Edible birds' nest (EBN) hydrolysate for bovine sperm cryopreservation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing different concentrations of EBN into Tris (Tr) and Bioxcell (Bx) extenders on bull sperm cryopreservation. A total of 12 semen samples were collected from mature bulls by electro ejaculation. The semen samples were evaluated both freshly and after cryopreservation for quality based on % sperm general and progressive motility (under a microscope), viability and abnormal morphology (using eosin-nigrosin stain). The fresh samples were then diluted and extended using the two extenders containing 0% (control), 0.03%, 0.06%, and 0.12% of EBN. Chilled at 4°C for 3 hours before packaged into 0.25 mL straws and frozen into liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for 48 hours. Results for both extenders revealed insignificant differences (P > 0.05) in all parameters between the different EBN treatment groups and control. Although not significant, 0.12% EBN in both extenders showed the lowest % abnormality, close to the fresh sample reading. In conclusion, EBN concentrations used in this study do not significantly improve sperm quality after freezing. However, the improvement in sperm morphology observed at 0.12% EBN (highest concentration) might imply importance of further increase in dosage for significant effect in future studies

Effects of EBN on embryo implantation, plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones, and uterine expressions of genes of PCNA, steroids, growth factors and their receptors in rats

This study was conducted to determine the effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on uterine function and embryo-implantation rate. A total of 24 adult female rats, divided equally into four groups, were treated with different doses of EBN for 8 weeks. In the last week of treatment, intact fertile male rats were introduced into each group (three per group) for overnight for mating. On day 7 post-mating (post-implantation), blood samples were collected from the hearts of anaesthetised rats that were later sacrificed. The uteri were removed for assessment of embryo implantation rate, histological and electron microscopic examination, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results showed that as the concentration of EBN supplemented increased, the pregnancy and embryo implantation rates were also increased in the treated groups; significantly at G3 and G4. Although histological evaluation did not show much difference among the groups, scanning electron microscopic examination showed enhanced development of elongated microvilli and pinopods in G4. Results also revealed up-regulated expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nulear antigen (PCNA), and progesterone and estrogen receptors (P4R, E2R) in the uteri of treated groups. Moreover, plasma E2, P4, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (P) levels were higher (p < 0.05) in G3 and G4. The EBN increased the antioxidant (AO) and total AO capacities (TAC) and reduced oxidative stress (OS) levels in pregnant rats. In conclusion, findings of this study revealed that EBN enhances fertility and embryo implantation rate via promoting proliferation and differentiation of uterine structures as evidenced by the upregulation of the expressions of steroid receptors, EGF, EGFR, VEGF, and PCNA in the uterus. Furthermore, observations of improved growth of ultrastructural pinopods that assist in embryo attachment with uterine epithelium, increased concentrations of E2, P4, GH and P levels, as well as increased AO capacities with reduced OS levels in the treated groups might reflect additional possible mechanisms by which EBN enhances embryo implantation rate and pregnancy success

Kesan pencernaan gastrousus terhadap ciri fizikokimia dan kebiotersediaan antioksidan produk chia

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) adalah bijirin pseudo yang kaya dengan asid lemak tak tepu (PUFA) dan protein berfungsi. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan sifat fizikokimia dan kebiotersediaan antioksidan produk chia iaitu tepung chia ternyah lemak (TCT), pencilan protein chia (IPC), hidrolisat protein chia (HPC) dan nanokapsul hidrolisat protein chia (nHPC). Simulasi model pencernaan gastrousus secara in-vitro telah mengasingkan protein chia kepada empat pecahan berbeza iaitu sampel sebelum dicerna (ND), fraksi tercerna pasca-gastrik (PG), fraksi tercerna pasca-usus yang diserap oleh kolon (PUa) dan fraksi tercerna pasca-usus yang tertinggal dalam kolon (PUb). Sampel nHPC mencatatkan darjah hidrolisis (DH) paling rendah (p<0.05) (19.72%) selepas fasa pencernaan gastrik dan tiada perubahan signifikan (p<0.05) selepas pencernaan usus. Penyusutan (p<0.05) nilai asid amino hidrofobik (AAH) dan asid amino aromatik (AAR) bagi sampel nHPC direkodkan selepas pencernaan gastrousus (PUa), masing-masing sebanyak 4.81 dan 3.95%. Berbanding semua sampel, HPC dan nHPC mencatatkan nilai tertinggi (p<0.05) potensi pemerangkapan radikal DPPH dan ABTS sampel TCT dan IPC, sebaliknya mengurangkan (p<0.05) potensi antioksidan bagi sampel HPC. Berdasarkan ujian FRAP, pencernaan gastrousus tidak memberi kesan (p<0.05) terhadap kapasiti antioksidan bagi sampel nHPC. Kesimpulannya, pencernaan gastrousus mempengaruhi sifat fisikokimia dan kebiotersediaan antioksidan produk chia yang dikaji, memberikan kefahaman penting tentang manfaat kesihatan dan aplikasi produk chia dalam diet pemakanan manusia

Comparison between pork and wild boar meat (sus scrofa) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)(Perbandingan di antara daging babi dan babi hutan (Sus scrofa) dengan menggunakan analisis tindak balas rantaian Polymerase-Polimorfisme panjang cebisan pemotongan (PCR-RFLP)

A method of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) has been utilized to differentiate the mitochondrial genes of pork and wild boar meat (Sus scrofa). The amplification PCR products of 359 bp and 531 bp were successfully amplified from the cyt b gene of these two meats. The amplification product of pork and wild boar using mt-12S rRNA gene successfully produced a single band with molecular size of 456 bp. Three restriction endonucleases (AluI, HindIII and BsaJI) were used to restrict the amplification products of the mitochondrial genes. The restriction enzymes of AluI and BsaJI were identified as potential restriction endonucleases to differentiate those meats. HindIII enzyme was unable to restrict the PCR product of both meats. The genetic differences within the cyt b gene among the two meats were successfully confirmed by PCR-RFLP analysi

A preliminary study on the effects of E-Z Mixin® and EquiPlus® extenders supplemented with Edible Bird's Nest on the quality of chilled Arabian stallion semen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding different concentrations of edible bird's nest (EBN) which is secreted by swiftlet birds (Aerodramus fuciphagus), into EquiPlus® and E-Z Mixin® extenders on the quality of chilled Arabian stallion semen at various storage times (0, 24 and 48 h). Ten ejaculates were collected from five stallions, and diluted using the two extenders containing 0% (control), 0.12%, 0.24% and 0.24% of EBN + seminal plasma (SP). All the diluted semen samples were then cooled and stored at 5 °C, and examined at 0, 24 and 48 h. Sperm kinetic parameters were assessed using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and viability were assessed using Hoechst33342/PI stain. In both extenders, total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) were significantly higher at 0.12% and 0.24% compared to 0.24% + SP at 24 and 48 h. At 0.12%, E-Z mixin® treated semen had significantly higher TM and PM than EquiPlus® at 24 and 48 h. At 0.12% and 0.24%, average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly higher in E-Z mixin® treated semen compared to EquiPlus® at 24 and 48 h. Comparisons between the two extender types at different concentrations of EBN showed no significant difference in lateral head amplitude (ALH), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), beat cross frequency (BCF) and viability, irrespective of the storage time. The percentage of viable was significantly higher in E-Z mixin® than EquiPlus® at 0 and 48 h in control and 0.12%. Supplementation of the E-Z mixin® extender with 0.12% and 0.24% EBN concentrations in the absence of SP provided better CASA parameters such as TM, PM, VAP, VSL, and VCL at 24 and 48 h storage time. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that chilled semen from Arabian stallion that was extended using E-Z mixin® and supplemented with 0.12% and 0.24% EBN concentrations performed better and yielded superior results in sperm kinetic parameters and % viable compared to EquiPlus® at 24 and 48 h storage time

The role of edible bird's nest and mechanism of averting lead acetate toxicity effect on rat uterus

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on the uteri of rats exposed to lead acetate (LA) toxicity. Materials and Methods: Five treatment groups were established as follows: Group 1 (C), which was given distilled water; Group 2 (T0), which was administered with LA (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]); and Groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2), and 5 (T3), which were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively, for days. Rats were euthanized at week 5 to collect blood for superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, and uterus for histomorphological study and expression analyses of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: Results revealed that LA causes destruction of uterine lining cells and necrosis of uterine glands of exposed rats without EBN supplement while the degree of damage decreased among EBN treated groups; T3 showed the highest ameliorating effect against LA toxicity, as well as an increased number of uterine glands. Increased levels of SOD were also achieved in EBN supplemented groups than the controls. Results of immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA levels (p<0.05) in T3 compared to other treatments. EBN maintained upregulation of antioxidant – reactive oxygen species balance. Conclusion: The findings showed that EBN could ameliorate the detrimental effects of LA toxicity on the uterus possibly by enhancing enzymatic antioxidant (SOD) activity as well as expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA with cell proliferation roles

Kesan transglutaminase kepada ciri fizikokimia dan aktiviti biologi hidrolisat sarang burung walit

Kajian terdahulu menunjukkan bahawa glikoprotein sarang burung walit boleh dihidrolisis dan dipulihkan sebagai hidrolisat sarang burung walit (SBWh) yang boleh dimakan dalam bentuk serbuk. Kajian ini adalah kerja sambungan daripada kajian terdahulu, yang mana pelbagai kepekatan enzim transglutaminase (TG) telah digunakan dalam pembentukan semula bentuk serbuk SBWh menggunakan acuan dan kesannya terhadap sifat fizikokimia dan bioaktiviti SBWh. Proses hidrolisis enzim menunjukkan bahawa sampel SBWh mempunyai hasil pulih lebih daripada 60% dan menunjukkan warna yang lebih terang daripada SBW mentah. Kelarutan SBWh dengan TG lebih rendah tetapi ia boleh dibentuk semula ke bentuk yang diingini. Corak spektrum FTIR untuk sampel SBWh juga menunjukkan bahawa ketulenan glikopeptida SBW yang tinggi telah diperoleh. Untuk aktiviti antioksidan, produk sampingan SBWh (SBWhcp) menunjukkan aktiviti penyingkiran radikal bebas DPPH yang lebih tinggi. Secara ringkasnya, penambahan TG kepada SBWh telah meningkatkan sifat fizikokimia dan bioaktiviti. Penemuan ini menghasilkan wawasan tentang aplikasi dan pembangunan produk EBN menggunakan EBNh dengan TG yang mempunyai bioaktiviti yang tinggi