Visceral Organ Weights Research Articles

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol in herbal plants, exerts anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects on ovalbumin-sensitized and -challenged asthmatic mice.

To investigate the effect of farnesol on allergic asthma, three farnesol doses were extra-added into AIN-76 feed consumed by ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized and -challenged mice continuously for 5 weeks, at approximately 5, 25, and 100 mg farnesol/kg, BW/day. The results showed that there were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake, and visceral organ weights between the farnesol supplementation and dietary control groups. Farnesol supplementation decreased interleukin (IL)-6/IL-10 level ratios in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) restored the cytokine secretion ability of peritoneal macrophages that was suppressed as a result of OVA sensitization and challenge and slightly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)/IL-10 cytokine secretion ratios. Farnesol supplementation slightly (P > 0.05) decreased IL-4 but significantly (P < 0.05) increased IL-2 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, implying that farnesol might have a systemic antiallergic effect on allergic asthmatic mice. Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased IL-10 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, suggesting that farnesol might have an anti-inflammatory potential to allergic asthmatic mice. Overall, our results suggest that farnesol supplementation may be beneficial to improve the Th2-skewed allergic asthmatic inflammation.

Effects of nutrient restriction followed by realimentation on growth, visceral organ mass, cellularity, and jejunal morphology in lambs

Effects of nutrient restriction and realimentation on growth, cellularity of visceral organs and jejunal morphology in lambs were investigated. Forty Wu Zhu Mu Qin lambs were divided into control group (CG), moderately protein-restricted group (PR), moderately energy-restricted group (ER) or severely protein- and energy-restricted group (PER). The experiment included an adaptation period (0–30 days), nutritional restriction period (31–90 days), and realimentation period (91–180 days). Weight of lambs was measured weekly. Four lambs of each group were slaughtered at 90 days and 180 days. After slaughter, visceral organs were weighed, and subsamples were obtained to evaluate visceral DNA and protein contents, and jejunal morphology. Final body weight (BW), dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs in PR, ER and PER were significantly less (P<0.01) than those of CG lambs during the restriction period. On d 180, no significant difference was observed for BW among PR, ER and CG, however, BW of lambs in PER was still less (P<0.01) than that of CG, PR and ER; ADG of nutrition restricted lambs was significantly greater than (P<0.01) that of CG. Visceral organ weight, on wet tissue basis, decreased with nutrition restriction (P<0.05); there was no difference (P>0.05) of visceral organ weights among treatments on d 180. As compared with CG, PR had decreased DNA concentration of the liver (P<0.05), DNA and protein concentration of the pancreas (P<0.05), protein concentration and protein:DNA of kidney and omasum (P<0.05) on d 90; ER had decreased DNA concentration of the heart (P<0.05); and PER had decreased DNA concentration of the liver (P<0.01). Intestinal cellularity was not affected by treatment on d 90. Except for DNA concentration of the duodenum of lambs in ER, and DNA concentration of the jejunum of lambs in PR and ER, no significant differences were observed among treatments in cellularity of visceral organs on d 180. Compared with CG, crypt depth and muscle thickness of the jejunum were decreased (P<0.01) in lambs of PR, ER and PER on d 90. Villus height, crypt depth, muscle thickness and mucosa thickness of lambs in PR and ER were similar to CG lambs on d 180. Results indicate that nutritional restriction of 60 days can retard the growth, cellularity of visceral organs and jejunal morphological development of lambs, and retarded cellularity achieves complete compensatory growth after realimentation of 90 days.

Resting metabolic rate and energetics of reproduction in lactating Eothenomys miletus from Hengduan mountain region

It has been advocated that variation in resting metabolic rate (RMR) may affect the reproductive performance of female animals. In order to investigate the relationships between RMR and reproductive output in lactating Eothenomys miletus, body mass, RMR, food intake, litter size and mass, as well as the weight of visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract were measured in the female E. miletus prior to reproduction and at late lactation. It showed that RMR was 39.62% higher at late lactation than prior to reproduction. There was no significant correlation between RMR prior to reproduction and reproductive output. However, RMR at late lactation was positively correlated with body mass, food intake, litter size and mass, and weight of visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract at late lactation, within which RMR was more related to gastrointestinal tracts than the visceral organs. Moreover, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body fat mass, RMR, and food intake at late lactation. Our data supported the hypothesis that animals with higher RMR during lactation may have a greater digestion and absorption capacity in the digestive system for absorbing energy and may be able to devote more energy for reproduction. Leptin may participate in the regulation of body mass in lactating E. miletus.

Effects of Functional Feed Additives on Growth Influenced Hormones and Performance of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica)

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of Protexin®, Fermacto® and its compounded effects on growth performance, visceral organs weight, insulin, thyroxin and growth hormone of Japanese quails. Growth performance with respect to body weight gain and visceral organs weight were recorded and then blood sampling were taken for analysis of serum hormones using ELISA technique. The analyzing of data in completely randomized design showed that consumption of each Fermacto® and Protexin®+Fermacto® caused elevation in feed intake and body weight (p<0.05). The gizzard weight in males fed Fermacto® was decreased and in females fed all additives, especially protexin® was elevated (p<0.05). Males and Females fed Fermacto® have lighter intestines weight than other additive groups (p<0.05). The heart weight in males fed additives were reduced and in females fed Protexin® were elevated (p<0.05). In males fed additives liver weight was lighter than control group (p<0.05). In females fed Fermacto® and Protexin® + Fermacto® liver weight was reduced (p<0.05). Insulin level increased (p<0.05) by feeding of Fermacto and Protexin®+ Fermacto® in female and males respectively. The level of thyroxin in females depressed by feed additive consumption (p<0.05). Growth hormone level was elevated by consuming of feed additives in female birds (p<0.05). It was concluded that consumption of each Fermacto® and Protexin®+ Fermacto® in quail's diet can improve growth performance values by increasing the feed intake and stimulating the insulin and growth hormone release.

Visceral organ weights, digestion and carcass characteristics of beef bulls differing in residual feed intake offered a high concentrate diet

This study examined the relationship of residual feed intake (RFI) with digestion, body composition, carcass traits and visceral organ weights in beef bulls offered a high concentrate diet. Individual dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) and growth were measured in a total of 67 Simmental bulls (mean initial BW 431 kg (s.d.=63.7)) over 3 years. Bulls were offered concentrates (860 g/kg rolled barley, 60 g/kg soya bean meal, 60 g/kg molasses and 20 g/kg minerals per vitamins) ad libitum plus 0.8 kg grass silage DM daily for 105 days pre-slaughter. Ultrasonic muscle and fat depth, body condition score (BCS), muscularity score, skeletal measurements, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation and total tract digestibility (indigestible marker) were determined. After slaughter, carcasses and perinephric and retroperitoneal fat were weighed, carcasses were graded for conformation and fat score and weight of non-carcass organs, liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, gall bladder, spleen, reticulo-rumen full and empty and intestines full, were determined. The residuals of the regression of DMI on average daily gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic BW (BW0.75) and the fixed effect of year, using all animals, were used to compute individual RFI coefficients. Animals were ranked on RFI and assigned to high (inefficient), medium or low groupings. Overall mean ADG and daily DMI were 1.6 kg (s.d.=0.36) and 9.4 kg (s.d.=1.16), respectively. High RFI bulls consumed 7 and 14% more DM than medium and low RFI bulls, respectively (P<0.001). No differences between high and low RFI bulls were detected (P>0.05) for ADG, BW, BCS, skeletal measurements, muscularity scores, ultrasonic measurements, carcass weight, perinephric and retroperitoneal fat weight, kill-out proportion and carcass conformation and fat score. However, regression analysis indicated that a 1 kg DM/day increase in RFI was associated with a decrease in kill-out proportion of 20 g/kg (P<0.05) and a decrease in carcass conformation of 0.74 units (P<0.05). Weight of non-carcass organs did not differ (P>0.05) between RFI groups except for the empty weight of reticulo-rumen, which was 8% lighter (P=0.05) in low RFI compared with high RFI bulls. Regression analysis indicated that a 1 kg DM/day increase in RFI was associated with a 1 kg increase in reticulo-rumen empty weight (P<0.05). Of the visceral organs measured, the reticulo-rumen may be a biologically significant contributory factor to variation in RFI in beef bulls finished on a high concentrate diet.

Carcass Characteristics, Haematological Parameters and Reproductive Tract Morphometry of Rabbits Fed Cassava Leaf Meal

A 12 week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the feed effect on carcass characteristics, haematological parameters and reproductive tract morphometry of female rabbits fed cassava leaf meal diets. The study was conducted at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Livestock Teaching and Research Farm. Sixteen weaned rabbits (4 weeks old) were fed four diets in a completely randomised design experiment. Diet 1 contained no cassava leaf meal (CLM), while Diets 2, 3 and 4 has maize replaced with cassava leaf meal at 10, 20 and 30% CLM respectively. Haematological parameters of the rabbits did not show any significant difference between treatments. There was also no significant difference on the reproductive tract morphometry except on the length of the left oviduct and the weight of the vagina. Sun dried CLM has no adverse effect on carcass yield, visceral organ weight, haematological characteristics and reproductive tract morphometry of female rabbits. This suggests that sun dried cassava leave meal in diet to replace maize up to 30% can support visceral organ development, haematological characteristics and female reproductive tract development in rabbits. Further studies are necessary to determine the reproductive and growth performance of rabbits fed CLM diets at higher levels of replacement.

Lower Illeal Microflora and Growth Performance of Broilers Supplemented with Organic Acid Blend (Aciflex®) During Starter Phase

Organic acids can be replaced as effective feed additives with antibiotics. Organic acids and their salts have the potential to retard the development of pathogens in the diets and thus maintain the microbial equilibrium in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, 225 day-old broiler chicks were used for a period of 21 days in order to examine the effect of different levels of organic acids (OA) on performance of broiler. The following parameters: feed intake, water consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), total Salmonella and E. coli count, weight of visceral organs and length of intestine were studied during starter phase. The experimental chicks were divided into five groups (n=5, 15 birds/replicate). The chicks in control group OA-0 were offered clean drinking water having no organic acid while those in group OA-1, OA-1.5 and OA-2 were given 1, 1.5 and 2ml of organic acid blend. Each litter of drinking water contained citric acid 80g, lactic acid 52g, phosphorous 92g, copper sulphate 10g, respectively. Organic acid (2ml/L) supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased feed intake (405.37g), weight gain (218g), FCR (1.42), weight of liver (0.02g) and gizzard (0.03g). Similarly in group OA-2 organic acid supplementation significantly decreased (p<0.05) the total salmonella (1.6x10 7 ) and E. coli (1.7x10 7 logCFU/g) count in intestinal contents. From present findings it was concluded that organic acid supplementation at level of @ 2ml/L in drinking water had beneficial effect on broiler performance and also decreased the colonization of intestinal bacterial counts.

Growth and physiological responses of growing pigs to wheat–corn distillers dried grains with solubles

Gaining a detailed knowledge on the impact of a feedstuff on pig growth and physiological responses is critical for its effective utilization. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of distillers dried grains with solubles derived from co-fermentation of wheat and corn (wcDDGS) on performance, carcass and visceral organ weights, whole-body O2 consumption and heat production (HP) in growing barrows. The experimental diets were as follows: corn-soybean meal diet (Control), Control + 15% wcDDGS and Control + 30% wcDDGS. In Exp. 1, 48 pair-housed pigs of average BW 18.6 ± 1.5 kg (mean ± SD) were allotted to the 3 diets (n = 8). Pigs had free access to water and feed for a 28-day period during which ADG and ADFI were calculated weekly. Thereafter, 1 pig/pen was killed to measure carcass and visceral organ weights. Overall, wcDDGS linearly decreased (p < 0.05) ADFI and ADG but had no effect on G:F (p > 0.10). The ADFI was 1.55, 1.45 and 1.36 kg/day for diets containing 0, 15 and 30% wcDDGS respectively; corresponding values for ADG were 0.79, 0.75 and 0.67 kg/day respectively. A linear decline (p = 0.01) in eviscerated hot carcass weight was observed as dietary wcDDGS increased. In Exp. 2, 18 pigs of average BW 20.4 ± 2.4 kg (mean ± SD) were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed the 3 diets (n = 6) at 550 kcal ME kg BW(-0.60) day for a 16-day period followed by measurement of O2 consumption using an indirect calorimeter. Diet had no effect (p > 0.10) on whole-body O2 consumption and HP. In conclusion, increasing wcDDGS content in growing pig diets linearly reduced ADFI, ADG and eviscerated hot carcass weight but had no effect on G:F, visceral organ weights or HP.

Effect of moderate dietary restriction on visceral organ weight, hepatic oxygen consumption, and metabolic proteins associated with energy balance in mature pregnant beef cows1,2

Twenty-two nonlactating multiparous pregnant beef cows (639 ± 68 kg) were used to investigate the effect of dietary restriction on the abundance of selected proteins regulating cellular energy metabolism. Cows were fed at either 85% (n = 11; LOW) or 140% (n = 11; HIGH) of total NE requirements. The diet consisted of a haylage-based total mixed ration containing 20% wheat straw. Cows were slaughtered by block (predicted date of parturition), beginning 83 d after the initiation of dietary treatments and every week thereafter for 6 wk, such that each block was slaughtered at approximately 250 d of gestation. Tissue samples from liver, kidney, sternomandibularis muscle, ruminal papilli (ventral sac), pancreas, and small intestinal muscosa were collected at slaughter and snap frozen in liquid N2. Western blots were conducted to quantify abundance of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), ATP synthase, ubiquitin, and Na/K+ ATPase for all tissues; PPARγ, PPARγ coactivator 1 α (PGC-1α), and 5´-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the activated form phosphorylated-AMPK (pAMPK) for liver, muscle, and rumen; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) for liver and kidney; and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) for liver. Statistical analysis was conducted using Proc Mixed in SAS and included the fixed effects of dietary treatment, cow age, block, and the random effect of pen. Dietary treatments resulted in cows fed HIGH having greater (P ≤ 0.04) ADG and final BW than cows fed LOW. Abundance of ubiquitin in muscle was greater (P = 0.009) in cows fed LOW, and PCG-1 α in liver was greater (P = 0.03) in cows fed HIGH. Hepatic O2 consumption was greater in HIGH (P ≤ 0.04). Feed intake can influence the abundance of important metabolic proteins and suggest that protein degradation may increase in muscle from moderately nutrient restricted cows and that energy metabolism in liver increases in cows fed above NE requirements.

Effects of a Fusarium toxin-contaminated maize treated with sodium metabisulphite, methylamine and calcium hydroxide in diets for female piglets

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) contaminated maize was hydrothermally treated in the presence of sodium metabisulphite (SBS), methylamine and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and included into diets for female piglets to evaluate effects on performance, organ weights, development of hyperestrogenism, serum biochemical parameters, stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and toxin residues in serum. For this purpose, both uncontaminated maize (CON) and Fusarium toxin-contaminated maize (FUS) were included into diets either untreated (−) or treated (+) according to a 2 by 2-factorial design. One-hundred female weaned piglets were assigned to one of the four treatment groups (n = 25) CON−, CON+, FUS− and FUS+ with DON/ZEN concentrations of 0.43/0.03, 0.04/0.0, 3.67/0.32 and 0.36/0.08 mg per kg diet, respectively. After a feeding period of 27 days, 20 piglets (n = 5) were slaughtered. Performance parameters such as feed intake, live weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio remained unaffected by the treatments. Uterus weights were significantly reduced in group FUS+ compared to FUS− (p = 0.028), while visceral organ weights were not influenced. Vulva width in relation to body weight was highest in group FUS− at the end of the trial, while hydrothermal treatment significantly reduced the parameter (p < 0.01). The highest toxin and toxin metabolite concentrations in serum were detected in group FUS−, whereas ingestion of diet FUS+ reduced the concentrations to the level of the control groups. Serum biochemical and haematological parameters were mainly within the given reference ranges and showed no treatment-related alterations. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not affected. An effective detoxification of maize by hydrothermal treatment in the presence of SBS, methylamine and Ca(OH)2 could be demonstrated by means of serum toxin analyses. No undesired side effects of the treated-feed stuff or the chemicals themselves on the health of piglets were detected.

Deguelin Action Involves c-Met and EGFR Signaling Pathways in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

BackgroundTreatment of breast cancer patients with antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitor(s) or Herceptin have shown significant success in steroid receptor positive or Her-2+ breast cancers respectively. However, choice of treatments for breast cancer patients with negative status for estrogen, progesterone receptors and HER2/neu is limited. As a result, search for appropriate therapy regimen for these triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) has become a major focus of investigations for many laboratories. Recently, Deguelin, a natural product isolated from African plant Mundulea sericea (Leguminossae) has shown both antiproliferative actions in various cancers including breast as well as chemoprenventive activity against carcinogen induced experimental cancers. In this report we evaluated efficacy and mechanism of action of Deguelin in triple negative breast cancer cell lines.Methods/FindingsIn vitro, Deguelin in a dose and time dependent manner inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, BT-549 and BT-20 cells. Deguelin (2 or 4 mg/kg body weight), when injected intraperitoneally, reduced the in vivo tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 cells transplanted subcutaneously in athymic mice. Moreover it was nontoxic as evident from daily observations on mobility, food and water consumption and comparison of bodyweight and other visceral organ weights with those in control animals at the termination of the study. The western blot analyses and immunostaining studies indicated that the deguelin effects may be mediated through EGFR-PAKT/c-Met p-ERK and NF-κB by down regulating their downstream targets such as p-STAT3, c-Myc, Survivin.Conclusion/SignificanceThese results suggest that Deguelin may have a significant therapeutic value for the treatment of TNBC patients.

Impact of embryo donor adiposity, birthweight and gender on early postnatal growth, glucose metabolism and body composition in the young lamb

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, notably when associated with rapid postnatal catch-up growth. A sheep paradigm was used to assess relationships between prenatal and early postnatal growth trajectories, metabolism and body composition. Singletons (single-sire embryo transfer from obese and control donors) were gestated and suckled by overnourished adolescent dams and categorised by birthweight as IUGR or normal (N). Gestation length was equivalent in both categories and all lambs were delivered spontaneously preterm (PT; mean (±s.e.m.) 139.8±1.7 days; term=145-147 days). The IUGR lambs were smaller at birth, but fractional growth rates (FGR) for eight anthropometry parameters were higher and independent of gender (except thorax girth; males (M)<females (F)). At Day 48, fasting glucose (IUGR>N; M>F) and first-phase insulin response (to 20min; IUGR<N; M<F) after glucose were influenced by prenatal growth and gender. Embryo donor adiposity influenced glucose tolerance only. Plasma insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (M>F) and leptin (M<F) were influenced by gender but not prenatal growth. At necropsy (Day 77), IUGR plus PT lambs had decreased carcass and visceral organ weights, but carcass composition was not different from N plus PT. In contrast, M were heavier, with lower internal fat mass, carcass fat percentage and perirenal fat leptin mRNA than F. Therefore, IUGR was associated with increased postnatal FGR and altered glucose handling, but, without absolute catch-up growth, gender had the predominant influence on postnatal leptinaemia and adiposity.

Effects of NS lactobacillus strains on lipid metabolism of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

BackgroundElevated serum cholesterol level is generally considered to be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases which seriously threaten human health. The cholesterol-lowering effects of lactic acid bacteria have recently become an area of great interest and controversy for many researchers. In this study, we investigated the effects of two NS lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus plantarum NS5 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NS12, on lipid metabolism of rats fed a high cholesterol diet.MethodsThirty-two SD rats were assigned to four groups and fed either a normal or a high-cholesterol diet. The NS lactobacillus treated groups received the high-cholesterol diet supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum NS5 or Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NS12 in drinking water. The rats were sacrificed after a 6-week feeding period. Body weights, visceral organ and fat weights, serum and liver cholesterol and lipid levels, intestinal microbiota and liver mRNA expression levels related to cholesterol metabolism were analyzed. Liver lipid deposition and adipocyte size were evaluated histologically.ResultsCompared with rats fed a high cholesterol diet, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and free fatty acids levels were decreased and apolipoprotein A-I level was increased in NS5 or NS12 strain treated rats, and with no significant change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also significantly decreased in NS lactobacillus strains treated groups. Meanwhile, the NS lactobacillus strains obviously alleviated hepatic injuries, decreased liver lipid deposition and reduced adipocyte size of high cholesterol diet fed rats. NS lactobacillus strains restored the changes in intestinal microbiota compositions, such as the increase in Bacteroides and the decrease in Clostridium. NS lactobacillus strains also regulated the mRNA expression levels of liver enzymes related to cholesterol metabolism, including the down regulation of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and the upregulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1).ConclusionThis study suggested that the two NS lactobacillus strains may affect lipid metabolism and have cholesterol-lowering effects in rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

육계 사료 내 Bacteriophage의 첨가가 생산성, 영양소 소화율, 혈액 특성, 도체 특성 및 분내 미생물 조성에 미치는 영향

BIO Business Unit, CJ Cheil Jedang Corp., Seoul 100-400, KoreaABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of bacteriophage SE supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, visceral organ weight, meat quality and excreta microflora in broilers. A total of 340 1-d-old ROSS 308 broilers (mixed gender) with an initial average body weight (BW) of 41.71±0.16 g were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 5 replicate pens per treatment and 17 broilers per pen for 31 days. Dietary treatments were: 1) CON, control diet, 2) SE05, CON+0.05% bacteriophage, SE 3) SE10, CON+0.10% bacteriophage SE, and 4) SE15, CON+0.15% bacteriophage SE. During d 15 to 31, broilers fed SE15 diet had a higher (P 0.05) among treatments. The water holding capacity was increased (P 0.05) was observed in visceral weight of liver, spleen, breast muscle, abdominal fat, gizzard and excreta concentrations of Lactobacillus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. In conclusion, dietary supple- mentation with 0.10 and 0.15% bacteriophage SE could improve the growth performance, breast muscle water holding capacity and bursa of Fabricius visceral weight in broilers.(Key words : bacteriophage SE, broilers, growth performance, meat quality, visceral organ weight)

Time dependent effects of graded levels of Fusarium toxin contaminated maize in diets for female piglets

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of the Fusarium toxins zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in diets for female piglets during 29 days of treatment on the development of performance, organ weights, clinical serum characteristics, differential blood counts and vulva morphology. For this purpose, 120 female weaned piglets with an initial mean bodyweight of 8.9±1.6 kg, were assigned to 5 feeding groups (n=24). The piglets of groups 1 to 5 received diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% naturally contaminated maize instead of control maize, resulting in 0.01, 0.05, 0.08, 0.17 and 0.29 mg ZEA/kg, and 0.03, 0.59, 1.27, 2.01 and 4.52 mg DON/kg feed, respectively. After 1, 3, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days, 20 piglets (four piglets from each group) were slaughtered. Animals of group 5 consumed at least 20% less feed than animals of the other feeding groups. Body weight gain was significantly reduced in group 5 in the last week compared to group 2 and 3. Relative visceral organ weights were not affected by the treatments, but they mostly showed some minimal time dependent alterations. Uterus weights tended to be decreased in group 5 on day 15 of the experiment. Though not significant, signs of hyperoestrogenism such as swelling of the vulva became more pronounced with increasing time of exposure. Histopathological examination of organ specimens did not reveal any toxin related lesions. Total leukocytes, differential blood count and stimulation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were not affected by the diet, however, the proportion of lymphocytes increased while neutrophils decreased during the experiment independent of treatment. Clinical chemical serum characteristics were not affected by the treatments, however, they were somewhat affected by time. In conclusion, the dose related effects of ZEA and DON on performance and signs of hyperoestrogenism seemed to be dependent on exposure time.

Effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linnaeus) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, hematological values, and intestinal histology in nursery pigs

Objectives: To investigate the effects of dietary turmeric on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, hematological and biochemical values, and intestinal histology in nursery pigs. Materials and methods: A total of 48 nursery pigs were divided into groups receiving 0.00%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20% turmeric in the feed, with four replicates. Experiment 1: visceral organs and light microscopic parameters (eg, intestinal villus height) were measured at 30 kg body weight (BW). Epithelial cell morphology on the villus apical surface was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Experiment 2: blood was collected at 40 and 80 kg BW for hematology, triglyceride, and cholesterol assays. Growth performance was compared at 90 kg BW. Results: Growth performance and carcass and visceral organ weights did not differ between turmeric and control groups. Nutrient digestibility was higher in the 0.10% group (P &lt; .05). Duodenal weight was lower in all treated groups than in the controls, and ileal weight was lower in the 0.10% and 0.20% groups (P &lt; .05). At 80 kg BW, hematocrit was lower in the 0.10% group (P &lt; .05). White blood cell counts were higher in the 0.10% and 0.20% groups, and triglycerides and cholesterol in all treated groups (P &lt; .05). Cell mitosis numbers were higher in the jejunum and ileum of the 0.10% and 0.20% groups (P &lt; .05). Protuberant mucosal epithelial cells and cell clusters were observed in treated groups. Implications: Under the conditions of this study, dietary turmeric promotes nutrient digestibility, enhances hematological values, and induces intestinal epithelial cell hypertrophy.

The Comparison of the Effect of Three Commercial Soybean Meal Samples (Iranian, Argentinean and Brazilian) on Performance and Internal Organs Weight of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and Conducting Urease Test for These Soybeans

This experiment was carried out to compare and evaluate three commercial soybean meal samples (Iranian, Argentinean and Brazilian) and their effects on Body Weight Gain (BWG), Feed Intake (FI), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and visceral organs weight (carcass, liver, pancreas, spleen and heart as percentage of live body weight) of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and four replicates and in each, 20 parts were designed. Test treatments include: 1) basal diet + Iranian soybean meal, 2) basal diet + Argentinean soybean meal, 3) basal diet + Brazilian soybean meal. Raising duration was 42 days. Urease test was done on three soybean meal samples before test while results were negative. Also, results of using three commercial soybean samples showed no effect on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass, heart, liver and spleen weight in Japanese ones but results revealed that soybean samples have had significant effect on pancreas weight.

Organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles alone or in combination with a multienzyme supplement1,2

The effects of adding a multienzyme complex to a diet containing distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from a 1:1 mixture of corn and wheat on visceral organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption (FWBOC) were investigated in growing pigs in a 28-d trial. Twenty-four pigs (BW = 19.9 ± 0.5 kg) were individually housed in floor pens and randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets (8 pigs per diet). The diets contained corn and soybean meal with 0% (control) or 30% DDGS (DDGS diet); the third diet was supplemented with a multienzyme complex in addition to the 30% DDGS (DDGS + enzyme diet). All diets had similar nutrient concentrations and met the 1998 NRC nutrient requirements for growing pigs. Pigs were fed at 4% of their BW once daily. On d 15, 4 pigs from each dietary treatment were randomly selected for measurement of FWBOC during the 24- to 30-h postprandial period using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter. At the end of the study, pigs were killed to determine visceral organ weights, ileal and cecal digesta viscosity, and intestinal morphology. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on final BW, WBFOC, or digesta viscosity. Empty BW of pigs fed the control diet was heavier (P = 0.02) than that of pigs fed the DDGS diet, but the empty BW of pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet was not different (P > 0.05) from that of pigs fed the control or DDGS diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in empty BW of liver, spleen, pancreas, heart, stomach, small intestine, and cecum among dietary treatments on a per kilogram basis. However, pigs fed the DDGS diet had heavier (P < 0.05) colon plus rectum and portal-drained viscera (PDV) than pigs fed the control diet, but weights of colon plus rectum and PDV in pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet were not different (P > 0.05) from those of pigs fed the control diet. Although morphological data showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon segments among dietary treatments, the DDGS diet tended to decrease (P < 0.10) villous height and villous height to crypt depth in the ileum. The results of this experiment indicated that pigs fed a diet containing 30% DDGS have reduced dressing percentage and increased visceral organ mass compared with pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet. However, the addition of a multienzyme complex to the DDGS diet resulted in pigs having a dressing percentage and visceral organ mass that are not different from those of pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet.

Effects of fermented plant product on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics, and intestinal histology in broilers

1. Fermented plant product (FPP) is a natural fermented food which is produced from a mixture of fermented fruit and vegetables, and rice bran (1:9). 2. To investigate the effects of FPP on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics and intestinal histology were determined in 192 broilers. They were divided into 4 groups, with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each; the chicks were provided ad libitum access to a diet consisting of 0, 0·5, 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP. 3. The crude protein and metabolisable energy concentrations of these diets were adjusted to 230 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 7 to 21 d old chicks, and 200 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 22 to 49 d old chicks, respectively. 4. At 49 d of age, feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations. Feed intake increased in the 4·0% dietary FPP group, BW gain increased in the 2·0% and 4·0% dietary FPP groups and feed efficiency increased in all experimental groups. 5. There were no differences among diets in the blood variables and carcase characteristics, except for total visceral organ weight, increased in all experimental groups. 6. Most of the intestinal villus heights, villus areas, epithelial cell areas and cell mitosis tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations; duodenal villus height and cell mitosis in the 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP groups, and jejunal cell mitosis in all experimental groups were significantly increased. Compared with flat cells on the villus apical surface in the 0% FPP group, all experimental groups had protuberant cells in all intestinal parts. 7. In conclusion, hypertrophy of the villi and epithelial cells was observed in the present study, indicating improved growth performance, especially in the 4·0% dietary FPP group. Furthermore, increased total visceral organ weights suggested that FPP has no harmful effects on broilers.

산양산삼(山養山蔘) 열수추출물이 db/db 마우스 당뇨모델에서 혈중 지질대사와 혈당에 미치는 영향

Objectives : We investigated the effects of mountain cultivated ginseng water boiled extract(MCG) on blood glucose and insulin levels, and examined whether lipid metabolism are improved by it in male db/db mice(a murine model of type 2 diabetes mellitus). Methods : 9 weeks old, male db/db mice were divided into 5 groups : C57BL/6J normal, control, MCG-250mg/kg (MCG-1), MCG-500mg/kg(MCG-2) and MCG-1000mg/kg(MCG-3). After mice were treated with MCG for 8 weeks, we measured body weight, food intake, fat weight, visceral organ weight and blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Results : 1. We found no difference in body weight, food intake, fat weight and visceral organ weight among the animal groups. 2. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower blood glucose level and higher blood insulin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 3. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol levels. 4. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had blood triglyceride and free fatty acid levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 5. Blood AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by MCG, indicating MCG do not show any toxic effects. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that MCG effectively increases blood insulin level and decreases blood glucose level, blood lipid levels, and prevents and improves diabetic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.