Influence of ration composition on nutritive and digestive variables in captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) indicating the appropriateness of feeding practice

The nutrition of captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis ), a browsing ruminant, is challenging because browse availability is limited in zoos and rations need to be composed of compensatory feeds. In this study, ration composition for giraffes in 12 German zoos was documented and linked to animal variables that indicate suitability of nutrition. Rations differed in proportion of ration items and chemical composition resulting in various grades of accordance with feeding recommendations. An estimated daily metabolisable energy (ME ) intake (MEI ; mean ± SD ) of 0.61 MJ ME/kg^0.75 body weight (BW ; ±0.1) was sufficient to cover estimated energy requirements. Daily dry matter (DM ) intake (DMI ) was 61 g DM/kg^0.75 BW (±10) and correlated negatively to dietary ME content (p  = .009; r  = ?.596). Apparently, feed intake was regulated by energetic satiety and not by physical properties of forage. A negative correlation between produce proportion and DMI (p  = .002; r  = ?.676) led to the assumption of a low ruminal pH in giraffes fed high proportions of produce. Increasing dietary forage proportions led to an increasing duration of feed intake (p  = .045; r  = .477) and decreasing occurrence of oral stereotypies (p  = .047; r  = ?.474). The weighted average faecal particle size was larger than reported for free‐ranging giraffes, but no relation to ration characteristics among the facilities existed. The abrasiveness of rations was not excessive, as contents of silicate in faeces were similar to values from the wild. Body condition was generally acceptable, but there was no evident relation to ration characteristics. The capacity to self‐regulate DM and ME intakes with lucerne hay may work at higher forage proportions than often assumed for captive giraffes. Rations with less energetic density can result in a greater DMI , including maximisation of forage intake and reduction of oral stereotypies.     

Impact of hyperlipidaemia on intermediary metabolism,faecal microbial metabolites and urinary characteristics of lipoprotein lipase deficient vs. normal cats

Findings in humans and rats indicate that hyperlipidaemia may be associated with enhanced endogenous oxalate (Ox) synthesis, which may be relevant for calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolith formation. Moreover, changes in lipid metabolism are proposed to negatively affect gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate those potential interactions in hyperlipidaemic cats. Therefore, 10 normal control cats and seven lipoprotein lipase (LPL)‐deficient cats were fed a low‐fat diet for seven weeks. During the last week of the study, cats were housed in metabolic cages to collect urine and faeces. Blood was taken on the last day of the study. The LPL‐deficient cats had significantly higher serum triglyceride concentrations than normal cats, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was not different. Urinary relative supersaturation with CaOx, urinary Ox, calcium, and citrate excretions, and urine pH did not differ between groups. Lower faecal acetic, propionic and total short‐chain fatty acid concentrations were observed in the LPL‐deficient cats. In conclusion, hyperlipidaemia does not appear to be a specific risk factor for CaOx urolith formation in cats. In contrast to results in rats, hyperlipidaemia was not accompanied by elevated serum LDH activity. As LDH can synthesise Ox from glycolate or other precursors, this might be one possible explanation for the similar urinary parameters in the LPL‐deficient and normal cats. Non‐diet‐induced hyperlipidaemia was not associated with marked changes in faecal microbial metabolites, suggesting no differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota.     

Long-term effects of organic farming on fungal and bacterial residues in relation to microbial energy metabolism

Samples from the bio-dynamic, bio-organic, and conventional trial, Therwil, Switzerland, were analyzed with the aim of determining the effects of organic land use management on the energy metabolism of the soil microbial biomass and on the fraction of microbial residues. The contents of adenylates, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glucosamine, muramic acid, and galactosamine were significantly largest in the biodynamic organic farming (BYODIN) treatment and significantly lowest in the conventional farming treatment with inorganic fertilization (CONMIN). In contrast, the ergosterol-to-ATP ratio and fungal C-to-bacterial C ratios were significantly lowest in the BYODIN treatment and significantly largest in the CONMIN treatment. No clear treatment effects were observed for the ergosterol content and the adenylate energy charge (AEC), the ATP-to-microbial biomass C ratio and the ergosterol-to-fungal C ratio. Ergosterol, an indicator for saprotrophic fungal biomass, and fungal residues were significantly correlated. The microbial biomass carbon-to-nitrogen ratio showed a negative relationship with the AEC and strong positive relationships with the ratios ergosterol-to-microbial biomass C, ergosterol-to-ATP and fungal C-to-bacterial C. In conclusion, the long-term application of farmyard manure in combination with organic farming practices led to an increased accumulation of bacterial residues.     

Compartment-specific antioxidative defense in Arabidopsis against virulent and avirulent Pseudomonas syringae

The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during biotic stress is either part of a hypersensitive response of the plant or induced directly by the pathogen. Antioxidants such as ascorbate and glutathione counteract the accumulation of ROS and are part of the defense reaction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the compartment-specific importance of ascorbate and glutathione during a virulent and avirulent Pseudomonas syringae infection in Arabidopsis thaliana. Peroxisomes were found to be the hotspot for glutathione accumulation reaching 452% and 258% of control levels 24 h postinoculation during the virulent and avirulent infection, respectively. An accumulation of ascorbate could also be observed in vacuoles during Pseudomonas syringae infection, whereas glutathione remained absent in this cell compartment. Neither glutathione nor ascorbate accumulated in the apoplast during pathogen infection demonstrating an only negligible role of these antioxidants in the apoplast during pathogen infection. Compartment-specific changes followed a recently proposed stress model with an increase of ascorbate and glutathione in most cell compartments at the early stages of infection and a strong drop at the later stage of infection when a strong accumulation of ROS and symptoms occurred in the leaves. This study highlights the importance of certain cell compartments and antioxidants in general for the protection of pathogen-induced ROS accumulation.     

Application of the ‘fast’-method to a long term interregional air pollution model

The Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) is applied to an interregional Air Pollution Model which simulates SO₂/SO₄-concentrations and -depositions as an annual average. The results are discussed and problems connected with the application of the FAST-method are reported.     

Organic acids in root exudates from Picea abies seedlings influenced by mycorrhiza and aluminum

Organic acid anions exuded from roots of Picea abies (Norway spruce) seedlings grown on glass beads in the presence and absence of mycorrhiza (Laccaria bicolor) and aluminum (Al) at pH 3.9 were measured. We wanted to test if the roots exuded more organic acid anions when exposed to Al and if mycorrhization influenced the exudation. Oxalate was exuded in far higher amounts than any other organic acid anion, with a maximum rate of 1.7 nmol (mg root DW)^–1 d^–1. Mycorrhizal roots exuded significantly more oxalate than nonmycorrhizal roots. The presence of Al did not enhance oxalate exudation. We conclude that the oxalate exuded constitutively by Picea abies/Laccaria bicolor may lead to rhizosphere oxalate concentrations that are relevant for Al resistance.     

Characterization of a Technosol developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry and release of inorganic contaminants

A flue dust originaly enriched in metal sulfides evolved as a by‐product of Cu smelting. The dust was deposited as slurry in unsealed heaps. It is characterized by very high contents of toxic metals such as Pb and Zn. The slurry is a source of soil, sediment, and water contamination. We studied a Technosol profile developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry by means of chemical and mineralogical characterization (SEM‐EDX, XRD, FTIR, DTA‐MS, XRF, Pb isotopes), by open‐flow and closed‐flow column experiments on contaminant release under water‐saturated conditions, and by geochemical modeling to evaluate release processes and to quantify aqueous contaminant concentrations. Besides ash particles and quartz, the flue‐dust slurry contains Fe oxides, silicates, sulfates, and sulfides (in varying states of weathering). In both column approaches, metal concentrations exceed inspection values. The concentration patterns in both experimental column approaches indicate near‐equilibrium mineral dissolution. Geochemical modeling reveals partial dissolution of sulfates and precipitation of secondary carbonates. Their precipitation prevents complete sulfate dissolution, which would have led to even higher aqueous metal concentrations and contaminant export. The combination of detailed material characterization, column experiments, and modeling allows for quantitative and qualitative estimation of contaminant release into the soil solution.     

A new splash cup to measure the kinetic energy of rainfall

Splash cups have long been successfully used for both the quantification of kinetic energy of rainfall and the detachability of soil particles by rainfall impact, the so‐called “splash erosion”. Measurements of kinetic energy, however, have been difficult to operate in the field especially in remote areas, on steep slopes, and in forests since boundary conditions need to be controlled precisely. This paper introduces a new splash cup based on Ellison's archetype that reliably and accurately measures kinetic energy as a function of sand loss under a large variety of conditions. The Tübingen splash cup (T splash cup) is relatively easy to operate under harsh field conditions, and it can be used in experimental designs with a large number of plots and replications at reasonably low costs. The cup is constructed from plastic laboratory flasks and plastic pipes from water‐supply equipments. The unit sand is held by a removable carrier system that can easily be replaced in the field. The splash cups have been calibrated in combination with a laser distrometer using a linear regression function with r² = 0.98. They measure kinetic energy over a wide range of rainfall intensities from 0.6 to 40 L m^–2 h^–1. Kinetic energy per area varies between 10 and 250 J m^–2. Two years of field test measurements in a subtropical forest ecosystem in China proved the reliability, durability, and usability of our new splash cups and allowed detecting differences in kinetic energy between different tree species and biodiversity levels.