Effects of dietary quillaja saponin and curcumin on the performance and immune status of weaned piglets

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary quillaja saponin and curcumin (extract of turmeric) can modify piglet immune status and performance immediately after weaning. Piglets (n = 192) were weaned at 29 +/- 0.1 d and allocated to treatment (six replicates of eight pig per treatment) accounting for weight, litter, and gender, using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were diets with or without (as-fed basis) quillaja saponin (750 mg/kg during wk 1, 300 mg/kg during wk 2 to 3) and with or without dietary curcumin (200 mg/kg). Diets were fed ad libitum for 20 d after weaning. Feed intake was measured daily. Piglets were weighed at weaning, d 7, 14, and 20 after weaning. On each of d 6 and 20 after weaning, eight pigs per treatment were sacrificed for blood and tissue collection. Treatment had no effect on piglet growth. The ADFI and G:F were similar for all treatments between d 0 and 14 of the trial. Between d 15 and 20, ADFI and G:F were lower in quillaja-supplemented piglets (ADFI = 621 vs. 572 g/d; G:F = 0.75 vs. 0.85; P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, interferon-gamma, and C-reactive protein (CRP) did not differ among treatments on d 6 after weaning. On d 20, IgG and CRP were greater (P < 0.05) in saponin-supplemented pigs (IgG = 17.5 vs. 11.4 mg/mL; CRP = 26.98 vs. 12.5 mg/mL). Small intestine villus and crypt measurements did not differ among treatments on either d 6 or 20. Saponin supplementation during the postweaning period seemed to potentiate an immune response in the weaned piglet but had a detrimental effect on the utilization of feed. Dietary curcumin had no influence on any measured aspect of pig performance or immune status.     

Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids

The objective of three experiments was to determine the impact of supplementing sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; SL) in three concentrations in a loose or pelleted diet on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants. Experiments on lambs were conducted at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service in Booneville, AR (Exp. 1) and at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA (Exp. 2); an experiment on goat kids occurred at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (Exp. 3). Exp. 1 used crossbred hair sheep lambs naturally infected with GIN that were randomly allocated to diets containing 0, 25, 50, and 75% SL diets (n=11 or 12/diet). Exp. 2 consisted of Haemonchus contortus-inoculated crossbred wool breed lambs that were blocked by gender and FEC and randomly assigned to 0, 25, 50, or 75% SL diet (n=8/diet). Fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) were not influenced by SL supplementation in Exp. 1 and 2. Exp. 3 consisted of naturally GIN infected Boer crossbred goat kids in individual pens. Kids were blocked by FEC and randomly allotted to treatments of 0, 20, 40, or 60% SL with 9-13 goats/diet. The more SL fed, the greater the reduction in FEC (P<0.001). There was an increase in PCV in SL fed goats (P<0.001). Larval speciation at the end of the experiment indicated that feces from control animals produced 43% H. contortus larva while 20, 40 and 60% SL resulted in 39%, 35% and 31% H. contortus larvae, respectively. Feeding dried SL may be less effective in lambs than kids, though concurrent studies must be conducted to confirm this.     

The effect of low to normal dietary phosphorus levels on zinc metabolism and tissue distribution in calves

Sixteen 10-wk-old, phosphorus (P)-depleted Holstein bull calves were fed for 6 wk a control diet containing .08% P or P-supplemented diets containing .14, .20 or .32% P with supplemental P from two sources (CDP and Dynafos). The diets contained .45, .56, .66 and .87% Ca. After 5 wk of the experiment, the calves were dosed orally with 65Zn, and daily total fecal collections were initiated. At the end of the experimental period, the calves were killed and tissue samples were taken for total Zn and 65Zn analyses. Growth, feed intake and feed efficiency improved with increasing dietary P levels. Level of dietary P and Ca had little or no effect (P greater than .05) on total Zn content of rib, tibia, liver, heart, kidney, muscle or blood. Likewise, 65Zn absorption and content in most tissues were not affected (P greater than .05). The results do not preclude the possibility of some minor effects of P levels on Zn metabolism. However, it is apparent that when adequate Zn is fed, any effects are likely to be of little or no practical importance.     

Simple technique for the direct isolation of toxoplasma tissue cysts from fetal ovine brain

A simple technique is described for the isolation of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts from fetal ovine brain by centrifugation on a discontinuous density gradient of 30 per cent and 90 per cent Percoll (colloidal silica solution). Brain samples from 51 aborted ovine fetuses were examined by both the Percoll and mouse inoculation techniques; eight infections were detected by the Percoll technique compared to 12 by mouse inoculation. Possible reasons for this discrepancy and the scope for improving the Percoll technique are discussed.     

Aortic root disease in four horses

Clinical findings in 4 horses with aortic root disease are described. Three of the horses had aneurysms of the right aortic sinus, and in 2 of the 3, the aneurysm ruptured, creating a fistula between the aorta and right ventricle. One of these horses had had a murmur since birth, and the aortic sinus aneurysm may have been a congenital anomaly. In a second horse, the aneurysm may have been an acquired condition that developed secondary to chronic aortic regurgitation. Another horse had a large subendocardial hematoma associated with dissection of blood from the aorta to the interventricular septum because of a tear in the aortic root near the right aortic sinus. Ventricular ectopy and signs of abdominal pain were the most common initial signs in these horses.     

Evaluation of intramuscular butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine and nasal oxygen insufflation for the chemical immobilization of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus

Chemical immobilization of wildlife often includes opioids or cyclohexamines. These substances are problematic as a result of their required storage, handling, and record-keeping protocols. A potentially useful alternative sedation protocol includes a combination of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM: 0.43 mg/kg butorphanol, 0.36 mg/kg azaperone, 0.14 mg/kg medetomidine). One risk of wildlife immobilization with any drug combination is hypoxemia. This may be of particular importance when using an alpha 2 agonist such as medetomidine because of its powerful vasoconstrictive effect. In this prospective study, the BAM combination was evaluated for chemical immobilization of white-tailed deer. Additionally, selected physiologic parameters associated with BAM immobilization, including oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas measurement, with and without nasal insufflation of oxygen at a relatively low flow of 3 L/min, were evaluated. The BAM combination resulted in a predictable onset of sedation, with a mean induction time to lateral recumbency of 9.8 +/- 3.6 min. All deer recovered smoothly within a range of 5-20 min after reversal with intramuscular administration of naltrexone, atipamazole, and tolazoline (NAT). Clinically relevant decreases in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were observed in animals not receiving supplemental oxygen, while both parameters significantly improved for oxygen-supplemented deer. Pulse oximetry with this protocol was an unreliable indicator of oxygen saturation. In this study, altitude, recumbency, hypoventilation, butorphanol- and medetomidine-specific effects, as well as the potential for alpha 2 agonist-induced pulmonary changes all may have contributed to the development of hypoxemia. Overall, capture of white-tailed deer with the BAM/NAT protocol resulted in excellent chemical immobilization and reversal. Because the BAM combination caused significant hypoxemia that is unreliably detected by pulse oximetry but that may be resolved with nasal oxygen insufflation, routine use of oxygen supplementation is recommended.     

Intersex condition of shoal bass in the Flint River, Georgia

We examined male shoal bass Micropterus cataractae from the Flint River, Georgia, to determine the prevalence of intersex. During March and April 2010, we sampled 61 shoal bass from six sites along the Flint River. Testes were examined histologically and classified as intersex if the presence of oocytes was noted. Using a severity index, we compared samples collected on different dates and from different locations according to age and testis weight. No significant variations were noted among any of the groupings. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the intersex condition in shoal bass is severe enough to warrant concern and whether it is a natural phenomenon.