Glutamina na dieta de poedeiras leves submetidas ao estresse pelo calor e à termoneutralidade

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine supplementation of the diet on intestinal mucosa morphology, performance, and egg quality of commercial laying hens, submitted to heat stress and thermoneutral conditions. In this study, 96 (Isa Babcock) laying hens at 35 weeks of age were used and distributed in a completely randomized design according to a 2x2 factorial arrangement, with two levels of ambient temperature (thermoneutral and hot) and two levels of glutamine in the diet (0.0 and 1.0% of inclusion), in 6 replicates of 4 hens per box. Feed intake, daily egg production, feed conversion per kilogram of eggs, and egg quality were obtained in two periods of 28 days each. Heat stress decreased egg production and quality, and glutamine supplementation improved egg quality and feed conversion. The heat and glutamine supplementation provided an increase in calliciform cells quantity in duodenum and ileum, respectively. Significant morphological modifications in the intestinal mucosa of laying hens were not found.

Parâmetros hemetológicos da tilápia-do-Nilo: efeito da dieta suplementada com levedura e zinco e do estímulo pelo frio

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

Utilização de sistemas de refrigeração de sêmen equino na estabilização das amostras seminais previamente à congelação

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Histerocele inguinal em cadela com piometra: relato de caso

A histerocele inguinal e uma hérnia pouco frequente, caracterizada pela protrusão do útero pelo canal inguinal, ocasionando sinais clínicos em decorrência de gestação ou alterações uterinas, dentre elas a piometra, tendo como causa primaria o desequilíbrio hormonal levando ao enfraquecimento de tecido conjuntivo, que distende os anéis inguinais. Pode ser causada por um conjunto de fatores tais como obesidade e aumento da pressão intra-abdominal, acompanhada pelo enfraquecimento das estruturas de contorno adjacentes. Foi relatada a ocorrência de histerocele inguinal com piometra em uma cadela da raça Poodle, com nove anos de idade, atendida no Ambulatório de Reprodução de Pequenos Animais do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Unesp – Botucatu – SP. As alterações clínicas observadas foram presença de secreção vulvar mucopurulenta, hipertermia (40,2°C), vasos episclerais ingurgitados, apatia e anorexia, além da presença de hérnia inguinal esquerda. Ao exame ultrassonográfico da cavidade abdominal e da hérnia, constataram-se áreas lobuladas com regiões anecoicas bem evidentes, características dos achados ultrassonográficos de piometra, tanto no interior da cavidade como no conteúdo herniário. Os achados hematológicos revelaram anemia normocítica e normocrômica, leucocitose grave, neutrofilia e desvio a esquerda; o exame bioquímico do soro revelou alteração das enzimas hepáticas, hiperglobulinemia e hiperproteinemia, condizentes com o quadro de piometra. Diante do quadro clinico, procedeu-se laparotomia de caráter emergencial e verificou-se que ambos os cornos estavam repletos de secreção e que o conteúdo herniario tratava-se do corno uterino esquerdo. O corno distendido foi removido do anel inguinal lentamente e, apos a ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH), foi realizado a redução do anel inguinal esquerdo. Apos a recuperação pós-operatória, restabeleceu-se a saúde do paciente.

Determinação da fase lactente-ruminante de cordeiros pela técnica do delta 13C

This study was conducted at University of Marília, São Paulo State, Brazil, aiming to determine the phase of intake transition between exclusively liquid diet (milk) and diet based on milk, grass and/or ration by lambs by δ13C technique. Six Suffolk crossbreeding lambs were distributed in a totally random design (3x2), with two experimental groups and three replications. At the first one, lambs were penned and sucked milk from dams fed with C4 diet. besides, they had access to C3 ration in creep feeding, since their birth. At the second group, lambs were kept on a paddock with Tifton – 85 grass (C4 photosynthetic way) as well as their dams and had access to C3 ration in creep feeding, since their birth. The C3 ration contained soybean meal, ground oat grains, lucerne hay and also mineral salt. The penned lambs’ ration consumption overcame the milk intake at 30-35 days after birth; however, grazing lambs ingested more milk and pasture than ration until 40 days after birth. The δ 13C technique was considered effective on studies of lambs feeding behavior.

Resistência antimicrobiana em coliformes totais isolados de tanques de refrigeração de leite bovino

Milk that is adequate for consumption must be of hygienic quality, nutritional value, and should maintain its organoleptic properties. Isolation of fecal and/or total coliforms from bovine milk is considered an indicator of hygiene and good management practices, and can be used as a quality indicator. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and assess the resistance profile of coliforms isolated from collective bulk tanks and individual milk tanks. A total of 89 milk samples were collected from collective bulk tanks and, from these, 21 Klebsiella spp., one E. coli, and 29 Enterobacter spp. were isolated, whereas 102 milk samples from individual tanks showed isolation of one Klebsiella spp. and seven Enterobacter spp. In collective bulk tanks, at least 47% of Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. were resistant to cephalexin and 30% to ampicillin. From these, at least 24% showed multidrug resistance. Among the microorganisms isolated from the individual tanks, 85% or more were resistant to ampicillin. The ESBL phenotype and the blaTEM gene were detected in strains of Klebsiella spp. isolated from both tanks. It was concluded that contamination of milk with resistant total coliforms, and especially the storage of raw milk from several small producers in the collective bulk tank increase the risk of contamination.

Acid-base and biochemical stabilization and quality of recovery in male cats with urethral obstruction and anesthetized with propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam

This study compared acid-base and biochemical changes and quality of recovery in male cats with experimentally induced urethral obstruction and anesthetized with either propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam for urethral catheterization. Ten male cats with urethral obstruction were enrolled for urethral catheterization and anesthetized with either ketamine-diazepam (KD) or propofol (P). Lactated Ringer's solution was administered by intravenous (IV) beginning 15 min before and continuing for 48 h after relief of urethral obstruction. Quality of recovery and time to standing were evaluated. The urethral catheter was maintained to measure urinary output. Hematocrit (Hct), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-), chloride, base excess, anion gap, sodium, potassium, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mixed venous blood (pvCO(2)) were measured before urethral obstruction, at start of fluid therapy (0 h), and at subsequent intervals. The quality of recovery and time to standing were respectively 4 and 75 min in the KD group and 5 and 16 min in the P group. The blood urea nitrogen values were increased at 0, 2, and 8 h in both groups. Serum creatinine increased at 0 and 2 h in cats administered KD and at 0, 2, and 8 h in cats receiving P, although the values were above the reference range in both groups until 8 h. Acidosis occurred for up to 2 h in both groups. Acid-base and biochemical stabilization were similar in cats anesthetized with propofol or with ketamine-diazepam. Cats that received propofol recovered much faster, but the ketamine-diazepam combination was shown to be more advantageous when treating uncooperative cats as it can be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.

Epidural anesthesia and postoperatory analgesia with alpha-2 adrenergic agonists and lidocaine for ovariohysterectomy in bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the viability and cardiorespiratory effects of the association of epidural alpha-2 adrenergic agonists and lidocaine for ovariohysterectomy (OH) in bitches. Forty-two bitches were spayed under epidural anesthesia with 2.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) of 1% lidocaine with adrenaline (CON) or in association with 0.25 mg/kg BW of xylazine (XYL), 10 mu g/kg BW of romifidine (ROM), 30 mu g/kg BW of detomidine (DET), 2 mu g/kg BW of dexmedetomidine (DEX), or 5 mu g/kg BW of clonidine (CLO). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f(R)) and arterial pressures were monitored immediately before and every 10 min after the epidural procedure. Blood gas and pH analysis were done before, and at 30 and 60 min after the epidural procedure. Animals were submitted to isoflurane anesthesia if they presented a slightest sign of discomfort during the procedure. Time of sensory epidural block and postoperative analgesia were evaluated. All animals in CON and DEX, 5 animals in ROM and CLO, 4 animals in XYL, and 3 in DET required supplementary isoflurane. All groups, except CLO, showed a decrease in HR. There was an increase in arterial pressures in all groups. Postoperative analgesia lasted the longest in XYL. None of the protocols were totally efficient to perform the complete procedure of OH; however, xylazine provided longer postoperative analgesia than the others.

Development of osteochondrosis in Lusitano foals: A radiographic study

This study aimed to detect, by radiographic examination, the evolution of osteochondral lesions in the tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints of Lusitano foals. Within 1 month of age, 76.08% of foals had radiographic signs of osreochondrosis, but only 16.20% had lesions at 18 months. The radiographic signs resolved by 5 mo of age in most foals, but some cases that involved either joint, were not resolved until 12 mo of age. It is thought that the "age of no return" is 5 mo for the tarsocrural and 8 mo for the femoropatellar joint but this study demonstrated regression of osteochondral lesions in both joints of Lusitano foals up to 12 months of age.

Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Production by Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Bovine Leukemia Virus-Infected Dairy Cows

The present study assesses the oxidative burst activity from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected cows. Fifteen clinically healthy cows were divided into serologically positive cows without any hematological alteration, serologically positive animals with persistent lymphocytosis (PL) and healthy serologically negative cows. The oxidative burst activity from the PMNLs was evaluated by now cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate as a probe. PMNLs from each cow were incubated with heat-killed Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to stimulate oxidative burst activity. The results of the present work showed no significant difference in the oxidative burst activity without any stimulus and elicited by S. caucus. Conversely, a decrease in the oxidative burst index induced by E. coli in PMNLs was observed in BLV-infected cows.

Preliminary study of Porcine circovirus type 2 and Torque teno sus virus coinfection frequencies in Brazilian pig herds

Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is emergent in swine herds. Recent studies have shown an increased frequency of TTSuV2 in Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)-associated diseases (PCVAD), which are endemic in many swine-producing countries, including Brazil. Coinfection with several other viral and bacterial agents results in an increased incidence of more severe PCVAD. Given the limited information on TTSuV and PCV2 coinfection, especially in Brazilian swine herds, this study made a preliminary estimation of the occurrence of coinfection in swine herds by testing samples from different categories. Between 2008 and 2009, 111 samples of feces and 23 serum samples from 5 swine herds were tested for PCV2 and TTSuVs and the results analyzed for associations between these agents. No significant differences in coinfection frequency were observed for PCV2 1 + TTSuV1 or for PCV2 1 TTSuV2 between nursery piglets (P = 0.730), growing pigs (P = 0.331), or sows (P = 0.472). However, a significant difference was observed for PCV2 1 TTSuV1 1 TTSuV2 between nursery piglets and growing pigs (P = 0.004; Fisher's exact test). Phylogenetic studies agreed with the grouping of TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 into 2 different clades, with no distinct pattern of clustering of these isolates with the animal categories.

Avaliação da morfometria renal através do método ultrassonográfico de fêmeas caprinas (Capra hircus) normais da raça Saanen

A utilização de técnicas ultrassonográficas na área de Medicina Veterinária está cada vez mais presente e a capacitação nesta área tornou-se indispensável para o clínico, auxiliando-o na obtenção de informações rápidas e valiosas das afecções patológicas que podem acometer os animais. O exame ultrassonográfico renal revelou-se de grande importância neste âmbito, com o objetivo de avaliar e mensurar os parâmetros morfométricos renais normais de fêmeas caprinas (Capra hircus). Por meio de técnicas ultrassonográficas procedeu-se o estudo de 30 fêmeas da raça Saanen, divididas em três grupos: fêmeas com idade inferior a 6 meses (3,0±1,0 meses), de 6-18 meses (9,0±4,3 meses) e com idade superior a 18 meses (46,3±17,4 meses). Realizaram-se imagens dos rins, em secções longitudinais, medidas de comprimento e largura e, em secções transversais, medidas de altura (ou espessura). Com estes valores calcularam-se volumes renais, corticais e medulares, além da relação cortico-medular. Com relação ao comprimento renal os grupos com idade inferior a 6 meses, de 6-18 meses e com idade superior a 18 meses obtiveram média e desvio padrão de 4,20±0,36cm, 5,56±0,40cm e 6,77±0,64cm, respectivamente. Tratando-se do volume renal, estes grupos apresentaram média e desvio padrão de 17,02±3,99cm³, 19,99±5,86cm³; e, 41,23±13,05cm³. Comparou-se a equivalência métrica das médias entre os dois rins de forma que os parâmetros volumétricos e lineares renais com diferença entre si são comprimento renal, volume renal e volume cortical para o grupo de fêmeas com idade de 6-18 meses, e comprimento renal e comprimento medular para o grupo com idade superior a 18 meses. Entre diferentes grupos observou-se que somente o comprimento medular esquerdo apresentou média equivalente em todos os grupos, ou seja, entre o grupo com idade inferior a 6 meses e o grupo com idade de 6-18 meses e, entre este último e o grupo com idade superior a 18 meses. Os resultados mostraram correlações diretas e positivas entre peso corporal e idade com os parâmetros lineares e volumétricos, a relação cortico-medular esquerda foi a única que apresentou correlação significativa com o peso (r= -0,365; P = 0,047). Para aqueles parâmetros que apresentaram correlação significativa foi realizada análise de regressão, obtendo-se a linha de melhor ajuste das variáveis.

Effects of in vitro selenium supplementation on blood and milk neutrophils from dairy cows

The study was designed to assess the effects of in vitro selenium addition on intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by neutrophils from the milk and blood of dairy cows. Blood from 10 dairy cows and 20 milk samples from five dairy cows were incubated with 0 mg (control) or 10μM of sodium selenite. Then, milk and blood neutrophils were submitted for evaluation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide production by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate as a probe. The selenium status of the animals was evaluated by determination of the blood glutathione peroxidase activity. The results of the present work showed that in vitro selenium supplementation leads to an enhancement in intracellular hydrogen peroxide production, which indicates an improvement in the bactericidal effects of blood and milk neutrophils even in cows with a selenium-adequate status. Thus, the present study showed that in vitro Se supplementation leads to an enhancement in intracellular hydrogen peroxide production, indicating an improvement in the bactericidal effects of blood and milk neutrophils in cows with Se-adequate status.

Prevalência de leptospirose em caprinos leiteiros do semiárido paraibano

Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a prevalência de propriedades de caprinos leiteiros positivas e de animais soropositivos para leptospirose no semiárido paraibano. A amostragem foi delineada para a determinação da prevalência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos para a infecção por Leptospira spp. No total, foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 975 animais procedentes de 110 propriedades leiteiras localizadas no Munícipio de Monteiro, microrregião do Cariri Ocidental, Estado da Paraíba. Para o diagnóstico da infecção por Leptospira spp., foi utilizado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando como antígenos 24 sorovares. Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. As prevalências de propriedades positivas e de animais soropositivos foram de 43,6% (IC 95% = 34,2-53,4%) e de 8,7% (IC 95% = 5,7-12,9%), respectivamente. Nos animais, os sorovares mais frequentes foram Autumnalis (1,74%; IC 95% = 0,97-3,09%), Sentot (1,71%; IC 95% = 0,82-3,52%) e Whitcomb (1,39%; IC 95% = 0,65-2,93%), e nas propriedades, os sorovares Autumnalis (10,9%; IC 95% = 5,8-18,3%), Whitcomb (8,2%; IC 95% = 3,8-15,0%) e Sentot e Patoc (7,3%; IC 95% = 3,2-13,8%) foram os mais frequentes. Sugere-se que a infecção está distribuída em caprinos da região, e que há necessidade de implantação de medidas de controle e prevenção, com o intuito de reduzir a ocorrência da infecção e, consequentemente, diminuir perdas econômicas ocasionadas e bloquear a possível transmissão do agente aos seres humanos.

Genotipagem de polimorfismos no gene prnp em ovinos da raça Santa Inês no Estado de São Paulo

Scrapie ou paraplexia enzoótica dos ovinos é uma doença neurodegenerativa fatal que acomete ovinos e raramente caprinos. A doença é influenciada por polimorfismos nos códons 136, 154 e 171 do gene prnp que codifica a proteína priônica. Os animais podem ser susceptíveis ou resistentes, de acordo com as sequências alélicas observadas nos referidos códons. No Brasil ocorreram apenas casos de animais que foram importados, sendo o país considerado livre da doença. Neste trabalho foi realizada a genotipagem dos diferentes polimorfismos associados ao desenvolvimento do scrapie e a categorização em animais susceptíveis e resistentes. Foram sequenciadas 118 amostras provenientes de ovinos da raça Santa Inês criados em propriedades localizadas no Estado de São Paulo. Destas amostras foram identificados 6 alelos e 11 genótipos (ARQ/ARQ, ARR/ARQ, ARQ/AHQ, ARQ/VRQ, AHQ/AHQ, ARR/ARR, ARR/AHQ, VRQ/VRQ, ARQ/TRQ, TRR/TRR, TRQ/TRQ), dentre os quais o genótipo ARQ/ARQ teve ocorrência de 56,7%. Em nosso estudo foi detectada a presença da tirosina no códon 136, observação rara na medida em que não existem relatos nacionais e internacionais envolvendo a raça Santa Inês descrevendo este polimorfismo. Com os resultados obtidos, foi possível determinar a existência de grande variabilidade genética relacionada à raça Santa Inês no Estado de São Paulo. Apesar da variabilidade, apenas 1,69% dos genótipos observados mostraram-se extremamente resistentes ao scrapie. Estes dados demonstram que a raça nativa Santa Inês pode ser considerada potencialmente susceptível ao scrapie.