Apassara Choothesa

Effect of source of methionine in broken rice-soybean diet on production performance, blood chemistry, and fermentation characteristics in weaned pigs

This study was conducted to compare the effect of source of methionine (Met) in broken rice- soybean diet on performance, blood biochemistry, and fermentation characteristics in weaned pigs. Forty-eight male crossbreed pigs (BW 11 ± 0.1 kg) were randomly allocated to three groups with four replications in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets were: (1) basal diet without methionine (Control; total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) 0.60%); (2) basal diet supplemented with dl-methionine (DLM) (TSAA 0.76%); and (3) basal diet supplemented with dl-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (LMA) (TSAA 0.76%). Supple - mentation with DLM and LMA improved growth performance of piglets and decreased blood urea nitrogen and increased serum albumin ( P < 0.01). The population of Lactobacillus spp. in the caecum was decreased by both DLM and LMA supplementation ( P < 0.05). Succinic acid concentration in the caecum of pigs fed the DLM diet was greater than that of LMA group ( P < 0.05). It can be concluded that LMA can be used as a good source of Met (88% bioefficacy, weight/weight) in broken rice-soybean diet, although the serum albumin and fermentation characteristics (succinic acid) in the gastrointestinal tract were different.

Proteolytic activity from chicken intestine and pancreas: extraction, partial characterization and application for hyaluronic acid separation from chicken comb

BACKGROUND The potential utilization of viscera and combs, by-products from the chicken-processing industry, was investigated. Chicken combs have been reported to consist of hyaluronic acid (HA) bound to protein. Thus proteases extracted from broiler viscera were applied to digest combs to separate HA, a high-value ingredient widely used in pharmaceutical and medical products. RESULTS The highest activity of crude protease extracted from chicken intestine and pancreas was 0.35 U mg(-1) enzyme at 60 °C and pH 7.5. pH stability of the enzyme was attained from pH 6 to 8, while its thermal stability declined from 30 to 50 °C, with complete activity loss occurring after 30 min at temperatures above 60 °C. Therefore the optimal conditions for broiler comb digestion by crude protease in this study were chosen as pH 7.5 and 50 °C. The results showed that the yield of crude enzyme-extracted HA was lower (P < 0.05) than that obtained by commercial papain digestion. Similar identity of extracted HA and HA standard was verified by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. CONCLUSION The crude enzyme extract from chicken intestine and pancreas had high proteolytic activity and could be used successfully to separate HA from broiler combs. The method provides an appropriate means to add value to poultry-processing waste.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in a dog with acute monoblastic leukemia

A 10-year-old, female, mixed breed dog was admitted to the animal hospital with signs of jaundice, pigmenturia, depression, and splenomegaly. Hematology revealed non-regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia with numerous spherocytes, and a few undifferentiated blasts on a blood smear. A bone marrow examination indicated high M:E ratio with increased number of leukemic cells. Based on cytochemistry and protein electrophoresis, the patient was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia with acute monoblastic leukemia.