The effects of reconstituted skim milk, and the same fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus, were tested in rats. Rats were fed a stock diet and drinking water containing one of three milk treatments:(1) no supplementary milk; (2) 10% milk; or (3) 10% milk fermented by L. acidophilus. After 4 wk, rats receiving the fermented milk had lower (P < 0.05) serum cholesterol levels (65 mg/dl) than did the water-fed (78 mg/dl) or milk-fed (79 mg/dl) rats. Weight gain, feed intake, liver lipid contents and fecal lactobacilli counts were not different among treatment groups. Data indicate that factors influencing serum cholesterol levels were produced during fermentation of the milk.

We conducted a survey of 624 commercially available supplements targeted towards bodybuilding athletes. Over 800 performance claims were made for these supplements. Supplements include amino acids, boron, carnitine, choline, chromium, dibencozide, ferulic acid, gamma oryzanol, medium chain triglycerides, weight gain powders, Smilax compounds and yohimbine. Many performance claims advertised were not supported by published research studies. In some instances, we found no research to validate the claims; in other cases, research findings were extrapolated to inappropriate applications. For example, biological functions of some non-essential compounds were interpreted as performance claims for the supplements. Claims for others were based on their ability to enhance hormonal release or activity. We suggest that more research be conducted on this group of athletes and their nutritional needs. Furthermore, the effectiveness and safety of supplements merit further investigation.

The objective of this experiment was to study the usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in determining soft tissue composition (STC) and carcass fat-free mass (CFFM) of Holstein steers at different ages. Growth data and prediction of STC and CFFM were determined for four groups of Holstein steers: 12 of 3 mo, 12 of 6 mo, 15 of 9 mo, and 16 of 12 mo of age. Average weight for animals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo were 96.6, 204.7, 354.1, and 465.9 kg, respectively. Average fat content of carcass soft tissue at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo were 2.6, 9.8, 18.2, and 24.6%, respectively. Average protein content of the carcass soft tissue was 20.7% at 3 mo, 20% at 6 mo, 18.30% at 9 mo, and 16.9% at 12 mo of age. Feed and water were withheld for 20 h before the BIA was applied. Steers were sedated and forced to recumbency in a lateral position on their right sides over a nonconductive surface. Two electrodes were placed on each limb of the right side (metatarsal and metacarpal regions on back and front foot, respectively). Resistance (Rs) and reactance (Xc) were obtained by attaching four terminals to the electrodes. Impedance and other predictors such as Vol1 (L/Rs), Vol2 (L2/(RS2+Xc2).5, Vol3 (geometrical animal volume), L (2 x height + body length), and L2 were calculated from Rs and Xc, and body measurements and were used to generate prediction equations for CFFM and carcass soft tissue composition. Carcass fat-free mass was predicted accurately for all age groups and the pooled data (r2 = .99 at 3 mo, .99 at 6 mo, .97 at 9 mo, .77 at 12 mo, and .98 for the pooled data). Correlation coefficients between impedance readings and CFFM and carcass composition were calculated. Carcass CFFM and kilograms of H2O for the pooled data (across age groups) were both correlated highly to Vol1 (.97), Vol2 (.95), L (.97), and L2 (.97).

An 8-wk trial was conducted to compare the effects of exercise and intermittent fasting, either singly or combined, on growth responses of rats. Four-week-old male Wistar rats, 85-110 g each, were assigned to one of four groups (n = 9): control, exercise on a motor-driven treadmill, fasting every other day (EOD) and fasting EOD and exercise combined. At the end of the trial, the exercised rats had consumed 7% less feed, had gained 7% less weight and had 36% less carcass fat than the control rats. Fasting on alternate days markedly reduced the growth rate of the young rats. Fasted-EOD rats weighed less than half as much as the control rats, had 64% less carcass fat and 51% less lean mass and had smaller livers, kidneys, hearts, tibias and tibialis anterior muscles. The addition of exercise to the fasting EOD regimen improved the growth of the animals. When the fasted-EOD rats were also exercised, they gained 29% more weight, consumed 11% more feed and had carcasses that contained 29% more lean mass and 18% less fat than the fasted-EOD rats. The data suggest that exercise may be beneficial where feed restriction is episodic, allowing some capacity for catch-up growth.

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