Effects of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of starter pigs and broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of starter pigs and broiler chickens. A polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GM polymer) was also tested for its efficacy in preventing Fusarium mycotoxicoses. In Exp. 1, a total of 150 starter pigs (initial weight = 9.3+/-1.1 kg) were fed five diets (six pens of five pigs per diet) for 21 d. Diets (as-fed basis) included control, 17% contaminated grains, 24.5% contaminated grains, 24.5% contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer, and a pair-fed control for comparison with pigs receiving 24.5% contaminated grains. In Exp. 2,360 1-d-old male broiler chicks were fed for 56 d one of four diets containing the same source of contaminated grains as was fed to pigs. The diets included control, 37% contaminated grains, 58% contaminated grains, and 58% contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer (as fed). Neurotransmitter concentrations in the cortex, hypothalamus, and pons were analyzed by HPLC. The following brain neurotransmitter alterations (P < or = 0.05) were observed. In pigs, inclusion of contaminated grains in the diet 1) linearly increased cortex 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT, serotonin) concentrations, while linearly decreasing hypothalamic tryptophan concentrations; 2) quadratically increased hypothalamic and pons 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA):5HT ratios, whereas the ratio decreased linearly in the cortex; and 3) linearly increased the ratio of hypothalamic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid:dopamine (DA) concentrations, whereas hypothalamic norepinephrine (NRE) and pons DA and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations linearly decreased. In broiler chickens, inclusion of contaminated grains in the diet 1) linearly increased concentrations of 5HT and 5HIAA in the pons and 5HT concentrations in the cortex; 2) linearly decreased 5HIAA:5HT ratio; and 3) linearly increased pons NRE, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol, DA, and HVA concentrations. Supplementation of GM polymer to the contaminated diet decreased (P < 0.05) 5HT and 5HIAA concentrations in the cortex of pigs. It was concluded that the differences in alterations of brain neurochemistry might explain the species differences in the severity of Fusarium mycotoxin-induced feed refusal.     

Effects of growth-promoting agents and season on yearling feedlot heifer performance

Angus x crossbred heifers (270 per trial) were used in an experiment conducted over one 105-d summer and one 104-d winter feeding period. Treatments were identical for each trial and included: 1) control, 2) estrogenic implant (E), 3) trenbolone acetate implant (TBA), 4) E + TBA (ET), 5) melengestrol acetate (MGA) in the feed, and 6) ET + MGA (ETM). Each treatment was replicated in five pens, with nine heifers per pen in each season. Initial weights (mean = 384 kg, SE = 57) were the same for each season. There were no treatment x season interactions for final BW, ADG, G:F, water intake, or carcass characteristics. Heifers receiving a growth-promoting agent were 11.6 kg (SE = 4.08) heavier and gained 0.108 kg/d (SE = 0.04) more (P < 0.05) than control heifers. Heifers receiving ET gained 0.09 kg/d (SE = 0.032) more (P = 0.05) than heifers not receiving ET. Heifers receiving ET (with and without MGA) had greater G:F (P < 0.05) than control, E, and TBA heifers. Carcass weights of ET-treated heifers were greater (P < 0.05) than carcass weights for unimplanted heifers, those fed MGA only, and heifers receiving either E or TBA implants. Marbling scores were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding MGA to ET-treated heifers. Water intake was greater (P < 0.01) in the summer (31 L/d) than in the winter (18 L/ d), with no difference among implant treatments. Heifers fed in the winter had heavier carcasses, less 12th-rib fat, greater marbling scores, larger LM area, and a greater incidence of liver abscesses than heifers finished in the summer (P < 0.01). A treatment x season interaction (P = 0.07) was evident for DMI during the 35-d coldest and hottest portions of the year. Heifers fed MGA and implanted with ET tended (P = 0.07) to have greater DMI in the summer but lesser DMI in the winter. In general, differences among growth-promotant programs were relatively similar over the entire summer and in winter.     

The response of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A pathways in porcine theca interna cells to opioid agonist FK 33-824

Opioids were found as factors affecting porcine ovarian steroidogenesis. The mechanism of opioid action, however, on porcine theca interna cells is completely unknown. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of two intracellular pathways, phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A, in opioid signal transduction in porcine theca cells treated with mu opioid receptor agonist, FK 33-824. Incubation of the cells for 4 h with FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM resulted in decreases in inositol phosphate accumulation as well as androstenedione (A(4)), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E(2)) secretions. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine (1-100 nM), D-sphingosine (10-500 nM), and PKCi (100-2000 nM), both added alone and together with the opioid agonist, depressed release of the steroid hormones. PKC activator, phorbol ester (PMA, 1-100 nM), used alone was without effect on theca cell steroidogenesis, but added in combination with FK 33-824 abolished inhibitory influence of the opioid on A(4), T, and E(2) output. The steroid hormone secretion by PKC-deficient theca cells was inhibited by the opioid agonist. FK 33-824 also suppressed PKC activity reducing [(3)H]PDBu specific binding to theca cells, whereas ionomycin (a positive control) increased labeled phorbol ester binding to the cells. In the next experiment, cAMP release from theca cells during 2 and 4 h incubations with FK 33-824 (1-100 nM), naloxone (10 microM; opioid receptor antagonist), and LH (100 ng/mL; a positive control) was examined. FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM inhibited cAMP secretion during 2 h incubation, but had no effect during longer incubation. LH in a manner independent on incubation time multiplied cAMP release. Protein kinase A inhibitor, PKAi (100-2000 nM), alone and in combination with FK 33-824 (1 nM), inhibited A(4), T, and E(2) secretions by theca cells. PKA activator, 8BrcAMP (10-1000 microM), stimulated the steroid hormone release, but this stimulatory effect was diminished in the presence of FK 33-824. The results allow to suggest that opioid peptides affect porcine theca cell steroidogenesis and their acute action on the cells is connected with the inhibition of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A signal transduction systems.     

Effect of storage duration on egg quality,embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens

Effect of extended storage on egg quality, embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens was determined. Hatchable eggs (n = 288; weighing 53.2 ± 4.67 g) collected from a flock of FUNAAB-ɑ layer breeder hens aged 32 weeks were stored in egg tray with broad end up under 16 ± 1.5°C for either 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 d. Before incubation, eight eggs from each group were evaluated for internal and external quality traits. Remaining eggs were set in an incubator and transferred into hatcher on embryonic day 18. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Egg weight loss (EWL; p < .001), surface area (p < .001), yolk diameter (p < .001), inner and outer blastoderm diameters (p < .05) and dead in germ (DIG; p < .001) increased with storage duration while yolk height (p < .001), yolk index (p < .001), albumen weight (p < .05), albumen height (p < .05), albumen index (p < .01), Haugh's unit (HU; p < .05), fertility (p < .001), hatchability of set (HATCHS; p < .001) and fertile eggs (p < .05) decreased. Weight losses of 0, 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.6 and 6.1% were recorded in egg stored for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days respectively. Eggs stored beyond 8 days exhibited higher DIG and lower HATCHS. Shell percentage in 4 days storage (11.4%) was lower (p < .05) than in 16 days storage (13.4%). Shell thickness was similar in eggs stored for 0 to 12 days, but 8 days storage (0.60 mm) had thinner (p < .01) shell than day 16 (0.71 mm) and day 20 (0.73 mm) storage. Internal quality unit (IQU) was higher (p < .05) in fresh eggs (180.4) than in 12 days (167.8) and 20 days (167.8) stored eggs. Extended storage of FUNAAB-ɑ eggs caused EWL, surface area shrinkage, lowered HU and IQU, loss of yolk and albumen quality, increased blastoderm diameters and DIG, and decreased egg fertility and HATCHS from day 8 forward. Storing FUNAAB-ɑ eggs beyond 8 days reduced quality parameters; therefore, other mitigating factors are recommended when storing beyond 8 days.     

Nutrient digestibility of extruded canola meal in ileal-cannulated growing pigs and effects of its feeding on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance in weaned pigs

Canola meal (CM) contains less crude protein (CP) and more fiber and anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates than soybean meal (SBM) and consequently has a lower nutrient digestibility. Therefore, processing strategies that may increase the feeding value of CM warrant study. In two experiments, the effects of extrusion of Brassica napus CM on apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) in growing pigs, and growth performance and diet digestibility in weaned pigs were assessed. Solvent-extracted CM was extruded using a single-screw extruder at three screw speeds: 250 (CM-250), 350 (CM-350), or 450 (CM-450) rpm. In exp. 1, in a double 4 × 4 Latin square, eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight [BW], 68.1 kg) were fed corn starch-based diets containing 50% CM or extruded CM. The CM sample contained 43.2% CP, 33.2% total dietary fiber (TDF), and 8.9 µmol of total glucosinolates/g on a dry matter (DM) basis. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the AID of CP, reduced (P < 0.05) apparent hindgut fermentation of CP, and decreased (P < 0.05) predicted net energy (NE) value of diets. Extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of most indispensable AA by 3.1 to 5.3%-units. In exp. 2, 200 weaned pigs (initial BW, 8.3 kg) were fed diets containing 20% SBM, CM, or extruded CM starting 2 wk postweaning for 3 wk. The CM sample contained 42.7% CP, 28.3% TDF, and 5.3 µmol total glucosinolates/g DM. Wheat-based diets provided 2.3 Mcal NE/kg and 5.1 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. Dietary inclusion of extruded CM replacing SBM decreased (P < 0.05) diet ATTD of DM, GE and CP, and DE value. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (G:F) of pigs did not differ between extruded CM and SBM diets and were not affected by extrusion, but increasing extruder screw speed linearly increased (P < 0.05) ADG for day 1 to 7 and G:F for the entire trial. In conclusion, extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of AA but not DE and predicted NE values of CM. However, increasing extruder speed did not further increase the SID of most of the AA of CM in growing pigs. Dietary inclusion of 20% CM or extruded CM did not affect the growth performance in weaned pigs.     

A monoclonal antibody against a canine CD45 homologue: analysis of tissue distribution, biochemical properties and in vitro immunological activity

This report describes the characterisation of a monoclonal antibody (mAb), AB6, which recognises specifically a cluster of canine leukocyte surface molecules. The immunogen used for obtaining the AB6 mAb was a lysate of canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This novel mAb belongs to the IgG2a isotype, and reacted in Western blot with four different canine leukocyte glycoproteins with apparent molecular weights of 180, 190, 205 and 220 kDa. The AB6 mAb recognised the majority of canine peripheral blood leukocytes as determined by flow cytometry (97%). It also exhibited a broad reactivity pattern against lymphoid and myeloid cells, inhibited the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated canine PBMC and did not recognise human PBMC and murine splenocytes. The biochemical properties, cell and tissue specificity, and in vitro biological activity of the AB6 mAb indicate that it recognises a canine CD45 homologue. The mAb could become a valuable diagnostic and research tool for the evaluation of immune functions in dogs.     

Retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma causing chronic hindlimb lameness in a dog.

The clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, surgical and histopathological findings in a Boxer dog with retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma are described in this study. A seven-year-old, male, castrated Boxer dog was referred for evaluation of chronic hindlimb lameness. The physical examination revealed muscle atrophy and sciatic nerve deficits. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed a caudodorsal abdominal mass. Computed tomography revealed that the mass involved the left margin of the L7 vertebra, lumbosacral canal, and lumbosacral plexus. At surgery, a large retroperitoneal haematoma was removed. Histopathology of amorphous tissue found near the haematoma was consistent with haemangiosarcoma. The owner declined any further treatment. Ten weeks after discharge, the dog was euthanatized due to collapse and haemo-abdomen.     

On the potential of documenting decadal-scale avifaunal change from before-and-after comparisons of museum and observational data across North America

Studies of biodiversity dynamics have been cast on either long(systematics)or short(ecology)time scales,leaving a gap in coverage for moderate time scales of de...     

Differentiation of Staphylococcus sciuri Strains Isolated from Free‐Living Rodents and Insectivores

Twenty‐nine Staphylococcus sciuri strains isolated from free‐living insectivores and rodents were comparatively analysed for their biochemical capacities and their SmaI macrorestriction patterns. The 29 S. sciuri isolates represented 21 different biotypes and 22 different SmaI macrorestriction types. This observation confirmed that S. sciuri isolates obtained from insectivores and rodents living in natural environments constituted a heterogeneous population. Cluster analysis revealed that the macrorestriction patterns and the biochemical profiles matched in some cases. However, S. sciuri isolates that exhibited the same or closely related biochemical profiles were also found to be associated with different macrorestriction patterns. Analysis of the 29 S. sciuri isolates for their plasmid content and their sensitivity to antimicrobial agents showed that most of the isolates were plasmid‐free and susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested.     

Correlation between spontaneous feeding behavior and neuropeptide Y profile in the third ventricular cerebrospinal fluid of goats

Feeding behavior is regulated by neural signals in the hypothalamus, but secretory activities of these signals in vivo and their relationship with spontaneous feeding remain to be solved. In the present study, we investigated the correlation between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin (SRIF) profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and spontaneous feeding behavior in goats. CSF samples were collected every 15 min for 8 h from the third ventricle and feeding behavior was observed throughout the experimental period. The spontaneous feeding behavior, the mean duration of which was 58 min, occurred with an interval of 146 min. NPY in the CSF fluctuated in an episodic fashion with a 145 min interval. Each NPY episode was followed by spontaneous feeding with a time lag of 24 min. SRIF levels in CSF changed more frequently in a pulsatile manner and were related to neither NPY profiles nor feeding behavior. These results suggest that NPY, but not SRIF, is a physiological signal to drive feeding in goats.