Dietary conjugated linoleic acid alters hepatic lipid content and fatty acid composition in broiler chickens

We examined the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance and liver composition in broiler chickens. Day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to receive a diet supplemented with corn oil (5%; n = 48) or CLA (5%; n = 48) for 21 d. Broilers fed CLA weighed less and grew at slower rates than broilers fed corn oil. Feed intake and feed conversion were higher for the corn-oil group than for the CLA dietary group. Hepatic lipid and triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly reduced by dietary CLA. The proportions of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in liver lipids increased, whereas those of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) decreased with CLA supplementation. Although the total concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) did not change with dietary treatment, the concentration of linoleic acid as a percentage of total methylated fatty acids decreased, and that of linolenic add increased in broilers fed CLA. The concentration of CLA isomers in liver lipids increased substantially with CLA feeding. The relative proportion of the c9,t11 CLA isomer in hepatic lipids was much higher than that of the t10,c12 or t9,t11 CLA isomers. These studies provide evidence that feeding CLA to broilers results in substantial reduction in liver fat accumulation and promotes CLA incorporation into hepatic lipid pools.

Production and Metabolic Responses of Periparturient Holstein Cows to Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid and trans-Octadecenoic Acids

Thirty-eight multiparous Holstein cows were utilized in a completely randomized design to examine the effect of feeding calcium salts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-octadecenoic acids (trans-C18:1) on animal performance and lipid and glucose metabolism during the transition to lactation. Dietary treatments were initiated approximately 28 d prior to expected calving dates and continued through d 49 postpartum. Prepartum treatments consisted of 1) a basal diet (Control), 2) basal diet + 150 g/d of CLA mix (CLA), and 3) basal diet + 150 g/d of trans-C18:1 mix (TRANS). Amounts of calcium salts of CLA and trans-C18:1 mixes were adjusted to 225 g/d during the 49-d postpartum treatment period. All diets were offered as a total mixed ration. Prepartum fat supplementation had no detectable effects on dry matter intake, body weight, or body condition score. After parturition, cows in the TRANS group consumed less dry matter at wk 4, 5, and 6 of lactation than did cows in the control group. Cows fed the trans-C18:1 supplement were in a more severe negative energy balance than those fed the control diet at 1 wk of lactation. Periparturient fat supplementation had no detectable effects on milk yield during wk 1 to 7 of lactation. Milk fat was not affected during wk 1 to 4, but was reduced after wk 4 of lactation by dietary CLA. Feeding calcium salts of CLA decreased short- to medium-chain fatty acid (C4 to C14) concentrations and increased both linoleic and linolenic acid concentrations in milk fat. Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid in blood were greater in cows fed the CLA-supplemented diet than in those fed the control diet at 1 wk of lactation. In spite of small numerical tendencies, hepatic lipid and triacylglycerol concentrations did not vary significantly among dietary treatments. Periparturient fat supplementation had no detectable effects on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Steady-state concentrations of hepatic mRNA encoding pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were greater for the TRANS treatment group than the control and CLA groups. Results indicate that dietary CLA and trans-C18:1 fatty acids may affect lipid and glucose metabolism in early postpartum Holstein cows through distinct mechanisms.

Recent advances in conservative and surgical treatment options of common equine foot problems

Foot problems are very common causes of lameness in horses. With the recent diagnostic advances to evaluate and treat foot pathology as well as to monitor response to therapy, it is now possible to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of many of these treatments. This review details some of the recent advances of the most common conservative and surgical treatment options for foot problems in horses, including an overview of evidence on the efficacy to support the use of these treatment options and on factors that may affect prognosis.

Comparing the clinical success rate of the dorsolateral approach to the medial approach for injection of the centrodistal joint in the horse

BACKGROUND

Centrodistal joint injection is an important component of lameness evaluation and treatment. Successful injection is poor for the medial approach. The dorsolateral approach is an alternative but has not been validated with contrast medium. Radiograph-guidance has not been studied to determine its necessity or benefit for either approach.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the dorsolateral approach to the centrodistal joint is more successful than the medial approach. To determine if radiograph-guidance is beneficial.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, randomised study.

METHODS

Three operators injected 98 centrodistal joints in total, each horse served as its own control. In Phase 1, injections were performed by standard technique. In the Phase 2, operators were allowed to use radiography to assist needle placement. Contrast deposition was evaluated by a single radiologist.

RESULTS

Without radiographic assistance, 10/25 (40%) joints were successfully injected using either the medial or dorsolateral approach. With radiographic assistance, 19/24 (79%) joints were successfully injected using the medial approach, 11/24 (46%) joints were successfully injected using the dorsolateral approach.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

The population consisted of aged horses representing a variety of breeds with existing osteoarthritis, and multiple operators were recruited.

CONCLUSIONS

The dorsolateral approach was equivalent to the medial approach when traditional injection techniques were used. Radiograph-guidance improved success of the medial approach, but not the dorsolateral approach. Many injections performed from the dorsolateral approach (32/49; 65%) resulted in extensive perivascular subcutaneous contrast deposition after infiltration into the tarsal canal. Further research is needed to improve injection success of the centrodistal joint when using the dorsolateral approach.