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Price EC, Roberts A, Bennett L, Glendewar G, Wormell D. Weight as an indicator of enclosure suitability in Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii). Zoo Biol 2024; 43:295-305. [PMID: 38529876 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is common in zoo animals, and both dietary management and the provision of adequate opportunities for exercise are needed to tackle it. We used 30 years of records from Jersey Zoo to compare the weight and forearm length of wild and captive-born Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii), and to assess the impact on weight of enclosure space. The mean capture weight of wild-caught male Livingstone's bats was 657 g, significantly higher than that of females (544 g). In both wild and captive-born bats, males had significantly longer forearms than females, but there was no effect of birth location. Males weighed more in the mating season than at other times of year. Both sexes gained more weight during development if born in enclosures that restricted flight rather than a large aviary; this was particularly noticeable in females. After reaching maturity at 3 years, weights of bats born in restricted enclosures continued to increase, reached a peak of over 1000 g at 8-10 years, and then declined in both sexes. The weight of bats born in the aviary remained more stable after the age of three. Like wild bats, adult females born in the aviary weighed less than males. However, females born in restricted enclosures weighed more than males born in the same enclosures. Enclosure designs that maximize opportunities for flight can limit excessive weight gain in captive fruit bats and may therefore improve fitness and health, essential in planning for future reintroduction programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Roberts
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey
| | - Laura Bennett
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey
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Morrison JL, Botting KJ, Darby JRT, David AL, Dyson RM, Gatford KL, Gray C, Herrera EA, Hirst JJ, Kim B, Kind KL, Krause BJ, Matthews SG, Palliser HK, Regnault TRH, Richardson BS, Sasaki A, Thompson LP, Berry MJ. Guinea pig models for translation of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis into the clinic. J Physiol 2018; 596:5535-5569. [PMID: 29633280 PMCID: PMC6265540 DOI: 10.1113/jp274948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 30 years ago Professor David Barker first proposed the theory that events in early life could explain an individual's risk of non-communicable disease in later life: the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. During the 1990s the validity of the DOHaD hypothesis was extensively tested in a number of human populations and the mechanisms underpinning it characterised in a range of experimental animal models. Over the past decade, researchers have sought to use this mechanistic understanding of DOHaD to develop therapeutic interventions during pregnancy and early life to improve adult health. A variety of animal models have been used to develop and evaluate interventions, each with strengths and limitations. It is becoming apparent that effective translational research requires that the animal paradigm selected mirrors the tempo of human fetal growth and development as closely as possible so that the effect of a perinatal insult and/or therapeutic intervention can be fully assessed. The guinea pig is one such animal model that over the past two decades has demonstrated itself to be a very useful platform for these important reproductive studies. This review highlights similarities in the in utero development between humans and guinea pigs, the strengths and limitations of the guinea pig as an experimental model of DOHaD and the guinea pig's potential to enhance clinical therapeutic innovation to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna L. Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health ResearchUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kimberley J. Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack R. T. Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health ResearchUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Anna L. David
- Research Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rebecca M. Dyson
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Kathryn L. Gatford
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Clint Gray
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Emilio A. Herrera
- Pathophysiology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Jonathan J. Hirst
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bona Kim
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Karen L. Kind
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Bernardo J. Krause
- Division of Paediatrics, Faculty of MedicinePontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
| | | | - Hannah K. Palliser
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Timothy R. H. Regnault
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Physiology and PharmacologyWestern University, and Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Bryan S. Richardson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Physiology and PharmacologyWestern University, and Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Aya Sasaki
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Loren P. Thompson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Mary J. Berry
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
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Nemeth M, Millesi E, Siutz C, Wagner KH, Quint R, Wallner B. Reproductive performance and gestational effort in relation to dietary fatty acids in guinea pigs. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2017; 8:28. [PMID: 28373905 PMCID: PMC5376286 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-017-0158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary saturated (SFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids can highly affect reproductive functions by providing additional energy, modulating the biochemical properties of tissues, and hormone secretions. In precocial mammals such as domestic guinea pigs the offspring is born highly developed. Gestation might be the most critical reproductive period in this species and dietary fatty acids may profoundly influence the gestational effort. We therefore determined the hormonal status at conception, the reproductive success, and body mass changes during gestation in guinea pigs maintained on diets high in PUFAs or SFAs, or a control diet. Results The diets significantly affected the females’ plasma fatty acid status at conception, while cortisol and estrogen levels did not differ among groups. SFA females exhibited a significantly lower body mass and litter size, while the individual birth mass of pups did not differ among groups and a general higher pup mortality rate in larger litters was diminished by PUFAs and SFAs. The gestational effort, determined by a mother’s body mass gain during gestation, increased with total litter mass, whereas this increase was lowest in SFA and highest in PUFA individuals. The mother’s body mass after parturition did not differ among groups and was positively affected by the total litter mass in PUFA females. Conclusions While SFAs reduce the litter size, but also the gestational effort as a consequence, PUFA supplementation may contribute to an adjustment of energy accumulations to the total litter mass, which may both favor a mother’s body condition at parturition and perhaps increase the offspring survival at birth. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40104-017-0158-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Nemeth
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Millesi
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Carina Siutz
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl-Heinz Wagner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Quint
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernard Wallner
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Herrera EA, Alegría R, Farias M, Díaz-López F, Hernández C, Uauy R, Regnault TRH, Casanello P, Krause BJ. Assessment of in vivo fetal growth and placental vascular function in a novel intrauterine growth restriction model of progressive uterine artery occlusion in guinea pigs. J Physiol 2016; 594:1553-61. [PMID: 26719023 DOI: 10.1113/jp271467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with short and long-term metabolic and cardiovascular alterations. Mice and rats have been extensively used to study the effects of IUGR, but there are notable differences in fetal and placental physiology relative to those of humans that argue for alternative animal models. This study proposes that gradual occlusion of uterine arteries from mid-gestation in pregnant guinea pigs produces a novel model to better assess human IUGR. Fetal biometry and in vivo placental vascular function were followed by sonography and Doppler of control pregnant guinea pigs and sows submitted to surgical placement of ameroid constrictors in both uterine arteries (IUGR) at mid-gestation (35 days). The ameroid constrictors induced a reduction in the fetal abdominal circumference growth rate (0.205 cm day(-1) ) compared to control (0.241 cm day(-1) , P < 0.001) without affecting biparietal diameter growth. Umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance indexes at 10 and 20 days after surgery were significantly higher in IUGR animals than controls (P < 0.01). These effects were associated with a decrease in the relative luminal area of placental chorionic arteries (21.3 ± 2.2% vs. 33.2 ± 2.7%, P < 0.01) in IUGR sows at near term. Uterine artery intervention reduced fetal (∼30%), placental (∼20%) and liver (∼50%) weights (P < 0.05), with an increased brain to liver ratio (P < 0.001) relative to the control group. These data demonstrate that the ameroid constrictor implantations in uterine arteries in pregnant guinea pigs lead to placental vascular dysfunction and altered fetal growth that induces asymmetric IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A Herrera
- Programa de Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Av. Salvador 486, Providencia, 7500922, Santiago, Chile
| | - René Alegría
- Programa de Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Av. Salvador 486, Providencia, 7500922, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo Farias
- División de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, Santiago, 8330024, Chile
| | - Farah Díaz-López
- División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cherie Hernández
- División de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, Santiago, 8330024, Chile.,División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Uauy
- División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute and Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paola Casanello
- División de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 391, Santiago, 8330024, Chile.,División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bernardo J Krause
- División de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Pre-gestational overweight in guinea pig sows induces fetal vascular dysfunction and increased rate of large and small fetuses. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2015; 7:237-243. [PMID: 26490762 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174415007266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In humans, obesity before and during pregnancy is associated with both fetal macrosomia and growth restriction, and long-term cardiovascular risk in the offspring. We aimed to determine whether overweighted pregnant guinea pig sows results in an increased fetal weight at term and the effects on the vascular reactivity in fetal systemic and umbilical arteries. Pregnant guinea pigs were classified as control (n=4) or high weight (HWS, n=5) according to their pre-mating weight, and their fetuses extracted at 0.9 gestation (~60 days). Segments of fetal femoral and umbilical arteries were mounted in a wire myograph, where the contractile response to KCl (5-125 mM), and the relaxation to nitric oxide synthase-dependent agents (insulin, 10-10-10-7 and acetylcholine, 10-10-10-5) and nitric oxide [sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 10-10-10-5] were determined. Fetuses from HWS (HWSF) were grouped according to their body weight as low (85 g) fetal weight, based on the confidence interval (76.5-84.9 g) of the control group. No HWSF were observed in the normal range. Umbilical arteries from HWSF showed a lower response to KCl and insulin compared with controls, but a comparable response with SNP. Conversely, femoral arteries from HWSF showed an increased response to KCl and acetylcholine, along with a decreased sensitivity to SNP. These data show that overweight sows have altered fetal growth along gestation. Further, large and small fetuses from obese guinea pig sows showed altered vascular reactivity at umbilical and systemic vessels, which potentially associates with long-term cardiovascular risk.
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The effect of pre-release captivity on post-release performance in reintroduced eastern bettongs Bettongia gaimardi. ORYX 2015. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605315000496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractReintroductions are used to re-establish populations of species within their indigenous range, but their outcomes are variable. A key decision when developing a reintroduction strategy is whether to include a temporary period of confinement prior to release. Pre-release confinement is primarily used for the purpose of quarantine or as a delayed-release tactic to influence the performance or behaviour of founders post-release. A common difference between these approaches is that quarantine tends to be conducted in ex situ captivity, whereas delayed releases tend to involve in situ confinement at the release site. Although these practices are commonly viewed independently, it may be possible for a single confinement period to be used for both purposes. We tested whether temporarily holding wild eastern bettongs Bettongia gaimardi in ex situ captivity for 95–345 days prior to release (delayed release) influenced their body mass, pouch occupancy or survival during the first 1.5 years post-release, compared to founders released without confinement (immediate release). Our results suggest that exposing founders to captivity did not alter their body mass or performance post-release, despite being heavier and having fewer pouch young when released. We conclude that, for this species, ex situ captivity does not represent a tactical opportunity to improve post-release performance but can be used for quarantine without affecting the probability of establishment.
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Li B, Li W, Ahmad H, Zhang L, Wang C, Wang T. Effects of Choline on Meat Quality and Intramuscular Fat in Intrauterine Growth Retardation Pigs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129109. [PMID: 26046629 PMCID: PMC4457733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of choline supplementation on intramuscular fat (IMF) and lipid oxidation in IUGR pigs. Twelve normal body weight (NBW) and twelve intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) newborn piglets were collected and distributed into 4 treatments (Normal: N, Normal+Choline: N+C, IUGR: I, and IUGR+Choline: I+C) with 6 piglets in each treatment. At 23 d of age, NBW and IUGR pigs were fed basal or choline supplemented diets. The results showed that the IUGR pigs had significantly lower (P<0.05) BW as compared with the NBW pigs at 23 d, 73 d, and 120 d of age, however, there was a slight decreased (P>0.05) in BW of IUGR pigs than the NBW pigs at 200 d. Compared with the NBW pigs, pH of meat longissimus dorsi muscle was significantly lower (P<0.05), and the meat color was improved in IUGR pigs. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while triglyceride (TG) and IMF contents were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the IUGR pigs than the NBW pigs. IUGR up-regulated the mRNA gene expression of fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Dietary choline significantly increased (P<0.05) the BW at 120d of age, however, significantly decreased (P<0.05) the TG and IMF contents in both IUGR and NBW pigs. FAS and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1 (SREBP1) mRNA gene expressions were increased (P<0.05) while the muscle-carnitine palmityl transferase (M-CPT) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptorγ (PPARγ) mRNA (P<0.05) gene expressions were decreased in the muscles of the IUGR pigs by choline supplementation. Furthermore, choline supplementation significantly increased (P<0.05) the MDA content as well as the O2•¯ scavenging activity in meat of IUGR pigs. The results suggested that IUGR pigs showed a permanent stunting effect on the growth performance, increased fat deposition and oxidative stress in muscles. However, dietary supplementation of choline improved the fat deposition via enhancing the lipogenesis and reducing the lipolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hussain Ahmad
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tian Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- * E-mail:
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Czarnecki R, Adamski M. Factors influencing litter size and birthweight in the newborn long-haired guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus). JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1013961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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