The effect of pregnancy order on various biochemical and hematological values in sows]

The following blood indices were determined in the blood of 34 pregnant sows of the Large White breed under standard feeding conditions: haemoglobin, haematocrit, leucocytes, and--in the blood serum, --total protein, glucose, urea, bilirubin, cholesterol, enzyme activity (AP, GOT, GPT, GGTP) and mineral concentrations (Ca, P--inorg., Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn). The blood was sampled in the first and third pregnancy at an average live weight of 165.12 and 197.36 kg, at an average age of 318 and 630 days and at an about the same average length of pregnancy in the time of both samplings (59 days). In younger, still growing gilts (first pregnancy) a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower content of total protein, magnesium, iron and copper was revealed, as compared with adult sows. The content of glucose, calcium, potassium and manganese in the blood serum of the gilts was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in sows in their third pregnancy. The adult sows showed a significantly (P less than 0.05) lowered activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, as distinct from gilts.     

The effect of defaunation on fermentation in vitro]

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of defaunation on the fermentation of two different diets consisting of hay (100%) and hay+barley (80% + +20%) in a rumen pouch (RUSITEC). The survival and composition of protozoa were investigated in an in vitro system in control vessels where no defaunation was carried out. Defaunation decreased the production of total volatile fatty acids (P < < 0.01), acetate, butyrate (P < 0.001)--Tab. II; dry matter digestibility (P < 0.05) and detergent fibre digestibility: acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), cellulose (P < 0.001), hemicellulose (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) in our experiment (Tab. I). These parameters also decreased: production of CH4 (P < 0.001), CO2 (P < 0.01 for the barley diet), total production of gases (P < 0.001 for the barley diet), total utilization (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and recovery of H2 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), NH3-N in effluent (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively)--Tab. III; and production of ATP (P < 0.01)--Tab. IV, as a result of fermentation in our experiment. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the following parameters: production of propionate (P < 0.001 for the barley diet)--Tab. II; microbial nitrogen/kg of organic matter fermented--OMF (P < 0.001), Tab. III; energy yield--E of volatile fatty acids (VFA), proportion of VFA energy with respect to fermented hexose energy--E1, proportion of energy in bacterial cells with respect to fermented hexose energy--E3 (P < 0.001) and the effectiveness of microbial proteosynthesis--YATP (P < 0.001), Tab. IV, as a result of defaunation. The total number of protozoa and the number of some species, especially the number of big entodinio-morphid protozoa, were markedly higher (p < 0.001) for the barley diet--Tab. V. The number of protozoa decreased rapidly within three days after the system initiation. Later on, the values were more or less steady.     

The effect of proteins from tannery wastes on body proteins in birds]

The effect of 7.0% and 3.5% proportion of lime protein, produced according to the patent CSP 133.077, in the diet was studied under laboratory conditions, as exerted on the growth rate of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and on the level of serum proteins and keratins in the feathers of these birds. The second generation of quail fed this diet showed an improvement of growth at the final stage and significant internal changes in the protein spectrum of the blood serum. Electrophoresis on paper and on polyacrylamide gel revealed a relative drop of albumins and gamma globulins, and a rise of alpha and beta globulins in the blood serum. Keratins showed no changes in feathers.     

Evaluation of the effect of pH on in vitro growth of Malassezia pachydermatis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pH on the growth of canine Malassezia pachydermatis isolates in vitro. Yeast growth was monitored by measuring the optical density with a spectrophotometer. The growth of American Type Culture Collection and field strains of M. pachydermatis was optimal between the pH values of 4.0 and 8.0, and inhibited at the ranges of 1.0 to 3.0 and 9.0 to 10.0. An analysis of covariance showed no significant differences among the growth curves at pH levels 5.0 to 8.0. Although specific contrast tests showed that the growth slope at pH 4.0 was significantly different from that at pH 5.0 to 8.0, only small, random differences were found when the growth slope at pH 4.0 was compared to the individual slopes at pH 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0. The findings of this study suggest that topical acidifying products could be beneficial therapeutic options for cutaneous yeast infections in dogs.     

The effect of various organochlorine pesticides on the immunologic reactivity of the white rat]

Wistar rats, aged 30 and 90 days, received Aldrin and Lindan treatment (8 ppm or 11 ppm) over 60 days, followed by inoculation of E. coli. The capacity of antibody formation was changed but not inhibited. Functional disorders occurred in the thymus (decline of nucleic acids), adrenal gland (decline of Vitamin C), and in the protein synthesis. The toxicity of even smaller Aldrin doses obviously was stronger than that of Lindan. The toxicity of either substance to younger animals was stronger than to individuals in more advanced age.     

The effect of methanol extracts of sawdust on the digestion of cellulose, hay and wheat bran in vitro

An experiment was treated to investigate the effects of an extract of conditioned beech sawdust (80% methanol extraction) on the in vitro digestion of cellulose and on the digestion of hay and wheat bran diet (80 to 20%) in a artificial rumen (Rusitec). The addition of 10, 25, 50, 75 mg of extract to 0.25 g cellulose reduced significantly its digestibility from 94.5 to 92.9%; 90.4; 85.2; 82.1 and 80.1%, respectively. The addition of 0.6, 1.5 and 3.0 g of extract to 14 g diet DM in Rusitec decreased the digestibility from 49.6 to 41.8%. Gas (CO2, H2, CH4) production increased as well as the production of total volatile fatty acids: acetic, propionic, n-butyric and isobutyric, glucose utilization and ATP production were also better. The addition of extracts did not influence significantly the effectiveness of microbial proteosynthesis (YATP). The methanol extract of conditioned beech sawdust contained reducing sugars (saccharides), besides the phenolic substances (syringaldehyde and vanillin); these sugars influenced diet fermentation in Rusitec.     

The effect of culture media on bacteriocin production in various strains of bacteria]

Some staphylococcus and enterococcus strains were used to investigate the effect of culture medium on bacteriocin production. Staphylococcus cohnii SC7, Staphylococcus sp. ZTJ 151, S. saprophyticus SS 877, Enterococcus faecium EF1 and E. faecalis EFG2 were isolated from the rumen wall and contents of lambs, calves and fallow deer, Enterococcus gallinarum EG10 and E. avium EA12 were isolated from the caecum of Japanese quail. The tested bacteria belong to producers with a wide antimicrobial effectiveness spectrum, they have low to medium adherence and urease activity (Tab. III). These culture media were used to test the effect of culture medium on bacteriocin production: nutrient agar no. 2 and VL agar enriched with 2% of glucose and lactose (ZAG, ZAL, VLG, VLL), agar for isolation of faecal streptococci (SA) and the base for blood agar no. 4 and no. 2 (KA4, KA2). The strains Streptococcus bovis AO 24/85 and Staphylococcus aureus Oxford 209 P were used as indicator bacteria. Tables I and II show the results of these tests. The tested strains produced the widest inhibition zones (6 mm) with both indicators on SA medium, and this indicates massive bacteriocin production. On ZAG medium, the zones of enterococci with the AO 24/85 strain were larger size than those of staphylococci, but the zones were dim. All strains with the 209P indicator produced dim zones of the 2mm size. The larger inhibition zones (2-5mm) in comparison with staphylococci were observed in enterococci on the ZAL medium with the AO24/85 strain. The production of tested strains was balanced on VLG agar with respect to the use of both indicators.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of various antibacterial preparations on the in vitro morphology and chemotactic response of equine neutrophils

Two independent assay systems were used to study the effect of three antibacterial preparations on in vitro morphology and chemotaxis of equine neutrophils. Incubation of neutrophils with high (200 micrograms/ml) and medium (20 micrograms/ml) concentrations of neomycin impaired their response to standard chemoattractants. Trimethoprim/sulfadoxine (0.4/2.0 micrograms/ml-40/200 micrograms/ml) and benzylpenicillin (0.25-25 micrograms/ml) had no effect. Neutrophils collected from geldings 2 and 24 h after neomycin (5 mg/kg) administration had impaired responses to standard chemoattractants. Benzylpenicillin (13.2 mg/kg) had no effect.     

The effect of thermal environment on the digestion of broilers

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of thermal environment on the digestion of broilers. In both experiments the birds were exposed to three temperatures: 5, 21, and 32° C, and relative humidity was maintained at 60%. In experiment one, the amount of chyme in the whole digestive tract was decreased by the cold environment (5° C, 60% relative humidity) and increased by hot environment (32° C, 60% relative humidity), compared with control environment (20° C, 60% relative humidity). The expelling of digesta from the crop or small intestine was suppressed by high temperature (32° C) (p < 0.01). In experiment two, the activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and amylase were affected significantly by different environmental temperatures (p < 0.01). Compared to normal environment, the activities of the three kinds of enzymes in intestinal juice were decreased by the hot environment: trypsin (p < 0.01), chymotrypsin (p < 0.05), and amylase (p < 0.01), respectively. The activities of the three kinds of digestive enzyme were not influenced by the cold environment.     

The effect of enzymes on release of trace elements in feedstuffs based on in vitro digestion model for monogastric livestock

Background: This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different feed enzymes(phytase,xylanase,β-glucanase) on release rate of trace elements(Fe,Cu,Mn and Zn) in 6 commonly used feedstuffs(corn,wheat,barley,soybean meal,wheat bran,wheat middlings) by using an in vitro model,simulating the digestive processes in stomach for 2 h and then in small intestine for 6 h at 39 °C.Results: Phytase raised(P 0.05) the release rate of Cu and Zn in corn,Cu,Zn and Mn in wheat,Cu in barley,Cu,Zn and Mn in soybean meal,Zn,Fe in wheat bran and Zn,Fe,Mn in wheat middlings.The release rate of various trace elements in feedstuffs was increased after xylanase addition.Compared with the control group,the release rate of soluble Cu in corn,wheat,barley and soybean meal,soluble Zn in corn,wheat and wheat middlings and soluble of Mn in corn,wheat,barley and wheat bran increased(P 0.05) after xylanase treatment.After the treatment of β-glucanase,the release rate of soluble Cu in corn,wheat and wheat bran,soluble Fe in barley,soybean meal and wheat bran and soluble Mn in corn and wheat bran all increased(P 0.05) compared with the control group.In each feedstuff,after corresponding enzyme treatment,the contents of phytic acid,xylan and β-glucan were significantly lower than those of the control group(P 0.05).Conclusions: Results showed that bound trace elements in feedstuffs can be released by feed enzymes.It may be necessary to take the trace elements in feedstuffs into account in the actual feed preparation including feed enzymes.     

The effect of various anionic salts on ruminal pH and short-chain fatty acids in non-pregnant and non-lactating cows

AIM: To evaluate whether the different anionic salts used in the prevention of parturient paresis have an impact on the ruminal pH and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in mature non-pregnant, non-lactating cows.

METHODS: Eleven Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows were administered 2,000 mEq of either one of three chloride salts, viz CaCl₂, MgCl₂, or NH₄Cl; four sulphate salts, viz CaSO₄, CaSO₄ with a grain size of 10 µm, MgSO₄, or (NH₄)₂SO₄; two combinations of anionic salts, viz CaCl₂+MgSO₄, or CaSO₄+NH₄Cl; NaCl; or water, via a ruminal cannula over a 14-day treatment period. The salts and controls were assigned in an 11 × 11 Latin square, and the cows were distributed randomly. Ruminal fluid was collected four times in each treatment period for monitoring the ruminal pH, and four times a day at Days 7 and 14 for monitoring any changes in the concentrations of SCFA.

RESULTS: Feeding anionic salts did not change the ruminal pH, total concentration of SCFA, or distribution pattern of the main SCFA acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid or valeric acid (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feeding anionic salts has no negative side effect on the ruminal pH and concentrations of SCFA in mature non-pregnant, non-lactating cattle. Impaired function of the rumen due to the feeding of anionic salts is not likely.     

The effect of the microflora on gastrointestinal pH in the chick

The pH of the contents at 10 positions along the gut of germ‐free and conventional chicks was measured in situ. Similar measurements were made on groups of conventional birds either fasted for 18 h or fully fed. The buffering capacity of caecal contents from germ‐free and conventional birds was also measured by titrating with hydrochloric acid.

The pH of the germ‐free gut contents were generally slightly higher than those of their conventional counterparts. These differences were greatest at the midintestine area and caeca. No differences were found between contents of either the proventriculus and gizzard of each group.

Starvation increased slightly the pH of intestine and lowered that of crop, proventriculus and rectum.

More acid had to be added to conventionalthan germ‐free caecal contents to attain pH 4 both when expressed in relation to the complete contents and per g of dry matter.

It was concluded that the microbial flora, by its secretion of acidic metabolites in general had greatest effect on pH in areas of the gut where it was most dense. This was assumed to be due to the secretion of acidic metabolites which caused a consequently greater secretion of neutralising buffering substances by the gut wall.