1
|
Venardou B, O'Doherty JV, Maher S, Ryan MT, Gath V, Ravindran R, Kiely C, Rajauria G, Garcia-Vaquero M, Sweeney T. Potential of a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract to reduce Salmonella shedding and improve gastrointestinal health in weaned pigs naturally infected with Salmonella. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:39. [PMID: 35369884 PMCID: PMC8978420 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00685-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary supplementation with a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), possessing an in vitro anti-Salmonella Typhimurium activity could be a promising on-farm strategy to control Salmonella infection in pigs. The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the anti-S. Typhimurium activity of ANE (containing 46.6% fucoidan, 18.6% laminarin, 10.7% mannitol, 4.6% alginate) in vitro, and; 2) compare the effects of dietary supplementation with ANE and Zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, Salmonella shedding and selected gut parameters in naturally infected pigs. This was established post-weaning (newly weaned pig experiment) and following regrouping of post-weaned pigs and experimental re-infection with S. Typhimurium (challenge experiment). RESULTS In the in vitro assay, increasing ANE concentrations led to a linear reduction in S. Typhimurium counts (P < 0.05). In the newly weaned pig experiment (12 replicates/treatment), high ANE supplementation increased gain to feed ratio, similar to ZnO supplementation, and reduced faecal Salmonella counts on d 21 compared to the low ANE and control groups (P < 0.05). The challenge experiment included thirty-six pigs from the previous experiment that remained on their original dietary treatments (control and high ANE groups with the latter being renamed to ANE group) apart from the ZnO group which transitioned onto a control diet on d 21 (ZnO-residual group). These dietary treatments had no effect on performance, faecal scores, Salmonella shedding or colonic and caecal Salmonella counts (P > 0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the Enterobacteriaceae counts compared to the control. Enterobacteriaceae counts were also reduced in the ZnO-residual group compared to the control (P < 0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the expression of interleukin 22 and transforming growth factor beta 1 in the ileum compared to the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS ANE supplementation was associated with some beneficial changes in the composition of the colonic microbiota, Salmonella shedding, and the expression of inflammatory genes associated with persistent Salmonella infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brigkita Venardou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John V O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Shane Maher
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Marion T Ryan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Vivian Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Rajeev Ravindran
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Claire Kiely
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Gaurav Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Marco Garcia-Vaquero
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Walshe N, Cabrera-Rubio R, Collins R, Puggioni A, Gath V, Crispie F, Cotter PD, Brennan L, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:668120. [PMID: 34222398 PMCID: PMC8249564 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is endemic in human populations in the western society, and with mounting evidence that the intestinal ecological environment plays a major role in its pathogenesis, identification of therapies based on intestinal microbiota modulation are gaining attention. Obesity in companion animals is also a common clinical problem. We set out using a multidimensional approach, to determine the effectiveness and safety of a weight loss program for horses incorporating diet restriction and exercise. In addition, we aimed to investigate the effect of this program on the overall intestinal health of overweight sedentary horses. The investigation comprised of a randomized, controlled, 6-week study of 14 overweight sedentary horses and ponies who were blocked for age, gender, and breed (controls n = 7, treatment n = 7). The treatment group were fed a restricted diet (1.4% of body weight dry matter intake) and the control group a maintenance diet (2% of body weight as dry matter intake) over the study period. The treatment group were subjected to a prescribed exercise regime, while the control group were exercised to mimic foraging conditions. Several clinical measurements were taken at the start and end of the study, including morphological parameters, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and fecal metabolome was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy, on samples taken at weeks 1, 3, and 6 of the study. All horses completed the study period successfully. However, two of the treatment group had to have modified exercise regimes. The treatment group showed significant weight loss (p < 0.00001) and an associated decrease in waste circumference (p < 0.0001) when compared with the control group. The alpha-diversity of the fecal microbiota in the treatment group showed a significant increase from the start to the end of the study period (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between groups at any sampling point. There were significant changes (p < 0.05) in the metabolome in both groups between the start and end of the study, but not between groups at any sampling point. Finally, the resting blood pressure of all horses was significantly lower by the end of the study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Walshe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Raul Cabrera-Rubio
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roisin Collins
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Antonella Puggioni
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vivian Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Crispie
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul D. Cotter
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, Cork, Ireland
- VistaMilk, Cork, Ireland
| | - Lorraine Brennan
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute, UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mulcahy
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vivienne Duggan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Duffy SK, Kelly AK, Rajauria G, Clarke LC, Gath V, Monahan FJ, O'Doherty JV. The effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3and phytase inclusion on pig performance, bone parameters and pork quality in finisher pigs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2018; 102:1296-1305. [DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Duffy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Gaurav Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Louise C. Clarke
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Vivian Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Frank J. Monahan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - John V. O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Clarke L, Sweeney T, Curley E, Gath V, Duffy S, Vigors S, Rajauria G, O’Doherty J. Effect of β-glucanase and β-xylanase enzyme supplemented barley diets on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and expression of intestinal nutrient transporter genes in finisher pigs. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
5
|
Sweeney T, Meredith H, Ryan M, Gath V, Thornton K, O'Doherty J. Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum supplementation on Campylobacter jejuni colonisation, performance and gut health following an experimental challenge in 10day old chicks. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
6
|
Whelan SJ, Mulligan FJ, Gath V, Flynn B, Pierce KM. Short communication: Effect of dietary manipulation of crude protein content and nonfibrous-to-fibrous-carbohydrate ratio on energy balance in early-lactation dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:7220-4. [PMID: 25173467 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Disparities between nutrient intake and demand often result in a state of negative energy balance (EB) in the early-lactation dairy cow. Reducing dietary crude protein (CP) content and providing glucogenic nutrients may overcome this issue. This study evaluates whether or not offering a diet lower in CP and higher in nonfiber carbohydrates (LP-NFC) can improve EB and the metabolic status of the early-lactation dairy cow compared with a diet higher in CP and fibrous carbohydrates (HP-FC). Twenty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments in a randomized block design. Diets were isoenergetic (6.57 MJ of net energy for lactation) and formulated to contain 15% CP and 6% starch (HP-FC), or 12% CP and 28% starch (LP-NFC) and were offered for the first 63 d of lactation. Intake and milk yield were determined daily, whereas milk and blood samples, weights, and body condition scores were collected weekly. Intakes (mean ± standard errors of the mean, SEM) of dry matter (17.4 ± 0.6 kg/d) and energy (113.0 ± 4.6 MJ of net energy for lactation) were not different between treatments. However, the HP-FC group had a higher milk yield (31.8 vs. 28.9 ± 1.4 kg/d) and a lower EB compared with the LP-NFC group. Blood urea N concentration (3.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.2 mmol/L) was higher, whereas bilirubin (6.0 vs. 6.7 ± 0.2 mmol/L) and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (0.7 vs. 0.8 ± 0.05 mmol/L) were lower in the HP-FC group compared with the LP-NFC group. These data suggest that EB can be improved during early lactation through the manipulation of milk output by offering a lower CP, higher NFC diet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S J Whelan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm, Newcastle, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F J Mulligan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - V Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - B Flynn
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm, Newcastle, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K M Pierce
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm, Newcastle, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Martin AM, Elliott JA, Duffy P, Blake CM, Ben Attia S, Katz LM, Browne JA, Gath V, McGivney BA, Hill EW, Murphy BA. Circadian regulation of locomotor activity and skeletal muscle gene expression in the horse. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2010; 109:1328-36. [PMID: 20847133 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01327.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are innate 24-h cycles in behavioral and biochemical processes that permit physiological anticipation of daily environmental changes. Elucidating the relationship between activity rhythms and circadian patterns of gene expression may contribute to improved human and equine athletic performance. Six healthy, untrained mares were studied to determine whether locomotor activity behavior and skeletal muscle gene expression reflect endogenous circadian regulation. Activity was recorded for three consecutive 48-h periods: as a group at pasture (P), and individually stabled under a light-dark (LD) cycle and in constant darkness (DD). Halter-mounted Actiwatch-L data-loggers recorded light exposure and motor activity. Analysis of mean activity (average counts/min, activity bouts/day, average bout length) and cosinor parameters (acrophase, amplitude, mesor, goodness of fit) revealed a predominantly ultradian (8.9 ± 0.7 bouts/24 h) and weakly circadian pattern of activity in all three conditions (P, LD, DD). A more robust circadian pattern was observed during LD and DD. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the middle gluteal muscles every 4 h for 24 h under DD. One-way qRT-PCR results confirmed the circadian expression (P < 0.05) of six core clock genes (Arntl, Per1, Per2, Nr1d1, Nr1d2, Dbp) and the muscle-specific transcript, Myf6. Additional genes, Ucp3, Nrip1, and Vegfa, demonstrated P values approaching significance. These findings demonstrate circadian regulation of muscle function and imply that human management regimes may strengthen, or unmask, equine circadian behavioral outputs. As exercise synchronizes circadian rhythms, our findings provide a basis for future work determining peak times for training and competing horses, to reduce injury and to achieve optimal performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Martin
- School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pang W, Earley B, Sweeney T, Gath V, Crowe MA. Temporal patterns of inflammatory gene expression in local tissues after banding or burdizzo castration in cattle. BMC Vet Res 2009; 5:36. [PMID: 19775432 PMCID: PMC2758859 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-5-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2008] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Castration of male cattle has been shown to elicit inflammatory reactions and acute inflammation is initiated and sustained by the participation of cytokines. Methods Sixty continental × beef bulls (Mean age 12 ± (s.e.) 0.2 months; Mean weight 341 ± (s.e.) 3.0 kg) were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to one of three treatments (n = 20 animals per treatment): 1) untreated control (Con); 2) banding castration at 0 min (Band); 3) Burdizzo castration at 0 min (Burd). Samples of the testis, epididymis and scrotal skin were collected surgically from 5 animals from each group at 12 h, 24 h, 7 d, and 14 d post-treatment, and analysed using real-time PCR. A repeated measurement analysis (Proc GLM) was performed using SAS. If there was no treatment and time interaction, main effects of treatment by time were tested by ANOVA. Results Electrophoresis data showed that by 7 d post-castration RNA isolated from all the testicle samples of the Burd castrated animals, the epididymis and middle scrotum samples from Band castrates were degraded. Transitory effects were observed in the gene expression of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α at 12 h and 24 h post treatment. Burd castrates had greater (P < 0.05) testicular IFN-γ mRNA levels compared with Band and Con animals, but lower (P < 0.05) testicular TNF-α mRNA levels compared with Con animals. Band castrates had greater (P < 0.05) testicular IL-6 mRNA levels than Burd castrates at 12 h post-castration. Burd castrates had greater (P < 0.05) testicular IL-8 mRNA levels than Band and Con animals at 24 h post-castration. In the epididymis, Burd castrates had greater (P < 0.05) IL-6 mRNA (both at 12 h and 24 h post treatment) and IL-8 mRNA (12 h post treatment) levels compared with Band and Con animals; Burd castrates had greater (P = 0.049) IL-10 mRNA levels than Band castrates at 12 h post-castration. Conclusion Banding castration caused more inflammatory associated gene expression changes to the epididymis and scrotum than burdizzo. Burdizzo caused more severe acute inflammatory responses, in terms of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression, in the testis and epididymis than banding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyong Pang
- Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Research Centre, Dunsany, Co, Meath, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pang WY, Earley B, Sweeney T, Pirani S, Gath V, Crowe MA. Effects of banding or burdizzo castration of bulls on neutrophil phagocytosis and respiratory burst, CD62-L expression, and serum interleukin-8 concentration. J Anim Sci 2009; 87:3187-95. [PMID: 19617515 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-1905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to investigate measures of neutrophil function in response to banding or burdizzo castration of bulls. Thirty-two Holstein-Friesian bulls (14 mo old, 505 +/- 7.8 kg of BW) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: 1) sham-handled control (CON); 2) banding castration alone (BAND); 3) burdizzo castration alone (BURD); or 4) cortisol infusion (CORT) as a further control group. For each group on d -14, 8 animals (2 animals/treatment) were tied up in tie stalls (day of treatment = d 0). At -2, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 144 h relative to treatment time, blood samples were collected for analyses of neutrophil phagocytosis and respiratory burst, neutrophil CD62-L expression, and serum IL-8 concentration. Leukocyte counts, phagocytosis activity, and CD62-L expression were similar (P > 0.05) among the 4 treatment groups. The BURD castrates had greater burst activity compared with BAND castrates (P = 0.048) and CON (P = 0.01) at 72 h posttreatment. The BURD castrates had a greater percentage of granulocyte positive leukocytes (Gr%; P < 0.01) at 2 h posttreatment compared with CON and CORT bulls. The BURD castrates had greater (P < 0.05) Gr% compared with BAND, CON, and CORT animals at 24, 48, and 72 h posttreatment. The BURD and BAND castrates had greater Gr% (P < 0.05) compared with CORT bulls at 144 h posttreatment. In general, BAND, BURD, and CORT did not affect serum IL-8 concentration. Banding castration, BURD, and CORT did not induce leukocytosis, whereas BURD induced a modest neutrophilia. Neutrophil functioning in terms of phagocytosis and respiratory burst and serum IL-8 concentration were not compromised by BAND, BURD, and CORT. These findings indicate nonsurgical castration is unlikely to induce a severe acute systemic inflammatory response in terms of neutrophil function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Y Pang
- Teagasc, Animal Bioscience Research Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pang W, Earley B, Gath V, Crowe M. Effect of banding or burdizzo castration on plasma testosterone, acute-phase proteins, scrotal circumference, growth, and health of bulls. Livest Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
11
|
Gath V, Sakr Y, Klinzing S, Simon T, Reinhart K, Marx G. Buccal visible light spectroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry: reliability analysis. Crit Care 2007. [PMCID: PMC4095329 DOI: 10.1186/cc5436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
|
12
|
Abstract
The first two years of the veterinary program at University College Dublin (UCD) include two modules whereby students gain experience in basic animal handling. Practical Animal Husbandry uses both lectures and animal handling classes aimed at teaching students to approach, restrain, and carry out routine husbandry procedures on food-producing and companion animals humanely and competently and to be aware of the risks to human health of inappropriate animal approach and handling. Staff and students are given lists of animal-handling competencies designed to ensure that students attain relevant handling skills for beef and dairy cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, cats, dogs, and exotics (e.g., rabbits, guinea pigs). Students are allotted up to 12 weeks of Farm and Companion Animal Experience, an extramural (EMS) activity, according to their prior experience; the objectives are to become proficient in the handling and management of animals and to develop an understanding of the key husbandry factors in food-production systems (milk, beef, lamb, pork) at the farm level. Students are assessed in practical examinations at the end of the second year and cannot progress until they have achieved the required competence. In addition to the pedagogic strategies, special consideration is given to the welfare of the animals used in teaching practicals and to the health and safety of teaching staff and students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hanlon
- School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Papadopoulos S, Lonergan P, Gath V, Quinn KM, Evans AC, O'Callaghan D, Bolan MP. Effect of diet quantity and urea supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in sheep. Theriogenology 2001; 55:1059-69. [PMID: 11322234 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary energy and urea supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in sheep using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Sixty-three ewes were fed grass meal at 0.5 or 2.0 times maintenance energy requirements (MER). The diet was supplemented with feed grade urea (U) for half of the ewes on each energy treatment. Ewes were stimulated with 1000 IU eCG and either slaughtered on the day of pessary withdrawal, for in vitro embryo production, or mated and slaughtered on Day 5 for embryo recovery. Urea decreased cleavage rate (48.3 vs 39.7%) and consequently blastocyst rate (41.6 vs 36.8%) but the differences were not significant. Oocytes from animals on 2.0 MER had a lower cleavage rate (54.9 vs 36.0%) and blastocyst yield (49.3 vs 31.4%) than those on 0.5 MER. However, there was an interaction between urea and energy for cleavage (P = 0.04) and blastocyst yield (P = 0.03) indicating a variable response to urea in the presence of high energy. This was manifested by a decrease in cleavage rate in the presence of urea and high energy (22%, 8 of 36), and a reduction in blastocyst development (19%, 7 of 36). When blastocyst development rate was expressed as a proportion of cleaved oocytes there was no difference between groups; in addition, there was no difference between groups in terms of blastocyst hatching rate (overall mean 66.1%) or blastocyst cell number on Day 8 (overall mean +/- SEM, 138.4 +/- 9.0, n=61). The effect of urea on cleavage rate in vivo was more severe. Urea supplementation reduced (P<0.001) the cleavage rate (93 vs 62%). Despite this, the yield of blastocysts was unaffected. Oocytes from ewes on 0.5 MER exhibited a lower (P<0.05) cleavage rate than those on 2.0 MER (66 vs 87%). This effect was also apparent at the blastocyst stage (40.0 vs 50.9%), although the difference was no longer significant. There were no differences in hatching rate (overall mean 70.7%) or blastocyst cell numbers (overall mean +/- SEM, 166.3 +/- 15.6, n=40). Collectively, these results suggest that both high dietary energy and urea content influence subsequent embryo development in vitro, and the deleterious effects of urea are likely influenced by concomitant energy intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Papadopoulos
- Faculty of Agriculture, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gath V, Lonergan P, Boland M, O'Callaghan D. Effects of diet type on establishment of pregnancy and embryo development in beef heifers. Theriogenology 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(99)91783-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
15
|
O'Kearney-Flynn M, Wade M, Duffy P, Gath V, Boland M, Dobrinsky J. Effect of cryopreservation on IVP cattle embryo development in vitro and in vivo. Theriogenology 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(98)90526-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|