High-energy Diet Research Articles

Evaluation of standardized mixture of synbiotic-glyconutrients supplemented in lambs finished during summer season in tropical environment: growth performance, dietary energetics, and carcass characteristics

Twenty-four Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs (36.4 ± 2.9 kg initial weight) were used in a 77 d feeding trial in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the influence of a standardized synbiotic-glyconutrient combination (GLY) on growth performance, dietary energetic, and carcass characteristics of lambs finished during a period of high ambient temperature. Dietary treatments consisted of a high-energy basal diet supplemented (% of diet dry matter basis) with 0% versus 0.4% GLY. Throughout the study, the average temperature humidity index (THI) was 76.23, corresponding to the “alert” range, but daily maximum THI exceeded 80 for 2 to 6 h of each day of the 77 d study. Daily GLY intake averaged 0.10 g GLY·kg−1 live weight. Supplemental GLY increased (P = 0.04) daily water intake, but dry matter intake was not affected. Supplemental GLY increased (P < 0.03) initial 56-d, and overall (77-d) average daily gain, gain efficiency and estimated dietary net energy. Lambs fed GLY had greater (P ≤ 0.05) hot carcass weight and fat thickness, and decreased (P = 0.02) kidney-pelvic-heart fat. Supplemental GLY did not affect (P ≥ 0.16) shoulder tissue composition or relative weight of visceral mass. Synbiotic-glyconutrient combination improved growth performance, dietary energy, and carcass weight in lambs finished in high ambient temperatures. Enhancements in growth performance and dietary energetics were most appreciable during the first 56 d of the 77 d finishing period.

Dietary Energy Level Impacts the Performance of Donkeys by Manipulating the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome.

Considerable evidence suggests that dietary energy levels and gut microbiota are pivotal for animal health and productivity. However, little information exists about the correlations among dietary energy level, performance, and the gut microbiota and metabolome of donkeys. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which dietary energy content dictates the growth performance by modulating the intestinal microbiome and metabolome of donkeys. Thirty-six nine-month-old male Dezhou donkeys with similar body weights were randomly assigned to two groups fed low- or high-energy diets (LE or HE). The results showed that donkeys fed HE had increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G/F) compared with those that received LE diet. The gut microbiota in both groups was dominated by the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes regardless of the dietary energy level. However, feeding HE to donkeys significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B). Compared to the LE group, feeding HE specifically increased the abundances of unidentified_Prevotellaceae (p = 0.02) while decreasing the richness of unidentified_Ruminococcaceae (p = 0.05). Compared to the LE group, feeding the HE diet significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated certain metabolic pathways involving the aspartate metabolism and the urea cycle. In addition, the increased bacteria and metabolites in the HE-fed group exhibited a positive correlation with improved growth performance of donkeys. Taken together, feeding the HE diet increased the richness of Prevotellaceae and upregulated growth-related metabolic pathways, which may have contributed to the ameliorated growth performance of donkeys. Thus, it is a recommendable dietary strategy to feed HE diets to fattening donkeys for superior product performance and feed efficiency.

PSIX-6 Dietary crude protein modifies fecal microbial populations independent of feed efficiency status in dairy cows

Abstract Understanding the composition and structure of the fecal microbial community may provide insight into bacterial adaptation to dietary changes in cattle. The aim of this study was to determine relationships among the fecal microbiome, residual feed intake (RFI) and residual net energy intake (REI) with diets varying in crude protein (CP). Four Holstein lactating cows (806 ± 38 kg of BW) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (LOW: 13.2% and BASE:16.6% CP) in a crossover design (2 periods of 18 d each). Cows were 260 ± 62 days in milk (DIM) and averaged 26.5 ± 12.0 kg milk yield (MY). Diets were formulated to meet animal needs. Individual feed intake measured by a Calan Gate system was used to calculate daily dry matter intake (DMI). BW, MY and milk components were also measured daily. A linear mixed model with repeated measurements over time was used to evaluate diet effect on DMI, MY, RFI and REI in SAS. Individual fecal samples were collected at the end of each period and extracted DNA was subject to 16S rRNA gene deep amplicon sequencing. Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) were obtained using ≥97% similarity (SILVA database) and microbial community structure was assessed using alpha and beta diversity measures. No significant differences in phenotypic variables evaluated were observed between treatments or periods. We identified 927 concordant OTU among all cows, with 505 novel OTU identified in BASE cows and 403 in LOW cows. Microbial community structure was similar between treatments and feed efficiency measures. One OTU class, Erysipelotrichi, increased in abundance (P = 0.014) in BASE compared to LOW treatment. Findings reflect previous literature in which Erysipelotrichi was associated with high energy or high fat diets. Although no differences were observed in the phenotypic measurements between treatments, metagenomics analyses indicated differences in specific fecal microbial abundance.

PSX-A-10 Late-Breaking: Effects of paternal high energy diets on blastocyst development during in vitro embryo production in the bovine

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of paternal high energy diets on blastocyst development during in vitro embryo production (IVP). Eight sires were stratified by body weight (initial BW = 946 ± 85 kg) and randomly assigned to the same diet (NEm = 2.10, NEg = 1.44, CP = 14.1%, NDF = 16.6%, DM basis) fed at two different inclusion rates while having ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay (NEm = 1.02, NEg = 0.45, CP = 10.2%, NDF = 71.6). After a 10-d adaptation period, sires were individually fed to receive 0.5% (MAINT) or 1.25% [High gain (HG)] of their BW daily for 67 days. At the end of the feeding period, semen was collected through electroejaculation and frozen. Antral follicles were aspirated from ovaries obtained from a slaughterhouse and utilized for IVP in 4 independent replicates (n = 2,227 total oocytes). Cleavage rates were evaluated 48 h after fertilization and blastocyst development rates were evaluated after 7 days of embryo culture. The proposed treatments successfully induced differences in BW gain (P &amp;lt; 0.01; 2.28 vs -0.04 kg/d) and carcass composition (Rump fat: 1.63 vs. 0.41 cm, P = 0.08; Rib fat: 1.06 vs. 0.41 cm, P = 0.02; intramuscular fat: 3.5 vs. 3.0%, P = 0.36; for HG vs. MAINT sires, respectively). There was a significant decrease in cleavage rates (69.9 ± 2.5 vs. 65.0 ± 2.7; P &amp;lt; 0.04), blastocyst rate as a percentage of oocytes (16.7 ± 2.9 vs. 11.5 ± 2.1; P &amp;lt; 0.01), and blastocyst rates as a percentage of cleaved structures (24.1 ± 3.8 vs. 11.5 ± 2.1; P &amp;lt; 0.01) for HG compared with MAINT sires. In conclusion, sires fed diets that induce highly anabolic conditions had impaired blastocyst development compared to sires fed a maintenance diet.

PSXI-26 Blend of essential oils supplemented alone or combined with exogenous amylase compared with virginiamycin on performance of finishing lambs

Abstract Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin (27.87±4.71 kg) intact lambs were used in a growth-performance trial lasted 87 days to assess the effects of treatments. Lambs were assigned to one of six weight groupings in 24 pens (6 replicas per treatment). Basal diet was comprised by cracked corn (14% CP and 2.08 Mcal ENm/kg) and was supplemented as follows: 1) No additives (Control); 2) supplemented with a blend of essential oils at dose of 150 mg EO/kg diet DM (EO, CRINA® Ruminants, DSM Nutritional Products); 3) supplemented with 150 mg EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase/kg diet DM (EO+ENZ, RONOZYME® Rumistar, DSM Nutritional Products), and 4) supplemented with antibiotic virginiamycin (VM, Stafac 500, Phibro Animal Health) at dose of 28 mg virginiamycin/kg diet DM. Growth performance and dietary energetics were very similar (P &amp;gt; 0.97) between EO and VM. In such way that, compared to Control, lambs supplemented with EO and VM tended (P = 0.09) to shown greater final weight (3.1%) and average daily gain (ADG; 5.9%) without difference on DMI (P = 0.99); thus, gain-to-feed ratio (GF) and observed dietary net energy (NE) were average improved in 5.7% (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Compared to Controls, combining EO plus ENZ tended to increased DMI (6.8%, P = 0.09), but increased in 10.4% ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and in 4.4% (P = 0.02) feed efficiency. Lambs supplemented with EO shown lower (P ≤ 0.10) kidney-pelvic-heart fat than Controls and VM lambs. Compared to Controls, additive supplementation decreased (P ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of intestines, the effect being more pronounced with EO supplementation. Compared to VM, supplemental EO (alone or combined with enzyme) shown lower (10.1%, P ≤ 0.04) visceral fat. Supplemental essential oils is a viable alternative to virginiamycin in finishing high-energy diets for lambs. Combining essential oils plus amylase can be a strategy to promote better daily gain weights allowing target final weight at shorter time.

Maternal High-Fat Diet Disturbs the DNA Methylation Profile in the Brown Adipose Tissue of Offspring Mice.

The prevalence of obesity has become a threatening global public health issue. The consequence of obesity is abnormal energy metabolism. Unlike white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) has a unique role in nonshivering thermogenesis. Lipids and glucose are consumed to maintain energy and metabolic homeostasis in BAT. Recently, accumulating evidence has indicated that exposure to excess maternal energy intake affects energy metabolism in offspring throughout their life. However, whether excess intrauterine energy intake influences BAT metabolism in adulthood is not clear. In this study, mouse dams were exposed to excess energy intake by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) before and during pregnancy and lactation. The histology of BAT was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The genome-wide methylation profile of BAT was determined by a DNA methylation array, and specific site DNA methylation was quantitatively analyzed by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) qPCR. We found that intrauterine exposure to a high-energy diet resulted in blood lipid panel disorders and impaired the BAT structure. Higher methylation levels of genes involved in thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in BAT, such as Acaa2, Acsl1, and Cox7a1, were found in 16-week-old offspring from mothers fed with HFD. Furthermore, the expression of Acaa2, Acsl1, and Cox7a1 was down-regulated by intrauterine exposure to excess energy intake. In summary, our results reveal that excess maternal energy leads to a long-term disorder of BAT in offspring that involves the activation of DNA methylation of BAT-specific genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis.

256 Effects of Transition Period Nutrition on Uterine Health

Abstract The transition from gestation to lactation, also known as the transition period, is a critical time for dairy cows. This phase is typically defined as 3 wk before parturition through 3 wk after parturition. Peak disease incidence (shortly after parturition) corresponds with the time of greatest negative energy balance (NEB), the peak in blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, and the greatest acceleration of milk yield. Decreased fertility in the face of increasing milk production may be attributable to greater severity of postpartal NEB resulting from inadequate transition management or increased rates of disease. The depth and duration of NEB is highly related to dry matter intake. Formulation and delivery of appropriate diets that limit total energy intake to requirements but also provide proper intakes of all other nutrients (including the most limiting amino acids Met and Lys) before calving can help lessen the extent of NEB after calving. Cows that received controlled-energy diets during the last 3 wk prepartum had shorter days to pregnancy than cows that consumed high-energy diets in this time period. Additionally, a fully acidified prepartum diet formulated with a higher Ca concentration improved reproductive performance and uterine immune function in the postpartum period through the decrease of days to first ovulation, a tendency to decrease service per conception rate, improved glandular morphology, a tendency to increase polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration, and a tendency to increase the tight-junction protein occludin. Supplementation of rumen-protected methionine during the transition period resulted in improved uterine immune function through improved glandular morphology, increased neutrophil infiltration number after calving, and discovery of neutrophil extracellular trap formation in bovine endometrial tissue. In conclusion, nutritional strategies during the transition impact uterine health and fertility in dairy cows.

PSVII-8 Influence of different levels of metabolic energy on morpho-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken

Abstract The problem of using high-energy diets for early maturing bird crosses is insufficient enrichment of diets, both qualitative and quantitative, with microelements. The aim of the study was to study the effect of different levels of metabolic energy (ME) of diet on productivity and morpho-biochemical parameters of broiler chickens of the Arbor Aсres cross. 3 groups with different content of ME were formed (n = 30). The control group contained 12.61 MJ / kg DM, treatment I - 13.3 MJ / kg DM, treatment II - 14.7 MJ / kg DM. So, live weight of broilers from the II experimental group was higher by 59.9% after the third week of the registration period relative to the control group, and by 18.8% (P ≤ 0.001) compared with I experimental group. At the end of registration period, broilers of II group were superior to the control and I experimental groups by 27.2% and 17.5% (p≤0.01), respectively. At the same time, in the group with the maximum OE content (group II), the level of leukocytes decreased by 9.2%, and the amount of hemoglobin increased by 6.6% compared to the control. By the end of the experiment (35 days), the activity of serum transamylases decreases in experimental groups I and II: ALT activity by 39.2% and 16.7% (P ≤ 0.05); AST by 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively, compared with the control. Thus, the content of main macronutrients of blood serum in animals with the maximum level of MA of the diet (group II) decreases: Fe by 4.95%, Mg by 3.42%, P by 16.7% (P ≤ 0.05) relative to control. Thus, an increase in metabolic energy in the diet of broiler chickens has a positive effect on productivity, causing a decrease in the content of macronutrients in blood serum. The research was carried out with financial support from RSF (20-16-00078).

Hepatic Injury Induced by Dietary Energy Level via Lipid Accumulation and Changed Metabolites in Growing Semi-Fine Wool Sheep.

Liver injury threatens the overall health of an organism, as it is the core organ of the animal body. Liver metabolism is affected by numerous factors, with dietary energy level being a crucial one. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate hepatic injury and to describe its metabolic mechanism in ruminants fed diets with different dietary energy levels. A total of 25 Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep were fed diets with five dietary metabolic energy levels and were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: low energy (LE), medium–low energy (MLE), medium energy (ME), medium–high energy (MHE), and high energy (HE). The results revealed that the average optical density (AOD) of lipid droplets in the LE, MLE, and HE groups was higher than that in the ME and MHE groups. The enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was the lowest in the ME group. An increase in dietary energy level promoted the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and altered the malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) concentration quadratically. In addition, both high and low dietary energy levels upregulated the mRNA abundance of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Metabonomic analysis revealed that 142, 77, 65, and 108 differential metabolites were detected in the LE, MLE, MHE, and HE groups, compared with ME group respectively. These metabolites were involved in various biochemical pathways, such as glycolipid, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, both high and low dietary energy levels caused hepatic injury. Section staining and metabonomic results revealed that hepatic injury might be caused by altered metabolism and lipid accumulation induced by lipid mobilization.

Dietary Energy Levels Affect Carbohydrate Metabolism-Related Bacteria and Improve Meat Quality in the Longissimus Thoracis Muscle of Yak (Bos grunniens).

The effects of different dietary energy levels on the ruminal bacterial population, selected meat quality indices, and their relationship in yak longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle were assessed in this study. A total of 15 castrated yaks were randomly assigned to three groups with low- (NEg: 5.5 MJ/Kg, LE), medium- (NEg: 6.2 MJ/Kg, ME), and high- (NEg: 6.9 MJ/Kg, HE) dietary energy levels and occurred in the cold season (March to May). All yaks from each treatment group were humanely slaughtered and sampled on the day of completion of their feeding treatment. The results showed that the water content and crude fat levels of the LT muscle were markedly elevated in the HE group (P < 0.05), while the shear force was drastically reduced (P = 0.001). Methionine, aspartic acid, and glycine levels in the LT muscle were higher in the LE group compared with the ME and HE groups (P < 0.05). The glutamic acid level in the ME group was greater in comparison to the LE and HE groups (P < 0.05), while the histidine level in the ME group was higher than that in the HE group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the HE diet significantly elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of carbohydrate metabolism-associated bacteria including Prevotella_1, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, U29_B03, Ruminiclostridium_6, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_013 in the rumen. The results of the Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that the abundance of uncultured_bacterium_f_vadinBE97 and uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae showed a significant influence on the indicator of IMF and SF. In conclusion, a high dietary energy level improved the meat quality in the LT muscle of yak mainly by increasing the relative abundance of ruminal amylolytic bacteria to provide substrates for fatty acid synthesis.

Effects of single or combined supplementation of probiotics and prebiotics on ruminal fermentation, ruminal bacteria and total tract digestion in lambs

Probiotics (beneficial living microorganisms) and prebiotics (fiber, cell wall material, mannan polysaccharides derived through hydrolysis of yeast cell walls) are feed additives that may have beneficial extra-nutritional pharmaceutical and/or metabolic effects on livestock health and growth performance. Due to differences in modes of action, their combination may have additive effects on digestion and fermentation in ruminants. For this reason, four male lambs (Dorper; 45.1 ± 2.7 kg initial weight) with “T” cannulas in the rumen were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to evaluate the effects of single or combined supplementation of probiotics and prebiotics on ruminal fermentation and total tract digestion. Dietary treatments consisted of a cracked corn-based basal finishing diet supplemented with: 1) no eubiotics (Control); 2) 3 g of live saccharomyces cerevisiae /lamb/day (2 × 1010 cfu/g, SC), 3) 3 g of mannan oligosaccharide (30 % w/w) plus b-glucans (20 % w/w) /lamb/day (MOS), and 4) combination of 1.5 g/day SC and 1.5 g/day MOS (SCMOS). Compared to controls, SC supplementation tended (P = 0.09) to increase total tract digestion of DM and OM, and increased (P < 0.05) total tract digestion of N, starch, and digestible energy (DE). Compared with Control, MOS increased total tract NDF (7.9 %, P < 0.01) and starch digestion, and tended to improve total tract digestion of (P = 0.09), N (P = 0.07), and DE diet (P = 0.07). Compared to Control, SCMOS increased (P ≤ 0.03) total tract digestion of all fractions evaluated, including a 4.2 % (P < 0.01) increase in DE. Although lambs fed MOS had greater (6.7 %, P = 0.02) NDF digestion than those fed SC, differences in total tract digestion of DM, OM, N, starch and DE diet were not appreciable (P ≥ 0.24). Compared with SC and MOS fed separately, SCMOS increased (P < 0.05) total tract digestion of N and NDF. Supplemental MOS and SCMOS tended (P = 0.09) to promote greater ruminal pH than the Control. Combining supplementation decreased (P ≤ 0.03) the molar proportion of butyrate and ruminal ammonia, consistent with decreased of ruminal concentration of C. aminophilum. Probiotic/prebiotic supplementation of high-energy lamb finishing diets enhances total tract digestion and digestible energy. Reduction hyper-ammonia producing ruminal bacteria with the combination probiotic plus prebiotic may contribute to improved dietary N economy. The combination of probiotics with prebiotics potentiate positive effects on digestion and ruminal fermentation in lambs fed a high-energy diets.

High lipid and high carbohydrate diets affect muscle growth of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) through different signaling pathways

The study was carried out to explore the effect of high lipid/carbohydrate diet on muscle growth of Megalobrama amblycephala. In vivo, three experimental diets, a control diet (6% lipid and 28.13% carbohydrate, CD), a high lipid diet (11%lipid，HLD) and a high carbohydrate diet (39.6% carbohydrate, HCD), were formulated and randomly fed to Megalobrama amblycephala (average initial weight 19.80 ± 0.15 g) for 12 weeks. The results showed that there was no significant difference in specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain rate (WGR) between the control diet group and the high energy diets group (P > 0.05). The springiness, gumminess, chewiness and muscle fiber density were significantly up-regulated in the high energy diets group than control diet group (P < 0.05). HLD, compared with HCD, significantly increased the muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle fiber diameter in the white muscle (P < 0.05). High energy diets significantly elevate the transcriptional levels of Myf5, Myog and Mrf4, and reduce the transcriptional levels of MSTNa and MSTNb (P < 0.05). The transcriptional levels and protein expressions of AMPK and Sirt1 were significantly elevated in the HLD group (P < 0.05). The CAMK and CAN protein levels were significantly increased in the HCD group (P < 0.05). In vitro, the isolated primary hepatocytes from Megalobrama amblycephala were coincubated with 0.4 mM oleic acid (OA) and 40 mM d-glucose respectively. The results clearly state that 0.4 mM OA significantly increased the transcriptional levels of AMPKα1, AMPKα2 and Sirt1, the protein level of AMPK, p-AMPK, p-AMPK/AMPK and Sirt1 (P < 0.05). The protein expression of CAMK and CAN in hepatocytes treated with 40 mM d-glucose were significantly higher than that in the other two treatments (P < 0.05). In summary, high energy diets promoted the muscle fiber hyperplasia in Megalobrama amblycephala while high lipid and high carbohydrate diets may affect muscle growth through AMPK/Sirt1 pathway and Ca2+-dependent pathway, respectively.

Energy: Protein Ratio in Ruminants: Insights from the Intragastric Infusion Technique.

Simple SummaryOne key question that has confounded nutritional scientists for years is how the ruminant responds metabolically with respect to energy and nitrogen utilisation when no exogenous energy is consumed. Fasting metabolism studies using the intragastric infusion technique (IIT) showed this to be a glucose-deficient state characterised by elevated nitrogen excretion and heat production. However, modern feeding systems continue to adopt fasting as the basis for measuring utilisation efficiency of nutritionally balanced diets, giving rise to the false concept of greater feed utilisation below than above energy maintenance. Another IIT finding was that given the animal’s genetic capacity for protein accretion and provided a rumen undegradable protein is fed, ruminants do not catabolise amino acids as an energy source but instead retain these to attain substantial gains in tissue protein deposition, fuelled by endogenous energy reserves. This suggests that endogenous fat reserves could be used to retain body protein when feed supplies are scarce or of poor nutritive value and questions the need to use high-energy diets in the finishing pre-slaughter period. Moreover, body protein and body fat deposition were also shown to be negatively correlated, contradicting current feeding systems which assume that nitrogen retention is always negative in an underfeeding situation.Studies on energy:protein ratio in ruminants are constrained by rumen fermentation since it governs nutrient metabolism and the ratio of energy:protein yielding nutrients available for absorption. By circumventing rumen fermentation, the total intragastric infusion technique (IIT) allowed objective quantification of maintenance energy and protein requirements, volatile fatty acid utilisation efficiency, efficiency of energy utilisation for maintenance (Km) and growth (Kf) and the origin of N retention responses to independent variation of energy and protein intake. This review outlines the key IIT findings and whether they are reflected in current feeding systems with implications for different production systems worldwide. Maintenance energy requirements are similar to those derived from comparative slaughter but maintenance N requirements are significantly lower. No differences in utilisation efficiency exist between acetic, propionic and butyric acids. At low energy intakes, endogenous energy reserves are utilised to retain amino acids and fuel substantial tissue protein gains. The use of fasting metabolism to measure the utilisation of nutritionally balanced diets is questioned since it is a glucose-deficient state. Inter-species differences in glucose metabolism appear to exist, suggesting that glucose requirements may be higher in cattle than sheep. The difficulty in predicting nutrient requirements, particularly protein, with any one technique is highlighted.

Food Preferences and Nutritional Status: Insights on Nutrition Transition in University Community

'Nutritional transition' usually entails a move towards a high-energy diet and lower levels of practice with detrimental effects. The pilot research examined whether parent education works at the home level in a small group of University employees to affect food adoptions and child nutrition. Three groups of people with different degrees of skills and education participated. In all homes, weighed food records were used to determine the per capita intake. Nutrient calculators were used to determining the nutrients. Children were classified into underweight, overweight, and normal weight using BMI scores. A total of 178 individuals were present in the research, which provided us with food log data. There were 67 children from 30 households (32 (47.8%) were girls and 35 (52.2%) were males). The age of children with median age is 5.52 ± 2.89 years. Research revealed that 43.3% of children were underweight and 25.4% were overweight by using their BMI scores. Energy consumption was higher in families with overweight children compared to families with underweight and normal children. Underweight kids come from impoverished families. The per capita consumption of the whole family in children was strongly linked with the BMI. Obesity has risen among families with medium incomes belonging to Class 2—probably in families that move up from poverty. The nutritional condition of children was largely linked with motherly education.

Sprague Dawley Rats Gaining Weight on a High Energy Diet Exhibit Damage to Taste Tissue Even after Return to a Healthy Diet.

Many reports detail taste dysfunction in humans and animals with obesity. For example, mice consuming an obesogenic diet for a short period have fewer taste buds than their lean littermates. Further, rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO) show blunted electrophysiological responses to taste in the brainstem. Here, we studied the effects of high energy diet (HED)-induced peripheral taste damage in rats, and whether this deficiency could be reversed by returning to a regular chow diet. Separate groups of rats consumed a standard chow diet (Chow), a HED for 10 weeks followed by a return to chow (HED/chow), or a HED for 10 weeks followed by a restricted HED that was isocaloric with consumption by the HED/chow group (HED/isocal). Fungiform taste papilla (FP) and circumvallate taste bud abundance were quantified several months after HED groups switched diets. Results showed that both HED/chow and HED/isocal rats had significantly fewer FP and lower CV taste bud abundance than control rats fed only chow. Neutrophil infiltration into taste tissues was also quantified, but did not vary with treatment on this timeline. Finally, the number of cells undergoing programmed cell death, measured with caspase-3 staining, inversely correlated with taste bud counts, suggesting taste buds may be lost to apoptosis as a potential mechanism for the taste dysfunction observed in obesity. Collectively, these data show that DIO has lasting deleterious effects on the peripheral taste system, despite a change from a HED to a healthy diet, underscoring the idea that obesity rather than diet predicts damage to the taste system.

Pectic Oligogalacturonide Facilitates the Synthesis and Activation of Adiponectin to Improve Hepatic Lipid Oxidation.

Adiponectin (ADPN), a kind of adipokines, plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The objective of this study is focused on the ADPN to investigate the functional mechanisms of pectin oligosaccharide (POS) from hawthorn fruit in the improvement of hepatic fatty acid oxidation. High-fat fed mice are used in this experiment. POS is administrated with the doses of 0.25, 0.75, and 1.5 g kg-1 diet, respectively. The results demonstrate that gene and protein expressions of ADPN synthesis regulators involved in PKA/ERK/CREB and C/EBPα/PPARγ pathways are upregulated by POS administration. POS also activates the AdiopR1/AMPKα/PGC1 and AdipoR2/PPARα signaling pathways to improve the fatty acid oxidation in the liver, which is further accelerated by the enhancement of mitochondrial functions. POS can act as an ADPN activator to improve lipid metabolism, leading it to the applications of biomedical and functional foods for ameliorating chronic liver diseases resulted from a high-energy diet.

Effect of Overfeeding Shetland Pony Mares on Embryonic Glucose and Lipid Accumulation, and Expression of Imprinted Genes

Simple SummaryIn pregnant individuals, maternal overnutrition is associated with disturbances in the expression of specific genes and nutrient transporters in the early embryo, which can affect both fetal and placental development and have lasting effects on the health of resulting offspring. To examine how maternal overfeeding affects the equine embryo, Shetland pony mares were fed either a high-energy (HE: 200% of net energy requirements) or maintenance (control) diet. Mares from both groups were inseminated, and day-seven embryos were recovered and transferred to recipients from the same or the alternate group. The expression of several genes, nutrient transporters and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs; play an important role in regulating gene expression) were determined in extra-embryonic membranes after recovery on day 28 of gestation. The expression of nutrient transporters was also assessed in endometrium recovered from recipient mares immediately after embryo removal. In addition, glucose uptake by day-28 extra-embryonic membranes, and lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven embryos were assessed. Maternal overfeeding resulted in elevated expression of several genes, DNMTs and nutrient transporters following embryo transfer from an HE to a control mare. The expression of two amino acid transporters was also elevated in the endometrium after embryo transfer from HE to control. Maternal overfeeding did not affect lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven embryos, or glucose uptake by membranes of day-28 embryos. It remains to be seen whether the alterations in gene expression are maintained throughout gestation and into postnatal life.Maternal overfeeding is associated with disturbances in early embryonic epigenetic reprogramming, leading to altered expression of imprinted genes and nutrient transporters, which can affect both fetal and placental development and have lasting effects on the health of resulting offspring. To examine how maternal overfeeding affects the equine embryo, Shetland pony mares were fed either a high-energy (HE: 200% of net energy requirements) or maintenance (control) diet. Mares from both groups were inseminated, and day-seven embryos were recovered and transferred to recipients from the same or the alternate group. The expression of a panel of imprinted genes, glucose and amino acid transporters, and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) were determined in conceptus membranes after recovery on day 28 of gestation (late pre-implantation phase). The expression of nutrient transporters was also assessed in endometrium recovered from recipient mares immediately after conceptus removal. In addition, glucose uptake by day-28 extra-embryonic membranes, and lipid droplet accumulation in day-seven blastocysts were assessed. Maternal overfeeding resulted in elevated expression of imprinted genes (IGF2, IGF2R, H19, GRB10, PEG10 and SNRPN), DNMTs (DNMT1 and DNMT3B), glucose (SLC2A1), fructose (SLC2A5) and amino acid (SLC7A2) transporters following ET from an HE to a control mare. Expression of amino acid transporters (SLC1A5 and SLC7A1) was also elevated in the endometrium after ET from HE to control. Maternal overfeeding did not affect lipid droplet accumulation in blastocysts, or glucose uptake by day-28 membranes. It remains to be seen whether the alterations in gene expression are maintained throughout gestation and into postnatal life.

Effect of heat stress on ingestive, digestive, ruminal and physiological parameters of Nellore cattle feeding low- or high-energy diets

This study aimed to verify the effects of heat stress and dietary energy level on dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, total and partial ruminal and intestinal digestibilities, ruminal characteristics, physiological and digestive behavioral parameters in beef cattle. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore heifers (280 ± 12 kg) were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square experiment with six treatments and six periods of 21 days. The treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 + 2 factorial arrangement, with two temperatures during the day (thermoneutrality, TN: 24°C; and heat stress, HS: 34°C), two dietary energy levels (low- or high-energy concentration) and two additional treatments of animals maintained in TN conditions but pair-fed with the heifers in HS (PFTN). The HS decreased DM intake by about 16% and increase water intake by 25.5% respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Heifers maintained in TN and fed high-energy diet showed 17.3 and 14.3% greater ruminal dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibilities compared to their HS counterparts. The DM intake rate (ki, h−1) and digestion rates (kd, h−1) were affected by environment and dietary energy level (P ≤ 0.01), which heifers in HS having lower ki and kd. Heifers in HS presented lower pH and greater ruminal temperature values (P ≤ 0.01). When PFTN treatments were compared vs. HS, there was a significant effect of temperature on acetic acid. Heifers that underwent HS showed 14 % less acetic acid. The ocular temperature, body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were greater in HS heifers (P ≤ 0.01) than in TN. Heifers with low energy level diets showed 33% greater values of rumination time (P = 0.05) when compared to high energy levels independent of the temperatures. We concluded that adaptive response to heat seems important factors responsible for the alteration of DMI, water, and other nutritional fractions like OM, CP, and energy intake. On the other hand, increments in intestinal digestibility in zebu heifers suggest an adaptive response of the digestive tract to heat stress conditions.

Effect of black ginseng and silkworm supplementation on obesity, the transcriptome, and the gut microbiome of diet-induced overweight dogs

Like humans, weight control in overweight dogs is associated with a longer life expectancy and a healthier life. Dietary supplements are one of the best strategies for controlling obesity and obesity-associated diseases. This study was conducted to assess the potential of black ginseng (BG) and silkworm (SW) as supplements for weight control in diet-induced overweight beagle dogs. To investigate the changes that occur in dogs administered the supplements, different obesity-related parameters, such as body condition score (BCS), blood fatty acid profile, transcriptome, and microbiome, were assessed in high energy diet (HD) and HD with BG + SW supplementation (HDT) groups of test animals. After 12 weeks of BG + SW supplementation, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced in the HDT group. In the transcriptome analysis, nine genes (NUGGC, EFR3B, RTP4, ACAN, HOXC4, IL17RB, SOX13, SLC18A2, and SOX4) that are known to be associated with obesity were found to be differentially expressed between the ND (normal diet) and HD groups as well as the HD and HDT groups. Significant changes in some taxa were observed between the HD and ND groups. These data suggest that the BG + SW supplement could be developed as dietary interventions against diet-induced obesity, and obesity-related differential genes could be important candidates in the mechanism of the anti-obesity effects of the BG + SW supplement.

Effect of a long-term high-energy diet on cardiovascular parameters in Shetland pony mares.

BackgroundChanges in cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure (BP) and cardiac anatomical dimensions, are an inconsistent feature of the equine metabolic syndrome. The order in which these changes arise is unknown.ObjectivesDetermine the order in which EMS‐associated changes in cardiovascular parameters arise.AnimalsTwenty Shetland pony mares.MethodsHigh‐energy (HE) diet mares were fed 200% of net energy requirements for 1 (n = 3) or 2 (n = 7) consecutive diet‐years, with 17 weeks of hay‐only between years. Noninvasive BP measurements and echocardiograms were performed during both years. Resting 24‐hour ECGs and measurements of autonomic tone (splenic volume and packed cell volume [PCV]) were performed at the end of diet‐year 1. Results were compared to control mares receiving a maintenance diet for 1 (n = 7) or 2 (n = 3) consecutive years.ResultsIn year 1, HE mares had significantly higher values than control mares for mean relative left ventricular wall thickness (P = .001). After 2 diet‐years, mean systolic (P = .003), diastolic (P < .001) and mean arterial BP (P = .001), heart rate (HR; P < .001), and mean left ventricular wall thickness (P = .001) also were significantly increased in HE compared to control mares. No pathological arrhythmias or differences in splenic volume or PCV were detected.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIngesting a HE diet first induced minor changes in BP, and progressed to left‐sided cardiac hypertrophy in Shetland pony mares. These findings are of interest given the increasing incidence of obesity in horses.