Effect of practical diets with different protein levels on the performance of Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles nursed in a zero exchange suspended microbial flocs intensive system

Farfantepenaeus paulensis juveniles (72 ± 24 mg), were reared in a suspended microbial flocs system and fed practical diets containing increasing amounts of crude protein (250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 g kg^?1 CP). Development of microbial flocs was promoted by high aeration rates and fertilization with wheat bran and molasses. Flocs were composed of detritus in the form of flocculated matter colonized by heterotrophic bacteria, cocoid and filamentous cyanobacteria, flagellate and ciliate protozoa and rotifers. Proximate composition analysis of the suspended microbial floc showed CP levels of 304 g kg^?1. After 45 days, mean shrimp survival were above 89%, with no significant differences between treatments. Shrimp fed diets with 350 g kg^?1 or higher CP content achieved significant higher (P < 0.05) final weight (0.66–0.68 g), weight gain (0.58–0.61 g) and instantaneous growth rate (0.049–0.050), with feed conversion rates (2.17–2.30) significantly lower (P < 0.05). Results show that, when rearing is carried out in a suspended microbial flocs system, dietary CP levels can be kept at 350 g kg^?1. Furthermore, results confirm that microbial‐based systems allow shrimp culture without compromising the surrounding environment and shows the possible reduction of production costs and fish meal dependence.     

Application of morphometric measures in estimation of body weight and discrimination of Astyanax lacustris and Astyanax fasciatus

The objective of this study was to verify the direct and indirect correlation between morphometric measures, ratios, body weight and yield in two lambari species Astyanax lacustris and Astyanax fasciatus and whether the discriminant analysis is capable of separating and allocating the species. We used 102 lambari yellow tail and 60 lambari red tail. The fish were weighed and submitted to the evaluation of the morphometric measurements. The direct and indirect effects were evaluated by the method of track analysis, considering weight at slaughter, weight of body parts and body yields as dependent variables and measures and morphometric ratios as explanatory variables. Astyanax lacustris presented higher height and body width, carcass yield and trunk, while A. fasciatus presented higher head yield and viscera weight. The discriminant analysis was able to classify 79.5% of the two species. Track analysis demonstrated that the morphometric measurements can be used for estimation of body and body components’ weight in A. lacustris and A. fasciatus. However, regarding the corporal yield; the morphometric measures were insufficient to explain the yield variations of the species.     

Search for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> spp. in ostrich productive chain of Brazilian southeast region

We analyzed ostriches from an equipped farm located in the Brazilian southeast region for the presence of Salmonella spp. This bacterium was investigated in 80 samples of ostrich droppings, 90 eggs, 30 samples of feed and 30 samples of droppings from rodents. Additionally, at slaughter-house this bacterium was investigated in droppings, caecal content, spleen, liver and carcasses from 90 slaughtered ostriches from the studied farm. Also, blood serum of those animals were harvested and submitted to serum plate agglutination using commercial Salmonella Pullorum antigen. No Salmonella spp. was detected in any eggs, caecal content, liver, spleen, carcass and droppings from ostriches and rodents. However, Salmonella Javiana and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica 4, 12: i:- were isolated from some samples of feed. The serologic test was negative for all samples. Good sanitary farming management and the application of HACCP principles and GMP during the slaughtering process could explain the absence of Salmonella spp. in the tested samples.     

Transduction and Transplantation of Spermatogonia into the Testis of Ram Lambs through the Extra-testicular Rete

Spermatogonial transplantation will provide a new way to study spermatogenesis in domestic animals, disseminate male genetics and produce transgenic animals, if efficiency can be improved. We evaluated a 'surgical' method for transplanting donor cells into testes of ram lambs, where the head of the epididymis is reflected, and a catheter introduced into the extra-testicular rete testis. We also tested transduction of ram spermatogonia with a lentiviral (LV) vector as a means to identify permanent colonization, and introduce genes into donor cells. Eight ram lambs, 11- to 13-week olds, were the recipients: in five, spermatogonia were injected into one testis, and the contralateral testis was an un-manipulated control: in two, spermatogonia were injected into one testis and the contralateral was sham-injected: in one, both testes were injected. Six lambs received spermatogonia labelled with a cell-tracking dye and these were collected 1 or 2 weeks after transplantation; three lambs received spermatogonia transduced with a LV vector driving the expression of enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein and these were collected after 2 months. Donor cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in tubules of seven of nine recipient testes. Approximately 22% of tubule cross-sections contained donor cells immediately after transplantation, and 0.2% contained virally transduced cells 2 months after transplantation. The onset of spermatogenesis was delayed, and there were lesions in both injected and sham-injected testes. Despite the effects of the surgery, elongated spermatids were present in one recipient testis 2 months after surgery. The results suggest that, after modifying the surgical and transduction techniques, this approach will be a means to produce good colonization by donor spermatogonia in sheep testes.     

Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: The case definition for an unrecognised cause of abortion in mares

A series of abortions occurred in mares in New South Wales during 2004 that involved similar and unusual findings on post mortem examination of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes. The term Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL) was developed to describe the condition. This form of abortion had not been previously recognised in Australia. The pathology alone is not specific for EAFL and diagnosis requires demonstration of a combination of certain pathological and bacteriological features. The purpose of this paper is to describe patterns considered consistent with EAFL cases as a working case definition for use by veterinarians and veterinary pathologists in identifying future cases of EAFL. More detailed papers are in preparation to fully describe the epidemiological, histopathological, and microbiological aspects of EAFL.     

Senescent leaf decomposition in a Mediterranean pear orchard

In a pear orchard, when leaf senescence occurs, nitrogen (N) is added to the soil by the fallen leaves and can be re-used by the tree after undergoing decomposition and mineralization processes. Studies on leaf decomposition and N mineralization in orchards are scarce but essential to understand the N balance in the tree–soil ecosystem in a sustainable or precision agriculture. This study aimed to quantify the contribution of pear tree senescent leaves to N cycling in the orchard and its re-cycling by the crop. ‘Rocha’ pear unlabelled leaves were incubated in situ using the litter-bag technique and ¹⁵N-enriched leaves were placed at the soil surface in undisturbed confined cores.One- to six-year-old pear trees returned to the soil between 1 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 and 6 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 from senescent leaves that decomposed at rates varying from 0.0025 day^?1 (d^?1) to 0.0047 d^?1 (estimated by both techniques, respectively). In the litter-bags, after 506–641 days, only 18–35% of initial DW was recovered in the soil, whereas in the soil cores the weight loss was higher, resulting in only 30–6% of initial DW after 398–406 d. After this period, between 36% and 110% of the initial N of the senescent leaves was recovered as organic ¹⁵N in the surface soil layer (0–7.5 cm), depending on climatic conditions, and being more prone to be absorbed by weeds.     

Path analysis for selection of drought tolerant sugarcane genotypes through physiological components

Water deficit is among the main environmental factors limiting agricultural productivity of sugarcane in Northeast Brazil by affecting virtually every aspect of plant growth, with consequent reduction of the agro-industrial productivity of this crop. This study aimed to use path analysis to evaluate the physiological components of sugarcane under two water conditions, with photosynthesis as the basic variable, in order to obtain subsidies that can help the genetic breeding of this crop by selection of superior clones with drought tolerance. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with a completely randomized experimental design, 4 × 2 factorial arrangements (four sugarcane genotypes × two soil moisture regimes: control, with 80-100% available water and stressed, with 0-20% water available) and with four replications. Each plot consisted of one pot with 12 kg of substrate containing one plant. Treatments were maintained at a humidity close to field capacity with daily replacement of the evapotranspired water with a water supply for 66 days of cultivation for treatments under stress. Evaluations were conducted on the fourth day after severe water stress at 70 days of cultivation. Data from nine physiological variables were considered, with six of these being used in the model after exclusion of those that were contributing to multicollinearity. Variables used in path analysis were enough to explain the variation found in photosynthesis under both water conditions. Stomatal conductance, transpiration and the SPAD index should be considered as a priority in breeding programs for sugarcane aiming to get more productive and tolerant genotypes to water stress, and selection indexes should be used with due consideration of these variables to promote gains in photosynthesis.     

Depredation by harbor seal and spiny dogfish in a Georges Bank gillnet fishery

Abstract Depredation can have economic, social and ecological impacts by decreasing fishery landings and threatening marine predator populations through increased risk of entanglement. This investigation quantified the loss of landings attributed to harbour seal, Phoca vitulina L., and spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias L., depredation in the Georges Bank, Massachusetts, USA gillnet fishery. Approximately 1361 kg (2.38%) of fish was discarded from a total possible catch weight of nearly 57 300 kg because it was unsalable following depredation. Spiny dogfish accounted for 1134 kg (1.98%), and harbour seal accounted for 227 kg (0.40%) of discards. This represented an estimated US$2250 loss in profits from a total possible catch value of almost US$61 800, signifying a 3.64% market‐value loss during the assessment period. These results suggest that discarding due to harbour seal and spiny dogfish depredation results in a relatively small market loss to fishers, although additional information and research is needed before this can be confirmed. This study is the first on this subject in the fishery and provides baseline information on depredation rates that could be useful if harbour seal and spiny dogfish populations continue to increase.     

Effect of increasing monensin sodium levels in diets with virginiamycin on the finishing of Nellore cattle

This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of monensin sodium (MON) in diets with virginiamycin (VM) on the finishing of feedlot cattle. Two hundred and eighty intact male Nellore cattle (348 ± 32 kg body weight, 22 months) received one of the following five diets: control diet (without additives); diet containing VM (25 mg per kg dry matter) combined with 0 (MON0), 10 (MON10), 20 (MON20) or 30 (MON30) mg MON per kg dry matter. During adaptation (28 days), the MON0 diet increased dietary net energy for maintenance and gain compared to the control diet (P = 0.04). The combination of additives linearly reduced dry matter intake, body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.01). Considering the total study period (110 days), there was a trend of greater net energy intake for maintenance (P = 0.09) and hot carcass weight (P = 0.06) for animals fed MON0 compared to the control diet. The combination of additives linearly reduced dry matter intake (P = 0.04) and linearly increased gain : feed and dietary net energy for maintenance and gain (P < 0.01). The combination of VM with MON at a dose of 30 mg/kg dry matter is recommended for Nellore feedlot cattle because it improves the efficiency of energy utilization.