Effect of dietary probiotic,prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation on performance,immune responses,intestinal morphology and bacterial populations in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic (Primalac), prebiotic (TechnoMos) and synbiotic (Primalac + TechnoMos) supplementation on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum in broilers. A total of 240 one‐day‐old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups which included 60 birds. Control group did not receive any treatment. The chicks in the second, third and fourth groups were fed probiotic (0.9 g/kg), prebiotic (0.9 g/kg) and probiotic (0.9 g/kg) plus probiotic (0.9 g/kg; synbiotic), respectively, at entire period. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. The birds were immunized by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) on days 12 and 29 of age and serum antibody titres were measured on days 28, 35 and 42. Newcastle vaccines administered on days 9, 18 and 27 to chicks and blood samples were collected on day 42. Intestinal morphometric assessment and enumeration of intestinal bacterial populations were performed on day 42. The results indicated that consumption of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic had no significant effect on daily feed intake, daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations of ileum (p > 0.05). Consumption of prebiotic increased total and IgM anti‐SRBC titres on days 28 and 42 and antibody titre against Newcastle virus disease on day 42 (p < 0.05). Synbiotic increased only total anti‐SRBC on day 28 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that consumption of prebiotic increased humoral immunity in broilers. Therefore, supplementation of diet with prebiotic for improvement of humoral immune responses is superior to synbiotic supplementation.     

Duration of excretion of virulent Newcastle disease virus following challenge of chickens with different titres of serum antibody to the virus

Virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from susceptible and immune chickens following intra-ocular challenge with the Essex '70 strain. Challenge virus was isolated from the trachea and cloaca of susceptible birds until they died 7 to 9 days after challenge. This virus was isolated from immunised chickens for up to 14 days after challenge. The duration of excretion was influenced by the prechallenge serum antibody titre to NDV. It persisted longest in chickens with titres of 2(3) to 2(7) and decreased in length and frequency from chickens with titres in the range 2(8) to 2(12). Chickens with pre-challenge titres of 2(3) to 2(5) developed 2- to 3- fold increases in post-challenge titres, whereas those with higher pre-challenge titres had smaller proportional increases in titre. Excretion of virulent virus from immunised birds should be considered in the development of Newcastle disease control programs.     

Experimental trials with a thermostable Newcastle disease virus (strain I2) in commercial and village chickens in Tanzania

Antibody responses in indigenous village and commercial chickens vaccinated with 12 thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine and protection levels against challenge with a virulent field isolate were determined. The antibody response of village chickens vaccinated by eye drop revealed that 30, 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination, the mean log2 HI titres were 6.1, 5.4 and 3.6, respectively, whereas for commercial chickens, the antibody response after 14, 30 and 90 days were 8.2, 5.1 and 4.2, respectively. Village chickens vaccinated orally via drinking water had mean log2 HI titres of 3.4 after 30 days. After booster vaccination, the mean HI titre was 5.4 and 3.3 after 30 and 60 days post-secondary vaccination (i.e. 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination). Antibody response of mean log2 HI titres of 2.6 was recorded 30 days after primary vaccination orally through food; 30 and 60 days after secondary vaccination (i.e. 60 and 90 days after primary vaccination), mean log2 HI titres were 5.3 and 3.2, respectively. All commercial and village chickens vaccinated by eye drop survived the challenge trial whereas village chickens vaccinated through drinking water and food had protection levels of 80% and 60% 30 days after primary vaccination, respectively. However, 30 days after booster vaccination, the protection level was 100%. At 60 days after secondary vaccination, the protection level dropped again to 80% for chickens vaccinated orally. All control chickens used in the challenge trials developed clinical ND and died 3-5 days after inoculation with the virulent virus. Supported by laboratory findings, I2 strain of NDV seemed to be avirulent, immunogenic and highly protective against virulent isolates of NDV. It may be a suitable vaccine to use in village chickens to vaccinate them against ND in rural areas.     

日粮钙或磷缺乏对22~42日龄肉仔鸡生长性能及胫骨组织结构的影响

试验在前期研究日粮钙（Ca）或磷（P）缺乏对1~21日龄肉仔鸡生长性能及胫骨组织结构影响的基础上,进一步研究其对22~42日龄肉仔鸡上述指标的影响。采用2（钙水平：0.90%和0.30%）×2（非植酸磷（NPP）水平：0.35%和0.18%）两因子完全随机试验设计,选取504只1日龄爱拔益加肉公雏随机分为4组,饲养至22日龄时给与不同日粮处理：正常对照组（0.90%钙+0.35%非植酸磷）、磷缺乏组（0.90%钙+0.18%非植酸磷）、钙缺乏组（0.30%钙+0.35%非植酸磷）及钙和磷同时缺乏组（0.30%钙+0.18%非植酸磷）,每个处理7个重复,测定22~42日龄肉仔鸡生长性能及28和42日龄胫骨组织结构。结果表明：与正常对照组相比,日粮钙或磷缺乏显著降低了肉仔鸡平均日采食量（ADFI）、平均日增重（ADG）和胫骨长度（P<0.05）,而显著增加了肉仔鸡料重比（F/G）和胫骨生长板增生区长度（P<0.05）;磷缺乏组肉仔鸡的22~28日龄平均日采食量和平均日增重与28日龄胫骨长度显著低于钙缺乏组及钙和磷同时缺乏组（P<0.05）;磷缺乏组肉仔鸡的22~28日龄死亡率显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）,该处理组肉仔鸡于28日龄时全部死亡;低钙水平显著增加了28日龄肉仔鸡胫骨生长板增生区长度（P<0.05）,而低磷水平显著降低了28日龄肉仔鸡胫骨生长板增生区长度（P<0.05）。综上所述,22~42日龄肉仔鸡生长性能及胫骨组织结构对日粮磷缺乏最为敏感,其次为钙缺乏或钙和磷同时缺乏;低钙水平可增加肉仔鸡胫骨生长板增生区长度而低磷水平则相反。     

复合有机酸钙对肉鸡生长性能、胫骨发育及血清指标的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对肉鸡生长性能、胫骨发育及血清指标的影响,评估复合有机酸钙对肉鸡的饲用效果。试验选取900只体重相近的1日龄健康科宝-500(Cobb-500)肉公鸡,随机分为3个组,每组6个重复,每个重复50只鸡。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,试验1和2组饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添加0.4%和0.8%复合有机酸钙(替换部分无机钙源)的试验饲粮,各组钙、磷水平保持一致,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,试验1和2组肉鸡在1~21日龄、22~42日龄和1~42日龄的平均日增重(ADG)显著提高(P0.05),料重比(F/G)显著降低(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,21日龄时,试验1和2组肉鸡的胫骨钙含量显著提高(P0.05);42日龄时,试验1和2组的胫骨长度和钙含量显著提高(P0.05),且试验1组的胫骨灰分含量显著高于对照组和试验2组(P0.05)。3)42日龄时,试验1和2组肉鸡的血清谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性显著低于对照组(P0.05),但试验1组的血清GOT活性与试验2组差异不显著(P0.05)。饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对21和42日龄肉鸡的血清甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、降钙素(CT)、钙、磷含量以及谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性均无显著影响(P0.05)。4)饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对21和42日龄肉鸡的血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙可改善肉鸡的生长性能,促进胫骨发育,且以添加0.4%的复合有机酸钙饲用效果较好。     

Persistence of the V4 strain of Newcastle disease virus in an open-range flock of chickens

The V4 strain of Newcastle disease virus was introduced into a small open range flock of bantam chickens, by dosing half the birds directly into the crop. As indicated by rises in titres of haemagglutination inhibition antibody, the virus spread to the uninoculated birds and persisted in the flock for two years, infecting chickens that were introduced by natural brooding and rearing. All new clutches of chicks seroconverted by 80 days of age, and the titres of adult birds showed a concurrent rise, suggesting that the chicks were amplifying the virus. The modes of spread and of persistence of the virus were not determined; although cloacal swabs were taken regularly, only one yielded virus. Antibody titres of the inoculated birds remained above the presumptive protective level of 3 (log2) for over a year, whereas the titres of birds infected by contact were generally less than 3.     

日粮铬水平对肉鸡生长性能、免疫机能及胴体脂肪含量的影响

选用３００只１日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡,研究了日粮中添加不同水平的吡啶羧酸铬对肉鸡的生长性能、免疫机能及胴体品质的影响。日粮添加的吡啶羧酸铬水平分别为０、２００、４００和６００μｇ／ｋｇ。试验期为８周。试验结果表明,０～８周日粮添加６００μｇ／ｋｇ的吡啶羧酸铬时肉鸡生长速度最快,显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）。添加吡啶羧酸铬２００～６００μｇ／ｋｇ,对３周龄肉鸡的脾脏、胸腺和法氏囊的发育没有显著影响,对肉鸡血清抗体滴度没有显著影响。吡啶羧酸铬可以降低肉鸡腹脂和肝脂率,对改善胴体品质有益。     

Oral vaccination of chickens against Newcastle disease with I-2 vaccine coated on oiled rice

Antibody response produced by Newcastle disease virus (NDV, strain I-2) when given orally through oiled rice to chickens was determined. Serum samples were collected before and at a weekly interval for 28 days after vaccination and tested for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody to NDV. The results showed 7 days after vaccination HI antibody titre log₂ was 3.8. Moreover, 14 and 28 days after vaccination HI antibody titre log₂ reached 6.5 and 8.0, respectively. All unvaccinated chickens were negative to NDV antibody throughout the study. Significant finding from the present study is that 7 days after vaccination chickens had produced protective antibody against NDV; this is in contrast to previous studies. Therefore, I-2 vaccine coated on the oiled rice is efficacious as it protects chickens from challenge with NDV. Wambura, P. N., 2008. Oral vaccination of chickens against Newcastle disease with I-2 vaccine coated on oiled rice. Tropical Animal Health and Production.     

A survey of disease in five commercial flocks of meat breeder chickens

Causes of sickness and death in approximately 30,000 chickens in 5 meat breeder flocks were investigated between May 1979 and April 1980. Approximately 23% of disease was due to neoplasms; 81% of these were Marek's disease despite vaccination against this infection. Other frequent diagnoses included cellulitis (15%), respiratory disease (14%), lesions of the reproductive tract (11%) and tenosynovitis/arthritis (9%). Antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticium, avian adenovirus, infectious bursal disease virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus were present in all flocks. Antibody to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was found in 2 flocks but titres were not considered protective against a virulent NDV challenge. Antibody to egg drop syndrome 1976 virus was found in 2 flocks comprised of the same breed of bird.     

Evaluation of Aloe vera and synbiotic as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on performance,gut morphology,immune responses and blood constitutes of broiler chickens

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe vera (AV) powder and synbiotic as growth promoter agents on performance, gut morphology, immune responses, hematology and serum biochemistry in broilers. A total of 240‐day‐old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with four replicates. Birds were offered either a corn‐soybean meal basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg virginiamycin (VM), 1 g/kg synbiotic (Syn), 2.5 g/kg AV (AV1), 5.0 g/kg AV (AV2) or 7.5 g/kg AV (AV3). Chickens fed any of the diets, except diet AV1, exhibited better feed conversion ratios at the 14–28 day period and higher average daily gain and duodenal villus height/crypt depth ratio at 42 days than those fed the control diet. Synbiotic supplementation caused a marked increase in the serum antibody titer against infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis vaccines. Feeding diet AV3 significantly increased red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration, and decreased serum triglyceride level compared to the control group. The results suggested that dietary inclusion of 5 and 7.5 g/kg AV, similar with synbiotic supplementation, can be applied as effective alternatives to in‐feed antibiotics for broiler diets.     

壳聚糖对肉仔鸡生长性能及免疫功能的影响

试验选择 1日龄AA雄性肉仔鸡 2 94只 ,随机分为 7个日粮处理组 ,每个处理 6个重复 ,每个重复 7只鸡 ,进行为期 4 2d的生长试验。结果表明 :添加 0 .0 2 %～ 0 .30 %壳聚糖均表现出一定的促生长作用 ,尤以添加 0 .0 5 %时促生长作用最明显 ,其效果优于金霉素 ;而当添加量达到 0 .5 0 %时 ,未表现出促生长效果。从免疫指标看 ,高剂量的壳聚糖 (0 .5 0 % )可显著提高肉仔鸡的抗体滴度 ,吞噬指数以 0 .0 5 %～ 0 .30 %壳聚糖组较高 ,淋巴细胞转化率以0 .10 %～ 0 .5 0 %壳聚糖组较高。试验表明 ,壳聚糖对肉仔鸡生长和免疫的影响与添加剂量有关。添加 0 .0 5 %时 ,可明显提高肉仔鸡的生长性能 ;而添加更高水平时 ,虽免疫功能有所增强 ,但生长性能却有下降趋势。因此 ,0 .0 5 %可看作壳聚糖的适宜添加量。     

Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,diarrhoea scores,blood profiles,faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42‐day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0–14 days) and phase 2 (14–42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0–14. From days 14–42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0–42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.     

Effects of dietary supplements of selenium, vitamin E or combinations of the two on antibody responses of broilers

1. The effects of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on some immune parameters were investigated in broilers. 2. Broiler chicks were fed on maize-soybean diets with different concentrations of vitamin E (0-200 mg/kg) and selenium (0-0.2 mg/kg diet) either alone or in combinations from 1 to 42 d of age. 3. Chicks were immunised against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine at 21 d of age and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres were determined after 10 d. 4. Chicks receiving supplements of 200 mg vitamin E/kg and 0.2 mg selenium/kg produced significantly higher HI antibody titres. This was associated with an increased serum concentration of total immunoglobulins and circulatory immune complexes. 5. The chicks given 200 mg vitamin E/kg and 0.2 mg selenium/kg had significantly heavier spleen and bursa. 6. These results suggested that vitamin E and selenium have synergistic effects on immune responses.     

Immune responses of specific pathogen free foals to EHV-1 infection.

Four foals were raised under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions. At 3 to 4 months of age, SPF foals and 1 other non-SPF foal were intranasally inoculated with equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1). Clinical signs included depression, fever, inappetence and intermittent coughing. Clinical recovery was complete by seven days but high titres of virus were detected in nasal mucus for at least 10 days after inoculation. Clinical illness was less severe in the non-SPF foal. Interferon was detected in the nasal mucus of all foals from 2 days post infection (dpi), persisting until 8 or 10 dpi. ELISA antibody was detected in serum from 6 dpi. Titres continued to rise throughout the period of observation, and were slightly stimulated by re-inoculation. EHV antibody, identified as belonging to the IgM class by the double sandwich ELISA, was detected from 6 dpi. Peak IgM titres were observed between day 10 and 18, declining to base levels by day 42. Virus neutralizing antibody was detectable in serum from day 14 and rises in titre were parallel to that of total ELISA antibody. Cellular immunity in EHV-1 infected SPF horses was examined by the antibody dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) test and the specific lymphocyte transformation test. The ability of foal neutrophils to effect ADCC decreased significantly between 3 to 10 days after inoculation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) displayed reactivity towards EHV-1 antigens from about day 14, with maximum stimulation indices being obtained between 28 and 42 dpi.     

Replacement effect of vitamin E with grape polyphenols on antioxidant status,immune, and organs histopathological responses in broilers from 1- to 35-d age

A study was carried out to investigate the replacement effect of vitamin E with grape polyphenols (GPP) on antioxidant status, immune response, and organs histopathology in broilers from 1- to 35-d age. One-day-old Hubbard broiler chicks (n = 280) were randomly divided into 28 study units of 10 chicks each. A starter control diet was formulated having 22.5% CP, 3,200 kcal/kg ME, and 100 ppm vitamin E50 [50 IU DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (CON)]. Other dietary treatments were obtained by replacing vitamin E on wt:wt ratio, with 25 [low GPP (LGPP)], 50 [medium GPP (MGPP)], and 75 ppm [high GPP (HGPP)] GPP. Likewise, a control finisher diet (20% CP and 3,200 kcal/kg ME) and LGPP, MGPP, and HGPP diets were formulated having the same proportions of GPP and vitamin E as in the respective starter diets. Each dietary treatment was randomly assigned to 7 replicate pens. As a result of this study, by increasing GPP level in place of vitamin E, total phenolic contents in breast and leg muscles increased linearly (P< 0.05) whereas thiobarbituric acid reactive substances decreased quadratically with MGPP showing the lowest value (P< 0.05). Antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus were higher (P< 0.05) in broilers fed the LGPP and HGPP diets than in those fed the control diet. Antibody titers against infectious bursal disease virus were higher (P< 0.05) in broilers fed the HGPP diet than in all of the remaining dietary treatment groups. Histopathological examination of kidney and liver tissues showed no changes in birds fed LGPP and MGPP diets; however, mild effects were observed in some birds fed HGPP diet. Replacement of vitamin E with GPP resulted in lower cost per kg broiler feed. In conclusion, replacement of 75 ppm vitamin E with GPP improved antioxidant status and immune response of broilers at lower feed cost without any significant effect on histopathology of organs.     

饲粮卵磷脂添加水平对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、肝脏营养成分及肝脏和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮卵磷脂添加水平对肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、肝脏营养成分及肝脏和血清生化指标的影响。选取体重一致的1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡500只,随机分成5个组,每组10个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加500、1000、1500和2000 mg/kg卵磷脂。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)随着饲粮卵磷脂添加水平的增加,21和42日龄肉鸡平均体重呈二次曲线升高(P<0.05)。2)随着饲粮卵磷脂添加水平的增加,42日龄肉鸡半净膛率和全净膛率呈线性和二次曲线升高(P<0.05),42日龄肉鸡腿肌率呈线性升高(P<0.05)。3)随着饲粮卵磷脂添加水平的增加,21日龄肉鸡新鲜样本基础和干物质基础上肝脏有机物含量呈线性和二次曲线升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),42日龄肉鸡新鲜样本基础和干物质基础上肝脏有机物和粗脂肪含量均呈线性和二次曲线升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。4)随着饲粮卵磷脂添加水平的增加,21日龄肉鸡肝脏总胆固醇含量呈线性升高(P<0.05),42日龄肉鸡肝脏甘油三酯含量呈线性和二次曲线升高(P<0.01)。5)与对照组相比,饲粮添加1000、1500和2000 mg/kg卵磷脂显著降低了21和42日龄肉鸡血清甘油三酯含量(P<0.05),饲粮添加2000 mg/kg卵磷脂显著降低21和42日龄肉鸡血清尿素氮含量(P<0.05)。随着饲粮卵磷脂添加水平的增加,21日龄肉鸡血清低密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯和总胆固醇含量呈线性降低(P<0.05),42日龄肉鸡血清甘油三酯含量呈线性和二次曲线降低(P<0.05)。由此可见,饲粮添加卵磷脂能够提高肉鸡生长性能和屠宰性能,调节肝脏和血清脂质代谢,降低血清尿素氮含量。以肉鸡平均体重为判断指标,推荐1~21日龄和22~42日龄肉鸡基础饲粮中卵磷脂添加水平分别为952和1246 mg/kg。     

Effect of dietary iron content on hematologic and other measures of iron adequacy in dogs

Eighteen 9- to 10-week old Beagles were fed casein-based diets (4,710 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg of body weight) containing either 12, 80, or 160 mg of iron/kg of diet. Growth and feed consumption were monitored throughout the 47-day study. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RBC numbers, erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) concentration, serum iron concentration, serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin concentration were determined weekly. Growth rate and feed efficiency were not significantly influenced by dietary iron content. At 14 days, Hb concentration, Hct, MCV, MCH, RBC numbers, and serum iron concentration were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in dogs fed the 12 mg/kg diet, and remained significantly low for the remainder of the study. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration increased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 14 days in dogs fed the basal diet, and remained significantly high relative to that in dogs of the other dietary groups for the remainder of the study. Serum ferritin concentration decreased in dogs of the group fed the basal diet, with a significant (P less than 0.05) difference beyond day 42. Differences in Hct, MCH, MCV, or hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, or EP concentration were not found between groups fed 80 and 160 mg of iron/kg of diet. Liver nonheme iron content was significantly (P less than 0.05) affected by dietary iron content.     

不同钙水平日粮添加酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长性能和血液矿物质水平的影响

文章旨在研究不同钙水平日粮添加复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、血液和骨中矿物质含量的影响。试验选择初始体重为(7.50±0.08)kg的25 d断奶仔猪600头,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复30头。试验日粮采用2×2因子设计,即钙水平分别为0.75%和0.55%,复合酸化剂添加水平为3 g/kg和0 g/kg,试验共进行42 d。结果:低钙组仔猪末重较高钙组显著提高13.76%(P<0.05)。无论日粮钙水平如何,添加3 g/kg复合酸化剂可以使采食量显著提高13.37%(P<0.05)。低钙水平组添加或不添加酸化剂较高钙组不添加酸化剂平均日增重分别显著提高32.77%和29.41%(P<0.05)。高钙组断奶仔猪料重比较低钙组显著提高9.41%(P<0.05)。与高钙组相比,低钙组血清钙水平显著降低4.41%(P<0.05),而血清磷和镁水平分别显著提高27.60%和6.04%(P<0.05),高钙组断奶仔猪尿中钙与肌酸苷比值较低钙组显著提高134.41%(P<0.05)。低钙组仔猪胫骨镁含量较高钙组显著提高7.29%(P<0.05)。结论:日粮低钙水平可以改善断奶仔猪的饲料效率、血清和胫骨镁含量,同时低钙水平下添加复合酸化剂可以提高断奶仔猪的平均日增重和采食量。     

Immune Competence,Resistance to Escherichia coli and Growth in Male Broiler Parent Chicks Fed Different Levels of Crude Protein

Immune competence, resistance to Escherichia coli and growth were measured in female chicks of broiler male parent lines from four different commercial sources. These chicks were fed with three levels of dietary crude protein (CP) from day-old. The protein contents in the diets were 18%, 20.5% and 23%; these diets are referred to as the low-, medium- and high-protein diets, respectively. There was a significant genotype by dietary protein interaction for body weight at 35 days of age but not at 14 or 28 days of age. At 14 days of age, the chicks fed on the high-protein diet weighed significantly more than those fed on the low-protein diet, but there were no differences between the chicks fed on the medium- and low-protein diets. The influence of CP content on body weight had disappeared by 28 days of age. There were significant differences between the genotypes in antibody production in response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) inoculation, but no such differences were observed between the chicks fed the different levels of dietary protein. Chicks fed on the high-protein diet had lower lesion scores following E. coli inoculation than those fed on the low-protein diet. There were also significant differences in lesion scores among the genotypes. Genotypes with heavier body weights had significantly higher lesion scores and lower antibody titres than those with less body weight. Also, genotypes of lower body weight had a greater cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response to phytohaemaglutinin-P inoculation, and a better humoral response against SRBC and a lower heterophil to lymphocyte ratio.     

THE SEROLOGICAL RESPONSE OF CHICKENS TO AUSTRALIAN LENTOGENIC STRAINS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS

SUMMARY: Australian lentogenic Newcastle disease viruses were evaluated as uninactivated vaccines in Australian chickens, the response being evaluated by the production of haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies. Two viruses, V4 and PM9, induced high levels of antibody and were readily transmissible between chickens by contact exposure. Three other viruses were poorly immunogenic and poorly transmissible. Chickens vaccinated intramuscularly with the V4 strain produced higher HI antibody titres than chickens vaccinated by the orotracheal, intranasal and intraocular routes. HI antibody titres in chickens vaccinated with the V4 strain reached peak levels 3 to 5 weeks after vaccination and waned considerably during the next 2 to 4 weeks. However, low levels of HI antibody persisted for at least 36 weeks after vaccination. Intramuscular vaccination with the V4 strain of one-day-old chicks lacking maternal antibody to Newcastle disease virus resulted in 42–70% mortality and the survivors developed very high titres of HI antibody. Similar chickens inoculated orotracheally showed signs of depression and developed high titres of HI antibody, but there were no mortalities. Chickens 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-weeks-old and lacking maternally derived HI antibody to Newcastle disease virus suffered no adverse reaction to intramuscular or orotracheal vaccination. The antibody response of the 1-week-old chickens was considerably poorer than that of the older chickens. Following orotracheal vaccination with the V4 strain, chickens with low levels of maternally derived antibody responded with low levels of HI antibody. On the other hand, in the progeny of hens hyperimmunised with the V4 strain the production of active antibody following orotracheal vaccination was delayed until the level of passive antibody had declined considerably. There was no response to intramuscular vaccination in congenitally hyperimmune chickens. The minimum HI antibody inducing dose of V4 vaccine, when measured 3 weeks after vaccination of 6-weeks-old chickens, was 10^5.6 50% egg infectious doses.