Association of dietary soy with expression of various pro-inflammatory genes in porcine phagocytes

Soybean and whey are two common protein sources used in piglet feeding; however, their effects on pro-inflammatory responses remain unclear. The present study investigated the expression of various genes implicated in the activation/deactivation of porcine phagocytes post-weaning. Eighteen piglets were divided into two groups based on the main protein source of their diet; soybean (SB) or whey proteins (WP). Blood phagocytes were isolated at 72 days of age. Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), u-PA receptor (u-PAR), plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclo-oxygenase-2 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in activated monocytes and neutrophils (except IL-10) was determined by quantitative PCR. Expression of u-PAR, ICAM-1 and iNOS were lower  in both cell types obtained from SB-fed piglets compared to WP-fed piglets. In conclusion, a SB-based diet, compared with a WP diet, is associated with reduced expression of crucial pro-inflammatory genes in porcine phagocytes

Effect of dietary protein source on piglet meat quality characteristics

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of different dietary protein sources (soybean meal vs whey protein) on piglet meat quality characteristics. Eighteen castrated male Large White × Duroc × Landrace piglets were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Piglets were kept in individual metabolic cages and fed ad libitum over a period of 38 days the following 2 diets: diet SB, which was formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of piglets using soybean meal as the main crude protein source and diet WP, where SB was totally replaced by a mixture of whey proteins on equal digestible energy and crude protein basis. At the end of the experiment, piglets were weighed and slaughtered. After overnight chilling, samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle were taken and were used for meat quality measurements.         No significant differences were observed in the values of pH, colour, water holding capacity, shear force and intramuscular fat content of L. dorsi muscle between the dietary treatments. Measurement of lipid oxidation values showed that dietary supplementation with different protein sources did not influence meat antioxidant properties during refrigerated storage. The SB piglets had lower 14:0 (P<0.01) and higher 18:3n-3 (P<0.001) levels in intramuscular fat in comparison with WP piglets. However, these changes were attributed to background differences in the dietary FA profile and not to a direct protein source effect. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the examined dietary protein sources (soybean meal or whey protein) do not have a significant effect on meat quality characteristics of piglets

Blood and hair as non-invasive trace element biological indicators in growing rabbits

[EN] The suitability of blood and hair as non-invasive tools to monitor trace element contents was studied in 48 Hyla male growing rabbits. Three diets with increasing organic selenium (Se) addition (0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg) were used to induce alterations in the concentrations of trace elements vs. an unsupplemented diet. In blood, a linear decrease in Co (P<0.001), Cu (P<0.001), Mn (P<0.05), Zn (P<0.05), Sb (P<0.001), As (P<0.001), Cr (P<0.001), Mo (P<0.001), Ni (P<0.001) and Cd (P<0.001) concentrations with increasing dietary Se was observed. In hair, a cubic effect of dietary Se on Co (P<0.01), Cu (P<0.05), Mn (P<0.001), Pb (P<0.05), Mo (P<0.05) and Cd (P<0.05) concentrations was found, while As, Cr and Ni concentrations decreased linearly (P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) with increasing dietary Se. Selenium was negatively correlated to Sb, As, Cr, Mo, Ni and Cd, (P<0.001) in blood, and to As (P<0.05), Cr, Ni (P<0.01) and Pb (P<0.05) in hair. The contents of Se, As, Cr and Ni in blood were highly correlated (P<0.001) to those in hair. Blood appeared to be more sensitive than hair in detecting small changes in the trace element profile in rabbits, as was indicated by the discriminant analysis. In conclusion, blood and hair can be suitable biological indicators of essential, toxic and potentially toxic trace element status in rabbits, particularly when used complementarily.The authors are grateful to NUEVO S.A. (N Artaki, Euboia, Greece) for providing Sel-Plex®. This research has not received any specific funding.Papadomichelakis, G.; Pappas, AC.; Zoidis, E.; Danezis, G.; Georgiou, KA.; Fegeros, K. (2019). Blood and hair as non-invasive trace element biological indicators in growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 27(1):21-30. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10654SWORD2130271Barbosa F.J., Tanus-Santos J.E., Gerlach R.F., Parsons P.J. 2005. A critical review of biomarkers used for monitoring human exposure to lead: advantages, limitations, and future needs. Environ. Health Persp., 113: 1669-1674. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7917Bryan C.E., Christopher S.J., Balmer B.C., Wells R.S. 2007. Establishing baseline levels of trace elements in blood and skin of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida: implications for non-invasive monitoring. Sci. Total Environ., 388: 325-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.046Čobanová K., Chrastinová Ľ., Chrenková M., Polačiková M., Formelová Z., Ivanišinová O., Ryzner M., Grešáková Ľ. 2018. The effect of different dietary zinc sources on mineral deposition and antioxidant indices inrabbit tissues World Rabbit Sci., 26: 241-248. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.9206de Blas C., Mateos G.G. 2010. Feed formulation. In 'The Nutrition of the Rabbit (2nd ed.)'. C de Blas, J. Wiseman (Eds.) 222-231. CAB International: Wallingford, UK. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845936693.0222De Temmerman L., Vanongeval L., Boon W., Hoenig M., Geypens M. 2003. Heavy metal content of arable soils in northern Belgium. Water Air Soil Poll., 148: 61-76. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025498629671FEDNA (2003). Fundación Española para el Desarrollo de la Nutrición Animal. In C. De Blas, G. G. Mateos, & P. G. Rebollar (Eds.), Tablas FEDNA de composición y valor nutritivo de alimentos para la fabricación de piensos (2nd ed.). Madrid, Spain: FEDNA.Georgiou C.A., Koupparis M.A. 1990. Automated flow injection spectrophotometric determination of para- and metasubstituted phenols of pharmaceutical interest based on their oxidative condensation with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. Analyst, 115: 309-313. https://doi.org/10.1039/an9901500309Georgiou C.A., Danezis G.P. 2015. Elemental and isotopic mass spectrometry. In 'Advanced Mass Spectrometry for Food, Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry'. (Ed. Y Pico) 131-243. Elsevier: Amsterdam. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63340-8.00003-0Glynn A.W., Ilback N.G., Brabencova D., Carlsson L., Enqvist E.C., Netzel E., Oskarsson A. 1993. Influence of sodium selenite on 203Hg absorption, distribution and elimination in male mice exposed to methyl 203Hg. Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 39: 91-107. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02783813Gulson B.L., Mizon K.J., Korsch M.J., Howarth D., Phillips A., Hall J. 1996. Impact on blood lead in children and adults following relocation from their source of exposure and contribution of skeletal tissue to blood lead. B. Environ. Contam. Tox., 56: 543-550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001289900078Hasan M.Y., Kosanovic M., Fahim M.A., Adem A., Petroianu G. 2004. Trace metal profiles in hair samples from children in urban and rural region of the United Arab Emirates. Vet. Hum. Toxicol., 46: 119-121.He K. 2011. Trace elements in nails as biomarkers in clinical research. Eur. J. Clin. 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Health Persp., 19: 159-164. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7719159López-Alonso M.L., Benedito J.L., Miranda M., Castillo C., Hernández J., Shore R.F. 2002. Cattle as biomonitors of soil arsenic, copper and zinc concentrations in Galicia (NW Spain). Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 43: 103-108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-002-1168-5McDowell L.R. 2003. 'Minerals in animal and human nutrition (2nd ed)'. (Elsevier Science: Amsterdam).Milošković A., Simić V. 2015. Arsenic and other trace elements in five edible fish species in relation to fish size and weight and potential health risks for human consumption. Pol. J. Environ. Stud., 24: 199-206. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/24929Miranda M., López-Alonso M., Castillo C., Hernández J., Benedito J.L. 2005. Effects of moderate pollution on toxic and trace metal levels in calves from a polluted area of northern Spain. Environ. Int., 31: 543-548.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2004.09.025Ohta H., Seki Y., Yoshikawa H. 1995. Interactive effects of selenium on chronic cadmium toxicity in rats. ACES Bulletin, 8: 97-104. Othman A.I., El Missiry M.A. 1998. Role of selenium against lead toxicity in male rats. J. Biochem. Mol. Toxic., 12: 345-349. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0461(1998)12:6%3C345::AID-JBT4%3E3.0.CO;2-VPapadomichelakis G., Zoidis E., Pappas A.C., Mountzouris K.C., Fegeros K. 2017. Effects of increasing dietary organic selenium levels on meat fatty acid composition and oxidative stability in growing rabbits. Meat Sci., 131: 132-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.05.006Papadomichelakis G., Zoidis E., Pappas A.C., Danezis G., Georgiou C.A., Fegeros K. 2018. Dietary organic selenium addition and accumulation of toxic and essential trace elements in liver and meat of growing rabbits. Meat Sci., 145: 383-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.07.022Pappas A.C., Zoidis E., Georgiou C.A., Demiris N., Surai P.F., Fegeros K. 2011. Influence of organic selenium supplementation on the accumulation of toxic and essential trace elements involved in the antioxidant systemof chicken. Food Addit. Contam. Part A, 28: 446-454. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2010.549152Park D.U., Kim D.S., Yu S.D., Lee K.M., Ryu S.H., Kim S.G. et al. 2014. Blood levels of cadmium and lead in residents near abandoned metal mine areas in Korea. Environ. Monit. Assess., 186: 5209-5220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3770-1Patra R.C., Swarup D., Naresh R., Kumar P., Nandi D., Shekhar P., Roy S., Ali S.L. 2007. Tail hair as an indicator of environmental exposure of cows to lead and cadmium in different industrial areas. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 66: 127-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.01.005Paukert J., Obrusnik I. 1986. The hair of the common hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) and of the common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall.) as indicator of the environmental pollution. J. Hyg. Epidem. Microb. 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The effect of lactating dairy ewes’ diet supplementation with ALIMET (liquid methionine) on milk yield and milk composition

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the supplementation of dairy ewes&rsquo; diet with liquid methionine&nbsp; (ALIMET) on milk yield and milk composition, from late pregnancy to mid lactation period. Sixty 3-4 year old Boutsiko&nbsp; breed lactating dairy ewes with an average initial body weight 48&plusmn;1.7 kg and good body condition (3.6), were divided&nbsp; into three groups (treatments), balanced according to milk yield. Ewes were fed 0.8 kg alfalfa hay and 0.8 kg of concen-&nbsp; trate daily. Ewes in Group A were fed a usual concentrate for lactating ewes (control), in Group B the control concentrate&nbsp; +1 g ALIMET /kg concentrate, and in Group C the control concentrate +3 g ALIMET /kg concentrate. Ewes were milked&nbsp; twice daily, and milk weights (yield) were recorded every 4 weeks, while milk samples were taken, on a percent basis&nbsp; (10%), for compositional analysis. The results showed that the inclusion of ALIMET significantly increased (p&nbsp; yield (by 6.8% in Group B and 12% in Group C), compared to control, FCM (6% fat) yield (by 5.5% in Group B and&nbsp; 13.6% in Group C), and milk fat, protein and non fat solids. The growth rate of lambs was 7% and 8% higher, for the&nbsp; suckling period of 42 days, for the Groups B and C, respectively, compared to control, but those differences were not sig-&nbsp; nificant. The average daily body weight change of ewes during the experimental lactation period was +0.6, +1.0 and -&nbsp; 0.2 kg for Groups A, B and C, respectively. Thus, supplementing the ewes&rsquo; diet with ALIMET, at a level of 3 g /kg con-&nbsp; centrate, had a positive effect on milk yield and milk composition.&nbsp;</div

The Food for Feed Concept: Redefining the Use of Hotel Food Residues in Broiler Diets

The large quantities of food waste that are generated every year have raised management concerns. Animal diets might be a feasible strategy for utilizing food waste and partially replacing commercially available feedstuffs. The present study examined the potential use of food waste originating from hotels for broiler chickens’ diets. Two hundred and forty (240) one-day-old broilers were allocated into four treatment groups, namely, control (C), non-meat treatment (NM), non-sterilized treatment (NS) and sterilized treatment (S), each with 5 replicate pens of 12 broilers. The experimental period lasted 42 days. Several parameters were recorded throughout the experiment, such as the initial and final body weight, the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the traits, some biochemical and hematological parameters, the weight of internal organs and selected breast meat quality indices. The results showed no major differences in health parameters and the carcass quality traits. There was also no difference in growth rate between the three groups (C, NS, S), but broilers fed the NM diet (without meat remnants) had a significantly lower growth rate by 11.4% compared to the control. Food waste residues can be an alternative feedstuff for broiler chickens and can maintain performance at acceptable levels

Comparative Study between Dietary Nanoelemental, Inorganic, and Organic Selenium in Broiler Chickens: Effects on Meat Fatty Acid Composition and Oxidative Stability

The present study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with nano-elemental, inorganic, and organic selenium (Se) on the Se content, fatty acid (FA) composition, and oxidative stability of meat in 150 one-day-old broiler chickens. The broiler chickens were allotted into three groups: control (C), SS+SY, and SeNP. The C group received a control diet without any added Se, while the SS+SY and SeNP groups were fed diets containing 0.4 mg Se/kg from a combination of sodium selenite and selenium yeast (SS+SY at a 1:1 ratio) or elemental Se nanoparticles (SeNP), respectively. Breast meat samples were collected from 10 broiler chickens per diet group (2 per replicate) at 42 days of age for the analysis of Se content, FA composition, and oxidative stability. The findings of the study revealed that the Se levels in the breast tissue significantly increased (p p p < 0.05) in the breast meat of broiler chickens supplemented with SeNP compared to the C and SS+SY groups. In conclusion, both dietary supplementation with SeNP and SS+SY had a positive impact on the Se content and oxidative stability of the breast meat. However, SeNP supplementation resulted in a more desirable modification of the FA composition. These findings suggest that SeNP may offer a sustainable alternative to traditional forms of Se supplementation

Evaluation of a Natural Phytogenic Formulation as an Alternative to Pharmaceutical Zinc Oxide in the Diet of Weaned Piglets

A natural phytogenic formulation (NPF) was tested as an alternative to pharmaceutical zinc oxide (ZnO) in weaned piglets with respect to growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility and faecal microbiota composition and metabolic activity. Two dietary NPF levels (NPF: 1000 and 2000 mg/kg diet) were compared to a positive control (ZnO: 3000 mg ZnO/kg diet) and a negative control (CON: no added ZnO or NPF) using 84 weaned piglets from 29 d to 78 d (days of age). Feed conversion ratio was improved (p &lt; 0.05) in ZnO and NPF piglets were compared to CON at 50 d. Dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (p &lt; 0.05) digestibility was improved in NPF piglets compared to CON at 57 d. Compared to CON, NPF inclusion reduced E. coli (p &lt; 0.05) and increased C. leptum subgroup (p &lt; 0.01) at 57 d and 78 d, and reduced C. perfringens subgroup (p &lt; 0.05; at 78 d). The ZnO reduced (p &lt; 0.001) E. coli and C. perfringens subgroup (p &lt; 0.01) compared to CON at 78 d. Moreover, ZnO and NPF reduced molar ratios of branched chain volatile fatty acids (p &lt; 0.05) compared to CON, while NPF also increased butyric acid (p &lt; 0.05) at 78 d. In conclusion, the NPF appeared to be a promising alternative to pharmaceutical doses of ZnO

Effects of Selenium and Cadmium on Breast Muscle Fatty-Acid Composition and Gene Expression of Liver Antioxidant Proteins in Broilers

The present work was part of a project intended to evaluate whether organic selenium (Se) has the potential to protect against toxic effects exerted by cadmium (Cd). For this reason, 300 as-hatched, one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated in four dietary treatments with five replicate pens per treatment. Chickens in T1 treatment, were offered a diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se (as Se-yeast), without added Cd; in T2 treatment, they were offered a diet with 0.3 ppm Se and 10 ppm Cd; in T3 treatment, they were offered a diet with 0.3 ppm Se and 100 ppm Cd; in T4 treatment, chickens were offered a diet supplemented with 3 ppm Se and 100 ppm Cd. Cadmium was added to the diets in T2, T3, and T4 as CdCl2. On the fourth and sixth weeks, liver and breast samples were obtained from two broilers per replicate pen. Relative gene expression levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and 2 (SOD2), methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) and B3 (MSRB3), iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), 2 (DIO2), and 3 (DIO3), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and 4 (GPX4), thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) and 3 (TXNRD3), and metallothionein 3 (MT3) were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR in liver, whereas the fatty-acid (FA) profile of breast muscle was determined by gas chromatography. Broilers supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se could tolerate low levels of Cd present in the diets, as there were no significant changes in the breast muscle FA profile, whereas excess Cd led to decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and in particular n-6 PUFA. Furthermore, treatments mainly affected the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of SOD2, TXNRD3, and MT3, while age affected CAT, MSRB3, DIO2, DIO3, GPX4, TXNRD1, and MT3. In conclusion, dietary Se may help against the negative effects of Cd, but cannot be effective when Cd is present at excessive amounts in the diet

Effects of gestational maternal undernutrition on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of rabbit offspring.

An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of gestational undernutrition of rabbit does on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of the offsprings. Thirty primiparous non lactating rabbit does were artificially inseminated and randomly divided in three treatment groups: Control (C; fed to 100% of maintenance requirements throughout gestation, n = 10), early undernourished (EU; fed to 50% of maintenance requirements during days 7-19 of gestation, n = 10) and late undernourished (LU; fed to 50% of maintenance requirements during days 20-27 of gestation, n = 10). During the 4th week of the gestation period, LU does significantly lost weight compared to C and EU groups (P<0.05). At kindling, C does produced litters with higher proportions of stillborn kits (P<0.05) while the total litter size (alive and stillborn kits) was not different among groups (10.7, 12.8 and 12.7 kits in C, EU and LU groups, respectively). Kit birth weight tended to be lower in the LU group. During fattening, body weight and feed intake were not different among offsprings of the three experimental groups. Moreover, the maternal undernutrition did not have any impact on carcass composition of the offsprings in terms of carcass parts and internal organs weights as well as meat quality of L. lumborum muscle (pH24, colour, water holding capacity and shear values) at slaughter (70 days of age). Therefore, it can be concluded that the gestational undernutrition of the mother does not have detrimental effects on the productive and quality traits of the offsprings

Acute torsion of a wandering spleen in a post-partum female: A case report

AbstractINTRODUCTIONWandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by ectopic position of the spleen due to the absence or laxity of peritoneal ligaments that hold the organ within the left upper quadrant. Lower abdomen and pelvis are the most common locations of the wandering spleen. The disorder usually remains asymptomatic.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe present a case of acute abdomen due to torsion of a wandering spleen in a primiparus, healthy female shortly after delivery. Diagnosis was based on ultrasonography and computed tomography and was confirmed later on surgery. Total splenectomy was performed successfully.DISCUSSIONThe rarity of the condition and the nonspecific clinical symptoms and signs make prompt diagnosis challenging.CONCLUSIONPrompt recognition and intervention are necessary in order to minimize the risk of complications. For this reason physicians have to include the condition in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain especially when they encounter females in a pregnancy or post-natal period