1
|
Zhang C, Chen J, Wu Q, Xu B, Huang Z. The Gut Microbiota of Young Asian Elephants with Different Milk-Containing Diets. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050916. [PMID: 36899773 PMCID: PMC10000238 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluating the association between milk-containing diets and the microbiomes of young Asian elephants could assist establishing optimal breast milk supplementation to improve offspring survival rates. The microbiomes of young Asian elephants on different milk-containing diets (elephant milk only, elephant milk-plant mixed feed, and goat milk-plant mixed feed) were investigated using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analysis. Microbial diversity was lower in the elephant milk-only diet group, with a high abundance of Proteobacteria compared to the mixed-feed diet groups. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant in all groups. Spirochaetae, Lachnospiraceae, and Rikenellaceae were abundant in the elephant milk-plant mixed-feed diet group, and Prevotellaceae was abundant in the goat milk-plant mixed-feed diet group. Membrane transport and cell motility metabolic pathways were significantly enriched in the elephant milk-plant mixed-feed diet group, whereas amino acid metabolism and signal transduction pathways were significantly enriched in the goat milk-plant mixed-feed diet group. The intestinal microbial community composition and associated functions varied significantly between diets. The results suggest that goat milk is not suitable for young elephants. Furthermore, we provide new research methods and directions regarding milk source evaluation to improve elephant survival, wellbeing, and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengbo Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Provincial Education Department for Plateau Characteristic Food Enzymes, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Junmin Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zunxi Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass Energy, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Runthala A, Mbye M, Ayyash M, Xu Y, Kamal-Eldin A. Caseins: Versatility of Their Micellar Organization in Relation to the Functional and Nutritional Properties of Milk. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052023. [PMID: 36903269 PMCID: PMC10004547 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The milk of mammals is a complex fluid mixture of various proteins, minerals, lipids, and other micronutrients that play a critical role in providing nutrition and immunity to newborns. Casein proteins together with calcium phosphate form large colloidal particles, called casein micelles. Caseins and their micelles have received great scientific interest, but their versatility and role in the functional and nutritional properties of milk from different animal species are not fully understood. Caseins belong to a class of proteins that exhibit open and flexible conformations. Here, we discuss the key features that maintain the structures of the protein sequences in four selected animal species: cow, camel, human, and African elephant. The primary sequences of these proteins and their posttranslational modifications (phosphorylation and glycosylation) that determine their secondary structures have distinctively evolved in these different animal species, leading to differences in their structural, functional, and nutritional properties. The variability in the structures of milk caseins influence the properties of their dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, as well as their digestibility and allergic properties. Such differences are beneficial to the development of different functionally improved casein molecules with variable biological and industrial utilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Runthala
- Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vijayawada 522302, India
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (A.K.-E.); Tel.: +971-5-0138-9248 (A.K.-E.)
| | - Mustapha Mbye
- Department of Food Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mutamed Ayyash
- Department of Food Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yajun Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Afaf Kamal-Eldin
- Department of Food Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (A.K.-E.); Tel.: +971-5-0138-9248 (A.K.-E.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kobeni S, Osthoff G, Madende M, Hugo A, Marabini L. The Dynamic Changes of African Elephant Milk Composition over Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10060948. [PMID: 32486163 PMCID: PMC7341503 DOI: 10.3390/ani10060948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The composition of elephant milk differs from all other mammals, as well as between Asian and African elephants. The changes of this milk composition during lactation is also unique. Apart from the major sugar being lactose, sugars also occur as longer chains. With progressed lactation, the content of the lactose decreases, and oligosaccharides become the major sugar component. The content of protein, minerals, and fat also increase during lactation, resulting in an increase in total energy. The fatty acid composition changes during lactation to a high content of saturated acids. Vitamin E occurs at low levels in this milk, and vitamins A, D3, and K occur in trace amounts. The combined data of 14 African elephants over 25 months of lactation are presented. The reported changes may contribute to improving the management strategies of captive African elephants to optimize the nutrition, health, and survival of elephant calves. Abstract The combined data of milk composition of 14 African elephants over 25 months of lactation are presented. The milk density was constant during lactation. The total protein content increased with progressing lactation, with caseins as the predominant protein fraction. The total carbohydrates steadily decreased, with the oligosaccharides becoming the major fraction. Lactose and isoglobotriose reached equal levels at mid lactation. The milk fat content increased during lactation, as did the caprylic and capric acids, while the 12 carbon and longer fatty acids decreased. The fatty acid composition of the milk phospholipids fluctuated, and their total saturated fatty acid composition was low compared to the triacylglycerides. The milk ash and content of the major minerals, Na, K, Mg, P, and Ca, increased. Vitamin content was low, Vitamin E occurred in quantifiable amounts, with traces of vitamins A, D3, and K. The energy levels of African elephant milk did not change much in the first ten months of lactation, but they increased thereafter due to the increase in protein and fat content. The overall changes in milk composition appeared to be in two stages: (a) strong changes up to approximately 12 months of lactation and (b) little or no changes thereafter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sibusiso Kobeni
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; (S.K.); (M.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Gernot Osthoff
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; (S.K.); (M.M.); (A.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +27-5140-12216
| | - Moses Madende
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; (S.K.); (M.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Arnold Hugo
- Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; (S.K.); (M.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Lisa Marabini
- AWARE Trust, 16 Southam Road, Greystone Park, Harare, Zimbabwe;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Takehana K, Kitani R, Hatate K, Onomi R, Yamagishi N. Anthropometric and blood data on a hand-reared captive Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) calf: A retrospective case report. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:943-947. [PMID: 32435003 PMCID: PMC7399311 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The anthropometric and blood data of an unsuccessfully hand-reared Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) calf were retrospectively compared with the data for calves
raised by their real mothers or allomothers, to identify potential reasons for poor outcomes in the hand-reared case. The hand-reared calf grew normally in terms of body weight and
withers height. However, blood biochemical data suggested reduced bone metabolism, low immune status, and malnutrition during its life. Blood bone markers were measured to
determine whether a skeletal disorder was present in the Asian elephant calf, which was not clear from the anthropometric data. Monitoring these parameters in hand-reared Asian
elephant calves, with the aim of keeping them within the normal range, may increase the success rate of hand-rearing of Asian elephant calves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takehana
- Ichihara Elephant Kingdom Zoological Park, Ichihara, Chiba 290-0521, Japan
| | - Ryohei Kitani
- Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-3147, Japan
| | - Kaoru Hatate
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8550, Japan
| | - Rurika Onomi
- Graduate School of Veterinary Life Sciences and Agriculture, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8550, Japan
| | - Norio Yamagishi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8550, Japan.,Graduate School of Veterinary Life Sciences and Agriculture, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kambe J, Sasaki Y, Inoue R, Tomonaga S, Kinjo T, Watanabe G, Jin W, Nagaoka K. Analysis of infant microbiota composition and the relationship with breast milk components in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) at the zoo. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:983-989. [PMID: 32350162 PMCID: PMC7399312 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevention of diseases through health control is essential at zoos. Here, we investigated the gut microbiota formation during infancy in an Asian elephant and compared the
composition between infant and mother. Besides, we analyzed the components of breast milk and examined the correlation with the infant gut microbiota. Analysis revealed the gut
microbiota of the infant contained high amount of Lactobacillales and its diversity was relatively low compared to that of the mother. We found several milk
components, showed a positive correlation with the change of Lactobacillales. The present study revealed the mechanism of gut microbiota formation during infancy
in an Asian elephant and provides important insights into the health control of Asian elephants in zoos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kambe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Yu Sasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Ryo Inoue
- Laboratory of Animal Science, Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Setsunan University, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Shozo Tomonaga
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Teruo Kinjo
- Okinawa Zoo Animal Hospital, Okinawa Zoo and Museum, Okinawa 904-0021, Japan
| | - Gen Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Wanzhu Jin
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Kentaro Nagaoka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dierenfeld ES, Han YAM, Mar KU, Aung A, Soe AT, Lummaa V, Lahdenperä M. Milk Composition of Asian Elephants ( Elephas maximus) in a Natural Environment in Myanmar during Late Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040725. [PMID: 32331387 PMCID: PMC7222762 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutritional content of milk from free-living Asian elephants has not previously been reported, despite being vital for better management of captive populations. This study analyzed both milk composition and consumed plant species of Asian elephants managed in their natural environment in Myanmar. Longitudinal samples (n = 36) were obtained during both the wet and the dry season from six mature females in mid to late lactation in 2016 and 2017. Milk composition averaged 82.44% water, with 17.56% total solids containing 5.23% protein, 15.10% fat, 0.87% ash, and 0.18 µg/mL vitamin E. Solids and protein increased with lactation month. Total protein in milk was higher during the wet vs. the dry season. Observed factors linked with maternal (age, parity, size and origin) and calf traits (sex) had significant associations with milk nutrient levels. Primary forages consumed contained moderate protein and fiber. Higher dietary protein during the wet season (11-25%) compared to the dry season (6-19%) may be linked with increased milk protein observed. Our results call for further field studies of milk and diet composition, over entire seasons/lactation periods, and across maternal and calf traits, to improve feeding management, with an overall goal of maximized health and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen S. Dierenfeld
- Ellen S. Dierenfeld, LLC, St. Louis, MO 63128, USA
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell NG25 0QF, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-314-717-3885
| | - Yadana A. M. Han
- Department of Medical Research (Pyin-Oo-Lwin Branch), Pyin-Oo-Lwin 05081, Myanmar;
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin 05282, Myanmar;
| | - Khyne U. Mar
- Veterinarians International, One Penn Plaza, Suite 6337, New York, NY 10119, USA;
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Aung Aung
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin 05282, Myanmar;
| | - Aung Thura Soe
- Extraction Department, Magway Region, Myanma Timber Enterprise, Magwe 0411, Myanmar;
| | - Virpi Lummaa
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland;
| | - Mirkka Lahdenperä
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Effects of Casein Hydrolysate Ingestion on Thermoregulatory Responses in Healthy Adults during Exercise in Heated Conditions: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12030867. [PMID: 32213899 PMCID: PMC7146450 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Food ingestion has been shown to affect thermoregulation during exercise, while the impact of protein degradant consumption remains unclear. We investigated the effects of casein hydrolysate ingestion on thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, five men and five women consumed either 5 g of casein hydrolysate or placebo. Thirty minutes after ingestion, participants cycled at 60% VO2max until voluntary exhaustion wearing a hot-water (43 °C) circulation suit. Exercise time to exhaustion, body core temperature, forearm sweat rate, and forearm cutaneous vascular conductance did not differ different between the conditions. However, chest sweat rate and mean skin temperature increased upon casein hydrolysate ingestion compared with placebo during exercise. Increased chest sweat rate upon casein hydrolysate ingestion was associated with elevated sudomotor sensitivity to increasing body core temperature, but not the temperature threshold for initiating sweating. A positive correlation was found between chest sweat rate and plasma total amino acid concentration during exercise. These results suggest that casein hydrolysate ingestion enhances sweating heterogeneously by increasing peripheral sensitivity of the chest's sweating mechanism and elevating skin temperature during exercise in the heat. However, the physiological link between plasma amino acid concentration and sweat rate remains unclear.
Collapse
|