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The present research aimed to investigate the compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and registered insecticides for the control of Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the tomato crop, as well as the susceptibility of pupae of T. absolutato EPNs combined with different percentages below the recommended dose of compatible chemical insecticides in laboratory conditions and in the greenhouse. The species of EPN used was Heterorhabditis amazonensisJPM4. The insecticides used were Actara®, Premio®, and Warrant®. In the compatibility test between the EPNs and insecticides, the viability and infectivity of the nematodes after contact with the insecticides were evaluated. An assessment of the efficacy of the combined application of different doses of the insecticides and the EPNs on T. absolutawas carried out in the laboratory and greenhouse. The efficacy of the combined application of the insecticides and the EPNs on T. absolutavia soil was carried out at application intervals of 1 and 2 weeks. The EPNs were compatible with the three insecticides tested. In the laboratory, there was an additive effect of the combined application of insecticides and H. amazonensisas the dose of the products increased. In the greenhouse assay, the combined application of EPNs and insecticides induced mortality above 48%, and the combined application of EPNs and Warrant® 75% presented 60% of mortality. The weekly and fortnightly applications were effective in controlling T. absoluta, and there was no difference between the insecticides tested when applied together with the nematodes.

The aims of this study were to determine whether parenteral Arg administered to well-fed twin-bearing ewes from 100 to 140 d of pregnancy influences fetal skeletal muscle growth, the abundance and activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein, and postnatal muscle growth of the offspring. Ewes fed 100% of NRC-recommended nutrient requirements for twin-bearing ewes were administered an intravenous bolus of either 345 μmol Arg HCl/kg BW or saline solution (Control) 3 times per day. At 140 d of pregnancy (P140), a group of 11 Control and 9 Arg-treated ewes were euthanized and hind leg muscles and longissimus dorsi (LD) were excised and weighed. A sample of LD was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen for later analysis of free AA (FAA) concentration, mTOR abundance and phosphorylation, and biochemical indices (DNA, RNA, and protein content). For the remaining 25 ewes (Arg, n= 13, and Control, n= 12), Arg administration was continued until the initiation of parturition and ewes were allowed to lamb. Lambs were weaned at postnatal Day 82 and grazed on pasture until postnatal day 153 (PN153), when a subset of 20 lambs (n= 10 per group) was euthanized. At P140, only the psoas major was heavier in the Arg-administered group compared with the Control group. Female lambs from ewes supplemented with Arg (Arg-F) had increased abundance of total mTOR, RNA concentration, and RNA:DNA ratio in LD compared with female lambs from Control ewes (Con-F), whereas males did not differ. At PN153, Arg-F were heavier than Con-F and had heavier LD and plantaris and a trend for heavier psoas major muscles compared with Con-F. In contrast, BW and individual muscle weights did not differ in male lambs. Lambs from Arg-treated ewes had heavier semimembranosus and tended to have heavier biceps femoris compared with Control lambs. The RNA concentration in LD was greater in Arg-F compared with Con-F, and DNA concentration was greater in the Arg group compared with the Control group. In conclusion, Arg administration to the ewe during gestation increases female lamb weight and muscle weight after birth and these changes are associated with altered mTOR protein abundance and have potential implications for sheep production.

This study aimed to investigate if intravenous maternal Arg administration to well-fed twin-bearing ewes, from 100 to 140 d of gestation or birth, could enhance placental development and placental nutrient transport. Ewes received intravenous infusions of saline (control) or 345 μmol Arg HCl/kg of BW 3 times daily from d 100 of pregnancy (P100) to d 140 of pregnancy (P140; cohort 1) or from P100 to birth (cohort 2). At P140, ewes in cohort 1 were euthanized and individual placentae per fetus were dissected and placentomes were classed per type (A to D) and size (light to heavy). Placentome number and individual weight were recorded. As an indicator of placental nutrient transport, blood plasma was collected from the uterine ovarian vein (UOV), uterine artery (UA), and umbilical vein and artery at the time of euthanasia and analyzed for metabolites and free AA concentrations. The ewes in cohort 2 were allowed to lamb and lambs were weighed at birth. The expelled placenta was dissected and number of cotyledons and weights of total cotyledons, remaining fetal membranes, and total placenta were recorded. At P140, Arg-infused ewes had a 63% (P= 0.03) greater number of unoccupied caruncles than control ewes. No differences were observed for placental weight at P140. At birth, lambs from Arg-infused ewes tended to have 11% (P= 0.09) greater placental weight and 34% (P= 0.03) greater total cotyledon weight compared with control lambs. Arginine-infused ewes (Arg-infused) had increased concentrations of Arg (P= 0.0001) and ornithine (Orn; P= 0.004) but decreased concentrations of Met (P= 0.01) and His (P= 0.02 and P= 0.09, respectively) compared with control ewes in plasma UOV and UA. Fetuses from Arg-infused ewes had increased concentrations of Orn (P= 0.005) and decreased concentrations of His (P= 0.006), Met (P= 0.003), and Lys (P= 0.01) but no differences in Arg (P> 0.10) concentrations were found compared with control fetuses in umbilical artery and vein plasma. This study showed that maternal Arg administration of well-fed twin-bearing ewes during late pregnancy tended to improve placental growth and development.

Identifying the biochemical changes and molecular pathways that regulate fetal mammary development in response to maternal nutrition is important for understanding the link between fetal programming of mammary development and future lactation performance. Although there are published studies regarding biochemical changes in the developing mammary gland, there are currently no data on molecular pathway involvement in regulating ruminant fetal mammary development. This study investigated changes in fetal mammary biochemical indices and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling at d 100 and 140 of gestation in an ovine model of restricted maternal nutrition. Ewes were randomly allocated to ad libitum (A) or maintenance (M) nutritional regimens, under New Zealand pastoral grazing conditions, from d 21 to 140 of pregnancy. At d 100 and 140 of pregnancy, a subgroup of twin-bearing dams was euthanized, and whole fetal mammary glands (fiber, skin, fat, and ducts) were collected. Mammary glands of fetuses carried by M-fed dams were heavier at d 100 than those of fetuses carried by A-fed dams (P= 0.03), with no difference in the abundance of mTOR/MAPK signaling proteins observed. At d 140, mammary glands of fetuses carried by M-fed dams were lighter (P= 0.07) than fetuses carried by A-fed dams because of decreased hyperplasia (P= 0.04) and hypertrophy (P= 0.09) but had increased protein synthetic capacity (P= 0.02). Increased protein synthetic capacity was associated with increased abundance of MAPK pathway signaling proteins eukaryotic intiation factor 4E (eIF4E)/eIF4ESer209and mTOR pathway signaling proteins eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1)/4E-BP1Ser65and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6)/RPS6Ser235/236(P≤ 0.05). Increased abundance of MAPK/mTOR pathway proteins is proposed to mediate increased protein synthetic capacity via ribosome biogenesis and the availability of factors required to initiate protein translation. The primary regulator of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation at Ser65 and RPS6 at Ser235/236 is the activated form of mTOR: mTORSer2448. To study potential tissue-specific mTOR, mTORSer2448abundance mammary glands, separated into parenchyma and fat pad, were collected from d 140 fetuses carried by dams fed a lucerne-based pellet diet formulated to meet 100% of the NRC-recommended maintenance requirements. Results showed that the abundance of mTORSer2448was primarily localized to the fat pad, indicating that the fat pad plays a potential role in regulating development of the fetal mammary gland.

The objective of this study was to determine the association between intracellular free AA (FAA) profiles in skeletal muscle with muscle growth in twin and singleton fetuses in late pregnancy and at weaning, under an ad libitum feeding regime of the dam. Plasma from singleton- (n= 9) and twin-bearing (n= 10) ewes at d 140 of pregnancy and FAA in the semitendinosus muscle (STM) from the corresponding fetuses were studied. At weaning, intracellular STM FAA concentrations were compared between twins at the same age as singletons (Twin(age); n= 17) and at the same weight as singletons (Twin(wt); n= 17) to that of singletons (n= 20). Twin fetuses were 15% lighter (P= 0.03) with a 20% lighter STM (P= 0.02) compared to singletons. Maternal plasma FAA were similar (P≥ 0.17) between singleton- and twin-bearing ewes. Twin fetuses had greater (P< 0.05) plasma concentrations of glutamine, histidine, and methionine and lower (P< 0.05) concentrations of aspartate, citrulline, glutamate, and ornithine compared with singletons. In fetal STM, twins had lower (P< 0.05) concentrations of aspartate and valine and greater (P< 0.01) concentration of methionine. Correlations were found between fetal STM weight and intracellular concentrations of arginine (r= 0.66, P< 0.01) and glutamine (r= 0.49, P< 0.01). Compared to singletons at weaning, Twin(age) were 16% lighter (P< 0.01) and the STM weight was proportionately 16% lighter (P< 0.01). For Twin(wt), the magnitude of the difference for STM weight was reduced to 8% lighter (P= 0.02). Compared to singletons, Twin(age) lambs had greater (P< 0.05) intracellular concentrations of glutamine, histidine, threonine, asparagine, alanine, serine, and glutamate but reduced taurine. The differences in FAA concentrations were less between Twin(wt) and singletons than between Twin(age) and singletons. Positive correlations were found between leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, threonine, and tyrosine muscle concentration and STM weight at weaning. Males differed from females in intracellular FAA both in late pregnancy and at weaning. Twins had reduced RNA content during pregnancy and at weaning, suggesting a lower capacity for protein accretion. These data suggest that specific FAA concentrations are associated with differences in muscle growth during late pregnancy, notably arginine and glutamine, and reduced protein synthesis capacity. However, the relevance of specific FAA varies according to stage of development and sex of the lamb.

Understanding the link between placental function and fetal growth is critical to comprehend the mechanisms underlying altered fetal growth. This study investigated the relationship between fetal weight and placentome type and size in placentae of singleton and twin fetuses and fetuses within a twin pair from ad libitum-fed ewes at d 140 of pregnancy. In addition, insulin, IGF-I, metabolites, and free AA profiles in fetal, umbilical artery, and vein plasma of singleton and twin fetuses were investigated and used as an indicator of placental nutrient transport. Individual placentae per fetus were dissected, placentomes were classed per type (A to D) and size (light to heavy), and placentome number and individual weight were recorded. Twin fetuses were 16% lighter (P = 0.01) than singletons and had a smaller placenta, with 28% decreased placentome weight (P = 0.03) and 35% fewer placentomes (P = 0.001). Twins also had a different distribution of placentome type and size compared with placentae of singletons, such that twins showed a greater proportion of type B and light placentomes compared with singletons. In twins, umbilical artery plasma had less Glu (P < 0.05) and greater Gln (P < 0.05) concentrations than fetal plasma or umbilical vein plasma, but no differences in AA concentrations were observed between these pools in singletons. Glutamate is a major oxidation energy source for the placenta, and the fetal liver is the net producer of Glu using Gln as its main precursor, indicating that the functionality of the fetoplacental unit may be different between singletons and twins. Twin fetuses had 13% less insulin (P = 0.04) concentrations in umbilical artery plasma than singletons. plasma of twin fetuses had 39% less IGF-I (P = 0.003), 33% less His (P = 0.03), and 22% less Gln (P = 0.02) concentrations and tended to have 44% less Arg (P = 0.07) and 20% less Leu (P = 0.06) concentrations than singletons. Arginine, His, and Leu are examples of AA that can promote insulin secretion, and in turn, insulin can increase fetal IGF-I concentrations. In addition, insulin and IGF-I are important fetal growth factors by stimulating and regulating AA transport across the placenta. Collectively, these results indicate that the functionality of the fetoplacental unit may be different between singletons and twins and that AA transport may be reduced in twin placentae.

New PVC membrane electrodes for the determination of sulfadiazine (SDZ) are presented. The electrodes are fabricated with conventional and tubular configurations with a graphite-based electrical contact, and no internal reference solution. The selective membranes consist of bis(triphenylphosphoranilidene)ammonium·SDZ (electrode A), tetraoctylammonium bromide (electrode B), or iron(II)-phthalocyanine (FePC) (electrode C) electroactive materials dispersed in a PVC matrix of o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) plasticizer. The sensors A, B, and C displayed linear responses over the concentration ranges 1.0 × 10−2– 1.0 × 10−5, 1.0 × 10−2– 7.5 × 10−6, and 3.2 × 10−2– 7.0 × 10−6mol l−1(detection limits of 1.09, 2.04 and 0.87 jug ml−1) with anionic slopes of −57.3 ± 0.1, −46.7 ± 0.5, and −65.1 ± 0.2 mV decade−1, respectively. No effect from pH was observed within 4.0 – 5.5, 4.8 – 10, and 4.5 – 8, respectively, and good selectivity was found. The sensors were applied to the analysis of pharmaceuticals and biological fluids in steady state and in flow conditions.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of mortality due to a single bacterial pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The reemergence of tuberculosis as a potential public health threat, the high susceptibility of human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons to the disease, the proliferation of multi-drug-resistant strains (MDR-TB) and, more recently, of extensively drug resistant isolates (XDR-TB) have created a need for the development of new antimycobacterial agents. There is an ongoing need for innovation in proposing new structural scaffolds for chemotherapeutic agent development to control TB. Mycolic acids, the hallmark of mycobacteria, are high-molecular-weight α-alkyl, β-hidroxy fatty acids, which appear mostly as bound esters in the mycobacterial envelope. Isoniazid (INH) is the most prescribed chemotherapeutic agent for active TB and prophylaxis and requires activation by the catalase-peroxidase activity of KatG. The product of the M. tuberculosis inhA structural gene (InhA) has been shown to be the primary target for INH. InhA was identified as an NADH-dependent enoyl-ACP reductase specific for long chain enoyl thioesters. InhA is a member of the mycobacterial Type II fatty acid biosynthesis system, which elongates acyl fatty acid precursors of mycolic acids. The main focus of our contribution is on data describing the mode of action of an inorganic complex, pentacyano (isoniazid) ferrateII that requires no KatG-activation and is an in vitro slow-onset inhibitor of WT and INH-resistant M. tuberculosis enoyl reductases. This inorganic complex represents a new class of lead compounds to the development of anti-tubercular agents aiming the inhibition of a validated target. We also describe the recent developments in the search for inorganic complexes with anti-tubercular activity.

The aim of the present review is to discuss the evidence supporting the hypothesis that inflammation and neurogenesis play an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and to examine whether possible strategies that involve the pharmacological manipulation of inflammation/neurogenesis can lead to the development of novel approaches for the treatment of epilepsy. Since it is not yet clear whether the neuron-glia response obtained in this pathology is a secondary effect of an aggressive inflammation or if it is somehow related to the cause of the epileptic condition, with the present review we guide the readers through the complex and ambiguous crosstalk between neuroimmunology and epilepsy.

The evolutionary relationships of several, mainly Iberian, Jasione taxa (Campanulaceae) were investigated using molecular data. A parsimony analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA was partially successful in elucidating some interspecific alliances. One of the main clades included three morphologically rather disparate species from S Spain and Morocco which might indicate that these areas were refugia during the last glaciations. The fact that most of the other taxa fell in a large polytomy suggests a recent origin of these species. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were analysed for a larger sample set of two taxa from within the ITS polytomy to assess the partition of genetic variation between and within populations. All the British accessions named J. montana var. montana were found to be close to those so-named from Spain. However, individual accessions of J. montana var. montana from Argyll (Scotland), Devon (SW England) and the Shetland Islands proved to be genetically different from each other. This might suggest a low level of genetic diversification from a common progenitor due to a rapid northward migration. It is proposed that J. montana var. bracteosa and J. maritima var. sabularia merit recognition at higher rank. The possibility that J. montana vars gracilis and latifolia are mere repetitive segregants of J. montana var. montana is considered.

The stem and leaf anatomy of the ten species of Jasione L. (Campanulaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula were investigated; their infra-specific taxa were also studied. The species differ from each other anatomically and can be identified by their anatomical characters. The anatomical evidence supports the taxonomic treatment that will be published in the forthcoming Flora iberica Volume 14. The possible relations between the anatomy and the ecology of these plants are discussed. Specialized small multicellular structures (trichoids) present on the leaf surface, whose interest has not previously been recognized, are described and their possible function discussed.

In this study, we employed multivariate control techniques to detect outliers in the determination of ethylene in impact polypropylene samples by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and multivariate calibration partial least-squares (PLS). We also applied an algorithm which identifies those spectral variables responsible for the outlier behavior and that can indicate the source of this behavior. The outliers in the prediction step may be due to three possible situations: errors associated with the prediction of analyte concentrations in samples that have the same characteristics as the calibration set, but that are beyond the concentration range; changes in the matrix composition; and instrumental errors. We show that the proposed techniques make it possible to detect whether or not an analyte belongs to the reference set. In addition, we apply an algorithm that identifies the variables that cause outlier behavior and assigns them to a class.

This article focuses on the actual management of cutaneous melanoma, dealing both with established, internationally well-accepted standard procedures and interventions which are still being investigated. It wants to offer a global picture to the dermatologist of what is currently available in the therapeutic arsenal against melanoma.

Multivariate standardization techniques [slope/bias (S/B) correction, single wavelength standardization (SWS) and piecewise direct standardization (PDS)] were used to attempt to correct changes over time in multivariate calibration models for potassium and calcium. These models were constructed with ion-selective electrode (ISE) arrays. Multivariate PDS local models which included the correlation between the sensors of the array were better than the other simple techniques. We considered the relationship between the variables (sensors) and, in the PDS treatment, we have indicated their arrangement which is taken from the loadings plot. We used the Kennard–Stone algorithm to select the standardization samples from the original responses of the samples and the partial least squares (PLS) scores of each model. These scores include information about the concentrations. The models and standardizations were validated by predictions on real samples such as natural waters. The best standardization conditions provided unbiased predictions with no loss of precision.

The construction and evaluation of PM-selective electrodes with a conventional configuration and without internal reference solution are described. Two different PVC membranes were prepared with PM tetraphenylborate dissolved in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (type A) or bis(2- ethylhexyl)sebacate (type B). When the electrodes were evaluated in 0.01M ionic strength solutions, both presented linear responses from 5 X 10−5 to 1 X 10−2M, slopes close to the theoretical value, practical detection limits of ~2 x 10−5M, reproducibilities of ±0.2mV/day, and a quick response (<20s). Using phosphate buffer solutions (pH6.0), type B electrodes presented a lower practical detection limit and a better reproducibility than type A. Selectivity against several cations was assessed by the separated solutions method, and the type B electrodes were generally more selective. The type B membrane was also used for the construction of tubular electrodes for the automatic analysis of pharmaceutical products by flow injection analysis (FIA). These tubular detectors, evaluated in a low dispersion FIA system, presented better selectivity and sensitivity than the corresponding conventional ones. Several pharmaceutical preparations were analyzed with both conventional and tubular electrodes. The results obtained by FIA presented relative deviations of <2% when compared with those obtained from the United States Pharmacopoeia monographs.

The morphological variation in the Mediterranean/SW Asia complex of Bromus madritensisL., B. madritensisL. subsp. kunkeliiH. Scholz, B. rubensL., B. haussknechtiiBoiss., and B.flabellatusBoiss. is analyzed by computer and the data discussed. The conclusion is that the entire range of variation falls in one species with two subspecies: B. madritensisL. subsp. madritensisand B. madritensisL. subsp. rubens(L.) Husnot.

Seventeen species of spider mites are recorded from the State of Ceara, Brazil. Two of these species are described as new, Oligonychus (Pritchardinychus) flechtmanni and Tetranychus (Tetranychus) bastosi.

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare, low-grade, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma most commonly seen on mucosa. It has been infrequently reported to occur on the skin, where it is a slow-growing and locally aggressive tumour. It is not uncommon for cutaneous verrucous carcinomas to be mistaken for the more frequent verruca vulgaris and treated accordingly. Three cases of cutaneous verrucous carcinoma are presented with the medical history and follow-up data. Surgery is the treatment of choice; these lesions may sustain a potentially anaplastic transformation after radiation therapy.

Because of its fast growth, high forage yield and nutritive value summer turnips (Brassica rapa L.) have become one of the main supplementary crops in livestock systems of southern Chile. There is information of its effect on the productive response of beef cattle, although its effect on beef characteristics has not been studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the summer supplementation of turnips on the beef characteristic of dairy steers. Holstein Friesian steers (n=27; 406kg live weight) were allocated to 3 treatment groups (n=9): pasture plus concentrate (Control), 50% turnips (T50), and 70% turnips (T70). The two last diets with hay and maize. The performance productive of the steers were determined. The physicochemical and sensory attributes, and the fatty acid composition of the longissimus dorsimuscle were determined. The pasture-fed steers showed higher weight gain than turnips-fed animals. T50beef showed higher intramuscular fat and pasture-fed steers showed higher fat thickness. Turnips finishing increased the proximal composition (MS%; PC%; EE% and Ash% (Fe%, Na%, Mn%)), PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and redder, whereas shear force and lightness fat tended to decrease. Pasture-fed had the higher 11t-/10t-18:1 ratio and less cholesterol content than turnips-fed steers. Pasture and turnips reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio (<4) in muscle tissue. Forage turnip is an attractive option to ensure nutritional quality of the meat during periods of low pasture growth.

In sheep, maternal melatonin implants from day 100–140 of gestation increases fetal weight. In rats, melatonin supplementation increases fetal weight via improved placental efficiency and reduction of oxidative stress. However, it is not clear if same mechanisms are involved in sheep. Our aim was to evaluate whether increased fetal weight associated with melatonin supplementation (Regulin®) at day 100 of pregnancy (P100), influence fetal hypoxia and placental efficiency at P140 in single (S)- or twin-bearing (T) ewes, with either 0 (0MEL), 1 (1MEL) or 2 (2MEL) 18-mg melatonin implants (n=8 per group). At P140, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (Sat-O2) were measured in fetal umbilical vein blood samples. Each placenta per fetus was excised and placentomes weighed and typed (A-D). Birth rank, number of implants and their interaction on blood gases, placentome weight and placental efficiency (fetal:placental weight ratio and changes in placentome type) were analyzed using ANOVA. Association between PO2, Sat-O2 and fetal weight was established using Pearson correlation. The 5–8% increase in body weight of 2MEL fetuses was associated with an 18–20% increase in umbilical blood PO2 (P<0.05) compared to 1MEL and 0MEL fetuses, respectively. Fetal weight was positively correlated with PO2 (r=0.37, P=0.02) and Sat-O2 (r=0.26, P=0.03). No treatment effect on placentome average weight, total placentome weight per fetus or per ewe nor total number of placentomes per fetus was observed. However, 2MEL had higher Type C (P<0.05) than 0MEL and 1MEL ewes, and tended to have lower proportion of Type A (P=0.1), and higher proportion of Type D (P=0.06) placentomes, compared to 0MEL ewes. Placental efficiency tended (P<0.1) to be higher in T-1MEL than all other groups. These results suggest that melatonin-induced increased fetal weight is associated with improved fetal oxygen supply and adaptations to improve placental efficiency. *Funded by FONDECYT 11150998.

The major cause of lamb mortality in grazing systems at birth is starvation and/or exposure to cold complex, with hypothermia being a primary contributing factor. In precocial species such as sheep, the ability to produce the heat required to prevent hypothermia during the first 12 h after birth relies heavily on the nonshivering thermogenesis, via brown adipose tissue (BAT). Therefore, insufficient BAT deposits, or inability to metabolize BAT, are the major factors contributing to lamb death resulting from starvation/exposure. Circulating concentration of melatonin is associated with proper amount and functionality of BAT. However, there is limited information on the effect of increased melatonin levels, via maternal supplementation, on fetal BAT deposition. The objective was to establish the effect of melatonin implants (M) in single- and twin-bearing ewes, on fetal BAT deposits. Corriedale ewes were synchronized, superovulated, mated to Suffolk rams, and managed under commercial grazing conditions. Single (S)- and twin (T)-bearing ewes received 0 (M0), 1 (M1), or 2 (M2) commercial 18-mg melatonin implants (Regulin) at 100 d of gestation (n= 8 per group). Ewes were euthanized at d 140 of gestation, and total fetal perirenal fat (BAT) was excised and weighed. The effect of litter size (S vs. T), number of implants (M0, M1, or M2), and their interaction on fetal biometrics were analyzed using ANOVA. A rank × treatment interaction (P= 0.002) was observed for total BAT, where SM2 fetuses tended to have 18% more BAT compared with SM0 (P= 0.1) and SM1 fetuses (P= 0.09; 22.8 ± 1.6 vs. 19.3 ± 1.5 or 19.2 ± 1.5 g), whereas TM1 fetuses had approximately 35% more BAT compared with TM0 (P= 0.0002) and TM2 fetuses (P= 0.0003; 22.9 ± 1.1 vs. 17.1 ± 1.0 or 16.9 ± 1.1 g). Single and twin M2 fetuses tended to be 5 to 8% heavier compared with single and twin M0 and M1 fetuses (4.1 ± 0.1, 3.8 ± 0.1, and 3.9 ± 0.1 kg, respectively; P= 0.09). In addition, M2 fetuses, compared with M0 and M1 fetuses, showed greater fetal thorax diameter (34.6 ± 0.4, 33.8 ± 0.3, and 33.9 ± 0.3 cm, respectively; P= 0.047) and presented a trend for increased crown–rump length (44.1 ± 0.5, 43.0 ± 0.4, and 42.6 ± 0.5 cm, respectively; P= 0.056). These results indicate that maternal melatonin implants from d 100 of gestation increases BAT deposition, especially in twin fetuses, and may increase BW. Both effects may have important implications for newborn lamb survival under commercial grazing conditions. Funded by CONICYT project number 11150998.

Steers finishing in Chilean Patagonia are based on grazing lands with low nutritive value, which may lengthen the fattening phase of steers, so grain-fed calves appear as an option to reduce the farming period. However, the effect of grain inclusion in the diet on meat quality or fatty acid composition under those conditions is not clear. The aim of this study was to compare the effects on meat quality and the fatty acid profile of beef from grass-fed steers or grain-fed calves in Patagonia. Forty Angus cross steers were raised on pasture (2.0 Mcal/kg DM ME, and 11% CP) and slaughtered at 18–20 mo of age (448 ± 31.7 kg BW). On the other hand, ten calves were weaned at 9 mo of age (303 ± 8.0 kg BW) and started receiving 2.5 kg corn (3.4 Mcal EM, 8.5% CP) and 1.0 kg Cosetán® (2.95 Mcal EM, 15% CP) daily during 47 d. Meanwhile they were maintained on pasture (2.0 Mcal/kg DM ME, and 5% CP) until they reached slaughter weight (316 ± 13.9 kg BW). Animals were slaughtered the same day, and Longissimus lumborummuscle was obtained to perform meat quality and fatty acid profile analyses. A T-student was used to compare the two finishing methods (calves/grain vs. steers/pasture). As was expected, calves show lighter hot carcass weight than steers (173.9 ± 7.2 vs. 223.7 ± 17.5 kg, P≤ 0.001). Regarding meat quality characteristics, the color of calves' muscle was lighter (with higher L* and lower a* values, P≤ 0.001) and more tender (P≤ 0.05) than meat from steers. Calves' meat had lower intramuscular fat content (4.56 ± 1.18 vs. 7.95 ± 2.61%, P≤ 0.001), possibly because they were slaughtered younger than steers. In general, the fatty acid composition of steers' and calves' meat show healthy profiles, although calves' meat was healthier because of its higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acid, (PUFA, 11.9 ± 2.91 vs. 7.60 ± 2.27%, P≤ 0.01) and rumenic acid (0.425 ± 0.053 vs. 0.268 ± 0.041%, P≤ 0.01). However, calves' meat has a lower content of monounsatured fatty acids (MUFAs, 34.3 ± 1.79 vs. 39.0 ± 2.09%, P≤ 0.001) and higher n-6/n-3 ratio (1.96 ± 0.19 vs. 1.74 ± 0.155%, P≤ 0.01) than steers' meat. Results suggest that Patagonian beef meat has interesting quality characteristics and differs depending on the finishing methods and the slaughter age. Intramuscular fat content and fatty acid profile gave calves' meat (with an extra energy intake by grain) a higher nutritional and healthy quality compared to steers produced on pasture, which could be demanded by consumers.Table 0901.