Ascorbic acid status of female camels during different phases of reproduction.

There is suggestive evidence that a low status of ascorbic acid in camels enhances their risk for infectious diseases. This study was carried out to disclose the role of reproduction, if any, in affecting ascorbic acid status. The associations between the reproductive cycle and ascorbic acid contents in plasma and leukocytes were studied in Sudanese camels browsing on local vegetation. Ascorbic acid status was found to be lowest during pregnancy and highest during lactation. Estrus versus non-estrus was associated with high vitamin C status. Brucellosis-positive camels showed decreased levels of ascorbic acid in plasma and leukocytes. Possibly, the phases of non-estrus and pregnancy in camels invoke an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to a lower ascorbic acid status.

Comparative digestion studies in wild suids at Rotterdam Zoo.

Among the artiodactyla, the suids are a group whose digestive physiology has hardly been investigated. The apparent digestibilities (aD) of macronutrients were measured in captive specimens of warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), and Visayan warty pigs (Sus cebifrons), and compared with those reported for babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) from the same facility on a similar diet. The animals were fed mixed diets of pelleted feed, grains, fruits, and vegetables; dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ranged from 17 to 26% dry matter. aD of organic matter and protein ranged from 72 to 89 and 70 to 82%, respectively. Although red river hogs and warty pigs achieved aD of NDF of 41-54%, this value was higher both in warthogs (63-66%) and babirusa (61-63%). aD of acid detergent fiber was comparatively low in red river hogs (4%), warty pigs (22%), and babirusa (13-25%) but high in warthog (59-62%). Comparison with additional literature data (including peccaries) indicates that in spite of differences in digestive anatomy, suids and peccaries are similar, and resemble other herbivores in fundamental characteristics, such as the negative influence of fiber on overall digestibility, or the positive influence of dietary protein on protein digestion. Although the existing data are equivocal as to a superior fiber digestion in peccaries as compared with other wild suids, the results suggest that warthogs are more efficient than other wild suids or peccaries in terms of fiber digestion. Zoo Biol 27:305-319, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and energy balance in broiler chickens.

The effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on body composition and energy metabolism was investigated in broiler chickens. Male broiler chicks were assigned to receive either a control diet (1 % sunflower oil) or a diet containing CLA (1 % of a 1:1 mixture of trans-10, cis-12 and cis-9, trans-11 isomers of octadecadienoic acid). The diets were fed ad libitum for 3 weeks and there were eight replicates per diet, each replicate including four chickens so that each treatment had thirty-two animals. The proportion of body fat was lower in the control group than in the CLA group. No significant differences as to the proportions of body water, ash and protein were observed. Feed and energy intake were significantly lower in CLA-fed birds. The percentage of ingested energy lost in excreta was higher after CLA feeding and heat expenditure as a percentage of ingested energy was lower in the CLA-fed group. The CLA-fed group showed a higher percentage of SFA and lower percentages of MUFA and PUFA in carcass fat. It is concluded that CLA stimulated de novo fatty acid synthesis and lowered desaturase activity.

Effect of diet on the feces quality in javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus auratus).

A high intake of easily fermentable carbohydrates and a low intake of fiber material are generally regarded as major factors affecting the health of captive langurs. The effect on fecal consistency of excluding fruits and vegetables from the diet was evaluated in Javan langurs (Trachypithecus auratus auratus). Cross-over trials were carried out at Rotterdam Zoo and at the Apenheul Zoo, The Netherlands. During the first and third dietary period, the langurs were fed their usual diet, which contained fruits, vegetables, langur pellets, and browse. During the second period, the vegetables and fruits were excluded from the diet and the diet essentially consisted of pellets and browse. Feces consistency was scored using a fecal score chart developed for langurs. During the second feeding period the feces consistency improved significantly in animals at both zoos. Across all trials, a firmer feces consistency was correlated with an increase in dietary cell wall (measured as neutral detergent fiber) and a decrease in dietary water. It is suggested that the combined decrease in the intake of soluble sugars, the increase of fiber intake, and a lower amount of dietary water in the diet resulted in more solid stools. The results indicate that a dietary neutral detergent fiber content of approximately 46% in dry matter will result in a feces consistency indicative of undisturbed gut function.

Fatty liver in dairy cows post partum is associated with decreased concentration of plasma triacylglycerols and decreased activity of lipoprotein lipase in adipocytes.

Cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in serum lipoproteins, plasma activities of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in adipose tissue biopsies were measured ante and post partum in dairy cows given either free or restricted access to feed during the dry period. After parturition, all cows were fed ad libitum. The purpose of this study was to try to understand the earlier observed marked drop post partum in plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) in terms of lipoprotein metabolism in cows developing fatty liver post partum. As would be expected, free access to feed during the dry period induced a rise of hepatic TAG concentrations post partum associated with a decrease in plasma TAG levels. Total and free cholesterol concentrations in the VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL2 fractions fell immediately after parturition. VLDL and IDL cholesterol concentrations remained at a constant, low level during the entire sampling period post partum, whereas the drop in LDL and HDL2 cholesterol post partum was followed by a rebound rise. Plasma LCAT and PLTP activities decreased by on average 19% and 33%, respectively, after parturition and then rose to values seen before parturition, but there was no effect of feeding regimen during the dry period. Activities of LCAT and PLTP were significantly correlated with cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in LDL and HDL2. Plasma LCAT activity, as measured with exogenous substrate, and PLTP activity were both positively correlated with HDL3 phospholipid levels. LPL activity in adipose tissue dropped after parturition, the drop being smaller after feeding ad libitum during the dry period. It is concluded that the drop in adipose tissue LPL activity post partum is at variance with the simultaneous fall in plasma TAG. Possibly, the decrease in adipose tissue LPL activity helps to channel fatty acids away from adipose tissue into the udder. The post-partum changes in lipid transfer proteins in the blood are in line with the changes observed in the levels of the lipoproteins.

Hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in rats fed a commercial mixture of conjugated linoleic acids (Clarinol G-80).

BACKGROUND: Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) exert numerous effects in animal models as well as in humans. Among other things, CLAs decrease plasma lipid levels and bring about hepatic steatosis. The latter effects are attributed to an agonistic action of CLAs on the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor family primarily responsible for activating genes involved in lipid metabolism and are related to changes in mRNA levels. Such changes are not necessarily reflected in changes in activity of controlling enzymes. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of CLAs treatment on lipid metabolism, we determined lipid concentrations in plasma, lipoproteins and liver and measured the activity of a number of key enzymes in hepatic lipid metabolism as differences in lipid concentrations should be related to changes in enzyme activities. These variables were determined with the rat as a model. METHODS: Rats were fed a control diet or a diet containing 1.15% trans-10, cis-12 isomer and 1.11% cis-9, trans-11 isomer as part of a commercial mixture of CLAs. After 2 w the animals were killed, and plasma and liver fractions isolated. Subsequently, lipid concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols and phospholipids were determined in the isolated lipoproteins. In livers homogenates, the concentrations of glycogen, cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipids and the activities of enzymes catalyzing pacesetting steps of metabolism were determined, i. e. acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, 3-hydroxy- acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, citrate synthase and phosphofructokinase. RESULTS: CLAs induced a lowering of the cholesterol levels in total plasma and in LDL and HDL lipoproteins and of phospholipid concentrations in LDL and HDL. CLAs treatment decreased the hepatic activity of diacylglycerol acyltransferase and had no effect on any of the other enzyme activities. CONCLUSIONS: In other studies enhanced specific activities of ACC and FAS were found in livers of mice using the same or similar methods and experimental protocol as in the present study. The lack of effect of CLAs treatment on hepatic key enzymes of fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in Wistar rats questions the use of this strain for studying the mechanism(s) underlying CLA's effects on these parameters. However, in the rat model we observed reduced levels of cholesterol in total plasma and in LDL and HDL. Therefore, some aspects like loss of body fat are better studied in mice; for other aspects like reduction in serum cholesterol level the rat may be the model of choice.

Prolonged feeding of mice with conjugated linoleic acid increases hepatic fatty acid synthesis relative to oxidation.

Feeding mice conjugated linoleic acid (9 cis,11 trans/9 trans,11 cis-and 10 trans,12 cis-CLA in equal amounts) resulted in triacylglycerol accumulation in the liver. The objective of this study was to examine whether this steatosis is associated with changes in hepatic fatty acid synthesis and oxidation. Therefore, we measured the activities of key enzymes of fatty acid synthesis, i.e., acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase and of fatty acid oxidation, i.e., 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and citrate synthase in livers of mice fed a diet with 0.5% (w/w) CLA. CLA (a 1:1 mixture of the 10 trans, 12 cis and 9 cis, 11 trans isomers of octadecadenoic acid) was administered for 3 and 12 weeks with high-oleic sunflower oil fed as control. The proportion of body fat was significantly lower on the CLA than on the control diet and this effect was already significant after 3 weeks. The specific activites of 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and citrate synthase were unaffected by CLA both after 3 and 12 weeks. The specific activity of fatty acid synthase was nonsignificantly raised (by 12%) after 3 weeks on the CLA diet but had increased significantly (by 34%) after 12 weeks of feeding. The specific activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase had also increased both after 3 weeks (by 53%) and 12 weeks (by 23%) on the CLA diet, but this effect did not reach statistical significance. Due to CLA-induced hepatomegaly, the overall capacity for both fatty acid oxidation and synthesis-as evidenced by the total hepatic activities of 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase-was significantly greater in the CLA-fed group after 12 weeks, although the overall capacity for fatty acid synthesis had increased more than that for fatty acid oxidation. Thus, this study indicates that prolonged, but not short-term, feeding mice with CLA increased hepatic fatty acid synthesis relative to oxidation, despite the decrease in body fat and the increase in liver weight seen earlier. It is concluded that the observed CLA-induced changes in hepatic fatty acid synthesis and oxidation are the result, rather than the cause, of the lowering of body fat.

Increasing magnesium intakes in relation to magnesium absorption in dry cows.

Earlier studies with temporarily isolated rumen of heifers show saturation kinetics of Mg efflux across the rumen wall. Therefore, we hypothesized that high Mg intakes would not further increase the rate of Mg absorption in cows. To test our hypothesis, six ruminally fistulated non-pregnant dry cows were given diets with different Mg concentrations in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Desired concentrations of Mg were attained by adding MgO to the basal diet and the Mg concentrations in the total rations were 3.8, 6.4, 9.1, 11.8, 14.1 and 173 g Mg/kg dry matter, which provided Mg intakes of 27.1, 44.6, 64.6, 83.5, 100.4 and 124.3 g/d, respectively. Increasing Mg intakes were associated with increased (P<0.001) faecal Mg excretion. However, apparent Mg absorption expressed as g/d was not significantly different for Mg intakes from 100.4 to 124.3 g/d while Mg absorption expressed as a proportion of intake was not significantly different for Mg intakes ranging from 64.6 to 124.3 g/d. Mg concentrations in rumen fluid after feeding increased (P<0.001) with increasing Mg intakes. Apparent absorption of Mg appeared to become saturated at a ruminal Mg concentration of 17.5 mM (Mg intake of 83.5 g/d). Group-mean post-feeding concentrations of Mg and Na in rumen fluid were significantly correlated (Pearson's r=-0.96; P=0.003, n=6). This study showed that under conditions of practical dairy cow feeding, Mg absorption was maximal at Mg intakes > or = 84 g/d.

High intake of magnesium in relation to the ruminal transmural potential difference and magnesium absorption in wethers.

High potassium (K) intakes are known to decrease magnesium (Mg) absorption in ruminants by increasing the transmural potential difference (PDt, serosal side = positive). High Mg intakes are known to increase the amount of Mg absorbed, which may be explained by increasing the ruminal Mg concentration, but an effect on the PDt cannot be excluded. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not Mg intake affects the PDt. In a 3 x 3 Latin square design, six ruminally fistulated wethers were fed a low-Mg, low-K ration (3.88 g Mg/kg dry matter (DM); 30.7 g K/kg DM), a high-Mg, low K-ration (16.79 g Mg/kg DM; 30.7 g K/kg DM), and a low-Mg ration high-K (3.88 g Mg/kg DM or 62.1 g K/kg DM). When compared with the low-Mg, low-K ration, the high-Mg, low-K ration raised the absolute apparent Mg absorption (g/day) by 421% and the low-Mg, high-K ration decreased it by 20%. The intake of extra K produced a significant increase in the PDt. The intake of extra Mg did not change the PDt across the rumen wall but produced a significant increase of the ruminal Mg concentrations. On the basis of the individual values for three rations, the mean post feeding ruminal Mg concentrations were found to be unrelated to the PDt (Pearson's r = -0.329, p = 0.183, n = 18). Thus, it is concluded that the observed increase in Mg absorption after a high Mg intake can be explained by an increase in the ruminal Mg concentration rather than by a change in PDt.

Activities of the enzymes of hepatic gluconeogenesis in periparturient dairy cows with induced fatty liver.

The objective was to measure the activities of all the enzymes essential for hepatic gluconeogenesis in dairy cows with induced fatty liver. We aimed to induce severe fatty liver in ten experimental cows by overfeeding them during the dry period while seven control cows were maintained on a restricted diet. To induce a marked negative energy balance, the experimental cows were deprived of feed for 8 h immediately after parturition. In addition, the experimental cows were given a restricted amount of diet during the first 5 d of lactation. Liver samples were collected 1 week before and 1, 2 and 4 weeks after parturition. Before parturition, liver triacylglycerol concentrations did not differ between the two groups. After parturition, the experimental cows developed marked fatty liver as indicated by a higher level of triacylglycerols in the liver compared with the control cows. Before parturition, all gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver were lower in experimental cows than in control cows. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate carboxylase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase were significantly lower and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and glucose 6-phosphatase tended to be lower in the experimental cows. The activities of two crucial enzymes for gluconeogenesis in ruminants, i.e., phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase, remained low throughout the sampling period post partum. Activities of pyruvate carboxylase and glucose 6-phosphatase in the experimental cows post partum were upgraded to values similar to those of the control cows. The results showed that the capacity for hepatic gluconeogenesis before parturition was lower in cows with induced fatty liver than in control cows. After parturition, the low activities of crucial gluconeogenic enzymes indicated insufficient production of glucose. It is suggested that the low gluconeogenic capacity leads successively to low blood glucose concentrations, low insulin levels and high rates of mobilization of fatty acid, causing severe hepatic lipidosis.

Hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rats fed diets with different contents of C18:0, C18:1 cis and C18:1 trans isomers.

In the present study the effects of some C18 fatty acids on hepatic fatty acid metabolism have been compared. Male rats were fed cholesterol-free diets containing either C18:0, C18:1 cis or C18:1 trans isomers as the variables. In accordance with previous work, oleic acid in the diet caused an increase in cholesterol concentration in the liver and in the lipoprotein fraction of density (d; kg/l) < 1.006. Oleic acid also reduced the triacylglycerol:cholesterol value in this fraction. Surprisingly, the C18:1 trans isomers diet induced a decrease in the amount of cholesterol in total plasma as well as in the 1.019 < d < 1.063 lipoprotein fraction. Both oleic acid and C18:1 trans isomers increased the concentration of triacylglycerols in the liver. The two C18:1 fatty acids differently influenced the hepatic activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I and 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase; both enzymes were inhibited by C18:1 trans isomers, while no change was induced by oleic acid. The activity of the citrate carrier was lower in the oleic acid- and C18:1 trans isomers-fed rats, when compared with the rats fed stearic acid. No diet effects were seen for the activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, citrate synthase and phosphofructokinase. The results are interpreted in that oleic acid raised liver triacylglycerol by reducing the secretion of it with the d < 1.006 lipoprotein fraction whereas the C18:1 trans isomers enhanced liver triacylglycerol by lowering the hepatic oxidation of fatty acids.

Cholesterol and copper in the liver of rabbit inbred strains with differences in dietary cholesterol response.

In order to investigate whether cholesterol intake influences the hepatic copper content of rabbits, we compared the hepatic copper content of two rabbit inbred strains after feeding the animals a control or a cholesterol-rich diet. One strain was not reactive to dietary cholesterol (IIIVO/JU), whereas the other strain was reactive to dietary cholesterol (AX/JU). The coefficient of inbreeding (F) >0.95 for both strains. Dietary cholesterol-reactive rabbits when compared with their non-reactive counterparts had a higher hepatic copper content. The consumption of a hypercholesterolemic diet decreased liver copper concentration (expressed in micro g/g dry weight) in both strains of rabbits, which was (in part) due to dietary-induced hepatomegaly. A decrease in the absolute hepatic copper content was found only in the dietary cholesterol-reactive inbred strain. It is discussed that differences in glucocorticoid levels may be responsible for the strain difference in liver copper content. The cholesterol effect on the hepatic copper content in the reactive strain might be caused by an increased bilirubin secretion.

The effect of postpartum rumen undegradable protein supplementation on hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme activities in dairy cows with fatty liver.

The effect of postpartum supplementation with rumen undegradable protein on the activities of gluconeogenic enzymes was studied in cows with induced fatty liver. Prepartum liver and blood samples were collected at about one week before the expected date of calving and postpartum samples were collected at 10 and 20 days (d) postpartum. At 10 d postpartum, concentrations of serum nonesterified fatty acids and hepatic triacylglycerol levels were higher than at one wk before parturition. The postpartum increases in nonesterified fatty acids and hepatic triacylglycerols were significantly higher in the cows that were fed extra protein than in the control cows. There were no differences between the groups with regard to postpartum changes in the concentrations of plasma glucose, liver glycogen, and serum insulin. The postpartum increase in the activity of fructose 1-6-bisphosphatase was higher in the test group than in the control group, but the increase in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was lower. There were no group differences in the postpartum activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate carboxylase, and propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Our results suggest that intense lipolysis released more glycerol in the protein-supplemented cows, which stimulated the activity of fructose 1-6-bisphosphatase. However, postpartum rumen undegradable protein supplementation did not affect the activities of the other enzymes of gluconeogenesis, and fatty liver was even exacerbated.

Indirect measurement of the production of plasma triacylglycerols by horses given a high-fat diet.

The hypothesis tested was that the feeding of extra fat to horses would raise the production of plasma triacylglycerols (TAG). To measure TAG secretion, the indirect Triton method was used. Six adult horses were given a low-fat control or a high-fat diet according to a crossover design. In keeping with our earlier work, the high-fat diet lowered fasting plasma TAG concentrations by an average of 42% and raised post-heparin total lipoprotein lipase activity by 79%. The rate of increase in plasma TAG concentration after Triton administration was 49% lower when the horses were fed the high-fat diet instead of the low-fat control diet. Thus, the hypothesis is rejected. It is suggested that the dose of Triton used in the study might have been too low to fully depress lipoprotein lipase activity, leading to an outcome of the study that was opposite to that expected.