Calcium and magnesium status of pregnant ewes grazing southern Australian pastures

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janelle E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
David G. Masters ◽  
Emma Winslow ◽  
Serina Hancock ◽  
Andrew N. Thompson ◽  
...  

During pregnancy, ewes graze pastures that may be marginal in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and may also be low in sodium (Na) and high in potassium (K), with a high dietary cation–anion difference. Such pastures may increase susceptibility to hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia, leading to lamb losses. Clinical hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia do occur in Australian sheep; however, it is unknown whether subclinical forms of these disorders compromise ewe or lamb health and survival. The present study monitored the Ca and Mg status of ewes in late pregnancy, so as to evaluate the risk of subclinical mineral disorders in ewes grazing typical southern Australian pastures. Calcium and Mg concentrations in pasture, ewe plasma and urine were monitored in 15 flocks in southern Australia. Mineral concentrations in pasture did not indicate a widespread risk of Ca or Mg deficiency; however, urinary pH and Ca and Mg concentrations in the plasma and urine of the pregnant ewes were not entirely consistent with the expectations from pasture analysis. Urine pH was above 7 on all properties and 87.5% of properties had a mean Ca in urine below the adequate concentration of 1 µmol/mosmol. The mean plasma Ca concentration was below adequate (<90 mg/L) on only one farm but five farms had more than 20% of ewes with below adequate Ca in plasma. In addition, although average farm concentrations of plasma and urine Mg indicated adequate Mg status of the ewes (>18 mg/L), more than 20% of ewes on six farms had below adequate concentrations of plasma Mg. Only one-third of the farms had 100% of ewes measured with adequate concentrations of plasma Ca (4/15) or Mg (5/15). The mineral concentrations in pre-lambing blood and urine samples suggested that a significant number of animals grazing southern Australian pastures during winter may be at risk of subclinical hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia.

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Liggins ◽  
J.-C. Schellenberg ◽  
F. Amato ◽  
B. Godfrey ◽  
R. F. Seamark

ABSTRACT Total sulphoconjugated and unconjugated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and total oestrone were measured in plasma of intact sheep fetuses, fetuses hypophysectomized at 104–112 days and fetuses bilaterally adrenalectomized at 98–101 days. At 120–127 days, the mean concentrations of total DHA and oestrone in intact fetuses (n = 13) were 29·7 ± 4·2 (s.e.m.) nmol/l and 14·3 ± 2·8 nmol/l respectively. At term, the values for total DHA and oestrone in hypophysectomized fetuses (n = 13) of 18·0 ± 1·9 nmol/l and 9·1 ±2·0 nmol/l were significantly (P <0·05) lower than the intact group whereas in the adrenalectomized fetuses (n = 8) total DHA (80·8±13·0 nmol/l) was higher (P < 0·05) and total oestrone values were similar to the intact animals. Intrafetal infusion of cortisol at term (1 mg/h for 84 h) raised levels of total oestrone in intact (n = 6; 12·3 ± 2·9 vs 31·6± 8·5 nmol/l) and adrenalectomized (n = 4; 14·2 ± 2·6 vs 190·6 ± 53·0 nmol/l) fetuses and of total DHA in hypophysectomized fetuses (n = 7; 16·0±1·9 vs 31·6 ± 8·5 nmol/l) while infusion of ACTH(1–24) (5 μg/h) was without significant effect in any group. It is concluded that the ovine fetal adrenal in late pregnancy makes no significant contribution either to the high circulating concentrations of DHA sulphate or to the substrates for placental oestrogen synthesis. J. Endocr. (1985) 104, 279–283


1969 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-585
Author(s):  
K. Schollberg ◽  
E. Seiler ◽  
J. Holtorff

ABSTRACT The urinary excretion of testosterone and epitestosterone by women in late pregnancy has been studied. The mean values of 22 normal women in pregnancy mens X are 12.9 ± 9.2 μg/24 h in the case of testosterone and 16.1 ± 16.2 μg/24 h in the case of epitestosterone. Both values do not differ significantly from those of non-pregnant females. The excretion values of mothers bearing a male foetus (17.3 ± 8.9 μg/24 h) are higher than those of mothers with a female foetus (6.4 ± 4.8 μg/24 h). The difference is statistically significant with P = 0.01.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Bell ◽  
M. O. Keith

Canola samples of whole seed, press cake and commercial meal (CM) were collected from seven canola-crushing plants in Western Canada over 4 successive weeks to assess nutrient and glucosinolate content and variability. The CM data are described in this report. The mean concentrations in CM (dry matter (DM) basis) were: in %, crude protein (N × 6.25) 41.85; ether extract 3.92; crude fiber 13.13; neutral detergent fiber 23.54; acid detergent fiber 19.09; and in MJ kg−1, gross energy 20.36. The mean mineral concentrations were, in percent, calcium 0.70; magnesium 0.57; phosphorus 1.13; potassium 1.35; sulfur 0.94; and in μg g−1, copper 6.34; iron 157; manganese 54.7; molybdenum 1.5; selenium 1.22; zinc 75.8. Total aliphatic glucosinolate concentrations (oil-free DM basis) ranged from 6.26 to 28.42 μmol g−1 for different plants, mean 16.20; indolyl glucosinolate concentrations were from 0.56 to 9.49 μmol g−1. Small and variable amounts of allyl and hydroxybenzyl glucosinolates due to weed seed contamination were found. Myrosinase activity (thioglucoside glucohydrolase EC 3.2.3.1) averaged 0.15% of that in the corresponding canola seed. Differences among crushing plants were due mainly to regional environmental factors, cultivars used and, for lysine and glucosinolates, processing conditions mainly in the desolventizer toaster stage. Key words: Canola, meal, composition, variation, regional, Western Canada


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-800
Author(s):  
Hajer Zahra ◽  
Olfa Berriche ◽  
Ramla Mizouri ◽  
Fatma Boukhayatia ◽  
Marwa Khiari ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Magnesium deficiency is usually associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Individuals living with T2DM with hypomagnesemia show a more rapid disease progression and have an increased risk for diabetes complications. (2) Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study in the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology of Tunis in Tunisia, including all adult outpatients (≥18 years old) with a diagnosis of T2DM from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of plasmatic magnesium deficiency in a Tunisian population of T2DM and to study the relationship between magnesium status and intake, glycemic control and long-term diabetes-related complications. (3) Results: Among the 101 T2DM outpatients, 13 (12.9%) presented with a plasmatic magnesium deficiency. The mean age was 56 ± 7.9 years with a female predominance (62%, n = 63). The mean of the plasmatic magnesium level was 0.79 ± 0.11 mmol/L (0.5–1.1), and the mean of 24 h urinary magnesium excretion was 87.8 ± 53.8 mg/24 h [4.8–486.2]. HbA1c was significantly higher in the plasmatic magnesium deficiency group than the normal magnesium status group (10% ± 1.3 vs. 8.3% ± 1.9; p = 0.04), with a significant difference in participants with a poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 7%) (100%, n = 13/13 vs. 53%, n = 47/88; p = 0.001). A weak negative relationship was also found between plasmatic magnesium and HbA1c (r = −0.2, p = 0.03). Peripheral artery disease was more commonly described in individuals with low plasmatic magnesium levels than in individuals with normal levels (39%, n = 5 vs. 0%, n = 0; p < 0.001). The mean plasmatic magnesium level in participants without diabetic nephropathy and also peripheral artery disease was significantly higher compared to individuals with each long-term diabetes-related complication (0.8 mmol/L ± 0.1 vs. 0.71 mmol/L ± 0.07; p = 0.006) and (0.8 mmol/L ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 mmol/L ± 0.08; p < 0.001), respectively. (4) Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia was identified in individuals with T2DM, causing poor glycemic control and contributing to the development and progression of diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications.


1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (20) ◽  
pp. 3435-3442 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. A. Bempah ◽  
O. E. Hileman Jr.

The mean lifetime of an embryo in the homogeneous nucleation from aqueous solution of the tetracyanoplatinates(II) of barium, calcium, and magnesium has been studied using the droplet technique. Supersaturation in the droplets was generated by selective extraction of the solvent into the surrounding silicone oil. Crystallization in the droplets was followed by photomicrography using plane polarized light.The data were analyzed using both the classical model and the mean lifetime model of Carlier and Frisch. The experimental results are consistent with the predicted relationship between the logarithm of the nucleation rate or the logarithm of the mean lifetime of an embryo and the inverse of the square of the logarithm of the supersaturation ratio at high supersaturation ratios. The calculated values of the inter-facial energy, using both models, are in close enough agreement to justify the assumptions made in the analysis.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (1) ◽  
pp. F105-F109 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Davison ◽  
E. A. Gilmore ◽  
J. Durr ◽  
G. L. Robertson ◽  
M. D. Lindheimer

Osmoregulation was studied in eight women during late pregnancy and again 8-10 wk postpartum. Base-line plasma osmolality (Posmol) was significantly lower during (280.9 +/- 2.1 mosmol/kg, SD) than after (289.4 +/- 2.1 mosmol/kg) pregnancy yet 24-h urinary volume and plasma arginine vasopressin (PAVP) measured in vasopressinase-inactivated blood was similar in both groups (pregnancy, 1.39 +/- 0.56 pg/ml; postpartum, 1.25 +/- 0.62 pg/ml). After 12 h of dehydration PAVP rose similarly and significantly both during (2.25 +/- 0.81 pg/ml) and after (2.89 +/- 1.19 pg/ml) gestation, and Uosmol was similar on both occasions (pregnancy, 779 +/- 121 mosmol/kg; postpartum, 784 +/- 102 mosmol/kg). When Posmol was increased by the slow infusion of 5% saline PAVP increased as soon as body tonicity did both during and after pregnancy. PAVP correlated significantly with Posmol in each subject (range of r, 0.75-0.99) and the mean regression lines [pregnancy, PAVP = 0.32 (Posmol; -279), r = 0.79; postpartum, PAVP = 0.38 (Posmol, -285), r = 0.86] demonstrated that the apparent osmotic threshold for AVP secretion was 6 mosmol/kg lower during than after gestation. Similarly the Posmol at which the subject experienced a conscious desire to drink was lower in pregnant (287 +/- 1.6 mosmol/kg) compared with postpartum subjects (298 +/- 2.0 mosmol/kg; P less than 0.001). These data demonstrate decreased osmotic thresholds for AVP release and thirst during human pregnancy and explain why gravidas can maintain their new lower Posmol within narrow limits.


2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 2087-2093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brook E Harmon ◽  
Yukiko Morimoto ◽  
Fanchon Beckford ◽  
Adrian A Franke ◽  
Frank Z Stanczyk ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveBased on the hypothesis that high-meat diets may increase breast cancer risk through hormonal pathways, the present analysis compared oestrogens in serum and urine by meat-eating status.DesignIntervention with repeated measures.SettingTwo randomized soya trials (BEAN1 and BEAN2) among premenopausal healthy women.SubjectsBEAN1 participants completed seven unannounced 24 h dietary recalls and donated five blood and urine samples over 2 years. BEAN2 women provided seven recalls and three samples over 13 months. Serum samples were analysed for oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) using RIA. Nine oestrogen metabolites were measured in urine by LC–MS. Semi-vegetarians included women who reported consuming <30 g of red meat, poultry and fish daily, and pescatarians those who reported consuming <20 g of meat/poultry but >10 g of fish daily. All other women were classified as non-vegetarians. We applied mixed models to compute least-square means by vegetarian status adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsThe mean age of the 272 participants was 41·9 (sd 4·5) years. Serum E1 (85 v. 100 pg/ml, P = 0·04) and E2 (140 v. 154 pg/ml, P = 0·04) levels were lower in the thirty-seven semi-vegetarians than in the 235 non-vegetarians. The sum of the nine urinary oestrogen metabolites (183 v. 200 pmol/mg creatinine, P = 0·27) and the proportions of individual oestrogens and pathways did not differ by meat-eating status. Restricting the models to the samples collected during the luteal phase strengthened the associations.ConclusionsGiven the limitations of the study, the lower levels of serum oestrogens in semi-vegetarians than non-vegetarians need confirmation in larger populations.


Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Holt ◽  
O Vangen ◽  
W Farstad

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how ovulation rate and survival rate through pregnancy had been affected by more than 110 generations of upwards selection on litter size in mice. The mean number of pups born alive was 22 in the high line (selected line) and 11 in the control line (an increase in 2.6 standard deviations). Selection on litter size increased ovulation rate by 4.6 standard deviations, and it is suggested that selection also increased embryonic mortality in late pregnancy. Embryo survival from ovulation until birth was 66% in the selected line and 69% in the control line, and the observed loss in litter size from day 16 of pregnancy until birth was possibly higher in the high line compared with the control line. Selection for higher litter size has significantly increased body weight in both males and females, as the mean weight at mating for the females was 46 g in the high line and 33 g in the control line respectively.


1963 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Kanter ◽  
R. H. Lubinski ◽  
I. M. Mielens

The investigation was designed to determine whether the renal loss of bicarbonate contributes significantly to the acidosis of hypothermia. The excretion of bicarbonate during hypothermia was studied in five infused (6% creatinine in saline at 0.4 ml/minute) and five non-infused dogs. All animals were anesthetized and artificial respiration was not used. The rectal temperature was gradually reduced to the 26–27 °C range by approximately 4 hours of exposure to ice packing. After control, clearance periods of 30 minutes' duration were conducted serially and continually through the experiment. There was no significant increase in bicarbonate excretion during hypothermia in the non-infused group. The urinary pH remained at control levels of about 6.2. The fall in arterial pH was not due to urinary bicarbonate loss. The urinary pH in the infused group, which had a higher urine flow, increased to pH 6.7 due to increased excretion of bicarbonate. The urine pH in three animals with highest urine flows in this latter group approached plasma levels. The excretion rate of bicarbonate in the infused group, however, was similarly insufficient to account for the decrease in arterial pH. The hypothermic kidney is quite effective in reabsorbing bicarbonate.


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