Levels Of Dietary Vitamin Research Articles

Interactions of dietary vitamin C and proline on growth performance, anti-oxidative capacity and muscle quality of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary proline and vitamin C, and their interactions on growth performance, anti-oxidative capacity and muscle quality of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea (initial body weight: 150.83 ± 3.81 g). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets from a 2 × 2 factorial design were formulated with two levels of vitamin C (50 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) and two levels of proline (0 and 0.6%), respectively. The results showed that dietary supplementation of proline significantly improved the growth performance regardless of dietary vitamin C levels (p < .05). Significant interactions between dietary vitamin C and proline were found in muscle quality (p < .05). Liquid loss and water loss of muscle significantly decreased with dietary proline supplementation at lower level of dietary vitamin C, while the pH, hardness, and contents of alkaline-soluble hydroxyproline, total collagen and pyridinium crosslink of muscle significantly increased (p < .05). Dietary supplementations of vitamin C and proline significantly increased the activity of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in muscle (p < .05), even though no significant interaction between dietary vitamin C and proline was found (p > .05). Activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 of muscle significantly increased with dietary vitamin C supplementation regardless of dietary proline level (p < .05). Significant interactions between dietary vitamin C and proline were found in anti-oxidative capacity of muscle (p < .05). Dietary supplementation of proline significantly increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase in muscle at higher level of dietary vitamin C (p < .05). The present study indicated that dietary vitamin C and proline had synergistic effects on muscle quality and anti-oxidative capacity of large yellow croaker.

Vitamin E and Mortality in Male Smokers of the ATBC Study: Implications for Nutritional Recommendations.

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)-monograph (USA/Canada) states that the estimated average requirement (EAR) of vitamin E for men and women of any age is 12 mg/day. The EAR value is based on in vitro hemolysis in young males; a surrogate endpoint without any direct validity. The EAR is then extrapolated to females and older males. The validity of the EAR level is therefore questionable. Total mortality is an outcome of direct clinical relevance. Investigating the effect of long-term dietary vitamin E intake level on mortality in a randomized trial is, however, not feasible. Nevertheless, the effect of dietary vitamin E intake can be investigated indirectly from the effects of a fixed-level vitamin E supplement administered to participants on variable levels of dietary vitamin E intake. If vitamin E intake below the EAR is harmful, then vitamin E supplement should be beneficial to those people who have dietary vitamin E intake level below the EAR. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between dietary vitamin E intake and the effect of 25 mg/day of vitamin E supplement on total mortality in Finnish male smokers aged 50–69 years in the Alpha-Tocopherol-Beta-Carotene (ATBC) Study. The effect of vitamin E supplement was estimated by Cox regression. Among participants who had dietary vitamin C intake of 90 mg/day and above, vitamin E supplement increased mortality by 19% (p = 0.006) in those aged 50–62 years, but decreased mortality by 41% (p = 0.0003) in those aged 66–69 years. No association between vitamin E supplement effect and dietary vitamin E intake was found in these two groups, nor in participants who had dietary vitamin C intake less than 90 mg/day. There is no evidence in any of the analyzed subgroups that there is a difference in the effect of the 25 mg/day vitamin E supplement on males on dietary vitamin E intakes below vs. above the EAR of 12 mg/day. This analysis of the ATBC Study found no support for the ‘estimated average requirement' level of 12 mg/day of vitamin E for older males.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT00342992.

Short communication: dietary vitamin A restriction may improve meat quality parameters in fat-tailed lambs

Thirty fat-tailed Mehraban ram lambs were randomly allotted into three vitamin A (VA) dietary treatment groups: either 100 (VA100), 50 (VA50), or 25% (VA25) of the recommended daily vitamin A requirements. Treatment had no effect on feed intake, daily live weight gain, cold carcass weight, and dressing percentage. In M. longissimus lumborum (LL) of VA100 lambs, malondialdehyde level was greater, but ether-extractable intramuscular fat concentration was lower. The proportion of C16:0 and C20:0 fatty acids in total fatty acids of LL was lower in VA100 lambs, compared to VA50 and VA25 lambs. Conversely, greater proportions of C17:0, C17:1, C18:1, and C18:2 fatty acids were recorded in VA100 lambs. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity index (the ratios of C16:0 to C16:1 and C18:0 to C18:1) was not influenced by dietary vitamin A level. Future research is needed to determine the optimum level of dietary vitamin A concentration for deposition of greater intramuscular fat in fat-tailed sheep.

Increased vitamin supplement to sows, piglets and finishers and the effect in productivity

With still limited information on vitamin requirements and considering that many commercial practices adopt dietary vitamin levels above the values suggested by nutritional tables, this study aimed to assess the effect of administering vitamin supplementation to sows in gestation and lactation and to their litters on the reproductive performance and body condition of the sows and on the performance and immune profile of the litters until slaughter. The trial was split into two phases. The first phase used 104 sows, assigned to be randomized to blocks according to parity, submitted until 21 days of lactation to two treatments: control–standard (standard levels of vitamins) and test–elevated (elevated levels of vitamins). Each sow and its respective farrow were considered an experimental unit. The sows underwent evaluations of body condition score, back fat thickness and reproductive performance. In the second phase, 60 barrows and 60 gilts at 21 days of age and mean initial weight of 5.33 ± 1.5 kg until slaughter at 164 days of age. The piglets were assigned to randomized blocks according to the weight and sex of the animals in a 2 × 2 factorial model, with 10 replicates per treatment, where a pen with three animals represented the experimental unit. Following the same treatments of the first phase, the piglets were evaluated for daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion, mortality rate and humoral immune response. Vitamin supplementation had no positive effects on the reproductive parameters or body composition of sows. However, it positively impacted the performance of the litters in the early nursery stage, but did not lead to superior effects on the immune responses to vaccination against circovirus or mycoplasma.

Effects of different dietary levels of vitamin E supplementation on the growth and ovarian development of Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus

Vitamin E is one of the most important micronutrients that influence the performance of fish reproduction. The experiment was carried out for 3 months in aquarium with recirculation facilities in the wet laboratory adjacent to the Faculty of Fisheries, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to observe the effects of different dietary level of vitamin E on growth and gonadal development of Anabus testudineus. One and half months aged 300 A. testudineus were stocked and divided into five treatments each having three replicates. The fish were fed with feed having different levels of vitamin E viz. O mg (as control), 50 mg, 100mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg vitamin 0 E/kg feed as treatment-1 to treatment-5, respectively. Fish fed with 50 mg vitamin E/kg feed (under T2) showed highest (9.12±0.23 g) weight gain in terms of body growth while fishes treated with 0 mg vitamin E kg-1 feed (under Ti) gave the poorest result (6.85±1.32 g). There was no significant difference (p&gt;0.005) between the treatment groups. Gonado-somatic index (%) was highest (0.696±0.44) in fish treated with 100 mg vitamin E/kg feed (under T3) while 400 mg vitamin E/kg (under Ts) showed the poorest effect (0.311±0.03). No significant difference (p&gt;0.005) was found between the treatment groups. The results of this experiment suggest that inclusion of 100 mg vitamin E/kg feed is the best dose for enhancing gonadal development of A. testudineus. The findings indicate that vitamin E content may have a positive impact on gonadal development of this species. The present results also imply that inclusion of higher level of vitamin E exerts an antagonistic effect in terms of growth and gonadal development of this species.

Effects of dietary vitamin levels on physiological responses, blood profiles, and reproductive performance in gestating sows.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin levels on physiological responses, blood profiles, and reproductive performance in gestating sows. A total of 52 F1 multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) with an average body weight of 223.5 ± 31.7 kg, an average parity of 6.4 ± 2.7, and an average backfat thickness of 18.5 ± 4.9 mm were divided into four treatment groups considering body weight, backfat thickness, and parity in a completely randomized design with 13 replicates. The treatments were 100% (V1), 300% (V3), 600% (V6) and 900% (V9) of the National Research Council (NRC) Nutrient Requirements of Swine. The gestation diet was formulated based on corn-soybean meal (SBM) and contained 3,265 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg and 12.00% crude protein. During the lactation period, all sows were fed the same commercial lactation diet. There was no significant difference in body weight of gestating sows. However backfat thickness tended to increase when higher levels of vitamins were provided to gestating sows (p < 0.10). When high levels of dietary vitamins were provided, the body weight change of lactating sows increased (p < 0.01). When sows were fed higher levels of vitamins, the feed intake of lactating sows tended to decrease (p = 0.06). There were no treatment differences in the number of total born, born alive, stillbirth piglets, or the body weight of piglets according to different dietary vitamin level. As dietary vitamin level increased, the serum concentration of 25(OH)D3 in sows at 90 days of gestation linearly increased (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the serum vitamin E level of gestating sows was linearly increased with increasing dietary vitamin level (p < 0.05). The current NRC vitamin requirements are sufficient for gestating sows and higher levels of vitamins in the gestation diet did not show any beneficial effects for gestating and lactating sows.

Abstract 626: Association of circulating vitamin D concentrations with colorectal cancer risk differs depending on inherited genotypes in combination with dietary lifestyle factors

Abstract Higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH)D] concentrations - used clinically to assess vitamin D status - are inversely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, it remains unknown whether this association varies by common, inherited polymorphisms encoding common vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) isoforms linked to differences in vitamin D handling and metabolism. We pooled participant-level data from three prospective cohorts in the United States (Cancer Prevention Study-II [CPS-II], Nurses’ Health Study [NHS]) and Western Europe (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition [EPIC]), comprising 1,710 incident CRC cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2011, and 1,649 matched controls selected using incidence density sampling. There were 1,106, 246 and 358 CRC cases in EPIC, CPS-II and NHS, respectively. Pre-diagnostic 25(OH)D measurements were calibrated to the same assay and seasonally-adjusted. Study-specific relative risks (RRs) for 25(OH)D and CRC risk according to DBP2 isoform (determined by the GC rs4588 variant) were estimated using multivariable unconditional logistic regression and pooled using fixed effects models. We also stratified our models by dietary vitamin D intake to account for differences in fortification/supplementation in the US and Europe. Variation in 25(OH)D concentrations across studies reflected differences in vitamin D intake and supplement use. Among individuals with lower vitamin D intakes (≤ 330 IU/day), for each 25 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, CRC risk was 30% lower among those with the DBP2 isoform (RR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.59-0.83), and 5% lower among those without DBP2 (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.82-1.10) (Pheterogeneity by DBP isoform = 0.009). Among individuals with higher vitamin D intakes (&amp;gt;330 IU/day, CPS-II and NHS only), for each 25 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D, CRC risk was 18% higher among those with DBP2 (RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.82-1.10), and 33% lower among those without the DBP2 isoform (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.53-0.85) (Pheterogeneity by DBP isoform = 0.002). These findings suggest that the association of 25(OH)D with CRC risk differs depending on inheritance of the functional DBP2 isoform in combination with levels of dietary vitamin D intake. &amp;lt;!–EndFragment–&amp;gt; Citation Format: David C. Gibbs, Marjorie L. McCullough, Mingyang Song, Caroline Y. Um, Kana Wu, Mazda Jenab, Edward Giovannucci, Roberd M. Bostick, Veronika Fedirko. Association of circulating vitamin D concentrations with colorectal cancer risk differs depending on inherited genotypes in combination with dietary lifestyle factors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 626.

Effects of dietary fat source, breed and vitamin E level on lipid oxidation of muscles from sheep

The effects of diet and levels of dietary vitamin E on lipid oxidation were assessed in lambs in this study. Groups of Suffolk x Lleyn and Scottish Blackface male lambs were fed dietary lipid supplements containing either Megalac (C16:0), or one of two sources of n-3 PUFA: linseed which has a high content of C18:3 n-3, which had been treated with formaldehyde to aid rumen bypass and a mixture of formaldehyde treated linseed plus fish oil to provide EPA and DHA. The diets were based on dried grass had similar levels of fat (60g/kg DM). Vitamin E was included as α-tocopherol acetate at 100 and 500 mg/kg, for the low and high vitamin E diets, respectively. The six dietary treatments were: Megalac with low vitamin E, (ML); Megalac with high vitamin E, (MH); Protected linseed with low vitamin E, (LL); Protected linseed with high vitamin E, (LH); Protected linseed plus fish oil (linfish) with low vitamin E, (LFL); Protected linseed plus fish oil mixture (linfish) with high vitamin E, (LFH). At approximately half of the mature live weight for each breed, animals were slaughtered. This was on average 46 kg for the Suffolk and 36 kg for the Scottish Blackface. The meat from supplemented animals increased susceptibility to lipid oxidation in high PUFA in meat resulted from poor deposition of dietary vitamin E supplements.

Effect of dietary level of vitamin E on growth performance, antioxidant ability, and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus challenge in yellow drum Nibea albiflora

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to establish the optimal dietary vitamin E requirement for juvenile yellow drum (Nibea albiflora). Fish (initial weight 32.32 ± 0.26 g) were fed six diets containing graded levels of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg kg−1). The levels of dietary vitamin E, analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, were 4.0, 15.4, 36.2, 69.4, 137.9 and 292.7 mg vitamin E kg−1 diet. Weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly higher in fish fed the 69.4 mg kg−1 diet than in fish fed the 4.0 mg kg−1 diet. Among all diet treatments, the feed conversion ratio was the lowest and the protein efficiency ratio was the highest in fish fed the 69.4 mg kg−1 diet. The whole-body lipid content of fish fed the 292.7 mg kg−1 diet was significantly lower than that of fish fed the 4.0 mg kg−1 diet. Liver vitamin E concentration increased with dietary vitamin E levels up to 137.9 mg kg−1 diet, and plateaued thereafter. Fish fed the 36.2 mg kg−1 diet had significantly higher serum superoxide dismutase activity than fish fed the 137.9 mg kg−1 diet. The level of serum malondialdehyde was significantly lower in fish fed the 36.2 mg kg−1 diet than in fish fed the 4.0 mg kg−1 diet; fish fed the 292.7 mg kg−1 diet had significantly higher lysozyme activity than fish fed the 4.0–69.4 mg kg−1 diets. Subsequently, a challenge test by injection of Vibrio alginolyticus showed significantly higher cumulative mortality among fish fed the 292.7 mg kg−1 diet as compared with those fed the 15.4–69.4 mg kg−1 diets. This study demonstrated that proper dietary vitamin E could enhance growth performance, antioxidant status, and ability against bacterial infection in yellow drum juveniles. A broken-line model of percent weight gain indicated the optimal vitamin E requirement for juvenile yellow drum is 68.75 mg kg−1.

Appearance of systemic granulomatosis is modulated by the dietary supplementation of vitamin E and C in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) larvae fed inert microdiets

Systemic granulomatosis has already been reported in meagre larvae with an adequate feeding protocol and enrichment media preventing its appearance in the first weeks of life. Afterwards, the control of this disease could be prevented through nutritional components of the inert food, being the antioxidants the key to success. For this reason, in the present study, meagre larvae were reared from 30 days post hatching (dph) with five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental microdiets with different levels of vitamin E and C: C– (40 mg kg−1 E, 100 mg kg−1C), C+ (400 mg kg−1 E, 1000 mg kg−1C), Krill (400 mg kg−1 E, 1000 mg kg−1C and substitution of fish oil by krill oil), EC (200 mg kg−1 E, 500 mg kg−1C) and EECC (800 mg kg−1 E, 2000 mg kg−1C). Prior to this, larvae were co-fed with rotifers and Artemia following a protocol which prevented the appearance of granulomas, as previously demonstrated. The substitution of fish oil by krill oil significantly increased levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 16.6%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 17.6%) in meagre, consequently increasing the peroxidation index, which in turn translated into a higher incidence of granulomas. Although even low levels of vitamin E and C (40 mg kg−1 E, 100 mg kg−1C; C-) allowed the adequate growth of larvae, these levels were not enough to prevent the appearance of granulomas, requiring superior levels of both antioxidant vitamins (800 mg kg−1 E and 2000 mg kg−1C) to mitigate systemic granulomatosis. This mitigation was simultaneous with the reduction of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances TBARs content in larvae, which were highly correlated with the appearance of granulomas (R2 = 0.892, y = 0.0446× + 0.0756). A strong negative correlation was observed between the dietary levels of vitamin E (y = −0.0098× + 11.174, R2 = 0.8766, p value = .019, r = −0.93) and vitamin C (y = −0.0022× + 6.4777, R2 = 0.9278, p value = .003, r = −0.96) and the percentage of larvae with granulomas. The results showed that the occurrence of systemic granulomatosis seems to be associated to the larvae peroxidation status, so that high dietary levels of vitamin E and C (800 and 2000 mg kg−1, respectively; Diet EECC), reduced lipid peroxidation and completely prevented the appearance of granulomas in meagre larvae at 44 dph.

Effects on meat quality and black bone incidence of elevated dietary vitamin levels in broiler diets challenged with aflatoxin

Vitamins play an essential role in broiler nutrition. They are fundamental for normal metabolic and physiological process, and their requirements for poultry are not fixed and can be affected by multiple factors. In contrast, mycotoxins are a challenging issue because they hinder performance and the immune system. Vitamin supplementation above minimum requirements would permit improvement in productive potential, health, bone and meat quality in a situation of mycotoxin challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of optimum vitamin nutrition in diets contaminated with aflatoxin in broilers from 1 to 44 days of age. A total of 1800 Cobb 500 male chicks were randomized to 15 sets of eight treatment groups, each containing 15 birds using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design (commercial vitamin levels and high vitamin levels, two levels of aflatoxin – 0 and 0.5 ppm with binder levels of 0 and 10 000 mg/kg). The mash diets were corn and soybean meal based, formulated according to commercial practices. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were analyzed for birds from 1 to 44 days of age. To determine carcass characteristics (carcass yield, breast yield and leg yield) and black bone syndrome, two birds were slaughtered from each group at 45 days. Other analyses included breast tenderness, water loss by dripping and malonaldehyde concentrations. The results demonstrated that broilers that were fed high levels of vitamins showed better weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and breast yield than broilers that were fed diets with commercial vitamin levels (P < 0.05); also, broilers that were fed diets containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin had lower weight gain, carcass yield and breast yield (P < 0.05). The use of 10 000 mg/kg of binder improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion throughout the rearing period. We conclude that aflatoxin negatively affects performance and carcass yield; however, feeding optimum vitamin nutrition improved these performance traits.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on α-tocopherol status and tissue antioxidants in American minks ( Neovison vison )

The α-tocopherol (TCP) state as well as enzymatic (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT]) and nonenzymatic (reduced glutathione [GSH] and retinol) antioxidants in tissues of American minks (Neovison vison) given various levels of dietary vitamin E were examined. Three groups of farm-bred minks received different amounts of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (10 mg/kg diet, control; 30 and 110 mg/kg diet, treatments denoted as E30 and E110, respectively) for 14 days in November. The TCP content was raised substantially in the kidneys and reduced in the livers of minks in the E110 group. The action of the 2 vitamin E doses on antioxidants was similar. The treatments resulted in lower hepatic and kidney retinol levels and hepatic and skeletal muscle SOD, as well as hepatic CAT activities, higher heart SOD activity, and higher kidney GSH content in comparison to the control group. The present results show that dietary vitamin E intake over 2 weeks considerably changed the TCP status of the liver and kidneys and had tissue-specific action on measured antioxidants in minks. With the exception of the heart SOD activity, the additional intake of vitamin E reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and augmented the GSH level, indicating an enhancement in the nonenzymatic part of the antioxidant network.

Association of rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in vitamin D binding protein gene with colorectal cancer risk and survival: effect modification by dietary vitamin D intake

BackgroundThe rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in the vitamin D binding protein gene is associated with lower circulating levels of vitamin D. We investigated associations of this SNP with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival and whether the associations vary by dietary vitamin D intake and tumor molecular phenotype.MethodsA population-based case-control study identified 637 incident CRC cases (including 489 participants with follow-up data on mortality end-points) and 489 matched controls. Germline DNA samples were genotyped with the Illumina Omni-Quad 1 Million chip in cases and the Affymetrix Axiom® myDesign™ Array in controls. Logistic regression examined the association between the rs2282679 polymorphism and CRC risk with inclusion of potential confounders. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox models assessed the polymorphism relative to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).ResultsThe rs2282679 polymorphism was not associated with overall CRC risk; there was evidence, however, of effect modification by total vitamin D intake (Pinteraction = 0.019). Survival analyses showed that the C allele was correlated with poor DFS (per-allele HR, 1.36; 95%CI, 1.05–1.77). The association of rs2282679 on DFS was limited to BRAF wild-type tumors (HR, 1.58; 95%CI, 1.12–2.23). For OS, the C allele was associated with higher all-cause mortality among patients with higher levels of dietary vitamin D (HR, 2.11; 95%CI, 1.29–3.74), calcium (HR, 1.93; 95%CI, 1.08–3.46), milk (HR, 2.36; 95%CI, 1.26–4.44), and total dairy product intakes (HR, 2.03; 95%CI, 1.11–3.72).ConclusionThe rs2282679 SNP was not associated with overall CRC risk, but may be associated with survival after cancer diagnosis. The association of this SNP on survival among CRC patients may differ according to dietary vitamin D and calcium intakes and according to tumor BRAF mutation status.

Effects of graded levels of dietary vitamin E on striped surubimPseudoplatystoma reticulatum

Effects of graded levels of dietary vitamin E on striped surubim<i>Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum</i>

Effects of the different levels of dietary vitamin D on boar performance and semen quality

Vitamin D plays a major role primarily in bone mineral homeostasis; however, the action of vitamin D on male reproduction of boars remains unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin D3 supplementation on reproductive performance of boars. Twenty-four Yorkshire boars with eighteen months were randomly allocated to one of three vitamin D3 levels diets: 200 IU/kg (C), 2000 IU/kg (T1) and 4000 IU/kg (T2) of vitamin D3 for a 16-week period. Results showed that sperm motility, effective sperm number per ejaculate, acrosome intactness ratio, and membrane intactness ratio in T1 group were significantly higher than those in C group. The sperm membrane intactness ratio was higher in T1 group than in T2 group, whereas the deformity ratio was significantly lower in T1 than in C and T2 groups. Dietary supplementation with vitamin D3 significantly increased 25-OHD3 concentration in the blood and seminal plasma, but there was no significant difference in its concentration in the seminal plasma between T1 and T2 groups. The concentrations of blood testosterone and aromatase activity increased following vitamin D supplementation. Seminal plasma Ca2+, fructose concentration, and acid phosphatase activity were higher in T1 group than in C group, but not significantly different from the corresponding values in T2 group. Furthermore, expression of CYP19, CYP24A1, and VDR mRNAs in sperm was up-regulated in T1 group compared to that in C group. In conclusion, supplementation of boar diets with 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 increased the sperm motility and effective sperm number, which was in line with the elevated concentrations of vitamin D, hormone secretion and gene expression.

The effect of vitamin concentrates on the flavor of pasteurized fluid milk

Fluid milk consumption in the United States continues to decline. As a result, the level of dietary vitamin D provided by fluid milk in the United States diet has also declined. Undesirable flavor(s)/off flavor(s) in fluid milk can negatively affect milk consumption and consumer product acceptability. The objectives of this study were to identify aroma-active compounds in vitamin concentrates used to fortify fluid milk, and to determine the influence of vitamin A and D fortification on the flavor of milk. The aroma profiles of 14 commercial vitamin concentrates (vitamins A and D), in both oil-soluble and water-dispersible forms, were evaluated by sensory and instrumental volatile compound analyses. Orthonasal thresholds were determined for 8 key aroma-active compounds in skim and whole milk. Six representative vitamin concentrates were selected to fortify skim and 2% fat pasteurized milks (vitamin A at 1,500-3,000 IU/qt, vitamin D at 200-1,200 IU/qt, vitamin A and D at 1,000/200-6,000/1,200 IU/qt). Pasteurized milks were evaluated by sensory and instrumental volatile compound analyses and by consumers. Fat content, vitamin content, and fat globule particle size were also determined. The entire experiment was done in duplicate. Water-dispersible vitamin concentrates had overall higher aroma intensities and more detected aroma-active compounds than oil-soluble vitamin concentrates. Trained panelists and consumers were able to detect flavor differences between skim milks fortified with water-dispersible vitamin A or vitamin A and D, and unfortified skim milks. Consumers were unable to detect flavor differences in oil-soluble fortified milks, but trained panelists documented a faint carrot flavor in oil-soluble fortified skim milks at higher vitamin A concentrations (3,000-6,000 IU). No differences were detected in skim milks fortified with vitamin D, and no differences were detected in any 2% milk. These results demonstrate that vitamin concentrates may contribute to off flavor(s) in fluid milk, especially in skim milk fortified with water-dispersible vitamin concentrates.

Vitamin Fortification of Fluid Milk.

Vitamin concentrates with vitamins A and D are used for fortification of fluid milk. Although many of the degradation components of vitamins A and D have an important role in flavor/fragrance applications, they may also be source(s) of off-flavor(s) in vitamin fortified milk due to their heat, oxygen, and the light sensitivity. It is very important for the dairy industry to understand how vitamin concentrates can impact flavor and flavor stability of fluid milk. Currently, little research on vitamin degradation products can be found with respect to flavor contributions. In this review, the history, regulations, processing, and storage stability of vitamins in fluid milk are addressed along with some hypotheses for the role of vitamin A and D fortification on flavor and stability of fluid milk.

Vitamin A deficiency suppresses fish immune function with differences in different intestinal segments: the role of transcriptional factor NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways.

The present study investigated the effects of dietary vitamin A on immune function in the proximal intestine (PI), mid intestine (MI) and distal intestine (DI) of young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish were fed graded levels of dietary vitamin A for 10 weeks, and then a challenge test using an injection of Aeromonas hydrophila was conducted for 14 d. The results showed that, compared with the optimum vitamin A level, vitamin A deficiency significantly decreased fish growth performance, increased enteritis morbidity, decreased intestinal innate humoral immune response and aggravated intestinal inflammation. However, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2A/B mRNA in the DI and IL-6, IL-17D, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA in the PI were not affected by vitamin A levels. Meanwhile, vitamin A deficiency disturbed inflammatory cytokines in the PI, MI and DI, which might be partly linked to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signalling and NF-κB canonical signalling pathway (IκB kinase β (IKKβ), IKKγ, inhibitor of κBα, NF-κB p65 and c-Rel) rather than NF-κB non-canonical signalling pathway (NF-κB p52 and IKKα). However, the signalling molecules NF-κB p65 and p38MAPK did not participate in regulating cytokines in the PI. These results suggested that vitamin A deficiency decreased fish growth and impaired intestinal immune function, and that different immune responses in the PI, MI and DI were mediated partly by NF-κB canonical signalling and p38MAPK signalling pathways. On the basis of percentage of weight gain, to protect fish against enteritis morbidity and acid phosphatase activity, the optimum dietary vitamin A levels were estimated to be 0·664, 0·707 and 0·722 mg /kg, respectively.

Added dietary vegetables and fruits improved coat quality of capybara in Seoul Zoo, Republic of Korea: A case study.

Adequate levels of dietary vitamin C are necessary for capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrocharis) because they cannot synthesize the vitamin endogenously. Beginning in 2013, hair and weight loss, as well as general dermatitis, were observed in all individual capybaras (n = 4) in a mixed exhibit at Seoul Zoo. Seven additional vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits that increased dietary vitamin C concentration from ∼300-400 to >600 mg/kg dry matter were added to the diet since January 2015. Within 6 months, capybaras' skin and coats improved considerably, with hair becoming thicker and glossier. Animals visually appeared healthier and gained weight. In conclusion, hair loss, dermatitis, and weight loss in capybara can be improved by feeding enough fresh green leaves, vegetables, and fruits. Although vitamin C is considered a major factor for alleviation of poor body condition observed, increased status of other nutrients (i.e., vitamin B6 ) provided by the diet change may also have contributed to the improvements seen in the capybara. Zoo Biol. 36:50-55, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Different Levels of Dietary Vitamin C on Growth Performance, Muscle Composition, Antioxidant and Enzyme Activity of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A 12- week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary vitamin C levels on the growth performance, antioxidant ability, muscle composition and enzyme activity in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The experimental basal diets were supplemented with M. rosenbergii at the rates of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg dry feed weight and the assays were in triplicate. Growth performance, body composition, antioxidant activity and serum biochemistry parameters were determined. However, the present investigation revealed that prawns fed with diet supplemented with 25–150 mg/kg of vitamins C shows enhanced (P 0.05) alterations in prawns fed with 25–150 mg/kg of vitamin C supplemented diets. Therefore, the present findings suggested that 150 mg/kg of vitamin C could be supplemented for flexible enhanced survival, growth, antioxidant defense system and production of M. rosenbergii.