scholarly journals Haematological stress parameters and behavioural characteristics of dairy type goat kids compared to indigenous breeds during an intensive fattening programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-449
Author(s):  
Elif Ergul Ekiz ◽  
Hulya Yalcintan ◽  
Bulent Ekiz
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Behavioural Characteristics ◽  
Fattening Period ◽  
Stress Parameters

Abstract. In any production model, the extent to which the animals cope with the environment is important in terms of animal welfare and sustainability of production. The aim of the study was to investigate certain haematological parameters and behaviours of goat kids from dairy type Saanen and Maltese breeds via comparison with indigenous Hair and Gokceada breeds during the 10-week intensive fattening period. Eleven male goat kids each of Saanen, Maltese, Hair and Gokceada breeds were weaned at 3–3.5 months of age and then placed into four fattening pens prepared for each breed, separately. Cortisol, glucose and total protein levels were higher in Gokceada kids in the last period of the fattening compared to the kids of other breeds (P<0.05). In Gokceada kids, an evident decrease in the time spent hay feeding and on rumination and an increase in lying, standing and self-grooming behaviours were determined during the last 3 weeks of fattening. Moreover, there was a significant decrease regarding hay feeding in Hair goat kids in the last 2 weeks (P<0.05). Hair goat kids also exhibited less rumination behaviour compared to Saanen kids during the last 4 weeks of fattening (P<0.05). On the other hand, kids of dairy breeds did not express behavioural or biochemical stress responses during the fattening period. As a conclusion, when evaluated in terms of animal welfare, results of the current study may indicate that indigenous breeds, especially Gokceada kids, are not appropriate for intensive fattening in a pen.

scholarly journals The Effect of Virtual Fencing Stimuli on Stress Responses and Behavior in Sheep

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tellisa Kearton ◽  
Danila Marini ◽  
Frances Cowley ◽  
Susan Belson ◽  
Caroline Lee
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Electrical Stimulus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cortisol Response ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Welfare Impact ◽  
Electrical Stimuli ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

To understand the animal welfare impact of virtual fencing stimuli (audio cue ‘beep’ and electrical stimulus) on naïve sheep, it is necessary to assess stress responses during the animal’s first encounters with these stimuli. Eighty Merino ewes were exposed to one of the following treatments (n = 16 animals per treatment): Control (no stimuli), beep, dog bark, manual restraint, and electrical stimulus. Collars were used to apply the audio and electrical stimuli. The restraint treatment showed an elevated cortisol response compared with the control (p < 0.05), but there were no differences between the other treatments and the control. There were no differences between treatments in vaginal temperature (p > 0.05). For behaviors, the sheep receiving the bark and beep treatments were more vigilant compared to the control (p < 0.05), there were more aversive responses observed in the electrical stimulus treatment compared to the control. Together, the responses showed that the beep stimuli were largely benign, the bark stimuli was minimally aversive, the electrical stimuli was acutely aversive, and the restraint was moderately aversive. These data suggest that, for sheep, their first exposure to the virtual fencing stimuli should be perceived as less aversive than a commonly used restraint procedure.

scholarly journals Ecological Relevance of Hemolymph Total Protein Concentration in Seven Unrelated Crustacean Species from Different Habitats Measured Predictively by a Density-Salinity Refractometer

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simonetta Lorenzon ◽  
Marzia Martinis ◽  
Enrico A. Ferrero
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Field Method ◽  
Blood Protein ◽  
Total Protein Concentration ◽  
Protein Levels

In recent years, blood metabolites have been investigated as a tool for monitoring physiological condition in wild or cultured crustaceans exposed to different environmental conditions. Blood protein levels fluctuate with changes in environmental and physiological conditions and play fundamental roles in the physiology of crustaceans from O2transport to reproduction up to stress responses. Proteins are major contributors to hemolymph density, and the present study correlates the easy and low cost measure of hemolymph density by a density-salinity refractometer with the total protein concentration, measured with a colorimetric method. Moreover, the study evaluates the accuracy of the relationship and provides a conversion factor from hemolymph density to protein in seven species of crustaceans, representative of taxa far apart in the phylogenetic tree and characterized by different life habits. Measuring serum-protein concentration by using a refractometer can provide a non-destructive field method to assess crustacean populations/species protein-related modifications of physiological state without need of costly laboratory facilities and procedures.

The Effects of Vitamin K1 and Warfarin on Prothrombin Expression in Human Hepatoblastoma (HepG2) Cells

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (01) ◽  
pp. 040-047 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Scott Jamison ◽  
Bryan F Burkey ◽  
Sandra J Friezner Degen
Keyword(s):  
Total Protein ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Secreted Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Vitamin K1 ◽  
Maximal Increase ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Warfarin Treatment

SummaryCultures of human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells were treated with vitamin K1 or warfarin and prothrombin antigen and mRNA levels were determined. With 3 and 6 h of 10 µg vitamin K1 treatment secreted prothrombin antigen levels, relative to total secreted protein levels, were increased 1.5-fold and 2.1-fold, respectively, over ethanol-treated control levels as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dose-response analysis with 3 h of 25 µg/ml vitamin K1 treatment demonstrated a maximal increase of 2.0-fold in secreted prothrombin antigen levels, relative to total secreted protein levels, over ethanol-treated control levels. Pulse-chase analysis with 35S-methionine and immunoprecipitation of 35S-labelled prothrombin demonstrated that, with vitamin K1 treatment (25 µg/ml, 3 h), the rate of prothrombin secretion increased approximately 2-fold and the total amount (intra- and extracellular) of prothrombin synthesized increased approximately 50% over ethanol-treated control levels. Warfarin treatment (1, 5, or 10 µg/ml, 24 h) resulted in decreases in secreted prothrombin antigen levels, relative to total protein levels to approximately 85%, 87% or 81% of ethanol-treated control levels. Analysis of total RNA isolated from these cultures by Northern and solution hybridization techniques demonstrated that prothrombin mRNA was approximately 2.1 kb and that neither vitamin K1 nor warfarin treatment affected the quantity of prothrombin mRNA (ranging from 240–350 prothrombin mRNA molecules per cell). These results demonstrate that vitamin K1 and warfarin, in addition to effects on γ-carboxylation, affect prothrombin synthesis post-transcriptionally, perhaps influencing translation, post-translational processing and/or secretion mechanisms.

scholarly journals Orexin A Enhances Pro-Opiomelanocortin Transcription Regulated by BMP-4 in Mouse Corticotrope AtT20 Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4553
Author(s):  
Satoshi Fujisawa ◽  
Motoshi Komatsubara ◽  
Naoko Tsukamoto-Yamauchi ◽  
Nahoko Iwata ◽  
Takahiro Nada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Type I ◽  
Orexin A ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Bmp Receptors ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Crh Receptor Type 1

Orexin is expressed mainly in the hypothalamus and is known to activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis that is involved in various stress responses and its resilience. However, the effects of orexin on the endocrine function of pituitary corticotrope cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of orexin A in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) transcription using mouse corticotrope AtT20 cells, focusing on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system expressed in the pituitary. Regarding the receptors for orexin, type 2 (OXR2) rather than type 1 (OX1R) receptor mRNA was predominantly expressed in AtT20 cells. It was found that orexin A treatment enhanced POMC expression, induced by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation through upregulation of CRH receptor type-1 (CRHR1). Orexin A had no direct effect on the POMC transcription suppressed by BMP-4 treatment, whereas it suppressed Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation and Id-1 mRNA expression induced by BMP-4. It was further revealed that orexin A had no significant effect on the expression levels of type I and II BMP receptors but upregulated inhibitory Smad6/7 mRNA and protein levels in AtT20 cells. The results demonstrated that orexin A upregulated CRHR signaling and downregulated BMP-Smad signaling, leading to an enhancement of POMC transcription by corticotrope cells.

scholarly journals Physiology: An Important Tool to Assess the Welfare of Aquatic Animals

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Ismael Jerez-Cepa ◽  
Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Aquatic Species ◽  
Natural Behavior ◽  
Aquatic Animals ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Proper Functioning ◽  
Analytical Tools

The assessment of welfare in aquatic animals is currently under debate, especially concerning those kept by humans. The classic concept of animal welfare includes three elements: The emotional state of the organism (including the absence of negative experiences), the possibility of expressing normal behaviors, and the proper functioning of the organism. While methods for evaluating their emotions (such as fear, pain, and anguish) are currently being developed for aquatic species and understanding the natural behavior of all aquatic taxa that interact with humans is a task that requires more time, the evaluation of internal responses in the organisms can be carried out using analytical tools. This review aims to show the potential of the physiology of crustaceans, cephalopods, elasmobranchs, teleosts, and dipnoans to serve as indicators of their wellbeing. Since the classical methods of assessing welfare are laborious and time-consuming by evaluation of fear, pain, and anguish, the assessment may be complemented by physiological approaches. This involves the study of stress responses, including the release of hormones and their effects. Therefore, physiology may be of help in improving animal welfare.

Age-related changes in renal and hepatic cellular mechanisms associated with variations in rat serum thyroid hormone levels

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (6) ◽  
pp. E1160-E1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Silvestri ◽  
Assunta Lombardi ◽  
Pieter de Lange ◽  
Luigi Schiavo ◽  
Antonia Lanni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Monocarboxylate Transporter ◽  
Type I ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Age Related Changes

Aging is associated with changes in thyroid gland physiology. Age-related changes in the contribution of peripheral tissues to thyroid hormone serum levels have yet to be systematically assessed. Here, we investigated age-related alterations in the contributions of the liver and kidney to thyroid hormone homeostasis using 6-, 12-, and 24-mo-old male Wistar rats. A significant and progressive decline in plasma thyroxine occurred with age, but triiodothyronine (T3) was decreased only at 24 mo. This was associated with an unchanged protein level of the thyroid hormone transporter monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) in the kidney and with a decreased MCT8 level in the liver at 24 mo. Hepatic type I deiodinase (D1) protein level and activity declined progressively with age. Renal D1 levels were decreased at both 12 and 24 mo but D1 activity was decreased only at 24 mo. In the liver, no changes occurred in thyroid hormone receptor (TR) TRα1, whereas a progressive increase in TRβ1 occurred at both mRNA and total protein levels. In the kidney, both TRα1 and TRβ1 mRNA and total protein levels were unchanged between 6 and 12 mo but increased at 24 mo. Interestingly, nuclear TRβ1 levels were decreased in both liver and kidney at 12 and 24 mo, whereas nuclear TRα1 levels were unchanged. Collectively, our data show differential age-related changes among hepatic and renal MCT8 and D1 and TR expressions, and they suggest that renal D1 activity is maintained with age to compensate for the decrease in hepatic T3 production.

scholarly journals Investigation of the N-terminal coding region of MUC7 alterations in dentistry students with and without caries

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Koç Öztürk ◽  
A Yarat ◽  
S Akyuz ◽  
H Furuncuoglu ◽  
K Ulucan
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Turkish Population ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Protein Levels

ABSTRACTHuman low-molecular weight salivary mucin (MUC7) is a small, secreted glycoprotein coded by MUC7. In the oral cavity, they inhibit the colonization of oral bacteria, including cariogenic ones, by masking their surface adhesions, thus helping saliva to avoid dental caries. The N-terminal domain is important for low-molecular weight (MG2) mucins to contact with oral microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to identify the N-terminal coding region of the MUC7 gene between individuals with and without caries. Forty-four healthy dental students were enrolled in this study; 24 of them were classified to have caries [decayed, missing, filled-teeth (DMFT) = 5.6] according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and 20 of them were caries-free (DMFT = 0). Simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and gingival index (GI) were used to determine the oral hygiene and gingival conditions. Total protein levels and salivary total protein levels and salivary buffer capacity (SBC) were determined by Lowry and Ericsson methods. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells of all the participants and genotyping was carried out by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing method. No statistical differences were found between two groups in the terms of salivary parameters, oral hygiene and gingival conditions. We detected one common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that leads to a change of asparagine to lysine at codon 80. This substitution was found in 29.0 and 40.0%, respectively, of the groups with and without caries. No other sequence variations were detected. The SNP found in this study may be a specific polymorphism affecting the Turkish population. Further studies with extended numbers are necessary in order to clarify this finding.

scholarly journals Relation between both oxidative and metabolic-osmotic cell damages and initial injury severity in bombing casualties

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Vuceljic ◽  
Gordana Zunic ◽  
Predrag Romic ◽  
Miodrag Jevtic
Keyword(s):  
Total Protein ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Cellular Membrane ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Oxidative Damages ◽  
Gradual Development ◽  
Initial Injury ◽  
Initial Severity

Background/Aim. We have recently reported the development of oxidative cell damages in bombing casualties within a very early period after the initial injury. The aim of this study, was to investigate malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and osmolal gap (OG), as a good indicator of metabolic cell damages and to assess their relationship with the initial severity of the injury in bombing casualties. Methods. The study included the males (n = 52), injured during the bombing with the Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranging from 3 to 66. The whole group of casualties was devided into a group of less severely (ISS < 25, n = 24) and a group of severely (ISS ? 26, n = 28) injured males. The uninjured volunteers (n = 10) were the controls. Osmolality, MDA, sodium, glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin and total protein levels were measured in the venous blood, sampled daily, within a ten-day period. Results. In both groups of casualties, MDA and OG levels increased, total protein levels decreased, while other parameters were within the control limits. MDA alterations correlated with ISS (r = 0.414, p < 0.01), while a statistically significant correlation between OG and ISS was not obtained. Interestingly, in spite of some differences in MDA and OG trends, at the end of the examined period they were at the similar level in both groups. Conclusion. The initial oxidative damages of the cellular membrane with intracellular metabolic disorders contributed to the gradual development of metabolic-osmotic damages of cells, which, consequently caused the OG increase. In the bombing casualties, oxidative cell damages were dependent on the initial injury severity, while metabolic-osmotic cell damages were not.

scholarly journals Склад крові та його зв'язок із молочною продуктивністю корів різного віку та рівня продуктивності

2013 ◽  
pp. 85-88
Author(s):  
Є. Ф. Ткач
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Direct Proportion ◽  
Bovine Blood ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Protein Levels

Викладено результати дослідження біохімічного і морфологічного складу крові корів української чорно-рябої молочної і голштинської порід та його зв’язку з молочною продуктивністю. Досліджено, що рівень молочної продуктивності пов’язаний або знаходиться у прямій залежності від інтенсивності обмінних процесів в організмі тварин. Встановлено позитивний кореляційний зв’язок між загальним білком крові і надоєм корів та між альбумінами і надоєм. Не виявлено закономірного взаємозв’язку між кількістю лейкоцитів і молочною продуктивністю корів обох порід. The article presents the results of biochemical and morphological study of bovine blood of Ukrainian black and white dairy and Holstein breeds and its relationship with milk production. It has been proved that the level of milk production is associated or is in direct proportion to the intensity of metabolism in animals. The positive correlation between total protein levels and milk yield of cows and between albumin and milk yield has been stated. No regular relationship between the number of leukocytes and milk production of cows of both breeds has been revealed.

scholarly journals CULTURAL IDENTITY, TRADITION, AND THE RITUAL KILLING OF BULLS – A NOTE ON A RECENT DECISION OF THE FRENCH CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL ON THE LEGALITY OF BULLFIGHTING

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Peté ◽  
Angela Crocker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Rights ◽  
The Other ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Public Controversy ◽  
Legal Challenge ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Republic

In a recent two-part article in this journal, the authors of this note analysed the controversy surrounding the ritual bull-killing which takes place during the Ukweshwama “first fruits” ceremony held each year in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. While much of the Ukweshwama ceremony is uncontroversial, the ritual killing of a bull by young Zulu warriors with their bare hands attracted strong opposition from certain animal-rights groups, which resulted in legal action and public controversy. The authors attempted to disentangle the different legal, historical, political and philosophical strands which combined to make up a complex story about the place of ancient rituals in the modern world, particularly those involving animal sacrifice. They also attempted to situate the controversy around the Ukweshwama bull-killing ritual within a contemporary global context, by comparing and contrasting the Zulu bull-killing ceremony on the one hand, and Spanish bullfighting on the other. The purpose of the present note is to report on recent developments in what is a global debate on the place of ancient rituals which involve the ritual killing of animals, within modern constitutional democracies. In particular, this note will examine and discuss the outcome of a recent legal challenge brought before the Constitutional Council of the Republic of France by certain animal-welfare groups in that country. The challenge was directed at bringing an end to a legal exception which operates in certain parts of the country – that is, those with an uninterrupted local tradition of bullfighting – excluding bullfighting from the provisions of animal-welfare legislation. The legal, political and cultural issues which arise as a result of this legal challenge are of relevance to those in South Africa who are concerned, one way or the other, about the future of the annual Ukweshwama bull-killing ritual in KwaZulu-Natal. Like it or not, although the bull-killing rituals which take place in the South of France and in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa are very different, the similarities between the rituals and their impact on broader society (legally, politically and culturally), are such that they cannot be ignored. The authors make a similar point in relation to the links between Spanish bullfighting and the Ukweshwama bull-killing ritual.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document