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Lina Shibib,1 Mo Al-Qaisi,1 Nicola Guess,2 Alexander D Miras,3 Steve E Greenwald,4 Marc Pelling,1 Ahmed Ahmed1 1Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; 2Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK; 3School of Medicine, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK; 4Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UKCorrespondence: Mo Al-Qaisi, Email mrcgp74@yahoo.co.ukAbstract: This review paper explores post-prandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes. Post-prandial glycemia is defined as the period of blood glucose excursion from immediately after the ingestion of food or drink to 4 to 6 hours after the end of the meal. Post-prandial hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease with glucose “excursions” being more strongly associated with markers of oxidative stress than the fasting or pre-prandial glucose level. High blood glucose is a major promoter of enhanced free radical production and is associated with the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress impairs insulin action creating a vicious cycle where repeated post-prandial glucose spikes are key drivers in the pathogenesis of the vascular complications of type 2 diabetes, both microvascular and macrovascular. Some authors suggest post-prandial hyperglycemia is the major cause of death in type 2 diabetes. Proper management of post-prandial hyperglycemia could yield up to a 35% cut in overall cardiovascular events, and a 64% cut in myocardial infarction. The benefits of managing post-prandial hyperglycemia are similar in magnitude to those seen in type 2 diabetes patients receiving secondary prevention with statins – prevention which today is regarded as fundamental by all practitioners. Given all the evidence surrounding the impact of post-prandial glycemia on overall outcome, it is imperative that any considered strategy for the management of type 2 diabetes should include optimum dietary, pharma, and lifestyle interventions that address glucose excursion. Achieving a low post-prandial glucose response is key to prevention and progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. Further, such therapeutic interventions should be sustainable and must benefit patients in the short and long term with the minimum of intrusion and side effects. This paper reviews the current literature around dietary manipulation of post-prandial hyperglycemia, including novel approaches. A great deal of further work is required to optimize and standardize the dietary management of post-prandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes, including consideration of novel approaches that show great promise.Keywords: glycemic response, post-prandial, hyperglycemia, diabetes, acarbose, GLP-1, metformin, plant fibre, whey protein, gastric emptying, intestinal absorption, glycemic index, glucose excursion

Lina Shibib,1 Mo Al-Qaisi,1 Ahmed Ahmed,1 Alexander D Miras,2 David Nott,1 Marc Pelling,1 Stephen E Greenwald,3 Nicola Guess4 1Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK; 2Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK; 3Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK; 4School of Life Sciences, Westminster University, London, UKCorrespondence: Mo Al-Qaisi, Imperial Weight Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, UK, Tel +44 7968 016315, Email mrcgp74@yahoo.co.ukAbstract: Over the past 50 years, many countries around the world have faced an unchecked pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). As best practice treatment of T2DM has done very little to check its growth, the pandemic of diabesity now threatens to make health-care systems economically more difficult for governments and individuals to manage within their budgets. The conventional view has been that T2DM is irreversible and progressive. However, in 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) global report on diabetes added for the first time a section on diabetes reversal and acknowledged that it could be achieved through a number of therapeutic approaches. Many studies indicate that diabetes reversal, and possibly even long-term remission, is achievable, belying the conventional view. However, T2DM reversal is not yet a standardized area of practice and some questions remain about long-term outcomes. Diabetes reversal through diet is not articulated or discussed as a first-line target (or even goal) of treatment by any internationally recognized guidelines, which are mostly silent on the topic beyond encouraging lifestyle interventions in general. This review paper examines all the sustainable, practical, and scalable approaches to T2DM reversal, highlighting the evidence base, and serves as an interim update for practitioners looking to fill the practical knowledge gap on this topic in conventional diabetes guidelines.Keywords: weight loss, very low energy, very low calorie, bariatric surgery, orlistat, electrical muscle stimulation, low carbohydrate, behaviour change, diabetes reversal, diabetes remission

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the impact of Nesfatin-1 on type 2 diabetic erectile dysfunction (T2DMED) and its underlying mechanism in regulating the phenotypic switching of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs).MethodsTwenty-four 4-week-old male C57 wild-type mice were randomly assigned to the control group, model group, and Nesfatin-1 treatment group. Monitoring included body weight, blood glucose levels, and penile cavernous pressure (ICP). Histochemistry and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expressions of α-SMA, OPN, and factors related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CCSMCs were categorized into the control group, high glucose and high oleic acid group (GO group), Nesfatin-1 treatment group (GO+N group), sildenafil positive control group (GO+S group), and PI3K inhibitor group (GO+N+E group). Changes in phenotypic markers, cell morphology, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were observed in each group.Results(1) Nesfatin-1 significantly ameliorated the body size, body weight, blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance in T2DMED mice. (2) Following Nesfatin-1 treatment, the ICP/MSBP ratio and the peak of the ICP curve demonstrated a significant increase. (3) Nesfatin-1 significantly enhanced smooth muscle and reduced collagen fibers in the corpus cavernosum. (4) Nesfatin-1 notably increased α-SMA expression and decreased OPN expression in CCSMCs. (5) Nesfatin-1 elevated PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR levels in penile cavernous tissue.ConclusionsNesfatin-1 not only effectively improves body weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic mice but also enhances erectile function and regulates the phenotypic switching of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The potential mechanism involves Nesfatin-1 activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to induce the conversion of CCSMCs to a contractile phenotype.

The biological adsorption technique was used with the powder of (Chara virgata, Cladophora fuebllornei) algae with a dry weight of 0.5 g to treat water contaminated with heavy elements of lead, cadmium, copper, chromium and iron at the two following different locations in Baghdad: Al- Waziriyah Batteries factory, and Tanning & Leather Factory. The experiments were performed at a pH 6 and at a speed of 100 rpm in an electric vibrator. The chara virgata showed high removal ratios 100% of lead, cadmium, and iron respectively in the first half hour of the experiment, while the chromium and copper removal rates ranged from 74.6-100%, 73.2-100% with 0.5-3 hour treatment time respectively. The results of Cladophora fuebllornii were different for the chromium element with removal rates ranging from 77.7-100% and with a treatment time of 0.5-2 hours respectively .Copper removal rates ranged between 83.6-100% and 0.5-1.5 hours. Lead, cadmium, and iron also had 100% removal rates, respectively within the first half hour of the experiment. The analysis of the infrared device (FTIR) for the sample of the two-algae used in the experiments proved the presence of the active groups in the cellular walls of each alga, namely carboxyl, hydroxyl, alkyl, amine, and amide groups, which are responsible for bonding heavy element that present in the polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus with low-grade dysplasia is recommended in recent American College of Gastroenterology guidelines, with endoscopic surveillance considered a reasonable alternative. Few studies have directly compared outcomes of radiofrequency ablation to surveillance and those that have are limited by short duration of follow-up. This study aims to compare the long-term effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation versus endoscopic surveillance in a large, longitudinal cohort of patients with Barrett's esophagus, and low-grade dysplasia. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with confirmed low-grade dysplasia at a single academic medical center from 1991 to 2014. Patients progressing to high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma within one year of index LGD endoscopy were defined as missed dysplasia and excluded. Risk factors for progression were assessed via Cox proportional hazards model. Comparison of progression risk was conducted using a Kaplan–Meier analysis. Subset analyses were conducted to examine the effect of reintroducing early progressors and excluding patients diagnosed prior to the advent of ablative therapy. Of 173 total patients, 79 (45.7%) underwent radiofrequency ablation while 94 (54.3%) were untreated, with median follow up of 90 months. Seven (8.9%) patients progressed to high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma despite ablation, compared with 14 (14.9%) undergoing surveillance (P = 0.44). This effect was preserved when patients diagnosed prior to the introduction of radiofrequency ablation were excluded (8.9% vs 13%, P = 0.68). Reintroduction of patients progressing within the first year of follow-up resulted in a trend toward significance for ablation versus surveillance (11.1% vs 23.8%, P = 0.053). In conclusion, progression to high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma was not significantly reduced in the radiofrequency ablation cohort when compared to surveillance. Despite recent studies suggesting the superiority of radiofrequency ablation in reducing progression, diligent endoscopic surveillance may provide similar long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a finite element analysis approach employing Plaxis 3D to analyze the stress concentration ratio, a critical parameter in geotechnical engineering, to examine stresses operating on stone columns and soft soils. This study also looked at the effect of the stiffness ratio between the stone column and the neighboring soil. With the same length and three different diameters, 0.8 m, 1.0 m, and 1.2 m, or three area replacement ratios ranging from 7% to 16%, respectively, floating and end-bearing stone columns were used. The influence of soft soil undrained cohesion, cu ranging from 6 kPa to 40 kPa, was also considered in the current study. The stiffness ratio for columns to adjacent soil, end bearing or floating stone column, and area ratio all have a significant impression on the performance of the stone column in treating soft soil and stress transmission mechanisms in the enhanced soil body, according to parametric studies. The average stress concentration ratio in soil improved with an end-bearing stone column of φ= 35° and raised to 2.63 and 4.71 at φ = 50°, ranging from 1.41 to 2.35 for area replacement ratios of 7% and 16%.

High temperatures have detrimental effects on the performance and physiology of broiler chickens. Medicinal plants have various biological activities and may enhance the heat resistance of chickens during heat waves. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential roles of using specific local medicinal plants to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress (HS) in broilers. In this study, 180 day-old chicks were used to investigate the effects of HS and dietary indigenous medicinal plants on growth performance, antioxidant biomarkers, and intestinal health. The chicks were assigned to six groups (18 pens with 10 chicks per pen) with three replicates each. In the first group, the chicks were kept under thermoneutral conditions (CON) and fed a basal diet. The other five groups were exposed to recurrent heat stress and fed a basal diet (T1, HS group) or supplemented with Artemisia Sieberi (1.25 g/kg of feed; T2), Achillea Fragrantissima (15 g/kg of feed; T3), Olea europaea (10 g/kg of feed; T4), and all the previous additives (all-in-one) combined at the same dose levels mentioned above (T5). At 21 days of age, the chicks from each group were exposed to two phases of heat stress: phase 1 from days 21 to 34 (34 ± 1°C) followed by phase 2 from days 35 to 39 (37 ± 1°C). The results indicate that HS significantly increased rectal temperature and respiration rate in broiler chickens. Feed intake and body weight gain were improved in all supplemented groups, while the feed conversion ratio was decreased in response to the dietary inclusion of medicinal plants. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase and immunoglobulin G levels were increased in the T3, T4, and T5 groups compared to the other groups. HS induced significant upregulated in the mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 and interleukin-8, while the mRNA of occludin was decreased. The T3, T4, and T5 showed significantly decreased expression of hepatic HSP70 and ileum IL-8 genes and increased ileum mRNA occludin levels relative to the CON and T1 groups. In conclusion, supplementation with these plants enhances growth performance and maintains intestinal health sustaining the productivity of broiler chickens under HS conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Mahasneh, Abuajamieh, Abdelqader, Al-Qaisi, Abedal-Majed, Al-Tamimi, Zakaria and Al-Fataftah.)

Over the past decades, global climate change has led to a significant increase in the average ambient temperature causing heat stress (HS) waves. This increase has resulted in more frequent heat waves during the summer periods. HS can have detrimental effects on poultry, including growth retardation, imbalance in immune/antioxidant pathways, inflammation, intestinal dysfunction, and economic losses in the poultry industry. Therefore, it is crucial to find an effective, safe, applicable, and economically efficient method for reducing these negative influences. Medicinal plants (MPs) contain various bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Due to the biological activities of MPs, it could be used as promising thermotolerance agents in poultry diets during HS conditions. Nutritional supplementation with MPs has been shown to improve growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, and intestinal health in heat-exposed chickens. As a result, several types of herbs have been supplemented to mitigate the harmful effects of heat stress in chickens. Therefore, several types of herbs have been supplemented to mitigate the harmful effects of heat stress in chickens. This review aims to discuss the negative consequences of HS in poultry and explore the use of different traditional MPs to enhance the health status of chickens., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study objectives were to determine the effects of mitoquinol (MitoQ, a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant) on biomarkers of metabolism and inflammation during acute heat stress (HS). Crossbred barrows [n = 32; 59.0 ± 5.6 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 environmental-therapeutic treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) control (n = 8; TNCon), 2) TN and MitoQ (n = 8; TNMitoQ), 3) HS control (n = 8; HSCon), or 4) HS and MitoQ (n = 8; HSMitoQ). Pigs were acclimated for 6 d to individual pens before study initiation. The trial consisted of two experimental periods (P). During P1 (2 d), pigs were fed ad libitum and housed in TN conditions (20.6 ± 0.8 °C). During P2 (24 h), HSCon and HSMitoQ pigs were exposed to continuous HS (35.2 ± 0.2 °C), while TNCon and TNMitoQ remained in TN conditions. MitoQ (40 mg/d) was orally administered twice daily (0700 and 1800 hours) during P1 and P2. Pigs exposed to HS had increased rectal temperature, skin temperature, and respiration rate (+1.5 °C, +6.8 °C, and +101 breaths per minute, respectively; P < 0.01) compared to their TN counterparts. Acute HS markedly decreased feed intake (FI; 67%; P < 0.01); however, FI tended to be increased in HSMitoQ relative to HSCon pigs (1.5 kg vs. 0.9 kg, respectively; P = 0.08). Heat-stressed pigs lost BW compared to their TN counterparts (-4.7 kg vs. +1.6 kg, respectively; P < 0.01); however, the reduction in BW was attenuated in HSMitoQ compared to HSCon pigs (-3.9 kg vs. -5.5 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). Total gastrointestinal tract weight (empty tissue and luminal contents) was decreased in HS pigs relative to their TN counterparts (6.2 kg vs. 8.6 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). Blood glucose increased in HSMitoQ relative to HSCon pigs (15%; P = 0.04). Circulating non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased in HS compared to TN pigs (P < 0.01), although this difference was disproportionately influenced by elevated NEFA in HSCon relative to HSMitoQ pigs (251 μEq/L vs. 142 μEq/L; P < 0.01). Heat-stressed pigs had decreased circulating insulin relative to their TN counterparts (47%; P = 0.04); however, the insulin:FI ratio tended to increase in HS relative to TN pigs (P = 0.09). Overall, circulating leukocytes were similar across treatments (P > 0.10). Plasma C-reactive protein remained similar among treatments; however, haptoglobin increased in HS relative to TN pigs (48%; P = 0.03). In conclusion, acute HS exposure negatively altered animal performance, inflammation, and metabolism, which were partially ameliorated by MitoQ., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

This experiment assessed the influences of betaine (BET; 2000 mg/kg) on rectal temperature (Tr), laying performance, metabolism, intestinal morphology, and follicular development in heat-stressed hens. One-hundred and twenty-eight Hisex white hens (42wks) were housed in 4 battery cages (8 pens/cage; 4 hens/pen) and divided into 4 treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) environments and a control diet (TNCON), 2) TN and a diet accompanied with BET (TNBET), 3) heat stress (HS) environments and a control diet (HSCON), or 4) HS and a diet accompanied with BET (HSBET). Following acclimation (15d), hens of TNCON and TNBET remained in TN, while HSCON and HSBET hens were subjected to cyclical HS (5d; 16.9-37.5 °C). Cyclical HS increased Tr compared with TN hens (1.6 °C; P < 0.01), but supplemental BET decreased Tr (0.4 °C; P < 0.01). Relative to TN treatments, HS declined egg production, weight, and mass (18, 4.2, and 26%, respectively; P < 0.01), but BET ameliorated the egg production and mass (13.1 and 16.2%, respectively; P < 0.01). Compared with HSCON, feed conversion ratio and survival rate were improved in HSBET hens (12.3 and 6.25%, respectively; P ≥ 0.03). Relative to TN hens, HS elevated glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (15 and 4%, respectively; P ≤ 0.04). Supplemental BET decreased BUN levels (6.6%; P < 0.01) relative to HSCON hens. Furthermore, HS diminished jejunal villus height and villus surface area (∼27 and 35%, respectively; P < 0.01) relative to TN hens but were unaltered by BET supplementation. Relative to TN hens, HS decreased oviduct's weight, ovary's length, and ovarian primordial and primary follicles count (18, 23, 34 and 44%, respectively; P < 0.01) and caused fibrosis in shell gland (3-fold; P = 0.05). Collectively, HS impaired productivity, metabolism, intestinal architecture, and reproductive efficiency. Feeding BET reduced Tr, improved laying performance, and slightly altered metabolism but did not affect intestinal and follicular measurements in heat-stressed hens., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aim to assess the effect of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum on post operative pain and ten of the known inflammatory markers., Background: The standard of care pneumoperitoneum set pressure in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is set to 12-14 mmHg, but many societies advocate to operate at the lowest pressure allowing adequate exposure of the operative field. Many trials have described the benefits of operating at a low-pressure pneumoperitoneum in terms of lower post operative pain, and better hemodynamic stability. But only few describe the effects on inflammatory markers and cytokines., Methods: A prospective, double-blinded, randomised, controlled clinical trial, including patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients randomised into low-pressure (8-10 mmHg) vs. standard-pressure (12-14 mmHg) with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Perioperative variables were collected and analysed., Results: one hundred patients were allocated, 50 patients in each study arm. Low-pressure patients reported lower median pain score 6-hour post operatively (5 vs. 6, p-value = 0.021) in comparison with standard-pressure group. Eight out of 10 inflammatory markers demonstrated better results in low-pressure group in comparison with standard-pressure, but the effect was not statistically significant. Total operative time and surgery difficulty was not significantly different between the two groups even in the hands of inexperienced surgeons., Conclusion: low-pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with less post operative pain and lower rise of inflammatory markers. It is feasible with comparable complications to the standard of care. Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05530564/ September 7th, 2022)., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of bovine casein to mitigate the inflammatory responses in heat-stressed broiler chickens. One-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens (n = 1200) were reared using standard management practices. On d 22 of age, birds were divided into 2 main groups and kept either under thermoneutral temperature (21 ± 1 °C) or chronic heat stress (30 ± 1 °C). Each group was further divided into 2 sub-groups and fed either the control diet (Con) or the casein (3 g/kg) supplemented diet (CAS). The study consisted of four treatments; each treatment was replicated 12 times with 25 birds per replicate. The treatments were as follow; CCon: control temperature + control diet, CCAS: control temperature + casein diet, HCon: heat stress + control diet, and HCAS: heat stress + casein diet. The casein and heat stress protocols were applied from d 22 to d 35 of age. Casein increased the growth performance of the HCAS (P < 0.05) when compared to the HCon. Additionally, the maximum feed conversion efficiency was exhibited (P < 0.05) by the HCAS. Compared with CCon, heat stress increased (P < 0.05) the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Casein lowered (P < 0.05) the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to heat exposure. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) villus height, crypt depth, villus surface area, and absorptive epithelial cell area. Casein increased (P < 0.05) villus height, crypt depth, villus surface area, and absorptive epithelial cell area in CCAS and HCAS. Furthermore, casein improved intestinal microflora balance by enhancing (P < 0.05) the growth of intestinal beneficial bacteria and decreasing (P < 0.05) the intestinal colonization with the pathogenic bacteria. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of bovine casein would suppress the inflammatory responses in heat-stressed broiler chickens. Such potential could be utilized as an effective management approach to promote gut health and homeostasis during heat stress conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An androgen excess ovarian micro-environment may limit follicle progression in sheep. Two populations of ewes with divergent follicular fluid androstenedione (A4) were identified in a flock in Jordan: High A4; (A4) ≥ 30 ng/mL, (N = 12) or Control A4 (Control); A4 ≤ 15 ng/mL; (N = 12). We hypothesized High A4 ewes would have increased steroidogenic enzyme mRNA abundance, inflammation, and follicular arrest. Messenger RNA abundance for steroidogenic enzymes StAR, CYP17A1, CYP11A1, and HSD3B1 were increased in theca cells while CYP17A1, CYP19A1, and HSD3B1 were increased in granulosa cells in High A4 ewes compared to Control. Gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression for LHCGR was increased in theca and FSHR in granulosa in High A4 ewes. Messenger RNA expression of FOS when reduced, increases expression of CYP17A1 which was observed in High A4 granulosa cells compared to Control. Furthermore, High A4 ewes had greater numbers of primordial follicles (P < 0.001) and fewer developing follicles compared to Control before, and after 7 d of culture, indicating follicular arrest was not alleviated by cortex culture. Increased fibrosis in the ovarian cortex was detected in High A4 ewes relative to Control (P < 0.001) suggesting increased inflammation and altered extracellular matrix deposition. Thus, this High A4 ewes population has similar characteristics to High A4 cows and women with polycystic ovary syndrome suggesting that naturally occurring androgen excess occurs in multiple species and may be a causative factor in follicular arrest and subsequent female sub- or infertility., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) supplementation on the reproductive and productive performance of primiparous dairy cows fed two levels of protein. The Presynch-Ovsynch protocol was used to synchronize 36 lactating Holstein cows that were assigned randomly to one of six dietary treatments: (1) 14% CP and without RPM diet (14CP-0RPM; n = 6), (2) 14% CP and 15 g/head/day RPM (14CP-15RPM; n = 6), (3) 14% CP and 25 g/head/day RPM (14CP-25RPM; n = 6), (4) 16% CP and without RPM diet (16CP-0RPM; n = 6), (5) 16% CP and 15 g/head/day RPM (16CP-15RPM; n = 6), and (6) 16% CP and 25 g/head/day RPM (16CP-25RPM; n = 6). Independent of CP levels, feeding RPM had reduced the calving interval (P < 0.01). Feeding RPM increased (P < 0.01) overall plasma progesterone (P4). Feeding 16CP-15RPM increased (P < 0.01) overall plasma P4. Feeding 16% CP increased (P < 0.01) 4% fat corrected milk, energy corrected milk, milk fat and protein yield, and milk casein. Moreover, feeding the 25RPM has increased (P < 0.01) 4% fat corrected milk, energy corrected milk, milk fat, and protein yield. Compared with other treatments, feeding 16CP-25RPM or 16CP-15RPM enhanced (P < 0.01) milk yield and milk fat yield. In conclusion, feeding 16% CP with RPM boosted the productivity and reduced the calving interval in primiparous lactating dairy cows., (© 2023 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Background and Aim: Heat stress (HS) can negatively impact farm animal productivity and adversely affect animal welfare worldwide, placing a major financial burden on global livestock producers. Dietary betaine (trimethylglycine) has been known to have several biological functions, which may aid in offering beneficial effects on livestock productivity during HS conditions. However, information on the role of dietary betaine in heat-stressed dairy heifer calves is yet to be documented. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of supplementing dietary betaine on body temperature indices, blood metabolites, productive performance, and complete blood count (CBC) (hematological indices) in hyperthermic dairy heifer calves., Materials and Methods: In total, 14 Holstein heifer calves (4.0 ± 0.9 months old) were individually housed and randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: (1) a control diet (CON; n = 7) and (2) a control diet complemented with 21 g/d of natural betaine (BET; n = 7) top-dressed once daily. The experiment lasted for 28 d, during which all animals were subjected to natural cyclic HS conditions (26.1-39.2°C; 73.2-84.0 temperature-humidity index). Rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were measured twice daily (0700 and 1500 h), whereas dry matter intake (DMI) was measured once daily (0800 h). In addition, blood samples (collected from the jugular vein) were analyzed for metabolites and CBC on days 7, 14, 21, and 28., Results: Relative to CON, BET supplementation was able to decrease RT on day 23 of the experiment (p = 0.04). Alternatively, RR was similar between the dietary treatments (p = 0.73). Feeding BET did not affect DMI compared with CON during HS conditions (p = 0.48). Furthermore, compared with CON, BET supplementation did not change leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and hematocrit levels during HS conditions (p ≥ 0.17). However, a post hoc analysis indicated that hematocrit levels were decreased in BET-fed calves on day 7 of the study compared with CON calves during HS conditions (p = 0.05). Moreover, circulating glucose, albumin, and triglycerides were found to be similar between dietary treatments (p ≥ 0.55)., Conclusion: BET supplementation slightly reduced RT and circulating hematocrit but did not affect other metrics in this HS experiment. More research into the effects of different doses of dietary BET on dairy heifer calves is needed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Al-Qaisi, et al.)