Blood parameters of chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress

This study was aimed to verify if chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress would have higher immunity than chicks from incubation at thermoneutrality without injection of ascorbic acid. The parameters evaluated were temperature on oxygen saturation in hemoglobin, glucose, number of erythrocytes, hematocrit rate and number of hemoglobins of newly hatched male chicks, hatched from eggs injected with ascorbic acid (AA) and subjected to thermal stress during incubation. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 5 (application levels of ascorbic acid) x 2 (incubation temperatures). The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model procedure (GLM) of SAS ®. For the parameters (number of erythrocytes, rate of hematrocit and values of hemoglobin), there was significant interaction (p <0.05) between treatments in egg and incubation temperatures. Analyzing the interactions for these parameters, it was observed that the application of 0% ascorbic acid in egg minimized the effect of heat stress when compared with treatment without injection. The application of ascorbic acid levels in eggs incubated under heat stress failed to maximize the immunity of newly hatched chicks. It is assumed that the increased liquid in the amniotic fluid, in those embryos injected with water, favored the lower heat conductance for these embryos, thus helping in their development in relation to immunity. Considering that hemoglobin is related to the transport of gases, these data suggest that increasing the concentration of AA solution inoculated may influence the respiratory rates of eggs.

Balance of pH of chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to thermal stress

This study aimed to verify that chicks from eggs injected with ascorbic acid and subjected to heat stress would have changes in acid-base balance, compared to chicks incubated at thermoneutral without injection of ascorbic acid. The parameters evaluated were blood pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen, base excess, total carbon dioxide, concentration of sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, bicarbonate and pH of newly hatched male chicks, hatched from eggs injected with acid ascorbic acid (AA) and subjected to heat stress during incubation. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 5 (application levels of ascorbic acid) x 2 (incubation temperatures). The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model procedure (GLM) of SAS ®. For the blood pH was observed significant interaction (p <0.05) between treatments with application in eggs and incubation temperatures. For the other parameters were not significant effects (p< 0.05) of AA level and neither temperature of incubation. Analyzing the unfolding of the interaction to pH was observed that chicks from eggs injected with 6% ascorbic acid and subjected to heat stress during incubation had a higher pH value compared with the thermoneutral temperature incubated (p <0.05). Therefore, it is suggested that the incubation of eggs in high temperature (39°C) can alter the metabolic rate of these embryos.

Microbiological quality of organic and conventional vegetables sold in Brazil

While searching for healthier diets, people became more attentive to organic produce. Yet, organic foods may be more susceptible to microbiological contamination because of the use of organic fertilizers, a possible source of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, 130 samples of different organic and conventional vegetable varieties sold in Brazil were analyzed for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Most of the mesophilic aerobic bacteria counts in organic and conventional vegetables ranged from 6 to 7 log10 CFU/g; most of the yeasts and molds counts ranged from 5 to 6 log10 CFU/g and most of the total coliforms counts ranged from 4 to 5 log10 CFU/g. E. coli was found in 41.5% of the organic and 40.0% of the conventional vegetables, and most samples had counts ranging from 1 to 2 log10 CFU/g. Salmonella spp. was not found in any sample. Comparative analyses of the microbial counts of organic and conventional vegetables showed that some organic varieties have greater counts. However, the global results show that this is not a trend. These results indicate the need of good farming practices, and proper sanitization before consumption, to ensure food quality and safety. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Salmonella enteritidis in the eggs of Japanese quails (coturnix coturnix Japonica - Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) fed diets with different calcium and phosphorus levels

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Improvement of Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, Larviculture by Exposing Eggs to Triiodothyronine

This work evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on larviculture of matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Oocytes of three females were pooled, fertilized with pooled semen of two males and separated in four batches that were immersed in triiodothyronine solutions as follows: M1 (control - water); M2 (0.01mg/L T3); M3 (0.05mg/L T3); and M4 (0.1mg/L T3). Triiodothyronine did not affect fertilization rate and number of hatched larvae. Weight of hatched larvae was significantly higher in treatments M3 and M4, as well as among larvae sampled at Day 12 in all treatments. After 12d of rearing, biomass gain was higher in the hormone treatments (M1 688±569mg; M2 2436±562mg; M3 3572±569mg; and M4 4129±770mg). In general, coefficients of variation of weight (CVw) and length (CVl) did not differ among treatments and cannibalism was registered between 36 and 72hours post-hatching (h.p.h.) without differences among treatments. Larval survival increased in the hormone treatments (M1 26.5%; M2 37.6%; M3 40.6%; and M4 40.8%). The results indicate that the immersion of matrinxã eggs in triiodothyronine can promote beneficial effects to its larviculture and indicate promising perspectives for culture of this tropical species. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Comparison of eggs, larvae, and pupae of plutella xylostella (lepidoptera: Plutellidae) as prey for podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Free Amino Acids in Pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, Eggs and Larvae

Free amino acids (FAA) are used principally as substrate in protein synthesis and the source of energy in aerobic catabolism. In marine fish, embryo and larvae FAA are used to maintain body fluid osmolality during fish early development. However, there is essentially no information about FAA concentrations in early ontogeny of freshwater neotropical species in comparison to marine fishes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the FAA concentrations in pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, eggs and larvae. Broodstock fish were induced to spawn and ovulated females were stripped of their eggs and immediately sampled for analysis. Larvae were sampled right after hatching (HL) and after the completion of the yolk-sac absorption (YSA). The wet weight of the HL and YSA larvae amounted to 0.5±0.1mg and 1.1±0.3mg, respectively. HL larvae showed higher levels of most of the indispensable amino acids (IAA) in comparison to eggs and YSA larvae. Exceptions were observed with His and Trp that showed higher or similar levels, respectively, in YSA larvae. The FAA Orn, Tau, Glu, Gln, Gly, and Tyr increased concentrations in both larval stages while that of Tau was found in higher concentration in all analyzed stages. Also, the concentrations of Asn, Ala, Pro, Ser, and Asp were higher in HL larvae. Both larval stages displayed a rise in total free IAA/total free DAA (dispensable amino acids) ratio. The authors conclude that the highest level of FAA in HL pacu larvae is indicative of active proteolysis of yolk reserves and a probable catabolism regulation of some FAA through spare-effect. In addition, Tau is one of the major FAA occurring during pacu ontogeny and may be performing regulation on body fluid osmolality regulation. © Copyright by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Effect of immersion and inoculation in ovo of Lactobacillus spp. in embryonated chicken eggs in the prevention of Salmonella enteritidis after hatch

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

Pesca, alimentação e ecologia reprodutiva e embrionária de carataí (Pseudauchenipterus nodosus) (Siluriformes, Auchenipteridae) no rio Marapanim, Marapanim, Pará

Este trabalho apresenta informações sobre a pesca, alimentação, reprodução e desenvolvimento embrionário do carataí, Pseudauchempterus nodosus, com base em material coletado no rio Marapanim, PA, no período de dezembro de 1998 a abril de 1999. Para tal, foram realizadas coletas diárias e quinzenais, utilizando-se curral, tapagem e cerca, em quatro trechos do rio: na baía, no funil estuarino, nas porções média e superior. Foi confirmada que a pesca era realizada durante o período reprodutivo da espécie, sendo a maior parte da produção vendida nos municípios vizinhos. Os dados de captura ao longo do rio destacaram a porção superior (33%) e média (44%) como os trechos mais produtivos do rio Marapanim e indicaram que o carataí realiza movimento ascendente regido pela lua. A espécie ingeriu maiores porções de alimento no trecho de água túrbida, principalmente nos córregos de maré, sendo sua dieta composta por anelídeos, artrópodes, moluscos e peixes. As observações locais e a distribuição das freqüências dos ovários nos estádios maduro, de reprodução e esvaziado indicaram que o carataí desova no trecho de água doce e limpa, nas margens do rio e dos igarapés, sob floresta não perturbada. As desovas ocorrem durante os últimos picos das marés máximas de sizigia, e após a retração das marés, os ovos são incubados no solo por cerca de 11 dias até a sizigia seguinte, sob temperatura de 22 a 27,5 °C. Após a eclosão, enquanto a maré não chega, os embriões permanecem na casca e, quando escapam desta, sobrevivem no solo por cerca de duas horas. Esses embriões eclodem aptos a consumir alimento exógeno, enquanto que aqueles incubados na água eclodiam precocemente, aparentando pouca percepção do ambiente. A interferência na reposição anual de carataí no rio Marapanim pareceu depender mais da distribuição das chuvas locais e da integridade da floresta do que da pesca.

Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitism on eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Eribidae) compared with its natural host Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The capacity of Telenomus remus to parasitize eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis, compared with its natural host, Spodoptera frugiperda, was evaluated under different temperatures. The parasitoid T. remus was reared at 25 +/- 1 degrees C for a single generation on both hosts. After reaching the adult stage, they were allowed to parasitize both hosts to study parasitoid biology and parasitism capacity at temperatures between 19 degrees C and 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Egg-to-adult developmental time was similar on both hosts. The number of A. gemmatalis eggs parasitized was lower than that of S. frugiperda eggs at all temperatures. Parental female longevity of parasitoids was greater on A. gemmatalis eggs. This indicated a smaller metabolic expense during parasitism, a common feature observed on nonpreferable hosts. In general, sex ratio was little affected by temperature or hosts. When parental T. remus were reared on A. gemmatalis before the experiment, base temperature (Tb) and the thermal constant (K) were 9.53 degrees C and 209.57 DD on eggs of A. gemmatalis and 9.68 degrees C and 197.79 DD on eggs of S. frugiperda, respectively. When parental T. remus were reared on S. frugiperda eggs, Tb and K were 10.12 degrees C and 188.46 DD and 9.69 degrees C and 190.24 DD for the evaluated host eggs of A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, respectively. Therefore, T. remus develops in eggs of A. gemmatalis. This can be beneficial for its use in field crops where outbreaks of both Spodoptera spp. and A. gemmatalis occur. However, A. gemmatalis is a less favorable host for the parasitoid development.

Chemometric optimization of solid-liquid extraction with low-temperature partition (SLE-LTP) for determination of persistent organic pollutants in Caiman yacare eggs

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Nematode resistance to ivermectin (630 and 700 mu g/kg) in cattle from the Southeast and South of Brazil

Two high doses of ivermectin (630 mu g/kg and 700 mu g/kg) that are sold commercially in Brazil were evaluated in dose-and-slaughter trials with 144 naturally nematode-infected cattle from eight regions within the states of Minas Gerias, Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Treatment groups were based on fecal egg counts 1, 2, and 3 days before treatment; all animals studied had a minimum egg count of at least 500 eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Post-mortem analyses were conducted on day 14. The highest levels of resistance to ivermectin were found for Haemonchus placei, Cooperia punctata and Oesophagostomum radiatum; all populations of H. placei were resistant to the 630 mu g/kg dose, and 67% were resistant to 700 mu g/kg; 86% of C. punctata were resistant to the 630 mu g/kg dose, and 33% were resistant to 700 mu g/kg. A combined analysis revealed that 57% of O. radiatum were resistant to the lower dose of ivermectin. H. placei, C. punctata and O. radiatum, in order, were the nematode populations with the highest indices of resistance, whereas Trichostrongylus axei was the most susceptible to 630 and 700 mu g/kg dosages of ivermectin. The results of helminthic resistance to ivermectin for different populations of H. placei and C. punctata described in the present study support previous literature data, in which a small decrease in the average parasitic burden of C. punctata and a consequent increase of H. placei were observed in cattle from the Southeast, South and Center-West regions of Brazil. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Influence of Dietary Lysine on Yellow Perch Female Reproductive Performance and the Quality of Eggs

The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate if dietary lysine (Lys) has an effect on the free amino acid (FAA) pool of Yellow Perch Perca flavescens eggs, and (2) determine how dietary Lys influences the reproductive performance and eggs fertilization rate (embryo survival) of female Yellow Perch. Two-year-old Yellow Perch of initial size of approximately 75 g were randomly distributed into six 400-L tanks at 32 +/- 1 fish per tank. This experiment included two wheat gluten-based diets in triplicate Lys-deficient ([-] Lys) and Lys-supplemented ([+]Lys; 2.23% in dry feed) diets. Females from the reference group were fed a commercial diet. Females from reference, (+) Lys, and (-) Lys groups were stripped and their eggs divided into 0.4-1.2-g portions and mixed with sperm (21.4 +/- 4.3 mu L) from either reference, (+) Lys, or (-) Lys males. The mean weight of Yellow Perch females and mean total weight of ovulated eggs were the greatest in the reference group compared with both (+) Lys and (-) Lys groups. There were no differences in the ratio of weight of eggs to female body weight as well as egg size among groups. There was no difference among treatments in the concentration of free amino acids except glutamic and aspartic acids in Yellow Perch eggs. There was significant effect of female dietary treatments on the egg fertilization rate averaged across all males. The higher fertilization rate was observed in the reference and (+) Lys groups compared with the (-) Lys group. The effect of female dietary treatment on the egg survival was also dependent on the dietary treatment of males.

The importance of relative humidity for telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitism and development on Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs

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

Quality assessment of eggs packed under modified atmosphere

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