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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In order to evaluate the performance and seminal characteristics of the White Plymouth Rock roosters, fed with diets containing canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3), an experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Poultry Department of Animal Science at The Federal University of Santa Maria. 80 White Plymouth Rock roosters from 40 to 59 weeks of age were used in this study. Birds were submitted to four treatments: T1 = control diet, T2 = control diet + Canthaxanthin, T3 = control diet + 25-OH-D3, T4 = control diet + Canthaxanthin + 25-OH-D3. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments with 20 replications of one bird. The experimental phase (140 days) was divided into five periods of 28 days to evaluate the performance of birds. The parameters evaluated were: body weight and food intake (measured at the end of each period), motility, vigor, sperm concentration and morphological anomalies (two times per period, with an interval of 14 days). Data were transformed to adjustment the normality and after they were subjected to analysis of variance. The differences between treatments were compared by Tukey test at 10% significance level. The average feed intake during the experimental period was lower in birds fed 25-OH-D3 than males fed with canthaxanthin and 25-OH-D3 diet, but the body weight was similar. The supplementation of 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin in diets improved the sperm concentration significantly. Males fed with diets with 25-OH-D3 and, Canthaxanthin and 25-OH-D3 had the lowest level of morphological anomalies in the semen. Canthaxanthin, 25-OH-D3, and Canthaxanthin and 25-OH-D3 when added to the diet improves the sperm motility and vigor of roosters. / Com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho e as características seminais de galos da raça White Plymouth Rock, alimentados com dietas contendo Cantaxantina e 25-hidroxicolecalciferol, foi conduzido um experimento no Laboratório de Avicultura do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Foram utilizados 80 galos White Plymouth Rock de 40 a 59 semanas de idade. As aves foram submetidas a 4 tratamentos: T1 = dieta controle, T2 = dieta controle + Cantaxantina, T3 = dieta controle + 25-OH-D3, T4 = dieta controle + Cantaxantina + 25-OH-D3. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos com 20 repetições cada, onde cada ave foi considerada uma repetição. A fase experimental teve duração de 140 dias, a qual foi dividida em 5 períodos de 28 dias para avaliar o desempenho das aves. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: peso corporal e consumo alimentar (mensurados no final de cada período), motilidade, vigor, alterações morfológicas (mensurados duas vezes por período, com intervalo de 14 dias) e concentração espermática. Os dados obtidos foram transformados para o ajuste da normalidade, após foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as diferenças entre tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 10% de significância. O consumo médio de ração durante a fase experimental foi menor em aves que consumiram 25-OH-D3 em relação as que consumiram cantaxantina e 25-OH-D3, mesmo assim não alterou o peso médio das aves nesta fase. A adição de 25-OH-D3 mais Cantaxantina na dieta melhora significativamente a concentração espermática. As alterações morfológicas do sêmen de galos são reduzidas com a utilização de 25-OH-D3, e Cantaxantina e 25-OH-D3. Cantaxantina, 25-OH-D3, e 25-OH-D3 mais Cantaxantina, quando adicionados à dieta melhoram a motilidade e o vigor espermático.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The need to improve the reproductive performance of broiler breeders have been contributed to development of new concepts and products in animal nutrition. Carophyll Red® has in your composition canthaxantin. Has been accepted that canthaxantin has high antioxidant capacity.The 25-(OH)D3 (25-hydroxycholecalciferol), an intermediary between the vitamin D3 and the active form of this vitamin D. This is allied with the metabolism and transfer of calcium from the shell to the embryo. HY-D® is a form of vitamin D, his composition. Rovimix® Maxichick is the association of canthaxanthin and 25-(OH)D3. The experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the use of canthaxanthin and/or 25- hydroxycholecalciferol (25-(OH)D3) on performance of broiler breeders. Its was used 264 females and 24 males COBB 500® broiler breeders with 25 to 52 weeks of age. The diets were composed basically of vegetable ingredients, based on corn and soybean meal. It was used four treatments: 1 - control diet, 2 - control diet with addition of 25-(OH)D3, 3 - control diet with addition of canthaxanthin (CX), 4 - control diet with a combination of these two active ingredients (25-(OH)D3 + CX). The parameters evaluated were body weight, laying rate, egg weight, specific gravity, weight of albumen, yolk and shell percentage, albumen, yolk and shell, yolk color and oxidation. To evaluate the laying rate were performed six daily collections during the experimental period. Eggs collect a day of week were used for all others analysis. The egg production rates were not affected by different treatments (P=0.5151).The egg, yolk and albumen weight s and specific gravity were not affected by treatments (P>0.05). Broiler breeders fed canthaxanthin in diet had highest deposition of carotenoids in the yolk. / A necessidade de melhorar o desempenho reprodutivo de matrizes de corte contribuí para os conceitos de desenvolvimento e novos produtos na alimentação animal. Carophyll Red® tem na sua composição cantaxantina, a qual é estudada pela sua capacidade antioxidante 25 - (OH)D3 (25-hidroxicolecalciferol), um intermediário entre a vitamina D3 e da forma ativa da vitamina D. Esta, é aliada com o metabolismo e transferência de cálcio da casca para o embrião. HY-D® possui na sua composição 25 - (OH)D3. Rovimix Maxichick® é a associação de cantaxantina e 25 - (OH)D3. O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o uso da cantaxantina e / ou 25 - (OH)D3 sobre o desempenho de matrizes de corte, Cobb® entre 25e 52 semanas de idade. As dietas foram compostas basicamente de ingredientes vegetais, tendo por base milho e farelo de soja. Foram utilizados quatro tratamentos: 1 - dieta controle (sem aditivos em estudo), 2 - dieta controle com adição de 25 - (OH) D3, adicionando o produto HY-D®, 3 - dieta controle com adição de cantaxantina (CX) através da inclusão do produto Carophyll Red®, 4 - dieta com a associação dos princípios ativos (25 - (OH)D3 + CX) com o uso de Rovimix® MaxiChick. Foram avaliados o peso corporal, taxa de postura, peso dos ovos, densidade específica de ovos, peso do albúmen, gema e casca e porcentagem de albúmen, gema e casca, coloração da gema e a peroxidação de lipídios da gema. Para avaliar a taxa de postura foram realizadas seis coletas diárias durante todo o período experimental. Todos os ovos de uma coleta por semana foram utilizados para análise dos outros parâmetros. Os diferentes tratamentos não afetaram a taxa postura no período (P=0,5148). A gravidade específica, pesos de gema, albúmen e casca de ovo também não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Matrizes pesadas que receberam cantaxantina na dieta, apresentaram maior deposição de carotenóides na gema.

To investigate the influence of two dietary sources of vitamin D on the vitamin D status, bone metabolism, welfare and birth progress of gestating and lactating sows, forty-nine multiparous sows were randomly assigned to one of two diets: “CON” (n = 25; 50 g vitamin D3/kg feed) and “HYD” (n = 24; 50 g 25-hydroxycholecalciferol/kg feed). The basal diets were protein- and phosphorus-reduced. The trial started on day 3 ante insemination of the sows and ended with weaning of the piglets on day 28 postpartum. Dietary supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol resulted in improved maternal vitamin D status (p < 0.001), fewer gait changes (p < 0.01) and longer standing time after feeding (day 5 ante partum; p < 0.05) compared to vitamin D3. However, the bone markers CrossLaps and osteocalcin were not affected. Overall, the present results suggest that sows fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol instead of vitamin D3 showed improved locomotion and stance strength. However, this outcome is probably not related to altered bone metabolism. The underlying mechanisms must be investigated in further studies.

Motivation - The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increasing in developing countries worldwide, but even more so in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to rapid urbanisation, black populations experience lifestyle changes (e.g. unhealthy diet, increased access to alcohol and tobacco) that predispose them to increased obesity and cardiovascular risk. In this study, attention will be given to cardiovascular alterations, specifically arterial calcification, in lean and overweight/obese women nearing or already experiencing menopause. These include elevated blood pressure, large artery stiffness (indicated by increased central pulse pressure (cPP)) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Other factors linked to arterial calcification include the level of obesity as well as low bone mineral density. Ectopic calcification plays a significant role in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in renal failure patients, osteoporotic and elderly women. Factors contributing to the development and progression of arterial calcification include calciotropic hormones and altered bone metabolism, particularly in older postmenopausal women. This is due to the lack of protective effects of oestrogen against vascular alterations and bone loss after menopause. Previous studies have shown that increased bone resorption indicated by elevated levels of c-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), parathyroid hormone (PTH), low 25- hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) and parathyroid hormone to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ratio (PTH:25(OH)D3) are independently linked to arterial stiffening, CIMT and vascular calcification. Knowledge on the contribution of altered bone metabolism and associated calciotropic hormones on cardiovascular health in Africans is limited. Previous studies on ectopic calcification in South Africans focused on men and renal failure patients. This study will explore the possible role of altered calcium regulation and bone metabolism in the development of arterial calcification and CVD in older African women. Aim - The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of brachial and central pressures and CIMT with PTH, PTH:25(OH)D3 and CTX, a marker of bone resorption, in lean and overweight/obese African women older than 46 years. Methodology - This sub-study forms part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. A total of 434 urban and rural women older than 46 years were included in the study. Women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were excluded from the study. The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus) and all participants signed an informed consent form prior to enrolment into the project. Field workers administered demographic, general health and physical activity questionnaires in the participants’ home language. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and waist circumference, while body mass index (BMI) was calculated in kg/m2. Cardiovascular measurements included brachial and central systolic blood pressure (SBP), brachial diastolic blood pressure (DBP), brachial and central pulse pressure (PP) as well as CIMT and carotid cross-sectional wall area (CSWA). Blood pressure measurements were performed on the right arm with the participant in the sitting position. Blood was drawn after an overnight fasting period. We performed biochemical analyses from serum and plasma samples for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), PTH, 25(OH)D3, and CTX. HIV testing was performed according to standardised procedures. Since interactions existed for BMI with regards to associations of CIMT and cPP with PTH:25(OH)D3, the study population was divided into the lean (BMI <25 kg/m2) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) groups. We performed independent T-tests to compare means and used the chi-square test to compare proportions. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations of markers of vascular structure and function with CTX and calciotropic hormones. Results - In this study, 90% of the women displayed an FSH concentration exceeding the cut-off value of 35 mIu/mL, indicating a postmenopausal state. When comparing lean and overweight/obese African women, we found that lean women had higher levels of CTX and 25(OH)D3 (both p<0.001), while the overweight/obese group was older (p=0.007) and presented with higher PTH and PTH:25(OH)D3 levels (both p<0.001). Brachial and central pressures did not differ between the groups (p≥0.23), except for DBP being higher in the overweight/obese group (p=0.017). Overweight/obese women had higher CIMT (p<0.001) and CSWA (p=0.001) as compared to their lean counterparts. A larger proportion of lean women smoked (63%) and self-reported on alcohol use (37%) than overweight/obese women (41% and 18%, respectively) (both p<0.001). Forty-one percent of overweight/obese women used antihypertensive medication, opposed to 25% in the lean group (p=0.001). In multivariate regression analyses, an independent positive association existed between CIMT and PTH:25(OH)D3 (R2=0.22; β=0.26; p=0.003) in lean women. In the overweight/obese group independent positive associations were confirmed between brachial SBP and PTH (p=0.013) and CTX (p=0.038), and between DBP and PTH (p=0.030). Brachial PP and central SBP remained positively associated with CTX (p=0.016 and p=0.024, respectively), while cPP was independently associated with PTH:25(OH)D3 (R2=0.20; β=0.17; p=0.017) and CTX (R2=0.20; β=0.17; p=0.025). Conclusion - Our results indicate that in older African women, large artery structure and function are associated with calciotropic hormones and bone resorption, suggesting that altered bone metabolism and associated calciotropic hormones play a role in the development of vascular calcification. The different associations in lean and overweight/obese women suggest different mechanisms at work regarding arterial calcification in states of low and high adiposity. These findings need confirmation in larger prospective and experimental studies. / MSc (Physiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Motivation - The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increasing in developing countries worldwide, but even more so in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to rapid urbanisation, black populations experience lifestyle changes (e.g. unhealthy diet, increased access to alcohol and tobacco) that predispose them to increased obesity and cardiovascular risk. In this study, attention will be given to cardiovascular alterations, specifically arterial calcification, in lean and overweight/obese women nearing or already experiencing menopause. These include elevated blood pressure, large artery stiffness (indicated by increased central pulse pressure (cPP)) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Other factors linked to arterial calcification include the level of obesity as well as low bone mineral density. Ectopic calcification plays a significant role in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in renal failure patients, osteoporotic and elderly women. Factors contributing to the development and progression of arterial calcification include calciotropic hormones and altered bone metabolism, particularly in older postmenopausal women. This is due to the lack of protective effects of oestrogen against vascular alterations and bone loss after menopause. Previous studies have shown that increased bone resorption indicated by elevated levels of c-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), parathyroid hormone (PTH), low 25- hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) and parathyroid hormone to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ratio (PTH:25(OH)D3) are independently linked to arterial stiffening, CIMT and vascular calcification. Knowledge on the contribution of altered bone metabolism and associated calciotropic hormones on cardiovascular health in Africans is limited. Previous studies on ectopic calcification in South Africans focused on men and renal failure patients. This study will explore the possible role of altered calcium regulation and bone metabolism in the development of arterial calcification and CVD in older African women. Aim - The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of brachial and central pressures and CIMT with PTH, PTH:25(OH)D3 and CTX, a marker of bone resorption, in lean and overweight/obese African women older than 46 years. Methodology - This sub-study forms part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. A total of 434 urban and rural women older than 46 years were included in the study. Women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were excluded from the study. The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus) and all participants signed an informed consent form prior to enrolment into the project. Field workers administered demographic, general health and physical activity questionnaires in the participants’ home language. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and waist circumference, while body mass index (BMI) was calculated in kg/m2. Cardiovascular measurements included brachial and central systolic blood pressure (SBP), brachial diastolic blood pressure (DBP), brachial and central pulse pressure (PP) as well as CIMT and carotid cross-sectional wall area (CSWA). Blood pressure measurements were performed on the right arm with the participant in the sitting position. Blood was drawn after an overnight fasting period. We performed biochemical analyses from serum and plasma samples for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), PTH, 25(OH)D3, and CTX. HIV testing was performed according to standardised procedures. Since interactions existed for BMI with regards to associations of CIMT and cPP with PTH:25(OH)D3, the study population was divided into the lean (BMI <25 kg/m2) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) groups. We performed independent T-tests to compare means and used the chi-square test to compare proportions. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations of markers of vascular structure and function with CTX and calciotropic hormones. Results - In this study, 90% of the women displayed an FSH concentration exceeding the cut-off value of 35 mIu/mL, indicating a postmenopausal state. When comparing lean and overweight/obese African women, we found that lean women had higher levels of CTX and 25(OH)D3 (both p<0.001), while the overweight/obese group was older (p=0.007) and presented with higher PTH and PTH:25(OH)D3 levels (both p<0.001). Brachial and central pressures did not differ between the groups (p≥0.23), except for DBP being higher in the overweight/obese group (p=0.017). Overweight/obese women had higher CIMT (p<0.001) and CSWA (p=0.001) as compared to their lean counterparts. A larger proportion of lean women smoked (63%) and self-reported on alcohol use (37%) than overweight/obese women (41% and 18%, respectively) (both p<0.001). Forty-one percent of overweight/obese women used antihypertensive medication, opposed to 25% in the lean group (p=0.001). In multivariate regression analyses, an independent positive association existed between CIMT and PTH:25(OH)D3 (R2=0.22; β=0.26; p=0.003) in lean women. In the overweight/obese group independent positive associations were confirmed between brachial SBP and PTH (p=0.013) and CTX (p=0.038), and between DBP and PTH (p=0.030). Brachial PP and central SBP remained positively associated with CTX (p=0.016 and p=0.024, respectively), while cPP was independently associated with PTH:25(OH)D3 (R2=0.20; β=0.17; p=0.017) and CTX (R2=0.20; β=0.17; p=0.025). Conclusion - Our results indicate that in older African women, large artery structure and function are associated with calciotropic hormones and bone resorption, suggesting that altered bone metabolism and associated calciotropic hormones play a role in the development of vascular calcification. The different associations in lean and overweight/obese women suggest different mechanisms at work regarding arterial calcification in states of low and high adiposity. These findings need confirmation in larger prospective and experimental studies. / MSc (Physiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014