Impact of calcium nitrate supplementation on the oxygen-carrying capacity of lactating sows and their offspring

Calcium nitrate supplementation has recently been suggested to provide potential benefits to sows and, in particular, their offspring when administered at a level of 1,200 ppm in feed shortly before farrowing through lactation. More specifically, nitrate supplementation has been suggested as one opportunity for improved placental and/or fetal blood flow and has been hypothesized in previous work to be important to the swine industry in light of the global trend toward larger litter sizes. The benefit is likely manifested through exposure to the nitrate moiety, but interestingly, nitrate has historically been considered a compound of concern for swine. High levels of nitrate once metabolized to nitrite can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin, resulting in increased methemoglobin and, subsequently, methemoglobinemia (MetHb) if the animal is deprived of significant amounts of oxygen; however, the level of nitrate exposure necessary to induce MetHb in sows is not clearly defined. This work was undertaken to examine methemoglobin levels in sows and piglets exposed to the potentially beneficial levels of 1,200 and 6,000 ppm nitrate added to their diets over the course of the periparturient period. Other oxygen capacity blood variables were evaluated (e.g., hemoglobin, hematocrit, and various measures of hemoglobin and red blood cell volumes and concentrations), as well as performance endpoints (weight changes and feed intake) and general observations over the 27-day period. No evidence of treatment-related toxicity manifestation was observed at these supplemental levels. Nearly all oxygen-related variables were affected by time (independent of treatment), indicating adaptive general effects of farrowing. These findings support the hypothesis that MetHb is not a concern up to at least 6,000 ppm supplemental nitrate exposure, even in combination with additional nitrate in the sow’s daily diet. This work is important to help swine producers understand that consideration of nitrate benefit should outweigh concern for risk of nitrate-induced toxicity.

Changing trends in the management of corpus luteum haemorrhage

Corpus luteal haemorrhage usually causes only mild symptoms and resolve spontaneously, however, it can cause massive bleeding in certain patients with coagulation or bleeding disorders. Over a decade, the management of corpus luteum haemorrhage has shifted from surgical to conservative management. This article focuses on selection of patients for conservative management so that the morbidities associated with the surgery can be avoided. Conservative management includes optimization of oxygen carrying capacity of blood, correction of coagulopathy and appropriate analgesia. It can be recurrent in certain high-risk group of patients who will need long term suppression of ovulation.

Enhanced splenic volume and contraction in elite endurance athletes

Splenic contraction, which leads to ejection of stored erythrocytes, is greater in athletes involved in regular freediving or high-altitude activities. As this response facilitates oxygen carrying capacity, similar characteristics may be expected of elite endurance athletes. Therefore, our aims were to compare resting and apnea-induced splenic volume in endurance athletes and untrained individuals, and to assess the athletes' exercise-induced splenic volume. Twelve elite biathletes (7 women) and 12 controls (6 women) performed a maximal effort apnea in a seated position. In addition, the biathletes completed a maximal roller-skiing time trial. Splenic dimensions were measured by ultrasonic imaging for subsequent volume calculations, while Hb was analyzed from capillary blood samples and cardiorespiratory variables were monitored continuously. Baseline splenic volume was larger in the biathletes (214±56 mL) compared to controls (157±39 mL, p=0.008) and apnea-induced splenic contraction was also greater in the biathletes (46±20 mL versus 30±16 mL, p=0.035). Hb increased immediately after apnea in the biathletes (4.5±4.8%, p=0.029) but not the controls (-0.7±3.1%, p=0.999). Increases in exercise-induced splenic contraction (p=0.008) and Hb (p=0.001) were greater compared to the apnea-induced responses among the athletes. Baseline splenic volume tended to be correlated with V̇O2max (r=0.584, p=0.059). We conclude that elite biathletes have greater splenic volume with a greater ability to contract and elevate Hb compared to untrained individuals. These characteristics may transiently enhance O2-carrying capacity and possibly increase O2 uptake, thereby helping biathletes to cope with high intermittent O2 demands and severe O2 deficits that occur during biathlon training and competition.

The Unexplained Negative Electromagnetic Radiation and its Reduction effect on Human by Electromagnetic seed Rudraksha

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are indefinable regions of energy that are often referred to as Radiation and are linked to the use of electricity as well as various natural and man-made phenomena. Due to continuous exposure to Unexplained and negative EMF, people experienced stress, anxiety, Hypoxia, and even long-term exposure result in Cancer to patients. On the other hand, Rudraksha seeds are globally known as electromagnetic seeds due to their positive electromagnetic healing effect. This research was conducted to find the consequence of the Negative EMF effect on human pulse rate and Oxygen carrying capacity in blood and the use of Rudraksha to study cut off harmful effect of negative EMF by this Electromagnetic property. This topic constitutes a new domain with the largely unstudied potential of Rudraksha seeds shielding effect on Unexplained Negative Electromagnetic Radiation. Keywords: EMF, Rudraksha, electromagnetic seeds, human pulse rate, Oxygen carrying capacity, Negative Electromagnetic Radiation.

Correlation of Haemoglobin Concentration with Maximal Aerobic Capacity - A Prospective Study in First Year MBBS Students of Southern Odisha

BACKGROUND Decrease in haemoglobin concentration in blood, with normal blood volume results in lower V̇ O2max and endurance performance. This may be due to the reduction of the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Conversely, increase in haemoglobin concentration is associated with increased V̇ O2max and endurance capacity. Increase in endurance capacity is also proportional to the increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Maximal aerobic capacity (V̇ O2max) is the maximum capacity of individual’s body to transport and use oxygen during incremental exercise which reflects physical fitness of that individual. Queen’s College Step Test is a standard method to measure one’s maximal aerobic capacity using sub maximal exercise in the form of bench stepping suitable for adults. The biological significance of oxygen transport by haemoglobin is well illustrated in anaemia where decreased haemoglobin also decreases exercise performance. The objective of the study is to find out the correlation between haemoglobin concentration and V̇ O2max by using Queen’s College Step Test. METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. A total of 150 1st year MBBS students aged between 17 and 24 yrs. were taken as subjects. Out of them 90 were males & 60 were females. Each subject performed the exercise for 3 minutes by Queen’s College Step Test. V̇ O2max was obtained by calculation. Haemoglobin concentration was measured by Acid Haematin method in Sahli’s Haemoglobinometer. RESULTS There was a significant positive correlation between haemoglobin concentration with VO2max in both males (r = 0.8618, P < 0.0001) and females (r = 0.5112, P < 0.0001) subjects. CONCLUSIONS Increase in Haemoglobin concentration is an indicator of increased V̇ O2max; hence persons with increased haemoglobin concentration may have increased exercise capability in both male and female subjects. KEYWORDS V̇ O2max, Haemoglobin concentration, Queen’s College Step Test