Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Feeding regimes'

Giant pandas in captivity are typically fed discrete amounts of highly concentrated food on a fixed time schedule, in addition to limited amounts of fresh bamboo throughout the day. In response to informal observations that these animals engage in a number of undesirable behaviors just prior to the predictable feeding of concentrated meals, we examined the existing feeding regime at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, Peoples Republic of China. We sought to determine whether undesirable behaviors were occurring more frequently before the delivery of meals than at other times of day and whether modified feeding regimes would result in a more species-appropriate activity budget overall. As predicted, female giant pandas spent significantly more time engaged in door-directed/human-oriented behavior, stereotypic behavior, and non-stereotypic locomotion in the 30-minute periods prior to the feeding of concentrated meals. When placed on a modified feeding schedule in which frequency of bamboo provisioning was increased (total amount was held constant), significant differences were not found between study phases for the above-mentioned behaviors of interest, though a visual trend towards a decline in stereotypic behavior during the experimental phase was noted. Male pandas, when placed on a less predictable feeding schedule, did not exhibit significant behavioral differences in behaviors of interest between experimental phases or observation periods. These findings may be attributable in part to the low power inherent in the small sample size. However, visual trends that may be indicative of feeding anticipatory activity (FAA) were apparent. It appears that giant pandas, like many other animal species cited in the literature, are sensitive to periodic feeding regimes, though it is less clear as to which regime modifications will prove most beneficial.

Increasing knowledge on the endocrine mechanisms that regulate feeding and growth in cultured fish can contribute to make improvement in fish holding conditions and feeding strategies, supporting the development of new techniques that could ameliorate feeding, food conversion efficiency and growth in aquaculture practice. The main objective of this study was to investigate how daily mRNA expression of three specific anorexigenic hormones, i.e. the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the paralogues α- and β- proopiomelanocortin (POMC), is modulated by different photoperiods, light spectra and feeding regimes, in both adult and larvae of Solea senegalensis. In addition, as Senegalese sole exhibits a shift from diurnal to nocturnal in locomotor activity and feeding habits during metamorphic process, we tried to elucidate if this shift is accompanied by relevant daily variations in the expression of these anorexigenic hormones before, during and after the completion of metamorphosis. In order to reach this main objective, three main experiments were developed. In a first experiment, adults were reared under LD (12 h light: 12h dark) cycle and fed at mid-light (ML), mid-dark (MD) and at random (RND). In a second experiment, adult specimens were reared in constant darkness (DD) and fed at subjective mid-light (sML) or at RND. Larvae of Senegalese sole were reared under LD cycle with white, blue or red light for 40 days. Our results show an independence of crh mRNA expression from the feeding time and suggest an endogenous control of crh expression in sole. Both pomc paralogues showed significant daily rhythms under LD conditions. The rhythms were maintained or were even more robust under DD conditions for pomc_a, but were completely abolished for pomc_b. Our results indicate an endogenous control of pomc_a expression by the molecular clock in telencephalon and diencephalon, but not in the pituitary gland. Our findings confirm for the first time the significant influence that ambient lighting has on larval growth and development in Senegalese sole, revealing an important effect of light spectra upon functional elements of this species. Our results also emphasize the importance of maintaining cycling light-dark conditions of the adequate wavelengths in aquaculture practices during early development of sole.

With its unique consortium of microorganisms from all domains of life, termite gut is considered one of the most efficient lignocellulose degrading systems in nature. Recently, host diet and taxonomy as well as gut microenvironmental conditions have emerged as main factors shaping microbial communities in termite guts. The aim of this thesis was to investigate this highly efficient lignocellulolytic system at holobiont level, with a particular focus on gut microbiome function and composition in relation to the host diet. As a starting point, we optimised a complete framework for an accurate termite gut prokaryote-oriented metatranscriptomics, which was at the basis of all subsequent sequencing assay designs and analyses performed in the course of the work. Afterwards, we characterised the compositions and functions of biomass-degrading bacterial communities in guts of plant fibre- and soil-feeding higher termites, proving the existence of functional equivalence across microbial populations from different termite hosts. We also showed that each termite is a reservoir of unique microorganisms and their accompanying genes. We further extended above approach to metagenomics and bacterial genomes reconstruction and we applied it to explore the process of biomass digestion in the different sections of the highly compartmented gut of soil feeding Labiotermes labralis. We showed that primarily cellulolytic activity of the termite host was restricted to foregut and midgut, while bacterial contribution was most pronounced in P1 and P3 hindgut compartments and included activities targeting broad range of lignocellulose components. Finally, we investigated the adaptation of a laboratory-maintained grass-feeding higher termite colony of Cortaritermes spp. to Miscanthus diet at host and symbiont levels. A natural system of a termite gut was shown to progressively change in composition to yield a consortium of microbes specialised in degradation of a specific biomass. Overall, the integrative omics approach proposed here provide a framework for a better understanding of a complex lignocellulose degradation by a higher termite gut system and pave a road towards its future bioprospecting.
Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

A series of five trials were conducted with an aim to evaluate the effects of different feeding regimes on the growth performance and survival of mahimahi and cobia larvae. The five feeding regimes were (1) delayed first feeding to mahimahi larvae, (2) rotifer and probiotic inclusions in live feeding regimes as practiced by industry on mahimahi larvae, (3) delayed first feeding to cobia larvae (4) copepods, Artemia and probiotic inclusions in live feeding regimes on cobia larvae, and (5) early weaning of cobia larvae to microdiets.Delayed first feeding for 0, 1, 2, 3 days and totally starved mahimahi larvae as well as delayed first feeding for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 days and totally starved cobia larvae significantly influenced (P<0.05) the first feeding response, growth performance and survival of mahimahi and cobia larvae. Mahimahi and cobia larvae withstood starvation and maintained their high first feeding response for 2 and 3 days, respectively, after the day the yolk-sac was exhausted (2 day post hatch (DPH)), but the first feeding response significantly decreased (P<0.05) at the later stages. Delayed first feeding negatively affected the larval survival of both mahimahi and cobia larvae after 7 and 6 DPH, respectively. Negative influences in both larval species were also found in the growth performances in terms of length, wet weight, specific growth rate length and weight (SGRL and SGRW), head height, width, eye diameter, mouth depth and mouth width after 7 DPH. However, no influence on mahimahi and cobia larvae was observed when these larvae were fed 0 and 1 day delayed first feeding, except in cobia larval survival after 9 DPH (P>0.05).Provision of rotifers, enriched Artemia, and the combination of rotifers and enriched Artemia as the first feeding and Sanolife Mic probiotics added to water did not influence (P>0.05) the growth performance (length, wet weight, SGRL and SGRW), body indices (Head weight index and dry matter content) and survival of mahimahi larvae during the first 28 DPH. At 28 DPH, the survival of mahimahi larvae was 4.3- 6.0%. Meanwhile, the length, wet weight, SGRL and SGRW were 25.2-26.7 mm, 170- 190 mg, 6.1-6.3% and 21.7-22.0%, respectively.Dietary copepods and copepods plus Maz-zal added to water resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) survival of cobia larvae (4.7 and 4.3%, respectively) than dietary enriched and un-enriched Artemia supplementation (3.0 and 1.4%, respectively) at 37 DPH (P<0.05). The effect of copepods, enriched and un-enriched Artemia inclusions in live feeding regimes on the growth performance (length, wet weight, SGRL and SGRW) of cobia larvae were significantly different (P<0.05) based on the larval stages. For example, at 16 DPH the growth performance of cobia larvae fed copepods was higher than larvae fed enriched and un-enriched Artemia, but lower values were observed at 23 DPH. At the end of the trial (37 DPH), the lowest wet weight and SGRW were observed in cobia larvae fed un-enriched Artemia (1717 mg and 22.7%). There was no influence of probiotic inclusion on the survival of cobia larvae though the total Vibrio count in water was significantly reduced during the rearing period. Similarity, the length, wet weight, SGRL and SGRW of cobia larvae fed copepods and copepods plus probiotics added to water were similar at 35 DPH (87-90 mm, 2016-2204 mg, 8.4- 8.5% and 23.2-23.4%, respectively).Early weaning of cobia larvae to microdiets resulted in lower survival due to cannibalistic mortality, but higher growth performance was achieved. The survival of 30 DPH cobia larvae fed first microdiets at 16 DPH was 3.5% and significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of larvae fed first microdiets at 19 and 22 DPH (5.6 and 5.9%, respectively). In contrast, the growth performances (length, weight, SGRL and SGRW) of 30 DPH larvae given first microdiets at 16 DPH were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of larvae given first microdiets at 19 and 22 DPH. Early weaning to microdiets at 16 DPH increased the cannibalistic mortality of cobia larvae in third and fourth weeks by around 200% than larvae fed first microdiets at 19 and 22 DPH. No significant difference (P>0.05) in the growth performance and survival were observed when cobia larvae were first provided microdiets at 19 and 22 DPH. In summary, later weaning of cobia larvae to microdiets (19 and 22 DPH) did not influence the growth and survival, and early provision of microdiets to cobia larvae (16 DPH) increased the growth performance but decreased the survival due to cannibalistic mortality.

The current modern commercial pig is an animal that has evolved through deliberate breeding programs, controlled environmental influences and nutrition to yield a highly efficient feed converter and fertile animal. The objective of this study was to measure the growth performances and carcass characteristics of entire male grower – finisher pigs which were subjected to different seasonal variations, nutrient dense diets, feeding regimes and group situations under South African circumstances. Period 1 was conducted in the winter from 6 June 2008 to 13 August 2008 and Period 2 in the summer from 3 October 2008 to 10 December 2008. The sire lines that were selected for the experiment had the same genetic breeding values (Topigs Selection Index value), of which two sire lines were the same in both Period 1 and Period 2 and one of two different sires lines was used either in Period 1 or Period 2. The animals were fed two different rations, a high (FH) and a low ration (FL), with the low ration’s specifications being 95 % of the high ration. The animals were randomly allocated three different feed regimes throughout the trial; restricted single feeding (RSF), ad libitum single feeding (ASF) and ad libitum group feeding (AGF). In the winter animals had a greater growth response compared to the summer, with end weight and average daily gain being significant (P<0.05) higher. A significant (P<0.05) improvement in average daily gain, feed efficiency and protein deposition rate were observed when animals were fed a higher energy and protein content in their diet, especially during summer. A significant (P<0.05) improved feed conversion was observed for restricted animals, but end weight, average daily gain and average protein deposition rates were significant (P<0.05) lower compared to ad libitum group and individually fed animals. In conclusion; the impact of decreasing the nutrient density of the diet for growing pigs through incremental changes in diet composition had a variable impact on overall growth performance and carcass quality. Feeding the high energy and protein ration improved growth performance during summer, but also in the initial stages of growth when feed intake capacity was limited. The objective when formulating diets should be to provide the essential amino acids and energy in amounts needed to support maximal and efficient growth. Using growth models estimated optimal feed intake curves will not deliver optimal results. Only when measuring and calculating the actual feed intake and protein deposition rates optimal performance levels will be reached. Measurements of feed intake and growth performance data derived from pigs penned individually should be adjusted before they can be applied to commercial situations or research conditions in which pigs are penned in groups.
Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

In the present study, we have tried to expand our knowledge about the endocrine mechanisms that regulate feeding and growth in cultured fish, which could be relevant for the improvement of fish farming conditions and feeding strategies. In order to reach this goal, we have investigated some orexigenic hormones, Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the paralogues of Agouti-related protein, (AgRP1, AgRP2) in Solea senegalensis, an important species for Mediterranean aquaculture. We focused on hormones synchronization to different feeding regimes (diurnal vs nocturnal and random feeding) and photoperiod (light-dark cycle vs constant darkness). Therefore, the achieved results could also be relevant from a chronobiological perspective. Solea senegalensis specimen were reared in two different photoperiods, i.e.LD Light-Dark conditions as well as in DD conditions (constant darkness) along with different feeding regimes (fed at ML, Med and RND times), so to determine if mRNA expression of orexigenic hormones (NPY, AgRP1 and AgRP2) are entrained by feeding time and/or photoperiod. Our results show an independence of npy mRNA expression from the feeding time and suggest an endogenous control of npy expression in telencephalon of sole, while in optice tectum, npy expression could be entrained by the light-dark cycle. Our results on Senegalese sole AgRP1 and AgRP2 showed the same pattern of expression, indicating that expression of AgRPs is related to photoperiod in optic tectum, instead to feeding time. However the involvement of AgRP1 and AgRP2 in feeding behaviour should not be discarded in sole, as further research will be carried out with specimens maintained under different fasting conditions. our results reinforce the role of the telencephalon as the main neural area involved in the neuroendocrine control of food intake in fish, where endogenous NPY rhythms have been found, while diencephalon statistical variations weren’t observed suggesting that this brain area could be less involved in the neuroendocrine control of food intake in fish than previously thought.

Includes bibliographical references.
Tripneustes gratilla is a fast growing, shallow water echinoid, which occurs across the Indo-Pacific, with its south-western limit in warm, temperate waters of South Africa. The success of T. gratilla cultivation depends, in part, on the development of a high quality, costeffective, gonad-conditioning diet that can produce large, marketable quality gonads. The aim of this research was to determine whether Ulva supplementation would improve palatability, consumption and digestibility of an artificial feed administered to T. gratilla and optimise gonad production and quality. At an inclusion level of 20% (20U), Ulva was shown to significantly (p < 0.05) improve the attractiveness and palatability of a formulated feed, compared to a nutritionally equivalent feed that had not been supplemented with dried Ulva (0U). Food consumption rates (FCR) and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC %) for protein and energy, using insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, were measured for all experimental diets. FCR was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for urchins fed artificial feeds supplemented with Ulva, when compared to urchins fed non-supplemented feeds, suggesting that the inclusion of Ulva into the artificial diets acts as a feeding stimulant.Increased palatability and consumption subsequently led to significantly increased protein retention in urchins fed the 20U diet. The addition of Ulva to artificial feeds also significantly improved gonad colouration duringgonad enhancement trials. Gonad lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) were quantified using a hand-held reflected-light, fibre-optic spectrophotometer and showed that, at an inclusion level of 20%, Ulva produced gonads that did not differ in colouration from those fed a natural diet of fresh Ulva (FU), and significantly improved gonad colour, particularly gonad yellowness (b*), compared to the same artificial diet without Ulva supplementation. This response was likely related to Ulva's high β-carotene content. The Ulva content of artificial feed significantly improved gonad colouration, while the formulated portion of the feed produced significantly larger gonads than those produced using a natural diet of fresh Ulva. The 20% Ulva inclusion diet, in particular, increased the gonad somatic index (GSI) by 205%, in just nine weeks (7.6 to 23.3%), compared to a 57% increase in the control group (fresh Ulva). Full life-cycle growth trials were also conducted using two of theformulated feeds (20U & 0U), as well as fresh Ulva, to establish appropriate feeding regimes thatcould produce a harvestable product in the shortest time. During grow out, juvenile somatic growth needs to be maximised until an individual reaches marketable size and sexual maturity, which is followed by gonad enhancement, through nutritive cell development,aimed to maximise gonad yield and quality before harvest. The effects of 5 different feeding regimes on somatic and gonadal growth of juvenile T. gratilla were investigated, over a 32 week period. The feeding regimes used were: fresh Ulva (FU) only; fresh Ulva for 20 weeks and the 20U diet for 12 weeks (FU-20U); fresh Ulva – 0% Ulva (FU-0U); 20% Ulva – fresh Ulva (20U-FU) and 0% Ulva – fresh Ulva (0U-FU). Somatic growth was largely effected by the presence of Ulva within a diet. Similar growth, in diameter, of juvenile urchins was achieved using either an artificial diet containing Ulva (20U) or fresh Ulva (FU), during the somatic growth phase.An artificial diet with the same nutritional properties but without Ulva supplementation (0U) produced urchins that were significantly (p > 0.05) smaller. Gonad production in the somatic growth phaseof the trial was higher for urchins fed with artificial diets (0U & 20U), but the reduced size of urchins in the 0U diets significantly reduced gonad mass. After the diets were changed from artificial feeds (0U & 20U) to fresh Ulva (FU) and vice versa (week 20), both gonad size and colour were affected, with artificial diets promoting gonad growth, while FU improved gonad colour. At the end of the study, all feeding regimes produced similar amounts of gonad, except for those individuals that were fed the 0U feed during the somatic growth phase (which were significantly (p > 0.05) smaller). Gonad colourationof all treatments at the end of the study was of marketable quality. From these results it is recommendedthat FU be fed inthe somatic growth phase, while the 20U artificial diet should be used to increase gonad size, and optimise gonad colour, in the gonad enhancement phase. Through the use of stable isotope mass spectrometry and IsoSource, a mixing and mass balance model, the relative contribution and importance of specific feed ingredientsto gonad production was determined. Ulva was shown to be an important isotopic source for gonad production, accounting for an average of 33% of the isotopic signal across all Ulvacontaining, diets at the end of the trial. The final section of work focused on efforts to manipulate the gametogenic cycle of T. gratilla, by altering daylength, to attempt to reduce the production of large amounts of gametes, which would decrease gonad value. Histology indicated that urchins exposed to a Short day (8:16 h) were significantly more advanced reproductively, with the majority of urchins in a mature or spent state compared to urchins exposed to a Long day (16:8 h), which were mostly premature. Nutritive phagocyte (NP) density within the gonads supported the findings from histology, as gonads from urchins exposed to a short day had significantly less NP's (21.58 ± 4.35%), compared to the Long day treatment (65.26 ± 3.09%). The results from this study suggest that urchins of this species exposed to Long days progress through gametogenesis more slowly than those exposed to Short days, which, appeared to mature more rapidly. These findings could allow for the production of a high quality product for longer periods of the year, without the onset of gonad maturation. The research in this thesis clearly shows that the use of the macroalga Ulva as a feed, or feed additive, to artificially formulated, high protein feeds can have a number of significant benefits in echinoculture. The use of the artificial feeds and feeding regimes developed in this work, along with the ability to manipulate daylenth to suspend gametogenisis, could greatly facilitate the success of the newly developing T. gratilla industry, both in South Africa and worldwide.

The present study aimed to compare three nutritional programs, developed with rations based on whole grain sorghum without tannin, evaluating the growth performance, carcass yield and cuts, gastrointestinal development and the absorption surface of the small intestine of broilers. In total, 1360 broiler chicks, mixed (50:50), with a day-old lineage Hubbard Flex were distributed according to a completely randomized design composed of four treatments and ten replications each, as follows: three programs with whole sorghum grain-based ration (nutrition program with daily adjustment, nutritional program with adjustment every three days and four phases) and a program with ground sorghum grain-based ration (four phases). The variables analyzed were the feed intake; weight gain; feed conversion; viability; eviscerated carcass yield and cuts (chest (full and boned), thighs/drumsticks and wings); chemical composition of the pectoral muscle; relative weight of the small intestine (ID) and gizzard; length, histomorphometry and absorption area ID. Performance variables were submitted to ANOVA. The variables of yield, composition, relative weight of gizzard and ID and ID length were submitted to ANOVA in factorial scheme (4x2). In the variable ID histomorphometry of males applied the ANOVA. Verification of the strength and direction of a linear relationship between the weight of gizzard and intestine weight was made through the Pearson correlation coefficient. Nutrition program with adjustment daily and every three days showed better feed conversion, didn´t affect carcass yield and commercial cuts, promoted an increase in size of the gizzard, which result in further development of the small intestine. It is concluded that the daily feeding programs could be made possible in the poultry industry with the mixture of sorghum grains and concentrates directly on farms running for better logistics and shipping cost of feed.
Objetivou-se comparar três programas nutricionais, desenvolvidos com rações à base de sorgo grão inteiro sem tanino, avaliando o desempenho zootécnico, o rendimento da carcaça e cortes, o desenvolvimento gastrointestinal e a superfície de absorção do intestino delgado de frangos de corte. No total, 1360 pintinhos de frangos de corte, mistos (50:50), com um dia de idade, da linhagem Hubbard Flex foram distribuídos de acordo com um delineamento inteiramente casualizado composto de quatro tratamentos e dez repetições cada, assim distribuídos: três programas com ração à base de sorgo grão inteiro (programa nutricional com ajustes diários, programa nutricional com ajuste a cada três dias e de quatro fases) e um programa com ração à base de sorgo grão moído (quatro fases). As variáveis analisadas foram o consumo de ração; ganho de peso; conversão alimentar; viabilidade; rendimento da carcaça eviscerada e cortes (peito- completo e desossado, coxas/sobrecoxas e asas); composição química do músculo peitoral; peso relativo do intestino delgado (ID) e moela; comprimento, histomorfometria e área de absorção do ID. As variáveis de desempenho foram submetidas à ANOVA. As variáveis de rendimento, composição, peso relativo da moela e ID e comprimento do ID foram submetidas à ANOVA em esquema fatorial (4x2). Na variável histomorfometria do ID dos machos aplicou-se a ANOVA. A verificação da força e direção da relação linear entre o peso da moela e o peso do intestino foi feita por meio do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Os programas nutricionais com ajustes diários e a cada três dias apresentaram melhor conversão alimentar, não comprometeram o rendimento de carcaça e de cortes comerciais, promoveram um aumento de tamanho da moela, que acarretou em maior desenvolvimento do intestino delgado. Conclui-se que os programas diários de arraçoamento poderiam ser viabilizados na indústria avícola com a mistura de grãos de sorgo e concentrados diretamente nas granjas concorrendo para melhor logística e custo de transporte de ração.
Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias

A study was conducted using commercial broiler breeders with the males fed a diet containing, either 120/0 or 140/0 protein and body weight maintained at either 900/0 or 1000/0 of that recommended by the primary breeder (fed separately), or allowed to eat from the female feeders (controls). Female feeders in the separately fed pens were equipped with especially designed grills, which denied access to the males. The male feeder in these pens was elevated so that females were denied access.

Males fed separately (body weight 90% or 1000/0, and dietary protein 120/0 or 140/0) had a significantly higher percentage fertility (4.20/0) than males allowed to eat with the females. No differences in percentage fertility were found among the four separately fed groups. No differences were noted in percentage hatch of fertile eggs among any of the treatment groups.

Males eating from the female feeders had significantly heavier body weights and testes weights at 65 weeks of age than breeder males in the separately fed, groups. Mean body weights were 3819g and 4773g at 35 weeks of age, and 4192g and 5443g at 65 weeks of age for males eating separately and eating with the females, respectively. Furthermore, males in the control group had significantly larger breast angle measurements when compared with the separately fed males. No differences were observed in foot scores and semen concentration among males in the various treatment groups.

Master of Science

One of the main deterrents against group-housing systems of dry sows is the aggression between animals and the expensive designs necessary to prevent this. This is related to the low feeding level accepted in practice. The low level of feeding is also linked to the occurrence of stereotypies which are generally accepted as an indication of poor welfare. An ad libitum feeding system which does not result in excessive intake and concomitant problems of obesity, might improve sow welfare and have economical advantages in reducing capital cost. Suitable diets might be high-fibre diets. High inclusion levels of several fibrous materials failed to prevent excessive intake. Only unmolassed sugarbeet pulp gave acceptable results, when included at a level of 580 to 650 g/kg. Composition of the fibre appeared to be more important in regulating voluntary intake than fibre concentration of the diet per se. A diet containing a high level of sugarbeet pulp (SBP) had a long transit time and high nutrient digestibility. Nutrient digestibility was influenced by protein level and source. A SBP diet appeared to regulate intake by physical, physiological and metabolic mechanisms. The large volume of wet sugarbeet pulp will increase gastro-intestinal fill. The rate of glucose absorption and secretion of insulin was reduced. A high pre-feeding plasma VFA concentration indicated a more constant supply of nutrients for a longer period after feeding. A SBP diet increased feeding time four-fold. Animals receiving a SBP diet were less active and engaged to a lesser extent in post-feeding oral behaviours. A marked reduction in time spent rooting suggests that the sows were less food-motivated.

Beach-cast kelp (the most widely used feed for commercially grown South African abalone) is plentiful during winter months when periodic storms cause kelp to wash ashore. During summer, however, this resource is not always readily available and farmed abalone are often starved for short periods. The aim of this research was to assess how periodic kelp starvation influences growth of the commercially grown abalone, Haliotis midae Linnaeus.

[EN] The general aim of this thesis was to reproductively characterize females from a rabbit line selected for growth rate and to evaluate the effect of different nutritional strategies (ad libitum and restricted), in order to improve the reproductive performance. In chapter 1, the influence of maternal and embryonic genotype on prenatal survival and fetal growth was evaluated and contrasted with a maternal line. Prenatal survival, fetal weight and fetal placenta weight were affected by both embryonic and maternal genotype. Nevertheless, no differences were detected either at transcriptomic level in fetal placenta or in progesterone and IGF-I plasma levels in these females. It may be concluded that in rabbit females from paternal lines both embryonic and maternal genotypes are key factors in the reproductive performance of these females. The aim of chapter 2 was to explore the causes of ovulation failures in these rabbit females. Results showed that non-ovulated females presented lower LH plasma concentration as well as higher body weight and leptin and BOHB plasma levels than ovulated females. Thus, ovulation failures in females from line R could be attributed to decreased LH plasma concentrations in these females which may be related with their higher body weight and leptin levels. The following three chapters were focused on improvement of the reproductive performance of these females through a different nutritional strategy: a feed-to-appetite diet of these females after the rearing period and prior to insemination. The initial hypothesis was that the females are submitted to a restricted nutritional regimen which is not enough to cope with their needs during reproduction, causing long-term disturbances of energy balance which leads to the subsequent reproductive problems. Chapter 3 aimed to determine if a feed-to-appetite nutritional strategy would affect the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis and the quality of the produced oocytes, by transcriptomic analysis. While no differences were found in the microarray analysis of the hypothalamus-hypophysis, small differences were detected in the transcript expression analysis in oocytes of a group of genes selected. MSY2 was found to be downregulated in oocytes from restricted females. As a key regulator of maternal RNA transcription and translation, changes in this essential gene could explain some of the reproductive problems of these females. Whether the differences found at oocyte level were inherent at embryonic level and so involved in the drop of fertility was studied in Chapter 4. Although no significant differences were revealed in ovulation, embryo recovery, and implantation rate, higher fetal and gestational losses were found in restricted females, as well as lower fetal growth. Thus, we concluded that the nutritional strategy employed may have an impact on the oocyte (Chapter 3), but we also demonstrated that these changes were inherited by the embryo, and result in disturbances in gestational losses and fetal growth. The final chapter of this thesis was conducted to determine whether these effects on reproductive and metabolic elements were also evident in females following the common semi-intensive farm production system. Although the results obtained showed small variances in NEFAs and BOHB plasma levels, and also in body weight, no differences were detected in global reproductive performance in terms of fertility, prolificacy and productivity. The results obtained established that although differences are found at oocyte level and inherited by embryo and fetus, no improvements are reached with the proposed nutritional strategy in terms of reproductive performance when females selected for growth rate lead a normal semi-intensive production system.
[ES] El objetivo general fue la caracterización reproductiva de las hembras de una línea de conejo seleccionada por velocidad de crecimiento y el efecto de distintas estrategias nutricionales (ad libitum y restringidas), con la finalidad de mejorar el rendimiento reproductivo. En el capítulo 1 se evaluó la influencia de los genotipos materno y embrionario en la supervivencia prenatal y crecimiento fetal, entre las hembras de esta línea y una línea maternal. La supervivencia prenatal, peso fetal y el peso de la placenta resultaron afectados por los genotipos tanto embrionario como materno, pero no se detectaron diferencias sobre la placenta fetal a nivel del transcriptoma ni en los niveles de progesterona e IGF-I. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que en éstas tanto el genotipo embrionario como el materno son factores clave en su rendimiento reproductivo. El objetivo del capítulo 2 fue explorar las causas de los fallos reproductivos en estas hembras. Los resultados mostraron que las hembras que no ovularon presentaban menores niveles de LH, un mayor peso corporal y mayor concentración en sangre de leptinas y BOHB, que aquellas que había ovulado. Por ello, los fallos en ovulación detectados en estas hembras podrían estar relacionados con una reducción en los niveles de LH, consecuencia del mayor peso de estas hembras y de los incrementados niveles de leptinas. Los siguientes capítulos se enfocaron a la mejora del rendimiento reproductivo de estas hembras empleando una estrategia nutricional distinta: la ingesta ad libitum de alimento tras el periodo de crianza hasta el momento del comienzo de su vida reproductiva. La hipótesis de partida fue que estas hembras son sometidas a un régimen nutricional restringido que no es suficiente para satisfacer sus necesidades energéticas durante la reproducción, lo que causa alteraciones en su balance energético que se manifestarían en los problemas reproductivos observados. El capítulo 3 trató de determinar a través de un análisis trasncriptómico si la estrategia nutricional planteada afectaría el eje hipotalámico-hipofisario y la calidad de los ovocitos. Aunque no se encontraron diferencias en el análisis de un micrarray realizado sobre el hipotálamo-hipófisis, sí que se detectaron en la expresión génica de los ovocitos. El transcrito MSY2 mostró una menor expresión en los ovocitos de las hembras restringidas. Este gen es un regulador clave en la maduración ovocitaria, por lo tanto, cambios en la expresión de este gen podrían explicar algunos de los problemas reproductivos de estas hembras. En el capítulo 4 se estudió si las diferencias a nivel ovocitario eran heredadas por el embrión pudiendo causar la baja fertilidad de estas hembras. Aunque no se encontraron diferencias en las tasas de ovulación, recuperación embrionaria e implantación, sí que aparecieron diferencias en las pérdidas fetales y gestacionales, así como un menor crecimiento fetal en los embriones procedentes de hembras con restricción alimentaria. Por ello, concluimos que la estrategia nutricional empleada tiene unas consecuencias en el ovocito (Capítulo 3), y demostramos que estos cambios parecen continuar en el embrión, resultando en alteraciones en pérdidas gestacionales y crecimiento fetal. El capítulo final fue desarrollado para evidenciar si los efectos reproductivos y metabólicos observados en los capítulos previos se manifestaban en las hembras que se encuentran en un sistema de producción tradicional en granja. A pesar de que los resultados mostraron variaciones en los niveles circulantes de NEFAs y BOHB y de peso corporal, no se encontraron diferencias en el rendimiento reproductivo global a nivel de fertilidad, prolificidad y productividad. Los resultados obtenidos parecen indicar que a pesar de las diferencias encontradas a nivel ovocitario, embrionario y fetal, con el régimen nutricional propuesto no se logra alcanzar mejoras en la eficiencia reproductivo de las h
[CAT] L'objectiu general va ser la caracterització reproductiva de les femelles d'una línia de conill seleccionada per velocitat de creixement i l'efecte de diferents estratègies nutricionals (ad libitum i restringides), amb la finalitat de millorar el rendiment reproductiu. En el capítol 1 s'avaluà la influència dels genotipus matern i embrionari en la supervivència prenatal i el creixement fetal, entre les femelles d'aquesta línia i les de una altra línia maternal. La supervivència prenatal, el pes fetal i el pes de la placenta resultaren afectats pels genotipus embrionari i matern, però no es detectaren diferències en la placenta fetal a nivell de trascriptoma ni en els nivells de progesterona i IGF-I. Per tant, en les femelles de conill seleccionades per velocitat de creixement, tant el genotipus embrionari com el matern són factors clau en el seu rendiment reproductiu. L'objectiu del capítol 2 va ser explorar les causes de les fallades reproductives en aquestes femelles. Les femelles que no ovularen presentaren menor nivells de LH, major pes corporal i major concentració de leptines i BOHB que aquelles que sí que hi havia ovulat. Per això, les fallades d'ovulació detectades en aquestes femelles podrien estar relacionades amb la reducció en els nivells de LH, com a conseqüència del major pes d'aquestes femelles i dels incrementats nivells de leptines. Els capítols següents s'enfocaren a la millora del rendiment reproductiu d'aquestes femelles mitjançant una estratègia nutricional distinta: la ingesta ad libitum d'aliment després del període de criança i fins al moment de l'inici de la vida reproductiva. La hipòtesi de partida fiu que aquestes femelles són sotmeses a un règim nutricional restringit que no és suficient per a satisfer les seves necessitats energètiques durant la reproducció, la qual cosa provoca alteracions en el balanç energètic que podrien manifestar-se en els problemes reproductius observats. El capítol 3 tractà de determinar mitjançant un anàlisi trasncritòmic si la estratègia nutricional plantejada podria afectar l'eix hipotalàmic-hipofisiari i la qualitat dels ovòcits. Metre que no es detectaren diferències en el anàlisi del microarray realitzat en el hipotàlem-hipòfisi, sí que es detectaren en l'expressió gènica del ovòcits. El transcrit MSY2 mostrà una menor expressió en els ovòcits de les femelles restringides. Aquest gen es un regulador clau en la maduració ovocitària, per aquest motiu, canvis en la seva expressió gen podrien explicar alguns dels problemes reproductius de les femelles. En el capítol 4 s'estudià si aquestes diferències a nivell ovocitari eren heretades per l'embrió i podrien causar la baixa fertilitat d'aquestes femelles. Encara que no se trobaren diferències en les taxes d'ovulació, recuperació embrionària i implantació, sí que es trobaren diferències en les pèrdues fetals i gestacionals, així com un menor creixement fetal en els embrions de les femelles provinents d'un règim alimentari restringit. Per això concloíem que l'estratègia nutricional emprada té conseqüències en el ovòcit (Capítol 3), i demostrarem que aquest canvis pareixen continuar en l'embrió, resultant en alteracions en pèrdues gestacionals i creixement fetal. El capítol final fou desenvolupat per evidenciar si els efectes reproductius i metabòlics observats en els capítols previs eren manifestats en les femelles que es troben en un sistema productiu tradicional de granja. Tot i que el resultats mostraren variacions en els nivells circulants de NEFAs i BOHB i pes corporal, no es trobaren diferències en el rendiment reproductiu global, en termes de fertilitat, prolificitat i productivitat. Els resultats obtinguts pareixen indicar que tot i que les diferències trobades a nivell ovocitari i embrionari amb un efecte significatiu en el desenvolupament i creixement fetal, amb el règim nutricional proposat no s'aconsegueix assolir millores en
Naturil Alfonso, C. (2016). EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION IN A RABBIT LINE SELECTED FOR GROWTH RATE ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE: OVULATION INDUCTION, OOCYTE QUALITY, EMBRYONARY AND FETAL LOSSES [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/73065
TESIS

In aquaculture, a thorough knowledge of the specific environmental requirements of a species is needed in order to maximize growth rate and survival. There is a paucity of data regarding the fundamental environmental requirements for the ongrowing phase of clownfish juveniles. This prompted the design of three experiments to determine the best feeding regimen, temperature and stocking density that maximize growth and survival of Amphiprion percula. Ration size and feeding frequency are important factors for optimizing fish growth during the juvenile grow-out phase. A factorial growth trial was conducted to determine the effect of feeding frequency and ration size on the growth of juvenile clownfish (Amphiprion percula).Three feeding frequencies (1, 2 and 3 times daily) and six rations (2,4,6,8, 10 and 12 % body weight per day (BW.day⁻¹)) were used to test the growth response over a twelve week period. Non-linear regression analysis on the effect of ration, independent of feeding frequency, on growth resulted in a significant (n = 36; r² = 68.7) parabolic model: In y = -0.0302x² + 0.5159x + -4.4377. Maximum growth corresponded to a ration of 8.5% BW.day⁻¹. Survival as a function of ration was significantly lower at 2% BW.day⁻¹. Data were further examined with Analysis of CoVariance (ANCOVA) to determine the effect of ration on growth at each feeding frequency. The combination revealed a maximum growth rate when the fish were fed a ration of 10% BW.day⁻¹ divided into two equal meals. The required ration per meal to maintain maximum growth was also found to decrease as feeding frequency increased. The determination of the best temperature for growth is of great importance due to the direct relationship between fish metabolism and temperature. The thermal preferendum of A. percula has already been estimated at 26 ± 0.7°C but it is not known whether this closely approximates the temperature for maximum growth. Sixteen tanks were set to different temperatures ranging between 21.5 and 30.2 °C. Ten juvenile A. percula were placed in each tank and growth was measured fortnightly over the course of the 10 week experiment. Non-linear regression analysis resulted in significant models for fish length (y = -0.0005x² + 0.00267x - 0.0338; r² = 56.7, n = 11) and weight (y= -0.00016x² + 0.0084x - 0.1073; r² = 61.6, n = 11). These models predict that maximum growth would be at 27.7 and 27.1 °C for length and weight, respectively. Temperature, over the range tested, had no apparent effect on survival. There was no significant difference between the temperatures for maximum growth and the preferred temperature. The effect of stocking densities ranging from 0.2 fish.L¹ to 4.0 fish.L⁻¹ on growth were used in the third experiment. The fish were fed to satiation twice daily and growth was measured fortnightly throughout the 8 week experiment. No effects on growth, survival or coefficient of variation were found within the range of stocking densities tested.

Following the genealogical work of Foucault, Rose and others, this thesis aimed to trace the conditions of possibility for re-feeding to emerge and continue as a primary treatment regimen for self-starving individuals. This focus was in relation to the known poor long-term outcomes – an approximately fifty per cent recovery rate - for people who come into contact with services and are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Historical and present case narratives, which captured re-feeding practices in 1960s and 2000s, were presented and analysed using the genealogical research strategies of ‘surface of emergence’ and ‘descent’ in relation to five perspectival dimensions, namely strategies, authorities, technologies, subjectivities and problematizations. Re-feeding emerged in relation to neo-hygienic strategies for public health for preventative and individualised medicine, and the reconfigured authority of psychiatry as a ‘mental medicine’, which had new physical technologies such as modified insulin therapy and psychopharmacological treatments, to shape the conduct and bodies of self-starving individuals in accordance with the ‘norms’ of health. Increasingly, re-feeding practices have become imbricated within strategies for the ‘administration of risk’ as self-starving individuals have become problematized in terms of the degree of AN or level of risk they pose. Overtime re-feeding as a life-saving measure, and self-starvation as a ‘mental disorder’, has become ‘black boxed’ in relation to bio-political strategies for administering risk within the context of rights, choice and empowerment, and a culture of blame and sanctions. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

1. Estuaries are regarded as valuable nursery habitats for many commercially important marine fishes. Recruitment of fish from estuarine nursery habitats to adult marine populations is considered important for maintenance of fishable stocks, but most evidence for this is qualitative. Effective and timely implementation of estuarine conservation and fisheries management plans may be aided by quantitative assessment of this habitat connectivity. 2. This thesis reports upon the quantification of inhabitation, feeding and connectivity between adjacent estuarine and coastal regions for Common sole (Solea solea), European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Sample collection was focused in the Thames Estuary and adjacent coastal regions. 3. Two techniques were employed: (i) stable isotope analysis of soft tissues for tracing feeding signals; and (ii) elemental analysis of fish otoliths for tracing patterns of fish movement and residency. 4. Analysis of δ13C, δ15N and δ34S data identified significant differences in isotopic signatures between estuarine and coastal invertebrates, and allowed re-classification to sample sites with 98.8% accuracy. 5. Using invertebrate data as source indicators, stable isotope data classified juvenile fishes to the region in which they fed using stable isotope data. Feeding signals primarily reflected physiological (freshwater tolerance) and functional (mobility) differences between species. 6. Mixing models calculated estuarine contributions to adult muscle tissue isotopic composition. Juvenile bass have an affinity for estuarine feeding, followed by greater plasticity (individual level) in habitat choice as older fish, facilitated by their mobility and tolerance of low salinities. Sole show this plasticity (population level) in estuarine-coastal feeding as juveniles, and then lower plasticity with more consistently marine diets as adults. Whiting exhibited plasticity (individual level) as both juveniles and adults. 7. Chemical composition of juvenile fish otoliths reflected their region of collection (95- 100% accuracy). Misclassifications were indicative of between-habitat movement by whiting. Only juvenile sole showed significant energetic benefits of an estuarine existence. 8. Adult otolith chemistry data supported the stable isotope results. Variable plasticity in the use of estuarine and coastal resources was revealed, depending upon the species. 9. This research provides quantitative insight into resource use and estuarine-coastal habitat connectivity for these three species, as well as valuable guidance for similar future applications of soft-tissue stable isotope analysis and elemental analysis of fish otoliths.

Beak trimming at two different ages, Week-1 and Week-8, under four dietary regimens, varying in percent crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) were compared. The dietary regimens were conventional high energy (CHE), conventional medium energy (CME), conventional low energy (CLE) and step-up protein regimen (SUP). At 20 weeks of age, 192 birds from each beak-dietary treatment were housed in laying cages for 24 weeks of egg production. One-half of the birds were provided with high light intensity ranging from 20 to 70 lux and one-half with low intensity from 2.5 to 22 lux. Cumulative feed intake through 20 weeks of age for the CHE fed birds was significantly lower than that for the CLE fed birds but did not differ from that of the CME or the SUP fed birds. The feed intake of the CME and CLE groups did not differ from each other; however, both were significantly greater than that of the SUP fed birds. Birds reared on CME had the lowest protein consumption with no difference in protein consumption between CHE, CLE and SUP fed birds. Birds reared on the SUP regimen had the lowest ME intake followed by the CLE group with no significant difference between CHE and CME groups. By 20 weeks of age, there was no significant difference in body weight for CHE, CME and CLE birds with those on SUP being significantly lower than all other treatments. Livability for the 20-week growing phase did not differ among dietary treatments. The influence of age when beaks were trimmed (Week-1 or Week-8) on feed, protein, and energy intake, body weight or livability for the 20-week growing period did not differ between the two beak treatments. By 44 weeks of age, there were no significant body weight differences among any of the juvenile dietary treatments. Age at 50% production, hen-day and hen-housed egg production, egg weight, shell quality, feed per egg, livability and mortality due to prolapse per se did not differ significantly among juvenile dietary treatments for the six 28-day production period. Birds reared on SUP regimen laid a significantly higher number of pee-wee eggs (< 42.5 g) and a significantly lower number of extra-large eggs (63.8 - 70.8 g) than those fed the other diets. Age at beak trimming and level of light intensity did not influence any of the parameters evaluated during the laying period.
Master of Science

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
This study aimed to characterize the exercise of professional nutritionist in the National School Feeding Program and its association with food and nutrition education. Is an analytic cross-sectional descriptive study realized in 432 municipalities in the North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and South regions, by telephone interview, from April 2012 to November 2013. Interviews were conducted with the nutritionist responsible for school feeding in the municipalities, in the absence, was replaced by the coordinator of school feeding or municipal secretary of education. For writing this dissertation became a division of the study and considered only the interviews with the nutritionist. Descriptive analyzes were performed, to verify the association between the dependent variable and the explanatory variables the values of the correlation coefficient Cramer's V were estimated. To verify the hypothesis, the Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher's Exact was conducted. We considered statistical significance level of 5%. Of the 384 study participants nutritionists, the principal information in relation to this observed in professional school feeding were: 84,9% had food and nutrition education, 50,2% had worked for more than two years, 56% were gazetted and 59,6 % worked with higher workload to 30 hours/week. The dedication in other sectors of the municipality besides school feeding was reported by 23,7% of interviewees being most prevalent (89%), the health sector. The presence of other nutritionists in school feeding, besides the technical manager, was found in only 20% of municipalities. These were found in 54% of the municipalities the presence of more than two professionals in the technical framework. Among them was founded the presence of more than two professionals in the technical framework in 54%. Analyses indicated relatively strong association, statistically significant, between the realization of food and nutrition education to employment in the North region (Cramér V = 0.42, p = 0.02). We conclude that most nutritionists school feeding worked for more than two years in school feeding with higher workload to 30 hour week and are public employees. These elements tend to contribute positively to the realization of food and nutrition education in school feeding.
Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar o exercício profissional do nutricionista no Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar e sua associação com a educação alimentar e nutricional. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico, realizado em 432 municípios das regiões Norte, Nordeste, Centro-Oeste, Sudeste e Sul, por meio de entrevista telefônica, no período abril de 2012 a novembro de 2013. As entrevistas foram realizadas com o nutricionista responsável pela alimentação escolar do município, na ausência, era substituído pelo coordenador da alimentação escolar ou secretário municipal de educação. Para a escrita desta dissertação fez-se um recorte do estudo e considerou somente as entrevistas realizadas com o nutricionista. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e para verificar a associação entre a variável dependente e as variáveis explicativas foram estimados os valores do coeficiente de correlação V de Cramér. Para verificar a hipótese foi realizado o teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson ou Exato de Fischer. Considerou-se o nível de significância estatística de 5%. Dos 384 nutricionistas participantes do estudo, as principais informações observadas em relação a estes profissionais que atuam na alimentação escolar foram: 84,9% realizavam educação alimentar e nutricional; 50,2% atuavam há mais de dois anos; 56% eram concursados e 59,6% trabalhavam com carga horária superior a 30 horas/semanais. A dedicação em outros setores da prefeitura, além da alimentação escolar foi relatada por 23,7% dos entrevistados, sendo, mais prevalente (89%), o setor da saúde. A presença de outros nutricionistas na alimentação escolar, além do responsável técnico, foi constatada em apenas 20% dos municípios. Destes foi verificada em 54% dos municípios a presença de mais de dois profissionais no quadro técnico. As análises indicaram associação relativamente forte, estatisticamente significativa, entre a realização de educação alimentar e nutricional e o vínculo empregatício na região Norte (V Cramér=0,42; p=0,02). Conclui-se que a maioria dos nutricionistas da alimentação escolar atuava há mais de dois anos na alimentação escolar com carga horária superior a 30 horas semanais e são servidores concursados. Estes elementos tendem a contribuir positivamente para a realização de educação alimentar e nutricional na alimentação escolar.

Alimentação hedônica e homeostática são fatores independentes envolvidos no desenvolvimento da obesidade. Apesar de já se saber que a superalimentação precoce altera a alimentação não hedônica na vida adulta, pouco se sabe sobre seu impacto sobre a preferência por alimentos doces. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de verificar o comportamento alimentar de ratos superalimentados no período de lactação, com foco principalmente no comportamento alimentar hedônico, e correlacionar com o funcionamento do sistema dopaminérgico mesolímbico, que sabidamente está envolvido na sua regulação. Ninhadas de ratos foram reduzidas a 4 filhotes (ninhada pequena - SL) ou 8 filhotes (ninhada normal - NL) no dia 1 de vida. O desmame ocorreu no dia 21, e todos os testes foram realizados a partir do dia 84 de vida. O consumo de ração foi realizado em condições basais, em resposta à jejum de 24h, na presença de comida palatável (doce), durante isolamento social, e em resposta ao teste de pinçamento da cauda (tail-pinch). Antes de testados com alimento doce, os ratos foram habituados a esse alimento. Locomoção foi aferida em um aparato automatizado. A Área Tegmentar Ventral (VTA) e o Núcleo Accumbens (Acc) foram dissecados a partir de microfatias congeladas. Tecido muscular foi dissecado e processado para medida da fosforilação de AKT (p-AKT) em resposta à insulina. AKT, p-AKT e Tirosina Hidroxilase (TH) foram medidas por método de western-blot. A quantidade de gordura abdominal foi cuidadosamente dissecada e pesada. Resultados: Ratos SL foram mais pesados que os NL em todas as medidas, e ao sacrifício apresentavam maior gordura abdominal (p=0,035). A atividade locomotora não foi diferente quanto à distância percorrida, mas os ratos SL exploraram a região central por mais tempo, indicando menor comportamento ansioso (p=0,036). Não se encontrou diferenças quanto ao consumo de ração padrão (p=0.085) ou alimento doce em condições basais (p=0,65), mas ratos SL tiveram maior consumo de doce num paradigma de escolha com ração-padrão (p=0,017) e em resposta ao estresse de pinçamento da cauda (interação teste x grupo, p=0,006). TH encontrou-se aumentada em ratos SL, tanto no VTA (p=0.016) quanto no Acc (p=0,022). Ratos SL não diferiram quanto a fosforilação do AKT no músculo, porém tiveram menor AKT (p=0,047), o que sugere uma resistência periférica à insulina latente. Em conclusão, a exposição a superalimentação no período de lactação reduz a ansiedade, induz obesidade e programa o comportamento alimentar persistentemente, de maneira que esses animais têm maior preferência por alimento doce. A esses resultados se soma a alteração dos níveis de TH nas vias mesolímbicas, o que sugere a participação destas nessa alteração de comportamento.
Hedonic and homeostatic food intakes are independent factors involved in the development of obesity. Although it is well known that early life overfeeding increases food intake in adulthood, little is know about its impact on the palatable food preference in adulthood. We aimed at verifying feeding behavior in this model, with special focus in the hedonic compound, and correlate it to the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway known to be involved in its regulation. Rat litters were standardized to 4 (small litter - SL) or 8 pups (normal litter- NL) at postnatal day 1. Weaning was at day 21, and all tests were conducted after day 84 of life. Chow consumption was measured at baseline, in response to 24h fasting, in the presence of palatable food, during social isolation and after 1 min. tail pinch stress. Prior to testing sweet food, rats were habituated to the sweet pellets. Locomotion was assessed in an automated box. The ventral tegmentar area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens were micro dissected from frozen brain slices. Muscular tissue was also dissected for assessing the phosphorylation of Akt in response to an insulin challenge. Akt, pAkt and TH proteins were assessed by Western-blot. The abdominal fat content was weighed. Results: SL rats were heavier than NL at all time points and had increased abdominal fat at sacrifice (p=0.035). Locomotor activity was not different with regard to total distance, but RL rats spent more time in the center of the box, an indicative of less anxiety (p=0.036). No difference was found in chow (p=0.085) or sweet food intake at baseline (p=0.65), but SL rats had higher intake of sweet pellets in a two food choice paradigm (p=0.017) and in response to tail pinch stress (test x group interaction, p=0.006). TH was higher in SL rats VTA (p=0.016) and in the nucleus accumbens (p=0.022). SL animals had decreased Akt in the muscle (p=0.047), which suggest a latent peripheral insulin resistance, but p-AKT and the AKT/p-AKT ratio were not different. In conclusion, exposure to overfeeding during the neonatal period decreases anxiety, induces obesity and programs the feeding behavior persistently, in such a way that the animals eat more palatable food. These results are associated with a higher TH protein content and transport in these animals, which suggests that the dopaminergic mesolimbic circuitry may involved in the behavioral findings.

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In this dissertation I proceeded from the certification of the difficulty imposed by the standard psychoanalytic practice in the treatment of patients with feeding problems, to obtain positive results in the patient s relationship with his or her feeding, which would oblige me to introduce changes to the technique to the treatment of these patients. I sought, therefore, to study the field of feeding and the consequent feeding problems, which permitted me to enter some of the rules constituting this field such as: the social conditions of the production of symptoms, the diet mentality, the psychomechanics and the psychodynamics of feeding. Another route followed was of a search for legitimization in the changes of technique by penetrating the difference between techniques and psychoanalytic method. Maintaining in the background the studies of Susan Orbach, I took as a hypothesis that the diet mentality is a cause for great part of feeding problems and not their cure. I had to sustain myself in systematic readings about psychoanalysis, gastronomy and anthropology of feeding, as well as proceeding to the systematic study of the Multiple Fields Theory in the thematic of the psychoanalysis of the quotidian. Thus, in the course of this dissertation it became increasingly clearer that, as some of the rules of the field were revealed, specifically of the diet mentality, the route that favors an autonomy of feeding possible to the patient could be reached by the utilization of an active technique capable of touching the pure act regime that conforms the diet mentality. In this way, I could also organize the results of the reflection about my clinical work and in the conclusion that the diet mentality is both cause and consequence of a great part of feeding problems. It alienates the man of the contemporary world from the vital signs of feeding. To this man, the act of feeding, regulated by the pure act regime, ceases to be a personal decision, becomes imposed from the outside and turns into the meaning that would previously be attributed by thought
Nesta dissertação, parti da constatação da dificuldade enfrentada pela clínica psicanalítica padrão no atendimento a pacientes com problemas alimentares. Em minha clínica, para obter resultados positivos na relação do paciente com sua alimentação, via-me freqüentemente obrigada a introduzir mudanças de técnica no atendimento desses pacientes. Procurei, então, estudar o campo da alimentação e os conseqüentes problemas alimentares, o que me permitiu adentrar algumas de suas regras constitutivas, como: as condições sociais da produção dos sintomas, a mentalidade de dieta, a psicomecânica e a psicodinâmica alimentar. Outro caminho seguido foi o da busca de legitimação nas mudanças de técnica pela problematização da diferença entre técnicas e método da psicanálise. Tendo por pano de fundo os estudos de Susan Orbach, pude tomar como hipótese ser a mentalidade de dieta a causa de grande parte dos problemas alimentares, e não sua cura. Precisei amparar-me em leituras constantes sobre psicanálise, gastronomia e antropologia da alimentação, além de proceder ao estudo sistemático da Teoria dos Campos no tema da psicanálise do quotidiano. Assim, no discorrer da dissertação, foi-se tornando mais claro que, ao se revelarem algumas regras do campo da alimentaçao especificamente da mentalidade de dieta, abre-se o caminho favorecedor da possibilidade de uma autonomia alimentar para o paciente, a qual pôde ser alcançada pela utilização de uma técnica ativa capaz de tocar o regime do ato puro que conforma a mentalidade de dieta. Dessa forma, pude também organizar os resultados da reflexão sobre meu trabalho clínico na conclusão de que a mentalidade de dieta é causa e conseqüência de grande parte dos problemas alimentares. Ela aliena o homem contemporâneo dos sinais vitais da alimentação. Para esse homem, o ato de alimentar-se, regulado pelo regime do ato puro, deixa de ser uma decisão pessoal, impõe-se de fora e passa a ser o sentido que lhe seria previamente atribuído pelo pensamento

Avaliou-se a influência da recirculação da fase líquida e do regime de alimentação em reator anaeróbio no tratamento de esgoto sanitário. Utilizou-se um reator anaeróbio operado em bateladas seqüenciais, contendo biomassa imobilizada (ASBBR), em escala piloto, com volume total de 1,2 \'M POT.3\' (\'fi\' 1,0 m e altura 1,53 m). O leito suporte para a imobilização da biomassa era constituído por matrizes cúbicas de espuma de poliuretano, com 5 cm de aresta, confinadas em cesto de aço inox 304, colocado no interior do reator. A influência da recirculação da fase líquida sobre o desempenho do ASBBR quanto à remoção de matéria orgânica e quanto ao arraste de sólidos foi avaliada submetendo-se o reator às velocidades ascensionais de 1,27; 3,82; 7,64 e 10,18 m/h resultantes das diferentes vazões de recirculação impostas. Contrariamente ao observado em pesquisas anteriores em reatores operados em escala de bancada e alimentados com água residuária sintética, não houve aumento significativo da eficiência do reator com o aumento da velocidade ascensional no tratamento de esgoto sanitário. A influência do regime de alimentação de esgoto sanitário no desempenho do ASBBR foi avaliada submetendo-se o reator a tempos de enchimento correspondentes a 0,25 e 0,5 do tempo total de ciclo, utilizando-se a vazão de recirculação de 6 \'M POT.3\'/h, que foi a que apresentou os melhores resultados nos ensaios anteriores. Concluiu-se que o reator pode ser operado sob batelada alimentada com duração de até 0,5 tempo de ciclo, sem que seu desempenho seja significativamente alterado. Esse resultado é importante, pois representa que o sistema de tratamento composto por reatores ASBBR pode ser projetado com número menor de reatores. A fim de esclarecer dúvidas sobre o desempenho do ASBBR observado no tratamento de água residuária de composição complexa (esgoto sanitário), o reator foi alimentado com água residuária facilmente degradável (etanol). O desempenho do reator foi aquém do esperado, mesmo quando alimentado com composto de fácil degradação. Os ensaios de atividade metanogênica específica (AME) demonstraram que houve decréscimo dos valores de AME com o aumento da velocidade ascensional. Os valores obtidos foram 0,0632; 0,0509; 0,0248 e 0,0299 g DQO-CH4/(g STV.d), respectivamente, para os valores de Va de 1,27; 3,82; 7,64 e 10,19 m/h. Concluiu-se que a baixa eficiência de remoção de matéria orgânica deveu-se ao abaixamento progressivo da atividade metanogênica do lodo, cujas causas não puderam ser completamente esclarecidas nesta pesquisa.
The influence of the liquid phase recirculation and the feeding regimen on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass (ASBBR) applied for the treatment of domestic sewage was evaluated. Biomass immobilization was provided by a basket containing cubic polyurethane foam matrices (5 cm side) inside the 1.2 \'M POT.3\' (1.0 m diameter and 1.53 m height) pilot-scale reactor. The influence of the liquid phase recirculation on the reactor performance in respect to organic matter and solids wash-out was verified by subjecting the reactor to a wide range of up flow velocities (1.27; 3.82; 7.64 and 10.18 m/h) resulting from different recirculation flow rates imposed. The increase of the up flow velocity did not increase the efficiency of the pilot reactor as expected. This result contradicts those obtained with bench-scale ASBBR experiments treating synthetic wastewaters. The influence of the feeding regimen was verified by subjecting the reactor to feeding times correspondent to 0.25 and 0.50 of the total cycle time, at the recirculation flow rate of 6 \'M POT.3\'/h. It could be concluded that the reactor can be operated at the feeding batch mode up to 0.5 of the cycle time. This result is important for full scale applications considering that a treatment system composed of ASBBR reactors can be designed using a lower number of units. In order to clear some aspects related to the limited performance of the ASBBR reactor treating a complex wastewater (sewage), the reactor was subjected to an easily degradable wastewater (ethanol). However, the performance was not improved even when the reactor was treating an easily degradable compound. The results from the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) demonstrated a decrease on the values of SMA with the increase of the up flow velocity. The values of SMA were 0.0632; 0.0509; 0.0248 and 0.0299 g DQO-CH4/(g STV.d) for the Va of 1.27; 3.82; 7.64 and 10.19 m/h respectively. It could be concluded that the low efficiency obtained for organic matter removal was due mainly to the progressive decrease of the sludge methanogenic activity. The causes for that behaviour could not be completely explained in this research. It could be concluded that the reactor performance was iv clearly limited by the low productivity of the methanogenic populations present in the biomass.

Les experimentations realisees en grand volume (7m**(2), 10m**(3)) visent a mieux cerner les conditions de sevrage progressif de l'alevin de loup, dicentrarchus labrax, en elevage intensif. Dans le cadre de ce travail, la sequence alimentaire varie progressivement du zooplancton vivant au granule en passant par des aliments naturels inertes varies

碩士
國立中興大學
畜牧學系
86
The purpose of this study was cnducted to investigate the effects of sex,feeding regimes and force-fed duration on fatty liver production and constituents of blood in mule ducks. The study was divided into three trials. One hundred and twenty mule ducks (60 male and 60 female) of 10 weeks old were bought from a commercial duck farm. Ducks were weighed individually and allotted to cage(30 male and 30 female) and floor-pen (30 male and 30 female)groups in trial one and two. Flowing the adaptive period, ducks of cage and floor-pen groupswere divided into control (5 male and 5 female) and force feeding (25 male and 25 female) group respectively. The feoce-fed duration was three weeks.During the experimental period, body weight were recorded and blood samples were collected weekly. At the end of experiment, ducks were scarificed and theliver, breast muscle and abdominal fat samples were collected. The volume of trial one was less than those in trial two. In trial three, forty- eight femalemule ducks of 10 weeks old were bought from a commercial duck farm. After twoweeks of adaptive period, ducks were divided into control (15 ducks) and forcefeeding (33 ducks) groups. Ducks of trial three were kept under floor-pen and the force-fed duration was two weeks. Some ducks were sacrificed at 6, 10, 14days after force feeding and the liver were collected. The results of trial one indicated that the mortality of ducks in cage groupwere higher than those in floor-pen group, while the mortality of female ducks were higher than those in drakes of force feeding groups. The liver weight of female ducks at floor-pen group were significant heavier than those in drakes at floor-pen group (277g vs. 214g). Feed conversion rate of force feeding drakesat floor-pen group were significant lower than those in drakes at cage group and female ducks at floor-pen group (0.028 vs.0.037,0.039). The weight of abdominal fat in force feeding drakes at floor-pen group were significant heavier thanthose in drakes at cage group and female ducks at floor-pen group. In addition,the body weight gain of force feeding ducks at the 2nd week were higher than the other weeks, and the body weight gain between different sex at floor-pen group and between drakes at cage and floor-pen group were no significnat different.The results of trial two indicated that the mortality of force feeding female ducks at cage group were higher than those of other groups. The average liverweight and feed conversion rate of force feeding female ducks at cage and floor- pen group were significant higher than those of force feeding drakes (383g vs.347g and 254g vs. 285g, 0.043 vs. 0.036 and 0.026 vs. 0.028). The abdominal fatweight of force feeding drakes at cage and floor-pen group were significant heavier than those of force feeding female ducks. The body weight gain of forcefeeding drakes at cage and floor-pen group were heavier than those of force feeding female ducks, and the body weight gain at the 2nd week in force feeding female ducks in floor-pen group and drakes at cage and floor-pen group were significant higher than those of the other weeks. While force feeding duration changed from three weeks to two weeks, the average liver weight were no significant difference. The ratio of liver weight above 300g in force feeding for two weeksgroup was lower than those in three weeks group, but the body weight gain, feedefficiency and feed conversion rate in force feeding for two weeks group were better than those in three weeks group. Besides, the mortality in force feeding for two weeks groups were higher than those in three weeks group. Serum total lipid, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations of force feeding groups in trial one and two were significant higher than those in controlgroups, and the concentrations of serum total lipid, triglyceride and cholesterol in force feeding groups increased with prolonged treatment duration. The concentrationsof serum total lipid, triglyceride and cholesterol of female ducks at floor-pengroup and drakes at cage group were significant higher than those in drakes atfloor-pen group during the 2nd and 3rd week in the trial one. In trial two, the concentrations of serum total lopid, triglyceride and cholesterol of force feedingfemale ducks at floor-pen and cage groups were significant higher than those of drakes after the first week of treatment. Serum tatal protein concentrationsof force feeding groups in the trial one and two significant increased at first week,but decreased thereafter. Changes of serum potassium and chloride concentrationswere more evident than those in the sodium, ionized calcium and pH. The concentrationsof serum potassium in force feeding groups were higher than those in the control groups, while the concentrations of chloride in force feeding groups were lowerthan those in the control groups. The results of serum protein electrophoresis in trial one and two showed that changes of α2-globulin ratio were more evidentthan those in the other constituents and it increased with prolonged treatmentduration. In trial one and two, the concentrations of liver total lipid and triglyceridein force feeding groups were significant higher than those in control groups, while the liver total lipid and triglyceride concentrations of female ducks in force feeding groups were significnat higher than those in drakes. Furthermore,the concentrations of liver protein in force feeding groups were significnatlower than those in control groups, while the liver protein concentrations of female ducks in force feeding groups were significant lower than those in drakes.

The marine aquarium trade is a growing industry supplied largely by an unsustainable wild fishery, sourcing specimens from poorly managed reefs, which are already under threat from increasing anthropogenic activity and rapid climate change. Research into captive breeding and hatchery rearing of popular marine aquarium fish species, underpinned by robust scientific method, has become a key tool to boost sustainability of the worldwide marine aquarium trade, extend our knowledge and understanding of reef fish biology, and aid coral reef research and recovery. Among many popular marine aquarium fish groups the family Blenniidae form one of the 10 most traded marine ornamental fish families and are a prime candidate for research into reliable captive culture. However, little literature exists documenting the biology and breeding techniques of species belonging to this family. Within the family Blenniidae the forktail blenny, Meiacanthus atrodorsalis, is a species displaying good market value, and high potential for aquaculture, making it an ideal model species for investigation into reliable and repeatable captive culture protocols based in scientific method. This thesis addresses key aspects of the captive culture of M. atrodorsalis with particular focus on larval rearing using common hatchery feeds. Chapter 1 reviews the current state of marine ornamental aquaculture (MOA) relative to the recent growth of the marine aquarium hobby, and the concurrent decline of a vast majority of coral reef enviroments worldwide. While research efforts towards captive breeding of marine ornamental species, stands to supplement or replace the supply of wild caught specimens for the marine ornamental trade, and potentially help boost reef recovery efforts through restocking, the MOA sector is still in its infancy. This chapter identifies multiple bottlenecks that persist in limiting the progress of marine ornamental aquaculture, and highlights areas where research efforts should be focused to move forward. Major areas in need of increased research efforts include broodstock management, such as the development of specific broodstock diets and broodstock husbandry, spawning induction via hormone technologies that are tailored to the size and sensitivity of small broodstock ornamentals, and comprehensive, species-specific larval rearing techniques, including system design and larval culture conditions as well as larval feeds and nutrition. In Chapter 2, it was necessary to develop cost effective tank designs to facilitate adequate replication demanded by robust scientific method, while still supporting good growth and survival in Meiacanthus atrodorsalis. Four experimental tank designs were developed to help achieve the aims of this thesis and are described in detail. The four designs increase sequentially in scale and include a 3-L and 9-L rounded tank design, a 5-L modified 'planktonkreisel' design and a 100-L cylindricoconical design, all of which can be operated as either static or flow-through systems. The 3-L and 9-L tanks and the 5-L planktonkreisel design are constructed from readily available materials and can be replicated to improve statistical strength while accommodating the requirements of larval fish for gentle flow, mixing, and maintenance of live prey in suspension. The 100-L tank is a technical improvement on existing current designs, using a novel integrated inlet-outlet design to enable the use of a large central outlet filter to increase screen area. This design is scalable and may be applicable for use in a commercial larviculture setting. While these tank designs were developed primarily to conduct trials on M. atrodorsalis larvae, they displayed potential for use in larviculture of other marine fish species not covered in this thesis. The extent to which the designs supported larval growth and survival of other popular marine aquarium species is presented, highlighting the versatility of these designs to be adapted to a wide range of species and experimental aims. In Chapter 3, the reproductive behavior and embryonic development of M. atrodorsalis was documented, in addition to the growth and development of larvae to settlement stage, using a feeding protocol and live feeds common to fish hatcheries. Courtship and spawning commenced after a series of female and male initiated displays. Adult M. atrodorsalis displayed a preference for shelters of single entrance 50-mm PVC pipe, with a 25-mm reduced entrance, for egg laying, while the male took full responsibility for egg care. Eggs were laid individually with a flattened adhesive plate anchoring them to the walls of the provided shelters. Larvae measuring 3.1 ± 0.2 mm standard length (SL) and 0.63 ± 0.0 mm body depth (BD) hatched approximately 181 h post fertilization (PF) at 28 °C, with a mouth gape height and width of 307.3 ± 11.0 and 263.8 ± 5.5 μm, respectively. By firstly feeding rotifers, and then switching to Artemia nauplii with enriched Artemia metanauplii added later on, newly hatched M. atrodorsalis survived and grew, reaching settlement approximately 35 days post hatching (DPH), measuring 13.5 ± 0.4 mm SL and 3.91 ± 0.3 mm BD. In Chapter 4, two trials were conducted to investigate the survival and growth responses of M. atrodorsalis larvae to varying rotifer densities at first feeding, and times to shift from rotifers to Artemia nauplii. In the first trial, first feeding M. atrodorsalis larvae were offered rotifers at 2, 5, 10 and 20 rotifers mL⁻¹. There was no significant difference in survival and growth between rotifer density treatments, however a density of 10 rotifers mL⁻¹ resulted in the best survival (74 ± 6% at 7 DPH) and was recommended and adopted as a balanced choice to avoid under-feeding and wastage. In the second trial prey offered to M. atrodorsalis was shifted from rotifers (10 mL⁻¹) to Artemia nauplii (3 mL⁻¹) on 3, 6, 9 and 12 DPH. While growth was not significantly different between treatments, survival was highest in treatments switched on 9 and 12 DPH (47 ± 14.3% and 47 ± 11.1%, respectively), suggesting that some larvae were able to ingest Artemia nauplii beyond 6 DPH, with a majority of larvae demonstrating the ability to adapt to an abrupt switch to the new prey beyond 9 DPH. In Chapter 5, two trials were conducted with a continued focus on the timing and method of prey switch. These trials investigated the effect a 3-day co-feeding period and use of a specialty AF Artemia strain, relative to a standard Great Salt Lake (GSL) strain, had on timing the initial switch from rotifers to Artemia nauplii in M. atrodorsalis larvae. A third trial was conducted to investigate the time at which larvae of M. atrodorsalis could be shifted from AF Artemia nauplii to larger enriched GSL Artemia metanauplli. A 3-day cofeeding period improved the survival response of M. atrodorsalis switched from rotifers to Artemia nauplii when undertaken prior to 9 DPH, relative to the trial undertaken in Chapter 4. M. atrodorsalis larvae offered GSL Artemia nauplii could be transitioned as early as 5 DPH, while those offered the AF Artemia nauplii could be transitioned starting as early as 3 DPH when co-feeding was adopted. Larvae fed Artemia nauplii of the AF strain showed 17-21% higher survival, 24-33 % greater standard length and body depth, and 91-200% greater dry weight, after 20 days relative to those fed nauplii of the GSL strain. Meanwhile, enriched Artemia metanauplii of the GSL strain were shown to be an acceptable alternative to AF Artemia nauplii for later larvae, producing similar survival and growth when introduced from 8 DPH. In Chapter 6, three trials were conducted to establish a benchmark regime for weaning and early growout of M. atrodorsalis. The first trial investigated the effect of weaning M. atrodorsalis from live prey to a commercially available marine hatchery diet at 5 different times; starting on 16, 19, 22, 25 and 30 DPH. The second and third trial investigated the effect of 6 different feeding frequencies; 4, 3, 2, and 1 feeds per day, 1 feed every 2 days and one feed every 3 days, and 5 different feed ration sizes; 2, 5, 8, 11 and 15% body weight per day, on survival and growth of M. atrodorsalis juveniles. Weaning M. atrodorsalis from live prey to the formulated diet was successful at all ages tested. However, fish weaned starting 19 DPH and beyond showed 35-54% greater standard length, 28-56% greater body depth and 121-291% greater dry weight, as well as a 30-49% reduction in deformity. High survival on 49 DPH of between 94-97% was achieved when M. atrodorsalis were fed once every 2 days or more frequently from 32 DPH. However, fish fed once per day or more achieved 10-26% greater standard length, 8-29% greater body depth and 54-300% greater dry weight relative to those fed once every 2 days and once every 3 days. Within the feeding rations tested, survival was the highest when fish were fed a ration of 5-15% body weight per day, ranging between 86-93% on 49 DPH. However, there was a clear growth advantage of 18-29% greater standard length, 9-20% greater body depth and 41-160% greater dry weight when M. atrodorsalis were fed a ration of 8% body weight per day or more, relative to a ration of 2 and 5%. In summary, the research presented throughout this thesis describes innovative tank designs to conduct well replicated larval fish research, and goes on to describe reproductive behaviors and techniques, embryo development, and develop a scientifically derived larval feeding protocol for the popular marine ornamental species M. atrodorsalis; a model for the Blenniidae family. While larvae and juveniles of M. atrodorsalis were found to adapt to variation in feeding densities, time and method of prey switchs, live prey quality, time of weaning, feeding frequency, and ration sizes, a balanced approach to rearing was adopted in this thesis to synthesize a reliable feeding protocol. M. atrodorsalis larvae can be reliably reared with good survival and growth following a feeding protocol that consists of rotifers at a density of 10 mL⁻¹ between 0-2 DPH inclusive, followed by newly hatched AF Artemia nauplli starting 3 DPH with a 3 day co-feeding period, then enriched GSL Artemia metanauplii starting 8 DPH with a 3 day AF Artemia nauplii co-feeding period. Weaning onto a formulated diet should take place between 22-25 DPH, after which juveniles are fed at least once per day at a ration of 8% body weight per day. This feeding protocol will produce consistent survival and growth results in M. atrodorsalis up to an age of 49 DPH, balancing key hatchery and research metrics such as cost, food wastage, labor intensity and culture complexity. In conclusion this thesis provides a significant contribution to the commercial and research fields of marine ornamental aquaculture providing innovative tank designs for research and commercial scale aquaculture of marine ornamentals and a comprehensive breeding and larval rearing protocol for a popular marine ornamental species, M. atrodorsalis.

Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and vitamin A precursor β-carotene are essential nutrients for the human body. The analysis of these compounds is difficult due to low levels (ppt - ppm), and physical and chemical similarity to other compounds present in foods. Traditionally, the determinative step uses high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to either ultraviolet-visible (A, D, E and β-carotene) or fluorescence (A and E) detection. The work described in this thesis demonstrates that HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is a viable alternative due to its superior selectivity and sensitivity, reducing the need for time-consuming sample preparation, and enabling the analysis of several vitamins in a single analytical method. High performance liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC-MSn) and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) methods were developed to measure the levels of vitamin D3 in fortified commercial cow’s milk (2 μg/100 ml), unfortified commercial and fresh cow’s milk (0.01-0.05 μg/100 ml). An additional solid phase extraction step enabled the lower levels (<0.1 μg/100 ml) to be measured. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was also measured, although the extraction procedure was not fully optimised for this compound. A single HPLC-MSn method suitable for the analysis of all trans-retinol (vitamin A), α- tocopherol (vitamin E) and β-carotene in cow’s milk was also developed. This method was used to measure the effects of different supplementary feeding regimes on the fatsoluble vitamin content of milk from pasture-fed dairy cows. Typical levels were all trans-retinol, 45 μg/100 ml; α-tocopherol, 150 μg/100 ml; and β-carotene, 12 μg/100 ml. The results from the feeding experiment showed reductions in the levels of β-carotene and α-tocopherol in milk due to the feeding of Partial Mixed Rations, most likely due to reduced intake of pasture, which was the major source of these compounds in the cows’ diet.

The full text of this thesis/dissertation is not available online. Please contact us if you need access. Read the abstract in the section 00front of this document.
Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2006.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

碩士
國立成功大學
環境醫學研究所
88
Previous studies have suggested an increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in developing countries, and the similar trend has been observed in Taiwan. Allergy is known as a multi-factorial disease, including genetic and environmental factors. Among those risk factors such as family history and environmental allergens, the effect of maternal dietary manipulation and the feeding regimen during infancy to the childhood allergy is still unclear. Several studies have indicated that a fetus can be sensitized in utero, thus precautions should be taken as early as possible. In the prevention of allergic disease, environmental control is proved to be effective, but the dietary control during pregnancy and infancy is yet to be confirmed. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy, maternal environmental allergen exposure, feeding regimen during infancy, and other relative factors on the development of allergy. A retrospective study was conducted. The outpatients from the Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology were included as case group. The control group was randomly selected from general population aged from 3 to 6 years old in Tainan city of southern Taiwan. All subjects were investigated by a structured questionnaire through telephone interviews. Information on family history, maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation, feeding regimen during infancy and allergic status were collected. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and multiple logistic regression. The results showed that there is no association between maternal dietary manipulation during pregnancy and the subsequent development of childhood allergic diseases. The use of hypoallergenic formula can effectively reduce the risk to the development of asthma (OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.00~5.92), this effect is much more significant in high risk children (OR=3.79, 95%CI: 1.39~ 10.31). No association was found between environmental allergen exposure, indoor air pollution and childhood allergy assessed by questionnaire. Future efforts are essential to complete more subjects and include population outside of clinical setting to finalize associations found in these preliminary analyses.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
畜產學研究所
90
The objective of the present study is to establish an enforced milk replacer feeding regimen for dairy goat kids. Experiment 1 examined the effects of colostrum feeding length（1 vs 3 days）and the difference of milk replacer formula（kid vs calf）on the immunity development of kids before weaning. The results showed that two colostrum feeding length（1 vs 3 days）achieved similar plasma IgG concentration and two milk replacer（kid vs calf）resulted in similar weight gain as natural goat milk. Experiment 2 compared different immunoglobulin G (IgG) sources with the goat colostrum. The results indicated that plasma IgG were the highest in the goat colostrum feeding followed by dairy cow’s colostrum treatment, with the lowest levels in both porcine plasma IgG and colostrum deprivation treatments. Experiment 3 showed that kids offered milk replacer enforced with lactic acid bacteria 1×108 CFU/ mL had higher IgG than control treatment on week 1. In conclusion, a proper feeding regime for dairy goat kids is to feed newborn goat kids immediately with colostrum containing 4-6﹪IgG five times on day 1, followed by feeding milk replacer enforced with lactic acid bacteria 1×108 CFU / mL for week 1. Starter is offered starting on week 2. On weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10, milk replacer was offered at 75, 50, 25, 0﹪of week 6 ad libitum level to gradually wean the kids.

Jun Yu Chen investigated the captive breeding of orchid dottyback. He documented the reproductive biology and early ontogeny of orchid dottyback in captivity, and established effective larval rearing techniques for this species. His results can be applied to cost-effectively produce orchid dottyback to supply the marine ornamental fish trade.

Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
The winter pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Den. & Schifft (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is the major pine defoliator in the Mediterranean area (Southern Europe, North Africa and Near East) (Avtzis, 1986; Douma-Petridou, 1989; Markalas, 1998; OEPP/EPPO, 2004). In Portugal, the maritime pine Pinus pinaster Ainton is the main host species for T. pityocampa, followed by Pinus pinea Linnaeus, especially in the southern areas. On the other hand, in eastern countries of the Mediterranean basin, from Turkey to south of Israel, a sister species, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), which is phylogenetically very close to T. pityocampa, also constituting an important pest of pine forests, feeds mostly on P. halepensis Miller and P. brutia Tenore. In the present study we aim at testing that the two pine processionary moth species, T. pityocampa and T. wilkinsoni, differ in their performance in relation to host pine species. Feeding trials were conducted using first and second instar larvae of T. pityocampa (obtained from egg masses collected from Portugal) and T. wilkinsoni (obtained from egg masses collected from Israeli). Replicas consisted of groups of 20 to 25 larvae of the same age. Larvae were fed with one of the following diets: P. pinaster from field (10 years old); P. pinaster from nursery (7 years old) (only T. wilkinsoni was tested with this diet); P. halepensis from three different provenances all kept in potted trees in nursery (5 years old); and P. halepensis from the field (8 years old). Survival, development, needle consumption and production of feaces were recorded. Samples of pine needles were collected and analysed for its C, N and water contents, needle toughness and terpenes. Both T. wilkinsoni and T. pityocampa had a higher survival when fed with P. halepensis, from nursery, and lowest when fed with P. pinaster from field conditions. Lower content in N and higher needle’s toughness found on this diet may account for this result. Also, survival and development of T. wilkinsoni on alepo pine was signficantly higher than T. pityocampa fed on alepo pine, agreeing with the hypothesis of a better adaptation of T. wilkinsoni to feed on alepo pine. Within each pine species, plants form nursery provided a better food than plants from the field, which may be justified by the higher N content, concluding that food quality was one of the most important factors in determining larval performance. Terpenes differed between pine species and provenances of alepo pine. Higher proportion of β-pinene and germacrene was found on maritime pine in comparison with alepo pine (α-pinene, myrcene, limonene and β-caryophilene). Yet, terpene profile was similar for both P. pinaster from field and P. pinaster from nursery, whereas larval performance of T. wilkinsoni differed significantly between this two diets. Thus, differences on terpenes are unlike to justify larvae performance. In conclusion, the quality of pine needles was found to major determine larval performance of these two phytophagous insects, in particular N content. The two species seem further to differ on their adaptation to P. halepensis as food source.

The main aim of this thesis was to gain essential data from which it was possible to formulate findings about behaviour of dairy cattle in relation to the control system of feeding regime. The practical part of the thesis was based on a quantitative research and the basis of the empirical part was a research based on an observation which took place at the farm Agochlum of farming enterprise in Záluží, near Sušice. This research enables to evaluate the impact of the frequency of feed distribution and hilling on ethological behaviour of dairy cattle. The observation focused on activities connected with feed intake, drinking, lying and milking. The research took place in three continuous observational periods, each observation lasted 24 hours. The result of the research is evaluation of the average number of milking a day and average daily milk yield, preparation time for milking, milking duration, total time in the box, time in individual milkings, total activity of dairy cattle 30 minutes after milking and the evaluation of state of health of mammary gland, all of this is in connection with the feeding regime. Data gained from the observation was processed into tables and diagrams in MS Excel and it was statistically evaluated. The basic method of the research was the observation of dairy cattle in a given period by given people, recording into ethological diary, the analysis of gained data and the comparison of the result with other theses. The instructions of the thesis are based on the project NAZV - QJ1210144 and NAZV QJ1530058.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a cyclic feeding regime alters growth, lipid content and the expression of genes involved in appetite regulation and lipid metabolism in rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss). Progeny from two lots of diallel crosses were raised under a daily fed control or a cyclic feeding regime containing alternating reduced and compensatory rations. Although the cyclic feeding regime did not improve overall growth, there was some degree of compensatory growth seen during re-alimentation, and the reduced ration led to sustained reductions in condition factor and muscle fat content. Appetite-regulating genes showed little or no differences in expression between feeding regimes. However, the lipid metabolism genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and muscle lipid uptake showed differences in expression during reduced and compensatory ration. This study helps to clarify optimal cyclic feeding regimes in order to enhance growth characteristics preferential to the fish culture industry.
NSERC Strategic Grant, OMAFRA

The main purpose of this study was to determine, describe and compare the eating quality of selected beef cuts; loin, rump and ribeye produced in Namibia. These cuts originate from carcasses of different age classes, feeding regime and post-mortem aging periods. The determination of the eating quality of this beef will aid MEATCO in understanding consumers’ responses in relation to the sensory attributes of these beef cuts. To date, the eating quality of this beef has not been determined or described by scientific means. Eating quality of beef refers to the overall beef eating experience and it can be affected by various pre- and post-mortem factors. Eating quality is an important component of beef meat quality, but highly variable due to variations in tenderness and flavour, which are dependent on the intrinsic and extrinsic factors of the animal. This variability contributes to consumer dissatisfaction. As a result the prediction of eating quality of beef at the consumer level is of utmost importance to the producers of beef meat in order for them to remain competitive in the market. The study was conducted in two phases, Phase 1 of the study involved descriptive sensory evaluation, where a trained panel was used to evaluate the beef samples. The sensory attributes that were applicable to the beef samples were first identified by the trained panel with the aid of the panel leader. From this, a lexicon and evaluation form were developed. The trained panel used a category scale to rate the intensity of the identified sensory attributes. Phase 2 of the study involved physical evaluation, whereby measurements of shear force resistance were determined using the Warner Bratzler shear force device mounted on a Universal Instron Machine. Added to this cooking and thawing losses were also measured by using a measuring scale. The results of the sensory evaluation show that the trained panel could distinguish the difference between the two grain fed groups (AG and ABG) and the young free-range group (AF) on one side and the older free-range groups (ABF, B4 and B6) on the other. The former groups scored higher for the attributes such as tenderness, overall flavour and aroma whereas the latter groups scored higher for juiciness and other flavour undertones e.g. green, livery, rancid and sour. Age class of the animals was found to have had an effect on tenderness related attributes and juiciness, whereas feeding regime had an effect on overall flavour and flavour undertones. However prolonged post-mortem aging had a minimal effect on the sensory attributes. There were no differences found between the 36 and 55 days aged samples. From this study it can be suggested that even though extreme post-mortem aging results in acceptable tenderness levels for all age classes and feeding regimes, the consumer may still pick up flavour differences between the different age classes and feeding regimes. Marketing this beef as a single product line may therefore result in an inconsistent eating experience for the consumer.
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
tm2015
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
Unrestricted

I examined the influence of cyclic feeding regime on fillet yield and quality and their genetic architecture in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Two lots of half-sib families produced in September and December were exposed to periods of reduced ration followed by increased ration. Fish fed cyclically reduced rations weighed less and had smaller fillets and body proportions relative to controls. They also had less estimated muscle and visceral lipid but also more proportional visceral mass. Lots and families within lots differed significantly for the majority of traits. Genotypic analysis with 23 microsatellite markers spanning 19 linkage groups detected QTL for all traits over multiple linkage groups that were not necessarily consistent between feeding regime and parental lot. Linkage groups RT-9 and 29 had the largest QTL effects for fillet composition traits and overall body size across the greatest number of parents sampled.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production using mixed microbial cultures (MMC) requires a multi-stage process involving the microbial selection of PHA-storing microorganisms, typically operated in sequencing batch reactors (SBR), and an accumulation reactor. Since low-cost renewable feedstocks used as process feedstock are often nitrogen-deficient, nutrient supply in the selection stage is required to allow for microbial growth. In this context, the possibility to uncouple nitrogen supply from carbon feeding within the SBR cycle has been investigated in this study. Moreover, three different COD:N ratios (100:3.79, 100:3.03 and 100:2.43) were tested in three different runs which also allowed the study of COD:N ratio on the SBR performance. For each run, a synthetic mixture of acetic and propionic acids at an overall organic load rate of 8.5 gCOD L-1 d-1 was used as carbon feedstock, whereas ammonium sulfate was the nitrogen source in a lab-scale sequence batch reactor (SBR) with 1 L of working volume. Besides, a sludge retention time (SRT) of 1 d was used as well as a 6 h cycle length. The uncoupled feeding strategy significantly enhanced the selective pressure towards PHA-storing microorganisms, resulting in a two-fold increase in the PHA production (up to about 1.3 gCOD L-1). A high storage response was observed for the two runs with the COD:N ratios (gCOD:gN) of 100:3.79 and 100:3.03, whereas the lowest investigated nitrogen load resulted in very poor performance in terms of polymer production. In fact, strong nitrogen limitation caused fungi to grow and a very poor storage ability by microorganisms that thrived in those conditions. The COD:N ratio also affected the polymer composition, indeed the produced poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) showed a variable HV content (1-20 %, w/w) among the three runs, lessening as the COD:N increased. This clearly suggests the possibility to use the COD:N ratio as a tool for tuning polymer properties regardless the composition of the feedstock.

Long-term (4-8 months) experiments were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of a new low-glucosinolate canola meal for laying hens and to investigate the physiological responses in the liver and the thyroid to diet glucosinolate levels in various canola meal feeding regimens. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of glucosinolates on fertility and hatchability in breeder laying hens and to assess the possible influence of iodine supplementation. The importance of glucosinolate hydrolysis products in the physiological response of laying hens to dietary glucosinolates was exemplified by the observations that hepatic glutathione and thyroid weight showed more pronounced response in birds fed diets designed to produce a maximum amount of glucosinolate hydrolysis products. A significant linear relationship between diet glucosinolate levels and hepatic glutathione content was observed. These data along with the data that a high rate of egg production and no mortality due to liver hemorrhage were noted in laying hens fed meal produced from the new low-glucosinolate cultivar indicate that the glucosinolate content should be reduced in future canola varieties. The corresponding meals could then be used in laying hen diets based on their nutritive value with no need for an upper-limit constraint. An increase in T3 and a decrease in T4 in response to the increasing glucosinolate levels were noted from the regression analyses indicating that the biological active hormone form, T3, rather than T4 tended to be produced as a compensatory response to ingested glucosinolates. No adverse effects were noted on hatchability and fertility of laying hens in canola meal feeding regimens indicating that canola meal can be used as a protein supplement in breeder laying hen diets. However, a reduction in body weight and plasma T4 of day-old chicks were noted although the latter response could be alleviated by adding supplemental iodine to the canola meal diet.