Intestinal metabolism of weaned piglets fed a typical United States or European diet with or without supplementation of tributyrin and lactitol

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of a microencapsulated blend of tributyrin and lactitol (TL) to a standard European (EU) diet without antibiotic growth promoters on intestinal metabolism and mucosa development of weaned piglets and to compare it with a standard US diet containing animal proteins, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, and carbadox. Ninety piglets weaned at 21 d were divided into 3 dietary groups consisting of 5 replicates each: 1) US diet supplemented with 55 mg/kg of carbadox, and 2.5% each of plasma proteins and spray-dried blood cells in the first phase, 3,055 mg/kg of Zn in the first and second phases, and 180 mg/kg of Cu in the third phase; 2) EU diet based on vegetable proteins and no antibiotics; and 3) the same EU diet supplemented with 3,000 mg/kg of microencapsulated TL. The study was divided into 3 phases: 0 to 7, 8 to 21, and 22 to 35 d. On d 7, 21, and 35, animals were weighed, and feed consumption and efficiency were determined. On d 14 and 35, one pig per pen was killed, and the intestinal contents and mucosa from the proximal, middle, distal jejunum and the ileum were sampled. Intestinal wall sections were fixed for histological analysis, and intestinal content was used for VFA, ammonia, and polyamine analysis. Throughout the study (d 0 to 35), the US diet had greater ADG and ADFI than the EU diet (P < 0.05). The EU diet supplemented with TL tended to have 11% greater ADG (P = 0.17). Feeding the EU diet caused a reduction in proximal and middle jejunum villi length by 10% (P < 0.05) and an increase in crypt size in proximal jejunum (P < 0.05) compared with the US diet, probably due to an increased rate of cell loss and crypt cell production. The TL supplementation resulted in longer villi along the jejunum and less deep crypts in the proximal jejunum (+15.9 and -8.9%, respectively; P < 0.05) than the unsupplemented EU diet. The TL diet increased the concentrations of cadaverine and putrescine in the small intestine (P < 0.05) and seemed to increase cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, and spermine in the large intestine by 1.5- to 10-fold compared with the US or EU diet. In conclusion, although the US diet had a greater effect on growth performance and mucosal trophic status than the EU diets, the supplementation with slowly released TL seemed to be an effective tool to partially overcome the adverse effects of vegetable protein diets.     

Response to dietary phosphorus deficiency is affected by genetic background in growing pigs

Concern over the environmental effect of P excretion from pig production has led to reduced dietary P supplementation. To examine how genetics influence P utilization, 94 gilts sired by 2 genetic lines (PIC337 and PIC280) were housed individually and fed either a P-adequate diet (PA) or a 20% P-deficient diet (PD) for 14 wk. Initially and monthly, blood samples were collected and BW recorded after an overnight fast. Growth performance and plasma indicators of P status were determined monthly. At the end of the trial, carcass traits, meat quality, bone strength, and ash percentage were determined. Pigs fed the PD diet had decreased (P < 0.05) plasma P concentrations and poorer G:F (P < 0.05) over the length of the trial. After 4 wk on trial, pigs fed the PD diet had increased (P < 0.05) plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and decreased (P < 0.05) plasma parathyroid hormone compared with those fed the PA diet. At the end of the trial, pigs fed the PD diet had decreased (P < 0.05) BW, HCW, and percentage fat-free lean and tended to have decreased LM area (P = 0.06) and marbling (P = 0.09) and greater (P = 0.12) 10th-rib backfat than pigs fed the PA diet. Additionally, animals fed the PD diet had weaker bones and also decreased (P < 0.05) ash percentage and increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of 1alpha-hydroxylase and parathyroid hormone receptor mRNA in kidney tissue. Regardless of dietary treatment, PIC337-sired pigs consumed more feed and gained more BW than their PIC280-sired counterparts (P < 0.05) during the study. The PIC337-sired pigs also had greater (P < 0.05) HCW, larger (P < 0.01) LM area, and tended to have (P = 0.07) greater dressing percentage. Meat from the PIC337-sired pigs also tended to have greater (P = 0.12) concentrations of lactate but decreased (P = 0.07) concentrations of total glucose units 24 h postslaughter. Although plasma 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentrations were elevated (P < 0.05) in all the animals fed the PD diet, this elevation due to P deficiency tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in the PIC337-sired pigs after 12 wk on the treatment. The PIC337-sired pigs had stronger (P < 0.01) bones with greater ash percentage than the PIC280-sired pigs. The difference in the strength of the radii between the PIC337-sired pigs fed the PA and PD diets was greater than their PIC280-sired counterparts, which resulted in sire line x treatment interactions (P < 0.05). These data indicate differing mechanisms of P utilization between these genetic lines. Elucidating these mechanisms may lead to strategies to increase efficiency of growth in a more environmentally friendly manner.     

Serum triglyceride concentration in dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum triglyceride concentrations obtained after food had been withheld (i.e., fasting concentrations) in dogs with epilepsy that had been treated long term (> or = 3 months) with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and potassium bromide with concentrations in healthy control dogs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 57 epileptic dogs that had been treated with phenobarbital (n=28) or with phenobarbital and bromide (29) and 57 healthy, untreated control dogs matched on the basis of age, breed, sex, neuter status, and body condition score. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were collected after food had been withheld for at least 12 hours, and serum biochemical and lipid concentrations were determined. Oral fat tolerance tests were performed in 15 control dogs and 9 dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital alone. RESULTS: 19 of the 57 (33%) epileptic dogs had fasting serum triglyceride concentrations greater than the upper reference limit. Nine (16%) dogs had a history of pancreatitis, and 5 of the 9 had high fasting serum triglyceride concentrations at the time of the study. A significant relationship was found between body condition score and fasting serum triglyceride concentration in all dogs, but serum triglyceride concentration was not significantly associated with phenobarbital dosage or serum phenobarbital concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that dogs treated long term with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide may develop hypertriglyceridemia. Fasting serum triglyceride concentration should be periodically monitored in dogs treated with phenobarbital because hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for pancreatitis.     

Effects of dietary oregano and garlic essential oils on carcass characteristics,meat composition,colour, pH and sensory quality of broiler meat

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the individual and combined effects of two essential oils, oregano and garlic, on carcass characteristics, meat composition, colour, pH and sensory quality of broiler meat.

2. The diets were supplemented with no essential oil (control), oregano essential oil or garlic essential oil at 300 mg/kg and oregano essential oil at 150 mg/kg + garlic essential oil at 150 mg/kg.

3. Dietary oregano and garlic oil supplementation did not affect carcass yields, the relative weight of carcass parts, breast and thigh meat composition, pH or b* value of breast meat. Oregano + garlic oil supplementation significantly decreased the L* value. The a* value of breast meat in birds given a diet supplemented with oregano oil was lower than that in birds given a diet supplemented with garlic oil and oregano oil + garlic oil. The essential oil addition had no positive effect on the oxidative stability. There was no difference between the treatments in breast appearance.

4. The juiciness, flavour, oxidised flavour and acceptability of breast meat samples were affected by treatments.     

Quantification of water as a potential risk factor for cross-contamination with Salmonella,Campylobacter and Listeria in a poultry abattoir

1. Water used in a modern poultry processing line was tested from October 2005 to June 2006 to determine the level of bacteria in an abattoir in Germany.

2. A total of 420 water samples were taken from 14 processing sites (PSs), at 10 times, and from three different hours of the working shift at three sampling hours (SHs) at 5:00 a.m. (SH 1), 9:00 a.m. (SH 2) and 12:00 a.m. (SH 3). Each sample was assessed for the aerobic plate count (APC) and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia over 30 sampling weeks. The APC numbers of each PS from three SHs were compared, and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Yersinia from each PS of three SHs was determined as well as change from the initial PS to the end of the processing line.

3. A total of 46 water samples were positive for Salmonella, 120 positive for Campylobacter and 4 positive for Listeria. None of the water samples was found to be positive for Yersinia. During the course of the day, the APC increased. Salmonella was mostly found during SH 1 (5 a.m.) in water from all PSs. A high number of Campylobacter were observed at SH 2 (9 a.m.) and SH 3 (12 a.m.) from all PSs.

4. The results show that water, which is still used in substantial amounts in present poultry processing technology, can serve as a carrier for Salmonella and Campylobacter.

5. The findings indicate that birds might progressively contaminate the equipment and become contaminated via the same equipment, that water at every processing position of the line constitutes a risk and that more attention should be paid to effective water management in the processing plan.     

Prevalence of ophthalmic disease in blue‐eyed horses

A perception exists amongst referring veterinarians and the lay public that blue‐eyed horses have increased frequency of ocular disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence of ocular disease in horses with blue or heterochromic eyes relative to those with brown eyes. The medical records of horses presenting to either the Comparative Ophthalmology services or Equine Medicine/Surgery services at 2 institutions were reviewed. Signalment, ocular and nonocular diagnoses were recorded. Ocular disease was divided into 4 categories: adnexa, cornea, intraocular/orbit and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Owners were contacted by telephone to confirm iris colour. Chi‐square analysis was used to compare group proportions. A total of 164 eyes of horses with ocular disease and 212 eyes of horses without ocular disease were included. Blue eyes were equally common in the ocular disease and nonocular disease groups (P = 0.265). There was no significant difference in the proportion of blue‐ and brown‐eyed horses when comparing the adnexal and corneal (P = 0.548), corneal and intraocular/orbit (P = 0.379) and adnexal and intraocular/orbit (P = 0.843) categories. A significant difference was detected in the proportion of blue‐eyed horses between the adnexal (P = 0.000), corneal (P = 0.033), intraocular/orbital (P = 0.000) and SCC categories, with a higher proportion of blue‐eyed horses in the SCC than in the other 3 groups. Horses with blue or heterochromic irides are more likely to develop ocular SCC than horses with brown irides, but are not more likely to have adnexal, corneal or intraocular/orbital disease or to be presented for evaluation of ophthalmic disease. Veterinarians should consider the results of this study when answering questions from the lay public regarding the predisposition of blue‐eyed horses to ocular disease.     

Influence of recombinant duck follistatin protein on embryonic muscle development and gene expressions

Follistatin (FST) acts as a positive regulator of muscle development by inhibiting the activities and expression of myostatin. The recombinant duck FST protein was injected into hatching eggs and was also added to the medium of duck myoblast to study its role on duck embryonic muscle development and gene expressions. Duck embryo weight increased 3.49% (p > 0.05) in FST treatment group as compared with control group, but minor effects were found on leg or breast muscle weights of ducklings at 2 days post‐hatching (p > 0.05). Relative expression of Pax7 was upregulated in both leg and breast muscle tissues (p < 0.05), while MyoD was only upregulated in leg muscle (p < 0.05), and Myf5 was only upregulated in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Relative expression of myostatin was downregulated in both muscle tissues researched (p < 0.05). In vitro studies also showed some maker genes relevant to protein synthesis and degradation, cells’ proliferation and differentiation had significant changes in myoblasts after treated with FST. These results suggested that in ovo feeding of recombinant FST protein to duck hatching eggs had an effect on duck embryo development but have less roles on the duck embryonic muscle development.     

The Role of Recreational Motivation in the Birding Participation–Environmental Concern Relationship

Previous research has generally not found a strong relationship between participation in outdoor recreation and environmental concern. Research has suggested, however, that the motivation underlying recreation can mediate this relationship for some nature-based recreation groups. We hypothesized that the motivation underlying participation in birding mediates the participation–environmental concern relationship. We collected data via mail-back surveys from 529 American Birding Association members. Using structural modeling, we compared a direct effects model with partial and full mediation models with motivation variables as the mediators. The partial mediation model was weakly supported for two out of three motivation variables. Fit indices showed all models to have less than adequate fit. The results suggested that participation may not lead to environmental concern and that other variables, including motivation, may be more influential.