Feed plants, ethnoveterinary medicine, and biocultural values: insights on the Luchuan pig from Hakka communities in China.

BACKGROUND: The Luchuan pig is an indigenous breed from Luchuan County, China, with cultural and genetic significance. However, traditional knowledge and conservation status have not been systematically documented. METHODS: Using ethnobiological methods, we surveyed 72 Luchuan pig farmers in 7 townships during 2021-2023. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were conducted to document traditional knowledge and management practices. RESULTS: The locals reported 51 plant species used as pig feed, with 30 wild species. Growth-stage-specific feeding and seasonal adjustment practices were documented. We recorded 62 ethnoveterinary plant uses, mainly for treating pigs' heat stress and skin conditions. Luchuan pigs play central roles in local Hakka customs, rituals, and cuisine. Additonally, the new ecological farming models minimize the environmental impacts to the local community. However, there are still some challenges remained for conserving and promoting Luchuan pigs. CONCLUSIONS: The Luchuan Hakka people possess rich traditional knowledge and management experience in raising Luchuan pigs. Our study provides extensive documentation of traditional knowledge and recommends integrating cultural and genetic aspects for sustaining this biocultural heritage. Findings can inform initiatives supporting local breed conservation globally.

Role of Melatonin in Bovine Reproductive Biotechnology.

Melatonin has profound antioxidant activity and numerous functions in humans as well as in livestock and poultry. Additionally, melatonin plays an important role in regulating the biological rhythms of animals. Combining melatonin with scientific breeding management has considerable potential for optimizing animal physiological functions, but this idea still faces significant challenges. In this review, we summarized the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on physiology and reproductive processes in cattle, including granulosa cells, oocytes, circadian rhythm, stress, inflammation, testicular function, spermatogenesis, and semen cryopreservation. There is much emerging evidence that melatonin can profoundly affect cattle. In the future, we hope that melatonin can not only be applied to cattle, but can also be used to safely and effectively improve the efficiency of animal husbandry.

Nutrition and Theriogenology: A Glimpse Into Nutrition and Nutritional Supplementation During Gestation, Lactation, Weaning and Breeding Dogs and Cats.

Feeding during normal reproduction is often not thought of until there is a problem with conception or gestational losses. Energy demands of lactation and early puppy/kitten are of concern, particularly in large and giant breed dogs where mineral balance is crucial to normal development. There is a paucity of information around optimizing feeding during conception and gestation with many myths around ingredients which will be explored in this article along with supplements that may be able to support spermatogenesis and conception which primarily comes from the human literature and may have validity in times of difficult conception.

High genetic diversity and low population differentiation of a medical plant Ficus hirta Vahl., uncovered by microsatellite loci: implications for conservation and breeding.

BACKGROUND: Wuzhimaotao (Radix Fici Hirtae) originates from the dry root of Ficus hirta (Moraceae), which is widely known as a medical and edible plant distributed in South China. As the increasing demand for Wuzhimaotao, the wild F. hirta has been extremely reduced during the past years. It is urgent to protect and rationally develop the wild resources of F. hirta for its sustainable utilization. However, a lack of genetic background of F. hirta makes it difficult to plan conservation and breeding strategies for this medical plant. In the present study, a total of 414 accessions of F. hirta from 7 provinces in southern China were evaluated for the population genetics using 9 polymorphic SSR markers. RESULTS: A mean of 17.1 alleles per locus was observed. The expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.142 to 0.861 (mean = 0.706) in nine SSR loci. High genetic diversity (He = 0.706, ranged from 0.613 to 0.755) and low genetic differentiation among populations (G'ST = 0.147) were revealed at population level. In addition, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the principal molecular variance existed within populations (96.2%) was significantly higher than that among populations (3.8%). Meanwhile, the three kinds of clustering methods analysis (STRUCTURE, PCoA and UPGMA) suggested that the sampled populations were clustered into two main genetic groups (K = 2). Mantel test showed a significant correlation between geographic and genetic distance among populations (R2 = 0.281, P < 0.001). Pollen flow, seed flow and/or geographical barriers might be the main factors that formed the current genetic patterns of F. hirta populations. CONCLUSIONS: This is a comprehensive study of genetic diversity and population structure of F. hirta in southern China. We revealed the high genetic diversity and low population differentiation in this medicinal plant and clarified the causes of its current genetic patterns. Our study will provide novel insights into the exploitation and conservation strategies for F. hirta.

Transcriptome Analysis of Neuroendocrine Regulation of Ovine Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary Axis during Ovine Anestrus and the Breeding Season.

Most sheep are seasonal estrus, and they breed in autumn when the days get shorter. Seasonal estrus is an important factor that affects the productivity and fertility of sheep. The key point to solve this problem is to explore the regulation mechanism of estrus in sheep. Therefore, in this study, transcriptomic sequencing technology was used to identify differentially expressed mRNAs in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary of Small Tail Han sheep (year-round estrus) and tan sheep (seasonal estrus) among luteal, proestrus and estrus stages. There were 256,923,304,156 mRNAs being identified in the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary, respectively. Functional analysis showed that the photosensor, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways were enriched significantly. It is speculated that photoperiod may initiate estrus by stimulating the corresponding pathways in hypothalamus. ODC1, PRLH, CRYBB2, SMAD5, OPN1SW, TPH1 are believed to be key genes involved in the estrogen process. In conclusion, this study expanded the database of indigenous sheep breeds, and also provided new candidate genes for future genetic and molecular studies on the seasonal estrus trait in sheep.

Insight into the introduction of domestic cattle and the process of Neolithization to the Spanish region Galicia by genetic evidence.

Domestic cattle were brought to Spain by early settlers and agricultural societies. Due to missing Neolithic sites in the Spanish region of Galicia, very little is known about this process in this region. We sampled 18 cattle subfossils from different ages and different mountain caves in Galicia, of which 11 were subject to sequencing of the mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis, to provide insight into the introduction of cattle to this region. We detected high similarity between samples from different time periods and were able to compare the time frame of the first domesticated cattle in Galicia to data from the connecting region of Cantabria to show a plausible connection between the Neolithization of these two regions. Our data shows a close relationship of the early domesticated cattle of Galicia and modern cow breeds and gives a general insight into cattle phylogeny. We conclude that settlers migrated to this region of Spain from Europe and introduced common European breeds to Galicia.

Periconceptional nutrition with spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) improves metabolomic profiles and pregnancy outcomes in sheep.

We tested whether periconceptional nutrition with cladodes from the cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, with or without protein-enrichment, improved the metabolomic profile and reproductive outcomes of adult female sheep. Sixty Rambouillet ewes of similar body weight were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments that were fed during the breeding period (34 days): Control (Control; n = 20), Opuntia (Opuntia; n = 20) and protein-enriched Opuntia (E-Opuntia; n = 20). There were no effects of treatment on body weight but assessment of urine samples indicated that, for 76 metabolites, the Control and Opuntia groups differed completely (P < 0.05), whereas there was overlap between the Control and E-Opuntia groups. It appears that, in Opuntia-fed and Control-fed sheep, different functional groups are activated leading to changes in the metabolism of glucose, tyrosine, methane, and glycerolipids. Fertility and reproductive rate tended to be higher in the Opuntia (70% and 95%) and E-Opuntia (90% and 110%) groups than in the Control (55% and 65%), and an orthogonal contrast revealed the difference between Control and Opuntia to be significant for both reproductive variables (P < 0.05). We conclude that nutritional supplementation with Opuntia cladodes, with or without protein enrichment, increased fertility rate and reproductive rate of female sheep, without any accompanying increases in body weight. Our observations suggest that the reproductive responses to Opuntia do not simply reflect a response to good nutrition, but might be caused by specific metabolites/metabolomic pathways, perhaps by an activation of the metabolism of glucose, methane, tyrosine and glycerolipids. There are few reports relating these metabolomic compounds with the metabolism of the sheep, let alone with reproductive efficiency. The novelty of these discoveries suggests that we need further research into the mechanisms through which nutrition affects the reproductive system.

Maternal dietary supplementation with grape seed extract in reproductive hens increases fertility in females but decreases semen quality in males of the F1 generation.

Genetic selection in parental broiler breeders has increased their susceptibility to metabolic disorders and reproductive dysfunction. We have recently shown that maternal dietary grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation in hens improves fertility parameters, egg quality, oxidative stress in different tissues and the quality of F1 chicks. Here, we analysed the growth and fertility (both female and male) of the F1 generation animals and the quality of their offspring (F2 generation). Eggs issued from hens supplemented with GSE presented lower ROS production than control hens, suggesting a change in the embryonic environment. However, this did not affect the growth nor the body composition of male and female F1s from hatching to adulthood (37 weeks of age). At 37 weeks of age, the biochemistry analysis of the GSE-F1 muscle has revealed an increase in sensitivity to oxidative stress and a slight change in lipid composition. Both male and female F1-GSE groups presented a delay in puberty with a lower testis volume at 30 weeks of age and lower ovary development at 26 weeks of age. Adult GSE-F1 males did not present histological alterations of seminiferous tubules or semen production, but the semen quality was degraded due to higher oxidative stress and DNA-damaged spermatozoa compared with control F1 animals. In adult GSE-F1 females, despite the delay in puberty, the females laid more eggs of better quality (fewer broken eggs and a higher hatching rate). At hatching, the weight of the chicks from GSE-F1 females was reduced, and this effect was stronger in F2 male chicks (F2) compared with F2 control chicks (F2), because of the lower muscle volume. In conclusion, we can raise the hypothesis that maternal dietary GSE supplementation produces eggs with change in embryonic metabolism, which may affect in adulthood the fertility. The data obtained from the F1-GSE group pointed to a sex-specific modification with higher egg quality in females but semen sensitive to stress in males. Finally, male F2 chicks were leaner than control chicks. Thus, maternal dietary grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation in hens may impact on the fertility of the offspring in a sex-specific manner in subsequent generations.

Short-Term Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibition, Combined with Apoprotein A1 Overexpression, Promotes Atherosclerosis Inflammation Resolution in Mice.

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) mediates cellular cholesterol esterification. In atherosclerotic plaque macrophages, ACAT promotes cholesteryl ester accumulation, resulting in foam cell formation and atherosclerosis progression. Its complete inactivation in mice, however, showed toxic effects because of an excess of free cholesterol (FC) in macrophages, which can cause endoplasmic reticulum stress, cholesterol crystal formation, and inflammasome activation. Our previous studies showed that long-term partial ACAT inhibition, achieved by dietary supplementation with Fujirebio F1394, delays atherosclerosis progression in apoprotein E-deficient (Apoe -/-) mice by reducing plaque foam cell formation without inflammatory or toxic effects. Here, we determined whether short-term partial inhibition of ACAT, in combination with an enhanced systemic FC acceptor capacity, has synergistic benefits. Thus, we crossbred Apoe -/- with human apoprotein A1-transgenic (APOA1 tg/tg) mice, which have elevated cholesterol-effluxing high-density lipoprotein particles, and subjected Apoe -/- and APOA1 tg/tg/Apoe -/- mice to an atherogenic diet to develop advanced plaques. Then mice were either euthanized (baseline) or fed purified standard diet with or without F1394 for 4 more weeks. Plaques of APOA1 tg/tg/Apoe -/- mice fed F1394 showed a 60% reduction of macrophages accompanied by multiple other benefits, such as reduced inflammation and favorable changes in extracellular composition, in comparison with Apoe -/- baseline mice. In addition, there was no accumulation of cholesterol crystals or signs of toxicity. Overall, these results show that short-term partial ACAT inhibition, coupled to increased cholesterol efflux capacity, favorably remodels atherosclerosis lesions, supporting the potential of these combined therapies in the treatment of advanced atherosclerosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Short-term pharmacological inhibition of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-mediated cholesterol esterification, in combination with increased free cholesterol efflux acceptors, has positive effects in mice by 1) reducing the inflammatory state of the plaque macrophages and 2) favoring compositional changes associated with plaque stabilization. These effects occur without toxicity, showing the potential of these combined therapies in the treatment of advanced atherosclerosis.

Effects of Dietary Zn/Se and α-Tocopherol Supplementation on Metabolic Milieu, Haemogram and Semen Traits of Breeding Stallions.

Trace element status and metabolic milieu are sometimes overlooked in common veterinary clinical practice across animal species. The evaluation of requirements of trace elements, in fact, may be useful to prevent the perturbation of tissue-specific metabolic impair. In particular, essential trace elements in the diet play key roles within sub-cellular metabolic patterns with macro effects at the systemic level, like blood cell stability and semen quality. This effect was studied in breeding stallions, in which semen quality and haemogram are important for reproduction. A case-control feeding trial involved 40 stallions (age: 8-21 years; body weight, BW: 510-531 kg) of one stud centre, allotted to two experimental groups (n = 20 control, CON vs. n = 20 supplemented, SUPPL100), following a matched-pairs approach based on age. Supplemented stallions (SUPPL100) received a mixed mineral and vitamin supplement of Zn/Se and α-tocopherol (α-TOH) (100 g/day stallion) to compound feed, fed as control diet to horses of the control group (CON). Horses resulted deficient in circulating α-TOH and Zn at the start, though clinically healthy. After supplementation, different plasmatic levels of α-TOH, Zn and Se were found between groups. Circulating basophils (BASO) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were affected by the dietary treatment (p < 0.05). Plasmatic Se affected monocyte count, haematocrit, mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin concentration. Semen traits were not affected by the dietary treatment per se, except for mobile/progressive sperm cells (%) of stallions aged > 13 years marginal circulating levels of α-TOH (p = 0.04). Ameliorating the micromineral status showed to improve the haemogram of stallions in view of circulating levels of Cu. Semen quality appeared to be strongly dependent on animal effects.

[Study progress on molecular marker-assisted breeding of Chinese medicinal materials].

The molecular marker-assisted breeding is one of the important methods to cultivate excellent germplasms of Chinese medicinal materials by combining modern molecular biology with traditional genetic breeding. The main target of breeding is to make the biological characters of Chinese medicinal materials stable and the yield and medicinal component of it controllable, and ensure that the medicinal materials produced have the characteristics of "excellent shape, high quality and high effect". Compared with traditional breeding that prefers to the selection of phenotypic traits, the molecular marker-assisted breeding also emphasizes genotype screening. It mainly includes five fields, namely the construction of genetic linkage maps, the positioning of quantitative trait locus(QTL), the analysis of genetic diversities, the identification of varieties and hybrid germplasm purity, and the application of molecular marker-assisted selection. At present, SCoT, ISSR, SSR and SNP are the main DNA markers used in the studies of marker-assisted breeding of Chinese medicinal materials. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, genome-wide association(GWAS) and molecular design breeding will become the hotspots of Chinese medicinal materials breeding in the future. In this paper, we review current studies excellent germplasm selection of Chinese medicinal materials using molecular marker-assisted breeding and future development prospects. It is suggested to accelerate the breeding of traditional Chinese medicinal materials using molecular pharmacognosy theory and methods, in order to provide theoretical guidance for breeding, protection and sustainable utilization of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Blood Metabolic and Estradiol Level of Repeat Breeder and Fertile in Friesian Holstein Cross Breed Cows in the Tropic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The repeat breeding becomes the major reproduction problem in tropic area especially in Indonesia. It relates to blood metabolic and hormonal level. This research was conducted to investigate the level of blood metabolic and estradiol between the repeat breeder Friesian Holstein Cross Breed Cows (FHCB) and the fertile FHCB cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty FHCB cows in luteal phase on 2nd to 3rd lactation were used in this research. Group I consist of 10 repeat breeder FHCB cows and group II consist of 10 fertile FHCB cows. Blood samples were collected through jugular vein prior to feeding. The level of total protein, phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol and estradiol in serum were calculated. The data were analyzed by using the independent samples t-test for comparing the blood metabolic and estradiol between the repeat breeder FHCB cows and the fertile FHCB cows. RESULTS: The results showed that repeat breeder FHCB cows were found to have lower level of all of the parameters of blood metabolic and estradiol descriptively, however, only the serum cholesterol and serum phosphorus had the significant difference (p<0.05) between the repeat breeder FHCB cows and the fertile FHCB cows. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that level of serum cholesterol and serum phosphorus played a role in repeat breeding.

Making the most of all data: Combining non-genotyped and genotyped potato individuals with HBLUP.

Using genomic information to predict phenotypes can improve the accuracy of estimated breeding values and can potentially increase genetic gain over conventional breeding. In this study, we investigated the prediction accuracies achieved by best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for nine potato phenotypic traits using three types of relationship matrices pedigree ABLUP, genomic GBLUP, and a hybrid matrix (H) combining pedigree and genomic information (HBLUP). Deep pedigree information was available for >3000 different potato breeding clones evaluated over four years. Genomic relationships were estimated from >180,000 informative SNPs generated using a genotyping-by-sequencing transcriptome (GBS-t) protocol for 168 cultivars, many of which were parents of clones. Two validation scenarios were implemented, namely "Genotyped Cultivars Validation" (a subset of genotyped lines as validation set) and "Non-genotyped 2009 Progenies Validation". Most of the traits showed moderate to high narrow sense heritabilities (range 0.22-0.72). In the Genotyped Cultivars Validation, HBLUP outperformed ABLUP on prediction accuracies for all traits except early blight, and outperformed GBLUP for most of the traits except tuber shape, tuber eye depth and boil after-cooking darkening. This is evidence that the in-depth relationship within the H matrix could potentially result in better prediction accuracy in comparison to using A or G matrix individually. The prediction accuracies of the Non-genotyped 2009 Progenies Validation were comparable between ABLUP and HBLUP, varying from 0.17-0.70 and 0.18-0.69, respectively. Better prediction accuracy and less bias in prediction using HBLUP is of practical utility to breeders as all breeding material is ranked on the same scale leading to improved selection decisions. In addition, our approach provides an economical alternative to utilize historic breeding data with current genotyped individuals in implementing genomic selection.

Multiplying the efficiency and impact of biofortification through metabolic engineering.

Ending all forms of hunger by 2030, as set forward in the UN-Sustainable Development Goal 2 (UN-SDG2), is a daunting but essential task, given the limited timeline ahead and the negative global health and socio-economic impact of hunger. Malnutrition or hidden hunger due to micronutrient deficiencies affects about one third of the world population and severely jeopardizes economic development. Staple crop biofortification through gene stacking, using a rational combination of conventional breeding and metabolic engineering strategies, should enable a leap forward within the coming decade. A number of specific actions and policy interventions are proposed to reach this goal.

Insights into the molecular control of cross-incompatibility in Zea mays.

Gametophytic cross-incompatibility systems in corn have been the subject of genetic studies for more than a century. They have tremendous economic potential as a genetic mechanism for controlling fertilization without controlling pollination. Three major genetically distinct and functionally equivalent cross-incompatibility systems exist in Zea mays: Ga1, Tcb1, and Ga2. All three confer reproductive isolation between maize or teosinte varieties with different haplotypes at any one locus. These loci confer genetically separable functions to the silk and pollen: a female function that allows the silk to block fertilization by non-self-type pollen and a male function that overcomes the block of the female function from the same locus. Identification of some of these genes has shed light on the reproductive isolation they confer. The identification of both male and female factors as pectin methylesterases reveals the importance of pectin methylesterase activity in controlling the decision between pollen acceptance versus rejection, possibly by regulating the degree of methylesterification of the pollen tube cell wall. The appropriate level and spatial distribution of pectin methylesterification is critical for pollen tube growth and is affected by both pectin methylesterases and pectin methylesterase inhibitors. We present a molecular model that explains how cross-incompatibility systems may function that can be tested in Zea and uncharacterized cross-incompatibility systems. Molecular characterization of these loci in conjunction with further refinement of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms will allow researchers to bring new and powerful tools to bear on understanding reproductive isolation in Zea mays and related species.

Chemical composition and lipid profile of mare colostrum and milk of the quarter horse breed.

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition and lipid profile of colostrum and milk of purebred Quarter Horse mares. Thirty-four (34) purebred mares were selected, which were then separated into groups according to age, birth order and lactation stage. Colostrum samples were collected in the first six hours after delivery and milk samples from the 7th postpartum day, with intervals of 14 days until the end of lactation. The samples were refrigerated and sent to the Milk Laboratory of the University (Laboleite-UFRN), where they were analyzed for chemical composition. Colostrum was assessed by refractometry. The lipid profile was determined by gas chromatography through a separation of methyl esters. The data were tabulated and subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance by the F-Test, and the groups were compared by the Tukey test using a significance level of 5%. There was high protein content and reduced lactose content for the colostrum of the Quarter Horse mares, differing from other breeds. The milk composition was not influenced by the mares' age. However, variations in the lactation stage and in the birth order of the Quarter Horse mares altered the milk's chemical composition. There is variation in the lipid composition of milk according to the lactation stage, without changing the characteristic profile of the mares' milk or diminishing the nutritional quality of the lipid fraction.

Effects in broiler hens of genetic lines differing in fertility, biotin supplementation, and age on relative abundance of oviductal transforming growth factor-ß and carbonic anhydrase mRNA transcripts.

There was evaluation of effects of biotin administration on oviductal abundance of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) mRNA transcript in younger and older broiler hens of relatively lesser and greater fertility lines. Additionally, effects of biotin supplementation on attenuation of age-related subfertility were evaluated. Hens from the relatively greater (Line D, n = 60) and lesser (Line B, n = 60) fertility rate line were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Biotin was not or was administered in drinking water from 30 to 33 (younger age) and 53 to 56 (older age) wk of age to have access to no biotin (T0), or 0.3 (T1), or 0.45 (T2) mg/L of biotin. There was assessment the relative oviductal abundances of TGF-ß and CA mRNA transcript abundances. Supplemental biotin and age had no effect on the relative abundance of oviductal TGF-ß mRNA transcript in hens of Line D. There, however, was a ten-fold greater abundance of TGF-ß in hens of the T0 group of Line B compared with Line D. Relative abundance of TGF-ß mRNA transcript was greater in younger hens of Line B; however, biotin supplementation of older hens of the T2 group of Line B resulted in a similar TGF-ß abundance to that of younger hens. Inconstant with the TGF-ß abundance, CA abundance in hens of Line B was not affected by supplemental biotin or bird age. Overall, differences in TGF-ß or CA abundances did not affect fertility of broiler hens.

[Development direction of molecular breeding of medicinal plants].

To breed new varieties of medicinal plants with high resistance is the premise to ensure the production of high-quality medicinal materials. Molecular breeding using modern molecular biology and genetic technology can save time and effort and realize rapid and accurate breeding. Here we are trying to summarize the difference of breeding characteristics between medicinal plants and crops such as genetic background and breeding purpose. The strategy of molecular breeding of medicinal plants was summarized, and the four-phases breeding based on high-throughput sequencing and target gene mining was emphasized. We put forward the current molecular breeding of medicinal plants in the condition of four phases breeding is the optimal technological way of breeding, and gene editing breeding is the direction of medicinal plants breeding.

Impact of sow parity on yield and composition of colostrum and milk in Danish Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows.

The present study aims to characterize the colostrum, milk yield and composition and to determine whether sow parity would influence yield and composition of colostrum and milk in Danish Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows. The data were collected from sow parity numbers 1 (n = 27), 2-4 (n = 48) and 5-6 (n = 30) from Danish Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows reared in a commercial swine herd in Thailand. The piglets were weighed on day 0 (<1 h), 1 (24 h), 3, 10 and 17 after birth to determine the colostrum and milk yields of the sows using a prediction equation. Milk samples were collected manually within 1 h of the onset of parturition and on days 3, 10 and 17 after farrowing to evaluate milk composition. A general linear model procedure was used to analyze the effects of sow parity numbers on colostrum yield and composition and a general linear mixed model procedure was used to analyze the effects of sow parity numbers on yield and composition of milk. The model included the fixed effects of sow parity number and time (day after parturition). The sow parity numbers 2-4 (7.0 kg) had a higher colostrum yield than 1st parity sows (5.4 kg, P = 0.002) and parity 5-6 sows (5.9 kg, P = 0.025). No evidence of parity differences was observed on milk yield (P = 0.306). No effect of sow parity numbers on fat, protein and lactose in milk was observed. The dry matter in sow parity numbers 2-4 (19.8 g/100 g) had a tendency to be higher than sow parity number 1 (18.6 g/100 g, P = 0.107) and 5-6 (18.4 g/ 100 g, P = 0.053). In conclusion, sow parity number had an impact on colostrum yield in Danish Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows in a tropical climate but did not influence colostrum, milk composition and milk yield. Colostrum yield in Danish Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows was the highest in sow parity numbers 2-4.

[Breeding of a new cultivar "Chuanjianghuang 1" of Sichuan Dao-di herbs Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and Curcumae Radix].

The systematic breeding method was adopted to breed a new good cultivar of Curcuma longa, named "Chuanjianghuang 1". From 2014 to 2015, two consecutive years of multi-point test were carried out in Shuangliu, Chongzhou and Wenjiang. The biological characters, phenology, agronomic characters, yield and quality indexes of "Chuanjianghuang 1" were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that compared with local traditional species, the rhizome yield of the new cultivar "Chuanjianghuang 1" increased by 20.61%.The average content of volatile oil was higher than 24.17% and the average content of curcumin in root tuber was higher than 26.62%. The yield of root tuber increased by 54.59%.The average content of volatile oil is higher than 36.28% and the average content of curcuminoids is higher than 25.31%. Compared with "Huangsi Yujin 1", "Chuanjianghuang 1" increased the average yield of rhizome by 123.68%,the volatile oil increased by an average of 7.69%and the curcumin content increased by an average of 58.23%. The average content of volatile oil is higher than 52.82% and the average content of curcuminoids in root tuber was higher than 38.34%. The new variety "Chuanjianghuang 1" has better yield than the local traditional species, and the internal quality of rhizome and root tuber is better. Compared with "Huangsi Yujin 1", the yield of rhizome is significantly increased, and the internal quality of rhizome and root tuber is better, especially the content of curcumin in rhizome and curcuminoids in root tuber is significantly higher than that of "Huangsi Yujin 1". "Chuanjianghuang 1" is high yield, good quality, good stability and strong adaptability, which is suitable for cultivation and promotion in Chengdu Jinma River Basin, such as Shuangliu, Chongzhou, Wenjiang.