Variations in parameters of liver function and plasma progesterone related to underfeeding and ketosis in a dairy herd

Twenty-eight Norwegian Red Cattle dairy cows were fed silage ad libitum and restricted amounts of concentrates. Blood samples were collected before morning feeding, once or twice weekly, from 2 weeks before to 12 weeks after calving. Parameters of liver function, carbohydrate status and fertility were recorded in order to assess their interrelationships. Eight cows were treated for clinical ketosis. Four of these had to be treated 2 or 3 times. Aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin showed the highest within-animal coefficients of correlation with acetoacetate. Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of carbohydrate status (indicated by plasma acetoacetate levels) on the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase, though only a small part of the total variation was explained by this factor. The estimated volume density of liver fat in the 4th week of lactation averaged 6.0 +/- 6.4% (+/- SD) ranging from 0.1-25.1%. Liver fat content at this stage of lactation was not significantly correlated with other indicators of liver function or carbohydrate status. Cows treated for clinical ketosis had significantly lower plasma progesterone values at the time of first ketosis treatment than untreated multiparous cows. The frequency of high progesterone values (greater than 3 ng/ml) being significantly lower in treated than in untreated cows during the period from 3-5 weeks post partum, though not at later stages. In conclusion, the results revealed a significant relationship between carbohydrate status and liver function, and also between clinical ketosis and luteal function.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清胆碱酯酶水平与肝组织炎症关系的研究

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎患者血清胆碱脂酶（CHE）活性水平与肝组织炎症病理分级（G）的关系。方法：采用RI-1000TM全自动生化分析仪检测106例经病理证实的慢性乙型肝炎患者血清胆碱脂酶（CHE）．丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）和天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）活性水平．统计分析血清ALT、AST、CHE水平与肝组织病理炎症分级（G0～G4）的关系。结采：血清CHE水平随着肝组织炎症活动度增高而降低,而ALT、AST水平随着肝组织炎症活动度增高而升高;G4级患者的血清CHE水平明显低于G1、G2、G3级患者,G3级低于G1、G2级．差异有显著性（P〈0．05或0．01）。G4级患者的血清AST水平明显高于G1、G2、G3级患者．但G1、G2、G3级患者AST水平以及各炎症分级之间ALT水平差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论：CHE比ALT、AST更能反映肝损害的严重程度、是一项有意义的无创性指标。     

Effect of dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio on activities of hepatic enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

This study investigated the influence of different dietary protein/carbohydrate ratios on activities of enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism as well as on growth performance and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreo- chromis niloticus). Fish were fed semi-synthetic diets differing in their protein/carbohydrate ratio. The diets were formulated to be isolipidic and isoenergetic (on the basis of metabolizable energy). Fish were reared individually. After a prefeeding phase, tilapia were randomly assigned to three groups and were fed the experimental diets at a relatively low level. The study lasted 9 weeks. Proximate composition, gross energy content, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) in the liver of fish were determined. While the mean growth rate and feed conversion efficiency did not differ significantly among the feeding groups, the body composition showed significant differences. The dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio had no significant effect on the protein and energy gain, but the lipid gain was significantly higher in tilapia fed the low-protein diet. The activities of ASAT and ALAT per gram of liver and per gram of soluble protein were significantly increased in fish fed the high-protein diet. There was a significant positive correlation between the activities of ASAT and ALAT. The activities of both enzymes in the liver were significantly higher in fish with a higher protein gain. Measuring the activities of enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism can provide more information about the metabolic utilized dietary protein.     

The role ofPseudomonas spp. and competition for carbon,nitrogen and iron in the enhancement of appressorium formation byColletotrichum coccodes on velvetleaf

Colletotrichum coccodes is currently being investigated as a mycoherbicide against the weed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). Two isolates ofPseudomonas spp. (Ps2 and Ps5) reduced the percentage of germ tubes and increased appressorial formation ofC. coccodes on detached leaves of velvetleaf. A study was conducted to see whether this effect could be attributed to competition for nutrients or iron betweenC. coccodes andPseudomonas spp. Ps2 and Ps5 had no effect on early spore germination, but reduced the percentage of germ tubes at 24 and 30 h, compared to the nontreated control. This reduction was diminished by the addition of nutrients but not Fe³⁺. Ps2 and Ps5 stimulated the formation of dark-coloured appressoria without germ tubes (AWGT), but this stimulation was diminished by the addition of nutrients or Fe³⁺. Germ tube branching at 30 h was also inhibited by the bacteria, but was not diminished by the addition of nutrients or iron. EDTA stimulated conidial germination at 10 h, which was reduced by the addition of Fe³⁺. However, EDTA did not stimulate the formation of appressoria (AWGT). These results suggest that the reduction in the percentage of germ tubes and the increase in the percentage of appressoria induced by the bacteria may be due to the competition for carbon or nitrogen. Iron competition may also be involved in the stimulation of appressorial formation, but not in the reduction in germ tube percentage and branching. Phylloplane bacteria may compete for carbon, nitrogen and iron, limiting the saprophytic phase of the pathogen on the phylloplane and accelerating the development of the parasitic phase. This may enhance the field efficacy ofC. coccodes as a biocontrol agent against velvetleaf.     

Critical Observations on BSE Control in Italy

Eleven native sheep, 1–2 years old, of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, 6 sheep being allocated to the experimental group and 5 serving as controls. The sheep in the experimental group were fed 80% Tribulus terrestris and 20% alfalfa hay and wheat straw, while the control sheep were given a mixture of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% wheat straw. Clinical signs of hepatogenous photosensitivity were observed from day 11, including reddening and crust formation on the muzzle, nose, ears and eyelids, depression, weight loss, icterus, conjunctivitis, and yellow discoloration of the urine. Laboratory findings on weekly samples indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in white blood cell count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen, total and direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. There were no significant differences in the packed cell volume, in the neutrophil, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts, or in the serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium or chloride concentrations. At necropsy of the experimental animals, there were various degrees of generalized icterus and the livers were swollen and discolored by bile pigment. Histopathological examination revealed varying amounts of crystalloid material in the bile ducts and renal tubules, hepatocellular degeneration, biliary fibrosis and proliferation, renal tubular necrosis and focal necrosis of cardiac muscle.     

Effects of phenobarbitone on serum biochemical tests in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of phenobarbitone on serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase and concentrations of bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol and total protein in dogs. ANIMALS: Ten crossbreed experimental dogs and 10 client-owned dogs of mixed breeds treated chronically with phenobarbitone to control seizures. PROCEDURES: Experimental dogs were allocated to treatment (6 mg/kg oral phenobarbitone, n = 6) and control (no treatment, n = 4) groups in which serum biochemical tests were performed at intervals during a 3-month period. Biochemical tests were performed once on the 10 epileptic dogs. RESULTS: Phenobarbitone caused increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity but did not affect gamma-glutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin and total protein concentrations. Phenobarbitone had minimal effect on alanine aminotransferase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Individual dogs treated with phenobarbitone may have small increases in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and variable increases in alkaline phosphatase activity but are unlikely to have alterations in gamma-glutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin or total protein concentrations.     

Alanine aminotransferase apoenzyme in dogs

Unusually low serum activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected in a Rottweiler dog with gastric dilatation-volvulus. Activity of ALT in the same sample was found to be much higher (estimated increase of 14,225%) when measured by methods adding the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P), indicating that nearly all serum ALT was in the apoenzyme form. An investigation was undertaken to determine the frequency of high serum aminotransferase apoenzyme levels in dogs. Eighty canine serum samples submitted to the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at Cornell University were assayed for ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the presence or absence of exogenous P5P. In 79 dogs, inclusion of P5P in the LAT assay resulted in a median decrease in AST activity of -6.3% (range -33.3% to 25.0%) in all 80 dogs. One dog had an increase of 336% in ALT activity after inclusion of P5P in the assay, but lacked a similar increase in AST activity. The reason for the high levels of ALT apoenzyme in the 2 dogs was not determined.     

丙氨酸、半胱氨酸及精氨酸对牛精液冷冻效果的影响

在常用的果糖-柠檬酸钠-卵黄-甘油组合稀释液的基础上,分别添加不同浓度的丙氨酸(0.25、0.50、0.75、1.00 mmol·L-1)、半胱氨酸(0.25、0.50、0.75、1.00 mmol·L-1)和精氨酸(2.50、5.00、7.50、10.00mmol·L-1),以观察3种氨基酸在牛精液冷冻中应用的最佳浓度.再以最佳浓度的3种氨基酸进行两两或三重组合,与3种氨基酸单一应用进行效果对比,检测这些氨基酸对牛精液冷冻后质量是否有协同作用.结果表明,无论单一或合并应用丙氨酸、半胱氨酸及精氨酸,均未能显著提高精液的冻后质量.但相同的处理应用于不同的公牛可能会有显著不同的效果.     

水分胁迫下斑茅3个逆境代谢相关基因表达的实时PCR分析

【研究目的】初步探讨斑茅3个关键逆境适应相关基因在水分胁迫下的表达机制。【方法】已克隆S-腺苷蛋氨酸脱羧酶、鸟氨酸氨基转移酶、甜菜碱脱氢酶3个基因和内参基因的基础上,应用定量PCR技术,对这3个基因在不同胁迫时间下的表达水平进行分析。【结果】斑茅的S-腺苷蛋氨酸脱羧酶、鸟氨酸氨基转移酶基因、甜菜碱脱氢酶基因表达在初期均受抑制,后期表达持续上调,但甜菜碱脱氢酶基因受水分诱导表达较前两个基因明显。【结论】这可能暗示着在斑茅中,脯胺酸和甜菜碱的合成受水分胁迫诱导,而甜菜碱的合成相对脯胺酸和多胺受水分胁迫诱导影响更大。这些研究为斑茅抗旱的分子机制提供初步的理论基础。