Forced-Molting methods and their effects on the performance and egg quality of japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the second laying cycle

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry house of the Research and Development Unit of Brotas of Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios do Centro-Oeste, SP, Brazil. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of Japanese quails submitted to forced molting aiming at optimizing the use of the same quail flock by promoting a second laying cycle. A total number of 400 67-day-old Japanese quails in lay, previously submitted to 14 days of forced molting, was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments (T1= not submitted to forced molting, T2= 03 days of fasting + fed ad libitum, T3= 01 days of fasting + 13 days of feed restriction, T4= 02 days of fasting + 12 days of feed restriction, and T5= 03 days of fasting + 11 days of feed restriction. Feeds were contained equal nutrient levels, and were formulated according to NRC (1994) recommendations. There were significant differences among the studied treatments. Although the treatment of 3 days of fasting followed by ad libitum feeding resulted in lower egg weight, it promoted better lay percentage, egg mass, and feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). on the other hand, 3 days of fasting followed by restricted feeding resulted in higher feed intake and worse feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). When birds were not submitted to forced molting, they presented lower lay percentage and egg mass.

Morphometric analysis of the intestine of domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) treated with different levels of dietary calcium

The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the various parts of the intestine of the domestic quail. Twenty-four female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 37 weeks were used and accommodated in laying cages for 12 weeks. Each group was fed a standardized diet containing different quantities of calcium: 2.0%, 2.5%. 3.0% and 3.5%. The birds were weighed, killed, and samples of 1 cm were collected from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and submitted to the histological routine. The sections obtained were stained in haematoxylin & eosin (H&E). For morphometric analysis, 30 villi and 30 crypts of each segment of the small intestine were measured in order to determine the height and area of the villi, as well as the depth of the crypts. The results showed that although the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract was maintained in all the birds treated with the different calcium levels, a calcium level of 3.0% showed the most promise, as the levels of 2.0% and 2.5% did not cause any alteration in the intestinal tract. Furthermore, a calcium level of 3.5% led to a significant reduction in the height of the villosities, and in consequence reduced the digestive and absorptive capabilities.

Enraizamento de estacas herbáceas de nespereira (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl)

O cultivo da nespereira (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl) tem despertado interesse no Brasil, devido ao bom rendimento que proporciona aos produtores e à facilidade de comercialização. Com isso, cada vez mais se buscam métodos de propagação que preservem as características genéticas de interesse, induzam precocidade na formação da muda e no início de produção, além de baixo custo. O método de estaquia se adequa a estas características; sendo assim, o objetivo deste experimento é avaliar o efeito do tipo de estaca herbácea na produção de mudas de nespereira, num experimento conduzido na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV/UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal (SP), utilizando plantas matrizes de nespereiras, plantadas em 1977, da variedade Mizuho, pertencentes à coleção de plantas frutíferas da Universidade. Utilizaram-se estacas apicais herbáceas com e sem meristema apical, com 2 ou 4 folhas inteiras ou cortadas pela metade, num total de 6 tratamentos, 4 repetições e 12 estacas por parcela, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Após 120 dias do plantio das estacas em bandejas com vermiculita e mantidas sob câmara de nebulização, concluiu-se que a porcentagem de estacas vivas e a presença de calos foram significativamente maiores nas estacas apicais sem meristema e com quatro folhas inteiras, e não há efeito do tipo de estaca herbácea sobre o número de estacas enraizadas, número e comprimento médio de raízes. A presença de calos na base das estacas indica a possibilidade de estímulo natural de enraizamento que pode ser potencializada com a utilização de fitorreguladores.

The use of scaning electron microscopy in postvaccinal evaluation of tracheal epithelium of Coturnix coturnix japonica

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

The annual testicular cycle of the domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

A morphometric study was conducted on the testis of the domestic quail Coturnix coturnix japonica to determine testicular kinetics. We investigated the variability along the year of testicular parameters such as seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height and amount of meiotic figures of maturing spermatids in the seminiferous epithelium and of sperm in the tubular lumen. The results of morphometric analysis showed the occurrence of an annual testicular cycle defined by four distinct phases: a resting phase (at the end of summer), a recrudescence phase (in the fall), a proliferative phase (at the end of winter and beginning of spring), and a regression phase (spring and summer). We also observed that the testes of adult quails present elevated and maximal spermatogenic activity in fall-winter (short-day period) and at the beginning of spring, respectively, and lower values in spring and summer (long-day periods), with minimum values at the end of summer.

POLYSEROSITIS IN A PATIENT WITH ACUTE PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS AND HEPATOSPLENIC SCHISTOSOMIASIS

A severe case of juvenile paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), manifested as cholestatic jaundice, lymphnode enlargement and an unusual form of polyserositis, associated with portal hypertension secondary to schistosomiasis, as well as bacteremias caused by E. coli and S. aureus and post-transfusional hepatitis C is reported. Temporary unresponsiveness of in vivo and in vitro cellular immune responses to P. brasiliensis were registered. The authors discuss the possible interference of either agent in the host immune response, thus explaining the severity of PCM in the present case.

Seasonal morphology of the domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) testis

A histological study was conducted on the testes of adult domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) over a year. The results revealed a clear variation of testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, and the thickness and composition of the germinal epithelium over the year. The highest testicular weights were detected at the end of the autumn and during the winter (short-day period), reaching a maximum, together with spermatogenic activity, in September (long-day period in the southern hemisphere). In contrast, both testicular weight and spermatogenic activity were markedly decreased at the end of spring and during summer (long-day periods in the southern hemisphere).

Alternatives for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis: Physico-Chemical Characterization of an Inclusion Complex Between Praziquantel and Hydroxypropyl-beta-Cyclodextrin

"Alternatives for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis: Physico-Chemical Characterization of an Inclusion Complex Between Praziquantel and Hydroxypropyl-beta-Cyclodextrin". Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice commonly used for the treatment of shistosomiasis. However, it has low aqueous solubility, which could limit its bioavailability in the body. To circumvent these features, an inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) was prepared. Thus, the objective of this work was to prepare and characterize the PZQ/HP-beta-CD inclusion complex. Morphological, spectroscopic, and calorimetric analysis showed the first signs of the guest/host interaction. The complexation kinetic analysis was used to determine the kinetic constant and, besides that, it was possible to establish the time consumed to reach equilibrium. Using the solubility isotherm, it was observed that the interaction with HP-beta-CD increased 2.4 fold the aqueous solubility of plain PZQ. In vitro cytotoxicity tests, using fibroblast cells, evidenced no toxicity for these cells at the concentrations tested. These results demonstrated that there is a potential use of PZQ in formulations with HP-beta-CD.

Experimental vaccination against Newcastle disease in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica): Clinical and immunological parameters

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

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)

Desenvolvimento da grama esmeralda (Zoysia japonica Steud) sob dois manejos de irrigação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Métodos de muda forçada para codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pesquisa de Salmonella spp. em codornas de corte (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Níveis de cálcio e fósforo na dieta de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) em diferentes fases do ciclo de produção e seus efeitos sobre o desempenho produtivo e qualidade dos ovos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)