Soy protein concentrate as a substitute for fish meal in diets for juvenile Acanthopagrus schlegelii: effects on growth,phosphorus discharge and digestive enzyme activity

The current high demand and cost of fish meal (FM) necessities the evaluation of alternative plant protein ingredients in diets of farmed marine fish. A 56‐day feeding trial was performed to study the effects of replacement of FM with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in diets of Acanthopagrus schlegelii. Diets were prepared at levels of 0%, 30%, 47.5%, 65%, 82.5% and 100% SPC, respectively, replacing FM. The results indicated no significant differences (p > .05) in % weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate of fish fed S30% to S82.5% diets compared with the control diet while, further inclusion at 100% significantly depressed growth performance. SPC inclusion and phytase supplementation significantly affected the phosphorous discharge (P‐load) showing lowest value (3.83 ± 0.53 g/kg WG) in S100% compared to control (14.79 ± 0.37 g/kg WG) and in fish fed S30% diet (13.24 ± 0.89 g/kg WG) (p < .05). The results of this study showed that FM could be substituted up to 82.5% by SPC in the diet of Acanthopagrus schlegelii fingerlings (5.53 ± 0.12 g) without any adverse effects. Phytase supplementation SPC based diets could be effective in reducing the phosphorus load in the aquatic culture environment.     

Application of plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with composts and macrofauna for growth promotion of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) were reported to influence the growth, yield, and nutrient uptake by an array of mechanisms. We selected seven different plant growth-promoting traits and antagonistic ability to screen 207 bacteria isolated from composts. Fifty-four percent of PGPB were from farm waste compost (FWC), 56% from rice straw compost (RSC), 64% from Gliricidia vermicompost (GVC), and 41% from macrofauna associated with FWC. Twelve isolates based on different plant growth-promoting traits and seed vigor index were evaluated at glasshouse for plant growth-promoting activity on pearl millet. Seven isolates significantly increased shoot length and ten isolates showed significant increase in leaf area, root length density, and plant weight. Maximum increase in plant weight was by Serratia marcescens EB 67 (56%), Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 (52%), and Bacillus circulans EB 35 (42%). Plant growth-promoting activity of composts and bacteria (EB 35, EB 67, and CDB 35) was studied together. All the three composts showed significant increase in growth of pearl millet, which was 77% by RSC, 55% by GVC, and 30% by FWC. Application of composts with bacteria improved plant growth up to 88% by RSC with EB 67, 83% with GVC and EB 67. These results show the synergistic effect of selected bacteria applied with composts on growth of pearl millet.     

Influences of dietary soy protein concentrate with taurine on growth and biochemical status of Acanthopagrus schlegelii juveniles

Taurine is a component that tends to be deficient in fish diets that contain higher plant‐derivative proteins. Acanthopagrus schlegelii juveniles (IBW ? 11.28 g) were fed nine diets containing SPC levels (SPC40, SPC60, SPC80 and SPC100), or supplemented with 5 g/kg of taurine at each replacement level. Our results showed higher WGR and SGR in SPC60 + TAU (WGR; 224.67, SGR; 2.10) followed by SPC40 + TAU (WGR; 221.75, SGR; 2.09). Phosphorus retention efficiency was significantly raised as the SPC increased when compared with the control diet. Taurine addition showed an incline in the nitrogen retention efficiency. An effect was observed within FR between fish and the SPC content. ADCs of dry matter, crude lipid and phosphorous were affected by SPC, while taurine addition affected only crude lipid. A significant effect was seen in ash and phosphorus by the SPC and taurine. TAU supplementation showed an increased T‐AOC activity in the SPC80 + TAU (1.90), while malondialdehyde and catalase activity were reduced except in completely replaced fish meal groups. It could be concluded that black sea bream can accept the substitution of FM with 60% of SPC while at the inclusion of dietary TAU (5 g/kg) growth could be improved.     

Relationship between gut microbiota and host-metabolism: Emphasis on hormones related to reproductive function

It has been well recognized that interactions between the gut microbiota and host-metabolism have a proven effect on health. The gut lumen is known for harboring different bacterial communities. Microbial by-products and structural components, which are derived through the gut microbiota, generate a signaling response to maintain homeostasis. Gut microbiota is not only involved in metabolic disorders, but also participates in the regulation of reproductive hormonal function. Bacterial phyla, which are localized in the gut, allow for the metabolization of steroid hormones through the stimulation of different enzymes. Reproductive hormones such as progesterone, estrogen and testosterone play a pivotal role in the successful completion of reproductive events. Disruption in this mechanism may lead to reproductive disorders. Environmental bacteria can affect the metabolism, and degrade steroid hormones and their relevant compounds. This behavior of the bacteria can safely be implemented to eliminate steroidal compounds from a polluted environment. In this review, we summarize the metabolism of steroid hormones on the regulation of gut microbiota and vice-versa, and also examined the significant influence this process has on various events of reproductive function. Altogether, the evidence suggests that steroid hormones and gut microbiota exert a central role in the modification of host bacterial action and impact the reproductive efficiency of animals and humans.     

Monoclonal antibody specific to HA2 glycopeptide protects mice from H3N2 influenza virus infection

Canine influenza virus (CIV) subtype H3N2 is a newly identified, highly contagious respiratory pathogen that causes cough, pneumonia and other respiratory symptoms in dogs. Data indicate that the virus is responsible for recent clinical cases of dog disease in China. However, therapeutic options for this disease are very limited. In this study, seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CIV JS/10 (an H3N2 subtype virus) were produced and characterized. Among them, mAb D7, which is specific for the HA2 glycopeptide (gp), induced the highest neutralization titers. The protection provided by mAb D7 was evaluated in BALB/c mice challenged with homologous or heterologous strains of H3N2 influenza virus, including two strains of CIV and one strain of swine influenza virus (SIV). The data show that mAb D7 protected the mice from infection with the three viral strains, especially the homologous strain, which was indicated by the recovery of body weight, reduction of viral load, and reduction of tissue damage. Moreover, the levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the lungs, as detected by ELISA, were reduced in the infected mice treated with the mAb D7 compared with those without mAb D7 treatment. Thus, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that a mAb could reduce the release of IFN-γ and TNF-α associated with tissue damage by CIV infection and that the mAb might be of great therapeutic value for CIV infection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-015-0146-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Observations on the use of glyceryl guaiacolate as an adjunct to general anaesthesia in horses

Twenty-one horses undergoing clinical surgery and diagnostic procedures received 15% glyceryl guaiacolate followed by a rapid intravenous injection of a thiobarbiturate for induction of anaesthesia. Premedication was with atropine and acepromazine. Induction was smooth and free from problems apart from transient apnoea in some horses. Maintenance of anaesthesia was with oxygen and halothane administered by means of a closed circle system with soda-lime absorber and with the vaporiser out of circuit. During the period immediately following induction, the heart rate increased and the respiratory rate fell. Blood gas estimations were carried out on 6 horses during anaesthesia. These horses showed respiratory acidosis. Arterial blood oxygen tension values were above those reported in conscious horses. Use of glyceryl guaiacolate in this way provides a safe induction and enables transition to a stable maintenance period which is followed by a quiet and uneventful recovery.