Effects of Dietary Pomegranate Peel on Antioxidant Gene Expression and DJ-1 Protein Abundance in Ram Testes.

BACKGROUND: Pomegranate is an ancient fruit containing Punicalagin, which has known as an effective antioxidant. Pomegranate peel was recognized as a phenol and tannin source, and pomegranate seed contains unique fatty acid (Punicic acid). Limited information exists about the influences of pomegranate peel and seed on antioxidant enzymes and proteins in the male reproduction system. This study was performed to determine the pomegranate peel and seed effects on the expression of antioxidant genes and DJ-1 protein in ram's testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, twenty-one mature Iranian rams were randomly divided into three groups (n=7 in each group), and fed experimental diets consisted of a control diet (C), a diet containing dry pomegranate seed pulp (S), and a diet containing pomegranate peel (P) for 80 days. All rams were offered isoenergetic and isonitrogenous rations. Testicular tissue samples were collected, and expression of Gpx1, Gpx4, Prdx4, Prdx5, and Sod2 genes was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, western blotting was used to evaluate DJ-1 expression at the protein level. RESULTS: Gpx1 and Sod2 mRNA levels in the peel group were significantly (P<0.05) higher than control. Prdx5 mRNA level was increased (P<0.05) in the seeds group than in the control group. Gpx4 and Prdx4 expression were statistically not affected significantly by the experimental diet. Data analysis showed a significant (P<0.05) increase (1.5-fold) in the expression level of DJ-1 in peel groups than in control. CONCLUSION: The expression of antioxidant genes and DJ-1 protein in ram testes are more influenced by pomegranate peel than seed.

Partial replacement of forage and concentrate with pomegranate pulp (peel and seed) silage and pomegranate seed pulp in Mehraban fattening lambs: effect on performance and carcass characteristics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of forage and concentrate with pomegranate pulp silage (PPS) and dried pomegranate seed pulp (PSP) on performance, dry matter intake (DMI), and carcass characteristics of fattening Mehraban lambs. Twenty-four male lambs (mean body weight 27.0 ± 3.5 kg) were fed with three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (n = 8 per diet), consisting of a control diet, a PPS diet containing 27.2% pomegranate pulp silage, and a PSP diet containing 31.4% dried pomegranate seed pulp. The experimental diets were fed ad libitum as total mixed rations for 65-day fattening period, on two meals per day, and then the growth performance, feed intake, and carcass characteristics were determined. The initial BW, final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not different among the experimental diets. The amount of DMI in PSP diet was higher than that in the control diet (P = 0.023) but was not different between the control and PPS diets. There was no significant difference among diets for carcass characteristics. Using PPS and PSP in the diets decreased (P < 0.05) the kidney fat, but had no impact on the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. The results showed that PPS and PSP could be used to replace part of the diet for fattening lambs, while decreasing the dietary cost without having any negative effects on animal performance.

A multilevel analysis identifies the different relationships between amino acids and the competence of oocytes matured individually or in groups.

High-protein diets contribute to an increase in urea follicular concentrations associated with decreased fertility. Urea has been shown to interfere with the epidermal growth factor (EGF)/EGFR system, which has been shown to have a beneficial effect during in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Of note, the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in the maturation medium can change the maturation and the developmental competence of COCs. Therefore, it was hypothesized that, the presence of urea and EGF may have a differential effect on the depletion/appearance of AAs and competence of COCs matured individually (I-IVM system) or in groups (G-IVM system). In the G-IVM system, COCs increased consumption (depletion) of AAs compared with other groups in the presence of high-level urea (40 mg/dl) + EGF (10 ng/ml). In the I-IVM system, the non-cleaved COCs depleted more AAs than the cleaved COCs, in particular in the presence of urea. The combination of urea and EGF increased the depletion of AAs in the G-IVM system. However, the EGF abrogated the urea-induced depletion of AAs by the I-IVM COCs. The use of N-acetyl-L-cysteine as an EGFR inhibitor canceled urea-induced depletion of AAs. This shows the inhibiting effect of urea over the EGF/EGFR system. In the presence of urea + EGF, COCs had a lower degree of developmental competence than control in both I- and G-IVM systems. Arginine had the best predictive power to identify highly competent COCs in the G-IVM system, while glutamine was the best predictor of the cleavage in the I-IVM system. In conclusion, this multi-level study shows that COCs matured individually or in groups may have different association with AAs metabolism. These findings provide new insights into the relationships between AA metabolism and the subsequent developmental competence of COCs.

Selective extraction and analysis of pioglitazone in cow plasma using a molecularly imprinted polymer combined with ESI ion mobility spectrometry.

A method based on ESI ion mobility spectrometry as a detection technique after treatment with a molecularly imprinted polymer is described for the analysis of pioglitazone. In addition to the molecularly imprinted polymer separation methodology, the positive ion mobility spectrum and the reduced mobility values for pioglitazone are reported for the first time. The method was exhaustively validated in terms of sensitivity, imprinting factor, enrichment factor, and sorption capacity. A linear dynamic range of 0.10-20.00 µg/mL and an RSD below 6% were obtained for the analysis of this compound. The average recovery for the analysis of spiked samples was calculated to be about 91%. The method was also used to determine pioglitazone in cow plasma, and the results were compared with those obtained using HPLC. The satisfactory results evidence a convenient method for the analysis of the target compound in real samples without using any additional derivatization methods.