• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 1985

Weanling female Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets containing 22mg pyridoxine HCI/kg diet(control diet) and 1.2mg pyridoxine HCI/kg diet(deficient diet). One deficient group and one control group were fed their diets throughout the period of growth, gestation and lactation. After the pups were born and weaned, the deficient group was divided into two groups. Therefore, one(DC) switched to control diet and the other continued the same deficient diet until 10 week-old. Analysis of chemical composition of fatty acid in the total brain lipid was conducted in the pups of 5, 10, 15, 21, 35, 50 days of age. Arachidonic acid content was significantly decreased in the deficient group at 5 days compared to the control, but at almost all ages, there were no significant differences in fatty acid contens among all the groups. The fatty acid compositions of the brain phospholipids were determined on pups at 1, 14, 21, 35, 70 days of age. The content of $C_{20}\;_{4}$ in the brain phosphatidylcholine birth and contents of $C_{22}\;_{4}$ and $C_{22}\;_{5}$ at birtd, and $C_{22}\;_{5}$ and $C_{22}\;_{6}$ at 14 days in the phosphatidylethanolamine were depressed in the deficient group. These changes were not consistent with ages. Therefore, it may reflect that the major part of the changes occuring in the pyridoxine depleted rats depends, not so much on the pyridoxine depletion itself, as on the age or development of the rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1138-1147
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• 2020

Objective: A study was made investigate factors affecting body surface temperature changes after weaning in sows, whether these can be used to aid detection of natural estrus and how they relate to subsequent reproductive performance. Methods: A total of 132 sows were selected during summer from a breeding farm, with mean parity of 3.6±2.3 and 28.5±0.9 days lactation length. Four daily measurements (6:00, 8:00, 16:00, and 18:00) of vulva (VST), udder (UST), ear base and central back skin temperatures for individual sows were taken by an infrared thermometer, continuing up to 8 days post weaning. Results: The VST obtained from sows showing estrus at 4 days post-weaning (4DPW), 5DPW, and 6DPW showed a peak at the fourth day post-weaning, but then started to decrease. The VST of sows not detected in standing heat (NDPW) remained at a lower level during the experiment, but UST was increased soon after weaning. The VST-UST temperature differences during daytime of sows that were showing behavioural standing heat on 4DPW, 5DPW, 6DPW, and 7DPW were 0.46℃±0.123℃, 0.71℃±0.124℃, 0.66℃ ±0.171℃, and 0.58℃±0.223℃, respectively. The NDPW sows had the highest UST observed, but also the lowest VST so that a more negative value of temperature difference (-0.31℃) was seen during first few days post-weaning. A total of 119 sows were observed to show standing heat and were bred. The later the estrus, the smaller the litter size (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Sows which did not show behavior indicative of stable standing heat after weaning had a VST which remained at a lower level, but the UST increased soon after weaning. Therefore, for sow heat detection under field conditions, the changes of VST and UST and difference between the two should be considered together to increase the accuracy of detection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2003

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of exogenous bovine somatotropin on the mammary function in late lactating crossbred Holstein cows. Twelve 87.5% late lactating Holstein cows, approximately 30 weeks postpartum, were divided into two groups of 6 animals each. Animals in the control group were given sodium bicarbonate buffer by subcutaneous injection, while animals in the treated group were given recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) by subcutaneous injection with 500 mg of bST (14 day prolonged-release bST). After bST injection, milk yield significantly increased from the control level on day 8 to day 20 (p<0.05) with a concomitant increase in mammary blood flow (p<0.01). An increase in mammary blood flow in response to bST treatment was greater than an increase in milk production. An increased plasma concentration of IGF-I coincided with an increase in mammary blood flow in animals treated with bST. There were no significant changes in the concentration of arterial plasma glucose concentration, the arteriovenous concentration difference (A-V difference) and mammary extraction ratio while the mammary glucose uptake increased when compared to the control group. The concentration of arterial plasma triglyceride decreased throughout the experimental period in animals give bST. The plasma concentration of acetate, and the mammary uptake for acetate significantly increased (p<0.05) after bST treatment. The action of bST did not affect the plasma concentration, A-V difference and extraction ratio across the mammary gland for $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate. The concentrations of milk fat and lactose tended to increase during bST treatment. Milk protein concentration initially increased in the first few days and decreased after bST injection when compared to the pretreated period. The present results indicated that bST could affect the mammary function in late lactating cows by increase in milk yield involving changes in both extra-mammary and intra-mammary mechanisms. The exogenous bST exerted its galactopoietic action through an increase in circulating IGF-I of the late lactating Crossbred Holstein cattle.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.301-309
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• 1996

LBD-001, a recombinant human interferon ${\gamma}$ produced by genetically engineered yeast as a host system, was intravenously administered to pregnant female rats (Sprague-Dawley) from day 7 to 17 of gestation at dose levels of 0.35$\times$10$^{6}$ , 0.69$\times$10$^{6}$ , and 1.38$\times$10$^{6}$ I.U./kg/day. As the control groups, hydrocortisone sodium succinate (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was also similarly administered. Teratological effects of the test agents on fetuses and development of offsprings (F1 rats) were investigated. (1) No significant changes by the treatment of LBD-001 were observed in body weight, food and water consumption, feeding and nursing behaviors, and autopsy of pregnant or lactating mother rats. However, in hydrocortisone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg/day)-treated group, significant decreases of body weight on day 16, 18, and 20 of gestation and food consumption on day 20 of gestation and outstanding atrophy of thymus and adrenals were observed in two rats autopsied on day 20 of gestation. (2) No significant changes in resorption rate, skeletal or visceral development of fetuses, and physical or sensory development of offsprings (Fl) by the treatment of LBD-001 were detected. In hydrocortisone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg/day)-treated group, however, there were significant decreases of body weight of fetuses, delay of ossification, temporary delay of body weights of offsprings (F1) on day 1 and 3 of lactation, and increased tendency of stillborn rate and malformation rate of bone. The results show that LBD-001 at the dose of 1.38$\times$10$^{6}$ I.U./kg/day or less is not teratogenic in organogenesis of fetuses and the development of offsprings (F1). Meanwhile, hydrocortisone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg/day) seems to delay ossification of fetuses and temporarily retard the development of offsprings (Fl).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 1981

A quantitative restriction of maternal diet without changes in quality of diet was given to the Sprague Dawley rats during the third week of gestation and lactation. Half the normal average daily intake of control group was given to deficient groups in this period. Female rats of control group were fed a commercial diet ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Dietary restriction started from birth to weaning in deficient I group and from the 15th day of gestation to weaning in deficient II group. Body and brain weight of offsprings of deficient groups were significantly lower than control group, but the ratios of brain weight to body weight in deficient groups were higher than the control group. Significant difference between deficient groups (I and II) was noticed at weaning. Brain DNA, RNA and total protein of offsprings of deficient groups were significantly lower than control group, but RNA/DNA, brain weight/DNA, and total protein/DNA show that cell number were more affected than the cell size by the maternal dietary restriction during the third week of gestation and lactation. Between the deficient groups, there was a significant difference in brain DNA and RNA, but no significant difference in total brain protein. (This research was supported in part by grant from the Ministry of Education.)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1299-1307
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary antioxidant and energy density on performance and antioxidative status in transition cows. Forty cows were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design. High or low energy density diets (1.43 or 1.28 Mcal $NE_L$/kg DM, respectively) were formulated with or without antioxidant (AOX, a dry granular blend of ethoxyquin and tertiary-butylhydroquinone; 0 or 5 g/cow per d). These diets were fed to cows for 21 days pre-partum. During the post-partum period, all cows were fed the same lactation diets, and AOX treatment followed as for the pre-partum period. Feeding a high energy diet depressed the DMI, milk yield, and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) of cows. However, AOX inclusion in the diet improved the milk and 4% FCM yields. There was an interaction of energy density by AOX on milk protein, milk fat and total solids contents. Feeding a high energy diet pre-partum increased plasma glucose and ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, whereas dietary AOX decreased plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate value during the transition period. There were also interactions between time and treatment for plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde content during the study. Cows fed high energy diets pre-partum had higher plasma glutathione peroxidase activity 3 days prior to parturition, compared with those on low energy diets. Inclusion of AOX in diets decreased plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in cows 3 and 10 days pre-partum. Addition of AOX significantly decreased malondialdehyde values at calving. Energy density induced marginal changes in fatty acid composition in the erythrocyte membrane 3 days post-partum, while AOX only significantly increased cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid composition. The increase in fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane was only observed in the high energy treatment. It is suggested that a diet containing high energy density pre-partum may negatively affect the anti-oxidative status, DMI and subsequent performance. Addition of AOX may improve the anti-oxidative status and reduce plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, eventually resulting in improved lactation performance; the response to AOX addition was more pronounced on the high energy diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1329-1336
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• 2000

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of Murrah buffalo cows pulling sledges under field conditions on milk production and milk composition. In Exp. 1, 24 buffaloes in the fourth month of lactation were used. They were allotted to four treatments according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement: work or no work, and with or without urea-molasses cake supplementation (700 g/animal/day). Feeds consisted of 20 kg fresh elephant grass (18% DM), 2 kg rice bran per day and rice straw ad lib. The animals worked in pairs three hours per day (work done: $3464{\pm}786kJ/d$) five days a week for three months. Three teams worked in the morning and the others worked in the afternoon in the same day. The following day the working times were switched. In Exp. 2, 16 lactating Murrah buffalo cows in the sixth month of lactation were allotted to two groups (work and no work). They were fed with fresh ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) ad lib. supplemented with 2 kg rice bran and 700 g urea-molasses cake. The working regime was similar to that of the first experiment (work done: $3753{\pm}879kJ/d$) and they worked for two months. In the first experiment, there was a small but significant drop (p<0.05) in milk yield from 3.5 to 3.0 kg/day due to work, but there was no supplementation effect. The working buffaloes lost 5.2 kg whereas the non-working animals gained 9.7 kg during the three months (p<0.05). Supplementation increased live weight by 9.9 kg as compared to -5.4 kg for those not supplemented (p<0.05). Milk composition was not affected by the treatments. In the second experiment, daily milk production was similar for both treatments and approximately 3 kg. No significant differences were found in milk composition or in live weight changes for working and non-working groups, respectively. It was concluded that work may cause a reduction in milk yield and a loss of live weight on a poor rice straw diet but that an appropriate supplementation can alleviate this situation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.661-671
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• 1993

The change in fatty acid composition in brain tissue of the second generation rats(Sprague-Dawley strain) was studied using four different fat diets(Corn oil=CO, Soybean oil=SO, Perilla oil=PO, Fish oil=FO, 10% by Wt). The experimental diets were started from pregnancy in four different groups, each consisting of 9 rats. The seound generation rats were fed the same diet as their mothers. Animals were anesthetized with ether at 0, 3, 9 & 16 weeks of age. Whole brains were dissected out, brain tissues were, then, homogenized and lipids were extracted from brain tissues. The fatty acid compositions were measured after methylation by gas-liquid chromatography at 0, 3, 9 and 16 weeks of age of offspring. The changes in the relative concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) or more specifically docosahexaenoic acid(22 : 6, $\omega$3, DHA), the major $\omega$3 fatty acid component in rat brain at different age were similar to changes in the amount of DNA in brain tissue showing the maximum value during the lactation. The changes in saturated fatty acid(SFA) content showed a contrasting patten to those of PUFA, while monounsaturated fatty acid(MUFA) increased steadily throughout the experimental period. At birth, the relative concentrations of $\omega$3 series fatty acids the relative concentrations of PUFA, MUFA and SFA converged to very similar values respectively regardless of the dietary fatty acid compositions. In brain tissue, it is of value to note that while changes in relative concentrations of linoleic acid (18 : 2, $\omega$6, LA) and arachidonic acid(20 : 4, $\omega$6, AA) showed a precursor-product-like relationship, $\alpha$-linolenic acid(18 : 3, $\omega$3, $\alpha$-LnA) and DHA showed a different pattern. Even when the $\omega$3 fatty acid content in very low in maternal diet(CO), the second generation rat brain tissues appeared to secure DHA content, suggesting an essential role of this fatty acid in the brain. The fact that a large amount of $\alpha$-LnA in the maternal diet did not have a significant effect on the second generation rat brain $\alpha$-LnA content, indicated that DHA seemed essential component for the brain development in our experimental condition. In all groups, the relative content of $\alpha$-LnA in the brain tissues remained relatively constant throughout the experimental period at the very low level. The study of the specific concentrations and essential role(s) of DHA in each parts of brain tissue is needed in more details.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1031-1031
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• 2001

The mammary gland is made up of remarkably sensitive tissue, which has the capability of producing a large volume of secretion, milk, under normal or healthy conditions. When bacteria enter the gland and establish an infection (mastitis), inflammation is initiated accompanied by an influx of white cells from the blood stream, by altered secretory function, and changes in the volume and composition of secretion. Cell numbers in milk are closely associated with inflammation and udder health. These somatic cell counts (SCC) are accepted as the international standard measurement of milk quality in dairy and for mastitis diagnosis. NIR Spectra of unhomogenized composite milk samples from 14 cows (healthy and mastitic), 7days after parturition and during the next 30 days of lactation were measured. Different multivariate analysis techniques were used to diagnose the disease at very early stage and determine how the spectral properties of milk vary with its composition and animal health. PLS model for prediction of somatic cell count (SCC) based on NIR milk spectra was made. The best accuracy of determination for the 1100-2500nm range was found using smoothed absorbance data and 10 PLS factors. The standard error of prediction for independent validation set of samples was 0.382, correlation coefficient 0.854 and the variation coefficient 7.63%. It has been found that SCC determination by NIR milk spectra was indirect and based on the related changes in milk composition. From the spectral changes, we learned that when mastitis occurred, the most significant factors that simultaneously influenced milk spectra were alteration of milk proteins and changes in ionic concentration of milk. It was consistent with the results we obtained further when applied 2DCOS. Two-dimensional correlation analysis of NIR milk spectra was done to assess the changes in milk composition, which occur when somatic cell count (SCC) levels vary. The synchronous correlation map revealed that when SCC increases, protein levels increase while water and lactose levels decrease. Results from the analysis of the asynchronous plot indicated that changes in water and fat absorptions occur before other milk components. In addition, the technique was used to assess the changes in milk during a period when SCC levels do not vary appreciably. Results indicated that milk components are in equilibrium and no appreciable change in a given component was seen with respect to another. This was found in both healthy and mastitic animals. However, milk components were found to vary with SCC content regardless of the range considered. This important finding demonstrates that 2-D correlation analysis may be used to track even subtle changes in milk composition in individual cows. To find out the right threshold for SCC when used for mastitis diagnosis at cow level, classification of milk samples was performed using soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and different spectral data pretreatment. Two levels of SCC - 200 000 cells/$m\ell$ and 300 000 cells/$m\ell$, respectively, were set up and compared as thresholds to discriminate between healthy and mastitic cows. The best detection accuracy was found with 200 000 cells/$m\ell$ as threshold for mastitis and smoothed absorbance data: - 98% of the milk samples in the calibration set and 87% of the samples in the independent test set were correctly classified. When the spectral information was studied it was found that the successful mastitis diagnosis was based on reviling the spectral changes related to the corresponding changes in milk composition. NIRS combined with different ways of spectral data ruining can provide faster and nondestructive alternative to current methods for mastitis diagnosis and a new inside into disease understanding at molecular level.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

The present study was designed to explore the immunotoxic effects of orally administered aluminum (AI) on pregnant rats (n = 60) and their growing fetuses and consequently on the animal wealth. The animals were randomly allocated into three equal groups of 20 rats each. The first group has no treatment and kept as a control (G1). The second and third groups of pregnant rats were treated orally with aluminum chloride at 345 mg/Kg b.wt. The second group (G2) received the tested compound from the $6^{th}$ day of gestation to the end of weaning, whereas the third group (G3) received the tested compound from the $15^{th}$h day of gestation to the end of weaning. Control and treated animals (dams and offspring) were immunized ip with (0.5 ml) 20% sheep red blood cell (SRBC) suspension seven days before the end of experiments. At the end of exposure, ten dams and ten offspring from each group were used for assessment of cell-mediated immunity and a similar number of animals were sacrificed for evaluating the humoral immune response and serum protein profile. Aluminum chloride exposure of dams ($G_2&G_3$) caused significant suppression of both cell mediated and humoral immune responses in the obtained offsprings compared to the control group ($G_1$) without any significant effect on the immune responses of these dams. Moreover, the serum total globulins, albumin/ globulin (A/G) ratio and gamma globulin fraction were significantly decreased in the treated dam's offsprings compared to the corresponding controls while the serum total protein and all serum protein fractions showed non significant difference between the control and treated dams and between the two treated dam groups themselves. There were no histopathological changes observed in thymus, spleen and liver of the control and treated dams. Thymus of treated dam's offsprings (G2) showed lymphoid depletion in both cortex and medulla. Their spleens showed lymphoid depletion in the white pulps and congestion with hemosiderosis in the red pulps. Liver of treated dam's offsprings showed dilation and congestion of its central vein with degenerative changes in the hepatocytes. These histopathological changes were more severe in G2 than in G3 offsprings. It can be concluded that gestational and/ or lactation exposure of pregnant dams to AI chloride caused suppression of both cellular and humoral immune responses of their offsprings.