The specialization process associated with genetic selection could be associated with functional disorders, affecting the reproductive success of females (fitness). We hypothesized that by modulating energy acquisition and allocation of females we could balance productivity and reproductive success. To test this hypothesis, we used 203 rabbit females belonging to three genetic types: H (n=66) maternal line specialized in prolificacy, LP (n=67) generalist maternal line, R (n=70) paternal line specialized in growth rate. We fed each genetic type with two diets specifically designed to promote milk yield (AF) or body reserves recovery (CS). We controlled females between their first and fifth reproductive cycles, recording traits related with productivity and fitness of females. H females fed CS had on average 11.2±0.43 kits with an individual weight of 54±1.2 g at birth and 525±11 g at weaning. Their conception rate when multiparous was 44% and their survival rate at the end of the experiment 30%. When they were fed AF, the individual weight of kits was 3.8 g heavier (P<0.05) at birth and 38 g heavier at weaning (P<0.05), the conception rate when multiparous increased 23 percentage points (P<0.05) and the survival rate at the end of the experiment 25 percentage points (P<0.05). LP females fed CS had on average 10.8±0.43 kits with an individual weight of 52±1.2 g at birth and 578±11 g at weaning. Their conception rate when multiparous was 79% and their survival rate at the end of the experiment 75%. When they were fed AF, it only increased individual weight of kits at weaning (+39 g; P<0.05). R females fed CS had on average 8.4±0.43 kits with an individual weight of 60±1.2 g at birth and 568±11 g at weaning. Their conception rate when multiparous was 60% and their survival rate at the end of the experiment 37%. When they were fed AF, they presented 1.4 kits less at birth (P<0.05) but heavier at birth (+4.9 g; P<0.05) and at weaning (+37 g; P<0.05). Therefore, we observed that genetic types prioritized different fitness components and that diets could affected them. In this sense, seems that more specialized genetic types, were more sensitive to diets than the more generalist type.

Effective pharmaceutical treatments for age-related cognitive decline have proved elusive. There is, however, compelling evidence that nutritional status and supplementation could play crucial roles in modifying the expression of cognitive change through the lifespan. Subjective memory impairment and mild cognitive impairment can be harbingers of dementia but this is by no means inevitable. Neurocognitive change is influenced by a variety of processes, many of which are involved in other aspects of systemic health, including cardiovascular function. Importantly, many of these processes are governed by mechanisms which may be modified by specific classes of bioactive nutrients. There is increasing, converging evidence from controlled trials that nutritional interventions can improve mood and cognitive function in both clinical and healthy populations. Specific examples include selected botanical extracts such as the flavonoids. Some nutritional supplements (e.g. broad-spectrum micronutrient supplementation) appear to support improved cognitive function, possibly through redressing insufficient nutrient status (i.e. suboptimal but above the threshold for frank deficiency). Recent mechanistic research has unveiled physiologically plausible, modifiable, cognition-relevant targets for nutrition and nutraceuticals. These include processes involved in both systemic and central vascular function, inflammation, metabolism, central activation, improved neural efficiency and angiogenesis. The advent and development of human neuroimaging methodology have greatly aided our understanding of the core central mechanisms of cognitive change. Different imaging modalities can provide insights into modifiable central mechanisms which may be targeted by bioactive nutrients. The latter may contribute to slowing age-related decline through supporting neurocognitive scaffolding mechanisms.