Effect of dietary protein: lipid ratio on growth and body composition in bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

A feeding trial was performed to assess dietary protein:lipid ratios for the grow-out phase of the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). Nine balanced isoenergetic diets were formulated, combining three different protein levels (300, 400, and 500 g kg−1) with three different lipid levels (50, 100, and 200 g kg−1), designated as P300/50L, P300/100L, P300/200L, P400/50L, P400/100L, P400/200L, P500/50L, P500/100L, and P500/200L. Additionally, a commercial fish feed, commonly used in Mexico to feed bullfrogs, was also tested during the experiment. Growth performance, animal performance parameters, carcass composition, and fatty acid profiles in muscle and liver were evaluated. The feeding trial results showed that all the experimental diets enhanced growth, feed conversion ratio, and frog-leg weight compared with the commercial diet. Bullfrogs had higher growth with 400 and 500 g kg−1 of dietary protein regardless of dietary lipid content. It was also notable that with the P500/200L diet, frogs doubled the weight of those fed the commercial diet. DHA, EPA, and total omega-3 fatty acids were double in muscle and two to eight times higher in the liver compared with the commercial diet. In all cases, the final proximal composition of carcass reflected the diet composition. It is suggested that a diet containing 400 g kg−1 of protein and 50 g kg−1 lipids (protein/lipid ratio: 7.4; gross energy: 18.2 MJ kg−1) is adequate for bullfrog performance during the grow-out phase to achieve market size in a shorter period, thus, reducing farming risks and production costs.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. in domestic donkeys from Portugal / Soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii e Leishmania spp. em jumentos domésticos de Portugal

Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum are zoonotic protozoal parasites. Serum samples were obtained from 186 donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) from Portugal and assessed for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). For titration of antibodies to Leishmania spp. the direct agglutination test was used (DAT). Eleven donkeys were seropositive for T. gondii with titres of 20 (n = 7), 80 (n = 2), 640 (n = 1) and 2560 (n = 1). One donkey was seropositive for Leishmania spp. (titre of 800). Donkeys in Portugal are exposed to and can be infected with T. gondii and Leishmania spp(AU)

Toxoplasma gondii e Leishmania infantum são protozoários parasitas com potencial zoonótico. Foram obtidas amostras de soro de 186 jumentos (Equus africanus asinus) e avaliadas para anticorpos anti-T. gondii pelo teste de aglutinação direta modificada (TADM), em Portugal. Para a titulação de anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp. foi usado o teste de aglutinação direta (TAD). Onze jumentos foram soropositivos para T. gondii com títulos de 20 (n = 7), 80 (n = 2), 640 (n = 1) e 2560 (n = 1). Um jumento foi soropositivo para Leishmania spp. (título de 800). Os jumentos em Portugal estão expostos e podem ser infectados com T. gondii e Leishmania spp(AU)