Tolerance and safety evaluation of N, N-dimethylglycine, a naturally occurring organic compound, as a feed additive in broiler diets

N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG) is a tertiary amino acid that naturally occurs as an intermediate metabolite in choline-to-glycine metabolism. The objective of the present trial was to evaluate tolerance, safety and bioaccumulation of dietary DMG in broilers when supplemented at 1 g and 10 g Na-DMG/kg. A feeding trial was conducted using 480 1-d-old broiler chicks that were randomly allocated to twenty-four pens and fed one of three test diets added with 0, 1 or 10 g Na-DMG/kg during a 39 d growth period. Production performance was recorded to assess tolerance and efficacy of the supplement. At the end of the trial, toxicity was evaluated by means of haematology, plasma biochemistry and histopathology of liver, kidney and heart (n 12), whereas bioaccumulation was assessed on breast meat, liver, blood, kidney and adipose tissue (n 8). Carcass traits were similar between the control and 1 g Na-DMG/kg feed groups (P.0·05), but the feed:gain ratio was significantly improved at 1 g Na-DMG/kg feed compared with the control or the 10-fold dose (P¼0·008). Histological examinations showed no pathological effects and results of haematology and plasma biochemistry revealed similar values between the test groups (P.0·05). Bioaccumulation occurred at the 10-fold dose, but the resulting DMG content in breast meat was comparable with, for instance, wheat bran and much lower than uncooked spinach. In conclusion, DMG at 1 g Na-DMG/kg improved the feed:gain ratio in broilers without DMG being accumulated in consumer parts. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with DMG up to 10 g Na-DMG/kg did not induce toxicity or impaired performance in broilers

Evaluation, contrôle et prévention du risque de transmission du virus influenza aviaire à l'homme

Since mid-december 2003, an epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (type A, sub-type H5N1) occurs in eastern and south-eastern Asia. This epizootic is historically unprecedented in its virulence, geographical spread, and economic consequences for the agricultural sector. Implications for human health were registered in Vietnam and in Thailand. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the risk evaluation of the transmission of avian influenza virus to humans. The current asian epizootic has highlighted the key role of global health information systems and also the need for exhaustive notification of human and animal cases. It reinforces the concept of veterinary public health

Hyperadrenocorticisme bij de fret: een overzicht van de huidige kennis aan de hand van twee klinische cases

Hyperadrenocorticism is a frequently occurring disease in middle-aged ferrets. It is caused by a neoplasm of the adrenal cortex. Otherwise than in dogs and cats, hyperadrenocorticism in the ferret is always independent of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The tumor of the adrenal cortex can be removed surgically, mostly with satisfying results. After surgery, a regression of symptoms occurs after two to eight weeks, and the animals are without symptoms after five to eight months. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using a chemical therapy aimed at decreasing hormone production through the administration of GnRH agonists. These agonists initially cause a temporary increase of the sex steroids, and then a long-term decrease of them through desensitization of the GnRH receptors. A deslorelin implant seems to be a promising alternative for the surgical treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets. Some authors even recommend it as a standard preventive treatment after neutering in both genders and for every ferret over four years of age. Moreover, it is an excellent alternative for surgical castration

A laryngitis syndrome of hypermuscular Texel sheep

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