Effect of the dietary supplementation with sunflower oil and incremental levels of marine algae on the rumen bacterial community in dairy sheep

1 page.-- Contributed to: 7th Rowett-INRA Symposium. Gut microbiology: new insight into gut microbial ecosystems (Aberdeen, Reino Unido, Jun 23-25, 2010).In lactating ruminants, the dietary supplementation with lipids rich in linoleic acid, such as sunflower oil (SO), and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)...Peer reviewe

Comparison of starts and turns of national and regional level swimmers by individualized-distance measurements

The aim of this study was to compare the race characteristics of the start and turn segments of national and regional level swimmers. In the study, 100 and 200-m events were analysed during the finals session of the Open Comunidad de Madrid (Spain) tournament. The “individualized-distance” method with two-dimensional direct linear transformation algorithm was used to perform race analyses. National level swimmers obtained faster velocities in all race segments and stroke comparisons,although significant inter-level differences in start velocity were only obtained in half (8 out of 16) of the analysed events. Higher level swimmers also travelled for longer start and turn distances but only in the race segments where the gain of speed was high. This was observed in the turn segments, in the backstroke and butterfly strokes and during the 200-m breaststroke event, but not in any of the freestyle events. Time improvements due to the appropriate extension of the underwater subsections appeared to be critical for the end race result and should be carefully evaluated by the “individualized-distance” method

Isolation of RNA from milk somatic cells as an alternative to biopsies of mammary tissue for nutrigenomic studies in dairy ewes

11 páginas, 4 tablas, 1 figura.Nutrigenomic studies of mammary lipogenesis in ruminants often rely on the use of mammary tissue (MT) collected either by biopsy or at slaughter. However, isolating RNA from milk would be a useful and cost-effective technique that may avoid distress to the animal and facilitate the collection of samples in time series experiments. This assay was therefore conducted to test the hypothesis that RNA extracted from milk somatic cells (MSC) in dairy sheep would be a feasible alternative to the performance of MT biopsies for nutrigenomic analyses. To meet this objective, 8 lactating Assaf ewes were divided in 2 groups and offered a total mixed ration without supplementation (control) or supplemented with 2.4% dry matter of fish oil, which was known not only to elicit milk fat depression but also to downregulate the expression of some candidate genes involved in mammary lipogenesis. Total RNA was extracted from MSC and biopsied MT to examine whether the potential changes in the abundance of transcripts was similarly detected with both RNA sources. Milk fatty acid profile was also analyzed by gas chromatography, and variations in mRNA abundance were determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Values of RNA integrity number were always ≥7.7. The expected and designed decrease of milk fat concentration with fish oil (−29%), was associated with a lower transcript abundance of genes coding for enzymes involved in fatty acid activation (ACSS1), de novo synthesis (ACACA and FASN), uptake from plasma lipids (LPL), and esterification of fatty acids to glycerol (LPIN1), as well as of a transcription factor that may regulate their expression (INSIG1). Stable mRNA levels were showed in other candidate genes, such as FABP3, GPAT4, or SCD. Changes due to the dietary treatment were similarly detected with both RNA sources (MSC and MT biopsies), which supports the initial hypothesis and would validate the use of milk as an alternative RNA source for nutrigenomic analyses in dairy sheep.This work was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Spain; AGL2014-54587, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, European Union). P. G. Toral gratefully acknowledges receipt of a postdoctoral research contract from the MINECO (Juan de la Cierva program).Peer reviewe

Comparison of ruminal lipid metabolism in dairy cows and goats fed diets supplemented with starch, plant oil or fish oil

16 páginas, 5 tablas, 1 figura.Direct comparison of cow and goat performanceand milk fatty acid responses to diets known to inducemilk fat depression (MFD) in the bovine revealsrelevant species-by-diet interactions in ruminal lipidmetabolism. Thus, this study was conducted to inferpotential mechanisms responsible for differences in therumen microbial biohydrogenation (BH) due to dietand ruminant species. To meet this objective, 12 cowsand 15 goats were fed a basal diet (control), a similardiet supplemented with 2.2% fish oil (FO), or a dietcontaining 5.3% sunflower oil and additional starch(+38%; SOS) according to a 3 × 3 Latin square designwith 25-d experimental periods. On the last day of eachperiod, fatty acid composition (by gas chromatography)and bacterial community (by terminal-RFLP),as well as fermentation characteristics, were measuredin rumen fluid samples. Results showed significant differencesin the response of cows and goats to dietarytreatments, although variations in some fermentationparameters (e.g., decreases in the acetate-to-propionateratio due to FO or SOS) were similar in both species.Main alterations in ruminal BH pathways potentiallyresponsible for MFD on the SOS diet (i.e., the shiftfrom trans-11 to trans-10 18:1 and related increases intrans-10,cis-12 18:2) tended to be more pronounced incows, which is consistent with an associated MFD onlyin this species. However, changes linked to FO-inducedMFD (e.g., decreases in 18:0 and increases in totaltrans-18:1) were stronger in caprine rumen fluid, whichmay explain their unexpected susceptibility (althoughless marked than in bovine) to the negative effect ofFO on milk fat content. Altogether, these results suggestthat distinct ruminal mechanisms lead to eachtype of diet-induced MFD and confirm a pronouncedinteraction with species. With regard to microbiota,differences between cows and goats in the compositionof the rumen bacterial community might be behindthe disparity in the microorganisms affected by theexperimental diets (e.g., Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae,and Succinivibrionaceae in the bovine, andPseudobutryrivibrio, Clostridium cluster IV, Prevotella,and Veillonellaceae in the caprine), which hinderedthe assignation of bacterial populations to particularBH steps or pathways. Furthermore, most relevantvariations in microbial groups corresponded to as yetuncultured bacteria and suggest that these microorganismsmay play a predominant role in the ruminal lipidmetabolism in both cows and goats.This study was supported by INRA (UMR1213; France) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO; AGL2014-54587). P. G. Toral was granted a postdoctoral fellowship from Fundación Alfonso Martín Escudero (Madrid, Spain) and a research contract from the MINECO (Juan de la Cierva program).Peer reviewe

Elucidating fish oil-induced milk fat depression in dairy sheep: Milk somatic cell transcriptome analysis

9 páginas, 4 figuras.In this study, RNA sequencing was used to obtain a comprehensive profile of the transcriptomic changes occurring in the mammary gland of lactating sheep suffering from fish oil-induced milk fat depression (FO-MFD). The milk somatic cell transcriptome analysis of four control and four FO-MFD ewes generated an average of 42 million paired-end reads per sample. In both conditions, less than 220 genes constitute approximately 89% of the total counts. These genes, which are considered as core genes, were mainly involved in cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins and electron transport chain pathways. In total, 117 genes were upregulated, and 96 genes were downregulated in FO-MFD samples. Functional analysis of the latter indicated a downregulation of genes involved in the SREBP signaling pathway (e.g., ACACA, ACSL, and ACSS) and Gene Ontology terms related to lipid metabolism and lipid biosynthetic processes. Integrated interpretation of upregulated genes indicated enrichment in genes encoding plasma membrane proteins and proteins regulating protein kinase activity. Overall, our results indicate that FO-MFD is associated with the downregulation of key genes involved in the mammary lipogenesis process. In addition, the results also suggest that this syndrome may be related to upregulation of other genes implicated in signal transduction and codification of transcription factors.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO; AGL2014-54587-R and AGL2015-66035-R projects, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund). P.G.T. and B.G.G. are funded by two postdoctoral research contracts from MINECO (Juan de la Cierva -JCI-2012-11836- and Ramón y Cajal -RYC-2012-10230 programs, respectively).Peer reviewe

Effects of a tannin-rich legume (Onobrychis viciifolia) on in vitro ruminal biohydrogenation and fermentation

There is still controversy surrounding the ability of tannins to modulate the ruminal biohydrogenation (BH) of fatty acids (FA) and improve the lipid profile of milk or meat without conferring a negative response in the digestive utilization of the diet. Based on this, an in vitro trial using batch cultures of rumen microorganisms was performed to compare the effects of two legume hays with similar chemical composition but different tannin content, alfalfa and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), on the BH of dietary unsaturated FA and on the ruminal fermentation. The first incubation substrate, alfalfa, was practically free of tannins, while the second, sainfoin, contained 3.5% (expressed as tannic acid equivalents). Both hays were enriched with sunflower oil as a source of unsaturated FA. Most results of the lipid composition analysis (e.g., greater concentrations of 18:2n-6, cis-9 18:1 or total polyunsaturated FA in sainfoin incubations) showed the ability of this tannin-containing legume to inhibit the BH process. However, no significant differences were detected in the accumulation of cis-9 trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and variations in trans-11 18:1 and trans-11 cis-15 18:2 did not follow a regular pattern. Regarding the rumen fermentation, gas production, ammonia concentration and volatile FA production were lower in the incubations with sainfoin (‒17, ‒23 and ‒11%, respectively). Thus, although this legume was able to modify the ruminal BH, which might result in improvements in the meat or milk lipid profile, the present results were not as promising as expected or as obtained before with other nutritional strategies

Leguminosas bioactivas para mejorar el perfil lipídico de la carne de cordero

6 páginas, 2 figuras, 1 tabla.La utilización de leguminosas forrajeras en la dieta de los rumiantes puede ofrecer importantes ventajas. Además de su elevado valor proteico, algunas especies como la esparceta o el trébol rojo, contienen compuestos bioactivos que podrían mejorar la calidad nutricional de la carne. Entre ellos, destacan los taninos en la esparceta y la polifenol oxidasa en el trébol rojo. Ahora bien, la climatología de muchas áreas limita su aprovechamiento en verde. En este estudio, mostramos que la utilización de la esparceta y el trébol rojo conservados mediante ensilado podría ser una buena alternativa para la alimentación de corderos, al aumentar la concentración de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) en la carne a través de su efecto sobre el metabolismo lipídico ruminal. Aunque el mecanismo de acción de los compuestos bioactivos presentes en estos forrajes probablemente sea distinto, sus efectos sobre el perfil de ácidos grasos de la carne parecen ser similares y aditivos.Este trabajo forma parte del proyecto Legume Plus, financiado por la Comisión Europea a través de una Red de Formación Inicial Marie Curie (PITN GA- 2011- 289377) PG . Toral disfruta de un contrato Ramón y Cajal, financiado por el Ministerio de Economía, lndustria y Competitividad.Peer reviewe

La microbiota ruminal como fuente de enzimas industriales

Resumen el español e inglésTítulo en inglés: Ruminal microbiota as a source of industrial enzymesEl rumen constituye una gran cámara de fermentación colonizada por una compleja comunidad microbiana que está compuesta mayoritariamente por especies que no pueden cultivarse. Por ello, la microbiota ruminal representa una fuente inexplorada de enzimas para la industria biotecnológica. La diversidad funcional de estos microorganismos tiene un alto potencial para el desarrollo de aplicaciones industriales más sostenibles y eficientes (p. ej., para la producción de biodiesel, la degradación de sustancias plásticas o la fabricación de ingredientes de origen biológico). Nuestros equipos de investigación están trabajando con contenido digestivo del rumen de ovejas. Mediante un cribado de alta capacidad, buscamos nuevas enzimas relacionadas con el metabolismo lipídico (hidratasas y deshidrogenasas). Entre sus posibles aplicaciones estaría la de contribuir a la biotransformación; por ejemplo, convirtiendo los ácidos grasos de diversos residuos, como los aceites usados de fritura, en productos con mayor valor añadido (hidroxi- y cetoácidos)The rumen is a large fermentation chamber colonised by a complex mi crobial community that is mostly composed of as-yet uncultured species. Therefore, rumen microbiota represents an unexplored source of enzymes for the biotechnology industry. The functional diversity of these microor ganisms has high potential for the development of more sustainable and efficient industrial applications (e.g., for the production of biodiesel, the degradation of plastic substances or the manufacture of bio-based ingre dients). Our research teams are working with rumen digesta of sheep. We use high throughput screening to search for new enzymes related to lipid metabolism (hydratases and dehydrogenases). Potential applications in clude contribution to biotransformation, for example, by converting fatty acids from various waste products, such as used frying oils, into higher value-added products (hydroxy- and keto-acids

The orienteering: Inclusion and sensitization from a cooperative experience

La orientación es una herramienta formativa en-caminada al desarrollo de la persona en todas sus facetas. Entre esos factores que desarrollamos están el trabajo en equipo, la empatía con el com-pañero y el fomento, a través de este tipo de acti-vidades en el medio natural, de la inclusión de per-sonas con diversidad funcional buscando un disfru-te compartido. Esto nos lleva a plantear en este taller que presentamos una propuesta de sensibili-zación, a través de la orientación, hacia las perso-nas con ceguera o deficiencia visual. La metodolo-gía más ajustada, a la propuesta sensibilizadora, es la pedagogía de la aventura, que permite la interio-rización de las experiencias desde la emoción y la reflexión de las actividades. Los contenidos que setratarán en el desarrollo del taller serán los diferen-tes sistemas de referencia, la elaboración e inter-pretación de mapas, la elección de rutas y rumbos, limitando en los participantes el sentido de la vista en alguno de los momentos de aprendizaje de la sesión. En las actividades que se plantearán, los participantes deberán resolver diferentes retos cooperativos con la ayuda de los compañeros de actividad. Entre los materiales que se utilizarán para llevar a cabo el taller estarán diferentes ele-mentos de simulación de las deficiencias visuales, mapas táctiles tridimensionales, mapas táctiles, balizas y hojas de control sensoriales. La orienta-ción dirigida a la sensibilización para la discapaci-dad visual cobra su sentido como propuesta que nos acerca a la inclusión de cualquier participanteen las actividades en el medio natural y a la refle-xión que las limitaciones y posibilidades de partici-pación, en muchos casos, está en la mano todosOrientation is a formative tool aimed at the devel-opment of the person in all its facets. Among thosefactors we develop are teamwork, empathy with the partner and the promotion, through these types of activities in the natural environment, of the inclu-sion of people with functional diversity seeking a shared enjoyment. This leads us to raise in this workshop that we present a proposal to raise awareness, through guidance, to people with blind-ness or visual impairment. The most accurate meth-odology, the sensitizing proposal, is the pedagogy of adventure, which allows the internalization of the experiences from the emotion and the reflection of the activities. The contents that will be treated in the development of the workshop will be the differ-ent systems of reference, the elaboration and inter-pretation of maps, the choice of routes and courses, limiting in the participants the sense of sight in some of the moments of learning of the session. In the activities that will be considered, the partici-pants will have to solve different cooperative chal-lenges with the help of the companions of activity.Among the materials that will be used to carry out the workshop will be different elements of simula-tion of visual deficiencies, three-dimensional tactile maps, tactile maps, beacons and sensory control sheets. The orientation directed at the sensitization for visual impairment, takes its meaning as a pro-posal that brings us closer to the inclusion of any articipant in the activities in the natural environ-ment and to the reflection that the limitations andpossibilities of participation in many cases is in the hands of all

Experience about positive development program through outdoor activities

Las actividades físicas en el medio natural son un contexto privilegiado para contribuir al desarro-llo positivo de los adolescentes. El objetivo de la comunicación es presentar una experiencia en la que se ha diseñado, aplicado y evaluado un programa de desarrollo positivo en adolescentes, basado en el modelo de responsabilidad de Helli-son y en la pedagogía de la aventura, para pro-mover el desarrollo de competencias relativas al desarrollo personal y social, así como competen-cias profesionales, propias del alumnado que cursa el ciclo formativo de conducción de activi-dades físico-deportivas en el medio natural.Outdoor physical activities are an excellent context for fostering students’ positive development. This paper presents an activity that desinged, implemented and evaluate a positive development program for teenagers based on Hellison’s model of responsibility and adventure pedagogy to work personal and social competences, with students training to lead ourdoor physical and sporting activitie