Academic literature on the topic 'Suckling acid'

Abstract. Twenty-four dual purpose (wool/meat) suckling and early weaned ram lambs were used to study the fatty acid profile in intramuscular fat of longissimus lumborum muscle and lipid oxidation in blood serum. At 60 days of age 12 rams were slaughtered as suckling lambs. The other 12 early weaned and fed according to standards by grass hay and concentrate, and slaughtered at 90 days of age. Suckling lambs had more polyunsaturated fatty acids (P≤0.01) than early-weaned lambs. Younger lambs obtained also higher values of n-3 fatty acids (P≤0.01) and lower n-6/n-3 ratio (P≤0.01) appropriate in relation to their contribution to human health. Muscle tissue of early-weaned lambs compared to suckling group was characterised by significantly higher c9,t11C18:2 content (P≤0.01), which is desirable in human diet with regard to its peculiarities. The higher amount (P≤0.01) of vaccenic acid, which is the substrate for rumenic acid formation, has been observed in early-weaned lambs also.

The developmental pattern of the branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex was examined in the liver and heart of the rat throughout the suckling period. Basal activity and total activity of the complex were measured as a function of age. The hepatic enzyme activity increased dramatically and was 100% active (dephosphorylated) during the suckling period. The level of protein kinase associated with the complex was particularly low at birth, but like the complex increased throughout the suckling period. The level of heart enzyme also increased as a function of age, but only about 30-45% of the enzyme was active throughout the suckling period. Very low protein levels of liver and heart branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase were detected by immunoblot analysis in newborn rats. The mRNA levels for the liver E1 alpha, E1 beta, and E2 subunits in newborn rat were 30%, 19%, and 4% of adult levels respectively. The capacity of the neonatal rat for oxidizing leucine in vivo was low at birth and increased with age. 4-Methyl-2-oxopentanoate was more toxic when given to newborn and 3-day-old pups than 21-day-old pups, as expected from the relative capacities of their tissues to dispose of branched-chain 2-oxo acids by oxidation. Force-feeding suckling rats a protein-free artificial milk formula resulted in partial inactivation of the hepatic branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex, indicating that the liver of the suckling rat can adapt to conserve branched-chain amino acid residues during periods of protein deficiency.

The effect of wine by-products in the feeding of ewes on fatty acid composition of milk and meat of their suckling lambs and the sensory quality of the meat was investigated. Forty-two ewes were fed during the second half of gestation and lactation one out of three treatments: a control diet based on a commercial concentrate and two concentrates supplemented with either 10% grape pomace or 5% grape seed. In addition, all animals had ad libitum access of Lucerne chaff. The control group showed lower concentration of saturated fatty acids (mainly in short and medium chain) and higher monounsaturated fatty acids (mainly oleic acid) in the milk fat, being the total polyunsaturated fatty acids unchanged. However, this variation was not reflected in the meat of the suckling lambs, where only few differences in individual fatty acids were found, such as linoleic acid being highest in the pomace treatment. Spicy and metallic flavours were increased in the wine by-products groups, but overall liking was not affected. The by-products added to the diets may be a good way to reduce costs on feeding and waste, but they were not able to provide a healthier fatty acid profile, neither in milk nor in the meat of the suckling lambs.

Developmental changes in the content and composition of major organ lipid pools are not well known. Our objective was to assess quantitatively the changes in lipids, particularly those containing long-chain fatty acids, in the placenta and the brain, liver, and carcass of the fetal and suckling rat. Pregnant dams were killed at days 15, 18, and 21 (term) of pregnancy and the placentas and fetuses removed and analyzed; suckling rats were killed at days +3, +6, and +9 of lactation. Whereas the long-chain fatty acid content of the phospholipids (mg/g) of the fetal or suckling rat remained relatively constant from day 18 of pregnancy to day +9 of lactation, long-chain fatty acids in triacylglycerols increased from prenatal values by 10- to 12-fold during the first 9 postnatal days. Prenatally, triacylglycerol accounted for no more than 32% of total whole body essential fatty acids (day 21), but postnatally this increased to 81-88%. From day 21 to day +9, the proportion of n-6 and n-3 essential fatty acids within the total triacylglycerol pool of the suckling rat increased 71 and 317%, respectively. We conclude that in the suckling rat, triacylglycerol is quantitatively the most important source of essential fatty acids during at least the first 9 days of life.

Glucocorticosteroids such as dexamethasone (Dex) increase sugar and lipid uptake in adult animals and accelerate the development of the immature intestine. The effect of Dex on the ontogeny of lipid absorption is unknown. In adult rats, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) has a trophic effect on the intestine and enhances nutrient absorption. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of GLP-2 and Dex on the intestine uptake of lipids in suckling rats and to determine whether any such effect persists into the postweanling period. Sixty-four suckling rats were randomized into four groups. They were treated from days 11 to 21 with GLP-2 (0.1 μg·g−1·day−1 sc), Dex (0.128 μg·g−1·day−1 sc), GLP-2 plus Dex (GLP-2 0.1 μg·g−1·day−1 sc + Dex 0.128 μg·g−1·day−1 sc), or placebo. One-half the pups were killed at days 19–21 (“sucklings”), and one-half were killed 4 wk later (“weanlings”). The rate of intestinal uptake of six fatty acids (12:0, lauric; 16:0, palmitic; 18:0, stearic; 18:1, oleic; 18:2, linoleic; and 18:3, linolenic) and cholesterol was assessed using an in vitro ring technique. GLP-2 had no effect on lipid uptake. Dex increased the uptake of 18:3 in sucklings, and the ileal uptake of 18:0 was increased in weanlings. The combination of GLP-2 plus Dex had no effect in sucklings and increased the ileal uptake of 12:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3 in weanlings. The enhanced uptake of fatty acids with GLP-2 plus Dex was not explained by alterations in the animals' body or intestinal weights, intestinal morphology, or intestinal- or liver-fatty acid binding proteins. Unlike adults, GLP-2 does not enhance lipid uptake in sucklings. Dex has a modest enhancing effect on selected fatty acid uptake both in sucklings as well as weanlings. GLP-2 plus Dex has an enhancing effect on the ileal uptake of fatty acids in weanlings 4 wk after their previous injection with GLP-2 plus Dex. It remains to be established what is the nutritional importance of this late effect of prior exposure to Dex or GLP-2 plus Dex on the intestinal uptake of lipids.

Background/Aims: Intestinal morphology and the types of enterocytes are changed in piglets during the suckling period, but it is unclear whether these changes are associated with metabolic changes in epithelium. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that glucose, fatty acids, and amino acid metabolism in differentiated piglet enterocytes changed during suckling. Methods: Twenty-four piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]) from 8 litters (3 piglets/litter) were selected. A single piglet from each litter was randomly selected and euthanized at days 7, 14, and 21. Differentiated enterocytes (DE) were isolated from their mid-jejunum. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification and subsequent liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify and measure protein synthesis. Results: The results showed that various activities, including: cellular processes; metabolic processes; biological regulation; pigmentation; and, localization, in DEs changed during suckling. Metabolic process analyses revealed that protein expression related to glycolysis and citrate cycle was decreased from day 7 to day 14. The number of differentiated enterocytes of 21 d piglets increased compared to 7 d piglets. Most of the proteins involved in fatty acid and amino acids metabolism had decreased DE expression between day 7 and day 14. Some, but not all, detected proteins down-regulated in DEs of 21 day piglets compared to 7 day piglets. Conclusion: These results indicate that glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids metabolism changed during suckling. This may provide useful information for designing feed formulas and regulating piglet intestinal growth and development.

Hepatocytes from suckling rats whose mothers were fed a low-protein diet (9% protein) showed a lower capacity for Na(+)-dependent L-alanine uptake [due to a decrease in maximal uptake rate (Vmax) of a low-affinity component of transport] and were not able to respond to insulin or glucagon, whereas those from suckling pups whose mothers were fed the control diet (17% protein) had already developed the ability to upregulate L-alanine transport after hormone treatment. When animals from low-protein-fed mothers were weaned onto a hypoprotein diet, the overall capacity for Na(+)-dependent L-alanine uptake (apparent Vmax) and its responsiveness to pancreatic hormones were restored. Hepatocytes from these animals showed a lower response to glucocorticoid treatment. Amino acid availability was dramatically decreased in suckling and weanling rats fed a low-protein diet. These results support the hypothesis that nutrient supply is an important factor in the proper development of hepatic transport functions during the suckling-weaning transition.

We measured the amino acid concentrations in the afferent and efferent vessels of the liver in anaesthetized fed adult rats and in fed suckling rat pups. A much higher content of glutamine in the portal vein and the aorta than in hepatic veins suggests that this amino acid is actively taken up by the liver of fed suckling rat pups, conversely to what is found in adult rats. In an attempt to characterize further the mechanism(s) contributing to this enhanced glutamine uptake, we monitored the time course of 1 mM-glutamine transport into plasma-membrane vesicles purified from the livers of either adult or suckling rats. The concentrative Na+-dependent uptake of glutamine was lower in those vesicles obtained from pups than in those obtained from adult rats. Glutaminase and glutamine synthetase activities in livers from both experimental groups were also measured. Glutaminase and glutamine synthetase activities in suckling rats were about 3-fold higher and 2-fold lower respectively than those in adult rats. It is concluded that glutamine is a main nitrogen carrier to the liver in fed suckling rats. A high availability of this amino acid and an enzyme imbalance between glutamine-synthesizing and -degrading activities may account for the net uptake found in vivo.

The effects of the dams and suckling lamb feeding systems on the fatty acid (FA) profile of lamb meat are reviewed in this article. The suckling lamb can be considered a functional monogastric, and therefore, its meat FA composition is strongly influenced by the FA composition of maternal milk. The major source of variation for ewe milk FA composition is represented by pasture amount and type. In the traditional sheep breeding system of the Mediterranean area, the main lambing period occurs in late autumn–early winter, and ewes are able to exploit the seasonal availability of the natural pastures at their best. Therefore, lambs start suckling when maternal milk concentrations of vaccenic, rumenic, and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated FA in maternal milk are the highest. When maternal diet is mainly based on hay and concentrates, the use of vegetable oils can be considered a good strategy to improve the meat FA profile of suckling lambs.

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The aim of this study was to compare the effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on renal and hepatic parameters in adult non-lactating and lactating rats and their pups and to assess the potential preventive role of Zn, given as zinc chloride (ZnCl2), on the nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects caused by exposure to inorganic mercury. Nonlactating and lactating rats were pre-exposed to a daily dose of ZnCl2 (27 mg/kg/day; s.c.) or saline 0.9% during five consecutive days and to a daily dose of HgCl2 (5 mg/kg/day; s.c.) or saline 0.9% for the five subsequent days. The exposure of lactating rats to metals began on day 3 of lactation. Suckling pups were exposed to metals exclusively through maternal milk. Animals were observed daily throughout the study for signs of toxicity and mortality. Water and food consumption of lactating and nonlactating rats were monitored daily during the entire period of exposure to metals. Animals were euthanized 24 h after the last dose of HgCl2 and tissue samples were collected (blood, kidney and liver) to analyze the following parameters: daminolevulinic acid dehydratase (d-ALA-D) activity; biochemical parameters indicative of renal (plasma urea and creatinine levels) and hepatic (plasma AST, ALT and LDH activities) toxicity and the metal levels (Hg and Zn) in all tissues studied. In nonlactating rats, the survival rate; food consumption; body and kidney weights; blood and renal d-ALA-D activity; plasma urea and creatinine levels; plasma ALT and AST activities; renal histology; blood Zn levels and blood, kidney and liver Hg levels were significantly affected by HgCl2 exposure. Previous exposure to ZnCl2 prevented some of the effects of mercury, such as: decrease in survival rate, increase in plasma urea and creatinine levels, inhibition in blood (partially) and renal d-ALA-D activity, the increase in plasma AST (partially) activity and the decrement in blood Zn levels. In contrast, ZnCl2 was unable to prevent the effects of mercury on the decrease in food consumption and in body and kidney weights, inhibition of plasma ALT activity, renal histological alterations and on the increased Hg levels in tissues. In lactating rats, food consumption, body and kidney weights, blood and hepatic d-ALA-D activity, plasma ALT activity and Hg levels in blood and kidneys were significantly modified by HgCl2 exposure. Previous exposure to ZnCl2 was not able to prevent any physiological and biochemical changes induced by HgCl2 exposure. Moreover, the pre-exposure to ZnCl2 potentiated the effects of HgCl2 exposure on retention of Hg in renal and hepatic tissues and induced histological alterations in the liver (which were not observed when lactating rats were exposed to HgCl2 alone). In pups, body weight gain, absolute kidney and liver weights and retention of Hg in these tissues were significantly altered by indirect exposure to heavy metal through maternal milk. None of these changes were prevented by pre-exposure of their mothers to ZnCl2. Taken together, this study showed for the first time that lactating rats exposed to HgCl2 presented distinct biochemical responses comparing to non-lactating rats when renal and hepatic parameters were evaluated. Furthermore, these results showed that mercury is transferred to the pups through maternal milk and that mercury levels available to pups were not sufficient to induce any change in biochemical parameters evaluated. The preventive effect of ZnCl2 on renal toxicity induced by HgCl2 in non-lactating rats suggests effectively that it serves as a promising alternative for the preventive treatment of inorganic mercury poisoning cases; however, since pre-exposure to ZnCl2 potentiated the effects of HgCl2 on mercury levels in kidney and liver and induced histological changes in hepatic tissue of lactating rats, we suggest that ZnCl2 should be used with caution during lactation and that more studies are necessary to ensure the safety of its use in this period.
O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos da exposição ao cloreto de mercúrio (HgCl2) sobre parâmetros renais e hepáticos em ratas adultas não-lactantes e ratas lactantes e seus filhotes, e avaliar o possível efeito preventivo do zinco (Zn), administrado na forma de cloreto de zinco (ZnCl2), sobre os efeitos nefro e hepatotóxicos causados pela exposição ao mercúrio inorgânico. As ratas lactantes e nãolactantes foram pré-expostas a uma dose diária de ZnCl2 (27 mg/kg/dia; s.c.) ou solução salina 0,9% durante cinco dias. Nos cinco dias subsequentes, as ratas foram expostas a uma dose diária de HgCl2 (5 mg/kg/dia; s.c.) ou salina 0,9%. A exposição das ratas lactantes aos metais iniciou-se no 3º dia de lactação. Os filhotes foram expostos aos metais exclusivamente via leite materno. Os animais foram observados diariamente quanto aos sinais de toxicidade e mortalidade. O consumo de água e de ração das ratas lactantes e não-lactantes foi monitorado diariamente durante o período de exposição aos metais. Os animais foram eutanaziados 24 horas após a administração da última dose de HgCl2. Amostras de sangue, rim e fígado foram retiradas para a análise dos seguintes parâmetros: atividade da enzima d-aminolevulinato desidratase (d-ALA-D); parâmetros bioquímicos indicativos de toxicidade renal (níveis plasmáticos de uréia e creatinina) e hepática (atividade das enzimas AST, ALT e LDH plasmáticas) e os níveis de metais (Hg e Zn) nos tecidos estudados. Nas ratas não-lactantes, a taxa de sobrevivência, o consumo de ração, os pesos do corpo e dos rins, a atividade da enzima d-ALA-D sanguínea e renal, os níveis plasmáticos de uréia e creatinina, a atividade das enzimas AST e ALT plasmáticas, a histologia do tecido renal, os níveis de zinco no sangue e os níveis de mercúrio no sangue, rins e fígado foram significativamente alterados pela exposição ao HgCl2. A exposição prévia ao ZnCl2 preveniu alguns dos efeitos induzidos pelo mercúrio, tais como: a diminuição na taxa de sobrevivência, o aumento nos níveis plasmáticos de uréia e creatinina, a inibição da atividade da enzima d-ALA-D sanguínea (parcialmente) e renal, o aumento na atividade da AST (parcialmente) e a diminuição dos níveis sanguíneos de zinco. Por outro lado, o ZnCl2 não foi capaz de prevenir os efeitos do mercúrio sobre a diminuição do consumo de ração e dos pesos corporal e renal, a inibição da atividade da ALT, as alterações histológicas e os níveis de mercúrio nos tecidos. Nas lactantes, o consumo de ração, os pesos do corpo e dos rins, a atividade das enzimas d-ALA-D sanguínea e hepática e ALT plasmática, os níveis de zinco no sangue e os níveis de mercúrio no sangue e nos rins foram significativamente alterados pela exposição ao HgCl2. A pré-exposição ao ZnCl2 não preveniu nenhuma das alterações bioquímicas e fisiológicas induzidas pela exposição ao HgCl2. Além disso, essa pré-exposição potencializou o acúmulo de mercúrio nos tecidos renal e hepático e induziu o aparecimento de alterações histológicas no fígado, as quais não foram observadas nas ratas lactantes expostas exclusivamente ao HgCl2. Em relação aos filhotes, o ganho de peso corporal, os pesos absolutos de rins e fígado e o acúmulo de mercúrio nesses tecidos foram significativamente alterados pela exposição indireta ao metal tóxico via leite materno. Nenhuma dessas alterações foram prevenidas pela exposição prévia das lactantes ao ZnCl2. Este estudo demonstrou, pela primeira vez, que as ratas lactantes expostas ao HgCl2 apresentam respostas bioquímicas distintas em relação as ratas adultas não-lactantes quando analisados parâmetros renais e hepáticos de toxicidade. Além disso, estes resultados demonstram que o mercúrio é transferido aos filhotes via leite materno e que os níveis de mercúrio disponíveis não são suficientes para alterar os parâmetros bioquímicos analisados. O papel preventivo do ZnCl2 sobre a toxicidade renal induzida pelo HgCl2 nas ratas não-lactantes sugere efetivamente que ele serve como alternativa promissora no tratamento preventivo dos casos de exposição ao mercúrio inorgânico. Entretanto, uma vez que a pré-exposição ao ZnCl2 potencializou os efeitos do HgCl2 sobre os níveis de mercúrio em rim e fígado e induziu alterações histológicas no tecido hepático de ratas lactantes, sugere-se que o ZnCl2 deva ser usado com cautela durante o período da lactação e que mais estudos são necessários para certificar-se da segurança de seu uso nesse período.

Infant formula companies began fortifying formulas with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in 2002, including arachidonic acid (AA) at ~ 0.5% of total fatty acids. This study is the first in a series that will examine effects of supra-physiological supplementation of AA on intestinal health. The objective was to determine the time specific effects of dietary AA on fatty acid composition of enterocyte phospholipids and on the mRNA abundance of hepatic ∆6- and ∆5-desaturases. One d old pigs (N=96) were fed a milk-based formula for 4, 8, or 16 d. Diets contained either no PUFA (0%AA, negative control), 0.5%AA, 2.5%AA, 5%AA, or 5% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) of total fatty acids. Growth (299 +/- 21 g/d) was unaffected by treatment (P>0.1). By day 16, ileal enterocyte phospholipid concentrations of AA were enriched 176%, 280%, and 355% in pigs fed the 0.5%AA, 2.5%AA, and 5%AA diets, respectively, compared with the 0%AA control (P<0.05). Concentration of AA within enterocytes of the 5% EPA fed group was similar to that of the 0%AA fed pigs, while EPA concentration increased by >8 fold. As pigs aged from birth to 16 d of age, there were no differences in the desaturase mRNA abundance (P>0.1), measured in pigs fed 0.5% or 5%AA. Abundance also was similar among AA-supplemented pigs, but was elevated by 60-80% in the 0%AA-fed pigs compared to those fed 2.5% (P<0.05). These data demonstrate a dose-dependent response in enterocyte AA concentration to dietary AA and show that supra-physiologic supplementation of AA is not detrimental to growth or desaturase gene expression.

Изменение аэробных возможностей организма при тренировке в среднегорье / В. Л. Богуш, О. И. Резниченко, О. В. Кувалдина, Е. А. Яцунский, И. Н. Веселова, В. Н. Фарионов // Матеріали I міжнар. наук.-практ. конф. "Актуальні проблеми фізичного виховання і спорту в сучасних умовах". – Дніпропетровськ, 2015. – С. 32–36.
Conducted a survey of athletes specializing in women's middle and long distance. Studied parameters: maximum oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation, lactic acid content, the level of biomechanical economization after training loads on the plain, in a midlands (1700 m), in the period of re-acclimatization. The results showed that after training in the mountains increased aerobic capacity of an athlete and have a higher efficiency, which provides the ability to perform a large amount of training work than to rise into the mountains.
Проводились обследования спортсменов, специализирующихся в беге на средние и длинные дистанции. Исследовались показатели: максимальное потребление кислорода, легочная вентиляции, содержание молочной кислоты, уровень биомеханической экономизации после тренировочных нагрузок на равнине, в условиях среднегорья (1700 м), в период реакклиматизации. Полученные результаты показали, что после тренировки в горных условиях повышаются аэробные возможности организма спортсмена и отмечается более высокая работоспособность, что обеспечивает возможность выполнения большого объема тренировочной работы, чем до подъема в горы.

The quantity and quality of dietary lipids is crucial for infant growth and development. The significance of the differences in n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in human milk, and the effect of maternal diet fat on various inflammatory mediators in the gastrointestinal tract of infants have received little attention. The aims of the present study were to determine the effect of maternal dietary fat composition on rat milk, intestinal phospholipid fatty acids and responsiveness to experimental colitis in suckling rat pups. Female rats were fed isocaloric diets varying only in fat composition throughout gestation and lactation. The oils used were high in n-3 (canola oil, 8% 18:3n-3), n-6 (safflower oil, 72% 18:2n-6), or n-9 (high oleic acid safflower oil, 78% 18:ln-9) fatty acids, n=6 dams/ group. A reference group of rats fed chow (37% 18:2n-6, 4% 18:3n-3, l%20:5n-3, 2% 22:6n-3) were also studied. Colitis was induced in the pups on postnatal day 15 by intra-rectal dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) administration, with vehicle (50% ethanol) and procedure (0.9% saline) control pups. Jejunal and colonic phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) and milk fatty acids were determined. The distal colon was assessed for macroscopic damage, histology and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). The high n-6 maternal diet increased n-6 fatty acids, whereas the high n-3 diet increased n-3 fatty acids in milk and pup jejunal and colonic phospholipids. Maternal diet, milk and pup intestinal n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios increased significantly in order: high 18:3n-3 < high 18:ln-9 < high 18:2n-6. DNBS administration in pups in the high 18:2n-6 group led to severe colitis with higher colonic damage scores and MPO activity than in 18:ln-9 and 18:3n-3 groups. High maternal dietary 18:3n-3 intake was associated with colonic damage scores and MPO activity that were not significantly different from ethanol controls. The composition of rat milk, pups intestinal fatty acids and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios in reference group were similar to high 18:3n-3 group, however, DNBS colitis was associated with higher colonic damage scores and MPO activity compared to high 18:3n-3 group. To conclude the maternal dietary fat influences the composition of rat milk fatty acids, intestinal lipids and responsiveness to experimental colitis in nursing offspring. Higher dietary n-3 fatty acids attenuate intestinal responsiveness to colitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that the composition of milk fatty acids is associated with the nursing offspring's susceptibility to chemically-induced colitis.
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

Reduced circulating platelet count sometimes to thrombocytopenic levels in man and normally severe thrombocytopenia in animals are well known features of acute Plasmodium falciparum or experimental P. bergei infections in these respective organisms. Suggested mechanism(s), disseminated intravascular coagulation or immune mediated mechanism, thought to be involved in these observations are disputed. Shortened platelet survival has been reported in man.We now present data on platelet survival and total platelet sialic acid concentration in P. bergei-infected Wistar rats. A total of 52 rats were used. For the platelet survival studies each of the 8 suckling test animals was infected by intraperi-toneal route with mouse-passaged P. bergei 4-5 days before inaction of Cr-labelled homologous rat platelets (50 μCi Na51 CrC4/rat) the platelets being obtained from adult Wistarrats. Blood samples were then collected 2 hr after the injection (zero hr sample) and subsequently at 17.0, 42.5 and 66 hr s.Platelet recovery and survival curves were determined on these samples. It was found dat fewer platelets (as % recovery) were obtained from each infected rat sample compared with control, the difference was significant in the 42.5 and 66 hr samples: 7.9 ± 8.1 (test) vs 41.4 ± 15.2% (C) for 42.5 hr and 2.8 ±4.1 (t) vs 26.8 ± 6.2% (C) for the 66 hr samples (p < 0.005 for each). For sialic acid determinations, 40 suckling Wistar rats (30 test, 10 control) were treated as for survival studies.At identical periods, blood was collected, washed platelets obtained, lysed and protein and total sialic acid determined by Lowry (1951) and Aminoff (1961) methods respectively. Total sialic acid of 7.02 ± 4.21 nM/mg protein at 42.5 hrs and 4.8 ± 2.14 at 66 hrs were significantly less than control value of 11.43 nm/mg protein and also showed a negative correlation (r = -0.95) with % parasitaemia.It is concluded that P. bergei infection causes a reduction in total platelet sialic acid with resultant significant shortening of the platelet life span.