Predicting maximal lactate steady state from lactate thresholds determined using methods based on an incremental exercise test in beagle dogs: A study using univariate and multivariate approaches.

The reliability of four lactate threshold (LT) methods to estimate the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS), defined as the highest intensity that can be maintained without plasma lactate ([La-]) accumulation over time, was determined in Beagle dogs. Six male Beagle dogs performed a standardized incremental exercise test on a treadmill when plasma lactate ([La-]) measurements were performed. The LTs for predicting MLSS, were determined by visual inspection (LTV), using a bi-segmented linear regression model (LTBI), or using a polynomial function on the [La-]/velocity ratio (LTP) by considering the vertices of the curve and calculating the point that yields the maximal distance from a curve representing [La-] as a function of velocity to the line formed by the two endpoints of the curve (LTDMAX method). The agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman plots and ordinary least products (OLP) regression among the velocities corresponding to the LTs identified using different methods (VLTv, VLTBI, VLTP, and VLTDMAX) and the velocity corresponding to the MLSS (VMLSS). A principal component (PC) analysis approach was performed to detect the degree of co-relatedness among the variables. The mean ± SD [La-] at MLSS was 1.03 ± 0.24 mM. VMLSS had a lower mean bias with VLTv, followed by VLTBI. The VLTDMAX underestimated MLSS. VLTv and VLTBI had the lowest limits of agreement with the VMLSS. The VLTP and VLTDMAX showed relatively high limits of agreement with MLSS. VLTv, VLTBI, and VMLSS had more collinearity and were dominantly aligned with the second component (PC2). VLTv and VLTBI can be used as simple methods to objectively determine aerobic fitness in Beagle dogs.

Serum biochemical profile of neonatal buffalo calves / Perfil bioquímico sérico de bezerros bubalinos no período neonatal

Serum blood samples from 50 Murrah buffalo calves were examined in this study. The animals were allocated into three groups according to the number of parturitions of their mothers: G1 (n= 15) calves from primiparous buffaloes, G2 (n= 19) calves from buffaloes with two to four parturitions, and G3 (n= 16) calves from buffaloes with five or more parturitions. Blood samples were taken at birth, before colostrum ingestion, at 24h, 48h, and 72h after birth, and at 7, 14, 21, and 30 days after birth for determination of levels of gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase, total protein, albumin, globulins (including immunoglobulin G), iron, total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. The age of the calves was found to influence all of the biochemical parameters, with the exception of ionized calcium and potassium in the calves in groups G1 and G3. The calving order was found to influence AST, GGT, total protein, albumin, and globulins, including IgG. The high serum ALP activity in the first two days after birth indicates that measurement of the levels of this enzyme may be used as an indirect method of assessing passive immunity transfer.(AU)

Amostras de sangue de 50 bezerros de búfalo Murrah foram examinados nesse estudo. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos de acordo com a paridade de suas genitoras: G1 (n=15) bezerros de búfalas primíparas, G2 (n=19) bezerros de búfalas com 2 a 4 gestações, e G3 (n=16) bezerros de búfalas com cinco ou mais gestações. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas ao nascimento, antes da ingestão de colostro e 24h, 48h, e 72h após o nascimento e 7, 14, 21 e 30 dias após nascimento para determinar níveis de gammaglutamil transferase (GGT), fosfatase alcalina (ALP), aspartato aminotrasferase (AST), creatina quinase, proteínas totais, albumina, globulina (inclusive imunoglobulina G), ferro, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, sódio e potássio. A idade dos bezerros influenciou todos os parâmetros bioquímicos, exceto cálcio ionizado e potássio nos bezerros dos grupos G1 e G3. A ordem de nascimento influenciou AST, GGT, proteínas totais, albumina e globulinas, inclusive IgG. Intensa atividade ALP no soro nos primeiros dois dias após nascimento indica que medidas dos níveis dessa enzima podem ser utilizados como método indireto de avaliar transferência passiva de imunidade.(AU)

Effect of resistant starch on the intestinal health of old dogs: fermentation products and histological features of the intestinal mucosa.

The effects of resistant starch (RS) intake on nutrient digestibility, microbial fermentation products, faecal IgA, faecal pH, and histological features of the intestinal mucosa of old dogs were evaluated. The same formulation was extruded in two different conditions: one to obtain elevated starch cooking degree with low RS content (0.21%) and the other lower starch cooking with high RS content (1.46%). Eight geriatric Beagles (11.5 ± 0.38 years old) were fed each diet for 61 days in a crossover design. Food intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation products, faecal pH, and faecal IgA were examined via variance analysis. Histological results of intestinal biopsies were assessed via Wilcoxon test for paired data. The morphometric characteristics of large intestine crypts were evaluated via paired t tests (p < .05). Protein, fat, and energy digestibilities were higher for the low-RS diet (p < .05). Dogs receiving the high-RS diet had lower faecal pH and higher values for propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, and lactate (p < .05). No differences between diets were found in the histological parameters of the gut mucosa, and only a tendency for deeper crypts in the descending colon was observed for dogs fed the high-RS diet (p = .083). The intake of a corn-based kibble diet manufactured with coarse ground raw material and low starch gelatinization to obtain 1.4% of RS affected microbial fermentation products and faecal pH and tended to increase crypt depth in the descending colon of old dogs.

Workload of official contests, net cost of transport, and metabolic power of Mangalarga Marchador horses of marcha batida or picada gaits.

This study aimed to characterize the maximum heart rate (HR) and the intensity of official marcha contests (OMC) and to compare the cost of transport (COT) and metabolic power (Pmet) of Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horses of marcha batida (MB) and marcha picada (MP) gaits. Twenty-two MM horses participated in this study. The experiment was conducted in 3 phases: 1) maximum effort test (MET), 2) OMC, and 3) standardized marcha test (SMT). To characterize the HR, 19 horses (14 MB and 5 MP) underwent a MET. Of those, 13 (9 MB and 4 MP) were monitored during the OMC, which consisted of 4 stages: marcha, walk, functional trial, and rest. The average heart rate (HR) in each stage of the OMC was related to the HR to determine their relative intensity. The SMT was performed with 14 horses (9 MB and 5 MP), of which 11 had already participated in the previous stages. The COT and Pmet were calculated from the HR values obtained during the SMT. Blood samples were collected to analyze plasma lactate concentration ([Lac]). One-way ANOVA or 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey's test ( < 0.05) were used to analyze the results. The average HR was 211 ± 11 and 214 ± 11 beats/min (bpm) for the MB and MP groups, respectively, with no difference ( = 0.7066) between them. The [Lac] increased as a result of the MET ( < 0.05), with no difference between groups ( > 0.05). This indicated that horses of both groups had the same physical fitness levels. The OMC stages defined in our study differed ( < 0.05) regarding the relative intensity of the HR, except for the walk and standing stages, which were similar ( = 0.0875). The MP group presented greater COT ( = 0.0247) and Pmet ( = 0.0193). It can be concluded that the mean HR of MM horses (MB and MP) is 212 ± 11 bpm. The OMC of the MM breed can be characterized as an effort of intermittent and submaximal intensity. In addition, the locomotion of the MB horses is probably more energetically efficient than that of MP horses.

Evaluation of intranasal oxygen supplementation in mules anesthetized with the combination of ketamine, butorphanol, and guaifenesin / Avaliação da suplementação intranasal de oxigênio em muares anestesiados com a associação de cetamina, butorfanol e éter gliceril guaiacólico

Hypoxemia is a major complication of field anesthesia and no studies regarding this occurrence in mules has been done. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate intranasal oxygen supplementation (IOS) in mules (Equus caballus x Equus asinus) anesthetized with ketamine/butorphanol/guaifenesin combination. For this, we used six male, adult mules (322±29kg) which underwent premedication (MPA) with 0.2mg/kg of midazolam intramuscularly after 15 minutes, 0.02mg/kg detomidine IV 5 minutes after, induction IV with combination of ketamine (2mg/mL), butorphanol (22.5mg/mL), and guaifenesin (50mg/mL) (K/B/G) until lateral decumbency. Maintenance was done with the same anesthetic combination. The animals were submitted twice to the protocol described above, 20 days apart, forming two groups. CG: MPA, induction (0.92±0.24mL/kg (mean±SD)), and maintenance (2.2±0.2mL/kg/h) without SIO; TG: MPA, induction (0.98±0.17mL/kg), and maintenance (2.3±0.4mL/kg/h) with IOS flow 40mL/kg/h. During anesthesia arterial blood was collected every 20 minutes (T0, T20, T40, and T60) for blood gas analysis. Data analyzed by ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni test. P<0.05 was considered significant. Hypoxemia of the animals in the CG in periods (59±5; 55±5; 53±7; 49±8) with lower averages than the TG (160±4, 115±34, 92±25, 81±19) was observed, demonstrating that IOS increases PaO2 avoiding the occurrence of hypoxemia.(AU)

A hipoxemia é uma das principais complicações da anestesia a campo, e em muares não existem estudos a respeito dessa ocorrência. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação intranasal de oxigênio (SIO) em muares (Equus caballus x Equus asinus) anestesiados com cetamina/butorfanol/guaifenesina associados. Para isso, foram utilizados seis muares, macho e adultos (322±29kg), submetidos à medicação pré-anestésica (MPA) com 0,2mg/kg de midazolam por via intramuscular, após 15 minutos, 0,02mg/kg de detomidina por via intravenosa, após cinco minutos, indução com administração intravenosa da associação de cetamina (2mg/mL), butorfanol (22,5 µg/mL) e guaifenesina (50mg/mL) em solução de glicose a 5% (C/B/G) até o animal assumir o decúbito lateral. A manutenção foi realizada com a mesma associação anestésica. Os animais foram submetidos duas vezes ao protocolo descrito anteriormente, com intervalo de 20 dias, formando dois grupos experimentais. GC -MPA, indução (0,92±0,24mL/kg (média±DP)) e manutenção (2,2±0,2mL/kg/h) sem SIO; GT - MPA, indução (0,98±0,17mL/kg) e manutenção (2,3±0,4mL/kg/h) com SIO, fluxo de 40mL/kg/h. Durante a anestesia, foi colhido sangue arterial a cada 20 minutos (T0, T20, T40 e T60) para hemogasometria. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA, seguidos pelo teste de Bonferroni. Valores de P<0,05 foram considerados significativos. Foi observada hipoxemia (PaO2<60mmHg) dos animais no GC nos tempos avaliados (T0= 59±5; T20= 55±5; T40= 53±7; T60= 49±8), com médias menores que as do GT, (160±4; 115±34; 92±25; 81±19, respectivamente), o que demonstrou que a suplementação intranasal de oxigênio aumenta a PaO2, evitando a ocorrência de hipoxemia.

Effect of the particle size of maize, rice, and sorghum in extruded diets for dogs on starch gelatinization, digestibility, and the fecal concentration of fermentation products.

The influence of rice, maize, and sorghum raw material particle size in extruded dry dog food on the digestibility of nutrients and energy and the fecal concentration of fermentation products was investigated. Three diets with similar nutrient compositions were formulated, each with 1 starch source. Before incorporation into diets, the cereals were ground into 3 different particle sizes (approximately 300, 450, and 600 µm); therefore, a total of 9 diets were in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (3 cereals and 3 particle sizes). Fifty-four beagle dogs (12.0 ± 0.1 kg BW) were randomly assigned to the diets, with 6 dogs per diet. The digestibility was measured with the chromium oxide method. The data were evaluated with ANOVA considering the carbohydrate source, grinding effect, and interactions. The means were compared with the Tukey test and polynomial contrasts (P < 0.05). With the same grinding procedure, rice was reduced to smaller particles than other cereals. The cereal mean geometric diameter (MGD) was directly related to starch gelatinization (SG) during extrusion. For rice diets, the MGD and SG did not change nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05); only GE digestibility was reduced at the largest MGD (P < 0.01). For maize and sorghum diets, the total tract apparent nutrient digestibility was reduced for foods with greater MGD and less SG (P < 0.01). A linear reduction in nutrient digestibility according to cereal particle size was observed for sorghum (r2 < 0.72; P < 0.01). Higher concentrations of fecal total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were observed for sorghum diets (P < 0.05) than for other diets. The rice diets led to the production of feces with less lactate (P < 0.05). The increase in raw material MGD did not influence fecal SCFA for rice diets, but for the dogs fed maize and sorghum foods, an increase in propionate and butyrate concentrations were observed as MGD increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, for dogs fed different particle sizes of the cereal starches in the extruded diets, the digestibility and fecal characteristics were affected, and this effect was ingredient dependent.

Enzyme effects on extruded diets for dogs with soybean meal as a substitute for poultry by-product meal.

The effects of exogenous enzymes supplementation on kibble diets for dogs formulated with soybean meal (SBM) as a substitute for poultry by-product meal (PM) was investigated on nutrient digestibility, fermentation products formation, post-prandial urea response and selected faecal bacteria counts. Two kibble diets with similar compositions were used in two trials: PM-based diet (28.9% of PM; soybean hulls as a fibre source) and SBM-based diet (29.9% of SBM). In experiment 1, the SBM diet was divided into three diets: SBM-0, without enzyme addition; SBM-1, covered after extrusion with 7500 U protease/kg and 45 U cellulase/kg; and SBM-2, covered with 15,000 U protease/kg and 90 U cellulase/kg. In experiment 2, the SBM diet was divided into three diets: SBM-0; SBM-1, covered with 140 U protease/kg; 8 U cellulase/kg, 800 U pectinase/kg, 60 U phytase/kg, 40 U betaglucanase/kg and 20 U xylanase/kg; and SMB-2, covered with 700 U protease/kg, 40 U cellulase/kg, 4000 U pectinase/kg, 300 U phytase/kg, 200 U betaglucanase/kg and 100 U xylanase/kg. Each experiment followed a block design with six dogs per diet. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means compared by orthogonal and polynomial contrasts (p < 0.05). In both experiments, nutrients and energy digestibility did not differ between diets (p > 0.05). SBM consumption resulted in increased faecal moisture and production (p < 0.05), without effect on faecal score. Higher concentration of propionate, acetate and lactate, and lower ammonia and pH were found in the faeces of dogs fed SBM (p < 0.05). Higher post-prandial urea was verified in dogs fed SBM (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, the addition of enzymes increased faecal concentration of propionate, acetate and total short-chain fatty acid (p < 0.05) and tended to reduce post-prandial urea concentration (p = 0.06). Although with similar digestibility, SBM shows a worse utilization of absorbed amino acids than the PM. Soybean oligosaccharides can beneficially change gut fermentation product formation. Enzymes can increase the gut fermentation activity and improve the SBM proteic value.

Fibre analysis and fibre digestibility in pet foods--a comparison of total dietary fibre, neutral and acid detergent fibre and crude fibre.

Six dry dog foods and six dry cat foods with different carbohydrate sources were investigated in digestion trials. Food and faecal samples were analysed for CF, TDF and starch. In dogs, also neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom) and acid detergent fibre (ADFom) were analysed. N-free extract (NfE) was calculated for CF, and similarly for all other fibre analyses. Linear regressions were calculated between fibre intake and faecal fibre excretion. True digestibility was calculated from the regression coefficients [true digestibility in % = (1 - regression coefficient)*100], with the intercept of the equation representing excretion of material of non-food origin. Crude fibre analyses gave the lowest values, and TDF the highest, while ADFom and aNDFom were in between. Variation between diets was lowest in CF and highest in TDF. Total dietary fibre, aNDFom and ADFom in food were positively correlated. Crude fibre in food did not correlate with any other method. The NfE analogue for TDF was closest to the starch content. Methods of fibre analyses in faeces did not agree very well with each other. Crude fibre had the lowest apparent digestibility, followed by ADFom, TDF and aNDFom. For all fibre analyses, there was a significant correlation between fibre intake and faecal fibre excretion. True digestibility was close to zero for CF, with a high uniformity in both species. In dogs, true digestibility of aNDFom was 53%, of ADFom 26% and of TDF 37%; in cats, true digestibility of TDF was 31%. Except for CF, the intercept of the regression equations suggest that faecal excretion of some material of non-food origin is analysed as fibre. A combination of TDF and CF analyses might give good information on the content of total (TDF), unfermentable (CF) and partially fermentable fibre (TDF-CF) in pet foods.

Densitometric and biochemical values of broiler tibias at different ages.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the normal values of bone radiographic density (BRD) by using the optical densitometry in radiographic images and the biochemical values represented by serum calcium, ash percentage, and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) from tibia ash of Cobb broilers at 8, 22, and 43 d of age. A total of 14 broilers were used for densitometric analysis, and 15 were used for biochemical dosages. The BRD values increased (P < 0.05) with age and in all tibia regions (proximal epiphysis, diaphysis, and distal epiphysis), concluding that growth was a determinative factor for bone performance, demanding a higher BRD during broiler development. Tibia proximal epiphysis presented higher BRD values in relation to the other bone regions (P < 0.05), as a result of a possible biomechanical adaptation to ligaments and tension of the muscle tendons at this region, allowing the support of the muscle mass increase. The serum calcium values were kept constant, as a result of the appropriate nutritional levels of the diet that supported the animal homeostasis. The bone ash and mineral percentage increased (P < 0.05) at 22 d of age, due to the higher mineral requirement in this age. The correlation between bone densitometry and the invasive techniques showed that the bone densitometry can substitute the determination of mineral percentage in the ash. This experiment presented normal values of the noninvasive and invasive methods more used in aviculture, allowing us to compare, subsequently, pathological and physiological values or results of broilers fed with different diets.

Effects of six carbohydrate sources on diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in cats.

The effects of diets with different starch sources on the total tract apparent digestibility and glucose and insulin responses in cats were investigated. Six experimental diets consisting of 35% starch were extruded, each containing one of the following ingredients: cassava flour, brewers rice, corn, sorghum, peas, or lentils. The experiment was carried out on 36 cats with 6 replications per diet in a completely randomized block design. The brewers rice diet offered greater DM, OM, and GE digestibility than the sorghum, corn, lentil, and pea diets (P < 0.05). For starch digestibility, the brewers rice diet had greater values (98.6%) than the sorghum (93.9%), lentil (95.2%), and pea (96.3%) diets (P < 0.05); however, starch digestibility was >93% for all the diets, proving that despite the low carbohydrate content of carnivorous diets, cats can efficiently digest this nutrient when it is properly processed into kibble. Mean and maximum glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve were greater for the corn-based diet than the cassava flour, sorghum, lentil, and pea diets (P < 0.05). The corn-based diets led to greater values for the mean glucose incremental concentration (10.2 mg/dL), maximum glucose incremental concentration (24.8 mg/dL), and area under the incremental glucose curve (185.5 mg.dL(-1).h(-1)) than the lentil diet (2.9 mg/dL, 3.1 mg/dL, and -40.4 mg.dL(-1).h(-1), respectively; P < 0.05). When compared with baseline values, only the corn diet stimulated an increase in the glucose response, occurring at 4 and 10 h postmeal (P < 0.05). The corn-based diet resulted in greater values for maximum incremental insulin concentration and area under the incremental insulin curve than the lentil-based diet (P < 0.05). However, plasma insulin concentrations rose in relation to the basal values for cats fed corn, sorghum, pea, and brewers rice diets (P < 0.05). Variations in diet digestibility and postprandial response can be explained by differences in the chemical composition of the starch source, including fiber content and granule structure, and also differences in the chemical compositions of the diets. The data suggest that starch has less of an effect on the cat postprandial glucose and insulin responses than on those of dogs and humans. This can be explained by the metabolic peculiarities of felines, which may slow and prolong starch digestion and absorption, leading to the delayed, less pronounced effects on their blood responses.

Leucograma e teores plasmáticos de proteínas de fase aguda de eqüinos portadores de abdômen agudo e submetidos à laparotomia / Leukogram and plasma acute phase protein concentrations in horses with acute abdomen submitted to treatment by laparotomy

Foram examinados 20 eqüinos adultos portadores de abdômen agudo e submetidos à laparotomia. Dez recuperaram-se sem intercorrência pós-operatória (G1) e 10 foram a óbito sete a 10 dias após a cirurgia, com sinais de choque séptico (G2). Avaliaram-se temperatura retal, freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, tempo de preenchimento capilar e teores plasmáticos das proteínas de fase aguda - fibrinogênio, ceruloplasmina, proteína C-reativa, antitripsina, haptoglobina e glicoproteína ácida -, antes e até sete dias após a laparotomia. As leucometrias às 72h e no sétimo dia pós-operatório dos eqüinos que foram a óbito foram, respectivamente, 34,6 por cento e 57,1 por cento, mais altas que a dos animais curados. Os maiores valores de proteína de fase aguda ocorreram no sétimo dia após a cirurgia; os percentuais de elevação de fibrinogênio, antitripsina, glicoproteina ácida, proteína C-reativa, ceruloplasmina e haptoglobina de eqüinos do G2 em relação ao G1 foram 46,8 por cento, 67,9 por cento, 91,9 por cento, 112,2 por cento, 126,9 por cento e 186,2 por cento, respectivamente.

Twenty adult horses with acute abdomen were examined and submitted to treatment by laparotomy; ten had no postoperative complication (group 1), and ten showed septic shock symptom and died from seven to ten days after surgery (group 2). Body temperature, heart and respiratory rates, filling capillary time, and plasma acute phase protein concentrations - fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein, antitrypsin, haptoglobin, and acid glycoprotein - were evaluated before laparotomy and until seven days after surgery. White blood cell counts at 72h and seven days after surgery in group 2 animals were, respectively, 34.6 percent and 57.1 percent, and were higher than those measured in group 1 horses. The highest values of acute phase proteins occurred on the seventh day after surgery. The increase percentages of fibrinogen, antitrypsin, acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, and haptoglobin plasma concentrations in group 2 animals in comparison to group 1 animals were 46.8 percent, 67.9 percent, 91.9 percent, 112.2 percent, 126.9 percent, and 186.2 percent, respectively.

Contagem de reticulócitos de cães saudáveis ou anêmicos pela citometria de fluxo / Count of reticulocyte counts of healthy or anemic dogs by flow cytometry

Compararam-se os resultados da contagem de reticulócitos pela microscopia de luz e pelo método da citometria de fluxo em 25 cães saudáveis (controle), 60 cães com anemia regenerativa e 40 com anemia arregenerativa. Houve diferença nas contagens absolutas obtidas pela microscopia de luz e pela citometria de fluxo nos três grupos estudados. A contagem de reticulócitos foi mais alta pela citometria de fluxo que a contagem pela microscopia de luz, mostrando ser um método mais sensível, simples e seguro para a quantificação de reticulócitos.

Counts of reticulocytes using both the light microscopy and flow cytometry (FC) methods in 25 healthy control dogs, 60 dogs with regenerative anemia, and 40 dogs with non-regenerative anemia were compared. The absolute counts were submitted to the paired t-Student test, which determined significant differences (P<0.0001) between those methods in the three studied groups. Counts of retyculocytes were higher under flow cytometry, which proved to be a more sensitive method. Flow cytometry is a simple and reliable method for the quantification of reticulocytes.

Precisão da técnica de absorciometria de raios-x de dupla energia na determinação da composição corporal em gatos / Precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition measurements in cats

A short-term precision error of the individual subject and the DEXA technique, such as the effect of the repositioning of the cat on the examination table, were established. Four neutered adult cats (BW=4342g) and three females (BW=3459g) were submitted to five repeated scans with and without repositioning between them. Precision was estimated from the mean of the five measurements and expressed by the individual coefficient of variation (CV). The precision error of the technique was estimated by the variance of scan pool (n=35) and expressed in CV for the technique (CVt). The degrees of freedom and confidence intervals were determined to avoid underestimation of precision errors. Bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) averages were higher (P<0.05) when animals were repositioned. The CVt was significantly higher (P<0.05) for bone mineral density (BMD), LM, and FM when the animals were repositioned. For short-term precision measurements, the repositioning of the animal was important to establish the precision of the technique. The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry method provided precision for body composition measurements in adult cats.

Utilização de indicadores para estimar a digestibilidade aparente em gatos / Use of markers to estimate the apparent digestibility in domestic cats

Compararam-se os métodos de coleta total (CT) e dos indicadores óxido crômico (Cr2O3), cinzas insolúveis em ácido (CIA) e lignina na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) dos nutrientes para gatos. Os CDA de quatro rações foram determinados pela CT e estimados pelos diferentes indicadores em teste. Foram utilizados 24 gatos adultos castrados, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas individuais, totalizando seis animais por ração. O experimento seguiu um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as rações as parcelas, os métodos as subparcelas e cada gato uma unidade experimental. Os CDA foram significativamente menores pelo método da lignina em uma das rações estudadas (P<0,05). Os métodos Cr2O3, CIA e CT resultaram em CDA iguais em todas as rações (P>0,05). As taxas de recuperação dos indicadores, médias±erro-padrão da média, foram, respectivamente, de 97,1±2,5 por cento, 97,3±2,9 por cento e 83,9±9,1 por cento para o Cr2O3, CIA e lignina. A CIA e o Cr2O3 mostraram grande potencial para utilização como indicadores, enquanto a ampla variabilidade dos resultados obtidos com a utilização da lignina não justificou seu emprego como substância índice para felinos.

The total collection (TC) method was compared to chromium oxide (Cr2O3), acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and lignin marker methods for determining the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) of nutrients in domestic cats. The CAD of four diets were determined by TC and estimated for the three markers through tests. Twenty-four adult neutered cats were housed in individual metabolic cages, totaling six animals per diet. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design in subdivided blocks where diets were blocks, methods were sub-blocks and each cat an experimental unit. CAD for the lignin method was significantly lower than TC method (P<0.05) in one of the studied diets. CAD for the Cr2O3, AIA and TC methods were similar in all diets. Recuperation rates of Cr2O3, AIA and lignin markers were 97.1±2.5 percent, 97.3±2.9 percent and 83.9±9.1 percent respectively. AIA and Cr2O3 methods showed high potential for use as markers while the higher variability in results obtained with the use of lignin did not justify its usage as an indicator substance for felines.

Clinical and morphological evaluation of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the tendon healing in dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the healing of the deep digital flexor tendon, during three periods. The tendon of the 2nd digit of 30 thoracic limbs of dogs was partially sectioned for glue application. Biopsies were performed 7, 15, and 30 days post surgery for the clinical and morphological study of tendons. Analysis of the results showed that 73.3% of the tendons showed stump retraction and 16.6% moderate to excessive adherence, which affected sliding. There was a significant difference in the number of inflammatory cells among the three studied periods, being the highest on day 15. The morphological analysis revealed a typical tendon healing process with a lower level of inflammation in the acute phase, facilitating the cicatricial maturation phase. Snake venom derived fibrin glue promotes the healing in dog flexor tendon

Effect of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the tendon healing in dogs. Clinical and biomechanical study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the strength of tendon healing in dogs. The deep digital flexor tendon of the 5th digit of 24 thoracic limbs was partially sectioned for adhesive application. On the 7th, 15th, and 30th postoperative day tendons segments were removed for the clinical and biomechanical study. Results indicated that 62.5% of the tendons showed stump retraction and 20.8% moderate to excessive adherence, which affected gliding. The biomechanical evaluation showed that, over time, tendon healing gained progressive resistance for maximum traction and permanent deformations with satisfactory results on the 15th day for rigidity and resilience compared to the other two studied periods. Snake venom derived fibrin glue promotes healing in dog flexor tendon

Determinaçäo dos principais pontos de risco de contaminaçäo de frangos por Campylobacter, durante o abate industrial / Determination of the principal risk points in poultry contamination for Campylobacter, during slaughter

Foi investigada a presença de Campylobacter jejuni nas diferentes etapas da linha de abate durante o processamento industrial de um abatedouro avícola de pequeno porte, localizado na regiäo Nordeste do Estado de Säo Paulo, com o objetivo de determinar os principais pontos de risco de contaminaçäo dos frangos por Campylobacter durante o abate. Das 291 amostras analisadas, foram isolados Cmpylobacter jejuni em 8 (26,6 por cento) amostras de água do tanque de escaldamento, 19 (61.29 por cento) da água de lavagem das carcaças após a evisceraçäo, 18 (36 por cento) das carcaças pós-evisceraçäo, 21 (42 por cento) das fezes frescas obtidas na plataforma de recebimento dos frangos, 19 (38 por cento) de fígado e 19 (38 por cento) das penas colhidas após a depenaçäo. Os dados observados na pesquisa sugerem que as etapas de evisceraçäo e depenamento das aves, constituem importantes pontos de contaminaçäo no processamento industrial.

Influência da estaçäo do ano, estádio da lactaçäo e hora da ordenha sobre o teor de cloretos do leite bovino / Influence of the season of the year, stage of lactation and milking time on the chloride content in bovine milk

De janeiro a outubro de 1995, foram realizadas determinaçöes do teor de cloretos em 2.218 amostras de leite colhidas de 67 quartos de 17 vacas lactantes, nos estádios inicial, médio e final da lactaçäo, nas ordenhas da manhä e da tarde. As maiores médias do teor de cloretos foram observadas nas amostras de leite colhidas no estádio final da lactaçäo (0,203gCl/100ml), no veräo (0,212gCl/100ml) e na ordenha da manhä (0,189gCl/100ml). As diferenças no teor do cloretos segundo o estádio da lactaçäo e a estaçäo do ano foram significativas (P<0,0001). A maior ocorrência de amostras com teor de cloretos superior a 0,22gCl/100ml foi verificada no estádio final da lactaçäo (31,4 por cento), no veräo (44,2 por cento) e na ordenha da manhä (27,8 por cento). Estes resultados mostram a influência de fatores fisiológicos e externos (estádio da lactaçäo e estaçäo do ano) sobre o teor de cloretos do leite

Influência da estaçäo do ano, do estádio de lactaçäo e da hora da ordenha sobre o número de células somáticas do leite bovino / Influence of the season of the year, stage of lactation and milking time on somatic cell counts in bovine milk

De janeiro a outubro de 1995, foram realizadas contagens de células somáticas em 2.218 amostras de leite colhidas em 67 quartos de 17 vacas lactantes, nos estádios inicial, médio e final do período de lactaçäo, nas ordenhas da manhä e tarde. As maiores médias dos logaritmos das contagens celulares foram observadas nas amostras de leite colhidas no estádio final da lactaçäo (5,652cel/ml), no inverno (5,358cel/ml) e na ordenha da tarde (5,199cel/ml). As diferenças nas contagens celulares segundo o estádio da lactaçäo e a hora da ordenha da manhä foram significativas (P<0,0001). A maior ocorrência de amostras com contagens celulares superiores a 500.000cel/ml foi verificada no estádio final do período de lactaçäo (34,9 por cento), no inverno (23,6 por cento) e na ordenha da tarde (21,3 por cento). Esses resultados mostram a influência de fatores fisiológicos e de manejo (estádio de lactaçäo e hora da ordenha) sobre o conteúdo de células somáticas do leite