The metabolism of dopamine in the blood of ruminant animals: formation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde

A stable derivative of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) has been prepared that yields a solution of the parent aldehyde when dissolved in 1 M-hydrochloric acid. Dopamine, when injected into the bloodstream of a sheep, is metabolized to DOPAL which is then converted to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol by aldehyde reductase activity associated with the cellular components of the blood, most probably the erythrocytes. In vitro, dopamine is metabolized by ruminant blood plasma to DOPAL, not to DOPET as previously reported. Dopamine is as good a substrate for sheep plasma amine oxidase as benzylamine. The plasma amine oxidase of ruminant animals could be a protection against the effects of dopamine released from the mast cells in these species.     

Methionine sulfoxide reductases and methionine sulfoxide in the subterranean mole rat (Spalax): characterization of expression under various oxygen conditions

The blind subterranean mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) exhibits a relatively long life span, which is attributed to an efficient antioxidant defense affording protection against accumulation of oxidative modifications of proteins. Methionine residues can be oxidized to methionine sulfoxide (MetO) and then enzymatically reduced by the methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) system. In the current study we have isolated the cDNA sequences of the Spalax Msr genes as well as 23 additional selenoproteins and monitored the activities of Msr enzymes in liver and brain of rat (Rattus norvegicus), Spalax galili, and Spalax judaei under normoxia, hypoxia, and hyperoxia. Under normoxia, the Msr activity was lower in S. galili in comparison to S. judaei and R. norvegicus especially in the brain. The pattern of Msr activity of the three species was similar throughout the tested conditions. However, exposure of the animals to hypoxia caused a significant enhancement of Msr activity, especially in S. galili. Hyperoxic exposure showed a highly significant induction of Msr activity compared with normoxic conditions for R. norvegicus and S. galili brain. It was concluded that among all species examined, S. galili appears to be more responsive to oxygen tension changes and that the Msr system is upregulated mainly by severe hypoxia.     

Detection of Prion Infectivity in Fat Tissues of Scrapie-Infected Mice

Distribution of prion infectivity in organs and tissues is important in understanding prion disease pathogenesis and designing strategies to prevent prion infection in animals and humans. Transmission of prion disease from cattle to humans resulted in banning human consumption of ruminant nervous system and certain other tissues. In the present study, we surveyed tissue distribution of prion infectivity in mice with prion disease. We show for the first time detection of infectivity in white and brown fat. Since high amounts of ruminant fat are consumed by humans and also incorporated into animal feed, fat-containing tissues may pose a previously unappreciated hazard for spread of prion infection.     

Physiological role of carbonic anhydrase isozymes and their distribution in ruminant gastrointestinal tract

New data on physical-chemical characteristics, biochemical properties and functional specificity of carbonic anhydrase isozymes of human and animals are reviewed. The recent literature information about the tissue composition and regional distribution of isozymes of carbonic anhydrase in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract is generalized. The participation of carbonic anhydrase isozymes in the regulation of acid-base balance in the organism of ruminants is considered.     

Digestibility of a high-fiber biscuit-based diet by black and white colobus (Colobus guereza)

The acceptability and digestibility of a high-fiber biscuit-based diet was investigated using two adult male Colobus guereza animals. Although the animals were initially reluctant to accept the biscuit, it was eventually readily consumed. Apparent digestion coefficients for the diet (average composition, dry matter basis: 16% crude protein, 25% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 9.5% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 1.2% acid lignin) determined by total fecal collection were 0.871 for dry matter, 0.813 for NDF, 0.693 for ADF, and 0.208 for acid lignin. Fiber digestive capabilities in C. guereza generally exceeded those reported in ruminant species based on predictive equations. Use of acid lignin and Cr₂O₃ as markers underestimated dry matter digestibility by 3.9 and 6.0%, respectively.     

The potential for the control of Escherichia coli O157 in farm animals

The presence of Escherichia coli O157 in the faeces of farm animals appears to provide a primary route for human infection, either through physical contact or by contamination of the food chain. Controlling the survival and proliferation of this pathogen in the ruminant gut could offer a measure of protection in the short term, and ultimately complement alternative biotechnological based solutions. Normally, E. coli is greatly outnumbered in the ruminant gut by anaerobic bacteria, producers of weak acids inhibitory to the growth of this species. Withdrawal of feed prior to animal slaughter reduces the concentration of these acids in the gut and may be accompanied by the proliferation of E. coli. There are conflicting reports concerning the effects of changes in the ruminant diet upon faecal shedding of E. coli O157. It is contended that it is important to identify animal husbandry methods or feed additives that may be accompanied by an increased risk of proliferation of this pathogen. Greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in bacterial survival in the presence of weak acids, in the interactions between E. coli and other gut bacteria, and of the effects of some antibacterial plant secondary plant compounds on E. coli, could lead to the development of novel control methods.     

Fibre digestibility in large herbivores as related to digestion type and body mass — An in vitro approach

The coexistence of different ungulate species in a given ecosystem has been the focus of many studies. Differences between ruminant foregut fermenters and hindgut fermenters were remarkable for example in the way they ingest and digest high fibre diets. Digestion trials based on total collections are difficult to conduct or are sometimes even not possible for wild animals in the field or in zoos. To gain information on the fibre digestion achieved by these animals and the influence of body mass (BM) thereon, a method using spot sampling is desirable. In this study, in vitro fermentation of faecal neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was used as a measure of fibre digestion in large ungulates. Food and faecal samples of 10 ruminant foregut fermenting and 7 hindgut fermenting species/breeds were collected. All animals received 100% grass hay with ad libitum access. The NDF of food and faeces was fermented in vitro in a Hohenheim gas test (HGT) for 96 h. The digestion type generally had an effect on the gas production (GP) of faecal NDF in the HGT with hindgut fermenters showing higher values than ruminant foregut fermenters. At any time interval of incubation, BM had no influence on GP. The results are in accordance with both findings that ruminant foregut fermenters have longer mean retention times and more comprehensive particle reduction and findings of a lack of influence of BM on digesta mean retention time. It can be stated that the HGT (96 h) is a useful and quick method to show also small differences within groups in fibre digestion.     

The dentition of fallow deer (Dama dama): a scoring scheme to assess age from wear of the permanent molariform teeth

The sequence of tooth wear was determined from skulls of fallow deer of known age. A system for scoring molariform tooth wear has been devised so that small but readily recognizable wear changes of the individual cusps may be recorded and used to assess the age of animals of unknown birth dates. The technique can be readily adapted for other ruminant species with the appropriate database.     

瘤胃微生物多样性及功能性研究方法概述

庞大的瘤胃微生物群系之间存在着共生关系,影响着宿主的代谢,是反刍动物营养学的研究热点之一.通过基于16S rRNA的分子生物学方法,如探针法、实时定量PCR法、DGGE/TGGE,RAPD和RFLP技术等研究瘤胃微生物多样性及组成结构,应用宏基因组学如建立YAC文库、BAC文库等研究方法对瘤胃微生物功能特征进行更深入的研究,实现改善反刍动物乳、肉产品品质的目的.     

Carbon emissions and sinks in agro-ecosystems of China

Besides ruminant animals and their wastes, soil is an important regulating medium incarbon cycling. The soil can be both a contributor to climate change and a recipient of impacts. Inthe past, land cultivation has generally resulted in considerable depletion of soil organic matter andthe release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The observation in the North-South Transect of Eastern China showed that climate change and land use strongly impact all soil proc-esses and GHG exchanges between the soil and the atmosphere. Soil management can restoreorganic carbon by enhancing soil structure and fertility and by doing so mitigating the negative im-pacts of atmospheric greenhouses on climate. A wide estimation carried out in China shows that carbon sequestration potential is about 77.2 MMt C/a (ranging from 26.1-128.3 MMt C/a) using proposed IPCC activities during the next fifty years.     

Let them eat (GM) straw

Approximately half of aboveground biomass of grain crops (straw) is wasted, with negative ecological and economic impact. Straw use could increase animal production by at least one third if lignin could be transgenically decreased or modified, rendering more carbohydrate available to ruminant animals. Such digestible straw can be upgraded by ammonification, which further separates lignin and serves as a nitrogen source for ruminant bacteria, or biotreatment with ligninolytic fungi and/or physical treatments. Such technologies could supply animal protein to an increasing population, while releasing more grain for direct human consumption without the need to put more land under plough.     

A commentary on methodological aspects of hydrolysable tannins metabolism in ruminant: a perspective view

Although, the application of tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA), natural hydrolysable tannins (HT)-rich ingredients, and HT-rich feeds in ruminant feeding have been explored in order to modify or manipulate microbial activities of digestive tract of animals, the interaction between HT and gastrointestinal microbiota and the fate of HT metabolites (GA, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol, catechol and urolithin) derived from gastrointestinal microbial HT metabolism in the animal as a whole and animal products are missing. Incomplete biotransformation of HT and TA to GA, pyrogallol, resorcinol, phloroglucinol and other phenolic metabolites is a prevalent phenomenon discovered by researchers who examine the fate of HT metabolites in ruminant. While the rest of fellow researchers do not even examine the fate of HT metabolites and assume the complete biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites to volatile fatty acids (VFA). Only three studies have successfully identified the complete biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites to VFA in ruminant. The HT metabolites, mostly pyrogallol, produced through incomplete biotransformation of HT have adverse effects on gastrointestinal microbiota and host animal. Lack of awareness regarding the metabolism of HT metabolites and its consequences would compromise ruminant gastrointestinal microbiota, animal welfare, our environment and the power of research papers’ findings. In this perspective paper, I will bring to attention a new angle on the biotransformation and fermentation of HT metabolites in gastrointestinal tract, the role of gastrointestinal microbiota and deficiency of current approach in isolating tannin-degrading bacteria from rumen. Also, suggestions for better monitoring and understanding HT metabolisms in ruminant are presented.     

Biosynthesis of Polyamines in Mouse Brain: Effects of Methionine Sulfoximine and Adenosylhomocysteine

Abstract: This study examines the consequences on cerebral polyamine biosynthesis of increases and decreases in cerebral methylation. Increases were elicited by administering the convulsant agent methionine sulfoximine (MSO) and decreases by elevating in vivo the cerebral levels of the methylation inhibitor S -adenosyl-homocysteine. Following the intraventricular (i.vt.) administration of one of the two possible polyamine precursors, [1,4-¹⁴C]putrescine, the specific radioactivity (sra) of the newly formed [¹⁴C]spermidine remained unchanged. Conversely, after i.vt. l -[3,4-¹⁴C]methionine, the other polyamine precursor, significantly higher sra values for [¹⁴C]spermidine and [¹⁴C]spermine were recorded in the brains of the MSO-treated animals. [¹⁴C] S - adenosylmethionine in the brain of the MSO-treated animals was also more highly labeled following [1-¹⁴C]-methionine, indicating its accelerated formation relative to controls. We also investigated the effect of the administration of adenosine + homocysteine, a treatment that results in elevated brain adenosylhomocysteine levels, on polyamine biosynthesis from [3,4-¹⁴C]-methionine. The results of these experiments show both significantly lower sra values for [¹⁴C]spermidine and [¹⁴C]spermine and significantly higher than control endogenous methionine levels, a clear sign of the existence of a retardation in the conversion of methionine to polyamines under these conditions. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that while interference with cerebral methylation results in significant alterations of the rate of formation of the methionine moiety of spermidine and spermine, it has no effect on the entry of the putrescine moiety into the two polyamine molecules.     

瘤胃木质纤维素降解菌及降解酶基因的研究进展

反刍动物瘤胃是公认的木质纤维素高效降解的天然反应器,对瘤胃微生物的研究已成为开发生物能源的热点领域之一。目前的研究手段已经从传统的依赖分离培养从瘤胃中获得木质纤维素降解菌,并对降解菌中的木质纤维素降解酶逐一分析,发展到通过基因组/元基因组学技术,直接从瘤胃中发现并获得大量新的木质纤维素降解酶基因/基因簇,进而探讨其降解的分子机理。已有的研究结果表明,瘤胃微生物降解木质纤维素的过程非常复杂,涉及大量不同种类的微生物及基因/基因簇,随着新分析技术的建立和完善,对这些微生物和基因的研究已取得了诸多进展。本论文综述了近期有关该方向的研究进展。     

Estimation of the Use of Antibiotics in the Small Ruminant Industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate the quantity of antibiotics and classes of antibiotics used in the small ruminant industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012. Twelve large veterinary practices, located throughout the Netherlands were selected for this study. All small ruminant farms associated with these practices that had complete records on the quantity of antibiotics prescribed were included. The veterinary practices provided data on all antibiotics prescribed, and the estimated animal used daily dose of antibiotics per year (AUDD/Y) was calculated for each farm. The median AUDD/Y in small ruminant farms was zero in both years (mean 0.60 in 2011, and 0.62 in 2012). The largest quantity of antibiotic use was observed in the professional goat industry (herds of ≥32 goats) with a median AUDD/Y of 1.22 in 2011 and 0.73 in 2012. In the professional sheep industry (flocks of ≥32 sheep), the median AUDD/Y was 0 in 2011 and 0.10 in 2012. In the small scale industry (flocks or herds of <32 sheep or goats), the median AUDD/Y never exceeded 0. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics in the small scale industry and professional sheep farms belonged to the penicillin class. In professional goat farms, antibiotics of the aminoglycoside class were most frequently prescribed. This study provides the first assessment on the quantity of antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry. Given a comparable attitude towards antibiotic use, these results might be valid for small ruminant populations in other north-western European countries as well. The antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry appeared to be low, and is expected to play a minor role in the development of antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, several major zoonotic bacterial pathogens are associated with the small ruminant industry, and it remains important that antibiotics are used in a prudent way.     

Stress and microbial endocrinology: prospects for ruminant nutrition

The feed efficiency of ruminant meat and dairy livestock can be significantly influenced by factors within their living environments. In particular, events perceived by the animals as stressful (such as parturition, transport or handling) have been found to affect susceptibility to infection. It has been well documented that even minor stress such as weighing can result in an increase in colonisation and faecal shedding of enteric pathogens such as Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Such infections affect both ruminant overall health and therefore performance, and are a particular problem for the meat production industries. Prior explanations for stress enhancing the likelihood of infection is that activation of the sympathetic nervous system under stress leads to the release of neuroendocrine mediators such as the catecholamine stress hormones noradrenaline and adrenaline, which may impair innate and adaptive immunity. More recently, however, another equally compelling explanation, viewed through the lens of the newly recognised microbiological discipline of microbial endocrinology is that the myriad of bacteria within the ruminant digestive tract are as responsive to the hormonal output of stress as the cells of their host. Work from our laboratories has shown that enteric pathogens have evolved systems for directly sensing stress hormones. We have demonstrated that even brief exposure of enteric pathogens to physiological concentrations of stress hormones can result in massive increases in growth and marked changes in expression of virulence factors such as adhesins and toxins. Happy, less stressed ruminants may therefore be better-nourished animals and safer sources of meat. This article reviews evidence that stress, as well as affecting nutrition, in ruminants is correlated with increased risk of enteric bacterial infections, and examines the molecular mechanisms that may be at work in both processes.     

Food specialization in ruminants: the role of endosymbiosis in its formation

Peculiarities of endosymbiosis have been studied in four species of ruminant animals with different food specialization (Cervus elaphus, Moschus moschiferus, Carpa sibirica, ans Gasella subgutturosa) using the methods of macromorphology, light and electron microscopy, and histochemistry. The differences in morphology of bacteria from populations inhabiting rumen epithelium of the studied animals have been revealed. The specificity of connection of bacteria with cornified epithelium has been demonstrated. This connection is reflected on the structure of outer epithelium layers. The functional interpretation of gizzard epithelium macrolandscape peculiarities has been improved. An important part of endosymbiosis in evolutionary-morphological transformations of stomach and intestines, and in formation of food specialization in wild animal species has been underlined.     

Carbon emissions and sinks in agro-ecosystems of China

Besides ruminant animals and their wastes, soil is an important regula ting medium in carbon cycling. The soil can be both a contributor to climate cha nge and a recipient of impacts. In the past, land cultivation has generally resu lted in considerable depletion of soil organic matter and the release of greenho use gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. The observation in the North-South Transec t of Eastern China showed that climate change and land use strongly impact all s oil processes and GHG exchanges between the soil and the atmosphere. Soil manage ment can restore organic carbon by enhancing soil structure and fertility and by doing so mitigating the negative impacts of atmospheric greenhouses on climate. A wide estimation carried out in China shows that carbon sequestration potentia l is about 77.2 MMt C/a (ranging from 26.1—128.3 MMt C/a) using proposed IPCC a ctivities during the next fifty years.     

产琥珀酸放线杆菌的分离鉴定及其对瘤胃微生物发酵的影响

采用厌氧分离技术从奶牛瘤胃中分离出1株细菌,通过对其形态、培养特性、生化特性、16S rRNA基因序列测定与同源性分析的研究,确定分离菌株为产琥珀酸放线杆菌（Actinobacillus succinogenes）,体外发酵实验表明,发酵液中挥发性脂肪酸浓度（VFA）明显升高,乳酸浓度明显降低,对反刍动物的能量代谢和酸中毒具有一定的调节作用。