Transfer of blood urea nitrogen to cecal microbial nitrogen is increased by fructo‐oligosaccharide feeding in guinea pigs

The present study was conducted to determine the mechanism by which nitrogen (N) availability is improved by fructo‐oligosaccharide (FOS) in guinea pigs. Adult male guinea pigs were fed a commercial pellet diet (50 g/day) with either 5% glucose or 5% FOS for 7 days in individual metabolism cages. After 7 days of feeding the diet, ¹⁵N‐urea was administered intravenously 1 h before slaughter under anesthesia. The amount and concentration of total, protein, bacterial, ammonia and urea N and the ¹⁵N atom % excess were measured in blood, liver, gut contents and urine. The ¹⁵N atom % excess of total and protein N, and the amount of total, protein and bacteria N and ¹⁵N in the cecum were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. Furthermore, the concentration and amount of short‐chain fatty acids were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. In contrast, the amount of urinary ¹⁵N was significantly decreased by the consumption of FOS. These results suggest that consumption of FOS increases transfer of blood urea N into the large intestine for bacterial N synthesis, which is subsequently re‐absorbed by cecotrophy, and contributes to the increase of N utilization in guinea pigs.     

Utilization of dietary urea nitrogen is stimulated by D‐mannitol feeding in rabbits

The effect of D‐mannitol as an indigestible sugar on apparent digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen (N) utilization and growth performance, have been investigated in growing rabbits fed a urea‐containing diet. In experiment 1, 40‐day‐old male rabbits were fed a commercial diet with urea 10 g/kg with added glucose or D‐mannitol 60 g/kg each. Thereafter, in experiment 2 the rabbits aged 55 days were fed a commercial diet with or without urea 10 g/kg. Feed restriction at 55 g/kg^0.75/day was carried out in both experiments. Addition of D‐mannitol to the urea‐containing diet decreased urinary N excretion, which consequently increased N retention and ratios of retained N to consumed N or apparently absorbed N. Addition of urea alone to the diet increased daily N intake and urinary N excretion but did not affect N retention. Weight gain and feed efficiency were improved by D‐mannitol feeding, whereas feeding with urea alone did not affect these parameters. Utilization of dietary urea was enhanced in growing rabbits fed the urea‐containing diet with D‐mannitol, resulting in improvement of N retention and growth performance.     

饲粮碘添加水平对獭兔氮代谢、血液成分及内脏器官发育的影响

为研究饲粮碘添加水平对獭兔氮代谢、血液成分及内脏器官发育的影响,试验选用体重相近的3月龄獭兔200只,随机分为5组(每组40个重复,每个重复1只试验兔),分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0、0.2、0.4、0.8、1.6 mg/kg碘(碘的添加形式为碘化钾)的试验饲粮。预试期7 d,正试期53 d。结果表明:饲粮不同碘水平对獭兔的沉积氮(RN)有显著影响(P < 0.05),并且添加水平为0.8 mg/kg时达到最大值。饲粮碘的添加水平对獭兔血液中促甲状腺激素(TSH)、四碘甲腺原氨酸(T4)、游离态的四碘甲腺原氨酸(FT4)、三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)有显著的影响(P < 0.05),并分别在添加水平为0.4、0.8、0.8 mg/kg和0.8 mg/kg时达到最大值。另外,饲粮不同碘水平对獭兔的内脏器官发育和脂肪沉积无显著影响(P> 0.05)。综合本试验测定指标,3~5月龄生长獭兔饲粮适宜的碘添加水平为0.8 mg/kg(饲粮中碘的实测值为0.92 mg/kg)。     

Effect of D‐mannitol on nitrogen retention,fiber digestibility and digesta transit time in adult rabbits

The aim of the current study was to elucidate the effect of gastrointestinal retention time of digesta on fiber digestibility in adult rabbits fed indigestible, but fermentable, sugar D‐mannitol. Six adult rabbits were fed alternately a commercial diet containing 5% glucose and a diet containing D‐mannitol. Total feces and urine were collected during the experimental period. Nitrogen (N) balance, digestibility of nutrients, and gastrointestinal mean retention time (MRT) were measured. The results indicated that urinary excretion was significantly lowered, whereas N retention and N accumulation rates were significantly increased in the D‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). However, fecal N excretion was unaffected. Absorption of crude ash (CA) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility were significantly higher in the D‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). The addition of D‐mannitol to the diet did not affect the MRT of liquid digesta, but increased the MRT of solid digesta compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the addition of D‐mannitol to the diet stimulates cecal bacterial growth, thereby increasing N utilization and digesta retention time.     

Sensitivity,specificity, and predictive values of reagent test strip estimations of blood urea nitrogen

Azostix-reagent-tests(R) strips (Ames, Miles, Inc., Diagnostic Division, Elkhart, IN) were used to measure blood urea nitrogen values in blood samples from 125 dogs and cats at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Results of the tests were compared with standard serum urea nitrogen results. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values were high (86.4, 90.3, and 96.5%, respectively). Positive predictive value was low, 65.5% of the dogs and cats with elevated blood urea nitrogen values were correctly classified as abnormal The test performs well when the prevalence of abnormal values is near 50%.     

青贮紫花苜蓿对奶牛生产性能、尿素氮和血液生化指标的影响

在苜蓿（Medicago sativa）中添加5%的糖蜜,并进行苜蓿大窖青贮和饲喂试验,研究以青贮苜蓿（试验组）替代相同干物质量（DM）的苜蓿干草（对照组）对奶牛生产性能、尿素氮及血液生化指标的影响。结果表明,给奶牛饲喂苜蓿青贮饲料有利于提高奶牛干物质采食量（Dry Matter Intake,DMI）、日产奶量和乳脂率,试验后期乳蛋白含量有所下降,但差异均不显著（P0.05）;乳尿素氮（Milk Urea Nitrogen,MUN）及尿液尿素氮（Urinary Urea Nitrogen,UUN）含量均呈现下降趋势,血浆尿素氮（Plasma Urea Nitrogen,BUN）先下降后上升,其中试验组MUN和BUN低于对照组（P0.05）,UUN则高于对照组,在试验后期,试验组和对照组UUN分别为48.35和27.52 mmolL-1,差异显著（P0.05）;谷丙转氨酶（Alanine Aminotransferase,ALT）、谷草转氨酶（Aspartate Transaminase,AST）和碱性磷酸酶（Alkaline Phosphatase,ALP）含量均为试验组高于对照组,差异不显著（P0.05）;血浆中总蛋白（Albumin,ALB）和葡萄糖（Glucose,GLU）含量试验组逐渐降低,且低于对照组,但差异不显著（P0.05）;胆固醇（Chinese Hamster Ovary,CHO）的含量试验组逐渐升高,对照组逐渐降低,在试验后期分别为3.64和2.82 mmolL-1（P=0.059）,差异最大。总之,饲喂苜蓿青贮饲料有利于改善奶牛的生产性能和机体代谢能力,由于美拉德反应的发生,试验后期降低了苜蓿青贮饲料营养物质在奶牛体内的代谢利用效果。     

Association of gastrointestinal hemorrhage with increased blood urea nitrogen and BUN/creatinine ratio in dogs: a literature review and retrospective study

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatine concentrations were recorded from the medical records of 52 dogs with clinical evidence for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGH) at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1988 and 1995. Eighteen of the dogs had melena, 11 dogs had hematemesis, and 23 dogs had both melena and hematemesis. Compared with age-matched control dogs, dogs with suspected UGH had a significantly higher BUN concentration (31.0 mg/dL vs. 16.5 mg/dL), creatinine concentration (1.2 mg/dL vs. 1.1 mg/dL) and BUN/creatinine ratio (27.6 vs. 14.4). The increase in BUN/creatinine ratio suggested that the increased BUN concentration in dogs with evidence for UGH primarily was associated with increased gastrointestinal absorption of nitrogenous compounds, and hepatic ureagenesis.     

日粮ADF水平对生长肉兔氮平衡、免疫及消化酶活性的影响

选用100只体重相近的35日龄断奶新西兰肉兔,随机分为5组,分别饲喂5种酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)水平(13%、16%、19%、22%和25%)的日粮,探讨我国生长肉兔适宜的ADF需要量。结果表明:日粮ADF水平对2月龄肉兔氮沉积、氮表观消化率和利用率影响显著(P<0.05),对可消化氮及可消化氮转化为沉积氮的效率无显著影响(P>0.05)。随ADF水平升高,试兔胸腺指数先增加后降低(P>0.05),脾脏指数呈不断增大趋势(P>0.05)。日粮ADF水平对十二指肠淀粉酶和盲肠纤维素酶活性影响显著(P<0.05),对胰蛋白酶和胰凝乳蛋白酶活性无显著影响(P>0.05)。综合分析,断奶至2月龄肉兔适宜的ADF水平为19%。     

Comparison of direct and Doppler arterial blood pressure measurements in rabbits during isoflurane anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo measure the level of agreement between Doppler measured (DOP) arterial blood pressure (ABP) in the forelimb and directly measured (DIR) auricular systolic ABP (SAP) and mean ABP (MAP) in isoflurane-anaesthetized rabbits.Study designProspective clinical study.AnimalsData were analysed from 17 of 24 healthy rabbits, weighing 1.3–2.8 kg.MethodsRabbits were anaesthetized for neutering using a standardized protocol. A 26G catheter placed in an auricular artery was connected via heparinised saline filled non-compliant tubing (regularly flushed) to a calibrated pressure transducer (zeroed level with the thoracic inlet) to obtain DIR ABP. A cuff was placed proximal to the carpus (approximately level with the thoracic inlet) and a Doppler transducer sited over the dorsal carpal branch of the radial artery to obtain DOP ABP. Simultaneous DIR and DOP ABP recordings were made every 5–10 minutes during anaesthesia. Agreement was assessed as described by Bland JM &; Altman (2007).ResultsMean ± SD cuff width: limb circumference ratio was 0.50 ± 0.04. Mean between-method differences ± SD, DIR SAP- DOP and DIR MAP- DOP, were +1 ± 8 and ?13 ± 8 mmHg respectively. The 95% limits of agreement between DIR SAP and DOP and between DIR MAP and DOP were ?14 to +17 and ?28 to +2 mmHg respectively. Differences between DIR SAP and DOP were ≤10 mmHg 85% of the time. Defining hypotension as either DIR SAP < 80 mmHg or DIR MAP < 60 mmHg, and taking DOP ABP of <80 mmHg to indicate hypotension, sensitivity and specificity were 92% and 67% respectively.ConclusionsGood agreement was found between DIR SAP and DOP. Doppler measurements below 80 mmHg are a reliable indicator of arterial hypotension.Clinical relevanceDOP is acceptable for monitoring ABP in isoflurane-anaesthetized rabbits and is useful for detection of hypotension.     

Effects of supplement feeding order on lactation, diurnal variation of ruminal ammonia and urea in the blood and milk of dairy cows

The present study examined the effects of feeding order of grain and protein supplements on ruminal nitrogen (N) loss through the diurnal variation of ruminal ammonia N and urea N in the blood and milk of dairy cows. Three ruminally fistulated cows were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square arrangement of treatments; that is, grain supplement fed at the first feed and then the protein supplement at the second (GS‐1st), protein supplement fed first and then the grain supplement (PS‐1st), and the grain and protein supplements mixed and divided into equal portions fed at each supplement feeding time (GP‐mix). No differences in the lactation parameters were observed among the treatments. In GS‐1st treatment, the increase in the concentration of ruminal ammonia N was inhibited after feeding, and the concentration was lower (P < 0.05) than with the other treatments 1–2 h after basal feeding. The concentrations of urea N in the blood and milk with the GS‐1st treatment were the lowest of all treatments throughout the sampling times, and were lower (P < 0.05) than with the GP‐mix treatment except for blood levels 1 h after basal feeding. The results suggest that grain feeding before protein feeding can reduce ruminal N loss.     

Comparison of Doppler,oscillometric, auricular and carotid arterial blood pressure measurements in isoflurane anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits

ObjectiveTo assess agreement between carotid arterial pressure and auricular arterial, thoracic limb Doppler or thoracic limb oscillometric blood pressure measurements.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsSix adult New Zealand white rabbits.MethodsRabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen at 1, 1.5 and 2 MAC on two separate occasions. Catheters in the auricular and the contralateral external carotid artery were connected to calibrated pressure transducers via non-compliant tubing. Inflatable cuffs of width equal to approximately 40% of the limb circumference were placed above the carpus on both thoracic limbs with a Doppler transducer placed distal to the cuff on one. Systolic (SAP) and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressure measurements were obtained at each dose, on each occasion. Agreement between measurement techniques was evaluated by repeated measures Bland Altman analysis with carotid pressure as the reference. Variation in bias over the measurement range was evaluated by regression analysis.ResultsCarotid MAP and SAP ranged from 20 to 65 mmHg and 37 to 103 mmHg respectively. Bias and 95% limits of agreement for auricular and oscillometric MAP were 7 (0–14) and ?5 (?21–11) mmHg, respectively, and for auricular, oscillometric and Doppler SAP were 23 (8–37), ?2 (?24–20) and 13 (?14–39) mmHg, respectively. Bias varied significantly over the measurement range (p < 0.001) for all three SAP techniques but not for MAP measurements.Conclusions and clinical relevanceLimits of agreement for all measurements were large but less so for MAP than SAP. Variation in bias with SAP should be considered when using these measurements clinically.     

不同蛋白质水平日粮对中国荷斯坦奶牛生产性能、氮消化和血液生化指标的影响

旨在研究饲粮不同粗蛋白质(CP)水平对中国荷斯坦奶牛乳尿素氮(MUN)、氮(N)消化及血液尿素氮(BUN)的影响。采用4×4拉丁方设计,16头经产中国荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4个处理。4个处理的饲粮能量相近,CP水平分别为12. 72%、13. 52%、14. 43%和15. 37%。试验分为4个周期,每个周期15 d,后5 d为样品收集期。奶样收集3 d,同时收集粪便,每期最后1 d晨饲前空腹采集血样。每天测量产奶量和干物质摄入量。结果:不同蛋白水平日粮奶牛干物质采食量(DMI)和产奶量组间差异不明显(P>0. 05),除了MUN随着饲粮CP水平的增加呈现增加趋势以外,其他乳成分影响不显著(P>0. 05),高蛋白质水平组MUN明显高于低蛋白组(P<0. 05)。随着饲粮CP水平的提高,氮的摄入量明显增加(P<0. 05),同时N的排泄量和消化率也不断增加,但组间无显著差异(P>0. 05)。BUN和MUN变化趋势基本一致,高蛋白质组的BUN明显高于低蛋白质组(P<0. 05),而对其他血液指标的影响不显著(P>0. 05)。在本试验条件下,不同蛋白质水平日粮能够影响中国荷斯坦奶牛MUN、BUN的变化,且两者变化趋势一致,而对产奶量、N消化率影响不明显,MUN可以代替BUN成为检测奶牛蛋白质营养状况的指标之一。     

干旱绿洲灌区玉米氮素吸收利用对绿肥还田利用方式的响应

针对干旱绿洲灌区小麦与玉米长期连作、麦后休闲期长、氮肥利用效率不高等问题,研究麦后复种绿肥对轮作玉米氮素吸收利用的影响具有重要意义。在石羊河流域,通过田间试验研究麦后复种绿肥不同还田利用方式(全量翻压、地表覆盖免耕、地上部收获后根茬翻压、地上部收获后免耕和不复种绿肥并采用传统翻耕)对后茬玉米氮素利用特征的影响。结果表明,与不复种绿肥相比,绿肥全量翻压和地表覆盖免耕还田处理下玉米播前030 cm土层矿质氮含量显著增加11.7%、10.0%,微生物量氮含量增加14.3%、16.2%;抽雄吐丝期,030 cm土层土壤矿质氮含量增加17.0%、13.7%,微生物量氮含量增加8.7%、10.7%,为玉米氮素高效利用奠定了基础。绿肥全量翻压和地表覆盖免耕还田处理的玉米地上部植株吸氮量和籽粒吸氮量较不复种绿肥翻耕处理明显增加,其氮素利用率和氮肥偏生产力较不复种绿肥翻耕处理平均提高20.1%、25.8%和17.3%、22.2%,且该条件下玉米氮素利用率和氮肥利用率显著高于绿肥根茬还田处理。因此,在干旱绿洲灌区,麦后复种绿肥全量翻压或地表覆盖免耕在提高土壤氮素含量的同时,实现了玉米氮素的高效利用。     

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial‐iron supplementation on growth performance,fecal microbial flora,and blood profiles in sows and their litters

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial‐iron; bacterial‐iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.     

Effects of supplemental d-methionine in comparison to l-methionine on nitrogen retention,gut morphology,antioxidant status,and mRNA abundance of amino acid transporters in weanling pigs

An N-balance experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that d-Methionine (d-Met) has the same bioavailability and efficacy as l-Methionine (l-Met) when fed to weanling pigs. A Met-deficient basal diet containing 0.24% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Met was formulated. Six additional diets were formulated by adding 0.036%, 0.072%, or 0.108% d-Met or l-Met to the basal diet, and these diets, therefore, contained 77%, 87%, or 97% of the requirement for SID Met. Fifty-six barrows (10.53 ± 1.17 kg) were housed in metabolism crates and allotted to the seven diets with eight replicate pigs per diet. Feces and urine were collected quantitatively with 7-d adaptation and 5-d collection periods. Blood and tissue samples from pigs fed the basal diet and pigs fed diets containing 0.108% supplemental Met were collected on the last day. Results indicated that N retention (%) linearly increased (P < 0.01) as supplemental d-Met or l-Met increased in diets. Based on N retention (%) as a response, the linear slope-ratio regression estimated the bioavailability of d-Met relative to l-Met to be 101% (95% confidence interval: 57%–146%). The villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum were not affected by the Met level or Met source. Total antioxidant capacity or thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations in plasma or tissue samples from pigs fed the control diet or diets containing 0.108% supplemental d-Met or l-Met were not different. Abundance of mRNA for some AA transporters analyzed in intestinal mucosa of pigs also did not differ. Therefore, it is concluded that d-Met and l-Met are equally bioavailable for weanling pigs.     

Effects of reducing dietary crude protein on growth performance, odor gas emission from manure and blood urea nitrogen and IGF-1 concentrations of serum in nursery pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of reducing dietary crude protein on growth performance, odor gas emission from manure and blood urea nitrogen and IGF-1 concentrations of serum in nursery pigs. In experiment 1, the dietary treatments were (i) CON (CP 19.5%) and (ii) T1 (CP 16.0%). In feces samples, NH₃, H₂S, acetic acid and butyric acid emissions during the T1 treatment were lower than during the CON treatment ( P  < 0.05). In feces-urine samples, NH₃ emission during the T1 treatment was lower than during the CON treatment ( P  < 0.05). In experiment 2, 28 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) pigs (13.58 ± 0.10 kg) were used for a 42-day growth trial. Throughout the entire experimental period, ADG and ADFI of the CON treatment were higher than the T1 treatment ( P  < 0.05). On day 14, N digestibility in pigs fed the CON diet was higher than that of pigs fed the T1 diet ( P  < 0.05). On days 28 and 42, DM digestibility of the CON diet was greater than the T1 treatment ( P  < 0.05). On dat 42, serum BUN concentration of pigs fed the CON diet was higher than that of pigs fed the T1 diet ( P  < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that reduction in dietary CP concentration decreased NH₃, H₂S and VFA emissions in feces and growth performance in nursery pigs.     

Transient decrease in blood heterophils and sustained liver damage caused by calicivirus infection of young rabbits that are naturally resistant to rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Young rabbits are naturally resistant to rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) caused by the same calicivirus that kills, within 3 days, nearly all adult animals. We have investigated changes in blood leukocytes, and in the morphology and biochemistry of the liver (the organ where caliciviruses replicate) of young rabbits undergoing benign infection by the RHD virus. Four-week-old rabbits were infected with a calicivirus inoculum having a titre of 2(12) haemagglutination units either sacrificed 18, 24, 48 and 72 h later, or kept for follow-up studies up to 21 days after inoculation. The infection caused an acute and transient decrease in blood heterophils, and sustained enhancement in hepatic transaminases. Inflammatory infiltrates of the liver were seen in all animals after 24 h of infection; they had a predominant midlobular location. Hepatocytes could present different degrees of cell damage, including cell death; these lesions were limited to the liver cells located around the inflammatory infiltrates. Liver transaminases peaked 24-48 h after calicivirus infection; this was the same timing when liver infiltration and hepatocyte damage were more evident. No alterations of other parameters of liver biochemistry were observed. We conclude that calicivirus infection of young rabbits causes a subclinical disorder characterised by an acute and transient decrease in circulating heterophils, and focal liver damage that is expressed by intralobular infiltration by heterophils, initially, and, later on, by mononuclear cells. Our finding of persistence of increased values of liver transaminases suggests chronicity of the infection in young rabbits. We propose that, although resistant to RHD, young rabbits infected by calicivirus may be long-term carriers of the infectious agent and, thus, become a major source of transmission of the virus.     

复合酵母培养物对奶牛产奶性能、氮排放及血液生化指标的影响

为研究饲料中添加复合酵母培养物对奶牛产奶性能、氮排放及血液生化指标的影响,选取年龄、体重、产奶量及泌乳期相近(135±15) d的荷斯坦奶牛24头,随机分为4组,每个处理6个重复,对照组和3个试验组的复合酵母培养物添加量分别为精料浓度的0,0.8%,1.0%,1.2%,随精料饲喂,测定产奶量、乳成分、氮排放及血液生化指标,结果表明,1)试验2组日均产奶量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),各试验组分别比对照组提高8.48%,10.05%,8.97%。2)复合酵母培养物能显著提高乳脂和乳蛋白率(P<0.05),显著降低牛奶体细胞数(P<0.05),以试验2组最低。3)在氮排放量上,试验2组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),各试验组比对照组分别降低8.47%,12.01%,9.36%。4)在血液生化指标方面,复合酵母培养物能提高血清中总蛋白、球蛋白、血糖、胰岛素水平(P<0.05),降低尿素氮水平(P<0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,综合考虑产奶量、乳成分、氮排放及血液生化指标,复合酵母培养物的最佳添加量为精料浓度的1.0%。     

The effects of experimentally induced fever on the estimated blood flow to and oxygen utilization by the liver and the viscera drained by the portal vein in sheep

Intrajugular injection of a purified E. coli lipopolysaccharide induced a biphasic fever in sheep after a latent period of 12 to 20 min. The changes in the blood flow from the liver and from the viscera drained by the portal vein were: (a) in the latent period, decreases in total hepatic blood flow (THF) due to decreased portal venous blood flow (PVF); (b) during the first febrile phase, increases in THF due to increased hepatic arterial blood flow and, (c) in the second febrile phase, increases in THF due to decreased PVF. Although there were large variations in the oxygen supply to the viscera drained by the portal vein and to the liver, there were relatively small or no changes in their oxygen consumption.