Growth indices were examined in 24 identically managed tanks, each containing 120 diploid juvenile rainbow trout (initial mean body weight, 9.3 g), during a 12-week study to examine tank effects associated with tank location in a multi-user research facility. Growth indices included mean body weight, feed intake, feed conversion index, and specific growth rate. The null hypothesis that tank effect had no effect on growth over the 12-week period was rejected (P = 0.038), and mean weight in individual tanks differed by as much as 18.7%. During the study, it was determined that the proximity of tanks to common-use walkways in the facility could affect growth indices. This was indicated by significant differences in the mean fish weights among blocks of tanks served by different header tanks after 4 (P = 0.001) and 8 (P = 0.024) weeks. The block containing tanks of fish with the highest mean weight was nearest to the 2 common-use walkways in the facility. Fish in this block of tanks, compared with those in other blocks, had significantly greater feed intake but no significant differences in conversion efficiency. Compensatory growth, a well known growth attribute in fishes, diminished the difference in mean weight between these blocks of tanks by the end of the study. Comparison of paired tanks within header tank blocks indicated that fish in those located nearest to walkways had higher feeding rates over the 12-week period (P = 0.048), but less efficient teed conversion (P = 0.040) than did fish in matched tanks located farthest from walkways. However, there were no differences in mean weight of fish. Results of this trial document the risks involved in identifying fish in a tank as the experimental unit when treatments are administered to the tank of fish, the latter being the true experimental unit.

Cortical bone screws were implanted into the proximal portion of the right and left radius and ulna of 6 newborn Quarter Horse foals as radiographic markers for measurement of growth. Distance between markers on a lateral radiographic view was measured. Radiographs were taken at 2-week intervals until the horses were 8 weeks old, at 4-week intervals until they were 48 weeks old, and at 12-week intervals until they were 72 weeks old. The proximal radius and ulna grew at similar rates during the 72-week period of evaluation, and growth continued throughout 72 weeks. The proximal radius grew 3.5 cm, and the ulna grew 3.4 cm. Although the rates of growth were similar, growth from the ulnar physis contributed only to the length of the olecranon; growth was not transmitted to the ulnar diaphysis distal to the cubital joint. The proximal radius slid distally in relation to the ulna as growth occurred at the proximal radial physis. These findings suggest that transfixing the ulna to the radius while growth is occurring at the proximal radial physis impedes the natural shifting process, and subluxation of the elbow can result. Severity of subluxation would be inversely related to the age of the horse at the time of transfixation.

Effects of dietary ochratoxin A (OA) and T-2 toxin, fed singly and in combination, were evaluated in growing crossbred pigs. Thirty-six barrows (3 replicates of 3 for each of 4 treatment groups, mean body weight, 18.0 kg) were fed: 0 mg of OA and 0 mg of T-2/kg of feed (control); 2.5 mg of OA/kg of feed; 8.0 mg of T-2/kg of feed; or 2.5 mg of OA plus 8.0 mg of T-2/kg of feed for 30 days. Production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, immunologic, and pathologic evaluations were made. Body weight and body weight gain were decreased by all toxin treatments, but the combination toxin treatment reduced weight gain more than did either of the toxins administered singly and could be considered additive. Liver weight was decreased by combination treatment, whereas kidney weight was increased by OA treatment. Ochratoxin decreased serum cholesterol, inorganic phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase values; reduced mean cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and macrophage phagocytosis; and increased creatinine and total protein values. Consumption of T-2 toxin reduced hemoglobin and serum alkaline phosphatase values. The combination treatment decreased serum cholesterol, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, mean cell volume, hematocrit, and hemoglobin values, as well as lymphoblastogenesis and phagocytosis, and increased serum nine concentration. We concluded that OA and T-2, singly or in combination, can affect clinical performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic values, and organ weights of growing barrows. Although some analytes were affected more by the combination than by either toxin alone, the interactions could best be described as additive, not synergistic.

Biplanar radiography was used to study normal growth of the left and right radius in 5 Beagles and growth of the left radius alone in 15 additional Beagles. We explored the applicability of this radiographic method in veterinary medicine by measuring the contribution to total radius length from each growth plate. Spherical tantalum markers (0.5 mm) were embedded in the proximal epiphysis, diaphysis, and distal epiphysis of each dog's radius at 10 weeks of age. Simultaneous biplanar radiographic views were obtained every 4 weeks until skeletal maturity was documented. A three-dimensional coordinate system was constructed allowing for measurement of growth (in millimeters). Resolution of the measuring system was 0.074 mm. Mean +/- SEM length of the skeletally mature Beagle's radius, as measured from proximal epiphyseal bead to distal epiphyseal bead, was 95.33 +/- 1.07 mm. The percentage of contribution to the total radius length from the proximal and distal growth plates was 36.76 and 64.73%, respectively, with 95% confidence interval of 2.29%. The percentage of contribution to radius length from the distal radial growth plate increased for each consecutive time segment, with the distal radial physis contributing 61.75% from 10 to 14 weeks of age and increasing to 70.22% from 22 to 26 weeks of age. Significant growth was not observed after 26 weeks of age. The period of most rapid growth was between 10 and 14 weeks of age. Biplanar radiography was accurate and precise in quantifying the relative contribution of the proximal and distal growth plate to radius length in Beagles. The method is applicable in veterinary research or clinical medicine for monitoring of axial and angular growth: physiologic, iatrogenic, or pathologic.

Sixteen steers were used to investigate the efficacy of the sustained-release implant of bovine somatotropin (bST) in improving growth and feed:gain ratio during 12 weeks. Administration of the 400 mg bST implant resulted in a 16.1% increase in growth rate, and this increase was significant (p less than .05). The use of the sustained-release implant did not alter (p greater than .05) feed intake and feed:gain ratio. Thirty-four cows were used to investigate the efficacy of the sustained-release implant of bST in milk production during 4 weeks. Administration of the 200 mg bST implant resulted in an 8.7% increase in milk production, and this increase was significant (p less than .05). Twenty-four barrows were used to investigate the efficacy of the sustained-release implant of porcine somatotropin (pST) in improving growth, feed:gain ratio and backfat thickness during 6 weeks. Administration of the 120 mg pST implant resulted in a 11.4% increase in feed:gain ratio and a 60% decrease in backfat thickness, and these results were significant (p less than .05). But the use of the sustained-release implant did not alter (p greater than .05) growth rate and feed intake.

The growth and development of replacement gilts of different precocity and age depending on the terms of transition from herd-producer to the market area of a complex was studied in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Animal transfer into new housing conditions affected the early maturing and super early maturing breed pigs of experimental groups. It was determined that moving of replacement pigs into the market area of the complex at the age of 115 days made it possible to obtain higher indices of swine productivity. Fertilization rate of sows of the first experimental group after the first insemination made up 77,6%, that was higher on 6,2% and 9,5% in comparison with the control and the second experimental groups, respectively. The advantage of the first and second experimental groups over the control one was stated in a higher multiple fetation on 0,4 heads and heightened heavy litter indices on 0,1 kg; the quantity of weanling was higher on 0,6 and 0,5 heads, on litter weight at weaning was higher on 7,1 and 3,8 kg, respectively

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was realized an ecological monitoring of sources of water supply in the conditions of a swine breeding complex and adjoining settlements. There was studied the influence of a large swine breeding complex on water quality of closed type water sources. There was marked a microbial contamination of water depending on remoteness of animal breeding object and season of a year. There were determined the seasonal changes of physical properties, chemical and bacteriological composition of water used for swine breeding. There were noted changes in water quality in the process of its flow from the point of water inlet up to the place of its consumption. Results of influence of improved water on piglets were presented. There was studied the possibility of improvement of water quality by means of its treatment with solution of potassium hypermanganate (0,01%) which made it possible to increase average daily live weight gain of piglets. In course of the study there was realized the analysis of protein spectrum of blood serum of piglets; dynamics of body weight and average daily weight gain of experimental piglets.