Effects of orally administered probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici on the small and large intestine of weaning piglets. A qualitative and quantitative micro-anatomical study

Probiotic research has been approached, above all in recent years, by widely differing points of view, both for human and animal uses. Lactic acid bacteria release bacteriocins, and some of them may function as probiotic. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with the probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici on the piglet intestine, on circulating lymphocytes, and on aspects of piglet performance during the first 42 days after weaning. Sixteen female piglets were at weaning assigned to two dietary groups: Control (Ctr, 8 animals) and Pediococcus acidilactici supplemented (Pa, 8 animals). Piglets' growth was monitored from weaning to the end of the trial. On day 42 post-weaning, the piglets were slaughtered and small specimens from both ileum and cecum were examined with haematoxylin/eosin staining to ascertain structural details. Histometry was performed by villi and crypts measurements, as well as GALT measurements. Histochemical analyses were performed to investigate the intestinal mucins. Immunohistochemical analyses were used to visualize proliferating as well as apoptotic mucosal cells, and to identify mucosal macrophages and IgA producing cells. Intra-epithelial CD8+ T lymphocytes were identified and counted. Subsets of circulating T lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Pediococcus acidilactici supplementation positively influenced weight and post-weaning average daily gain of treated piglets. Histometry showed an increase in villi height and crypts depth in Pa animals in comparison with controls. Treated piglets showed a larger number of proliferating enterocytes than controls. Intra-epithelial CD8+ T lymphocytes were scarcer in treated than in control piglets, likely in relation with catarrhal enteritis shown in the latter. We conclude that the studied supplementation was possibly able to protect the piglet small intestinal mucosa, improving local resistance to infections in the stressful weaning period.

Nutrition and health of dogs and cats: evolution of petfood

Maintaining the health of dogs and cats by feeding wholesome nutritional diets is becoming an important component of responsible pet ownership. Pet owners now seek a long and healthy life for their pet and look to nutrition, as well as to veterinary medicine, to provide such support. Quality of life, measured in terms of reduced incidence of diseases and the ability to maintain an active life, would appear to be able to be enhanced by appropriate nutrition and nutraceutical supplementation. As a consequence numerous improvements in companion animal nutrition have resulted in development of a wide array of foods that provide complete and balanced nutrition. As a result emphasis also has to be placed on product safety and quality parameters, in connection with traceability. The origin of products, including product characteristics and properties, processing conditions and further handling throughout the period chain, is becoming ever increasingly an issue for collective chain management.

Structural patterns of swine ileal mucosa following L-glutamine and nucleotide administration during the weaning period. An histochemical and histometrical study

Dietary supplementations with L-glutamine and/or nucleotides were screened for their effects on intestinal mucosa in 16 female weaning piglets. The animals were transported to the university's facilities 24 hours after weaning. They were grouped four to a pen in controlled environmental conditions and fed one of the following four diets for 28 days: control diet (C); C+0.5% L-glutamine (G); C+0.05% "nucleotides" (N); and C+0.5 % L-glutamine+0.05% "nucleotides" (GN). Individual body weights and feed intake per group were recorded at the beginning and the end of the study as well as weekly during it. There were no significant performance differences among the groups. After 28 days the animals were slaughtered and the distal ileum and liver were examined histologically. Anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as well as anti-human macrophage immunostaining, and a modified TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling technique (TUNEL) were performed, and intraepithelial lymphocyte percentage was evaluated to assess morpho-functional aspects of the ileum. Histometry was performed by assessing cell indices and counts of immuno-reactive structures. Feeding G and/or N resulted in an increase in villi (V) height, crypt (C) depth, and a decrease in V:C ratio (P<0.01). In addition, feeding G and/or N resulted in an increase in mitotic mucosal cells (M), and a decrease in apoptotic mucosal cells (A), thus decreasing the A:M index (P<0.01). The percentages of mucosal macrophages were greater in G and/or N groups (P<0.001) than in control piglets, and similarly among the groups the percentages of intraepithelial lymphocytes varied (P<0.01). Our data showed that the diet supplementation with G and/or N had positive effects on some morpho-functional characteristics of piglet ileal mucosa. These ameliorative effects may potentially be linked to a good responsiveness of piglets to a stressful period, like a precocious weaning is in this species.

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on some aspecific immune parameters and acute phase protein in weaned piglets

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of dietary supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on some immune system parameters in piglets. Forty-two weaned piglets, 12.44 ± 1.96 kg liveweight, were fed diets containing 1% sunflower oil (control, C), 0.5% CLA plus 0.5% sunflower oil (T1), and 1% CLA (T2). After 28, d serum lysozyme (1.39, 1.77 and 1.86 μg mL–1, respectively, for C, T1 a nd T2 groups; P < 0.01) and total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) (1548, 1930, 2075 mg dL–1, respectively, for C, T1 and T2 groups; P < 0.05) were higher in piglets fed dietary CLA. No significant effect on serum α-1-acyl glycoprotein (AGP) was observed. These results support the view that CLA favorably influences immune response. Key words: Nutrition, CLA, immune response, piglets

Kinetic behavior of three preparations of alpha-tocopherol after oral administration to postpubertal heifers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the kinetic behavior of 3 preparations of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) after oral administration to heifers.

ANIMALS

8 postpubertal Friesian heifers.

PROCEDURE

A single oral bolus of 5,000 U of alpha-tocopherol in oil or encapsulated in liposomes or cyclodextrin was administered to each cow, using a 4 X 4 design with 8 days between treatments. Blood samples for kinetic analyses were obtained at various times for 168 hours after treatment.

RESULTS

Mean (+/- SEM) maximal plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were 4.86 +/- 0.49 microg/ml, 5.03 +/- 0.39 microg/ml, and 5.08 +/- 0.56 microg/ml after administration of oil, liposomal, and cyclodextrin preparations, respectively. Plasma concentrations peaked 21 to 34 hours after administration. The disappearance rate constant (Kd) was less after administration of alpha-tocopherol encapsulated in liposomes, compared with the other 2 preparations. Area under the concentration versus time curve was greater after administration of either encapsulated form of alpha-tocopherol, compared with alpha-tocopherol in oil, but these differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The lower Kd determined for alpha-tocopherol encapsulated in liposomes suggests that this formulation may result in longer persistance of the vitamin in plasma than the other 2 preparations. Dietary supplementation with alpha-tocopherol encapsulated in liposomes may enhance plasma availability of this vitamin in cattle and could be useful during periods of increased vitamin E requirements, such as parturition and early stages of life.

Effects of dietary chromium-yeast in weaning-stressed piglets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cr supplementation (as Cr-yeast) on growth performance, some blood parameters and neutrophils superoxide anion production, in weaning-stressed piglets. Thirteen crossbred (Landrace × Large White) litters were assigned to Cr-supplemented prestarter diet for 21 d (from 10 d after birth to 7 d post-weaning). Thirteen other litters, forming the control group, were not given supplemental Cr. Blood samples were taken on day 3 post-weaning and 1 h after litters were moved to the post-weaning facilities (day 7 post-weaning). To enhance stress response, ACTH (5 µ g kg−1 BW) was given to some animals immediately before moving. Cromium supplementation did not improve piglet weight or superoxide production by neutrophils. The plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was higher (P < 0.05) and glucose concentration was lower (P < 0.05) at 7 d post-weaning compared with 3 d in both treated and control piglets. In ACTH-challenged piglets, a further lowering of blood glucose was associated with Cr supplementation (P < 0.05), but cortisol and insulin levels were not affected by dietary treatment. These data suggest that Cr supplementation does not reduce weaning stress in piglets. However, in high-stress conditions (as simulated by ACTH challenge) Cr supplementation may improve peripheral glucose utilisation. Key words: Chromium supplement, piglet, blood parameters, weaning stress

Relative bioavailability of vitamin E in dairy cows following intraruminal administration of three different preparations of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate

DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, a synthetic form of vitamin E, is routinely given as a dietary supplement to cattle. In this study we assessed the relative bioavailability of three formulations of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in a kinetic study of plasma alpha-tocopherol in four Italian Friesian dairy cows, following intraruminal administration of a gelatin capsule containing 5,000 IU of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. A Latin square design was used so that each animal received all formulations: (A) adsorbed on silica, (M) microencapsulated and (O) in oil form; 5,000 IU of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate was also administered intraperitoneally. The treatments were given following a 2-week period on a diet having no vitamin E supplementation with an interval of 8 days between each administration. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 10, 11, 21, 30, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h after each administration. The mean initial plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration (CO) was 2.38 +/- 0.57 micrograms/mL. Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of alpha-tocopherol, adjusted for pretreatment values, were 3.90 +/- 0.13, 3.29 +/- 0.13 and 4.07 +/- 0.19 micrograms/mL, following administration of the A, M and O forms, respectively. The length of time required to obtain the maximum concentration (Tmax) in plasma was 57.5 +/- 7.8, 76.8 +/- 8.9 and 73.1 +/- 14.1 h, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 503.3 +/- 63, 620.25 +/- 108.5 and 465.4 +/- 38.7 micrograms.h/mL for A, M and O forms, respectively. Administration significantly increased the plasma alpha-tocopherol levels in all cases; however the A and M formulations had a lower elimination rate than the O form.

Effect of starch on the bioavailability of glutamine and leucine in the dairy cow

This experiment was designed to quantify changes in utilization of Gln and Leu by the gut wall as a result of changes in the starch supply to the duodenum. Four dairy cows fitted with cannulas in the rumen and the distal duodenum were adapted for 3 wk to starch infusion, either into the rumen (600 g/d of flaked maize) or into the duodenum (300 g/d of flaked maize plus 300 g/d of maize meal), in a 2 x 2 crossover design. Absorption and elimination kinetics and the relative bioavailability of Gln and Leu were measured during wk 4 and 5. After infusion of 50 g of Gln or 10 g of Leu into the duodenum or jugular vein, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at 0.5-h intervals up to 4 h after infusion. Concentrations of Gln and Leu in plasma fitted best to an open, one-compartment model (duodenal infusion) or to an open, two-compartment model (i.v. infusion). Both amino acids were rapidly absorbed; half-life times were less than 20 min. The amount of Gln trapped in the splanchnic bed was higher than the amount of Leu trapped in the splanchnic bed. Site of starch infusion did not affect the relative bioavailability of amino acids.

Hormonal and metabolic responses to the stress of transport and slaughterhouse procedures in clenbuterol-fed pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate if metabolic and endocrine adaptive responses to stressful stimuli are influenced by clenbuterol treatment in pigs. Two groups of nine Goland barrows of 167 kg liveweight, fed diets containing 0 (control) or 1 ppm of clenbuterol (clenbuterol-treated) for 40 days, were used. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture the day before (day 40) and at slaughter (day 41). On day 40 clenbuterol-treated pigs had lower levels of thyroxin, tri-iodothyronine, insulin, urea and higher levels of lactate and creatine phosphokinase activity. On day 41, thyroxin concentration was lower and creatine phosphokinase activity higher in clenbuterol-treated pigs than in controls. In response to transport and slaughterhouse procedures, most of the parameters considered both in clenbuterol-treated and in control pigs increased.

[Arterial pressure in a student population in Aquila]

The preliminary data of a policentric study for the determination of the blood-pressure values and the risk factors associated with high-blood pressure are reported for establishing a prospective epidemiological research. This research involved 258 children attending nursery, elementary-school in the city of L'Aquila. The weight, height, the triceps-skin-fold, the heart-rate, the blood systolic and diastolic-pressure (fifth tone) were examined. Furthermore the parent who accompanied the child was given a questionnaire in order to define: the general information concerning the child and the parent, the family anamnesis concerning the pathology correlated to the high-blood pressure, the child's weight at birth and the thronging-index (the ratio of the number of the family members with respect to the number of the habitable rooms). The obtained data show, especially for the PAS, higher blood-pressure values (greater than 95. percentile) in the grown-up subjects and in the male. The close correlation between the heart rate, BMI and the weight at birth, on one hand, and the blood-pressure values on the other hand, show, besides the validity of the research carried out, the connection between the blood-pressure situation and other physiological, paraphysiological and pathological factors. In conclusion, observing that a considerably high percentage of subjects with high-blood pressure values (5.8%' is one important result, especially for the future implications that it can have; it has to be defined if this situation has a prediction value of constant high-blood pressure in the adult and in what measure the examined factors influence the stabilization of this pathological situation.