1H NMR study of metabolic alterations in the small intestine of rats infected with Hymenolepis diminuta

• 1.1. 1H NMR spectra of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum tissues of the small intestine of a rat showed metabolic gradients.
• 2.2. The concentrations of metabolites in these gut regions were altered by the presence of the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta.
• 3.3. In the infected duodenum there was significantly less glycogen, glucose and phosphocreatine/creatine, but significantly more lactate than in the corresponding controls.
• 4.4. Infected jejunum contained significantly less betaine but significantly more succinate, alanine and lactate.
• 5.5. Infected ileum had significantly less glycogen and taurine but significantly more alanine and lactate.

     

l-Leucine intestinal transport at different ages in chicken: Effect of anticoccidial drugs

• 1.1. l-Leucine transport by everted slices of duodenum, jejunum ileum and cecum of 1-, 2- and 3-week-old chickens has been determined.
• 2.2. The effects of the administration with the diet of three anticoccidial drugs: monensin, maduromicin ammonium and nicarbazine have been studied.
• 3.3. In the control animals, there is a reduction on intestinal transport with age, except in the duodenum which is not age-dependent.
• 4.4. Momensine induces an increase on leucine transport in the duodenum and cecum at all ages studied and only in the 3-week-old animals in the jejunum and ileum.
• 5.5. Nicarbazine reduces jejunal absorption of leucine and does not affect the function of the other segments.
• 6.6. Maduromicin ammonium has almost no effect on the absorptive process.

     

Food consumption,energy, nutrient and mineral balances in a eurasian kestrel and a screech owl

• 1.1. The food consumption, energy, nitrogen, fat, ash, calcium, phosphate and magnesium balances of the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), and screech owl (Otus kennicotti) are compared.
• 2.2. Eurasian kestrel sample values were significantly greater than screech owl sample values in the energy, nitrogen, calcium, phosphate and magnesium content in pellets, and calcium content in excrement. Phosphate content in excrement was significantly greater in screech owl samples than in Eurasian kestrel samples.
• 3.3. The Eurasian kestrel ingested significantly greater amounts of calcium and phosphate, egested via excrement significantly greater amounts of ash, excreted or egested significantly greater amounts of energy, nitrogen, calcium and phosphate via excrement and pellets, and excreted significantly greater amounts of magnesium via excrement than did the screech owl. The screech owl assimilated significantly greater amounts of ash than did the Eurasian kestrel.
• 4.4. The metabolizability coefficient averaged 48.32% for the Eurasian kestrel, and 49.62% for the screech owl.

     

Blood lipids of the small octopus,Octopus tehuelchus (mollusca,cephalopoda) at different stages of sexual maturation

• 1.1. The lipid and fatty acid composition from the plasma and hemocytes in Octopus tehuelchus at different stages of sexual development, was determined.
• 2.2. The highest content of lipids was found in females engaged in egg development, and the lowest in post-spawning and brooding females. Highest levels occurred during the autumn season in both sexes.
• 3.3. Changes were mainly due to triacylglycerols and diacylglyceryl ethers.
• 4.4. The plasma fatty acid composition did not demonstrate significant changes at different stages of maturation. The arachidonic acid (20:4 ω 6) was present at surprisingly high levels.

     

In vitro absorption of [14C]leucine during inflammation and the effect of antiinflammatory drugs in the jejunum of rats

• 1.1. Inflammation was induced in the hindlegs of rats by formalin injection and the in vitro absorption of [¹⁴C]leucine was studied.
• 2.2. Treatment of rats with formalin caused a reduction in the in vitro absorption of leucine from the mucosa of jejunum.
• 3.3. Oral administration of oxyphenbutazone or a herbal anti-inflammatory drug (Withania somnifera) prior to formalin injection resulted in no alteration in the jejunal absorption of [¹⁴C]leucine.

     

Fermentation and the production of volatile fatty acids in the alimentary tract of the rock hyrax,Procavia capensis

• 1.1. Aspects of ruminant-like metabolism were examined in the hyrax Procavia capensis.
• 2.2. High concentrations of volatile fatty acids occurred in the cardiac stomach with a predominance of acetic and lactic acids.
• 3.3. Acetic (69%), propionic (22%) and butyric (8%) acids occurred in highest concentrations in the proximal caecum, with appreciable amounts in the proximal colon, distal caecum and appendices.
• 4.4. The depot fat contained high proportions of unsaturated C₁₈ (linoleic and linolenic) acids.
• 5.5. The glucose level in the plasma was within the range established for non-ruminant herbivores.
• 6.6. The possibility of silage-like fermentation occurring in the cardiac stomach is discussed.

     

An in vitro study of short-chain fatty acid concentrations,production and absorption in pig (Sus scrofa) colon

• 1.1. Short-chain fatty acid concentration was 180mmol/l in the proximal colon and decreased to 108 mmol/l in the rectum.
• 2.2. Fermentation in chymus from different regions of the colon, showed the pattern of end products to reflect the substrate and not the site of the colon.
• 3.3. Isolated mucosa from proximal and distal colon had electroneutral sodium absorption of 4.8 ± 0.2 and 2.9 ± 0.8 μeq/cm² hr in bicarbonate free media, which was abolished in the absence of chloride.
• 4.4. Electroneutral sodium absorption was enhanced by short-chain fatty acids in the proximal colon and could be described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K_m 2.0–11 mmol/l and J_m 1.6–3.6μeq/cm² hr. In the distal colon the stimulation was smaller and propionate even inhibited sodium absorption.
• 5.5. Butyrate was absorbed in the proximal colon, whereas acetate and propionate, and butyrate in the distal colon had a flux ratio of one.
• 6.6. Amiloride (5 mmol/l) inhibited sodium absorption and net butyrate absorption.

     

Studies on the nutrition of the supralittoral isopod Ligia pallasii using chemically defined artificial diets: Assessment of vitamin,carbohydrate, fatty acid,cholesterol and mineral requirements

• 1.1. An artificial diet, consisting of a dry aggregate of 59 chemical substances, was used to assess the requirements of the sea slater Ligia pallasii for vitamins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, cholesterol and minerals.
• 2.2. Good growth and survival of L. pallasii was obtained on the diet, comparable to that on seaweeds and to that shown by a field population.
• 3.3. No dietary requirements for vitamins, fatty acids or cholesterol were shown for periods of 40 weeks or more for L. pallasii.
• 4.4. Carbohydrates were shown to be required by L. pallasii in its diet, in the order: starch, lactose > maltose, glucose > sucrose, cellulose.
• 5.5. Dietary requirements for minerals were, in order: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus > copper, nickel, zinc > iron, manganese, sulphur > iodine, silicon.
• 6.6. The results are discussed in relation to the role of gut bacteria in supplying required nutrients to their isopod hosts and the enhancement of this process through coprophagic behaviour.

     

Digestive protease,lipase and amylase activities in stage i larvae of the american lobster,Homarus americanus

• 1.1. Digestive protease, lipase, and amylase of Stage I larvae of the American lobster Homarus americanus are characterized.
• 2.2. A sensitive method for detection of crustacean lipase was developed using an latroscan which combines thin-layer chromatography and flame ionization detection to quantify free fatty acids generated by lipase digestion.
• 3.3. pH optima of the three enzymes occurred at or near the pH of gastric fluid.
• 4.4. A time course study demonstrated slight increases in protease and amylase activities during the first larval stage, regardless of whether the lobsters were fed or not, whereas lipase activity was constant.

     

Stress-induced heat-shock protein synthesis in peripheral leukocytes of turkeys,Meleagris gallopavo

• 1.1. Thermal stress, in vitro and in vivo, induced the synthesis of heat-shock proteins, HSP90, HSP70, and HSP23 in turkey leukocytes.
• 2.2. HSP induction was both temperature- and time-dependent.
• 3.3. Salinity-specific stress proteins were expressed with elevated osmolality in culture medium.

     

Comparison of the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic satellite cells and embryonic myoblasts derived from the turkey

• 1.1. Embryonic and posthatch turkey skeletal muscle development was compared in in vitro studies using clonal-derived embryonic myoblasts and satellite cells.
• 2.2. Although population doubling times were similar between the two lines (25.4 hr for satellite cells and 26.4 hr for embryonic myoblasts), embryonic myoblasts consistently began log phase growth 24 hr earlier than satellite cells.
• 3.3. Differentiation (fusion) of embryonic myoblasts was maximized by 36 hr in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium containing 1% horse serum compared with 72 hr for satellite cells.
• 4.4. When administered a serum-free medium which supports proliferation of turkey satellite cells, embryonic myoblasts differentiated to form myotubes.

     

Adaptation of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) to sea water: Changes in calcitonin levels

• 1.1. The calcitonin content of the ultimobranchial body (UBB) and plasma levels of calcitonin, calcium and phosphate were measured in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) following their transfer from fresh to sea water.
• 2.2. The plasma calcium level remained unchanged throughout the experiment while the UBB calcitonin content, plasma calcitonin and plasma phosphate rose significantly during the hours immediately following transfer.
• 3.3. The levels of all three subsequently fall so that, 8–15 days later, a new equilibrium was established with lower than control (fresh water) levels of UBB calcitonin, plasma calcitonin and plasma phosphate.
• 4.4. It would appear, from these data, that calcitonin plays some part in the endocrine regulation of sea water transfer.

     

Changes in high-energy phosphate metabolism in the water scorpion,Ranatra chinensis,under cold water-warm water stress

• 1.1. To evaluate changes in high-energy phosphate metabolism in the water scorpion (Ranatra chinensis) under restraint and cold water-warm water stresses, in vivo [³¹P]NMR spectra were obtained.
• 2.2. Under restraint stress, arginine phosphate (Arg-P) decreased by 10% after 1 hr and remained at that level thereafter, while β-ATP showed negligible changes over 6 hr.
• 3.3. As the water temperature gradually increased or decreased, the relative concentration of Arg-P decreased due to enzyme regulation.
• 4.4. Repeated cold water-warm water stress, which consisted of repeated 15 min exposures to cold water (5°C) followed by 15 min exposures to warm water (30°C) caused distinct decreases in Arg-P and β-ATP concentration. These decreases were dependent on the frequency of exposure.
• 5.5. Phosphomonoesters (PME) increased not only with restraint stress but also with cold water-warm water stress.
• 6.6. The effect of cold water-warm water stress on high-energy phosphate metabolism was greater than that of restraint stress.

     

The composition of the skin surface lipids of European cattle and buffalo steers

• 1.1. This study compared the composition of the skin surface lipids (SSL) of cattle (Bos taurus) and of buffalo (Bubalis bubalis) steers at the same level of feed intake in a thermoneutral environment.
• 2.2. There was about eight times less lipid per unit area of skin surface on the buffalo than on cattle.
• 3.3. The distribution of the different lipid classes in the SSL of the two breeds was different. Compared to cattle, the buffalo SSL was characterized by smaller proportions of wax ester bands 2 and 3 and triglycerides.
• 4.4. There were significant species differences in the fatty acid patterns of the individual lipid classes.
• 5.5. The results are discussed in relation to the functional attributes of sebum.

     

The effect of feed restriction on certain haematological indices,enzymes and metabolites in Nubian goats

• 1.1. Some effects of restricting feed intake for 96 or 168 hr were determined in male Nubian goats.
• 2.2. Goats restricted for 96 hr lost 11.6% of their body weight, and goats restricted for 168 hr lost 19.8%.
• 3.3. Feed restriction for up to 168 hr did not produce significant effects on the heart rate, respiratory rate or rectal temperature.
• 4.4. Haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and erythrocyte number were all decreased by feed restriction. There was also a tendency towards eosinopenia and lymphopenia.
• 5.5. Feed restriction for 96 or 168 hr raised the plasma activity of aspartate transaminase, and did not affect significantly cholinesterase activity. Plasma amine oxidase activity was significantly reduced in goats restricted for 168 hr.
• 6.6. Feed restriction produced significant increases in the blood or plasma concentrations of lactate. pyruvate, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, ketone bodies and bilirubin.
• 7.7. Significant decreases were found in the concentrations of total protein and calcium.
• 8.8. No significant changes were observed in the plasma concentrations of glucose, sodium or potassium.

     

Serum and urine biochemical indicators of nutritional status in adult female collared peccaries,Tayassu tajacu (tayassuidae)

• 1.1. Physiological responses of 13 adult female collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) to high quality and low quality diets, fed for 15 weeks, were examined. The low quality diet simulated energy and protein intake of peccaries during poor range conditions resulting from drought. Blood samples were collected after 10 and 15 weeks of dietary treatment; urine samples were collected after 15 weeks of treatment.
• 2.2. Females receiving the low quality diet for 15 weeks lost 27.4% of their original body weight, compared to no weight change among high quality-fed females.
• 3.3. Red blood cell counts, hematocrits, and hemoglobin concentrations were significantly greater among females fed a high quality diet compared to those receiving a low quality diet. High quality-fed females also had a higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was nearly twice as great among females receiving the low quality diet compared to the high quality group.
• 4.4. Consumption of the low quality diet resulted in significantly elevated serum levels of nonesterified fatty acids, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, alpha-2 globulin and alpha globulin: beta globulin ratio.
• 5.5. Consumption of the low quality diet resulted in significantly lowered serum levels of urea nitrogen, calcium, zinc, calcium: phosphorus, urea index, beta-1 flobulin, beta globulin: albumin ratio, thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
• 6.6. Serum levels ofcreatinine, total bilirubin, glucose, cholesterol, gamma glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, copper, magnesium, sodium chloride, total protein and gamma globulin were unaffected by diet quality.
• 7.7. Urine chemistry results suggested pH, osmolarity, albumin, creatinine phosphokinase, calcium and phosphorus concentrations might be useful indices for assessing nutritional status in female peccaries.

     

Interrelationship between metabolism of tritiated water, 22sodium and dry matter intake by beef cattle consuming wheat straw and poultry litter in free choice

• 1.1. Metabolism of tritiated water and ²²sodium was studied in six beef cows under Mediterranean summer conditions in order to find whether the turnover of these tracers can be used to evaluate pasture intake.
• 2.2. The diet of the cows included ad libitum access to two components which were given separately in different troughs: one was poultry litter and the other was wheat straw, to simulate the dry pasture.
• 3.3. Voluntary daily dry matter intake (111 g/kg^0.75) was unexpectedly high considering the low digestibility of the feed.
• 4.4. The assumptions of constant ratios of water intake to water turnover and of dry matter intake to water intake were confirmed. Consequently, dry matter intake was determined accurately from water turnover measurements.
• 5.5. Sodium intake was practically equal to sodium turnover and most of the sodium secreted in feces was of endogenous origin.
• 6.6. Pasture intake can be predicted from sodium turnover once the concentration in feed and water consumed is known.

     

The effect of ovine prolactin on sodium and water transport across the intestine of the fowl (Gallus domesticus)

• 1.1. The effects of ovine prolactin on sodium and water transport across the intestine of 9-day old cockerels were studied by an in vitro everted gut sac technique and by an in vivo balance technique.
• 2.2. Prolactin was found to reduce sodium and water transport across the jejunum and the rectum. AVP was ineffective.
• 3.3. Plasma sodium levels tended to decrease in prolactin treated birds.
• 4.4. It is suggested that the action of prolactin on intestinal salt and water transport is important in maintaining electrolyte homeostasis.

     

Dose-dependent vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in male cyprinoid Cyprinus carpio

• 1.1. Vitamin D₃ (10IU and 100IU/100 g body weight) and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (0.5, 5 and 50 U) were administered daily to unfed male carp Cyprinus carpio for 10 days. The serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels were measured colorimetrically.
• 2.2. The serum calcium level increased significantly in all treated groups; this increase is dose-dependent.
• 3.3. The serum inorganic phosphate was elevated in the treated groups on days 3 and 5.

     

The calcium uptake by larvae of the oyster,Crassostrea virginica,and the clam,Mulinia lateralis

• 1.1. The uptake of calcium by larvae of the oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the clam (Mulinia lateralis) was measured using the ⁴⁵Ca isotope tracer method.
• 2.2. An equation was established for the calculation of true calcium uptake and the rates expressed as ng Ca/larva/hr were 0.39 and 0.34 ± 0.16 (n = 4) for 3- and 11-day-old oyster larvae, and 0.03 and 0.15 for 7- and 9-day-old clam larvae, respectively.
• 3.3. This system is sensitive, rapid, simple and potentially useful for the measurements of calcium metabolism, shell formation, aquaculture and toxicity.