小蓟对银黑狐生产性能及免疫功能的影响

为了研究中药小蓟对银黑狐生长性能、毛皮质量和免疫功能的影响,本试验采用单因素随机化设计,健康、体重相近、性别相同的13周龄公银黑狐80只,随机分为5个处理组,每组16只。分为对照组和试验组,其中A组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,B、C、D、E为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加0.2%、0.4%、0.8%、1.6%的小蓟。结果表明:小蓟的添加提高了平均日采食量、平均日增重增加,降低了料重比;鲜皮重、鲜皮长度有所增加,其中D组(0.8%)效果最好,与对照组相比差异显著(P0.05);增强了机体的免疫功能,白蛋白和球蛋白的比值呈上升趋势,结论:小蓟作为中草药饲料添加剂有助于节约饲养成本,提高生产性能,综上,在银黑狐日粮中的添加比例为0.8%效果最好。     

小蓟对肉鸡屠宰性能、免疫器官重量及血液生化指标的影响

为了研究中药小蓟对肉鸡屠宰性能、免疫器官重量及血液生化指标的影响,试验采用单因素随机化设计的方法,选用健康、无疾病、体重相近的健康肉鸡雏60只,随机分为4组,A组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,B、C、D组为试验组,在基础日粮中分别按0.2%、0.4%、0.6%比例加入小蓟粉,进行屠宰性能、免疫器官相关指标及血液生化指标的测定。结果表明:在日粮中添加小蓟后,与添加小蓟前相比,肉鸡屠体重呈先降低后升高的趋势,其中D组效果最好,与A、B、C组相比差异显著(P0.05);全净膛重随着小蓟的添加呈逐渐上升趋势,D组全净膛重最大。在免疫器官中胸腺、法氏囊的重量逐渐增加,D组效果最好;脾脏的重量与添加小蓟前相比有所降低,但随着小蓟的添加呈先降低后升高的趋势,B、C、D组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。总蛋白和球蛋白的含量随着小蓟的添加呈下降的趋势,均是D组最低,与其他组相比均差异显著(P0.05);白蛋白的含量各组间无显著变化(P0.05);白/球的比值呈上升趋势,D组最高,与其他各组相比均差异显著(P0.05)。说明小蓟能节约饲养成本,提高肉鸡生产性能,在肉鸡日粮中的添加比例以0.6%效果最好。     

蛋氨酸锌在蓝狐生产中的应用研究

为了研究日粮中添加蛋氨酸锌(Zn-Met)对冬毛期蓝狐生长性能(日增重、饲料转化率)及毛皮质量的影响,试验采用随机分组的试验设计方法,选用150只体重相近的冬毛期蓝狐,随机分为5组,每组30只。对照组(A组)饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别以Zn-Met形式添加分别为30 mg/kg(B组)、60 mg/kg(C组)、90 mg/kg(D组)、120 mg/kg(E组)。结果表明:试验组平均日采食量、平均日增重与对照组相比均有所提高;料重比降低,其中B组效果最好且显著高于其他各组(P0.05);试验组鲜皮长度与对照组相比有所增加,试验组鲜皮面积与对照组相比均极显著增加(P0.01);试验组针毛长度均显著高于对照组(P0.05),试验组绒毛长度均显著高于对照组(P0.05),且B组效果最好。说明冬毛期蓝狐日粮中蛋氨酸的最适添加水平为30~60 mg/kg。     

饲粮中添加浒苔多糖对肉鸡生长性能和免疫功能的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮中添加浒苔多糖对肉鸡生长性能和免疫功能的影响。选用1日龄爱拔益加(AA)健康肉公鸡360只,随机分为6组。对照组(D1)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加0.05%(D2)、0.1%(D3)、0.5%(D4)、0.8%(D5)、1%(D6)的浒苔多糖,试验期42 d。结果表明,与对照组相比:肉鸡29~42日龄0.5%浒苔多糖组和1~42日龄0.5%、0.8%浒苔多糖组平均日增重显著提高(P0.05);15~28日龄和1~42日龄阶段0.5%浒苔多糖组料重比显著降低(P0.05);浒苔多糖未显著影响平均日采食量(P0.05)。肉鸡42日龄时,1%浒苔多糖组法氏囊指数与对照组差异显著(P0.05);0.8%和1%浒苔多糖组肉鸡血清中IFN-γ的含量显著提高(P0.05);添加水平为0.5%时肉鸡全血中的淋巴细胞转化率显著提高了1.55倍(P0.05);浒苔多糖未显著影响IL-2、IL-6水平、新城疫抗体滴度、胸腺以及脾脏的器官指数。综上,在基础饲粮中添加浒苔多糖可以有效改善肉鸡的生长性能和免疫功能,且以0.5%~1%的添加量最为适宜。     

复合益生菌制剂对肉仔鸡生产性能、血清生化指标和免疫功能的影响

为了探讨以乳酸菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和酵母菌复合配制的益生菌制剂在肉仔鸡上的应用效果,试验选用健康的1日龄雄性AA肉仔鸡400只,随机分为5组,分别为基础日粮(对照组,A组),基础日粮中添加0.2%、0.4%、0.6%和0.8%的复合益生菌制剂(试验组B、C、D、E),试验为期42 d。结果表明,添加复合益生菌制剂试验组的平均日增重显著高于对照组(P <0.05),且以0.6%添加剂量的效果最佳(P <0.05),添加0.4%、0.6%和0.8%复合益生菌制剂试验组的平均日采食量显著高于对照组(P <0.05),料重比显著低于对照组(P <0.05);与对照组相比,日粮添加0.4%、0.6%和0.8%的复合益生菌制剂显著降低了肉仔鸡21日龄时血清中血糖水平(P <0.05),添加0.4%、0.6%的复合益生菌制剂还显著提高了肉仔鸡42日龄血清中总蛋白水平(P <0.05);此外,与对照组相比,0.4%、0.6%和0.8%的复合益生菌制剂显著提高了肉仔鸡21日龄和42日龄血清中免疫球蛋白G的水平(P <0.05)。综上所述,日粮中添加以乳酸菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和酵母菌配制的复合益生菌制剂可以显著提高肉仔鸡的平均日增重、降低料重比,改善生产性能,增强肉鸡的免疫功能,且以0.6%添加剂量的效果为最优。     

谷氨酰胺对肉鸡生长性能、脂肪沉积和脂质代谢的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平的谷氨酰胺(Gln)对肉鸡生长性能和脂质代谢的影响。采用单因子完全随机设计,选用1日龄AA肉仔公鸡240只,随机均分为4组。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组日粮的配制是在基础饲粮中分别添加0.4%、0.8%和1.2%谷氨酰胺,试验期42 d。结果表明,与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.8%谷氨酰胺可显著提高肉鸡1～42日龄平均日采食量、平均日增重和试验末体重(P0.05)。0.8%谷氨酰胺试验组肉鸡42日龄腹脂率显著低于对照组(P0.05),胸肌脂肪含量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。与对照组相比,添加0.8%谷氨酰胺显著降低了肉鸡42日龄血清中甘油三酯和胆固醇含量(P0.05),0.4%和0.8%谷氨酰胺显著提高血清胰岛素含量(P0.05),各试验组均显著降低了血清脂联素含量(P0.05)。肉鸡腹脂率与瘦素和胰岛素含量显著负相关(P0.05),与脂联素含量显著正相关(P0.05);胸肌脂肪含量与脂联素含量显著负相关(P0.05);腿肌脂肪含量与瘦素和胰岛素含量显著正相关(P0.05);瘦素含量与胰岛素显著正相关(P0.05)。由此可见,肉鸡饲粮中添加谷氨酰胺可以提高肉鸡的生长性能,并通过影响肉鸡体内胰岛素和脂联素的分泌调控脂质代谢和脂肪沉积,0.8%谷氨酰胺的添加量效果为最佳。     

发酵黄芪对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化功能的影响

试验旨在研究黄芪发酵前后对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化功能的影响。将210只1日龄AA肉鸡随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只。A组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;B、C、D、E、F、G组分别在基础日粮中添加0.2%黄芪、0.5%黄芪、0.8%黄芪、0.2%发酵黄芪、0.5%发酵黄芪、0.8%发酵黄芪,添加量以质量百分比计。试验期为42d。分别于第21、42天测定肉鸡生长指标、抗氧化指标。结果表明,在第21天,发酵黄芪组平均日采食量均显著高于黄芪组(P0.05),黄芪组料重比显著低于对照组和发酵黄芪组(P0.05);E组血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)含量显著高于A、B组(P0.05),血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著高于与A组(P0.05)。在第42天,发酵黄芪组平均日增重均较高,料重比显著低于A、B组(P0.05);试验组GSH-Px活性均显著高于A组(P0.05),发酵黄芪组与黄芪组相比差异不显著(P0.05),发酵黄芪组血清中超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性均高于黄芪组,且与B和C组差异显著(P0.05)。综上所述,在肉鸡日粮中添加一定量发酵黄芪能显著提高平均日增重,降低料肉比,且可通过提高血清中GSH-Px和T-SOD活性来提高其抗氧化能力;发酵黄芪的作用效果优于黄芪,最适宜添加量为0.5%。     

芦丁对AA肉鸡生长性能肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标和肉鸡腹水综合征的影响

试验旨在研究日粮添加不同水平芦丁对1～42日龄AA肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标和肉鸡腹水综合征的影响。选用200只1日龄AA肉鸡,随机分成4组,每组5个重复,每个重复10只,对照组饲喂以玉米-豆粕为基础的日粮。试验组分别在基础日粮的基础上添加0.4%、0.8%、1.2%的芦丁粉。试验期为42 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,日粮中添加0.4%芦丁对1～42日龄AA肉鸡的平均日采食量、平均日增重、料重比无显著影响(P0.05);日粮中添加0.8%的芦丁粉显著提高1～21日龄和22～42日龄AA肉鸡的平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比(P0.05);日粮中添加1.2%的芦丁粉显著降低了1～21日龄和22～42日龄AA肉鸡的平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比(P0.05)。综上所述,AA肉鸡日粮中添加芦丁最适量为0.8%,既可以提高生产性能,还可以明显降低肉鸡腹水综合征的发生率。     

精氨酸对断奶仔猪生产性能及血清指标的影响

为研究精氨酸在断奶仔猪日粮中的添加效果,选取270头21d体重为6.20±0.31kg的杜×长×大健康仔猪,随机分为5组,A组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮+2.05%的丙氨酸;B、C、D、E组在基础日粮的基础上分别添加0.5%、1.0%、1.5%和2.0%的精氨酸,试验期为7d。测定仔猪的生产性能、血清生化指标及激素水平。结果表明:C、D、E组的平均日采食量显著提高(P0.05),而料肉比显著降低(P0.05);D、E组的平均日增重显著高于对照组(P0.05);C、D组断奶仔猪血清中的三碘甲状腺原氨酸、皮质醇的含量均显著低于对照组(P0.05),而胰高血糖素的含量、四碘甲状腺原氨酸、胰岛素的浓度高于对照组,差异不显著(P0.05)。说明一定水平的精氨酸能有效改善断奶仔猪的生产性能,并能对血清生化指标和血清激素产生一定影响,以1.5%水平的添加效果最好。     

饲粮中补充不同水平精氨酸对肉鸡生长性能及免疫的影响

为研究饲粮中补充不同水平精氨酸对肉鸡生长性能及免疫的影响,试验选取平均体重接近的21日龄AA肉鸡160只,称重后随机分为对照组、试验1、2、3组,每组4个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组在基础日粮中分别添加0.4%、0.8%、1.2%的精氨酸。试验结果表明:与对照组相比,试验1、2组平均末重分别增加9.00%、11.85%(P 0.05),饲料转化率(F/C)分别降低9.6%、11.2%(P 0.05);试验1、2、3组平均日增重(ADG)较对照组分别提高13.02%、17.52%、15.21%(P 0.05)。试验1、2、3组血清中IgG浓度分别提高10.14%、18.29%、10.93%(P 0.05),IgM浓度分别提高12.08%、17.45%、10.74%(P 0.05);试验2、3组血清中IFN-γ含量较对照组分别提高11.19%、10.47%(P 0.05)。其余指标无显著差异(P 0.05)。综上,饲粮中补充精氨酸可以显著改善肉鸡生长性能及免疫水平,补充量为0.8%时效果最佳。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein