Productive performance of brown-egg laying pullets from hatching to 5 weeks of age as affected by fiber inclusion, feed form, and energy concentration of the diet

The effects of fiber inclusion, feed form, and energy concentration of the diet on the growth performance of pullets from hatching to 5 wk age were studied in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, there was a control diet based on cereals and soybean meal, and 6 extra diets that included 2 or 4% of cereal straw, sugar beet pulp (SBP), or sunflower hulls (SFHs) at the expense (wt/wt) of the whole control diet. From hatching to 5 wk age fiber inclusion increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI, and improved (P < 0.05) energy efficiency (EnE; kcal AMEn/g ADG), but body weight (BW) uniformity was not affected. Pullets fed SFH tended to have higher ADG than pullets fed SBP (P = 0.072) with pullets fed straw being intermediate. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (P < 0.05) with 2% than with 4% fiber inclusion. In Experiment 2, 10 diets were arranged as a 2×5 factorial with 2 feed forms (mash vs. crumbles) and 5 levels of AMEn (2,850, 2,900, 2,950, 3,000, and 3,050 kcal/kg). Pullets fed crumbles were heavier and had better FCR than pullets fed mash (P < 0.001). An increase in the energy content of the crumble diets reduced ADFI and improved FCR linearly, but no effects were detected with the mash diets (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for the interactions). Feeding crumbles tended to improve BW uniformity at 5 wk age (P = 0.077) but no effects were detected with increases in energy concentration of the diet. In summary, the inclusion of moderate amounts of fiber in the diet improves pullet performance from hatching to 5 wk age. The response of pullets to increases in energy content of the diet depends on feed form with a decrease in feed intake when fed crumbles but no changes when fed mash. Feeding crumbles might be preferred to feeding mash in pullets from hatching to 5 wk age.

Asociación entre caracteres biométricos y calidad fisiológica en semillas de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

La clasificación de las semillas de especies olerícolas se realiza principalmente por peso y tamaño, con criterios similares a los aplicados en cereales y leguminosas, en que se asocia positivamente estos atributos físicos con la calidad fisiológica. No obstante lo anterior, en diversas especies de hortalizas la información es escasa y contradictoria al respecto, lo que motiva la realización de la presente investigación. En semillas de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) se determinó el efecto del peso y tamaño sobre la calidad fisiológica expresada como germinación y vigor. Además, se correlacionaron los resultados de las pruebas de evaluación de calidad fisiológica y se describieron variables del crecimiento y desarrollo. Se utilizaron lotes de diferentes variedades de semillas híbridas de cuatro temporadas, producidas en un clima templado cálido con lluvias invernales y estación seca prolongada (32º 54’ y 34° 21´ latitud Sur). Se midió peso y tamaño de semillas, además en dos temporadas se evaluaron las características internas de área y peso de embrión y área de endospermo. Se determinó la calidad de las semillas con la prueba de germinación y según fuera el año de estudio se midió vigor con las pruebas de envejecimiento acelerado, de plantas útiles al trasplante y de plántulas emergidas. Con análisis de imágenes y rayos X se extrajeron datos del tamaño externo e interno de las semillas y plántulas. Los lotes se compararon mediante análisis de varianza y las medias con la prueba de Tukey, la asociación entre dos variables se determinó con correlaciones de Pearson, las variables de peso y tamaño de la semilla y su relación con las pruebas de calidad, se analizaron mediante regresiones múltiples. Se utilizó un nivel de significación de 0,05 de probabilidad. Los resultados indicaron que el tamaño y no el peso de las semillas de tomate, diferenciaron calidad entre lotes en las diversas variedades. La prueba de germinación tuvo una baja sensibilidad para discriminar lotes, además de una escasa correlación con las características físicas de las semillas, cuando hubo asociación, la relación fue débil y negativa. La prueba de vigor de envejecimiento acelerado diferenció lotes y presentó escasa asociación con las características físicas de las semillas. El número de semillas germinadas en la prueba de envejecimiento acelerado se explicó por el efecto del tamaño de las semillas, mientras que las fracciones de descarte se asociaron con el peso de las mismas. La prueba de vigor de plantas útiles al trasplante no discriminó entre lotes. Tuvo una asociación débil con el peso y tamaño de las semillas. El modelo asociado a esta relación explicó con un alto coeficiente de determinación que el peso de la semilla influyó sobre la emergencia temprana, mientras que la relación fue menor y negativa con plantas de mayor desarrollo. La prueba de vigor de plántulas emergidas discriminó lotes de semillas con plántulas de 3 a 5 días después de siembra. Hubo escasa y débil asociación entre esta prueba y las características de peso y tamaño las semillas. El modelo de predicción de plántulas emergidas fue particular en cada temporada, cuando hubo un coeficiente de determinación alto influyó negativamente el peso o tamaño de la semilla. Entre las pruebas de calidad fisiológica evaluadas en semillas de tomate hubo escasas correlaciones significativas. Entre germinación y vigor las correlaciones significativas fueron débiles y sólo se encontraron en algunas temporadas de evaluación. Entre las pruebas de vigor no hubo asociación. En las pruebas de vigor de plantas útiles al trasplante y de plántulas emergidas, los cotiledones alcanzaron el mayor porcentaje de materia seca y se correlacionaron fuertemente con la materia seca total. En la prueba de plántulas emergidas la materia seca de las radículas diferenció parcialmente lotes de semillas al igual que la longitud total y de las radículas. La longitud de la radícula se correlacionó fuertemente con la longitud total de plántulas. ABSTRACT Seed selection for olericultural species is mainly carried out considering weight and size with similar criteria to those applied in cereals and legumes where size and physiological quality are favorably associated. However, information about several species is limited and contradictory regarding the above, leading to the present research. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seeds, the effect of weight and size on the physiological quality expressed as germination and vigor was determined. In addition, results of quality evaluation tests were correlated and variables of growth and development were described. Batches of hybrid seeds from four seasons were used. These seeds were produced in a mild warm climate with winter rainfalls and long dry season (32º 54’ and 34° 21´South Latitude). Seed weight and size were determined, additionally internal characteristics such as embryo area and weight as well as endosperm area were evaluated in two seasons. The quality of seeds was established using the germination test and, depending on the year of the study, vigor was measured through accelerated aging tests for plants useful for transplanting and emerged seedlings. Using imaging analysis and X rays, data regarding external and internal size of seeds and seedlings were obtained. Batches were compared through ANOVA and means using Tukey’s test; the association between both variables was determined with Pearson correlations, whereas variables of seed weight and size and their relation to quality tests were analyzed through multiple regressions. A significance level of 0.05 probability was used. Results showed that the size (but not the weight) of tomatoes differentiates quality between batches from several seasons. The germination test was not sensitive enough to discriminate batches in addition to having a limited correlation with the characteristics of seeds, when they were associated, the relation was weak and unfavorable. Vigor test for accelerated aging made the difference between batches and presented low association with physical characteristics of the seeds. The number of germinated seeds in the accelerated aging test was explained by the effect of the seed size, whereas cull fractions were associated with their weight. The vigor test of plants useful for transplanting did not discriminate between batches. The association with seed weight and size was weak. The model associated to this relation explained, with a high coefficient determination, that the seed weight had influence on early emergence, whereas the relation was minor and unfavorable with more developed plants. Vigor test of emerged seedlings discriminated batches of seeds with seedlings of 3 to 5 days after sowing. There was a limited and weak association between this test and the characteristics of seed weight and size. The prediction model for seedlings emerged was particular in each season, when the determination coefficient was high, seed weight and size influenced negatively. Among the physiological quality tests evaluated in tomato seeds, significant correlations were negligible. Between germination and vigor, significant correlations were poor, being only found in some evaluation seasons. There was no association in the vigor tests. In vigor tests for plants useful for transplanting and emerged seedlings, cotyledons reached the highest percentage of dry matter and were strongly correlated with total dry matter. In the test of emerged seedlings, dry matter of radicles partially differentiated batches of seeds as well as total length and radicles. Radicle length was strongly correlated with total seedlings length.

Posibilidades de cultivo de nuevas especies marinas en el área mediterránea

La acuicultura, el cultivo y cría de animales y plantas acuáticas, representa en la actualidad una fuente esencial de proteína animal y vegetal altamente saludable y nutritiva, proporcionando un sistema de vida y de ingresos en todo el mundo. La acuicultura además de ser un motor para el desarrollo social y económico de las áreas costeras marinas y fluviales mundiales, supone en muchas regiones subdesarrolladas una garantía de alimento de alta calidad y es clave en la seguridad alimentaria de sus poblaciones. El desarrollo de la acuicultura se ha realizado fundamentalmente en los últimos 50 años, y ha sido sobre todo en la década de los años 80, cuando la acuicultura ha experimentado un fuerte crecimiento con tasas anuales que superan el 6%. Con el estancamiento de la producción pesquera y el incremento de la población mundial, la acuicultura se presenta como la única fuente posible de suministro de proteínas (vegetales y animales) de alta calidad, ricas en aceites omega 3 (EPA y DHA) de origen acuático. En la actualidad la producción procedente de la acuicultura supera los 95 millones de toneladas anuales, siendo ligeramente superior a los 94 millones de toneladas anuales provenientes de la pesca extractiva. De este total mundial acuícola, la producción asiática representa el 89%, mientras que la europea el 4,2% Aunque el 46% de la producción mundial acuícola se concentra únicamente en solo 10 especies, una de las principales características de la acuicultura es la gran diversidad de especies cultivadas, más de 500, realizándose su cría bajo diferentes tecnologías y sistemas productivos. El ámbito de esta tesis, es únicamente la acuicultura marina que se desarrolla en las aguas del mar mediterráneo, indistintamente de los sistemas y tecnología de producción utilizados. Los principales grupos de cultivo que se realizan en las aguas del Mediterráneo son los moluscos y los peces, siendo muy escasos los cultivos de otros grupos como crustáceos y macroalgas. La piscicultura marina mediterránea está dominada por el cultivo en jaulas flotantes de dos especies, la dorada (Sparus auratus) y la lubina (Dicentrarchus labrax). Estas dos especies y tras 30 años de experiencia de cultivo, mantienen todavía una ineficiencia productiva alta (reducida selección genética, lento crecimiento hasta talla comercial, alto factor de conversón del pienso…) y además ocupan un estrecho nicho de mercado, ya que prácticamente toda la comercialización de la dorada y lubina se realiza en fresco y sin elaborar ni transformar, a una talla media de 500 g. Para dar respuesta desde la acuicultura mediterránea al alto consumo y a la creciente demanda que en la Unión Europea existe de los productos acuícolas, y en especial los productos elaborados y transformados, es necesario de manera urgente, un aumento de la producción de las especies ya cultivadas (dorada y lubina) mediante la mejora de su eficiencia productiva, al mismo tiempo que se debe iniciar la producción industrial de nuevas especies piscícolas, mediante la diversificación de los cultivos. Para llevar a cabo esta diversificación, se hace necesario el establecimiento de una metodología clara, que asegure una selección de especies apropiadas y rentables para la industria acuícola mediterránea, cuyo cultivo sostenible debiera cumplir con los desafíos que el sector tiene. Nuevas especies que complementen y cubran las demandas actuales y futuras del mercado Europeo e Internacional de productos acuícolas. Nuevas especies con parámetros productivos eficientes, que garanticen unos costes productivos competitivos. Nuevas especies que puedan ser cultivadas utilizando como base la tecnología de producción ya existente en el sector. El objetivo de esta tesis es la definición y desarrollo de una metodología sencilla para la selección de nuevas especies piscícolas marinas para su cultivo eficiente y sostenible Y bajo la aplicación de esta metodología, la selección de un grupo de especies piscícolas para su cultivo rentable a corto y medio plazo (6-8 años) en el Mediterráneo. Para ello se ha definido y aplicado una metodología con la que se han evaluado diez especies candidatas, previamente escogidas de una serie de listas previas originadas en los distintos estudios y trabajos de diversificación realizados con anterioridad por otros equipos de investigación. Estas especies candidatas han sido: Seriola dumerili. (Seriola) , Argyrosomus regius (Corvina), Polyprion americanus (Cherna), Ephinephelus marginatus (Mero), Dentex dentex (Dentón), Pagrus pagrus (Pargo), Solea senegalensis (Lenguado del Senegal), Thunnus thynnus (Atún rojo), Mugil cephalus (Lisa), Coryphaena hippurus (Lampuga). El conjunto de estas especies ocupa un amplio y variado espectro dentro de las distintas áreas de mercado, productiva, tecnológica, y medioambiental . Y en todas ellas existe una experiencia mínima en sus diferentes fases de cultivo. En el desarrollo de la metodología de selección, en esta tesis se han definido diversos parámetros de evaluación, considerados como los más significativos y sencillos de aplicar. Los parámetros se han agrupado en tres bloques, el comercial, el productivo y el medioambiental. El Bloque de Mercado, comprende aquellos criterios que están relacionados con la comercialización de la especie. Calidad de la carne del pescado. Competencia con otras especies en el mercado. Potencial de Transformado. Precio de venta del pescado. El bloque Medioambiental incluye criterios del grado de idoneidad de la especie en la región y del grado de impacto ambiental de su cultivo. Rango de temperaturas del agua óptimo para el cultivo. Potencial impacto ambiental de su cultivo. Eslabón trófico de la especie.. El bloque Productivo, engloba los criterios y parámetros relacionados con el nivel de conocimiento y control que sobre su cultivo existen ( larvario, engorde, tecnología) Grado de control de la fase larvaria. Disponibilidad de alevines en el sector Crecimiento. Factor de conversión Aprovechamiento de la capacidad productiva instalada, Coste de inversión. Previa a la evaluación se han descrito las principales características de las especies candidatas en función del estado y experiencia actual sus cultivos. En la aplicación de estos criterios se han establecido matrices de evaluación y a cada criterio se le ha asignado un valor diferente en función de sus características y propiedades selectivas. Los resultados obtenidos mediante la aplicación de la metodología de evaluación propuesta, han señalado la seriola y la corvina como especies más recomendadas para su puesta en cultivo en el Mediterráneo a corto y medio plazo. Las otras dos especies seleccionadas han sido la lisa y la lampuga. Como conclusión final podemos señalar que el cultivo de nuevas especies es fundamentalmente para el desarrollo sostenible de la acuicultura mediterránea. Esta diversificación debe basarse en la aplicación de una metodología sencilla y práctica, que garantice una selección de especies cuyo cultivo sea rentable y abarquen nuevos segmentos de mercado. ABSTRACT Aquaculture, the cultivation and breeding of aquatic animals and plants, currently represents an essential source of highly nutritious and healthy protein that provides a way of life and income all over the world. Apart from being a social and economic driver in coastal and marine areas, it also entails a guaranteed high quality nourishment in many undeveloped areas being key to the alimentary safety of their population. Aquaculture has developed mainly in the last 50 years and experienced a high growth especially during the Eighties when the annual rates were above 6%. With fishing production stagnating and the global population increasing, aquaculture emerges as the only possible animal and vegetable protein source of aquatic origin, high in quality and omega 3 oils (EPA and DHA). Here and now, aquaculture production is over 95 million tons per year, which is slightly higher than the 94 million tons per year that come from extractive fisheries. From this aquaculture total, Asiatic production represents 89% while Europe´s is only 4.2%. Even though 46% of the global aquaculture production focuses just on 10 species, one of the main characteristics of aquaculture is the wide diversity of cultivated species –over 500– using different technologies and production systems. This PhD’s scope is only marine aquaculture in Mediterranean water, regardless of the technology or systems used. The main crop groups in the Mediterranean sea are molluscs and finfish, while crustacean and macroalgae cultivations are very limited. Mediterranean fish culture is dominated by the cultivation in floating cages of two species: Bream (Sparus auratus) and Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). After 30 years of farming, these two species still keep a high productive inefficiency –reduced genetic selection, slow growth to marketable size, high feed conversion rate– and fill a narrow niche market as practically all bream and bass is sold fresh and whole, unprocessed and untransformed, with an average size of 500 grams. To meet the high consumption and growing demand of aquaculture products, in the European Union (especially those prepared and transformed), Mediterranean aquaculture needs to urgently increase the production of the species already under cultivation (Bass and Bream) by means of improving its productive efficiency and at the same time begin initiating industrial production of new species by diversifying the cultivation. To carry out this diversification it is necessary to establish a clear methodology that ensures the selection of adapted and profitable species for the Mediterranean aquaculture industry. The sustainable farming of these new species needs to meet the challenges this sector faces: New species that complement and meet the current and future needs of the European and International markets for aquaculture products. New species with efficient production parameters that ensure competitive production costs. New species that can be cultivated using already existing production technologies. The aim of this PhD is to define and develop a simple methodology for the selection of new marine fish species for their efficient and sustainable cultivation. And by applying this methodology, to select a group of fish species for its profitable crop in the short and medium term (6-8 years) in the Mediterranean. For this, a methodology has been defined and applied evaluating ten candidate species selected from a series of lists originated from different studies and from diversification works previously conducted by other research teams. These candidate species are: Seriola dumerili. (Greater amberjack), Argyrosomus regius (Meagre), Polyprion americanus (Wreckfish), Ephinephelus marginatus (Dusky grouper), Dentex dentex (Common dentex), Pagrus pagrus (Red porgy), Solea senegalensis (Senegal sole), Thunnus thynnus (Bluefin tuna), Mugil cephalus (Grey mullet), Coryphaena hippurus (Dolphinfish). All these species occupy a broad and varied spectrum within different productive, technological and environmental market areas. There is minimal experience in their different stages of cultivation for all of them. While developing the selection methodology several evaluation parameters have been defined in this PhD, considered the most significant and simple to apply. The parameters are grouped in three blocks: commercial, productivity and environmental. Market block comprises criteria related to the marketing of the species. Quality of the fish meatCompetition with other species in the marketTransformation potentialFish selling price Environment block includes criteria related to the degree of suitability of the species in the region and the degree of environmental impact of their cultivation. Optimal water temperature range for cultivationPotential environmental impact of their cultivationTrophic chain level. Productivity block includes criteria and parameters related to the level of knowledge and control over their cultivation (larval, ongrowing, technology) Degree of control of the larval stageAvailability of alevin in the sector GrowthFeed conversion rate. Exploitation of installed capacityInvestment cost Prior to the evaluation, the main characteristics of the candidate species have been described based on the current status and experience of their cultivations. When applying these criteria evaluation matrices have been established assigning to each criteria a different value depending on their characteristics and selective properties. The results obtained by applying the proposed assessment methodology have identified the Greater Amberjack and Meagre as the most recommended species for farming in the Mediterranean in the short and medium term. The other two selected species were the Grey Mullet and the Dolphinfish. In conclusion, the cultivation of new species is crucial for the sustainable development of Mediterranean aquaculture. This diversification has to be based on the application of a simple and practical methodology that guarantees a selection of species whose cultivation is profitable and covers new market segments.

Productive performance of brown-egg laying pullets from hatching to 5 weeks of age as affected by fiber inclusion, feed form, and energy concentration of the diet1

The effects of fiber inclusion, feed form, and energy concentration of the diet on the growth performance of pullets from hatching to 5 wk age were studied in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, there was a control diet based on cereals and soybean meal, and 6 extra diets that included 2 or 4% of cereal straw, sugar beet pulp (SBP), or sunflower hulls (SFHs) at the expense (wt/wt) of the whole control diet. From hatching to 5 wk age fiber inclusion increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI, and improved (P < 0.05) energy efficiency (EnE; kcal AMEn/g ADG), but body weight (BW) uniformity was not affected. Pullets fed SFH tended to have higher ADG than pullets fed SBP (P = 0.072) with pullets fed straw being intermediate. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (P < 0.05) with 2% than with 4% fiber inclusion. In Experiment 2, 10 diets were arranged as a 2×5 factorial with 2 feed forms (mash vs. crumbles) and 5 levels of AMEn (2,850, 2,900, 2,950, 3,000, and 3,050 kcal/kg). Pullets fed crumbles were heavier and had better FCR than pullets fed mash (P < 0.001). An increase in the energy content of the crumble diets reduced ADFI and improved FCR linearly, but no effects were detected with the mash diets (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for the interactions). Feeding crumbles tended to improve BW uniformity at 5 wk age (P = 0.077) but no effects were detected with increases in energy concentration of the diet. In summary, the inclusion of moderate amounts of fiber in the diet improves pullet performance from hatching to 5 wk age. The response of pullets to increases in energy content of the diet depends on feed form with a decrease in feed intake when fed crumbles but no changes when fed mash. Feeding crumbles might be preferred to feeding mash in pullets from hatching to 5 wk age.

Effect of level of fiber of the rearing phase diets on egg production, digestive tract traits, and body measurements of brown egg-laying hens fed diets differing in energy concentration

This research studied the effects of additional fiber in the rearing phase diets on egg production, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits, and body measurements of brown egg-laying hens fed diets varying in energy concentration from 17 to 46 wk of age. The experiment was completely randomized with 10 treatments arranged as a 5 × 2 factorial with 5 rearing phase diets and 2 laying phase diets. During the rearing phase, treatments consisted of a control diet based on cereals and soybean meal and 4 additional diets with a combination of 2 fiber sources (cereal straw and sugar beet pulp, SBP) at 2 levels (2 and 4%). During the laying phase, diets differed in energy content (2,650 vs. 2,750 kcal AMEn/kg) but had the same amino acid content per unit of energy. The rearing diet did not affect any production trait except egg production that was lower in birds fed SBP than in birds fed straw (91.6 and 94.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). Laying hens fed the high energy diet had lower feed intake (P < 0.001), better feed conversion (P < 0.01), and greater BW gain (P < 0.05) than hens fed the low energy diet but egg production and egg weight were not affected. At 46 wk of age, none of the GIT traits was affected by previous dietary treatment. At this age, hen BW was positively related with body length (r = 0.500; P < 0.01), tarsus length (r = 0.758; P < 0.001), and body mass index (r = 0.762; P < 0.001) but no effects of type of diet on these traits were detected. In summary, the inclusion of up to 4% of a fiber source in the rearing diets did not affect GIT development of the hens but SBP reduced egg production. An increase in the energy content of the laying phase diet reduced ADFI and improved feed efficiency but did not affect any of the other traits studied.

Wheat allergy in celiac children

Gluten is the main structural protein complex of wheat with equivalent toxic proteins found in other cereals (rye, barley, and oats) which are responsible for different immunologic responses with different clinical expressions of disease. The spectrum of gluten-related disorders has been classified according to pathogenic, clinical, and epidemiological differences in three main forms: (i) wheat allergy (WA), an IgE-mediated disease; (ii) autoimmune disease, including celiac disease (CD), dermatitis herpetiformis, and gluten ataxia; and (iii) possibly immune-mediated, gluten sensitivity [1]. WA is an immunologic Th2 response with typical manifestations which can vary from dermatological, respiratory, and/or intestinal to anaphylactic reactions. In contrast, CD is an autoimmune disorder, a gliadin-specific T-cell response which is enhanced by the action of intestinal tissue transglutaminase (tTG), with a wide clinical spectrum including symptomatic cases with either intestinal (e.g., chronic diarrhea, weight loss) or extraintestinal features (e.g., anemia, osteoporosis, neurologic disturbances) and silent forms that are occasionally discovered as a result of serological screening [1]. We studied wheat allergy in two children with early diagnosis of CD, who developed immediate allergic symptoms after eating small amounts of wheat flour.