The information available on the biological activity of hydrogen sulfide has been examined for present status of critical results pertaining to the toxicity of hydrogen sulfide. This review of the literature is intended as an evaluative report rather than an annotated bibliography of all the source material examined on hydrogen sulfide. The information was selected as it might relate to potential toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide to man and summarized, noting information gaps that may require further investigation. Several recommendations are listed for possible consideration for either toxicological research or additional short- and long-term tests. Two bibliographies have been provided to assist in locating references considered in this report: (1) literature examined but not cited and (2) reference citations. The majority of the references in the first bibliography were considered peripheral information and less appropriate for inclusion in this report.

A Critical Review of the Literature on Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity

Antibiotics were discovered over 50 years ago and have since been widely used in the livestock and poultry industries. They represent an extremely important tool in the efficient production of pork, beef, poultry meat, and other animal products. When used at low (subtherapeutic) levels in feeds, antibiotics improve growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization, reduce mortality and morbidity, and improve reproductive performance. Antibiotics are also used at intermediate levels to prevent disease and at high (therapeutic) levels to treat diseases in animals.

Why and how antibiotics are used in swine production

Glucosinolates in animal nutrition: A review

Abstract Glucosinolates (Gls) are secondary plant metabolites that occur in all Brassica-originated feeds and fodders. Content and composition of Gls vary due to plant species, agronomic practices and climatic conditions. The Gls content is generally higher in rapeseed meal (RSM) varieties grown under tropical environment than those occur in temperate regions. The RSM from Indian sub-continent contain primarily 3-butenyl, 2-propenyl and 4-pentenyl glucosinolates. But 2-propenyl glucosinolate accounts more than 0.95 of their total glucosinolates present in RSM of European and other temperate countries, and did not contain 4-pentenyl glucosinolates. Depending on the pH, cofactors and Gls content and composition of RSM, major metabolites of glucosinolates are thiocyanates (SCN), isothiocyanates (ITC), nitriles, 5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione (VOT) and 5-vinyl-1,3-oxyzolodine-2-thione (5-VOT). Apart from total glucosinolate (TGls) content SCN, nitriles and VOT estimates are the chief attribute of RSM quality as these are produced upon hydrolysis of Gls following the processing of RSM. Major deleterious effects of glucosinolates ingestion in animals are reduced palatability, decreased growth and production. Progoitrin and epi-progoitrin impair palatability at a level between 2.3 and 4.65 μmol g−1 diet, while at higher levels feed intake decreases. Nitriles are known to affect liver and kidney functions. The thiocyanates interfere with iodine availability, whereas VOT is responsible for the morphological and physiological changes of thyroid. Difference in Gls profile among the RSM induces varying levels of glucosinolates metabolites in animal tissues. Rapeseed meal feeding did not impair quality traits of carcass and increased unsaturated fatty acids (C22:2 and trans C18:1) content in carcass and milk fat. Ruminants are less sensitive to dietary glucosinolates. Pigs are more severely affected by dietary glucosinolate compared to rabbit, poultry and fish. The tolerance level (μmol g−1 diet) of TGls in ruminants, pig, rabbits, poultry and fish is 1.5–4.22, 0.78, 7.0, 5.4 and 3.6 μmol, respectively. Water extraction, heat and CuSO4 treatments were found suitable for RSM quality improvement. Iodine supplementation in the diet of pigs (1.0 mg kg−1) and ruminants (500 mg I each kg RSM) seems promising because of economic and easiness compared to other treatments. Therefore, a desired amount of RSM can be used for animal feed formulation adopting a suitable technology to minimize or remove Gls-related deleterious effects on animals.

Glicosinolates in animal nutrition: a review

Life history trade-offs are influenced by the diversity, availability and interactions of dietary antioxidants

Effect of lactation duration on reproductive performance of sows.

Effects of Dietary Phosphorus and Calcium Level on Performance, Bone Mineralization and Carcass Characteristics of Swine

Effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus on performance and carcass, metacarpal and turbinate characteristics of swine.

Effects of copper, molybdenum and sulfate on performance, hematology and copper stores of pigs and lambs.

Influence of type of antibiotic and length of antibiotic feeding period on performance and persistence of antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria in growing-finishing swine.

V. W. Hays

Papers

Effect of lactation duration on reproductive performance of sows.

Effects of Dietary Phosphorus and Calcium Level on Performance, Bone Mineralization and Carcass Characteristics of Swine

Effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus on performance and carcass, metacarpal and turbinate characteristics of swine.

Effects of copper, molybdenum and sulfate on performance, hematology and copper stores of pigs and lambs.

Influence of type of antibiotic and length of antibiotic feeding period on performance and persistence of antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria in growing-finishing swine.