Pancreas Weight Research Articles

Protective effect of chitosan against growth inhibition and pancreatic oxidative stress in weaned piglets

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to determine the protective effect of chitosan against oxidative injury in pancreas of weaned piglets. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted. Twenty-four weaned piglets were randomly divided into one of two dietary treatments (0 or 0.5 g/kg chitosan). After 2 weeks of feeding, half of the piglets on each dietary treatment were given an intraperitoneal injection of diquat or saline. Piglets were killed and samples were collected to assess enzyme activity, redox parameters and nutrient apparent digestibility. The results show that diquat decreased growth performance and induced pancreatic injury, markedly increased pancreas weight, the pancreatic MDA content, activities of pancreatic lipase, serum amylase and lipase, but decreased antioxidant enzyme activity of pancreas. However, chitosan improved growth performance, decreased the relative pancreas weight, activities of serum amylase and lipase, pancreatic lipase activity and crude fat apparent digestibility, but increased the pancreatic T-AOC and activities of antioxidant enzyme, pancreatic trypsin activity, and crude protein apparent digestibility. Furthermore, in the weaned piglets challenged with diquat, chitosan inclusion alleviated the activities of serum amylase and lipase, and pancreatic MDA concentration. The results of the present study indicated that chitosan could be a safe and potent new additive for alleviating pancreatic oxidative injury.

Gut Microbiota Regulate Pancreatic Growth, Exocrine Function, and Gut Hormones.

Growing evidence indicates an important link between gut microbiota, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Alterations in exocrine pancreatic function are also widely present in patients with diabetes and obesity. To examine this interaction, C57BL/6J mice were fed a chow diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or an HFD plus oral vancomycin or metronidazole to modify the gut microbiome. HFD alone leads to a 40% increase in pancreas weight, decreased glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY levels, and increased glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide in the plasma. Quantitative proteomics identified 138 host proteins in fecal samples of these mice, of which 32 were significantly changed by the HFD. The most significant of these were the pancreatic enzymes. These changes in amylase and elastase were reversed by antibiotic treatment. These alterations could be reproduced by transferring gut microbiota from donor C57BL/6J mice to germ-free mice. By contrast, antibiotics had no effect on pancreatic size or exocrine function in C57BL/6J mice fed the chow diet. Further, 1 week vancomycin administration significantly increased amylase and elastase levels in obese men with prediabetes. Thus, the alterations in gut microbiota in obesity can alter pancreatic growth, exocrine function, and gut endocrine function and may contribute to the alterations observed in patients with obesity and diabetes.

Effect of zinc and phytase supplementation on performance, immune response, digestibility and intestinal features in broilers fed a wheat-soybean meal diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary zinc (Zn) supplementation on performance, immune responses and gastrointestinal tract features of broilers fed wheat-soybean meal diet. In addition, optimised dietary Zn level was estimated based on dose-response data. A total of 500 one-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 10 dietary treatments with five replicates and ten birds per replicate in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of five graded (+40 mg/kg) dietary Zn levels with or without phytase (500 FTU/kg of diet) supplementation. By increasing dietary Zn concentration, final live body weight (LBW), daily weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), antibody titres against the sheep red blood cell inoculation, cutaneous basophils hypersensitivity to PHA-P injection, jejunum villus height, and apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) increased with a significant linear trend. Phytase supplementation improved WG and ADMD and decreased pancreas and intestine relative weights. The interaction effects of dietary Zn concentration and phytase supplementation on the whole of evaluated traits were not significant. Optimum dietary Zn levels were estimated by the regression models at 70, 82, 98, and 110 mg/kg of diet for optimised EPEF and immunity, LBW and WG, appetites, and ADMD, respectively. It is concluded, in the broiler chickens fed wheat-soybean meal diet, Zn and phytase supplementation can improve growth performance, immune response, digestibility, and intestinal features. The Zn requirement is higher than the NRC (1994) recommendation. The efficacy of dietary Zn was not affected by dietary phytase supplementation. Highlights In the broilers fed wheat-soy diet: •Dietary Zn and phytase supplementation improve growth performance. •The Zn requirement is higher than the NRC recommendation.

The Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Miana Plant Flour (Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. on Serum Lipid Profile and Organ Weights of Broiler Chickens

Miana plant (Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. contains active compounds (such as steroids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins) which can have several health benefits, including lowering cholesterol LDL and triglyceride as well as increasing feed consumption, body weight, and carcass weight of broilers. Therefore, the current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Miana plant flour (Plectranthus scutellarioides (L.) R. Br. in the diet on blood serum lipid profiles and physiological organs of broilers. The experiment was performed on 100 day-old broiler chickens from strain Arbor Acres CP-707. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with five different levels of Miana plant flour (0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%) in broiler's diets as treatment, and each treatment was repeated four times. The diet was arranged iso-protein (21%) and iso-energy (2900 kcal/kg). The serum lipid profile measurement included the analysis of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Physiological organ analysis entailed the percentage of liver weight, pancreas weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, and length of parts of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) of broilers. The results showed that the inclusion of Miana plant flour in the broiler's diet could significantly affect total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL in the serum of broiler chickens, and it affected duodenum length significantly. Furthermore, the inclusion of Miana plant flour in the broiler's diet had an insignificant effect on the percentage of liver weight, pancreas weight, gizzard weight, small intestine weight, and length of each part of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) on broilers. In conclusion, the inclusion of Miana plant flour as much as 12.5% in broiler's diets reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, and increased the HDL and duodenum length without adverse effects on the other physiological organs of broiler chickens.

Jojoba Seed Oil as Feed Additive for Sustainable Broiler Meat Production under Hot Climatic Conditions.

Simple SummarySustainable poultry production has become essential to satisfy a growing global demand for high-quality meat protein. It is of the utmost importance to explore the merit of a new phytobiotic for the sustainable production of broiler chickens under tropical weather conditions. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate supplementation of jojoba bioactive lipid compounds to broiler diets and its effects on growth performance and meat quality. The growth performance of broiler chickens fed with jojoba seed oil under tropical hot climatic conditions was linearly improved compared to the control group. Jojoba seed oil supplementation lowered abdominal fat and increased dressing percentage and meat quality compared to the control group.This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary addition of jojoba seed oil on productive performance, physicochemical attributes and carcass quality of broiler meat under tropical weather conditions. A total of 384 one-day-old Ross-308 were subdivided into four dietary treatments of jojoba seed oil: 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of control diet. Each treatment group included twelve replicates with eight birds each. The results showed that dietary supplementation of jojoba seed oil linearly increased (p < 0.01) feed intake, body weight gain and improved (p < 0.01) feed conversion ratio. Interestingly, diets supplemented with jojoba seed oil linearly (p < 0.05) improved the percentage of dressing and reduced abdominal fat percentage compared to the control group. Dietary supplementation of jojoba seed oil showed no effects (p ≥ 0.05) on the weight of internal organs, including liver, heart, gizzard, spleen and pancreas of broiler chickens. Increasing jojoba seed oil levels in the diet decreased (p < 0.001) percentages of cook and drip losses of breast and leg (drumstick and thigh) muscles of broilers. It was concluded that jojoba seed oil used as a feed additive up to 150 mg/kg improves growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens in tropical weather conditions.

Dietary Cinnamon Bark Affects Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Breast Meat Quality in Broiler Infected with Eimeria tenella Oocysts.

Simple SummaryAntimicrobial tolerance problems have culminated in an increased focus on raising broiler chickens without using any antibiotics, and an increasing interest has developed in non-antibiotic feed supplements with potential productivity and health benefits. Previous studies have shown beneficial results linked to the addition of cinnamon to broiler diets under health conditions without induced coccidiosis. In this study, different amounts of dietary cinnamon, a phytogenic of the Lauraceae family, were evaluated for their effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality in broilers infected with oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Overall, emeriosis negatively affects bird slaughter weight, carcass yield, and most carcass traits. Compared with the positive control, cinnamon increased slaughter weight, carcass yield, and the percentage weights of heart, proventriculus, gizzard, breast, and pancreas. In addition, cinnamon at 2 g/kg diet improved performance, cocking loss, and meat tenderness among cinnamon groups. The ionophore salinomycin (Sacox®) group had the highest slaughter yield, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), and texture profile analysis (TPA) of meat. The current research offers equivalent and unbiased findings from a study of substitutes for commercial coccidiostats in a consistent experimental paradigm that applies well to commercial conditions.A total of 150 broiler chicks were used to determine the impact of dietary cinnamon bark powder (CBP; Cinnamomum verum) on breast meat quality, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of birds under coccidiosis, as one of the protozoan parasitic diseases. A total of 5 replicates of birds received 1 of the following 6 groups for 34 days: control groups (1 and 2) received a basal diet without the addition of CBP or salinomycin; group 3 received a basal diet with 0.066 g salinomycin; groups 4–6 were given a basal diet supplemented with 2, 4, and 6 g CBP/kg feed, respectively. On day 21, 4 × 104/100 µL of Eimeria tenella oocysts/bird were challenged, except for the negative control (NC). At the end of the experimental trial, five birds/group were sampled for carcass characteristics and breast attributes. Overall, emeriosis negatively affects slaughter body mass, carcass yield, and the majority of carcass characteristics in birds, and cinnamon can mitigate these effects. Cinnamon groups, particularly at the 2 g level, alleviated the negative effect on performance caused by coccidia infestation to the same or greater extent as the negative control and salinomycin treatment groups. Furthermore, when compared with the other experimental groups, the addition of cinnamon improved some physicochemical properties with some affecting meat quality, such as decreasing MFI and increasing toughness in cinnamon-treated groups. In summary, it can be concluded that CBP can enhance the shelf life, carcass, and quality of birds’ meat by maximizing the productive performance efficiency and breast meat productivity of birds under coccidiosis infestation. Further research is required to investigate the use of cinnamon to optimize the quality of meat and the productivity of both healthy and diseased broilers.

Effect of Feed Form, Corn Particle Size, and Extrusion of Corn on Broiler Performance

The pelleting and extrusion processes use both thermal and mechanical energies to alter the crystalline structure of the starch granule, which makes it more digestible than raw starch. The particle size of the ground corn particle in the diet also affects the rate at which gelatinization occurs in the extrusion process. There is limited research on broiler performance when feeding diets that contain different particle sizes of corn prior to extrusion. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed form, corn particle size and the extrusion of corn on growth performance of 21-d-old broiler chicks. To determine the effect of corn type on growth performance, treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial of corn type (raw corn and extruded corn) and corn particle size (400, 800, and 1200 μm). There was no interaction (P > 0.742) between corn type and corn particle size on d 21 BW, ADFI, or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Broilers fed the raw corn diet had greater (P < 0.001) d 21 BW and ADFI compared to those fed the extruded corn diets. There was no evidence of difference (P > 0.081) in d 21 BW and ADFI in broilers fed the three different corn particle sizes. Broilers fed diets with increasing corn particle size had increased (linear, P = 0.015) FCR. There was an interaction (P < 0.039) between corn type and corn particle size on both the relative gizzard and pancreas weights of broilers. To determine the effects of feed form on growth performance and relative gizzard and pancreas weight, treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial of feed form (mash and crumble feed) and corn particle size (400 and 800 μm). There was no evidence of interaction (P > 0.180) between feed form and corn particle size on growth performance or relative gizzard and pancreas weight. Broilers fed the crumble extruded corn diet had increased (P = 0.001) d 21 BW and ADFI compared to those fed the mash extruded corn diets. There was no evidence of difference (P > 0.189) in d 21 BW, ADFI, and FCR between broilers fed extruded diets containing 400 μm corn and 800 μm corn regardless of feed form. Broilers fed the mash extruded corn diet had greater (P < 0.001) relative gizzard and pancreas weights as compared to those fed the crumbled extruded corn diets. In addition, broiler relative gizzard weight was greater (P = 0.002) for those fed the extruded corn diet containing 800 μm versus 400 μm corn, while there was no evidence of difference in relative pancreas weight. Therefore, increasing the amount of gelatinized starch in the feed by replacing ground corn with extruded corn in a broiler starter diet did not improve growth performance. Increasing corn particle size led to improved gizzard development.

Effects of dietary triiodothyronine or dopamine on small intestinal oxygen consumption in chicks.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of triiodothyronine (T3)- or dopamine (Dp)-supplemented diets on oxygen consumption by Na+, K+-ATPase activity in broiler chicks. Five groups, each with twenty-four 6-day-old chicks, randomly received one of the five dietary treatments: (1) Basal diet (commercial broiler rations with 23.0% crude protein and 3,133 kcal metabolizable energy/kg) or CON, (2) basal diet plus 0.7 μmol Dp/kg diet or Dp0.7, (3) basal diet plus 2.4 μmol Dp/kg diet or Dp2.4, (4) basal diet plus 1.9 μmol T3/kg diet or T1.9, and (5) basal diet plus 3.8 μmol T3/kg diet or T3.8 from 6 to 14 days of age. There were four replicates per treatment and 120 birds in total. At 14 days of age, three chicks from each replicate of each treatment were pooled into a flock and fed commercial broiler diets until 7 weeks of age. Compared to CON group, birds fed with T3-supplemented diets had lower thyroid, abdominal fat pad, gizzard and pancreas weight, and heavier heart weight adjusted for fasted body weight. Chicks with T1.9 had lower ileal densities at 14 day old compared with those in Dp groups or CON. Chicks with T3.8 exhibited greater duodenal and jejunal O2 consumptions as well as ouabain-sensitive O2 consumptions of jejunum and small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) by 46.5%, 58.3%, 40.6%, and 26.4% increases, than those in CON. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the weight and length of the small intestine were negatively correlated with body weight gain. Oxygen consumption in the various small intestinal segments was negatively correlated with their respective densities (mg/mm2). In conclusion, a greater oxygen requirement for maintaining ouabain-sensitive respiration (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the intestine limits energy availability to support gastrointestinal tract growth and, thereby, may result in lower body weight gain.

Evaluation of mycotoxin binder supplementation on production parameters and organ weights in Toulouse geese with experimental aflatoxicosis

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the beneficial effects of a mycotoxin binder (Mycotox NG 0.05%) in 40 day-old Toulouse geese from both sexes with experimental aflatoxicosis. The birds were reared from day one to 42 days of age on deep litter system and divided into four groups. Normal feed free of aflatoxin (AFB1), was given to the control (Group 1). The feed of Group 2 was supplemented with 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG, aflatoxin (0.5 mg/kg feed) was supplemented to the feed of Group 3 and Mycotox NG (0.05%) + 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 - to the feed of Group 4. Production parameters (body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion) and relative organ weights were recorded. The results showed that the total feed intake, final live weight of Mycotox NG + AFB1 treated birds (Group 4) at 6 weeks of age were significantly increased (P&lt;0.01) as compared to birds treated only with AFB1 (Group 3). The total feed conversion ratio of the group given AFB1 only (Group 3) at 6 weeks of age was significantly increased (P&lt;0.01) compared to controls while in Mycotox Ng + AFB1 treated birds (Group-4) it was significantly increased (P&lt;0.01) by post treatment week 1 vs controls, but not as compared to birds treated with AFB1 alone. There was a significant increase in relative weights of liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, pancreas, proventriculus and gizzard in birds fed only aflatoxin (Group 3). The co-administration of Mycotox NG (0.5 g/kg feed) with AFB1 (Group 4) reduced the relative weights of thymus and bursa of Fabricius. The study concluded that dietary supplementation of Mycotox NG could partially neutralise aflatoxicity in geese.

Effects of riboflavin supplementation level on health, performance, and fertility of organic broiler parent stock and their chicks

Data from breeder hens and chicks are particularly critical for the development of vitamin B2 recommendations for organic poultry. To test safe thresholds of supplementation, 100 breeder hens (Hubbard JA 57 K) and ten cockerels were allocated to ten housing groups, with each receiving supplementation of either 4.0 (treatment CON) or 2.5 mg (treatment RED) riboflavin per kg feed. After 15 weeks of experimental feeding, 256 eggs were incubated. From the hatched chicks (Hubbard S757), 192 were allocated to four treatments based on their parents’ treatment (CON- or RED-) and on their own supplementation of either 4.0 (-CON) or 2.5 mg (-RED) riboflavin per kg feed. Two groups of each combination (CON-CON, CON-RED, RED-CON, RED-RED), each with 24 chicks of both sexes, were fattened for nine weeks and slaughtered. Analysis of total riboflavin (sum of native concentrations and supplements) in the parent’s feeds revealed an average, over the 15 weeks, of 7.8 and 5.8 mg per kg feed for CON and RED, respectively. Body weight, plumage integrity, gait appearance, footpad, claw and keel bone integrity, lesion scores, laying performance, and egg mass were found to be of similarly high levels for all hens without any treatment effects. Performance traits of the hens in both treatments reached the specifications of the producer for this genotype. Yolk and albumen riboflavin concentrations were not affected although yolk colour in the RED treatment group became darker. Fertility was not affected, and hatchability was 100 per cent. Total riboflavin concentrations in the broiler diets were on average, over 9 weeks, 8.2 and 6.1 mg/kg for CON and RED, respectively. In chicks, RED treatment of their parents led to significant depressions of feed intake and growth. The RED treatment of the chicks themselves also impaired growth. Growth rates of the CON-CON treatment were in line with the specifications of the producer for this genotype. Plumage scores, footpad integrity and walking appearance of the broilers, and dressing percentage of the carcasses were not affected by treatment. The RED treatment of chicks caused lower spleen and heart weights, while pancreas and liver weights, and liver riboflavin concentrations were not affected. In conclusion, supplementation of 4.0 mg/kg to organic diets did not evoke any health or performance problems for breeder hens or broiler chicks, while a supplementation level of 2.5 mg per kg feed led to reduced weight gains, although without any other riboflavin deficiency symptoms.

Dietary Protein Modulates the Efficacy of Taurine Supplementation on Adaptive Islet Function and Morphology in Obesity.

Adaptation of islet β-cell mass and function under limiting or excess nutrient availability is critical for maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Taurine regulates islet function of obese mice in normal and low dietary protein conditions, but whether this involves remodeling of the endocrine pancreas architecture is not well understood. Here, we carried functional and morphometric evaluation of the endocrine pancreas of normal and protein-restricted mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and investigated the role of taurine supplementation. Weaned mice were placed in a normal (C) or a low-protein diet (R) for 6weeks, followed by HFD for 8weeks (CH and RH). Half of HFD groups received 5% taurine supplementation since weaning (CHT and RHT) until the end of the experiment. Isolated islets from both CH and RH groups showed increased insulin release in association with increased pancreas weight and independently of changes in islet or β-cell area. In normal protein CHT mice, taurine supplementation prevented obesity-induced insulin hypersecretion and promoted increased islet and β-cell areas in association with increased protein expression of the proliferation marker, PCNA. On a low-protein background, taurine effects on islet function and morphology were blunted, but it prevented obesity-induced DNA fragmentation. In summary, taurine regulates islet function and morphology to improve the adaptive response to diet-induced obesity, but these effects are dependent on adequate dietary protein levels.

Influence on Mycotox® NG effects on relative weights of some internal organs in Pekin ducks with experimentally reproduced aflatoxicosis В1

Abstract. Contamination of poultry feeds with mycotoxins is a global problem faced by poultry industry due to increased demands and availability of poor-quality cereals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of a mycotoxin binder (Mycotox NG) on relative weights of internal organs in Pekin ducks with experimental aflatoxicosis. The birds were divided into one control and six experimental groups (n=10) as follows: group І (0 mg/kg AFB1 without Mycotox NG); group ІI (0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG); group ІІI (1.0 g/kg Mycotox NG); group IV (0.2 mg/kg AFB1); group V (0.4 mg/kg AFB1); group VI (0.2 mg/kg AFB1 + 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG) and group VII (0.4 mg/kg AFB1 + 1.0 g/kg Mycotox NG). Trial duration was 42 days. It was established that ducks fed AFB1-contaminated feed had increased relative weights of liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, gizzard and proventriculus compared to the control group. At the same time, the relative weights of immunocompetent organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius) were reduced. The addition of Mycotox NG to the feed contaminated with AFB1 compensated partly the changes in relative weights of visceral organs. The results from the present study demonstrated that the tested toxin binder could be effective for reduction of toxic effects of aflatoxins in domestic ducks.

Impact of Dietary Sodium Reduction on the Development of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in db/db Mice.

The impact of dietary sodium reduction on mouse models of type 2 diabetes is not well understood. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of a low-salt diet on obesity and parameters of type 2 diabetes in db/db mice. Five-week-old male db/db and lean db/m mice were fed a normal salt (0.19% Na+, NS) or a low-salt diet (<0.03% Na+, LS) for 5 weeks. Body and organ weight and parameters of glucose and insulin tolerance were analyzed. Plasma levels of steroids were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Body weight, glucose, and insulin tolerance were not affected by LS. The amount of gonadal adipose tissue showed a trend to be increased by LS whereas liver, pancreas, kidney, heart, and adrenal weight remained unaffected. LS reduced urinary sodium-to-creatinine ratio but did not affect plasma Na+ levels in both genotypes. Plasma and urinary potassium-to-creatinine ratio did not differ in all groups of mice. Aldosterone as a major determinant of changes in dietary sodium remained unaffected by LS in db/db mice as well as further investigated steroid hormones. The present study showed reduced sodium-to-creatinine ratio, but no additional effects of dietary sodium reduction on major metabolic parameters and steroid levels in obese and hyper-glycemic db/db mice.

Weight and Lenght of Digestive Organs of Super Native Chickens Fed of Amorphophallus companulatus Tuber Flour

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of Amorphophallus companulatus (AC) tuber flour in feed on the weight and length of the digestive organs of super-native chickens. This research was conducted for 8 weeks. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications (P0 = feed without AC tuber flour, P1 = feed containing 5% AC tuber flour, P2 = feed containing AC tuber flour 7.5%, and P3 = feed containing 10% AC tuber flour). The results showed that the use of AC tuber flour in the super free-range chicken feed had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on the weight and length of the small intestine and significantly (P&lt;0.05) on pancreatic weight, but had no effect (P&gt;0 .05) against gizzard. It was concluded that AC bulbs could be used up to 10% in super-free-range chicken feed. the use of AC tuber flour as much as 7.5% in super free-range chicken feed resulted in the highest intestinal weight, intestinal length, and pancreas weight.

A 104-bp Structural Variation of the ADPRHL1 Gene Is Associated With Growth Traits in Chickens

Analyzing marker-assisted breeding is an important method utilized in modern molecular breeding. Recent studies have determined that a large number of molecular markers appear to explain the impact of “lost heritability” on human height. Therefore, it is necessary to locate molecular marker sites in poultry and investigate the possible molecular mechanisms governing their effects. In this study, we found a 104-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 5′UTR of the ADPRHL1 gene through resequencing. In cross-designed F2 resource groups, the indel was significantly associated with weight at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks and a number of other traits [carcass weight (CW), semi-evisceration weight (SEW), evisceration weight (EW), claw weight (CLW), wings weight (DWW), gizzard weight (GW), pancreas weight (PW), chest muscle weight (CMW), leg weight (LW), leg muscle weight (LMW), shedding Weight (SW), liver rate (LR), and leg muscle rate (LMR)] (P < 0.05). In brief, the insertion-insertion (II) genotype was significantly associated with the greatest growth traits and meat quality traits, whereas the values associated with the insertion-deletion (ID) genotype were the lowest in the F2 reciprocal cross chickens. The mutation sites were genotyped in 4,526 individuals from 12 different chicken breeds and cross-designed F2 resource groups. The II genotype is the most important genotype in commercial broilers, and the I allele frequency observed in these breeds is relatively high. Deletion mutations tend to be fixed in commercial broilers. However, there is still considerable great potential for breeding in dual-purpose chickens and commercial laying hens. A luciferase reporter assay showed that the II genotype of the ADPRHL1 gene possessed 2.49-fold higher promoter activity than the DD genotype (P < 0.05). We hypothesized that this indel might affect the transcriptional activity of ADPRHL1, thereby affecting the growth traits of chickens. These findings may help to elucidate the function of the ADPRHL1 gene and facilitate enhanced reproduction in the chicken industry.

Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate reduced cell viability and insulin release capacity of β cells

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found to have multiple adverse outcomes on human health. Recently, epidemiological and toxicological studies showed that exposure to PFAS had adverse impacts on pancreas and showed association with insulin abnormalities. To explore how PFAS may contribute to diabetes, we studied impacts of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on cell viability and insulin release capacity of pancreatic β cells by using in vivo and in vitro methods. We found that 28-day administration with PFOS (10 mg/(kg body weight•day)) caused reductions of pancreas weight and islet size in male mice. PFOS administration also led to lower serum insulin level both in fasting state and after glucose infusion among male mice. For cell-based in vitro bioassay, we used mouse β-TC-6 cancer cells and found 48-hr exposure to PFOS decreased the cell viability at 50 μmol/L. By measuring insulin content in supernatant, 48-hr pretreatment of PFOS (100 μmol/L) decreased the insulin release capacity of β-TC-6 cells after glucose stimulation. Although these concentrations were higher than the environmental concentration of PFOS, it might be reasonable for high concentration of PFOS to exert observable toxic effects in mice considering mice had a faster removal efficiency of PFOS than human. PFOS exposure (50 μmol/L) to β-TC-6 cells induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxidative specie (ROS). Excessive ROS induced the reactive toxicity of cells, which eventually invoke apoptosis and necrosis. Results in this study provide evidence for the possible causal link of exposure to PFOS and diabetes risk.

Riboflavin for laying hens fed organic winter diets: effects of different supplementation rates on health, performance and egg quality

ABSTRACT For reasons of aspired naturalness and cost reduction, vitamin additions should be kept low in organic livestock systems. To define safe lower threshold levels of riboflavin supplementation in organic poultry feeding, 135 hybrid layers were allocated to three dietary treatments supplemented with either 4.5 (R4.5), 3.0 (R3.0) or 1.5 mg (R1.5) GMO-free riboflavin added per kg feed. This resulted in total measured concentration averages of 5.0, 4.5, and 3.1 mg kg−1 feed for R4.5, R3.0 and R1.5, respectively. For 18 weeks, each treatment was replicated in three groups of 15 hens. Feed consumption, laying performance, egg quality, riboflavin concentration in the yolk, and clinical health scores were assessed. Two hens per group (six per treatment) were slaughtered in weeks 11 and 18, respectively, for measurement of pancreas, spleen, liver and heart weights, and determination of liver riboflavin. No treatment effects on feed consumption, body weight, laying performance, egg weights, eggshell strength and yolk colour or plumage and keel bone integrity were observed. No symptoms of lameness or footpad damage were found. The riboflavin concentration in egg yolks in R1.5 was lower than in other treatments. Liver riboflavin concentration increased between week 11 and 18 in all treatments, but it was also lower in R1.5. Based on these results, the addition of 3 mg riboflavin kg−1 feed appeared to be sufficient with respect to the health and performance of laying hens. Supplementation with only 1.5 mg kg−1 resulted in some metabolic signs of deficiency. These results apply only to organic winter diets.

The effect of feed processing of novel unheated, low trypsin inhibitor soybeans on the performance of young female turkeys reared from hatch to 21 days of age

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of a novel low trypsin inhibitor soybean (LTI) fed as mash or crumbled pellet form on the productive performance and digestibility in turkey poults from hatch to 21 d. A total of 336 Hybrid Converter turkey poults were allocated in groups of 7 to 6 treatments, each with 8 replicate cages. Treatments were arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial with inclusion level of the low trypsin-inhibitor soybean (0, 20, and 40% LTI) and feed form (mash and crumbled pellet). A single batch of feed was mixed for each inclusion level and divided into 2 aliquots: one remaining as mash and the other conditioned at 82°C for approximately 30 s, pelleted and then crumbled. On d 7, 14, and 21 posthatching, BW, and feed intake (FI) were recorded and BW gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculated. Excreta samples were collected from d 19 to 21 and pooled by cage. At d 21, intestines were excised, pancreas weights recorded (PRW), and ileal contents collected. There were no interactions (linear, P > 0.05) between LTI inclusion and feed form on BW, BWG, FI, or FCR at d 7 or 21. Increasing LTI resulted in a linear reduction in BW at 7, 14, and 21 d (P < 0.006). Poults fed crumbles were significantly heavier at d 21 than those fed mash feed (P < 0.027) with no interaction of LTI level with feed form. FCR was not significantly greater with increasing LTI. However, poults fed crumbles had a better, lower FCR that those fed mash feed from d 0 to 21 (P < 0.018). There was a significant interaction between feed form and LTI level at 14 d (P < 0.031), but not 7 or 21 d. Pancreatic hypertrophy (PRW) increased linearly with increasing LTI (P < 0.001) with a significant linear interaction with feed form (P < 0.001). Poults fed crumbles had less pancreatic hypertrophy. At 21 d of age, dietary fat digestibility (ALD, %) was linearly reduced with increasing LTI (P < 0.001). However, poults fed crumbles had significantly better fat absorption than poults fed mash (91.2 vs. 85.8%) (P < 0.001), and there was a significant linear interaction between feed form and LTI level (P < 0.001). AMEn was significantly better for the poults fed crumbles compared to mash (3228 vs. 3132 kcal/kg) (P < 0.001), and there was a significant linear interaction between feed form and LTI level (P < 0.001). Based on the results this trial, it is possible to include up to 20% unheated full fat LTI soybeans into poult starter diets after pelleting. Pelleting improves nutrient utilization, allowing for greater incorporation of the LTI soybean in the crumbled diet compared to the mash diet.

Weight and histopathological changes in pancreas in alleged suicide cases

Pancreas will respond differently to stress situations, which results in histopathological changes in the gland. Glucagon and insulin are both secreted by pancreas, the former by alpha cells and latter by beta cells. Insulin may decrease during stress. These endocrine secretions enter the portal vein so that liver is exposed to high concentration of these hormones. This along with increase in its antagonistic hormones can contribute to the stressed induced hyperglycaemia. The aim is to find and compare the weight and histopathological changes of Pancreas in suicide and non suicide deaths. The pancreas were dissected during the autopsy from the cases with known history of death due to alleged suicide with clear history of non administration of steroids and was declared brought dead at GMCH, Chandigarh. The removed glands were preserved and fixed with 10% formalin for more than 2 weeks. After the period of fixation, grossing and section of gland was done, and slides of each subject was prepared and studied.In suicide group maximum weight is 78.2 grams and minimum is 67.3 grams. In non suicide maximum weight is 78.2 grams and minimum is 65.5 grams. The mean weight of the pancreas in the suicidal group was 71.27 grams and the standard deviation was 2.18 grams, whereas the mean weight of the pancreas in the non- suicidal group was 70.87 grams and the standard deviation was 2.63 grams. The P value comes out to be 0.41. Of the total 100 cases, only three (3%) revealed significant pathological findings and the rest 97 (97%) were histologically normal. In the study group there was one case each of pancreatic abscess, and necrotising pancreatitis. Pancreatitis abscess was diagnosed when the histology revealed focus of necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma with dense neutrophilic infiltration. Necrotising pancreatitis showed extensive necrotising inflammation of the pancreatic parenchyma. In the control group there was only 1 case (2%), of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis was labelled when fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma with mild lymphomononuclear cell infiltration. There was no significant difference between the weight of the pancreas in the suicidal and the non-suicidal group. Pathological findings were twice as common in the suicidal group as compared to the non-suicidal group.

Mebendazole disrupts stromal desmoplasia and tumorigenesis in two models of pancreatic cancer.

The five-year survival rate for metastatic pancreatic cancer is currently only 3%, which increases to 13% with local invasion only and to 39% with localized disease at diagnosis. Here we evaluated repurposed mebendazole, an approved anthelminthic drug, to determine how mebendazole might work at the different stages of pancreatic cancer formation and progression. We asked if mebendazole could prevent initiation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia precursor lesions, interfere with stromal desmoplasia, or suppress tumor growth and liver metastasis. In both the KrasLSL.G12D/+; Pdx1-Cre (KC) mouse model of caerulein-induced inflammatory pancreatitis and the KrasLSL.G12D/+; Tp53R172H/+; Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mouse model of advanced pancreatic cancer, mebendazole significantly reduced pancreas weight, dysplasia and intraepithelial neoplasia formation, compared to controls. Mebendazole significantly reduced trichrome-positive fibrotic connective tissue and α-SMA-positive activated pancreatic stellate cells that heralds fibrogenesis. In the aggressive KPC model, mebendazole significantly suppressed pancreatic tumor growth, both as an early and late intervention. Mebendazole reduced the overall incidence of pancreatic cancer and severity of liver metastasis in KPC mice. Using early models of pancreatic cancer, treatment with mebendazole resulted in less inflammation, decreased dysplasia, with the later stage model additionally showing a decreased tumor burden, less advanced tumors, and a reduction of metastasis. We conclude that mebendazole should be investigated further as a component of adjuvant therapy to slow progression and prevent metastasis, and well as for primary prevention in the highest risk patients.