Non-curative, but prophylactic effects of paromomycin in Histomonas meleagridis-infected turkeys and its effect on performance in non-infected turkeys

Histomonosis (blackhead or infectious enterohepatitis) is a disease of gallinaceous birds, especially of turkeys, and is caused by the protozoan Histomonas meleagridis. Since the ban of all chemoprophylactic and chemotherapeutic products against this disease in the European Union, this parasite causes a considerable amount of economical problems in the poultry industry. Research which could ultimately lead to the discovery of new drugs against this disease is thus highly necessary. Hence, in this study, the efficacy of paromomycin against histomonosis in turkeys was investigated.First, the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of this drug against H. meleagridis and its effect on the weight gain of turkeys was determined. Adding paromomycin to the feed (400 ppm as well as 200 ppm paromomycin) or to the drinking water (420 mg paromomycin per liter water, added prior to or on the day of challenge) significantly lowered the mortality rate and the caecal and liver lesion scores after an intracloacal infection compared to infected untreated birds. However, when paromomycin was administered to turkeys in the drinking water after the challenge, no significant differences in mortality or in lesion scores could be observed compared to the infected untreated control group. This demonstrates that paromomycin exerts a purely preventive action against histomonosis in turkeys. Additionally, the weight gain of the treated birds was positively influenced by the use of the drug, as the average weight gain of all treated groups (except for the group treated at the day of first mortality) was significantly higher than that of the untreated control group. Finally, the target site of paromomycin was detected in the SS rRNA gene of H. meleagridis. Consequently, the susceptibility to paromomycin can be correlated to the presence of the binding site of the drug at the 3′ end of the small subunit rRNA gene of the parasite. In conclusion, paromomycin can be used as a new prophylactic measure in the control of histomonosis in turkeys.     

Effect of antibiotics on in vitro and in vivo avian cartilage degradation

Antibiotics are used in the livestock industry not only to treat disease but also to promote growth and increase feed efficiency in less than ideal sanitary conditions. However, certain antibiotic families utilized in the poultry industry have recently been found to adversely affect bone formation and cartilage metabolism in dogs, rats, and humans. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to determine if certain antibiotics used in the poultry industry would inhibit in vitro cartilage degradation. The second objective was to determine if the antibiotics found to inhibit in vitro cartilage degradation also induced tibial dyschondroplasia in growing broilers. Ten antibiotics were studied by an avian explant culture system that is designed to completely degrade tibiae over 16 days. Lincomycin, tylosin tartrate, gentamicin, erythromycin, and neomycin sulfate did not inhibit degradation at any concentration tested. Doxycycline (200 microg/ml), oxytetracycline (200 microg/ml), enrofloxacin (200 and 400 microg/ml), ceftiofur (400 microg/ml), and salinomycin (10 microg/ml) prevented complete cartilage degradation for up to 30 days in culture. Thus, some of the antibiotics did inhibit cartilage degradation in developing bone. Day-old chicks were then administered the five antibiotics at 25%, 100%, or 400% above their recommended dose levels and raised until 21 days of age. Thiram, a fungicide known to induce experimental tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), was given at 20 ppm. Birds were then killed by cervical dislocation, and each proximal tibiotarsus was visually examined for TD lesions. The results showed that none of these antibiotics significantly induced TD in growing boilers at any concentration tested, whereas birds given 20 ppm thiram had a 92% incidence rate.     

Direct lateral transmission of Histomonas meleagridis in turkeys

The lateral transmission of Histomonas meleagridis in turkeys was studied in floor pens without the presence of Heterakis gallinarum. Battery-reared poults (120) were transferred at 2 wk of age to concrete-floored floor pens with fresh pine shavings litter (40/group). One group received no exposure. In other groups, either 10% or 25% of the birds were inoculated per cloaca with cultured H. meleagridis (200,000/bird) and placed in the pens as seeder birds. Inoculated birds died at 10-18 days postinfection (PI) showing typical liver and cecal lesions of histomoniasis. Birds in the high-exposure group died of histomoniasis beginning 16 days PI and continuing to 100% mortality by day 23 PI. Birds in the low-exposure (LE) group died beginning on day 19 PI and continuing through day 31 PI. All but one LE bird alive on day 31 PI had severe liver and cecal lesions of histomoniasis at necropsy. There was no evidence of histomoniasis in unexposed birds. No cecal worms (H. gallinarum) were found at necropsy of dead birds or in unexposed birds at the end of the experiment. Even though H. gallinarum is the only known reservoir for H. meleagridis, these results suggest that lateral transmission of histomoniasis through a flock can occur readily through normal contact between uninfected birds and infected birds and their droppings in the total absence of cecal worms.     

The efficacy of some drugs with known antiprotozoal activity against Histomonas meleagridis in chickens

Nine drugs with known or suspected antiprotozoal activity were tested in vitro, and in vivo for activity against Histomonas meleagridis. The nitroimidazoles dimetridazole, metronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole suppressed growth of H. meleagridis in vitro at 10 microg/ml or higher. Paromomycin sulfate, and carbadox were weakly effective at high levels. Quinolinol, mebendazole, diloxanide furoate, and albendazole had no demonstrable efficacy in vitro. Drugs showing some activity in vitro were tested in young chickens inoculated intracloacally with 2 x 10(5) H. meleagridis/bird. Dimetridazole, metronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole were highly effective at 200 ppm in feed. Paromomycin sulfate, and carbadox were ineffective in vivo, with no improvement in liver or cecal lesion scores compared to that of infected controls. Thus, the only new entities with efficacy against blackhead disease in vivo were nitroimidazoles, related to the positive control dimetridazole.     

Effect of inorganic selenium supplementation on selenosis in postweaning swine

A total of 72 pigs weaned at 4 wk of age were allotted by litter and weight to nine treatment groups and fed 20% protein cornsoybean meal diets supplemented with various levels of inorganic Se during a 37-d postweaning period. Eight groups were fed diets with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 or 40 ppm Se provided as sodium selenite, while a ninth was offered the 0- and 40-ppm Se diets in separate feeders. Gains and feed intakes were similar during the trial for the 0- and 2.5-ppm Se diets. Both gain and feed intake declined as dietary Se levels above 5.0 ppm increased. At a dietary Se concentration of 40 ppm, feed consumption ceased within a few days of feeding and subsequent gains were negative. Pigs offered both the 0- and 40-ppm Se diets preferentially selected the basal as compared with the 40-ppm Se diet. When the feeders were switched at 28 d they refused the 40-ppm Se diet within a few hours. After a 17-d period, pigs fed the 20- or 40-ppm Se diet were not able to coordinate their walk, with many exhibiting an inability to stand. Alopecia was demonstrated in pigs fed 15 ppm Se or higher at 17 d, but was evident in the 5.0-ppm group at 37 d. At the termination of the trial, abnormal hoof formation at the coronary band was evident in pigs fed diets containing Se greater than or equal to 5 ppm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Simultaneous treatment of chickens with salinomycin and tiamulin in feed.

Laboratory and field experiments involving more than 100,000 birds were performed to assess the effect of simultaneous in-feed medication of chickens with salinomycin and tiamulin at various concentrations. In an artificial infection study with Mycoplasma gallisepticum, low levels of tiamulin (10-40 ppm) did not induce signs of ionophore intoxication with salinomycin at 60 ppm in the feed, whereas levels of 50 ppm caused early signs with a mild growth depression. A level of 20 ppm gave a maximum average improvement in growth rate of 12.5%. There was a dose-related response in mycoplasma lesion inhibition, with 50 ppm reducing lesions by 75%. In the two field trials, chickens suffering from mycoplasmosis complicated with infectious bronchitis and receiving 60 ppm salinomycin in the feed showed marked improvements in mortality rates, lesion scores, and feed-conversion efficiency when tiamulin was added at 20 ppm and 30 ppm in the feed. There were no signs of incompatibility between the two antibiotics at these levels.     

Serum Profiles of Luteinizing Hormone,Oestradiol and Cholesterol and Ovarian Functions in Layer Poultry Birds (Gallus domesticus) Fed Diets Containing Furazolidone

This study was carried out to assess the serum profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, cholesterol and ovarian functions in layer poultry birds (Rhode Island Red: Gallus domesticus) fed a diet containing various concentrations of furazolidone (FZ). A total of 40 birds were randomly assigned to receive FZ 0, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg feed (ppm) daily during the pre-laying age, i.e. 13-18 weeks (for 5 weeks). Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals. Concentrations of LH and oestradiol in serum were estimated at alternate weeks using radioimmunoassays. Serum cholesterol levels were analysed by an enzymatic calorimetric method. Furazolidone administration was terminated at the 18th week of age. The birds were sacrificed at 22nd week of age and ovarian tissues were processed for morphometric studies. Serum LH, oestradiol and cholesterol levels were affected by age (p < 0.001) and FZ dose (p < 0.001). Serum LH and oestradiol levels were lower (p < 0.05) in birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed daily compared with the controls, whereas serum cholesterol profiles were lower (p < 0.05) in all FZ-administered groups than in the control group. The mean weight of ovaries having no yolky follicles observed in the group receiving FZ 400 or 800 mg/kg feed per day was reduced (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Dosing FZ at 800 mg/kg feed per day reduced (p < 0.05) the mean volume of ovaries having no yolky follicles compared with the control group. In birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed per day, the mean length of the oviduct was reduced (p < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Morphometric studies revealed that the mean number of oocytes with diameter in the range 401-800 microm decreased (p < 0.05) in birds fed FZ 400 or 800 mg/kg feed per day. Initial egg production was affected by age (p < 0.001) and dose (p < 0.001) of FZ. The mean number of eggs laid by different groups revealed that egg production was reduced (p < 0.05) in birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed per day as compared with the controls. The present data suggest that FZ causes suppression in serum profiles of LH, oestradiol, cholesterol and ovarian functions in Rhode Island Red layer poultry birds. Therefore, great care must be taken with use of FZ in layer poultry birds (Gallius domesticus) with regard to dosage and duration of administration.     

Non-starch polysaccharides alter interactions between Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis

Nutrition of the host animal may not only influence interactions between the host and its parasites, but also relations between different parasites species residing on the same host. We investigated effects of insoluble and soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) on establishment and development of Heterakis gallinarum in chicken being treated or left untreated against Histomonas meleagridis. Six groups of one-day-old birds were allocated to three diets, two on each diet. The birds were fed ad libitum either a basal diet (CON), or CON+insoluble NSP (I-NSP) or CON+soluble NSP (S-NSP) until an age of 11wk. At an age of 19d, one of each diet groups was prophylactically treated for 9d with dimetridazole (0.05%, w/v) via drinking water against histomonas. The remaining three groups were left un-treated. Two days after starting dimetridazole treatment (at 3wk), each of the 6 groups was divided into two sub-groups. One dimetridazole treated and one dimetridazole un-treated groups of birds on each diet (6 groups) were infected with 200 embryonated eggs of H. gallinarum that were previously harvested from histomonas-carrying H. gallinarum infected chickens. The remaining 6 groups of uninfected birds, either treated or left un-treated against H. meleagridis, served as controls. Worm burdens of infected birds were determined 8wk p.i. Treatment against H. meleagridis significantly increased incidence of H. gallinarum infection and average worm length in all infected groups independent of the diet consumed (p<0.001). An interaction between effects of diet and dimetridazole treatment on worm burden (p<0.001) indicated that the S-NSP diet resulted in lowest worm burden in dimetridazole un-treated birds, whereas it caused the highest worm burden in the treated birds (p<0.05). Furthermore, the treatment resulted in higher worm burdens when compared to un-treated birds on the corresponding diets (p<0.05). Infection with H. gallinarum impaired body weight (BW) of the chicks (p<0.05) and H. meleagridis aggravated this effect (p<0.05). Dimetridazole treated and un-treated uninfected birds developed similar BW (p>0.05). Both NSP supplemented diets resulted in lower (p<0.05) BW when compared with the CON diet, S-NSP being inferior to I-NSP (p<0.05). It is concluded that H. meleagridis harms the definitive host as well as H. gallinarum. Both insoluble and soluble NSP supplemented diets favor H. gallinarum infection while S-NSP additionally intensifies histomonas infection, which then impairs establishment and development of H. gallinarum.     

Fowl typhoid: assessment of a disinfectant oral dose to reduce horizontal spread and mortality

To determine the most appropriate dose in drinking water of the disinfectant N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (TIMSEN), a fowl typhoid challenge trial was carried out using 21-day-old Salmonella-free chickens. In a pretrial, performed with six groups of 10 chickens each, it was shown that the disinfectant was atoxic and safe when administered during 15 days at doses of 0 ppm, 200 ppm, 400 ppm, 800 ppm, 1600 ppm, or 3200 ppm. Thereafter, a challenge trial was performed with 390 chickens divided into six groups of 65 birds each. Chickens were treated during 9 days with oral doses of 0 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 250 ppm, and 500 ppm (groups identified as A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively). Twenty-four hours after the beginning of the treatment, 30 chickens of each group were orally inoculated with 10(9) colony-forming units of Salmonella Gallinarum strain INTA 91 per bird. The remaining 35 unchallenged chickens from each group were left in the same cage in close contact with the other challenged birds of their group. All surviving chickens were sacrificed 8 days after challenge. Livers from all birds were examined for the presence of Salmonella Gallinarum. Salmonella Gallinarum was isolated from all challenged chickens and from some unchallenged chickens of groups A (4/35), E (3/35), and F (6/35), but not from any unchallenged chicken from groups B, C, and D. Doses of 50 ppm (group C) significantly reduced mortality (30%) in comparison with the untreated control group A (65%). Mortality in group B (45%) was not significantly different from group C. Administration of higher doses of the disinfectant resulted in significantly higher mortality rates, 70% in group E and 85% in groups D and F. Increased infection and mortality rates of groups D, E, and F might have been caused by inhibition of the protective action of the normal gut flora. To reduce horizontal infection and mortality, the manufacturer's prescribed oral dose of 25 ppm may be increased up to 50 ppm. Nevertheless, higher doses should be avoided because they may cause horizontal increased spread of the disease and mortality.     

聚乙烯聚吡咯烷酮作为生长促进剂喂鸡的效果

试验分育雏期与生长期,用以测定聚乙烯聚吡咯烷酮(PVPP)对优质肉鸡的促生长效果。育雏期选用石歧杂黄羽肉鸡3237只,按入孵时的蛋重分为大蛋群与小蛋群。试验鸡在相同的饲养管理条件下按三种处理喂养:(1)对照组喂基础日粮;(2)试验1组为基础日粮+100ppm pvpp;(3)试验2组为基础日粮+200ppm pvpp。42天育雏期的结果表明:在日粮中添加PVPP能提高雏鸡的成活率和饲料效率,以200ppm PVPP组最佳,成活率提高4.2％(大蛋群)和35.2％(小蛋群),饲料报酬提高13.6％(大蛋群)和17.1％(小蛋群)。生长期试验选用石歧杂鸡240只,层笼饲养,试验期4周(49日龄至77日龄),观察添加不同剂量PVPP(0、100、200和400ppm)的饲养效果。结果显示的生产 成绩以添加PVPP各组较好,但组间差异不显著。     

Effects of oral administration of tilmicosin on pulmonary inflammation in piglets experimentally infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of oral administration of tilmicosin in piglets experimentally infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. ANIMALS: Forty 3-week-old specific-pathogen free piglets. PROCEDURES: Piglets were assigned to 1 of 4 groups as follows: 1) uninfected sham-treated control piglets; 2) infected untreated piglets that were intratracheally inoculated with 10(7) CFUs of A pleuropneumoniae; 3) infected treated piglets that were intratracheally inoculated with A pleuropneumoniae and received tilmicosin in feed (400 ppm [microg/g]) for 7 days prior to inoculation; or 4) infected treated piglets that were intratracheally inoculated with A pleuropneumoniae and received chlortetracycline (CTC) in feed (1100 ppm [microg/gl) for 7 days prior to inoculation. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue specimens of piglets for each group were evaluated at 3 or 24 hours after inoculation. For each time point, 4 to 6 piglets/group were studied. RESULTS: Feeding of CTC and tilmicosin decreased bacterial load in lungs of infected piglets. Tilmicosin delivered in feed, but not CTC, enhanced apoptosis in porcine BAL fluid leukocytes. This was associated with a decrease in LTB4 concentrations in BAL fluid of tilmicosin-treated piglets, compared with untreated and CTC-treated piglets, and also with a significant decrease in the number of pulmonary lesions. Tilmicosin inhibited infection-induced increases in rectal temperatures, as measured in untreated and CTC-treated piglets. Pulmonary neutrophil infiltration and prostaglandin E2 concentrations in the BAL fluid were not significantly different among groups at any time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of tilmicosin to infected piglets induces apoptosis in BAL fluid leukocytes and decreases BAL fluid LTB4 concentrations and inflammatory lung lesions.     

GM助长乐对樱桃谷肉鸭生产性能影响

使用饲料添加剂抗生素的替代品——GM助长乐,可以提高肉鸭免疫力、促进生长、提高饲料利用率,并能有效地解决抗生素残留问题,长久使用会降低死淘率。试验初步研究了GM助长乐对肉鸭生产性能的影响。试验设计采用单因子设计分组,选用健康的0日龄樱桃谷雏鸭2 900只,随机分成2组,每组3个重复,实验组每个重复490只。对照组每个重复477只。各组内雏鸭平均初始重差异不显著（P〉0.05）,试验期48d。试验结果表明,在48日龄时,实验组料肉比低于对照组,差异显著（P〈0.05）;只均重比对照组高9.43g;实验组死亡率（3.13%）低于对照组（3.70%）。     

Toxicological and biological studies on Japanese quails fed graded levels of furazolidone

Furazolidone (FZ) was administered to 42-day-old female Japanese quails as a feed additive at doses of 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 ppm for a period of 28 days. Dose-dependent effects were observed. High levels of FZ (600 and 800 ppm) significantly altered growth, decreased feed consumption, caused marked atrophy of the ovaries and oviducts leading to cessation of egg laying, and resulted in higher mortality. Hepatotoxicity was evidenced by an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase and a decrease in serum total protein, in addition to degenerative changes of the hepatocytes in FZ-treated birds. A rise in serum urea was also observed. Symptoms leading to death included a loss of appetite causing emaciation followed by nervous disturbances (compulsive movements and circling). No signs of cardiomyopathy were observed. Japanese quails did not tolerate FZ at a concentration (400 ppm) recommended for the prevention of salmonellosis in poultry.     

Dietary enzyme and zinc bacitracin reduce colonisation of layer hens by the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira intermedia

Brachyspira intermedia strain HB60 was used to experimentally infect 40 individually caged 22-week-old laying hens. Another 10 control birds were sham-inoculated with sterile broth. All chickens received an experimental layer diet based on wheat. The infected birds were randomly divided into four groups of 10, with the diet for each group containing either 50 ppm zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 100 ppm ZnB, 256 ppm of dietary enzyme (Avizyme), 1302), or no additive. Birds were kept for 6 weeks after infection, and faecal excretion of B. intermedia, faecal water content, egg numbers, egg weights and body weights were recorded weekly. Control birds remained uninfected throughout the experiment. B. intermedia was isolated significantly less frequently from the groups of experimentally infected birds receiving ZnB at 50 ppm or enzyme than from those receiving 100 ppm ZnB or no treatment. Infected birds had a transient increase in faecal water content in the week following challenge, but no other significant production differences were detected amongst the five groups of birds in subsequent weeks. It was not established how the ZnB at 50 ppm and the dietary enzyme reduced the ability of the spirochaete to colonise, but it may have been by bringing about changes in the intestinal microflora and/or the intestinal microenvironment.     

Anticoccidial efficacy of diclazuril in pheasants

Diclazuril, a new anticoccidial drug, was tested in young pheasants artificially infected with the three most common pathogenic species of Eimeria, E colchici, E duodenalis and E phasiani. In two replicate experiments each with 40 birds the mortalities in the infected controls were 50 and 25 per cent. Diclazuril was administered in the feed at dose levels of 1, 2 and 4 ppm from the day before the inoculation of coccidia until the end of the test on day 6 after infection. The 1 ppm dose failed to inhibit the development of the parasite completely, as was shown by a reduction of the weight gain of the birds and the output of a small number of oocysts. Diclazuril at 2 or 4 ppm adequately controlled the infection, with weight gains similar to those of the uninfected controls. At all dose levels, mortality, intestinal lesions and diarrhoea were prevented.     

Blackhead disease (histomoniasis) in poultry: a critical review

After its discovery in 1893 in Rhode Island, blackhead disease was reported across the continent and soon in many other countries. It decimated the turkey industry in New England and followed production like a faithful shadow. Blackhead disease causes high mortality in turkeys, sometimes approaching 100% of a flock. In chickens, the mortality may be 10%-20% with high morbidity, although many outbreaks pass unnoticed. Early workers identified Histomonas meleagridis, a protozoan related to Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Trichomonas, as the causative agent. Like many other parasites, its life cycle is complex, involving as an intermediate host, the common cecal worm Heterakis gallinarum. The necessity for bacteria for Histomonas to become virulent in the turkey and chicken, notably Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Clostridium spp., was discovered by research in gnotobiotic birds. Changes in management brought the disease under control, although it remained the first cause of mortality in turkeys until modern antihistomonal products were developed after WWII. The ban of nitroimidazole products in the United States and Europe was followed by an upsurge in reported cases in turkeys and chickens. Immunization is not an option for prevention, as birds do not reliably become resistant to reinfection after suffering a primary exposure. Recent research demonstrated that histomoniasis could spread rapidly through a flock of turkeys by direct contact, probably involving the phenomenon of cloacal drinking. Direct transmission was not demonstrated for chickens, stressing dependence on H. gallinarum as the source of infection. The lack of suitable treatment drugs or vaccines emphasizes the importance of prevention by worm control and management.     

Efficacy of Calcium Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Experimental Infections of Broiler Chickens with Escherichia Coli O78:K80

Two trials were made to assess the efficacy of including calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water or in the feed for four days to control the adverse effects of experimentally induced colibacillosis in broiler chickens. Trial 1 had five groups of 15 chicks each: one group of negative controls; an untreated infected control group and three groups treated with 50, 100 or 200 ppm of calcium fosfomycin in drinking water. Trial 2 had the same groups but the antibiotic was incorporated into the feed. The chickens were infected via their air sacs with 1.7 x 10⁸–3.6 x 10⁸ CFU/chick of Escherichia coli O78:K80. The morbidity and mortality, a score for the gross lesions, the relative weight of the liver and spleen, performance and re-isolation of the challenge bacteria were recorded. Calcium fosfomycin in the drinking water controlled the colibacillosis, particularly in the group treated with 200 ppm. However, no effect of the antibiotic was seen when calcium fosfomycin was incorporated into the feed, the mortality, score of lesions and re-isolation of E. coli from the organs in the three treated groups being similar to those for the infected unmedicated group. The amount of antibiotic ingested in trial 1 was three times more than in trial 2. These results suggest that calcium fosfomycin is best used in the drinking water for the treatment of colibacillosis.     

两种锗化合物对肉鸡的促生长作用及其毒性

就使用两种不同锗化合物——二氧化锗(GeO_2)和四氯化锗(GeCl_4)对肉用仔鸡的促生长作用及其毒性进行了研究。每次试验使用144只不同处理组。喂饲基础日粮组为对照组。在各试验组中分别加入1,10,100,1000mg/kg 锗(GeO_2)和1,10,100,1000mg/kg 锗(GeCl_4)。加二氧化锗的试验组中,当加入锗10mg/kg 时,鸡增重提高12%(P<0.05),饲料转化率提高7.5%(P<0.05)。相反,四氯化锗不能促进鸡的生长,当锗为100mg/kg 时,鸡的各项生产性能指标均有所下降。当饲料中锗浓度为1000mg/kg,不论它来自二氧化锗还是四氯化锗均对鸡有很大毒性,所有鸡分别于17天和28天后死亡。在试验2中,将鸡分为8个不同处理组,喂以基础日粮(对照组)和2,5,10,20,50,100和200mg/kg。锗(二氧化锗)。当锗浓度为5mg/kg时。对鸡的生长有轻微促进作用,与对照组相比提高3.3%,各处理组均未发现中毒症状。根据试验结果可推断,锗对鸡的半致死量(LD_(50))略低于大鼠,约为500～600mg/kg 体重。每日每只鸡摄入18mg 锗,是安全的。     

Feasibility of replacing antibiotic feed promoters with the Chinese traditional herbal medicine Bazhen in weaned piglets

This study investigated the feasibility of replacing antibiotic as growth promoter for weaned piglets with the Chinese traditional herbal medicine Bazhen. Thirty-six weaned piglets (average initial body weight 8.92 ± 1.18 kg) were used in this study. Pigs were blocked according to weight, sex and litter origin, and then randomly assigned to control (basal diet), antibiotics (100 ppm chlortetracycline and 100 ppm oxytetracycline) and Bazhen (1%) groups, with three pens per group. Piglets had free access to water and feed during this 8-week study period. Experimental results indicated that average daily gain of the Bazhen group was higher than that of the control group, but lower than that of the antibiotics group. However, feed intake was reduced while feed to gain ratio was improved in the Bazhen group compared to the control and antibiotics groups. The Bazhen group showed higher neutrophil activity and IgG levels than the control group. The increase in white blood cell counts of the Bazhen group when challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide was higher than that in the control and antibiotics groups. Moreover, IL-6 and TNF- (tumor necrosis factor-) levels were higher in the Bazhen group than in the antibiotics group. Red blood cells and γ-globulin levels were higher in the Bazhen group than in the antibiotics group and in the control group, respectively. On the other hand, the antibiotics group displayed the highest amount of SRBC (sheep red blood cell) antibody titers, and differed significantly from the control group. Some immune responses such as white and red blood cells, IL-6 and TNF- levels were greater at weaning in the piglets of the Bazhen supplemented group than in those of the antibiotics group. Thus, Bazhen could be a potential substitute for antibiotics (chlorotetracycline and oxytetracycline) in weaned piglets feed.     

Effect of Drinking Water Iron Concentration on Broiler Performance

Many parts of the nation have elevated Fe concentrations in drinking water, and poultry producers are uncertain of the effect this will have on broiler performance. Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of Fe concentration on broiler performance. At hatch, Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were placed in Petersime batteries equipped with a nipple watering system. Chicks were weighed and randomly allotted to pens such that each pen had a similar weight distribution. Chicks were fed a standard corn-soybean meal diet to meet or exceed NRC recommendations. Chicks were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Weekly chick weight, feed intake, and water consumption were recorded throughout the 35-d trials. Soluble P in the manure was analyzed in Experiments 1 and 2. In Experiments 1 and 2, 4 water treatments consisted of 0, 2, 20, and 200 ppm supplemental Fe (FeSO₄·7H₂ O). In Experiment 3, the treatments were 0, 200, 400, and 600 ppm supplemental Fe. Water treatments were mixed on a weekly basis.No differences were noted in BW, feed consumption, water consumption, mortality, or manure-soluble P in any of the trials. None of the birds in the treatments exhibited any signs of flushing or any other intestinal problems. These results indicate that Fe concentrations in water do not affect performance or soluble P in broilers. Broiler performance was not affected by elevated SO₄ levels or reduced water pH. Although Fe may not have a direct affect on broiler performance, this study did not take into account the effect that high levels of Fe or its oxidized byproducts may have on equipment function.