Wk Body Weight Research Articles

A Blend of Tamarindus Indica and Curcuma Longa Extracts Alleviates Monosodium Iodoacetate (MIA)-Induced Osteoarthritic Pain and Joint Inflammation in Rats

Background and objective NXT15906F6 (TamaFlexTM) is a proprietary herbal composition containing Tamarindus indica seeds and Curcuma longa rhizome extracts. NXT15906F6 supplementation has been shown clinically effective in reducing knee joint pain and improving musculoskeletal functions in healthy and knee osteoarthritis (OA) subjects. The objective of the present study was to assess the possible molecular basis of the anti-OA efficacy of NXT15906F6 in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced model of OA in rats. Methods Healthy male Sprague Dawley rats (age: 8–9 wk body weight, B.W.: 225–308 g (n = 12) were randomly assigned to one of the six groups, (a) vehicle control, (b) MIA control, (c) Celecoxib (10 mg/kg B.W.), (d) TF-30 (30 mg/kg B.W.), (e) TF-60 (60 mg/kg B.W.), and (f) TF-100 (100 mg/kg B.W.). OA was induced by an intra-articular injection of 3 mg MIA into the right hind knee joint. The animals received either Celecoxib or TF through oral gavage over 28 days. The vehicle control animals received intra-articular sterile normal saline. Results Post-treatment, NXT15906F6 groups showed significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent pain relief as evidenced by improved body weight-bearing capacity on the right hind limb. NXT15906F6 treatment also significantly reduced the serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, p < 0.05) and nitrite (p < 0.05) levels in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA expression analyses revealed the up-regulation of collagen type-II (COL2A1) and down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-13) in the cartilage tissues of NXT15906F6-supplemented rats. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expressions were down-regulated. Decreased immunolocalization of NF-κβ (p65) was observed in the joint tissues of NXT15906F6-supplemented rats. Furthermore, microscopic observations revealed that NXT15906F6 preserved MIA-induced rats’ joint architecture and integrity. Conclusion NXT15906F6 reduces MIA-induced joint pain, inflammation, and cartilage degradation in rats.

Research Note: Effect of selection for body weight on the adipogenic conversion of turkey myogenic satellite cells by Syndecan-4 and its covalently attached N-glycosylation chains

Adult myoblasts, satellite cells, will proliferate, and differentiate into myotubes in vitro. However, changes in environmental and nutritional conditions will result in the satellite cells differentiating into adipocyte-like cells synthesizing lipids. Prior research has shown that levels of N-glycosylation and heparan sulfate can promote or prevent the adipogenic conversion of myogenic satellite cells. Syndecan-4, an N-glycosylated heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been shown to play key roles in satellite cell proliferation and migration. The objective of the current study was to determine if syndecan-4, and syndecan-4 N-glycosylation and heparan sulfate chain levels altered the conversion of satellite cells to an adipogenic cell fate and if growth selection affected the response of the satellite cells. Over-expression of syndecan-4, syndecan-4 without N-glycosylated chains but with its heparan sulfate chains attached, syndecan-4 without heparan sulfate chains with its N-glycosylation chains, and syndecan-4 without N-glycosylation and heparan sulfate chains was measured for lipid accumulation in pectoralis major muscle satellite cells isolated from the Randombred Control line 2 (RBC2) and 16 wk body weight (F line) turkeys. The F line was selected from the RBC2 line for only 16 wk body weight. Results from this study demonstrated that wild type levels of syndecan-4 and its covalently attached N-glycosylation chains play a key role in regulating the conversion of pectoralis major muscle satellite cells to an adipogenic lineage while selection for body weight was not a major contributing factor in this conversion.

Research Note: The effect of selection for 16-week body weight on turkey serum metabolome

The phenotype of modern commercial turkeys is substantially different than that of unselected, heritage turkey lines. These phenotypic changes have arisen from alterations in the genome/transcriptome, as well as the influence of many external factors on growth performance including nutrition, environment, and management. To investigate the phenotypic changes resulting from genetic selection for increased body weight, The Ohio State University maintains 2 unique genetic turkey lines: the randombred control (RBC2) line, which is comprised of genetics from 1960 era commercial turkeys and has been maintained without conscious selection for any trait; and the F line, which was originally selected from the RBC2 line and has been selected for increased 16 wk body weight for over 50 generations. This study used broad-spectrum mass-spectrometry profiling techniques to identify and quantify differences in the metabolome of the serum of F and RBC2 turkey lines. Serum samples from both F and RBC2 turkeys were subject to quantitative time of flight liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Principle component analyses showed distinct populations of metabolites in the F vs. RBC2 serum, suggesting that increased body weight is associated with the accumulation of several metabolites. Comparing the spectral features to online databases resulted in the selection of 104 features with potentially identifiable chemical structures. Of these 104 features, 25 were found at higher levels in the serum of the RBC2 line turkeys, while 79 were found at a greater abundance in the F line turkeys. A more detailed analysis of these 104 features allowed for the putative identification of 49 compounds, which were clustered into 6 functional groups: 1) energy metabolism; 2) vitamins; 3) hormones and signaling molecules; 4) lipid derivatives, fatty acid metabolites, and membrane components; 5) amino acid/protein metabolism; and 6) microbial metabolites. Further validation and experimentation is needed to confirm the identity of these metabolites and understand their biological relevance and association with selection for increased body weight.

Continual Selection for Increased 16 wk Body Weight on Turkey Growth and Meat Quality: 50 Generation Update

SUMMARY Today commercial turkeys have an average body weight of nearly 17 kg within 16 wk of age. Approximately 50 yr prior, commercial turkeys reached 5 to 7 kg in the same period of time. Much of the increased growth can be attributed to genetic advances attained through selection for greater body weight, feed efficiency, and meat yield. Recent meat quality challenges have arisen and are attributed to the rapid growth of commercial turkeys. In the current study, 2 lines of turkeys were compared: the Randombred Control Line 2 (RBC2), which is representative of a late 1960’s commercial turkey and has been maintained without conscious selection for any trait, and the F line which was selected for only increased 16 wk body weight from the RBC2 line. After 50 generations of selection for increased body weight, the F line turkeys are now 2.5-times heavier than the RBC2 turkeys. Even with the increased weight gain, feed conversion rate was not different between the F and RBC2 lines. The pectoralis major (p. major: breast muscle) from the F line turkeys contained significantly more intramuscular fat compared to breasts from the RBC2 turkeys. Fresh breast color and shear force were not significantly different between the 2 lines. The results from the current study demonstrate that 50 generations of selection for increased 16 wk body weight has minimally impacted fresh meat quality. However, increased intramuscular fat content may deter consumers whom select turkey products due to it being a high-quality low fat source of protein.

Thermal challenge alters the transcriptional profile of the breast muscle in turkey poults

Extremes in temperature represent environmental stressors that impact the well-being and economic value of poultry. As homeotherms, young poultry with immature thermoregulatory systems are especially susceptible to thermal extremes. Genetic variation and differences in gene expression resulting from selection for production traits, likely contribute to thermal stress response. This study was designed to investigate in vivo transcriptional changes in the breast muscle of young turkey poults from an unselected randombred line and one selected for 16 wk body weight under hot and cold thermal challenge. Newly hatched turkey poults were brooded for 3 d at one of 3 temperatures: control (35°C), cold (31°C), or hot (39°C). Samples of the pectoralis major were harvested and subjected to deep RNA sequencing. Significant differential gene expression was observed in both growth-selected and randombred birds at both temperature extremes when compared to control-brooded poults. Growth-selected birds responded to thermal stress through changes in genes predicted to have downstream transcriptional effects and that would result in reduced muscle growth. Slower growing randombred birds responded to thermal stress through modulation of lipid-related genes, suggesting reduction in lipid storage, transport, and synthesis, consistent with changes in energy metabolism required to maintain body temperature.

Parental sex effect of parthenogenesis on progeny production and performance of Chinese Painted Quail (Coturnix chinensis)

Embryonic development of an unfertilized egg, parthenogenesis, is known to occur in Chinese Painted quail. However, selection for parthenogenesis in both the dam and sire leads to a reduction in hatchability following mating. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if selection for parthenogenesis in the dam, sire, or both also impact their progeny performance. There were 2 lines of birds used in this trial: 1 line selected for parthenogenesis and 1 line not selected for parthenogenesis (control) yielding breeding pairs as follows: control dams + control sires (CC), control dams + parthenogenetic sires (CP), parthenogenetic dams + control sires (PC), and parthenogenetic dams + parthenogenetic sires (PP). For all progeny, a dam line main effect revealed that the parthenogenetic line dams had heavier offspring hatch weight and 4 wk body weight as well as higher 1st wk chick mortality versus control line dams. However, control line dams had the highest 4th wk chick mortality versus parthenogenetic line dams. In female virgin progeny, a dam by sire interaction revealed that PP, PC, and CP had the heaviest 1st egg in the clutch position versus CC. Also, eggs from PP had the highest number of eggs and the most female progeny exhibiting parthenogenesis versus CC. There was a linear increase in egg weight as clutch position increased for progeny from PP and CC yet a linear decline for CP. In conclusion, it appears that both the dam and sire selected for parthenogenesis impact progeny performance as parthenogenetic dams and sires additively contribute to the degree of parthenogenesis exhibited by virgin female progeny. Moreover, because parthenogenesis is known to exist in the modern poultry industry, even the accidental selection of the parthenogenetic trait in either males or females could have a negative impact on overall chick production and performance.

Temperature effect on proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells from turkeys with different growth rates

Poultry selected for growth have an inefficient thermoregulatory system and are more sensitive to temperature extremes. Satellite cells are precursors to skeletal muscle and mediate all posthatch muscle growth. Their physiological functions are affected by temperature. The objective of the current study was to determine how temperature affects satellite cells isolated from the pectoralis major (p. major) muscle (breast muscle) of turkeys selected for increased 16 wk body weight (F line) in comparison to a randombred control line (RBC2) from which the F line originated. Pectoralis major muscle satellite cells were thermally challenged by culturing between 33°C and 43°C to analyze the effects of cold and heat on proliferation and differentiation as compared to control temperature of 38°C. Expression levels of myogenic regulatory factors: myogenic differentiation factor 1 (MYOD1) and myogenin (MYOG) were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). At all sampling times, proliferation increased at a linear rate across temperature in both the RBC2 and F lines. Differentiation also increased at a linear rate across temperature from 33 to 41°C at all sampling times in both the F and RBC2 lines. Satellite cells isolated from F line turkeys were more sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures as proliferation and differentiation increased to a greater extent across temperature (33 to 43°C) when compared with the RBC2 line. Expression of MYOD1 and MYOG increased as temperatures increased from 33 to 41°C at all sampling times in both the F and RBC2 lines. These results demonstrate that satellite cell function is sensitive to both cold and hot temperatures and p. major muscle satellite cells from F line turkeys are more sensitive to temperature extremes than RBC2 satellite cells.

Effect of Floor Space on the Performance of Broiler Quails at Different Seasons

Agarwal, S.K., Bhanja, S.K., Majumdar, S. and Narayan, R. 2003. Effect of floor space on the performance of broiler quails at different seasons. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 23: 185–194. The broiler' quail chicks hatched during summer (May 2000) and winter (Nov 2000) were randomly distributed in battery brooders (160x80x25 cm) at the floor space of 100, 150 and 180 cm2/bird during brooding period (0–3 wk). Thereafter, one group in each floor space was reared with same floor space and, another with higher floor space in the rearing cages (60x60x24 cm) until 5th wk of age. During brooding period, the birds kept at 180 cm′ floor space recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher 3rd wk body weight and feed consumption both during summer and winter. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR) during that period was significantly better (P<0.05) in 100 cm″ floor space. The birds provided extra floor space during finishing period. (3–5 wk) recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher 5th wk body weight and belter FCR than the birds kept at the same floor space. Dressing percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) with increased floor space. It may be more profitable if the broiler quails are kept at lower floor space during brooding period, and. then shifted to higher floor space in growing period.

Inherent capacity for lipogenesis or dietary fat retention is not increased in obesity-prone rats.

Obesity results from positive energy balance and, perhaps, abnormalities in lipid and glycogen metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in lipogenesis, retention of dietary fat, and/or glycogenesis influenced susceptibility to dietary obesity. After 1 wk of free access to a high-fat diet (HFD; 45% fat by energy) rats were separated on the basis of 1 wk body weight gain into obesity-prone (OP; > or =48 g) or obesity-resistant groups (OR; < or =40 g). Rats were either studied at this time (OR1, OP1) or continued on the HFD for an additional 4 wk (OR5, OP5). Weight gain and energy intake were greater (P < or = 0.05) in OP vs. OR at both 1 (53 +/- 2 vs. 34 +/- 1 g; 892 +/- 27 vs. 755 +/- 14 kcal) and 5 (208 +/- 7 vs. 170 +/- 7 g; 4,484 +/- 82 vs. 4,008 +/- 72 kcal) wk, respectively. Rats were injected with (3)H(2)O and were either provided free access to an HFD meal containing labeled fatty acids (fed; n = 10 or 11/group) or were fasted (n = 10/group) overnight. The amount of food or (14)C tracer eaten overnight was equivalent between OP and OR rats. In liver, the fraction of (3)H retained in glycogen or lipid was not significantly different between OR and OP groups. Retention of dietary fat in the liver was not increased in OP rats. In adipose tissue, retention of (3)H was approximately 49% greater (P < or = 0.05) in OP1 vs. OR1 and approximately 30% greater in OP5 vs. OR5, but retention of dietary fat was not elevated in OP vs. OR. At the same time, fat pad weight (sum of epididymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric) was 49% greater in OP1 rats vs. OR1 rats and 65% greater in OP5 vs. OR5 rats (P < or = 0.05). Thus a greater capacity for lipogenesis or retention of dietary fat does not appear to be included in the OP phenotype. The characteristic increase in energy intake associated with OP rats appears to be necessary and critical to accelerated weight and fat gain.

Comparison of Normal and High-Oil Corns for Turkeys

Normal (NC) and high-oil (HOC) corns were compared in isocaloric diets of growing turkeys during 6 to 21 wk of age. Body weight (BW) fell behind with HOC during 6 to 15 wk, possibly due to the higher animal fat levels with NC diets. At 21 wk BW of turkeys fed NC and HOC were similar. HOC resulted in reduced breast yield and abdominal fat (P<.05), more linoleic acid in meat (P<.01), and greater protection against oxidative rancidity during refrigerator storage (P=.07).

Effect of 2-row or 6-row barley and a commercial enzyme preparation on growing-finishing broiler chickens from 3 to 6 weeks of age

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of barley-based diets with or without a crude enzyme preparation for male broiler chickens from 3 to 6 wk of age. Treatments consisted of feeding grower and finisher diets based on two locally grown cultivars of barley, 2-row (unspecified cultivar) and 6-row (Leger) added at 0, 20, 40 and 60%, with 0 or 1000 mg commercial enzyme preparation/kg diet. The starter diet contained no barley. Enzyme addition to the 2-row barley-based diets resulted in significantly heavier 6 wk body weights compared to the non-supplemented diets and significantly improved feed efficiencies during the 5- to 6-wk period indicating an enzyme response in older birds. Level of 2-row barley did not have significant main effects on 6 wk body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, mortality, or live grade, except for leg abnormalities. A significant linear contrast revealed increased percentage of leg abnormalities as the level of barley in the diet increased. Significant interactions were found between level of 2-row barley and enzyme addition for feed consumption and feed efficiency from 3 to 5 wk of age. Significant quadratic contrasts for level of barley within non-supplemented treatments indicated lower feed consumption of the 20 and 40% barley-fed birds than the 0 and 60% barley-fed birds during the 3-to 5-wk period. During the 5- to 6-wk period, feed consumption of the enzyme-supplemented diets increased linearly with percentage of barley in the ration. Neither level of 6-row barley nor enzyme addition to the 6-row barley diets had significant main effects on 6 wk body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, or live grade. Significant interactions were found between level of 6-row barley and enzyme addition for 6 wk body weight, 3–6 wk weight gain and feed consumption for the 5–6 wk period. A significant quadratic contrast for level of barley within non-supplemented treatments revealed lower feed consumption of the 20 and 40% barley-fed birds compared to the 0 and 60% barley-fed birds during the 5–6 wk period. Thus, for the diets without glucanase, there was an effect of barley percentage which became apparent at different ages depending on the barley cultivar. As with the 2-row barley diets, there was a significant linear increase in feed consumption of the enzyme-supplemented diets as the level of 6-row barley in the diet increased during the 5–6 wk period. It appears from the results that the grower and finisher diets could contain up to 60% barley without being detrimental to growth but incidence of mortality or leg abnormality may increase somewhat. Enzyme addition improved feed efficiency for the 2-row barley diets, and erased the quadratic effects of barley level apparent when diets did not include β-glucanase. Key words: Barley, broiler chicken, enzyme, growth

Analysis of myocardial response to significant weight loss in obese rats

We evaluated cardiac response to weight loss induced by a very-low-energy (VLE) diet similar to commercially available protein-sparing diets. Such diets have been implicated in sudden death, and whether organ and tissue responses to them are untoward is not known. Rapid weight loss was induced in rats with weights ranging from obese to normal, and cardiac mass and myocardial histomorphometry were assessed. Over 3 wk body weight dropped from 544 +/- 12 to 417 +/- 21 g (P < 0.001). Heart weight was less in the VLE group than in obese controls (1246 +/- 115 vs 1625 +/- 179 mg, P < 0.001), as were the weights of the left ventricle (805 +/- 81 vs 1061 +/- 134 mg, P < 0.001) and right ventricle (198 +/- 27 vs 265 +/- 40 mg, P < 0.002). Reduction in heart weight was commensurate with loss of body weight (r = 0.89). Myocyte cross-sectional area was reduced in the VLE group (452.6 +/- 108.6 to 331.8 +/- 41.5 microns 2, P < 0.05), with no structural abnormalities. We conclude that weight loss in the weight range studied is accompanied by proportional reduction in cardiac mass and myocyte size. Myocardial regression is not accompanied by myocyte dropout or edema, and likely represents a simple adaptation to reduced body size.