Nutritional management of hyperlipaemia in a jenny: a brief report.

An adult jenny (5-years-old, non-pregnant) was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Sassari, with a recent history of appetite loss, extreme underweight condition and reluctance to move. On physical inspection, emaciation [body condition score, BCS: 3/9], muscular waste [muscular condition score, MCS: 1/5], loose/running faeces [faecal score, FS: 2/8], and a general state of mild dehydration were found. Blood analyses outlined a general undernourishment condition [circulating albumins, ALB: 17.6 g/L (21.6-31.6 g/L)] with underlying systemic inflammatory profile and moderate increase in circulating enzymes to explore liver function [aspartate amino-transferase, AST: 657 u/L (279-430 u/L); alanine amino-transferase ALT: 60 u/L (5-14 u/L); gamma-glutamyl-transferase, γ-GT: 87 IU/L (14-69 IU/L); total bilirubin close to the upper limit, TB: 0.20 mg/dL(0.07-0.21 mg/dL)]and hyperlipaemia [TG: 8.70 mmol/L (0.60-2.87 mmol/L)], following fat depots mobilisation, with total cholesterol closed to the lower limit of the physiological range. Hyper-phosphataemia was linked to haemolytic anaemia [P:1.81 mmol/L (0.77-1.39 mmol/L) and red blood cells, RBC: 4.14 1012/L (4.40-7.10 1012)] aligned with the TB to the upper limit. On ultrasound abdominal imaging, enlarged and hyper-echogenic liver was observed. Based on the clinical evaluation, a condition of hepatic lipidosis was diagnosed, requiring dedicated nutritional treatment to solve the extreme emaciation along with the metabolic disorder in support of medical therapy. A two-step feeding protocol was planned to support treatments aiming at immediate re-hydration (Ringer lactate solution 2 ml/kg/8 h). The nutritional objectives were meant at first to restart the voluntary feed intake. Gradual increasing energy provision through a palatable hay-based diet was planned to cover one fourth of daily metabolizable energy requirement calculated on the expected metabolic weight, adjusted according to the daily intake of feed and clinical condition. At the conclusion of this first 7-day phase, circulating blood parameters were closer to the reference values and the BCS moved from 3 to 4 out of 9. Bowel motility was restored, and faecal score improved (4/8). In the second phase, allowance to pasture and a combination diet with compound mixed feed were designed. Within four weeks of starting the nutritional plan, blood parameters were re-established to reference values. The gradual feed provision calculated in this two-phase approach proved successful in support of the overall clinical improvement observed after four weeks of treatment, in a severely undernourished jenny with compromised liver functions.

Influence of different types of bedding material on the prevalence of pododermatitis in rabbits.

Pododermatitis is a disorder with a complex etiology, because potentially determined by various factors such as posture, nutrition and genetics. In the case of presence of pododermal lesions, it is often noticed that rabbits go to eat at the bowl less frequently, but an evident weight loss is not always perceptible. In fact, similarly to poultry, overweight animals seem to be prone to the onset of pododermatitis. An experiment was carried out to test the effect of different types of bedding material (straw vs. wood shavings vs. coarse bark mulch vs. cotton) on the prevalence of pododermatitis in 30 fattening Separator rabbits. Once a week, the four experimental runs were assessed for contamination (macroscopic contamination by faeces/urine/litter) as well as for lesion scoring of the footpad. In addition, the water and ammonia binding behaviour of bedding was tested. The most favourable values as to dry matter, NH3 (p < .05) and also scoring of the litter were generally observed when cotton was used as bedding material. This is probably due to the high water binding capacity, the faster water release and the structural effects of the material itself (softness). By contrast, the structure of the coarse bark mulch was not suitable for binding liquids (especially urine) and led to increased contamination of the barrels. These results suggest that rabbits with an increased tendency to sore soles should be kept on bedding materials with desirable physical properties (e.g. cotton litter).

Short communication: Cocoa husks can effectively replace soybean hulls in dairy sheep diets-Effects on milk production traits and hematological parameters.

The aim of this study was to test the effect of replacing soybean hulls with different doses of cocoa husk (CH) on milk production traits and the hematological profile of dairy ewes. Twenty-four mid-lactating Sarda dairy ewes were allotted to 3 homogeneous experimental groups (8 animals per group divided into 4 pens). Each group received a total mixed ration as a basal diet and a supplement that differed among groups. The first group was supplemented with 100 g of soybean hulls/d per head (SBH group). In the second group, soybean hulls were replaced with 50 g of CH/d (CH50 group). In the third group, soybean hulls were replaced with 100 g of CH/d per head (CH100 group). The study lasted 8 wk, with 3 wk of adaptation and 5 wk for the experimental period. The replacement of soybean hulls with 50 and 100 g of CH/d did not affect dry matter intake, milk production, and milk coagulation properties. Milk fat, protein, casein, and somatic cell count concentration and curd-firming time showed a significant interaction between treatment and sampling date. During the experiment, the somatic cell counts were lower in both the CH50 and CH100 groups than in the SBH group. Most of the hematological parameters were not affected by treatments except for basophiles, which were significantly higher in the SBH group than in the CH50 and CH100 groups. In conclusion, CH can be substituted for soybean hulls in the diet of dairy sheep without adverse effects on milk production or apparent negative effects on animal health conditions.

Prevalence of foot disorders in captive Sardinian partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara Bonnaterre, 1790) as useful indicators of fitness to natural environment.

Foot health represents an issue in wild avifauna breeding practices. In particular, prevalence of digital ulceration (DU) and foot pad dermatitis (FPD) are valid indicators of welfare in wildlife conservation centres and may be interpreted as to fitness for bird's reintroduction into the wild. This study meant to test the effects of raising practices on foot pad health in captive Sardinian partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara Bonnaterre, 1790) reared for biodiversity conservation, to assess welfare and fitness to reintroduction into nature. A total of 22 couples were allotted into two experimental groups. In one group, 10 couples were housed in 10 cages for breeding partridges, consisting of two animals each, with metal wire flooring system, above trays where droppings were collected. The remaining 12 couples were housed in six aviaries, consisting of four animals each, on natural (earth and stones) ground. In both groups, partridges were fed identical diets. No significant differences of food pad scoring were found between birds housed in cages (2.3 ± 0.4) and those reared in aviaries on natural ground (2.5 ± 0.6). Moreover, scores of male foot pads for both groups (2.4 ± 0.6) had no significant differences in comparison with female foot pads, independently on housing (2.5 ± 0.4). Body mass (BM) was higher (+4.36%) than average BM reported for wild Sardinian partridges. Digital ulceration was found in the 20% of females, exclusively from the cage group. Body mass of females in cages with metal wire flooring appeared to be significantly (p < .001) and negatively correlated (r = -.528) with DU prevalence. These results suggest that housing conditions impacts differently on behaviour of females and males in one same couple, and this relates to foot health, in particular as to DU prevalence.

The presence and distribution of cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors in the mandibular gland: The influence of different physical forms of diets on their expression in piglets.

We explored the expression and cell type distribution of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) in the mandibular glands of pigs in relation to different physical forms of the diet. Thirty-two crossbred growing pigs (ages 5-6 weeks) were randomly allotted to four experimental groups (eight pigs/group) and fed four different physical types of the same diet for 4 weeks: finely ground pellet (FP), coarsely ground meal (CM), coarsely ground pellet (CP) and coarsely ground extruded (CE) with dMEAN of 0.46, 0.88, 0.84 and 0.66 mm respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, the pigs were euthanized and the mandibular gland was collected after dissection. By immunohistochemistry, positive signals for CB1 were found in the cytoplasm of duct epithelial cells of pigs fed CP, FP and CE diets and in the serous cells of mixed acini in pigs fed the coarser CM diet. Positive signals for CB2 were detected in duct epithelial cells and in neurons of ganglia close to major secretory ducts of all pigs. The differential expression and localization of these receptors in response to variable chewing activity due to the type of diet suggest that endocannabinoids may influence the functional activity of the mandibular gland by modifying qualitative and/or quantitative aspects of salivary secretion.

Morphometric traits of gizzard in relation to feeding habits of wild Sardinian partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara, Bonnaterre, 1790) with particular regard to clast selection.

Housing and feeding practices of wild birds for conservation management of biodiversity or restocking play a crucial role in determining the survival rates of animals when released into nature. Failure in coping with the environment might be one of the main flaws captive animals can experience when put into natural habitat. The present investigation aimed at exploring feeding habits and related morphometric traits of gizzard with respective content from wild partridges in comparison with captive ones. A total of 52 hunted wild Sardinian adult partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara Bonnaterre, 1790) were used. By comparison, 42 captive adult partridges reared in cages were enrolled. From each animal, the morphology of gizzard was investigated and respective content analysed for gross composition and taxonomical determination of fractions. Wet sieving analysis of each gizzard content was carried out (four-sieve towers with different mesh sizes: 1 mm, 500 µm, 250 µm and 125 µm), and relative and absolute weight of fresh filled and empty gizzards were recorded. Thickness of muscular layer of gizzard wall was measured by stereomicroscope. Carcass weight significantly (p < 0.05) differed between captive vs. wild partridges (478 ± 21 and 305 ± 35 g respectively). Post-mortem inspection highlighted gross morphological differences of gizzards between the two groups. Fresh weight of empty gizzards was 6.37 ± 0.80 vs. 11.25 ± 1.82 g, with average pH values of digesta 4.97 ± 0.11 vs. 4.38 ± 0.28 in captive vs. wild partridges respectively. Gizzard content from wild partridges accounted a 61.7% vs. 38.3% of biological vs. non-biological material proportions (DM basis). The non-biological material was mostly represented by lithic fragments and minerals (quartz, feldspar, calcite and mica) with specific peculiarities in terms of granulometry and morphometry. Feeding the captive partridges should point to support morphological and functional adaptation of gizzards to the feeding stuffs naturally available in the environment.

Contamination with ergot bodies (Claviceps purpurea sensu lato) of two horse pastures in Northern Germany.

Because the occurrence of Claviceps in European pastures may have been overlooked to cause serious health problem for grazing animals, we documented the degree of Claviceps contamination in two horse pastures and estimated whether the horses could have ingested a critical quantity of alkaloids. We counted the Claviceps sclerotia and determined alkaloid levels using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Depending on the location, the number of sclerotia varied from 0.09 to 0.19 per square meter (central area) and from 0.23 to 55.8 per square meter (border strips). Alkaloid levels in individual sclerotia also varied in different genera of grasses, ranging from 0.98 ± 0.17 µg/kg in Agrostis sp. to 25.82 ± 9.73 µg/kg in Dactylis sp., equivalent to 0.98 µg/kg and 7.26 mg/kg. Sclerotia from Dactylis contained high levels of ergosine (0.209 % ± 0.100 %) and ergocristine (0.374 % ± 0.070 %). Depending on the localization in pastures, alkaloid levels in forage (dry matter, DM) ranged from 16.1 to 45.4 µg/kg in central areas and from 23.9 to 722 µg/kg in border strips. The amount of alkaloids that a horse could have ingested depended on its daily DM uptake, which was higher in the central areas (5.85 kg/day) than in the border strips (2.73 or 0.78 kg/day). In the central areas, this amount of alkaloids ranged from 94.2 to 265.9 µg/day; and in the border strips, from 65.3 (in 2.73 kg DM/day) to as much as 563.8 µg/day (in 0.78 kg DM/day). All these amounts are higher than the European averages for alkaloids ingested by horses via feedstuffs.

Different physical forms of one diet fed to growing pigs induce morphological changes in mandubular glands and local leptin (Ob) production and receptor (ObR) expression.

The physical form of the diet plays an important role for morphological adaptations of organs in the gastrointestinal tract. It was hypothesized that different physical forms of one diet could exert extra-enteric effects, under local and systemic neuroendocrine regulation. Gross morphology, fresh mass and cytoarchitecture of mandibular glands (MG) were studied in growing pigs fed with one diet processed under four different physical forms. Four dietary treatments were offered for 4 weeks to 32 growing pigs (initial BW: 8.30 ± 0.83 kg) allotted into 4 experimental groups: FP, finely ground pellet (dMean, 0.46 mm); CM, coarsely ground meal (dMean, 0.88 mm); CP, coarsely ground pellet (dMean, 0.84); CE, coarsely ground extruded (dMean, 0.66). Conventional and immuonohistochemical techniques were used to immunolocalize, in particular, leptin (Ob) and its receptor (ObR). A significant effect was observed on the relative mass of the MG, depending on the diet (p < 0.03) and on the BW (p < 0.04), with no interactions (diet*BW). The immunohistochemical reactions for Ob and ObR showed a marked positivity in the MG from the group fed with the CM diet, displaying Ob-positive acinar cells and ObR-positive cells in the striated ducts, together with endocrine-like cells. The intensity of chromogenic reactions positively testing to ObR was used to evaluate the cytoarchitecture of the MG and its possible correlations. Pearson's correlation coefficient resulted to positively link (p < 0.0001) the ObR expression with the absolute mass of MG in the 61.1% of pigs. The physical form of the diet is related to extra-enteral effects, inducing changes in gross and microscopic morphology of the MG in the growing pig. The local production of Ob and the expression of the respective ObR in the striated duct cells shed a new light on the mitogenic activity of Ob in extra-enteral organs, like the MG, in relation to the physical form of the diet.

Raw hulled shredded acorns from Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) in the diet of pigs: effects on digestibility and faeces characteristics.

Faeces quality and composition are both of interest to veterinary practitioners dealing with pigs' health and disturbances in the alimentary tract, especially in free-range situations. In the Mediterranean basin, acorns are used as a starch source for fattening pigs, yet little information is available on how that affects faecal quality and digestibility. Therefore, a combined diet containing ripe hulled shredded acorns vs. a pelleted complete diet for finishers was evaluated for the digestibility and faecal consistency. The trial involved eight crossbred pigs, and a matched-pair approach was used to divide animals into two groups, which were fed with two different diets: acorns group (A): n = 4, 70% ripe hulled shredded acorns + 30% pelleted complete diet combined, as fed; control group (C): n = 4, 100% pelleted complete feed. The pigs were housed individually and fed the experimental diets for 8 days; daily feed intake and faeces amounts were recorded and faeces quality assessed. The digestibility of organic matter (OM) and starch of the two diets, as well as of pure acorns, were calculated and compared. Daily feed consumption was significantly higher in group A, but the mean dry matter intake (DMI) per pig was similar in both groups. Dark, firm and consistent faeces were reported for each pig from group A in comparison with group B, whose faeces were paler and softer. Digestibility of OM and starch were lower in group A than in group B (67.8 ± 3.4 vs. 83.9 ± 1.1 and 82.5 ± 3.4 vs. 92.3 ± 2.1 respectively): total tract digestibility of native starch from pure acorns was calculated at 77%. The peculiar consistency of faeces was related to macroscopic acorn hulls, constantly detected in the faeces of all animals sampled in group A.

Vegetable and animal food sorts found in the gastric content of Sardinian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa meridionalis).

Authors report results emerging from gastric content analysis from n. 96 wild boars hunted in Sardinia isle, during the hunting tide (2001-2005), from November to January. Mean pH of the gastric content was 3.77 +/- 0.69. Mean total capacity (TC) of each stomach was 1702 +/- 680 g. Mean Stuff ratio (CW/TC) between the content weight (CW) and stomachs TC was 0.45. Food categories found in animal stomachs were: 19 categories of vegetal species (Allium spp., Arbutus unedo, Arisarum vulgare, Avena fatua, Avena sativa, Castanea sativa, Ceratonia siliqua, Chamaerops umilis, Cichorium intybus, Hordeum sativum, Juniperus oxycedrus, Myrtus communis, Olea europea, Pirus amygdaliformis, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus spp., Rhamnus alaternus, Triticum durum, Zea mais); 11 categories of animal species (Agriotes lineatus, Apodemus sylvaticus dicrurus, Chalcides chalcides, Chalcides ocellatus tiligugu, Crematogaster scutellaris, Forficula auricularia, Helix aspersa, Lumbricus terrestris, Ovis aries, Podarcis tiliguerta tiliguerta, Scolopendra cingulata); three categories were identified in general terms (insects larvae, hairs of mammals, feathers of birds). Food categories found in the stomach contents of Sus scrofa meridionalis confirm observations by other researchers who report the prevalence of vegetables in spite of animal food sorts in the wild boar diet in Italian regions.

Morphological characteristics and distribution of the autonomic and sensitive innervation of the prostate in some animal species.

The sensitive and autonomic innervation of the prostate was studied in some mammals (rat, rabbit, horse, donkey and bull) using gold chloride impregnation. In all the species considered the gland was supplied with conspicuous innervation located in the thickness of the capsule and in trabeculae. The autonomic innervation was constituted by ganglion cells of different sizes (small, medium and large), isolated or in groups of large ganglia also, always located along the course of nerve bundles. The sensitive nervous component, placed more frequently in the most superficial layer of the capsule, consisted of delicate networks originating by more fibres and, above all, of capsulated receptors such as Pacini and Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles. A characteristic finding, but only present in the horse, donkey and bull, was the helicoidal disposition of thin collagen fibres around thin nervous bundles that ended up to the point where the nerve trunk divided.

On the bulky appliances and artero-venous anastomoses in the vascular district of the base of the brain.

It has been studied the vascular territory of the base of the brain and it has been pointed out the presence of characteristical structural arrangements of the vasal wall and artero-venous anastomoses. The just mentioned characteristical structures are placed in points where a vessel divides itself or creates a collateral branch and their functional engagement is target-oriented to control the blood flux.