Impacts of protein supplementation during late gestation of beef cows on maternal skeletal muscle and liver tissues metabolism.

Since nutritional requirements are increased at the end of gestation to meet the demands of the pregnant uterus, pregnant beef cows are susceptible to mobilization of body reserves (mainly fat and amino acids (AAs)) and to alter the metabolism of nutrients in the liver and muscle to support such demands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CP supplementation on maternal nutrient metabolism in the late gestation of beef cows grazing a low-quality pasture. Forty-three pregnant Nellore cows gestating male fetuses (average age = 6 years; average weight = 544 kg) at 193 ± 30 (mean ± SD) days (d) of gestation were divided into eight groups (experimental units, with four to five cows each). Treatments were (1) control (CON, n = 4): pasture-based (PB) diet without CP supplementation and (2) supplemented (SUP, n = 4): PB diet daily supplemented with 2 g/kg of BW of a 43.5% CP supplement. Liver and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at 265 days of gestation and samples were collected for mRNA expression. On day 280 of gestation, blood samples were collected to assess plasma levels of AA. The CON-fed cows tended to have greater (P = 0.057) total circulating AA than SUP-fed cows. The circulating glycogenic AA was greater (P = 0.035) in CON than in SUP cows. CON cows was greater for histidine (P = 0.015), methionine (P = 0.007) and alanine (P = 0.036) than SUP cows. The CON- and SUP-fed showed no differences for gluconeogenesis, fatty acid transport and signaling axis markers in the liver. The mRNA expression of markers for skeletal muscle synthesis, p7056k (P = 0.060) and GSK3B (P = 0.096), tended to be greater in cows from CON than SUP group. No differences were found for mRNA expression of markers for skeletal muscle degradation. We conclude that CP supplementation to CP-restricted late-pregnant beef cows reduces the maternal tissue mobilization and changes the profile of plasma circulating AA and the mRNA expression of markers for the synthesis of skeletal muscle tissue.

The experience of pregnancy resulting from Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment: A qualitative Brazilian study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancies achieved through medical treatments following a period of infertility may demand extra emotional and practical investment from women. AIM: This paper aims at understanding the experience of pregnancy after Assisted Reproductive Technology, and exploring whether this experience is affected by previous failed infertility treatments. METHODS: This paper uses a qualitative approach. Participants were nineteen expectant first-time mothers from Brazil who conceived through Assisted Reproductive Technology treatment. During the third trimester of gestation, a semi-structured interview was administered to assess perceptions of and feelings about treatment and pregnancy. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, and the sample was divided into two groups according to whether it was the participant's first treatment or not. FINDINGS: Themes identified include: tolerance of the demands of treatment and pregnancy, consideration of the mechanics of treatment and pregnancy, and emotionally painful aspects of treatment and pregnancy. Pregnancy itself was regarded as a reward or compensation for the difficulties undergone. Perspectives differed according to whether pregnancy followed the first Assisted Reproductive Technology treatment; those who had undergone previously unsuccessful treatments focused less on the mechanical aspects of the process but were more concerned about possible physical problems. CONCLUSION: The similarities and differences found according to number of treatments attempted should be taken into consideration when providing psychological support for expectant Assisted Reproductive Technology mothers.

In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhea.

Acute diarrhea, especially in children, is a very common disease with worldwide distribution and with a significant public health impact. Rotaviruses have been recognized as the major agents of diarrhea in infants and young children in developed as well as developing countries. In Brazil, diarrhea is one of the principal causes of death, mainly in the infant population. To fight diarrhea, traditional Brazilian medicine uses a great variety of plants. In this work, 12 medicinal plant species were screened for simian (SA-11) and human (HCR3) rotaviruses inhibition in vitro. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the extracts from Artocarpus integrifolia L. (Moraceae) bark (480 microg/ml) and Spondias lutea L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves (160 microg/ml) had antiviral activity against both viruses. They showed inhibition of 99.2% and 97%, respectively, for human rotavirus, and 96.4% and 96.2% for simian rotavirus. The extracts from Myristica fragrans Houtt (Myristicaceae) seeds (160 microg/ml) and Spongias lutea bark (40 microg/ml) inhibited human rotavirus (90% and 82.2% inhibition, respectively), whereas the extracts from Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves (4 microg/ml) and Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) leaves (8 microg/ml) showed activity only against simian rotavirus (82.2% and 93.8% inhibition, respectively). Our results indicate that the extracts of Artocarpus integrifolia, Myristica fragrans and Spongias lutea can be useful in the treatment of human diarrhea if the etiologic agent is a rotavirus.

Developmental toxicity of lithium treatment at prophylactic levels.

Lithium (Li+) salts are frequently used in psychiatry and may be administered to women in their reproductive years. We have investigated the influence of chronic Li+ administration on rat offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats drank either tap water ad libitum or 10 mM LiCl, or were water restricted (paired to rats receiving LiCl) until pup weaning. Following birth, pups were fostered to form five experimental groups (N = numbers of litters): a) Control-S, stressed by water restriction (N = 21), b) Li+ during the prenatal and lactating periods (N = 18), c) Li+ during the prenatal period only (N = 22), d) Li+ during the lactating period only (N = 15), and e) Control-NS no treatment (N = 13). Prenatal water restriction or Li+ treatment impaired the performance of the righting reflex, altered the number of males born and delayed the final date of eye opening. Postnatal water restriction or Li+ treatment of the dams reduced body growth and the date of eye opening of pups. No difference was found in the time to pup earflap opening, or in the motor coordination test. The specific effect of lithium on pups included impairment of the righting reflex, an increase in the number of males born, a reduction in body weight at weaning and a delay in the eye opening date. The serum Li+ levels of the dams were maintained at approximately 0.5 mEq/l. There was an increase in serum potassium, but not sodium, concentrations. We conclude that chronic treatment of dams with Li+ in amounts similar to those used in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorders aggravated the delay in physical and behavioral development of pups produced by stress associated with limited water intake and handling.

Developmental toxicity of lithium treatment at prophylactic levels

Lithium (Li+) salts are frequently used in psychiatry and may be administered to women in theirreproductive years. We have investigated the influence of chronic Li+ administration on rat offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats drank either tap water ad libitum or 10 mM LiCl, or were water restricted (paired to rats receiving LiCl) until pup weaning. Following birth, pups were fostered to form five experimetnal groups (N = numbers of litters): a) Control-S, stressed by water restriction (N = 21), b) Li+ during the prenatal and lactating periods (N=18),c) Li+ during the prenatal period only (N=22), d) Li+ during the lactating period only (N = 15), and e) Control-NS no treatment (N = 13). Prenatal water restriction of Li+ treatment impaired the performance of the righting reflex, altered the number of males born and delayed the final date of eye opening. Postnatal water restriction or Li+ treatment of the dams reduced body growth and the date of eye opening of pups. No difference was found in the time to pup earflap opening, or in the motor coordination test. The specific effect of lithium on pups included impairment of the righting reflex, an increase in the number of males born, a reduction in body weight at weaning and a delay in the eye opening date. The serum Li+ levels of the dams were maintained at approximately 0.5 mEq/l. Ther was an increase in serum potassium, but not sodium, concentrations. We conclude that chronic treatment of dams with Li+ in amounts similar to those used in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorders aggravated the delay in physical and behavioral development of pups produced by stress associated with limited water intake and handling