Effect of a feed/fast protocol on pH in the proximal equine stomach

Reasons for performing study: Risk factors for the development of gastric squamous ulcers include various management procedures, such as intermittent feed deprivation that can occur during weight management regimens or stall and dry lot confinement. Objectives: To investigate the effect of intermittent feed deprivation relative to continuous feed intake on proximal intragastric pH, specifically in the region of the squamous mucosa of the lesser curvature. Methods: In 6 horses, pH electrodes were placed just inside of the oesophageal sphincter in the stomach for each of two 72 h protocols (A and B) in a randomised, cross‐over design. Protocol A consisted of 12 h fed, 12 h fasted, 24 h fed and 24 h fasted, in sequence. Protocol B consisted of 72 h fed. During the fed periods of each protocol, horses had ad libitum access to coastal Bermuda hay and were fed sweet feed (1 kg, b.i.d.). Horses had ad libitum access to water at all times. Results: Proximal intragastric pH was significantly lower during protocol A, than during protocol B. However, hourly mean pH was significantly different only during the day and evening hours between protocols. During protocol B, mean proximal pH decreased significantly from 03.00 to 09.00 compared to 19.00 to 23.00 h. A moderate positive correlation of hay intake vs. proximal gastric pH could be established. Conclusions: Intermittent feed deprivation decreased proximal gastric pH in horses relative to those horses for which feed was not restricted. However, the effect was only significant when fasting occurred during the day and evening hours, as a nocturnal decrease in pH occurred simultaneously in the fed horses. Potential relevance: Episodes of daytime feed deprivation should be avoided if possible, as proximal gastric acid exposure rapidly increases during such events.     

Effect of feed supplementation with Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate various levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKEO) on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets.

2. Treatments consisted of two cereals (maize- or wheat-based diets) and three levels of SKEO)0, 250 and 500 mg/kg).

3. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets compared to the control diet. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased FI and BWG. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI and BWG only in wheat-based diets and was effective in improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) in both diets.

4. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO caused a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. Also, plasma low-density lipoprotein concentration was decreased in broilers fed on 250 and 500 mg/kg of SKEO. Plasma cholesterol levels in birds fed on the wheat-based diets were lower than in those fed on maize-based diets.

5. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased caecal population of Lactobacillus and reduced total bacterial and Escherichia coli count. Caecal population of Lactobacillus decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets.

6. Digesta viscosity was increased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets and decreased in broilers fed on 500 mg/kg SKEO compared to the control diet. Dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in reducing digesta viscosity values only in wheat-based diets.

7. Villus height of the duodenum and jejunum decreased in broilers fed on the wheat-based diets. Dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg SKEO increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratios and decreased crypt depth of the duodenum compared to the control diet.

8. It can be concluded that dietary SKEO supplementation was effective in improving FI, BWG and FCR values in wheat-based diets.     

棕榈油在水产饲料中的应用

文章针对棕榈油的主要成分、生化特性以及其经济性进行了综述,并重点介绍了棕榈油作为鱼油替代油脂在几种养殖鱼类中的应用情况。与大豆油、油菜籽油等相比,棕榈油价低,产量稳定,有较高的脂肪生产力,较低的不良脂肪酸沉积。其在鲑鳟等冷水性鱼中,以不同的比例替代鱼油或与其他植物油混合替代鱼油取得了较好的效果,增加了饲料的抗氧化性。研究表明,在饲料中用棕榈油部分替换鱼油对大西洋鲑、虹鳟、欧洲鲈等的生长、体化学组成及肌肉的脂肪酸比例等没有显著影响。     

牛至精油对新生犊牛生长发育和血液免疫的影响

选择40头新生犊牛,按出生日期随机分为试验组和对照组,每组各20头,试验组犊牛精料按40g·t~(-1)的比例添加牛至(Origanum vulgare)精油,旨在研究天然添加剂牛至精油对新生犊牛生长发育和血液免疫的影响。从犊牛出生到70日龄,跟踪研究了两组犊牛生长性能和血液免疫指标。结果表明,随着犊牛生长、发育时间的增加,试验组犊牛体重、体高、体长、胸围、腹围、管围、血清总蛋白、免疫球蛋白G、免疫球蛋白A、免疫球蛋白M以及平均采食量均极显著高于对照组(P0.01),且试验组犊牛腹泻次数极显著降低(P0.01)。由此可见,精料中添加牛至精油有促进犊牛生长发育、增强犊牛免疫力、增加犊牛采食量和降低犊牛腹泻发病率的作用。     

In vitro study of effects of emulsified oil on broiler feed quality

An experiment was conducted to compare effects of emulsified soybean oil and non‐emulsified soybean oil on the quality of broiler feed differing in the feed type and the broiler feeding stage in vitro. A 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement was designed with two fat sources (soybean oil and emulsified oil), two feed types (mash and pellet) and three broiler feeding stages (starter, grower and finisher). Four samples of feeds were collected from each combination of factors at the beginning of the experiment and stored at 20°C. Subsamples were taken at 15‐day intervals to determine the moisture content, peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV) and the total fungal count over a 45‐day period; weight loss percentage was determined by weighting the samples at days 0, 15, 30 and 45; fines percentage in pellets was only determined at day 0. The emulsified oil reduced (P < 0.05) the fines percentage, increased (P < 0.05) the moisture content, decreased (P < 0.05) the weight loss percentage and PV, did not affect (P > 0.05) the AV and the total fungal count. Results showed that the emulsified oil decreased weight loss, increased pelletability, moisture content and oxidation stability without affecting fungal growth.     

Rosemary oil,clove oil,and a mix of thyme-orange essential oils inhibit Salmonella and Campylobacter in vitro

The demand for foods that are free of pathogens and chemical residues has increased interest in the use of plant-based products as natural antimicrobials. Essential oils (EO) from plants are natural compounds that have been shown to have antimicrobial properties against food-borne pathogens. The objective of the current study was to determine the ability of various concentrations of 4 selected EO to inhibit Salmonella enterica (3 different serovars and a cocktail of all 3) and Campylobacter (2 strains of Campylobacter jejuni, one strain of Campylobacter coli, and a cocktail of all 3). The disc diffusion method was used to screen the oils of thyme, orange, rosemary, and clove oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration or minimum bactericidal concentration of the EO was determined using a 2-fold broth dilution method at concentrations ranging from 0.0008 to 1.000% (vol/vol). Two independent experiments were performed. Zones of inhibition (ZI) were expressed in millimeters and concentrations were expressed in percentages. All the oils demonstrated antibacterial activity against the strains tested. However, thyme oil demonstrated the strongest inhibitory activity than other oils against Salmonella (ZI of 18.5 mm). In general, Campylobacter was more susceptible to the antibacterial activity of EO, with plates containing thyme or clove oil showing no growth. Orange oil was also highly effective on Campylobacter, with a mean ZI of 17.5 mm. The least expensive treatment effective against both Salmonella and Campylobacter was a combination of 100% concentrations of thyme and orange oil combined on a 50:50 proportion. Tested on the same strains of bacteria, the thyme-orange combination (TOC) had a mean ZI of 20.5 mm for Salmonella and 21.3 mm for Campylobacter. Thyme-orange combination demonstrated a synergetic effect against Salmonella, but no such effect was noticed for Campylobacter. On average, 0.14% TOC was required to inhibit both pathogens. Hence, TOC can be considered as a potential antimicrobial for future studies on food systems.     

发酵豆粕和植物精油对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

本试验探讨了在日粮中使用发酵豆粕替代普通豆粕并添加植物精油对仔猪生产性能的影响,为发酵豆粕和植物精油在仔猪日粮中的利用提供科学依据。结果表明,日粮中添加发酵豆粕和植物精油,仔猪末重和平均日增重分别提高14.81%和19.51%,提高仔猪平均日采食量6.84%,而降低料重比和单位增重成本分别为10.71%和7.67%;有效降低仔猪腹泻率50.67%。     

Effects of oils on feed mildew and quality

This study was performed to determine the effects of oils on feed mildew and feed quality. Under different moisture content conditions (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feeds were supplemented with 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% soybean oil. In addition, at different moisture content levels (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feed was supplemented with 12% of various types of oil (soybean, peanut, corn and fish). Subsequently, a mixed mold spore suspension was added. The feed samples were incubated at 28°C, and the total mold, water activity (Aw), moisture, acid value, crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), crude ash (CA) and nitrogen‐free extract (NFE) levels were determined at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. The results showed no significant variations in the feed moisture, CP, CL, CA and NEF contents. However, the acid value gradually increased in the feed samples with an extended incubation time and increasing initial moisture. The feed moisture content was a critical factor controlling feed mildew, and high levels of oil supplementation caused an elevated Aw. Additionally, peanut oil promoted mold growth in feed. These results provide a reference for the production and scientific management of formulated feed.     

不同金柑品种果皮精油含量与油胞密度及果实形态的关系

为研究金柑果皮精油含量与油胞密度及果实形态的关系,对21个金柑种质资源的果实大小、果皮质量、油胞密度、精油含量、单果油胞数目和精油总量进行了观察测定。研究表明,油胞密度在不同金柑品种间达到近十倍的差异,在141~1035个/cm2之间,果皮精油含量在0.54%~2.3%之间,品种间油胞密度和精油含量都存在极显著差异。单果油胞数目和精油总量分别在2474~17320个和2.23~120.51mg之间,不同品种间相差很大。相关分析表明,油胞密度和精油含量与果实横径、表面积和果皮质量呈显著负相关,而单果油胞数目和精油总量与果实横径、纵径、表面积、果皮质量呈显著正相关,但精油含量和油胞密度间并无明显相关性。     

Effects of the essential oil cyclodextrin complexes on ruminal methane production in vitro

The effects of including essential oil cyclodextrin (CD) complexes on ruminal methane and hydrogen production, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and protozoa were studied in vitro. The essential oil CD complexes used in the present study were both αCD and βCD with cineol, eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint, thyme and wasabi. Diluted rumen fluid (60 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 h with the essential oil CD complex (1–40 mg as oil). Eucalyptus‐αCD reduced methane production by 40% with 10 mg as oil along with decreasing the protozoal number and increasing total VFA and proportion of propionic acid. Both wasabi‐αCD and wasabi‐βCD reduced methane production by 85% and 97%, respectively, with 10 mg as oil, though they increased hydrogen production notably. The protozoal number was unchanged by wasabi‐βCD and decreased to 50% by wasabi‐αCD. Propionic acid was increased by both wasabi‐αCD and wasabi‐βCD. The other essential oil‐CD showed no significant effect on reducing methane production. The combined use of 20 mM of fumaric acid with wasabi‐αCD (1 mg as oil) caused about a 50% depression of methane production compared to the control without increasing hydrogen production. Fumaric acid was more effective than malic acid in reducing methane production. The addition of eucalyptus‐αCD, wasabi‐αCD or wasabi‐βCD together with organic acid to rumen fluid turned out to be effective for reducing methane production with no increase in hydrogen production.     

Effects of inclusion of graded amounts of soya bean hulls on feed intake,chewing activity and nutrient digestibility in dairy cows

Twelve multiparous Holstein dairy cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square changeover design to evaluate the effects of graded inclusion of soya bean hulls (SHs) in replacement of diet forages at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of dietary dry matter (DM) basis on peNDF > 8 and peNDF > 1.18 contents of diets and their resulting effects on chewing activity, nutrient digestibility and milk production of dairy cattle. The control diet contained 50% forage, 50% concentrate and no SH. In the other three diets, SH was substituted for alfalfa hay, corn silage and wheat bran to supply 10%, 20% and 30% of the dietary DM. Increasing SH concentration in the diets resulted in decreasing concentrations of forage neutral detergent fibre (NDF), physically effective NDF (peNDF) and mean particle size (p < 0.01). Chewing activity per kilogram of daily dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by the different diets tested. However, chewing activity significantly decreased for kilogram intake of NDF, but increased for peNDF > 1.18 when SH was included in the diets (p < 0.01). Total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients significantly increased for DM, organic matter (p < 0.05) and NDF (p < 0.01) but decreased for crude protein (p < 0.05) as the proportion of SH was increased in the diets. Rumen pH value of cattle was not influenced by the diets. Including medium and high amounts of SH in the diets decreased DMI of the animals (p < 0.05) without any significant effect on their daily milk or 4% fat‐corrected milk production. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the NDF from a non‐forage fibre source like SH had a lower potential for stimulating chewing activity than did forage NDF. Despite this, the small size of dietary particles increased not only the chewing activity per kilogram of peNDF intake but also saliva secretion as well as the potential for rumen to neutralize acids. The findings of this study demonstrate the greater differences in peNDF > 8 among the diets and that these differences are better reflected in terms of DMI, chewing activity and nutrient digestibility, but not in rumen pH.     

Effect of cinnamon essential oil on the microbiological and physiochemical characters of fresh Italian style sausage during storage

In order to study the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) on the microbiological and physiochemical characters of fresh Italian style sausage, CEO (0%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, v/w) was added into ground meat, cased, and stored at 4°C. Lipid oxidation, instrument color, total viable aerobic counts, Enterobacteriaceae, biogenic amines, and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) were investigated during 10 days (day). Results showed that CEO treatments had lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), b* value, aerobic and Enterobacteriaceae counts, biogenic amine contents, and TVB‐N and higher a* values at 4, 6, 8, and 10 days compared to the control, whereas 0.5% CEO treatment had better effect than 0.1% CEO. CEO improved color shelf‐life by inhibiting lipid oxidation and prevented the increase in biogenic amines and TVB‐N by reducing microbial counts of fresh sausage during storage. This study suggested that CEO could be applied in the food industry to improve the shelf‐life of meat products.     

Evacuation of sand from the equine intestine with mineral oil, with and without psyllium

The aim of this study was to determine the evacuation of sand from the equine intestine after a double treatment with psyllium and mineral oil or mineral oil only. A crossover study was conducted. Twelve healthy horses were fed 1 kg sand once a day for 5 days. Subsequently, these horses were divided into two groups: A and B. From day 6-10, both groups were treated with 2 l of mineral oil once a day and group B received an additional 0.5 kg of psyllium twice a day. The trial was repeated after 2 weeks with treatment crossover of groups A and B. The horses were housed sand free and 1.8 kg hay/100 kg body weight was offered to meet the maintenance energy requirement. Prior to the sand administration, faeces were collected from each horse for 3 days and the crude ash was determined to establish a baseline output of ash. There was no difference between the baseline crude ash output of the first and second treatment. From day 6-10, faeces were collected daily and the fresh weight and the dry matter and the crude ash contents were determined. For administration, sand or psyllium was mixed with 1 l of Irish mash (concentrate mixed with water), respectively, and mineral oil was administered via a nasogastric tube. All horses showed higher crude ash excretion when treated with psyllium and mineral oil compared with the mineral oil administration only. On the second, third and fourth day of the treatment, the difference was significant. Faeces crude ash weight corrected for baseline crude ash output while treated with psyllium plus oil and oil solely, reached a mean of 51.0 (SD 20.5) and 26.1 (SD 17.7) % of the administered sand mass, respectively. The results of this trial show that the ash output differed highly between the horses. Nevertheless, all horses showed a higher total ash output within the 5 days treatment period when the psyllium semen and mineral oil were used for the treatment than when treated with mineral oil solely.     

Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 5 in New Zealand

Aim. To report the first isolation of equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) in New Zealand as part of a study of equine respiratory viruses in New Zealand.

Methods. Nasal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes were collected from 114 foals and adult horses, inoculated on to equine fetal kidney, rabbit kidney and Vero cell lines and observed for cytopathic effect. EHV-5 isolates were identified using an EHV-5 specific polymerase chain reaction. All samples positive for EHV-5 were also checked for the presence of EHV-2, EHV-1 or EHV-4 DNA using published type-specific primers. The polymerase chain reaction results were further confirmed by dot blot and Southern hybridisation with specific DIG-labelled probes.

Results. EHV-5 was isolated from nasal swabs or peripheral blood leukocytes of 38 out of 114 horses sampled. From horses sampled more than once, EHV-5 was often isolated on more than one occasion. Most of the horses were infected with both EHV-2 and EHV-5 viruses. It was not possible to make an association between EHV-5 isolation and the presence of respiratory disease.

Conclusion. EHV-5 is present in the New Zealand horse population. The exact role it plays in causing, or predisposing to, respiratory disease remains to be elucidated.     

植物精油提取物对断奶仔猪生产性能及血液生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究植物精油提取物对断奶仔猪生产性能及血液生化指标的影响,并探讨其在断奶仔猪日粮中的适宜添加量。选用体重相近、健康的28日龄断奶杜×长×大三元杂交仔猪144头,采用单因子试验设计,随机分为4个处理,在玉米-豆粕型日粮中分别添加50、100和200g/t的植物精油提取物,对照组饲喂基础日粮,每个处理6个重复,每个重复6头猪,试验期30d。试验结果表明:日粮中添加适量植物精油提取物能提高断奶仔猪的平均日增重、平均日采食量、血清总蛋白(P0.05);降低料肉比、腹泻率和尿素氮(P0.05);谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶与超氧化物歧化酶的活力显著提高(P0.05)。研究表明,断奶仔猪日粮中添加适量的植物精油提取物(100g/t)可提高仔猪的生产性能和抗氧化能力。     

薰衣草精油提取最佳条件的研究

研究旨在探讨采用超声波强化水蒸气蒸馏法提取薰衣草精油的最佳提取条件。通过单因素试验和二次回归正交试验,以超声强化时间、超声功率、液固比、提取时间作为主要影响因素,确定超声强化水蒸气蒸馏提取薰衣草精油的最佳提取工艺条件。结果表明:提取薰衣草精油的最佳工艺条件为超声强化时间17.6 min、超声功率171.0 W、液固比16.6:1、提取时间1.51 h。在该条件下,薰衣草精油得率的期望值是0.761%。通过验证试验,5个重复试验的薰衣草精油的得率为0.751%、0.761%、0.771%、0.773%、0.786%,平均值为0.768%。验证试验的平均值与理论的期望值(0.761%)非常接近,表明所选的工艺条件可行。     

Influence of feed type and its effect on repressing wool‐biting behavior in housed sheep

Sheep sometimes develop an abnormal behavior termed as wool‐biting when kept in an indoor system; however, little is known about this behavior. As the provided feed type may affect the foraging behavior and repress abnormal behavior in animals, we tested the effect of feed type on repressing wool‐biting behavior in this study. We used hay prepared in three forms, that is hay bales, rolls and cubes. The wool‐biting frequency associated with hay bales was significantly higher than that associated with rolls (P < 0.05) and cubes (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between rolls and cubes. For hay rolls, wool‐biting significantly decreased after feeding (P < 0.05), suggesting that rolls may provide sheep with appropriate oral stimulation; thus, decreasing the post‐feeding oral abnormal behavior. An individual difference of wool‐biting behavior between sheep was also detected, and an unexpected bed‐eating behavior was found in the hay cube treatment. We suggest that sheep performing movements that are similar to their natural foraging behavior while grazing would repress wool‐biting behavior, which happened in hay roll and hay cube treatments. Considering sanitation and animal welfare, providing sheep with hay rolls may provide an easier method to control wool‐biting behavior in housed sheep.