Obesity and diet affect glucose dynamics and insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings

Insulin resistance is considered a risk factor in obesity, laminitis, exertional rhabdomyolysis, and osteochondrosis. The objective was to use the minimal model to estimate glucose effectiveness (Sg) and insulin sensitivity (Si) in nonobese to obese horses initially adapted to forage only, then adapted to forage plus supplements rich in starch and sugar (SS) or fiber and fat (FF). Ten Thoroughbred geldings, with BCS of 5 (nonobese), 6 (moderately obese), and 7 to 8 (obese), were adapted to pasture and hay, allocated to two groups, and fed SS or FF in a switch-back design with 8 wk of adaptation. Modified frequent-sampling i.v. glucose tolerance tests were applied after adaptation to forage, SS, and FF. For the tolerance tests, horses were kept in stalls overnight and provided hay, and venous catheters were placed the next morning. Baseline samples were collected, 0.3 g of glucose/kg of BW was given i.v., and blood was sampled at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 19 min. At 20 min, 30 mU of insulin/kg of BW was given, followed by sampling at 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, and 180 min. Plasma was analyzed for glucose and insulin, and Si, Sg, acute insulin response to glucose, and the disposition index were calculated. Normality was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk statistic. Body condition effects were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Diet effects were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Sg was higher in obese than nonobese (P = 0.003) and moderately obese (P = 0.007) horses; Si was lower in obese than nonobese (P = 0.008) horses, and acute insulin response to glucose was higher in obese than nonobese (P = 0.039) horses. Effects of diet were likely confounded by body condition, but horses had lower Si (P = 0.066) when fed SS compared with FF, especially when nonobese. In conclusion, the minimal model effectively estimated Sg, Si, acute insulin response to glucose, and disposition index in horses. Obese geldings were insulin-resistant and seemed to rely primarily on Sg for glucose disposal. Feeding a diet rich in sugar and starch decreased insulin sensitivity of horses. Maintenance of body condition and avoidance of grain-based meals rich in sugar and starch would be beneficial to decrease the risk of developing insulin resistance and associated metabolic syndromes in horses, especially for horses at risk for these syndromes.     

Artificial insemination outcomes in beef females using bovine sperm with a detectable fertility-associated antigen

In this study, semen samples from 25 bulls that had passed a breeding soundness evaluation were analyzed for the presence or absence of a 31-kDa protein, known as fertility-associated antigen (FAA), on spermatozoal membranes. Eighteen bulls had FAA on sperm (FAA-positive) and seven were devoid of FAA on sperm (FAA-negative). A single ejaculate from each bull was extended and frozen with 25 to 30 x 10(6) sperm in .5-mL straws. Crossbred replacement heifers (n = 865) were estrus-synchronized and artificially inseminated either at timed AI or 12 h after they were detected in estrus. Mature cows (n = 285) were inseminated 12 h after they were detected in estrus during a 45-d AI period. Pregnancy rates (pooled) to first AI service for females (n = 764) inseminated with FAA-positive sperm were 65.6% and were 49.7% for females (n = 386) inseminated with FAA-negative sperm (P < .005). Among the estrus-synchronized replacement heifers, pregnancy rates to synchronized AI service for heifers (n = 550) inseminated with FAA-positive sperm were 62% and were 45.7% for heifers (n = 315) inseminated with FAA-negative sperm (P < .005). These data indicate that pregnancy rates to first AI service at spontaneous and synchronized estrus are higher when using semen from bulls with detectable FAA on spermatozoal membranes compared to semen from bulls devoid of FAA on membranes. Fertility-associated antigen is an important determinant for fertility potential of sperm from bulls to be used in AI breeding programs.     

Morbidity and mortality of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1993-2003.

Medical records from 111 threatened bald eagles (86%, Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (14%, Falco peregrinus) admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia from 1993 to 2003 were reviewed to identify submitters, causes of morbidity and mortality, and final disposition. Half of all patients admitted were submitted by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries personnel. Trauma was the most common reason for presentation in bald eagles (70%) and peregrine falcons (81%). Additional causes of morbidity and mortality in bald eagles included toxicoses (10%), infectious diseases (8%), and orphaned young (1%). Neoplasia was confirmed in two trauma cases, suggesting underlying disease might have increased susceptibility to acute traumatic injuries. Peregrine falcons were also admitted for infectious disease (19%). The most frequent infectious disease for both species was West Nile virus. Thirty-nine percent of patients were released back into the wild, 28% were euthanized, 20% died, and 13% were placed in captivity. Postrelease monitoring that would determine whether rehabilitated animals survived to contribute to threatened populations was not performed in this study.     

Glucose and insulin responses to different dietary energy sources in Thoroughbred broodmares grazing cool season pasture

The objectives of this study were to characterize the glycemic and insulinemic responses of Thoroughbred broodmares fed late spring pasture only or a mixture of pasture and a high starch or low starch feed and to test hypotheses about differences in the glycemic and insulinemic effects of these dietary regimes. A group of 15 mares were divided into three treatment groups; pasture and high starch feed (PHS), pasture and low starch feed (PLS), and pasture only (PO) and maintained in these groups for 4.5 months prior to this study. These groups were maintained on a single pasture that was temporarily divided into three sections. The study protocol was conducted over two days. On day 1 the mares were fed their respective treatments and on day 2 all mares were allowed access to pasture only. On both days plasma glucose and insulin were measured in samples taken over a 7.5 h period. Baseline measurements for glucose and insulin were not different between any of the treatment groups on either day (P > 0.05). The baseline insulin concentrations of these pasture-kept mares (26.7 ± 8.3 mIU/L) were high compared to those reported from stall-kept horses. Plasma glucose and insulin on day 1 were influenced by treatment group, sample time, and an interaction between treatment and time (P < 0.05). On day 2 there was no significant influence of treatment group (P > 0.05). Glucose and insulin rose to higher (P < 0.01) peak concentrations in the PHS group on day 1 when compared to the PLS and PO groups, with no difference (P > 0.05) detected between the PLS and PO groups. These results are reflected in greater areas under the concentration-time curves for glucose and insulin in the PHS group on day 1 (P < 0.05). On day 2 there were no differences in any of the glucose and insulin characteristics for any of the treatment groups (P > 0.05). These results indicate a clear difference in the glycemic and insulinemic effect of the PHS feed compared to the PLS and PO groups. Of further interest are the glucose and insulin characteristics of these pasture-kept mares that indicate a low insulin sensitivity and high insulin secretory response. This study provides further information on factors influencing glycemic and insulinemic responses in horses.     

Plant biotechnology: A case study ofBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and its application to the future of genetic engineered trees

Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in land ownership and distribution. Of these measures, biotechnology applications probably hold the most promise in augmenting conventional agricultural productivity, because biotechnology applications give not only the need to increase production, but also protect the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Biotechnology applications will have the possibilities to increase productivity and food availability through better agronomic performance of new varieties, including resistance to pests; rapid multiplication of disease-free plants; ability to obtain natural plant products using tissue culture; diagnosis of diseases of plants and livestock; manipulation of reproduction methods increasing the efficiency of breeding; and the provision of incentives for greater participation by the private sector through investments. Insect resistance through the transfer of a gene for resistance fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most advanced biotechnology applications already being commercialized in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development and the status ofBt technology and application ofBt transgenic plants in current agriculture, and discusses specific issues related to the transfer of the technology to the future of genetic engineered trees with emphasis on conifers. Biography: Tang Wei (1964-), male, Ph. Doctor, Research associate, Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carelina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA. Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai     

与生长激素相关的高等植物细胞周期生化调控

高等植物细胞周期是细胞生物学上的重要研究领域。细胞周期受遗传和发育影响因素的调控。本文综述高等植物细胞周期中涉及到细胞周期关卡GO-G1-S期和G2-M期的激素调控。最新研究成果证明玉米素、腺嘌呤、激动素、赤霉素和脱落酸等通过细胞周期蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶及细胞周期关卡的脱磷酸化控制细胞周期。植物D-型细胞周期蛋白也已被证明在细胞周期调控中起关键作用。本文有关细胞周期的研究综述对植物细胞和发育生物学研究有参考价值。图3参61。     

The biochemical control of the cell cycle by growth regulators in higher plants

The cell cycle is an important research field in cell biology and it is genetically and developmentally regulated in animals and plants. The aim of this study was to review knowledge about the biochemical regulation of the cell cycle by plant growth regulators through molecular checkpoints that regulate the transition from G0-G1-S-phase and G2-M in higher plants.Recent research has shown that zeatin treatment led to the up-regulation of CycD3 in Arabidopsis. Benzyladenine treatment can also shorten the duration of S-phase through recruitment of latent origins of DNA replication. Kinetin is involved in the phosphoregulation of the G2-M checkpoint; the major cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) at this checkpoint has recently shown to be dephosphorylated as a result of cytokinin treatment, an effect that can also be mimicked by the fission yeast Cdc25 phosphatase. Gibberellic acid (GA) treatment induces internode elongation in deepwater rice, this response is mediated by a GA-induced up-regulation of a cyclin-Cdk at the G2-M checkpoint. Recent evidence has also linked abscisic acid to a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. A new D-type cyclin, recently discovered in Arabidopsis may have a key role in this process. A brief review on plant growth regulator-cell cycle interfacing during development and a cytokinin-induced continuum of cell cycle activation through the up-regulation of a plant D-type cyclin at the G1 checkpoint and the phosphoregulation of the Cdk at the G2/M checkpoint had been concluded. This review could be valuable to research on cell and developmental biology in plants.     

植物生物技术:苏云金杆菌抗虫基因的研究和它对未来树木遗传工程的影响

许多不同的技术可以促进农业生产力的持续增长，生物技术是其中最重要和最有前途的方法。因为生物技术不仅可以增加生产力。而且在环境和自然资源的保护中起重要作用，应用生物技术可以生产高产、优质、高抗性和无病植物，同时也可以提高育种效率和促进食品的工业化生产。苏云金杆菌抗虫基因是目前生物技术领域中应用最广泛的例子之一。由此而产生的抗虫植物正在广泛应用于世界各地的商业化生产。本文综述了苏云金杆菌抗虫基因的研究进展和它在未来林木遗传工程中的应用。表4参68。