Contact with oestrous female pigs stimulates and synchronises puberty in gilts.

Three experiments, using a total of 132 pre-pubertal gilts, were carried out to investigate the influence of contact with oestrous female pigs on the attainment of puberty by gilts. Experiment 1 compared the effect of removing the gilts from their groups as they reached puberty in response to exposure to a boar, with leaving the gilts in their groups for five to 15 days after puberty or five to 15 days after second oestrus. All the groups exposed to boars reached puberty significantly earlier than controls (P less than 0.05) but there was no difference between these groups in their mean age at puberty. However, the synchrony of puberty was significantly greater among the gilts which remained in their groups after puberty (P less than 0.01) or second oestrus (P less than 0.001) than among the gilts which were removed at puberty. Experiment 2 investigated the influence of housing pre-pubertal gilts with penmates induced into puberty with injections of oestradiol benzoate. Puberty was significantly advanced by the presence of penmates regularly exhibiting oestrous periods. Experiment 3 compared the effect of daily exposure to an anoestrous ovariectomised sow, an oestrous ovariectomised sow or a boar, on the attainment of puberty by gilts. Gilts exposed to either an oestrous sow or a boar were significantly younger at puberty than isolated control animals (P less than 0.05) whereas the mean age at puberty of gilts exposed to an anoestrous sow was not significantly different from that of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Blood biochemical profiles of thai indigenous and Simmental x Brahman crossbred cattle in the Central Thailand

Plasma biochemical profiles were studied in 112 mature (3 to 5-year-old) healthy cattle comprised of 61 Thai indigenous and 51 Simmental x Brahman crossbred male and cyclic female cattle at Nongkwang (Central Thailand) Livestock Research and Breeding Center, Thailand. Data were analysed for the effect of breed and sex. The results showed that the plasma glucose and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the two breeds were significantly (P < 0.05) different. Furthermore, the urea, creatinine, albumin, total protein, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in Thai indigenous were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than in crossbred cattle. However, creatine kinase did not significantly differ in crossbred and indigenous animals. A sex difference was found in glucose level with male Thai indigenous having significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) than the other three groups. Plasma urea concentration in male crossbred cattle was lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Female crossbred cattle had significantly (P < 0.05) lower plasma creatinine levels than the other animals. Furthermore, levels of albumin in male and total protein in female crossbred were the lowest (P < 0.05) among the groups. The AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels were significantly (P < 0.05) different between male and female. Female crossbred cattle had the lowest (P < 0.05) AST and GGT levels, whereas lowest (P < 0.05) ALT and ALP concentration was determined in male individuals of these breeds.     

Activity of some enzymes in the serum of dromedary camels.

The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isocitric dehydrogenase (ICD) in the serum of 60 healthy dromedary camels of either sex and different ages (one to 25 years) were determined. The results were analysed with respect to time of year (December-January and May-June), sex and age groups (below four years; four to 10 years; and over 10 years). The overall mean activities of AST, ALT, ALP, ACP, LDH and ICD were 36.1 +/- 0.35, 4.65 +/- 0.35, 27.21 +/- 0.43, 7.18 +/- 0.21, 479.0 +/- 7.33 and 7.74 +/- 0.17 iu litre-1, respectively. Activities of AST, ALT, ALP and ACP were significantly higher during extremely hot conditions (May-June) than in extreme cold (December-January) while the activity of LDH was higher in extremely cold conditions. Analysis of data based on sex revealed that AST, ALT and ALP activities in the serum of male animals were significantly higher than in female animals. The activities of all the enzymes were highest in animals under four years and then gradually decreased with age being lowest in the animals over 10 years.     

Dietary fishmeal versus soyabean meal: an assessment of serum and liver enzyme response in the chicken

In a five-week feeding trial, 90 broiler chicks were used to study the response of serum and liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and alkaline phosphatase following the replacement of varying levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 per cent) of fishmeal protein by soyabean meal protein. The results showed that both serum ALT and AST activities increased significantly (P less than 0.01) with the increasing levels of substitution of soyabean meal for fishmeal. Regression analysis showed a significant (P less than 0.01) positive correlation between ALT and AST activities and the level of soyabean meal substitution with correlation coefficient, r, of 0.93 and 0.98, respectively. The liver ALT and AST tended to increase with the increasing proportion of soyabean meal although such increases were not significant (P greater than 0.01). Serum and liver SDH and alkaline phosphatase activities were not significantly influenced by diet.     

The Endometrium of the Anoestrous Female Pig: Studies on Infiltration by Cells of the Immune System

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of immune cells in the endometrium of anoestrous female pigs, five sows in anoestrus by lactation and five pre-pubertal gilts (Swedish Landrace x Swedish Yorkshire). Uterine samples, taken immediately after slaughter, were fixed, embedded in plastic resin and stained with toluidine blue or cryo fixed and stored in a freezer at -70 degrees C until analysed by immunohistochemistry with an avidin-biotin peroxidase method. Immune cells in the surface (luminal) and the glandular epithelium as well as the subepithelial and the glandular connective tissue layers were counted using light microscopy. In the surface (luminal) and the glandular epithelia of gilts and sows, lymphocytes were the predominant immune cells found. There were no significant differences between gilts and sows. Macrophages were detected in the glandular epithelium of sows but not in gilts. In the subepithelial and the glandular connective tissue layers of both gilts and sows, lymphocytes were also the most common immune cells found. The numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages were significantly higher in the sows than in the gilts (p 相似文献   

Reproductive Performance of Gilts with Similar Age but with Different Growth Rate at the Onset of Puberty Stimulation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of gilts that had a similar age but different weights at the onset of puberty stimulation by boar exposure at 144 days. Gilts were divided into two groups according to their lifetime growth rate from birth to approximately 144 days of age. Mean growth rates at this moment were 577 and 724 g/day for group 1 (G1; n = 58) and group 2 (G2; n = 58), respectively. After selection, gilts were weighed at approximately 155, 165 and 175 days of age, on the insemination day and at slaughter. Gilts were inseminated, on average, at 193 days of age and were slaughtered 32 days after insemination, when the number of corpora lutea and embryos were recorded. Higher growth rate gilts (G2) reached puberty earlier (155.3 vs 164.1 days; p < 0.01). More gilts of G2 group attained puberty by 190 days of age (p = 0.004) than G1 gilts (95%; 55/58 vs 76%; 44/58). The anoestrous rate, until 60 days after the onset of boar exposure was higher (p < 0.01) in G1 (19.0%; 11/58) than in G2 (3.4%; 2/58) group. However, there were no differences in the pregnancy rate (90.7 vs 94.5), ovulation rate (15.9 vs 16.5), total embryos (12.9 vs 11.7), viable embryos (12.0 vs 11.1) and embryo survival (73.7% vs 68.5%), between G1 gilts and G2 gilts, respectively (p > 0.05). High growth rate gilts attain puberty earlier and have a lower anoestrous rate than low growth rate gilts.     

盐穗木醇提取物对家兔血清酶的影响

探索盐穗木对家兔血清酶的影响。选取临床健康、体重相近的家兔12只,根据灌喂剂量分为对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组,每组3只。在对家兔连续灌喂盐穗木醇提取物后,分别于7、14、21和28d采血、分离血清,测定血清中AST、ALT、ALP和LDH的浓度。结果显示,以0.9%生理盐水溶解盐穗木醇提取物,各试验组与对照组相比,AST活力均差异显著(P0.05);ALT活力无统计学上差异;ALP、LDH活力在各试验组与对照组之间存在显著或极显著差异。以40%乙醇溶解盐穗木醇提取物,高剂量组血清中AST、ALP活力及中剂量组LDH活力与对照组相比差异极显著(P0.01);但各试验组与对照组相比,ALT活力无统计学差异。随着盐穗木醇提取物灌喂浓度的提高,血清中AST、ALT、ALP和LDH活力呈剂量依赖关系,说明一定剂量的盐穗木醇提取物对家兔肝脏功能有一定影响。     

镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮导致的断奶仔猪肝脏损伤与自然修复研究

本试验旨在研究阶段性饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮对仔猪血清和肝脏生化指标、抗氧化指标以及肝脏炎性细胞因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)mRNA相对表达量的影响。选用体重为(8.45±0.94)kg的35日龄"杜×长×大"雌性仔猪30头,随机分为3组,每组10个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组持续饲喂基础饲粮,镰刀菌毒素组持续饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮(玉米赤霉烯酮0.90 mg/kg,呕吐毒素1.43 mg/kg,烟曲霉毒素5.85 mg/kg),自然恢复组在饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮35 d后,改饲喂基础饲粮。预试期7 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,镰刀菌毒素组仔猪肝脏相对重量显著升高(P0.05),血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著升高(P0.05),血清总蛋白(TP)和球蛋白(GLB)含量显著降低(P0.05),血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、血清和肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著下降(P0.05),血清和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高(P0.05);肝脏炎性细胞因子IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA相对表达量显著升高(P0.05)。2)经21 d自然恢复后,与镰刀菌毒素组相比,自然恢复组仔猪肝脏相对重量有所降低(P0.05),血清AST、ALT和ALP活性显著降低(P0.05),血清TP和GLB含量显著升高(P0.05),血清T-SOD活性显著升高(P0.05),血清和肝脏GSH-Px、肝脏T-SOD活性有所升高(P0.05),血清和肝脏M DA含量显著降低(P0.05),肝脏炎性细胞因子IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA相对表达量显著降低(P0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,长期饲喂镰刀菌毒素能够造成仔猪肝脏损伤,影响肝脏的抗氧化、蛋白质合成和免疫功能,而经过21 d恢复期,仔猪肝脏抗氧化和免疫功能得到了一定程度的改善。     

Flushing and altrenogest affect litter traits in gilts

Gilts (n = 267) were allotted to flushing (1.55 kg/d additional grain sorghum), altrenogest (15 mg.gilt-1.d-1) and control treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Altrenogest was fed for 14 d. Flushing began on d 9 of the altrenogest treatment and continued until first observed estrus; 209 gilts (78%) were detected in estrus. The interval from the last day of altrenogest feeding to estrus was shorter (P less than .05) with the altrenogest + flushing treatment (6.6 +/- .2 d) than with flushing alone (7.6 + .3 d). Ovulation rates (no. of corpora lutea) were higher (P less than .05) in all flushed gilts (14.5 +/- .4 vs 13.4 +/- .4), whether or not they received altrenogest. Flushing also increased the total number of pigs farrowed (.9 pigs/litter; P = .06) and total litter weight (1.43 kg/litter; P = .01), independent of altrenogest treatment. Number of pigs born alive and weight of live pigs were higher for gilts treated with altrenogest + flushing and inseminated at their pubertal estrus than for gilts in all other treatment combinations. In contrast, gilts receiving only altrenogest had greater live litter weight and more live pigs born when inseminated at a postpubertal estrus than when inseminated at pubertal estrus. We conclude that flushing increased litter size and litter weight, particularly for gilts that were inseminated at their pubertal estrus. Increased litter size resulted from increased ovulation rates, which, in nonflushed gilts, limited litter size at first farrowing.     

Post‐weaning anoestrus in primiparous sows: LH patterns and effects of gonadotropin injection and boar exposure

Summary

Post‐weaning anoestrus was studied in eighteen primiparous sows, selected from a breed showing a high proportion of anoestrous sows. The sows were studied from late lactation, through weaning at day 29 post‐partum (p.p.), until day 21 post‐weaning (p.w.). Blood samples were taken once daily, and frequently (every ten minutes) on several days before and after weaning.

Out of a total of ten anoestrous sows, three were exposed to a boar and seven were given gonadotropins (PG600) on day 21 p.w.. Serial blood samples were analysed for LH only and daily samples were additionally analysed for oestradio1–170 and progesterone, by validated radioimmunoassay procedures. Analysis of variance of the basal level, pulse frequency, pulse amplitude and mean level of LH showed, retrospectively, that during lactation the basal and mean levels of LH were significantly lower in anoestrous than in oestrous sows (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the post‐weaning basal and mean levels of LH were also significantly lower in anoestrous than in oestrous sows (P ≤ 0.05). However, because of the small number of oestrous animals (n = 3), these results should be interpreted with caution.

Exposure of anoestrous sows to a boar did not result in oestrus and/or ovulation within seven days, but did increase LH pulse frequency. Injection of gonadotropins resulted in an LH surge, oestrus and ovulation in only three sows, but oestradiol levels were increased in six sows. From our experiments and from reports in the literature we conclude that a lowered secretion of LH may play a role in the aetiology of post‐weaning anoestrus in the sow.     

大额牛×婆罗门(GBF1)、BMY牛血液生化指标研究

试验采集了经过12个月育肥的8头大额牛×婆罗门（GBF₁）阉牛和30头BMY阉牛血样,进行了肌酐、总蛋白、尿素氮等13项血液生化指标测定。结果发现,GBF₁牛肌酐浓度显著高于BMY牛(P＜0.05),其它指标两品种牛间差异不显著(P＞0.05)。另外选取30头BMY牛和30头婆罗门牛,进行90 d的育肥,在育肥1、2、3月分别采血样,分析了肌酐、总蛋白等10个血液生化指标。结果发现,总蛋白在育肥3月极显著低于育肥1和2月(P＜0.01);总胆固醇、谷丙转氨酶在育肥3月极显著高于育肥1和2月(P＜0.01);甘油三酯、肌酐在育肥3月显著低于育肥2月(P＜0.05);尿素氮在育肥2月极显著高于育肥1和3月(P＜0.01);尿酸在育肥2月极显著低于育肥3月(P＜0.01)。     

植物乳杆菌对肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究植物乳杆菌对肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响,以探讨植物乳杆菌作为生长促进剂及疾病治疗剂的可能性及其适宜的添加剂量.采用2×3复因子试验设计,即大肠杆菌O78攻毒与未攻毒2个处理和植物乳杆菌3个添加水平(0、0.8‰、1.6‰),选用180只AA肉鸡,随机分为6组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只.试验期42 d,分为前期(1~21 d)和后期(22~42 d).结果表明,攻毒后1~42日龄肉鸡平均日增重(ADG)显著降低(P <0.05),料重比(F/G)显著升高(P <0.05),同时21日龄肉鸡血清AST、ALT、ALP和BUN水平显著升高(P <0.05),TP、GLB水平显著降低(P <0.05),42日龄肉鸡血清ALB、AST、ALT和ALP水平显著升高(P <0.05);日粮中添加植物乳杆菌能提高1~42日龄肉鸡ADG,降低ADFI、F/G,同时可显著提高21日龄攻毒肉鸡血清TP、ALB、GLU水平及42日龄攻毒肉鸡血清TP、GLB水平(P <0.05),显著降低21日龄攻毒肉鸡血清ALP、BUN水平及42日龄攻毒肉鸡血清ALT、ALP、BUN水平(P <0.05);攻毒因素与植物乳杆菌水平因素二者的互作效应对后期(22~42 d)肉鸡F/G有显著影响(P <0.05),对21日龄肉鸡血清ALB、GLU、ALP及42日龄肉鸡血清ALT、ALP有极显著影响(P <0.01).综上所述,植物乳杆菌能提高肉鸡的生长性能,改善血液生化指标,且添加1.6‰植物乳杆菌的总体效果均优于0.8‰的添加量,可以考虑将其作为一种新型的替代抗生素的微生态制剂.     

大额牛×婆罗门(GBF1)、BMY牛血液生化指标研究

试验采集了经过12个月育肥的8头大额牛×婆罗门（GBF₁）阉牛和30头BMY阉牛血样,进行了肌酐、总蛋白、尿素氮等13项血液生化指标测定。结果发现,GBF₁牛肌酐浓度显著高于BMY牛(P＜0.05),其它指标两品种牛间差异不显著(P＞0.05)。另外选取30头BMY牛和30头婆罗门牛,进行90 d的育肥,在育肥1、2、3月分别采血样,分析了肌酐、总蛋白等10个血液生化指标。结果发现,总蛋白在育肥3月极显著低于育肥1和2月(P＜0.01);总胆固醇、谷丙转氨酶在育肥3月极显著高于育肥1和2月(P＜0.01);甘油三酯、肌酐在育肥3月显著低于育肥2月(P＜0.05);尿素氮在育肥2月极显著高于育肥1和3月(P＜0.01);尿酸在育肥2月极显著低于育肥3月(P＜0.01)。     

Insemination at the second of two induced oestrous periods in anoestrous dairy cows increases conception rates to first service

AIM: To determine whether mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first, oestrus post pm-turn could increase conception rates to that service. METHODS: Cows diagnosed as anovulatory anoestrus were allocated to two groups, starting treatment on Day -17 (OES2) or on Day -7 (OESI) where the date of the planned start of mating = Day 0. All cows were treated with intravaginal progesterone (CIDR device) for 6 days and an injection of 1 mg oestradiol benzoate 24 h after removal of the device. Cows in the OES2 group were also injected with prostaglandin F2alpha on Day 0. RESULTS: During the first 7 days of mating, 61.8% (207/335) and 88.2% (328/372) of cows in the OES2 and OESl groups, respectively, were inseminated on detection of oestrus (p <0.001). Oestrus without ovulation occurred in 1.5% of cows in the OES2 group and 6.2% of cows in the OESl group during this period (p <0.01). Of those cows inseminated in the first week of mating, conception rates were 54.0% in the OES2 group and 45.5% in the OESl group (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in median interval from start of mating to conception between the two groups (24 and 22 days for OES2 and OESl, respectively, p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first oestrus post partum increased conception rates to that service. However, median intervals from start of mating to conception were not altered.     

Biochemical and hematological values in the blood of the nutria

Sixty-seven clinically healthy mature coypus were studied for some biochemical values in blood, 25 coypus were examined for the distribution of serum proteins and 20 ones for haematological values. Blood was sampled when the animals were killed and was examined by current laboratory methods. In comparison with the other animals, coypus had higher values of phosphorus and magnesium, and lower values of total protein and gamma globulins. The activity of enzymes (AST, ALT, GMT, ALP) was at the same level as in the other animals. Lower values of haemoglobin were found in coypus; the remaining haematological values are close to those in the other animals.     

镰刀菌毒素对断奶仔猪血清酶、肝脏抗氧化功能及组织病理学的影响

试验旨在研究镰刀菌毒素污染日粮对断奶仔猪血清酶、肝脏抗氧化功能及组织病理学的影响。选择35日龄体重为(8.45±0.94) kg的健康三元杂交(杜×长×大)断奶雌性仔猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂用霉变玉米和霉变玉米蛋白粉替代基础日粮中50%的玉米和玉米蛋白粉配制而成的镰刀菌毒素污染日粮(玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEN) 0.90 mg/kg,呕吐毒素(DON) 1.43 mg/kg,烟曲霉毒素(FUM) 5.85 mg/kg)。仔猪单栏饲喂,预试期7 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:①与对照组相比,试验组断奶仔猪血清中谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性均显著升高(P<0.05),肝脏相对重显著降低(P<0.05);②与对照组相比,试验组断奶仔猪血清和肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性均显著降低(P<0.05),而丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高(P<0.05);③病理组织学观察发现,试验组断奶仔猪肝脏出现一定程度的组织损伤,部分肝小叶边缘发生明显的炎性细胞浸润,肝细胞发生局部空泡变性。由此可知,镰刀菌毒素污染日粮(0.90 mg/kg ZEN,1.43 mg/kg DON,5.85 mg/kg FUM)饲喂断奶仔猪可引起仔猪血清酶活性改变,肝脏抗氧化功能降低,肝脏组织出现一定程度的病理损伤,从而影响肝脏功能的发挥。     

五味子、柠檬酸对断奶仔猪血清生化指标和免疫功能的影响

选择28日龄断奶二元杂交(长白×大约克)仔猪48头,断奶体重(7.4±0.6)kg,平均分为4个组,每组3个重复,每重复4头(公、母各半),研究日粮中添加五味子(SC)、柠檬酸(CA)对断奶仔猪血清生化指标以及免疫功能的影响。试验组分别添加1%CA、0.5%SC、1%CA+0.5%SC,对照组为玉米-豆粕型基础日粮。结果表明:与对照组相比,CA+SC组血清尿素氮(BUN)水平和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性显著降低(P<0.05),SC组血清BUN水平和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著降低(P<0.05),ALT活性极显著降低(P<0.01)。CA+SC组T3水平显著提高(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,SC组血清中猪瘟抗体效价、IgG和IgA水平显著提高(P<0.05)。SC组、CA+SC组血清白细胞介素-2(IL-2)水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。     

Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in healthy cats and cats with induced hepatic disease

Activities of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined in healthy cats and in cats before and after treatment: common bile duct ligation, carbon tetrachloride administration, sham surgery, or anesthesia only. Significant (P less than 0.01) increases in serum GGT, ALP, and ALT occurred in cats with ligated bile ducts. Significant (P less than 0.01) increases in serum ALT occurred in carbon tetrachloride-treated cats. Increases of serum GGT, ALP, or ALT were not observed in cats subjected to sham surgery or anesthesia only compared with these cats' baseline values and values in healthy cats. Tissue GGT activity was measured in liver, renal cortex, jejunal mucosa, and bile ducts. There was a 1.5-fold increase in GGT activity in livers of cats with ligated bile ducts, compared with that in livers of healthy cats.     

Effects of long-term phenobarbital treatment on the liver in dogs

Long-term administration of phenobarbital has been reported to cause hepatic injury in dogs. Phenobarbital induces hepatic enzymes, and it may be difficult to distinguish the effect of enzyme induction on serum liver enzyme activities from actual hepatic damage. The hepatotoxicity of phenobarbital and the impact of enzyme induction on serum liver enzyme activity were investigated prospectively in 12 normal dogs. Phenobarbital was administered for 29 weeks at 5 mg per kilogram of body weight (range, 4.8— 6.6 mg/kg) PO q12h, resulting in therapeutic serum phenobarbital concentrations (20–40 μg/mL). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), fasted bile acids (fBA), total bilirubin, and albumin were determined before and during treatment. Lateral abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasounds, and histopathologic examinations of liver tissue obtained by ultrasound-guided biopsy were performed before and during treatment. Radiographs revealed a moderate increase in liver size in most dogs. Ultrasonographic examination revealed no change in liver echogenicity or architecture. No evidence of morphologic liver damage was observed histopathologically. ALP and ALT increased significantly ( P < .05), GGT increased transiently, and albumin decreased transiently during the study. There were no significant changes in AST, bilirubin, and fBA. These results suggest that increases in serum ALP, ALT, and GGT may reflect enzyme induction rather than hepatic injury during phenobarbital treatment in dogs. Serum AST, fBA, and bilirubin, and ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver are not affected by the enzyme-inducing effect of phenobarbital and can therefore be helpful to assess liver disease in dogs treated with the drug.     

Effects of Fusarium Toxins on Serum Enzymes Activity,Liver Antioxidant Function and Histopathology of Weaned Gilts

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of Fusarium toxins contaminated diet on serum enzymes, liver antioxidant function and histopathology of weaned gilts.Forty healthy weaned gilts (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) aged 35 d with body weight of (8.45±0.94) kg were randomly allocated into 2 groups with 20 replicates per group and 1 pigs per replicate.Gilts in the control group were fed with basal diet, and those in the experiment group were fed with Fusarium toxins contaminated diet made by replacing 50% of corn and corn gluten meal in the basal diet with the naturally contaminated corn and corn gluten meal (0.90 mg/kg ZEN, 1.43 mg/kg DON, 5.85 mg/kg FUM).Gilts were fed individually in a metabolic cage for 35 d after 7 d adaptation.The results showed as follows:① Compared with control group, the serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP in experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the liver index of experiment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05).②Compared with control group, the activities of GSH-Px and T-SOD in serum and liver of experimental group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the MDA content in serum and liver were significantly increased (P<0.05).③ Histological examination of liver in experiment group revealed a certain degree of damage, with obvious inflammatory cell infiltration partly at the margin of hepatic lobule and vacuoles degeneration of local hepatic cells.The results indicated that Fusarium toxins contaminated diets (0.90 mg/kg ZEN, 1.43 mg/kg DON, 5.85 mg/kg FUM) could change serum enzymes activity and impair liver antioxidant function, with a certain degree of pathological injury of liver in the present study, which had a negative impact on the normal liver function in weaned gilts.