Response of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887) to balanced digestible protein

This 45‐day work aimed to determine the response of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) to balanced digestible protein (BDP) and to use these responses to determine whether the optimum economic levels of BDP would differ depending on the form in which the fish is sold. Six isoenergetic diets containing 163, 201, 238, 272, 315 and 348 g/kg BDP (dry‐matter basis) were prepared through the serial dilutions of a high‐protein diet with the low‐protein diet. Fish (initial average body weight, 10.82 ± 0.14 g) were fed with respective experimental diets three times a day until apparent satiation. The optimum biological level of BDP was calculated as 326 g/kg (dry‐matter basis) by the quadratic regression model for maximum body weight gain of juvenile pacu. To maximize economic returns (US$/kg) for different end products, the optimum economic levels of BDP were calculated as 311, 317 and 319 g/kg (dry‐matter basis) by an economic model for whole‐body, eviscerated and sliced juvenile pacu respectively. This finding revealed that obtaining maximum biological performance of fish in the case of high feed costs or low prices of the end product in consumer market would substantially reduce the economic returns.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma vivax</Emphasis> DNA in semen from experimentally infected goats

The present work aimed to investigate the presence of T. vivax DNA in the semen of experimentally infected goats. Twelve male goats native to the Brazilian Northeast, adults, were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the infected group consisting of six goats infected intravenously with 0.5 mL of blood containing approximately 1.25?×?10⁵ trypomastigotes of T. vivax, and a control group composed of six uninfected goats. After the infection, clinical examinations aiming to evaluate rectal temperature, parasitemia and hematocrit were performed. Semen samples were collected from goats by electroejaculation on the 7th, 14th and 21st days post-infection (dpi). The recombinant DNA-encoding gene encoding the L-like-specific gene for T. vivax. The infection was characterized by increased rectal temperature, high parasitemia and significant reduction of hematocrit values. Results for T. vivax DNA detection using TviCatL-PCR were positive in all semen samples from the infected group collected on 7th, 14th and 21st dpi. The presence of T. vivax DNA in 7th dpi suggests the early invasion of the parasite in the reproductive organs. Also, the finding of T. vivax DNA in all periods analyzed may suggest the continued elimination of the parasite in the semen, which may increase the chances of sexual transmission. Thus, T. vivax DNA is recorded for the first time in the semen of infected goats. Thus, these data are of great importance, since the detection of the T. vivax genetic material in the semen may point to the possibility that the parasite may be transmitted through the sexual pathway.     

Influence of sexual stimulation and the administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin on plasma testosterone levels in dogs

The influence of sexual stimulation and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration on plasma testosterone concentrations was assessed in five male Beagles. Each dog was exposed to three experimental treatments: C treatment (Control, no stimulation), hCG treatment (dogs were SC injected with 1000 IU of hCG) and sexually stimulated (SS) treatment where semen was collected from the males. All dogs were exposed to all treatments, one per week for three consecutive weeks, with a 1 week of rest between treatments. Blood samples were taken with the same time intervals (0, 10, 30, 60 and 120 min) relative to treatments. Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined with a solid-phase I(125) radioimmunoassay. In the control treatment, the testosterone plasma levels did not show significant changes throughout the tested period (mean values ranging between 2.8 and 4.7 ng/ml); the hCG group presented a significant increase (p < 0.05) in plasma testosterone levels 30 min after hCG administration and had the highest value (8.7 ng/ml) at 120 min post-hCG. Finally, the SS group revealed a slight reduction in testosterone concentration immediately after ejaculation, but the values remained nearly unaltered until 120 min after semen collection. When the groups were compared, the hCG group showed higher plasma testosterone values (p < 0.05) than did the C and SS groups, starting at 30 min and continuing until the end of sampling. This study demonstrates that sexual stimulation associated with semen collection does not produce transitory modifications in plasma testosterone concentrations.     

Haematic Mummification in a Mare With Twin Pregnancy

Mummification occurs when the fetus dies during the second or third trimester of gestation and remains in the uterine cavity because of the persistence of the corpus luteum or existence of another live fetus. Generally, the mummified fetus and fetal membranes undergo desiccation. The hematic process is similar, but the fetus appears like melted chocolate and becomes lodged between the uterus and chorion. This report describes the treatment of dystocia in a mare with twin pregnancy, with one fetus having undergone hematic mummification. Although difficult to diagnose, the possibility of a second fetus should be investigated in mares with dystocia.     

Race 1 fusarium wilt tolerance on banana plants selected by fusaric acid

Summary The selection of tolerant variants to race 1 fusarium wilt of banana was carried out through the effects of fusaric acid onin vitro banana multiple bud clumps (MBCs). The MBCs of Maçã cultivar (Musa sp., AAB, Silk), which is susceptible to the race 1 fusarium wilt, were used. And, Nanicão cultivar (AAA, Cavendish subgroup) was used in the tolerant tests as control of a disease tolerant variety. Firstly, to aim at determining an appropriate concentration of the toxin for the tolerant selection, the MBCs were cultured on the Modified Murashige & Skoog medium supplemented with 0.05 to 1.6 mM fusaric acid. The growth on both cultivars was completely inhibited on the medium containing 0.1 mM fusaric acid.Tolerant variants of Maçã were, then, selected with 0.1 mM fusaric acid after chemical mutagen treatment. The results showed an increased tolerance of the selected Maçã plants to the race 1 fungus in greenhouse tests. In vitro selection by fusaric acid is a very useful method for obtaining fusarium disease tolerance, although the tolerance mechanism of the selected plants may be different from that of existing tolerant cultivars.     

The use of preserved equine renal capsule to repair lamellar corneal lesions in normal dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of equine renal capsule preserved in 98% glycerine to repair lamellar corneal lesions in normal dogs. For this purpose, 12 dogs, divided into six groups ( n  = 2), were used to evaluate the 1st to 7th day, 15th day and 30th to 60th postoperative day. In order to perform the histologic study, the clinical procedures were analyzed, while the recipient's corneas were collected. The photophobia and blepharospasm also were more intense in the 1st to 7th postoperative day, and regressed in the 15th postoperative day. Therefore, the edema and the vascular events were both more frequent in the intermediary phases and regressed in the late periods. On the other hand, the morphological evaluation demonstrated an inflamatory exudate, also in the intermediary and late periods. These results suggested that the equine renal preserved capsule could be a useful alternative tissue to repair lamellar corneal lesions in dogs.     

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in São José de Ribamar, Maranhão State, Brazil

Here, we describe the situation of canine visceral leishmaniasis in two villages of S?o José de Ribamar in Maranh?o State/Brazil, where human cases have been registered. Blood samples of 36 household crossbred dogs from Sergio Tamer village and 43 dogs from Quinta village were collected and the serum used for serological diagnosis. An Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect antibodies against Leishmania. The clinical examination showed that 25% of the canine population of Quinta presented a poor body condition and in 39%, ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) were detected. In both tests, serology revealed that 21% (9 out of 43) of the dogs presented antibodies against Leishmania (55% were asymptomatic and 45% were symptomatic). In the Vila Sérgio Tamer, 25% (9 out of 36) of the dogs were seropositive for Leishmania (66.67% were asymptomatic and 33.33% were symptomatic), 33% presented poor body condition, and 22% have ectoparasites. The clinical signs more frequent were skin lesions. The statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical difference (p>0.05) between the seropositivity of the dogs from the two villages. The same was observed when the clinical signs were compared (p>0.05). Both villages have favorable conditions to maintain the cycle of leishmaniasis.     

Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis associated with leaf spots on Cycas revoluta in Brazil

Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in several countries. In April 2015, C. revoluta leaves showing brownish spots with a yellow halo that progressed to leaflet necrosis were observed in Belém, Pará state, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the aetiology of this disease on sago palm in Brazil. Based on DNA sequence-based phylogeny, morphology, and colony characterization, the fungus was identified as Pseudopestalotiopsis elaeidis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. elaeidis associated with leaf spots on C. revoluta worldwide.