Susceptibility to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in different rat strains

To evaluate the potential role of genetic background in the susceptibility to retinal degeneration induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), female rats of the Sprague-Dawley (SD), Long-Evans (LE) and Copenhagen (CH) strains were administered 50 mg/kg MNU or saline at 7 weeks of age. Retina morphology and morphometric analysis of all rats was performed 7 days after MNU administration. Atrophy of both the peripheral and central outer retina occurred in all rat strains exposed to MNU. Decreased photoreceptor cell ratio and increased retinal damage ratio were observed. The severities of the retinal atrophy were similar among all three rat strains. In conclusion, MNU-induced photoreceptor degeneration developed consistently in all three strains regardless of the absence (SD rats) or presence (LE and CH rats) of melanin in the retina, suggesting that genetic and melanin factors did not affect photoreceptor cell death after MNU.     

N -ethyl- N -nitrosourea induces retinal photoreceptor damage in adult rats

Seven-week-old male Lewis rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) (100, 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg), and retinal damage was evaluated 7 days after the treatment. Sequential morphological features of the retina and retinal DNA damage, as determined by a TUNEL assay and phospho-histone H2A.X (γ-H2AX), were analyzed 3, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hr, 7 days, and/or 30 days after 400 mg/kg ENU treatment. Activation of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was analyzed immunohistochemically by poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) expression in response to DNA damage of the retina. All rats that received ≥ 400 mg/kg of ENU developed retinal degeneration characterized by the loss of photoreceptor cells in both the central and peripheral retina within 7 days. In the 400 mg/kg ENU-treated rats, TUNEL-positive signals were only located in the photoreceptor cells and peaked 24 hr after ENU treatment. The γ-H2AX signals in inner retinal cells appeared at 24 hr and peaked at 72 hr after ENU treatment, and the PAR signals selectively located in the photoreceptor cell nuclei appeared at 12 hr and peaked at 24 hr after ENU treatment. However, degeneration was restricted to photoreceptor cells, and no degenerative changes in inner retinal cells were seen at any time points. Retinal thickness and the photoreceptor cell ratio in the central and peripheral retina were significantly decreased, and the retinal damage ratio was significantly increased 7 days after ENU treatment. In conclusion, ENU induced retinal degeneration in adult rats that was characterized by photoreceptor cell apoptosis through PARP activity.     

N -Methyl- N -nitrosourea-induced Renal Tumors in Rats: Immunohistochemical Comparison to Human Wilms Tumors

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced renal tumors in rats and Wilms tumors in humans were compared. Renal mesenchymal tumors (RMTs) and nephroblastomas (blastemal and epithelial components) in female Lewis rats treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg MNU at birth and Wilms tumors (blastemal, epithelial and mesenchymal components) in humans were analyzed for the expression of pancytokeratin (CK), vimentin, p63, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, S-100, CD57, CD117/c-kit, Wilms tumor 1 protein (WT1) and β-catenin. The mesenchymal components of rat RMTs and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin, SMA and β-catenin. The blastemal components of rat nephroblastomas and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin, CD117/c-kit and β-catenin. The epithelial components of rat nephroblastomas and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin and β-catenin. WT1 was expressed in different cellular components of rat tumors as compared with human Wilms tumors; the expression was seen in mesenchymal tumors and blastemal components of nephroblastomas in rats and epithelial components in human Wilms tumors. CK, p63 and CD57 were not expressed in rat RMTs or nephroblastomas, while CK and WT1 were expressed in epithelial components and CD57 was expressed in blastemal and epithelial components of human Wilms tumors. Rat and human tumors were universally negative for the expression of desmin and S-100. The immunohistochemical characteristics of rat renal tumors and human Wilms tumors may provide valuable information on the differences in renal oncogenesis and biology between the two species.     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acids alleviate early inflammatory response caused by lipopolysaccharide injection in male broiler chicks

An experiment was undertaken to determine if dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) influences the early stage of the inflammatory response caused by a single injection of Salmonella enteritidisi lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in male broiler chicks. Chicks (7 days old) were fed either 0 or 10 g CLA/kg in their diet for 21 days. At 28 days old, birds were injected intraperitoneally with 1.5 mg LPS/kg body weight after 12 h fasting. Changes in feed intake, rectal temperature and plasma α‐1 acid glycoprotein and ceruloplasmin concentrations were measured during 24 h after LPS injection. Chicks fed the CLA diet were fed more feed for 24 h, had a lower rectal temperature at 9 and 24 h and a lower plasma α‐1 acid glycoprotein concentration at 24 h after LPS injection than chicks fed the basal diet. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentration tended to be lower in chicks fed the CLA diet than in chicks fed the basal diet. The results suggest that dietary CLA alleviate undesirable early inflammatory response due to LPS injection in male broiler chicks.     

Influence of malic acid supplementation on ruminal pH, lactic acid utilization, and digestive function in steers fed high-concentrate finishing diets

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the influence of malic acid supplementation on ruminal fermentation. In Trial 1, six Holstein steers (300 kg) with ruminal cannulas were used in a crossover design experiment to study the influence of malic acid (MA) on ruminal metabolism during glucose-induced lactic acidosis. Treatments consisted of a 77% steam-flaked barley-based finishing diet supplemented to provide 0 or 80 g/d of MA. After a 13-d dietary adjustment period, 1 kg of glucose was infused into the rumen 1 h after the morning feeding. Ruminal pH was closely associated (R2 = .70) with ruminal DL-lactate concentration. Malic acid supplementation increased (P < .01) ruminal pH 3 h after the glucose infusion. However, there were no treatment effects (P > .10) on ruminal VFA molar proportions or ruminal and plasma DL-lactate concentrations. In Trial 2, four Holstein steers (150 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a crossover design experiment to evaluate the influence of MA supplementation on characteristics of digestion. Treatments consisted of an 81% steam-flaked barley-based finishing diet supplemented to provide 0 or 80 g/d of MA. There were no treatment effects (P > .10) on ruminal and total tract digestion of OM, ADF, starch, and feed N or on ruminal microbial efficiency. Malic acid supplementation increased (P < .05) ruminal pH 2 h after feeding. As with Trial 1, there were no treatment effects (P > .10) on ruminal VFA and DL-lactate concentrations. We conclude that supplementation of high-grain finishing diets with MA may be beneficial in promoting a higher ruminal pH during periods of peak acid production without detrimental effects on ruminal microbial efficiency or starch, fiber, and protein digestion. There were no detectable beneficial effects of MA supplementation on ruminal and plasma lactic acid concentrations in cattle fed high-grain diets.     

Folic acid supplementation prevents the changes in hepatic promoter methylation status and gene expression in intrauterine growth‐retarded piglets during early weaning period

During intrauterine life, genome interacts with maternal signals to influence the mRNA expression levels of specific genes persistently by regulating DNA methylation status. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha and gamma (PPARα and PPARγ) promoter methylation, mRNA expression of genes involved in energy metabolism and metabolite concentrations of intrauterine growth‐retarded (IUGR) piglets to dietary folic acid supplementation. According to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 16 IUGR and 16 normal birth weight (NBW) piglets were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of folic acid from weaning (day 14) to day 35 of age. Triglycerides in hepatic tissue and plasma were significantly elevated in control diets‐fed IUGR piglets compared with NBW piglets but were decreased by dietary folic acid supplementation. Hepatic mRNA expression levels of GR, PPARα, PPARγ, fatty acid synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in IUGR piglets fed a control diet were significantly higher than that in NBW piglets, and promoter methylation status of GR, PPARα and PPARγ in IUGR piglets was reduced significantly compared with NBW piglets. However, the changes in gene expression and DNA methylation status of IUGR piglets were reversed by dietary folic acid supplementation. Hepatic DNA methyltransferase activity was greater with dietary folic acid supplementation regardless of birth weight. Taken together, these results demonstrated that folic acid supplementation during early period of life could prevent the changes of promoter methylation status and gene expressions in the liver of IUGR piglets.     

低聚木糖对生长肥育猪血浆生化参数和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响

本试验旨在研究低聚木糖(XOS)对生长肥育猪血浆生化参数和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。选取70日龄、平均体重约为30kg的杜×长×大三元杂交猪110头,随机分为11组,每组10头(公母各占1/2),单栏饲养。试验设对照组(饲喂基础饲粮),抗生素组(饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.04kg/t速大肥、0.2kg/t抗敌素的饲粮),30~65kg阶段100、250和500g/t XOS添加组(在30~65kg阶段分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加100、250和500g/t XOS的饲粮,在66~100kg阶段均饲喂基础饲粮),66~100kg阶段100、250和500g/t XOS添加组(在30~65kg阶段均饲喂基础饲粮,在66~100kg阶段分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加100、250和500g/t XOS的饲粮)以及30~100kg阶段100、250和500g/t XOS添加组(分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加100、250和500g/t XOS的饲粮)。于试猪平均体重达100kg(约170日龄)时,前腔静脉采血,离心分离血浆,测定生化参数;屠宰后取背最长肌和股二头肌样品,测定其脂肪酸组成。结果表明:与对照组相比,30~65kg阶段,饲粮添加100或500g/t XOS可显著降低股二头肌中十七烷酸(C17∶0)含量(P0.05);66~100kg阶段,饲粮添加250g/t XOS可显著增加股二头肌中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)+单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)含量(P0.05),添加100或500g/t XOS可显著增加股二头肌中花生烯酸(C20∶1)含量(P0.05);30~100kg阶段,饲粮添加100g/t XOS可显著增加背最长肌中油酸/亚油酸以及股二头肌中C20∶1、MUFA和SFA+MUFA含量(P0.05),添加100或250g/t XOS可显著降低血浆总胆固醇浓度(P0.05),添加500g/t XOS可显著增加血浆高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇浓度(P0.05)。综上所述,饲粮添加一定剂量的XOS可通过调控与脂代谢相关的血浆生化参数、增加肌肉中MUFA和SFA+MUFA含量而改善猪肉的风味和营养价值,且以30~100kg阶段添加100g/t XOS为最佳。     

Reproductive performance of rats supplemented with L-carnitine

It has been shown previously that supplementation of sows with l-carnitine increases their reproduction performance. The current study was carried out to investigate if feeding of l-carnitine also affects the reproduction performance of rats. Thirty female rats at 4 weeks of age were divided into two groups. The rats were fed diets with or without l-carnitine (1 g/kg diet) over a period of 34 weeks. After 8 weeks of feeding, the female rats were mated the first time. Two more reproductive cycles followed, with 3-week intervals in between. Body weight development of the females was similar in both groups during the whole experimental period. Number of pregnancies and number of total rat pups, pups born alive and stillborn pups were not influenced by l-carnitine. There was also no influence of dietary l-carnitine on the body weight of individual pups and the litter weights at birth. Weight development of litters differed between both groups on several days, but no uniform effect of l-carnitine was observed. Body weight development of weaned rats fed a commercial diet was different between both groups, but only in one reproduction cycle. In conclusion, this study shows that l-carnitine supplementation does not improve the reproductive performance of rats.     

硫辛酸对黄羽肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化能力和免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加硫辛酸对黄羽肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化能力和免疫功能的影响。将 ６０只 ２１日龄体重相近的黄羽肉鸡随机分为 ２组,即对照组和硫辛酸组,每组 ５个重复,每个重复 ６只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,硫辛酸组饲喂在基础饲粮中添加 ３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ硫辛酸的试验饲粮,试验期 ３０ｄ。结果表明,硫辛酸对黄羽肉鸡的生长性能无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）;在试验第 １５天时,硫辛酸可以显著提高黄羽肉鸡血清总超氧化物歧化酶活性（Ｐ＜０．０５）、降低一氧化氮含量（Ｐ＜０．０５）,促进脾脏的发育（Ｐ＜０．０５）,提高血清免疫球蛋白 Ｇ含量（Ｐ＜０．０１）;在试验第 ３０天时,硫辛酸可以显著降低黄羽肉鸡血清丙二醛含量（Ｐ＜０．０５）、提高抑制羟自由基的能力（Ｐ＜０．０１）,提高由伴刀豆球蛋白 Ａ和脂多糖刺激的外周血淋巴细胞转化率以及血清免疫球蛋白 Ｇ含量（Ｐ＜０．０５）。由本试验可知,饲粮中添加 ３００ｍｇ／ｋｇ硫辛酸可以在一定程度上提高肉鸡抗氧化能力,增强其免疫功能。     

Reducing effect of dietary anacardic acid on body fat pads in rats

We have previously shown that anacardic acid has an uncoupling effect on oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria using succinate as a substrate (Toyomizu et al. 2000). In the present study, in order to clarify whether or not anacardic acid could be used advantageously as a special feed/food supplement to reduce fat deposition through the uncoupling action, two sets of experiments were conducted to determine quantitatively the effect of dietary anacardic acid (0.1% w/w) supplementation. More specifically, effects on growth, feed efficiency, fattening, and levels of several constituents of blood serum in rats fed normal and low protein–high carbohydrate (CHO) diets were examined. There were no significant differences in bodyweight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency among the experimental groups. For the total fat pad content, including inguinal and epididymal fat, significant interaction was shown between both treatments: dietary anacardic acid at 0.1% w/w significantly decreased the total fat pad content in rats fed the CHO diet, but not in rats fed the normal diet. Weights of heart, spleen and brown adipose tissue were not affected by either the dietary treatment or anacardic acid, while both liver and kidney weights decreased with feeding of anacardic acid at 0.1% w/w, but were not affected by the CHO diet. Anacardic acid supplementation in the diet had no effect on serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase or lactate dehydrogenase levels, suggesting that the dysfunction of liver or kidney may not be induced by dietary anacardic acid. The results of the present study reveal a unique function of anacardic acid in that, for dietary conditions enhancing body fat deposition, that is consumption of a diet high in carbohydrates, dietary anacardic acid has the potential to decrease body fat deposition. A possible mechanism for differences observed in anacardic acid‐induced regulation of body fat pad content between rats fed the normal and CHO diets, based on uncoupling action of anacardic acid on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, is discussed.     

妊娠期添加叶酸对新生仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力和基因表达影响

试验选用24头大约克母猪,随机分为2个处理组,每组12个重复,研究妊娠期添加叶酸对新生仔猪肝脏抗氧化能力及其与叶酸代谢相关基因表达量的影响。对照组饲喂基础日粮(叶酸1.3 mg/kg),基础日粮为典型的玉米-豆粕型日粮,在基础日粮中添加叶酸构成处理组日粮(叶酸30 mg/kg),试验从母猪配种开始直至分娩。结果表明:妊娠期间增加母猪叶酸摄入量显著提高仔猪血清叶酸含量(P<0.01),极显著降低血清同型半胱氨酸含量(P<0.01)。叶酸添加组仔猪肝脏中总抗氧化能力(P<0.05)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(P<0.05)和总超氧化物岐化酶活力(P<0.05)显著高于对照组。仔猪肝脏丙二醛和一氧化氮含量在添加叶酸之后显著下降(P<0.05)。添加叶酸显著提高仔猪肝脏中丝氨酸羟甲基转移酶基因表达量(P<0.05),下调T-蛋白基因mRNA水平(P<0.05)。由此可见,通过母体添加叶酸可显著改善仔猪肝脏抗氧化功能,并影响叶酸代谢相关基因表达量。     

精氨酸对氧化应激仔猪生长性能和血浆游离氨基酸浓度的影响

本试验选择24头健康PIC断奶仔公猪,单笼饲养,随机分为4个处理:对照组,氧化应激组,氧化应激组+0.8%精氨酸,1.6%精氨酸+氧化应激组。在试验第8天,各试验组仔猪腹腔注射敌草快诱导氧化应激,对照组仔猪注射等量生理盐水。在应激前(0 h),应激后6、24、48 h和96 h前腔静脉采血分离血浆。结果表明:氧化应激显著降低仔猪日增重、日均采食量及饲料转化效率。在氧化应激状态下,补充1.6%Arg显著增加仔猪的日均采食量。氧化应激降低仔猪血浆精氨酸、谷氨酸、赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸的浓度,显著增加血浆异亮氨酸和缬氨酸的浓度。在氧化应激条件下,补充精氨酸能显著提高血浆精氨酸、赖氨酸、异亮氨酸的浓度,显著降低血浆蛋氨酸、谷氨酸、缬氨酸的浓度。     

Effect of an organic acid blend and phytase added to a rapeseed cake‐containing diet on performance,intestinal morphology,caecal microflora activity and thyroid status of broiler chickens

The experiment was carried out on 96 female broilers, allocated to eight groups of 12 birds kept in individual cages. Two basal wheat‐ and soyabean meal‐based diets containing 150 g/kg of rapeseed expeller cake were formulated, differing in the level of P: 7.1 g/kg in diet H or 5.9 g/kg in diet L. Rapeseed cake supplied 3.15 μmol alkenyl glucosinolates per gram of diet. The eight treatments were: basal diets only, basal diets + phytase (1000 U/kg), basal diets + organic acid blend (OA, 6 g/kg), or basal diets + both additives. Diets were fed from day 8 to 28 of life. The results showed that the lower dietary P content and OA supplementation did not significantly affect feed intake or BWG, while both increased (p < 0.001) after phytase supplementation. Tibia ash content as well as tibia ultimate strength were lower (p < 0.001) in birds fed diets L compared with diets H, and increased (p < 0.01) with phytase supplementation of diet L, while OA had no influence on either parameter. Dietary P levels and OA supplementation had no influence on the pH of gut digesta, but the pH of jejunal digesta increased following phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). Morphological measurements of the small intestinal mucosa of chicks indicated that OA added to diet L depressed villi height (p < 0.001) and crypt depth (p < 0.001); both parameters increased after phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). The lower total SCFA as well as acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations in caecal digesta indicated lower activity of caecal microflora in birds fed diets L compared with H. OA supplementation had no influence, while phytase supplementation increased the concentration of acetic acid in caecal digesta. Supplementation of diets with either phytase or OA increased thyroid weight by 16% (p < 0.01) and 11% (p < 0.05) respectively. The increase in thyroid weight because of phytase supplementation was greater at the lower dietary P level, and the greatest when both phytase and OA were added to the diet.     

Maternal high‐fat diet promotes onset of diabetes in rat offspring

The onset and progression of type II diabetes is closely related to environmental factors, in particular dietary habit. Moreover, the environmental exposures very early in life can influence the risk for development of type II diabetes later in life. In this study, we investigated pathophysiological changes in the pups of maternal Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats that were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal SDT rats were continued on HFD for 5 weeks, from day 8 of gestation to day 21 after birth, and biological analyses of the pups were performed from 2 to 22 weeks of age. Results of serum lipid levels in pups from dams fed HFD were higher than pups from dams fed a standard diet, and the onset of diabetes was significantly accelerated in pups from dams fed HFD. In pathological analyses, pups from dams fed HFD showed increases in liver weight and vacuolation of hepatic cells at 2 weeks of age. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder of lipids and glucose in SDT rats is closely related to the nutritional condition of dams during the periods of gestation and lactation.     

腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能、抗氧化及促产蛋激素分泌的影响

试验旨在探究天然腐植酸和合成腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质、血清生化指标、抗氧化指标和激素水平的影响。选取52周龄体重、产蛋率相近的海兰白蛋鸡405羽,随机分成3个组,每组9个重复,每个重复15羽。对照组饲喂基础饲粮(CON组),试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加1 000 mg/kg的天然腐植酸A(HAA组)和合成腐植酸B(HAB组),预试期2周,正试期8周。结果表明:与CON组相比,添加腐植酸均可提高平均蛋重(P<0.05),降低不合格蛋率(P<0.05)和料蛋比(P<0.01),其中HAA组产蛋率极显著提高,HAA组的料蛋比低于HAB组(P<0.01);饲粮添加腐植酸对蛋品质无显著影响;与CON组相比,HAA组血清中白蛋白含量降低(P<0.05),HAB组乳酸脱氢酶活性提高(P<0.05),HAA组与HAB组血清中甘油三酯含量均降低(P<0.01);相比于CON组,添加HAB可提高谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05);与CON组相比,饲粮中添加腐植酸提高了血清中促黄体素水平(P<0.01),对促卵泡素水平有升高趋势(P=0.060),且HAA组中促卵泡素水平高于HAB组(P<0.01)。结果提示,腐植酸可促进机体促性腺激素分泌,改善机体抗氧化水平,显著提高产蛋后期蛋鸡的生产性能,且天然提取的腐植酸作用效果更佳。     

叶酸水平对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清组织中蛋白质代谢的指标影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加不同剂量的叶酸对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清和组织中蛋白质代谢相关指标的影响。试验选择25日龄断奶仔猪160头(80头纯种大白和80头纯种长白,公、母各半),随机分为5个处理组,每个处理4个重复,每个重复8头猪,进行28 d的饲养试验。5种日粮分别在基础日粮上添加0、0.5、2.5、5 mg/kg和10 mg/kg叶酸。结果表明:添加2.5 mg/kg叶酸仔猪的全期日增重较基础日粮组有显著提高(P<0.05),提高了血清蛋白质浓度(P<0.05),降低了血清尿素氮浓度(P<0.01),并提高了肝脏DNA、RNA和蛋白质的含量(P<0.05)以及肌肉RNA/DNA和RNA/蛋白质值(P<0.05),而添加更高水平叶酸时却使仔猪生长性能下降。本试验结果显示,仔猪日粮中叶酸适宜添加量为2.5 mg/kg,叶酸不足或者过高都将影响动物的生长。     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on vitamin A status of lactating rats and their offspring

The absorption and metabolism of vitamin A is linked with that of lipids. It is known that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) affects the lipid metabolism in growing and lactating animals. In the present study, the hypothesis was investigated that dietary CLA influences vitamin A status of lactating rats and their pups during the suckling period. For this purpose, Wistar Han rats were fed either a control diet (control group, n = 14) or a diet containing 0.87% of cis‐9, trans‐11 and trans‐10, cis‐12 (1:1) CLA (CLA group, n = 14) during pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin A concentrations in various body tissues were determined 14 days after delivery in dams and 1, 7 and 14 days after birth in pups, and expression of selected genes involved in metabolism of retinoids was determined in dams. Vitamin A concentrations in liver, plasma and muscle were similar in control and CLA‐fed dams. Expression of genes involved in retinoid transport, storage and degradation in liver and adipose tissue in dams was also not different between control and CLA‐fed dams. Vitamin A concentrations in milk curd, sampled at d 1, 7 and 14 of lactation were not different between control and CLA‐fed dams. Vitamin A concentrations in liver, lung and adipose tissue were also not different in pups from control dams and pups from CLA‐fed dams. In conclusion, we show for the first time that dietary CLA has little effect on vitamin A concentrations and vitamin A metabolism in lactating rat dams and, moreover, does not influence tissue vitamin A concentrations in their newborn and suckling pups.     

Effect of feeding Aspergillus awamori and canola seed on the growth performance and muscle fatty acid profile in broiler chicken

The aim of this study was to examine effects of dietary supplementation with Aspergillus awamori and feeding canola seed on the growth and fatty acid profile in broilers. Twenty‐eight chicks (15 days old) were assigned to the following groups: (1) control, fed a basal diet; (2) awamori, fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.05% A. awamori; (3) canola, fed a diet containing 5% canola seed; and (4) canola + awamori, fed the canola diet supplemented with A. awamori (seven birds/group). Body weight gain was increased by A. awamori but not influenced by canola seed. Breast muscle weight was increased in either awamori or canola groups. Although plasma triglyceride and cholesterol were decreased by feeding A. awamori or canola seed, fat content in the breast muscle were increased, accompanied by decrease in saturated fatty acids and increase in unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and increased α‐tocopherol content in the breast muscle was observed in all experimental groups. In conclusion, these results suggested that feeding canola seed and A. awamori might improve growth performance, and modified muscle fatty acid profile and α‐tocopherol content, suggesting that they may improve meat quality.     

The Effect of Lecithin Supplementation on the Biochemical Profile and Morphological Changes in the Liver of Rats Fed Different Animal Fats

Sixty-four Wistar rats were divided into 8 equal groups and kept for 36 days in individual boxes. Three of the groups were given full synthetic diets containing various animal fats: beef tallow, pork fat or fish oil. A control group was fed the diets without the fat. The other four groups were fed the same diets with lecithin supplementation. At the end of experiment, sections taken from the liver were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Sudan III to indicate fat infiltration. Liver enzyme levels, total bilirubin, albumin and two products of lipd metabolism were measured in serum from all the animals. The addition of lecithin to the diets did not influence the level of enzymes in the serum except in rats fed the diet containing beef tallow. A relationship between the type of diet, lecithin supplementation and the total cholesterol concentration in serum was observed. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol was only influenced by lecithin supplementation and that of triglycerides by the type of fat in the diet. The addition of lecithin to the diet was associated with proliferation of Kupffer cells, and an increased number of binuclear cells. Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was less pronounced in all groups following lecithin supplementation. Lecithin supplementation of the diet did not elicit any pathological lesions and may be considered as a hepatocyte protector. This favourable effect of lecithin was most marked in the group of rats fed the fish oil.     

共轭亚油酸对奶牛乳脂肪球粒径及分布的影响

旨在探索共轭亚油酸（CLA）对奶牛乳脂肪球粒径（MFG）及分布的影响。本试验选取24头体况相近的泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛（体重（583±34.6）kg,产奶量（27.2±2.4）kg·d^-1）,分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头牛。对照组（C组）饲喂基础日粮,低剂量组（L组）饲喂基础日粮+150 g·d^-1 CLA,中剂量组（M组）饲喂基础日粮+300 g·d^-1 CLA,高剂量（H组）饲喂基础日粮+400 g·d^-1 CLA。连续饲喂5 d,测量奶牛采食量、产奶量和乳成分,采用Mastersizer 3000激光粒度仪测量乳脂肪球颗粒平均直径以及比例分布。结果发现,饲喂CLA对奶牛采食量、产奶量、乳蛋白和乳糖含量没有显著影响（P>0.05）,CLA处理极显著降低了乳脂肪的含量（P<0.01）。与对照组相比,CLA处理组牛乳中脂肪球粒径D_[3,2]和D_[4,3]显著减少（P<0.05）,并且随CLA添加剂量的增加,脂肪球分布比例呈现小脂肪球增多而大脂肪球减少的变化趋势。综上,在本试验条件下,饲粮CLA水平能够改变奶牛乳脂肪球粒径大小和比例,为阐明反式脂肪酸CLA造成奶牛低脂乳的内在机制提供基础。