Non-supplemented Research Articles

The metabolic and anti-adiposity effects of oral Copaiba-oil supplementation are influenced by sex and obesity

Copaiba oil (CO-oil) is commonly used as a topical healing and anti-inflammatory product in Brazil. However, recent data indicate that oral ingestion of CO-oil has anti-adiposity effects. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of oral CO-oil supplementation on body weight (BW), food intake (FI), adiposity and metabolism in male and female obese and non-obese rats. Monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4g/Kg) was administered during the first week after birth to induce hypothalamic obesity; control (CON; non-obese) rats received equimolar saline. After weaning (30 days of life), MSG and CON males and females were randomly subdivided into CO-oil supplemented (0.5mL/Kg; 3 times/week/8 weeks) and non-supplemented (NS) groups (n = 10-15 rats/group). BW, FI, feed efficiency (FE) and adiposity were registered, as well as fasting glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TGL) and total cholesterol (TC) values. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG). Integrative principal component analysis (PCA) showed that chronic CO-oil supplementation alters FI and FE in MSG-obese and non-obese male rats, without modifying adiposity or metabolism. However, CO-oil supplementation of MSG-obese females reduced adiposity, TGL and improved IR, in relation to non-obese females. Thus, our data indicate that CO-oil oral supplementation influences males and females differently, having greater anti-adiposity effects and benefits on the metabolic state of obese female rats.

The effect of an antioxidant supplement based on selenium, electrolytes, and vitamins on relieving transportation stress in goats

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an antioxidant supplement (Transcare) based on selenium (Se), electolytes, and vitamins to relieve transportation stress in Nandidurga goats. Thirty 8–10-month-old Nandidurga female goats were randomly divided into two groups: non-supplemented (NS) (n=15) and supplemented (S) (n=15). S goats received orally antioxidant powder at a dose of 0.7 g/kg BW, dissolved in 10 mL drinking water, 45–60 min before the seven-hour trip. The antioxidant supplementation influenced (P < 0.05) respiration rate and pulse rate after transport, head and shoulder temperature, mean corpuscular hemoglobin before transport, lymphocytes after transport, monocytes after transport, cortisol, aldosterone, tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine, glucose, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP27 after transportation. Antioxidant supplementation decreased transportation stress in Nandidurga goats.Thus, oral antioxidant supplementation proved beneficial and promising in alleviating transportation stress. Therefore, promoting such supplements among resource-poor farmers may help reverse the financial loss experienced due to transportation stress in goats.

Effects of three methionine sources in diets on temporal B0AT1 and ASCT2 mRNA expression in different intestinal segments of cobia, Rachycentron canadum

AbstractA 4‐week feeding trial was conducted using five groups of hybrid grouper (61.15 ± 0.15 g) to explore the potential effects of three methionine (Met) sources. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated that included a fishmeal (FM) diet; nonsupplemented (NS) diet; or NS diets with the addition of the L‐methionine (L‐Met), DL‐methionine (DL‐Met), or coated Met (Co‐Met) to obtain the same Met level as the FM diet. Fish were randomly distributed into sea cages (30 fish per cage). Weight gain and specific growth rate in the DL‐Met group and FM group were significantly higher than those in all other groups (p &lt; .05). In the proximal and distal intestines, of the 20 gene and time combinations (10 per gene), there were 14 combinations (70%) in which there were no significant differences in gene expression levels between the FM and DL‐Met groups (p &gt; .05). The main reason for the same growth effect between the DL‐Met and FM groups may be attributed to the synchronized absorption at most time points after feeding, which had similar expression patterns of B0AT1 and ASCT2 of the proximal and distal intestines between two groups.

Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation Modify Spleen Morphology in Lean, but not, in Monosodium-Glutamate-Obese Rats

We evaluated the effect of exercise and vitamin D supplementation on histological aspects of the spleens of lean and obese rats. Male Wistar rats received neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4g/Kg), while Control (CON) rats received an equimolar solution. At 30 days of age, CON and MSG rats were subdivided into Exercised (E) or Sedentary (S) groups and Vitamin D (VD; 12µg/Kg) supplemented or non-supplemented (NS) groups. At the 86th day of life, rats were euthanized, and their body weights and adiposity were evaluated. Spleens were submitted to histomorphometric analysis of the white pulp (WP), germinal center (GC) and lymphatic nodule (LN). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (p&lt;0.05). MSG treatment promoted a reduction in spleen weight, increased LN thickness and WP area, but reduced GC occupation, compared to spleens of CON-lean rats (p&lt;0.05). Exercise and VD did not provoke changes in the spleens of MSG-obese rats. In CON-lean rats, E and VD induced augmentation of LN thickness. VD supplementation increased the WP area, while E reduced GC area occupation in spleens of CON-lean rats (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, exercise and VD supplementation increased LN thickness and WP area, but had the opposite effect on the GC in spleens of CON-lean rats. However, neither exercise nor VD supplementation prevented the development of morphological abnormalities in the spleens of MSG-obese rats.

The effect of chronic oral vitamin D supplementation on adiposity and insulin secretion in hypothalamic obese rats.

Reduced plasma vitamin D (VD) levels may contribute to excessive white adipose tissue, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidaemia. We evaluated the effect of chronic oral VD supplementation on adiposity and insulin secretion in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-treated rats. During their first 5 d of life, male neonate rats received subcutaneous injections of MSG (4g/kg), while the control (CON) group received saline solution. After weaning, groups were randomly distributed into VD supplemented (12µg/kg; three times/week) and non-supplemented (NS) rats, forming four experimental groups (n 15 rats/group): CON-NS, CON-VD, MSG-NS and MSG-VD. At 76 d of life, rats were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 2g/kg), and at 86 d, obesity, IR and plasma metabolic parameters were evaluated. Pancreatic islets were isolated for glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS), cholinergic insulinotropic response and muscarinic 3 receptor (M3R), protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) expressions. Pancreas was submitted to histological analyses. VD supplementation decreased hyperinsulinaemia (86 %), hypertriacylglycerolaemia (50 %) and restored insulin sensibility (89 %) in MSG-VD rats, without modifying adiposity, OGTT or GIIS, compared with the MSG-NS group. The cholinergic action was reduced (57 %) in islets from MSG-VD rats, without any change in M3R, PKA or PKC expression. In conclusion, chronic oral VD supplementation of MSG-obese rats was able to prevent hyperinsulinaemia and IR, improving triacylglycerolaemia without modifying adiposity. A reduced cholinergic pancreatic effect, in response to VD, could be involved in the normalisation of plasma insulin levels, an event that appears to be independent of M3R and its downstream pathways.

The effect of grazing intensity and supplementation on performance, stress indicators and metabolic profiles of finishing lambs

In the present study, the effect of grazing intensity (GI) and feed supplementation in sixty-four crossbred Santa Inês lambs was assessed based on performance, blood stress indicators, and metabolic profiles. The GIs analyzed were VH = very high, H = high, L = low, and VL = very low, and were represented by the residual leaf area index (LAIr). The lambs were divided into two groups, supplemented (SP) and non-supplemented (NSP). The dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) increased linearly with decreasing GI (P &lt; 0.05), and the ADG was higher for the NSP group than the SP group (P &lt; 0.05). The plasma cortisol concentration was higher in the NSP group (P &lt; 0.05), and it was not affected by GIs (P &gt; 0.05). The neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio decreased linearly with GI (P &lt; 0.05), and the SP group had a higher N:L ratio (P &lt; 0.05). None of the parameters evaluated for protein metabolism were affected by GI (P &gt; 0.05), except albumin, where the SP group had a higher concentration of this metabolite (P &lt; 0.05). Regarding energy metabolism indicators, glucose showed a linear increase with a decrease in GI (P &lt; 0.05) and was higher in the SP group (P &lt; 0.05); however, there was a decreasing linear effect (P &lt; 0.05) and the NSP group had higher serum levels (P &lt; 0.05) of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). The concentration of beta hydroxybutyrate (HBA-B) was higher in the SP group (P &lt; 0.05). The concentration of calcium was affected by GI (P &lt; 0.05). The phosphorus concentration was higher in the SP group (P &lt; 0.05), and concentration of magnesium was not affected by any of the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). It was concluded that GI and SP modified the performance, stress indicators, and metabolic profiles of finishing lambs.

Effect of concentrate supplementation on herbage intake and live weight gain of sheep grazing a semi-arid grassland steppe of North-Eastern Asia in response to different grazing management systems and intensities

An increasing human population and growing demand for food of animal origin intensified livestock production and lead to overgrazing and desertification in semi-arid grasslands. Strategies for sustainable livestock production that protect steppe vegetation and satisfy farmers׳ economic interests are strongly needed. This study analysed the effects of a moderate concentrate supplementation on organic matter digestibility (dOM), organic matter intake (OMI), metabolisable energy intake (MEI), and live weight (LW) gain of sheep grazing at different intensities to evaluate its potential contribution to profitable livestock production at conservative stocking densities (SD). In 2010, a grazing experiment was conducted in the Xilin River Basin, the Inner Mongolian steppe, China (E116°42′ N43°38′) using 337 female Mongolian fat-tailed sheep (30.2±4.3kg LW). The effect of concentrate supplementation was tested in two different grazing management systems and six classes of herbage allowances (HA). While experimental plots had only been used for grazing in previous years in the continuous system, grazing and hay-making had been alternated annually on plots of the alternating system. The SD ranged from light to heavily grazed with 2.1–10.3 sheep/ha and were adjusted every month to maintain similar HA across the grazing season. Four sheep per plot received 250g/d of a corn–wheat-based concentrate feed (SUP), while four non-supplemented (NSUP) sheep were used as control. Faecal samples were collected on five days each in July, August, and September. The dOM was estimated from faecal crude protein concentration and faeces excretion quantified using the marker titanium dioxide. The animals were weighed monthly to determine daily LW gain. The dOM was higher in SUP than NSUP sheep (0.557 vs. 0.533, RSD: 0.016). As a consequence, daily OMI and LW gain of SUP sheep (74g/kg0.75 LW; 121g) were higher than of NSUP sheep (68g/kg0.75 LW, RSD: 6.4; 86g, RSD: 24.6) despite a decrease in herbage OMI of 0.41g per 1g concentrate feed. Grazing system had no influence on dOM, OMI, or LW gain of sheep. The effects of supplementation were independent of HA class, and OMI, herbage OMI, MEI, and LW gain were higher in the beginning than in the end of the experiment. Moderate concentrate supplementation to grazing sheep strongly increases LW gain of individual animals and might offer a valuable contribution to increase individual productivity, maintaining the output per area at lower SD. A reduced herbage OMI alleviates grazing pressure and can thus maintain long-term grassland productivity.

Effect of Acacia karroo Supplementation on Growth, Ultimate pH, Colour and Cooking Losses of Meat from Indigenous Xhosa Lop-eared Goats.

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of Acacia karroo supplementation on growth, ultimate pH, colour and cooking losses of meat from indigenous Xhosa lop-eared goats. Eighteen castrated 4-month-old kids were used in the study until slaughter. The kids were subdivided in two treatment groups A. karroo supplemented (AK) and non-supplemented (NS). The supplemented goats were given 200 g per head per d of fresh A. karroo leaves. The kids were slaughtered on d 60 and sample cuttings for meat quality assessment were taken from the Longistimus dorsi muscle. The supplemented kids had higher (p<0.05) growth rates than the non-supplemented ones. The meat from the A. karroo supplemented goats had lower (p<0.05) ultimate pH and cooking loss than the meat from the non-supplemented goats. Acacia karroo supplemented goats produced higher (p<0.05) b* (yellowness) value, but supplementation had no significant effect on L* (lightness) and a* (redness) of the meat. Therefore, A. karroo supplementation improved growth performance and the quality of meat from goats.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Acacia karroo leaves on fatty acid profiles and consumer sensory attributes of Xhosa lop-eared goats under artificial haemonchosis

The effect of Acacia karroo supplementation on fatty acid profiles and sensory attributes of Xhosa lop-eared goats meat was evaluated in 18 4-month-old goats exposed to a single dose of 6000 L3 Haemonchus contortus larvae. The goats were allotted into two groups: non-supplemented (NSP) and supplemented (AK). The AK goats received 200 g of fresh A. karroo leaves. At the end of the experiment, all the goats were slaughtered to determine the fatty acid profiles and sensory perceptions. Faecal larval counts decreased significantly in the AK group as the infection progressed, while it increased in the NSP group. At necropsy, the NSP group had significantly higher worm counts than the AK group. The AK group contained significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) amounts of intramuscular fat and had almost twice (P &lt; 0.05) the total polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid/monounsaturated fatty acid ratio. Furthermore, the AK goats also had higher amounts (P &lt; 0.05) of n-3. Mean sensory scores for juiciness and tenderness were superior in the AK goats (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, A. karroo supplementation positively influenced the fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of chevon from goats infected with H. contortus.

Long-term selection experiment with Afrikaner cattle 4. Cow fertility and calf survival

A selection and line x environment interaction study with grade Afrikaner cattle was established in 1956 at the Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe. Two selection lines of 100 cows each were reared in different management environments. The non-supplemented (NS) line relied on the range throughout the year and was mated to calve with the onset of the rains (December to February). The supplemented (S) line was offered protein-rich supplements during the dry season and mated to calve prior to the onset of the rains (October to December). In 1976, after approximately two generations of selection, lines were sub-divided into 75 cows each, where one sub-line remained within each environment as a control; the remaining sub-lines were interchanged between environments. Bulls were selected on weaning weight within control lines, while replacement heifers were selected on weight at mating within sub-line. Data recorded over six generations of selection (40 years) were analyzed. The average incidence of calving success (the presence or absence of a calf) was 68%. Heritability and repeatability (in parenthesis) estimates for calving success and calving date were 0.08 ± 0.02 (0.10 ± 0.02) and 0.09 ± 0.02 (0.17 ± 0.02), respectively. Favourable genetic trends were shown (-0.8 ± 0.09 days/generation for calving date). Correlation estimates of sires’ EBV between measures of fertility and growth were all unfavourable. A significant interaction was manifested for calving success and was due to the markedly poorer performance (10 percentage units) of the S line cows in the NS environment. The interaction serves to reinforce the commonly held principle that cattle, and in particular breeding cows, be reared in a similar environment in which selection takes place advocating antagonistic selection (upwards selection in a poor environment). Calf losses within the first 24 h of birth and pre-weaning were 3.8% and 8%, with heritability estimates of 0.15 ± 0.07 and 0.07 ± 0.03, respectively. It is recommended that fertility and calf survival be included in routine breed evaluations. There is a need to implement data collection strategies to ensure that all calving activities are comprehensively recorded.

Long-term selection experiment with Afrikaner cattle 1. Environmental factors affecting calf growth traits

A selection and line x environment interaction study with grade Afrikaner cattle was established in 1956 at Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe. Two selection lines of 100 cows each were reared in different management environments. The non-supplemented (NS) line relied on the range throughout the year and was mated to calve with the onset of the rains (December to February). The supplemented (S) line was offered protein-rich supplements during the dry season and mated to calve prior to the onset of the rains (October to December). In 1976 lines were sub-divided into four lines with 75 cows each, where one sub-line remained within each environment as a control; the remaining sub-lines were interchanged between environments. Bulls were selected on weaning weight within control lines, while replacement heifers were selected on weight at mating within sub-line. Data collected over a 40-year period (1958 to 1997) were analyzed. There were no line differences, however, productivity in the S environment was superior compared with the NS environment. While there were no environment differences in birth weight, calves born early in the S environment were estimated to be 90 kg (33%) heavier at 18 months than calves born late in the NS environment. The performance of calf growth from birth to 18 months in this study has emphasized the importance of matching animal physiological status with seasonal changes in the sub-tropics. The effect of previous lactation status (PLS) increased from 1.2 ± 0.13 kg at birth to 7 ± 0.6 kg at 205 days of age, a difference that persisted to 18 months (5 ± 0.9 kg). Given the significant and consistent detrimental effects of PLS on calf growth, it is recommended that this effect be considered in routine evaluations.

Long-term selection experiment with Afrikaner cattle 2. Genetic parameters and genotype x environment interaction for calf growth traits

A selection and line x environment interaction study with grade Afrikaner cattle was established in 1956 at Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe. Two selection lines of 100 cows each were reared in different management environments. The non-supplemented (NS) line relied on the range throughout the year and was mated to calve with the onset of the rains (December to February). The supplemented (S) line was offered protein-rich supplements during the dry season and mated to calve prior to the onset of the rains (October to December). In 1976, lines were sub-divided into 75 cows each, where one sub-line remained within each environment as a control; the remaining sub-lines were interchanged between environments. Bulls were selected on weaning weight within control lines, while replacement heifers were selected on weight at mating within sub-line. Data recorded over approximately six generations of selection (40 years) was analyzed. The direct heritability estimates were moderate for birth weight (0.4), but low (0.1 to 0.2) for the other traits, similarly maternal heritabilities were low (0.1 to 0.2). Permanent environmental effects due to dam were moderate (0.3) for weights at 205 days, weaning and at 12 months, and was still an important effect at 18 months. Relatively large negative (-0.4) direct-maternal genetic correlations were indicated for weaning and yearling weights. There were indications that all post-weaning weight traits evaluated were closely related giving rise to their joint inclusion in joint multivariate analysis. There were no indications of line x environment interactions, however, interaction of sire x year was important for all the traits highlighting the tremendous year to year variations experienced in the sub-tropics. There is a need to evaluate selection for genotypic stability, particularly for the more extensive farming environments.

Long-term selection experiment with Afrikaner cattle 3. Selection applied and response in calf growth traits

A selection and line x environment interaction study with grade Afrikaner cattle was established in 1956 at Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe. Two selection lines of 100 cows each were reared in different management environments. The non-supplemented (NS) line relied on the range throughout the year and was mated to calve with the onset of the rains (December to February). The supplemented (S) line was offered protein-rich supplements during the dry season and mated to calve prior to the onset of the rains (October to December). In 1976, after approximately two generations of selection, lines were sub-divided into 75 cows each, where one sub-line remained within each environment as a control; the remaining sub-lines were interchanged between environments. Bulls were selected on weaning weight within control lines, while replacement heifers were selected on weight at mating within sub-line. Data recorded over approximately six generations of selection (40 years) were analyzed. The average age of sires and dams at the time of birth of their progeny was 5.9 and 7.5 years respectively in the pre-crossover phase and was reduced to 4.4 and 6.5 years respectively in the post-crossover phase. The rate of inbreeding across lines and environments was 1.2%/generation. The cumulative selection differential trends for both the S and NS lines for adjusted weaning weight plotted against generation number were very low, relatively linear and greater for the S line (0.10 s.d./year) compared with the NS line (0.08 s.d./year). Direct and correlated responses were uniformly low, approximating 1% of the trait mean per generation, and indicating that considerable attention was given to secondary characters. These results concur with general findings of effective direct and correlated responses of weight traits to individual selection.

High-yield kraft pulping of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden biotreated by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora under two different culture conditions

Abstract In the present study, it was evaluated how two different culture conditions for the biotreatment of Eucalyptus grandis by Ceriporiopsis subvermispora affect a subsequent high-yield kraft pulping process. Under the varied culture conditions investigated, different extracellular enzyme activities were observed. Manganese-peroxidase (MnP) secretion was 3.7 times higher in cultures supplemented with glucose plus corn-steep liquor (glucose/CSL) as compared to non-supplemented (NS) cultures. The biotreated samples underwent diverse levels of wood component degradation as losses of weight and lignin were increased in glucose/CSL cultures. Mass balances for lignin removal during kraft pulping showed that delignification was facilitated when both biotreated wood samples were cooked. Delignification efficiency did not correlate positively with MnP levels in the cultures. On the other hand, biopulps from NS and glucose/CSL cultures saved 27% and 38% beating time to achieve 28° Schopper-Riegler freeness during refining, respectively. Biopulps disposed of decreased tensile and tear resistances, thus easier refining of the biokraft pulps seems to be a consequence of less resistant fiber walls. Improved beatability of biopulps was tentatively related to short fibers and fines formation during refining. We suggest that to some extent polysaccharide depolymerization occurred during the biotreatment, which also resulted in diminished pulp yields in the case of glucose/CSL cultures.

Undegradable intake protein supplementation of compensating spring-born steers and summer-born steers during summer grazing.

Three trials were conducted to determine the effects of previous winter gain (Trials 1 and 3) and age of calf (Trials 1 and 2) on response to undegradable intake protein (UIP) supplementation during summer grazing. In Trial 1, 48 spring-born steers (243 kg) were used in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement. Steers were wintered at four rates of gain: 0.65 (FAST), 0.24 (SLOW), 0.38 (S/F), and 0.38 (F/S) kg/d. The intermediate rates of gain (S/F and F/S) were created by switching steers from slow to fast or fast to slow midway through the wintering period. Following winter treatments, steers were assigned to one of two summer treatments: supplemented (S) or nonsupplemented (NS). In Trial 2, 32 summer-born steers were wintered at an ADG of 0.25 kg/d and allotted to the same summer treatments as Trial 1. The supplement was formulated to supply 200 g/d of UIP. Steers from both trials grazed upland Sandhills range from May to September 1998. In Trial 3, 49 spring-born steers (228 kg) were used in a 2 x 7 factorial arrangement of treatments. Steers were wintered at two rates of gain, 0.71 (FAST) and 0.24 kg/d (SLOW) and then assigned randomly to one of six levels of UIP supplementation or an energy control. Protein supplements were formulated to deliver 75, 112.5, 150, 187.5, 225, or 262.5 g/d of UIP. Sources of UIP for all trials were treated soybean meal and feather meal. In Trial 1, there were no (P > 0.05) winter by summer treatment interactions, and UIP supplementation increased (P = 0.0001) pasture gains over NS steers. In Trial 2, supplementation increased (P = 0.001) pasture ADG of summer-born steers by 0.15 kg/d compared with NS steers. In Trial 3, a winter gain by UIP supplementation interaction was observed (P = 0.09). Gain of FAST steers responded quadratically (P = 0.09) across UIP levels, with the maximum gain occurring at the 150 g/d UIP level. The SLOW steers responded linearly (P = 0.02) to increasing UIP levels; however, the response was negative. Levels of UIP above 150 g/d reduced steers gains; therefore, the data were reanalyzed excluding these levels. These new analyses showed that FAST steers responded linearly (P = 0.08; 0.2 kg/d) to increasing UIP, whereas the SLOW steers had no response to UIP. In Trials 1 and 3, SLOW steers experienced compensatory gain and had higher gains overall. We concluded that previous winter gain affected the response to UIP supplementation with the FAST winter gain group having a greater response.

Effect of molasses-urea-block (MUB) on dry matter intake, growth, reproductive performance and control of gastrointestinal nematode infection of grazing Menz ram lambs

The effect of urea-molasses feed-supplement blocks (MUB) on feed utilisation and the inclusion of anthelmintic medication into the blocks at strategic times to control nematode parasites was studied in lambs grazed on low quality tropical pasture. 120 Menz ram lambs of 5–7 months of age were divided into six groups for methods of treatment against internal parasites and urea molasses supplementation. The benzimidazole anthelmintic fenbendazole was administered at the rate of 10 mg kg −1 liveweight as a drench or via medicated MUB. Animals grazed in two lots during the day and had access to grass hay in night pens ad libitum. Groups 1–3 comprised a non-supplemented (NOSUP) lot that only grazed while groups 4–6 consumed, in addition, an average of 80 g per head per day of molasses-urea-block (SUPP) supplement. The MUB supplement was provided daily for nine months but medicated MUB was used only for strategic prophylactic treatment against nematodes. SUPP animals had higher daily DM intakes (568 ±11 versus 532 ± 11 g DM per head per day, P < 0.05), the advantage being greatest in the wet season when there was also a concomitant increase in herbage digestibility ( P < 0.001). SUPP animals were 4kg heavier (25.7 ± 0.5 versus 21.7 ± 0.5 kg, P < 0.05) and had deposited more body reserves as judged by condition score (3.2 ± 0.1 versus 2.4 ± 0.1) after 6 months. The level of infection with endoparasites was lower in the dry than in the wet season. Medicated MUB was as efficient in treating against endoparasites as drenching. Similarly, the MUB supplement mitigated the effect of endoparasitism. Anthelmintic treatment did not improve testicular size or semen quality ( P> 0.05). Testicular growth increased faster during the first 3 months to highest values of 26.9 ± 0.3 and 25.3 ± 0.3 cm, respectively in SUPP and NOSUP animals ( P < 0.001) at 6 months. Semen quality improved with age and was better in SUPP than NOSUP males ( P < 0.05– P < 0.001). It is concluded that MUB supplementation is a suitable method for supplementing the nutrition of grazing sheep in Ethiopia, and that MUB feeding can help alleviate the effect of endoparasitism.

Supplementary Caffeine, Carnitine and Choline Reduce Body Fat in Exercising Rats

LEARNING OUTCOME: To appreciate fat loss by interactive action of nutritional supplements (caffeine, carnitine, choline) and moderate exercise. Professional and nonprofessional athletes use many nutritional supplements to improve performance and to reduce fatigue. Recently, we have shown choline-induced carnitine conservation in normal humans and animal models. The preferential accumulation of carnitine in skeletal muscle lead us to expand search for conditions that may promote fat oxidation and body fat loss. Caffeine is a stimulant and fat mobilizer. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of a combination of caffeine, carnitine, and choline with and without exercise on body fat and energy substrate utilization. Twenty, 7 wk old, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10) and fed either a non-supplemented (NS) or a supplemented (S) diet with a combination of caffeine, carnitine, and choline (@ 0.1, 0.5 and 11.5 g/kg diet, respectively) for 30 days. Each dietary group was subdivided into exercise (E) and non-exercise (NE) groups (n=5). The exercise group was made to run on the treadmill for 6 days/wk for 3 weeks. During this time RQ was determined and blood and tissue samples were collected for metabolite determination. The SE group had significantly higher VO 2max, and lower body weight and body fat mass than the other groups. Serum triglycerides (TG) were significantly lower in the S groups but the muscle TG were not different. Muscle and serum short-chain acylcarnitines were significantly higher in the S groups which indicates higher fat oxidation in these groups compared to the others. The combination of caffeine, carnitine and choline supplementation with exercise significantly reduced body fat in a relatively short period of time. These observations merit further investigation in healthy humans and delineation of the mechanism of these nutrient-nutrient interactions. (Supported by TN-AES 136)

Late hyponatremia in very low birthweight infants. (less than 1.3 kilograms).

Late hyponatremia (plasma Na+ less than 130 mEq/liter) occurred frequently (on 54 of 159 occasions) in 46 very low virthweight (VLBW) infants (less than 1.3 kg at birth) between 2 and 6 weeks of age while receiving a sodium intake of less than or equal to 2 mEg/kg/24 hr. To elucidate possible pathogenetic mechanisms five groups of such infants were studied while receiving a commercially available formula reconstituted to give two different volumes and two different Na+ concentrations. Sodium intake in the nonsupplemented (NS) infants (n = 23) was less than 2 mEq/kg/24 hr. Supplemented (S) infants (n = 16) received approximately 3 mEq Na+/kg/24 hr. A further group of seven infants given a high volume (200 ml/kg/24 hr), high caloric (100 cal/dl) formula and Na+ supplementation (to 3 mEq/kg/24 hr) was also included. Infants were studied from age 14 days until they weighed 1.80 +/- 0.05 kg at a mean age of 47 days. At the time of start of the study, 6 of 20 NS and 6 of 19 S infants were hyponatremic. After supplementation only two episodes of hyponatremia occurred in S infants, both during the first study week, whereas the high incidence of hyponatremia in NS infants period. During baseline urine collections all infants excreted between 80 and 100 ml/kg/24 hr urine, but those receiving 150 ml/kg/24 hr formula decreased their urinary output rapidly to 50 ml/kg/24 hr, whereas infants receiving high volume feeds (200 ml/kg/24 hr) did not decrease their urinary output until the third balance at an average age of 45 days. All infants excreted between 1.0 and 1.2 mEq/kg/24 hr of sodium in their urine during the initial collection. Nonsupplemented infants reduced their urinary Na+ excretion more rapidly than supplemented babies (NS: from 1.03 to 0.55 mEq/kg/24 hr, first vs second balance; S: from 1.00 to 0.80 mEq/kg/24 hr, first vs third balance). Mean potassium excretion remained unchanged in NS and S infants during the study period and was not affected by the volume or caloric content of the formula. Extracellular volume (ECV) and total body water (TBW) were measure serially, and there were no differences between S and NS infants in the distribution of body water. The percentage of TBW and ECV decreased in all groups with increasing postnatal age.