Effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on in vitro equine cecal fermentation.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on the in vitro equine cecal fermentation of soluble starch, amino acids/peptides, coastal bermudagrass hay, and alfalfa hay. Cecal contents were obtained from a cecally fistulated Quarter Horse gelding fed coastal bermudagrass and grain (70:30) either unadapted or adapted to dietary A. oryzae supplementation (2 g/d). Mixed cecal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media for either 24 h (soluble starch, amino acids) or 48 h (bermudagrass hay, alfalfa hay). A. oryzae was added to the incubation bottles (n = 4) at concentrations of 0, .07, or .7 g/L. Fermentation of soluble starch in the presence of .7 g/L of A. oryzae resulted in increased concentrations of acetate, propionate, NH3, and L-lactate and decreased final pH. Addition of .7 g/L of A. oryzae to amino acid/peptide fermentations decreased final pH and increased concentrations of H2, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA. When alfalfa hay or bermudagrass hay was fermented with .7 g/L of A. oryzae, CH4, IVDMD, and digestion of NDF and ADF decreased. When adapted mixed cecal microorganisms were used, .7 g/L of A. oryzae did not inhibit methanogenesis or fiber digestion and L-lactate concentrations were not increased with soluble starch as the substrate. These results suggest that cecal microorganisms exposed to A. oryzae via the diet may adapt to the product. Incorporation of A. oryzae into in vitro incubations at concentrations similar to current recommended usage levels resulted in little change in final pH and fermentation products.

Influence of endophyte-infected tall fescue on serum prolactin and progesterone in gravid mares.

Thirty mares in late gestation were used in a 3-yr study to assess effects of the tall fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on serum prolactin (PRL) and progesterone. Two paddocks of each treatment, 0 or 100% infected 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue, were grazed by the mares for 21 d. Blood was collected three times per week until parturition. At 7-d intervals, mares were challenged with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) while grazing and blood was collected postinjection. Mares grazing 100% infected tall fescue (E+) had decreased serum PRL compared with mares grazing the 0% infected tall fescue (E-) in 2 of 3 yr. Within 8 d postgrazing, serum PRL for E+ mares equaled or surpassed values of the E- mares. Serum PRL was not different during the 3rd yr. In response to TRH, serum PRL rate of increase was similar between treatments but remained elevated (P less than .01) in the E+ mares at the 180-, 240-, and 300-min sample times. Serum progesterone was lowered (P less than .05) by E+ but increased to control values within 10 d postgrazing. It is concluded that serum PRL and progesterone in the gravid mare were decreased by the presence of A. coenophialum in 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue grass but normal levels were reestablished within 2 to 3 wk.

Energy utilization and blood traits of ponies fed fat-supplemented diets.

The digestibility and heat production values for three fats of different origin were determined. Four pony geldings (225 kg) were used in a study consisting of four successive digestion trials utilizing a 4 X 4 Latin square design. The four dietary treatments were basal alone and supplemented with 15% corn oil, blended fat or inedible tallow. The blended fat was composed of a mixture of animal and vegetable fats. A 7-d preliminary period preceded a 7-d total fecal collection period for each trial. Heat production values were obtained by indirect calorimetry and calculated from oxygen consumption data. Fat supplementation increased (P less than .05) dietary metabolizable energy from a basal value of 3,224 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1 to a mean value of 3,984 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1 for the three fat diets. No difference in heat production was observed among the diets, averaging 2,883 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1. Fats increased (P less than .05) the energy balance (metabolizable energy-heat production) approximately 88% over the basal. Corn oil and blended fat produced the greatest energy balance of the fats. Utilization of energy in fats, calculated by difference, was not different, but tended to be highest in blended fat and lowest in the corn oil. Apparent fatty acid digestibility increased (P less than .05) with the addition of fat to the basal, partially due to the dilution of endogenous fecal fat, but digestion coefficients were not different (P greater than .40) among the high fat diets.

Socio-medical characteristics of patients attending a V.D. clinic and the circumstances of infection.

PIP: A study to examine the social characteristics of 1753 patients attending a venereal disease (VD) clinic in Belfast in 1969 was undertaken. Information was also sought on the circumstances in which infection took place. Only 24% of the patients were diagnosed as having statutory VD (syphilis, gonorrhea, or chancroid). The peak incidence of cases was found in the 20-34 year age group, approximately 2/3 of the patients. Men were more likely to be single than the women. 2/3 of the men and 3/4 of the women lived with their parents or their spouse. The high proportion of married women reflects that many came to the clinic as secondary contacts. Sailors constituted an important group of male patients. Diagnosis varied with social class: men in social classes I and II were more likely to have nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) (the most common condition found in all male patients) than men in social classes III, IV, and V, who were more likely to have syphilis, gonorrhea, and "other conditions". Women in social classes I and II were more likely to be free of infection than their counterparts in other classes. For patients with gonorrhea, both married and single men were more likely to acquire the infection from a casual contact than their married and single female counterparts. 14 or 1.2% of the male patients admitted to possible homosexual source of infection. The public house and dance hall were the most common meeting places and therefore it is suggested that information about VD be displayed in these places. A majority of men reported consuming alcohol before intercourse. For men, intercourse took place most frequently in the residence of the woman, in cars, or on the street; for women, their residence, residence of the man, or cars were most frequently mentioned. Of the patients to whom the question was applicable, 16.9% of the men and .8% of the women indicated that a cash payment had been made. Diagnosis varied with the use of a sheath. Men who used a sheath were less likely to be diagnosed with syphilis or gonorrhea and more likely to not have an infection or have NGU. From the 119 men with gonorrhea who could identify the source of contact, 45 women sought treatment from the clinic. The study results suggest that there is a pool of promiscuous infected women who do not seek treatment, probably because they are unaware they have an infection, as suggested by results from other studies. Persuading these women to come for treatment is an important step in controlling the spread of infection.^ieng