Érico Kunde Corrêa

Evaluation of amides and centrifugation temperature in boar semen cryopreservation

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of amides as cryoprotectants and two centrifugation temperatures (15 or 24 degrees C) in boar semen cryopreservation protocols. Semen was diluted in BTS, cooled centrifuged, added to cooling extenders, followed by the addition of various cryoprotectants. In experiment 1, mean (+/-S.E.M.) sperm motility for 5% dimethylformamide (DMF; 50.6+/-1.9%) and 5% dimethylacetamide (DMA; 53.8+/-1.7%) were superior (P<0.05) to 5% methylformamide (MF; 43.2+/-2.4%) and 3% glycerol (GLY; 38.1+/-2.3%), with no significant difference between MF and GLY. Sperm membrane integrity was higher (P<0.05) for DMA than for MF or GLY (50.9+/-1.9, 43.3+/-2.5, and 34.5+/-2.8%, respectively). Sperm membrane integrity was higher in DMF (47.9+/-2.1%) than in glycerol (34.5+/-2.8%, P<0.05), but was similar to other treatments (P>0.05). In experiment 2, we tested MF, DMF, and DMA at 3, 5, and 7%. Sperm motility and membrane integrity were higher for 5% DMA (53.8+/-1.7 and 50.9+/-1.9%) and 5% DMF (50.6+/-1.9 and 47.9+/-2.1%), in comparison with 7% DMF and all MF concentrations (P<0.05). For sperm motility and membrane integrity, 5% DMA exceeded (P<0.05) 3% DM, with greater membrane integrity than 3% DMF (P<0.05). In both experiments, sperm motility and membrane integrity were superior at 15 degrees C versus 24 degrees C (P<0.05), with no interaction between centrifugation temperature and treatments (P>0.05). In conclusion, boar semen was successfully cryopreserved by replacement of glycerol with amides (especially 5% DMA) and centrifugation at 15 degrees C, with benefits for post-thaw sperm motility and membrane integrity.

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.

Effects of different litter depths on environmental parameters and growth performance of growing finishing pigs

Deep litter systems represent low cost alternatives to raise growing-finishing pigs, reducing slurry accumulation, although pigs thermal comfort may be negatively affected by the heat produced inside the litter. This study compared environmental and performance parameters for growing-finishing pigs raised on deep litter systems having distinct depths and on solid floor. The experiment was conducted in a region of temperate climate of Brazil, comparing three treatments: litter having rice husk 0.5m (T1); and 0.25m deep (T2); and solid concrete floor (T3). The first litter was used in two lots and replaced by a second litter used in other two lots, during 52 weeks. Each lot included five pigs in a 7m2 pen, from 60 to 145 d of age. Environmental parameters were determined at weekly intervals, including: atmospheric temperature; relative humidity; temperature at the center of the pen, in the surface (TSF); and at half of the depth (THD), only for T1 and T2. Feed consumption and weight of pigs were measured every four weeks. Atmospheric temperature and relative humidity were not influenced by the treatments (P>0.05). Mean TSF was 22.8 ± 3.6°C, being lower for T3 (P 0.05). TSF was higher for new than for used litters (P 0.05). Despite the potential unfavorable thermal comfort under high temperatures, deep litter systems can be used to raise pigs in the growing-finishing phases due to the absence of negative effects for growth performance.

Efeito de diferentes profundidades de cama sobre parâmetros ambientais para suínos em crescimento e terminação

Due to the large animal inventories and the great volume of waste, swine production is considered a highly polluting activity. Therefore one of its greatest challenges is the development of alternative production systems with lower polluting potential. Deep litter systems may be feasible alternative for waste management due to their capacity for slurry absorption, although they may negatively influence the thermal comfort of the pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of distinct depths of rice husk litters used to raise pigs in growing and finishing phases on ambiental temperature and relative humidity inside the barn. Three treatments were compared: litter with a depth of 0.5 m; litter with a depth of 0.25 m; and solid concrete floor. Ambiental temperature and relative humidity inside the barn were not influenced by the use of litter or by different litter depths.

Inseminação artificial intra-uterina em leitoas com sêmen criopreservado com dimetilacetamida e glicerol

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso da dimetilacetamida (DMA) e de glicerol na criopreservacao de semen suino sobre as taxas de concepcao e fertilizacao in vivo, utilizando o metodo de inseminacao artificial pos-cervical. Foram sincronizadas 60 leitoas pre-puberes e inseminadas com o uso de semen congelado com glicerol 3% (30 femeas) e DMA 5% (30 femeas). O metodo de inseminacao utilizado foi o pos-cervical, com concentracao de 1 x 109 espermatozoides vivos por dose. Apos 36 a 40h da inseminacao, as femeas foram abatidas, sendo realizada a contagem de corpos hemorragicos (CH) nos ovarios. Foi realizada a lavagem dos ovidutos das femeas, verificando o numero de estruturas recuperadas (oocitos e embrioes), calculando-se as taxas de concepcao e fertilizacao. A media de CH nas femeas do grupo glicerol 3% nao diferiu (P>0,05) daquelas do grupo DMA 5% (10,4 x 10,2, respectivamente). Nao houve diferenca (P>0,05) nas taxas de recuperacao de estruturas entre os grupos glicerol 3% (68,9%) e DMA 5% (66,9%). Os resultados obtidos nos grupos glicerol 3% e DMA 5% para as taxas de concepcao (73,3 x 76,6%) e fertilizacao (48,6 x 59,4%) nao apresentaram diferenca (P>0,05). Conclui-se que nao ha diferencas nas taxas de concepcao e fertilizacao in vivo utilizando-se semen congelado com o uso de dimetilacetamida ou de glicerol.

Características tecnológicas de pães elaborados com farelo de arroz desengordurado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a substituicao, em diferentes niveis (5, 10 e 15%), da farinha de trigo por farelo de arroz desengordurado, sobre as caracteristicas: capacidade de absorcao de agua, perda de massa ao fornear, volume especifico, perfil texturometrico e cor da casca e do miolo dos paes. Os resultados demonstram que o farelo de arroz desengordurado nao apresentou influencia em relacao a capacidade de absorcao de agua, em contrapartida, teve forte influencia na perda do peso ao fornear, mesmo para substituicoes de 5%. No entanto, tal substituicao nao afetou o volume especifico (p>0,05). Resultado semelhante foi observado para o perfil de textura, onde substituicoes de 10 e 15% demonstraram afetar, principalmente, a dureza dos paes analisados. Para a cor, a adicao do farelo de arroz desengordurado apresentou efeito negativo para a luminosidade do miolo e da casca, principalmente em substituicoes superiores a 5% para casca e 10% para o miolo. Entretanto, a substituicao da farinha de trigo por 5% de farelo de arroz desengordurado demonstrou uso potencial para aplicacao em produtos panificaveis.

Chemical characteristics of beddings for swine: effects of bedding depths and of addition of inoculums in a pilot-scale.

The effect of depths and of addition of inoculums on the chemical content of swine beddings was evaluated. For beddings 0.25m (25D) and 0.50m (50D) deep, three treatments were tested in two repeats with the same beddings: control (no inoculums); T1 (250g of Bacillus cereus var. toyoii at 8.4×10(7)CFU/g); and T2 (250g of a pool of Bacillus sp. at 8.4×10(7)CFU/g) (250g for 25D and 500g for 50D). For 25D, the C:N ratio was lower, but N, K and C contents were greater than for 50D (P<0.05). The inoculums did not benefit any chemical parameter (P>0.05). In the second repeat, beddings presented lower C:N ratio and greater N, P and K contents than in the first repeat (P<0.05). Thus, the compost produced after using 25D twice had greater fertilizer value than that of 50D.

Home composting using different ratios of bulking agent to food waste

The negative environmental impacts associated with home composting may be due to the absence of a defined operation criteria for the degradation process. In addition to the potentially low environmental impact in terms of energy and water usage, which is minimal to the manufacture of the composting unit and avoiding the processing and transportation of waste or byproduct, composting at home can also promote a reduction in the emission of unpleasant gases. The proportion of the food waste and bulking agents in the composting mixture may be decisive to fulfill good practices of waste stabilization. The aim of this study was to investigate how different ratios of bulking agent and organic household waste can affect the progress and outcome of the composting process. Three treatments, varying in the ratio of rice husk: raw fruit and vegetable leftovers (70:30, 50:50, 30:70; v:v) were used in a home composting system on a pilot scale. Results show that the proportion of starting materials used in the composting mixture influenced the degradation of organic matter, nitrogen dynamics of the process and its toxicity on germinating plants. The proportions with greater amounts of food waste had higher concentrations of mineral matter, higher peak temperature, and a better initial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, while the proportion containing 70% of bulking agent lacked odors and leachate generation and showed a low nitrogen loss. A higher proportion of food waste presented better conditions for microbiological development and less time to obtain characteristics of matured composts. A higher proportion of bulking agents resulted in favorable conditions for household handling and less potential for environmental impacts.

Phytotoxicity of effluents from swine slaughterhouses using lettuce and cucumber seeds as bioindicators

This study evaluated the phytotoxic effects of raw and treated effluents from a swine slaughterhouse on cucumber and lettuce seeds and determined correlations among physicochemical characteristics of such effluents and the germination of seeds used as bioindicators. Physicochemical parameters were characterized for both effluents and their phytotoxicity was determined through the germination index (GI), the root length (RL) and the number of germinated seeds (SG) for both plant species. The effluents treatment system was efficient to reduce the concentration of some physicochemical parameters to levels within those recommended by the Brazilian legislation, except for P, ammoniacal N and TKN concentration. Although phytotoxicity of the treated effluent was less in comparison to the raw effluent, the GI for cucumber and lettuce seeds submitted to each of the tested effluents was lower than 80%. Thus, both effluents were phytotoxic for the tested bioindicators (p<0.05). For lettuce seeds, the GI presented negative correlations (p<0.05) with the total Kjeldahl N (-0.93) and the surfactants concentration (-0.83) in the raw effluent. The Zn concentration in the treated effluent showed a negative correlation (p<0.05) with the GI of both lettuce (-0.63) and cucumber seeds (-0.64). Therefore, effluents from swine slaughterhouses may impair the germination of the evaluated plant species if used for agricultural purposes.

Addition of Bacillus sp. inoculums in bedding for swine on a pilot scale: Effect on microbial population and bedding temperature

Thermal and microbiological characteristics of beddings for swine were compared according to their depth and of addition of inoculums. Bedding was added to boxes at 0.25 (25D) and 0.50 m (50D), with three treatments: control (no inoculums); T1, with 250 g of Bacillus cereus var. toyoii at 8.4 × 10(7) CFU; and T2, with 250 g of a pool of B. subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus polymyxa at 8.4 × 10(7) CFU (250 g for 25D and 500 g for 50D). Mean temperatures were 28.5 ± 3.9 at the surface and 35.2 ± 8.9 inside the beddings. The most probable number (MPN) of thermophilic bacteria was higher for T1 and T2 than for the control (P<0.05). The MPN of thermophilic bacteria and fungi was greater for D50 than for D25 (P<0.05). The use of 25D without inoculums is recommended due to the reduction of thermophilic microbiota.