Separate and combined effects of cyclic fasting and l‐carnitine supplementation in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus,L. 1758)

We examined the effects of cyclic fasting in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) fed different dietary carnitine levels. Juvenile fish (23.58 ± 3.49 g) were divided into eight groups – four groups were fed every day to apparent satiation, while the other four were fasted for 7 days every 2 weeks. In each feeding regime, two replicates were fed an l ‐carnitine non‐supplemented diet (46 mg kg^?1) and the other two groups were fed an l ‐carnitine supplemented diet (630 mg kg^?1). Fish fed 630 mg l ‐carnitine accumulated two times more l ‐carnitine in muscle than fish fed 46 mg l ‐carnitine. Cyclic fasting reduced the growth performance and lipid content in the liver. Carnitine supplementation did not affect performance and body composition, but decreased the n‐6 PUFA content. Moreover, the combined effects of fasting and carnitine supplementation were observed on reducing the n‐3 fatty acid content. Areas of steatosis were found in the livers of red porgy, but the results revealed that supplementation of l ‐carnitine in cyclic fasted fish contributed towards a lower degree of vacuolization than in fish fed to apparent satiation. Regardless of the feeding regime applied, the spleen of fish fed the l ‐carnitine‐supplemented diet was haemorrhagic and hyper activation of melanomacrophage cells was observed.     

Phosphorus Removal from Eutrophic Waters with an Aluminium Hybrid Nanocomposite

An excess of phosphorus (P) is the most common cause of eutrophication of freshwater bodies. Thus, it is imperative to reduce the concentration of P to prevent harmful algal blooms. Moreover, recovery of P has been gaining importance because its natural source will be exhausted in the near future. Therefore, the present work investigated the removal and recovery of phosphate from water using a newly developed hybrid nanocomposite containing aluminium nanoparticles (HPN). The HPN-Pr removes 0.80?±?0.01?mg?P/g in a pH interval between 2.0 and 6.5. The adsorption mechanism was described by a Freundlich adsorption model. The material presented good selectivity for phosphate and can be regenerated using an HCl dilute solution. The factors that contribute most to the attractiveness of HPN-Pr as a phosphate sorbent are its moderate removal capacity, feasible production at industrial scale, reuse after regeneration and recovery of phosphate.     

Comparison of tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine and tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine-xylazine anaesthesia in sheep

Summary The anaesthetic effects of intravenous tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg (TK) and tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg-xylazine 0.11 mg/kg (TKX) were evaluated in six wethers. Heart rate, respiration rate, arterial blood pressure, and the electrocardiogram were monitored during anaesthesia. Analgesia was tested by electrical stimulation in the left flank. Atropine (0.03 mg/kg) was given intramuscularly before induction, but after recording of baseline heart rate and respiratory rate. The duration of analgesia was 28.7 ± 6.9 min with TK and 82.8 ± 26.6 min with TKX. Heart rate increased significantly within 5 min after TK or TKX administration. Respiratory rate remained unchanged after TK administration, but increased significantly from 5 to 45 min after TKX administration. Arterial blood pressure decreased significantly at 15 min with TK and 30 min with TKX. Sheep remained recumbent for 201 min with TK and 166 min with TKX. All recovered uneventfully. We conclude that either TK or TKX may be used for anaesthetising sheep.     

Histology, carbohydrate and protein histochemistry of the mandibular gland in suckling, prepuberal and puberal zebus (Bos indicus)

Histological, histometric and histochemical studies of the mandibular salivary glands of suckling, prepuberal and puberal zebu were carried out using 14 male animals. The developmental growth of this gland is characterized and correlated with histochemical development. These findings were correlated with other similar studies of Bovidae.     

Effects of ascorbic acid 2‐glucoside and alpha‐tocopherol on the characteristics of equine spermatozoa stored at 5°C

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of adding ascorbic acid 2‐glucoside (AA2G), a water‐soluble antioxidant and stable derivative of ascorbate, to the semen extender and compare it to the addition of vitamin C (Vit. C) and the fat‐soluble antioxidant α‐tocopherol (α‐Toh), both individually and in combination, on the seminal variables of equine sperm submitted to cooling for 72 h. We used two ejaculates from 10 stallions and evaluated them for motility, membrane integrity, chromatin fragmentation, mitochondrial activity and lipid peroxidation. In the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the control group showed 2506.2 ± 796.4 ng malondialdehyde/10⁸ sperm, which was higher (P < 0.05) than the groups treated with antioxidants. The average value of motility in the AA2G group was 68.4 ± 18.1%, which was higher (P < 0.05) than that observed in the control group (62.1 ± 16.2%). The variables membrane integrity, chromatin fragmentation and mitochondrial activity did not show significant difference (P > 0.05) between treatments. It was concluded that the antioxidants protected sperm cells from lipid peroxidation and that AA2G was effective during the cooling process of equine semen at 5°C for72 h, providing increased levels of total motility.     

Male and female cats have different regional body compositions and energy requirements for weight loss and weight maintenance

Body composition and energy requirements are different between males and females in several species, and both interfere with weight loss. The aim of this study was to compare the total and regional body composition and energy requirements in obese male (n = 8) and female (n = 8) cats, during weight loss and weight maintenance over 17 subsequent weeks after regimen. The total and regional (thoracic and pelvic limbs, and trunk) body composition was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Females exhibited a higher fat mass (FM) than males (p < 0.05), and the trunk was the site with greater fat accumulation regardless of gender. A 23.0 ± 2.8% reduction in body weight was followed by a 50.3 ± 9.4% and a 37.0 ± 8.9% reduction in fat in the trunk region in males and females respectively. Lean mass (LM) mobilization was also increased in the trunk (p < 0.05), and the loss of LM was associated with a reduction in bone mass. The energy intake to achieve the same rate of weight loss was 12.9 ± 3.4% higher in males (p < 0.05). The cats exhibited a gradual increase in energy requirements to maintain their body weight after weight loss (p < 0.05). It was concluded that obese cats mainly accumulate fat in the trunk. The reduction in lean mass after the regimen also occurred in the trunk, with no modifications in the skeletal muscle mass of the limbs. Neutered male cats have higher energy requirements than neutered females, and gender should be considered during obesity management in cats.     

The Anti‐Müllerian Hormone Profile is Linked with the In Vitro Embryo Production Capacity and Embryo Viability after Transfer but Cannot Predict Pregnancy Outcome

The current study investigated the possibility of using the AMH concentration as a predictor of the ability of Korean Hanwoo cows to produce cumulus‐oocyte complexes, embryos that survive after transfer as well as the pregnancy outcome of surrogates. Eight sessions of ovum pick‐up (OPU) were performed with 19 donor cows at an interval of 3–4 days. Antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte quality and in vitro embryo development were recorded for each cow. Embryos produced from cows with different AMH profiles were transferred into recipients (n = 96). Cows in the high (≥0.25 ng/ml) and intermediate (0.1≥ to <0.25 ng/ml) AMH groups had a significantly higher AFC per OPU session (20.40 ± 1.36 and 16.91 ± 1.52, respectively; mean ± standard deviation) than cows in the low AMH group (<0.1 ng/ml; 12.19 ± 2.14). In addition, more cumulus‐oocyte complexes per donor were recovered in the high (11.46 ± 1.22) and intermediate (7.38 ± 0.83) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (4.77 ± 0.44). The percentage of oocytes reached blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the intermediate (47.0%) and high (38.5%) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (32.3%). The number of embryos produced per cow was higher in the high (3.9 ± 0.2) and intermediate (6.9 ± 0.6) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (2.2 ± 0.3). The percentage of embryos that gave birth to viable calves when transferred into recipients was higher for those derived from cows in the intermediate AMH group (50.7%) than for those derived from cows in the low (35.7%) and high (36.4%) AMH groups. In conclusion, a single measurement of AMH concentration predicted the in vitro embryo production potential of donor Korean native cows before OPU and is linked with embryo viability after transfer into recipients.     

Ovariectomy by left flank approach in prepubertal Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers

The main objective of this study was to evaluate a recumbent left flank approach to bilateral ovariectomy in prepubertal heifers and to develop an optimal surgical technique for this procedure. Both ovaries were removed from 6 Nelore heifers by left flank approach without any complications, except in 1 heifer, which was believed to have had only 1 ovary based on ultrasound and exploration during surgery, but was later found to have a remaining functional ovary. Ovariectomy via left flank approach in recumbent prepubertal heifers is feasible and technically easy. This procedure does not involve special instrumentation and, despite the invasive approach, it allows optimal visualization of the ovaries and uterus.     

Environmental risk assessment of a metal-contaminated area in the Tropics. Tier I: screening phase

Purpose  

The present study presents data on the screening phase (tier 1) of a site-specific ecological risk assessment in a former smelter area heavily contaminated with metals (Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil). Joining information from three lines of evidence (LoE), chemical, ecotoxicological, and ecological, integrated risk values were calculated to rank sites within the area and identify those that may need further investigation in tier 2.