Effects of two different dietary sources of long chain omega-3, highly unsaturated fatty acids on incorporation into the plasma, red blood cell, and skeletal muscle in horses

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different sources of dietary omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid supplementation on plasma, red blood cell, and skeletal muscle fatty acid compositions in horses. Twenty-one mares were blocked by age, BW, and BCS and assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments with 7 mares per treatment. Dietary treatments were: 1) control or no fatty acid supplement (CON), 2) 38 g of n-3 long chain, highly unsaturated fatty acid (LCHUFA) supplement/d provided by algae and fish oil (MARINE) containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and 3) 38 g of n-3 LCHUFA supplement/d provided by a flaxseed meal (FLAX) containing ALA. Each supplement was added to a basal diet consisting of hay and barley and was fed for 90 d. Blood samples and muscle middle gluteal biopsies were taken at d 0, 30, 60 and 90 of supplementation. Plasma, red blood cell and skeletal muscle fatty acid profiles were determined via gas chromatography. Plasma linoleic acid (LA) and ALA were at least 10 and 60% less (P < 0.01), respectively, in the MARINE compared with the FLAX and CON groups. Plasma EPA and DHA were only detected in the MARINE group, and EPA increased 40% (P < 0.001) from d 30 to 60, and DHA 19% (P < 0.01) from d 30 to 90. Red blood cell LA and ALA were not different among treatments. Red blood cell EPA and DHA were only detected in the MARINE group, where EPA increased 38% (P < 0.01) from d 30 to 60, and DHA increased 56% (P < 0.001) between d 30 and 90. Skeletal muscle LA was at least 17% less (P < 0.001) in the MARINE group compared with the other treatments. Skeletal muscle ALA was 15% less (P = 0.03) in the MARINE group compared with FLAX and CON groups. Skeletal muscle EPA was at least 25% greater (P < 0.001) in MARINE group compared with other treatments and increased (P < 0.001) by 71% from d 30 to 60. Skeletal muscle DHA was at least 57% greater (P < 0.001) in the MARINE group compared with other groups and increased (P < 0.001) by 40% between d 30 and 90. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first study to demonstrate that dietary fatty acid supplementation will affect muscle fatty acid composition in horses. Incorporation of n-3 LCHUFA into blood and muscle depends directly on dietary supply of specific fatty acids.     

Phosphorus supplements and fluorosis in cattle—a northern Australian experience

SUMMARY Chronic fluoride toxicosis caused lameness, dental lesions and illthrift in an extensive beef cattle herd in northern Australia. Up to 15% of the herd was lame and the disease forced the culling of large numbers of cows. The source of fluoride was fertiliser-grade monoammonium and diammonlum phosphate fed as part of a mineral supplement. Large quantities of mineral supplement were provided to the cattle because lameness was attributed to phosphorus deficiency, which is endemic in the area. Most lameness developed in the late dry season in the post-lactation phase. Severe lameness was caused by fractured pedal bones.     

The Economics of Intensifying Catfish Production: A Production Function Analysis1

Yields of channel catfish in the United States have increased as a result of higher levels of stocking, feeding and aeration. A Cobb-Douglas production function was estimated using survey data from 66 catfish ponds in West-Central Alabama to determine if further intensification of catfish production in West-Central Alabama would be profitable. Feed, capital, stocking rate, and length of production period explained most of the variation in yield. Values of the marginal products for feed, stocking rate and capital were consistently higher than input costs during the study period. Profit-maximizing levels of input use were higher than the levels of inputs used in West-Central Alabama during the study period. Results indicated that more intensive use of production inputs would increase yield and profits. However, careful interpretation of these results requires consideration of non-profit factors such ns cash Row and risk as well as the specific nature of the data used to develop the production relationship. The method utilized in this study can generally be applied to any aquaculture production system, but the recommendation for more intensive input use is specific to the pond data collected for this study.     

KINETICS OF DICHLOBENIL DEGRADATION IN SOIL

Summary. The rates of degradation of dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) in soil were determined at 67 and 267°C. The degradation followed first-order kinetics but at 67°C this occurred after an initial lag period of 10 weeks. The half-lives were 28 weeks (+ 10 weeks lag) at 6.7°C and 19 weeks at 26.7°C. The activation energy for the decomposition was the relatively low value of 3.57 kcal/mole, indicating that the degradation of dichlobenil is not as markedly affected by temperature as that of many other herbicides. The only detectable metabolite was 2,6-dichlorobenzamide, a compound that should have a substantially lower vapour pressure and a higher affinity for surfaces than the parent compound. Cinétique de la dégradation du dichlobénil dans le sol Résumé. Les taux de dégradation du dichlobénil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile) dans le sol ont été détermines à 6,7 et 26,7°C. La déSgradation suivit une loi cinétique du premier ordre, mais à 6,7°C ceci se produisit aprés une période initiate de latence de 10 semaines. Les demi-vies furent de 28 semaines (plus 10 semaines de latence) a 6,7°C et 19 semaines à. 26,7°C. L'énergie d'activation pour la décomposition s'établit à la valeur relativement faible de 3,57 kcal/mole; ceci indique que la dégradation du dichlobénil n'est pas aussi profondément affcctée par la température quc celle de beaucoup d'autres herbicides. Le seul métabolite detectable fut le 2,6-dichlorobenzamide, composé qui devrait avoir une pression de vapeur notablement plus faible et une affinité plus grande pour les surfaces que le composé apparenté. Kinetik des Dichlohenil-Abbaus im Boden Zusammenfassung. Es wurde die Abbaugeschwindigkeit von Dichlobenil (2,6-Dichlorbenzonitril) im Boden bei 6,7°C und 26,7°C bestinimt. Der Abbau entsprach einer Reaktion erster Ordnung. Bei 6,7°G setzte der Abbau nach einer lag-Phase von 10 Wochen ein. Die Halbwertzeiten betrugen 28 Wochen (+10 Wochen lag-Phase) bei 6,7°C und 19 Wochen bei 26,7°C. Die Aktivierungsenergie war verhältnisniässig niedrig und betrug 3,57 Kcal/Mol und zeigt, dass der Abbau von Dichlobenil durch Temperatur nicht so stark beeinflusst wird wie bei vielen anderen Herbiziden. Der einzige nachweisbare Metabolit war 2,6-Dichlorbenzamid, der einen wcsentlich nieddgeren Dampfdruck und eine grössere Affinität gegenüber Oberfiächen haben dürfte als die ursprüngliche Verbindung.     

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on discoloration of injection-site lesions in retail cuts and the greening reaction observed in injection-site lesions in muscles of the chuck

Concern has been raised about green discoloration of injection-site lesions in chuck muscles in modified-atmosphere packages. Objectives were: 1) to recreate green lesions, 2) to compare the severity of discoloration of injection-site lesions in chucks from carcasses of control or vitamin E-supplemented steers, and 3) to identify pigment(s) responsible for discoloration via in vitro color reactions. In Exp. 1, 23 steers (BW = 415 kg; 37 d before harvest) were injected with one of 12 pharmaceuticals, following label directions for route and dose, with the exception of a 5-mL maximum dose, to identify a product that could result in discoloration. Two vaccines (Products A and B) resulted in greening. In Exp. 2, 50 steers were injected (i.m.) with Product A and assigned to the control or vitamin E (1,000 IU/steer daily for 60 d) group. After retail display, 80 and 72% of steaks from the control and treatment groups, respectively, were discolored. Although vitamin E did not reduce (P = 0.53) greening, there was a trend (P = 0.10) toward delay discoloration of lesions from the treatment group. In Phase I of Exp. 3, pigments extracted from green lesions obtained from Exp. 2 were compared with solutions, exposed to a high partial pressure of oxygen (ppO), of myoglobin (Mb), copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), vaccine, and aluminum hydroxide either alone or in combination. In Phase II of Exp. 3, solutions of two or more of Mb, Cu, sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), and H2O2 were made at pH 7.2 or 5.5 and exposed to low or high ppO. Normal muscle tissue displayed a 3.2 and 56.7% decrease in absorbance/microg of protein as wavelength changed from 654 to 656 nm and 656 to 658 nm, respectively. Pigments from control and treatment group green tissue displayed a 164.5 and 621.3% increase, respectively, in absorbance/microg of protein as wavelength changed from 654 to 656 nm. As wavelength changed from 656 to 658 nm, the absorbance/microg of protein for control and treatment group lesions decreased by 75 and 109%, respectively. The Mb+Cu+Na2SO4 solution, at pH 5.5 and high ppO, exhibited similar absorbance trends as green lesions indicating that greening may result from a Mb, Cu, and Na2SO4 interaction. Results indicated that greening varies with pharmaceuticals and oxidation of tissue cannot be controlled with vitamin E supplementation. Research on the causative agents of green discoloration, with an emphasis on compounds containing sulfate or Cu, is needed.     

Effect of breed (Angus vs Simmental) on immune function and response to a disease challenge in stressed steers and preweaned calves

Two experiments were conducted with feeder steer calves and preweaned calves to determine the effects of breed on immune response. In Exp. 1, newly weaned Angus (n = 24) and Simmental (n = 24) steer calves were blocked by weight within breed and randomly assigned to 12 pens with four calves per pen. The basal diet consisted of 87% corn silage (DM basis) and 13% of a soybean meal-mineral-vitamin supplement. Steers were allowed ad libitum access to feed throughout the study. On d 2 following weaning, calves received an intranasal inoculation of infectious bovine rhinotraecheitis virus (IBRV; 2.7 x 10(8) CCID50). Rectal temperatures in response to the IBRV were higher (P < .05) in Angus calves. On d 9, calves were injected i.m. with 10 mL of a 25% pig red blood cell (PRBC) suspension. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) and IgM titers against PRBC were higher (P < .05) for the Angus calves. Breed did affect cell-mediated immune response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In Exp. 2, preweaned (16 Angus and 16 Simmental) calves were selected based on breed, body weight, and sex. On 0 d, all selected calves were injected i.m. with 10 mL of a 25% PRBC suspension. Total Ig and IgG titers against PRBC were higher (P < .05) for Angus calves. On d 28, lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood obtained from eight calves per breed. Peripheral lymphocytes from the Angus calves had a greater (P < .07) blastogenic response to 6.25 microg/mL of PHA than lymphocytes from Simmental calves. Results indicate that the immune response of Angus and Simmental calves may differ.     

Landscape heterogeneity and fire behavior: scale-dependent feedback between fire and grazing processes

Fire and grazing are ecological processes that frequently interact to modify landscape patterns of vegetation. There is empirical and theoretical evidence that response of herbivores to heterogeneity is scale-dependent however the relationship between fire and scale of heterogeneity is not well defined. We examined the relationship between fire behavior and spatial scale (i.e., patch grain) of fuel heterogeneity. We created four heterogeneous landscapes modeled after those created by a fire–grazing interaction that differed in grain size of fuel patches. Fire spread was simulated through each model landscape from 80 independent, randomly located ignition points. Burn area, burn shape complexity and the proportion of area burnt by different fire types (headfire, backfire and flankfire) were all affected by the grain of fuel patch. The area fires burned in heterogeneous landscapes interacted with the fuel load present in the patch where ignition occurred. Burn complexity was greater in landscapes with small patch grain than in landscapes with large patch grain. The proportion of each fire type (backfire, flankfire and headfire) was similar among all landscapes regardless of patch grain but the variance of burned area within each of the three fire types differed among treatments of patch grain. Our landscape fire simulation supports the supposition that feedbacks between landscape patterns and ecological processes are scale-dependent, in this case spatial scale of fuel loading altering fire spread through the landscape.     

Isolation,Culture and Identification of Testis Sertoli Cells in Mongolian Horses in vitro

To study a simple and rapid separation of testis Sertoli cells in Mongolian horses and ensure their activity,the testis tissue of two-year-old Mongolian horses was mechanically isolated under a low temperature environment in this experiment,and 1-3 g of testis tissue was chopped,the free red blood cells and interstitial cells were removed by gravity precipitation method.0.1% collagenase Ⅳ and 0.25% trypsin-EDTA were used for tissue digestion, and cells were cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum.After inoculation,the purified Sertoli cells were isolated and purified by differential sticking method,and the impurity cells were removed by Tris-HCl infiltration method,and were identified by alkaline phosphatase (AKP) staining,HE staining and Real-time quantitative PCR.The results showed that most of the cells began to adhere to the wall after culture 24 h,and the shape of the cells was oval.After culture 48 h,the cytoplasm increased and the refraction became stronger.After culture 3-4 d,the cytoplasm of the cells expanded into tight junction.At this time,the cells were triangular with obvious nucleoli.After culture 6-7 d,the cells entered the stable phase.Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that the expression of GATA4 and GDNF genes were extremely significantly expressed in cultured cells (P<0.01).AKP staining supported the negative expression in Sertoli cells,indicating that the isolated cultured cells were indeed Sertoli cells.In this experiment,tissue was treated by mechanical separation and two-step enzyme digestion,and testicular support cells were obtained quickly and efficiently,the method of culturing Sertoli cells in Mongolian horses testis in vitro was successfully constructed.