Effect of clinoptilolite on serum biochemical and haematological characters of broiler chickens during aflatoxicosis

Clinoptilolite (CLI, a natural zeolite) incorporated into the diet at 1.5 and 2.5 per cent were evaluated for their ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF) kg(-1)diet on broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. In total 360 broiler chicks were divided into six equal treatment groups (control, AF, CLI (1.5 per cent), AF plus CLI (1.5 per cent), CLI (2.5 per cent) and AF plus CLI (2.5 per cent)). When compared with the controls, AF treatment significantly decreased serum total protein, albumin, inorganic phosphorus, uric acid, total cholesterol and the values of haematocrit, red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, haemoglobin, thrombocyte counts, percentage of monocyte counts; increased values of white blood cell and heterophil counts. The addition of CLI (1.5 per cent) and CLI (2.5 per cent) to the AF -containing diet reduced the adverse effects of AF and should be helpful in a solution to the aflatoxicosis problem in poultry.     

Effect of organic acids on the microbial quality of Taiwanese-style sausages

The effects of organic acids on the microbial quality of Taiwanese‐style sausages were studied. Pork meat from a Taiwan retail market was decontaminated with various organic acids (citric, lactic and tartaric acid), then, the raw meat was used to make Taiwanese‐style sausages and stored from 0 to 40 days at 4°C. The total plate counts, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Hunter‐L and Hunter‐a values were determined. The total plate counts of the control group were initially greater than those of the treated groups. Higher incidence rates of L. monocytogenes in the products were obtained from the control group, but were not detected in the treated groups during storage. Lactic acid bacteria counts following the lactic acid treatment were lower than those of the other groups. Micrococcus counts of the controls increased by 0.6–1.2 log₁₀ colony‐forming unit (CFU)/g greater than those of treated groups throughout storage at 4°C. The light color (L‐value) of the control group gradually decreased during storage. Pork meat dipped in various organic acids was found to be suitable to extend the shelf‐life and improve the microbiological quality of Taiwanese‐style sausages.     

The effect of Rumensin on the metabolic profile of rumen fluid in feedlot cattle

The effects were studied of sodium monensinate dosed 125 mg on the metabolic profile of rumen fluid. The experiment was conducted under current farming conditions in a pavilion cattle fattening house. The experiment, which lasted 367 days, comprised 985 bulls of the Bohemian Spotted breed. The feed ration was based on silage with an additive of dried poultry litter and concentrates. The additive was administered in concentrate mixture, 125 mg per head/day. After the start of the experiment want of appetite to sodium monensinate was observed. The animals took approximately four weeks to adapt completely to the additive. The following characteristics were investigated to study the metabolic profile of rumen fluid: actual acidity, total titration acidity, ammonia, total nitrogen, lactic acid, total volatile fatty acids, per cent acetic acid, per cent propionic acid, molar ratio acetic acid: propionic acid, per cent iso- and n-butyric acid, absolute number of infusoria and energy net yield of volatile fatty acids. Increased levels of the clinico-biochemical parameters of the metabolic profile of rumen fluid were found in lactic acid, propionic acid and energy net yield of volatile fatty acids. The per cent of propionic acid increased at some samplings by up to 116%. A drop was recorded in total nitrogen, per cent acetic acid, per cent butyric acid, molar ratio C2 : C3 and total number of infusoria. The decrease in the per cent of acetic acid ranged around 16% and the drop in butyric acid level amounted at some samplings up to 78%. No response to the additive was observed in the other characteristics of the metabolic profile of rumen fluid.     

The effect of organic acids on the control of porcine post-weaning diarrhoea

Post-weaning diarrhoea syndrome (PWDS) of piglets is caused mainly by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains. Six organic acids were tested for their efficacy in the control of PWDS, using a total of 384 weaned piglets, in eight groups, during a 28-day period. One group (negative control) was offered a diet free of antimicrobials, one group (positive control) was offered the same diet medicated with 44 p.p.m. of lincomycin and 44 p.p.m. spectinomycin (Lincospectin 22 premix, Upjohn), and six groups were offered feed supplemented with either 1.0 per cent propionic acid, 1.6 per cent lactic acid, 1.2 per cent formic acid, 1.2 per cent malic acid, 1.5 per cent citric acid or 1.5 per cent fumaric acid. Groups were compared with regard to the appearance of clinical signs, mortality, weight gain and feed conversion. All groups supplemented with organic acids had reduced incidence and severity of diarrhoea, and performed significantly better than the negative control group (P<0.05). At the end of the trial, ETEC strains were detected in the control group not receiving antibiotics but not in the treated group. Organic acids and especially lactic acid are a useful tool in controlling PWDS.     

Effect of feeding organic acids on selected intestinal content measurements at varying times postweaning in pigs.

Pigs weaned at 21 d of age (n = 72) were fed a 20% CP corn-soybean meal-based diet (control) with 1.5% fumaric or 1.5% citric acid added to observe the effect of these acids on the pH, chloride ion concentration (Cl-), VFA profile, and microflora population in the stomach, jejunum, cecum, and lower colon contents at -2, 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 d postweaning. Feeding organic acids had no appreciable effect (P greater than .10) on stomach jejunum, cecum, or lower colon pH, Cl-, VFA profile, or microflora populations, except for increasing the concentration of fumaric acid in the stomachs of pigs fed fumaric acid. The pH of the gastrointestinal tract generally decreased from -2 to 21 d postweaning with no corresponding change in Cl- over time. No age effects on total anaerobic culture counts were observed except in the stomach, where counts decreased from -2 to 3 d postweaning. Clostridia counts generally decreased after weaning in all intestinal sections. Lactobacillus counts were usually lower at d 0 and 3 and greatest at d 7 postweaning in the stomach, jejunum, and lower colon, but no age effect was observed for concentration of cecum lactobacilli. Escherichia coli counts generally increased after weaning to 3 and 7 d postweaning. Intestinal content measurements were affected by postweaning age but were not affected by feeding organic acids.     

添加糖蜜和乙酸对西藏发酵全混合日粮青贮发酵品质及有氧稳定性影响

为研究乙酸和糖蜜对发酵全混合日粮(FTMR)品质及有氧稳定性的影响,试验以全混合日粮(TMR)为发酵原料,设对照组、乙酸(A)、糖蜜(M)、乙酸和糖蜜组合添加(AM)4个处理,发酵45 d后分析FTMR的发酵品质,同时将所有FTMR暴露到空气中,分别在第6,9和12天取样评定其有氧稳定性。结果表明,与对照相比,A和AM组降低了乳酸含量(P>0.05),各组仅检测到微量的丙酸、少量的丁酸和较低的氨态氮/总氮,表明各组FTMR发酵品质均良好。有氧暴露6 d后,各组乳酸、乙酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量均呈不同程度的下降,对照和M组pH值在第12 天显著(P<0.05)上升至5.70和6.50,具有较高的氨态氮/总氮和酵母菌数量。而A和AM组乳酸含量均呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,且好氧性微生物和酵母菌数量在整个有氧暴露的过程中始终维持在较低水平,有氧暴露12 d后pH值仍维持在4.50左右,延长了有氧稳定时间。综合考虑,为了获得品质优良的FTMR饲料,可在TMR中添加0.3%乙酸,既不影响发酵品质,也可提高其有氧稳定性。     

A note on the effect of adding sea urchin shell powder in diet on growth performance in chicken and litter quality

Abstract

A small pen trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with sea urchin shell powder on the broiler performance and ammonia emissions in poultry houses for 28 days. A total of 120 male broilers (n = 30 birds/treatment) were fed four diets supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, and 1.0% sea urchin shell powder or 1% feed additives. The use of sea urchin shell powder and feed additives improved growth performance compared to the controls. When compared with the control group at four weeks, ammonia fluxes were decreased by 29.2%, 37.6%, and 27.9% for 0.1% and 1.0% sea urchin shell powder and 1% feed additives, respectively, which could be due to the reduced litter pH. The addition of 1% sea urchin shell powder was effective in improving growth and reducing negative environmental impacts. It is suggested that the decrease in the ammonia level was mainly related to the lower litter pH.     

A Study of the Oral Toxicity of Calcium Chloride in Dairy Cows

The effects of oral administration of calcium chloride solutions to dairy cows were studied. When a 0.3 per cent solution was given ad libitum, and as the sole source of water for a period of 75 days, we observed no significant changes in feed consumption, body weight or milk production. The average daily water intake was increased by approximately 20 per cent, and signs of slight gastro-intestinal irritation were seen. No major changes in blood hemoglobin levels, hematocrits, total and differential white cell counts or thrombocyte numbers could be attributed to the treatment. We observed no significant effect on the serum calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, or sodium content. The level of inorganic phosphate in the serum rose to higher, but still normal values. During the entire experiment the urine pH was abnormally acid for dairy cows. Electrocardiograms were taken after 45 days of calcium chloride administration, and they appeared normal. When 0.1 and 0.2 per cent solutions were given as the sole source of water for a period of 81 days, the cows remained in good condition, and we observed no changes in appetite, body weight or milk production. In general, dairy cows will refuse to drink calcium chloride solutions when the concentration exceeds 0.5 per cent, even when they have been deprived of water for 18-24 hours. On the other hand, since the administration of lower concentrations for periods of 75 and 81 days did not cause any clinical sign of disease, it seems that on farms where more than one source of water are usually available, poisoning of dairy cattle by calcium chloride in solution is quite unlikely.     

Synthesis and absorption of cysteine from the hindgut of the horse

The extent to which cysteine synthesised by microbes within the hindgut of the horse is incorporated into plasma cysteine was estimated by an isotopic technique in two horses fed four different diets. The results showed that between 1 per cent and 6 per cent of the plasma cysteine was of microbial origin. It is argued that the maximum contribution of microbial cysteine, and presumably other amino acids of microbial origin, to the plasma pool is 12 per cent of the net supply. These data support the hypothesis that microbial amino acid synthesis within the hindgut of the horse does not significantly affect its amino acid status.     

Impact of dietary crude protein and amino acids status on performance and some excreta characteristics of broiler chicks during 10–28 days of age

A study was conducted in a completely randomised design to evaluate the effects of providing almost all important essential amino acids (EAA) in low‐crude protein (CP) diets equal to that of higher CP diets in broiler chickens. Also the effects of additional mixture of glycine (Gly) and glutamic acid (Glu) or supplementation of excess EAA to low‐CP diets on the live performance and excreta characteristics including pH, moisture, nitrogen, uric acid and ammonia concentration were measured to ascertain the optimum CP concentration for the maximum performance and reduced excreta ammonia concentration. Male, broiler chickens growing from 10 to 28 days of age were fed eight experimental diets. Reducing dietary CP below 19% negatively affected performance. Adding the Gly and Glu mixtures to 17% CP diets improved live performance. Reducing CP to 19% with a normal amino acids status declined N, ammonia, uric acid, moisture and pH of excreta significantly. These findings suggest that diminishing dietary CP from 23% to 19% while maintaining adequate EAA levels during 10–28 days of age results in not only a significant decline in N emission, but also a probable reduction in the NH₃ volatilisation because of reduction in pH and moisture. Contrary to expectations, reduction of dietary CP below the minimum level (19%) resulted in more ammonia. All these factors may improve on litter and air quality within the housing facility and reduce the ventilation rate required to emit the elevated ammonia gas concentrations.     

饲粮酸度与仔猪增重关系初探

本研究以柠檬酸和延胡索酸作为酸化剂，对饲粮酸度与仔猪增重关系进行了初步研究。３５５头２９±１至５９±１日龄的大约克夏和长白仔猪分４次进行饲养试验。结果表明添加有机酸后饲粮的ｐＨ值下降，随添加剂量的加大，饲粮ｐＨ值呈近似直线下降；酸化饲粮的ｐＨ值在一定范围内增重效果较好；基础饲粮的ｐＨ值越大，酸化后ｐＨ值下降越多，适量酸化时提高增重的效果越明显。建议酸化饲粮时要测定基础饲粮酸化前后的ｐＨ值，以此作为适量酸化的依据。     

A scheme for the separation and estimation of nitrogenous components of the excreta from poultry

An account is given of the development of a new scheme for assessing the relative proportions of nitrogenous end‐products of digestion and metabolism in excreta from laying hens. A series of solvent extractions with methanol‐chloroform‐water, phenol‐acetic acid‐water and lithium carbonate solution removed over 90 per cent of the nitrogen from excreta. In each extract estimations were made of the concentrations of certain nitrogenous components considered to be important such as urate, ammonia, urea, creatine, creatinine and amino acids.

Fractionation of nitrogen in a sample of excreta showed that over half the nitrogen appeared in the methanol‐water extract and about a third in the phenol‐acetic acid‐water extract. About 60 per cent of the extractable nitrogen was derived from urate, about 10 per cent from large non‐dialysable molecules, 9 per cent from ammonia, 2 per cent from free amino acids, possibly 3 per cent from peptides, 2 per cent from urea and 1 per cent from creatine and creatinine.     

Performance, intestinal microflora, and wall morphology of weanling pigs fed sodium butyrate

Adding organic acids to piglet diets is known to be helpful in overcoming postweaning syndrome, and butyric acid is known to be the main energy source for the epithelial cells of the large intestine and the terminal ileum. This study investigated the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on in vitro and in vivo swine microflora, piglet growth performance, and intestinal wall morphology. During a 24-h in vitro cecal fermentation, total gas production and maximal rate of gas production were reduced linearly by SB (P < 0.001). Ammonia in cecal liquor was increased linearly by SB after 4, 8, and 24 h of fermentation (P < 0.001). In the in vivo study, 48 piglets housed in individual crates were allotted to 4 treatment groups (12 animals per treatment) for 6 wk. Piglets received a basal diet with a) no addition (control), or with SB at b) 1,000 ppm, c) 2,000 ppm, or d) 4,000 ppm. After 6 wk, 6 animals per treatment were killed, and samples of intestinal content and mucosa were collected. Sodium butyrate did not improve the animal growth performance. In the cecum, SB increased pH and isobutyric acid concentration (linear, P < 0.05) and tended to increase ammonia concentration (P = 0.056). Intestinal counts of clostridia, enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria as well as intestinal mucosal morphology were not affected by feeding SB. This study showed that SB influenced the cecal microflora in an in vitro system, reducing the total gas production but increasing ammonia concentrations. When fed to piglets, SB did not improve the animal growth performance, increased cecal pH, and tended to increase cecal ammonia concentrations. Further studies will be needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the effects observed when SB is fed to piglets.     

体外法研究脂多糖对瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验旨在通过体外法研究脂多糖(LPS)对瘤胃发酵的影响。选取4头健康、体况相近、安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛用于瘤胃液的采集。试验分为对照组(不添加LPS)和试验组(添加LPS 100 000 EU/m L),分别在发酵2、4、8、12、24 h后取样,测定发酵液p H及挥发性脂肪酸、氨态氮、微生物蛋白浓度。结果表明:随着发酵时间的延长,对照组与试验组发酵液p H逐渐下降,发酵液总挥发性脂肪酸、氨态氮、微生物蛋白浓度及乙酸、丙酸、丁酸含量逐渐增加,对照组与试验组之间均无显著差异(P0.05),但在8、24 h试验组发酵液p H与对照组相比有降低的趋势(0.05≤P0.10),4、8、24 h试验组氨态氮浓度与对照组相比有降低的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。结果显示,在体外发酵条件下,添加LPS具有降低发酵液p H以及氨态氮浓度的趋势,但这一影响并不显著。     

Efficacy of moxidectin, nemadectin and ivermectin against an ivermectin-resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus in sheep.

The efficacies of ivermectin, nemadectin and moxidectin were evaluated when administered orally to lambs infected with either a susceptible laboratory strain of Haemonchus contortus or a strain reported to be resistant to ivermectin. Groups of 24 Dorset cross Cheviot cross Suffolk lambs were infected with either the susceptible or resistant strain of H contortus and allocated to treatment groups according to their faecal egg counts 27 days after infection. One day later the lambs were dosed orally with one of the three anthelmintics at 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight, and they were killed and surviving worms were recovered 13 or 14 days after treatment. Against the ivermectin resistant strain, ivermectin did not significantly reduce the egg count or the numbers of adult H contortus; however, both nemadectin and moxidectin reduced the nematode egg counts and the numbers of H contortus by 99 and 100 per cent, respectively. Against the susceptible strain, all the anthelmintics reduced the egg counts by 100 per cent as early as four days after treatment and reduced the numbers of susceptible H contortus by 100 per cent. No adverse reactions to any of the drugs were observed.     

Comparison of a chlorhexidine and a benzoyl peroxide shampoo as sole treatment in canine superficial pyoderma

The clinical and antibacterial efficacy of two shampoos used as a sole antibacterial treatment in dogs with superficial pyoderma were investigated and compared. In a randomised, partially blinded study, a 3 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate shampoo (Chlorhex 3; Leo Animal Health) was compared against a 2.5 per cent benzoyl peroxide shampoo (Paxcutol; Virbac) in 22 dogs with superficial pyoderma. Dogs were washed two to three times weekly with a 10-minute contact time over 21 days. Clinical scores and bacterial counts were assessed on days 1, 8 and 22 and compared within and between treatment groups; overall response was assessed at the end of the study. Twenty dogs completed the study; 15 (68.2 per cent) showed an overall clinical improvement and the clinical signs resolved in three chlorhexidine-treated dogs. In the chlorhexidine-treated group, scores for papules/pustules (P<0.001), investigator-assessed pruritus (P=0.003), total bacterial counts (P=0.003) and counts for coagulase-positive staphylococci (P=0.003) were reduced after three weeks. Scores and bacterial counts did not vary significantly in the benzoyl peroxide-treated group.     

Effect of combinations of organic acids in weaned pig diets on microbial species of digestive tract contents and their response on digestibility

The effect of combinations of organic acids on digestive microbial population and total tract digestibility of piglets was studied. Thirty 19-21 days weaned pigs (5.4 +/- 0.23 kg, six pigs per treatment) were given a mixed feed with 10 ml water/kg (CTL) or 200 mEq/kg of formic acid (FOR), 1:1 formic:fumaric (FOFU), 1:1 formic:lactic (FOLA) or 2:1 formic:lactic (2FOLA). After 6-8 days, animals were slaughtered. In gastric contents, pH was higher (p = 0.01) with FOFU and lactobacilli tended (p = 0.08) to be lower with FOFU than CTL and FOLA, but coliform counts did not differ (p = 0.14). Acetate proportion was lower (p = 0.03), and propionate (p = 0.05) and butyrate (p = 0.01) higher, with FOFU than CTL, FOLA and 2FOLA. Intestinal coliform counts were higher (p = 0.03) with CTL than FOLA and 2FOLA, but there were no differences on lactobacilli. In intestinal contents, acetate tended (p = 0.06) to be lower with FOR than FOLA and 2FOLA, and butyrate was higher (p = 0.001) with FOR. Although not significantly, dry matter digestibility was 0.03-0.05 lower with CTL than with the other treatments. Combinations of organic acids in piglet diets modify gastric and intestinal microflora, the mixtures of formic:lactic appearing as the most interesting.     

Per rectal portal scintigraphy in the diagnosis and management of feline congenital portosystemic shunts

Five cats with a congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) were examined using transcolonic portal scintigraphy before and after surgical ligation of the shunting vessel. The mean shunt index before surgery was 52 per cent (range 45 to 61 per cent). Repeat portal scintigraphy, six to eight weeks after surgery, indicated a significant reduction in shunt index (mean 13 per cent, range 5 to 25 per cent) in four cats. In one of these cats a marked reduction in the shunt index, as determined by scintigraphy, preceded normal fasting blood ammonia. In the fifth cat there was no significant change in the shunt index, fasting serum bile acids and blood ammonia six months after surgery, although its clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy had improved. Portal scintigraphy is useful in the diagnosis of CPSS and enables a quantitative assessment of the effects of surgery and may be a more accurate indicator of the degree of shunting after surgery than blood ammonia and serum bile acids.     

过瘤胃胆碱对黔北麻羊瘤胃发酵及血浆生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究过瘤胃胆碱(RPC)对成年黔北麻羊瘤胃发酵及血浆生化指标的影响。以体况良好,年龄、体重[(35.0±1.2)kg]一致的成年黔北麻羊6只为试验动物,分为对照组和试验组,每组3个重复,每个重复1只羊。采用交叉试验设计,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,不含RPC;试验组补饲10 g/d的RPC。试验持续30 d,分2期,每期15 d;每期最后1 d采集瘤胃液测定p H、氨态氮浓度、微生物蛋白产量、挥发性脂肪酸(乙酸、丙酸、丁酸)浓度、纤维素酶(微晶纤维素酶、羧甲基纤维素酶、纤维二糖酶、木聚糖酶)活性,同时采血测定血浆葡萄糖、尿素氮、总蛋白、白蛋白、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、肌酐浓度。结果显示:1)RPC对山羊采食速度没有影响,对采食量没有显著影响(P0.05);2)RPC对瘤胃液p H、氨态氮浓度、微生物蛋白产量、挥发性脂肪酸浓度及4种纤维素酶活性影响较小,2组间差异均不显著(P0.05);3)RPC对血浆生化指标影响较小,2组间差异均不显著(P0.05)。由此可见,补饲10 g/d的RPC对成年黔北麻羊的采食量、瘤胃发酵参数和血浆生化指标没有显著影响。     

The incidence of clostridia in poultry carcasses and poultry processing plants

An investigation of the incidence and types of clostridia was carried out as part of a bacteriological examination of poultry carcasses and plant swabs. From 19 per cent to 35 per cent of chicken carcasses from four processing plants were contaminated with clostridia in the “total” differential reinforced clostridial medium count whereas 27–5 per cent to 83–5 per cent were contaminated with clostridial spores. Swabs of equipment and personnel (hands and aprons) in three of the plants showed that from 15 per cent to 75 per cent of the samples were positive for “ total” clostridia, and from 33 per cent to 85 per cent positive for clostridial spores. Clostridium welchii was recovered from all poultry plants but the incidence varied widely between the four plants sampled. The organisms isolated were Cl. bifermentans, Cl. histolyticum, Cl. butyricum, Cl. sporogenes and Cl. welchii. The majority of Cl. welchii isolates were from spore counts.