Total Glycogen Content Research Articles

The impact of nutritional and environmental stressors on the immune response, oxidative stress and energy use of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The impact of nutritional and environmental stressors on the immune response, oxidative stress and energy use of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Impact of glyphosate on biochemical constituents of the freshwater fish, Catla catla

The freshwater fish, Catla catla was exposed to the test toxicant glycil (SL 41%) (glyphosate), an organophosphate herbicide under static and continuous flow-through systems to determine the acute toxicity values for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The LC 50 values obtained in static method were 6.622, 6.546, 6.05 and 5.798 mg/L respectively for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and in continuous flow-through system the LC 50 values were 5.759, 5.374, 5.249 and 5.191 mg/L respectively for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. After determination of LC 50 values the fish were exposed to both lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of glyphosate to study the changes in biochemical constituents (glycogen and protein content) of the vital organs viz.; gill, brain, liver, kidney and muscle of the fish Catla catla. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC 50 value of glyphosate were found to be decreased in static and in continuous flow through system indicating a decrease with time of exposure and also the static LC 50 values were found to be higher, compared to the continuous flow-through values. Depletion of total glycogen and protein contents were observed in all the tissues of the fish exposed to toxicant. The results obtained were discussed with the available literature.

Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin during the periparturient period on innate and adaptive immune responses, systemic inflammation, and metabolism of dairy cows

The aim of this experiment was to determine effects of treating peripartum dairy cows with body condition score ≥3.75 with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on immune, inflammatory, and metabolic responses. Holstein cows (253±1d of gestation) were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments: untreated control (n=53), rbST87.5 (n=56; 87.5mg of rbST), and rbST125 (n=57; 125mg of rbST). Cows in the rbST87.5 and rbST125 treatments received rbST weekly from −21 to 28d relative to calving. Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor α, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and cortisol concentrations were determined weekly from −21 to 21d relative to calving. Blood sampled weekly from −14 to 21d relative to calving was used for hemogram and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) expression of adhesion molecules, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst. Cows were vaccinated with ovalbumin at −21, −7, and 7d relative to calving, and blood was collected weekly from −21 to 21d relative to calving to determine IgG anti-ovalbumin concentrations. A subsample of cows had liver biopsied −21, −7, and 7d relative to calving to determine total lipids, triglycerides, and glycogen content. Growth hormone concentrations prepartum (control=11.0±1.2, rbST87.5=14.1±1.2, rbST125=15.1±1.3ng/mL) and postpartum (control=14.4±1.1, rbST87.5=17.8±1.2, rbST125=21.8±1.1ng/mL) were highest for rbST125 cows. Cows treated with rbST had higher insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations than control cows (control=110.5±4.5, rbST87.5=126.2±4.5, rbST125=127.2±4.5ng/mL) only prepartum. Intensity of L-selectin expression was higher for rbST125 than for control and rbST87.5 cows [control=3,590±270, rbST87.5=3,279±271, rbST125=4,371±279 geometric mean fluorescence intensity (GMFI)] in the prepartum period. The PMNL intensities of phagocytosis (control=3,131±130, rbST87.5=3,391±133, rbST125=3,673±137 GMFI) and oxidative burst (control=9,588±746, rbST87.5=11,238±761, rbST125=12,724±781 GMFI) were higher for rbST125 cows than for control cows during the prepartum period. Concentrations of serum IgG anti-ovalbumin tended to be higher for rbST125 cows than for control cows (control=0.75±0.11, rbST87.5=0.94±0.10, rbST125=1.11±0.11 optical density) in the prepartum period. Haptoglobin concentration was significantly reduced 7d postpartum for rbST125 treatment compared with control and rbST87.5 treatments (control=2.74±0.28, rbST87.5=2.81±0.28, rbST125=1.87±0.28 optical density). Although treatment tended to affect postpartum β-hydroxybutyrate (control=747.5±40.2, rbST87.5=753.2±40.1, rbST125=648.8±39.7 µmol/L), it did not affect liver contents of total lipids, triglycerides, or glycogen. Incidence of metritis among rbST125 cows was reduced compared with that in control cows (control=23.1, rbST87.5=18.0, rbST125=7.8%). Treatment of dairy cows with 125mg of rbST improved innate immune responses and IgG concentration, with limited effects on metabolism.

Dynamics of proglycogen and macroglycogen in hepatocytes of normal and cirrhotic rat liver at various stages of glycogenesis

The content and structure of glycogen in hepatocytes of normal and cirrhotic rat liver were examined at different time intervals after glucose administration to starving animals. We used an original cytofluorimetric method for detection and quantification of proglycogen (PG) and macroglycogen (MG) of isolated hepatocytes. The method is based on the use of reagents of the Schiff type with different spectral characteristics. The content of MG in hepatocytes of control rats was increased by 52% (p < 0.01) as early as after 10 min. The MG content in the cirrhotic liver cells was increased by 43% (p < 0.05) only 20 min after glucose administration to the starving animals. The correlation coefficient between MG content and the total glycogen content at various stages of glycogenesis in rats of both groups was from 0.90 to 0.99 (p < 0.001). Increase in the PG content in hepatocytes of control rats was observed in intervals of 10–30 and 45–75 min. The PG content in cirrhosis was increased only in 60 min after the beginning of glycogenesis, but in 120 min it was 1.5 times higher than the control values (p < 0.001). The correlation coefficients between PG and the total glycogen content in the cells were on average 0.86 (p < 0.001) and 0.77 (p < 0.001) in the control and experimental groups, respectively. Thus, the change in the total glycogen content in hepatocytes of normal and cirrhotic liver are associated mainly with changes in the MG level. The contribution of PG was most significant in normal liver at the beginning of glycogenesis (10–30 min); in cirrhotic liver, at later stages (75–120 min).

TWIST1 and TWIST2 regulate glycogen storage and inflammatory genes in skeletal muscle.

TWIST proteins are important for development of embryonic skeletal muscle and play a role in the metabolism of tumor and white adipose tissue. The impact of TWIST on metabolism in skeletal muscle is incompletely studied. Our aim was to assess the impact of TWIST1 and TWIST2 overexpression on glucose and lipid metabolism. In intact mouse muscle, overexpression of Twist reduced total glycogen content without altering glucose uptake. Expression of TWIST1 or TWIST2 reduced Pdk4 mRNA, while increasing mRNA levels of Il6, Tnfα, and Il1β. Phosphorylation of AKT was increased and protein abundance of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) was decreased in skeletal muscle overexpressing TWIST1 or TWIST2. Glycogen synthesis and fatty acid oxidation remained stable in C2C12 cells overexpressing TWIST1 or TWIST2. Finally, skeletal muscle mRNA levels remain unaltered in ob/ob mice, type 2 diabetic patients, or in healthy subjects before and after 3 months of exercise training. Collectively, our results indicate that TWIST1 and TWIST2 are expressed in skeletal muscle. Overexpression of these proteins impacts proteins in metabolic pathways and mRNA level of cytokines. However, skeletal muscle levels of TWIST transcripts are unaltered in metabolic diseases.

Evaluation of the estrogenic activity of Indian medicinal plants in immature rats.

Introduction:The objective of the study was to evaluate the estrogenic activity of four Indian medicinal plants Saraca indica (Si), Symplocos racemosa (Sr), Cyperus rotundus (Cr), Terminalia arjuna (Ta), a marketed preparation of Si (Aśokāriṣṭa) and a combination of Si + Sr using an experimental model of estrogenicity.Materials and Methods:After approval of the institutional animal ethics committee, 22 day old female rats (n = 54) were randomly allocated to 9 groups – Group 1 and Group 2: Vehicle controls, Group 3: Ethinyl estradiol, Group 4: Si (270 mg/kg), Group 5: Sr (270 mg/kg), Group 6: Cr (540 mg/kg), Group 7: Ta (270 mg/kg), Group 8: Ashokarishta (4 ml/kg), Group 9: Si + Sr (135 mg/kg). Variables studied were: Body weight, uterine weight, relative uterine weight, presence of vaginal opening, histomorphology of the uterus and total uterine glycogen content. Parametric data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results:All animals in the ethinyl estradiol group showed a significant change in all the variables. None of the individual test drugs, neither the marketed preparation produced change in any of the variables. The plant drug combination also did not produce a change in any of the variables studied except in histomorphology wherein it caused a slight increase in the height of the luminal epithelium of the uterus (P < 0.05 vs. Group 1).Conclusion:The plant drugs Si, Sr, Cr, Ta and Aśokāriṣṭa did not demonstrate estrogenic activity in the immature rat model. The plant drug combination Si + Sr showed questionable estrogenic activity which needs to be evaluated in further studies.

Biochemical and histological alterations induced by a formulation of dicofol in the embryonic liver of Gallus domesticus

In the present investigation, hepatotoxic effect of a commercially available insecticide formulation of dicofol (Colonel–S® 18.5% emulsified concentrate) was studied in the developing chick embryo. Fertilized eggs of Gallus domesticus were immersed in three different dose concentrations, i.e. 250, 500, and 1000 mg L−1 of Colonel–S on “0” and fourth days of incubation for 60 min at 37 °C and incubated till embryonic day 16. Severe histopathological cellular lesions, such as extensive cell degeneration and necrosis with enlarged blood sinusoids, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and leucocyte infiltrations with congestion or dilation of central vein, appeared in dose-depended manner. Dicofol treatment also caused significant decrease in the levels of total protein, glycogen, and glutathione content and an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity of embryonic liver, whereas glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity showed mixed response.

Effects of extended ambient live holding on cultured blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) with reference to condition index, lipid profile, glycogen content and organoleptic testing

Abstract Wet storage of mussels has been shown to affect meat yield, quality, condition index, stress response and mortality, however little is known about its effects on biochemical composition and palatability. In the present study, condition index and biochemical parameters (total lipid, fatty acids and glycogen content) were determined for Newfoundland cultured mussels held in a commercial holding facility for one month during the fall, winter and spring seasons in 2011/2012. Mussels from the holding facility were sampled weekly during each season for a total of four weeks and compared to field controls. Samples were collected for lipid/fatty acid analysis, glycogen analysis, and overall condition (wet weight, dry weight, dry weight/wet weight ratio, and dry weight/shell weight ratio). The data showed a progressive loss of dry tissue weight and an increase in water content over the holding period during the fall and spring seasons when compared to field controls. The lipid and glycogen analyses suggested that holding effect changes between seasons compared to control, with significant changes of triacylglycerol content observed in the spring. Organoleptic test panellists were asked to evaluate mussel palatability with both discriminative and descriptive tests. The palatability data indicated that the panellists were unable to determine a significant difference between mussels kept in holding and those freshly harvested from the culture site.

Effects of dietary amylose/amylopectin ratio on growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzymes, and postprandial metabolic responses in juvenile obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus

The effect of dietary amylose/amylopectin (AM/AP) ratio on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, plasma parameters, and postprandial blood glucose responses was evaluated in juvenile obscure puffer, Takifugu obscurus. Five isonitrogenous (430 g kg(-1) crude protein) and isolipidic (90 g kg(-1) crude lipid) diets containing an equal starch level (250 g kg(-1) starch) with different AM/AP ratio diets of 0/25, 3/22, 6/19, 9/16 and 12/13 were formulated. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups (25 fish per tank), twice daily during a period of 60 days. After the growth trial, a postprandial blood response test was carried out. Fish fed diet 6/19 showed best growth, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Hepatosomatic index, plasma total cholesterol concentration, liver glycogen and lipid content, and gluconokinase, pyruvate kinase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities were lower in fish fed highest AM/AP diet (12/13) than in fish fed the low-amylose diets. Activities of liver and intestinal trypsin in fish fed diet 3/22 and diet 6/19 were higher than in fish fed diet 9/16 and diet 12/13. Activities of liver and intestinal amylase and intestinal lipase, and starch digestibility were negatively correlated with dietary AM/AP ratio. Fish fed diet 3/22 and diet 6/19 showed higher plasma total amino acid concentration than fish fed the other diets, while plasma urea nitrogen concentration and activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase showed the opposite trend. Equal values were found for viscerosomatic index and condition factor, whole body and muscle composition, plasma high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and activities of lipase and hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in liver. Postprandial plasma glucose and triglyceride peak value of fish fed diet 12/13 were lower than in fish fed the low-amylose diets, and the peak time of plasma glucose was later than in fish fed the other diets. Plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations showed a significant difference at 2 and 4 h after a meal and varied between dietary treatments. According to regression analysis of weight gain against dietary AM/AP ratio, the optimum dietary AM/AP ratio for maximum growth of obscure puffer was 0.25. The present result indicates that dietary AM/AP ratio could affect growth performance and feed utilization, some plasma parameters, digestive enzyme as well as hepatic glucose metabolic enzyme activities in juvenile obscure puffer.

Toxicity Analysis of Coal Mine Effluent on Vital Organs of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Using Biometric and Biochemical Parameters

Alteration of certain energy reserves (total glycogen, lipid, and protein contents) and cell regulatory (total nucleic acids) molecules were periodically analyzed (5, 12, 19, and 26 days) in seven vital organs (muscles, kidney, liver, gills, air‐breathing organs, brain, and skin) of coal mine effluent exposed Heteropneustes fossilis (a species of Asian catfish). Changes in the biometric parameters of four organs (liver, kidneys, brain, and gills) were also simultaneously measured. The fish did not survive after 26 days because of significant (p &lt; 0.05) depletion in the concentration of all studied biomolecules. Increased concentration of glycogen and protein in most of the tissues between five and twelve days indicated induction of compensatory changes in the energy metabolism of the fish due to high‐energy utilization by these tissues for detoxification. An increased quantity of lipids in the skin throughout the exposure periods might be due to their release from the damaged membranes of degenerating cells. Furthermore, reduced weight, decreased condition factor and organosomatic indices following prolonged exposure corroborate the decreased biomolecule contents of these tissues and point towards extreme toxicity rendered by the coal mine effluent.

Transcriptional responses, metabolic activity and mouthpart deformities in natural populations of chironomus riparius larvae exposed to environmental pollutants

Biomarkers are an important tool in laboratory assays that link exposure or effect of specific toxicants to key molecular and cellular events, but they have not been widely used in invertebrate populations exposed to complex mixtures of environmental contaminants in their natural habitats. The present study focused on a battery of biomarkers and their comparative analysis in natural populations of the benthic larvae of Chironomus riparius (Diptera), sampled in three differentially polluted rivers (the Con, Sar, and Louro in Galicia, Spain). In our study, some parameters were identified, such as hsp70 gene activity, GST enzymatic activity, total glycogen content and mouthpart deformities, which showed significant differences among populations from the three rivers that differed in the levels and types of sedimentary contaminants analyzed (metals, organic-chlorine pesticides, alkylphenols, pharmaceutical, and personal care products). In contrast to these sensitive biomarkers, other parameters showed no significant differences (hsc70 gene, EcR gene, P450 gene, RNA:DNA ratio, total protein content), and were stable even when comparing field and nonexposed laboratory populations. The hsp70 gene seems to be particularly sensitive to conditions of pollutant exposure, while its constitutive counterpart hsc70 showed invariable expression, suggesting that the hsc70/hsp70 ratio may be a potential indicator of polluted environments. Although further studies are required to understand the correlation between molecular responses and the ecological effects of pollutants on natural populations, the results provide new data about the biological responses to multiple-stressor environments. This field study adds new molecular endpoints, including gene expression, as suitable tools that, complementing other ecotoxicological parameters, may help to improve the methodologies of freshwater monitoring under the increasing burden of xenobiotics.

Non-microcystin and non-cylindrospermopsin producing cyanobacteria affect the biochemical responses and behavior ofDaphnia magna

Cyanobacterial blooms affect aquatic ecosystems due to their capability of producing cyanotoxins (e.g., microcystins, MC; cylindrospermopsin, CYN) and other bioactive compounds. Filter feeding zooplankton are amongst the first organisms affected and research has mainly focused on their interactions with toxic cyanobacteria. We investigated oxidative stress, biotransformation and energetic responses of Daphnia magna after exposure to cyanobacterial extracts and behavioral changes of the animals exposed to living cells of non-MC and non-CYN producing strains. Enzyme and energetic responses were measured in time kinetic experiments, using extracts of Microcystis botrys, M. wesenbergii, Aphanizomenon aphanizomenoides, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, corresponding to 10 mg DW L−1. In behavioral experiments, D. magna was exposed to living cells of Microcystis aeruginosa, A. aphanizomenoides, Dolichospermum circinalis, C. raciborskii, at the density of 400 000 cells mL−1 using a Daphnia toximeter equipment. Despite not producing MC or CYN, some cyanobacterial extracts caused significant increase of biotransformation enzyme, especially catalase, activities from the exposed D. magna after a longer incubation. Total carbohydrates and glycogen contents were increased but the activity of one of the involved enzymes, the malate dehydrogenase, was not changed. Animals' behavior (e.g., swimming, position within water column) was altered in exposures to cultures of C. raciborskii and D. circinalis. These physiological and behavioral alterations indicate stress, which may impair overall performance of zooplankton at the environmental realistic chronic exposure scenario.

Heavy metal, cadmium chloride induced biochemical changes in the Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala (hamilton)

The fresh water fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) was exposed to the heavy metal Cadmium chloride for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, and the consequential LC 50 values were calculated using Finney’s probit analysis. The LC 50 values obtained for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were 317.5, 316.5, 316.0 and 315.5 respectively. Later the fish were exposed to 96 h acute lethal and sub-lethal concentrations and the biochemical changes of glycogen, proteins, and nucleic acids of DNA, and RNA in the vital organs viz, Gill, Brain, Liver, Muscle and Kidney of the test fish were estimated and compared with the control fish. The present study revealed that Cadmium chloride is highly toxic to the test fish and the extent of toxicity increased with the increase in the exposure period. During the test period it was also observed that the fish showed erratic movement, restless, and surfacing phenomena engulfing air. A thin film of mucus was formed on the surface of gills and body. In the results of the biochemical changes it was observed that the total glycogen content and proteins decreased in all the tissue of the organs, whereas in the nucleic acid content heterogynous changes were observed. The increase in DNA content of gill may be due to hypertrophic nature of chloride cells. The results obtained in all were discussed at length with the available literature.

Probiotic Lactobacillus casei Zhang ameliorates high-fructose-induced impaired glucose tolerance in hyperinsulinemia rats

To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Lactobacilluscasei Zhang on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) by using fructose-induced hyperinsulinemia rats. Rats were fed 25 % fructose solution for hyperinsulinemia with L.casei Zhang for prevention or therapy. Serum levels of insulin, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), osteocalcin, malondialdehyde (MDA), total intestinal bile acids and hepatic glycogen contents were determined by assay kits. The major bacteria from feces and liver expression of adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), liver X receptor-α (LXR-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 mRNA were assessed by RT-PCR. Pancreas injury was evaluated by histological analysis. Lactobacilluscasei Zhang significantly increased numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and decreased Clostridium in the intestine (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, liver glycogen contents were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In preventive group, accompanied by significantly lower insulin and GLP-2 levels (p < 0.05), L.casei Zhang prevented rats from an increase in oral glucose tolerance area under curve (AUC) which was significant in hyperinsulinemia group (p < 0.05). In therapeutic group, L.casei Zhang administration possessed improved glucose tolerance (p < 0.05), which were associated with increased osteocalcin level (p < 0.01), improved intestinal bile acids secretion (p = 0.060), decreased serum MDA levels (p < 0.05) and upregulation of LXR-α, PPAR-γ and AdipoR2 gene expression, as well as an increase in Bacteroides fragilis (p < 0.05). Lactobacilluscasei Zhang administration exert both preventive and ameliorative effect on oral glucose tolerance AUC in IGT rats but may be via different mechanisms. L.casei Zhang could prevent rats from increased AUC through GLP-2 lowering, while the ameliorative effect in high-fructose-fed post-adolescent rats may be via B. fragilis enriched vitamin K2-dependent osteocalcin mechanism in which AdipoR2, LXR-α and PPAR-γ signaling were involved.

Fasting and postprandial liver glycogen content in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus after successful pancreas–kidney transplantation with systemic venous insulin delivery

In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), insulin is usually replaced systemically (subcutaneously) and not via the physiological portal route. According to previous studies, the liver's capacity to store glycogen is reduced in T1DM patients, but it remains unclear whether this is due to hyperglycaemia, or whether the route of insulin supply could contribute to this phenomenon. T1DM patients after successful pancreas-kidney transplantation with systemic venous drainage (T1DM-PKT) represent a suitable human model to further investigate this question, because they are normoglycaemic, but their liver receives insulin from the pancreas transplant via the systemic route. In nine T1DM-PKT, nine controls without diabetes (CON) and seven patients with T1DM (T1DM), liver glycogen content was measured at fasting and after two standardized meals employing (13) C-nuclear-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy. Circulating glucose and glucoregulatory hormones were measured repeatedly throughout the study day. The mean and fasting concentrations of peripheral plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon and C-peptide were comparable between T1DM-PKT and CON, whereas T1DM were hyperglycaemic and hyperinsulinaemic (P < 0·05 vs T1DM-PKT and CON). Total liver glycogen content at fasting and after breakfast did not differ in the three groups. After lunch, T1DM-PKT and T1DM had a 14% and 21% lower total liver glycogen content than CON (P < 0·02). In spite of normalized glycaemic control, postprandial liver glycogen content was reduced in T1DM-PKT with systemic venous drainage. Thus, not even optimized systemic insulin substitution is able to resolve the defect in postprandial liver glycogen storage seen in T1DM patients.

Biochemical and elemental composition of the offshore-cultivated oysters Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas

Offshore production of seafood is a promising approach to evade numerous specific problems related to aquaculture activities in coastal areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological performance of oysters, typical near-shore organisms and potent aquaculture candidates, in an offshore environment. Juveniles of two oyster species, Ostrea edulis and Crassostrea gigas, were transferred to an offshore cultivation site in the German North Sea and cultivated from April to October 2007. Samples were taken every six to eight weeks to determine biochemical and elemental compositions: total glycogen (TG), total protein, total lipid (TL) as well as lipid classes, fatty acids (FA) and the yields and ratios of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. Results show an increase in glycogen from spring to early summer for both species, which is related to high food abundance during spring phytoplankton bloom. During summer, glycogen storage revealed clear differences between O. edulis and C. gigas attributing to the reproductive activity of C. gigas but not O. edulis. TG contents ranged between 6% and 23% dry mass (DM) in O. edulis and between 5% and 16% DM in C. gigas. Total protein contents did not show significant seasonal variations and ranged between 34% and 41% DM in both species. TL contents increased during summer, although the increase was clearly more pronounced in C. gigas, followed by a decrease in both species in autumn. TL levels ranged between 7% and 14% DM in both species. Phospholipids and triacylglycerols were the main lipid classes in both oyster species, followed by sterols. FA compositions resembled those of near-shore-grown oysters. We conclude that offshore-cultivated oysters exhibit a natural biological performance, emphasizing their suitability as offshore aquaculture candidates.

Influence of rumen-protected choline on liver composition and blood variables indicating energy balance in periparturient dairy cows

Rumen-protected choline (RPC) was evaluated for effects on the lipid and glycogen content of the liver and metabolic variables in the blood plasma of dairy cows. Thirty-two Holstein cows were allocated into two groups (RPC group with RPC supplementation and control group without RPC supplementation) 28 days before the expected calving. Cows were fed the experimental diet from 21 days before calving until day 60 of lactation. The diet of the RPC group was supplemented with 100 g/day of RPC from 21 days prepartum until calving and 200 g/day of RPC for 60 days postpartum, providing 25 and 50 g of choline, respectively. Liver samples were taken by percutaneous needle biopsy, then analysed for total lipid (TLl), triglyceride (TGl) and glycogen (GLYl) contents on days -21, +7, +35 and +60 relative to calving. Blood was collected on the same sampling days and 21 days after calving. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), triglyceride (TGp), total cholesterol (TCh), urea, ammonia and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined from blood samples. The TLl and TGl contents were 25.0 ± 4.3 g and 25.3 ± 3.8 g per kg wet weight (mean ± SEM), respectively, lower in the RPC group than in the control animals. No significant differences were observed in the GLYl concentrations between the two groups. However, a lower TGl: GLYl ratio was shown in the liver of cows fed the RPC diet as compared to the controls. RPC supplementation decreased BHBA while increasing TGp concentrations were shown in the blood of cows fed the RPC diet, possibly as a consequence of improved lipoprotein synthesis in, and triglyceride excretion from, the liver, together with a reduced rate of ketogenesis.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of the Cyclophyllidean cestode, Cotugnia cuneata (Meggit, 1924), an endoparasite of domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica

Analysis of the major biochemical constituents of Cotugnia cuneata revealed that the total protein, carbohydrate, glycogen and lipid contents (as percentage of dry weight) were 25.22±0.93, 32.90±0.30, 21.33±0.99 and 9.94±0.42 respectively. The results showed that the carbohydrate content was the highest followed by protein and lipid contents respectively. Glycogen content was relatively high which showed that carbohydrate was mainly present in the form of glycogen in these cestodes. The A+T and G+C contents were obtained as 49.82 and 50.18% respectively. The phylogenetic tree showed that C. cuneata branched with its closest cluster comprising of Raillietina tunetensis, Raillietina australis, Fuhrmannetta malakartis and Raillietina sonini with 99% bootstrap support.

Energy Allocation Changes in Overwintering Adults of the Common Pistachio Psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt &amp; Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

The common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is known as the key pest of pistachio orchards in Iran. This pest passes the winter as adults. In this study, energy allocation changes in relation to ambient temperature were investigated in field-collected adults by measuring total body sugar, trehalose, glucose, sorbitol, myoinositol, glycogen, lipid, and protein contents. Glycogen content decreased with decrease in ambient temperature. The decrease in glycogen content was proportional to the increase in total body sugar, trehalose, myoinositol, and sorbitol contents. In January, with mean ambient temperature of 5.4°C, glycogen content was at the lowest level, whereas total body sugar, trehalose, glucose, and sorbitol were at the highest level. Total body sugar, trehalose, myoinositol, and sorbitol contents increased as temperature decreased from 22.7°C in October to 5.4°C in January. In conclusion, low molecular weight carbohydrates and polyols may play a role in winter survival and adaptation to cold of the common pistachio psylla by providing the required cryoprotection. Also, overwintering adults of the common pistachio psylla may store energy in the form of lipid for later utilization during the overwintering.

Influence of gender and season on reduced glutathione concentration and energy reserves of Gammarus roeseli

As biomarkers are known to be influenced by biotic and abiotic factors (e.g. gender, temperature), we investigated over a one-year long sampling period, the influence of season and gender on reduced glutathione concentrations and its synthesis in the crustacean amphipod Gammarus roeseli. At the same time, we assessed energy reserves and malondialdehyde levels as toxic biomarker. Results have shown that, in both genders, reduced glutathione concentrations were inversely correlated to water temperature, and higher in females than in males whatever the season. Total lipid and glycogen contents were higher in females than in males, allowing females to have enough energy to assume the reproductive period and maintain high GSH concentrations for detoxification processes. Conversely, females have lower cell damages than males. These differences between genders could induce differential sensitivity in a contamination context, and thus affect the population. Females could resist better than males in contaminated environments, especially in spring when reduced glutathione concentration is the highest.