Comparison of the digestive efficiency of extruded diets fed to ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus)

The digestive tract of ferrets is anatomically simple, with no caecum, ileocolic valve or external differentiation between the transition of ileum and colon. The species has a short large intestine that provides minor contributions to the digestive process. Aiming to better understand the digestibility efficiency of ferrets, the present study compared the digestibility of extruded diets with different amounts of macronutrients fed to dogs, cats and ferrets. Three formulations for cat maintenance were used (values in % of DM basis): high carbohydrate (HC; nitrogen-free extract (NFE) = 54 %, protein = 31 % and fat = 8 %); moderate carbohydrate (MC; NFE = 37 %, protein = 41 % and fat = 10 %); and low carbohydrate (LC; NFE = 19 %, protein = 46 % and fat = 23 %). Apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility was determined by the method of total collection of faeces. Results were compared by ANOVA, considering the diet and species effects and their interactions. Means were compared by the Tukey's test (P < 0·05). Dogs and cats presented similar food intakes, but ferrets consumed almost two times more food (g/kg body weight). Species × diet interactions were verified for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD; P < 0·05). Ferrets presented lower DM digestibility than dogs and cats for all three diets (P < 0·05), lower NFE digestibility than dogs for the three diets and lower NFE digestibility than cats for the HC and LC diets (P < 0·05). For crude protein (CP), ferrets presented lower ATTD than dogs and cats (P < 0·05), whereas for fat, dogs and ferrets presented similar ATTD, and higher values than those presented by cats (P < 0·05). Kibble diets had a lower DM, CP and NFE digestibility when fed to ferrets compared with dogs and cats. Fat digestibility was similar between dogs and ferrets and higher than that for cats.

The effects of Diet and corticosteroid-induced immune suppression during infection by Haemonchus contortus in lambs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Incubation temperature manipulation during fetal development reduces adiposity of broiler hatchlings

Broilers are known as an efficient source of lean meat. Genetic selection resulted in broiler strains with large body size and fast growth, but a concomitant increase in fat deposition also occurred. Other than reducing nutrient intake, there is a lack of alternative methods to control body fat composition of broilers. The present study assessed whether incubation temperature (machine temperatures: 36ºC, 37.5ºC, and 39ºC; eggshell temperatures: 37.4 ± 0.08°C, 37.8 ± 0.15ºC, and 38.8 ± 0.33°C, respectively.) from d 13 affects broiler hatchling fat deposition. We analyzed adipocyte hypertrophy and proliferation in 3 body regions; weight and chemical composition of yolk-free chicks and yolk sacs; and serum lipid profile. Increased incubation temperature reduced abdominal and cervical adipocyte size. Independently of temperature, cervical adipocytes were smaller and showed higher proliferation than adipocytes in the abdominal and thigh regions. Smaller cervical adipocytes were observed in birds from eggs incubated at 36ºC and 39ºC. With regard to weight and composition of chicks, ash content as a percentage of dry matter was the only variable affected by temperature; it was higher in chicks from eggs incubated at 36ºC than at 39ºC and showed no significant difference between chicks incubated at 39ºC and 37.5ºC. Absolute and relative weights of yolk sacs were higher from eggs incubated at 39ºC than at 36ºC, and these two treatments did not differ from the 37.5ºC control. Absolute measures of yolk sac lipids, moisture, dry matter, and crude protein content were lower in chicks from eggs incubated at 36ºC, and no significant differences were found for these variables between chicks from eggs incubated at 37.5ºC and 39ºC. Hatchlings from eggs incubated at 36°C had significantly higher cholesterol levels than chicks incubated at the other 2 temperatures, but no additional effects on blood lipids were detected. Incubation temperature manipulation during fetal development altered cervical and abdominal adipocyte size in broiler hatchlings and could become a tool in hatcheries to manipulate chick quality, although further studies are needed to evaluate its long-term effects.

Níveis de lisina em dietas para reprodutores de Rhamdia voulezi em tanques-rede

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Relação da incidência de mastite, morfometria da glândula mamária e produção de leite em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês de alta e baixa liberação de cortisol

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FMVZ

Utilização de pastagem de alfafa e raspa de mandioca na produção de leite de cabras

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FMVZ

Diet formulation techniques and lysine requirements of 1-to 22-day-old broilers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Produção, caracterização nutricional e utilização de farinhas e óleos de resíduos de peixes neotropicais em dietas para Tilápia do Nilo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Indicadores internos como alternativa ao óxido de crômio-III na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente pela Tilápia do Nilo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fibra para cães: efeitos sobre o processo de extrusão, digestibilidade, fermentação microbiana, tempo de retenção intestinal e palatabilidade de rações para cães

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da suplementação com semente de girassol em fêmeas bovinas na produção de oócitos e embriões in vitro

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Silagens de milho consorciado com forrageira tropical e leguminosa em dietas para terminação de cordeiros

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS

Níveis de carboidratos e lipídios em dietas para juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum): variáveis produtivas, fisiológicas e turnover isotópico

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Milho, amido ou caroço de algodão associados à glicerina bruta em dietas para ovinos

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Metabolismo nutricional em Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908: voo nupcial, fundação e desenvolvimento da colônia

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA