Effects of isulin-like growth factor-I on maternal and fetal plasma amino acid levels in pregnant rats

Pregnant rats were subcutaneously administered with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) in doses of 0 (control), 1, 2, and 4 microg/g body weight per day from day 18 to 21 of pregnancy. On day 21 of pregnancy, maternal and fetal plasma samples were collected and those amino acid levels were measured. The ratios of fetal/maternal plasma amino acids, especially leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine, increased in 2 microg rhIGF-I treated group. Both total fetal weight and total placental weight were also higher than those in the control group. These results suggested that IGF-I enhanced fetal growth by, as one of its possible mechanisms, promoting placental amino acid supplies from the mother to fetuses.     

Uterine NK cells produce epidermal growth factor in the murine pregnant uterus.

Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells belong to the large granular lymphocytes in the murine pregnant uterus and play essential roles in pregnancy success. We defined whether uNK cells can produce epidermal growth factor (EGF) important for implantation and embryo growth. The uNK cells were immunohistochemically positive for anti-EGF antibody especially during days 6 to 9 and at day 15 of pregnancy. Immunoreaction for EGF receptor was observed on the stromal cells in the metrial gland and trophoblasts in the placental labyrinth. EGF secretion (72.1 +/- 2.25 ng/10(40 cells) was noted in cultured uNK cells isolated from the metrial gland at day 15 of pregnancy. Treatment of anti-asialo-GM I antibody raised the level of EGF (129 +/- 21.5 ng/10(4) cells). These results suggest uNK cell can produce and release EGF for placental development.     

氨基酸微量元素螯合物对异育银鲫生长及其品质的影响

试验研究了氨基酸微量元素螯合物对异育银鲫生长及其品质的影响。结果表明,①氨基酸微量元素螯合物替代无机微量元素能显著促进异育银鲫生长,提高饲料利用效率,其中,以65%替代无机微量元素的促生长效果最好,饲料利用效率最高,日特定生长率和饲料利用效率分别增加25.37%和26.32%。②用氨基酸微量元素螯合物替代无机微量元素后,鱼体水分、灰分含量无显著差异,以65%替代无机微量元素后,鱼体蛋白含量提高1.75%;鱼体脂肪含量在35%、50%、65%替代无机微量元素后,均有增加。③氨基酸微量元素螯合物35%、50%、65%替代无机微量元素,对鱼体肥满度没有产生影响,但内脏比均增加。④氨基酸微量元素螯合物以35%、50%、65%替代无机微量元素后,提高了成活率、降低了养殖饲料成本。⑤在氨基酸微量元素螯合物基础上再添加黄霉素,具有更好的促生长效果和更高的饲料利用效率。     

Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on fetal islet B cells in vitro

ABSTRACT. It has been reported that when the rat fetus is treated with streptozotocin (STZ) in vivo, islet B cells are destroyed but later recover. To investigate the process of the recovery of B cells after in vitro treatment of the fetal pancreas with STZ and the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the recovery of B cells, we measured the level of insulin released from the cultured fetal pancreas and examined it histologically. As a result, we immunohistologically confirmed the regeneration of B cells in the pancreas that had been cultured for 48 hr after destruction of islet B cells by STZ treatment. An immunohistologic study using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) showed that without the addition of EGF, the cell division index was significantly higher in the STZ-treated group (STZ group) than in the untreated group (intact group), whereas with the addition of EGF, the cell division index increased in both groups, but EGF did not have a significant cell division-promoting effect on the pancreas in the STZ group. The addition of EGF caused a significant decrease in the concentration of insulin in culture medium in both groups. These results indicate that EGF has a cell growth-promoting effect on intact fetal pancreas in vitro but has the effect of inhibiting the release of insulin, and thus suggest that EGF does not trigger the regeneration of islet B cells.     

The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real-time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.     

Effects of low protein intake on the development of the remaining kidney in subtotally nephrectomized immature rats: apoptosis and epidermal growth factor

Effects of low protein intake on the development of the remaining kidney in subtotally (5/6) nephrectomized immature rats were examined. Three week-old weaning rats were kept on a diet containing either 12% (Lp rats) or 18% (Np rats) protein for 4 or 8 weeks after subtotal nephrectomy. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was determined at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy. At 4 or 8 weeks after the operation, glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage were assessed by a standard semiquantitative analysis and were expressed as the glomerular sclerosis index (GSI) and interstitial fibrosis score (IFS), respectively. The localization of DNA fragmented cells in the kidney was examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) -mediated d-UTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and the localization of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) by immunohistochemical methods. BUN concentration was significantly lower in the Lp rats compared with that in the Np rats. Both 4 and 8 weeks after subtotal nephrectomy, GSI and incidence of TUNEL positive cells in the distal tubules were significantly lower in the Lp rats than in the Np rats. Four weeks after the operation, IFS was significantly lower in the Lp rats than in the Np rats. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, EGF positive cells in the distal tubules were more observed in the Lp rats than in the Np rats. These findings reveal that protein restriction is effective in preventing renal tubular scarring in immature rats and that EGF is involved in the process of this prevention.     

Effects of heat stress on the endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and fertility in dairy cows

The endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile is an indicator of uterine function and fertility in cattle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of heat stress on the endometrial EGF profile and fertility in lactating Holstein cows. The endometrial EGF profiles of 365 cows in the Hokkaido and Kyushu regions were examined between June and September (heat stress period, n = 211) and between October and January (control period, n = 154). EGF profiles were investigated using uterine endometrial tissues obtained by biopsy 3 days after estrus (Day 3). The proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher between June and September than between October and January (41.2 vs. 16.2%, P < 0.05). The effects of rectal temperature on Days 0 and 3 on the endometrial EGF profile were also assessed in cows (n = 79) between June and September in the Kyushu region. A single embryo was transferred to cow on Day 7 to evaluate fertility (n = 67). Regardless of the rectal temperature on Day 3, the proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher (64.1 vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05) and the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) was lower (26.7 vs. 51.4%, P < 0.05) in cows with a rectal temperature ≥ 39.5°C on Day 0 than in cows with a rectal temperature < 39.5°C on Day 0. The present results indicate that alterations in the endometrial EGF profile induced by an elevated body temperature on Day 0 contributed to reductions in fertility in lactating dairy cows during the heat stress period.     

饲粮含硫氨基酸水平对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道形态及酶活性的影响

文章旨在研究饲粮含硫氨基酸水平对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道形态及酶活性的影响。试验选择体重接近的28日龄断奶仔猪80头,称重后随机分为试验1、2、3、4组,各组饲粮中含硫氨基酸含量分别0.49%、0.64%、0.79%、0.94%,共进行21d。试验结果,仔猪平均日采食量(ADFI)随着饲粮中含硫氨基酸水平增加出现先增加后下降的趋势,料肉比(F/C)与之趋势相反,当含硫氨基酸含量为0.79%时(试验3组)生长性能最好。其中,试验2、3组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)较试验1组分别增加12.5%、15.9%(P<0.05),F/C较试验1组分别降低10.8%、12.4%(P<0.05)。饲粮中含硫氨基酸水平显著影响仔猪空肠形态,而对十二指肠、回肠形态无显著影响(P>0.05)。相比于试验1组,试验2、3、4组空肠绒毛高度(VH)分别增加8.6%、11.7%、9.1%(P<0.05),空肠隐窝深度(CD)分别下降22.6%、16.4%、12.7%(P<0.05),试验2、3组绒毛高度和隐窝深度比(V/C)较试验1组分别增加24.3%、17.4%(P<0.05)。除此之外,饲粮中含硫氨基酸显著影响仔猪空肠中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性(二次P<0.05)及麦芽糖酶活性(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中含硫氨基酸水平显著影响断奶仔猪小肠发育及空肠内酶活性,改善生长。     

Functional amino acids,growth and immunity

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Functional amino acids (FAA) are those that elicit a metabolic response independent of their necessity for protein synthesis. Supplementation of FAA may offset growth deficits (Ji et al., 2019; Moreira et al., 2020), boost intestinal immunity (Ren et al., 2020) and improve blood flow to tissues and organs (Peine et al., 2020) through mechanisms that include activation of cellular signaling modules (DeBoer et al., 2018; Yan et al., 2018). The piglet often is faced with health challenges that include exposure to pathogens. A recent study reports that FAA can alleviate partially the negative impacts of Salmonella infection in weaned piglets (Rodrigues et al., 2020). These results provide further evidence of FAA as critical modifiers of intestinal health and antioxidant state.     

Equine oocyte maturation with epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to have a positive effect during oocyte in vitro maturation in several species. This study was performed to establish the capacity of equine oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation in the presence of EGF and to localise its receptor in the equine ovary by immunohistochemical methods. Oocytes were obtained by aspiration and subsequent scraping from equine follicles (15-25 mm diameter) and cultured in 3 different treatment groups for 36 h: control Group (modified TCM 199 with 0.003% BSA), EGF Group (TCM-199 supplemented with 50 ng/ml EGF) and EMS Group (TCM 199 supplemented with 10% v/v oestrous mare serum). Each group was divided further into 3 treatments with tyrphostin A-47, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, at 0, 10(-4) and 10(-6) mmol/l. Maturation was determined as the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II stage at the end of the culture period. Immunohistochemical detection of EGF-receptor (EGFR) was performed using a streptoavidin-biotin method. The recovery rate and oocyte retrieval were 84.6% (recovered oocytes/follicles aspirated) and 6.55 (oocytes/mare), respectively. Treatment with EGF significantly (P<0.05) increased the incidence of metaphase II stage compared with the control group (69.4 vs. 26.9% in controls, respectively). The specific-tyrosine kinase inhibitor A-47 was effective in suppressing EGF-effect on EGF-cultured oocytes; no significant differences were observed in EMS-supplemented oocytes when cultured with A-47. EGF-receptor was localised in follicles, with localisation being more prominent in the cumulus than in mural granulosa cells. This finding, together with the increase of oocyte nuclear maturation rate when using EGF in culture media and the inhibition of maturation by tyrphostin A-47, suggests a physiological role for EGF in the regulation of equine oocyte maturation. The results should help successful development of assisted reproductive technology in the horse.     

Effects of rice feeding on growth performance and protein (amino acids) metabolism in weanling piglets

We investigated the effects of rice feeding on growth performance and protein (amino acids) metabolism of weanling piglets. In all, 16 weanling piglets with an average initial weight of 7.5 kg were divided into two groups. One group was fed a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet, and the other was fed a rice‐soybean meal diet, containing around 46% of corn or rice, respectively. A two‐week growth trial was conducted. The average daily gain (p = .025) and feed efficiency (p = .011) in rice‐fed piglets were significantly higher than those in corn‐fed piglets. Liver lysine‐ketoglutarate reductase activity tended to be lower (p = .073) in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma urea nitrogen concentration in rice‐fed piglets was significantly lower than that in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Plasma‐free valine, isoleucine, and tryptophan concentrations were significantly higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. In contrast, plasma histidine concentration was significantly lower in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Overall, these results show that rice feeding improves the growth performance and affects the protein (amino acids) metabolism in weanling piglets.     

Effects of epidermal growth factor on atrophic enteritis in piglets induced by experimental porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes gastrointestinal mucosal recovery by stimulating the mitogenic activity of intestinal crypt epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of EGF on atrophic enteritis induced in piglets by experimental infection with porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) strain Dr13. Two groups of 12 conventional, colostrum-deprived, 1-day-old, large White-Duroc cross breed piglets were inoculated orally with PEDV (3 x 10(5) 50% tissue culture infective doses), with or without EGF (10 microg/kg/day, intraperitoneally once daily for 4 days after infection) and compared to 12 uninfected, untreated control piglets. PEDV+EGF piglets had less severe clinical signs than PEDV only piglets at 48 and 60 h post-infection (hpi). Histologically, the ratio of villous height:crypt depth of PEDV+EGF piglets was significantly higher than PEDV only piglets at 36 and 48 hpi. Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 demonstrated increased proliferation in intestinal crypt epithelial cells of PEDV+EGF piglets compared to PEDV only piglets at 36, 48 and 60 hpi. EGF stimulates proliferation of intestinal crypt epithelial cells and promotes recovery from atrophic enteritis in PEDV-infected piglets.     

Influence of epidermal growth factor on growth of bovine mammary tissue in athymic nude mice

Bovine mammary tissue obtained from midpregnant Holstein heifers by surgical biopsy was transplanted subcutaneously to ovariectomized athymic nude mice (n = 5 heifers). After 3 weeks recovery, mice were either sham operated or sialoadenectomized (submandibular salivary glands removed). After an additional week, mice were injected with saline or 17 beta-estradiol + progesterone (1 microgram + 1 mg/day) for 2 days. In addition, half of the sialoadenectomized mice were injected with epidermal growth factor (5 micrograms/day). Grafted tissue was removed and rate of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis estimated by incorporation of 3H thymidine. Estradiol + progesterone increased the incorporation of 3H thymidine from 77 +/- 20 dpm/micrograms DNA to 472 +/- 53 dpm/micrograms DNA. In sialoadenectomized mice, DNA synthesis was increased from 88 +/- 16 dpm/micrograms DNA (saline treated) to 360 +/- 29 dpm/micrograms DNA (estradiol + progesterone treated). In sialoadenectomized mice treated with epidermal growth factor, DNA synthesis in estradiol + progesterone treated mice was 529 +/- 36 dpm/micrograms DNA, compared to 112 +/- 30 dpm/micrograms DNA in sialoadenectomized mice treated with epidermal growth factor. These data indicate that sialoadenectomy of athymic nude mice decreased the ability of transplanted bovine mammary tissue to increase DNA synthesis in response to estradiol and progesterone. This inhibition was removed by epidermal growth factor treatment. These data suggest a physiological role of epidermal growth factor in regulating development and hormone responsiveness of bovine mammary tissue.     

排酸处理对湘南黄牛氨基酸以及脂肪酸的影响

[目的]为改善湘南黄牛肉用品质,并在生产中推广应用。[方法]试验选取6头同一品种、月龄接近的湘南黄牛经同一饲喂条件育肥后进行屠宰,测定排酸前后牛肉中氨基酸、脂肪酸含量等指标。[结果]结果表明,排酸牛肉组氨酸、甘氨酸、蛋氨酸、肌氨酸、色氨酸、∑鲜味氨基酸、∑苦味氨基酸含量显著升高(P0.05);丙氨酸、缬氨酸、脯氨酸、苏氨酸、瓜氨酸、∑甜味氨基酸含量显著降低(P0.05)。排酸牛肉十二酸、十四酸、十五酸、顺-11-二十碳烯酸、饱和脂肪酸(SFA)含量显著升高(P0.05);顺-9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸、顺-8,11,14-二十碳三烯酸、顺-5,8,11,14-二十碳四烯酸、二十碳五烯酸、二十二碳六烯酸、多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)、PUFA/SFA、n-6 PUFA、n-3 PUFA含量显著降低(P0.05)。[结论]最终得出,通过排酸处理湘南黄牛能够满足人体从肉类摄取氨基酸的需求,同时有效改变脂肪酸含量,提高肉用品质。     

Effects of glucose and amino acids on ghrelin secretion in sheep

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the effects of post‐ruminal administration of starch and casein (Exp. 1), plasma amino acids concentrations (Exp. 2), and plasma glucose and insulin concentrations (Exp. 2) on plasma ghrelin concentrations in sheep. In Exp. 1, plasma ghrelin concentrations were determined by four infusion treatments (water, cornstarch, casein and cornstarch plus casein) in four wethers. Abomasal infusion of casein increased plasma α‐amino N (AAN) concentrations. Infusion of starch or casein alone did not affect plasma ghrelin concentrations, but starch plus casein infusion increased plasma levels of ghrelin, glucose and AAN. In Exp 2, we investigated the effects of saline or amino acids on ghrelin secretion in four wethers. Two hours after the initiation of saline or amino acid infusion into the jugular vein, glucose was also continuously infused to investigate the effects of blood glucose and insulin by hyper‐glycemic clump on plasma ghrelin concentrations. Infusion of amino acids alone raised plasma levels of ghrelin, but the higher plasma glucose and insulin concentrations had no effect on plasma ghrelin concentrations. These results suggest that high plasma levels of amino acids can stimulate ghrelin secretion, but glucose and insulin do not affect ghrelin secretion in sheep.     

不同氨基酸对泰万菌素发酵影响的研究

通过单因素试验考察了泰万菌素发酵培养基中不同氨基酸种类对其发酵过程的影响,并利用正交试验对发酵培养基中3种主要氨基酸的用量配比进行了优化,结果表明发酵培养基加入0.2%亮氨酸、0.1%色氨酸、0.1%甘氨酸对泰万菌素发酵转化率影响显著,发酵摇瓶效价从14000μ/mL提高到18000μ/mL,效价提高了28.5%,完成了对泰万菌素提高发酵转化率和发酵单位的目的,并为大规模商业化生产泰万菌素奠定了良好的基础。     

突变型猪表皮生长因子在毕赤酵母中的表达

使用α因子做为信号肽的酵母系统分泌表达猪表皮生长因子(pEGF)时,由于对信号肽末端Glu-Ala氨基酸残基切除不完全,表达产物是Glu-Ala-pEGF和pEGF的混合物.本研究为了获得单一表达的pEGF产物,对pEGF基因进行适当的突变修改,构建缺失Glu-Ala重复基因序列的重组载体.把重组载体pPIC9-pEGF1-48电转化毕赤酵母,用同位素标记随机引物斑点杂交法筛选多拷贝整合转化子,并诱导大量表达.用硫酸铵沉淀及超滤的方法浓缩和纯化蛋白,并用Bradford检测方法对蛋白浓度进行了初步测定.结果表明,构建的重组载体经过BglⅡ线性化后稳定转入毕赤酵母中,转化子表型主要为MutS型;选的多拷贝MutS型转化子经诱导后成功表达约6 000的pEGF1-48蛋白,经检测蛋白表达水平约为34 mg/L.     

猪表皮生长因子及其应用前景

猪表皮生长因子是猪乳中含量最丰富的生长因子之一,是一种强有力的细胞有丝分裂原,具有许多重要的生理功能。本文综述了猪表皮生长因子的生理特性及对胃肠道的作用,阐明了猪表皮生长因子与早期断奶仔猪胃肠道发育的关系,探讨了猪表皮生长因子作为早期断奶仔猪饲料添加剂的发展前景。     

Effect of epidermal growth factor on healing of corneal endothelial cells in cats

Epidermal growth factor was injected intracamerally into the anterior chamber of the right eye of 9 cats. The central portion of the cornea in 8 of the 9 cats that had been cryoinjured. Effect of epidermal growth factor on the repair of endothelial cells in cats was evaluated by endothelial specular microscopy. Endothelial cell density and corneal thickness were studied quantitatively, as a measure of endothelial cell function. The repair process also was evaluated qualitatively by studying morphologic changes, developing as a result of reendothelialization and return to normal function. Seemingly, differences between rate of healing of cryoinjured eyes injected with epidermal growth factor and that in nontreated eyes were not significant (P = 0.86). The endothelial repair process was characterized by enlargement and migration of adjacent noninjured cells.