The variation in hectolitre weight of wheat grain fed with or without enzyme supplementation influences nutrient digestibility and subsequently affects performance in pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding a wheat‐based diet of two different hectolitre weights (66 vs. 74 kg/hl), achieved through different agronomical conditions, with or without the supplementation of a β‐glucanase and β‐xylanase enzyme mix on young pigs. The parameter categories which were assessed included growth performance, coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD), faecal consistency, faecal microbial populations and faecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Sixty‐four pigs (11.6 kg SD 0.97) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (T1) low hectolitre weight wheat diet, (T2) low hectolitre weight wheat diet containing 0.1 g/kg β‐glucanase and β‐xylanase enzyme supplement, (T3) high hectolitre weight wheat diet and (T4) high hectolitre weight wheat diet containing 0.1 g/kg β‐glucanase and β‐xylanase enzyme supplement. The inclusion of wheat was 500 g/kg in the diet. The low hectolitre weight grain had a higher level of zearalenone, aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination compared to the high hectolitre weight grain. The high hectolitre weight wheat had a higher gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP) and lysine contents compared to the low hectolitre weight wheat. Pigs offered the low hectolitre weight diet had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.001), a lower gain to feed (G:F) ratio (p < 0.001) and a higher faecal score (more diarrhoea) (p < 0.001) compared to pigs offered the high hectolitre weight. The low hectolitre weight diet had a reduced CATTD (p < 0.05) of nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) compared with pigs offered the high hectolitre weight diet. In conclusion, the higher level of mycotoxins and lower content of GE, CP and lysine in the low‐quality wheat reduced ADG and the CATTD of nutrients in pigs offered this diet. The inclusion of a β‐glucanase and β‐xylanase enzyme mix had no effect on growth performance or nutrient digestibility.     

Antimicrobial delivery by intrasynovial catheterisation with systemic administration for equine synovial trauma and sepsis

Objective To present the technique for intra-articular catheter placement and report the clinical outcomes of 38 cases of equine synovial trauma and/or infection treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered via an intrasynovial catheter (ISC). Design Retrospective study. Procedure Medical records of 38 horses treated for synovial trauma and sepsis with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained via clinical re-evaluation or telephone contact with the owners. Results The majority of horses (84%) received amikacin and Timentin® four times daily. In addition, synovial lavage through the ISC was carried out in 27 horses (71%). Only radiological evidence of osteolysis had a significant negative impact on both lameness at the time of hospital discharge and the long-term outcome. In total, 92% of horses treated with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC had clinical resolution of infection. Catheter obstruction occurred in three cases, necessitating replacement or removal, and two synovial fistulae developed at sites of open drainage. The majority of horses treated had a favourable outcome, with 86% being at least pasture sound and 43% returned to riding. Conclusion Septic synovial structures treated with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC had a good prognosis for survival and 43% returned to riding, which is consistent with the results of other studies. The use of a simple ISC should be considered when broad-spectrum intrasynovial antimicrobial administration and lavage of a septic synovial structure are indicated.     

Effect of Daily Food Supplementation with Essential Fatty Acids on Canine Semen Quality

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are important membrane components that influence membrane integrity and fluidity. In the present study, the effect of oral supplementation for 60 days with essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9) and vitamin E on canine semen quality was evaluated. Sixteen dogs were selected for the experiment; eight were used as the control group and eight received the fatty acid supplemented diet for 60 days. Semen samples were taken every 15 days during the entire experimental period and were analyzed for volume (ml), motility (%), vigour (0–5), concentration (×10⁶/ml), morphology of spermatozoa (%), plasma membrane integrity (%; using the hyposmotic swelling test) and thermoresistance (motility and vigour after 4 h at 38°C). We concluded that, daily supplementation with omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, together with vitamin E, for a period of 60 days, significantly increased the semen volume of the treated group after 15 days of supplementation; the vigour and concentration of spermatozoa were superior after the first month of supplementation, while the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa decreased and the cells were protected against thermal stress.     

Pulmonary aspergillosis in horses: 29 cases (1974-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze medical records and identify factors that veterinarians can use to prevent pulmonary aspergillosis in horses or that would enable them to diagnose it as early as possible. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 29 horses. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed for horses with pulmonary aspergillosis diagnosed on the basis of characteristic postmortem findings. Information on history, clinical signs, disease progression, and postmortem findings was obtained. RESULTS: 25 of 29 (86.2%) horses had primary (n = 20) or secondary (5) disease compatible with loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The remaining 4 horses had a non-GI tract disorder; only 1 of these 4 had clinical signs associated with the respiratory tract (i.e., pleuropneumonia). Although 22 (75.9%) horses had various signs of respiratory tract disorders, an antemortem diagnosis of Aspergillus pneumonia was made in only 1 horse and was suspected in only 1 other. Fungal organisms were seen histologically in tissues other than the lung in 12 (41.4%) horses. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Horses with enteritis, colitis, typhlitis, or other diseases of the GI tract that result in mucosal compromise, and horses with clinical signs of respiratory tract disease, particularly if the horse's condition is unresponsive to treatment with antimicrobial agents; should be considered at high risk of having pulmonary aspergillosis. Immunosuppression from debilitating disease may also predispose horses to aspergillosis. Because invasive pulmonary aspergillosis can be difficult to diagnose, clinicians should be aware of clinical and epidemiologic settings in which this disease would develop.     

Effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on the pathology and oestrogen receptor alpha and beta distribution in the uterus and cervix of ewe lambs

A number of chemicals have been classed as endocrine disrupting compounds due to their ability to mimic the actions of endogenous hormones in vivo and in vitro. The objective of this experiment was to determine the pathological changes and oestrogen receptor (ER) distribution in the cervix and uterus of prepubertal ovariectomised ewe lambs following exposure to a range of compounds with a predominantly oestrogenic effect. Lambs were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (0.175 mg/kg biweekly), bisphenol-A (3.5mg/kg biweekly) or octylphenol (3.5mg/kg biweekly) for 6 weeks. Following sacrifice, uterine and cervical tissue pathology was assessed. The endometrial and myometrial areas were quantified and the distribution of ERalpha and ERbeta assessed by immunohistochemistry. No differences were observed between control and octylphenol-exposed lambs in uterine gross pathology and histopathology. Uteri from bisphenol-A- and diethylstilbestrol-exposed lambs were heavier than both control and octylphenol-exposed lambs. In the bisphenol-A-exposed lambs, endometrial oedema accounted for a significant increase in the endometrial cross-sectional area over the other groups. Uteri from animals exposed to diethylstilbestrol showed variable pathology including oedema and cellular proliferation. Keratinisation of the cervical epithelium was observed in both bisphenol-A- and diethylstilbestrol-exposed lambs. Exposure to diethylstilbestrol and bisphenol-A was associated with a diffuse intracellular distribution of ERalpha and ERbeta in the uterine endometrium. This was in addition to the strong cytoplasmic staining of uterine epithelial cells and nuclear staining of specific sub-epithelial cells observed in all groups. We conclude that a 6-week exposure of lambs to bisphenol-A and diethylstilbestrol altered the uterocervical environment and has the potential to disrupt subsequent reproductive function. Pathological changes could not be detected in the uterus or cervix of lambs exposed to octylphenol.     

Evaluation of a rapid reagent strip test for blood glucose determination in diarrheic calves

Sixty-three blood samples from 10 diarrheic calves were tested for glucose concentration by two methods. Plasma glucose concentration was measured by the conventional glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase method in the clinical laboratory, and the results compared to those obtained using a rapid reagent strip test for blood glucose concentration measurement. The rapid reagent strip test result could not be used to make an accurate prediction of the actual plasma glucose concentration as determined by the conventional method, due to the wide variability in actual plasma glucose concentrations corresponding to each rapid test result.     

Size variation and the distribution of hemimetabolous aquatic insects: two thermal equilibrium hypotheses

Adult body size and fecundity of a number of hemimetabolous aquatic insects depend largely on thermal conditions during the larval period. Small adults and reduced fecundity result when temperatures are either warmed or cooled with respect to more optimal thermal conditions. Temperature apparently affects adult size by altering the larval growth rate and the timing and rate of adult tissue development for each larva. The data suggest a new interpretation for the geographic distribution of aquatic insects.     

Energy Metabolism and Leptin: Effects on Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproduction in the Gilt and Sow

It is well established that reproductive function is metabolically gated. However, the mechanisms whereby energy stores and metabolic cues influence appetite, energy homeostasis and fertility are yet to be completely understood. Adipose tissue is no longer considered as only a depot to store excess energy. Recent findings have identified numerous genes, several neurotrophic factors, interleukins, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5, ciliary neurotrophic factor and neuropeptide Y (NPY) as being expressed by adipose tissue during pubertal development. These studies demonstrated for the first time the expression of several major adipokines or cytokines in pig adipose tissue which may influence local and central metabolism and growth. Leptin appears to be the primary metabolic signal and is part of the adipose tissue-hypothalamic regulatory loop in the control of appetite, energy homeostasis and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Leptin's actions on appetite regulation are mediated by inhibition of hypothalamic NPY and stimulation of proopiomelanocortin. Its effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/LH secretion are mediated by NPY and kisspeptin. Thus, leptin appears to be an important link between metabolic status, the neuroendocrine axis and subsequent fertility in the gilt and sow.     

Long Chain Fatty Acids of Diet as Factors Influencing Reproduction in Cattle

Cattle are fed moderate amounts of long chain fatty acids (FA) with the objective to enhance lactation and growth; however, recent interest on lipid feeding to cows has focused on reproduction, immunity and health. Increasing the caloric density of the ration by fat feeding has generally improved measures of cow reproduction, but when milk yield and body weight losses were increased by fat supplementation, positive effects on reproduction were not always observed. Feeding fat has influenced reproduction by altering the size of the dominant follicle, hastening the interval to first postpartum ovulation in beef cows, increasing progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, modulating uterine prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, and improving oocyte and embryo quality and developmental competence. Some of these effects were altered by the type of FA fed. The polyunsaturated FA of the n-6 and n-3 families seem to have the most remarkable effects on reproductive responses of cattle, but it is not completely clear whether these effects are mediated only by them or by other potential intermediates produced during rumen biohydrogenation. Generally, feeding fat sources rich in n-6 FA during late gestation and early lactation enhanced follicle growth, uterine PG secretion, embryo quality and pregnancy in cows. Similarly, feeding n-3 FA during lactation suppressed uterine PG release, and improved embryo quality and maintenance of pregnancy. Future research ought to focus on methods to improve the delivery of specific FA and adequately powered studies should be designed to critically evaluate their effects on establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in cattle.