建鲤和异育银鲫摄食不同质量饲料时的氮收支和能量收支比较

实验探讨了建鲤和异育银鲫摄食低质和高质饲料时氮和能量的收支情况.低质饲料以豆粕为主要蛋白源,饲料蛋白含量为33.91%,高质饲料以鱼粉为主要蛋白源,饲料蛋白含量为45.59%.55d的生长结果显示,氮收支和能量收支受到饲料质量和鱼类种类的显著影响:摄食低质饲料时,建鲤的生长氮和生长能比例显著低于异育银鲫,排泄氮、排泄能和代谢能比例显著高于异育银鲫;摄食高质饲料时,两种鱼的氮收支和能量收支无显著差异;建鲤的氮收支和能量收支受饲料质量的显著影响,摄食低质饲料时,其生长氮和生长能比例均显著低于摄食高质饲料时,而排泄氮、粪能和代谢能比例均显著高于摄食高质饲料时;异育银鲫的氮收支、生长能和代谢能比例不受饲料质量的显著影响.结果表明,在低质饲料条件下,建鲤利用氮和能量的能力弱于异育银鲫,在高质饲料条件下,两种鱼没有显著差异.与异育银鲫相比,建鲤利用氮和能量的能力受饲料质量的影响更为显著.       

饲料鱼粉、菜粕比例对异育银鲫生长和饲料利用的影响

通过在饲料中配制不同鱼粉和菜粕比例,探讨利用菜粕蛋白替代鱼粉对异育银鲫（Carssius auratus gibelio）的生长和饲料利用的影响。饲料中菜粕蛋白替代鱼粉蛋白的比例分别为 0、20%、40%、60% 和80%。实验结果表明,当饲料中菜粕蛋白比例高于40%时,异育银鲫的生长显著下降（P0.05）,对摄食率影响不明显（P0.05）。在80%替代水平下,干物质和蛋白质的消化率最低,能量消化率在40%替代水平最低。饲料转化效率在20%蛋白替代后明显下降（P0.05）。蛋白质和能量储积率在40%蛋白替代后明显下降（P0.05）。在40%菜粕蛋白下,鱼体能量和脂肪含量最高。鱼体蛋白质在60% 和80% 菜粕蛋白时最低,脂肪在20% 菜粕蛋白时最高。因此饲料菜粕蛋白的水平不超过20%（干物质含量约17%）不会影响异育银鲫的生长和饲料转化。       

饲料蛋白质和小麦淀粉水平对中大规格草鱼生长性能及肝脏组织结构的影响

草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)对碳水化合物的利用能力显著优于脂肪, 因此研究碳水化合物与蛋白的相互作用关系是解决草鱼配方策略的重要途径。实验探讨了中规格(460 g)草鱼和大规格(1970 g)草鱼饲料中蛋白与碳水化合物的相互作用关系。实验采用2×4的双因子实验设计, 实验一: 中规格草鱼饲料的2个淀粉梯度为25%和35%, 4个蛋白梯度为22%、24%、26%和28%, 共8个处理; 实验二: 大规格草鱼饲料的2个淀粉梯度为30%和40%, 4个蛋白梯度为18%、20%、22%和24%, 共8个处理。在56d的等量投喂后, 实验结果显示: 中规格草鱼的生长性能随着饲料蛋白水平的升高显著上升, 在28%蛋白水平组达到最高(P<0.05), 且小麦淀粉水平35%组的生长性能显著高于25%组(P<0.05); 大规格草鱼的生长性能也随着饲料蛋白水平的升高显著上升, 在蛋白水平大于20%之后差异不显著(P>0.05), 且小麦淀粉水平40%组的生长性能显著高于30%组(P<0.05)。同时, 中规格和大规格草鱼饲料分别添加35%和40%小麦淀粉时不会对草鱼的肝脏组织造成明显的负面影响。由此可见, 在实验条件下, 中规格和大规格草鱼分别在饲料小麦淀粉水平35%和40%以内时, 可以有效地利用淀粉节约饲料蛋白而不造成肝脏组织损伤。     

Protein and carbohydrate selection respond to changes in dietary saturated fatty acids but not to changes in essential fatty acids

We previously reported differences in protein and carbohydrate selection patterns in post-weanling rats fed beef tallow or soybean oil-based diets. Two experiments were designed to determine the characteristic of the dietary fat which mediates the selection behavior. For each experiment, dietary fat was 20% (w/w) of diets and fatty acid profiles were obtained by blending fat sources. Rats were randomly assigned to diets (24% protein, 40% carbohydrate) which varied only in fatty acid composition. After 2 weeks, rats selected from 2 diets with the fat composition previously fed, but varying in their protein and carbohydrate composition (55% protein, 4% carbohydrate and 5% protein, 61% carbohydrate). Experiment 1 was designed to test the effect of relative (omega 6: omega 3 ratios of 1 and 20) and absolute (15% or 4% omega 6, 0.7% or 0.2% omega 3) differences in essential fatty acids on macronutrient selection patterns. Differences in dietary essential fatty acids had no effect on energy intake or the proportion of energy consumed as protein and carbohydrate. Experiment 2 examined the effect of differences in the level of saturated fat (3-10% diet (w/w] on protein and carbohydrate selection. Animals selecting from diets with higher levels of saturated fat consumed more energy as protein and less as carbohydrate than rats selecting from diets with lower levels of saturated fat (p less than 0.0001). Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between percent protein or carbohydrate energy and classes of dietary fat. The strongest relationship existed between percent dietary saturated fat and percent protein or carbohydrate energy (p less than 0.0001). Polyunsaturated:saturated fat ratio was also weakly associated with percent protein and carbohydrate energy (p less than 0.05). Polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids were not significantly related to percent protein or carbohydrate energy. These results indicated that protein and carbohydrate selection patterns are altered in response to qualitatively different dietary fatty acids, and that the amount of saturated fat in the diet is the important characteristic of dietary fat mediating the behavioral alteration.     

The influence of sulphur,molybdenum and cadmium exposure on the growth of goat,cattle and pig

A three factorial designed feeding experiment with common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) was carried out in an intensive experimental rearing system. Fish (initial body weight 200 g) were fed on two different levels of dietary energy (16 and 18 MJ DE/kg DM), two different levels of protein (320 and 420 g CP/kg DM) and also two different feeding intensities (100% and 75% of the maximum intake). The experiment was terminated when fish reached a mean body weight of 1300 g.

Growth, feed utilization and nutrient composition of the whole body and fillet were observed. The highest growth was obtained when the fish were fed on the diet containing high dietary energy and high dietary protein with satiation feeding. High dietary energy, high dietary protein and restriction of feed intake improved feed conversion ratios. High dietary energy, low dietary protein and restrictive feeding increased energy utilization. Low dietary protein and restrictive feeding resulted in better protein utilization.

Fish fed with high dietary energy contained more fat and less protein in their carcasses. A lower fat content but higher protein and higher ash content in fish carcasses was shown when fish were fed with a diet high in protein and fed restrictively.     

双低菜粕替代豆粕对青鱼幼鱼生长及生理生化指标的影响

以初始体重(5.77±0.05)g 的青鱼(Mylopharyngodon piceus)为研究对象, 以双低菜粕蛋白分别替代饲料中0 (对照)、25%、50%、75%和100%的豆粕蛋白, 配制双低菜粕含量分别为0、11%、22%、33%和44%的5 种等氮等能的实验饲料, 研究双低菜粕对青鱼生长、消化酶、消化率、体组成和部分生理生化指标的影响。实验在室内养殖系统中进行, 每水族箱(300 L)饲喂25 尾, 每处理组3 个重复, 以鱼体重3%—5%投喂量, 日投喂2 次, 试验持续8 周。实验结果表明, 当饲料中双低菜粕含量大于11%时, 其特定生长率、干物质和蛋白质表观消化率、肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均显著低于对照组, 当双低菜粕含量达到44%时, 饲料系数显著高于对照组(PP<0.05)。饲料菜粕对鱼体水分和蛋白含量无显著影响, 但鱼体脂肪随菜粕含量的增加而降低、脏体比指数和灰分含量有随菜粕含量的增加而升高的趋势, 肝体比指数有随菜粕含量的增加而有先升高后降低的趋势。上述结果表明, 青鱼幼鱼饲料中双低菜粕含量以不超过11%为宜。       

螺旋藻粉替代饲料中鱼粉对异育银鲫幼鱼生长、饲料利用和蛋白沉积的影响

实验以异育银鲫中科3号幼鱼(3.20.5) g为实验对象, 研究螺旋藻粉蛋白替代饲料鱼粉蛋白(0、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%)对鱼摄食、生长、饲料利用和蛋白沉积的影响。实验设计了6种等氮(38%)等脂(10%)等能(16.50 kJ)的饲料, 每处理3个重复。采用室内循环水养殖系统, 表观饱食投喂。实验水温为(283)℃, 实验共持续60d。结果发现:随藻粉替代比例的增加, 鱼摄食率显著上升; 饲料效率则呈显著下降趋势; 特定生长率在20%替代组与鱼粉组无显著差异(P0.05), 其他各替代组均显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 蛋白沉积率在20%、60%替代时与鱼粉组无显著差异(P0.05), 其他替代组显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 肥满度在各替代组均显著低于鱼粉组(P0.05); 鱼体蛋白随藻粉替代比例的增加呈现先持平后降低的趋势, 鱼体脂肪则呈先降低后升高的变化; 20%、40%和60%替代组全鱼灰分均高于全鱼粉组; 肠道消化酶(胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和-淀粉酶)在替代组和对照组间均无显著差异(P0.05); 干物质表观消化率随藻粉蛋白替代比例的增加而呈显著上升, 蛋白的表观消化率则呈显著下降趋势, 总磷表观消化率在20%替代时最低, 在100%替代时最高。综合特定生长率和蛋白沉积率情况, 当鲫幼鱼饲料中鱼粉含量约为50%, 且鱼粉为唯一蛋白源时, 螺旋藻粉蛋白可替代饲料中20%鱼粉蛋白。     

异育银鲫幼鱼对饲料中缬氨酸需求量的研究

通过65d的生长实验, 探讨饲料中不同缬氨酸水平对异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)幼鱼平均体重(3.17±0.01)g/尾生长性能、饲料利用和蛋白利用的影响, 确定异育银鲫对饲料中缬氨酸的需要量。实验设计由酪蛋白、明胶和晶体氨基酸为蛋白源的8种等氮(蛋白含量:38%)等能(总能:17.0 kJ/g)的半精制饲料, 其缬氨酸水平等梯度逐步升高(0.54、0.79、1.04、1.29、1.54、1.79、2.04、2.29%饲料干物质)。各实验饲料中缬氨酸的实测值分别为:0.66、0.85、1.07、1.22、1.46、1.70、1.86和2.12%饲料干物质。饲料中其他必需氨基酸含量参照异育银鲫肌肉氨基酸模式。每种饲料饲喂3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼,养殖于塑料方箱中(70 cm×55 cm×50 cm;水体容积:150 L), 养殖系统为室内流水系统(500 mL/min流速), 每天两次饱食连续投喂(9:00和16:00)。实验结果表明,饲料中适量的缬氨酸显著提高了异育银鲫的特定生长率、饲料转化效率和蛋白沉积率(P0.05), 但显著影响了血清谷氨酰胺的浓度(P0.05), 但不同的缬氨酸水平显著影响了鱼体灰分含量(P<0.05)。对各处理组异育银鲫特定生长率的结果进行二次回归分析, 结果表明满足异育银鲫最大生长的缬氨酸需求量为饲料干物质的1.72%, 即占饲料蛋白的4.53%。       

饲料蛋氨酸水平对异育银鲫幼鱼生长性能影响的研究

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

Influence of Feeding Paradigm in Rats on Temporal Pattern of: I. Macronutrient Intake and Arterio-Venous Differences in Plasma Glucose,Insulin and Tryptophan

Relationships among feeding paradigm (single diet vs food selection) and arterio-venous differences (δAV) of glucose, insulin and tryptophan were studied by measuring the temporal patterns of food intake and plasma parameters during 8 hr feeding cycles in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were offered a single diet of fixed composition (20% casein) or a choice between two isocaloric diets (0% and 60% casein) for 2 weeks under 8-hr daily feeding conditions, food being offered during the dark cycle. Groups of animals were then killed at the beginning and at 2-hourly intervals throughout the feeding period. With both feeding paradigms, rats showed temporal patterns of energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes with a peak at the beginning and a trough at the end of the feeding period. However, in rats offered a dietary choice the intake of carbohydrate was significantly lower, and the intakes of energy and protein significantly higher than those found in rats offered a single diet. Throughout the feeding period, these differences between single and choice diets became less accentuated in the case of carbohydrate intake, but more accentuated for energy and protein intakes. Paradoxically, rats fed a choice of diets had a significantly lower weight gain than rats fed a single diet. The temporal variation of insulin secretion and tryptophan absorption varied inversely with the two diet paradigms. Moreover, in rats offered a choice of diets, macronutrient intake was significantly correlated with insulin secretion and venous glucose concentration. The opposed physiologic and metabolic responses to the feeding paradigms suggest the need for future studies to examine the possibility that such can function as synchronizers of biological rhythms.     

Influence of Feeding Paradigm in Rats on Temporal Pattern of: I. Macronutrient Intake and Arterio-Venous Differences in Plasma Glucose, Insulin and Tryptophan

Relationships among feeding paradigm (single diet vs food selection) and arterio-venous differences (δAV) of glucose, insulin and tryptophan were studied by measuring the temporal patterns of food intake and plasma parameters during 8 hr feeding cycles in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were offered a single diet of fixed composition (20% casein) or a choice between two isocaloric diets (0% and 60% casein) for 2 weeks under 8-hr daily feeding conditions, food being offered during the dark cycle. Groups of animals were then killed at the beginning and at 2-hourly intervals throughout the feeding period. With both feeding paradigms, rats showed temporal patterns of energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes with a peak at the beginning and a trough at the end of the feeding period. However, in rats offered a dietary choice the intake of carbohydrate was significantly lower, and the intakes of energy and protein significantly higher than those found in rats offered a single diet. Throughout the feeding period, these differences between single and choice diets became less accentuated in the case of carbohydrate intake, but more accentuated for energy and protein intakes. Paradoxically, rats fed a choice of diets had a significantly lower weight gain than rats fed a single diet. The temporal variation of insulin secretion and tryptophan absorption varied inversely with the two diet paradigms. Moreover, in rats offered a choice of diets, macronutrient intake was significantly correlated with insulin secretion and venous glucose concentration. The opposed physiologic and metabolic responses to the feeding paradigms suggest the need for future studies to examine the possibility that such can function as synchronizers of biological rhythms.     

饲料蛋白和脂肪水平对青鱼大规格鱼种生长和体组成的影响

设计5个饲料蛋白水平（30%、33%、36%、39%和42%）和2个脂肪水平（6%和9%）的52的因子试验,配制10种试验饲料,分别饲喂10组三重复平均体重为95.5 g的二龄青鱼70d,以探讨不同蛋白和脂肪水平对青鱼生长和体组成等的影响。结果表明: 鱼体增重随饲料蛋白水平从30%提高到39%不断增加（P0.05）,进一步提高饲料蛋白水平至42%时,鱼体增重则不再显著变化（P0.05）;饲料系数随饲料蛋白水平从30%提高到39%而不断降低（P0.05）,进一步提高饲料蛋白水平至42%时,也不再显著变化;蛋白质效率和蛋白保留率随饲料蛋白水平呈下降趋势;以鱼体增重为指标,经折线模型进行回归分析求得适宜的饲料蛋白水平为占干饲料的40%。饲料蛋白、脂肪水平及其交互作用对的试验鱼成活率均无显著差异（P0.05）。饲料脂肪水平、饲料蛋白与脂肪的交互作用对鱼体增重、饲料系数、摄食率和蛋白质效率也均无显著影响（P0.05）。摄食蛋白水平为30%和33%饲料的青鱼与摄食蛋白水平36%-42%饲料的青鱼相比,有较低的水分和较高全鱼脂肪（P0.05）。青鱼脏体比和肌肉粗脂肪含量均随着饲料中蛋白水平的提高呈降低的趋势。摄食脂肪水平为9%的饲料的青鱼较摄食脂肪水平为6%的饲料的青鱼,有较高脏体比、全鱼脂肪含量和肌肉粗脂肪含量（P0.05）。上述结果说明,青鱼摄食低蛋白和高脂肪的饲料造成过多的体脂积累。在试验条件下,青鱼大规格鱼种饲养阶段适宜的饲料蛋白和脂肪水平分别为占干饲料的40%和6%。       

异育银鲫幼鱼对饲料苯丙氨酸需求的研究

通过55d的生长实验确定异育银鲫幼鱼对饲料苯丙氨酸的适宜需求。实验结果表明,饲料苯丙氨酸含量为1.09%时,异育银鲫幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率和饲料效率均到达最大值,分别为194.50%、1.96%/d、37.74%,而摄食率为最小值4.76%/d。饲料添加适宜水平的苯丙氨酸也显著提高其蛋白质效率、蛋白质沉积率和能量沉积率,均以1.09%处理组显著高于其他各处理组(P0.05)。根据异育银鲫幼鱼特定生长率与饲料苯丙氨酸水平的剂量效应关系,通过非线性回归可以得出饲料酪氨酸为1.04%时异育银鲫幼鱼的苯丙氨酸最适需求量占饲料1.09%,占饲料蛋白的3.02%。       

高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹摄食、生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以40%棉粕为主的混合蛋白源制成基础饲料, 分别在其中添加0.00%、0.14%、0.28%、0.42%、0.56%蛋氨酸(分别记为0.00%Met、0.14%Met、0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met), 配制了5种等氮等能的试验饲料, 以全鱼粉组(64.4%鱼粉)作为对照, 探讨了在高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹(0.390.02) g的摄食率、生长率和机体抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明: 与全鱼粉对照组相比, 0.42%Met组的增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数均无显著差异(P0.05), 但其显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.28%Met组(P0.05); 增重率和特定生长率则显著高于0.56%Met组(P0.05); 从幼蟹的摄食量和蛋白质沉积率来看, 0.42%Met和0.28%Met组的摄食量与对照组相似, 当蛋氨酸的补充量低于0.28%或高于0.42%时, 幼蟹的摄食量均有所下降; 统计表明, 对照组的蛋白质沉积率最高(23.20%), 在各试验组中, 0.28%Met和0.42%Met组之间的蛋白质沉积率无显著差异(P0.05), 但显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.56%Met组(P0.05); 分析幼蟹的肠道胰蛋白酶活性, 发现0.42%Met组与对照组之间无显著性差异(P0.05), 但均显著高于其他各试验组(P0.05); 0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met处理组的血清丙二醛含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示, 在高比例植物蛋白(40%棉粕)的基础饲料中, 补充0.42%Met能够显著提高中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的生长率、消化率和抗氧化酶的活性。       

Effect of the energy density of non-purified diets on growth, gestation and lactation in mice

The effects of dietary energy density on the performance of growing, gestating and lactating C57BL/6J mice were determined in order to develop pelleted non-purified practical diets for use in all stages of the mouse life cycle. Experimental diets with 4 levels of energy at 24% crude protein (CP) were pelleted and the nutritional values were determined using adult rats. The nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) values ranged from 2.86 to 3.73 kcal/g and the digestive CP (DCP) contents ranged from 20.5 to 22.6% on a dry matter (DM) basis. Mice responded to decreased dietary energy by increasing their feed intake to maintain MEn intake levels, except for 1 week after weaning and during lactation periods. During these periods, mice fed lower energy diets could not consume as much MEn as those fed higher energy diets. The lowest energy diet, in comparison with the highest energy diet, resulted in approximately a 33% lower weaning weight of pups at 3 weeks of age, a 13.2 to 34.4% slower growth at 3 to 4 weeks of age, and a 9.3 day delay in the onset of vaginal opening in young females. Lower energy diets, however, did not affect the litter size or the birth weight of pups. The DCP intake usually increased with decreases in dietary energy but apparently this did not affect the performance of the mice. It was concluded that an optimal diet should have an MEn value of 3.73 kcal/g DM or more for both the one week post weaning growth period and during lactation, but a diet with an MEn value of 2.86 kcal/g DM was sufficient for growth after 4 weeks of age and during gestation.     

Growth and feed utilization in two strains of gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio: paternal effects in a gynogenetic fish

Gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch) is a natural gynogenetic fish which requires sperm of the same or related species to activate egg development. The eggs of one gibel carp were divided into two batches. One batch was 'fertilized' with sperm from gibel carp (strain DD), and the other 'fertilized' with sperm from red common carp ( Cyprinus carpio red variety) (strain DR). The juveniles were transferred to the laboratory 36 days post-hatch. Triplicate groups of each strain were fed a formulated diet at either 3% or satiation ration for 8 weeks. At both the restricted and satiation rations, specific growth rate was significantly higher in strain DR than in strain DD. At the 3% ration, there was no significant difference in feeding rate or feed conversion efficiency between the two strains. At the satiation ration, strain DR had a significantly lower feeding rate but higher feed conversion efficiency than strain DD. At the satiation ration, strain DR had a significantly lower intake protein, but higher recovered protein than strain DD. There was no significant difference in faecal protein loss between the two strains. At the 3% ration, strain had no significant effects on intake protein, faecal protein or recovered protein. Neither faecal energy loss nor recovered energy was affected by strain or ration. At both the 3% and satiation ration, final body contents of dry matter and lipid were significantly lower in strain DR than strain DD, while there was no significant difference in protein and energy content between the two strains at either ration level. The results suggested that gibel carp 'fertilized' with sperm of common carp grew faster than those 'fertilized' with sperm of gibel carp through increased feed conversion efficiency and protein retention.     

Diet effects on female reproduction in high growth (hg/hg) mice that are deficient in the Socs-2 gene

The detrimental effect of larger body size on reproductive performance has been well documented in mouse models of overgrowth, such as Growth Hormone (GH) transgenics. This study describes the reproductive performance of the High Growth (HG) mouse model of overgrowth. The HG mouse model exhibits overgrowth due to a partially recessive autosomal mutation that increases growth rate and mature body size. The HG phenotype results from the lack of expression of Socs-2, which negatively regulates GH signaling. C57BL/6J (C57) and congenic C57BL/6J-hg/hg (HG) female mice were fed four diets differing in protein and energy content, starting at 8 weeks of age. A complete reproductive cycle from mating to weaning was evaluated. HG mice were 40% larger than C57 and had a higher feed intake throughout the experiment. Significant genotype x diet interactions were detected for growth, body composition and reproductive traits. HG females showed poor reproductive performance compared to controls as demonstrated by their lower fertility during mating, which was not overcome by changes in the diet. No differences were detected in litter size, but HG animals exhibited a longer gestation length and heavier pup weaning weights compared to controls. Reproductive impairment in HG seems to be the consequence of the lack of Socs-2 independent of the effects of increased body size on reproduction.     

Effect of inclusion of blue-green algae meal on growth and accumulation of microcystins in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Six isonitrogenous (crude protein content: 38%) and isoenergetic (gross energy content: 17 kJ g^?1) diets were formulated to investigate the effects of inclusion of blue‐green algae meal on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). In each diet, 15% of the protein was supplied by fishmeal; the remainder was supplied by soybean meal and blue‐green algae meal. Diet 1 was used as control with no blue‐green algae meal whereas the content in diets 2–6 was 15.15, 29.79, 44.69, 59.58 and 74.48%, respectively. Each diet was fed to five groups of gibel carp for 12 weeks in a flow‐through system. Final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diet 5 were significantly lower than the control diet (P < 0.05). Mortality of gibel carp increased with increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between fish fed diets 3–6 (P > 0.05). Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) decreased with the increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05). Fish‐fed diet 6 showed the highest feeding rate (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences among the other groups (P > 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, protein, and energy decreased with increasing algae meal inclusion in the diets (P < 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) activity in the liver was not significantly different among groups (P > 0.05). Liver alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activity of fish‐fed diets 4, 5 and 6 was significantly lower than the control diet (diet 1; P < 0.05). Microcystins in the muscle, liver, gallbladder, and spleen increased with increasing algae inclusion (P < 0.05).     

Effect of fatty acid composition of dietary fat on energy balance and expenditure in hamsters

The comparative effects of feeding diets containing corn, olive, coconut, or menhaden fish oil on efficiency of energy deposition and on short term energy expenditure were examined in growing hamsters. Diets comprising oils mixed with laboratory diets at 10% oil w/w were fed ad libitum for 3 weeks. Animals fed laboratory diets were used as controls. Body composition was determined before and after the feeding period using 3H2O distribution space. Oxygen consumption was measured in each animal during the final week. Weight gains of groups fed corn and olive oil diets exceeded those of the group fed laboratory diet alone (p less than 0.05), although metabolizable energy intakes were similar across groups. Corn oil fed animals demonstrated higher carcass energy gains as fat compared with laboratory diet fed or menhaden oil fed groups. This was reflected in an increased fractional deposition of metabolizable energy intake in the group fed corn oil diet compared with the latter two groups. Fecal energy losses were lower in the group fed corn oil diet, and higher in the group fed laboratory diet alone, compared with other groups. Oxygen consumption did not differ between groups. These findings indicate that feeding dietary fish oil, compared with corn oil, favours energy substrate oxidation reducing the fraction of metabolizable energy partitioned for storage.     

Magnesium absorption as influenced by the rumen passage kinetics in lactating dairy cows fed modified levels of fibre and protein

The potassium sensitive magnesium absorption through the rumen wall may be influenced by additional dietary properties, such as diet type, forage type or forage to concentrate ratio. These properties are likely associated to rumen passage kinetics modified by dietary fibre content. The study aimed to assess the effects of rumen passage kinetics on apparent Mg absorption and retention in lactating dairy cows fed modified levels of fibre. Six lactating Red-Holstein and Holstein cows, including four fitted with ruminal cannulas were randomly assigned to a 3 × 3 cross-over design. The experimental diets consisted of early harvested low NDF (341 g NDF/kg DM) and late harvested high NDF (572 g NDF/kg DM) grass silage (80% DM) and of concentrates (20% of DM). As the low-fibre diet was excessive in protein, a third high-fibre diet was formulated to be balanced in digestible protein with the low-fibre diet to avoid any eventual confounding effects of NDF and protein excess. All diets were formulated to contain iso-Ca, -P, -Mg, -K and -Na. Passage kinetics of solid and liquid phase of rumen digesta were evaluated using ruminal marker disappearance profiles. Cows fed the low-fibre diet had compared to the other diets, an up to 40% lower solid and 26% lower liquid phase volume of rumen digesta and a 10% numerically higher fractional rumen liquid passage rate. Rumen pH lost 0.6 units and Mg concentration in the rumen liquid phase tripled when cows were fed the low-fibre diet. Faecal Mg excretion was up to 14% higher in cows fed the low-fibre diet and Mg absorbability was 12% compared to up to 19% in other diets. Urinary Mg excretion in cows fed the low-fibre diet was half of the ones in the other treatments, but Mg retention was not affected. Dietary protein excess neither affected rumen passage kinetics nor Mg absorption and retention. Absorption of Mg was correlated with rumen liquid volume which both decreased with decreasing daily NDF intake (NDFi, 11.8 ± 2.4 l/kg NDFi). Consequently, daily Mg absorption decreased by 1.32 ± 0.28 g/kg decreasing NDFi. To conclude, in addition to the known antagonistic effect of dietary K, the present data indicate that Mg absorption was dependent from NDFi which modified rumen liquid volume, but was independent of dietary protein excess likely associated to low NDF herbages.