Rowett Research Institute

About: Rowett Research Institute is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Rumen & Population. The organization has 2986 authors who have published 4459 publications receiving 239472 citations.

Melatonin-binding sites in the rat brain and pituitary mapped by in-vitro autoradiography.

Abstract: Using picomolar concentrations of [125I]iodomelatonin and in-vitro autoradiography, specific melatonin-binding sites have been mapped in the rat brain and pituitary. Using this same technique, high-affinity melatonin receptors had previously been identified in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and median eminence regions of the rat hypothalamus. The presence of melatonin binding in the SCN has been confirmed, but the second area of binding has been identified as the pars tuberalis of the pituitary, and a completely novel area of binding is also reported in the area postrema. The existence of lower affinity melatonin receptors in the rat brain was also investigated using in-vitro autoradiography and higher concentrations of [125I]iodomelatonin. No further sites of specific binding were, however, disclosed.

The effects of supplementation with Gliricidia sepium or Leucaena leucocephala forage on intake, digestion and live-weight gains of Bos taurus × Bos indicus steers offered napier grass

Abstract: Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of incrementa/levels of Gliricidia sepium (gliricidia) and Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) on forage intake, diet apparent digestibility, microbial nitrogen supply and live-weight changes in cattle. In each experiment, 20 intact and five fistulated crossbred steers (Bos taurus X 80S indicus) were used. Napier grass basal diet was offered ad libitum alone or supplemented with 7.5, 15, 22.5, or 30 g dry matter (DM) per kg metabolic body weight (MO75) gliricidia (experiment 1) or leucaena (experiment 2). In experiment 1, total DM intake increased but not significantly with gliricidia supplementation (5.2,5.1,5.2,5.4, 5.7 (s.e.d. 0.21) kg/day) while intake of napier grass was depressed linearly (5.2, 4.7, 4.5, 4.3, 4.2 (s.e.d. 0.21) kg/ day; P < 0.05). In experiment 2, supplementation with leucaena increased the total DM intake linearly without depressing the intake of napier grass (5.2, 5.8, 6.2, 6.6, 6.7 (s.e.d. 0.31) kg/day; P < 0.001 and 5.2, 5.3, 5.3, 5.3, 5.0 (s.e.d. 0.21) kg/day respectively). Neither gliricidia nor leucaena supplel1lentation affected the apparent digestibility of the diet or in sacco DM degradation characteristics of the forages. Rumen ammonia and live-weight gain were increased linearly (P < 0.05) by supplementation from 130 to 215 mg/l (experiment 1) and 75 to 113 mg/l (experiment 2), from 306 to 478 g/day (experiment 1) and from 538 to 850 g/day (experiment 2), respectively. However, since the responses were linear, further experiments are required to quantify the responses to higher levels of these legume supplements.

Hepatic copper-and zinc-binding proteins in ruminants. 1. Distribution of Cu and Zn among soluble proteins of livers of varying Cu and Zn content.

Abstract: 1. A metal-binding fraction with a molecular weight of about 12000 in calf and sheep liver has been characterized as a metallothionein-like protein. 2. The combined concentrations of copper and zinc in the fraction (as μg/g liver) are a direct function of liver Zn concentration. 3. The relative proportions of Cu and Zn in the fraction are dependent on the Cu: Zn ratio in the liver. 4. These findings may be relevant to the mutual interaction between Cu and Zn.