a) Isolamento e identificação de potencias probióticos autóctones e a aplicação na larvicultura do tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

a) A produção de larvas de peixes em quantidades e qualidades são fatores essenciais para o sucesso da aquicultura, no entanto neste setor produtivo são constantes os entraves na fase inicial, os quais limitam a oferta de juvenis e induzem a perdas econômicas substanciais para este setor. Partindo dessa premissa, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o uso de probiótico e os seus benefícios na fase larval do tambaqui. Para isso, este estudo foi dividido em duas etapas apresentadas em capítulos: Capítulo I: Foi possível caracterizar as bactérias autóctones a partir de testes como: caracterização morfológica, coloração de gram, catalase, oxidase, hemolítico, antagonismo e espectrometria de massa matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF MS). Foram selecionadas 16 cepas: duas cepas da espécie Enterobacter kobei e Escherichia coli, uma cepa de Edwardsiella tarda, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium butyricum e Salmonella sp.  e oito cepas de Citrobacter freundii. Quando testadas contra Aeromona jandei, nenhumas das 16 cepas conseguiram inibir o crescimento dessa bactéria patogênica. Concluindo que as 16 cepas selecionadas não possuem potencial probiótico em testes realizados in vitro. a) Capítulo II: Foram utilizadas 6400 larvas de tambaqui (0,0010±0,0011 mm e 5,9±0,33 mg) distribuídas em 16 caixas experimentais (40 L), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições: controle água doce, água doce + simbiótico, controle salino 0,2% de NaCl e tratado salino 0,2% de NaCl + simbiótico. Durante 30 dias experimentais. Larvas que foram acondicionadas nos tratamentos, controle salino e tratado salino 0,2% de NaCl + simbiótico apresentaram resultados de desempenho produtivo maior do que às larvas dos demais tratamentos, sendo que o tratamento tratado salino 0,2% de NaCl + simbiótico teve o maior ganho de peso (44,67± 10,31) entre os dias 10 e 16, período que ocorreu a transição alimentar, sendo um fator crítico na larvicultura. Sobrevivência não observou diferença entre os tratamentos, apresentando valores acima de 95%. Morfometria intestinal das larvas que receberam simbiótico na água salina apresentaram maior altura de vilosidade comparada aos demais tratamentos. Morfometria muscular de todas as larvas de todos os tratamentos apresentaram crescimento de fibras musculares com diâmetros das classes 20, 30, 40 e 50 µm, tendo tanto crescimento hiperplásico e hipertrófico característico dessa fase.

c) The production of fish larvae in quantities and qualities are essential factors for the success of aquaculture, however in this productive sector there are constant obstacles in the initial phase, which limit the supply of juveniles and lead to substantial economic losses for this sector. Based on this premise, this study aimed to evaluate the use of probiotics and their benefits in the larval stage of tambaqui. For this purpose, this study was divided into two stages presented in chapters: Chapter I: It was possible to characterize the autochthonous bacteria from tests such as: morphological characterization, gram staining, catalase, oxidase, hemolytic, antagonism and matrix-assisted mass spectrometry laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF MS). Sixteen strains were selected: two strains of Enterobacter kobei and Escherichia coli,c) one strain of Edwardsiella tarda, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium butyricum and Salmonella sp. and eight strains of Citrobacter freundii. When tested against Aeromona jandei, none of the 16 strains were able to inhibit the growth of this pathogenic bacteria. Concluding that the 16 selected strains do not have probiotic potential in tests carried out in vitro. Chapter II: 6400 tambaqui larvae (0.0010±0.0011 mm and 5.9±0.33 mg) were used, distributed in 16 experimental boxes (40 L), in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and four replications: control fresh water, fresh water + symbiotic, saline control 0.2% NaCl and treated saline 0.2% NaCl + symbiotic. For 30 days trial. Larvae that were conditioned in the treatments, saline control and saline treated 0.2% NaCl + symbiotic presented results of productive performance higher than the larvae of the other treatments, and the treatment treated saline 0.2% NaCl + symbiotic had the greater weight gain (44.67± 10.31) between days 10 and 16, period in which the food transition occurred, being a critical factor in larviculture. Survival showed no difference between treatments, with values above 95%. Intestinal morphometry of larvae that received symbiotic in saline water showed higher villous height compared to the other treatments. Muscle morphometry of all larvae from all treatments showed muscle fiber growth with diameters of classes 20, 30, 40 and 50 µm, with both hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth characteristic of this phase.

Effects of labor motivation in poultry production

Broiler production is a significant economic activity in Brazil, and employs a large number of stockpeople in the integration process. Considering that the stockperson's perception may lead to better performance of his/her tasks and flock handling, this study aimed at verifying possible interactions between poultry productivity and stockperson's perception, emotions, and motivation. The study methodology considered two aspects: qualitative analysis, using Ergonomic Work Analysis, with observational method, and by applying a questionnaire and interview, and classification of the answers into positive relationship and "affection" to the job or negative relationship and "disaffection" to the job; and quantitative analysis, applying the Test of Hypothesis for Comparison of Means both for total flock mortality and Weight Equivalent Index data. Qualitative results showed that the stockpeople were aware that the housing environment causes specific health symptoms, as well as they presented different responses as to flock handling. Quantitative data showed a correlation between reduction of total flock mortality and positive relationship towards the broilers and "affection" to the job, whereas no statistical evidence that the same individuals influenced broiler Weight Equivalent Index was detected.

Correlations among behavior, performance and environment in broiler breeders using multivariate analysis

Animal welfare issues have received much attention not only to supply farmed animal requirements, but also to ethical and cultural public concerns. Daily collected information, as well as the systematic follow-up of production stages, produces important statistical data for production assessment and control, as well as for improvement possibilities. In this scenario, this research study analyzed behavioral, production, and environmental data using Main Component Multivariable Analysis, which correlated observed behaviors, recorded using video cameras and electronic identification, with performance parameters of female broiler breeders. The aim was to start building a system to support decision-making in broiler breeder housing, based on bird behavioral parameters. Birds were housed in an environmental chamber, with three pens with different controlled environments. Bird sensitivity to environmental conditions were indicated by their behaviors, stressing the importance of behavioral observations for modern poultry management. A strong association between performance parameters and the behavior "at the nest", suggesting that this behavior may be used to predict productivity. The behaviors of "ruffling feathers", "opening wings", "preening", and "at the drinker" were negatively correlated with environmental temperature, suggesting that the increase of in the frequency of these behaviors indicate improvement of thermal welfare.

Correlations among behavior, performance and environment in broiler breeders using multivariate analysis

Animal welfare issues have received much attention not only to supply farmed animal requirements, but also to ethical and cultural public concerns. Daily collected information, as well as the systematic follow-up of production stages, produces important statistical data for production assessment and control, as well as for improvement possibilities. In this scenario, this research study analyzed behavioral, production, and environmental data using Main Component Multivariable Analysis, which correlated observed behaviors, recorded using video cameras and electronic identification, with performance parameters of female broiler breeders. The aim was to start building a system to support decision-making in broiler breeder housing, based on bird behavioral parameters. Birds were housed in an environmental chamber, with three pens with different controlled environments. Bird sensitivity to environmental conditions were indicated by their behaviors, stressing the importance of behavioral observations for modern poultry management. A strong association between performance parameters and the behavior "at the nest", suggesting that this behavior may be used to predict productivity. The behaviors of "ruffling feathers", "opening wings", "preening", and "at the drinker" were negatively correlated with environmental temperature, suggesting that the increase of in the frequency of these behaviors indicate improvement of thermal welfare.

Effects of labor motivation in poultry production

Broiler production is a significant economic activity in Brazil, and employs a large number of stockpeople in the integration process. Considering that the stockperson's perception may lead to better performance of his/her tasks and flock handling, this study aimed at verifying possible interactions between poultry productivity and stockperson's perception, emotions, and motivation. The study methodology considered two aspects: qualitative analysis, using Ergonomic Work Analysis, with observational method, and by applying a questionnaire and interview, and classification of the answers into positive relationship and "affection" to the job or negative relationship and "disaffection" to the job; and quantitative analysis, applying the Test of Hypothesis for Comparison of Means both for total flock mortality and Weight Equivalent Index data. Qualitative results showed that the stockpeople were aware that the housing environment causes specific health symptoms, as well as they presented different responses as to flock handling. Quantitative data showed a correlation between reduction of total flock mortality and positive relationship towards the broilers and "affection" to the job, whereas no statistical evidence that the same individuals influenced broiler Weight Equivalent Index was detected.