Comments on the Quark Content of the Scalar Meson f0(1370)f_0(1370)

Based on the measurements of $(D_s^+,D^+)\to f_0(1370)\pi^+$ we determine, in a model independent way, the allowed $s\bar s$ content in the scalar meson $f_0(1370)$. We find that, on the one hand, if this isoscalar resonance is a pure $n\bar n$ state [ $n\bar n\equiv(u\bar u+d\bar d)/\sqrt{2} ]$, a very large $W$-annihilation term will be needed to accommodate $D_s^+\to f_0(1370)\pi^+$. On the other hand, the $s\bar s$ component of $f_0(1370)$ should be small enough to avoid excessive $D_s^+\to f_0(1370)\pi^+$ induced from the external $W$-emission. Measurement of $f_0(1370)$ production in the decay $D_s^+\to K^+K^-\pi^+$ will be useful to test the above picture. For the decay $D^0\to f_0(1370)\bar K^0$ which is kinematically barely or even not allowed, depending on the mass of $f_0(1370)$, we find that the finite width effect of $f_0(1370)$ plays a crucial role on the resonant three-body decay $D^0\to f_0(1370)\bar K^0\to\pi^+\pi^-\bar K^0$.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Exposure to a novel feedstuff by goat dams during pregnancy and lactation versus pregnancy alone does not further improve post-weaning acceptance of this feedstuff by their kids

BACKGROUNDPrevious experiments demonstrated the existence of in utero learning in goats. However, in contrast to other animal species, in goats there is no information about the potential of flavour transmission from maternal feed to goat kids during lactation. The aim of the current study was to assess the role of post-natal exposure of Chromonaela odorata leaf meal (COLM) in relation to the preferences to this feedstuff by goat kids after weaning. It was hypothesised that exposure of COLM to the dams during both pregnancy and lactation versus pregnancy alone, additionally affects post-weaning intake of COLM by their offspring.RESULTSConsumption of COLM by the goat kids was similar during the first week post-weaning for all treatments. However, after 4 weeks the intake of COLM was at least 1.8 times greater when kids were exposed to COLM during pregnancy whereas it remained virtually unchanged when kids were exposed to COLM during lactation only. The increase in COLM consumption was in line with the observations on latency to eat and meal size.CONCLUSIONTransmission of feeding behaviour from goat dams to offspring does not occur during lactation. However, the concept of in utero learning in goats was confirmed. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industr

Improved acceptance of Chromonaela odorata by goat kids after weaning is triggered by in utero exposure but nog consumption of milk

The aim of the current study was to determine whether the improved post-weaning intake of Chromonaela odorata by goat kids is related to either the in utero period of the goat kids or the subsequent suckling period. It was hypothesized that kids born to dams fed C. odorata during pregnancy and receiving milk from dams not exposed to C. odorata during pregnancy show an improved acceptance to consume this plant. Twenty female goats were successfully synchronized and divided into 4 groups. Two groups (1 and 3) were offered 50 g of dried C. odorata leave meal (COLM) mixed with a basic diet for the last 3 months of pregnancy until 1 week before parturition. At birth the kids from the goats in group 1 and 2 were cross fostered without colostrum or milk from their own mother. While waiting for the delivery of kid from another goat, the kid was fed milk replacer or milk from any goat dam in the same treatment. Kids from groups 3 and 4 remained with their mothers. After weaning (2.5 months old), one kid from each goat dam was selected for COLM intake which was measured for 30 min over a 4 week period. Feeding activities of the individually housed goat kids was monitored with a camera system. Kids born to dams receiving COLM during pregnancy consumed higher amounts of the COLM supplemented test feed during all feeding preference tests compared to kids from the control group, particularly during week 3 and 4 (P <0.001). Shorter latency, longer time spent on each meal and total eating time, chewing time and higher meal size (P <0.05) were different in the kids born from does that ingested COLM during pregnancy. It is concluded that prenatal exposure to C. odorata via maternal ingestion significantly increases the intake of C. odorata by weaned goat kids. This improved intake is due to the in utero learning and not the transfer of (secondary) components via the milk of the mothers fed C. odorata during pregnancy

Feeding Chromonaela odorata during pregnancy to goat dams affects acceptance of this feedstuff by their offspring

We investigated the effect of Chromonaela odorata ingestion by goat dams during pregnancy on intake of C. odorata by their kids. Alteration of prenatal feed preference may be used to increase feed intake of novel feeds and the transit from outdoor to indoor goat farming in Vietnam. Ten female goats were synchronized, inseminated and divided randomly into 2 equal groups. The experimental group was offered 50 g of sun dried C. odorata leave meal (COLM) along with a basal diet from day 45 to 135 of pregnancy while the control group was offered only the basal diet during this period. After weaning (3 mo), one kid from each goat dam in both groups was randomly selected and housed in individual cages. After a 9.5 h fast, each kid was offered 50 g of COLM daily at 8:30 am for 30 min for 4 weeks. Feeding activities were monitored with a video camera system. We determined mean COLM intake and indices of feed acceptance including latency to eat, number of visits without intake, meal frequency, eating bout length, eating time, intake rate, meal size and chewing time for each kid. Intake of COLM by goat kids born to dams fed COLM was significantly higher over the 4 weeks compared to goat kids born to dams not fed COLM (11.32 ± 3.60 g vs. 6.09 ± 1.91 g, P <0.028). This difference was more pronounced during weeks 3 and 4 than weeks 1 and 2. Goat kids from mothers fed COLM had a shorter latency to eat, a larger meal size and a longer chewing time than kids from mothers not fed COLM during pregnancy. We conclude that in utero transmission of feeding preference occurred from does to their offspring