Evolution of blood parameters during weight loss in experimental obese Beagle dogs.

in Journal of Animal Physiology & Animal Nutrition (2004), 88(3-4), 166-71

The effects of weight loss on hormonal and biochemical blood parameters were measured monthly [carnitine, creatinine, urea, free T4 (fT4), total T4 (TT4), plasma alkaline phosphatases (ALP), aspartate ... [more ▼]

The effects of weight loss on hormonal and biochemical blood parameters were measured monthly [carnitine, creatinine, urea, free T4 (fT4), total T4 (TT4), plasma alkaline phosphatases (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), potassium and total proteins] or bimonthly [cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), glucose, insulin] in eight obese Beagles dogs fed either a high protein dry diet, DP (crude protein 47.5%, on dry matter basis) or a commercial high fibre diet, HF (crude protein 23.8%, crude fibre 23.3%). The dogs were allotted to two groups according to sex and body weight (BW) and they were respectively fed with the DP or the control HF diet during 12-26 weeks, until they reach their optimal BW. The plasma basal triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were decreased by the two diets but the difference was only significant for the DP diet. The plasma mean NEFA concentration increased regularly over the period with the HF diet, without significant difference between the two diets. No effect of diet or weight loss was observed on plasma carnitine, urea, creatinine, ALP, AST, ALT, potassium, TT4, FT4, IGF-I, glucose and insulin. Weight loss induced a decrease in fT4 plasma concentration (p < 0.001). The high protein diet allowed a safe weight loss. [less ▲]

Gas chromatography-olfactometry analysis of beef meat originating from differently fed Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus bulls

in Food Chemistry (2004), 86(3), 377-383

The volatile compounds of cooked meats from differently fed Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus bulls were isolated in a model mouth apparatus. Their odour activity was determined by gas ... [more ▼]

The volatile compounds of cooked meats from differently fed Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus bulls were isolated in a model mouth apparatus. Their odour activity was determined by gas chromatography-olfactometry based on a detection frequency method. A total of thirty compounds possessed an odour activity in cooked beef meat. Significant influences of breed and diet on the development of the odour-active compounds of cooked beef meat were observed. The meat of Belgian Blue seemed to generate more odour-active compounds and to be more influenced by the feeding diet than the other breeds. This could be the consequence, at least in part, of its double-muscle condition. However, no obvious justifications could be given to explain the influence of the diet. Different chemical compositions are factors of importance for explaining the different aroma profiles between breeds, but some other parameters should also play an important role. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Changes in carcass and meat composition during the finishing of Belgian Blue double-muscled cull cows

in Book of absracts of the 55th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2004)

C18:3n-3 content in beef meat as influenced by breed, diet and muscle location

in Book of absracts of the 55th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2004)

Selenium enriched grass silage and winter barely for growing bulls: feedstuff composition and animal performance

in Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science (2004)

Influence of selenium enriched fertilizers on the selenium content in grass and the selenium status in a suckling herd offered selenium enriched grass, silage and barley

in Book of Abstracts of the 55th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2004)

Animal performance and nitrogen surplus in suckler cows pastures fertilised with mineral nitrogen fertilizer, pig slurry or cattle compost

in Land use systems in grassland dominated regions, Book of abstracts of 20th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation (2004)

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein expression and mitochondrial activity as indicators of intramuscular fat content in young bulls

in Book of Abstracts of the 55th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (2004)

Hypercholesterolaemia in a family of rough collie dogs.

in Journal of Small Animal Practice (2004), 45(6), 319-24

A family of five privately owned rough collie dogs was referred for corneal lipidosis and also suffered from hypercholesterolaemia. The hypercholesterolaemia was characterised by an increase in the alpha ... [more ▼]

A family of five privately owned rough collie dogs was referred for corneal lipidosis and also suffered from hypercholesterolaemia. The hypercholesterolaemia was characterised by an increase in the alpha-2 high density lipoprotein-1 band and was due to an increase in the cholesterol content of the very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and possibly the high density lipoprotein-1 fractions. A low-fat and energy-restricted diet did not reduce either total cholesterol or the corneal lipidosis. Corneal lipidosis regressed with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation. However, the effects of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on total cholesterol were transient and variable. [less ▲]

Effects of age on plasma metabolites and hormones in finishing Belgian Blue double-muscled cull females

in Animal Science (2004), 78(Part 2), 229-235

Two groups of 12 Belgian Blue double-muscled cull females were used successively in a 2-year repeated experiment and divided into three groups according to age, allowing four animals per group each year ... [more ▼]

Two groups of 12 Belgian Blue double-muscled cull females were used successively in a 2-year repeated experiment and divided into three groups according to age, allowing four animals per group each year. The aim of the trial was to relate, during the finishing period, the metabolic and endocrine parameters with age. Females were fattened with a diet based on maize silage and were blood sampled on several occasions. The average daily gain (ADG) decreased with the age of the cows. Plasma glucose and triglycerides decreased also with age while the youngest females showed lower concentrations of urea than those older. The composition of plasma non-esterified fatty acids also differed considerably between groups. The hormones that best related with ADG were IGF-1 and insulin. Plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones were lower in the oldest animals. No difference between groups was found for GH. Heifers presented lower concentrations of GH and IGF-1 than those reported elsewhere in fattening bulls of the same breed. It may be concluded that in Belgian Blue double-muscled females, glucose, IGF-1 and insulin are good indicators of the growth potential. Young adult cows presented intermediate characteristics of metabolic and endocrine status that were close either to younger or to older cows. [less ▲]