Visceral Organ Weights Research Articles

Effects of dietary levels of oxytetracycline on the growth and organ weights of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

summaryGrowth and visceral organ weights of male guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) given different levels of oxytetracycline have been studied in two experiments. In the first experiment 0, 5·0, 10·0, 15·0 and 20·0 mg oxytetracycline per kg diet were given to male guinea fowl from day 1 to 12 weeks. Body weight showed significant (P < 0·05) increases with incremental levels of the antibiotic up to 10 mg/kg diet. No further increases in growth were recorded with supplementation above this level. There were no treatment effects on the gizzard, lungs and male reproductive organs. Only the heart, liver and intestine weights were significantly (P < 0·05) affected by the treatment, and then only at the highest (20 mg/kg) of the inclusion rates examined. A second experiment was conducted to find out if the growth response obtained with 10 mg/kg oxytetracycline could be produced with a smaller dose. This was achieved at 6·6 mg/kg.

Effects of Feeding Frequency and Intensity on Growth, Body Composition, Organ Scaling and Fur Quality of Farmed Raccoon Dogs

Abstract Effects of dietary dilution, plane of energy intake and meal frequency on growth, body composition, organ sizes and fur quality parameters were studied on farmed raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray 1834) during the growing period (July-November). Meal frequencies were manipulated by two fasting arrangements: (1) animals without feed twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday), but other days fed ad libitum, (2) two-day ration offered every other day. Feed dilution was achieved by mixing low-energetic brewers' mash (25%; w/w) with basal feed. Both the diluted and the basal diets were offered as restricted or ad libitum portions. Live weight curves of the experimental groups were similar (p>0.05). Energetic efficiency of the animals was clearly better on mash than on basal diet. Daily feed spillage was highest in mash groups whereas feed remains in these groups were the lowest. No significant differences in the carcass content of ash, lean or fatty tissues between different feeding groups were found. With increasing age (and body weight) the amounts of carcass ash, protein, fat and energy increased. In adult animals, there were a positive correlation between carcass weight and carcass energy (r=0.87), fat (r=0.83) and protein (r=0.82). In general, no marked differences in fur quality parameters between different groups were found—the only exception being animals fasted twice a week whose mass and quality of fur was poorer (p<0.05) than that in other groups. The quality of fur was better in animals of longer and heavier pelts, i.e. in animals of big body size. The weights of visceral organs in various feeding groups did not differ significantly from each other. This supports earlier findings that no reliable conclusions can be drawn regarding the previous dietary history of the animals from their organ sizes. It is concluded that raccoon dogs naturally are accustomed to utilize effectively the energy of meals irrespective of their frequencies. Thus, restricted feeding in an attempt to avoid excessive fattening probably results in a simultaneous restriction in protein accumulation, and in a smaller pelt size.

Visceral organ weights of the male and female guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

SummaryThe weights of the body, heart, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, liver, reproductive organs, alimentary tract and adrenal and thyroid glands were determined in adult male and female guinea fowl. The relative weights of the organs were also determined. The analysed data are discussed in relation to sex differences, corresponding organ weights and measurements and function in the domestic fowl.RÉSUMEÉLes poids du corps, du coeur, des reins, de la rate, du pancréas, du foie, des organes reproducteurs, du tractus digestif et des glandes surrénales et thyroïdes furent déterminés chez le francolin méle et femelle adultes. Le poids relatif de ces organes fut aussi calculé. Les données analysées sont discutées en fonction des différences sexuelles, le poids et les mesures des organes correspondants et leur fonction chez la pintade domestique.

Quantitative pathogenicity of Marek's disease virus and vaccine virus strains in chickens: Macroscopical aspects

Two virulent strains (JM and K) and one vaccine strain (CVI 988) of Marek's disease virus (MDV), together with two vaccine strains of the herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) (FC 126 and PB-THV 1), all in the cell-associated state, were administered intramuscularly at 3.7 log TCID50 per dose to day-old SPF White Leghorn chickens. A control group of chicks received uninfected cells. The pathological parameters studied were onset and duration of clinical symptoms, mortality, bird weight and macroscopical lesions of peripheral nerves and visceral organs. Data were obtained from females autopsied at the age of 3, 8 and 20 weeks, and from chickens which died. Virological and serological data were procured mainly from males taken at various ages. The results indicate a clear distinction between virulent and vaccine strains. MD vaccines had no significant influence on bird weight and caused no mortality or macroscopical lesions, whereas the virulent MDV strains produced all these effects. Macroscopical lesions caused by the virulent MDV strains were seen predominantly in nerves (in about 50% of birds succumbing to MD) and gonads (in 0% to 80% of such birds depending on sex and on strain of MDV). Differences between the two virulent strains could be demonstrated. Strain JM induced earlier incidence and shorter duration of clinical disease. With strain JM death occurred earlier in females than in males. Strain K caused significantly more macroscopical lesions in gonads, heart and liver. Under the conditions of the experiment, detection of macroscopical lesions after inoculation with a virulent MDV strain was possible 3 weeks after inoculation.

Observations on relative visceral organ weight and the lack of evidence for adrenal hypertrophy in clinical cases of Johne's disease.

Observations on relative visceral organ weight and the lack of evidence for adrenal hypertrophy in clinical cases of Johne's disease.

Growth hormone secretion by pituitary grafts under the median eminence or renal capsule.

Hypophysectomized immature rats, both male and female, approximately 55 g in body weight, were transplanted with a single anterior pituitary from a litter mate donor underneath the renal capsule or under the median eminence. Body growth was closely observed for 15 weeks after the transplantation and the weights of endocrine and visceral organs were recorded. Hypophysectomized rats with an in situ pituitary graft showed pronounced growth although less than in normal rats. The growth of hypophysectomized rats with an ectopic pituitary graft was intermediatebetween that of hypophysectomized rats with an in situ pituitary graft and hypophysectomized rats. The body length of hypophysectomized female rats with an ectopic pituitary graft supplemented with thyroxine and male rats supplemented with thyroxine plus testosterone exceeded that of hypophysectomized rats with an in situ graft in the corresponding sexes. On the other hand,thyroxine supplement in hypophysectomized rats with an in situ pituitary graft did ...

SPLENIC ENLARGEMENT IN HYPERTHYROIDISM

Splenic enlargement in hyperthyroidism has been very little mentioned in the voluminous literature on diseases of the thyroid gland. The occurrence of nodules, clumps and diffusely scattered lymphoid cells within the thyroid gland in exophthalmic goiter is an observation of long standing. A moderate lymphocytosis in the circulating blood of these cases has also been generally observed. MacCallum1speaks of a generalized hyperplasia of the fixed lymphatic tissue. Foster2includes the spleen in the generalized lymphoid reaction but does not convey an accurate notion as to the degree of splenic enlargement in exophthalmic goiter. Cameron and Sedziak3found that the feeding of thyroid extract to adult white rats resulted in a relative and absolute increase in the weight of most visceral organs. The increase in weight of the spleen and lymph nodes was proportionally more than that of other organs. We have recently become impressed by the