Effect of shade and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk yields of Holstein cows in a semi-arid region

The effects of shading and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk production were studied in Holstein cows managed in an equatorial semi-arid region. Five cows were observed for 36 days during May and June 2009. We studied the effects of sun, shade, shade plus single sprinkling, shade plus sprinkling every 2. h and shade plus sprinkling every hour on physiological responses, i.e., rectal temperature, coat surface temperature and respiratory rate, and on milk production. Environmental variables, i.e., air temperature, black globe temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, were recorded every 30. min throughout the observation period. The statistical analysis utilized a 5×5 replicated latin square, and the results showed reduced values in physiological variables in cows that were protected from short wave radiation and that received water sprinkling; milk yield increased by approximately 3.5. kg in such animals relative to those not receiving such treatment. However, the milk yield for the morning milking presented similar mean values regardless of whether the animals received shading and sprinkling benefits, which indicates that frequency of sprinkling and amount of time (permanence) in the shade were critical for the effect on milk yield. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Stress susceptibility in pigs supplemented with ractopamine

Ractopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist used as an energy repartitioning agent in the diets of finishing pigs. Most ractopamine studies are limited to evaluations of growth performance and meat quality, and there is little information on the effects of this additive on the behavior and welfare of pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate various indicators of stress caused by feeding diets containing ractopamine. One hundred seventy barrows and 170 gilts weighing 107.3 kg were allocated to 30 pens with 10 to 12 barrows or gilts per pen. Pigs were offered 1 of the 3 dietary treatments (0, 5, or 10 mg ractopamine/kg) for 28 d with 5 barrow pens and 5 gilt pens per treatment. Pigs were evaluated for behavior 3 d per week 1 wk before the initiation of the experiment and throughout the experiment. Each pig was classified into 1 of the 13 activities (drinking water, lying alone, lying in clusters, standing, nosing pig, sitting, feeding, biting pig, walking, exploring, running away, playing, and mounting pen mates) and also grouped into 1 of the 3 categories (calm, moving, and feeding themselves) based on those activities. At the end of the experiment, 3 pigs from each pen were slaughtered, and blood samples were collected during exsanguination to determine physiological indicators of stress (cortisol, lactate, and creatine-kinase enzymes). The incidence of skin and carcass lesions was determined at shoulder, loin, and ham. Ractopamine had no effect (P > 0.05) on pig behavior, total number of skin and carcass lesions, or blood concentrations of cortisol or lactate. However, there was an increase (P < 0.05) of creatine kinase concentrations in pigs receiving ractopaminesupplemented feed. This finding is consistent with the concept that ractopamine may cause muscular disorders, and this warrants further investigation. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

The tonoplast intrinsic aquaporin (TIP) subfamily of Eucalyptus grandis: Characterization of EgTIP2, a root-specific and osmotic stress-responsive gene

Aquaporins have important roles in various physiological processes in plants, including growth, development and adaptation to stress. In this study, a gene encoding a root-specific tonoplast intrinsic aquaporin (TIP) from Eucalyptus grandis (named EgTIP2) was investigated. The root-specific expression of EgTIP2 was validated over a panel of five eucalyptus organ/tissues. In eucalyptus roots, EgTIP2 expression was significantly induced by osmotic stress imposed by PEG treatment. Histochemical analysis of transgenic tobacco lines (Nicotiana tabacum SR1) harboring an EgTIP2 promoter:GUS reporter cassette revealed major GUS staining in the vasculature and in root tips. Consistent with its osmotic-stress inducible expression in eucalyptus, EgTIP2 promoter activity was up-regulated by mannitol treatment, but was down-regulated by abscisic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that EgTIP2 might be involved in eucalyptus response to drought. Additional searches in the eucalyptus genome revealed the presence of four additional putative TIP coding genes, which could be individually assigned to the classical TIP1-5 groups. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Cardiovascular risk and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis: sleep study, pulmonary function, respiratory mechanics, upper airway collapsibility, autonomic nervous activity, depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life: a prospective, double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most serious public health problems. The increasing prevalence of CKD in developed and developing countries has led to a global epidemic. The hypothesis proposed is that patients undergoing dialysis would experience a marked negative influence on physiological variables of sleep and autonomic nervous system activity, compromising quality of life.Methods/Design: A prospective, consecutive, double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial is proposed to address the effect of dialysis on sleep, pulmonary function, respiratory mechanics, upper airway collapsibility, autonomic nervous activity, depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life in patients with CKD. The measurement protocol will include body weight (kg); height (cm); body mass index calculated as weight/height(2); circumferences (cm) of the neck, waist, and hip; heart and respiratory rates; blood pressures; Mallampati index; tonsil index; heart rate variability; maximum ventilatory pressures; negative expiratory pressure test, and polysomnography (sleep study), as well as the administration of specific questionnaires addressing sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life.Discussion: CKD is a major public health problem worldwide, and its incidence has increased in part by the increased life expectancy and increasing number of cases of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Sleep disorders are common in patients with renal insufficiency. Our hypothesis is that the weather weight gain due to volume overload observed during interdialytic period will influence the degree of collapsibility of the upper airway due to narrowing and predispose to upper airway occlusion during sleep, and to investigate the negative influences of haemodialysis in the physiological variables of sleep, and autonomic nervous system, and respiratory mechanics and thereby compromise the quality of life of patients.

Effects of Thermal Stress on Hepatic Melanomacrophages of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura)

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

Relationships between physiological traits and productivity of sugarcane in response to water deficit

The relationships between physiological variables and sugarcane productivity under water deficit conditions were investigated in field studies during 2005 and 2006 in Weslaco, Texas, USA. A total of 78 genotypes and two commercial varieties were studied, one of which was drought-tolerant (TCP93-4245) and the other drought-sensitive (TCP87-3388). All genotypes were subjected to two irrigation regimes: a control well-watered treatment (wet) and a moderate water-deficit stress (dry) treatment for a period of 90 days. Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F (v)/F (m)), estimated chlorophyll content (SPAD index), leaf temperature (LT), leaf relative water content (RWC) and productivity were measured. The productivity of all genotypes was, on average, affected negatively; however, certain genotypes did not suffer significant reduction. Under water deficit, the productivity of the genotypes was positively and significantly correlated with F (v)/F (m), SPAD index and RWC, while LT had a negative correlation. These findings suggest that genotypes exhibiting traits of high RWC values, high chlorophyll contents and high photosynthetic radiation use efficiency under low moisture availability should be targeted for selection and variety development in programmes aimed at improving sugarcane for drought prone environments.

Physiological Parameters in Neonatal Lambs of the Bergamasca Breed

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

Copper oxychloride fungicide and its effect on growth and oxidative stress of potato plants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Physiological changes in eucalyptus hybrids under different irrigation regimes

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

Physiological and production response of dairy goats bred in a tropical climate

The aim of this work was to determine the adaptability of Saanen and A1/2Saanen x A1/2Anglo-Nubian (A1/2SA1/2AN) goats bred in tropical climates. The study included 30 goats, 15 Saanen and 15 A1/2SA1/2AN. The data was collected during the rainy and dry seasons. During the whole experimental period, the environment variables were recorded, as well as rectal temperature (RT), superficial temperature (ST), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) and milk production (MP). The adaptability coefficient (AC) was calculated for both genotypes. The averages were evaluated by ANOVA at 5 % probability. There was a genotype and period of year effect, as well as the interaction genotype x period of year. Pearson's simple correlation analysis was then carried out between milk production and physiological and environment variables. There was a statistical difference (p < 0.05) between the seasons for RT, ST and RR. RT, RR and HR were lower for A1/2SA1/2AN than Saanen goats, regardless of the season. MP was greater in the dry season (p < 0.05) (2.52 A +/- 0.50 kg/day for A1/2SA1/2AN and 2.41 A +/- 0.38 kg/day for Saanen) than the rainy season (2.17 A +/- 0.27 kg/day for A1/2SA1/2AN and 2.28 A +/- 0.53 kg/day for Saanen). The MP correlations were very significant (p < 0.05), however low and negative, where it was higher when correlated with RR in Saanen goats. Under the conditions of the present study, it is concluded that the goats were influenced by climatic factors, where the rainy period was more likely to cause thermal stress in the animals.

CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulate the cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats

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

Stress vulnerability during adolescence

Objective: This study investigated the physiological and somatic changes evoked by daily exposure to the same type of stressor (homotypic) or different aversive stressor stimuli (heterotypic) in adolescent and adult rats, with a focus on cardiovascular function. The long-term effects of stress exposure during adolescence were also investigated longitudinally. Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to repeated restraint stress (RRS, homotypic) or chronic variable stress (CVS, heterotypic). Results: Adrenal hypertrophy, thymus involution, and elevated plasma glucocorticoid were observed only in adolescent animals, whereas reduction in body weight was caused by both stress regimens in adults. CVS increased mean arterial pressure (adolescent: p = .001; adult: p = .005) and heart rate (HR; adolescent: p = .020; adult: p = .011) regardless of the age, whereas RRS increased blood pressure selectively in adults (p = .001). Rest tachycardia evoked by CVS was associated with increased cardiac sympathetic activity in adults, whereas a decreased cardiac parasympathetic activity was observed in adolescent animals. Changes in cardiovascular function and cardiac autonomic activity evoked by both CVS and RRS were followed by alterations in baroreflex activity and vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictor and vasodilator agents in adolescent adult animals. Except for the circulating glucocorticoid change, all alterations observed during adolescence were reversed in adulthood. Conclusions: These findings suggest a stress vulnerability of adolescents to somatic and neuroendocrine effects regardless of stress regimen. Our results indicated an age-stress type-specific influence in stress-evoked cardiovascular/autonomic changes. Data suggest minimal consequences in adulthood of stress during adolescence.

Effects of hormonal priming on seed germination of pigeon pea under cadmium stress

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Chronic stress improves NO- and Ca2+flux-dependent vascular function: a pharmacological study

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

Exercise and oxidative stress: p,otential effects of antioxidant dietary strategies in sports

Free radicals are produced during aerobic cellular metabolism and have key roles as regulatory mediators in signaling processes. Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species and an adequate antioxidant defense. This adverse condition may lead to cellular and tissue damage of components, and is involved in different physiopathological states, including aging, exercise, inflammatory, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. In particular, the relationship between exercise and oxidative stress is extremely complex, depending on the mode, intensity, and duration of exercise. Regular moderate training appears beneficial for oxidative stress and health. Conversely, acute exercise leads to increased oxidative stress, although this same stimulus is necessary to allow an up-regulation in endogenous antioxidant defenses (hormesis). Supporting endogenous defenses with additional oral antioxidant supplementation may represent a suitable noninvasive tool for preventing or reducing oxidative stress during training. However, excess of exogenous antioxidants may have detrimental effects on health and performance. Whole foods, rather than capsules, contain antioxidants in natural ratios and proportions, which may act in synergy to optimize the antioxidant effect. Thus, an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals through a varied and balanced diet remains the best approach to maintain an optimal antioxidant status. Antioxidant supplementation may be warranted in particular conditions, when athletes are exposed to high oxidative stress or fail to meet dietary antioxidant requirements. Aim of this review is to discuss the evidence on the relationship between exercise and oxidative stress, and the potential effects of dietary strategies in athletes. The differences between diet and exogenous supplementation as well as available tools to estimate effectiveness of antioxidant intake are also reported. Finally, we advocate the need to adopt an individualized diet for each athlete performing a specific sport or in a specific period of training, clinically supervised with inclusion of blood analysis and physiological tests, in a comprehensive nutritional assessment. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.