Centrally administered PD 140.548 N-methyl-D-glucamine prevents the autonomic responses to duodenal pain in sheep

Cholecystokinin (CCK) released in the CNS inhibits the analgesic action of exogenous opioids and may antagonize analgesia resulting from the activation of an endogenous pain inhibitory system. The aim of this study was to analyse the central action of PD 140.548 N-methyl-D-glucamine--a peptide antagonist of a specific peripheral type CCK receptor--on animal behaviour, catecholamines (CA) and cortisol concentration, as well as clinical symptoms of visceral pain induced by duodenal distension (DD). A 5 min distension of the duodenum wall, using a 10 cm long balloon filled with 40 and/or 80 ml of water (DD 40 and/or DD 80) at animal body temperature, produced a significant increase in plasma CA and cortisol levels, an increase in the heart rate, hyperventilation and other clinical symptoms (inhibition of rumen motility, bleating, teeth grinding, prostration, urination, defecation) that may be related to pain, proportionally to the degree of intestinal distension. Intracerebroventricular administration of PD 140.548 at the dose of 1 or/and 2 mg in toto 10 min before applying DD 40 completely blocked the increase in blood plasma cortisol, epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) concentration. It is suggested that the central inhibitory action of CCK antagonist on the cortisol and catecholamine release produced by visceral pain is due to the inhibition of peripheral CCK1 type receptors in the central centrifugal descending pain facilitatory system in sheep perhaps via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.     

The effect of supplementation of clove and agrimony or clove and lemon balm on growth performance, antioxidant status and selected indices of lipid profile of broiler chickens

The study investigated the effects of diet supplementation with 1% clove flower buds powder combined with either 0.2% lemon balm extract or 0.2% agrimony extract (each of the two pulverized extracts supplied through drinking water) on body weight of broilers, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the carcass yield, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px, EC 1.11.1.9) in blood, concentration of sulfhydryl (?SH) groups, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A and E, low‐density lipoproteins in the blood plasma, serum cholesterol, total lipids, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins in broiler chickens at 42 days of age. On the day of hatching, 120 male and female broilers of Cobb 500 were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (1st group) of broilers received a basal diet (BD) without any feed and water additive. Both experimental groups of chicks were fed BD enriched with clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) powder at a dose of 10 g/kg DM for 42 days. Moreover, either lemon balm (Mellisa officinalis L.) extract or agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) extract diluted with drinking water (2:1000) was given to broilers in the 2nd and 3rd group respectively. The results indicated that feeding the diets enriched with selected herbal supplements failed to affect the growth performance of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. In addition, this supplementation had no influence on the activities of SOD and GSH‐Px, concentration of vitamin A and selected lipid metabolism indices. On the other hand, we observed beneficial effects on some indices of the antioxidant status (increased concentration of ?SH groups and vitamin E, decreased concentration of MDA) in the blood of broilers in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group of chickens (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a slightly better antioxidant capacity was found in the blood of broilers supplied the combination of clove and lemon balm compared to clove and agrimony (vitamin E, 11.26 ± 0.73 vs. 9.73 ± 0.64 μmol/L, p < 0.05 respectively). It could be concluded that supplementation of the diet with clove flower buds powder combined with lemon balm extract or agrimony extract dissolved in drinking water has a potential to increase the antioxidant status but fails to influence either the growth performance or the selected lipid metabolism indices of broilers at the age of 42 days.     

酵母锌对肉鸡生长性能及生理功能的影响

选用1日龄白羽肉鸡100只,随机分成Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组,每组20只。Ⅰ、Ⅱ为酵母锌组,锌水平分别为50,35mg/kg,Ⅲ为硫酸锌组,锌水平为50mg/kg;Ⅳ为空白酵母组,酵母添加剂量为100mg/kg;V为基础日粮对照组。各组饲喂相同基础日粮,50d后,对生长性能、血常规、血液生化（Crea、Urea、AST、ALT、ALB）及抗氧化（抗O2-.、GSH-Px、GSH）指标进行检测。结果显示,平均日增重和料重比,21d时各组之间无显著差异（P〉0.05）,50d时与V组相比,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ组生长性能显著提高（P〈0.01）,其中I组最高。各组血液常规指标均处于正常范围内,但Ⅰ组红细胞数极显著高于其他组（P〈0.01）。血清中肌酐、尿素含量以及天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶和丙氨酸氨基转移酶活性各组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ组白蛋白含量较其他组显著提高（P〈0.01）。血清抗O2-.活力、GSH含量Ⅰ组显著高于其他组（P〈0.01）,GSH-Px活力Ⅰ、Ⅱ组显著高于其他各组（P〈0.01）。结果提示,日粮添加适量酵母锌（Zn 50mg/kg）可以提高肉鸡生长性能,在一定程度上增强机体免疫机能,提高肝脏功能和机体抗氧化功能。     

禽类红细胞免疫功能与疾病研究进展

红细胞(RBC)表面含有许多免疫相关物质,如Ⅰ型补体受体(CR-1)、Ⅲ型补体受体(CR-3)、淋巴细胞功能相关抗原-3(LFA-3)、人类补体膜辅助因子蛋白(MCP)、衰变加速因子(DAF)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)等,这些免疫相关物质不仅使RBC具有识别、存储、递呈抗原、清除免疫复合物(IC)、促进吞噬细胞的吞噬功能等作用,而且自身还具备完整的自我调控系统,广泛参与机体内的各种免疫反应,是机体免疫系统的重要组成部分。RBC这种参与机体免疫调控的功能使RBC在许多疾病的发生、发展过程中发挥重要作用,近年来国内外学者对RBC免疫功能的研究逐渐成为热点。     

Concentrations of ionized and total magnesium and calcium in healthy horses: effects of age, pregnancy, lactation, pH and sample type

Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are the main divalent cations in the body. The free ionized fraction is the physiologically active form of both Mg and Ca. As ion-selective-electrode (ISE) analyzers are becoming widely used in veterinary practice it will be useful to establish reference intervals for horses. In the present study, reference intervals were established for ionized, total and the ratio of the ionized to total Mg and Ca concentrations in four horse groups: adults, neonatal foals, and pregnant and lactating mares, as well as in three sample types, whole blood, plasma and serum, using an ISE-analyzer. Sample pH effect was assessed.Concentration differences in both total and ionized cations were recorded for some measures between horse groups and different sample types. The most significant differences were recorded between neonatal foals and other groups. These results demonstrate the need to use specific reference intervals for horses of different physiologic status and in specific sample types.     

Blood gas and acid-base status during tiletamine/zolazepam anaesthesia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the tiletamine/zolazepam (TZ) combination (Zoletil 100; Virbac, Carros, France) with and without atropine on blood gas values and acid-base status in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized cross-over experimental study. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult cross-bred dogs, weighing 11.0-18.5 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each dog received four different drug treatments at intervals of at least 15 days: (i) 5 mg kg(-1) intravenous (IV) TZ (TZ.IV); (ii) 10 mg kg(-1) intramuscular (IM) TZ (TZ.IM); (iii) atropine, 20 microg kg(-1) IV, followed 5 minutes later by 5 mg kg(-1) TZ IV (A.TZ.IV); and (IV) atropine (same dose) given 5 minutes before 10 mg kg(-1) TZ IM (A.TZ.IM). Arterial blood samples were collected from each dog before drug administration (baseline) at induction of anaesthesia (time 0) and 2, 5, 10 and 30 minutes thereafter. RESULTS: Transient hypoxaemia and respiratory acidosis were observed just after induction. PaO(2) and SaO(2) dropped, while H(+) concentration and PaCO(2) rose significantly above baseline values. In groups TZ.IV and A.TZ.IV, PaO(2) values as low as 6.0-6.4 kPa (45-48 mm Hg) were recorded. However, there was no significant difference in blood gas variables among the groups encountered during the evaluation period. The overall change in [HCO(3) (-)] and base excess (BE) was not significant among groups. Atropine did not affect the above variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tiletamine/zolazepam injection may induce transient hypoxaemia and respiratory acidosis, but acid-base status changes are clinically unimportant. Particularly, close observation of dogs is recommended during the first 5-10 minutes after induction with TZ, especially in animals with cardiopulmonary disease. TZ should perhaps not be used in animals intolerant of tachycardia.     

Clinical, bronchoscopic, histopathologic, diagnostic imaging, and arterial oxygenation findings in West Highland White Terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, interstitial lung disease primarily affecting West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs). Objective: To describe the clinicopathological and diagnostic imaging features in WHWTs with IPF. Animals: Twelve WHWTs with IPF and 14 healthy control WHWTs. Method: Prospective study. Clinical signs and findings of physical examination, blood and arterial blood gas analyses, radiography, high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of IPF dogs were obtained and compared with controls. Histopathologic changes in IPF dogs were evaluated. Results: Mean partial pressure of oxygen was significantly lower in IPF (mean ± SD, 65.5 ± 15.4 mmHg) than in controls (99.1 ± 7.8 mmHg, P<.001). The alveolar‐arterial oxygen gradient was significantly higher in IPF (50.1 ± 17.3 mmHg) than in controls (17.5 ± 4.9 mmHg, P<.001). In HRCT, ground glass opacity (GGO) was detected in all IPF dogs, traction bronchiectasis in 4, and honeycombing in 1. Bronchoscopic airway changes were noted in all IPF dogs. On BAL fluid (BALF) cytology, the total cell count (TCC) was higher in IPF dogs, and the numbers but not the percentages of macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells were increased. On histopathology, multifocal or diffuse interstitial fibrosis, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, prominent intraalveolar macrophages, distortion of alveolar architecture, and emphysematous change were detected. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: IPF causes substantial hypoxemia. In HRCT, GGO is a consistent finding. IPF dogs have concurrent airway changes and an increase in BALF TCC.     

益生菌对断奶后犊牛生长性能及血清指标的影响

[目的]为探究益生菌对断奶后犊牛采食量、增重、胴体率和血液指标的影响。[方法]本试验选取了16 头（60±5）日龄荷斯坦奶公犊,随机分成4 组,分别为CK组（基础日粮+0%益生菌）、处理1组（基础日粮+1%益生菌）、处理2组（基础日粮+2%益生菌）、处理3组（基础日粮+3%益生菌）,预试期3 d,正式饲喂42 d。[结果]与CK组相比,处理1组、处理2组、处理3组的平均日采食量分别提高了6.05%、7.44%、7.91%（P>0.05）,平均日增重分别提高了7.11%、21.84%、21.24%（P<0.05）,胴体率分别提高了6.78%、9.75%、8.47%（P<0.05）,处理1组和CK组料重比差异不显著（P>0.05）,而处理2组、处理3组与CK组相比,料重比分别显著下降了11.84%和10.90%（P<0.05）,不同益生菌处理的断奶公犊牛血清中总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白含量均呈显著增加趋势（P<0.05）,但尿素氮、肌酐和尿酸指标差异不显著（P>0.05）。[结论]在断奶后公犊牛日粮中添加适量的益生菌,可以促进犊牛体重增加,刺激采食,提高免疫力,综合各个指标和饲喂成本,适宜的益生菌添加量为2%。     

日粮中添加屎肠球菌对AA肉鸡生产性能、免疫器官指数和血液脂质代谢相关指标的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加屎肠球菌对AA肉鸡生产性能、免疫器官指数和血液脂质代谢相关指标的影响,探讨屎肠球菌替代抗生素在肉鸡日粮中应用的可行性及其最适添加量。试验选取1日龄AA肉鸡公仔鸡600只（50 g/只）,随机分成5组,每组6个重复,每个重复20只鸡。对照组（CON）饲喂基础日粮;抗生素组（ANT）饲喂基础日粮+0.1%金霉素;3个屎肠球菌试验组（LEF、MEF和HEF组）在基础日粮中分别添加50、100、200 mg/kg屎肠球菌。试验分2期,分别为1~21日龄（前期）和22~42日龄（后期）。结果显示：①各试验组肉鸡生长性能与CON组相比均无显著差异（P>0.05）;从饲养全期看,MEF组和HEF组AA肉鸡的死淘率最低。②在饲养后期,与CON组相比,MEF组胸腺指数显著提高（P<0.05）,MEF组脾脏指数有提高的趋势（0.05 < P < 0.1）。③在饲养前期,与CON组和ANT组相比,LEF组和HEF组血清总胆固醇（TC）含量极显著降低（P<0.01）;与ANT组相比,LEF组和MEF组血清甘油三酯（TG）含量极显著降低（P<0.01）;与CON组相比,MEF组和HEF组血清高密度脂蛋白（HDL）含量极显著提高（P<0.01）;与ANT组相比,添加屎肠球菌试验组的低密度脂蛋白（LDL）含量极显著降低（P<0.01）。在饲养后期,与CON组和ANT组相比,LEF组肉鸡血清中TG含量极显著降低（P<0.01）,LEF组和MEF组HDL含量极显著提高（P<0.01）。综上所述,在肉鸡饲养中,添加屎肠球菌可以在一定程度上降低死淘率,并有促进免疫器官发育的趋势,还具有一定的降低血脂的作用。综合考虑,建议在AA肉鸡日粮中添加100 mg/kg屎肠球菌。     

模拟急性低压性低氧对小鼠部分血气指标的影响

为了阐明在模拟急性低压性低氧环境下血气指标的变化趋势,选取BALB/c小鼠作为研究对象,检测了模拟急性低压性低氧时其血液中动脉与静脉的血氧饱和度、氧分压、二氧化碳分压等血液指标的变化。结果表明：随着缺氧时间的延长,BALB/c小鼠动、静脉血氧饱和度差值逐渐增大,24 h后趋于平衡;动、静脉氧分压差随着缺氧时间的延长表现为先降低后增加的趋势;动、静脉二氧化碳分压差随着缺氧时间延长表现为先增加后降低的趋势。该种动态变化主要是由于BALB/c小鼠随着缺氧时间延长,代偿性提高氧的供应、提高氧的利用效率,达到适应缺氧环境的目的。