acid-phosphatase and Weight-Gain

A total of 364 female Ross 308 chicks (1 d old) were used in the present study conducted in floor pens to investigate the effects of graded levels of supplementary bacterial phytase on dietary energy utilisation and growth performance. For this purpose, four maize-soyabean-based diets were offered to the birds from 0 to 21 d of age. These included a suboptimal P negative control (NC, 3.0 g/kg non-phytate P), NC+250 phytase units (FTU)/kg feed, NC+500 FTU and NC+2500 FTU. The effect of phytase activity on bird growth performance was best described as a linear relationship between increasing dose and increased feed intake (P< 0.001), but was quadratic for body-weight gain (P= 0.002) and feed efficiency (P= 0.023). There was no significant response (P>0.05) of dietary apparent metabolisable energy (AME) to supplementary phytase. The birds fed phytase increased their retention of total carcass energy in a linear fashion (P= 0.009) with increased phytase dose. The efficiency of dietary AME used for overall carcass energy retention also improved (P= 0.007) in a linear manner with increased dietary phytase activity. Dietary net energy for production (NEp) increased (P= 0.047) with an increase in phytase dose following a linear pattern, as an increase of 100 FTU increased dietary net energy by 15.4 J (estimated within the range of doses used in the present experiment). Dietary NEp was more highly correlated with performance criteria than dietary AME, and it seems to be a more sensitive way to evaluate broiler response to phytase supplementation.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Acid Phosphatase; Algorithms; Animal Feed; Animals; Animals, Inbred Strains; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Escherichia coli Proteins; Female; Glycine max; Phytic Acid; Scotland; Seeds; Weight Gain; Zea mays

The purpose of subject was to explore the optimum protein requirement of juvenile grouper (Epinephelus coioides). In the test, 450 juveniles with an average weight (10.02 ± 0.22) g were randomly divided into six groups with triplicate, and were fed with 350, 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 g/kg iso-lipid test diet twice 1 day for 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that: (1) With the increase of protein level, the body weight gain rate and specific growth rate first increased and then reduced, while the feed coefficient rate first decreased and then increased, while the protein efficiency significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (2) With the increase of protein level, the condition factor, hepaticsomatic index and visceralsomatic index significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (3) With the increase of protein level, the crude protein content of whole fish and muscle gradually increased, while the crude lipid content gradually decreased. (4) High-protein diet (550-600 g/kg) significantly increased the plasma total protein content and decreased the triglyceride content of orange-spotted grouper (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with the 350 g/kg group, 500, 550, 600 g/kg groups significantly increased the activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in liver (P < 0.05). (6) With the increase of protein level, the protease activity of intestine first increased and then decreased, and reached the maximum at the protein level of 500 g/kg, while lipase and amylase decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (7) The activities of acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme in liver increased first and then decreased with the increase of protein level, and reached the maximum in the 400 g/kg protein group. According to the analysis specific growth rate, the optimum protein level of juvenile orange-spotted grouper is 521.84 g/kg.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adipose Tissue; Alanine Transaminase; Amylases; Animal Feed; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Body Composition; Dietary Proteins; Fish Proteins; Gene Expression; Intestines; Lipase; Liver; Muramidase; Muscles; Peptide Hydrolases; Perciformes; Superoxide Dismutase; Triglycerides; Weight Gain

Although inhaled glucocorticoids are known to have systemic effects on bone metabolism, there is little comparative information on their relative potencies. The effects of three standard glucocorticoids in causing changes in bone metabolism and growth, therefore, were investigated in relation to other systemic effects in the rat. Given to male Sprague-Dawley rats, 4.5-5.5 weeks old, subcutaneously (s.c.), at doses of 0.3-10 mg/kg daily for 7 days, beclomethasone dipropionate, prednisolone and ciclesonide all dose-dependently inhibited thymus body mass index (BMI) (by 57%, 44% and 76% at 3 mg/kg). Ciclesonide, potently and prednisolone, less effectively, also repressed femoral bone growth (by 41% and 18% at 10 mg/kg), significantly reducing body weight gain (both by 100% at 10 mg/kg), and serum concentrations of acid phosphatase (ACP) and tartarate resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) (by >30% at 10 mg/kg); both increased serum glucose and triglycerides levels. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was not affected. Beclomethasone dipropionate had little or no effect on these additional variables. In conclusion, ciclesonide showed pronounced bone growth inhibiting activity after s.c. administration to the rat while other two glucocorticoids showed differences in activity on bone metabolism. However, this model is sufficiently sensitive and specific for testing the effect of glucocorticoids on bone metabolism.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Beclomethasone; Biomarkers; Bone Development; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Femur; Glucocorticoids; Isoenzymes; Male; Organ Size; Prednisolone; Pregnenediones; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Thymus Gland; Weight Gain

We report a direct comparison of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) inhibition (RANK-Fc) with bisphosphonate treatment (alendronate, ALN) from infancy through early adulthood in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta. Both ALN and RANK-Fc decreased fracture incidence to the same degree with increases in metaphyseal bone volume via increased number of thinner trabeculae.. The potential therapeutic benefit of RANKL inhibitors in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is under investigation. We report a direct comparison of RANKL inhibition (RANK-Fc) with bisphosphonate treatment (ALN) from infancy through early adulthood in a model of OI, the oim/oim mouse.. Two-week-old oim/oim, oim/+, and wildtype (+/+) mice were treated with RANK-Fc 1.5 mg/kg twice per week, ALN 0.21 mg/kg/week or saline (n = 12-20 per group) for 12 weeks.. ALN and RANK-Fc both decreased fracture incidence (9.0 ± 3.0 saline 4.4 ± 2.7 ALN, 4.3 ± 3.0 RANK-Fc fractures per mouse). Serum TRACP-5b activity decreased to 65% after 1 month in all treated mice, but increased sacrifice with RANK-Fc to 130-200% at sacrifice. Metaphyseal density was significantly increased with ALN in +/+ and oim/oim mice (p < 0.05) and tended to increase with RANK-Fc in +/+ mice. No changes in oim/oim femur biomechanical parameters occurred with treatment. Both ALN and RANK-Fc significantly increased trabecular number (3.73 ± 0.77 1/mm for oim/oim saline vs 7.93 ± 0.67 ALN and 7.34 ± 1.38 RANK-Fc) and decreased trabecular thickness (0.045 mm ± 0.003 for oim/oim saline vs 0.034 ± 0.003 ALN and 0.032 ± 0.002 RANK-Fc) and separation in all genotypes (0.28 ± 0.08 mm for oim/oim saline vs 0.12 ± 0.010 ALN and 13 ± 0.03 RANK-Fc)., with significant increase in bone volume fraction (BVF) with ALN, and a trend towards increased BVF in RANK-Fc.. Treatment of oim/oim mice with either a bisphosphonate or a RANK-Fc causes similar decreases in fracture incidence with increases in metaphyseal bone volume via increased number of thinner trabeculae.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alendronate; Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Density; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Female; Isoenzymes; Male; Mice; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Osteoporotic Fractures; RANK Ligand; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Weight Gain; X-Ray Microtomography

A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment, consisting of 52 hens per treatment, was conducted to determine the effects of pullet BW, dietary nonphytate phosphorus (NPP), and feeding regimen on performance, progeny quality, and bone remodeling. Cobb 500 broiler breeder pullets were reared to 3 different growth curves: 20% under, Cobb standard, and 20% over. Body weights were recorded weekly and feed adjustments made accordingly. At 21 wk, 624 hens were fed one of 2 breeder diets differing only in the amount of dietary NPP: 0.15 or 0.40%. A normal feeding regimen was appropriate for the particular growth curve; an alternative regimen considered the 3 growth curves together as a flock. At 24, 26, and 29 wk, blood was collected from 5 hens per treatment every 4 h over a 24-h period. Plasma samples were analyzed for total alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, Ca, and inorganic P. Eggs per hen housed were diminished in hens fed the low dietary NPP and by low pullet target weight. Hens fed low dietary NPP also had lower egg weights but better eggshell quality. Mortality was significantly higher in hens fed low dietary NPP. Breeder tibia relative strength and ash were also significantly lower in hens fed low dietary NPP, regardless of the quantitative amount. Progeny tibia ash was not affected by any treatment. Total alkaline phosphatase responded to pullet BW, however by wk 29, total alkaline phosphatase also became sensitive to dietary NPP. The NPP by pullet BW interaction for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase levels became significant by 29 wk, and pullet BW was significant at wk 24. The NPP by pullet growth curve interaction was also critical for plasma inorganic P levels throughout the sampling period. In summary, both 0.15% dietary NPP and reared pullets 20% under standard BW negatively affect egg production but do not impair progeny productivity. Body composition appears to be a main contributor in bone remodeling mechanisms, especially during the transition into egg production.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Body Composition; Body Weight; Bone Remodeling; Calcium; Chickens; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Isoenzymes; Ovum; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; Phosphorus; Phosphorus, Dietary; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Weight Gain

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitors are being considered for use in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). We sought to assess efficacy of two doses of a RANKL inhibitor, osteoprotegerin-immunoglobulin Fc segment complex (OPG-Fc), in a growing animal model of OI, the col1α2-deficient mouse (oim/oim) and its wild-type controls (+/+).. Treated mice showed runting and radiographic evidence of osteopetrosis with either high- (20 mg/kg twice weekly) or low-dose (1 mg/kg/week) OPG-Fc. Because of this adverse event, OPG-Fc treatment was halted, and the mice were killed or monitored for recovery with monthly radiographs and assessment of serum osteoclast activity (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, TRACP-5b) until 25 wk of age.. Twelve weeks of OPG-Fc treatment resulted in radiographic and histologic osteopetrosis with no evidence of bone modeling and negative tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, root dentin abnormalities, and TRACP-5b activity suppression. Signs of recovery appeared 4-8 wk post-treatment.. Both high- and low-dose OPG-Fc treatment resulted in osteopetrotic changes in infant mice, an outcome that was not seen in studies with the RANKL inhibitor RANK-immunoglobulin Fc segment complex (RANK-Fc) or in studies with older animals. Further investigations of RANKL inhibitors are necessary before their consideration for use in children.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Age Factors; Animals; Biomarkers; Bone Remodeling; Collagen Type I; Dentin; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunoconjugates; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; Isoenzymes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Osteoclasts; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Osteopetrosis; Osteoprotegerin; Radiography; RANK Ligand; Risk Assessment; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Time Factors; Tooth Eruption; Weight Gain

Lithium (Li) was given to female Swiss-Webster strain mice at the doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight in their drinking water. Treatment started from the first day of pregnancy until the postnatal day fifteen of delivery. Thereafter, the dams were switched to plain tap water. All offspring were subjected to various tests. The rate of body weight gain was relatively slower in Li exposed pups. Furthermore, the opening of eyes and appearance of body hairs in Li exposed pups were also slower as compared to the controls. The sensory motor reflexes in Li exposed pups were found to be affected in a dose-dependent manner. Significant relative changes were also noticed in the levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the liver, and acetylcholinesterase in the brain tissues of the Li exposed developing offspring in a dose-dependent manner. 'Locomotor Activity Test' was performed in the male offspring only which showed a significant suppressive effect on most of the elements of this test due to Li exposure. The present Li effects in the offspring are possibly via in utero action and/or via mother's milk.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Brain; Female; Lithium; Liver; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Reflex; Weight Gain

The toxic effect of Pb ion (lead acetate) was investigated using male albino rats, which was ingested at 1/20, 1/40, and 1/60 sublethal doses. Relative to normal control, the ingestion of Pb(2+) induced significant stimulation in ALT and AST activity. In addition, total soluble protein and albumin contents of plasma were decreased, while the content of globulin was changed by the Pb(2+) treatments. The cholinesterase activity was inhibited, but the activities of alkaline and acid phosphates as well as lactate dehydrogenase were stimulated as a result of lead acetate intoxication. These observations were gradually paralleled across the experiment dose of the three doses of intoxicated Pb(2+). In the case of blood picture, Pb(2+) ingestion significantly reduced the contents of hemoglobin and RBC count of intoxicated rat's blood, while the plasma levels of T3 and T4 and blood WBC count were insignificantly decreased or unchanged. All results of the present study showed that the Pb(2+) ingestion was more effective in the case of the high dose (1/20 LD(50)) than that of the low dose (1/60 LD(50)) ingestion relative to the normal healthy control. The results of the present work advice the need to avoid exposure of humans to the lead compound to avoid injurious hazard risk.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Blood Cell Count; Blood Chemical Analysis; Blood Proteins; Body Weight; Cholinesterases; Eating; Kidney Function Tests; Lead Poisoning; Lethal Dose 50; Liver Function Tests; Male; Organometallic Compounds; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Thyroid Gland; Weight Gain

Running exercise is an effective therapy for the prevention of osteoporosis; however, appropriate duration of exercise has not been determined. We therefore investigated the effect of exercise duration on bone mineral density (BMD) and systemic bone metabolism using young growing rats. Fifteen 8-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups according to running load: control group (no running), short duration (30 min/day) and long duration (180 min/day), and animals ran on a treadmill 5 days per week over an 8-week period. BMD of the tibia was measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and serum levels of tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a bone resorption marker and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a bone formation marker were measured to know whether the treadmill exercise would affect systemic bone metabolism. Short-duration running exercise (30 min/day) caused a significant increase in BMD of the metaphyseal trabecula (p < 0.05) with a reduction of serum TRAP levels (p < 0.01) and an increase in serum levels of calcium (p < 0.05) and phosphorus (p < 0.01). Conversely, long-duration exercise (180 min/day) significantly reduced BMD of the diaphyseal and metaphyseal cortex and that of the diaphyseal trabecula with a significant reduction of serum ALP levels and a significant increase in serum phosphorus. These findings suggest that short-duration exercise may increase BMD through suppression of bone resorption, whereas long-duration exercise may reduce BMD through suppression of bone formation. Exercising for short duration but not prolonged exercise is recommended to increase BMD of loaded long bones.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Body Weight; Bone Density; Calcium; Female; Isoenzymes; Phosphorus; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Tibia; Time Factors; Weight Gain; Weight-Bearing

Postmenopausal bone loss is a major public health concern. Although drug therapies are available, women are interested in alternative/adjunct therapies to slow down the bone loss associated with ovarian hormone deficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation of l-carnitine can influence bone density and slow the rate of bone turnover in an aging ovariectomized rat model. Eighteen-month-old Fisher-344 female rats were ovariectomized and assigned to two groups: (1) a control group in which rats were fed ad libitum a carnitine-free (-CN) diet (AIN-93M) and (2) another fed the same diet but supplemented with l-carnitine (+CN). At the end of 8 weeks of feeding, animals were sacrificed and bone specimens were collected for measuring bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Femoral microarchitectural properties were assessed by microcomputed tomography. Femoral mRNA levels of selected bone matrix proteins were determined by northern blot analysis. Data showed that tibial BMD was significantly higher in the rat fed the +CN diet than those fed the -CN (control) diet. Dietary carnitine significantly decreased the mRNA level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), an indicator of bone resorption by 72.8%, and decreased the mRNA abundance of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type-1 (COL), measures of bone formation by 63.6% and 61.2%, respectively. The findings suggest that carnitine supplementation slows bone loss and improves bone microstructural properties by decreasing bone turnover.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aging; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Bone Density; Carnitine; Collagen Type I; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Female; Femur; Isoenzymes; Lumbar Vertebrae; Osteoporosis; Ovariectomy; Phytotherapy; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; RNA, Messenger; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Tibia; Vitamin B Complex; Weight Gain

Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD, commonly referred to as Bispan strain, is used as a host in bioindustry and has been shown to have several human health benefits. In a recent in vitro study, we discovered that B. polyfermenticus SCD exerts cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects. Here, we evaluate the effects of B. polyfermenticus SCD on the lipid and antioxidant metabolisms of hypercholesterolemic rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups after a 1-week adaptation period and were fed for 6 weeks on either a high fat-high cholesterol diet, or a high fat-high cholesterol diet supplemented with B. polyfermenticus SCD (3.1x10(6) cfu/d). B. polyfermenticus SCD significantly reduced plasma low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, hepatic total cholesterol, and triglycerides, while increasing the fecal excretion rates of total cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, B. polyfermenticus SCD might reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, as the ratio of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol was significantly higher than in the control group. B. polyfermenticus SCD led to an increase in total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and a decrease in conjugated dienes in plasma. The erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the B. polyfermenticus group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Plasma TRAP levels exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with hepatic total cholesterol and a marginally significant negative correlation with total plasma cholesterol, while a significant positive correlation was detected between fecal total cholesterol and plasma TRAP. These results suggest that B. polyfermenticus SCD exerts significant health benefits through the modulation of physiologic functions including a variety of atherogenic lipid profiles and antioxidants in hypercholesterolemia.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Antioxidants; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Bacillus; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol, Dietary; Dietary Fats; Erythrocytes; Feces; Feeding Behavior; Isoenzymes; Male; Organ Size; Probiotics; Rats; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Weight Gain

The effects of differing durations of daily exercise on macrophage functions in mice were studied. Male ICR mice aged 4 wk were divided into five groups: a nonexercise group (control) and four exercise groups with differing daily exercise durations of 15--120 min (Exr groups). The exercise applied was 5 days/wk treadmill running at 13 m/min for 12 wk. The potentiation of the phagocytosis function of the reticuloendothelial system and the glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages in the Exr 30, 60, and 120 groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. Superoxide anion production of peritoneal macrophages in both the absence and the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in the Exr 60 and 120 groups was significantly higher than that in the control group. The acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activities of peritoneal macrophages in the Exr 30, 60, and 120 groups were significantly increased. These results suggest that treadmill running exercise for at least 30 min/day (30--120 min) effectively enhances macrophage functions in mice. These data provide preliminary evidence indicating that chronic exercise-induced increases in phagocytic activity exhibit a dose-dependent relationship with exercise duration.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Body Weight; Carbon; Cells, Cultured; Glucose; Glucuronidase; Glycolysis; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Organ Size; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Physical Exertion; Superoxides; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Time Factors; Weight Gain

Exogenous melatonin as subcutaneous 2.7-mg implants was given to eight female and male minks in late July with an equal number of animals in the control groups. The liver enzyme activities and major lipids of liver and plasma were measured in October-November. Melatonin had very pronounced effects on the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of the minks and there was also a clear sexual dimorphism. In the males, melatonin decreased the lipase esterase activity of the liver. In the liver of the females, however, melatonin increased the glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Due to melatonin treatment the liver triacylglycerol contents diminished in both sexes. At the same time, in the females the liver cholesterol levels were decreased. In the plasma lipids, the only change was a fall in the polar lipids of the melatonin-treated females. Melatonin seems to be responsible for the metabolic changes associated with the onset of wintering, especially for the acceleration of the deposition of subcutaneous fat reserves. The smaller females experience the effects of exogenous melatonin more rapidly than the males. Perhaps the smaller body size requires an earlier onset of metabolic preparation for the winter.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Antioxidants; Energy Metabolism; Female; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Liver; Male; Melatonin; Mink; Phosphorylases; Weight Gain

A study was conducted to determine the cumulative effects of phosphorolytic enzymes, cell wall-degrading enzymes, and citric acid and Ca levels on feed intake, BW gain (BWG), feed conversion, intestinal viscosity, and toe ash of broilers (d 1 to 21) fed wheat-based diets. Broilers were fed the following six diets at either 0.59, 0.69, or 0.79% Ca: 1) a negative control (NC) diet, 0.17% available P; 2) NC + 750 phytase units/kg diet; (3) phytase + 3,156 units of acid phosphatase/kg diet; 4) phytase + acid phosphatase + 1,900 units of pectinase/g diet; 5) phytase + acid phosphatase + pectinase + 3% citric acid; and (6) NC plus 0.24% available P. The 18 dietary treatments were fed to four pen replicates of eight birds each. Phytase addition at the low Ca level increased BWG, improved feed intake and conversion and toe ash, and reduced intestinal viscosity and ileal length. Subsequent addition of acid phosphatase, at 0.69% Ca, resulted in increases in BWG, 42%; feed intake 32%; feed conversion 7.5%; and toe ash, 63% over the NC diet. Pectinase addition produced further improvements in 21-d BWG and feed intake at 0.59 and 0.79% Ca, increased toe ash in chicks fed 0.79% Ca, and reduced intestinal viscosity. Supplementation of wheat-based 0.17% available P diets with phytase and acid phosphatase and with appropriate concentrations of pectinase, citric acid, and Ca significantly improved BWG, feed intake and conversion and intestinal viscosity over the 0.41% available P diets. Bone mineralization of chicks fed phytase + acid phosphatase and 0.69% Ca and those fed phytase + acid phosphatase + pectinase + citric acid and 0.59% Ca was similar to that of chicks fed the 0.41% available P diets.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Calcium; Cell Wall; Chickens; Citric Acid; Diet; Enzymes; Ileum; Intestines; Phosphorus; Phosphorylation; Polygalacturonase; Regression Analysis; Triticum; Viscosity; Weight Gain

This experiment examined whether the pre- or the post-mating diet had greater impact on embryo survival in Meishan gilts. Gilts received either a maintenance (1.15 kg day(-1); n = 12) or a high (3.5 kg day(-1); n = 12) diet during the oestrous cycle preceding mating. After mating, half the animals in each group received either the maintenance or the high diet until slaughter on Day 12. Gilts fed the high pre-mating diet had more corpora lutea (22.7 v. 19.0, SED = 0.98; P<0.001), increased embryo survival (95.5% v. 74.8%, SED = 7.58; P<0.01) and heavier corpora lutea (-0.71 log g v. -0.90 log g, SED = 0.09; P = 0.07) compared with gilts fed the maintenance diet prior to mating. The post-mating diet had no effect on embryo survival. There were no treatment effects on blastocyst developmental stage, luteal surface area or progesterone release. Gilts receiving the high post-mating diet had heavier livers than those fed the maintenance post-mating diet (1.45 v 1.08% of total bodyweight, SED = 0.07; P<0.001), suggesting that these gilts have a greater capacity to metabolize progesterone. Pre-mating nutritional status therefore appears to be a greater determinant of embryo numbers and survival than the post-mating diet.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Copulation; Eating; Female; Fetal Death; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Isoenzymes; Liver; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Metalloproteins; Ovary; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone; Proteins; Retinol-Binding Proteins; Swine; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; Uterus; Weight Gain

Twenty-day administration of ochratoxin A (OA) at a dose of 1 mg/kg b.w. to one-day-old male chickens caused degenerative lesions in the epithelial cells of renal tubules and an advanced atrophy of bursal follicles which led to a marked reduction in the size of both bursal plicae and the whole organ. Moreover, a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity in the brush border and an increase in acid phosphatase activity in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of renal tubules were found histochemically. An increase in acid phosphatase reaction in the cytoplasm of liver cells and in the hepatic intracellular spaces along with glycogen degeneration of hepatocytes was observed. However, a long-term (20 weeks) administration of 0.2 mg of OA/kg in feed caused no histopathological lesions indicating mycotoxin intoxication. In addition, no detectable (> 0.0005 mg/kg) ochratoxin residues were found in the kidneys, liver, and thigh and pectoral muscles.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Administration, Oral; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Atrophy; Bursa of Fabricius; Chickens; Epithelium; Kidney; Kidney Tubules; Liver; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Ochratoxins; Time Factors; Weight Gain

1. The role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats has been studied by use of L-arginine, the amino acid from which NO is synthesized, and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NO synthase. Prolonged modulation (35 days) of the L-arginine: NO pathway in rats was achieved by dissolving test compounds in the drinking water (L-arginine: 3, 10 and 30 mg ml-1; L-NAME: 0.1, 1 and 10 mg ml-1). 2. Arthritis was exacerbated by L-arginine and suppressed by L-NAME in a dose-related fashion. Combined treatment with L-NAME (1 mg ml-1) and L-arginine (30 mg ml-1) did not modify the arthritis. 3. Reduced weight gain, which is a feature of adjuvant arthritis, was modified by these compounds so that L-arginine reduced weight gain whereas L-NAME increased weight gain compared with that in control animals. 4. D-Arginine (30 mg ml-1), NG-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME: 1 mg ml-1) and L-lysine (30 mg ml-1), an amino acid not involved in the generation of NO, were without effect on either arthritis or body weight gain. 5. Antigen-stimulated proliferation of T-lymphocytes as well as generation of nitrite (NO2-) and release of acid phosphatase from macrophages were all enhanced in L-arginine-treated arthritic rats and reduced in L-NAME-treated animals. 6. These results suggest that endogenous NO modulates adjuvant arthritis, possibly by interfering with the activation of T-lymphocytes and/or macrophages.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Arginine; Arthritis, Experimental; Cell Division; Lysine; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Spleen; T-Lymphocytes; Weight Gain