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Alternative strategies to chemical anthelmintics are needed for the sustainable control of equine strongylids. Bioactive forages like sainfoin (

Star-forming galaxies with strong nebular and collisional emission lines are privileged target galaxies in forthcoming cosmological large galaxy redshift surveys. We use the COSMOS2015 photometric catalog to model galaxy spectral energy distributions and emission-line fluxes. We adopt an empirical but physically-motivated model that uses information from the best-fitting spectral energy distribution of stellar continuum to each galaxy. The emission-line flux model is calibrated and validated against direct flux measurements in subsets of galaxies that have 3D-HST or zCOSMOS-Bright spectra. We take a particular care in modelling dust attenuation such that our model can explain both H$\alpha$ and [OII] observed fluxes at different redshifts. We find that a simple solution to this is to introduce a redshift evolution in the dust attenuation fraction parameter, $f=E_{\rm star}(B-V)/E_{\rm gas}(B-V)$, as $f(z)=0.44+0.2z$. From this catalog, we derive the H$\alpha$ and [OII] luminosity functions up to redshifts of about 2.5 after carefully accounting for emission line flux and redshift errors. This allows us to make predictions for H$\alpha$ and [OII] galaxy number counts in next-generation cosmological redshift surveys. Our modeled emission lines and spectra in the COSMOS2015 catalog shall be useful to study the target selection for planned next-generation galaxy redshift surveys and we make them publicly available as `EL-COSMOS' on the ASPIC database., Comment: 21 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. Our catalog is available as "EL-COSMOS" on the ASPIC database, http://cesam.lam.fr/aspic/. A few typos corrected

The raw data files and associated R scripts are available under the following repository: https://github.com/Joshua-Malsa/Sainfoin-paper.git.; International audience; Alternative strategies to chemical anthelmintics are needed for the sustainable control of equine strongylids. Bioactive forages like sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ) could contribute to reducing drug use, with the first hints of in vitro activity against cyathostomin free-living stages observed in the past. We analysed the effect of a sainfoin-rich diet on cyathostomin population and the efficacy of oral ivermectin treatment. Two groups of 10 naturally infected horses were enrolled in a 78-day experimental trial. Following a 1-week adaptation period, they were either fed with dehydrated sainfoin pellets (70% of their diet dry matter) or with alfalfa pellets (control group) for 21-days. No difference was found between the average fecal egg counts (FECs) of the two groups, but a significantly lower increase in larval development rate was observed for the sainfoin group, at the end of the trial. Quantification of cyathostomin species abundances with an ITS-2-based metabarcoding approach revealed that the sainfoin diet did not affect the nemabiome structure compared to the control diet. Following oral ivermectin treatment of all horses on day 21, the drug concentration was lower in horses fed with sainfoin, and cyathostomin eggs reappeared earlier in that group. Our results demonstrated that short-term consumption of a sainfoin-rich diet does not decrease cyathostomin FEC but seems to slightly reduce larval development. Consumption of dehydrated sainfoin pellets also negatively affected ivermectin pharmacokinetics, underscoring the need to monitor horse feeding regimes when assessing ivermectin efficacy in the field.

Female mammalian reproductive functions are closely linked to body condition and metabolic status. Energy homeostasis is regulated by endocrine hormones such as insulin, IGF-I, leptin, and adiponectin via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These metabolic hormones and their receptors are also expressed in reproductive tissues and the embryo. We investigated the relationship between circulating leptin and the fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) composition of the equine uterine fluid (UF) and peripheral blood plasma (BP) by using a mass spectrometry-based approach. UF and BP were collected from ten broodmares on days 6 and 7 post ovulation, respectively. The mares were retrospectively assigned to two groups according to their BP leptin concentrations (high leptin [> 1.6 ng/mL] versus low leptin [, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 109

International audience; Possibly contribute to the lower fertility in older mares Gene expression & histology of placentas are affected by maternal age but no gross morphology Possibly affects fetomaternal communication/exchanges Perturbations in gene expression in placentas are already present in the embryo trophoblast RNAseq differential analysis: DESeq2 package on R software with size and sex as cofactors for embryos; gestation length, foal sex and placental weight as cofactors for placentas; padj

We investigate the specific angular momentum (sAM) $ j(, Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, accepted version; The TNG50 data is publicly available at https://www.tng-project.org

Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial pathology that affects up to 75% of equids and impacts their sports career. Feeding excess dietary concentrates, thus inducing increased blood glucose and insulin peaks associated with meals, has been linked to an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in foals. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of different of concentrate distribution in 2 or 8 meals throughout day and night on glucose metabolism and the incidence of osteochondrosis in foals. Anglo-Arabian foals born to the same sire and bred in the same facilities were used from 6 to 18 mo of age over a 2-year period. At weaning (6 mo), they were housed in stables. After an adaptation period, they received 2.5–3kg of cereal pellets in 2 meals (year 1, 9 females (F) and 10 males (M) and year 2, 5 F and 6 M) or in 8 meals/d (year 1, 10 F, 10 M and year 2, 5 F and 4 M) using an automatic horse feeder (AHF) until 12 mo of age, when the males were gelded and all foals sent to pasture. At 6, 12 and 18 mo, Frequent Sampling Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Tests (FSIVGTT) and joint x-rays were performed. Glucose and insulin FSIVGTT data were analyzed with Bergman minimal model (MinMod software). Data were analyzed using chi2 or linear model test with permutations according to data type. Nutritional intakes per individual were not different in overall terms between year, groups nor sex. Foals receiving 8 meals/day during their first winter had a better average daily gain (562.2 ± 55.0 g/d for 2 meals/d vs 616.1 ± 100.1g/d for 8 meals/d, P

International audience; estational length is highly variable in horses ranging from 320 to 360 days. Thus, determining parturition time is an important challenge for the horse industry. Body temperature can be used in cows and ewes as an indicator of parturition. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine if temperature can also be used as indicator of foaling. Thirty-nine mares were monitored over two foaling seasons (2018 and 2019). They were housed in 16 m2 stalls with access to pasture in group three times a week from 10:00 to 16:00. Night watch as well as video monitoring was ensured during foaling periods. Body temperature was monitored using an identification and temperature sensor microchip implanted in the neckline. Measurement were taken manually every 2 h from 5 days before to 6 h after parturition by moving a microchip reader close to the mares' neck. Mares were equipped with a tail accelerometer recording tail movements and lateral recumbency 24 h before parturition. In addition, behaviour was monitored by video analysis in the hour preceding expulsion of the foal in 8 individuals in 2019. Relationships between behavioural and temperature data were explored throughout principal component analysis (PCA). All foals were born healthy and no human intervention was required during foaling. Mean daily body temperature decreased significantly by 0.3 °C (95%; range: 0.42 to -0.19 °C) between the day of parturition and the mean temperature of the 5 preceding days. A significant temperature decrease was also detected 12 h before and at the onset of parturition. With a 0.5 °C threshold, foaling could be detected 12 h in advance with 96.6% sensitivity and 95.0% specificity, respectively. Tail movements were more frequent and shorter with impending parturition. Body temperature was positively correlated with increased frequency and duration of specific behaviours (flehmen, looking at their flank and rump scratching against the stall wall). In conclusion, as in other species, body temperature was related to signs usually associated with impeding parturition, with a significant temperature drop observed from 12 h before and at the time of foaling. Providing automated measurements become available, temperature monitoring could become an additional tool to predict parturition in mares.

International audience; In clinics, temperature is used as an indicator of health. Mostly rectal temperature is recorded, requiring handling and time. Temperature-sensitive identification microchips could be an alternative. Foals (26 males and 17 females), 4-12 months old, were housed in stalls over two winters (December-February). They were equipped with an identification and temperature sensor microchip implanted in the neckline. Temperature was recorded using an antenna located near the drinking trough. Animals were fed concentrated feed and forage twice daily, with free access to water. Rectal temperatures (79 measurements) were recorded simultaneously in 26 animals. Data were analyzed with a linear mixed model, using natural cubic splines for the mean curve and a random horse effect. All animals remained healthy throughout the study. More than 100,000 recordings were obtained. Mean temperature for all individuals at all times was 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Time of the day affected temperature with a daily amplitude of 0.96 degrees C (P < .001). Lowest temperatures were observed before dawn, the acrophase occurring around 18:00, with a smaller increase around midday. Mean temperature was 0.26 degrees C higher in males (P < .05). It was also 0.1 degrees C higher in light (

In mammals, male embryos grow faster. Equine embryo size is highly variable for same developmental stage, with no reported relation to embryo sex nor gene expression. Our objective was to evaluate gene expression sexual dimorphism on equine D8 blastocysts. Non-nursing, Saddlebred mares located on 2 experimental farms were inseminated with the semen of one unique stallion per farm. At 8 d post ovulation, 17 and 11 embryos from each farm, each from a different dam, were recovered by uterine flushing and bissected to obtain samples of pure (TE) or inner cell mass enriched (TE-ICM) trophoblast. RNA expression was analyzed separately in the TE-ICM and the TE of 16 female and 12 male embryos using paired end, non-oriented RNA sequencing (Illumina, NextSeq500). To discriminate gene expression in the ICM from that in the TE, deconvolution (DeMixT R package) was used on the TE-ICM data. Differential expression was analyzed (DESeq2) with farm and embryo size as cofactors using a false discovery rate (FDR)

Foals born to primiparous mares are lighter and less mature than those born to multiparous dams. Factors driving this difference are not totally understood. Using 7 multiparous and 6 primiparous standardbred mares, we demonstrated that, in late gestation, primiparous mares were less insulin resistant compared to multiparous mares, and that their foals had reduced plasma amino-acid concentrations at birth compared to foals born to multiparous mares. Vascular development, as observed through structure and gene expression, and global DNA methylation were also reduced in primiparous placentas. Another group of 8 primiparous mares was orally supplemented with L-arginine (100 g/day, 210d to term). L-arginine improved pregnancy-induced insulin resistance and increased maternal L-arginine and L-ornithine plasma concentrations but foal plasma amino acid concentrations were not affected at birth. At birth, foal weight and placental biometry, structure, ultra-structure and DNA methylation were not modified. Placental expression of genes involved in glucose and fatty acid transfers was increased. In conclusion, maternal insulin resistance in response to pregnancy and placental function are reduced in primiparous pregnancies. Late-gestation L-arginine supplementation may help primiparous mares to metabolically adapt to pregnancy and improve placental function. More work is needed to confirm these effects and ascertain optimal treatment conditions.

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International audience; Primiparous mares are known to produce smaller foals than multiparous mares. This difference seems to be partly explained by the reduced exchange surface and volume of the placental villi in primiparous compared to multiparous placentas. The effect of maternal parity on foals' post-natal growth, metabolism and sexual maturation, however, has been given little consideration. The objectives of this work were to analyse placental biometry and structure at term, growth of foals and yearlings, their metabolism and testicular maturation at one year of age. Twenty multiparous mares (M), aged over 6 years and 12 primiparous mares (P), aged up to 5 years were artificially inseminated with the same stallion and monitored the same way until foaling. At birth, foals and placentas were measured and placentas were sampled above at the umbilical cord insertion, as well as in the pregnant and the non-pregnant horn to perform stereological analyses. Foals were weighed and measured until 540 days of age. At 120 and 360 days of age, an Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test was performed on foals and yearlings. At 360 days of age, the males were castrated and testicular maturation analysed by RT-qPCR. At birth, P dams produced lighter and smaller foals and placentas. The foal birth weight to placental surface ratio was lower in the P compared to the M group. P Foals remained lighter than M foals until 360 days of age and smaller until at least 540 days of age. At 120 days of age, P foals had a higher glucose tolerance than M foals, and then may be less mature than M foals in terms of the control of their glucose homeostasis. At 360 days of age, the testicles of prepubertal P stallions were less mature in the P vs the M group. In conclusion, primiparous dams produce intrauterine growth restricted, less mature and smaller foals compared to multiparous dams with altered metabolism and growth until at least 540 days of age. These differences could affect the sport career of these foals, especially if it begins at an early age.

Introduction Feeding pregnant broodmares with cereal concentrates has been shown to increase maternal insulin resistance and affect foal metabolism in the short and long-term. These effects are likely to be mediated by the placenta. Here, we investigated feto-placental biometry and placental structure and function at term in mares fed with or without cereals concentrates. Material and methods From 7 months of gestation, 22 multiparous mares were fed forage only (group F (n = 12)) or received forage and cracked barley (group B (n = 10)) until foaling. Foals and placentas were weighed and placental samples were collected above the umbilical cord insertion at birth. Placental histological structure was studied by stereology. A RNAseq analysis was performed on 9 placentas of each group. Enrichment of gene sets was analysed using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software using the KEGG and GO databases. Results No difference in feto-placental biometry was observed between groups. The volume of microcotyledonary vessels was decreased in B placentas and the vascular wall of allantoic arterioles was thickened. Gene sets involved in neutral amino acids, folate and anions transport and fatty acids, cholesterol and folate degradation were down-regulated while gene sets involved in RNA expression, inflammation and vascularisation were up-regulated in B placentas. Conclusion Feeding pregnant mares with concentrates from mid-gestation alters the placental function and structure as observed in other species in cases of maternal insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND Following embryo transfer (ET), the size and breed of the recipient mare can affect fetal development and subsequent post natal growth rate and insulin sensitivity in foals. OBJECTIVES To investigate placental adaptation in pregnancies where increased or restricted fetal growth was induced through ET between Pony, Saddlebred and Draught horses. STUDY DESIGN In vivo experiment. METHODS Control Pony (P, n = 21) and Saddlebred (S, n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Increased pregnancies were obtained by transferring Pony (P-D, n = 6) and Saddlebred (S-D, n = 8) embryos into Draught mares. Restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring Saddlebred embryos into Pony mares (S-P, n = 6). Placental weight and surface were recorded and samples collected for stereology and analysis of expression of genes involved in placental growth, vascularisation and nutrient transport. Data were analysed by linear model. RESULTS S-P foals were growth retarded when compared with controls despite increased gestational length. Placental weight was reduced but placental surface density and volume fraction were increased. Placental expression of genes involved in growth and development and nutrient transfer was strongly reduced. In contrast, placental size and weight were increased in enhanced growth P-D and S-D foals. The trophoblastic surface density and the allantoic vessels surface density were decreased in P-D and S-D, respectively, both with very few modifications in gene expression. MAIN LIMITATIONS Control embryos were produced by artificial insemination whereas experimental embryos were produced by ET. CONCLUSIONS Placental structure and gene expression are modified after ET into a smaller or larger breed than that of the embryo. These adaptations contribute to the observed phenotype of foal growth restriction or enhanced growth at birth.

International audience; Ponies and sometimes draft horses are often used as experimental models for horses although size and metabolic parameters are known to vary between horse breeds. So far, there is little information about differences of placental structure and no information about differences of placental function between breeds. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in placental size, structure and function at birth in relation to foal size and weight in ponies, Saddlebred and draft horses. Pony, Saddlebred and draft horse pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination over 2 successive breeding seasons. Foals and total fetal membranes (TFM) were weighed and placentas measured for surface area at term. Placentas were sampled above the umbilical cord insertion. Surface density and volume fraction of the different cellular components of the placenta were measured on histological sections using stereology. The expression of genes involved in growth and development, nutrient transfer and vascularization was compared between groups. Foals and TFM were lighter at birth in ponies than Saddlebred horses, and both were lighter compared to draft horses. The surface density and volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels was increased in pony compared to Saddlebred placentas. The relative expression of genes involved in growth and development was different between breeds and increased with maternal, fetal and placental weight. Primiparous dams produced lighter foals and smaller placentas, associated with a decreased volume fraction of microcotyledonary vessels and genes involved in growth and development and vascularization. Foal sex had little effect on placental structure and function as the expression of only one gene differed according to sex, with EGFR expression being decreased in placentas of females compared to males. In conclusion, foal and placental weight, as well as placental expression of genes involved in growth and development were correlated with maternal size. Placental structure also differed between breeds, with a stronger difference between ponies and both breeds of horses.

In the equine industry, horse breeders aim to produce one foal per mare per year. Thus, mares are bred while nursing. In high-yielding dairy cattle, concurrent lactation and conception may affect embryo quality, but effects on uterine fluid (UF) quality are unknown. No data are available in horses. The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of nursing on protein, metabolite and fatty acid (FA) compositions of UF at ~7.5 days post-ovulation. Anglo-Arab mares (multiparous (2.7 ± 0.9 foals), 10.8 ± 2.5 years old) that were either nursing (N; 105 ± 12 days of lactation) or barren (B) were inseminated with the semen of the same stallion at induction of ovulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin. Ovulation was confirmed by ultrasound within 48 h. At 7.4 ± 0.7 days post-ovulation, UF was collected with a human tampon that was left for 10 min in the uterus before embryo collection. Only mares for which no embryo was collected were selected (n = 5 in both groups). Trypsin digestion followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was used for proteomic analysis, with subsequent characterisation with the PANTHER platform using an overrepresentation test (Fisher's exact type with false discovery rate correction) with the PANTHER pathway database. An untargeted approach based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed for metabolomics (normalisation to 50 µg of protein), and data were analysed with the MS Peaks to Pathways tool of the MetaboAnalyst platform, using both the GSEA and mummichog algorithms (cut-off = 0.05). Fatty acid composition (% of total FA) was analysed using gas chromatography. Differences between groups were analysed using a linear model with permutation using R software with the pgirmess package (P = 0.05 for significance). Altogether, 2706 proteins with at least two peptides were identified in mares’ UF, with 164 being differentially expressed. Ubiquitin proteasome, involved in embryo-endometrium interactions, was the most enriched pathway in N mares (fold enrichment = 15.12; P

Directed evolution via iterative cycles of random and targeted mutagenesis was applied to the P450 domain of the subterminal fatty acid hydroxylase CYP102A1 of Bacillus megaterium to shift its regioselectivity towards the terminal position of palmitic acid. A powerful and versatile high throughput assay based on LC-MS allowed the simultaneous detection of primary and secondary oxidation products, which was instrumental for identifying variants with a strong preference for the terminal oxidation of palmitic acid. The best variants identified acquired up to 11 amino acid alterations. Substitutions at F87, I263, and A328, relatively close to the bound substrate based on available crystallographic information contributed significantly to the altered regioselectivity. However, non-obvious residues much more distant from the bound substrate showed surprising strong contributions to the increased selectivity for the terminal position of palmitic acid.

Whole wheat is well known by consumers as a health-providing ingredient. Nevertheless, in extruded products it leads to textures that are less favorable to consumer preference compared to its refined flour. An understanding of the effect of extrusion on whole wheat properties is therefore necessary to improve its texture. Whole wheat flour was extruded under varying conditions of water content (18 or 22%), screw speed (400 or 800 rpm) and barrel temperature (140 or 180 °C) and its physicochemical properties were measured. Changing the extrusion conditions significantly modified the volumetric expansion index (between 9.1 and 20.6) and longitudinal expansion (between 0.93 and 2.98) of the samples. Interestingly, changing the extrusion conditions did not significantly modify the sectional expansion. Increasing barrel temperature, water content or screw speed decreased the shear viscosity of the melt. This can be explained by plasticizing effects and modification of starch properties. The change in shear viscosity at the die can mostly explain the effect of process conditions on volumetric expansion of the extruded whole wheat. The stress at rupture of the extruded samples was varied between 0.49 and 1.86 MPa depending on process conditions. It was the lowest at high water content and low screw speed.

The sensorial profile, nutritional quality, and rehydration properties of dried food depend on the structure of the dehydrated material. The molecular, supramolecular, micro-, and macrostructure is influenced by the applied drying conditions. During drying of foods, specific product structures can be generated. For instance, during drying at elevated temperatures, Maillard reactions are accelerated. Thus, peptides and reducing sugar molecules are transformed into taste-active molecules. During drying, proteins are also denatured, and their three-dimensional structure changes accordingly. Following this denaturing, proteins can coagulate. Furthermore, gelling of starch is observed during drying of food. In addition to these reactions, isomerization, oxidation, and various other reactions are accelerated during drying at higher temperatures. Thus, the molecular structure of food products changes significantly during most drying processes. Depending on the drying conditions, different supramolecular structur...

Addition of bran reduces the expansion of extruded starchy foams. This may be attributed to changes in parameters driving expansion. Wheat flour was supplemented with wheat bran to achieve two levels of fibers (12.6% and 22.4%) and extruded under different conditions of barrel temperature (120 or 180 °C), water content in the feed (18% or 22%) or screw speed (400 or 800 rpm). Increasing the bran concentration decreased sectional and volumetric expansions and increased longitudinal expansion. Finer cellular structures consisting of an increased number of small cells with more spherical shapes were generated. This may be linked to an increased nucleation at the die. The reduction in volumetric expansion was associated with an increase in shear viscosity only at the highest bran concentration. At same extrusion conditions the glass transition temperature of starch was reduced by down to 15 °C by supplementation with bran. This may induce a decrease in the viscosity of the starch phase and counteract the matrix viscosity increase linked to the properties of bran. A higher surface porosity was observed in the bran containing recipe due to earlier burst of the bubbles during growth.

Incorporation of wheat bran has a significant effect on the texture of extruded starchy products. This can be explained by changes in the mechanical parameters of the products. The stress at rupture and elastic modulus of wheat flour-based solid foams, obtained at different extrusion conditions and bran concentration, were measured using a three-point bending test. Both parameters were positively correlated with the foam relative density according to the Gibson–Ashby model. At same relative densities and bran concentration, finer structures with higher density of small cells led to a higher mechanical strength of the foams. The stress at rupture of the unexpanded material was decreased when increasing the bran concentration. Nevertheless, expanded foams with added bran at an intermediate level showed increased mechanical strength. This was attributed to the finer cellular structures obtained. The effect of increasing the bran to a higher concentration on the mechanical properties was depending on the cell wall thickness and bran particle dimensions. At high relative density, the strength of the foams was further increased due to the even finer structures obtained. At low relative density, even though finer structures were also obtained, the stress at rupture of the foams was decreased. This may be explained by the lower cell wall thicknesses and low adhesion properties between bran and starch favoring rupture of the cell walls.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wheat bran concentrations on the mechanical properties determining the texture of extruded carbohydrate matrices. For this wheat flour was extruded under different conditions with an increasing concentration of wheat bran. The mechanical properties were assessed using a threepoint bending test and the cellular structure was determined by micro-computed X-ray tomography. Regardless of the bran concentration, the stress at rupture of the extruded foams was positively correlated with their relative density according to the Gibson-Ashby model. At same relative densities and bran concentration, finer structures with higher density of small cells led to a higher mechanical strength of the foams. Expanded foams with added bran at an intermediate level showed increased mechanical strength. This was attributed to the finer cellular structures obtained.The effect of increasing the bran to a higher concentration on the mechanical properties was depending on the cell wall thickness and bran particle dimensions.

International audience; The role of antenatal events on growth and predisposition to osteochondrosis (OC) was investigated in foals born to between-breed embryo transfers. Pony (P), saddlebred (S), and draft (D) horses were used. Control P-P (n = 21) and S-S (n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Enhanced and restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring P or S embryos into D mares (P-D, n = 6 and S-D, n = 8) and S embryos into P mares (S-P, n = 6), respectively. Control and experimental foals were raised by their dams and recipient mothers, respectively, and weaned at age 6 months. Body measurements were recorded from birth to age 18 months. Osteochondrosis status was evaluated shortly after weaning and at age 18 months. Fetal growth was enhanced in P-D foals with overgrowth of most body segments until age 18 months. Fetal growth was restricted in S-P foals compared with S-D foals. Body weight, shoulder, and hip width of S-P foals grew slower before weaning but subsequently caught up after weaning. Other segments did not catch up, resulting in reduced body weight and withers' height in S-P compared with S-D foals at age 18 months. The relative risk of developing OC was increased in restricted S-P foals compared with S-S and S-D foals shortly after weaning where all S-P foals were OC positive. Only two S-P foals were still OC positive at age 18 months. These data confirm the impact of the intrauterine environment on growth, skeletal health, and possibly athletic capacities of horses.

Le fichier annexe contient une correction : The term "nutritional offer" appears incorrectly throughout the paper. The correct term should be "nutritional intake."Fig 1 and its caption appear incorrectly in the published article. Please see the correct Fig 1 and its caption below.; In stud management, broodmares are commonly fed concentrates in late pregnancy. This practice, however, was shown to correlate with an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in foals, which may be related to insulin sensitivity. We hypothesized that supplementation of the mare with barley in the last trimester of pregnancy alters the pre-weaning foal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status. Here, pregnant multiparous saddlebred mares were fed forage only (group F, n=13) or both forage and cracked barley (group B, n=12) from the 7th month of pregnancy until term, as calculated to cover nutritional needs of broodmares. Diets were given in two daily meals. All mares and foals returned to pasture after parturition. Post-natal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status were investigated in pre-weaning foals. B mares maintained an optimal body condition score (>3.5), whereas that of F mares decreased and remained low (

We report on the first scanning tunnelling spectroscopy measurements on the edge of aluminium-doped magnesium diboride (Mg1−xAlxB2,x = 0.085) single crystals. To target their edge (~30 µm thick) we have developed a low temperature STM facility featuring a home built compact STM head coupled to an inertially driven carriage. This allows linear submicronic positioning over millimetric distances. We demonstrate the capabilities of our system by showing reproducible tunnelling spectra obtained both parallel and perpendicular to the crystalline c axis. Tunnelling on the edge reveals the gap originating in the highly 2D σ band but in contrast with pure MgB2 does not show the signature of the π gap.

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In equids, placentation is diffuse and nutrient supply to the fetus is determined by uterine size. This correlates with maternal size and affects intra-uterine development and subsequent post-natal growth, as well as insulin sensitivity in the newborn. Long-term effects remain to be described. In this study, fetal growth was enhanced or restricted through ET using pony (P), saddlebred (S) and draft (D) horses. Control P-P (n = 21) and S-S (n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by AI. Enhanced and restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring P or S embryos into D mares (P-D, n = 6 and S-D, n = 8) or S embryos into P mares (S-P, n = 6), respectively. Control and experimental foals were raised by their dams and recipient mothers, respectively. Weight gain, growth hormones and glucose homeostasis were investigated in the foals from birth to weaning. Fetal growth was enhanced in P-D and these foals remained consistently heavier, with reduced T3 concentrations until weaning compared to P-P. P-D had lower fasting glucose from days 30 to 200 and higher insulin secretion than P-P after IVGTT on day 3. Euglycemic clamps in the immediate post-weaning period revealed no difference in insulin sensitivity between P-D and P-P. Fetal growth was restricted in S-P and these foals remained consistently lighter until weaning compared to S-D, with elevated T3 concentrations in the newborn compared to S-S. S-P exhibited higher fasting glycemia than S-S and S-D from days 30 to 200. They had higher maximum increment in plasma glucose than S-D after IVGTT on day 3 and clamps on day 200 demonstrated higher insulin sensitivity compared to S-D. Neither the restricted nor the enhanced fetal environment affected IGF-1 concentrations. Thus, enhanced and restricted fetal and post-natal environments had combined effects that persisted until weaning. They induced different adaptive responses in post-natal glucose metabolism: an early insulin-resistance was induced in enhanced P-D, while S-P developed increased insulin sensitivity.

WOS:000393538500020; International audience; Embryo transfer between breeds of different sizes impacts fetal growth in horses. We have shown that it elicits various postnatal adaptations in terms of growth and glucose metabolism until weaning. Postweaning effects remain to be described. Pony (P), saddlebred (S), and draft (D) horses were used. Control Pony-in-Pony (P-P; n = 21) and Saddlebred-in-Saddlebred (S-S; n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Enhanced and restricted pregnancies were obtained by transferring P or S embryos into D mares (Pony-in-Draft [P-D], n = 6 and Saddlebred-in-Draft [S-D], n = 8) and S embryos into P mares (Saddlebred-in-Pony n = 6), respectively. Control and experimental foals were raised by their dams and recipient mothers, respectively and weaned on day 180. Weight gain, growth hormones, and glucose metabolism were investigated in foals between days 180 and 540. Pony-in-Draft (P-D) remained heavier than P-P on days 180, 360, and 540, with lower glucose and higher non-esterified fatty-acids on days 180, 360, and 540 and higher T-3 on day 180. Insulin sensitivity was similar between pony groups on days 200 and 540. S-P were lighter than S-D on day 180 but caught up by day 540. S-P had higher glucose than S-D on days 180, 360, and 540, as well as lower non-esterified fatty acids and higher T3 on day 180. Insulin sensitivity was higher in S-P than in S-D on day 200. No difference was observed between saddlebred groups thereafter. In conclusion, in horses, fetal growth is determinant for postnatal metabolism, especially for energy availability. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sub-Kelvin scanning tunneling spectroscopy in the Chevrel phases SnMo6S8 and PbMo6S8 reveals two distinct superconducting gaps with Δ1=3 meV, Δ2∼1.0 meV and Δ1=3.1 meV, Δ2∼1.4 meV, respectively. The gap distribution is strongly anisotropic, with Δ2 predominantly seen when scanning across unit-cell steps on the (001) sample surface. The spectra are well fitted by an anisotropic two-band BCS s-wave gap function. Our spectroscopic data are confirmed by electronic heat capacity measurements, which also provide evidence for a twin-gap scenario.

We performed the first scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements on the pyrochlore superconductor ${\mathrm{KOs}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ (${T}_{c}=9.6\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$) in both zero magnetic field and the vortex state at several temperatures above 1.95 K. This material presents atomically flat surfaces, yielding spatially homogeneous spectra which reveal fully gapped superconductivity with a gap anisotropy of 30%. Measurements performed at fields of 2 and 6 T display a hexagonal Abrikosov flux line lattice. From the shape of the vortex cores, we extract a coherence length of 31--40 \AA{}, in agreement with the value derived from the upper critical field ${H}_{\mathrm{c}2}$. We observe a reduction in size of the vortex cores (and hence the coherence length) with increasing field which is consistent with the unexpectedly high and unsaturated upper critical field reported.

We present a scanning tunneling spectroscopy study on the Chevrel phase PbMo6S8, an extreme type-II superconductor with a coherence length only slightly larger than in high-Tc cuprates. Tunneling spectra measured on atomically flat terraces are spatially homogeneous and show well-defined coherence peaks. The low-energy spectral weight, the zero bias conductance, and the temperature dependence of the gap are incompatible with a conventional isotropic s-wave interpretation, revealing the presence of low-energy excitations in the superconducting state. We show that our data are consistent with the presence of nodes in the superconducting gap.

We describe the design and development of a compact low temperature XY stage scanning tunneling microscope dedicated to operation at low temperatures, in high magnetic fields, and in an ultrahigh vacuum environment. The system features a homemade compact scanning tunneling microscope (STM) head coupled to an inertially driven horizontal slider which allows a two-dimensional coarse positioning of the tip over 6×3mm2 with submicronic resolution. We also describe the geometry used to avoid coupling between the three-dimensional coarse and fine movements. To demonstrate the mechanical stability of the STM we display atomic resolution and large scale imaging. We illustrate the capabilities of our system by performing scanning tunneling spectroscopy on PbMo6S8 microcrystals.

Les poulains nés de juments primipares sont plus petits et plus légers que les poulains de multipares, avec une diminution de la capacité d'échange de nutriments des placentas primipares. La L-arginine est un précurseur de l'oxyde nitrique, des polyamines et de la créatine, avec des effets vasodilatateurs, stimulant prolifération et différenciation cellulaire et améliorant la sensibilité à l'insuline. Nous avons étudié les effets de la supplémentation en L-arginine sur les juments primipares et multipares en fin de gestation, sur l'absorption des acides aminés maternels, le métabolisme du glucose maternel et la biométrie fœto-placentaire et la fonction placentaire à la naissance. Vingt-deux juments de selle, inséminées avec le sperme d'un seul étalon et conduites de la même manière, ont été réparties en 3 groupes à 215j de gestation : multipare (MC, n=8), primipare témoin (PC, n=6) et primipare Arginine (PA, n=8), les juments PA étant supplémentées avec 100g de L-arginine/jour jusqu’au poulinage. Le métabolisme glucidique (juments) et les concentrations plasmatiques d'acides aminés (juments et poulains) ont été mesurés. Les placentas ont été analysés par histologie, l’expression de gènes cibles mesurée par RT-qPCR et la méthylation globale mesurée par LUMA. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant un modèle linéaire mixte ou une ANOVA non-paramétrique selon les données. Après les repas, les concentrations plasmatiques de L-arginine (p=0,02) et d'ornithine (synthétisé in vivo à partir de l'arginine) étaient augmentées (p