The Effects of Organic or Inorganic Zinc and Microbial Phytase, Alone or in Combination, on the Performance, Biochemical Parameters and Nutrient Utilization of Broilers Fed a Diet Low in Available Phosphorus

This study examined the effects of zinc (Zn) from different sources and microbial phytase on the broiler performance, biochemical parameters and digestibility of nutrients when they were added to broiler diets containing low available phosphorus. A total of 875, 1-day-old male broilers of the Ross 308 strain were randomly separated into two control groups (positive and negative) and five treatment groups each containing 125 birds; each group was divided into 5 replicates of 25 birds. The positive control (PC) group was fed a diet containing adequate concentration (0.45%) of available phosphorus due to mineral premix (except zinc) and feeds. The negative control (NC) group was fed a basal diet including low concentration (0.30%) of available phosphorus due to mineral premix (except zinc) and feeds. The basal diet was supplemented with 0.30% phosphorus and 500 FTU phytase (PH); 0.30% phosphorus and organic zinc (OZ; 75mg/kg of Zn from Zn-proteinate); 0.30% phosphorus and inorganic zinc (IZ; 75 mg/kg of Zn from ZnSO4); 0.30% phosphorus, organic zinc and 500 FTU phytase (OZ + PH); and 0.30% phosphorus, inorganic zinc and 500 FTU phytase (IZ + PH) in the treatment groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The lowest value for mean body weight was in the negative control group on a diet containing low available phosphorus. The use of supplementation with organic and inorganic zinc alone or in combination with microbial phytase significantly (P<0.05) increased the digestibility of Zn in the male broilers. Supplementation of those diets with OZ + PH or IZ + PH was very effective for increasing the body weight, body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio. In conclusion, the effects on broilers of diets with low phosphorus levels may be overcome by the addition of inorganic or organic zinc compounds in combination with microbial phytase

Evaluation of Trace Element Levels and Antioxidant Metabolism in Cattle with Cutaneous Papillomatosis

Background: Cutaneous papillomas are benign proliferative neoplasms. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease are very complex. Papillomatosis lesions can be detected anywhere on the body, frequently appearing on the surface of the head, neck, teats, udder, external genital mucosa and upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is not life threatening but due to loss of productivity, owners often cull animals with papillomatosis. The relationships between trace elements, heavy metals and cancer are still researching. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the relationships between trace elements and antioxidant metabolism, and cutaneous papillomatosis, in cattle.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Eleven cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis and 10 healthy cattle constituted the study group and control group, respectively. Clinical examinations were performed on all animals. Blood samples were collected and Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn, As, B, Ni, Si and Co levels were determined. The analyses were conducted with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. In addition, catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations were measured. The Ni, Si and MDA levels of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P &lt; 0.05) but the Se levels of the study group were significantly lower than in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The normality of the data was determined with the Shapiro-Wilk Test and the Independent Samples t-Test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison of the groups.Discussion: Trace elements are essential components of biological systems. The levels of trace elements, such as Cu, Co, I, Se, Zn and Mn, which are affected by grazing activity, influence ruminants’ reproductive performance and other production parameters. The elements Al, As, Cr, Ni and Sn are also presumed to be essential for ruminant metabolism, although sufficient research data are not available. In the present study, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, As, B and Co levels were not significantly different between the papilloma and control groups. Se is an important trace element for skin health. This study revealed a mean serum Se level in animals with papillomatosis that was significantly lower than in the healthy group. Although the mode of anticancer activity of Se is not clear, some factors, such as antioxidant protection, improved immune system surveillance, carcinogen detoxification, modulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of tumour cell invasion and angiogenesis, are important. Ni is classified as a toxic heavy metal. In addition, it could be carcinogenic to humans. Ni level was two times higher in the papillomatosis group than in the healthy animals, in the present study. This result may indicate that Ni has a role in the genesis of papillomatosis in cattle. Si injection can cause inflammation, granulomas and cancer. There are few reports about Si levels in animals and the significant difference in the Si levels in cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis reported in this study may be a new indicator for the disease. The skin contains antioxidant molecules that include GSH, alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), superoxide dismutases (SODs), CAT and quinine reductase. There is strong interaction between ROS and/or their oxidant products and antioxidant molecules in the skin. In this study, although MDA levels were higher in the study group than in the control group, there was no significant difference between the groups in their CAT levels, and also in the GSH and CP levels. In conclusion, these results may evidence the systemic effects of papillomatosis on trace element levels and on oxidant metabolism in cattle

Effects of levamisole on pregnancy in ewes

The effects of levamisole, as an anthelmintic or immunomodulator, on pregnancy were investigated in ewes. Immunomodulatory and anthelmintic doses of levamisole and physiologic saline were injected on days 0 (oestrus), 7, 14, and 21 in group I (immunomodulatory dose; n=7), group II (anthelmintic dose; n=6), and group III (control; n=6), respectively. The first service pregnancy rate, tended to be lower (P<0.06) in group I (28.6%) compared to that of groups II (83.3%) and III (83.3%). Plasma progesterone (P-4) concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group II compared to that of group III on day 3, and there was a treatment x day interaction (P<0.05). No effect of levamisole treatments on plasma P-4 concentrations was detected once pregnancy was established. There was a numeric decline in plasma cholesterol concentrations in group II, compared to group I or III on day 3. In conclusion, levamisole as an immunomodulator is detrimental for the establishment of pregnancy, possibly by stimulating general and intrauterine immunity

Serum concentration and skin tissue expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 in canine generalized demodicosis

Pekmezci, Gokmen Zafer/0000-0002-7791-1959; /0000-0002-0636-4214WOS: 000364529400005PubMed: 26489526BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) levels are altered in skin injury; there are no data evaluating the serum concentration and skin tissue expression of IGF-2 in canine generalized demodicosis. Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess serum concentrations of IGF-2 collected from dogs with generalized demodicosis compared to healthy dogs and to determine the location of IGF-2 in the skin of affected dogs. MethodsBlood and skin samples were collected from 12 dogs of differing breeds and gender at 1-2years of age that had a confirmed diagnosis of generalized demodicosis. Age-matched control skin and blood samples were collected from 11 normal dogs of different breeds and gender. Serum IGF-2 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Skin tissue expression of IGF-2 was analysed by immunohistochemical methods. ResultsSerum concentration and skin tissue expression of IGF-2 were increased in dogs with generalized demodicosis compared with control dogs. Conclusions and clinical importanceThese findings indicate that keratinocytes, histiocytes and fibrocytes in the dermis are positive for IGF-2; they may be a source of the elevated serum IGF-2 levels in dogs with generalized demodicosis. Resume ContexteDe plus en plus de donnees montrent que les niveaux d'IGF-2 (insulin-like growth factor-2) sont alteres lors de lesion cutanee; il n'y a pas de donnee evaluant la concentration serique et l'expression tissulaire cutanee de l'IGF-2 en cas de demodecie canine generalisee. Hypotheses/ObjectifsDeterminer les concentrations seriques d'IGF-2 sur des chiens atteints de demodecie generalisee compare a des chiens sains et determiner la localisation d'IGF-2 dans la peau des chiens atteints. MethodesDes echantillons de sang et de peau ont ete preleves sur 12 chiens de differentes races et genres a l'age de 1-2 ans ayant un diagnostic confirme de demodecie generalisee. Des echantillons de peau et de sang ont ete preleves sur 11 chiens sains du meme age et de races et de genres differents. Des concentrations seriques d'IGF-2 ont ete mesurees par ELISA. L'expression tissulaire cutanee d'IGF-2 a ete analysee par immunohistochimie. ResultatsLa concentration serique et l'expression tissulaire d'IGF-2 etaient augmentees chez les chiens atteints de demodecie generalisee compare aux chiens sains. Conclusions et importance cliniqueCes donnees indiquent que les keratinocytes, histiocytes et fibrocytes dermiques sont positifs pour IGF-2; ils peuvent etre une source d'elevation d'IGF-2 serique chez les chiens atteints de demodecie generalisee. Resumen Introduccionhay cada vez mas evidencias indicando que los niveles del factor de crecimiento 2 similar a insulina (IGF-2) estan alterados en lesiones de la piel; no hay datos evaluando las concentraciones en suero y la expresion en piel de IGF-2 en la demodicosis generalizada canina. Hipotesis/Objetivosevaluar las concentraciones en suero de IGF-2 en perros con demodicosis generalizada comparada con perros sanos y determinar la localizacion de IGF-2 en la piel de perros afectados. Metodosmuestras de piel y sangre fueron obtenidas de los perros de diferentes razas y generos de 1-2 anos de edad con diagnostico confirmado de demodicosis generalizada. La piel y sangre de perros control de caracteristicas similares se tomaron de 11 perros de diferentes razas y generos. Las concentraciones de IGF-2 se midieron mediante pruebas de inmunoabsorcion ligada a enzimas (ELISA). La expresion de IGF-2 fue analizada mediante inmunohistoquimica. Resultadoslas concentraciones en suero y la expresion en piel de IGF-2 estaban incrementadas en perros con demodicosis generalizada comparada con perros control. Conclusiones e importancia clinicaestos hallazgos indican que los queratinocitos, histiocitos y fibrocitos en la dermis son positivos para IGF-2; pueden ser la fuente principal de la elevacion de IGF-2 en suero y piel de perros con demodicosis generalizada. Zusammenfassung HintergrundEs besteht zunehmende Evidenz, dass sich die Werte von Insulin-Growth-like Factor-2 (IGF-2) bei einer Hautverletzung verandern; es gibt bisher keine Daten, welche die Serumkonzentrationen und die Exprimierung von IGF-2 in der Haut bei caniner generalisierter Demodikose evaluierten. Hypothese/ZieleEine Auswertung der IGF-2 Konzentrationen im Serum, welches von Hunden mit generalisierter Demodikose stammte im Vergleich zu gesunden Hunden sowie eine Bestimmung der Lokalisation von IGF-2 in der Haut betroffener Hunde. MethodenEs wurden Blut- und Hautproben von 12 Hunden unterschiedlicher Rassen und Geschlechter im Alter von 1-2 Jahren mit der bestatigten Diagnose einer generalisierten Demodikose genommen. Es wurden dem Alter angepasste Haut- und Blutproben als Kontrollen von 11 normalen Hunden verschiedener Rassen und Geschlechter genommen. Die Serum-IGF-2 Konzentrationen wurden mittels Enzym-linked Immunosorbent Assay gemessen. Die Exprimierung von IGF-2 in der Haut wurde mit immunhistochemischen Methoden untersucht. ErgebnisseDie Serumkonzentrationen und die Exprimierung von IGF-2 in der Haut war bei Hunden mit generalisierter Demodikose im Vergleich zu den normalen Hunden erhoht. Schlussfolgerungen und klinische BedeutungDiese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Keratinozyten, Histiozyten und Fibrozyten in der Haut IGF-2 positiv sind; sie konnten die Quelle sein fur die erhohten IGF-2 Serumwerte bei Hunden mit generalisierter Demodikose

The effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid profiles and myelin basic protein in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aging on the central nervous system steroid and myelin basic protein (MBP) profiles. Forty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats (newborn, 1, 6, 12 and 24-months-old) were studied. Tissues were obtained from the cerebellum and parietal, frontal, temporal cortex of the central nervous system of the rats for steroid extraction. The estradiol, progesteron, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The average levels of estradiol (pg/g), progesteron (ng/g), DHEA (ng/g) and testosterone (ng/g) in the brain tissues were respectively 24.29, 4.59, 0.27, 0.92 in the newborn-rats; 4.18 +/- 1.10, 1.54 +/- 0.30, 0.28 +/- 0.01, 0.57 +/- 0.10 in the 1 month-old-rats; 11.02 +/- 1.10, 2.96 +/- 0.30, 0.27 +/- 0.01, 0.61 +/- 0.10 in the 6 month-old-rats; 15.80 +/- 1.10, 4.80 +/- 0.30, 0.28 +/- 0.10, 0.67 +/- 0.10 in the 12 month-old-rats; 20.07 +/- 1.10, 4.12 +/- 0.30, 0.28 +/- 0.01, 0.55 +/- 0.10 in the 24 month-old-rats. The myelin basic protein levels were determined by immunohistochemical staining and an elevation was observed in conjunction with the aging process. The results of the study indicate that the alterations in MBP, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrodiol concentrations in the central nervous system of the rats during aging can be considered fundamental for future animal and human studies. (C) 2012, Editrice Kurti