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Effect of Panicum maximum Jacq. Associated with Euphorbia heterophylla (L.) Klotz. & Garcke on Productivity of Females (Cavia porcellus L) During the Reproductive Cycle. In Ivory Coast, Guinea pigs reared for meat (Cavia porcellus L.) are mainly fed with Panicum maximum Jacq. The association of this forage with Euphorbia heterophylla (L.) Klotz. & Garcke improves the organic matter digestibility of the mixed diet compared to P. maximum distributed alone in growing male guinea pigs. In order to determine the effect of this diet during gestation and lactation in female guinea pigs, three diets: P. maximum (PAN) basic diet; P. maximum associated to E. heterophylla (PANEUPH) and P. maximum associated to pellets for rabbit (PANGRAN), were distributed ad libitum to multiparous guinea pigs (604.9 ± 40.8 g). The daily ingestion during gestation and lactation were 59.8±11.2 and 53.2±8.5; 61.5±5.2 and 72.9±16.4; 83.1±12.9 and 111.3±13.9 g DM.d-1 respectively for PAN, PANEUPH and PANGRAN. Similarly, the rates of fecundity were 111.1±0.9; 188.9±0.6 and 244.4±0.5% respectively for PAN, PANEUPH and PANGRAN. The individual birth weight and weight gain during lactation of the piglets were 58.7±12.4, 75.6±16.2 and 102.5±12 g and 2.4±0.6; 4.1±0.9 and 6.5±1.2 g.d-1 respectively for PAN, PANEUPH, and PANGRAN. In conclusion, the association of P. maximum and E. heterophylla significantly improves ingestion, digestibility, fecundity, birth weight and weaning weight in guinea pigs in comparison to Panicum maximum used as a sole diet.

The pure tetrameric form of Acetylcholinesterase (EC-3.1.1.7) from the electric eel electrophorus electricus has been covalently coupled to oxytocin. This conjugate has been used as tracer in a heterologous competitive immunoassay. Microtiter plates coated with a mouse monoclonal anti-rabbit immunoglobulin antibody were used to separate bound and free moieties of the tracer. Acetylcholinesterase activity bound to the solid phase was measured by a colorimetric assay. The minimum detectable concentration was 0.075 pg/well (ie 1.5 pg/ml) and precision was less than 8% at concentration above 0.15 pg/well. An extraction step improved sensitivity up to 10 times with good recoveries. To assess the validity of this assay, basal levels of oxytocin were measured during the oestrous cycle of a cow.