Underfed Group Research Articles

Metabolic memory determines oviductal gene expression of underfed ewes during early gestation

Our aim was to investigate the oviduct environment by studying oviduct gene expression after undernutrition in day-5 pregnant ewes with different initial (i) BCS, and its association with the number of embryos recovered. Thirty-six ewes were divided into 2 groups with different iBCS: iBCS ≥2.75 (n = 19; high, H) and iBCS ≤2.25 (n = 17; low, L), and were randomly assigned to two nutritional treatments for 20 days: 1.5 (control, C) or 0.5 (underfed, U) times the daily maintenance requirements. Thus, the final four groups were: high-iBCS control (HC, n = 9), high-iBCS underfed (HU, n = 10), low-iBCS control (LC, n = 9) and low-iBCS underfed (LU, n = 8). Samples of oviduct were collected and the expression of target genes was quantified using real-time PCR. While high-iBCS control ewes presented more ADIPOR1 mRNA than the high-iBCS underfed group (P < 0.05) and low-iBCS control ewes (P = 0.01), high-iBCS underfed group presented higher ADIPOR2 gene expression than low-iBCS underfed ewes (P < 0.01) evidencing a differential oviductal gene expression for these receptors. In high-iBCS ewes, control animals presented higher IGFBP2 gene expression than underfed ewes (P < 0.05), associated these results with a poor oviductal environment. High-iBCS underfed ewes presented higher IGFBP4 gene expression than high-iBCS control ewes (P < 0.05). Stepwise regression models, using various combinations of data on metabolic and reproductive hormones, and oviduct gene expression as independent variables, identified a set of variables that accounted for 75% of the variation in the number of embryos recovered. In conclusion, the oviductal gene expression depends on body reserves and nutritional treatment, and the effect is gene-specific.

Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation increases transcription factors, ETV5 and GDNF, and alters regulation of apoptosis and heat shock proteins in the testis of adult offspring in the rat.

We tested whether changes in Sertoli cell transcription factors and germ cell heat shock proteins (HSPs) are linked to the effects of maternal undernutrition on male offspring fertility. Rats were fed ad libitum with a standard diet (CONTROL) throughout pregnancy and lactation or with 50% of CONTROL intake throughout pregnancy (UNP) or lactation (UNL) or both periods (UNPL). After postnatal Day 21, 10 male pups per group were fed a standard diet ad libitum until postnatal Day 160 when testes were processed for histological, mRNA and immunohistochemical analyses. Compared with CONTROL: caspase-3 was increased in UNP and UNPL (P=0.001); Bax was increased in UNL (P=0.002); Bcl-2 (P<0.0001) was increased in all underfed groups; glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (P=0.002) was increased in UNP and UNL; E twenty-six transformation variant gene 5 and HSP70 were increased, and HSP90 was diminished in all underfed groups (P<0.0001). It appears that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation disrupts the balance between proliferation and apoptosis in germ cells, increasing germ cell production and perhaps exceeding the support capacity of the Sertoli cells. Moreover, fertility could be further compromised by changes in meiosis and spermiogenesis mediated by germ cell HSP90 and HSP70.

Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation affects testicular morphology, the stages of spermatogenic cycle, and the testicular IGF-I system in adult offspring.

Maternal undernutrition decreases sperm production in male offspring, possibly through insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). To test this hypothesis, we fed pregnant Wistar rats ad libitum with a standard diet (CONTROL) or fed 50% of CONTROL intake, either throughout pregnancy (UNP), lactation (UNL, or both (UNPL). After weaning, male offspring (n = 10 per treatment) were fed a standard diet until postnatal day 160, when testes process for histological and molecular analyses. IGF-I immunostaining area and intensity in the testis were greater (P = 0.003) in the UNPL group compared to CONTROL, but lower in the UNP group (P < 0.0001). Levels of IGF-I receptor transcript were lower in the UNPL and UNL groups, compared to CONTROL. There were more Ki-67-positive germ and Sertoli cells, in all underfed groups than in CONTROL. Compared to CONTROL, frequency of spermatogenic cycle stage VII was lower in all underfed groups, and seminiferous tubule diameter was smaller in UNP and UNPL. Plasma FSH concentrations were greater in UNP male offspring compared to all groups (P = 0.05), whereas inhibin B concentrations were greater in UNP (P = 0.01) and UNL (P = 0.003) than in CONTROL or UNPL. Thus, prenatal undernutrition leads to a decrease in testicular IGF-I levels, whereas of pre- and postnatal undernutrition increased testicular IGF-I levels and decreased amounts of IGF-I receptor mRNA in adult offspring. We conclude that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation leads to long-lasting effects on adult male offspring testicular morphology, spermatogenesis, and IGF-I testicular system.

Late-emerging effects of perinatal undernutrition in neuronal limbic structures underlying the maternal response in the rat

Maternal care in the rat is an ancient behavioral response to specific multisensory inputs widely integrated in a complex forebrain, limbic and brain stem network to meet the basic needs of the young. Early undernutrition interferes with the morphofunctional organization of the brain, including maternal circuitry. The late-emerging effects of pre- and neonatal undernutrition on nest building and pup retrieval by lactating Wistar rats were correlated with dendritic arbor and perikaryon measurements (Golgi-Cox) in layer II pyramidal neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex, layer III pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex and multipolar basolateral amygdala neurons examined on lactation days 4 and 12. In the underfed group, pregnant F0 dams received different percentages of a balanced diet. After birth, prenatally underfed (F1) pups continued the undernutrition by remaining with a nipple-ligated mother for 12 h. Weaning occurred at 25 days of age, and pups were subsequently provided an ad libitum diet. At 90 days of age, F1 dams were maternally tested. Early underfed dams showed significant reductions in nest building and prolonged retrieval latencies for grasping pups by inappropriate body areas. The behavioral alterations were concurrent with highly significant reductions in the somatic cross-sectional area and perimeter, spine density and dendritic crossings of cingulate cells and medial prefrontal cortical pyramids, as well as smaller effects on amygdala neurons. The anatomical findings suggest different postsynaptic organizations that may affect the neuronal excitability stages for the integration and encoding of cues triggering the altered maternal response components of early underfed dams.

Can energy intake alter clinical and hospital outcomes in PICU?

Energy is essential for the treatment and recovery of children admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU). There are significant immediate and long-term health consequences of both under- and over-feeding in this population. Energy requirements of critically ill children vary depending on age, nutritional status, sepsis, fever, pharmacotherapy, and duration and stage of critical illness. Thisstudy aimed to determine the incidence of over- and under-feeding and to compare hospital outcomes between these feeding categories. Secondary outcomes were collected to describe the association between feeding categories and biochemistries (serum lactate, triglycerides, C-reactive protein). An ethics approved retrospective study of children admitted to PICU was performed. All intubated patients admitted to PICU (2008-2013) were included, except those in which an IC test was not feasible. Data collection included demographics, the primary outcome variable reported as under feeding (<90%MREE), appropriate (MREE ±10%) or overfeeding (>110% MREE) determined through comparison of measured resting energy expenditure (MREE) using indirect calorimetry (IC) to actual energy intake based on predicted basal metabolic rate (PBMR) and clinical outcomes mechanical ventilation and PICU length of stay (LOS). Data were analysed with descriptive methods, ANOVA and linear regression models. A total of 139 patients aged 10 (range 0.03-204) months were included. Sixty (43%) were female and 77 (55%) were admitted after a surgical procedure. A total of 210 IC tests were conducted showing a statistically significant difference between MREE measurements and PBMR (p=0.019). Of the 210 measurements, only 26 measures (12.4%) demonstrated appropriate feeding, while 72 (34.3) were underfed and 112 (53.3%) were overfed. Children who were overfed had significantly longer PICU LOS (median 45.5, IQR 47.8 days) compared to those children in the appropriately fed (median 21.0, IQR 54.5 days), and underfed groups (median 16.5, IQR 21.3 days). There was a mean difference between the over and under feeding category and ventilation days after adjusting for age and PRISM score (p=0.026), suggesting decreased mechanical ventilation days for underfed. Children who were underfed had significantly higher CRP (median 75.5, IQR 152.8mg/L) compared to those children in the appropriately fed (median 57.8, IQR 90.9mg/L) and overfed groups (median 22.4, IQR 56.2mg/L). This retrospective study confirms that estimations of energy expenditure in critically ill children are inaccurate leading to unintended under and overfeeding. Importantly under feeding seems to be associated with fewer mechanical ventilation days and PICU LOS. Further research is required to elucidate the role of optimal nutrition in altering clinical variables in this population.

Competition for Materno-Fetal Resource Partitioning in a Rabbit Model of Undernourished Pregnancy.

The major goal of animal production is to obtain abundant and healthy meat for consumers. Maternal food restriction (MFR) is often applied in farms to reduce production costs. However, the suitability of MFR in livestock animals is questionable, as this management may compromise maternal fitness due to a severe negative energetic balance and can induce Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and prenatal programming in the offspring. Here, we sought to determine, using pregnant rabbits, the consequences of MFR on maternal endocrine and metabolic status and conceptus development. Pregnant dams were distributed into three groups: CONTROL (ad libitum feeding throughout the entire pregnancy; mean pregnancy length being around 31 days), UNDERFED (50% MFR during the entire pregnancy) and EARLY-UNDERFED (50% MFR only during the preimplantation period, Days 0–7). Maternal leptin concentrations and glycemic and lipid profiles were determined throughout pregnancy, whilst conceptus development was assessed ex-vivo at Day 28. Placental parameters were determined by macroscopic and histological evaluations and apoptotic assessments (TUNEL and Caspase-3). The main results of the study showed that, despite MFR altered maternal plasma lipid concentration (P<0.05), there were no effects on maternal bodyweight, plasma leptin concentration or glycemic profile. Fetal crown-rump lengths were reduced in both undernourished groups (P<0.001), but a significant reduction in fetal weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001). Growth in both undernourished groups was asymmetrical, with reduced liver weight (P<0.001) and significantly increased brain: fetal weight-ratio (P<0.001) and brain: liver weight-ratio (P<0.001) when compared to the CONTROL group. A significant reduction in placental weight was only observed in the UNDERFED group (P<0.001), despite both undernourished groups showing higher apoptotic rates at decidua and labyrinth zone (P<0.05) than the CONTROL group. Thus, these groups evidenced signs of placental degeneration, necrosis and stromal collapse. In summary, MFR may encourage the mother to make strategic decisions to safeguard her metabolic status and fitness at the expense of growth reduction in the litter, resulting in enhanced apoptotic and pathological processes at placental level and IUGR.

The Goat (Capra hircus) Mammary Gland Mitochondrial Proteome: A Study on the Effect of Weight Loss Using Blue-Native PAGE and Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis.

Seasonal weight loss (SWL) is the most important limitation to animal production in the Tropical and Mediterranean regions, conditioning producer’s incomes and the nutritional status of rural communities. It is of importance to produce strategies to oppose adverse effects of SWL. Breeds that have evolved in harsh climates have acquired tolerance to SWL through selection. Most of the factors determining such ability are related to changes in biochemical pathways as affected by SWL. In this study, a gel based proteomics strategy (BN: Blue-Native Page and 2DE: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis) was used to characterize the mitochondrial proteome of the secretory tissue of the goat mammary gland. In addition, we have conducted an investigation of the effects of weight loss in two goat breeds with different levels of adaptation to nutritional stress: Majorera (tolerant) and Palmera (susceptible). The study used Majorera and Palmera dairy goats, divided in 4 sets, 2 for each breed: underfed group fed on wheat straw (restricted diet, so their body weight would be 15–20% reduced by the end of experiment), and a control group fed with an energy-balanced diet. At the end of the experimental period (22 days), mammary gland biopsies were obtained for all experimental groups. The proteomic analysis of the mitochondria enabled the resolution of a total of 277 proteins, and 148 (53%) were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Some of the proteins were identified as subunits of the glutamate dehydrogenase complex and the respiratory complexes I, II, IV, V from mitochondria, as well as numerous other proteins with functions in: metabolism, development, localization, cellular organization and biogenesis, biological regulation, response to stimulus, among others, that were mapped in both BN and 2DE gels. The comparative proteomics analysis enabled the identification of several proteins: NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit and lamin B1 mitochondrial (up-regulated in the Palmera breed), Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-2 (up-regulated in the Majorera breed) and cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, mitochondrial and Chain D, Bovine F1-C8 Sub-Complex Of Atp Synthase (down-regulated in the Majorera breed) as a consequence of weight loss.

Characterization of early changes in fetoplacental hemodynamics in a diet-induced rabbit model of IUGR.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and late-onset diseases in offspring. Eating disorders, voluntary caloric restriction and maternal undernutrition can all induce IUGR but a relevant model is required to measure all its possible consequences. In this work, pregnant rabbits were used as an IUGR model. Control females (n=4) received ad libitum diet throughout pregnancy, whereas underfed females (n=5) were restricted to 50% of their daily requirements. Offspring size was measured by ultrasonography and in vivo at birth. Hemodynamic features of the umbilical cords and middle cerebral arteries (systolic peak velocity, end diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index) were characterized by Doppler ultrasonography. At day 21, maternal underfeeding resulted in a significant reduction of fetal size (occipito-nasal length). At birth, the size of kits from the underfed group was significantly lower (lower crown-rump length, biparietal and transversal thoracic diameters) and a reduced weight with respect to the control group. Feed restriction altered blood flow perfusion compared with does fed ad libitum (significant higher systolic peak, time-averaged mean velocities and lower end diastolic velocity). Fetuses affected by IUGR presented with compensative brain-sparing effects when compared with the control group. In conclusion, the present study supports using rabbits and the underfeeding approach as a valuable model for IUGR studies. These results may help to characterize IUGR alterations due to nutrient restriction of mothers in future research.

Undernutrition during early life alters neuropeptide Y distribution along the arcuate/paraventricular pathway

Perinatal nutrient restriction exerts profound influences on brain development. Animals that suffer undernutrition during lactation also display impaired weight gain. Feeding behavior is mainly modulated by neural and hormonal inputs to the hypothalamus. The arcuate–paraventricular neuropeptidergic Y pathway has a prominent role in appetite regulation. The aim of this work was to study the effects of protein undernutrition during lactation on this hypothalamic pathway. We used rats from 5 to 60 postnatal (P) days whose dams were fed a 0% protein diet (PFG) or a normoprotein diet (CG) from P1 to P10. To reproduce the same amount of calorie ingested by the PFG we used an underfed group (UFG). Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess neuropeptide Y (NPY) distribution in the arcuate, periventricular and paraventricular nuclei. Our results showed a NPY immunostaining peak at P10 in all nuclei in CG animals. In UFG animals this peak was observed by P15, while, in the PFG animals only by P20. Our results suggest that the neuropeptidergic arcuate–paraventricular pathway suffered a delay in NPY distribution in undernourished animals, particularly those fed a 0% protein diet, reflecting an effect on this pathway maturation that could explain previously reported alterations on feeding behavior in these animals.

Fetal and Early-Postnatal Developmental Patterns of Obese-Genotype Piglets Exposed to Prenatal Programming by Maternal Over- and Undernutrition

The present study evaluated the effect of nutritional imbalances during pregnancy, either by excess or deficiency, on fertility and conceptus development in obese-genotype swine (Iberian pig). Twenty-five multiparous sows were fed, from mating to farrowing, with a standard diet fulfilling either 1.6 folds their daily maintenance requirements for pregnancy (overfed group, n = 12) or only the 50% of such requirements (underfed group, n = 13). Ten out of 12 overfed but only two out of 13 underfed sows became pregnant (P<0.005). Fetal development was determined in the pregnant females at Days 35, 50, 75 and 90 of pregnancy. The embryos from undernourished sows were smaller than the embryos from overfed females as early as at 35 days of pregnancy (P<0.05) and remained smaller until Day 90 of gestation. However, at the end of pregnancy, there were significant changes in the developmental patterns of fetuses. Thus, weight and size of the offspring from both nutritional treatments were finally similar at delivery; the same was found at weaning. There was thereafter a sex-related effect on the growth during the early-postnatal period, with male piglets of both nutritional origins being significantly heavier and more corpulent at weaning that their sisters (P<0.05). In conclusion, fetal growth conditioned by malnutrition from periconceptional stages is mainly regulated at the end of the pregnancy, so that ensure an adequate body-weight and size and, therefore, the survival of the offspring. Afterwards, the early-postnatal development of the offspring is affected by sex, independently from nutritional origin, with male piglets growing faster than females.

Gender-specific early postnatal catch-up growth after intrauterine growth retardation by food restriction in swine with obesity/leptin resistance

The effects of undernutrition during pregnancy on prenatal and postnatal development of the offspring were evaluated in sows with obesity/leptin resistance. Females were fed, from day 35 of pregnancy onwards, a diet fulfilling either 100% (group control, n=10) or 50% of the nutritional requirements (group underfed, n=10). In the control group, maternal body weight increased during pregnancy (P<0.05) while it decreased or remained steady in the underfed group. At days 75 and 100 of gestation, plasma triglycerides were lower but urea levels were higher in restricted than in control sows (P<0.05 for both). Assessment of the offspring indicated that the trunk diameter was always smaller in the restricted group (P<0.01 at day 50, P<0.005 at days 75 and 100 and P<0.0001 at birth) while head measurements were similar through pregnancy, although smaller in the restricted than in the control group at birth (P<0.05). Newborns from restricted sows were also lighter than offspring from control females (P<0.01) and had higher incidence of growth retardation (P<0.01). Afterwards, during lactation, early postnatal growth in restricted piglets was modulated by gender. At weaning, males from restricted sows were still lighter than their control counterparts (P<0.05), while females from control and underfed sows were similar. Thus, the current study indicates a gender-related differential effect in the growth patterns of the piglets, with females from restricted sows evidencing catch-up growth to neutralise prenatal retardation and reaching similar development than control counterparts.

Undernutrition during foetal to prepubertal life affects aquaporin 9 but not aquaporins 1 and 2 expression in the male genital tract of adult rats

Expression of aquaporin water channels (AQPs) in the male excurrent ducts, is of major importance for local water movements. To study the influence of pre- and postnatal undernutrition on AQP-expression in the adult male genital tract, 4 pregnant female rats were fed ad libitum (control group) and 4 with 33.5% of gestational feed requirements (underfed group). Feeding restriction of underfed group pups continued up to weaning (25 days of age), then all pups were fed ad libitum until slaughtered at 100 days of age. Epididymides were sampled and processed for aquaporin immunohistochemistry. Expression of AQP1 was similar either in the control and underfed groups of rats, strongly evidenced at the apical and lateral plasma membrane of the efferent ducts non-ciliated cells, in the smooth muscle cells surrounding epididymal duct and in blood vessel endothelium throughout the epididymis. AQP2-immunoreactivity was present in the corpus and cauda regions, strongly expressed in the principal cells of both groups of rats. In contrast, AQP9 expression was modified by early life undernourishment, as it was weakly evidenced at the microvilli in the principal cells and strongly diminished or completely lacked in the clear cells of the cauda, in underfed group epididymides. Since it is known that clear cells are involved in luminal fluid acidification, this function might be altered in adult animals, which were underfed during early life.

Epigenetic Changes in the Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin and Glucocorticoid Receptor Genes in the Ovine Fetus after Periconceptional Undernutrition

Maternal food restriction is associated with the development of obesity in offspring. This study examined how maternal undernutrition in sheep affects the fetal hypothalamic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the appetite-regulating neuropeptides, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y, which it regulates. In fetuses from ewes undernourished from -60 to +30 d around conception, there was increased histone H3K9 acetylation (1.63-fold) and marked hypomethylation (62% decrease) of the POMC gene promoter but no change in POMC expression. In the same group, acetylation of histone H3K9 associated with the hypothalamic GR gene was increased 1.60-fold and the GR promoter region was hypomethylated (53% decrease). In addition, there was a 4.7-fold increase in hypothalamic GR expression but no change in methylation of GR gene expression in the anterior pituitary or hippocampus. Interestingly, hypomethylation of both POMC and GR promoter markers in fetal hypothalami was also identified after maternal undernutrition from -60 to 0 d and -2 to +30 d. In comparison, the Oct4 gene, was hypermethylated in both control and underfed groups. Periconceptional undernutrition is therefore associated with marked epigenetic changes in hypothalamic genes. Increase in GR expression in the undernourished group may contribute to fetal programming of a predisposition to obesity, via altered GR regulation of POMC and neuropeptide Y. These epigenetic changes in GR and POMC in the hypothalamus may also predispose the offspring to altered regulation of food intake, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis later in life.

Undernutrition During Foetal and Post-Natal Life Affects Testicular Structure and Reduces the Number of Sertoli Cells in the Adult Rat

To test whether undernutrition during foetal to pre-pubertal life would have long lasting effects on testicular histology in adult male offspring, eleven adult Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were divided into two groups: Control group, n = 4, fed ad libitum, during gestation and lactation (until 25 day post-partum). Underfed group pregnant females (n = 7) were kept in cages where only dams had access to food (standard rat chow, 33.5% of ad libitum intake of Control group pregnant dams). After parturition, litters were adjusted to either 14 (Underfed group) or eight (Control group) pups. Mothers were weighed weekly. At 25 day of age pups were weaned, housed at four animals per cage, fed ad libitum and weighed weekly until euthanized at 100 day of age. Testes were processed for standard histology and morphometrical evaluation. At weaning, mother weight was lower in underfed than in Control group (mean +/- SD): 214.1 +/- 26.2 g vs 361.9 +/- 33.1 g. Body weight at 100 days of age (254 +/- 26.9 g vs 342.4 +/- 10.2 g, p <or= 0.001), testicular weight (1.29 +/- 0.16 g vs 1.45 +/- 0.13 g, p = 0.03), number of Sertoli cells per seminiferous tubule cross section (18.2 +/- 1.2 vs 20.2 +/- 1.3, p <or= 0.01) and per testis (30.5 +/- 4.2 x 10(6) vs 36.0 +/- 5.4 x 10(6)) were lower (p < 0.05) in Underfed than in Control group. This is the first report stating that foetal to pubertal subnutrition is accompanied by changes in testicular structure and lower Sertoli cell numbers in adult life, strongly suggesting lower daily sperm production.

Differential effects of undernutrition during pregnancy on the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and on the establishment of mutual recognition

We investigated whether undernutrition during the second half of pregnancy impaired the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and early mutual recognition. Twenty-two control and 22 underfed mixed-breed, multiparous dairy goats were used, together with their respective kids (control, n = 31: nine singles, 16 twins and six triplets; underfed, n = 32: 11 singles, 18 twins and three triplets). Undernutrition involved limiting protein and energy intake at 70% of the nutritional requirements for maintenance and foetal growth from day 70 of pregnancy until birth. The behaviour of mothers and their two first-born kids was observed for 90 min from the birth of each kid. Maternal olfactory recognition of the kid was assessed at 4 h post partum by testing selective nursing behaviour. Non-olfactory recognition was assessed at 8 h in a two-choice test excluding olfactory cues. In kids, preference for the mother was assessed in a two-choice test at either 12 or 24 h post partum. Bodyweight of does and kids were lower in the underfed group up to 2 weeks post partum. At parturition, licking, maternal bleating frequency and latency to nursing did not differ between nutritional groups. Control kids were faster than underfed kids to stand, search for and reach the udder, but underfed kids bleated more and tended to spend more time at the udder. Both control and underfed does accepted their own kid and rejected the alien in the selectivity test at 4 h. In contrast, at 8 h post partum, only control goats showed a significant preference for their own kid in the non-olfactory recognition test. Both control and underfed kids showed a preference for their own mother at 12 and 24 h and undernutrition during pregnancy had little influence on the performance of kids. However, 12 h-old underfed kids tended to be less active than control kids and visited their own mothers less than control kids. There were no significant correlations between the behaviour of the mother or of the kid at parturition and their performance in the discrimination tests. Overall, undernutrition in the second half of pregnancy appears to be more detrimental for the behaviour of the mother than for the kid. Furthermore, it has more impact on the establishment of maternal non-olfactory recognition than on maternal care at parturition or the establishment of maternal selectivity.

Effect of reducing energy supply during the finishing of Belgian Blue double-muscled cull cows

AbstractA 4-year experiment has been conducted on finishing Belgian Blue cull cows of double-muscled type in order to study the effects of diets containing adequate levels of metabolizable protein, but either normal (NENP), low (LENP) or medium (MENP) levels of metabolizable energy, on animal performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and plasma metabolites and hormones. The LENP diet was offered during the whole (LENP group) or second half of the finishing (NENP-LENP groups), and the MENP diet during the whole finishing (MENP group). The degree of fatness required for the slaughter of animals from NENP groups was close to 4-5 (scale from 0 (very lean) to 5 (very fat)). In each underfed group, the slaughter of the animals was synchronized to that of NENP cows, by degressive degree of fatness. The same duration of finishing was thus obtained for all groups.The experimental feeding strategies reduced the amounts of fat deposited in the carcass and the meat while muscle deposition was remarkably preserved. The proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in intramuscular fat were also decreased while their proportions increased in plasma free fatty acids. Plasma insulin levels were also reduced and those ofIGF-1 were, surprisingly, maintained. The low energy diet promoted thus the settlement of a discrete lipolytic state while high levels ofIGF-1 preserved muscle deposition. This feeding strategy should be evaluated in other breeds of cattle.

Serum amino acid and myofibrillar protein profiles in Boer goat bucks following undernutrition

The aim of the work was to determine serum free amino acid and myofibrillar protein profiles in Boer goats following undernutrition in order to study the physiological consequences of undernutrition in this goat breed. Fifteen Boer goat bucks were allocated to two experimental groups: CG (control group), fed ad libitum Themeda trianda hay, supplemented with maize, molasses and urea; and RG (underfed group) fed only the same hay (80 and 86% of the daily energy and protein requirements, respectively). Blood was collected weekly for determination of the serum free amino acid profiles. Animals were slaughtered at day 28 and the semi-membranosus muscle was sampled for myofibrillar protein profile determinations. At the last collection date CG animals had higher concentrations of Ala, Tyr and Cit; RG group showed higher concentration of Val, Ile, Leu, Thr, Met, Lys, Tau, Orn, Hyp and 3-metyl histidyne (Me3His), while Gly, Ser, Asp, Glu, Arg, His and Pro were similar in both groups. The RG group showed myofibrillar protein degradation of protein C and α-actinin. From the results it can be concluded that serum amino acid and myofibrillar protein profiles in the goat are strongly affected by undernutrition. Amino acid results suggest that the degradation of small carbon chain amino acid has a higher efficiency than degradation of long carbon chain amino acid. Myofibrillar protein profiles suggest a disruption of muscle structure at the level of the second third of each half of the A band (protein C) and the matrix of the Z line (α-actinin).

A Paradigm of Undernourishing and Neonatal Rehabilitation in the Newborn Rat

Perinatal undernutrition as a deficiency of nutrient availability, affects body and brain developmental processes and promotes recurrent health problems. Thus, altered mother-litter bonds and deficient environmental interactions may interfere with the brain pluripotential capabilities of the newborn. To gather information concerning the mechanisms underlying perinatal undernutrition we designed a paradigm of undernutrition and neonatal rehabilitation in the rat. An underfed group came from pregnant Wistar rats fed with 50% of the diet from G6 to G12 and with 60% from G13 until G21. After birth, pups were daily undernourished during 12 h daily by rotating a pair of lactating well-nourished dams which had one of their nipples subcutaneously ligated. The rehabilitated animals were undernourished pups neonatally fed by a pair of normally lactating dams. Controls received plenty of food during the pre- and neonatal periods. Pups were sacrificed at 12, 20 and 30 days of age. Perinatal underfeeding significantly reduced body and brain weights and neuronal morphometric parameters. Normal neonatal feeding in the newborn ameliorated the damages associated to food deprivation. The current undernourishing paradigm may be helpful to assess brain development alterations, as well as to study the compensatory mechanisms associated to salutary epigenetic influences.

Effect of early nutritional experience on the feeding behaviour of adult female rats

In the present paper the effect of postnatal undernutrition on feeding behaviour has been evaluated in mature female Wistar rats subjected to food restriction a) during the suckling period, i. e. up to day 15 (SR), b) during the weaning period from day 15 to 30 (WR), c) throughout 30 days post partum (SWR) and d) during adulthood, i.e. from day 60&amp;ndash;75 of life (AR). In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls (C), the lactating mothers and the pups of the food-restricted groups were allowed free access to food for only two hours daily. In experimental groups this restriction was then changed to an ad libitum regime. On day 90 food intake was evalu-ated daily in five 20 min lasting sessions after 23 h of fasting in group-housed and single-housed rats exposed to their home as well as to their experimental environment. The significantly decreased body weight found on day 30 and 90 in females coming from litters of restrictedly fed mothers, as compared with those fed ad libitum, showed that these animals were considerably undernourished. Appetitive motivation increased in those groups of females that had been exposed to a restricted feeding regime during their infant period but remained unaffected in females restrictedly fed during their adult age. In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls and AR groups, significantly increased mean food intake was observed in all postnatally underfed groups (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The greatest inclination to hyperphagia and qualitative changes in feeding behaviour were observed in SWR females whose feeding regime was restricted for the longest time, i. e. during the suckling and the weaning period, as compared to groups with shorter food restriction. These animals showed hyperphagia even in the new environment regardless whether the whole group or only one female was tested. Our results reveal a) a determinant influence of the feeding regime of the animals at early age (41%) while environmental and social factors represent only about 17% and 4%, respectively and that b) changes in feeding habits in adult female rats may significantly depend on the length of postnatal undernutrition.

Effects of the infusion of non-selective beta-, and selective beta1- or beta2-adrenergic agonists, on body fat mobilisation in underfed or overfed non-pregnant heifers.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of the intravenous infusion of a non-selective beta-agonist (beta-A) (isoproterenol, ISO), and selective beta1-A (dobutamine, D) or beta2-A (terbutaline, T) on body fat mobilisation in non-pregnant heifers, in a 2 x 2 crossover design with two treatments (underfeeding or overfeeding) and two periods. The effect of the duration of submission to each energy level on basal and ISO-induced fat mobilisation was also studied. ISO had a high and significant lipolytic effect whatever the energy level. Nevertheless, the response area of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) to ISO in underfed cows was 1.7 times greater than that in overfed cows. T had a slight but significant lipolytic effect on NEFA plasma response in the underfed group. D had no lipolytic effect. Basal and ISO-stimulated plasma NEFA levels were similar after 1 or 4 weeks of underfeeding.