谷氨酰胺对脂多糖应激仔猪生长性能及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加谷氨酰胺(Gln)对断奶仔猪不同阶段生长性能的影响,以及其对脂多糖(LPS)诱导肠道损伤后断奶仔猪血清生化指标和生长性能的影响。选用24头28日龄健康的"杜×长×大"三元杂交断奶仔猪,随机分为3组,每组8个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组和LPS组饲喂基础饲粮,Gln+LPS组饲喂添加了1%的外源性Gln的基础饲粮;在试验第22、25、28、30天,LPS组和Gln+LPS组腹腔注射100μg/kg BW LPS,对照组则注射相同剂量的生理盐水。试验期30 d。结果表明:1)LPS处理前(试验第1~21天),与对照组相比,Gln+LPS组显著提高了试验第1~7天断奶仔猪的平均日采食量(ADFI)和平均日增重(ADG)(P0.05),显著提高了试验第8~14天和第1~21天断奶仔猪的ADFI(P0.05)。2)LPS处理后(试验第22~30天),对照组断奶仔猪的ADFI、ADG、第30天体重均显著高于LPS组和Gln+LPS组(P0.05),Gln+LPS组断奶仔猪的ADFI、ADG、第30天体重均高于LPS组(P0.05)。3)LPS组断奶仔猪的小肠长度显著低于对照组和Gln+LPS组(P0.05),而对照组和Gln+LPS组之间无显著差异(P0.05)。4)与对照组相比,Gln+LPS组断奶仔猪的血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLC)含量和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著降低(P0.05),而Gln+LPS组与LPS组之间无显著差异(P0.05);Gln+LPS组和LPS组断奶仔猪的血清免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)含量显著提高(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加1%的Gln能够显著提高仔猪断奶后第1~7天的生长性能,之后效果不明显。饲粮中添加1%的Gln能够调节应激仔猪的血清生化指标,改善其生长性能和小肠长度,从而缓解仔猪断奶应激。     

谷氨酰胺二肽对断奶仔猪生长性能、细胞免疫及血液生化指标的影响

选用96头平均体重为(5.27±0.49)kg的杜×(大×长)断奶仔猪,按完全随机区组设计分为4组,每组4个重复,每重复6头(公母各半),各组仔猪分别饲喂含0%、0.125%、0.25%和0.50%谷氨酰胺二肽的试验饲粮,研究不同水平的谷氨酰胺二肽对断奶仔猪生产性能、细胞免疫及血液生化指标的影响。结果表明,饲粮中添加0.125%~0.50%谷氨酰胺二肽可改善21日龄断奶仔猪饲料利用率、增强细胞免疫功能、提高血清生长激素水平、降低血清皮质醇水平;高剂量(0.50%)谷氨酰胺二肽可显著提高血清超氧化物歧化酶水平;根据各项测定指标综合结果确定断奶仔猪饲粮中谷氨酰胺二肽适宜添加水平为0.125%~0.25%。     

马铃薯蛋白粉对断奶仔猪的应用效果研究

选择30日龄断奶体重为(6.94±0.69)kg的二元杂种商品仔猪184头,按照窝别、性别、体重相近的原则分为5组,饲喂不含马铃薯蛋白粉的基础饲粮和以2%、4%、6%的马铃薯蛋白粉及4%的血浆蛋白粉等氮替代基础饲粮中豆粕的饲粮,每组4～5个重复,每个重复8头仔猪,进行28d的饲养试验。试验第15d称重后,每个重复选择1头体重接近该圈平均体重的仔猪前腔静脉采血,测定血液生化指标;试验第15～18d,以圈为单位,收集粪样,测定蛋白质表观消化率。研究马铃薯蛋白粉在断奶仔猪上的应用效果,确定其适宜添加量。结果表明,饲粮中添加2%马铃薯蛋白粉组,与基础饲粮组相比,试验全期可以提高日增重6.14%(P>0.05)、降低料重比10%(P<0.01),降低腹泻率6.24个百分点(P>0.05),效果相当于甚至优于4%血浆蛋白粉。饲粮中添加4%和6%马铃薯蛋白粉,仔猪生长性能显著或极显著低于基础饲粮组。但6%马铃薯蛋白粉组蛋白质表观消化率高于基础饲粮组和2%马铃薯蛋白粉组(P<0.05),血浆蛋白粉组蛋白质表观消化率略高于基础饲粮组(P>0.05);2%马铃薯蛋白粉组血清总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白、胆碱酯酶含量最高;4%血浆蛋白粉组血清尿素氮显著低于基础饲粮组,极显著低于马铃薯蛋白粉组;6%马铃薯蛋白粉组谷丙转氨酶活性高于4%、2%马铃薯蛋白粉组(P<0.05);各个处理血液谷氨酰胺、谷氨酸含量以及谷草转氨酶活性差异不显著。由此结论,马铃薯蛋白粉在断奶仔猪饲粮中的适宜添加量为2%。     

丙氨酰-谷氨酰胺对断奶仔猪小肠黏膜固有层免疫球蛋白A浆细胞数量、分泌型免疫球蛋白A及黏膜中白细胞介素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究丙氨酰-谷氨酰胺(Ala-Gln)对断奶仔猪小肠黏膜固有层免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)浆细胞数量、分泌型免疫球蛋白A(SIg A)及黏膜中白细胞介素(IL)含量的影响。试验选用(21±2)日龄断奶、初始体重(6.7±0.9)kg的长白×大白去势仔猪100头,按完全随机区组法分为4组,每组5个重复,每重复5头仔猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂基础饲粮中添加0.15%、0.30%和0.45%Ala-Gln的试验饲粮。试验期21 d。结果显示:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.15%~0.45%Ala-Gln均显著提高仔猪断奶后第7、14、21天十二指肠以及空肠黏膜固有层Ig A浆细胞数量(P0.05),特别是0.30%Ala-Gln组仔猪在断奶第14天空肠Ig A浆细胞数比对照组增加22.6%(P0.05);在回肠中,0.30%Ala-Gln主显著提高断奶后第7、14天仔猪Ig A浆细胞数(P0.05)。2)断奶仔猪空肠黏膜SIg A含量随着Ala-Gln添加量呈二次曲线增长规律。在断奶后第7天,0.30%Ala-Gln组仔猪SIg A含量与对照组相比极显著提高了70.4%(P0.01);在断奶后第14、21天,0.15%、0.30%Ala-Gln与对照组相比显著提高了SIg A含量(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.15%、0.30%Ala-Gln可显著提高仔猪早期断奶后第7天黏膜IL-2、IL-5含量,分别显著提高断奶后第14天IL-5、IL-2含量(P0.05),其他添加水平无显著影响(P0.05);随着饲粮中Ala-Gln添加量的增加,各组IL-6、IL-10的含量呈线性增长趋势,且显著高于对照组(P0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加Ala-Gln可提高肠黏膜固有层Ig A浆细胞数量、黏膜SIg A分泌量及IL含量,提高断奶仔猪肠道黏膜细胞免疫。     

饲粮蛋白质来源对仔猪生长性能、肠道形态、血清激素和免疫指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮蛋白质来源对仔猪生长性能、肠道形态、血清激素和免疫指标的影响.选用(22±1)日龄、体重(7.00±0.19)kg断奶"杜×长×大"三元仔猪320头,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复16头猪.断奶仔猪分别饲喂不同蛋白质来源(血浆蛋白粉组、大豆浓缩蛋白组、乳清浓缩蛋白组和鸡蛋粉组)的饲粮,10 d后各组饲粮更换为同一保育料.试验期32 d.结果表明:断奶后10 d,血浆蛋白粉组仔猪日增重分别比大豆浓缩蛋白组、乳清浓缩蛋白组和鸡蛋粉组提高了6.44%(P<0.05)、5.47%(P>0.05)和5.71%(P>0.05),料重比分别比大豆浓缩蛋白组、鸡蛋粉组降低了16.67%(P<0.01)和14.11%(P<0.05).血浆蛋白粉组小肠绒毛高度显著高于大豆浓缩蛋白组(P<0.05),血清IgG、IgA、补体G浓度分别比大豆浓缩蛋白组提高了17.50%、9.31%和4.41%(P<0.05);血浆蛋白粉组第5天、第10天皮质醇浓度显著低于大豆浓缩蛋白组(P<0.05);鸡蛋粉组第5天、第10天IgA和第10天补体C3浓度显著高于大豆浓缩蛋白组(P<0.05);乳清浓缩蛋白组第5天和鸡蛋粉组第10天血清皮质醇浓度均显著低于大豆浓缩蛋白组(P<0.05);断奶后10 d各组间腹泻指数和腹泻率差异不显著(P>0.05).结果提示,血浆蛋白粉是仔猪断奶后10 d理想蛋白质来源,从本试验全期看,大豆浓缩蛋白是仔猪理想蛋白质来源.     

粮蛋白和柑橘渣干水平对断奶仔猪生长性能、小肠形态、后肠微生物发酵的交互作用影响

试验选取108头21日龄断奶仔猪按2×2因子设计分成4个处理组,每组9个重复,每个重复3头猪,旨在研究蛋白水平(CP,高和低蛋白水平)和柑橘渣干水平(DCP,0%和7.5%)对断奶仔猪生长性能、小肠形态、后肠微生物发酵的影响。高蛋白组第一阶段(0-14天)蛋白水平为21%,第二阶段蛋白水平为20%;低蛋白组每个阶段分别降低4个百分点。通过添加氨基酸各组均达到理想氨基酸模式。仔猪体重和饲料消耗每周进行记录。在试验的第7天和第28天每个重复选取1头仔猪进行屠宰,采集小肠组织及盲肠和结肠食糜。结果表明,蛋白水平和柑橘渣干水平对仔猪生长性能和肠道形态无交互作用。降低蛋白水平可以显著降低21-28天阶段仔猪日增重(P=0.03)和饲料转化效率(P=0.02),但对仔猪全期生长性能无显著影响。断奶第7天,低蛋白日粮有增加仔猪十二指肠隐窝深度的趋势(P=0.09),提高空肠隐窝深度(P=0.06)和降低绒毛高度:隐窝深度比值的趋势(P=0.08),但回肠肠道形态无显著差异。断奶后第7天,低蛋白日粮有降低仔猪盲肠总VFA(挥发性脂肪酸)浓度的趋势(P=0.09),添加柑橘渣干有降低结肠丙酸浓度的趋势(P=0.07)。低蛋白饲粮条件下添加7.5%柑橘渣干显著降低仔猪第7天结肠中异戊酸和氨氮浓度(P0.05);显著降低第28天仔猪盲肠丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸的浓度(P0.05),同时显著降低结肠戊酸、异戊酸和氨氮浓度(P0.05)。高蛋白饲粮条件下添加7.5%柑橘渣干显著提高仔猪第7天和第28天后肠乙酸:丙酸比例(P0.05)。乳酸浓度各组间无显著差异。结果表明降低饲粮蛋白水平补充氨基酸对仔猪生长性能无副作用,但是会轻微增加仔猪肠道形态的损伤。此外低蛋白饲粮条件下添加7.5%柑橘渣干会通过减少仔猪后肠蛋白质发酵代谢产物从而改变仔猪后肠发酵模式。     

饲粮添加甜菜碱对巴马香猪繁殖性能、初乳成分及血浆代谢物和繁殖激素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加甜菜碱对巴马香猪繁殖性能、初乳成分及血浆代谢物和繁殖激素含量的影响。选取3~7胎次巴马香猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20头,单栏饲养。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加3.5 kg/t甜菜碱盐酸盐。试验期为母猪配种后第3天至分娩后第21天。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮添加甜菜碱显著降低仔猪死亡率(P<0.05),增加断奶仔猪数(P=0.087);饲粮添加甜菜碱显著增加初乳中乳蛋白和尿素氮含量(P<0.05);饲粮添加甜菜碱显著降低妊娠第75天血浆总蛋白(TP)含量(P<0.05),显著降低妊娠第105天血浆TP含量和谷草转氨酶(AST)活性(P<0.05),显著增加妊娠第75天血浆碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性以及产后第7天血浆AST和ALP活性(P<0.05),且妊娠第105天血浆ALP活性呈增加趋势(P=0.073);饲粮添加甜菜碱显著降低妊娠第45天血浆催乳素(PRL)、孕酮(PROG)、促卵泡素(FSH)和雌二醇(E2)含量以及妊娠第75天血浆PRL和PROG含量(P<0.05),且妊娠第75天血浆E2含量(P=0.061)和妊娠第105天血浆FSH含量(P=0.062)呈下降趋势。综上所述,饲粮添加甜菜碱可改善初乳成分和血浆代谢物含量,降低血浆繁殖激素含量,进而增加断奶仔猪数。     

禽血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪采食量及生长性能的影响

选取100头28日龄杜长大断奶仔猪,随机分成A、B两组,分别饲喂添加5%猪血浆蛋白粉、5%禽血浆蛋白粉的日粮,比较禽血浆蛋白粉GAP701与猪血浆蛋白粉GAP701对断奶仔猪料生长性能的影响。结果表明,断奶仔猪对禽血浆蛋白粉日粮的采食量要略高于猪血浆蛋白粉,在仔猪生长性能方面的影响效果两组相近,初步验证了禽血浆在仔猪教槽料中应用的可行性。     

N-氨甲酰谷氨酸对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分消化率及血清游离氨基酸含量的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同水平N-氨甲酰谷氨酸(NCG)对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分消化率及血清游离氨基酸的影响.试验选取60头平均体重为(6.4±0.7)kg的26日龄断奶仔猪,按完全随机区组设计分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复3头仔猪,分别饲喂含NCG为0、0.04%、0.08%或0.12%的玉米-豆粕型饲粮.结果表明:1)随着NCG添加量的升高,除26～40日龄断奶仔猪平均日增重外,其他日龄阶段仔猪平均日增重和料重比均呈显著的二次曲线改善规律(P<0.05),其中,0.04%和0.08%的NCG对仔猪的促生长效果显著(P<0.05);2)饲粮中添加0.04%、0.08%和0.12%的NCG,仔猪对饲粮粗蛋白质和磷的消化率呈提高趋势(P>0.05);3)饲粮中补充低剂量(0.04%)的NCG可显著改善仔猪腹泻状况(P<0.05),与其相比,高剂量(0.12%)的NcG导致26～47日龄仔猪腹泻指数的显著升高(P<0.05);4)随着饲粮中NCG添加量的增加,仔猪血清游离精氨酸的含量呈线性升高趋势(P=0.077),其中NCG达0.08%以上时,血清游离精氨酸显著高于对照组(P<0.05).由此可知,饲粮中添加0.04%和O.08%的NCG能显著改善断奶仔猪的生长性能和腹泻状况.综合促生长效果和经济成本,断奶仔猪饲粮中NCG的添加量以0.04%最为合适.     

苯甲酸对断奶仔猪生长性能、腹泻率和肠道菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加苯甲酸对断奶仔猪生长性能、腹泻率及肠道菌群的影响。试验选取21日龄"杜×长×大"断奶仔猪72头,随机分为对照组(基础饲粮)和苯甲酸组(基础饲粮+5 000 mg/kg苯甲酸),每组6个重复,每个重复6头猪(公母各占1/2)。试验期42 d,分为3个阶段:第1～14天、第15～28天、第29～42天。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮中添加5 000 mg/kg的苯甲酸,1)显著提高仔猪第15天的体重(P0.05),显著提高仔猪断奶后第1～14天平均日增重(P0.05),显著降低仔猪断奶后第29～42天、第1～42天的料重比(P0.05);2)显著降低仔猪断奶后第1～14天、第15～28天、第29～42天以及第1～42天的腹泻率和粪便评分(P0.05);3)显著降低仔猪断奶后第14天回肠、盲肠、结肠芽孢杆菌的数量(P0.05),显著降低仔猪断奶后第42天盲肠芽孢杆菌的数量(P0.05);显著降低仔猪断奶后第14天结肠、第42天盲肠和结肠总细菌的数量(P0.05);显著提高仔猪断奶后第42天回肠乳酸杆菌的数量(P0.05),有增加仔猪断奶后第14天回肠乳酸杆菌数量的趋势(P=0.083),有降低仔猪断奶后第42天结肠大肠杆菌数量的趋势(P=0.065)。结果提示,在本试验条件下,断奶仔猪饲粮中添加苯甲酸可显著降低仔猪的腹泻率和粪便评分,抑制肠道细菌生长,提高仔猪的生长性能。     

Concentrations of strontium,barium, cadmium,copper, zinc,manganese, chromium,antimony, selenium,and lead in the liver and kidneys of dogs according to age,gender, and the occurrence of chronic kidney disease

This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb) in canine liver, renal cortex, and renal medulla, and the association of these concentrations with age, gender, and occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Tissues from 50 dogs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cu, Zn, and Mn levels were highest in the liver followed by the renal cortex and renal medulla. The highest Sr, Cd, and Se concentrations were measured in the renal cortex while lower levels were found in the renal medulla and liver. Female dogs had higher tissue concentrations of Sr (liver and renal medulla), Cd (liver), Zn (liver and renal cortex), Cr (liver, renal cortex, and renal medulla), and Pb (liver) than male animals. Except for Mn and Sb, age-dependent variations were observed for all element concentrations in the canine tissues. Hepatic Cd and Cr concentrations were higher in dogs with CKD. In conclusion, the present results provide new knowledge about the storage of specific elements in canine liver and kidneys, and can be considered important reference data for diagnostic methods and further investigations.     

Comparisons of Angus, Charolais, Galloway, Hereford, Longhorn, Nellore, Piedmontese, Salers, and Shorthorn breeds for weight, weight adjusted for condition score, height, and condition score of cows

Breed differences for weight (CW), height (CH), and condition score (CS) were estimated from records (n = 12,188) of 2- to 6-yr-old cows (n = 744) from Cycle IV of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center's Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) Program. Cows were produced from mating Angus and Hereford dams to Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Shorthorn, Galloway, Longhorn, Nellore, Piedmontese, and Salers sires. Samples of Angus and Hereford sires were 1) reference sires born from 1962 through 1970 and 2) 1980s sires born in 1980 through 1987. The mixed model included cow age, season of measurement and their interactions, year of birth, pregnancy-lactation code (PL), and breedgroup as fixed effects for CW and CS. Analyses of weight adjusted for condition score included CS as a linear covariate. The model for CH excluded PL. Random effects were additive genetic and permanent environmental effects associated with the cow. Differences among breed groups were significant (P < 0.05) for all traits and were maintained through maturity with few interchanges in ranking. The order of F1 cows for weight was as follows: Charolais (506 to 635 kg for different ages), Shorthorn and Salers, reciprocal Hereford-Angus (HA) with 1980s sires, Nellore, HA with reference sires, Galloway, Piedmontese, and Longhorn (412 to 525 kg for different ages). Order for height was as follows: Nellore (136 to 140 cm), Charolais, Shorthorn, Salers, HA with 1980s sires, Piedmontese, Longhorn, Galloway and HA with reference sires (126 to 128 cm). Hereford and Angus cows with reference sires were generally lighter than those with 1980s sires. In general, breed differences for height followed those for weight except that F1 Nellore cows were tallest, which may in part be due to Bos taurus-Bos indicus heterosis for size.     

Supplementation of broodmares with copper, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium

In experiment 1, 6 pregnant mares received a concentrate that contained a trace mineral premix that provided 14.3 mg Cu, 40 mg Zn, 28 mg Fe, 28 mg Mn, 0.08 mg Co, 0.16 mg I, and 0.16 mg Se/kg concentrate (group A). Seven mares received the same concentrate plus 502 mg Zn and 127 mg Cu once daily (group B). No differences (P > .05) in foal growth data, or Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum were observed. In experiment 2, 6 pregnant mares received the same concentrate as group A (group C), and 8 mares received the same concentrate fortified with 4× the trace mineral premix (group D). Group C mares had higher serum Zn concentration at 1 day (P < 0.01) and 56 days (P < 0.04). Group C mares had higher milk Fe concentration at 28 days (P < .01), and group D mares had higher milk Cu concentration at 56 days (P < .01). Group C foals had higher serum Cu concentration at 14 days (P < .03). The results from this study provide no evidence to indicate that supplementing late gestating and lactating mares with higher dietary trace mineral levels than those recommended currently by NRC has any influence on foal growth and development, or on the Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of the mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum.     

电感耦合等离子-质谱法测定饲料中钠、镁、铬、锰、铁、铜、锌、砷、硒、镉和铅

应用电感耦合等离子-质谱技术(ICP-MS),建立饲料中钠、镁、铬、锰、铁、铜、锌、砷、硒、镉和铅等元素的测定方法。对饲料样品的前处理方法、仪器工作参数和11种元素标准曲线进行优化;并以加标回收、分析方法比对和重复测试说明方法的准确性和精密性。方法在0～1 000 ng/ml范围内线性良好,仪器检出限为0.557 7～5.072 ng/ml,具有良好的精密度,其回收率在88.1%～104.4%之间,相对标准偏差小于5.0%。同时与原子吸收和原子荧光方法进行比对,测定结果相近。所建立的方法简单、快速,可替代原子吸收和原子荧光方法测定饲料中的11种金属元素,为饲料的质量控制提供理想的元素分析方法。     

Granulocyte isolation from whole blood of goat, sheep, cattle, horse, dog, pig, and man

A simple two step procedure for the isolation of caprine, ovine, bovine, equine, canine, porcine and human peripheral blood granulocytes is described. After enrichment of granulocytes by centrifugation, contaminating erythrocytes are lysed hypotonically. Recovery, purity, and viability of the granulocyte suspensions are determined. FACScan analysis of the cell suspensions measuring cellular size by forward and sideward light scatter is compared with the corresponding analysis of whole blood leukocytes. Constituencies of the isolated cell suspensions and loss of granulocyte subpopulations through isolation procedure is discussed with regard to granulocyte function assays.     

The effects of antibiotic,probiotic, organic acid,vitamin C,and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance,carcass characteristics,blood chemistry,microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + C-Vet-50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). The additives used in this study may be incorporated in the drinking water of broiler chickens as growth promoters and for improved performance. A further, wider supplementation study is required to understand the performance, immune system, variation in the intestinal microbial counts, and any other possible alteration in the intestinal biota of the broilers.     

Department of Clinical Veterinary Practices, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Circular excised skin wounds in the thoracic and metatarsal regions of the dog were studied. A similar sequence of events took place in the two regions although differences did occur due to the different reactions of the tissues which surrounded the wounds. None of the wound cavities became filled with exudate during the early stages of healing. In the thoracic wounds the cavities were largely filled by the swelling and inward movement of adipose tissue. Epithelium first grew on the wound surface in the sector of the wound that was situated in the direction of hair flow. The average time to complete epithelization was similar in both sets of wounds. A zone of alopecia developed around the wounds.