Alpha-amylase/subtilisin Inhibitor Levels in Australian Barleys

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the bifunctional alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) content of barley grain from 11 cultivars grown in six diverse locations in Australia. The inhibitor ranged from 119 to 254 μg/g in 57 barley samples. Genotype had a significant (P<0·05) effect on BASI content but there was no effect due to environment. Total protein varied independently of BASI and was influenced by environment and genotype. BASI content was higher (P<0·05) in malting barley than in feed barley and was correlated positively (r=0·29;P<0·05) with alpha-amylase activity in corresponding malts. The ELISA used monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against purified BASI. In immunoblot analysis the monoclonal antibody showed high specificity for the inhibitor in barley and also detected the inhibitor in wheat. Low levels of inhibitor (mean 3·2 μg/g) were found in 12 Australian wheat cultivars using the ELISA developed for barley. The assay had a linear working range of 5–50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 2 ng/mL. Reproducibility between assays was good (CV=4·9%) but mean recoveries were high, ranging from 116–129% when purified inhibitor was added to barley extracts. The ELISA may have useful applications in brewing research and barley breeding programmes.     

Significance for exercise capacity of some electrocardiographic findings in racehorses

Summary Various cardiorespiratory and metabolic indices were assessed during treadmill exercise in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses with T wave changes in 4 or more leads on the electrocardiogram or second-degree atrio-ventricular (AV) block, and in horses that had no abnormalities on clinical examination, resting electrocardiography or upper respiratory tract endoscopy. No significant differences in heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, arterial blood gases, oxygen uptake, run time, peak velocity, or blood and red cell volumes were found between normal horses and horses with T wave changes or second-degree AV block. These results indicate that some electrocardiographic findings that are considered by some clinicians to indicate cardiac dysfunction, may have little effect on exercise capacity.     

Nutrient intake of horses in Thoroughbred and Standardbred stables

SUMMARY Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighed at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean±sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493±34 kg and 437±32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0±2.4 kg and SB trainers 11.8±2.5 kg per day. The concentrate component of the diet weighed 7.8±1.6 and 7.7±2.3 kg for TB and SB stables, respectively, and the roughage component for TB horses 3.3±1.4 and SB horses 4.1±1.4 kg per day. The digestible energy intake of horses at TB stables was 129±29 MJ per day and at SB stables 132±31 MJ per day. Crude protein intake of TB horses was 1452±363 g and SB horses 1442±338 g per day. There were differences in some feeding practices at TB and SB stables. Standardbred trainers fed more roughage than TB trainers. Standardbred trainers fed chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as the major roughage, whereas TB trainers fed more hay. The major hay type fed by TB trainers was lucerne, whereas many SB trainers preferred clover hay. Both trainers fed oats as the major grain, but TB trainers fed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers. The SB trainers fed barley as part of the concentrate component of the diet, whereas TB trainers usually fed boiled barley and linseed oil in winter only. Although many trainers used vitamin and mineral supplements, this appeared unnecessary in many Instances, especially with respect to Iron. Calcium and NaCI supplementation was necessary for some diets. We concluded that while there was a wide range in feed intake and diet composition for both TB and SB horses, average nutrient intakes were similar to National Research Council (1989) recommendations for horses performing intense work.