Genetically modified soya bean in rabbit feeding: detection of DNA fragments and evaluation of metabolic effects by enzymatic analysis

Abstract

The presence of DNA fragments in tissues from rabbits given genetically modified (GM) soya-bean meal (solvent extracted) was investigated by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. Moreover, the possible effects on cell metabolism were evaluated by determination of several specific enzymes in serum, heart, skeletal muscle, liver and kidney. The chloroplast sequence for tRNA Leu by using the Clor1/Clor2 primers designed on chloroplast trnL sequence was clearly detected. On the contrary, two couples of species specific primers for conventional (Le1-5/Le 1-3 which amplifies the soya bean lectin gene) and genetically modified (35S1/35S2 which amplifies the 35S CMV promoter that is present in the genomic structure of GM soya bean) soya bean were not found in all samples. No differences in enzyme levels were detected in serum, but a significant increase of lactic dehydrogenase, mainly concerning the LDH1 isoenzyme was found in particular in kidney and heart but not in the muscle, thus suggesting a potential alteration in the local production of the enzyme. Finally, no significant differences were detected concerning body weight, fresh organ weights and no sexual differences were detected.

Fate of transgenic DNA and evaluation of metabolic effects in goats fed genetically modified soybean and in their offsprings

“…In our study, the weight of the organs of kids did not differ between groups, in accordance to findings of previous research (Tudisco et al, 2006b) carried out on rabbits fed GM soybean meal.…”

“…A similar shift has been previously described in rabbits (LDH-H 4 . LDH-H 1 M 3 ) where the higher amount of H subunit was assumed to mean a higher specificity for the reduction of alpha-hydroxybutyrate to alpha-oxobutyrate, thereby showing that some metabolic changes occurred in the liver (Tudisco et al, 2006b). Our data confirm this hypothesis: the isoenzyme mainly composed by the H subunit showed an increased percentage, which was also found in the muscle where LDH1 is not the dominant isoenzyme.…”

“…Furthermore, some authors have shown the possible survival of recombinant plant DNA fragments after digestion, although health implications as well as biological relevance of data are still far from being confirmed (Nemeth et al, 2004;Mazza et al, 2005;Sharma et al, 2006). The absorption of plant DNA across the intestinal barrier is a natural event, as demonstrated by the detection of endogenous plant genes in several animal tissues and products (Reuter and Aulrich, 2003;Tony et al, 2003;Tudisco et al, 2006b). …”

The effect of substitution of soybean meal with a mixture of rapeseed meal, white lupin grain, and pea grain on performance indicators, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen retention in Popielno White rabbits

“…In recent years, in certain areas of the world, particularly those where soybean is not cultivated, a trend has emerged for the elimination of extracted SBM from feed rations for most livestock. The reason reported for such a measure is the willingness to become independent from imported feed, or the fear of products containing Genetically Modified Organisms (Tudisco et al 2006). As regards the feeding of rabbits, the possibility for the substitution of soybean meal with other plant feeds containing significant amounts of proteins has been investigated.…”

RETRACTED: <i>Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Activity in Kids Born from Goats Fed Genetically Modified Soybean</i>

“…Several data indicate liver and kidney problems as end points of GM diet effects [2]. Tudisco et al [3] hypothesised that cell metabolism of several enzymes was altered in rabbit fed GM soybean and the same authors found transgenic DNA fragments in goat milk but also in kids organs when mothers are fed GM soybean and revealed elevated levels of LDH in tissues, thus suggesting an increase in cell metabolism [4]. Aim of this paper was to investigate the presence of DNA fragments and the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in blood and organs from kids whose mothers were fed GM soybean.…”