Dietary plant bioactives for poultry health and productivity

1. Plants and their biologically active chemical constituents, sometimes called secondary metabolites or bioactives, present numerous opportunities for the improvement of livestock production by inclusion in the diet. 2. Many such plant derived materials have well established therapeutic values in man; however, their potential as feed additives in animal production, particularly of poultry, remains largely unexploited. 3. There is increasing evidence indicating that they can be efficient in controlling diseases, and plant bioactives may also influence production parameters such as feed efficiency and product quality. 4. It has been reported that they may even replicate some of the effects of antibiotic growth promoters, which were banned from use in Europe from 2006. 5. This review assesses the status of plant bioactives in poultry production and their mode of action on avian physiology, particularly in the digestive tract.     

DIE WIRKUNG DER HERBIZIDE 2,4-D, AMITROL, ATRAZIN, CHLORPROPHAM UND CHLORFLURENOL AUF DIE NUCLEINSÄURE-BIOSYNTHESE DES ASCOMYCETEN NEUROSPORA CRASSA

Zusammenfassung. Es wurde die DNS- und RNS-Biosynthese von Neurospora crassa Wildstamm 3a6A unter Einfluss unterschiedlicher Konzentrationen von 2,4-D, Amitrol, Atrazin, Chlorpropham und Chlorflurenol untersucht. Die Variation der Herbizide erfolgte von 10^?3 bis 10^?6 M. Der in beliifteten Kulturen gezüchtete Pilz ist gegenuber Chlorpropham am empfindlichsten. Bei 10^?3 M ist die Toxizitätsgrenze überschritten und das Wachstum vollständig gehemmt. 2,4-D hat in einer Konzentration von 10^?3 M den grössten Einfluss auf die Nucleinsäure-Biosynthese. Die DNS-Werte erhöhen sich gegenüber der Kontrolle aiif 140%. Unter Einfluss von Atrazin (10^?3 M) scheint besonders die Protein-Synthese stimuliert zu werden. Die Zunahme beträgt hier fast 140%. Allgemein haben die untersuchten 5 Herbizide einen relativ geringen Einfluss auf die Nucleinsäure-Biosynthese. Ein grösserer Effect ist nur bei der höchsten Herbizid-Konzentration von 10^?3 M ZU erkennen. Der Pilz ist gegenüber diesen Herbiziden wenig empfindlich. Effets des herbicides 2,4-D, aminotriazole, atrazine, chlorprophame et chlorflurénol sur la biosynthése de l'acide nucléique chez un ascomycéte; Neurospora crassa Résumé. La biosynthése de l'ADN et de l'ARN fut déterminée chez la race sauvage 3a6A de Neurospara crassa, cultivé sur des milieux contenant du 2, 4-D, de l'aminotriazole, de l'atrazine, du chlorprophame et du chlorflurenol à des concentrations de 10^?3 a 10^?6 M. En culture aéréc, JV. crassa fut plus sensible au chlorprophame et à 10^?3 M. sa croissance fut complétement inhibée. L'effet le ptus marqué sur la biosynthésc de I'acide nucléique fut observé avec lc 2,4-D à 10^?3 M. concentration qui porta la teneur en ADN à 140% de celle du téemoin. Avec l'atrazine à 10^?3 M. la synthése des proteines en particulier sembla stimulée jusqu’à atteindre environ 140% du témoin. En général, les cinq herbicides etudids n'eurent qu'un effet relativement faibie sur la biosynthése de l'acide nucléique; seule la concentration la plus forte, 10^?3 M. cut un effet appreciable. N. crassa ne se montra pas tres sensible à ces herbicides. Effects of the herbicides 2,4-D, aminotriazole, atrazine, chlorpropham and chlorflurenol on nucleic-acid biosynthesis in the ascomycete Neurospora crassa Summary. Biosynthesis of DNA and RNA was determined in Neurospora crassa wild race 3a6A grown in cultures containing 2,4-D, aminotriazole, atrazine, chlorpropham and chlorflurenol in concentrations of 10^?3-10^?6 M. In aerated culture, N. crassa was most sensitive to chlorpropham and at 10^?3 M growth was completely inhibited. The greatest effect on nucleic-acid biosynthesis was given by 2,4-D at 10^?3 M which increased the DNA value to 140% of the control. With atrazine at 10^?3 M. protein synthesis in particular appeared to be stimulated, to almost 140% of the control. In general, the five herbicides studied had a relatively slight effect on nucleic-acid biosynthesis; only with the highest concentration of 10^?3 M was the effect appreciable. N. crassa was not very susceptible to these herbicides.     

The elecrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex test in female dogs: Its technique and applicability

The intent of the study was to clarify the technique and the application of the electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex (EBCR) test in healthy female dogs. For this aim, 15 healthy female dogs were used in the study. The stimulations were made on the clitoris and the responses were recorded from the right side of the external anal sphincter muscle with a concentric needle recording electrode. The EBCR had response latencies between 18.99 and 25.69ms with the mean value of 22.26ms. The EBCR reflex test is not yet widely used for the evaluation of the functional integrity of sacral spinal cord segments and nerve roots in veterinary clinics. Our experiences indicated that the EBCR reflex test gives valuable data about sacral spinal reflex arc functionality and can be accepted as a routine diagnostic method in small animal clinics for evaluation of the sacral reflex arc.     

Canine aggression toward unfamiliar people and dogs

Aggression toward unfamiliar dogs and people is a common problem arising most commonly from fear and territoriality. A number of factors contribute to its development, including socialization deficits, hormones, and genetic and neurophysiologic components. These factors are discussed in this article, as are management and behavior modification approaches for controlling aggression.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—ULTRASOUND-GUIDED ETHANOL SCLEROTHERAPY FOR A SIMPLE RENAL CYST

Solitary renal cysts are benign and in the majority of instances asymptomatic and do not require treatment. Nevertheless, treatment may be required if abdominal discomfort or pain, hypertension, infection or renal outflow obstruction occur. Under these circumstances, percutaneous management of the cyst is the easiest and fastest procedure, and no major complications are generally encountered. In this report we describe a patient with a solitary renal cyst treated successfully by a single injection of ethanol into the cyst. The sonographic appearance of the cyst changed from a well-defined hypoechoic structure to an ill-defined hyperechoic region. Canine renal cysts may be successfully managed in some instances by a single ethanol injection.