Clarifying plasma melatonin profiles in domestic pigs: a critical and comparative evaluation of two radioimmunoassay systems

The results of a direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) for porcine plasma melatonin, suggesting a relationship among plasma melatonin, feed intake and photoperiod, were investigated by comparison with the results of an extracted RIA. These findings were further examined by analysis of a small number of samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The results identified inadequacies in the specificity of the direct RIA and failed to provide evidence for an effect of feed intake on melatonin secretion. Instead, it appeared that feed restriction exacerbated nonspecificity in the direct RIA. The cause of nonspecificity, and its effect on analysis of daily plasma melatonin profiles, were examined. The plasma component(s) responsible for nonspecificity was (were) not identified. However, the results suggest that characteristics of the antiserum used in the direct RIA are involved in the mechanism by which nonspecificity is induced. Results obtained using the extracted assay revealed that plasma melatonin concentrations in prepubertal gilts and pregnant sows exhibit a diurnal pattern, in which concentrations are low during daylight and modestly increased during darkness. Using the direct RIA, the same profiles exhibited highly variable melatonin concentrations showing little association with the light-dark cycle. Thus, assay specificity was identified as a factor contributing to inconsistencies in the literature describing plasma melatonin in the domestic pig and the importance of rigorous validation of RIAs was demonstrated. Furthermore, the results indicate that plasma melatonin concentrations in domestic pigs, as in other mammalian species, are entrained by the light-dark cycle

Aspectos físico-químicos e microbiológicos de grãos de soja tratados com ácidos orgânicos e seus sais Physical-chemical and microbiological aspects of soybean grain treated with organic acid and their salts

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os parâmetros microbiológicos e físico-químicos do grão de soja (Glycine max L.) desativado, tratado com três diferentes dosagens (2, 4 e 6L t-1) de uma mistura de ácidos orgânicos e seus sais (AOS), com a função de aditivo antifúngico. O ensaio teve uma duração de 90 dias, em que foram feitas a contagem de bolores e leveduras (UFC g-1), e a identificação dos gêneros fúngicos, da umidade (U), da atividade de água (AA), do índice de peróxido (IP) e do índice de acidez (IA). As análises foram realizadas em triplicata, em intervalos de 15 dias entre cada análise, até o 60o dia de avaliação e depois no 90o dia do experimento. Verificou-se aumento na UFC g-1 nas doses de 2 e 4L t-1, bem como mudança nos gêneros fúngicos encontradas nestes tratamentos a cada avaliação, diferentemente da baixa UFC g-1 e da identificação de gêneros na dose de 6L t-1. Os valores de U e AA mantiveram-se acima dos padrões recomendados de 14% e 0,70, respectivamente em todos os tratamentos e avaliações. O IP aumentou significativamente a partir do 45o dia de avaliação no controle e a partir do 60o dia nos demais tratamentos. O IA não variou significativamente durante o período de avaliação. Conclui-se que a dosagem de 6L t-1 foi eficiente na proteção antifúngica desta matéria-prima.<br>This research had the objective to evaluate microbiological and physical-chemical parameters of deactivated soybean grain (Glycine max L.) treated with three different dosages (2, 4 and 6L t-1) of organic acids and their salts mixture (AOS), as an antifungical additive. The assay had a duration of 90 days, where executed fungi count (UFC g-1), fungi specie identification, humidity (U), activity of water (AA), peroxide value (IP) and acidity value (IA). The analyses were carried out in triplicate, in intervals of 15 days among analysis, until 60th day of evaluation and, at the 90th day of evaluation. There were increases in the UFC g-1 in dosages of 2 and 4L t-1, as well a change in fungi species found in these treatment at each evaluation, distinguished of low UFC g-1 and fungi species in dosage of 6L t-1. The values of U and AA were above of recommended patterns of 14% and 0.70, respectively for all treatments and evaluations. The IP increased significative from 45th day of evaluation in control and from 60th day in other treatments. The IA had no significative variation during the period of evaluation. The dosage of 6L t-1 was efficient in the antifungical protection of this raw material