Effect of association of fresh cassava root with corn silage in replacement for cactus cladodes on dairy cow performance

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to investigate the replacement effect of cactus cladodes with cassava root and corn silage (CRCS) (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, dry...     

Variability of piglet birth weights: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of litter size and supplementation of functional amino acids on the piglet birth weight variability through of a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and SciELO are the main used databases and were searched in January 2019 by using the following keywords and their combinations: within-litter birth, weight variability, piglets, litter size, sow, amino acids, gestation, uniformity, CV and/or SD. Of the 64 pre-selected articles, only articles presenting the coefficients of variation and/or standard deviations according to the litter size and different levels of amino acid supplementation in the sow diets during gestation were selected. The average birth weights of total and live piglets were 43% lower in litters from sows with high prolificacy than those from sows with low prolificacy. The weight variability was affected by high prolificacy sows, with increases of 4.04% and 4.54% in the coefficients of variation of total and born alive piglets respectively (p = .074; p = .009). The standard deviation increased by 180 g in born alive piglets to high prolificacy sows. The coefficients of variation of total and live piglets born from high prolificacy sows showed an increase of 4.04% and 4.54% respectively (p = .07; p < .05). There was a tendency for reduced weight variability with amino acids supplementation when considering the standard deviation of total born (p = .072). However, reproductive performance was not significantly influenced (p > .05). In conclusion, the average litter weight and the number of piglets born influence weight variability. Amino acids supplementation may reduce the birth weight variability between piglets. However, this effect depends on the amino acid used, the levels of supplementation and on other factors not completely addressed in this study. Thus, more research is necessary to fully elucidate this topic.     

BMP-15 activity on in vitro development of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) preantral follicles

This study investigated the effects of BMP-15 on the in vitro development of preantral follicles of collared peccaries. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1 or 6 days in Tissue Culture Medium 199 (TCM199⁺) supplemented with BMP-15 at rates of 0, 1, 25 or 50 ng/ml. The fragments were analysed histologically by evaluating follicular morphology, activation and growth as well as the potential for proliferation of granulosa cells. Our results show the addition of 25 ng/ml BMP-15 in the medium provided the greatest percentage of normal follicles (79.67% ± 0.69) when compared to other treatments (p < .05); however, this result is similar to 1 ng/ml BMP-15 (74.00% ± 1.90, p > .05). Moreover, 25 and 50 ng/ml of BMP-15 promoted follicular activation. BMP-15 supplements did not affect oocyte and follicular growth. All concentrations of BMP-15 increased the number of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) after 1 day of culture when compared to fresh fragments or the control samples (p < .05). However, at the end of the experiment, the number of NORs in follicles cultured in all treatments was higher than that observed in the fresh control (sample taken prior to culturing) (p > .05). In summary, the addition of 25 ng/ml BMP-15 to the culture medium of collared peccary preantral follicles maintained a high number of morphologically healthy follicles and stimulated the activation of primordial follicles after 6 days in culture.     

Effects of crude protein and lactose levels in diets on growth performance,intestinal morphology,and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system in weaned piglets

To evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) and lactose (LAC) for weaned piglets on performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system, 144 piglets with initial weight 7.17 ± 0.97 kg were allotted in a randomized design, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (20.0% and 24.0% CP and 8.0%, 12.0%, and 16.0% LAC) with eight replicates. Piglets fed 20.0% CP had greater weight gain and feed intake. Including 12.0% LAC in the 20.0% CP diet provided higher villous height in the duodenum than 8.0% LAC, and 12.0% or 16.0% LAC in the 24.0% CP diet resulted in higher villous height in the jejunum and ileum, and higher villi/crypt ratio in the ileum than 8.0% LAC. No effects of CP and LAC on interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α mRNA were observed. The 16.0% LAC diet provided higher gene expression of transforming‐β1 growth factor. Feeding 20.0% CP resulted in better performance than 24.0% CP. The 12.0% LAC diet promoted greater genetic expression of occludin and zonula occludens. Including 12.0% LAC in the diet may improve intestinal epithelial morphology and integrity, and these improvements are more evident when piglets are fed diets with 24.0% CP.     

Selenium, Chromium and Cobalt Diffusion into Mangrove Sediments: Radiotracer Experiment Evidence of Coupled Effects of Bioturbation and Rhizosphere

Microcosm experiments on the behaviour of Se, Cr and Co were carried out with mangrove sediments from Sepetiba Bay, Brazil. Three 8-cm length sediment cores were covered with tidal water spiked with ⁷⁵Se, ⁵¹Cr and ⁶⁰Co to evaluate its behaviour within the sediments. Two cores retained almost all activities (99?C100?%) within the uppermost centimetre layer, while the third core presented a deeper penetration of all radiotracers, displaying a second activity peak at the 3?C4-cm depth interval, which evidenced benthic fauna bioturbation influence. This influence extended the diffusion into depths in which mangrove rhizosphere can retain the elements, suggesting increased retention efficiency. This mechanism of retention enhancement was proposed in addition to previous conceptual models describing trace elements behaviour in mangrove sediments. Increased bioturbation and rhizosphere development will probably increase this effect, while mangrove plant cover losses may promote a less efficient retention of elements recently diffused from tidal water.     

Assessment of serological tests for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis

An immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) with different antigens (ELISA-Leishmania chagasi, ELISA-L. major-like, IFAT-L. chagasi and IFAT-L. major-like), and an immunochromatographic test were assessed for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Serum samples from 144 dogs from an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro were tested. The sensitivities of the serological tests were 93%, 100%, 73%, 60% and 93%, with specificities of 87%, 92%, 77%, 96% and 92% for the ELISA-L. major-like, ELISA-L. chagasi, IFAT-L. major-like, IFAT-L. chagasi and the immuno chromatographic test, respectively. ELISA-L. chagasi was the best test for the diagnosis of CVL, but the immunochromatographic test could be a useful alternative as it offers simple and rapid diagnosis without the need for a specialized laboratory.     

Effects of Jugular Vein Occlusion on Cardiovascular Parameters in Horses During Exercise on a Treadmill

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of unilateral and bilateral jugular vein occlusion by temporary surgical ligature on the heart rate and arterial and venous blood pressure in sedentary horses during progressive treadmill exercise. Six horses performed three exercise tests (ET). ET1, considered the control, was performed in horses without jugular occlusions. ET2 and ET3 were performed with unilateral and bilateral occlusion by temporary surgical ligature of the jugular veins, respectively. Heart rate, arterial pressure, and pressure of the occluded jugular vein were evaluated. Clinically, the horses presented apathy, head edema, congested mucous membranes, increased capillary refill time, and dysphagia. These signs were observed with the unilateral jugular vein occlusion and became more evident with the bilateral occlusion. Comparing ETs, no differences were observed in heart rate. However, jugular occlusions promoted a decrease in the mean arterial pressure and a severe increase in jugular pressure. Head edema caused by the jugular vein occlusion in the horses could interfere with the autonomic cardiovascular regulation of arterial blood pressure during exercise, likely leading to an impairment of tissue perfusion. Jugular occlusion, even unilateral, also causes severe head venous congestion, leading to venous hypertension that was aggravated by exercise, which could risk development of cerebral edema and neurological damage. The present results obtained from sedentary horses are preliminary data that lead us to suggest that sport horses presenting jugular occlusive thrombophlebitis, even unilateral, may be prevented from performing athletic activities.