bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The digestion of bulbils (Polygonum viviparum L.) and berries (Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Empetrum sp.) by captive ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)
Authors: Moss R. , Parkinson J. A.
Published: September 2005

1. The digestion of three foods favoured by ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in the wild was studied using captive birds

2. Bulbils of Polygonum viviparum L. were a good source of metabolizable energy, protein and phosphorus, but were deficient in sodium. Berries of Vaccinium myrtillus L. were the most digestible of the three foods, contained enough protein and P for maintenance, but were probably deficient in Na. A diet of Empetrum sp. berries caused the birds to be in negative nitrogen and P balance, but provided adequate Na. Both species of berries were rich sources of soluble carbohydrate

3. In the wild, ptarmigan eat a mixed diet, which presumably provides adequate Na, protein and P

4. The relative proportions of the various end-products of N metabolism varied according to the protein content of the food. With the diet of Vaccinium berries (11 g N/kg dry matter) roughly equal amounts of ammonium salts and urates were excreted. With Polygonum bulbils (29 g N/kg dry matter) the quantities of ammonium salts and urates excreted were similar to those with Vaccinium berries, but some urea was also excreted and about half the N in the birds' droppings was in an unidentified form

5. When eating Empetrum berries, ptarmigan digested lignin and tannins and excreted ornithurates. The benzoic acid moiety of the ornithuric acid molecule may have been derived partly from the digested lignin and tannins.
Acute cold exposure and the metabolism of blood glucose, lactate and pyruvate, and plasma amino acids in the hind leg of the fed and fasted young ox
Authors: Bell A. W. , Gardner J. W. , Manson W. , Thompson G. E.
Published: September 2005

1. Young steers were fed either 3–4 or 20 h before exposure to a thermoneutral or a moderately cold environment. Measurements were made of total oxygen consumption (totalVo2), respiratory quotient (RQ), blood packed cell volume (PCV), and hind-leg blood flow (leg Q) and oxygen uptake (legVo2). The arteriovenous differences in whole blood glucose, lactate and pyruvate, and individual plasma amino acid and urea concentrations across the leg were also measured. Net exchange and fractional uptake of these metabolites by the leg were calculated from these results

2. Cold exposure doubled totalVo2, significantly decreased RQ and significantly increased PCV. LegQand legVo2increased 3- to 5-fold and 4- to 13-fold respectively in both feeding groups. Arterial blood glucose increased slightly but significantly in both 20 h- and 3 h-fed steers. There was a substantial increase in mean net leg uptake of glucose in both feeding groups. This was much greater in the 20 h-fed group because of the significant increase in fractional uptake occurring only in this group. Cold did not significantly affect arterial blood lactate or pyruvate levels, but the net leg output of lactate found in both feeding groups in thermoneutrality was increased in the 20 h-fed steers, and reversed to a net uptake in the 3 h-fed animals. Cold caused a small but significant decrease in the total plasma amino acid level in the 20 h-fed but not in the 3 h-fed group; individual amino acid levels or leg uptakes were not affected

3. Feeding before the experiment caused a significant increase in RQ. LegQ, leg uptake of glucose and leg output of lactate increased after feeding in the thermoneutral environment only. Arterial pyruvate increased significantly, but net leg output was not significantly affected by feeding. Arterial plasma concentration of several individual, but not of total amino acids, increased significantly in both environments, and the net output of many individual amino acids in the 20 h-fed steers was decreased or reversed to a net uptake in the 3 h-fed group in thermoneutrality only

4. The results suggest that blood glucose could be a significant fuel for oxidation in shivering skeletal muscle in young steers, and that output of amino acids from skeletal muscle could not contribute significantly to this increased glucose supply by hepatic gluconeogenesis.
Studies on the nutrition of marine flatfish. The metabolism of glucose by plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and the effect of dietary energy source on protein utilization in plaice
Authors: Cowey C. B. , Adron J. W. , Brown D. A. , Shanks Aileen M.
Published: September 2005

1. The effects of dietary energy level and dietary energy source on protein utilization by plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) were examined by giving diets containing 400 g crude protein/kg to nine groups of fish. Five of these diets contained only lipid as a source of energy (in addition to protein) and their energy contents were varied by increasing the lipid level in a step-wise manner from 56 to 176 g/kg. The remaining four diets contained both lipid and carbohydrate (glucose+dextrin) together as energy sources: two levels of carbohydrate (100 and 200 g/kg) being used at each of two (56 and 86 g/kg) lipid levels

2. Weight gains of plaice given the diets containing only lipid as an energy source did not differ significantly from each other. Weight gains of plaice given diets containing carbohydrate as well as protein and lipid were superior to those given diets lacking carbohydrate

3. Values obtained for protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilization (NPU) increased with increasing dietary energy level in both those fish given the diets containing carbohydrate and those given diets lacking it. Both PER and NPU values were greater for plaice given diets containing carbohydrate than for fish diets without carbohydrate even when the total energy content of the diets was approximately the same

4. Liver glycogen levels were significantly higher in plaice given diets containing 200 g carbohydrate/kg than in plaice given diets without carbohydrate. Blood glucose levels and hepatic hexokinase (EC2.7.I.I) levels were not significantly different in plaice given these diets. No glucokinase (EC2.7.I.2) was detected in plaice given either diet

5. The metabolic fate of glucose carbon in plaice was investigated by injecting the fish intraperitoneally with [U-14C]glucose and examining, 18 h afterwards, the distribution of radioactivity in different biochemical fractions from the fish

6. Glucose was respired much less rapidly in the carnivorous plaice, irrespective of dietary treatment, than in omnivorous mammals (mouse and rat). The rate of production of14CO2from [U-14C]glucose by plaice given diets containing carbohydrate was not significantly greater than that by plaice given diets lacking carbohydrate

7. More glucose was incorporated into liver glycogen when plaice were given carbohydrate in their food than when it was absent. Otherwise no differences were apparent in the fate of glucose C by plaice which could be related to the diets used

8. No mortalities occurred nor was any histopathology observed in the plaice as a consequence of the inclusion of carbohydrate in the food.
Twelve generations of marginal protein deficiency
Authors: Stewart R. J. C. , Preece R. F. , Sheppard Hilda G.
Published: September 2005

1. Colonies of rats have been maintained for twelve generations on diets adequate (dietary-protein energy:total metabolizable energy (NDp:E) 0·I) or marginally deficient in protein (NDp:E 0·068)

2. In the malnourished colony, the proportion of ‘small-for-gestational-age’ offspring was ten times as high as amongst the well-nourished colony, growth was slow, sexual maturation delayed, especially in the females, and, when adult, both sexes were significantly lighter and shorter than adults of the well-nourished colony. Organs, other than the eye, weighed less than those of well-nourished ‘age’ controls, but when expressed relative to body-weight, the brain, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, testes, thymus and eyes were larger, the pancreas unchanged and the kidneys smaller than those of the well-nourished ‘age’ controls. The relative weight of the liver showed little change, being slightly increased in the males and, like the ovaries, slightly reduced in the females. On a body-weight basis, the brains were about 50% heavier than normal, but in absolute terms were 5–5·5% lighter than those of the well-nourished animals, the cerebellum (10·5% lighter in males and 12·9% lighter in females) being more severely affected than the cerebrum (4% lighter)

3. The young malnourished rats showed increased exploratory activity, transient head tremors and an increased sensitivity to noise, the latter being long-lasting if not permanent. When adult, they showed marked differences in behaviour and learning patterns and it was difficult to attract and hold their attention. In situations demanding a choice the animals were very excited, emitted loud squeals and tried to escape from what was clearly a stressful situation. However, a casual examination of the malnourished adults revealed a rather small, badly groomed, excitable rat without gross abnormalities

4. The findings are discussed in relation to changes found in malnourished human communities.
Nutritional studies on East African herbivores
Authors: Arman Pamela , Hopcraft D.
Published: September 2005

1. A series of digestibility trials was done using four animals of each of the following species: Friesian cattle (Bos taurus), Boran zebu cattle (Bos indicus), Corriedale sheep, fattailed sheep, eland (Taurotragus oryx Pallas), Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei Günther), Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsonii Günther) and bush duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia L.)

2. Two batches of pelleted food were prepared from ground maize cobs, cassava, wheat bran, maize bran and decorticated cottonseed cake. For each batch, five diets (A–E) were prepared containing 65 (A)–135 (E) g crude protein (nitrogen × 6·25)/kg dry matter. The crude-fibre contents of all the diets were similar (120–138 g/kg dry matter)

3. The animals were given the high-protein diet (E), then given diets with decreasing protein contents finishing with the low-protein diet (A). The antelope and half the sheep were given diets from the first batch of pelleted food, the other four sheep and all the cattle were given diets from the second batch of food

4. In sheep, there were significant differences in digestibility between the two batches of food

5. There were no significant differences in the over-all mean digestibilities of all diets when given to cattle (both species) and sheep. However, with diet E, dry-matter digestibility was higher in sheep than in cattle (P < 0·05): the reverse was true with diet A (P < 0·001). Crude-fibre and crude-protein digestibilities followed a similar pattern. The differences between Corriedale and fat-tailed sheep were not significant. The only significant difference between the two species of cattle was the higher digestibility of crude protein in Borans given diet E (P < 0·05)

6. The over-all mean digestibility of the dry matter was higher (P < 0·001) in hartebeest and duiker than in sheep; in Thomson's gazelle (P < 0·01) and eland (P < 0·001) it was lower than in sheep. The values for crude-fibre digestibilities varied in a similar way

7. The mean apparent digestibility of crude protein was higher (P < 0·001) in eland, hartebeest and duiker than in sheep and gazelle

8. The results are discussed in relation to the feeding habits and digestive physiology of the various species.
Effect of feeding pattern on the energy metabolism of rats given low-protein diets
Authors: McCracken K. J.
Published: September 2005

1. The deposition of fat and protein and the utilization of energy by growing rats offered dietsad lib.or in controlled amounts by gastric intubation has been investigated. Diets contained 50, 75, 100 or 200 g protein/kg, mainly as casein

Gain of body-weight and protein increased with increasing dietary protein concentration when animals received the same energy intake, although the reverse was true for fat deposition. However, the differences in live-weight gain were almost entirely due to changes in body water. The dry-matter content of the gain in animals given low-protein diets was 770 g/kg compared to 360 g/kg in those given the control diet

2. Energy retention was unaffected by dietary protein level in groups given the same energy intake by gastric intubation. In Expt 1 daily heat production increased significantly (P< 0·05) with increasing protein level (50, 75 and 200 g protein/kg diet) when energy intake was constant, but in Expt 2 there was no significant effect of protein level (50, 100 and 200 g protein/kg diet). Problems arose in the selection of a suitable basis for comparison of heat production between groups because of the differences in body-weight and body composition

3. The energy requirement for zero energy balance was approximately 10% lower for the low-protein groups than for those given the diet containing 200 g protein/kg when food intake was just above the maintenance level. When the requirement was expressed per unit metabolic body size (W0·75kg) dietary protein level had no significant effect. The mean values for Expts 1 and 2 were 452 and 436 kJ respectively

4. The energy cost of weight gain increased as dietary protein level decreased in pairs of groups gaining at the same rate. The extra energy ingested by the animals given the lower protein level was converted to body tissue with an efficiency of at least 0·70

5. Striking differences were observed in body composition and energy retention of the two pairs of groups used for the comparison of tube-feeding andad lib.feeding. With the diet containing 50 g protein/kg, tube-fed rats gained significantly more weight (P< 0·01) and more fat, dry matter and energy (P< 0·001) than theirad lib.counterparts given an iso-energetic intake

6. The results demonstrate that dietary protein level has little or no effect on the utilization of energy by growing rats when the pattern of intake is controlled by gastric intubation.
The effect of sodium chloride ingestion on food intake and on fat deposition in male rats
Authors: Drori D.
Published: September 2005

1. A 21 d slaughter trial was done using weanling male rats offered sodium chloride added at 10, 20 and 30 g/kg to a nutritionally adequate, control diet containing 13 g NaCl/kg, or added to the drinking-water at 5, 10, or 15 g NaCl/l. Food and drinking-water with or without NaCl were offered ad lib. and their intakes were measured..

2. NaCl in the food reduced food intake by 10–15%; NaCl in solution reduced food intake only when added at the 15 g/l level; the reduction was 25%..

3. NaCl increased the fluid intake of the rats; for NaCl in the food the increments ranged from 23 to 44%; for NaCl in the drinking-water they ranged from 44 to 229%..

4. Body fat was significantly reduced by 20 and 30 g NaCl/kg added to the control diet, indicating a reduction in the efficiency of fat synthesis. Comparable amounts of NaCl taken in the drinking-water had a negligible effect on fat deposition..

5. It is suggested that NaCl in the food produces hypodipsia, i.e. a failure to drink an optimal amount of water, causing changes in the electrolyte balance which reduce food intake and progressively reduce the efficiency of fat synthesis.
Net utilization of roughage and concentrate diets by sheep
Authors: Wilke P. I. , Van Der Merwe F. J.
Published: September 2005

1. Two diets, an all-roughage diet and a high-concentrate diet, were fed at two levels, a low level of estimated 1.5 times maintenance energy requirement and a higher level of estimated two times maintenance energy requirement, to South African Mutton Merino castrated male sheep, aged 13 months and in fairly lean condition at the start of the 93 d experimental period..

2. Body composition and energy retention were determined using the comparative slaughter technique and two series of digestibility and balance studies were done during the course of the experiment. Metabolizability of each diet was estimated and corrected for fermentation heat using the fermentation balance approach..

3. Although there were significantly different rates of energy gain on different diets and feeding levels, fat energy gained (% total energy gained) was similar for the four groups, i.e. 78–80..

4. Regression of energy gain v. corrected metabolizable energy (ME) intake indicated that the maintenance energy requirements of sheep used in this experiment were 310.2 and 302.3 kJ ME/kg body-weight0.75 per d and the values for net utilization of ME for body energy gain were 0.411 and 0.479 with the roughage and concentrate diets respectively..

5. It was concluded that the estimated maintenance energy requirements of sheep obtained in this study are realistic values and that the efficiency of utilization of surplus ME for the two diets did not differ significantly.
Food intake and energy expenditure of indian troops in training
Authors: Malhotra M. S. , Chandra Umesh , Rai R. M , Venkataswamy Y. , Sridharan K.
Published: September 2005

1. Food intake and energy expenditure were determined on 500 soldiers drawn from infantry, artillery and engineer units of the Indian army, for 3 months during winter..

2. The units were located in two different regions of India at altitudes varying from sea level to 2300 m..

3. The energy requirements were assessed from the actual food intake as well as from energy expenditure and from the changes in body-weight and skinfold thickness..

4. The nutritional adequacy of the diet was assessed from clinical examination and changes in blood haemoglobin concentration..

5. The mean energy expenditure was found to be 15.39 MJ (3679 kcal) and on this basis the energy requirement was 16.61 MJ (3970 kcal); energy intake was found to be 16.47 MJ (3936 kcal)..

6. The energy contributed by protein, fat and carbohydrate was 0.115, 0.240 and 0.645 of the total intake respectively..

7. There was no significant change in body-weight, blood haemoglobin level and skinfold thickness on this mean daily intake.
The relationship between the zinc status of pigs and the occurrence of copper- and Zn-binding proteins in liver
Authors: Bremner I.
Published: September 2005

1. A study has been made by gel filtration techniques of the soluble copper-and zinc-binding proteins in livers from pigs of different Zn status..

2. The distribution of both Cu and Zn between the three fractions isolated was greatly influenced by the Zn status of the animal. In livers from pigs given a Zn-supplemented diet the proportion of either Cu or Zn found in the fraction with a molecular weight of about 12000 (fraction 3) was a direct function of the total liver concentration of the metal. In livers from pigs given a low-Zn diet, only small amounts of Cu or Zn were present in this fraction, regardless of liver Cu content..

3. These results suggest that Zn may be essential for the stabilization of the metal-binding protein in this fraction.
Artificial rearing of pigs
Authors: Braude R. , Keal H. D. , Newport M. J.
Published: September 2005

1. Diets containing different proportions of skim milk and fat, either beef tallow or soya-bean oil, supplemented with fat-soluble vitamins were given to 2-d-old pigs. Each fat source was used in three diets containing approximately 280, 350 and 420 g fat, and 260, 235 and 210 g protein/kg dry matter respectively..

2. The diets were given as a milk containing 200 g solids/l during a 26 d experiment. The pigs were given the diet at hourly intervals according to a scale based on live weight..

3. Increasing the energy content of the diet, with the accompanying decrease in protein content, had no effect on live-weight gain or feed: gain ratio (g feed dry matter/g live-weight gain) (other than a slight reduction in live-weight gain when beef tallow was used), or on nitrogen retention. However, the fat content of the carcass of the 28-d-old pig was increased, and its protein and ash content were decreased..

4. The apparent digestibilities of the fatty acid ranged from 0.96 to 1.00. The faeces from pigs given the soya-bean-oil diets contained some eicosanoic, docosanoic and tetracosanoic acids, presumably of bacterial origin. In general, palmitic and stearic acids were slightly less well digested than oleic and linoleic acids.
The effect of methods of sterilization on the nutritive value of protein in a commercial rat diet
Authors: Ford D. J.
Published: September 2005

1. The effect on protein quality of treating a commercial rat diet by autoclaving at various temperatures for different periods of time, or by irradiation with 2.5 or 10 Mrd, was studied. True digestibility (TD) and biological value (BV) were measured and the available and total amino acids in the diets were estimated using microbiological and chemical methods..

2. Autoclaving at 121° for 60 min reduced BV, TD and net protein utilization (NPU) more than autoclaving at 134° for 3 min. Availability of amino acids was reduced by both treatments but to a greater extent by autoclaving at 121° for 60 min. Total amino acids were essentially unaffected. Irradiation had no effect on BV, TD, NPU or total amino acids, and the availability of amino acids was also unaffected, with the exception of lysine which was slightly reduced..

3. When the diet was autoclaved at 115 or 121° for 15, 30 or 60 min, or at 134° for 3 min the availability of the amino acids was reduced with increasing time and temperature of treatment. Treatment at 134° for 3 min had an effect on available amino acids similar to treatment at 121° for 15 or 30 min..

4. Ethylene oxide fumigation of the diet caused reduced availability of histidine, methionine and tryptophan but had negligible effect on arginine, leucine and lysine..

5. It is concluded that from a practical point of view irradiation causes least damage to proteins in rodent diets. If such diets are to be autoclaved they should be supplemented with complete protein to counteract amino acid destruction.
Excessive vitamin D content of a standard iron-deficient diet for rats
Authors: Triggs Stella M. , Bailey R.
Published: September 2005

1. The observation that thyroid C cell hyperplasia occurred in rats given the iron-deficient diet described by McCall, Newman, O'Brien, Valberg & Witts (1962) prompted a closer study of the preparation and constituents of this diet..

2. It became apparent that there was a discrepancy between the amounts of fat-soluble vitamins in the dietary formulation reported and the supposed final content of the diet. A diet prepared as described by McCallet al.(1962) contains 1000 μg (40000 i.u.) ergocalciferol and 10 μg (14 500 i.u.) retinyl palmitate/kg..

3. An experiment was designed to study the effect of Fe-deficient and Fe-supplemented, high-vitamin-D diets, and an Fe-supplemented, normal-vitamin-D diet, on thyroid C cell volume and serum calcium concentration..

4. Thyroid C cell volumes and serum Ca concentrations were significantly higher in both groups given excess vitamin D than in the group given the Fe-supplemented, normal-vitamin-D diet. It is evident therefore, that hypervitaminosis D was the cause of the morphological and biochemical changes found in rats given the McCallet al.(1962) diet.
Studies in rats on the nutritional value of hydrogen peroxide-treated fish protein and the utilization of oxidized sulphur-amino acids
Authors: SjÖberg L. B. , BostrÖm S. L.
Published: September 2005

1. The nutritional value of fish protein oxidized with different levels of hydrogen peroxide, and the utilization of oxidized sulphur-amino acids in the rat were investigated.

2. The results showed that the biological value (bv) and protein efficiency ratio (per) of the fish protein were significantly decreased by the treatment with H2O2, and although there were no significant differences between samples treated with 20, 40 or 80 g H2O2/kg, there was a gradual decrease of BV at higher concentrations. Digestibility was not affected by the treatment.

3. Supplementation with 1 g L-methionine/kg or 1 g L-cystine/kg significantly increased the BV for all H2O2-treated samples. With the exception of the sample treated with 80 g H2O2/kg, the BV was increased by L-methionine supplementation to the level for the untreated fish protein.

4. Treatment with H2O2led to the formation of methionine sulphoxide, methionine sulphone and cysteic acid. The availability of these compounds was studied as supplements to the untreated fish protein as well as to the H2O2-treated fish protein. The results showed that L-methionine DL-sulphoxide was as available as methionine, but that L-methionine sulphone and cysteic acid had no supplementary effect.

5. The availability of lysine in fish protein was not affected by treatment with 20 g H2O2/kg as judged by its effect as a supplement to wheat flour.

6. The plasma amino acid pattern for rats given a diet with H2O2-treated fish protein was identical to that for rats given an untreated fish protein, with the exception of the presence of the two isomers of L-methionine DL-sulphoxide and L-methionine sulphone. The oxidized S-amino acids were also found in liver, kidney and gastrocnemius muscle from the rat.

7. Only traces of L-methionine DL-sulphoxide were found in the urine. About half the ingested L-methionine sulphone was found in the urine and almost all was present as an acid-labile conjugate.
The effect of dietary protein deprivation on protein synthesis in the isolated liver parenchymal cell
Authors: Grant Anne G. , Hoffenberg R.
Published: September 2005

1. Parenchymal cells were isolated from the liver of rats that had been deprived of dietary protein for 3 weeks.

2. The cells were two-thirds the diameter of those derived from livers of normal animals and consumed oxygen at a rate of 16.2±2.7 μl/h per 106viable cells, half the normal value.

3. Albumin and transferrin were synthesized at rates of 0.94±0.12 and 0.60±0.07 μg/h per 106viable cells respectively and urea at a rate of 0.77±0.12 μg/h per 106cells. This represents a 25-50% decrease in the rates of synthesis measured in cells isolated from normal livers.

4. The results are discussed in relation to the long-term effects of malnutrition on liver cell function.
A comparison of the skinfold method with extent of ‘overweight’ and various weight-height relationships in the assessment of obesity
Authors: Womersley J. , Durnin J. V. G. A.
Published: September 2005

1. Body-weight, height, skinfold thickness and body density measurements were made on 245 men and 324 women aged between 17 and 72 years. The body fat content of each individual was calculated from his density measurement using equations similar to that of Siri (1956) but appropriate to age, muscular development, and extent of obesity. Regression equations were then derived for separate age-groups for the prediction of body fat from (1) weight–height (W–H) relationships (W:H, W:H2 W:H3, W0.33:H, H:W0.33), (2) ‘percentage overweight’ (body-weight:mean body-weight; W:W;) and ‘percentage desirable weight’ body-weight: ‘desirable weight’ (mean weights for men and women aged 20-24 years); (W:DES), (3) the independent variables weight and height incorporated in a regression equation, (4) skinfold measurements.

2. The correlations between height and indices, W:H, W:H3, W0.33:H and H:W0.33: were substantially different from those between height and body fat estimated by densitometry.

3. The method having the highest correlation with body fat estimated by densitometry was the skinfold method, although in the older groups of women other methods sometimes gave equally good correlations. The index H:W0.33 had a negative correlation with body fat, and the indices W:H, W0.33:H and W:H3 had a lower correlation with body fat estimated by densitometry than did the other indices. These indices are therefore unsuitable measures of obesity, and this is in agreement with the findings of other workers.

4. The correlations betweeen body fat estimated by densitometry and the indices W:H2, W:W, W:DES and the equations incorporating the independent variable weight and height are all very similar, although it is not appropriate to use the index W:W; as a measure of obesity in groups of people of widely different ages.

5. The standard error of prediction of body fat from skinfold measurement may be of the same order of magnitude as the standard error of prediction of body fat by densitometry. It is therefore probably inappropriate to assess the accuracy of the skinfold method by comparison with the density method alone.

6. From the distribution patterns obtained, it was evident that compared with the density method, all methods tended to over-estimate body fat in very lean individuals. The skinfold method however showed this tendency to only a relatively small extent.
A biochemical explanation for the fatty liver and kidney syndrome of broilers: its alleviation by the short-term use of dietary fat
Authors: Balnave D. , Cumming R. B. , Sutherland T. M.
Published: September 2005

1. Fatty liver and kidney syndrome (FLKS) was induced in young broiler chickens by giving them a diet composed principally of wheat and meat meal.

2. FLKS resulted in reduced growth and increased liver weight; fasting for 18 h increased mortality, liver lipid and the specific activity of hepatic ATP-citrate lyase compared with birds fed on a commercial diet. The specific activities of hepatic fructose-l,6-diphosphate-l-phosphohydrolase and pyruvate carboxylase were reduced in birds suffering from FLKS and fasted for 18 h.

3. Feeding of the FLKS-inducing diet supplemented with 150 g animal tallow/kg for 54 h considerably reduced mortality while restoring liver composition and enzyme activities towards those observed in birds fed a commercial diet. Investigations indicated that the glycerol component of the fat was not responsible for the observed responses.

4. The present results suggest that in FLKS insufficiencies of biotin are induced in specific enzyme systems, but the syndrome may be alleviated without the use of supplementary biotin.

5. The evidence indicates that, when stressed, birds affected by FLKS die from the hypoglycaemia occurring as a result of a reduced capacity for gluconeogenesis.
The relationship between rumen bacterial growth, intake of dry matter, digestible organic matter and volatile fatty acid production in buffalo (Bos bubalis) calves
Authors: Singh U. B. , Verma D. N. , Varma A. , Ranjhan S. K.
Published: September 2005

1. The production rates of bacteria in the rumen of buffalo (Bos bubalis) calves were estimated using an isotope-dilution technique. A series of fifteen experiments was done with animals given green maize and nine experiments with animals given cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

2. The turnover time ranged from 205 to 567 min in the group given green maize and from 330 to 648 min in animals offered cowpea. The production rates of bacteria were (mean±SE; g/d) 145.77±7.240 and 237.09±11.847 in animals given green maize and cowpea respectively.

3. There was a significant correlation between bacterial production rates and dry matter intake, digestible organic matter and total volatile fatty acids formed in the rumen.

4. Regression equations obtained for the two foodstuffs were different suggesting that the bacterial growth rate may vary depending upon the quantity and quality of foodstuff digested and possibly the ratio nitrogen: energy of the foodstuff.
Intravenous infusion of a dextrin, Caloreen, in human subjects: metabolic studies
Authors: Bibby R. J. , Davies D. , Mallick N. P. , Atherton S. T. , Wright D. M. , Ricketts C. R. , Milner J.
Published: September 2005

1. Caloreen, a glucose-polymer dextrin infused into human volunteers, although producing a clear increase in total plasma carbohydrate did not produce a satisfactory increase in plasma glucose levels or serum insulin levels.

2. Urinary losses were high and although small fragments of the dextrin (suggesting metabolic breakdown of the dextrin) were demonstrated in the urine, no suppression of plasma free fatty acid, glucagon or immediate increase in the respiratory quotient were noted, suggesting that the metabolism is too slow to make it useful for parenteral nutrition in its present form.

3. A dextrin with fewer branch-links might be more suitable.
Anthropometric studies on African athletes who participated in the 1st African University Games
Authors: Watson J. D. , Dako D. Y.
Published: September 2005

1. Height, weight, skinfold thicknesses and mid-arm circumference were measured in 540 males and 117 females aged 20-24 years who took part in the 1st African University Games, held at the University of Ghana, Legon. Body fat content, Quetelet's index (weight ÷ height × 100; Khosla & Lowe (1967)) and mid-arm muscle circumference were derived from the measurements taken.

2. The physique or body-build of the subjects as assessed by Quetelet's index showed that both male and female subjects from the various countries were of medium body-build. The body fat content for males was between 10 and 12% with the exception of the Egyptians (12.8%) while that of females was between 23-24%.

3. Body measurements of the subjects compared favourably with that of international standards (WHO, 1966) with the exception of the triceps skinfold thickness which was only approximately 60% of the standard value.

4. The low values for triceps skinfold thickness are probably due to differences in the distribution of subcutaneous fat at different sites in the body as found between caucasian and non-caucasian population groups. The results are discussed in relation to the findings of other workers on ethnic differences in skinfold thickness.
Design and development of a long-term rumen simulation technique (Rusitec)
Authors: Czerkawski J. W. , Breckenridge Grace
Published: September 2005

1. The paper describes the development and construction of an apparatus for maintaining a normal microbial population of the rumen under strictly controlled conditions over long periods of time.

2. The apparatus is simple to construct and operate. It is possible to do four replicate experiments at the same time.

3. The results of three experiments are given. The experiments showed that when the steady-state was reached it could be maintained indefinitely, with the type and quantities of products of fermentation very similar to those in the rumen of donor animals, including the maintenance of normal protozoal populations for up to 49 d.

4. It was found that within wide ranges, the digestibility of rations and the output of products were independent of dilution rate.

5. Except for the lowest ‘level of feeding’, the digestibility was independent of the level of feeding. The output of products was proportional to the amount of food digested and was the same as would be expected in sheep on similar rations.

6. An experiment in which a ration of hay was changed to a mainly concentrate ration showed that the fermentation characteristics were determined mainly by the food given.
Effect of postruminal glucose or protein supplementation on milk yield and composition in Friesian cows in early lactation and negative energy balance
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Grubb D. A. , Kay R. N. B.
Published: September 2005

1. Two experiments were carried out with lactating Friesian cows with a potential for high milk production. Within 3 d after calving they were fitted with a catheter to allow infusions to be given into the abomasum. During each experiment the milk yields and intake of the cows were such that they were calculated to be in negative energy balance.

2. In the first experiment three cows were infused daily with 10 l, the infusate being water, a suspension providing 300 g casein, or a solution providing 300 g glucose. The cows were offered a diet of barley straw, rolled barley and ureaad lib.during the first 60 d, after which they were fed to a calculated yield of 7 kg fat-corrected milk (FCM) less than their previous yield to ensure a negative energy balance. Infusion of casein increased yield by up to 3 kg FCM in comparison with glucose or water infusion. It also increased the concentration of crude protein in milk by approximately 13%. There was no consistent effect on milk fat concentration.

3. In the second experiment four cows were used in a trial of Latin-Square design. The basal ration was sufficient for a yield of 10 kg FCM/d. Four levels of casein and glucose infused into the abomasum daily were (g) 0, 750; 250, 500; 500, 250; 750, 0. The yields of FCM (kg/d) were 18.9, 22.7, 25.2 and 26.1, the concentration of protein (g/kg) was 25.2, 28.4, 29.6 and 31.5 and the concentration of milk fat (g/kg) was 48.2, 49.8, 51.0 and 54.8 for the four treatments respectively. In each instance the increases in values obtained with increasing level of casein infusion were significant. Infusion of casein was calculated to increase the extent of net energy deficit from 20.5 to 41.0 MJ/d. The possible protein limitations for cows in negative energy balance were discussed.
The effects of pregnancy and lactation on copper and zinc retention in the rat
Authors: Williams R. B. , Davies N. T. , McDonald I.
Published: September 2005

1. The accretion of copper and zinc in maternal tissues, conception products and postnatal offspring of the rat was determined at different stages of pregnancy and lactation.

2. Equations relating the weight of the bodies of the developing young and of the amounts of Cu and Zn in them to the time that has elapsed since conception showed that, early in pregnancy, the specific rates of accretion of Cu or Zn were greater than that of weight, but declined more rapidly as development continued. The instantaneous rates of accretion of both metals rose throughout pregnancy but only that of Cu continued to increase during lactation.

3. The amount of Cu in the maternal body rose significantly during pregnancy and declined thereafter, but relatively small changes in its Zn content occurred.

4. The results are discussed in relation to the relative demands for these metals during pregnancy and lactation.
The effect of pregnancy and lactation on the absorption of zinc and lysine by the rat duodenum in situ
Authors: Davies N. T. , Williams R. B.
Published: September 2005

1. The absorption of zinc by the duodenum of the rat was greatly enhanced at late stages of pregnancy and during lactation.

2. During pregnancy no increase in lysine uptake could be demonstrated, but during lactation, when further increases in Zn absorption occurred, uptake of lysine was increased.

3. The increased absorption of Zn at different stages of pregnancy and lactation appeared to be related to the demand made by the developing foetuses and post-natal offspring.
Rates of rumen fermentation in relation to ammonia concentration
Authors: Mehrez A. Z. , Ørskov E. R. , McDonald I.
Published: September 2005

1. Four sheep were fed from automatic continuous feeders on whole barley fortified with graded levels of a urea solution. This approach was to a large extent successful in maintaining relatively steady states of rumen ammonia concentration.

2. Rates of barley fermentation in the rumen at various rumen NH3concentrations were assessed by measuring the disappearance of barley dry matter from polyester bags suspended in the rumen of these sheep.

3. The minimal NH3concentration for maximal rate of fermentation was estimated as 235 mg/l rumen fluid.
Sleep and activity, age and fatness, and the energy expenditure of confined sheep
Authors: Toutain P-L. , Toutain Claire , Webster A. J. F. , McDonald J. D.
Published: September 2005

1. Changes in energy expenditure associated with sleep and activity, age and fatness were measured in sheep. States of vigilance were defined according to electrophysiological records as awake, drowsy, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and paradoxical sleep (PS; Ruckebusch, 1972). Energy expenditure was determined from respiratory exchange. Three groups, each of four sheep were used; yearlings, old (4-6 years of age) fat and old thin sheep. Body fat content was estimated from deuterium oxide space.

2. The amount of time spent by sheep from each group at each state of vigilance was similar, total ‘sleep’ time being 200-250 min/night.

3. The absolute decrease in energy expenditure during drowsiness and sleep was similar for all groups of sheep. The difference between SWS and lying awake was 20-27 J/kg body-weight (W)0.75 per min. Heat production was about the same for SWS and PS.

4. The energy cost of rumination was about 0.34 kJ/kg W per h.

5. The increase in heat production during standing consisted of the energy cost of standing, approximately 0.7 kJ/kg W per h, and the energy cost of changing position, approximately 47 J/kg W.

6. The old thin sheep had a slightly higher heat production on a per kg total W0.75 basis than the old fat sheep, but this difference largely disappeared when heat production was related to ‘lean’ W. On average energy expenditure was approximately 25% lower in the old sheep than in the yearling animals. This difference could not be related to difference in activity or in the energy costs of activity per unit of time.
The regulation of gluconeogenesis by diet and insulin in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
Authors: Cowey C. B. , Knox D. , Walton M. J. , Adron J. W.
Published: September 2005

1. The effects of diet composition and insulin treatment on blood glucose level, blood amino acid concentrations, the activities of two hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes (fructose diphosphatase,EC3.1.3.11; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,EC4.1.1.32) and of two hepatic glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase,EC2.7.1.1; pyruvate kinase,EC2.7.1.40) were examined in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

2. Blood glucose levels were much higher in trout given a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet than in those given a high-protein (HP) diet. Insulin reduced blood glucose concentration in the HC-fed fish but had no effect in HP-fed fish.

3. Plasma amino acid concentrations were higher in HP-fed trout than in HC-fed trout. Insulin reduced plasma amino acid levels in both groups.

4. Gluconeogenic enzyme activities were higher in HP-fed trout than in HC-fed trout. Insulin reduced phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in HP-fed trout but had no effect on either enzyme activity in the HC-fed trout.

5. Pyruvate kinase activity was greater in HC-fed trout than in HP-fed trout. Insulin did not affect pyruvate kinase activity in the HC-fed trout but reduced it in HP-fed trout.

6. Hexokinase activity was not affected by the diet treatments used, but was enhanced in the trout treated with insulin. Glucokinase (EC2.7.1.2) was not detected in any of the trout livers.

7. The results suggest that the inability of trout to control blood glucose concentration is partly due to a lack of glucose-phosphorylating capacity. Gluconeogenesis is controlled in response to diet and insulin by changes in enzyme level and by variation in concentration of gluconeogenic substrates.
The protein-sparing effect of carbohydrate
Authors: Fuller M. F. , Crofts R. M. J.
Published: September 2005

1. Measurements were made of the losses of nitrogen in the faeces and urine of sixty pigs of approximately 33 kg, given dietary regimens comprising twenty-nine combinations of fish flour (0-800 g/d) and maize starch (0–1200 g/d).

2. The results were used to develop a generalized equation describing N retention as a joint function of N intake and starch intake.

3. The protein-sparing effect of starch was exerted in all circumstances. It was greatest when protein intake exceeded 220 g/d but some effect persisted with protein-free diets. With a high protein supply, the increase in N retention per unit increase in dietary starch decreased from 36 mg/g with the first increment to 3 mg/g with the highest attainable starch intake.

4. From the generalized equation the relationships between net protein utilization and protein concentration and food intake could be described as continuous functions. The equations may be of use in comparing the protein values of diets measured under non-standardized conditions.
Maternal nutrition in early pregnancy
Authors: Smithells R. W. , Ankers Carol , Carver Margaret E. , Lennon Dorothy , Schorah C. J. , Sheppard Sheila
Published: September 2005

1. Mean daily nutrient intakes of 195 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were assessed by weighed dietary records.

2. In comparison with recommended intakes for non-pregnant women aged 18-55 years (Department of Health and Social Security, (1969), more than two-thirds of the subjects were having insufficient energy, iron and cholecalciferol. Unsatisfactory intakes of other nutrients were not uncommon. In relation to recom mended intakes for the second trimester Department of Health and Social Security, (1969), all mothers were having insufficient cholecalciferol and more than 80 % of mothers had unsatisfactory intakes of energy and Fe.

3. Intakes appreciably lower than those recommended were associated with the following factors: social classes III, IV and V; maternal age under 20 years; smoking ten or more cigarettes daily; vomiting on more than 3 d/week.
Fertilizer sulphur as a factor affecting voluntary intake, digestibility and retention time of pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) by sheep
Authors: Rees M. C. , Minson D. J.
Published: September 2005

1. Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) was grown with or without sulphur fertilizer, cut at seven stages of growth, dried and given to sheep with or without a supplement of 0.6 g S as sodium sulphate/d. Voluntary intake and digestibility of dry matter (dm) and retention time in the reticulo-rumen, of various components of the grasses were determined.

2. Grass grown on the S-fertilized plots had a mean S content of 1.57 g/kg dm compared with 1.03 g/kg dm for the control but there was no difference in the level of other elements. S fertilizer increased the level of acid-detergent fibre and lignin.

3. In the absence of a S supplement, fertilizer S increased voluntary intake by 10.5%, dm digestibility by 0.008 and reduced the period food dm was retained in the reticulo-rumen by 18.5%. Fertilizer S had no effect on rumen pH or volatile fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid, but decreased the molar proportions of propionic and butyric acids and increased those of acetic, isobutyric, isovaleric and caproic acids.

4. Supplementary S had little effect on the voluntary intake and dm digestibility of the S-fertilized grass but increased the voluntary intake and dm digestibility of the control grass by 22% and 0.036 respectively (P < 0.01). Thus the voluntary intake and dm digestibility of S-fertilized grass was lower than that of the control grass when the determinations were made with sheep supplemented with S.

5. It was concluded that S fertilizer increased nutritive value by overcoming a simple S deficiency in the diet when diets contained less than 1.7 to 1.8 g S/kg dm but this benefit was offset by a decrease in the content of digestible neutral-detergent solubles and an increase in the lignin content of the food.
Protein utilization in rats receiving a low-protein diet with various limiting amino acids
Authors: Rafalski H. , JabŁOŃski E. , Switoniak Teresa
Published: September 2005

1. A study was made of protein utilization in rats given a variety of low-protein diets containing (g/kg) egg albumin 18, casein 49, gluten 50, or mixtures of either maize protein and gelatine 58, or casein and gelatin 37, each with supplemental methionine. The diets were limiting in leucine, tryptophan or lysine, or in both tryptophan and the sulphur-containing amino acids.

2. Values obtained for net protein utilization (npu) at these low levels of nitrogen intake were markedly higher than the amino acid score calculated for the different test proteins, except with casein for which the two values were similar. Thenpuvalues agreed more closely with chemical score values based on the content of S-amino acids or isoleucine in the dietary protein.