Avaliação nutricional da silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo de alto ou de baixo conteúdo de taninos para leitões na fase de creche

Foram realizados dois experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização da silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo (SGUS) de alto ou baixo conteúdo de tanino na alimentação de leitões na fase de creche. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 12 suínos mestiços, machos castrados (peso inicial de 15,9±1,9 kg), alojados em gaiolas para estudos de metabolismo, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em que a unidade experimental foi constituída por um leitão. O método utilizado foi o de coleta total de fezes e urina. Os valores de MS, proteína, amido, MO e energia digestíveis e os de EM, na matéria natural (68,75% de MS), foram, respectivamente, 43,94; 5,45; 46,67; 63,46%; 2.700 e 2.674 kcal/kg para a SGUS de alto teor de tanino e 40,72; 5,92; 44,08; 63,75%; 2.641 e 2.608 kcal/kg, para SGUS de baixo conteúdo de tanino. O segundo experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o desempenho de leitões e a viabilidade econômica da utilização de rações com diferentes níveis de substituição do milho seco por SGUS de alto ou baixo teor de tanino. Foram utilizados 56 suínos mestiços (14,7±1,9 e 29,2±3,0 kg de pesos inicial e final) distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e dois leitões por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma ração à base de milho e farelo de soja e de outras seis com 33, 66 e 100% de substituição do milho seco por SGUS de alto ou baixo conteúdo de taninos, com base nos valores de energia digestível (ED) desses ingredientes. Não foram observadas diferenças no desempenho dos animais entre os tratamentos, entretanto, houve aumento linear no consumo diário de ração para a SGUS de baixo teor de tanino e redução linear para o custo da ração por quilograma de peso vivo ganho para a SGUS de alto teor de tanino.

Digestão total e pré-cecal dos nutrientes em potros fistulados no íleo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies against Toxocara vitulorum in water buffaloes

Toxocara vitulorum, a parasite of the small intestine of cattle and water buffaloes, is mainly acquired by calves via the colostrum/milk from infected cows. To understand the development of immune responses in calves, antibody levels to a soluble extract antigen (Ex) from T. vitulorum infective larvae were measured by an indirect ELISA with sera of 15 buffalo calves, which were sampled every 15 days for the first 180 days after birth and 9 buffalo cows during the perinatal period. From all serum samples examined during the first 180 days, antibody level was lowest and highest in calves at 1 day of age before and after suckling colostrum, respectively, suggesting that the origin of antibodies was the colostrum. Immediately after birth, antibody levels in suckled calves remained at high levels until day 15, began to decrease to lower levels between 15 and 30 days and remained relatively stable until 120 days. By comparing the immune responses of these animals with their parasitological status it was considered possible to determine if passively acquired or actively produced antibodies provided protection against the infection. High numbers of T. vitulorum eggs in the feces between 30 and 60 days indicated that passively acquired antibodies did not provide protection against the infection, at least during these first days, and the maximum fecal egg counts during 30-45 days were coincident with decreased antibody levels. Between 60 and 120 days, when serum antibodies were detected at reduced, but stable levels, adult nematodes were expelled from the intestines and no more T. vitulorum eggs were found, suggesting development of acquired resistance. However, the potential and functional protective role of the antibodies against T. vitulorum infection and the process of self-cure requires further investigation. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Common bile duct obstruction associated with platinosoma concinum in cat

Extrahepatic obstruction in cat,can be caused by cholelithiasis, inspissated bile, pancreatic inflammation or fibrosis, duodenal inflammation, bile duct carcinoma or liver fluke infection (Amphimerus pseudofelineus e Platynosomurn concinum). A three-year-old, female neutered siames cat was present with a two-month history of progressive letargy, anorexia and emaciation. She had severe icterus of the mucous membranes, skin, and sclerae. A diagnosis of extrahepataic biliary obstruction was made based on the increased levels of conjugated bilirubin in the serum and the ultrasonography. Hepatic fluke eggs were not diagnosed in the feces because the fibrotic bile ducts were occluded and no eggs were shed into the intestine. Cholecystoduodenostomy was done to relieve posthepatic-biliary obstruction.

Production of transgalactosylated oligosaccharides (TOS) by galactosyltransferase activity from Penicillium simplicissimum

Ingestion of transgalactosylated oligosaccharides (TOS) and other non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) induces a significant increase in Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and some desirable species of Streptococcus populations in the gut of human and other animals (prebiotic effect). This change in the intestinal flora is responsible for several beneficial physiological effects such as a decrease of putrefactive products in the feces, lower blood cholesterol content, higher Ca2+ absorption, a smaller loss of bone tissue in ovariotomized female rats and a lower incidence of colon cancer. beta-Galactosidase from Penicillium simplicissimum, a strain isolated from soil, showed high galactosyltransferase activity when incubated with a highly concentrated lactose solution. Optimum pH and temperature ranges for hydrolytic activity were 4.0-4.6 and 55-60 degrees C, respectively, for a lactose concentration of 5.0% (w/v). Maximal galactosyltransferase activity was obtained at pH 6.5 and 50 degrees C and TOS synthesis was positively associated with lactose concentration in the reaction medium. Thus, when 50 ml of a 60% (w/v) lactose solution was incubated with 26.6 U of beta-galactosidase under the best pH and temperature conditions for transferase activity, a final product with 30.5% TOS (183 mg ml(-1)), 27.5% residual lactose and 42.0% monosaccharides was obtained. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

INTRAGASTRIC INFECTION OF CONVENTIONAL AND GERM-FREE MICE WITH GIARDIA-LAMBLIA

The effects of experimental infection with Giardia lamblia were studied in 30-day old conventional and germfree CFW mice (7 animals in each group) of both sexes. Cysts were observed in the feces of both groups 6 to 7 days after intragastric infection of each animal with about 2.5 x 10(5) G. lamblia trophozoites. Fecal cyst level was statistically higher in germfree mice (about 10(5) cysts/g feces) when compared with the conventional group (about 10(4) cysts/g feces). The peak of infection in the conventional group apparently occurred on the 10th day after infection as indicated by an increase of fecal weight and by histopathological examination. Intense infiltration of the lamina propria and high reactional hyperplasia of the lymphoid component were observed in the conventional group. There was no infiltration or hyperplasia in germfree infected mice and fecal weight was relatively constant throughout the experiment. These results suggest that, as is the case for other intestinal pathogenic protozoa, the intestinal microflora is indispensable for the expression of the pathogenicity but not for the multiplication of G. lamblia.

Prevalência de Cryptosporidium sp. em cães de instituições da cidade de São Paulo

Objective Dogs play an important role as infection source of human cryptosporidiosis. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in dogs as well as to compare two techniques of fecal analysis.Methods Four-hundred and fifty canine fecal samples from the city of São Paulo were analyzed between 2003 and 2004. Fecal samples were randomly selected from dogs housed in a university veterinary hospital (group 1, n=200) and private kennels (group 2, n=250). The detection of Cryptosporidium was performed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-tailed test of significance at 5% confidence interval (z critical=+/- 1.645).Results Only Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were found the prevalences found by light microscopy examination and PCR techniques were 8.8% and 9.5%, respectively. Young animals showed a lower frequency (5.5%) compared to adults (10.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in Cryptosporidium prevalence between males and females.Conclusions the prevalence of C. parvum in the canine population studied was similar to that one found in the literature and affects equally males and females. The use of PCR allowed the detection of more positive cases than light microscopy.

Anxiety levels and wild running susceptibility in rats: assessment with elevated plus maze test and predator odor exposure

It is reported in the literature that nearly 20% of rats are susceptible to displays of wild running (WR) behavior when submitted to high intensity acoustic stimulation. Some characteristics of WR suggest that it can be viewed as a panic-like reaction. This work aimed to test whether WR-sensitive rats show higher levels of anxiety in elevated-plus-maze (EPM) and predator-odor exposure paradigms in comparison with WR-resistant ones. Male adult Wistar rats were submitted to two trials of acoustic stimulation (104 dB, 60 s) in order to assess WR susceptibility. Seven WR-sensitive and 15 WR-resistant rats were evaluated by the EPM test. Other 13 WR-sensitive and 18 WR-resistant animals were submitted to the predator-odor exposure test which consisted of a 10 min-session of free exploration in a specific apparatus containing two odoriferous stimuli: cotton swab imbedded with snake cloacal gland secretion or with iguana feces (control). WR-sensitive rats presented a significantly higher closed-to open-ann-entry ratio in the EPM test. All rats responded with anxiety-like behaviors to the predator odor exposure, although the WR-sensitive ones showed a marked behavioral inhibition regardless of the odor condition. We conclude that WR-sensitive rats present elevated levels of anxiety manifested by means of passive behavioral strategies. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Segmental specializations in the Malpighian tubules of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima Forel 1904 (Myrmicinae): an electron microscopical study

The Malpighian tubules of workers of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Myrmicinae) were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in order to determine their functional organization and association with the hindgut epithelium. The ants showed six Malpighian tubules with three segments morphologically and structurally different. The proximal segment was long and its cells showed abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets, which suggest their role in lipid secretion. The mid segment was long and undulated and it was composed by the cells that showed the typical features of ion transporting epithelia. The distal segment, short and flattened, adheres to the rectum wall. The cells of this segment showed the basal lamina fused to that of the rectum, it is probable that this part of the tubule may play a role in ion and water uptake from the feces. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Voluntary intake of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) under rotational grazing by lactating cows

The study was conducted at Nucleo de Pesquisas Zootecnicas Nordeste of the Instituto de Zootecnia, Ribeirao Preto, SP, in a rotational grazing area of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum), to estimate the dry matter intake by lactanting cows. The estimation of dry matter intake was calculated from the feces production estimated using extrusa Chromium-mordent and the in vitro digestibility of diet. The three treatments were crossbreed cows fed 3 kg.day(-1) of concentrate, crossbred cows without concentrate suplementation and pure Gir cows also without concentrate supplementation. The milk production was 11.98, 6.53 and 5.46 kg per cow per day, the grass intake was 8.26 +/- 5.66, 11.01 +/- 5.37 and 9.55 +/- 2.31 kg of dry matter per day or 2.15%, 2.37% and 2.34% of live weight for the three experimental groups respectively. The milk production was higher (P<0.01) for cows fed with concentrate. No difference was found for dry matter intake.

Energia e nutrientes digestíveis de alimentos para a tilápia do nilo

The utilization of energetic and protein feeds, highly digestible as well, becomes more and more necessary due to the quality of formulated rations, fish performance and relationship with the environment. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter, protein, energy, phosphorus, and amino acids of corn starch, corn, wheat, rice, soybean, and cottonseed meal, corn gluten and fish meal were determined for Nile tilapia. ADC was determined using a reference diet based on albumin, gelatin and corn starch, was used inert indicator chromium III oxide (Cr(2)O(3)). Each test diet composed by 70% of reference diet and 30% of the test diet. Feces were collected using mofied Guelph system. ADC values for protein and average ADC of amino acids were as follows: corn 89.76 and 96.43%, rice meal 95.88 and 92.26%, wheat meal 93.54 and 84.41%, fish meal 82.59 and 86.36%, corn gluten 89.82 and 87.98%, soybean meal 94.13 and 91.93%, cotton meal 87.10 and 77.47%, respectively. According to the results of this work, ADC of protein is not a reliable indicator of ADC values of amino acids, even more so for wheat meal, corn, and cotton meal. Among protein feeds, soybean meal was found to have the highest ADC for protein and amino acids, while corn was the energetic feed with the highest ADC (86.15%) for energy.

Potencial mirmecológico na vetoração mecânica de helmintos em gatis

Vector potential of ants in mechanic dissemination of helminthes in a cat rescue center was analyzed in this study. Ants walking over cat's food and feces were collected and conditioned in distilled water. Cat feces were collected too. Ants were identified and the water where they were conditioned was observed on optic microscope. It was made the simple sedimentation technique to analyze feces. The results show that ants species Pheidole and Paratrechina can be potential vectors of nematode eggs, mainly Ascaridida, Toxocaridae.

Anticoccidial effects of coumestans from Eclipta alba for sustainable control of Eimeria tenella parasitosis in poultry production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of a product containing coumestans from Eclipta alba. Experimental conditions were set up as to reproduce the environment conditions for husbandry adopted in commercial broiler farms. Broilers were raised in broiler chicken shed provided with feeders, drinkers, illumination and temperature control systems and floor covering to afford an adequate nourishing environment. Male Cobb broilers (240) were assigned to four experimental groups being each experimental group set apart in rice straw-covered shed isolated with wire mesh. One-day-old broilers were reared in a coccidian-free environment with ad libitum supply of filtered water and freely available standard feed, from the 1st to the 35th day of life. The T1 group received standard feed (negative control); T2 was treated with standard feed supplemented with 66 ppm of salinomycin (positive control); groups T3 and T4 had standard feed supplemented with the ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extract of E. alba aerial parts, which contains the coumestans WL and DWL (120 and 180 ppm, respectively). The chicken broilers were individually infected with 2 x 104 oocysts of Eimeria tenella when they were 14 days old and were monitored weekly to evaluate zootechnical parameters such as weight gain and food conversion ratio. Counting of coccidial oocyst in chiken feces was assessed from random samples, from the 21st to 28th days of life, which corresponded to 7-14 days after the infection. Five chickens selected at random from each experimental group were subsequently euthanized at 21, 28 or 35 days of life to determine the lesion score in the cecal region and to excise a cecum portion for histopathological evaluation. The group treated with coumestans from E. alba presented an average weight gain and food conversion ratio higher than the negative control group and similar to the mean value of the positive control group. Coumestan-treated groups showed a significant decrease in the oocyst counting since the 21th day of life and displayed a reduced number of macroscopic lesions. Histopathological evaluations of cecum fragments showed that both treatments induced the migration of defense cells at the site of infection. A severe destruction of the cecal lining was found in the intestinal tract of broilers fed with a coumestans dose of 180 ppm. Overall, our results validate the use of a phytotherapy containing E. alba coumestans at a dose of 120 ppm as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent against avian coccidiosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Natural Infection with Cryptosporidium galli in Canaries (Serinus canaria), in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), and in Lesser Seed-Finches (Oryzoborus angolensis) from Brazil

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

Fiber fermentability effects on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fecal traits, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats

Considering the different potential benefits of divergent fiber ingredients, the effect of 3 fiber sources on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats (Felis catus) fed kibble diets was compared. Twenty-four healthy adult cats were assigned in a complete randomized block design to 2 groups of 12 animals, and 3 animals from each group were fed 1 of 4 of the following kibble diets: control (CO; 11.5% dietary fiber), beet pulp (BP; 26% dietary fiber), wheat bran (WB; 24% dietary fiber), and sugarcane fiber (SF; 28% dietary fiber). Digestibility was measured by the total collection of feces. After 16 d of diet adaptation and an overnight period without food, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride postprandial responses were evaluated for 16 h after continued exposure to food. on d 20, colon biopsies of the cats were collected under general anesthesia. Fiber addition reduced food energy and nutrient digestibility. of all the fiber sources, SF had the least dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05), causing the largest reduction of dietary energy digestibility (P < 0.05). The greater fermentability of BP resulted in reduced fecal DM and pH, greater fecal production [g/(cat x d); as-is], and greater fecal concentration of acetate, propionate, and lactate (P < 0.05). For most fecal variables, WB was intermediate between BP and SF, and SF was similar to the control diet except for an increased fecal DM and firmer feces production for the SF diet (P < 0.05). Postprandial evaluations indicated reduced mean glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve in cats fed the SF diet (P < 0.05). Colon mucosa thickness, crypt area, lamina propria area, goblet cell area, crypt mean size, and crypt in bifurcation did not vary among the diets. According to the fiber solubility and fermentation rates, fiber sources can induce different physiological responses in cats, reduce energy digestibility, and favor glucose metabolism (SF), or improve gut health (BP).