Effect of fish density during transportation on stress and mortality of juvenile Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum

The increased demand for juvenile tambaqui Colossoma macropomum for grow-out ponds and stocking programs in the Amazon state of Brazil has increased the transportation of this species. This study was designed to determine the optimum density of juvenile tambaqui during transportation in closed containers. Fish (51.9 ± 3.3 g and 14.9 ± 0.4 cm) were packed in sealed plastic bags and transported for 10 h at four densities: 78, 156, 234, and 312 kg/m3. After transportation, fish from each density were kept in separate 500-L tanks for 96 h. Mortality, 96-h cumulative mortality, water quality, and blood parameters (hematocrit, plasma cortisol, and glucose) were monitored. Fish mortality after transportation was significantly lower at densities of 78 and 156 kg/m3 than at 234 and 312 kg/m3. Cumulative mortality was significantly lower at a density of 78 kg/m3. Dissolved oxygen after 10 h of transportation remained high at a density of 78 kg/m3, but reached critically low values at all other densities. Ammonia concentration was highest at the lowest density and was lower at higher densities. Carbon dioxide concentration was lowest at the density of 78 kg/m3 but higher in the other treatments. Plasma glucose and cortisol increased significantly immediately after transportation at densities of 156, 234, and 312 kg/m3, returning to control values by 24 h. The best density for juvenile tambaqui during a 10-h transportation haul in a closed container was 78 kg/m3. At this density there was no fish mortality, water quality was kept within acceptable values, and fish were not stressed.

Células sangüíneas, eletrólitos séricos, relação hepato e esplenossomáca de carpa-comum, Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) na primeira maturação gonadal

This research studied the condition (Kn) relative factor, the hepatosomatic (HSR), the splenosomatic (SSR) relation, the erythrocytes, thrombocytes and leukocytes number, the glicogen locality by PAS method in thrombocytes and leucocytes and the total protein and electrolytes serices levels in both Cyprinus carpio L. sex. The female Kn showed higher value than the males. The female HSR average values were lower than the ones observed in males, while the leukocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils percentage number were the highest. However, the males magnesium and choride serices levels were higher than the females. The HRS average values, hematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, average corspucular volume (ACV), average corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (ACHC), erythocytes number, trombocytes, monocytes, oesinophils, positive PAS leukocyte granular (PAS-LG), and total protein, sodium, potassium and calcium serices levels did not show significant statistics difference (p> 0.05) between males and females. The PAS method showed glicogen granules into the thronbocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils cytoplasm. Nevertheless, in the PAS-LG cytoplasm, neutral glicoprotein granules were also observed. Monocytes and lynfocytes showed negative reaction to PAS. In the teleosts, the gonodas matureness presents higher relation with the factor of condition. During the reprodution period it is unlikely to find the sexual effects isolated in the hemogram, because most of the time that is not the only factor to cause dimorphism.

Physiological responses of broiler chickens to heat stress and dietary electrolyte balance (sodium plus potassium minus chloride, milliequivalents per kilogram)

Individually caged male Cobb broilers (24), 44 d of age, were used to evaluate effects of heat stress (1 d of data collection) and dietary electrolyte balance (DEB; Na + K - Cl, mEq/kg from 1 d of age). During summer rearing, mortality was variable, but DEB 240 improved growth, feed conversion ratio, water intake, and waterrfeed ratio vs. DEB 0. The temperature sequence for heat stress was 24 to 32°C in 30 min, 32 to 36°C in 30 min, 36 to 37°C in 15 min, and 37 to 41°C in 45 min. Maximum temperature was held for 15, 60, 90, or 360 min for data collection (relative humidity averaged 42 ± 7%). Results from the same room before and after heat stress were analyzed by DEB (1-factor ANOVA) and before vs. after heat stress compared across DEB (2-sample t-test). Heat stress decreased blood Na, K, and pCO2, and lymphocytes but increased heterophils. Blood HCO3 rose, Cl declined, and hematocrit gave a concave pattern (lowest at DEB 120) as DEB increased. After heat stress, DEB O decreased blood Na and K, and DEB O and 120 levels decreased blood HCO3. After heat stress blood pCO2 and hemoglobin decreased with DEB 240, but it had highest pCO2, a key factor. The DEB 120 gave longest times to panting and prostration with DEB O and 240 results lower but similar statistically. In heat stress, DEB 360 was excessive, DEB 120 and 240 were favorable, and DEB 0 was intermediate based on hematology, panting, and prostration responses.

Papel da eritropoetina recombinante humana sobre o metabolismo dos carboidratos, paratormônio, cálcio iônico, zinco, prolactina e níveis pressóricos em renais crônicos tratados com hemodiálise

Objective: To evaluate the influence of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epho) on carbohydrate metabolism, parathyroid hormone, calcium ionic, zinc, prolactin and blood pressure (BP) in chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. Methods: Ten patients in hemodialysis were followed during 24 weeks in two phases: 12 weeks pre-Epho (BP was measured pre and post hemodialysis sessions) and 12 weeks post-Epho (BP was measured as above and also the blood levels of glucose, insulin, parathyroid hormone, calcium ionic, prolactin, and zinc). Results: Patients were 39.8±8.5 y, 50% males. Hematocrit and hemoglobin presented a significant increase four weeks after Epho (22.3±2.3 to 28.1±2.6% and 7.4±0.8 to 9.4±0.9 g/dL, p<0.05). BP (mmHg) and weight pre-Epho: 158±99 and 59±13 (before hemodialysis), 147±96 and 55±13 (after hemo) and post-Epho: 161±100 and 59±13 (before hemo) 155±101 and 56±12 (after hemo) were all not statistically different in any moment. There are also no difference pre and post-Epho in fast glucose (91.8±6.5 and 90.8±6.1 mg/dL, p>0.05), parathyroid hormone (341.4±249.3 and 515.7±310 pg/ mL), calcium ionic (3,66±0.63 and 3.76±0.45 mmol/L), prolactin (males: 327±144.1 and 298.1 ±145.2 μg/mL; females: 666.2±426.6 and 659±395.3 μg/mL) and zinc (median of 0.73 and 0.71 μg\L). Basal insulin was lower after Epho (median of 9.1 to 3.8 μg/mL, p<0.05). Conclusion: These data suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin was effective to improve the anemia and the carbohydrate metabolism in patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editors. Todos os direitos reservados.

The influence of dietary vitamin C and E supplementation on the physiological response of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, in net culture

This study evaluated the efficacy of dietary vitamin C (ascorbic acid or AA), vitamin E (α-tocopherol or α-T), and C + E supplementation on the blood parameters of Arapaima gigas grown in net cages for 45 days. Four treatments were tested: control (commercial feed); C800; E500 and C + E (800 + 500) with supplementation of 800 mg AA kg- 1, 500 mg α-T kg- 1 and 800 + 500 mg AA + α-T kg- 1, respectively. Hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) (oxidative status indicators), thrombocytes and leukocytes (immunological indicators), plasma protein and glucose were evaluated. Fish fed vitamin C and C + E supplemented diets showed greater weight gain and survival. Dietary vitamin C and C + E diet supplementation resulted in increased Ht, Hb, RBC, MCHC, total leukocytes, total proteins, thrombocytes and eosinophils compared to the control and α-T. The α-tocopherol-supplemented diet reduced the number of total thrombocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils and increased glucose and eosinophils relatively to the control. In general, leukocytes and thrombocytes were good indicators of the efficiency of vitamin on the defense mechanism of the A. gigas reared in cages. Results indicate that high α-T diet supplementation provides no benefit for the maintenance of the oxidative or the immunological status of A. gigas. However, it was demonstrated that high dietary AA improves A. gigas immunological status. Red blood cell indices and immune system indicators showed no synergistic effect between the vitamins after supplementing the A. gigas diet with α-T + AA. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Levedura íntegra e derivados do seu processamento em rações para tilápia do Nilo: Aspectos hematológicos e histológicos

The effects of inclusion of whole yeast, autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall on hematological parameters and gut villus perimeter were evaluated in juvenile Nile tilapia, after 80 experimental days. Isoproteic (32.0% DP) and isoenergetic (3200 kcal DE kg -1) practical diets were supplemented with three levels of whole yeast or autolyzed yeast (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%) and three levels of yeast cell wall (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%), plus a control diet (with no test microingredients). Red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, total plasmatic protein, hematocrit percentage, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and gut villus perimeter were evaluated. Variations on hematological parameters in animals fed diets with whole yeast; autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall were observed to be within normal ranges for this species. There was significant influence (p<0.05) of different levels of yeast and derivatives on intestinal villus perimeter. Results showed that experimental period and proposed levels of whole yeast, autolyzed yeast and yeast cell wall do not provide undesirable alterations on standard hematological parameters to Nile tilapia and can be safely used to compound diets for this species. Results also showed that supplement of yeast cell wall provide higher intestinal villus perimeter.

Description of electrophoretic and chromatographic hemoglobin profile of Rhinoclemmys punctularia

Studies of the hemoglobin pattern in Brazilian reptiles are important for determining ecological and phylogenetic relationships, but they are scarce. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 7 males and 18 females of Rhinoclemmys punctularia. The hematological profile was based on the total hemoglobin and hematocrit values. The hemoglobin profile was obtained using electrophoretic procedures at different pH, isoelectric focusing, globin chain electrophoresis, and HPLC. The hematocrit (31 ± 2%) and total hemoglobin (7.5 ± 0.2 g/dL) values did not indicate gender variations. Alkaline pH electrophoresis of the total blood samples treated with 1% saponin demonstrated the presence of four well-defined hemoglobin fractions, one major component (fraction I), showing cathodic migration and three others faster than fraction I with anodic migration. When the samples were precipitated with chloroform, only two hemoglobin fractions were observed, similar to fractions I and III from the first procedure. Isoelectric focusing and HPLC showed the same pattern. With acid and neutral pH electrophoresis, two fractions with anodic migration were observed. The globin chain identification at alkaline pH showed two fractions, but four fractions were observed at acidic pH, suggesting that different polypeptide chains are involved in the hemoglobin molecule. The chromatographic separation of the total blood sample demonstrated that the major fraction comprised 81.9% and the minor 18.1%. The results obtained demonstrated a similarity between these hemoglobin components and those of some Chelidae reported in the literature for both land and aquatic animals, reflecting the adaptation to environmental conditions. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Influence of sex, age, and fasting on blood parameters and body, bursa, spleen and yolk sac weights of broiler chicks

The effects of water and feed fasting for 24, 48 and 72 hours post-hatching on blood parameters (mean corpuscular volume, MCV; red blood-cell, RBC; hematocrit, HCT; hemoglobin, HGB; plasma glucose, CGP; plasma total protein, PP, and differential leukocytes count), and on body, liver, spleen, bursa, and yolk sac weights were analyzed. Erythrogram data were obtained with a blood cell counter. Total plasma protein and plasma glucose were determined by using the Bradford method (1976) and a glucose PAP liquiform kit (Labtest, cat. n. 84), respectively. Specific leukocyte counts were carried out on blood smears stained with Rosenfeld solution. According to the obtained data, water and feed post-hatching fasting reduced MCV values, which also were lower in males than that in females. Fasting for 48 hours promoted an increase in PP, while fasting for 72 hours reduced HCT. Chicks submitted to fasting presented lower body weights as compared to fed chicks, but their liver weight did not increase between 48 and 72 hours of age. Fasting decreased spleen weight, but bursa and yolk sac weight were not affected. Data showed that female and male chicks react in a similar way to post-hatching fasting, which affects body weight, liver and spleen weight, and HCT and PP values. Moreover, 72 hours of fasting affected more intensely HCT and MCV values.

Experimental envenomation with Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in dogs treated with antiophidic serum - Part I: Clinical evaluation, hematology and myelogram

The present study aimed at evaluating clinical and laboratory aspects during experimental envenomation by Crotalus durissus terrificus in dogs treated with antiophidic serum. Twenty-one dogs were divided into three groups of seven animals each. Group I received 1mg/kg venom (sc); Group II received 1mg/kg venom (sc), 50mg antiophidic serum (iv), and fluid therapy including 0.9% NaCl solution (iv); and Group III received 1mg/kg venom (sc), 50mg antiophidic serum (iv), and fluid therapy including 0.9% NaCl solution containing sodium bicarbonate diluted to the dose of 4mEq/kg. The clinical signs of ataxia, sedation, flaccid paralysis, mydriasis, eyeball paralysis, mandible ptosis, sialorrhea, vomiting and diarrhea observed in the dogs were very similar to those observed in humans. The decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte, platelet and fibrinogen levels, prolongation of clotting time, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), as well as hypocellularity in the bone marrow characterized anemia, thrombocytopenia and blood incoagulability, as well as hypofibrinogenemia and decreased bone-marrow activity. Important bleeding was not observed. Increased numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils and decreased numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils characterized an acute inflammatory response and stress caused by generalized pain. The employed antiophidic serum was effective and all animals survived.

Moderate physical training increases brain insulin concentrations in experimental diabetic rats

Insulin is an important modulator of growth and metabolic function in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of swimming physical training (at 32̈±1̈C, 1 hr/day, 5 days/week, with an overload equivalent to 5% of the body weight, for 4 weeks) on brain insulin concentrations in alloxan induced type 1 diabetic rats. Training attenuated hyperglycemia but had no effect on insulinemia in diabetic rats. Hematocrit and blood albumin values remained without changes. Brain insulin did not change in diabetic rats. However, physical training increased the concentration in both control and diabetic rats. It is concluded that in the present experimental conditions, diabetes had no influence on brain insulin, however moderate physical training increased the hormone in both control and diabetic animals.

Effects of pentoxifylline and n-acetylcysteine on injuries caused by ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs in rats

Aim. Occlusion and reperfusion of splanchnic arteries cause local and systemic changes due to the release of cytotoxic substances and the interaction between neutrophils and endothelial cells. This study evaluated the role of pentoxifylline (PTX) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the reduction of ischemia, reperfusion shock and associated intestinal injury. Methods. Sixty rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. Rats in three groups underwent mesenteric ischemia for 30 minutes followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion, and were treated with saline (SAL-5 mL/kg/ h), pentoxifylline (PTX-50 mg/kg) or n-acetylcysteine (NAC-430 mg/kg/h). The other 3 groups underwent sham ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) and received the same treatments. Hemodynamic, biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated. Results. No significant hemodynamic or intestinal histological changes were seen in any sham group. No histological changes were found in the lung or liver of animals in the different groups. There was a progressive decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, from mean of 111.53 mmHg (30 minutes of ischemia) to 44.30±19.91 mmHg in SAL-I/R. 34.52±17.22 mmHg in PTX-I/R and 33.81±8.39 mmHg in NAC-I/R (P<0.05). In all I/R groups, there was a progressive decrease in: aortic blood flow, from median baseline of 19.00 mL/min to 2.50±5.25 mL/min in SAL-I/ R; 2.95±6.40 mL/min in PTX-I/R and 3.35±3.40 mL/min in NAC-I/R (P<0.05); in the heart rate, from mean baseline of 311.74 bpm to 233.33±83.88 bpm in SAL-I/R, 243.20±73.25 bpm in PTX-I/R and 244.92±76.05 bpm in NAC-I/R (P<0.05); and esophageal temperature, from mean baseline of 33.68°C to 30.53±2.05°C in SAL-I/R, 30.69±2.21°C in PTX-I/R and 31.43±1.03°C in NAC-I/R (P<0.05). In the other hand, there was an attenuation of mucosal damage in the small intestine of the animals receiving PTX, and only in the ileum of the animals receiving NAC. No changes were found in ileum or plasma malondialdehyde levels in any group. Conclusion. PTX was more efficient in reducing histological lesions than NAC, but neither treatment prevented hemodynamic changes during splanchnic organs I/R.

Mitigating stress effects during transportation of matrinxã(Brycon amazonicus Günther, 1869; Characidae) through the application of calcium sulfate

This study verified the effects of CaSO4 on physiological responses of the tropical fish matrinxãBrycon amazonicus(200.2 ± 51.1 g) in water containing CaSO4 after a 4-h transportation at concentrations of: 0, 75, 150, and 300 mg L-1. Blood samples were collected prior to transportation (initial levels), immediately after packaging, at arrival, and 24 h and 96 h after transportation (recovery). Cortisol levels increased after ackaging (118.2 ± 14.2 ng ml-1), and decreased slightly after transportation in water containing CaSO4 (106.8 ± 14.1), but remained higher than initial levels (21.0 ± 2.6 ng ml)1). Fish kept at 150 mg L-1 CaSO4 reached the pre-transportation levels at 24 h of recovery. Blood glucose increased after transportation in all treatments (8.2 ± 0.2 mmol L-1) and declined after full recovery to values below initial levels (4.8 ± 0.1 mmol L-1). Chloride levels did not change in CaSO4 treatments; serum sodium concentrations decreased after packaging and after transportation. Serum calcium levels did not differ among treatments, but decreased after packaging and increased at 96 h of recovery. Hematocrit and the number of red blood cells were higher in all treatments after packaging and arrival, except in fish exposed to 300 mg L-1 CaSO4. Mean corpuscular volume increased in 75 mg L-1 CaSO4, which reached the higher VCM after transportation. Hemoglobin levels increased only after transportation, regardless of calcium sulfate levels. Handling before transportation and transportation itself were both stressful to fish; calcium sulfate at concentrations tested in the present work had a moderate influence in the reduction of stress responses. © 2009 Blackwell Verlag, Berlin.

Associations between microsatellite markers and traits related to performance, carcass and organs in chickens

Associations between four microsatellite markers on chromosome 11 and five on chromosome 13 with performance, carcass and organs traits were investigated in chickens using a least-squares approach applied to single-marker analysis. Three hundred and twenty seven F 2 chickens from the EMBRAPA broiler×layer experimental population were evaluated for 16 traits: five related to performance, five to carcass and five to organs, plus the hematocrit. Two significance thresholds were considered: p<0.05 and p<0.0056; the last value resulted from the application of a multiple tests analyses correction. On chromosome 11, six associations (p<0.05) between the genotypes of two markers with four growth related and one carcass trait were found. On chromosome 13, six associations (p<0.05) between marker genotypes and three performance traits, eight associations (p<0.05) between marker genotypes and two carcass traits and eight associations (p<0.05) between marker genotypes and four organs traits were detected. These associations were indications of the presence of quantitative trait loci on these chromosomes, especially on chromosome 13. In this chromosome, the strongest evidence was for body weight at 41 days of age and percentage of carcass because the p-values exceeded the multiple test threshold (p<0.0056), but also for breast percentage and heart weight due to the large number of markers (four) on chromosome 13 associated with each one of these traits. These associations should be further investigated by interval mapping analyses to find QTL positions and to allow the estimation of their effects. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2009.

Hemoglobin polymorphism and hematological profile of Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus, Testudines) in the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Complete blood counts and hemoglobin isoform data were gathered from 36 specimens of the turtle species Phrynops geoffroanus from the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. They were collected in an urban area. The hemoglobin profiles were obtained after red blood cell lysis and by electrophoretic migration in alkaline pH, acid pH, and neutral pH buffer. The hemoglobin components were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Erythrogram analysis included hematocrit, total hemoglobin concentration, total red blood cell count, and red blood cell indices. The leukogram included a total white blood cell count and a calculation of the percent values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, heterophils, and azurophils. HPLC analysis revealed three hemoglobin components; the first with a concentration of 5.5%, the second was a major component with an average concentration of 67.1%, and the third with a concentration of 28.5%. The hematological profile obtained for these specimens allowed us to establish a pattern for P. geoffroanus in São Paulo State Northwestern region. The average hematocrit values were 22.5% for females and 24.0% for males. For total hemoglobin, we found average values of 6.66 g/dL in females and 7.22 g/dL in males. The number of white blood cells was 2725 x 103/μL for females and 2775 x 103/μL for males. There was a predominance of heterophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in both sexes. No significant differences were found between males and females for hematological profile. The hematological results were compared to literature data for other Chelonia. They were similar to what is known for fresh water turtles. © FUNPEC-RP.

Evaluations hematological and biochemical by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in rats

This work has evaluated the hematological and biochemical profile by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in groups: G1 (control), G2 (diclofenac sodium: 15 mg/kg), G3 (meloxicam: 2.0 mg/ kg), G4 (meloxicam: 10.0 mg/ kg), G5 (firocoxib: 5.0 mg/ kg) e G6 (firocoxib: 25.0 mg/ kg). The drugs were administered intragastrically (gavage) once a day, during five days and evaluated in three moments: M1 (48 hours after the beginning of the treatment), M2 (96 hours after the beginning of the treatment) and M3 (72 hours after the ending of the treatment). In each moment of each group, five to seven animals were evaluated and laboratory exams were performed. There were no significant changes observed in the biochemical and hematological parameters by the use of meloxicam and firocoxib. One of the effects of the sodium diclofenac was eritrogram variation as hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin decrease during the treatment. In addition, the platelets and total white blood cells counts did not change except for basophil. There was no changes in AST, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium values. However, the values of protein, globulin and albumin decreased. It was concluded that diclofenac sodium does not provide large variations in the hemogram and biochemical profile than the meloxicam and firocoxib do not provide delletery effects in laboratories tests.