Carcinoma of the small intestine of sheep in Iceland. A pathological and epizootiological study

This paper deals with an unusually high incidence, i.e. 0.97 % of carcinoma of the small intestine found in Icelandic sheep. The tumours were situated in the jejunum and upper ileum. The macroscopic and microscopic pathology is described and compared with carcinoma of the small intestine of domestic animals and humans.Aetiological factors are discussed and the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic substances, especially nitrosamines in food concentrates, is suggested.Finally these findings are discussed in relation to current ideas on carcinogenesis in the intestines.     

牛磺酸鹅去氧胆酸对小鼠体内氧自由基代谢的影响

研究了牛磺酸鹅去氧胆酸（TCDCA）对小鼠体内氧自由基代谢的影响.分别采用黄嘌呤氧化酶化学发光法、化学比色法、紫外分光光度法、硫代巴比妥酸法及酶标法测定了小鼠血浆、肝脏、脑组织中的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性和丙二醛（MDA）的含量及血浆中一氧化氮合成酶（NOS）的活性.结果显示,高、低剂量的TCDCA均能显著提高小鼠血浆和肝组织中的SOD活性,显著提高小鼠肝组织中CAT的活性,显著提高小鼠血浆中NOS活性,显著降低小鼠肝组织中GSH-Px活性;高剂量TCDCA能极显著提高小鼠脑组织中GSH-Px活性;低剂量TCDCA能显著提高小鼠血浆中CAT活性;高、低剂量的TCD-CA能分别显著降低小鼠血浆和脑组织、肝脏中的MDA含量.试验表明TCDCA具有显著的抗氧化作用.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the small intestine, large intestine and greater omentum in 30 Saanen goats

The small and large intestine of 30 healthy Saanen goats were examined ultrasonographically using a 5.0 MHz-linear transducer. The goats were examined on the right side, from the eighth rib to the caudal aspect of the flank. The small and large intestine could be easily differentiated. The descending duodenum could be imaged in 19 goats, and the jejunum and ileum seen in all goats. The jejunum and ileum were most often seen in cross-section and rarely in longitudinal section in the ventral region of the right flank. The intestinal contents were usually homogenously echoic, and active motility was observed in all the goats. The diameter of the small intestine was 0.8–2.7 cm (1.6 [0.33] cm). The spiral ansa of the colon was imaged in all the goats, and in 21 the caecum was also seen. Both these sections of large intestine were most commonly seen in the dorsal region of the right flank. The spiral ansa of the colon was easily identified by its spiral arrangement of centripetal and centrifugal gyri, which had a garland-like appearance. Because of intraluminal gas, only the wall of the colon closest to the transducer could be imaged. The diameter of the spiral colon ranged from 0.8 to 2.0 cm (1.1 [0.24] cm). Usually only the wall of the caecum closest to the transducer could be imaged and it appeared as a thick, echoic, slightly undulating line. The greater omentum could be seen in all the goats.     

Observations on the ultrastructure of equatorial scleral collagen fibrils in sheep eyes

Objective To investigate collagen fibrils of the equatorial sclera in relation to the age‐related changes in eye size in sheep. Animals studied Lambs and outbred ewes. Procedures Sheep eyes (three lamb and three from adult outbred ewes), presumed disease‐free, were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) immediately postmortem. Tissue blocks from the equatorial region were sectioned across fibril bundles orientated along the equator. Micrographs including at least 500 fibrils were projected at 22 000× magnification for measures of fibril diameters (FDs). Results Lamb eyes were smaller than those of adult ewes but equatorial scleral thickness was only marginally less at 0.232 ± 0.013 vs. 0.254 ± 0.012 mm (P value not significant). Scleral tissue was composed of compacted bundles of collagen fibers that tended to be rounder in outer compared to being flatter in inner regions. In typical (normal) appearing regions, FDs were distinctly larger (68–410 nm) in outer sclera compared to inner sclera (63–281 nm). Outer sclera FDs were bimodal averaging 192 ± 58 nm, compared to unimodal distributions at inner locations averaging 156 ± 48 nm (P < 0.001). Some atypical regions, especially at outer‐mid sclera locations, were also noted where the FD distribution was bimodal but also included numerous microfibrils (<50 nm diameter), with similar appearances being found for both lamb and adult ewe eyes. Conclusions The equatorial sclera is a mixture of rounder versus flatter collagen fiber bundles, the former being more likely to be made up of a mixture of both smaller and larger fibrils, as compared to slightly smaller fibrils.     

Pre-weaning eating activity and morphological parameters in the small and large intestine of piglets

The effect of pre-weaning eating activity on the intestinal morphology in piglets was investigated on the day of weaning and 5 days post-weaning. The eating activity of each piglet was recorded by means of direct observations. On day 5 post-weaning the villous heights were reduced and the crypt depths were increased irrespective of the pre-weaning eating activity. In the caecum and colon the crypt depth was increased post-weaning and no effect of pre-weaning eating activity was observed. The muscle thickness in the small intestine did not change during the immediate post-weaning period whereas the muscle thickness in the large intestine was doubled in the same period. In conclusion, pre-weaning eating activity did not affect the structural alterations of the small and large intestine. However, the actual number of piglets consuming creep feed prior to weaning was low and the eating activity was highly variable. Therefore, more or later weaned piglets may be needed to show effects of pre-weaning eating activity.     

光合细菌促进羊生长及防病治病的效应

光合细菌是一类有益微生物 ,在自然界物质循环中起着重要作用。作为新型微生物饲料添加剂光合细菌在养殖业中也有一些成功的应用试验 ,并得到一定的推广[1～ 4] 。光合细菌含有丰富的优质蛋白质、多种维生素、钙、磷及多种微量元素 ,特别是富含辅酶Q10 促生长因子、免疫调节因子等宝贵的生理活性物质。 1998年农业部审核批准了沼泽红假单胞菌 (光合细菌 )为新饲料添加剂。但在反刍动物饲养中应用的研究报道还很少。本文报道光合细菌对羊的促生长作用和防病抗病作用的研究结果 ,可用于养羊业减少使用药物和提高经济效益。1　材料和方法1 1　…     

The toxic effects of dimethylnitrosamine in sheep

Experimental feeding, dealing with long term ingestion of small daily doses of DMNA has clearly demonstrated the cumulative toxic effect of this compound in sheep. A threshold level, somewhere between 0.10 mg and 0.15 mg DMNA/kg body weight per day, can be defined below which no toxicity even in quite long-lasting feeding can be demonstrated. Above this level toxicity changes will develop, clinically in most cases, anatomically in all, if the exposure time is long enough. If the daily intake of DMNA is over this threshold level, 21–40 mg DMNA/kg body weight, it usually causes liver disease and death in sheep. Neoplastic lesions were not produced, the experimental period, however, was below the latency period for carcinogenesis.     

Regional differences in the effects of various doses of cerulein upon the small-intestinal migrating motor complex in fasted and non-fasted sheep

There are no precise data concerning the effect of cerulein on the small-intestinal migrating motor complex (MMC) in sheep. Thus, the effort was directed towards the elucidation of the role of cerulein, a cholecystokinin (CCK) amphibian analogue, in the regulation of MMC cycle in conscious fasted and non-fasted sheep in various regions of the small intestine. In six sheep, equipped with bipolar electrodes in the entire small intestine and with one duodenal strain gauge force transducer in four of these animals, the continuous myoelectric and motor activity recordings were performed. During control period, two normal consecutive MMC cycles were recorded in fasted and non-fasted animals and then cerulein was slowly injected at the dose 1 (during 30 s), 10 (during 30 s or 60 s) or 100 ng/kg (during 30 s, 60 s or 120 s) or infused at the dose 0.5 or 1.5 ng/kg/min during 60 min. After cerulein administration at least two consecutive MMC cycles were also recorded. It was found that cerulein in moderate and higher doses injected in both fasted and non-fasted animals, especially during phase 2a or 2b MMC, inhibited phase 3 in the duodenum in at least one-third of the experiments and significantly increased the MMC cycle duration. The application of 100 ng/kg of cerulein during 120 s in the course of phase 2b MMC prolonged cycle duration from 70 +/- 21 to 113 +/- 19 min (p < 0.05) or from 51 +/- 18 to 113 +/- 19 min (p < 0.01) in fasted and non-fasted sheep respectively. The first phase 3 MMC arriving after cerulein administration at the highest dose was usually abnormal in approximately 60% of the experiments. The second phase 3 observed following the hormone injection was abnormal much less frequently and to the lesser extent. Furthermore, both cerulein doses significantly shortened the duration of phase 3 MMC either in fasted (from approximately 5.5-6.5 cpm to 4-5 cpm) or in non-fasted sheep (from approximately 4.5-5.5 to 3-4.5 cpm). The effects of cerulein exhibited the dose-response character. They were more pronounced when cerulein was injected during phase 2b or 2a MMC when compared with phase 1 MMC. The effects of cerulein on the ileal MMC were less evident, although the inhibition of the ileal phase 3 in response to both higher injected doses was observed occasionally. Infusions of cerulein in non-fasted sheep exerted similar effects as cerulein injections. It was stated that cerulein exerts marked regulatory effect upon the small-intestinal MMC in sheep. Although it remains uncertain whether the efficient doses of cerulein used in the present study correspond to physiological or pharmacological doses of CCK it seems likely that most of these doses were physiological. Thus, it is concluded that cerulein participates in the control of MMC cycles in the digestive and interdigestive states in sheep. It is possible that CCK is a physiological regulator of the ovine small-intestinal MMC.     

赖氨酸席夫碱对到达绵羊小肠游离氨基酸和蛋白质流量的影响

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

The effects of maternal plasma dobutamine levels on fetal oxygenation in anaesthetized sheep

Objective To measure the effects of dobutamine infusion on fetal oxygenation during isoflurane anaesthesia in pregnant ewes. Study design Prospective randomized experimental study. Animals Seven clinically normal adult pregnant Rambouillet‐Dorset cross ewes with fetuses of 117–122 days gestational age. Methods The ewes were anaesthetized with ketamine (2 mg kg^?1) IM, and isoflurane (F_E′ISO 2.0%) in oxygen. After instrumentation and stabilization, dobutamine was infused at 4 µg kg^?1minute^?1 for 60 minutes and 10 µg kg^?1minute^?1 for 60 minutes in random order, separated by a 20‐minute washout period. Catheters were placed in the maternal and fetal carotid arteries; these were used for continuous blood pressure measurement and intermittent blood sampling. Results Maternal mean systemic carotid arterial pressure was 60 mm Hg prior to dobutamine infusion. After 5 minutes of dobutamine infusion, fetal oxygen saturation increased (p < 0.05) from 0.62 (0.17–0.71, minimum–maximum) to 0.72 (0.28–0.78) at a dose of 4 µg kg^?1minute^?1 and to 0.70 (0.20–0.73) at a dose of 10 µg kg^?1minute^?1. These increases were maintained during the infusion and were not significantly different between doses. Maternal oxygen saturation remained constant at 1.0 before and during all infusions. Although maternal heart rate and blood pressure increased (p < 0.05) by 90% and 25%, respectively, with dobutamine, this stimulant effect was not evident in the corresponding fetal variables. Maternal haemoglobin concentration increased 30% (p < 0.05) with each infusion. Conclusions Dobutamine at 4 µg kg^?1minute^?1 increases fetal oxygenation that is not improved by a dose of 10 µg kg^?1minute^?1. This increase is largely due to an increase in maternal haemoglobin concentration that, in turn, increases oxygen delivery to the placenta. Clinical relevance The use of dobutamine to treat hypotension in pregnant sheep during isoflurane anaesthesia improves fetal oxygenation. This may be true in other species.     

The anti-nociceptive and cardiopulmonary effects of extradural fentanyl–xylazine in sheep

Objective To compare the anti‐nociceptive effects of extradural xylazine, fentanyl and a xylazine–fentanyl combination in sheep, and to measure the cardiopulmonary effects of the xylazine–fentanyl combination. Study design Prospective, randomized study. Animals Twenty‐five half‐merino ewes 2–4 years of age and body mass 54.2 ± 1.1 kg. Methods Six sheep in group 1 received 0.2 mg kg^?1 xylazine by extradural injection, six in group 2 received fentanyl 1.5 µg kg^?1 and 13 in group 3 received the combination of both treatments. In all groups, drugs were mixed with saline (0.15 mL kg^?1 before injection). Pulmonary and carotid arterial catheters were placed in seven sheep of group 3 which were used to evaluate cardiopulmonary effects. Anti‐nociception was determined by the response to electrical stimulation (40 V for 1.5 milliseconds) of the left flank and by superficial and deep muscular ‘pinpricking’ stimulation of the pelvic and thoracic limbs and thoracolumbar region. Results Lack of response to electrical stimulation at the left flank was present in 10 ± 1.1 minutes (mean ± SEM) (group 1) and in 4.5 ± 0.5 minutes in group 3. The duration of lack of response to electrical stimulation at the left flank was 96 ± 6 minutes in group 1 and 315 ± 6 minutes in group 3. Responses persisted in group 3. Significant decreases (p < 0.05) in cardiac output 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes after injection, and in cardiac work at 30 and 45 minutes were observed in the seven animals of group 3. Arterial blood pH was lowest at 90 minutes, arterial bicarbonate was lowest at 60 minutes and values for both arterial and mixed venous base excess increased significantly at 60 and 90 minutes. There was no significant change from baseline values in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, systemic vascular resistance, arterial and mixed venous PO₂, PCO₂, oxygen saturation, blood oxygen content, haemoglobin concentration, mixed venous blood bicarbonate and pH. Conclusions Fentanyl decreases the onset time and prolongs the duration of anti‐nociception produced by xylazine. The combination decreases cardiac output but is without significant respiratory effects. Clinical relevance Further studies are required to show that surgery is possible in sheep after extradural xylazine–fentanyl injection.     

黄南州欧拉型藏羊与小尾寒羊杂交效果分析

2003年,青海省黄南州从山东引进小尾寒羊,与当地欧拉型藏羊杂交,并对杂种羊的产肉性能和生产性能等进行了研究分析。结果表明,杂种羊的繁殖性能和产肉性能都得到了提高,说明山东小尾寒羊与当地欧拉型藏羊杂交后代能取得良好的经济和社会效益,适合推广。     

The effects of Strongylus vulgaris parasitism on eosinophil distribution and accumulation in equine large intestinal mucosa

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Eosinophilic granulocytes have been associated with parasite or immune-mediated diseases, but their functions in other disease processes remain unclear. Cause and timing of eosinophil migration into the equine gastrointestinal mucosa are also unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of intestinal parasitism on eosinophils in equine large intestinal mucosa. METHODS: Large intestinal mucosal samples were collected from horses and ponies (n = 16) from the general veterinary hospital population, ponies (n = 3) raised in a parasite-free environment, ponies experimentally infected with 500 infective Strongylus vulgaris larvae and treated with a proprietary anthelmintic drug (n = 14), and a similar group of ponies (n = 7) that received no anthelmintic treatment. Total eosinophil counts and eosinophil distribution in the mucosa were determined by histological examination. A mixed model analysis was performed and appropriate Bonferroni adjusted P values used for each family of comparisons. P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was no difference in large intestinal mucosal eosinophil counts and eosinophil distribution between ponies infected with S. vulgaris and those raised in a parasite-free environment. Experimental infection with S. vulgaris, with or without subsequent anthelmintic treatment, did not change eosinophil counts, and counts were similar to those for horses from the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Migration of eosinophils to the equine large intestinal mucosa appears to be independent of exposure to parasites. Large intestinal mucosal eosinophils may have more functions in addition to their role in defence against parasites.     

杜泊绵羊与小尾寒羊杂交后代肌肉风味的研究

本研究旨在通过对肌肉氨基酸和脂肪酸的检测,探讨杜泊羊与小尾寒羊杂交对肌肉风味的影响,为选育优质肉羊品种提供理论依据。结果表明：从氨基酸总量来看,杜寒F1较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别提高30．06％和0．57％,杜寒F2较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别提高29：49％和0．13％;从主要脂肪酸含量来看,杜寒F1较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别降低0．29％和10．05％,杜寒F2较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别降低13．54％和22．01％;从挥发性脂肪酸来看,杜寒F1较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别降低2．93％和6．44％,杜寒F2较小尾寒羊和杜泊羊分别降低21．24％和24．09％。杂交后代杜寒F1和杜寒F2氨基酸含量有所提高,同时能够降低羊肉膻味。     

体外法研究异麦芽寡糖对生长绵羊瘤胃发酵功能的影响

采用批次培养的方法,研究了体外条件下日粮添加异麦芽寡糖对生长绵羊瘤胃发酵功能的影响。异麦芽寡糖的添加水平分别为0%(对照组)、0.20%、0.40%、0.60%、0.80%、1.00%。结果表明,日粮添加异麦芽寡糖可以提高培养液中挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量,降低培养液中的氨氮(NH3-N)含量和培养残渣中中性洗涤纤维(NDF)含量,但对培养液中菌体蛋白(BCP)含量的影响不确定。研究初步证明,日粮添加异麦芽寡糖可以在一定程度上提高生长绵羊的瘤胃发酵功能。     

不同放牧强度对滩羊生产性能影响的研究

为寻找适宜宁夏盐池县草地的放牧强度,于2003年5-11月在该县四墩子试点设5个处理(0.45、0.60、1.75、1.05和1.50只/hm2)进行轮牧,轮牧周期为42 d,共放牧154 d。结果表明:1)滩羊采食量随放牧强度的加重而降低。同一放牧强度下,随放牧时间推移,采食量先逐渐增大而后下降。2)在试验期内,不同放牧强度下,滩羊体重随时间推移总体上都呈增加趋势。在10月2日之后体重开始出现分化。与放牧强度重的处理相比,放牧强度轻的处理日增重峰值较高,持续时间较长。3)滩羊个体增重与放牧强度之间存在着强的负相关;单位草地面积(1 hm2)增重与放牧强度之间呈强的正相关,初步可以确定在该类草地上放牧强度应在0.75只/hm2左右。4)随着放牧强度的加重,饲料报酬先增大后减小。在同一放牧强度下,饲料报酬随时间的推移先升高后降低。5)当放牧强度超过0.75只/hm2以后,滩羊出现了空怀、产羔率降低和推迟怀孕的现象。6)综合考虑各研究指标,该类草地放牧强度以不应超过0.75只/hm2为宜。     

陶赛特羊和特克赛尔羊在青海湟源地区的生长发育测定分析

为了解陶赛特羊和特克赛尔羊的地区适应性,对引入青海省江河源公司湟源县良种羊繁育基地的陶赛特羊和特克赛尔羊体高、体重等生长发育指标进行了测定分析,结果表明,引进的陶赛特羊和特克赛尔羊早期生长发育快的特点得到了较好的发挥,其体高、体重等生长发育指标明显高于我省的地方品种,表现出良好的适应性。     

Diversity and population density of methanogens in the large intestine of pigs fed diets of different energy levels

Marker gene analysis was performed to assess the effect of energy level on the diversity and population density of methanogens in pig fecal material. Crossbred pigs were fed high or low energy level diets, a high‐energy (HE) diet that satisfied daily gain at 1.2 kg, and a low‐energy (LE) diet with amount of 0.6 times of the HE diet. Growth performance and short‐chain fatty acid in feces were examined. Diversity of methanogen was analyzed by the α‐subunit of methyl coenzyme‐M reductase gene (mcrA) clone library from fecal DNA. The DNA copy numbers of mcrA were quantified by real‐time PCR. There was no difference in the concentration and composition of short‐chain fatty acid between treatments. Differences in the mcrA clone library were observed between HE and LE treatments (p < 0.05). Ninety‐five percent of cloned sequence affiliated genus Methanobrevibacter in the feces of the pig regardless of treatments. During the experimental period, no significant difference in the proportion of copy numbers of mcrA against that of 16S rRNA gene of total bacteria was observed between treatments. In conclusion, feeding energy level affected composition of methanogens in the large intestine of the pig, while population density of methanogen was not affected.     

The dynamics, prevalence and impact of nematode infections in organically raised sheep in Sweden

A three-year survey (1997-99) was carried out on organically reared sheep flocks throughout Sweden. The aim was to determine the prevalence and intensity of nematode infections and to establish relationships between sheep management practices and parasite infections. Faecal samples from ewes and lambs were collected from 152 organic flocks around lambing-time and during the grazing-period for analysis. Results were compared with the different management practices that farmers use to prevent parasitism in their flocks. A high proportion of the flocks was infected with nematodes. The most prevalent species were Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumeincta, Trichostrongylus axei. T. colubriformis and Chabertia ovina and infections progressively increased during summer in lambs grazing on permanent pastures. Severity of parasitic infection in lambs was highly dependent on egg output from the ewes. H. contortus was found in 37% of the flocks, even at latitudes approximating the Polar Circle. Nematodirus battus was recorded for the first time in Sweden during the course of this study. Lambs turned out onto permanent pasture showed higher nematode faecal egg counts (epg) than lambs that had grazed on pastures, which had not carried sheep the previous year. This beneficial effect of lambs grazing non-infected pastures persisted if the ewes were treated with an anthelmintic before turn-out and if the lambs were kept on pastures of low infectivity after weaning. In lambs, the prevalence and the magnitude of their egg counts were higher during autumn in flocks where lambs were slaughtered after 8 months of age, compared with flocks where all lambs were slaughtered before this age. These results will be used in providing advice to farmers of ways to modify their flock management in order to minimise the use of anthelmintics, but at the same time efficiently produce prime lambs.