ABSTRACT In the present study, we investigated the effects of acidified dried whey and acidified yeast product and their combination on broiler growth characteristics, intestinal microflora and gut morphology. Seven hundred and fifty day-old Ross 308 male broilers were fed one of 10 dietary treatments with 5 replicates in a randomized design. A corn-soybean meal based diet (control group) was supplemented with 3 levels (0.15, 0.30 and 0.45%) of acidified whey powder (AW), acidified yeast product (AY), and acidified whey powder and yeast product (AWY). Acidified yeast product improved ADG and FCR at d 42, but the effects of additives on productive performance were not significant across the entire rearing period. The highest level of AY increased the population of Lactobacillus spp., decreased that of E. coli and did not affect the bacterial total count at d 42. Birds fed 0.45% AY showed higher villus height and better gut morphology compared to control birds. In conclusion, acidified yeast product increased the population of Lactobacillus, inhibited the growth of E. coli and improved gut morphology and structure, but did not affect growth performance and relative organ weight.

Chordomas are rare tumors and they may arise anywhere along the spinal column and clival bone. The vast majority of tumors are found at skull base and sacrum. Chordomas involving the lumbar spine are rare. Approximately 6% of spinal chordomas originate in the lumbar vertebrae. We report a case of this chordoma arising from the lumbar vertebra.

Los cordomas son tumores poco frecuentes que pueden presentarse en cualquier parte de la columna vertebral y en el clivus. Sólo un mínimo porcentaje de estos tumores afectan el área lumbar. En este escrito presentamos un caso de cordoma lumbar y discutimos su presentación clínica, radiológica y las opciones de tratamiento.