Total Plasma Protein Concentration Research Articles

Supplementation with Proline Improves Haemato-Biochemical and Reproductive Indicators in Male Rabbits Affected by Environmental Heat-Stress.

Simple SummaryThe exposure of rabbits, such as other mammals, to environmental heat stress drastically affects homeostasis and reproductive function. The current trial indicates that a dietary supplementation with 50–100 mg/kg DM of proline improves redox status, blood metabolites, and reproductive traits of rabbit bucks.Twenty-four adult rabbit bucks (n = 6 per treatment) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 mg proline/kg dry matter (DM) diet for 12 weeks to determine possible usefulness for alleviating the negative impact of environmental heat stress on redox status, haemato-biochaemical attributes and semen quality. There were significant dose–response effects, with increments in levels of dietary proline (LDP) quadratically improving red blood cell counts (p = 0.017), rectal temperature (p = 0.009), and respiratory rate (p < 0.001). Increasing LDP cubically affected superoxide dismutase activity in blood plasma (p = 0.012) and total antioxidant capacity in both blood and seminal plasma (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). The optimal response was observed at 30 and 80 mg proline/kg DM for blood and seminal plasma, respectively. With regards to homeostasis indexes, increments in LDP cubically modified blood plasma concentrations of total protein (p = 0.002) and albumin (p < 0.001), with an optimal response found at 70 mg proline/kg DM. A linear relationship (p = 0.005) was also observed between LDP and blood plasma glucose concentrations, with the optimal response being found at 100 mg proline/kg DM. Increasing LDP also showed positive effects on reproductive traits, with quadratic increases in blood plasma testosterone and cortisol concentrations (p < 0.001; optimal responses at 50 and 60 mg proline/kg DM, respectively), a positive linear relationship with in libido, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and total sperm count (p < 0.001 for all; optimal responses observed at 100 mg proline/kg DM) and a quadratic increase in total functional sperm fraction (p < 0.001; optimal response at 70 mg proline mg/kg DM). Hence, the optimal positive effects of dietary proline supplementation on redox status, blood metabolites, and reproductive traits of rabbit bucks may be achieved at 50–100 mg/kg DM.

A comparison of annual forages and stockpiled pasture on the growth and health parameters of grazing fall-born lambs

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of annual forages on the growth and parasite resilience of growing, fall-born lambs. We hypothesized that lambs grazing annual forages would increase their body weight (BW) at a greater rate and be more resilient to parasitic infection when compared with lambs grazing on stockpiled pasture. A total of 54, 60-day-old Dorset and Suffolk × Dorset crossbred lambs (24 ± 4.9 kg) were stratified by sex, weight, and randomly assigned to one of three grazing treatments with all lambs weaned at an average of 60 days of age and placed on either: 1.) Avena sativa (oat), 2.) Brassica rapa subsp. Rapa (turnip), or 3.) Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) (permanent tall fescue-based) pastures. In terms of lamb growth, lambs grazing turnips demonstrated greater BW on days 42 and 56 when compared with lambs grazing oat and stockpiled pastures. In addition, lambs grazing turnips had a greater average daily gain (ADG) on days 28 and 42 when compared with lambs grazing oat and stockpiled pastures. Furthermore, on day 42, lambs grazing stockpiled pastures had a greater ADG when compared with lambs grazing oat pastures. For indices of parasitism, there were no differences shown between treatments for lamb FAMACHA© eye score, packed cell volume, and total plasma protein concentration. However, lambs grazing oat pastures had less eggs per gram of feces on days 28, 42, and 56 when compared with lambs grazing turnips and stockpiled pastures. Annual forages can play a critical role in the growth and resilience to parasitic infection of grazing lambs, as lambs grazing on turnips demonstrated the greatest BW and ADG whereas lambs grazing on oat pastures shed fewer fecal eggs per gram of feces.

Biochemical Alterations and Fertility Response to Ovsynch Protocol in Repeat Breeding Crossbred Cows with Prolonged Estrus

The present study was conducted to determine the biochemical profile and fertility response in repeat breeder crossbred cows having normal and prolonged estrus by using ovsynch protocol. Total 20 crossbred cows, not conceiving even after more than four services were selected from the semi-arid area of Banaskantha district in Gujarat. They were divided into two equal groups: Group-I (n=10) - cows with prolonged estrus period (&gt;28 hrs) and Group-II (n = 10) - cows with normal estrus period (18 to 28 hrs). The animals of both groups were treated with ovsynch protocol starting from 5th day of estrous cycle using GnRH-PG-GnRH (20, 500 and 20 ?g) on day 0, 7 and 9 with FTAI on day 10. The blood was collected on day 0, 7th, 9th, and 25th (15th day post-FTAI) of the treatment to determine plasma glucose, total protein and total cholesterol. Pre-treatment mean duration of estrus in Group-I and Group-II cows was 84.60 ± 5.35 and 25.60 ± 2.79 hrs, respectively, and it declined significantly (p less than 0.05) following ovsynch treatment (39.80 ± 5.56 hrs) in Group-I, although estrous cycle lengths were identical in both the groups. The conception rates in group I and II were 60 and 70%, respectively. The cows with prolonged estrus had significantly lower mean blood glucose concentration than those with normal estrus, and the level was also significantly lower on day 9th (induced estrus) in both the groups. The plasma total protein concentration was significantly lower on 0, 9th, and 25th day in Group-I than in Group-II. A non-significant difference existed for protein levels within the conceived crossbred cows, whereas the difference was significant within non-conceived crossbred cows. The overall plasma cholesterol concentration was non-significantly higher in Group-I than the Group-II. Blood glucose, plasma protein and plasma total cholesterol concentrations differed non-significantly between the conceived and non-conceived crossbred cows at all periods in both the groups.

Milk supplemented with dried seaweed affects the systemic innate immune response in preweaning dairy calves

Intact seaweed or seaweed extracts are used as feed supplements to improve the gut microbiome in young animals. Seaweeds provide functional polysaccharides, and they are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds, all of which are relevant for immune system development. However, literature on the effects of dried seaweed supplementation on immune system development is limited, especially in calves. This experiment aimed to study the effect of feeding milk supplemented with Ulva lactuca, Ascophyllum nodosum, or Saccharina latissima on the systemic immune status of preweaning dairy calves. Forty male Holstein calves with birth body weight 41 ± 4 kg and plasma Brix percentage ≥8.7% at d 2 after birth were used in this study. Calves were fed 4 L of cow milk twice a day (total 8 L/d). From d 2 to d 28, calves in the control group (n = 10) received milk without seaweed supplementation. Over the same period, experimental calves received milk supplemented with Ulva lactuca (SW1; n = 10), Ascophyllum nodosum (SW2; n = 10), or Saccharina latissima (SW3, n = 10). Dried and ground seaweeds were offered at a daily allowance of 50 g/8 L of milk (i.e., approximately 5% inclusion rate on a dry matter basis). Blood samples were collected from a jugular vein on d 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after birth. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, immunoglobulins, and acute-phase proteins (i.e., serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin) were measured. We detected no differences in average daily gain, plasma immunoglobulins, albumin, or total protein. However, the contrast analysis revealed that plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (SW1 and SW2) and serum amyloid A (SW2 and SW3) were significantly higher in the seaweed groups compared with the control group. We also found a tendency for high plasma haptoglobin in the seaweed groups (SW1 and SW2) compared with the control group. Differences in acute-phase protein concentrations could be partially explained by the large differences in micromineral intake between control and seaweed-supplemented calves. Feeding milk supplemented with dried seaweed increased plasma concentrations of variables related to the innate immune response in preweaning dairy calves.

Restoration of plasma kidney and liver biomarkers in doxorubicin-treated Wistar rats by aqueous extracts of Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotia and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves.

The ability of aqueous extracts of sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium and leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius to regulate plasma markers of kidney and liver function/integrity was investigated in doxorubicin-treated Wistar rats. Doxorubicin (dissolved in normal saline) was injected intraperitoneally (15 mg/kg body weight) into the rats; metformin was daily administered orally at 250 mg/kg, while the extracts were daily administered orally at doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg. Compared to the test control, in both the doxorubicin pre-treatment (or ameliorative) study and the extract pre-treatment (protective) studies, the extracts and metformin-treated groups had significantly lower (P < 0.05) plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, and concentrations of creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen. However, the plasma globulin, albumin, and total protein concentrations and the albumin/globulin ratio of the extract and metformin-treated groups were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The extracts prevented (in the protective study) or attenuated (in the ameliorative study) doxorubicin-induced increase in the levels of plasma markers of kidney and liver function/integrity, and afforded protection or recovery towards near-normal values.

Impact of probiotics and/or organic acids supplementation on growth performance, microbiota, antioxidative status, and immune response of broilers

The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of probiotics, organic acids, and their combination on growth performance, carcase characteristics, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidative status, immune responsiveness, and bacterial count in broilers. A total of 1,200 1-d-old unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned in a completely randomised design according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 2 levels of dietary probiotics (0% and 0.2%) possessing 4 × 109 cfu/g of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis and 3 levels (0, 0.03, and 0.06%) of organic acids blend of acetic and propionic acids for a total of 6 experimental treatments with 10 replicates each (20 birds/replicate). Dietary 0.02% probiotics increased final body weight. Addition of probiotics or organic acids increased plasma total protein concentration significantly. Dietary 0.02% probiotics increased plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentration and enhanced humoral- and cell-mediated immune response. Supplementation of 0.03% and 0.06% organic acids improved cell-mediated immune response significantly. Interestingly, addition of probiotics and/or organic acids reduced total bacterial count in breast meat, and Salmonella was not detected in meat. A significant interaction between probiotics and organic acids was observed in plasma globulin concentration, plasma GSH-Px concentration, cell-mediated immune response at 24 h post-phytohaemagglutinin-P injection, intestinal Salmonella count, and total bacterial count in meat. It could be concluded that the inclusion of probiotics and/or organic acids enhanced humoral- and cell-mediated immunity and decreased the counts of E. coli and Salmonella in the gut, and reduced total bacterial count in breast meat. HIGHLIGHTS Probiotics and/or organic acids enhanced immunity. Probiotics and/or organic acids improved meat safety. Probiotics and/or organic acids could be used as growth promoters.

EFFECT OF ADDITION PROTECTED FATTY ACIDS IN RUMINANT RATIONS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SUFFOLK X OSSIMI CROSSBRED EWES DURING DIFFERENT PRODUCTION STAGES

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of protected fatty acids (FA) on nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, some blood components, milk yield and its composition and lambs growth performance during the pre-weaning period (2 months old) of Suffolk x Ossimi ewes. A total of 36 pregnant ewes, weighing on the average 64.89±1.57 kg in their 2nd – 4th parities and aged 2.5 – 4.5 years were divided into three similar groups according to their body weight (12 ewes each) using a complete randomized block design .The feeding trial started 60 days before lambing (late pregnancy period) and continued 60 days after lambing (suckling period). The experimental rations were offered into animals with the rate of 0, 4 and 6% calcium-soap as protected fatty acids (based on DM intake). Body weight, total gain and daily gain of the new born lambs were recorded during the preweaning period (suckling period). The basal rations composed of 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 40% roughage (berseem 30% + rice straw 10%, RS).Three digestibility trials were carried out using nine Suffolk x Ossimi crossbred rams with average 62 kg BW and aged 2-2.5 years to determine the digestibility and feeding values of the experimental rations. Data showed that significant higher digestibility at (P <0.05) of OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE for fat supplemented groups than those of control one. Rumen parameters (pH, total VFAs and ammonia-N concentration) were higher in supplemented groups than those of the control one. Values of concentrations of blood plasma total protein and its fractions, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids of experimental ewes were higher in for supplemented groups than that of control one in the two stages of the whole production cycle. Supplemented fat treatments (group) led to significant increases in birth, weaning weights and total gain of lambs, and the highest values were occurred with FA6. Milk yield was higher significantly in supplemented groups than that of control one as well as its composition (fat, total solids and protein, %) were followed the same trend of milk yield among treatments. Generally, it could be concluded that the supplementation of calcium salt of fatty acids at different levels (FA4 or FA6) for rations of Suffolk x Ossimi crossbred ewes improved digestibility, feeding values, increased lambs birth weight and milk yield and its composition beside better feed efficiency, with superiority of 6% level (FA6).

Influence of starter crude protein content on growth and body composition of dairy calves in an enhanced early nutrition program

Our objectives were to determine the effect of starter crude protein (CP) content on body composition of male Holstein calves from birth to 10 wk of age in an enhanced early nutrition program, and to compare the enhanced program to a conventional milk replacer program. Calves (n = 45) were purchased on the day of birth and assigned to a randomized block design. Eight calves were harvested at baseline and remaining calves were divided among the following 3 dietary treatments: (1) low rate of milk replacer [LMR; 20.6% CP, 21.7% fat; 1.25% of body weight (BW) as dry matter (DM)] plus conventional starter (CCS; 21.5% CP, DM basis); n = 11 calves; (2) high rate of milk replacer (HMR; 29.1% CP, 17.3% fat; 1.5% of BW as DM for wk 1, 2% of BW as DM wk 2-5, 1% of BW as DM wk 6) plus conventional starter; n = 12 calves; and (3) enhanced milk replacer (HMR) plus high-CP starter (HCS; 26% CP, DM basis); n = 14 calves. A subset of calves (n = 8) was harvested on d 2 to provide baseline data. Calves began treatments on d 2 or 3 of age. Calves were weaned at d 42. Starter was available ad libitum. Calves from each treatment were harvested at 5 (n = 18) and 10 (n = 19) wk of age and divided into 4 fractions: carcass; viscera; blood; and head, hide, feet, and tail. Fractions were analyzed for energy, CP, lipid, and ash. Average weekly starter intake did not differ between enhanced treatments. Gain of BW was greater for calves fed HMR than for LMR, but was unaffected by starter CP. Carcass weights at 5 wk were greater for HMR but did not differ between starter CP content. At 10 wk, carcass weights were heavier for HMR and had a greater percentage of empty BW for HMR + CCS than for HMR + HCS. At 10 wk, the weights of reticulorumen and liver were greater for calves fed HMR + HCS than for those fed HMR + CCS. At 5 wk, empty BW gain for HMR contained more water and less fat and ash than in calves fed LMR. At 10 wk, empty BW gain for calves fed HMR + HCS contained a greater percentage of water and less fat than for calves fed HMR + CCS. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate was greater after weaning for calves fed HMR + HCS than for those fed HMR + CCS. After weaning, calves fed HMR had greater plasma total protein concentration than those fed LMR, and total protein was greater for calves fed HMR + HCS than those fed HMR + CCS. Plasma urea N was greater for calves fed HMR treatments, and postweaning was greater for calves fed HMR + HCS. A high-CP starter had minimal effect on empty BW gain before weaning, but after weaning it tended to increase mass of reticulorumen and liver.

Influence of broodstock diets on growth, fecundity and spawning performance of swamp eel Monopterus albus

Three experimental diets including frozen trash fish (Diet 1), the equal mixture of frozen trash fish and formulated pellets (Diet 2), and formulated pellets (Diet 3) were prepared and fed to the female broodstocks of Monopterus albus for 6 weeks. Swamp eels fed with Diet 3 exhibited lower values of weight gain and specific growth rate (p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of total protein, total cholesterol and estradiol were higher in fish fed Diet 1. Fish fed with Diet 3 had higher values of crude protein (CP) and ash, together with lower moisture concentration in muscle. Concentrations tendency of CP, ash and moisture in the ovary were completely opposite to that in the muscle. The concentration of total n−3 fatty acids was highest in both the muscle and ovary of fish fed Diet 1. Fertilization of eggs in fish fed Diet 3 was blocked. It suggested that the insufficiency of plasma estradiol, and n−3 fatty acids in the muscle and ovary, together with the impediment of protein mobilization from muscle to ovary, caused the fertilization failure of M. albus fed with formulated feeds. Equal mixture of trash fish and formulated pellets was appropriate for the successful propagation of swamp eels.

PSX-15 Fall grazing of annual forages with fall born lambs may improve animal growth and total protein concentrations when compared to stockpiled pastures

Abstract There is a consistent demand for grass-fed livestock products in the domestic market. Alternative grazing strategies should be considered to sustain the year-round production of grass-fed products that meet consumer demand and support animal health and performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of annual forages on the growth and parasite resilience of growing lambs. We hypothesized that lambs grazing annual forages would increase their body weight at a greater rate when compared to lambs grazing stockpiled pasture. A total of 54, 60-day-old lambs (24 kg ± 4.9 kg) were stratified by weight, sex, and randomly assigned to one of three grazing treatments: 1) oats (O); 2) turnips (T); and 3) stockpiled tall fescue pasture (F). Lamb body weight and indices of parasitism were measured every 14 days. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. There was a treatment × day effect for body weight such that T lambs were heavier on days 42 and 56 than O and F lambs (P &amp;lt; 0.03). Furthermore, there was a treatment × day effect for average daily gain (ADG) whereas T lambs had a greater ADG on days 28 and 42 than O and F lambs (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). In addition, on day 42, F lambs had a greater ADG when compared to O lambs (P &amp;lt; 0.003). For the indices of parasitism, T lambs demonstrated lesser total plasma protein concentration on days 28 and 42 when compared with O lambs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Forage type plays a critical role in lamb resilience to gastrointestinal parasites and body weight gain whereas T lambs showed a greater liveweight gain. However, T lambs also demonstrated lesser concentrations of total plasma protein when compared to O lambs. Under these conditions, annual forages adequately sustained the growth of fall grazing lambs.

Effects of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids on growth performance and intestinal function of broiler chickens under heat stress

Broiler chickens reared under heat stress (HS) conditions have decreased growth performance and show metabolic and immunologic alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a standardized blend of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on the growth performance, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory status of HS-treated chickens. Three hundred sixty 0-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups: control diet (no additives) or diet supplemented with 100 ppm IQ. At day 14, the chicks in each diet group were further divided into 2 groups, each of which was reared under thermoneutral (TN) (22.4°C) or constant HS (33.0°C) conditions until day 42. Each group consisted of 6 replicates with 15 birds per replicate, and chickens were provided ad libitum access to water and feed. During days 15–21, the body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were significantly lower in the HS treatment group than in the TN group, and feed conversion ratio was higher (P < 0.05); these factors were not alleviated by IQ supplementation. During days 22–42, the final BW, BWG, and FI of the HS birds were better among those administered IQ than those that were not (P < 0.05). HS treatment increased plasma lipid peroxide, corticosterone, and uric acid concentrations as well as serum fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran, a marker of intestinal barrier function, and decreased plasma total protein content (P < 0.05). These changes were not observed in the IQ group, suggesting that IQ supplementation improved oxidative damage, protein catabolism, and intestinal barrier function of chickens under HS. Isoquinoline alkaloid supplementation inhibited the expression of intestinal inflammatory factors, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor–like factor 1A, and inducible nitric oxide synthase under HS treatment (P < 0.05). These results suggest that IQ supplementation can improve the growth performance of broiler chickens under HS conditions, which may be associated with amelioration of oxidative damage, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammation.

43 Effect of Mushroom Probiotic (Coriolus Versicolor) on Galectin Gene Secretion in Goat Blood

Abstract Galectins (GAL) constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of β-galactoside-binding proteins that are secreted. They are involved in the regulation of homeostasis, innate and adaptive immune responses to infectious challenge. The mushroom Coriolus versicolor (CV) has been reported to boost suppressed immune function, extending the survival rate and improving quality of life in man. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mushroom probiotics on the secretion of Galectins in goat blood. Ten BoerXSpanish female goats (5 weeks of age) were used for this study. Powdered CV was soaked in cold water and sterile filtered. Following initial screening for infection, goats were assigned to two groups of five (n = 10). Goats were drenched daily with 10 mL cold (treatment I) extract for 4 weeks. A control group of five age-matched goats received sterile water (treatment II). Blood samples were collected on a weekly basis. The concentration plasma protein was determined by using Pierce BCA kit (Thermo Scientific Pierce, Rockford, IL). Galectins-1, -3, -8, -9 and -12 concentration was detected by using a commercial ELISA kits (ABclonal Biotechnology, Woburn, MA). There was an effect of treatment in total plasma protein concentration when compared to the control group (P &amp;lt; 0.02). Galectins tested were secreted in both control and treatment groups. Treatment with CV decreased the concentration of Gal-1, 8 and 9 and increased the concentration of Gal-3 and -12 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Results from this study indicate that mushroom probiotics can modulate the secretion of GAL.

Dietary supplementation with berberine improves growth performance and modulates the composition and function of cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers

This study investigated the effect of berberine (BBR) on growth performance and composition and function of cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old female broilers were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicates of 20 birds. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet as negative control (NC), basal plus 200 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium and 250 mg/kg nasiheptide as an antibiotic positive control (PC), and basal plus 250 mg/kg BBR. On day 21, 42, and 63, one chicken from each replicate was randomly selected for blood collection and cecal sampling. The 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the community composition and function of cecal microbiota. Dietary supplementation with antibiotics or BBR increased the final body weight (BW) at day 63 and the average daily gain (ADG) during 1 to 21 d compared with the NC (P < 0.05). Supplementation with BBR improved the average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 22 to 42 d, 43 to 63 d, and 1 to 63 d (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency, indicated by feed to gain ratio (F/G), increased with PC during day 1 to 21 compared with NC (P < 0.05). The plasma concentrations of total protein at 42 d and uric acid at 21 d were increased, whereas creatine concentration at 63 d was decreased by BBR treatment (P < 0.05). The Chao 1 and Shannon index representing microbial α-diversity was reduced by BBR treatment (P < 0.05). The abundances of phylum Firmicutes and genera Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, Clostridiales, and Intestinimonas were decreased, whereas the abundances of phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides were increased with BBR treatment. Functional prediction of microbiota revealed that BBR treatment enriched pathways related to metabolism, organismal systems, and genetic information processing, especially DNA replication. The abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, and genera Bacteroides and Lactobacillus in cecal contents were positively correlated with broiler growth performance. These results demonstrated dietary BBR supplementation improved the growth performance of yellow-feathered broilers, and was closely related to the significant changes in cecal microbiota composition.

Liver X Receptor (LXR) Is a Novel and Reversible Regulator of Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy

Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) manifests as a bimodal disruption of normal fibrinolysis, where at the two extremes, fibrinolytic shutdown (TICFS) places the patient at increased risk for thromboembolism and post-injury multiple organ failure, and systemic hyperfibrinolysis (TICHF) results in excessive bleeding. Plasma proteomic profiles for 65 trauma patients were used to identify changes in the patient's plasma protein profile stratifying them by risk for TIC. A strong correlation was seen between total plasma protein concentration of individual patients and the concentration of coagulation proteins within that patient, suggesting that trauma-induced coagulation may be affected through a mechanism that controls the efflux of many coagulation proteins into the plasma (Figure 1). Pathway analysis, in addition to elucidating changes in the coagulation cascade, identified several proteins that are known to be regulated by the Liver X receptor/Retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR), suggesting that LXR/RXR-mediated activity may regulate TIC (p=9.03E-26). Validation experiments in a rat model revealed that fibrinolytic response to an LXR antagonist and/or agonist can be observed in less than 60 minutes (Figure 2). Additionally, we show through reciprocal rescue of fibrinolysis that the TIC phenotypes (TICHF and TICFS) are one continuum and are ultimately co-reversible, where the reduced LXR signaling that causes sequestration of blood factors in the liver leading to excess bleeding or induced LXR signaling that causes excess efflux leading to thrombosis can be reversed through administration of the LXR agonist or antagonist, respectively. Thus, as modulation of LXR shows co-reversibility and rapid response, induction/inhibition of the LXR pathway provides a direct and novel therapeutic intervention in severely injured patients at risk for TIC. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Effect of food intake on complete blood count of healthy dogs

The present determined the hematological alterations of healthy dogs at the peak of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Twenty-four clinically healthy dogs had blood samples collected to perform complete blood count on three consecutive days at the same time every day: first day after a 12-hour fast; second day three hours after feeding with commercial feed, during the peak of postprandial lipemia; and third day after a 12-hour fast. Feeding led to an increase in MCHC, hemoglobin and white blood cell count due to the increase in segmented neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil concentrations. A significant increase in total plasma protein content was also observed. Postprandial condition at the peak of hypertriglyceridemia influences hematological parameters of healthy dogs, which is an important finding, however transient, when interpreting laboratory blood tests.

Impact of dietary fenugreek, mung bean, and garden cress on growth performance, carcass traits, blood measurements, and immune response in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different natural feed additive supplementation [fenugreek (FN), mung bean (MB), and garden cress (GC) seeds] on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood measurements, and immune response in broiler chickens. A total of 1,500 one-day-old unsexed broiler chickens (48.0 ± 0.5 g) were randomly assigned to 10 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicates of 25 broiler chickens. Broiler chickens were fed the control diets without any seeds and diets containing additives (FN, MB, and GC) at 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5% in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments + 1 during the starter-grower (d 0 to 28) and finisher (d 28 to 42) phases. Increasing dietary supplementation of seeds percentages linearly decreased body weight (P = 0.001) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR, P = 0.001). Greater dietary concentrations of FN reduced body weight and FCR. The inclusion rate of dietary seeds had a quadratic increase of relative weights of bursa of Fabricius (P = 0.04). Increasing the dietary inclusion of seeds linearly increased plasma concentrations of total protein (P = 0.04) and globulin (P = 0.003). Blood cholesterol concentration was affected by the interaction between seeds and the inclusion rate (P = 0.01). Cell-mediated immune response (phagocytes, T-lymphocytes, cytokines, etc.) at 24 and 48 h post injection of phytohemagglutinin-P tended to be greater (P = 0.06) in experimental groups fed a diet containing MB and GC compared with FN. It could be concluded that feed additive treatments might be involved in improving cell-mediated immune response and plasma concentration of total protein and globulin in broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion of FN at 1.5 and 2.5% concentrations must be avoided due to deleterious effect on growth performance.

Effect of glutamine on the blood biochemistry and the activity of serum enzymes in broilers challenged with Salmonella enteritidis

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) on blood biochemistry and activity of serum enzymes in broilers challenged with Salmonella enteritidis. 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were distributed into four groups treated in a completely randomized design for 21 days. The groups included a noninfection control (CON); infected with S. enteritidis (SCC); infected +0.5% Gln (Gln 1), and infected +1.0% Gln (Gln 2). The plasma total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration, AST, LDH and CK activity in SCC group were lower than the CON overall except the albumin at 14, 21 d, and CK at 14 d. SCC group had lower RBC at 7 d; lower MCHC at 14 d; higher MCHC, and MCH at 7 d, or 21 d; higher WBC at d 7, 14, and 21; higher γ-GGT activity at d 14, and 21than the CON group. Gln group had higher plasma total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration, AST, LDH and CK activity than those in SCC overall except the albumin at 14, 21 d, and CK at 14 d. Gln group had higher RBC at 7 d; higher MCHC at 14 d; lower MCHC, and MCH at 7 d, or 21 d; lower WBC at d 7, 14, and 21, and lower γ-GGT activity at d 14, and 21 than the SCC group. These results suggest that Gln could effective improve the physiological responses and maintain the normal health status of S. enteritidis infection of broilers.

Clinicopathological abnormalities associated with increased animal triage trauma score in cats presenting for vehicular trauma: 75 cases (1998-2009).

To document the clinical and clinicopathological changes in cats presenting with vehicular trauma (VT) and to determine whether the calculated animal trauma triage (ATT) score was associated with any clinicopathological abnormalities. Retrospective descriptive study conducted between 1998 and 2009. University veterinary teaching hospital. Seventy-five client-owned cats that presented for VT to an urban veterinary hospital. None. Pertinent history, physical examination findings, results of biochemical testing, and outcome were extracted from medical records. ATT score was calculated based on physical examination. Patients were classified as having either a low (<5) ATT (n=30) or a high (≥5) ATT (n=45) score. Male cats were overrepresented (60.0%), and a majority of cats had outdoor access (65.3%). Low PCV (P= 0.024), low total plasma protein concentration (P= 0.032), low venous blood pH (P= 0.047), high plasma lactate concentration (P= 0.047), low plasma bicarbonate concentration (P= 0.047), low base excess (P= 0.047), and high plasma glucose concentration (P= 0.047) were associated with higher ATT scores. In addition, low noninvasive blood pressure measurements (P= 0.008) were associated with higher ATT scores. There was a significant association between lower PCV, lower total plasma protein concentration, lower venous blood pH, higher plasma lactate concentration, lower plasma bicarbonate concentration, lower base excess, higher whole blood glucose concentration, and lower noninvasive blood pressure and higher ATT scores at presentation in feline patients suffering from VT. Prospective evaluation of these values may prove useful in furthering understanding of the pathophysiology of trauma in cats.

Metabonomic Responses of Grazing Yak to Different Concentrate Supplementations in Cold Season.

Simple SummaryThe current study employed the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis to evaluate the effects in supplementation of highland barley (HLB), rapeseed meal (RSM) and HLB plus RSM on serum metabolites in grazing yaks. The findings of the study explored that supplementation with HLB, RSM and HLB plus RSM significantly alleviated the weight loss of growing yak in cold season, and HLB and HLB plus RSM were better than feed RSM. We found that different concentrate supplementations can partially change the metabolic consequences, such as promoted synthesis of lipids and proteins, and supplementation with HBL plus RSM was more effective in promoting lipid and protein deposition and improving energy supply efficiency. The findings of the current experiment may help to explain the body weight changes by supplementation with different concentrates via metabonomic responses.Supplementation plays an important role in reversing the weight loss of grazing yaks during cold season. However, little is known about the effect of supplementation on the serum metabolites of grazing yaks. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of supplementary feeding on average daily gain (ADG) and serum metabolites with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics method in growing yaks during cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Twenty 1.5-year-old female yaks (91.38 ± 10.43 kg LW) were evenly divided into three treatment groups and a control group (CON) (n = 5 per group). All the yaks were released to graze during daytime, whereas the yaks in the treatment groups were supplemented with highland barley (HLB), rapeseed meal (RSM), and highland barley plus rapeseed meal (HLB + RSM) at night. The whole experiment lasted for 120 days. Results indicated that the ADG of growing yak heifers was increased by concentrate supplementations, and ADG under HLB and HLB + RSM group was 37.5% higher (p < 0.05) than that with RSM supplementation. Supplementary feeding increased the plasma concentrations of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of those in the CON group, and concentrations of BUN were higher in the RSM group than in the HLB and HLB + RSM group. Compared with the CON group, serum levels of glutamine, glycine, β-glucose were lower and that of choline was higher in the HLB group; serum levels of lactate were lower and that of choline, glutamate were higher in the HLB + RSM group. Compared with the HLB + RSM group, serum levels of glycerophosphoryl choline (GPC) and lactate were higher, and those of choline, glutamine, glutamate, leucine, N-acetyaspartate, α-glucose, and β-glucose were lower in the HLB group; serum levels of citrate, GPC and lactate were higher, and those of 3-Hydroxybutyrate, betaine, choline, glutamate, glutamine, N-acetylglycoprotein, N-acetyaspartate, α-glucose, and β-glucose were lower in the RSM group. It could be concluded that concentrate supplementations significantly improved the growth performance of growing yaks and supplementation with HBL or HLB plus RSM was better than RSM during the cold season. Supplementation with HBL or HLB plus RSM affected the serum metabolites of grazing yaks, and both treatments promoted lipid synthesis. Supplementation of yaks with HBL plus RSM could improve energy-supply efficiency, protein and lipid deposition compared with HLB and RSM.

Evaluation of the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) administration as a constant rate infusion on plasma colloid osmotic pressure in hypoabluminemic dogs.

To evaluate the effects of 2 constant rate infusions of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in hypoalbuminemic dogs. Prospective, randomized clinical trial. A total of 24 client-owned dogs. Hypoalbuminemic euvolemic dogs (albumin<20g/L[<2g/dL]) with normal perfusion parameters requiring IV fluid therapy were enrolled. In addition to crystalloid, HES 130/0.4 was administered as a constant rate infusion over 24hours at 1mL/kg/h (group 1, n=15) or at 2mL/kg/h (group 2, n=9), in order to support plasma COP. Before infusion, a blood sample was collected to perform CBC, serum electrophoresis, and serologic tests for some infective diseases. Plasma COP, albumin concentration, PCV, and total plasma protein concentration were evaluated serially at baseline (T0) and then at 6, 12, and 24hours after the start of infusion, and a multilevel model was performed for these parameters to detect statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Twenty-four dogs were included. No statistically significant differences in COP werefound between the 2 groups; however, a high level of variability has been identified within the single individual. Among the other laboratory analyses, PCV was significantly decreased in group 1 at T12 and T24 compared with T0 (P<0.001) and total plasma protein concentration was significantly increased in group 2 at T12 and T24 compared with T0 (P<0.008). No significant effect on plasma COP was found following infusion with HES 130/0.4 at doses of 1mL/kg/h and 2mL/kg/h for 24hours to hypoalbuminemic dogs. The administered concomitant dose of crystalloids, underlying disease, and small sample size were all potential confounding factors.