The safety of dirlotapide in dogs

The safety of dirlotapide in dogs was evaluated in two studies with parallel designs. In an acute tolerance study, 24 beagles (six dogs per treatment) were treated orally once daily for 14 days with placebo or dirlotapide at 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg/day. In a margin-of-safety study, 38 overweight, neutered beagles were treated orally once daily for 3 months with dirlotapide at doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/day (six dogs), 1.5 mg/kg/day (12 dogs) and 2.5 mg/kg/day (six dogs). Control dogs received placebo at 0.3 mL/kg/day (10 dogs) and 0.5 mL/kg/day (four dogs). Results were similar for both studies, and no serious adverse events were observed. Dirlotapide was clinically well-tolerated in dogs at dosages up to 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days and 2.5 mg/kg/day for 3 months. Dirlotapide produced the expected decrease in food intake and body weight (up to 20–40%) without ill effects. Clinical, pathologic, and histopathologic findings were reversible and consistent with suppression of food intake and rapid weight loss produced by elevated dirlotapide dosages. In both studies, sporadic emesis and loose stools were observed in both placebo and dirlotapide-treated dogs. Incidence of emesis generally increased with dose and decreased with treatment time. Elevations in hepatic transaminase activity were seen in dogs treated with more than 1.5 mg/kg dirlotapide daily, but were not associated with clinical signs or microscopic evidence of hepatic degeneration or necrosis.     

A 4-week Repeated Dose Toxicity Study of Glycine in Rats by Gavage Administration

In order to examine the toxicity profile of glycine, an authorized food additive, a solution of glycine in water for injection was administered orally (via gavage) to male SD rats (Crl:CD(SD)) once daily for 4 weeks at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day in a volume of 10 mL/kg. Control animals received vehicle only. No animals died, and no glycine-related changes were observed in body weight, food consumption, water consumption, hematology, organ weight, gross pathological examination or histopathological examination. In urinalysis, daily urinary volume and urinary Cl excretion were significantly higher in the 2000 mg/kg/day dose group, and urine pH and urinary protein showed lower trends in the glycine-treated groups. However, these changes were considered to be of little toxicological significance, because there were no histopathological changes in the kidneys or urinary bladder and no changes in other urinary parameters. As regards blood chemistry, phospholipids were significantly higher in the 2000 mg/kg/day dose group. However, the increase was small and was not considered to be toxicologically significant. In conclusion, none of the animals in any of the glycine-treated groups showed changes that were considered toxicologically significant. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of glycine was estimated to be at least 2000 mg/kg/day under the conditions of this study.     

The induction of cashmere shedding via cyclophosphamide injection

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide (CPA) on cashmere shedding in cashmere goats. Thirty‐two castrated Liaoning cashmere goats were randomly allotted to four groups, with eight replicates in each group. The four groups were injected intravenously with CPA doses of 0, 15, 20 and 25   mg/kg body weight, respectively. Feed intake, body weight, body temperature, and sphygmus were recorded and the erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, hemoglobin content, and cashmere yield and length were determined. CPA has no significant effect on feed intake, body weight, body temperature, or sphygmus of cashmere goats. It was found that CPA significantly decreased the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content in cashmere goats on the days immediately following injection, but the effects on erythrocytes diminished within 6 days, with hemoglobin content returning to normal within 10 days. Cashmere fiber began to shed on about day 10 after injection with CPA. CPA had no significant effect on cashmere length but significantly increased cashmere yield. The results indicate that CPA can induce cashmere shedding and achieve the purpose of concentrated defleecing. A dose of 20 mg/kg body weight is preferable for hair removal and regrowth in cashmere goats.     

那西肽对生长肥育猪的作用效果及其在产品中的残留

选择32头30kg左右健康的二元杂交生长猪, 随机分为4组, 每组8头, 个体饲喂, 4组均喂相同的基础饲粮, 但添加不同饲用抗生素,分别是低、高剂量那西肽(10mg/kg、50mg/kg)、盐霉素(30mg/kg) 和对照。猪体重达90kg时, 分别按0、3和7d停药后屠宰, 检测那西肽在样品各器官中的残留量。结果表明: 那西肽可显著提高生长肥育猪的采食量和日增重(P<0 05), 但是对料重比的改善作用不明显; 当检测灵敏度为0 01mg/kg时, 在低、高剂量那西肽组猪的心脏、肝脏、肾脏和背最长肌中, 均未检出那西肽。     

日粮锰水平对肉仔鸭生长性能生理指标的影响

用1日龄北京雏鸭120只分成6组,分别喂以含Mn20、50、100、150、300和2000mg/kg的玉米—豆粕型日粮30天,研究日粮Mn水平对肉仔鸭生长性能、生理指标的影响。结果显示鸭体增重在100mg/kg时达最大(P>0.05),到2000mg/kg时降至最低(P<0.05),采食量亦有类似趋势(P<0.05),但饲料报酬差异不显著(P>0.05);血浆葡萄糖浓度和碱性磷酸酶活性分别在300mg/kg和2000mg/kg时增至最大(P<0.01),血浆总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白、总胆固醇浓度和血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性差异不显著(P>0.05);胸腺、法氏囊和脾脏重量及血清HI抗体滴度亦无显著变化(P>0.05);肝、胰和跖骨灰分Mn含量呈线性上升(P<0.05或P<0.01),其中以跖骨灰分Mn含量变化最明显。     

山豆根多糖对感染PRRSV小鼠脾脏细胞因子水平的影响

探讨山豆根多糖对PRRSV感染小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子水平的影响。将70只昆明种小鼠随机分为7组(A组、B组、C组、D组、E组、F组、G组),每组10只,雌雄各半,依据前期已经建立氧化应激模型的感染条件,D组、E组、F组、G组小鼠于试验第1、2、3天分别采用口服、滴鼻和腹腔注射3种途径联合感染PRRSV病毒原液1.0mL/只,A组、B组、C组给予生理盐水1.0mL/只。第4、5、6天,A、D组小鼠分别腹腔注射生理盐水,0.2mL/10g。B组小鼠腹腔注射5.0mg/kg的脂多糖(LPS)溶液,C组、E组、F组、G组小鼠分别腹腔注射不同剂量的山豆根多糖(200、50、100、200mg/kg)。供试小鼠均于第14天处死,并取其脾脏制备匀浆。采用ELISA检测脾匀浆中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和MCP-1等细胞因子的水平。结果显示,PRRSV感染小鼠后能升高小鼠脾脏匀浆内TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和MCP-1水平,50mg/kg~100mg/kg剂量的山豆根多糖能降低上述细胞因子的水平。结果表明,山豆根多糖能有效降低PRRSV感染小鼠脾脏细胞因子的水平。     

A comparison of prophylactic efficacy of tilmicosin and a new formulation of oxytetracycline in feedlot calves

Two replicated-pen field studies were performed under commercial feedlot conditions in western Canada to compare the administration of long-acting oxytetracycline at 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) versus tilmicosin at 10 mg/kg BW to feedlot calves upon arrival at the feedlot. Ten thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine, recently weaned, auction market derived, crossbred beef steer and bull calves were randomly allocated upon arrival at the feedlot to one of 2 experimental groups as follows: oxytetracycline, which received intramuscular long-acting oxytetracycline (300 mg/mL formulation) at a rate of 30 mg/kg BW; or tilmicosin, which received subcutaneous tilmicosin (300 mg/mL formulation) at a rate of 10 mg/kg BW. There were 20 pens in each experimental group. In Study 1 and in the combined analysis, the initial undifferentiated fever (UF) treatment rate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the oxytetracycline group as compared with the tilmicosin group. There were no significant (P > or = 0.05) differences in first UF relapse, second UF relapse, third UF relapse, overall chronicity, overall rail, overall mortality, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) mortality, hemophilosis mortality, arthritis mortality, or miscellaneous mortality rates between the experimental groups in either study or in the combined analysis. In addition, there were no significant (P > or = 0.05) differences in initial weight, final weight, weight gain, days on feed, daily dry matter intake, average daily gain, or the dry matter intake to gain ratio between the experimental groups in either study or in the combined analyses. In the economic analysis, there was a net economic advantage of $5.22 CDN per animal in the oxytetracycline group, due to a lower prophylactic cost, even though the UF therapeutic cost was higher.     

Safety of fenbendazole in swine

The safety of fenbendazole, an anthelmintic for use in swine, was tested by feeding 0, 25, 75, or 125 mg of fenbendazole/kg of body weight for 5 days. A dose-related transient leukopenia developed on day 7, but values returned to base line on day 15. In the groups fed 75 or 125 mg, sorbitol dehydrogenase activity increased on day 3 but returned to base line on day 10. Significant gross or histopathologic lesions were not found.     

Long-term observation of subclinical chronic copper poisoning in two sheep breeds

Fourteen castrated male sheep of two breeds, the Mutton Merino (MMB) and Blackhead Suffolk cross breed (BSC), were exposed to an oral copper (Cu) intake of 3.7 mg/day per kg body weight for 84 days (high Cu group, HCu), and 11 castrated male sheep received a daily oral Cu intake of 0.16 mg/day per kg body weight (controls). Liver Cu concentration was measured in liver biopsies until 2.7 years after Cu overdose. Haematologic parameters, plasma Cu, enzymes and metabolites were analysed and post-mortem examinations were carried out. No haemolytic crises occurred. The highest liver Cu concentrations (133-677 mg/kg wet weight) were measured in HCu sheep around day 110 with significantly higher values in BSC than in MMB. The very slow decreases of liver Cu concentration of HCu sheep after day 215 showed individual half-life periods of 175 +/- 91 days. A progressive Cu retention in the liver of HCu sheep during Cu supplementation indicates strong Cu binding and storage in the liver. High values of glutamate dehydrogenase (20-940 U/l) measured frequently until day 700 and a diminished plasma clearance of bromosulphthalein as well as pathohistological findings of focal liver necrosis confirm the markedly chronic character of Cu poisoning.     

Biologic activity of dirlotapide, a novel microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, for weight loss in obese dogs

Dirlotapide is a novel microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor intended for the treatment and management of obesity in dogs. The biologic effects of dirlotapide, weight loss, decreased food intake, increased fecal fat, decreased serum cholesterol, and body composition, were evaluated in a controlled, blinded study. Sixteen obese beagles were randomized to treatment with placebo ( n  = 4) or dirlotapide ( n  = 12) following a 2-week acclimation period in which baseline data were collected. The dirlotapide dose, adjusted to produce weight loss for 3 months and then stabilize body weight for 1 month (weight management), produced a significant difference (expressed as a percentage of baselines) in weekly weight loss, food intake, fecal fat, serum cholesterol concentration, and body composition (measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) compared with placebo treatment ( P  < 0.05). The initial dirlotapide dosage of 0.5 mg/kg (10 times the initial label dose) resulted in a high rate of weight loss (3.3% weekly) and anorexia, emesis, and loose stools for some dogs. A 25% dose reduction (mean dosage: 0.36 mg/kg) followed by biweekly 25% dose adjustments based on individual weight loss, produced 1–2% weekly weight loss and total weight loss of 18.8% in 12 weeks at a final mean dosage of 0.41 mg/kg (range: 0.15–0.60); a dosage range of 0.10–0.34 mg/kg stabilized body weight. Body weight changes for placebo-treated dogs were −0.8% to +0.9% weekly; total weight gain during the weight loss phase was 10.6%. No apparent change in food intake, percentage of fecal fat, and serum cholesterol was observed in the placebo group. Food intake and body weight increased when dirlotapide was discontinued. Dirlotapide produced weight loss by both reducing appetite (about 90% of the weight loss activity) and by increasing fecal fat excretion (about 10% of the weight loss activity).     

Safety of standardized Macleaya cordata extract in an eighty‐four‐day dietary study in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of a standardized Macleaya cordata Extract Product (MCEP) containing the quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, when fed to dairy cows. Thirty‐six dairy cows were randomized into three groups with twelve cows/treatment in two replica pens for each treatment group: control (C) without MCEP added to feed, treatment 1 (SANG‐1000) with MCEP added to feed at 1,000 mg/animal/day (1.5 mg/kg bw/day) and treatment 2 (SANG‐10000) with MCEP added to feed at 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day). After two weeks of acclimation, animals were observed for an 84‐day experimental period, with body weight, feed intake and milk production measured daily. Milk composition was analysed every two weeks. Haematological analyses were performed on Day 0 and Day 84, and clinical chemistry analyses were performed on Day 84 of the study. There was no statistically significant difference (p > .10) among the three groups on body condition score, milk production or milk composition over the study period. There were no significant differences in body weight gain or feed consumption among the three groups. Animals in the SANG‐10000 group had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than the C group (p < .1) and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) than the SANG‐1000 group (p < .1). Concentrations of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in milk samples collected on Day 84 were below the detection limit (LOD) as measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). In conclusion, this study presents compelling data supporting the hypothesis that the test product MCEP, when included in the TMR at up to 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day), is well tolerated by dairy cows.     

Effect of Vitamin C on pulmonary hypertension and muscularisation of pulmonary arterioles in broilers

1. Three hundred and eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were divided into control (A) and experimental (B, C, D, and E) groups. 2. After 14 d of age the experimental groups were subjected to a cool temperature challenge by lowering the temperature 1 to 2°C per day down to 12°C, and maintaining this temperature until 7 weeks of age. 3. At the same time, l.5 mg/kg 3,3,5-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) was added to the diet of groups D and E, and 500mg/kg ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to the diet of groups C and E. 4. The incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS), body weight gain and feed intake were measured weekly. Lung and blood samples were collected weekly from 10 birds per group beginning on d 14, and the percentage of thick-walled peripheral lung vessels (%TWPV) and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. 5. The lower ambient temperature and diets supplemented with T 3 increased PHS incidence and % TWPV and decreased body weight gain. 6. There was an increase in PCV after 5 weeks of age under lower ambient temperature 3 and the PCV values 14 were also significantly increased by T 3 . 7. Vitamin C supplementation reduced PHS incidence and % TWPV but did not change packed cell volume, body, weight gain, feed intake, or feed conversion. 8. It is concluded that vitamin C reduced PHS and the associated muscularisation of pulmonary arterioles induced by exposing broilers to cool environmental temperatures and feeding them with T 3 .     

Evaluation of dirlotapide for sustained weight loss in overweight Labrador retrievers

The effects of dirlotapide on body weight (BW) reduction were investigated in overweight Labradors in two parallel-design studies. Study A involved 42 dogs randomized to 0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg dirlotapide/kg/day orally for 4 weeks. Study B involved 72 dogs randomized to nine treatments: placebo (24 weeks); dirlotapide (24 weeks) followed by placebo (28 weeks); or dirlotapide (52 weeks); on diets containing 5%, 10% or 15% fat. Dirlotapide dose (initially 0.1 mg/kg) was adjusted monthly during 24-week weight-loss and subsequent 28-week weight-stabilization phases. Food was offered above maintenance energy requirements (MER× 1.1–1.2) based on initial BW. Body composition (body fat, lean tissue and bone mineral content) was monitored using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After treatment, dogs that had received dirlotapide for 52 weeks were fed 90% of quantity consumed at week 52. In study A, BW and food intake decreased asymptotically with dose: mean weekly weight loss exceeded 1% at 0.1–0.4 mg/kg. In study B, dirlotapide resulted in significant mean weekly weight loss (>0.8%) and decreased food intake over 24 weeks compared with placebo ( P  = 0.0001) for all diets. Food restriction minimized post-treatment weight rebound. Dirlotapide administered daily to dogs for up to 52 weeks was clinically safe and resulted in sustained weight reduction.     

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in F344 rats

2-(l-Menthoxy)ethanol has been frequently employed as a flavoring agent; however, data regarding 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol toxicity remain limited. We performed a 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in male and female F344 rats, with doses of 0, 15, 60, or 250 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day orally administered by gavage using corn oil as the vehicle. No significant toxicological changes in general condition, body weight, or food intake were observed in any groups. The hematological assessment showed decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin and increased platelet count in the male 250 mg/kg group. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated total cholesterol in the 250 mg/kg group of male and female rats, reduced triglyceride in the female 250 mg/kg group, and increased total protein in the male 250 mg/kg group, indicating effects on lipid metabolism and protein synthesis. For organ weights, absolute and relative weights of the liver and adrenal glands were increased in the 250 mg/kg group of both sexes and the male 250 mg/kg group, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed chronic nephropathy in the male 15 mg/kg or higher groups, with increased absolute and relative kidney weights, as well as elevated serum creatinine, in the male 60 and 250 mg/kg groups. However, eosinophilic granules containing α_2u-globulin were identified in proximal tubules, suggesting α_2u-globulin nephropathy specific to male rats and without toxicological significance. These results indicated that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol was 60 mg/kg BW/day for both sexes.     

Effect of low doses of dietary rare earth elements on growth performance of broilers

The present study was designed to investigate effect of dietary rare earth elements (REE), including both organic and inorganic compounds, on growth performance of broilers. In experiment 1, a total of 180 male Ross broiler chicks were allocated to 72 pens with different assignment: four chicks per pen or individually. The following three treatment diets were applied: control, REE‐chlorides at a dose of 40 mg/kg and REE‐citrate at a dose of 70 mg/kg. Each treatment group had 24 pens containing both assignments (12 pens each). In experiment 2, a total of 72 male 3‐day‐old Ross broiler chicks were separated to four groups: control, REE‐chlorides at a dose of 70 mg/kg and REE‐citrate at doses of 70 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. In experiment 1, dietary REE‐citrate improved body weight gain during the overall period by 5.0% (p < 0.05) while the increase with REE‐chloride was not significant. In experiment 2, growth effects (p < 0.05) were only found in the period from day 21 to slaughter with all REE forms, and feed conversion ratio was improved by 3.4% (p < 0.05) with REE‐citrate. No significant effects of REE were found on chill weight, percentages of breast meat, thigh weight, drumstick weight and wing weight. Concentrations of La and Ce in the liver and muscles were very low, accounting for 0.11–0.76 and 0.02–0.30 mg/kg respectively. There was weak tendency for a dose–response relationship especially in the groups supplemented with REE‐chlorides. The main blood serum biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by REE in the diets. The results suggest that dietary supplementation of low doses of REE‐citrates might improve growth performance of broilers without affecting carcass composition and health of the broilers.     

大口黑鲈对饲料中酵母硒的耐受性研究

本试验旨在通过研究酵母硒对大口黑鲈生长性能、血浆生化指标、组织抗氧化指标及肝脏组织结构的影响,评价大口黑鲈对饲料中酵母硒的耐受性。在基础饲料中分别添加0(Y0)、0.5(Y0.5)、2.5(Y2.5)、5.0 mg/kg(Y5.0)(以硒计)酵母硒,其中0.5 mg/kg是硒的最高推荐剂量,2.5和5.0 mg/kg分别是最高推荐剂量(0.5 mg/kg)的5和10倍。基础饲料本底硒含量为0.76 mg/kg。选用初始体重为(12.99±0.01)g大口黑鲈,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复20尾,试验期为10周。结果表明:Y0组增重率和摄食率最低,同时其饲料系数也最低,均显著低于其余各组(P0.05)。Y0组血浆中碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于其余各组(P0.05)。Y0.5组血浆中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著高于其余各组(P0.05)。Y2.5组血浆中尿素氮含量显著高于其余各组(P0.05)。Y2.5组、Y5.0组血浆中免疫球蛋白M含量显著高于Y0组、Y0.5组(P0.05)。与Y0组相比,酵母硒的添加显著降低了血浆中丙二醛的含量(P0.05),且显著提高了血浆中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的活性(P0.05)。Y5.0组肝脏硒含量显著高于Y0组、Y 0.5组(P0.05),与Y2.5组无显著差异(P0.05)。硒日摄入量和肝脏硒含量呈显著线性相关(P0.05),肝脏硒含量随硒日摄入量的提高呈线性增加。各组大口黑鲈的肝脏都有不同程度的损伤,但添加0.5 mg/kg酵母硒对肝脏损伤有缓减作用。由上述结果可知,饲料中添加0.5 mg/kg酵母硒(总硒含量为1.29 mg/kg)对大口黑鲈具有一定的脂肪代谢促进作用和抗氧化保护功能,且对大口黑鲈是安全的。本试验条件下,综合生长性能、血浆生化指标、组织抗氧化指标及肝脏组织结构,饲料本底硒含量为0.76 mg/kg时,大口黑鲈对饲料中酵母硒的耐受剂量为0.5 mg/kg(以硒计),即为硒的最高推荐剂量,安全系数为1。鱼粉、磷虾粉等动物蛋白质源中含有较高水平的硒元素,因此在高鱼粉水产动物饲料中补充硒要慎重。     

Effect of dietary fumonisin B1 on laying Japanese quail

1. A 28-d experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1) on egg production and egg quality of young laying Japanese quail fed on fumonisin-contaminated rations. 2. To this end, 128 7-week-old birds were randomly distributed into 4 experimental groups (32 birds per group) and given rations containing 0 (control), 10, 50 and 250mg FB1/kg feed. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 8 quail. Egg production and egg weight were checked daily. Feed consumption and feed conversion were determined weekly. Eggs laid on the last day of each 7-d period were collected and subjected to individual analysis for specific gravity, Haugh units and percentage eggshell. 3. Compared with controls, quail given > or = 50 mg FB1/kg had reduced feed intake and lower body weight gain. Feed conversion was reduced only in birds given 250 mg FB1/kg. 4. Mean egg production and egg weight were lower in birds given 250mg FB1/kg. Eggshell weight was reduced in birds given > or =50mg FB1/kg. However, mean specific gravity, Haugh units and percentage eggshell were not affected by FB1. 5. No histopathological changes were observed in liver, kidney or heart samples from any treatment group. 6. The results indicated that exposure to FB1 at concentrations > or = 50 mg/kg could adversely affect quail performance, emphasising the importance of controlling fumonisin contamination of quail rations.     

Dietary probiotic supplementation and resulting effects on performance, health status, and microbial characteristics of primiparous sows

In an experiment with 33 first-litter sows from day 90 of pregnancy to day 28 of lactation, the influence of a probiotic supplementation on weight performance, feed intake, litter sizes, litter weights, health status and microbiological profile was tested. Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 was supplemented in a concentration of 5 x 10(8) CFU/kg feed to the gestation and lactation diets of gilts. The supplemented sows showed a significant higher improvement of feed intake (4.16 vs. 3.71 kg/day), litter size (9.2 vs. 7.7 piglets) and weight performance. The average live weight of the probiotic sows at day 28 of lactation was 11 kg higher than of the controls. The bacterial counts/g faeces (lactobacilli, Gram-positive anaerobes, Gram-negative anaerobes, Escherichia coli and enterococci) and the incidence of adhesive and haemolytic E. coli organisms revealed no significant differences between the sows of the two groups or their piglets. While the litter size cannot necessarily be assumed as a primary effect of the probiotic supplementation, the significantly better feed intake and weight performance might be partly due to the probiotic use and can prevent "starvation sterility" of young sows after their first litter caused by reduced feed intake during lactation with high mobilization of body tissue accompanied with lack of energy.     

Arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids of dogs on chronic low-level dietary sodium arsenite.

Twenty-four female Beagle dogs, 7-8 months old, were assigned to 4 groups. Control, low-dosage, medium-dosage, and high-dosage groups were offered 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg of sodium arsenite per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), respectively, in their feed (equivalent to 0.0, 33.4, 66.7, and 133.4 micrograms/g in feed). On day 59, the dosage was doubled for the rest of the experiment, which ended on day 183. In general, arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids reflected arsenic levels in feed. Arsenic caused a dose-related decrease in food intake. Statistically significant differences in blood, liver, and kidney arsenic were detected, in most cases, between the 2 higher dosage groups and controls. The greatest differences in arsenic concentrations between groups were present in urine and hair. Results indicate that urine and hair would be the most useful specimens for chemical analysis when attempting to confirm low-level dietary inorganic arsenic exposure or poisoning.     

Effects of aflatoxins in young ponies

Sixteen clinically normal, healthy ponies were randomly assigned to 4 groups and given aflatoxin B1 in doses of 0.045, 0.030, 0.015, and 0 (control) mg/kg of body weight per day for 21 days (or total doses of 0.945, 0.630, 0.315, and 0 mg/kg). The animals were allowed to recover for 3 months and then were reassigned to 4 treatment groups such that each group during the 2nd trial included a pony from each of the groups of the 1st trial. The animals in the new groups were intubated and were given aflatoxin in doses of 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, and 0 (control) mg/kg/day for 5 days ( or total doses of 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, and 0 mg/kg). Venous blood samples were drawn every other day to monitor for toxicosis; examinations were made for RBC and WBC counts, hemoglobin concentration, PCV, serum urea nitrogen, prothrombin time, and serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, iditol dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and arginase. There were no significant differences between treatment groups and controls (given no aflatoxin) in the toxicologic values examined for during the 1st trial. During the 2nd experiment, 2 of the ponies in the large-dose treatment gorup (2.0 mg/kg) demonstrated increased serum enzyme activities. These animals had been in the large-dose (0.945 mg/kg) and median-dose (0.63 mg/kg) groups during the 1st trial. Arginase, iditol dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities became increased on the 4th day of treatment and continued to increase until the 6th day of the experiment (1 day after treatment was terminated). These enzymes approached control group values at 10 days after cessation of treatment. These increases were indicative of hepatocellular toxicity. It was concluded that the possibility of equine aflatoxicosis exists although ponies given high quality rations appear to be less susceptible than some other species. Prior exposure to aflatoxins may predispose to clinical toxicity on subsequent exposure, despite lack of expression of clinical signs.