Evaluation of the Ingestive Behavior of Foreign Fragments and the Integrity of Gastrointestinal Tract of Broiler Chickens

Fragments with vibrant colors and attractive textures in poultry house litter may be consumed considering that the confinement environment does not offer many opportunities for the development of the birdss natural behavior. Control and quality programs aiming to reduce and to eliminate the consumption of materials from the construction of sheds have been implanted. However, it is necessary to develop studies for a better understanding of the birds ingestive behavior and the consequences for their health, welfare and productivity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of broilers exposed to metal, wood, glass and plastic fragments at different concentrations and sizes added to the poultry house litter and the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. A total of 360 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design over a 2x3 factorial scheme (2 fragment sizes: 2 to 7 mm and 5 to 8 mm and 3 concentrations: 0.1, 0.5 and 1%), totaling 6 treatments and 5 replicates. The fragments used were glass, wood, metal and plastic, in respective concentrations and sizes, distributed in the poultry house litter. The supply of fragments or the accidental occurrence of similar fragments to which were analyzed in this study concerning the poultry house litter, with different sizes, colors and textures does not compromise the integrity of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and the welfare of the birds.(AU)

Evaluation of the Ingestive Behavior of Foreign Fragments and the Integrity of Gastrointestinal Tract of Broiler Chickens

Fragments with vibrant colors and attractive textures in poultry house litter may be consumed considering that the confinement environment does not offer many opportunities for the development of the birds’s natural behavior. Control and quality programs aiming to reduce and to eliminate the consumption of materials from the construction of sheds have been implanted. However, it is necessary to develop studies for a better understanding of the bird’s ingestive behavior and the consequences for their health, welfare and productivity. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of broilers exposed to metal, wood, glass and plastic fragments at different concentrations and sizes added to the poultry house litter and the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. A total of 360 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design over a 2x3 factorial scheme (2 fragment sizes: 2 to 7 mm and 5 to 8 mm and 3 concentrations: 0.1, 0.5 and 1%), totaling 6 treatments and 5 replicates. The fragments used were glass, wood, metal and plastic, in respective concentrations and sizes, distributed in the poultry house litter. The supply of fragments or the accidental occurrence of similar fragments to which were analyzed in this study concerning the poultry house litter, with different sizes, colors and textures does not compromise the integrity of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and the welfare of the birds.

Características eletrocardiográficas de éguas da raça Crioula em diferentes fases do período gestacional / Electrocardiographic features of Crioulo mares in different pregnancy stages

Pregnancy can cause several physiologic changes in mares, including modifications in cardiac output and heart positioning. Therefore, these changes could influence electrocardiographic parameters in various stages of pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the electrocardiogram of Crioulo mares in different pregnancy stages. Nine non pregnant mares (G0), 11 mares at three months (G3), 11 mares at six months (G6) and 11 mares at 10 months of pregnancy (G10) were submitted to electrocardiographic evaluation. There was higher (P= 0,002) heart rate of G10 (60.45±12.16bpm) when compared to other groups (G0=45.67±10.75bpm; G3=44.91±7.91bpm; G6=46.91±9.12bpm), probably because of an increase in cardiac output to uterine perfusion at the end of pregnancy. Normal sinus rhythm was predominant in most of mares of groups G0, G3 and G6, and sinus tachycardia in most of G10 mares. In conclusion, changes in hemodynamics and in cardiac position can influence on the electrocardiogram of pregnant Crioulo mares, but do not cause relevant rhythm or conduction disturbs.(AU)

Características eletrocardiográficas de éguas da raça Crioula em diferentes fases do período gestacional / Electrocardiographic features of Crioulo mares in different pregnancy stages

Pregnancy can cause several physiologic changes in mares, including modifications in cardiac output and heart positioning. Therefore, these changes could influence electrocardiographic parameters in various stages of pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the electrocardiogram of Crioulo mares in different pregnancy stages. Nine non pregnant mares (G0), 11 mares at three months (G3), 11 mares at six months (G6) and 11 mares at 10 months of pregnancy (G10) were submitted to electrocardiographic evaluation. There was higher (P= 0,002) heart rate of G10 (60.45±12.16bpm) when compared to other groups (G0=45.67±10.75bpm; G3=44.91±7.91bpm; G6=46.91±9.12bpm), probably because of an increase in cardiac output to uterine perfusion at the end of pregnancy. Normal sinus rhythm was predominant in most of mares of groups G0, G3 and G6, and sinus tachycardia in most of G10 mares. In conclusion, changes in hemodynamics and in cardiac position can influence on the electrocardiogram of pregnant Crioulo mares, but do not cause relevant rhythm or conduction disturbs.(AU)

Thermal requirements and estimate number of generations of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in different Eucalyptus plantations regions / Exigências térmicas e estimativa do número de gerações de Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) em diferentes regiões com plantios de Eucalyptus

To use Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in a biological control programme of Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), it is necessary to study thermal requirements, because temperature can affect the metabolism and bioecological aspects. The objective was to determine the thermal requirements and estimate the number of generations of P. elaeisis in different Eucalyptus plantations regions. After 24 hours in contact with the parasitoid, the pupae was placed in 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 °C, 70 ± 10 percent of relative humidity and 14 hours of photophase. The duration of the life cycle of P. elaeisis was reduced with the increase in the temperature. At 31 °C the parasitoid could not finish the cycle in T. arnobia pupae. The emergence of P. elaeisis was not affected by the temperature, except at 31 °C. The number of individuals was between six and 1238 per pupae, being higher at 16 °C. The thermal threshold of development (Tb) and the thermal constant (K) of this parasitoid were 3.92 °C and 478.85 degree-days (GD), respectively, allowing for the completion of 14.98 generations per year in Linhares, Espírito Santo State, 13.87 in Pompéu and 11.75 in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State and 14.10 in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State.(AU)

Para o uso de Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare e LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) no controle biológico de Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) em eucalipto, é necessário estudar suas exigências térmicas, pois a temperatura pode afetar o metabolismo e aspectos bioecológicos dos insetos. Objetivou-se assim, determinar as exigências térmicas e o número de gerações de P. elaeisis em diferentes regiões com florestas de Eucalyptus. Permitiu-se o parasitismo por 24 horas e, após esse período, as pupas foram transferidas para câmaras climatizadas a 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 e 31 °C, 70 ± 10 por cento de umidade relativa e fotofase de 14 horas. Verificou-se que o aumento da temperatura reduziu a duração média do ciclo de vida de P. elaeisis, sendo que a 31 °C o parasitoide não concluiu seu ciclo de vida em pupas de T. arnobia. A progênie do parasitoide por pupa variou de 6 a 1238 indivíduos e foi maior a 16 °C. A temperatura base (Tb) e constante térmica (K) desse parasitoide foram de 3,92 °C e 478,85 graus-dia, respectivamente. O número estimado de gerações anuais de P. elaeisis, em pupas de T. arnobia, para os municípios de Linhares, ES, Pompéu e Viçosa, MG e Dourados, MS foi de 14,98; 13,87; 11,75; e 14,10, respectivamente.(AU)