Selenium content and glutathione peroxidase activity in tissues of the dairy cow after short-term feeding

The effect of selenium and vitamin E on concentrations of selenium and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in tissues of dairy cows was studied. Selenium (5 mg/day) and vitamin E (2 g/day) were supplemented for 10 days in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement. Selenium supplementation increased content of selenium in whole blood, plasma, ovary, and liver and increased activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in liver. Activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in follicular fluid was closely correlated with selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in plasma. Significant activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase was detected in luteal tissue of the ovary. Relationships were linear between content of selenium and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase in ovary, uterus, and adrenal tissues.     

Structures of triglycerides isolated from various sheep tissues

Triglycerides were isolated from the liver, plasma, kidney, adrenals, testes (one animal), heart, pancreas, rumen wall, muscle, intestines, and perineal, intestinal and subscapular adipose tissues from four adult sheep. The fatty acid composition of each was determined by gas chromatography. The distribution of fatty acids among positions 1, 2 and 3 of the glycerol moeity of the triglycerides was determined by a stereospecific analysis procedure. In the adipose tissue triglycerides, saturated components predominated in position 1 and unsaturated C₁₈ fatty acids were found largely in position 2; position 3 was occupied mainly by C₁₈ saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The highest concentration of trans- fatty acids was in position 3. The triglycerides obtained from the other tissues had similar structures to this except that in some, in particular plasma and liver triglycerides, there was a comparatively high concentration of palmitic acid in position 2.     

Synthesis of phosphatidylinositols having various inositol stereoisomers by engineered phospholipase D

Phospholipase D-mediated synthesis of phosphatidylinositols having various inositol stereoisomers was studied. Seven inositol stereoisomers were tested, all of which were found to be substrates of the enzyme, generating the corresponding phosphatidylinositols. Based on the substrate specificity, models for the recognition of inositol by the enzyme were proposed.     

Distribution of volatile branched-chain fatty acids in various lamb tissues

Volatile fatty acids (C4–C11) including even-, odd-, and branched-chain members in lamb tissues were quantitatively analyzed. Volatile branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) were more concentrated in subcutaneous adipose tissue samples (rump, shoulder, breast) than in perinepheric adipose or muscle tissues. Perinepheric adipose tissue contained relatively high quantities of n-chain, even-numbered fatty acids and very low levels of BCFA. Greater variation existed in fatty acid profiles among similar subcutaneous adipose tissues from different lambs than between samples of adipose tissue from different carcass sites from a given lamb sample. 4-Methyl- and 4-ethyloctanoic acids were present at concentrations greatly above threshold levels in all lamb fats tested, and thus upon hydrolysis would contribute species-related flavors to lamb. 4-Methylnonanoic concentrations in lamb fats ranged from nondetectable to greater than the threshold level, and therefore this compound would not always contribute to the species-related flavors of lamb. Lean meat samples contained very low concentrations of 4-methyl- and 4-ethyloctanoic acids.     

Release of cholesteryl esters by the mammary gland of the pre-partum cow

In five cows that were regularly milked before parturition, cholesteryl esters were continuously released into the mammary fluid; their concentration in the fluid was initially high, but decreased a few days before parturition when mammary secretion of fluid and triglyceride was increasing. The composition of fatty acids in the cholesteryl esters of mammary fluid and in blood plasma was different, suggesting mammary synthesis of cholesteryl esters.     

Extraction of plasma triacylglycerols by the mammary gland of the lactating cow

The fatty acid content of triacylglycerols (TG) in arterial and mammary venous blood plasma has been analysed in five cows that were close to peak lactation. The fatty acids in arterial TG were extracted by the mammary gland in amounts 14:0 less than 16:0 less than 18:0 and 18:0 greater than 18:1n - 9 greater than 18:2. The difference of extraction between palmitate and stearate was similar in different TG species. The fatty acid 18:1n - 7, which was largely the trans isomer, was extracted more than 18:1n - 9. Significant amounts of phytanic acid were acylated in plasma TG, but not extracted by the mammary gland.     

Hormone-sensitive lipase protein expression and extent of phosphorylation in subcutaneous and retroperitoneal adipose tissues in the periparturient dairy cow

Lipomobilization is essential for dairy cows to balance the energy requirement for milk production in early lactation. This study aimed to determine the role of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and its activation by phosphorylation at Ser 660 (HSLp660) and 563 (HSLp563) in different adipose tissue depots as influenced by time and postpartum diet in dairy cows. Biopsy samples were obtained from s.c. (SCAT) and retroperitoneal (RPAT) adipose tissues of 20 Holstein cows 21 d prepartum, and 1 and 21 d postpartum. After d 1 postpartum, cows were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 10). Groups received diets with either a concentrate-to-roughage ratio on a dry matter basis of 30:70% (low-concentrate, LC, group) or 60:40% (high-concentrate group), fed until the third biopsy sampling 21 d postpartum. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk composition were recorded. Blood samples were taken weekly, starting 21 d prepartum and analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, and insulin. Protein expression of HSL and its extent of phosphorylation in adipose tissue were measured by semiquantitative Western blotting. Total HSL expression was lower in both adipose tissues 1 d after calving compared with prepartum sampling (SCAT: 4.10 ± 0.5 vs. 2.4 ± 0.3; RPAT: 11.1 ± 1.3 vs. 6.6 ± 1.1). Phosphorylation at Ser 660 was higher 21 d postpartum compared with 21 d prepartum in RPAT (2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6). Phosphorylation at Ser 563 was higher 21 d postpartum than 21 d prepartum in SCAT (0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 3.9 ± 1.1), and in RPAT a difference was observed between 21 d prepartum and 1 d postpartum (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 3.3. ± 0.6). On d 21 postpartum, the LC group showed a lower extent of Ser 563 phosphorylation in RPAT (3.9 ± 0.8 vs.10.0 ± 1.9) and a higher concentration of serum BHBA (0.77 ± 0.05 vs. 0.47 ± 0.11) than did the high-concentrate group. An inhibitory influence of higher BHBA concentrations on HSL phosphorylation in the LC group could be a possible explanation. On comparing RPAT to SCAT, HSL expression and the extent of Ser 660 and 563 phosphorylation was higher in RPAT at 21 d prepartum (HSL: 4.1 ± 0.5 vs. 11.1 ± 1.2; HSLp660 1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.3; HSLp563: 0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1). In conclusion, the postpartum feeding regimen influenced the phosphorylation pattern, especially in RPAT, implying a regulatory role for different phosphorylation sites in adaptive lipolysis of dairy cows. It is suggested that RPAT is more sensitive to periparturient challenges than is SCAT.     

Comparative investigations on the precipitation behavior of various protein precipitates in organs and tissues

The differences of the non-precipitable N-quota in blood plasma, liver, intestine, and muscles after treatment with various precipitants reveal data on the height of protein precipitation in the corresponding body fraction. Organs of hens treated with picric acid (1%), trichloroacetic acid (10%), and sulphosalicylic acid were used for the protein precipitation. Because of contradictory literature data as to the most suitable concentration of sulphosalicylic acid a preliminary determination of the most favourable acid concentration was necessary. The application of a 5% solution of sulphosalicylic acid gave the highest precipitation rate depending on the analyzed organs. In the succession picric acid, trichloroacetic acid, and sulphosalicylic acid nitrogen increases in the soluble supernatant. Furthermore, dependences of the protein precipitation on the kind of the analyzed organs were indicated.     

Effect of dietary calcium on selenium absorption by the nonlactating dairy cow

Eleven nonlactating Holstein cows in late gestation were used to study the effect of dietary calcium concentration on apparent selenium absorption. Digestion trials with total collection helped to estimate apparent absorption of specific nutrients. Mean daily selenium intake ranged from 900 to 1700 micrograms per day. Regression analysis indicated apparent selenium absorption was maximum when dietary calcium was .8% of dry matter intake. Amounts of dietary calcium less or greater than .8% of dry matter intake reduced apparent selenium absorption. Dietary calcium quantitatively affected apparent selenium absorption in amounts of nutritional significance when selenium was provided from natural feedstuffs.     

Detection of the adulteration in pure cow ghee by electronic nose method (case study: sunflower oil and cow body fat)

Cow ghee is very used in some regions of Iran, such as Kermanshah province. Cow ghee is a natural source that contains high-quality nutrients which are needed for the human body. Adulteration in dairy products is not only a serious threat to human health but also it causes economic losses. Diagnosis of foodstuff cheating and its estimation is one of the key concerns in recent years. The aim of this study was the detection of the adulteration in cow ghee by olfactory machine system. Therefore, an electronic nose system was used for the different levels of sunflower oil and cow body fat mixed with pure cow ghee (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%). The principal components analysis (PCA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) methods were used to achieve this goal. Based on the results, the accuracy of the principal components analysis of sunflower oil and cow body fat were 96% and 97% of the data variance, respectively. According to the results, artificial neural networks identified the adulteration with sunflower oil and cow body fat with an accuracy of 91.3% and 82.5%, respectively.     

采用电子鼻检测羊奶中的牛奶掺入

通过电子鼻系统检测在羊奶中掺入不同比例的牛奶的混合物中挥发性物质的响应值,利用主成分分析法(PCA)及线性判别分析法(LDA)对羊奶牛奶混合物的挥发性成分进行分析。结果表明:电子鼻各感应器对于原料羊乳和牛乳及杀菌羊乳和牛乳的反应值均不同。对于生奶和杀菌奶,PCA和LDA分析均能够区分羊奶中混入不同比例的牛奶,具有较好的区分性。     

Concentrations of trace metals in various tissues of the squid Loligo opalescens and their redistribution after canning

The trace metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb and Ag) have been determined in various tissues of raw and canned Loligo opalescens squid. As a consequence of processing whole squid, highly elevated levels of cadmium, and to a lesser extent of the other trace metals investigated, were found in the edible parts of canned whole squid.     

Inactivation of foot-and-mouth disease virus in various bovine tissues used for the production of natural sausage casings

Bovine intestines, bladders and oesophagus are used for the production of natural casings ("beef casings") as edible sausage containers. Derived from cattle experimentally infected with FMDV (initial dosage 10(4) TCID(50)/mL, strain A Iran 97), these beef casings were treated with sodium chloride (NaCl) or phosphate supplemented salt (P-salt). In addition, different in-vitro experiments using beef casings were done on a small scale with other FMDV strains (A Turkey 06, C-Oberbayern and O(1) Manisa) as "proof of principle". Based on the combined results of the in-vivo and in-vitro experiments, it can be concluded that the storage period of 30 days at 20 °C in NaCl is sufficiently effective to inactivate a possible contamination with FMDV in beef casings and that the usage of P-salt does not clearly enhance the inactivation of FMDV infectivity. Storage of salted beef casings at about 20 °C for 30 days is already part of the Standard Operating Procedures (included in HACCP) of the international casing industry and can therefore be considered as a protective measure for the international trade in natural casings.     

Detection of cow milk adulteration in yak milk by ELISA

In the current study, a simple, sensitive, and specific ELISA assay using a high-affinity anti-bovine β-casein monoclonal antibody was developed for the rapid detection of cow milk in adulterated yak milk. The developed ELISA was highly specific and could be applied to detect bovine β-casein (10–8,000 μg/mL) and cow milk (1:1,300 to 1:2 dilution) in yak milk. Cross-reactivity was <1% when tested against yak milk. The linear range of adulterant concentration was 1 to 80% (vol/vol) and the minimum detection limit was 1% (vol/vol) cow milk in yak milk. Different treatments, including heating, acidification, and rennet addition, did not interfere with the assay. Moreover, the results were highly reproducible (coefficient of variation <10%) and we detected no significant differences between known and estimated values. Therefore, this assay is appropriate for the routine analysis of yak milk adulterated with cow milk.     

Correlations among body condition scores from various sources, dairy form, and cow health from the United States and Denmark

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic correlations among body condition scores (BCS) from various sources, dairy form, and measures of cow health. Body condition score and dairy form evaluated during routine type appraisal was obtained from the Holstein Association USA, Inc. A second set of BCS was obtained from Dairy Records Managements Systems (DRMS) and was recorded by producers that use PCDART dairy management software. Disease observations were obtained from recorded veterinarian treatments in several dairy herds in the United States. Estimated breeding values for diseases in Denmark were also obtained. Genetic correlations among BCS, dairy form, and cow health traits in the United States were generated with sire models. Models included fixed effects for age, DIM, and contemporary group. Random effects included sire, permanent environment, herd-year season for health traits, and error. Predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) for BCS and dairy form were correlated with estimated breeding values for disease in Denmark. The genetic correlation estimate between BCS from DRMS and BCS from the Holstein Association USA, Inc., was 0.85. The genetic correlation estimate between BCS and a composite of all diseases in the United States was -0.79, and PTA for BCS was favorably correlated with an index of resistance to disease other than mastitis in Denmark (0.27). Dairy form was positively correlated with a composite of all diseases in the United States (0.85) and was unfavorably correlated with an index for resistance to disease other than mastitis in Denmark (-0.29). Adjustment for protein yield PTA had a minimal affect on correlations between PTA for BCS or dairy form and disease in Denmark. Selection for higher body condition or lower dairy form with continued selection for yield may slow deterioration in cow health as a correlated response to selection for increased yield.