Effects of maternal nutrient restriction during early or mid-gestation without realimentation on maternal physiology and foetal growth and development in beef cattle

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of early and mid-gestation nutrient restriction on maternal metabolites and foetal growth. Primiparous Angus cows were synchronized and inseminated with semen from one sire. Dietary treatments were: control to gain 1 kg/week (CON) or 0.55% maintenance energy and CP requirements (nutrient restricted; NR). A subset of dams was fed NR (n=8) or CON (n=8) from days 30 to 110 of gestation. Another group was fed CON (n=8), days 30 to 190; NR (n=7), days 30 to 110 followed by CON days 110 to 190; or CON, (n=7) days 30 to 110 followed by NR days 110 to 190. Cows were harvested at days 110 or 190 of gestation, when foetal measurements and samples were collected. Cows that were NR during days 30 to 110 or 110 to 190 of gestation lost significant BW and body condition score (P<0.001), this was associated with reduced plasma glucose during NR (P<0.002). Foetal weights, empty foetal weights, abdominal and thoracic circumferences were all reduced (P<0.03) in day 110 NR animals. Foetal perirenal adipose as a percentage of empty foetal weight was increased (P=0.01) in NR day 110 female foetuses compared with CON foetus. Maternal serum triglycerides at day 110 of gestation were decreased (P<0.05) in NR dams, whereas foetal serum triglycerides were increased (P<0.05) in response to maternal NR. Foetal weights tended to be reduced (P=0.08) in NR/CON and CON/NR v. CON/CON cattle at day 190 of gestation. Empty foetal weights, abdominal and thoracic circumferences were reduced (P⩽0.03) in NR/CON and CON/NR v. CON/CON cattle. Brain weight as a percentage of empty foetal weight was increased (P<0.001) in NR/CON and CON/NR v. CON/CON cattle. Foetal perirenal adipose as a percentage of empty foetal weight was increased (P=0.003) in NR/CON and CON/NR v. CON/CON cattle. Maternal serum triglycerides at day 190 of gestation were decreased (P<0.05) in association with maternal NR. Foetal serum triglycerides at day 190 of gestation were increased (P<0.05) in response to maternal NR during early gestation but decreased by NR in mid gestation compared with CON foetuses. The data show that maternal nutrient restriction during early or mid-gestation cause’s asymmetrical foetal growth restriction, regardless if the restriction is preceded or followed by a period of non-restriction.     

Impacts of protein supplementation during late gestation of beef cows on maternal skeletal muscle and liver tissues metabolism

Since nutritional requirements are increased at the end of gestation to meet the demands of the pregnant uterus, pregnant beef cows are susceptible to mobilization of body reserves (mainly fat and amino acids (AAs)) and to alter the metabolism of nutrients in the liver and muscle to support such demands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CP supplementation on maternal nutrient metabolism in the late gestation of beef cows grazing a low-quality pasture. Forty-three pregnant Nellore cows gestating male fetuses (average age = 6 years; average weight = 544 kg) at 193 ± 30 (mean ± SD) days (d) of gestation were divided into eight groups (experimental units, with four to five cows each). Treatments were (1) control (CON, n = 4): pasture-based (PB) diet without CP supplementation and (2) supplemented (SUP, n = 4): PB diet daily supplemented with 2 g/kg of BW of a 43.5% CP supplement. Liver and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at 265 days of gestation and samples were collected for mRNA expression. On day 280 of gestation, blood samples were collected to assess plasma levels of AA. The CON-fed cows tended to have greater (P = 0.057) total circulating AA than SUP-fed cows. The circulating glycogenic AA was greater (P = 0.035) in CON than in SUP cows. CON cows was greater for histidine (P = 0.015), methionine (P = 0.007) and alanine (P = 0.036) than SUP cows. The CON- and SUP-fed showed no differences for gluconeogenesis, fatty acid transport and signaling axis markers in the liver. The mRNA expression of markers for skeletal muscle synthesis, p7056k (P = 0.060) and GSK3B (P = 0.096), tended to be greater in cows from CON than SUP group. No differences were found for mRNA expression of markers for skeletal muscle degradation. We conclude that CP supplementation to CP-restricted late-pregnant beef cows reduces the maternal tissue mobilization and changes the profile of plasma circulating AA and the mRNA expression of markers for the synthesis of skeletal muscle tissue.     

Effect of oak acorn level on colostrum composition and plasma immunoglobulin G of late-pregnant goats and their kids

Oak acorn contains high levels of tannins which have capacity to form complexes with proteins and consequently reduce their availability and as a result it could reduce colostrum quality and immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level during the last 60 days of pregnancy on colostrum composition and plasma metabolites and IgG level of goats and their kids. In all, 24 multiparous pregnant goats (41.7±2.3 kg BW) were assigned into one of the three experimental diets consisted of control diet (without OA) and diets containing 20% (OA₂₀) or 40% (OA₄₀) OA on dry matter basis. Goats fed OA₄₀ had lower BW change compared with other groups (P⩽0.05). Kids birth weight was not affected by experimental diets (P>0.05). Goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma glucose, triglyceride and Fe concentrations compared with those fed the control diet (P<0.01). Plasma IgG (P<0.01) and urea (P<0.05) concentrations were lower in goats fed OA₄₀ compared with others. Animals fed OA containing diets had higher plasma alanine aminotransferase than those fed the control diet (P<0.05). Goats fed OA₄₀ produced colostrum with lower fat (P⩽0.05) and lactose (P<0.01) contents compared with other animals. Goats fed OA containing diets had lower colostrum IgG level than those fed the control diet (P⩽0.05). Kids plasma total protein concentration was not affected by experimental diets (P>0.05), whereas kids born from goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma IgG level compared with the control diet (P<0.01). It is concluded that feeding OA during the last 60 days of pregnancy decreased colostrum quality which may have adverse effect on kid’s survival.     

Reproductive performance of South African indigenous goats inoculated with DHP-degrading rumen bacteria and maintained on Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture and natural pasture

This study examined the reproductive performance of dihydroxy pyridone (DHP)-inoculated South African indigenous (SAIG) female goats maintained on two dietary treatments: (i) Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture and (ii) natural pasture prior to conception, and during gestation. Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture was nutritionally superior (crude protein and mineral elements) than the natural pasture. The average daily gain, products of pregnancy and foetal development in gravid goats raised on leucaena/grass mixture were significantly (P<0.03, P<0.009 and P<0.005, respectively) higher than those raised on natural pasture. Conception rate of goats fed natural pasture was higher than the band fed Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture. Leucaena/grass mixture fed goats had kids that were heavier at birth than their counterparts on natural pasture. Pre-weaning kid mortality over the period of study was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture treatment. Colostrum from kidded goats fed leucaena was viscous and difficult to sample. The absence of mimosine toxicity symptoms suggests a possibility of safe use of leucaena as a feed resource to DHP-inoculated SAIG.     

Dietary melatonin supplementation alters uteroplacental amino acid flux during intrauterine growth restriction in ewes

Dietary melatonin supplementation during mid- to late-gestation increased umbilical artery blood flow and caused disproportionate fetal growth. This melatonin-induced increase in umbilical artery blood flow may alter nutrient availability to the fetus, which may lead to alterations in fetal size. The objectives of the current experiment were to determine amino acid (AA) and glucose concentrations as well as AA and glucose flux across the uteroplacenta using a mid- to late-gestation model of intrauterine growth restriction supplemented with dietary melatonin as a 2 × 2 factorial design. At day 50 of gestation, 32 ewes were supplemented with 5 mg of melatonin (MEL) or no melatonin (CON) and were allocated to receive 100% (adequate; ADQ) or 60% (restricted; RES) of nutrient requirements. On day 130 of gestation, uterine and umbilical blood flows were determined via Doppler ultrasonography during a non-survival surgery. Blood samples were collected under general anesthesia from the maternal saphenous artery, gravid uterine vein, umbilical artery, and umbilical vein for AA analysis and glucose. Total α-AA concentrations in maternal artery and gravid uterine vein were decreased (P < 0.05) in RES v. ADQ fed ewes. Maternal arterial − venous difference in total α-AA was increased (P ⩽ 0.01) in RES v. ADQ fed ewes, while total uterine α-AA flux was not different (P > 0.40) across all treatment groups. Fetal venous − arterial difference in total α-AA as well as uteroplacental flux of total α-AA were decreased (P < 0.05) in CON-RES v. CON-ADQ, and similar (P > 0.20) in MEL-RES v. CON-ADQ. Maternal concentrations and uterine flux of branched-chain AA (BCAA) were not different across all treatment groups; however, fetal uptake of BCAA was decreased (P < 0.05) in CON-RES v. CON-ADQ, and similar (P > 0.20) in MEL-RES v. CON-ADQ. Uterine uptake of glucose was not different (P ⩾ 0.08) across all treatment groups, while uteroplacental uptake of glucose was increased (P ⩽ 0.05) in RES v. ADQ ewes. In conclusion, maternal nutrient restriction increased maternal arterial − venous difference in total α-AA, while total uterine α-AA flux was unaffected by maternal nutrient restriction. Melatonin supplementation did not impact maternal serum concentrations or uterine flux of glucose or AA; however, melatonin did improve fetal BCAA uptake during maternal nutrient restriction.     

Growth,slaughter and intra-muscular collagen characteristics in Garganica kids

Growth performance, ossification of metacarpal growth plate, and intra-muscular collagen characteristics in three muscles of 10 intact male Garganica kids were studied. Each week, starting from the 47th day of age to slaughter (75th day of age), kids were weighed and blood samples taken for plasma non-protein hydroxyproline analysis. At slaughter, metacarpal, metatarsal bones and metacarpal growth plate thickness were measured. The semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), and rectus medialis (RM) muscle samples were analysed for collagen concentration and hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (HP) cross-links. ST muscle had a collagen amount higher than SM and RM (P<0.01), and RM muscle had the highest (P<0.01) HP concentration. Tenderness index was the highest (P<0.01) in RM muscle. Animal growth rates slowed, starting from 61st day of age (P<0.01); this trend coincided with a marked reduction in concentration of plasma non-protein hydroxyproline (P<0.01). In addition, plasma non-protein hydroxyproline concentration was positively correlated (r=0.61, P=0.001) with growth rate of animals, suggesting that collagen turnover decreases during a slow growth phase. Based on the metacarpal growth plate width, the rate of bone ossification appears to be slower in goats than sheep.     

Effect of experimental infection with Listeria monocytogenes on the development of pregnancy and on concentrations of progesterone,oestrone sulphate and 15-ketodihydro-PGF2α in the goat

The effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection on hormone levels in pregnant goats was studied. Four goats (Group I) received an intravenous inoculation of a bacterial culture (Type 1) on Days 69–77 and another four goats (Group II) received a similar inoculation on Days 105–106 of gestation. Five non-inoculated goats were used as controls. Plasma was analysed for progesterone, oestrone sulphate and 15-ketodihydro-PGF_2α. The status of the foetus was followed using real-time ultrasonography.Three of the four goats in Group I aborted 8–10 days after inoculation. The fourth goat gave birth to a normal live kid at term. The three goats which aborted showed clinical signs of disease in connection with abortion. In Group II, all goats aborted after 9–11 days. All the goats showed clinical symptoms of disease from a few days after inoculation and the symptoms continued until abortion. The clinical symptoms of disease were more pronounced in Group II than in Group I. L. monocytogenes was isolated from all aborted foetuses. None of the control goats aborted.Ultrasound examination revealed foetal death either immediately before or up to 2 days before abortion. Mummification had begun in the foetus that had been dead for 2 days before expulsion.In comparison with pre-inoculation plasma levels in Group I, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in progesterone levels and an increase in 15-ketodihydro-PGF_2α levels were observed from Days 4 and 6 after inoculation, respectively. In Group II, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in progesterone levels and an increase in 15-ketodihydro-PGF_2α levels in plasma were observed from Days 8 and 6, respectively. The oestrone sulphate levels decreased slightly in the inoculated goats a few days before abortion.The pattern of changes in levels around abortion was similar to the pattern present in the control animals around parturition. However, oestrone sulphate levels did not increase in the inoculated groups before abortion in contrast to goats which delivered healthy kids. The changes in levels of 15-ketodihydro-PGF_2α in goats that aborted indicated that the endocrine foetal-placental function was disturbed, which was most likely due to the establishment and development of L. monocytogenes in the placenta and foetus.     

Effects of short-term oilseed supplementation on plasma fatty acid composition,progesterone and prostaglandin F metabolite in lactating beef cows

Twenty-four 3-year-old Angus cows (512.2±21.6 kg) and six ruminally cannulated beef heifers (523.1±16.9 kg) were used to determine the impact of feeding oilseeds starting at the beginning of estrous synchronization until maternal recognition of pregnancy on plasma fatty acid composition. Starting ~60 days postpartum cows were synchronized with the Select Synch+controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) device and timed artificial insemination (AI) protocol. The day CIDR was inserted; cattle were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments being grazing only (CON) or a supplement containing whole soybeans (SOY); or whole flaxseed (FLX). Cattle continued to receive these diets for 28 days. Blood was collected every 3 days until 10 days after insemination and then every day until 18 days after insemination. All cattle grazed a common pasture and supplemented cattle were individually fed their respective supplements once daily. Ruminally cannulated heifers were used to evaluate the impact supplements had on forage intake, which was reduced (P=0.05) with oilseed supplementation. Feeding oilseeds increased total fatty acid intake (P<0.001) across treatments with SOY having greater (P<0.001) 18:2n-6 intake than either CON or FLX. Likewise, cattle fed FLX had greater (P<0.001) 18:3n-3 intake than either CON or SOY. There was a treatment×time interaction (P⩽0.05) for all fatty acids identified except for 20:5n-3 (P=0.99). Within 3 days after the start of supplementation, plasma concentrations of 18:2n-6 increased (P<0.001) for cattle fed SOY compared with CON or FLX, whereas flax-fed cattle did not exhibit an increase (P=0.02) until day 15 of supplementation over that of CON. Plasma concentrations for 18:3n-3 was greater (P<0.013) for FLX than both CON and SOY by day 12. Feeding flaxseed tended to (P=0.07) increase and increased (P=0.01) plasma concentrations of 20:4n-6 by day 18 over CON and SOY, respectively. Overall, treatment did not affect serum concentration of progesterone (P=0.18) or prostaglandin F metabolite (P=0.89). However, day after breeding had an effect on serum progesterone (P=0.01) with day 16 after timed AI being lower compared with other days. Feeding oilseeds during the time of estrous synchronization will not only increase the energy density of the diet but will provide key fatty acids around the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy.     

Influences of the number of fetuses and levels of CP and ME in gestation and lactation supplements on performance of Spanish does and kids during suckling and post-weaning

Forty-eight mature US Spanish does (40 kg BW), from a herd selected for cashmere fiber growth, were used to investigate influences of the number of fetuses and levels of ME and CP in supplements during gestation and lactation on doe and kid performance. At 60 days of gestation, does with single or twin fetuses consumed mature Bermudagrass hay ad libitum and 1% BW (DM basis) of supplements with 18.6% or 28.5% CP (LP and HP, respectively) and 2.2 or 2.8 Mcal/kg ME (DM basis; LE and HE, respectively). The HE-HP supplement was offered at 1.5% BW (DM basis) for 15 days after birth, and does received the same supplement treatments as in gestation thereafter until weaning at 50 days after parturition. For a 50-day post-weaning period, kids consumed ad libitum the HE-LP supplement. BW at 90 days of gestation (41.4 vs 38.4 kg; P<0.10), BW before parturition (46.1 vs 41.7 kg; P<0.05), BW loss from parturition to day 21 of lactation (8.38 vs 5.25 kg; P<0.05), litter birth weight (5.47 vs 2.75 kg; P<0.05) and plasma concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (0.33 vs 0.29 mM; P<0.05) and NEFA (538 vs 434 mEq/l; P<0.05) were greater for does with twin vs single kids. BW at weaning was similar between single and twin kids (P>0.10; 8.31 and 7.63, respectively). Kid BW and cashmere fiber weight after the post-weaning period were affected by interactions (P<0.05) between number of fetuses and supplement ME level; kid BW was 12.3, 14.7, 14.6 and 13.2 kg (SE = 1.12 and 0.68 kg for singles and twins, respectively), and kid cashmere weight was 86, 109, 106 and 102 g (SE = 8.5 and 5.0 g for singles and twins, respectively) for single-HE, single-LE, twin-HE and twin-LE, respectively. In conclusion, effects of supplements differing in levels of ME and in ingredient composition for US Spanish does in gestation and lactation had dissimilar impacts on post-weaning BW and cashmere weight of single and twin kids. However, because of the limited number of observations and the high variability among animals in measures such as cashmere fibre growth, further experimentation concerning the potential for effects of nutritional plane of does on cashmere growth by kids is warranted.     

Influence of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation of pregnant ewes on maternal and fetal pancreatic digestive enzymes and insulin-containing clusters

Primiparous ewes (n=32) were assigned to dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement to determine effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation on maternal and fetal pancreatic weight, digestive enzyme activity, concentration of insulin-containing clusters and plasma insulin concentrations. Treatments consisted of nutrient intake with 60% (RES) or 100% (ADQ) of requirements and melatonin supplementation at 0 (CON) or 5 mg/day (MEL). Treatments began on day 50 of gestation and continued until day 130. On day 130, blood was collected under general anesthesia from the uterine artery, uterine vein, umbilical artery and umbilical vein for plasma insulin analysis. Ewes were then euthanized and the pancreas removed from the ewe and fetus, trimmed of mesentery and fat, weighed and snap-frozen until enzyme analysis. In addition, samples of pancreatic tissue were fixed in 10% formalin solution for histological examination including quantitative characterization of size and distribution of insulin-containing cell clusters. Nutrient restriction decreased (P⩽0.001) maternal pancreatic mass (g) and α-amylase activity (U/g, kU/pancreas, U/kg BW). Ewes supplemented with melatonin had increased pancreatic mass (P=0.03) and α-amylase content (kU/pancreas and U/kg BW). Melatonin supplementation decreased (P=0.002) maternal pancreatic insulin-positive tissue area (relative to section of tissue), and size of the largest insulin-containing cell cluster (P=0.04). Nutrient restriction decreased pancreatic insulin-positive tissue area (P=0.03) and percent of large (32 001 to 512 000 µm²) and giant (⩾512 001 µm²) insulin-containing cell clusters (P=0.04) in the fetus. Insulin concentrations in plasma from the uterine vein, umbilical artery and umbilical vein were greater (P⩽0.01) in animals receiving 100% requirements. When comparing ewes to fetuses, ewes had a greater percentage of medium insulin-containing cell clusters (2001 to 32 000 µm²) while fetuses had more (P<0.001) pancreatic insulin-positive area (relative to section of tissue) and a greater percent of small, large and giant insulin-containing cell clusters (P⩽0.02). Larger insulin-containing clusters were observed in fetuses (P<0.001) compared with ewes. In summary, the maternal pancreas responded to nutrient restriction by decreasing pancreatic weight and activity of digestive enzymes while melatonin supplementation increased α-amylase content. Nutrient restriction decreased the number of pancreatic insulin-containing clusters in fetuses while melatonin supplementation did not influence insulin concentration. This indicated using melatonin as a therapeutic agent to mitigate reduced pancreatic function in the fetus due to maternal nutrient restriction may not be beneficial.     

Responses of milk protein,arterial AA concentration,and mammary AA metabolism to graded abomasal casein infusion in lactating goats

It has been generally assumed in postruminal protein or AA infusion studies that casein or AA mixtures mimicking the essential AA (EAA) composition of milk approach ‘ideal protein’ status, but the differences in postabsorptive metabolism of individual EAA may bring the assumption into question. Graded amounts of caseinate sodium were abomasally infused into lactating goats, and concentrations in the plasma of carotid, mammary uptakes and utilization efficiencies of amino acids were monitored in the present study. The results indicated that arterial concentrations of all the amino acids, except for Arg were increased with the increase of caseinate sodium infused (P < 0.05). The increments in plasma concentration differed with individual EAA. Concentrations of Ile, Leu, and Lys increased about two-folds, and that of Met, Thr, Phe, and His increased 58.33, 32.5, 29.87, and 61.66%, respectively, when data of the 99 g/day and the control treatment was compared. Mammary extraction efficiencies of Arg, Thr, Lys, Leu, and Phe increased with graded casein infusion (P < 0.05), while those of the other EAA were not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Mammary extraction efficiencies of individual non-essential amino acids (NEAA) varied greatly, and ranged from 9.18 to 33.89% in the control treatment. Except for Pro, mammary extraction efficiency of NEAA increased with graded casein infusion. Mammary uptake to milk output ratios (U/O) of sequestered AA was generally increased with the increase of casein infused, but that of Thr, His, and Ala was not insignificantly changed (P > 0.05). Compared with the data of previous researchers, the U/O of Thr recorded in the present study was much lower (<0.42). We speculate that Thr may be extracted in forms other than FAA (such as peptide bond AA) by the mammary under conditions of the present study. Consistent with the results of other authors, mammary uptake of Arg was two times more than milk output even in the control treatment, which suggests that there may be a requirement of Arg other than milk protein synthesis in the mammary.     

Q Fever in Pregnant Goats: Pathogenesis and Excretion of Coxiella burnetii

Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes Q fever. Infected pregnant goats are a major source of human infection. However, the tissue dissemination and excretion pathway of the pathogen in goats are still poorly understood. To better understand Q fever pathogenesis, we inoculated groups of pregnant goats via the intranasal route with a recent Dutch outbreak C. burnetii isolate. Tissue dissemination and excretion of the pathogen were followed for up to 95 days after parturition. Goats were successfully infected via the intranasal route. PCR and immunohistochemistry showed strong tropism of C. burnetii towards the placenta at two to four weeks after inoculation. Bacterial replication seemed to occur predominantly in the trophoblasts of the placenta and not in other organs of goats and kids. The amount of C. burnetii DNA in the organs of goats and kids increased towards parturition. After parturition it decreased to undetectable levels: after 81 days post-parturition in goats and after 28 days post-parturition in kids. Infected goats gave birth to live or dead kids. High numbers of C. burnetii were excreted during abortion, but also during parturition of liveborn kids. C. burnetii was not detected in faeces or vaginal mucus before parturition. Our results are the first to demonstrate that pregnant goats can be infected via the intranasal route. C. burnetii has a strong tropism for the trophoblasts of the placenta and is not excreted before parturition; pathogen excretion occurs during birth of dead as well as healthy animals. Besides abortions, normal deliveries in C. burnetii-infected goats should be considered as a major zoonotic risk for Q fever in humans.     

Effects of soluble fiber inclusion in gestation diets with varying fermentation characteristics on lactational feed intake of sows over two successive parities

The effects of soluble fiber inclusion in gestation diets with varying fermentation characteristics (fermentation kinetics and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-profile) on lactational feed intake of sows and their piglet growth over two parities were investigated using an in vitro–in vivo methodology. After breeding, 90 multiparous Landrace sows were randomized to one of three experimental diets: the control (CON) diet, konjac flour (KF) diet or sugar beet pulp (SBP) diet. All diets had similar levels of net energy, CP, insoluble fiber and NDF, but KF and SBP diets had higher soluble fiber levels than the CON diet. During gestation, the sows were restrictively fed with three different diets, but during lactation, all the sows were similarly fed ad libitum. The three gestation diets were enzymatically hydrolyzed using pepsin and pancreatin, and enzymolyzed residues were used in in vitro fermentation. Gas and SCFA production were monitored during fermentation. After fermentation, enzymolyzed residues of KF or SBP diets resulted in higher final asymptotic gas volume than those of the CON diet. The enzymolyzed residues of KF diet were mainly part of rapidly fermented fractions, whereas those of SBP diet were mainly part of slowly fermented fractions. In addition, the acetic acid, butyric acid and total SCFA concentrations of enzymolyzed residues of KF diet were higher (P<0.01) than the control and SBP diets. In the in vivo studies, on day 90 of gestation, the KF diet sows had higher plasma SCFA concentration (P<0.05) at 4 h after feeding than the CON diet sows. Furthermore, the KF diet sows had lower plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration (P<0.01) at 4 h after feeding, and a lower value of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance (P<0.05), but a higher value of HOMA-insulin sensitivity (P<0.01). The KF diet sows also consumed more feed during lactation (P<0.01) and weaned significantly heavier pigs (P<0.01) than the CON diet sows. The overall results showed that the high fermentation capacity KF diet contributed to an increased lactational feed intake and improved performance of piglets in the second reproductive cycle.     

Influence of gestational maternal feed restriction on growth performance and meat quality of rabbit offsprings

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction during pregnancy on reproductive performance of rabbit does and growth performance and meat quality of their offspring. A total of 26 primiparous non lactating does were equally divided into two treatment groups: the control group (C, n=13) that was fed ad libitum throughout gestation and the feed restricted group (R, n=13) that was fed to 75% of maintenance energy requirements from the 7^th to the 26^th day of gestation. Rabbit offsprings were weaned at 35 days of age and grown until the 72 days of age when they were slaughtered for meat quality assessment. Meat quality traits measured were pH₂₄, colour (L*, a*, b*), percentage of released water, cook loss, shear values and intramuscular fat. At kindling, R does produced smaller litter weights compared with those of does from group C, 447.8 and 591.4 g, respectively, and smaller individual kit birth weights, 56.2 and 71.5 g, respectively (P<0.05). Ratio of stillborn kits and mortality rate from parturition until weaning was higher (P<0.05) in the R group, 21.4% and 11.1%, respectively, in comparison with the C group, 8.1% and 3.5%, respectively. Litter size and gestation length were unaffected by maternal undernutrition. Kit birth weight treatment differences were eliminated at weaning because of compensatory growth (P>0.05). Performance and meat quality characteristics of fattening rabbits at 72 days of age were not influenced by gestational feed restriction of their mothers (P>0.05). Taking into consideration that, simultaneous gestation and lactation in rabbit does may be simulated by gestational feed restriction, results of the present study suggest that lactating does can support a simultaneous gestation without any adverse effect on the offsprings’ quantitative and qualitative performance at the expense of increased mortality rates at parturition and until weaning.     

Production efficiency and feeding behavior of Awassi lambs and Baladi kids fed on a high concentrate diet

Fifteen Awassi lambs and 15 Baladi kids (males, averaging 14.3 kg) were used to study the differences in feeding behavior and performance of sheep and goats fed a concentrate finishing diet (CP = 16 kg/100 kg DM, ME = 2.85 Mcal/kg DM) in a complete randomized design experiment lasting 60 days. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in lambs. Kids had higher (P < 0.05) apparent OM, crude protein (CP) and gross energy digestibilities. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in apparent neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, eating, chewing and ruminating times. However, eating and ruminating times (as min/kg NDF intake) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in kids. Final body weight and average daily weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in lambs while kids had significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed to gain ratio. Feed cost per kilogram weight gain for kids was better than that for lambs. Results demonstrated that Awassi lambs consumed more feed and grew faster than Baladi kids. However, kids were more efficient feed converters than lambs.     

Dietary protein or energy restriction influences age and weight at puberty in ewe lambs

The working hypothesis was that restricted protein content in diets of prepubertal ewe lambs would delay time of onset of puberty to a greater extent than restricted energy content. Restriction of dietary protein (metabolizable protein, MP) or energy (ME) intake on age and weight at puberty was studied in ewe lambs in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 85 crossbred ewe lambs were assigned by weight to one of five dietary treatment groups: control (CTL; 18 mg ME day⁻¹ and 173 g MP day⁻¹); energy restricted (ER; 10.2 mg ME day⁻¹ and 96 g MP day⁻¹); protein restricted (PR; 11 mg ME day⁻¹ and 66 g MP day⁻¹); ER for 9 weeks then switched to CTL (ER/CTL); PR for 9 weeks then switched to CTL (PR/CTL). Ewe lambs were weighed biweekly, bled weekly, and serum was assayed for progesterone to determine time of puberty. Average age at puberty differed among lambs fed the various diets (P < 0.01). Ewe lambs in the CTL group were younger and weighed more at puberty. Lambs fed diets restricted in protein or energy content were similar in age at puberty. Dietary switching, ER/CTL and PR/CTL, affected body weight and gain (P < 0.05), but did not result in changed age at puberty compared with lambs fed ER or PR diets. In Experiment 2, two breed types (maternal type and meat type) were used to compare responses of dietary protein restriction to dietary energy restriction. In Experiment 2, lambs (n = 60) were assigned to either the CTL, PR or ER diets. Lambs in the CTL group gained more weight than lambs fed the PR diet and lambs fed the PR diet gained more weight than lambs fed the ER diet (P < 0.05). Diet affected age (P < 0.001), but not weight at puberty (P = 0.13). Dietary energy and protein restriction influenced age at puberty in ewe lambs with energy restriction having a greater influence on delaying onset of puberty than protein restriction. Realimentation did not overcome effects of previous feed restriction by inducing an earlier age at puberty than ewe lambs fed the ER or PR diet throughout the experimental period. Body weight gain prepuberty is more important than type of dietary restriction (protein or energy) with regard to impacting age at puberty. We, therefore, reject the working hypothesis that dietary protein restriction prepuberty would have a greater impact in delaying onset of puberty than dietary energy restriction.     

Effect of artificial vs. natural rearing on milk yield,kid growth and cost in Payoya autochthonous dairy goats

Seventy full lactations of Payoya dairy goats were used to study the effect of two different kid-rearing systems, natural or artificial, on milk yield, composition, hygiene-sanitary quality, kid growth and rearing cost. Two animal groups were established, one with goats under natural rearing (NS) and the other under artificial rearing (AR). In the NS group, the kids had free access to goat milk 18–20 h a day and were suckled up to 5 weeks of age and then the dams were milked twice daily. Dams in the AR were separated from their kids at 48 h post-partum; then, kids were reared artificially, and the dams were milked twice daily. The number of animals used in each type of rearing system was 35 (23 goats giving birth to twins and 12 goats giving birth to a single kid). Each week during suckling phase the volume of milk produced was measured, and individual samples were taken. From 5th week and until 210 days lactation, test-day yields recorded at intervals of 30 ± 3 days were obtained. The chemical composition of the milk, the bacteriology, and the somatic cell count was analyzed. The kids of both sexes were assigned to two groups, natural suckling (NS, n = 58) and ad libitum artificial rearing (AR, n = 58). Within each treatment, two groups of kids were formed depending on prolificacy: first group with kids from single birth (n = 12) and the second with twin kids (n = 46). Birth weight and weight every week upto the 4th week of life were recorded. During the 5 weeks of lactation the total milk yield per goat was higher for the NS group (140.2 L vs. 95.4 L; P < 0.001), although the total amount of marketable milk was greater for the AR group, with a difference of some 21 L (P < 0.05). Throughout the entire lactation the milk yield was higher in the group of natural rearing (total yield of 508 L vs. 400 L; P < 0.05). Although a significant effect of prolificacy was found during suckling phase (P < 0.001), during 30 weeks of lactation this factor did not affect milk yield (P > 0.05). For the milk composition and hygiene-sanitary quality there were no effects on the type of rearing system or the type of birth (P > 0.05). No significant effect was observed either for the feeding system or the sex or the prolificacy on the live weight of the kids at 28 days and the postnatal growth rate from birth to 28 days (P > 0.05). Natural rearing system had higher cost per kid comparing with artificial rearing system (€18.63/kid vs. €14.70/kid, respectively). However, when comparing total incomes during a full lactation, goats with natural rearing system had a higher income because of increment of total milk production (€29.95/kid).     

Characterization and prognosis of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative male breast cancer: a population-based study

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and prognostic information of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative (ER+/PR?) male breast cancer.

Methods

Using the US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we compared the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive (ER+/PR+) patients with ER+/PR? male breast cancer patients from 1990 to 2010. Two thousand three hundred twenty-two patients with ER+/PR+ tumors and 355 patients with ER+/PR? tumors were included in our study.

Results

ER+/PR? patients were younger (P?=?0.008) and more likely to be African American (P?<?0.001) while presented with higher histological grade (P?<?0.001), larger tumor size (P?=?0.010), and more invasion to the lymph nodes (P?=?0.034) and distant sites (P?<?0.001), thus later stage (P?=?0.001). Despite higher chance of receiving chemotherapy (51.0% vs 36.5%, P?<?0.001), ER+/PR? patients experienced significantly worse breast cancer-specific survival (BSCC) (P?<?0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (P?=?0.003). Multivariate Cox model confirmed that tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery were independent prognostic factors of both BSCC and OS for ER+/PR? male breast cancer. Age at diagnosis and chemotherapy were significantly associated with OS but not with BSCC.

Conclusion

ER+/PR? male breast cancer was more aggressive and experienced shorter survival than ER+/PR+ patients. The prognosis was mainly associated with tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery.

     

Vitamin C in premature and full-term human neonates

Summary

Plasma concentrations of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) are known to be higher in full-term human neonates than their mothers. Immaturity of placental AA transport could result in low plasma AA concentrations in pre-term infants. We found that plasma AA concentrations in umbilical cord blood of 25 full-term neonates (38–42 weeks gestation) and 33 pre-term neonates (24–36 weeks gestation) were always significantly higher than in the corresponding maternal blood (P < 0.0001). However, plasma AA levels were significantly higher in pre-term than in full-term infants (146 ± 93 vs 102 ± 27 μM, respectively; P = 0.03). Furthermore, a rapid and sharp decrease in plasma AA concentrations from 229 ± 166 μM to 45 ± 18 μM (P < 0.0001) over the first 3 days of life was observed in eight very low birth weight infants (460–1090 g, 24–28 weeks gestation). These findings raise important questions about the in utero functions of AA in the developing fetus and the adequacy of postnatal vitamin C supplementation of the premature infant.