Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate with incremental amounts of conventional or high oleic acid milled rapeseed on milk fatty acid composition in cows fed maize silage-based diets

Based on potential benefits to human health, there is increasing interest in altering the composition of ruminant-derived foods. Including rapeseeds in the dairy cow diet is an effective strategy for replacing medium-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) with cis-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in bovine milk, but there is limited information on the optimum level of supplementation. Decreases in SFA due to plant oils are also accompanied by increases in milk trans fatty acid (FA) content and it is possible that high oleic acid rapeseeds may result in a higher enrichment of cis-9 18:1 and lower increases in trans FAs in milk compared with conventional varieties. Seven multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were allocated to one of seven treatments in an incomplete Latin square design with five 28-day experimental periods, to evaluate the effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate (CPO; 41 g/kg diet dry matter, DM) with 128, 168 or 207 g/kg diet DM of conventional (COR) or a high oleic acid (HOR) rapeseed fed as a supplement milled with wheat. Rapeseed variety and inclusion level had no effect (P > 0.05) on DM intake, milk yield and composition. Both rapeseed varieties decreased linearly (P < 0.001) milk fat SFA content, which was partially compensated for by a linear increase (P < 0.001) in cis-9 18:1 concentration. Reductions in milk SFA were also associated with increases (P < 0.05) in trans 18:1 and total trans FA content, with no difference (P > 0.05) between rapeseed varieties. Replacing CPO in the diet with milled rapeseeds had no effect (P > 0.05) on total milk conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration. Relative to a COR, inclusion of a high oleic acid variant in the diet increased (P = 0.01) the ratio of trans-MUFA : trans-polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk that may have implications with respect to cardiovascular disease risk in humans. In conclusion, data indicated that replacing CPO with milled rapeseeds at levels up to 1150 g oil/day could be used as a nutritional strategy to lower milk SFA content without inducing adverse effects on DM intake and milk production. HOR reduced milk fat SFA content to a greater extent than a conventional variety, but did not minimise associated increases in trans FA concentrations. However, the high oleic acid variant did alter the relative abundance of specific trans 18:1, CLA and trans 18:2 isomers compared with conventional rapeseeds.     

Growth and development of brain of artificially reared hypoketonemic rat pups

Three groups of rats were reared: mother-reared controls; artificially reared controls (AR-c), which were fed a milk substitute with the same composition of macro-nutrients as natural rat's milk; and an artificially reared test group (AR-h), which was fed a milk substitute identical to that fed AR-c pups except that the component of fat containing medium chain length fatty acids was omitted (medium chain triglyceride deficient) and replaced on an isocaloric basis with carbohydrate. The AR rats were fed the milk substitute from postnatal Day 5 until Day 17 by fitting them with gastric cannulas through which the milk could be infused automatically. The nutritional impact of the milk substitutes on growth and the integrity of the brain was assessed by a comparison of morphologic and biochemical markers. Pups in the AR-h group were hypoketonemic. Animals in all groups attained the same body weight by Day 17 and there was no difference in the morphologic markers among the groups with one exception: the vibrissal "barrel fields" of the somatosensory cortex of rat pups in both AR groups were reduced in size but not in number of distribution from those of the mother-reared groups. Furthermore, the brains of the rat pups in the AR groups were not different in weight, but they weighed less than brains of mother-reared controls. Our data show that although there are many similarities in the status of AR rat pups when compared with mother-reared controls, distinctive differences associated with artificial rearing are evident. We conclude that medium chain fatty acids in milk fat and the circulating ketone bodies are not mandatory substrates for growth and the development of the brain. Mechanisms must exist whereby alternative substrates are used to compensate when these metabolites are diminished in supply.     

Association between CSN3 and BCO2 gene polymorphisms and milk performance traits in the Czech Fleckvieh cattle breed

Daily milk, fat and protein yield and amount of somatic cells in cow milk are very important factors that influence milk performance traits. An association between polymorphisms in the kappa casein (CSN3) gene and milk production, composition and technical properties has been previously reported; however, this type of information is not available for the bovine β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) gene--the BCO2 gene has relationship with milk color and meat fat color, which is dependent on content of β-carotene. We analyzed these two genes and their relationship with milk performance traits (daily milk, fat and protein yield, somatic cell count, SCC) in one cattle population, Czech Fleckvieh (N = 152). All animals were milked twice a day and kept in the same environmental conditions. The Fleckvieh is a typical Czech cattle breed farming for milk and meat production. It is the most common breed in the Czech Republic. DNA was isolated from milk or from hairs. Genes were analyzed using PCR-RFLP, frequencies of alleles and genotypes were calculated and association analysis was performed using a GLM Procedure in SAS. Statistical analysis established that the CSN3 gene has no statistically significant influence on daily milk, fat and protein yield and SCC. Compared to other references this result can be explained by, e.g., small group of animals and different cattle breed. The BCO2 gene (genotypes AA and AG) shows a statistically significant relationship (P = 0.05) with daily milk, protein yield and SCC.     

白化和黄化茶树品种绿茶游离氨基酸、儿茶素类及咖啡碱差异分析

为探究以白化和黄化茶树品种鲜叶为原料制成的绿茶滋味品质和代谢物差异,对广德市6个白化品种绿茶(奶白茶)和14个黄化品种绿茶(黄金芽茶)进行感官审评和代谢物分析。结果表明,奶白茶滋味鲜爽而收敛性略弱;黄金芽茶滋味收敛性强而鲜度低于奶白茶。游离氨基酸总量以及呈现鲜味、甜味的游离氨基酸在奶白茶中的含量显著高于黄金芽茶,而贡献收敛性的儿茶素类化合物和没食子酸含量以及呈现苦味的咖啡碱含量在奶白茶中显著低于黄金芽茶。偏最小二乘法判别分析(PLS-DA)表明导致两种绿茶滋味差异的标志性化合物有7种,分别是茶氨酸、精氨酸、谷氨酸、天冬氨酸、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)、表儿茶素没食子酸酯和咖啡碱。味觉活性值(Dot)最高的EGCG在黄金芽茶中的呈味贡献显著高于奶白茶。因此,游离氨基酸、儿茶素类化合物、没食子酸和咖啡碱含量差异导致白化和黄化茶树品种绿茶滋味不同。     

塔里木盆地西北缘核桃坚果生化成分多样性分析

该研究收集新疆塔里木盆地西北缘44份核桃资源,其中树龄超过50 a的实生资源41份、主栽良种3个,并对其主要生化成分蛋白质、糖、脂肪、氨基酸、油酸、亚油酸、亚麻酸、棕榈酸、硬脂酸进行了多样性分析。结果表明:44份资源的生化成分变异幅度大,存在着丰富的多样性。各指标变异幅度由4.93%~30.93%,香农-维纳指数(H')变幅为1.38~2.02。17种氨基酸变异幅度由10.07%~35.71%,香农-维纳指数(H')变幅为1.85~2.20。主要生化成分主成分分析显示蛋白质、糖、脂肪三个主要成分的累计贡献率达81.67%。聚类分析表明,群组间生化成分存在显著差异,群组的聚类与地理分布有明显相关性,流域相同的资源的生化成分构成比例具有相似性。与主栽品种相比,实生资源在糖、蛋白质、脂肪等方面具有更高的变异幅度,因而具有一定的开发潜力。     

Kefir Grains Change Fatty Acid Profile of Milk during Fermentation and Storage

Several studies have reported that lactic acid bacteria may increase the production of free fatty acids by lipolysis of milk fat, though no studies have been found in the literature showing the effect of kefir grains on the composition of fatty acids in milk. In this study the influence of kefir grains from different origins [Rio de Janeiro (AR), Viçosa (AV) e Lavras (AD)], different time of storage, and different fat content on the fatty acid content of cow milk after fermentation was investigated. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Values were considered significantly different when p<0.05. The highest palmitic acid content, which is antimutagenic compost, was seen in AV grain (36.6g/100g fatty acids), which may have contributed to increasing the antimutagenic potential in fermented milk. Higher monounsaturated fatty acid (25.8g/100g fatty acids) and lower saturated fatty acid (72.7g/100g fatty acids) contents were observed in AV, when compared to other grains, due to higher Δ9-desaturase activity (0.31) that improves the nutritional quality of lipids. Higher oleic acid (25.0g/100g fatty acids) and monounsaturated fatty acid (28.2g/100g fatty acids) and lower saturated fatty acid (67.2g/100g fatty acids) contents were found in stored kefir relatively to fermented kefir leading to possible increase of antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potential and improvement of nutritional quality of lipids in storage milk. Only high-lipidic matrix displayed increase polyunsaturated fatty acids after fermentation. These findings open up new areas of study related to optimizing desaturase activity during fermentation in order to obtaining a fermented product with higher nutritional lipid quality.     

黏菌代谢产物及其生物活性的研究进展

黏菌代谢产物的研究显示出其较高的应用价值,并取得了较大的进展。本文综述了从黏菌中分离得到的100余个代谢产物,主要包括:脂肪酸、氨基酸、生物碱、萘醌、芳香族化合物、萜类化合物以及酯或其衍生品等。阐述了其抑菌、抗肿瘤、细胞毒及抗氧化活性,简要介绍了化合物的构效关系,同时对黏菌生物活性的研究方法及生物化学特征进行了总结,分析了不同黏菌类群代谢产物的异同。最后对黏菌代谢产物的研究提出了问题与展望。     

Relationships between milks differentiated on native milk fat globule characteristics and fat,protein and calcium compositions

Many studies have shown that milk fat globule (MFG) diameter varies in dairy cows in relation to diet and/or breed. However, the mechanisms governing the size of the fat globules remain hypothetical. Our objective was to determine the variable biochemical characteristics (fat, protein, fatty acids (FA), casein and calcium (Ca) contents) between individual milk which differed in both MFG diameter and membrane content, in order to speculate about the links between milk synthesis and MFG secretion. With this aim, we built five databases of individual milk samples from 21 experiments performed between 2003 and 2011. Three of them grouped data from trials dealing with breed/diet effects and included information about: (i) MFG size/membrane, fat and protein contents (n=982), (ii) previous parameters plus FA profile (n=529) and (iii) previous parameters plus true protein composition and calcium contents (n=101). A hierarchical clustering analysis performed on these three databases yielded four groups differing in the MFG characteristics. We observed significant differences among groups for the following parameters: (i) fat content and fat : protein ratio; (ii) de novo and polyunsaturated FA contents; (iii) Ca contents. These relationships could result from potential process regulating the synthesis and secretion of MFG: (i) the apical membrane turnover for MFG secretion and (ii) cytoplasmic lipid droplet formation in the lactocyte during its migration from the basal to the apical pole. The two other databases grouped data from trials dealing with milking frequency (n=211), milking kinetics and milk type (residual v. cisternal) (n=224). They were used to study the relationships between the size of the MFG and milk composition for high native fat contents (from 60 up to 100 g/kg in residual milks). We observed curvilinear relationships between the size of the MFG and fat content, as well as with the fat : protein ratio. This result suggests that MFG diameter reaches a threshold but mechanisms are still unknown.     

Ketone body metabolism in the neonate: development and the effect of diet

In the course of mammalian development milk has evolved with unique characteristics as has the capacity of the neonatal rat to process this nutrient source. The primary carbon source in milk is fat, which provides two readily utilized metabolites, acetoacetate and D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies), as well as free fatty acids and glycerol. Carbohydrate provides less than 12% of the caloric content of rat milk and glucose has to be produced by the suckling rat to maintain glucose homeostasis. One would predict that glucose would be used sparingly and in pathways that cannot be satisfied by other readily available metabolites. Studies of the uptake of metabolites and the development of key enzymes for the utilization of glucose and ketone bodies by developing brain support the concept that ketone bodies are preferred substrates for the supply of carbon to respiration and lipogenesis. Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons from developing brain all have an excellent capacity to use ketone bodies for respiration. By contrast, glucose is utilized preferentially in the hexose monophosphate shunt by all three cell populations. We are examining the requirement for ketone bodies by developing brain with the application of a system to rear rat pups artificially on a milk substitute that promotes a hypoketonemia.     

Microanalysis of the metabolic intermediates of lactose synthesis in human milk and plasma using bioluminescent methods

Sensitive bioluminescent methods were developed to measure the metabolites glucose, glucose 6-phosphate (G6P), glucose 1-phosphate (G1P), UDP-glucose, and UDP-galactose in human milk and lactose and galactose in human plasma. The bioluminescent methods measured NADH produced by coupled enzymatic assays derived from equivalent spectrophotometric methods. We found that the long chain fatty acids in human milk (C10-C16) inhibited the bioluminescent reactions. This inhibition was overcome by adding defatted bovine serum albumin to the reaction mixture containing the bioluminescent enzymes. It also was necessary to modify methods of deproteinizing milk and blood plasma to accommodate small sample volumes. In the development of these assays emphasis was given to simplicity of reagent preparation, minimizing cost, and ease of use. The detection limit for the bioluminescent method for NADH was 0.28 nM for a 20-microliters sample. For the assays of the metabolites, recoveries ranged from 91 to 107%. For sample sizes of 2 to 5 microliters of protein free sample, the detection limits for milk were G1P, 0.09 microM; G6P, 0.05 microM; UDPhexose, 0.07 microM; UDP-Glc, 0.03 microM; glucose, 9 microM; and for plasma, lactose, 0.76 microM, galactose, 0.31 microM. The bioluminescent methods gave equivalent results to spectrophotometric methods for the measurement of blood lactose and milk glucose.     

Are free glucose and glucose-6-phosphate in milk indicators of specific physiological states in the cow?

A total of 3200 milk samples from Holstein and Jersey cows were analysed for free glucose and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) by an enzymatic-fluorometric method that requires no pre-treatment. The cows were primiparous as well as multiparous, and samples were taken throughout the entire lactation period. In addition, lactose, protein, fat, citrate and β-hydroxybutyrate were determined and comparisons between these variables were made. Data were analysed using GLM model for the effect of parity, breed, time from last milking and stage of lactation on variations in parameters in milk. Pearson’s correlations were generated between milk variables. P<0.05 was considered significant. Concentration of free glucose and G6P were on average 331 and 81 μM, respectively. Time from last milking (stay in the gland cistern) did not increase the concentration of these monosaccharides, indicating that they are not hydrolysis product from lactose post secretion, but rather reflecting the energy status of the mammary epithelial cells pre-secretion. Wide variation in range of these metabolites, that is, from 90 to 630 μM and 5 to 324 μM, for glucose and G6P, respectively, was observed. During the first 21 weeks in milk, free glucose increased whereas G6P decreased. Concentration of free glucose in milk is greater for primiparous than multiparous cows and greater for Holstein than Jersey cows. Concentration of G6P was not affected by parity or breed. The use of free glucose and G6P as indicators of physiological conditions and risk of disease is warranted for use as potential biomarkers for in-line surveillance systems on-farm.     

转基因棉花中糖类和游离氨基酸含量的变化对棉蚜泌蜜量及蜜露主要成分的影响

以3个转基因棉和2个亲本对照棉花品种为研究材料,分别测定了这5种棉花植株体内主要糖分与游离氨基酸含量;同时,分别用这5个棉花品种的叶片饲养棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover并测定其蜜露分泌量及其主要营养成分。结果表明,转基因棉花“国抗22”叶片中葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖的平均含量及可溶性糖总量分别比亲本对照棉“泗棉3号”减少61.76%、 89.05%、77.86%和23.61%,转基因棉花“苏抗103”和“中抗310”叶片中葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖的平均含量及可溶性糖总量分别比亲本对照棉“苏棉12”下降14.15%、32.80%、92.22%、11.46% 和4 6.81%、93.19%、61.11%、43.91%,游离氨基酸总量及各种氨基酸、果糖、鼠李糖、海藻糖的含量在不同转基因棉与亲本对照棉花品种间也存在很大差异,其中一些处理间的差异达显著或极显著水平。这表明外源基因的导入已经影响到了转基因棉花品种中主要糖分与游离氨基酸的合成。棉蚜取食转基因棉花品种“国抗22”后,蜜露的日平均分泌量比取食对照品种“泗棉3号”减少40.54%,取食其他两个转基因棉花品种“苏抗103”和“中抗310”后蜜露的分泌量也比取食对照棉花品种“苏棉12”降低22.67%和30.0%,但棉蚜取食转基因棉花后蜜露中游离氨基酸的总量均高于对照棉花品种,蜜露中可溶性总糖、蔗糖和各种氨基酸含量在取食转基因棉和常规棉花品种间存在一定差异。     

高粱抗高粱蚜的生化基础

高粱中的可溶性总氮、可溶性总糖和绝大部分游离氨基酸,特别是必需氨基酸,在感性品种中的含量显著地比抗性品种中的含量高.感性品种叶液微偏酸,抗性品种近中性.多元回归分析表明,高梁对高粱蚜Melanaphis sacchari(Zehntner)的抗性与可溶性总氮、可溶性总糖和游离氨基酸的含量呈反相关.     

Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate with rapeseed oil, milled or whole rapeseeds on milk fatty-acid composition in cows fed maize silage-based diets

Inclusion of rapeseed feeds in dairy cow diets has the potential to reduce milk fat saturated fatty acid (SFA) and increase cis-monounsaturated fatty acid (cis-MUFA) content, but effectiveness may depend on the form in which the rapeseed is presented. Four mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were allocated to four maize silage-based dietary treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin Square design, with 28-day experimental periods. Treatments consisted of a control diet (C) containing 49 g/kg dry matter (DM) of calcium salts of palm oil distillate (CPO), or 49 g/kg DM of oil supplied as whole rapeseeds (WR), rapeseeds milled with wheat (MR) or rapeseed oil (RO). Replacing CPO with rapeseed feeds had no effect (P > 0.05) on milk fat and protein content, while milk yields were higher (P < 0.05) for RO and MR compared with WR (37.1, 38.1 and 34.3 kg/day, respectively). Substituting CPO with RO or MR reduced (P < 0.05) milk fat total SFA content (69.6, 55.6, 71.7 and 61.5 g/100 g fatty acids for C, RO, WR and MR, respectively) and enhanced (P < 0.05) milk cis-9 18:1 MUFA concentrations (corresponding values 18.6, 24.3, 17.0 and 23.0 g/100 g fatty acids) compared with C and WR. Treatments RO and MR also increased (P < 0.05) milk trans-MUFA content (4.4, 6.8, 10.5 g/100 g fatty acids, C, MR and RO, respectively). A lack of significant changes in milk fat composition when replacing CPO with WR suggests limited bioavailability of fatty acids in intact rapeseeds. In conclusion, replacing a commercial palm oil-based fat supplement in the diet with milled rapeseeds or rapeseed oil represented an effective strategy to alter milk fatty acid composition with the potential to improve human health. Inclusion of processed rapeseeds offered a good compromise for reducing milk SFA and increasing cis-MUFA, whilst minimising milk trans-MUFA and negative effects on animal performance.     

Metabolic diversity in the grains of Indian varieties of rice

The aim of the present work was to analyze metabolic diversity in 26 different indica varieties of rice grains. Seventy-six metabolites could be identified in the methanol extracts of each of the rice varieties analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These metabolites included 9 sugars/sugar alcohols, 17 amino acids/derivatives, 18 fatty acids, 5 free phenolic acids and 19 other organic acids, 3 phytosterols, 5 other constituents. Cluster analyses to extract information for similarity and differences in metabolites unveiled diversity in metabolite profile. Two hierarchical clusters were generated based on the metabolite contents of the rice varieties. The first cluster (cluster I) consisted of one variety only. The second cluster again segregated into four clusters (clusters II, III, IV and V). Very distinct differences were visible amongst the clusters with respect to their sugars/sugar alcohols, organic acid, amino acid and fatty acid, phenol, and sterol profiles. Metabolites determine nutritional quality, taste, aroma. This and future efforts on the metabolomic information would help biochemists and nutritionists to better understand the nutritional quality of such grains at varietal level and correlating metabolites and long term human health related issues.     

Identification of the conjugated linoleic acid isomer that inhibits milk fat synthesis

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are octadecadienoic fatty acids that have profound effects on lipid metabolism. Our previous work showed that CLA (mixture of isomers) markedly reduced milk fat synthesis. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the effects of specific CLA isomers. Multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 3x3 Latin square design, and treatments were 4-day abomasal infusions of 1) skim milk (control), 2) 9,11 CLA supplement, and 3) 10,12 CLA supplement. CLA supplements provided 10 g/day of the specific CLA isomer (cis-9,trans-11 or trans-10,cis-12). Treatments had no effect on intake, milk yield, or milk protein yield. Only the 10,12 CLA supplement affected milk fat, causing a 42 and 44% reduction in milk fat percentage and yield, respectively. Milk fat composition revealed that de novo synthesized fatty acids were extensively reduced. Increases in ratios of C(14:0) to C(14:1) and C(18:0) to C(18:1) indicated the 10,12 CLA supplement also altered Delta(9)-desaturase. Treatments had minimal effects on plasma concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, or insulin-like growth factor-I. Overall, results demonstrate that trans-10,cis-12 CLA is the isomer responsible for inhibition of milk fat synthesis.     

A static model to analyze carbon and nitrogen partitioning in the mammary gland of lactating sows

Quantitative estimates of mammary nutrient inputs, outputs and metabolism in sows are scarce, despite being critical elements to identify parameters controlling milk synthesis central for the feeding of lactating sows. The objective of this study was to quantify the mammary gland input and output of nutrients as well as the intramammary partitioning of carbon and nitrogen with the purpose to identify mechanisms controlling mammary nutrient inputs, metabolism and milk production in lactating sows. A data set was assembled by integration of results from four studies. The data set included data on litter performance, mammary arterial-venous concentration differences (AV-difference) of energy metabolites and amino acids, and the contents of lactose, fat and amino acids in milk. Milk yield was estimated based on average litter size and litter gain, and mammary plasma flow (MPF) was estimated using the sum of phenylalanine and tyrosine as internal flow markers. The yield and composition of milk were used to estimate mammary nutrient output in milk, and MPF and AV-difference were used to estimate net mammary input of carbon and nitrogen and output of CO₂. Carbon and nitrogen used for the synthesis of lactose, fat and protein in milk and CO₂-yielding processes were represented in a static nutrient partitioning model. The origin of mammary CO₂ output was calculated using theoretical estimates of carbon released in processes supporting mammary synthesis of de novo fat, protein and lactose in milk, mammary tissue protein turnover and transport of glucose and amino acids. Results indicated that total input of carbon from glucose and lactate was partitioned into lactose (36%), fat (31%) and CO₂-yielding processes (34%). Theoretical CO₂ estimates indicated that de novo fat synthesis, milk protein synthesis and mammary tissue protein turnover were the main processes related to mammary CO₂ production. More than 90% of mammary gland amino acid input was used for milk protein. The quadratic relationship between AV-difference and mammary input of essential amino acids indicated that both changes in AV-difference and MPF contributed to the regulation of mammary input of essential amino acids. The impact of the arterial supply of amino acids on mammary input may be greater for the branched-chain amino acids, arginine and phenylalanine than for other essential amino acids. In conclusion, relationships between input and output parameters indicate that AV-difference and MPF regulate mammary nutrient input to match the supply and demand of nutrients for the mammary gland.     

Dynamic model of the lactating dairy cow metabolism

The whole-animal model described in this paper is intended to be a research model with an intermediary structure between sophisticated and simple cow models. The mechanistic model structure integrates the main metabolic pathways of the lactating dairy cow. Milk yield and related feed intake for varying production potentials were considered to be the driving forces and were empirically defined. The model was designed to explain the main metabolic flows and variations in body reserves associated with the push of nutrients from dry matter intake and their pull by the mammary gland to synthesise milk components throughout lactation. The digestive part of the model uses either known feed unit systems (e.g. PDI system for protein) or published empirical equations for the prediction of digestive flows of organic matter, starch and fatty acids and ruminal volatile fatty acid production. The metabolic sub-system is made up of four tissue compartments (body protein, body lipid, protein in the uterus and triglycerides in the liver) and five circulating metabolites (glucose, amino acids, acetate + butyrate, propionate, and triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids). A major original aspect of the model is its homeorhetic control system. It was assumed that flows relating to adipose and protein tissue anabolism and catabolism were driven by a couple of linked theoretical hormones controlling mobilisation and anabolism. The evolution in body composition and body weight were outcomes of this control. Another originality of the model is its suitability for milk yields varying from 10 to 50 kg at peak production. This was achieved by homeorhetic control of milk potential acting on several key metabolic flows. Homeostatic regulation was also introduced in order to confine the behaviour of the model within realistic physiological values. For some basic aspects (e.g. Uterine involution, standard kinetics of body protein and fat), it was necessary to build specific databases from the literature and interpret these by meta-analysis. Fairly realistic simulated kinetics were obtained for body composition, liver triglycerides, blood plasma metabolite concentrations, milk protein and fat contents, and also for major groups of milk fatty acids.     

Characterization of proteins and fatty acid composition in Galapagos fur seal milk. Occurrence of whey and casein protein polymorphisms

1. Milk proteins of the Galapagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) were separated adequately into whey and casein fractions using bovine milk analysis methods. 2. In samples from days 5-30 of lactation 40% of the total proteins were whey and 60% caseins; in mid-lactation, day 150, 25% were whey and 75% casein proteins. 3. Electrophoretic and isoelectric focusing patterns of fur seal whey protein differed widely from bovine patterns, whereas those of caseins were similar. 4. Polymorphisms of fur seal whey and casein proteins were noted and did not seem related to different stages of lactation. 5. C-16 and C-18 fatty acids contributed about 70% of fatty acids; 63% of the total acids in milk fat were unsaturated.