Male Body Weight Research Articles

Sexual dimorphism of the Pallas spadefoot toad (Pelobates vespertinus: Anura, Pelobatidae) metamorphs is reduced when tadpoles are developed in an overheated water body

Our survey was carried out in five local populations of Pelobates vespertinus (Pallas, 1771) in the floodplain of the Medveditsa river (Russia, Saratov region, Lysogorsky district) in 2009–2018. We have found that the sexual dimorphism in body length (SDIL) and weight (SDIW) of males and females of the Pallas spadefoot toad is a widespread feature of populations of this anuran amphibian species, characteristic not only among sexually mature individuals, but also among metamorphs. In metamorph populations, sexual dimorphism averages 3% and 9% in body length and live weight, respectively. It is less pronounced in metamorphs than in sexually matured individuals (by 3 and 4.5 times, respectively). The sexual dimorphism development level may undergo a significant transformation by temperature conditions during the tadpole development period in the spawning lake. The threshold value of the average temperature for the period of development up to the stage of metamorphosis (MDT90), at which any differences between males and females in body length are lost in metamorphs, is 18.2ºС. Against the background of climate warming over the past decade (2011–2020), there has been a significant expansion of the range area of this species, which is exposed to abnormally high water temperatures. Nevertheless, size–weight sexual dimorphism, even at the stage of metamorphosis, should hardly be excluded from the list of diagnostic characters of the species.

Energetically costly weaponry in the large morph of male stag beetles

AbstractMales of many species develop disproportionately large weapons, and frequently the weapon size increases more quickly with body size in small than in large males—a trend often considered to result from the depletion of developmental resources limiting male weapon exaggeration. Based on the cost‐minimization hypothesis, a shallower weapon‐body size allometric slope in large than in small males could be selected for if the energetic maintenance costs of having oversized weapons increase faster in large than in small males. Whether males of different size groups that differ in the weapon‐body size allometric relationship also differ in the energetic costs of maintaining their weapons has not yet been investigated. Consequently, we studied this using the stag beetle (Cyclommatus mniszechi), in which males are larger in size and have larger mandibles than do females and are divided into two morphs: majors are larger and have longer mandibles than minors. In both male morphs, mandible size increases disproportionately with their body size, but it increases more quickly in minors than in majors. We measured the standard metabolic rate (SMR) of the three types of these beetles (the two male morphs and females) to investigate whether the energetic maintenance cost of carrying weapons differs among them. Body weight explained 80% of the variation in the SMR in the three types of beetles, and SMR increased more quickly with body weight in major males than in minor males or females. Weapon and body size also jointly explained approximately 80% of the variation in the SMR. Whereas SMR increased with body size in all three types of beetles (with a higher rate of increase in major males than in minor males or females), only the major males' SMR increased with weapon size. Overall, being heavier and larger and carrying oversized weapons are energetically costly in major males, something which could constrain the exaggeration of their weapons.

On-farm multi-location testing of synthetic dual-purpose chicken breed (DZ-white) at Lowland area of Kaffa Zone of Ethiopia

A study evaluated synthetic dual purpose DZ-white’s adaptability and production performance in lowland agro-ecology. A total of 900 day-old chicks were distributed to fifteen (15) participant farmers (sixty chicks per farmer). Vaccines for Newcastle and Gumboro were administered as per veterinarian recommendations. Initially, chicks were supplemented with commercial feed and gradually shifted to locally available feed resources. Data on body weight, age at first egg, egg production, egg weight and farmers’ perception were recorded. On average, the adult male and female chicken body weight recorded at 20 weeks of age were 331.2 grams and 273.3 grams per chicken, respectively. Moreover, in the present study, the adult male and female chicken body weight recorded at 20 weeks of age were 1541.3 grams and 476.9 grams per chicken, respectively. The result also showed that an average egg weight at initial laying stage 5%, 50% and peak production stage were 44.09 grams, 48.33 grams and 55.45 grams, respectively. In the current study, chickens produced 296 eggs annually. Based on the adaptability, production performance and social acceptance, participant farmers preferred synthetic dual purpose DZ- white chicken breed to commonly used local and exotic breeds. As a result of their moderate growth and production performance, scavenging ability and social acceptance, demonstration and scaling up of the breed in the rural smallholder production system are highly recommended.

Doublecortin-immunoreactive neurons in the piriform cortex are sensitive to the long lasting effects of early life stress.

The olfactory system is a niche of continuous structural plasticity, holding postnatal proliferative neurogenesis in the olfactory bulbs and a population of immature neurons in the piriform cortex. These neurons in the piriform cortex are generated during embryonic development, retain the expression of immaturity markers such as doublecortin, and slowly mature and integrate into the olfactory circuit as the animal ages. To study how early life experiences affect this population of cortical immature neurons, we submitted mice of the C57/Bl6J strain to a protocol of maternal separation for 3 h per day from postnatal day 3 to postnatal day 21. Control mice were continuously with their mothers. After weaning, mice were undisturbed until 6 weeks of age, when they were weighted and tested in the elevated plus-maze, a standard test for anxiety-like behavior, to check for phenotypical effects. Mice were then perfused, and their brains processed for the immunofluorescent detection of doublecortin and the endogenous proliferation marker Ki67. We found that maternal separation induced a significant increase in the body weight of males, but not females. Further, maternally separated mice displayed increased exploratory-like behavior (i.e., head dipping, velocity and total distance traveled in the elevated plus maze), but no significant differences in anxiety-like behavior or corticosterone levels after behavioral testing. Finally, we observed a significant increase in the number of complex doublecortin neurons in the piriform cortex, but not in the olfactory bulbs, of mice submitted to maternal separation. Interestingly, most doublecortin neurons in the piriform cortex, but not the olfactory bulb, express the epigenetic reader MeCP2. In summary, mild early life stress results, during adolescence, in a male-specific increase in body weight, alteration of the exploratory behaviors, and an increase in doublecortin neurons in the piriform cortex, suggesting an alteration in their maturation process.

Tracking anthropometric dimensions and grip strength among children, adolescents and adults in an indigenous community of southern Mexico: 1968-1978-2000.

To track body size and proportions, arm dimensions and grip strength in children, adolescents, and adults resident in an indigenous community in Oaxaca who were measured on two or three occasions across surveys in 1968, 1978, and 2000. The three cross-sectional surveys included measures of height, weight, sitting height, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength in surveys of schoolchildren in 1968 and of schoolchildren, adolescents and adults in 1978 and 2000. Cross-checks of surnames, forenames and ages/dates of birth of participants in the three surveys identified three samples of individuals measured on two occasions (1968-1978, two age groups in 1978-2000) and a subsample of individuals measured in the three surveys. Partial correlations controlling for age at each observation were calculated for each variable in the three sex-specific samples measured on two occasions, and for the subsamples of males and females measured on three occasions. Allowing for variation in age among subsamples, inter-age correlations were moderate to high for stature, moderate for sitting height and estimated leg length, and low to moderate for weight, BMI, arm and estimated arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength. Allowing for the relatively broad chronological age intervals, the inter-age correlations for height, weight and BMI were at the low end, while those for grip strength and for strength per unit body weight for males (though not females) were generally in the range of correlations noted in studies of European samples. Likely associated with improved health, nutritional, and sanitation conditions, obesity and overweight were emerging among adults by 2000. Obesity and overweight in adults paralleled the introduction of mechanized agriculture that reduced routine physical work. Among children, the association of obesity and overweight is likely with increased nutritional availability, but poor choices in diet.

Abstract Mo021: Role of Estrogen and Testosterone in promoting Sex Dimorphism in Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, causes sex-specific cardiotoxicity. Lower cardiotoxicity in females compared to males is typically attributed to the cardioprotective effects of estrogen (E2). However, the role of the sex hormones, E2 and testosterone (T), in modulating DOX induced cardiac dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms are not known. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups, 1) Control, 2) DOX (5 mg/kg/week for 6 weeks), 3) Reverse hormone profile (RevH, castrated males+E2 and ovariectomized females+T), and 4) RevH + DOX. Mouse morbidity was tracked daily. Total body weight and cardiac function was assessed biweekly for 6 weeks by echocardiography, ECG and optical mapping. Dependence on fatty acid versus glucose for metabolism was measured by seahorse analysis. Results: DOX treatment reduced total body weight (11%) in males, and increased morbidity in males and females. This was associated with reduced mechanical function (15% decrease in stroke volume) in males and electrical remodeling (29% action potential duration prolongation) in females. In RevH mice, no changes in morbidity or cardiac function were observed compared to Control. In RevH+DOX males, the onset of morbidity was delayed by two weeks compared to DOX males. This cardioprotective effect was associated with preserved mechanical and electrical function. On the other hand, in RevH+DOX females, morbidity was increased, and this correlated with mechanical (20% reduction in cardiac output) and electrical remodeling (22% increase in action potential duration). Comparing RevH+DOX males to females, males had greater fatty acid dependency while females had greater glucose dependency for metabolism. Conclusions: These results suggest that sex hormones play a significant role in modulating specific aspects of DOX cardiotoxicity. While E2 has a critical role in preserving cardiac mechanics during DOX therapy, high T levels were associated with mechanical dysfunction in both males and RevH females. Switching of metabolic substrates with greater preference for fatty acid metabolism in mice with higher E2 could underlie cardiac mechanics preservation. Finally, DOX induced electrical remodeling was not altered by sex hormones.

Length of Overnight Fasting and 6-year Weight Change in the Cancer Prevention Study-3

BackgroundLonger overnight fasting (ONF) is a potential strategy for weight control. Although promising, the evidence from large population-based studies is limited. ObjectivesTo examine the association of self-reported ONF duration with 3- and 6-y weight change in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 prospective cohort. MethodsUnited States adult Cancer Prevention Study-3 participants completed a 24-h validated meal and snack timing and frequency grid (weekday and weekend) in 2015, from which weighted ONF hours were calculated. Participants reported body weight in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Three- and 6-y weight change (kg, and % body weight) were assessed. ResultsAmong 104,420 mostly female (78.5%) participants aged 52.7 ± 9.5 (standard deviation) y followed for 6 y, a 1-h increase in ONF length was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in weight gain over 3- and 6-y periods [multivariable-adjusted mean difference in % body weight = −0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.05, −0.00, P = 0.03 and −0.04, 95% CI: −0.07, −0.01, P < 0.01, respectively]. The mean difference of 6-y % reduction in weight gain was slightly greater among individuals with overweight (−0.05, 95% CI: −0.10, 0.00, P = 0.05) and obesity (−0.06, 95% CI: −0.12, 0.01, P = 0.08) compared with those with healthy body mass index (−0.03, 95% CI:−0.07, 0.01, P = 0.13) or underweight (0.16, 95% CI: −0.04, 0.36, P = 0.13, Pinteraction < 0.0001). Stronger associations were observed among those ≤55 y than 56+ (P < 0.001), and those with higher waist circumference (Pinteraction < 0.0001) but not by sex or earlier/later fasting period. ConclusionsLonger ONF was associated with slightly lower body weight in adult males and females over 6 y that was stronger among those with overweight or obesity, higher waist circumference, and those aged ≤55 y. The magnitude of weight change, although in the hypothesized direction, suggests that prolonged ONF may have modest impact on weight control over time.

Correlation Between Body Weight and Carcass Weight in the Selection of Village Chicken Three-Generation

This study aims to estimate the correlation between body weight and carcass weight in selected native chickens in the third generation (G3). The material used in this study was 200 DOC managed with a free-range system. The samples used to obtain carcass weight were determined by purposive sampling, consisting of 38 male chickens and 26 female chickens. The data obtained were analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The observed variables were body weight (BW) at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age (independent variable) and carcass weight (CW) at 10 weeks of age (dependent variable). The results showed that the average body weight (BW) of male and female chickens up to 6 weeks of age showed no significant difference (P&gt;0.05). After eight weeks of age, the male free-range body weights were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) higher than female chickens, while at the period of 10 weeks, the body weights of male chickens were significantly different (P&lt;0.01) and showed higher than female chickens. Male chickens' average free-range carcass weight was significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) than the carcass weight (CW) of female chickens. The correlation between body weight at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks and carcass weight showed a close correlation, ranging from 0.71 to 0.97. The highest correlation coefficient values were found in male and female native chickens at ten weeks of age, with 0.94 and 0.97. It can be concluded that BW at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age in male and female chickens strongly correlated with carcass weight (CW). Hence, body weight (BW) could be used as a selection criterion to increase chickens' carcass weight (CW) under study.

The macromorphological structure of the rhomboid brain of the whitebellied hedgehog

The nervous system is one of the leading integrating systems of the body. In combination with the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, it unites the body into a single whole. The nervous system controls the level of adaptive reactions of a living organism to changing environmental conditions. The white-bellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is a representative of the order of insectivorous animals. The purpose of our study is to study the macromorphology of individual anatomical structures of the brain of the white-bellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). The material for the study was three heterosexual animals of the white-bellied hedgehog species (Atelerix albiventris) aged 1-4 years, obtained from private veterinary clinics. The methods used to study the brain of the white-bellied hedgehog included: fine anatomical dissection, morphometry, photography, and weighing. The work was carried out at the Department of Animal Anatomy of the St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine. The brain of the whitebellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) (Figure 1, 2.) is arranged in accordance with the general plan of the structure of the mammalian brain, however, it is distinguished by the primitiveness of its development and is classified as lissencephalic in appearance. The average weight of cadaver material from females and males was 200.00±16.09 grams. There was no statistically significant difference between the body weight of females and males. It was also found that the caudal colliculi of the quadrigeminal are comparatively smaller than the cranial colliculi in both sexes, which allows us to conclude that the visual analyzer is relatively better developed in this species than the auditory one. The obtained materials can be used as reference material for continuing research on the brain of the white-bellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), as well as in comparative morphology and physiology of humans and animals.

The content of reindeer male vocalisations: acoustic cues to age and size

ABSTRACT Some acoustic parameters of animal vocalisations have been shown to reliably indicate male quality and play a role in mate and rival assessment. Reindeer possess a peculiar vocal tract anatomy involving a laryngeal air sac which probably acts as an additional filter, making it a candidate species for novel investigations in the field of bioacoustics. We investigated whether some acoustic parameters of male rutting vocalisations were good indicators of age and body weight (used as an index for body size). We did this by performing acoustic analyses using recordings collected from a semi-domesticated reindeer population in northern Finland. We found the age of subadult males (aged 2.5–4.5 years) to be negatively correlated with formant F3 and formant spacing, suggesting that their vocalisations convey information on the caller’s age. Individual formant frequencies were not affected by male body weight, but formant spacing was lower in heavier males. Despite the presence of the laryngeal air sac, formant spacing seems to be an acoustic parameter influencing mate and rival assessment in reindeer as it gives an honest indication of male body size. We discuss the importance of reliable acoustic cues to quality indices in sexual selection contexts.

Morphometric identification of Bursa Oynarı pigeon varieties

Aim: This study was carried out to make morphometric identification of male and female individuals of Karabaş, Yaşmaklı, Muskalı, Kalaça and Beyaz genotypes in Bursa Oynarı pigeons. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, a total of 100 pigeons, 10 females and 10 males, 12-14 months from each genotype, were examined. Results: : The Oynar breed's average live weight was determined to be 306.27±1.32 g. Average body weights for males and females, genotypes, and gender x genotypes were discovered to be similar (p&gt;0.05). Males were found to have longer heads (p&lt;0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between males and females in terms of other body traits (p&gt;0.05). Different averages were determined in the genotypes in terms of beak length, beak depth, trunk length, body length, wing length, chest circumference, chest depth, and tail length (p&lt;0.05). In general, the averages were lower in the Yaşmaklı genotype than in other genotypes, and higher in the Beyaz and Muskalı genotypes (p&lt;0.05). The interaction between gender and genotypes was significant in beak depth (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: As a result, it was anticipated that the characteristics detected for the first time in the Oynar breed varieties would contribute to the definition of this breed. It was also estimated that differences in the body structures of the varieties may impact their flight characteristics, and the findings on this subject will attract the attention of pigeon breeders. Considering their body structures, it was determined that the Kalaça, Muskalı, and Beyaz genotypes may have superior characteristics in terms of flight time, and the Yaşmaklı genotype may have superior characteristics in terms of flight speed.

#2707 Prediction of plasma sodium changes in hypernatremic patients: the role of tissue sodium content

Abstract Background and Aims Hypo- and hypernatremia are frequently encountered electrolyte disturbances in clinical practice. Rapid correction of these dysnatremias can result in severe neurological complications. Therefore, various formulas have been developed to predict changes in plasma sodium concentration ([Na+]) after treatment. However, these kidney-centered formulas have been shown to be inaccurate. A potential explanation for the discrepancy between predicted and measured plasma [Na+] is the accumulation of sodium in the skin, which is not explicitly taken into account in these formulas. The purpose of this post-hoc analysis is to evaluate the association between factors related to tissue sodium accumulation and the discrepancy between measured and predicted plasma [Na+]. Method We used data from a hypernatremic intensive care unit (ICU) cohort with 66 patients and 1,034 ICU days with complete data on sodium, potassium and water balance. We excluded ICU days with incomplete balances, dialysis and severe diarrhea. The predicted plasma [Na+] was calculated using the Barsoum-Levine (BL) and the Nguyen-Kurtz (NK) formula. Then, we calculated the discrepancy between predicted and measured plasma [Na+] (∆[Na+]). We fitted a linear mixed-effect model to investigate the association between factors related to tissue sodium content and ∆[Na+]. Age, sex, blood pressure, eGFR, CRP, plasma albumin, total body water (TBW), baseline plasma [Na+] and changes in plasma [Na+] were incorporated as fixed effects in the model, while the subjects were introduced as a random effect. TBW was estimated as 60% of body weight for males and 50% of body weight for females, corrected for fluid balances on subsequent ICU days. Results A total of 613 ICU days of 66 patients were included in our analysis. The mean age was 58 ± 15 years and 38% was female. The mean plasma [Na+] at inclusion day was 145 ± 9 mmol/L and mean eGFR CKD-EPI was 52 ± 28 ml/min/1.73 m2. On average, the deviation between predicted and measured plasma [Na+] was 3.8 ± 3.3 mmol/L for the BL formula and 3.9 ± 3.4 mmol/L for the NK formula. For both formulas, TBW (p = 0.01), baseline plasma [Na+] (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and plasma [Na+] change (p &amp;lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with the discrepancy between predicted and measured plasma [Na+] (Table 1). Plasma albumin (p = 0.02) was also significantly associated with this discrepancy when the NK formula was used. Conclusion In a hypernatremic ICU cohort, baseline plasma [Na+], estimated TBW and plasma [Na+] changes are associated with the inaccurateness of plasma [Na+] prediction. As baseline plasma [Na+] and estimated TBW are available when initiating treatment, incorporation of these variables in the currently available formulas may improve the prediction of plasma [Na+].

Effect of dietary vitamin E supplement on the reproductive performance and gene expression profiling in Ompok bimaculatus during breeding period

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E on the reproductive responses and the expression of reproductive genes in butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus). Diets with different levels of vitamin E supplementation (0, 100, and 150 mg/kg) were provided to groups of fish for 60 days. After rearing for 60 days fish were induced with synthetic hormone, that is, Ovatide to study the breeding performance. Ovatide was administrated intramuscularly at the rate of 0.5 and 0.25 mL/kg of body weight for females and males, respectively, in all the treatments. Breeding performance result shows that supplements of vitamin E positively influenced the GSI%, fertilization rate, fecundity, and hatching rate. To understand the relationship between vitamin E and the breeding performance of the fish at the molecular level, a gene expression study was conducted. This study employed real‐time PCR for the selected genes critical for reproductive function. In the brain, testis, and ovary dietary vitamin E supplementation of 100 mg/kg significantly enhanced the mRNA transcription of FSHR, Brdt, ESR1, 17beta2, and LHR. Hence, it can be said that 100 mg/kg of vitamin E supplementation in the diet during the reproductive period of O. bimaculatus could improve breeding performance and the mRNA expression of reproductive hormone receptor genes in both males and females of O. bimaculatus.

Evaluation of the potential growth and body composition of the Cobb 700 genotype

ABSTRACT 1. The potential growth of the chemical and physical components of males and females of the Cobb 700 strain was measured from hatch to 15 weeks of age. 2. A four-phase ad libitum feeding programme was used to feed 200 chicks of each sex. All birds were weighed weekly. Ten birds per sex were sampled at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 105 d of age. They were weighed before and after plucking to determine the weight of feathers. Physical parts were measured on defeathered birds, whereafter these components were combined, minced, freeze dried to measure water content, and then analysed for protein, lipid and ash content. 3. Mature body weights of males and females averaged 8.38 and 6.94 kg, respectively, mature body protein weights averaged 1.48 and 1.19 kg and mature body lipid contents averaged 1.08 and 1.54 kg, respectively. 4. Rates of maturing of the empty feather-free body weights of males and females averaged 0.0417 and 0.0402/d, respectively. All chemical and physical components within a sex, other than feathers, had the same rate of maturing. The rate of maturing of feathers, calculated by iteration, in males was lower than in females (0.0324 vs. 0.0357/d) and the mature weight was higher (435 vs. 372 g). 5. The ratios of the chemical components to feather-free body protein at maturity for males and females were, for water, 3.80 and 3.34; for lipid, 0.73 and 1.29; and for ash, 0.13 and 0.19, respectively. Separate equations were required for males and females to describe the allometric relationship between lipid and protein in the feather-free body. 6. Mature body weights of broilers in this trial were considerably higher than those measured using the same protocol 28 years ago, whereas rates of maturing have remained the same.

Female Dahl SS rats exhibit greater increases in blood pressure on a high-fat, high-salt diet than males

Epidemiological data suggest that blood pressure (BP) in females is more sensitive to a high-fat (HF) diet than in males. To better understand the mechanisms driving greater increases in BP with HF in females, appropriate animal models are needed. Female Dahl rats have been shown to exhibit similar or greater increases in BP on a chronic HF diet compared to males. The goal of the current study was to test the hypothesis that HF loading will also exacerbate increases in BP in females vs. males when animals are placed on a HF/high-salt (HS) diet. To address this hypothesis, 6-wk-old male and female Dahl rats were implanted with telemetry devices to continuously measure mean arterial BP; n=4-7/group. Rats were allowed to recover for one week followed by one week of baseline BP recording. Rats were then placed on a HF diet (60% kcal from lard; Bio-Serv) for 2 weeks followed by a HF/HS diet (4% salt; Bio-Serv) for an additional 4 weeks. Controls were maintained on a normal-fat/normal-salt (NF/NS) diet throughout the study. Rats were weighed weekly and placed in metabolic cages at the end of the study to collect a 24-hr urine sample to measure protein and albumin excretion. Baseline BP values were comparable between males (119±2 mmHg) and females (122±3 mmHg). 2 wks of HFD alone increased BP in both sexes (males: 126±2 mmHg, females: 133±4 mmHg; Pdiet= 0.002, Psex=0.1, Pint=0.47). Switching rats to a HF/HS diet resulted in pronounced increases in BP, and females had a higher BP than males at the end of the study vs. HFD alone (156±6 vs. 173±10 mmHg; Pdiet&lt;0.0001, Psex=0.024, Pint=0.2). Consistent with enhanced sensitivity of BP in females to HF/HS compared to males, protein excretion increased 78±3% when going from HF alone to HF/HS in females vs. 68±2% in males (p=0.040). Albumin excretion increased to comparable levels in both sexes when going from HFD to HF/HS (87±1 vs. 85±2 %; p=0.68). Importantly, HF/HS resulted in increased body weight in males but not females vs. control diet more (males: 370±9 vs. 398±7 g, females: 244±6 vs. 239±4 g), however, males weighed more than females (Pint=0.046, Pdiet=0.17, Psex&lt;0.0001). Males on HF/HS also exhibited greater perirenal fat vs. control (17±1 vs. 13±2 g) with no differences in females (6±0.6 vs. 6±0.9 g; Pdiet=0.1368, Psex=&lt;0.0001, Pint=0.1365). Neither sex nor diet impacted gonadal fat (males: 17±1 vs. 13±1 g; females: 18±4 vs. 20±1 g; Pdiet=0.4982, Psex=0.1106, Pint=0.1106). Total cholesterol was comparable between the sexes on HF/HS (2476±540 vs. 2216 ± 293 nM; p=0.65) and triglycerides were greater in males (0.46±0.06 vs. 0.22±0.02 mg/dL; p=0.012). In conclusion, HF increases BP sensitivity in female Dahl rats independently of overt increases in body weight or adiposity, establishing a model to study the mechanisms that cause females to lose their cardiovascular protection with HFD. Supported by 1U54HL169191. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The Impact of Predation Risks on the Development and Fecundity of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel.

Predators are dependent on the capture of prey to meet their energetic and nutritive requirements, which brings the risk of predation to prey. The predation risk is divided into consumptive and non-consumptive effects. Non-consumptive effects may manifest through altered growth and ontogenetic trajectories in prey species, a dynamic modulated by olfactory or other sensory cues from predators. Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel represents a major invasive threat to global horticulture. While earlier research was primarily centered on the consumptive interactions between B. dorsalis and its natural enemies, the potential consequences of non-consumptive interactions on the development of B. dorsalis have been overlooked. In this study, we investigated the impact of predation risk effects, induced by both visual exposure to the predatory mantis Hierodula patellifera Serville and its associated odor, on the life history traits of B. dorsalis. Female B. dorsalis demonstrated a reduced developmental time in the presence of a caged predator (H. patellifera) or predator odors, but showed significantly increased fecundity. Conversely, males displayed no significant change in developmental time. Additionally, neither the female nor male body weight at death was significantly influenced by the predation risk from the caged predator or predator odors. This study investigated the effects of predation risk on the development and reproduction of B. dorsalis, emphasizing the potential importance of odor risk in biological and pest control.

Effects of Electronic vs. Tobacco Cigarettes on Cardiovascular Health in Male and Female Mice

Objective: Smoking electronic cigarettes (E-cig) has been promoted as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes (CIG) and thus become popular, especially among younger generations. However, one mode of smoking nicotine containing products vs. another on the effects on health and gender are largely unknown. Hypothesis: Both E-cig and CIG have adverse effects on body weight as well as cardiovascular health. Methods: To closely mimic the Western population, we investigated the effects of two insults (diet and/or nicotine exposure) in mice. Nine-week old male and female Apoe−/− mice (C57BL/6 background) were placed on normal chow or high-fat diet (Western diet, WD) and/or exposed to air, E-cig, or CIG for 12 weeks. The E-cig and Cig exposures used a chronic-intermittent puff protocol for 10 hours a day, seven days a week during their active (dark) circadian cycle. Changes in body weight, cardiac structure, function, and atherosclerotic lesions were assessed and compared. Results: In males, body weight was significantly reduced by CIG exposure with both the normal diet or WD, while in females, only on WD. This suggests that CIG exposure had gender-dependent effects on the body weight. E-cig exposure, however, did not affect the body weight in both males and females on either diet compared with the controls. Echocardiographic analysis showed that left ventricular mass was increased while ejection fraction was reduced by both e-cigarette and CIG-exposure. These data suggest that both modes of nicotine delivery had gender-independent adverse effects on cardiac structure and function. En face analysis of the aorta in both genders showed that two insults (CIG and WD) are necessary to induce significantly greater lesions. There were no significant increases in lesions with E-Cigs. This suggests that CIG exposure had insult-dependent but gender-independent effects on atherosclerotic lesion development. Summary: These findings suggest that both electronic cigarettes and conventional tobacco cigarettes impose adverse effects on the body weight and cardiovascular health in modes of nicotine- and gender-dependent manners. Funding: Department of Defense CDMRP Grant PR 190942 (TCF) and DODCDMRP Grant PR190942-P1 (KPR). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Nose vs. mouth breathing– acute effect of different breathing regimens on muscular endurance

BackgroundIt has been reported that the way we breathe (whether through the nose or mouth) can influence many aspects of our health and to some extent, sport performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of different breathing regimens on muscular endurance and physiological variables.MethodsA randomized experiment to verify the acute effect of different breathing regimens (NN– inhaling and exhaling through the nose; NM– inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the mouth; MM– inhaling and exhaling through the mouth) on the muscular endurance performance was conducted. 107 physically active college students (68 males, 39 females) performed repeated bench press testing protocol (repetitions to failure (RTF) with 60% of body weight for males (BP60), respectively 40% of body weight for females (BP40)) with various breathing regimens (NN, NM, MM) in random order. Heart rate (HR), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and perceived exertion by Borg scale (RPE) were measured as well. A short questionnaire, given after the testing protocol and observation during familiarization, was used to detect each subject’s normal breathing approach during resistance training.ResultsIn both genders, no significant differences in RTF, RPE and SpO2 were found. No individual case of deviation of arterial oxygen saturation outside the physiological norm was recorded. ​​In the male group, significantly lower HR values were found during the NN trials, compared to during the NM (p = 0.033) and MM (p = 0.047) trials with no significant differences in females. The HR differences in the males demonstrated a small effect size (NN < NM, d = 0.32; NN < MM, d = 0.30). Questionnaire results suggest that 80% of our participants use NM breathing, 15% use MM breathing and 5% use NN breathing during resistance training.ConclusionIt seems, that various breathing regimens have none or only minor effect on muscular endurance performance and selected physiological parameters. NN seems to be as efficient as other two regimens, which are mostly used in practice (NM, MM).

Complementary information on the biology of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan

The morphometric body parameters of male and female Bactrian camels, Kazakh Bactrian, were studied. Compared to camels of other breeds, the Kazakh Bactrian turned out to be one of the largest camels, having up to 750 kg for males and 690 kg for females, as well as powerful musculature and thick fur. Sexual dimorphism in body size and weight of males and females has been shown. The height at the withers of males was higher than in females by about 3.2 %, oblique length of the trunk by 4.5 %, chest girth by 1.3 %, and tibia girth by 6.6 % higher than in females. The greatest difference was in the live weight of the animals - 23,4 %. A histological study of one of the important internal organs - kidneys - was carried out, which allow camels to adapt to the conditions of waterless deserts. As a result of histological study of the kidneys of Kazakh Bactrians, the following characteristics of camel kidneys were established: the kidney capsule is rather thick (470±12 μm) and is made up of two layers: a layer of collagen fibres (400 μm) and thin (70 μm) inner smooth muscle cells. The relative thickness of the capsule and the presence of the smooth muscle cell layer within it appear to be related to the kidney’s ability to hold high intrarenal pressure while producing highly concentrated urine. The second feature of the Bactrian kidney was that the medullary layer was much thicker than the cortical layer. Their ratio was 1:4. The thick cerebral layer in camels provides relatively long renal tubules and loops of Henle, which are essential for the excretion of concentrated urine.

EFFECT OF GENOTYPE, SEX AND AGE AND ITS ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY WEIGHTS AND BODY MEASUREMENTS IN INDIGENOUS CHICKEN POPULATION

A study was carried out to determine the effect of genotype, sex and age and its association between body weights and body measurements in indigenous chicken population. The parent stocks were sourced from the local markets within Dutsin-Ma and its environs. Each parental genetic group was separated into breeding groups of 1:10 cock to hen, respectively on a deep litter. Performance data of body weight (BW), chest girth (CG), body length (BL), shank length (SL), shank circumference (SL), wing length (WL) and keel length (KL), respectively of 120 progenies generated at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks of age were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS, Version, 9.1). Generally, body increased with age. The overall mean obtained were 659.64 g, 20.93 cm, 22.12 cm, 8.00 cm, 11.93 cm, and 8.24 cm for body weight, chest girth, body length, shank length, wing length and keel length, respectively. The effect of genotype on body weight and body measurements were significant (P&lt;0.05). The naked neck chickens had higher values for all the morphological traits, followed by normal and frizzle feathered birds, respectively. Males had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher body weights and body measurements than females. The phenotypic correlations among growth traits were positive moderate, high and significant (P&lt;0.05). The estimates ranged from 0.49 to 0.73 between body weight and body measurements. Highest estimates were observed between body weight and chest girth (rp=0.73) in naked neck chicken. Correlations between sexes were generally high and positive and ranged from 0.61 to 0.77 and 0.56 to 0.70 in males and females, respectively. The highest (rp=0.77) positive coefficient was recorded between body weight and wing length in males and between body weight and body length (rp=0.71) in the females. This implies that selection for improvement in the linear body traits could lead to improvement in body weight of these chickens.