Endogenous Reserves Research Articles

Utilizing NMR fecal metabolomics as a novel technique for detecting the physiological effects of food shortages in waterfowl.

Metabolomics is the study of small, endogenous metabolites that participate in metabolic reactions, including responses to stressors. Anthropogenic and environmental changes that alter habitat and food supply can act as stressors in wild waterfowl. These alterations invoke a series of physiological processes to provide energy to restore homeostasis and increase survival. In this study, we utilized fecal metabolomics to measure metabolites and identify pathways related to a 6-day feed restriction in captive mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos, n = 9). Fecal samples were collected before (baseline) and during feed restriction (treatment). H1 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed to identify metabolites. We found that fecal metabolite profiles could be used to distinguish between the feed-restricted and baseline samples. We identified metabolites related to pathways for energy production and metabolism endpoints, and metabolites indicative of gut microbiota changes. We also demonstrated that mallard ducks could utilize endogenous reserves in times of limited caloric intake. Fecal metabolomics shows promise as a non-invasive novel tool in identifying and characterizing physiological responses associated with stressors in a captive wild bird species.

Physiological responses associated with compensatory growth of Colossoma macropomum submitted to different feeding rates

Colossoma macropomum, popularly known as tambaqui, is the most commercially cultivated native species in South America. Our study aimed to evaluate a series of endpoints related to growth response and physiological parameters in C. macropomum juveniles submitted to different feeding rates (FR) and subsequent refeeding. Fish were fed at five different FR (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of body weight per day) for 30 days (restricted feeding phase) and then refed until apparent satiation for another 30 days (refeeding phase). Growth parameters increased with increasing FR. The FR for maximum growth was estimated to be 8.98% day −1. The reduction in FR negatively affected the activity of digestive enzymes, intestinal histomorphometry, proximal composition, plasma metabolites, and antioxidant capacity. However, after refeeding, these physiological variables were mostly restored. Our results indicate that a FR of 6% day−1 provided the best growth and feed conversion, while the full compensatory growth was achieved at 4% day−1 after refeeding. Collectively, our data suggest that a FR of 2% day−1 can trigger the catabolism of endogenous reserves, an impeding factor for compensatory growth.

Physiological responses to long fasting followed by refeeding in juveniles of pirapitinga, Piaractus brachypomus

ABSTRACT For many fish species, prolonged fasting is part of their life cycle, as there are seasonal fluctuations in the quantity and quality of food available in their natural habitat. These animals use endogenous reserves during periods of food scarcity and recover when resources become available again. We evaluated the effect of a prolonged fasting period on indicators of body reserve use, growth performance and intestinal integrity of the Amazonian serrasalmid Piaractus brachypomus. We distributed 66 juveniles (68.6 ± 2.2 g) in 11 tanks. The treatment consisted of 30 days fasting followed by 45 days refeeding and the control of 75 days normal feeding with 5 replicates (one tank with six fish). The six individuals in the 11th tank were used for baseline measurements. Blood parameters, muscle lipid concentration, hepatosomatic and mesenteric fat indices, somatic growth parameters and intestinal villi morphology were measured every 15 days. Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, the mesenteric fat and hepatosomatic indices, weight gain, specific growth rate, condition factor and total biomass decreased significantly during fasting compared to the control, but all except body condition recovered during refeeding. The length and perimeter of the intestinal villi was significantly lower during fasting compared to the control. The feeding protocol allowed P. brachypomus to mobilize part of their body reserves during fasting, however, in general, refeeding was sufficient to restore their body needs and growth performance compatible with that of continuously fed animals.

Клинико-лабораторные исследования в комплексной диагностике и лечении увеитов у детей

This work is devoted to the analysis of the effectiveness of new clinical and laboratory studies and their possible application in treatment of uveitis in children. The paper assesses the study of the glutathione-reducing system as a factor in the vulnerability of eye tissues to the effects of free radicals and peroxidation products during inflammation. The dependence of the clinical picture of uveitis and the frequency of detection of eye tissue antigens in the blood was analyzed to assess the localization and stage of the pathological process, which will undoubtedly determine the tactics of the therapy. Evaluation of the main indicators of the activity of peroxidation processes in uveitis is proposed to be carried out according to the original method for determining the functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNLs). It was proved that there is a close relationship between the level of PNLs activity, the level of intensity of peroxide processes and the ophthalmic picture of uveitis. Based on the results obtained in the following work, the use of pharmaceutical antioxidants, both traditional and those known drugs in which antioxidant properties were discovered for the first time, was proposed. This paper offers a concept of the development of toxic-allergic uveitis, including successive stages of the formation of immune complexes, inflammation, an increase in the functional activity of PMNs, their chemotaxis into the inflammation zone, infiltration through the capillary walls in the eye tissue, which leads to an avalanche-like increase in the level of oxidants, depletion of endogenous reserves of antioxidants, damage to cell membranes. Understanding these processes serves as an explication for developing optimal treatment regimens for uveitis and other inflammatory ophthalmpathology. Keywords: uveitis, retinal antigens, glutathione system, antioxidants, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, peroxidation, reactive oxygen species

Neonatal sepsis – Pathology and clinical signs

SummarySepsis, also known as septicaemia, is defined as a dysregulated host systemic inflammatory response to infection. Neonatal sepsis is one of the main diseases that can affect young foals with a short‐term survival rate of only 50%–60%. While the pathogenesis of this disease is the same as for adult equids, the clinical signs seen can be very different. Sick foals may manifest a variety of clinical signs all related to a common infection and its systemic effects including tachycardia, tachypnoea, depression, anorexia, colitis, and fever. Less commonly, foals may show petechiation, swollen joints, anterior uveitis, and coma. The rapid changes seen in foals are reflective of their low endogenous reserves of glucose and innate immune mediators as well as the poor ability to self‐regulate their metabolism. The neonatal immune system is reliant on maternal antibodies at birth and development of the foal's own system takes a significant amount of time. This non‐competent immune system changes how the foal responds to infection when compared to the adult. Given the significant range of clinical signs and comorbidities, the prognosis for a full athletic career can vary from grave to excellent when compared to their healthy counterparts.

Mechanisms of individual variation in large herbivore diets: Roles of spatial heterogeneity and state-dependent foraging.

Many populations of consumers consist of relatively specialized individuals that eat only a subset of the foods consumed by the population at large. Although the ecological significance of individual-level diet variation is recognized, such variation is difficult to document, and its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Optimal foraging theory provides a useful framework for predicting how individuals might select different diets, positing that animals balance the "opportunity cost" of stopping to eat an available food item against the cost of searching for something more nutritious; diet composition should be contingent on the distribution of food, and individual foragers should be more selective when they have greater energy reserves to invest in searching for high-quality foods. We tested these predicted mechanisms of individual niche differentiation by quantifying environmental (resource heterogeneity) and organismal (nutritional condition) determinants of diet in a widespread browsing antelope (bushbuck, Tragelaphus sylvaticus) in an African floodplain-savanna ecosystem. We quantified individuals' realized dietary niches (taxonomic richness and composition) using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples collected repeatedly from 15 GPS-collared animals (range 6-14 samples per individual, median 12). Bushbuck diets were structured by spatial heterogeneity and constrained by individual condition. We observed significant individual-level partitioning of food plants by bushbuck both within and between two adjacent habitat types (floodplain and woodland). Individuals with home ranges that were closer together and/or had similar vegetation structure (measured using LiDAR) ate more similar diets, supporting the prediction that heterogeneous resource distribution promotes individual differentiation. Individuals in good nutritional condition had significantly narrower diets (fewer plant taxa), searched their home ranges more intensively (intensity-of-use index), and had higher-quality diets (percent digestible protein) than those in poor condition, supporting the prediction that animals with greater endogenous reserves have narrower realized niches because they can invest more time in searching for nutritious foods. Our results support predictions from optimal foraging theory about the energetic basis of individual-level dietary variation and provide a potentially generalizable framework for understanding how individuals' realized niche width is governed by animal behavior and physiology in heterogeneous landscapes.

The role of micronutrients in maintaining women’s reproductive potential reduced due to infectious diseases

The human immune system, which is in close connection with other organs and systems including the reproductive one, is required for the body’s defence against infections, as well as other external and internal factors. A balanced diet with a sufficient content of not only macro-, but also micronutrients is necessary for the normal function of the immune system. Various studies showed a relationship between the deficiency of various vitamins and trace elements and decreased activity of the immune system. Thus, the immune response can be impaired by malnutrition and trace element deficiency, which increases the body’s susceptibility to infectious factors. In its turn, the infectious process can lead to an increased demand for micronutrients, which is met by exogenous substances, and in case of not enough consumption of them – by endogenous reserves. Infections are one of the main factors deteriorating human reproductive health. Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) hold leading positions in the gynecological pathology pattern, and their prevalence does not show a downward trend. This literature review considers the impact of major infections on women’s reproductive health, presents data on the role of micronutrients in preventing infectious diseases and rehabilitating after them, as well as in preserving reproductive functions after infections. The importance of vitamin C, E, B vitamins, zinc, L-arginine for the preservation and restoration of women’s fertility is considered, and the results of studies on the issue are presented.

Surf smelt accelerate usage of endogenous energy reserves under climate change.

Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) are ecologically critical forage fish in the North Pacific ecosystem. As obligate beach spawners, surf smelt embryos are exposed to wide-ranging marine and terrestrial environmental conditions. Despite this fact, very few studies have assessed surf smelt tolerance to climate stressors. The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive effects of climate co-stressors ocean warming and acidification on the energy demands of embryonic and larval surf smelt. Surf smelt embryos and larvae were collected from spawning beaches and placed into treatment basins under three temperature treatments (13°C, 15°C, and 18°C) and two pCO2 treatments (i.e. ocean acidification) of approximately 900 and 1900 μatm. Increased temperature significantly decreased yolk size in surf smelt embryos and larvae. Embryo yolk sacs in high temperature treatments were on average 7.3% smaller than embryo yolk sacs from ambient temperature water. Larval yolk and oil globules mirrored this trend. Larval yolk sacs in the high temperature treatment were 45.8% smaller and oil globules 31.9% smaller compared to larvae in ambient temperature. There was also a significant positive effect of acidification on embryo yolk size, indicating embryos used less maternally-provisioned energy under acidification scenarios. There was no significant effect of either temperature or acidification on embryo heartrates. These results indicate that near-future climate change scenarios may impact the energy demands of developing surf smelt, leading to potential effects on surf smelt fitness and contributing to variability in adult recruitment.

Morphological and Allometric Changes in Anguilla japonica Larvae.

Simple SummaryThe freshwater eel Anguilla japonica is a commercially important in Northeast Asia. However, eels farming is entirely dependent on natural catches, and eel resources are declining. This study was conducted to provide baseline information on the development of mass seed production technology necessary for the conservation of species and the maintenance of aquaculture. This study was conducted for 200 days after hatching (DAH) and analyzed morphometry and allometry. In this study, cultured eel larvae stages were divided in size similar to wild eel larvae, but cultured eel differed from wild eel in growth rate and the number of preanal myomeres. In addition, as eel larvae rarely have mixed feeding periods, it is important to determine the optimal first feeding time. The eel larvae may need a change in diet type to prevent lower jaw deformity in the leptocephalus stage. As eel larvae changed to a willow leaf-like form, the relative growth pattern of the eel larval stages was unique. This growth pattern may reflect the early life history of long distance and diel vertical migration. Meanwhile, the inflection point in the body parts’ growth patterns showed only before 30 DAH and was similar to the period of mass mortality. Therefore, future studies should focus on developing an optimal feeding and rearing protocol from the first feeding to 30 DAH.The freshwater eel Anguilla japonica is rapidly decreasing in number and has not yet been successfully mass produced. This may be at least partially attributable to the unique and long early life history of the eel. Therefore, we investigated its ontogeny of morphometry and growth pattern in larval stages to provide baseline information for understanding the early life history and improving seed rearing technology. This study was conducted for 200 days after hatching (DAH) and analyzed morphometry and allometry for eel larvae. The following cultured eel larval stages were identified: the yolk sac larvae stage (0–6 DAH, 3.23–6.85 mm total length (TL)), the pre-leptocephalus stage (7–30 DAH, 6.85–15.31 mm TL), and the leptocephalus stage (50–200 DAH, 15.31–60.06 mm TL). Cultured and wild eel larvae could be divided into characteristic larval stages at similar sizes. However, compared to wild eels, cultured eels had a slower growth rate and fewer preanal myomeres. Meanwhile, cultured eel larvae rarely had a mixed feeding period as the absorption of endogenous reserves was completed by 7 DAH. The lower jaw of eel larvae was significantly longer than the upper jaw from 50 DAH. In the pre-leptocephalus and leptocephalus stages, eel larvae showed continuous positive allometric growth at trunk height and tail muscle height with change to the willow leaf-like form. These growth characteristics may be the result of adaptation to the migration over long distances and to a diel vertical migration. The inflection point in the body parts growth patterns showed only before 30 DAH, and mass mortality appeared at this period. Therefore, to improve the growth and survival rates of cultured eel seed, it is necessary to focus on improving the feeding and rearing protocol until 30 DAH.

Reproductive cycle of Calamus brachysomus (Teleostei: Sparidae) in the Central Gulf of California, BCS, Mexico

The Pacific porgy Calamus brachysomus (Lockington, 1880) is exploited for local consumption and commerce in Baja California Sur (BCS). Monthly samples to study its reproductive biology were obtained from the artisanal fishery operating in Santa Rosalía, BCS, Mexico, from July 2015 to July 2016. A total of 265 specimens were analyzed, including 147 females and 118 males. The sexual proportion (1.24F:1M) did not differ from the expected 1:1 proportion (P = 0.08). There were no significant differences between sexes in total length (P = 0.94). Variations in the hepatosomatic index and condition factor indicated that food constituted the main energy source during reproduction, with possible additional use of endogenous reserves originating in the liver during spawning. The gonads histological analysis indicated an asynchronous ovarian development and batch spawning strategy. There were spawning capable females during 11 of the 13 sampled months; the exceptions were February and September, coinciding with minimum and maximum sea surface temperature (SST) values. These results, along with the gonadosomatic index variations, allowed us to conclude that C. brachysomus reproduces over a large part of the year with an activity peak from May to July, in an SST interval of 21 to 28ºC.

Life-history attributes of Arctic-breeding birds drive uneven responses to environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle.

Animals exhibit varied life‐history traits that reflect adaptive responses to their environments. For Arctic‐breeding birds, traits related to diet, egg nutrient allocation, clutch size, and chick growth are predicted to be under increasing selection pressure due to rapid climate change and increasing environmental variability across high‐latitude regions. We compared four migratory birds (black brant [Branta bernicla nigricans], lesser snow geese [Chen caerulescens caerulescens], semipalmated sandpipers [Calidris pusilla], and Lapland longspurs [Calcarius lapponicus]) with varied life histories at an Arctic site in Alaska, USA, to understand how life‐history traits help moderate environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle. We monitored aspects of reproductive performance related to the timing of breeding, reproductive investment, and chick growth from 2011 to 2018. In response to early snowmelt and warm temperatures, semipalmated sandpipers advanced their site arrival and bred in higher numbers, while brant and snow geese increased clutch sizes; all four species advanced their nest initiation dates. During chick rearing, longspur nestlings were relatively resilient to environmental variation, whereas warmer temperatures increased the growth rates of sandpiper chicks but reduced growth rates of snow goose goslings. These responses generally aligned with traits along the capital‐income spectrum of nutrient acquisition and altricial–precocial modes of chick growth. Under a warming climate, the ability to mobilize endogenous reserves likely provides geese with relative flexibility to adjust the timing of breeding and the size of clutches. Higher temperatures, however, may negatively affect the quality of herbaceous foods and slow gosling growth. Species may possess traits that are beneficial during one phase of the reproductive cycle and others that may be detrimental at another phase, uneven responses that may be amplified with future climate warming. These results underscore the need to consider multiple phases of the reproductive cycle when assessing the effects of environmental variability on Arctic‐breeding birds.

Effects of temperature on hatching rate and early larval development of longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana

The longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana is an emerging commercial species in aquaculture. However, there is little information regarding environmental conditions and their influence on early larval development that come from natural spawning. Temperature is one of the main factors affecting embryo and larval development. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the impact of different temperatures (16–32 °C) on S. rivoliana hatching rate, larvae quality (survival, growth, yolk sac and oil droplet consumption, protein and lipid contents) and early developmental events (eye pigmentation and mouth opening). Eggs incubated at 23 °C showed the highest hatching rate (75.5%), but the larvae died 24 h after hatching (hah). Nonetheless, larvae cultivated at 24 °C had the highest survival rates at 48 hah and survived without being fed for over 100 hah. The temperature exhibits a direct effect on protein and lipid content, notochord size and oil droplet volume. In S. rivoliana, the larvae notochord size decreased after the oil droplet was more than half consumed, and at the higher temperature the faster the embryo and larvae depleted their endogenous reserves for growth. Finally, after 96 hah, the optimal mouth opening to ingest adequate rotifers for first feeding has been observed at 22 °C, while best eye pigmentation has been obtained at 24 °C. Therefore, we recommend incubating S. rivoliana eggs at 23 °C. After hatching, we suggest adjusting the temperature to 24 °C to increase the survival percentage and start eye development. Ultimately, after 48 h we encourage to low down the temperature at 22 °C to preserve notochordal length and allow faster mouth formation for further feeding. These optimal temperatures could be operated in the aquaculture industry to improve the management of larval development of S. rivoliana in captivity.

Resource allocation effects on the timing of reproduction in an avian habitat specialist

AbstractVariation in nutrient allocation can influence the timing of breeding and ultimately reproductive output. Time and space constraints might exist, however, if fewer food resources are available to meet the costs of reproduction early during the reproductive season. Here, for the first time, we test whether nutrient‐allocation strategies for reproduction in a shrub‐dependent avian species differ with timing of breeding in different ecoregions: a high‐elevation landscape, containing spatially complex vegetation (Rocky Mountains) vs. a low‐elevation, more homogenous landscape (Great Plains). We analyzed data collected from radio‐telemetry and stable isotopes to assess the degree to which endogenous (body) reserves are used for reproduction and whether variation in allocation strategies was associated with time of year, ecoregion, habitat quality (including sagebrush type and plant greenness), or maternal characteristics. Using a Bayesian statistical framework, we found that females relied on a similar amount of endogenous reserves for reproduction in first nesting and renesting attempts. Additionally, endogenous contributions declined more rapidly throughout the nesting season in the Rocky Mountains than in the Great Plains. Individuals in high‐ and intermediate‐elevation sagebrush types in the Rocky Mountains used similar amounts of endogenous reserves, whereas females nesting in low‐elevation sagebrush used less. Females nesting at intermediate elevations, which experience the greatest flush of new green vegetation during the nesting season, switched their reliance from endogenous‐to‐exogenous sources for reproduction as green vegetation became available during spring. Our study highlights adaptations of a nutrient‐allocation strategy across areas with varying levels of resources in time and space in a habitat specialist bird. Nutrient allocation by individuals residing in high‐elevation areas favors a strategy that mainly uses nutrients gained from wintering habitats, whereas individuals residing in low‐elevation areas mainly use exogenous sources for reproduction.

Effects of prolonged fasting on levels of metabolites, oxidative stress, immune-related gene expression, histopathology, and DNA damage in the liver and muscle tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

This study was conducted to assess the impacts of prolonged fasting (70 and 120days) on the morphological, biochemical, oxidative stress responses, immune-related gene expression, histopathology, and DNA damage in rainbow trout. Final weight (FW), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and condition factor (CF) significantly decreased in both 70 and 120days of fasting compared to the pre-fasting group (p < 0.05). Fasting led to a significant reduction in serum blood metabolites (glucose, total protein, triglyceride, T. cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) and endogenous reserves (protein and lipid). However, plasma acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin (IL1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF1α), and transferrin (TF) increased significantly (p < 0.05). While malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the pre-fasting group increased in the liver and muscle tissues (70 and 120days), glutathione (GSH) enzyme activities decreased significantly in both tissues (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, both fasting groups (70 and 120days) when compared to the pre-fasting group led to steatosis, necrosis and degeneration in hepatocytes, inflammation and hyperemia in the liver tissue and hyaline degeneration, atrophy, and inflammation in muscle tissue. Additionally, 8-OHdG levels of the liver and muscle tissues at 120days' fasting were more severe according to 70days' fasting. Finally, blood, the liver, and muscle tissues may be helpful to assess the impacts of fasting and fasting stress in rainbow trout.

Water temperature influences larval survival of the amphidromous goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus

AbstractWater warming induced by human activities can impact fish larvae survival, notably because it influences larval development and prey abundances. Amphidromous gobies of the subfamily Sicydiinae are particularly sensitive to this threat as the newly hatched free embryos are poorly developed and the first feeding opportunity only occurs after they reach the ocean. Here, we studied how water temperature (21, 23, 25, 29 and 31°C) impacts early development stages of Sicyopterus lagocephalus in both freshwater and marine aquaria (salinity 35). We monitored survival time, larval condition and the occurrence of critical developmental events such as mouth opening, yolk sac and oil globule resorption. In freshwater, the survival exceeded 150 hours at 21°C, while it dropped below 50 hours at 31°C. In seawater, the larval development of unfed larvae was significantly affected by temperature, survival time being greatly reduced in warmer waters. Accounting for the observed duration between mouth opening and the resorption of the oil globule, we estimated that larvae need to find suitable prey in seawater within a short time: around 30 hours during the peak of reproduction in summer. Otherwise, their endogenous reserves become depleted and their condition degrades. This study emphasises the sensitivity of free embryos to stream flow alterations, which contributes to the increase in water temperature and to the slowing down of larvae drift to the ocean. We conclude that once in seawater the temperature and feeding conditions experienced by amphidromous larvae are critical for survival.

38 Developmental competence of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes collected from cows fed rumen-protected methionine and lysine

Supplementation of rumen-protected amino acids (RPAA) has proven to be an effective tool to supply limiting AA in dairy diets. Methionine and lysine are the two most limiting AA for lactating dairy cows. Recently, it has been shown that methionine supplementation seems to affect pre-implantation embryos collected from superovulated cows enhancing their developmental competence because there is strong evidence that endogenous lipid reserves serve as an energy substrate (Acosta et al. 2016 Theriogenology 85, 1669–1679). Moreover, higher concentrations of methionine were determined in the follicular fluid of the first dominant follicle postpartum in cows supplemented with rumen-protected methionine and rumen-protected choline from 21 days before calving to 30 days postpartum and it was assumed that higher methionine concentrations in the follicular fluid could affect oocyte quality (Acosta et al. 2017 Theriogenology 96, 1–9). There is no information available so far regarding the effect of a combined methionine and lysine supplementation (each rumen-protected) on oocyte quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined methionine and lysine supplementation during early to mid-lactation on the developmental competence of oocytes collected from lactating dairy cows (days 0 to 100 p.p.). Thirty pregnant multiparous German Holstein dairy cows were grouped 3 weeks before their expected calving date, receiving identical diets. After calving, they were randomly allocated to 2 groups fed a total mixed ration supplemented with (N=14 cows; RPAA) or without (N=16 cows; CON) LysiGEMTM (encapsulated lysine; Kemin Industries) and Metasmart DryTM (isopropyl ester of the hydroxylated analogue of methionine adsorbed onto a silicon dioxide carrier; Adisseo). Starting from 45 days p.p., animals from both groups were submitted to an ovum pickup (OPU) session once a week for at least 8 weeks. Collected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were subjected to a standard invitro production (IVP) protocol (Stinshoff et al. 2014 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 26, 502–10) including IVM, IVF, and invitro culture (IVC). Cleavage and developmental rates up to the morula/blastocyst stage were recorded on Days 3, 7, and 8. In total, 1211 follicles have been aspirated from RPAA animals compared with 1413 from CON animals, from which 742 and 885 COC were collected, respectively. The calculated recovery rate based on the number of aspirated follicles and collected COC was similar for both groups (61.3±29.4% vs. 62.6±33.5%). Cleavage and developmental rates based on 240 (RPAA group) and 299 (CON group) COC also showed similar results [RPAA: 84.1±5.9% (202/240), 18.3±4.4% (44/240), 18.8±4.7% (45/240); CON: 81.9±8.6% (245/299), 15.4±8.9% (46/299), 16.7±8.4% (50/299)]. In conclusion, supplementation of RPAA (methionine and lysine) had no beneficial effect on the developmental competence of COC obtained from these animals compared with those collected from cows fed the diet without RPAA supplementation.

Early development in Kelletia kelletii (Forbes, 1850) (Gastropoda: Buccinidae), an Eastern Pacific gastropod with planktonic larvae

Kelletia kelletii (Forbes, 1850) is an intertidal to subtidal marine buccinid gastropod with a range from California, USA, to Baja California, Mexico. Many characteristics of its mating behavior, general life history, and larval biology are known, but details about its larval morphology and behavior are lacking. Here, aspects of its larval development and morphology during early ontogeny are chronicled, including larval velar form and function, asymmetrical development, particle ingestion, larval yolk reserves, and larval shell morphology. Snail oviposition behavior was observed in aquaria and egg capsules were dissected at different stages of development and examined under optical and scanning electron microscopy. Egg capsules had undeveloped eggs and/or embryos that were not ingested by K. kelletii larvae. Hatching time (natural excapsulation) varied between 37 to 55 d depending on water conditions, and endogenous yolk reserves were present in most veligers at capsule emergence. Pre-hatching veligers could swim in the plankton if excapsulated at 27 d and had symmetrical velar lobes but different sized cephalic tentacles. At 2.5 weeks in the plankton, both cephalic tentacles and velar lobes were asymmetrical, with those on the larvae’s right larger than those on their left. Larval shells were brittle and poorly mineralized at excapsulation but fully mineralized with an apertural beak and proto-siphonal canal by 2.5 weeks in the plankton. Particle capture and transport through the velar lobes to the mouth was possible in pre-hatching veligers, but ingestion only occurred in emerged veligers when yolk stores were depleted. Chronicling early ontogeny and its sequence, as in this study, is essential to the understanding of larval development and its evolution in gastropods, and to comparative studies of larval biology in the Buccinidae.

Genetic variation of keel and long bone skeletal properties for 5 lines of laying hens

Fractures to the keel bone is one of the greatest problems facing the laying hen industry. With most severe effects observed in non-cage housing, frequencies are expected to dramatically increase as the industry continues transitioning away from battery cages. Incidences within commercial systems are well documented, where the main cause is believed to be high egg production and the associated need for calcium drawing on endogenous reserves (i.e., bone) leaving bone weakened and prone to fracture. The current work sought to characterize various bone mineral and biomechanical properties of 5 distinct purebred or crossbred laying hen lines (3 commercial: Bovans Brown, Dekalb White, and Institut de Sélection Animale Dual Brown; 2 non-commercial: Experimental Brown and Experimental White), following previous work that demonstrated differences in susceptibility to keel fracture using an ex vivo impact testing apparatus. The keel was then removed to undergo analysis by computer tomography; the humerus and tibia were also removed for biomechanical testing. The keel bone mineral density and moment of area correlated moderately with hen weight and susceptibility to fracture. The biomechanical properties of the tibia, but not the humerus, showed a strong relationship with hen weight. One commercial genetic line (Dekalb White) with a high susceptibility to fracture exhibited a mean tibia strength below the value expected from its mean weight. Our results suggest that for the purebred or crossbred lines other than Dekalb White, rather than properties of bone, lower mean weight may imply higher levels of activity, higher risk of collisions, and lower soft tissue protection that reflect greater susceptibility to keel fracture.

Prolonged diabetic ketoacidosis and glycemic fluctuations associated with dapagliflozin: a case report

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2I) are oral anti-diabetic drugs. We aimed to raise awareness by presenting a difficult and long-lasting DKA case that developed after the addition of dapagliflozin to the treatment. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman who developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after 2 weeks use of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2I). She had complaints of nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, fever, and shortness of breath. DKA was detected in her laboratory results despite the absence of marked hyperglycemia. The patient had metabolic acidosis episodes accompanied by ketonuria on the 5th (mild) and 9th (severe) day despite discontinuation of dapagliflozin. Sudden fluctuations in blood glucose levels of the patient lasted for 10 days and made it difficult to switch to routine basal-bolus insulin treatment. Prolonged DKA may be a result of SGLT-2 inhibition and individualized treatment and follow-up should be performed instead of standard DKA treatment. Also, we suggest that we need to evaluate endogenous insulin reserves of the patients before starting a SGLT-2I treatment. We believe that in order to raise awareness, these cases should be reported.

Biochemical markers and effectivity of the preventive therapy of the fetal distress and preterm delivery in pregnant women with polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios in pregnant women are one of the most frequent pathologies in obstetrics, which is caused by an increase in the use of ultrasound screening of pregnant women and ranges from 1–3 to 8%. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in blood biochemical parameters, biophysical profile of the fetus and the health status of newborns in pregnant women with polyhydramnios during the prophylactic therapy of this pathology and to estimate the frequency of polyhydramnios occurrence under the influence of preventive therapy in pregnant women at risk of polyhydramnios. We examined 120 pregnant women at gestational age from 20 to 38 weeks between the ages of 20 and 39 years: 1 group consisted of 30 healthy pregnant women, 2 group — 90 pregnant women with chronic polyhydramnios, which was divided into two subgroups: 40 pregnant women without fetal distress in 1 subgroup and 50 pregnant women with fetal distress in 2 subgroups. 1 subgroup of pregnant women received prophylactic Magnerot, Tivortin, Larnamine, Lymphomyosot and vitamin D3. The 2nd subgroup of pregnant women received traditional treatment according to the clinical protocol of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine №900 dated December 27, 2006, №782 dated December 29, 2005. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: the metabolite level of vitamin D-25 OH(D) was determined, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL–10, IL–6, vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF, malonic aldehyde, carbonyl groups of proteins, superoxide dismutase, serum protein content. Conducted ultrasound examination of the fetus and dopplerometry of uterine-placental vessels, cardiotocography of the fetus, evaluated the biophysical profile of the fetus. The significance of the difference between the compared groups was determined using Student's t test. In pregnant women with chronic polyhydramnios, a decrease in endogenous glutathione antioxidant reserves, a decrease in the activity of the superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzyme, an increase in the activity of the pro-oxidant enzyme xanthine oxidase and the presence of cytokine imbalance have been found. It is shown that among all biochemical changes in the body of pregnant women with chronic polyhydramnios, vitamin D deficiency, inflammation and disturbance of angiogenesis play the most important role in the development of fetal distress. Pregnant women at high risk of polyhydramnios who received the proposed preventive therapy for fetal distress, improved fetoplacental blood flow, decreased the percentage of placental dysfunction by 1.8 times, fetal distress — by 1.5 times, premature birth — by 2 times, decreased asphyxia in newborns 1.7 times, the rate of perinatal morbidity in newborns decreased 1.9 times, compared with the group of pregnant women receiving traditional therapy. Thus, the positive effect of preventive therapy of pathology of pregnant women with polyhydramnios was confirmed clinically and biochemically.