Intramuscular fat content is a major determinant of meat quality in pigs. Previously, polymorphisms in the adipocyte and heart fatty acid-binding protein genes, A-FABP and H-FABP, have been significantly associated with genetic variation of intramuscular fat content in a Duroc pig population. Further support for the role of H-FABP but not for A-FABP was found in a Meishan crossbred population. However, the effect of closely linked genes could not be excluded in these analyses. To validate the role of A-FABP and H-FABP in intramuscular fat accretion, 153 pigs of a crossbred genotype were evaluated for the A-FABP and H-FABP polymorphisms, mRNA, and protein expression levels of both FABP genes and intramuscular fat content in the longissimus lumborum muscle. For H-FABP, statistical analyses showed significant differences in mRNA but not protein expression levels between H-FABP HaeIII PCR-RFLP genotype classes. Between these genotype classes, significant differences in intramuscular fat content were found within barrows but not in gilts. Moreover, H-FABP mRNA but not protein expression levels were significantly related to intramuscular fat content. For A-FABP genotype classes, no significant differences in mRNA and protein expression levels were found. However, a significant difference in intramuscular fat content was found within barrows but not in gilts. In addition, a significant relationship between A-FABP mRNA but not protein expression levels and intramuscular fat content was found. In conclusion, variation of intramuscular fat content could not be explained by differences in A-FABP and H-FABP mRNA and protein expression levels. However, this may be due to limitations of the assays used and(or) the inappropriateness of the time of sampling. Finally, results suggest that A-FABP and H-FABP expression are translationally rather than transcriptionally regulated.
Each of four monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was operantly conditioned to slow and to speed heart rate through a shock-avoidance procedure. During these sessions, electrical brain stimulation that produced tachycardia and pressor responses was delivered on alternate, 64-second segments to one of several brain regions. All animals were able to attenuate the increases in heart rate produced by brain stimulation during the slowing sessions when posterior hypothalamic and striatal regions were stimulated but not when anterior hypothalamic or subthalamic areas were stimulated. During speeding or control sessions during which heart rate was monitored, brain stimulation continued to increase heart rate.
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