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.     

Diabetes mellitus: an update

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and glucose intolerance. Several factors are known to contribute to the disease, ie, obesity, immune-mediated insulin resistance, and the diabetogenic hormones glucagon, growth hormone and glucocorticoids. Recently, a number of developments have taken place in the management of human diabetes mellitus which may be applicable to dogs and cats. These include the use of diets high in soluble, non-absorbable carbohydrates which lower post-prandial increases in blood glucose. The more complex causes of instability, ie, insulin-induced hyperglycaemia, rapid metabolism of insulin and insulin resistance can be diagnosed by hospitalizing the patient and measuring blood glucose at four hour intervals for 24 hours. In human medicine, new techniques for controlling diabetes mellitus are pancreatic implants, constant infusion pumps for insulin and the use of the hormone somatostatin which suppresses glucagon secretion, but not all may be applicable to veterinary medicine.     

Effects of Ostertagia ostertagi infection on secretion of metabolic hormones in calves.

Effects of Ostertagia ostertagi infection on secretion of insulin, pancreatic glucagon, cortisol, gastrin, and pepsinogen were studied in calves inoculated with 100,000 (group 1) or 10,000 (group 2) O ostertagi infective larvae weekly for 14 weeks. Plasma insulin concentrations in both inoculated groups were lower than those in a non-infected (group 3) control group. The differences between group 1 and group 3 were significant (P < 0.05) at 2 and 12 weeks after initial inoculation. Plasma pancreatic glucagon and cortisol concentrations of groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly from those of the control group, although plasma pancreatic glucagon concentration was consistently lower in group-1 calves from 4 weeks to end of the study. Plasma pepsinogen and serum gastrin concentrations also increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups that received inoculations. We concluded that decreased plasma insulin concentrations are contributory to changes in postabsorptive protein metabolism, and that serum gastrin concentrations are more representative of the pathologic changes in the abomasum than are plasma pepsinogen concentrations.     

Hormonal regulation of metabolism in ruminants; a review

The regulation of metabolism is primarily concerned with maintaining constant levels of glucose in the blood. Depending on energy intake, this may involve mobilization of body stores to provide substrate for glucose synthesis and to spare glucose, or it may involve storage of excess nutrients. Insulin is the primary hormonal regulator of metabolism in the resting animal. When energy intake is high, insulin concentrations are high and growth and/or body gain is promoted. Low concentrations of insulin have a catabolic effect. In contrast, glucagon, epinephrine and glucocorticoids are emergency hormones. They provide for mobilization of energy for fight or flight. In addition, glucocorticoids may facilitate repletion of glycogen stores. Growth hormone does not seem to be involved in the minute-to-minute regulation of metabolism, but it can alter the sensitivity of tissues to insulin with respect to glucose metabolism. It also appears to be antagonistic to the lipid synthetic effects of insulin. However, both insulin and growth hormone promote net protein synthesis. Whereas insulin promotes body gain by stimulating fat and protein synthesis, growth hormone promotes lean growth.     

Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor and feed intake on energy metabolism in growing beef steers: net hormone metabolism by portal-drained viscera and liver.

Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and intake on arterial concentrations and net visceral metabolism of hormones were measured in six growing Hereford x Angus steers using a split-plot design with 4-wk injection periods within 8-wk intake periods. Steers were fed a 75% concentrate diet at two intakes and were injected s.c. twice daily with saline or GRF (10 micrograms/kg of BW). Arterial concentrations of growth hormone (GH) were measured on d 1 and d 8 to 10 of injections. Eleven measurements, obtained at 30-min intervals, of arterial concentration and net flux of hormones across portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver were obtained on d 8 to 10 of injections (six hourly measurements were used for insulin-like growth factor-I [IGF-I] and somatostatin). The area under the GH curve and average and peak GH concentrations were increased (P less than .01) by GRF and were greater (P less than .10) at low than at high intake. Liver removal of GH was not affected by GRF or intake. Arterial IGF-I concentration was increased (P less than .05) by GRF and not affected by intake. Treatments did not affect IGF-I flux across the liver. Arterial insulin concentration was greater (P less than .05) at high than at low intake, in part because of greater (P less than .01) PDV release. Increased (P less than .10) arterial insulin concentration in GRF-treated steers was not attributable to significant changes in PDV or liver net flux. Arterial glucagon concentration was greater (P less than .01) at high than at low intake, in part because of greater (P less than .05) PDV glucagon release and decreased (P less than .10) liver extraction ratio. Effects of intake on arterial concentration of insulin and glucagon were in part due to changes in visceral metabolism, but GRF did not affect PDV or liver hormone metabolism.     

A review of the physiological significance of hypertonic body fluids on feed intake and ruminal function: salivation, motility and microbes

Mechanisms exist in the ruminant to detect changes in osmolality and volume of plasma during feeding to maintain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Feed intake during a meal can be limited by the rise in osmolality of ruminal fluid, which is sensed in the wall of the rumino-reticulum. Ruminal microbes appear to be resilient to the short-term changes in ruminal fluid tonicity, but in vitro growth rates are inhibited when the tonicity of the culture medium is increased beyond physiological levels. Although mixing contractions of the rumen are not inhibited by the normal increases in tonicity of ruminal fluid, time to first rumination is increased. This aspect of motility requires further research. The tonicity of plasma increases toward the end of a large meal as a consequence primarily of absorption of VFA and Na+ from the rumen and fluid shifts into the gut. This hypertonicity is sensed centrally to inhibit parotid secretion by a reduction in the parasympathetic stimulation to the gland. Increases in animal production may result from future research directed toward developing ways of counteracting these negative effects of hypertonicity in body fluids on feed intake and ruminal function.     

2007～2008年国际反刍动物营养研究进展 Ⅴ.脂肪(酸)营养

反刍动物产品如牛奶,牛、羊肉等,是人类重要的膳食组成,其脂肪品质及脂肪酸组成与人体健康密切相关,如何合理调控反刍动物脂肪代谢过程,优化饲养模式,改善产品脂肪品质是反刍动物脂类营养研究的关键问题。作者对2007～2008年反刍动物脂类营养研究进展作一简要综述。国内的研究热点主要集中于脂肪酸代谢通路的研究、补充脂肪（脂肪酸）对反刍动物生产性能及产品脂肪酸组成的影响和瘤胃惰性脂肪的应用研究。而国外反刍动物营养脂类研究中除了上述3点外还对乳腺脂肪酸代谢调控和瘤胃后脂肪酸消化、吸收方面有较深入的研究。     

Pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of some gastrointestinal hormones in response to abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate and/or casein

Eight Angus steers (290 +/- 8 kg), surgically prepared with pancreatic pouch-duodenal reentrant cannulas and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate (SH) and/or casein on pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of hormones. Steers were fed a basal diet of alfalfa (1.2 x NEm) in 12 equal portions daily. Abomasal infusion treatments (6-L total volume infused per day) were water (control), SH [2.7 g/(kg BW x d)], casein [0.6 g/(kg BW x d)], and SH + casein. Periods were 3 d for adaptation and 8 d of full infusion. Pancreatic juice and jugular blood samples were collected over 30-min intervals for 6 h on d 11. Weight and pH of pancreatic samples were measured, and a 10% subsample was composited and frozen until analysis of total protein and pancreatic enzyme activities. The remaining sample was returned to the duodenum. Plasma was harvested and frozen until analyzed. Pancreatic juice (67 mL/h) and protein (1.8 g/h) secretion rates were not affected by nutrient infusion. There were SH x casein interactions for all pancreatic enzyme secretions (U/h; alpha-amylase, P < 0.03; trypsin, P < 0.08; and chymotrypsin, P < 0.03) and plasma insulin concentration (P < 0.10). Secretion of pancreatic enzymes was increased by SH (trypsin) and casein (alpha-amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) but not when SH + casein were infused together. Glucose (P < 0.10) and cholecystokinin octapeptide concentrations (CCK-8; P < 0.05) were increased by SH, but glucagon was decreased (P < 0.10). Casein decreased (P < 0.10) plasma CCK-8 concentrations. These data indicate that positive effects of postruminal casein on enzyme secretion were inhibited by SH, emphasizing the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms involved in dietary adaptation of pancreatic exocrine secretion. Changes in hormone concentration may not relate directly to changes in enzyme secretion.     

Effect of trauma on plasma glucagon and insulin concentrations in sheep.

Portal plasma glucagon and insulin concentrations were measured before and after acute trauma (liver biosy). The trauma was sufficient to increase glucagon concentrations and depress insulin concentrations. These changes were associated with a marked hyperglycemia. Infusion of glucagon was insufficient to prevent stress inhibition of insulin secretion. The stimulation of glucagon secretion and inhibition of insulin secretion were of about one hour duration. These findings indicate that glucagon and insulin in conjunction with the nervous system may play an important role in the development of stress related hyperglycemia.     

哺乳类动物胃肠道内味觉受体的信号研究

胃肠道内容物的分子识别对食物的消化、摄取量的控制、胰岛素的分泌、新陈代谢等起到重要作用。这些过程很有可能受到激素/中枢神经通路的介导。但是,有关于胃肠道的味觉识别机制还不清楚。本文综述了最新的研究结果,表明了舌上皮组织的特异性味觉受体细胞的化学感应机制在内分泌细胞中也发挥作用,用来感知肠腔内容物的化学组成。     

Canine pancreatic endocrine tumors: immunohistochemical analysis of hormone content and amyloid

Thirty-one primary canine pancreatic endocrine tumors and their metastases were studied histologically and immunohistochemically for the presence of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), gastrin, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Tumors were also evaluated for the presence of amyloid. The cytoarchitectural pattern of 25 of 31 primary tumors was predominantly solid, whereas three tumors were mostly glandular, two were unclassified, and one had a gyriform pattern. Cells with insulin immunoreactivity were found in 30 of 31 tumors and were found in all cases in which there was clinical evidence of inappropriate insulin secretion. Insulin was the only hormone demonstrable in three of the 30 tumors, but cells immunoreactive for other hormones were also present in various combinations in most tumors [i.e., glucagon (13 of 30), somatostatin (17 of 30), PP (25 of 30), and gastrin (2 of 30)]. One tumor contained only cells with glucagon and PP immunoreactivity. Amyloid was found in ten of 31 primary tumors but was not detected in metastases. Cells with insulin immunoreactivity were the only cell type consistently present in tumors containing amyloid. Amyloid deposits did not immunoreact with any of the antisera. Seventeen of 31 dogs had metastasis of the pancreatic endocrine tumor to regional lymph nodes, liver, or both. All metastases available for study (15 of 17) contained cells with insulin immunoreactivity and some contained cells with PP or somatostatin immunoreactivity. No statistically significant (P greater than 0.05) differences in tendency to metastasize were found when pancreatic endocrine tumors were compared by region of origin, cytoarchitectural pattern, presence of amyloid, or by number of hormones contained within the tumor.     

Neuroendocrine interactions and seasonality

Sheep in temperate latitudes are seasonal breeders. Of the different seasonal cues, photoperiod is the most reliable parameter and is used by animals as an indication of the time of the year to synchronize endogenous annual rhythms of reproduction and physiology. The photoperiodic information is transduced into neuroendocrine changes through variations in melatonin secretion from the pineal gland. Melatonin triggers variations in the secretion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone (LHRH/LH/FSH) responsible for seasonal changes in reproductive activity. In female sheep, the seasonal changes in the hormonal LH pattern mainly reflect an increase in the negative feedback exerted by estradiol under long days on the frequency of pulsatile LH secretion. The resulting seasonal inhibition of LH secretion involves the activation of monoaminergic and especially dopaminergic systems by estradiol. Other types of physiological regulation subject to seasonal changes such as voluntary food intake (VFI), fat metabolism, body mass and pelage growth also occur in sheep, goats or related wild species. Several neuroendocrine intermediates seem to be shared by these different systems and may participate in their synchronization, providing the advantage that this helps mammalian species to adapt to their environment.     

Effect of sorghum grain supplementation on glucose metabolism in cattle and sheep fed temperate pasture

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of sorghum grain supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations, and hepatic mRNA concentrations of insulin receptor (INSR), pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) mRNA and their association with nutrient intake, digestion and rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) in cattle and sheep fed a fresh temperate pasture. Twelve Hereford × Aberdeen Angus heifers and 12 Corriedale × Milchschaf wethers in positive energy balance were assigned within each species to one of two treatments (n = 6 per treatment within specie): non‐supplemented or supplemented with sorghum grain at 15 g/kg of their body weight (BW). Supplemented cattle had greater plasma glucose concentrations, decreased plasma glucagon concentrations and tended to have greater plasma insulin and insulin‐to‐glucagon ratio than non‐supplemented ones. Hepatic expression of INSR and PC mRNA did not differ between treatments but PCK1 mRNA was less in supplemented than non‐supplemented cattle. Supplemented sheep tended to have greater plasma glucagon concentrations than non‐supplemented ones. Plasma glucose, insulin, insulin‐to‐glucagon ratio, and hepatic expression of INSR and PC mRNA did not differ between treatments, but PCK1 mRNA was less in supplemented than non‐supplemented sheep. The inclusion of sorghum grain in the diet decreased PCK1 mRNA but did not affect PC mRNA in both species; these effects were associated with changes in glucose and endocrine profiles in cattle but not in sheep. Results would suggest that sorghum grain supplementation of animals in positive energy balance (cattle and sheep) fed a fresh temperate pasture would modify hepatic metabolism to prioritize the use of propionate as a gluconeogenic precursor.     

反刍动物颗粒化全混合日粮研究进展

随着反刍动物营养研究的不断深入和发展以及畜牧业集约化、规模化程度的迅速提高 ,全混合日粮 (TMR)在实际生产中得到了广泛应用 ,并逐步由散状TMR向颗粒化TMR转化。本文就颗粒化全混合日粮对反刍动物采食量、瘤胃动态消化、体内代谢、养分消化率和生长性能的影响及其在实际生产中的经济效益作一综述     

Cellular and Molecular Characterization of a Feline Insulinoma

Background: Insulinoma is an autonomous insulin-secreting islet cell neoplasm that is rarely diagnosed in cats. The clinical and pathological aspects of feline insulinoma have been described previously, but the molecular characteristics of these tumors have not been investigated.
Objectives: The study objectives were to characterize peptide hormone production and determine expression of selected genes involved in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion in a feline insulinoma.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to examine hormone and gene expression, respectively, by insulinoma cells.
Results: Immunohistochemistry examination indicated that the tumor cells expressed insulin, chromogranin A, and somatostatin but not glucagon or pancreatic polypeptide. The tumor expressed several genes characteristic of pancreatic beta cells (β cells) including insulin ( INS ), glucose transporter 2 ( GLUT2 ), and glucokinase ( GCK ). The tumor also expressed hexokinase 1 ( HK1 ), a glycolytic enzyme not normally expressed in β cells. GCK expression was higher in the insulinoma than in normal pancreas from the same cat. The GCK  :  HK1 ratio was >20-fold higher in insulinoma tissue than in normal pancreas.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The feline insulinoma produced several peptide hormones and expressed genes consistent with a β-cell phenotype. The pattern of hexokinase gene expression in tumor cells differed from that of normal pancreas. These findings suggest insulinoma cells may have an increased sensitivity to glucose that could contribute to the abnormal insulin secretory response observed at low serum glucose concentrations.     

Glucose or essential amino acid infusions in late pregnant and early lactating Simmenthal cows failed to induce a leptin response

To assess the leptin response to metabolic challenges, three Italian Simmental cows were infused for 6 h: with (a) saline (control); (b) glucose; and (c) amino acid solutions according to a 3 x 3 Latin square experiment. The infusions were carried out at the 36th week of pregnancy, and the second and 12th week of the following lactation. At each of the three infusion periods, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before and 15, 30, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min after the beginning of each infusion. All samples were analysed for leptin, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone (GH), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea. The physiological phase of the cows significantly affected the basal concentrations of insulin, glucagon, urea and NEFA. The infusion of both glucose and the amino acid solutions did not affect leptin concentrations. Insulin response was significantly increased when animals were infused with the glucose solution and, within treatment, the greatest response was observed at the 12th week of lactation. The greatest glucagon response was observed when infusing the amino acid solution. Urea response to all treatments increased from the dry period to the 12th week of lactation. The GH and NEFA responses were not affected by treatments. The Multi Species radio-immunoassay used in this study showed a lower sensitivity for ruminant leptin which may partially explain the lack of significant leptin variations. However, it can be hypothesized that leptin variations around parturition can be affected by the negative energy balance, and leptin release is not acutely affected by glucose and amino acid availability. In addition, no short-term relationship were found between insulin, glucagon and GH and leptin release in Italian Simmental cows during the dry period and early lactation.     

瘤胃挥发性脂肪酸的作用及影响因素

瘤胃挥发性脂肪酸与反刍动物瘤胃营养以及瘤胃微生物有着密切的关系。反刍动物瘤胃对养分的消化吸收以及微生物动力学可产生大量的挥发性脂肪酸,其主要作用为供能和维持瘤胃环境。本文综述了瘤胃挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)的作用、影响其产生和组成的因素以及其对反刍动物的影响。     

The Role of Exogenous Insulin in the Complex of Hepatic Lipidosis and Ketosis Associated with Insulin Resistance Phenomenon in Postpartum Dairy Cattle

As a result of a marked decline in dry matter intake (DMI) prior to parturition and a slow rate of increase in DMI relative to milk production after parturition, dairy cattle experience a negative energy balance. Changes in nutritional and metabolic status during the periparturient period predispose dairy cattle to develop hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. The metabolic profile during early lactation includes low concentrations of serum insulin, plasma glucose, and liver glycogen and high concentrations of serum glucagon, adrenaline, growth hormone, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids, and liver triglyceride. Moreover, during late gestation and early lactation, flow of nutrients to fetus and mammary tissues are accorded a high degree of metabolic priority. This priority coincides with lowered responsiveness and sensitivity of extrahepatic tissues to insulin, which presumably plays a key role in development of hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. Hepatic lipidosis and ketosis compromise production, immune function, and fertility. Cows with hepatic lipidosis and ketosis have low tissue responsiveness to insulin owing to ketoacidosis. Insulin has numerous roles in metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Insulin is an anabolic hormone and acts to preserve nutrients as well as being a potent feed intake regulator. In addition to the major replacement therapy to alleviate severity of negative energy balance, administration of insulin with concomitant delivery of dextrose increases efficiency of treatment for hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. However, data on use of insulin to prevent these lipid-related metabolic disorders are limited and it should be investigated.     

CXCL14-like immunoreactivity in somatostatin-producing cells of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) pancreas

This study examines chemokine CXCL14-like peptide distribution in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) pancreas using a specific anti-human CXCL14 antibody. CXCL14-immunoreactive cells were observed in the pancreatic islet peripheral region. The staining was abolished after pre-absorbing the antibody with recombinant human CXCL14. CXCL14-immunoreactive cells were immuno-positive for somatostatin, but not glucagon and insulin. CXCL14 secreted from somatostatin-producing cells might participate in insulin secretion modulation together with somatostatin. In addition, CXCL14 might participate in glucose homeostasis in co-operation with somatostatin and growth hormone.     

Weighted single‐step genome‐wide association study and pathway analyses for feed efficiency traits in Nellore cattle

The aim was to conduct a weighted single‐step genome‐wide association study to detect genomic regions and putative candidate genes related to residual feed intake, dry matter intake, feed efficiency (FE), feed conversion ratio, residual body weight gain, residual intake and weight gain in Nellore cattle. Several protein‐coding genes were identified within the genomic regions that explain more than 0.5% of the additive genetic variance for these traits. These genes were associated with insulin, leptin, glucose, protein and lipid metabolisms; energy balance; heat and oxidative stress; bile secretion; satiety; feed behaviour; salivation; digestion; and nutrient absorption. Enrichment analysis revealed functional pathways (p‐value < .05) such as neuropeptide signalling (GO:0007218), negative regulation of canonical Wingless/Int‐1 (Wnt) signalling (GO:0090090), bitter taste receptor activity (GO:0033038), neuropeptide hormone activity (GO:0005184), bile secretion (bta04976), taste transduction (bta0742) and glucagon signalling pathway (bta04922). The identification of these genes, pathways and their respective functions should contribute to a better understanding of the genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating Nellore FE‐related traits.