Tissue-dependent DNA methylation of carp uncoupling protein 1 promoter

DNA methylation of enhancers and promoters generally inhibits gene transcription. DNA methylation occurs predominantly at the dinucleotide CpG, a methyl group that is covalently bonded to cytosine. We have previously demonstrated tissue-restricted expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) in common carp. Here, we characterized the methylation status of the upstream region of the transcriptional initiation site of the carp Ucp1 gene in the liver, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, and scales. In addition, we explored the direct role of methylation on Ucp1 transcription. Ucp1 expression was higher in the liver than that in other tissues including the kidney, skeletal muscle, and scales. The extent of methylation at nt -2178 and nt -2103 was lower in the liver and kidney than that in the brain, skeletal muscle, and scales. In addition, methylation at the upstream proximal-region of the Ucp1 gene was generally less frequent in the liver compared with that in the other organs. The transcriptional activation assay using the CpG-free luciferase-based reporter suggested that the methylation of the distal and proximal regions of the carp Ucp1 gene did not affect Ucp1 transcription. Unexpectedly, mutation of cytidylic acid to guanylic acid at nt -108 decreased Ucp1 promoter activity. The present results reveal that the status of DNA methylation of the upstream region of the carp Ucp1 gene is different among different tissues, but suggest that the DNA methylation do not directly repress the transcription of Ucp1.

Characteristics of C6-7 myelopathy: assessment of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological findings

STUDY DESIGN

This is a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to study the clinical symptoms and electrophysiological features of C6-7 myelopathy.

SETTING

This study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate school of medicine, Japan.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients with cervical compressive myelopathy were determined by spinal cord-evoked potentials or a single level of obvious magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-documented cervical spinal cord compression. Neurological examinations included manual muscle testing and investigation of deep tendon reflex, including Hoffmann sign, and of sensory disturbance areas. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and F-wave were recorded from bilateral abductor digit minim and abductor halluces muscles. Central motor conduction time was calculated as follows: MEPs latency-(CMAPs latency+F latency-1)/2 (ms).

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (90%) had negative Hoffmann sign. Eight patients (40%) had no sensory disturbance in the upper limbs and 8 patients (40%) had no muscle weakness in the upper limbs. We determined that patients had cervical myelopathy when their central motor conduction time measured in abductor digit minim was longer than 6.76 ms (+2 s.d.). Using this definition, the sensitivity for myelopathy was 42.8%.

CONCLUSION

Patients with C6-7 myelopathy may lack clinical symptoms in their hands and central motor conduction time measured in abductor digit minim tended to be less prolonged, and it only showed symptoms in their lower limbs as gait disturbance. Surgeons should bear in mind the possibility of disorders of caudal C6-7 when they encounter patients with no or few symptoms in their hands and with leg weakness or numbness.

Fish meal vs. corn gluten meal as a protein source for dry cat food

To compare the effects of two dietary protein sources, fish meal (FM) and corn gluten meal (CGM), fecal moisture content, nitrogen balance and urinary excretion were examined in adult cats. The dietary protein source did not cause a significant difference in daily food intake, water intake, urine volume, dry matter digestibility or urinary nitrogen excretion, but fecal moisture content was lower (P<0.02) in the CGM group. The HCl-insoluble fraction of urinary sediment tended to be higher in the CGM group (P<0.10), although urinary pH was similar in the two groups. These results suggest that CGM is comparable with FM in respect to nutritional value and the urine acidifying effect, but FM may be preferable to CGM for the prevention of constipation and struvite urolithiasis in cats.

Adverse effects of excess lysine in calves

Two main trials and three preliminary experiments were conducted in order to examine adverse effects of excess lysine in 140- to 150-kg Holstein bull calves. The animals had been trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove after weaning and were fed a corn and soybean meal diet. In Trial 1 (n = 30), administration via the reticular groove of 0 to 64 g/d of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride resulted in a linear decrease in DMI and N utilization efficiency, with notably lower values at 64 g/d, although ADG and gain/feed ratio were not affected. Plasma arginine and ornithine did not decrease but rather increased over that range. Free lysine but not free arginine was detected in urine. In addition, free ornithine was excreted into urine only when 64 g/d was administered. Unexpectedly, severe but transient diarrhea occurred when 64 g/d of lysine were administered. Preliminary experiments revealed that a single administration of more than 32 g of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride could result in diarrhea, and the diarrhea was proven to be due to the lysine itself and not to the HCl portion. In Trial 2 (n = 15), a single administration of 40 or 60 g of lysine as L-lysine monohydrochloride resulted in increased fecal excretion of free lysine and ornithine, especially the latter, although free arginine was not detected in feces. These results suggested that diarrhea could occur almost concurrently with an imbalance in calves when 64 g/d of lysine was administered. However, lysine did not antagonize arginine at that level or at lower levels. The remarkable increase in fecal ornithine may be somehow related to the development of diarrhea from excess lysine.

Effect of supplementation of dry cat food with D,L-methionine and ammonium chloride on struvite activity product and sediment in urine

Feeding dry foods supplemented with urine acidifier (D,L-methionine (Met) or ammonium chloride) decreased urinary pH and struvite activity product in clinically normal cats. As a result, the number of struvite crystals in urine was greatly reduced. Supplementation with 3% Met but not 1% Met caused decrease in the urinary concentration of sediment, which resulted from a reduction in the HCl-soluble fraction. The concentration of HCl-insoluble sediment was not affected by supplementation with the urine acidifier.

Expression and localization of activin receptors during endochondral bone development

The expression and localization of activins (dimeric protein of inhibin beta subunit) and activin receptors in skeletal tissue were examined. RT-PCR revealed that cultured chondrocytes expressed mRNAs of inhibin/activin betaA and four activin receptors (two type I (ActRI and ActRIB) and two type II (ActRII and ActRIIB)). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that activin betaA, ActRI and ActRII were localized in proliferating chondrocytes and osteoblasts in tibiae of neonatal rats, and in implants of demineralized bone matrix, a well-established model of ectopic bone formation. The immunoreactivities of osteoblasts were decreased with aging in the tibiae and with progressing endochondral bone development in the implants. The strong expression of ActRI was also detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes both in the tibial growth plate and in the implants, whereas immunoreactive ActRII was lower in hypertrophic chondrocytes. Western blot analysis also showed that immunoreactive ActRI, migrating at 52 kDa, was detected only in the implants on days 9 and 11, the period of conversion from cartilage to bone. In view of the sharing of type II receptors between activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), our findings suggest that activin/BMP activity involves in bone modeling, especially during active chondro- and osteogenesis and during the conversion from cartilage to bone.

Recombinant expression and purification of smad proteins

Smads transduce intracellular signals initiated by members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family, including activins, TGF betas, and bone morphogenetic proteins. Recently, various models concerning the mechanism of Smad action have been proposed; however, these models are basically qualitative. Quantitative verification of the validity of the models requires significant amounts of purified Smad proteins, but purification of full-length Smad protein has not been straightforward even using recombinant protein expression systems. Here, we report purification of Smad proteins expressed in E. coli as glutathione S-transferase-fused proteins. By glutathione-Sepharose affinity purification, ATP treatment, DEAE-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite columns, expressed Smads were purified to near homogeneity as judged by SDS-PAGE; protein recovery was ca. 1 mg/l culture for Smad2 and 100 microg/l culture for Smad4. The purified Smad proteins had three known in vitro activities: Smad2 phosphorylation by TGF beta receptor complexes immunoprecipitated from COS7 cells, Smad4 binding to Smad-binding DNA element, and Smad2 interaction with calmodulin. The data suggest that purified proteins could be useful for biochemical analyses to evaluate the current models quantitatively.

mRNA expression of type I and type II receptors for activin, transforming growth factor-beta, and bone morphogenetic protein in the murine erythroleukemic cell line, F5-5.fl

OBJECTIVE

Intracellular signaling of activin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is thought to be mediated by the same molecules (Smad2/3 and Smad4). Although differentiation of murine erythroleukemia F5-5.fl cells is induced by activin, it is not induced by TGF-beta, suggesting that at some point TGF-beta signaling is defective. The aim of this study was to investigate the unresponsiveness of F5-5.fl cells to TGF-beta.

DESIGN

mRNA expression of ligands, receptors, and signal mediators for the TGF-beta family was examined in F5-5.fl cells using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Activin induced erythrodifferentiation of F5-5.fl cells in a dose-dependent manner. Neither TGF-beta1 nor bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 affected the differentiation of F5-5.fl cells in the presence or absence of activin. Although mRNAs of TGF-betas (TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3) were detected, those of inhibin/activin (alpha-, betaA- and betaB-subunits) and BMPs (BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-7) could not be detected in the cells, suggesting that neither activins nor BMPs are produced in F5-5.fl cells. The expression of both type I (ALK-4/ActRIB) and type II (ActRII) receptors for activin was detected in F5-5.fl cells. In contrast, while the expression of type I receptor for TGF-beta (ALK-5/TbetaRI) was detected, that of type II receptor (TbetaRII) was not. The mRNA of all Smads examined was detected in F5-5.fl cells.

CONCLUSIONS

A defect in the type II receptor might cause unresponsiveness to TGF-beta in F5-5.fl cells. An erythrodifferentiation assay using F5-5.fl cells would be useful for measuring net activin activity because it would not be necessary to consider endogenous activins and BMPs.

Methionine imbalance and toxicity in calves

The occurrence of methionine imbalance and toxicity was examined using 70- and 100-kg Holstein bull calves. The animals had been trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove after weaning at 5 wk of age, and Trials 1 (n = 30) and 2 (n = 24) were conducted on animals at 7 and 12 wk of age, respectively. Calves received a corn-soybean meal diet in Trial 1 and a corn-corn gluten meal diet in Trial 2. In Trial 1, postruminal administration of 6 g of DL-methionine/d increased ADG, feed intake, gain/feed, and N retention compared with a control group receiving N-free supplement. However, the administration of 12 g of DL-methionine/d did not improve these variables, whereas both 18 and 24 g/d resulted in BW loss and decreased gain/feed and N utilization efficiency. In Trial 2, postruminal administration of 16 g/d of L-lysine from L-lysine monohydrochloride increased ADG, gain/feed, and N utilization efficiency compared with a control group receiving a N-free supplement. The administration of 8 g of DL-methionine/d in addition to L-lysine did not exert an adverse effect on these variables. However, the additional supplementation of 16 and 24 g of DLmethionine/d negated the improvement, whereas 32 g/d resulted in BW loss and decreased gain/feed and N utilization efficiency. These results showed that a methionine imbalance and toxicity occurred in calves with even a modest excess of DL-methionine, and 70-kg calves were more susceptible to methionine toxicity than 100-kg calves. Plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and phenylalanine linearly decreased with increasing amounts of additional DL-methionine from 0 to 32 g/d in Trial 2. However, such a decrease occurred mainly within the range from 0 to 12 g/d in Trial 1. This decrease was suggested to occur in relation to methionine metabolism via the transsulfuration pathway.

Identification and characterization of constitutively active Smad2 mutants: evaluation of formation of Smad complex and subcellular distribution

Smads mediate activin, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), and bone morphogenetic protein signaling from receptors to nuclei. According to the current model, activated activin/TGFbeta receptors phosphorylate the carboxyl-terminal serines of Smad2 and Smad3 (SSMS-COOH); phosphorylated Smad2/3 oligomerizes with Smad4, translocates to the nucleus, and modulates transcription of defined genes. To test key features of this model in detail, we explored the construction of constitutively active Smad2 mutants. To mimic phosphorylated Smad2, we made two Smad2 mutants with acidic amino acid substitutions of carboxyl-terminal serines: Smad2-2E (Ser465, 467Glu) and Smad2-3E (Ser464, 465, 467Glu). The mutants enhanced basal transcriptional activity in a mink lung epithelial cell line, L17. In a Smad4-deficient cell line, SW480.7, Smad2-2E did not affect basal signaling; however, cotransfection with full-length Smad4, but not transfection of Smad4 alone, resulted in enhanced basal transcriptional activity, suggesting that the constitutively active Smad2 mutant also requires Smad4 for function. In vitro protein interaction analysis revealed that Smad2-2E bound more tightly to Smad4 than did wild-type Smad2; dissociation constants were 270 +/- 66 nM for wild-type Smad2:Smad4 complexes and 79 +/- 18 nM for Smad2-2E:Smad4 complexes. Determination of the subcellular localization of Smad2 revealed that a greater percentage of Smad2-2E was localized in the nucleus than wild-type Smad2. These results suggest that Smad2 phosphorylation results in both tighter binding to Smad4 and increased nuclear concentration; those changes may be responsible for transcriptional activation by Smad2.

Activin A stimulates type IV collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-2) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages

The role of activin, a dimer of inhibin beta subunit, in mouse peritoneal macrophages was evaluated. Activin activity in the cultured macrophages was augmented in response to activation by LPS. In Western blot analysis, immunoreactive activin A was detected in the culture medium only when the macrophages were stimulated by LPS. Although mRNA expression of betaA subunit was detected, that of alpha and betaB subunit was not found in macrophages by reverse RT-PCR. The activin betaA mRNA level was increased in macrophages by LPS, suggesting that the activin production augmented by LPS is regulated at the mRNA level of the betaA gene. The mRNAs of four activin receptors (ActRI, ActRIB, ActRII, and ActRIIB) were also detected in the peritoneal macrophages, and the mRNA levels, except for ActRIB, were decreased during the LPS treatment. Exogenous activin A stimulated the mRNA expression and gelatinolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in macrophages in both the presence and the absence of LPS. In contrast, activin did not affect the production of MMP-9 in macrophages. These results suggested that 1) mouse peritoneal macrophages produced activin A; 2) expression of activin A was enhanced with activation of the macrophages; 3) the macrophages also expressed activin receptors; and 4) exogenous activin A stimulated MMP-2 expression and activity, implicating activin A as an positive regulator of MMP-2 expression. Considering that MMP-2 constitutes the rate-limiting proteinase governing the degradation of basement membrane collagens, activin A may be involved in migration and infiltration of macrophages through the basement membrane in an inflammatory state.

Short communication: estimation of plasma osmolality from plasma electrolytes, glucose, and urea in calves

Plasma osmolality estimated from plasma concentrations of Na+, Cl-, K+, glucose, and urea was compared with measured osmolality in preweaned Holstein calves. When calves (n = 5) were fed only milk replacer after fasting for 24 h, measured osmolality fluctuated almost in parallel with estimated osmolality during the 8-h period after feeding, although estimated values were about 90% of measured values. When calves (n = 5) were fed only calf starter after fasting for more than 16 h, measured osmolality did not parallel the estimated osmolality during the 8-h period after feeding. Some factors depressed measured osmolality in the first 2 h.

Borna disease virus infection in domestic cats: evaluation by RNA and antibody detection

Borna disease virus (BDV) infection has been suggested to cause spontaneous neurological disease in cats referred to as staggering disease. However the evaluation of BDV infection in neurologically asymptomatic cats remained unclear. In the present study, BDV infected, asymptomatic cats in Tokyo were surveyed both by the presence of plasma antibodies against BDV-p24 and -p40 and by RNA detection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Seven of 32 domestic cats (21.9%) were serologically or genetically judged to be BDV-infected. Six cats were positive for anti-BDV antibody and two cats were positive for BDV RNA. Within the 2 RNA-positive cats, only one was positive for anti-BDV antibodies. Furthermore, the findings of anti-BDV-p40 and anti-BDV-p24 antibody-positive cats did not completely overlap. These results suggest that there are neurologically asymptomatic domestic cats infected with BDV present in the Tokyo area.

Adverse effects of excess DL-methionine in calves with different body weights

Adverse effects of excess methionine were examined using 12 Holstein bull calves trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove even after weaning at 5 wk of age. Two nitrogen balance experiments were conducted for 2 wk each from 6 wk (Stage 1; BW = 62 kg) and 12 wk of age (Stage 2; BW = 103 kg) by dividing the calves into three groups at each stage. Calves were fed a corn-soybean meal diet at 62 g/kg of metabolic BW at both stages. At Stage 1, feed efficiency (gain:feed intake) and nitrogen retention did not differ between the group supplemented with .333 g of DL-methionine and .111 g of L-lysine monohydrochloride/kg BW per day and the group supplemented with isonitrogenous diammonium citrate, although the level of DL-methionine was considered to be enough to induce toxicity. Conversely, administration of isonitrogenous casein increased nitrogen retention. At Stage 2, administration of the same levels of methionine and lysine resulted in reduced feed intake, depressed nitrogen retention, and BW loss. Conversely, administration of the isonitrogenous casein did not increase nitrogen retention compared with the supplement of isonitrogenous diammonium citrate. Administration of excess methionine and lysine increased plasma methionine concentrations up to 230 (Stage 1) or 190 micromol/dL (Stage 2). Plasma lysine concentrations were less than 24 micromol/dL at every stage. Administration of the amino acid mixture decreased plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and phenylalanine more obviously at Stage 2 than at Stage 1. These results indicated that abomasal administration of .333 g of DL-methionine/kg BW per day induced methionine toxicity at Stage 2 but methionine imbalance at Stage 1.

Factors affecting water balance and fecal moisture content in suckling calves given dry feed

Holstein bull calves were used to examine factors affecting water balance and fecal moisture content in suckling calves given dry feed for 2 wk from 1 wk of age. In Experiment 1 (n = 16), the shift of water balance (decreased urine volume, and increased water retention and fecal water excretion) and elevation of fecal moisture content were greatest when calf starter and Sudangrass hay were fed in addition to liquid milk replacer, compared with calves receiving only milk replacer. Intermediate changes occurred when calves were fed milk replacer and calf starter or milk replacer, calf starter, and rice straw. Water retention was correlated positively with digestible DMI and negatively with urine volume. Fecal water excretion was highly correlated with fecal DM excretion. In Experiment 2 (n = 18), water balance and fecal moisture content during wk 2 were affected by free access to calf starter and hay from wk 1. Urine volume of calves fed dry feed and milk replacer was lower than that of calves fed only milk replacer; however, when water was available in addition to dry feed, urine volume was similar to that of calves fed only milk replacer. Fecal water excretion was highly correlated with water retention rather than with fecal DM excretion, suggesting a close relationship to extracellular fluid volume. Ruminal fermentation would be an important factor affecting both water balance and fecal moisture content in suckling calves given dry feed.

Immunological localization and ontogenetic development of inhibin alpha subunit in rat brain

This study examined the immunolocalization and ontogeny of the inhibin-specific alpha subunit in the brain of male rats. Immunohistochemistry using antiserum directed against the mature region of porcine inhibin alpha (1-19, Tyr20) revealed positive reactions in process-bearing cells resembling astroglia in several regions, especially in the dorsal region of the third ventricle, medial and ventral arcuate nucleus, hippocampal dentate gyrus, and layers 1-3 of the cerebral cortex. Generally, inhibin alpha-positive cells in the limbic cortex had larger cell bodies and longer processes than those in the hypothalamus. These inhibin alpha-positive cells were verified to be positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a differentiated astroglial marker, by double immunolabelling. The expression of inhibin alpha mRNA was higher in the brains of neonatal rats than in those of adult rats, as revealed by reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction, although the similar changes of immunoreactive inhibin alpha subunit in the brain was not observed. Orchiectomy did not affect expression of inhibin alpha mRNA in the hypothalamic area. This study suggests that inhibin-related peptide is produced by differentiated astrocytes, especially in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and the cerebral cortex, and that the expression of inhibin alpha is regulated during brain development.

Absence of limiting amino acids in calves fed a corn and soybean meal diet past three months of age

We conducted three nitrogen balance trials using Holstein bull calves older than 16 wk (Trial 1; n = 8), 13 wk (Trial 2; n = 6), and 15 wk of age (Trial 3; n = 9) in a 4 x 4 (Trial 1) or 3 x 3 Latin square design (Trials 2 and 3) to identify limiting amino acids for a corn and soybean meal diet. All calves were trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove after weaning at 5 wk of age. The basal diet was fed daily at 20 or 27 g/kg BW (Trial 1) and at 20 g/kg BW (Trials 2 and 3). The lower feeding level resulted in reduced urinary excretion of purine derivatives, suggesting reduced synthesis of ruminal microbial protein (Trial 1). In Trials 1 and 2, administration of DL-methionine plus L-lysine monohydrochloride through the reticular groove did not increase N retention compared with the supplement of isonitrogenous L-glutamine at either level of intake. In Trial 3, administration of either casein or isonitrogenous monosodium glutamate increased N retention to a similar extent above that observed with a N-free supplement. Results suggested that no specific amino acids were limiting for the corn-soybean meal diet. Administration of methionine plus lysine resulted in a remarkable increase in plasma methionine (Trials 1 and 2), especially at the lower intake level (Trial 1), and a decrease in plasma branched-chain amino acids at either intake level. Glutamine supplementation did not increase plasma branched-chain amino acids compared with the supplementation of diammonium citrate (Trial 2).

Water balance and fecal moisture content in suckling calves as influenced by free access to dry feed

Holstein bull calves were used to examine the effect of dry feed on water balance and fecal moisture content during the suckling period. In Experiment 1 (n = 20 calves), free access to concentrate and timothy hay decreased urine volume and increased apparent water retention, fecal water excretion, and fecal moisture content by 2 wk, although daily amounts of milk replacer also affected water balance when DMI from dry feed was low. In Experiment 2 (n = 20 calves), free access to concentrate and hay from wk 1 increased reabsorption of water from renal tubules during wk 2, resulting in reduced urine volume and increased plasma volume. In Experiment 3 (n = 10 calves), supplementation of 500 g/d of milk replacer plus free access to concentrate and hay from wk 1 increased plasma antidiuretic hormone by 2 wk compared with the concentration in calves receiving 200 g/d of milk replacer alone. Plasma antidiuretic hormone concentrations were highly correlated with plasma concentrations of acetate and ketone bodies but not with glucose and urea. In Experiment 4 (n = 16 calves), apparent water retention and fecal moisture content during wk 2 were increased by free access to concentrate from wk 1 but were not affected by rice straw as an inert bulk source.

Utilization of nitrogen and macro-minerals in response to nutritional status in clinically normal adult cats

Five male cats were used to examine utilization of nitrogen and macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) in response to food restriction and subsequent repletion. For the first week, each cat was daily given 135 g of dry cat food (baseline period), followed by a restriction period for 1 week; during this period, daily food was individually restricted to 40% of the amount consumed by each cat during the baseline period. Food provision was then returned to the daily 135 g for the final week (recovery period). Fecal weight changed in association with changes in daily food intake, but urine volume changed less with the periods. Fecal and urinary excretion of nitrogen rapidly decreased during the restriction period, but the decreases were smaller than the decrease in nitrogen intake, leading to net nitrogen loss. On the other hand, the food restriction had relatively smaller effects on retention of macro-minerals, and calcium retention was not significantly affected by daily food provision, although the plasma concentration of magnesium was increased during the restriction period and tended to return during the recovery period. Nitrogen retention was increased by the removal of food restriction, but did not exceed the original level of nitrogen retention during the baseline period. These findings suggested that restriction of diet had a serious effect on nitrogen balance, and the impaired protein nutrition might not be easily recovered by subsequent nutritional repletion.

Limiting amino acids for a corn and soybean meal diet in weaned calves less than three months of age

Holstein bull calves (n = 51) weaned at 6 wk of age were used in four N balance trials for 4 wk (Trials 1 to 3) or for 2 wk (Trial 4) from 8 wk of age to identify limiting amino acids for a corn and soybean meal diet. The calves were trained to maintain reflex closure of the reticular groove throughout the trials. In Trial 1, administration of .111 g of DL-methionine plus .333 g of L-lysine monohydrochloride/kg BW through the reticular groove increased N retention compared with the control that received isonitrogenous L-glutamine, but administration of .333 g L-lysine monohydrochloride/kg BW alone did not increase N retention in Trial 2. In Trial 3, administration of .111 g of DL-methionine/kg BW improved N balance compared with the control, although the improvement was not detected when DL-methionine was restricted to .022 g/kg BW. In Trial 4, administration of the mixture of .111 g of DL-methionine, .333 g of L-lysine monohydrochloride, and .055 g of L-tryptophan/kg BW increased N retention in calves compared with calves that received an isonitrogenous mixture of .111 g of DL-methionine and .274 g of L-glutamine/kg BW, or .111 g of DL-methionine, .055 g of L-tryptophan, and .234 g of L-glutamine/kg BW. The present results suggest that methionine was the first-limiting and that lysine was probably the second-limiting amino acid for the corn and soybean meal diet in weaned calves less than 11 wk of age, although tryptophan may be either co-limiting with lysine or third-limiting.

Duodenal flow of microbial nitrogen estimated from urinary excretion of purine derivatives in calves after early weaning

Duodenal flow of microbial N (MN) was estimated from urinary purine derivatives to examine age-related changes in MN in male Holstein calves. In Exp. 1, endogenous purine derivatives were determined by measurement of purine derivatives in five calves fed nucleic acid-free milk replacer alone. In Exp. 2, the ratio of urinary excretion as purine derivatives to purines administered via the reticular groove was determined in three calves weaned at 5 wk of age. As a result, endogenous purine derivatives were constant at 705 mumol/(kg BW.75.d), irrespective of the amount of milk replacer, and the ratios of purine derivatives to duodenal purines were estimated to be .549, .276, .363, and .466 at wk 1, 6, 11, and 20 after weaning, respectively. Using these variables and urinary purine derivatives, the duodenal flow of MN was estimated and its relation with N balance was examined in 15 calves weaned at 5 wk of age in Exp. 3. Digestible OM was lower at wk 1 after weaning and transiently higher at wk 6. The percentage of N absorbed to N intake, N absorbed, N retained, and estimated duodenal MN were also lower at wk 1, and rapidly increased for the first 6 wk. These findings suggest that the increases in N absorbed and N retained for the first 6 wk after weaning were due to augmentation of duodenal flow of MN and dietary N that escaped ruminal degradation.

Lysine deficiency in postweaned calves fed corn and corn gluten meal diets

Holstein bull calves (n = 36) weaned at 6 wk of age were used in six trials to examine the response of N balance to postruminal administration of lysine with or without methionine in postweaned calves receiving diets based on corn and corn gluten meal. Calves were younger than 3 mo of age in Trials 1 and 2 but older than 3 mo in Trials 4 to 6. L-Lysine monohydrochloride was supplemented with or without DL-methionine twice daily through the reticular groove, except in Trial 4, in which N supplements were infused through duodenal cannulas. L-Glutamine was used as a nonspecific N source in every trial, and casein was a positive control in Trials 4 and 5. When daily CP intake from the diet was 3.9 g/kg BW, lysine was limiting for calves less than 11 wk of age (Trials 1 and 2) but not limiting for calves greater than 12 wk of age (Trial 3). No amino acid seemed to be limiting for calves greater than 20 wk of age (Trial 4) when daily CP intake was 4.1 g/kg BW, but lysine was limiting when CP intake was restricted to 3.0 g/kg BW when calves were more than 17 wk of age (Trial 5). However, lysine was not limiting above 18 wk of age (Trial 6) when CP intake was increased to 3.8 g/kg BW by adding urea to the diet. Results suggest that lysine may be limiting for corn and corn gluten meal diets only when ruminal microbial protein synthesis is restricted.

Quantitative RT-PCR for inhibin/activin subunits: measurements of rat hypothalamic and ovarian inhibin/activin subunit mRNAs during the estrous cycle

Inhibins (alpha-beta(A) and alpha-beta(B)) and activins (beta(A)-beta(A), beta(A)-beta(B) and beta(B)-beta(B)) were originally isolated from ovarian follicular fluids as FSH secretion modifiers. Inhibin/activin subunits, alpha, beta(A) and beta(B), are widely distributed in several tissues, including gonads and brain, and inhibins and activins have been reported to be involved in ovarian or hypothalamic functions. In this study, we established and employed a competitive RT-PCR assay system for rat inhibin/activin subunits by capillary electrophoresis to determine rat hypothalamic and ovarian inhibin/activin subunit mRNA levels during the estrous cycle. Linearity of standards for alpha, beta(A), and beta(B) subunit assays were between 0.01-0.3 amol, 0.003-0.09 amol and 0.002-0.02 amol of each fragment DNA as a standard, respectively. Hypothalamic beta(A) subunit mRNA during the estrous morning (1000 h) tended to be increased compared with that of the proestrous evening (1700 h), although they were not significantly different. Ovarian alpha subunit mRNA levels tended to be increased during the proestrous morning (1000 h) and were significantly increased in the proestrous evening (1700 h), compared with diestrus and estrus (P < 0.05). Ovarian beta(A) subunit mRNA was also significantly higher in the proestrous evening, compared with diestrus and estrus (P < 0.05), but in the case of beta(B) subunit mRNA there was no difference among diestrus, proestrus and estrus. We thus established a sensitive competitive RT-PCR system for the measurement of inhibin/activin alpha, beta(A) and beta(B) subunits, and this assay system would be helpful for the study of inhibin/activin action in brain and other tissues where these factors are expressed at low levels.

Immunolocalization of type I or type II activin receptors in the rat brain

We have studied immunolocalization of activin receptors in the central nervous system using polyclonal antibodies (IgG) to type I (50-55 kDa, ActRI), type II (70-75 kDa, ActRII) or a subtype of type II known as type IIB (ActRIIB) receptors of activin. A total of 7 antisera to rat activin receptors was generated, i.e. 3 kinds of antisera to the extracellular domain (ActRI(81-89), ActRII(91-100), or ActRIIB(90-99)) and 4 antisera to the kinase domain (ActRI(323-333), ActRII(307-319), ActRII(407-420) or ActRIIB(306-319)). The region of aa 407-420 of ActRII is identical with that of ActRIIB. At first, we characterized these antibodies by Western blot analysis using ovarian proteins fractionated by preparative SDS-PAGE. All antibodies to ActRII and ActRIIB specifically reacted with 75 kDa-proteins which could also bind to activin-A. Anti-ActRII(91-100) antibody also reacted with 62 kDa-proteins which were capable of binding with activin-A. Although no positive reactions to anti-ActRI(81-89) antibody were seen in ovarian proteins, a positive reaction was detected at 52 kDa only when the proteins were deglycosylated. By use of these antibodies, immunolocalization of activin receptors was examined in the rat brain. The patterns of expression of activin type I and type II receptors were different. Positive reactions to anti-ActRII(91-100) antibody were detected in neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, medial amygdala and thalamus. In the hypothalamus, some neurons of the supraoptic nucleus were weakly stained, and widely scattered neurons of the lateral hypothalamic area were moderately stained. On the contrary, the most intense reactions to anti-ActRI(81-89) antibody were detected in neurons of the lateral hypothalamic area. In addition, many neurons of the cerebral cortex were also stained, but neurons of the hippocampus and the amygdala were not stained. These results suggest that activin may have physiological roles not only for hypothalamic neuroendocrinological and feeding-related systems as suggested previously but may also have functions in cortical and limbic pathways as a neuromodulator or for maintenance of neurons.

Increased cartilage and bone formation in spontaneously hypercholesterolemic rats

Spontaneously hypercholesterolemic (SHC) rats are known to exhibit accelerated bone resorption. We compared endochondral bone formation induced by implantation of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) to 4-week-old SHC rats with that of age-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. When DBM prepared from adult SD rats was implanted, the cartilageous area enlarged, and C-propeptide of type II procollagen content on day 7 was higher in SHC rats. Alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content on day 12 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity on day 19 were higher in SHC rats. These results suggest active chondrogenesis, with a subsequent increase in osteogenesis, and stimulated osteoclastic bone resorption in SHC rats. When DBM from 10-week-old SHC rats was implanted into SD or SHC rats, the levels of bone forming parameters on day 12 were reduced to one-third, suggesting inhibiting factor(s) for bone induction in bone matrix of SHC rats. In contrast, when DBM from 6-month-old SHC rats was implanted, although bone forming parameters in SD rats were comparable to the case of implantation of DBM from SD rats, the accelerated bone formation detected in SHC rats was blocked, indicating resistance to systemic bone inducing factor(s) of SHC rats in aged bone matrix. These results suggest that age-related decrease in responses to some systemic bone inducing factor may lead to the bone loss with advancing age.

Suppressed bone induction by follistatin in spontaneously hypercholesterolemic rat bone

Bone inducing activity in demineralized bone matrix (DBM) of young spontaneously hypercholesterolemic (SHC) rats has been shown to be lower than that of aged SHC rats. This study examined the involvement of bone follistatin, an activin-binding protein, in bone induction. Immunoreactive follistatin was higher in DBM from 10-week-old SHC rats (DBM-10wk) than in DBM from 6-month-old SHC rats (DBM-6mo). When DBM without follistatin supplement was implanted, the C-propeptide of type II procollagen and calcium contents on day 12 in implants of DBM-6mo were 68% and 40% higher than those of DBM-10wk, respectively. In contrast, follistatin supplement to DBM decreased C-propeptide of type II procollagen and calcium contents in implants of both DBM-10wk and DBM-6mo, and the levels of these parameters were comparable between DBM-10wk and DBM-6mo, indicating reduced formation of cartilage and bone. These findings suggest that 1) follistatin content in bone matrix decreases with advancing age in SHC rats, and 2) the follistatin interferes with endochondral bone formation. We demonstrate that the lower bone induction of DBM from young SHC rats was partly due to the abundance of follistatin in bone matrix.

Effects of a high-protein diet on mineral metabolism and struvite activity product in clinically normal cats

OBJECTIVE

To examine effects of high-protein diets (> 50% crude protein of dry matter) on urinary mineral excretion and struvite activity product ([Mg2+] x [NH4+] x [PO(4)3-]).

ANIMALS

14 clinically normal cats, 4 adult female and male cats for experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and 6 female kittens aged 4 months for experiment 3.

PROCEDURE

Relations between dietary protein amount (25.9, 38.3, 51.4, and 65.4% crude protein [dry matter]) and urinary excretion of Mg, P, and Ca were examined in a 4 x 4-Latin square design (experiment 1). Struvite activity product, the index of solubility of struvite crystals, was determined when a high-protein diet (54.9%) was fed (experiment 2). Utilization of minerals in cats fed a high-protein diet long term was examined (experiment 3).

RESULTS

Water intake and urine volume increased with increasing dietary protein concentration. Urinary Mg2+ excretion was not affected (experiment 1) or was decreased (experiment 3) by higher protein intake, leading to lower urine Mg2+ concentration in groups fed higher protein amounts. Urine pH was decreased by high-protein intake. As a result, PO(4)3- concentration was decreased by high-protein intake (experiment 2), although total daily urinary excretion of P was increased. Consequently, struvite activity product tended to decrease in cats fed high-protein diets, indicating increase in struvite solubility. High-protein intake decreased Ca and P retention by increasing their fecal and urinary excretions, respectively.

CONCLUSION

As a consequence of the increase in urine volume and urine acidification, high-protein diets have potential ability to increase solubility of struvite crystals.

Follistatin and activin in bone: expression and localization during endochondral bone development

The involvement of activin and follistatin, an activin-binding protein, in endochondral bone development was examined by sc implantation of demineralized bone matrix in rats. Immunoreactive follistatin was localized in proliferating chondrocytes and round osteoblasts, whereas it was not detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts surrounding bone marrow. Western blot analysis also revealed that immunoreactive follistatin was higher during the initial stages of chondrogenesis (day 5) and osteogenesis (days 11 and 14) and lower during the conversion from cartilage to bone (day 9). These results suggest that follistatin is produced by proliferating cells, and the expression decreases with differentiation of the cells. Implants injected with follistatin on days 9 and 10 contained lower calcium levels on day 14 than those injected with rat albumin. Furthermore, the follistatin-injected implants were still mainly composed of cartilage, suggesting that the disappearance of follistatin is necessary for the conversion of cartilage to bone. In contrast, immunoreactive activin beta A (55-60 kDa) was continuously detected in implants on days 7-14. The content of C propeptide of type II procollagen was increased and cartilageous area was enlarged on day 7 by activin A injections on days 5 and 6, suggesting a chondrogenic effect of activin in the initial stage of cartilage formation. These results indicate that proliferating chondrocytes and round osteoblasts produce follistatin, and that the activity of activin is regulated by changes in the expression of follistatin at the stages of chondrogenesis and transition from cartilage to bone.

Unique recognition of activin and inhibin by polyclonal antibodies to inhibin subunits

Inhibin-A is a glycoprotein composed of an alpha subunit containing a glycosylation site and a beta A subunit, whereas activin-A is a homodimer of two inhibin beta A subunits. We examined the recognition of activin-A and inhibin-A by several antisera to the alpha or beta A subunit, and factors affecting the recognition. A total of six polyclonal antibodies to inhibin subunits, i.e., two antisera to a peptide fragment of the alpha subunit [alpha (1-19) and alpha (1-26)], and four antisera to the beta A subunit [beta A (1-10), beta A (70-79), beta A (87-99), and beta A (94-105)], was generated. On Western blot analysis, the anti-beta A (87-99) and beta A (94-105) sera recognized recombinant human activin-A but not inhibin-A under non-reducing conditions. When inhibin-A was deglycosylated with N-glycosidase-F, inhibin-A could be recognized by the anti-beta A (87-99) and beta A (94-105) sera. In addition, when activin-A bound to a nitrocellulose membrane was pre-incubated with recombinant human follistatin, the recognition of activin-A by the anti- beta A (87-99) and beta A (94-105) sera was decreased. These results suggested that the lower affinity of follistatin to inhibin-A than to activin-A might be likely explained as reflecting a site associated with the glycosylation of inhibin-A. However, the exposure of amino acids 87-105 of the inhibin beta A subunit on the molecular surface through deglycosylation did not increase the affinity of inhibin-A for follistatin but rather resulted in poor binding with follistatin. The present data suggest that (1) amino acids 87-105 of the inhibin/activin beta A subunit are located on the molecular surface, although this region of inhibin-A is concealed by the carbohydrate chain of the alpha subunit, (2) the region responsible for follistatin binding within the activin beta A subunit is spanned by amino acids 87-105, and (3) the mode of binding of inhibin-A to follistatin is quite different from that of activin-A to follistatin, and the former may be influenced by glycosylation.

Bone growth rather than myofibrillar protein turnover is strongly affected by nutritional restriction at early weaning of calves

Our previous study revealed that weaning of calves aged 5 wk (early weaning) resulted in transient nutritional restriction with subsequent repletion. The present study was conducted to examine age-related changes in nitrogen balance, bone growth and myofibrillar protein degradation after early weaning in calves. At weaning, calves used in Experiment 2 had more severe nutritional restriction than those used in Experiment 1 due to a shorter duration of the suckling period (3 vs. 4 wk), a lesser amount of daily milk replacer (500 vs. 600 g) and a shorter period when given solid feed (for the last week vs. throughout the suckling period). In both experiments, nitrogen and calcium retentions were lower at weaning and transiently increased at 6 wk after weaning. However, detrimental effects on nitrogen and calcium retention immediately after weaning were more evident, and compensatory increases of nitrogen and calcium retention after weaning were more pronounced and continuous in Experiment 2 than in Experiment 1. The changes in plasma intact osteocalcin concentrations and urinary hydroxyproline excretion after weaning were similar to those for nitrogen and calcium retention in Experiment 2, whereas fractional degradation rate of myofibrillar protein was constant throughout the study in both experiments. These results suggest that the extent of nutritional restriction at weaning affects subsequent enhanced utilization of nitrogen and calcium, and that age-related changes in nitrogen retention after early weaning partly reflect changes in bone growth regulated by both forming and resorbing activities, independent of myofibrillar protein degradation.

Anti-activin A antibody (IgY) specifically neutralizes various activin A activities

Activin A (beta A beta A), originally isolated from ovarian follicular fluids as a follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion stimulator, has also been identified as an erythroid differentiation factor (EDF), a neuron survival factor and a mesoderm-inducing factor. Thus, activin A is a multifunctional factor, and further studies on its physiological function are important. However, it is very difficult to produce a specific antibody to neutralize the activity of activin A because of its highly conserved amino acid sequence across mammalian species. In this study, we succeeded in generating an antibody against activin A, which can neutralize several activities of activin A, such as the stimulation of FSH secretion from pituitary cells and the induction of the differentiation of erythrocytes in vitro. This antibody did not affect the activity of activin B (beta B beta B), which induces the differentiation of erythrocytes in vitro, and the activity of inhibin A (alpha beta A), which inhibits FSH secretion from pituitary in vitro, but slightly neutralized that of activin AB (beta A beta B). Western blotting analysis showed that this antibody recognized both dimeric and monomeric forms of the beta A subunit of activin and inhibin. These results suggest that this antibody recognizes the beta A subunit of activin and specifically neutralizes the activity of a dimer of the beta A subunit, activin A. Furthermore, by the addition of this antibody to the culture medium, the development of murine embryos was suppressed, suggesting that endogenous activin A plays an important role in murine development. These results indicate the usefulness of this antibody for studies of endogenous activin actions.

Effect of chronic high protein intake on magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus balance in growing cats

The effects of high protein feeding on food and water intake, and the retention and urinary excretion of macrominerals (magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca)) were examined in growing cats. Seven female cats aged 4 months were fed diets containing 55% crude protein (n = 4) or 29% crude protein (n = 3) for 12 months on an ad libitum basis. Mineral balances were determined at 0.5, 2, 6, 10, and 12 months of feeding. The higher protein intake stimulated daily water intake and urine excretion throughout the study, although daily food intake was not affected by dietary protein levels. The urinary Mg concentration was decreased by the high protein intake, resulting from both increased urine volume and reduced excretion of urinary Mg. In contrast, the concentration and daily excretion of urinary P were increased by the high protein intake. The protein-induced increase in urinary P would not necessarily imply the increased excretion of PO4(3-), the anion responsible for struvite crystallization, because the dissociation of phosphate depends on urinary pH. Urinary Ca excretion was not affected by the dietary protein levels, but the high protein intake caused less retention of P and Ca as a result of enhanced urinary P excretion and lowered Ca absorption. The possibility of high protein feeding for the prevention of struvite crystallization in growing cats is discussed.

Effect of continuous infusion of lysine via different routes and hepatic vagotomy on dietary choice in rats

The effect of continuous L-lysine (Lys) infusion on dietary choice between Lys deficient and protein-free diets in Sprague-Dawley rats was studied to determine the sensing site of Lys deficiency. After daily intake of each diet became constant, Lys was continuously infused for 11 days via intraperitoneal (IP), intragastric (IG) or intracerebroventricular (ICV) route, with an osmotic pump. Daily intake of each diet was measured. Intake of the Lys deficient diet compared with protein-free diet in either IP or IG Lys-infused group increased significantly (p < 0.001) vs. the intake in the baseline period. The selection of the Lys deficient diet was quite comparable between IP and IG groups. But the intake of the ICV group was unchanged. Hepatic vagotomy during IP infusion transiently delayed selection of the Lys deficient diet. These results imply the roles of postabsorptive mechanisms in sensing an amino acid deficiency, and possible involvement of the hepatic branch of the vagus in the sensing. However, sensing in the brain or indeed in the intestine was not excluded.

Post-weaning excretion of purine derivatives by young calves

Intestinal flow of MN was estimated from urinary purine derivative output in calves. Although estimated MN output (g d−1) increased with age, it was restricted to the period between weeks 6 and 11 after weaning when expressed as g d−1 kg−0.75. The estimated MN output to digestible organic matter ratio decreased with time after weaning, although the cubic contrast indicated to be highest on wks 1 and 11. Key words: Microbial nitrogen supply, purine derivatives, growing calves

Dietary protein levels affect water intake and urinary excretion of magnesium and phosphorus in laboratory cats

The effects of dietary protein levels on food and water intake, and urinary excretion of magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) were examined in cats fed dry-type diets. Four adult female cats were used for trials in a 4 x 4 Latin square design, and fed diets with increasing protein content (25.9, 38.3, 51.4 or 65.2% in dry matter) daily from 9:00 to 13:00. While daily food intake was almost constant regardless of the dietary protein level, water intake and urine volume increased with increasing the dietary protein. Daily urinary excretion of P increased in response to the increase in dietary protein level. The urinary concentration of P was positively related to nitrogen (N)-intake. In contrast, daily urinary excretion of Mg was not affected by the dietary protein level, and the urinary concentration of Mg was negatively related to N intake. A dry-type diet with a high protein content might be effective in preventing the deposition of Mg salts in the urinary tract of cats under the meal-fed condition without affecting food intake because of both the lower concentration of urinary Mg resulting from the increase in urine volume and, probably, urinary acidification.

Characteristic relation between dietary metabolizable energy content and digestible energy content in laboratory cats

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between dietary nitrogen (N)-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) and dietary digestible energy (DE) in cats, in order to verify the reliability of the present metabolizable energy (ME) system for cats. Four adult female cats were fed diets containing four different levels of crude protein (CP) (24, 35, 49, and 62% as fed) 4 hours a day in 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine energy- and N-balance. Dietary CP levels had hardly any effect on daily food intake, but acid-ether extract (AEE) intake tended to increase and carbohydrate (CHO) intake tended to decrease, in response to increases in dietary CP levels. Apparent CP and AEE digestibility did not change, regardless of the experimental diet. In contrast, CHO digestibility tended to diminish as dietary CP levels increased. Although the ratio of urinary energy (UE) to urinary N (UN) was higher in cats fed the lowest CP diet, it was still much lower than in other mammals. Regression between UE/digestible crude protein (DCP) and N-balance indicated that dietary ME at N-equilibrium (i.e., MEn) could be expressed as DE -0.47 x DCP. MEn could also be estimated as DE -0.62 x DCP by using the average ratio of UE/(UN x 6.25). Both DCP coefficients were much lower than in other mammals, including dogs and pigs, suggesting a unique form of N metabolism in cats. Because ME values applied to practical feline feed ingredients have been either estimated in pigs or calculated according to the equation, DE -1.25 x DCP, similar to the method used for dogs, the present ME values for cats are believed to have been underestimated.

Validity of NRC method for estimating metabolizable energy value of laboratory dry canine diets

An equation to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of practical dry canine diets, [metabolizable energy (MENRC, kcal/g) = 3.50 x crude protein + 8.46 x acid ether extract + 3.50 x nitrogen-free extract] has been recommended by the National Research Council (NRC), which assumes fixed digestibility for each nutrient. This estimation method is much more convenient than that of nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) following the equation MEn = digestible energy-1.25 x digestible crude protein. This study aimed to assess the validity of MENRC through a comparison with MEn determined by using 11 diets with 4 mature male Beagle dogs. The relation between MENRC and MEn was expressed as a quadratic equation (MENRC = 0.83MEn2 - 5.43MEn + 12.36, r2 = 0.956, P < 0.01), suggesting that MEn is overestimated when the NRC method was applied to lower energy diets. It was also suggested that the strict estimation of MEn by means of fixed digestibility coefficients was impossible, because of the relatively wide variation in digestibility among dry canine diets.

Changes in nitrogen balance with age in calves weaned at 5 or 6 weeks of age

Three experiments were conducted to examine the changes of N utilization after early weaning in calves. In Exp. 1, eight male Holstein calves were weaned at 5 wk of age and N balance was determined on the 1st, 6th, 11th, and 19th wk after weaning. In Exp. 2, to examine the effect of weaning age on N utilization, three calves were weaned at 5 wk of age and the other three at 11 wk of age. The N balance of both groups was determined on the same weeks of age (i.e., the 1st, 6th, 8th, and 11th wk after weaning in the earlier-weaned group). In Exp. 3, to examine the effect of a higher content of CP (17.9%) and TDN (75%) in concentrate on N utilization, three calves were weaned at 6 wk of age and the N balance was determined on the 1st, 5th, 10th, and 20th wk after weaning. The intake of concentrate was low in wk 1 but rapidly increased in the next 5 wk (1.74 and 1.72 times in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). Nevertheless, the TDN intake tended to be lower in calves weaned early just after weaning compared with that in suckling calves in Exp. 2. The apparent N digestibility steadily increased with age and reached a plateau on wk 11 and 6 after weaning in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Conversely, the ratio of N retained:N absorbed tended to be high up to wk 6 after weaning and thereafter decreased, leading to a transient high N retained:N intake ratio on wk 6 after weaning.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activin A: serum levels and immunohistochemical brain localization in rats given diets deficient in L-lysine or protein

When a L-lysine (Lys)-deficient diet is given to rats, Lys in plasma and brain declines and rats will then select a Lys solution from among other L-amino acids (AAs). The recording of single-unit activity in the lateral hypothalamic area of these rats suggested that neural plasticity occurred, specifically responding to the deficient nutrient, Lys, centrally and during ingestion of AA. Possible neurotrophic factors in serum from rats with or without deficiency of either protein or Lys was assayed by Hydra japonica. An increase in serum inhibin and activin A was observed in rats fed a Lys-sufficient and nonprotein diet, respectively. However, serum activin A-like activity was severely suppressed under Lys deficiency. Additionally, the immunohistochemical distribution of activin A in the brain was found in the nucleus tractus solitarius, the area postrema, and the arcuate nucleus. These facts indicate that ingestion of Lys-deficient or nonprotein diet caused a change in serum levels of activin A as a possible neurotrophic factor. This release may elicit plasticity in the sensitivity of neurons to deficient AA in the nuclei that could selectively drive ingestive behavior for its particular AA (e.g., Lys) to maintain AA homeostasis.

Effects of a high protein diet on bone formation and calcium metabolism in rats

The effects of a high protein diet on bone formation and calcium (Ca) metabolism were evaluated in rats using an ectopic endochondral bone induction model. A control diet (18% casein) or a high protein diet (18% casein + 20% lactalbumin) was given to 50-day-old rats. Ten days after the feeding of the experimental diet, rats were intramuscularly implanted with demineralized bone powder (day 0). On day 14 and day 21, the implanted bone powder was harvested, and blood and urine samples were also obtained. Urinary Ca excretion was not increased on day 12-14; however, it was elevated on day 19-21 in rats fed the high protein diet compared with rats fed the control diet. The high protein diet remarkably stimulated urinary sulfate excretion in both sampling periods, which reflected dietary sulfur-containing amino acids contents. Also, rats fed the high protein diet exhibited a decrease in serum Ca concentrations. There was little difference in Ca contents and the activities of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase in the implants between control group and high protein diet group on day 14 and day 21. Histological examination in the implanted demineralized bone powder on day 14 indicated only cartilage in rats fed the high protein diet in contrast to the occurrences of osteogenesis and remodeling in those fed the control diet. Retarded bone formation in rats fed the high protein diet might be owing to, in part at least, a restricted amount of Ca utilized at the stage of cartilage calcification.

Effects of high protein diet and sodium bicarbonate supplementation on calcium metabolism in rats

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a high protein diet on calcium metabolism in rat. Wistar strain male rats (50 days old) were divided into 5 groups (day 0): control diet (18% casein); high protein diet (18% casein +20% lactalbumin); high protein and 0.1% sodium bicarbonate diet; high protein and 0.2% sodium bicarbonate diet; and high protein and 0.4% sodium bicarbonate diet. On days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, urine samples were collected and, at the same time, feces were collected from half of the animals in each group. Urinary titratable acidity (TA-HCO3-), ammonium ion (NH4+), and net acid excretion (NAE) were measured as an index of acid-base balance in rat body. Urinary volume was rapidly increased and the increase of urinary volume continued throughout the study in rats fed the high protein diet. Urinary excretions of calcium and phosphorus were increased after day 3 and day 1, respectively, in rats fed the high protein diet. The high protein diet depressed calcium absorption and elevated phosphorus absorption from the digestive tract in rats fed the high protein diet. The high protein diet decreased TA-HCO3-, which was closely correlated with the decrease of NAE. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation to the high protein diet had little effect on urinary calcium excretion and NAE. This study suggested that there was no relationship between metabolic acidosis and hypercalciuria in rats fed the high protein diet.

Effect of thyroxine injection on bone growth in malnourished rats at different growth stages

This study investigated the role of thyroxine on bone growth by injecting it into malnourished weaned and suckling rats. Weaned rats were fed a normal diet or a low-protein, low-energy diet, and injected with saline or thyroxine (5 micrograms/100 g BW) for 22 days. Suckling pups were injected with saline or 2 micrograms of thyroxine, and reared by dams fed a normal diet or a low-protein diet for 15 days. Thyroxine injection decreased body weight gain in both growth stages. Bone length, width and weight were not affected by thyroxine injection in weaned rats. Thyroxine injection increased femur length and tail growth, but did not change bone width in suckling rats. The epiphyseal growth plate and zone of hypertrophic cartilage cells were thinner in malnourished rats than in normal rats at both growth stages, but the number of proliferating chondrocytes was greater in suckling rats that received thyroxine injections than in those that received saline injections. The disappearance of trabeculae was observed in both normal and malnourished weaned rats upon thyroxine injection. These results suggested that retarded bone growth due to malnutrition might be independent of thyroid function in both growth stages.