Baleen whales accumulate fat reserves during the summer to sustain reproduction while fasting in the winter. The southern right whaleEubalaena australispopulation that calves off Península Valdés, Argentina, experienced high calf mortality events from 2003 to 2013 and poor nutritional states of mothers could be a contributing cause. Previous studies found that the population’s reproductive success is influenced by prey availability. Mothers unable to build sufficient fat reserves or feeding on prey with different nutritional value may fail to meet the demands of lactation. Milk is the only source of nutrients and energy for calves at Valdés, so their fatty acids (FAs) and stable isotopes should reflect their mother’s diet and feeding-ground locations. Here, we compared FA profiles and C and N stable isotopes of dead calves with those of living calves to evaluate the potential impact of maternal nutrition on calf survival. We found no differences in the FA composition of blubber in dead and living calves, indicating similar maternal diets. Likewise, the isotopic values of living and dead calves imply that their mothers had similar foraging ranges. However, FA composition was greatly affected by calf length, indicating effects of calf age and duration of nursing. These findings suggest that mothers of dead calves did not feed on different diets or feeding grounds compared to mothers of living calves. Future research should further assess the overall health and body condition of the Valdés southern right whale calves.

Dynamic interactions between lipid metabolism, gut permeability, and systemic inflammation remain unclear in the context of obesity. Milk polar lipids, lipids derived from the milk fat globule membrane, could positively affect the aforementioned obesity-related endpoints. This study aimed to test the hypotheses that milk polar lipids will reduce gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and liver lipid levels, and differentially affect the hepatic expression of genes associated with fatty acid synthesis and cholesterol regulation in preexisting obesity. We fed 3 groups of C57BL/6J ob/ob mice (n = 6 per group) for 2 wk: (1) a modified AIN-93G diet (CO) with 34% fat by energy; (2) CO with milk gangliosides (GG) at 0.2 g/kg of diet; and (3) CO with milk phospholipids (PL) at 10 g/kg of diet. The GG and PL were provided as semi-purified concentrates and replaced 2.0% and 7.2% of dietary fat by energy. The GG and PL did not affect total food intake, weight gain, fasting glucose, or gut permeability. The PL decreased liver mass and the mesenteric fat depot compared with the CO. The GG increased tight junction protein occludin in colon mucosa compared with the CO. The GG and PL decreased tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 in jejunum mucosa compared with the CO. Plasma endotoxin increased during the study but was unaffected by the treatments. Compared with the CO and GG, the PL increased plasma sphingomyelin and plasma IL-6. The GG and PL differentially regulated genes associated with lipid metabolism in the liver compared with the CO. Regarding general effects on lipid metabolism, the GG and PL decreased lipid levels in the liver and the mesenteric depot, and increased lipid levels in the plasma. Diet consumption decreased significantly when the ob/ob mice were kept in metabolic cages, which were not big enough and resulted in unwanted animal deaths. Future studies may keep this in mind and use better metabolic equipment for ob/ob mice. In conclusion, dietary milk polar lipids may have limited beneficial effects on gut barrier integrity, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in the context of severe obesity.

Expérimental/mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires. Dans l’obésité, le tissu adipeux est infiltré par de nombreuses cellules immunitaires pro-inflammatoires, telles que les Th17, une sous-population de lymphocytes T secrétant l’IL-17A. Nous avons récemment démontré, à l’aide d’un modèle de co-culture, qu’au sein du tissu adipeux, la polarisation des lymphocytes T vers la voie Th17 est sous la dépendance des cellules souches adipocytaires (ob-CSA) ou des adipocytes provenant de sujets obèses [1], [2]. Comme les acides gras poly-insaturés de type oméga 3 sont connus pour réduire l’inflammation du tissu adipeux et l’hyperplasie adipocytaire chez le sujet obèse, nous avons posé la question de savoir si cela pouvait être lié à l’inhibition de la production d’IL-17A, médiée par les ob-CSA. L’acide alpha linolenique (ALA), le précurseur des omégas 3, ou deux de ses métabolites ; l’acide eicosapentaenoïque(EPA), ou l’acide docosahexaenoïque (DHA), ont été rajoutés à des co-cultures de cellules souches adipocytaires provenant de sujets obèses (ob-CSA) et de cellules mononucléées issues du sang périphérique (MNC). La phytohemagglutinine A, un mitogène lymphocytaire, a été utilisée pour activer les lymphocytes T dans ce contexte. La production d’IL-17A, et des autres cytokines pro-inflammatoires a été mesurée par Elisa. Les tests statistiques de type Anova, suivis de comparaison par Bonferroni, ont été utilisés pour valider les résultats. Nos résultats ont montré que l’ALA, l’EPA ou la DHA induit une inhibition statistiquement significative de la sécrétion d’IL-17A par les lymphocytes T, sans pour autant altérer la sécrétion d’IL-1b, IL-6 ou TNFa par les monocytes. Sur le plan mécanistique, nous avons montré que TLR-4 est impliqué dans la production d’IL-17A dans notre modèle, à l’aide de Viper, un peptide inhibiteur, et que l’ALA inhibe son expression, ainsi que celle de Cox2. De plus, l’activation de Stat-3, un facteur de transcription nécessaire à la production d’IL-17A a été également inhibé par l’ALA. Enfin, nous avons montré par Q-RTPCR, et cytométrie de flux que l’ALA inhibe l’expression d’ICAM-1, une molécule d’adhésion nécessaire aux contacts inter-cellulaires entre obCSA et MNC, et dont l’inhibition entraîne une diminution de la sécrétion d’IL-17A. En conclusion, nous démontrons dans ce travail que les acides gras poly-insaturés de type oméga 3 inhibent la sécrétion d’IL-17A médiée par les ob-CSA, via l’inhibition de l’expression d’ICAM-1, et la réduction des contacts cellulaires entre CSA et MNC, entraînant ainsi une baisse de la signalisation biochimique nécessaire à la sécrétion d’IL-17A. Ces mécanismes pourraient expliquer les effets bénéfiques des omégas 3, observés dans certaines maladies liées à l’IL-17A [3], [4]

Diet is widely recognized as an important factor in lifetime cancer risk, yet Americans routinely consume foods that are energy‐dense and nutrient‐poor. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of ancestral or multi‐generational consumption of the total Western diet (TWD), a Western‐style diet formulated for rodents using human US nutrient intake data, in a murine model of inflammation‐associated colorectal carcinogenesis. The hypotheses tested were 1) that ancestral exposure to the TWD would promote colitis‐associated colorectal cancer (CAC) in F3 generation offspring and 2) that cumulative exposure to the TWD over multiple generations would further exacerbate disease development. C57BL/6J mice were bred for three generations, during which they were fed a standard diet (AIN93G), TWD, or a simple high fat diet (45% diet‐induced obesity diet, DIO) during only the F0 generation, the F0 through F3 generations or only the F3 generation. The azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate model of CAC was employed in the F3 offspring. Notably, incidence of CAC was significantly higher in F3 offspring exposed ancestrally to the TWD (92%) as compared to their F3 counterparts fed AIN93G (56%). Moreover, tumor burden was markedly higher (> 3‐fold increase) in F3 offspring exposed to TWD over multiple generations when compared to F3 offspring provided TWD directly. Alternatively, neither ancestral or multi‐generation exposure to the DIO diet altered CAC incidence, whereas a small, significant increase in tumor burden in F3 offspring ancestrally‐exposed to the DIO was observed as compared to direct‐fed mice. In summary, ancestral exposure to TWD markedly increased colon cancer incidence and disease severity in F3 offspring that were not fed this diet directly. Also, exposure to TWD over multiple generations markedly exacerbated the disease in F3 offspring as compared to those fed TWD directly.Support or Funding InformationUtah Agricultural Experiment Station, Project UTA‐1178;USDA NIFA/AFRI Grant No. 2014‐67017‐21755

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of cattle finishing diet and muscle type on meat quality. Consumer sensory response, proximate composition, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds were assessed from the gluteus medius (GM) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles of cattle ( = 6 per diet) which were grain-finished (USUGrain) on conventional feedlot or 2 forage diets, a perennial legume, birdsfoot trefoil-finished (USUBFT; ), and grass-finished (USUGrass; ). Diet had an interacting effect with muscle for all sensory attributes ( ≤ 0.002), except aroma and flavor ( ≥ 0.078). In forage-finished beef, tenderness, fattiness, overall liking, and WBSF tenderness of GM was greater ( < 0.05) than TB, whereas for USUGrain, the tenderness, fattiness, overall liking, and WBSF tenderness of both muscles were similar ( > 0.05) but the juiciness of TB was more liked than USUGrain GM ( < 0.05). The juiciness of forage-finished beef did not differ ( > 0.05) between GM and TB. Lower ( < 0.05) intramuscular fat (IMF) percent was determined for USUGrass beef in comparison with USUGrain beef. The IMF percent of USUBFT beef was similar ( > 0.05) to both USUGrass and USUGrain beef. However, IMF percent was not impacted by muscle type ( = 0.092). The ratio of -6:-3 fatty acids was affected by muscle dependent on diet ( = 0.016). The ratio of -6:-3 fatty acids was affected by the interaction of muscle × diet ( = 0.016). Between forage diets (USUGrass and USUBFT), -6:-3 ratios were similar ( > 0.05) between GM and TB, whereas within USUGrain, the GM was greater ( < 0.05) than the TB. Cumulative MUFA was greater ( < 0.05) in USUGrain compared with both USUGrass and USUBFT, which were similar ( > 0.05). Strecker aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines, and methional were affected ( ≤ 0.036) by muscle and found to have a greater concentration in GM compared with TB. Overall, consumers determined that USUGrain GM and TB had similar ( > 0.05) quality ratings. However, within forage-finished beef, the GM was perceived more frequently ( < 0.05) to be of premium quality and the forage-finished TB was more frequently ( < 0.05) rated as having unsatisfactory quality. These findings were in agreement with ratings of tenderness and overall liking. Therefore, in the context of our consumer group grilled GM and TB steaks, grain-finished beef provided more uniform quality and eating experience compared with forage-finished beef.

Consumer liking, proximate composition, pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force, fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds were determined from the LM (longissimus thoracis) of cattle ( = 6 per diet) finished on conventional feedlot (USUGrain), legume, and grass forage diets. Forage diets included a condensed tannin-containing perennial legume, birdsfoot trefoil (; USUBFT), and a grass, meadow brome ( Rehmann; USUGrass). Moreover, representative retail forage (USDA Certified Organic Grass-fed [OrgGrass]) and conventional beef (USDA Choice, Grain-fed; ChGrain) were investigated ( = 6 per retail type). The ChGrain had the greatest ( < 0.05) intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage followed by USUGrain, the IMF percentage of which was greater ( < 0.05) than that of USUGrass and OrgGrass. The IMF content of USUBFT was similar ( > 0.05) to that of both USUGrain and USUGrass. Both grain-finished beef treatments were rated greater ( < 0.05) for flavor, tenderness, fattiness, juiciness, and overall liking compared with USUGrass and OrgGrass. Consumer liking of USUBFT beef tenderness, fattiness, and overall liking were comparable ( > 0.05) with that of USUGrain and ChGrain. Flavor liking was rated greatest ( < 0.05) for USUGrain and ChGrain, and that of USUBFT was intermediate ( > 0.05) to those of ChGrain, USUGrass, and OrgGrass. Cumulative SFA and MUFA concentrations were greatest ( < 0.05) in ChGrain and USUGrain, whereas USUGrass and OrgGrass had lower ( < 0.05) concentrations. Concentrations of cumulative SFA and MUFA in USUBFT were intermediate and similar ( > 0.05) to those of USUGrain and USUGrass. Each forage-finished beef treatment, USUGrass, OrgGrass, and USUBFT, had lower ( < 0.001) ratios of -6:-3 fatty acids. Hexanal was the most numerically abundant volatile compound. The concentration of hexanal increased with increasing concentrations of total PUFA. Among all the lipid degradation products (aldehydes, alcohols, furans, carboxylic acids, and ketones) measured in this study, there was an overall trend toward greater quantities in grain-finished products, lower quantities in USUGrass and OrgGrass, and intermediate quantities in USUBFT. This trend was in agreement with IMF content, fatty acid concentrations, and sensory attributes. These results suggest an opportunity for a birdsfoot trefoil finishing program, which results in beef comparable in sensory quality with grain-finished beef but with reduced -6 and SFA, similar to grass-finished beef.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of both the % of dietary, 18-carbon PUFA (2.5%, 5% and 10%) and the n-6:n-3 ratio (1:1, 10:1 and 20:1) on the acute inflammatory response. Mice were fed diets for 8 weeks and injected intraperitoneally with LPS to induce acute inflammation. After 24h mice were sacrificed and plasma cytokines measured. Diets significantly affected the erythrocyte PUFA composition and the effect of PUFA ratio was more prominent than of PUFA concentration. The % dietary PUFA affected feed efficiency (p<0.05) and there was a PUFA×ratio interaction with body fat (p<0.01). In mice fed high %kcal from PUFA, those given a low n-6:n-3 ratio had more body fat than those fed a high ratio. Of the twelve cytokines measured, eleven were significantly affected by the % PUFA (p<0.05), whereas five were affected by the ratio (p<0.05). For seven cytokines, there was a significant PUFA×ratio interaction according to a two way ANOVA (p<0.05). These data indicate that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids can affect LPS induced-inflammation.

Lactic acid is an important industrial chemical commonly produced through microbial fermentation. The efficiency of acid extraction is increased at or below the acid's pKa (pH 3.86), so there is interest in factors that allow for a reduced fermentation pH. We explored the role of cyclopropane synthase (Cfa) and polysorbate (Tween) 80 on acid production and membrane lipid composition in Lactobacillus casei ATCC 334 at low pH. Cells from wild-type and an ATCC 334 cfa knockout mutant were incubated in APT broth medium containing 3 % glucose plus 0.02 or 0.2 % Tween 80. The cultures were allowed to acidify the medium until it reached a target pH (4.5, 4.0, or 3.8), and then the pH was maintained by automatic addition of NH4OH. Cells were collected at the midpoint of the fermentation for membrane lipid analysis, and media samples were analyzed for lactic and acetic acids when acid production had ceased. There were no significant differences in the quantity of lactic acid produced at different pH values by wild-type or mutant cells grown in APT, but the rate of acid production was reduced as pH declined. APT supplementation with 0.2 % Tween 80 significantly increased the amount of lactic acid produced by wild-type cells at pH 3.8, and the rate of acid production was modestly improved. This effect was not observed with the cfa mutant, which indicated Cfa activity and Tween 80 supplementation were each involved in the significant increase in lactic acid yield observed with wild-type L. casei at pH 3.8.

Lambs were assigned to four groups of seven and treated as follows for 12 days: control group (BP) was fed beet pulp; group T (tannin remedy) received the BP diet including 80 g/kg of quebracho extract; group S (saponin remedy) received the BP diet including 15 g/kg of quillaja extract; and group C had a free choice between T and S remedies. Lipid oxidation was lower in meat from S lambs compared to T lambs (P < 0.05). Among the volatile compounds, lactate was lower in meat from S lambs compared to T animals (P = 0.05). Metabolomic analysis showed that the T treatment increased ribose, fructose, glucose and sorbitol concentration in meat (P < 0.05), while cholesterol was decreased by S and C treatments. The T treatment increased the concentration of C14:1 cis-9 (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that treatments for parasite control containing tannins and saponins do not detrimentally affect sheep meat quality.

Skim milk lipid material was characterized in terms of particle size distribution and lipid composition, and compared with other milk fat particle distributions. Whole milk, skim milk, large fat globules, small fat particles and skim milk lipid material were prepared using centrifugation and/or filtration, and the particle size distributions measured by laser diffraction. The lipid composition was determined using a combination of thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. There were significant compositional differences between each fraction for both particle size distribution and fatty acid composition. The most distinguishing feature of the skim milk lipid material was the increased percentage of long chain sphingomyelin species compared with the other milk fat fractions.

Twenty-seven Angus crossbred steers were used to evaluate the effects of finishing beef cattle on pasture without or with N fertilization of the pasture versus feedlot finishing beef steers on fatty acid composition in subcutaneous adipose tissue. A completely randomized design with repeated measures was used to arrange steers into 3 treatments: grazing on tall fescue (TF) without N fertilizer (TF−NF), grazing on TF with N fertilizer (TF+NF), and feeding TMR on feedlot (FLT). For the pasture treatments, it was hypothesized that N fertilization would affect fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in pasture-fed beef steers because of its potential effects on nutrient and energy utilization. Three replicated pastures or group pens with 3 steers per replicate were assigned into each treatment. A total of 168 kg of N fertilizer per hectare was applied in 3 split applications at 56 kg/ha to the TF+NF. From May through September 2010 (total of 16 wk), pasture-finished steers were grazed on replicated 0.47-ha paddocks, while steers on the FLT were fed a finishing diet containing 76% barley grain. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained on wk 4, 12, and 16. Total fat percentage in TF pasture did not differ due to N fertilization, and similar total fat concentrations were also measured between TF pasture and the FLT on wk 12 and 16. Nitrogen fertilization increased PUFA proportion (mg/100 mg of total fatty acid) in TF grass on wk 4 and 12, including C18:3 n-3 (P < 0.01). Applying N fertilizer to TF increased C18:0 on wk 12 and 16 and cis-9, trans-11 CLA proportion on wk 16 in adipose tissue of steers (P < 0.02). Pasture-finished steers had greater proportions of C18:0, cis-9, trans-11 CLA, and C18:3 n-3 throughout grazing compared with those on the FLT treatment (P < 0.01). However, C18:1 cis-9 and C18:2 n-6 proportions in adipose tissue of pasture-finishing steers decreased compared with FLT steers throughout study (P < 0.02). Increased SFA and decreased MUFA and n-6:n-3 ratio were observed in pasture-finished steers on wk 4, 12, and 16 compared with FLT steers (P < 0.01). Grazing on TF pasture increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA, C18:3 n-3, and SFA proportions in adipose tissue; however, TF pasture-finished steers had less backfat, rib fat, and rib-eye area compared with feedlot-finished steers (P < 0.04).