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Biomedical subjects

M D Remmenga

Publications and source records attributed to M D Remmenga.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of locoweed on serum swainsonine and selected serum constituents in sheep during acute and subacute oral/intraruminal exposure.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of acute and subacute locoweed exposure on serum swainsonine concentrations and selected serum constituents in sheep. Thirteen mixed-breed wethers (BW = 47.5 +/- 9.3 kg) were assigned randomly to 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg of swainsonine x kg BW(-1) x d(-1) treatments. During acute (24 h) and subacute (19 d) exposure, serum swainsonine was detected in all treatments and was greatest (P < 0.03) in the 0.8 mg treatment. Serum alkaline phosphate (ALK-P) activity was increased (P < 0.01) for the 0.8 mg treatment compared with baseline (0 h) by 7 h and continued to increase throughout the initial 22 h following acute exposure to locoweed. A linear increase (P < 0.01) in serum ALK-P activity was noted, with the rate being 3.00 +/- 0.56 U x L(-1) x h(-1). Serum ALK-P activity was increased (P < 0.05) across treatments on d 7 over d -19, -12, 0, 1, 21, and 26; on d 14 over d -19, -12, 0, and 26; and on d 19 over d -19, -12, 0, 1, 21, and 26. By d 20, approximately 48 h after last exposure to swainsonine, serum ALK-P activities were no longer different (P = 0.13) than baseline (d -19, -12, and 0), and by d 26 values had generally returned to baseline. No linear (P = 0.98), quadratic (P = 0.63), or cubic effects of swainsonine with time from exposure were noted for serum aspartate aminotransferase. Similar to serum ALK-P activities, serum aspartate aminotransferase activities were increased (P < 0.05) across treatment levels on d 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, and 26 over those on d -19, -12, 0, and 1. Total serum Fe was decreased (P < 0.05) within the initial 22 h following the swainsonine exposure. On d 21 (48 h after swainsonine feeding ended), serum Fe increased to 472 mg/L. Concentrations of ceruloplasmin were lower (P < 0.10) on d 14 and 19 following exposure to locoweed. Recovery of ceruloplasmin levels coincided with similar changes in serum Fe. There was a linear (slope = 0.33 mg x dL(-1) x d(-1); P < 0.01) effect with time of exposure to locoweed (i.e., swainsonine) on serum triglyceride concentrations. Rapid changes in serum ALK-P and Fe concentrations without parallel changes in other damage markers indicate that acute exposure to swainsonine induces metabolic changes that may impair animal production and health before events of cytotoxicity thought to induce clinical manifestation of locoism.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene, and alpha-terpinene on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep.

Although plant secondary chemistry influences shrub consumption by free-ranging ruminants, the effects of many specific compounds on herbivores have not been examined. We conducted four experiments to examine effects of individual terpenes on alfalfa pellet intake by lambs. Forty-five lambs were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene, or alpha-terpinene at one of five concentrations in an ethanol carrier. Treatments (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10x) were multiples of the concentration (x) of a specific terpene on the leaf surface of Flourensia cernua (a low-preference shrub for domestic ruminants). Terpenes were applied to alfalfa pellets (0.64 kg.lamb(-1).d(-1), DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval for 5 d. A day effect was detected for gamma-terpinene on intake (P < 0.001 for both linear and quadratic contrasts). No effect of terpinolene, alpha-copaene, or alpha-terpinene on intake was detected in this study. None of the terpenes tested was strongly related to intake of alfalfa pellets by lambs under the conditions of this study.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of increasing levels of undegradable intake protein on metabolic and endocrine factors in estrous cycling beef heifers.

To determine the influence of three levels of undegradable intake protein (UIP) supplementation on metabolic and endocrine factors that influence reproduction, 23 yearling crossbred heifers (body condition score = 4.5 +/- 0.5; initial BW = 362 +/- 12 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned randomly to one of three supplements: 1) low UIP (1,135 g x heifer(-1) x d(-1); 30% CP, 115 g UIP, n = 7); 2) mid UIP (1,135 g x heifer(-1) x d(-1); 38% CP, 216 g UIP, n = 8); or 3) high UIP (1,135 g x heifer(-1) x d(-1); 46% CP, 321 g UIP, n = 8). Heifers were estrually synchronized before initiation of supplementation. Supplement was individually fed daily for 30 to 32 d, at which time heifers were slaughtered (d 12 to 14 of the estrous cycle) and tissues collected. Heifers were fed a basal diet of sudan grass hay (6.0% CP) ad libitum. On d 28 of supplementation (d 10 of the estrous cycle), no differences were observed (P > 0.10) in serum insulin or IGF-I among treatments. At slaughter (d 10 to 12 of the estrous cycle), treatments did not influence corpus luteum weight, cerebral spinal fluid leptin, or IGFBP; serum estradiol-17beta, progesterone, leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP; or anterior pituitary content of IGFBP (P > 0.10). Follicular fluid IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 were greater in high-UIP heifers than low- or mid-UIP heifers on d 12 to 14 of the estrous cycle (P < 0.05). Basal serum LH concentrations and LH area under the curve (every 15 min for 240 min) did not differ (P > 0.10) following 28 d of supplementation (d 10 of the estrous cycle); however, basal serum FSH concentrations were greater (P = 0.06) in low- and mid- vs. high-UIP heifers (5.2 and 5.2 vs. 4.6 ng/mL, respectively), and FSH area under the curve was greater (P = 0.03) in low- vs. high-UIP heifers. At slaughter (d 12 to 14 of the estrous cycle), anterior pituitary LH and FSH content and steady-state mRNA encoding alpha, LHbeta, and GnRH receptor did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. However, FSHbeta mRNA was increased approximately twofold (P = 0.03) in mid vs. low UIP. In summary, low and mid levels of UIP supplements fed to estrous cycling beef heifers seemed to enhance pituitary expression and/or secretion of FSH relative to high levels of UIP. Moreover, high-UIP supplementation was associated with increased low-molecular-weight IGFBP compared with supplementation of low and mid levels of UIP. These data suggest that differing levels of UIP supplementation may alter pituitary and ovarian function, thereby influencing reproductive performance in beef heifers.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Effect of neuropeptide Y on GnRH-induced LH release from bovine anterior pituitary cell cultures derived from heifers in a follicular, luteal or ovariectomized state.

Objectives were to determine if neuropeptide Y (NPY) had direct effects GnRH induced secretion of LH from the anterior pituitary gland, and if endogenous steroids modulated the effect of NPY. To accomplish these objectives, 15 Hereford heifers were assigned to one of three ovarian status groups: follicular, luteal, or ovariectomized. One animal from each of the three ovarian status groups was slaughtered on each of 5 days and anterior pituitary gland harvested. Anterior pituitary gland cells within ovarian status were equally distributed and randomly assigned to one of three cell culture treatments: no NPY or GnRH (control), 10 nM GnRH, or 100 nM NPY+10 nM GnRH. Anterior pituitary cell cultures were incubated with or without NPY for 4 h and further incubated for an additional 2 h with or without GnRH and supernatant collected for quantification of LH. Treatment of anterior pituitary cell cultures with GnRH or GnRH+NPY did not affect LH release in cultures obtained from follicular (S.E.=5%; P=0.58) or ovariectomized (S.E.=7%; P=0.22) heifers. Both GnRH and GnRH+NPY increased LH release from anterior pituitary cell cultures from heifers in the luteal phase (S.E.=14%; P < or = 0.05) compared to control cultures. Cultures from luteal phase heifers treated with GnRH did not differ from those treated with GnRH+NPY (P=0.34). These data provide evidence to suggest that effects of NPY on LH release may occur primarily at the level of the hypothalamus.

Animals↗

Effects of varying levels of undegradable intake protein on endocrine and metabolic function of young post-partum beef cows.

Twelve Hereford x Angus heifers, 2.5 year, 492 +/- 17 kg (BCS = 5 +/- 0.5), were randomly assigned to one of three supplements, stratified by calving date and calf sex. Treatments consisted of a daily equivalent of: (1) low undegradable intake protein (UIP) (L: 908 g per cow per day; 36% CP, 108 g UIP), (2) middle UIP (M: 908 g per cow per day; 36% CP, 165 g UIP), and (3) high UIP (H: 908 g M + 243 g feather meal per cow per day; 46% CP, 335 g UIP). Cows were fed sudan grass hay (7.3% CP, as fed) daily at 2% BW (as fed). Supplement was individually fed twice weekly from Week 2 to Week 11 post-partum. Cow body weight (BW), backfat (BF) and rumpfat (RF) thicknesses decreased in all cows, (P < 0.05) yet did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). There were no differences among treatments in calf BW (P > 0.10). Serum insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), milk components and yield did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). Area under the curve (AUC) for serum LH was greater (P = 0.07) in H versus L and M (809 versus 599 and 607 +/- 69 U, respectively). No differences were observed in FSH AUC or mean serum concentrations (P > 0.10). Uterine pH did not differ among treatments or between supplement versus non-supplement days (P > 0.10). Serum progesterone remained below I ng/ml for all cows indicating absence of return to estrus. Under the conditions of this study, BW, BF, RF, serum insulin, BUN, milk components, and yield, uterine pH and serum FSH were not affected by level of UIP. However, supplement containing high levels of UIP enhanced GnRH-induced LH release.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Effects of four mono- and sesquiterpenes on the consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep.

Effects of individual terpenes on alfalfa pellet intake by lambs were examined in four experiments. Forty-five lambs (nine lambs/treatment) were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with either camphene, myrcene, caryophyllene oxide, or beta-pinene at one of five concentrations (one terpene per experiment). Treatments (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10x) were multiples of the concentration (x) of a specific terpene in tarbush. Terpenes were applied to alfalfa pellets (0.64 kg x lamb(-1) x d(-1), DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval for 5 d. Lambs were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets in one group (except during 20-min tests) at a mean total daily intake of 4.7% of BW (DM basis). Camphene and caryophyllene oxide tended to decrease intake (linear contrasts were P = .0651 and P = .0504, respectively), whereas myrcene and beta-pinene exerted no effect on the consumption of alfalfa pellets by lambs. Camphene and caryophyllene oxide may be involved in the differential herbivory of individual tarbush plants by livestock.

Animal Feed↗

Evaluation of models of acute and subacute acidosis on dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles of beef steers.

Crossbred steers (n = 20; 316 +/- 4 kg BW), each fitted with a ruminal cannula, were used to evaluate the effects of acute acidosis (AA) and subacute acidosis (SA) on DMI, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles. Animals were blocked by BW and assigned to treatments including 1) intraruminal (via cannula) steam-flaked corn (3% of BW; AA); 2) intraruminal dry-rolled wheat:dry-rolled corn (50:50; 1.5% of BW; SA); 3) offering forage-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (AA control; AC); and 4) offering 50% concentrate diet-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (SA control; SC). Samples of ruminal fluid and whole blood were collected on the day of the challenge (d 0) and 3, 7, 10, and 14 d after the challenge. Daily DMI responded quadratically (P < 0.01) through d 7 for AA and SA steers and increased linearly (P < 0.01) for AC steers. Dry matter intake by AA steers reached a nadir (< 3 kg/d) on d 3 and gradually increased to a level similar to other treatments (7 kg/d) by d 10, whereas DMI by SA steers increased through d 3. Blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and total CO2 were decreased (P < 0.03) for AA steers and increased (P < 0.03) for SC steers through d 7. Ruminal pH decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) in AA and AC steers and increased (P = 0.01) in SA steers through d 7. Ruminal total lactate concentration and osmolality responded quadratically (P < 0.01) for AA and AC steers. Ruminal total lactate peaked on d 3 for AA steers and on d 0 for AC and decreased to basal concentrations by d 7. Plasma NEFA concentration increased (P < 0.04) on d 3 and 7 for AA steers. Serum Na decreased (P < 0.05) on d 0 for AA and SA steers and on d 7 and 14 for AA steers. Serum P decreased (P = 0.01) for AA steers through d 7 and decreased quadratically (P = 0.01) for AC steers through d 7. Serum albumin and cholesterol decreased (P < 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Area under the GH curve decreased (P = 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Considerable variation was evident in the ability of an animal to cope with a carbohydrate challenge. Results of data modeling generally suggest that serum amylase activity, cholesterol and potassium concentrations, and plasma NEFA concentrations were useful in distinguishing between steers classified as experiencing subacute acidosis or not affected by a carbohydrate challenge.

Acidosis↗

Effect of individual terpenes on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep.

We examined effects of individual terpenes on alfalfa pellet intake of lambs in five experiments. Forty-five lambs (nine lambs/treatment) were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with either p-cymene, alpha-humulene, 1,8-cineole, 3-carene, or sabinene at one of five concentrations (one terpene per experiment). Treatments (0, .5, 1, 2, and 10x) were multiples of the concentration (x) of a specific terpene in tarbush that was related to differential herbivory by livestock in previous studies. Terpenes were applied to alfalfa pellets (.64 kg x lamb(-1) x d(-1), DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval for 5 d. Lambs were adapted to handling and pen feeding for 10 d and were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets in one group (except during 20-min tests) at a mean total daily intake of 4.7% of BW (DM basis). None of the five compounds decreased alfalfa pellet consumption during the 20-min interval. These five mono- and sesquiterpenes do not seem to be responsible for differential herbivory of individual tarbush plants by livestock.

Animals↗

Genetic differentiation among geographically isolated populations of Criollo cattle and their divergence from other Bos taurus breeds.

The microsatellites HEL5, HEL9, INRA063, and BM2113 were used to analyze genetic similarities and differences of geographically isolated Criollo cattle herds in Mexico. Criollo cattle from five counties within the state of Chihuahua and one county from the state of Tamaulipas (n = 60) were sampled. The five counties in Chihuahua included Cerocahui (n = 14), Chinipas (n = 10), Guachochi (n = 15), Morelos (n = 30), and Temoris (n = 9). Samples of DNA were amplified by PCR and separated on a 7% polyacrylamide gel. Microsatellite size was established by comparison to M13mp18 DNA ladder and a documented set of four bovine controls. Allele frequencies and genotypic deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were tested using the GENEPOP program. Eleven alleles were generated at HEL5 for the populations sampled (149 to 169 bp). Allele frequencies were greatest for the 163-bp allele in Criollo cattle from Cerocahui, Chinipas, Moralos, and Tamaulipas (0.23 to 0.5). Cattle from Guachochi had an allele frequency of 0.38 for the 151-bp allele, and cattle from Temoris had an allele frequency of 0.25 for the 149- and 167-bp alleles, with no 163-bp allele. Amplification with HEL9 produced 12 alleles (145, 149 to 169 bp) and showed common high-frequency alleles at 149, 157, and 159 bp for animals from all regions. The Chinipas population showed a moderate allele frequency at 145 bp; no other regions contained this allele. For INRA063 there were five alleles with 182 and 184 bp in low frequency. For BM2113 there were 10 alleles in the Criollo cattle (125 to 143 bp), with an equal distribution of frequencies for all alleles. In two regions, Guachochi and Morelos, genotypic frequencies deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Cattle from the Temoris region were genetically most distant from Criollo cattle of the other five regions.

Animals↗

Safety of tomatillos and products containing tomatillos canned by the water-bath canning method.

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the safety of tomatillos and products containing tomatillos canned by the water-bath processing method. In the first study, plain tomatillos were processed for 25, 37.5, 50 and 62.5 min. In the second study, five tomatillo/onion combinations were prepared while five tomatillo/green chile combinations were prepared in the third study. pH evaluations were conducted to determine safety in all studies using pH 4.2 as the cut-off value. No differences in the pH of plain tomatillos were detected due to processing time. All jars of plain tomatillos had pH values below 4.1. All combinations of tomatillos/onions and tomatillos/green chile containing more than 50% tomatillo had pH values below the 4.2 cut-off value. Results of the three studies indicate (1) acidification of plain tomatillos is probably unnecessary for canning by the water-bath processing method and (2) combinations of acidic tomatillos and low-acid onions or green chile must contain more than 50% tomatillos to have a pH low enough for safe water-bath processing.

Food Packaging↗

Effects of volatile compounds on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep.

We examined the effects of six volatile compounds on alfalfa pellet consumption by lambs. In each experiment, 45 lambs were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with a selected compound (camphor, limonene, cis-jasmone, beta-caryophyllene, borneol, or alpha-pinene) at one of five concentrations. Treatment concentrations were multiples (0, .5, 1, 2, and 10) of the concentration of a specific compound (X) that was related to differential herbivory of tarbush by livestock in previous studies. Treatments were applied to alfalfa pellets (.64 kg x lamb(-1) x d(-1), DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval each morning for 5 d. Lambs were adapted to handling procedures and the pelleted diet (without treatments) for 10 d. Lambs were maintained and fed (approximately 4.5 to 5% of BW) as one group except during 20-min tests. A negative linear effect of treatment concentration on intake was observed for camphor (P < .02) and alpha-pinene (P < .01), and a quadratic response was detected for borneol (P < .02). The other three compounds had no discernible effect on consumption. Although volatile compounds generally had only minor influences on consumption, the negative influences of alpha-pinene and camphor concentrations on pellet consumption suggest that these monoterpenes may partially explain differential herbivory of individual tarbush plants by livestock.

Administration, Oral↗

Estimating the maximum effective dose in a quantitative dose-response experiment.

A simulation study was conducted to compare several procedures for estimating the maximum effective dose in a quantitative dose-response experiment. Using four equally spaced dose levels, data were generated from four different model types: the quadratic growth curve, the Mitcherlich growth curve, the linear-linear plateau spline model, and the quadratic-linear plateau spline model. Each model type was parameterized to create three different model ranges, and for each range, data were generated from populations with three different standard deviations. The existence of unique dose-response curves is assumed; thus, all the procedures compared in this paper require that the data have been modeled by a polynomial or nonlinear regression model. An attempt was made to fit each generated data set with each of the four model types. Maximum effective dose estimation procedures were applied to a data set only when the data were adequately described by a given model. The stimulation indicated that the estimate of the maximum effective dose is influenced more by the choice of model than by the method of estimation. Because of the consistently low estimates produced when the data were modeled by the linear-linear plateau spline, this model is not recommended for use an maximum effective dose estimation experiments. The simulation also demonstrated that the design failed to provide sufficient information about the form of the dose-response curve. Designs with more than four dose levels should be considered.

Animals↗

Bermudagrass fertilized with slow-release nitrogen sources. I. Nitrogen uptake and potential leaching losses.

With the objectives of analyzing N recovery and potential N losses in the warm-season hybrid bermudagrass 'Tifgreen' [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy], two greenhouse studies were conducted. Plugs were planted in PVC cylinders filled with a modified sandy growing medium. Urea (URE), sulfur-coated urea (SCU), and Hydroform (HYD) (Hydro Agri San Francisco, Redwood City, CA) were broadcast at rates of 100 and 200 kg N ha-1 every 20 and 40 d. The grass was clipped three times every 10 d and analyzed for N concentration and N yield. In addition, leachates were analyzed for NO3-N. Use of the least soluble source, HYD, resulted in the lowest average clipping N concentration and N yield, as compared with SCU and URE. Clipping N concentration and N yield showed a cyclic pattern through time, particularly under long-day (> 12 h) conditions. When the photoperiod decreased below 12 h, leachate NO3-N concentration exceeded the standard limit for drinking water (10 mg L-1) by 10 to 19 times with the high SCU and URE application rate and frequency. However, leaching N losses represented a minimal fraction (< 1%) of the total applied N. More applied N was recovered in plant tissues using SCU and URE (89.5%) than using HYD (64.1%), with more than 52% of applied N accumulating in clipping. Highly insoluble N sources such as HYD decrease N leaching losses but may limit bermudagrass growth and quality. Risks of NO3-N losses in bermudagrass can be avoided by proper fertilization and irrigation programs, even when a highly soluble N source is used.

Eutrophication↗