Fiber fermentability effects on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fecal traits, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats

Considering the different potential benefits of divergent fiber ingredients, the effect of 3 fiber sources on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats (Felis catus) fed kibble diets was compared. Twenty-four healthy adult cats were assigned in a complete randomized block design to 2 groups of 12 animals, and 3 animals from each group were fed 1 of 4 of the following kibble diets: control (CO; 11.5% dietary fiber), beet pulp (BP; 26% dietary fiber), wheat bran (WB; 24% dietary fiber), and sugarcane fiber (SF; 28% dietary fiber). Digestibility was measured by the total collection of feces. After 16 d of diet adaptation and an overnight period without food, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride postprandial responses were evaluated for 16 h after continued exposure to food. On d 20, colon biopsies of the cats were collected under general anesthesia. Fiber addition reduced food energy and nutrient digestibility. Of all the fiber sources, SF had the least dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05), causing the largest reduction of dietary energy digestibility (P < 0.05). The greater fermentability of BP resulted in reduced fecal DM and pH, greater fecal production [g/(cat × d); as-is], and greater fecal concentration of acetate, propionate, and lactate (P < 0.05). For most fecal variables, WB was intermediate between BP and SF, and SF was similar to the control diet except for an increased fecal DM and firmer feces production for the SF diet (P < 0.05). Postprandial evaluations indicated reduced mean glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve in cats fed the SF diet (P < 0.05). Colon mucosa thickness, crypt area, lamina propria area, goblet cell area, crypt mean size, and crypt in bifurcation did not vary among the diets. According to the fiber solubility and fermentation rates, fiber sources can induce different physiological responses in cats, reduce energy digestibility, and favor glucose metabolism (SF), or improve gut health (BP).     

Effects of sedation with acepromazine maleate and buprenorphine hydrochloride on femoral artery blood flow in healthy dogs

The purpose of this study was to qualify and quantify the femoral artery blood flow by duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU) in healthy dogs, before and after the administration of a combination of acepromazine maleate and buprenorphine hydrochloride (ACP-BPN). Seven healthy adult mongrel dogs and three adult beagles were used. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and measurement of femoral artery blood flow by DDU were also recorded. The DDU measurements were: femoral artery diameter (FAD), peak systolic velocity (PSV), early retrograde (EDV) and end diastolic velocities (EnDV), mean velocity (BMV), pulsatility index (PI), flow velocity integral (FVI) and femoral blood flow (FBF). After 30 min, combination ACP-BPN was administered intramuscularly, and all the measurements were recorded again. The ACP-BPN protocol induced a significant decrease in systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. A significant increase in peak systolic velocity and integral flow velocity integral of the femoral blood were obtained. The Doppler spectra of the blood flow in the femoral artery revealed a spectral dispersion pattern after ACP-BPN administration in all the dogs. These results demonstrate that despite quantitative and qualitative changes, the overall femoral blood flow (FBF) is not significantly modified.     

Glutamine and glutamate supplementation raise milk glutamine concentrations in lactating gilts

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in milk, and lactation is associated with increased glutamine utilization both for milk synthesis and as a fuel for the enlarged small intestine. A number of recent studies have indicated that lactation is accompanied by a mild catabolic state in which skeletal muscle proteins are degraded to provide amino acids that are used to synthesize additional glutamine. In this study we tested the hypothesis that supplemental L-glutamine or the commercially available glutamine supplement Aminogut (2.5% by weight mixed into daily feed) provided to gilts from 30 days prior to parturition until 21 days post-parturition would prevent a decrease in skeletal muscle glutamine while increasing the glutamine content of the milk. Muscle glutamine content decreased (P < 0.05) in control animals during lactation but this was prevented by supplementation with either L-glutamine or Aminogut. In this study, neither lactation nor supplementation had any effect on plasma glutamine or glutamate content. Free glutamine, and the total glutamine plus glutamate concentrations in milk from the control and the Aminogut group rose (P < 0.05) during the first 7 days of lactation, with milk concentrations in the L-glutamine supplemented group showing a similar trend (P = 0.053). Milk glutamate remained constant between day 7 and 21 of lactation in the control and L-glutamine supplemented groups, but by day 21 of lactation the free glutamine, glutamate, and glutamine plus glutamate concentrations in milk from Aminogut-treated gilts were higher than those of control gilts. Thus dietary glutamine supplementation can alleviate the fall in intramuscular glutamine content during lactation in gilts, and may alleviate some of the catabolic effects of lactation. Furthermore, the increased milk glutamine content in the supplemented gilts may provide optimum nutrition for piglet development.     

Biogeochemical Cycle of Mercury and Methylmercury in Two Highly Contaminated Areas of Tagus Estuary (Portugal)

Mercury (Hg) dynamics was evaluated in contaminated sediments and overlying waters from Tagus estuary, in two sites with different Hg anthropogenic sources: Cala Norte (CNOR) and Barreiro (BRR). Environmental factors affecting methylmercury (MMHg) production and Hg and MMHg fluxes across sediment/water interface were reported. [THg] and [MMHg] in solids (0.31–125 μg g^?1 and 0.76–201 ng g^?1, respectively) showed high variability with higher values in BRR. Porewater [MMHg] (0.1–63 ng L^?1, 0.5–86% of THg) varied local and seasonally; higher contents were observed in the summer campaign, thus increasing sediment toxicity affecting the sediment/water Hg (and MMHg) fluxes. In CNOR and BRR sediments, Hg availability and organic carbon were the main factors controlling MMHg production. Noteworthy, an upward MMHg diffusive flux was observed in winter that was inverted in summer. Although MMHg production increases in warmer month, the MMHg concentrations in overlying water increase in a higher proportion compared to the levels in porewaters. This opposite trend could be explained by different extension of MMHg demethylation in the water column. The high concentrations of Hg and MMHg and their dynamics in sediments are of major concern since they can cause an exportation of Hg from the contaminated areas up to ca. 14,600 mg year^?1 and an MMHg deposition of up to ca. 6000 mg year^?1. The results suggest that sediments from contaminated areas of Tagus estuary should be considered as a primary source of Hg for the water column and a sink of MMHg to the sedimentary column.     

Magnesium-manganese interaction in soybean cultivars with different nutritional requirements

Manganese (Mn) deficiency in soybean has occurred mainly in soils with surface dolomite lime application, which increases pH and the magnesium (Mg) concentration in the surface layer. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Mg on the Mn uptake in four soybean cultivars with different nutritional requirements. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design, in 4 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme [four soybean cultivars, two Mg rates (0.1 and 1.0 mmol L^?1) and four Mn rates (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 µmol L^?1)], with four replicates. The cultivars used in the experiment were: IAC 17 and FT Estrela (for soils fertility or high nutritional demand) and IAC 15–1 and DM Nobre (for soils partially corrected or medium nutritional demand). The root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), SDW/RDW ratio, chlorophyll content, seed yield and foliar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Mg, calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), Mn, and zinc (Zn) were determined. The application of the highest Mg rate increased seed yield. This was also observed with a Mn rate up to 3.0 μmol L^?1. There was an interaction of Mg and Mn in the plant, and it was found that the IAC 17 cultivar was the most sensitive to Mn, while FT Estrela had the lowest performance. N, P, K, and Zn concentrations were significantly influenced by Mn rates. The Mg and Mn rates had a significant effect on Mg foliar concentrations. The rate of 1.0 mmol L^?1 of Mg provided the lowest levels of nutrients to the plant and increased SDW and seed yield, regardless of the nutritional requirement of each cultivar.     

Species richness and biomass of understory vegetation in a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. coppice as affected by slash management

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different slash management practices on understory biodiversity and biomass in Eucalyptus globulus coppices in Central Portugal. The experiment consisted of four treatments: (a) removal of slash (R), (b) broadcast over the soil (S), (c) as in S but concentrating woody residues between tree rows (W) and (d) incorporation of slash into soil by harrowing (I). Understory vegetation was surveyed during 1–6, 9, and 10 years, the proportion of soil cover by plant species estimated, and diversity and equitability indexes determined. Above ground understory biomass was sampled in years 2–6, 9, and 10. The highest number of species in most years occurred in plots where slash was removed. Differences between treatments in the proportion of plant soil cover were never significant, whereas differences in diversity index were only occasionally significant and apparently related to the number of species. Thus, differences in the equitability index were not significant. Understory biomass did not decrease during the rotation period, and was usually highest in R and I, and lowest in S, but not significantly different. At the end of the rotation period, understory biodiversity indices and biomass were apparently independent of slash treatment.     

Wood density in forests of Brazil's ‘arc of deforestation’: Implications for biomass and flux of carbon from land-use change in Amazonia

Wood density is an important variable in estimates of forest biomass and greenhouse-gas emissions from land-use change. The mean wood density used in estimates of forest biomass in the Brazilian Amazon has heretofore been based on samples from outside the “arc of deforestation”, where most of the carbon flux from land-use change takes place. This paper presents new wood density estimates for the southern and southwest Brazilian Amazon (SSWA) portions of the arc of deforestation, using locally collected species weighted by their volume in large local inventories. Mean wood density was computed for the entire bole, including the bark, and taking into account radial and longitudinal variation. A total of 403 trees were sampled at 6 sites. In the southern Brazilian Amazon (SBA), 225 trees (119 species or morpho-species) were sampled at 4 sites. In eastern Acre state 178 trees (128 species or morpho-species) were sampled at breast height in 2 forest types. Mean basic density in the SBA sites was 0.593 ± 0.113 (mean ± 1 S.D.; n = 225; range 0.265–0.825). For the trees sampled in Acre the mean wood density at breast height was 0.540 ± 0.149 (n = 87) in open bamboo-dominated forest and 0.619 ± 0.149 (n = 91) in dense bamboo-free forest. Mean wood density in the SBA sites was significantly higher than in the bamboo dominated forest but not the dense forest at the Acre site. From commercial wood inventories by the RadamBrasil Project in the SSWA portion of the arc of deforestation, the wood volume and wood density of each species or genus were used to estimate average wood density of all wood volume in each vegetation unit. These units were defined by the intersection of mapped forest types and states. The area of each unit was then used to compute a mean wood density of 0.583 g cm⁻³ for all wood volume in the SSWA. This is 13.6% lower than the value applied to this region in previous estimates of mean wood density. When combined with the new estimates for the SSWA, this gave an average wood density of 0.642 g cm⁻³ for all the wood volume in the entire Brazilian Amazon, which is 7% less than a prior estimate of 0.69 g cm⁻³. These results suggest that current estimates of carbon emissions from land-use change in the Brazilian Amazon are too high. The impact on biomass estimates and carbon emissions is substantial because the downward adjustment is greater in forest types undergoing the most deforestation. For 1990, with 13.8 × 10³ km² of deforestation, emissions for the Brazilian Amazon would be reduced by 23.4–24.4 × 10⁶ Mg CO₂-equivalent C/year (for high- and low-trace gas scenarios), or 9.4–9.5% of the gross emission and 10.7% of the net committed emission, both excluding soils.     

Red cell distribution width values and red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio in Thoroughbred foals in the first 24 hours of life

Objectives

To report red cell distribution width (RDW) values, to calculate RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR), and to investigate a possible correlation of RDW and RPR index values in neonatal foals classified as healthy or at risk based on clinical information from a population of foals up to 24 hours of life.

Design

Retrospective study conducted from records and CBCs of foals born between June and November from 2018 to 2020 foaling seasons.

Setting

Breeding farm.

Animals

Three hundred and nine neonatal full-term Thoroughbred foals.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Foals were evaluated by a veterinarian within 15 minutes after birth, and a blood sample was collected within 24 hours of life. Based on clinical information, 88 of 309 foals (28.4%) were considered at risk of perinatal disease, and 201 were healthy. Mean gestational age for the foals was 346.3 ± 9.7 days. RDW values did not differ between groups. Gestational length demonstrated to have a negative correlation with RDW (r = –0.156, P = 0.005) and mean corpuscular volume (r = –0.135, P = 0.01), indicating a link of these variables to foal maturity. RPR index was higher for at-risk (0.073 ± 0.018) than for healthy foals (0.068 ± 0.014, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

RPR might be a promising early indicator of disease for the field triage of neonatal foals.     

A study of the effect of hemorrhage on the cardiorespiratory actions of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in the dog

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiorespiratory changes induced by equipotent concentrations of halothane (HAL), isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) before and after hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-four healthy adult dogs weighing 15.4 +/- 3.4 kg (mean +/- SD). METHODS: Animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups (n = 8 per group). In each group, anesthesia was maintained with 1.5 minimum alveolar concentration of HAL (1.3%), ISO (1.9%) and SEVO (3.5%) in oxygen. Controlled ventilation was performed to maintain eucapnia. Cardiorespiratory variables were evaluated at baseline (between 60 and 90 minutes after induction), immediately after and 30 minutes after the withdrawal of 32 mL kg(-1) of blood (40% of the estimated blood volume) over a 30-minute period. RESULTS: During baseline conditions, ISO and SEVO resulted in higher cardiac index (CI) than HAL. Heart rates were higher with SEVO at baseline, while mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure did not differ between groups. Although heart rate values were higher for ISO and SEVO after hemorrhage, only ISO resulted in a higher CI when compared with HAL. In ISO-anesthetized dogs, MAP was higher immediately after hemorrhage, and this was related to better maintenance of CI and to an increase in systemic vascular resistance index from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Although the hemodynamic responses of ISO and SEVO are similar in normovolaemic dogs, ISO results in better maintenance of circulatory function during the early period following a massive blood loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Inhaled anesthetics should be used judiciously in animals presented with blood loss. However, if an inhalational agent is to be used under these circumstances, ISO may provide better hemodynamic stability than SEVO or HAL.     

Coenzyme Q10 and α‐Tocopherol Prevent the Lipid Peroxidation of Cooled Equine Semen

Biotechnology applied for equine semen increases the levels of reactive oxygen species and reduces the natural antioxidant defence, by both dilution and removal of seminal plasma. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of adding coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and α‐tocopherol (α‐TOH) to the cooling extender, singly or in combination, on sperm parameters, and their effectiveness in preventing lipid peroxidation (LPO) of equine semen during cooling at 5°C for 72 h. Ten adult stallions of proven fertility were used, using two ejaculates each, subjecting them to the treatments with the following concentrations: α‐TOH: 2 mm ; CoQ10: 40 μg/ml; and CoQ10 + α‐TOH: 40 μg/ml + 2 mm for control (C) without the addition of antioxidants and for vehicle control (EtOH) with 100 μl ethanol. The CoQ10 group had a higher percentage of total motility (69.1 ± 16.2%) compared to control (62.1 ± 16.2%) and EtOH (58.1 ± 18.6%). CoQ10 + α‐TOH and α‐TOH groups were most effective in preventing LPO compared to controls (1765.9 ± 695.9, 1890.8 ± 749.5, 2506.2 ± 769.4 ng malondialdehyde/10⁸ sptz, respectively). In conclusion, CoQ10 and α‐TOH were effective during the cooling process of equine semen at 5°C for 72 h, providing increased levels of total motility, as well as lower LPO.