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.

Nutrient partitioning and fetal growth in rapidly growing adolescent ewes

Abstract: A highly controlled model to investigate nutrient partitioning and the control of fetal growth in the rapidly growing adolescent sheep is described. Embryos recovered from superovulated adult ewes inseminated by a single sire were transferred in singleton to the uterus of prepubertal adolescent recipients induced to ovulate at 21 weeks of age (liveweight 44.4 +/- 0.38 kg). After embryo transfer, the adolescent recipients were individually offered a high (n = 28) or low (n = 20) quantity of a complete diet calculated to achieve rapid (RMG) or normal (NMG) maternal growth rates. After day 100 of gestation the feed intake of the NMG group was adjusted weekly to meet the increasing nutrient demands of the gravid uterus. The proportion of adolescent recipients initially conceiving was significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by maternal nutrient intake and was lower in the RMG (0.57) than in the NMG (0.85) group. For adolescent dams that maintained their pregnancies, liveweight gain during the first 95 days of gestation was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the RMG compared with the NMG group (234 +/- 9.5 and 75 +/- 5.0 g day-1, respectively). Rapid maternal growth rates were associated with a significant reduction in both fetal and placental weights as determined when the animals were killed on day 95 of gestation (n = 3 per group) or at term. For the RMG (n = 8) and NMG (n = 11) groups, respectively, mean lamb birthweights at term were 2.74 +/- 0.25 and 4.34 +/- 0.27 kg (P < 0.001), while term placental weights were 263 +/- 16.8 and 438 +/- 44.6 g (P < 0.002). The number of fetal cotyledons per placenta and mean fetal cotyledon weight were significantly lower in RMG compared with NMG ewes (P < 0.05). Irrespective of treatment group, lamb birthweight was highly positively correlated with placental weight and both parameters were negatively correlated with maternal liveweight gain during the first 100 days of gestation. The incidence of non-infectious spontaneous abortion at 125 +/- 1.3 days of gestation was higher (P < 0.001) in the RMG (4 of 12) than in the NMG (1 of 12) group. Similarly, duration of gestation for those ewes delivering live young was shorter (P < 0.01) in the RMG compared with the NMG group (140 +/- 0.94 versus 143 +/- 0.28 days). Colostrum yield at parturition was positively related to placental weight and significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the RMG than in the NMG group (35 +/- 12.1 and 247 +/- 36.2 g, respectively). Neonatal survival rates at 72 h after parturition were reduced (P < 0.05) in the RMG (38%) compared with the NMG group (91%). These data suggest that in rapidly growing adolescent ewes, the established anabolic drive to maternal tissue synthesis is maintained at the expense of the gradually evolving nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus. This results in a major restriction in placental growth and a highly significant decrease in birthweight.

Bioavailability and efficiency of rutin as an antioxidant: a human supplementation study.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the potential antioxidant effect of rutin (quercetin-3-O-β-rutinoside) supplementation. Design: A 6-week randomized single-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted; 500 mg rutin supplement was compared to an equivalent amount of glucose placebo. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study was carried out. Setting: The Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK. Subjects: Eighteen healthy non-obese normocholesterolaemic female volunteers in the age range 18–48 y. Main outcome measures: Plasma flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols and carotenoids, plasma antioxidant capacity, lymphocyte DNA damage, blood chemistry and haematology, liver function tests, urinary malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α. Results: Eighteen volunteers completed the trial. Rutin supplementation did not induce any adverse changes in blood chemistry or indices of liver function. Plasma flavonoids were significantly elevated in the rutin-supplemented group. Endogenous oxidation of pyrimidines was significantly decreased in both rutin- and placebo-treated volunteers. There was no significant change in the level of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine or urinary malondialdehyde in either group. A linear correlation was observed between urinary malondialdehyde and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (R=0.54, P<0.01). Conclusion: Six weeks' rutin supplementation significantly elevated the levels of three plasma flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) but there was no significant change in plasma antioxidant status. The decrease in the level of endogenous base oxidation in lymphocyte DNA seen in both the placebo- and rutin-supplemented subjects may reflect seasonal changes in other dietary antioxidants. Sponsorship: This work was supported by the Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. SJ Duthie is funded by the World Cancer Research Fund. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 24, 774–782

Effect of a phytoestrogen food supplement on reproductive health in normal males.

Abstract: Animal studies and human intervention trials have demonstrated the cancer chemopreventive properties of plant phytoestrogens, and phytoestrogen supplements are now widely available 'over-the-counter'. However, consumption of phytoestrogen-rich diets can cause impaired fertility and reproductive tract disorders in some animals and the apparent decline in human sperm quality over recent decades may be related to increased exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors. The present study determines the effects of a short-term phytoestrogen supplement on semen quality and serum sex steroid and gonadotrophin levels in human males. Healthy volunteers took a supplement containing 40 mg of isoflavones daily for 2 months and donated blood and semen samples monthly for 2 months before and 4 months after supplementation. Semen samples were analysed for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and morphology. Blood samples were analysed for sex hormone and gonadotrophin levels and phytoestrogen concentrations, and testicular volume was measured using an orchidometer. The phytoestrogen supplement increased plasma genistein and daidzein concentrations to approx. 1 microM and 0.5 microM respectively; yet, there was no observable effect on endocrine measurements, testicular volume or semen parameters over the study period. This is the first study to examine the effects of a phytoestrogen supplement on reproductive health in males. We conclude that the phytoestrogen dose consumed had no effect on semen quality.

Nutritional and physiological significance of metallothionein.

Abstract: The biological function of metallothionein (MT) is still a matter of considerable conjecture. Convincing evidence has accrued that the protein can play an important role in the detoxification of certain heavy metals but a more fundamental role may be concerned with the metabolism of the essential elements zinc and copper. In addition the effects of physical and inflammatory stress and of infection on MT production imply an involvement in defence mechanisms against these conditions. MT may also act as a general detoxifying agent against certain xenobiotics.