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The most important nutrients affecting wool production include sulfur amino acids, such as methionine, and minerals, such as zinc, and their deficiency may cause wool production decrease. The aim of this study was to evaluate an effect of zinc and methionine chelate addition on the qualitative characteristics of Merino ewes wool and zinc content in...
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... Previous studies have confirmed that proline betaine alleviates inflammation and inhibits cell apoptosis [22], and it acts as an inhibitor of homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), which affects the generation of Hcy [23,24]. Hcy can be converted into Met under the catalytic action of BHMT, making this step a vital part of the Met cycle pathway [25]. The skin tissue and hair follicles of fur-bearing animals depend on Met metabolism to convert the Met into Cys, thereby meeting the requirements for hair growth [20]. ...
Methionine (Met) was the first limiting amino acid identified in cashmere goats, and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi) can effectively provide Met and encourage cashmere growth in goats. However, existing studies have primarily centered on the trait of cashmere growth and have not delved into the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms by which HMBi promotes cashmere growth in goats. In the present study, we combined metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to reveal the effects of HMBi supplementation and its impact on the gene expressions and metabolic profiles within the skin tissue of Liaoning cashmere goats. A total of 14 female Liaoning cashmere goats were randomly allocated to the control (CON) and HMBi groups. The CON group received a basal diet, and the HMBi group was fed the basal diet plus 1.27% HMBi. Our results show that HMBi supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the cashmere length and decreased the cashmere diameter in the goats. The metabolomics results show that the HMBi supplementation increased (variable importance in projection >1 and p < 0.05) the concentrations of Met, 2-Hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid (HMB), proline betaine, and 10-hydroxydecanoic acid in the skin tissue of the goats. For HMB degradation and Met cycle-related genes, compared with the CON diets, the HMBi diets elevated (p < 0.05) LDHD, MAT1A, and AHCY by 86.33%, 154.54%, and 147.89% in the skin tissue, respectively. Regarding genes related to cell proliferation and differentiation, the HMBi supplementation increased (p < 0.05) CCND1, CDK4, IVL, and BMP4 by 113.31%, 107.93%, 291.33%, and 186.21%, respectively. The results of the transcriptome evaluation show that the differential expression genes were mainly enriched (p < 0.05) in the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways. In summary, these findings indicate that the Met cycle, Wnt, and MAPK play important roles in the process of HMBi, promoting cashmere growth in Liaoning cashmere goats.
... Furthermore, Zn supplementation to feed was also found to be effective on fibre diameter in the same study. The finding of the study showed that the sheep with additional Zn had higher than control groups [41]. ...
... In brief, the effect of Fe on the fibre length was favourable, however, the effect of Mg and Zn were negative. The correlation between fleece Zn content and the fibre length was to be 0.60 in Merino sheep [41]. The correlation between fibre length-diameter and the fibre length-elasticity was found to be significant (p-value<0.05) and was 0.12 and 0.22, respectively. ...
... The correlation between fibre length and strength was not found to be significant. On the other hand, they were found as 0.54, -0.11 and -0.30 for length-diameter, length-elasticity and length-strength, respectively in the study of [41]. Unfortunately, no study has been encountered for the effect of Fe and Mg on fibre quality. ...
The purpose of this study was to determine the current status of sheep breeders in Aksaray province, as well as the structural characteristics of sheep farms. The survey questions, which were prepared for this purpose and consisted of a total of 68 questions, were directed to the farmers face to face and the answers were recorded. The obtained data was evaluated by frequency analysis. According to the results of the questionnaire, the breeders were composed of 5-7 family members, and their educational status was mostly at the primary school level. The breeders reported that they primarily raised Akkaraman breeds for meat, milk, and fleece. The breeders, who usually have closed pens, raise their sheep in the pasture and supplement feeding. It has been determined that sheep are mated for the first time at the age of 18 months in the province and September is preferred for ram joining. Milking was done by hand on the farms and turned into cheese. It has been reported that these cheeses are frequently sold at retail. They reported that while at least one health protection program was implemented in enterprises, they experienced the most toe-nail and abortion problems. The producers, whose main problem is the cost of feed, stated that they demand veterinary services and breeding stock from the government.
... Furthermore, Zn supplementation to feed was also found to be effective on fibre diameter in the same study. The finding of the study showed that the sheep with additional Zn had higher than control groups [41]. ...
... In brief, the effect of Fe on the fibre length was favourable, however, the effect of Mg and Zn were negative. The correlation between fleece Zn content and the fibre length was to be 0.60 in Merino sheep [41]. The correlation between fibre length-diameter and the fibre length-elasticity was found to be significant (p-value<0.05) and was 0.12 and 0.22, respectively. ...
... The correlation between fibre length and strength was not found to be significant. On the other hand, they were found as 0.54, -0.11 and -0.30 for length-diameter, length-elasticity and length-strength, respectively in the study of [41]. Unfortunately, no study has been encountered for the effect of Fe and Mg on fibre quality. ...
The fibre characteristics of fleece determine its fate through the textile industry. Parameters such as diameter, length, elasticity and strength define the functional quality of fleece. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate effects of different environmental factors as well as wool mineral contents on fleece fibre quality traits in Central Anatolian Merino sheep. Additionally, the mineral contents of Central Anatolian Merino fleece were investigated. For this purpose, 300 samples were equally collected from 3 different body regions (shoulder, rib and rump) of 100 animals from five different age groups. Samples were analysed for fibre quality (diameter, length, elasticity and strength) traits and mineral contents (calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and zinc). A wide range of statistical relationships were found among the focused traits and those factors. The findings of this study highlight the importance of minerals as well as environmental factors on fleece quality parameters.
... Zinc is an essential micromineral involved in wool growth particularly keratinization of the fiber (Masters et al., 1985;White et al., 1994). In the present study, Zn500 ewes sheared approximately 18% heavier fleeces than Zn1000 ewes the following year after treatment, potentially alluding to an optimum dietary Zn requirement similar to results from Page et al. (2020) and Wyrostek et al. (2019). These results may suggest benefits of providing up to ≈2 to ≈3 × NASEM Zn requirements but not beyond. ...
Objective
The objective of this research was to determine the effects of increasing Zn concentrations during late gestation on serum metabolites, serum mineral element transfer efficiency ratios (TE), and ewe and lamb performance in a semi-extensive management system.
Materials and Methods
Commercial white-face (WF; n = 23) and black-face (BF; n = 24) ewes (age ≈18 mo; BW 87.48 ± 8.37 kg) were sorted into breed-type groups and within groups ranked by BW and randomly divided into 3 dietary supplement treatment groups along the rank: CON (n = 13, 40 mg/kg Zn, ≈1 × NASEM recommendations), Zn500 (n = 19, 500 mg/kg Zn, ≈4 × NASEM recommendations), and Zn1000 (n = 15, 1,000 mg/kg Zn, ≈7 × NASEM recommendations). Treatments were administered in pelleted alfalfa (0.45 kg/ewe per day) fortified with Zn sulfate to increase Zn concentrations fed from 87.5 ± 8.9 d of gestation until parturition.
Results and Discussion
Maternal treatment did not affect ewe BW change throughout the experiment, nor serum metabolites, mineral element TE, or progeny performance through weaning (P ≥ 0.06). However, ewe greasy fleece weight the following year was greater for Zn500 than Zn1000 ewes (4.13 ± 0.18 kg vs. 3.48 ± 0.19 kg; P = 0.03) but did not differ between CON and the other treatments (3.68 ± 0.22 kg; P ≥ 0.22). The most marked effects were observed between breeds where Zn TE of WF ewes and lambs (264.3 ± 23.2) was approximately twice that of BF ewes and their lambs (165.4 ± 19.7; P < 0.01). Serum Fe was greater in WF ewes and lambs (2.24 ± 0.10 and 1.34 ± 0.09 μg/mL, respectively) than in BF ewes and their lambs (1.82 ± 0.09 and 1.05 ± 0.09 μg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). At birth, WF lambs had greater serum BHB and cortisol (4.44 mg/dL and 31.9 ± 3.89 ng/mL, respectively) concentrations compared with BF lambs (3.97 mg/dL and 22.0 ± 3.62 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.03) and also exhibited 6.8% greater vigor (P = 0.02).
Implications and Applications
The results suggest feeding Zn supplemented from Zn sulfate beyond current NASEM recommendations from d 87 of gestation until parturition had minimal beneficial effects on fine-wool or meat-type ewes and lambs. Breed differences observed in serum mineral element concentrations (Fe and Zn) and related TE of the neonatal lamb may provide insights into adaptive trace mineral supplementation strategies based on breed type and related levels of production.
... Wool production and quality are also influenced by the sex and age of animals and ewe reproduction state (Khan et al., 2012 andScobie et al., 2015). Moreover, the role of proper nutrition reflected in energy-rich and protein supplement are of the main factors affecting the wool production (Nguyen, 2018 andWyrostek et al., 2019). ...
This study was implemented to evaluate the effects of different zinc doses as Zinc-Met supplement (Zinpro®) on the antioxidant status, blood immune cells, antibody titers, and the expression of IL-4 and IL-6 genes of ewes in the hot season. In a completely randomized design, 24 ewes were assigned to treatments as follow: 0, 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg zinc as Zinc-Met supplementation for 40 days in region with 40 °C and vaccinated against food-and-mouth disease as an immune challenge at day 30, and then blood samples were collected on day 40. Ewes were fed a basal diet containing 29.9 mg zinc/kg. The highest activity of the antioxidant enzyme and the lowest lipid peroxidation values were found in ewes receiving 30 and 45 mg/kg zinc following a linear trend. The highest lymphocytes count and antibody titers were found in ewes received 30 mg zinc/kg. There were no significant differences among treatments for the relative expression of genes. In overall, zinc supplementation non-significantly up-regulate interleukin-4 and down-regulate interleukin-6. It was concluded that zinc supplementation as Zinc-Met could enhance the antioxidant status and immune response of ewes under heat stress; supplementation of diet with 30 mg zinc/kg (300 mg/kg Zinpro®) appeared to be the most effective dose.
Suppressed wool prices in Ireland over the last number of years has led to situations where the cost of shearing animals is greater than the wools’ value, leading to net losses per animal for farmers. Populations of sheep in Ireland and nutrient values of wool from literature sources were used to determine the quantity of nutrients that could be produced on an annual basis using hydrolysis techniques. Results of this study suggest that up to 15.8% of the nitrogen required to produce Ireland’s cereal crops can be met annually using hydrolysed sheep wool in an economically feasible manner along with considerable amounts of sulphur, zinc, and copper. Most of the cost associated with the process is the purchasing of wool from farmers at an economically favourable level for farmers. Based on the spatial distribution of these animals, the town of Athlone is the most suitable location for a processing facility.
Considerable progress in materials development and device integration for mechanically bendable and stretchable optoelectronics will broaden the application of “Internet‐of‐Things” concepts to a myriad of new applications. When addressing the needs associated with the human body, such as the detection of mechanical functions, monitoring of health parameters, and integration with human tissues, optoelectronic devices, interconnects/circuits enabling their functions, and the core passive components from which the whole system is built must sustain different degrees of mechanical stresses. Herein, the basic characteristics and performance of several of these devices are reported, particularly focusing on the conducting element constituting them. Among these devices, strain sensors of different types, energy storage elements, and power/energy storage and generators are included. Specifically, the advances during the past 3 years are reported, wherein mechanically flexible conducting elements are fabricated from (0D, 1D, and 2D) conducting nanomaterials from metals (e.g., Au nanoparticles, Ag flakes, Cu nanowires), carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, 2D conductors (e.g., graphene, MoS2), metal oxides (e.g., Zn nanorods), and conducting polymers (e.g., poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4‐styrene sulfonate), polyaniline) in combination with passive fibrotic and elastomeric materials enabling, after integration, the so‐called electronic skins and electronic textiles. Electronic skin and electronic textile devices where mechanically flexible conducting elements are fabricated from (0D, 1D, and 2D) nanomaterials and conducting polymers in combination with passive elastomeric and fibrotic materials are needed for new applications. Seminal and more recent contributions, from both materials and device perspectives, contributing to the development of this technology are reviewed.
