Cafeteria Feeding Research Articles

Yield, silage quality, and feeding preference of late‐summer sown pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone) in Southern Kyushu

AbstractBackgroundPearl millet is characterized by its high dry matter (DM) yields with a high moisture content, which makes it difficult to process as silage.MethodsPearl millet was sown in mid‐September for 3 years to examine its growth, DM yields in early December, and decrease in DM percentage after frost exposure. The crop was processed as round‐bale silage to assess silage quality and preference by breeding beef cattle.ResultsPlants reached a height of 160–200 cm, with heading tiller percentages of 50%–70% in early December. With frost exposure, DM percentage increased in leaves and panicles, followed by stems, reaching over 40%, 1 month after exposure. These increases were positively correlated with cumulative frost exposure. After frost exposure, in vitro DM digestibility and crude protein content declined while acid detergent fiber content increased. Repeated cafeteria feeding experiments showed a reduced preference for either pearl millet silage or Italian ryegrass hay. The silage showed moderate acidity at pH 4.73–5.40, with lactic acid at 0.58%–1.62% DM, acetic acid at 0.03%–0.10% DM, and negligible butyric acid, indicating a satisfactory quality.ConclusionsIn Southern Kyushu, pearl millet sown in late summer can be processed into low‐moisture round‐bale silage in January, the year following sowing.

Cafeteria diet compromises natural adaptations of islet cell transdifferentiation and turnover in pregnancy.

Pancreatic islet β-cell mass expands during pregnancy, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study examines the impact of pregnancy and cafeteria diet on islet morphology, associated cellular proliferation/apoptosis rates as well as β-cell lineage. Non-pregnant and pregnant Ins1Cre/+;Rosa26-eYFP transgenic mice were maintained on either normal or high-fat cafeteria diet, with pancreatic tissue obtained at 18 days gestation. Immunohistochemical changes in islet morphology, β-/α-cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as islet cell identity, neogenesis and ductal cell transdifferentiation were assessed. Pregnant normal diet mice displayed an increase in body weight and glycaemia. Cafeteria feeding attenuated this weight gain while causing overt hyperglycaemia. Pregnant mice maintained on a normal diet exhibited typical expansion in islet and β-cell area, owing to increased β-cell proliferation and survival as well as ductal to β-cell transdifferentiation and β-cell neogenesis, alongside decreased β-cell dedifferentiation. Such pregnancy-induced islet adaptations were severely restricted by cafeteria diet. Accordingly, islets from these mice displayed high levels of β-cell apoptosis and dedifferentiation, together with diminished β-cell proliferation and lack of pregnancy-induced β-cell neogenesis and transdifferentiation, entirely opposing islet cell modifications observed in pregnant mice maintained on a normal diet. Augmentation of β-cell mass during gestation arises through various mechanisms that include proliferation and survival of existing β-cells, transdifferentiation of ductal cells as well as β-cell neogenesis. Remarkably, cafeteria feeding almost entirely annuls pregnancy-induced islet adaptations, which may contribute to the development of gestational diabetes in the setting of dietary provoked metabolic stress.

Sympathetic blockade on diet induced thermogenesis in the congenic LA/Ntul//-cp rat

The effects of overfeeding highly palatable diets via the cafeteria feeding diet method (Café) has been shown to be a reliable experimental model to induce diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) in young adult normally lean rats of several strains. Groups of young adult lean LA/Ntul//-cp rats were offered a Purina chow diet (CHOW) or the same diet plus a daily café supplement both ad libitum from 10 until 24 weeks of age. The drug α-methylparatyrosine (α-MPT) was administered to groups (250 mg α-MPT/kg BW, i.p.) to ablate sympathetic (SNS) activity or a sham injection of physiologic saline given, and measures of fasting resting thermogenesis obtained at thermal neutrality (30°C) before and after the α-MPT or sham administration. The Café diet resulted in a 67% increase in body weight (BW) and a ~25% increase in resting oxygen consumption (VO2) following café overfeeding in both groups, while only a 40% increase in BW and no additional increase in VO2 occurred in normally CHOW fed rats while the sham injection was without any variations from normal physiologic responses as predicted. Sympathetic blockade with α-MPT was associated with modest decreases in body temperature and an average ~12-15% decrease in VO2 in the café treated group, but when the VO2 data were arithmetically corrected to isothermal conditions only a net 3% decrease occurred in CHOW fed rats and was without effect on the SHAM group. Serum T3 concentrations increased by 92% and urinary catecholamine excretion of VMA >250% following the café diet, but the urinary vanilmandelic acid (VMA) excretion was virtually nil following the sympathetic blockade. These observations indicate that the SNS-mediated contribution component to DIT following prolonged café overfeeding under conditions of thermal neutrality contribute approximately 50% of the thermic response. while under normal long term CHOW feeding the SNS component may be as little as 3 % of the thermic response, and thus, the total thermic response of DIT likely represents a combination of short acting SNS and longer acting non-SNS mechanisms, including a likely significant thyroidal component in normally lean animals.

Restricted cafeteria feeding and treadmill exercise improved body composition, metabolic profile and exploratory behavior in obese male rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in male Long-Evans rats, whether a restricted-cafeteria diet (CAFR), based on a 30% calorie restriction vs continuous ad libitum cafeteria (CAF) fed animals, administered alone or in combination with moderate treadmill exercise (12 m/min, 35 min, 5 days/week for 8 weeks), was able to ameliorate obesity and the associated risk factors induced by CAF feeding for 18 weeks and to examine the changes in circadian locomotor activity, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functionality, and stress response elicited by this dietary pattern. In addition to the expected increase in body weight and adiposity, and the development of metabolic dysregulations compatible with Metabolic Syndrome, CAF intake resulted in a sedentary profile assessed by the home-cage activity test, reduced baseline HPA axis activity through decreased corticosterone levels, and boosted exploratory behavior. Both CAFR alone and in combination with exercise reduced abdominal adiposity and hypercholesterolemia compared to CAF. Exercise increased baseline locomotor activity in the home-cage in all dietary groups, boosted exploratory behavior in STD and CAF, partially decreased anxiety-like behavior in CAF and CAFR, but did not affect HPA axis-related parameters.

Sympathetic blockade on diet induced thermogenesis in the congenic LA/Ntul//-cp rat

The effects of overfeeding highly palatable diets via the cafeteria feeding diet method (Café) has been shown to be a reliable experimental model to induce diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) in young adult normally lean rats of several strains. Groups of young adult lean LA/ Ntul//-cp rats were offered a Purina chow diet (CHOW) or the same diet plus a daily café supplement both ad libitum from 10 until 24 weeks of age. The drug α-methylparatyrosine (α-MPT) was administered to groups (250 mg α-MPT/kg BW, i.p.) to ablate sympathetic (SNS) activity or a sham injection of physiologic saline given, and measures of fasting resting thermogenesis obtained at thermal neutrality (30°C) before and after the α-MPT or sham administration. The Café diet resulted in a 67% increase in body weight (BW) and a ~25% increase in resting oxygen consumption (VO2) following café overfeeding in both groups, while only a 40% increase in BW and no additional increase in VO2 occurred in normally CHOW fed rats while the sham injection was without any variations from normal physiologic responses as predicted. Sympathetic blockade with α-MPT was associated with modest decreases in body temperature and an average ~12-15% decrease in VO2 in the café treated group, but when the VO2 data were arithmetically corrected to isothermal conditions only a net 3% decrease occurred in CHOW fed rats and was without effect on the SHAM group. Serum T3 concentrations increased by 92% and urinary catecholamine excretion of VMA >250% following the café diet, but the urinary vanilmandelic acid (VMA) excretion was virtually nil following the sympathetic blockade. These observations indicate that the SNS-mediated contribution component to DIT following prolonged café overfeeding under conditions of thermal neutrality contribute approximately 50% of the thermic response. While under normal long term CHOW feeding the SNS component may be as little as 3% of the thermic response, and thus, the total thermic response of DIT likely represents a combination of short acting SNS and longer acting non-SNS mechanisms, including a likely significant thyroidal component in normally lean animals.

Assessing the nutritional quality of stored grain legume fodders: Correlations among farmers’ perceptions, sheep preferences, leaf-stem ratios and laboratory analyses

Crop residues have the potential to alleviate annual feed shortages and nutrient deficiencies experienced in the dry season in the savanna zones of West Africa. Farmers in West Africa especially value the residues of grain legumes, also known as grain legume fodders (GLFs), as animal feed. In this study, therefore, we assessed the nutritional quality of GLFs as affected by storage conditions using four different methods: farmers’ perception score (FPS), sheep preference score (SPS), leaf-to-stem ratio (LSR), and laboratory analysis of organic matter digestibility (OMD), crude protein content, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). We also determined correlations among these variables. The fodder of cowpea, groundnut and soybean were stored separately in three locations (rooftop, room and treefork) and with two packaging types (polythene sacks or tied with ropes) for 60, 90 and 120 days. FPS was determined by scoring the perceived quality of GLFs on a scale of 1–10 (1 = bad and 10 = good) based on physical characteristics by a group of farmers. SPS was assessed by a cafeteria feeding trial based on dry matter intake of GLFs by a flock of 12 sheep per village during a 14 hr period. LSR was determined based on the mass of the botanical fractions, i.e. leaf (leaf blade only) and stem (stem and petioles) of 200 g samples separated carefully by the hand. Laboratory analysis was done by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Results showed that all quality assessment methods successfully discriminated GLF quality differences among crops. Only farmers and sheep could distinguish quality differences among all storage conditions and packing types, whereas laboratory analyses methods could not. These findings could be due to the fact that farmers use LSR to evaluate feed quality, though colour, texture and smell of the fodder could also contribute. We also found significant correlations (ranging from 0.35 to 0.88) between all the quality assessment methods across all treatments. There were few within crop correlations between the fodder quality assessment methods, i.e. only FPS and LSR for groundnut and cowpea, FPS and CP for groundnut and all laboratory analyses parameters among each other for all crops. Hence, the differences among crops were the important determinants of the correlations. From this study, we conclude that farmers have experience and knowledge about nutritional quality of feed and livestock preference for feed. Development programmes and projects could benefit from using such knowledge when formulating and implementing interventions.

Diet-altered body temperature rhythms are associated with altered rhythms of clock gene expression in peripheral tissues in vivo.

Temperature rhythms can act as potent signals for the modulation of the amplitude and phase of clock gene expression in peripheral organs in vitro, but the relevance of the circadian rhythm of core body temperature (Tc) as a modulating signal in vivo has not yet been investigated. Using calorie restriction and cafeteria feeding, we induced a larger and a dampened Tc amplitude, respectively, in male Wistar rats, and investigated the circadian expression profile of the core clock genes Bmal1, Per2, Cry1, and Rev-erbα, the heat-responsive genes heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and cold-inducible RNA binding protein (Cirbp), and Pgc1α, Pparα/γ/δ, Glut1/4, and Chop10 in the liver, skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT), and adrenal glands. Diet-altered Tc rhythms differentially affected the profiles of clock genes, Hsp90, and Cirbp expression in peripheral tissues. Greater Tc amplitudes elicited by calorie restriction were associated with large amplitudes of Hsp90 and Cirbp expression in the liver and WAT, in which larger amplitudes of clock gene expression were also observed. The amplitudes of metabolic gene expression were greater in the WAT, but not in the liver, in calorie-restricted rats. Conversely, diet-altered Tc rhythms were not translated to distinct changes in the amplitude of Hsp90, Cirbp, or clock or metabolic genes in the skeletal muscle or adrenal glands. While it was not possible to disentangle the effects of diet and temperature in this model, taken together with previous in vitro studies, our study presents novel data consistent with the notion that the circadian Tc rhythm can modulate the amplitude of circadian gene expression in vivo. The different responses of Hsp90 and Cirbp in peripheral tissues may be linked to the tissue-specific responses of peripheral clocks to diet and/or body temperature rhythms, but the association with the amplitude of metabolic gene expression is limited to the WAT.

Characteristics of ensiled cassava leaves and maize stover as dry season feed for ruminants

Insufficient quantity and quality of feed for ruminants during the dry season is a major limiting factor for effective production and management. Smallholder farmers generate large crop residues in the wet season, which are rich in nutrients in which ruminants can feed on in the dry season by proper ensiling. Cassava Leaves (CL) and Maize Stover (MS) residues were thus ensiled to evaluate their nutritional qualities as feed for ruminants. Fresh cassava leaves and maize stover were collected, chopped and wilted. Silages were prepared as: T1 (100%CL), T2 (100%MS), T3 (50%CL+50%MS), T4 (25%CL+ 75%MS) and T5 (75%CL+25%MS). Ensiling lasted for 21 days after which they were opened to determine the quality using physical assessment of colour, smell, texture, pH and temperature. Chemical composition of the silages comprising Crude Protein-CP, Crude Fibre-CF, Ether Extract-EE, ash content, Acid Detergent Fibre-ADF, Neutral Detergent Fibre-NDF and Acid Detergent Lignin-ADL were assessed. Nutritive values of the diets were evaluated using in vitro fermentation technique to determine Total Gas Production (TGP), methane, Metabolizable Energy (ME), Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) and Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD). Coefficient of Preference (COP) was determined using a cafeteria feeding technique. Olive-green colour, alcoholic smell and firm texture were observed in the silages. The pH ranged from 4.13 to 4.73 while higher pH was observed in 100%CL. The temperature was between 31°C and 32ºC. The values obtained for the DM ranged from 64.37 to 67.9%. The CP values varied between 8.64 and 19.68%. The lowest CP of 8.64% was observed in T2 (100%MS) while 19.68% was obtained in T1 (100%CL). The ash content ranged from 8.65 to 13.00% and the CF value varied from 33.70 to 40.39%. It was observed that 100%MS had significantly (P<0.05) higher CF (40.39%) compared to other treatments. The EE values varied between 4.45 and 5.22%. The EE value in 100%CL (5.22%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to other silage treatments. The NDF, ADF and ADL values varied from 62.70-69.80%, 43.95-47.90% and 22.95-25.80%, respectively and significant differences were observed. The total gas volume ranged from 8.33 to 13.8mL, methane 5.3 to 7.6, OMD (32.72-42.5%), ME (4.06-5.28kCal) and SCFA (0.15-0.27). The CoPof the silages was ≥to the unity of one with the exception of T2. It can be concluded that, combinations of 50% cassava leaves and 50% maize stover could be used as feed for ruminants.

Dry matter acceptability and digestibility of nutrient by West African dwarf Rams fed polyenzyme treated cassava peel and corn cob based diets

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of polyenzyme treated corn cob based diet on the dry matter acceptability and nutrient digestibility by West African dwarf rams. Sixteen (16) rams were used in a completely randomized design, comprising of 4 per treatment in metabolic cages for digestibility while for acceptability each animal was allotted to a pen and the cafeteria feeding method employed. The dietary treatments were: T1 (cassava peel untreated); T2 (corn cob untreated); T3 (polyenzyme treated cassava peel) and T4 (polyenzyme treated corn cob) respectively. The result for dry matter acceptability showed that T3 had the highest value for dry matter intake (979.20g/h/d); coefficient of preference (1.06) and percentage of preference (26.44%). Significant (p<0.05) difference were obtained for the digestibility percentages of all the proximate nutrients. The digestibility values recorded for T3 was the highest (P<0.05) for DM (78.81), CP (81.91), CF (70.24), EE (37.40), NEF (80.05), NDF (76.99) and ADF (71.69). However, it is recorded that inclusions of polyenzyme to cassava peel and corncob have a promising acceptability, enhanced and efficiently utilized by sheep. The study shown that treatment of cassava peels and corn cob with polyenzyme improved and sustain ruminants during period of feeds insufficiency. Also, provide a better utilization of wasteful cassava peel and corn cob to feedstuff so as to improve farmers that practice intensive ruminant management.

The buffet is open: Alpine soil macro-decomposers feed on a wide range of litter types in a microcosm cafeteria experiment

Alpine semi-natural grasslands were formed by hundreds of years of traditional and extensive land-use resulting in a distinct flora and fauna. Socio-economic changes in the last century led to the abandonment of a large number of alpine pasturelands. Even though litter composition and quality will permanently alter due to shifts in plant species composition, consequences of abandonment and the subsequent shrub encroachment on the feeding activities of decomposers are not well known.We conducted cafeteria feeding experiments in microcosms in a climate chamber with four abundant alpine decomposer species (two earthworms and two millipedes), offering them three representative alpine litter types (dwarf shrub, grass, and forb) as single litters and mixtures.The epi-endogeic earthworm Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister, 1843), dominant in alpine pastureland, had highest mean consumption rates (34.7 ± 24.7 mg), while Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny, 1826), a strictly epigeic earthworm, showed considerably lower consumption rates. Millipedes showed similar consumption patterns, with Cylindroiulus fulviceps (Latzel, 1884) being less active than C. meinerti (Verhoeff, 1891). We found several cases where litter mixtures were preferred over single litters, including higher consumption rates of low-quality dwarf shrub litter by D. octaedra and C. meinerti when mixed with high-quality litter.The tested specimens showed a high intra- and interspecific variability as they fed on all offered litter types and qualities, resulting in few specific food preferences and selections. We conclude that alpine soil macro-decomposer such as earthworms and millipedes are generalists feeding on a wide range of litter qualities, allowing them, in theory, to better adapt to the litter resources that become available when pastures are abandoned and reverted to shrubland.

Impact of different hypercaloric diets on obesity features in rats: a metagenomics and metabolomics integrative approach

Diet is considered a key influencing agent affecting the gut microbiome. Dysbiosis of microbial communities contributes to the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity. We aimed to characterize the physiological, microbial and metabolic changes induced by different obesogenic diets to understand the diet-specific modulation of the host–microbiota co-metabolism in rodents. For this purpose, Wistar rats were fed standard, cafeteria (CAF), low-fat (LF), high-fat (HF) and high-fat high-sucrose (HFS) diets for 10 weeks. The CAF diet strongly induced an obese phenotype accompanied by dyslipidemia, hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, whereas both HF and HFS diets promoted overweight. Concerning the microbiome, CAF feeding induced a rise of the Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio, while few microbial genera were altered in the HF or HFS group. Changes in microbial activity according to dietary treatment were also reflected in the disruption of short-chain fatty acid production and bile acid metabolism, which were mainly associated with fiber intake. Urinary metabolomics revealed a significant increase in metabolites related to oxidative stress and metabolic inflammation together with an altered excretion of host–microbiota co-metabolites only in the CAF group. Moreover, several associations between metabolic patterns, physiological status and specific microbial communities were described, helping to elucidate the crucial role of the microbiota in host homeostasis. Overall, our study suggests that different hypercaloric dietary models distinctively influence gut microbiota composition and reveals robust and similar clustering patterns concerning both cecal microbiome and urinary metabolome profiles.

Gopher tortoise herbivory increases plant species richness and diversity

Mammalian herbivores often alter plant species richness and diversity, but such impacts have not been much investigated in reptiles. This study examined the effects of gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) herbivory on species richness, Gini-Simpson diversity, and dominance, plant abundance, and biomass. Tortoise herbivory was eliminated in five areas through the use of exclosure plots for a period of two years and was compared to five similar areas where tortoises were allowed to feed. Cafeteria feeding trials were also used to quantify dietary preference. Tortoise exclosure plots had lowered species richness, and significantly lowered diversity, but significantly higher dominance than in controls. Heliotropium polyphyllum, the most highly preferred local species by tortoises, was the most dominant plant in exclosure and control plots and became even more dominant in exclosure plots. The abundance and biomass of the next two most common plant species, Fimbristylis cymosa and Polypremum procumbens, which are not preferred by tortoises, were reduced in the exclosures, probably due to increased competition with Heliotropium. Several rare plant species were eliminated in the exclosure plots. We conclude that tortoise herbivory may directly influence plant community assembly by reducing preferred plant species and promoting the growth of non-preferred species.

Acceptance of flavored concentrate premixes by young ruminants following a short-term exposure

Three cafeteria feeding design experiments were conducted to test whether young ruminants have flavor preferences. Experiment 1 was with 11 Dorset × Suffolk weaned lambs of both sexes, aged 5 mo and averaging 47.5 (standard deviation = 5.8) kg of body weight. The lambs were offered a choice of 5 flavored concentrate premixes (FCP) and an unflavored control for 5 min 4 times over 10 d. The FCP were prepared by mixing 200 to 300 g/t (as-is basis) of synthetic flavors (vanilla, milky, spicy/fenugreek, red summer fruits, and molasses) into a basal diet. The unflavored control and the milky flavor were consumed in greater amounts than all other flavors at 83.9 and 65.8 g/test, respectively. The consumption rate of FCP (g/min) was similar among treatments. Lambs spent more time consuming the milky flavor and the control at 123 and 144 s/test, respectively, compared with all other FCP (average of 65 s/test). In experiment 2, 12 weaned female Holstein Friesian calves (56-68 d of age) averaging 75.8 kg (standard deviation = 8.45) of body weight were offered a choice of 4 FCP (vanilla, milky, spicy/fenugreek, and red summer fruits) at an inclusion rate of 150 to 200 g/t (as-is basis) and the unflavored control for 5 min 4 times over 10 d. The average consumption rate was 27.8 g/min, and there were no differences among FCP. In experiment 3, a choice of 4 FCP with 2 different flavor combinations (vanilla-fenugreek and milky-vanilla) included at 75 g/t (as-is basis; low) or 150 g/t (high) was offered to a total of 12 weaned female Holstein Friesian calves (47-62 d of age) with an average body weight of 65.3 kg (standard deviation = 7.91). The FCP were offered daily for 14 d for 30 to 60 min/d. Vanilla-fenugreek (low) was consumed less at 57.5 g/test per calf compared with the other FCP (average of 87.5 g/test per calf). There were no other differences among FCP in experiment 3. Overall, compared with the control, flavors used in the present experiments did not affect feed intake of weaned lambs and calves. Other factors, such as taste, sight, texture of the feed, effect of the dams as previous experience (via maternal ingestion, which influences neonatal feeding), and their interactions, may also play a role in flavor preferences of young ruminants.

Obesity Disrupts Rhythmic Clock Gene Expression in Maternal Adipose Tissue during Rat Pregnancy.

Obesity during pregnancy causes numerous maternal and fetal health complications, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity has previously been linked to disruption of the intrinsic adipose clock gene network that is crucial for normal metabolic function. This adipose clock also undergoes major change as part of the maternal metabolic adaptation to pregnancy, but whether this is affected by maternal obesity is unknown. Consequently, in this study we tested the hypothesis that obesity disturbs rhythmic gene expression in maternal adipose tissue across pregnancy. A rat model of maternal obesity was established by cafeteria (CAF) feeding, and adipose expression of clock genes and associated nuclear receptors ( Ppars and Pgc1α) was measured across days 15-16 and 21-22 of gestation (term = 23 days). CAF feeding suppressed the mesor and/or amplitude of adipose tissue clock genes (most notably Bmal1, Per2, and Rev-erbα) relative to chow-fed controls (CON) across both days of gestation. On day 15, the CAF diet also induced adipose Pparα, Pparδ, and Pgc1α rhythmicity but repressed that of Pparγ, while expression of Pparα, Pparδ, and Pgc1α was reduced at select time points. CAF mothers were hyperleptinemic at both stages of gestation, and at day 21 this effect was time-of-day dependent. Fetal plasma leptin exhibited clear rhythmicity, albeit with low amplitude, but interestingly these levels were unaffected by CAF feeding. Our data show that maternal obesity disrupts rhythmic expression of clock and metabolic genes in maternal adipose tissue and leads to maternal but not fetal hyperleptinemia.

Obesity-induced changes in hepatic and placental clock gene networks in rat pregnancy.

Maternal obesity induces pregnancy complications and disturbs fetal development, but the specific mechanisms underlying these outcomes are unclear. Circadian rhythms are implicated in metabolic complications associated with obesity, and maternal metabolic adaptations to pregnancy. Accordingly, obesity-induced circadian dysfunction may drive adverse outcomes in obese pregnancy. This study investigated whether maternal obesity alters the rhythmic expression of clock genes and associated nuclear receptors across maternal, fetal, and placental tissues. Wistar rats were maintained on a cafeteria (CAF) diet prior to and throughout gestation to induce maternal obesity. Maternal and fetal liver and placental labyrinth zone (LZ) were collected at four-hourly time points across days 15-16 and 21-22 of gestation (term = 23 days). Gene expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Expression of the accessory clock gene Nr1d1 was rhythmic in the maternal and fetal liver and LZ of chow-fed controls, but in each case CAF feeding reduced peak Nr1d1 expression. Obesity resulted in a phase advance (approx. 1.5 h) in the rhythms of several clock genes and Ppar-delta in maternal liver. Aside from Nr1d1, expression of clock genes was mostly arrhythmic in LZ and fetal liver, and was unaffected by the CAF diet. In conclusion, maternal obesity suppressed Nr1d1 expression across maternal, fetal, and placental compartments and phase-advanced the rhythms of maternal hepatic clock genes. Given the key role of Nr1d1 in regulating metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory processes, our data suggest that disruptions to rhythmic Nr1d1 expression in utero may contribute to programmed health complications in offspring of obese pregnancies.

Exposure to sunlight results in lower concentrate intake during the hot hours of day in a cafeteria feeding of chopped alfalfa hay and concentrate in Afshari lambs

It is commonly believed that ruminants exposed to sunlight, and consequently heat stress (HS), consume more concentrate and lower forage, but there is limited evidence on this issue. The objective of this study was to determine the productivity and voluntary intake of concentrate and alfalfa hay in a cafeteria delivery method in the outdoor (OUT)- versus indoor (IN)-housed growing Afshari lambs during summer. Thirty intact male lambs (30.4±4.6kg) were randomly housed OUT and subjected to sunlight without any shade or kept IN under shade for a period of 42days. The average temperature humidity index for IN and OUT environments were 69.8 and 70.7 (over ∼72 for more than 12h/day), respectively. Feed intake (concentrate and hay, separately), rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured two times a day at 0800 and 1530h through the experiment. Although hay intake was not different between two groups since morning feeding until 1530h, OUT lambs had lower concentrate intake (611 vs. 535g for IN and OUT, respectively; P<0.02) at the same time. Total concentrate consumption, however, tended to be greater for OUT compared to IN lambs (1 418 vs. 1 513g/day for IN and OUT, respectively; P<0.06), without any difference in hay intake. Accordingly, OUT treatment resulted in greater (∼120g/day; P<0.04) total dry matter intake (concentrate+hay). The OUT lambs tended (∼1.3kg; P<0.07) to outweigh IN lambs at the end of the experiment. Despite the fact that both groups had similar average daily gain (ADG) until the half of the experiment, IN lambs had lower ADG (369 vs. 431g/day; P<0.01) until the end and through the study. Feed efficiency was not affected by treatments. The morning rectal temperature was influenced by treatment whereby IN animals were warmer (∼0.2°C; P<0.01), whereas the evening rectal temperature was greater in OUT lambs (∼0.2°C; P<0.04) and had more evening respiration rate (∼53 more breath per minute; P <0.01). Among the blood metabolites, non-esterified fatty acid elevated for OUT lambs (P <0.01), while glucose and insulin were not affected. Generally, under the conditions of the current experiment, exposure to sunlight did not result in increased concentrate intake during the hottest times of day and warrants more research in large ruminants to revise the old beliefs.

Obesity Disrupts the Rhythmic Profiles of Maternal and Fetal Progesterone in Rat Pregnancy.

Maternal obesity increases the risk of abnormal fetal growth, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Because steroid hormones regulate fetal growth, and both pregnancy and obesity markedly alter circadian biology, we hypothesized that maternal obesity disrupts the normal rhythmic profiles of steroid hormones in rat pregnancy. Obesity was established by cafeteria (CAF) feeding for 8 wk prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. Control (CON) animals had ad libitum access to chow. Daily profiles of plasma corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, progesterone, and testosterone were measured at Days 15 and 21 of gestation (term = 23 days) in maternal (both days) and fetal (Day 21) plasma. CAF mothers exhibited increased adiposity relative to CON and showed fetal and placental growth restriction. There was no change, however, in total fetal or placental mass due to slightly larger litter sizes in CAF. Nocturnal declines in progesterone were observed in maternal (39% lower) and fetal (45% lower) plasma in CON animals, but these were absent in CAF animals. CAF mothers were hyperlipidemic at both days of gestation, but this effect was isolated to the dark period at Day 21. CAF maternal testosterone was slightly lower at Day 15 (8%) but increased above CON by Day 21 (16%). Despite elevated maternal testosterone, male fetal testosterone was suppressed by obesity on Day 21. Neither maternal nor fetal glucocorticoid profiles were affected by obesity. In conclusion, obesity disrupts rhythmic profiles of maternal and fetal progesterone, preventing the normal nocturnal decline. Obesity subtly changed testosterone profiles but did not alter maternal and fetal glucocorticoids.

Catch-up growth following food restriction exacerbates adulthood glucose intolerance in pigs exposed to intrauterine undernutrition

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food restriction followed by controlled refeeding on glucose tolerance in pigs exposed to intrauterine malnutrition. MethodsPregnant sows (n = 11) were assigned to either a control (C) group or an undernutrition (U) group (75% of C) during gestation. At postnatal 68 d, the offspring (n = 16) were placed on either a cafeteria feeding (CF) group or a food-restricted (FR) group (75% of CF) for 6 wk. After that, all offspring were fed ad libitum until 189 d (dpn189). ResultsThe results showed that maternal malnutrition induced offspring glucose intolerance, which was demonstrated by increased serum glucose and triacylglycerol content at dpn189, as well as increased area under the blood glucose curve (AUC) during the intravenous glucose tolerance test (i.v.GTT) (P < 0.05). Interestingly, food restriction followed by controlled refeeding further increased serum glucose content at dpn189 and AUC during i.v.GTT in pigs born from U sows (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by catch-up growth during the refeeding period. These changes were associated with increased mRNA levels of hepatic gluconeogenesis (PC, PEPCK) enzymes (P < 0.05), decreased mRNA level of muscle glucose transporter (GLUT4; P = 0.07), and reduced mRNA level of insulin signaling protein (IRS1, P < 0.05) in the liver. ConclusionsOur results indicate that catch-up growth following food restriction can exacerbate glucose intolerance in offspring exposed to intrauterine malnutrition. This may be caused by increased hepatic gluconeogenesis, decreased muscle glucose transport, and impaired hepatic insulin signaling.

Maternal obesity induced by a ‘cafeteria’ diet in the rat does not increase inflammation in maternal, placental or fetal tissues in late gestation

IntroductionObesity during pregnancy can cause serious complications for maternal and infant health. While this has often been attributed to increased inflammation during obese pregnancy, human and animal studies exhibit variable results with respect to the inflammatory status of the mother, placenta and fetus. Cafeteria (CAF) feeding induces more inflammation than standard high-fat feeding in non-pregnant animal models. This study investigated whether maternal obesity induced by a CAF diet increases maternal, fetal or placental inflammation. MethodsMaternal obesity was established in rats by 8 weeks of pre-pregnancy CAF feeding. Maternal plasma inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, MCP1, GRO/KC, MIP-2 and TNFα) and expression of inflammatory genes (Tnfα, Il-6, Il-1β, Tlr2, Tlr4, Cox2 and Emr1) in maternal, placental and fetal tissues were measured at day 21 of gestation. ResultsDespite CAF animals having 63% more central body fat than controls at day 21 of gestation, plasma inflammatory markers were not increased; indeed, levels of IL-6, IL-12p40 and MIP2 were reduced slightly. Similarly, inflammatory gene expression remained largely unaffected by CAF feeding, except for slight reductions to Tlr4 and Emr1 expression in CAF maternal adipose tissue, and reduced Tlr4 expression in male labyrinth zone (LZ). The junctional zone (JZ) displayed increased Il-6 expression in CAF animals when fetal sexes were combined, but no inflammatory genes were affected by the CAF diet in fetal liver. ConclusionsMaternal obesity induced by a CAF diet before and during pregnancy does not increase the inflammatory status of the mother, placenta or fetus in late gestation.

Voluntary Intake and Palatability Indices of Pedi Goats fed Different Levels of Acacia karroo Leaf Meal by Cafeteria Method

A study was conducted to determine preference intake and relative palatability indices of tanniniferous Acacia karroo fed to 5 growing male Pedi goats with an average body weight of 19.81 ± 1.83kg. Five feeding troughs were provided to each goat and each animal was exposed to all the experimental diets. A cafeteria feeding approach was used, thus, permitting goats free access to the diet of their choice. Acacia karroo (K) was offered in a mixture with Setaria verticillata (S) hay at five different levels: Diet 1: S80K20, Diet 2: S75K25, Diet 3: S70K30, Diet 4: S60K40 and Diet 5: S50K50. The daily relative palatability indexes (RPI) obtained for each diet were subjected to analysis of variance with feeds as treatments and individual animals as replicates in a completely randomized design. Significant differences (P Diet 4&gt; Diet 3&gt; Diet 2&gt; Diet 1. Diet 5 appeared to be the most preferred by goats with an RPI of 96.91%. Palatability indices were positively and significantly (Pand tannin contents. Results of this study indicate that tannin-rich Acacia karroo leaves when fed in a mixed diet can influence preference and intake by Pedi goats. Palatability studies could be used in designing supplemental feeding programs for ruminant livestock in the tropics.