Performance of Broilers Reared under Monochromatic Light Emitting Diode Supplemental Lighting

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED) or white fluorescent lamps on the growth performance of broilers reared in open houses. Two hundred broilers (Ross 308) were sexed and divided into four treatments, according to sex and supplemental light source: T1, males under green LED; T2, males under fluorescent lamps; T3, females under green LED; and T4, females under fluorescent lamps, totaling 50 birds per treatment with five replicates each (n=10). Broilers of both sexes received natural light during the day and supplemental lighting (fluorescent or LED) during the night, according to age. Individual body weight, mortality, and feed intake were recorded weekly per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and the European Efficiency Index (EEI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated differences (p 0.05) in female body weight in week 6, (2202.31 ± 32.93g green LED vs 2191.08 ± 62.13g fluorescent lamp), but no differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were detected. However, the use of green LED promoted higher EEI in males in weeks 5, 6, and 7, and in females in week 5 (p 0.05). Green monochromatic LED may be used for supplemental lighting of male broilers reared in open houses with natural light. Its use for female broilers is recommended if the birds are marketed up to 5 weeks of age.

Performance of Broilers Reared under Monochromatic Light Emitting Diode Supplemental Lighting

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of green monochromatic light emitting diodes (LED) or white fluorescent lamps on the growth performance of broilers reared in open houses. Two hundred broilers (Ross 308) were sexed and divided into four treatments, according to sex and supplemental light source: T1, males under green LED; T2, males under fluorescent lamps; T3, females under green LED; and T4, females under fluorescent lamps, totaling 50 birds per treatment with five replicates each (n=10). Broilers of both sexes received natural light during the day and supplemental lighting (fluorescent or LED) during the night, according to age. Individual body weight, mortality, and feed intake were recorded weekly per replicate. Feed conversion ratio and the European Efficiency Index (EEI) were calculated. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated differences (p 0.05) in female body weight in week 6, (2202.31 ± 32.93g green LED vs 2191.08 ± 62.13g fluorescent lamp), but no differences in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or mortality were detected. However, the use of green LED promoted higher EEI in males in weeks 5, 6, and 7, and in females in week 5 (p 0.05). Green monochromatic LED may be used for supplemental lighting of male broilers reared in open houses with natural light. Its use for female broilers is recommended if the birds are marketed up to 5 weeks of age.(AU)

Broiler Surface Temperature and Behavioral Response under Two Different Light Sources

Light is an important environmental variable for the regulation and control of broiler behavior. Some light sources may also add heat to the rearing environment, and indirectly affect the heat exchange between the birds and the environment. This study aimed at investigation the surface temperature and behavioral response of broilers reared in an environment with monochromatic light emitted diode (LED). Broilers were reared inside commercial dark houses under two treatments: fluorescent or LED light sources. Bird surface temperature and behavior was monitoredfrom the first day of grow-out. The houses were virtually divided in four quadrants, and the variables were monitored in the geometric center of each quadrant. Surface temperature results were mapped, behavioral responses were divided as normal and abnormal, and their interaction with light source was tested. Broiler surface temperature in both houses presented lack of homogeneity, independently of the light source. No effect of the light source on any of the evaluated behavior was found in the present study. The long life and energy savings obtained with the LED light source suggest its use in broiler production.(AU)

Broiler Surface Temperature and Behavioral Response under Two Different Light Sources

Light is an important environmental variable for the regulation and control of broiler behavior. Some light sources may also add heat to the rearing environment, and indirectly affect the heat exchange between the birds and the environment. This study aimed at investigation the surface temperature and behavioral response of broilers reared in an environment with monochromatic light emitted diode (LED). Broilers were reared inside commercial dark houses under two treatments: fluorescent or LED light sources. Bird surface temperature and behavior was monitoredfrom the first day of grow-out. The houses were virtually divided in four quadrants, and the variables were monitored in the geometric center of each quadrant. Surface temperature results were mapped, behavioral responses were divided as normal and abnormal, and their interaction with light source was tested. Broiler surface temperature in both houses presented lack of homogeneity, independently of the light source. No effect of the light source on any of the evaluated behavior was found in the present study. The long life and energy savings obtained with the LED light source suggest its use in broiler production.

PROPRIEDADES BIRREFRINGENTES E ORGANIZAÇÃO MACROMOLECULAR DOS COLÁGENOS FIBRILARES DO ESTROMA CORNEAL DE CÃES

Visando compreender como se comporta a organização das fibras colágenas do estroma corneal de cães por meio de propriedades birrefringentes, objetivouse com a pesquisa mapear a supraorganização das fibras do estroma corneal de cães, de maneira setorizada e comparativa, nos diferentes sítios e fragmentos. Córneas (n=22) foram removidas de 11 cães submetidos a eutanásia por razões não relacionadas à pesquisa. Quatro córneas foram estudadas in totum, após confecção de montagens totais, e 18 foram incluídas em parafina e transversalmente seccionadas para 7 µm. Todo o material foi estudado sob microscópio de luz polarizada (Olympus BX-53 Pol, Tóquio, Japão) munido de luz policromática e monocromática de 546 nm, compensadores de Sénarmont e Brace-Köhler, e sistema para vídeo-análise de imagens. As fibras colágenas foram posicionadas a 45 e 90 graus do plano da luz polarizada (PLP) e avaliadas setorialmente, ou seja, nas regiões anterior, média e profunda dos estromas superior, inferior, central, nasal e temporal das córneas. A supraorganização das fibras colágenas foi estabelecida a partir dos valores da diferença do caminho óptico (OPD) quantificados pelo método de Sénarmont e Brace-Köhler. O tensor de estrutura, foi processado com auxílio do plugin Java OrientationJ. Diferenças com P<0,05 foram consideradas significativas. Não foram observadas diferenças em alinhamento das fibras colágenas entre as regiões superior, inferior e central da córnea (P>0,05). As fibras colágenas nos sítios anterior e médio dos fragmentos nasal e temporal das córneas foram menos alinhadas e mais onduladas do que as fibras colágenas dos demais fragmentos corneais (P<0,05). As fibras colágenas dos fragmentos centrais das córneas apresentaram valores altos de OPD, ou seja, foram mais compactadas, se comparadas com as fibras das outras regiões da córnea (P<0,01). Em contraste, as fibras do fragmento inferior foram menos compactadas (valores

In order to comprehend the behavior of the organization of the canine cornea stromal collagen fibers by birefringent properties, this research aimed to map the supraorganization of the canine corneal stroma fibers, sectorial and comparatively, in different sites and fragments. Corneas (n =22) were removed from 11 dogs submitted to euthanasia for reasons not related to this research. Four corneas were fully studied, after the total montage confection, and eighteen of those were embedded in Histosec® and transversely sectioned to 7 µm. All material were studied under a polarized-light advanced microscope (Olympus BX-53 Pol, Tokyo, Japan) equipped with polychromatic and 546 nm monochromatic light, Sénarmont and Brace-Köhler compensators, and an image analysis system. The collagen fibers were positioned at 45 e 90 degrees to the polarized light plane (PPL) and evaluated by sector, that is, at the anterior, medium and deep stroma of the superior, inferior, central, nasal and temporal corneal fragments. The supraorganization of the collagen fibers was defined based on values of optical path difference (OPD) quantified by Sénarmont and Brace-Köhler method. The structure tensor, a 2x2 matrix that calculates the coherency coefficient of local pixels to inform about the orientation of the fibers in the X and Y microscopy images planes, was processed with a Java plugin named OrientationJ. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05. No differences regarding the alignment of the collagen fibers among superior, inferior and central regions of the cornea (P>0.05) were observed. Collagen fibers in the anterior and middle sites of the nasal and temporal corneal fragments were less aligned and more wavy than the collagen fibers from other corneal fragments (P<0.05). The collagen fibers in the central fragments of the corneas presented high OPD values, that is, they were more compact, when compared to the fibers from other regions of the cornea (P<0.01). In contrast, the fibers in the inferior fragments were less compact (values

Allometry as evidence of sexual selection in monochromatic birds: the case of the Coscoroba Swan (Anseriformes: Anatidae)

The Coscoroba Swan, Coscoroba coscoroba (Molina, 1782), is a poorly known aberrant Anserine endemic to South America. We captured adult birds (189 male, 157 female) from the largest population in Brazil at the Taim Ecological Reserve, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Different patterns between sexes can reflect differences in selection, and positive allometry may indicate that a character is sexually selected. We used body weight and 10 morphological measurements to examine allometric differences between males and females of C. coscoroba. Males were consistently larger than females. Analysis of scaling relationships against body mass showed that nostril, tail, wing and bill height were positively allometric (i.e., heavier birds had relatively larger character lengths), but there were no sexual differences in allometric slopes. However, for a given mass, mature females had longer tails, longer wings (up to metacarpophalangeal articulation) and shorter heads than males. In the light of current debate in the literature, we discuss whether such positively allometric traits and sexual differences in scaling may be indicative of sexual selection. Although Coscoroba Swan is a monogamous species, increasing the size of some attributes may confer some advantage for mate selection or male-male competition and, contrary to other studies, we suggest that positively allometric slopes alone should not be considered as evidence for sexual selection of the considered traits.

Allometry as evidence of sexual selection in monochromatic birds: the case of the Coscoroba Swan (Anseriformes: Anatidae)

The Coscoroba Swan, Coscoroba coscoroba (Molina, 1782), is a poorly known aberrant Anserine endemic to South America. We captured adult birds (189 male, 157 female) from the largest population in Brazil at the Taim Ecological Reserve, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Different patterns between sexes can reflect differences in selection, and positive allometry may indicate that a character is sexually selected. We used body weight and 10 morphological measurements to examine allometric differences between males and females of C. coscoroba. Males were consistently larger than females. Analysis of scaling relationships against body mass showed that nostril, tail, wing and bill height were positively allometric (i.e., heavier birds had relatively larger character lengths), but there were no sexual differences in allometric slopes. However, for a given mass, mature females had longer tails, longer wings (up to metacarpophalangeal articulation) and shorter heads than males. In the light of current debate in the literature, we discuss whether such positively allometric traits and sexual differences in scaling may be indicative of sexual selection. Although Coscoroba Swan is a monogamous species, increasing the size of some attributes may confer some advantage for mate selection or male-male competition and, contrary to other studies, we suggest that positively allometric slopes alone should not be considered as evidence for sexual selection of the considered traits.

EXPOSIÇÃO DE OVOS DE MATRIZES PESADAS À LUZ MONOCROMÁTICA DURANTE A INCUBAÇÃO ARTIFICIAL

Foram realizados dois ensaios experimentais na North Carolina State University com o objetivo de elucidar a hipótese de que a exposição de embriões de frangos de corte à luz monocromática durante o período de incubação pode influenciar o crescimento e desenvolvimento embrionário promovendo melhorias no rendimento da incubação e no período pós-eclosão. No primeiro experimento avaliou-se a estimulação com luz monocromática verde intermitente, verde contínua, vermelha intermitente e ausência de luz. Foi testado também a influência da posição dos ovos no interior da bandeja em relação a fonte de luz. No segundo experimento, avaliou-se a exposição de ovos à luz verde monocromática durante diferentes fases do período de incubação. Os tratamentos estudados foram: 1) 21 dias de incubação no escuro; 2) 21 dias de incubação com luz verde contínua; 3) escuro até o quinto dia de desenvolvimento embrionário (E5) e luz verde contínua até o nascimento; 4) luz verde contínua até E5 e escuro até o nascimento; 5) escuro até o décimo oitavo dia de desenvolvimento embrionário (E18) e luz verde contínua até o nascimento; 6) luz verde contínua até E18 e escuro até o nascimento. As temperaturas das máquinas, em ambos os experimentos foram reguladas diariamente com o objetivo de se obter uma temperatura ótima da casca do ovo (99,5 a 100,4°F) durante todo o período de desenvolvimento embrionário. No primeiro experimento, o percentual de mortalidade embrionária na fase intermediária foi superior no tratamento exposto à luz verde intermitente. O peso relativo do proventrículo foi influenciado pelos estímulos luminosos, sendo que o grupo que não foi exposto a luz, o que apresentou maior desenvolvimento do órgão. O consumo de ração também foi influenciado pelos tratamentos estudados aos 21dias de idade. No segundo experimento, a exposição à luz verde contínua em diferentes momentos do período de incubação prejudicou os percentuais de eclosão e eclosão sobre férteis. Além disso, o percentual de bicados mortos foi superior no tratamento exposto à luz verde contínua até E18. A conversão alimentar aos 35 e 42 dias de idade também foi influenciada pelos tratamentos estudados, sendo que o grupo que não foi exposto à luz durante todo o período de incubação o que apresentou melhor conversão alimentar. Houve interação entre estímulo luminoso e sexo para rendimento de peito, sendo que para machos o menor rendimento de peito foi observado no grupo que recebeu estímulo luminoso até E18. Comparando-se os sexos, constatou-se maior rendimento para fêmeas oriundas de incubação com estímulo luminoso até E18. Concluiu-se que nas condições de incubação estabelecidas durante a realização dos experimentos, a exposição de embriões de frangos de corte à luz monocromática não promoveu benefícios no rendimento da incubação e também não favoreceu o crescimento e desenvolvimento das aves no período pós-eclosão.

Two experiments were conducted at North Carolina State University to elucidate the hypothesis that exposing broiler embryos to monochromatic lights during incubation period may influence embryonic growth and development, improving incubation traits and posthatching period. In the first experiment, intermittent green light, continuous green light, intermittent red light and dark were evaluated. In addition, the influence of egg position in the tray was also tested. In the second experiment, monochromatic green light exposure was evaluated during different phases of incubation period. Treatments were: 1) 21d of incubation in the dark; 2) 21d of incubation with green light; 3) dark until E5 and continuous green light until hatch; 4) continuous green light until E5 and dark until hatch; 5) dark until E18 and continuous green light until hatch; 6) continuous green light until E18 and dark until hatch. Machine temperatures were adjusted daily in order to obtain optimal eggshell temperature (99,5 a 100,4°F) during the whole incubation period. In the first trial, embryo mortality in intermediate phase was higher in the group exposed to intermittent green light. Relative proventriculus weight was influenced by light stimuli, and the group that was not exposed to light showed the greatest organ development. Feed intake was also influenced by light treatments at 21 d of age. In the second trial, exposing embryos to continuous green light at different moments during incubation period affected the percentage of hatch and hatch of fertile. In addition, dead pipped was higher in the group exposed to light until E18. Feed conversion ratio at 35 and 42 days was also influenced by light treatments, and the group that was not exposed to light during the whole incubation period had the lower feed conversion ratio. Significant interaction was observed between light stimuli and sex for breast yield. Male chicks that were light stimulated until E18 had the lowest breast yield. Comparing sexes, the highest breast yield was observed for females that were light stimulated until E18 during incubation. In conclusion, with incubation conditions that were established during the experiments, exposing broiler embryos to monochromatic lights did not promote benefits in incubation traits and also did not influenced chick growth and development in posthatching period.

REGULAÇÃO MICROAMBIENTAL DE CÉLULAS EPITELIAIS LÍMBICAS CORNEAIS DE COELHO EXPANDIDAS SOBRE MEMBRANA AMNIÓTICA HUMANA DESEPITELIZADA: ÊNFASE PARA A ORGANIZAÇÃO SUPRAMOLECULAR DOS MAIORES BIOPOLÍMEROS EXTRACELULARES

Por objetivos, estudaram-se procedimentos em cultivo celular e se eles alteram a supraorganização da matriz extracelular (MEC) amniótica e da límbica, considerando-se propriedades anisotrópicas dos biopolímeros em comum, isto é, colágenos fibrilares e proteoglicanos. Explantes límbicos de coelhos foram cultivados sobre fragmentos de membrana amniótica (MA) desepitelizada humana, por dois, sete e 15 dias. Fragmentos não cultivados de MA e de limbo foram usados como controles. Avaliaram-se parâmetros de birrefringência em fibras colágenas e de absorção e de dicroísmo linear (LD) em proteoglicanos, da MEC amniótica e da límbica. Todas as análises foram conduzidas em microscópio óptico munido de luz polarizada, filtros monocromadores com diferentes comprimentos de onda e vídeo-câmera. Empregaram-se procedimentos em análise digital de imagens (software Image J®, NIH, USA). Parâmetros de birrefringência revelaram que os graus de paralelismo das fibras colágenas amnióticas foram de 1,02 nos controles, 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 1,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 1,17 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 1,33, 1,17, 1,25 e 1,44. Os contrastes dos brilhos das birrefringências das fibras amnióticas foram de 2,0 nos controles, 13,25 nas amostras cultivadas por dois dias, 19,26 nas amostras cultivadas por sete dias e de 13,23 nas amostras cultivadas por 15 dias. Relativamente às fibras límbicas, foram de 23,01, 13,39, 19,90 e 30,31. Cores de interferência causadas por dispersão anômala de birrefringência foram detectadas. Procedimentos em cultivo celular alteraram parâmetros absorciométricos relacionados à supraorganização dos proteoglicanos da MEC amniótica e da límbica. As MAs de todas as amostras, exceto as cultivadas por 15 dias, apresentaram-se com valores negativos de DL. Os valores de DL dos limbos de todas as amostras, exceto as cultivadas por dois dias, oscilaram entre números negativos e positivos.

The goal of this study was to evaluate whether procedures on cell culture alter the supraorganization of amniotic and limbal extracellular matrix (ECM). Anisotropic properties of fibrillar collagen and proteoglycans were studied, since they correspond to major extracellular biopolymers. Rabbit limbal explants were cultured on denuded human amniotic membrane (AM) for two, seven, and 15 days. Uncultured AM and limbus were used as controls. Birefringence parameters related to the supraorganization of collagen fibers, and spectral absorption and linear dichroism (LD) related to the supraorganization of proteoglycans were evaluated. All samples were evaluated on microscope equipped with polarized light, monochromatic filters with varying wavelengths, and digital video camera. Birefringence, absorbances and LD were quantified by using image analyses software (Image J®, NIH, USA). Studies on birefringence showed that parallelism degrees of amniotic collagen fibers were of 1.02 for the control group, 1.17 for the two days culture, 1.26 for the seven days culture, and 1.17 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, parallelism degrees were of 1.33, 1.17, 1.25, and 1.44. Birefringence brightness contrasts of amniotic collagen fibers were of 2.0 for the control group, 13.25 for the two days culture, 19.26 for the seven days culture, and 13.23 for the 15 days culture. In relation to limbal collagen fibers, birefringence brightnesses were of 23.01, 13.39, 19.90, and 30.31. Interference colors due to anomalous birefringence dispersion were observed. Procedures on cell culture induced alterations in absorbance values related to proteoglycans from amniotic and limbal ECM. In all samples, except on those cultured for 15 days, the amniotic ECM showed negative DL values. The DL of limbal ECM varied between negative and positive values for all, except on two days culture.