饲料脂肪源对大菱鲆生长、体组成及血清生化指标的影响

本试验以不同脂肪源配制成等氮等脂的7种饲料,对大菱鲆[(27.31±0.10)g]进行40 d的饲养试验,旨在探讨不同饲料脂肪源对大菱鲆生长、体组成、血清生化指标的影响。7种饲料分别添加6%的鱼油(FO)、大豆油(SO)、菜籽油(RO)、花生油(PO)、猪油(L)、鱼油-豆油(1∶1)(FSO)和鱼油-豆油-猪油(3∶4∶3)的混合油(MIX)。每组饲料设3个重复,每个重复12尾鱼。研究结果表明:(1)鱼油-豆油组特定生长率显著高于其他各组,较鱼油组(基础饲料组)提高了10.42%(P < 0.05),猪油组特定生长率最低,较鱼油组降低了19.79%(P < 0.05)。猪油、混合油、花生油组饲料系数分别较鱼油组提高了36.36%、33.33%、25.25%(P < 0.05),其余各组间无显著差异(P > 0.05);(2)饲料脂肪源对大菱鲆鱼体水分、粗脂肪和粗灰分含量影响不显著(P > 0.05),猪油组粗蛋白质含量显著低于鱼油组、菜籽油组和花生油组,其中较鱼油组降低了4.47%(P < 0.05)。摄食不同脂肪源饲料的大菱鲆空壳、内脏和背肌的脂肪含量差异不显著(P > 0.05),猪油组空壳的水分显著高于菜籽油组和混合油组(P < 0.05);(3)各试验组总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和碱性磷酸酶含量无显著差异(P > 0.05)。猪油组和混合油组的谷丙转氨酶含量显著高于其他各组,较鱼油组分别升高了124.89%和119.94%(P < 0.05),混合油组的谷草转氨酶含量显著高于其他各组,较鱼油组提高了352.51%(P < 0.05),表明猪油组和混合油组鱼体肝脏受到一定程度的损伤。综合以上7种饲料脂肪源对鱼体生长性能、体组成及血清生化指标的影响,鱼油-豆油(1∶1)、豆油和菜籽油可作为大菱鲆饲料合适的脂肪源,而猪油、混合油不适宜作为大菱鲆的饲料脂肪源。     

饲料脂肪源对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响

以不同脂肪源配制成等氮等脂的7种试验饲料,对体重为(27.31±0.10)g的大菱鲆幼鱼进行40 d的饲养试验,旨在探讨饲料脂肪源对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。7种试验饲料的脂肪源分别为鱼油、豆油、菜籽油、花生油、猪油、鱼油+豆油(鱼油∶豆油=1∶1)和鱼油+豆油+猪油(鱼油∶豆油∶猪油=3∶4∶3)。每种饲料设3个重复,每个重复12尾鱼。结果表明:鱼油+豆油组的增重率和特定生长率显著高于鱼油组、豆油组和菜籽油组(P0.05),花生油组、猪油组和鱼油+豆油+猪油组的增重率和特定生长率则显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。饲料系数以鱼油+豆油组最低,猪油组最高。各组干物质和总磷表观消化率差异不显著(P0.05),猪油组和鱼油+豆油+猪油组的粗脂肪表观消化率显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。花生油组、鱼油+豆油组和豆油组的粗蛋白质表观消化率显著高于猪油组(P0.05)。摄食不同脂肪源饲料的大菱鲆幼鱼鱼体水分、粗脂肪和粗灰分含量差异不显著(P0.05)。猪油组鱼体粗蛋白质含量显著低于菜籽油组、花生油组和鱼油组(P0.05),其余各组间无显著差异(P0.05)。除C14∶0以外,各组大菱鲆肌肉中的脂肪酸含量和相应饲料中脂肪酸含量呈正相关。大菱鲆幼鱼肌肉中n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)含量以鱼油组和鱼油+豆油组较高,而以花生油组和猪油组较低。结果提示:豆油和菜籽油是大菱鲆幼鱼饲料良好的脂肪源,鱼油和豆油按1∶1混合添加则能使大菱鲆幼鱼更好地生长。     

饲料中不同脂肪源对鲤鱼生长性能、脂质代谢和抗氧化能力的影响

在一种实用饲料配方的基础上,分别添加1.5％的鱼油、豆油、菜籽油、亚麻籽油和猪油作为单一脂肪源,配制成5种等氮等能(粗蛋白质含量35％,总能15mJ/kg)的试验饲料,通过8周的饲养试验,以研究饲料中不同脂肪源对鲤鱼生长性能、体组成、肝胰脏脂质代谢相关酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响.选取平均初重为(5.83±0.01)g的鲤鱼750尾,随机分成5组,每组3个重复,每个重复50尾鱼.结果表明:特定生长率(SGR)、蛋白质效率(PER)、饲料系数(FCR)以鱼油组最好,猪油组最差,且2组间存在显著差异(P＜0.05).SGR、PER和FCR在豆油组、菜籽油组、亚麻籽油组间无显著差异(P＞0.05).不同脂肪源对全鱼粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量有显著影响(P＜0.05),但对全鱼干物质和粗灰分含量无显著影响(P＞0.05).鱼油组全鱼粗蛋白质含量最高,而粗脂肪含量最低.肝胰脏脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性以鱼油组最高,其次是豆油组、菜籽油组、亚麻籽油组,以猪油组最低.肝胰脏苹果酸脱氢酶(mDH)活性表现为:亚麻籽油组＞豆油组＞鱼油组＞菜籽油组＞猪油组.猪油组肝胰脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著低于其他各组(P＜0.05),而其他各组间差异不显著(P＞0.05).不同脂肪源对肝胰脏总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)有显著影响(P＜0.05),以鱼油组最高,猪油组最低.由此可见,鱼油是鲤鱼较适宜的脂肪源,而猪油不适宜作为鲤鱼的单一脂肪源,会损害肝胰脏健康,进而影响鱼体生长.     

饲料中不同脂肪源对杂交鲟幼鱼生长性能、体成分、养分表观消化率、肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中不同脂肪源对杂交鲟幼鱼生长性能、体成分、养分表观消化率、肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性和血清生化指标的影响。分别以鱼油、大豆油、亚麻油、菜籽油和棕榈油为脂肪源,配制5种等氮等能的试验饲料。挑选300尾初重(76.59±1.16) g的西伯利亚鲟×施氏鲟(Acipenser baerii♀×Acipenser schrenckii)杂交鲟幼鱼,随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼。各组分别投喂5种不同脂肪源的试验饲料,养殖周期为8周。结果表明:1)大豆油组的增重率显著高于其他各组(P0.05),大豆油组的特定生长率显著高于棕榈油组(P 0.05),大豆油组的摄食量和饲料系数显著低于棕榈油组(P0.05)。2)鱼油组和大豆油组的干物质表观消化率显著高于菜籽油组和棕榈油组(P0.05),大豆油组的粗脂肪表观消化率显著高于亚麻油组和菜籽油组(P0.05)。3)亚麻油组的全鱼和肝脏粗脂肪含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05),鱼油组的肌肉粗脂肪含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),亚麻油组的肝脏粗蛋白质含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。4)大豆油组的全鱼多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05),鱼油组的全鱼二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。5)鱼油组和大豆油组的肝脏脂肪酶活性显著高于其他各组(P0.05),亚麻油组的肝脏脂蛋白脂酶活性显著高于棕榈油组(P0.05)。6)大豆油组的血清总胆固醇含量显著低于亚麻油组、菜籽油组和棕榈油组(P0.05),大豆油组的血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著低于菜籽油组(P0.05)。综上所述,饲料中添加大豆油作为脂肪源更有利于杂交鲟幼鱼的生长和健康。     

饲料中添加不同油脂对奥尼罗非鱼生长发育、体内抗氧化能力和血液生化指标的影响

用4种添加不同脂肪源(鱼油、豆油、猪油和茶油)的饲料,投喂奥尼罗非鱼[初体重为(4.60±0.5)g]幼鱼,研究不同脂肪源对奥尼罗非鱼生长发育、体内抗氧化能力和血液生化指标的影响。结果显示:鱼油组、豆油组及茶油组之间试验鱼的终体重及增重率均无明显差异,但均显著高于猪油组(P<0.05);茶油组、鱼油组及豆油组鱼体肝脏内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力均显著高于猪油组(P<0.05),而鱼油组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力显著高于豆油组和茶油组(P<0.05),豆油组GSH-Px活力最低,说明不同油脂对抗氧化酶的作用具有特异性;从总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及丙二醛(MDA)指标看,茶油和鱼油更有利于奥尼罗非鱼的健康;除血液总胆固醇(TC)外饲料中不同的油脂来源对试验组奥尼罗非鱼的血清生化指标均会产生明显影响。     

饲料中大豆油替代鱼油对银鲳运输前后应激指标及组织抗氧化能力的影响

本试验通过检测运输胁迫前后血清皮质醇、葡萄糖和乳酸浓度以及组织抗氧化性能的变化,以研究饲料中大豆油替代鱼油对银鲳运输前后应激指标及组织抗氧化能力的影响。试验配制4种试验饲料,分别以100%鱼油(FO组)、70%鱼油+30%大豆油(FSO组)、30%鱼油+70%大豆油(SFO组)、100%大豆油(SO组)为脂肪源,饲喂平均体重(17.2±6.7)g银鲳60 d后进行4 h运输胁迫。每种饲料饲喂3个水泥池(重复),每池投放50尾试验鱼。结果显示:4 h运输胁迫后,各组血清皮质醇浓度均有所增加,其中SO组变化显著(P0.05),升高1.89倍,SFO组变化程度最小;各组血清葡萄糖浓度均略有增加,其中SFO组增加最少,但变化均不显著(P0.05);各组乳酸浓度则均出现显著增加(P0.05),尤其是SO组;各组脑部乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)活力均出现显著减弱(P0.05),而SFO组无论是在胁迫前还是在胁迫后在各组中均有最高活力;各组血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力均显著增强(P0.05),其中SO组上升幅度最大;虽然各组血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均有所增强,但只有SO组变化显著(P0.05);肝脏和肌肉CAT活力仅SO组显著增强(P0.05),其余各组变化不显著(P0.05);SO组血清SOD和CAT活力显著增强(P0.05)。由此可见,SO组银鲳在运输后机体健康情况较差,应激反应较为剧烈,说明投喂过量添加大豆油的饲料不利于银鲳的机体健康和长途运输,而在保持鱼油含量的前提下适当添加大豆油的效果较好。     

发酵豆粕替代鱼粉对大黄鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、血清生化指标及肝脏组织形态的影响

本试验旨在研究发酵豆粕替代鱼粉对大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)幼鱼生长性能、体成分、血清生化指标及肝脏组织形态的影响,探索发酵豆粕替代大黄鱼幼鱼饲料中鱼粉的适宜比例。以鱼粉、小麦蛋白粉为主要蛋白质源,鱼油、大豆油和大豆卵磷脂为主要脂肪源,配制含40%鱼粉的基础饲料。以发酵豆粕替代基础饲料中0(R0组,作为对照组)、15%(R15组)、30%(R30组)、45%(R45组)、60%(R60组)、75%(R75组)的鱼粉,并在除对照组饲料外的各饲料中添加适量晶体氨基酸(赖氨酸和蛋氨酸),配制6种等氮(蛋白质水平为45%)等脂(脂肪水平为10%)的试验饲料。养殖试验在海水网箱(1.5 m×1.5 m×2.0 m)中进行,每种试验饲料投喂3个网箱,每个网箱放养60尾初始体重为(10.49±0.03)g大黄鱼幼鱼,养殖时间持续56 d。结果表明:各组大黄鱼幼鱼的存活率无显著差异(P0.05),但随着发酵豆粕替代鱼粉比例的升高有下降趋势;与R0组相比,R15、R30、R45组的特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)、饲料系数(FCR)无显著变化(P0.05),进一步提高鱼粉替代比例(R60、R75组),SGR、WGR显著降低(P0.05),FCR显著升高(P0.05);各组全鱼粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、水分含量无显著差异(P0.05),随着发酵豆粕替代鱼粉比例的升高,全鱼粗灰分含量有上升的趋势;各组血清生化指标没有显著差异(P0.05),但随着发酵豆粕替代鱼粉比例的升高,血清中总胆固醇含量有下降趋势,谷丙转氨酶活力有升高趋势;通过肝脏组织学观察发现,发酵豆粕替代鱼粉比例超过30%后会造成肝脏细胞的损伤,替代比例越高损伤越严重。综合各项测定指标,本研究认为:发酵豆粕替代饲料(含40%鱼粉)中30%的鱼粉较为适宜,过高的替代比例会造成大黄鱼幼鱼肝脏组织病变,导致生长速度、存活率下降。     

复合乳化剂对鲤鱼生长性能及代谢活性的影响

试验研究复合乳化剂对鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)幼鱼生长性能、肝脏脂肪代谢酶活性、肠道脂肪酶活性和血液生化指标的影响,初步探讨复合乳化剂在鲤鱼养殖中的应用效果。选用560尾初始体重为(76.55±0.95)g的鲤鱼幼鱼,随机分配分为4组,每组设4个重复,每个重复35尾鱼。分别投喂基础饲料(对照组)和添加0.1%(T1组)、0.2%(T2组)、0.5%(T3组)复合乳化剂的饲料。结果表明:与对照组相比,T1、T2组鲤鱼的增重率显著提高(P0.05),饲料系数显著降低(P0.05);T1组鲤鱼脏体比显著低于对照组(P0.05)。各试验组鱼的特定生长率、肝体比和肥满度均无显著性差异(P0.05)。与对照组相比,T1组显著提高鲤鱼肝脏和肠道脂肪酶活性(P0.05),T2组显著提高肝脏肝脂酶活性(P0.05)。与对照组相比,T1、T2组和T3组鲤鱼血清TG含量无显著差异(P0.05);T3组鲤鱼血清甘油三酯含量显著高于T1组和T2组(P0.05)。T1组和T3组鲤鱼肝脏TG含量显著低于对照组(P0.05),T2组鲤鱼肝脏TG显著高于对照组(P0.05)。T1、T2组和T3组鲤鱼血清低密度脂蛋白含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05);T1组鲤鱼血清高密度脂蛋白含量显著高于对照组(P0.05),T2组和T3组鲤鱼血清高密度脂蛋白含量与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。各试验组鱼血清总胆固醇含量均无显著性差异(P0.05)。饲料中添加复合乳化剂对鲤鱼幼鱼的生长性能有显著影响,适量的复合乳化剂能提高肝脏和肠道脂肪酶及肝脏总酯酶活性,在一定程度上起到调节肝脏和血清脂质代谢的作用。     

氧化鱼油对肉鸡生产性能和肌肉品质的影响

饲养288只AA+肉鸡,随机分为1个对照组和3个试验组,在相同的日粮基础上试验组添加新鲜鱼油和不同酸败程度的鱼油进行饲养试验,结果表明:试验0～21d,各组日增重和采食量均未表现出显著的组间差异,而饲料/增重比的组间差异趋于显著(P0.124),其中酸败鱼油组有高于新鲜鱼油组的趋势。试验22～42d,与新鲜鱼油组相比,各组日增重和饲料/增重比的组间差异均趋于显著(P0.067,0.099),日采食量显著增加(P≤0.050),其中添加氧化初期鱼油组的日粮与新鲜鱼油组的饲料/增重比变化不大,但随着氧化程度的增加及酸败程度的加剧,饲料/增重比显著高于新鲜鱼油组。随着鱼油氧化程度的增加,肉鸡的胴体组成和肉质各项指标均有降低的趋势。添加不同氧化程度鱼油的饲料对屠宰率、胸肌水分、腿肌水分、腿肌脂肪以及屠宰后24h的pH值均无显著影响(P0.05),但对腹脂率、胸肌脂肪、系水力和屠宰2h后的pH值有显著影响(P0.05)。试验表明,鱼油的氧化并未影响肉鸡的生产性能,但饲料转化效率降低,鸡肉的系水力、腹脂率及脂肪沉积等也降低,肉的品质降低。     

两种微生态制剂对虎龙斑体成分、肠道消化酶及组织学结构的影响

试验旨在探讨两种微生态制剂对虎龙斑体成分、肠道消化酶和组织学结构的影响。选用540尾体质量为(33.98±4.91)g的虎龙斑,随机分为6个组,在基础饲料中添加低浓度0.1%的芽孢杆菌制剂、高浓度0.5%的芽孢杆菌制剂、低浓度1%的光合细菌制剂和高浓度5%的光合细菌制剂,并以2%饲料用量的乳化鱼油包裹,配制成编号为Diet 1、Diet 2、Diet 3、Diet 4四种饲料作为微生态制剂添加组,再增设乳化鱼油组和对照组,试验期为60 d。试验结果表明:(1)微生态制剂可以显著提高虎龙斑粗蛋白质含量(P0.05),降低粗脂肪含量。(2)微生态制剂可以提高虎龙斑肠道胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性,而脂肪酶活性则没有显著性差异(P0.05)。(3)在前肠的肠绒毛高度中,Diet 2组和Diet 3组显著高于乳化鱼油组(P0.05),而在中肠中,Diet 2组的肠绒毛高度显著高于乳化鱼油组(P0.05),肌层厚度和浆膜层在前肠、中肠和后肠中各组之间的高度没有显著性差异(P0.05)。(4)微生态制剂在一定程度上可以改变虎龙斑鲜肝脏的颜色,减少肝细胞的坏死和脂肪空泡化。(5)与对照组和乳化鱼油组相比,微生态制剂能增加虎龙斑头肾淋巴细胞、黑色素巨噬细胞的数量,而对头肾细胞总数和中性粒细胞没有显著性差异(P0.05)。结果表明饲料中添加微生态制剂在一定程度上可以提高鱼的肠道消化酶活性,改善鱼的肠道、肝脏和头肾结构,从而提高鱼的免疫力。     

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.     

Echocardiography, electrocardiography, and radiography of cats with dilatation cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and hyperthyroidism

The echocardiographic, ECG, and radiographic findings of sequentially examined cats with dilatation cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 7), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 8), and hyperthyroidism (HT, n = 20) were compared with those of healthy control cats (n = 11). Cats with DCM were easily differentiated from healthy cats by echocardiography and from cats with HCM and HT by a dilated left ventricle at end-diastole with a mean +/- SD of 2.20 +/- 0.36 cm, reduced fractional shortening (2.9% +/- 3.7%), reduced aortic amplitude (0.07 +/- 0.05 cm), reduced left ventricular wall amplitude (0.09 +/- 0.09 cm), and increased E-point septal separation (0.83 +/- 0.29 cm). The cats with HCM were most consistently recognized echocardiographically by increased left ventricular wall thickness at end-diastole (0.75 +/- 0.12 cm). Some cats with HT had abnormal echocardiograms with left ventricular wall hypertrophy. These cats could usually be differentiated from the cats with HCM because of normal or increased ventricular wall amplitude, aortic amplitude, or percentage of thickening of the left ventricular wall and interventricular septum. Left atrial enlargement (left atrial diameter greater than 1.57 cm or left atrium/aorta greater than 1.75) was commonly detected by the echocardiogram in cats with DCM, HCM, or HT. The echocardiogram was helpful in differentiating the type of cardiomyopathy (DCM, HCM, or HT) when plain thoracic radiographs indicated that cardiomegaly existed. The ECG may have indicated incorrectly that there was left ventricular enlargement in some cats with HT, and it did not indicate consistently that left ventricular enlargement existed when present in cats with DCM or HCM. The ECG was a poor indicator of left atrial enlargement in all cats.     

Toxicology of selected pesticides, drugs, and chemicals. Anticoagulant, cholecalciferol, and bromethalin-based rodenticides

The control of rodent pests is a continuing goal of mankind. To this end, a multitude of rodenticides have been produced, each designed to kill rodents by exerting their toxic effects on various body systems. As examples, veterinarians have had to manage companion animal poisonings due to anticoagulant, sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080), thallium, barium carbonate, and zinc phosphide-based rodenticides. Many of these rodenticides were introduced because of their anticipated safety in relation to nontarget species; unfortunately, this has not been the case. Veterinarians must attempt to identify the specific rodenticide involved in poisoning cases. Therapeutic success in these poisonings is often more dependent upon symptomatic and supportive care rather than the use of antidotal therapy.     

Comparative cardiovascular, analgesic, and sedative effects of medetomidine, medetomidine-hydromorphone, and medetomidine-butorphanol in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare sedative, analgesic, and cardiopulmonary effects after IV administration of medetomidine (20 microg/kg), medetomidine-hydromorphone (20 microg of medetomidine/kg and 0.1 mg of hydromorphone/kg), and medetomidine-butorphanol (20 microg of medetomidine/kg and 0.2 mg of butorphanol tartrate/kg) in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 dogs healthy mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: Instruments were surgically inserted, and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), central venous pressure (CVP), core body temperature, and cardiac output (CO) were measured 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after injection. Cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were calculated. Arterial samples for blood gas analysis were collected 0, 15, and 45 minutes after injection. Intensity of analgesia, degree of sedation, and degree of muscle relaxation were evaluated at aforementioned time points and 75, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 minutes after injection. RESULTS: Administration of medetomidine, medetomidine-hydromorphone, and medetomidine-butorphanol was associated with increases in SAP, MAP, DAP, MPAP, PCWP, CVP, SVR, PVR, core body temperature, and PaCO2 and decreases in HR, CO, CI, SV, SI, RR, pH, and PaO2. Clinically important differences were not detected among treatments. Medetomidine-hydromorphone and medetomidine-butorphanol provided a longer duration of sedation and better quality of analgesia, compared with medetomidine alone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Medetomidine-hydromorphone or medetomidine-butorphanol is associated with improved analgesia and sedation but has cardiopulmonary effects comparable to those for medetomidine alone.     

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.     

Antibacterial action of combinations of oxytetracycline, dimethyl sulfoxide, and EDTA-tromethamine on Proteus, Salmonella, and Aeromonas

Antibacterial effects against Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aeromonas hydrophila were obtained with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. Antibacterial effects were not observed with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide plus oxytetracycline or with dimethyl sulfoxide plus EDTA-tromethamine. Using a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique, inhibitory activities of the various combinations of solutions were studied, and isobolograms were plotted. A synergistic effect was seen with combinations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. The greatest synergistic effect was observed when the mixture was caused to react with P mirabilis. These findings were confirmed by kinetic studies of microbial death, using one-fourth minimal inhibitory concentrations of these preparations.     

Genetic parameters among weight, prolificacy, and wool traits of Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee sheep

Genetic parameters for Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee sheep were estimated using REML with animal models for prolificacy, weight, and wool traits. All bivariate analyses included a covariance between additive genetic effects for the two traits plus appropriate additional covariances. Number of observations by breed ranged from 5,140 to 7,095 for prolificacy traits, from 7,750 to 9,530 for weight traits, and from 4,603 to 34,746 for wool traits. Heritability estimates ranged from .03 to .11 for prolificacy traits (litter size at birth and litter size at weaning), from .09 to .26 for weight traits (birth weight and average daily gain), and from .25 to .53 for wool traits (fleece weight, fleece grade and staple length). Estimates of direct genetic correlations among prolificacy and among weight traits were positive and ranged from .58 to 1.00 and .18 to 1.00, respectively. Estimates of direct genetic correlation between fleece weight and staple length were positive (.50 to .70) but were negative between fleece weight and fleece grade (-.60 to -.34) and between staple length and fleece grade (-.72 and -.40). Prolificacy and wool traits were essentially uncorrelated. Weight and prolificacy traits were slightly positively correlated. Weight traits had a moderate positive direct genetic correlation with fleece weight and staple length, but were uncorrelated with fleece grade. These estimates of genetic parameters between prolificacy, weight, and wool traits can be used to construct multiple-trait selection indexes for dual-purpose sheep.