The use of multivariate analysis to characterize carcass and meat quality of goat kids protected by the PGI “Cabrito de Barroso”

Fifty five suckling kids from three genotypes and two sexes protected by the PGI “Cabrito de Barroso” European quality label were used in this experiment. Carcass quality was assessed using indices from carcass measurements, dressing percentages, refrigerated losses, higher priced joints proportion and tissue composition of the carcass. Meat pH, colour, total pigment, fat, dry matter, collagen determinations (total and soluble), cooking losses and shear force estimated in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and gluteobiceps (GB) muscles were used to characterize meat quality. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed in order to examine carcass quality traits (n = 16) and meat quality (n = 16) traits. The five first principal components (PCs) explained about 86% of the total variability for carcass quality and 75% of the total variability for meat quality. Compactness indices of carcass and leg, carcass weight and subcutaneous fat were the most effective variables for the PC1, whereas the higher priced joints proportion, muscle proportions of the higher priced joints and of the carcass and the muscle and bone ratio were useful to define the PC2. The first PC of the meat quality parameters was characterized by colour traits (L, b, a, C, H and total pigment) whereas collagen determinations (total collagen and collagen solubility) defined the second PC. When the carcass quality data were projected on the plane defined by the first two PCs, two separate groups of points appeared, corresponding to the animals with slaughter live weight higher or lower than 10 kg. The distribution of the meat quality data on the plane defined by the first two PCs allowed the identification of two separate groups, corresponding to the muscles GB and LTL. The differences between genotypes tend to be small and related to slaughter live weight, which implies certain constancy in carcass and meat quality of the PGI “Cabrito de Barroso”.     

Acute effect of tea, wine, beer, and polyphenols on ecto-alkaline phosphatase activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an ecto-enzyme widely distributed across species. It modulates a series of transmembranar transport systems, has an important role in bone mineralization, and can also be involved in vascular calcification. Polyphenol-rich diets seem to have protective effects on human health, namely, in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the effects of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich beverages upon membranar alkaline phosphatase (ecto-ALP) activity in intact human vascular smooth muscle cells (AALTR). The ecto-ALP activity was determined at pH 7.8, with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate, by absorbance spectrophotometry at 410 nm. Cell viability was assessed by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) method, and the polyphenol content of beverages was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. All polyphenols tested inhibited ecto-ALP activity, in a concentration-dependent way. Teas, wines, and beers also inhibited ecto-ALP activity, largely according to their polyphenol content. All tested compounds and beverages improved or did not change AALTR cell viability. Stout beer was an exception to the described behavior. Although more studies must be done, the inhibition of AALTR ecto-ALP activity by polyphenolic compounds and polyphenol-containing beverages may contribute to their cardiovascular protective effects.     

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Zinc Gluconate Associated with Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Sexually Mature Canine Males Chemical Neutering

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs’ libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37 150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.     

Comparing efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using factorial and multivariate approaches

A study was conducted to compare utilization of ME for growth vs. maintenance in rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon. Fish were hand-fed to satiation one of four isoenergetic diets (DE = 20 MJ/kg, as-fed basis) with different digestible protein (DP) to DE ratios (24, 22, 20, and 18 g/MJ). Intake of ME (kJ/d), energy deposited as protein (PD, kJ/d), and energy deposited as lipid (LD, kJ/d) were determined by a comparative slaughter technique. Data were analyzed by a factorial approach or by multivariate analysis of PD and LD on ME. Maintenance energy requirements (ME(m)) and efficiency of ME utilization for PD (k(p)) and LD (k(f)) were estimated with both approaches. For the multivariate analysis, an additional parameter, the fraction of ME intake above maintenance used for PD (X) was defined as linear function of BW, with slope (d) and intercept (c) estimated simultaneously with the above parameters. Estimates were highly dependent on the approach and assumptions used. The ME(m) and k(p) values were higher and less accurate with the factorial approach than with multivariate analysis. The factorial approach estimated unrealistic k(f) values (k(f) > 1). With the multivariate analysis, ME(m) did not differ between species (20 kJ x d(-1) x kg(-0.8)). On the other hand, k(p) was significantly higher (e.g., 0.52 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.06; P < 0.05) for salmon than for trout and independent of diet, but k(f) was 0.81 (+/-0.13) regardless of species or diet. The ME intake above ME(m) used for PD (c) was higher in salmon than trout (57 vs. 55%; P < 0.05). The change in partitioning of ME for PD due to the change in BW was negative for trout (d = -0.18), but positive for salmon (d = 0.16). The d values agreed well with the increase of LD:PD ratio with BW for trout and the decrease of LD:PD with BW for salmon, which may have been related to the maturation status of this fish and the associated loss of body lipid observed by maturing salmon. In conclusion, ME(m) and cost of LD were similar for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, but the cost of PD was lower for salmon than for trout.     

Influence of probiotic Lactobacilli colonization on neonatal B cell responses in a gnotobiotic pig model of human rotavirus infection and disease

The goal of this study was to define the impact of colonization of gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on development of intestinal and systemic B cell responses to human rotavirus (HRV). The LAB-specific and total B cell responses were also assessed. Gn pigs were inoculated with LAB (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. reuteri) and virulent Wa strain HRV (LAB+HRV+), HRV only (LAB-HRV+), LAB only (LAB+HRV-) or mock (LAB-HRV-). The HRV infection induced similar HRV-specific intestinal and systemic antibody and B cell responses in pigs with or without LAB, whereas LAB significantly enhanced total intestinal IgA secreting cell responses and total serum IgM and intestinal IgM and IgG titers. The LAB colonization did not reduce HRV shedding or diarrhea, this may be partly due to the short time interval between the first LAB feeding and HRV inoculation. Further studies are needed with longer time for LAB to establish before HRV inoculation. However, our studies demonstrate that Gn pigs infected with HRV develop a similar magnitude of virus-specific B cell responses as those of HRV-infected and LAB colonized pigs. LAB colonization alone is not as efficient in promoting intestinal B cell responses, as is HRV infection.     

Modelling the local climate in island environments: water balance applications

In small volcanic islands the local scale climate is influenced by the regional scale climate and by the orography and orientation of air masses movement over the islands. A model was developed in a GIS environment to generate local scale climate variables from those observed at the synoptic scale, from coastal weather stations. An advective submodel, based on the Foehn effect and assuming the conservation of mass and energy, computes local scale air temperature, relative humidity, clouds occurrence and precipitation. A radiative submodel, using information generated by the advective submodel, computes local scale global radiation. A rotational terrain model allows that computations be performed according to the direction of wind. Because the model works within a GIS, results concern the spatial distribution of all climatic variables on the island territory. Results of the validation of temperature, relative humidity, global radiation and rainfall are presented. For agro-meteorological purposes, an application of generated data to perform the sequential water balance is also analysed by comparing results from computations using simulated and observed data at a control weather station located at medium altitude. Results support assumptions utilised in the model and the further use of generated local climate fields for water management and environmental studies in small island environments.     

Effects of aflatoxin B 1 on performance and health of tambaqui fingerlings ( Colossoma macropomum )

The detection of mycotoxins in feeds and their ingredients in aquaculture gained prominence due to losses caused in production and animal health, mainly the occurrence of aflatoxin (AFB1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AFB1 on the performance of tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum). Four hundred tambaqui were used. Four different treatments were evaluated: treatment T1, considered as the control treatment (CT) with 3.84 μg kg−1; treatment T2, treatment T3 and treatment T4 with 500, 1000 and 2000 μg kg−1 of AFB1, respectively. The AFB1 of the samples (muscle, liver and kidney) was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Four fingerlings from each treatment for histological analysis were examined. Moreover, the performance parameters (weight gain, feed conversion and feed intake) were studied. The levels of toxins used in T2, T3 and T4 represent a reduction in the growth of 14%, 35% and 45%, respectively. The T3 and T4 showed the lowest weight gain (78%) and the worst feed conversion. Aflatoxin B1 in muscle (3.28 μg kg−1) and kidneys (8.8 μg kg−1) in the T3, as well as liver (4.4 μg kg−1) and kidney (4.08 μg kg−1) in T4, was detected. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of fingerlings were more pronounced in T3 and T4. Fingerlings that consume feed contaminated with AFB1 in concentrations higher than 500 μg kg−1 present decreases in growth, reduction in weight gain and feed intake with increased feed conversion. The consumption of feed contaminated with 1000 and 2000 μg kg−1 of AFB1 caused severe deterioration in the hepatic and renal tissues.     

Outbreaks of pythiosis in two flocks of sheep in northeastern Brazil

Two outbreaks of cutaneous pythiosis caused by Pythium insidiosum were diagnosed in two herds of crossbred hair wool sheep of different ages in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In one herd of 120 sheep, 40 were affected. The other outbreak affected six sheep out of 80. Local swellings with ulcerative lesions were observed in the limbs and abdominal and prescapular regions. Three sheep were necropsied. Two of them had lung metastasis characterized by multifocal nodules measuring 0.5-2 cm. In one animal, the prescapular lymph node was also affected. In another, the cutaneous lesion extended to the sesamoid bone. Microscopically, there were multifocal granulomas with intralesional P. insidiosum hyphae and Splendore-Hoeppli material surrounding the hyphae. The diagnosis was based on the histologic lesions, immunohistochemical identification, and culture of the etiologic agent. One sheep treated with potassium iodide recovered. Standing in swampy water for long periods in a warm aquatic environment seems to be the reason for the high prevalence of the disease.