THE SEROLOGICAL RESPONSE OF CHICKENS TO OIL EMULSION VACCINES CONTAINING THE V4 STRAIN OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS

SUMMARY Experiments were conducted with vaccines containing the V₄ strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Both living aqueous vaccines and vaccines consisting of virus incorporated in an oil emulsion were used. The calculated dose of virus contained in the oil emulsion vaccine was 10^8,7 50% embryo infectious doses (EID₅₀) per bird dose. Haemagglutinin inhibition (HI) antibody levels of 8 are presumed protective. One-day-old chicks with low levels of maternal antibody were vaccinated intraocularly with 10^6,3EID₅₀ of live vaccine, and concurrently with oil emulsion vaccine. Presumed protective levels of antibody were present at two weeks post vaccination and were maintained for at least seven weeks longer. When adult birds 15 weeks old with no previous exposure to NDV were vaccinated intraocularly with 10^6,7EID₅₀ per bird, protective levels of antibody were produced within a week. Unvaccinated birds put in contact with the vaccinated birds produced similar antibody levels within 14 days. Revaccination with oil emulsion vaccine after antibody levels had fallen resulted in a rapid response with high levels of antibody. When antibody-free adult commercial birds with an unknown history of exposure to NDV were vaccinated intramuscularly with oil emulsion vaccine, high antibody levels were produced for at least 21 weeks. Concurrent intraocular inoculation with 10^7,0EID₅₀ live virus did not enhance the response. Natural infection of unvaccinated birds occurred during the experiment. This was detected by the presence of HI antibody levels of short duration. When antibody-free commercial birds were inoculated intramuscularly with oil emulsion vaccine containing 10^6,0, 10^7,0, or 10^8,0EID₅₀ per bird dose, 100% of birds inoculated with the highest dose produced presumed protective levels of antibody within two weeks, as compared with a 5-week delay when using the 10^7,0EID₅₀ per bird dose.     

Effects of dietary cation-anion balance on blood PH, acid base parameters, serum and urine mineral levels, and parathyroidhormone (PTH) in weanling horses.

This study demonstrated that the feeding of treatment diets with calculated dietary cation-anion balances (DCAB) of +370.43 (H) and -25.69 (L) did not have significant effects on blood pH, pCO₂, and HCO₃-. Serum Ca²⁺, P, Na⁺, and Cl^- as well as plasma PTH did not differ (P > .05) between the two treatment groups. Serum K⁺ was higher (P< .05) in horses fed diet H rather than diet L. The DCAB of the diet significantly affected urinary Ca²⁺, P, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^- excretion in the young growing horse. Urine Ca²⁺ and Cl- levels were higher (P < .01) in horses fed diet H versus diet L. Furthermore, levels of P, Na⁺, and K⁺ in the urine were higher (P < .01) in horses on diet H as opposed to diet L. Results of this study indicate that horses were able to maintain acid-base status regardless of diet. However, these data imply that growing horses consuming diets low in DCAB may be predisposed to abnormal bone mineralization due to the increase in calcium excretion which could lead to a weakening of the skeletal system.     

AEROSOL VACCINATION OF CHICKENS WITH THE V4 STRAIN OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS

SUMMARY Two-week-old chickens, free of detectable maternal antibody to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), or with low levels of maternal antibody, were vaccinated with the V4 strain of NDV. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies were determined at intervals after vaccination. Two hundred chickens were vaccinated by exposure to an aerosol, a dose of 10⁶ 50% embryo infectious doses (EID⁵⁰) being allowed per chicken. Forty unvaccinated chickens were placed in direct contact with vaccinated chickens. Most of the vaccinated chickens and the incontact chickens had developed HI antibodies of titre ≥ 8 within 2 weeks of vaccination. The HI antibodies in many chickens persisted for at least 8 weeks. Control chickens in a shed 15 metres from the shed containing the vaccinated chickens did not develop HI antibodies to NDV. NDV could be isolated from some vaccinated chickens for 15 days after vaccination. An aerosol dose of 10⁵EID₅₀ per chicken failed to induce a serological response in 2 groups of 40 chickens each. HI antibodies were produced in 1 of 2 groups, each of 40 chickens, vaccinated with 10⁶EID₅₀ and in both of 2 groups of 40 chickens each vaccinated with 10⁷EID₅₀. Duplicate groups of 40 chickens were vaccinated with 10⁶EID₅₀ of V4 virus per chicken administered either as an aerosol, a coarse spray or a droplet placed in the conjunctival sac. HI antibodies were produced in all the groups of chickens.     

The effect of different dietary levels of a n-paraffin-grown yeast on the growth and food intake of broiler chicks

Sixteen groups, each of about 30 male or female Ross 1 chicks, were given pelleted diets containing 0, 5, 10 or 20% yeast in place of herring meal. The diets were given from 1 d of age for 4 weeks; from 4 to 8 weeks the birds were given a common broiler finisher diet. Replacing up to 10% herring meal by yeast did not significantly affect live‐weight at 4 weeks of age but food conversion efficiency was poorer with the diet containing 10% yeast. Birds given the diet containing 5% yeast to 4 weeks of age were significantly heavier at 8 weeks. The diet with 20% yeast significantly depressed growth at 4 and 8 weeks of age.

The use of yeast in broiler finisher diets was investigated in a second experiment. Birds similar to those used in the first experiment were given diets containing yeast at levels of 0, 5, 10 or 20% from 4 to 8 weeks of age. Live‐weight at 8 weeks was not significantly affected by level of yeast in the diet; food conversion efficiency was significantly better with the 20% yeast diet. Blood plasma uric acid levels were not affected by the level of yeast in the diet.     

Effect of Low Dietary Magnesium on Immune Response and Osmoregulation of Atlantic Salmon

Abstract

The influences of dietary magnesium on immune response and on osmoregulation in parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were determined. Groups of fish were fed a casein–gelatin diet unsupplemented (containing about 200 mg Mg/kg) or supplemented with either 300 or 500 mg Mg/kg dry diet (as MgSO₄) for 12 weeks before vaccination to produce fish with different Mg levels, and the feeding regime was continued throughout the study. No differences were observed between the treatment groups in serum-specific antibody levels every second week for 8 weeks after vaccination against Vibrio anguillarum serotypes O1 and O2. Both lysozyme levels and spontaneous hemolytic activities in serum were elevated in vaccinated fish compared with unvaccinated fish. Neither lysozyme activity, complement hemolytic activity, total protein in serum nor blood hemoglobin were affected by dietary Mg. The spontaneous hemolytic activity in serum was lower in fish fed the unsupplemented diet and highest in fish fed the diet supplemented with 500 mg Mg/kg. After 28 weeks on the diets supplemented with graded levels of Mg, a salinity tolerance test (32.5 g/L, 24 h) was performed. High mortality and elevated serum chloride concentrations in all groups after 24 h reflected a general salinity intolerance, but the highest serum chloride level was observed in fish fed the unsupplemented diet. This indicates that low dietary Mg affects the osmoregulation of Atlantic salmon.     

Macro-Anatomical Investigations on the Skeletons of Porcupine (Hystrix cristata). Part III: Skeleton axiale

The aim of this study was to investigate the axial skeleton of two porcupines (Hystrix cristata). The important features of the skull, observed in this study are as follows: The zygomatic process of frontal bone (os fron-tale) was found to be rudimentary, and the infraorbital foramen (for. infraorbitale) was very large. The zygomatic bone (os zygomaticum) has two processes (frontal and temporal) and the zygomatic arch (arcus zygomaticum) was composed of three bones. The dental formulae were 2 (I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3) = 20. The angular process (Proc. angularis) of mandible is well developed. The vertebral formula was found as C₇, T₁₅, L₄, S₄, Ca₁₂. All of cervical vertebrae had the transverse foramen (for. transversarium). The first eleven spinous processes (proc. spinosus) of thoracic vertebrae were caudally-sloped, the twelfth as the anticlin vertebrae and the last three were directed cranially. Hemal arches (or ossa arcus hemalis) were presented as separate bones which articulate with the ventral surfaces of the caudal ends of the bodies of the second, third and fourth caudal vertebrae.     

Transiency of the different cholesterolaemic responses to dietary cellulose and psyllium in pigs and two strains of hamsters

The time course of the cholesterolaemic effects of dietary cellulose and psyllium was studied in two strains of hamsters and in pigs. In the first experiment, the ShHan:AURA strain from Harlan was used. Hamsters were first fed a cholesterol‐enriched (0.1%, w/w) semipurified diet containing 3% cellulose for a period of 2 weeks. Then, one group (n = 14) continued on the cellulose diet and another group (n = 14) was transferred to the psyllium diet. After 1.5 weeks on the diets, the psyllium‐fed hamsters showed a steep decrease in plasma cholesterol levels whereas the cellulose group maintained high cholesterol levels. Then, however, the cellulose‐fed hamsters showed a gradual decrease in plasma cholesterol levels and after 9.5 weeks on the diets, they had plasma cholesterol levels comparable to the hamsters fed psyllium. In the second study, the Lake View strain from Charles River was used. Two groups of hamsters (n = 14 per group) were fed a cholesterol‐enriched (0.1%, w/w) semipurified diet containing either 3% cellulose or 3% psyllium. The psyllium‐fed group had significantly lower plasma cholesterol concentrations than the cellulose group after 2, 4, and 6 weeks on the diets. After 8 weeks on the diets, however, the cholesterol levels in the cellulose group had decreased to levels similar to those in the psyllium group. In the third experiment, pigs were fed a cholesterol‐enriched (0.5%, w/w) semipurified diet containing either 5% cellulose or psyllium. After 1 and 2 weeks on the diets, the cellulose‐fed pigs had elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations, whereas the psyllium‐fed pigs maintained low cholesterol levels. After 3 weeks on the diets, the cholesterol concentrations in the cellulose‐fed pigs had decreased to the same level as in the psyllium‐fed pigs. There was no significant effect of cellulose and psyllium on liver cholesterol in the three studies, but psyllium tended to increase the faecal excretion of bile acids. Thus, the present studies showed a cholesterol lowering effect of dietary psyllium compared with cellulose in hamsters and pigs, but this effect was transient.     

Effects of dietary calcium content and vitamin D source on skeletal properties in growing turkeys

1. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding fast growing turkeys with differentiated dietary calcium (Ca) content, and the partial replacement of vitamin D₃ in the feed with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D₃), on skeletal properties.

2. One-day-old Big-6 male turkeys (n?=?1008) were randomly divided into 4 groups, and two subgroups were created within each group. The groups were differentiated with 4 levels of Ca provision in the feed, namely 85% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation (Group Ca₁); 95% as above (Group Ca₂); 105% as above (Group Ca₃); and 115% as above (Group Ca₄). The first subgroup received the recommended dosage of cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃ subgroup) in the feed, while in the second subgroup (Hy-D subgroup), half of the dosage of cholecalciferol was replaced with 25(OH)D₃. At the ages of 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks, 7 turkeys from each subgroup were randomly selected and killed to obtain the right tibia for densitometric, geometric and mechanical analyses.

3. This study showed advantageous effects of increased calcium supply in the diet on skeletal system properties, that were increased and produced the most desirable traits in turkeys receiving 95%, 105% and 115% of the NRC calcium recommendation. Benefits resulting from administration of 25(OH)D₃ in the diet were also obtained in the skeletal formation of turkeys, and the most advantageous effects were present in the group receiving 105% of recommended dietary Ca.

4. Effects on the metabolic response of the skeleton of turkeys to manipulation of dietary calcium content and vitamin D₃ source were the most evident in the groups between 4 and 12 weeks of life, and demonstrated a limited ability to induce a positive influence on bone properties at advanced stages of the production cycle by alteration of these dietary factors.     

The effect of probiotic BioPlus 2B® on growth performance,dry matter and nitrogen digestibility and slurry noxious gas emission in growing pigs

For this study, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary BioPlus 2B^® supplements on growing pigs. In experiment 1, 64 crossbred pigs (26.70 ± 0.50 kg) were subjected to a 35-day feeding trial (2 pigs/pen, 8 pens/treatment) in which the effects of the following four corn-soybean meal based dietary treatments were compared: 1) CON (basal diet); 2) B0.05 (basal diet + 0.05% BioPlus 2B^®); 3) B0.1 (basal diet + 0.1% BioPlus 2B^®) and 4) B0.2 (basal diet + 0.2% BioPlus 2B^®). During the experimental period, average daily gain (ADG) tended to increase in a linear fashion (P = 0.08) with increasing levels of dietary BioPlus 2B^®. In addition, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was found to increase (P < 0.05) as the levels of BioPlus 2B^® increased. However, no linear or quadratic effects were observed in the gain:feed ratio (G:F) or in the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) when dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) were considered. In experiment 2, 16 crossbred barrows (25.60 ± 0.10 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments used in experiment 1 (1 pig/pen, 4 pens/treatment). The noxious gas emissions and pH of slurry waste were then measured daily for 120 h. Ammonia (NH₃) emission from the slurry samples obtained from pigs in the BioPlus 2B^® groups was lower than that of slurry obtained from pigs in the CON treatment (P < 0.05), however, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and mercaptan emission were not affected by supplementation with BioPlus 2B^®. In addition, the pH value decreased with time, and the pH values of slurry obtained from pigs subjected to the B0.1 and B0.2 treatments were lower than those of samples obtained from other groups after 48 h (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that supplementation with BioPlus 2B^® can reduce slurry NH₃ emission, but not H₂S and mercaptan emission in growing pigs without impacting growth performance.     

Growth of broilers given diets containing field beans (vicia faba l.) during period the 0 to 4 week

In the first experiment 32 groups, each of about 30 male or female Ross 1 chicks, were given mash diets containing 0, 15, 30 or 45 per cent field beans from one day of age for 4 weeks. From 4 to 8 weeks they were given pelleted diets containing 30 or 45 per cent field beans, the treatments being imposed in a 2 (sexes) x 4x2 factorial design. Increasing the proportion of beans in the diet gave a significant worsening in food conversion ratio and in live‐weight gain to 4 and 8 weeks.

In the second experiment 30 groups, each of about 32 male Ross 1 chicks, were given diets containing o, 30, 45, 30 or 45 per cent beans from one day of age to 4 weeks. In the second and third diets the digestibility of bean protein was assumed to be 100 per cent; in the fourth and fifth diets the digestibility was assumed to be 80 per cent and higher concentrations of other protein supplements were therefore included. All diets were prepared as mash, pellets and ground pellets. From 4 to 8 weeks all groups were given a standard diet, the experiment having a 5 x 3 factorial design. Birds fed the control diet ate significantly less, had a significantly poorer food conversion ratio and weighed significantly less than birds fed the diets containing beans. Growth was similar on all diets containing beans, but food conversion ratio was significantly worsened when the concentration of beans in the diet was increased to 45 per cent. Birds grew best on pellets and grew worst on ground pellets.     

Hypophosphatemia Induced by Dietary Aluminium Hydroxide Supplementation in Growing Pigs: Effects on Erythrocytes,Myocardium, Skeletal Muscle and Liver

Håglin, L., B. Essén-Gustavsson and A. Lindholm: Hypophosphatemia induced by dietary aluminium hydroxide supplementation in growing pigs: Effects on erythrocytes, myocardium, skeletal muscle and liver. Acta vet. scand. 1994, 35, 263-271.– Three groups of pigs were studied during and after 10 weeks of treatment with either Al(OH)₃ (Al[OH]₃-group, n=8) to induce hypophosphatemia, A1P0₄ (AlP0₄-group, n=8, aluminium control without hypophosphatemia) or no addition to the feed (control group, n=8). Blood samples were taken at the start of the experiment and after 3, 6 and 10 weeks and were analyzed for phosphate, calcium and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG). Samples from myocardium, skeletal muscle and liver were obtained in connection with exsanguination and analyzed for glycogen, adenosine-tri-phosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CP), glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) and lactate. The Al(OH)₃-group became hypophosphatemic and hypercalcémie with low levels of 2,3-DPG in erythrocytes within 3 weeks and showed a retarded growth rate. After 10 weeks the Al(OH)₃-group had low levels of ATP in myocardium as compared with the control-group and low levels of G-6-P as compared with the AlP0₄-group. No disturbances on electro-cardiograms registered at rest could be documented. G-6-P concentration was low in the biceps muscle in the Al(OH)₃-group as compared with the AlP0₄-group and in the liver low G-6-P concentration was seen in addition to high lactate concentration. The fibre type composition in M. Longissimus did not differ between groups, but the Al(OH)₃-group had, due to retardation in growth, smaller mean fibre-areas than pigs in the AlP0₄-group. Hypophosphatemia gave rise to high serum calcium levels, low concentration of 2,3-DPG in erythrocytes and influenced G-6-P concentration in skeletal muscle, G-6-P and ATP in myocardium, G-6-P and lactate in liver. Retarded growth was one serious consequence of hypophosphatemia and the disturbed energy metabolism.     

In vitro methane emission and acetate:propionate ratio are decreased when artificial stimulation of the rumen wall is combined with increasing grain diets in sheep

The interaction of retention time in the rumen and concentrate diet on methane production in vitro and acetate:propionate ratio was examined. Twenty-four fistulated sheep were used in a complete factorial design with the sheep randomly divided into 4 groups. The sheep had a 5-wk acclimatization period on an oaten chaff diet, followed by two 3-wk diet phases. Two of the 4 groups were maintained on the oaten chaff diet for the duration of the experiment, with pot scrubbers added to the rumen of 1 of the 2 groups. The remaining 2 groups were offered a low-grain diet (35% grain) in the first diet phase followed by a high-grain diet (70% grain) in the second diet phase. Pot scrubbers were also added to the rumen of 1 of these 2 groups of grain-fed sheep. Pot scrubbers in combination with a low-grain diet decreased the amount of methane produced in vitro from 4.25 to 3.71 mmol/mL of digesta when compared with oaten chaff-fed sheep without pot scrubbers (P < 0.05). The acetate:propionate ratio was 1.6 in sheep fed a high-grain diet with pot scrubbers compared with 2.4 in sheep fed a high-grain diet without pot scrubbers in their rumen (P < 0.05). At high levels of grain, when employing a multivariate statistical analysis including all data, sheep given the combined treatment of grain and pot scrubbers were different from all other sheep groups in this experiment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, sheep fed a high-grain diet were different from sheep receiving the oaten chaff diets with and without pot scrubbers (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, pot scrubbers combined with grain alter the rumen fermentation, and introducing pot scrubbers into the rumens of livestock consuming low levels of grain may be a way to lower methane emissions.     

The effect of Trypanosoma brucei infection on serum biochemical parameters in boars on different planes of dietry energy

Young boars were placed on diets with either low or high dietary energy and subsequently infected with a virulent stock of Trypanosoma brucei. The effects of dietary energy level and infection on some serum biochemical parameters were evaluated up to 7 weeks post-infection (p.i.). There were no significant changes in serum electrolyte (Na⁺, K⁺) concentrations resulting from dietary energy level and/or the infection. Serum total protein and albumin levels significantly decreased in both groups of infected boars, the decline being greater in those on the low-energy diet. Infection was accompanied by a rise in serum transaminase (serum aspartate and alanine aminotranferases) levels which were higher in infected boars on the low-energy diet. The serum testosterone concentration declined in both groups of infected boars with the fall being more pronounced in the group on the low-energy diet. The results indicated that the reproductive efficiency of boars may be modulated by nutrition and that adequate feeding may assist in ameliorating the deleterious effects of trypanosomiasis on production in endemic areas.     

浓缩大豆磷脂对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响

本试验采用单因子随机化设计,将225只艾维菌肉仔鸡随机分为5个处理组,每个处理组设3个重复,每个重复15只鸡,以玉米-豆粕型日粮为基础日粮,饲喂处理1设为空白对照组;处理2添加猪油,设为猪油对照组;处理3、4、5分别添加低、中、高水平的浓缩大豆磷脂,为试验组.在0～3周龄猪油以2%,浓缩大豆磷脂分别以2%、3%、4%;在4～6周龄猪油以3%,浓缩大豆磷脂分别以3%、4%、5%添加到基础日粮中以替代相同比例的玉米,蛋白质水平维持不变.研究添加猪油和不同水平的浓缩大豆磷脂对肉仔鸡生长性能的影响,并对其作用机理进行了初步探讨.结果表明:在0～3周龄时,中、高水平试验组极显著地提高了采食量(P<0.01);在4～6周龄时,中水平试验组具有较大的采食量,但高水平试验组采食量有所下降;从全期来看,猪油对采食量影响不大;在0～3周龄,中、高水平试验组极显著地提高了增重(P<0.01),而且在此阶段添加油脂显著提高了饲料转化率(P<0.05);在4～6周龄时,添加油脂极显著提高了增重和饲料转化率(P<0.01);从全期来看,添加油脂可以提高增重与饲料转化率,且在0～3周龄时浓缩大豆磷脂优于猪油.     

Effects of reducing dietary ([Na + K − [Cl + SO4]) on bone in dairy cows at parturition

The effects of feeding diets with different milliequivalents (mEq) of dietary ([Na⁺ + K⁺] − [Cl⁻ + SO₄⁼]) to dairy cows during the last seven weeks of pregnancy on bone morphology at parturition were studied. Nine monozygotic twin pairs of pregnant cows (five pairs of parity 1 or 2 and four pairs of parity 3 or more) were allocated to two diets which were formulated to provide either −4 mEq (anion diet) or +572·5 mEq (cation diet) of ([Na⁺ + K⁺] − [Cl⁻ + SO₄⁼]) kg⁻¹ dietary dry matter. Bone biopsies were taken from the tuber coxae between three and eight hours after parturition. The plasma concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus, the total plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and the urinary hydroxyproline:creatinine ratio were not significantly affected by diet during the experimental period. In low parity (2 or less) cows the percentage trabecular bone volume, the percentage osteoclast surface and the mean number of osteoclasts per microscopic field (identified by Goldner staining) were lower on the anion diet than on the cation diet (P<0-02). In the high parity cows, the percentage osteoid volume (P<0·05) and the ratio of percentage osteoid volume to percentage osteoid surface (P<0·001) were greater in the cows fed the anion diet than in the cows fed the cation diet. The results show that reducing the mEq of dietary ([Na⁺ + K⁺] − [Cl⁻ + SO₄⁼]) to −4 mEq kg⁻¹ dietary dry matter affected some of the parameters of bone formation but did not enhance bone resorption.     

The influence of manganese in association with other dietary components on certain shell characteristics

Four groups of pullets were given, from 17 weeks of age, a high‐Mn diet, or one of three low‐Mn diets. Hens given low‐Mn diets laid eggs with poor shells, judged by appearance, strength and thickness at the start of lay, but only one low‐Mn diet (diet 4), was associated with poor shells throughout 12 months of egg production. Supplementary Mn (100 mg/kg) added to low‐Mn diets after 12 months had no significant effect during the next 2 months on shell appearance score, strength or thickness.

In a second experiment, four groups of pullets aged 16 weeks were given diets of low or high Mn content and high or moderate P content. At the start of the laying period there was a significant interaction between Mn and P, a high level of P increasing shell defects caused by low Mn. At a later stage, 4 months after the start of egg laying, high P significantly reduced shell strength and thickness but had no effect on appearance score: low Mn had only a small non‐significant effect on any shell characteristic at this stage.

In a third experiment pullets of five White Leghorn type hybrids aged 16 weeks were given diets of low or high Mn and high or low Ca until the point of lay, when all birds received the high‐Ca diet but continued receiving the level of Mn given from 16 weeks of age. Only shells produced at the start of lay were studied. Type of hybrid influenced the number of soft shells produced but had no significant effect on other characteristics. Manganese significantly influenced all shell measurements and a high level of Ca increased the number of soft shells, decreased strength and thickness but had no effect on appearance score. There were no significant interactions.     

TOXICITY OF LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA

SUMMARY Steers fed a sole diet of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru (leucaena), rapidly developed a hypothyroid condition. Total serum thyroxine (T⁴) levels declined from c 120 n mol litre^-1 to 13 n mol litre^-1 within six weeks of full leucaena feeding. Associated with the hypothyroidism was a decline in feed intake, poor weight gain, hair loss, excessive salivation and the development of lesions on the oesophagus of some animals. Light steers (119 kg) were more severely affected than heavy steers (220 kg) and two light steers died. During the eight week period of full leucaena feeding animals gained only 0.18 kg head^-1 day^-1 compared with 0.73 kg head^-1day^-1 for steers fed cowpea (Vigna sinensis) hay. Supplementation with minerals (Fe, Cu, Zn) significantly increased mean daily intake (85.4 v 68.9 g/kg^0.75), daily liveweight gain, (334 v 14 g), and serum T₃ resin uptake (42.5 v 39.6%); decreased hair loss and skin lesions but did not alleviate the low serum T₄ levels. lodine supplementation did not affect intake, bodyweight gain, serum T₄ levels, serum T₃ uptake or toxicity scores compared with unsupplemented leucaena fed steers. When the leucaena fed animals were subsequently fed cowpea hay, appetite improved and the serum T₄ levels returned to normal within two weeks. For the heavy steers over this period, weight gain was similar to the controls; however, the light steers continued to gain poorly.     

Effects of dietary energy levels on plasma leptin in sheep

This experiment investigates the changes in the plasma leptin levels of sheep fed a diet of three energy levels (low, moderate and high). Four mature wethers were used for this experiment. For the first 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.2 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, low energy levels (LE). During the second 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.5 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, moderate energy levels (ME). During third 4‐week period, the sheep were fed a diet to provide 1.8 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, high energy levels (HE). Body weight was determined every week. Blood samples were collected prior to the morning meal at 3 days intervals throughout the experiment, and plasma leptin, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were assayed. Body weight decreased in week 1 after the start of the experiment, it continued to decrease during the LE feeding, but it gradually increased until the end of HE period. Similarly, plasma leptin concentration decreased during LE feeding, but increased during the HE feeding. Additionally, positive correlation was obtained between leptin and insulin or glucose concentrations, whereas no clear relationship with circulating NEFA was observed. In conclusion, it was suggested that plasma leptin concentrations were affected by the metabolizable energy in feed.     

CLINICAL SIGNS, RADIOLOGY AND TISSUE LEAD DISTRIBUTION OF DOGS ADMINISTERED A MIXTURE OF LEAD CHLORIDE, LEAD BROMIDE AND LEAD SULPHATE

SUMMARY Eight-month-old dogs maintained on a high-fat-low-calcium diet were administered a mixture of lead chloride, lead bromide and lead sulphate for prolonged periods at 4 different dose levels. Dogs on high levels of lead showed marked weight loss and gastrointestinal symptoms followed by death. Two dogs on low lead levels developed neurological signs. Radiological investigations showed radiopaque particles in 27 per cent of abdominal radiographs and 'lead lines' in the distal radius of 3 dogs. Highest tissue lead levels were found in bones followed by liver and kidney, brain and spinal cord.     

The performance of laying hens fed on rearing and laying diets containing urea

In an experiment using 2880 light hybrid pullets the effect of urea on laying performance has been assessed. Birds received one of three low‐protein rearing diets from 7–20 weeks of age. The control rearing diet, containing 11.5% crude protein, was compared with two diets containing 13.2% crude protein, one in which the protein was from conventional sources and the other containing 11.5% conventional protein and urea equivalent to 1.7% crude protein. At 20 weeks birds were allocated to one of two laying diets formulated to meet essential amino acid requirements. Half the birds from each rearing treatment received a low‐protein diet (14.7%) and the remaining birds received a 16.4% protein diet which included urea equivalent to 1.7% crude protein. Laying performance was recorded for the next 30 weeks.

Body weights of birds fed on the urea‐containing rearing diet were similar to those of birds fed on the control diet (1.22 kg) and less than those on the 13.2% protein diet (1.29 kg). Urea in the laying diet caused a 2% increase in egg production and tended to cause an improved food conversion efficiency. In contrast, a 3.5% less efficient food conversion was found during laying in birds which had received urea during rearing, compared with birds which had received the low‐protein rearing diet. Birds receiving the 13.2% protein diet, containing no urea, during rearing laid smaller eggs than birds fed on the 11.2% protein rearing diet. A high mortality rate occurred during laying due to lymphoid leucosis but no differences between treatments were found.