Role of Eicosanoids in the Regulation of the Periparturient Period in Cattle

Contents: In this review, the role of eicosanoids in regulation of parturition and the postpartum period was described with special emphasis on the bovine species. The metabolism of arachidonic acid and the production of eicosanoids during the peripartum period was discussed. Prostaglandin E₂ and F_2α (PGE₂, PGF_2α) play an important role in mechanisms controlling parturition. They are involved in luteolysis, uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix. Eicosanoids also seem to influence the loosening processes of the fetal membranes. However, in the literature, conflicting results were found. Many investigations suggested that retained placental membranes could be related to low PGF_2α production and/ or an imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism in the uterus. The possible role of the lipoxygenase pathway metabolite 15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in expulsion of the fetal membranes was also discussed. As far as the postpartum period is concerned, a relationship between postpartum PGF_2α release and the involution of the uterus was found. Cows with undisturbed uterine involution had higher PGF_2α production than cows with delayed involution. In contrast to the positive effect of PGF_2α on uterine involution, PGE₂ seems to delay the involution processes. Further experiments are necessary in order to study the function of eicosanoids in mechanisms regulating parturition, release of the fetal placental membranes and involution of the uterus.     

ω-3长链多不饱和脂肪酸对母猪繁殖性能的影响

长链多不饱和脂肪酸(LC PUFAs)在母猪营养中的作用经常被人们研究,因为猪场的盈利能力主要取决于母猪的繁殖性能.根据以往的研究结果,母猪妊娠期喂食ω-3 LC PUFAs可以减少前列腺素的合成,提高胚胎存活率和仔猪初生重;哺乳期饲喂ω-3 LC PUFAs可以提高乳汁中EPA和DHA含量,改善哺乳仔猪肠道健康和断奶...     

Influence of exogenous somatostatin on pancreatic blood flow in normal rats or rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis

AIM:To investigate the influence of exogenous somatostatin (stilamin) on pancreatic blood flow in normal rats or rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).METHODS:Pancreatic blood flow (PBF) was detected with computerized tissue blood flowmeter and rats with ANP were triggered with sodium taurocholate. Metabolites of eicosanoids in plasma were determined with radioimmunoassay. Other laboratory tests including histopathologic observation under optical or electron microscope were used. RESULTS:There was a significant decrease in PBF in normal rats after stilamin administration in comparison with that before use of the drug. There was significant decrease in PBF after onset of ANP, but, compared with that in ANP group, significant increase was shown in SS(stilamin)+ANP group. Plasma thromboxin-B₂(TXB₂) in ANP group at 6 hours after ANP was significantly higher, with increase of 4.5 times, than that in Sham(sham operated) group while TXB₂, detected each time during the course of ANP, significantly decreased in SS+ANP group. 6-Keto-prostagland in F_1α(6-Keto-PGF_1α) at 6 h after ANP was significantly higher, and the ratio of TXB ₂／6-Keto-PGF_1α, significantly lower in SS+ANP group than that in ANP group. Lessened necrosis of acinar cells, along with much fewer microthrombi in microvessels in SS+ANP group, was shown by pathologic scoring or electron microscope than that in ANP group.CONCLUSION:Administration of exogenous somatostatin leads to the decrease in PBF in physiological setting but it attenuates pancreatic ischemia in SS+ANP group, which may be attributed to correction of abnormal metabolism of eicosanoids, improvement of pancreatic microcirculation and cytoprotection of acinar cells as well.     

Platelet function in dogs treated for lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma and supplemented with dietary n-3 fatty acids

A prospective randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed to test the hypothesis that dogs with malignancies that are supplemented with n-3 fatty acids do not have clinical or laboratory evidence of coagulation disorders or altered platelet function when compared with unsupplemented dogs with similar malignancies. Thirteen dogs with hemangiosarcoma and 66 dogs with lymphoma were evaluated. Coagulation status of the dogs with lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma was evaluated with prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, and in vitro platelet aggregometry using the whole-blood method. These tests were performed at 5 time points: before beginning the diet (week 0), at weeks 3, 15, and 21, and at 1 year or when progressive disease was evident. Alterations in platelet function in dogs receiving a diet supplemented with dietary n-3 fatty acids were not identified when compared to dogs fed a control diet. Dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation using this dosage and ratio in dogs with lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma did not induce clinically significant hemorrhage in these animals. Therefore, supplementation with n-3 fatty acids did not result in clinical or laboratory evidence relating to uncontrolled hemorrhage in these dogs.     

Diets with different n − 6/n − 3 fatty acid ratio in diets for juvenile Atlantic salmon, effects on growth, body composition, bone development and eicosanoid production

Vegetable oils, typically high in n − 6 fatty acids, are necessary alternatives in fish feed production. Such oils have been tested in salmonid diets with good growth results, but with major changes in lipid composition. The aim of this study was to provide information regarding the effect of the higher dietary n − 6/n − 3 fatty acid ratio caused by vegetable oil on growth, chemical composition and bone development, on eicosanoid production and on formation and mineralization of bone.A feeding experiment was carried out in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Groups of fish (1.28 g) were fed diets added fish oil (FO) or soybean oil (SO) as the main lipid source through the 174 days long experimental period with sampling points at days 0, 31, 53, 96, 136 and 174 up to smoltification. Subsequently, fish performance was observed after 2, 8 and 18 months in sea water.Weight was significantly higher in the fish oil group (95.4 g) than in the soybean oil group (87.4 g) after the 174 days experimental period. This difference developed during short day treatment prior to smoltification, and the fish oil group had a significantly higher growth rate (TGC) during this period (1.62 vs 1.45). Whole body mineral analysis displayed low levels of Ca (2400 and 3500 mg kg−1) and P (3200 and 3900 mg kg−1) in all samples. The corresponding Ca:P ratio ranged from 0.74 to 0.91. On day 136 the level of Ca, and Ca/P ratio, were significantly higher in the fish oil group than in the soybean oil group. There was a significant increase in n − 6 fatty acids and decrease in n − 3 fatty acids in the soybean oil group compared to the fish oil group for both TAG and PL in vertebrae. Individual variation was large in plasma prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and at day 174 the trend was towards a higher level in the soybean oil group. Radiography analyses demonstrated a distinctive pattern of development of spinal pathology with time and fish size, similar in both groups. Hyper dense vertebrae dominated at earlier stages, fusion-type malformations dominated at harvest size. The histological examination of the vertebrae revealed no differences between treatments.The results suggest that vegetable oil as a replacement for fish oil influence the arachidonic acid level in phospholipids of vertebrae, may slightly increase production of PGE₂ in blood, and reduce vertebrae mineralization around the sensitive smoltification phase. These trends did not lead to any detectable skeletal malformations. Differences in growth and vertebrae mineralization observed around smoltification disappeared during the seawater phase.     

The Structure and Function of Epidermal Lipids

Abstract— This review article examines current knowledge of the structure and function of epidermal lipids in human and veterinary dermatology. Dynamic transformations in lipid composition and structure occur as cells migrate through the epidermis. The lipids which are formed have a direct effect on epidermal functions. Ceramides appear to be the most important lipid component for lamellar arrangement in the stratum corneum and barrier protection. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the epidermis are also important because they are incorporated into the ceramides. Additionally, arachidonic acid is bound to the phospholipid portion of cell membranes and is the most important precursor of endogenous eicosanoids. The eicosanoids are vital for epidermal homeostasis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory dermatoses when produced in abnormal quantities. In addition to barrier protection, other vital epidermal functions associated with the lipids include stratum corneum water-holding, cohesion and desquamation of corneocytes, and control of epidermal proliferation and differentiation.     

Arachidonic acid requirements in larval summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus

The arachidonic acid (20:4n-6,AA) requirements of larval summer flounder weredetermined for the rotifer- and Artemia-feeding stages. Experimental emulsionscontained adequate n-3 highly unsaturated fattyacid (HUFA) ratios and emulsion levels of AAwere set at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12% (AA0, AA3,AA6, AA9, and AA12). Examination of fatty acidlevels in live feeds and larval tissuesconfirmed the physiological incorporation offatty acids relative to dietary levels. In thefirst experiment, survival, growth, andsalinity tolerance (2-h in 70) were measuredat 18 days after hatch (dah) after feeding thelarvae the various levels of AA. Larvae fedAA6-enriched rotifers were better able tosurvive the salinity tolerance test. AAenrichment up to 12% had no effect on growthand survival. In the second experiment, larvaewere fed AA0- or AA6-enriched rotifers until 23dah, followed by unenriched 24- and 48-h Artemia nauplii until 32 dah. These larvaethen were subdivided and fed AA-enriched Artemia from 33-45 dah. At the end of thisexperiment, larvae fed AA6-enriched rotifershad higher survival, increased growth, andsurvived better in the salinity tolerance test(2-h in 80). The enrichment of Artemiadid not have any effect on these variables.Thus, the provision of AA6-enriched rotifers(10 mg AA g^–1 DW) early in larvaldevelopment may serve to enhance larval stresstolerance at the rotifer stage while alsoincreasing larval survival, growth, and stresstolerance later in the Artemia stage.