Strategies to improve the nutritive value of rice bran in poultry diets. IV. Effects of addition of fish meal and a microbial phytase to duckling diets on bird performance and amino acid digestibility

1. Ducklings were given diets with vegetable protein (VP) and 0 or 600 g rice bran/kg; fish meal (60 g/kg) and a phytase (+,-) were added to the diets (VP + AP). An additional 40 g soyabean meal/kg was added to the diet with rice bran (VP ++). Amino acid digestibility and mineral retention were measured in the lower ileum of ducklings killed at 23 d of age. Acid insoluble ash was used as an inert marker. Trypsin and amylase activities were also measured and weights of the pancreas and small intestine recorded at slaughter. 2. Addition of soyabean meal (VP ++) to the diet with rice bran improved growth rate and food intake compared to the diet without (VP) and gave the same food intake and growth rate as the comparable basal diet (VP) without rice bran. Fish meal improved growth rate on the diets without rice bran and improved food intake on this diet (VP + AP). Rice bran depressed growth rate and food conversion ratio (FCR); protein source affected growth rate, food intake and FCR; phytase increased food intake only. There were several interactions. 3. Determined total amino acid composition of the diets appeared to meet the essential amino acid requirements of ducklings. Rice bran depressed the ileal digestibility of virtually all amino acids and phytase had no direct effect, although there were interactions. Fish meal addition to diets with rice bran improved the apparent digestibility of several essential amino acids as well as that of dry matter and crude protein. 4. Ileal retention of some minerals and tibia ash content were reduced by rice bran. Fish meal and phytase inclusion increased P retention and ash in tibia. 5. Higher intestinal trypsin activity and increased pancreas size were seen in ducklings on diets with rice bran compared to those without. Intestinal amylase activity was reduced in ducklings given rice bran, probably because of its low starch content. 6. The stimulating effect of fish meal on duckling performance was probably caused in part by the improvement in the digestibility of some amino acids. The addition of small amounts of minerals in fish meal may have increased mineral retention. Phytase gave benefits anticipated from our previous work, but also improved lysine and threonine digestibility in diets containing vegetable protein only.     

Site and extent of digestion and amino acid flow to the small intestine in beef cattle consuming limited amounts of forage

Eight Angus x Gelbvieh heifers (445 +/- 74.5 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square double double-crossover designed experiment to assess the effect of restricted forage intake on site and extent of digestion and flow of essential AA amino acids to the small intestine. Heifers were fed chopped (2.54 cm) bromegrass hay (9.2% CP, 64% NDF on an OM basis) at one of four percentages of maintenance (30, 60, 90, and 120%). Experimental periods were 21 d in length, with 17 d of adaptation followed by 4 d of intensive sample collection, after which maintenance requirements and subsequent level of intake were adjusted for BW change. True ruminal OM, NDF, and N digestion (g/d) decreased linearly (P < 0.001) with decreasing forage intake. When expressed as a percentage of OM intake, true ruminal OM and N digestibility were not affected (P = 0.23 to 0.87), whereas ruminal NDF digestibility tended to increase (P = 0.09) as forage intake decreased. Total and microbial essential amino acid flow to the duodenum decreased linearly (P = 0.001) from 496.1 to 132.1 g/d and 329.1 to 96.0 g/d, as intake decreased from 120 to 30% of maintenance intake, respectively. Although the profile of individual essential amino acids in duodenal digesta (P = 0.001 to 0.07) and isolated ruminal microbes differed (P = 0.001 to 0.09) across treatment, the greatest difference noted for total and microbial essential amino acid profile was only 0.3 percentage units. Because total and microbial flow of essential amino acids to the small intestine decreased as OM intake decreased, but true ruminal degradability of individual essential amino acids (P = 0.17 to 0.99) and digesta essential amino acid profile were comparable across treatments, total essential amino acid supply to the small intestine was predicted using OM intake as the independent variable. The resulting simple linear regression equation was: total essential amino acid flow = (0.055 x OM intake) + 1.546 (r2 = 0.91). The model developed in this experiment accounted for more of the variation in the data set than the current beef cattle NRC model, which under-predicted total flow of essential amino acids to the duodenum. The prediction equation developed herein can be used to estimate the supply of essential amino acids reaching the small intestine when formulating supplements to compensate for potential amino acid deficiencies resulting from restricted forage intake.     

叶黄素对鹌鹑繁殖性能及母源IgG向后代转移的影响

本试验旨在研究叶黄素对鹌鹑繁殖性能及母源IgG向后代转移的影响。试验选取1日龄朝鲜龙城父母代鹌鹑144羽,按体质量随机分为4个处理组,每组设3个重复,每个重复12羽。采用小麦-豆粕型基础日粮,分别添加0、50、1001、50 mg.kg-1叶黄素。10周龄时,每个重复取2羽,ELISA法检测血清IgG含量。收集种蛋并孵化,计算孵化率、受精率、死胚率。子代鹌鹑在相同条件下饲养,日粮中不添加叶黄素,分别在1、3、7、14、21日龄时,每重复取2羽心脏采血,检测血清中IgG含量。结果表明:叶黄素可以显著提高种蛋的受精率和孵化率(P0.05),降低死胚率(P0.05);对雌鹌鹑血清中IgG的含量没有显著影响(P0.05),但可以显著提高卵黄IgG水平(P0.05);子代鹌鹑血清IgG的含量与叶黄素的添加量成正比,高剂量叶黄素可显著提高1日龄血清IgG水平(P0.05)。结论:叶黄素可以显著改善鹌鹑的繁殖性能,并通过促进母源IgG在卵黄内的沉积从而提高后代血清中IgG水平。     

甘露寡糖对肉鹑肠长度及肠道菌群的影响

选取240只1日龄肉鹑随机分成4组,每组设4个重复,每个重复15只肉鹑。其中第1组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,第2~4组为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加0.5%、1.0%2、.0%的甘露寡糖(MOS)。进行为期50日龄的饲养,分别于35日龄和50日龄采样。试验结果表明,1.0%和2.0%MOS可显著增加35日龄肉鹑小肠长度和十二指肠长度(P<0.05)。1.0%和2.0%MOS组35日龄肉鹑空肠长度和回肠长度显著长于对照组和0.5%MOS组(P<0.05)。各处理组35 d肉鹑空回比均高于对照组,但未达到统计学差异水平(P>0.05)。日粮中添加MOS对50日龄肉鹑肠长度的影响无明显规律,各处理组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。日粮添加0.5%、1.0%2、.0%MOS可显著降低35日龄和50日龄肉鹑回肠内大肠杆菌的数量(P<0.05),随着日粮MOS添加量的增加,回肠内大肠杆菌数量逐渐下降,且1.0%和2.0%MOS添加组回肠内大肠杆菌数量显著低于0.5%MOS添加组(P<0.05)。日粮添加0.5%、1.0%、2.0%MOS可显著提高35日龄和50日龄肉鹑回肠内乳酸杆菌的数量(P<0.05),随着日粮MOS添加量的增加,回肠内乳酸杆菌数量逐渐升高,且2.0%MOS添加组35日龄肉鹑回肠内乳酸杆菌数量显著高于0.5%MOS添加组(P<0.05)。     

成年阉牛对饲粮蛋白质的消化及维持需要量的估计

选择 6头安装有瘤胃、十二指肠前端和回肠末端瘘管的阉牛 ,分 3期依次饲喂以玉米、棉籽饼和氨化稻草为原料配合的 3种不同饲养水平的日粮 ,以Cr2 O3为指示剂测定小肠表观可消化N供给量 ,采用全收粪尿法测定氮平衡值。结果显示 ,以代谢体重为基础的氮平衡值 (NB)与进食氮和小肠表观可消化氮供给量之间分别存在如下回归关系 :NB =- 0 .5 0 12 +0 .5 76 8×进食氮　　　　　　　　R =0 .76 6 0NB =- 0 .2 80 4 +0 .6 398×小肠表观可消化氮R =0 .9894据此估计 ,阉牛维持的粗蛋白、小肠表观可消化粗蛋白和净蛋白需要量分别为 5 .4 3、2 .74、1.76g kgW0 .75。对体表氮损失加以考虑后 ,阉牛维持的粗蛋白、小肠表观可消化粗蛋白和净蛋白需要量分别为 5 .6 5、2 .93、1.88g kgW0 .75。小肠表观可消化粗蛋白用于维持和增重的效率为 0 .6 4     

不同水平枯草芽孢杆菌对鹌鹑内脏器官及小肠发育的影响

选用健康1日龄黄羽雏鹑80只,随机分成4组,每组设2个重复,每个重复10只。1组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,2、3、4组为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加0.05%、0.1%、0.2%的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂。结果表明:各处理组与对照组相比胰腺鲜重都有减小趋势,且0.1%组胰腺鲜重与对照组的相比差异显著(P<0.05);0.05%组脾脏干重与对照组的相比差异显著(P<0.05);0.1%组和0.2%组胰腺干重与对照组的相比显著降低(P<0.05);芽胞杆菌对空肠,回肠以及十二指肠未见明显影响(P>0.05)。     

Effects of dietary chitosan on fat deposition and lipase activity in digesta in broiler chickens

1. The effect of dietary chitosan on fat deposition and lipase activity in the small intestinal contents was investigated in broiler chickens fed an adequate or high metabolisable energy (ME) diet. 2. Male broiler chickens at 14 d old were fed on the adequate or high ME diet supplemented with 0 or 50 g/kg chitosan, which has a low viscosity, for 3 weeks. 3. Dietary chitosan did not affect food intake, body weight gain or food efficiency in either dietary ME groups. 4. Dietary chitosan reduced the excessive abdominal fat deposition induced by the high ME diet. 5. Dietary chitosan increased the weight of intestinal contents irrespective of dietary ME concentration. 6. Dietary chitosan decreased the lipase activity per g of small intestinal contents. 7. These results suggest that dietary chitosan with low viscosity decreases lipase activity and fat absorption in the small intestine, consequently resulting in a reduction of fat deposition in broiler chickens. 8. It was concluded that dietary chitosan with low viscosity can decrease body fat deposition without reducing food intake and body weight gain in broiler chickens.     

Influence of alpha-linked glucose on sodium-glucose cotransport activity along the small intestine in cattle

Thirteen steers (378+/-23 kg) were used in a split-plot experimental design to evaluate the effect of small intestinal carbohydrate on sodium-glucose cotransport in brush border membrane vesicles prepared from five equidistant sites along the small intestine. The steers consumed 7.2+/-0.4 kg/d ground fescue hay and soybean meal-based supplement and were infused ruminally or postruminally with a partial alpha-amylase starch hydrolysate (914.5+/-8.3 g/d) for 7 d. On d 7, five equidistant 1-m small intestinal sections were harvested and frozen in liquid N for later preparation of brush-border membrane vesicles. Maltase activity of the homogenate and vesicle preparations changed (P < 0.001; lowest in the duodenum, highest in the jejunum) and alkaline phosphatase decreased (P < 0.001) along the small intestine. With respect to the original homogenates, the vesicle preparations were enriched 9.80+/-0.83- and 7.64+/-0.67-fold for alkaline phosphatase and maltase, respectively; enrichments were not different between treatments (P = 0.76 and 0.39, respectively). However, alkaline phosphatase and maltase enrichment changed (P < 0.001) along the small intestine. Recoveries of alkaline phosphatase and maltase activities (25.0+/-0.2% and 19.5+/-0.2%, respectively) in the vesicle preparation were not affected (P = 0.29 and 0.21, respectively) by treatment but changed (P < 0.001) along the intestine. Recovery of protein in the vesicle preparation was 2.60+/-0.01% and was not affected by treatment or intestinal site. Sodium-glucose cotransport activity (220+/-44 pmol x mg(-1) x s(-1)) was not affected (P = 0.34) by treatment but did change (P < 0.001; lowest in the ileum, highest in the proximal and mid-jejunum) along the small intestine. Apparent Km of the sodium-glucose cotransporter for glucose was 62.8+/-5.8 microM. The specific activity of maltase was highest in the jejunum, and sodium-glucose cotransport was highest in the first two jejunal sites. However, duodenal maltase activity was lowest and ileal sodium-glucose cotransport activity was lowest. Sodium-glucose cotransport activity may limit small intestinal starch assimilation in the distal small intestine. It does not seem that glucose arising from carbohydrate hydrolysis regulates activity of sodium-dependent glucose transport in cattle.     

Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 2. The course of 15 N labeling in the chyme, urine and blood

Three female pigs provided with re-entrant canulas at the beginning and the end of the small intestine and catheterized for blood and urine collection were once fed a 15N-labelled mixed diet. Until 48 hours after feed intake chyme from the canulas and urine and blood were collected at varying intervals. All 15N-frequencies measured in the duodenal chyme were found to be below the labelling of the feed protein. Until 11 hours after intake of the labelled feed, the residue obtained by centrifugation of the intestinal contents revealed the highest 15N-labelling. Only slight differences were found in the frequencies of the other fractions (proteins, peptides, free amino acids). The almost constant labelling of all fractions in that period is indicative of a dilution with endogenous nitrogen being constant in comparison with food N. The 15N-frequencies of the chyme fractions observed at the end of the small intestine allowed to conclude that the breakdown of the food proteins is more complete than the disintegration of the endogenous proteins.     

赖氨酸席夫碱对到达绵羊小肠游离氨基酸和蛋白质流量的影响

选用4只体重在40 kg左右,安装永久性十二指肠瘘管的中国美利奴（新疆型）细毛羊,采用拉丁方设计,分别添加3.42和6.84 g赖氨酸席夫碱（分别含赖氨酸2、4 g）、2.56和5.12 g赖氨酸盐酸盐作为对照（分别含赖氨酸2、4 g）,以研究对进入绵羊小肠游离氨基酸和蛋白质流量的影响。结果表明,在赖氨酸实际添加水平都为4 g/d时,赖氨酸席夫碱使绵羊小肠液中游离Lys、Glu和Tyr的流量分别提高了25.17%、38.35%和33.88%（P<0.05）,对其他游离氨基酸流量的影响不明显。添加赖氨酸席夫碱对到达绵羊小肠的微生物蛋白质流量、过瘤胃蛋白质（瘤胃非降解蛋白）流量没有影响。添加赖氨酸席夫碱可提高到达绵羊小肠的游离赖氨酸量,且与添加量有关。     

Development of the activities of pancreatic and caecal enzymes in White Roman goslings

1. This study was to investigate the development of the activities of pancreatic and caecal enzymes in White Roman goslings from hatching to 28 d of age. 2. A total of 80 1-d-old goslings were used. At hatching, 3 and 7 d of age, 16 goslings (8 males and 8 females) were used. At 11, 14, 21 and 28 d of age, 8 goslings, 4 males and 4 females were selected. The activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin in each segment of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and their contents and the activity of cellulase in the caecal contents were measured. 3. The specific activity (SA) of amylase in the duodenal mucosa and contents increased significantly both from 11 to 14 and 14 to 21 d of age and declined after 28 d of age. In the jejunum and ileum, there was a significant peak in the SA of amylase in the mucosa in goslings from 7 to 21 d of age. On average, the SA of lipase of mucosa and content in the small intestine was initially low but gradually increased from 14 to 21 and from 21 to 28 d of age. 4. The SA of trypsin in the contents of the duodenum and the jejunum increased both from 7 to 11 and 11 to 14 d of age and there was high activity in the ileal contents from 14 to 21 d of age. From 3 to 14 d of age, the SA of chymotrypsin in the duodenal mucosa significantly increased and peaked. There was a significant peak at 11 d of age in the SA of chymotrypsin in the duodenal or jejunal contents and in the ileal contents at 7 d. The SA of cellulase in the caecal contents increased linearly with age, reaching a plateau at 28 d of age. 5. The rate of activity development varied from hatching to 28 d of age. However, the mean SA of amylase and lipase of intestinal contents reached a peak at 21 d, trypsin and chymotrypsin at 11 d and cellulase at 28 d of age, respectively. The quantitative changes in SA of cellulase, amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin increased by about 4-, 3-, 5-, 2- and 3-fold, respectively, in the intestinal content of goslings. Thus, development of proteases in the intestine of goslings peaked more rapidly than amylase, lipase and cellulase during the first 4 weeks.     

活性干酵母对肉鹑生长性能及内脏器官的影响

为研究活性干酵母对肉用鹌鹑生长性能和内脏器官的影响,探讨日粮中添加活性干酵母在鹌鹑生产中的效果,选用1日龄鹌鹑180羽,随机分成4组,每组设3个重复,每个重复15羽鹌鹑。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加0.06%、0.1%、0.2%的活性干酵母。结果表明:日粮添加活性干酵母均可降低14日龄鹌鹑料重比(P<0.05);0.06%活性干酵母可降低25日龄鹌鹑采食量(P<0.05),0.06%和0.2%活性干酵母可降低25日龄鹌鹑料重比(P<0.05),0.2%活性干酵母可增加25日龄鹌鹑体增重(P<0.05);0.06%活性干酵母可增加35日龄鹌鹑体增重(P<0.05),降低35日龄鹌鹑料重比(P<0.05)。活性干酵母各添加组与对照组相比肝脏、脾脏、法氏囊指数差异不显著(P>0.05),0.2%活性干酵母可提高鹌鹑心脏指数(P<0.05);0.1%活性干酵母可提高鹌鹑胰腺指数(P<0.05)。说明饲喂0.06%活性干酵母提高肉鹑生长性能效果最佳,提高活性干酵母浓度后,鹌鹑生长性能影响没有明显变化,但可改善内脏器官指数。     

Growth and development of the digestive organs and some enzymes in broiler chicks after hatching.

1. Body weight and the weight of the digestive organs and activities of some digestive enzymes were determined from hatching to 23 d of age. 2. Relative daily growth rate peaked at 11 d of age (22% gain/d) and then decreased gradually. 3. The vitelline residue was decreased rapidly from 4.6 g at hatching to negligible values from 4 d of age. 4. Maximal allometric growth of the pancreas and small intestine was 4-fold and that of liver 2-fold greater than that of the body. 5. Activities (units/kg body weight) of the digestive enzymes measured in the pancreas and intestinal contents increased with age. In the pancreas maximal values were attained on day 8 for amylase and lipase and 11 for trypsin and chymotrypsin. In the small intestine maxima were attained on day 4 for lipase, 11 for trypsin and chymotrypsin and 17 for amylase. 6. The development of secretion of digestive enzymes in the post-hatched chick could be a limiting factor in digestion and subsequently in food intake and growth.     

NutriDense and waxy corn hybrids: effects on site and extent of disappearance of nutrients in sheep

Six Suffolk wether lambs (40.9+/-1.05 kg) surgically fitted with ruminal and double-L-shaped duodenal and ileal cannulas were used in a 3 x 6 Latin rectangle design to investigate the effects of three corn hybrids on site and extent of disappearance of nutrients and rumen characteristics. Treatments were 1) a conventional yellow dent corn (CC) diet, 2) a NutriDense corn (NC) diet, and 3) a waxy corn (WC) diet. Diets consisted of 43.9% cracked corn grain, 39.1% cottonseed hulls, 15.3% soybean meal, 1.49% vitamin and mineral supplement, and 0.21% chromic oxide (DM basis). Lambs were fed twice daily at 1.8 x NEm requirement. Ruminal pH, fluid dilution rate, volume, NH3 N, and total VFA concentrations, as well as molar proportions of isobutyrate, butyrate, and valerate, were similar (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Apparent and true OM disappearances (g/d and percentage of OM intake) from the stomach were similar (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Apparent OM disappearance (percentage of duodenal OM flow) from the small intestine was higher (P < 0.05) for the WC than for the NC treatment. Apparent total tract OM disappearance (percentage of OM intake) was also similar (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Total apparent and true starch disappearances (g/d) from the stomach were higher (P < 0.05) for the WC diet than for the CC and NC diets. However, apparent and true starch disappearances from stomach as percentage of starch intake were higher (P < 0.05) for the WC diet than for the CC diet. Starch disappearance (g/d) from the small intestine was higher (P < 0.05) for the CC diet than for the WC diet; however, apparent starch disappearance (percentages of duodenal starch flow) from the small intestine was higher (P < 0.05) for the WC diet than for the CC diet. Duodenal flows of total N, bacterial N, NH3 N, and non-NH3 nonbacterial N (g/d) and efficiencies of bacterial protein production (g of bacterial N/kg of true or apparent OM disappearing in the stomach) were similar (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Apparent and true N disappearance from stomach (g/d) and apparent total tract N disappearance (percentage of N intake) were also similar (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Total N disappearance from the hindgut was -0.81, -1.06, and -1.46 g/d for CC, NC, and WC, respectively, and was different (P < 0.05) between CC and WC diets. Results indicated that higher ruminal starch disappearance in WC did not increase microbial N production or efficiency when compared to CC.     

Relative bio-availability and utilisation of phosphatic fertilisers as sources of phosphorus in broilers and layers

1. Different concentrations of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 g/kg diet) were given to broilers (8 to 42 d of age) to establish regressions between dietary NPP concentration and body weight gain and tibia ash content. Second and third experiments were conducted to study the feasibility of utilisation of different phosphatic fertilisers [ammonium phosphate (AP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), single super phosphate (SSP), NPK (17:17:17, NPK) and NP (28:28:0, NPK)] in commercial broilers (8 to 42 d) and White Leghorn layers (252 to 364 d). 2. Phosphatic fertilisers were incorporated both in broiler (10 g calcium and 4.5 g NPP/kg) and layer (35 g calcium and 3.5 g NPP/kg) diets by replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) in toto. 3. The logarithmic curves obtained for predicting the body weight gain and tibia ash content at different levels of NPP used in experiment 1 were Y = 156.27 + 2,468.8 logX (r2= 0.958) and Y = 530.82 + 144.26 log X (r2 = 0.916), respectively. 4. Body weight gain and food intake in broilers given APP- or NP-supplemented diets were comparable to these in the DCP-fed group. Feeding of NPK, AP or SSP resulted in significant depression in weight gain and food intake and high excreta moisture content. Food/gain, Ca and P contents in tibia ash and serum were not influenced by the use of phosphatic fertilisers as P sources in broiler diets. 5. Tibia ash content in broilers fed on diets containing fertilisers was either similar to or significantly higher than that in the DCP-fed group. Broilers on AP or SSP retained more P and had higher tibia ash content than those on DCP. AP, SSP or NPK caused degenerative and necrotic changes in liver, kidney and intestine of broilers. 6. Relative bio-availability of P from APP or NP was better for body weight gain than AP, SSP or NPK, while the reverse was true for bone calcification. 7. APP and NP gave hen-d egg production similar to that of DCP-fed layers. Food intake was significantly reduced in layers fed on diets containing fertilisers. However, food/egg mass, egg weight and serum Ca and inorganic P contents were not influenced by inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets. 8. Except for AP, inclusion of fertilisers in layer diets reduced shell weight and shell thickness compared with the DCP-fed group. However, no apparent eggshell defects were found which could be attributable to diet. 9. Results of these experiments suggest that APP and NP can be used as the sole source of P both in broiler and layer diets, replacing DCP in toto. However, when utilising these P sources in layers, due attention should be given to shell quality. Fertilisers containing high F (AP and SSP) or K (NPK) reduced performance in broilers and layers and caused microscopic changes in liver, kidney and intestine in broilers.     

Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 1. Passage of the chyme in the small intestine

Three female pigs of about 50 kg liveweight were provided with re-entrant canulas in the upper and lower sections of the small intestine and were catheterized to collect urine and blood (vena jugularis). After feeding once the experimental diet containing 15N-labelled, fat extracted dry curd as protein component, it was possible to determine, on two days, the chyme passed through the canulas and to separate aliquote portions thereof for analysis. The cellulose contained in the food was used as indicator for the passage rate of the chyme in the small intestine. The passage rates in the small intestine calculated from the amounts of cellulose and chyme were found to agree fairly well. The passage rates in the upper part of the small intestine were characterized by strongly marked, short-time peaks, right after feed intake, and by periods of relatively even chyme flow some eight hours after feeding. At the end of the small intestine almost constant chyme passage rates were observed over the whole experimental period.     

Fatal cryptosporidiosis in quail

Young quails kept in wire-floored cages experienced high mortality, beginning at age 5 days, from diarrhea that was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. At necropsy, the small intestine had clear fluid content and the cecum was distended by brown foamy fluid. Histopathologic findings in the small intestine were shortened villi with detached enterocytes at the tip. Cryptosporidium sp. (confirmed by electron microscopy) were numerous in the microvillous border. Neither bacterial nor viral pathogens were detected. No infection was established in day-old chickens gavaged with feces and intestinal contents from infected quails. Thorough cleansing of the cages followed by application of commercial bleach prevented recurrence.     

Characteristic of duodenal myoelectric activity in relation to food in piglets during the 3rd and 4th week of life

The relationship between duodenal myoelectric activity and liquid food intake was investigated in eight conscious piglets with bipolar electrodes implanted on the wall of the duodenum. Piglets were fed with commercial milk formula and the effects of volume and feed dry matter intake on duodenal myoelectric activity were measured by means of an analog–digital recording system.The cyclic pattern of duodenal myoelectric activity, i.e. the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), was preserved when piglets received small meals at regular intervals. The duration of the whole MMC cycle, as well as the duration of phase II of the MMC, were only weakly correlated (r = 0.2, P < 0.05 for both parameters, respectively) to the amount of ingested food. However, the increase of the amount of feed dry matter intake of a meal from 2.1 to 4.5 g kg^− 1 of live body mass (LBM) as well as an increase of volume of a meal from 13 to 26 ml kg^− 1 LBM significantly increased the duration of the MMC cycles (P < 0.05) due to the elongation of phase II of the MMC (P < 0.05).The present study shows that in piglets fed with a liquid diet the upper gut motility response to food is similar to that previously observed in adult animals.     

The effect of the host's age on the pathology of Eimeria stiedai infection in rabbits

The pathology of experimental Eimeria stiedai infection in 2- and 4-month-old rabbits raised coccidia-free was studied. Over 50 days of infection, the serum activities of aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) were analyzed as indicators of hepatic lesions and total serum globulins with respect to the immune response of the host; parasite development was followed by oocyst output; weight gain, food intake and relative liver weight were analyzed to control the performance of infected animals. The age of the host strongly affected parasite development and consequently the biochemical and zootechnical parameters differed more markedly in the younger animals; however, the enzyme ALT showed an increase independent of parasite development, and infection did not affect GGTP activity. The increase in age was responsible for resistance of rabbits to hepatic coccidiosis and older animals were less affected than young ones.     

不同水平甘露寡糖对肉鹑生长性能和血清胆固醇的影响

为了探讨不同水平甘露寡糖对肉鹑生产性能和血清胆固醇的影响。将240只1日龄鹌鹑随机分成4组,每组设4个重复,每个重复15只鹌鹑,Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,Ⅱ~Ⅳ组为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加0.5%、1%、2%的甘露寡糖,进行为期50 d的饲养试验。结果表明,与对照组相比,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的35日龄和50日龄的肉鹑的体重分别提高2.02%、2.66%,7.36%、7.90%。血清胆固醇含量:Ⅱ组35日龄肉鹑胆固醇含量比对照组升高22.22%,Ⅱ组50日龄肉鹑胆固醇含量比对照组降低12.20%;Ⅲ组35日龄肉鹑和50日龄肉鹑的胆固醇含量分别降低3.70%、9.76%,Ⅳ组35日龄肉鹑胆固醇含量比对照组升高7.41%,50日龄肉鹑的胆固醇含量降低21.95%。试验研究表明:在肉鹑生产中,适量添加甘露寡糖可增加肉鹑体重并且降低胆固醇含量。