Tissue fatty acid deposition is influenced by an interaction of dietary oil source and energy intake level in rats

To investigate the net tissue fatty acid deposition in response to graded levels of energy restriction and modification of diet fatty acid composition, rats were randomly assigned into four dietary groups and fed for 10 weeks diets containing 40% as energy of either fish, safflower, or olive oil, or beef tallow, consumed ad libitum or energy restricted to 85% or 68% of ad libitum intake by reducing diet carbohydrate content. An additional eight rats were killed before the diet regimen, to provide baseline data from which fatty acid deposition rates were calculated. Body weight, and heart, liver and fat mass gains were decreased with energy restriction (P<0.001). Olive oil feeding resulted in higher body weight gain (P < 0.03) than tallow feeding, whereas fish oil feeding was associated with highest (P < 0.007) liver weight and lowest (P < 0.03) fat mass gains. Energy deficit-related differences in the deposition of stearic, linoleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids in heart and palmitic and docosahexaenoic acids in liver were dependent on the dietary oil consumed (P < 0.03). Similarly, interactive effects of restricted food intake and dietary oil type were found in the gain of palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids in adipose tissue (P < 0.01) when expressed in relation to the amount of each fatty acid consumed. These data suggest that energy intake level can influence the deposition pattern, as well as oxidation rate, of tissue fatty acids as a function of tissue type, fatty acid structure, and dietary fatty acid composition.     

Effects of Tasco (a seaweed extract) and heat stress on N metabolism and meat fatty acids in wether lambs fed hays containing endophyte-infected fescue

Wether lambs (n = 27, average BW = 40 kg) were used to test response to forage treated with Tasco-Forage (an extract of the brown kelp Ascophyllum nodosum) prior to conserving, or to direct feeding of the extract (Tasco-EX). Hays made from endophyte (Neoyphodium coenophialum)-infested tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)-based pasture received 0 or 3 kg of Tasco/ha prior to harvest. Lambs, blocked by weight, were randomly allotted to three diets: (1) control hay, (2) treated hay, and (3) #1 + Tasco-EX fed at 1% of the diet. Hays were low in CP (<7%) so all lambs were fed soybean meal (12% of the diet) in addition to trace mineralized salt. Diets were fed at 1.5% BW to prevent refusals. Total collections (7 d) were made during periods without or with applied heat stress. After each period, rumen contents were obtained to determine pH, NH₃ and VFA. Lambs were sacrificed post-trial. A subset was used to evaluate sensory traits and muscle fatty acids. Lambs were in negative N balance during the study and Tasco treatments did not affect N metabolism. Fecal N tended (P < 0.10) to increase with short duration heat stress causing a concomitant decrease (P < 0.05) in apparent N digestibility (58.6 versus 56.1%; S.E. = 0.7). Urinary N loss decreased (P < 0.001) with heat stress (8.0 versus 5.9 g/d; S.E. = 0.2), resulting in increased (P < 0.001) N retention (−2.1 versus −0.3 g/d; S.E. = 0.2). Apparent OM digestibility was not affected by heat stress but was greater (P < 0.05) for lambs fed Tasco-EX treatment than those fed treated hay. Treatment diets decreased (P < 0.05) ruminal butyrate. Heat stress increased (P < 0.05) acetate and total VFA and decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal pH. A tendency (P < 0.11) of increased 14:1ω5, decreased (P < 0.05) 18:0 and total saturated fatty acids in muscle was observed with Tasco diets. Meat sensory characteristics were not affected by treatment. Tasco may alter some aspects of rumen or lipid metabolism but has no effect on N metabolism or meat sensory characteristics of sheep fed restricted, low-quality diets.     

Role of dietary oleic acid from two different sources on fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane and blood pressure in healthy subjects

This study has been undertaken to determine the effect of a diet enriched with olive oil (OO) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) on fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and blood pressure in healthy women. OO and HOSO were used as natural sources of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in a random-order sequence over two 4-week periods with a 4-week washout period between both MUFA diets. HOSO diet resulted in significant increases in oleic [(18:1n-9) 8.6%, P < 0.001], eicosenoic [(20:1n-9) 33.3%, P < 0.05], arachidonic [(20:4n-6) 6.2%, P < 0.05], and docosapentaenoic [(22:5n-6) 56.0%, P < 0.001] acids, whereas OO diet besides increased the content of stearic acid [(18:0) 13.6%, P < 0.01] and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the n-3 family (22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3), when compared with the baseline [a diet high in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and low in MUFAs]. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in linoleic acid [(18:2n-6) 21.8%, P < 0.001] for both MUFA diets. Consistent with these data, dietary intake of OO significantly raised total PUFAs (7.2%, P < 0.05), the n-3 fatty acids (22.2%, P < 0.01) and the PUFAs/SFAs ratio (9.3%, P < 0.01), as well as decreased the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids (26,1%, P < 0.001) versus HOSO-based diet. Interestingly, dietary OO, but not HOSO, was able to significantly reduce the systolic (3%, P < 0.05) and diastolic (4%, P < 0.05) blood pressures. Although both vegetable oils provided a similar content of MUFAs (mainly oleic acid), our findings rather indicate that OO has important benefits to modulate the fatty acid composition of membranes and the mechanisms involved in the regulation of blood pressure in human.     

Evaluation of Magadi soda-treated sorghum grain for young broilers

Magadi soda (MS) is a commercially available form of sodium sesquicarbonate in Kenya. Soaking high-tannin sorghum (HTS) grain (2.5% catechin equivalents) in a 6 g l⁻¹ MS solution was shown to eliminate measurable tannin content. A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the performance of broiler chicks fed soyabean-based diets containing HTS or MS-treated HTS as the sole cereal source from 1-3 weeks of age. A third diet containing sorghum with no detectable tannin content served as the control. Diets containing 220 g kg⁻¹ crude protein were fed to 6 pens of 5 birds per pen for each treatment from 1-2 weeks of age and to 4 pens of 4 birds per pen per treatment in weeks 2-3. Feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency (FE) were determined weekly. Apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD), metabolizable energy (AMEn) and nitrogen retention (NR) were measured over the last 3 days of each period. Gain and feed intake were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05), but FE and DMD were lower (P < 0.05) for the HTS diet than for the MS-treated HTS and control diets, which themselves were similar. Absolute NR was higher (P < 0.05) for the control diet than either of the HTS diets in week 2 but was the same for all diets in week 3. As % of intake, NR was higher (P < 0.05) for the control in both weeks 2 and 3 than for the HTS diets, although this was improved (P < 0.05) by MS treatment in week 2. AMEn values showed a similar pattern to that for NR in week 2 but in week 3 was the same for the MS-treated HTS and control diets, which were higher than the HTS diet (P < 0.05). Though total tannin content did not influence growth of birds in this study, MS treatment of HTS did reduce deleterious effects on FE, AMEn and NR as a % of intake.     

The effects of barley, unmolassed sugar-beet pulp and molasses supplements on organic matter, nitrogen and fibre digestion in the rumen of cattle given a silage diet

In a 4 × 4 Latin-square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, 4 cattle fitted with a rumen and duodenal cannula were given four grass-containing diets [480 g kg⁻¹ of the total dry matter (DM) intake] and barley (BU), barley + molasses (2:1) (BM), sugar-beet pulp (SU) or sugar-beet pulp + molasses (SM). Duodenal flow was estimated using Cr-mordanted straw and CoEDTA as markers, and microbial nitrogen entering the small intestine using purine bases of nucleic acids.

Molasses-containing diets had a higher (P < 0.01) organic matter (OM) digestibility. The proportion of digestible OM apparently disappearing in the rumen averaged 0.72 and was not significantly affected by the diet. When cattle received molasses, the quantity of microbial N entering the small intestine was higher (P < 0.05) and there was a trend towards a higher efficiency of microbial N synthesis (28.8 vs. 25.6 g N kg⁻¹ OM apparently digested in the rumen). When S diets were consumed, total non-ammonia N flow at the duodenum exceeded N intake by 7.0 g day⁻¹ and when B diets were consumed, it was 0.7 g day⁻¹ less than N intake. Feed N degradability in the rumen and apparent N digestibility of S diets were lower (P < 0.05; P < 0.001) than those of B diets.

Rumen (P < 0.05) and total (P < 0.001) digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) was higher when S diets were given. The proportion of digestible fibre disappearing in the rumen was not affected by the diet. The rate and extent of silage and hay DM degradation were not significantly affected by the diet. However, dietary inclusion of molasses decreased (P < 0.05) the lag time of both hay and silage DM degradation.

The rumen dilution rate of liquid averaged 0.097 and that of particles, 0.049; neither was significantly different for either B and S diets or U and M diets. Duodenal liquid flow was higher (P < 0.05) for M diets.

Average rumen pH was not affected by the diet, but the molasses diets increased (P < 0.05) the range in rumen pH. The BM diet was associated with higher (P < 0.01) rumen ammonia concentration than the other diets. Low rumen ammonia concentrations (< 2 mM) were observed for long periods between feeds. The molar proportion of butyrate was higher on B diets and there was a trend towards a higher proportion of acetate and propionate on S diets. Molasses tended to increase the molar proportion of propionate and butyrate.     

Palm kernel meal as a feed for poultry. 4. Use of palm kernel meal by laying birds

In each of 2 experiments, 200 laying birds of the Harco strain were used to determine the effects of increasing amounts of dietary palm kernel meal (PKM) on egg production rate and egg quality. The results show that up to 40% of PKM can be included in diets for layers without any adverse effects on performance or egg quality. As the proportion of PKM increased beyond 40%, there was a significant drop in egg production (P < 0.05), egg weight (P < 0.01), feed intake (P < 0.01) and feed conversion efficiency (P < 0.01). The cost of feed required to produce 1 kg of eggs was reduced by feeding with PKM. Diets containing 50–70% of PKM caused the production of very watery faeces. It is recommended that the maximum level of inclusion of PKM in the diet of laying birds should be 40%.     

Impaired resistance to oxidation of low density lipoprotein in cystic fibrosis: Improvement during vitamin E supplementation

Antioxidants such as vitamin E protect unsaturated fatty acids of LDL against oxidation. In the ex vivo model used, LDL was exposed to Cu²⁺ ions, a potent prooxidant capable of initiating the oxidation of LDL. The lag time, indicating the delay of conjugated diene formation in LDL due to antioxidant protection, was measured in 54 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with plasma -tocopherol levels below (Group A, n = 30) or above (Group B, n = 24) 15.9 μmol/L (mean - 2 SD of Swiss population). Patients were reevaluated after 2 months on 400 IU/d of oral RRR--tocopherol. In group A, -tocopherol concentrations in LDL increased significantly from 3.2 ± 1.6 mol/mol LDL to 8.2 ± 2.8 mol/mol (P < 0.001) and lag times increased from 79 ± 33, min to 126 ± 48 min (P < 0.001), whereas in the vitamin E sufficient group B no further increase neither in LDL -tocopherol concentrations or in lag times was observed. LDL oleic acid concentrations were higher, and linoleic acid concentrations were lower in patients than in controls. After efficient vitamin E supplementation, lag times were positively related to LDL -tocopherol (P < 0.01) and negatively to LDL linoleic and arachidonic acid content (P < 0.001). The maximum rate of oxidation correlated positively with linoleic and arachidonic acid concentrations, as did the maximum conjugated diene absorbance. These results indicate that LDL resistance to oxidation is impaired in vitamin E deficient CF patients but can be normalized within 2 months when -tocopherol is given in sufficient amounts. Linoleic and arachidonic acid content exhibit a major influence on the LDL resistance to oxidation.     

Effects of ensiled forage legumes on performance of store finishing lambs

Male Beulah speckled face lambs (initial live weight (LW) 28.8 ± 0.31 kg) were allocated to three dietary treatments to evaluate the performance of store lambs of a hill breed when offered ensiled lucerne (Medicago sativa), red clover (Trifolium pratense) or ryegrass. Second-cut silage bales (wilted and inoculated) were prepared from 3-year old lucerne and red clover stands and a 1-year old ryegrass sward. All the lambs were group-housed and offered ad libitum ryegrass silage during a 3-week co-variate period. This was followed by a week of dietary changeover period, after which the lambs were housed individually and offered their treatment diet ad libitum. All the lambs received a flat rate supplement of pelleted molassed sugarbeet (250 g fresh weight/day). Individual intakes were determined daily, and weekly measurements of LW and body condition score (CS) were made. Additional measurements were taken by scanning the lambs for depth of Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and subcutaneous fat. Over an experimental period of 7 weeks, the lambs offered red clover silage had a higher voluntary silage dry matter (DM) intake, total DM intake and metabolisable energy (ME) intake (P < 0.001) than lambs offered either lucerne or ryegrass silage. This resulted in a faster (P < 0.001) growth rate and increase (P < 0.001) in CS, with no difference between lucerne and ryegrass silages. The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was 8.0 ± 0.61 kg feed/kg gain for lambs fed red clover silage, compared with 16.6 ± 2.82 and 10.6 ± 1.94 kg feed/kg gain for lucerne and ryegrass silage, respectively. The CP intake was higher (P < 0.001) for lambs fed the lucerne and red clover silages than for the ryegrass silage treatment. The concentration of plasma total protein (TP) was higher (P < 0.05) for lambs offered ryegrass silage versus lucerne and red clover silage. Urea concentrations were highest for lambs fed lucerne silage and lowest for those fed ryegrass silage (P < 0.05). The glucose concentration was higher (P < 0.05) for lambs offered red clover silage, whereas non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration was higher (P < 0.05) for lambs offered lucerne silage. Substituting ryegrass silage with red clover silage has the potential to improve the performance of finishing store lambs.     

Effect of selenium deficiency on the antioxidative status and muscle damage in growing turkeys

An experiment investigated the effect of different selenium supplementations on the antioxidant defence system and on the occurrence of muscle dystrophy in growing turkeys. Newly hatched male turkeys (B.U.T. Big 6) were divided into eight groups of 18 turkeys each and fed either a basal diet (selenium <0.010 mg/kg diet), or the basal diet supplemented with 0.10; 0.15; 0.20; 0.25; 0.30; 0.35 or 0.40 mg selenium/kg diet in the form of sodium selenate. Vitamin E was adequately supplemented in all diets. After 35 days, muscle damage parameters including aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, creatine kinase M and B were significantly increased in the selenium deficient Group I. A significant reduction of weight gain, feed consumption and selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed in the liver of selenium deficient birds. The ratio of oxidised glutathione (GSSG) to total glutathione (tGSH) was substantially altered in the selenium deficient Group I as well as in Group II (0.10 mg selenium/kg feed). The activity of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was not affected by selenium deficiency.     

Absorbability and weight gain by mice fed methyl glucoside fatty acid polyesters: potential fat substitutes

Male mice (n = 27) were fed a control diet consisting of a fat free diet plus 11% peanut oil or two methyl glucoside polyester (MGP), experimental diets for 10 days. The experimental diets consisted of fat-free diet plus 11% of MGP, 100% oleate, or 90:10 stearate:oleate. Absorbability, percent recovery of the oils and fats, and percent mean body weight gain were determined. The mice consuming 100% oleate MGP and the mice consuming 90:10 stearate:oleate MGP lost more weight (− 10.1%) and (− 7.4%), respectively, than the mice consuming the control diet, P < 0.05. Subsequent fat analysis showed that the 100% oleate MGP were almost completely recovered from the feces, indicating close to zero absorbability, while the MGP (90:10 stearate:oleate) were partially absorbed at 66.8%. No anal leakage or death was observed. Methyl glucose fatty acid polyester may serve as a potential alternative fat substitute.     

Molecular genetic studies on the biosynthesis of aldosterone in humans

Corticosterone methyl oxidase Type I (CMO I) and II (CMO II) have been postulated to be the enzymes involved in the final two steps of aldosterone biosynthesis in humans. We have isolated human cDNAs for P450c11 and P450c18 as well as the corresponding genes, CYP11B1 and CYP11B2. Both protein products of these two genes as expressed in COS-7 cells exhibit steroid 11β-hydroxylase activity, but only P450c18, a product of CYP11B2, carried steroid 18-hydroxylase activity to form aldosterone. These results indicate that CYP11B2 encodes CMO, the actual catalytic function of which is retained by P450c18, a multifunctional enzyme. This conclusion is further supported by the finding that the P450c18 gene, CYP11B2, is mutated at several different loci in patients deficient in CMO I or II.     

The utilization of canola and its constituents by lactating dairy cows

Three feeding trials and one nylon bag trial were conducted to determine the effect of supplementing a barley-based control diet with 3.5% canola oil (CO), 22% presscake (CPC) or 9% whole seed (WCS) on feed intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition of lactating dairy cows. Ruminal utilization of canola meal (CM), CPC and WCS was also determined. Increasing the level of fat in the diet had no significant effect on intake of concentrate or digestible energy, or on total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fibre. Addition of canola in the form of CPC and WCS gave greater energy and ether extract digestibility than C and CO (P < 0.05). Diet had no significant effect on milk production, yield of milk CP, milk lactose + ash, gross energetic efficiency of milk production, milk urea or minerals. Milk fat and 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yield were similar with the C and CPC diets, and with the CO and WCS diets. But the CO and WCS diets gave less milk fat and FCM than the C diet (P < 0.05). Milk crude protein was higher (P < 0.05) on the WCS diet than on the C, CO and CPC diets, which were similar. Diets WCS, C and CO promoted similar levels of blood urea (BU) but BU levels with CPC and CO were lower than with the C diet (P < 0.05). Ruminal DM and CP disappearance of CM was lower than for WCS and CPC at all incubation times (P < 0.05).     

Some effects of thyroidectomy on growth, heat production and the thermoregulatory ability of the immature fowl (Gallus domesticus)

1. 1.|The effect of thyroidectomy at 12 days of age on weight gain, and on heat production and thermoregulatory ability of 4- to 5-week-old chickens at temperatures within and below the thermo-neutral zone was investigated.

2. 2.|Despit the absence of thyroid tissue, as demonstrated with radioiodine, a small amount of thyroxine was found in the plasma of some thyroidectomized (TX) birds.

3. 3.|Thyroidectomy depressed weight gain; pair-fed controls grew significantly faster than TX birds.

4. 4.|Resting heat production of TX birds at thermoneutrality (30°C) was depressed by 18% (P < 0.001) and body temperature by 0.4°C (P < 0.001).

5. 5.|At 12°C heat production of TX birds was similar to that of controls but the body temperature of TX birds was 0.7°C lower (P < 0.001).

6. 6.|Thyroidectomized birds were unable to regulate body temperature at 5°C even if thyroxine was provided on the day before and at the time of cold-exposure. This inability to thermoregulate was probably due to inadequate insulation and poor nutritional status.

Sensory varieties in concentrate diets for stabled horses: effects on behaviour and selection

There is little published information about feeding behaviour of horses presented with concentrate diets and whether restricted variety affects foraging behaviour on concentrate diets is currently unclear. This study investigated the effects of sensory variety on diet selection and behaviour of stabled horses. In three replicated trials, four low energy concentrates were presented. In trial 1 formulation varied with no added flavourants, in trial 2 formulation and flavour varied, in trial 3 formulation was constant and flavour varied.

Up to eight horses were observed in two identical stables containing, either a single concentrate feed or four concentrate feeds (multiple concentrates) for 5 min. To control for palatability each concentrate was presented as the single concentrate twice within each trial. Trials were videotaped and 12 mutually exclusive behaviour patterns compared.

Significant differences (P < 0.05 − P < 0.001) in foraging and non-foraging behaviour were recorded between single and multiple sessions in trials 1, 2 and 3. In all trials the concentrate available in the single concentrate sessions was shown to influence diet selection during multiple sessions. In trial 3, four otherwise identical base diets flavoured with molasses, garlic, mint or herbs, tested whether manipulating flavour was sufficient to affect behaviour and diet selection. When multiple and single session behaviour was compared horse foraged more frequently (P < 0.005) and for longer (P < 0.05) in multiple sessions but foraging bouts were shorter (P < 0.05), suggesting natural patch foraging behaviour occurs in stabled horses offered multiple concentrate diets even if they vary only in flavour.     

Effects of oilseed meals and grain–urea supplements fed infrequently on digestion in sheep: 2. Cereal straw diets

An experiment examined the intake, growth responses and rumen digestion of young sheep fed ad libitum oat or barley straws alone or supplemented with approximately isonitrogenous amounts of barley grain and urea (Bar/N), safflower seed meal (SAF) or linseed meal (LIN) supplements provided at 3 day intervals. The supplements comprised 15–22% of total dry matter (DM) intake. Sheep offered either of the straws alone consumed 35.0–37.2 g DM/kg liveweight (LW^0.75) per day of straw and an estimated 2.03–2.07 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day, and lost 85–97 g LW per day. Supplements increased (P<0.05 or <0.001) voluntary intake of straw and of total DM, and the organic matter (OM) digestibility of the entire diet. Each of the supplements increased (P<0.001) the estimated ME intake to a similar extent and changed the rapid LW loss of sheep fed straw alone to approximate LW maintenance. Rumen ammonia concentrations in sheep fed barley and oat straws alone (12 and 24 mg NH₃/l, respectively) were expected to be deficient for microbial activity, but were increased (P<0.001) by provision of the supplements. Digestion of straw in synthetic fibre bags incubated in the rumen was markedly increased (P<0.01 or <0.001) when supplements were provided. Rumen pH was depressed briefly to pH <6.0 by the Bar/N, but not by the LIN or SAF, supplements. In young sheep fed cereal straws and losing LW rapidly the oilseed meal supplements increased wool growth more than the barley grain–urea supplements, but both types of supplement increased ME intake similarly and were equally effective to reduce the extent of LW loss.     

有氧运动联合黑果枸杞对高脂膳食大鼠心肌脂代谢某些指标的影响*

目的: 研究有氧运动联合黑果枸杞对高脂膳食大鼠心肌脂代谢某些指标的影响。方法: 55只雄性Wistar大鼠经过适应性饲养4 d后进行20 min/d的无负重游泳训练,连续3 d,筛选淘汰5只不适应游泳训练的大鼠后,按体重以数字随机分组法分为5组:普通膳食+安静组(RDC组)、高脂膳食+安静组(HDC组)、高脂膳食+黑果枸杞+安静组(HDLC组)、高脂膳食+有氧运动组(HDM组)、高脂膳食+黑果枸杞+有氧运动组(HDLM),每组10只。HDM组和HDLM组进行6周每周6次60 min/d的无负重游泳训练。RDC组大鼠以普通饲料常规喂养;其余各组以高脂饲料喂养;HDLC组和HDLM组大鼠灌胃黑果枸杞,灌胃剂量为4.48 g/(kg·d),灌胃体积为5 ml/kg,其余各组灌胃等量蒸馏水。6周后,测定大鼠Lee’s指数,取血、心肌检测相关生化指标。结果: 与RDC组比较,HDC组Lee’s指数,血清FFA、TNF-α、IL-6、TC、TG、LDL-C,心肌FFA、ICAM-1显著升高(P＜0.01);血清HDL-C水平显著降低(P＜0.01)。与HDC组比较,HDLC、HDM、HDLM组Lee’s指数,血清FFA、TNF-α、IL-6、TC、TG、LDL-C,心肌FFA、ICAM-1显著降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);血清HDL-C水平显著升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。与HDLC、HDM组比较,HDLM组Lee’s指数,血清FFA、TNF-α、IL-6、TC、TG、LDL-C,心肌FFA、ICAM-1显著降低(P＜0.05);血清HDL-C水平显著升高(P＜0.05)。结论: 有氧运动和/或黑果枸杞干预能够不同程度改善高脂膳食大鼠脂代谢,降低肥胖引发的脂毒性。其中联合干预较单一干预更为有效。     

Influences of fallow age and season on the foraging behavior and diet selection pattern of goats (Capra hircus L.)

A study was undertaken to determine the foraging behavior and diet selection pattern of goats maintained on communal exclosures in relation to the influence of fallow age (years since effective protection initiated; <8 years vs. >12 years) and season (long rainy, dry, and short rainy seasons). The frequency of browsing was higher (P < 0.05) in the exclosures fallowed for >12 years compared to those fallowed for <8 years and this frequency was also highest during the short rainy season. More (P < 0.05) herbaceous bites were recorded in the <8 years fallow exclosures, compared to the >12 years fallow exclosures. Herbaceous species bites were maximized during the long rainy season whereas woody species bites were maximized during the dry season. The goats foraged upon 48 plant species of which 69% were woody species, 19% grasses, and the rest comprised of various forb species. The top species that significantly (P < 0.05) contributed to the diet of goats were Acacia etbaica, Balanites aegyptica, Cadaba farinosa, Capparis tomentosa, Dichrostachys cinerea, and Ocimum forskolei. The goats targeted taller woody species than the average of the exclosures. Maurea angolensis, Jasminium abyssinicum, C. farinosa, and Ormocarpum pubescence were among the preferred species that appeared to be on the verge of disappearance in most of the exclosures investigated in this study and require immediate attention. Using goats to reduce the threat of potential bush infestation appears to be a viable option for managing and sustaining production from exclosures since the goats showed preference for D. cinerea, the species considered a prolific invader plant. There is, however, a need to conduct further research on the impacts of direct browsing by the goats and this should also entail the determination of optimum number of goats/unit area.     

Modification of lipid-related atherosclerosis risk factors by ω3 fatty acid ethyl esters in hypertriglyceridemic patients

The efficacy of ω3 fatty acid ethyl esters was evaluated in 10 mildly hypertriglyceridemic patients in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. Patients were given capsules (1 per 10 kg body weight) containing 640 mg/g of ω3 fatty acids or an olive oil placebo for two 4-week treatment periods separated by a 1-week washout phase. Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins: phospholipid FA composition; the susceptibility to oxidation of the apolipoprotein B-100 containing lipoproteins; and bleeding times were determined at the end of each period. Plasma triglyceride levels were reduced by 37% (P < 0.001), whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the cholesterol content of subfraction 2 of high density lipoproteins increased by 23 and 56%, respectively (both P < 0.02). Changes in plasma lipid parameters and in phospholipid FA patterns occurred rapidly, usually stabilizing within 1 week, and returned to baseline levels within 10 days after stopping supplementation with ω3 fatty acids. Bleeding times were not changed. However, the susceptibility of lipoproteins to oxidation was increased during the ω3 fatty acid period. We conclude that ω3 fatty acid ethyl esters are effective hypotriglyceridemic agents, and that they impact lipoprotein metabolism very quickly. How they may alter the atherogenic process is not clear from this study because some risk factors worsened and other improved.     

Comparison of independent and combined chronic metabolic effects of GIP and CB1 receptor blockade in high-fat fed mice

GIP receptor antagonism with (Pro³)GIP protects against obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and associated disturbances in mice fed high-fat diet. Furthermore, cannabinoid CB₁ receptor antagonism with AM251 reduces appetite and body weight gain in mice. The present study has examined and compared the effects of chronic daily administrations of (Pro³)GIP (25 nmol/kg body weight), AM251 (6 mg/kg body weight) and a combination of both drugs in high-fat fed mice. Daily i.p. injection of (Pro³)GIP, AM251 or combined drug administration over 22 days significantly (P < 0.05 to <0.01) decreased body weight compared with saline-treated controls. This was associated with a significant (P < 0.05 to <0.01) reduction of food intake in mice treated with AM251. Plasma glucose levels and glucose tolerance were significantly (P < 0.05) lowered by 22 days (Pro³)GIP, AM251 or combined drug treatment. These changes were accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) improvement of insulin sensitivity in all treatment groups. In contrast, AM251 lacked effects on glucose tolerance, metabolic response to feeding and insulin sensitivity in high-fat mice when administered acutely. These data indicate that chemical blockade of GIP- or CB₁-receptor signaling using (Pro³)GIP or AM251, respectively provides an effective means of countering obesity and related abnormalities induced by consumption of high-fat energy-rich diet. AM251 lacks acute effects on glucose homeostasis and there was no evidence of a synergistic effect of combined treatment with (Pro³)GIP.