Eduardo Gonçalves Xavier

Associations between resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, uterine health and concentrations of metabolites and acute phase proteins during the transition period in Holstein cows

The resumption of ovarian activity, uterine health, severity of the negative energy balance and the synthesis of inflammatory mediators during the transition period in dairy cows are interrelated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity and the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in endometrial cytology, lipid mobilization and the secretion of acute phase proteins. For this study, 20 multiparous Holstein cows were used. Blood samples that were collected from 21d before calving to 44d in milk (DIM) were analyzed for serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, haptoglobin, albumin, paraoxonase and progesterone. Endometrial cytology was performed at 37±2DIM to evaluate the percentage of PMN cells in the uterine flushing. Cows were divided into two groups: (1) ovulatory cows (n=12), which returned to ovarian activity by 44±2DIM; and (2) anovulatory cows (n=8), which did not resume ovarian activity during this period. Ovulatory cows had a lower (P=0.05) percentage of PMN cells in endometrial cytology than anovulatory cows (26.3±8.3% vs. 53.4±16.9%, respectively). Ovulatory cows had higher serum albumin during the pre- (P=0.03) and postpartum periods (P=0.01), and tended to have lower haptoglobin concentrations in the prepartum period (P=0.07) and higher paraoxonase activity in the postpartum period (P=0.09). In conclusion, cows that resumed ovarian activity early in the postpartum period had higher albumin concentrations in the peripartum period, which were associated with a lower percentage of uterine PMN cells.

Dietas para frangos de corte contendo quirera de arroz

O experimento foi realizado para avaliar o uso da quirera de arroz na dieta de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 240 pintos machos, alojados em galpao, contendo 12 boxes de 2m2 de area. Cada box continha comedouro tubular, bebedouro pendular e campânula nos 21 dias iniciais. As aves foram distribuidas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com tres tratamentos e quatro repeticoes, as quais receberam dietas contendo 0, 20 e 40% de inclusao de quirera de arroz. Os dados foram submetidos a analise de regressao e a analise de variância e, quando houve diferenca, aplicou-se o teste de Tukey. O ganho de peso, o consumo de racao e a conversao alimentar de 1-21, 1-35 e 1-42 dias (P>0,05) nao foram afetados pela substituicao do milho por quirera de arroz. A umidade de cama, o indice de eficiencia produtivo, o rendimento de carcaca quente, de figado, coracao, coxa, sobre-coxa e peito nao apresentaram diferenca (P>0,05). No entanto, os rendimentos de moela, bem como a pigmentacao da canela e do bico, diminuiram linearmente com o aumento do nivel de quirera de arroz na dieta. Conclui-se que a quirera de arroz pode ser incluida nas dieta, substituindo o milho, para frangos de corte.

Uso de cal virgem para o controle de Salmonella spp. e Clostridium spp. em camas de aviário

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of quicklime (CaO) for reducing Salmonella and Clostridium spp. population in used litter from floor pens of broilers. Four treatments were tested: (T1) control (without quicklime); (T2) 300g quicklime m-2; (T3) 600g quicklime m-2; and (T4) 900g quicklime m-2. The following average pH values were observed 12 days after adding quicklime: 8.95, 9.91, 10.75 and 11.11 for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. An 82 and 97% reduction in the most probable number Log10 (CFU) of Salmonella and Clostridium spp, respectively, was observed when 300g m-2 of quicklime was added to the used litter from floor pens of broilers. Additionally, a 100% reduction was obtained when both 600 and 900g m-2 of quicklime were added, differing significantly from control (before adding quicklime). A progressive reduction in water activity (from 0.2 to 3.82%) was observed when growing levels of quicklime were used. In conclusion, even the lowest level of quicklime added to litter from floor pens of broilers reduces the most probable number of Salmonella and Clostridium spp.

Suplementação de fitase microbiana na dieta de alevinos de jundiá: efeito sobre o desempenho produtivo e as características de carcaça

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar os efeitos da adicao de diferentes niveis de fitase na dieta sobre o desempenho produtivo e as caracteristicas de carcaca de alevinos de jundia (Rhamdia quelen). Foram utilizados 208 alevinos com peso vivo inicial medio de 2,92±0,59g, distribuidos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (0, 500, 1.000 e 1.500FTU kg-1) e quatro repeticoes. Na composicao das dietas, foram utilizados somente ingredientes de origem vegetal e o alimento foi fornecido duas vezes ao dia. A cada quinzena, foram avaliados os parâmetros produtivos e, ao termino do periodo experimental (45 dias), foram ainda realizadas avaliacoes nas carcacas. O ganho de peso medio foi significativamente crescente (P<0,05) entre os tratamentos sem adicao de fitase (0 FTU kg-1) e o nivel maximo utilizado (1500FTU kg-1) na dieta, variando de 1,24±0,27g para 1,73±0,23g, respectivamente. A taxa de crescimento especifico tambem teve efeito significativo (P<0,05) nos tratamentos sem fitase e 1.500FTUkg-1, passando de 0,78±0,12% para 1,07±0,11%. Entretanto, o extrato etereo na carcaca foi linearmente decrescente com os niveis de fitase na dieta em todos os tratamentos (P<0,05), reduzindo de 13,54±0,02% (sem fitase) para 10,59±0,10% (1.500FTU kg-1). A inclusao de niveis crescentes de fitase na dieta, ate 1.500FTU kg-1, melhora o desempenho e as caracteristicas de carcaca de alevinos de jundia.

INFLUÊNCIA DA ALTURA DE COMEDOUROS TUBULARES NO COMPORTAMENTO INGESTIVO DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

O objetivo deste trabalho foi de verificar o efeito da altura de comedouros tubulares sobre o comportamento de frangos de corte. Foram alojados 880 frangos de corte femeas Ross divididos em 40 boxes (repeticoes) com 22 aves cada (11 aves/m2). Nos boxes, a cama foi de cepilho de madeira, com bebedouros lineares de agua corrente e comedouros tubulares com capacidade para 18 kg de racao. As aves foram submetidas a duas alturas de comedouro em dois periodos diferentes (28-35 dias de idade, comedouro alto (CAL): borda superior do comedouro com 20 cm do solo, comedouro baixo (CB): borda superior com 11 cm do solo; 36 a 42 dias de idade - CAL: borda superior com 25 cm do solo, CB: borda superior com 18 cm do solo). Para verificar a descricao geral do comportamento das aves foi utilizada a tecnica de amostragem instantânea scan sampling e no estudo do comportamento de ingestao das aves (monitorado durante 12 h consecutivas) utilizou-se como ferramenta de registro microcâmeras instaladas simultaneamente em 4 boxes. No teste de preferencia os frangos individualmente ou coletivamente deveriam escolher entre um comedouro alto ou um comedouro baixo disponiveis ao mesmo tempo dentro do box. Foi utilizado um delineamento completamente casualizado sendo que as medias das variaveis respostas foram comparadas atraves do teste t ou estatistica nao parametrica quando necessaria. Os frangos de corte preferem consumir racao em comedouros tubulares regulados a baixa altura. A utilizacao de comedouros baixos reduz a frequencia de visitas ao mesmo, sendo inversamente proporcional ao tempo de ingestao de alimentos, porem sem afetar ao consumo total de racao.

An assessment of the effectiveness of four in-house treatments to reduce the bacterial levels in poultry litter

Although the use of quicklime (CaO) and tarping are common handling practices aimed at the reuse of litter in the Brazilian poultry industry, few scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of these methods in reducing the pathogenic microbial load during fallowing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the following litter treatments: T1 no treatment (control), T2 quicklime (300 g m(-2)), T3 tarping, T4 tarping+quicklime (300 g m(-2)). The litter samples were collected on day zero and on the sixth and twelfth days after the start of fallowing. The use of quicklime alone or quicklime+tarping was more effective (P<0.05) in reducing bacteria when compared to litter tarping. Except for the control group, all treatments resulted in a more than 84% reduction in the count of colony-forming units (CFUs) at the end of fallowing. It is concluded that the use of quicklime alone in practical terms is the most indicated treatment for the reduction of the bacterial load of poultry litter.

PERFIL METABÓLICO, HEMATOLÓGICO E COMPORTAMENTAL DE POEDEIRAS SUPLEMENTADAS COM PANAX GINSENG

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, hematological and behavioral profile of hens supplemented with a commercial Panax ginseng product during initial hens laying cycle. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments which consisted in different levels of P. ginseng (T1: control, without P. ginseng; T2: 1.9; T3: 3.8; T4: 5.7 and T5: 7.6 mg/hen/day) in a total of 70 birds housed in 35 cages with seven replicates per treatment. The basal diets were prepared using corn and soybean meal in agreement with the nutritional values established by the breeder manual. To predict the effect of different levels of P. ginseng on biochemical and hematological traits the regression analysis was used. The Dunnett test was used in each P. ginseng levels to compare to the control treatment. Ethological parameters were evaluated using chi-square analysis. No significant difference was found in hen’s hematological profile in all periods evaluated. In metabolic parameters was observed higher level of phosphorus in hens receiving 7.6 mg/hen/day of P. ginseng at second and third period and albumin was observed only in the last period when compared to the control group. Cholesterol level was higher in hens receiving 1.9 and 3.8 mg/hen/day of P. ginseng in comparison with the control treatment. In ethological parameters vigilant behavior was more frequent in control group, preening in the group receiving 7.6 mg/hen/day and drinking in the intermediate levels of P. ginseng (3.8 and 5.6 mg/hen/day). The supplementation with P. ginseng up to 7.6 mg/hen/day do not change the hematological profile. Only small variations in the metabolic parameters and behavior frequency of the hens receiving ginseng could be expected.

Compostagem de resíduos da filetagem de pescado marinho e casca de arroz

The objective of this study was to evaluate two proportions of marine fish residues and rice hulls on both the efficiency of composting process and the final quality of compost. Two treatments were tested: T1 – 3kg of rice husks and 1kg of marine fish residues; and T2 – 3 kg of rice husks and 3kg of marine fish residues. The following analysis were performed to evaluate the efficiency of the composting process: biomass temperature, moisture, ash, pH, mineralization index of compost, carbon/nitrogen ratio, and the total concentration of organic matter, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Data were analyzed through ANOVA and polynomial regression and the averages were compared by SNK test at 5%. The results showed that rice husks provided immature composts at the end of 90 days of composting. Therefore, they should not be used as a structuring agent if the goal is to producing organic fertilizer. The structuring agent may be reused a larger number of times for composting of residues of marine fish, allowing that a higher proportion suffer decomposition through composting. The composting process is a technological efficient alternative to the decomposition of marine fish residues.

Eficiência do SISCODE e da aeração passiva no tratamento de resíduos da produção animal no município de Capão do Leão/RS

A trial was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of composting of residues system and passive aeration for treating animal residues in Capao do Leao, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A low-density polythene film covered up a laterally opened structure was used. Such structure was to protect six plastic and glass fiber boxes. The study was carried out with two treatments, which were constituted by a mixture of liquid bovine residues and wood shaving; and a mixture of liquid bovine residues and poultry litter. SISCODE is efficient for transformation of the liquid in solid residues, given that local high-relative humidity and the low environmental temperature do not affect such residues treatment system. Passive aeration is not efficient for both evaporating excess of water and oxygenating composting substrates. Therefore, it should not be used for composting a mixture of liquid and solid residues from animal production.

Condição microbiológica de cama tratada com Impact P® em matrizes de frangos de corte

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of Impact P® in used litter from floor pens of broiler breeders through the monitoring of microbiological parameters. Impact P® is a commercial product obtained from Bacillus subtillis and it enzymes. Using animal litter and organic matter as a feed source, the product was designed to improve the quality of floor pens of broiler breeders. When hens aged 58 weeks, all used floor pens material was replaced with a new one and the following treatments were tested: T1 - control; T2 - 2.5g Impact P® m-2 litter; T3- 5.0g Impact P® m-2 litter. Counting of number of enterobacterium colonies in agar Mac-ConcKey was performed in a sample of new floor pens material and after 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 days of litter treatment with Impact P®. The statistical analysis was accomplished with the General Linear Models - GLM procedure, using the minimum square method in a 3x4 factorial (treatment vs. time of floor pens utilization), in a completely randomized design with four replications. The averages were compared by Tukey test. The utilization of 5.0g Impact P® m-2 litter was efficient to reducing approximately 13% logarithmic total counting of the enterobacterium in comparison to the untreated group (2.89 versus 3.31log10 (CFU), respectively, P<0.05).