Actions of angiotensin II and dopamine in the medial preoptic area on prolactin secretion

Dopamine (DA) is known as a primary regulator of prolactin secretion (PRL) and angiotensin II (Ang II) has been recognized as one brain inhibitory factor of this secretion. In this work, estrogen-primed or unprimed ovariectornized rats were submitted to the microinjection of saline or Ang II after previous microinjection of saline or of DA antagonist (haloperidol, sulpiride or SCH) both in the medial preoptic area (MPOA). Our study of these interactions has shown that 1) estrogen-induced PRL secretion is mediated by Ang II and DA actions in the MPOA, i.e. very high plasma PRL would be prevented by inhibitory action of Ang II, while very low levels would be prevented in part by stimulatory action of DA through D-2 receptors, 2) the inhibitory action of Ang II depends on estrogen and is mediated in part by inhibitory action of DA through D, receptors and in other part by inhibition of stimulatory action of DA through D2 receptors

Estabilidade fenotípica de genótipos de morangueiro submetidos a número variável de subcultivos in vitro.

201

Evaluation of different oil sources for nursery pigs

A total of 210 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 28.9 lb BW) were used in a 21-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing oil sources on nursery pig growth performance. The 2 oil sources included a commercial source of soybean oil and a proprietary source of corn oil originating from the ethanol industry (Corn Oil ONE, Feed Energy Co., Pleasant Hill, IA). The 5 experimental diets included: a control diet without added oil, diets with 2.5 or 5% added soybean oil, or diets with 2.5 and 5% added corn oil. Diets were formulated with an identical standardized ileal digestible lysine:calorie ratio and were fed in meal form. There were 6 pens per treatment with 7 pigs per pen. Overall, from d 0 to 21, no oil source × level interactions were observed. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil had no effect on ADG or final BW. Increasing corn oil or soybean oil decreased (linear, P \u3c 0.05) ADFI, which resulted in improved (linear, P \u3c 0.01) F/G. Caloric efficiency was not affected by oil source or level. Feed cost per pig tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.066) for pigs fed increasing levels of soy oil. Cost per pound of gain decreased for both Corn Oil ONE (linear, P = 0.032) and soybean oil (linear, P = 0.008) as oil level increased. Value of the weight gain and income over feed cost was similar for pigs fed diets with Corn Oil ONE and soybean oil (P = 0.833). This study shows the benefits of adding a dietary oil source in late-phase nursery diets to achieve improved feed efficiency. Corn Oil ONE is a suitable alternative for soybean oil, and cost and availability should dictate which source is used.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Semeadura direta de soja sobre diferentes plantas de cobertura e manejos de palhada, na região norte fluminense.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as características agronômicas da cultura da soja em rotação a plantas de cobertura com dois manejos dos resíduos, foi realizado um experímento em campo na região norte fluminense. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram constituídas dos manejos (roçado e não-roçado) e as subparcelas constaram das plantas de cobertura (aveia-preta, milheto, sorgo, teosinto, nabo-forrageiro, mucuna-anã, tremoço-branco, guandu-anão e vegetação espontânea com predomínio de capim-colchão). No manejo não roçado a produtividade média de soja nas sucessões com aveia preta e vegetação espontânea foi 50% superior à das sucessões com mucuna-anã, milheto, guandu-anão e sorgo. Já no manejo com roçada, a produtividade média nas sucessões com milheto, teosinto e vegetação espontânea foi 79% superior às sucessões com tremoço-branco e mucuna-anã. Além disso, o manejo mecânico do milheto resultou em acréscimo de 1.154 kg ha' de soja, comparado à ausência da roçada

Effects of algae-derived β-glucans with zinc on nursery pig growth performance and immune response under commercial conditions

An experiment was conducted to determine the impact of increasing levels of Algamune ZPC (Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI) on growth performance and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-specific immune response of nursery pigs housed under commercial conditions. Algamune ZPC is a polysaccharide-zinc complex feed additive composed of 35% β-1,3-glucan extracted from algae and 10% zinc. A total of 2,484 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 15.7 lb) were used in a 40-d trial. After feeding a common pelleted diet for 7 d after weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 14 or 16 replicate pens and 27 pigs per pen. All pigs were vaccinated with PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae vaccines (1 mL Fostera PCV and 1 mL Respisure- One; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) at d 3 after birth and at weaning. Blood samples of 72 pigs (12 pens per treatment) were collected on d 2, 18, and 38. The 6 experimental diets were fed in two phases (d 0 to 12 and 12 to 40). Dietary treatments included: a negative control diet fed in both phases (1,910 and 110 ppm of zinc oxide in Phase 1 and 2, respectively); the negative control diet with 104, 208, 423, and 625 ppm added Algamune ZPC for both Phase 1 and Phase 2; and a negative control diet with 423 ppm added Algamune ZPC fed during phase Phase 1 followed by the negative control in Phase 2. From d 0 to 40, increasing Algamune ZPC tended to decrease then increase (quadratic, P = 0.09) ADG and increase (linear, P = 0.10) ADFI. No differences were observed in F/G. There were no differences (P \u3e 0.54) in ADG, ADFI or F/G in pigs fed 423 ppm Algamune ZPC in both phases compared with pigs fed 423 ppm Algamune ZPC only in Phase 1 and the negative control diet fed in Phase 2. The lowest removal rates were observed among pigs assigned to 423 ppm Algamune ZPC only in Phase 1 or in both phases (0 and 0.27%, respectively). No evidence of differences was detected in PCV2-neutralizing antibody titers on d 16, but the titers decreased on d 38 (linear, P = 0.04) with increasing Algamune ZPC. In conclusion, including up to 625 ppm of Algamune ZPC in nursery pig diets from 16 to 56 lb had minimal impact on growth performance. Also, modulation of the specific immune response to PCV2 on d 38 after weaning was negatively related to increasing Algamune ZPC under commercial conditions. Key words: β-glucans, immune response, nursery 1 The authors thank Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI, for providing Algamune ZPC and for partial financial support. 2 Appreciation is expressed to New Horizon Farms for use of pigs and facilities and to Lanny Bosma, Shannon Paulson, and Marty Heintz for technical assistance. 3 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University. 64 SWINE DAY 2014 Introduction Feed additives that could modulate the immune response of nursery pigs may serve as an alternative to growth-promoting antimicrobials. β-glucans are polysaccharides containing only glucose and are found as cellulose in plants; cell walls of yeast, fungi, or bacteria; and bran of cereal grains. Research has shown that dietary inclusion of 0.025% of yeast-derived β-glucans in nursery pig diets increased ADG, ADFI, and pig BW on d 28 after weaning (Dritz et al., 19954). In addition, pigs fed 0.025% β-glucans had an increased mortality rate compared with pigs fed the negative control or 0.05% β-glucans, but Li et al. (20065) observed an improvement in the immune system of pigs fed yeast-derived β-glucans. Most research has been performed with β-glucans extracted from specific yeast cell wall components. A new product, Algamune ZPC (Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, MI), contains β-glucans extracted from algae and is a polysaccharide-zinc complex (35% β-1,3-glucan and 10% zinc). Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of Algamune ZPC on growth performance, removal rate, and PCV2-specific immune response of nursery pigs housed under commercial conditions. Procedures The protocol for this experiment was approved by the Kansas State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The study was conducted at a commercial research nursery in southwestern Minnesota. The facility was totally enclosed, environmentally controlled, and mechanically ventilated. Pens were distributed across 2 rooms and had completely slatted flooring and deep pits for manure storage. Each pen was equipped with a 5-hole stainless steel dry self-feeder and a pan waterer for ad libitum access to feed and water. Daily feed additions to each pen were accomplished through a robotic feeding system (FeedPro; Feedlogic Corp., Willmar, MN) capable of providing and measuring feed amounts for individual pens. A total of 2,484 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050, initially 15.7 lb BW) were used in a 40-d trial. Pigs were weaned at 19 d of age and were initially fed a common pelleted diet for 7 d before the start of the experiment. On d 7 after weaning, pigs were weighed and pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 14 or 16 replicate pens and 27 pigs per pen, with each pen containing a mix of barrows and gilts. All pigs were vaccinated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and M. hyopneumoniae vaccines (1 mL Fostera PCV and 1 mL Respisure-One; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ) on d 3 after birth and at weaning. Blood samples of 72 pigs (12 pens per treatment, 1 pig per pen) were collected on d 2, 18, and 38 of the trial and were submitted to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to measure PCV2 antibody titers using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Evaluation of specialty soy protein sources on nursery pig performance

Swine Industry Day, 2014 is known as Swine Day, 2014A 35-d growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a new soy protein source, Nutrivance (TechMix, Stewart, MN), on nursery pig growth performance. Nutrivance is a modified soy protein produced via a proprietary process combining extraction and enzymatic treatment of soybeans. Pigs (n = 1,188, PIC 337 × 1050; initially 9.8 lb BW) were weaned at 21 d of age and allotted by weight to pens with 27 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a common diet for 15 d before the start of the study. Pens of pigs (13.5 lb BW) were then allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 14 d followed by a common diet fed for 21 d. The 4 experimental treatments were a corn-soybean meal–based control diet, or a corn-soybean meal–based diet with either 8% Nutrivance, 8.65% HP-300 (Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH), or 6.85% Soycomil P (SPC; Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, IL). The diets were formulated to the same standardized ileal digestible lysine level with specialty soy protein products replacing a portion of soybean meal in the control diet to form the experimental treatments. From d 0 to 14, there were no differences in ADG or F/G; however, pigs fed the diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADFI (P < 0.02) compared with those fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. From d 14 to 35 when a common diet was fed, pigs previously fed the diet with the HP-300 had lower ADFI (P < 0.03) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs previously fed diets containing Nutrivance or SPC intermediate. From d 0 to 35, pigs fed diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADG and ADFI (P < 0.02) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. Final weight (d 35) was greatest (P < 0.04) for pigs fed the control diet and lowest for pigs fed the diet with Nutrivance, and pigs fed the diets with HP-300 or SPC were intermediate. In conclusion, differences exist between alternative specialty soy protein sources, but, the corn-soybean meal control diet elicited the greatest growth performance in this study

Evaluation of specialty soy protein sources on nursery pig performance

A 35-d growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a new soy protein source, Nutrivance (TechMix, Stewart, MN), on nursery pig growth performance. Nutrivance is a modified soy protein produced via a proprietary process combining extraction and enzymatic treatment of soybeans. Pigs (n = 1,188, PIC 337 × 1050; initially 9.8 lb BW) were weaned at 21 d of age and allotted by weight to pens with 27 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a common diet for 15 d before the start of the study. Pens of pigs (13.5 lb BW) were then allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 14 d followed by a common diet fed for 21 d. The 4 experimental treatments were a corn-soybean meal–based control diet, or a corn-soybean meal–based diet with either 8% Nutrivance, 8.65% HP-300 (Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH), or 6.85% Soycomil P (SPC; Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, IL). The diets were formulated to the same standardized ileal digestible lysine level with specialty soy protein products replacing a portion of soybean meal in the control diet to form the experimental treatments. From d 0 to 14, there were no differences in ADG or F/G; however, pigs fed the diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADFI (P \u3c 0.02) compared with those fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. From d 14 to 35 when a common diet was fed, pigs previously fed the diet with the HP-300 had lower ADFI (P \u3c 0.03) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs previously fed diets containing Nutrivance or SPC intermediate. From d 0 to 35, pigs fed diets containing Nutrivance or HP-300 had decreased ADG and ADFI (P \u3c 0.02) compared with pigs fed the control diet, with pigs fed diets containing SPC intermediate. Final weight (d 35) was greatest (P \u3c 0.04) for pigs fed the control diet and lowest for pigs fed the diet with Nutrivance, and pigs fed the diets with HP-300 or SPC were intermediate. In conclusion, differences exist between alternative specialty soy protein sources, but, the corn-soybean meal control diet elicited the greatest growth performance in this study.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Evaluation of different zinc sources and levels on nursery pig performance

Swine Industry Day, 2014 is known as Swine Day, 2014A total of 294 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 14.1 lb BW) were used in a 31-d trial to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of two different zinc sources on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and were fed pelleted diets for the first 7 d and a mash diet for 24 d of the 31-d trial. Each treatment had 7 replicate pens with 7 pigs per pen. The 6 experimental diets were: (1) a control diet; (2) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+; (3) a diet with 1,500 ppm of added Zn from Zinco+; (4) a diet with 500 ppm of Zn from zinc oxide (ZnO); (5) a diet with 1,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO; and (6) a diet with 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO. All diets contained 110 ppm of Zn from the ZnSO4 provided by the trace mineral premix. Zinco+ (Jefo, Quebec, Canada) is a fat-encapsulated form of ZnO that is suggested to be more bioavailable than ZnO. From d 0 to 7, neither Zn source nor level influenced pig performance. From d 7 to 21, pigs fed increasing Zn from Zinco+ tended to have increased (linear, P = 0.06) ADG and had improved F/G (linear, P < 0.01). Pigs fed increasing levels of Zn from ZnO had greater ADG and ADFI (linear, P < 0.01) and improved F/G (quadratic, P = 0.02). Pigs had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI when fed diets containing 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO compared with pigs fed diets with 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+. Day 21 BW increased with increasing Zn from Zinco+ (linear, P < 0.03) and Zn from ZnO (P < 0.001), with pigs fed 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO having heavier (P < 0.01) d-21 BW compared with those fed 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+. Overall, from d 0 to 31, increasing Zn from Zinco+ did not affect growth performance, but increasing Zn from ZnO increased (P < 0.01) ADG and ADFI. Pigs fed 500 ppm of Zn from Zinco+ had poorer ADG (P < 0.02) and ADFI (P < 0.01) than pigs fed 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO. This study shows the growth benefits of adding 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO in diets fed to newly weaned pigs. Lower levels of Zn from Zinco+ did not provide the same growth-promoting potential as the diet with 3,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO

Mitochondrial echoes of first settlement and genetic continuity in El Salvador

Background: From Paleo-Indian times to recent historical episodes, the Mesoamerican isthmus played an important role in the distribution and patterns of variability all around the double American continent. However, the amount of genetic information currently available on Central American continental populations is very scarce. In order to shed light on the role of Mesoamerica in the peopling of the New World, the present study focuses on the analysis of the mtDNA variation in a population sample from El Salvador. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have carried out DNA sequencing of the entire control region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome in 90 individuals from El Salvador. We have also compiled more than 3,985 control region profiles from the public domain and the literature in order to carry out inter-population comparisons. The results reveal a predominant Native American component in this region: by far, the most prevalent mtDNA haplogroup in this country (at ~90%) is A2, in contrast with other North, Meso- and South American populations. Haplogroup A2 shows a star-like phylogeny and is very diverse with a substantial proportion of mtDNAs (45%; sequence range 16090–16365) still unobserved in other American populations. Two different Bayesian approaches used to estimate admixture proportions in El Salvador shows that the majority of the mtDNAs observed come from North America. A preliminary founder analysis indicates that the settlement of El Salvador occurred about 13,400±5,200 Y.B.P.. The founder age of A2 in El Salvador is close to the overall age of A2 in America, which suggests that the colonization of this region occurred within a few thousand years of the initial expansion into the Americas. Conclusions/Significance: As a whole, the results are compatible with the hypothesis that today's A2 variability in El Salvador represents to a large extent the indigenous component of the region. Concordant with this hypothesis is also the observation of a very limited contribution from European and African women (~5%). This implies that the Atlantic slave trade had a very small demographic impact in El Salvador in contrast to its transformation of the gene pool in neighbouring populations from the Caribbean facade