National De La Recherche Agronomique Research Articles

Lactobacillus-Made Anti-Inflammatories Eyed as IBD Therapy

Arming probiotic bacteria with genes encoding anti-inflammatory proteins is a promising and a potentially long-term, cost-effective therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to Nathalie Vergnolle at the Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP) and Philippe Langella at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in Toulouse and Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, respectively. Details appear in the October 31, 2012 Science Translational Medicine (4: DOI: 10.1126/ scitranslmed.3004212).

International Congress on Transposable Elements (ICTE) 2012 in Saint Malo and the sea of TE stories

An international conference on Transposable Elements (TEs) was held 21–24 April 2012 in Saint Malo, France. Organized by the French Transposition Community (GDR Elements Génétiques Mobiles et Génomes, CNRS) and the French Society of Genetics (SFG), the conference’s goal was to bring together researchers from around the world who study transposition in diverse organisms using multiple experimental approaches. The meeting drew more than 217 attendees and most contributed through poster presentations (117), invited talks and short talks selected from poster abstracts (48 in total). The talks were organized into four scientific sessions, focused on: impact of TEs on genomes, control of transposition, evolution of TEs and mechanisms of transposition. Here, we present highlights from the talks given during the platform sessions. The conference was sponsored by Alliance pour les sciences de la vie et de la santé (Aviesan), Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), Université de Perpignan, Université de Rennes 1, Région Bretagne and Mobile DNA.Chair of the organization committeeJean-Marc DeragonOrganizersAbdelkader Ainouche, Mireille Bétermier, Mick Chandler, Richard Cordaux, Gaël Cristofari, Jean-Marc Deragon, Pascale Lesage, Didier Mazel, Olivier Panaud, Hadi Quesneville, Chantal Vaury, Cristina Vieira and Clémentine Vitte

Response to ‘Comments on “Combining spatial transition probabilities for stochastic simulation of categorical fields” with communications on some issues related to Markov chain geostatistics’

Li and Zhang (2012b, Comments on ‘Combining spatial transition probabilities for stochastic simulation of categorical fields’ with communications on some issues related to Markov chain geostatics) raised a series of comments on our recent paper (Cao, G., Kyriakidis, P.C., and Goodchild, M.F., 2011. Combining spatial transition probabilities for stochastic simulation of categorical fields. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 25 (11), 1773–1791), which include a notation error in the model equation provided for the Markov chain random field (MCRF) or spatial Markov chain model (SMC), originally proposed by Li (2007b, Markov chain random fields for estimation of categorical variables. Mathematical Geology, 39 (3), 321–335), and followed by Allard et al. (2011, An efficient maximum entropy approach for categorical variable prediction. European Journal of Soil Science, 62, 381–393) about the misinterpretation of MCRF (or SMC) as a simplified form of the Bayesian maximum entropy (BME)-based approach, the so-called Markovian-type categorical prediction (MCP) (Allard, D., D'Or, D., and Froideveaux, R., 2009. Estimating and simulating spatial categorical data using an efficient maximum entropy approach. Avignon: Unite Biostatisque et Processus Spatiaux Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique. Technical Report No. 37; Allard, D., D'Or, D., and Froideveaux, R., 2011. An efficient maximum entropy approach for categorical variable prediction. European Journal of Soil Science, 62, 381–393). Li and Zhang (2012b, Comments on ‘Combining spatial transition probabilities for stochastic simulation of categorial fields’ with communication on some issues related to Markov chain geostatistics. International Journal of Geographical Information Science) also raised concerns regarding several statements Cao et al. (2011, Combining spatial transition probabilities for stochastic simulation of categorical fields. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 25 (11), 1773–1791) had made, which mainly include connections between permanence of ratios and conditional independence, connections between MCRF and Bayesian networks and transiograms as spatial continuity measures. In this response, all of the comments and concerns will be addressed, while also communicating with Li and other colleagues on general topics in Markov chain geostatistics.

Registration of ‘Chakkouf’ Lentil in Morocco

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) is one of the oldest food legumes and is the third most important one in Morocco. It provides a valuable and balanced protein source in the human diet and plays an important role in cropping systems because of its ability to fix nitrogen. The productivity of the crop suffers because of numerous biotic and abiotic factors. High‐yielding cultivars with improved characteristics are needed to increase lentil production and profitability. ‘Chakkouf’ (Reg. No. CV‐34, PI 663991) lentil was developed using both modified pedigree and bulk methods by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Morocco in collaboration with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. Tested as ILL 6001‐81, Chakkouf was approved for release in 2009 by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires, Morocco. Chakkouf is a selection from an advanced F6 line, FLIP 86‐15L, which was derived from a cross of ‘Precoz’ (ILL 4605; PI 515969) with ‘Laird’ (ILL 4349; PI 471916). Chakkouf is an early‐flowering (∼88 d), early‐maturing (∼139 d), and high‐yielding (∼40% over the local check variety ‘L24’) lentil cultivar with high zinc (62 mg kg−1) and iron (76.7 mg kg−1) in the seeds. Chakkouf showed good agronomic performance under drought conditions and wide adaptation for the Moroccan semiarid environments. Chakkouf showed field resistance for rust [caused by Uromyces viciae‐fabae (Pers.) J. Schröt] and Ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta fabae Speg. f. sp. lentis) during the years of evaluation in replicated yield trials in all experimental stations. Chakkouf offers the producer an economic advantage in cropping systems where it is planted as a rainfed crop in moisture‐deficient soils, usually in rotation with cereals.

The root‐knot nematode resistance N‐gene co‐localizes in the Me‐genes cluster on the pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) P9 chromosome

With 3 figures and 3 tablesAbstractRoot‐knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are major plant pathogens, affecting several solanaceous crops worldwide including pepper (Capsicum spp.). Owing to the drastic reduction in the use of most nematicides, breeding for root‐knot nematode resistance is a major challenge for pepper breeders. In pepper, resistance to this pathogen is dominant and controlled by several Me‐genes, which were mapped on the pepper P9 chromosome using PCR‐based markers, and by the N‐gene which was shown to be linked to Me3 using allelism tests. In this study, we developed PCR‐based markers and showed that the N‐gene colocalized in the Me‐genes cluster on the P9 chromosome on pepper reference maps using carthagene software (INRA: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Toulouse, France). N was mapped at 7 cM from Me1 and 2 cM from Me3 which is confirmed to be allelic to Me7 according to allelism resistance tests. The tightly linked markers to Me and N‐genes will be very useful for the marker‐assisted selection of nematodes resistance in pepper and to study the durability of these R‐genes, alone or pyramided in different genetic backgrounds.

Registration of ‘Kharoba’: A Bread Wheat Cultivar Developed through Doubled Haploid Breeding

‘Kharoba’ (Reg. No. CV‐1068, PI 664028), a hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar developed using doubled haploid technology by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Morocco, and tested as 00DHBW300, was approved for release in 2010 by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), Morocco. Kharoba was selected from the doubled haploids derived from the cross ‘Altar 84’/Aegilops squarrosa 221//‘Pastor’/3/k134(6)/‘Veery’//‘Bobwhite’/‘Pavon’/4/‘Tilila’. Kharoba is a widely adapted, high‐yielding, short, erect cultivar having good end‐use qualities. Kharoba is resistant to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks.), yellow rust (caused by P. striiformis Westend f. sp. tritici), the Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)], and Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [teleomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]). Kharoba has been released for cultivation under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. Kharoba is the first bread wheat cultivar developed through doubled haploid breeding in Morocco.

Nexilin is a dynamic protein at Listeria monocytogenes comet tails and enteropathogenic E. coli pedestals

The extracellular pathogen enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) control the actin cytoskeletal machinery during their infections as part of their disease processes. Through the subversion of this cytoskeletal system, motile actin‐rich structures (EPEC pedestals and Listeria comet tails) are generated. Nexilin, an actin‐binding protein, is thought to facilitate actin‐based cell motility. Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that nexilin is recruited to EPEC pedestals as well as Listeria comet tails and is needed for proper functioning of those structures. Using a combination of immunolocalization, RNA interference and time‐lapse imaging, we demonstrate that nexilin co‐localizes with actin in EPEC pedestals and Listeria comet tails. As stationary EPEC and Listeria becomes motile, nexilin focuses distally in these long actin‐rich structures. When nexilin expression was perturbed, EPEC pedestals remain unaltered, however Listeria comet tails had aberrant morphologies. Our data suggests that nexilin is redistributed to the dissociating end of actin filaments where it may act as a platform for bacterial propulsion when infecting host cells.Grant Funding Source: CIHR, NSERC, Institut Pasteur, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, European Research Council, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Cryopreservation of Cooled Semen and Evaluation of Sperm Holding Media for Potential Use in Equine-Assisted Reproduction Procedures

Processing stallion semen for assisted reproductive procedures, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), requires special considerations regarding cooling, concentrating, and handling of sperm. The aim of experiment 1 was to determine whether cooled semen could be frozen without removal of seminal plasma and at a low sperm concentration while maintaining motile sperm for ICSI selection procedures. In experiment 2, five media for holding stallion sperm were compared to evaluate sperm motility for an interval of time sufficient for ICSI sperm selection procedures. In experiment 1, semen samples from eight stallions were cooled for 24 hours in two extenders, CST (E-Z Mixin-CST “Cool-Store/Transport” Animal Reproduction Systems) and INRA96 (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, IMV International Corporation), before being frozen in four freezing diluents, and were evaluated at 0, 45, and 75 minutes after thawing. The cooling extender did not significantly affect sperm motility, but modified French and glycerol egg yolk diluents provided the best sperm motility for frozen–thawed groups. In experiment 2, semen samples from seven stallions were used to test five media for holding sperm. Samples were analyzed for total and progressive motility at hourly intervals. Mean total and progressive motility were not different (P > .05) among groups from 1 through 4 hours. At 5 hours, groups differed (P = .004), with sperm held in Tyrode’s with albumin, lactate, and pyruvate having higher (P < .05) total and progressive motility than all other samples. In conclusion, motile stallion sperm can be obtained after the sperm are cooled for 24 hours, frozen, and thawed; various media are available to maintain sperm motility during equine ICSI selection procedures.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae modulates gut responses to Escherichia coli in pigs

Event Abstract Back to Event Saccharomyces cerevisiae modulates gut responses to Escherichia coli in pigs Henri Salmon1* 1 INRA France, Infectious Animal diseases an Public Health IASP, France Galliano Zanello1,2, Mustapha Berri2, Joëlle Dupont3, Pierre-Yves Sizaret4, Claire Chevaleyre2, Sandrine Melo2, Romain D’Inca1, Eric Auclair1, François Meurens2, Henri Salmon2 1 Société Industrielle Lesaffre, Lesaffre Feed Additives, Marcq-en-Baroeul, France. 2 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR1282, Infectiologie Animale et Santé Publique, F-37380, Nouzilly (Tours), France. 3 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380, Nouzilly (Tours), France. 4 Département des microscopies, plate-forme R.I.O de microscopie électronique, Université François Rabelais, Tours, France. Henri.Salmon@tours.inra.fr Enteritis, mostly caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) adhering to and colonizing enterocytes in the small intestine, results in large economic losses in neonatal and post-weaning farm animals. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is non-commensal and non-pathogenic yeast and some strains are used as dietary yeast or as probiotics to prevent or cure enteritis. To ascertain the role of S. cerevisiae (strain CNCM I-3856) we developed two types of studies. In in vitro studies, using two intestinal epithelial cell lines, IPI-2I (transformed) and IPEC-1 (non transformed, differentiated and polarized) we showed that S. cerevisiae (strain CNCM I-3856) modulate epithelial cell responses to F4+ E. coli; thus in IPI-2I cells both viable yeast and its culture supernatant decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory transcripts (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, CXCL2 and CCL20). Similarly, in IPEC-1 cells, viable yeast decreases the pro-inflammatory transcripts (IL-6, IL-8, CCL20, CXCL2 and CXCL10) and apical secretion of both IL-6 and IL-8. Concomitantly, there was a decrease in the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation. In contrast, S. cerevisiae up-regulates mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory PPAR-γ nuclear receptor, the IL-12p35 cytokine and the CCL25 chemokine involved in gut mucosal immunity. However, S. cerevisiae failed to restore the diminished transepithelial electrical resistance in monolayer exposed to F4+ ETEC. In another hand, feeding pregnant sows with the same strain of S. cerevisiae stimulate the passive immunity to piglet with a trend to a lower incidence of non-typed E. coli diarrhea. Thus S. cerevisiae (strain CNCM I-3856) exhibits various probiotic properties, modulating diversely the gut responses to E. coli. Keywords: Enteritis, ETEC, yeast Conference: ECMIS - E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System : Interaction, Modulation and Vaccination, Ghent, Belgium, 2 Jul - 5 Jul, 2011. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Virulence factors and influence on innate and/or adaptive immunity Citation: Salmon H (2012). Saccharomyces cerevisiae modulates gut responses to Escherichia coli in pigs. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: ECMIS - E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System : Interaction, Modulation and Vaccination. doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2012.01.00005 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 13 Oct 2011; Published Online: 09 Jan 2012. * Correspondence: Dr. Henri Salmon, INRA France, Infectious Animal diseases an Public Health IASP, Nouzilly, 37380, France, hsalmon.tours.inra.fr@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Henri Salmon Google Henri Salmon Google Scholar Henri Salmon PubMed Henri Salmon Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Lymphatic-Lurking Prions Perhaps More Prevalent than Appreciated

The transmission barrier that keeps prions from jumping easily from one species to another may be far less restrictive than previously thought, according to Vincent Beringue and colleagues at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in Jouy-en-Josas, France. Experiments in mice testing several scenarios showed lymphoid tissues as much as sevenfold “leakier” to prions from other species than brain tissue, challenging the widely held notion of absolute species barriers. Details appear in the 27 January 2012 Science (335:472–475).

Cysteine Cathepsins S and L Modulate Anti-angiogenic Activities of Human Endostatin

Human endostatin, a potent anti-angiogenic protein, is generated by release of the C terminus of collagen XVIII. Here, we propose that cysteine cathepsins are involved in both the liberation and activation of bioactive endostatin fragments, thus regulating their anti-angiogenic properties. Cathepsins B, S, and L efficiently cleaved in vitro FRET peptides that encompass the hinge region corresponding to the N terminus of endostatin. However, in human umbilical vein endothelial cell-based assays, silencing of cathepsins S and L, but not cathepsin B, impaired the generation of the ∼22-kDa endostatin species. Moreover, cathepsins L and S released two peptides from endostatin with increased angiostatic properties and both encompassing the NGR sequence, a vasculature homing motif. The G10T peptide (residues 1455-1464: collagen XVIII numbering) displayed compelling anti-proliferative (EC(50) = 0.23 nm) and proapoptotic properties. G10T inhibited aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) and reduced tube formation of endothelial cells in a manner similar to bestatin. Combination of G10T with bestatin resulted in no further increase in anti-angiogenic activity. Taken together, these data suggest that endostatin-derived peptides may represent novel molecular links between cathepsins and APN/CD13 in the regulation of angiogenesis.

Policy Considerations for Mandating Agriculture in a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme: A comment

Applied Economic Perspectives and PolicyVolume 33, Issue 4 p. 661-667 Comment and Reply Policy Considerations for Mandating Agriculture in a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme: A comment Stéphane De Cara, Corresponding Author Stéphane De Cara stdecara@grignon.inra.fr Correspondence may be sent to: stdecara@grignon.inra.frSearch for more papers by this authorBruno Vermont, Bruno VermontSearch for more papers by this author Stéphane De Cara, Corresponding Author Stéphane De Cara stdecara@grignon.inra.fr Correspondence may be sent to: stdecara@grignon.inra.frSearch for more papers by this authorBruno Vermont, Bruno VermontSearch for more papers by this author First published: 08 September 2011 https://doi.org/10.1093/aepp/ppr027Citations: 1 Both authors are with the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Unité Mixte de Recherche Economie Publique INRA-AgroParisTech, France. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume33, Issue4December 2011Pages 661-667 RelatedInformation

Simulating Industrial Spray-Drying Operations Using a Reaction Engineering Approach and a Modified Desorption Method

A predictive tool using a thermodynamic approach has recently been developed to determine several important gas-feed parameters for industrial spray-drying processes. In this approach, a desorption behavior of materials was evaluated and the behavior was linked with overall heat and mass balances over the dryer. Using the desorption behavior of materials and the overall heat and mass balances, a spray-drying software SD2P® was designed at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in France. The SD2P® software allows the prediction of optimal inlet drying air temperatures with acceptable accuracy (95–99% accuracy) for spray drying of dairy products. In order to predict detailed quality parameters and stickiness behavior of a product during processing, the reaction engineering approach (REA) was combined with a modified desorption method. A traditional experimental setup is replaced with a new setup, which is described in this article. Drying kinetics parameters were predicted using this new setup. Important gas-feed parameters were predicted using the 1D simulation-based software and compared with SD2P® predictions and are reported here.

“Interactive Technology Assessment” and Beyond: the Field Trial of Genetically Modified Grapevines at INRA-Colmar

“Interactive Technology Assessment” and Beyond: the Field Trial of Genetically Modified Grapevines at INRA-Colmar

Quelles questions éthiques posent la production de palmier à huile et la recherche sur les biocarburants ?

At present, palm oil and biofuels arouse both hopes and fears. Palm oil, which is very important for the economy of several Asian and African countries and is used mostly by the food industry and oleochemisty, and very little as for biofuels, has positive and negative impacts on the use of land and the climate. Its production is often criticized from a social point of view and the quality of its oil is discussed from a nutritional point of view. A number of devices are set to encourage firms growing palm trees to have an ethical and deontological approach. Agricultural institutions (and researchers individually) are increasingly constrained by ethical issues related to biofuels. In France, the Joint Ethics Committee of Inra (Institut national de la recherche agronomique) and Cirad (Centre de cooperation internationale en recherche agronomique pour le developpement) has recently worked on this question. Biofuels appear as a revealing (in the chemical sense) of a crack in the ethos of those institutions. Cirad and Inra both carry out research. For years, researchers have worked to increase productivity and agricultural revenues, improve food security and market stabilization, reduce inequalities, etc. This was a moral bail to agricultural productivity. Environmental damages provoked by agriculture and development policies leading to a wide range of problems are undermining the ethos of the two institutions. Biofuels research, in large terms, is revealing difficulties as different issues are competing among themselves. The Committee recommended revising the meaning of mission-oriented research and made specific recommendations on how to deal with some ethical questions related to biofuels research.

Natural triploids of wild cherry

Research of triploid individuals was carried out in the French wild cherry ( Prunus avium L.) collection at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Orléans, France, using 12 microsatellite markers and the S gametophytic incompatibility marker. For 11 of 312 clones (3.5%), we found three different alleles or two different alleles included one doubled allele for 10–12 markers spread along five of the eight chromosome pairs in wild cherry. The cytometry analysis confirmed that triploidy was genome-wide. No new allele was observed among the triploids compared with the diploids of the wild cherry collection: these triploids probably result from diploids through the production of unreduced gametes, and not from interspecific hybridation. A comparison of the height growth, diameter growth, and resistance to leaf spot among 38–85 clones in four 6- to 10-year-old clonal field trials showed that six triploids were among the best compared with the diploids. The dimensions of the leaves were somewhat larger, and the petals were always larger for nine triploids compared with 20 diploids observed on plants of the wild cherry collection of INRA. Three triploids are already used as clonal variety or component of a seed orchard. We discuss the need to include more triploids in the wild cherry breeding programme.

Intestinal digestibility of amino acids in rumen-undegraded protein estimated using a precision-fed cecectomized rooster bioassay: II. Distillers dried grains with solubles and fish meal

The objectives of this experiment were to measure intestinal digestibility of AA in the rumen-undegraded protein fraction (RUP-AA) of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and fish meal (FM) samples and to determine whether these feeds contain a constant protein fraction that is undegradable in the rumen and indigestible in the small intestine, as assumed in the French Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Paris, France) and Scandinavian AAT-PBV (AAT=AA absorbed from small intestine; PBV=protein balance in the rumen) models. Five sources of DDGS and 5 sources of FM were obtained from Feed Analysis Consortium, Inc. (Champaign, IL). To obtain the rumen-undegradable protein fraction, samples were ruminally incubated in situ for 16h in 4 lactating cows, and the collected rumen-undegraded residues (RUR) were pooled by sample. Subsamples of the intact feeds and RUR were crop-intubated to 4 cecectomized roosters, and total excreta were collected for 48h. Intact feeds, RUR, and excreta were analyzed for AA. Basal endogenous AA loss estimates were obtained from fasted birds and were used to calculate standardized digestibility of RUP-AA and AA in the intact feeds. Indigestibility coefficients of the intact feeds were calculated as (100 − % standardized AA digestibility), and indigestibility of the RUR was calculated as [(100 − % ruminal degradation of AA)×(100 − % standardized RUP-AA digestibility)/100]. Results indicate that standardized digestibility of feed-AA differs from RUP-AA for DDGS samples but not for FM samples, and that standardized digestibility of individual AA differs within samples. For the DDGS samples, standardized feed-AA and RUP-AA digestibility values were most often lowest for His and Lys and highest for Met and Trp. For FM samples, standardized feed-AA and RUP-AA digestibility values were most often lowest for His and highest for Trp. Results also indicate that DDGS and most FM samples do not contain a constant protein fraction that is both undegradable in the rumen and indigestible in the small intestine. Indigestibility values of RUR were lower than in intact feeds, suggesting that the feed ingredients used in this experiment contain a protein fraction that is indigestible in the intestine but partly degradable in the rumen or digestible in the intestine after rumen incubation, or both.

Intestinal digestibility of amino acids in rumen undegradable protein estimated using a precision-fed cecectomized rooster bioassay: I. Soybean meal and SoyPlus

The objectives of this experiment were to measure intestinal digestibility of AA in rumen undegradable protein (RUP-AA) in soybean meal (SBM) and expeller SBM (SoyPlus, West Central, Ralston, IA; SP) and to determine if these feeds contain a constant protein fraction that is undegradable in the rumen and indigestible in the small intestine, as assumed in the French Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Paris, France) and Scandinavian AAT-PBV (AAT = AA absorbed from small intestine; PBV = protein balance in the rumen) models. Three samples of SBM and 3 samples of SP were obtained from the Feed Analysis Consortium Inc. (Savoy, IL). To obtain the RUP fraction, samples were ruminally incubated in situ for 16h in 4 lactating cows, and the collected rumen undegraded residues (RUR) were pooled by sample. Subsamples of the intact feeds and RUR were crop intubated to 4 cecectomized roosters, and total excreta were collected for 48h. Intact feeds, RUR, and excreta were analyzed for AA. Basal endogenous AA loss estimates were obtained from fasted birds and were used to calculate standardized digestibility of AA in the intact feeds and RUP-AA. Indigestibility coefficients of the intact feeds were calculated as (100–% standardized AA digestibility), and indigestibility of the RUR was calculated as (100–% ruminal degradation of AA)×[(100–% standardized RUP-AA digestibility)]/100. Results indicated that standardized digestibility of feed-AA was similar to standardized digestibility of RUP-AA for SBM and SP samples and that standardized digestibility of individual AA differed within samples. Standardized feed-AA and RUP-AA digestibility values were lowest for Lys and Cys and highest for Trp and Met. Results also indicated that SBM and SP did not contain a constant protein fraction that was both undegradable in the rumen and indigestible in the small intestine. Indigestibility values of RUR were lower than in intact feeds, suggesting that SBM and SP contain a protein fraction that is indigestible in the intestine but partly degradable in the rumen, digestible in the intestine after ruminal incubation, or both.

Low Level of Pollen-Mediated Gene Flow from Cultivated to Wild Grapevine: Consequences for the Evolution of the Endangered Subspecies Vitis vinifera L. subsp. silvestris

A parentage and a paternity-based approach were tested for estimation of pollen-mediated gene flow in wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. subsp. silvestris), a wind-pollinated species occurring in Mediterranean Europe and southwestern Asia. For this purpose, 305 seedlings collected in 2 years at 2 locations in France from 4 wild female individuals and 417 wild individuals prospected from France and Italy were analyzed using 20 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Their profiles were compared with a database consisting of 3203 accessions from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique Vassal collection including cultivars, rootstocks, interspecific hybrids, and other wild individuals. Paternity was assigned for 202 (66.2%) of the 305 seedlings, confirming the feasibility of the method. Most of the fertilizing pollen could be assigned to wild males growing nearby. Estimates of pollen immigration from the cultivated compartment (i.e., the totality of cultivars) ranged from 4.2% to 26% from nearby vineyards and from hidden pollinators such as cultivars and rootstocks that had escaped from farms. In an open landscape, the pollen flow was correlated to the distance between individuals, the main pollinator being the closest wild male (accounting for 51.4-86.2% of the pollen flow). In a closed landscape, more complex pollination occurred. Analysis of the parentage of the 417 wild individuals also revealed relationships between nearby wild individuals, but in the case of 12 individuals (3%), analysis revealed pollen immigration from vineyards, confirming the fitness of the hybrid seedlings. These pollen fluxes may have a significant effect on the evolution of wild populations: on the one hand, the low level of pollen-mediated gene flow from cultivated to wild grapevine could contribute to a risk of extinction of the wild compartment (i.e., the totality of the wild individuals). On the other hand, pollen dispersal within the wild populations may induce inbreeding depression of wild grapevines.

Empirical prediction of net portal appearance of volatile fatty acids, glucose, and their secondary metabolites (β-hydroxybutyrate, lactate) from dietary characteristics in ruminants: A meta-analysis approach1

The current trend in energy feeding systems for ruminants toward a nutrient-based system requires dietary energy supply to be determined in terms of amount and nature of absorbed energy-yielding nutrients. The objective of this study was to establish response equations on the net portal appearance (NPA) of VFA and glucose, and their secondary metabolites beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and lactate, to changes in intake level and chemical dietary characteristics based on the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique Feed Evaluation System for Ruminants. Meta-analyses were applied on published data compiled from the FLORA database, which pools the results on net splanchnic nutrient fluxes in multi-catheterized ruminants from international publications. For each nutrient, several prediction variables were tested. We obtained robust models for intakes up to 30 g of DM x d(-1) x kg of BW(-1) and diets containing less than 70 g of concentrate per 100 g of DM. These models were designed to predict the NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW(-1)) of total VFA based on the amount of ruminally fermented OM (RfOM) intake [adjusted R(2) (R(2)(adj)) = 0.95; residual means square errors (RMSE) = 0.24], to predict VFA profile (mol/100 mol of total VFA) based on type of RfOM intake (acetate: R(2)(adj) = 0.85, RMSE = 2.2; propionate: R(2)(adj) = 0.76, RMSE = 2.2; butyrate: R(2)(adj) = 0.76, RMSE = 1.09), and to predict the NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW(-1)) of glucose based on the starch digested in the small intestine independent of ruminant species, and while presenting no interfering factors on the residuals and individual slopes. The model predicting the NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW(-1)) of BHBA based on the amount of RfOM intake (R(2)(adj) = 0.91; RMSE = 0.036) was species-dependent, and the model predicting NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW(-1)) of lactate based on starch digested in the rumen (R(2)(adj) = 0.77; RMSE = 0.042) presented a wide dispersion. However, the NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW(-1)) of BHBA was related to the NPA of both butyrate (R(2)(adj) = 0.85; RMSE = 0.054) and acetate (R(2)(adj) = 0.85; RMSE = 0.052), and the NPA (mmol x h(-1) x kg of BW (-1)) of lactate was related to the NPA of propionate (R(2)(adj) = 0.51; RMSE = 0.096). This research showed that it is possible to accurately predict the amount and nature of absorbed nutrient fluxes based on dietary characteristics in both sheep and cattle. This work aims to quantify the consequences of digestion and portal-drained viscera metabolism on nutrient availability. These results can provide deeper insight into biological processes and help develop improved tools for dietary formulation.