The effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on tibial bone characteristics and strength in broilers.

A 6-wk study with 50 birds was conducted to investigate the effects of a dietary supplemental probiotic on morphometric parameters and yield stress of the tibia. Twenty-five 1-d-old broiler chicks were assigned to a control or an experimental diet containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (BioPlus 2B, CHR Hansen BioSystems, Denmark, Ugur Ecza Deposu, Turkiye Distributoru, Adapazari 41400, Turkey; each containing 2.3 x 10(8) cfu/g of spores) supplemented to the starter and finisher diets at 500 g/1000 kg of feed. Each diet was replicated 5 times with 5 birds in each replicate. Tibiotarsi weight, length, and weight/length index, robusticity index, diaphysis diameter, modulus of elasticity, yield stress parameters, and percentage Ca content were not affected by the dietary supplementation of probiotic, whereas thickness of the medial and lateral wall of the tibia, tibiotarsal index, percentage ash, and P content were significantly improved by the probiotic. Medullary canal diameter of the tibia of the birds fed the control diet was significantly greater than that of birds fed the probiotic diet. There was no treatment impact on live performance of the birds throughout the 6-wk feeding trial.

Correlation analysis of the skull and long bone measurements of the dog.

In this study, a heterogeneous population of 42 dogs was examined for correlation between skull and long bone measurements. For this purpose, 17 craniometric measurements were carried out and used to calculate 12 indices and ratios. These indices and ratios were then subjected to a correlation analysis with long bone measurements. While a high significant negative correlation of p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively was found for skull, cranial and facial I1, I2, LLI-2, BI and BI-1 indices, and the CFO and CFO-1 ratios respectively with respect to the non-indexed long bone measurements, a high positive correlation was found to exist between those indices and ratios, and the long bone indices (p < 0.01). The correlation coefficients for the skull indices and ratios to long bone measurements proved to be very similar for the long bones of front and hind legs. As a result of the correlation analysis, it was found that with an increase in skull tendency towards the dolichocephalic type, the long bone parameters also increase, while with the skull tending towards the brachycephalic type, the long bone parameters decrease. This finding of a long bone-related increase in dimensions and morphological skull expression favours the assumption of a close relation to the skull typology.

[The relationship between uretero-cloacal structure in birds and sigmoidorectal pouch surgery]. / Verwandtschaft zwischen der ureterokloakalen Struktur bei Vögeln und der sigmoidorektalen Pouch-Chirurgie.

PURPOSE: The present study was planned to investigate morphological, functional and histological properties of the natural ureterocloacal for in birds as well as to provide an appropriate information which may contribute to rectosigmoidal pouch surgery and to decrease its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty chickens (Gallus domesticus, 26 broilers, 4 layers) with a mean weight of 1870 +/- 88 g were used for this study. Histological and morphological evaluation of the cloaca was performed. Urethral reflux was estimated using X-rays. RESULTS: We found that the cloaca had three parts from cranial to caudal: coprodeum, urodeum and proctodeum respectively. A coprourodeal fold (CUF) between the coprodeum and urodeum and a uroproctodeal fold between the urodeum and proctodeum were detected. Settling of the muscle clusters both in the ureter and urodeum near the opening area appeared to be a strong sphincter structure and the ureters are opened to a structure covered by a transitional epithelium, which is similar to bladder in humans (connecting two identical epithelia). According to X-rays following the administration of a radio-opaque substance, there was no ureteral reflux in any of them. CONCLUSIONS: The natural urointestinal structure in birds has a spontaneous ureterointestinal anti-reflux opening. The coprourodeal fold that prevents the mixing of faeces and urine, inhibits the effects of increased pressure and prevents the reflux of urine to the upper segments is provided with many of desired hinders properties for urointestinal diversion.

Classification of the vascular patterns of the pelvic limb muscles of cats.

The vascular patterns of the pelvic limb muscles were studied in 20 limbs of 10 cats. Gross dissection and radiography were used to identify the vascular pedicles. It is proposed that the tensor fascia lata, the rectus femoris, the superficial gluteal, the biceps femoris, the sartorius, the gracilis and the lateral digital extensor muscles are suitable for making muscular and musculocutaneous flaps in cat.

A quantitative study of the aorta of the chicken (Gallus domesticus).

The different segments of the aorta were studied quantitatively in five age groups of chicken. It was observed that the widest diameter and the thickest media occur on the 56th day in each segment, except for the thoracic aorta, which had the widest diameter on the 42nd day and the thickest media on the 70th day. The percentage of the intima, media and the adventitia, as compared with the total wall thickness, was determined and it was found that this value was quite similar in age group, but the differences were significant from one segment to another. The ratio between the total wall thickness and the lumen diameter was also calculated in each segment.

Morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum in German shepherd dogs (Alsatians).

In this study, a total of 32 skulls from German Shepherd (Alsatian) puppies were used. These animals were divided into two groups and examined individually. Group 1 included the puppies of between 43-60 days old. Group 2 included the puppies of between 61-107 days old. We based our study on the changes in shape and size of the foramen magnum and the correlation of normal craniometric measurements in the German Shepherd puppies. In group 1, a maximum width of the foramen magnum of 15.55 mm, a height of the foramen magnum of 14.38 mm and a foramen magnum index of 92.67 were observed. In group 2, a maximum width of the foramen magnum of 17.49 mm, a height of the foramen magnum of 16.34 mm and a foramen magnum index of 93.51 were measured. A high positive correlation was found between the maximum width and height of the foramen magnum, the maximum width of the occipital condyles, the maximum width of the bases of the jugular processes, the skull height, the height of the occipital triangle, the skull length from prosthion to basion and the skull length from prosthion to the caudal borders of the occipital condyles. A negative correlation was observed between the width and height of the foramen magnum and indices. Although there was no relation between the foramen magnum index and the age of the animals, an important difference was found between groups 1 and 2. A negative correlation was observed between the foramen magnum index and the rate of increase in the cranial volume. In all the animals examined, the dorsal bone of the foramen magnum was closed, therefore any extension or dorsal notch was not seen. Such an extension or dorsal notch of the foramen magnum in the German Shepherd puppies may therefore be the result of a pathological condition.

Classification of the vascular patterns of the thoracic limb muscles of cats.

The vascular patterns of the thoracic limb muscles were studied in 20 limbs of 10 cats. Gross dissection and radiography were used to identify the vascular pedicles. It is proposed that the latissimus dorsi, the cervical portion of the trapezius, the caudal portion of the omotransversarius, the deep pectoral, the deltoid, the biceps brachii, the lateral digital extensor and the extensor carpi ulnaris muscles are suitable for making muscular and musculocutaneous flaps in cat.