Dietary macronutrients, endocrine functioning and intermediary metabolism in broiler chickens - Pair wise substitutions between protein, fat and carbohydrate

Three pens of male broiler chicks were raised under standard conditions and fed from 7 to 42 days of age three isocaloric diets each with 15.8; 19.6 and 19.5% of CP; and 51, 51, and 44% of CHO; and 6.5; 3.0 and 7.7% of fat, and designated as the low protein (LowCP), low lipid (LowL) and low carbohydrate (LowCHO) diets, respectively. Body weights and feed intake were monitored weekly and blood samples were collected at the same time for posterior analysis of hormone and metabolite content. Chickens fed the LowCP diet were characterized by a reduced body weight gain and feed intake and poorer feed conversion efficiency compared to those fed the LowL and LowCHO diets, which were very similar in this respect. Plasma corticosterone and glucose levels and creatine kinase activity were not significantly changed by diet composition. LowCP chickens were characterised by the lowest plasma T-4 and uric acid levels (indicative for reduced protein breakdown and lower protein ingestion) but highest plasma triglyceride levels (congruent with their higher fat deposition) compared to the LowL and LowCHO chickens. LowL chickens had on average higher plasma T-3 and free fatty acid levels compared to the LowCP and LowCHO chickens.In conclusion, a limited substitution of carbohydrate for fat in iso-nitrogenous, iso-energetic diets has no pronounced effects on plasma hormone and metabolite levels, except for the elevation in T-3 (may enhance glucose uptake) and free fatty acid levels in the plasma of the chickens fed the LowL diet. The protein content of the diet has a greater impact on zootechnical performance, and underlying endocrine regulation of the intermediary metabolism compared to the dietary lipid and CHO fraction. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ENDOCRINE INTERACTION BETWEEN ZINC AND PROLACTIN - AN INTERPRETATIVE REVIEW

Zinc plays a very important role in animal and human metabolism. Nowadays, it is one of the most extensively studied trace element, since its sphere of action has been demonstrated to be very broad. From the biochemical standpoint, it controls more than 300 different enzymes, many of them involved with intermediary metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis, gene expression, and immunocompetence. It also plays a significant role in hormonal homeostasis, since it can interact with almost all hormones. Zn2+ is closely related to the thyroid and steroid hormones, insulin, parathormone, and pituitary hormones, particularly prolactin (PRL). Zn2+ can inhibit PRL secretion within a range of physiologically and pharmacologically relevant concentrations. This property has raised the possibility of clinical applications of zinc. In this article, we review the Literature on the subject in an attempt to provide a comprehensible general view.

Midazolam and ketamine induction before halothane anaesthesia in ponies: cardiorespiratory, endocrine and metabolic changes

Six Welsh gelding ponies were premedicated with 0.03 mg/kg of acepromazine intravenously (i.v.) prior to induction of anaesthesia with midazolam at 0.2 mg/kg and ketamine at 2 mg/kg i.v.. Anaesthesia was maintained for 2 h using 1.2% halothane concentration in oxygen. Heart rate, electrocardiograph (EGG), arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood gases, temperature, haematocrit, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP), dynorphin, beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, glucose and lactate concentrations were measured before and after premedication, immediately after induction, every 20 min during anaesthesia, and at 20 and 120 min after disconnection. Induction was rapid, excitement-free and good muscle relaxation was observed. There were no changes in heart and respiratory rates, Decrease in temperature, hyperoxia and respiratory acidosis developed during anaesthesia and slight hypotension was observed (minimum value 76 +/- 10 mm Hg at 40 mins), No changes were observed in dynorphin, beta-endorphin, ACTH, catecholamines and glucose, Plasma cortisol concentration increased from 220 +/- 17 basal to 354 +/- 22 nmol/L at 120 min during anaesthesia; plasma AVP concentration increased from 3 +/- 1 basal to 346 +/- 64 pmol/L at 100 min during anaesthesia and plasma lactate concentration increased from 1.22 +/- 0.08 basal to 1.76 +/- 0.13 mmol/L at 80 min during anaesthesia, Recovery was rapid and uneventful with ponies taking 46 +/- 6 min to stand. When midazolam/ketamine was compared with thiopentone or detomidine/ketamine for induction before halothane anaesthesia using an otherwise similar protocol in the same ponies, it caused slightly more respiratory depression, but less hypotension. Additionally, midazolam reduced the hormonal stress response commonly observed during halothane anaesthesia and appears to have a good potential for use in horses.

AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY ON THE ENDOCRINE PANCREAS OF CAIMAN-LATIROSTRIS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PANCREATIC MOTILIN CELLS

Pancreatic endocrine cells of Caiman latirostris were investigated by electron microscopy using conventional and immunocytochemical methods. Ultrastructurally, four types of endocrine cells were classified according to the morphology of their secretory granules. Three types of endocrine cells were identified as either glucagon, insulin or somatostatin cells by the presence of such characteristic granules well established in mammals. The remaining endocrine cell type could not be classified by its ultrastructural features alone.Immunocytochemical observations confirmed the ultrastructural classification of glucagon, insulin and somatostatin cells. In addition, endocrine cells immunoreactive for either pancreatic polypeptide (PP) or motilin were identified. Morphometric analysis of PP- and motilin-immunoreactive granules demonstrated that they were the most polymorphous and smallest granules among the pancreatic endocrine cell granules. Although both PP and motilin granules closely resemble each other, motilin granules were smaller in size and more spherical in shape than PP granules.

Effects of maternal exposure to an aromatase inhibitor on sexual behaviour and neurochemical and endocrine aspects of adult male rat

The present study examined the effects of letrozole exposure during brain sexual differentiation on endocrine, behavioural and neurochemical parameters in male rat descendants. Pregnant female rats received 1 mg kg(-1) day(-1) letrozole or vehicle by oral gavage on gestational Days 21 and 22. Exposure to letrozole reduced anogenital distance in males on postnatal Day (PND) 22. At adulthood (PND 75), plasma testosterone levels and hypothalamic dopaminergic activity were increased, but sexual competence was impaired, because fewer successful sexual behaviours (mount, intromission and principally ejaculation) were observed. The impairment of reproductive function by prenatal exposure to an aromatase inhibitor reinforces the importance of adequate oestrogenic activity during perinatal sexual differentiation for complete masculinisation of the hypothalamus.

Impact of breed and sex on porcine endocrine transcriptome: a bayesian biometrical analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Total intravenous anaesthesia in ponies using detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin: Pharmacokinetics, cardiopulmonary and endocrine effects

Pharmacokinetics and some pharmacological effects of anaesthesia induced by a combination of detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin were investigated in eight ponies. Cardiopulmonary function was studied and plasma met-enkephalin, dynorphin, β-endorphin; arginine vasopressin, adrenocorticotrophin, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and catecholamine concentrations were measured. The combination produced slight cardiorespiratory depression, hyperglycaemia and a reduction in haematocrit. There were no changes in plasma opioids, pituitary peptides or catecholamines. Plasma cortisol concentration decreased and plasma 11-deoxycortisol increased indicating a suppression of steroidogenesis. Steady state ketamine and guaiphenesin concentrations were attained during the infusion period, and ketamine concentrations likely to provide adequate analgesia for surgical operations were achieved (more than 2.2 μg ml-1). Steady state detomidine concentration was not attained. The ponies took on average 68 minutes to recover to standing and the recovery was uneventful.