The effect of ionizing irradiation on sensory changes in feed in relation to their utilization by dogs

To evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation on sensory changes of feeds in relation to their utilization by dogs, four groups of experimental animals were formed. Two groups were fed a ration where the main component (meat feed mixture VETACAN and loose feed mixture VETAVIT) was irradiated by radioisotope Co 60 at the dose of 25 kGy/kg for the period of 90 days. In the remaining two groups a non-irradiated ration was used for the same period. For both diets, control groups of dogs were formed and the feed ration was biologically fortified by a vitamin-mineral supplement to the physiological standard. It followed from the observations that the effect of radiation caused a significant qualitative decrease in the level of energy nutrients, particularly in the protein and lipid sphere. It is assumed that the extent of damage of lipid fraction is also accompanied by deficient vitamin activity and further by significant changes of taste and aromatic properties felt by animals. Irradiation of the feed ration caused a significant 20 to 25% decrease of food intake with a subsequent decrease of live weight and deterioration of physical condition. Irradiated diets without biological fortification caused significant losses of weight from the initial value mean = 39.5 kg to mean = 35.33 kg, in comparison with the non-irradiated rations through which the live weight was stabilized, and at biological fortification positively influenced. Irradiation of the feed ration during the period of study had not caused a response of the organism displayed in changes of physiological values of body temperature and heart and respiration rates in experimental animals. Radiosterilization of feeds had not caused any significant decrease of training ability and performance of dogs.     

The effect of ionizing radiation on structural changes in the energy nutrients in animal feed

For the purpose of testing the effect of ionizing radiation, feeds for dogs (meat feed mixture VETACAN and loose feed mixture VETAVIT) irradiated by 60Co radioisotope at the dose of 25 kGy/kg were studied for 60 days. It has been found out that the total volume of energetic and non-energetic nutrients is not changed. Qualitative structure, however, displays a significant, on the average 35% disintegration of essential amino acids, decrease of proteins and increase of free ammonic bases. A significant oxidation effect of radiation is exerted on the decomposition of fats with a release of free fatty acids from glycerol bond in a process similar to rancidification (from 13.3-37.10 mg/g in meat mixture, from 103.1-103.04-135.04 mg/g in loose mixture). A certain disintegration of nutrients, only within the limits of significance, occurred also in the saccharide proportion of the loose feed mixture (acidity of water extract 348.8-403.99-436.60 mg/100 g). It has been proved that radiosterilization reliably secures microbiological and mycological sanitation of feeds and causes no sensory changes noticeable by human senses. It follows from the results that ionizing radiation has a pronounced antimicrobial and antimycotic effectiveness. However, it causes significant structural changes of energetic nutrients in the feeds of animal as well as of vegetable origin.     

Effect of feeding sheep on naturally spoiled rice straw, clover hay and concentrate feed mixtures

The effects of feeding naturally contaminated feedstuffs to sheep were investigated through feeding of contaminated and uncontaminated clover hay, rice straw, and concentrate feed mixture were compared. The highest level of contamination with fungi was observed in the concentrate feed mixture followed by clover hay and rice straw. The most dominant mycotoxin in the contaminated feedstuffs was zearalenone. Contamination resulted in increases of crude protein, ash and silica in feedstuffs while both ether extract and crude fibre decreased. In vivo digestibility of different diet constituents in both contaminated and uncontaminated feedstuffs were determined using four mature Rahmani rams. Contamination resulted in significant increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and energy. Contamination affected feed intake of the different feedstuffs particularly the concentrate feed mixture. A metabolism trial was also conducted to study the nitrogen and mineral balance. Retention of nitrogen and calcium was reduced when mouldy feeds were given. On the other hand, magnesium was relatively increased. Blood analysis for sheep at the end of the trials resulted in elevated values of inorganic phosphorus and phospholipid phosphorus and declined total nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, calcium/phosphorus ratio and cholesterol/calcium ratio due to feeding on mouldy ration. Results of the urine analysis during the metabolism trials proved that mouldy ration increased the estimated values of the concentration of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C; whereas pH values, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus were declined during the feeding on the mouldy ration. Mouldy feeds tested, seemed to have toxic, nephritic and hepatic effect.     

Toxicologic studies with sheep fed colored magazines and newsprint.

Paper containing colored inks from magazines and newspapers was fed as 23% of their ration to sheep for 175 days. A similar ration containing oat hulls in place of the paper was fed to control animals. The paper-fed animals consumed 29% more feed than the controls but the feed efficiency (kg animal weight gained/kg ration consumed) of the two rations was approximately equivalent. Lead contained in the paper accumulated in animal tissues. Hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase activity was several fold higher in the paper-fed animals than the controls. Histopathologic examination of liver and kidney using light and electron microscopy revealed no lesions attributable to diet.     

The Effect of Thyroprotein Supplementation of the Ration Upon the Performance of Early-Weaned Pigs

Twenty-four early-weaned pigs were fed three different rations, with and without the addition of 16 mg. iodinated casein/lb. feed. In general, supplementation did not result in any change in liveweight gain, feed intake or feed efficiency, but brought about a noticeable, though not statistically significant, increase in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, ether extract, and total carbohydrates. An examination of the results of supplementing individual rations revealed that in one case iodinated casein had adversely affected liveweight gain, feed intake and efficiency of feed conversion. This particular ration, in comparison with the other two feeds, contained a high level of soybean oilmeal and a low level of feed of animal origin.     

Utilization of urea nitrogen in young calves

The influence of an increasing intake of urea in feed rations for calves on its levels in blood plasma and urine, development of health condition, weight gains and on other biochemical characteristics in the blood of calves was studied. The experimental group (n = 4) received urea in feed ration from the 17th day of age, at the beginning in the preparation Syrur, later on (from the 66th day) in the synthetic form only. The feed ration of the control group (n = 3) differed only in the zero content of urea. Over the period of ten weeks the blood was sampled for biochemical examination twice a week, since the 52nd day of age urine was also taken at the same intervals. Starting the 24th day of age, the levels of urea in the blood plasma of experimental animals were significantly higher (P less than 0.05). The concentrations of urea in the urine of the animals belonging to the experimental group were also higher, however, the differences in the average values were not significant. In both groups of animals under study no significant differences in the content of vitamin A, concentration of total protein, glucose, bilirubin, activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gammaglutamyl transferase (GMT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were observed. The average daily weight gains were higher in the calves of the control group, however, the differences were not significant. Over the whole experimental period the health condition of both groups of calves was good.     

Dynamics of exogenous progesterone in the blood of pigs stressed with polychlorobiphenyls (PCB)

For a period of 70 days, young gilts were given rations containing a commercial mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), produced in Czechoslovakia (Delor 105). One group of animals (A) was given feed containing 10 mg chlorobiphenyls per kg, the other group (B) was given feed containing 50 mg chlorobiphenyls per kg; on the whole, each animal of group A got 1 g of PCB mixture and each animal of group B 5 g. In about the mid-time of the experiment and before its termination the animals were given an i. m. injection of progesterone; then the animals were studied for the changes in the concentration of blood plasma progesterone. Statistically significant (P less than 0.05) and highly significant (P less than 0.01) differences in the values of the biological half-life of progesterone were found between the group of PCB-treated animals and the control group, and between groups A and B.     

Llama medicine. Nutrition

The NWC are capable of assimilating a much lower plane of nutrition than we are accustomed to offer conventional domestic herbivores. Their unique gastric anatomy and physiology no doubt contribute to this apparent superiority, which is most evident when compared with sheep under lesser planes of nutrition. Llamas tend to be "cafeteria style" eaters, with some preference being given to taller, coarser forages. Absolute maintenance requirements for caloric, protein, fiber, and mineral content of NWC rations are yet to be finalized using North American feedstuffs, but some guidelines are offered. Proper assessment of body condition, acknowledgment of any nutritional problems, ration analysis, and assessment of management procedures likely will keep NWC nutrition on an even plane here in their new-found environment.     

Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) poisoning in pigs

Young pigs, six to ten weeks of age, from two unrelated swine operations were fed a grower ration obtained from a common commercial supplier. Following ingestion of the feed for approximately two weeks, pigs in both groups developed neurological disturbances characterized by blindness, ataxia, incoordination, muscle tremors, posterior paralysis, and quadriplegia. Vocalization described as “screaming” was also observed in several animals. Necropsy findings and tissue arsenic concentrations were consistent with a diagnosis of phenylarsonic acid poisoning. The liver and kidney contained an average arsenic content of 2.9 and 1.8 mg/kg (wet weight), respectively. The feed contained 38 mg of arsenic/kg corresponding to 133 mg roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid)/kg. This level of roxarsone is approximately three to five times higher than the levels recommended for swine rations. The feed company had placed roxarsone in the ration at levels recommended for the less toxic arsanilic acid. It was assumed that the two organic arsenicals could be added to the rations interchangeably at the same level of formulation. The present investigation indicated that roxarsone is more toxic than arsanilic acid and the margin of safety in swine rations is low.     

The effect of citronellylseneciate on the utilization of feed in sheep

The influence of citronellylseneciate on the digestibility of nutrients and energy, as well as on the level of some rumen and blood metabolites, was studied in feed rations for rams. Citronellylseneciate was not found to have a significant influence on the digestibility of nutrients and energy and nitrogen balance in feed ration. Neither did citronellylseneciate influence the production of total volatile fatty acids and the molar percent of acetic, propionic and n-butyric acids. The addition of citronellylseneciate to feed ration resulted in a decrease in the pH value in rumen and in a non-significant increase in ammonia in rumen and urea in blood. The hematological profile showed increased levels of phosphorus and glutamate-oxalate transferase.     

Nutritive physiological effects of dietary fats in rations of growing swine. 6. Effect of soya oil and lard on growth performance and carcass characteristics and various blood parameters in fattening swine

Groups of each 10 boars, weight range 20-60 kg, were fed ad libitum the following 4 rations of similar protein: energy ratio: Ration I (control), Ration II (+ 2% soyaoil ), Ration III (+ 2% soyaoil + 5% lard), Ration IV (+ 7% lard). When the animals reached 60 kg body weight each group was halved. One half had free access to the above rations, while the other half were fed ad libitum on the control ration. At body weights of 50 and 100 kg the concentrations of urea, insulin, glucose and cholesterol were measured, in addition the fatty acid composition of the backfat. At the end of the experiment (100 kg) the content of fat in the carcass was calculated by determining the specific gravidity of the carcass. There was little difference in the intake of metabolizable energy (ME) of the different groups of animals at both body weight ranges as a result of the reduction in feed intake of the fat supplemented diets on account of the higher ME-content. There were little differences in the glucose and urea concentrations in the blood of the animals fed the different rations. The highest cholesterol and the lowest insulin levels were measured in groups III and IV, when 5 and 7% lard was added, respectively. The animals, continuously fed Rations III and IV over the whole period of experiment, had a significantly higher fat content (p less than 0,05) than the control animals. There was a very marked influence of the fatty acid intake on the fatty acid pattern of the backfat. Following the change of feed to the control ration at 60 kg body weight, the linoleic acid content of the animals in Groups III and IV was significantly reduced (p less than 0,001) from 15.7 to 11.2%. However this was higher than the 7.3% linoleic acid measured on the animals continuously fed the control ration.     

Supplementation of swine feed rations with zeolite during cage rearing

The effect of the addition of zeolite to pig feed ration was studied in the cage rearing system under production conditions. Zeolite was mixed in the COS I and COS II feed mixtures directly in the feed plant, the mixing ratio being 100 kg feed mixture + 5 kg zeolite. The feed mixture was administered in granular form ad libitum. The test group had 648 weanlings and the control group 674 weanlings; the piglets, kept in two-story cages in four sections, were arranged so that the test group could be a mirror-like reflection of the control group. The trial lasted 45 days. The piglets given the fortified feed ration had daily weight gains higher by 0.017 kg and feed consumption lower by 0.234 kg per 1 kg of gain, as compared with the control animals. The costs of the feed ration required for producing a kilogram of gain were 8.55 Cz. crowns in the zeolite group and 9.422 crowns in the control group.     

Comparison of energy deposition and utilization of feedstuffs and rations between growing and adult pigs.

The effect of energy deposition and the utilization of feedstuffs and rations were compared between growing and adult pigs. The good agreement in the data leads to the conclusion, that the energy deposition effect of feedstuffs and rations in growing pigs can be estimated with an equation based on measurements in adult pigs. Exceptions are feedstuffs which are digested bacterially to a relatively high part in the large intestine, as e.g. sugar beet pulp, raw potatoes or similar feed.     

Feedlot performance and tissue residues of cattle consuming diets containing aflatoxins

A comparative slaughter feeding trial was conducted using crossbred Hereford-Angus steers. Cottonseed meal known to be contaminated with aflatoxins was fortified with long-grain rice cultures of Aspergillus flavus to produce complete rations that contained 0, 60, 300 and 600 ppb aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Forty steers, weighing approximately 250 kg were randomly assigned to four equal treatment groups. Animals were housed in individual pens and fed the assigned contaminated ration ad libitum for 155 d. On d 156 all animals were placed on the control ration for 14 d. Animals were weighed and blood samples collected every month for clinical chemistry analysis. Liver, muscle and fat biopsies were collected at 6-wk intervals. These samples were stored in liquid N2 prior to analysis for aflatoxin M1 and B1 content. Separate liver samples were taken for histopathological examination. Aflatoxin was withdrawn from the diet 2 wk prior to slaughter. After 1 wk of withdrawal liver, muscle and fat samples were collected and assayed for AFB1 and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Liver samples also were taken for histopathological examination. Growth rates and feed intakes in the 60 and 300 ppb aflatoxin treatments were not significantly different from controls. The 600-ppb treatment group had a decrease in feed intake and rate of gain. Rations containing 60 and 300 ppb of aflatoxin had no significant influence on blood components and enzyme patterns. The 600-ppb treatment caused a slight, but consistent, increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in the acid-base index of blood in dairy cows in relation to the seasonal composition of feed rations and phases of the reproductive cycle

The changes in the acid-base indices of the blood of dairy cows in different stages of reproduction cycle were studied in relation to the composition of feed ration in the autumn, winter, spring and summer feeding seasons. The cows were in the following stages of their reproduction cycle: Group I the fourth to sixth month of gravidity, II eighth to ninth month of gravidity, III one to two months after calving. The seasonal composition of feed ration was demonstrated to exert a significant influence on the acid-base balance of the blood of cows in the studied stages of reproduction. A considerable occurrence of metabolic acidoses with different levels of compensation was observed when the cows were given the autumn and winter feed rations. Subclinical acid-base disorders of different directions (metabolic and respiratory alkaloses, acidoses) frequently occurred in the green feeding season. The frequency of acid-base disorders as a result of incorrect nutrition was found to be the highest in highly pregnant cows (group II) and in those one to two months after parturition (group III), i. e. in the periods with a significant influence on the reproduction process. On the whole, the best situation as to the acid-base balance was found in cows in the fourth to sixth month of their gravidity, irrespective of the seasonal effect of feed ration.     

The effects of low doses of Senna occidentalis seeds on broiler chickens

The effects of 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.1% w/w concentrations of Senna occidentalis (So) seed mixed with commercial ration were studied in 18 groups of 32 broiler chicks each, from 1 day to 49 days of age. Three groups were fed one of the rations throughout their lives (TL). Three other groups were fed one of the rations from the 1st to the 28th day of life (starter phase, SP), and the final 3 groups were fed one of the rations from the 29th to 49th day (finisher phase, FP). Each experimental group was matched by a control group fed the same diet over the same period but without the inclusion of So. All the animals were killed at 49 days of age, and blood was collected from 10 birds in each group for biochemical studies (ALT, AST, GGT, LDH, UA). A complete necropsy was performed on 3 birds from each group. No significant differences in the biochemical parameters in the serum were found between the control and experimental chicks, but animals treated with 0.5% So in groups FP and TL, gained less weight and chicks that received 0.3% So or 0.5% So in the ration throughout life (TL) had a larger feed conversion ratio. Besides this, degenerative changes were found in the striated skeletal muscle in the chest, in the myocardium and in the liver in the animals that received the higher concentrations of So seeds.     

The substitution of protein feed by lysine supplemented high protein wheat during the rearing and laying period in hens. 9. True amino acid digestibility of rations with varying lysine levels in hens who had a colostomy]

24 experimental birds were fed the same basal ration containing 74% high-protein wheat, 4% extracted soya bean meal, 7% extracted groundnut meal, 2% feed yeast, 1.75% dried green meal, 1.25% mixed vitamins and 10% of a mineral mixture. The birds were placed in 4 groups each comprising 6 hens. The first two groups received an optimum of lysine (0.68%) added to the ration. The rations for the two other groups contained 0.55% lysine. 6 birds of each group receiving either the lysinesupplemented or the unsupplemented rations were colostomated to investigate in which way the hydrolysed urine would affect the true amino acid digestibility. 8.3% of urinary N from the total amount of faecal N were precipitated as uranyl acetate in the faeces of hens fed the lysine-supplemented ration as compared with 7.3% urinary N in birds receiving the unsupplemented ration. The corresponding figures for non-precipitable faecal N were 8.9% and 8.2%. A comparison was made between the levels of amino acids excreted by colostomated and non-colostomated hens showing that 12.4% +/- 3% and 11.7% +/- 3% more amino acids (figures for the supplemented and unsupplemented rations) were excreted in the presence of urine. On the basis of these results the authors recommend that only colostomated hens should be used in digestibility and total metabolism trials.     

Effect of micronized pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) as a substitute of soybean meal on tissue fatty acid composition and quality of broiler chicken meat

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of micronized pea seeds introduced into feed mixes for broilers on the slaughter yield, blood lipid parameters, content of fatty acids in selected tissues, and meat quality. The studies involved 150 1‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks split into three groups (for 42 days). The feed rations differed in terms of the source of proteins: in the control group (C), it was post‐extraction soybean meal (SBM) 100%; in group I, SBM 50% and micronized peas 50%; and in group II, micronized peas only, 100%. Irradiated pea seeds added to the feed ration for chicks reduced the fattening grade of carcasses (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvement of blood lipid indices was recorded. The share of the irradiated pea seeds in feed mixes decreased the share of saturated fatty acids in the muscles and abdominal fat and had a positive effect on the n‐6/n‐3 ratio, hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic ratio, as well as the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (P < 0.05).     

Clinical and biochemical response in the prevention of nutritional myodystrophy in heifers

Clinical and biochemical responses were studied after taking the measures to prevent nutrition muscular dystrophy in young cattle in the given ecological conditions. Analyzing the biological material (blood, hair, feed, soil), we found the sufficiently high saturation of heifer organisms with the microelement selenium and on the contrary, vitamin E deficiency. Sensitive indicators of the break-down of muscular tissue were the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and mainly creatinine kinase (CPK): the activities of these enzymes increased significantly after the heifers had been driven to pasture. The stay of animals in the run to get them used to the physical load before going to the pasture was not found to be a sufficient measure to prevent muscular nutrition myodystrophy if the animals had not been administered vitamin E and selenium supplements. Of the one hundred heifers we examined, seven animals began to show the signs of nutrition muscular dystrophy; none of these animals had been administered vitamin E and selenium supplements.     

The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on liver aniline hydroxylase activity and on certain metabolic parameters in the blood of pigs

For 70 days two groups of 10-week gilts were given feed supplemented with PCB commercial mixture of Czechoslovak make (Delor 105), at the doses of 10 and 50 mg. .kg-1 of feed. Over the experimental period, animals were administered 1000 mg or 5000 mg of PCB mixture. During the experimental period the levels of glucose, cholesterol, urea, total protein, vitamin A, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and the activities of AF, ALT and AST enzymes were determined twice. At the end of this experiment the aniline hydroxylase activity in microsomal fractions of liver was determined and pronounced induction effect of PCB on the enzymatic system was observed. Out of the studied metabolic parameters of blood plasma, the decrease in vitamin A level was significant.