Dietary prilled fat and layer chicken performance and egg composition.

Prilled and poultry fat were fed at 2% to 58-wk-old hens and at 4% to 2-wk-old hens for 8 wk. Comparisons by dietary fat source were made within age groups for BW, feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, yolk cholesterol, and fatty acid composition, egg quality, plasma cholesterol, dietary fatty acid utilization, dietary ME, and gastrointestinal transit time of feed. Old hens fed prilled fat had lower egg weight, increased egg production, lower plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P < 0.08), and reduced energy. Young hens fed prilled fat were lighter in weight and had lower plasma total and low density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Young hens fed prilled fat had a lower utilization of stearic acid (P < 0.07) but a higher utilization of linoleic acid. In both groups, prilled fat increased yolk saturated fatty acids and decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids. Gastrointestinal transit time of feed was increased by 29 to 31 min (P < 0.09) in young hens fed prilled fat.

Neuropathy following paracervical block in the obstetric patient.

A distinct clinical syndrome of severe buttock pain radiating down the posterior surface of the ipsilateral leg and subsequent inability to ambulate has recently been recognized. The syndrome may develop in the parturient following a paracervical block. This study analyzes 4 cases from the authors' institution and reviews 2 cases from the literature. Onset of the syndrome ranges from 12 hours to 10 days but progressive improvement and complete recovery are the rule. The cause is believed to be secondary to direct trauma or hematoma formation in the area of the sacral plexus. Pelvic induration or a mass in the sacroiliac area may be noted bur abscess formation is not associated. Prevention is difficult but early recognition will facilitate treatment, which is mostly symptomatic.