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Biomedical subjects

A C Beynen

Publications and source records attributed to A C Beynen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Exercise- and metabolism-associated blood variables in Standardbreds fed either a low- or a high-fat diet.

Feeding a high-fat diet increases fat utilisation and may decrease glycogen utilisation resulting in a lower lactate production during moderate exercise. The effects of fat feeding on exercise- and lipid metabolism-associated blood variables were evaluated in 6 Standardbred horses during submaximal exercise. The horses were fed a high- (11.8% fat in total dietary dry matter) or a low-fat diet (1.5% fat) in a cross-over experiment with feeding periods of 4 weeks. At the end of each feeding period, the horses were subjected to a submaximal standardised stepwise exercise test on a treadmill. Blood samples were obtained prior to the start, during the last 10 s of each exercise step, and after recovery (40 min walking in hand). Pre-exercise test values for plasma lactate, pH, pCO2, ionised sodium, ionised potassium, ionised calcium, ionised chloride, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids and glycerol did not differ for the 2 diets. The pre-exercise concentration of triacylglycerols was significantly lower on the high- compared to the low-fat diet (mean +/- s.d. 0.17 +/- 0.06 and 0.23 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, respectively), whereas the concentrations of cholesterol (3.00 +/- 0.47 and 2.11 +/- 0.49 mmol/l, respectively), HDL cholesterol (1.80 +/- 0.18 and 1.35 +/- 0.27 mmol/l, respectively) and phospholipids (2.30 +/- 0.11 and 1.72 +/- 0.20 mmol/l, respectively) were significantly higher. There was significantly less plasma lactate accumulation during exercise when the horses were given the high-fat diet (P = 0.011). Horses on a low-fat diet had significantly different plasma lipid values when compared to being on a high-fat diet. The alterations in these values during and after moderate exercise were comparable for both diets. These results indicate that fat metabolism is significantly adapted on a high-fat diet; feeding such a diet may enhance potential performance by delaying lactate accumulation and thereby delaying the onset of fatigue.

Animal Feed↗

Quantitative trait loci influencing hepatic copper in rats.

Significant differences in liver copper content have been observed between rat inbred strains. To define loci controlling this trait, the offspring (n = 190) from an (LEW/OlaHsd x BC/CpbU) F(2)-intercross was genetically analyzed. From each F(2) animal, liver copper content was determined and genomic DNA was screened with polymorphic DNA markers. We found a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for liver copper content in females on chromosome 2 and in males on chromosome 10. Both QTLs accounted for approximately 20% of the genetic variance. In addition, suggestive linkage for liver copper content was found on rat chromosomes 1, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 19. The regions on these chromosomes contain genes that are responsible for 9.0-15.5% of the genetic variance of liver copper content.

Animals↗

Endocrine stress response in jugular-vein cannulated rats upon multiple exposure to either diethyl-ether, halothane/O2/N2O or sham anaesthesia.

The main objective of this study was to assess the endocrine stress response to multiple anaesthesia followed by sham anaesthesia in order to detect any memory effects. For this purpose, jugular-vein cannulated rats were subjected to either sham, diethyl-ether or halothane/O2/N2O anaesthesia, and their plasma ACTH, corticosterone, glucose, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels measured. The study had three separate experiments, each consisting of a control and treatment group. In two experiments, the rats were exposed to high or low concentrations (40-15%) of diethyl ether, using either a jar containing cotton soaked in diethyl ether or a vaporizer. In the third experiment, rats were exposed to halothane/O2/N2O. Control animals underwent sham anaesthesia. Blood samples were taken 6 min before and at 5, 15 and 55 min after starting the exposure (t = 0 min). For each variable, the dt5 (level at t = 5 min minus that at t = -6 min) and the cumulative levels over the one-hour period as determined by the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Further, the peak levels (Cmax) were determined. The mean time needed to induce anaesthesia was 68, 121 and 55 s for exposure to high and low concentrations of diethyl ether and to halothane/O2/N2O, respectively. Increased noradrenaline and adrenaline dt5 levels were observed only after the first exposure to the high concentration of diethyl ether. Multiple anaesthesia sessions using either diethyl ether or halothane/O2/N2O did not clearly influence adrenaline and noradrenaline levels. Diethyl ether induced a sharp rise in plasma ACTH and glucose levels, irrespective of the concentration used. The response of the ACTH and glucose was similar for single and multiple exposure. An increased response of ACTH, corticosterone and glucose to sham anaesthesia following multiple induction of anaesthesia was observed for the high concentration of diethyl ether only. Halothane/O2/N2O raised plasma glucose without differences between single and multiple anaesthesia sessions. Upon sham anaesthesia following multiple exposures to halothane/O2/N2O, glucose levels were significantly increased. This study indicates that repeated anaesthesia in rats can elicit an increased stress response during subsequent handling and change of environment.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Excessive hepatic copper accumulation in jaundiced rats fed a high-copper diet.

The response of copper metabolism to dietary copper challenge was investigated in jaundiced rats with elevated plasma concentrations of conjugated bilirubin as a result of impaired canicular transport of bilirubin glucuronides. Control and jaundiced rats were fed purified diets with either normal (64 micromol Cu/kg) or high (640 micromol Cu/kg) concentration of added copper. Copper loading produced a greater increase in hepatic copper concentrations in the jaundiced than in control rats. The greater dietary-copper-induced increase in hepatic copper in the jaundiced rats can be explained by the observed smaller rise in biliary copper excretion and a greater efficiency of dietary copper absorption. In individual rats, there was a positive relationship between hepatic copper concentrations and biliary copper concentrations. It is suggested that not the transport of copper from liver cells to bile but that from plasma to bile is diminished in the jaundiced rats. The elevated plasma copper concentrations in the jaundiced rats may support this suggestion.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weanling pigs.

To assess the effects of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weaned pigs, 16 litters (149 piglets) were fed a commercial creep feed (3,040 kcal NE/kg, 15.2 g lysine/kg) supplemented with 1% chromic oxide. Another five litters (48 piglets) were not given access to creep feed (no-feed). Piglets were weaned at 28 d after birth. On d 18, 22, and 27 of age, fecal samples from all the piglets were taken using fecal loops. A green color of the feces indicated that the piglet had eaten creep feed. Piglets that had green-colored feces three times were considered as eaters. Piglets that never showed green-colored feces were considered as non-eaters. At weaning 22 piglets of each type (no-feed, non-eaters, and eaters) were selected based on BW, litter origin, and sex. These 66 pigs were assigned to six pens equipped with computerized feeding stations. Eaters, non-eaters, and no-feed pigs were equally divided over all six pens. After weaning a prestarter (d 0 to 13) and a starter diet (d 14 to 34) were offered for ad libitum consumption. The individual feed intake characteristics of latency time (interval between weaning and first feed intake) and initial feed intake (intake during the first 24 h following first feed intake) and performance traits were determined for all piglets. The pigs that were designated as eaters needed less time between weaning and first feed intake than the pigs that were designated as non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P = 0.04 and P = 0.06, respectively). Initial feed intake was not affected (P > 0.1) by feed intake prior to weaning. However, during d 0 to 8 the eaters had more visits per day during which feed was consumed than both the non-eaters and no-feed pigs. Averaged over the first 8 d after weaning, the ADFI and ADG of the eaters were higher than that of the non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P < 0.05). Averaged over the total 34-d period the effect of creep feed intake on postweaning ADFI was much less pronounced (P = 0.20), whereas ADG of the eaters was the highest (P < 0.05). Creep feed intake during the sucking period stimulates early postweaning feed intake as well as postweaning performance.

Animal Feed↗

A prolonged photoperiod improves feed intake and energy metabolism of weanling pigs.

In a 2-wk experiment, the effect of photoperiod on performance and energy metabolism of newly weaned pigs was studied. Forty 4-wk-old crossbred weanling barrows weighing 8.0 kg (SE = 0.13) were assigned to one of eight groups (five pigs per group) based on BW and litter. Groups were allotted to one of two lighting schedules: 8 h light:16 h darkness or 23 h light:1 h darkness. Each group was housed in a climate respiration chamber. Piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. Energy and nitrogen balances, heat production, ADFI, and ADG were measured weekly. Heat production, energy metabolism, and performance were unaffected (P > 0.10) by photoperiod during wk 1. However, in the 2nd wk ADFI (418 vs 302 g/d) and ADG (381 vs 240 g/d) were higher (P < 0.05 and P = 0.05, respectively) for pigs on the 23:1 h lighting schedule than for those on the 8:16 h schedule. Furthermore, heat production (P < 0.10), total energy retention, and energy retained as protein and as fat were higher (P < 0.05) during wk 2 in pigs on the 23:1 h lighting schedule (8, 125, 41, and 350%, respectively) than in those on the 8:16 h schedule. Moreover, metabolizability of energy tended to be higher (P < 0.10) and energy requirements for maintenance were lower (P < 0.05) during wk 2 for pigs on the 23:1 h schedule compared with those on the 8:16 h schedule (P < 0.10). In conclusion, exposing pigs to a longer period of light after weaning stimulated ADFI and ADG. In addition to the feed intake, the high ADG is due to an improved metabolizability of energy and a reduced energy requirement for maintenance. This study suggests that lighting schedule can be used as a tool to stimulate feed intake after weaning.

Animal Husbandry↗

Dietary soyabean oil depresses the apparent digestibility of fibre in trotters when substituted for an iso-energetic amount of corn starch or glucose.

The aim of the present study was to establish whether the inhibitory effect of fat feeding on fibre digestion has been underestimated due to the substitution of fat for corn starch. A high fat intake has been shown to lower total intestinal tract apparent digestibility of crude fibre in horses but, since fat was substituted for nonstructural carbohydrates, including starch, the specific effect of fat could not be ascertained. The possibility could not be excluded that starch also inhibits fibre digestibility, so that the fat effect observed earlier would have been underestimated. In this study, the intakes of iso-energetic amounts of soyabean oil, corn starch or glucose were compared as to fibre digestibility. Unlike starch, glucose is fully absorbed by the small intestine and, therefore, is not expected to influence fibre fermentation in the caecum and colon. Six trotters were fed rations high in soyabean oil (158 g/kg dry matter), corn starch (337 g/kg dry matter) or glucose (263 g/kg dry matter) according to a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Apparent crude fibre digestibility was similar for the rations with corn starch (mean +/- s.d., 70.7 +/- 3.06% of intake, n = 6) or glucose (71.0 +/- 1.90%), but was significantly depressed by fat feeding (56.5 +/- 7.65%). Similar observations were made for apparent digestibilities of neutral and acid detergent fibre and of cellulose. It was concluded that the addition of fat to the feed ration of horses has a specific inhibitory effect on fibre utilisation and, therefore, reduces the amount of energy provided by dietary fibre.

Animal Feed↗

Influence of phosphorus intake on excretion and blood plasma and saliva concentrations of phosphorus in dairy cows.

Phosphorus (P) balance, and blood plasma P and saliva P concentrations were measured in multiparous dairy cows through two lactations and two dry periods. The cows were fed three amounts of P at either 100, 80 or 67% of the Dutch P recommendation, actually resulting in dietary P concentrations of 3.2 to 3.9, 2.6 to 2.9 and 2.2 to 2.6 g P/kg dry matter during lactation for the three treatments, respectively. On the basis of plasma P values as low as 0.9 mmol/l and saliva P values as low as 5.1 mmol/l during the second lactation period within the experiment, the 67% group was considered to be deficient in P. By decreasing milk production, and thus lowering P losses with milk, P retention in the 67% group remained near zero. The P supply with the 80% ration was considered to be just sufficient. At high milk yield and marginal dietary P concentrations, plasma P and saliva P concentrations were decreased. The higher P intake in high-compared with low-producing cows resulted in a constant absolute fecal P excretion, due to the fact that the apparent P digestibility was raised with increasing milk yield. There was a direct relationship between milk P output and the percentage of apparent P digestibility for individual animals.

Animals↗

Genetic and correlation analysis of hepatic copper content in the rat.

Thirty recombinant inbred (RI) strains derived from the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR/OlaIpcv) and the Brown Norway (BN-Lx/Cub) progenitors were used to search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that are responsible for differences in liver copper between these two strains. The heritability of liver copper concentration (expressed as microg/g liver wet wt and microg/g liver dry wt) and liver copper store (microg/whole liver) was estimated to be 57, 57, and 46%, respectively. In a total genome scan of the RI strains, involving over 600 genetic markers, suggestive association was found between liver copper store (microg/whole liver) and the D16Wox9 marker on chromosome 16 (lod score = 2.8), and between liver copper concentration (microg/g dry wt) and the D10Cebrp1016s2 marker on chromosome 10 (lod score = 3.0). These putative QTLs are responsible for nearly 34 and 40% of the additive genetic variability for liver copper store and concentration, respectively.

Animals↗

[Composition of commercial feeds for mynah birds with particular attention to the iron content].

The composition of 12 commercial feeds for mynah birds was analysed, with special attention being paid to the iron content. To prevent iron overload, the iron content of such diets should be maximally 5 mg/MJ, which is equivalent to 100 mg iron/kg if the commercial diet is the sole food source. Only three of the 12 feeds met this requirement. In all feeds the iron content was minimally three times higher than the recently suggested iron requirement of 25 mg/kg. In general, the total iron intake is not reduced sufficiently by providing cooked rice or fruit together with commercial feeds.

Animal Feed↗

[Supplemental fat in the diet of horses...is it advantageous?].

Feeding fat-supplemented diets to horses has drawn considerable interest. One of the advantages of such diets is that the energy density is increased, so that less feed is needed to meet energy requirements. In addition, adding fat to the diet enhances the contribution of fat oxidation to energy production, thus sparing muscle glycogen. The 'spared' glycogen is available for energy metabolism when the acutely exercising horse reaches a point of oxygen deficit and must rely on anaerobic metabolism. This appears to be beneficial for both aerobic and anaerobic performance. Fats are readily digested by the horse. Vegetable oils are more palatable to horses than animal fats, but the palatability of fat-rich diets may decrease in the long term.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

High density lipoprotein cholesteryl ester metabolism in the pony, an animal species without plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity: transfer of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters to lower density lipoproteins and the effect of the amount of fat in the diet.

The metabolism of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters (HDL CE) was studied in the pony, an animal species without plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. Studies were done in ponies fed a low- (1.5% fat, w/w) and a high-fat diet (11.5%, w/w fat). The ponies fed the high-fat diet had higher plasma HDL CE concentrations (1.08+/-0.15 vs. 0.84+/-0.11 mmol/l, mean+/-S.D., n=6, P<0.01) and plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities (14.3+/-4.0 vs. 5.7+/-3.4 micromol free fatty acids (FFA)/ml per h, P<0.05) than those on the low-fat diet. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were lower on the high-fat diets (0.129+/-0.043 vs. 0.180+/-0.050 mmol/l), but these differences were not statistically significant. There was a negative correlation between the levels of plasma TAG (r=0.598, P<0.05) and VLDL CE (r=0.658, P<0.05) on the one hand and the HDL CE concentrations on the other hand. The transport rates of HDL CE were not significantly different between ponies fed high-fat (0.029+/-0.008 mmol HDL CE/h per l plasma) and those fed low-fat diets (0.024+/-0.004). HDL CE were transferred to low density lipoproteins (LDL) and we calculated that the percentage of LDL CE derived from HDL was 0.69+/-0.13 in the ponies fed the low-fat diet and 0.53+/-0.05 in the ponies fed the high-fat diet (P<0.05). The results of these in vivo studies suggest that in ponies, similarly as reported in rats and pigs, HDL CE can be transferred to LDL despite the absence of plasma CETP activity, and that the magnitude of this transfer is related to the levels of HDL CE as induced by the amount of fat in the diet.

Animals↗

Apparent fat digestibility in rats fed different diets is negatively correlated with faecal bile acid excretion.

Seventy-two rats were fed one out of 9 diets differing as to protein source and calcium concentration. For the individual rats apparent fat digestibility and faecal bile acid excretion were negatively correlated. It is suggested that a high solubility of bile acids in the small intestinal digesta, which is associated with little loss of bile acids with faeces, stimulates the process of fat digestion.

Animals↗

Consumption of fructooligosaccharides and nitrogen excretion in cats.

In a cross-over study with adult cats the effect on nitrogen (N) excretion of a diet supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) was compared with a diet supplemented with an equal amount of fructose and glucose. FOS raised N excretion with faeces by 26% (P < 0.05) and non-significantly lowered N excretion with urine by 5%. Thus, there was a shift in N excretion from urine to faeces. The amount of faecal dry matter was significantly higher (by 23.3%) when FOS was consumed.

Animals↗

The lowering effect of high copper intake on selenium retention in weanling rats depends on the selenium concentration of the diet.

The question addressed was whether the influence of dietary copper concentration on selenium metabolism depends on the amount of selenium in the diet. Weanling, male rats were fed purified diets containing either 1 (low), 4 (normal) or 42 (high) mg Cu/kg diet and either 0.03 (low), 0.05 (normal) or 1.0 (high) mg Se/kg diet in a 3(2) factorial design. Extra copper was added to the diets in the form of CuSO(4) x 5H(2)O and selenium as Na(2)SeO(3) x 5H(2)O. In rats fed either the low or normal amounts of selenium, higher intakes of copper decreased the apparent intestinal selenium absorption and increased urinary selenium excretion. The effects of copper on selenium absorption, excretion and retention were not seen in rats fed the high-selenium diets. An increase in dietary copper concentrations elevated selenium concentrations in the liver and kidneys, but slightly lowered those in the spleen of rats that were fed the diets with the normal level of selenium. In rats that were fed the diets with either low or high selenium concentration, copper intake had no effect on organ selenium concentrations. Glutathione peroxidase activity in erythrocytes was raised by feeding the diets which contained either normal or high copper content instead of those that were low in copper. It is concluded that the amount of selenium in the diet determines whether or not an increase in dietary copper concentration affects selenium metabolism.

Animals↗

Dietary lactulose decreases apparent nitrogen absorption and increases apparent calcium and magnesium absorption in healthy dogs.

To study the effect of lactulose on the route of nitrogen excretion, we fed six healthy, adult dogs on diets containing either 0, 1 or 3 g lactulose/MJ metabolizable energy according to a 3 x 3 Latin square design. The results were analysed to identify statistically significant linear trend effects of lactulose. Faecal pH was significantly lowered by lactulose. Faecal ammonium and nitrogen excretion tended to be raised by lactulose feeding whereas urinary urea excretion was significantly reduced. Lactulose feeding significantly lowered apparent nitrogen digestibility. It is concluded that lactulose feeding shifts nitrogen excretion from urine to faeces in dogs which may be beneficial for liver patients. The data are in line with the concept that lactulose stimulates bacterial growth in the colon which in turn enhances faecal nitrogen excretion and lowers the entry of colonic ammonia into the bloodstream, leading to a lesser workload for the liver and less urinary nitrogen excretion. Lactulose consumption was also found to produce a dose-dependent increase in the apparent absorption of calcium and magnesium, but not phosphorus.

Animals↗

The IVOG feeding station: a tool for monitoring the individual feed intake of group-housed weanling pigs.

Three batches of weanling pigs (total n=310 pigs) were used in a 34-day experiment to validate the use of an IVOG feeding station as a tool for monitoring individual feed intake of group-housed weanling pigs. An IVOG feeding station for weanling pigs consists of a single-space dry feeder placed on a load cell in combination with electronic identification. Data of 192 weanling pigs (18 pens) fed by IVOG feeding stations were used to develop a protocol for the screening of IVOG data. To assess the quality of the IVOG data, the feed intake per pen computed from the screened IVOG data was compared with the feed intake calculated from feed weighing. To assess the suitability of the use of IVOG feeding stations under practical pig husbandry conditions, performance of 96 weanling pigs fed by the IVOG feeding stations was compared with that of 118 weanling pigs that were fed using commercial single-space dry feeders (11 pens). Feed intake per pen computed from the IVOG data was similar to the feed intake calculated from feed weighing (average recovery 101.1%) for all test periods (p > 0.1). Furthermore, feed recovery did not differ among feeding stations (p > 0.1). During the first 13 days after weaning, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of weanling pigs fed by the single-space dry feeders was higher (p < 0.05) than that of weanling pigs fed by the feeding stations. Average daily gain and gain to feed ratios did not differ (p > 0.1) between both feeding systems. During the remaining 21 days and averaged over the entire experimental period, performance did not differ between the feeding systems (p > 0.1). It can be concluded that IVOG feeding stations for weanling pigs are a suitable tool to monitor individual feed intake of group-housed weanling pigs.

Animal Feed↗

Apparent digestibility of crude fibre in ponies fed either a low or high-protein diet.

The question addressed was whether apparent crude fibre digestibility in ponies would change after lowering protein intake from adequate to borderline deficient. Four adult ponies were fed a low- and high-protein diet according to a cross-over design. The diets consisted of grass hay and concentrates and provided either 1.5 or 3.6 g digestible crude protein/kg(0.75) per day. The two whole rations provided 2.4 g crude fibre/kg body weight per day. Apparent crude fibre digestibility was not affected by protein intake (low-protein diet: 42.9 +/- 4.03%; high-protein diet: 38.1 +/- 1.14%, means +/- SE, n=4). The low-protein diet caused a significant increase in the ratio of faecal: urinary nitrogen. It is suggested that, when the low-protein diet was fed, sufficient urea flew from the blood into the intestine and ammonia released in the hindgut was conserved so that microbial growth, and thus fibre fermentation, was maintained.

Animals↗