Effects of whey protein hydrolysate on growth promotion and immunomodulation in mouse pups in artificial rearing system

This study aimed to investigate the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the growth and immunity of mouse pups in artificial rearing (AR) system. Mouse pups were reared in the AR system with artificial milk including 5% WPH (AR with WPH) or not (AR without WPH), and the remaining pups were reared by their mother (dam) for 14 days after birth. The body weight change and body weight gain rates in the AR with WPH group were significantly higher than those observed in the AR without WPH group and similar to those in the dam group. Moreover the feed and protein efficiencies in the AR with WPH group were significantly higher than those of the AR without WPH group. In addition, the supplement of WPH in the AR system was shown to significantly elevate the number of CD3⁺CD8⁺, B220⁺CD19⁺, IA/IE⁺CD11c⁺, and CD11b⁺ in the thymocyte and/or splenocyte, and the thymus weight. Furthermore, MALDI‐TOF/MS analysis identified the amino acid sequences corresponding to some peptides, and indicated that VRTPEVDDE had the highest relative intensity among the peptides from tested WPH. Therefore, WPH would be required to not only promote growth, but also exert immunomodulatory activities in mouse pups in AR system.     

乳清浓缩蛋白改善脱脂发酵乳饮料的稳定性

研究乳清浓缩蛋白WPC80对脱脂发酵乳饮料稳定性的影响.脱脂发酵乳饮料中添加不同比例的乳清浓缩蛋白,通过粒径分析、离心分析以及稳定性扫描等分析手段对发酵乳饮料进行稳定性评价.结果表明:当乳清浓缩蛋白添加量为30％时,发酵乳饮料的平均粒径最小、离心沉淀率最小;稳定性扫描结果表明:乳清浓缩蛋白添加量为30％时,产生沉淀的趋势明显小于全部脱脂乳粉制作的发酵乳饮料.     

超声处理对乳清浓缩蛋白凝胶特性影响

采用超声技术对乳清浓缩蛋白进行改性处理,探索超声改性条件对乳清浓缩蛋白凝胶特性的影响和规律.研究乳清浓缩蛋白分散液质量分数、乳清浓缩蛋白分散液pH值、超声处理功率和处理时间对乳清浓缩蛋白凝胶特性的影响规律.结果表明:在一定范围内随着超声处理强度的增强,乳清浓缩蛋白的凝胶特性逐步增强,乳清浓缩蛋白分散液在中性条件下超声处理后形成的凝胶品质最高.超声处理配合蛋白分散液pH值调整能够较为有效地提高乳清浓缩蛋白凝胶特性.     

Effect of isocyanide on the ultrastructure of mouse pineal

To investigate the possible influence of a strong malodorant on the pineal gland, the effects of tertiary n-butyl isocyanide on the ultrastructure of pinealocytes were studied. Adult male mice were adapted to a 23 hr dark: 1 hr light “long night” regimen to stimulate their pineal glands. Pinealocytes in “long night” adapted animals appeared metabolically active. Dramatic ultrastructural changes seen in pinealocytes of “long night” adapted animals after a six-hour exposure to the malodorant followed by a ten-hour period of rest included an increase in density of the nuclear chromatin, dilatations of the nuclear envelope, dilatation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and swelling of mitochondria. Isocyanide treatment did not affect the ultrastructure of liver, kidney, olfactory bulb or striate cortex of the animals exposed to odor. Our observations indicate that inhalation of isocyanide induces specific ultrastructural changes in the pineal gland which may be suggestive of its altered synthetic activity.     

水解乳清蛋白工艺流程的研究

本文以降低乳清蛋白(WPC80)中的主要过敏原为依据,研究了乳清蛋白的水解工艺流程,并详细陈述了加热、pH值对水解产物过敏原含量的影响,以及沸水浴时间对灭酶活的影响等加工处理方法对牛乳过敏原的影响,对开发无过敏或低过敏的乳制品具有一定指导作用。     

Amino acid fortified diets for weanling pigs replacing fish meal and whey protein concentrate:Effects on growth,immune status,and gut health

Background:Limited availability offish meal and whey protein concentrate increases overall feed costs.Availability of increased number of supplemental amino acids including Lys,Met,Thr,Trp,Val,and He allows replacing expensive protein supplements to reduce feed costs.This study was to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate in nursery diets with 6 supplemental amino acids on growth performance and gut health of post-weaning pigs.Treatments were 1) FM-WPC:diet with fish meal(FM) and whey protein concentrate(WPC);2) FM-AA:diet with FM and crystalline amino acids(L-Lys,L-Thr,L-Trp,DL-Met,L-Val,and L-lle);3) WPC-AA:diet with WPC and crystalline amino acid;and 4) AA:diet with crystalline amino acid.Results:Pigs in FM-AA,WPC-AA,and AA had greater(P 0.05) ADG and gain:feed than pigs in FM-WPC during wk 1(phase 1).Plasma insulin concentration of pigs in AA tended to be greater(P = 0.064) than that of FM-WPC at the end of wk 1(phase 1).Plasma concentrations of IgG in AA was lower(P0.05) compared with WPC-AA and FW,and FM-AA had lower(P0.05) IgG concentration than WPC-AA at the end of wk 1(phase 1).Concentration of acetate in cecum digesta in FM-AA tended to be greater(P = 0.054) than that of FM-WPC and WPC-AA.Concentration of isovalerate in cecum digesta of pigs in FM-AA was greater(P 0.05) than that of FW and WPC-AA.Conclusions:This study indicates that use of 6 supplemental amino acids can replace fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate without adverse effects on growth performance,immune status,and gut health of pigs at d 21 to 49 of age.Positive response with the use of 6 supplemental amino acids in growth during the first week of post-weaning may due to increased plasma insulin potentially improving uptake of nutrients for protein synthesis and energy utilization.The replacement of fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate with 6 supplemental amino acids could decrease the crude protein level in nursery diets,and potentially lead to substantial cost savings in expensive nursery diets.     

Chick bioassay of lysine. I. Development of assay procedure

A series of experiments have been conducted with young chicks to develop a valid bioassay for the available lysine content of protein concentrates. The greatest problem to overcome was that of the secondary effects of adding test protein to a well‐defined basal diet. The solution to such a “ protein effect” was based upon the development of a reference standard diet with specifications (except for lysine) to be maintained in all test diets irrespective of supplementary levels of test proteins and amino acids.

A reference standard diet was established in which a mixture of maize meal, sesame meal and dried whey provided 20 per cent crude protein. This diet was shown to be deficient in no dietary factors other than lysine and, when adequately supplemented with lysine, it supported excellent chick growth. The adaptation of the diet for assay purposes is described; it involves the replacement of part of the dietary protein by an amino acid mixture simulating the composition of the basal protein. The potential assay range lies between 0.05 and o‐8 per cent of L‐lysine hydrochloride supplementation.     

Amino acid fortified diets for weanling pigs replacing fish meal and whey protein concentrate: Effects on growth,immune status,and gut health

Background

Limited availability of fish meal and whey protein concentrate increases overall feed costs. Availability of increased number of supplemental amino acids including Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Val, and Ile allows replacing expensive protein supplements to reduce feed costs. This study was to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate in nursery diets with 6 supplemental amino acids on growth performance and gut health of post-weaning pigs. Treatments were 1) FM-WPC: diet with fish meal (FM) and whey protein concentrate (WPC); 2) FM-AA: diet with FM and crystalline amino acids (L-Lys, L-Thr, L-Trp, DL-Met, L-Val, and L-Ile); 3) WPC-AA: diet with WPC and crystalline amino acid; and 4) AA: diet with crystalline amino acid.

Results

Pigs in FM-AA, WPC-AA, and AA had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and gain:feed than pigs in FM-WPC during wk 1 (phase 1). Plasma insulin concentration of pigs in AA tended to be greater (P = 0.064) than that of FM-WPC at the end of wk 1(phase 1). Plasma concentrations of IgG in AA was lower (P < 0.05) compared with WPC-AA and FW, and FM-AA had lower (P < 0.05) IgG concentration than WPC-AA at the end of wk 1 (phase 1). Concentration of acetate in cecum digesta in FM-AA tended to be greater (P = 0.054) than that of FM-WPC and WPC-AA. Concentration of isovalerate in cecum digesta of pigs in FM-AA was greater (P < 0.05) than that of FW and WPC-AA.

Conclusions

This study indicates that use of 6 supplemental amino acids can replace fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate without adverse effects on growth performance, immune status, and gut health of pigs at d 21 to 49 of age. Positive response with the use of 6 supplemental amino acids in growth during the first week of post-weaning may due to increased plasma insulin potentially improving uptake of nutrients for protein synthesis and energy utilization. The replacement of fish meal and/or whey protein concentrate with 6 supplemental amino acids could decrease the crude protein level in nursery diets, and potentially lead to substantial cost savings in expensive nursery diets.     

Induction of immune tolerance to caseins and whey proteins by oral intubation in mouse allergy model

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral tolerance of caseins (CSN) and whey proteins (WP) in alleviating the allergic response to cow's milk proteins in Swiss albino mice raised on a milk protein–free diet. Oral tolerance was induced by feeding mice with 20 mg of CSN or WP once in a day for 4 days consecutively before immunization with respective protein by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections (20 μg 200 per μl of PBS) using 2% of alum Al(OH)₃ as adjuvant. Three weeks later, oral tolerance induction was analysed in humoral and cellular compartments of CSN‐ and WP‐fed versus saline‐fed control mice groups by measuring seric and intestinal antibody responses, mRNA abundance in splenic tissue and cytokine secretion patterns. The specific serum immunoglobulin‐E (IgE) levels were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05), while sIgA was enhanced in these groups when compared with their respective saline‐fed mice. Moreover, the mRNA levels of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) in both CSN‐ and WP‐tolerized mice were found to be significantly decreased, while the abundance of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) was increased significantly, as compared to respective control groups. Finally, cytokine profiles indicated a reciprocal decrease in IL‐4 and IFN‐γ versus an increase in IL‐10 secretions in supernatants of cultured splenocytes of tolerized mice. Taken together, these results clearly showed that oral administration of cows' milk caseins and whey proteins can induce significant hyposensitization in mice, with the participation of suppressor cytokines.     

Selected indicators of colostrum quality in cows over the period of a year

Under the conditions of large-scale breeding, seasonal changes in the total protein of colostrum whey, gammaglobulins, vitamins A, E, C, and carotene in cow's colostrum from the first milking, were studied in the course of the first 12 months. As indicated by the results of an analysis of 302 colostrum samples, the concentrations of total protein in whey were significantly higher in winter (P less than 0.01) than in the summer season. On the other hand, vitamin C levels were higher in summer than in winter. A lower level of total protein of colostral serum than the required minimum of 120 g per litre was recorded in 64.4% of the cows. A highly positive correlation (r = +0.981) was demonstrated between the concentration of total protein and gammaglobulins in colostrum whey. This fact makes it possible to consider and use for diagnostic purposes the total protein of whey as a sufficiently exact parameter of colostrum quality without having to determine the gammaglobulin level. On the basis of these analyses it is possible to some extent not only to evaluate the health condition of high-pregnant cows and the quality of attendance, but also to prognosticate the health of their calves.     

The use of near infra‐red reflectance spectroscopy for the determination of plant nitrogen

Abstract

A Near Infra‐Red Reflectance Spectrophotometer was calibrated to analyse Italian ryegrass for protein nitrogen (N). Rye‐grass samples having a wide range in N content were analysed by standard “wet” chemistry techniques and the resulting data used to calibrate the Near Infra‐Red Spectrophotometer for ryegrass N analysis. A correlation (r) of 0,99 and standard error of calibration (SEC) of 0,209 resulted from the initial regression analysis between the Near Infra‐Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) estimated and “wet” chemistry data. In order to further evaluate the accuracy of the NIRS calibration a separate set of ryegrass samples were analysed for N content, by both the “wet” chemistry and NIRS methods, resulting in a correlation (r) of 0,98 and standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0,235. The applicability of the NIRS ryegrass calibration to other species was briefly examined by estimating the N contents of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) (r = 0,97 and SEP = 0,277).     

Effect of steroid hormones on the innate immune response induced by Staphylococcus aureus in the goat mammary gland

The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of innate immune components after intramammary infusion of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) under conditions of high oestrogen and high progesterone in goats. In one group (“E‐group”), controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices were inserted intravaginally from days ?11 to ?4. Prostaglandin F2α was administered immediately after removal of the CIDR device at day ?3, and then oestradiol benzoate (E) was injected intramuscularly once a day from days ?2 to 3. Heat‐inactivated SA was then administered via intramammary infusion to the left udder at day 0, whilst only saline was infused to the right udder as a control. In a second group (“P‐group”), CIDR devices were inserted intravaginally from days ?3 to 7 and SA was infused at day 0 in the same way as in the E‐group. The milk yield and the concentration of innate immune components (somatic cell count (SCC), lactoferrin (LF), S100A7 and goat ß‐defensin 1 (GBD‐1)) in the milk were measured. Milk yield decreased drastically in both SA and control udders in the E‐group, whereas the P‐group exhibited increased milk yield in both SA and control udders. SCC increased after SA infusion in both E‐ and P‐groups, although it was higher in the E‐group than in the P‐group. There was no significant change in LF concentration in the E‐group, but a decrease was observed in the P‐group. Concentrations of S100A and GBD‐1 were significantly increased after SA infusion in the E‐group but not in the P‐group. These results suggest that E enhances the innate immune response induced by SA in the goat mammary gland. This effect may be due to the reduction in milk yield and upregulation of innate immune components.     

Evaluation of a Quality‐of‐Life Tool for Cats with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Success in management of diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined as improvement of blood glucose concentrations and clinical signs. However, the psychological and social impact of DM and its daily treatment regimen on quality of life (QoL) of both animal and owner is uncertain. Hypothesis/Objectives: To design, validate, and apply a diabetic pet and owner‐centered, individualized measure of impact of DM (DIAQoL‐pet). Animals/Subjects: Two hundred and twenty‐one owners of insulin‐treated diabetic cats were recruited to complete the DIAQoL‐pet. Methods: Discussions and pilot surveys with clinicians and owners of diabetic cats led to the design of 29 specific DM‐associated QoL questions. Owners of diabetic cats completed the finalized survey. Each item was scored according to impact frequency and perceived importance. An item‐weighted impact score (IWIS) for each item was calculated, as was an average‐weighted impact score (AWIS) by averaging all IWISs. Principal component analysis and Cronbach's α calculation assessed the measure's reliability. Two overview questions measured overall QoL and diabetes‐dependent QoL. Results: The DIAQoL‐pet showed high reliability (Cronbach α 0.83). The AWIS was ?1.76 ± 2.4 (mean ± SD). Areas reported as most negatively impacting QoL included: “boarding difficulties” (IWIS ± SD: ?4.67 ± 5.3), “owner wanting more control” (?4.34 ± 4.7), “difficulties leaving cat with friends or family” (?4.21 ± 4.7), “worry” (?4.10 ± 3.9), “worry hypo” (?3.67 ± 3.5), “social life” (?3.48 ± 3.9), “costs” (?3.04 ± 3.8), and “work life” (?3.03 ± 3.7). Forty‐one percent of owners believed their cat's life would be “a little better” without DM. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The DIAQoL‐pet proved robust and identified specific areas most negatively impacting on diabetic cats and their owners' QoL. This tool warrants further investigation for use in clinical or research settings.     

Appraisal and standardization of curvilinear velocity (VCL) cut‐off values for CASA analysis of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) sperm

One of the basic steps in objective analysis of sperm motility is the subdivision of a motile sperm population into slow, medium and rapid categories based on their velocity. However, for CASA analysis of quail sperm, the velocity values for categorization of slow, medium and rapid sperm have not yet been standardized. To identify the cut‐off values of “velocity curvilinear” (VCL) for quail sperm categorization, we captured and analysed 22,300 tracks of quail sperm using SCA^®‐CASA. The median and mean VCL values were 85 and 97 μm/s. To define the VCL cut‐off values, we used two methods. In the first, we identified the upper (rapid sperm) and lower (slow sperm) cut‐off values using: (i) median VCL ± 25% or ± 50% or ± 75% of median VCL value; (ii) first and third quartile values of VCL data (i.e. 25% cut‐off setting); and (iii) 33% and 66% of VCL data. Among these settings, sperm categories and their corresponding motility characteristics recorded using the “25%” setting (i.e. slow ≤36 ≤ medium ≤154 ≤ rapid) were found the most realistic and coherent with male ranking by fertility. In the second method, we calculated heteroscedasticity in the total VCL data using PCA and the two‐step clustering method. With this approach, the mean of the high and low clusters was 165 and 51 μm/s, respectively. Together, the mean from two methods suggested that, for SCA^®‐CASA categorization of quail sperm, sperm should be classed as “rapid” at VCL ≥160 μm/s and “slow” at VCL ≤45 μm/s.     

A novel odor stimulation system in freely moving,behaving animals

Precise and reliable presentation of odorants to animals is crucial for olfactory studies. Although odor stimulation systems in anesthetized or awake, head-fixed animals are well established, temporally precise odor presentation in awake, freely moving animals remains a challenge. Here, we describe a new odor stimulation system which presents odors directly to the nostrils of freely moving mice. The system comprises 3 modules: an odor-delivery module, an odor-generation module, and a control module. The new system is precise and temporally reliable, and odor stimulation can be triggered by specific sniffing phases or other events. Moreover, the system can be combined with neural recordings, such as electrophysiology, and olfactory behavioral tests to investigate how neurons in the brain represent odor information during individual olfactory behaviors. This innovative odor stimulation system may replace traditional stimulation systems: It will enable precise odor presentation in a wide range of olfactory studies in freely moving animals.     

Effect of hydrolysed and regular dairy proteins on the texture, colour and microstructure of poultry meat emulsions

1. The effects of 2% whole milk proteins, milk protein's two major components (caseinate and whey) and some of their fractions (beta-lactoglobulin and two hydrolysed whey proteins) were evaluated in a frankfurter-type product made from mechanically deboned chicken meat. 2. Adding caseinate, regular whey protein and the two whey protein hydrolysates (WPH-I and II) significantly reduced cooking loss compared to the control; lowest reduction was obtained with the two hydrolysates. 3. Caseinate and regular whey increased hardness, but WPH-I and II substantially reduced hardness, fracturability and springiness. 4. The more hydrolysed whey (8.5% vs 5.2%; WPH-II vs WPH-I, respectively) caused a greater disruption to texture, which could be explained by the light micrographs showing an interference with meat protein binding. 5. The most cost-effective ingredient tested here was the caseinate.     

云南乳饼、乳扇副产物主要成分及加工特性分析

乳饼、乳扇是云南民族特色乳制品,以二者的加工副产物乳清为原料,通过冷冻干燥技术制得乳清蛋白粉,分析其主要成分及加工特性.结果表明:乳饼副产物获得的乳清蛋白粉中主要成分蛋白质含量39.0％、脂肪含量6.0％、水分含量4.1％、总灰分含量7.7％、酸度23.2?°T、pH?5.61,其加工特性为溶解性99.52％,沉淀率在...