The effect of temperature on the rate of passage of food in the smallmouth yellowfish,Barbus aeneus Burchell (Teleostei,Cyprinidae)

The effect of temperature on the rate of gut evacuation in Barbus aeneus was investigated in two ways. In the first, juvenile fish, kept under conditions of constant temperature, were fed marked food items and the time elapsing until these appeared in the faeces was noted. In the second, fish of a range of sizes were caught in the P.K. le Roux dam and immediately placed in cages in the dam to prevent their access to food. Groups of fish were sacrificed at intervals and the contents of standardized gut sections weighed. The field experiment was carried out in summer and in winter. The laboratory experiment yielded the relationship: P = 6270 × t^-2,11 where P is the passage time in hours and T is the temperature in °C. This gives passage times of the order of 8 h at 25°C and 39 h at 11,5°C. The field experiment indicated that there was an exponential relationship between degree of fullness and rate of evacuation, and that complete evacuation required about 24 h in summer, but more than 5 days in winter.     

GASTROINTESTINAL STUDIES IN THE GREEN IGUANA: TECHNIQUE AND REFERENCE VALUES

Five healthy green iguana (Iguana iguana) were used to determine appropriate technique and normal transit times for gastrointestinal contrast studies and to describe normal radiographic anatomy. The animals were maintained at 27-29 degrees C. There was rapid transit through a U shaped stomach, with a median gastric emptying time of 8 h, and median small intestinal transit and small intestine emptying times of 4 h and 16 h respectively. Median large colon transit and emptying times were 15 h and 66 h. Maintaining the iguana at a reduced ambient temperature increased all of these times. The vaso-vagal response or mechanical methods were adequate for restraint. A 25 ml/kg dose of a 25% w/v suspension of barium administered by stomach tube gave the best results. Lateral and ventrodorsal projections of the abdomen should be made immediately following the administration of the barium and at 1-hour intervals for the first 6 h and at 12-hour intervals thereafter until barium can be identified in the distal descending small colon.     

Implication of metabolomic profiles to wide thermoneutral zone in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) have evolved a wide thermoneutral zone (26.5–38.9 °C) and high upper critical temperature, and appear to have a high tolerance for heat exposure. Here, we use a metabolomic approach to measure global metabolite profiles for gerbils between lower (27 °C) and upper critical temperatures (38 °C) to investigate the role of metabolomic characterization in maintaining basal metabolic rates within a wide thermoneutral zone. We found that in serum and liver, 14 and 19 metabolites were significantly altered, respectively. In the aerobic respiration‐related tricarboxylic cycle (TCA), 5 intermediates (isocitric acid, cis‐aconitic acid, α‐ketoglutaric acid, fumaric acid and malic acid) were increased in serum in 38 °C animals; however, no such increase was found in the liver. A stable level of hepatic TCA cycle intermediates may be related to the steady state of aerobic respiration at 38 °C. Metabolomic results also revealed that acute heat exposure caused increased oxidative stress and low molecular weight antioxidants in Mongolian gerbils. Increased methionine and 2‐hydroxybutyrate suggest an accelerated synthesis of glutathione. Increased urate and its precursors, inosine and hypoxanthine, were detected at 38 °C. Glucuronate, threonate and oxalate involved in ascorbate synthesis and degradation were increased in serum at 38 °C. In conclusion, although dramatic metabolomic variation was found, a stable hepatic TCA cycle may contribute to maintaining a constant basal metabolic rate within a wide thermoneutral zone in Mongolian gerbils.     

A gelatine prosthetic aid for intestinal anastomosis

A method is described for the establishment of end-to-end anastomoses after intestinal resection. The use of gelatine tubes as a suture base enables the edges of the intestinal incisions to be fixed in relation to each other, at the same time facilitating suturing.
The action of intestinal proteolytic enzymes causes the gelatine tubes to disintegrate after suturing.
Barium sulphate (BaSO₄) was added in order to determine the disintegration time of the gelatine tube and to follow its transport away from the operation site. This addition of barium sulphate proved to influence the disintegration time of the gelatine tube. An optimum disintegration time may therefore be achieved by varying the barium sulphate concentration as well as the ratio of gelatine to water.     

Passage of I131-Albumin and I125-Gamma Globulin Into the Small Intestine of Calves

Intestinal transfer of I¹³¹-albumin and I¹²⁵-gamma globulin was studied in 5 calves fitted with re-entrant intestinal loops. The passage of the two proteins across the intestinal wall proved highly variable (cf. Table II). However, the transfer of I¹³¹-albumin and I¹²⁵-gamma globulin was of the same order of magnitude, which is taken as evideńce of similar transfer mechanisms of albumin and gamma globulin, in spite of different molecular weights. Instillations of hypertonic magnesium sulphate solution and of intestinal digesta were followed by increased transfer rates. It appears, therefore, that the passage of digesta will influence the transfer of proteins along the gut. It is emphasized that quantitation of the transfer as related to total catabolism of plasma proteins is subject to considerable inaccuracy.     

The effect of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on small intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory effect in heat‐stressed broilers

This study was to investigate the effects of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory response in heat‐stressed broiler. A total of 192 2‐week‐old Arbour Acres broilers chickens were divided into four groups with six replicates per group and eight chickens per replicate: one thermoneutral control group (28°C, group TN), which was fed the basal diet; and three cyclic high‐temperature groups (35°C from 7:00 to 19:00 hr; 28°C from 19:00 hr to 7:00 hr, heat stress group), which were fed the basal diet supplementation with EGCG 0 mg/kg (group HS0), 300 mg/kg (group HS300) and 600 mg/kg (group HS600). The gut morphology and intestinal mucosal oxidative stress indicators, as well as intestinal barrier‐related gene expression, were analysed. The results showed that compared with group TN, heat stress reduced the villus height (VH), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT), increased the crypt depth (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)content at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). After the heat‐stressed broilers were supplemented with EGCG, VH, VH/CD (V/C), and the activities of GSH‐Px, SOD and CAT were increased, and CD and MDA content were reduced compared with those in group HS0 without EGCG supplementation at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). The EGCG supplementation promoted the gene expression of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), Claudin‐1, Mucin 2 (Muc2) and alleviated the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and lipopolysaccharide‐induced tumour necrosis factor (LITAF) gene expression compared with group HS0 (p < 0.05). Moreover, intestinal morphology was strongly correlated with antioxidant ability and inflammatory response. In conclusion, EGCG alleviated the gut oxidative injury of heat‐stressed broilers by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting inflammatory response.     

Systemic availability of chloramphenicol from tablets and capsules in cats

Five adult cats were given 100 mg chloramphenicol per os on five occasions: twice in tablet form, twice in capsules which also contained barium sulphate, and once in capsules without barium. Plasma samples for chloramphenicol assay were obtained on either a 'standard' schedule (four samples collected within 8 h of dosing with tablet, plain capsule or capsule including barium) or a 'frequent' schedule (nine samples collected within 8 h of dosing with tablet or capsule including barium). With frequent sampling, abdominal radiographs were taken at intervals after administration of capsules. No differences were found with the frequent schedule between tablet and capsule with regard to antibiotic concentrations at each sampling, peak concentrations, or area under the curve of plasma concentration versus time. Standard sampling gave similar drug concentrations to those obtained with frequent sampling. Delayed absorption (defined as plasma chloramphenicol concentration < 5 μg/ml for 1.5 h after dosing) occurred after six of the twenty-five administrations: it was not related to the frequency of sample collection or the use of capsules rather than tablets, but occurred mainly in certain cats. Poor absorption was shown radiographically in one cat to be associated with delayed dispersal of capsular contents in the gut.     

不同温度处理对日光温室甜樱桃萌芽速率和开花物候期的需热量研究

研究了不同温度处理(27-30℃、25-27℃、23-25℃、21-23℃)日光温室甜樱桃吐绿期、初花期、盛花期的需热量值,以生长度小时模型估算分别为2318-2375 GDH℃、6098-6618 GDH℃、6521-7008 GDH℃,以有效积温模型估算分别为59-66 D℃、137-173 D℃、145-181 D℃。明确了处理温度越低,甜樱桃不同发育期所需天数越长(14d、14d、15d、16d,34d、38d、49d、49d,38d、42d、51d、54d),原因是需热量积累速度慢和低温阴、雪天气叠加所致,而后者是起主要作用。初花期前低温处理(室内0-7.2℃)可提高花期开花的整齐度。#$NL     

Digestion rates of prey eaten by intertidal sea anemones from the south-western Cape,South Africa

Digestion rates were determined for natural prey items offered to each of seven species of sea anemones found at Wooley’s Pool in False Bay and to the single species (Bunodactis reynaudi) recorded at Biouberg on the Atlantic coast of the south-western Cape, South Africa.This was done by examining prey items removed from the coelenterons at regular intervals after feeding and assessing their degree of digestion according to a predetermined scale. There was considerable variation in the gut retention times between different anemone species offered the same prey types, with Actinia equina consistently showing the shortest gut retention times (12 h for amphipods, 15 h for pelecypods and 23 h for isopods). Of the various prey categories tested, amphipods tended to be the most rapidly digested group, while molluscs and echinoderms usually remained in the coelenteron the longest. Mean gut retention times in B. reynaudi, the only species found both in False Bay (17°C) and on the cold west coast (12°C) were markedly longer (72 vs 60 h and 43 vs 30 h for pelecypods and gastropods respectively) at the lower temperature.     

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation on intestinal integrity of heat‐stressed cockerels

Butyrate modulates intestinal epithelial cell structure and function. Three hundred and sixty Lohmann LSL‐Classic layer cockerels were used to investigate the effect of butyrate on heat stress‐induced intestinal injury and intestinal integrity. The experiment was conducted from day 85 to 105 of age. The birds were divided randomly into three treatments: control, heat stress (HS), and heat stress provided with butyrate (HSB) at a level of 0.35 g/kg of diet. The control was reared at 21 ± 1 °C throughout the experiment. The HS and HSB treatments were exposed to a cyclic HS (35 ± 1 °C from 09:00 to 13:00 and 21 ± 1 °C from 13:00 to 09:00). Intestinal and mucosal weights, villus height, villus surface area (VSA), absorptive epithelial cell area and intestinal beneficial bacteria were lower in the HS treatment than in the other two treatments (p < 0.05). Heat‐stressed cockerels exhibited the highest (p < 0.05) villi injury scores and serum endotoxin levels compared with the other treatments. Dietary inclusion of butyrate increased (p < 0.05) intestinal and mucosal weights, villus height, VSA, absorptive epithelial cell area and intestinal beneficial bacteria counts and reduced (p < 0.05) HS‐induced injury in intestinal epithelia as well as intestinal permeability to endotoxin. In conclusion, dietary butyrate exerted protective effects against intestinal damage induced by HS and improved intestinal health and integrity.     

The role of Penicillia in ryegrass staggers

Tremorgenic strains of Penicillium verrucosum var cyclopium, P canescens, P janthinellum, P novaezeelandiae and P estinogenum were isolated from the faeces of 15 of 23 affected sheep and cattle in eight of nine field outbreaks of ryegrass staggers. One tremorgenic strain of P griseofulvum was isolated from the faeces of one of 25 sheep grazing in unaffected flocks. Tremorgenic strains of P verrucosum var cyclopium, P canescens, P janthinellum and P estinogenum were also isolated from the A horizon of New Zealand soils. Since a large proportion of experimentally dosed live P verrucosum var cyclopium died during passage through the gut, the faecal evidence from naturally staggering animals suggests that at least some outbreaks of ryegrass staggers are caused by tremorgenic Penicillia and that their source may be soil.     

Upper gastrointestinal examinations: a radiographic study of clinically normal beagle puppies

A total of 24 upper gastrointestinal examinations were performed on four weanling beagle puppies over six weeks, using liquid barium (10 ml/kg bodyweight of 60 per cent w/v barium sulphate suspension] and barium food (8 g/kg of crushed kibble dog food and 7 ml/kg bodyweight of 60 per cent w/v barium sulphate suspension) as contrast media. The radiographic appearance was similar to that noted in adult dogs except for the consistent location of the pylorus on or near the midline. Duodenal pseudoulcers were seen more often with liquid barium and the caecal shadows were identified more often with the longer examination time with barium food. The stomach of the puppies appeared to have discriminatory emptying function; that is, semi-solid food was emptied from the stomach at a slower rate (210 to 450 minutes) than liquid (60 to 90 minutes). Solid meals emptied faster in puppies than in adult dogs. Dosages of 13 to 15 mg/kg bodyweight for the liquid barium examination and 14 g of ground kibble and 16 ml of barium sulphate suspension per m² of body surface area for the barium food examination are suggested as more appropriate for contrast studies in puppies.     

Boar Sperm Encapsulation Reduces In Vitro Polyspermy

A boar sperm encapsulation technology in barium alginate has been developed to enhance reproductive performances and spermatozoa preservation time; aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of in vitro sperm encapsulation on polyspermy as a function of storage time at 18°C. A total number of 40 in vitro fertilization (IVF) tests were performed using encapsulated or diluted spermatozoa (20 IVF each treatment). Overall, 1288 in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized with spermatozoa stored at 24, 48 or 72 h at 18°C for both treatments polyspermy and normospermy, and the non‐penetration rates were assessed by optical microscopy. Results indicate a significant reduction in risk of polyspermic oocytes when spermatozoa are preserved in barium alginate membranes (incidence risk ratio: 0.766 with respect to diluted); such enhancement could be explained by lesser damage of sperm membranes achieved by encapsulation technology.     

Corynebacterium equi in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants

Corynebacterium equi has been recovered from the gastrointestinal tract of sheep and cattle. It can be found in all parts of the gut, and around 80% of animals have the organism in one or more intestinal sites.C. equi could be detected in the faeces of sheep which were kept caged and free from recontamination by the organism.     

Microbiota-gut-brain axis and nutritional strategy under heat stress

Heat stress is a very universal stress event in recent years. Various lines of evidence in the past literatures indicate that gut microbiota composition is susceptible to variable temperature. A varied microbiota is necessary for optimal regulation of host signaling pathways and disrupting microbiota-host homeostasis that induces disease pathology. The microbiota–gut–brain axis involves an interactive mode of communication between the microbes colonizing the gut and brain function. This review summarizes the effects of heat stress on intestinal function and microbiota–gut–brain axis. Heat stress negatively affects intestinal immunity and barrier functions. Microbiota-gut-brain axis is involved in the homeostasis of the gut microbiota, at the same time, heat stress affects the metabolites of microbiota which could alter the function of microbiota–gut–brain axis. We aim to bridge the evidence that the microbiota is adapted to survive and thrive in an extreme environment. Additionally, nutritional strategies for alleviating intestinal heat stress are introduced.     

Effect of Long-Term Storage at Different Temperatures on the Quality of Liquid Boar Semen

In this study the effect of long‐term storage of liquid boar semen at different temperatures on motility, acrosome integrity and pH was investigated. Additionally, individual variation in sperm tolerance to storage at 10°C were examined. Beltsville Thawing Solution‐diluted AI doses from 16 randomly chosen Norwegian Landrace AI boars with proven fertility were split into subsamples and stored at 25, 20, 15 and 10°C, respectively. After 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of storage, sperm motility, acrosome integrity and pH were determined. After 96 h, the initial percentage of motile sperm (77.8%) was significantly reduced to 52.2, 58.8, 50.9 and 42.8% by storage at 25, 20, 15 and 10°C, respectively. After an identical period of time, the percentage of acrosome intact sperm (95.8%) at time 0 became significantly reduced to 91.3, 91.3, 81.5 and 68.3% by storage at 25, 20, 15 and 10°C, respectively. The initial pH (7.21) decreased significantly to 6.96 and 7.06 after 96 h storage at 25 and 20°C, and increased not significantly to 7.25 for storage at 15°C and significantly to 7.29 at 10°C. In conclusion, the results from this study show that, according to the variables studied, 20°C is the least harmful of the four temperatures tested for the long‐term liquid storage of boar semen. Furthermore, remarkable differences in the individual resistance of boar semen to long‐term storage at 10°C were observed.     

Effects of thermal energy on extrusion characteristics,digestibility and palatability of a dry pet food for cats

The influence of specific thermal energy (STE) applications on extruder preconditioner was evaluated in a dry food for cats. In the first study, six STE applications were tested with mass temperatures of 45°C, 55°C, 65°C, 75°C, 85°C and 95°C. The extrusion parameters, starch gelatinization and kibble formation were evaluated. Diets were given to cats to evaluate digestibility, faecal characteristics and palatability. In the second experiment, three treatments were compared: low STE—a preconditioner temperature of 45°C (_LSTE); high STE—a preconditioner temperature of 95°C (_HSTE); high STE (preconditioner temperature of 95°C) combined with an increase in the mass flow rate to obtain a motor amperage similar to that of the _LSTE (_HSTE_flow). Data were analysed by polynomial contrasts (Experiment 1) or Tukey's test (Experiment 2; p < 0.05). An increase in STE reduced motor amperage, mass pressure and specific mechanical energy (SME) implementation (p < 0.001) and increased total specific energy (TSE) and mass temperature (p < 0.01). The increase in STE induced greater kibble expansion and starch gelatinization (p < 0.001). No changes in apparent nutrient digestibility or faeces characteristics were observed (p > 0.05). Lower STE and starch gelatinization induced higher butyrate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents in faeces (p < 0.01). Cats showed greatest preference for the formulation with the highest STE (p < 0.01). In the second experiment, when the motor amperage was increased in the _HSTE_flow treatment to a value similar to that of the _LSTE, the mass flow rate increased 40%, and the electric energy consumption remained unchanged (p < 0.001), with gains observed for efficiency and cost. In conclusion, STE application is important for sufficient TSE implementation, enhancing kibble expansion, starch gelatinization, cat preferences for food, extruder productivity and reducing SME application. Foods with lower starch gelatinization lead to increased VFA in faeces, with possible implications for gut health.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with l-arginine on the intestinal barrier function in finishing pigs with heat stress

Previous studies showed heat stress reduces body weight gain and feed intake associated with damaged intestinal barrier function, and l -arginine (L-Arg) enhanced intestinal barrier function in young animals under stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of L-Arg on serum hormones, intestinal morphology, nutrients absorption and epithelial barrier functions in finishing pigs with heat stress. Forty-eight finishing pigs (Landrace) were balanced for sex and then randomly assigned to six groups: TN group, thermal neutral (22°C, ~80% humidity) with a basal diet; HS group, heat stress (cyclical 35°C for 12 hr and 22°C for 12 hr, ~80% humidity) with a basal diet; PF group, thermal neutral (22°C, ~80% humidity) and pair-fed with the HS; the TNA, HSA and PFA groups were the basal diet of TN group, HS group and PF group supplemented with 1% L-Arg. Results showed that HS decreased (p < .05) the thyroxine concentrations and increased (p < .05) the insulin concentrations in serum compared with the TN group, but 1% L-Arg had no significant effects on them. Both HS and PF significantly increased (p < .05) the mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporters (CAT1 and CAT2) and decreased the mRNA expression of solute carrier family 5 member 10 (SGLT1) in the jejunum compared with the TN group. Compared with the TN group, HS reduced the expression of tight junction (TJ) protein zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, but PF only decreased ZO-1 expression in the jejunum. Results exhibited that dietary supplementation with 1% L-Arg improved the intestinal villous height, the ratio of villous height to crypt depth, and the expression of occludin and porcine beta-defensin 2 (pBD2) in the jejunum of intermittent heat-treated finishing pigs. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1% L-Arg could partly attenuate the intermittent heat-induced damages of intestinal morphology and epithelial barrier functions in finishing pigs.     

SMALL INTESTINAL EMPTYING TIME IN NORMAL BEAGLE DOGS

Gastric emptying time and small intestinal transit time in dogs are frequently discussed. However, it is often of interest to the radiologist to know what normal small intestinal emptying times should be. A total of 15 upper gastrointestinal studies was performed on five internal parasite-free, normal, standard Beagle dogs with three studies on each dog, 6 days apart. The ages and weights of the dogs ranged from 2–8 years and from 12.4–13.7 kg, respectively. Following 24-hour fasting, a dose of 10 ml/kg bw of 60% wt/vol barium sulfate suspension was administered through a stomach tube. Then, sequential radiographs were made at 30-minute intervals until the entire contrast medium column was in the colon and cecum. The mean, standard deviation, and range of gastric emptying time, small intestinal transit time, and small intestinal emptying time were 76 ± 16.7 (30–120), 73 ± 16.4 (30–120), and 214 ± 25.1 (180–300) minutes, respectively. This study offers the possibility that small intestinal emptying time may be used to further evaluate patients with suspected small intestinal partial obstruction, pseudo-obstruction, ischemia, or lymphangiectasia.