Inaugural ASAS–CAAV Asia Pacif ic Rim Conference Abstracts

T223 Digestive enzyme activities and gastrointestinal hormonesgastrin and somatostatin expression in reserpine-induced functionalgastrointestinal disorder rats. F. Cheng* 3 , F. Liu 2 , X. Zhu 1 , J. Gan 1 , X. Song 3 ,and J. Xu 1 , 1 China Agricultural University, Beijing, China, 2 Beijing University ofAgriculture, Beijing, China, 3 Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of reserpine-induced ratfunctional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) on digestive enzyme activities andon gastrin (GAS) and somatostatin (SS) expression. The rats were randomlyassigned to 2 groups, with 18 rats in each group. Each rat in the reserpine-treatedgroup was injected intraperitoneally with reserpine (0.5 mL/kg), whereas eachrat in the control group was injected intraperitoneally with normal saline (0.5mL/kg). Symptoms were observed and the BW and organ (spleen, liver, kidney,and heart) indexes were determined on d 7, 10, and 14. Collection of serum anddetection of amylase and lipase activities were determined by kit manuals. Thetissues of the stomach and small intestine were immediately fixed in 10% neutralformalin. Paraffin-embedded sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin andeosin for histopathological evaluation. Total RNA was isolated from the stomachand small intestine using Trizol reagent. Real-time PCR detected GAS and SSmessenger RNA expression. Total proteins were extracted separately from thegastric antrum and duodenum of rats on experimental d 7 and their contents weremeasured by the BCA method. The GAS and SS protein contents were assayedby ELISA with a Model 680 Microplate Reader according to the kit instructions.Compared with the control group, rats in the reserpine-treated group lost BW at d7, 10, and 14. Serum amylase activity had significantly decreased, whereas lipaseactivity had obviously increased on d 7. Histological observation revealed thatthe intestinal walls of the duodenum and jejunum became thin, intestinal folliclesof the duodenum became atrophied, and the structure did not have integrity. TheGAS messenger RNA in the duodenum was obviously lower and the proteinexpression of GAS in the duodenum sharply decreased, whereas the SS in both thesinus ventriculi and duodenum increased, with a significant increase of SS in theduodenum. In conclusion, the duodenum is a sensitive part of the gastrointestinalhormones GAS and SS in reserpine-induced rat FGID. The downregulation ofGAS expression is one important factor in FGID.T225 Inducing subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy goats. H.Honglian* 1 , L. Dexun 1 , L. Dacheng 2 , L, Shengli 1 , S. Dan 1 , Z. Chunhua 1 , and S.Yan 1 , 1 Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Sciences, Huhhot,China, 2 Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, China.Data from experiments in which subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) was inducedin lactating dairy goats were evaluated to investigate the effectiveness of theinduction protocol. Six rumen-fistulated Guanzhong dairy goats (mean BW =32 kg) were successively fed 4 diets with different nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC)and NDF levels (i.e., 1.02, 1.24, 1.63, and 2.58, respectively, during the 40-dmeasurement periods). Ruminal pH was measured continuously using in-dwellingelectrodes, and data were summarized by calculating daily mean pH, maximumand minimum pH, time below pH 5.2 and 5.5, and area below pH 5.5 for each24-h period. The DMI was recorded daily. The SARA induction protocol loweredmean ruminal pH from 6.09 during the control period to 5.66 during the SARAperiod and increased mean duration of pH between 5.2 and 5.5 from 0 to 7.17 h/d.Curve areas under 5.5 were increased from 0 to 1.09. Nadir ruminal pH decreasedby 0.43 pH units during the SARA model development. Dry matter intake wasaffected by SARA induction: DMI was significantly decreased and day-to-dayfluctuation was greater in the SARA period. When dairy goats were fed the dietwith NFC and NDF levels of 2.58, their NFC intake was 610.5 g/d and theirNDF intake was 236.6 g/d. Subacute ruminal acidosis was induced successfully(low ruminal pH without signs of acute ruminal acidosis); the fluctuation timeof ruminal pH between 5.5 and 5.2 could last for more than 7 h, and 2 of the 6dairy goats had small pH fluctuations and did not display signs of SARA, whichsuggested the incidence of SARA was 66%.Key Words: subacute ruminal acidosis, ruminal pH, dry matter intakeKey Words: functional gastrointestinal disorder, gastrin, somatostatinT224 Racing horse stachybotryotoxicosis report. K. Peng* 1 ,H. Liu 1 , H. Song 1 , Y. Feng 1 , and D. Cheng 2 , 1 College of Veterinary Medicine,Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P. R. China, 2 Oriental Horse RacingGroup, Wuhan, P. R. China.Stachybotryotoxicosis is caused by toxigenic strains of Stachybotrys atra in foragegrass either in the meadow or during storage under conditions suitable for moldgrowth. In the present report, stachybotryotoxicosis occurring in racing horses ofRaising Base in the Hubei Province presents a diverse pattern of toxic responseand disease in relation to species, age, sex, nutritional status, and the durationof intake and level of poison in the rations. The poisoned horses were short ofbreath and presented hyperpyrexia, fatigue, weakness, lack of coordination,xerostomia, mucosa cyanochroia, anorexia, and diarrhea. There was a highincidence of concurrent disease, often digestive, respiratory, or cardiovascular,that responded poorly to the usual chemotherapy. Three horse deaths occurredafter 1 to 2 d of inappetence. Pathological dissection and histological examinationrevealed that the gums of the teeth and the mucosa of the buccal division werenecrotic, with a dark purple color. Leukopenia and hematopexis were severe.There were widespread plaque and punctate hemorrhages in the stomach,duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and cecum. Mucosal ulceration, necrosis, andamotio were present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The digestive tubal wallbecame thin. The occurrence of hepatomegalia and splenomegalia was severe.It culminated in congestion of the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Microscopicinflammatory cells infiltrated many organs. The liver showed marked fattydegeneration and an increase in the size of hepatocytes and Kupffer’s cells andtheir nuclei. The gastrointestinal mucosa may have shown glandular atrophy andassociated inflammation. Granular degeneration occurred in the epithelial cells ofthe hepatic plate, renal tubule, and cardiac muscle fibers. Thrombogenesis couldbe found in some arterioles of the myocardium. The spleen white pulp showedatrophy. Necropsy findings and microscopic examinations should indicate thenature of this disease. The presence and levels of S. atra in forage grass shouldbe determined. Contaminated forage grass should be avoided for feeding.Symptomatic treatment is necessary.Key Words: racing horse, Stachybotrys atra, poison64