Experimental Mycotoxic Nephropathy in Pigs Provoked by a Diet Containing Ochratoxin A and Penicillic Acid

Mycotoxic nephropathy was induced in 18 young pigs by diets contaminated with strains of Aspergillus ochraceus containing ochratoxin A (OTA) and penicillic acid (PA) at levels corresponding to those naturally encountered in animal feeds in Bulgaria. Haematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the morphological and ultrastructural changes in various internal organs, and especially in the kidneys, were examined at different stages of development of the disease. A mottled surface of the kidneys was only seen in pigs exposed to a mouldy diet containing 180 ppb OTA for 3 months, but microscopic lesions, as well as changes in various haematological and biochemical parameters, were observed in all groups exposed to the same mouldy diet containing only 90 or 180 ppb OTA. Histological examination showed two types of change: degenerative changes affecting the epithelial cells of the proximal tubules, which predominated at the initial stage, and proliferative changes in the interstitium, which predominated at the later stage of the disease. Telangiectasis and lymph stasis were also seen, as well as degenerative changes in the capillary endothelium. The characteristic renal lesions were similar to those observed in spontaneous cases of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Bulgaria, but they were a little different from the classic Danish porcine nephropathy. The enhanced toxicity of OTA in our study may be due to a synergistic effect between OTA and PA or to some other unknown metabolites produced by the same ochratoxinogenic strains of A. ochraceus.     

Control of Fasciolosis in Stall-fed Buffaloes by Managing the Feeding of Rice Straw

Fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola gigantica, presents major disease and production problems, particularly in the rice producing areas of South and South-East Asia. In Nepal, buffaloes are commonly stall-fed and the most usual fodder is rice straw, which is produced in large quantities in the area. Here we describe a relatively simple way of controlling fasciolosis in these animals. We demonstrate that infectious metacercariae of F. gigantica are concentrated in the bottom part of the rice straw and that infection can be controlled by cutting the rice straw in half, and then feeding the parasite free top half of the straw first. The bottom part of the rice straw should ideally be stored for at least 4 months after harvest to allow the parasites to die before it is used as fodder.     

Effect of feeding sheep on naturally spoiled rice straw, clover hay and concentrate feed mixtures

The effects of feeding naturally contaminated feedstuffs to sheep were investigated through feeding of contaminated and uncontaminated clover hay, rice straw, and concentrate feed mixture were compared. The highest level of contamination with fungi was observed in the concentrate feed mixture followed by clover hay and rice straw. The most dominant mycotoxin in the contaminated feedstuffs was zearalenone. Contamination resulted in increases of crude protein, ash and silica in feedstuffs while both ether extract and crude fibre decreased. In vivo digestibility of different diet constituents in both contaminated and uncontaminated feedstuffs were determined using four mature Rahmani rams. Contamination resulted in significant increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and energy. Contamination affected feed intake of the different feedstuffs particularly the concentrate feed mixture. A metabolism trial was also conducted to study the nitrogen and mineral balance. Retention of nitrogen and calcium was reduced when mouldy feeds were given. On the other hand, magnesium was relatively increased. Blood analysis for sheep at the end of the trials resulted in elevated values of inorganic phosphorus and phospholipid phosphorus and declined total nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, calcium/phosphorus ratio and cholesterol/calcium ratio due to feeding on mouldy ration. Results of the urine analysis during the metabolism trials proved that mouldy ration increased the estimated values of the concentration of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C; whereas pH values, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus were declined during the feeding on the mouldy ration. Mouldy feeds tested, seemed to have toxic, nephritic and hepatic effect.     

玉米秸秆的复合处理

试验旨在探讨玉米秸秆的氨化-碱化-盐化复合处理对其营养价值的影响。试验采用3因素2水平完全交叉实验设计,即尿素的添加量分别为2%和4%,氢氧化钙的添加量为2%和4%,泌乳奶牛生长所必需的7种微量元素添加与不添加。结果表明:与未添加任何物质的对照组相比,复合处理玉米秸秆的NDF和ADF分别下降9～18和8～14个百分点,粗蛋白含量平均提高了一倍,钙、磷含量也有升高的趋势;微量元素对秸秆营养价值无明显影响,但添加微量元素有防止霉变的作用。     

Inhalation of organic dusts and lipopolysaccharide increases gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the lungs of heaves horses

We report the effects of mouldy hay/straw exposure, inhaled hay dust suspension (HDS) and inhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels and degree of activation in healthy (n = 6) and heaves- (previously termed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) affected (n = 6 or 7) horses. Gelatinolytic MMPs in BALF were quantified by zymography, and gelatinases were shown by Western immunoblotting to be MMP-2 and MMP-9. Hay/straw and HDS challenges increased BALF total gelatinolytic activity only in heaves horses, with the majority of gelatinolytic activity comprising pro- and active MMP-9. The 5 h duration hay/straw challenge increased BALF gelatinolytic MMP activity in heaves horses at 5 and 24 h after the start of this challenge, with activity returning to baseline by Day 4. In contrast to hay/straw and HDS challenges, LPS inhalation increased BALF gelatinolytic MMP activity in both groups. For all challenges, absolute BALF neutrophil counts were highly significantly correlated (P<0.0001) with levels of proMMP-9 and active MMP-9, but not with levels of MMP-2 (P>0.05). As gelatinolytic MMPs are pro-inflammatory agents, they may contribute to lung dysfunction and tissue destruction in heaves horses exposed to airborne organic stable dusts.     

A study of the effect of a platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist on antigen challenge of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Antigen challenge involving exposure to straw and mouldy hay for 7 h produced lung function changes and neutrophil recruitment to the lungs in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During the challenge, an increase in radiolabelled neutrophils in the lungs occurred, together with increased respiratory rate and pleural pressure. The role of platelet activating factor (PAF) in antigen-induced neutrophil accumulation, and increased pleural pressure and respiratory rate was investigated by administering the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 to asymptomatic COPD horses prior to antigen challenge. WEB 2086 (3 mg/kg i.v.) did not affect antigen-induced changes in either neutrophil accumulation or respiratory function. These results suggest that PAF may not be an important mediator of the response to antigen in equine COPD.     

“牛栏蹄坏尾病”病原的研究

通过病区霉稻草真菌分离培养鉴定、家兔发病试验、水牛复归发病试验以及停喂霉稻草的防制效果,确认安徽省金寨县牛发生的“烂蹄坏是病”是霉稻草中毒,其致病性真菌主要是弯角镰刀菌(Fusarium Camptoceras)。     

The occurrence of a toxigenic strain of Fusarium tricinctum in connection with disease in a dairy cow]

The fungus Fusarium tricinctum, producing T-2 toxin, was isolated from mouldy maize silage. T-2 toxin was identified by TLC and by a bioassay. Consumption of mouldy silage resulted in a disease in a dairy cow, which had to be killed. The patho-anatomical findings obtained in the slaughtered cow generally suggested trichothecene poisoning. It was derived from these findings that the disease was due to the presence of trichothecenes in the feed.     

A tremorgenic mycotoxicosis of cattle caused by maize sprouts infested with Aspergillus clavatus

An outbreak of disease affecting a herd of 16 dairy cattle which were fed mouldy, sprouted maize is described. Eight of the cattle were affected, 5 of which died. The clinical signs included muscular tremors, hypersensitivity, ataxia, anorexia and salivation. Aspergillus clavatus was the only fungus isolated from the sprouts. Clinical signs that were indistinguishable from those in the field outbreak were reproduced by dosing the mouldy maize sprouts to a steer and a sheep, and by dosing another sheep with maize inoculated with a pure culture of A. clavatus isolated from the mouldy maize on the farm. Light microscopical examination revealed neuronal degeneration and necrosis in the midbrain, medulla oblongata and spinal cord of all 3 of these animals. The disease is clinically and pathologically indistinguishable from the disease caused by the ingestion of sorghum beer residue, and in certain respects it is similar to toxicoses caused by the ingestion of wheat sprouts and malt sprouts infested with A. clavatus.     

长期秸秆还田和有机肥施用对双季稻田冬春季杂草群落的影响

借助双季稻田长期秸秆还田和有机肥施用的定位试验,于2007年对稻田冬季、春季杂草群落进行监测。结果发现,农田管理方式对双季稻田冬春季杂草群落影响显著,长期秸秆还田和有机肥施用显著降低杂草多样性。秸秆冬季覆盖还田显著降低稻田杂草密度和生物量,而长期施用猪粪则显著提高稻田冬春杂草密度和生物量。有机肥晚稻时期施用对杂草的促进效应显著高于早稻时期施用的,秸秆冬季覆盖还田对杂草的抑制效应显著高于夏季旋耕还田的。不同处理下冬春季稻田杂草均以日本看麦娘为优势种群,田间相对密度平均达90%以上,其次为稻槎菜和水竹叶等杂草。上述结果说明,秸秆还田和有机肥施用对冬闲田冬春季杂草群落的调控效应显著。     

Improved milk production through PG–PL system by provision of in‐house shelter management in lactating Murrah buffaloes during winter season

Comprehensive information on the role of β‐casein and plasminogen–plasmin (PG–PL) system in milk secretion of Murrah buffaloes during winter season is lacking, although effects of cold stress can be ameliorated to an extent by altering microclimate at farm level. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the changes in productivity along with PG–PL system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites of buffaloes during winter (December–January) season under two different management systems. Average minimum temperature and wind chill index during this season were 7.02 and 12.74 °C respectively. Buffaloes were divided in two groups of six animals each: control and treatment, where treatment group animals were placed in‐house with floor bedding of paddy straw and the control group animals in loose housing system without straw bedding. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six‐week experimental period. Under in‐house management system, buffaloes experienced better comfort by alleviating environmental stress as their physiological responses such as respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) as compared to the control, which subsequently resulted higher milk yield by 9.92% (p < 0.05). Analysis of milk samples revealed higher concentration of plasminogen (10.6 vs. 8.05 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and β‐casein (p < 0.05), and lower plasmin level (0.299 vs. 0.321 μg/ml; p < 0.05) in buffaloes under treatment group. It was also found that plasma cortisol, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids levels were higher (p < 0.01) in control group as compared to the treatment animals by 13.6%, 8.14% and 12.6% respectively. However, milk composition, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine level in plasma were similar in both the groups. Hence, it may be concluded that provision of in‐house shelter management with floor bedding of paddy straw during winter was effective to minimize environmental stress and improved milk production through manipulation of PG–PL system in buffaloes.     

Use of bean husk as an easily digestible fiber source for activating the fibrolytic rumen bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes and rice straw digestion

A series of in sacco and in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate bean husks for activation of fibrolytic rumen bacteria and rice straw digestion. First, lablab bean husk, chickpea husk and rice straw were suspended in the rumen of sheep to analyze the bacterial consortium developed on each fiber source. Known members of fiber‐associating bacteria were found on both lablab bean husk and rice straw, but some of these bacteria were lacking on chickpea husk. Second, a pure culture study was carried out using six strains of Fibrobacter succinogenes. Both husks stimulated the growth of all tested strains, including a strain that did not grow on rice straw. The strain OS128 that showed the highest growth on rice straw displayed even higher growth on lablab bean husk without a time lag. Finally, two‐step incubations were carried out to determine whether prior incubation of rumen fluid with husks stimulates subsequent rice straw digestion. Higher digestibility of rice straw was recorded in the second‐round incubation following the first incubation with bean husks. These results suggest that the tested bean husks improve the digestion of rice straw by activating fibrolytic F. succinogenes and other associated bacteria.     

猪霉麦中毒和霉麦无害化处理的研究

对1983年嫩江地区某地猪喂霉麦引起的中毒进行了系统研究。通过霉菌菌相、菌量分析,明确了霉麦的优势菌为黄曲霉菌;通过流行病学调查、优势菌的产毒试验、毒素的化学确证试验、当日鸭雏的生物学确证试验以及猪的回归试验等,证明黄曲霉毒素B_1(AFT B_1)是造成猪短期内大批死亡的原因。同时,进行了霉麦无害化处理试验,初步证明用0.02％次氯酸钠处理具有杀菌、除毒效果可靠等特点。     

Mast cells and IgE-bearing cells in lungs of RAO-affected horses

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is a common condition in stabled horses characterised by small airway inflammation and obstruction following exposure of susceptible horses to mouldy hay and straw. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether lung tissue from horses with RAO contains higher numbers of IgE-protein positive (+) cells and mast cells compared to controls after mouldy hay challenge. Furthermore, mast cell subtypes in lung tissue were investigated. IgE+ cells were detected in most lung tissue samples but no significant differences between RAO-affected and control horses were found. In the wall of the bronchi and bronchioli of both RAO-affected and control horses, mainly chymase+ mast cells (MC(C)) were present (85% in the bronchial wall and 77% in the wall of the bronchioli), while 73% of the mast cells (MC) around blood vessels were tryptase+ mast cells (MC(T)). No double stained MCs were detected. RAO-affected horses had significantly more MC(C) than controls in the wall of the bronchi (median=7.6 and 1.7 cell/mm(2), respectively, P< or =0.05). They also showed a tendency for more MC(C) in the wall of the bronchioli than controls (median=21 and 2.9 cells/mm(2), respectively, P=0.07) but there were no differences in MC(T) numbers. The data suggest an involvement of MC(C) in the pathogenesis of RAO. Independently of the clinical diagnosis, there was a significant relationship between high MC(C) numbers in the bronchial wall and lung fibrosis, suggesting that these MC(C) may be involved in tissue remodelling. Furthermore, high MC(C) numbers were also associated with increased infiltration with lymphocytes and neutrophils.     

饲料稻的营养价值及其在畜禽生产中的应用

作者综述了饲料稻的不同部分稻谷、糙米、稻秆和谷壳的营养成分及可消化性,以及饲料稻在猪、家禽和牛日粮中的应用研究进展,为进一步开发饲料稻在奶牛日粮中的应用提供参考。     

Effects of Cereal Disintegration Method,Feeding Method and Straw as Bedding on Stomach Characteristics including Ulcers and Performance in Growing Pigs

This report investigates the effects of disintegration method (grinding or rolling of the cereal part), feeding method (feeding twice a day or ad libitum) and straw as bedding (with or without) on empty stomach weight, volume, content, and the prevalence of gastric lesions in the pars oesophagea as well as on the performance in growing pigs. Four hundred growing pigs were included in the experiment. The grinding of the cereal was performed on a hammer-mill, mounted with a 3-mm screen or rolled on a roller mill. Performance was only slightly influenced by the disintegration method and the use of straw as bedding material. Ad libitum fed pigs, however, had a 5.5% higher (P<0.001) daily weight gain and a 0.6 percentage unit lower (P<0.01) lean meat percentage compared to pigs fed twice daily. Feed with rolled cereals increased (P<0.001) the empty stomach weight by 13%, but only in pigs not receiving straw bedding. Ad libitum feeding reduced (P<0.001) the empty stomach weight and volume by 15% and 37%, respectively. Feed with rolled cereals increased (P<0.001) the dry matter content of the stomach by 23%. The general level of gastric lesions in the pars oesophagea was low in this experiment, which most likely was due to the high content of barley in the feed mixture. The pigs receiving straw bedding, but also the pigs receiving rolled cereals but no straw bedding, had nearly no gastric lesions (average score=0.1), contrary to the pigs receiving ground feed but no straw bedding (average score=1.0). This interaction in gastric lesions between disintegration method and straw as bedding material indicates that feeding rolled cereals has similar preventive effects on gastric lesions as straw eaten.     

霉玉米对小鼠体重和外周血淋巴细胞数量的影响

50只小鼠随机分为5组,每组10只,用于研究霉玉米对小鼠体重及外周血液淋巴细胞的影响。试验前将1组小鼠处死,采样作为对照,其余4组饲喂霉玉米饼,每周处死1组采样。结果表明,试验组小鼠的体重下降,但攻毒前后比较差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组小鼠的外周血中T淋巴细胞数量减少极显著(P<0.01)。表明霉玉米中毒影响小鼠的免疫功能,造成T、B淋巴细胞计数的改变。     

Laboratory evaluation of germinated and non-germinated bait base for the management of the house rat,Rattus rattus

Germinated and non-germinated cereals (paddy, Oryza sativa; pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides; and ragi, Eleusine coracana) and pulses (green gram, Phaseolus aureus; black gram, Phaseolus mungo; and Bengal gram, Cicer arietinum) were evaluated to determine their suitability as a bait base for zinc phosphide and bromadiolone for controlling Rattus rattus. Two-choice and multiple-choice experiments were conducted using 10 animals of mixed sex for each experiment to compare bait preference of germinated and non-germinated grains. The results of the two-choice tests revealed that both germinated cereals and pulses were preferred to non-germinated by the test animals. The differences between the quantities consumed were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The results of Duncan’s post hoc multiple comparison tests of germinated grain consumption by R. rattus were categorized into three subsets. The first subset consisted of pearl millet, Bengal gram, ragi and paddy. The second and third subsets consisted of green gram and black gram, respectively. It is concluded that by considering the cost of all four grains (in the first subset) any one of the cheapest among them in the germinated form could be recommended or used as a bait base for any of the two rodenticides for the management of R. rattus. Based on these results, germinated paddy was chosen (as it is the cheapest among the grains) for the laboratory toxicity studies. The acute toxicity tests (2% zinc phosphide) resulted in 100% mortality of rats under both no-choice and two-choice (germinated paddy with poison versus plain non-germinated paddy bait) tests. A powder formulation of bromadiolone (0.005%)-treated bait yielded 100% mortality of rats in no-choice tests, but only 60% mortality in two-choice tests. These results suggest that the 2% zinc phosphide with germinated paddy as a bait base was preferred over a powder formulation of bromadiolone (0.005%). However, a field efficacy study is required before a final bait formulation recommendation is made.     

Feed intake,digestibility, nitrogen utilization,and body weight change of sheep consuming wheat straw supplemented with local agricultural and agro-industrial by-products

Effects of supplementing sheep consuming wheat straw with local agro-industrial by-products on feed intake, growth, digestibility and nitrogen utilization were determined. Thirty 1-year-old local wethers, with a mean (±SD) live weight of 19.8 (±1.06) kg, were assigned to five treatments: wheat straw + atella (T1), wheat straw + atella + poultry litter (T2), wheat straw + atella + coffee pulp (T3), wheat straw + atella + coffee pulp + poultry litter (T4), hay + concentrate (T5). A 7-day digestibility experiment and a 112-day growth trial were conducted. Total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake as well as body weight gain was similar for all treatments. The highest (P < 0.05) nitrogen (N) intake was in sheep fed T1 and T4 diets, while the lowest was in those fed T2 and T5 diets. Sheep fed T1 and T2 diets had greater (P < 0.05) DM and OM digestibility than those fed T4 and T5 diets. The highest (P < 0.05) digestibility of N was for the T2, T4, and T5 diets, while the lowest was for the T1 diet. The highest N retention was in T4 diet, whereas the lowest was in T3 diet. In conclusion, in urban and peri-urban areas where atella, poultry litter, or coffee pulp are available, smallholder farmers could feed the mixtures as a supplement to straw with a good performance without using concentrate feeds.     

Hep atop athy and dermatitis in a dog associated with the ingestion of mycotoxins

A five-year-old German shepherd dog was presented with a severe scrotal dermatitis of four weeks duration which had failed to respond to antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy. Dermato-histopathology indicated that the lesion was a necrolytic process suggestive of the hepatocuta-neous syndrome. Clinical biochemistry investigations indicated the presence of acute hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. The animal was fed a biscuit meal which was damp and mouldy. Penicillium vindication was grown from this feedstuff and three mycotoxins, citrinin, ochratoxin A and sterigmatocystin, were found; substances which have been associated with renal and hepatic lesions in dogs and laboratory animals. Symptomatic therapy and nutritional management, led to rapid clinical improvement. Subsequent plasma biochemistry confirmed that hepatic enzyme activities were returning to normal levels.