Genetic parameter estimates for plasma oxidative status traits in slaughter pigs

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of sex and to estimate genetic parameters for several traits related to plasma oxidative status in slaughter pigs, i.e., ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), concentrations of a-tocopherol and malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Blood samples were collected at slaughter from 477 Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White intercross) pigs of 2 performance test stations. Heritabilities (+/- SE) of plasma oxidative status traits as well as their phenotypic and additive genetic correlations with animal performance traits were estimated with multiple-trait REML animal models using VCE software. Results displayed no significant difference between barrows and gilts for FRAP and alpha-tocopherol in plasma. However, gilts had a significantly higher concentration of MDA and lower GPx activity compared with barrows. Heritability estimates were high for GPx (0.55 +/- 0.05), and medium to low for alpha-tocopherol (0.30 +/- 0.06), FRAP (0.22 +/- 0.05), and MDA (0.15 +/- 0.04). Estimated additive genetic and phenotypic correlations between these four traits were generally low, except for a negative additive genetic correlation between FRAP and GPx of -0.45 (+/- 0.23). Additive genetic correlations between plasma oxidative status traits and animal performance traits were also generally absent or low with maximum values of similar to 0.3. Parameter estimates in this study have to be interpreted with caution because of the small size of the dataset. Nevertheless, it may be concluded that there is considerable additive genetic variance for plasma oxidative status traits in slaughter pigs. More research is warranted on the genetic determination of oxidative stress in farm animals and its relevance in breeding programs

The interactive impact of dietary PUFA on the deposition of DHA in the egg yolk

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Soluble and insoluble-bound phenolics and antioxidant activity of various industrial plant wastes

The potential of selected industrial food wastes from juice and nut production including apple peel, apple pomace, pomegranate peel, pomegranate seed, chestnut shell, and black carrot pomace as resources for natural antioxidants was investigated. Soluble free and insoluble-bound phenolics were extracted from the wastes and analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, phenolic profile and antioxidant activity. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of wastes were positively correlated with their antioxidant activity. The highest total phenolic and antioxidant activity were determined in soluble fraction of pomegranate peel due to a significant amount of punicalagin derivatives. Pomegranate peel and seed had the most phenolics and flavonoids in soluble form while other wastes had more than 45% of total phenolics in insoluble-bound form. Chestnut shell showed more antioxidant activity in insoluble-bound fraction compared to that of its soluble fraction. These findings showed that not only soluble but also an insoluble-bound fraction of the industrial wastes has good potential for valorization as a source of natural antioxidants