蛋氨酸羟基类似物对肉鸡骨骼性能和基因表达的影响

本文以雄性罗斯肉鸡为材料,探讨饲粮添加不同蛋氨酸源:蛋氨酸(DLM)、蛋氨酸羟基类似物(HMTBA)和蛋氨酸羟基类似物钙盐(HMTB-Ca)对肉鸡骨骼性能和基因表达的影响。结果表明,HMTBA和HMTB-Ca能提高肉鸡终体重、日增重、血液GSH/GSSG比值、抗氧化酶(CAT)水平、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、骨骼长度、重量、骨骼指数(p<0.05)。不同蛋氨酸源对肉仔鸡采食量、料重比和灰分含量影响不显著(p>0.05),HMTBA组骨生长分化因子-5(GDF-5)表达量显著上升(p<0.05)。HMTB-Ca显著提高骨骼强度、钙磷含量,下调金属基质蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、金属基质蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达水平(p<0.05)。由此可知,采食蛋氨酸羟基类似物及其钙盐饲粮,可提高肉鸡体增重,改善血液氧化还原状态,改善骨骼生长发育,其中HMTB-Ca对骨骼作用更显著。     

发酵中药渣对围产期母猪和哺乳仔猪血浆生化参数和抗氧化指标的影响

为了探讨发酵中药渣在妊娠母猪饲粮中添加的可行性,试验选用2~4胎次、预产期相近的二元妊娠母猪60头,随机分为对照组、中药渣组和发酵中药渣组,比较研究饲粮添加黄芪、当归、益母草和金银花等中药渣发酵前后对围产期母猪和哺乳仔猪血浆生化参数和抗氧化指标的影响。结果表明:与对照组相比,中药渣组母猪产后14和21 d血浆ALT活性显著升高(P0.05),7日龄仔猪血浆ALP活性显著降低(P0.05);发酵中药渣组母猪产后7 d血浆ALT和CAT活性、产后14 d血浆ALP和GSH-Px活性以及产后21 d血浆ALT和CAT活性均显著升高(P0.05),产后14和21 d血浆MDA含量显著降低(P0.05),14日龄仔猪血浆MDA含量显著降低(P0.05)、T-AOC活性显著升高(P0.05),21日龄仔猪血浆CAT活性显著升高(P0.05)。证实了饲粮添加发酵中药渣可改变围产期母猪及哺乳仔猪的机体代谢、增强机体抗氧化能力。     

日粮添加精氨酸生素对环江香猪肉质及抗氧化功能的影响

为了研究日粮中添加精氨酸生素(AAA)对环江香猪肉质及抗氧化功能的影响,试验选用体重28～33kg的环江香猪16头,随机分为2组,每组4个重复,每个重复2头猪。试验组在基础日粮中添加0.08%AAA,对照组为基础日粮。饲喂第30 d,将猪放血处死,收集血液,肝素抗凝,离心分离血浆;分割胴体,测定胴体性状;收集肝脏和背最长肌,-20℃保存,用于实验室分析。结果表明,与对照组相比,日粮中添加AAA可显著提高屠宰率(P<0.05),显著降低脂肪率和均膘厚(P<0.05),对瘦肉率和眼肌面积有提高趋势(P>0.05);可显著提高血浆中Zn的含量(P<0.05),对高密度脂蛋白含量和脂肪酶活性有提高趋势(P>0.05),对总胆固醇含量有降低趋势(P>0.05);可显著降低血浆丙二醛含量(P<0.05),对过氧化氢酶活力有提高趋势(P>0.05)。上述结果提示,日粮中添加AAA可显著提高环江香猪的屠宰率和血浆Zn含量,显著降低脂肪率和均膘厚,增强抗氧化能力,从而改善环江香猪的肉质。     

胶原蛋白肽对高脂日粮小鼠抗氧化能力和血脂代谢的影响

本文探讨胶原蛋白肽对高脂日粮小鼠抗氧化能力及血脂代谢的影响。40只小鼠随机分为5组(n=8):分别饲喂正常日粮,高脂日粮,添加0.5%和1%胶原蛋白肽及0.1%硫辛酸的高脂日粮。42 d后测定小鼠全血(血清)和组织活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平、丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活力及血脂水平。结果表明:0.5%和1%胶原蛋白肽都可显著降低机体ROS水平及MDA含量(P<0.05),增强抗氧化能力(P<0.05),改善血脂水平(P<0.05)。1%胶原蛋白肽能使机体抗氧化能力及血脂水平恢复到正常水平,0.5%的添加量效果不显著。适量的胶原蛋白肽可有效提高机体抗氧化能力,缓解高脂膳食造成的氧化应激,改善血脂代谢。     

枯草芽孢杆菌对草鱼肝脏脂质代谢的调节作用

为研究益生枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)肝脏脂质代谢及抗氧化功能的影响, 实验设置对照组(Con组)、Aeromonas hydrophila组(Ah组)、Aeromonas hydrophila+Bacillus subtilis组(Ah+Bs组)、Bacillus subtilis+Aeromonas hydrophila组(Bs+Ah组), 三个实验组均腹腔注射1×105 CFU/fish嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila), 枯草芽孢杆菌饲料含菌量为1×107 CFU/g, 实验周期为56d, 并于第28和第56天取样。结果表明, 与Ah组相比, 投喂枯草芽孢杆菌饲料后, (1)体增重率、特定生长率显著增加(P<0.05); (2) 28d时肝脏油红O染色脂滴面积及脂肪含量显著下降(P<0.05); (3)调节血脂代谢及缓解肝脏损伤: 血清胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量升高, 谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性显著降低(P<0.05); (4)调节脂质代谢: 28d时乙酰辅酶A羧化酶的表达水平下调, 脂蛋白脂酶及脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶的表达水平上调; (5)增强肝脏抗氧化能力、减少脂质过氧化的发生: 肝脏超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽、总抗氧化能力提高; 丙二醛及过氧化氢含量降低。综上, 在饲料中添加益生枯草芽孢杆菌可以增强草鱼的抗氧化能力, 缓解机体因嗜水气单胞菌感染造成的肝脏损伤, 调节肝脏脂质代谢功能, 减少脂质在肝脏中的积累, 并促进草鱼的生长。     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响

研究旨在探讨饲料中添加还原型谷胱甘肽(Glutathione, GSH)对黄颡鱼幼鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能的影响。选用初始体重为(1.32±0.01) g的黄颡鱼800尾, 随机分为5组, 每组4个重复, 每个重复40 尾鱼, 分别投喂基础饲料和添加100、300、500和700 mg/kg GSH的试验饲料, 饲养56d后采样分析, 并采用氯化铵进行96h氨氮应激试验。结果表明: 除100 mg/kg组外, 饲料中添加GSH显著提高黄颡鱼肝脏、血清GSH含量(P<0.05), 当GSH添加量≥300 mg/kg时, 肝脏和血清GSH含量均呈现稳定状态。随着饲料中谷胱甘肽水平的增加, 血清免疫和肝脏抗氧化指标均呈现先升高后降低的趋势, 其中300和500 mg/kg组溶菌酶与碱性磷酸酶活性、300 mg/kg组免疫球蛋白M与补体4含量、500 mg/kg组酸性磷酸酶活性与对照组相比显著升高(P<0.05)。与对照组和700 mg/kg组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性和总抗氧化能力与血清超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性均显著高升高(P<0.05); 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。氨氮应激96h时, 与对照组相比, 300 mg/kg组肝脏和血清超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性力均显著升高(P<0.05), 且300 mg/kg组血清丙二醛含量显著降低(P<0.05)。由此可见, 饲料中添加谷胱甘肽能提高黄颡鱼幼鱼组织谷胱甘肽含量、免疫及抗氧化性能, 其中以300—500 mg/kg为宜。     

富硒平菇干粉对小鼠的脏器指数与抗氧化能力的影响

目的探讨富硒平菇干粉对小鼠的脏器指数与抗氧化能力的影响。方法将60只20g左右的健康昆明种小鼠随机分为6组。1组为对照组;2组为亚硒酸钠组;3组为普通平菇干粉组;4～6组为富硒平菇干粉组,分别在基础日粮中添加低、中、高浓度的富硒平菇干粉。30d后测定小鼠脏器指数与肝脏和血浆中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果富硒平菇干粉可显著提高小鼠脾脏、胸腺和肝体指数;可显著提高小鼠肝脏与血浆中GSH-Px、SOD的酶活,降低小鼠肝脏和血浆中MDA含量。结论富硒平菇干粉可显著提高小鼠脏器指数与抗氧化能力。     

饲粮中添加杜仲叶对断奶仔猪生长性能、抗氧化力和免疫功能的影响

在断奶仔猪饲粮中添加不同形式的杜仲叶,研究其对仔猪生长性能、腹泻率、抗氧化力及免疫功能的影响,以评估它们在养殖初期替代抗生素的能力。将断奶仔猪(杜×长×大)随机分成对照组、抗生素组(75 mg/kg金霉素)和三个杜仲叶组(杜仲叶提取物、发酵杜仲叶、杜仲叶干粉),每组10头,进行28天养殖试验。结果表明:与对照相比,杜仲叶提取物组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)显著提高并降低料重比(F/G)(P<0.05);与抗生素组相比,杜仲叶提取物组和杜仲叶发酵组ADG和F/G均无显著差异(P>0.05);各组之间平均日采食量(ADFI)差异不显著(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,抗生素组和杜仲叶提取物组仔猪腹泻率显著降低(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,抗生素组和三种杜仲叶组均降低仔猪血液丙二醛含量和提高总抗氧化力(P<0.01),而抗生素组、杜仲叶提取物组和杜仲叶发酵组还显著提高血液免疫球蛋白IgM含量(P<0.01),且表现出提高血液IgG含量的趋势(P=0.06)。与其他各组相比,杜仲叶提取物组可显著提高肝脏指数(P<0.05);肝脏重量、脾脏重量和脾脏指数在各组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。饲粮中添加杜仲叶提取物可改善断奶仔猪的生长性能,降低腹泻率,提高仔猪抗氧化力和免疫功能,其效果优于发酵杜仲叶和杜仲叶干粉,并具备一定的抗生素替代潜力。     

纳米硒对山羊生长、血清抗氧化酶、生长激素和胰岛素的影响

研究纳米硒对山羊生长性能、山羊抗氧化能力、生长激素和胰岛素的影响。选择体重相近、体格健壮的太行青山羊公羊90只,随机分为9组,分别喂以基础日粮和添加不同水平(0.03 mg/kg DM,0.05 mg/kg DM,0.1 mg/kg DM,0.3 mg/kg DM,0.5 mg/kg DM,1 mg/kg DM,3 mg/kg DM和5 mg/kg DM)纳米硒的饲料,实验期95 d。结果表明:日粮添加纳米硒显著提高山羊的生长性能(P<0.05)、血清超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性(P<0.05),当添加水平在0.3 mg/kg DM~1 mg/kg DM时,血清超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化酶活性保持高峰平台;日粮添加纳米硒显著降低血清谷胱甘肽硫转移酶活性和丙二醛含量(P<0.05),并在添加水平为0.3 mg/kg DM~1 mg/kg DM时保持低谷状态;日粮添加纳米硒显著提高全血硒、生长激素和胰岛素的浓度(P<0.05)。结论:日粮添加0.3 mg/kg DM~1 mg/kg DM,增强了山羊机体抗氧化功能,促进了生长激素和胰岛素的分泌,从而促进山羊的生长。     

黄芪多糖对泌乳期奶牛抗氧化能力的影响

本实验旨在研究黄芪多糖对泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛抗氧化能力的影响。试验选取年龄、胎次和体重接近的泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛35头,随机分为5组(每组7头),各组每天分别在精料中添加0、5、10、50、100 g黄芪多糖,连续饲喂14 d。分别在第0、14和24 d采血测定血清总抗氧化能力(total antioxidant capacity,T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量。结果显示:在日粮中添加适量的黄芪多糖显著提高(P0.05)泌乳期奶牛血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性,同时显著降低(P0.05)血清中丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果表明,日粮中添加黄芪多糖有提高泌乳期奶牛抗氧化能力的作用,适宜添加剂量在10 g~50 g/头·d。     

3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine increases resting metabolic rate and reduces body weight without undesirable side effects

Recently, it was demonstrated that 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) stimulates the resting metabolic rate (RMR), and reduces body-weight gain of rats receiving a high-fat diet. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of chronic T2 administration on basal metabolic rate and body weight in humans. Two euthyroid subjects volunteered to undergo T2 administration. Body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, thyroid and liver ultrasonography, glycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), T2, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and RMR were evaluated at baseline and at the end of treatment. RMR increased significantly in each subject. After continuing the T2 treatment for a further 3 weeks (at 300 mcg/day), body weight was reduced significantly (p<0.05) (about 4 percent), while the serum levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH, were unchanged. No side effects were observed at the cardiac level in either subject. No significant change was observed in the same subjects taking placebo.     

饲料蛋氨酸水平对异育银鲫幼鱼生长性能影响的研究

研究通过8周的生长实验, 研究饲料中不同蛋氨酸水平对异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)幼鱼生长性能、体成分、氨基酸沉积率的影响。实验以鱼粉、豌豆浓缩蛋白、喷雾干燥血球粉为蛋白源, 设计低蛋氨酸(0.57%)实用基础饲料, 并在此基础上分别添加0、0.08%、0.16%、0.24%、0.32%、0.40%的DL-蛋氨酸配成蛋氨酸含量分别为0.57%、0.64%、0.74%、0.81%、0.88%、0.95%(干物质基础, 实测值)的6种等氮等能(粗蛋白质: 37.22%, 总能: 17.61 MJ/kg)的配合饲料。选取初始体重为2.60 g的异育银鲫幼鱼为实验对象, 每个处理3个重复, 每个重复50尾鱼, 养殖系统为室内循环水养殖系统, 每天表观饱食投喂4次。结果显示在饲料中补充DL-蛋氨酸会显著提高异育银鲫幼鱼的特定生长率和蛋白质沉积率(P0.05), 表明异育银鲫可有效利用外源DL-蛋氨酸。各处理组实验鱼肥满度、肝体比、脏体比差异不显著(P0.05), 不同蛋氨酸水平对全鱼水分、粗脂肪、能量没有产生显著影响(P0.05), 补充DL-蛋氨酸显著提高鱼体的粗蛋白质含量, 灰分含量显著降低(P0.05)。随着饲料中蛋氨酸水平的提高, 全鱼蛋氨酸沉积率显著降低, 之后再升高(P 0.05)。补充DL-蛋氨酸可以有效促进其他必需氨基酸在鱼体内的沉积。在饲料中胱氨酸水平为0.42%时, 通过折线模型回归分析, 以蛋氨酸沉积率得到的异育银鲫幼鱼蛋氨酸需求量为占饲料干物质的0.89%, 即占饲料蛋白的2.17%。       

High-fat diet with acyl-ghrelin treatment leads to weight gain with low inflammation, high oxidative capacity and normal triglycerides in rat muscle

Obesity is associated with muscle lipid accumulation. Experimental models suggest that inflammatory cytokines, low mitochondrial oxidative capacity and paradoxically high insulin signaling activation favor this alteration. The gastric orexigenic hormone acylated ghrelin (A-Ghr) has antiinflammatory effects in vitro and it lowers muscle triglycerides while modulating mitochondrial oxidative capacity in lean rodents. We tested the hypothesis that A-Ghr treatment in high-fat feeding results in a model of weight gain characterized by low muscle inflammation and triglycerides with high muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity. A-Ghr at a non-orexigenic dose (HFG: twice-daily 200-µg s.c.) or saline (HF) were administered for 4 days to rats fed a high-fat diet for one month. Compared to lean control (C) HF had higher body weight and plasma free fatty acids (FFA), and HFG partially prevented FFA elevation (P<0.05). HFG also had the lowest muscle inflammation (nuclear NFkB, tissue TNF-alpha) with mitochondrial enzyme activities higher than C (P<0.05 vs C, P = NS vs HF). Under these conditions HFG prevented the HF-associated muscle triglyceride accumulation (P<0.05). The above effects were independent of changes in redox state (total-oxidized glutathione, glutathione peroxidase activity) and were not associated with changes in phosphorylation of AKT and selected AKT targets. Ghrelin administration following high-fat feeding results in a novel model of weight gain with low inflammation, high mitochondrial enzyme activities and normalized triglycerides in skeletal muscle. These effects are independent of changes in tissue redox state and insulin signaling, and they suggest a potential positive metabolic impact of ghrelin in fat-induced obesity.     

Metabolic and organ mass responses to selection for high growth rates in the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus)

Evolutionary hypotheses suggest that higher rates of postembryonic development in birds should either lower the resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a trade-off between the costs of growth and maintenance or increase RMR because of a buildup of metabolic machinery. Furthermore, some suggest that higher rates of postembryonic development in birds should reduce peak metabolic rate (PMR) through delayed tissue maturation and/or an increased energy allocation to organ growth. We studied this by comparing metabolic rates and organ sizes of fast-growing meat-type chickens (broilers) with those of birds from a laying strain, which grow much slower. During the first week of life, despite growing six times faster, the RMR of the broiler chickens was lower than that of birds of the laying strain. The difference between strains in RMR disappeared thereafter, even though broilers continued to grow twice as fast as layers. The differences between strains in growth rate during the first week after hatching were not reflected in similar differences in the relative masses of the heart, liver, and small intestine. However, broilers had heavier intestines once they reached a body mass of 80 g. In contrast, broilers had relatively smaller brains than did layers. There was a positive correlation, over both strains, between RMR and the masses of leg muscles, intestine, and liver. Furthermore, despite delayed maturation of muscle tissue, broilers exhibited significantly higher PMR. We hypothesize that a balance between the larger relative muscle mass but lower muscle maturation level explains this high PMR. Another correlation, between leg muscle mass and PMR, partly explained the positive correlation between RMR and PMR.     

Comparison of Different Forms of Dietary Selenium Supplementation on Growth Performance,Meat Quality,Selenium Deposition,and Antioxidant Property in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different sources of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, Se deposition, and antioxidant property in broilers. A total of 600 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers with an average body weight (BW) of 44.30 ± 0.49 g were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which included five replicates of 40 birds. These three groups received the same basal diet containing 0.04 mg Se/kg, supplemented with 0.15 mg Se/kg from sodium selenite (SS) or from l-selenomethionine (l-Se-methionine (Met)) or from d-selenomethionine (d-Se-Met). The experiment lasted 42 days. Both Se source and time significantly influenced (p < 0.01) drip loss of breast muscle. Supplementation with l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met were more effective (p < 0.05) in decreasing drip loss than SS. Besides, the pH value of breast muscle was also significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by time. The SS-supplemented diet increased more (p < 0.05) liver, kidney, and pancreas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities than the d-Se-Met-supplemented diet. In addition, l-Se-Met increased more (p < 0.01) liver and pancreas GSH-Px activities than d-Se-Met. The antioxidant status was greatly improved in broilers of l-Se-Met-treated group in comparison with the SS-treated group and was illuminated by the increased glutathione (GSH) concentration in serum, liver, and breast muscle (p < 0.05); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver (p < 0.01); total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) in kidney, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in kidney and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers. Besides, supplementation with d-Se-Met was more effective (p < 0.01) in increasing serum GSH concentration and decreasing breast muscle MDA concentration than SS. l-Selenomethionine supplementation significantly increased GSH concentration in liver and breast muscle (p < 0.05); SOD activity in liver (p < 0.01); and T-AOC in liver, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers, compared with broilers fed d-Se-Met diet. The addition of l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met increased (p < 0.01) Se concentration in serum and different organs studied of broilers in comparision with broilers fed SS diet. Therefore, dietary l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met supplementation could improve antioxidant capability and Se deposition in serum and tissues and reduce drip loss of breast muscle in broilers compared with SS. Besides, l-Se-Met is more effective than d-Se-Met in improving antioxidant status in broilers.     

Polymorphisms of the interleukin-15 gene and their associations with fatness and muscle fiber traits in chickens

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that has been proposed to modulate skeletal muscle and adipose tissue mass. In the present study, an F₂ resource population of Gushi chickens crossed with Anka broilers was used to investigate the genetic effects of the chicken IL-15 gene. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (g.31224G>A and g.31266T>G) were identified in exon 5 of the IL-15 gene by means of polymerase chain reaction?Crestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing. Associations between the two SNPs and chicken fatness and muscle fiber traits were determined using linkage disequilibrium, haplotype construction, and association analysis. Both of the SNPs were associated with abdominal fat weight, leg muscle fiber diameter, and leg muscle fiber density (p?<?0.05). Haplotypes of the two linked SNPs were associated with abdominal fat weight, fat thickness under the skin, and leg muscle fiber diameter (p?<?0.05). The results suggested that the IL-15 gene might be associated with the causative mutation or the quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling the fatness traits and muscle fiber traits in chickens.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of DL-methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid on food intake,nutrient digestibility,nitrogen balance,and urinary and blood metabolites in healthy,growing dogs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects on nutritional responses of supplemental DL-methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBA) in a commercial-type diet in growing dogs. A nitrogen balance study was conducted as a randomized complete block design using 30 Pointer puppies (72-d-old; 5.5 kg). A corn and poultry byproduct meal based diet was supplemented with 0.1 or 0.2% DL-methionine or HMTBA on an equimolar basis. Organic matter and gross energy tended (p < 0.10) to be less digestible by dogs fed the 0.1% HMTBA diet compared with the 0.2% DL-methionine diet, but other nutrients were unaffected. Postprandial urinary calcium tended (p < 0.10) to be lower for the basal and HMTBA treatments. Fecal ammonia tended (p < 0.10) to be lower for the 0.1% HMTBA diet than for the 0.2% DL-methionine diet. At the levels tested, DL-methionine and HMTBA appear to act similarly when included in a corn and poultry by-product meal diet fed to young dogs.     

Maximum acute exercise tolerance in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats subjected to forced swimming

Thyroid dysfunction can compromise physical capacity. Here, we analyze the effects of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on maximum swim time in rats subjected to acute forced swimming, as an indicator of anaerobic capacity. Animals were forced to swim against a load (5% of body weight) attached to the tail and were killed 48 hours after the last test. Hyperthyroid rats were treated with thyroxine (50 mug/100 g body weight, i. p. for 7 days). The hypothyroid group received 0.03% methimazole in the drinking water for 4 weeks. Thyroid state was confirmed by alterations in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and liver mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) activity. Hyperthyroid rats presented significantly lower visceral fat mass (VFM) and higher food intake (p<0.05) with unchanged body weight. Maximum swim time (MST), glycogen content (skeletal muscle and liver), and leptin levels were lower while corticosterone was higher (p<0.05). In hypothyroid rats body weight was lower (p<0.05), without changes in VFM. Tested at 7-day intervals, MST was lower for tests 2, 3, and 4 (p<0.05). Muscle glycogen was higher in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (p<0.05), without changes in liver. Serum corticosterone was lower, while leptin was higher (p<0.05). These results suggest that in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats, thyroid hormones together with corticosterone and/or leptin may impair exercise capacity differently through its known effects on glycogen metabolism.