Adriano Tony Ramos

Anatomopatologia de amostras de bovinos alimentados com glicerol

The increase in biodiesel production has led to higher production of crude glycerin, thus, numerous studies have highlighted the use of crude glycerin and glycerol as energy source to be used for animal feed production. However, its use has been closely watched because of the presence of contaminants such as methanol used in the process of separating fatty acids from glycerol. Methanol is an alcohol and has been responsible for intoxication in humans and primates, characterized by metabolic acidosis and eye problems, with less toxicity to other species. The toxic effects of methanol poisoning are attributed mainly to formic acid, a metabolite of the degradation process of methanol in the liver. The objective of this study was to verify the possible toxic action of crude glycerin and methanol by pathological examinations of the central nervous system (CNS), liver, rumen, small intestine and kidney from 24 feedlot cattle for 84 days, feed containing up to 24% of crude glycerin in dry matter (DM) presenting in its composition 80.35% glycerol, and <0.01% methanol. There were no pathological changes observed in dairy cows and steers up to 24% of glycerol inclusion based on the diet DM. The total weight gain and feed conversion were not affected by inclusion of glycerol. We conclude that crude glycerin can be included up to 24% of total DM in the diets of steers and dairy cows without compromising animal performance or display toxicity.

Inclusão de casca de pinhão-manso em dietas de ovinos: consumo voluntário e caracterização de quadro toxicológico

ABSTRACT The nutrients intake and histopathological occurrences were evaluated in sheep fed diets with increasing levels of inclusion (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%) of Jatropha curcas dried and crushed fruit shell in substitution to Mombaca grass hay. Twenty castrated male sheep were kept in metabolic cages and fed diets ad libitum (5 to 10% scraps were allowed). At the end of the experiment, the animals were subjected to clinical examination and blood collection, followed by euthanasia and necropsy. The clinical and pathological disorders were characterized by digestive, lung, and heart alterations, with regressive changes affecting kidney and liver. Presence of fluid in the abdominal and pericardial cavities, intestine with little content or empty, reddish serosa, and hyperemic mucosa with streaks of blood were observed during necropsy; as well as edematous mesenteric lymph nodes; red, swollen, and firm lung (hepatization) with emphysema areas, suffusions in the serous of the rumen, and ulcers in the abomasum.

VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT IN A CRAB-EATING FOX (CERDOCYON THOUS)

Abstract Congenital heart diseases are not commonly diagnosed in wild animals. It is not surprising that few reports exist in the literature, so that prevalence of these anomalies is unknown in wild species. We report a case of a ventricular septal defect documented in a free-ranging crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). This animal presented with rapid, labored breathing, and on physical examination, pulmonary crackles and a holosystolic murmur were auscultated. The echocardiogram with Doppler showed discontinuity of the dorsal section of the ventricular septum, which allowed a turbulent systolic flow to move from the left to the right ventricle. The postmortem examination confirmed the absence of a dorsal connection between the septum and the atrioventricular junction, and pronounced left ventricular myocardial dilation was observed on histopathology. To the authors knowledge, this is the first report of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect in a crab-eating fox.

Toxicidade do pericarpo da Jatropha curcas em ovinos

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is a plant cultivated for biofuel production. Pericarp is a potential livestock food source by-product. However, its use may be limited due to the presence of toxic compounds, mainly phorbol esters. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate pericarp toxicity. Twenty sheep were divided in four groups, one control group which did not receive the plant and three experimental groups which received pericarp in 15% (G15), 30% (G30) and 45% (G45) concentrations for 23 days. After 10 days of treatment, pericarp ingestion produced food intake decrease, diarrhea, dehydration and loss of body condition. All treated groups showed decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity. G30 animals presented reductions in urea and total protein concentrations, and increase in potassium and sodium levels. G45 animals showed increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and in albumin, creatinin, total and indirect bilirubin levels. Anatomohistopathologic findings included ascites, hydropericardium, congestion of the gastintestinal tract and lungs, pulmonary edema and adhesions in the thoracic cavity, renal tubular cells and centrilobular cytoplasmic vacuolation and lymphohistiocytic pneumonia and lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic enteritis. On the physiochemical analysis 0.3845mg of phorbol esters/g of pericarp were detected. It is concluded that J. curcas pericarp is toxic and is not recommended for sheep feeding.