黑水虻不同的投喂策略对鹦鹉鱼抗氧化和非特异性免疫指标的影响

试验以鹦鹉鱼为研究对象,探究黑水虻不同投喂策略对鹦鹉鱼肝脏及血清抗氧化和非特异性免疫指标的影响。试验分为6组,每组2个重复。其中S组持续投喂配合饲料;S3H1组投喂3次饲料、1次黑水虻;S2H2组投喂2次饲料、2次黑水虻;S1H3组投喂3次黑水虻、1次饲料;H组持续投喂黑水虻;SH组1 d投喂黑水虻、1 d投喂饲料。每天饱食投喂4次,周期60 d。结果表明,S、SH组肝脏中SOD活性差异不显著(P0.05),S组T-AOC显著高于SH组(P0.05),H组溶菌酶活性最高,且显著高于其他组(P0.05),S组NO含量最高,显著高于其他组(P0.05)。血清中,S、SH组T-AOC、SOD、ACP和AKP活性差异不显著(P0.05),SH组CAT和GSH活性显著高于S组(P0.05),H组溶菌酶活性显著高于SH、S1H3、S3H1、S组(P0.05),但与S2H2组差异不显著(P0.05)。综上所述,SH组的抗氧化和非特异免疫指标基本不受影响,且CAT、GSH、LMZ优于S组,说明间歇性投喂黑水虻幼虫(SH组)的策略较为合理。     

黑水虻对乌鳢（Channa argus）生长性能、饲料利用及营养组成的影响

试验旨在研究黑水虻幼虫干虫、虫粉替代鱼粉对乌鳢生长性能、饲料利用及肌肉营养组成的影响。选取初体重为（6.87±0.62）g的乌鳢幼鱼135尾,随机分成3组,每组3个重复,每个重复15尾鱼。分别用黑水虻幼虫干虫（BSF,粗蛋白33.30%、粗脂肪39.20%）、黑水虻幼虫虫粉（DBSF,粗蛋白53.00%、粗脂肪11.80%）替代基础饲料（鱼粉含量40%）50%的鱼粉。试验包括鱼粉组（D0组）、干虫组（D1组）和虫粉组（D2组）三种硬颗粒缓沉性饲料,开展为期60 d的养殖试验。结果表明：黑水虻干虫和虫粉替代50%鱼粉对乌鳢生长性能、饵料系数和成活率等无显著性影响（P>0.05）。与鱼粉组（D0组）相比,黑水虻干虫对乌鳢的摄食率有显著的负面影响（P<0.05）,脏体比显著提高（P<0.05）。黑水虻干虫和虫粉替代试验饲料50%鱼粉对鱼体和肌肉的粗蛋白含量无显著性影响（P>0.05）,干虫组（D1组）鱼体粗脂肪含量显著高于其他组（P<0.05）,肌肉粗脂肪显著高于鱼粉组（P<0.05）。替代50%鱼粉后干虫组（D1组）和虫粉组（D2组）肌肉部分必需氨基酸含...     

玉米DDGS替代豆粕对奥尼罗非鱼生长性能的影响

试验研究了饲料中用玉米DDGS替代部分豆粕对奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus ♀× Oreochromis aureus ♂)幼鱼生长的影响。将初始体重为(2.48±0.03)g的试验鱼随机分成6组,每组设3个平行,分别投喂用玉米DDGS替代豆粕的试验饲料,替代比例分别为0(对照组)、16.7%、33.3%、50%、66.7%和83.3%,(记为G1、G2、G3、G4、G5和G6),日投喂量为鱼体重的4%～6%。试验持续8周,分别在第4周末和第8周末称重。结果显示,4周时,G6组的增重率和特定生长率显著低于其它各组(P<0.05),G2、G3组的增重率和特定生长率显著高于G5组(P<0.05);饲料系数以G6组最高,显著高于其它各组(P<0.05);对照组饲料系数最低,显著低于G5、G6组(P<0.05),与其它各组差异不显著(P>0.05)。8周时,G6组的增重率和特定生长率最低,显著低于G3组(P<0.05),其它各组差异不显著(P>0.05);饲料系数以G6组最高,显著高于G1、G2组和G3组(P<0.05);肝体比和脏体比有所差异,但均未达显著水平(P>0.05);肥满度以G6组为最低,显著低于其它各组(P<0.05);肌肉中水分和粗灰分含量以G6组最高,显著高于G1(P<0.05),对照组肌肉粗蛋白含量最高,显著高于G6组(P<0.05),粗脂肪含量各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,在奥尼罗非鱼饲料中用不超过50%的玉米DDGS替代豆粕,不会显著影响其生长性能。     

脱脂黑水虻幼虫粉替代鱼粉对中华鳖生长性能、肝脏抗氧化能力和肠道菌群的影响北大核心CSCD

本试验旨在研究脱脂黑水虻幼虫粉替代饲料中不同比例鱼粉对中华鳖稚鳖生长性能、肝脏抗氧化指标、肝脏和肠道消化酶活性、肠道组织形态和菌群的影响。配制5种等氮等脂的试验饲料,5种试验饲料中脱脂黑水虻幼虫粉替代鱼粉的比例分别为0(F0,作为对照)、15%(F15)、30%(F30)、45%(F45)、60%(F60)。选取初始体重为(4.98±0.18)g的中华鳖稚鳖175只,随机分为5组,每组5个重复,每个重复7只,进行为期8周的养殖试验。结果显示:脱脂黑水虻幼虫粉替代饲料中不同比例的鱼粉对中华鳖稚鳖的摄食量、体比系数和肝体指数没有显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,F15、F30和F45组的终末体重、成活率、增重率和特定生长率均没有显著变化(P>0.05),F60组则显著降低(P<0.05);F15和F45组的饲料系数没有显著变化(P>0.05),F30和F60组则显著升高(P<0.05);F45和F60组的脂体指数显著降低(P<0.05)。各组间血清总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白和乳酸含量以及谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均无显著差异(P>0.05);F45组血清酸性磷酸酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。F30组肝脏抗氧化酶和消化酶活性最高,F45组肠道淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性最高。高通量测序分析显示,F30组肠道中邻单胞菌属的相对丰度最低,鲸杆菌属的相对丰度较高,但是与对照组没有显著差异(P>0.05);各组在门和属水平上的优势菌群相同,肠道菌群alpha多样性指数无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上所述,脱脂黑水虻幼虫粉替代饲料中30%~45%的鱼粉对中华鳖稚鳖的生长性能没有产生负面影响,并能改善肝脏抗氧化能力与肠道菌群结构。     

3种动物蛋白质源替代鱼粉对草鱼生长性能、肌肉营养成分、消化酶活性、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究鸡肉粉(PBM)、肠衣蛋白粉(CM)和黑水虻幼虫粉(BSFLM)替代鱼粉对草鱼生长性能、肌肉营养成分、消化酶活性、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响。试验选择初始体重为(206.95±0.19) g的草鱼900尾,随机分为10组,每组3个重复,每个重复30尾。以PBM、CM和BSFLM分别替代基础饲料中0、20%、40%和60%的鱼粉(基础饲料中鱼粉添加量为7.5%),配制10组等氮等脂的饲料投喂草鱼,分别记为D0(对照)、J20、J40、J60、C20、C40、C60、K20、K40和K60组,试验期为56 d。结果表明:1)与D0组比较,J20、J40、J60、C60和K60组终末体重、增重率和特定生长率显著降低(P<0.05),饲料系数显著上升(P<0.05); C20、C40、K20和K40组终末体重、增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数无显著差异(P>0.05),其中K20组增重率和特定生长率分别提高2.65%和1.75%(P>0.05),饲料系数降低2.29%(P>0.05)。各组间肝体比、脏体比、肠体比、肥满度无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)与D0组比较,K20组肌肉粗蛋白质含量显著升高(P<0.05),肌肉水分含量显著降低(P<0.05),其他各组肌肉粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗灰分、水分、钙和总磷含量均无显著差异(P>0.05)。3)各组间中肠蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶以及肝脏淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性无显著差异(P>0.05)。4)与D0组比较,K20和K60组血清甘油三酯含量显著升高(P<0.05),其他各试验组血清胆固醇、甘油三酯、尿素氮、葡萄糖、总蛋白含量及谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性均无显著差异(P>0.05); K20组血清总超氧化物歧化酶活性和总抗氧化能力有所提高(P>0.05),但各组间血清抗氧化指标均无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上所述,PBM替代20%～60%鱼粉显著降低草鱼生长性能,CM和BSFLM替代40%以下鱼粉对草鱼生长性能无显著影响,BSFLM替代20%鱼粉能够提高草鱼生长性能和抗氧化能力。综合各项指标,BSFLM应用效果最佳,其次为CM。     

黄斑篮子鱼幼鱼适宜投喂频率的研究

为探明黄斑篮子鱼(Siganus oramin)幼鱼适宜投喂频率,选择体重为(1.80±0.08)g的幼鱼进行养殖试验。试验设计5个组(F1、F2、F3、F4、F5组),投喂频率分别为1(06:00),2(06:00、18:00),3(06:00、12:00、18:00),4(06:00、10:00、14:00、18:00)和5次/d(06:00、09:00、12:00、15:00、18:00),每组设3个平行,共计15个养殖桶,每桶随机放50尾试验鱼。试验观察不同投喂频率下黄斑篮子鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料利用、形体指标、肌肉成分及肠道消化酶活性的变化情况。试验周期为60 d。结果显示:1)各组试验鱼终末体重、增重率、摄食率、特定生长率和蛋白质效率均随投喂频率增加呈上升趋势,F3、F4、F5组终末体重、增重率和特定生长率显著高于F1、F2组(P<0.05),饲料系数显著低于F1、F2组(P<0.05),3组间差异不显著(P>0.05);其中F3组饲料系数最低,蛋白质效率最高。2)F3、F4、F5组肝体指数显著低于F2组(P<0.05),脏体指数显著低于F1、F2组(P<0.05),各组间肥满度差异不显著(P>0.05)。3)随着投喂频率的增加,试验鱼肌肉中粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗灰分含量逐渐上升,水分含量逐渐下降,F3、F4、F5组肌肉中粗脂肪、粗灰分含量显著高于F1组(P<0.05),水分含量显著低于F1、F2组(P<0.05),3组间上述指标差异不显著(P>0.05)。4)各组肠道中胃蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性随投喂频率增加呈下降趋势,胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性先降后升,F1、F2组各消化酶活性显著高于F3、F4、F5组(P<0.05),F3、F4、F5组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合上述指标并考虑养殖成本,建议黄斑篮子鱼幼鱼适宜投喂频率为3次/d。     

饲料中添加抗菌肽对锦鲤生长、非特异性免疫力和抗病力的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中添加抗菌肽对锦鲤生长、非特异性免疫力和抗病力的影响。在基础饲粮中分别添加0(对照)、75、150和225 mg/kg的天蚕素抗菌肽,配制成4种等氮(粗蛋白质32%)等能(总能14.8 MJ/kg)的试验饲料,并分别饲喂平均体重为(10.30±0.01)g的锦鲤8周。每组设4个重复,每个重复35尾鱼。结果表明:150 mg/kg组锦鲤的末重和特定生长率(SGR)均显著高于对照组和225 mg/kg组(P<0.05),而与75 mg/kg组差异不显著(P>0.05)。锦鲤的饲料系数(FCR)、蛋白质效率(PER)和摄食量(FI)组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。225 mg/kg组锦鲤的血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性显著高于对照组和75 mg/kg组(P<0.05),与150 mg/kg组差异不显著(P>0.05)。各组锦鲤的血清溶菌酶(LZM)活性无显著差异(P>0.05)。用维氏气单胞菌攻毒后,各抗菌肽添加组锦鲤的累积死亡率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。由此可见,饲料中添加抗菌肽可以增强锦鲤的非特异性免疫力和抗病力,进而促进其生长;锦鲤饲料中天蚕素抗菌肽的适宜添加量为150 mg/kg。     

蓖麻粕对黑水虻幼虫生长性能的影响

试验旨在探究蓖麻粕代替豆粕作为饲粮对黑水虻幼虫生长发育及其肠道微生物的影响。将黑水虻幼虫分为3组,分别是豆粕组（SM组）、50%豆粕和50%蓖麻粕组（SCM组）以及蓖麻粕组（CM组）,每组3个重复,测定幼虫存活数、体重和体长等,检测分析幼虫和虫沙粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量、幼虫肠道细菌群落等变化。试验期12 d。结果显示,CM组虫沙的粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量显著低于其他两组（P<0.05）。16S核糖体（RNA）基因测序显示,蓖麻粕对幼虫肠道细菌的主要类型、丰富度和多样性无明显影响（P>0.05）。CM组的黑水虻幼虫生长更快,粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量显著高于SM组（P<0.05）,而死亡率无显著差异（P>0.05）。研究表明,蓖麻粕代替豆粕作为饲粮更有利于黑水虻幼虫的生长。     

小球藻醇提物对瓦氏黄颡鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、消化酶活性及血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中添加不同水平的小球藻醇提物(EEFCV)对瓦氏黄颡鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分、消化酶活性及血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响。试验选用体质量约1.85 g的瓦氏黄颡鱼苗540尾,随机分为6个组,每组3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼。各组分别投喂添加0(T0组)、0.25%(T1组)、0.50%(T2组)、1.00%(T3组)、1.50%(T4组)和2.50%(T5组)EEFCV的6种等氮等脂试验饲料,饲养周期为56 d。结果表明:1)T4和T5组的末均重、增重率和特定生长率均显著高于T0组(P<0.05),T4和T5组的饲料系数均显著低于T0组(P<0.05)。各组的存活率、肥满度、脏体比和肝体比无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)各组的粗蛋白质和粗灰分含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。T5组的粗脂肪含量显著高于T0组(P<0.05),T5组的水分含量显著低于T0组(P<0.05)。3)各组的胃、肠和肝脏的蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均无显著差异(P>0.05)。4)各组的血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性及胆固醇、甘油三脂、尿素氮、葡萄糖和总蛋白含量均无显著差异(P>0.05)。T1、T3和T4组的血清谷草转氨酶活性显著高于T0组(P<0.05)。5)T4组的血清丙二醛含量显著低于T0组(P<0.05),T3、T4和T5组的血清超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于T0组(P<0.05)。各组的血清总抗氧化能力无显著差异(P>0.05)。由此可见,饲料中添加EEFCV对黄颡鱼幼鱼生长性能和抗氧化能力有促进作用,以增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数作为主要评估指标,饲料中添加1.50%的EEFCV应用效果较佳。     

饲料加工工艺及投喂率对鲤鱼生长性能及表观消化率的影响

采用配方相同的膨化饲料和硬颗粒饲料饲养鲤鱼[初均重(55.44±0.09)g],日投喂率分别为2%、3%、4%,每天投喂6次。实验结果表明,投喂膨化饲料的鲤鱼的特定生长率和摄食率较投喂硬颗粒饲料的显著增加(P<0.05),蛋白质效率和饲料系数均有所改善,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。投喂膨化饲料的鲤鱼全鱼鱼体的粗蛋白、粗灰分和水分含量较投喂颗粒饲料的显著降低(P<0.05),粗脂肪含量显著增加(P<0.05)。投喂膨化饲料组鲤鱼的蛋白质消化率、干物质消化率较投喂颗粒饲料显著增加(P<0.05),能量消化率极显著增加(P<0.01)。投喂率对鲤鱼的全鱼鱼体成分、营养成分生物利用率没有影响。4%投喂率鲤鱼的特定生长率较2%、3%都显著增加(P<0.05)。加工工艺和投喂率二者的交叉作用对特定生长率和摄食率有显著影响(P<0.05)。鲤鱼在每天投喂6次时的最佳投喂模式是日投喂4%的膨化饲料。     

Supplementation of broodmares with copper, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium

In experiment 1, 6 pregnant mares received a concentrate that contained a trace mineral premix that provided 14.3 mg Cu, 40 mg Zn, 28 mg Fe, 28 mg Mn, 0.08 mg Co, 0.16 mg I, and 0.16 mg Se/kg concentrate (group A). Seven mares received the same concentrate plus 502 mg Zn and 127 mg Cu once daily (group B). No differences (P > .05) in foal growth data, or Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum were observed. In experiment 2, 6 pregnant mares received the same concentrate as group A (group C), and 8 mares received the same concentrate fortified with 4× the trace mineral premix (group D). Group C mares had higher serum Zn concentration at 1 day (P < 0.01) and 56 days (P < 0.04). Group C mares had higher milk Fe concentration at 28 days (P < .01), and group D mares had higher milk Cu concentration at 56 days (P < .01). Group C foals had higher serum Cu concentration at 14 days (P < .03). The results from this study provide no evidence to indicate that supplementing late gestating and lactating mares with higher dietary trace mineral levels than those recommended currently by NRC has any influence on foal growth and development, or on the Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of the mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum.     

The effects of antibiotic,probiotic, organic acid,vitamin C,and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance,carcass characteristics,blood chemistry,microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + C-Vet-50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P < 0.05). There were no differences (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05). The additives used in this study may be incorporated in the drinking water of broiler chickens as growth promoters and for improved performance. A further, wider supplementation study is required to understand the performance, immune system, variation in the intestinal microbial counts, and any other possible alteration in the intestinal biota of the broilers.     

Correlation between corneal sensitivity and quantity of reflex tearing in cows,horses, goats,sheep, dogs,cats, rabbits,and guinea pigs

Objective Guinea pigs have a very low threshold of corneal sensitivity and at the same time nearly no reflex tearing compared to dogs, cats, and horses. The question arose whether there is a general correlation between corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing. Animals studied Totally 160 animals of 8 different species (20 animals per species) were investigated. Procedures The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured with a Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer. The palpebral fissure length (PFL) was measured with a calliper ruler. The Schirmer tear test (STT) was modified by adapting the width of the STT strip to the PFL of every species. For the STT II, 0.4% oxybuprocaine was applied. Results Corneal touch threshold: Cows (1.67 g/mm²), horses (1.23 g/mm²), sheep (1.13 g/mm²), goats (1.44 g/mm²), dogs (2.16 g/mm²), and cats (1.33 g/mm²) show similar CTT values. In contrast, rabbits (6.21 g/mm²) and guinea pigs (7.75 g/mm²) show a significantly lower CTT. Tear Production Difference STT I ? STT II: Rabbits have the greatest decline in tear production with 38.4%, followed by sheep (33.3%), dogs (31.1%), cats (24.7%), cows (23.7%), horses (18.0%), and goats (14.0%). Guinea pigs have no decline, but a slight increase of ?16.0%. Correlation CTT and STT II ? STT I Difference: Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a small, but significant correlation. The coefficient of determination can only forecast a value with 7.1% certainty. Conclusions The high variance and low reproducibility of results suggest that the measuring devices are inappropriate to assess the evaluated parameters. Therefore, no assured correlation between the corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing could be found.     

Net requirements of calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium for growth of Nellore × Red Angus bulls, steers, and heifers

A comparative slaughter trial was conducted to assess the net requirements for gain of Ca, P, Na, K and Mg of bulls, steers and heifers of Nellore and Red Angus crossbreds. Twenty seven F1 Nellore and Red Angus crossbred calves (9 steers, 9 bulls, and 9 heifers), averaging 274 kg BW, were used. At the beginning of the trial, three animals from each gender were slaughtered to determine the initial body composition. The remaining 18 animals (3 animals of each gender) were randomly assigned to two treatments: fed 0.75 or 1.5% of BW of concentrate. The diets were based on corn silage and were isonitrogenous (2% N, DM). After three growing periods of 28 d, all animals were slaughtered. The cleaned gastrointestinal tract, organs, carcass, head, hide, tail, feet, and tissues were weighed to determine the empty BW (EBW). These parts were ground separately and subsampled for chemical analyses. The log of the contents of each mineral in the empty body was regressed on the log of the EBW to estimate the net requirement for each mineral per kg of empty body gain (EBG). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the net requirements for growth of all macrominerals among genders. The equations of the pooled data of the net requirements for growth (g/kg EBG) were: 332.6 × EBW ^− 0.6367 for Ca, 112.1 × EBW ^− 0.5615 for P, 10.85 × EBW ^− 0.3992 for Na, 4.01 × EBW ^− 0.153 for K, and 3.589 × EBW ^− 0.462 for Mg. Our findings indicated that retained Ca and retained P were poorly related to the retained protein.     

Changes in plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone,ACTH, prolactin,GH, LH,FSH, and thyroid-stimulating hormone in response to injection of sulpiride,thyrotropin-releasing hormone,or vehicle in insulin-sensitive and -insensitive mares

Six insulin-sensitive and 6 insulin-insensitive mares were used in a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design to determine the pituitary hormonal responses (compared with vehicle) to sulpiride and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 2 compounds commonly used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Mares were classified as insulin sensitive or insensitive by their previous glucose responses to direct injection of human recombinant insulin. Treatment days were February 25, 2012, and March 10 and 24, 2012. Treatments were sulpiride (racemic mixture, 0.01 mg/kg BW), TRH (0.002 mg/kg BW), and vehicle (saline, 0.01 mL/kg BW) administered intravenously. Blood samples were collected via jugular catheters at −10, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min relative to treatment injection. Plasma ACTH concentrations were variable and were not affected by treatment or insulin sensitivity category. Plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to both sulpiride and TRH injection and were greater (P < 0.05) in insulin-insensitive mares than in sensitive mares. Plasma prolactin concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to both sulpiride and TRH injection, and the response was greater (P < 0.05) for sulpiride; no effect of insulin sensitivity was observed. Plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations responded (P < 0.01) to TRH injection only and were higher (P < 0.05) in insulin-sensitive mares in almost all time periods. Plasma LH and FSH concentrations varied with time (P < 0.05), particularly in the first week of the experiment, but were not affected by treatment or insulin sensitivity category. Plasma GH concentrations were affected (P < 0.05) only by day of treatment. The greater MSH responses to sulpiride and TRH in insulin-insensitive mares were similar to, but not as exaggerated as, those observed by others for PPID horses. In addition, the reduced TSH concentrations in insulin-insensitive mares are consistent with our previous observation of elevated plasma triiodothyronine concentrations in hyperleptinemic horses (later shown to be insulin insensitive as well).     

Supplementation of cottonseed,linseed, and noug seed cakes on feed intake,digestibility, body weight,and carcass parameters of Sidama goats

A digestibility, feed intake, and carcass evaluation experiment using 20 yearling intact male Sidama goats weighing 16.4 ± 0.63 kg (mean ± SD) was conducted in Ethiopia with the objectives to determine feed intake, digestibility, body weight (BW) gain, and carcass parameters. The treatments included feeding natural pasture hay (T1, control) and supplementation with cottonseed cake (284 g—T2), linseed cake (250 g—T3), and noug seed cake (296 g—T4) on dry matter (DM) basis to supply 85 g crude protein (CP) per head per day. Randomized complete block design for feed intake and BW parameters and complete randomized design for digestibility and carcass parameters were used. Hay DM intake was higher (P < 0.01) for T1 than for the other treatments. T3 promoted higher (P < 0.01) DM (29.3 g/kg W^0.75/day) and CP (14.1 g/kg W^0.75/day) intake than T4 (8.9 g/kg W^0.75/day DM and 4.1 g/kg W^0.75/day CP). T3 showed better (P < 0.05) organic matter and CP digestibility than T2. Goats in T3 had higher nitrogen intake (P < 0.01) and retention (P < 0.05) than those in T1. Goats in T2 and T3 showed higher (P < 0.05) daily BW gain and final BW than those in T4 and T1. Goats in T2 and T3 had higher (P < 0.05) slaughter weight, empty BW, hot carcass weight, rib-eye muscle area, and dressing percentage on slaughter weight basis than those in T1. The results showed that T2 and T3 had similar effect on CP intake, daily BW gain, and carcass parameters for growing Sidama goats fed natural pasture hay.     

Effect of banding or burdizzo castration on plasma testosterone, acute-phase proteins, scrotal circumference, growth, and health of bulls

The objective was to assess the effect of banding or burdizzo castration performed on farms on plasma testosterone, acute-phase proteins, scrotal circumferences, growth, and well-being of bulls. 243 Continental bulls (12 months; 399.2 ± 5.72 kg) from three different farms were allocated at random, after stratification on weight within breed type, to one of three treatment groups: banding castration (BAND; n = 80), burdizzo castration (BURD; n = 83), or controls (CON; n = 80). The castration methods were conducted under local anaesthesia, and tetanus toxoid vaccine and antibiotic were also injected at castration. BAND and BURD castrates had lower (P < 0.001) plasma testosterone concentration than control bulls, with no difference between BAND and BURD castrates on 28 d post-castration. From days 0 to 14 post-castration, BAND (P = 0.0002) and BURD (P < 0.0001) castrates had lower average daily gain (ADG) than CON bulls, no difference (P = 0.46) was found between BAND and BURD castrates. From days 15 to 28, BAND castrates had lower ADG compared with BURD castrates (P = 0.03) and CON bulls (P = 0.01), while no difference (P = 0.76) was found between BURD and CON. From days 29 to 56, BAND (P = 0.01) and BURD (P = 0.002) castrates had lower ADG than CON bulls, no difference (P = 0.55) was found between BAND and BURD. From days 57 to 84, the ADG of BAND castrates was not different compared with BURD castrates (P = 0.12) and CON bulls (P = 0.38), while BURD had lower (P = 0.02) ADG compared with CON. The integrated ADG from day 0 to 112 of BAND (P = 0.0001) and BURD (P = 0.02) groups were lower compared with CON, while there was no difference (P = 0.09) between BAND and BURD castrates. On d 14 post-castration, BAND castrates had lower scrotal temperature than BURD (P < 0.0001) and CON (P < 0.0001), and BURD castrates had greater (P < 0.006) scrotal temperature than CON; BAND castrates had lower scrotal latitudinal and longitudinal circumferences than BURD castrates (P < 0.001) and CON bulls (P < 0.001), and BURD castrates had greater (P < 0.001) scrotal latitudinal and longitudinal circumferences than CON bulls. BAND (P < 0.0001) and BURD (P = 0.01) castrates had greater glucose concentration than CON bulls, and BAND castrates had greater (P = 0.04) glucose concentration than BURD. In conclusion, BAND or BURD castration significantly reduced plasma testosterone concentration; reduced average daily weight gain mainly during the first 2 weeks, which was not compensated during the subsequent 16 weeks; increased withdrawal of stored energy and increased plasma protein concentration. BURD showed an advantage over BAND in growth during days 15 to 28 following castration.     

Effect of weaning method on body weight,testicular growth,sexual behavior,age of puberty,and testosterone concentration of Beetal bucks

The current study evaluates the effects of early (8th week) and late (16th week of age) weaning of male goat kids on their body growth, testicular growth, sexual behavior, plasma testosterone concentration, and pubertal age. Early (n = 6) and late (n = 7) weaned Beetal bucks were weekly monitored from 18th to 38th week for their body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular volume, testicular echogenicity (via ultrasonography), sexual activities, and plasma testosterone concentration. In comparison to early-weaned, late-weaned bucks showed a marked increase (p < .05) in body weight (11.4 ± 0.8 vs. 13.7 ± 0.6kg), testicular volume (44.1 ± 7.2 vs. 79.8 ± 18.7cm³), scrotal circumference (10.7 ± 0.6 vs. 12.8 ± 0.7cm), and testicular echogenicity (28.3 ± 2.7 vs. 38.3 ± 2.1) from 18th, 28th, 21st, and 24th week onward, respectively. Sexual activities started earlier in late- than early-weaned bucks (22nd vs. 25th week, respectively). Moreover, the sexual behavior index was better (p < .05) after the 34th week in late than early-weaned bucks. The plasma concentration of testosterone (at 39 weeks of age) was relatively more and the onset of puberty was 2–3 weeks earlier (p < .05) in late than early-weaned bucks. In conclusion, age-based early weaning of male kids impairs their testicular growth, sexual behavior, and age at puberty compared to conventional weaning.     

Institute of Animal Experimentation,Sapporo Medical University,Minami 1 Nishi 17, Sapporo 060, Japan

Asaccharolytic pigmented Porphyromonas species, including P. endodontalis, P. gingivalis, P. circumdentaria and unclassified species, were isolated from the plaque of adult dogs, but not from any oral sites of puppies and adolescent dogs. With age-dependency, the proportion of Porphyromonas species in the flora of plaque increased. Isolation of the genus Porphyromonas was clearly associated with the progress of periodontol disease. We suggested that Porphyromonas is the exogenous organism and obligate pathogen for canine periodontal diseases.     

Department of Animal Production and Rangeland Management,Awassa College of Agriculture,P.O. Box 5, Awassa,Sidamo, Ethiopia

Samples were collected from clinically infected carthorses in Awassa. Fungus species affecting the carthorses were identified. Eight genera of fungal groups were isolated from swabs and skin scrapes taken from symptomatic horses. These included Aspergillus spp., Histoplasma spp., Penicillinum spp., Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., yeast cells of Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Geotrichum spp. The most frequent isolates were from the genera Aspergillus (48 %), Penicillium (39.2 %) and Trichophyton (31.6 %). Clinical findings are reported, the economic, zoonotic and pathogenetic importance of fungi causing dermatomycoses is discussed, and further studies are recommended.