Feed intake and digestion in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus): Consequences for dietary management

Captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) often consume diets high in prey and meat items even though they are omnivorous in the wild. These soft, high protein diets may exacerbate conditions of gingivitis and cystinuria in this species. Feed intakes were monitored in wolves provided with prey and meat-based diets (3 periods) and subsequently with extruded dog chows and small amounts of prey (2 periods). Digestibilities of each type of diet were measured with the indigestible marker chromic oxide. Dry matter intakes were similar between diets (374–584 g · 30 kg^?1 · d^?1), even though dietary protein content was reduced from 44% to 29% of dry matter. Digestibility of dry matter was unaltered by these dietary changes (77% of high prey diet vs. 73% of chow diet), but fecal consistency changed to softer stools at lower intakes of prey. Estimated metabolizable energy intakes of wolves (501–674 kJ · kg^?0.75 · d^?1) were similar to the maintenance requirement for domestic dogs (525 kJ · kg^?0.75 · d^?1), suggesting a similar energy requirement for maintenance of the wolves. The metabolizable energy derived from protein in the high prey diets was 37%, whereas that of the chow diets was only 27%. These levels exceed estimates of protein requirements for maintenance (4.3–21.8%) and growth (11.5–20.3%) in domestic dogs and may thus exceed those of the wolves. Dietary management of maned wolves should minimize excess protein intake by limiting prey consumption and acclimating animals to extruded diets for domestic dogs. Further research is required to formulate diets for long-term management of cystinuria in maned wolves. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Use of behavioral measures to assess reproductive status in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

Captive breeding efforts of the threatened maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) have been plagued by a lack of reliable reproduction and a high rate of neonatal mortality. A particular problem for animal managers has been the ability to detect pregnancy in a noninvasive manner. Pseudopregnancies are common, and many staff hours are expended preparing for a birth that may not occur. The objectives of our study were to document changes in behavior during the breeding season in captive maned wolves in order to determine if behaviors other than sexual (i.e., copulation) could be used to distinguish nonbreeding from breeding pairs and, further, whether successful breeding pairs (young born) could be distinguished behaviorally from breeding pairs that did not produce young (pseudopregnant). Between 1988 and 1994, behavioral data were collected during the annual reproductive season from 52 maned wolf pairings (27 males, 26 females) housed at 17 North American institutions. Breeding animals showed significant increases in rates of affiliative behaviors (approach, friendly) and the amount of time spent in close association (social) during the estrous period, compared to pre- and post-estrous periods. In contrast, the behavior of nonbreeding pairs varied little throughout the breeding season. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) showed that several behavioral measurements during certain reproductive periods were useful in discriminating between nonbreeding and breeding animals (rates of friendly and social behavior for males, marking and social behavior for females). Unsuccessful (pseudopregnant) and successful breeding pairs could be further distinguished on the basis of agonistic and approach behavior frequencies (successful females showed higher rates of agonistic and lower rates of approach behavior during certain periods; successful males had higher rates of both behaviors). Discriminant equations for key behavioral measurements and examples of their practical application are presented. DFA provides animal managers with an effective, noninvasive technique for assessing the reproductive status of maned wolf pairs. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Behavioral changes associated with introductions of male maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to females with pups

Three male maned wolves were successfully introduced to their mates and 7‐ to 12‐week‐old pups at the Houston Zoological Gardens and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in 1994 and 1995. The introductions took 3–7 weeks and had three stages: 1) allowing the male to see the female and pups through a chain‐link panel or a full chain‐link fence, 2) introducing the male and female without the pups present, and 3) introducing the male to the pups. For 7 days before Stage 2 and 7 days during Stage 3, the adults were observed for 150 hr. The amount of time they spent active and the amount of time they spent near the pups were recorded, as well as all behaviors they directed to the pups. After the males were introduced, the females' activity decreased, and the males' activity increased. The females spent less time near the pups after the introduction. The introduction did not affect the females' rates of affiliative or aggressive behaviors to the pups, and there was no difference between males' and females' rates of affiliative or aggressive behaviors. This introduction procedure offers an alternative to leaving the male with the pups from the time they are born. The adults' behavioral changes after the introduction show the benefits that occur when captive male maned wolves are allowed to help rear their pups. Zoo Biol 18:189–197, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Secret lives of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger 1815): as revealed by GPS tracking collars

The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is a nocturnal and shy species, which has proven difficult to study in the field; consequently, data about its behavioural biology are almost absent from the scientific literature. However, recent advances in global positioning system (GPS) technology mean that it is now possible to study the socio-spatial dynamics of this species in the field. In the present study three related maned wolves (an adult pair and their juvenile female offspring) were monitored by GPS tracking collars for a 6-month period, which included the birth of a litter of pups to the adult pair. The three GPS collars were programmed to record the position of the wearer every 2 h (simultaneously for all three individuals). Analyses of the data from the three individuals showed that the female had the largest home range, then the male and finally the juvenile. Furthermore, there was considerable overlap in home-range use by all three individuals. The home ranges of the adult pair also varied in relation to the birth of pups (decreasing dramatically and then showing a slow increase). During the night, which is the normal period of activity for this species, the three individuals avoided contact with each other. However, during the day, the adult pair usually slept together and their juvenile slept within a few hundred metres of their location. The distance travelled at night was greatest for the female, then the male and finally the juvenile. These data suggest that (1) the social bond between the male and female is strong, (2) maned wolves are highly tolerant of their juvenile offspring, even in the case of new pups being born, and (3) that maned wolves do not hunt together and, in fact, avoid each other when hunting.     

An evaluation of manual and automated methods for detecting sounds of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger 1815)

Although bioacoustics is increasingly used to study species and environments for their monitoring and conservation, detecting calls produced by species of interest is prohibitively time consuming when done manually. Here we compared four methods for detecting and identifying roar-barks of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) within long sound recordings: (1) a manual method, (2) an automated detector method using Raven Pro 1.4, (3) an automated detector method using XBAT and (4) a mixed method using XBAT's detector followed by manual verification. Recordings were done using a song meter installed at the Serra da Canastra National Park (Minas Gerais, Brazil). For each method we evaluated the following variables in a 24-h recording: (1) total time required analysing files, (2) number of false positives identified and (3) number of true positives identified compared to total number of target sounds. Automated methods required less time to analyse the recordings (77–93 min) when compared to manual method (189 min), but consistently presented more false positives and were less efficient in identifying true positives (manual = 91.89%, Raven = 32.43% and XBAT = 84.86%). Adding a manual verification after XBAT detection dramatically increased efficiency in identifying target sounds (XBAT+manual = 100% true positives). Manual verification of XBAT detections seems to be the best way out of the proposed methods to collect target sound data for studies where large amounts of audio data need to be analysed in a reasonable time (111 min, 58.73% of the time required to find calls manually).     

Transit time and digestibility of two experimental diets in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and domestic dog (Canis lupus)

Recent research involving nutritional management of clinical disease secondary to cystinuria in captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in the United States resulted in the production of a commercially manufactured maintenance diet and subsequently, a further modified experimental diet. These two diets differed only in their protein sources and sodium concentrations. The purpose of this study was to further investigate these diets by determining their digestibility and transit time in maned wolves, and also to compare these results to the digestibility and transit time of the diets in domestic dogs. The experiment consisted of two diets (maned wolf commercial maintenance diet and experimental diet) and two species (maned wolf and domestic dog [beagle]) arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial design. For the transit time study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂, 5 g/kg diet) was administered as a pulse dose and total collection of feces was carried out for 50 hr. There was no effect of diet or species on initial Ti recovery time (IRT), the amount of Ti recovered at IRT, or the time to reach 50% of Ti excretion in the feces. Maned wolves had lower total percent recovery (P<0.01) of Ti than dogs and shorter time to last recovery of Ti in the feces (P<0.05), however, marker excretion in the maned wolves may not have been complete. For the digestibility study, in which chromic oxide was used as a marker, fecal samples were collected on 2 consecutive days immediately after 12 days of being fed the diets and then analyzed for dry matter, energy, protein, and minerals. Crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc apparent digestibilities were unaffected by species or diet (P>0.05). Apparent digestibility of dry matter (P<0.05) and energy (P<0.01) were higher in the experimental diet and in the dogs. Both dogs and maned wolves fed the maintenance diet exhibited a greater apparent retention of copper, iron, and magnesium (P<0.01). Dogs had a higher apparent retention of magnesium and sodium than the maned wolves. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Behavioral responses of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Canidae) to different categories of environmental enrichment stimuli and their implications for successful reintroduction

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1815, Canidae) is a threatened species that inhabits the cerrados of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Captive maned wolves could be potentially used in reintroduction programs for species conservation; however, it is necessary that their behavior and cognitive abilities are conserved. Environmental enrichment is a tool used to stimulate captive animals and maintain a natural behavioral repertoire. To compare the variation of captive maned wolves' behavioral responses to environmental enrichment, we studied three maned wolves held by Belo Horizonte Zoo, Brazil. Foraging, interspecific, and intraspecific stimuli were offered to the animals and their responses were compared with a baseline and postenrichment treatments. The test was used to help in choosing which one of the three individuals would participate in a reintroduction project. The results showed that stimuli type did influence the animal's responses, and that individually wolves responded differently to foraging, interspecific, and intraspecific enrichment items (P80.05 for some behaviors in each enrichment category). The individual's personality seemed to influence their behavioral responses, with animals showing bold and shy responses, and this trait should be considered during decision makings for reintroduction.     

Evaluation of homologous, heterologous, and affinity conjugates for the serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

Use of serological tests in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in wild animals has several limitations, primarily the difficulty of obtaining species-specific reagents. Wild canids, such as maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), are highly predisposed to infection by Toxoplasma gondii and, to a lesser extent, to Neospora caninum. The aim of the present study was to evaluate homologous, heterologous, and affinity conjugates in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFATs) for detecting immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum in maned wolves. Serum samples were obtained from 59 captive animals in Brazil and tested by ELISA for T. gondii serology and IFAT for N. caninum serology using 3 different enzymatic and fluorescent conjugates: homologous (guinea pig anti-maned wolf IgG-peroxidase and -fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]), heterologous (rabbit anti-dog IgG-peroxidase and -FITC), and affinity (protein A-peroxidase and -FITC). Seropositivity to T. gondii was comparable among the homologous (69.5%), heterologous (74.6%), and affinity (71.2%) enzymatic conjugates. A significant positive correlation was found between the antibody levels determined by the 3 enzymatic conjugates. The highest mean antibody levels (ELISA index = 4.5) were observed with the protein A-peroxidase conjugate. The same seropositivity to N. caninum (8.5%) was found with the homologous and heterologous fluorescent conjugates, but protein A-FITC was not able to detect or confirm any positive samples with homologous or heterologous conjugates. Our results demonstrate that homologous, heterologous, and affinity conjugates might be used in ELISA for serological assays of T. gondii in wild canids, whereas for N. caninum infection, only the homologous or heterologous fluorescent conjugates have been shown to be useful.     

Diet of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and its role in seed dispersal on a cattle ranch in Brazil

The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus is the largest canid inhabiting South America. Its geographic distribution includes the open fields of Brazil's central area, which is currently undergoing agricultural expansion. The diet of the maned wolf and its seasonal variation was determined on a dairy cattle ranch (São Luís farm, 566 ha) in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. From January to December faeces of the maned wolf were collected monthly ( n = 150 scats; 397 food item occurrences). Twenty-nine taxa were identified from scats, 18 of animal origin (46% or 183 occurrences) and 11 of plants (54% or 214 occurrences). The fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were the dominant food item in our study (29%). Mammals contributed 13%, arthropods 12%, birds 11% and reptiles 2% of the food items. Arthropods and fruits were prevalent in the rainy season and mammals in the dry season. As expected for a heavily farmed region, frugivory results were at the lower end of the diversity scale (9–33 species) and included four old garden species. No previous study of the diet of maned wolf has registered as many species of Solanaceae as this one. Although dietary richness was lower, the main food items (wolf fruit, armadillos, rodents, birds) were the same as study sites in 'cerrado' and upland meadows. In this region, the open habitats occupied by the maned wolf were previously covered by Atlantic forest, suggesting that landscape modification such as cattle ranching has opened new frontiers for distribution expansion of the maned wolf. The impact of loss of dietary richness and the increase in Solanaceae on the survival of the maned wolf need to be evaluated.     

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.     

零磁空间对金黄仓鼠脑中几种神经递质的影响

对饲养在近零磁空间(MFFS)不同时间的金黄仓鼠大脑皮层、基底核和小脑中氨基酸类抑制性神经递质γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)、甘氨酸(glycine)及牛磺酸(taurine)的含量进行了测定.与正常地磁环境下饲养的动物相比,随着时间的推移,这几种递质在皮层中的含量变化不明显,在一个月后,基底核和小脑中GABA含量逐渐降低,而小脑中一个月后tau的含量却表现出逐渐升高的趋势.这些递质的含量变化情况与某些神经疾病患者相应脑区这几种递质的变化表现出类似的规律.     

水分胁迫对2种生态型芦苇（Phragmites communis）的可溶性蛋白含量、SOD、POD、CAT活性的影响

研究利用2种抗旱性迥异的芦苇为材料,用PEG6000进行水分胁迫处理,结果表明,抗旱性强的沙丘芦苇（沙芦）的可溶性蛋白含量明显低于沼泽芦苇（水芦）,约为水芦的1／5。但是,在受到20％PEG胁迫时,沙芦的可溶性蛋白含量有所上升,水芦的则稍微下降,在30％PEG胁迫时,水芦的可溶性蛋白含量显著下降,而沙芦则先升后降。沙芦的3种自由基清除酶（SOD、POD、CAT）的活性显著高于水芦。受到水分胁迫后,2种芦苇的SOD、POD、CAT活性或升或降。但是,无论在20％还是30％PEG胁迫条件下,相对水芦而言,沙芦都保持较高的自由其清除酶活性,从而保证其较强的自由基清除能力,减轻自由基对植物细胞生物大分子如DNA、蛋白质、脂肪酸的伤害,维持细胞正常的生命活动,这是沙芦抗旱性强的基础。     

Dietary inclusion of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal as an alternative protein source in practical diets for juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)

An 8‐week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available nutrient‐rich feedstuff for juvenile rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Experimental diets containing elevated levels of mealworm meal (WM) supplemented with synthetic methionine were formulated to be isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic to a WM‐free fishmeal (FM) based control diet (designated as WM0, WM8, WM16, WM24 and WM32, respectively). To determine the necessity of dietary methionine supplementation at the highest inclusion of WM, a diet was prepared to contain 32% WM without methionine supplementation (WM32‐AA). Triplicate groups of rockfish juveniles (Mean ± S.E.; 3.11 ± 0.01 g) were fed one of the experimental diets to apparent satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate increased with increasing dietary inclusion of WM from 0 to 16% and then tended to decrease with further increase in dietary WM levels to 32%. Protein retention (PR) values followed the same trend as growth rates with the highest values found in fish offered WM16 diet. Although fish fed WM32‐AA diet showed significantly lower growth rate and PR values compared to those fed WM16 diet, their performance was still comparable to that of the WM‐free control group. Plasma triglyceride level was negatively affected by dietary WM inclusion and the lowest values were observed in the WM32‐AA group. Whole‐body and fillet proximate and essential amino acid compositions were not altered by dietary treatment and these values were comparable to those of the WM0 group. These findings suggested that WM might prove to be a promising alternative to FM in practical diets for juvenile rockfish and could be used at an inclusion level of up to 32% without having any adverse consequences for the health and performance of the fish. Although the diet containing 32% WM seemed to support a performance similar to that of the control diet, the recommended dietary inclusion level was no more than 16% of the diet dry matter.     

The effect of low- and high-fiber diets on the population of entodiniomorphid ciliates Troglodytella abrassarti in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Troglodytella abrassarti is an intestinal entodiniomorphid ciliate commonly diagnosed in the feces of wild and captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Entodiniomorphids could be considered to have a mutualistic relationship with the great apes, in that the ciliates benefit from the intestinal ecosystem of the host, while also contributing to the fiber fermentation process. We examined the effect of diet on the infection intensities of T. abrassarti in two captive chimpanzees in the Liberec Zoo, Czech Republic. The chimpanzees were fed a low-fiber diet (LFD) with 14% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and a high-fiber diet (HFD; 26% NDF) for 10 days with one transition, and two 10-day adaptation periods. Fecal samples were examined coproscopically with the merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde concentration (MIFC) technique, in order to quantify the number of ciliates per gram of feces. A significant trend of increasing T. abrassarti numbers was observed when the animals were fed the LFD, compared to when they were fed the HFD. Our results suggest, however, that infection intensities of T. abrassarti in captive chimpanzees are not influenced primarily by the amount of fiber in the diet, but rather by the dietary starch concentration (HFD: 1%; LFD: 8%).     

Pea protein concentrate in diets for sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo): effects on growth and health status

Four diets for sharpsnout sea bream juveniles (14 g body weight) with four levels of air-processed pea protein concentrate (PPC) (0, 160, 320 and 487 g/kg diet) were tested in triplicate. The experimental diets were isonitrogenous (43% crude protein) and isolipidic (19% ether extract) and the fish were fed to satiation twice a day. After 125 d, fish growth was diminished by the inclusion of PPC. Feed conversion did not show significant differences in any treatment. Neither the body analyses nor the protein and individual essential amino acid retention efficiencies were affected by the inclusion of PPC in the diet. However, histological gut examinations revealed noticeable differences. Fish fed the diet with the highest inclusion level of PPC presented the longest villous length and the most goblet cells, and the width of the lamina propria increased in the anterior intestine. Although no negative changes in nutritive parameters were detected, these alterations might affect nutrient transport, with negative consequences for fish growth. It was concluded that the PPC in the amounts tested here is an inappropriate substitute for fishmeal in diets for sharpsnout sea bream juveniles.     

Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The effect of partial or total dietary substitution of fishmeal (FM) by vegetal protein sources on growth and feed efficiency was carried out in on-growing gilthead sea bream (mean initial weight 131 g). The Control diet (FM 100) contained FM as the primary protein source, while in Diets FM 25 and FM 0 the FM protein was replaced at 75% and 100%, respectively, by a vegetable protein mixture consisting of wheat gluten, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and crystalline amino acids. Diets FM 25 and FM 0 also contained krill meal at 47 g/kg in order to improve palatability. At the end of the trial (after 158 d), fish survival was above 90%. Final weight and the specific growth rate were statistically lower in fish fed the Control diet (361 g and 0.64%/d), compared with 390–396 g and 0.69–0.70%/d after feeding vegetal diets. No significant differences were found regarding feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The digestibility of protein and amino acids (determined with chromium oxide as indicator) was similar in all diets. The blood parameters were not significantly affected by treatments. The activity of trypsin and pepsin was significantly reduced after feeding Diet FM 0. In the distal intestine, the villi length in fish fed Diet FM 25 was significantly longer and the intestine of the fish fed the FM 100 diet showed a smaller number of goblet cells. In conclusion, a total FM substitution by a vegetal mix supplemented with synthetic amino acids in on-growing sea bream is feasible.     

Effect of genetic and environmental factors on protein biomarkers for common non-communicable disease and use of personally normalized plasma protein profiles (PNPPP)

Abstract

Objective: To study the impact of genetic and lifestyle factors on protein biomarkers and develop personally normalized plasma protein profiles (PNPPP) controlling for non-disease-related variance.

Materials and methods: Proximity extension assays were used to measure 145 proteins in 632 controls and 344 cases with non-communicable diseases.

Results: Genetic and lifestyle factors explained 20–88% of the variation in healthy controls. Adjusting for these factors reduced the number of candidate biomarkers by 63%.

Conclusion: PNPPP efficiently controls for non-disease-related variance, allowing both for efficient discovery of novel biomarkers and for covariate-independent linear cut-offs suitable for clinical use.     

南美斑潜蝇为害对黄瓜体内主要营养物质、 次生代谢物质及叶绿素含量的影响

南美斑潜蝇Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard)是一种危害多种蔬菜和观赏植物的多食性害虫。本研究采用蒽酮比色法、 考马斯亮蓝法、 磷钼酸 磷钨酸比色法、 索氏回流法及丙酮法, 分别测定了南美斑潜蝇1~3龄幼虫不同为害程度（系统受害、 轻度受害和重度受害）对黄瓜叶片内可溶性糖、 可溶性蛋白质、 单宁、 黄酮及叶绿素含量的影响。结果表明： 南美斑潜蝇幼虫为害后, 黄瓜叶片中可溶性糖、 可溶性蛋白质和叶绿素的含量随着为害程度的增强而显著降低（P<0.01）, 最大降幅分别为62%, 35%和40%; 单宁和黄酮的含量随着为害程度的增强而显著上升（P<0.01）, 最高升幅分别为26%和53%; 并且具有系统性影响。结果提示, 南美斑潜蝇幼虫为害导致寄主植物营养物质含量下降、 光合作用降低, 而次生代谢物质含量上升, 从而对植食者产生诱导抗性。本研究结果为进一步揭示南美斑潜蝇与其寄主植物相互作用关系及其机理提供了有益的参考。     

Comparison of the effect of two types of whole mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) powders on intestinal fermentation in rats

The effects of two types of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus; white, WM; brown, BM) powders on intestinal fermentation in rats were investigated in terms of the physical characteristics of animals and by bacterial and HPLC analyses of cecal contents. Short-chain fatty acid levels were found to be significantly higher in the WM group than in the BM and the control (CN) groups; coliform bacteria levels in the BM group were significantly lower than those in the CN group, with the WM group inducing an apparent but insignificant decrease in coliforms. Anaerobe levels in the WM group were significantly higher than those in the CN group and, compared with the CN group, the BM and WM groups exhibited significantly increased feces weight and cecum weight, respectively. These results indicate that the mushroom powders, and in particular the WM powder, have beneficial effects on the intestinal environment in rats.