Protein Deposition Rate Research Articles

The Flow Phase of Wound Metabolism Is Characterized by Stimulated Protein Synthesis Rather Than Cell Proliferation

Healing of a skin wound requires net protein deposition to repair the tissue defect and new epidermal cells to cover the wound. However, the true course of changes in rates of cell proliferation and protein deposition following skin injury has not been previously determined. This experiment was to measure DNA fractional synthetic rate (FSR), reflecting cell division, and protein FSR and fractional breakdown rate (FBR) in skin wound at three times after injury. The experiment consisted of a surgery and a tracer infusion on separate days. During the surgery (day 0), a donor wound was created and indwelling catheters were inserted into the carotid artery and jugular vein under general anesthesia. On day 1, day 3, or day 7, stable isotope tracer infusion was performed in conscious rabbits to determine DNA FSR and protein FSR and FBR in the wound. Protein FSR and FBR in the day 7 wound were 20.5 +/- 8.4 and 12.6 +/- 4.7%/day, respectively, which were greater (P < 0.01-0.05) than the corresponding values in the day 1 and day 3 wounds. Net protein deposition (FSR-FBR) in day 7 wound (7.9 +/- 6.0%/day) was greater (P < 0.05) than in day 3 wound (0.8 +/- 2.4%/day). DNA FSRs were 1.94 +/- 0.58, 2.43 +/- 0.96, 2.86 +/- 0.90%/day in the day 1, day 3 and day 7 wounds, respectively (P = 0.2). The flow phase in the wound is characterized by increased protein synthesis rather than cell proliferation; net protein deposition in the wound is a major cause of protein requirements in severe burns.

Larval rearing and weaning of thick lipped grey mullet ( Chelon labrosus) in mesocosm with semi-extensive technology

The mullets are consumers of low trophic layers and can develop in a variety of biotopes. Despite research efforts on artificial propagation, mullet aquaculture still relies on wild captured juveniles and mass propagation techniques are still needed for aquaculture development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of juvenile mullet mass production using the semi-extensive technology in mesocosms. Larvae of thick lipped grey mullet ( Chelon labrosus) were reared in pilot scale mesocosms (20 m 3), from the first day post-hatching until a size compatible with impoundment (day 71). Length and weight growths and protein content changes of the larvae and juveniles are discussed in relation with development stages. Zootechnical aspects of the trial are detailed and changes in larvae and juveniles behaviour during development and growth are described. Evolution of alkaline phosphatase activity is used as an indicator of digestive tract maturation and studied using a semi-quantitative micro-method. Analysis of growth pattern revealed an extended initial low growth phase, lasting until flexion of notochord around 14 days post hatch (p. h.). This low growth occurred although the larvae were feeding actively since mouth opening at day 5 (p. h.), and still possessed energetic reserves at least until day 10 (p. h.), as the oil droplet was still visible at that age. It is suggested this low growth phase is related with major physiological changes during early larval development. The switch from low to fast linear growth and from low to elevate protein deposition rates occurred concomitantly with the end of an elevated peak of the alkaline phosphatase activity, assayed in whole larvae homogenate. It seems thus related with development of larval digestive function which permits a better nutritional status and hence a higher growth. The larvae of C. labrosus seem to develop the intestinal adult mode of digestion between day 14 and day 20. This suggests they might support early co-feeding and weaning strategies which could be initiated as early as the second week of life. A total of 25,000 metamorphosed and weaned juveniles were produced during this pilot scale trial. The semi-extensive rearing in mesocosm appeared an interesting and simple technology for mass production of C. labrosus juveniles, until a size of 34.9 ± 1.3 mm, compatible with impoundment.

Association between body composition of growing pigs determined by magnetic resonance imaging, deuterium dilution technique, and chemical analysis

Development of body composition of 440 growing pigs from a three generation full-sib design to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) was determined by three different methods. Firstly, the non-invasive method deuterium dilution technique (DT), was applied to all pigs in the experiment at six weights 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 140 kg. Secondly, at each weight class, eight pigs were slaughtered and their entire body chemically analysed (CA). Thirdly, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied on 16 live pigs at different weights. For the entire empty body (without content of the gastrointestinal tract and bladder), allometric prediction equations to predict body composition from empty body water content measured by DT were derived from chemically analysed serial slaughtered pigs. These equations showed high correlations of 0.92, 0.90 and 0.85 for the contents of body water, fat-free substance as well as protein in fat-free substance, respectively. For the soft tissue (empty body without bones and viscera), allometric prediction equation of body composition based on DT and CA showed correlations of 0.91, 0.88 and 0.82 for water content, fat-free substance, and protein content of fat free substance, respectively. Fat tissue content, fat tissue mass, and lean tissue mass measured by MRI showed allometric relationships to lipid content, lipid mass, and protein mass determined by DT with correlations of 0.98, 0.87, and 0.98, respectively. Lean (measured by MRI) and protein (determined by DT) content of soft tissue was best fitted by a linear-quadratic polynomial and resulted in a correlation of 0.86. Allometric coefficients for change of percentages of chemical components, water ( b = −0.036) and protein ( b = 0.106) in fat-free substance of empty body during growth were similar to those in the literature indicating the consistency of accretion rates of chemical components of the fat-free substance in different studies. Means for protein- and lipid-deposition rates (determined by DT) as well as lean tissue- and fat tissue-deposition rates (measured by MRI) ranged from 95 to 154, 147 to 328, 373 to 420 and 129 to 254 g in the different weight ranges. Variation between animals in protein (lean tissue) and lipid (fat tissue) deposition rate was large which can be exploited in order to identify QTL of these traits.

Exigências de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente de alta temperatura dos 15 aos 30 kg

Para determinar a exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados de suínos machos castrados, dos 15 aos 30 kg, mantidos em ambiente de alta temperatura, foram utilizados 60 leitões mestiços (Landrace x Large White), com peso inicial de 14,97 ± 0,33 kg e idade de 50,36 ± 3,29 dias. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0,465; 0,511; 0,558; 0,605 e 0,652% de metionina + cistina digestível), seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. As rações experimentais e a água foram fornecidas à vontade até o final do experimento, quando os animais atingiram o peso de 29,87 ± 0,52 kg. A temperatura no interior da sala foi mantida em 30,9 ± 0,7ºC e a umidade relativa em 67,5 ± 7,2%. O índice de temperatura de globo e umidade calculado no período foi de 81,2 ± 1,2. Os níveis de metionina + cistina digestível da ração influenciaram o ganho de peso diário, que aumentou, e a conversão alimentar, que reduziu de forma linear. Não se observou efeito dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração diário. Com relação às deposições de proteína (DP) e de gordura (DG) na carcaça, verificou-se efeito quadrático dos tratamentos sobre a DG, que reduziu até o nível de 0,508%, e efeito linear crescente sobre a DP. Concluiu-se que a exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente de alta temperatura, dos 15 aos 30 kg, é de 0,558% de metionina + cistina digestível na ração, que corresponde à relação metionina + cistina digestível:lisina digestível de 60%.

Níveis de lisina para leitoas dos 6 aos 16 kg com alto potencial para deposição de carne magra na carcaça

O experimento foi conduzido para se estabelecer as exigências de lisina para leitoas com alto potencial de deposição de carne magra na carcaça, na fase inicial de crescimento, dos 6 aos 16 kg. Foram utilizadas 60 leitoas híbridas, de linhagem comercial, selecionadas para alta deposição de carne magra na carcaça, com peso inicial de 6,0±0,21 kg e peso final de 16,0±0,32 kg, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, quatro repetições e três animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos corresponderam a uma ração basal com 21,60% de proteína bruta, suplementada com cinco níveis de L-lisina HCl, resultando em rações com 1,3; 1,4; 1,5; 1,6 e 1,7% de lisina total. Observou-se que o ganho de peso não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos. Houve efeito quadrático dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração, o consumo de lisina diário sobre a conversão alimentar, que melhorou, respectivamente, até o nível estimado de 1,56%. Não foi constatado efeito dos tratamentos sobre a porcentagem de proteína e a taxa de deposição de proteína na carcaça, entretanto, verificou-se efeito linear sobre a porcentagem de gordura, taxa de deposição de gordura e porcentagem de água na carcaça. Leitoas com alto potencial genético para deposição de carne magra na carcaça, dos 6 aos 16 kg, exigem 1,56% de lisina total ou 1,38% de lisina digestível, para melhor desempenho, e 1,70% de lisina total ou 1,50% de lisina digestível, para a melhor composição de carcaça, o que corresponde, respectivamente, a um consumo estimado de 8,46 e 10,06 g de lisina total/dia.

Effects of grazing on deposition of chemical body components, energy retention and plasma hormones in steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing on the accretion of energy and chemical components in steers, using the comparative slaughter technique and taking into consideration the growth rate. Twelve Holstein steers aged 6 months and weighing 160 kg were divided into three treatment groups – an initial, grazing and control group. The initial group was slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment. The grazing group was grazed on timothy pastures for 18 weeks. The control group was kept in a stable and offered concentrate and timothy hay in a proportion of 2:1 throughout the 18 weeks. The amount of ration offered to the control group was adjusted in order to obtain a growth rate similar to that of the grazing group. The grazing and control groups were slaughtered at the end of the experiment. The grazing and the control groups had similar growth rates of approximately 0.8 kg/day throughout the experimental period and similar final live weights of approximately 260 kg. The grazing group had lower fat and energy deposition rates than the control group (P < 0.05). Deposition rates of protein, fat, ash, moisture and energy were 130, 32, 30, 374 g/day and 4.4 MJ/day, respectively, in the grazing group and 117, 85, 32, 381 g/day and 6.2 MJ/day, respectively, in the control group. The net energy for growth was lower in the grazing group (7.7 MJ/kg) than in the control group (9.9 MJ/kg, P < 0.05). The grazing group had higher plasma concentrations in growth hormone and lower plasma concentrations in insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Protein utilisation and turnover in lines of chickens selected for different aspects of body composition

1. Protein utilisation and turnover were measured in male chickens sampled from a line selected for high breast yield and a randombred control line (lines QL and CL, experiment 1) and in male chickens sampled from lines selected for either high or low abdominal fatness (lines FL and LL, experiment 2). In each experiment, 18 birds per line were given iso-energetic (12·9 MJ ME/kg) diets containing either 120 or 220 g CP/kg from 21 to 29 d (experiment 1) and 33 to 43 d (experiment 2). 2. Measurements were made of growth rate, food intake, body composition, excreta production and Nτ-methylhistidine excretion as a measure of myofibrillar protein breakdown, and fractional rates (%/d) of protein deposition, breakdown and synthesis were calculated. 3. In experiment 1, there were no significant differences between the line means for the fractional measures of protein turnover, but there was marked differential response in the two lines in the fractional rates of protein deposition, breakdown and synthesis, to increase in protein intake. The positive slope of the regressions of fractional (%/d) protein deposition and synthesis rates on protein intake (g/d/kg BW) were approximately 1·4- and 2·0-fold higher respectively in the QL than the CL line birds, and the negative slope of the regression of fractional breakdown rate on protein intake was approximately threefold greater in the CL than the QL line birds. 4. In experiment 2, fractional deposition rate was 6·2% lower, but fractional breakdown rate 9·4% higher in the LL than the FL birds, whilst there was essentially no difference in response of the FL and LL birds in the components of protein turnover to increase in protein intake. Line differences in deposition and breakdown rates were thus a reflection of the considerably higher (20%) food and hence protein intake in the FL than the LL birds. 5. The differential line responses in protein turnover in the two experiments suggest that selection for increased breast muscle yield and for reduced body fatness manipulate different physiological pathways in relation to protein turnover, but neither selection strategy results in an improvement in net protein utilisation at typical levels of protein intake by birds on commercial broiler diets, through a reduction in protein breakdown rate.

Bovine Somatotropin and Rumen-Undegradable Protein Effects in Prepubertal Dairy Heifers: Effects on Body Composition and Organ and Tissue Weights

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) and added dietary rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on organ and tissue weights and body composition in growing dairy heifers. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were in the experiment, 8 killed initially at 3 mo of age, with the remaining 24 Holstein heifers randomly assigned to treatments (n=6) consisting of 0.1mg/kg of body weight per day of bST and 2% added dietary RUP (dry matter basis) applied in a 2 ×2 factorial design. A total of 6 heifers per treatment group (3 each at 5 and 10 mo of age), were slaughtered to determine body composition and organ masses. Feed intake measured from group intakes were increased by 0.25 and 0.35kg/d with bST and RUP, respectively. Administration of bST tended to increase the weights of visceral organs including heart, kidney, and spleen by 16, 16, and 38%, respectively. At 10 mo of age, there was a trend for increased empty body weights (EBW) and non-carcass components for heifers treated with bST, but there were no effects of RUP. Body components and organ weights, expressed as a percentage of BW were not affected by RUP or bST. Somatotropin increased ash weight at 10 mo without affecting amounts of protein, fat, and energy. Rates of ash deposition between 3 and 10 mo of age were increased 7 and 4g/d by bST and RUP, respectively. There were no treatment effects on rates of body fat, protein, and energy deposition. Bovine somatotropin and RUP altered the metabolism of growing heifers in a manner that was consistent with increased rates of skeletal growth. This suggests that nutritional and endocrine manipulations could increase growth rates of skeletal tissues without increasing fat deposition in prepubertal dairy heifers.

Modelling of nutrient partitioning in growing pigs to predict their anatomical body composition. 2. Model evaluation

The objective of the present paper was to evaluate a dynamic mechanistic model for growing and fattening pigs presented in a companion paper. The model predicted the rate of protein and fat deposition (chemical composition), rate of tissue deposition (anatomical composition) and performance of pigs depending on nutrient intake. In the model evaluation, the predicted response of the pig to changes in model parameters and to changes in nutrient intakes is presented. As a result of the sensitivity analysis, changes in the maintenance energy requirements and the fractional degradation rate of muscle protein had the greatest impact on tissue deposition rates. The model was also highly sensitive to changes in the maximum velocity and steepness parameter of the lysine utilisation for muscle protein synthesis. The model was further tested by independent published results. The model successfully predicted the response of pigs to a wide range of variation in nutrient composition. Consequently, the model can be applied to develop feeding strategies to optimise pig production. It also enables prediction of the slaughter performance and the meat quality.

Modelling of nutrient partitioning in growing pigs to predict their anatomical body composition. 1. Model description

A dynamic mechanistic model was developed for growing and fattening pigs. The aim of the model was to predict growth rate and the chemical and anatomical body compositions from the digestible nutrient intake of gilts (20-105 kg live weight). The model represents the partitioning of digestible nutrients from intake through intermediary metabolism to body protein and body fat. State variables of the model were lysine, acetyl-CoA equivalents, glucose, volatile fatty acids and fatty acids as metabolite pools, and protein in muscle, hide-backfat, bone and viscera and body fat as body constituent pools. It was assumed that fluxes of metabolites follow saturation kinetics depending on metabolite concentrations. In the model, protein deposition rate depended on the availability of lysine and of acetyl-CoA. The anatomical body composition in terms of muscle, organs, hide-backfat and bone was predicted from the chemical body composition and accretion using allometric relationships. Partitioning of protein, fat, water and ash in muscle, organs, hide-backfat and bone fractions were driven by the rates of muscle protein and body fat deposition. Model parameters were adjusted to obtain a good fit of the experimental data from literature. Differential equations were solved numerically for a given set of initial conditions and parameter values. In the present paper, the model is presented, including its parameterisation. The evaluation of the model is described in a companion paper.

Comparison of dietary protein and energy utilization in three Asian catfishes (Pangasius bocourti, P. hypophthalmus and P. djambal)

Dietary protein and energy utilization were compared in three Pangasiid species of high economical interest for fish farming in South-East Asia. Feeding experiments were performed during 4 weeks on Pangasius bocourti, P. djambal and P. hypophthalmus fingerlings, 6.68, 7.69 and 6.41 g mean mass, respectively. A high-protein diet containing mostly fishmeal was designed to provide proteins without energy limitation. Growth response, variation in body composition and nutrient utilization were compared for fish receiving variable amounts of diet corresponding to increasing protein supply, 0, 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 g kg−1 day−1. The highest specific growth rate was observed for P. bocourti (6.0% day−1), followed by P. djambal (5.6) and P. hypothalamus (4.1). Pangasius djambal exhibited the highest protein deposition rate, whereas P. bocourti was characterized by a high fat deposition rate even with a low feeding rate. Lower performance was obtained with P. hypophthalmus.

Nitrogen supply to the grain modifies the effects of temperature on starch and protein accumulation during grain filling in wheat

Effects of nutritional status on the responses to high temperature of 2 wheat cultivars that differed in their sensitivity to high temperature were investigated in plants grown in pots in environmentally controlled growth rooms. The availability of nitrogen to the grains was altered by changing the amount and timing of the nitrogen supplied to the plants, and also by trimming the ears. Single grain weight was significantly decreased in the plants grown at 30/25°C compared with those grown at 20/15°C. The effects of nitrogen level or trimming on the response of grain filling to temperature did not seem to be mediated through alterations in the availability of carbohydrates within the grains. Neither N level nor trimming had substantial effects on the deposition of starch, but both treatments altered the accumulation of protein, and the responses of protein accumulation to the effects of temperature. At the lower temperature, increasing the nitrogen supply resulted in greater single grain weight, more protein per grain, and higher grain protein percentage. At the higher temperature, raising the supply of N increased none of these attributes; the rate of protein accumulation was not accelerated by raising the temperature as much at high as at low N, and high N reduced the duration of protein deposition. There was a linear and positive relationship between the amounts of amino acids in the grain and the rate of accumulation of protein in the endosperm, and the effects of N level and trimming were associated with changes in the concentration of amino acids in the grains. High temperature conditions appear to lower the supply of amino acids to the grain in plants well supplied with nitrogen. There was a positive relationship between the rate of protein deposition and the amount of amino acids in the grain. Although raising the level of nitrogen resulted in an increase in amino acid levels in the grain at low temperature, there was no such increase at high temperature. Trimming, however, did increase grain protein and the rate of protein deposition at high temperature as well as the amino acid levels in the grain. One possible interpretation of this paradox arises from other work showing that under high temperature and/or water deficit there is an inadequate supply of soluble carbohydrates in the shoot to metabolise high levels of nitrogen. Differences in the responses of starch deposition and protein accumulation to N level, trimming, and temperature confirm that these two components accumulate in the grain independently of each other. Consequences of the interactions between nitrogen supply, temperature, and cultivar are discussed in relation to yield and quality.

The influence of dietary energy intake on growth performance and tissue deposition in pigs between 80 and 120 kg liveweight

Eighty crossbred pigs of a composite genotype were allocated at 80 kg liveweight to a 2 × 5 factorial experiment involving 2 sexes (boars and gilts) and 5 levels of dietary energy intake ranging from about 55% estimated ad libitum up to 100% ad libitum intake. The diet was formulated to be protein-adequate and contained 14.4 MJ DE/kg and 0.55 g available lysine/MJ DE and the pigs were slaughtered at approximately 120 kg liveweight. Growth rate and food conversion efficiency increased linearly, in response to increasing digestible energy (DE) intake, with boars consistently out-performing gilts at each level of DE intake. Protein deposition rate in the whole empty body of pigs was consistently higher in boars than in gilts and linearly related to DE intake in both sexes, with no evidence of a plateau at high energy intakes, suggesting no intrinsic limit to protein deposition in these pigs up to 120 kg liveweight. When pigs were offered the protein-adequate diet ad libitum between 80 and 120 kg liveweight, boars and gilts consumed 47.7 and 40.9 MJ DE/day, respectively, and protein deposition rates in the whole empty body of pigs reached 247 and 182 g/day, respectively. Maintenance energy requirements were estimated to be 351 kJ DE/kg0.75.day for both boars and gilts [maximal model; including nominal DE level (treated as a 5-level factor), actual DE intake (treated as a continuous variable), and sex (treated as a 2-level factor)] or 506 and 566 kJ DE/kg0.75.day for boars and gilts, respectively [reduced model; including actual DE intake (treated as a continuous variable) and sex (treated as a 2-level factor)]. Statistical analyses show that the maximal model reflects the data more closely than the minimal model, suggesting that the lower maintenance estimate of 351 kJ DE/kg0.75.day could reflect reality better. In conclusion, genetically improved boars, and to a lesser extent gilts, have a high capacity for lean growth, and their upper limit to protein retention might not be reached below about 120 kg liveweight.

Redução da proteína bruta da ração para suínos machos castrados dos 15 aos 30 kg mantidos em termoneutralidade

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar a influência da redução da proteína bruta (PB) e suplementação de aminoácidos sintéticos sobre o desempenho de suínos machos castrados mantidos em ambiente termoneutro (22ºC). Foram utilizados 60 leitões mestiços (Landrace x Large White) com peso médio inicial de 15,0 kg e idade média de 53,1 dias, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (18, 17, 16, 15 e 14% PB), seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. As rações experimentais foram fornecidas à vontade até o final do experimento, quando os animais atingiram o peso médio de 30,2 kg. A temperatura média no interior da sala foi mantida em 22ºC, com umidade relativa de 82,3%. O Índice de Temperatura de Globo e Umidade calculado no período foi de 69,6. Não se observou efeito da redução do nível de proteína bruta da ração sobre as variáveis de desempenho (consumo de ração, ganho de peso e conversão alimentar). As taxas de deposição de proteína e gordura também não foram influenciadas pela redução da PB na ração. Os tratamentos influenciaram os pesos absoluto e relativo do estômago e o peso absoluto do intestino, sendo os maiores valores observados em animais que receberam a ração com maior nível de proteína bruta. Concluiu-se que o nível de PB da ração pode ser reduzido de 18 para 14%, sem prejudicar o desempenho de suínos machos dos 15 aos 30 kg mantidos em ambiente termoneutro, desde que devidamente suplementadas com aminoácidos essenciais limitantes.

Níveis de lisina para leitoas com alto potencial genético para deposição de carne magra dos 65 aos 95 kg

Foram utilizadas 216 leitoas híbridas comerciais, da mesma linhagem genética, com alto potencial para deposição de carne magra na carcaça com peso médio inicial de 66,3 ± 4,24 kg e final de 95,5 ± 2,05 kg, para avaliar o efeito de níveis de lisina da dieta. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, 27 repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos corresponderam a dietas isoenergéticas, com diferentes níveis de lisina total (0,80; 0,90; 1,00; e 1,10%), obtidos por alterações nas proporções de milho e farelo de soja da dieta. Não foi observado efeito dos tratamentos sobre o ganho de peso diário, a taxa de crescimento em músculo e conversão alimentar em músculo. Houve efeito quadrático dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de dieta, que reduziu até o nível estimado de 0,95%, e a conversão alimentar, que melhorou até o nível de 0,97% de lisina. Observou-se efeito linear dos níveis de lisina sobre a taxa de deposição de proteína, que aumentou, e sobre a taxa de deposição de gordura, que reduziu com o aumento dos níveis de lisina na dieta. Não foi verificado efeito dos tratamentos sobre as características de comprimento de carcaça, a espessura de toucinho na região entre a última e a penúltima vértebra lombar, a espessura de toucinho a 6,5 cm da linha dorso-lombar (P2), o rendimento de carcaça, o rendimento de carne magra, o rendimento de gordura e o rendimento de pernil. Concluiu-se que leitoas geneticamente selecionadas para alta taxa de deposição de carne magra exigem 0,97% de lisina total, correspondente ao consumo diário de 24,24 g de lisina e a 0,29% de lisina total/Mcal de EM, para melhor conversão alimentar. Para maior taxa de deposição de proteína, os dados indicam que a exigência está acima de 1,1% de lisina total.

Níveis de proteína bruta em rações para suínos machos castrados em fase inicial de crescimento, mantidos em ambiente de baixa temperatura

Objetivando-se avaliar níveis de proteína bruta da ração para suínos machos castrados em fase inicial de crescimento, mantidos em ambiente de baixa temperatura (15ºC), foram utilizados 60 suínos mestiços (Landrace x Large White), com peso inicial médio de 15,1 ± 0,50 kg e idade média de 56 ± 3,6 dias. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de rações com 17,0; 18,0; 19,0; 20,0 e 21% de proteína bruta (PB). Os níveis de PB da ração influenciaram o ganho de peso diário, que aumentou de forma quadrática até o nível de 19,6%. A conversão alimentar também variou de forma quadrática, melhorando até o nível de 20%. Os consumos de ração e de energia digestível diários não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. O ajuste dos dados pelo modelo LRP indicou como nível adequado 20% de PB, a partir do qual os dados permaneceram em um platô. Os tratamentos influenciaram a taxa de deposição de proteína, que aumentou de forma linear, enquanto a de gordura não variou. Concluiu-se que o nível de 20% de PB da ração, associado a um consumo de 10,7 g de lisina diário, promove os melhores resultados de desempenho para suínos machos castrados de 15 a 30 kg, mantidos em ambiente de baixa temperatura.

Immune reactions associated with silicone-based ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunctions in children

The implantation of ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting systems is the most commonly performed neurological procedure in children with hydrocephalus. Although the overall complication risk is low, the cumulative risk of shunt failure is high and unfortunately results in a high prevalence of revision surgeries. In this study, we explored the concept that some pediatric patients may develop an immune response to either the proteins attached to the silicone implant surface or to the biomaterial itself, and that this reaction may contribute to VP shunt failure in some individuals. The data displays that the sterile shunt malfunction group had a higher rate of protein deposition and increased levels of autoantibodies to the extracted surface proteins as compared to individuals with functioning shunting systems. The precise nature of the shunt-bound proteins that serve as antigens in this experiment have not yet been determined. The data also indicated that some individuals develop antibodies to polymeric substances that cross-react with partially polymerized acrylamide. The detection of significant amounts of shunt-bound protein, antibody responses to these proteins and to polymeric substances suggest that an immunological response to these proteins may play a role in the mechanism behind sterile shunt malfunctions.

Influences of dietary protein level, amino acid supplementation and environmental temperature on performance, body composition, organ weights and total heat production of growing pigs.

The study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a 16% CP diet, a 12% CP diet, or a 12% CP diet supplemented with crystalline Lys, Trp, and Thr (12% CP + AA diet) in a thermal-neutral (23 degrees C) or heat-stressed (33 degrees C) environment on various body and physiological measurements in growing pigs. Heat-stressed pigs were given a 15% lower daily feed allowance than thermal-neutral pigs to remove the confounding effect of feed intake caused by high temperature. No diet x temperature interaction was observed for any variables (P > 0.09) except for pig activity and pancreas weight. At 33 degrees C, pig activity and pancreas weight did not differ among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). In contrast, at 23 degrees C, pigs fed the 12% CP diet had greater activity than those fed the 16% CP diet or the 12% CP + AA diet (P < 0.05). Pancreas weight was greater for pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet than those fed the 12% CP diet (P < 0.05) when maintained at 23 degrees C. Compared with 23 degrees C, the 33 degrees C temperature decreased pig activity, heat production, daily gain, feed efficiency, and affected the concentration and accretion of empty body protein and ash, as well as weights of heart, pancreas, stomach, and large intestine (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet attained similar levels of performance and rates of empty body water, protein, lipid, and ash deposition as pigs fed the 16% CP diet (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet had lower serum urea plus ammonia nitrogen concentrations (P < 0.01) and total heat production (P < 0.05) compared with those fed the 16% CP diet or the 12% CP diet. These results confirm that, with crystalline AA supplementation, growing pigs fed a 12% CP diet will perform similar to pigs fed a 16% CP diet. The data further indicate that lowering dietary CP and supplementing crystalline AA will decrease total heat production in growing pigs whether they are housed in a thermal-neutral or heat-stressed environment.

Quantitative and molecular genetic determination of protein and fat deposition

After 30 years of selection, breeding of the pig breed sus scrofa Piétrain has resulted in reduced backfat thickness (from 3.2 to 1.9 mm) and increased loin muscle area (40 to 60 cm2) which indicates high genetic determination of these body composition traits. The use of sophisticated quantitative genetic methods that include all genetic relationships of large populations has led to a high response to selection of these traits. Selection on feed intake, lean and fat tissue growth using nonlinear functions to optimise these traits during the entire growth period in a biological model offers the opportunity to further improve total genetic potential. Protein and lipid deposition rates during the entire growth period have to be known for this biological model to be applied; thus knowledge of the genetic background of these traits is of high economic value. With the use of molecular genetic methods, such as candidate gene and genome scan approaches, the identification of genes for obesity and growth can be obtained. In sus scrofa, candidate genes associated with obesity and growth include Leptin Receptor, Melanocortin-4 Receptor, Agouti related protein, Heart fatty acid binding protein 3, and Insulin-like growth factor 2. Some of these candidate genes also explain variation in obesity levels in humans. Initial genome-wide scans have identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 7 and X for obesity and on chromosomes 1, 4, 7, 8, 13 and 18 for growth. Physiological candidate genes and predispositional QTL for obesity are not always located on the same chromosome; this is known the "polygenic paradox". Use of a nonlinear growth function is recommended in order to give more insight into the physiological regulation of obesity traits. Sus scrofa is an excellent model organism to examine the genetic regulation of obesity. The conservation of DNA sequence and chromosomal segments between sus scrofa and homo sapiens will permit easy transfer of results to human studies.

Exigência de lisina para frangos de corte machos no período de 22 a 42 dias de idade, mantidos em ambiente quente (26ºC)

Utilizaram-se 240 frangos de corte machos, Avian Farms, com peso médio de 541 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;±&lt;/FONT&gt; 3,61 g, no período de 22 a 42 dias de idade, mantidos em ambiente de temperatura alta, para se determinar a exigência de lisina. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (0,88; 0,94; 1,00; 1,06; e 1,12% de lisina total), seis repetições e oito aves por repetição. Durante o período experimental, a temperatura manteve-se em 25,6 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;±&lt;/FONT&gt;0,24ºC; a umidade relativa, em 68,4 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;±&lt;/FONT&gt; 6,30%; a temperatura de globo negro, em 25,7 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;±&lt;/FONT&gt; 0,25ºC; e o Índice de Temperatura de Globo e Umidade (ITGU), em 74 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;±&lt;/FONT&gt; 0,6. O fornecimento de ração e água foi à vontade. Os níveis de lisina da ração influenciaram o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar, que aumentaram e melhoraram até os níveis de 1,05 e 1,03%, respectivamente. O consumo de ração não foi influenciado pelos níveis de lisina da ração. Quanto à composição da carcaça, observou-se que os tratamentos influenciaram de forma quadrática a taxa de deposição de proteína, que aumentou até o nível de 1,05% de lisina. Os tratamentos influenciaram o peso absoluto da carcaça, peito com osso, perna, sobrecoxa e gordura abdominal e o peso relativo do peito com osso e da gordura abdominal. Concluiu-se que frangos de corte, no período de 22 a 42 dias de idade, submetidos à temperatura ambiente de 25,6ômicronC, exigem 1,05% de lisina total para máximo desempenho e deposição de proteína na carcaça.