The metabolic profile of Asinara (albino) and Sardo donkeys (pigmented) (Equus asinus L., 1758) points to unequivocal breed assignment of individuals

Abstract

<jats:p>This study pointed to explore if variations in circulating levels of metabolites in the blood stream of no. 25 feral donkeys occur in view of the different coat color between specimens of Asinara (albino, no. 8) vs. Sardo (dun-grey, no. 17) breed. All individuals involved in this investigation are living in the nature, at Mediterranean latitudes and roam in the same areas all over the National Park of Capo Caccia, where they feed on spontaneous vegetation sources. The study was conducted during the positive photoperiod of the boreal hemisphere (peak in the month of June, 2019) to maximize the effect of exposure to the natural sun radiation and thus elicit the coping ability of albino (Asinara) in comparison with pigmented donkeys (Sardo). The biochemical profile of all donkeys was used in a Discriminant Analysis (DA) to explore if circulating levels of metabolites could point to metabolic markers for breed assignment of individuals following a canonical discriminant analysis (CANDISC). The biochemical investigation included also the determination of the circulating Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol, α-TOH), as an essential biologically active compound involved in antioxidant mechanisms, and its respective status (circulating α-TOH to total triglycerides and total cholesterol ratio). In the CANDISC, the distance between the two breeds was not significant. However, it pointed to different metabolites (UREA, total protein, total triglycerides, Zn) capable of describing biochemical patterns on each respective breed (Asinara vs. Sardo). The multivariate analysis DA carried out using 22 metabolites correctly assigned individuals to the two breeds in the 100% of cases. In view of such metabolic background, circulating α-TOH found in the bloodstream of Asinara vs. Sardo donkeys under free grazing conditions turned out to reach similar values (2.114 vs. 1.872 µg/ml, respectively, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> = 0.676). It is worth noting that significant differences were observed as to circulating lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> = 0.022) levels, in association with increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> = 0.076), both above the upper limit of the physiological range reported in other donkey breeds, and found in the totality of Asinara (albino) donkeys solely, still apparently clinically healthy.</jats:p>

Selenium and/or vitamin E upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and parameters in broilers

“…It includes endogenous and exogenous antioxidants where endo is produced in the body and includes enzymatic and non-enzymatic [26] while Exo is dietary [27]. Non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione and vitamins E, A, and C are crucial in scavenging ROS [28][29][30]. Meanwhile, enzymatic antioxidants convert free radicals to less damaging compounds [31].…”

Response of Fattening Rabbits with Acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) Combined in the Diet: First Acquaintances on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Perirenal Fatty Acid Profile

“…Additionally, acorns are also valuable sources of tocopherol, involved in several biological activities within the animal body and, in particular, capable to confer a certain stability against the oxidation of meat [ 11 , 12 ]. Like that observed in other herbivores and, in particular, in hindgut fermenters [ 41 , 42 ] Vitamin E status is strictly related to dietary intakes. Deficiency of dietary tocopherols are described in the literature to cause health disorders in rabbits [ 43 ].…”

Shift in Circulating Serum Protein Fraction (SPF) Levels of Pregnant Jennies and Nutritional Related Aspects at Early-, Mid- and Late Gestation

“…Due to the lack of additional data on SPF levels in pregnant jennies throughout gestation, results obtained in this trial were interpreted in view of the general physiological and metabolic information available in the literature [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”