Dietary Isoflavone Aglycons from Soy Germ Pasta Improves Reproductive Performance of Aging Hens and Lowers Cholesterol Levels of Egg Yolk

This study compared dietary isoflavone aglycones with the glycoside conjugates in a novel model of postmenopausal status, the aging domestic hen (Gallus gallus domesticus), to determine the effects on reproductive performance, cholesterol levels, and nutritional quality of eggs laid. Hens, 18 mo old, were randomized into four groups (n = 10/group) and fed for 28 d a conventional poultry corn/soymeal diet (Control), or diets supplemented with isoflavone glycosides from soy germ (diet A), isoflavone aglycons from a soy germ pasta (diet B), or conventional pasta lacking isoflavones (diet C). The egg-laying rate was recorded daily, plasma isoflavones and cholesterol were measured, and the nutritional composition of the eggs was determined. Egg-laying declined over a 4-week period in hens in the Control group and those fed isoflavone glycosides (diets A and C), whereas hens fed isoflavone aglycons (diet B) significantly increased their egg-laying efficiency. The total egg count and egg yield were significantly higher in hens fed isoflavone aglycons, and their plasma cholesterol concentrations were lower and the eggs laid had a 30% lower yolk cholesterol content. None of these effects were observed with diets containing similar levels of isoflavone glycosides. These studies recapitulate the clinical effects of soy germ pasta enriched with isoflavone aglycons and lend support to the greater efficacy of a diet rich in isoflavone aglycons

Effect of genotype and rearing system on the native immunity and oxidative status of growing rabbits

To investigate the effects of genotype and rearing system on innate immunity and oxidative status, 40 weaned commercial hybrid (H) rabbits and 40 rabbits of a local population (LP) were assigned to two rearing systems: cage (17 rabbits/m2) and pen (1x2 m, 10 rabbits/m2). Rearing H rabbits in pen resulted in a higher lysozyme concentration (P<0.05), an increased bactericidal ac- tivity (P<0.05) and a lower complement haemolytic activity (P<0.05) with respect to those reared in cage. Opposite results were obtained for LP rabbits. In addition, genotype H was more susceptibility to inflammation than LP in pen, whereas genotype LP suffered more in cage. A higher lipid (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.05) oxidation was found in Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris of rabbits H in pen compared to those in cage. An opposite trend was observed for LP rabbits. In cage, LP rabbits were more susceptible to oxidative stress than H rabbits. Taken together, our results show that immune and oxidative resistance ascribed to a specific genotype are important factors to be considered when a specific rearing system should be adopted. Considering this, rabbit LP seem to better adapt to larger spaces during growing

In vitro toxic effects of metal compounds on kinetic traits and ultrastructure of rabbit spermatozoa

Metal compounds have been associated with male reproductive toxicity in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of 20 metal compounds using rabbit ejaculated spermatozoa as a study model for spermiotoxicity. Five of the metals tested (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and vanadium) reduced sperm motility and curvilinear velocity. Ultrastructural analyses revealed three types of damage to sperm head membranes in relation to the metal used: acrosome breakage with formation of various sized microvesicles (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and platinum); a large round hole (arsenic, cadmium and chromium), and numerous folds in the acrosome membrane (vanadium). The vanadium compound, followed by chromium and mercury compounds, determined a higher number of damaged spermatozoa. In conclusion, all the studied metal compounds, at levels higher than 1M, may reduce sperm kinetic characteristics and probably fertilizing capacity by triggering specific morphological damages to the head and/or by inhibiting motilityJRC.F.1-Health in Societ