甘肃鼢鼠骨骼5种常量无机元素测定

用原子吸收分光光度计、可见光分光光度计对甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)骨骼中Ca、K、Na、Mg、P 5种常量无机元素作了测定。结果表明,甘肃鼢鼠骨骼中5种元素含量依次为Ca>P>K>Na>Mg,Ca含量维持较高水平;同一元素在不同部位骨骼的含量存在差异,部分含量差异显著,5种元素总量在不同部位骨骼的分布顺序为:后肢骨>前肢骨>脊柱;根据甘肃鼢鼠骨骼Ca与P比值推断二者主要以羟基磷灰石形式存在。     

甘肃鼢鼠与SD大鼠骨骼肌低氧适应的比较

运用组织学和紫外分光光度法,对常氧、低氧2周和4周的甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)及SD大鼠(Rattus norvegicus)骨骼肌形态结构、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活力及肌红蛋白(Mb)浓度进行测定。结果显示,甘肃鼢鼠骨骼肌形态结构在常氧、低氧2周及4周后变化不明显;SD大鼠随低氧时间延长发生显著变化,低氧2周后,肌纤维明显萎缩,间隙增大,结构较紊乱;低氧4周后,肌纤维破裂,呈细丝状,不规则,大小不一致,肌节紊乱。甘肃鼢鼠LDH活性随低氧时间增长逐渐降低,但无显著性差异(P0.05);在不同时间低氧处理后,甘肃鼢鼠前后肢的LDH活性均极显著低于SD大鼠(P0.01);常氧条件下,甘肃鼢鼠前后肢SDH活性低于SD大鼠,但无显著差异(P0.05),低氧2周及4周后,与SD大鼠呈极显著差异(P0.01);常氧条件下,甘肃鼢鼠前后肢Mb浓度均显著高于SD大鼠(P0.05),低氧2周及4周后,极显著高于SD大鼠(P0.01)。结果表明,甘肃鼢鼠骨骼肌较SD大鼠有着更强的低氧耐受力。     

甘肃鼢鼠哈氏腺组织结构及其抗氧化能力

为探讨甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)哈氏腺的结构特征及其在低氧应激下的抗氧化能力,用组织解剖学方法观察甘肃鼢鼠哈氏腺整体及其显微结构,分光光度计测定哈氏腺低氧应激前、后超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果显示,甘肃鼢鼠哈氏腺肥大,包围在眼周,位于颧骨下的颞窝,为管泡状腺体,由柱状细胞构成,依胞质中分泌物含量分为厚细胞和薄细胞。常氧下,甘肃鼢鼠超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著高于SD大鼠(Rattus norvegicus),但谷胱甘肽还原酶活性显著低于SD大鼠;在低氧应激4 h后,甘肃鼢鼠超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性迅速升高,显著高于SD大鼠,谷胱甘肽还原酶的活性在低氧2、4和6 h无显著性变化,但均显著低于SD大鼠;在低氧8 h后,甘肃鼢鼠谷胱甘肽还原酶的活性较低氧2~6 h显著升高。甘肃鼢鼠丙二醛含量在常氧和低氧应激中均显著低于SD大鼠。结果说明,甘肃鼢鼠在低氧应激后,哈氏腺通过提高抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性,清除低氧诱导产生的多余自由基,谷胱甘肽还原酶在抗氧化中不起主要作用。地下鼠甘肃鼢鼠抗氧化模式与地面鼠明显不同。     

急性低氧应激下甘肃鼢鼠与SD大鼠血清儿茶酚胺类激素含量比较

利用酶标记技术,测定了人工模拟急性低氧状态下,不同时程低氧暴露组的甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalaxcansus)与SD大鼠(Rattus norregicus)血清儿茶酚胺类激素含量。结果表明,常氧状态下SD大鼠血清儿茶酚胺含量显著高于甘肃鼢鼠(P0.05),甘肃鼢鼠及SD大鼠血清儿茶酚胺和去甲肾上腺素含量在急性低氧初始阶段(0.5～4.0 h)均呈上升趋势,其他时程组二者无显著差异(P0.05)。SD大鼠在低氧应激6.0 h后血清儿茶酚胺和去甲肾上腺素含量急剧下降,并在低氧6.5～7.0 h死亡,甘肃鼢鼠血清内2种激素的含量随低氧时程加大而呈现增高趋势,未出现死亡现象,说明甘肃鼢鼠对低氧环境有较强的适应性。     

低氧对甘肃鼢鼠体内ACTH及血液生理指标的影响

为研究低氧对甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)血清促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)及血液生理指标的影响,采用KX-21N全自动血液分析仪对甘肃鼢鼠低氧处理前后血液中红细胞数(RBC)﹑血红蛋白浓度(HGB)﹑红细胞压积(HCT)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均血红蛋白含量(MCH)及平均血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)进行测定,并采用SN-695A型智能放免r测量仪测定血清中ACTH浓度。结果表明,氧浓度分别为14.1%、10.5%和6.5%条件下,甘肃鼢鼠RBC、HGB和HCT均显著升高,MCV变化不明显,MCH和MCHC下降,血清ACTH含量显著升高;腹腔注射ACTH后甘肃鼢鼠RBC、HGB、HCT均显著升高。说明低氧激活了甘肃鼢鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺皮质轴(HPA),导致ACTH分泌增加,刺激皮质酮分泌,致RBC、HGB、HCT含量增加,从而提高血液中红细胞的携氧能力以适应低氧生活环境。     

放牧干扰下高原鼢鼠栖息地选择因素

以祁连山东段高寒草甸栖息的高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)为研究对象,探讨放牧干扰下高原鼢鼠适合栖息地选择的影响因素,为合理控制草原鼠害和保护生物多样性提供科学依据。在5个不同放牧强度小区中,连续3年监测高原鼢鼠相对种群密度变化,同时获取植被和土壤的变化数据。分析高原鼢鼠相对种群密度、植被(盖度、高度、频度、植被生物量、植被均匀度、丰富度、多样性和地下根系生物量)和土壤(紧实度、容重、水分)之间的关系。中度放牧干扰下,高原鼢鼠相对种群密度最低,不利于对栖息地的选择,轻度、次轻度放牧区的高原鼢鼠相对种群密度高于重度、次重度放牧区的;轻度放牧干扰的草地有利于高原鼢鼠种群数量的增加。高原鼢鼠相对种群密度与土壤紧实度、容重呈显著负相关(R=﹣0.921、﹣0.883,P0.05);与土壤水分呈显著正相关(R=0.879,P0.05);高原鼢鼠相对种群密度与地下根系生物量呈极显著正相关(R=0.982,P0.01),与植被丰富度呈显著正相关(R=0.921,P0.05),与地上植被总盖度呈显著正相关(R=0.909,P0.05),与地上生物量、均匀度、多样性呈不显著正相关(P0.05)。在草地放牧干扰系统中,非生物因素土壤紧实度、水分可能是高原鼢鼠栖息地选择的首要选择因素,食物资源也许是次要选择因素。     

广西猫儿山不同海拔常绿和落叶树种的营养再吸收模式

土壤养分供给性大小是否影响植物氮和磷再吸收效率仍存在争议。调查了广西猫儿山不同海拔常绿和落叶树种成熟和衰老叶片的氮和磷含量,探讨营养再吸收是否受到叶片习性和海拔的影响。所有树种氮和磷再吸收效率的平均值分别为56.5%和52.1%。常绿树种比落叶树种有显著较高的氮再吸收效率(P0.001)和磷再吸收效率(P0.01),这与前者有较低的衰老叶片氮和磷含量密切相关。随着海拔的上升,氮再吸收效率显著下降(P0.01),磷再吸收效率显著提高(P0.05)。氮再吸收效率与土壤氮:磷比(r=-0.41,P0.05)和成熟叶片氮:磷比(r=-0.37,P0.05)负相关,磷再吸收效率与土壤氮:磷比(r=0.44,P0.05)和成熟叶片氮:磷比(r=0.47,P0.01)正相关,表明了树种对低海拔氮限制的适应逐渐转变为对高海拔磷限制的适应。此外,氮再吸收效率与年均温正相关(r=0.43,P0.05)而磷再吸收效率与年均温负相关(r=-0.45,P0.01),这表明气温也是调节树木营养再吸收格局的重要影响因素。不同海拔树种氮和磷再吸收模式的差异可能是引起广西猫儿山常绿树种沿海拔形成双峰分布的原因之一。     

糖尿病肾病患者血浆基质金属蛋白酶-2和同型半胱氨酸水平及其临床意义

目的:探讨糖尿病肾病患者血浆基质金属蛋白酶-2和同型半胱氨酸水平及其临床意义。方法:选取糖尿病患者71例,其中并发糖尿病肾病组(n=35)和未并发肾病组(n=36),同时选取健康人群40例为对照组。检测患者MMP-2、Hcy、MAU及Scr水平。结果:糖尿病肾病组、糖尿病无肾病组血浆MMP-2、Hcy及MAU水平均显著高于健康对照组(P0.01);与糖尿病无肾病组比较,糖尿病肾病组患者MMP-2、Hcy及MAU水平较高(P0.05);糖尿病肾病组患者的血浆SCr水平明显高于其他两组(P0.05)。糖尿病肾病患者血浆MMP-2与MAU呈显著正相关(r=0.522,P0.05),与Hcy呈显著负相关(r=-0.007,P0.05),与Scr不相关(P0.05);Hcy与MAU(r=0.012,P0.05)、Scr均(r=0.031,P0.05)呈正相关。结论:糖尿病肾病患者MMP-2水平降低,Hcy水平升高,有望作为糖尿病肾病患者的诊断和预后预测参考指标。     

甘肃鼢鼠骨骼13种微量元素测定

对甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)骨骼中Fe、Cu、Zn、Mn、Cr、Ni、Co、Mo、Cd、As、Pb、F、Al等13种微量元素进行了测定。结果表明,甘肃鼢鼠全骨中13种元素含量依次为Al>Fe>Zn>F>Mn>Cu>Pb>As>Cr>Co>Ni>Mo>Cd;同一元素在不同骨骼分布不均,头骨最丰富,除Zn、Mn外,同一元素在不同部位骨骼的含量存在显著差异;13种微量元素之间的相关性,Zn-Pb、Mn-Cd、As-Pb3组呈显著负相关(0.01相似文献   

常氧条件下高原鼢鼠、甘肃鼢鼠及SD大鼠血液理化特征比较

为探讨不同低氧环境适应动物的血液理化特征,用美国雅培手掌血气分析仪分别测定常氧适应4周的高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)及甘肃鼢鼠(M.cansus)血液的血气、酸碱及电解质指标,并与SD大鼠(Rattus norvegicus)进行比较。结果显示,常氧适应后,甘肃鼢鼠与高原鼢鼠动脉氧分压(PaO2)、静脉氧分压(PvO2)、动静脉氧分压差(PaO2﹣PvO2)、动脉氧饱和度(SaO2)、静脉氧饱和度(SvO2)及氧利用率均无显著性差异,两种动物静脉血的氧分压和氧饱和度均极显著低于SD大鼠,氧利用率极显著高于SD大鼠;高原鼢鼠与甘肃鼢鼠动、静脉血红蛋白(Hb)及动、静脉红细胞压积(HCT)无显著性差异,血红蛋白含量与SD大鼠无显著性差异,但红细胞压积(HCT)极显著低于SD大鼠;高原鼢鼠和甘肃鼢鼠血液酸碱特征趋于一致,不同于SD大鼠,动静脉pH差(pHa﹣pHv)及动静脉CO2总含量差(TvCO2﹣TaCO2)显著高于SD大鼠,动脉二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)极显著低于SD大鼠,动静脉二氧化碳分压差(PvCO2﹣PaCO2)极显著高于SD大鼠;高原鼢鼠和甘肃鼢鼠血浆中钠离子(Na+)浓度、钾离子(K+)浓度、游离钙离子(iCa2+)浓度及动静脉钠离子浓度差(Na+v﹣Na+a)、钾离子浓度差(K+v﹣K+a)和游离钙离子浓度差(iCa2+v﹣iCa2+a)无显著性差异;高原鼢鼠动脉血钾离子浓度显著低于SD大鼠,钾离子浓度差显著高于SD大鼠;甘肃鼢鼠钾离子浓度差及动、静脉血钙离子浓度显著高于SD大鼠。这些结果说明,低氧适应动物血气、酸碱及电解质特征一致,与地面生活的SD大鼠差异很大,表现出较低的红细胞压积和较高的氧利用率,血液能耐受较宽范围的酸碱变化,维持电解质稳定,保证内环境稳态。     

The Effects of Mg Supplementation in Diets with Different Calcium Levels on the Bone Status and Bone Metabolism in Growing Female Rats

Previous studies have revealed that magnesium (Mg) plays a significant role in bone health; however, few studies have investigated the effects of Mg supplementation in diets with different calcium (Ca) levels on the bone status and bone metabolism in a growing stage. In this present study, we tested the effects of Mg supplementation on bone status in growing female rats, relative to Ca intake levels. A total of 40 Sprague–Dawley female rats aged 6 weeks were divided into the following four groups and fed for 12 weeks as indicated: (1) LCaAMg: low Ca (Ca, 0.1 % of total diet) and adequate Mg (Mg, 0.05 % of total diet), (2) LCaHMg: low Ca and high Mg ( Mg, 0.1 % of total diet), (3) ACaAMg: adequate Ca (Ca, 0.5 % of total diet) and adequate Mg, and (4) ACaHMg: adequate Ca and high Mg. Our results showed that Mg supplementation with the adequate Ca diet significantly increased the bone mineral contents, bone size (bone area and bone thickness), and bone mineral density of femur or tibia by improving bone metabolism without changing Ca absorption. Mg supplementation significantly increased the serum osteocalcin in the adequate-Ca-diet group (p?<?0.05), while the Mg supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of C-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen in the adequate-Ca-diet group (p?<?0.001). This study suggests that Mg supplementation with adequate Ca intake in the growing stage may increase the bone mineral density and bone size by improving bone metabolism.     

Citrus bioactive compounds improve bone quality and plasma antioxidant activity in orchidectomized rats

BackgroundsWe reported that citrus consumption improves bone quality in orchidectomized male rats. In the present study, effects of feeding citrus bioactive compounds and crude extract on bone quality in orchidectomized rats were evaluated.MethodsSeventy 90-days-old male rats were randomly assigned to five groups for 60 days of feeding study. The treatment groups were SHAM-control, orchidectomy (ORX), ORX+crude extract, ORX+limonin, and ORX+naringin. At termination, animals were euthanized, blood was collected for the plasma antioxidant status. Bone resorption and bone formation markers in the blood and urine were evaluated. Bone quality in the femur and the 5th lumbar and the total calcium concentration in the bones and excreta were evaluated.ResultsOrchidectomy lowered (p<0.05) plasma antioxidant capacity, bone quality, and bone calcium; elevated (p<0.05) TRAP, deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and calcium excretion; and did not change the plasma IGF-I in comparison to the SHAM group. The citrus crude extract or the purified bioactive compounds increased (p<0.05) the plasma antioxidant status, plasma IGF-I, and bone density, preserved (p<0.05) the concentration of calcium in the femur and in the 5th lumbar, and numerically improved bone strength. The crude extract and the bioactive compounds decreased (p<0.05) fecal excretion of calcium, numerically lowered the urinary excretion of calcium, and suppressed (p<0.05) the plasma TRAP activity without affecting (p>0.1) urinary excretion of DPD in comparison to the ORX group.ConclusionsPotential benefit of the citrus crude extract and its bioactive compounds on bone quality appears to preserve bone calcium concentration and increase antioxidant status.     

Source of Copper May Have Regressive Effects on Serum Cholesterol and Urea Nitrogen Among Male Fattening Lambs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary copper (Cu) on mineral profile, hematological parameters, and lipid metabolism in lambs. Eighteen Zandi male lambs (approximately 3 months of age; 17.53?±?1.6 kg of body weight) were housed in individual pens and were assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no supplemental Cu), (2) 10 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) from copper sulfate (CuS), and (3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Cu proteinate (CuP). The Cu concentration was 8.2 mg/kg DM in the basal diet. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at the beginning of the study (enrollment, before feeding Cu supplement) and at days 25, 50, and 70 of experiment. The amounts of total serum glucose, urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and lipids and hematological parameters were measured. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved (P?<?0.05) with Cu supplementation and were better for the lambs fed diet supplemented with CuP. The concentrations of serum Ca, P, and Zn were not affected by source of Cu in the diet. However, Fe concentration was lower (P?<?0.01) in the Cu-supplemented groups. Experimental treatment had no significant effects on the hematological parameters. The serum glucose concentration was not affected by treatments. However, the urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly affected (P?<?0.05) by added Cu and was lower for CuP group as compared to the lambs in the CuS and control groups. Addition of Cu had no influence (P?>?0.05) on the serum triglyceride concentration, but lambs fed with CuP supplement had lower (P?<?0.05) serum cholesterol than the CuS and control animals. These results indicated that CuP supplemented at 10 mg/kg DM improved gain and enhanced the efficiency of nitrogen in male lambs.     

甘肃鼢鼠肾结构特征

甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)在缺水的黄土高原营严格地下生活,主要从食物中摄取水分.为研究甘肃鼢鼠的调水机制,用组织解剖学方法对其肾的形态结构进行观察.结果显示,甘肃鼢鼠肾为单乳头肾,呈蚕豆形,表面光滑,不分叶;皮质与髓质的厚度比为0.71:1;皮质中髓旁肾单位相对分布密度小于浅表肾单位的相对分布密度;髓旁肾单位中的血管球直径大于浅表肾单位中的血管球直径;近曲小管与远曲小管的截面数量比为2.25:1.结果表明,甘肃鼢鼠肾的重吸收能力较小,其组织形态学结构有显著的生态适应意义.     

Relationship Between Aortic Mineral Elements and Osteodystrophy in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), osteodystrophy and arterial calcification often coexist. However, arterial alterations have not been addressed in CKD unaccompanied by evidence of calcification. We investigated the association of phosphate (P) and calcium (Ca) accumulation in calcification-free aortas with CKD-induced osteodystrophy. Aortic accumulation of magnesium (Mg), an inhibitor of calcification, was also examined. Male mice aged 26?weeks with CKD characterized by hyperparathyroidism and hyperphosphatemia (Nx, n?=?8) and age-matched healthy male mice (shams, n?=?8) were sampled for blood, and thoracic vertebrae and aortas were harvested. Bone structure and chemicals were analyzed by microcomputed tomography and infrared microspectroscopy, respectively, and aortic accumulation of P, Ca, and Mg was evaluated by plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Volume fractions of cortical and trabecular bones were smaller in Nx than in sham animals (P?<?0.05), attributed to cortical thinning and reduction in trabecular number, respectively. Bone chemicals were not different between the groups. No calcification was found in either group, but P, Ca, and Mg contents were higher in Nx than in shams (P?<?0.05). The mass ratio of Ca/P was lower in Nx than in shams (P?<?0.05), but that of Mg/Ca and Mg/P was not different between the groups. Aortic P and Ca contents were inversely correlated with the volume fraction of cortical bone (P?<?0.05). In conclusion, the relationship of osteodystrophy with aortic P and Ca accumulation suggests the existence of a bone-vascular axis, even in calcification-free arteries in CKD. The preservation of ratios of Mg/Ca and Mg/P despite CKD development might contribute to calcification resistance.     

Protective Effects of Gallium, Germanium, and Strontium Against Ovariectomized Osteoporosis in Rats

The effects of trace elements of gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), and strontium (Sr) on ovariectomized (OVX) osteopenic rats were studied in this paper. The urine calcium content, serum calcium, and phosphorus contents, bone mineral content, mineral dissolution, and mechanical strength of the osteopenic rats were analyzed respectively. After the rats were fed with Ga, Ge, and Sr diet for 8 weeks, respectively, the urine calcium content decreased (P?<?0.01). Plasma calcium and phosphate concentrations decreased in the order of OVX group?>?Ge group?>?Sr group?>?Ga group?>?Sham group. Mineral content increased in the order of OVX group?<?Ge group?<?Sr group?<?Ga group?<?Sham group. A dramatic decrease in calcium solubility was found both in the gallium and strontium treated animals (P?<?0.05). However, the same result did not occur in germanium treated groups. The data provide an important proof of concept that gallium and strontium might be a new potential therapy for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis in humans.     

Does supplementing dairy cows with β-carotene during the dry period affect postpartum ovarian activity, progesterone, and cervical and uterine involution?

β-carotene is the main natural precursor of vitamin A and plays an important role in reproductive efficiency and immune function in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a supplement of β-carotene given during the dry period is able to 1) increase blood concentrations of β-carotene postpartum, 2) improve ovarian function and progesterone production, and 3) enhance uterine involution and uterine health. This study was conducted using 40 Holstein cows. On the day of drying-off, cows were allocated to one of two dietary treatments: control diet (C, n = 20) or control diet plus 1g/d β-carotene (BC, n = 20). The β-carotene supplement was given individually to the cows until calving. Blood samples were obtained regularly before and after calving from the cows to measure the concentrations of β-carotene. The diameters of the cervix and uterine horns were measured regularly using ultrasonography. Endometrial cytology samples were acquired from the cervix and uterus to determine uterine health. Milk samples were obtained three times per week for progesterone assay. Additional blood samples were taken on the day of calving, 7 and 21 days postpartum to determine the plasma concentrations of amino acids. Blood concentrations of β-carotene were not different before the start of the experiment (C, 3.03 ± 0.22 mg/L vs BC, 3.12 ± 0.22 mg/L, P > 0.05). Blood concentrations of β-carotene in the BC group peaked (7.45 ± 0.24 mg/L) 1 month after drying-off while the concentrations in the C group remained constant. β-carotene concentrations then decreased in both groups. The difference in blood concentrations of β-carotene between groups became significant 2 weeks after the start of the supplement until 2 weeks postpartum. There was no significant difference in the interval from calving to ovulation between groups (C, 27.8 ± 3.46 d vs BC, 35.8 ± 3.55 d, P > 0.05). The dietary supplement of β-carotene during the dry period had no effect on ovarian activity, progesterone production, cervix and uterine horn diameters. Plasma concentrations of hydroxyproline in the BC group were higher than in the C group on day 21 postpartum (BC, 20.8 ± 1.33 μmol/L vs C, 15.0 ± 1.33 μmol/L; P < 0.01). On day 28 postpartum the percentage of neutrophils in the BC group was lower than in the C group (cervical smear; C, 21.0 ± 3.22% vs BC, 9.7 ± 3.14%, P < 0.05 and uterine smear; C, 32.0 ± 3.86% vs BC, 20.9 ± 3.76%, P < 0.05). In the present experiment a dietary supplement of β-carotene had no effect on ovarian activity. However, due to effects of β-carotene on hydroxyproline profiles and their potential relationship with uterine function we speculate that uterine involution may have been more complete and that uterine inflammation may have been reduced in cows which received the β-carotene compared to controls.     

Effects of rapeseed meal fiber content on phosphorus and calcium digestibility in growing pigs fed diets without or with microbial phytase

The optimization of dietary phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) supply requires a better understanding of the effect of dietary fiber content of co-products on the digestive utilization of minerals. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber content from 00-rapeseed meal (RSM) on P and Ca digestibility throughout the gastrointestinal tract in growing pigs fed diets without or with microbial phytase. In total, 48 castrated male pigs (initial BW=36.1±0.4 kg) were housed in metabolic crates for 29 days. After an 8-day adaptation period, pigs were allocated to one of the eight treatments. The impact of dietary fiber was modulated by adding whole RSM (wRSM), dehulled RSM (dRSM) or dRSM supplemented with 4.5% or 9.0% rapeseed hulls (dRSMh1 and dRSMh2). Diets contained 0 or 500 phytase unit of microbial phytase per kg. From day 14 to day 23, feces and urine were collected separately to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and apparent retention (AR) of P and Ca. At the end of the experiment, femurs and digestive contents were sampled. No effect of variables of interest was observed on growth performance. Microbial phytase increased ATTD and AR of P (P<0.001) but the P equivalency with the wRSM diet was lower than expected. Moreover, stomach inorganic P (iP) solubility was improved by microbial phytase (P<0.001). The ATTD of Ca was not affected by microbial phytase which increased AR of Ca and femur characteristics (P<0.05). Ileal recovery of P was not affected by microbial phytase but cecal recovery was considerably reduced by microbial phytase (P<0.001). The decrease in digesta pH between the distal ileum and cecum (7.6 v. 5.9) enhanced the solubility of iP and may have improved its absorption, as supported by the negative relationship between soluble iP and pH (R²=0.40, P<0.001 without microbial phytase and R²=0.24, P=0.026 with microbial phytase). The inclusion of hulls improved the solubility of iP (P<0.05). In conclusion, dehulling does not largely increase nutrient digestibility although dRSM seems to improve the efficacy of microbial phytase in releasing phosphate in the stomach. Moreover, dietary fiber may affect solubilization process in the cecum which potentiates the effect of microbial phytase on P digestibility.     

Food Preferences and Nutrient Composition in Captive White-handed Gibbons, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylobates lar</Emphasis>

We aimed to assess spontaneous food preferences in captive white-handed gibbons and to analyze whether they correlate with nutrient composition. Via a 2-alternative choice test, we repeatedly presented 3 male Hylobates lar with all possible binary combinations of 10 types of food that are part of their diet in captivity and found the following rank order of preference: grape > banana = fig > apple > pear > honeydew melon > carrot > tomato > cucumber > avocado. Correlational analyses revealed a highly significant positive correlation between the food preference ranking and the total carbohydrate, fructose, and glucose contents of the foods (p < 0.01, respectively). With the exception of the trace mineral selenium (p < 0.05), there was no other significant correlation with any other macro- or micronutrient. In addition, the food preferences were stable across the day because rankings obtained from tests performed at 0900, 1200, and 1500 h, respectively, did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that captive white-handed gibbons are not opportunistic, but selective feeders with regard to maximizing net gain of energy because only the content of carbohydrates, but not the contents of total energy, proteins, or lipids significantly correlate with the displayed food preferences. Further, the results suggest that captive Hylobates lar, in contrast to their free-ranging conspecifics, do not display marked changes in their food selection across the day.