Proportion of insoluble fibre in the diet affects behaviour and hunger in broiler breeders growing at similar rates

With a view to alleviate the feeling of hunger in broiler breeders, different types of fibre sources were used in high-fibre diets to increase feed quantity while limiting growth to industry recommended levels. Using scatter feeding, three diets (C1: commercial control diet, 1 × fibre content, 80% insoluble fibre (ISF); H2: 2 × fibre content, 89% ISF; and L2: 2 × fibre content, 71% ISF) were each fed to 10 groups of 16 broiler breeder chickens. Similar growth rates were obtained on different quantities of food with all birds reaching commercial target weight at 15 weeks of age. In a hunger test, birds fed C1 ate significantly faster and showed a higher compensatory feed intake than birds on diets H2 and L2, indicating that the two high-fibre diets did reduce the level of hunger experienced by the birds. Behavioural observations carried out at 14 weeks of age showed high levels of tail pecking in birds fed C1 and almost none in birds fed L2, whereas birds fed H2 were intermediate. Stereotypic pecking at fixtures was seen twice as frequently in birds fed C1. Birds on diet L2 displayed behavioural signs indicative of discomfort, and the high water usage on this diet created problems with litter quality. Birds on diet H2 continued to show foraging behaviour throughout the day, and were more frequently engaged in dust bathing and other comfort behaviour. This experiment indicates that high-fibre diets can alleviate the feeling of hunger currently experienced by broiler breeders, and a high ratio of ISF may improve the well-being of the birds.     

桃蚜最佳人工全纯饲料的筛选

【目的】为了明确不同营养组分配方的人工全纯饲料对桃蚜Myzus persicae(Sulze)生长发育的影响,筛选出适合室内饲养桃蚜的人工饲料配方。【方法】本文以5组不同浓度的氨基酸溶液(A1=50 mmol/L、A2=100 mmol/L、A3=150 mmol/L、A4=200 mmol/L、A5=250 mmol/L)和4组不同浓度的蔗糖混合液(S1=250 mmol/L、S2=500 mmol/L、S3=750 mmol/L、S4=1 000 mmol/L)组配的混合液饲喂桃蚜,测定了桃蚜的存活率、存活时间、平均产仔量和产仔率,并利用生命表技术,分析不同处理对桃蚜实验种群生命参数的影响。【结果】结果表明,不同饲料配方对桃蚜的存活及繁殖均有一定的影响。存活率以A1S3、A1S4和A3S4最高,三者之间差异不显著(P>0.05);存活时间以A1S3、A1S4和A3S4最长,分别达到了(34.00±1.00)d、(33.33±1.15)和(30.6±4.04)d,三者之间差异不显著(P>0.05);平均产仔量和产仔率以A3S1和A3S4的最大,A3S1分别达到了(9.75±2.71)头/成蚜和43.33%±15.28%,A3S4分别达到了(9.43±2.27)头/成蚜和50.00%±10.00%,二者之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。种群生命参数中,A3S1和A3S4的净生殖率分别达到了(4.43±2.31)和(4.63±1.25),二者之间差异不显著(P>0.05),与其他饲料配方差异显著(P<0.05)。【结论】综合所有参数比较,确定A3S4为桃蚜的最佳人工饲料配方。     

Effects of beta-carotene, selenium and vitamin A on in vitro polymorphonuclear leukocytic activity in peripartal buffalo (Bubalus bubalus)

The effect of different concentrations of three antioxidans on phagocytic and kill activities of blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) isolated from buffaloes during the peripartum period (4 weeks before to 7 weeks after parturition) was investigated in this study. Two concentrations of beta-carotene and vitamin A (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) and one concentration of Se (10(-9) M) were used. Phagocytic activity of PMN treated with beta-carotene (10(-6)M) significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) after parturition (Week 0 until Week 3), whereas the kill activity of the same cells significantly (P < 0.05) increased before and after parturition (at Weeks -4, -3, -2, 0, 1, 2 and 3). The concentration of beta-carotene (10(-5) M) enhanced phagocytosis of PMN only at Weeks 0 and 1 and kill activity at Weeks -4, -3, -2, 0, and 1. Selenium (10(-9)M) significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced phagocytic activity of PMN starting from parturition (Week 0) until Week 3 postpartum. Kill activity increased significantly both before (Weeks -4, -3 and -2) and after (Weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) parturition. Vitamin A (10(-6) M) significantly enhanced phagocytic activity of PMN at Weeks 0, 1, and 2, whereas, the concentration of beta-carotene (10(-5) M) increased phagocytic activity only at Week 0. Kill activity of PMN increased significantly (P < 0.05) at Weeks -1 and 0 (10(-6)M). These results demonstrate that beta-carotene and selenium significantly enhanced phagocytic and kill activities of PMN isolated from buffaloes around parturition in vitro. Vitamin A enhanced phagocytosis and kill activities but not to the same extent as beta-carotene and selenium. Apparently, the in vitro killing activity of PMN is a distinctive function from phagocytosis and both activities may be enhanced by the use of essential nutrients, especially during the peripartum period. Moreover, beta-carotene is more effective as an antioxidant than vitamin A in enhancing the activities of phagocytic cells.     

Effect of Coriolus versicolor supplemented diet on innate immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus against Listonella anguillarum

The effect of Coriolus versicolor extract supplemented diets on innate immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus against Listonella anguillarum, is reported. Kelp grouper were divided into four groups of 25 each and fed with C. versicolor enriched diets at 0% (control), 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% level. After 30 days of feeding, all fish were injected interaperitoneally (i.p.) with 50 μl of L. anguillarum (4.7 × 10⁷ CFU) to investigate the immune parameters at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production were significantly enhanced in fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 1-4 when compared to the non enriched diet fed and infected control. The phagocytic activity significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% diets on weeks 2 and 4. The leucocyte myeloperoxidase content, lysozyme activity, and total protein level significantly increased when fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 1-4. The cumulative mortality was 35% and 45% in 1.0% and 0.1% enriched diet fed groups whereas it was 55% and 80% in 0.01% and 0% groups respectively. The present results suggest that diets enriched with C. versicolor at 0.1% or 1.0% level positively enhance the innate immune system and affords protection from L. anguillarum.     

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).     

Improvement of high fat-diet-induced insulin resistance in dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient Fischer rats

F344/DuCrj rats are genetically deficient in dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). This enzyme degrades glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which induces glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Glucose tolerance of F344/DuCrj rats is improved as a result of enhanced insulin release induced by high levels of plasma GLP-1. In this study, we fed F344/DuCrj rats and DPPIV-positive F344/Jcl rats, aged five weeks, on a high-fat (HF) diet to examine the effect of DPPIV deficiency on food intake and insulin resistance. F344/Jcl rats gained significantly more body weight and consumed significantly more food than F344/DuCrj rats from Week 4 on either control or HF diet. Glucose excursion in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was improved in F344/DuCrj rats fed on the control or HF diet at all times examined, compared with F344/Jcl rats. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance values of F344/DuCrj and F344/Jcl rats fed on HF diet were higher than those of animals fed on control diet up to Week 6. However, HOMA insulin resistance values of F344/DuCrj rats fed on HF diet became significantly lower than those of F344/Jcl rats on HF diet during Weeks 8-10. The area under the insulin curve in the OGTT at Week 10 showed that the insulin resistance of HF-diet-fed F344/DuCrj rats was greatly ameliorated. Plasma active GLP-1 concentrations of F344/DuCrj rats in the fed state were significantly higher than those of F344/Jcl rats. These observations suggest that DPPIV deficiency results in improved glucose tolerance and ameliorated insulin resistance owing to enhanced insulin release and inhibition of food intake as a result of high active GLP-1 levels.     

Prevention of N-methylnitrosourea-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats by oxygenated carotenoid capsanthin and capsanthin-rich paprika juice

Epidemiological and animal studies have provided evidence that dietary carotenoids may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. An inhibitory activity of oxygenated carotenoid capsanthin, a potent antioxidant, and paprika juice rich in capsanthin (3.54 mg/100 ml) against colon carcinogenesis was investigated in F344 rats. In Experiment I (short-term assay), six rats each were given a gavage of 5 mg, 0.2 mg, or 0.008 mg capsanthin six times a week for Weeks 2-6 after receiving three intrarectal doses of 4 mg N-methylnitrosourea in Week 1. The number of colonic aberrant crypt foci, preneoplastic lesions, at Week 6 was significantly fewer (by 42%) in the 0.2 mg capsanthin group, but not in other groups, than the control group. In Experiment II (long-term assay), five groups of 30 or 25 rats each received an intrarectal dose of 2 mg N-methylnitrosourea three times a week for Weeks 1-3, and had either of 10 p.p.m. or 2 p.p.m. capsanthin solutions, 1:2.5 and 1:16.7 diluted solution of paprika juice (containing 10 p.p.m. or 2 p.p.m. capsanthin), and tap water (control fluid) as drinking fluid throughout the experiment. The experimental groups were fed 0.2 mg or 0.04 mg capsanthin/day/rat. The colon cancer incidence at Week 30 was significantly lower in the highly diluted paprika juice group (40%), but not in the moderately diluted paprika juice group (60%) and the capsanthin solution groups (68% and 68%) than the control group (83%). The results suggested that paprika juice may affect colon carcinogenesis. However, capsanthin alone failed to inhibit colon tumorigenesis, in spite of suppression of aberrant crypt foci formation in the short-term assay. Further studies are needed to explain this discrepancy.     

Follicular development and steroid concentrations in cows with different levels of fertility raised under nutritional stress

To determine if dietary protein supplementation in early pregnancy alters total circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels, genetically similar heifers were fed diets containing different levels of protein in the first and second trimesters of gestation. The groups were: low/low (L/L), fed a diet containing 7% crude protein (CP) per kg/DM (low protein) in the first and second trimesters; high/high (H/H), fed a diet containing 14% CP per kg/DM (high protein) in the first and second trimesters; low/high (L/H), fed low protein in the first trimester and high in the second trimester and vice versa for the high/low (H/L) group. At day 62 of gestation, there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in IGF I concentrations between the high and low protein groups (149 versus 119 ng/ml, S.E. 5.9). There was a strong effect (P<0.001) of protein levels in the second trimester on IGF I levels on days 119, 153, and 183 of gestation but not at day 257. Mean IGF I levels for high and low nutrition in the second trimester were 157 and 97 (S.E. 6.6) for days 119, 191, and 88 (S.E. 12.6) for days 153 and 160, and 67 (S.E. 7.7) for day 183. At day 257, there was a significant interaction (P<0.01) between treatments with the means being 98(ab), 110(b), 116(b) and 79(a gamma) (means followed by a letter in common do not differ significantly, P<0.05) (S.E. 7.5) for H/H, H/L, L/H, and L/L, respectively. There was a significant (P<0.05) effect of protein supplementation in the first trimester on calf IGF I levels at birth with means being 42 and 25 (S.E. 5.2) for high and low protein supplementation, respectively. There was a significant (P<0.01) effect of protein supplementation in second trimester upon IGF II levels and a significant (P<0.05) negative correlation between calf birth weight and IGF II levels.     

Effects of sequential feeding with low- and high-protein diets on growth performances and plasma metabolite levels in geese

This study was conducted by two trials to investigate effects of sequential feeding with low- and high-protein diets on growth traits and plasma metabolites in geese. In Trial I, the effect of sequential feeding under time-restricted feeding system was investigated. Seventy-two White Roman goslings were randomly allotted into either sequential feeding (S1) or control feeding (C1) group. All goslings were fed for 1 h at morning and at evening, respectively, from 2 to 8 weeks of age. S1 group was offered 13% CP diet at morning and 19% CP diet at evening. C1 group was offered the same diet (16% CP; mixed equally with the two diets mentioned above) at both morning and evening. Blood samples were hourly collected for 4 h after feeding at both morning and evening for the determination of the postprandial plasma levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and uric acid at the end of experiment. Results showed that BW, average daily gain (ADG), and daily feed intake (FI) were not different between groups, but the feed efficiency (FE) in S1 group was significantly higher than that in C1 group (P<0.05). The areas under curve (AUC) of plasma postprandial levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and uric acid were not affected by treatment, but the AUC of triacylglycerol and uric acid in morning were lower than those in evening (P<0.05). In Trial II, the effect of sequential feeding under ad libitum feeding system was investigated. Twenty-four goslings were randomly allotted into either sequential feeding (S2) or control feeding (C2) group. Diets were altered at 0600 and 1800 h, respectively, and geese were fed ad libitum from 4 to 8 weeks of age. S2 group was offered 14% CP diet at morning and 20% CP diet at evening. C2 group was supplied the same diet (mixed with the two diets according to the ratio of diets consumed by S2 group on the preceded day) at both morning and evening. Results showed that the ADG in S2 group was higher than those in C2 group (P<0.05). Summarized data from both trials showed that sequential feeding improves daily gain and FE in growing geese.     

Short-term, increasing dietary protein and fat moderately affect energy expenditure, substrate oxidation and uncoupling protein gene expression in rats

Macronutrient composition of diets can influence body-weight development and energy balance. We studied the short-term effects of high-protein (HP) and/or high-fat (HF) diets on energy expenditure (EE) and uncoupling protein (UCP1-3) gene expression. Adult male rats were fed ad libitum with diets containing different protein-fat ratios: adequate protein-normal fat (AP-NF): 20% casein, 5% fat; adequate protein-high fat (AP-HF): 20% casein, 17% fat; high protein-normal fat (HP-NF): 60% casein, 5% fat; high protein-high fat (HP-HF): 60% casein, 17% fat. Wheat starch was used for adjustment of energy content. After 4 days, overnight EE and oxygen consumption, as measured by indirect calorimetry, were higher and body-weight gain was lower in rats fed with HP diets as compared with rats fed diets with adequate protein content (P<.05). Exchanging carbohydrates by protein increased fat oxidation in HF diet fed groups. The UCP1 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue was not significantly different in HP diet fed groups as compared with AP diet fed groups. Expression of different homologues of UCPs positively correlated with nighttime oxygen consumption and EE. Moreover, dietary protein and fat distinctly influenced liver UCP2 and skeletal muscle UCP3 mRNA expressions. These findings demonstrated that a 4-day ad libitum high dietary protein exposure influences energy balance in rats. A function of UCPs in energy balance and dissipating food energy was suggested. Future experiments are focused on the regulation of UCP gene expression by dietary protein, which could be important for body-weight management.     

Evaluation of Hydrodictyon reticulatum as protein source in feeds for Oreochromis (Tilapia) niloticus and Tilapia zillii

The green filamentous alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum was evaluated as a protein source in fish-meal substituted diets for Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii fingerlings. The fingerlings were fed in duplicate groups each of six different diets for 50 days. Five of the diets contained 30% crude protein supplied by varying proportions of fish meal and H. reticulatum meal. The five diets were formulated to supply fishmeal protein: H. reticulatum meal protein ratios of 30:0 (diet 1), 15:5 (diet 2), 20:10 (diet 3); 15:15 (diet 4), 10:20 (diet 5) respectively. A sixth diet containing only 25% crude protein supplied entirely by H. reticulatum meal was also fed. The best growth and protein utilization was obtained at lower levels of H. reticulatum substitution for both species of fish. Carcass analysis revealed a decrease in lipid contents of the fishes with increasing levels of the alga in the diet.     

Effect of various levels of supplementation with sodium pivalate on tissue carnitine concentrations and urinary excretion of carnitine in the rat

In previous studies, sodium pivalate has been administered to rats in their drinking water (20 mmoles/L; equivalent to 0.3% of the diet) as a way to lower the concentration of carnitine in tissues and to produce a model of secondary carnitine deficiency. Although this level of supplementation results in a marked decrease in carnitine concentration in a variety of tissues, it does not produce the classical signs of carnitine deficiency (i.e., decreased fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis). The present study was designed (1) to determine if increasing the level of pivalate supplementation (0.6, 1.0% of the diet) would further reduce the concentrations of total and free carnitine in rat tissues without altering growth or food intake, and (2) to examine the effect of length of feeding (4 vs. 8 weeks) on these variables. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a control (0.2% sodium bicarbonate) or experimental diet (0.3, 0.6, 1.0% sodium pivalate) for either four or eight weeks. Animals (n = 6/group) were housed in metabolic cages; food and water were provided ad libitum throughout the study. Supplementation with sodium pivalate did not alter water intake or urine output. Ingestion of a diet containing 1.0% pivalic acid decreased food intake (g/day; P < 0.05), final body weight (P < 0.007), and growth rate (P < 0.001) after four weeks. The concentration of total carnitine in plasma, heart, liver, muscle, and kidney was reduced in all experimental groups (P < 0.001), regardless of level of supplementation or length of feeding. The concentration of free carnitine in heart, muscle, and kidney was also reduced (P < 0.001) in rats treated with pivalate for either four or eight weeks. The concentration of free carnitine in liver was reduced in animals supplemented with pivalate for eight weeks (P < 0.05), but no effect was observed in livers from rats treated for four weeks. Excretion of total carnitine and short chain acylcarnitine in urine was increased in pivalate supplemented rats throughout the entire feeding period (P < 0.001). Free carnitine excretion was increased during Weeks 1 and 2 (P < 0.01), but began to decline during Week 3 in experimental groups. During Weeks 6 and 8, free carnitine excretion in pivalate supplemented rats was less than that of control animals (P < 0.01). In summary, no further reduction in tissue carnitine concentration was observed when rats were supplemented with sodium pivalate at levels greater than 0.3% of the diet. Food intake (g/day) and growth were decreased in rats fed a diet containing 1.0% sodium pivalate. These data indicate that maximal lowering of tissue carnitine concentrations is achieved by feeding diets containing 0.3% sodium pivalate or less.     

Effect of wheat bran on excretion of radioactively labeled estradiol-17 beta and estrone-glucuronide injected intravenously in male rats.

Urinary and fecal estrogen excretion were studied in male rats fed a non-fiber wheat starch diet (dietary fiber less than 1%; NF group; n = 4), a low-fiber wheat flour diet (dietary fiber 2%; LF group; n = 4) or a high-fiber wheat bran diet (dietary fiber 11.6%; HF group; n = 3). Short-term effects of the experimental diet on estrogen excretion were studied after i.v. injection of 5 microCi (0.185 MBq) of [14C]estradiol-17 beta (E2) into the tail vein of the rats fed the diets for 2 days. After 3 weeks on the experimental diets, the long-term effects were studied after injection of 5 microCi of [14C]E2 and 10 microCi of [3H]estrone-3-glucuronide (E1-gluc). The diet was found to affect estrogen excretion. The short-term effect indicated that rats fed the HF diet excreted a relatively large amount of labeled compounds in the feces during the first day after injection, while rats fed the NF or the LF diets excreted about half that amount over the same period. On the other hand, urinary excretion of labeled compounds was significantly higher in the NF and LF rats. The long-term effect resulted in steeper slopes (P less than 0.05) of the fecal excretion profiles of rats fed the HF diet as compared with rats fed the NF and LF diets, indicating an accelerated fecal excretion of labeled compounds in the HF rats. The kinetic profiles of 14C and 3H radioactivity in blood plasma indicated a fast decrease (t1/2 of less than 2 min) for both [14C]E2 and [3H]E1-gluc. It was concluded that, owing to the short-term effect of wheat bran intake, during the first 24 h after i.v. administration relatively large amounts of radioactively labeled compounds are excreted in feces of rats fed the HF diet. In contrast, excretion is lower in urine of these rats. When the microflora is adapted to the experimental diet the wheat bran diet still results in an accelerated fecal excretion of labeled compounds, which might be attributed to an interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens. This might result in lowered plasma and/or tissue estrogen levels and hence a decreased exposure of estrogen-sensitive tissue to estrogens, which might decrease risk on mammary (breast) cancer development.     

Low dietary protein during early pregnancy alters bovine placental development

To determine if low dietary protein concentration in the first two trimesters of pregnancy alters placental development, genetically similar heifers from closed herd were fed diets containing different levels of protein in the first and second trimesters of gestation. There were four animals per treatment group, the groups being: L/L = fed a diet containing 7% crude protein (CP) (low protein) in the first and second trimesters; H/H = fed a diet containing 14% CP (high protein) in the first and second trimesters; L/H = fed low protein in the first trimester and high in the second trimester and vice versa for the H/L group. Low protein diets in the first trimester increased dry cotyledon weight at term. Trophectoderm' volume density increased in the H/L and L/H group compared to the L/L and H/H groups. Blood vessel volume and volume density in foetal villi decreased in the H/L and L/H groups compared with the H/H and L/L groups. There was no effect of diet treatment on cotyledon number, diameter or wet weight and no effect on the volume density of connective tissue or fibroblasts in the foetal villi. These results show that a low dietary protein concentration in the first trimester of pregnancy followed by increased protein in the second trimester enhanced placental development. Further, trophectoderm volume was highly correlated with birth weight. Early protein restriction in the pregnant cow may enhance foetal growth in part by stimulating placental growth and function.     

Dietary effects of allopurinol and sulfinpyrazone on development, survival, and reproduction of German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Diets containing two gout medications, allopurinol and sulfinpyrazone, were fed ad libitum to first- or second-instar German cockroaches for 15 wk or until 100% mortality was reached. Cockroaches fed greater than or equal to 0.10% allopurinol diets weighed significantly less than those fed the control diet. Mortality of cockroaches fed diets containing greater than or equal to 0.05% allopurinol was significantly greater than those fed the control diet. The LT50 (6.1 wk) of cockroaches fed diets containing 0.10% allopurinol was significantly less than those fed any other diet containing allopurinol. LT50s and slopes were proportional and inversely related, respectively, to percentage of allopurinol in the diet. The addition of sulfinpyrazone to allopurinol diets minimally enhanced the blatticidal nature of the diets. Nymphs fed diets containing greater than or equal to 0.05% allopurinol experienced significant delays in adult emergence. Cockroaches fed greater than or equal to 0.01% allopurinol diets aborted a significantly greater percentage of their oothecae than those fed the 0.001% allopurinol or control diets. Hatched oothecae from cockroaches fed the 0.01% allopurinol diet had significantly fewer nymphs than those fed the 0.001% allopurinol or control diets. Percentage of oothecae aborted and number of nymphs per hatched ootheca from cockroaches fed a 2% sulfinpyrazone diet did not differ significantly from the control.     

Effect of dietary supplementation with Suaeda maritima on blood physiology, innate immune response, and disease resistance in olive flounder against Miamiensis avidus

The effect of Suaeda maritima enriched diet on blood physiology, innate immune response, and disease resistance in olive flounder Paralichythys olivaceus against Miamiensis avidus on weeks 1, 2, and 4 was investigated. Feeding with any enriched diet and then challenging with M. avidus significantly increased white blood cells (WBC) on weeks 2 and 4; the red blood cells (RBC) significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% enriched diets on week 4. The hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) levels significantly increased when fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets on weeks 2 and 4. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) did not significantly vary with any diet and time; however the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets on weeks 2 and 4. The leukocytes such as lymphocytes (Lym), monocytes (Mon), neutrophils (Neu) and biochemical parameters such as total protein (TP), glucose (GLU), and calcium (CAL) levels significantly increased in 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diet fed groups on weeks 2 and 4. The serum lysozyme activity was significantly enhanced in 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diet fed groups from weeks 1 to 4 when compared to the control (0% herbal extract enriched diet). The scuticocidal activity and respiratory burst activity were significantly enhanced when fish were fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 2 and 4. The protective effect in terms of cumulative mortality (50% and 40%) was low in groups on being fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplemented diet. Therefore the present study suggested that 0.1% and 1.0% S. maritime-supplemented diets protect the hematological and biochemical parameters, improving the innate immunity, affording protection disease from M. avidus infection in olive flounder.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of potential probiotic Pseudomonas aeruginosa VSG-2 on the innate immunity and disease resistance of tropical freshwater fish, Labeo rohita

The effects of dietary Pseudomonas aeruginosa VSG-2 supplementation on innate immunity and protection against Aeromonas hydrophila infection were evaluated in Labeo rohita. Fish were fed for 60 days with control diet or 3 experimental diets containing P. aeruginosa VSG-2 at 10(5), 10(7), and 10(9) cfu g(-l), respectively. Various innate immune parameters were examined at 30 and 60 days post-feeding. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila 60 days post-feeding and mortalities were recorded over 10 days post-infection. Dietary supplementation of P. aeruginosa VSG-2 significantly increased serum lysozyme and alternative complement pathway (ACP) activities, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst activity in head kidney macrophages of L. rohita throughout the experimental period. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased after 60 days in the groups fed diets containing 10(7) and 10(9) cfu g(-1) P aeruginosa. Serum IgM levels were significantly higher in the treatment groups than in the control group after 30 days of feeding; however, the opposite result was observed at 60 days. Moreover, fish fed diets containing 10(7) and 10(9) cfu g(-1)P. aeruginosa had significantly higher post-challenge survival rates against A. hydrophila infection. Further, P. aeruginosa VSG-2 was found to be safe for mammals. These results indicate that dietary P. aeruginosa VSG-2 supplementation at 10(7) cfu g(-1) can effectively improve innate immunity and disease resistance in L. rohita.     

SWIMMING EXERCISE STIMULATES NEURO-GENESIS IN THE SUBVENTRICULAR ZONE VIA INCREASE IN SYNAPSIN I AND NERVE GROWTH FACTOR LEVELS

In this study, we investigated the effects of 8-weeks of swimming exercise on neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and on the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and synapsin I protein in the olfactory bulb (OB) of adult rats at a series of relevant time points (2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months). Ninety-six male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: (1) a control group (COG; n = 48, n = 8 for each time point) and (2) a swimming exercise group (SEG; total n = 48; n = 8 for each time point). SEG performed swimming exercise for 5 days per week over a period of 8 weeks. We found that the number of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine-5’-monophosphate (BrdU)- and doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells was significantly higher in SEG than in COG at all time points (Day 2, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Month 3, and Month 6; p < 0.001). Furthermore, NGF and synapsin I protein levels were significantly higher in SEG on Day 2, and Weeks 1, 2, and 4 than in COG (p < 0.05 for each time point). Our findings suggest that regular swimming exercise in adult rats increases neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and neuronal maintenance in the SVZ; furthermore, swimming exercise increases the levels of NGF and synapsin I in the OB.     

Dietary carbohydrate/lipid ratios affect stress, oxidative status and non-specific immune responses of fingerling blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO:L) ratios on stress, liver oxidative status and non-specific immune responses of fingerling blunt snout bream. Fish were fed six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing various CHO:L ratios for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was recorded for the next 10 days. The lowest plasma cortisol, lactate, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were all observed in fish fed a CHO:L ratio of 5.64. They were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of fish offered the lowest CHO:L ratio, but showed little difference (P > 0.05) with those of fish fed the highest CHO:L ratio. This also held true for liver catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, whereas the opposite was true for liver reduced glutathione contents, plasma lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activities. Contrary to leucocyte counts, plasma glucose levels, liver malondialdehyde contents, blood haemoglobin contents and erythrocyte numbers all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with decreasing dietary CHO:L ratios. The highest plasma total protein and globulin content both observed in fish fed a CHO:L ratio of 2.45 was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that of fish offered the lowest CHO:L ratio, but showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05) with that of the other groups. After challenge, fish fed the lowest CHO:L ratio obtained significantly (P < 0.05) low survival rate. However, survival rate showed little difference (P > 0.05) as dietary CHO:L ratios ranged from 3.67 to 24.20. The results of this study indicated that high dietary lipid may cause metabolic stress of fingerling blunt snout bream, as might consequently lead to the elevated liver oxidation rates, impaired liver function, depressed immunity and reduced resistance to A. hydrophila infection of this species, whereas the opposite was true for carbohydrate enriched diets.     

Changes in the immune functions and susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice fed dietary lipids

The direct examination of the effects that fish oil diets (composed of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) exert on immune system function indicates a reduction of host natural resistance to infectious diseases mainly because of a suppression of immune function generated by the fatty acids contained in this diet. Here, we evaluated the concentration of IL-12, IL-4, prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 in the serum from BALB/c mice receiving four different diets. Each group was fed a diet that differed only in the source of fat: a low-fat diet (2.5% by weight), an olive oil diet (20% by weight), a fish oil diet (20% by weight) or a hydrogenated coconut oil diet (20% by weight). Mice were fed for 4 weeks and then infected with the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. An initial reduction in the Th1-type response as a result of a decrease in IL-12p70 secretion, an inefficient action of IL-4 (Th2-type response) and no modification of pro-inflammatory lipid-mediator production could be, at least in part, the key events responsible for the inadequate elimination of L. monocytogenes from the spleens of mice fed a fish oil diet. Furthermore, our results suggest that the type of dietary lipids may affect the circulating concentration of IL-12p70 and IL-4, leading to a modulation in the protective cellular immune response to L. monocytogenes infection.