Studies on the Anemiogenic Properties of Trimethylamine Oxide,an Etiological Factor in Fish-Induced Anemia in Mink

A hypochromic microcytic iron deficiency anemia associated with light underfur and increased mortality in mink kits is caused by the feeding of various species of raw marine fish, especially coalfish (Gadus virens) and whiting (Gadus merlangus) as first detected in Norway by Helgebostad (1957). The same disorder caused by fish-feeding was later described from other countries (Stout et al. 1960, Jørgensen & Christensen 1966, Kangas et al. 1967). Nutritional anemia has also been induced in rats by feeding a raw coalfish diet as stated by Gjønnes & Helgebostad (1965).     

Composition of individual nucleobases in diets containing different products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, and digestibility in mink (Mustela vison)

The objectives of the present study were to quantify the amount of nucleic acids, to examine the nucleobase composition and to determine the digestibility of individual nucleobases in diets containing various products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, including autolytic and hydrolytic fractions, using mink (Mustela vison) as a model animal. The diets consisted of cod fillet (control), commercial basic BioProtein, and five experimentally produced autolytic and hydrolytic fractions of the bacterial protein meal as protein sources. Each diet was assigned to four adult male mink, housed individually in cages equipped for controlled feeding and quantitative collection of faeces. Faeces were collected for 4 days, and the individual nucleobases in diet and faeces were analysed by HPLC after hydrolysis using HClO(4). The content of nucleobases in the diets containing bacterial protein meal was 37% to 205% higher than in the control diet. The nucleobase-nitrogen in the control diet amounted to 4.3% of the total nitrogen content, whereas the experimental bacterial protein diets contained from 7.4% to 17.4% of the total N content in the form of nucleic acids. The various methods used to produce the bacterial protein fractions clearly affected both the amount of nucleic acids and the molar proportions of the individual nucleobases. The average digestibility of the nucleobases was 95%, and all the individual nucleobases were highly digestible. Uracil showed the highest digestibility (on average 96.8%), whereas thymine showed the lowest digestibility (on average 93.6%).     

Mercury and Mink. II. Experimental methyl mercury intoxication.

Adult female mink were fed rations containing 1.1, 1.8, 4.8, 8.3 and 15.0 ppm mercury as methyl mercury chloride over a 93 day period. Histopathological evidence of injury was present in all groups. Mink fed rations containing 1.8 to 15.0 ppm mercury developed clinical intoxication within the experimental period. The rapidity of onset of clinical intoxication was directly related to the mercury content of the ration. Mercury concentration in tissue of mink which died were similar, despite differences in mercury content of the diets and time of death. The average mercury concentration in the brain of mink which died was 11.9 ppm. The lesions of methyl mercury poisoning are described and criteria for diagnosis are discussed.     

Dietary Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Mink

Poisoning occurred in 32 mink fed diets containing meat from cows which had been fed a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), Aroclor 1254. No live kits were produced and all adult mink died during a 105 day period of feeding a ration containing 3.57 ppm of PCB. At a level of 0.64 ppm of PCB in ration one of 12 mink produced three kits, all of which died during the first day after birth. Clinical signs were limited to weight loss and passage of black tarry feces. The gross lesions seen were yellowish discoloration of the liver and hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity or gastrointestinal tract. Microscopic lesions were nephrosis, fatty de-generation and necrosis of the liver, brain edema, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and fibrosis of coronary arteries. It is concluded that mink are highly sensitive to small quantities of PCB fed for an extended period of time.     

Nutritional Quality of Recycled Food Plate Waste in Diets Fed to Swine,

Food waste samples were collected approximately bimonthly from five different New Jersey farms that feed food waste to pigs. All of these farms feed food waste collected from various institutions (restaurants, casinos, military bases, hospitals, and nursing homes) and often supplement with other byproduct feeds such as bakery, fish cannery, or vegetable processing wastes. A total of 63 samples were collected and analyzed for nutrient content in laboratories at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Results from all five farms indicated that food plate wastes often have an acceptable nutritional profile. Crude protein averaged in excess of 20% and EE over 25%. Fiber levels were low and most minerals were borderline, if not adequate, for growing pigs. However, the low DM (27%) and the high variability of nutrients (CV often near or in excess of 100%) were significant limitations. For individual farms, DM percentage was always low, EE was high, and CP was variable. Mineral levels also varied from farm to farm. Calcium averaged 1.69% in food waste collected by Farm 1 and 0.36% in food waste collected by Farm 2. Several of the trace nutrients (copper, iron, zinc) were also variable. Zinc samples averaged 28 mg/kg on Farm 2 and 146 mg/kg on Farm 1. Zinc levels in food waste fed on Farms 2 through 5 were all inadequate when compared to NRC levels for growing pigs. Essential amino acids were, on average, equal to or above NRC levels required for growing pigs, except for lysine levels in food waste, which were below requirements on Farms 1 and 2. Results from this work have helped to develop a nutrient profile of the food waste currently fed to swine in the state of New Jersey and have been shared with individual producers. Food waste, although often of ample nutritional quality, is limited by its low DM and variable nutrient content, and should be monitored regularly and supplemented accordingly in practical feeding situations.     

Fish-Induced Anemia in Rats

The described feeding experiment on rats comprised three groups, each consisting of 9 females. The control group was fed a commercial pellet diet fortified with brewer’s yeast and whole milk. Groups II and III were fed pasty fish diets which contained 90.5 % of undehydrated raw or boiled coalfish. The feeding experiment started when the rats were 34 days old. The rats were mated three times during the experiment.Undiversified feeding with a raw coalfish diet to rat females during gestation and lactation, and to their litters during weaning and after-weaning, resulted in evident anemic symptoms in the young animals. If boiled fish substituted the raw fish, the anemic symptoms were reduced, but not eliminated.Repeated gestation periods of mother animals, fed fish diets, did not result in increased anemic symptoms in their litters. Nor did the repeated gestation periods result in anemic mother animals.The anemic young rats, when continously fed the same fish diets, gradually improved their health state. The resulting adult animals were non-anemic and appeared normal as to growth and development.     

Fatty Fish and Defatted Fish Products for Male Mink (Mustela vison) in the Growing-Furring Period: II. Effects on Haematological and Clinical-Chemical Parameters,Vitamin E Status and Fatty Acid Composition

The effects of different dietary levels of marine lipids in the diets with a constant distribution of metabolizable energy (ME) on protein, fat and carbohydrate were investigated in male mink kits in the growing-furring period during 2 consecutive years. The physiological investigations included 15 males per experimental group, each consisting of about 75 males. Fat herring and mackerel scrap were used in amounts resulting in levels of marine lipids of 30, 50 and 70% of total dietary lipid, respectively. Defatted herring scrap was used in proportions of 12, 23 and 32% in the diets. Haematocrit value, haemoglobin concentration, number of erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets, plasma activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and creatine kinase (CK), concentrations of tocopherols in plasma, liver and adipose tissue, composition of fatty acids (FA) in liver and adipose tissue, body weight, weight of liver and heart in relation to body weight, and liver fat content were studied. The number of platelets decreased with an increasing proportion of marine lipids of total content of dietary lipids. A high intake of fatty fish products had no influence on the health status of the animals evaluated by haematological and clinical-chemical analyses, vitamin E status and FA composition in growing-furring male mink. No negative effects on the health of the animals were demonstrated when feeding with defatted herring scrap.     

Availability, brands, labelling and salmonella contamination of raw pet food in the minneapolis/st. Paul area

The purpose of the study was to characterize the commercially available raw meat pet food diets in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area by (i) determining the number and types of available diets; (ii) assessing pet food stores and brand labels for the provision of precautionary statements regarding the risk of foodborne illness from raw meat; (ii) assessing the labels for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) required content and nutrient-related information; and (iv) culturing purchased diets for the presence of Salmonella. Sixty raw meat diets were purchased, representing 11 different brands from eight different stores. Diets were readily available in the form of raw-frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried varieties from different protein sources, such as lamb, beef, chicken or duck. All stores promoted raw meat diets; however, none provided foodborne illness warnings. Brands varied greatly in their precautionary statements; none of the diets underwent feeding trials; and nutritional adequacy substantiation was through formulation only. The first five ingredients tended to consist of meat, organ meat (by-products), vegetables, grains and ground bones. Currently, it is required that pet foods have an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement and provide a guaranteed analysis table. Three brands did not meet these FDA requirements. Thirty-one (51.7%) of the 60 raw meat diets underwent some degree of processing including dehydration, freeze-drying or high-pressure pasteurization. Four of the 60 raw diets (7%) tested positive for Salmonella. Analysis of raw meat pet food labels indicated a lack of foodborne illness warnings. Based on these findings, we recommend that warning statements similar to those required by the United States Department of Agriculture and placed on labels of raw meat intended for human consumption be provided on the labels of raw meat pet food diets.     

The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets

Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.     

The role of experience in the development of selective zinc intake in pullets

Selective food intake behaviour was studied in pullets that were subjected to different zinc supply in early life. During the first four weeks post-hatching three groups, totaling 72 birds, were fed either a low zinc diet (25 ppm), a complete diet (50 ppm) or both diets in a choice situation. The prior feeding experience was investigated during the subsequent ontogenetic development in two-choice dietary tests. Chicks first exhibited a preference for the high zinc diet as deficiency symptoms can be seen in depleted birds. Juvenile pullets did not prefer any diet for the duration of experimental period. Layers were initially indifferent to the supplemented zinc diet, but after reaching high laying capacity they began preferentially to select the complete diet. The results indicate that early experience with diets different in zinc content have no influence on subsequent diet preferences at choice. The ability to select is based on association learning following ingestion. A conditioned diet aversion first developed in phases of high zinc requirement as a result of negative feedback mechanisms produced by the deficient diet.     

Evaluation of a number of commercial diets for iguana (Iguana iguana), bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), and land and marsh tortoises

Fifteen commercially available, complete diets for iguanas, bearded dragons, and chelonians were analysed and compared with the ideal composition of a diet formulated by the authors. The clinical risks of feeding with a too high or a too low content of specific nutrients are described. Nutrient deficiencies are not expected if these diets are the sole source of nutrients. However, one diet had only a marginally adequate protein content, five diets for herbivorous reptiles contained a too low percentage of crude fibre, three diets contained an undesirably high percentage of calcium, and three diets had an extremely high iron content. As a rule, the calcium and iron contents of diets are not declared on the food label, which complicates evaluation of the diets.     

饲粮铁水平对妊娠母猪繁殖性能和生化参数的影响

30头妊娠母猪随机分为3组,研究了饲粮不同铁水平对其繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,饲粮铁水平200mg/kg组和300mg/kg组与100mg/kg组相比,妊娠母猪90d血清孕酮水平、所生仔猪初生重、仔猪（生后不补铁）断奶重、新生仔猪血红蛋白量和红细胞数都有不同程度的提高;母猪血清含量和仔猪肝脏铁含量也有不同程度的提高。上述提示,适度提高母猪饲粮铁水平能改善母猪的繁殖性能和预防仔猪贫血。     

An Evaluation of Brewery Waste as a Replacement for Concentrates in Diets for Growing Crossbred Common Ducks

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of feeding brewery waste that replaced different levels of concentrate in diets for growing crossbred common ducks. A total of 300 ducks at 3 weeks of age were allocated in a 2 x 5 factorial experiment. Two feeding systems were compared, with the brewery waste provided separately (S) or mixed (M) with a concentrate. For the first feeding system the concentrate was fed alone (C100M), or replaced successively by brewery waste at ratios of concentrate to brewery waste: 75:25 (C75M), 50:50 (C50M) and 25:75 (C25M) on a dry matter basis, and fed ad libitum. For the second system concentrate and brewery waste were fed separately, with the same levels as in the first system. Total feed intakes for both feeding systems and intakes of brewery waste, total dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus increased significantly as concentrate was reduced (p <0.05). Daily weight gains were not significantly different between the two feeding systems, but were significantly lower for the C25 and C0 diets (p <0.05). Replacement of 50% of the concentrate by brewery waste resulted in the best growth performance. The highest net profits were from the separate feeding system, and for ducks fed brewery waste only (C0). It is concluded that brewery waste can replace traditional diets for crossbred common ducks based on concentrate.     

Mercury and mink. I. The use of mercury contaminated fish as a food for ranch mink.

Adult female and juvenile ranch mink were fed rations containing 50 and 75% of fish containing 0.44 ppm total mercury over a 145 day period. There was no clinical or pathological evidence of intoxication in these animals and mercury concentrations in tissue appeared to be at a level below that associated with toxicity.     

Effects of Different Fat Supplements on Growth and Hepatic Lipids and Fatty Acids in Male Mink

Male mink kits (n=10 for each group) were fed diets supplemented with different fats for 12 weeks (September-November). The levels of digestible fat (8%) and energy content (7 MJ kg-1) of the diets were equal. The supplements used were beef pork fat, mink fat, broiler offal, rainbow trout offal, capelin oil, soybean oil and linseed oil. The growth and hepatic lipids (analysed by a thin-layer chromatography- flame ionization detection analyser) and fatty acid composition (analysed by gas-liquid chromatography) were studied. The pattern of weight gain of the mink fed the beef pork diet differed from that of the other mink. These kits reached high but delayed weight maxima compared with the other mink but then during November they lost weight rapidly. In liver, both the capelin oil- and linseed oil-fed mink had large concentrations of total lipids and triacylglycerols. The mink fed capelin oil were significantly heavier. The fatty acid analyses of hepatic total lipids and phospholipids revealed that the f -linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) of linseed oil was not efficiently metabolized to longer chain and more unsaturated fatty acids important for cellular membranes. It is discussed that 18:3 n-3 may not be as valuable for growing mink kits as the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the fish oils.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Fish bones – a highly available calcium source for growing pigs

In general, there is a lack of scientific documentation of nutritional value of marine by‐products. The bone fraction from fish has been regarded as waste. Due to the high mineral content of fish bones, this material can be well suitable as a natural calcium source. In the present study, apparent calcium absorption of different fish bone sources was tested using growing pigs. The experimental diets consisted of boiled salmon frames, or salmon, saithe or cod bones treated with enzymes. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was used as control. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.7% total calcium of which the added calcium source to be tested contributed about 71% (study 1) and 86% (study 2). Except for the calcium and phosphorus sources, the animals received similar basal diets. Apparent calcium digestibility coefficient was calculated using yttrium as indicator (both studies) and was based on complete collection of faeces and urine (study 2). The experimental design was parallel and cross‐over in study 1 and study 2, respectively. In study 1, piglets getting salmon bone treated with enzymes had significantly higher calcium absorption than piglets getting boiled fish bone or calcium carbonate. Therefore, in the second study only enzymatically treated fish bones were included. The higher calcium absorption from enzymatically treated salmon bone was also found in study 2, but this time not significant. Calcium from boiled salmon bones in study I, and from enzymatically treated saithe and cod bones in study II were absorbed as well as the calcium carbonate control. The results indicate that fish bones may be a useful and well absorbed calcium source. Due to the high mineral content of the bone fraction, salmon bones can be well suitable as a natural calcium and phosphorus source in, for example, food, feed or as supplement.     

Effect of Dietary Vitamin E on Cortisol and Glucose Responses to Handling Stress in Juvenile Beluga Huso huso

Abstract

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E on the physiological response to handling stress in juvenile beluga Huso huso. Fish were fed six experimental diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg Dl-all-rac-α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet. At the end of the experiment, the fish in each tank were subjected to acute handling and air exposure stress. Cortisol and glucose were measured as the primary hormonal and secondary metabolic responses to the stressors, both before and 3 h after application of the stressors. The growth parameters and feed utilization rates were significantly lower in fish fed the diet not supplemented with vitamin E than in fish fed diets supplemented with vitamin E. Cortisol concentration was not affected by dietary treatment but glucose concentration was. Fish fed vitamin E at 0, 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg diet had higher concentrations of glucose than those fed vitamin E at 50 and 200 mg/kg. However, fish fed diets with 50 and 200 mg/kg exhibited higher growth rates. These results indicate that dietary vitamin E has some effect on plasma glucose but no effect on plasma cortisol. In general, when the stressors were applied to belugas, the glucose and cortisol responses were relatively low. This may be due to higher resistance and lower physiological responses to these types of stressors by this species or by chondrosteans in general.

Received January 10, 2011; accepted August 4, 2011     

Effect of dietary vitamin E on cortisol and glucose responses to handling stress in juvenile beluga Huso huso

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E on the physiological response to handling stress in juvenile beluga Huso huso. Fish were fed six experimental diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50,100, 200, or 400 mg Dl-all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg diet. At the end of the experiment, the fish in each tank were subjected to acute handling and air exposure stress. Cortisol and glucose were measured as the primary hormonal and secondary metabolic responses to the stressors, both before and 3 h after application of the stressors. The growth parameters and feed utilization rates were significantly lower in fish fed the diet not supplemented with vitamin E than in fish fed diets supplemented with vitamin E. Cortisol concentration was not affected by dietary treatment but glucose concentration was. Fish fed vitamin E at 0, 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg diet had higher concentrations of glucose than those fed vitamin E at 50 and 200 mg/kg. However, fish fed diets with 50 and 200 mg/kg exhibited higher growth rates. These results indicate that dietary vitamin E has some effect on plasma glucose but no effect on plasma cortisol. In general, when the stressors were applied to belugas, the glucose and cortisol responses were relatively low. This may be due to higher resistance and lower physiological responses to these types of stressors by this species or by chondrosteans in general.     

黄姑鱼、海鲶鱼和白鱼的营养成分测定

对水貂、狐养殖中常用的海杂鱼(黄姑鱼、海鲶鱼、小白鱼)进行实验室概略养分分析,并测定其中氨基酸组成,以便为科学地制定水貂、狐饲料配方提供依据。结果表明,在测定的3种鱼中,海鲶鱼的品质最好,氨基酸平衡,水分含量低,粗蛋白含量为14.24%,略高于海杂鱼的平均粗蛋白水平13.8%,按氨基酸总量计接近平均值;而白鱼、黄姑鱼的粗蛋白质含量和氨基酸总量分别为13.32%、13.78%和12.19%、11.84%,其粗蛋白含量均低于海杂鱼平均值13.8%。     

Subacute toxicity of Dietary T-2 toxin in mice: influence of protein nutrition.

The subacute toxic effects of dietary T-2 toxin (20 ppm) incorporated in semipurified diets of 8%, 12% or 16% protein, were examined in young Swiss mice after one, two, three and four weeks. Dietary T-2 toxin caused substantial reductions in growth and food consumptaion, the degrees of which were greatest in mice fed the diets of reduced protein content. T-2 toxin consistently caused similar degrees of nonregenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thymic atrophy and gastric hyperkeratosis irrespective of the dietary protein level. However, erythroid hypoplasia was temporary in mice fed T-2 toxin in the 16%-protein diet such that erythroid precursors regenerated in splenic and bone marrow and were hyperplastic after four weeks. Liver to body weight ratios of mice fed T-2 toxin in the 16%-and 12%-protein diets increased during the four week trial in comparison to control mice fed at a similar rate. These observations indicated that suppression of erythropoiesis in mice by dietary T-2 toxin was temporarty and that the interval before regeneration was prolonged by diets of reduced protein content.