Two experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) fed at two levels of Cu on growth and feed efficiency of weanling and growing-finishing pigs, as well as the effect on the immunocompetence of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 216 barrows (6 kg of BW and 18 d of age) were penned in groups of six (9 pens/treatment). Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial consisting of two levels of Cu (basal level or 175 ppm supplemental Cu) with and without MOS (0.2%). Diets were fed from d 0 to 38 after weaning. Blood samples were obtained to determine lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. From d 0 to 10, ADG, ADFI, and gain:feed (G:F) increased when MOS was added to diets containing the basal level of Cu, but decreased when MOS was added to diets containing 175 ppm supplemental Cu (interaction, P < 0.01, P < 0.10, and P < 0.05, respectively). Pigs fed diets containing 175 ppm Cu from d 10 to 24 and d 24 to 38 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI than those fed the basal level of Cu regardless of MOS addition. Pigs fed diets containing MOS from d 24 to 38 had greater ADG (P < 0.05) and G:F (P < 0.10) than those fed diets devoid of MOS. Lymphocyte proliferation was not altered by dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, 144 pigs were divided into six pigs/pen (six pens/treatment). Dietary treatments were fed throughout the starter (20 to 32 kg BW), grower (32 to 68 kg BW), and finisher (68 to 106 kg BW) phases. Diets consisted of two levels of Cu (basal level or basal diet + 175 ppm in starter and grower diets and 125 ppm in finisher diets) with and without MOS (0.2% in starter, 0.1% in grower, and 0.05% in finisher). Pigs fed supplemental Cu had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F during the starter and grower phases compared to pigs fed the basal level of Cu. During the finisher phase, ADG increased when pigs were fed MOS in diets containing the basal level of Cu, but decreased when MOS was added to diets supplemented with 125 ppm Cu (interaction, P < 0.05). Results from this study indicate the response of weanling pigs fed MOS in phase 1 varied with level of dietary Cu. However, in phase 2 and phase 3, diets containing either MOS or 175 ppm Cu resulted in improved performance. Pharmacological Cu addition improved gain and efficiency during the starter and grower phases in growing-finishing pigs, while ADG response to the addition of MOS during the finisher phase seems to be dependent upon the level of Cu supplementation.

Two analytical procedures for determining volatile fatty acids in the rumen liquid were compared: capillary isotachophoresis (ITP) and gas chromatography. Acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric and valeric acids were determined. No significant differences (n = 53, P ≥ 0.05) have been identified in the amounts of acetic and propionic acids and the results are highly consistent. For butyric acid, the method of gas chromatography yielded higher results with a constant error of approximately 0.5 mmol/l in the whole range of concentration. In terms of diagnostics, however, this size of error is non-significant. In the case of valeric acid a proportional error was found. Gas chromatography yielded higher values, the difference being greater for the low values while for the higher values the results are almost identical. However, valeric acid is a minor acid and its determination is of secondary significance to rumen fermentation assessment. The gas chromatography method is able to clearly differentiate between n and iso forms in the case of butyric and valeric acids. It can be stated that the two analytical methods yield comparable results and both can be used for the needs of practical diagnostics. 6-aminocaproic acid, FFAP capillary column, acetic acid, butyric acid

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the influence of increased intake of fats (calciferous salts of fatty acids) in the early lactation period on the development of liver steatosis. Twenty dairy cows in the study were divided into an experimental group (E; n = 10) and a control group (C; n = 10). Balanced diets of energy content, crude protein and minerals (except calcium) were fed to the two groups of dairy cows. The differences were in the fat content (3.7% and 6.99% dietary dry matter in the control and experimental groups, respectively), fibre (14.4% and 15.6% dietary dry matter in the control and experimental groups, respectively) and calcium (0.83% and 1.3% dietary dry matter in the control and experimental groups, respectively). The source of fats in the diet fed to the experimental group was treated rape cake (calciferous salts of fatty acids). The two diets were introduced on the day of calving. Blood samples were collected in weeks 2 and 4 post partum, and liver biopsies were performed in week 4 post partum.The histological examination of liver samples showed a significantly higher lipid infiltration (69.03 ± 8.42 vs. 23.83 ± 5.16%; p < 0.01) and significantly lower liver glycogen concentrations (25.74 ± 2.74% vs. 53.15 ± 1.74%; p < 0.01). Two weeks post partum, the experimental group had significantly higher blood serum concentrations of betahydroxybutyrate -BHB (1.04 ± 0.58 vs. 0.54 ± 0.18 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05), non-esterified fatty acids -NEFA (0.96 ± 0.57 vs. 0.39 ± 0.24 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (3.54 ± 1.29 vs. 2.51 ± 0.44 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05), total bilirubin (8.61 ± 3.73 vs. 5.29 ± 1.07 µmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05), lactate dehydrogenase -LDH (49.79 ± 12.43 vs. 37.20 ± 5.48 µkat·l -1 ; p < 0.05), significantly lower concentrations of total protein (78.77 ± 5.01 vs. 88.72 ± 7.05 g·l -1 ; p < 0.01) and urea (4.09 ± 0.92 vs. 4.99 ± 0.61 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05). In week 4 post partum, the experimental group had significantly higher concentrations of NEFA (0.62 ± 0.48 vs. 0.25 ± 0.1 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (4.70 ± 0.77 vs. 3.03 ± 0.49 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.01), LDH (45.97 ± 10.70 vs. 36.14 ± 3.97 µkat·l -1 ; p < 0.05) and significantly lower concentration of urea (4.43 ± 1.01 vs. 5.88 ± 1.08 mmol·l -1 ; p < 0.01).Our investigations suggest that increased intake of fats (6.99% dietary dry matter) in the early lactation period has a substantial effect on the development of liver steatosis. Fatty liver, liver biopsy, blood, glycogen, triacylglycerolIn recent years, the production efficiency of dairy cows has constantly been increasing, which has led to higher demands on the supply of their nutrients. The most difficult problems have been encountered in the early lactation period when dairy cows have a negative energy balance. The main problem of that period is the limited intake capacity for dry matter, as a consequence of which dairy cows are unable to cover their energy needs from feeds. In an effort to obtain the energy necessary for milk production, the cows us...

The goal of the study was to use evaluation of blood and colostrum selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of cows and the same blood concentrations of calves during the period of colostral nutrition to study differences in the metabolism of the different microelements in the mother and its young. Blood was collected from 12 cows and their calves before first intake of colostrum on the calving day and then at the end of the period of colostral nutrition to determine Se, Cu and Zn concentrations. First colostrum was collected from all cows. Se concentration was determined from whole blood and colostrum samples using hydride technique AAS. Cu and Zn concentrations were determined from colostrum and blood serum using flame AAS.The cows under examination were shown to have average concentrations of Se of 0.87 ± 0.30 and 0.47 ± 0.15 µmol·l -1 in whole blood and colostrum respectively, of Cu 8.95 ± 1.95 and 5.37 ± 1.80 µmol·l -1 in blood serum and colostrum respectively, and of Zn 11.62 ± 2.35 and 416.76 ± 120.07 µmol·l -1 in blood serum and colostrum respectively. Blood of calves before the first intake of colostrum was characterized by a significantly higher (p < 0.001) mean concentration of Zn (25.88 ± 8.79 µmol·l -1 ) and a significantly lower (p < 0.001) concentration of Cu (3.23 ± 1.08 µmol·l -1 ) compared with the mothers. Blood Se concentration of the calves (0.91 ± 0.26 µmol·l -1 ) was not significantly different from blood Se concentration of the cows. A significant increase (p < 0.001) in blood Cu concentration of the calves to 7.53 ± 1.98 µmol·l -1 and an insignificant increase in the mean Zn and Se concentrations to 26.40 ± 6.58 µmol·l -1 and 0.93 ± 0.32 µmol·l -1 respectively occurred during colostral nutrition. Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation (p < 0.01) between blood Se concentrations of the mothers and their newborn calves (r = 0.72). No significant correlation was found between Cu and Zn concentrations of cows and their calves. No significant relation between blood and colostrum concentrations of the different microelements of cows was found either.We have shown major differences as to the parameters of the micromineral metabolism under examination at the level of the mother/young relationship. While the calf organism can accumulate Zn throughout the intrauterine development and Zn is cumulated in cow colostrum, too, serum Cu concentrations of newborn calves are significantly lower compared with the mothers and colostrum Cu concentrations reach just about 60% of serum Cu concentrations of the cows. Although blood Cu concentration of calves increases throughout the period of colostral nutrition, it does not reach the level of serum Cu concentration of the mother by the end of the period. The Se status of newborn calves is similar to that of the mother cows and just like with Cu, Se is not cumulated in colostrum to any significant extent.

The aim of the study was to compare contents of individual protein fractions determined by electrophoresis in blood serum of healthy periparturient goats. Eight clinically healthy white shorthaired goats were examined. Blood samples of these goats were taken from v. jugularis three weeks and two weeks before the anticipated parturition, on the parturition day, 7 days after the parturition, and 28 days after the parturition. Individual protein fractions, albumins, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-and γ-globulins were identified by electrophoretic analysis of blood serum. Percentage shares of individual protein fractions were converted from total protein values to g·l -1 values. The results indicated that individual serum protein fractions in periparturient goats showed significant dynamics of change. There were no significant differences between samples taken before the parturition and on the parturition day (except for the increase of β2 from 2.5 ± 0.3 g·l -1 observed 3 weeks before the parturition to 3.2 ± 0.4 g·l -1 measured 2 weeks before the parturition, and the decrease of γG levels from 9.5 ± 2.6 g·l -1 observed three weeks before the parturition to 8.1 ± 1.7 g·l -1 found on the parturition day), yet most indicators measured after the parturition were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than on the parturition day (values in g·l -1 observed on the parturition day versus values measured 28 days after the parturition: total protein 60.6 ± 4.3 vs. 71.3 ± 2.4, albumins 37.4 ± 2.9 vs. 42.7 ± 1.0, α2 3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8, β1 5.6 ± 0.5 vs. 6.3 ± 0.9, γG 8.1 ± 1.7 vs. 12.3 ± 1.9). The results bring new knowledge on the values of individual fractions of serum proteins in healthy goats, which is necessary for diagnostic interpretation of pathological findings in animals and also for experimental studies.

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of actual daily milk production and lactation stage on concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu and Se in milk, and monitor correlations between milk and blood concentrations of these microelements.The study was performed in a herd of Holstein cattle with the average milk yield of 8,562 kg. Thirty-five dairy cows housed in one group were included in the study. Blood and milk samples were taken during two separate milk yield checks done 4 weeks apart. Actual milk production of monitored cows ranged from 19.6 to 62.6 l daily. For lactation stages we evaluated results of examinations performed from 7 to 188 days of lactation.Blood examinations showed that the cows included in our study had good supplementation with the microelements in question. Milk concentrations of individual microelements were as follows: 3855.2  814.7 μg/l of Zn; 36.3  14.4 μg/l of Cu; 20.1  8.3 μg/l of Mn, and 28.6  7.1 μg/l of Se. The effect of daily milk production on milk concentrations of the microelements was identified only for copper (r = -0.302, p  0.05). The variable of days of lactation (not considering days of the colostrum period) showed a positive correlation in manganese (r = 0.419, p  0.01); copper and selenium showed negative correlations (Cu: r = -0.258, p  0.05; Se: r = -0.277, p  0.05). The daily milk production influenced negatively only Cu concentration in milk, but Se, Zn and Mn was not influenced.With advancing lactation after colostrum period the concentration of Mn in milk raised, the concentration of Cu and Se declined and the concentration of Zn was unchanged. Cows, microelements, blood plasma

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phosphorylated mannans (MAN) and pharmacological levels of ZnO on performance and immunity when added to nursery pig diets. Pigs (216 in each experiment), averaging 19 d of age and 6.2, 4.6, and 5.6 kg of BW in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were blocked by BW in each experiment, and penned in groups of six. A lymphocyte blastogenesis assay was performed in each experiment to measure in vitro lymphocyte proliferation response. In Exp. 1, diets were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3% from d 0 to 10, and 0 and 0.2% from d 10 to 38). Zinc oxide increased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F from d 0 to 10, and ADG and ADFI from d 10 to 24. In Exp. 2, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and three levels of MAN (0, 0.2, and 0.3%). Pigs fed 2,500 ppm Zn from d 0 to 10 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F than pigs fed 200 ppm Zn. From d 10 to 24, ADG was similar when pigs were fed 200 ppm Zn, regardless of MAN supplementation; however, ADG increased (P < 0.05) when 0.2% MAN was added to dietscontaining 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3%) and three levels of Zn (200, 500, and 2,500 ppm). Zinc was maintained at 200 ppm from d 21 to 35, so only two dietary treatments (0 and 0.3% MAN) were fed during this period. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) from d 7 to 21 when pigs were fed 2,500 ppm Zn compared with pigs fed 200 or 500 ppm Zn. The addition of MAN improved (P < 0.05) G:F from d 7 to 21 and d 0 to 35. Lymphocyte proliferation of unstimulated cells and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cells was decreased (P < 0.05) in cells isolated from pigs fed MAN compared with cells isolated from pigs fed diets without MAN. Lymphocyte proliferation of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cells isolated from pigs fed MAN was less (P < 0.05) than for pigs fed diets devoid of MAN when diets contained 200 ppm Zn; however, MAN had no effect on lymphocyte proliferation when the diet contained 500 or 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). Although the magnitude of response to MAN was not equivalent to that of pharmacological concentrations of Zn, MAN mayimprove growth response when pharmacological Zn levels are restricted.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phosphorylated mannans (MAN) and pharmacological levels of ZnO on performance and immunity when added to nursery pig diets. Pigs (216 in each experiment), averaging 19 d of age and 6.2, 4.6, and 5.6 kg of BW in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were blocked by BW in each experiment, and penned in groups of six. A lymphocyte blastogenesis assay was performed in each experiment to measure in vitro lymphocyte proliferation response. In Exp. 1, diets were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3% from d 0 to 10, and 0 and 0.2% from d 10 to 38). Zinc oxide increased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F from d 0 to 10, and ADG and ADFI from d 10 to 24. In Exp. 2, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and three levels of MAN (0, 0.2, and 0.3%). Pigs fed 2,500 ppm Zn from d 0 to 10 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F than pigs fed 200 ppm Zn. From d 10 to 24, ADG was similar when pigs were fed 200 ppm Zn, regardless of MAN supplementation; however, ADG increased (P < 0.05) when 0.2% MAN was added to dietscontaining 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3%) and three levels of Zn (200, 500, and 2,500 ppm). Zinc was maintained at 200 ppm from d 21 to 35, so only two dietary treatments (0 and 0.3% MAN) were fed during this period. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) from d 7 to 21 when pigs were fed 2,500 ppm Zn compared with pigs fed 200 or 500 ppm Zn. The addition of MAN improved (P < 0.05) G:F from d 7 to 21 and d 0 to 35. Lymphocyte proliferation of unstimulated cells and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cells was decreased (P < 0.05) in cells isolated from pigs fed MAN compared with cells isolated from pigs fed diets without MAN. Lymphocyte proliferation of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cells isolated from pigs fed MAN was less (P < 0.05) than for pigs fed diets devoid of MAN when diets contained 200 ppm Zn; however, MAN had no effect on lymphocyte proliferation when the diet contained 500 or 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). Although the magnitude of response to MAN was not equivalent to that of pharmacological concentrations of Zn, MAN mayimprove growth response when pharmacological Zn levels are restricted.