Studies on blood biochemical constituents and rumen fermentation in growing buffalo calves fed ammoniated straw-based rations supplemented with different protein sources

Studies were done on blood biochemical constituents and rumen fermentation pattern of growing buffalo calves fed ammoniated wheat straw (UAS)-based rations supplemented with three different protein supplements. Eighteen buffalo calves (140 kg) were divided into three groups of six calves each and were fed on UAS supplemented with a concentrate mixture (roughage:concentrate ratio 58:42) containing 8% (or 3.5% of total ration) untreated groundnut cake (GNC) (group I), 8% formaldehyde treated GNC (group II) and 8% fish meal (group III), respectively, for 19 weeks. During this growth study, blood biochemistry was studied. Rumen fermentation study was done on three fistulated growing buffalo calves using a 3×3 Latin square switch over design. Blood glucose and ammonia-N did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, blood urea-N of calves in group III was higher (P<0.05) than in groups I and II, but the latter two did not differ from each other in this respect. Total protein in group I was comparable to group II and group III which were significantly different from each other. The rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids, ammonia-N and total protozoal count were similar, however, total N and TCA insoluble N in group II and group III were higher (P<0.01) than in group I. Fish meal containing diet favoured holotrichs, whereas, protected GNC containing diet favoured spirotrichs as indicated by significantly higher count. It was concluded that the beneficial effects of supplementing formaldehyde protected GNC at 8% in the concentrate mixture to the UAS-based diets were greater than supplementation of unprotected GNC or low quality fish meal in ration of buffalo calves growing at 400 g because of improved rumen fermentation, absorption and metabolism of nutrients as observed in blood biochemistry.     

Effect of time and sex on tissue selenium concentrations in chicks fed practical diets supplemented with sodium selenite or calcium selenite

An experiment was conducted with 384 1-d-old male and female broiler-chicks. The basal corn-soybean meal diet (.07 ppm Se DM basis) was supplemented with 0, .1, .2, or .3 ppm added Se as either sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) or calcium selenite (CaSeO3), and fed for 1, 3, or 5 wk. There was no effect of Se source or level on feed intake or gain, but males consumed more (P less than .01) feed than females. There was no effect (P greater than .10) of sex or Se source on plasma, liver, or kidney Se concentration. The Se concentration of all tissues increased (P less than .01) with time and increasing dietary Se concentration. Based on multiple regression slope ratios of liver, kidney, and plasma Se concentrations, Se from CaSeO3 was as available (103%) as Se from Na2SeO3.     

Grass and lupin silage in rations for beef steers supplemented with barley or potatoes

Twenty-eight Simmental-cross steers weighing 200 (± 20.5) kg were used to evaluate grass and whole plant lupin silages in terms of growth rate, dry matter (DM) intake and carcass characteristics. The chemical composition of the silages was determined and Dacron bag procedures were used to estimate DM and protein degradability. The silages were supplemented with either rolled barley or crushed potato. The lupin silage had a lactic acid fermentation with lower DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and protein nitrogen than the grass silage but higher crude protein. There were no statistically significant differences in gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage or backfat levels between steers fed lupin or grass silage. DM intake of the silages was not significantly different but there was a tendency for lower DM intake of lupin silage when supplemented with potatoes. There was no difference in DM degradability between lupin and grass silages. Lupin nitrogen degraded at a significantly faster rate (24.5% h⁻¹) compared with the grass (10.4% h⁻¹). The effective degradation of nitrogen at a ruminal fractional outflow rate of 0.05 h⁻¹ was 63.8% and 79.1% for grass and lupin silage, respectively. Ensiling whole plant lupin can produce a high quality silage for use in beef rations.     

Muscle buffering capacity of yellowtail fed diets supplemented with crystalline histidine

Juvenile yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata (initial body mass of 22 g) were fed either a commercial diet (control, diet 1) or diets supplemented with histidine (diet 2), histidine+β-alanine (diet 3), or histidine+β-alanine+thyroxine (diet 4), for 6 weeks. The dietary treatment did not affect the final body mass. Free histidine levels of white muscle in the fish fed the diets supplemented with histidine (diets 2-4) were significantly higher (>62 mmol kg⁻¹ of wet tissue) than that of control group (42 mmol kg⁻¹ of wet tissue). Dietary supplementation of β-alanine (diet 3) or β-alanine+thyroxine (diet 4) failed to increase muscle anserine (β-alanyl-π-L.-histidine) level. Muscle buffering capacity of the range from pH 6·0 to 7·5 of the fish fed the diets 2-4 (41·6-42·7 mmol NaOH pH⁻¹ kg muscle⁻¹) reflected the increase of muscle histidine level, having slightly but significantly intensified compared to control fish (36·6 mmol NaOH pH⁻¹ kg muscle⁻¹). Most of the free amino acids other than histidine were significantly lower in the fish fed the diets 2-4 than in control fish. Thus, crystalline histidine supplemented to diets appears to be deposited in muscular tissue, and consequently enhance muscle buffering capacity in this species.     

Caecal parameters of rats fed diets supplemented with inulin in exchange for sucrose

Abstract

The effects of different modes of inulin supplementation on caecal fermentation were evaluated in rats. Groups S and IN were fed diets containing 5% of sucrose or inulin, respectively, for the whole experimental period of 40 days. Group IN/S was fed IN and S diets, whereas group S/IN was fed S and IN diets, in the first and the second 20-day period, respectively. Groups IN_up and IN_down were fed diets in which the content of inulin increased from 1 – 5% and decreased from 5 – 1%, every 8 days, respectively. The common effects of inulin on caecal fermentation, i.e. enlargement of tissue, acidification of digesta, a decrease in activities of potentially harmful bacterial enzymes (β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase), and an increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration and pool, were especially observed in the IN, S/IN and IN_up groups. The results suggested that the intensity of caecal fermentation is increased when inulin is present at a relatively high dietary level and that these changes are easily reversible after inulin withdrawal from feed.     

Caecal parameters of rats fed diets supplemented with inulin in exchange for sucrose

The effects of different modes of inulin supplementation on caecal fermentation were evaluated in rats. Groups S and IN were fed diets containing 5% of sucrose or inulin, respectively, for the whole experimental period of 40 days. Group IN/S was fed IN and S diets, whereas group S/IN was fed S and IN diets, in the first and the second 20-day period, respectively. Groups IN(up) and IN(down) were fed diets in which the content of inulin increased from 1-5% and decreased from 5-1%, every 8 days, respectively. The common effects of inulin on caecal fermentation, i.e. enlargement of tissue, acidification of digesta, a decrease in activities of potentially harmful bacterial enzymes (beta-glucuronidase and beta-glucosidase), and an increase in the total volatile fatty acids concentration and pool, were especially observed in the IN, S/IN and IN(up) groups. The results suggested that the intensity of caecal fermentation is increased when inulin is present at a relatively high dietary level and that these changes are easily reversible after inulin withdrawal from feed.     

Intestinal development and body growth of broiler chicks on diets supplemented with non-starch polysaccharides

The growth of broiler chicks and the mechanisms underlying responses to diets supplemented with commercial non-starch polysaccharides were evaluated. The supplements varied in viscosity and chemical structure and evaluation was conducted over two feeding periods.The viscosity of the four supplements tested ranged from 1.38 cP for alginic acid (AL) to over 2000 cP for guar gum (GG) and gum xanthan (GX). The whole diet followed a similar trend. The ileal digesta viscosity was significantly highest (P<0.001) in chicks that were fed the GX diet.Over a period of 7 days of feeding the diets, there was a significant reduction (P<0.001) in the final body weight and weight gain of chickens on diets supplemented with GG and GX. Supplementation with GG and GX also resulted in a deterioration (P<0.001) in FCR.The weight of the small intestine was higher (P<0.001) on the GG-supplemented diet than on the other diets while small intestinal fill was increased by the presence of GG and GX. There was no significant variation in the mucosal morphometry of birds on the different diets. Jejunal maltase and sucrase activities were highest (P<0.001) in chicks that were fed the AL-supplemented diet and lowest in chicks fed the GX-supplemented diet. The activity of aminopeptidase N in the ileum was stimulated (P<0.05) by GX. The uptake of l-tryptophan into brush-border membrane vesicles was unaffected by NSP supplement.After a second period of feeding the diets containing NSP at half the level present in the first period, final body weight and weight gain were significantly higher (P<0.001) on the gum arabic (GA)-supplemented diet than on the other diets. Absolute feed intake (P<0.05), feed intake per unit of initial body weight (P<0.001) and FCR (P<0.001) were significantly affected by the supplements, being higher in chicks on the GX-supplemented diet than on the other diets.The weight (P<0.001) and capacity (P<0.01) of the small intestine were highest in chicks on the GG- and GX-supplemented diets, respectively. The crypt depth of the jejunal mucosa was higher (P<0.01) in chickens on the GX-supplemented than in the other chickens. Ileal crypts were deepest and villi longest (P<0.05) in chicks on the GG- and GA-supplemented diets, respectively.Jejunal mucosal DNA (P<0.05) and RNA (P<0.001) contents of chicks were significantly increased by the GA-supplemented diet. In the ileum, RNA content (P<0.01) and RNA:DNA ratio (P<0.001) were reduced in chicks raised on the more viscous diets.Ileal maltase activity was also significantly higher (P<0.01) in chicks on the GX diet than in chicks on the other diets. l-Tryptophan uptake by ileal brush-border membranes was lowest (P<0.05) in chicks on the GA-supplemented diet.     

Growth performance and digestion of growing lambs fed diets supplemented with glycerol

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing corn with an increasing concentration of high-purity glycerol (>99%) on growth performance, economical efficiency, blood constituents and nutrient digestibility of growing lambs. In experiment one, 24 male lambs (initial BW=33.6±6.0 kg; age=6.75±0.75 months) were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental treatments containing 0%, 5% or 10% glycerol to replace corn in concentrate. In experiment two, nine lambs (initial BW=44.7±2.2 kg, age=8.84±0.32 months) were used in a digestion trial with three treatments (three lambs per treatment) with glycerol replacing corn at 0%, 5% or 10% in the concentrate. Total dry matter (DM) intake decreased quadratically (P=0.003) with increasing concentration of glycerol in the diet. Lambs fed glycerol diets had greater average daily gain (P=0.005) and better feed efficiency (P=0.002) compared with the control. Feed costs were also reduced with glycerol inclusion. Glycerol supplementation did not affect serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipid, cholesterol and glucose concentrations. Glycerol supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on organic matter and CP digestion, but improved DM (P=0.0003), crude fiber (P=0.10), ether extract (P=0.0002) and nitrogen-free extract (P=0.05) digestion. In conclusion, glycerol can replace corn up to 10% of DM in the diets of growing lambs.     

Presence of bifidobacteria in the rumen of calves fed different rations.

A study was made on the numbers and species of bifidobacteria present in the rumen of calves fed high-roughage and high-concentrate diets. With the roughage ration the bifidobacteria were not detectable in a 10(-3) dilution, whereas with the concentrate ration their number was high, usually in the order of 10(8) to 10(9)/ml of rumen fluid. The species most represented, identified by means of deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization tests, included Bifidobacterium ruminale, Bifidobacterium globosum, and an apparently new species.     

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome associated with acute pancreatitis

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a systemic infectious disease caused by Hantaviruses and characterized by fevers,bleeding tendencies,gastrointestinal symptoms and renal failure.It encom...     

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome complicated by orchitis

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a disease caused by viruses of the family Bunyaviridae,genus Hantavirus.HFRS from Dobrava virus (DOBV) is a seldom reported disease in Albania.Clinically HFRS is manifested as mild,moderate,or severe.Therefore,the number of cases of Hantavirus'infection may be underestimated,and should be included in the differential diagnosis of many acute infections,hematologic diseases,acute abdominal diseases and renal diseases complicated by acute renal failure.We report here an atypical presentation of HFRS from Dobrava virus complicated by orchitis with a positive outcome.     

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: clinical aspects

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute viral fever which typically progresses through five stages: an acute grippe, followed by hemorrhage and shock, acute renal insufficiency from tubulo-interstitial nephritis, and recovery. Death from circulatory or renal failure occurs in 5%-15% of cases. In mild or abortive forms of the disease, associated with viral strains enzootic in Scandinavia the illness is milder. Hemorrhage and shock occur with lower frequency and the fatality rate is less than 1%. Pathologic examination of HFRS cases from Asia discloses generalized congestion, hyperemia, and hemorrhage, with scattered foci of necrosis in numerous organs. Congestion and hemorrhage are most evident in the kidney medulla. Widespread microscopic evidence of capillary and vascular dysfunction is found, with endothelial cell swelling, perivascular edema, diapadesis of erythrocytes and mononuclear cell infiltration. Hemorrhage and inflammation in the renal interstitium and tubular epithelial degeneration characterize the kidney pathology. Limited data indicate pathogenic roles for cell destruction from viral infection as well as immune mediated mechanisms. No specific therapy is available.     

Metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in kidney homogenates of chicks supplemented with vitamin D3.

Kidney homogenates from chicks fed a vitamin D-deficient diet for 10 days and supplemented with 6.5 nmol of vitamin D₃ 48 hr prior to sacrifice metabolized $\text{in}\text{vitro}\text{[}{}^3\text{H}\text{]}$-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OH-D₃) to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25-(OH)₂-D₃] and 3 other metabolites (peaks A, C and E). When the homogenates were incubated with purified [³H]-24,25-(OH)₂-D₃, 3 similar metabolites (peaks A′, C′ and E′) were produced. On high pressure liquid chromatography, peaks A, C and E migrated to exactly the same respective positions as peaks A′, C′ and E′. Kidney homogenates from D-deficient chicks failed to produce these metabolites from [³H]-25-OH-D₃ or [³H]-24,25-(OH)₂-D₃. These results strongly suggest that the new metabolites reported here are synthesized via 24,25-(OH)₂-D₃ in the kidney of chicks supplemented with vitamin D₃.     

Selection of fecal enterococci exhibiting tcrB-mediated copper resistance in pigs fed diets supplemented with copper

Copper, as copper sulfate, is increasingly used as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for growth promotion in weaned piglets. Acquired copper resistance, conferred by a plasmid-borne, transferable copper resistance (tcrB) gene, has been reported in Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis. A longitudinal field study was undertaken to determine the relationship between copper supplementation and the prevalence of tcrB-positive enterococci in piglets. The study was done with weaned piglets, housed in 10 pens with 6 piglets per pen, fed diets supplemented with a normal (16.5 ppm; control) or an elevated (125 ppm) level of copper. Fecal samples were randomly collected from three piglets per pen on days 0, 14, 28, and 42 and plated on M-Enterococcus agar, and three enterococcal isolates were obtained from each sample. The overall prevalence of tcrB-positive enterococci was 21.1% (38/180) in piglets fed elevated copper and 2.8% (5/180) in the control. Among the 43 tcrB-positive isolates, 35 were E. faecium and 8 were E. faecalis. The mean MICs of copper for tcrB-negative and tcrB-positive enterococci were 6.2 and 22.2 mM, respectively. The restriction digestion of the genomic DNA of E. faecium or E. faecalis with S1 nuclease yielded a band of ～194-kbp size to which both tcrB and the erm(B) gene probes hybridized. A conjugation assay demonstrated cotransfer of tcrB and erm(B) genes between E. faecium and E. faecalis strains. The higher prevalence of tcrB-positive enterococci in piglets fed elevated copper compared to that in piglets fed normal copper suggests that supplementation of copper in swine diets selected for resistance.     

Development of spinal deformities in Atlantic salmon and Arctic charr fed diets supplemented with oxytetracycline

Some individuals within populations of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus fed diets supplemented with oxytetracycline (OTC) developed spinal deformations. Possible differences in feed intake and growth of spinally deformed fish relative to fish without any deformities were investigated. Amongst Atlantic salmon, 17% of the fish fed OTC-supplemented feed developed spinal fractures, whereas none of the fish receiving the basic feed did so. Despite deformation of the spinal column, the injured fish continued to feed and grow, but at lower rates than unaffected individuals. In contrast to Atlantic salmon, Arctic charr showed no signs of spinal fractures at any time during the 65-day experiment.     

A krill oil supplemented diet suppresses hepatic steatosis in high-fat fed rats

Krill oil (KO) is a dietary source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly represented by eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid bound to phospholipids. The supplementation of a high-fat diet with 2.5% KO efficiently prevented triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation in liver of treated rats. This effect was accompanied by a parallel reduction of the plasma levels of triglycerides and glucose and by the prevention of a plasma insulin increase. The investigation of the molecular mechanisms of KO action in high-fat fed animals revealed a strong decrease in the activities of the mitochondrial citrate carrier and of the cytosolic acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase, which are both involved in hepatic de novo lipogenesis. In these animals a significant increase in the activity of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase I and in the levels of carnitine was also observed, suggesting a concomitant stimulation of hepatic fatty acid oxidation. The KO supplemented animals also retained an efficient mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, most probably as a consequence of a KO-induced arrest of the uncoupling effects of a high-fat diet. Lastly, the KO supplementation prevented an increase in body weight, as well as oxidative damage of lipids and proteins, which is often found in high-fat fed animals.