Evaluation of β‐carotene assimilation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Although leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are commonly kept under human care, their vitamin requirements are largely unknown. Many invertebrate preys display a low vitamin A concentration; thus, gut‐loading insects with vitamin A or carotenoids is a common practice. The objective of this prospective experimental study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with β‐carotene, including prey gut‐loading, leads to sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage and prevents epithelial squamous metaplasia development in leopard geckos. Ten clinically healthy female leopard geckos were randomly divided in two groups with various supplementations: a group receiving vitamin A supplementation and a group receiving β‐carotene. Insects were gut‐loaded continuously with a supplement containing vitamin A or β‐carotene, depending on the group. Oral supplementation with cod liver oil or carrot juice was administered weekly to each lizard from “vitamin A group” and “carotenoid group” respectively. After 10 weeks of supplementation, surgical hepatic biopsies were obtained in three geckos of each group while the two remaining geckos were euthanized to undergo complete necropsy. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was determined for each lizard (n = 10) by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology revealed hepatocellular vacuolization and vitellogenic follicles in five females. Epithelial squamous metaplasia was not observed in any of the geckos. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in the carotenoid‐supplemented group than in the vitamin A‐supplemented group (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that in leopard geckos, dietary supplementation with β‐carotene allows sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage.     

In ovo feeding of nutrients and its impact on post‐hatching water and feed deprivation up to 48 hr,energy status and jejunal morphology of chicks using response surface models

A Box–Behnken design (BBD) in a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the response of broiler chicks to in ovo feeding (IOF) of beta‐hydroxy beta‐methylbutyrate (HMB), dextrin and the timing of the first water and feed deprivation. On day 18th of incubation, 1,500 eggs were randomly assigned to 15 experimental runs of BBD, each with 4 replicates, as 3 levels IOF of HMB (0%, 0.5% and 1%) and dextrin (0%, 20% and 40%), and 3 levels of the first water and feed deprivation (6, 27 and 48 hr). Day‐old chicks from each replicate were then used to assess the effect of IOF and time first water and feed access on chick's responses. The IOF of dextrin leads to respectively 9.7%–15.5% lower hatchability for 20% and 40% inclusion (p < .05), whereas HMB inclusion appeared with no effect on hatchability (p > .05). Administration of dextrin or HMB into the amnion of embryos elevated length, width and surface area of villus, and increased glycogen content of liver and breast (p < .05). In all parameter models, the linear terms showed highest contribution (R² = 0.81–0.97) to explain existing variation in chick's responses. The first water and feed deprivation had largest effect on BW2 and glycogen content of liver and breast. It is concluded that if possible, place chicks before 7 hr of hatch to preserve BW loss and have maximum response from IOF. If not possible, use IOF with 40% dextrin + 0.5% HMB to preserve gut integrity and energy status up to 48 hr. This should give advantage to chicks to recover fast after feeding, but that would have to be confirmed by trials growing birds to slaughter age.     

Effects of fat supplementation on plasma glucose,insulin and fatty acid analysis in ponies maintained on a forage‐based diet

The objective of this study was to observe how fat incorporated into an equine forage‐based diet through supplementation altered levels of plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acids. Five Shetland/Hackney cross pony mares were fed alfalfa pellet diets top dressed with commercially available vegetable oil (blend of soya bean, canola and corn oils) at 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% of diet. Ponies were randomly assigned one of four diets to start, with a 14‐day adjustment period between transitioning to another one of the four diets. Ponies were gradually adapted to the new diet within the 14‐day period before a five‐day trial period. Each pony received all four diets by the end of the study. Each trial was a five‐day period with a three‐day sample collection. Blood samples for each collection week were taken 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 270 min and at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hr post‐feeding. Excess fat did not impact plasma glucose (p > .1), nor did it affect blood plasma insulin concentration. While there was no time alteration found for plasma fatty acid concentration (p > .1), C14:0 increased when ponies were fed 0% fat and C18:2 decreased when ponies were fed 0% fat. Plasma fatty acids (% of total FA) were higher in C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:1 in the added fat diets (p < .1). These findings suggest the amounts reported in this study of fat supplementation on a forage‐based diet did influence the fatty acid analysis within the pony, but did not negatively impact blood glucose and insulin concentrations.     

Viral skin diseases in the Netherlands

The most common viral skin problems are discussed in the third article in our equine dermatology series.     

如何做好重大动物疫病防控消毒药品的政府采购

本文指出了政府在消毒药品采购中存在高素质专业人才匮乏,采购方评标标准不一,低价中标忽视质量,不同品牌消毒剂功效差异大,国家标准有待完善等问题,建议政府采购以质量为先,尽快出台消毒药品采购指南,加强采购人员专业素质培养等。此外,政府采购的消毒药品应选择高效速效、安全低毒、无三致、使用成本低、适用大环境使用的药品,这有助于重大动物疫病防控工作的开展。     

美国动物卫生保护制度框架浅析

基于对美国《动物卫生保护法》的研究,本文概述了其立法宗旨,动物疫病预防、突发疫情应急处置、国内流行病控制消灭等制度框架,以及生产经营者主体责任、调运监管制度、动物卫生实验室体系、兽医认证计划、监督执法制度、经费预算方式等保障措施,以期为完善我国立法体系提供借鉴。     

欧盟国家非洲猪瘟流行情况及对我国防控工作的启示

非洲猪瘟(ASF)1957年首次扩散到欧洲,2014年再次从高加索地区传入,并迅速在波罗的海周边国家蔓延,至2018年4月已扩散至欧盟8个成员国,且逐渐呈现地方性流行态势。本文重点介绍了欧洲国家的ASF扩散史,综述了病毒在欧盟国家扩散的主要途径,梳理了欧盟的ASF防控法规和措施,并对我国ASF防控提出了建议,以期为ASF防控提供帮助。     

老年居住建筑的门户空间景观研究

目的改变老年居住建筑门户空间的使用现状,应对老龄化社会带来的老年人居住问题．方法通过对相关老年居住建筑门户空间的理论研究和其功能、环境特点的分析,用POE的研究方法对使用现状的评价做出分析．结果最后得出设计成功的老年居住建筑门户空间在景观设计上应注意的三个基本要求：建筑物、大门、地面铺装．结论缺少安全感和交往空间的门户空间对老年人的心理、生理上都有很大的影响,通过景观设计改进老年居住建筑门户空间的利用现状势在必行．     

嫁接冬瓜干物质以及氮、磷、钾养分累积与分配特性研究

嫁接冬瓜和自根苗冬瓜需肥规律存在一定差异,明确嫁接苗养分吸收利用规律可以提高嫁接苗冬瓜的产量.采用大田栽培试验,研究嫁接冬瓜干物质和N、P、K养分吸收利用动态变化.结果表明:(1)嫁接苗和自根苗冬瓜干物质、氮、磷、钾养分吸收积累特征基本一致,各生育期干物质、氮、磷、钾养分净吸收积累和累积速率随着生育期推进不断递增,但嫁...