Energetic Diets Research Articles

Gut microbiota composition after a dietary and physical activity intervention: a pilot study in Mexican children with obesity.

Gut microbiota is a complex organized collection of microorganisms that confers multiple metabolic advantages to the host. The reduced diversity and proportion of specific gut microbial species have been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. Multidimensional interventions, including modifications in dietary and physical activity habits, are associated with favorable changes in microbiota composition. This pilot study aimed to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota composition of Mexican children with obesity before and after a 6-week multidimensional intervention. Blood and stool samples were collected, and anthropometric measurements were obtained from six children with obesity before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of modeling a hypo energetic diet and giving nutritional and physical activation recommendations. DNA from stool samples was used to characterize gut microbial composition by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The decrease in waist circumference was associated with increased Odoribacter relative abundance. However, gut microbiota composition and diversity remained unchanged. Although no modifications in the body mass index, body fat, composition, or diversity of the gut microbiota were observed with the intervention, it was possible to associate the reduction in waist circumference with the presence of Odoribacter after a multidimensional intervention in Mexican children with obesity.

Impact of Blood in Urine on Milk Likening

The impact of blood in urine is more significant on milk likening both in males and females. The objective of the present study was to show a relationship between milk likeliness and blood in urine. Sometimes kidneys allow blood cells leakage into urine. Various problems are involved in causing this leakage like urinary tract infections. If bacteria enter in your body they cause infection and multiply in bladder is wonderful and energetic. Milk is a wonderful and energetic diet. It is used in different milky products.

Biomechanical insights into the dentition of megatooth sharks (Lamniformes: Otodontidae)

The evolution of gigantism in extinct otodontid sharks was paralleled by a series of drastic modifications in their dentition including widening of the crowns, loss of lateral cusplets, and acquisition of serrated cutting edges. These traits have generally been interpreted as key functional features that enabled the transition from piscivory to more energetic diets based on marine mammals, ultimately leading to the evolution of titanic body sizes in the most recent forms (including the emblematic Otodus megalodon). To investigate this hypothesis, we evaluate the biomechanics of the anterior, lateral, and posterior teeth of five otodontid species under different loading conditions by using two-dimensional finite element analysis. Stress distribution patterns are remarkably similar among all models under puncture and draw (i.e., when subjected to vertical and lateral forces, respectively). Contrary to expectation, higher average stress values are detected under both loading scenarios in more recent species. Altogether, this suggests little correlation between tooth morphology and key aspects of biomechanical behaviour in otodontids, making it difficult to frame the morphological trend of their dentitions within an adaptive scenario. We propose that this pattern most likely emerged as a non-functional by-product of heterochronic processes driven by selection towards larger body sizes.

Physical Activity and Brain Health.

Physical activity (PA) has been central in the life of our species for most of its history, and thus shaped our physiology during evolution. However, only recently the health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, and of highly energetic diets, are becoming clear. It has been also acknowledged that lifestyle and diet can induce epigenetic modifications which modify chromatin structure and gene expression, thus causing even heritable metabolic outcomes. Many studies have shown that PA can reverse at least some of the unwanted effects of sedentary lifestyle, and can also contribute in delaying brain aging and degenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Most importantly, PA improves cognitive processes and memory, has analgesic and antidepressant effects, and even induces a sense of wellbeing, giving strength to the ancient principle of “mens sana in corpore sano” (i.e., a sound mind in a sound body). In this review we will discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of PA on brain health, focusing on hormones, neurotrophins, and neurotransmitters, the release of which is modulated by PA, as well as on the intra- and extra-cellular pathways that regulate the expression of some of the genes involved.

The effect of obesity on the bone morphometry and histomorphometry in male and female Wistar rats.

The study was undertaken to determine the effect of continuation or changes of the diet on the morphometry and histomorphometry of bone in male and female Wistar rats with experimen- tally induced obesity by high energetic diet. Sixty-four 90-day-old Wistar rats obtained from obese parents (16 male, 16 female) and control parents (16 male, 16 female) were used in this study. After 21 days of the baby period, rats were divided into four groups: obese rats fed with high energy feed (F/F), control rats fed with a standard diet (C/C), obese rats with changed diet from high energy diet to control diet (F/C) and control rats with changed diet from control diet to high energy diet (C/F). After 90 days of experimental feeding, the rats were sacrificed. Thereafter, body weight and the isolated humerus were measured and next, the histological stainings and counts were done. Our results revealed that change in the parent's diet from F to C in the female leads to increased bone growth length and reduction of body weight in female and male. Reverse diet changes (from C to F) lead to decreased bone length only in the female. Moreover, the con- tinuation by offspring of both sexes with a high-energy diet contributes to a reduction in osteo- cytes, reduction in bone marrow cavity and cortical expansion, but a change in nutrition from parents' standard diet to high-energy diet leads to increase in osteocytes dimensions. The contin- uation of feeding with F diet promotes the accumulation of adipocytes in the bone marrow in female and male, and correction of nutrition from F to standard diet leads to a reduction in their number in the bone marrow compared to groups continuing feeding with high-energy diet.

Nutritional properties of Tempranillo grapevine leaves are affected by clonal diversity, mycorrhizal symbiosis and air temperature regime

Tempranillo grapevine is widely cultivated in Spain and other countries over the world (Portugal, USA, France, Australia, and Argentina, among others) for its wine, but leaves are scarcely used for human or animal nutrition. Since high temperatures affect quality of fruits and leaves in grapevine and the association of Tempranillo with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhances the antioxidant properties of berries and leaves, we assessed the effect of elevated air temperature and mycorrhization, separately or combined, on the nutritional properties of Tempranillo leaves at the time of fruit harvest. Experimental assay included three clones (CL-260, CL-1048, and CL-1089) and two temperature regimes (24/14 °C or 28/18 °C day/night) during fruit ripening. Within each clone and temperature regime there were plants not inoculated or inoculated with AMF. The nutritional value of leaves increased under warming climate: elevated temperatures induced the accumulation of minerals, especially in CL-1089; antioxidant capacity and soluble sugars also increased in CL-1089; CL-260 showed enhanced amounts of pigments, and chlorophylls and soluble proteins increased in CL-1048. Results suggested the possibility of collecting leaves together with fruit harvest with different applications of every clone: those from CL-1089 would be adequate for an energetic diet and leaves from CL-260 and CL-1048 would be suitable for culinary processes. Mycorrhization improved the nutritional value of leaves by enhancing flavonols in all clones, hydroxycinnamic acids in CL-1089 and carotenoids in CL-260.

Effects of dietary partly destoned exhausted olive cake supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing lambs

In an experiment with 32 male growing Florina (Pelagonia) lambs, effects of replacing barley grain, sunflower meal and wheat bran with partly destoned exhausted olive cake (PDEOC) and soybean meal on productivity, carcass characteristics, meat chemical composition and meat fatty acid (FA) composition was determined. In the 56day experiment, lambs were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments (PDEOC0, PDEOC80, PDEOC160, and PDEOC240) of 8 lambs each and accommodated in individual floor pens. Lambs had an initial body weight (BW) of 16.7±1.81kg, and were fed one of four isonitrogenous (crude protein 162g/kg, dry matter − DM basis) and isoenergetic (net energy for gain 6.11MJ/kg, DM basis) concentrate mixtures ad libitum and alfalfa hay (0.2kg DM/lamb/day). The PDEOC was added to the concentrate mixture at inclusion levels (as mixed basis) of 0, 80, 160, and 240kg/t for treatments PDEOC0, PDEOC80, PDEOC160, and PDEOC240, respectively. No differences (P>0.05) occurred among PDEOC treatments in final BW (29.9kg), BW gain (0.24kg/day), DM intake (0.97kg/day), and feed conversion ratio (4.07kg DM intake/kg BW gain). Moreover, meat chemical composition and carcass characteristics were not affected (P>0.05) with increased PDEOC feeding, except for the fat color, fat firmness, wetness and overall acceptability of carcasses that linearly increased with increasing PDEOC supplementation. Oleic and palmitic acids were the predominant FA in intramuscular fat of all treatments. FA were not affected (P>0.05) with increased PDEOC feeding, except for the lauric acid which decreased (P=0.018), as well as the α-linolenic acid which increased (P=0.020). PDEOC supplementation, at levels up to 240kg/t of concentrate mixtures, in isonitrogenous and iso (net energy) energetic diets for growing lambs did not affect their performance and carcass characteristics, while it improved carcass qualitative traits.

Relación de la dieta con el color y la terneza de la carne vacuna

Para el consumidor de carne vacuna la calidad sensorial es importante al momento de la compra y el consumo. El color depende mayormente de la concentración de mioglobina y el pH, en tanto que la terneza está relacionada con el pH, la composición del colágeno y la degradación miofibrilar. Todos ellos pueden influenciarse por la dieta. La concentración de mioglobina depende del tipo de fibra muscular, cuyo metabolismo está influenciado por la dieta que reciban los animales. Las dietas de baja energía se asocian a fibras rojas, con metabolismo oxidativo y mayor concentración de mioglobina, mientras que las dietas ricas en energía estimulan el desarrollo de fibras glucolíticas. Estas últimas, tienen la capacidad de acumular más glucógeno. El metabolismo de las miofibras también afecta al contenido de enzimas proteolíticas, las fibras oxidativas presentan mayor concentración de calpaínas que las fibras glicolíticas. La estructura del colágeno es influenciada por la dieta de forma indirecta, ya que su efecto está mediado por la tasa de ganancia de peso. Al consumir dietas energéticas los animales incrementan la velocidad de ganancia de peso, lo que disminuye el colágeno total por un efecto de dilución debido al aumento de miofibrillas. Por otro lado, la energía puede retrasar la formación y estabilización de las estructuras del colágeno, con aumento de la fracción soluble. La dieta cumple un rol importante sobre la calidad de la carne, por lo tanto mantener un buen nivel de alimentación permite maximizar la calidad y lograr un producto con atributos sensoriales coincidentes con los requeridos por un gran número de consumidores.

Adaptive capacity of female rabbits submitted to a change in breeding practices

The aim of this study was to test the consequences of a change in breeding practices on 219 multiparous rabbit does over 2 reproductive cycles (5th and 6th insemination). Three rabbit breeding systems were defined I: intensive, S: semi-intensive and E: extensive), which varied for the females in terms of reproductive rhythm (RR: 35, 42 and 49 d, respectively) and age at first insemination (20.6, 19.6 and 16.6 wk, respectively), and for kits in terms of age at weaning (32, 35 and 30 d, respectively) and age at slaughter (63, 70 and 70 d, respectively). Females were submitted to one of the 3 systems from the 1st to the 4th artificial insemination (AI), and to another system from the 5th to the 6th AI, before returning to the initial system at the 7th AI. Consequently, they were allocated to 4 groups: I-S-I, S-I-S, S-E-S and E-S-E. Because of poor reproductive performance in the I system and despite a high growth of kits before weaning due to a more energetic diet for does, a sudden change from an I system to an S system significantly increased productivity at 28 d, from 3.37 to 5.04 kg/AI. Conversely, in the S and E systems, the females were not very sensitive to an intensification (groups S-I-S and E-S-E) or an extensification (S-E-S) of the breeding system, leading to similar productivity at 63 d (14.4 and 14.3 kg/AI, 14.4 and 13.5 kg/AI, 16.5 and 16.2 kg/AI, respectively, for groups S-I-S, E-S-E and S-E-S). The consequences of a return to the initial system deserve to be tested over a longer period.

Effects of canola meal on growth, feed utilisation, plasma biochemistry, histology of digestive organs and hepatic gene expression of barramundi (Asian seabass; Lates calcarifer)

The serial replacement of fish meal (anchovetta) by canola meal (CM) (100, 200, 300gkg−1 as either solvent extracted (SE) CM or expeller extracted (EX) CM was undertaken to investigate the effects of increasing dietary CM levels on feed intake, growth, protein and energy retention, plasma biochemistry and the expression of a suite of hepatic genes in barramundi (Asian seabass; Lates calcarifer) over an eight week feeding trial. An additional diet using lupin kernel meal (LM) to replace the fish meal was also included as a comparative reference. Eight iso-digestible nitrogenous (423±29gkg−1) and iso-digestible energetic (14.6±8MJkg−1 DM) diets were formulated. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish in seawater tanks (600L), and each tank was stocked with 15 fish (53.4±7.0g). Fish were fed once daily (9:00–10:00) to apparent satiation, and uneaten feed was collected to determine feed consumption. The results showed that the survival, feed intake, growth, FCR, energy and protein retention of fish fed the diet containing SE CM were similar or even higher to those of fish fed the fish meal reference diet (FM) and the LM diet. Fish fed with the diet containing 300gkg−1 SE CM did not show any changes in biochemistry and gene expression in a suite of detoxification genes. However, the diet with 300gkg−1 EX CM depressed feed intake, growth performance and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR). Transcription of genes involving in fatty acid synthesis and the TCA cycle were not changed by different diets. The down regulation of gene expression in certain detoxification genes (Lc CYP1A1, Lc CYP3A, Lc CYP2N and Lc GST) was observed in fish fed with the diet containing 300gkg−1 EX CM compared to the FM control diet and other experimental diets. In general, the SE CM can be used up to 300gkg−1 diet without negative performance effects or signs of clinical plasma biochemistry. By contrast the maximum acceptable level of the EX CM for barramundi was only 200gkg−1. Higher inclusion level of the EX CM induced negative effects on growth performance, feed utilisation, plasma biochemistry and gene expression in relation to detoxification. Statement of relevancePrevious research has demonstrated that canola meal is a potential plant protein source for fish meal replacement in diets for many fish species. The present work is designed to be the first to assess both two types of Australian canola meal in regard to different processing methods (solvent extraction and expeller extraction) in use for barramundi (Asian seabass) diets. The research not only assesses effects of canola meal on growth performance and feed utilisation but also investigate effects of canola meal use on fish health status using broad approach including plasma chemistry, histology and gene expression analysis. The present findings provide practical information for barramundi's diet formulation using canola meal as an additional plant ingredient. These also provide implications of potential health effects relating to using canola meal for barramundi.

Efficacy of a Feed Dispenser for Horses in Decreasing Cribbing Behaviour.

Cribbing is an oral stereotypy, tends to develop in captive animals as a means to cope with stress, and may be indicative of reduced welfare. Highly energetic diets ingested in a short time are one of the most relevant risk factors for the development of cribbing. The aim of this study was to verify whether feeding cribbing horses through a dispenser that delivers small quantities of concentrate when activated by the animal decreases cribbing behaviour, modifies feeding behaviour, or induces frustration. Ten horses (mean age 14 y), balanced for sex, breed, and size (mean height 162 cm), were divided into two groups of 5 horses each: Cribbing and Control. Animals were trained to use the dispenser and videorecorded continuously for 15 consecutive days from 1 h prior to feeding to 2 h after feeding in order to measure their behaviours. The feed dispenser, Quaryka®, induced an increase in time necessary to finish the ration in both groups of horses (P < 0.05). With Quaryka, cribbers showed a significant reduction of time spent cribbing (P < 0.05). After removal of the feed dispenser (Post-Quaryka), cribbing behaviour significantly increased. The use of Quaryka may be particularly beneficial in horses fed high-energy diets and ingesting the food too quickly.

Activity budget, pattern and rhythm of maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus): Responses to variations in ambient temperature

Three-toed sloths (Bradypus) are heterothermic, and ambient temperature may have a direct effect on their activity levels. Our goal was to describe the time budget, pattern and rhythm of activity of the maned sloth, Bradypus torquatus (Xenarthra: Bradypodidae), and to evaluate the effect of ambient temperature on its activity. We hypothesized that (1) sloth activity increases with ambient temperature, fluctuating with the circadian temperature cycle, and (2) sloths are more active in the diurnal period during colder seasons than warm seasons due to constraints or avoidance of the colder times within a 24-h cycle. Nine radio-collared individuals were followed in forest remnants in southern Bahia, Brazil from March 2003 to April 2014. Behavior data of 8 sloths were collected during the diurnal period by direct visualization (608h of record), and the activities of 4 sloths were recorded by an automated system during continuous hours (744h of record). The maned sloths exhibited low activity levels, resting 77% of a 24-h period. In general, they were cathemeral, although they were twice as active in the diurnal phase (active 32% of the time) compared with the nocturnal phase (15%). The ambient temperature had a significant positive effect on activity levels. The rhythm of activity was circadian and synchronized with the ambient temperature. No difference was detected in the diurnal activity between hotter and colder seasons, most likely reflecting the low fluctuations in climatic conditions of this tropical forest. The narrow relationship between the circadian activity pattern of maned sloths and the ambient temperature cycle highlights their poor thermoregulatory ability. The lower activity levels exhibited during colder times may represent a behavioral adaptation that reduces heat loss, enhances body temperature control and optimizes energetic benefits, a key feature for a species relying on a low energetic diet.

Description of a bovine model for studying digestive and metabolic effects of a positive energy balance not biased by lactation or gravidity

Physiological consequences of adaptation to and continued feeding of a high-energetic diet were studied in eight non-pregnant, non-lactating dairy Holstein cows over a period of 16 weeks. The first six weeks served as an adaptation period from the low energetic straw-based diet (3.8 MJ NEL/kg DM) to the high-energetic ration (7.5 MJ NEL/kg DM). Intake of dry matter (DM) increased with dietary energy concentration from 9 to 20 kg/d up to week 9 to 12 and decreased thereafter. The initial live weight (LW) of 550 ± 60 kg was increased linearly and corresponded to an average daily LW gain of 2.3 ± 0.3 kg. Energy balance increased approximately nine-fold to a maximum of 114 MJ NEL/d in week 10. Ruminal fermentation pattern was completely changed from an acetate dominating profile to a propionate based one, which was paralleled by a marked increase in the rumen fluid endotoxin concentration. Unlike blood glucose concentration, which increased continuously, that of cholesterol and triglycerides started to increase after an initial stagnation. In conclusion, both ruminal adaptation to a high-energetic diet and the continued feeding of such a diet induced digestive and metabolic adaptations in non-pregnant, non-lactating cows characterised by a progressing positive energy balance.

Effects of dietary pomegranate byproduct silage supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing lambs

In an experiment with 24 male growing Florina (Pelagonia) lambs, effects of dietary pomegranate byproduct silage (PS) on performance, carcass characteristics and meat chemical and fatty acid composition were determined. In the 9 week experiment, lambs were allocated to one of three dietary treatments (PS0, PS120, and PS240) of 8 lambs each. Lambs had an initial body weight (BW) of 18.8±2.28kg, and were fed one of three isonitrogenous (crude protein 171g/kg, dry matter – DM basis) and isoenergetic (net energy for gain 5.62MJ/kg, DM basis) total mixed rations (TMRs) ad libitum. The PS was added to the TMR at inclusion levels (as mixed basis) of 0, 120, and 240g/kg DM for treatments PS0, PS120, and PS240, respectively. No differences (P>0.05) occurred among PS treatments in final BW (34.3kg), BW gain (0.24kg/day), DM intake (0.94kg/day), and FCR (3.95kg DM intake/kg BW gain). Moreover, carcass characteristics were not affected (P>0.05) with increased PS feeding, except for the fat color, fat firmness, wetness and overall acceptability of carcasses, which improved (P<0.05). Fat content of meat was linearly increased (P<0.001) with increasing PS in lambs TMRs. PS supplementation caused linear (P<0.05) and quadratic (P<0.01) effect on 11-Hexadecenoic concentration and a linear decrease (P<0.05) in 6-9-Hexadecenoic and cis-11, 14-eicosadienoic acids concentrations, in intramuscular fat. A linear increase (P<0.05) was observed in linoleic acid and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (P<0.05) concentration, with increasing PS inclusion levels and a quadratic (P<0.05) and linear (P<0.01) effect on α-linolenic acid concentration. Meat total phenolic content increased linearly (P<0.05) and antioxidant activity was linearly (P<0.05) and quadratic affected (P<0.05), with maximum levels observed in intermediated group (PS120). Pomegranate byproduct silage supplementation, at levels up to 240g/kg DM of TMR, in isonitrogenous and iso (net energy) energetic diets for growing lambs did not affect their performance and carcass quantitative characteristics, but improved qualitative carcass characteristics. More significantly, dietary PS supplementation improved the nutritional and functional qualities, as well as the antioxidant potential of meat, as indicated by the increase in essential fatty acids, linoleic, α-linolenic acid and trans-10, cis-12 CLA, in intramuscular fat and the increase in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity.

Effect of dietary palygorskite on performance and blood parameters of lactating Holstein cows

Sixteen lactating Holstein cows were used in an experiment to determine the effects of dietary palygorskite (Pal) supplementation on productivity and milk composition, and blood parameters. In the experiment, which started on week 12 postpartum, cows were allocated, after equal distribution relative to milk yield and lactation number (i.e., 2 or 3), into 2 treatments being Pal0 and Pal10 of 8 cows each. For a period of 12weeks (i.e., weeks 12–24 postpartum), cows were fed one of two isonitrogenous (crude protein 178g/kg, dry matter — DM basis) and isoenergetic (net energy for lactation 7.85MJ/kg, DM basis) concentrates (12.3kgDM/cow/day), alfalfa hay (5.4kgDM/cow/day), corn silage (3.3kgDM/cow/day) and wheat straw (1.8kgDM/cow/day). The concentrate for treatment Pal0 (control) had no Pal, while that for treatment Pal10 contained 10kg/t of Pal (as mixed basis), respectively. To examine the tolerance on excess of Pal feeding, 8 more lactating Holstein cows in an additional treatment group (Pal100, 100kgPal/t of concentrate, as mixed basis) were used for a period of 8weeks (i.e., weeks 12–20 postpartum). The concentrate for treatment Pal100 was isonitrogenous and isoenergetic to treatments Pal0 and Pal10. Treatment Pal100 was solely used to determine the health status and behavior of cows and was not compared to the other treatments. All cows, including those in treatment Pal100, remained healthy until the end of the experiment without altering their behavior. In the 12-week experimental period, there were no differences between Pal0 and Pal10 treatments (P>0.05) in milk fat (32.0g/kg), protein (33.4g/kg), lactose (48.9g/kg) or ash (6.7g/kg) contents. With increased Pal feeding, protein yield increased (0.82 vs. 0.86kg/day; P<0.001) and colony forming units (CFU) decreased (58.6 vs. 41.9×1000CFU/ml; P<0.001), but average milk yield (25.4kg/day), other yields of components and somatic cell counts were not affected (P>0.05). Moreover, some differences in blood parameters occurred (P<0.05) between treatments. Dietary Pal supplementation, at levels up to 10kg/t, in isonitrogenous and iso- (net energy) energetic diets for lactating cows improved cow milk yield and quality increasing protein yield and decreasing milk microorganisms. Lactating cows exhibit tolerance to excess of Pal feeding, at inclusion level 100kg/t of concentrate, for up to 8weeks.

Growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of lambs produced from Dorper sheep crossed with Santa Inês or Brazilian Somali sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs of Dorper sheep crossed with Santa Inês or Brazilian Somali sheep and raised under an intensive production system in the northeastern region of Brazil. A total of ten non-castrated male lambs of each genetic group were used in this trial under a fully randomized design. The lambs were housed and creep fed until weaning at 60 days of age. After weaning, they were sent to a feedlot for finishing with a high energetic diet until slaughter, which occurred when they reached 3mm of subcutaneous fat thickness. The crossbred Santa Inês lambs exhibited a higher daily gain (0.3kg/day) than the Brazilian Somali crossbred lambs, which were more precocious in reaching the slaughter fat thickness (118 days). Significant differences were observed between the genetic groups for the hot carcass weight, carcass shrink, and measurements of the rib eye area, the carcass and leg compactness indexes and the weight of the carcass joints. However, no significant differences were found for the amount of lean meat per cold carcass weight unity and the yield of retail cuts. The crossbred Brazilian Somali lambs presented a higher amount of fat per cold carcass weight unity (26mm/100kg) than the Santa Inês lambs. According to the results obtained and under the described experimental conditions, it may be concluded that at the same maturity level, the growth performance, the age at slaughter and the main carcass characteristics vary with the genetic group, making possible the use of local sheep breeds to meet efficiently the needs of different markets.

Effects of Diet and Physical Activity in an Integrated CVD and T2DM Prevention at High Risk Abdominal Obese Individuals

Obesity is the complex of a multifactorial phenotype determined of interaction between behavioral factors, mainly energy intake and expenditure that affects body fat mass, genetic variations (hereditary predisposition), different biological factors (sex, vulnerable ages related to increased weight, hormone activity), community situation and environmental factors. In general, abdominal obesity, CVD and T2DM can be considered as diseases related to unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Also, it’s known that physical activity level (PALs) is an independent predictor of T2DM. The question of an integrated CVD and T2DM prevention at high risk obese individuals is important scientific problem. Targeted “lifestyle” intervention programme is beneficial especially in abdominal obese individuals. Overall results including our data are additional argument that any other preventive-therapeutic programme is not possible to be applied as alteration for physical activity (PA) [2]. With aim to promote preventive-therapeutic programmes intended for abdominal obese individuals with increased cardiometabolic risk for development of CVD and T2DM, we develop a model of efficient intervention with a proposal - a measure for macronutrient content of diet and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness - VO 2 max (ml -1 kg -1 min -1 ). Within the randomised controlled trial at a group of abdominal obese individuals with presence risk factors (RF) for arteriosclerosis, CVD and T2DM chosen according to a previously given criteria, we suggest the following two types of programmes to be applied: I. a combined preventive-therapeutic programme composed of moderate hypo-energetic diets with a low atherogenic potential, low glycaemic index (GI) and individually dosed, programmed PA; II. low fat, low GI, moderate hypo energetic diets. The programme’s objectives are as follows: 1. To examine the influence of the suggested preventivetherapeutic programmes on the basis of a follow up of the intensity of the dynamics and the course of changes of certain anthropometrical variables and indexes for evaluation of the obesity degree and the abdominal distribution of the fat, the functional variables for estimation of the cardiorespiratory fitness and the laboratory variables – indicators for glycoregulation and the metabolism of the lipids;

Character transformations and their functional significance as a key to the evolution of hystricognath Rodentia

Hystricognathi represent a monophyletic taxon within Rodentia. Since phylogenetically analyzed morphological systems are essential for revealing evolutionary processes, this study identifies evolutionary character transformations on the stem lineage of Hystricognathi as derived from the author's own work and the literature. Data so far indicate that evolutionary transformations in the rostral head region, the loss of tactile ability in the outer nasal skin and the mobile arrangement of the associated cartilage, were allied with a switch from omnivorous to herbivorous and fiber-rich nutrition. Additional character transformations in the skull assist in digesting such food. Structures associated with reproduction and placentation show a remarkable pro portion of derived character conditions: the chorioallantoic placenta has a ring-shaped organization and growth structure which optimizes the capacity for passive diffusion, a subplacenta occurred as a specialized region responsible for placental invasion and the inverted yolk sac facilitates substance exchange with the main placenta. Finally, precocial newborns evolved as a derived condition within Rodentia. All things considered, a mode of reproduction is indicated, which does not demand excessive additional energy intake by the mother and is in accordance with her low energetic diet. Hystricognathi possess major character transformations that represent prerequisites for their successful radiation at the time when more open ecosystems and grasslands evolved during Earth history. The analysis resulted in the reconstruction of a life-near picture of the hystricognath stem species pattern with high explanatory power in terms of changes in space and time and their interdependence with biodiversity.

EFFECT OF MOTHER-LITTER SEPARATION AND PMSG ON THE FERTILITY OF LACTATING DOES AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR LITTER.

Two batches of 80 does each were inseminated (Al) 11 d post parturition during 10 months in arder to judge the effect of oestrus synchronisation of lactating does. Three different methods were comparad with the not treated control: a separation mother­young during 40 h before Al, a 4 d. flushing prior to the Al with an energetic diet and a PMSG treatment (20 IU, 2 days before Al). A total of 991 inseminations, exclusively of lactating does, were analysed. After a 40 h separation, both receptivity and fertility (78.8 and 78.0%, respectively) were signlficantly higher (P<0.01) than the control (40.8 and 66.9%) and comparable with the PMSG treatment (75.1 and 76.7%, respectively). Effects were most pronounced for primiparous and does in their second lactation. However, the separation reduced (P<0.01) weaning weight of the young (40 - 47g). Flushing with the concentrated diet had a negativa effect on fertility (54. 7 vs 66.9% for controls). This was probably due to the low palatability of the experimental diet. In fact, the daily energy intake during the flushlng period was lower (-0.15 MJ ME/day) than in the control group. From this experiment it can be concluded that the bio-stimulation method applied is a real alternativa to hormonal treatments for inducing oestrus synchronisation. However, further research is necessary to better define the optimal mother-litter separation time by taking into account also considerations on animal welfare.

INFLUENCE OF THE DIET USED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FIRST MATING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS DOES

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of different diets used before and after the first mating on reproductive performance of does. 100 New Zealand White fema les growing rabbits (50 days old) were fed two different diets with concentrate pellets: in the first diet (fibrous diet - F) crude fibre contents (CF) were 22.8% DM; in the second diet (normal diet - T) CF were 18.0% DM. From day 10 of the first pregnancy, 50 does (25 does for the F group and 25 does for T group) received a traditional lactating concentrate (L) with Crude Protein (CP) 18.3% DM and Digestible Energy (DE) 11.37 MJ/kg DM. The other 50 does received, in the same time, bu! in different feeders, two different feeds: the E diet (energetic diet) with CP 23.4% DM and DE 14.59 MJ/kg DM and the F diet. Using F diet in the growing period the rabbits increase the feed intake (119.1 vs 110.3 g/d/kg Lw 0.75 ) during the successive lactations and more young rabbits were weaned (8.04 vs 7.69) and he litters were heavier at 21 (2685 g vs 2584 g) and 35 days (7421 g vs 6896 g). However the two different diets used caused a decrease of food consumption (111.3 vs 117.1 g/d/kg LW 0.75 ). The consumption of E food was higher than F and the rabbits of this group showed the highest DE intake (1i5 vs 1.19 MJ/d/ LW 0.75 ) and DP intake (15.08 vs 13.31 g/d/kg LW 0.75 ). Also the litters at 21 (2698 g vs 2588 g) and 35 days (7321 g vs 7038 g) were heavier. The obtained data confirm the efficiency of the administration during the growing period of a diet rich in fibre. The same data cannot give sufficient information to judge the use of 2 free choice diets during he reproduction period.