Effect of levamisole on the clinical and immunologic responses to oral vaccine of Treponema hyodysenteriae

Conventionally raised crossbred Hampshire pigs were vaccinated orally with attenuated Treponema hyodysenteriae in combination with an anthelmintic, levamisole or dichlorvos. Pigs in group I (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and vaccinated with attenuated T hyodysenteriae and those in group II (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and permitted to commingle (contact exposure) with group I. Pigs in group III (n = 9) were vaccinated in a similar manner and were treated with dichlorvos. Pigs in group IV (n = 9) were treated with dichlorvos and permitted to commingle with group III. Control pigs (group V; n = 9) were not given any anthelmintic, nor were they vaccinated; they were housed separately. During the 8-week interval between vaccination and challenge inoculation, 4 total days and 8 total days of diarrhea were observed in pigs in groups I and II, respectively. Likewise, 5 total days and 10 total days of diarrhea were seen in groups III and IV, respectively. In all groups, the pigs tended to shed the organism in their feces after they were vaccinated or challenge inoculated, as determined by a fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) and culture procedure (CP). Overall mean shedding patterns of 5.5% and 24.5% identified by CP and FAT, respectively, were seen in the 2 levamisole-treated groups (I and II). In contrast, mean shedding patterns of 4% and 18% of the isolation attempts were detected by CP and FAT, respectively, in the 2 dichlorvos-treated groups. Diarrhea and shedding of T hyodysenteriae in the controls (group V) did not occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

肥育猪饲粮中添加苜蓿草粉对其生产性能、消化率及血清指标的影响

本研究目的在于评价在玉米－豆粕型基础饲粮中添加苜蓿草粉对肥育猪的利用价值。选取体重约５０ｋｇ的杜×长×大三元杂交猪４０头,采用单因子完全随机设计,分为５个组,每组４个重复,分别在饲粮中添加不同比例的苜蓿草粉,依次为：０（对照组）,１０％（试验Ｉ组）,１５％（试验ＩＩ组）,２０％（试验ＩＩＩ组）,２０％＋０．１％纤维素酶（试验ＩＶ 组）,各组主要营养指标相同。测定肥育猪饲喂含不同水平苜蓿草粉饲粮后主要生产性能、消化率及血清中主要生化指标的变化。结果表明,１）试验ＩＩ、ＩＩＩ、ＩＶ 组平均日增重、采食量较对照组明显提高,而试验ＩＩ、ＩＶ 组的料肉比明显降低,因此,添加１５％的苜蓿草粉或２０％的苜蓿草粉＋０．１％ 纤维素酶有利于提高肥育猪的体重及饲料转化率。２）试验Ｉ、ＩＩ组和对照组相比,其干物质、粗蛋白质、粗灰分、中性洗涤纤维的表观消化率均不同程度提高;虽然试验ＩＩＩ、ＩＶ 组上述４项指标的表观消化率和对照组相近或稍高,但试验ＩＶ 组各主要指标优于试验ＩＩＩ组,说明添加１０％和１５％的苜蓿草粉有利于提高营养物质的表观消化率,苜蓿草粉添加至２０％时加纤维素酶对各项指标消化率有改进。３）肥育猪饲粮中添加苜蓿草粉,降低了其血液甘油三酯、胆固醇及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量,升高了高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量。试验证明,在肥育猪饲粮中添加１５％紫花苜蓿草粉对肥育猪生产性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的改善有利,苜蓿草粉降低血液胆固醇的功能可能是其中皂苷的作用。     

Toxicology of aflatoxin B1, warfarin, and cadmium in young pigs: performance and hematology

Observations on the interactions of cadmium (Cd) x aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Cd x warfarin included several variables of animal performance and hematology. Cadmium was fed daily for 40 days (groups IV, V, VI) and a Cd-free diet was fed to groups I, II, and III. Groups II and V were treated with AFB1, and groups III and VI were treated with warfarin--each for 5 days during the 5th week of the experiment and the effects were observed for 10 days. All pigs fed the diet with added Cd had developed severe anemia by the 4th week of the experiment. The incorporation of this toxic concentration of Cd (83 micrograms/g) in the diet seemed to have blocked the liver microsomal enzyme system (cytochrome P-450), diminishing the toxic effects of 5 daily oral doses (0.2 mg/kg of body wt) of AFB1 (group V pigs), but enhancing synergistically the toxic anticoagulant effects of the same doses of warfarin in young pigs (group VI). The data presented also indicated that the feeding of toxic concentrations of Cd stimulated increased glutathione peroxidase activity, which conjugated the AFB1 epoxides with their excretion as reduced glutathione but enhanced the toxic anticoagulant effects of warfarin in young pigs.     

Cytokine expression in colostrum-deprived pigs immunized and challenged with Haemophilus parasuis

The expression of several cytokines in spleen, pharyngeal lymph nodes, lung and brain after different immunization procedures and a challenge with 5 × 10⁹ CFU of Haemophilus parasuis was compared. Five groups of colostrum-deprived pigs were used: vaccinated with (I) a bacterin, (II) an outer-membrane-protein-vaccine, (III) a recombinant transferring-binding protein B, (IV) exposed to a total dose of 10⁵ CFU, and (V) not previously immunized. All pigs in groups III and V died, while all animals in group I, most of group IV and half of group II survived until the end of the experiment. IL-1α was found in significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) in spleen, lymph nodes and brain of dead pigs, which could be explained by the major severity of lesions in these animals. However, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ were expressed in significantly higher levels by survivors (for all the four cytokines in lymph nodes; for IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α in spleen; for IL-4, TNF-α and IFN-γ in lung, and only for TNF-α in brain), thus suggesting a role of these four cytokines in the adaptive response, which might contribute to protection against H. parasuis infection.     

复方中药“禽康散”对人工感染新城疫病毒肉鸡血清免疫球蛋白及新城疫抗体效价的影响

10日龄的健康艾维茵肉仔鸡250只,随机分为5组。21日龄时除阴性对照组（Ⅳ组）外均用新城疫病毒（Newcastle disease,virus,NDV）强毒株攻毒,各治疗组（Ⅰ～Ⅲ组）在22～25日龄饲料中分别添加0．5％、1.0％、2．0％的复方中药“禽康散”,第Ⅳ、Ⅴ组（阳性对照组）不用药。在攻毒前1d和攻毒后1、3（用药后2d）、7（停药后2d）、15（停药后10d）d观察血清免疫球蛋白及新城疫抗体效价的变化。结果显示：Ⅴ、Ⅱ组血清IgG在攻毒15d（停药10d）时与Ⅲ、Ⅳ、V组差异极显著（P〈O．01）;Ⅰ～Ⅲ组血清IgA浓度在攻毒后3、7d均明显高于第V组（P〈0．05或0．01）,以1％治疗组效果最佳;各组之间血清中IgM含量无显著差异（P〉0．05）。Ⅴ～Ⅲ组新城疫抗体效价在攻毒7d后各阶段均高于阳性对照组（P〈0．05或0．01）,以第Ⅲ组最佳。结果表明,日粮添加1．0％～2．0％质量分数的“禽康散”能明显增加血清中IgG、IgA含量和新城疫抗体效价,从而提高机体体液免疫功能,达到提高机体抗NDV的能力。     

Safety and efficacy of vaccination of pregnant gilts against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of vaccination of pregnant gilts with an attenuated strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). ANIMALS: 16 pregnant gilts. PROCEDURE: Pregnant gilts free of antibodies for PRRSV were assigned (4 gilts/group) to the following groups: group I, untreated controls; group II, vaccinated on day 60 of gestation; group III, vaccinated on day 60 of gestation and exposed to virulent PRRSV on day 90 of gestation; and group IV, exposed to virulent PRRSV on day 90 of gestation. Safety and efficacy of vaccination was evaluated by group comparisons of prenatal and postnatal survival of fetuses and pigs, respectively, and by the condition and rate of weight gain of liveborn pigs. RESULTS: Collective (prenatal and postnatal) death losses up to day 15 after farrowing (conclusion of study) were similar for groups I (7/47, 14.9%) and II (7/44, 16.9%) but were greater for group III (18/49, 36.7%) and were greater still for group IV (23/37, 62.2%). Mean body weight 15 days after farrowing was greatest for pigs in litters of group I (4.46 kg) and progressively less for the other groups (3.87, 3.76, and 2.18 kg for groups II, III, and IV, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using these conditions, vaccination of gilts during midgestation appeared to be safe. However, it provided only partial protection against subsequent exposure to virulent virus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Attenuated-PRRSV vaccines may have to be administered to naive gilts > 30 days before conception to provide maximum protection throughout gestation.     

Ecotoxicologic relations on a large pig-fattening farm located in a lignite mining area and near and solid-fuel electical power plant]

Major contaminants identified in 1983-1984 on a pig fattening farm with an output of 60,000 pigs per annum, located in a lignite mining area and near a solid fuel power plant, were mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium and aflatoxin B1 (Tab. I, II, III, IV). Feed samples were collected from througs to assess the contamination load at feed uptake. Permissible concentrations of mercury, chromium, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, lead and atrazin in the feed were exceeded in 56, 50, 31, 19, 6 and 6% samples, respectively (Tab. I). Stable dust deposits, in which the contaminants concentrate, (Tab. I) proved to be a suitable material for assessing the type and level of environmental contamination. Permissible concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in porcine muscles were exceeded in 65, 51 and 24% samples, respectively (Tab. III). Corresponding values of mercury, cadmium, lead and aflatoxin B1 in the liver were 27, 27, 16 and 3%, respectively (Tab. III) and those of mercury, lead and chromium in kidneys 24, 22 and 5%, respectively (Tab. III). Rather surprisingly, elevated pancreatic concentrations of aflatoxin B1 were found (Tab. IV). Pigs fattened in the contaminated environment (i.e. fed contaminated feed mixtures, inspiring contaminated dust and absorbing percutaneously contaminants form dust deposits on the body surface) showed: 1) Impairment of the genetic apparatus (percentage of aberrant peripheral leucocytes elevated to 6.2%); 2) a certain degree of immunosuppression (concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA reduced by 16.9, 45.1 and 45.0%, respectively); 3) higher feed consumption per 1 kg weight gain (4 kg) and lower average daily weight gain (0.57 kg); 4) increased incidence of health disorders (dermatitis in 25%, pancreatopathy in 13%, liver dystrophy in 8% and femoral fracture in 6% of the pigs). Unfortunately, the authors were not allowed to analyse ash and solid emissions from the power plant. Therefore the share of the emissions in the overall environmental contamination on the fattening farm could not be quantified. The personnel, working in the contaminated environment for a prolonged period, is endangered most of all by stable dust, being exposed to its mechanical, chemical, allergic and infectious effects (Tab. I). In addition to the chemical contaminants, 21 mould genera and species, six mite species and numerous saprophytic and some pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in stable dust samples in our earlier experiments. Consumption of meat and organs from pigs fattened in a contaminated environment is associated with the risk of an increased uptake of various contaminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

香菇多糖对仔猪生产性能、营养物质消化率及抗氧化能力的影响

通过在玉米-豆粕型基础日粮中添加香菇多糖,研究其对仔猪生产性能、营养物质消化率及抗氧化能力的影响。选取120头(长白×大白,体重11.34 kg左右)仔猪,随机分为4组,每组设5个重复,每个重复6头猪,试验期28 d。第Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组分别在基础日粮中添加150 mg/kg、300 mg/kg、450 mg/kg的香菇多糖。结果显示:添加香菇多糖能够显著提高仔猪0 d~14 d、14 d~28 d及试验全期的平均日增重(ADG);试验各组的平均日采食量(ADFI)在0 d~14 d及试验全期均得到显著提高;而料重比(F/G)在各时期并没有显著降低。第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组粗蛋白(CP)消化率分别相对提高了3.16%(P<0.05)、2.64%(P>0.05)、0.13%(P>0.05),第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组粗脂肪(EE)消化率分别相对提高了1.53%(P>0.05)、1.37%(P>0.05),较第Ⅳ组分别相对提高了1.80%(P>0.05)、1.65%(P>0.05)。第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组血清总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、球蛋白(GLO)、血糖(GLU)水平较第Ⅰ组有所提高,第Ⅲ组血清尿素氮(SUN)相对降低了0.32%(P>0.05),但均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。第Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组丙二醛(MDA)含量较第Ⅰ组分别相对下降了13.22%(P>0.05)、23.42%(P<0.05)、31.54%(P<0.01),超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活力分别相对提高了4.13%(P>0.05)、13.13%(P<0.05)、24.69%(P<0.01),谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力分别相对提高了5.54%(P>0.05)、10.43%(P<0.05)、12.13%(P<0.05)。     

舍温对獭兔繁殖性能的影响

选出体重、日龄、胎次相近的法系白色发情母獭兔75只,随机分成5个处理组,分别在人为控制舍温(Ⅰ组:1~15℃;Ⅱ组:8~20℃;Ⅲ组:12~25℃;Ⅳ组:16~28℃;Ⅴ组:19~32℃)的温度下交配妊娠,测定其繁殖力。结果表明:Ⅳ组母兔的产仔数显著高于Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅴ组,产活仔数显著高于其他4组(P<0.05),仔兔断奶个体重显著高于Ⅰ组,仔兔断奶日增重显著高于Ⅰ组;Ⅴ组仔兔断奶成活率最高,显著高于Ⅰ组、Ⅳ组(P<0.05),仔兔断奶个体重、断奶日增重均显著高于其他组。     

Acute-phase protein response in pigs experimentally infected with Haemophilus parasuis

The acute-phase protein (APP) response to an infection caused by Haemophilus parasuis, the etiological agent of Glässer's disease in pigs, was characterized measuring serum concentrations of pig major acute-phase protein (pig MAP), haptoglobin (HPT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) in colostrum-deprived pigs. They were divided into six experimental groups: non-immunized control group (I); immunized with a non-commercial bacterin (II); with an OMP-vaccine (III); with a sublethal dose (IV); and with two commercial bacterins (V and VI). All groups were challenged intratracheally with 5 × 10⁹ CFU of H. parasuis 37 days after immunisation. The highest levels of the positive APPs (pig MAP, HPT and CRP) and the lowest levels of the negative APPs (ApoA-I) were observed in the animals that died as a consequence of the infection, both those in the non-inmunized and in the immunized groups. However, the surviving animals (all of them in groups II, V and VI, two pigs in group III, and three in group IV) showed a minor variation in APP response, mainly on day 1 post-challenge (p.c.), and then tended to recover the initial values. APP response was still less pronounced in the groups of pigs previously immunized with bacterins. In conclusion, APP response can reflect Glässer-disease ongoing, showing a correlation between the severity and duration of the clinical signs and lesions and the magnitude of changes in the APP levels.     

A possible relationship between viral infection and chromosome damage in breeding boars

A cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes was carried out on breeding boars (n = 5) on a farm where viral infections (porcine parvovirosis) had occurred. Several different types of chromosomal aberrations were observed including chromatid breaks (23.60 +/- 2.88%), exchanges (9.60 +/- 8.99%), and fragments (4.26 +/- 3.31%). In addition, 2.94 +/- 1.74% of cells in metaphase showed pulverization. Cells with multiple aberrations were seen in two of five boars. The chromosomal damage in the boars may have been induced by a genotoxic agent such as a viral infection, and may also be related to the reproductive impairment of the pigs.     

Strain specificity of the immune response of pigs following vaccination with various strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

The primary objective of the study was to determine strain specificity of the immune response of pigs following vaccination with selected strains of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The experimental design included five groups (I through V, six pigs per group) free of antibody for PRRSV at the beginning of the experiment (day 0). On day 0, groups III, IV, and V were vaccinated with attenuated versions of PRRSV strains 8, 9, and 14, respectively. On day 21, the immunity of group II (non-vaccinated/challenged controls) and groups III, IV, and V was challenged by exposing each pig to a composite of the virulent versions of these same three strains. On day 35, all pigs, including non-vaccinated/non-challenged pigs of group I, were necropsied. Lungs and selected lymph nodes were examined for lesions. Serum samples obtained at weekly intervals throughout the study and lung lavage fluids obtained at necropsy were tested for the presence of PRRSV and its strain identity. Before challenge the strain of PRRSV identified in the sera of vaccinated pigs was always that with which the particular pig had been vaccinated (i.e. homologous strain), whereas, with one exception, only heterologous strains were identified after challenge. This apparent strain exclusion as a result of vaccination was statistically significant (P = 0.004). The tendency for heterologous strains to predominate after challenge suggests that a pig's immune response to PRRSV has some degree of strain specificity. Whether this finding has any clinical relevance in regard to immunoprophylaxis remains to be determined.     

Leishmania infantum-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 antibody responses in healthy and ill dogs from endemic areas. Evolution in the course of infection and after treatment

The expression of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 specific antibodies for Leishmania infantum was studied in five groups of dogs in Catalonia (Spain): I, 99 asymptomatic dogs (infected and uninfected) from a highly endemic area for leishmaniosis; II, 139 untreated dogs with clinically patent leishmaniosis; III, 11 naturally infected asymptomatic dogs monitored for up to 5 years since they were found seropositive to Leishmania antigen and without treatment; IV, 25 naturally infected dogs with clinically patent leishmaniosis and treated with either meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol or allopurinol alone and V, six experimentally infected dogs, treated with meglumine antimoniate and controlled for 5 years. The levels (ELISA units) of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 in asymptomatic dogs (group I) were very variable (24+/-33, 32+/-31 and 26+/-31, respectively), and, as expected, lower than in ill dogs (group II) (168+/-34, 84+/-71 and 172+/-31, respectively). In both groups, the correlation between IgG and IgG2 levels (r=0.95, P<0.001 in group I and r=0.63, P<0.001 in group II) was higher than between IgG and IgG1 levels (r=0.01, P>0.05 in group I and r=0.31, P<0.001 in group II). In group III, IgG and IgG2 expression increased during infection, while IgG1 expression remained the same. In dogs of group IV, IgG levels after 1 year of treatment decreased more in responsive (mean values, 163+/-42 before treatment (b.t.) and 100+/-36 after treatment (a.t.)) than in unresponsive dogs (158+/-29 b.t. and 124+/-51 a.t.), especially for IgG1 (94+/-89 b.t. and 20+/-21 a.t. in responsive dogs and 35+/-25 b.t. and 22+/-13 a.t. in unresponsive dogs) rather than for IgG2 (156+/-16 b.t. and 114+/-45 a.t. in responsive and 151+/-11 b.t. and 125+/-36 a.t. in unresponsive dogs). Similar results were observed in the evolution of experimentally infected animals after consecutive and specific treatments. Overall results show the great variation in Leishmania-specific IgG1 expression in asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs, their lack of correlation with that of IgG2 and chemotherapy is more effective in dogs with initially high expression of IgG1.     

Effects of challenge with a virulent genotype II strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on piglets vaccinated with an attenuated genotype I strain vaccine

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is endemic in most parts of Asia, where genotype I and II strains of diverse virulence may coexist. This study evaluated the outcome of infection with a highly virulent Asian genotype II PRRSV isolate in piglets vaccinated with a genotype I vaccine. Twenty-one 3-week-old piglets were divided in three groups: Pigs in group V (n=8) were vaccinated with an attenuated genotype I commercial PRRSV vaccine, while pigs in group U (n=8) and a control group (group C; n=5) were unvaccinated; 6 weeks later, pigs in groups V and U were challenged intranasally with a highly virulent strain of genotype II PRRSV (1×10(5) 50% tissue culture infectious doses/mL), while pigs in group C received a placebo. Over a period of 21 days after challenge, vaccinated pigs had significantly lower mortality (0/8 versus 2/8), fewer days of fever, a lower frequency of catarrhal bronchopneumonia, higher weight gains (13.4 versus 6.6 kg) and lower levels of viraemia compared to unvaccinated challenged pigs. Immunisation with a genotype I attenuated PRRSV vaccine provided partial protection against challenge with a highly virulent genotype II strain.     

Effect of the diets with pumpkin silage and synthetic β‐carotene on the carotenoid,immunoglobulin and bioactive protein content and fatty acid composition of colostrum

Forty Simmental cows were divided into four groups with 10 per group to investigate the effect of a transition diet supplemented with synthetic β‐carotene and natural carotenoid‐rich feed (pumpkin silage) on chemical composition of the colostrum. The control group (I) was fed grass and maize silage and supplemental concentrates, group II additionally received 400 mg/day/cow of synthetic β‐carotene, in group, III 40% DM of maize silage was replaced with pumpkin silage to increase β‐carotene intake by 400 mg in relation to group I, and in group IV 60% DM of maize silage was replaced with pumpkin silage without adjusting for β‐carotene. Colostrum was collected from the cows within 5 hr of calving to determine colostrum composition, the content of immunoglobulins and carotenoids, total antioxidant status (TAS), the content of some bioactive proteins and the composition of fatty acids. The study showed that the experimental diets had no effect on the gross composition of colostrum. The content of α‐carotene, β‐carotene and violaxanthin was significantly higher in group IV than in group I and that of lutein higher in group IV than in groups I and II. Total antioxidant status of colostrum in group IV was significantly higher than in group I. Groups III and IV were characterized by a higher concentration of immunoglobulin IgG in relation to group I. IgM level in groups II, III and IV was significantly higher than in group I and that in groups III and IV was also higher than in group II. The highest IgA concentration was observed in group IV and the lowest in group I. Lysozyme concentration was higher in group IV compared to groups I and II. The diets had no effect on the total content of SFA, MUFA and PUFA in colostrum.     

Therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate on experimental Babesia ovis infection of lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate (IMDP) against babesiosis and to determine specific antibodies against Babesia ovis in experimentally infected lambs. Thirty-six 6-month-old splenectomized lambs were used. The lambs were randomly divided into six groups with six animals each, and were intravenously inoculated with 50 mL B. ovis-infected erythrocytes as follows: group I (therapy group) was treated with IMDP (1.2 mg/kg body weight) starting on the day of onset of clinical signs of babesiosis after the inoculation; group II (untreated control animals) was not treated with any therapeutic treatment after the inoculation; groups III, IV, V and VI (prophylaxis groups) were administered IMDP (2.4 mg/kg body weight) 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks before the inoculation, respectively. The animals were housed in a tick-proof room with water and food ad libitum up to the 30th day post-inoculation (PI). The lambs were monitored from the first day PI by recording the manifestation of clinical disease, rectal temperature, and the degree of parasitaemia. All the lambs became infected with B. ovis, except five animals from group III, which were treated 1 week prior to experimental infection. Other animals showed signs of acute clinical babesiosis. The animals treated with IMDP (group I) were able to clear the parasite from the blood circulation after 48 h post-treatment. The recrudescence of B. ovis was observed in two lambs 7 days after treatment, and they were treated with the second similar dose of the drug. Six lambs (1, 1, 2 and 2 lambs in group III, IV, V and VI, respectively) from the prophylaxis groups died within 7-17 days after showing high parasitaemia and clinical symptoms of the disease. Regardless of the clinical symptoms, 83.30% and 66.66% of the lambs which were administered IMDP 1-2 and 3-4 weeks before, were determined to be protected against the virulent field strain of B. ovis.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of three different anaesthesia protocols in cats.

To develop an alternative anaesthetic regimen for cats with cardiomyopathy, the cardiopulmonary effects of three different premedication-induction protocols, followed by one hour maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen: air were evaluated in six cats. Group I: acepromazine (10 microg/kg) + buprenorphine (10 microg/kg) IM, etomidate (1-2 mg/kg) IV induction. Group II: midazolam (1 mg/kg) + ketamine (10 mg/kg) IM induction. Group III: medetomidine (1.5 mg/m2 body surface) IM, propofol (1-2 mg/kg) IV induction. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases, respiration rate, and temperature were recorded for the duration of the experiment. In group I the sedative effect after premedication was limited. In the other groups the level of sedation was sufficient. In all groups premedication resulted in a reduced blood pressure which decreased further immediately following induction. The reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) reached statistical significance in group I (142+/-22 to 81+/-14 mmHg) and group II (153+/-28 to 98+/-20 mmHg) but not in group III (165+/-24 to 134+/-29 mmHg). Despite the decrease in blood pressure, MAP was judged to have remained within an acceptable range in all groups. During maintenance of anaesthesia, heart rate decreased significantly in group III (from 165+/-24 to 125+/-10 b.p.m. at t=80 min). During anaesthesia the PCO2 and PO2 values increased significantly in all groups. On the basis of the results, the combination acepromazine-buprenorphine is preferred because heart rate, MAP, and respiration are acceptable, it has a limited sedative effect but recovery is smooth.     

黄芪对育肥绵羊生长及产肉性能的影响

为探寻育肥绵羊日粮中黄芪(Astargalus membranaceus)适宜的添加量,将36只3月龄体重相近广灵大尾羊公羔随机分成6组,对照组、I、II、III、IV和V处理组分别喂给基础日粮+0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%,2% 和3%黄芪。试验期70 d,考察其生长及产肉性能。结果显示:试验结束时II组活体重显著高于对照组、III组和IV组(P<0.05),极显著高于V组(P<0.01)。II组绵羊30 d和60 d日增重显著高于其他处理组和对照组(P<0.05),II组料重比极显著低于IV组和V组(P<0.01),显著低于C组和III组(P<0.05)。II组胴体重和净肉重极显著高于 IV组、V组和对照组(P<0.01),显著高于I组和III组(P<0.05);胴体分割后II组羊肋脊排和带臀腿重显著高于其他处理组和对照组(P<0.05)。育肥绵羊日粮中添加1%黄芪可显著提高日增重,提高饲料利用率,增加优质肉块的比例。     

Nutrition physiology effects of dietary fats in rations for growing pigs. 5. Effects of soy bean oil and lard on protein retention in piglets

In two experiments with 30 and 26 castrated male pigs of the German Landrace breed, weight range 15-30 kg, the influence of isoenergetic changes in the carbohydrate and fat fractions of the diet were examined. The effect of the addition of soya oil (SO) and lard (LA) to the diet on the utilization of protein and on the blood urea concentration was also examined. The apparent digestibilities of the crude nutrients and energy were determined using different methods. The following were examined: experiment I: ration I (control), ration II (+7% SO), ration III (+7% LA) experiment II: ration I (control), ration II (+2% SO), ration III (+2% SO + 5% LA), ration IV (+7% LA) In all experiments the animals were fed a similar amount of digestible crude protein of constant quality at constant ME-intake. In both experiments the apparent digestibility of crude protein in the groups with 7% added fat was 4% higher (p less than 0,05) than in the corresponding control groups. The apparent digestibility of crude fat in experiment I and II (in groups II and III and in groups III and IV, respectively) was approximately 87%, when calculated on the basis of faecal fat which was determined by a simple ether extract procedure. When the faeces was treated with HCl before determination, these values for experiment I and II were approximately 6% (p less than 0,001) and 1% (NS) lower, respectively. In both experiments the utilization of protein and the blood urea concentration were not significantly influenced by the amount or form of fat included in the rations.     

Effect of changes in ionized calcium concentration in arterial blood and metabolic acidosis on the arterial partial pressure of oxygen in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of metabolic acidosis and changes in ionized calcium (Ca2+) concentration on PaO2 in dogs. ANIMALS: 33 anesthetized dogs receiving assisted ventilation. PROCEDURE: Normal acid-base status was maintained in 8 dogs (group I), and metabolic acidosis was induced in 25 dogs. For 60 minutes, normocalcemia was maintained in group I and 10 other dogs (group II), and 10 dogs were allowed to become hypercalcemic (group III); hypocalcemia was then induced in groups I and II. Groups II and IV (5 dogs) were treated identically except that, at 90 minutes, the latter underwent parathyroidectomy. At intervals, variables including PaO2, Ca2+ concentration, arterial blood pH (pHa), and systolic blood pressure were assessed. RESULTS: In group II, PaO2 increased from baseline value (96 +/- 2 mm Hg) within 10 minutes (pHa, 7.33 +/- 0.001); at 60 minutes (pHa, 7.21 +/- 0.02), PaO2 was 108 +/- 2 mm Hg. For the same pHa decrease, the PaO2 increase was less in group III. In group I, hypocalcemia caused PaO2 to progressively increase (from 95 +/- 2 mm Hg to 104 +/- 3 mm Hg), which correlated (r = -0.66) significantly with a decrease in systolic blood pressure (from 156 +/- 9 mm Hg to 118 +/- 10 mm Hg). Parathyroidectomy did not alter PaO2 values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Induction of hypocalcemia and metabolic acidosis each increased PaO2 in anesthetized dogs, whereas acidosis-induced hypercalcemia attenuated that increase. In anesthetized dogs, development of metabolic acidosis or hypocalcemia is likely to affect ventilatory control.