采食不同来源淀粉对生长猪门静脉养分吸收和增重的影响

研究了不同来源淀粉对生长猪门静脉养分净吸收量和生产性能的影响。结果表明：玉米和糙米组成的试验日粮生长猪生长速度最快，显著快于糯米组（P〈0．05），极显著地快于抗性淀粉组（P〈0．01）。生长猪采食抗性淀粉日粮后，葡萄糖和总氮基酸的门静脉净吸收量分别仅为17．84g／100gFI和5．93g／100gFI，显著低于玉米、糙米和糯米组（P〈0．05）。门静脉净吸收氨基酸模式与回肠末端可消化氮基酸模式有很大区别，肠黏膜代谢对氨基酸模式有选择的修饰作用。生长猪增重速度与门静脉总必需氩基酸净吸收量有比较高的相关关系（P=0．0295）。     

半乳甘露寡糖对猪门静脉血流速率、氨基酸和葡萄糖的净吸收量及耗氧量的影响

通过对10头15kg体重试验猪实施门静脉血管插管等外科手术,并结合回肠肠系膜静脉灌注对氨基马尿酸(PAH)技术,探讨半乳甘露寡糖对生长猪门静脉血浆流率(PVPF)和血液流率(PVBF)、氨基酸和葡萄糖的净吸收量及耗氧量的影响。10头杜长大阉公猪随机分为2个处理,每个处理5头,单笼饲养于可调节不锈钢代谢笼内,经过14d适应期后,在门静脉、肠系膜静脉、颈动脉安装插管,开始15d正式试验。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,试验组饲喂基础饲粮 0.20%半乳甘露寡糖。结果表明,经过15d饲喂期后,与对照组相比,饲粮添加半乳甘露寡糖可显著降低试猪食后8h内门静脉的平均血浆流率和血液流率,显著提高食后8h内门静脉对氨基酸和葡萄糖的净吸收量,显著降低食后8h内门静脉的耗氧量,也就是说半乳甘露寡糖可通过减少生长猪小肠黏膜对氨基酸和葡萄糖的氧化而增加肠外组织对其吸收。     

Effects of Dietary Starch Source on Nutrient and Energy Absorption via the Portal Vein of Growing Pigs

Four crossbred(Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire)boars,weighing an average of 22.40 ± 1.08 kg and fitted with permanent catheters in their portal and mesenteric veins as well as their carotid artery,were utilized in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment in order to investigate the effects of different starch sources(maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch)on the absorption of energy sources through the portal vein.Portal blood flow averaged 30.68,28.40,29.99,and 30.12 mL/min per kg BW for pigs fed the maize,brown rice,sticky rice,and resistant starch diets,respectively,and did not differ(P0.05)between treatments.The absorptions of glucose,plasma ammonia,and total amino acids were significantly lower(P0.05)in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other starch sources.In contrast,significantly(P0.05)higher amounts of propionate and total volatile fatty acids were absorbed from the portal vein of pigs fed resistant starch than pigs fed diets based on maize,brown rice,or sticky rice.In addition,significantly(P0.05)more lactic acid was absorbed from the portal vein by pigs fed the sticky rice diet than pigs fed the other three diets.The energy absorbed from the portal vein in the form of glucose and amino-N as well as the total energy absorbed was significantly(P0.05)lower in pigs fed the resistant starch diet than pigs fed the other three starch sources.In contrast,the amount of energy absorbed in the form of volatile fatty acids was significantly(P0.05)higher in pigs fed resistance starch than pigs fed the other three starch sources.The total energy absorbed through the portal vein as a percentage of the gross energy and digestible energy consumed in pigs fed maize were 50.8% and 54.6%,respectively,which were significantly(P0.05)higher than the values in pigs fed resistant starch(41.5% and 46.6% respectively).The results indicate that energy is absorbed in different forms and with different utilization efficiencies in the digestive tract of pigs as a result of feeding different starch sources.Starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of glucose had higher energy utilization efficiencies,while starch sources supplying most of their energy in the form of volatile fatty acids or lactic acid had lower energy utilization efficiencies.     

Influence of carbadox on fasting oxygen consumption by portal vein-drained organs and by the whole animal in growing pigs.

Fasting O2 consumption by the whole animal (W) and by portal vein-drained organs (PVDO) during the 24- to 30-h postprandial period were measured in seven growing pigs (36.1 +/- 2.3 kg) with catheters chronically placed in the hepatic portal vein, ileal vein, and carotid artery trained to consume 1.2 kg of a 16% CP corn soybean meal basal diet (B) once daily. The pigs were placed individually into an open-circuit, indirect calorimeter and connected to an arteriovenous (A-V) O2 difference analyzer for hourly simultaneous measurements of O2 consumption by W and PVDO. The PVDO O2 consumption was calculated by multiplying the A-V O2 difference by the portal vein blood flow rate derived from constant infusion of a p-aminohippuric acid solution into the ileal vein. After the initial series of hourly measurements, four pigs remained on the B diet and three pigs were fed a B + 55 ppm carbadox diet. Seven days later, the second series of measurements was made. In pigs fed the diet with carbadox added, the hourly W O2 consumptions were not different (P greater than .05) between the initial and second series and averaged 7.5 mL.min-1.kg of BW-1. However, the A-V O2 differences (mL/dL) were reduced (P less than .05) from 4.6 to 4.0 at 24 h, 4.8 to 4.0 at 25 h, and 4.6 to 4.0 at 29 h postprandial and the fractions of W O2 consumption used by PVDO (percentage) were reduced (P less than .05) from 28.6 to 21.6 at 26 h and 25.2 to 18.2 at 27 h postprandial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intestinal absorption of end products from digestion of carbohydrates and proteins in the pig

The kinetics of appearance of various nutrients in the portal vein during the postprandial period was studied in conscious pigs by means of a technique based on measurement of the porto-arterial differences in nutrient concentrations simultaneously with that of the portal blood flow rate. The rate and level of appearance of sugars in the portal vein varied with the carbohydrate ingested. It was very rapid after intake of glucose and sucrose, slower after that of maize starch and very slow after that of lactose. The absorption of the latter became very rapid again if it was hydrolysed prior to its ingestion. During absorption, some sugars (fructose or galactose) released from the corresponding sucrose and lactose, respectively during digestion, were partly metabolized into glucose by the enterocyte. The rate of absorption of amino acids released in the digestive tract varied according to the origin of the food ingested, i.e. it was more rapid after intake of wheat or fish proteins than after that of barley. In the case of barley the absorption rate of amino acids differed from that of glucose of the starch. The profile of the amino acid mixtures appearing in the portal vein during absorption differed a little from the profiles of those present in the ingested proteins in the case of essential amino acids and differed much in the case of non essential amino acids. Some essential amino acids (histidine, aromatic amino acids) appeared more rapidly and others more slowly, (lysine, sulphur amino acids, arginine). Because of transaminations, only small amounts of glutamic acid occurred in the portal vein whereas the amounts of alanine as compared to those ingested, were very large. The hierarchy of amino acid absorption was the same whatever the protein studied (fish, wheat, barley). The appearance in the portal vein of alpha-amino nitrogen from enzyme hydrolysates perfused through the duodenum was more rapid than after perfusion of a mixture of free amino acids. During digestion of diets containing 6% cellulose, large amounts of volatile fatty acids (about 2200 mmol/24 h, i.e. 2500 kJ/24h) and lactic acid (60-85 g/24 h) appeared in the portal vein.     

Computed tomography findings in portal vein aneurysm of dogs

In this retrospective study, the appearances of extrahepatic and intrahepatic portal vein aneurysms (PVAs) in dogs were evaluated using multidetector computed tomography (CT). Data from 3060 dogs that underwent abdominal CT were reviewed for focal portal vein dilatation. PVAs were detected in 15/3060 (0.49%) dogs. The bodyweights of dogs with PVAs were significantly higher than the bodyweights of dogs without aneurysms (P=0.0001). Male sex was also significantly associated with PVAs (OR=6.23). Boxers were predisposed to the development of PVA (OR=11.88). Extrahepatic PVAs were always located in the portal vein at the level of the gastroduodenal vein insertion and were saccular in 10/15 dogs and fusiform in 5/15 dogs. One dog had an additional intrahepatic aneurysm of the umbilical part of the left intrahepatic portal branch. No dogs had clinical signs related to the PVA(s), although one dog developed a portal vein thrombosis in the site of the aneurysm.     

Absorption and metabolism of alpha-ketoglutarate in growing pigs

The portal appearance of enteral alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) and the effect of enteral or parenteral AKG on portal net appearance of glucose, short-chain fatty acids, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, proline and insulin were investigated in three growing pigs. During the experimental samplings the pigs were fed hourly with a standard feed mix with 5% glucose (control), 5% AKG (enteral) or no feed additive but continuously infused with AKG into the mesenteric vein in an amount equivalent to 5% of feed intake (parenteral). The arterial plasma concentration of AKG increased (p < 0.05) following both enteral (from 16+/-2 to 22+/-3 micromol/l) and parenteral (from 16+/-2 to 425+/-27 micromol/l) administration of AKG. With the enteral treatment 4+/-1% of the AKG could be accounted for in the portal vein, however, with the parenteral treatment 86+/-5% could be accounted for in the portal vein. The arterial plasma concentration of proline increased (p < 0.05) with the enteral treatment (365 +/- 3 to 443 +/- 39 micromol/l), but was not affected by the parenteral treatment (p > 0.10). The plasma concentration glutamine decreased (p < 0.05) with the parenteral treatment only. The portal net appearance of proline showed a numerical increase with the enteral treatment but no other affects on arterial concentrations or portal net appearance were found. A small accompanying study showed that only small amounts of enteral AKG was present in the small intestine. It was therefore concluded that enteral AKG has a low availability to peripheral tissues either because it is absorbed and metabolized in the stomach and duodenum or because it is metabolized by microbes in the stomach. The study showed that AKG is metabolized differently following enteral and parenteral application in growing pigs.     

Effect of carbadox on net absorption of ammonia and glucose into hepatic portal vein of growing pigs

Chronic cannulas were placed into the hepatic portal vein, ileal vein and carotid artery of growing pigs trained to consume their daily allowance of 1.2 kg of feed (16% protein corn-soybean meal basal diet) in a single meal. The average preoperative BW of pigs was 44.7 kg for Trial 1 (three pigs) and 35.3 kg for Trial 2 (seven pigs). In Trial 1, net absorption of ammonia (NH3) and glucose into the portal vein was determined three times at weekly intervals. The net portal absorptions were derived by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration difference of NH3 and glucose by portal vein plasma flow rate estimated with the p-aminohippuric acid indicator-dilution technique. Differences in the net portal absorptions of NH3 and glucose among the three weekly measurements were small (P greater than .05). In Trial 2, the first sequence of net portal absorption measurements was conducted when pigs were fed the basal diet, and the second sequence of measurements was conducted after the pigs had been fed the diet supplemented with 55 ppm of carbadox for 7 d. Carbadox supplementation reduced (P less than .05) plasma NH3 concentration in portal plasma during the 2.5-h to 5-h postprandial period and decreased (P less than .05) net portal absorption of NH3 during the 2.5-h to 4-h postprandial period. Carbadox, however, did not affect (P greater than .05) net portal absorption of glucose. We suggest that carbadox suppresses the production of cell-toxic NH3 by intestinal microorganisms and, thus, reduces the injury and turnover of intestinal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio as an index of portal vein pressure in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio during experimentally induced portal hypertension in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURE: Standard midline laparotomy and median sternotomy were performed in anesthetized dogs. Baseline measurements of arterial blood pressure, aortic blood flow, portal vein blood flow, and portal vein pressure were acquired, and arterial, venous, and portal vein blood samples were obtained to determine systemic and splanchnic oxygen extraction ratios. The portal vein was gradually occluded until a pressure of 18 cm of H2O was reached; this pressure was maintained for 30 minutes, and measurements and collection of blood samples were repeated. RESULTS: Portal vein blood flow decreased significantly from 457 +/- 136 ml/min before to 266 +/- 83 ml/min after induction of portal hypertension. Oxygen content in the portal vein significantly decreased from 12.3 +/- 1.85 to 8.2 +/- 2.31%, and splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio significantly increased from 15.8 +/- 6.2 to 37.4 +/- 10.9% during portal hypertension. There was a significant inverse correlation between portal vein blood flow and splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio at baseline and during portal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An increase in splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio is evident with partial attenuation of the portal vein and the concurrent decrease in portal vein blood flow. Correlation of oxygen extraction ratio with portal vein blood flow may be a more important indicator for determination of an endpoint to prevent congestion and ischemia of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas during ligation of portosystemic shunts.     

Ultrasonographic characteristics of the portal venous system of 37 healthy,unsedated, student-owned cats: A prospective study

Objective The aim of this study was to determine portal vein and divisional branch diameters and portal vein velocities in healthy, unsedated cats, using B-mode and Doppler ultrasound.Animal Thirty-seven healthy, adult cats, all owned by students.Procedure Enrollment of cats in the study was done prospectively. Ultrasonographic imaging in both the longitudinal and transverse planes was assessed, with all examinations and measurements done by the same person. The assessment included the following 3 sites: extra-hepatic portion of the portal vein, intra-hepatic branches of the portal vein, and the aorta at the level of the porta hepatis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used for normality and P < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance.Results Both the extra-hepatic portion of the portal vein and the porta hepatis were identified in all 37 cats (100%), whereas the aorta was recorded in 31 (84%), and the left and right intra-hepatic branches of the portal vein were seen in 29 (78%). Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound of the portal vein was obtained in 32 cats (86%). In longitudinal view, average maximal diameter of the extra-hepatic portal vein was 3.6 mm (± 0.7 mm), and the mean portal flow velocity was 14.6 cm/s (± 4.3 cm/s). In transverse view, average maximal diameter was 4.8 mm (± 0.8 mm) for the extra-hepatic portal vein, and 3.1 mm (± 0.8 mm) and 2.6 mm (± 0.7 mm) for the left and right intra-hepatic branches, respectively. The portal-vein-to-aorta ratio averaged 1.2 (± 0.2).Conclusion This study produced sonographic data of the portal venous system in healthy, conscious adult cats, which may be useful during investigation of liver diseases, including congenital and acquired liver diseases.     

Potential contribution of absorbed volatile fatty acids to whole-animal energy requirement in conscious swine

Chronic cannulas were placed in the hepatic portal vein, ileal vein, and carotid artery in seven crossbred growing gilts trained to consume once daily 1.2 kg of a 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet. Eleven days after surgery, each pig (37.4 kg BW) was placed in an open-circuit calorimeter and its cannulas were connected to a system for determining portal absorption of nutrients. The whole-animal heat production and net portal absorption of gut VFA were measured simultaneously for 12 h after the pig was fed 1.2 kg of feed. Plasma concentrations of VFA, including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids, in portal and arterial samples were determined by gas chromatography after a cleanup by ion-exchange chromatography. The net portal absorption of VFA was calculated by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration difference of the VFA by portal vein plasma flow. Plasma flow was estimated by the indicator-dilution technique using p-aminohippuric acid as the indicator. The energy value of absorbed VFA was the sum of products of each individual VFA multiplied by its corresponding value of the heat of combustion. The mean hourly energy value of absorbed VFA during the 12-h postprandial period was .65 +/- .03 kcal.h-1.kg BW-1. The mean hourly whole-animal heat production was 2.70 +/- .04 kcal.h-1.kg BW-1. Thus, in our 37.4-kg pigs, which were trained to consume 1.2 kg of a 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet once daily, the gut VFA absorbed into the portal vein could contribute 23.8 +/- 1.1% to whole-animal heat production if all of the absorbed VFA were combusted to CO2.     

Circulation of estrogens introduced into the rectum or duodenum in pigs

To determine the absorption and metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E₂) by the rectum of the pig, 10 mg of crystalline E₂ was placed in the rectum of prepubertal gilts in Experiment 1. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from hepatic portal and jugular veins and plasma was assayed for E₂, estrone (E₁), 17β-estradiol-glucuronide (E₂G), estrone-glucuronide (E₁G) and estrone-sulfate (E₁S). Concentration of E₂, E₁, E₂G, E₁G, and E₁S rose in the hepatic portal vein within 30 min and remained elevated for several hr. Concentrations of E₂ in the hepatic portal vein represented 3% of the total estrogen detected in the hepatic portal vein during the 5 hr sampling period, indicating that most of the E₂ was metabolized prior to entering the hepatic portal vein after absorption by the rectal mucosa. Concentrations of E₂, E₁, E₂G, E₁G, and E₁S rose in the jugular vein and remained elevated for several hr. The rise in E₂ and E₁ in the jugular vein may have come from E₂ and E₁ in venous circulation from the rectum that entered the inferior vena cava bypassing the hepatic portal vein and liver. The net result of absorption of E₂ from the rectum of gilts was a large rise in unconjugated and conjugated E₂ and E₁ in the peripheral circulation. In Experiment 2 prepubertal gilts fitted with jugular, hepatic portal, duodenal, and gall bladder catheters were infused into the duodenum with bile from pregnant gilts. Concentrations of E₂, E₁, E₂G, and E₁G were determined in gallbladder bile of gilts before infusion and at 470 min. Concentrations of E₂G and E₁G were determined in hepatic portal and jugular plasma before and after infusion of bile. A cholagogue was given at 480 min and E₂G and E₁G were measured in plasma from 490 min to 960 min. Concentrations of E₂ and E₁ in gallbladder bile rose at 470 min and fell to basal concentrations at 970 min. In gilts given the cholagogue, E₂G and E₁G in both the jugular and hepatic portal veins rose significantly over those in gilts not given the cholagogue. Bile estrogens circulate via the enterohepatic route and factors that influence secretion of estrogens in bile can influence concentrations of circulating estrogens.     

COMPARISON OF TRANSCOLONIC 123I-IODOAMPHETAMINE AND PORTAL VEIN INJECTION OF 99mTc-MACROAGGREGATED ALBUMIN SHUNT FRACTION CALCU-LATIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL DOGS WITH ACQUIRED POR-TOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS

Shunt fraction was determined using transcolonic ¹²³I-iodoamphetamine (IMP) and portal vein injection of ^99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) in a group of eight dogs with chronic cirrhosis and acquired portosystemic shunts subsequent to total common bile duct ligation. Hepatic parenchymal damage was confirmed by alterations in liver function tests and liver histology. Seven of the eight dogs developed portal hypertension and had angiographic evidence of hepatofugal portal blood flow with multiple peripheral portosystemic anastomoses. Shunt fractions determined in the seven dogs with shunts varied from 39 to 100 using IMP and 45 to 93 using MAA. The remaining dog had normal portal pressure, a normal portal angiogram, and normal IMP and MAA scintigraphic studies. There was an excellent correlation between the two methods of shunt fraction calculation (R²= 0.98) and the line of regression was not significantly different from unity (IMP = 1.09 × MAA - 0.03).     

Effects of adding valerate, caproate, and heptanoate to ruminal buffers on splanchnic metabolism in steers under washed-rumen conditions

Four steers fitted with a ruminal cannula and chronic indwelling catheters in the mesenteric artery, mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, and the right ruminal vein were used to study VFA absorption from bicarbonate buffers incubated in the washed reticulorumen, and metabolism by splanchnic tissues. Portal and hepatic vein blood flows were determined by infusion of p-aminohippurate into the mesenteric vein. The steers were subjected to four experimental treatments in a Latin square design. The treatments were Control (ruminal bicarbonate buffer with [mmol/kg]: acetate = 72; propionate = 30; isobutyrate = 2.1; butyrate = 12; valerate = 1.2; caproate = 0; and heptanoate = 0); Val (same as control except for valerate = 8 mmol/kg); Cap (same as control except for caproate = 3.5 mmol/kg); and Hep (same as control except for heptanoate = 3 mmol/kg). All buffers were incubated for 90 min in the rumen, and ruminal VFA absorption rates were maintained by continuous intraruminal infusion of VFA. The arterial concentrations of valerate and heptanoate showed a small increase (< or = 1 micromol/L; P < 0.05) with inclusion of the respective acid in the ruminal buffer, but no change (P = 0.57) in arterial concentration of caproate was detected. Valerate increased (P < 0.05) the net portal flux of butyrate and valerate, as well as the net splanchnic flux of propionate, butyrate, and valerate. With Cap and Hep, the net portal flux of caproate and heptanoate accounted for 54 and 45% of ruminal disappearance rates, respectively, indicating that these acids were extensively metabolized by the ruminal epithelium. Caproate was ketogenic both in the ruminal epithelium and in the liver, and Cap increased (P < 0.05) the arterial concentration, ruminal vein minus arterial concentration difference, net hepatic flux, and net splanchnic flux of 3-hydroxybutyrate. The net hepatic flux of glucose decreased (P = 0.02) with Cap and Hep compared with Control and Val; however, no effect (P = 0.14) on the net splanchnic flux of glucose could be detected. We conclude that the strong biological activity of valerate, caproate, and heptanoate warrant increased emphasis on monitoring their ruminal presence and their potential systemic effects on ruminant metabolism.     

犬多层螺旋CT肝多期增强扫描技术研究

本试验旨在确定犬肝多期增强扫描造影剂使用剂量、注射速率及最佳延迟时间。选取不同的碘海醇剂量（500、575、650 mg·kg^-1,以I含量计）及速率（2、3 mL·s^-1）对犬进行造影,动态扫描,计算造影前后主动脉、门静脉、肝实质CT增强值,确定最佳造影剂剂量及注射速率。然后采用最佳造影剂剂量和注射速率对不同体型的犬进行造影,动态扫描后绘制时间-密度曲线,统计主动脉、门静脉、肝实质的达峰时间,计算达峰时间和注射时间的差值（Δt_AO/Δt_SP/Δt_L）,确定各期最佳扫描延迟时间。研究结果显示,当采用575 mg·kg^-1、3 mL·s^-1的造影剂剂量和注射速率时得到的主动脉、门静脉、肝实质CT增强值较高,可获得较好的增强效果。通过时间-密度曲线分别计算小、中、大3种体型犬的Δt_AO分别为7、9、4 s,Δt_SP分别为21、23、17 s,Δt_L分别为41、44、34 s,各期最佳扫描延迟时间可用公式“注射时间+Δt_ROI-1/2扫描时间”计算得到。通过临床病例验证,本试验使用的造影剂剂量（575 mg·kg^-1）、注射速率（3 mL·s^-1）及延迟时间（“注射时间+Δt_AO/Δt_SP/Δt_L-1/2扫描时间”）临床效果较好,可应用于犬肝疾病的CT造影检查。     

Net portal and hepatic flux of nutrients in growing wethers fed high-concentrate diets with oscillating protein concentrations

We hypothesized that oscillating dietary CP would improve N retention by increasing the uptake of endogenous urea N by portal drained viscera (PDV), compared with static dietary CP regimens. Chronic indwelling catheters were surgically implanted in the abdominal aorta, a mesenteric vein, a hepatic vein, and the portal vein of 18 growing Dorset x Suffolk wethers (44.6 +/- 3.6 kg of BW). Wethers had ad libitum access to the following diets in a completely randomized block design: 1) Low (9.9% CP), 2) Medium (12.5% CP), or 3) Low and High (14.2% CP) diets oscillated on a 48-h interval (Osc). Dry matter intake was greater (P = 0.04) for the Osc diet (1,313 g/d) than the Low diet (987 g/d) and was intermediate for the Medium diet (1,112 g/d). Nitrogen intake was not different between the wethers fed the Osc (25.4 g/d) and Medium diets (22.2 g/d), but was lower (P < 0.01) in wethers fed the Low diet (16.0 g/d). Wethers fed the Osc diet (6.7 g/d) retained more (P < 0.04) N than did those fed the Medium diet (4.0 g/d). Hepatic arterial blood flow was not different (P = 0.81) between wethers fed the Osc (31 L/h) or Medium diet (39 L/h) but was greater (P = 0.05) in wethers fed the Low diet (66 L/h). Net release of alpha-amino N by the PDV did not differ (P = 0.90) between the Low (37.8 mmol/h) and Medium diets (41.5 mmol/h) or between the Osc (53.0 mmol/h) and Medium diets (P = 0.29). Net PDV release of ammonia N was less (P = 0.05) for the Low diet than for the Medium diet, and this was accompanied by a similar decrease (P = 0.04) in hepatic ammonia N uptake. Urea N concentrations tended to be (P = 0.06) less in arterial, portal, and hepatic blood in wethers fed the Low diet compared with those fed the Medium diet. Wethers fed the Osc diet tended (P = 0.06) to have a greater PDV uptake of urea N than did those fed the Medium diet, but there was no difference between the Osc and Medium diets (P = 0.72) in hepatic urea N release. Net PDV uptake of glutamine tended to be greater (P < 0.07) in wethers fed the Low diet (6.7 mmol/h) than those fed the Medium diet (2.7 mmol/h). These data indicate that oscillating dietary protein may improve N retention by increasing endogenous urea N uptake by the gastrointestinal tract.     

Consumption of resistant starch decreases lipogenesis in adipose tissues but not in muscular tissues of growing pigs

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two different sources of starch on plasma glucose, acetate and insulin responses and peripheral lipogenesis in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. Eighteen male growing pigs were fed a diet containing 250 g native corn starch/kg (CS; 26% amylose, 74% amylopectin) or 250 g raw potato starch/kg (RPS; 20% amylose, 80% amylopectin) as examples of digestible and resistant starch (type II), respectively. After 38 days on the experimental diets, twelve pigs (6 per treatment, Experiment 1) were killed and samples of adipose and muscular tissues were analysed for intramuscular lipid content and lipogenic enzyme activity. Lipogenic enzyme activities were significantly higher for CS than RPS in adipose tissues but not in muscular tissues. No differences were detected on the lipid content of the muscles tested. The six remaining pigs (3 per treatment, Experiment 2) were fitted with catheters in the saphenous vein and femoral artery after 28 days on the experimental diets. After feeding restoration to a level of 1.1 kg/day, they received a primed constant infusion of 1-¹³C acetate for a period of 90 min, starting 5 h after feeding the meal ingestion, and a primed constant infusion of 6,6-D₂ glucose for 7 h, starting 1 h before the following meal ingestion. No differences were observed between diets on peripheral acetate entry rate. Glucose concentration, the rate of peripheral glucose appearance and insulin concentration were quantitatively higher after the meal for CS than for RPS diet. This shows the importance of type of dietary starch on lipogenesis as a result of changes in glycemia and insulinemia in adipose but not in muscular tissues of growing pigs.     

Potential role of N-carbamoyl glutamate in biosynthesis of arginine and its significance in production of ruminant animals

Arginine （ARG） exerts many beneficial effects on animal body and enhanced angiogenesis, lactogenesis, which finally leads to the improvement in nitrogen （N） metabolism, reproduction, lactation, immunity and growth. Unfortunately, unprotected ARG will be degraded in the rumen and its price is high, thus feeding rumen-protected ARG seems to be uneconomical. Alternatively, N-carbamoyl glutamate （NCG） is structural analogue of N-acetyl glutamate, cofactor of cabamoyl phosphate synthetasel, is lower in rumen degradation compared to ARG. Additionally, rumen epithelial and duodenal cells have potentially utilized the NCG for ureagenesis. Supplementation of NCG to high yielding dairy cows increased plasma concentration of ARG and nitric oxide, decreased the plasma ammonia N and improved lactation performance and N utilization. Supplementation of NCG enhanced pregnancy rates in rats, improved litter size and fetal survival rate, thereby improved the reproductive performance of sows. Oral NCG supplementation increases plasma ARG and somatotropin levels, and increased growth rate and muscle protein synthesis in nursing piglets. The NCG is potential a relatively cheaper source of feed additive to offer vital compensation over oral administration of ARG, resulting in improved ruminant animal health and production. In this article, we reviewed the mechanism of AfiG biosynthesis by NCG and their significance in growth, reproduction, milk production and N utilization in ruminant animals.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTING IN DOGS AND CATS

The value of ultrasonography was evaluated in 85 dogs and 17 cats presented with a clinically suspected portosystemic shunt (PSS). A PSS was confirmed in 50 dogs and nine cats (single congenital extrahepatic in 42, single congenital intrahepatic in 11, and multiple acquired in six). Six dogs and one cat had hepatic microvascular dysplasia, and 29 dogs and seven cats had a normal portal system. Ultrasonography was 92% sensitive, 98% specific, and had positive and negative predictive values of 98% and 89%, respectively, in identifying PSS, with an overall accuracy of 95%. When a PSS was identified with ultrasonography, extrahepatic, intrahepatic, and multiple acquired PSS could be correctly differentiated in 53/54 patients (98%). The combination of a small liver, large kidneys, and uroliths had positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 51% for the presence of a congenital PSS in dogs. The portal vein/aorta (PV/Ao) and portal vein/caudal vena cava (PV/ CVC) ratios were smaller in animals with extrahepatic PSSs compared with animals with microvascular dysplasia, intrahepatic PSSs and those without portal venous anomalies (P<0.001). All dogs and cats with a PV/Ao ratio of < or = 0.65 had an extrahepatic PSS or idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension. Dogs and cats with PV/Ao and PV/CVC ratios of > or = 0.8 and > or = 0.75, respectively, did not have an extrahepatic PSS. Reduced or reversed portal flow was seen in four of four patients with multiple acquired PSSs secondary to portal hypertension. The presence of turbulence in the caudal vena cava of dogs had positive and negative predictive values of 91% and 84%, respectively, for the presence of any PSS terminating into that vein.     

Difference in rates of net portal absorption between crystalline and protein-bound lysine and threonine in growing pigs fed once daily

Net portal absorption of AA during the 6-h postprandial period was measured in eight gilts (48.5 +/- 1.6 kg BW) in a crossover design. The pigs had chronic catheters placed in the portal vein, carotid artery, and ileal vein, and were trained to consume 1.2 kg of a standard grower diet once daily. Blood samples were taken every 30 min for 4 h and then hourly until 6 h after feeding. The first set of blood samples was taken after pigs were fed a meal of the test 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet (16% CP) or the test 12% CP corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, and tryptophan (12% CP + AA) to equal the three AA levels in the 16% CP diet. Pigs were then fed the standard diet for 2 d. Following that, blood samples were again taken after the pigs were fed a meal of the test diet that was not given to them at the first sampling period. Net portal AA absorption was calculated by multiplying porto-arterial plasma AA concentration difference by portal vein plasma flow rate (PVPF), estimated by an indicator-dilution technique employing p-aminohippuric acid as the indicator infused into the ileal vein. Plasma concentrations of lysine and threonine of pigs were affected by the diet x time interaction (P < 0.01). Portal and arterial plasma lysine and threonine concentrations in pigs attained the maximal level by 1 h postprandial when the 12% CP + AA diet was fed, but reached the peak level at 2.5 h postprandial when the 16% CP diet was given. The PVPF of pigs over the 6 h postprandial was less (P < 0.01) when the 12% CP + AA diet was given than when the 16% CP diet was fed. Net portal absorptions of lysine and threonine also were affected (P < 0.05) by time x diet interaction. The peak portal absorption of both lysine and threonine in pigs appeared at 0.5 h postprandial when the 12% CP + AA diet was given, but at 2.5 h postprandial with the feeding of the 16% CP diet. The early appearance of peak portal absorption of lysine and threonine from feeding the 12% CP + AA compared with the 16% CP diet indicates that crystalline lysine and threonine are absorbed more rapidly than protein-bound lysine and threonine in pigs fed once daily.