Effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharides, as alternatives for an antibiotic, on growth performance of broilers

(1) This in vivo trial was conducted to study the effects of polysaccharide extracts of two mushrooms, Lentinus edodes (LenE) and Tremella fuciformis (TreE), and a herb, Astragalus membranaceus (AstE) on growth performance, and the weights of organs and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broiler chickens. (2) Three extracts (LenE, TreE and AstE) were supplemented at inclusion rates of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/kg from 7 to 14 d of age and compared with an antibiotic treatment group (20 mg/kg, virginiamycin (VRG) as well as a group of non-supplemented birds. (3) Body weight (BW) gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the extract-supplemented groups were not significantly different from those of the antibiotic group. Significant effects of type of extract and concentration on growth performance were found from 7 to 28 d of age. Generally, birds fed with LenE showed higher BW gain and lower FCR from 7 to 28 d of age than those fed with TreE and AstE and 2 g/kg LenE was considered the optimal inclusion rate for enhanced broiler growth. However, the extracts had no significant effect on the relative weights of organs and GIT compared with the antibiotic group. (4) The birds fed the extracts showed better growth performance than the non-supplemented birds, but were not significantly different from those fed VRG. Of the three extracts, LenE appeared to be a potential growth promoter. Future studies are needed to investigate whether the extracts can be used as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoters in challenged birds, and to elucidate the mechanisms for potentially enhanced growth performance in poultry.     

Cloning and mapping of three pig acyl-CoA dehydrogenase genes.

To investigate the structure of porcine genes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acid, we isolated the short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) genes from the pig. The cDNA of SCAD, MCAD and LCAD genes were 1899 bp, 1835 bp 1835 bp and 1704 bp long and coded for 413-aa, 422-aa and 430-aa precursor proteins, respectively. Three genes, SCAD, MCAD and LCAD were mapped to 14p16.2-23.2, 6q32.4-33, and 15q24.2-26.3, respectively.     

Computerized digital image processing on radiographs of canine filariosis.

For objective evaluation in the lung arterial lesions, density histogram revealed by survey thoracic radiographies of fifteen canine filariosis and five normal canine were digitally analyzed, and preparation of pulmonary artery angiogram with inflated-fixed lung, the changes in the histogram and the pulmonary arterial lesion by a soft x-ray examination were compared. In the lung areas affected by filariosis, the density histogram increased the white level and decreased the black level in each part compared to a normal lung. In comparison with the normal parameters, those of the filariosis it were significantly increased in minimum grey level values (Min), maximum grey level values (Max), and the maximum frequency grey level values (Mode) and, it was significantly decreased in maximum frequency values (MaF). The pulmonary arterial lesion of the filariosis showed obvious morphological changes such as in distinction, pruning, angiectasis, and meandering. In the grade of pulmonary arterial lesion, the parameter Min, Max, Mode and MaF were changed significantly. From these results, it was clear that the methods for the lung arterial lesions analysis of x-ray images were confirmed to be highly beneficial in the lung arterial lesions for objective diagnosis.     

Congenital thymic aplasia in a Holstein-Israeli female calf

An unusual case of congenital thymic aplasia in a Holstein-Israeli female calf is described. The most prominent clinical findings were diarrhoea and weakness. At necropsy, the only significant pathological finding was the marked decrease in thymus size. Histologically, this organ was composed of loose connective tissue in which a few lymphocytes were scattered randomly.