Short-term melatonin supplementation decreases oxidative stress but does not affect left ventricular structure and function in myxomatous mitral valve degenerative dogs

Background Cardiac wall stress and high oxidative stress are often found in cases of myxomatous mitral valve degenerative (MMVD) disease and can lead to myocardial injuries and cardiac dysfunction. Melatonin, an antioxidant, has been shown to exert cardioprotection in laboratory animal models. However, its effect on metabolic parameters and left ventricular (LV) adaptation in MMVD dogs has rarely been investigated. This clinical trial hypothesized that a melatonin supplement for 4 weeks would improve metabolic parameters, LV structure (diameters and wall thickness), and LV function in MMVD dogs. Blood profiles, echocardiograms, and oxidative stress levels were obtained from 18 dogs with MMVD stage B2 and C at baseline and after prescribed Melatonin (2 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Eleven dogs with MMVD stage B2 and C, which received a placebo, were evaluated as a control group. Results In this clinical trial, the baseline plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was no different between the treatment and placebo groups. The post-treatment plasma MDA levels (4.50 ± 0.63 mg/mL) in the treatment group was significantly decreased after 4 weeks of melatonin supplementation compared to pre-treatment levels (7.51 ± 1.11 mg/mL) (P = 0.038). However, blood profiles and LV structure and function investigated using echocardiography were found not to different between pre-and post-treatment in each group. No adverse effects were observed following melatonin supplementation. Conclusions This clinical trial demonstrated that a melatonin supplement for 4 weeks can attenuate oxidative stress levels in MMVD dogs, especially in MMVD stage C, but does not result in LV structural changes or LV function in MMVD dogs of either stage B2 or stage C.

Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, and Gut Integrity of Growing Pigs Fed Pickled Fish Residue with Decreased Salt Content

This study investigated the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and gut integrity of growing pigs, in response to an increase in pickled freshwater fish residue (PFR) intake following a decrease in salt content. Ninety-six crossbred growing pigs [(Landrace × Large White) × Duroc] with a body weight of 23.65 ± 0.24 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (6 pens/treatment, 4 pigs/pen) in a randomized complete block design. The treatments included: a corn-soybean meal based diet without PFR inclusion (CON) or with PFR addition at 5 (PFR5), 10 (PFR10), and 15% (PFR15), respectively. Desalting via soaking and stirring caused a positive reduction in the salt present on the surface of PFR. Over the 42-day feeding period, an increased level of PFR quadratically increased gain:feed ratio such that gain:feed ratio for PFR10 was greater than that for CON (p < 0.05). Pigs fed PFR10 had greater crude protein digestibility, and lower aspartate aminotransferase and crypt depth than those fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). The linear improvements in crude protein and ether extract digestibility, duodenal villus height, and villus:crypt ratio were observed as the PFR content increased (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant effects on average daily feed intake, dry matter and ash digestibility, blood metabolites (total Ca, P, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase). Altogether, up to 10% PFR can be included in corn-soybean meal diet without impairing protein digestibility and hepatic enzyme alteration. In fact, administering PFR with lower salt content to growing pigs ultimately promotes their growth performance and gut integrity.

PSIV-B-24 Dietary supplementation of botanicals changed blood profiles and intestinal morphology of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary botanical supplementation on blood profiles and intestinal morphology of weaned piglets experimentally infected with a pathogenic F18 Escherichia coli (E. coli). Sixty weaned piglets (around 21 days old; 7.15 ± 0.97 kg) were individually housed and randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments (n = 12): negative control (NC), positive control (PC), high dose of botanicals blend 1 (BB1, 100 mg/kg), and low or high dose of botanicals blend 2 (BB2, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). The experiment lasted 28 days: from day -7 to +21 relative to E. coli inoculation. All piglets except the NC group were orally inoculated with F18 E. coli (10 cfu per dose, 3 doses) for 3 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 5, 14, and 21 post-inoculation (PI) to perform complete blood count test. Intestinal segments were collected on d 5 and 21 PI for intestinal morphology analysis. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS with a randomized complete block design. E. coli infection reduced (P &lt; 0.05) neutrophils and lymphocytes, but increased (P &lt; 0.05) monocytes on d 4 PI. Pigs supplemented with 100 mg/kg BB2 had less (P &lt; 0.05) lymphocytes than pigs in PC on d 4 PI. Pigs fed with 50 mg/kg BB2 had lower (P &lt; 0.05) lymphocytes and monocytes then pigs in PC on d 21 PI. Pigs supplemented with 100 mg/kg BB2 had the greatest (P &lt; 0.05) duodenal villi width, jejunum villi height and area, and colon crypt depth then pigs in PC on d 5 PI. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of botanicals tended to affect systemic immunity and enhance intestinal morphology of weaned pigs infected with E. coli.

Efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood profiles of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Ocimum gratissimum as a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on growth performance, carcass, and blood profile of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty day old broiler chickens were used for the study. Four diets were formulated to incorporate Ocimum gratissimum at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g per 100 kg of feed to form T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The birds were divided into four groups of forty birds and each group was assigned one of the diets in a completely randomized design. Each group was further divided into four replicates of 10 birds each. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and data collected were statistically analyzed. The result obtained showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the final weight gain (FWG), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio both at the starter and finisher phases. T4 had the highest significant (p<0.05) final weight gain (FWG), and daily weight gain (DWG) values. The lowest significant (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were observed in T4. The feed intake of the birds was statistically similar (p>0.05) at both the starter and the finisher phases. Significant (p<0.05) increases were observed in dressed weight, dressing percentage, and cut-up parts (wing, thigh, drumstick, and breast) of the birds. T4 had the highest significant values for the carcass parameters. The haematological parameters analyzed showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the value for red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) values with T4 recording the highest significant (p<0.05) values for those parameters. All the serum biochemical parameters analyzed were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by the treatments. It can be concluded that Ocimum gratissimum could be added to broiler diet at 150 g/100kg as feed additive without any deleterious effect on the growth performance, carcass, and blood profiles of the birds.

Effects of Lysine Cell Mass Supplementation as a Substitute for L-Lysine·HCl on Growth Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, and Blood Profiles in Weaning Pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine cell mass (LCM) as an alternative lysine source in diets for weaning pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and blood profiles. In experiment 1, a total of 200 weaning pigs, with an average body weight (BW) of 6.89 ± 1.04 kg, were allotted into one of five treatments with four replicates of 10 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The dietary treatments were composed of LCM supplementation (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0%) with partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl (0 to 0.8% for phase 1 diets and 0 to 0.07% for phase 2 diets). The BW and feed intake were recorded at the end of each phase (d 0 to 14 for phase 1, d 14 to 35 for phase 2), and diarrhea incidence was checked daily throughout the experimental period. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of pigs at 2 weeks and 5 weeks to determine the blood profiles of weaning pigs. In experiment 2, a total of 144 weaning pigs with an average BW of 6.44 ± 1.19 kg were allotted into one of six treatments with six replicates of four pigs per pen in RCBD. The dietary treatments were composed of LCM supplementation (0 to 3.5% for phase 1 diets and 0 to 2.2% for phase 2 diets) with replacement of L-lysine·HCl from 0 to 100%. In experiment 1, partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl with 0 to 1% LCM did not affect growth performance and diarrhea incidence of pigs. An increase in the LCM supplementation from 0 to 1% with partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl had no influence on the blood urea nitrogen concentrations, whereas it resulted in a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in the serum IgG concentrations for 5 weeks. In experiment 2, increasing the dietary level of LCM with replacement of L-lysine·HCl quadratically decreased (p < 0.05) ADG and G–F ratio for phase 2 and G–F ratio for the overall period such that 100% replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM decreased ADG and G–F ratio of weaning pigs. An increase in the LCM supplementation with replacement of L-lysine·HCl tended to decrease linearly (p < 0.10) the diarrhea incidence of weaning pigs for the overall period and linearly decrease (p < 0.05) the serum IgG concentrations for 2 weeks. In conclusion, partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM from 0 to 1% had no negative impacts on the growth performance, but 100% replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM decreased the growth performance of weaning pigs. Therefore, LCM could be included in the diets for weaning pigs up to 2.8% and 1.76% for phase 1 and phase 2, respectively, as a substitute for L-lysine·HCl without detrimental effects on the performance of weaning pigs.

β-globin variants present in Western Sudan

Objective: A variety of observations of the hemoglobin D (Hgb D) phenotype has occurred in association with family studies of patients with sickle cell disease. Very little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of the Hgb D variant and its impact on blood profiles among Sudanese. This study was aimed at determining the percentage of Hb D in North Darfur State, West Sudan, whose population has been shown to have hemoglobin-S (Hb S) disease. Methods: From December 2017 to August 2018, this descriptive community-based investigation was conducted. Six hundred and sixty-six (666) people were randomly selected to participate in this study. With each participant's there was verbal consent. A questionnaire was designed to collect personal details. 5 mL of venous blood was gathered in EDTA containers. The Hb D variant was checked using Sebia Minicap Automated Capillary Electrophoresis System- USA and frequency was calculated using version 21.0 of the software package for social science (SPSS). Result: The prevalence of Hb variants was as follows: AD=0.6%, SS=2%, AS=10.5 %, and AA=86.9%. Conclusion: The prevalence of Hb D variant was 4 (0.6 %) in 666 participants from four western Sudanese tribes, beside reported of Hb SS and Hb AS.