Deposition Of Vitamin Research Articles

Loss of the Vitamin B-12 Transport Protein Tcn2 Results in Maternally Inherited Growth and Developmental Defects in Zebrafish

BackgroundIn humans, vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) transport involves 3 paralogous proteins: transcobalamin, haptocorrin, and intrinsic factor. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) express 3 genes that encode proteins homologous to known B-12 carrier proteins: tcn2 (a transcobalamin ortholog) and 2 atypical β-domain-only homologs, tcnba and tcnbb. ObjectivesGiven the orthologous relation between zebrafish Tcn2 and human transcobalamin, we hypothesized that zebrafish carrying null mutations of tcn2 would exhibit phenotypes consistent with vitamin B-12 deficiency. MethodsFirst-generation and second-generation tcn2–/– zebrafish were characterized using phenotypic assessments, metabolic analyses, viability studies, and transcriptomics. ResultsHomozygous tcn2–/– fish produced from a heterozygous cross are viable and fertile but exhibit reduced growth, which persists into adulthood. When first-generation female tcn2–/– fish are bred, their offspring exhibit gross developmental and metabolic defects. These phenotypes are observed in all offspring from a tcn2–/– female regardless of the genotype of the male mating partner, suggesting a maternal effect, and can be rescued with vitamin B-12 supplementation. Transcriptome analyses indicate that offspring from a tcn2–/– female exhibit expression profiles distinct from those of offspring from a tcn2+/+ female, which demonstrate dysregulation of visual perception, fatty acid metabolism, and neurotransmitter signaling pathways. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the deposition of vitamin B-12 in the yolk by tcn2–/– females may be insufficient to support the early development of their offspring. These data present a compelling model to study the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency on early development, with a particular emphasis on transgenerational effects and gene–environment interactions.

Effect of low tannin sorghum based feeds on broiler meat nutritional quality

This study determined the meat quality characteristics of different parts of a broiler carcass obtained from chicken fed on diets formulated using either maize ( Zea mays ) or sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) as the source of energy. Six diets that differed on the sorghum/maize replacement levels (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were fed to 120-day old broiler. The chicken meat was harvested after 8 weeks and meat from different parts of the carcasses were analysed for fatty acid profile, cholesterol, vitamins A and E content. Levels of 36.37%–80.32% of saturated fatty acids were detected in different cuts. The polyunsaturated fatty acids ranged at 12.36%–29.13% while the monounsaturated fatty acids accounted for 1.46%–4.84% for all the experimental diets. The highest levels of long chain unsaturated fatty acids (18.68%–22.87%) were detected in the thigh muscle meat of chicken fed on a 0% sorghum diet. Conversely, diet that had a 100% sorghum had undetectable level of unsaturated fatty acids. The highest cholesterol content of 30.61 mg/100g was detected in the thigh muscles of chicken with 100% sorghum inclusion. The vitamin E content in the thigh meat of chicken subjected to diets high on maize content were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) than those fed on high sorghum diets. Meat from chicken fed on high low tannin sorghum meals had significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) cholesterol content of 8.63 to 3.44 mg/100g compared to 20.10 mg/100g from diets high on maize. The present study shows that partial substitution of maize with low tannin sorghum can improve the nutritional value of broiler meat. • Chicken fed on low tannin sorghum and maize diets as the key sources of energy and meat samples collected after 8 weeks of feeding. • Cholesterol deposits higher in high maize diets. • Deposition of Vitamin E and A not affected by diet in breast meat. • Deposition of Vitamin E affected by diet on thigh meat. • Cholesterol deposition in muscles affected by levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

290 Vitamin C, iron and phosphorous deposition in eggs of pullets fed dietary supplement of vitamins C and D at the mid laying phase

Abstract The increasing demand for functional foods has heightened request for designer egg products. Supplementing poultry diets with vitamins may increase deposition of certain nutrients in the egg thus enhancing consumer’s health. Therefore, the deposition of vitamin C (VC), iron and phosphorous in eggs of hens fed dietary supplement of VC and vitamin D (VD) at the mid laying phase was assessed in this study. Bovan brown pullets (n = 576) aged 40 weeks were allotted to 12 treatments each replicated six times. A replicate comprised eight pullets. A basal diet was formulated and supplemented with three levels of VC (0, 300 and 600mg) and four levels of VD (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000IU) in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement and a completely randomized design. At week 46 (sixth week of feeding experimental diets), two eggs were randomly sampled from each replicate and immediately assayed for phosphorus, iron and VC. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of supplemental VC on the deposition of phosphorus, iron and VC in eggs. Similarly, phosphorus, iron and VC deposition in eggs of pullets on supplemental vitamin D were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Effect of Interaction of supplemental VC and VD was not significant (P > 0.05) on VC and iron deposition. However, phosphorus deposition in the egg differed significantly (P < 0.05) with varying combinations of VC and VD. Pullets on combined 600mg VC + 3000iu VD, 600mg VC + 1000iu VD and 300mg VC + 0iu VD supplementation recorded similar levels (P > 0.05) of 180.50, 180.60 and 178.67mg/100g phosphorous, respectively which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than other levels of combinations. Thus, dietary supplementation of VC and VD had no effect on deposition of VC and iron but enhanced pullets egg phosphorus deposition at the mid laying stage.

Oogenesis in teleosts: How fish eggs are formed

One of the major objectives of the aquaculture industry is the production of a large number of viable eggs with high survival. Major achievements have been made in recent years in improving protocols for higher efficiency of egg production and viability of progeny. Main gaps remain, however, in understanding the dynamic processes associated with oogenesis, the formation of an egg, from the time that germ cells turn into oogonia, until the release of ova during spawning in teleosts. Recent studies on primordial germ-cells, yolk protein precursors and their processing within the developing oocyte, the deposition of vitamins in eggs, structure and function of egg envelopes and oocyte maturation processes, further reveal the complexity of oogenesis. Moreover, numerous circulating endocrine and locally-acting paracrine and autocrine factors regulate the various stages of oocyte development and maturation. Though it is clear that the major regulators during vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation are the pituitary gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and sex steroids, the picture emerging from recent studies is of complex hormonal cross-talk at all stages between the developing oocyte and its surrounding follicle layers to ensure coordination of the various processes that are involved in the production of a fertilizable egg. In this review we aim at highlighting recent advances on teleost fish oocyte differentiation, maturation and ovulation, including those involved in the degeneration and reabsorption of ovarian follicles (atresia). The role of blood-borne and local ovarian factors in the regulation of the key steps of development reveal new aspects associated with egg formation.

Content of Phylloquinone and Menaquinone in the Tissues of Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus Fed Diets Containing Different Forms of Vitamin K.

The contents of vitamin K in the plasma and tissues (kidney, liver and gonad) of mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus fed diets supplemented with different vitamin K groups were determined. The vitamin K mainly detected in the gastrointestinal tract of each experimental group was the one supplemented in the respective diet, and all other forms of vitamin K were observed at low concentrations. This implies that the main vitamin K source for mummichog is their food. Further evidence that the main vitamin K source is the food is that the elevation of vitamin K concentrations in the plasma and other tissues in this experiment was brought about by vitamin K added to the feed. The phylloquinone-rich diet raised the phylloquinone concentration in the plasma and the tissues much higher than the diets supplemented with short and/or long chain menaquinones. This indicates that phylloquinone is more easily accumulated into the body of fish than the menaquinone homologues. There were apparent differences in absorption and deposition of vitamin K between females and males. This may be a factor in the high mortality in male mummichog during the spawning season but further clarification of the causes of the mortality is required.

Impaired deposition of vitamin E in lambs of two breeds fed a dry pelleted complete diet and its effects on meat quality

Vitamin E is an important nutrient for lambs and low levels in tissues as a result of either low intake, poor absorption or excessive utilisation results in myopathy (pale muscle). The causes of deficiency are incompletely understood, especially as it can occur when lambs are consuming good quality grass containing high levels of vitamin E. We now report an occurrence of low tissue levels of vitamin E in lambs of two breeds raised on complete dry pelleted rations and its effect on meat quality and fatty acid composition.96 male lambs, half Suffolk x Lleyn and half Scottish Blackface, with average live weights of 24 kg and 18kg respectively were individually penned and randomly allocated to one of 6 isoenergetic isonitrogenous diets based on dried grass, molassed sugar beet pulp, soya bean meal and molasses and containing two levels of vitamin E, 100 (low) and 500 (high) g/kg DM.

Vitamin E levels in superficial and intra-abdominal locations of white adipose tissue in the rat

Concentrations of RRR-α-tocopherol (vitamin E) were measured in white adipose tissue (WAT) from three superficial and three intra-abdominal locations of rats fed diets using low-, normal-, or high-vitamin E content for 3 months. Vitamin E levels in WAT were responsive ( P < 0.05) to the amount of the vitamin in the diet. Irrespective of treatment, superficial locations of adipose tissue accumulated four to six times more vitamin E than the intra-abdominal locations. Some of the rats in the low and high vitamin E diet were switched to the opposite diet and the repletion and depletion of the vitamin were monitored for 10, 20, and 30 days after the diet change. Thirty days after the change in diet, WAT from superficial and intra-abdominal locations did not respond during depletion. The deposition of vitamin E in all superficial locations was more rapid than in the intra-abdominal locations after the diet change from low vitamin E to high vitamin E.

Influence of dietary fat and vitamin E supplementation on α-tocopherol levels and fatty acid profiles in chicken muscle membranal fractions and on susceptibility to lipid peroxidation

Broiler chickens were fed a basal feed supplemented with 10% tallow or olive oil and varying levels of vitamin E (20 and 200 mg vitamin E/kg feed). The concentration of α-tocopherol in the membranes of breast and thigh muscles was significantly influenced by the α-tocopherol level in the feed (p < 0.001). Deposition of vitamin E was not influenced by the type of oil in the feed, except in the mitochondrial fraction of breast where the vitamin E concentration was higher in those fed olive oil than in those fed tallow ( p < 0.05). Dietary oil influenced the fatty acid composition of the muscle membranal fractions ( p < 0.001). The oxidative stability of the membranal fractions tended to increase with increasing concentrations of α-tocopherol in the membranal fractions. In conclusion, the supplementation of vitamin E appeared to enhance the stability of muscle to oxidation. Thus, incorporation of α-tocopherol into the membranes via dietary manipulation helped in stabilizing the membrane-bound lipids.

Gamma Irradiation and Interrelation of Dietary Vitamin A and Copper on their Deposition in the Liver of Swine

A study was made to determine whether dietary vitamin A had an effect on the level of deposition of Cu in liver; whether dietary Cu had an effect on the deposition of vitamin A in the liver; and whether whole-body gamma irradiation had any effect on the deposition of vitamin A and Cu in the liver of swine. Vitamin A unsupplemented pigs had only 2 to 3 N of vitamin A/g fresh weight of liver. High vitamin A values (116 to 122 IU/g) in the liver of supplemented pigs demonstrated the remarkable capacity of the liver to store vitamin A when it is present in the diet. Whole-body Co/sup 60/ irradiation with 630 r had no significant effect on the deposition of vitamin A in these tissues. Swine that received no supplemental vitamin A had a greater concentration of Cu in liver, and irradiation resulted in a greater deposition of Cu in the liver. However, dietary vitamin A and irradiation did not affect deposition of Cu in heart and gracilis muscle. Cu supplementation increased the level of vitamin A in liver, possibly on account of the effect of CuSO/sub 4/ in eradicating intestinal parasites. (TCO)

The Effect of Choline and Betaine on the Utilization of Carotene from Alfalfa Leaf Meal

ABSTRACT RECENTLY a number of reports have appeared in the literature concerning the effect of other nutrients on the utilization of carotene and vitamin A from various products by chicks. Evidence has been presented by Dam et al. (1952) showing that the presence of vitamin E in the diet increases the deposition of vitamin A in the livers of chicks. Kramke et al. (1952) showed that when chicks received a diet containing a suboptimal level of vitamin A activity in the form of alfalfa meal, growth was stimulated by adding crude soybean lecithin, defatted lecithin or crude soybean oil to the ration. These workers also found that turkeys were able to utilize carotene more effectively in the presence of wheat germ oil. Work has been presented by Potter et al. (1956) showing that diphenyl-p-phenylene-diamine (DPPD) increased the vitamin A and carotenoid content of the blood plasma and the liver of chicks . . .