The effect of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and phytase inclusion on pig performance,bone parameters and pork quality in finisher pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing both phytase and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25‐OH ‐D?) on pig performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, bone parameters and pork quality in finisher pigs. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial comprising of four dietary treatments. One hundred and twenty pigs (60 male, 60 female) were blocked according to live weight and sex and allocated to the following dietary treatments: low P (4.81 g/kg) diet (basal) (T1); low P diet + phytase (T2); low P diet + 25‐OH ‐D? (T3) and low P diet + phytase + 25‐OH ‐D? (T4). Pigs supplemented with phytase had a lower average daily feed intake (ADFI ) (2.45 kg vs. 2.59 kg; p  < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR ) (2.74 kg/kg vs. 2.85 kg/kg; p  <  0.05) compared to pigs offered the nonphytase diets. Pigs offered phytase diets had a higher (p  <  0.05) coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD ) of ash, phosphorous (P) and calcium (Ca) compared with pigs offered the nonphytase supplemented diets. Pigs offered the 25‐OH ‐D₃ diets had a higher CATTD of N and ash. Pigs offered the phytase diets had increased (p  <  0.05) bone DM , ash, Ca, P and density compared to the nonphytase diets. There was a significant interaction (p  <  0.05) between phytase and 25‐OH ‐D₃ on cook loss. Pigs offered 25‐OH ‐D₃ had increased cook loss over the basal diet; however, there was no effect on cook loss when phytase and 25‐OH ‐D₃ were offered in combination compared to the phytase only diet. Pigs offered 25‐OH ‐D₃ exhibited higher (p  <  0.05) Warner Bratzler shear force values and lower (p  <  0.05) pork lightness (L *) surface colorimeter values. In conclusion, there was no benefit to offering a combination of phytase and 25‐OH ‐D₃ on pig performance, bone parameters or pork quality.     

Effect on Rendement Napole genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed different levels of fat

We investigated effects of Rendement Napole (RN ) genotype on metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed diets with different levels of dietary fat. Thirty‐two pigs, belonging to either the wild‐type (WT , rn⁺/rn⁺) or carrier (CAR , RN ^?/rn⁺) genotypes (n  = 16/genotype), were divided into two dietary groups, (high fat [HF ] or low fat [LF ]) diets, for 12 weeks (n  = 8 pigs/genotype/diet) after which pigs were killed for gene expression analysis by RT ‐PCR . Feeding HF diet caused increased daily gain (ADG , p  <  .05) and final body weight (BW ) (p  <  .05) in comparison with the LF diet (p  <  .05). Feed efficiency (gain:feed) was higher (p  <  .05) in pigs on the HF and was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR pigs compared to WT . There was genotype × diet interaction (p  =  .05) on final BW such that CAR animals on LF diet had the same final BW as animals of both genotypes on HF diet. Carrier pigs on LF diet had higher (p  <  .05) average daily gain and gain:feed than WT pigs. There was a trend (p  <  .08) for a higher feed consumption in pigs on the LF diet. Backfat thickness was higher (p  <  .01) in pigs on the HF diet. Serum triglyceride was higher (0.62 vs. 0.33 mg/dl, p  <  .01) in pigs on HF diet. Serum insulin was higher (p  <  .05) in CAR versus WT pigs (0.40 vs. 0.015 μg/ml). Pigs on the HF diet had a higher (p  <  .05) serum insulin compared to those on the LF diet (0.032 vs. 0.023 μg/ml). Carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1‐alpha was higher (p  <  .05) in the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles of pigs on HF diet. Acyl‐CoA oxidase I was elevated (p  <  .05) in the liver of pigs on HF diet. Fatty acid synthase was lower in the longissimus dorsi muscle, liver and mesenteric fat (p  <  .05) of carrier pigs. The RN gene regulates specific metabolic markers in the Ossabaw pigs.     

Immunohistochemical study of Ki‐67 protein,androgen receptor,and estrogen receptor beta in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated with different times of GnRH vaccination

This study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac?, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H‐score of AR (r = ?0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki‐67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki‐67 index and mean H‐scores of AR and ERβ of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki‐67 index and mean AR H‐scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki‐67, AR, and ERβ in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki‐67 protein, AR, and ERβ immunoexpressions.     

Effect of added dietary threonine on growth performance,health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to Escherichia coli infection and challenged with E. coli K88ac

Threonine (Thr) is important for mucin and immunoglobulin production. We studied the effect of added dietary Thr on growth performance, health, immunity and gastrointestinal function of weaning pigs with differing genetic susceptibility to E. coli K88ac (ETEC) infection and challenged with ETEC. Forty‐eight 24‐day‐old weaned pigs were divided into two groups by their ETEC susceptibility using mucin 4 (MUC4) gene as a marker (2 MUC4^?/?, not‐susceptible, and 2 MUC4^+/+, susceptible, pigs per litter). Within genotype, pigs were fed two different diets: 8.5 (LThr) or 9.0 (HThr) g Thr/kg. Pigs were orally challenged on day 7 after weaning and slaughtered on day 12 or 13 after weaning. Before ETEC challenge, HThr pigs ate more (p < 0.05). The diet did not affect post‐challenge growth, but HThr tended to increase post‐challenge feed efficiency (p = 0.087) and overall growth (p = 0.087) and feed efficiency (p = 0.055). Before challenge, HThr pigs excreted less E. coli (p < 0.05), while after challenge, diet did not affect the number of days with diarrhoea and ETEC excretion. MUC4^+/+ pigs responded to the challenge with more diarrhoea, ETEC excretion and anti‐K88 IgA in blood and jejunal secretion (p < 0.001). HThr pigs had a higher increase of anti‐K88 IgA values in jejunal secretion (p = 0.089) and in blood (p = 0.089, in MUC4^+/+ pigs only). Thr did not affect total IgA and IgM values, morphometry of jejunum, goblet cells count in colon, total mucin from jejunum and colon, but varied jejunal goblet cells counts (p < 0.05). In the first two post‐weaning weeks, 8.5 g Thr/kg diet may be not sufficient to optimize initial feed intake, overall feed efficiency and intestinal IgA secretion and to control the gut microbiota in the first post‐weaning week, irrespective of the pig genetic susceptibility to ETEC infection.     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous gentamicin in healthy young‐adult compared to aged alpacas

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of age on aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in eight young‐adult (<4 years) and eight aged (≥14 years) healthy alpacas, receiving a single 6.6 mg/kg intravenous gentamicin injection. Heparinized plasma samples were obtained at designated time points following drug administration and frozen at ?80°C until assayed by a validated immunoassay (QMS ^®). Compartmental and noncompartmental analyses of gentamicin plasma concentrations versus time were performed using WinNonlin (v6.4) software. Baseline physical and hematological parameters were not significantly different between young and old animals with the exception of sex. Data were best fitted to a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model. The peak drug concentration at 30 min after dosing (23.8 ± 2.1 vs. 26.1 ± 2 μg/ml, p = .043 ) and area under the curve (70.4 ± 10.5 vs. 90.4 ± 17.6 μg hr/ml, p = .015 ) were significantly lower in young‐adult compared to aged alpacas. Accordingly, young alpacas had a significantly greater systemic clearance than older animals (95.5 ± 14.4 and 75.6 ± 16.1 ml hr^?1 kg^?1; p = .018 ), respectively). In conclusion, a single 6.6 mg/kg intravenous gentamicin injection achieves target blood concentrations of >10 times the MIC of gentamicin‐susceptible pathogens with MIC levels ≤2 μg/ml, in both young‐adult and geriatric alpacas. However, the observed reduction in gentamicin clearance in aged alpacas may increase their risk for gentamicin‐related adverse drug reactions.     

Interaction between amino acids on the performances of individually housed piglets

Dietary branched‐chain amino acid and tryptophan concentrations have been associated with effects on daily feed intake; this study is an extension of that research. We evaluated eight dietary treatments in a Latin square cross‐over design with 32 female piglets during 8 weeks (9.9 ± 0.6 kg to 44.9 ± 2.9 kg, mean ± SD). Treatments differed in dietary standardized ileal digestible leucine (10.8 and 21.3 g/kg), valine (7.0 and 7.8 g/kg), isoleucine (6.0 or 7.3 g/kg) and tryptophan (2.0 and 2.5 g/kg) content. A longitudinal model was fitted with the level of valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan and the interactions leucine × tryptophan, valine × leucine, isoleucine × tryptophan as fixed effects. Increasing the dietary leucine content decreased feed intake (?169 g/day) and daily gain (?168 g/day) of the pigs and impaired the feed conversion ratio (+0.49 g/g) (p < 0.01 for all parameters). Adding valine to the high leucine diet counteracted the feed intake reduction partially, while effects on daily gain and feed conversion ratio were largely counteracted by adding extra valine. The positive effect on feed conversion ratio diminished over time (p = 0.001 for age × valine). Adding extra tryptophan to the high leucine diet tended to negatively affect daily gain (p = 0.081) and feed conversion ratio (p = 0.074). Adding extra dietary isoleucine together with extra valine did not further counteract the negative effects of excess dietary leucine. The present results confirmed that, with excess leucine, extra valine benefits performance. Further adding extra tryptophan or isoleucine did not improve performances.     

Study of Sperm Concentration,Seminal Plasma Composition and their Physiological Correlation in the Persian Sturgeon,Acipenser persicus

The objectives of the present study were to determine ionic and organic composition of seminal plasma, sperm concentration and their relationships in the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus). In this regard, ionic content (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and organic content (total protein, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride) along with sperm concentration were measured in 17 specimens of the Persian sturgeon. The seminal plasma contained 59.53 ± 2.56 mm /l sodium, 9.1 ± 1.42 mm chloride, 4.72 ± 0.3 mm potassium, 1.45 ± 0.075 mm calcium and 0.7 ± 0.072 mm magnesium. The following organic contents were found: total protein 0.11 ± 0.02 g/dl, glucose 22.18 ± 4.16 mg/dl, cholesterol 6.67 ± 1.04 mg/dl and triglyceride 15.2 ± 0.65 mg/dl. The mean sperm concentration was estimated to be 1.6 ± 0.12 (×10⁹ sperm/ml). A significant relationship was found between sperm concentration and K⁺ of seminal plasma (r = 0.533, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between ionic contents: Na⁺ vs Cl^? (r = ?0.854, p < 0.01) and Mg²⁺ vs K⁺ (?0.583, p < 0.05). Also, level of triglyceride was negatively correlated with Mg²⁺ (r = ?0.503, p < 0.05). Presented data could be considered as a complementary study for developing special extenders and protectant solutions for improving artificial fertilization in this valuable species.     

Effect of dietary copper and vitamin E supplementation, and extensive feeding with acorn and grass on longissimus muscle composition and susceptibility to oxidation in Iberian pigs

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary copper and/or vitamin E supplementation on composition and oxidation of M. longissimus in Iberian pigs and to compare it with meat samples from pigs produced extensively and fed with acorn and grass. Grass had the highest α-tocopherol content (> 150 mg/kg DM), while acorns had the highest copper concentration (78.1 mg/kg DM). Dietary treatment did not affect copper composition in muscle and no interactions were detected between copper and α-tocopherol. The α-tocopherol content in muscle from pigs fed diets supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg feed) was 1.5 times greater (p < 0.0001) than those from pigs receiving a basel diet. M. longisssimus dorsi from pigs fed extensively had a higher concentration of α-tocopherol than those fed in confinement with the basel level of α-tocopheryl acetate, but lower values than pigs fed supplemented levels. Total n -3 fatty acids (p < 0.02) and hematin (p < 0.0001) concentrations were significantly higher in muscle from pigs fed extensively than when fed in confinement. Muscle homogenates from Iberian pigs fed in extensive conditions showed significantly (p < 0.02) higher susceptibility to oxidation than those from pigs fed mixed diets. Dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation (100 mg/kg feed) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation of muscle, while dietary copper concentration did not modify susceptibility to lipid oxidation.     

Effects of space allocations and energy levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of different space allocations and different dietary metabolizable energy (ME) levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 84 growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight (BW) of 27.10 ± 1.60 kg were used in a 5‐week trial. Pigs were blocked based on initial BW into a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: (i) 0.60 or 0.80 m²/pig space allocations; and (ii) 3,400 or 3,550 kcal/kg ME of diets. In experiment 2, a total of 84 finishing pigs with an initial BW of 67.43 ± 1.97 kg were used in a 10‐week trial. Pigs were allotted based on initial BW into a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: (i) 0.81 or 1.08 m²/pig space allocations; and (ii) 3,300 or 3,450 kcal/kg ME of diet. In experiment 1, high ME diet improved gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F) in pigs with low space allocation but not in pigs in high space allocation (p < .05). Additionally, high ME diet increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen in low space allocation but decreased ATTD of nitrogen in high space allocation (p < .05). In experiment 2, high ME diet improved average daily gain (ADG) and G:F in early‐finishing pigs with low space allocation but not in pigs with high space allocation (p < .05). In conclusion, the provision of high ME diets was not enough to overcome the reduction in growth performance due to low space allocation but can improve feed efficiency in growing pigs and daily gain and feed efficiency early‐finishing pigs.     

Elevating glucose and insulin secretion by carbohydrate formulation diets in late lactation to improve post‐weaning fertility in primiparous sows

Primiparous (P1) sows commonly lose excessive body reserves to meet energy requirements for maintenance and milk production during lactation, and consequently, post‐weaning reproductive performance may be compromised. The present studies determined whether ad libitum feeding a glucogenic carbohydrate diet (CHO) during late lactation could stimulate insulin and glucose secretion (experiment 1) and improve subsequent litter size (experiment 2). For experiment 1, 15 P1 sows, and for experiment 2, 99 P1 sows (198.5 ± 2.7 kg) were allocated randomly according to suckled litter size (≥10 piglets), either to a CHO diet (14.3 MJ DE/kg, 19.8% crude protein) or a standard lactation diet (control; 14.2 DE MJ/kg, 19.5% crude protein) at 8 days before weaning. The CHO diet aimed to provide glucogenic content (extruded wheat, dextrose and sugar) as energy sources instead of fat sources without changing total dietary energy. Pre‐prandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were not influenced by treatments. However, post‐prandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and their peaks were both higher (p < .05) compared to the control treatment. Body weight loss during lactation was relatively low at 3%–4% for both treatments and did not differ between control and CHO treatments (?7.6 ± 1.6 vs ?5.4 ± 1.2 kg; p > .05). Second litter size was not influenced by diet (p > .05), but the weaning‐to‐mating interval was shorter in CHO sows (p < .05). This study demonstrates that providing an enriched CHO diet in late lactation did influence post‐weaning follicle growth but did not improve subsequent litter size. This may be due to the primiparous sows in this study not experiencing severe negative energy balance and there was no second litter syndrome in this farm which limited the ability of diet to improve sow fertility.     

Influence of l‐carnitine and l‐arginine on protein synthesis and maturation of the semitendinosus muscle of lightweight piglets

Lightweight (LW ) piglets from large litters display impaired growth performance compared with heavier littermates. This study investigated the growth performance and muscle development of early‐weaned LW piglets (birthweight <1.2 kg) from large litters (17.3 ± 3.0 total born per litter), fed ad libitum a milk replacer supplemented with either l ‐carnitine (CAR ) or l ‐arginine (ARG ) from day 7 to day 28 of age. In total, 36 female and entire male Swiss Large White piglets, weaned on day 7 of age, were artificially reared in pairs in rescue decks. They were allocated to one of three dietary treatments: unsupplemented control (CON ), 0.48 g l ‐carnitine·piglet^?1·day^?1 (CAR ) or 1.20 g l ‐arginine·kg body weight^?1·day^?1 (ARG ). Milk replacer was prepared daily in a 1:4 powder‐to‐water ratio and fed ad libitum. Piglets were weighed at birth and on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Feed intake was assessed daily. Piglets were euthanized on day 28. The entire semitendinosus muscle (STM ) was collected, and organs were weighed. Subsequently, the STM was divided into the light (STM _l) and dark (STM _d) portion, and contractile and metabolic traits were analysed by ATP histochemistry, enzyme activities and gene expression. No differences in growth performance, organ and STM weight and on contractile traits were found between groups. A tendency (p  <  .10) for an elevated lipid oxidation enzyme activity in the STM _l and STM _d and greater (p  <  .05) phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in the STM _l of CAR compared with CON piglets was found. Despite these metabolic responses, the lack of effect of CAR and ARG supplementation on growth performance suggests that providing the milk replacer ad libitum in combination with added CAR and ARG is insufficient for eliciting faster growth of LW piglets.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of diaveridine in pigs and chickens following single intravenous and oral administration

Comparative pharmacokinetic profiles of diaveridine following single intravenous and oral dose of 10 mg/kg body weight in healthy pigs and chickens were investigated, respectively. Concentrations of diaveridine in plasma samples were determined using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet (HPLC‐UV) method. The concentration–time data were subjected to noncompartmental kinetic analysis by WinNonlin program. The corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters in pigs or chickens after single intravenous administration were as follows, respectively: t_1/2β (elimination half‐life) 0.74 ± 0.28 and 3.44 ± 1.07 h; V_d (apparent volume of distribution) 2.70 ± 0.99 and 3.86 ± 0.92 L/kg; Cl_B (body clearance) 2.59 ± 0.62 and 0.80 ± 0.14 L/h/kg; and AUC_0‐∞ (area under the blood concentration vs. time curve) 4.11 ± 1.13 and 12.87 ± 2.60 μg?h/mL. The corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters in pigs or chickens after oral administration were as follows, respectively: t_1/2β 1.78 ± 0.41 and 2.91 ± 0.57 h; C_max (maximum concentration) 0.43 ± 0.24 and 1.45 ± 0.57 μg/mL; T_max (time to reach C_max) 1.04 ± 0.67 and 3.25 ± 0.71 h; and AUC_0‐∞1.33 ± 0.55 and 9.28 ± 2.69 μg?h/mL. The oral bioavailability (F) of diaveridine in pigs or chickens was determined to be 34.6% and 72.2%, respectively. There were significant differences between the pharmacokinetics profiles in these two species.     

Pharmacokinetics and antinociceptive effects of the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor t‐TUCB in horses with experimentally induced radiocarpal synovitis

This study determined the pharmacokinetics, antinociceptive, and anti‐inflammatory effects of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH ) inhibitor t ‐TUCB (trans ‐4‐{4‐[3‐(4‐Trifluoromethoxy‐phenyl)‐ureido]‐cyclohexyloxy}‐benzoic acid) in horses with lipopolysaccharide (LPS )‐induced radiocarpal synovitis. A total of seven adult healthy mares (n  = 4–6/treatment) were administered 3 μg LPS into one radiocarpal joint and t ‐TUCB intravenously (i.v.) at 0 (control), 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg in a blinded, randomized, crossover design with at least 3 weeks washout between. Two investigators independently assigned pain scores (at rest, walk and trot) and lameness scores before and up to 48 hr after t ‐TUCB /LPS . Responses to touching the joint skin to assess tactile allodynia, plasma, and synovial fluid (SF ) t ‐TUCB concentrations were determined before and up to 48 hr after t ‐TUCB /LPS . Blood and SF were collected for clinical laboratory evaluations before and up to 48 hr after t ‐TUCB /LPS . Areas under the curves of pain and lameness scores were calculated and compared between control and treatments. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Dunnett or Bonferroni post‐test. p  < .05 was considered significant. Data are mean ± SEM . Compared to control, pain, lameness, and tactile allodynia were significantly lower with 1 mg/kg t ‐TUCB , but not the other doses. For 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg t ‐TUCB treatments, plasma terminal half‐lives were 13 ± 3, 13 ± 0.5, and 24 ± 5 hr, and clearances were 68 ± 15, 48 ± 5, and 14 ± 1 ml hr^?1 kg^?1. The 1 mg/kg t ‐TUCB reached the SF at high concentrations. There were no important anti‐inflammatory effects. In conclusion, sEH inhibition with t ‐TUCB may provide analgesia in horses with inflammatory joint pain.     

Superchilled storage (−2.5 ± 1°C) extends the retention of taste‐active and volatile compounds of yellow‐feather chicken soup

This work investigated the effects of refrigerated storage (RS: 4 ± 1°C) and superchilled storage (SS: ?2.5 ± 1°C) on non‐volatile and volatile compounds in chicken soup made from Chinese yellow‐feather broilers. The results from total viable count (TVC) and coliform analysis showed that soups were safe for human consumption after a storage period of 42 days. SS resulted in a significantly (p < .05) higher content of free amino acids (umami and sweet taste) and 5′‐nucleotides (inosine 5′‐monophosphate and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate) from 21 to 42 days compared to RS. Hexanal, (E)‐2‐decenal, (E,E)‐2,4‐decadienal and 2‐pentyl furan were described as the primary odorants. SS showed significantly lower values (p < .05) for ketones and hydrocarbons, higher values for aldehydes and alcohols from 14 to 42 days, when compared to RS. The results suggest that SS improved the flavor retention of chicken soup after 21 days of storage and is a potential alternative treatment compared to RS.     

Effect of treating alfalfa silage with pistachio by‐products extract on Saanen dairy goats performance and microbial nitrogen synthesis

A lactation experiment was conducted to determine the influence of addition of pistachio by‐products extract (PBE) to alfalfa silage (AS) on performance, rumen fermentation, milk yield and composition, and microbial nitrogen synthesis. Eight multiparous dairy goats (1.8 ± 0.25 kg of milk yield) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to compare two types of AS (supplemented with or without PBE) with two levels of dietary crude protein (14% vs. 16% CP). Dietary treatments were (i) AS with 14% CP of DM diet without PBE (14%CP?PBE), (ii) AS with 14% CP of DM diet with PBE (14%CP + PBE), (iii) AS with 16% CP of DM diet without PBE (16%CP?PBE) and (iv) AS with 16% CP of DM diet with PBE (16%CP + PBE). PBE was sprayed on fresh alfalfa at a ratio of 500 ml/kg alfalfa DM to get the final concentration of 1% tannin as tannic acid equivalent on DM basis. Intake of CP was greater (p < 0.01) in goats fed 16% CP diets than those fed 14% CP diets, regardless of PBE supplementation. Supplementation of PBE tended to decrease (p = 0.09) rumen NH₃‐N concentration regardless of the level of CP in the diet. Supplementation of PBE tended (p = 0.09) to decrease total purine derivatives regardless of the level of CP in the diet with no significant change in microbial nitrogen supply. Efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) had a tendency (p = 0.07) to decrease in PBE supplemented diets. There was also a tendency (p = 0.10) for more EMNS in 14% CP fed goats than those fed 16% CP diets. Therefore, AS supplemented with PBE may lead to less concentration of ruminal NH₃‐N because of decreased degradation of CP by rumen micro‐organisms in response to pistachio by‐products tannins.     

Effect of Progesterone Prior to GnRH-PGF2α Treatment on Induction of Oestrus and Pregnancy in Anoestrous Awassi Ewes

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of progesterone prior to a GnRH‐PGF_2α treatment on oestrus and pregnancy in seasonally anoestrous Awassi ewes. Twenty‐four ewes were randomly assigned to three groups to be pre‐treated with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate sponges (group A), 600 mg progesterone sponges (group B) or blank sponges (group C) for 4 days. All ewes were injected with 100 μg of GnRH 24 h after sponge removal followed, 5 days later, by 20 mg PGF_2α injection. Ewes were exposed to three fertile rams at the time of PGF_2α injection (day 0, 0 h) and were checked for breeding marks at 6‐h intervals for 5 days. Blood samples were collected from all ewes 1 day (day ?10) prior to sponge insertion, at the time of sponge removal (day ?6), 1 day following sponge removal (day ?5, at the time of GnRH injection) and at the time of PGF_2α injection (day 0) for analysis of progesterone. Progesterone concentrations on days ?10 and ?5 were basal and averaged 0.2 ± 0.04 and 0.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml, respectively. Progesterone concentrations on day ?6 were elevated only in group B ewes and were higher (p < 0.0001) than those of groups A and C. Progesterone concentrations on day 0 were higher (p = 0.002) in groups A and B than group C. Oestrous responses occurred only in ewes of groups A and B (p > 0.05). Induced oestrus conception rate was greater (p < 0.01) in group A than groups B and C. Ewes returned to oestrus 17–20 days following day 0 were two of eight, six of eight and three of eight of groups A, B and C, respectively, all of which eventually lambed. The overall lambing rate was 82% in progesterone‐primed ewes compared with only 38% non‐progesterone‐primed ewes (p < 0.05). Progesterone priming apparently sensitizes GnRH‐PGF_2α‐treated seasonally anoestrous ewes and increases their response in oestrus and pregnancy rates.     

Effects of dietary leucine supplementation in low crude protein diets on performance,nitrogen balance,whole‐body protein turnover,carcass characteristics and meat quality of finishing pigs

Eighteen Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows, with an average initial body weight (BW) of 75.4 ± 2.0 kg, were randomly allotted to one of three diets with six replicates per treatment for 25 days. The diets comprised a normal protein diet (NP, 14.5% crude protein), a low crude protein diet supplemented with 0.27% alanine (LP + Ala, 10.0% crude protein), or a low crude protein diet supplemented with 0.40% leucine (LP + Leu, 10.0% crude protein). The whole‐body protein synthesis rate, whole‐body protein breakdown rate and protein deposition rate in pigs fed the LP + Leu diet were similar to the NP diet (P > 0.05), and both were significantly higher than pigs fed the LP + Ala diet (P < 0.05). The Longissimus muscle area (LMA) of pigs fed the LP + Leu diet was larger than those fed the LP + Ala diet (P = 0.05). In addition, drip loss and intramuscular fat of pigs fed the LP + Ala diet were higher than that of the others (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of leucine in low protein diet could stimulate protein deposition and improve the meat quality of finishing pigs more than an alanine‐supplemented one.     

Effects of zinc-L-carnosine and vitamin E on aspirin-induced gastroduodenal injury in dogs

Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs frequently cause gastrointestinal (GI) injury. Zinc‐l ‐carnosine has antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, mucosal protective, and healing properties in rodent models and in some human studies of GI injury. Hypothesis: The combination of zinc‐l ‐carnosine and vitamin E attenuates aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury. Animals: Eighteen healthy random‐source Foxhound dogs. Methods: In this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study dogs were treated with placebo (n = 6; 0X group), 30 mg/30 IU (n = 6; 1X group), or 60 mg/60 IU (n = 6; 2X group) zinc‐l ‐carnosine/vitamin E orally every 12 hours for 35 days. Between Day 7 and 35, GI mucosal lesions were induced with aspirin (25 mg/kg PO q8h). Mucosal injury lesions (hemorrhage, erosion, and ulcer) were assessed by gastroduodenoscopy on Days 14, 21, and 35 with a 12‐point scoring scale. Results: At baseline (Day ?1) gastroscopy scores were not significantly different between groups (mean ± SD: 0X, 4.4 ± 0.8; group 1X, 4.4 ± 0.6; group 2X, 4.2 ± 0.3; P= .55). Gastroscopy scores increased significantly in all groups between Day ?1 and Days 14, 21, and 35 (P < .0001). On Day 35, gastroscopy scores were 29.2 ± 5.2 (0X), 27.3 ± 3.7 (1X), and 28.6 ± 3.3 (2X). Mean gastroscopy scores were not significantly different among treatment groups on any of the days (P= .61). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Administration of the combination of zinc‐l ‐carnosine and vitamin E at 1X or 2X dosing did not attenuate aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury.     

Assessment of Sperm Function Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Ejaculated Alpaca Sperm (Lama Pacos) by Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry has been shown to be an accurate and highly reproducible tool for the analysis of sperm function. The main objective of this study was to assess sperm function parameters in ejaculated alpaca sperm by flow cytometry. Semen samples were collected from six alpaca males and processed for flow cytometric analysis of sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity using SYBR‐14?PI staining; acrosomal membrane integrity using FITC‐conjugated Pisum Sativum Agglutinin?PI labelling; mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) by staining with JC‐1 and DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) by TUNEL. The results indicate that the mean value for sperm viability was 57 ± 8 %. Spermatozoa with intact acrosome membrane was 87.9 ± 5%, and viable sperm with intact acrosomal membrane was 46.8 ± 9%, high mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) was detected in 66.32 ± 9.51% of spermatozoa and mean DFI value was 0.91 ± 0.9%. The DFI was inversely correlated with high Δψm (p = 0.04; r = ?0.41) and with plasma membrane integrity (p = 0.01; r = ?0.47). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the assessment on the same sample of several parameters of sperm function in ejaculated alpaca sperm by flow cytometry.     

Growth performance,carcass quality characteristics and colonic microbiota profiles in finishing pigs fed diets with different inclusion levels of rice distillers’ by‐product

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing rice distillers’ by‐product (RDP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and gut microbiota of fattening pigs. Twenty‐four crossbred finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), 56.9 ± 3.1 kg initial body weight, were randomly allocated to three groups. For 56 days, pigs were fed one of three diets including RDP0 (control), RDP15 (15% RDP in DM), and RDP30 (30% RDP in DM). With RDP level in diet, average daily gain and backfat thickness linearly increased (p < 0.05), and drip loss tended to increase (p ≤ 0.08). In addition, 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon profiling showed that RDP was associated with modulation of colonic microbiota composition, especially at family and genus levels. Relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae families in colonic digesta increased with inclusion of RDP, while that of Enterobacteriaceae decreased. The proportion of genera unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae, and Butyrivibrio increased as inclusion of RDP. These results indicate that up to 30% inclusion in diet of finishing pigs, RDP can modulate colonic microbiota composition, and induces an improvement of animal growth and fat deposition.