Ocular surface physiology and aqueous tear secretion in cats of diverse cephalic conformations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe normative ocular surface and aqueous tear testing data for cats of various cephalic conformation. ANIMALS STUDIED: Fifty-three healthy adult cats (11 British Shorthair, 11 Burmese, 10 Devon Rex, 10 Scottish Fold, and 11 Sphynx). PROCEDURES: Blink rate, corneal tactile sensation (CTS), and Schirmer tear test with or without topical anesthesia (STT-1, STT-2) and with nasolacrimal stimulation (NL-STT1, NL-STT2) were assessed. Palpebral fissure length (PFL) and skull morphology were measured, and cephalic index (CI) and craniofacial ratio (CFR) calculated. RESULTS: Mean ± SD test results were as follows: blink rate (5.0 ± 2.3 blinks/min), CTS (3.2 ± 0.7 cm), STT-1 (11.2 ± 4.3 mm/min), STT-2 (6.7 ± 3.6 mm/min), NL-STT1 (13.4 ± 5.7 mm/min), NL-STT2 (13.5 ± 5.2 mm/min), and PFL (2.0 ± 0.2 cm). Corneal sensitivity did not differ significantly among breeds (p = .152) but was negatively correlated with body weight (r = -.32, p = .019). STT-1 significantly differed among breeds (p < .001) and was lowest in Sphynx cats (8.7 ± 4.3 mm/min). A positive correlation was detected between STT-1 values at 30 and 60 s (r = .98; p < .001). The nasolacrimal reflex significantly increased STT in anesthetized and unanesthetized eyes (approximately +100% and +20%, respectively; p ≤ .002). STT-1 tended to be higher in intact versus neutered cats (p = .062). Age did not impact any test result (p ≥ .085). CONCLUSIONS: Normative data described here serve as a baseline for future studies assessing ocular surface disease in multiple feline breeds. Unlike dogs, brachycephalic cats did not have lower CTS or STT-1 than non-brachycephalic cats.

The Effects of Lactobacillus farciminis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Growth, Blood Biochemical, and Meat Quality Indicators of Specific Pathogen-Free Broiler Chickens.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus farciminis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on live weight gain, feed consumption indicators, and some metabolic blood biochemical and meat quality indicators of specific pathogen-free Ross 308 broiler chickens. We carried out the study in three trials and included a total of 780 unsexed Ross 308 chickens, which we randomly divided into two groups: the control group (Con, n = 390, basal diet) and the probiotic group (ProL, n = 390, basal diet + a powder consisting of L. farciminis and L. rhamnosus 4 g/10 kg of feed). We raised broilers until day 35. We determined the amount of feed consumed, the average daily weight gain, the feed conversion ratio, the average daily feed intake, and the cumulative feed intake once a week. We collected blood samples from 45 broilers from each group at the end of the study. In addition, we slaughtered 30 broilers from each group by cervical dislocation to obtain a breast muscle sample (without skin) to determine meat quality in these chickens (cholesterol and unsaturated, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, and saturated fatty acids). Feeding a probiotic mixture containing L. farciminis and L. rhamnosus did not significantly affect the growth and feed intake indicators. Feeding these probiotics significantly lowered the blood serum cholesterol levels but did not provide the expected reduction in meat cholesterol levels. However, feeding a probiotic mixture increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) in the breast meat and decreased saturated fatty acids. To better explain the effect of the combination of lactic acid bacteria (L. farciminis and L. rhamnosus) on the growth and development of broiler chickens in our study, histological and immunohistochemical examinations should be performed.

Ghrelin Immunoreactive Cell Amounts in the Abomasum in 4-Month-Old Calves by Feeding Different Amounts of Prebiotics and New Synbiotics.

The study aim was to determine prebiotic (inulin) and new synbiotic (inulin and Enterococcus faecium) varied dosage effects, during food breakdown-abomasum immunoreactive (IR) cell amount and cold carcass weight. Ghrelin is synthesized in the fundus region of the stomach. In the gastrointestinal system, ghrelin affects multiple functions, including secretion of gastric acid, gastric motility, and pancreatic protein output. The study consisted of 49 Holstein male calves (23 ± 5 days old, 50 ± 5 kg). Control and experimental groups were differentiated only with the additive amount added to the morning food source. Three prebiotic groups were fed Jerusalem artichoke flour (inulin content increased by 50%) in three amounts: 6 g (lowest) PreG6, 12 g (medium) PreG12, and 24 g (highest) PreG24. Three synbiotic groups were added 0.25 g of prebiotic Enterococcus faecium (2 ∗ 109 CFU/g) to the respective prebiotic, obtaining a new synbiotic (SynG6, SynG12, and SynG24). Calves were slaughtered after 56 days to obtain abomasum samples for ghrelin IR cell examination, and carcass weight was determined. It shows that ghrelin IR cell count in the abomasum was (p < 0.05) reduced in 6g and 12g inulin dosage, but carcass weight was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for PreG12 and PreG24 (p < 0.05) and then for CoG (CoG 42.6 kg; PreG12 51.4 kg; and PreG24 54.0 kg) and (p < 0.05) for SynG12 and SynG24 (SynG12 52.3 kg and SynG24 49.6 kg), which indicates longer satiety and more wholesome breakdown of the food uptake. It was concluded that ghrelin IR cells in 12-week-old calves are more abundant in the fundus region. Medium- and high-dosage prebiotic inulin feeding to the calves improves overall food digestion, allowing for longer satiety and higher cold carcass weight without increasing food amount. Adding synbiotic 0.25 g Enterococcus faecium (2 ∗ 109 CFU/g (Protexin, UK)) to inulin (produced in Latvia LTD "Herbe") does not improve the results of this prebiotic.

Impact of the flour of Jerusalem artichoke on the production of methane and carbon dioxide and growth performance in calves.

AIM: The aim of the research was to evaluate the growth performance, to measure the amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in calves' rumen, and to compare the obtained results between the control group (CoG) and the experimental group (Pre12) which received the additional supplement of the prebiotic inulin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted with ten Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus L.) crossbreed calves with an average age of 33±6 days. Calves were split into two groups: 5 calves that were fed with the control non-supplemented diet (CoG) and 5 calves that were fed with the same diet further supplemented with 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin per 0.5 kg of barley flour diet (Pre12). The duration of the experiment was 56 days. CH4 and CO2 were measured using cavity ringdown spectroscopy device Picarro G2508. The weight and samples from calves' rumen were evaluated 3 times during the experimental period - on the 1st, 28th, and 56th days. Samples were obtained by puncturing the calf rumen. RESULTS: The weight gain (kg) during the whole experimental period was higher in the Pre12 (65.8±6.57) compared to CoG (36.8±7.98) calves (p<0.001). The daily weight gain was also increased in the Pre12 (1.2±0.12) than CoG (0.7±0.14) calves (p<0.001). There was no difference in the levels of CH4 and CO2 produced in the rumen of CoG and Pre12 calves (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The main results showed that the prebiotic inulin can promote weight gain in calves, without affecting the mean concentration of CH4 and CO2 in calves' rumen.