Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dogs given garlic extract developed hemolytic anemia and to establish the hematologic characteristics induced experimentally by intragastric administration of garlic extract. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: 4 dogs were given 1.25 ml of garlic extract/kg of body weight (5 g of whole garlic/kg) intragastrically once a day for 7 days. The remaining 4 control dogs received water instead of garlic extract. Complete blood counts were performed, and methemoglobin and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentrations, percentage of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies, and percentage of eccentrocytes were determined before and for 30 days after administration of the first dose of garlic extract. Ultrastructural analysis of eccentrocytes was performed. RESULTS: Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs. However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocyte membranes and hemoglobin, inducing hemolysis associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes in dogs. Thus, foods containing garlic should not be fed to dogs. Eccentrocytosis appears to be a major diagnostic feature of garlic-induced hemolysis in dogs.     

Low-dose ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) modulates the course and magnitude of the antibody response to vaccination against Equid herpesvirus 1 in horses

The purpose of this study was to determine if ginseng fed at low levels enhances a horse's antibody response to vaccination against Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). For 28 d, 5 horses received ground, powdered ginseng (35 mg/kg body weight, 1.7 mg/kg total ginsenosides) in molasses as a carrier, and 5 received molasses only. On day 14, each horse was vaccinated against EHV-1. The time course of the antibody response to vaccination was significantly altered in the horses receiving ginseng, a clinically relevant increase in antibody titer being observed by postvaccination day 2 compared with day 6 in the control horses. The horses receiving ginseng also had a significant decrease in serum levels of sodium and a significant increase in serum levels of potassium. No adverse effects of ginseng treatment were identified by hematologic and blood biochemistry profiles. Thus, low-dose dietary supplementation with ginseng in healthy horses may be a useful adjunct to vaccination.     

Antioxidant prevention of Heinz body formation and oxidative injury in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of 3 antioxidants in preventing Heinz body anemia in cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 44 specific-pathogen-free healthy cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were housed individually, divided randomly into 4 groups, and given the following orally every 12 hours: empty gelcaps (control cats), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 100 mg/kg of body weight), vitamin E (d,l-alpha-tocopherol; 400 IU), or ascorbate (250 mg). After 2 weeks, Heinz bodies were induced by dietary onion powder (OP; 1% or 3% of dry matter) or propylene glycol (PG, 8% wt/vol in drinking water) for an additional 3 weeks. Intake of treated water or food was recorded daily. Body weight, PCV, Heinz body and reticulocyte percentages, reduced glutathione concentration, and total antioxidant status were measured twice weekly in all cats. RESULTS: Heinz body percentage and degree of anemia did not differ significantly among cats receiving antioxidants and control cats except in cats that ingested water containing PG, in which antioxidant supplementation was associated with a decrease in water intake. Of cats that were fed a diet that contained OP, cats that received NAC had significantly higher reduced glutathione concentrations, compared with other cats in the experiment. Total antioxidant status did not consistently correlate with antioxidant supplementation or type of oxidant administered (ie, OP or PG). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the effect of antioxidant supplementation on Heinz body anemia in cats was minimal, antioxidants may have subclinical biochemical effects such as GSH sparing that may be important against milder forms of oxidative stress.     

Effect of dietary iron content on hematologic and other measures of iron adequacy in dogs

Eighteen 9- to 10-week old Beagles were fed casein-based diets (4,710 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg of body weight) containing either 12, 80, or 160 mg of iron/kg of diet. Growth and feed consumption were monitored throughout the 47-day study. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RBC numbers, erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) concentration, serum iron concentration, serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and serum ferritin concentration were determined weekly. Growth rate and feed efficiency were not significantly influenced by dietary iron content. At 14 days, Hb concentration, Hct, MCV, MCH, RBC numbers, and serum iron concentration were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in dogs fed the 12 mg/kg diet, and remained significantly low for the remainder of the study. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration increased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 14 days in dogs fed the basal diet, and remained significantly high relative to that in dogs of the other dietary groups for the remainder of the study. Serum ferritin concentration decreased in dogs of the group fed the basal diet, with a significant (P less than 0.05) difference beyond day 42. Differences in Hct, MCH, MCV, or hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, or EP concentration were not found between groups fed 80 and 160 mg of iron/kg of diet. Liver nonheme iron content was significantly (P less than 0.05) affected by dietary iron content.     

Source and level of energy supplementation for yearling cattle fed ammoniated hay

Brahman x British crossbred steers were used in growth and digestion trials to evaluate the response of source (corn, sugar cane molasses, or soybean hulls) and feeding rate (0, 1.4, or 2.8 kg DM per steer daily in the growth trials; 0, 15, or 30% of the ration DM in the digestion trial) of energy supplementation in cattle fed ammoniated (4% of forage DM) stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) hay. Cattle on all treatments were fed 0.5 kg cottonseed meal daily. In the growth trials, steers grazed dormant bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pasture. Increasing the levels of supplementation decreased hay intake but increased total dietary intake for all diets (P < 0.07). Daily gain and feed efficiency of steers were improved (P < 0.03) with supplementation. Steers supplemented with corn or soybean hulls at 2.8 kg DM/d had a higher ADG (0.92 kg) and gain/feed (0.103) than steers supplemented with molasses (0.78 kg, 0.08, respectively) at the same level. Seven crossbred steers (200 kg) were used in a five-period digestion trial to evaluate apparent OM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility. Apparent OM digestibility of all diets increased linearly (P = 0.02) as the level of supplementation increased. Apparent NDF and ADF digestibility decreased (P < 0.03) as the level of supplementation with corn or molasses increased, whereas increasing the level of soybean hulls in the diet increased (P < 0.06) apparent NDF and ADF digestibility. Four ruminally fistulated crossbred steers (472 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 latin square design to investigate ruminal characteristics with energy supplementation at 30% of ration DM. Ruminal pH in steers supplemented with soybean hulls or corn declined after feeding. Ruminal pH decreased more rapidly with corn supplementation and remained below 6.2 for a longer period of time than with the other diets. Ruminal pH did not change within 24 h after feeding for steers fed the control or molasses diets. No change in total VFA concentration was observed in steers fed molasses or corn. Total ruminal VFA concentration in steers supplemented with soybean hulls increased initially after feeding and then declined within 24 h after feeding. Soybean hulls produced fewer negative associative effects than corn when fed with ammoniated stargrass hay at 2.8 kg DM/d. The reduced gain/feed of steers supplemented with molasses compared to soybean hulls or corn indicates that molasses was not utilized as efficiently as the other energy sources.     

Erythrogram and red cell distribution width of Equidae with experimentally induced anemia

The erythrogram (erythrocyte histogram) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were evaluated in 5 purebred horses and 1 pony of mixed breeding with experimentally induced anemia. Four horses were studied for 6 weeks after 20% of their estimated blood volume was removed on each of 2 consecutive days (40% total blood loss; acute blood-loss group). Two horses were given acetylphenyl hydrazine IV daily, until acute Heinz body hemolytic anemia was induced; the 2 horses were then evaluated for 6 weeks. One horse and the pony had 20% of their estimated blood volume removed via phlebotomy once each week for 8 weeks to induce iron-deficiency anemia (chronic blood-loss group); the horse had been partially depleted of iron before the study began. Weekly blood samples were examined for changes in the erythrogram, RDW, mean cell volume (MCV), and erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Fourteen days after acute blood loss, mild increases were seen in the MCV, which persisted to day 42. The RDW was increased at day 14 and remained increased until day 42; however, the percentage increase was double that of the MCV at days 14, 21, and 28. Erythrograms had mild extensions of the right slope at days 14 to 28. Mean erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity increased in all 3 groups, but individual concentrations were erratic. In the 2 horses with acute hemolytic anemia, modest increases of similar magnitude were seen in RDW and MCV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Contribution of propylene glycol-induced Heinz body formation to anemia in cats

Propylene glycol (PG) is a common preservative and source of synthetic carbohydrates in soft-moist pet foods. Propylene glycol was fed to cats for 5 weeks at concentrations found in commercial diets (1.6 g/kg of body weight; 12% of diet on a dry-weight basis) and for 3 weeks at concentrations exceeding usual intake (8 g/kg; 41% of diet). There was a dose-dependent increase in Heinz body percentage to 28% in cats fed the low dose of PG and to 92% in cats fed the high dose. Erythrocyte half-life, measured using [14C]-cyanate hemoglobin (Hb), decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 18.8% and 60% in cats fed the low and high PG doses, respectively. The PCV in cats fed the low dose was unaffected, whereas cats fed the high dose had a mean (+/- SEM) decrease in PCV from 33.5 +/- 1.05% to 26.3 +/- 1.45%, accompanied by punctate reticulocytosis and bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia. A dose-dependent increase in iron pigment was found in the liver and spleen of all cats. In cats fed the low dose of PG, erythrocyte reduced glutathione concentration actually increased from 7.02 +/- 0.56 to 9.74 +/- 0.69 mumol/g of Hb, but decreased to 2.96 +/- 0.27 mumol/g of Hb in cats fed the high dose. There was no significant increase in methemoglobin concentration. These results indicated that PG cannot be considered innocuous even at concentrations consumed by cats eating commercial diets. Heinz body-induced acceleration of RBC destruction develops in a dose-dependent manner, so that cats with greater food intake, ie, lactating queens and nursing kittens, are at greater risk for development of PG-induced Heinz body hemolytic anemia.     

Hematologic alterations in adult cats fed 6 or 12% propylene glycol.

Cat foods containing propylene glycol (PG) induce Heinz body formation in feline erythrocytes. To further study the hematologic importance of dietary PG, 21 adult cats were allotted to 3 groups of 7 each and fed diets containing 0, 6, or 12% PG on a dry-weight basis. Cats fed PG had a dose-related increase in Heinz bodies within 2 weeks, and the increase persisted throughout the study. Although only slight changes occurred in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and RBC count, punctate reticulocytes were significantly increased in the group fed 12% PG. Mean RBC survival was decreased in the groups fed 6 or 12% PG by 30 and 55%, respectively, compared with the control group. These data indicate that PG-containing diets cause a dose-dependent erythrocyte destruction, even when fed at concentrations as low as 6%.     

CONTROL OF NUTRITIONAL SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IN GRAZING HORSES WITH CALCIUM PLUS PHOSPHORUS SUPPLEMENTATION

A supplement system for the control of equine nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH) was evaluated on 4 farms in the Arcadia Valley of the Queensland brigalow region. Thirty-three local stock horses (of which 13 had clinical NSH and 7 were recent introductions) were grazed on buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) for the 6 months from September 1979 to February 1980. Each horse was fed 1.0 kg of a mixture of ground limestone plus dicalcium phosphate (1:2) in 1.5 kg molasses each week. The pasture was hazardous during this time (total oxalate content above 0.5% and calcium: oxalate ratio below 0.5), but no new NSH cases occurred and those horses with clinical NSH improved, most becoming normal. After the first 6 months of supplementation, 3 new cases occurred on one farm. Doubling of the supplement dose and substituting rock phosphate in molasses for the previous mixture corrected the problem. The breakdown was thought to be partly because the supplement dose was slightly inadequate and partly because of behavioural factors.     

Erythrocyte agglutination associated with heparin treatment in three horses

In vitro erythrocyte agglutination developed in 3 hospitalized horses receiving heparin treatment. The agglutination caused artifactual decreases in erythrocyte counts and increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values. Treatment of cell suspensions with trypsin eliminated the agglutination and the changes in erythrocyte count and MCV. Similar abnormalities in erythrocyte counts and MCV have been reported in healthy horses treated with heparin and have been cited as evidence of hemolysis and regenerative anemia.     

The kinetics of hematopoiesis in the light horse III. The hematological response to hemolytic anemia.

The hematological response to acetylphenylhydrazine hemolytic anemia was studied in three standardbred horses. The lifespan of erythrocytes produced during the most severe phase of the anemia were measured with 75-selenomethionine and found to be 144 days as compared to the 139 day lifespan in response to hemorrhagic anemia or 155 days in normal standardbred horses measured previously using the same technique. The erythrocyte counts returned to initial values in 42 days (37, 34 and 54 days) a mean erythrocyte production of 6.4 times 10-12 erythrocytes/day. The mean hemoglobin production was 0.31 gm/kg body weight/day as compared to 0.11 gm Hb/kg/day previously observed in response to hemorrhagic anemia. The mean increase in erythrocyte mean cell volume was 12 mu-3 during the acute response phase to hemolytic anemia in contrast to the absence of a significant increase in the mean cell volume as previously observed during response to hemorrhagic anemia. Free Heinz bodies separated from erythrocytes during the acute phase could not be differentiated from platelets on the hemocytometer counting chamber with standard techniques.     

Relation of endogenous Heinz bodies to disease and anemia in cats: 120 cases (1978-1987)

Disease diagnosis, age, sex, and selected hematologic variables were evaluated retrospectively in a population of feline patients with high number of circulating Heinz bodies. By comparing these cats with a control population and results of additional hematologic investigation on a subsample of the cats, we tested the hypotheses that endogenous Heinz body formation is increased in specific disease states and that endogenous Heinz bodies may contribute to anemia. There was strong correlation between diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, and lymphoma and Heinz body formation. Diabetic cats, in particular, consistently had marked Heinz body formation. These diseases together accounted for nearly 40% of cats with Heinz body formation, but for less than 12% of cats of the control group. The PCV of cats with Heinz bodies (29.77 +/- 9.32%) was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than that of control cats (35.33 +/- 8.08%). Polychromasia and punctate reticulocyte number were slightly increased in cats with Heinz body formation and correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) with PCV. A subsample of 13 of the cats had significant (P less than 0.006) inverse correlation between Heinz body percentage and erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration. Mean GSH concentration was significantly lower in cats with Heinz bodies, compared with that in a random cat population (5.28 +/- 1.67 mumol/g of hemoglobin vs 7.06 +/- 2.10 mumol/g of hemoglobin), in which GSH values followed normal distribution. Cats with Heinz body formation were older, and were more likely to be spayed.     

Effects of dietary arginine on hematological parameters and innate immune function of channel catfish

The effects of elevated dietary arginine on the hematology and immune function of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were evaluated by means of in vivo and in vitro experiments. Healthy juvenile channel catfish (average weight, 34.8 g) were fed casein-gelatin-based diets containing 28% crude protein and supplemented with crystalline L-arginine (ARG) at 0.5, 1, 2, or 4% of diet. An intact-protein diet containing 1.3% arginine also was included to investigate the effects of amino acid form (crystalline-free amino acids versus intact protein). Each purified diet was fed to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of fish for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental feeding period, the fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses (3 d apart) of 2 mg lipopolysaccharide/kg body weight. Six days after the initial injection, the fish were anesthetized and tissue samples were obtained to evaluate hematological and humoral and cellular immune parameters, including phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), blood cell counts, plasma protein, and hepatic superoxide dismutase activity. High dietary levels (4% ARG) resulted in significantly higher levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and circulating erythrocytes. Dietary ARG did not significantly affect MCV and the number of circulating leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. In vitro, a moderate level (2 mM) of ARG in the culture media was found to be ideal in significantly enhancing phagocytosis. This study demonstrates that some aspects of the immune system of channel catfish are sensitive to changes in dietary ARG.     

果寡糖对固始鸡血液生理指标的影响

本试验旨在研究不同添加剂量的果寡糖对固始鸡血液生理指标的影响,并确定果寡糖的最佳添加剂量。选用1日龄固始鸡公雏150只,随机分成5个处理组,1个为对照组,其余4个为试验组,对照组不加果寡糖,其他4个组的果寡糖添加水平分别为3、5、7mg/kg和9mg/kg。测定红细胞压积(PCV)、血红蛋白(Hb)含量、红细胞数量、白细胞数量、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量(MCH)和平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)等指标。试验结果表明:1)21和42日龄时,果寡糖试验组的红细胞压积、血红蛋白含量、红细胞数量和白细胞数量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);与对照组相比,试验组的MCH和MCHC均略有升高,并且可以显著提高MCHC(P<0.05);2)日粮中添加5mg/kg果寡糖对提高红细胞压积、血红蛋白含量、红细胞数量、白细胞数量、MCH和MCHC具有最佳效果。     

Longitudinal growth analysis of horses following limited and ad libitum feeding

Eighteen colts were assigned to one of two groups: limit or ad libitum feeding. Three periods were evaluated: 1) six to 12 months, 2) 12 to 18 months and 3) 18 to 24 months of age. At 24 months of age, ad libitum fed horses weighed 13 per cent (51 kg) more and were 3.6 per cent (5.2 cm) taller than those fed limited amounts. Total, fore and hind body mass increased quadratically irrespective of dietary treatment. Fore body mass comprised 57 per cent of total body mass for both groups and this did not change with age or dietary treatment. Heart girth was directly related (R2 = 0.96) to total body mass. Average daily gains in total body mass of ad libitum fed horses were 13 and 71 per cent more rapid (P less than 0.05) than for limit fed horses in Periods 1 and 3, respectively. Ad libitum fed horses gained hind body mass 25 per cent more rapidly (P less than 0.05) than limit fed horses only in Period 1. Growth curves of wither and croup heights were quadratic in form. Ad libitum fed horses gained 12 and 13 per cent more rapidly at the wither than limit fed horses in Period 1 and overall, respectively. Ad libitum fed horses grew 33 per cent more rapidly at the croup than limit fed horses but only in Period 2. From six to 12 months of age, the wither and croup grew two-fold and four-fold more rapidly than between 12 to 18 months and between 18 to 24 months of age, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of dietary calcium on lead poisoning in mallard ducks (Anas platyrynchos)

Forty-five mallard ducks were allotted into 3 dietary groups. Group I was fed pelleted calcium-supplemented corn; group II was fed a pelleted commercial duck ration; and group III was fed cracked corn. Ten ducks of each group were given four No. 4 lead shot via an esophageal tube, and 5 ducks of each dietary group were kept as pair-fed controls. Anorexia and weight loss were most severe in the treated group III ducks. Group III had a maximum reduction in food consumption of 87% followed by a slight improvement in appetite; they lost 35% of their initial body weight. Group I treated ducks had a reduction in food consumption of 64% that eventually returned to the quantities consumed at the start of the experiment; group I ducks lost 18% of their initial body weight. Group II treated ducks maintained healthy appetites during the experiment and had a weight gain of 2% of their initial body weight. The number of ducks that became moribund and were euthanatized differed significantly among the treated groups with 100% of group III, 50% of group I, and 0% of group II treated ducks becoming moribund. All 3 groups of treated ducks had increased protoporphyrin IX concentrations compared with controls. Groups I and III lead-treated ducks had significant (P less than 0.05) reductions in erythrocyte counts, PCV, hemoglobin concentrations, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations as compared with controls. Group II had reduced hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of an omega-3 fatty acid-enriched ration on in vivo responses of horses to endotoxin.

Because certain inflammatory processes are dependent on the fatty acid composition of the cellular membrane, dietary manipulations that replace omega-6 fatty acids with omega-3 fatty acids may modify inflammatory responses. We investigated the effect of supplemental dietary linseed oil, containing the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, on in vivo responses of horses to endotoxin. One group of horses (n = 6) was fed a control pelleted ration (0% linseed oil), and another group of horses (n = 6) was fed an 8% linseed oil pelleted ration. After 8 weeks of consuming these rations, all horses were given 0.03 micrograms of Escherichia coli 055:B5 endotoxin/kg of body weight, infused over 30 minutes. Horses were monitored over 24 hours. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion caused significant (P less than 0.05) increase in rectal temperature, heart rate, and plasma concentration of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and fibrinogen and significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in total WBC count. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion failed to cause significant changes in prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, thrombin, or whole blood recalcification times, serum concentration of fibrin degradation products, PCV, or plasma total protein concentration. Before and after endotoxin infusion, horses given the linseed oil ration had longer mean whole blood recalcification time and activated partial thromboplastin time than did horses fed the control ration.     

Influence of chromium tripicolinate on growth and glucose metabolism in yearling horses

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings (n = 24; 335+/-7 d of age) were used in a 112-d feeding trial to determine whether chromium (Cr) supplementation would alter growth, development, and energy metabolism of growing horses on high-concentrate diets. The horses were assigned at random within breed and gender subgroups to one of four treatment groups: A) basal concentrate; B) basal plus 175 microg of Cr/kg concentrate; C) basal plus 350 microg of Cr/kg concentrate; and D) basal plus 700 microg of Cr/kg concentrate. Chromium was provided via Cr tripicolinate (Prince Agri Products, Quincy, IL). The horses were weighed, measured for withers and hip height, heart girth, and body length and underwent ultrasound evaluation for croup fat thickness. The concentrate was fed for ad libitum consumption for two, 1.5-hr feeding periods daily. Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay was group-fed (six animals/group) at 1% of BW daily. Feed intake was 60% concentrate and 40% hay, resulting in a supplemental Cr intake of 0, 105, 210, and 420 microg/kg diet for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Colts consumed more concentrate and total feed than did fillies (P < .05), but no dietary effect on feed intake was detected. Colts weighed more than fillies at the completion of the experiment (P = .0754), but no dietary effects on weight, body measurements, or croup fat were detected. An i.v. glucose tolerance test (.2 g of glucose/kg BW) and an i.v. insulin sensitivity test (.1 IU of insulin/kg BW) were conducted on each animal during the third 28-d period of the experiment. Plasma glucose peaked immediately following injection and decreased more rapidly in animals consuming the high-Cr diet than in those consuming the control diet (P < .01). Mean glucose fractional turnover rate values increased (P = .0369) and mean half-life of glucose decreased (P = .0634) in response to the high Cr supplementation. Plasma glucose depletions in animals fed the other two diets were between and not different from (P > .10) the depletions in control animals or in those fed high-Cr diets. No difference in insulin sensitivity was detected (P > .10). Results indicate that Cr tripicolinate supplementation of yearling horses increases the rate at which glucose is metabolized and may lower the plasma glucose concentration. No effect of Cr supplementation on development of the animals was detected.     

Effect of diet on Heinz body formation in kittens

Heinz body formation was examined in kittens, in response to consumption of a variety of diets. A commercial salmon-based diet containing 16.5 mg of nitrite, 39 mg of histamine, and 210,000 IU of vitamin A/kg of diet (dry-matter basis) was found to induce Heinz body formation. Purified experimental diets--containing nitrite up to 405 mg/kg; histamine, 50 mg/kg; histamine 50 mg/kg plus nitrite, 45 mg/kg; or vitamin A, 250,000 IU/kg--failed to induce Heinz body formation. The effect of propylene glycol (PG) on Heinz body formation was examined by giving groups of 6 kittens purified diets containing 5 or 10% PG for 12 weeks. Two additional kittens were fed a commercial soft-moist diet containing PG for 12 weeks. All kittens fed PG developed Heinz bodies, with peak values for erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies being: 28% for kittens of the 10% PG group; 20% for kittens of the 5% PG group; and 36% for kittens of the soft-moist diet group. Kittens did not develop anemia or methemoglobinemia. Heinz body percentage required 6 to 8 weeks to decrease to the pretreatment value of less than 1% after diets containing PG were discontinued. 51Chromium-labeled erythrocytes were used to evaluate erythrocyte survival in 4 kittens of the 10% PG-fed group and in 4 control kittens. Kittens with Heinz body formation induced by 10% PG had significantly (P less than 0.001) decreased erythrocyte-survival, compared with that for controls, with half-life of 8.3 days for kittens of the PG group, compared with 12.6 days for kittens of the control group.     

Effects of the level of sugarcane molasses on growth and carcass performance of Caribbean growing pigs reared under a ground sugarcane stalks feeding system

The influence of the level of sugarcane (SC) molasses on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in Creole (CR) growing pigs fed with ground sugarcane stalks (GCS)-based diet was studied in a mixed farming system context. The aim of the study was to optimize the growth performance of CR pigs with SC-molasses as an energy source in this unconventional feeding. A total of 32 CR pigs were used from 30 to 60 kg of body weight (BW). The experimental dietary treatments consisted of four levels of inclusion of SC-molasses (200, 400, 600, and 800 g DM/d/pig) into a GCS diet, for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The GCS allowance was based on live BW (170 g/kg BW/d) and the diets were supplemented with a soya-bean meal supplement (350 g/d of a 49.2% CP and 16.6 MJ DE/kg). All the pigs were slaughtered at 60 kg BW. Increasing the level of molasses did not affect (p > 0.05) average BW gain (254 g/d), CP intake (154 g/d) and sugar extraction rate from the total ration (85%). A gradual inclusion of molasses in a GCS-based diet did not affect the carcass and meat quality of CR pigs. In conclusion, molasses supplementation does not allow the increase of growth performance in GCS fed pigs.