[Objective] The aim of the present study was to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution and aggregation characteristics of livestock and poultry manures in Heilongjiang Province. [Method] Using the Statistical Yearbook of Heilongjiang Province as the data source, the coefficient and calculation model of livestock and poultry manure emissions were applied to evaluate the emission amount of livestock and poultry manures [feces, urine, and biochemical oxygen demand （BOD）, chemical oxygen demand （COD） and ammonia nitrogen （NH₃-N） of manure pollutants] in Heilongjiang Province from the year of 2009 to 2020. The changing range of the total emissions of feces and urine from livestock and poultry was assessed by calculation of the coefficient of variation using the overall standard deviation function and the mean value function in Excel software. Taking the year of 2019 as an example, investigation was conducted to analyze the breeding amount of pigs, sheep, poultry, dairy cows, yellow cattle and beef cattle in 13 regions of Heilongjiang Province （Suihua City, Daqing City, Harbin City, Qiqihar City, Mudanjiang City, Jiamusi City, Shuangyashan City, Jixi City, Hegang City, Heihe City, Yichun City, Qitaihe City and Daxing′anling Region）. Using the calculation method of pig manure equivalent land load, the livestock and poultry manure production and the load of cultivated land in the 13 regions were analyzed. The spatial aggregation of livestock and poultry feces and urine pollution were characterized by the spatial autocorrelation method with ArcGIS software. [Result] From the year of 2009 to 2020, the coefficient of variation of the total emissions of feces and urine from livestock and poultry in Heilongjiang Province was 4.20%, indicating that there was some fluctuations in the total emissions, but the interannual variation range was small. The total emissions of feces and urine from livestock and poultry decreased by 2.86%, from 105.666 5 million tons in the year of 2009 to 102.644 3 million tons in the year of 2020. The feces and urine emissions from different livestock and poultry varied greatly, with yellow cattle and beef cattle having the highest emissions and poultry having the lowest. Due to the changes in the production structure and scale of animal husbandry in the year of 2020, the emissions of BOD, COD and NH₃-N of livestock and poultry manure pollutants increased by 3.67%, 2.72% and 2.31% compared to those in the year of 2009, respectively. In terms of spatial distribution, Suihua City, Harbin City and Qiqihar City were the key areas for the development of animal husbandry in Heilongjiang Province. The main breeding regions were centered in the southwest part of this province, while the eastern, central and northern regions had relatively small breeding amount of livestock and poultry. The order of livestock and poultry feces and urine emissions and pig manure equivalent of livestock and poultry feces and urine in the 13 regions of this province was roughly the same, with Suihua City, Harbin City and Qiqihar City being the top three. The average value of pig manure equivalent cultivated land load was 8.21 t/hm², while Daqing City had the highest land load among the 13 regions, coming in at 22.58 t/hm², both of which were below the optimal land load in China. There was some degree of aggregation in the pig manure equivalent cultivated land load across different regions of this province, with Daqing City, Suihua City and Qiqihar City showing high-high aggregation characteristics. [Conclusion] Although there is an imbalance in the spatial distribution of livestock and poultry production and manure emissions in Heilongjiang Province, the environmental impacts of livestock and poultry manure pollution on cultivated land have not been negative. With the rapid development of animal husbandry and the dynamic changes in the layout of animal husbandry production in Heilongjiang Province, the problems of livestock and poultry pollution should garner more attention.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to screen high-efficient cellulose-degrading bacterial and fungal strains suitable for use in northern China at room and low temperatures. [Method] Using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose medium, bacteria and fungi capable of degrading cellulose were isolated and preliminary screened from the samples of humus soil, rice straw, sheep feces and donkey feces collected from Inner Mongolia. The species of the obtained bacterial and fungal strains were molecularly identified by using 16S rDNA and ITS gene sequence analysis, respectively. The strains were further screened on cellulose Congo-red agar medium and by filter paper degradation test. 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid （DNS） colorimetry was used to measure the cellulase activities of the strains. [Result] A total of 44 cellulose-degrading strains, comprising 43 bacterial strains and 1 fungal strain, were isolated. Of these, 27 strains were isolated at 30 ℃ and exhibited cellulose-degrading ability at room temperature, and 17 strains were isolated at 18 ℃ and exhibited cellulose-degrading ability at low temperature. At the genus level, Bacillus was the first dominant genus among room temperature cellulose-degrading bacteria, followed by Pseudomonas. Among low temperature cellulose-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas was the first dominant genus, followed by Acinetobacter and Bacillus. A total of 35 strains with improved cellulose-degrading efficiency were subsequently identified using cellulose Congo-red agar medium and filter paper degradation test. Furtherly, 3 strains, T-8-2 （Bacillus spp.）, LF-7 （Bacillus spp.） and LF-5 （Aspergillus spp.）, with higher carboxymethyl cellulase （CMCase） activities were isolated by DNS colorimetry, with CMCase activities of （169.24 ± 2.18）, （136.79 ± 2.05） and （116.01 ± 0.52） U/mL, respectively. These 3 strains also had higher activities of β-Gase, FPA and C₁. [Conclusion] This study characterizes the community composition and cellulose-degrading ability of the culturable cellulose-degrading bacteria and fungi in Inner Mongolia. The screened 3 strains exhibiting cellulose-degrading ability at room temperature with high activities of CMCase, β-Gase, FPA and C₁ can be used as potential strains for effectively degrading cellulose in the development of fermentation agents for manure composting.

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the changes in intestinal microbiota composition and serum inflammatory factors as well as their correlation in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D）. [Method] A total of 12 male SD rats were divided into a normal group and a model group according to the random number table, with 6 rats in each group. The IBS-D rat models were established using acetic acid colon perfusion combined with restraint stimulation method. Normal and model rats were given 10 mL/（kg·BW） of distilled water by gavage once per day. Samples were collected after 8 consecutive days of intervention. ELISA assay was used to measure the serum levels of IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α. The species composition of intestinal microbiota, single factor network, and correlation of intestinal microbiota with serum inflammatory factors in the two groups of rats were examined using the 16S rDNA sequencing data. [Result] In comparison with the normal group, the serum level of IL-10 in the model group decreased （P<0.01）, while the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α increased （P<0.01）. The comparison of species composition showed that there were differences in intestinal microbiota at the phylum and genus levels between the two groups. Compared with the normal group, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota in the model group increased, while that of Firmicutes and other bacteria decreased （P<0.05 or P<0.01）; at the genus level, the relative abundance of Alloprevotella in the model group elevated, while that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and other bacteria reduced （P<0.05）. Analysis of indicator species of intestinal microbiota showed that Candidatus_Stoquefichus, Candidatus_Arthromitus and other bacteria in the model group had significant （P<0.05） affects. The results of single factor network analysis showed that in the model group, the differential microbiota Alloprevotella was negatively correlated with Roseburia, Romboutsia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, while Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group was positively correlated with Romboutsia, UCG-003, Oscillibacter and Roseburia. The results of correlation analysis showed that at the phylum level, Fusobacteriota, Myxococcota, Proteobacteria and Halanaerobiaeota were positively correlated with serum level of IL-10; Bacteroidota was negatively correlated with serum level of IL-10, and positively correlated with serum level of IL-6; Campilobacterota and Halanaerobiaeota were negatively correlated with serum level of IL-6; Desulfobacterota, Campilobacterota and Halanaerobiaeota were negatively correlated with serum level of TNF-α. At the genus level, Alloprevotella, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Prevotella were positively correlated with serum level of IL-10, while Alloprevotella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 were negatively correlated with serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α; Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, UCG-003 and Oscillibacter were negatively correlated with serum level of IL-10, and positively correlated with serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. The differences in the above results were statistically significant （P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001）. [Conclusion] Compared with healthy rats, IBS-D rats have different intestinal microbiota composition and serum levels of inflammatory factors, and there is correlation between intestinal microbiota and serum inflammatory factors. The results obtained in this study provide a useful reference for clinical detection of inflammatory factors to guide the selection of probiotics or antibiotics.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of sub-chronic arsenic poisoning on the protein expression levels of AQP-8 and survivin in rat testicular tissues. [Method] A total of 40 healthy adult clean-grade SD male rats were randomly assigned into a control group and the low-, medium- and high-dose arsenic exposure groups, with 10 rats in each group. Using free drinking water poisoning, the concentrations of sodium arsenate in drinking water of the low-, medium- and high-dose exposure groups were 2.4, 12.0 and 60.0 mg/L, respectively. The arsenic exposure experiment lasted for 15 consecutive weeks. The control group was given distilled water. At the end of the exposure experiment, sperm count were measured on rats in each group to calculate sperm survival rate. Testicular tissue sections were prepared for pathological observation. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses were used to determine the protein expression levels of AQP-8 and survivin in rat testicular tissues. [Result] Compared with the control group, the sperm count and sperm survival rate in the medium- and high-dose exposure groups decreased significantly （P<0.05）. There was no obvious alteration in the seminiferous tubules of the rats in the low-dose exposure group. In the medium-dose exposure group, the number of seminiferous epithelial layers decreased and the seminiferous tubule gaps widened. In the high-dose exposure group, part of the seminiferous tubules showed dissolved basal membrane, disordered seminiferous epithelial cell layers and increased intercellular gaps, and interstitial edema and exudation. According to the immunohistochemical analysis, AQP-8 protein was primarily expressed in the cell membrane and sperm cells of spermatogenic cells at all levels. Compared with the control group, the mean optical density of AQP-8 positive cells in the testicular tissues of the rats in various arsenic exposure groups significantly （P<0.05） increased. Survivin protein was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of secondary spermatocytes and sperm cells. In comparison with the control group, the mean optical density of survivin positive cells in the testicular tissues of the rats exposed to various doses of sodium arsenate significantly （P<0.05） decreased. Western blotting analysis showed that both the control group and the sodium arsenate exposed groups had AQP-8 and survivin protein expressions in the testicular tissues. In the low-, medium- and high-dose exposure groups, the protein expression level of AQP-8 was significantly （P=0） up regulated, while that of survivin was significantly （P=0） down regulated compared with the control group. [Conclusion] The up regulation of AQP-8 protein expression and down regulation of survivin protein expression in testicular tissues caused by arsenic exposure may be one of the mechanisms leading to its male reproductive toxicity.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to conduct bioinformatics analysis on the pS273R protein of African swine fever virus （ASFV）. [Method] Using bioinformatics tools, the sequence homology and genetic evolution of the pS273R gene of 43 strains of ASFV were analyzed, and predictions were made on the physicochemical properties, secondary structure, phosphorylation sites, glycosylation modifications, subcellular localization and tertiary structure of the pS273R protein. [Result] Different ASFV strains exhibited high homology in pS273R gene with 5 strains isolated from China sharing 100% sequence homology, and 38 strains isolated from other countries sharing 93.60% to 100% sequence homology. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Chinese strains were genetically closely related to the European branch. The pS273R protein was hydrophilic and composed of 273 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weigh of 31.58 kDa. In terms of secondary structure, α-helix （Hh）, extended chain （Ee）, β-bend （Tt） and random coil （Cc） were mainly observed. It had 28 phosphorylation sites and 2 potential N-glycosylation sites. It most likely presented in the cytoplasm of the host cell （P=47.8%）. The tertiary structure was formed through biological processes such as rotation, folding and curling of the secondary structure of α-helix, β-bend, β-fold and random coil. [Conclusion] The results obtained in this study provide references for the in-depth analysis of structure and function of pS273R protein and the development of ASFV inhibitors.

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary yeast culture supplementation on production performance, slaughter performance and visceral organ indices of fattening Kazakh sheep. [Method] A total of 30 three-month-old Kazakh rams were randomly divided into 0 YC group （control group）, 20 YC group and 40 YC group with 10 in each group. Under the same feeding and management conditions, the 0 YC group fed a basal diet with a concentrate to roughage （concentrate∶corn silage） ratio of 70∶30, and the 20 YC and 40 YC groups fed the same basal diet supplemented with 20 and 40 g yeast culture per ram per day, respectively. The feeding experiment lasted for 31 days. On 1^st and 30^th days of the experiment, the rams were weighed before morning feeding. The daily amount of feed offered to the rams and the remaining amount of feed in each sheep barn were recorded. The average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio during the experiment were calculated. On the final day of the experiment, 5 Kazakh rams with comparable body weights were chosen at random from each group and slaughtered. The indicators associated with slaughter performance were measured, and the visceral organ indices were calculated. [Result] There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio among different groups. Compared to the 0 YC group, the average daily gain in the 20 YC and 40 YC groups increased by 7.75% and 5.67%, respectively; the average daily feed intake in the 20 YC group increased by 4.23%; the feed to gain ratio in the 20 YC and 40 YC groups decreased by 3.40% and 5.80%, respectively. In addition, the average daily feed intake and average daily gain in the 20 YC group were slightly higher than those in the 40 YC group （P>0.05）. Compared with the 0 YC group, the live weight before slaughter, carcass weight and slaughter rate in the 20 YC group increased by 1.30%, 7.32% and 5.95%（P>0.05）, respectively, while those in the 40 YC group increased by 1.66%, 7.22% and 5.24%（P>0.05）, respectively. The tail fat weight in the 20 YC and 40 YC groups decreased by 13.67% and 9.38% （P>0.05） compared with the 0 YC group, respectively. The live weight before slaughter and tail fat weight in the 20 YC group were slightly lower than those in the 40 YC group （P>0.05）, while the carcass weight and slaughter rate were slightly higher than those in the 40 YC group （P>0.05）. The indices of heart, liver, lung, spleen and kidney in the 20 YC and 40 YC groups were slightly higher than those in the 0 YC group, but the differences were not significant （P>0.05）. The improving effect on visceral organ indices in the 20 YC group was slightly superior to that in the 40 YC group. [Conclusion] Dietary yeast culture supplementation has positive effects on production performance, slaughter performance and visceral organ indices of fattening Kazakh sheep, and the effects are better when the supplementation amount is 20 g per day per ram.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of adding different proportions of cassava alcohol residue on fermentation quality of micro-silage of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin. [Method] Four treatment groups with different addition levels of cassava alcohol residue were set up using Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin as raw material. The proportions of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin to cassava alcohol residue included in this study were 1∶1.38 （group Ⅰ）, 1∶1 （groupⅡ）, 1∶0.35 （group Ⅲ） and 1∶0.11 （group Ⅳ）. The initiative water content of the micro-silage was set to 40% （group Ⅰ）, 50% （group Ⅱ）, 60% （group Ⅲ) and 70% （group Ⅳ）. Commercial microbial additives were used to prepare mixed micro-silage. Single microbial fermentation of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin without addition of cassava alcohol residue was set as the control group （CK group）. There were three replicates for each group. After 30 d fermentation, samples of the fermented micro-silage were taken to assess the sensory indicators, fermentation quality, nutritional components and digestibility. [Result] The sensory indicators of the prepared micro-silage with addition of different proportions of cassava alcohol residue were all better than those of CK group, with group Ⅱ being the best. The dry matter content among the varied groups were significant （P<0.05） different. In comparison to the other groups, the crude protein content in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） higher, and the crude ash content in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） lower. The content of neutral detergent fiber in group Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in the other groups, and the content of acidic detergent fiber in group Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in groups Ⅰ, Ⅳ and CK. The soluble carbohydrate content in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly （P<0.05) higher than that in groups Ⅳ and CK. The starch content in group Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in the other groups. The calcium content in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in CK group, with group Ⅱ being the highest. In comparison to CK group, groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ had significantly （P<0.05） lower levels of phosphorus. The contents of magnesium, potassium and chloride ions in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly （P<0.05） lower than those in CK group. The 30 h in vitro dry matter digestibility of groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of groups Ⅳ and CK, with group Ⅱ being the highest. Compared with CK group, the lactic acid content of the micro-silage of the cassava alcohol residue addition treatment groups was significantly （P<0.05） increased, while the acetic acid content was significantly （P<0.05） decreased. The ammonia content in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in the other groups. [Conclusion] The addition of cassava alcohol residue improves the fermentation quality of the micro-silage of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin. When the proportion of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Gui Min Yin to cassava alcohol residue is 1∶1 and the initiative water content is 50%, the fermentation quality of the micro-silage is the best.

Tannin, also known as tannic acid, is a natural, non-toxic group of macromolecular polyphenols with active chemical properties and a range of biological activities. Dietary supplementation of suitable level of tannin can improve the production performance, reduce methane emissions, decrease urea nitrogen content, lower rumen protein degradation rate, regulate rumen microbial flora, and improve meat quality of cattle and sheep. In the area of ruminants farming, it has a wide range of potential applications. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of tannin are introduced, and the research progress of the effects of tannin on production performance, nitrogen metabolism as well as rumen microbial flora and their metabolites in cattle and sheep are reviewed, in hoping to provide references for the application of tannin in livestock production.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the effects of different microbial agents addition and different compaction densities on nutritional components and fermentation quality of corn silage. [Method] Four commercial microbial agents with two compaction densities （750 kg/m³ and 850 kg/m³）, and two microbial agent addition methods （adding the recommended level or the same level） were set up using whole plant silage corn as raw material. The recommended addition levels of the microbial agents A （group A, consisting of 7 bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus paracasei）, B （group B, consisting of Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus plantarum）, C （group C, consisting of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici） and D （group D, consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri） were 2.5×10¹¹, 1.1×10¹¹, 2.9×10¹¹ and 1.0×10¹² CFU/t, respectively. The same addition level of the four microbial agents was 5.0×10¹¹ CFU/t. Control groups without addition of microbial agents were set at the both compaction densities. After 120 d fermentation, samples of the corn silage were taken to measure and compare the nutritional components and fermentation indicators under different levels of microbial agents addition and at different compaction densities. [Result] At the compaction density of 750 kg/m³, when adding the recommended levels of the four microbial agents, the dry matter content in group D was higher than that in control group, and was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in groups A and B. When the addition level of the four microbial agents was all 5.0×10¹¹ CFU/t, the dry matter content in group D was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in control group. Compared with control group, adding the recommended levels and the same level of the four microbial agents all had trend of increase in the contents of crude protein, starch and lactic acid. Adding the recommended levels of the four microbial agents at the both compaction densities, the starch content increased by 5.61% to 9.23% and 2.49% to 6.71%, respectively, and the lactic acid content increased by 11.09% to 25.94% and 15.56% to 38.97%, respectively. At the compaction density of 850 kg/m³, when the addition level of the four microbial agents was 5.0×10¹¹ CFU/t, the dry matter content in groups C and D increased by 2.94% and 2.60% compared to control group, respectively. In comparison with control group, the addition of the recommended levels and the same level of the four microbial agents showed trend of decrease in the content of butyric acid. Overall, different compaction densities had limited effects on the nutritional components and fermentation quality of the corn silage. [Conclusion] Microbial agents addition improves the nutritional components and fermentation quality of corn silage. Higher level addition of the microbial agent consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri has better performance than lower level addition of the microbial agent with the same composition or combinative addition of multiple microorganisms.

Small non-coding RNA （sncRNA） functions primarily through inhibitory regulation of target genes. Recent research revealed that sncRNA is expressed in various parts of the mammalian epididymis and plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression in different segments of the epididymis. The diversity of sncRNA identified in epididymal epithelial cells and the spatiotemporal variations in sncRNA expression level may have an impact on many potential target genes, regulating the physiological functions of epididymis. In addition, these sncRNA can also be transmitted to sperm through epididymosomes, producing a series of regulatory effects on sperm. This paper reviews the research progress of the expression of sncRNA in epididymis as well as the regulation of sncRNA on epididymis function and sperm function in epididymis, in hoping to provide references for exploring the molecular mechanism of the regulatory effect of sncRNA on male germ cells.

The development of hair follicle structures is completed during the embryonic stage. It is a complex physiological process that is divided into 3 classical stages: induction, organogenesis and cell differentiation. Hair follicles are regulated by a variety of molecules during growth and development, involving complex signal cross talk at various stages of hair follicle development. Currently, many signaling pathways as well as the growth factors′ modes of action lack adequate and explicit elucidations. This paper reviews recent research on hair follicle morphogenesis in mammals and associated signaling pathways to better understand the signaling regulation mechanism of hair follicle growth. It also presents the basic structure of hair follicles, explains the division and corresponding characteristics of hair follicle development stages, and summarizes the Wnt signal, Eda signal, Fgf signal, Bmp signal, Shh signal, Pdgfa signal, Notch signal and some other signaling pathways involved in various stages of hair follicle development and their roles, in hoping to provide references for unravelling the pathogenesis of related cancers caused by certain signaling pathway defects.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the effects of two ventilation modes on air quality and swine health in pigsty under the background of normalized control of African swine fever outbreak. [Method] A total of 1 280 binary castrated finishing pigs with body weights of 44 to 45 kg were randomly divided into a control group （longitudinal ventilation） and an experiment group （filter-typed vertical and three-dimensional ventilation） with 640 pigs in each group. The concentrations of harmful gases, microparticles and microbial aerosol in the pigsty of the two groups were routinely detected daily during the 28 d continuous monitoring. The titers of antibodies against swine fever virus, pseudorabies virus, porcine circovirus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in the swine herd were detected by ELISA assay. PCR was used to identify the viral pathogens. Feces and dust samples from the pigsty environment were collected for the insolation of Streptococcus, Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma pneumonia. [Result] Compared with the control group, the concentrations of the harmful gases of NH₃ and H₂S in the experiment group decreased by 46.52% and 48.55%, respectively, with extremely significant （P<0.01） differences. The concentrations of the microparticles of PM_2.5 and PM_1.0 decreased by 62.30% and 67.48%, respectively, with extremely significant （P<0.01） differences. The concentration of the microbial aerosol in the experiment group extremely significantly （P<0.01） decreased by 54.33%. With extremely significant （P<0.01） differences, the positive rates of antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae increased by 29.97% and 26.64%, respectively. The number of pathogenic bacteria in the experiment group was prominently lower than that in the control group. [Conclusion] The deployment of filter-typed vertical and three-dimensional ventilation system in pigsty significantly improves the air quality and the health status of the pig herd. The results obtained in this study provide references for exploring safe and reliable ventilation modes.

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the drought resistance of alfalfa varieties domestically bred in China and introduced from abroad during germination period, and to select the alfalfa varieties with strong drought resistance. [Method] Polyethylene glycol 6000 （PEG-6000） solutions were used to simulate drought stress on five alfalfa germplasm materials （Xinmu No.4, Zhongmu No.3, Gena, A-17, D-23） at concentrations of 0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. The control group （CK） was treated with distilled water. The germination indices and drought resistance coefficient of the alfalfa germplasm materials at different PEG-6000 treatment concentrations during germination period were measured, and their drought resistance performance was comprehensively assessed using the membership function method. [Result] The analysis of germination indices as well as the multi-dimensionally and comprehensively evaluation on germination indices by the membership function method demonstrated that Gena had the highest drought resistance during germination period among the tested alfalfa varieties, followed by A-17, Xinmu No.4, D-23 and Zhongmu No.3. [Conclusion] Under PEG-6000 simulated drought conditions, the alfalfa variety with the best comprehensive drought resistance was Gona, followed by A-17.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of different nitrogen fertilizer application rates, planting densities, cutting periods and their interactions on the forage grass yield and nutritional quality of barley in Hetao region. [Method] Using barley variety ′Mengpimai No.5′ as research material, different levels of nitrogen fertilizer application rate [urea （N: 46%） as nitrogen fertilizer, pure nitrogen fertilizer application rates of 82.5 kg/hm² （A1）, 108.0 kg/hm² （A2）, 135.0 kg/hm² （A3）], planting density [3.75 million plants/hm² （B1）, 4.50 million plants/hm² （B2）, 5.25 million plants/hm² （B3）] as well as cutting period [heading stage （C1）, filling stage （C2）, milk maturity stage （C3）] were set up. The effects of the three factors and their interactions on forage grass yield and nutritional quality of ′Mengpimai No.5′ were analyzed. [Result] The nitrogen fertilizer application rate and cutting period had extremely significant （P<0.01） impacts on the plant height, fresh yield, hay yield, fresh to hay ratio as well as the contents of crude protein, acidic detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, calcium of ′Mengpimai No.5′, while planting density had limited impact on the forage grass yield. Nitrogen fertilizer application rate was the main factor affecting the fresh yield, crude protein content and neutral detergent fiber content, with contribution rates of 57.60%, 55.90% and 34.34% to the above three indicators, respectively. Cutting period was the main factor affecting the hay yield and acidic detergent fiber content, with contribution rates of 66.47% and 76.69% to the above two indicators, respectively. Under different nitrogen fertilizer application rates, the fresh yield, hay yield as well as the contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, calcium, phosphorus of ′Mengpimai No.5′ were extremely significantly （P<0.01） different. Under different planting densities, the contents of neutral detergent fiber and calcium varied extremely significantly （P<0.01）. Under different cutting periods, there were extremely significant （P<0.01） differences in the plant height, fresh yield, hay yield, fresh to hay ratio as well as the contents of crude protein, acidic detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, calcium. [Conclusion] Nitrogen fertilizer application rate and cutting period are the crucial factors affecting the forage grass yield and nutritional quality of ′Mengpimai No.5′. Taking into account both forage grass yield and nutritional quality, the best performance is achieved with the nitrogen fertilizer application rate at 108.0 kg/hm², the planting density at 4.50 million plants/hm², and cutting at the milk maturity stage.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of alfalfa cultivation on physiochemical properties of farmland soil and its main driven factors. [Method] A total of 36 published relevant papers indexed in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） database were collected. Using clear tillage as the control, the effects of alfalfa cultivation on physiochemical properties of farmland soil were investigated with the Meta-analysis method. Based on the structural equation model, the impact intensities of meteorological factors and soil physicochemical properties on soil contents of organic carbon, available nitrogen, available potassium, total nitrogen as well as soil moisture content and bulk density were evaluated. [Result] Alfalfa cultivation extremely significantly （P<0.001) increased the farmland soil contents of organic carbon, available nitrogen, total nitrogen, available potassium, and the moisture content by 43.62%, 38.54%, 31.00%, 21.77%, and 21.05%, respectively; significantly （P<0.05) increased the soil available phosphorus content, with an average effect size and an increasing extent of 0.345 ± 0.137 and 41.20%, respectively; extremely significantly （P<0.001) reduced the soil bulk density. With increases of 16.42%, 1.42%, and 1.11%, respectively, alfalfa cultivation also increased the soil contents of total phosphorus and total potassium as well as the soil pH value, however none of these changes were significant （P>0.05). The average annual temperature and precipitation had extremely significant （P<0.001） impacts on the soil organic carbon content in alfalfa cultivation land. [Conclusion] The climate scenario of precipitation increase in the future would significantly increase the soil organic carbon content in alfalfa cultivation land, but global warming would reduce the soil organic carbon content in alfalfa cultivation land.

Forage grass and feed are important material basis for animal husbandry production. Since the China′s Thirteenth Five-Year Plan, the state and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have successively implemented the policies and measures such as grassland ecological protection subsidies and awards, grain to feed, and alfalfa development action for the revitalization of dairy industry, which have effectively promoted the development of forage grass and feed industry and achieved positive results. As the demand of Chinese residents for beef, mutton and dairy products grows continuously and rapidly, the shortage of high-quality forage grass has become more and more prominent. According to estimates, to ensure the national goal of self-sufficiency of beef, mutton and milk, the total demand for high-quality forage grass will exceed 120 million tons. As China′s main export base of livestock products, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region should enhance its support and investment in the forage grass and feed industry, improve the supply capacity of high-quality forage grass, increase the market share of local feed products, and provide strong support for the high-quality and high-efficient development of animal husbandry. This article gives an in-depth overview of the basic situation of the forage grass and feed industry in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, analyzes the existing problems, and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions, in hoping to provide references for promoting the healthy development of the forage grass and feed industry in this region and improving the supporting ability of the forage grass and feed industry for the high-quality development of animal husbandry.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to comprehensively analyze the development history, hot topics and frontier dynamic of meat quality traceability research in China and abroad in the past two decades, and to provide visual data support. [Method] Using literature on meat quality traceability published from the year of 2000 to 2021 and indexed in the Web of Science （WOS） database as the research object, CiteSpace 6.0.R2 software was employed to conduct co-occurrence analysis, cluster analysis, emergence analysis and visual expression on the annual trend in the number of literature, countries, institutions, journals, keywords and cited literature. [Result] Under the set search criteria, a total of 199 English literature related to meat quality traceability were obtained. The overall number of internationally published documents related to meat quality traceability had an upward trend in the past two decades. The citation of the literature published by Chinese authors ranked first, but the academic impacts still lagged behind compared with the European and American countries. French Academy of Agricultural Sciences had significant international impacts in this research field, while Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences represented the advanced level in China. Meat Science represented the international mainstream academic journals. The research content covered food safety, meat quality identification, traceability testing technology, meat quality information management and pertinent laws and regulations. [Conclusion] China is at the international advanced level in the field of meat quality traceability research, and the impacts are gradually increasing. With focus on food safety, undertaking meat quality identification throughout the entire industrial chain, improving animal production performance and meat quality, optimizing traceability testing technologies, enhancing information management, and developing laws and regulations are the primary objectives of this research field. Selecting and breeding excellent animal varieties with fast growth rate, high meat yield and good meat quality is the hot research direction in this field at present and in the future.

[Objective] The present study aimed to investigate the changes in the species and quantity of parasitic eggs in feces of Yili horses before and after administration of different anthelmintic drugs, and to assess the effects of anthelmintic drugs on blood physiological parameters of the horses. [Method] A total of 40 one-year-old Yili horses with an average weight of （265.5 ± 35.6） kg and similar birth dates were selected and randomly divided into 5 groups, including the control group （n=8）, experiment groupⅠ（n=8）, experiment groupⅡ （n=8）, experiment group Ⅲ （n=8） and experiment group Ⅳ （n=8）. Under the same feeding and management condition as well as dietary nutritional level, ivermectin was given to experiment groupⅠ, praziquantel was given to experiment groupⅡ, albendazole was given to experiment group Ⅲ, a combination of ivermectin and albendazole was given to experiment group Ⅳ, and no anthelmintic drugs were given to the control group. The fecal samples of the horses were collected before deworming and on days 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 after deworming. Parasitic eggs were then identified and counted to calculate the parasite infection rate. On day 14 after deworming, the blood samples of the horses were collected and blood physiological parameters were measured. [Result]① On day 14 after deworming, except for the large number and varieties of parasitic eggs in the control group and a tiny number of parasitic eggs in experiment group Ⅱ, no parasitic eggs were found in the other experiment groups. The eggs per gram （EPG） in experiment groupsⅠ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ all decreased by 612.50 （P<0.01） compared to the control group, and the EPG in experiment group Ⅱ decreased by 562.50 （P<0.01）. ②The number of monocytes in experiment groupⅠ was extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower than that in the control group. The number of basophilic granulocytes in experiment group Ⅳ was extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that in the control group and experiment group Ⅰ, and was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in experiment groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ. The percentage of basophilic granulocytes in experiment group Ⅳ was extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that in the control group, and was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in experiment groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in experiment group Ⅳ was extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that in experiment groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. ③The mean platelet volume in both the control group and experiment group Ⅰ was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in experiment group Ⅳ. [Conclusion] The 4 anthelmintic drugs or their combinations have prominent anthelmintic effects on intestinal parasites in Yili horses. Among them, albendazole significantly reduces the EPG in horse feces, effectively prevents and treats parasitic infections, and has positive impact on horse blood physiological parameters.