Changes in Vitellogenin (Vg) and Stress Protein (HSP 70) in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) Groups under Different Diets Linked with Physico-Chemical, Antioxidant and Fatty and Amino Acid Profiles.

Honey bee colonies are often subjected to diseases, nutrition quality, temperature and other stresses depending on environmental and climatic conditions. As a result of malnutrition, the level of Vg protein decreases, leading to overwintering losses. The Vg values must be high for a successful wintering, especially before wintering. If good nutrition is not reached, the long winter period may cause an increase in colony losses. Supplementary feeding is essential for colony sustainability when floral resources are insufficient, as in recent years with the emerging climate changes. Furthermore, quality food sources or nutrients are significant for maintaining honey bee health and longevity. This study examined the changes in HSP 70 and Vg proteins in 6 groups of 48 colonies fed with five different nutrients. The fatty acids that are present in the highest amount in Cistus creticus (Pink rock-rose), Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy) and mixed pollen samples were linoleic, palmitic and cis-9-oleic acids. The highest values in proline, lysine and glutamic acid were determined in C. creticus pollen. Regarding the P. somniferum pollen, the highest values were observed in lysine, proline, glutamic and aspartic acids. The highest values in lysine, proline, leucine and aspartic acid were noticed in mixed pollen. The effect of different feeding on Vg protein in nurse and forager bee samples was higher in the mixed pollen group in the fall period. In nurse bees, the mixed pollen group was followed by Cistus creticus pollen > Papaver somniferum pollen > sugar syrup > commercial bee cake > control group, respectively (p < 0.05). In forager bees, the order was mixed pollen, P. somniferum pollen, C. creticus pollen, commercial bee cake, sugar syrup and control. In the early spring period, the Vg levels were high in the mixed pollen group in the nurse bees and the commercial bee cake group in the forager bees. In the fall period, the HSP 70 value of the forager and nurse bees was the lowest in the C. creticus group (p < 0.05). In early spring, the active period of flora, a statistical difference was found between the treatment groups.

Comparison of the endocrinological and immunological results of different induction of parturition methods in ewes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare different induction of partu -rition (IP) methods in terms of endocrinological and immunological parameters in ewes and lambs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 ewes and their respective 24 lambs were studied. Groups of six ewes were induced on the 138th day: groups I (control), II (dexamethasone), III (aglepristone) and IV (aglepristone + dexamethasone). Blood samples were taken from the ewes from IP to 2 days postpartum at 12-hour intervals for the prolactin and oxytocin analyses. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from the lambs at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours for the IgG analysis. The prolactin, oxytocin and IgG levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in prolactin levels in all groups and in the colostral IgG level in group IV with respect to the sampling time. Additionally, a significant difference in prolactin level was found at 24 hours postpartum between group IV and groups I and III. A significant difference in the colostral IgG level was determined at 24 hours after parturition between group III and the other groups and at 48 hours after parturition between groups II and III. A positive and significant correlation between the colostral and serum IgG levels of the lambs was found at 24 hours in groups I and II. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although varying individual results were found within the groups, the endocrinological and immunological results did not suggest any superiority among the IP methods. Considering the presented study results, a single dose of aglepristone may be used alone or in combination with dexamethasone for I P.

Obestatin and Ghrelin May Have a Complementary Function During Acute and Chronic Period in Mice.

Obestatin is described as an anorexigenic peptide, and has adverse effects of ghrelin. It has no inhibitory effects on acute/chronic food intake, and it has been reported by several researchers. The role of obestatin in metabolism is still not clear. In the present study, the purpose is to determine the effects of chronically administrated obestatin. For this purpose, (1 µmol/kg; i.p.) or ghrelin (1 µmol/kg; i.p.) and food restriction (24h fast:24h fed) on plasma obestatin, ghrelin, leptin, insulin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucose levels, and body weight gain were investigated for 14 days in mice. Additionally, mice were treated with acute ip (100 nmol/kg) injections of obestatin or ghrelin to investigate the food consumptions, plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels to determine unknown acute effects of obestatin. Plasma ghrelin levels increased significantly in obestatin administered mice when compared with the control group for chronic treatment. This increase is consistent with immunohistochemical findings which claim that the number of ghrelin and obestatin immunopositive cells in fundus tissue of stomach are considerably high in obestatin treated animals. Plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels has shown an increase endogenously in food restricted mice, but plasma leptin and insulin levels have been found to be lower compared to the control group. Acute administration of obestatin caused a decrease in plasma obestatin level at 60 min after injection and had no effect on the reduction of food intake in each treatment time. These results imply that obestatin may not itself be involved in the metabolism regulation; however, obestatin accompanied by ghrelin may play a role in the long-term regulation of metabolism.

Erythromycin residue in honey from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey.

Honey samples, collected from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey, were analysed for erythromycin residues by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode (LC-ESI-MS). Fifty samples, comprising chestnut, pine, linden and multi-flower honeys, were collected directly from hives and analyzed. The limit of detection and quantification were 6 and 20 ng g(-1), respectively, and recovery ranged from 85 to 89%. Four of the honey samples (8%) were found to be contaminated with erythromycin residues at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1776 ng g(-1). An erythromycin-fortified cake feeding assay was also performed in a defined hive to test the transfer of erythromycin residue to the honey matrix. In this test hive, the residue level in the honey, 3 months after dosing, was approximately 28 ng g(-1).