DHA Ratio Research Articles

Effect of Different Salinities on the Biochemical Properties and Meat Quality of Adult Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) During Temporary Rearing.

Salinity is a significant environmental component that affects the physiological state of aquatic species. This study aimed to investigate whether water salinity had an impact on the biochemical properties and meat quality of adult Aplodinotus grunniens during temporary rearing of 7 days. Salinity caused increased osmotic pressure and antioxidant enzyme activities of Aplodinotus grunniens, which were attributed to the increase in the content of alanine and glutamate. It raised the hardness and shear force with an increase in salinity, leading to an increase in water-holding capacity. Salinity enhanced the DHA ratio with a decrease in the atherosclerotic index and thrombosis index. Combined with the increase in flavor amino acids and nucleotides, salinity enhanced the umami taste of Aplodinotus grunniens. These findings suggest that temporary rearing in salinity might be a practical approach to improving the meat quality of adult Aplodinotus grunniens.

Expression of LASS2 Can be Regulated by Dihydroartemisinin to Regulate Cisplatin Chemosensitivity in Bladder Cancer Cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of dihydroartemisinin to augment the efficacy of cisplatin chemotherapy through the modulation of LASS2 expression. TCMSP, CTR-DB, TCGA-BLC, and other databases were used to analyze the possibility of LASS2 as the target gene of dihydroartemisinin. Cell experiments revealed the synergistic effect of DDP and DHA. Animal experiments showed that DHA inhibited the growth of DDP-treated mice. In addition, WB, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that DHA enhanced LASS2 (CERS2) expression in bladder cancer cells and DDP-treated mice. LASS2 is associated with cisplatin chemosensitivity.LASS2 expression levels are different between BLC tissues and normal tissues. COX analysis showed that patients with high LASS2 expression had a higher cumulative overall survival rate than those with low LASS2 expression. The Sankey plot showed that LASS2 expression is lower in BLC tissues with more advanced stage and distant metastasis. The docking score of DHA and LASS2 reached the maximum value of -5.5259, indicating that DHA had a strong binding affinity with LASS2 targets. CCK8 assay showed that the most effective concentration ratio of DHA to DDP was 2.5μg/ml + 10μg/ml. In vivo experiments showed that DHA inhibited tumor growth in cisplatin-treated mice. In addition, WB, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that DHA was able to enhance LASS2 expression in BLC cells and DDP-treated mice. The upregulation of LASS2 (CERS2) expression in bladder cancer cells by DHA has been found to enhance cisplatin chemosensitivity.

Soil Carbon Storage, Enzymatic Stoichiometry, and Ecosystem Functions in Indian Himalayan Legume-Diversified Pastures

The influences of legume diversification on soil carbon (C) pools and sequestration, particularly in Himalayan pastureland, remain poorly understood. Moreover, the impact of legume diversification activities and the stoichiometry of soil enzymes in C biogeochemistry at the ecosystem level remains largely overlooked. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences of legume diversification on activities and the stoichiometry of soil enzymes and their control of C sequestration in pasturelands. Four experimental fertilized species combinations, namely, SG (50% Festuca arundinacea + 50% Dactylis glomerata), SGL1 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 50% Onobrychis viciifolia), SGL2 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 50% Trifolium pratense), SGL12 (25% Festuca arundinacea + 25% Dactylis glomerata + 25% Onobrychis viciifolia + 25% Trifolium pratense), and natural pasture (NG) were compared. Soils under SGL1, SGL2, and SG12 had ~18, 36, and 22% greater soil C than SG, respectively. Among the pastures with fertilization, the C mineralization was suppressed by legume diversification. C sequestration under SGL1, SGL2, and SG12 was ~27, 22, and 38% higher than SG, respectively, at the 0–30 cm soil layer. The ratios of DHA are as follows: for PhOX and DHA, PerOX significantly decreased with an increasing grass–legume mixture, suggesting greater C sequestration. PCA analysis revealed that C sequestration under legume diversification and enzymatic stoichiometry had an indirect but substantial impact on C sequestration. The increasing C sequestration under SGL12 was complemented by higher productivity. Data suggested that increasing legumes in pastureland might greatly enhance ecosystem functions such as soil C storage, productivity, ecorestoration efficiency, and biological activity in Indian Himalayan pastureland.

Dietary intake of different ratios of ARA/DHA in early stages and its impact on infant development.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) are essential in the development of infants. ARA and DHA from breast milk or infant formula are the main sources of access for infants to meet their physiological and metabolic needs. The ratio of ARA to DHA in breast milk varies among regions and different lactation stages. Different ratios of ARA and DHA mainly from algal oil, animal fat, fish oil, and microbial oil, are added to infant formula in different regions and infant age ranges. Supplementing with appropriate ratios of ARA and DHA during infancy promotes brain, neural, visual, and other development aspects. In this review, we first introduced the current intake status of ARA and DHA in different locations, lactation stages, and age ranges in breast milk and infant formula. Finally, we discussed the effect of different ratios of ARA and DHA on infant development. This review provided a comprehensive research basis for the nutritional research of infants who consume different ratios of ARA and DHA.

Dietary ARA, DHA, and Carbohydrate Ratios Affect the Immune Status of Gilthead Sea Bream Juveniles upon Bacterial Challenge.

This study aims to assess the effects of different dietary n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios and CHO content in the immune response of gilthead seabream. For that purpose, gilthead sea bream juveniles (initial body weight = 47.5 g) were fed for 84 days with four isoproteic (47% crude protein) and isolipidic (18% crude lipids) diets with high (20%) or low (5%) level of gelatinized starch (HS or LS diets, respectively) and included approximately 2.4% ARA or DHA. At the end of the trial, the DHA-enriched groups presented increased red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, plasmatic nitric oxide (NO) content, and antiprotease and alternative complement activities. The ARA groups had increased thrombocyte count, and plasmatic bactericidal activity against Vibrio anguillarum was lower in the fish fed the ARA/LS diet. After the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with an intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of killed Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp) and sampled at 4 and 24 h after the challenge. At 4 h after i.p., the ARA groups presented increased plasma total immunoglobulins (Ig) and bactericidal activity against V. anguillarum. In addition, the fish fed the ARA/LS diet presented lower white blood cell (WBC) and alternative complement activity. At 24 h after i.p., the ARA groups presented increased RBC, WBC, and thrombocyte numbers, total IG, plasma peroxidase activity, and casp3 expression in the distal intestine. The HS groups presented increased plasma NO content and bactericidal activity against Phdp and decreased protease, antiprotease activity, and bactericidal activity against V. anguillarum. In conclusion, high dietary DHA levels seemed to improve the immune status of unchallenged gilthead sea bream juveniles, while high dietary ARA levels improved the fish immune response to a bacterial challenge. The energy provided by dietary starch seems to be important to promote a fast response by the fish immune system after a challenge.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency from pre-pregnancy to lactation affects expression of genes involved in hippocampal neurogenesis of the offspring

Maternal n-3 PUFA (omega-3) deficiency can affect brain development in utero and postnatally. Despite the evidence, the impacts of n-3 PUFA deficiency on the expression of neurogenesis genes in the postnatal hippocampus remained elusive. Since postnatal brain development requires PUFAs via breast milk, we examined the fatty acid composition of breast milk and hippocampal expression of neurogenesis genes in n-3 PUFA deficient 21d mice. In addition, the expression of fatty acid desaturases, elongases, free fatty acids signaling receptors, insulin and leptin, and glucose transporters were measured. Among the genes involved in neurogenesis, the expression of brain-specific tenascin-R (TNR) was downregulated to a greater extent (∼31 fold), followed by adenosine A2A receptor (A2AAR), dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression in the n-3 PUFA deficient hippocampus. Increasing dietary LA to ALA (50:1) elevated the ARA to DHA ratio by ∼8 fold in the n-3 PUFA deficient breast milk, with an overall increase of total n-6/n-3 PUFAs by ∼15:1 (p<0.05) compared to n-3 PUFA sufficient (LA to ALA: 2:1) diet. The n-3 PUFA deficient mice exhibited upregulation of FADS1, FADS2, ELOVL2, ELOVL5, ELOVL6, GPR40, GPR120, LEPR, IGF1 and downregulation of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 mRNA expression in hippocampus (p<0.05). Maternal n-3 PUFA deficiency affects the hippocampal expression of key neurogenesis genes in the offspring with concomitant expression of desaturase and elongase genes, suggesting the importance of dietary n-3 PUFA for neurodevelopment.

AgDHAR2, a chloroplast-located dehydroascorbate reductase, modulates the ascorbate accumulation and drought stress response in celery

Celery is a vegetable crop with rich nutrition and economic value. It is easy to be affected by abiotic stress in its cultivation. Ascorbate (AsA) is considered as an important nutrient component in vegetable crops and an antioxidant for plants against abiotic stress. Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) is a critical enzyme involved in AsA recycling. The study on the characteristics and functions of DHAR in celery were limited to date. Here, we identified a gene, AgDHAR2, encoding dehydroascorbate reductase from celery. AgDHAR2 was a chloroplast-localized protein and belonged to the member of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) with conserved GST_N_3 and GST_C_2 domains. Transcript level of AgDHAR2 and the AsA accumulation in celery cvs. ‘Jinnan Shiqin’ and ‘Huangtaiji’ were induced under diverse stress conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and celery plants transformed with AgDHAR2 were generated to further investigate its role in AsA accumulation and drought stress response. Overexpression of AgDHAR2 in A. thaliana and celery led to elevated AsA contents and up-regulated AsA:DHA ratio. When subjected to drought stress, the progeny of transgenic A. thaliana plants hosting AgDHAR2 gene exhibited improved antioxidant-related genes expression, SOD and POD activities, proline accumulation and plant survival rates compared with wild-type plants, thereby showing higher drought tolerance. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that AgDHAR2 might contribute to enhanced drought tolerance through increasing AsA concentrations and maintaining redox state in celery.

Nutritional efficacy of Astaxanthin in modulating orexin peptides and fatty acid level during adult life of rats exposed to perinatal undernutrition stress

ABSTRACT Perinatal undernutrition stress predisposes several disorders in adult life, which could be programed using nutraceuticals. However, the effect of perinatal undernutrition stress on orexin peptides, brain lipids, and its amelioration by a potent antioxidant (Astaxanthin) needs exploration. The present study focussed on the effect of perinatal undernutrition stress on brain fatty acid levels, Orexin peptides A and B, and its amelioration by Astaxanthin. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were allocated to four groups (n = 6) as Normal, Perinatally Undernourished (UN), Astaxanthin treated (AsX, 12mg/kg), and perinatally Undernourished-but-Astaxanthin treated (UNA), and are allowed to grow for 1, 6 and 12 months. The fatty acid and orexin peptides A & B at different brain parts were measured and compared. Orexin peptides were assessed using an ELISA kit. Fatty acid levels were estimated using HP 5890 gas chromatograph. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s posthoc test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. The hair cortisol, Orexin-A, and B were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the UN group compared to normal and were modulated significantly by AsX in the UNA group. Undernutrition stress during the perinatal period altered the lipid profile, Total SFA, Total MUFA, Total n-3 PUFA, Total n-6 PUFA, n-3: n-6 PUFA, which Astaxanthin effectively modulated at 6 and 12 months of postnatal life. There was no difference between DHA and AA ratio. These results indicate that nutritional enrichment with Astaxanthin during the perinatal period positively contributes to adult health. Further, the mechanism of regulation of brain chemistry by Astaxanthin is warranted.

Dietary DHA and ARA level and ratio affect the occurrence of skeletal anomalies in pikeperch larvae (Sander lucioperca) through a regulation of immunity and stress related gene expression

Several causative factors have been proposed for the occurrence of skeletal anomalies in fish larvae, among which we quote nutritional factors, such as LC-PUFAs. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different dietary DHA and ARA level and ratio on pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larval development and performance, digestive capacity, fatty acids composition, skeleton anomalies and molecular markers of oxidative stress status (sod, gpx, and cat), stress response (StAR, gr, pparα, hsl and pepck), fatty acid synthesis (fadsd6, elovl5), eicosanoids synthesis (pla2, cox2, lox5, pge2, and lta4h), and bone development (twist, mef2c, sox9, and alp). Pikeperch larvae were fed six microdiets containing two different dietary levels of DHA (0.5% and 3.5%) combined with three levels of ARA (1.2%, 0.6%, and 0.3%). Dietary fatty acid changes did not affect growth performance but significantly influenced enzymatic activities. A significant increase in skeletal anomalies with DHA intake increment was recorded. StAR, cox2, pla2 and hsl expression were significantly depressed in 2.5% DHA larvae. An opposite effect of dietary DHA elevation was recorded in gpx expression. Both DHA and ARA had a significant effect on pparα, gr, and pge2 expressions. Although no significant interactions were found, pge2, gr, and pparα displayed a differential pattern of expression between the different treatments. A strong association was found for the larval tissue amount of ARA and DHA with eicosanoid metabolism, stress response and skeleton anomaly related genes. These results denoted the effects of dietary LC-PUFAs on immune/stress gene regulation and their potential implication in skeleton development.

Effect of alternate feeding with fish oil‐ and peanut oil‐based diets on the growth and fatty acid compositions of European seabass fingerlings ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) in the recirculated systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alternate feeding regime with fish oil- and peanut oil-based diets on fatty acid profiles and growth performances of European seabass fingerlings (Dicentrarchus labrax). Six trials were implemented; fish oil trial [C; continuously fed by diet with fish oil (FO)], peanut oil trial [P; continuously fed by diet with peanut oil (PO)], mixture oil trial (PC; continuously fed by diet containing both %50 FO and %50 PO), alternate cycled feeding three trials [(3P/3C; fish fed by diet with PO for 3 weeks and FO for the following 3 weeks), (3PC/3C; fish fed by diet with PC for 3 weeks and FO for following 3 weeks) and (9P/3C; fish fed by diet with P for 9 weeks and C for following 3 weeks)] for 12 weeks. Significantly higher SGR and the best FCR were detected in P and 3PC/3C and 9P/3C groups, respectively, compared with C group (p > 0.05). The lowest HSI and VSI were in the C group (p > 0.05). The highest crude protein was determined in 3P/3C group while protein ratios were higher in cycled fed groups than in the experimental groups (p > 0.05). The highest crude lipid were detected in P group (p > 0.05). The higher SFA level was detected in 9P/3C group (p < 0.05), whereas C group had the lowest content. While P group had the highest fillet MUFA content, which was predominantly made up of OA, the lowest MUFA was determined in the 3PC/3C and C groups. The highest LA was observed in C group (p < 0.05). The ArA was higher in the cycled fed groups than the diet groups. EPA, n-3 PUFA and n3/n6 rates were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cycled fed groups, compared with the diet groups. The DHA ratio was significantly lower in 9P/3C group compared with the other groups. Also, the lipid quality of the flesh was directly related to the EPA and DHA ratios, and a higher quality product was revealed at the end of cycled feeding with the low IA, IT and high FLQ and h/H values obtained. This study shows that cycled feeding regimes by diets including vegetables oil and FO may be used in European seabass culture.

Parenteral Fish-Oil Containing Lipid Emulsions Limit Initial Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Host Immune Responses in Preterm Pigs.

Multicomponent lipid emulsions are available for critical care of preterm infants. We sought to determine the impact of different lipid emulsions on early priming of the host and its response to an acute stimulus. Pigs delivered 7d preterm (n = 59) were randomized to receive different lipid emulsions for 11 days: 100% soybean oil (SO), mixed oil emulsion (SO, medium chain olive oil and fish oil) including 15% fish oil (MO15), or 100% fish oil (FO100). On day 11, pigs received an 8-h continuous intravenous infusion of either lipopolysaccharide (LPS—lyophilized Escherichia coli) or saline. Plasma was collected for fatty acid, oxylipin, metabolomic, and cytokine analyses. At day 11, plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels in the FO100 groups showed the highest increase in eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (0.1 ± 0.0 to 9.7 ± 1.9, p < 0.001), docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (day 0 = 2.5 ± 0.7 to 13.6 ± 2.9, p < 0.001), EPA and DHA-derived oxylipins, and sphingomyelin metabolites. In the SO group, levels of cytokine IL1β increased at the first hour of LPS infusion (296.6 ± 308 pg/mL) but was undetectable in MO15, FO100, or in the animals receiving saline instead of LPS. Pigs in the SO group showed a significant increase in arachidonic acid (AA)-derived prostaglandins and thromboxanes in the first hour (p < 0.05). No significant changes in oxylipins were observed with either fish-oil containing group during LPS infusion. Host priming with soybean oil in the early postnatal period preserves a higher AA:DHA ratio and the ability to acutely respond to an external stimulus. In contrast, fish-oil containing lipid emulsions increase DHA, exacerbate a deficit in AA, and limit the initial LPS-induced inflammatory responses in preterm pigs.

Levels of n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids in Maternal Erythrocytes during Pregnancy and in Human Milk and Its Association with Perinatal Mental Health

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 FA) status may be associated with mood disorders. Here, we evaluated the potential association between antenatal depression/anxiety and n-3/n-6 FA in (a) maternal erythrocytes and (b) human milk. In addition, we explored associations between n-3/n-6 FA in erythrocytes and in human milk and postpartum depression, while controlling for antenatal depression. Twenty-seven pregnant women diagnosed with a current major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 9), anxiety disorder (AD; n = 10) or a mixed anxiety-depression disorder (MADD; n = 8), and 40 healthy controls were included. n-3/n-6 FA were determined in maternal erythrocytes in gestational week 32 and in human milk in postpartum week 1. In the first week postpartum, the Edinburgh-Postnatal-Depression-Questionnaire was used to assess postpartum depression. Results show that women with M(A)DD had significantly lower erythrocyte levels of total n-3 FA, EPA, DHA and DGLA, and significantly higher n-6 DPA, and n-6:n-3, AA:EPA and n-6 DPA:DHA ratios compared to healthy controls. No significant associations between antenatal depression or anxiety and n-3/n-6 FA in human milk were found. After controlling for antenatal mental health, n-3/n-6 FA in maternal erythrocytes or in human milk were not significantly associated with postpartum depression. In conclusion, antenatal depression, alone or with an anxiety disorder, was associated with lower n-3 FA levels and higher n-6:n-3 FA ratios in maternal erythrocytes during gestation. This study provides some insights into the associations between n-3/n-6 FA levels during pregnancy and lactation and perinatal mental health.

Overexpression of SlMDHAR in transgenic tobacco increased salt stress tolerance involving S-nitrosylation regulation

Protein S-nitrosylation, which refers to the redox-based posttranslational modification of a cysteine thiol by the attachment of a nitric oxide (NO) group, modulates a variety of enzyme activities. Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) is essential for ascorbic acid (AsA) regeneration, which protects plant cells against damage by detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the relationship between S-nitrosylation and the role of tomato MDHAR (SlMDHAR) under salt stress remains unclear. In this paper, we show that the SlMDHAR mRNA expression, enzyme activity, protein level, total S-nitrosylated proteins and S-nitrosylated SlMDHAR protein level in tomato leaves significantly increase after NaCl treatment. To further evaluate the function of SlMDHAR under salt stress, overexpressed transgenic tobacco plants were used. The germination rate and root length of the overexpressed plants under NaCl stress were significantly higher than those of wild-type (WT) plants. Meanwhile, the transgenic plants had lower ROS accumulation, higher antioxidant enzyme activities and AsA–DHA ratio, more proline and soluble sugar contents than those in WT plants under salt stress. With a higher expression of stress-related genes, the transgenic plants demonstrated lower Na+ and higher K+ accumulation compared with WT plants. The NO accumulation and S-nitrosylated MDHAR level were higher in transgenic plants than in WT plants after NaCl treatment. In contrast, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of SlMDHAR tomato plants showed enhanced sensitivity to salt stress and have lower S-nitrosylated MDHAR protein. These results suggested that SlMDHAR confers salt stress tolerance by alleviating oxidative damage probably involving the S-nitrosylation of MDHAR.

The effects of broodstock generation on ova fatty acid profile in Giant Kokopu Galaxias argenteus

ABSTRACT The ability of different broodstock generations to provision lipids to their gametes is often overlooked in aquacultured freshwater fish. In this study we investigated the ability of two generations (F1 & F2) of Giant Kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) to provision fatty acids into their eggs. Here we show that eggs of captive-bred females (F2) displayed different relative fatty acid concentrations compared with eggs of females bred from wild fish (F1). F2 generation eggs showed significantly lower total mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) concentration, predominantly through lower C18:1(n−9) Oleic acid, and higher total poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentration, predominantly through higher 22:6(n−3) docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]. Furthermore, Oleic to n−3 fatty acid ratio, and Oleic to DHA ratio, both declined significantly from F1 to F2 generation. Our results suggest an elevated capacity of F2 females to provision better ratios of essential fatty acids during reproduction, most likely due to a transgenerational adaptive response, either to the fed diet or to a predictable laboratory environment. The findings of this study have important implications for aquaculture management in new captive freshwater species, particularly in aiding identification of more adapted broodstock generations.

Combined effect of n-3 fatty acids and phytosterol esters on alleviating hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of n-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA, at an EPA:DHA ratio of 150:500) and phytosterol esters (PS) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-six NAFLD subjects were randomly assigned to the following groups: the PS group (receiving 3·3 g/d PS); the FO group (receiving 450 mg EPA + 1500 mg DHA/d); the PS + FO combination group (receiving 3·3 g/d PS and 450 mg EPA + 1500 mg DHA/d) and the PO group (a placebo group). The baseline clinical characteristics of the four groups were similar. The primary outcome was liver:spleen attenuation ratio (L:S ratio). The percentage increase in liver-spleen attenuation (≤1) in the PS + FO group was 36 % (P = 0·083), higher than those in the other three groups (PS group, 11 %, P = 0·519; FO group, 18 %, P = 0·071; PO group, 15 %, P = 0·436). Compared with baseline, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was significantly decreased in the three study groups at the end of the trial (PS, P = 0·000; FO, P = 0·002; PS + FO, P = 0·001) and TNF-α was significantly decreased in the FO group (P = 0·036), PS + FO group (P = 0·005) and PO group (P = 0·032) at the end of the intervention. Notably, TGF-β was reduced significantly more in the PS + FO group than in the PO group (P = 0·032). The TAG and total cholesterol levels of the PS + FO group were reduced by 11·57 and 9·55 %, respectively. In conclusion, co-supplementation of PS and EPA + DHA could increase the effectiveness of treatment for hepatic steatosis.

Subclinical Mastitis in a European Multicenter Cohort: Prevalence, Impact on Human Milk (HM) Composition, and Association with Infant HM Intake and Growth.

Background: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an inflammatory condition of the mammary gland. We examined the effects of SCM on human milk (HM) composition, infant growth, and HM intake in a mother–infant cohort from seven European countries. Methods: HM samples were obtained from 305 mothers at 2, 17, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days postpartum. SCM status was assessed using HM Sodium (Na): Potassium (K) ratio >0.6. Levels of different macro- and micronutrients were analyzed in HM. Results: SCM prevalence in the first month of lactation was 35.4%. Mean gestational age at delivery was lower and birth by C-section higher in SCM mothers (p ≤ 0.001). HM concentrations of lactose, DHA, linolenic acid, calcium, and phosphorous (p < 0.05 for all) was lower, while total protein, alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, albumin, arachidonic acid to DHA ratio, n-6 to n-3 ratio and minerals (iron, selenium, manganese, zinc, and copper) were higher (p < 0.001 for all) in mothers with SCM. There were no differences in infant growth and HM intake between non-SCM and SCM groups. Conclusion: We document, for the first time, in a large European standardized and longitudinal study, a high prevalence of SCM in early lactation and demonstrate that SCM is associated with significant changes in the macro- and micronutrient composition of HM. Future studies exploring the relation of SCM with breastfeeding behaviors and developmental outcomes are warranted.

Interpretations of Elemental and Microbial Phosphorus Indicators to Understand P Availability in Soils Under Rice–Wheat Cropping System

In order to address the scarcity of phosphorus nutrient reserves and the variations usually observed in the P nutrient storage in soils, a long-term experiment was targeted to assess the impact of integrated fertilizer schedule on soil phosphorus pools and ecophysiological ratios of phosphorus element. P-related soil enzymes like acid phosphatase activity and alkaline phosphatase activity were improved by 6.53–15.93% and 6.14–11.41%, respectively, over the recommended dose of fertilization. Addition of FYM recorded highest DHA (45.24 µg TPF released g−1 dry soil h−1) followed by wheat straw (41.25 µg TPF released g−1 dry soil h−1) and green manure (38.98 µg TPF released g−1 dry soil h−1). Integrated fertilizer schedule improved the microbial biomass phosphorus content by 8.97–29.72% as compared to 100% recommended dose through mineral fertilizer. In the integrated system, only 5–7% of the organic phosphorus was ascribed to microbial biomass, reflecting the accumulation of organic P forms. Higher ratio of DHA (0.20) and pyrophosphatase (0.23) to microbial C in integrated treatments confirmed that the enzyme activities were from extracellular enzymes released by microorganisms. The lower ratios of alkaline or acid phosphatase to pyrophosphatase indicate domination of phosphomonoesters in the P pools. These ratios are important to understand the P availability in soil systems especially under the integrated fertilization schedule.

Trophic Interactions of Mesopelagic Fishes in the South China Sea Illustrated by Stable Isotopes and Fatty Acids

As the most abundant fishes and the least investigated components of the open ocean ecosystem, mesopelagic fishes play an important role in biogeochemical cycles and hold potentially huge fish resources. There are major gaps in our knowledge of their biology, adaptations and trophic dynamics and even diel vertical migration (DVM). Here we present evidence of the variability of ecological behaviours (migration and predation) and trophic interactions among various species of mesopelagic fishes collected from the South China Sea indicated by isotopes (δ13C, δ15N), biomarker tools (fatty acids (FAs), and compound- specific stable isotope analysis of FAs (CSIA)). Higher lipid contents of migrant planktivorous fishes were observed with average values of 35%, while others ranged from 22 to 29.5%. These high lipids contents limit the application of 13Cbulk (bulk–tissue 13C) as diet indicator; instead 13Cextraction (the lipid extracted 13C) values were applied successfully to reflect dietary sources. The δ15N values of non-migrant planktivorous and piscivorous fishes varied in a narrow range (10.0 to 10.8‰). This small difference may be caused by the low temperature in deep ocean, which results in low metabolic rates of nitrogen. The piscivorous fishes had higher FA ratios of DHA (22:6n-3)/EPA (20:5n-3) than planktivorous fishes, which mirrored their potential carnivory. CSIA can reveal small changes in biochemical composition and distinguishes between possible dietary sources such as between the non-migrant piscivorous and the semi-migrant piscivorous fishes with significantly different δ13C values of the 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 FAs (p<0.01). Mesopelagic fishes exhibit complex trophic interactions revealed by molecular and CSIA tools and play a vital role in the marine “biological pump”. This knowledge is important to comprehensively evaluate the role of mesopelagic fishes in global carbon budgets.

Effects of grapeVitis viniferaseed oil supplementation on growth, survival, fatty acid profiles, antioxidant contents and blood parameters in rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss

In this study, effects of grape Vitis vinifera seed oil supplementation (0, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1,000 mg/kg feed) for 60 days on rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss juveniles were investigated. The average final fish weights were not different between the control group and 500 mg/kg feed group (p > .05), but 250 mg/kg feed group were lower than those of the control group, and 1,000 mg/kg feed group were higher than those of the control group. Although the SFA, MUFA and n3 ratios of the control group were higher than that of the other groups, no statistical difference was found. The highest fatty acids in the fish were palmitic acid C 16: 0 in the SFA group and C 18: 1n-9 and docosahexaenoic acid C 22: 6n-3 in the PUFA group. The EPA ratio was significantly increased in all groups compared with the control group. The DHA ratio was significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental groups, and there was no difference between the experimental groups. Urea were significantly lower in the 250 mg/kg feed group. Total protein and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly increased in the 1,000 mg/kg feed group. Only the 1,000 mg/kg feed group showed an increase in antioxidant activities, and this concentration also yielded positive results in terms of growth performance, survival rates, fatty acid composition and antioxidant enzyme activities in rainbow trout juvenile and can be used as a natural feed additive.

The nutritional value of live and concentrated micro-algae for early juveniles of sandfish, Holothuria scabra

Information on the nutritional requirements and preferred diets of sea cucumber juveniles is extremely limited and this has hindered development of hatchery culture methods. This study assessed ingestion, cell wall digestion and relative nutritional values of two live micro-algae (Isochrysis aff. galbana (TISO) and Chaetoceros muelleri) and six concentrated micro-algae products (Instant Algae®, Reed Mariculture Inc.) for early juveniles of sandfish, Holothuria scabra. Seven of the eight micro-algae tested were ingested by juveniles with the exception of live TISO. Faeces excretion times varied between ingested diets that passed through the juvenile gut in less than 1h. The cell walls of five of the eight micro-algae tested were partially or mostly digested (Chaetoceros muelleri, TW1200®, Palova 1800®, Isochrysis 1800® and Shellfish 1800®), while the cell walls of Tetraselmis 3600® and 3H 1800® remained intact. Juvenile growth rates were significantly different between diet treatments over the duration of a 14day growth trial. Mean (±SE) length of early juveniles at the end of the growth trial was highest for those fed live C. muelleri (4.10±0.03mm) followed by TW 1200® (3.49±0.05mm). Juvenile survival did not differ significantly between diet treatments and was highest for those fed C. muelleri (79.33±6.11%) followed by TW1200® (78.33±1.20%). Pearson's correlation tests were used to identify key correlations between the levels of specific nutrients and juvenile performance (growth and survival). A significant positive correlation between growth and dietary protein content (P<0.05), and a highly significant positive correlation between growth and dietary EPA:DHA ratio (P<0.01) provide new information to inform diet selection for juvenile sandfish that will help improve juvenile performance and support improved hatchery production. Use of commercially available micro-algae concentrates as a replacement for live micro-algae in sandfish hatcheries supports development of cheaper, simpler post settlement rearing protocols for this species.