Femur Mineral Density of Broilers with Femoral Degeneration Fed High Nutritional Density Diets

A study was carried out in the experimental facilities of FMVZ/UNESP-Botucatu, with the aim of following-up the development and the incidence of femoral degeneration (FD). A total of 305 one-day-old male broilers were housed in six pens of 5m(2) each. A completely randomized experimental design, with 3 treatments (T1-traditional nutritional density diet; T2-high nutritional density diet) of 3 replicates each was applied. Femoral head of the broilers were submitted to gross examination at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of aged. At 42 days of age, 60 birds (30 per treatment) were submitted to the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ to determine bone mineral density by radiography. Birds were then sacrificed for gross examination of the legs, and FD scoring. Five legs per treatment within each FD score were submitted to computed tomography for femur head integrity and bone mineral density. Treatments did not influence FD incidence, and the first gross FD lesions appeared when birds were 28 days old. It was concluded that radiographic optical densitometry and computed tomography are efficient methods to evaluate femoral degeneration, and both techniques expressed the same profile. In addition, using radiographic optical densitometry and computed tomography, these results also allowed us to establish bone mineral density value ranges within each gross FD score. These finding may provide an excellent non-invasive tool to describe femoral degeneration.

Influence of the mineral content of the seston on tropical cladocerans of a marginal lake.

Bioassays were carried out seasonally to evaluate individual growth and reproduction of cladocerans, from a marginal lake, with the addition of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and both N and P to natural seston; Methods: Cohorts originated from cultivated females were submitted to the following treatments: 1) lake seston, 2) lake seston + P, 3) lake seston + N, and 4) lake seston + NP; Results: The sestonic C:P and C:N molar ratios were always high and limiting, according to threshold ratios estimated for temperate lakes. P addition to seston enhanced the growth rates of one species, D. birgei. A significant higher growth rate of B. longirostris was found in the seston enriched with N compared to natural seston, as well as a higher fecundity of M. minuta. The fecundity of D. birgei was significantly higher in the seston enriched with both N and P. C, N, and P body content of cladocerans was similar to that of temperate counterparts; Conclusion: Energy limitation related to carbon content or food quality seems to be most important in controlling cladocerans' populations in the lake than food mineral content.

Effects of temperature, sestonic algae features, and seston mineral content on cladocerans of a tropical lake

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

Quantitative analysis of mineral content in enamel using laboratory microtomography and microhardness analysis. - art. no. 631823

This study evaluates laboratory microtomography and microhardness analysis for quantifying the mineral content of bovine enamel. Fifty enamel blocks were submitted individually for 5 days to a pH-cycling model at 37 degrees C and remained in the remineralizing solution for 2 days. The blocks were treated twice daily for 1 min with NaF dentifrices (Placebo, 275, 550, 1,100 mu g F/g and Crest (R)) diluted in deionized water. Surface microhardness changes (%SMH) and mineral loss (Delta Z) were then calculated. Laboratory microtomography was also used to measure total mineral lost (LMM). Pearson's correlation (p < 0.05) was used to determine the relationship between different methods of analysis and dose-response between treatments. Dentifrice fluoride concentration and %SMH and Delta Z were correlated (p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship (p < 0.05) when comparing LMM vs. Delta Z; a negative relationship (p < 0.05) was found for %SMH vs. LMM and %SMH vs. Delta Z. Therefore, both mineral quantification techniques provide adequate precision for studying the bovine enamel-pH-cycling demineralization/remineralization model.

Quantitative analysis of mineral content in enamel using synchrotron microtomography and microhardness analysis. - art. no. 631824

Synchrotron microtomography is a tool to quantify the mineralization of dental tissues as well as microhardness analysis, since they provide adequate precision and contrast sensitivity. This study evaluates synchrotron microtomography and microhardness analysis for quantifying the mineral content of bovine enamel. Fifty enamel blocks were submitted individually for 5 days to a pH-cycling model at 37 degrees C and remained in the remineralizing solution for 2 days. The blocks were treated twice daily for 1 min with NaF dentifrices (Placebo, 275, 550, 1,100 mu g F/g and Crest (R)) diluted in deionized water. Surface microhardness changes (%SMH) and mineral loss (Delta Z) were then calculated. Synchrotron microtomography was also used to measure total mineral lost (SMM). Pearson's correlation (p < 0.05) was used to determine the relationship between different methods of analysis and dose-response between treatments. Dentifrice fluoride concentration and %SMH and Delta Z were correlated (p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship (p < 0.05) when comparing SMM vs. Delta Z; a negative relationship (p < 0.05) was found for %SMH vs. SMM and %SMH vs. Delta Z. Based on the results of this study, it was possible to conclude that synchrotron microtomography provides the best spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity for quantifying mineral gradients.

Low-dose combined oral contraceptive use is associated with lower bone mineral content variation in adolescents over a 1-year period

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

Phenotypic, genetic and environmental parameters for traits related to femur bone integrity and body weight at 42 days of age in a broiler population

Intense selection among broilers, especially for performance and carcass traits, currently favors locomotion problems and bone resistance. Conducting studies relating to development and growth of bone tissue in broilers is necessary to minimize losses. Thus, genetic parameters were estimated for a broiler population's phenotypic traits such as BW at 42 d of age (BW42), chilled femur weight (CFW) and its yield (CFY), and femur measurements: calcium, DM, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc content; breaking strength; rigidity; length; and thickness. Variance components were estimated through multitrait analyses using the restricted maximum likelihood method. The model included a fixed group effect (sex and hatch) and additive and residual genetic random effects. The heritability estimates we obtained ranged from 0.10 ± 0.05 to 0.50 ± 0.08 for chilled femur yield and BW42, respectively, and indicated that the traits can respond to the selection process, except for CFY, which presented low-magnitude heritability coefficients. Genetic correlation estimates between breaking strength, rigidity, and traits related to mineral content indicated that selection that aims to improve the breaking strength resistance of the femur is highly correlated with mineral content. Given the genetic correlation estimates between BW42 and minerals, it is suggested that in this population, selection for BW42 can be performed with greater intensity without affecting femoral integrity.

PS-042c is low-dose combined oral contraceptives use associated to lower bone mineral content variation in adolescents over a one-year period?

Background Low dose combined oral contraceptives (COC) can interfere in bone mass acquisition during adolescence. To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in female adolescents taking a standard low-dose (EE 20 µg/Desogestrel 150 µg) combination oral contraceptive (COC) over a one-year period and compare with healthy adolescents from the same age group not taking COCs.Methods A non-randomised parallel control study with one-year follow-up. Sixty-seven adolescents from 12 to 20 years of age, divided into COC users (n = 41) taking 20 µg EE/150 µg Desogestrel and non-user controls (n = 26), were evaluated through bone densitometry examinations at baseline and 12 months later. Comparisons between groups at study start was done through the Mann-Whitney test with significance level fixed at 5% or corresponding p value; comparisons between groups at study start and 12 months later used variations in median percentages for bone mass variables.Results COC users presented low bone mass acquisition in the lumbar spine and BMD and BMC median variations between baseline and at 12 months of 2.07% and +1.57% respectively whereas the control group presented variations of +12.16% and +16.84% for BMD and BMC, respectively, over the same period. The total body BMD and BMC presented similar evolution during the study in both groups. Statistical significance (pConclusion The use of a low COC dose (EE 20 µg/Desogestrel 150 µg) was associated to lower bone mass acquisition in adolescents during the study period.Trial registration: (Register Number):RBR-5 h9b3c

Femur biometry, densitometry and chemical composition from Moxoto goats supplemented with concentrate in a semiarid region

The aim of study was to investigate if different intake levels of concentrate (supplementation levels) would have an influence on chemical composition, biometric aspects and bone mineral density (BMD) of femurs from Moxoto growing goats in the Brazilian semiarid region. Thirty-two castrated kids (15.69 +/- 0.78 kg initial BW) were used allocated randomly to one of the four levels of supplementation (SL) (treatments groups: 0: 5; 10 and 15 g/kg BW). When the animals of treatment group 15 g/kg BW reached 25 kg BW, the animals in the others treatments groups were also slaughtered. The increase SL resulted in linear increase (P<0.001) in the performance of animals as well as in fresh and dry weight of the femur and decrease of relative weight of the femur. The dry matter contents (g/kg) of femur increased linearly, however, the amounts of MM, ether extract, Ca, P. Mg, Na and K were not affected by the treatments. The values found in this study ranged from 134.84 to 155.90g of Ca, 48.14 to 55.95g of P. 1.69 to 1.87g of Mg, 2.87 to 3.24g of Na and 1.42 to 1.61 g of K/kg of bone in natura for animals with smaller and higher slaughter weight, respectively. The biometric and densitometric variables increased linearly with increasing treatments, except for the thickness of the sponge layer of the proximal and distal epiphysis and BMD measured in the distal epiphysis. The supplementation with concentrate did not affect the chemical composition of the femur, although it has positively influenced the structure and the bone mineral density. A BMD estimated via radiographic bone aluminum equivalent did not have correspondence with bone mineral content measured chemically. (C) 2011 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.

Densidade mineral óssea em adolescentes usuárias de anticoncepcional oral combinado

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Densidade mineral óssea de adolescentes sobrepesos, obesos e superobesos: o impacto do excesso de gordura corporal sobre a massa óssea

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Impacts of limestone and nitrogen top dressing application on the potassium content in the soil profile and marandu-grass leaf concentration

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de nitrogênio (0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg/ha.ano), com ou sem aplicação de calcário dolomítico em cobertura, sobre o teor de potássio (K) do solo nas profundidades de 0 a 5; 5 a 10; e 10 a 20 cm e a concentração de potássio na planta. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico de relevo suavemente ondulado, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 × 2, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogenada promoveu aumento linear na concentração de potássio na planta e no teor desse mineral na camada de 0 a 5 cm do solo. Ocorreu efeito de inibição competitiva entre a absorção de potássio e cálcio e entre potássio e magnésio. Embora uma fração significativa de potássio retorne à camada superficial do solo pelo resíduo de forragem, em decorrência da maior produção de massa, o aumento da concentração de potássio na planta nas mais altas doses de nitrogênio comprova a importância do suprimento de potássio para a planta, por intensificar a massa de forragem.

Effect of a novel soy fermented product enriched with isoflavones and calcium on bone tissue of rats.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of soy fermented product intake on the corporal weight and bone tissue of ovariectomized mature rats. This product was fermented with Enterococcusfaecium and Lactobacillus jugurti and enriched with isoflavones and calcium. The animals were divided in 5 groups: sham-ovariectomized; ovariectomized; ovariectomized treated with soy fermented product enriched with isoflavones and calcium; ovariectomized treated with soy fermented product enriched with calcium and ovariectomized treated with nonfermented product enriched only with calcium. In order to evaluate the effect of the tested product on bone tissue (femur and tibia), the following parameters were analyzed: length; mechanical assay of three points; density (Archimedes principle); mineral content; calcium content; measure of the trabecular widths. The corporal weight of group treated with soy fermented product containing isoflavones and calcium showed no statistical difference from sham-ovariectomized group and trabecular widths tended to have larger than ovariectomized group. However, there was no significant difference to the other evaluated parameters in result of the diverse treatments. Thus, soy fermented product enriched with isoflavones and calcium inhibited the increasing of corporal weight caused by ovariectomy and revealed a tendency to trabecular protection after castration.

A Modified Technique of Rat Tail Suspension for Longer Periods of Observation

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