Energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth of Boer crossbred kids

Meat production by goats has become an important livestock enterprise in several parts of the world. Nonetheless, energy and protein requirements of meat goats have not been defined thoroughly. The objective of this study was to determine the energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth of 34 3/4 Boer x 1/4 Saanen crossbred, intact male kids (20.5 +/- 0.24 kg of initial BW). The baseline group was 7 randomly selected kids, averaging 21.2 +/- 0.36 kg of BW. An intermediate group consisted of 6 randomly selected kids, fed for ad libitum intake, that were slaughtered when they reached an average BW of 28.2 +/- 0.39 kg. The remaining kids (n = 21) were allocated randomly on d 0 to 3 levels of DMI (treatments were ad libitum or restricted to 70 or 40% of the ad libitum intake) within 7 slaughter groups. A slaughter group contained 1 kid from each treatment, and kids were slaughtered when the ad libitum treatment kid reached 35 kg of BW. Individual body components (head plus feet, hide, internal organs plus blood, and carcass) were weighed, ground, mixed, and subsampled for chemical analyses. Initial body composition was determined using equations developed from the composition of the baseline kids. The calculated daily maintenance requirement for NE was 77.3 +/- 1.05 kcal/kg(0.75) of empty BW (EBW) or 67.4 +/- 1.04 kcal/kg(0.75) of shrunk BW. The daily ME requirement for maintenance (118.1 kcal/g(0.75) of EBW or 103.0 kcal/kg(0.75) of shrunk BW) was calculated by iteration, assuming that the heat produced was equal to the ME intake at maintenance. The partial efficiency of use of ME for NE below maintenance was 0.65. A value of 2.44 +/- 0.4 g of net protein/kg(0.75) of EBW for daily maintenance was determined. Net energy requirements for growth ranged from 2.55 to 3.0 Mcal/kg of EBW gain at 20 and 35 kg of BW, and net protein requirements for growth ranged from 178.8 to 185.2 g/kg of EBW gain. These results suggest that NE and net protein requirements for growing meat goats exceed the requirements previously published for dairy goats. Moreover, results from this study suggest that the N requirement for maintenance for growing goats is greater than the established recommendations.

Fever response induced by intravenous and intracerebrovascular injection of pyrogen in thyroidectomised and protein-calorie malnourished rabbits

The development of a fever in response to intravenous (IV, 1.5 μg/kg body mass) and intracerebroventricular (ICV, 1.5 μg/animal) injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied in control, thyroidectomised and protein-calorie malnourished rabbits (New Zealand Whites, n = 55). ICV injection of LPS is control rabbits produced a fever response, the characteristics of which differed from those obtained after IV pyrogen injection. Thyroid deficiency caused an attenuated fever response, irrespective of whether LPS had been administered by IV or ICV injection. Protein-calorie malnourished rabbits showed a smaller fever response after IV or ICV pyrogen injections. Malnourished rabbits, refed over a period of 15 days, showed a typical biphasic fever response, but with lower magnitude than controls. The results of these experiments suggest that ICV injection of LPS is not an appropriate model for the study of fever mechanisms in disease states, and that the attenuated fever response observed in protein-calorie malnourished rabbits may be related, at least in part, to a decreased ability to produce the endogenous pyrogen interleukin-1.

Effect of five substrates and three seed types on Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae) germination and seedling development

The investigation was carried out during May - June 1996 in Agronomical Sciences College - UNESP, Campus de Botucatu. The objective was to study the effect of seed types (carenate, alate and orbicular) and different substrates (vermiculite, sand, soil, commercial mixture and producer's mixture) on Calendula officinalis germination and seedling development. The design was in randomized blocks, with 4 replications. The germination index of the seeds was evaluated, as well as the development of aerial part and root system of the seedlings. Results showed that seed types have no relation with seedling development, therefore, germination was better on alate and orbicular seeds in C. officinalis. With reference to the substrates, the producer's mixture and the commercial mixture gave better germination and seedling development.

Genetic interactions of yeast eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5a (eIF5A) reveal connections to poly(A)-binding protein and protein kinase C signaling

The highly conserved eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF5A has been proposed to have various roles in the cell, from translation to mRNA decay to nuclear protein export. To further our understanding of this essential protein, three temperature-sensitive alleles of the yeast TIF51A gene have been characterized. Two mutant eIF5A proteins contain mutations in a proline residue at the junction between the two eIFSA domains and the third, strongest allele encodes a protein with a single mutation in each domain, both of which are required for the growth defect. The stronger tif51A alleles cause defects in degradation of short-lived mRNAs, supporting a role for this protein in mRNA decay. A multicopy suppressor screen revealed six genes, the overexpression of which allows growth of a tif51A-1 strain at high temperature; these genes include PAB1, PKC1, and PKC1 regulators WSC1, WSC2, and WSC3. Further results suggest that eIFSA may also be involved in ribosomal synthesis and the WSC/PKC1 signaling pathway for cell wall integrity or related processes.

Substrates and container types on rooting of peach cv. Okinawa hardwood cuttings of different diameters

Propagation by hardwood cuttings is an important technique for producing plant of many species. The technique is usually easy and inexpensive and makes it possible to high plants. But it is not commonly used for peach propagation in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different substrates, container types and cutting diameters on rooting of peach hardwood cuttings. The cuttings (two size groups, diameters of 2-6 mm and 6-10 mm) were inserted in six substrates (carbonized rice husk, vermiculite, washed sand, carbonized rice husk + vermiculite, carbonized rice husk + washed sand and vermiculite + washed sand, each 1:1 v/v), each in three types of containers (plastic bag, plastic tray and polystyrene tray). The best rooting occurred with smaller cuttings (47%) and larger cuttings (38%) in plastic bag with vermiculite, and with smaller cuttings in plastic bag with washed sand + vermiculite (33%). While these rooting percentages were unsatisfactory for commercial propagation, the results are encouraging and suggest need for more investigation to improve rooting.

Histochemistry and protein profile of the mandibular glands of workers of the ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Insect mandibular glands are always associated to the mandibles; they are part of the salivary glandular system. The mandibular glands are composed by a reservoir associated to the secretory cells, with each secretory cell connected to the reservoir by means of individual canaliculi. These glands play an important role in the production of pheromones, which are compounds involved in defense, communication, and reproduction of the colony. Mandibular glands of soldiers and major and minor workers of the ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa were processed for different histochemical tests, total protein content, and protein electrophoretic profile determination. The histochemical tests detected the presence of lipids, DNA/RNA, polysaccharides, and proteins at different regions of the gland. The protein electrophoretic profiles showed that the total protein content as well as the number of peptides of each caste follow a progressive order in relation to the size of the individual. Thus, we suggest that the production of secretion is directly linked to the task that the individual performs in the colony.

Morphology and protein patterns of honey bee drone accessory glands.

We used light and transmission electron microscopy to examine the morphology of the accessory glands of immature and mature adult males of Apis mellifera L. We also made an electrophoretic analysis of the protein content of the mature gland. The glands of the immature male actively secrete a mucous substance that can be seen in the lumen of the gland of the mature male. This secretion stains with mercury bromophenol blue and with periodic acid-Schiff reaction, which stain glyconjugates. The protein content was higher in the lumen secretion than in the gland wall extracts. The electrophoresis patterns of the wall extracts were different from those of the secretion found in the gland lumen.

Protein levels for heat-exposed broilers: Performance, nutrients digestibility, and energy and protein metabolism

Heat stress causes significant economic losses on broilers production due to poorer performance and carcass quality. Considering that protein has the highest heat increment among nutrients, it has been suggested that protein levels should be reduced in diets for heat-exposed broilers. Nevertheless, there are no conclusive results on the benefits of such practice, and further studies should be performed to elucidate some reported discrepancies. Thus, a trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary protein levels (17, 20 and 23%) and environmental temperature (22 and 32°C) on the performance, nutrients digestibility, and energy and protein metabolism of broiler chickens from 21 to 42 days of age. Nutrients digestibility was determined by total excreta collection, and energy and protein metabolism was evaluated by comparative slaughter method. It was concluded that (1) heat exposure impairs broilers performance and increases nitrogen excretion, but do not change nutrients digestibility; (2) high-protein diets are technically feasible and promotes lower heat production for broilers reared under thermoneutral or hot environments, however, high-protein diets increases nitrogen excretion. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2007.

Seedling growth of Schizolobium parahyba on different substrates and irrigation levels

The present study aimed to assess the behavior of seedlings of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake growing on different substrates and irrigation levels, and to study the use of urban waste compost in substrates. The experiment was carried out in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Department of Agricultural Engineering, Jaboticabal Campus, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design used was completely randomized, consisting of 30 treatments in a factorial design with 15 substrates and two irrigation levels in four replicates. The substrates were composed of different materials: urban waste, Plantmax®, dry cattle manure, vermiculite and soil. For the study of seedling growth, the following characteristics were evaluated: height (H), root-collar diameter (D), number of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, H/D ratio, Dickson's quality index, and the ratio between height and shoot dry weight (H/SDW). Assessments of the first three characteristics were carried out 20, 35, 50 and 65 days after sowing. Results showed that urban waste compost increased the growth of Schizolobium parahyba. There were significant differences for the irrigation levels tested; with better results for 150% ET compared to 100% ET irrigation level.

Multiple-trait random regression models for the estimation of genetic parameters for milk, fat, and protein yield in buffaloes

In this study, genetic parameters for test-day milk, fat, and protein yield were estimated for the first lactation. The data analyzed consisted of 1,433 first lactations of Murrah buffaloes, daughters of 113 sires from 12 herds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with calvings from 1985 to 2007. Ten-month classes of lactation days were considered for the test-day yields. The (co)variance components for the 3 traits were estimated using the regression analyses by Bayesian inference applying an animal model by Gibbs sampling. The contemporary groups were defined as herd-year-month of the test day. In the model, the random effects were additive genetic, permanent environment, and residual. The fixed effects were contemporary group and number of milkings (1 or 2), the linear and quadratic effects of the covariable age of the buffalo at calving, as well as the mean lactation curve of the population, which was modeled by orthogonal Legendre polynomials of fourth order. The random effects for the traits studied were modeled by Legendre polynomials of third and fourth order for additive genetic and permanent environment, respectively, the residual variances were modeled considering 4 residual classes. The heritability estimates for the traits were moderate (from 0.21-0.38), with higher estimates in the intermediate lactation phase. The genetic correlation estimates within and among the traits varied from 0.05 to 0.99. The results indicate that the selection for any trait test day will result in an indirect genetic gain for milk, fat, and protein yield in all periods of the lactation curve. The accuracy associated with estimated breeding values obtained using multi-trait random regression was slightly higher (around 8%) compared with single-trait random regression. This difference may be because to the greater amount of information available per animal. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Triiodothyronine Increases mRNA and Protein Leptin Levels in Short Time in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by PI3K Pathway Activation

The present study aimed to examine the effects of thyroid hormone (TH), more precisely triiodothyronine (T3), on the modulation of leptin mRNA expression and the involvement of the phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway in adipocytes, 3T3-L1, cell culture. We examined the involvement of this pathway in mediating TH effects by treating 3T3-L1 adipocytes with physiological (P=10nM) or supraphysiological (SI=100 nM) T3 dose during one hour (short time), in the absence or the presence of PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). The absence of any treatment was considered the control group (C). RT-qPCR was used for mRNA expression analyzes. For data analyzes ANOVA complemented with Tukey's test was used at 5% significance. T3 increased leptin mRNA expression in P (2.26 ± 0.36, p< 0.001), SI (1.99 ±0.22, p< 0.01) compared to C group (1± 0.18). This increase was completely abrogated by LY294002 in P (1.31±0.05, p< 0.001) and SI (1.33±0.31, p< 0.05). Western blotting confirmed these results at protein level, indicating the PI3K pathway dependency. To examine whether leptin is directly induced by T3, we used the translation inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX). In P, the presence of CHX maintained the levels mRNA leptin, but was completely abrogated in SI (1.14±0.09, p> 0.001). These results demonstrate that the activation of the PI3K signaling pathway has a role in TH-mediated direct and indirect leptin gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. © 2013 Oliveira et al.

Gene expression and protein localization of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6 in amniochorion membranes of pregnancies complicated by histologic chorioamnionitis

Objectives: To determine whether histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with changes in gene expression of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6, and to describe the localization of these receptors in fetal membranes. Study design: A total of 135 amniochorion membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis from preterm or term deliveries were included. Fragments of membranes were submitted to total RNA extraction. RNA was reverse transcribed and the quantification of TLRs expression measured by real time PCR. Results: All amniochorion membranes expressed TLR-1 and TLR-4, whereas 99.1% of membranes expressed TLR-2 and 77.4% expressed TLR-6. TLR-1 and TLR-2 expressions were significantly higher in membranes with histologic chorioamnionitis as compared to membranes without chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Among the membranes of term pregnancies there were no differences in the expressions of such receptors regardless of inflammatory status. Regarding TLR-4 and TLR-6 expression, there was no difference among membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis, regardless gestational age at delivery. TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 expressions were observed in amniotic epithelial, chorionic and decidual cells. Conclusion: Amniochorion membranes express TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 and increased expression of TLR-1 and TLR-2 is related to the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies. This study provides further evidence that amniochorion membranes act as a mechanical barrier to microorganisms and as components of the innate immune system. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of different intensities of physical exercise on insulin sensitivity and protein kinase B/Akt activity in skeletal muscle of obese mice

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos do exercício físico agudo com diferentes intensidades sobre a sensibilidade à insulina e a atividade da proteína quinase B/Akt no músculo esquelético de camundongos obesos. Método: Foram utilizados camundongos Swiss, divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, que receberam dieta padrão (grupo controle) ou dieta hiperlipídica (grupos obeso sedentário e grupos obesos exercitados 1 e 2), por período de 12 semanas. Dois diferentes protocolos de exercício foram utilizados: natação durante 1 hora com ou sem sobrecarga de 5% da massa corporal. O teste de tolerância à insulina foi realizado para estimar a sensibilidade à insulina. E os níveis protéicos da proteína quinase B/Akt e de sua fosforilação foram determinados no músculo esquelético dos camundongos, através da técnica de Western blot. Resultado: Uma sessão de exercício físico foi capaz de inibir a resistência à insulina em decorrência de uma dieta hiperlipídica. Foi possível demonstrar um aumento na fosforilação da proteína quinase B/Akt, melhora da sinalização da insulina e redução da glicemia de jejum nos camundongos que realizaram 1 hora de natação sem sobrecarga adicional e nos camundongos que realizaram 1 hora de natação com sobrecarga adicional de 5% de sua massa corporal. Entretanto, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos que realizaram o exercício em diferentes intensidades. Conclusão: Independente da intensidade, o exercício físico aeróbio conseguiu aumentar a sensibilidade à insulina e a fosforilação da proteína quinase B/Akt, revelando ser uma boa forma de tratamento e prevenção do diabetes tipo 2.

Influence of salts on the coexistence curve and protein partitioning in nonionic aqueous two-phase micellar systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Substrates and controlled-release fertilizations on the quality of eucalyptus cuttings

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)