PGRN缺失对猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒脑内感染小鼠的影响

已有研究表明溶酶体与β冠状病毒复制密切相关,为研究调控溶酶体功能的关键蛋白颗粒蛋白前体(progranulin, PGRN)对β冠状病毒猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, PHEV)复制的影响,本研究以PGRN缺失及其对照小鼠为研究对象,探究PGRN在PHEV脑内感染小鼠过程中的作用。研究发现,与PHEV脑内感染野生型小鼠相比,PGRN缺失小鼠脑内感染病毒后其存活时间延长,同时脑内病毒含量显著降低,细胞因子IFN和TNF-a的含量升高;此外,神经退行性病变相关蛋白TDP-43表达显著升高,表明PGRN缺失能减缓病毒的复制,增强免疫反应,并影响病毒的致病性。研究结果为进一步揭示溶酶体蛋白PGRN在PHEV复制过程中的作用机制提供研究基础,并为β冠状病毒致病机制研究提供参考。     

miR-21a-5p对PHEV复制的影响及其靶基因Cntfr的验证

为研究猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(PHEV)感染过程中宿主miR-21a-5p对PHEV复制的影响,利用荧光定量PCR方法对PHEV感染过程中细胞内miR-21a-5p的表达变化进行了检测;之后,将化学合成的miR-21a-5p模拟体或抑制剂转染N2a细胞,接种PHEV后利用荧光定量PCR方法检测PHEV基因组RNA的含量。通过TargetScan、Microcosm和Miranda数据库预测miR-21a-5p的靶基因,并利用双荧光素酶报告系统对预测的靶基因进行验证。结果显示,PHEV感染N2a细胞后,miR-21a-5p的表达量明显升高。而有效抑制N2a细胞中miR-21a-5p的表达会使PHEV复制增殖显著下降;反之,miR-21a-5p过表达能使PHEV表达量升高。此外,生物信息学分析表明,miR-21a-5p可能在PHEV感染致病过程中参与了细胞免疫、神经损伤等过程。而预测靶基因Cntfr为CNTF受体,具有维持神经细胞形态和功能完整性的作用,并进一步利用双荧光素酶报告系统证实Cntfr为miR-21a-5p的靶基因。总之,miR-21a-5p在PHEV致病过程中具有极其重要的调控作用,影响PHEV的复制增殖,并具有直接靶向Cntfr基因维持神经细胞稳态的作用。研究结果不仅为miRNA参与调控PHEV复制提供数据支持,也为深入研究PHEV的致病机制提供新的思路。     

自噬相关蛋白Beclin-1对PHEV复制增殖的影响

首先利用荧光定量PCR和Western blot的方法分别从基因水平和蛋白表达水平检测猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(porcine hemagglutinating encephalomgelitis virus,PHEV)感染细胞对Beclin-1的影响,结果发现随着PHEV感染时间的增加Beclin-1表达呈现明显的上调趋势。其次,利用间接免疫荧光技术检测Beclin-1在PHEV感染后的N2a细胞中的定位变化,发现Beclin-1和PHEV呈现明显的共定位关系。随后构建Beclin-1的真核表达载体pCMV-FlagBeclin-1,将其转染至N2a细胞后接种PHEV,发现PHEV复制增殖特性并未受到显著影响。利用siRNA技术特异性敲低N2a细胞中的Beclin1水平,结果显示PHEV的表达量明显下调。本试验结果揭示了Beclin-1参与调控PHEV复制增殖的重要作用,为深入阐明PHEV致病机制提供了新的思路。     

猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒感染可激活脑内的小胶质细胞

以猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(PHEV)易感的BALB/c小鼠为实验动物模型,以小胶质细胞表面特异性标记物Iba1蛋白为检测对象,利用荧光定量PCR、Western-blot、免疫组化等方法,分别从基因转录水平、蛋白水平和组织学水平对PHEV感染后不同时间点小鼠脑内小胶质细胞的增殖、活化情况进行了检测分析。结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组小鼠脑组织内的Iba1基因转录水平、蛋白表达量均有升高,且都随着感染时间延长而增大。将采集的小鼠脑组织制作石蜡切片,免疫组化结果证实PHEV的感染激活了小胶质细胞,表现为细胞数量增多,呈聚集样分布;同时细胞形态变化也很明显,胞体变大并呈阿米巴状。上述试验证实PHEV感染小鼠后小胶质细胞发生了明显增殖、活化现象,为后期深入开展PHEV所致神经系统炎性损伤的机制研究奠定了基础。     

猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒感染降低ZO-1表达致小鼠血脑屏障通透性升高

为明确猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus,PHEV)感染后对机体血脑屏障(blood-brain barrier,BBB)通透性的影响,本试验以PHEV易感的BALB/c小鼠为实验动物模型,将PHEV接种小鼠后静脉注射伊文氏蓝(Evans blue,EB),运用形态学和化学定量方法检测EB通过BBB进入脑组织的状况。结果显示,接种病毒后3d的小鼠脑组织即出现肉眼可见的蓝色,定量检测结果证实其含量随着感染时间的延长而增加。同时利用荧光定量PCR和Western blot方法分别对病毒感染后不同时间点紧密连接蛋白ZO-1、Occludin和Claudin-5进行核酸定量检测,证明感染组小鼠脑组织中ZO-1的基因转录水平随感染时间延长下调明显,而Occludin和Claudin-5的变化不明显。进而对脑组织中ZO-1蛋白表达水平进行检测,证实ZO-1的蛋白表达水平也发生下调,表明内皮细胞紧密连接完整性在病毒感染后期遭到了破坏。上述试验结果证实PHEV感染机体后可使BBB的通透性升高,而且这一变化与ZO-1的降低相关,为后期深入开展PHEV所致神经系统炎性损伤的机制奠定基础。     

猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒抑制神经细胞干扰素的产生

猪血凝性脑脊髓炎病毒(PHEV)属于β属冠状病毒成员,其具有典型的嗜神经性。多种冠状病毒可逃避宿主先天性免疫的识别而表现出明显的致病性,但宿主的先天性免疫在PHEV感染过程中发挥的作用还不是很清楚。为了明确神经细胞在PHEV感染过程中细胞自身的免疫应答状况,本研究对参与先天性免疫的重要炎性细胞因子和相关的通路变化情况进行了检测分析。用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法对PHEV感染小鼠脑神经瘤母细胞(N2a)不同时间点的样品进行检测,结果证明没有IFN-β的表达,说明PHEV不能引起神经细胞产生Ⅰ型IFN。收集感染N2a细胞24h的上清,ELISA方法检测TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IFN-γ的分泌情况,仅有IL-6呈现高水平表达,说明PHEV感染N2a细胞诱发了IL-6的先天性免疫反应。免疫荧光方法检测PHEV感染N2a细胞24h后重要核转录因子IRF-3和NF-κB的核定位情况,发现NF-κB移位到了胞核,IRF-3仍然存在于胞浆,说明PHEV仅激活了NF-κB信号通路。以上试验结果表明,PHEV进入中枢神经系统时可逃避神经细胞以IFN-β为主的免疫识别,该结果可为深入开展PHEV抑制机体干扰素产生的机制研究奠定基础。     

围产期奶山羊注射5-HTP后血液ceRNA网络构建分析

处于围产期的奶山羊由于血液中钙离子迅速降低极易引发低血钙症,5-羟色胺(5-hydorxytyrptamine,5-HT)可以调节生物体内钙代谢,但具体调节机制尚不明确。该研究通过注射5-羟色氨酸(5-HTP,5-hydroxytryptophan)来增加围产期奶山羊体内的5-HT浓度,采集血液提取RNA后,采用全转录组测序技术筛选鉴定差异表达mRNA、microRNA、LncRNA和CircRNA。通过Metascape对差异表达的基因进行富集分析,发现这些差异表达基因主要参与钙代谢、脂质代谢、免疫反应、细胞凋亡等过程。通过预测转录本之间的结合情况构建LncRNA/CircRNA-microRNA-mRNA的竞争内源性RNA(Competing Endogenous RNA,ceRNA)调控网络,并对网络中的基因进行富集分析发现3个与钙代谢相关的基因,分别是Toll样受体9(Toll Like Receptor 9,TLR9)、缝隙连接蛋白γ2(Gap Junction Protein Gamma 2,GJC2)和连接素1(Junctophilin1,JPH1),LncRNA MSTRG.1354.2可与TLR9竞争性地结合microRNA NC.030825.1_6027,进而调控TLR9的表达,MSTRG.56601.1和MSTRG.101405.3都可以与GJC2、JPH1竞争性地结合NC.030814.1_19917,进而调控GJC2和JPH1的表达。该研究结果为5-HT调控山羊钙代谢提供了一种全新的分子机制。     

马立克病病毒编码的miR-M11-5p宿主靶基因的筛选与鉴定

作为α疱疹病毒的重要成员,马立克病病毒(MDV)感染鸡可引起免疫抑制及快速发作的T细胞淋巴瘤,即马立克病(MD)。此前发现MDV基因组编码大量病毒miRNA,可能在病毒复制、潜伏感染及肿瘤发生中起重要作用。基因敲除miR-M11-5p可显著增强MDV致病性及致瘤性,表明其可能是MD肿瘤抑制因子。为进一步揭示miR-M11-5p介导的调控机制,本研究利用鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)总RNA的cDNA为模板,通过hybrid-PCR扩增miR-M11-5p的候选宿主靶基因片段,然后连接至pMD19-T载体、转化至E.coli JM109中构建cDNA文库。对文库菌落进行PCR鉴定、测序分析以及Blast序列对比,共获得77个候选宿主靶基因,其中37个miRNA结合靶点位于候选靶基因的3′-UTR中。进一步通过双荧光素酶报告试验、miR-M11-5p过表达以及RT-qPCR分析,最终鉴定鸡MAFB、LOC776816和RFX7为miR-M11-5p的宿主靶基因。本研究为进一步阐明miR-M11-5p在MDV肿瘤发生中的调控机制奠定了重要基础。     

感染旋毛虫小鼠心肌损伤致病机制的试验

本试验旨在对感染旋毛虫后小鼠心肌损伤的致病机制进行研究。通过对小鼠接种旋毛虫,1 000条/只,分别检测诱导细胞凋亡相关因子瘦素(Leptin)和巨噬细胞游走抑制因子(MIF)及线粒体凋亡途径相关基因PKB、Bax、Caspase9、Apaf-1的相对表达量,以及心肌组织抗氧化能力指标进行检测。结果显示,Leptin和MIF及线粒体凋亡基因的表达量均呈上升趋势;感染旋毛虫后,T-SOD及NO含量均在14d出现峰值,ATP酶含量呈下降趋势。试验结果为旋毛虫病的早期诊断、治疗提供基础数据。     

伪狂犬病病毒变异株US3基因失活株的构建与生物学特性分析

为探究US3基因失活对伪狂犬病病毒(pseudorabies virus,PRV)变异株毒力的影响,运用En Passant操作技术,将PRV变异株AH02LA细菌人工染色体(bacterial artificial chromosome,BAC)BAC~(PRV-G)中US3基因的起始密码子进行点突变,获得重组BAC株BAC~(PRV-G)-US3~(mut)。将BAC~(PRV-G)-US3~(mut)与带有同源臂和PRV AH02LA gE/gI基因的片段共转染猪睾丸(ST)细胞,拯救病毒的同时将gE/gI基因进行恢复,获得重组病毒PRV-US3~(mut)。生长动力学试验发现:PRV-US3~(mut)在感染ST细胞早期(6 h和12 h)无病变发生,在感染24 h之后,与亲本毒株PRV AH02LA生长动力学相似,表明US3基因可能介导病毒增殖的早期阶段。此外,研究发现了US3基因抑制PRV感染ST细胞早期组织相容性复合物Ⅰ的mRNA转录。BALB/c小鼠的致病力试验发现,相较于亲本毒株PRV AH02LA(LD_(50)=10~(-3.26)/0.2mL),PRV-US3~(mut)(稀释10~(-2)～10~(-5))攻毒小鼠全部存活,表明US3基因可能介导PRV对小鼠的致病性。本研究成功构建了PRV变异株US3基因失活株,为研制针对PRV变异株的弱毒疫苗奠定了基础。     

不同青贮玉米品种抗病性评价

对10个青贮玉米品种自然发病情况进行调查,并采用病级分类方法对抗病性分类。结果表明:对锈病表现抗性和中抗的品种有3个和5个,分别占供试品种的30%和50%;对大斑病表现抗性和中抗的品种有4个和5个,分别占供试品种的40%和50%;对褐斑病表现抗性和中抗的品种有6个和3个,分别占供试品种的60%和30%;对小斑病表现抗性和中抗的品种有6个和3个,分别占供试品种的60%和30%。多数品种对青贮玉米4种病害抗性表现较好,可从青贮玉米供试材料中选用优良抗病材料用于四川地区种植。     

Evaluation of Oxygen-dependent Immunodefences of the Polymorphonuclear Cells of Some Tropical Ruminants

Activation of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) leads to the formation of superoxide, which is in turn dismutated to H₂O₂ by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and is partly responsible for oxygen-dependent microbicidal activity. However, no comparative information is available on the effect of SOD inhibition before PMN activation to allow simulation of the SOD defects that are known to occur in some ruminants. This paper attempts to examine the degranulative and phagocytic responses in buffalo, cattle and goat PMNs exposed to diethyldithiocarbamate, a known SOD inhibitor. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and reductase was increased in the presence of SOD inhibitor. On activation, H₂O₂ production increased significantly (p<0.01), while SOD inhibition before the activation of PMNs caused a significant decline in the production of H₂O₂ (p<0.05) in all the species studied. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the phagocytosis of Candida albicans spores by buffalo PMNs activated with opsonized zymosan. Activation of bovine PMNs after exposure to the SOD inhibitor resulted in a significant decline (p<0.05) in phagocytic activity; in the other species, the two values only approached significance. Among the activators, opsonized zymosan caused a significant increase in phagocytic activity as compared to lipopolysaccharide, particularly in the PMNs of buffaloes (p<0.05). Increased fungicidal activity (p<0.05) occurred with opsonized zymosan-activated PMNs of all the species studied. The fungicidal activity was found to decline in PMNs exposed to SOD inhibitor before activation (p<0.05). Interestingly, the phagocytic activity of caprine PMNs was found to be lower than that of PMNs from cattle (p<0.05).     

Effect of dietary stable isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen on the extent of their incorporation into tissues of rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different dietary ratios of ¹³ C to ¹² C or ¹⁵ N to ¹⁴ N on their relative incorporation into tissues. Eighty male rats were used in two 21-day feeding trials in which they were fed diets with either high δ¹³C levels (δ¹³C = −13.89‰ and δ¹⁵N = 2.37‰ in experiment 1 and δ¹³C = −19.34‰ and δ¹⁵N = 4.73‰ in experiment 2) or low δ¹³C levels (δ¹³C = −17.90‰ and δ¹⁵N = 3.08‰ in experiment 1 and δ¹³C = −21.76‰ and δ¹⁵N = 0.53‰ in experiment 2), meanwhile, the dietary δ¹⁵N levels were designed to two ranks. Blood, liver, adipose and muscle tissues were collected on day 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 for determination of ¹³ C, ¹² C, ¹⁵ N and ¹⁴ N isotopes. Rat growth rate, antioxidant capacity and metabolic parameters were also assessed. The results indicate that adipose tissue tend to deplete ¹³ C before the stable isotopic ratios achieved final equilibrium. Therefore, feeds with different isotopic signatures had different incorporation rates into tissues. Low dietary ¹³ C levels decreased tissue δ¹³C values whereas high dietary ¹³ C levels did not alter tissue δ¹³C values during the 21-d experiment. Blood δ¹⁵N values were a reliable parameter in assessing the relative contribution of dietary nitrogen to tissues. This study revealed a relationship between dietary isotopic signatures and their incorporation rates into rat tissues. However, more studies are needed to illustrate the mechanism through which dietary isotopic ratios influence the extent of isotopic incorporation into the tissues.     

Pharmacokinetics of three formulations of vitacoxib in horses

The pharmacokinetic properties of three formulations of vitacoxib were investigated in horses. To describe plasma concentrations and characterize the pharmacokinetics, 6 healthy adult Chinese Mongolian horses were administered a single dose of 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight intravenous (i.v.), oral paste, or oral tablet vitacoxib in a 3-way, randomized, parallel design. Blood samples were collected prior to and at various times up to 72 hr postadministration. Plasma vitacoxib concentrations were quantified using UPLC-MS/MS, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis. No complications resulting from the vitacoxib administration were noted on subsequent administrations, and all procedures were tolerated well by the horses throughout the study. The elimination half-life (T_1/2λz) was 4.24 ± 1.98 hr (i.v.), 8.77 ± 0.91 hr (oral paste), and 8.12 ± 4.24 hr (oral tablet), respectively. Maximum plasma concentration (C_max) was 28.61 ± 9.29 ng/ml (oral paste) and 19.64 ± 9.26 ng/ml (oral tablet), respectively. Area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC_last) was 336 ± 229 ng hr/ml (i.v.), 221 ± 94 ng hr/ml (oral paste), and 203 ± 139 ng hr/ml, respectively. The results showed statistically significant differences between the 2 oral vitacoxib groups in T_max value. T_1/2λz (hr), AUC_last (ng hr/ml), and MRT (hr) were significantly different between i.v. and oral groups. The longer half-life observed following oral administration was consistent with the flip-flop phenomenon.     

Influence of fibre and betaine on development of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers between hatch and 14 d of age

An experiment was designed to determine the influence of fibre and betaine on the development of the intestine, liver and pancreas of broilers from hatch to 14 d of age. A total of 250-day-old Cobb 500 male broilers were allocated to 16 cages with 15 broilers each. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design, consisting of 2 feed formulations (low and high fibre diets) and 4 levels of betaine (0, 1, 3 or 5 kg/t). At hatch, 10 birds in total were euthanised, and samples of the liver, pancreas, yolk sac and intestine were collected for reference of the analysed parameters before the start of the trial. On d 4, 9 and 14, 5 birds per cage (10 birds per treatment) were selected, euthanised and treated as the same as the birds at hatch. Villus height and width and crypt depth were determined on the duodenum samples, and absorptive area was calculated. The number of enterocytes in mitosis at the villus was determined by a positive reaction to antibody for Ki67 protein, and fused villus was evaluated visually. The relative weight of the yolk sac reduced (P < 0.05) as birds aged while the intestine and liver reached a maximum (P < 0.05) at around d 4 and the pancreas at d 9. Birds fed the high fibre diet had greater feed intake, lower relative weight of the pancreas and higher villus (P < 0.05) than birds fed the low fibre diet. Villus width increased (P < 0.05) at 4 d of age, and this was associated with fused villus. Betaine inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) villus width, increased (P < 0.05) villus size and absorptive area, and reduced (P < 0.05) the number of enterocytes with positive reaction for the antibody Ki-67. Betaine inclusion reduced the width and increased the absorptive area and the villus height of the duodenum of birds up to 14 d of age. The higher fibre diet increased feed intake and villus height, yet reduced pancreas relative weight, while not affecting body weight gain. This response was possibly due to a dilution effect of the fibre, reducing nutrient absorption and consequently stimulating villus growth to improve absorption rates.     

Effects of GnRH treatment on initiation of pulses of LH,LH release,and subsequent concentrations of progesterone

Progesterone is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. One proposed method to increase progesterone is administering GnRH at insemination. However, this method has resulted in conflicting results. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate how administering GnRH at insemination affected pulses of luteinizing hormone (LH) and subsequent progesterone. In Experiment 1, cows were allotted to 2 treatments: (1) GnRH (100 μg) given approximately 12 h after initiation of estrus (n = 5); and (2) Control (n = 5). Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h at 12 (blood sampling period 1), 26 (blood sampling period 2), 40 (blood sampling period 3), 54 (blood sampling period 4), and 68 (blood sampling period 5) h after onset of estrus. Daily blood samples were collected for 17 d. In Experiment 2, cows were allotted into 2 treatments: GnRH administered 10 to 11 h (n = 10) or 14 to 15 h (n = 10) after onset of estrus. Daily blood samples were collected for 17 d. Cows treated with GnRH tended (P ≤ 0.075) to have greater LH release during blood sampling period 1, tended (P = 0.095) to have fewer pulses during blood sampling period 2, tended (P = 0.067) to have greater concentrations of progesterone, and had an earlier (P = 0.05) increase in progesterone than control cows. Cows treated with GnRH 10 to 11 h after onset of estrus had greater (P = 0.01) progesterone and an earlier (P = 0.04) increase in progesterone than cows treated 14 to 15 h. In conclusion, timing of GnRH treatment following onset of estrus influenced pulses of LH and subsequent progesterone.     

Determination of optimal dietary selenium levels by full expression of selenoproteins in various tissues of broilers from 1 to 21 d of age

The current NRC dietary selenium (Se) requirement (0.15 mg/kg) of broilers is primarily based on growth performance data reported in 1986. Our study aimed to determine optimal dietary Se levels of broilers fed a practical corn-soybean meal diet for the full expression of selenoproteins in various tissues. A total of 384 one-d-old male broilers (n = 8 replicates/diet) were fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg Se/kg in the form of Na₂SeO₃ for 21 d. Regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary Se levels using broken-line, quadratic or asymptotic models. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the plasma, liver, kidney and pancreas, iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO) in the plasma, liver and pancreas, and thioredoxin reductase (Txnrd) in the liver and pancreas, the mRNA levels of Gpx1, Gpx4, Dio1, selenoprotein (Seleno) h, Selenop and Selenou in the liver, Gpx4, Dio1, Txnrd1, Txnrd2, Selenoh, Selenop and Selenou in the kidney, and Gpx1, Gpx4, Selenoh and Selenou in the pancreas, and the protein levels of GPX4 in the liver and kidney of broilers were influenced (P < 0.05) by added Se levels, and increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with the increase of added Se levels. The estimates of optimal dietary Se levels were 0.07 to 0.36 mg/kg based on the fitted broken-line, quadratic or asymptotic models (P < 0.001) of the aforementioned selenoprotein expression in the plasma, liver and kidney, and 0.09 to 0.46 mg/kg based on the fitted broken-line models (P < 0.001) of the aforementioned selenoprotein expression in the pancreas. The results indicate that the optimal dietary Se levels would be 0.36 mg/kg to support the full expression of selenoproteins in the plasma, liver and kidney, and 0.46 mg/kg to support the full expression of selenoproteins in the pancreas of broilers fed a practical corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 d of age.     

Analysis of influencing factors of boar claw lesion and lameness

This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting boar claw lesions and lameness. A total of 1299 boars were examined for claw lesions and lameness, including 788 boars reared in individual pens with solid concreted floor (IPS) and 511 boars raised in individual stalls with slatted floor (ISS). Flooring type showed significant impacts on all claw lesion types (P < 0.01). Except for swelling ankle, boar age had significant effects on all other claw lesion types (P < 0.01). In addition, only heel overgrowth and erosion, cracked wall horizontal, heel‐sole crack, dew claws, and toes were significantly related to boar breeds (P < 0.05). Furthermore, IPS lame boars had higher prevalence of lameness in the hind limb (P < 0.05), whereas in ISS lame boars, there were no significant differences in prevalence of lameness between the fore and hind limbs (P > 0.05). Boar lameness was moderately correlated with swelling ankle (Φ = 0.5571). In conclusion, claw lesions can be influenced by flooring type, boar age and breed, and could serve as a predictor for boar lameness.     

Effects of feeding different levels of corn steep liquor on the performance of fattening lambs

This study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding corn steep liquor (CSL) on in vivo digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia and hydrolytic enzyme activities, blood metabolites, feed intake (FI) and growth performance in fattening lambs. The CSL is a by‐product of wet milling process of maize starch industry. The crude protein (CP), rumen‐degradable protein (RDP), lactic acid and metabolisable energy contents of this by‐product were 420, 324, 200 g/kg dry matter (DM) and 12.6 MJ/kg DM respectively. Twenty‐seven male Moghani lambs were assigned randomly into three groups of nine lambs each in a completely randomised design. Three iso‐energetic and iso‐nitrogenous diets containing different levels (0, 50 or 100 g/kg dry matter) of CSL were offered ad libitum three times a day. Forage to concentrate ratio of the diets was 30:70. With inclusion of CSL in diet, the contents of canola meal, fish meal, wheat bran, corn grain and sugar beet pulp were decreased. The contents of DM, ash‐free neutral detergent fibre (NDFom), ether extract, starch, Ca and S were numerically lower, but soluble protein, RDP and non‐fibre carbohydrates were greater in the diets containing CSL in comparison with the control diet. The lambs fed with the diets containing CSL had lower [linear (L), p < 0.06] digestibility coefficients of DM and NDFom as compared to those fed with the diet free of CSL. Ruminal ammonia‐N concentration increased (L, p < 0.05), but pH decreased (L, p < 0.05) with raising CSL level in diet. Carboxymethyl cellulase and filter paper‐degrading activities decreased (L, p < 0.05), while proteases activity increased (L, p < 0.05) as dietary rates of CSL increased. Microcrystalline cellulase and ɑ‐amylase activities were similar among the treatments. Within blood metabolites, only urea‐N concentration increased (L, p < 0.05) in the lambs receiving CSL as compared to those fed with diet without CSL. Dietary inclusion of CSL resulted in linear decreases (L, p < 0.05) in the intakes of DM, organic matter, CP, NDFom and ash‐free acid detergent fibre, and average daily gain. However, the feed conversion ratio was similar among the experimental animals. Overall, feeding CSL up to 100 g/kg diet DM in lamb resulted in reductions of rumen fibrolytic microbial enzyme activities, in vivo digestibility, FI and growth performance, but rumen proteases activity increased.     

A comparison of cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of an induction dose of alfaxalone or propofol in dogs

ObjectiveTo compare the physiological parameters, arterial blood gas values, induction quality, and recovery quality after IV injection of alfaxalone or propofol in dogs.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded crossover.AnimalsEight random-source adult female mixed-breed dogs weighing 18.7 ± 4.5 kg.MethodsDogs were assigned to receive up to 8 mg kg^?1 propofol or 4 mg kg^?1 alfaxalone, administered to effect, at 10% of the calculated dose every 10 seconds. They then received the alternate drug after a 6-day washout. Temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, direct blood pressure, and arterial blood gases were measured before induction, immediately post-induction, and at 5-minute intervals until extubation. Quality of induction, recovery, and ataxia were scored by a single blinded investigator. Duration of anesthesia and recovery, and adverse events were recorded.ResultsThe mean doses required for induction were 2.6 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1 alfaxalone and 5.2 ± 0.8 mg kg^?1 propofol. After alfaxalone, temperature, respiration, and pH were significantly lower, and PaCO₂ significantly higher post-induction compared to baseline (p < 0.03). After propofol, pH, PaO₂, and SaO₂ were significantly lower, and PaCO₂, HCO₃, and PA-aO₂ gradient significantly higher post-induction compared to baseline (p < 0.03). Post-induction and 5-minute physiologic and blood gas values were not significantly different between alfaxalone and propofol. Alfaxalone resulted in significantly longer times to achieve sternal recumbency (p = 0.0003) and standing (p = 0.0004) compared to propofol. Subjective scores for induction, recovery, and ataxia were not significantly different between treatments; however, dogs undergoing alfaxalone anesthesia were more likely to have ≥1 adverse event (p = 0.041). There were no serious adverse events in either treatment.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThere were no clinically significant differences in cardiopulmonary effects between propofol and alfaxalone. A single bolus of propofol resulted in shorter recovery times and fewer adverse events than a single bolus of alfaxalone.