Effects of rearing system on meat quality,fatty acid and amino acid profiles of Hu lambs

To determine the effects of early rearing system on meat quality traits, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of meat, 48 Hu lambs were selected and randomly divided into four treatments: control lambs were ewe‐reared from birth to 60 days of age (ER), while treatment lambs were segregated from their dams at 10, 20 and 30 days of age, then artificially reared with milk replacer until 60 days of age (EW10, EW20 and EW30, respectively). All lambs had no access to the milk replacer or their dams from 61 to 90 days. Creep feed was supplied ad libitum to all lambs from 15 to 90 days of age. Artificially reared lambs (EW10, EW20 and EW30) had higher (p < .05) creep feed intake, average daily gain, slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, meat ether extract content, bright meat color (lightness and yellowness) than ewe‐reared lambs. The content of unsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in EW10 and EW20 were greater (p < .05) than that in ER, whereas the proportions of saturated fatty acids in EW10 and EW20 were lower than that in ER (p < .05). The percentages of C18:0, C18:2, C18:3 and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids of artificially reared lambs were greater than ewe‐reared lambs (p < .05). The meat proportions of leucine, alanine and proline were higher (p < .05) in artificially reared lambs than ewe‐reared ones. Finally, the artificially reared system increased meat production and changed the fatty acid and amino acid profiles of meat, and it would be appropriate to rear Hu lambs artificially from 10 days with milk replacer.     

挥发性脂肪酸在动物体内的作用

挥发性脂肪酸 (volatilefattyacids ,VFA)是碳链为 1～ 6的脂肪酸 ,包括乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸等 ,其中对动物体代谢作用最为重要的有直链乙酸、丙酸和丁酸 ,约占瘤胃发酵VFA总产量的 95 % ,乙酸是产量最大的VFA ,约占VFA总产量的 70 %～ 75 %。挥发性脂肪酸在不同动物体内其比例和数量不同 ,见表 1。表 1　食糜挥发性脂肪酸浓度及其中各酸比例绵羊瘤胃猪盲肠鸡盲肠总挥发性脂肪酸 (mmol/L) 1 1 91 8 2 1 0 7乙酸 (% ) 54 55 61丙酸 (% ) 2 5 2 7 2 7丁酸 (% ) 1 7 6 1 1长链脂肪酸 (% ) 4 2 1　　注 :资料来源于…     

Effect of propionate level in a volatile fatty acid salt mixture fed to lambs on weight gain, body composition and plasma metabolites

Chopped hay supplemented with a volatile fatty acid salt mixture at 20% of metabolizable energy (ME) was fed to 30 Suffolk X Corriedale lambs (mean wt 29.6 kg) to determine the effects of dietary propionate on weight gain, body composition and plasma metabolites. Propionate accounted for 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of the salt mixture energy, and acetate accounted for the remainder. Each diet was fed at two levels of daily intake (158.7 and 130.6 kcal ME/W.75). Lambs on the high level of intake lost more (P less than .05) energy in feces, lost less (P less than .05) energy in CH4 and had carcasses with more (P less than .10) water and fat than lambs on the low intake level. Percentage of propionate in the salt mixture had no effect on ME or body composition of lambs. Increasing the percentage of propionate in the salt mixture increased plasma propionate in blood samples taken at 1 and 2 h after feeding (linear, P less than .05). Empty body weight gain per megacalorie of ME above maintenance increased as the percentage of propionate in the salt mixture increased, but not until propionate reached 75% of the salt mixture (linear, P less than .05; cubic, P less than .05). These results show that propionate in the blood has a positive, but nonlinear, effect on weight gain, even when energy intake is held constant.     

Reduced dietary protein level influences the free amino acid and gene expression profiles of selected amino acid transceptors in skeletal muscle of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reduced dietary protein level on growth performance, muscle mass weight, free amino acids (FAA) and gene expression profile of selected amino acid transceptors in different fibre type of skeletal muscle tissues (longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris) of growing pigs. A total of 18 cross‐bred growing pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) with initial body weight (9.57 ± 0.67 kg) were assigned into three dietary treatments: 20% crude protein (CP) diet (normal recommended, NP), 17% CP diet (low protein, LP) and 14% CP diet (very low protein, VLP). The results indicated improved feed‐to‐gain ratio was obtained for pigs fed LP and NP diets (p < 0.01), while the pigs fed VLP diet showed the worst growth performance (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the weights of longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle between LP and NP groups (p > 0.05). Majority of the determined FAA concentration of LP group were greater than or equal to those of NP group in both longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscle (p < 0.01). Further, the mRNA expression levels of sodium‐coupled neutral amino acid transceptor 2, L‐type amino acid transceptor 1 and proton‐assisted amino acid transceptors 2 were higher in skeletal muscle tissue in LP group compared to those of the pigs fed NP or VLP diet. These results suggested that reduced dietary protein level (3 points of percentage less than recommended level) would upregulate the mRNA expression of amino acid transceptors to enhance the absorption of FAA in skeletal muscle of growing pigs. There seems to be a relationship between response of AA transceptors to the dietary protein level in skeletal muscle tissue of different fibre type. To illustrate the underlying mechanisms will be beneficial to animal nutrition.     

Effect of the methodology on peptide amino acid concentrations in blood and plasma of sheep.

Different methodologies for the measurement of peptide amino acid (PAA) in blood and plasma were compared in sheep. Preparation of blood and plasma samples consisted of a deproteinization, either chemical with sulfosalicylic acid (0.04 g for 1 ml of sample) or physical by ultrafiltration (10,000-MW cut-off filters), with or without a subsequent ultrafiltration through a 3,000-MW cut-off filter. Peptide concentrations were determined by quantification of amino acid concentrations before and after acid hydrolysis of samples. Free amino acid concentrations were similar by all the method used (about 2.5 and 2.7 mM, for blood and plasma respectively). Peptide concentrations were higher with chemical deproteinization (10.6 and 4.2 mM, for blood and plasma respectively) than with physical deproteinization (5.7 and 3.3 mM, for blood and plasma respectively). When the deproteinized samples were further treated to remove material of molecular weight above than 3 kDa, peptide concentrations were significantly reduced, which indicates inefficiencies in the ability of the deproteinizing procedures in removing all the proteinaceous materials. Concentration of small PAA (< 3 kDa) in blood was about 1.5-fold that in plasma, mainly due to peptide Gly and Glu derived from the hydrolysis of the erythrocyte glutathione. The choice of a methodology for quantifying circulating peptides is discussed.     

Effect of ruminal infusion of glucose, volatile fatty acids and hydrochloric acid on mineral metabolism in sheep

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of alterations in ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations on utilization of Mg and other minerals. In Exp. 1, two metabolism trials were conducted with 12 ruminally cannulated crossbred wethers fed 800 g/d of orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata, L.) hay. After each feeding, wethers were ruminally infused with 500 ml (4.2 ml/min) or either 1) deionized water, 2) 40% (w/v) glucose solution, 3) .26 M propionic and .17 M butyric acid solution or 4) .35 M HCl. The pH of the VFA solution was adjusted to 6.8 with 10N NaOH. In Exp. 2, a metabolism trial was conducted with 12 ruminally cannulated crossbred wethers fed 600 g of orchard-grass hay and infused with a buffered VFA solution prepared as in Exp. 1 or with an unbuffered solution. In both experiments each trial consisted of a 5-d adaption period followed by four 5-d collections of feed, feces and urine. Compared with the glucose treatment, infusion of the buffered VFA solution produced similar acetic and propionic and higher (P less than .05) butyric acid concentrations (Exp. 1). The HCl solution produced changes in ruminal and pH values similar to those of the glucose infusion. In Exp. 1, apparent absorption of Mg was increased over twofold by the glucose infusion (P less than .05), but the other infusions had no effect. Apparent absorption of P was decreased (P less than .05) by HCl infusion, and K absorption was decreased by HCl and glucose infusions. In Exp. 2, infusion of the unbuffered VFA solution decreased apparent Mg absorption by 15.7%, compared with infusion of the buffered solution. These experiments suggest that the increased Mg absorption observed with carbohydrate supplementation is not due to alterations in ruminal pH or VFA levels.     

Plasma free amino acid profiles of canine mammary gland tumors

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between plasma free amino acid (PFAA) levels and the clinical stages of mammary gland tumors (MGT) in dogs. PFAA levels in canines with malignant mammary tumors were decreased compared to those of healthy animals. The levels of aspartate and ornithine, in the dogs with tumor metastasis were significantly decreased when compared to those of dogs that did not have metastases. Results of this study indicate that PFAA levels could be a risk factor or biomarker for canine MGT metastasis.     

Determination of volatile fatty acids in the blood plasma of cattle before and after an infusion of propionate and butyrate

Before and after infusion of propionate and butyrate the concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the blood of heifers were determined by gas chromatography, in order to indicate activity and regulation of the carbohydrate metabolism. 14 heifers were loaded after food deprivation with intravenous infusions of propionate and butyrate. Concentrations of acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, and valerate were measured in blood samples which were taken later on. The methods used for clearance and extraction as well as for gas chromatographic analysis are described. Retention times and blood concentrations are given for each VFA. Concentrations prior to infusion were for: acetate 10.14 +/- 2.51 microliters/ml; propionate 0.42 +/- 0.35 microliters/ml; iso-butyrate 3.72 +/- 1.37 microliters/ml; butyrate 3.44 +/- 0.68 microliters/ml blood plasma. The concentrations of the infused VFA showed a 100 (butyrate) to 1000 (propionate) fold increase followed by a subsequent decrease to the initial values. These investigations on the profile of VFA elucidated criteria of the energy metabolism.     

Some effects of protein deficiency in young growing pigs. II. Blood plasma free amino acids

The influence of protein deficiency, rehabilitation and total starvation on the free amino acid levels in the blood plasma of pigs has been investigated. It was found that the concentration of most amino acids was reduced during protein deficiency. The levels of leucine, isoleucine and valine were diminished by the greatest proportion, followed by threonine, tyrosine and citrulline. During the first few weeks of protein deficiency the levels of lysine, histidine and arginine were slightly increased, but later decreased below control values. Concentrations of glycine and alanine were altered in a similar way except that the initial increase was much more pronounced. The concentrations of most of these amino acids returned to control levels after rehabilitation. Total starvation led to an increase in concentration of leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine and to a smaller extent phenylalanine, lysine, citrulline and arginine. The concentration of glycine, alanine and glutamic acid were very much reduced. The level of urea in the circulation dropped reversibly during protein deficiency and increased very much during total starvation.     

Effects of ruminal infusion of volatile fatty acids on plasma concentration of growth hormone and insulin in sheep.

In an initial experiment we observed postprandial changes in plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin (SRIF) in sheep. We then examined whether increasing the rumen concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) by infusing a VFA mixture at three rates (53.5, 107, and 214 micromol/kg/min for 4 hr) mimicked the postprandial changes in hormone secretion. Feeding significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the plasma GH concentration for 6 hr, whereas it significantly (P < 0.05) increased plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and SRIF. Plasma glucose levels tended to decrease after feeding but then gradually increased over the prefeeding level (P < 0.05). Intraruminal infusion of the VFA mixture at 107 micromol/kg/min caused similar changes in ruminal VFA concentrations to those seen after feeding. The infusion significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed GH secretion in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in insulin and glucose concentrations without changing glucagon concentrations. From these results, we conclude that the postprandial change in ruminal VFA concentration may be a physiological signal which modifies GH and insulin secretion in sheep.     

Effect of somatotropin on nonesterified fatty acid and glycerol metabolism in growing pigs.

Eight crossbred barrows (71 kg initial BW) were allocated to two treatments involving daily i.m. injections of either excipient (control) or recombinantly derived porcine somatotropin (120 micrograms/kg of BW). On d 8 of treatment, beginning 15 h after injection, glycerol and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) kinetics were determined using a primed, continuous infusion of [2-3H]glycerol and [9,10(n)-3H]oleic acid. Kinetics were examined under both basal conditions and during a hyperinsulinemic/euglycemic clamp. Plasma concentrations of NEFA and glycerol and their respective entry rates were highly correlated. Insulin had no effect on plasma glycerol or glycerol entry rate, probably due to the very low rates that were observed in both the control and somatotropin-treated pigs. However, both plasma NEFA and oleic acid entry rate were reduced during hyperinsulinemia. Although indices of fat mobilization tended to be higher in pigs treated with somatotropin, the magnitude of the increases were small and would be sufficient to account for only a minor fraction of the decreased lipid accretion observed in somatotropin-treated pigs.     

Studies on acid oils and fatty acids for chickens. II. Effect of free fatty acid content and degree of saturation of free fatty acids and neutral fat on fatty acid digestibility

1. Two experiments were designed to study the influence of free fatty acid content and degree of saturation of free fatty acids and neutral fat on digestibility of added fats and fatty acids. Sunflower oil and tallow were used as neutral fats, and palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids as free fatty acids. Fat inclusion was 80 g/kg and mixtures of each fat and each free fatty acid were prepared in the proportions 100:0, 70:30 and 40:60.

2. Experimental diets were evaluated for fat and fatty acid digestibilities with broiler chickens at 21 d of age. The metabolisable energy of fat was calculated from the product of digestibility and gross energy. Increasing concentrations of saturated free fatty acids decreased the ME of added fat, whereas unsaturated free fatty acids did not significantly affect the ME value of added fat.

3. Digestibilities of individual fatty acids were analysed by linear regression with rate of inclusion of free fatty acid in the fat blend: palmitic and stearic acids gave a negative slope, whereas oleic and linoleic acids gave a slope not statistically different from zero. Because slopes for saturated fatty acids did not differ between the sunflower oil and tallow treatments, synergism between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids was not detected.     

Effects of isoproterenol infusion on the hindlimb metabolism of growing wether lambs

The effect of a mixed beta 1/beta 2-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, on hindlimb metabolism was studied in growing wether lambs using arteriovenous difference and blood flow rate techniques. Isoproterenol (48 micrograms kg-1 d-1), or saline, was infused into a jugular vein of five wether lambs (30 to 35 kg) for five days and samples taken on the fifth day of treatment. Infusion of isoproterenol significantly increased blood flow, oxygen uptake and tyrosine uptake across the hindlimb. Hindlimb non-esterified fatty acid uptake was increased but not significantly (P = 0.11) and arterial growth hormone concentration was not altered by isoproterenol infusion. Results suggest that beta-adrenergic agonists promote lean tissue deposition by increased muscle blood flow rate and amino acid uptake.