Fat Tissue Weight Research Articles

복령 추출물이 혈중 지질성상에 미치는 영향

복령의 비만예방 및 개선효과에 대해 검토하기 위한 일환으로 복령추출물의 혈중 지질성상에 미치는 영향을 연구하였다. 마우스를 대조군, 고지방식이군(HF), 고지방식이＋열수 추출물 첨가군(HF＋WE), 고지방식이＋에탄올 추출물 첨가군(HF＋EE) 네 군으로 나누어 각각 4주간 투여하였다. 사료섭취량은 대조군, 고지방식이군 및 추출물 첨가군에서 유의 있는 차이가 없었다. 체중증가량은 대조군, 고지방식이군 및 열수 추출물 첨가군에서 유의 있는 차이는 없었으나, 에탄올 첨가군(HF＋EE)에서 체중증가가 낮게 나타났다. 또한 대조군 및 고지방식이 투여군에 비해 HF＋EE군에서 간중량도 감소하였다. 그러나 부고환 지방조직 중량은 대조군에 비해 고지방식이군 및 추출물 첨가군 모두 약 1.4배 증가하였다. 혈중 트리글리세리드, 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 고지방식이군에서 증가하였는데, 에탄올 추출물 첨가군에서 유의 있게 감소하였다. 혈중 LDL-콜레스테롤은 고지방식이군에서 크게 증가하는데, 에탄올 추출물 첨가군에서 감소하였다. 또한 혈중 HDL-콜레스테롤 함량은 고지방식이군에서 감소하는데, 에탄올 추출물 첨가군에서 증가하였다. 간의 트리글리세리드 및 콜레스테롤 함량은 실험군 간에 유의 있는 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이상의 결과는 복령의 에탄올 추출물 투여로 고지방식이 투여로 인한 마우스의 혈중 지방분포를 개선할 수 있음을 제시해주고 있다.

Biochemical hepatic alterations and body lipid composition in the herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed high-fat diets

High-fat diets may have favourable effects on growth of some carnivorous fish because of the protein-sparing effect of lipids, but high-fat diets also exert some negative impacts on flesh quality. The goal of the study was therefore to determine the effects of fat-enriched diets in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) as a typical herbivorous fish on growth and possible lipid metabolism alterations. Three isonitrogenous diets containing 2, 6 or 10 % of a mixture of lard, maize oil and fish oil (1:1:1, by weight) were applied to fish for 8 weeks in a recirculation system. Data show that feeding diets with increasing lipid levels resulted in lowered feed intake, decreased growth and feed efficiency, and increased mesenteric fat tissue weight. Concomitantly, alteration of lipoprotein synthesis and greater level of lipid peroxidation were apparent in blood. In liver, muscle and mesenteric fat tissue, the percentages of alpha-linolenic acid and DHA were significantly increased or tended to increase with higher dietary lipid levels. Biochemical activity measurements performed on liver showed that, with the increase in dietary lipid level, there was a decrease in both mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation capacities, which might contribute, at least in part, to the specific accumulation of alpha-linolenic acid and DHA into cells more active in membrane building. On the whole, grass carp have difficulty in energetically utilising excess dietary fat, especially when enriched in n-3 PUFA that are susceptible to peroxidation.

The IGF system in Chickens: Factors Affecting Gene Expression in Muscle and Liver

Age and dietary protein supply control muscle growth directly and indirectly through the influence of regulatory factors. Insulin-like growth factors (IGF1 and 2) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) are key regulators of muscle development and metabolism in birds and other vertebrate species. Gene expression of IGF1 and 2, IGF receptor, and IGFBP 1,2,4 and 5 in the liver, pectoralis major (PM), and vastus lateralis muscles (VL) from broiler chickens were determined by Real Time PCR. In an age study, tissue was collected from chickens at 7 (D7) and 35 (D35) days-of-age fed a 24% protein diet. An additional two groups of chickens were fed either 12% (P12) or 30% (P30) dietary protein after 7 days-of-age, and samples were collected at D39. Plasma IGF1 was 2-fold higher on D35 than D7. Hepatic IGF1, IGFBP1, and IGFBP4 gene expressions were significantly higher at D35 than D7. At D7, PM IGFBP4 and VL IGF2 were expressed greater than at D35. In the dietary protein study, chickens fed P30 had higher plasma IGF1. In this group (P30) body, fat, and lean tissue weights, bone mineral density and bone mineral content were 2.5-fold greater than P12. However, hepatic IGF1, IGFBP1 and IGFBP5 mRNA expression levels were higher in P12 than P30. In PM, IGFBP4 gene expression was greater in the chicks fed 30% dietary protein. VL muscle IGF receptor gene expression was greater in the chickens fed P30 than P12. These data demonstrate that IGF and IGFBP gene expression are influenced by age and dietary protein in the chicken.

Mutated-leptin gene transfer induces increases in body weight by electroporation and hydrodynamics-based gene delivery in mice

To investigate whether in vivo gene transfer causes leptin-antagonistic effects on food intake, animal body weight and fat tissue weight, the R128Q mutated-leptin gene, an R to Q substitution at position 128 of mouse leptin, was transferred into mouse liver and leg muscle by electroporation and hydrodynamics-based gene delivery. Mutated-leptin gene transfer by electroporation caused significant increases in body weight at 5 days and after (5.4% increase relative to control; p<0.05). Hydrodynamics-based gene delivery of the mutated-leptin gene also caused an increase in body weight (3.0% increase relative to control; p<0.05). Mutated-leptin gene transfer by electroporation significantly increased the tissue weight of epididymal white fat and neuropeptide Y mRNA expression in the hypothalamus compared with those of the control group 3 weeks after gene transfer (p<0.05). These results suggest that mutated-leptin gene transfer successfully produced leptin-antagonistic effects by modulating the central regulator of energy homeostasis. Also, the extent of leptin-antagonistic effects by electroporation was much higher than hydrodynamics-based gene delivery, with at least single gene transfer.

Untersuchungen zur Körperzusammensetzung und zum Wachstum von Kälbern unterschiedlicher genetischer Herkunft mittels Dualenergie–Röntgenabsorptiometrie (DXA)

Abstract. Title of the paper: In vivo analysis of body composition and growth of calves of different genetic origin using dualenergy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) In vivo body composition and growth of 214 calves (6-50 days old) of different genetic origin were analyzed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A whole body scan was performed. Looking at body composition there were differences among calf genotypes and parent genotypes. Purebred German-Holstein calves showed lower bone mineral density, bone mineral content, bone mineral percentage, fat tissue percentage and weight than the other genotypes. Opposite conditions existed for lean tissue percentage. Daily feed intake and tissue growth rates (lean tissue, fat tissue, bone mineral) were recorded from day 0 to day 50 of age. Further effects of birth type and lactation number of dam became obvious. Twins showed a significant higher daily gain than calves of single births. Heifer calves had highest daily gain between Scan 2 and Scan 3 in contrary to calves of cows of fourth or fifth lactation number. Within the study two scan modes were compared. A comparison between two scan modes 'normal' and 'pediatric large' showed a high correlation of selected values (r ≥ 0,90) except for lean tissue percentage (r = 0,62), fat tissue percentage (r = 0,70) and R-value (r = 0,69). In conclusion DXA is a very suitable method for examination of body composition and growth of calves.

離乳直後の仔ラットの脂質し好性に母ラットの脂質摂取量は影響しない

We investigated the fat preference of weaning rats born to 8 dams of the Sprague-Dawley strain. The dams had been divided into two groups: one group (LF) was given during pregnancy and lactation a low-fat diet containing 3.5% soybean oil, and the other group (HF) was given a high-fat diet containing 7% soybean oil and 14% lard. After weaning, each pup was given both the high-fat diet and low-fat diet placed in separate cups. The fat preference was determined by measuring the intake of these two diets over 8 days. The respective intake proportions by weight of the high-fat diet were 81% and 88% by the pups from the LF and HF groups, while the respective fat energy ratios of the total dietary intake were 35% and 37%. No significant differences in the body, liver or perirenal fat tissue weights and liver lipid concentrations after self-selection were apparent between both groups of pups, in spite of the large difference in dietary fat level intake by both dam groups. There was no significant difference in the selfselection of dietary fat by the weaning pups. These results suggest that, immediately after weaning, all the rats had a high-fat preference which was not conditioned by the diet of the pregnant and lactating dams, nor by possible nibbling of the dams' diet during nursing.

Study of carcass, organ, muscle, fat tissue weight, and concentration in rats fed CLA or its precursors by principal component analysis

Carcass, organ and muscle weight, and fat tissue data were obtained from 30 weaned male Wistar rats fed one of three diets, (10 rats/diet) over a period of 60 d. The diets were base with synthetic conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), sunflower oil or beef enriched CLA. The CLA diet contained the base diet and 18.2 g kg-1 of synthetic CLA (53% cis 9, trans 11 and 44% trans 10, cis 12) replacing 26% of the soybean oil, the sunflower oil diet contained the base plus 70 g kg-1 of sunflower oil replacing all the soybean oil, and the CLA-enriched diet contained the base plus 200 g kg-1 of beef enriched bio-formed CLA replacing the casein. Data were subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA). The first principal component (PC) extracted carcass weight, organ and muscle weight variables and accounted for 41.3% of the total variation. The second principal component included all of the fat tissue variables and accounted for 20.5% of the total variation. The rats fed the synthetic CLA diet were associated with high carcass, liver, kidney, heart, gastrocnemius and soleus muscle weights, and low retroperitoneal and inguinal fat weights, and adipocyte numbers in the fat tissues. In rat models, short periods of synthetic CLA feeding may have a greater impact on decreasing fat accretion in selected fat tissues than feeding CLA-enriched meat. The PC analysis provides means of combining into one or a few components traits that have similar responses, each component being orthogonal to all other components, whereas, in a conventional univariate analysis of variance each dependent variable is analyzed separately in relation to one or more independent variable. Key words: Conjugated linoleic acid, feeding, principal component analysis, fat, muscle, accretion

Effects of α - naphthoflavone on body growth and gonad development in chickens (Gallus domesticus)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged oral administration of &amp;alpha; -naphthoflavone on somatic and germinal development in male and female chickens (Gallus domesticus). No significant differences were observed at any tested age (6, 8, 10 and 12 wks) between control and treated groups of either sex in total body weight and in the weights of kidney, liver, gizzard, heart, abdominal fat, breast and ovary tissues (P &amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;0.05). Mean testicular weights were similar between groups at 6, 8 and 10 wks but at 12 wks males supplemented with &amp;alpha; -naphthoflavone had significantly heavier testicle weights (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared to 2 control groups. Histological examination of the seminiferous tubules (ST) revealed a more advanced stage of maturation in the testes of &amp;alpha; -naphthoflavone-treated males, and the presence of testicular spermatozoa was observable as early as at 12 weeks of age. The testes of males from the two control groups were still at an impuberal stage at this age. &amp;nbsp;

550 In chronic heart failure elevated homocysteine level is related to impaired metabolism and endothelial dysfunction

Methods: We studied 29 stable CHF patients (23 men, age: 65±2 yrs, peak VO2: 14±1 ml/min/kg, left ventricular ejection fraction: 33±2%, New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I/II/III/IV: 1/11/3/4), 6 of which had documented, non-intentional, non-oedematous weight loss > 7.5% of previous normal weight over > 6 months. MCP-1 was measured and correlated with clinical data, cytokine levels (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP, highsensitivity method), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Body composition was assessed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The control group consisted of 30 well-matched healthy subjects. Results: CHF patients had significantly higher MCP-1 levels (443±34 vs. 209±8 pg/mL), together with elevated cytokines, CRP levels and ESR (7.0±1.1 vs. 2.3±0.2 pg/mL for IL-6; 4.4±0.5 vs. 1.6±0.1 pg/mL for TNF-alpha; 7.0±1.1 vs. 1.6±0.2 mg/L for CRP, 18 vs. 4 mm/h for ESR; CHF vs. controls: all p 0.2) and was only marginally higher in patients with most severe CHF symptoms (371 vs. 490 pg/ml, NYHA class I-II vs. III-IV, p=0.09). We found significant relationships between MCP-1 and cytokines (r=0.46 for IL-6, r=0.36 for TNF-alpha, both p 0.2). Conclusions: In CHF elevated MCP-1 levels are markers of immune activation and inflammation and also closely relate to loss of fat tissue and body weight. This finding may form a novel therapeutic background for the treatment of cardiac cachexia in CHF.

Influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus content in a fixed ratio on growth and development in Great Danes.

To study the musculoskeletal development of Great Dane puppies fed various dietary concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in fixed ratio by use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), determination of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and parathyroid hormone concentrations, radiography, and blood chemistry analysis results. 32 purebred Great Dane puppies from 4 litters. At weaning, puppies were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 diets. Blood was collected for biochemical analyses and hormone assays, and radiography and DEXA were performed through 18 months of age. Changes in body weight, bone mineral content, fat tissue weight, lean mass, result of serum biochemical analyses, hormonal concentrations, and radius lengths were analyzed through 18 months of age. Bone mineral content of puppies correlated positively with Ca and P content of the diets fed. Significant differences between groups in bone mineral content, lean mass, and body fat were apparent early. The disparity among groups increased until 6 months of age and then declined until body composition was no longer different at 12 months of age. Accretion rates for skeletal mineral content, fat, and lean tissue differed from each other and by diet group. Ca and P concentrations in the diet of young Great Dane puppies are rapidly reflected in the bone mineral content of the puppies until 5 to 6 months of age, after which hormonal regulation adjusts absorption and excretion of these minerals. Appropriate Ca and P concentrations in diets are important in young puppies < 6 months of age.

Guar gum reduces trichloroethylene accumulation in the body by reducing TCE absorption and fat tissue mass.

Two studies were conducted regarding the effects of guar gum on accumulation and metabolism of trichloroethylene (TCE). In study 1, 6- and 14-weeks-old rats were given a single oral dose of 100 mg of trichloroethylene (TCE). Ten hours after administration of TCE, a marked positive correlation was noted between relative fat tissue weights and TCE distribution in fat tissues. Therefore, a small mass of fat tissue apparently limited TCE accumulation. In study 2, each of four groups of rats was fed one of four diets: cellulose-soybean oil, cellulose-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), guar gum-soybean oil, or guar gum-DHA for 3 weeks and then all were given TCE as in study 1. The rate of decrease of TCE distributed in fat tissues of groups fed guar gum compared with corresponding groups fed cellulose was greater than the rate of decrease in relative weight of these tissues. TCE absorption by groups fed guar gum decreased 12% compared with TCE absorption of corresponding groups fed cellulose. Therefore, guar gum decreased TCE accumulation in the body by reducing TCE absorption and fat tissue mass.

Relation of birth weight to lean and fat thigh tissue in young men.

Birth weight is positively associated with body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) in later life, but is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk. To understand this paradox, we examined the relationships between birth weight, adult BMI, and estimations of lean and fat tissue in young men. From 192 applicants for military service (ages 17-22 y, mean BMI 23.2 kg/m2) with known birth weights we measured the circumference and anterior skinfold thickness at midthigh to estimate thigh muscle+bone area and subcutaneous fat area. Linear regression models including birth weight as the independent variable were adjusted for race and adult height. BMI was linearly associated with birth weight (standardized regression coefficient, [SRC]=+0.27; P=0.0004), as was the thigh muscle+bone area (SRC=+0.22; P=0.0029), but not the thigh subcutaneous fat area (SRC=+0.13; P=0.086). The BMI-birth weight association was reduced by 68% when the regression model was further adjusted for thigh muscle+bone area. Separate adjustment for thigh subcutaneous fat, however, reduced the BMI-birth weight association by only 30%. Waist circumference was also associated with birth weight (SRC=+0.24; P=0.0014), sagittal abdominal diameter was weakly associated (SRC=+0.17; P=0.028), but waist/thigh ratio and abdominal diameter index were not associated with birth weight. The larger BMI associated with higher birth weight may reflect increments in lean tissue more than increments in fat. Birth weight's influence on lean tissue is observed in the thigh and, among fit young men, perhaps at the waist. Increased muscularity in young men may partly explain the cardiovascular benefit in middle age ascribed to higher birth weight.

The novel hypoglycemic agent YM440 normalizes hyperglycemia without changing body fat weight in diabetic db/db mice

To determine the relationship between hypoglycemic activity and body weight gain induced by insulin sensitizers, we compared the effects of thiazolidinedione analogs (troglitazone and pioglitazone) and the oxadiazolidinedione analog (Z)-1,4-bis4[(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl)methyl]phen oxy¿but-2-ene (YM440) in diabetic db/db mice. Oral treatment with YM440(100 mg/kg) for 28 days decreased the blood glucose concentration (control v YM440, 418 +/- 12 v243 +/- 44 mg/dL). The hypoglycemic activity of this agent was comparable to that of troglitazone (300 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (100 mg/kg). There were no changes in food intake among the groups. Troglitazone and pioglitazone, but not YM440, significantly increased body weight gain during treatment (control, 7.2 +/- 0.5 g; YM440, 7.5 +/- 0.8 g; troglitazone, 10.9 +/- 0.8 g; and pioglitazone, 14.5 +/- 1.1 g). To further assess whether the increase in body weight by troglitazone or pioglitazone was due to adipogenesis, the weight of intraabdominal fat tissue (epididymal, retroperitoneal, and perirenal) was determined. There were no differences in the total weight of visceral fat between the control and YM440 treatment (3.53 +/- 0.23 and 3.60 +/- 0.16 g). In contrast, troglitazone and pioglitazone significantly increased the fat weight (4.31 +/- 0.13 and 4.66 +/- 0.19 g). Thiazolidinediones are known as ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a nuclear receptor responsible for adipogenesis. Troglitazone and pioglitazone activated PPARgamma and increased triglyceride accumulation and mRNA expression of fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) in 3T3-L1 cells. However, YM440 had no effect on these indices for adipocyte differentiation. These results suggest that the mechanism is different for the hypoglycemic action of YM440 versus the thiazolidinediones. YM440 ameliorates hyperglycemia without changing PPARgamma activity, adipocyte differentiation, or fat weight. Thus, YM440 could be a useful hypoglycemic agent for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) without affecting body weight.

Effects of sodium alginate and fish oil to reduce trichloroethylene accumulation in rats.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary sodium alginate and fish oil on bodily accumulated trichloroethylene (TCE), which has been widely used as a halogenated solvent and is metabolized at a high rate. Each of three groups of rats was fed on either of diets containing cellulose-soybean oil (control), Na-alginate-soybean oil or cellulose-fish oil for 3 wk, and thereafter given a single oral dose of TCE (100 mg (0.76 mmol)/rat). TCE levels in the blood were monitored for 10 h after the administration of TCE. The peak concentrations of TCE in the blood tended to be higher in the alginate and fish oil groups as compared with those in the cellulose-soybean oil group, but not to a significant extent. TCE concentrations in the liver, kidney, brain and the three fat tissues (epididymal, perirenal and subcutaneous) were significantly lower in the alginate and fish oil groups than in the cellulose-soybean oil group. Fat tissue weights were also lower in the alginate group and fish oil group. The hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes could not account for the remarkable decreases of residual TCE contents in the alginate and fish oil groups. These findings indicate that the metabolism and excretion of TCE might be accelerated in animals with reduced fat tissue mass.

Maternal body fat and water during pregnancy: Do they raise infant birth weight?

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the relation to infant birth weight of maternal fat and lean tissue during early and late pregnancy. Design: Total and net maternal pregnancy weight, fat, and water were determined from measurements of total body water, body density, and bone mineral mass in 200 women, with the use of a multicompartment model for body fat estimation in early and late pregnancy. Regression modeling was used to determine the relation of maternal body composition to birth weight, with control for maternal age, height, parity, and race and for infant gestational age and sex. Results: Maternal weight and body water at term were significantly associated with infant birth weight, but maternal body fat at term was not. These relations remained when maternal net values were used for weight, fat, and water to eliminate the contribution of the conceptus to these components. Conclusion: In well-nourished women delivering at term, maternal body fat near term does not contribute significantly to infant birth weight, but maternal body water does. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:235-40)

Resistance to adenovirally induced hyperleptinemia in rats. Comparison of ventromedial hypothalamic lesions and mutated leptin receptors.

Leptin regulates appetite and body weight via hypothalamic targets, but it can act directly on cultured pancreatic islets to regulate their fat metabolism. To obtain in vivo evidence that leptin may act peripherally as well as centrally, we compared the effect of adenovirally induced hyperleptinemia on food intake, body weight, and islet fat content in ventromedial hypothalamic-lesioned (VMHL) rats, sham-lesioned (SL) controls, and Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats in which the leptin receptor is mutated. Infusion with recombinant adenovirus containing the rat leptin cDNA increased plasma leptin by approximately 20 ng/ml in VMHL and ZDF rats but had no effect on their food intake, body weight, or fat tissue weight. Caloric matching of hyperphagic VMHL rats to SL controls did not reduce their resistance to hyperleptinemia. Whereas prediabetic ZDF rats had a fourfold elevation in islet fat, in VMHL rats islet fat was normal and none of them became diabetic. Isolated islets from ZDF rats were completely resistant to the lipopenic action of leptin, while VMHL islets exhibited 50% of the normal response; caloric matching of VMHL rats to SL controls increased leptin responsiveness of their islets to 92% of controls. We conclude that leptin regulation of adipocyte fat requires an intact VMH but that islet fat content is regulated independently of the VMH.

Involvement of epidermal growth factor in inducing obesity in ovariectomized mice.

Ovariectomy (Ovx) of mice significantly increases the epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in the submandibular gland. To elucidate the role of this elevated EGF in obesity of Ovx mice, we examined the effects of sialoadenectomy (Sx) and anti-EGF rabbit antiserum administration on the body weight (BW) gain and carcass fat deposition in Ovx animals. Studies were performed in four groups of mice consisting of control, Ovx, Ovx+Sx, and Ovx+anti-EGF groups. Ovx increased the BW gain compared with the control animals, whereas Sx and anti-EGF significantly reduced it. Although the relative weights (weight ratio to BW) of the liver and kidney were not significantly changed by Ovx, Sx, or anti-EGF treatment of Ovx mice, the relative weights of mesenteric, parametrial, and subcutaneous fat tissues were increased in Ovx mice, and this increase was significantly reduced by Sx or anti-EGF administration. Ovx induced adipocyte hypertrophy, and this effect was eliminated by Sx and anti-EGF. Moreover, acyl-CoA synthetase mRNA level was increased by Ovx, and this increase was reduced by Sx and anti-EGF in mesenteric fat tissue. These findings suggest that elevation of EGF may play a role in the induction of obesity in Ovx mice.

Relationships between velocity of ultrasound in live lactating dairy cows and some post-slaughter measurements of body composition

AbstractDuring an experiment to measure changes in body composition of lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, the velocity of ultrasound (VOS) through two hindquarter sites and a shoulder site was measured. Fifty-four cows were offered grass silage ad libitum with 3, 6 or 9 kg dry matter (DM) per day of concentrates. Six cows were slaughtered 2 to 4 days post partum (week 0) and two from each diet at 2, 5, 8, 11,14,19, 24 and 29 weeks post partum. After slaughter the right half-carcass and organs were frozen and minced before chemical analysis and the left half-carcass from 15 animals was jointed and fully dissected into bone, muscle, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat and other tissues. The relationships between the VOS measurements, together with live weight (LW) and the proportions of dissected fat and muscle tissues in the half carcass were examined and found to be comparable with published data for beef cattle. The relationships of the VOS measurements and LW to chemically determined fat and crude protein (CP) and derived estimates of energy were examined for the carcass and for the whole empty body, and found to account for proportionately 0·66 to 0·87 of the variance. The use of this noninvasive technique to monitor changes in body composition of dairy cows during lactation is therefore suggested as a useful and reliable technique. Dissection of a small inexpensive abdominal sample joint to estimate the fat: muscle ratio of the carcass was found to account for 0·85 of the variance. Finally, the relationship between dissected fat and muscle tissue weights in the half carcass and chemical fat and CP weights in the carcass and empty body were examined and found to be highly correlated.

Effects of Food Restriction on Distribution, Accumulation and Excretion of Pentachlorobenzene and Hexachlorobenzene in Rats

We investigated the effect of restricted feeding (RF) on the distribution, accumulation and excretion of pentachlorobenzene (PECB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in rats. PECB and HCB have similar metabolic pathways, but HCB is poorly metaboled; the half life of HCB is few months and that of PECB is a few days. Rats were fed ad libitum (AD) or given a 40% restricted diet for 29 days. On the 21st day (day 0), the rats received an equal mixture of PECB and HCB by intragastric gavage at the dose of 40mg/kg body weight. They were killed on day 1 and day 8 after the administration. The ratio of fat tissue weight to body weight in the RF rats was smaller than that in the AD rats. Large amounts of PECB and HCB were found in fat tissue, and the total amounts in the RF rats on day 1 were lower than those in the AD rats. PECB in blood of the RF rats after the administration rapidly decreased, and residual PECB in various tissues of the RF rats on day 8 was also markedly lower than that of the AD rats. In contrast, HCB in blood was slightly decreased, and the decrease in the RF rats was slower than that in the AD rats. In addition, HCB residues in various tissues of the RF rats on day 8 tended to be higher than those in the AD rats. These results indicated that the effects of RF on accumulation and on excretion of PECB and HCB are quite different.

The Cross-Generation Effect of Neonatal Macrosomia in Rat Pups of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

To study the cross-generation effect of enhanced growth in macrosomic newborn rats, we induced mild hyperglycemia in 15 pregnant Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, 35 mg/kg body weight, on the 5th d of gestation. As reported previously, we produced hyperinsulinemia and accelerated growth in the fetuses of hyperglycemic dams. We also showed that the macrosomic female pups (second generation) continued to have a higher growth rate through the first 12 wk of life. In this study, the second-generation female rats were mated with macrosomic second-generation males; they demonstrated glucose intolerance during late pregnancy and delivered pups (third generation) with higher birth weight and plasma insulin levels than the pups from control second-generation rats. When the macrosomic third-generation pups were raised under identical nutritional and environmental conditions as controls, the macrosomic rats showed accelerated growth and higher fat tissue weight during the first 12 wk of life. Furthermore, the macrosomia was associated with glucose intolerance and higher insulin to glucose ratios compared to controls. We also mated the offspring of second-generation streptozotocin-injected nonmacrosomic as well as the offspring of macrosomic pups of buffer-injected dams; none of the pups from these matings were significantly macrosomic. Therefore, we conclude that the perpetuation of obesity and possibly glucose intolerance across generations in this rat model is predominantly a result of abnormal intrauterine metabolic environment rather than genetic factor driven.