05). The n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio was lower (p < .001) in Tibetan sheep meat, while the atherogenic index did not differ between breeds, but tended to decrease (p < .1) with an increase in dietary energy content. The essential amino acid (EAA) content and ratio of EAA:NEAA (non-essential amino acid) were close to the world standards for healthy meat. In summary, (a) Tibetan sheep meat was preferable to Small-tailed Han sheep meat, although differences between breeds were small; and (b) some carcass parameters and meat quality were improved with an increase in dietary energy level when a low-protein diet was offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Abraham Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nana Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanfu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhanhuan Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Tibetan sheep have a high capacity to absorb and to regulate metabolism of SCFA in the rumen epithelium to adapt to low energy intake. Br J Nutr 2019; 123:721-736. [PMID: 31813386 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114519003222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The nutritional intake of Tibetan sheep on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is often under maintenance requirements, especially during the long, cold winter. However, they have adapted well and even thrive under these conditions. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into how the rumen epithelium of Tibetan sheep has adapted to the consumption of low-energy-level diets. For this purpose, we compared Tibetan and small-tailed Han sheep (n 24 of each breed, all wethers and 1·5 years of age), which were divided randomly into one of four groups and offered ad libitum diets of different digestible energy (DE) densities: 8·21, 9·33, 10·45 and 11·57 MJ DE/kg DM. The Tibetan sheep had higher rumen concentrations of total SCFA, acetate, butyrate and iso-acids but lower concentrations of propionate than small-tailed Han sheep. The Tibetan sheep had higher absorption capability of SCFA due to the greater absorption surface area and higher mRNA expression of the SCFA absorption relative genes than small-tailed Han sheep. For the metabolism of SCFA in the rumen epithelium, the small-tailed Han sheep showed higher utilisation of the ketogenesis pathway than Tibetan sheep; however, Tibetan sheep had greater regulation capacity in SCFA metabolism pathways. These differences between breeds allowed the Tibetan sheep to have greater capability of absorbing SCFA and better capacity to regulate the metabolism of SCFA, which would allow them to cope with low energy intake better than small-tailed Han sheep.
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Abdelraheem N, Li F, Guo P, Sun Y, Liu Y, Cheng Y, Hou F. Oat hay as winter feed improves digestibility, nitrogen balance and energy utilization of Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.103854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Jing X, Zhou J, Wang W, Degen A, Guo Y, Kang J, Xu W, Liu P, Yang C, Shi F, Yan Q, Ding L, Shang Z, Fievez V, Long R. Tibetan sheep are better able to cope with low energy intake than Small-tailed Han sheep due to lower maintenance energy requirements and higher nutrient digestibilities. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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15
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Zhou J, Wang W, Jing X, Degen A, Guo Y, Kang J, Shang Z, Yu Z, Qiu Q, Guo X, Ding L, Yang G, Long R. Effect of dietary energy on digestibilities, rumen fermentation, urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites in Tibetan and small-tailed Han sheep. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2019; 103:977-987. [PMID: 31021031 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tibetan sheep are indigenous to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, graze the grassland all year round without supplementation and are well-adapted to the harsh conditions. Small-tailed Han sheep were introduced to the plateau and are raised mainly in feedlots. Based on their different backgrounds, we hypothesized that the ability to cope with poor diets would be better in Tibetan than in Han sheep. To test our prediction, we examined the effect of dietary energy on apparent digestibilities, rumen fermentation, urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites by using a 4 × 4 Latin square design in each sheep breed. Four diets were formulated to be low in crude protein (~7%) but to differ in metabolizable energy concentration. Average daily gain was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01) and increased linearly with an increase in energy intake (p < 0.001). The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and neutral and acid detergent fibres were greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH was lower (p < 0.05), while volatile fatty acids (VFAs), urea-N, ammonia-N and soluble protein-N concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in Tibetan than in Han sheep. As a molar proportion of total VFA, acetate decreased (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary energy whereas propionate and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). Urinary purine derivative excretion was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01), as was microbial nitrogen production; both parameters increased with dietary energy (p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 increased (p < 0.05) as energy level increased, while non-esterified fatty acids and growth hormone decreased (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Tibetan sheep were better able to cope with low-protein, low-energy diets and, consequently, our prediction was supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Zhou
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Yamin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingpeng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhanhuan Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zhongxiang Yu
- Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Qiang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xusheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Luming Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guo Yang
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruijun Long
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Plateau Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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