Effect of PCB on some MFO enzyme activities in pregnant and virgin rabbits

Fenclor 64 (a PCB's commercial mixture) was administered twice i. p. to virgin and pregnant New Zealand rabbits at the dose of 100 mg/Kg to evaluate its inducing properties on the following hepatic microsomal MFO activities: p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase, amino-pyrine-N-demethylase, acetanilide-hydroxylase and arylhydrocarbons-hydroxylase.The results indicate that Fenclor 64 evoked a mixed type induction in virgin as well as in pregnant rabbits since it increased liver weight, cytochrome P-450 levels, as well as p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase and acetanilide-hydroxylase. Pregnancy by itself affects only amino-pyrine-N-demethylase levels.Work supported by a grant from M. P. I. 40% (1982)     

Effect of supranutritional and organically bound selenium on performance, carcass characteristics, and selenium distribution in finishing beef steers

Dietary selenium influences the Se content in edible muscle of beef cattle. Limited data are available to describe the effects that feeds naturally high in Se have on production, carcass characteristics, and Se distribution in terminal tissues. Therefore, 43 crossbred steers (BW = 351 +/- 24 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned to one of four dietary treatments: Se adequate (CON; n = 12), Se provided as high-Se wheat (WHT; n = 9), high-Se hay (HAY; n = 11), or sodium selenate (SEO; n = 11). Daily selenium intake for WHT, HAY, and SEO diets was 65 microg/kg BW, whereas it was 9.5 microg/kg BW for CON. Diets were similar in ingredient composition (25% wheat, 39% corn, 25% grass hay, 5% desugared molasses, and 6% wheat middling-based supplement; DM basis), isonitrogenous and isocaloric (14.0% CP, 2.12 Mcal NEm/kg DM and 1.26 Mcal NEg/ kg DM), and offered once daily (1500) individually to steers in a Calan gate system for 126 d. At the end of the trial, steers were slaughtered; carcass data were recorded; and samples of the liver, kidney, spleen, semitendinosus, and hair were collected for Se analysis. Intake of DM, G:F, and ADG did not differ (P > 0.13). No differences (P > 0.12) were noted for hot carcass weight, organ weights, longissimus muscle area, back-fat thickness, marbling scores, or quality and yield grade. Kidney, pelvic, and heart fat tended to be higher (P = 0.06) in CON and WHT compared with SEO and HAY steers (2.9, 2.4, 2.5, 2.9 +/- 0.2% for CON, SEO, HAY, and WHT, respectively). Selenium concentrations in all tissues collected differed (P < 0.003) due to treatment. Distribution of Se to the kidney, spleen, and hair were similar with CON < SEO < HAY < WHT (8.40, 10.05, 10.86, 12.89 +/- 0.26 ppm for kidney; 2.00, 2.60, 3.82, 5.16 +/- 0.09 ppm for spleen; 1.80, 4.00, 5.93, 10.54 +/- 0.56 ppm for hair; P < 0.01). The distribution of Se in liver and muscle (DM basis) differed from that in other tissues, with CON < HAY < SEO = WHT (2.33, 6.56, 9.91, 10.79 +/- 0.80 ppm; P < 0.01) and CON = SEO < HAY < WHT (1.33, 1.55, 3.32, 4.41 +/- 0.18 ppm; P < 0.01), respectively. When providing dietary Se at supranutritional levels, source of Se did not affect production or carcass characteristics, but it altered the distribution and concentration of Se throughout the tissues of finishing beef steers.     

Time-dependent influence of supranutritional organically bound selenium on selenium accumulation in growing wether lambs

Crossbred wethers (n = 36; BW = 36.0 kg; SD = 3.4) were used to assess the time-dependent influence of supranutritional organically bound Se on Se accumulation. Four wethers were slaughtered before the trial began (d 0). The remaining wethers were fed diets containing adequate (0.2 microg of Se/g of DM) or supranutritional Se (2.9 microg of Se/g of DM; in the form of high-Se wheat grain) for 14, 28, 42, or 56 d before slaughter (four wethers per Se treatment at each slaughter day). The DMI was set at 3.1% of BW and adjusted weekly based on a targeted ADG of 150 g. Daily Se intake by wethers fed the adequate and supra-nutritional Se diets ranged from 5.3 to 5.9, and 79.0 to 95.0 microg of Se/kg of BW, respectively, and did not differ (P = 0.84 to 0.99) between slaughter day groups within Se treatment. Neither Se treatment nor Se treatment x slaughter day interactions were significant for BW, G:F, or liver, kidneys, and spleen weights (P = 0.06 to 0.84). Within the supranutritional Se treatment, Se contents of most organs and tissues from wethers slaughtered on d 14, 28, 42, and 56 were nearly twice the concentrations (P < 0.01) of wethers slaughtered on d 0. When regressed against the number of days the wethers were fed supranutritional Se, Se concentrations increased (P < 0.001) cubically in kidneys and plasma, quadratically in duodenum, lung, liver, and spleen, and linearly in heart, muscle, and wool. For total Se in kidneys, liver, and spleen, the response was quadratic (P < 0.03). Excluding skeletal muscle, heart, and wool, Se in other organs and tissues reached apparent steady-state concentrations 14 to 28 d after commencement of supranutritional Se diets. Selenium concentrations in skeletal muscle accumulated in a linear manner (P < 0.001) throughout the 56-d feeding period. High-Se grains can be used strategically to deliver supranutritional Se and rapidly enhance Se depots in sheep, a task that does not seem attainable with Se salts. Furthermore, a 100-g portion of uncooked loin (LM) from the wethers fed supranutritional Se contained 196 to 250% of the recommended Se requirement for humans.     

孕鼠补硒对新生乳鼠十二指肠抗氧化能力的影响

为探讨孕鼠补硒对新生乳鼠十二指肠抗氧化能力的影响,将9只健康Wistar孕鼠随机分为低剂量补硒组(0.4mg/L,n=3)、高剂量补硒组(0.6mg/L,n=3)和对照组(0.0mg/L,n=3)。母鼠分娩后取新生乳鼠,测体质量,计算新生乳鼠的脾脏和胸腺指数,并测定十二指肠内谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、总超氧化物歧化酶(TSOD)的活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)。结果显示,与对照组相比,试验组新生乳鼠的初生体质量没有显著变化(P0.05),胸腺指数和脾脏指数均显著升高(P0.01),十二指肠内GSH-Px、T-SOD和T-AOC均显著降低(P0.01)。结果表明,孕鼠补硒降低了新生乳鼠十二指肠的抗氧化能力。     

Effect of high-carbohydrate diet in the form of sugar beet on glucose and ketone body levels in the blood serum of highly pregnant and freshly lactating cows

In an experiment using 24 high-yielding cows (3rd and 6th lactations), group II was fed sugar beet as carbohydrate source (2 kg DM per animal and day) for 4 weeks before and for 4 weeks after parturition, whilst group I was given the equivalent amount of dried spent beet pulp. Sugar beet feeding during the dry period caused the glucose level in the blood to rise significantly from 48 to 55 mg/100 ml. On the 21st day of lactation the glucose concentration in group II (27 mg) had declined more strongly than in group I (37 mg). Feeding large amounts of easily soluble carbohydrates during the dry period obviously inhibits gluconeogenesis during early lactation. The ketone body level of group II was found to rise to 14 mg/100 ml by the 21st day of lactation (group I--4 mg), a level indicative of ketosis. The ketogenous action (strong formation of butyric acid in the rumen) of sugar beet enhances this effect, too. The daily milk yield did not vary much coming to 26.8 and 27.8 kg in the control and in the experimental group, respectively. The results allow to conclude that feeding fresh sugar beet to high-yielding cows just before and shortly after parturition is not advisable.     

Bone mineral changes in growing, pregnant and lactating cattle

Bone mineral content (BMC) was determined in one or two coccygeal vertebrae by dichromatic photon absorptiometry in two sets of cattle: A. This set consisted of six fattening bulls. Their increases of BMC and weights were closely correlated. However, BMC increased slightly more than weight. B. There were 28 cows in this set. BMC was measured during lactation and pregnancy. It was found that BMC increased during the dry period and decreased during early lactation. There were great individual variations in BMC, and the skeletal turnover seemed to be great.     

Analgesia for the pregnant, lactating and neonatal to pediatric cat and dog

Objective: Very little information on the approach to analgesia in pregnant, nursing or very young animals is available in the veterinary literature. A review of the human and veterinary literature on the various analgesics available for use in this group of patients is presented. The unique physiological characteristics that must be considered when selecting analgesics is discussed. Etiology: As with mature cats and dogs, the origin and severity of pain in this group of animals may be similar; however, differences do exist. Diagnosis: The diagnosis and assessment of pain in pregnant and nursing animals is based on the problem at hand and is similar to other mature animals. The diagnosis in the very young, however, may be more challenging, but should be suspected based on history and clinical signs. Response to analgesic therapy is advised in all animals to confirm the presence and degree of pain. Therapy: Various analgesics and analgesic modalities are discussed with emphasis placed on preference and caution for each group. Prognosis: Management of pain is extremely important in all animals, but especially the very young, where a permanent hyperalgesic response to pain may exist with inadequate therapy. Inappropriate analgesic selection in pregnant and nursing bitches or queens may result in congenital abnormalities of the fetus or neonate. Inadequate analgesia in nursing bitches or queens may cause aggressive behavior toward the young.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of intravenous cephalexin in pregnant, lactating, and nonpregnant, nonlactating goats

The aims of this study were to describe and compare the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of cephalexin (10 mg/kg) after its intravenous (i.v.) administration to five goats in three different physiological status: nonpregnant nonlactating (NPNL), pregnant (P) and nonpregnant lactating (L). Blood samples were collected at predetermined times, and plasma concentrations of cephalexin were measured by microbiological assay. Relevant pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Statistical comparison was performed applying the nonparametric anova. No significant differences were found for cephalexin pharmacokinetic parameters between the L and the NPNL group. Median V(dss) was significantly lower in pregnant goats (0.09 [0.07-0.10] L/kg) compared with NPNL goats (0.16 [0.14-0.49] L/kg). Median total Cl and V(dz) were significantly lower in pregnant goats (0.25 [0.19-0.29] L/h·kg and 0.11 [0.10-0.13] L/kg, respectively) than in lactating goats (0.40 [0.32-0.57] L/h·kg and 0.20 [0.14-0.23] L/kg, respectively). Median AUC(0-∞) was significantly higher in pregnant goats (37.79 [34.75-52.10] μg·h/mL) than in lactating goats (25.11 [17.44-31.14] μg·h/mL). Our study showed that even though some pharmacokinetic parameters of cephalexin are altered in pregnant and lactating goats, these differences are unlikely to be of clinical importance; therefore, no dose adjustment would be necessary during pregnancy and lactation.     

硒对STZ诱发糖尿病大鼠骨密度影响的研究初报

比较了在低硒饲料的基础上补充不同形态硒对糖尿病大鼠骨密度的影响。健康SD大鼠 1 2 8只 ,体重 50～ 60 g,随机分为 4组 ,每组 32只 ,雌雄各半 ,其中Ⅰ组为低硒对照组 (饲料含硒量 0 0 37mg/kg) ;Ⅱ组为补充亚硒酸钠组 (饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg) ;Ⅲ组为补充富硒麦芽组(饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg) ;Ⅳ组为补充富硒酵母组 (饲料含硒量 0 3mg/kg)。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的饲料均是在Ⅰ组低硒饲料的基础上分别添加适量的亚硒酸钠、富硒麦芽、富硒酵母后配制而成。喂饲 5周后 ,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组用链脲佐菌素 (streptozotocin ,STZ)按 60mg/kg腹腔注射诱发糖尿病 ,继续饲喂 6周。用单光子吸收法测定各组大鼠的肱骨、股骨、胫骨、桡骨的骨密度。结果表明 :①STZ致糖尿病大鼠的骨密度随时间的延长有逐渐下降的趋势。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ补硒组大鼠可以在一定时间内延缓STZ致糖尿病大鼠的骨密度下降。在此期间骨密度的下降以肱骨出现最早 ,股骨次之 ,桡骨、胫骨再次之。②饲料补硒组糖尿病大鼠的肱骨、股骨中硒的含量较饲料低硒组糖尿病大鼠的肱骨、股骨中硒的含量显著提高。③补充硒的形态 ,即有机硒 (富硒麦芽、富硒酵母 )或无机硒 (亚硒酸钠 )对糖尿病大鼠肱骨、股骨、胫骨、桡骨的骨密度影响差异不显著。     

Effects of selenium yeast on rumen fermentation, lactation performance and feed digestibilities in lactating dairy cows

The objective was to evaluate the effects of selenium-yeast (SY) supplementation on rumen fermentation, lactation performance and feed digestibilities in dairy cows. Twenty-eight multiparous (2.5 ± 0.3 parity) Holstein dairy cows, averaging 625 ± 18.2 kg of BW, 63 ± 3.0 days in milk and average daily milk production of 26.2 ± 0.5 kg/cow were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Treatments were: control, LSY, MSY and HSY with 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg selenium yeast (Sel-Plex®, 1 g/kg selenium, produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060) per kg of diet dry matter (DM), respectively. Experimental periods were 45 days with 30 days of adaptation and 15 days of sampling. Ruminal pH was lower for MSY than for control and was linearly (P = 0.03) decreased, whereas total VFA concentration was linearly and quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) increased with increasing SY supplementation, with the least for control, followed by LSY and HSY, and the highest for MSY. Ratio of acetate to propionate was lower for LSY, MSY and HSY than for control, and was linearly and quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) decreased as SY supplementation increased due to an increase in molar proportion of propionate. Ruminal ammonia N content was lower (P ≤ 0.01) for MSY and HSY than for control and was linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) with increasing SY supplementation. Dry matter intake, proportions and yields of milk fat, protein and lactose were not affected (P > 0.05). Milk yields and 4% FCM were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for LSY and MSY than for HSY and control. Milk selenium content was linearly and quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) increased as increasing SY supplementation, with the least for control, followed by LSY and MSY, and the highest for HSY. Digestibilities of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), aNDF and ADF in the total tract were higher (P < 0.01) for LSY and MSY than for control and HSY. The results indicate that supplementation of diet with SY improved rumen fermentation, milk yields, milk selenium, and feed digestion. It was suggested that the SY stimulated the digestive microorganisms or enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. In the experimental conditions of this trial, the optimum selenium-yeast dose was about 300 mg per kg diet DM.     

Effect of selenium on performance, serum selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in pigs

Pigs from sows fed a diet deficient in Se and low in vitamin E were fed a Torula yeast diet supplemented with 100 IU dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of diet. Dietary treatments were levels of supplemental Se of 0, .025, .050, .075 or .100 ppm. Some death loss occurred in pigs receiving no supplemental Se at approximately 5 wk of age. Autopsy revealed liver and heart lesions typical of vitamin E-Se deficiency. Selenium supplement had no significant effect on average daily gain, feed intake or gain to feed ratio for the 4-wk experiment. Selenium status of pigs was determined by serum Se concentration and serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Serum Se increased linearly (P less than .01) with increasing supplemental Se. Serum GSH-Px activity increased linearly (P less than .01) and quadratically (P less than .05) with increasing supplemental Se. With time, the level of serum Se and GSH-Px activity decreased in unsupplemental pigs, but increased in pigs fed diets supplemented with Se and resulted in significant interactions (P less than .01) between dietary Se level and time on experiment. The correlation between serum Se concentration and GSH-Px activity was .81 (P less than .01).     

Effect of anthocyanin‐rich corn silage on digestibility,milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows

Anthocyanin in purple corn (Zea mays L.) has been reported to show several functional and biological attributes, displaying antioxidant, antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in monogastric animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding anthocyanin‐rich corn (Zea mays L., Choko C922) silage on digestibility, milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows. The cows were fed diets based on the control corn or the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage (AR treatment) in a crossover design. The anthocyanin‐rich corn silage‐based diet had a lower starch content, nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrients content when compared to the control diet. The milk yield, lactose and solids‐not‐fat contents in the AR‐treatment cows were lower than in the control cows. The feeding of the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage led to a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plasma. These data suggest that the anthocyanin‐rich corn has a lowering effect on AST activity with concomitant enhancement of SOD activity in lactating dairy cows. However, a new variety of anthocyanin‐rich corn with good nutritional value is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.     

Effect of selenium supplementation and source on the selenium status of horses

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Se supplementation and source on the Se status of horses. Eighteen 18-mo-old nonexercised horses were randomly assigned within sex to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (CTRL, no supplemental Se, 0.15 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM); 2) inorganic Se (INORG, CTRL + 0.45 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM from NaSeO3); or organic Se [ORG, CTRL + 0.45 mg of Se/kg of total diet DM from zinc-L-selenomethionine (Availa Se, Zinpro, Corp., Eden Prairie, MN)]. Horses were acclimated to the CTRL diet (7.1 kg of DM alfalfa hay and 1.2 kg of DM concentrate per horse daily) for 28 d. After the acclimation period, the appropriate treatment was top-dressed on the individually fed concentrate for 56 d. Jugular venous blood samples were collected on d 0, 28, and 56. Middle gluteal muscle biopsies were collected on d 0 and 56. Muscle and plasma were analyzed for Se concentrations. Glutathione peroxidase activity was measured in muscle (M GPx-1), plasma (P GPx-3), and red blood cells (RBC GPx-1). Data were analyzed as a repeated measures design. Mean plasma Se concentration on d 28 and 56 was greater (P < 0.05) for Se-supplemented horses compared with CTRL horses, and tended (P < 0.1) to be greater in ORG vs. INORG on d 28. Mean muscle Se concentration and P GPx-3 activities increased (P < 0.05) from d 0 to 56 but were not affected by treatment. Mean RBC GPx-1 activity tended to be greater (P < 0.1) in ORG than INORG or CTRL horses on d 28, and tended to be greater (P < 0.1) for INORG compared with ORG horses on d 56. Mean RBC GPx-1 activity of INORG and ORG horses was not different from that of CTRL on d 56. Mean M GPx-1 activity decreased (P < 0.01) from d 0 to 56. In conclusion, zinc-L-selenomethionine was more effective than NaSeO3 at increasing plasma Se concentration from d 0 to 28; however, both supplemental Se sources had a similar effect by d 56. No difference in Se status due to Se supplementation or source could be detected over a 56-d supplementation period by monitoring middle gluteal muscle Se, M GPx-1, or P GPx-3. Results for RBC GPx-1 also were inconclusive relative to the effect of Se supplementation and source.     

Effect of nose ringing and stocking rate of pregnant and lactating outdoor sows on exploratory behaviour, grass cover and nutrient loss potential

Nose ringing of outdoor sows is practiced to reduce grass sward damage for environmental reasons but conflicts with natural behaviour considerations. We investigated effects of ringing pregnant and lactating outdoor sows on foraging and explorative behaviour, grass cover and nutrient deposition. The experiment included both ringed and unringed sows. For unringed sows the paddocks were either used continuously throughout the experiment or divided into two and sows were moved half way through the experimental period leaving the first used paddock for regrowth. Ringing did not prevent the sow's rooting, but rooting was less pronounced, when sows were ringed. On average, ringing increased grass cover from 14% to 38% and from 64% to 81% in paddocks with pregnant and lactating sows, respectively. In paddocks with unringed sows kept at a double density and followed by a resting period, the grass cover in autumn was restored to a high degree in paddocks with pregnant sows. In lactating sow paddocks the level of inorganic N was high but with no significant relation to extent of grass cover. In pregnant sow paddocks the soil inorganic N content was significantly reduced by increased grass cover and at 60% grass cover soil inorganic N content was at a low level. From the experiment it was evident that although ringing did have a positive environmental effect, it was not the main factor influencing potential losses. Management choices in terms of feeding, animal density and nutrient distribution are considered to be at least as important.