• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2002

Nine crossbred castrated lambs fitted with rumen and duodenum cannula and fed a diet of hay and concentrate formulated with ground corn and soybean meal as main ingredients were used to assess the duodenal ideal amino acid pattern. Three synthetic amino acid mixtures with different profile of essential amino acids were duodenally infused in order to get three different amino acid patterns flowing into the duodenum. The mixtures were designed to have similar amino acid profile as rumen microbial protein (Pm), casein (Pc) and modified muscle amino acid (Pmm). Results showed a lower urine nitrogen excretion (p=0.05), a higher nitrogen retention (p=0.04) and bodyweight gain with treatment Pmm. The modified muscle amino acid pattern also promoted a lower ratio of Gly to other amino acids in plasma (Gly/OAA) and a higher RNA and RNA/DNA concentration in the liver of the sheep. Meanwhile, the urea concentration in plasma was reduced and the insulin concentration was increased with Pmm treatment. No differences in glucose and growth hormone concentration in plasma were found among three treatments. All results obtained indicate that the modified muscle amino acid pattern (Lys 100%, Met+Cys 39%, Thr 76%, His 41%, Arg 72%, Leu 158%, Ile 81%, Val 105%, Phe 81% and Trp 13%) was the best for growing sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2016

Lipins play dual function in lipid metabolism by serving as phosphatidate phosphatase and transcriptional co-regulators of gene expression. Mammalian lipin proteins consist of lipin1, lipin2, and lipin3 and are encoded by their respective genes Lpin1, Lpin2, and Lpin3. To date, most studies are concerned with Lpin1, only a few have addressed Lpin2 and Lpin3. Ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 and their associations with traits would help to explore their molecular and physiological functions in sheep. In this study, 48 animals with an equal number of males and females each for both breeds of fat-tailed sheep such as Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) were chosen to evaluate the ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 from eight different tissues and months of age by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between gene expression and slaughter and tail traits were also analyzed. The results showed that Lpin2 mRNA was highly expressed in perirenal and tail fats, and was also substantially expressed in liver, kidney, reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest levels in small intestine and femoral biceps. Lpin3 mRNA was prominently expressed in liver and small intestine, and was also expressed at high levels in kidney, perirenal and tail fats as well as reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest level in femoral biceps. Global expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 in GLT both were significantly higher than those in STH. Spatiotemporal expression showed that the highest levels of Lpin2 expression occurred at 10 months of age in two breeds of sheep, with the lowest expression at 2 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. The greatest levels of Lpin3 expression occurred at 4 months of age in STH and at 10 months of age in GLT, with the lowest expression at 12 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. Breed and age significantly influenced the tissue expression patterns of Lpin2 and Lpin3, respectively, and sex significantly influenced the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Lpin3. Meanwhile, Lpin2 and Lpin3 mRNA expression both showed significant correlations with slaughter and tail traits, and the associations appear to be related with the ontogenetic expression as well as the potential functions of lipin2 and lipin3 in sheep.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2020

This study aimed to determine the current prevalence, serovar distribution and antimicrobial resistance rate and patterns of nontyphoid Salmonella (NTS) in slaughter sheep and their edible offal. While filling the gap of up to date related information in Turkey, data presented is also of significance since contamination of ovine meat, its products and offal with this pathogen is threat to public health due to their considerably high consumption rates in our country. Current NTS carriage in 200 apparently healthy slaughter sheep by ISO 6579:2002, 6579:2002/A1:2007 standard bacteriology (ISO) was 5% (10/200) (4 fecal content - 2%, 3 mesenterial lymph node - 1.5%, 3 kidney - 1.5%) out of 1,400 samples (0.7%), with no isolation from carcass, liver, gallbladder, spleen. Real-time PCR was in substantial agreement to ISO in confirming Salmonella-suspect isolates (Relative Trueness: 93.6%). S. Newport (40%) was the predominant serovar, followed by the second prevalent serovars as S. Typhimurium and S. Kentucky (20%), and by S. Umbilo and S. Corvallis (10%). Four and 6 out of 10 NTS isolates were susceptible (40%) and resistant (60%) to 18 antimicrobials, respectively. S. Typhimurium isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR) to tigecycline and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, with one also resistant to cefepime. S. Corvallis was MDR to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and pefloxacin. The predominance of S. Newport and first isolation of S. Corvallis in sheep in the world; first time isolations of Newport, Kentucky, Corvallis, Umbilo serovars from sheep in Turkey; and high antimicrobial resistance rates obtained in majority of the isolates highlights study findings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2019

Objective: Recent studies have demonstrated that lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B)/miRNA let-7 (let-7) plays a role in the regulation of pubertal onset in mammals. However, the role of LIN28B/let-7 in the onset of ovine puberty remains unknown. We cloned the Duolang sheep Lin28B cDNA sequence, detected the expression change of LIN28B, let-7a and let-7g in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary tissues at three different pubertal stages. Methods: The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to clone the cDNA sequence of LIN28B gene from Duolang sheep and the bioinformatics methods were applied to analyze the amino acid sequence of LIN28B protein. The mRNA expression levels of the LIN28B gene at different pubertal stages were examined by real time RT-PCR. Results: LIN28B cDNA of Duolang sheep was cloned, and two transcripts were obtained. The amino acid sequence of transcript 1 shares 99.60%, 98.78%, and 94.80% identity with those of goat, wild yak and pig, respectively. Strong LIN28B mRNA expression was detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, oviduct and uterus, while moderate expression was found in the liver, kidney, spleen and heart, weak expression was observed in the heart. No expression was found in the lungs. Quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) and western-blot analysis revealed that the LIN28B was highly expressed in the hypothalamus and ovary at prepuberty stages, and this expression significantly decreased from the prepuberty to puberty stages (p<0.05). Markedly increased levels of mRNA expression were detected in the pituitary from prepuberty to puberty (p<0.05) and then significantly decreased from puberty to post-puberty (p<0.05). The expression levels of let-7a and let-7g showed no significant changes among different pubertal stages (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results provided a foundation for determining the functions of LIN28B/let-7 and their role in the onset of sheep puberty.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1255-1261
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to evaluate the net flux response of nitrogen compounds (alpha-amino N, ammonia N, urea N, essential amino acids) across the portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver and total splanchnic tissues of mature wethers to increasing level of dietary fishmeal (FM) supplementation. Four wethers (average body weight, 64 kg) with chronic indwelling catheters into the portal, hepatic and mesenteric veins and the abdominal aorta were used in a 4${\times}$4 Latin square design. A basal diet consisting of 0.7 hay and 0.3 concentrate was fed twice daily with a fixed amount at 1.4 times maintenance energy (1.3 kg/day on a dry matter basis). The supplementation proportion of FM as treatment was 0, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.09 to the amount of the basal diet to contain 119, 137, 154 and 170 g crude protein per kg dietary dry matter, respectively. Blood flows through PDV and liver did not differ (p>0.05) among the treatments. Both net PDV release and hepatic uptake of alpha amino acid N increased linearly (p<0.05) in response to increased dietary FM, which resulted in similar total splanchnic release of alpha-amino N among the treatments. Similarly, increased dietary FM increased net PDV absorption and hepatic removal of ammonia N linearly (p<0.05). Hepatic synthesis and total splanchnic release of urea N increased linearly (p<0.01) with increased dietary FM, but PDV uptake of urea N did not respond to increased dietary FM. Linear regression equations between the increases in FM N intake and PDV net flux indicated that 0.34 and 0.30 of FM N was absorbed in the form of alpha-amino N and ammonia N, respectively. The results demonstrated that FM supplementation provides more alpha-amino N than ammonia N to the liver, but the alpha-amino acid N absorption is less than the expected metabolizable protein N from FM supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1594-1599
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• 2007

Plasma membrane proteins from pig adipocytes, brain, heart, kidney, liver and spleen were isolated using a 32% sucrose gradient. An adult male sheep was immunized three times at 3-wk intervals with the purified pig adipocyte plasma membrane (APM) proteins. Blood samples were taken from the immunized sheep 12 d after the third immunization. Antiserum showed strong reactivity with APM proteins determined by ELISA, and the reactivity could be detected at dilutions in excess of 1:128,000. Antiserum showed very low binding affinity with proteins isolated from brain, heart, kidney, liver or spleen. Ninety weanling pigs were allocated randomly to three treatment groups and were injected i.p. with 40 ml of antiserum (n = 30) or 20 ml of lyophilized antiserum (21.5 mg/ml; n = 30). A control group (n = 30) received 40 ml of saline, and all pigs were slaughtered at 24 wk of age. The polyclonal antiserum did not change BW or ADG. Carcass percentage of pigs was numerically increased by the antiserum treatment compared with control. Both antiserum treatments did not significantly (p>0.05) affect body composition, including body fat content, relative to the control group.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.426-431
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• 2007

To investigate the possible mechanisms of high-altitude native animals in adapting to high altitude, we cloned hemoglobin alpha-chain (alpha-chain Hb) gene from Pantholops hodgsonii, an animal species that indigenously lives at elevations of 3700-5500 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, the alpha-chain Hb gene was amplified from total RNA in the liver of the Pantholops hodgsonii. TA cloning technique was used and the PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector. The DNA sequence of the gene was highly homologous with sheep (99.1%), goat (98.6%), cattle (95.6%) and human (86.5%). The alpha-chain Hb gene encoded a 142-amino acid protein that could be identified with the homology of alpha-chain Hb protein in sheep (98%), goat (96%), cattle (91%) and human (87%). However, 18 alternations were detected when compared with the alpha-chain Hb gene in human, and 2 in sheep. Moreover, the alterations of a117 GluAsp and $\alpha$132 AsnSer in important regions were noted in human and sheep, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the structure of alpha-chain Hb was highly similar to that in sheep. This study provided essential information for elucidating the possible roles of hemoglobin in adapting to extremely high altitude in Pantholops hodgsonii.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1_2
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• pp.43-54
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• 1988

Experiment was performed to investigate the immunotoxicity of cadmium administered orally and the effect of ginseng petroleum ether fraction on it. Mice were given 3, 30, or 300 ppm cadmium as cadmium chloride orally in the drinking water and injection of ginseng petroleum ether fraction intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells (S-RBC). Humoral immune response was evaluated by antibody production and Arthus reaction. Body weight gain, spleen weight, thymus weight, and liver weight were also measured. In the present study, cadmium generally suppressed the humoral immunity. There was decrease in the rate of body weight gain and liver weight to body weight by cadmium-administration. Ginseng petroleum ether fraction showed restoring effect, to some extent, on the decrease in PFC and in the rate of liver weight to body weight by cadmium-administration. But it more suppressed Arthus reaction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.511-515
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• 2006

Alanine aminotransferase (AAT) is mainly synthesized in the liver, and its level in mammalian serum is elevated after acute phase induction. Here we demonstrated that sheep anti-human AAT antibody cross-reacted with amphioxus humoral fluids as well as human serum; and the concentration of AAT in the humoral fluids in amphioxus increased after the acute challenge with lipopolysaccharide, while the level of total proteins remains unchanged. These suggest the presence of the same acute phase response pattern in amphioxus, as observed in some mammalian species. Immunohistochemically, AAT was localized in the hepatic diverticulum, ovary and testis. It appears that the hepatic diverticulum in amphioxus is functionally homologous to the vertebrate liver in respect of AAT synthesis, supporting the hypothesis that the vertebrate liver evolved from the hepatic diverticulum of an amphioxus-like ancestor during early chordate evolution.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.455-459
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• 1998

Ten sheeps from one farm had sudden onset of anorexia, jaundice and hemoglobinuria and died within 3 days after showing clinical signs during 3 months period. Postmortom examination was performed on one case and copper concentrations in the livers kidney and serum of the necmpsied minim were analysed. Grossly, the conjunctive, subcutaneous tissue and abdominal fat were generally icteric. The liver was enlarged with yellowish orange in color. The kidney was enlarged with dark red in color and the urinary bladder was filled with dark red urine. Histopathologically, centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis, neutrophilic infiltrations bile stasis and aggregation of fine granules-laden macrophages in the portal area were noted in the liver. Most of the Bowman's spaces and renal tubules were filled with homogenous eosinophilic fluid. Extramedullary hematopoiesis was noted in the submandibular lymph node. Copper concentrations in serum, liver and kidney of the necropsied animal were 25.0, 2732.8 and 471.3 ppm respectively. Based on the gross and histopathological findings and the high copper concentrations in the organs, this case was diagnosed as chronic copper toxicosis. Possible etiology on this outbreak is also discussed.