bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The digestion of fresh perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL. cv. Melle) and white clover (Trifolium repensL. cv. Blanca) by growing cattle fed indoors
Authors: Beever D. E. , Thomson D. J. , Ulyatt M. J. , Cammell S. B. , Spooner M. C.
Published: September 2005

1. Pure swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL. cv. Melle) or white clover (Trifolium repensL.cv. Blanca) were harvested daily at three and two stages of growth respectively, and offered to housed cattle. The grass diets comprised primary growth (May) and two later regrowths of contrasting morphology (i.e. leaf: stem values of 1.54 and 2.84 respectively), and were characterized by high contents of water-soluble carbohydrate and neutral- detergent fibre and comparable in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibilities (mean 0.80). Total nitrogen content was higher on primary growth grass (34 g/kg DM) than on regrowths (23 g/kg DM) but lower than values obtained for the two clover diets (38 and 43 g/kg DM, respectively). The clover diets had lower water-soluble carbohydrate contents than the grasses, comparable cellulose, but lower neutral-detergent fibre contents and in vitro DM digestibilities of 0.70 and 0.77 respectively.

2. The experiment lasted from May until August, during which time a total of twenty-one young Friesian steers (initial average live weight 130 kg) were used to determine both nutrient supply to the small intestine (twelve animals) and apparent digestibility (nine animals). Each diet was offered at three levels of DM intake (i.e. 18, 22 and 26 g/kg live weight). A further six steers, all fed at the rate of 22 g DM/kg live weight, were used to determine the metabolizable energy contents of the five diets by means of open-circuit calorimetry.

3. The three grass diets and the later-cut clover had, as intended, quite similar in vivo organic matter digestibilities, but that of the earlier-cut clover was lower, and this was associated with a large number of flower heads in this crop at the time of feeding.

4. On the clover diets, proportionately less of the ingested organic matter appeared to be digested in the rumen (0.40) compared with the grass diets (0.58) (P < 0.001). On the high-N primary grass and the clover diets, substantial rumen losses of N were detected (P < 0.01) compared with regrowth grasses.

5. The metabolizable energy content of the primary growth of grass was 12.2 MJ/kg DM, whilst the values for the other two grass diets were lower (11.6 MJ/kg DM), despite no marked decline in overall energy digestibility. Values for the two clover diets (mean 10.5 MJ/kg DM) were considerably lower than all values noted for the grasses.

6. The amount of absorbed non-ammonia-N expressed per MJ metabolizable energy averaged 1.24 g/MJ on the grass diets, with no apparent seasonal effects, compared with 1.79 g/MJ on the two clover diets.

7. Reasons for variations in nutrient supply and the consequence of considerable rumen losses of ingested N on the high-N diets are discussed, and the contribution that white clover can make to overall protein supply in grazing ruminants is established.
Nutritional availability to rats of selenium in four seafoods: crab (Callinectes sapidus), oyster (Crassostrea virginica), shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) and Baltic herring (Clupea harengus)
Authors: Mutanen Marja , Koivistoinen Pekka , Morris Virginia C. , Levander Orville A.
Published: September 2005

1. The present study was conducted to determine the biological availability to rats of the selenium in four high-Se seafoods: crab (CuZlinectes supidus), oyster (Crassostrea virginica), shrimp (Penueus duorarum) and Baltic herring (Clupea harengus).

2. Weanling male rats were fed on a Se-deficient Torula yeast diet for 4 weeks followed by either continued depletion or repletion for 4 weeks with 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 μg Se as selenite/g, or 0.1 or 0.2 μg Se as freeze-dried cooked test food/g. Plasma and liver Se levels or glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9; GSH-Px) activities were used as indicators of body Se status.

3. Except for oysters, the biological availability of Se in all these seafoods was close to that of selenite (selenite 100%) when the criterion used was either plasma Se level or plasma GSH-Px activity.

4. By the criterion of increased liver Se level of restored hepatic GSH-Px activity, only herringSe had a biological availability comparable to that of selenite-Se under all conditions tested, whereas crab-Se and oyster-Se were distinctly inferior in this regard.

5. Increasing the amount of crab-Se, oyster-Se or shrimp-Se supplied in the diet from 0.1 to 0.2 μg/g changed the apparent availability (%) of Se for hepatic GSH-Px restoration from 38 to 78, 22 to 53 and 57 to 90 respectively.

6. The present study demonstrates that the availability of Se in certain foods is a function of the criterion chosen, the level of Se supplied in the diet, and possibly other unknown interacting dietary factors.
Selenium status in patients with liver cirrhosis and alcoholism
Authors: Johansson U. , Johnsson F. , Joelsson B. , Berglund M. , Åkesson B.
Published: September 2005

1. Selenium status and blood levels of other nutrients related to lipid peroxidation were studied in patients with advanced alcoholic liver cirrhosis, in male alcoholics who had been abstinent for at least 1 month and in healthy control subjects.

2. Plasma Se was decreased in alcoholic cirrhosis but not among alcoholics in abstinence. Platelet glutathione peroxidase (EC 1. 11. 1.9; GSH-Px) activity was decreased in cirrhotic patients, whereas GSH-Px in blood and plasma was the same as in controls for both groups of patients.

3. Plasma retinol and plasma α-tocopherol were decreased in alcoholic cirrhosis, whereas plasma ascorbic acid was the same in all groups.

4. The decreases in platelet GSH-Px, plasma Se and α-tocopherol indicate a deranged antioxidant defence in patients with advanced alcoholic cirrhosis, but the levels of these and other nutrients were generally not correlated to common clinical chemical indicators of liver disease.
The distribution of nutrient intake within families
Authors: Nelson Michel
Published: September 2005

1. During 1978 and 1979, the 343 members of seventy-nine families representative of households with two adults and two or three children living in Cambridge, England, completed 7-d records of food consumption using the semi-weighed technique. Nutrient intakes were calculated using food composition tables.

2. Amongst males, the average intakes of energy and most nutrients were highest in men and boys aged 11–17 years, and lowest in boys under 5 years. Amongst females, intakes were highest in girls aged 11–17 years, and lowest in those under 5 years. At each age, intakes in males were generally higher than those in females.

3. Nutrient distribution within families was described using the ratio, intake of each subject: intake of the male head of the household. The problems inherent in using this ratio are discussed.

4. The distribution of nutrient intakes within the families was not in accordance with the recommended daily amounts (RDA). Men and young boys received more than their fair share of the family diet, while women and girls aged 5–17 years received less.

5. Estimates of dietary adequacy based on the averages of family consumption and requirements (RDA) concealed up to twofold variations in the adequacy of diet of different age-sex-groups.

6. The interpretation of dietary adequacy in household food surveys should take into account the distribution of nutrient intakes within the household, as the distribution may be substantially different from that predicted by the RDA.
Some effects of selenium deficiency on glutathione peroxidase (EC1.11.1.9) activity and tissue pathology in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
Authors: Bell J. G. , Pirie B. J. S. , Adron J. W. , Cowey C. B.
Published: September 2005

1. Two duplicate groups of rainbow trout (Sulmo gairdneri; mean weight 27 g) were given diets of differing selenium content (deficient 0, 025 mg Se/kg; supplemented 1.022 mg Se/kg) for 30 weeks.

2. There were no significant differences between treatments in weight gain but packed cell volume, liver vitamin E and liver and plasma Se concentrations were all significantly lower in the Se-deficient trout.

3. Ataxia occurred in about 10% of the Se-deficient trout and histopathologies were evident in nerve cord (damage to axon sheath) and liver (loss of integrity in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with appearance of increased vesiculation).

4. Glutathione peroxidase (EC1.11.1.9) activity was significantly reduced in liver and plasma of Se-deficient fish but there was no indication, from differential assay, of any non-Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity. Glutathione transferase (EC2.5. I.18) activity was significantly increased in Se-deficient trout.
Effects of short- and long-term feeding of zinc oxide-supplemented diets on the mature, female domestic fowl with special reference to tissue mineral content
Authors: Jackson N. , Gibson S. W. , Stevenson M. H.
Published: September 2005

1. In Expt 1, the effects on laying hens of diets supplemented with zinc oxide providing up to 20 gadded zinc/kg were compared. In Expt 2 the diets contained up to 6 g added Zn/kg.

2. In both experiments, food intake, body-weight, egg number, and liver, oviduct and ovary weights/kg body-weight were significantly reduced by added ZnO; gizzard weight/kg body-weight was significantly increased. In Expt 2, pancreas weight was significantly reduced by added ZnO.

3. Liver, kidney and pancreatic Zn and iron concentrations were significantly elevated in both experiments.

4. In both experiments, liver, kidneys and pancreatic copper concentrations gave quadratic responses to added ZnO.
The alleviation of chronic copper toxicity in sheep by ciliate protozoa
Authors: Ivan M. , Veira D. M. , Kelleher C. A.
Published: September 2005

1. Rams, fauna-free from birth and initially of 48–65 kg live weight, were allocated to two groups of ten each and given a diet containing 14 μg copper/g dry matter; five additional rams were killed and their livers were analysed for Cu.

2. One group (faunated) was inoculated with a mixed population of ciliate protozoa, and contained between 60x105and 195 x 105protozoa/ml rumen fluid throughout the 184 d experiment. The other group remained fauna-free. Following blood sampling, three rams in each group were killed on day 63, two on day 125 and four on day 184. One sheep in each group died during the experiment.

3. Faunated rams showed higher weight gains and feed consumption than fauna-free rams.

4. Plasma Cu concentration (μg/ml) increased from an initial 0.82to a final 1.00 in faunated and 1.36 in fauna-free rams. Liver Cu concentration (μg/g dry matter) increased from an initial 745 to a final 962 and 1684 in faunated and in fauna-free sheep respectively, representing a 4.3-fold greater increase in the fauna-free than in the faunated group. The absorption and retention of Cu was 38–50% higher in the fauna-free than in the faunated rams.

5. It was suggested that rumen ciliate protozoa increased rumen production of sulphide (through increased breakdown of soluble proteins) which complexed part of the Cu, making it unavailable for absorption and utilization. Therefore, ciliate protozoa could determine susceptibility to chronic Cu toxicity in sheep.
Rumen degradation and fractional outflow rates of nitrogen supplements given to cattle eating sodium hydroxide-treated straw
Authors: Amaning-Kwarteng K. , Kellaway R. C. , Leibholz Jane , Kirby A. C.
Published: September 2005

1. Six rumen and abomasal cannulated heifers were used to study the effects of intake on the fractional outflow rates (FOR) of chromium-mordanted cotton-seed meal (Cr-CSM) and meat meal (Cr-MM), CrEDTA, ytterbium and lignin from the rumen. Values of FOR of Cr-CSM and Cr-MM were combined with values of nitrogen disappearance from the protein supplements, placed in porous synthetic (nylon) bags and incubated within the rumen (P), to calculate effective degradation (D)of CSM and MM when fed to heifers eating sodium hydroxide-treated straw. Also, N degradation in vivo (V) was measured as the difference between abomasal N flow and the sum of flows of microbial and endogenous N.

2. FOR were positively related to intake and differences between supplements were significant (p<0.01). FOR pertaining to high and low intakes respectively were 0.073 and 0.052 for Cr-CSM, 0.082 and 0.071 for Cr-MM, 0.030 and 0.023 for lignin, 0.082 and 0.073 for CrEDTA and 0, 044 and 0.035 for Yb.

3. A rise of 28.8 and 13.4% in FOR of Cr-CSM and Cr-MM respectively, associated with an increase in intake from maintenance to 1.5 times maintenance, resulted in 10.7 and 2.2% reductions inD, 24 h after feeding, for CSM and MM respectively.

4. With the exception of CSM at the high intake, estimates ofVwere underestimated byDand were 8.6–25.0% greater than theDvalues when time of incubation (t)= ∞. The two techniques, however, ranked the degradation of the two supplements in the same order at both levels of intake.

5. Underestimation ofVbyDmay be attributable to underestimation ofP, overestimation of FOR (both resulting in underestimation ofD) or overestimation ofVdue to biases associated with the estimation of this part of the comparison. The relative importance of these factors remains to be determined.
Pigeon (Columba L.) meat iron solubility and availability for absorption in rats
Authors: Latunde-Dada G. O. , Neale R. J.
Published: September 2005

1. The distribution of iron in 59Fe-labelled pigeon (Columba L.) leg and breast muscle and liver were determined by gel filtration. While the insoluble Fe was between 14 and 25% of the total Fe from the tissues, the haem-Fe represented 79.1% (breast) to 45% (liver) of the total Fe and ferritin was between 5.5% (breast) and 26.5% (liver) of the total Fe.

2. The tissue haem-Fe concentration was found to be lower than that determined by gel filtration using the method of Schricker et al. (1982) for non-haem-Fe and obtaining haem-Fe by difference.

3. A simulated in vitro digestion procedure showed significantly (P < 0.01) reduced 59Fe solubility from 59Fe-labelled pigeon meat after cooking at 90° for 30 min.

4. 59Fe absorption from whole pigeon meat and soluble extract was significantly reduced by cooking when given to Fe-replete rats. Cooking liver, however, slightly improved 59Fe absorption in Fe-replete rats.

5.59Fe absorption from the separated pigeon-meat fractions (haemoproteins, ferritin and haemosiderin) was variable but considerably lower than that from whole meat.

6. The relative distribution of Fe compounds in meat, the processing conditions they are subjected to and the protein content and composition may all influence the absorption of meat-Fe to some degree.
An experimental design to study colonic fibre fermentation in the rat: the duration of feeding
Authors: Walter Deborah J. , Eastwood M. A. , Brydon W. G. , Elton R. A.
Published: September 2005

1. The time-course of metabolic adaptation by rats to diets containing either wheat bran or gum arabic was studied during a 12-week period.

2. Stool weight was increased with wheat bran but not with gum arabic, and had stabilized after 4 weeks.

3. Bacterial mass as measured by diaminopimelic acid content had stabilized by week 4. Bacterial mass increased on feeding gum arabic but was unchanged with wheat bran.

4. There was increased caecal short-chain fatty acid, hydrogen and methane production with gum arabic but not with wheat bran. The change in caecal metabolic activity was slow to stabilize (8–12 weeks at least).

5. The faecal excretion of bile acids increased twofold with the wheat-bran-supplemented diet compared with the gum-arabic-supplemented and unsupplemented diets. Relatively greater amounts of muricholic acids were present in the caeca and faeces of gum-arabic-fed rats compared with the other groups.
Fermentation of dietary fibre in the intestinal tract: comparison between man and rat
Authors: Nyman Margareta , Asp Nils-Georg , Cummings John , Wiggins Hugh
Published: September 2005

1. The breakdown and faecal bulking capacity of dietary fibre preparations from wheat bran, apple, cabbage, carrot, and guar gum were compared in man and rat.

2. The degradation of the fibre showed good correlation between man and rat (r 0.99, regression coefficient 0.86). Wheat bran was the least well-digested, 66 and 59% of the neutral sugars being excreted in faeces of man and rat respectively. The breakdown of the fibre in apple, cabbage, carrot and guar gum was more complete and 4–29% of the neutral sugars were recovered in faeces.

3. The main dietary fibre constituents in each preparation were degraded to a similar extent in man and rat. The main dietary fibre constituents of apple, carrot, cabbage and guar gum were almost completely degraded. Of the xylose in wheat bran 45% (man) and 48% (rat) were recovered in faeces. However, the percentage excretion of glucose and arabinose from bran was higher in man.

4. A faecal glucan other than cellulose was identified in human faeces after guar gum, and has been provisionally identified as starch. No such glucan occurred in rat faeces.

5. A good correlation between the faecal bulking capacity in man and rat was seen (r 0.97, regression coefficient 0.56). Wheat bran had the best bulking capacity, while that of apple, cabbage, carrot and guar gum was less pronounced. Faecal bulking was inversely related to the amount of fibre which was water-soluble in each preparation.

6. It is concluded that this rat experimental model is useful for the prediction of fermentative breakdown and bulking capacity of dietary fibre in man. However, more comparative studies are needed to evaluate animal experiments regarding other physiological effects of dietary fibre.
Gastrointestinal adaptation in response to soluble non-available polysaccharides in the rat
Authors: Johnson I. T. , Gee Jennifer M.
Published: September 2005

1. Rats were fed on a control semi-synthetic diet containing insoluble cellulose (Solkafloc; 100 g/kg; control group) as the only source of dietary fibre, or on one of two test diets containing the same quantity of either guar gum or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Animals in the test groups showed similar growth rates and food intakes, which were significantly lower than those of the control group. The CMC group produced frequent poorly formed faeces throughout the 21 d feeding period.

2. The small intestines of animals in both test groups were significantly longer than those of the control group at the end of the study. The caeca were also enlarged and heavier, particularly in the CMC-fed group.

3. The rate of production of mucosal cells was increased in the small and large intestines of both test groups. The CMC-fed group exhibited a particularly high rate in the distal ileum, where the rate of cell divisions per crypt was over three times greater than at the same site in the control group. The increased proliferation was associated with a significant lengthening of the crypts and an approximately 25% increase in the basal width of the villi.

4. Mucosal alkaline phosphatase (EC3.1.3.1) and lactase (EC3.2.1.23) levels were lower than those of the control group at proximal and distal sites in the small intestines of both CMC- and guar-gum-fed groups. Altered spatial distributions of maltase (EC3.2.1.20) and sucrase (EC3.2.1.48) activities were also observed in these animals.

5. The consumption of at least some gel-forming polysaccharides evidently leads to significant physiological adaptation in the intestinal mucosa of rats, associated with alterations in mucosal cell proliferation. The mechanism underlying this response appears not to be entirely dependent on the physical properties of the chyme.
The effect of abrupt changes in the concentration and frequency of feeding milk-substitute diets on the voluntary food intake of calves
Authors: Ternouth J. H. , Ganderton P. , Beattie A. W.
Published: September 2005

1. To examine the relations between short- and long-term regulation of food intake in calves given milk-substitute diets, abrupt changes were made in the dry matter (DM) concentration of the diet (Expt 1) and in the frequency of feeding (Expts 2 and 3).

2. When calves, fed once daily, had the DM concentration of their diet changed, they drank the same volume of milk on the 1st day they received the new diet as they had on the previous days; so the DM intakes changed in proportion to the change in milk DM concentration. Over the subsequent 6 d, milk intake progressively increased when milk DM concentration was reduced. When the DM concentration of milk was increased the volume of milk drunk was reduced to a minimum value 2–3 d after the change in diet and increased thereafter. The size of the changes was dependent on the initial and changed DM concentrations of the milk.

3. In calves receiving milk-substitute diets containing 80–260 g DM/kg, milk intakes were reduced by up to 30% on the 1st day that calves were fed once daily instead of twice daily. Over the subsequent 13 d of once-daily feeding, milk intakes increased, particularly for calves given diets of low DM concentration.

4. Feeding the calves once daily reduced the digestibility of DM in Expt 2 but not the digestibility of crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25) and fat; diets containing lower concentrations of DM were particularly affected.

5. It is concluded that the intake of milk-fed calves at a single meal is regulated by an abomasal stretch mechanism. After an abrupt change in milk DM concentration or in the frequency of feeding, the amount of milk drunk at subsequent meals is modified by some long-term control mechanisms.
Supplemental protein degradation, bacterial protein synthesis and nitrogen retention in sheep eating sodium hydroxide-treated straw
Authors: Amaning-Kwarteng K. , Kellaway R. C. , Kirby A. C.
Published: September 2005

1. Alkali (sodium hydroxide)-treated wheat straw was given to six rumen- and abomasal-cannulated sheep to study the rumen degradation of cotton-seed meal (CSM) and barley (B), and the effects of these supplements on nitrogen retention and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis were measured.

2. N degradation, using porous synthetic (nylon) bags incubated within the rumen (P), and in vivo measurement determined from the abomasal flow of N (V), distinguished quantitatively between the two supplements. Estimates of P, corrected for fractional outflow rates/h (FOR), underestimated estimates of V when FOR of undegraded protein from the rumen (k) of 0.05 and 0.08 were used. Estimates of V for CSM and B were 70.9 and 80.8% respectively.

3. Intakes of alkali-treated straw were not affected by the supplements. Intakes of digestible organic matter (DOM) for the diets comprising alkali-treated straw alone (W), straw plus CSM (WC) and straw plus barley (WB) were 477, 575 and 590 g/d respectively (P < 0.05) and organic matter (OM) apparently digested in the rumen (OMADR) was 339, 399 and 435 g/d respectively (P < 0.05).

4. On W, WC and WB respectively, flows at the abomasum were 11.0, 14.0 and 13.3 g/d for bacterial N (P < 0.05) and 0,2.8 and 0.5 g/d for dietary supplemental N; g bacterial N/kg OMADR were 32.4, 35.6 and 30.9 (P > 0.05) and N balances were 2.37, 4.27 and 3.29 g/d (P < 0.05) on the respective treatments. It was suggested that supplements increased total OM intake as a result of increased OM digested in the rumen rather than OM flow from the rumen.
Lipocyte hyperplasia and sexual maturation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Authors: Oruwari B. M. , Cherry J. A. , Jones D. E. , Beane W. L.
Published: September 2005

1. Hyperplastic growth of adipose tissue in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was examined in relation to sexual maturity to determine whether fat cell number is fixed in mature individuals of this species.

2. Total DNA concentrations in the lipid (lipocyte) and non-lipid (stroma) fractions of collagenase (EC3. 4. 24. 3)-digested abdominal (retroperitoneal) fat depots were determined on a chronological-age basis from 28 to 240 d of age. The in vivo incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine into DNA of both the lipocyte and stroma fractions of abdominal fat from both ad lib. and restricted-fed (75% ofad lib.) females was also examined at ages before and subsequent to sexual maturity.

3. In both males and females, significant increases in abdominal fat weights at ages beyond sexual maturity were associated with increased lipocyte DNA. Regardless of the feeding regimen and stage of maturity, substantial radioactivity was recovered from both the stromal and lipocyte fractions of abdominal fat when female quail were examined 24 h after the administration of tritiated thymidine. When examined 5 d post-injection, the majority of the radioactivity was contained in the lipid fraction of collagenase-digested adipose tissue.

4. Both the total DNA content of adipose tissue and the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into adipose tissue indicated that lipocyte hyperplasia contributes to postmaturational increases in fat deposition.
Proline as an essential amino acid for the young pig
Authors: Ball Ronald O. , Atkinson James L. , Bayley Henry S.
Published: September 2005

1. The catabolism of L-[ l-14C]phenylalanine was used to indicate the effects of single amino acid supplementation of an inadequate protein diet (200 g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25)/kg) on the utilization of dietary amino acids in pigs of 2.5 kg body-weight reared on an adequate protein diet (240 g crude protein/kg) containing skim milk and a mixture of free amino acids.

2. The oxidation of phenylalanine was decreased by the addition of proline or arginine to the inadequate protein diet but not by the addition of threonine, methionine, lysine or a mixture of essential amino acids, indicating that proline and arginine were limiting the utilization of dietary amino acids in the inadequate protein diet.

3. Dietary proline concentrations of 13.9 and 14.2 g/kg minimized phenylalanine oxidation in diets containing 200 or 260 g protein/kg. This indicates a dietary proline requirement of 14 g/kg.

4. Increasing the dietary arginine concentration in a diet containing 240 g protein/kg showed that an arginine concentration of 5.1 g/kg minimized phenylalanine oxidation. However, increasing the arginine concentration in a diet containing 200 g protein/kg increased phenylalanine oxidation, suggesting an amino acid imbalance involving arginine at this lower level of protein.
Deliberate overfeeding in women and men: energy cost and composition of the weight gain
Authors: Forbes Gilbert B. , Brown Marilyn R. , Welle Stephen L. , Lipinski Barbara A.
Published: September 2005

1. Thirteen adult females and two males were overfed a total of 79–159 MJ (1900–38 000 kcal) during a 3-week period at the Clinical Research Center, Rochester. The average energy cost of the weight gain was 28 kJ (6.7 kcal)/g, and about half the gain consisted of lean body mass (LBM) as estimated by 40Kcounting.

2. A survey of the literature disclosed twenty-eight normal males and five females who had been overfed a total of 104–362 MJ (2500–87000 kcal) under controlled conditions: twenty-five of these had assays of body composition, and three had complete nitrogen balances.

3. When these values were combined with those from our subjects (total forty-eight), there was a significant correlation between weight gain and total excess energy consumed (r 0.77, P < 0.01) and between LBM gain and excess energy (r 0.49, P < 0.01). Based on means the energy cost was 33.7 kJ (8.05 kcal)/g gain and 43.6% of the gain was LBM; from regression analysis these values were 33.7 kJ (8.05 kcal)/g gain and 38.4% of gain as LBM.

4. Individual variations in the response could not be explained on the basis of sex, initial body-weight or fat content, duration of overfeeding, type of food eaten, amount of daily food consumption or, in a subset of subjects, on smoking behaviour.

5. The average energy cost of the weight gain was close to the theoretical value of 33.8 kJ (8.08 kcal)/g derived from the composition of the tissue gained.
Balance studies in patients with intestinal resection: how long is enough?
Authors: Tornqvist Hans , Rissanen Aila , Andersson Henrik
Published: September 2005

1. Results from two independent metabolic balance studies in patients with ileal resection with or without a remaining colon were examined to assess the precision of the mineral, protein and fat balances obtained.

2. Low day-to-day variation in balances was found in patients with ileostomy/jejunostomy, irrespective of formula diet composition. In contrast, patients with a remaining colon showed considerable variation, with reliable cumulative balances often not reached for many weeks.

3. In conclusion, short-term cumulative balances can be performed with good precision in patients with ileostomy or jejunostomy.
The nutrient intakes of pregnant and lactating mothers of good socio-economic status in Cambridge, UK: some implications for recommended daily allowances of minor nutrients
Authors: Black A. E. , Wiles S. J. , Paul A. A.
Published: September 2005

1. Forty-two mothers from social classes I, I1 and IIInon-manual and twenty-one from social classes IIImanual (M), IV and V were studied longitudinally. The mean daily nutrient intakes in months 4–9 of pregnancy, months 2– 4 of lactation and 3 and 6 months post-lactation are presented and are compared with the UK and the US recommended daily allowances (RDA).

2. The quality of the diets (nutrients per 4184 kJ (1000 kcal)) was found to be better than that of other adult female populations studied in the UK, except for a group of dietitians.

3. The mean daily intakes of nutrients for which there are UK RDA were almost all greater than 100% of the RDA. The exceptions were iron, which in the manual group (social classes IIIM, IV and V) was 85% of the RDA in pregnancy and 75% post-lactation, and vitamin D.

4. Among the nutrients for which there are US, but not UK RDA, only phosphorus and vitamin B,, intakes were greater than 100% of the RDA in both groups at all stages of the study. Intakes of other nutrients were below the RDA: pantothenate 7G91, vitamin B, zinc, vitamin E and copper 40–72, folate 21–44, and biotin < 20% of the RDA.

5. The bases of the RDA for adult women were examined; for most nutrients the information is limited. It was concluded that the RDA for magnesium, vitamin E and pantothenate are probably higher than necessary and that deficiency is unlikely; that zinc, copper, vitamin B, and folate are probably ‘marginal’ nutrients for ‘at risk’ groups; and that information on biotin is insufficient even roughly to assess the dietary requirement.
The effect of a high-fat diet and sucrose drinking option on the development of obesity in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Rattigan Stephen , Howe Peter R.C. , Clark Michael G.
Published: September 2005

1. Energy intakes, body-weights, body fat index, total body fat and interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) were examined in adult male, spontaneously hypertensive, stroke-prone (SHR-SP) rats and normotensive Wistar/Kyoto (WKY) controls given one of four diets for 33 d: (a) a starch diet, (b) a starch diet and a sucrose solution drinking option, (c) an 80xenergy from fat (F80) diet, (d) the F80 diet and a sucrose drinking option.

2. The SHR-SP rats showed a complete resistance to obesity on all four diets. For the high-fat diet the WKY animals became markedly obese with approximately two-fold increases in body-weight gain and body fat index when compared with the SHR-SP rats. The gain in total body fat was also significantly greater. IBAT as a percentage of total body-weight did not differ between the WKY and SHR-SP groups.

3. Compared with the WKY animals, the SHR-SP rats showed a reduced food intake but had the same potential to gain weight from the high-fat diet.

4. It is concluded that the resistance to obesity by the hypertensive animals is the result of a diminished energy intake.
Alcohol and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol:a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burr Michael L. , Fehily Ann M. , Butland Barbara K. , Bolton Colin H. , Eastham Robert D.
Published: September 2005

1. A randomized controlled trial of cross-over design was set up to examine the effect of alcohol on blood lipids and certain haematological variates relevant to ischaemic heart disease.

2. One hundred subjects drank some alcohol for 4 weeks (mean intake 18.4 g/d) and abstained totally for 4 weeks, the order of these periods being randomized.

3. Alcohol appeared to produce a rise of 7% in serum high-density-lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, probably due to a rise in the HDL2subfraction.

4. No significant change was detected in plasma fibrinogen or the other haematoiogical indices.

5. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a moderate intake of alcohol confers some protection against heart disease.
The early anaemia of the premature infant: is there a place for vitamin E supplementation?
Authors: Conway S. P. , Rawson I , Dear P. R. F. , Shires S. E. , Kelleher J.
Published: September 2005

1. The efficacy of oral vitamin E supplementation in preventing the early anaemia of the premature infant was assessed in a 10-week double-blind trial. Forty-two babies received either a placebo or 5 or 15 mg supplementary vitamin E/d with oral feeding. No infant received less than the recommended vitamin E:polyunsaturated fatty acid (E:PUFA) value of 0.6. No iron supplement was given.

2. Weekly full blood counts were taken, and plasma vitamin E assay and in vitro haemolysis tests performed on blood sampled on day 1, and also at 6 and 10 weeks of age. All blood withdrawn and transfused and all feeds were documented.

3. Thirty-six (86%) of the babies had a plasma vitamin E level at birth below the accepted adult norm, i.e. < 5200 μg/l. At 6 weeks of age thirty-three (79%) and at 10 weeks thirty-five (83%) of the babies had levels within the normal adult range. No baby showed either clinical or haematological evidence of a vitamin E deficiency state during the trial.

4. It is concluded that in the absence of Fe supplementation and observing the minimum recommended E:PUFA value, contemporary feeding practices allow for the absorption of sufficient vitamin E by the premature baby to prevent the development of an early haemolytic anaemia.

5. No significant relation was found between plasma vitamin E levels and the degree of peroxide haemolysis.
Carotene dioxygenase (EC1. 13. 11. 21) activity in rat intestine: effects of vitamin A deficiency and of pregnancy
Authors: Villard Laurence , Bates C. J.
Published: September 2005

1. Female weanling rats were fed on a purified diet containing either no vitamin A, apart from traces present in casein (deficient groups), or the same diet containing 1.55 mg retinol as retinyl acetate/kg (control groups). In one experiment the deficient groups were given 1 μg retinol/d after 10 weeks, to permit successful reproduction under conditions of marginal vitamin A status. A proportion were mated at 11 weeks after weaning, and fetal development was permitted for 7 d or for 20 d before killing.

2. Carotene dioxygenase (EC1. 13.11.21) activity was measured in a supernatant fraction from intestinal mucosal scrapings. For each group, activity was 20–30% greater in the vitamin-A-deficient animals than in the controls, and the difference reached statistical significance for the virgin and 7 d pregnant animals in the first experiment (severe deficiency) and for the 20 d pregnant animals in the second experiment (less-severe deficiency).

3. It is suggested that low tissue vitamin A levels may feedback to increase carotene dioxygenase activity, by mechanisms at present unknown, presumably to ensure a more efficient use of precursor dietary carotenoids.
Influence of environmental temperature on energy balance, diet-induced thermogenesis and brown fat activity in ‘cafeteria’-fed rats
Authors: Rothwell Nancy J. , Stock Michael J.
Published: September 2005

1. Young male rats were fed on a pelleted stock diet or a variety of palatable food items (‘cafeteria’ diet) and housed at 24° or 29°.

2. ‘Cafeteria’ feeding at the lower temperature stimulated energy intake, gain and expenditure, but reduced energetic efficiency such that over 70% of the excess intake was expended.

3. Housing at 29° suppressed intake and expenditure in animals on both diets, but to a greater extent in ‘cafeteria’-fed rats and energetic efficiency was greater than control values at this higher temperature.

4. The thermogenic capacity of brown fat (mitochondrial purine nucleotide binding) was increased by ‘cafeteria’ feeding, but was suppressed in animals kept at 29°.

5. The results demonstrate that diet-induced thermogenesis is inhibited by high environmental temperatures.
Microbially corrected amino acid composition of rumen-undegraded feed protein and amino acid degradability in the rumen of feeds enclosed in nylon bags
Authors: Varvikko T.
Published: September 2005

1. In the previous work (Varvikko & Lindberg, 1985), 15N-labelled rapeseed (Brassica napus), barley, ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and barley straw were incubated in the rumen in nylon bags for 5, 12 and 24 h and microbial nitrogen in the residues was quantified using the feed 15N-dilution method. In the present study, residual amino acids (AA) of these feeds were analysed, and microbially corrected AA of feed origin (feed AA) were estimated as the difference between total residual AA and respective microbial AA, assuming a constant AA composition for the microbial protein.

2. In barley and barley-straw residues, and also in ryegrass incubated in the rumen for 24 h, very large enrich- ment by microbial N and AA-N was found. The microbial enrichment was rather small in rapeseed residues and ryegrass incubated for 5 or 12 h. During the rumen incubation, feed N and AA-N (g/kg feed dry matter (DM)) decreased very clearly in all the feeds, and feed and incubation time effects were always statistically significant (P < 0.001).

3. The slow degradation of essential (E) feed AA compared with the respective non-essential (NE) AA degradation increased the proportion of feed EAA (g/kg determined feed AA) in barley and barley-straw residues. In rapeseed and ryegrass, residual feed EAA: NEAA remained very similar to the original. Branched-chain (Br) AA tended to increase proportionally in all the feed residues, suggesting these AA to be, on average, more resistant against microbial degradation in the rumen than other AA. Similarly, lysine was clearly increased in barley residues. A rumen degradation faster than the average rate caused decreased residual feed glutamic acid in rapeseed; methionine, alanine and glycine in barley; arginine and alanine in ryegrass; and methionine, asparagine and tyrosine in barley straw. Feed and incubation time effects were significant (P < 0.054–001) for feed AA (g/kg determined feed AA) grouped as EAA, BrAA or NEAA, and for most individual AA, as well as for feed AA disappearance (%) and relative amounts (%) of feed AA in the respective residual AA.

4. According to present findings, AA composition of the rumen-undegraded vegetable feed residues may markedly differ, either quantitatively or qualitatively (or both), from their original AA composition. When determining the feed AA composition of nylon-bag residues, the microbial error may be very large with starchy or fibrous feeds of low protein content. The microbial AA do not, however, considerably confuse the AA determination of protein-rich feeds.
Production of tricarballylic acid by rumen microorganisms and its potential toxicity in ruminant tissue metabolism
Authors: Russell James B. , Forsberg Neil
Published: September 2005

1. Rumen microorganisms convert trans-aconitate to tricarballylate. The following experiments describe factors affecting the yield of tricarballylate, its absorption from the rumen into blood and its effect on mammalian citric acid cycle activity in vitro.

2. When mixed rumen microorganisms were incubated in vitro with Timothy hay (Phleum praiense L.) and 6.7 mM-trans-aconitate, 64 % of the trans-aconitate was converted to tricarballylate. Chloroform and nirate treatments inhibited methane production and increased the yield of tricarballylate to 82 and 75% respectively.

3. Sheep given gelatin capsules filled with 20 g trans-aconitate absorbed tricarballylate and the plasma concentration ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 mM 9 h after administration. Feeding an additional 40 g potassium chloride had little effect on plasma tricarballylate concentrations. Between 9 and 36 h there was a nearly linear decline in plasma tricarballylate.

4. Tricarballylate was a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme, aconitate hydratase (aconitase; EC 4.2.1.3), and the inhibitor constant, KI, was 0.52 mM. This KIvalue was similar to the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of the enzyme for citrate.

5. When liver slices from sheep were incubated with increasing concentrations of tricarballylate, [I4C]acetate oxidation decreased. However, even at relatively high concentrations (8 mM), oxidation was still greater than 80% of the maximum. Oxidation of [I4C]acetate by isolated rat liver cells was inhibited to a greater extent by tricarballylate. Concentrations as low as 0.5 mM caused a 30% inhibition of citric acid cycle activity.
Somatomedin-C and zinc status in rats as affected by Zn, protein and food intake
Authors: Cossack Zafrallah T.
Published: September 2005

1. The objective of the present experiment was to study the level of plasma somatomedin-C (SM-C) and the status of zinc in rats as affected by three levels of Zn given in combinations with two levels of protein.

2. Six groups of rats were fed, for 21 d, on six different diets based on combinations of two levels of dietary protein (low protein, 75 g/kg; high protein, 200 g/kg) and three levels of zinc (low Zn, 0.9 pglkg; moderate Zn, 55 pg/kg; high Zn, 110 pglkg). All groups were pair-fed with the group receiving the low-Zn-low-protein diet. An additional group of six rats served as an ad lib.-fed control group and was fed on a diet that contained 55 pg Zn/kg and 200 g protein/kg ad lib.

3. Body-weight gain and food intake were recorded daily. Rats were killed at the end of the experimental period (21 d). Zn was assayed in plasma, tibia and liver by atomic absorption technique. Plasma SM-C was assayed by radioimmunoassay.

4. In rats given the low-Zn-low-protein diet, the level of plasma SM-C increased in response to the increase in the amount of Zn or Zn and protein in the diet. However, no change was observed when the level of protein alone was increased.

5. Among all groups tested, adlib.-fed rats showed the highest level of plasma SM-C. Thus it may be concluded that a balanced diet combined with adequate food intake is necessary to maintain an optimal level of plasma SM-C.
Feeding frequency for lactating cows: effects on rumen fermentation and blood metabolites and hormones
Authors: Sutton J. D. , Hart I. C. , Brosters W. H. , Elliott Rosemary J. , Schuller E.
Published: September 2005

1. The present paper reports the effects on rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites and hormones of giving fixed rations of hay and high-cereal concentrates at different meal frequencies to lactating cows. In Expt 1 the total ration was given in two and twenty-four meals daily and in Expts 2–4 the concentrates were given in two and five or six meals and the hay in two meals daily. The diets contained 600–920 g concentrates/kg.

2. In Expt I, minimum rumen pH was higher but mean pH was lower when cows were given their ration in twenty-four meals/d rather than two meals/d.

3. In all the experiments, the effects of increased meal frequency on the molar proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) were small and not significant, although there was a general tendency for the proportion of acetic acid to increase and that of propionic acid to fall. Increasing the proportion of concentrates in the diet reduced the proportion of acetic acid and increased the proportions of propionic and n-valeric acids.

4. In Expt 3, more frequent feeding was found to reduce the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids in the blood, but changes in other metabolites were small and not significant. Increasing the proportion of concentrates in the diet reduced the concentrations of acetic acid and 3-hydroxybutyric acid and increased the concentrations of propionic acid and glucose.

5. The mean daily concentration of insulin in the blood was reduced by more frequent feeding of the higher-concentrate diet but not of the lower-concentrate diet. The concentration of glucagon also tended to fall with more frequent feeding. Increasing the proportion of concentrates in the diet increased the concentration of insulin.

6. More frequent feeding reduced the depression in milk-fat concentration caused by feeding the low-roughage diets. About three-quarters of the variation in milk-fat concentration could be related to changes in rumen VFA proportions, but the relations for the two meal frequencies had different intercepts although similar curves. The results suggest that milk-fat depression on low-roughage diets with twice-daily feeding was due to a change in rumen VFA proportions accompanied by elevated plasma insulin concentrations. The improvement in milk-fat concentration due to more frequent feeding could be explained partly by the small change in rumen VFA proportions and partly by a reduction in mean plasma insulin concentrations, but these mechanisms did not fully account for the milk-fat responses observed.
Energy and nitrogen metabolism of rabbits during pregnancy, lactation, and concurrent pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Partridge G. G. , Lobley G. E. , Fordyce R. A.
Published: September 2005

1. In an experiment twenty-four cross-bred does were used, six in each of four physiological states: non-pregnant (NP), pregnant (P), lactating (L) or concurrently pregnant and lactating (CPL). They were offered a diet of high nutrient density (crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25) 272 g/kg dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy 15.5 MJ/kg DM) at one of two intakes on a scale based on metabolic body-weight (kg body-weight0.75). The study lasted for 24 d and was divided into three consecutive 8 d periods: ‘early’, ‘mid-’ and ‘late’ pregnancy or lactation, or concurrent pregnancy and lactation.

2. Around the mid-point of each period the does were placed for 24 h in a gradient-layer calorimeter, and measurements of energy exchange were made. N balance was also measured throughout each period of the study.

3. Milk output in L and CPL does was measured by weighing the does immediately before and after suckling once each day. Milk samples were taken from a parallel group of does and the estimates of milk composition applied to the experimental group.

4. Milk yields and composition were similar for L and CPL does in early and mid-lactation, but in late lactation the milk output from CPL does declined rapidly. This was the period of maximal fetal growth rates. Energy and N retention increased in P and CPL does in late pregnancy.

5. Regression analysis was carried out to summarize the relations between metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and energy retention (ER; MEI-heat loss) in each physiological state. The equations were:

NP: ER = 0.67 (se 0.057) MEI – 208,

P: ER = 0.67 (se 0.095) ME1 – 224,

L: ER = 0.90 (se 0.022) ME1 – 441,

CPL: ER = 0.85 (se 0.036) ME1 – 387,

where all variables are expressed in kj/kg body-weight0.75 per d.