Characterization of the extracellular matrix in the chorioallantoic membrane of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in early gestation

Placenta is formed by a parenchyma rich in extracellular matrix (ECM), and this structure guarantees the proper development of the embryo and placental functioning. Recently, studies have focused on the characterization of ECM in the placenta and foetal membranes of different species. This work aimed to analyse the composition of the ECM and to quantify the types of collagens in its composition. For this, 33 chorioallantoic membranes were used at different gestational ages, which were grouped into five groups. Subsequently, haematoxylin–eosin staining, Masson trichrome and picrosirius were performed for histological analysis. Through the technique of polarized light, it was possible to quantify the total collagen present in the membranes and finally the immunohistochemical technique was performed to verify the presence of collagens and glycoproteins. It was possible to verify that the chorioallantoic membranes have, in all the gestational periods of the initial third of gestation, the same histological structures, being the most significant difference the membrane thickening that occurs gradually during the gestation. However, we notice the appearance of binucleate cells only from group II. In addition, it was verified that a gradual increase of collagen occurs until the group IV, yet from the group V begins to occur a decrease of this protein. In addition, collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin and laminin were present in all membranes. With this, we concluded that the buffalo chorioallantoic membrane presents ECM in constant remodelling at the beginning of gestation and can be used as biomaterial in works on regenerative biology.     

Lipophilic hydroxytyrosyl esters. Antioxidant activity in lipid matrices and biological systems

Antioxidant activities of lipophilic hydroxytyrosyl acetate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate were compared with those of hydroxytyrosol, alpha-tocopherol, and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) in both glyceridic matrix and biological systems. Aliquots of a glyceridic matrix spiked with various concentrations of antioxidant were subjected to accelerated oxidation in a Rancimat apparatus operated at 90 degrees C. The relationships between induction time (IT) and antioxidant concentration (mmol/kg) presented by hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosyl acetate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate were similar. Hydroxytyrosol and its esters showed greater antioxidant activity than alpha-tocopherol or BHT. We also evaluated the capacity of hydroxytyrosyl esters to protect proteins and lipids against oxidation caused by peroxyl radicals, using a brain homogenate as an ex vivo model. All tested compounds showed a protective effect in these systems, which was greater in preventing the generation of carbonyl groups in protein than of malondialdehyde in lipid. Inclusion of a lipophilic chain in the hydroxytyrosol molecule enhanced its antioxidant capacities in this biological model.     

The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets

Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.     

Effect of Diets Formulated with Native Peruvian Plants on Growth and Feeding Efficiency of Red Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus) Juveniles

We evaluated the effects of casein‐based semipurified diets, alone or supplemented with native Peruvian plants, on growth, feed efficiency, and histology of the digestive tract of red pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, juveniles over an 8‐wk feeding trial. Three tanks were randomly assigned to one of four casein–gelatin (40:8) diets containing a supplement of 15% wheat meal (control) or an identical level of substitution of three South American native plant as follows: camu‐camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia), aguaje fruit (Mauritia flexuosa), or maca tuber meal (Lepidium meyenii). The fish (initial weight, 2.04 ± 0.06 g) were fed experimental diets at decreasing feeding rates from 4 to 2.6% of body weight. After 8 weeks of feeding, fish fed a diet supplemented with maca meal showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent net protein utilization (NPU), and instantaneous feed intake than fish fed other diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), PER, and NPU in fish fed the casein–gelatin diet supplemented with maca meal were among the best ever reported in the scientific literature, 0.64 ± 0.03, 3.13 ± 0.15 and 23.8 ± 2.0, respectively. The camu‐camu meal had a negative impact on diet palatability and utilization, which resulted in slower growth. The stomach, intestine, pancreas, and pyloric caeca at the start and end of the experiment showed normal differentiation and appearance of cells and tissues. The liver parenchyma showed lipid infiltration and pigment accumulation in all samples at the initiation of the experiment and may be attributed to the period of decreased feed intake prior to the study. At the end of the study, similar histopathologies were recorded in all samples from the control and camu‐camu groups. Normal liver histology (polyhedral hepatocytes with centrally located nuclei) was observed in two of three samples from the maca group and all the samples from the group that was fed the aguaje‐supplemented diet.     

Fish anesthesia: effects of the essential oils of Hesperozygis ringens and Lippia alba on the biochemistry and physiology of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

The anesthetic activities of the essential oils (EOs) of Hesperozygis ringens (EOHR) and Lippia alba (EOLA) and their effects in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after anesthesia and recovery were investigated. Fish (32.19 ± 1.24 g) were submitted to one of the following treatments for each EO: basal group, control, or anesthesia (150, 300, or 450 μL L^?1 EO). After that the anesthesia was induced or simulated and the biometric measurements were completed, fish were transferred to anesthetic-free aquaria to allow for recovery. Fish were sampled at 0, 15, 30, 60, and 240 min after recovery. At time 0 of recovery, the ventilatory rate was lower in the groups anesthetized with either EO. In comparison with the basal group, control fish showed an increase in plasma glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Na⁺ levels and a reduction in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity at 0 min of recovery. Plasma levels of ammonia and Na⁺ were lower in the fish anesthetized with EOLA (450 μL L^?1) and EOHR (all concentrations), respectively, than in the control fish. Additionally, lactate, AST, alanine aminotransferase, K⁺ plasma levels, and gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and H⁺-ATPase activities were higher in the fish anesthetized with either EOHR or EOLA than in the control fish. The EOs promoted slight changes in silver catfish that enabled both an adaptive response and the recovery of most of the measured parameters after 240 min regardless of concentration or EO that was used. These findings support the use of EOHR and EOLA as anesthetics for fish.     

Transferability of oxytetracycline (OTC) from feed to carp muscle and evaluation of the antibiotic effects on antioxidant systems in liver and kidney

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is employed in fish farms to contest or prevent bacterial infections. We simulated an OTC treatment at therapeutic level (75 mg kg^?1) and at higher doses (150, 300 mg kg^?1) for 10 days. A withdrawal period of 10 days was considered for treated carp, carrying out the same chemical and biochemical analyses (total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde). The aim was to obtain data related to the carryover in muscle and on variations in the antioxidant indicators in liver and kidney. The OTC residual levels in muscle showed a dose–response relationship. After 10 days of treatment at the recommended dose (75 mg kg^?1), the mean value in muscle was 295 μg kg^?1. After 10 withdrawal days, residues in all treated groups were not entirely eliminated by fish. Residues of recommended 75 mg kg^?1 OTC dose were lower than the maximum permitted by EEC regulation: 100 μg kg^?1. Disturbance in the antioxidant systems in liver and kidney was recorded in (150, 300 mg kg^?1) carp, as well as during the withdrawal period. A lowered superoxide dismutase activity and higher levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione were evaluated in liver, while in kidney only higher malondialdehyde and glutathione S-transferase concentrations were recorded for 300 mg kg^?1 dose. The therapeutic OTC dose exerted lower effects, and only in liver, enhancement of GPx and GR activities was recorded. After the withdrawal period, altered antioxidant responses in tissues were restored for all three OTC doses.     

Short-term baths with essential oils of Lippia sidoides,Ocimum gratissimum and Zingiber officinale influence blood parameters and survival of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila

This study evaluated the effect of short-term baths with the essential oils (EOs) of Lippia sidoides, Ocimum gratissimum and Zingiber officinale on the survival, haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters of native fish tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. After challenge, the fish infected with A. hydrophila received therapeutic baths of 60 min, for five consecutive days. Treatments were as follows: challenged and not treated; challenged and treated with 10 mg L^?1 of gentamicin; challenged and treated with EO of L. sidoides (2.5 and 5.0 mg L^?1); challenged and treated with EO of O. gratissimum (5.0 and 10.0 mg L^?1); challenged and treated with Z. officinale EO (5.0 and 10.0 mg L^?1). The highest survival rates were 89.5% (fish treated with 5.0 mg L^?1 of O. gratissimum EO) and 75.0% (fish treated with 5.0 mg L^?1 of L. sidoides EO). Reductions in the haematocrit percentage, haemoglobin and erythrocyte number were observed in fish treated with L. sidoides and Z. officinale EOs compared with control fish. Mild to moderate damage to the liver tissue of fish after challenge and EO treatments were observed. It is suggested that baths containing O. gratissimum and L. sidoides EOs consist in a viable treatment to increase survival rates of C. macropomum infected with A. hydrophila.     

Effects of Feeding Levels on Growth Response,Body Composition,and Energy Expenditure in Blackspot Seabream,Pagellus bogaraveo,Juveniles

Although reported as a slow growing species, to date information regarding nutritional dynamics of blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo, is limited, especially during ongrowing phase. This study determined the effects of different feeding levels on growth response, body composition, and energy expenditure of blackspot seabream juveniles (initial weight = 64 g). Fish were allocated in nine indoor tanks (15 fish per tank) and fed a basal diet twice daily at increasing levels (2.5, 3.3, and 4.1 g feed/kg^0.8/d) for 138 d. Growth response decreased with decreasing feeding levels, but only at 2.5 g feed/kg^0.8/d (P < 0.001). Differences in growth rates were positively correlated with body lipid content (r² = 0.90). Net protein utilization decreased with each increase in feeding level. The energy requirement for zero growth (maintenance) and the estimated energy loss on starvation were calculated as 22.6 and 17.9 kJ/kg^0.8/d, respectively. The energy cost for protein and lipid gain was calculated as 3.8 and 1.4 kJ/kJ energy deposited, respectively. This study suggested that blackspot seabream may grow slower than the other close‐related species because of its higher demand of dietary protein energy in favor of lipid deposition.     

Sensitivity of ephemeral wetland swards with Isoetes histrix Bory to environmental variables: implications for the conservation of Mediterranean temporary ponds

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