Effects of vitamin E on urokinase-plasminogen activator receptor expression by bovine neutrophils.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA) receptor (u-PAR) expression by neutrophils of dairy cows. ANIMALS: 16 healthy Holstein dairy cows. PROCEDURE: 16 cows were assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: control (no vitamin E supplementation) and vitamin E supplementation. Supplementation of vitamin E started 4 weeks prior to and continued up to 4 weeks after parturition and included oral administration of vitamin E at 3,000 U/cow per day; these cows also received 1 injection of vitamin E (5,000 units), 1 week prior to the expected date of parturition. Blood samples were collected, and neutrophils were isolated weekly throughout the experimental period. The following variables were measured: u-PA (mRNA), total cell-associated u-PA activity, membrane-bound u-PA activity, and free unoccupied u-PA binding sites on the cell membrane of neutrophils. RESULTS: Stimulated neutrophils isolated from cows that received vitamin E supplementation had significantly higher u-PA mRNA and total cell-associated and membrane-bound u-PA activity at postpartum week 1, compared with those of stimulated neutrophils isolated from control cows.There were no differences between groups throughout the whole experimental period in u-PA binding sites of neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The increased total cell-associated and membrane-bound u-PA activity in neutrophils isolated from cows that received vitamin E may facilitate the ability of neutrophils to extravasate and reach the mammary gland at postpartum week 1. Rapid recruitment of neutrophils is critical for proper defense of the gland.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on lymphocyte distribution in gut-associated lymphoid tissues obtained from weaned piglets

Fifteen piglets were used to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the number of CD4-immunoreactive (CD4+) T-lymphocytes, CD8-immunoreactive (CD8+) T-lymphocytes and IgA-immunoreactive (IgA+) B-lymphocytes per follicle in the Peyer's patch of distal ileum and the mesenteric lymph nodes of weaned piglets. Piglets, following a 3-day adaptation period after weaning, were assigned to one of three experimental groups: control (no vitamin E supplementation), vitamin E supplementation of 100 mg/kg of diet and vitamin E supplementation of 300 mg/kg of diet. Supplementation of vitamin E lasted for a period of 36 days. The basal diet contained 80 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg of diet. All piglets were killed at day 39 after weaning and samples of the distal ileum and adjacent mesenteric lymph nodes were collected. The number of cells for each lymphocyte subset was counted in the Peyer's patch and the mesenteric lymph nodes follicles, in cryostat sections processed for immunohistochemistry. Results showed that vitamin E supplementation (300 mg/kg diet) of piglets caused an increase (P < 0.05) in the number of IgA+ B-lymphocytes in the Peyer's patch, but not in the mesenteric lymph nodes, compared with the corresponding values in control animals. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the follicles of the Peyer's patch and the adjacent mesenteric lymph nodes. Thus, vitamin E had relatively minor effects on distribution of the major immunocompetent cells in the gut. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes as well as IgA+ B-lymphocytes per follicle were higher by 26-77% (P < 0.05) in the mesenteric lymph nodes than the corresponding values in the Peyer's patch.     

Influence of supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate preweaning and vitamin C postweaning on alpha-tocopherol and immune responses of piglets

This study was designed to test whether dietary maternal supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate during lactation and dietary vitamin C supplementation after weaning could increase the alpha-tocopherol status pre- and postweaning and the immune responses of piglets postweaning. The experiment involved 12 crossbred sows that were fed increasing levels of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl (70, 150, and 250 IU/kg, as-fed basis) during lactation. After weaning (d 28 of age), litters were divided into two groups that were supplemented with or without vitamin C (500 mg/kg of feed, as-fed basis). Milk and blood samples were obtained from the sows during lactation. Pigs were bled at 4, 16, 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age. Liver, heart, muscle, and s.c. adipose tissues were collected (on 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age) and analyzed for alpha-tocopherol. On the same days, alveolar macrophages of the lungs were collected, and analyzed for the concentration of alpha-tocopherol and its stereoisomer composition, fatty acid composition, and release of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, and thromboxane B2. Increasing dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration increased the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in plasma (P = 0.02) and milk (P = 0.007) of sows, and the sow milk concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and vitamin A were greater on d 2 of lactation than later on during lactation. The plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in piglets decreased from d 4 to later on during suckling (P < 0.001) and again as the postweaning period progressed (P < 0.001). When lipid-standardized, plasma alpha-tocopherol was increased in piglets of sows fed 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate compared with other sow-groups (P = 0.005). At 28 d of age, alpha-tocopherol concentrations in tissues were increased with supplementation of the high dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate levels to the sows; however, after weaning, a decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration in most tissues (except liver) was observed, but the decrease tended to be less in the muscle (P = 0.099) and adipose tissue (P = 0.11) of piglets suckling sows fed 150 and 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Vitamin C supplementation after weaning increased liver alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.01) and serum immunoglobulin M concentration (P = 0.04), and vitamin C supplementation increased the proportion of the RRR-alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.03) at the expense of the RRS-stereoisomer form (P = 0.05) of alpha-tocopherol in alveolar macrophages of the piglets. In conclusion, this study on maternal all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and postweaning vitamin C supplementation suggests a nutritional strategy for increasing alpha-tocopherol status and immune responses of weaned piglets.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers on several functional properties of macrophages and heterophils in laying hens

1. Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on various functional properties of macrophages and heterophils in the laying hen were determined. 2. Seventy two 28-week-old-ISA brown hens were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups and were fed diets containing 0 or 1% CLA for a total period of 18 weeks. Blood samples were collected from 6 hens per diet group every 3 weeks and macrophages and heterophils were isolated. The following variables were determined in resting and phorbol myristate acetate-activated (65 microM) macrophages and heterophils: total cell-associated urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), membrane-bound u-PA, free u-PA binding sites and superoxide production. 3. There were no significant differences between diet groups throughout the whole experimental period in total cell-associated u-PA, membrane-bound u-PA, free u-PA binding sites and superoxide production by resting macrophages and heterophils. 4. Activated heterophils and macrophages isolated from hens fed the CLA-supplemented diet had higher membrane-bound u-PA activity compared with the corresponding values for activated heterophils and macrophages obtained from hens fed the basal diet. These differences were significant for heterophils during weeks 6, 12, 15 and 18 and for macrophages during weeks 6, 9 and 12 of the experiment. 5. Macrophages and heterophils from hens fed the CLA diet had lower superoxide production compared with the corresponding cells from the control hens on weeks 12, 15 and 18 of the experiment. 6. Dietary CLA modulated certain aspects of the immune system in the laying hen. The increased quantity of u-PA on the membrane of macrophages and heterophils isolated from hens fed the CLA diet may facilitate the ability of these cells to reach the point of a potential inflammation (pro-inflammatory effect). 7. In contrast to the effect on the u-PA system, dietary CLA reduced superoxide production by activated macrophages and heterophils during the second half (last 9 weeks) of the experimental period suggesting that CLA may exert an anti-inflammatory effect in the laying hen.     

Vitamin E requirement of growing swine

The vitamin E requirement of growing pigs was estimated on the basis of prevention of morphological signs of deficiency. Five groups of pigs were fed a barley-based diet low in vitamin E that contained 16 mg of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate equivalents/kg and .1 ppm of Se for 4 wk (depletion I). This period was followed by 7 wk of supplementation, during which the groups received 0, 15, 45, 135 and 405 mg of supplemental DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet. Finally, all the animals were fed the low vitamin E diet for 7 wk (depletion II). To follow the vitamin E concentration in serum and tissues, blood samples were collected and biopsies were taken from skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and the liver throughout the experiment. The peak vitamin E value was observed in the liver, followed by the adipose tissue and then skeletal muscle. The liver responded rapidly to changes in dietary vitamin E intake, whereas the adipose tissue and the skeletal muscle reacted at a slower rate. In spite of the abundant occurrence of the different vitamin E isomers in the feed, alpha-tocopherol was the main isomer detected both in the serum and in the tissues. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum increased with age but was independent of the serum vitamin E concentration. In the unsupplemented group all animals suffered from the vitamin E and Se deficiency syndrome (VESD) in an acute or chronic form. A total of 31 mg of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet (16 mg of naturally occurring vitamin E and 15 mg as supplementation) equivalent to 2.5 IU vitamin E/g polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was enough to prevent the development of VESD. In view of the large individual variations of vitamin E concentration in target organs, and to obtain a certain safety margin for prevention of VESD in growing pigs, a supplement of 30 mg of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet is recommended.     

Use of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans to suppress the effects of ochratoxicosis on the immune system of broiler chicks

(1) The objective of this study was to determine whether the dietary inclusion of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans (TRM) could suppress the detrimental effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on the immune system of broiler chicks. (2) Six experimental treatments were tested in 300 1-d-old broiler chicks. Treatments included addition to a standard broiler ration of neither OTA nor TRM (Diet 1), OTA alone (500 microg/kg), OTA plus TRM at three inclusion rates (10(4) CFU/g of feed, 10(5) CFU/g, 10(6) CFU/g) and TRM alone at 10(5) CFU/g of feed. The ration was fed to chicks for 42 d. (3) Blood samples were collected at d 10, 20, 30 and 40 and macrophages and heterophils were isolated. The following variables were determined in macrophages and heterophils activated by phorbol myristate acetate (65 microM): cell viability, total cell-associated urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA), membrane-bound u-PA, free u-PA binding sites and superoxide production. (4) There was a decrease in the viability of macrophages and heterophils from chicks receiving OTA-contaminated feed compared to the viability of cells from control birds at d 40. Dietary TRM completely blocked the effect of OTA on cell viability; all three inclusion rates were equally effective. There was a decrease in total cell-associated and membrane-bound u-PA in macrophages and heterophils of chicks receiving OTA-contaminated feed compared to the corresponding values in control birds for heterophils at d 30 and 40 and for the macrophages at d 40. (5) Similarly, dietary TRM abolished the effect of OTA on total cell-associated and membrane-bound u-PA activity. All three inclusion rates of yeast were equally effective. Heterophils, but not macrophages, isolated from chicks receiving OTA-contaminated diet produced less superoxide anion compared to all other diet groups at d 30 and 40. (6) The immune system is a primary target of OTA toxicity in broilers: several functional properties of macrophages and heterophils were depressed in chicks fed OTA-contaminated feed. There was a delay of 30d before the immunosuppressive effect became apparent. The dietary inclusion of TRM completely blocked the detrimental effects of OTA on several immune properties in broilers.     

Effect of supplementing sows' feed with alpha-tocopherol acetate and vitamin C on transfer of alpha-tocopherol to piglet tissues, colostrum, and milk: aspects of immune status of piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of sows with alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) and vitamin C on deposition of alpha-tocopherol (AT) in piglet lymphoid organs, such as bone marrow, thymus, and spleen at birth and at weaning, as well as on indicators of immune response in piglets. Sows were given the following treatment diets: control, vitamin C 10 g/day, ATA 500 mg/kg feed, and combined vitamins (ATA 500+Vit-C 10). Supplementation with vitamins started at the beginning of pregnancy and lasted until weaning at 21+/-3 days of age. AT was determined in colostrum, milk, piglet plasma (cord blood) and tissues at birth and on day 21. Immunoglobulins were measured in piglet plasma, milk, and colostrum. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA and ConA was determined in sow and piglet blood. ATA supplementation resulted in a significant increase (P<0.001) in the AT content of colostrum, milk, piglet plasma, liver, thymus, bone marrow, and spleen at weaning. The AT content of colostrum and milk significantly (P<0.001) influenced the AT content of piglet plasma and tissues at weaning (day 21). Total Ig and IgG concentrations in piglet plasma were significantly increased in piglets given the combined vitamin treatment. No effect of AT supplementation was observed on IgG and IgA in colostrum and milk. In sows, vitamin C given alone significantly increased lymphocyte response to ConA and PHA; whereas, in piglets, there was no significant effect of treatments on lymphocyte response to PHA and ConA.     

Vitamin E concentrations in blood plasma of sheep and in sheep tissues after a single intraruminal or intraperitoneal administration of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate

Twenty-five yearling wethers, weighing 40 to 45 kg were used in a trial designed to compare the effect of the route of administration of vitamin E upon plasma and tissue vitamin E status. Five control sheep without vitamin E administration were killed at the beginning of the trial. Of the remaining 20 sheep, 10 were given DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate intraruminally and 10 by intraperitoneal injection. Of these, 10 wethers were killed three days after dosing (five from each treatment, IR3 and IP3) and the remaining wethers were killed eight days after dosing (IR8 and IP8). Blood samples were taken throughout the trial from sheep on the IR8 and IP8 treatments. Samples of whole adrenal gland, heart, liver, kidney, brachiocephalicus muscle, lung, pancreas and spleen were taken from all sheep at slaughter and were analysed for their vitamin E content. The blood plasma results showed that the most important index of vitamin E bioavailability, the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve, was greater in the intraperitoneally than intraruminally dosed sheep. There was a higher concentration of vitamin E in the tissues from the intraperitoneal group than the intraruminal group three days after the intraperitoneal injections. The results suggest that the greatest responses in vitamin E concentration in plasma and the tissues were recorded in sheep following intraperitoneal rather than intraruminal dosing with DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate.     

alpha-Tocopherol concentrations in serum and tissues of sheep fed different sources of vitamin E.

Thirty-five crossbred wethers were used to determine the concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in serum and tissues after oral supplementation of six different vitamin E product forms. Five wethers were assigned to each of the following treatments: 1) control, no supplemental vitamin E (C), 2) emulsifiable DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate-dry (Rovimix E-50% SD), 3) nonemulsifiable DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate-dry (Rovimix E-50% Ads), 4) emulsifiable DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate-liquid (Rovimix E-40% Dispersible Liquid Concentrate [DLC]); 5) emulsifiable DL-alpha-tocopherol-liquid (Hoffmann-La Roche, E-40% DLC alcohol), 6) micellized DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate-liquid (Bioglan, Inc., E-20%); and 7) micellized DL-alpha-tocopherol-liquid (Bioglan, Inc., E-20%). Animals were supplemented daily with 1,000 IU of their respective vitamin E sources for 56 d. Blood samples were collected daily from d 0 to 7 and weekly until d 56. Animals were subsequently killed by exsanguination after stunning and eight different tissues were collected for alpha-tocopherol analysis. There were effects of day, treatment, and day x treatment interaction on serum alpha-tocopherol. All supplemented groups were higher in serum alpha-tocopherol concentration than were the C wethers. The emulsifiable vitamin E alcohol liquid product form (Treatment 5) yielded higher (P less than .01) serum alpha-tocopherol concentration than the emulsifiable acetate liquid product (Treatment 4). Sheep on Treatment 5 reached maximum concentration on d 1, sheep on Treatment 6 on d 2, and the sheep on the remaining Treatments by d 3. Blood sera alpha-tocopherol concentrations stabilized by d 6 in all supplemented groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

饲粮添加吡咯喹啉醌对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在比较吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)与维生素E和有机硒对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响。选用40头体重和背膘厚接近且妊娠90 d的第3胎大约克母猪,随机分为2组,每组20头。对照组在基础饲粮中添加60 mg/kg维生素E和0.20 mg/kg有机硒,试验组在基础饲粮中添加1 mg/kg PQQ。试验期为妊娠第90天至分娩后第7天。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮添加PQQ对母猪产程、产仔数、产活仔数及仔猪初生窝重、仔猪平均初生重以及产后7 d仔猪平均日增重均无显著影响(P0.05),但数值上有所升高;饲粮添加PQQ显著提高了初生仔猪和母猪血清总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性及还原型谷胱甘肽含量(P0.05),显著降低了血清丙二醛含量(P0.05),对血清过氧化氢酶活性、总抗氧化能力及氧化型谷胱甘肽含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综合得出,围产期饲粮中添加PQQ较维生素E和有机硒对母猪繁殖性能无显著影响,能显著增强围产期母猪及初生仔猪的血清抗氧化功能。     

The effect of stress on blood levels of vitamin A and E in piglets

In five trials with 99 suckling or weaned piglets, the effects of the increased adrenocortical function, caused by cold, weaning from the sow or fasting or by stimulation with exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) were studied as exerted on vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in the blood serum. Three hours after an exposure of three-day and four-day piglets to the temperature of 8-12 degrees C, a small drop of the concentrations of both vitamins occurred. In four-week weanling piglets a decrease in vitamin E concentration was observed in two days, the trend being slight in vitamin A concentration. At the same time some sibs were left fasting, which considerably reduced the concentrations of both vitamins. The situation was similar in two hours after ACTH administration to suckling piglets, however the difference was insignificant in vitamin E concentrations. In seventeen hours elapsing from two administrations of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) when the increased secretion of corticosteroids was fading out, only the vitamin A concentration in suckling piglets was found to drop. The response in weanling piglets was negligible. The suppressive effects of stress on vitamin A concentrations were usually observed when the levels of circulating corticosteroids were high or in the period immediately following this status. The changes in nutrition after early weaning exert large negative effects on vitamin E concentrations in the blood serum. The differences in the response of the organism to the two vitamins may be due to various types of transport mechanisms in the blood circulation. The specific effects of stress factors are mentioned.     

Bioavailability of vitamin E compounds in lambs.

A study was carried out to assess the bioavailabilities of several forms of vitamin E in lambs. A total of 40 lambs was allotted to eight dietary groups of five each and supplemented or not daily for 60 d with equimolar amounts of different vitamin E compounds as follows: 1) control, no supplemental vitamin E, 2) DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, 3) D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, 4), D-alpha-tocopheryl succinate, 5) D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1,000 succinate (TPGS), 6) DL-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate, 7) DL-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate+ TPGS, or 8) D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate + TPGS. During these 60 d, serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the control lambs remained constant and lower (P less than .05) than in lambs that received all treatments. Various indices of bioavailability, including Cmax-C(i) (concentration maximum-concentration initial), Ct-C(i) (concentration terminal-concentration initial), areas under the serum concentrations profiles, and pooled increment were higher (P less than .05) with D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate+ TPGS than in the other groups, suggesting a synergism between these forms. No such effect was observed between nicotinate and TPGS. For the TPGS, a water-soluble form of vitamin E, the indices of bioavailability were lower (P less than .05) than for the other groups. D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate resulted in a bioavailability that outranked all the other forms of vitamin E, except those of D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate + TPGS. A slightly higher bioavailability index was observed for D-alpha-tocopheryl succinate than for DL-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Parenteral selenium and vitamin E supplementation of weaned beef calves

BACKGROUND: The weaning process in beef calves elicits physiological stress responses that can negatively affect performance and health. Supplementation of vitamins and minerals, particularly selenium (Se) and vitamin E, might be warranted. HYPOTHESIS: That parenteral administration of Se or vitamin E would correct or prevent deficiencies of these nutrients in postweaned beef calves during a backgrounding period (42 days after weaning). ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-four weaned steers (200-250 kg) in 3 trials. METHODS: One trial was conducted with cattle on a dry lot fed a total mixed ration and 2 trials were conducted on cattle on pasture. Selenium was administered at 0.05 mg/kg BW (SC) and vitamin E was administered at 1500 IU on days 0 and 28 (SC). RESULTS: A treatment effect attributable to Se or vitamin E supplementation on average daily gain was not detected in any trials. Parenteral supplementation with Se on days 0 and 28 resulted in higher serum Se concentrations as compared with controls on day 42. Parenteral supplementation with Se on days 0 and 28 improved Se status from marginal to adequate in 1 trial. Parenteral supplementation with vitamin E did not improve serum vitamin E concentrations in any experiment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Supplementation with vitamin E or Se or a combination of both did not have a significant effect on calf performance during the 42-day backgrounding period.     

Cattle blood plasma and red blood cell alpha-tocopherol levels in response to different chemical forms and routes of administration of vitamin E.

The chemical form and site of administration of vitamin E were assessed in cattle by measuring area under the time curve alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). In Exp. 1, four groups of Holstein calves, 4 to 6 d old, received daily one of the following forms equivalent to 228 mg of alpha-tocopherol: D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (DTA); DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (DLTA); D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1,000 succinate (TPGS); and an experimental blend (EB) containing DTA and TPGS. A control group received no supplement. Temporal alpha-tocopherol responses were determined in blood samples collected for 35 d. Relative to controls whose plasma and RBC alpha-tocopherol levels remained unchanged, all supplementation increased (P less than .05) alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma and RBC in calves; the highest levels occurred in those that received either DTA or EB. In a second experiment, five Hereford steers with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a crossover design to determine whether site of vitamin E administration affected plasma alpha-tocopherol levels. A single dose of 810 mg of DTA was placed daily into the rumen, and the same amount divided into five equal doses was given (into the duodenum) during a 12-h period. Plasma alpha-tocopherol levels were higher (P less than .05) when steers were ruminally dosed than when they were dosed duodenally. The results suggest that the alpha-tocopherol concentration of plasma and red blood cells in cattle depends on both the chemical form and on the site of administration.     

不同形式补铁补硒对仔猪生长性能、血液生化指标、免疫性能的影响

[目的] 比较母猪和仔猪不同形式的补铁补硒对仔猪生产性能、血液生化指标、免疫性能的影响。[方法] 将32头母猪随机分为8组,每组4头,1~4组基础日粮中添加硫酸亚铁和亚硒酸钠,5~8组基础日粮中添加甘氨酸螯合铁和硒代蛋氨酸。2组和6组母猪所产仔猪于3日龄肌注铁硒合剂;3组和7组仔猪基础日粮中添加硫酸亚铁和亚硒酸钠;4组和8组仔猪基础日粮中添加甘氨酸螯合铁和硒代蛋氨酸;1组和5组仔猪饲喂基础日粮,不接受任何形式的补铁补硒。母猪预产期前30 d开始饲喂试验日粮,仔猪7日龄时开始饲喂试验日粮,试验至仔猪21日龄断奶结束。测定并比较不同组别仔猪生长性能指标、血液生化指标以及免疫性能指标,以及不同组别母猪初乳和常乳中的铁硒含量。[结果] 在仔猪补铁补硒形式相同的条件下,母猪基础日粮中添加甘氨酸螯合铁和硒代蛋氨酸（5~8组）与基础日粮中补充硫酸亚铁和亚硒酸钠（1~4组）相比,能够显著（P<0.05）或极显著（P<0.01）提高仔猪的初生重、断奶重、断奶存活率、断奶合格率,2日龄和21日龄血浆铁含量、血浆硒含量、血红蛋白含量、血浆转铁蛋白含量、IgA含量、IgG含量、IgM含量,以及母猪初乳和常乳中的铁硒含量;在2种形式的母猪补铁补硒条件下,与不补铁补硒相比,仔猪不同补铁补硒形式（2~4组和6~8组）对其断奶重、断奶存活率、断奶合格率,以及21日龄血浆铁含量、血浆硒含量、血红蛋白含量、血浆转铁蛋白含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性、IgA含量、IgG含量、IgM含量均有极显著（P<0.01）的提高作用,并且仔猪基础日粮中添加甘氨酸螯合铁和硒代蛋氨酸的效果优于肌注铁硒合剂和基础日粮中补充硫酸亚铁和亚硒酸钠。[结论] 母猪和仔猪基础日粮中添加甘氨酸螯合铁和硒代蛋氨酸,能有效提升仔猪的生长性能、血液生化指标和免疫性能。     

日粮中添加不同剂量有机酸型酸化剂替代抗生素对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

旨在研究不同剂量有机酸型酸化剂替代抗生素对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响。试验选择健康、日龄相近、初始体重为（8.70±0.20）kg的杜×长×大杂交断奶仔猪144头,随机分为4组（分别为对照组,处理1、2、3组）,每组4个重复,每个重复9头仔猪。对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理1组在基础日粮上添加25 mg/kg金霉素和50 mg/kg喹烯酮,处理2组和处理3组在基础日粮上分别添加0.4%和0.7%有机酸型酸化剂（甲酸、乳酸、柠檬酸和富马酸）,试验共进行14 d。试验结果表明,处理1、2、3组相比于对照组断奶仔猪的日增重显著提高（P<0.05）,分别提高20.60%、7.90%和15.30%;与对照组相比,处理1、2和3组料重比显著降低（P<0.05）,分别降低13.20%、7.60%和13.35%;与对照组相比,处理1、2和3组腹泻率显著降低（P<0.05）,分别降低16.11、11.11和15.91个百分点;与对照组相比,处理1、2和3组日均采食量没有显著差异（P>0.05）;处理1组和处理3组对断奶仔猪日增重和料重比的改善程度接近。结果表明,通过添加有机酸型酸化剂能改善断奶仔猪的生长性能,添加高剂量的有机酸型酸化剂能达到金霉素和喹烯酮组合使用的效果。     

Assessment of the influence of dietary vitamin E on sows and offspring in three parities: reproductive performance, tissue tocopherol, and effects on progeny

Sixty crossbred (Yorkshire-Hampshire X Duroc) gilts were fed one of four corn-soybean meal diets fortified with .3 ppm Se and 0, 16, 33, or 66 IU of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg. The study was conducted over a three-parity period to evaluate sow reproductive performance and the vitamin E tissue status of both sows and progeny at various time periods postcoitum and(or) postpartum. The basal diet averaged 8.4 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .38 ppm of Se. Although litter size at birth was lowest (P less than .15) when sows were fed the basal diet, a higher incidence of agalactia when sows were fed the lower dietary vitamin E levels resulted in an increased (P less than .05) litter size at 7 d postpartum as dietary vitamin E increased. Sow serum alpha-tocopherol increased (P less than .01) at each measurement period as dietary vitamin E level increased. Colostrum and milk alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E level increased, and colostrum values were three to five times higher than at later milks. Colostrum alpha-tocopherol declined by parity from sows fed less than or equal to 16 IU/kg but was similar at each parity for sows fed greater than or equal to 33 IU/kg, resulting in a dietary vitamin E x parity interaction (P less than .01). The Se content of sow milk declined with parity but was not affected by dietary vitamin E level. Sow liver tocopherol at weaning (28 d postpartum) increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E increased and increased with parity (P less than .05). Pig serum and liver alpha-tocopherol concentrations were elevated at birth and 7 and 28 d of age as sow dietary level of vitamin E increased. Upon weaning, pigs were fed a torula yeast-dextrose diet that contained 3.0 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .32 ppm Se for a 28-d postweaning period. Liver and serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations declined during the postweaning period. Evidence of the vitamin E deficiency occurred at 28 d postweaning in the progeny from sows fed the basal diet or 16 IU of vitamin E; the incidence was more prevalent in the pigs from Parities II and III. These results suggest that a supplemental level of 16 IU of vitamin E/kg of diet was inadequate for the reproducing sow; higher levels are justified, particularly when females are retained in the herd for several parities.     

哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响

本文旨在研究哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响。试验成对选取7日龄体重相近40头哺乳仔猪,分为对照组(CON组)和精氨酸组(Arg组),每组20头猪(公母各占1/2)。7日龄起,在自然哺乳的同时,CON组仔猪每日灌服生理盐水40 mL,Arg组每日灌服精氨酸40 mL[250 mg/(kg·d]。在21日龄时,仔猪断奶并饲喂基础饲粮。每组在断奶当天(21日龄)和断奶后第3天(24日龄)每次随机挑选8头仔猪(公母各占1/2)屠宰并采取肝脏。结果表明:1)断奶后第3天,仔猪的体重与肝脏重均极显著低于断奶当天(P<0.01);与CON组相比,断奶后第3天,Arg组仔猪肝脏指数极显著提高(P<0.01)。2)与CON组相比,Arg组仔猪肝细胞粒径极显著提高(P<0.01),肝细胞面积显著提高(P<0.05)。3)断奶后第3天,仔猪肝脏中总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)含量极显著高于断奶当天(P<0.01);断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL⁃C)含量显著高于CON组(P<0.05),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL⁃C)含量极显著低于CON组(P<0.01)。4)与CON组相比,断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)基因相对表达水平显著提高(P<0.05)。由此可得,哺乳期补饲精氨酸能够促进断奶仔猪肝脏发育,提高肝脏中HDL⁃C含量,降低肝脏中LDL⁃C含量,提高肝脏中LPL基因的表达水平,进而提高断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢的功能。     

Effect of vitamin E sources (RRR- or all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and levels on sow reproductive performance, serum, tissue, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents over a five-parity period, and the effects on the progeny

Two dietary sources of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-beta-TAc], or D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-alpha-TAc]) at two dietary supplemental levels (30 vs 60 IU/kg) were evaluated in reproducing sows over a five-parity period. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments conducted as a randomized complete block in two replicates. A total of 48 gilts were fed their treatment diets from 40 kg BW through five parities, reflecting a total of 171 farrowings. Reproductive measurements of litter size, sow weight, and back-fat thickness were collected. The incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA) and fluid discharge from the vagina were evaluated for each sow on each of the first 3 d postpartum. Sows were bled at periodic intervals during gestation and at weaning (21 d) and serum was frozen. After the fifth parity, two to four sows from each treatment group were killed and tissues collected. At birth, two to three neonatal pigs were killed from each sow treatment group within each parity and livers were collected and frozen. In addition, three pigs from each litter from three to four sows per treatment group within each parity were bled at weaning and serum was saved. Six pigs from each sow group at weaning of Parity 5 were also killed and livers were collected and frozen. Sow and pig sera and tissues were analyzed for a-tocopherol. There was no effect (P > .15) of vitamin E source or level on the various sow reproductive measurements, litter size, or the incidences of MMA or fluid discharges from the vagina. Feeding D-alpha-TAc compared with DL-alpha-TAc or 60 IU compared with 30 IU vitamin E/kg diet resulted in higher (P < .01) sow serum, colostrum, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents at each measurement period. Sow liver, adipose, lung, and heart alpha-tocopherol contents were also higher (P < .01) when the 60 IU vitamin E level had been fed. Both serum and liver a-tocopherol contents in 21-d-old nursing pigs were higher (P < .01) when the sow had been fed D-alpha-TAc compared with the DL-alpha-TAc source or when the 60 IU level had been fed. There were no vitamin E source x vitamin E level interactions (P > .15) for the various alpha-tocopherol measurements. Although the supplemental vitamin E sources were provided on an equivalent IU basis, these results suggest that D-alpha-TAc has a higher equivalency than DL-alpha-TAc on an IU basis, but higher dietary levels also resulted in higher sow and pig alpha-tocopherol contents.     

Escherichia coli post-weaning diarrhoea occurrence in piglets with monitored exposure to creep feed

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of offering supplementary creep feed to piglets during the suckling period on the faecal shedding of haemolytic Escherichia coli bacteria and occurrence of spontaneous post-weaning diarrhoea 0-5 days after weaning. Supplementary creep feed was offered to half of the piglets in 12 litters, from 2 weeks of age until weaning at 4 weeks, and the individual feed contact was recorded by direct observations. It was found that diarrhoea occurrence was associated with faecal shedding of haemolytic E. coli bacteria (p=0.003), specifically E. coli O149 (p=0.004). Occurrence of diarrhoea and faecal shedding of haemolytic E. coli was not associated with creep feeding per se. However, the faecal E. coli O149 shedding occurred significantly less often in piglets that were offered creep feed in the suckling period but only showed limited interest in the feed (i.e. contacted the feed less than or equal to the median level of contact) compared to piglets that had frequent creep feed contact or piglets that had not had access to creep feed at all (p=0.015). Correspondingly, the diarrhoea occurrence tended to be lower in these piglets (p=0.081). Piglets with low creep feed contact during the suckling period ate the same total amount of feed during the 5 days after weaning, however, they ate less feed on days 0-2 after weaning compared to the piglets with frequent creep feed contact and non-creep fed piglets. It is suggested that intestinal function associated with a voluntary low creep feed contact during the suckling period leads to decreased feed intake just after weaning, and thus reduces the intestinal proliferation of E. coli O149 in these piglets.