Post Feeding Research Articles

The Effect of Soil Type and Moisture Level on the Development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

The present study aimed to determine the effects of the soil type and the moisture contents on the some life-history parameters of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The larval and pupal survival, duration of development periods, and the weight of pupae and adult of L. sericata were examined at three different types of soil (clay, loamy, and sandy) with five moisture contents (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%). The post feeding L. sericata larvae were transferred to a plastic cup filled with soils with different moisture content, and all cups were kept at 27°C, 65% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h. In this article, the effects on some life-history parameters were compared with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Accordingly, the findings of this article indicate that moisture contents of soils and soil type have a significant effect on the development time of L. sericata. Furthermore, it has been found that larvae can survive on extremely wet substrates (75-100% humidity), although their development time is longer than other moisture content. Pupal and adult weight was significantly different among soil type and soil moisture. Our results provide a reference information for sufficient estimation of the effects of changes in moisture-related to soil type or climate on studies of forensic and biological control of L. sericata.

Maternal oral supplementation with citrulline increases plasma citrulline but not arginine in pregnant Merino ewes and neonatal lambs

Context Arginine supplementation can counter the negative effects of fetal growth restriction in ewes bearing multiple lambs by increasing birth weight and brown adipose fat stores in lambs; however ruminal degradation limits its bioavailability and necessitates ruminal protection. The arginine precursor citrulline increases circulating arginine after a single oral dose without ruminal protection, and bolus intravenous infusion of citrulline increases maternal and fetal circulating arginine for at least 4 h post infusion. Responses to oral and chronic citrulline have not, however, been evaluated in neonatal lambs. Aims This experiment sought to determine whether orally fed citrulline would increase circulating plasma concentrations of citrulline and arginine in pregnant Merino ewes. Methods Pregnant Merino ewes were fed citrulline (CIT, 8 g/day, n = 9) or no supplement (CON, n = 9) from Day 125 of gestation (DG 125) until parturition. Ewe (DG 125) and neonatal lamb serum (<2 h old) was analysed for circulating plasma citrulline and arginine concentrations. Key results Circulating concentrations of citrulline were higher in CIT than CON ewes 4 h post feeding at DG 125, and in CIT compared to CON neonatal lambs. Despite higher citrulline concentrations, supplementation did not increase maternal or neonatal circulating arginine concentrations. Conclusions Maternal supplementation with this dose of citrulline was not effective in increasing circulating levels of arginine. Implications Further studies may be merited in pregnant sheep to determine whether higher doses of oral citrulline can increase arginine availability during gestation.

Morphological consequences of hybridization between farm and wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar under both wild and experimental conditions

The escape of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from aquaculture has been identified as a significant threat to the persistence and stability of wild salmon populations. Yet the magnitude of phenotypic impacts due to hybridization remains largely unresolved. We evaluated the phenotypic consequences of hybridization using geometric morphometrics both under natural conditions in the wild and in the laboratory using common garden experiments. Juvenile Atlantic salmon field-collected in 2015 and 2016 from 18 southern Newfoundland rivers were classified as pure wild, pure farm, or F1 hybrids using genetic assignment. Overall size and shape differences between wild and farm, and wild and F1 hybrid individuals were small, largely size related, and present between pure farm and other crosses. Laboratory-reared pure wild, pure farm, and F1 hybrid salmon were grown in tank and semi-natural conditions. Wild fish were significantly larger than both farm and hybrid salmon at first feeding; these size differences remained at 80 d post first feeding under semi-natural conditions, but all crosses were the same size in tank conditions, and there were no differences between pure farm and hybrid individuals under either condition. Significant shape differences were present among all pairwise comparisons under tank conditions, and in semi-natural conditions, pure wild individuals differed significantly from pure farm and hybrid individuals. Our results suggest phenotypic differences observed under laboratory conditions between wild and farm×wild hybrid individuals may not be appreciable in the wild, and that significant genetic changes may occur in wild populations experiencing hybridization in the absence of obvious large phenotypic changes.

DELAYED ORAL FEEDING IN PATIENTS OF SALVAGE LARYNGECTOMY AND ITS EFFECT ON DEVELOPMENT OF PHARYNGOCUTANEOUS FISTULA

Objective: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a complication of post radiotherapy total laryngectomy. Early post operative feeding is a risk factor for development of PCF. Delayed oral feeding (DOF) and inserting a nasogastric tube has been considered a safe practice among head and neck surgeons, and there is no general agreement on the timing of initiation of the oral intake. This study compared the effect of EOF and DOF on PCF formation.
 Study Design: Prospective case-controlled trial.
 Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Apr 2019 to Jul 2020.
 Methodology: Non-probability convenience sampling was done for both groups. The patients were not matched and were assigned to either EOF or DOF alternately. EOF was defined as feeding at seventh post operative day and DOF criterion was feeding on fourteenth post operative day. The primary outcome was development of PCF within the 30th post operative day. A total of 20 patients with prior radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer who presented with recurrence of carcinoma were included in the study. Same technique closure of neopharynx was done in all cases of laryngectomy.
 Results: Overall PCF frequency was 20% (4/20). In EOF group, 30% (3/10) of patients developed PCF whereas 10% (1/10) of patients in DOF developed PCF. However, the difference in outcome of two groups was not statistically significant.
 Conclusion: DOF in cases of Salvage total laryngectomy is a safe practice and it might help to reduce the frequency of pharyngocutaneous fistula.

Albino mice with the point mutation at the tyrosinase locus show high cholesterol diet-induced NASH susceptibility

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) constitutes a metabolic disorder with high worldwide prevalence and increasing incidence. The inflammatory progressive state, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), leads to liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Here, we evaluated whether tyrosinase mutation underlies NASH pathophysiology. Tyrosinase point-mutated B6 (Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J mice (B6 albino) and C57BL/6J black mice (B6 black) were fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 10 weeks. Normal diet-fed mice served as controls. HCD-fed B6 albino exhibited high NASH susceptibility compared to B6 black, a phenotype not previously reported. Liver injury occurred in approximately 50% of B6 albino from one post HCD feeding, with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. NASH was induced following 2 weeks in severe-phenotypic B6 albino (sB6), but B6 black exhibited no symptoms, even after 10 weeks. HCD-fed sB6 albino showed significantly higher mortality rate. Histological analysis of the liver revealed significant inflammatory cell and lipid infiltration and severe fibrosis. Serum lipoprotein analysis revealed significantly higher chylomicron and very low-density lipoprotein levels in sB6 albino. Moreover, significantly higher small intestinal lipid absorption and lower fecal lipid excretion occurred together with elevated intestinal NPC1L1 expression. As the tyrosinase point mutation represents the only genetic difference between B6 albino and B6 black, our work will facilitate the identification of susceptible genetic factors for NASH development and expand the understanding of NASH pathophysiology.

Perfomnce, Intestine Morphology And Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chickens to Delayed Post Hatch Feeding

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of delayed post hatch feeding after arrival to the rearing hall on broiler performance, serum biochemistry and jejunum histology.  A total of 225 Ross 308 day-old chicks were randomly distributed into three groups T1 chicks access to feed immediately, T2 chicks delayed in feeding for 12 hours and T3 chicks delayed in feeding for 24 hours with three replicates of 25 chicks. Remained yolk sack was lower for chicks that had immediate access to feed compared to other experimental groups. Longer delay feeding time lowered body weight uniformity % at different ages. Immediate access to feed significantly (P<0.05) improved broiler performance at different ages compared to that delayed for 12 and 24 hours post hatch. Significantly (P<0.05) longer small intestine and higher percent of live body weight were recorded for early feeding groups compared to delayed groups. The level of T3 and T4 hormones in the serum were significantly (P<0.01) higher for early feeding groups compared to other groups. Increasing delayed post hatch feeding led to a significant (P<0.01) increase in uric acid level in serum. Early feeding significantly (P<0.01) improved jejunum histology including villi height, villi width, villi height to crypt depth and surface area

PSX-A-12 Late-Breaking: Effects of Renergy™ on ruminal fermentation in steers fed a high-grain diet

Abstract Renergy™ is a proprietary blend of organic acids with a proposed mode of action of increasing ruminal propionate production. Little is known about the efficacy of Renergy™ supplementation in modifying ruminal fermentation in beef cattle consuming high-grain diets. Therefore, eight Angus steers (BW 531.7 ± 20.4 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to determine the effects of Renergy™ on ruminal fermentation characteristics. Steers were fed a high concentrate diet (DM basis: 13.6% CP, 1.38 Mcal/kg NEg, and 2.02 Mcal/kg NEm) with no monensin sodium or tylosin phosphate added to the diet for 30 d prior to the initiation of the experiment. Treatments consisted of control (CON; no supplemental Renergy™) and Renergy (REN) fed at 27.6 g.animal-1.d-1 (n = 4 steers/treatment; experimental unit = animal). Following the 30 d diet adaptation period, dietary treatments were initiated for 28-d. On day 28, rumen fluid was collected at 3 h post feeding and analyzed for VFA, pH, and NH3. Ruminal pH (P = 0.62) and NH3 (P = 0.56) were unaffected by treatment. However, total VFA (P = 0.05) and propionate (P = 0.03) production were increased by Renergy, 13.3% and 25.7% respectively. There was a tendency (P = 0.14) for acetate production to be increased 10.9% in steers supplemented with Renergy™. Butyrate was unaffected (P = 0.51) by treatment. However, isobutyrate production was lower (P < 0.01) in steers receiving Renergy™. Feeding Renergy™ also resulted in 25% less (P = 0.07) L-lactate production. Under conditions of this experiment, results indicate that supplementing Renergy™ for 28d to beef cattle consuming high concentrate diets impacts ruminal fermentation 3 h post feeding.

Diurnal Ruminal pH and Temperature Patterns of Steers Fed Corn or Barley-Based Finishing Diets.

Simple SummaryCattle in feedlots are typically fed diets with a high proportion of cereal grains. While feeding high-energy grain-based diets is advantageous for growth and performance, it can also contribute to an increased likelihood of metabolic issues. Different feedstuffs have unique digestive utilization, which may lead to different cattle performance outcomes. Barley is fermented to a greater extent in the rumen, compared to corn, and can lead to an increased likelihood of digestive disorders. To further our understanding of the use of barley and corn in cattle feedlot diets, we evaluated the effect of diets on ruminal pH, temperature and feed intake events using continuous rumen monitoring technology. While mean ruminal pH was not different between corn or barley-fed steers, barley-fed steers had greater ruminal pH change throughout a 24 h period. Barley-fed steers also exhibited greater variation in ruminal pH. Additionally, intake patterns were different between corn- and barley-fed steers in which corn-fed steers consumed more feed the first 6 h directly after feeding while barley-fed steers consumed more feed later in the day. Presumably these intake patterns could be influenced by differences in the diurnal patterns of ruminal pH between corn and barley. By evaluating ruminal dynamics on a diurnal scale, we will enhance our understanding of utilization of different feedstuffs in beef feedlot diets.This study evaluated the effects of corn or barley finishing diets on ruminal pH and temperature and their relationship to feed intake events using continuous reticulorumen monitoring of feedlot steers. Average daily ruminal pH and temperature were not impacted (p ≥ 0.17) by diet. However, diet did affect daily variation of ruminal pH and temperature (p < 0.01). Average hourly ruminal pH displayed a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01), where barley-fed steers had greater (p < 0.01) ruminal pH than corn-fed steers at 0, 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 h post feeding, but had lower (p ≤ 0.05) ruminal pH than corn-fed steers at 6, 7, and 8 h post-feeding. Variation in ruminal pH hour post-feeding also displayed a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01), where barley-fed steers had greater (p ≤ 0.03) variation in ruminal pH at hours 1–17 post-feeding but did not differ (p ≥ 0.16) at 0, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 h post-feeding. Additionally, average hourly ruminal temperature exhibited a diet by hour post-feeding interaction (p < 0.01). In summary, basal grain interacted with time post-feeding influencing ruminal pH and temperature in feedlot steers.

Development of forensically important scuttle fly, Megaselia spiracularis Schmitz (Diptera: Phoridae) at ambient temperatures with distinguishing features of the larval instars

Megaselia spiracularis Schmitz (Diptera: Phoridae) is a scuttle fly species of forensic importance and has been recorded colonizing human corpses in Malaysia, Korea and China. The necrophagous activity of M. spiracularis larvae on human corpses can be referred to estimate minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) in death investigation. However, developmental data of M. spiracularis derived from ambient fluctuating temperature is scarce and taxonomic descriptions to larval instars for species identification are still lacking. This research was conducted to address these limitations by studying the development of M. spiracularis at fluctuating ambient temperatures. From each sampling occasion, larval body lengths were obtained and samples were mounted on slides to determine larval instars based on taxonomic characteristics of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracles and posterior spiracles. At fluctuating temperatures of 25–37 °C and relative humidity of 47–93%, developmental duration of egg stage was 7–9.5 h; first instar larva, 9.5–17 h; second instar, 6–12 h, feeding third instar, 18–36 h; post-feeding third instar, 6–12 h; and pupa, 168–204 h. Accumulated degree hours for each developmental stage based on fluctuating ambient temperatures were also determined. The size of M. spiracularis larvae varied from 0.64–0.78 mm after eclosion to 5.20–5.95 mm before entering post feeding phase. The first, second and third instar larva could be distinguished mainly by the morphology of cephalopharyngeal skeletons, anterior spiracles and posterior spiracles. Developmental durations of M. spiracularis larvae and the larval instars can be used as references to estimate PMImin as this species is likely to be featured in future forensic cases.

Biological Parameters of Three Populations of Triatoma dimidiata s. s. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) From Western Mexico.

Chagas disease is a very important vector-borne disease in México, and Triatoma dimidiata sensu stricto (Latreille) is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, mainly in southern and central states. In the Pacific Coast states with the highest prevalence of human T. cruzi infection, T. dimidiata s. s. is considered as a secondary vector. However, the vectorial capacity of those populations has not been studied. Therefore, the vector characteristics of three populations of T. dimidiata s. s. in western México were evaluated in this study. The populations were maintained in the laboratory at 27 ± 1°C and 75% ± 5% RH with a 12:12 h (light:dark) regime, fed on rabbits in a fortnight basis. The development times were short (172-238 d), and the number of bloodmeals to molt was low (11). Mortality was moderate (36-45%), the onset of feeding was relatively rapid (0.5-1.7 min), and feedings were extended (>15 min). More than 40% of individuals in most instars defecated in one of three categories: <1 min when feeding (5-37.9%), immediately after feeding (9-28.6%), or in <1 min post feeding (7-25.8%). The median number of laid eggs was high (over 2.5) in the three populations, as were the egg eclosion rates (>86%). Thus, the T. dimidiata s. s. in the three populations are potentially efficient vectors of T. cruzi and could contribute to the high prevalence of infection in human populations in western México.

Pyriproxyfen-treated bed nets reduce reproductive fitness and longevity of pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae under laboratory and field conditions

BackgroundThe efficacy of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) containing the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen (PPF) and pyrethroid insecticides (PPF-ITNs) is being assessed in clinical trials to determine whether they provide greater protection from malaria than standard pyrethroid-treated ITNs in areas where mosquitoes are resistant to pyrethroids. Understanding the entomological mode of action of this new ITN class will aide interpretation of the results from these trials.MethodsAnopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquitoes from a susceptible laboratory strain were exposed to PPF-treated netting 24 h, 6 h, and immediately prior to, or 24 h post blood feeding, and the impact on fecundity, fertility and longevity recorded. Pyrethroid-resistant populations were exposed to nets containing permethrin and PPF (PPF-ITNs) in cone bioassays and daily mortality recorded. Mosquitoes were also collected from inside houses pre- and post-distribution of PPF-ITNs in a clinical trial conduced in Burkina Faso; female An. gambiae s.l. were then assessed for fecundity and fertility.ResultsPPF exposure reduced the median adult lifespan of insecticide-susceptible mosquitoes by 4 to 5 days in all exposure times (p < 0.05) other than 6 h pre-blood meal and resulted in almost complete lifelong sterilization. The longevity of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes was also reduced by at least 5 days after exposure to PPF-ITNs compared to untreated nets, but was unaffected by exposure to standard pyrethroid only ITNs. A total of 386 blood-fed or gravid An. gambiae s.l. females were collected from five villages between 1 and 12 months before distribution of PPF-ITNs. Of these mosquitoes, 75% laid eggs and the remaining 25% appeared to have normal ovaries upon dissection. In contrast, only 8.6% of the 631 blood-fed or gravid An. gambiae s.l. collected post PPF-ITN distribution successfully oviposited; 276 (43.7%) did not oviposit but had apparently normal ovaries upon dissection, and 301 (47.7%) did not oviposit and had abnormal eggs upon dissection. Egg numbers were also significantly lower (average of 138/female prior distribution vs 85 post distribution, p < 0.05).ConclusionExposure to a mixture of PPF and pyrethroids on netting shortens the lifespan of mosquitoes and reduces reproductive output. Sterilization of vectors lasted at least one year under operational conditions. These findings suggest a longer effective lifespan of PPF-pyrethroid nets than reported previously.

Time spent in post-feeding activities including feed preference by different weight groups of marron (Cherax cainii, Austin 2002) under laboratory conditions

The current study examined time spent on different post-feeding activities and food preference of five weight groups (<15 g, 15−29.9 g, 30−44.9 g, 45−59.9 g and 60−100 g) of marron (Cherax cainii, Austin 2002) fed two formulated feed pellets and frozen copepods under controlled laboratory conditions. The experimental design consisted of housing an individual marron representing a weight group per 20 L glass aquarium. Each weight group was replicated five times, thus using 25 aquaria. All marron were fed with three different food types; fishmeal (FM) and black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) based formulated feed at the rate of 2% of respective body weight and frozen copepods at the rate of approximately 300 individuals per aquarium. Time spent in six selected post-feeding activities was measured in seconds. These activities included resting, walking, searching for food, handling and ingestion of copepods, handling and ingestion of formulated feed, and rejection of food. Results showed that the least amount of time was spent on handling and ingestion of FM by all the weight groups. The handling and ingestion of food in weight group >60 g marron were stopped after half an hour of post-feeding. Where, <15 g and 15−30 g marron spent significantly longer time consuming frozen copepods. Weight groups >45 g marron spent the longest time resting. FM and frozen copepods were consumed by all weight groups, however, weight groups <15 g and 15−30 g rejected the BSF. The number of frozen copepods consumed by marron were significantly higher for <30 g marron and lowest in 60−100 g marron weight group. In conclusion, the post feeding activities and feed preference of marron were weight dependent.

Choline Supplementation in Obese Mouse Dams Alters Offspring DNA Methylation in a Time-Specific Manner

ObjectivesMaternal obesity has long-term influence on metabolic health of offspring, partly through an epigenetic mechanism. Choline is a methyl donor which provides methyl groups for epigenetic modification such as DNA methylation. In this study, we examined the effect of maternal choline supplementation (MCS) on DNA methylation of offspring born to high-fat (HF) fed obese mouse dams. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were fed either a 10% kcal normal fat (NF) or a 60% kcal HF diet with either 25 mM choline supplement or control drinking water from 4 weeks prior to mating until the end of gestation. The offspring were fed the HF diet for 6 weeks after weaning. We measured both global DNA methylation and site-specific methylation of several metabolic genes in the liver, visceral adipose tissue, and brain at both embryonic day E17.5 and after the post-weaning HF feeding. ResultsAt E17.5, HF-MCS led to higher global DNA methylation in both fetal liver and brain. Methylation of one of the CpGs in the promoter region of Srebp1f (a gene that regulates lipogenesis) was also upregulated in the fetal liver by HF-MCS, accordingly there was lower expression of this gene (p < 0.05). However, HF-MCS had opposite effects on global DNA methylation after 6 weeks of post weaning HF feeding than during the fetal period. At this time point, HF-MCS led to hypomethylation of liver and visceral adipose tissue (p < 0.05). Global DNA methylation of the brain was decreased by post-weaning HF feeding but was not affected by maternal HF or MCS (p < 0.01). ConclusionsIn conclusion, MCS during maternal obesity in the perinatal period influences offspring DNA methylation in a time-specific manner. The epigenetic programming effect of MCS needs to be evaluated in both short and long term in the offspring. Funding SourcesNIGMS.

Male condition influences female post mating aggression and feeding in Drosophila

Abstract Mating changes female behaviour and physiology across a wide range of taxa, with important effects for male and female fitness. These changes are often induced by components of the male ejaculate, such as sperm and seminal fluid proteins. However, males can vary significantly in their ejaculates, due to factors such as age, mating history or nutritional status. This male variation may therefore lead to variation in the strength of responses males can stimulate in females, with alterations in fitness outcomes for both sexes. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we tested whether three aspects of male condition shape an important, but understudied, post‐mating response—increased female–female aggression. We found that females mated to old males fought less than females mated to young males. This effect was exacerbated in mates of old, sexually active males, but there was no effect of male starvation status on mating‐induced female aggression. There was also a significant effect of age and mating history on female post‐mating feeding duration. Our results add to a growing body of literature that variation in male condition can shape sexual selection through post‐mating responses in females, including female–female interactions. Studying such variation may therefore be useful for understanding how the condition of one sex affects the behaviour of the other. A free plain language summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

68 Effect of a marine-sourced calcium on fecal pH in horses

Lithothamnium calcareum (LC) is a red, marine algae containing calcite in its cell walls. LC has been touted for its gastroprotective effects in horses attributed to the increased surface area of its honeycomb structure allowing greater acid-buffering capacity versus calcium carbonate. Effects on the equine hindgut have not been evaluated. This pilot study aimed to determine if LC (CalseaPowder, Nuwen, France) fed to horses at a rate of 4.6g/kg finished feed would alter fecal pH. Twelve mature horses (12.5 yrs ± 1.4, mean ± SEM, 6 mares, 6 geldings) in moderate exercise in the Ohio State ATI equine program participated in a randomized crossover study. Horses were maintained on 1.2-ha fields and brought into the barn for feeding and riding sessions. Horses transitioned onto the control feed over 2 wks (CON: SAFE ‘N EASY Performance, BUCKEYE Nutrition, Dalton, OH, 1.2% total Ca, 100% added was CaCO 3 ), formulated to meet or exceed NRC 2007 requirements for mature horses in light-moderate work. Horses were randomly assigned to receive either CON or CAL (CON + LC , 1.2% total Ca, added 74% CaCO 3 , 26% calcite) during the first test period then crossed over for the second. Horses acclimated to CON or CAL for 2 wks and were offered 0.5 kg feed per 100 kg bodyweight, divided into 2 feedings (0700 and 1600). Horses had access to mixed grass forage to supplement pasture, fresh water and salt ad libitum . At the end of the first 2-week trial period, horses were brought into stalls bedded with sawdust and observed. All fecal samples were collected immediately upon defecation (within 1–3 h post feeding) from the middle of the top of the manure pile to avoid bedding contamination and analyzed. Within 5 min, approximately 10 mL of fecal water was squeezed through cheesecloth from freshly defecated samples and stirred for 60s. Fecal water pH was then measured in duplicate with a calibrated pH meter. Diets were switched and the protocol repeated with 2 wk acclimation. Statistical analyses utilized R version 3.6.3, with significant differences declared when P ≤ 0.05. A linear mixed effect model was used with pH vs. diet and horse as a random effect. A Dunnett post-hoc comparison between the 2 diet groups was applied. There was no effect of period ( P = 0.66). There was an effect of diet ( P < 0.001). Horses consuming CAL had higher fecal water pH (6.87 ± 0.2; mean ± SD) compared with CON (6.69 ± 0.2). LC may be useful in supporting hindgut health in horses, especially when such changes in pH become clinically relevant (e.g., acidosis). Future work should examine the effects of different doses of LC on hindgut pH and its effects on the microbial population.

POS-692 Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Related to SGLT2 Inhibitor Use in Kidney Transplant Patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have renal protective effect in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with significant reduction of cardiovascular events. The data is emerging for the short-term efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitor in diabetic kidney transplant patients. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a well recognized side effect of SGLT2i with variable predisposing factors. There is limited data regarding the use of SGLT2i in oncology patients. We described a case of diabetic kidney transplant patient on dapagliflozin who developed DKA during active therapy for squamous cell carcinoma. A 65 years old female, known to have hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 leading to end stage renal disease. She underwent living unrelated kidney transplantation in 2018. Her home medications included insulin glargine, dapagliflozin 10 mg, pantoprazole 40mg, prednisolone 7.5 mg daily, cyclosporine 125 mg q12 hours and atorvastatin 20mg. She was diagnosed with right inner cheek moderately differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma with submandibular lymphadenopathy (Stage: cT4aN2M0). She was initiated on concurrent chemotherapy (Cetuximab) and radiotherapy. Cycle 4 of therapy was complicated with poor oral intake and severe mucositis for 3 days prior to admission. She had evidence of acute kidney injury stage 1 in transplanted kidney (serum creatinine increased from baseline of 58 to 110 micromole/l). Other laboratory investigations revealed hyperkalemia 5.7mmol/l, metabolic acidosis 6mmol/l, high anion gap metabolic acidosis, normal lactate level, arterial PH of 7.1, ketones were positive in urine and blood glucose level of 12mmol/l. She was diagnosed with severe euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis DKA, due to SGLT2i (dapagliflozin 10 mg) and starvation. She required critical care admission with rigorous IV hydration, insulin infusion per DKA protocol, IV sodium bicarbonate, IV hydrocortisone and IV cyclosporine. Her clinical condition improved by fifth day of critical care. Urinary tract infection and re-feeding syndrome post nasogastric enteral feeding complicated her hospital course. Dapagliflozin was held and next cycle of chemo-radiotherapy was delayed. Some of the potential risk factors for euglycemic DKA induced by SGLT2 inhibitors are infections, withdrawal of insulin, starvation, dehydration and acute kidney injury. The underlying pathophysiologic process of ketoacidosis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors is not well established. There are few case reports describing this complication in diabetic oncology patients, leading to discontinuation of the drug. The use of SGLT2 inhibitor is limited in diabetic kidney transplant patients and about 100 cases reported in literature without evidence of DKA in short-term follow up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing a successful management of dapagliflozin-induced euglycemic DKA in kidney transplant patient with squamous cell carcinoma. SGLT2 inhibitor associated eDKA is very rare in oncology patients and this is the first case reported in kidney transplant patient who was on active chemotherapy and radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma. We suggest to hold SGLT2i therapy during active oncology treatment especially in the setting on severe mucositis.

CHD8 mutation in larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Impacting Peristalsis rate and total coordination of the gut

Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have a comorbidity that includes GI distress, including constipation. We used zebrafish (Danio rerio) to model ASD gastrointestinal (GI) constipation as their optical transparency allowed us to readily observe intestinal peristalsis by stereomicroscope. Our hypotheses were that ASD gene CHD8-/- mutants would a) have a slower intestinal transit rate due to reduced peristalsis; b) CHD8-/- larvae would have an overall lower peristaltic activity; and c) CHD8-/- larvae would have uncoordinated peristaltic waves. To determine the rate of food transit through the larval intestine and to visualize the intestinal tract, larvae were fed with fluorescent beads mixed with a regular diet. We then measured the intestinal transit rate; peristaltic wave activity; and coordination of peristaltic movement down the length of the intestine. Our study demonstrates that the presence of food inside the gut after 24-hour post feeding is because of the inability of CHD8-/- mutant larvae to pass food at a standard rate. Surprisingly, peristalsis in CHD8 -/- larvae had a higher mean rate of muscle movement as compared to wild-type siblings. Data suggest that uncoordinated peristaltic contractions in CHD8-/- mutants lead to this phenotype and the contractions are also less effective which leads to slow down of food passage. WV-INBRE Grant# 2P20GM1.3434_14 P1500699. NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence. The Marshall University Molecular and Biological Imaging Center. WV-INBRE grant P20GM103434

Increasing Survival of Wild Macaw Chicks Using Foster Parents and Supplemental Feeding

The use of foster parents has great potential to help the recovery of highly endangered bird species. However, few studies have shown how to successfully use these techniques in wild populations. Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao macao) in Perú hatch 2–4 chicks per nest but about 24% of all chicks die of starvation and on average just 1.4 of them fledge per successful nest. In this study we develop and test new techniques to increase survival of wild Scarlet Macaw chicks by reducing chick starvation. We hypothesized that using foster parents would increase the survival of chicks at risk of starvation and increase overall reproductive success. Our results show that all relocated macaw chicks were successfully accepted by their foster parents (n = 28 chicks over 3 consecutive breeding seasons) and 89% of the relocated chicks fledged. Overall, we increased fledging success per available nest from 17% (2000 to 2016 average) to 25% (2017 to 2019) and decreased chick death by starvation from 19% to 4%. These findings show that the macaw foster parents technique and post relocation supplemental feeding provide a promising management tool to aid wild parrot population recovery in areas with low reproductive success.

Supplementation of fruit peel pellet containing phytonutrients to manipulate rumen pH, fermentation efficiency, nutrient digestibility and microbial protein synthesis

Phytonutrient pellet, a new rumen enhancer, was formulated from various tropical fruit peels containing phytonutrients (condensed tannins and saponins) and named MARABAC. To substantiate the MARABAC supplementation effect, it was supplemented with low and high levels of concentrate supplementation in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement using beef cattle. Based on this investigation, interesting findings were highlighted and are reported herein. The high level of concentrate supplementation (HCS) reduced rumen pH remarkably, but was buffered and enhanced by MARABAC supplementation. Rumen pH was reduced to 5.74 at 8 h, post feeding upon receiving HCS, and was buffered back to 6.19 with MARABAC supplementation. The supplementation exhibited an additional pronounced (P < 0.01) effect on improving nutrient digestibility and efficiency of microbial nitrogen supply, mitigating rumen methane production and reducing protozoal population. Rumen and fermentation end-products, especially propionate production, were enhanced (P < 0.05), while rumen methane production was subsequently mitigated (P < 0.01). MARABAC is a new promising dietary rumen enhancer for future replacement of chemicals and antibiotics used to enhance the rumen fermentation. Nevertheless, more in vivo feeding trials should be further conducted to elucidate the insight impacts. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of environmental and physiological variables on saliva production in Hirudinaria granulosa (Indian cattle leech)

Rhythmicity in the saliva production of leech Hirudinaria granulosa has not been evaluated. This is, possibly, the first effort to evaluate the amount of saliva production under different environmental and physiological variables. A total of 90 leeches were divided into six groups (n=15) to elucidate the variation in saliva production based on temperature, body weight, and time period. Significantly (P≤0.01) higher volume of saliva was produced (2.23±0.10) at a temperature of 37 oC compared to that at 25 oC (1.53±0.11). Based on body weight, a significantly (P≤0.01) higher amount of saliva (2.52±0.05) was produced by the leeches of the large group (≥0.4g weight) as compared to the smaller group (1.66±0.08) with a bodyweight of (≤0.3g weight). In addition, the Pre-feeding and post feeding body weight of leeches (n=30) with saliva production revealed significantly high correlation of 0.962 and 0.870. Evaluation based on periodicity revealed a significantly higher amount of saliva production in the morning hours (2.32 ±0.09) compared to evening hours (2.01±0.10). Thus, our study concluded a relatively more elevated amount of saliva production in the morning hours at a temperature of 37 oC with higher body weight. Therefore, our study infers biological rhythms in the leech Hirudinaria granulosa.