Kg For Animals Research Articles

258 Nutritional strategies allowing inorganic phosphates reduction in maintaining maximum growth performance and bone mineralization in piglets

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is an essential component for optimal maintenance of growth and bone mineralization but its inclusion in animal feed is a core concern for economic and environmental concerns in ensuring sustainability of this resource. This study aimed to test impacts of different nutritional strategies such as dietary calcium (Ca) reduction and phytase superdosing for piglets fed without inorganic phosphate. A total of 147 piglets Piétrain*(Large White*Landrace) were divided among 5 experimental diets. Three levels of digestible P were tested (0.21%, 0.27%, 0.33%) by adding monocalcium phosphate (MCP) from 1) a negative control diet (NC) without MCP, 2) a diet with 0.3 % MCP (NC+0.3 % MCP), or 3) a diet with 0.6 % MCP (NC+0.6 % MCP). Those three diets contained 250 FTU/kg of phytase and a minimum amount of phytate set at 0.27%. All dietary treatments were formulated following a constant Ca:digestible P ratio at 2.1. The other two diets were formulated with two phytase’ doses added on top of the NC diet 4) 2,000 FTU/kg (NC+2000 phy) or 5) 3,000 FTU/kg (NC+3000 phy). Piglets were weighed individually at 42, 55 and 69 d of age, and feed intake per phase was recorded per pen. Average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. At the end of the experiment, right metacarpal was removed from 12 animals per treatment to analyze bone mineralization. Data were submitted to an ANOVA including effects of dietary treatments and body weight at start of the trial using JMP 16.2.0. Differences among means were separated by a Student’s test and significance accepted at P < 0.05. Liveability % was not different between treatments. The reduction of Ca and digestible P in NC did not affect growth performance (P > 0.05) but reduced bone ash % compared with PC (P < 0.05, 30.4 % vs 34.6 %, respectively). Phytase supplementation at 2,000 and 3,000 FTU/kg improved body weight gain (28.8 kg for animals fed NC vs 30.0 kg for NC+2000 phy vs 30.2k g for NC+3000 phy, P < 0.05), feed efficiency (1.60 vs 1.50 for NC and NC + 3000 phy, respectively; P < 0.05) and bone mineralization (P < 0.05). This experiment confirms the benefit of reducing the Ca and concomitantly P levels in piglet feed without impairing growth performance by optimal use of phytase that also provides the ability to overcome dependence on inorganic phosphates.

Getting pastoral systems productivity right

Beef production in pasture-based systems is increasingly contested due to related biophysical and environmental challenges. Addressing these requires rigorous science-based evidence to inform private decisions and public policies. Increasing yields and simultaneously reducing the negative environmental impacts of agricultural and livestock production are central to sustainable intensification approaches. Yet, stocking rate, the commonly used metric for animal productivity in pastures, or more broadly, of sustainable intensification in pastoral production systems, warrants scrutiny to signpost successful transformative change of food systems and to avoid provision of misleading policy advice. Here we discuss why future studies would benefit of considering the two constituent elements of productivity in pastoral systems – animal performance (kg of animal product/head) and stocking rates (heads/ha) –, rather than stocking rates alone.

147 Effect of Elasticity Analysis on Beef Cattle Production Costs

Abstract The influence of major cost items on the total production cost of beef cattle during the growing phase was evaluated. A mathematical model assessing production inputs considering the cost of the items according to the Economic Theory was used. Costs were allocated into: A) variable costs, B) fixed costs, and C) factor income. A survey was carried-out in 2018 and 2019 with a rancher located in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) aiming to define the major technical indicators of production. The spot prices used in the current analysis refered to December 2019. The base-animal used during the growing phase represented the Nelore breed (Bos indicus), intact males and females (n = 34), separated into three lots according to the ranch of origin and sex. The initial averaging 195 ± 15 kg of live shrunk BW (body weight), and the average selling weight was 360 ± 15 kg shrunk BW. Two types of supplementations were offered during the year, the mineral was provided for 150 d, and protein supplementation was offered for 210 d. In the base scenario, the production cost was US$ 1.13/kg of animal. The fixed cost of the activity represents 23% of the total cost, in which capital depreciation, equipment maintenance, and labor represented 7.1%, 6.7%, and 5.9%, respectively. The variable cost of the activity represented 66.3% of total costs, in which cattle purchase price and feed costs represented 58.8% and 7.1%, respectively. These two factors, cattle purchase price, and feed costs, can be directly related to the success or failure of the system, thus also becoming good variables to be closely managed, justifying the importance of current elasticity analyses in such items. The price elasticity of items involving production cost variability in case a total expenditure cost of such items increased by 1% was hypothesized. The input costs that most represented the total cost were in order: 1) cattle purchase price, 2) feed, 3) capital depreciation, 4) labor, and 5) equipment maintenance. The cattle purchase price represented in the elasticity analysis as the most impactful factor, followed by equipment maintenance, feed, depreciation, and labor, at +0.54%, +0.11%, +0.07%, +0.07%, +0.05%, respectively. The cattle purchase price was the most related to the total cost. The increases of 1% in this variable caused variations of +0.54% of the total cost. It means the cost of production of 1 kg of beef cattle goes from US$ 1.13/kg to US$ 1.74/kg. In conclusion, the power of negotiation when buying and selling animals was the factor that can influence the most total costs of the cattle enterprise assessed.

Dehydrated citrus pulp reduces plasma cholesterol of weaned piglets, and an exogenous enzyme complex improves plasma calcium and performance

Dehydrated citrus pulp (DHCP) is a by-product from the orange industry available for use in diets for pigs in tropical countries; however, the high fiber content may limit its use for piglets, a fact that can be mitigated through the use of exogenous enzymes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the inclusion of DHCP with or without an exogenous enzyme complex in the diet of weaned piglets from 7 to 11 kg on performance, economic viability, and biochemical, hematological, and fecal parameters. Sixty-four crossbred piglets were used (32 barrows and 32 gilts) with an average initial weight of 6.52 ± 0.22 kg, weaned at 21 days of age and housed in pairs (one barrow and one gilt). Animals were distributed in a randomized block design, in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The treatments evaluated were the addition or absence of DHCP (30 g/kg) X the addition or absence of the exogenous enzyme complex to the diets, with eight replicates per treatment and two animals per experimental unit. The exogenous enzyme complex was a thermo-stable powder containing 2,700 U/g xylanase, 1,520 U/g β-glucanase, 1,650 U/g alpha-galactosidase, and 1,800 U/g cellulase (sourced by Aspergillus niger and expressed in Trichoderma reesei), plus 5,000 U/g phytase (sourced by Buttiauxella spp. and expressed in Trichoderma reesei). It was added to the diets according to the manufacturer's recommendation (130 g/ton of feed). There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between DHCP and exogenous enzymees for any variable. Even so, the use of DHCP reduced (P = 0.018) the total cholesterol concentration, from 96.67 to 88.29 mg/dL. There was an effect (P = 0.018) of exogenous enzymes on the final weight, with average values being 11.084 and 11.439 kg for animals fed diets without or with the addition of exogenous enzyme complex, respectively. The addition of exogenous enzymes increased the concentration of circulating calcium (P = 0.033), with average results of 7.03 and 8.49 mg/dL for animals fed without or with exogenous enzymes in the feed, respectively. The inclusion of 30 g/kg of DHCP in a piglet's diet (7 to 11 kg) reduces cholesterol concentration in its plasma, and the inclusion of exogenous enzymes provides greater final weight, economic return, and calcium concentration in plasma.

Pharmacokinetics of the Slow-release Drug in the Form of Moxidectin-based Solution for Dogs and Cats

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the moxidectin-based drugs have been studied in the blood serum of animals after a single oral administration of the drug at the therapeutic dose in form of syrup. The drug is intended to control parasitic diseases of cats and dogs. The present studies on cats and dogs (drug administration and blood sampling) were conducted in the experimental farm of Kurilovo, Russia, for three months. The study involved six dogs and six cats, half breed, aged one to four years. The samples included six dogs (four male and two female) and six cats (three male and three female), and groups were formed according to the principle of analog groups. The drug, moxidectin, was orally administered once at the dose of 1.5 mg per one kg of animal’s weight. The active substance of the drug was identified in the blood serum of animals by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The result of the current study showed that based on the pharmacokinetics of moxidectin, the concentration of the active substance in the blood serum after three hours reached 134.80-498.09 ng/ml in cats and 479.07-1459.40 ng/ml in dogs. The obtained results indicated that a single administration of the drug at the recommended therapeutic dose could ensure the maintenance of therapeutic concentrations of moxidectin in the blood, and accordingly, the protection of animals from parasites for up to 90 days.

COMPARATIVE UTILIZATION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE, POULTRY DROPPINGS AND GROUNDNUT CAKE RATIONS BY WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Eighteen young West African dwarf (WAD) goats were used to compare the utilization of sewage sludge, poultry dropping and groundnut cake rations by WAD goats. Total dry matter intake of the animals fed diet A (groundnut cake based ration) and C (poultry dropping based ration) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than dry matter intake of animal fed diet B (dry activated sewage sludge based ration). Total dry matter intake of animal fed diet A (664.6 g/day) appeared to be higher than those fed diet C (600.5g/day), although the differences observed were and significant. Values observed for apparent dry matter, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract digestibilities between animals fed the different diets were not significant (P > 0.05). crude fibre and crude protein digestibility values however varied appreciably. Values recorded (12.03, 1.04 and 10.42 g/day and 3.13, 0.28 and 2.72 g.day/w 0.75kg for animals fed diets A, B, and C respectively) for nitrogen balance and weight gains (56.8, -2.7 and 36.8 g/day for animals fed diets A, B and C respectively) were higher for animals fed diet A, followed by animals fed diets C and B respectively.

EFFECTS OF PLANE OF NUTRITION AND REARING METHOD ON YANKASA LAMBS: GROWTH RATE, SCROTAL DEVELOPMENT

The study examined the effects of plane of nutrition and rearing method on growth rate, increase in scrotal size; and age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty, in Yankasa ram lambs. Thirty-six ram lambs and 18 ewe lambs with mean age and body weight of 1453±17.7 days and 10.1 1±2.6kg respectively were used for the four-month trial. Animalswere randomised in a 3x2 factorial design with plane of nutrition at 3 levels (low, medium and high) and rearing method at 2 levels (males alone and mixture of males and females). Plane of nutrition had bighly significant (P<0.01) effect on average daily gain (ADG). Animals on the low, medium and high planes gained daily 66.8±5.5, 77.8±5.6 and 89.0±5.6 respectively. Effects of plane of nutrition and rearing methods on changes in scrotal circumference were not significant. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty in the ram lambs averaged 232.5±12.7 days, 18.3±0.4 kg and 22.7±3.1 cm respectively. Body weight at puberty averaged 17.2±1.7, 18.6±0.9 and 19.0±1.4 kg for animals fed low, medium and high planes of nutrition respectively.

Performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of steers fed with silages of different maize hybrids

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and ingestive behavior of feedlot steers fed with three maize hybrids: Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP. The experiment lasted 112 days, weighing animals four times, every 28 days. The experimental diets were formulated and constituted by maize silage and pelletized ration in a 50:50 ratio (dry basis). Regardless of the hybrid used, there was an increase in the intake of dry matter with the advance in feedlot evaluation period (9.15, 9.14, 9.35 and 9.59kg day-1, in the first, second, third and fourth weighing, respectively). The type of maize hybrid silage influenced weight gain of animals differently, with a final mean of 1.413kg for animals fed with Maximus VIP3, 1,375kg for those fed with Defender VIP and 1,184kg for those fed with Feroz VIP. The animals fed with Feroz VIP hybrid silage showed higher carcass gain efficiency and were more active in the number of times they went to the feeder. Although the three evaluated hybrids resulted in good animal performance, the carcass characteristics did not change; nevertheless, the hybrid Maximus VIP3 is recommended for its superior bromatological composition.

ECONOMICALLY USEFUL SIGNS OF DAIRY BREEDS CATTLE IN HERDS OF RESEARCH FARMS OF THE NETWORK OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE

ECONOMICALLY USEFUL SIGNS OF DAIRY BREEDS CATTLE IN HERDS OF RESEARCH FARMS OF THE NETWORK OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE

Morphological Changes Depending on the Contentof Clozapine and its Metabolites in the Lungs and Serum (Experimental Study)

The purpose of the study: to assess the morphological changes in the lungs depending on the content of clozapine and its metabolites in the lungs and serum.Materials and methods. The experiments were performed on male outbred rats weighing 290-350 g at the age of 20 weeks (n=15). The animals were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 — reference group (intact rats) (n=5); Group 2 -poisoning with clozapine (n=5); Group 3 — poisoning with a combination of clozapine with ethanol (n=5). Clozapine was administered orally at a dose of 150 mg per kg of animal's body weight under general anesthesia; alcohol was administered together with clozapine orally at a dose of 5 ml per kg of animal's body weight. Further study was carried out 24 hours after administration of drugs to animals of the 2nd and 3rd groups. After euthanasia of the animals by decapitation, tissue samples of lungs were embedded in paraffin according to the standard technique. Then 5-μm thick histological sections were made and examined using light microscopy with the aid of a Nikon Eclipse E400 microscope equipped with a video system based on the Watec 221S camera (Japan) at magnification of X200 and X400. The following pathological patterns were assessed: disorder of blood circulation (hyperemia, hemorrhage, and sludge), the presence of atelectasis and dystelectasis, the presence of emphysema, the cellular response (an increase in the white blood cell count), and desquamation of epithelium into the lumen of the bronchi. A chemical and toxicological study was performed on a high-performance liquid chromatograph with mass detector Agilent Technologies 430 Triple Quad LC/MS (Germany). To obtain chromatograms, the following software was used: Agilent Mass Hunter Workstation for series tripple Quadrapole vers. B06.00 build 6.0.6.25.4sp4.The following software was used for processing chromatograms: Agilent Mass Hunter Quantitive Analysis vers. B 07.00 build 7.0.457.0. Serum and lung homogenate levels of clozapine, norclozapine, and clozapine-N — oxide were evaluated.Results. In 24 hours, animals in the 2nd group exhibited atelectasis and dystelectasis in the lung tissue, and leukocyte infiltration; in the 3rd group, arterial hyperemia, cellular response (an increase in the white blood cell count), atelectasis and dystelectasis, and thickening of interalveolar septa were revealed. In 24 hours, in the lungs of animals of the 3rd group, the concentration of clozapine increased by 22.2-fold, norclozapine by 6.6-fold, and clozapine-Noxide by 6.2-fold as compared to the 2nd group; in serum it increased by 5.7-, 2.0and 4.6-fold, respectively.Conclusion. In the case of poisoning with clozapine in combination with ethanol, a complex of pathological changes in the lungs develops, which is more severe than the isolated effect of clozapine administered as a single drug. The concentration of clozapine and its metabolites in the lung tissue and blood serum is higher when it enters the body in combination with ethanol.

Performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot-finished Zebu cattle in different feeding systems

The performance and characteristics of 18 carcasses of feedlot-finished Zebu cattle were evaluated over 93 days in confinement or semi-confinement systems. In the semi-confinement system, two strategies of pasture deferral were adopted, 40 days (40DD) and 80 days (80DD). The feed of animals in confinement was composed of 24% of grass silage Urochloa spp. and 76% concentrate, on dry matter, freely supplied twice daily. Grazing animals received 4 kg of animal concentrate per day. The final fasting weight of the animals in confinement (534.92 kg) was higher than that of animals semi-confined in 40DD (475.33 kg) and 80DD (460.67 kg) pastures, because of the higher daily weight gain (1.37 vs. 0.82 and 0.64 kg, respectively). Feedlot-finished animals had a greater carcass gain (0.91 kg animal-1 day-1), resulting in a higher carcass weight (296.47 kg), higher thickness of external fat (5.42 mm), weight and percentage of side cut (17.88 kg and 12.20%), and weight and percentage of fat in the carcass (74.50 kg and 25.22%). However, no difference was observed for the metric and developmental characteristics of the carcass, which allowed good quality carcasses to be obtained, independent of the strategies evaluated. Feedlot-finished Zebu cattle provide heavier and bulky carcasses, leading to higher revenue per marketed carcass.

Biological control on gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle with association of nematophagous fungi

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the association of the nematophagous fungi (Duddingtonia flagrans-AC001); (Pochonia chlamydosporia-VC4) and (Arthrobotrys robusta-I31) in a pelletised formulation of a sodium alginate matrix. The viability and activity of pellet germination and fungal activity (after encapsulation) were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo tests. Next, 12 heads of cattle, Dutch mestizo x zebu, with an average age of 12 months were dewormed with an anthelmintic. Next, 20 days after treatment with the anthelmintic, the animals were randomly divided into two groups of six animals each, and placed in two paddocks with 7.0 ha each of Brachiaria decumbens with historical grazing by animals naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematode parasites. At first, each animal was treated with 2 g of pellets per 10 kg of animal, containing the associated fungi (AC001 + VC4 + I31) administered twice a week in conjunction with commercial feed. Each animal in the control group received 2 g of pellets without mycelia added to the feed. The percentage reduction of infective larvae in the in vitro test was 94% (p < .01). In the in vivo test, the treated animals with fungal association had lower egg counts per gram of faeces (p < .01) compared to the control group animals – a reduction of 91.8%. The reduction in the number of infective larvae recovered from the pasture was 27.5% at a distance of 0–20 cm from the stool bulk, and 26.7% at a distance of 20–40 cm. This association (AC001 + VC4 + I31) of nematophagous fungi was effective in nematode control.

Effect of feeding range plants with or without Moringa oleifera on growth performance of Sudanese Desert Rams

Twelve growing Sudanese desert rams age between 4 to 5 months with average weight of 12.10 ± 0.5 were used to evaluate the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio in a fattening study comprising of three experimental diets (mixture of range plants (RP), Moringa oleifera pods, stems and leaves (MPSL), and RP + MPSL). The rams were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments with four rams per treatment in a completely randomized desiged (CRD). The results revealed that animals on diet one (mixture of range plants) recorded the highest mean feed intake of 104.48 g/day as compared to the other treatments. Total body weight ranged from 3.3 kg in animals fed MPSL to 7.1 kg in animals fed mixture of RP + MPSL. Feed conversion ratio ranged from ranged from 0.039 to 0.082. Therefore, animals on diet three (RP + MPSL) were significantly (P<0.01) better when compared to those on RP or MPSL in terms of performance. It was concluded that, diets containing mixture of range plants + Moringa oleifera pods, stems and leaves supported better growth performance signifying that inclusion of MPSL in fattening rams diet significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake, improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ВЫСОТЫ В КРЕСТЦЕ НА ЖИВУЮ МАССУ И СРЕДНЕСУТОЧНЫЕ

The purpose of the study – improvement of breeding and productive qualities of Hereford cattle by insemination bulls form the canadian selection. It is established that in young Hereford beef cattle between live weight and height at the sacrum and between the height at the sacrum and average daily gains there are mainly medium and high positive correlation (from 0.35 to 0.73) . Regression analysis has shown that the change in height in the sacrum on 1 cm, causes the increase of live weight of animals from 1.55 kg in animals of different lines and produktivity gain of calves from 7.67 g to amounted to 23.87g. The highest coefficient of the time average correlation coefficient of between the height at sacrum and live weight setlen in the group of heifers, obtained a bull from the absolute 49S, and the highest co-factor regression between these two traits in heifers obtained from a bull of a Wide Load 391W. The same trend holds when comparing groups correlation coefficient and regression between the height at the sacrum and average daily gain. It is noted that calves of all groups are well adapted to local conditions, and have high gain.

Minhota breed cattle: carcass characterisation and meat quality affected by sex and slaughter age

This work focuses on the effect of slaughter age (6 and 9 months) and sex on carcass characteristics and meat quality of the Minhota cattle breed. In this study, data from 52 cattle (34 entire males and 18 females) were used for the carcass and meat characterisation. Regarding carcass characteristics, entire male carcasses (158 kg and 223 kg for animals of 6 and 9 months, respectively), were heavier than female carcasses (130 kg and 161 kg for animals of 6 and 9 months, respectively), with better dressing percentages, increased lengths, thicknesses and depths and compactness indexes. The quality of meat from carcasses of both entire males and females had strong luminosity (L*), a pale pink tone (lower a*-value) and high yellowness. Mean tenderness of Longissimus thoracis, expressed as shear force, was below 5.5 kg/cm2, without significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) between either the slaughter age or sex.

Biosafety of the application of biogenic nanometal powders in husbandry

Effects of iron and copper nanopowders (particle size of 20–40 nm) were investigated on rabbits of 1 month age and heifers of 6 months. For introduction of nanometals into the animal's ration, the mixed fodder was treated with the nanometal powder suspension in such a way: 0.08 mg of nanoiron per kg of animal's body weight and 0.04 mg kg−1 for nanocopper. The weight gain of the heifers who received nanoiron and nanocopper after 8 months was 22.4 and 10.7% higher than that of the control, respectively. For the rabbits who received nano Fe and Cu after 3 months, the weight gain was 11.7 and 7.3% compared to the control, respectively. Under the action of metal nanopowders morphological indices of blood were changed in comparison with the control: after 8 months the quantity of erythrocytes increased by 19.6%, hemoglobin by 17.1% and leukocytes by 7.6%. There was a realignment in leukocytic formula: the quantity of lymphocytes increased by 9% compared to the control. Biogenic metals in superdispersive state were able to stimulate immune, enzymatic and humoral systems of the animal's organism, promoting metabolism. Adding Co and Cu metal nanopowders to the bull-calves’ fodder rations increased content of Ca by 31.8 and 0%, Fe by 38.8 and 37.5%, K by 19.2 and 15.3%, Mg by 17.6 and 23.5%, Mn by 9.8 and 45% and Na by 20.5 and 8.8%, respectively, compared to control. Metal nanopowders improved the quality indices and meat productivity of black–white bull-calves, expressed in intensive growth of muscle, tissue and more nutritious meat. The conducted veterinary–sanitary expertise showed that the supplements based on iron, cobalt and copper nanopowders can be used as safe bioactive supplements in animal husbandry.

Supplementation of Nellore young bulls on Marandu grass pastures in the dry period of the year

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and daytime ingestive behavior of 84 Nellore young bulls in the post-weaning phase kept on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures during the dry season. Treatments were protein mineral supplementation (1 g/kg body weight) and protein+energy mineral supplementation (3 g/kg body weight). The experimental area comprised 12 paddocks in a total area of 27.36 ha, divided in two blocks of six paddocks each, having three replications per treatment in each block, with 42 animals/treatment. The data were subjected to variance analysis with repeated measures over time via procedure PROCMIXED of SAS (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.0) and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The initial average weight of animals was 204.8 kg; final weights were 260.9 and 276.9 kg for animals that received protein and protein+energy supplement, respectively. The forage availability, sward height and stocking rate values did not differ with supplementation, but they showed difference between the experimental periods. The average time spent grazing during daylight of animals fed protein+energy supplement was shorter as compared with those which consumed protein supplement. Animals kept under the same pasture conditions during the dry season show better performance when they receive protein+energy supplement than protein supplement.

Gentisic Acid, a Compound Associated with Plant Defense and a Metabolite of Aspirin, Heads a New Class of in Vivo Fibroblast Growth Factor Inhibitors

Fibroblast growth factors are key proteins in many intercellular signaling networks. They normally remain attached to the extracellular matrix, which confers on them a considerable stability. The unrestrained accumulation of fibroblast growth factors in the extracellular milieu, either due to uncontrolled synthesis or enzymatic release, contributes to the pathology of many diseases. Consequently, the neutralization of improperly mobilized fibroblast growth factors is of clear therapeutic interest. In pursuing described rules to identify potential inhibitors of these proteins, gentisic acid, a plant pest-controlling compound, an aspirin and vegetarian diet common catabolite, and a component of many traditional liquors and herbal remedies, was singled out as a powerful inhibitor of fibroblast growth factors. Gentisic acid was used as a lead to identify additional compounds with better inhibitory characteristics generating a new chemical class of fibroblast growth factor inhibitors that includes the agent responsible for alkaptonuria. Through low and high resolution approaches, using representative members of the fibroblast growth factor family and their cell receptors, it was shown that this class of inhibitors may employ two different mechanisms to interfere with the assembly of the signaling complexes that trigger fibroblast growth factor-driven mitogenesis. In addition, we obtained evidence from in vivo disease models that this group of inhibitors may be of interest to treat cancer and angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

Potential effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activator on LPS-induced lung injury in rats

Multiple factors contribute to the pathogenesis and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), still requiring new therapeutic strategies and medications for the disease. The aim of the present study is to investigate the model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic lung injury and hyperinflation and test therapeutic effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonist. Wister rats were challenged with intra-tracheal instillation of LPS at concentrations of 0.006, 0.060, 0.600, and 6.000 mg/ml per kg, twice a week, for 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. PPAR activator, 15-deoxy-Δ 12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15D-PGJ2), or vehicle (PBS) was administered orally and daily at the dose of 1 and 10 mg/ml per kg in animals challenged with LPS or PBS at the dose of 0.060 mg/ml per kg body weight twice a week for 4 weeks. We found that intra-tracheal exposure of LPS resulted in a dose-dependent pattern of chronic lung hyperinflation and hypertrophy, increased alveolar enlargement, reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and elevated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and early changes of leukocyte influx and interferon (IFN)-γ levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. PPAR-γ agonist ameliorated these changes related with the dose used. LPS-induced lung disease model shows some similarities with human disease, and PPAR-γ agonist may be an alternative for COPD therapy.

Comparative studies on the grazing behaviour of fallow deer and sheep in winter

Abstract. During two successive winter periods the ingestive behaviour of female fallow deer and Skudde mother sheep was observed during the day-light periods of a day in fourteen-day intervals. The animals were grouped together on an extensively used permanent fen pasture area with a stock of 0.5 large-animal units (which corresponds to 250 kg of animal living mass) per hectare. Sufficient quantities of fresh grass and hay were available. The results obtained show that the animals maintained their species-specific ingestive behaviour despite common keeping. As compared to fallow deer, the sheep spent markedly longer time with ingestive activities. There were only rare instances of rivalry and conflict (over grazing positions or hay-feeding points) between the two species. The animals of the two groups of species under examination are well adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. They proved to be able to respond to extreme weather conditions as cold periods and snow storms. It can be rightfully stated that they are able to spend the winter in the open without harm to their health. Outdoor keeping in the winter period can be regarded as suitable for fallow deer and Skudde sheep in northeast Germany.