Addition of calcitic seaweed in the diet of sows positively affects the number of live-born piglets and milk parameters

This study was conducted to assess the effects of maternal dietary calcitic seaweed (CSW) on performance and blood metabolites of sows, and on performance, blood metabolites, intestinal microbiota, and parameters of gastrointestinal tract and bone of litters. On d 21 (post-insemination), non-pregnant sows were removed from the trial, remaining 19 sows in control group (without CSW) and 16 sows receiving CSW. Then, a total of 35 sows were allocated in a randomized block design with two treatments: control diet with calcitic limestone plus dicalcium phosphate (CTL) or CTL plus 0.4% CSW. In gestation, sows were fed twice a day (07:00 and 15:00 h) to reach an intake of 2.5 kg animal−1 day−1 divided into two equal meals. On parturition day, sows were offered only 0.5 kg feed animal−1. Throughout lactation, sows were fed three times a day (≅7 kg animal−1 day−1). All diets were provided as mash. Results suggested that sows fed CTL had litters with lower body weight at birth compared with those fed CSW. Sows fed CSW had 14.28% more live-born piglets and lower stillborns. Piglets from sows fed CSW showed greater calcium concentration on d 14 after birth than those from sows fed CTL. Sows fed CSW showed better milk chemical composition and an increase of 27.16% in milk production compared with those fed CTL. Piglets from sows fed CSW had an increase in cecum content in the Enterobacteriaceae count. This study showed that adding 0.4% CSW in the diet of pregnant and lactating sows as an organic calcium source positively influences the number of live-born piglets and the percentage of stillborns. In addition, milk composition and production are also improved without affecting piglets' biological response.(AU)

In ovo feeding with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol influences bone mineral density of chicks

The purpose of this study was to determine if in ovo feeding with 25(OH)D3 could influence the incubation parameters of bone mineral composition, mineral density, and bone breaking strength in post-hatch broilers. Fertile eggs from Cobb® broiler breeders were either non-injected or injected with 0, 1.2, 2.4, or 3.6 µg of 25(OH)D3/100 µL olive oil at eight days of incubation. The data were subjected to variance analysis using the General Linear Model procedure (GLM) of SAS®. There was a contrast-1 effect (non-injected eggs vs. injected eggs) for tibial bone mineral density and egg mass loss, with higher bone mineral density in non-injected eggs (0.836 mmAl) compared with injected eggs (0.790 mmAl) and lower egg mass loss in non-injected eggs (11.25%) compared with injected eggs (12.10%). Tibial and femur bone mineral density responded quadratically, and injections of 0.47 and 0.68 µg of 25(OH)D3 increased tibia and femur bone mineral density, respectively. Egg mass loss responded quadratically, and 25(OH)D3 injections of 2.21 µg reduced egg mass loss (11.60%). In ovo feeding of 25(OH)D3 can compromise bone mineral density of post-hatch chicken.

Bone traits and gastrointestinal tract parameters of piglets fed cholecalciferol and 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cholecalciferol and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside supplementation in piglet diet on organ biometry and physicochemical composition, pH of the digestive tract contents, and bone traits. A total of 128 entire male piglets (21 days-old, 6.82±0.38 kg body weight) were distributed in a completely randomized block design with eight replications and four animals per experimental unit. The treatments were composed of a diet 100/0 = 100% of the vitamin D supplemented with cholecalciferol; 50/50 = 50% supplemented with cholecalciferol + 0.25 µg of 1,25(OH)2 D3 glycoside; 25/75 = 25% supplemented with cholecalciferol + 0.375 µg of 1,25(OH)2 D3 glycoside; and 0/100 = 0.50 µg of 1,25(OH)2 D3 glycoside. The results indicated that piglets fed 100/0 showed an increase in spleen weight compared with those fed 0/100 and greater heart dry matter than piglets fed the 50/50 diet. Phosphorus concentration in the spleen was higher in piglets that received 25/75 when compared with those that received the 100/0 and 0/100 diets. Piglets that received the 0/100 diet showed higher pH of the stomach contents, but showed reduced pH of the contents of the jejunum and ileum. The width of the epiphysis and diaphysis was greater when piglets consumed the 50/50 treatment; however, a lower epiphysis height was observed. The use of 1,25(OH)2 D3 glycoside alone in piglet diets does not negatively influence the pH of the gastrointestinal tract and organ physicochemical composition. In addition, the use of diets with 1,25(OH)2 D3 glycoside as a replacement for cholecalciferol reduces spleen weight and promotes improvements in bone development.

Toxoplasmosis: morphological and morphometric evaluation of spinal cord neurons from nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs / Toxoplasmose: avaliação morfológica e morfométrica dos neurônios da medula espinhal de cães soropositivos assintomáticos

The aim of this work was to analyze the neuron morphology and morphometry of cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas of nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs spinal cord for toxoplasmosis. Twenty indefinite-breed adult dogs were used; ten dogs were healthy, with negative serology for toxoplasmosis, and were used as the control group (group 1), and ten dogs were nonsymptomatic but seropositive for toxoplasmosis (group 2).  After the microtomy, with interval of 100 micrometers (µm), the histological 5-µm-thick cuts were dyed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson"s trichrome techniques. The glass slides were analyzed under light microscope to examine the neuron morphology. The parameters considered for the morphometric analysis were area, perimeter, maximum diameter, minimum diameter and shape factor of cytoplasm and nucleus of neuron. The results were statistically analyzed by Students t test at 5% probability level. The morphological characteristics between the two groups were similar and according to literature. The morphometric results showed that there were changes in neurons size and structure, and increase and loss of star shape were noticed in seropositive animals. The results suggest that the neurons of these dogs, yet nonsymptomatic, can have lost their conductor function.

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia e a morfometria dos neurônios das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos para toxoplasmose. Utilizaram-se 20 cães sem raça definida, adultos, sendo dez cães hígidos, com sorologia negativa, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez cães assintomáticos mas soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Após microtomia semi-seriada, com intervalos de 100 micrômetros (µm), os cortes histológicos de medula espinhal, à espessura de 5 µm, foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina e do tricrômico de Masson. As lâminas foram analisadas à microscopia de luz para verificar a morfologia dos neurônios. Para o estudo morfométrico, os parâmetros analisados foram: área, perímetro, diâmetro máximo, diâmetro mínimo e fator de forma do citoplasma e núcleo dos neurônios. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente, mediante o teste t de Student ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. As características morfológicas entre os dois grupos foram semelhantes e em conformidade com a literatura. Os resultados morfométricos demonstraram que há alteração no tamanho e estrutura dos neurônios, com aumento e perda do formato estrelado nos animais soropositivos. Os resultados sugerem que os neurônios destes cães, ainda que assintomáticos, possam ter perdido sua função condutora.

Toxoplasmosis: morphological and morphometric evaluation of spinal cord neurons from nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs / Toxoplasmose: avaliação morfológica e morfométrica dos neurônios da medula espinhal de cães soropositivos assintomáticos

The aim of this work was to analyze the neuron morphology and morphometry of cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas of nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs spinal cord for toxoplasmosis. Twenty indefinite-breed adult dogs were used; ten dogs were healthy, with negative serology for toxoplasmosis, and were used as the control group (group 1), and ten dogs were nonsymptomatic but seropositive for toxoplasmosis (group 2).  After the microtomy, with interval of 100 micrometers (µm), the histological 5-µm-thick cuts were dyed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson"s trichrome techniques. The glass slides were analyzed under light microscope to examine the neuron morphology. The parameters considered for the morphometric analysis were area, perimeter, maximum diameter, minimum diameter and shape factor of cytoplasm and nucleus of neuron. The results were statistically analyzed by Students t test at 5% probability level. The morphological characteristics between the two groups were similar and according to literature. The morphometric results showed that there were changes in neurons size and structure, and increase and loss of star shape were noticed in seropositive animals. The results suggest that the neurons of these dogs, yet nonsymptomatic, can have lost their conductor function.(AU)

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia e a morfometria dos neurônios das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos para toxoplasmose. Utilizaram-se 20 cães sem raça definida, adultos, sendo dez cães hígidos, com sorologia negativa, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez cães assintomáticos mas soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Após microtomia semi-seriada, com intervalos de 100 micrômetros (µm), os cortes histológicos de medula espinhal, à espessura de 5 µm, foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina e do tricrômico de Masson. As lâminas foram analisadas à microscopia de luz para verificar a morfologia dos neurônios. Para o estudo morfométrico, os parâmetros analisados foram: área, perímetro, diâmetro máximo, diâmetro mínimo e fator de forma do citoplasma e núcleo dos neurônios. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente, mediante o teste t de Student ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. As características morfológicas entre os dois grupos foram semelhantes e em conformidade com a literatura. Os resultados morfométricos demonstraram que há alteração no tamanho e estrutura dos neurônios, com aumento e perda do formato estrelado nos animais soropositivos. Os resultados sugerem que os neurônios destes cães, ainda que assintomáticos, possam ter perdido sua função condutora.(AU)

TOXOPLASMOSIS: MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF SPINAL CORD NEURONS FROM NONSYMPTOMATIC SEROPOSITIVE DOGS

The aim of this work was to analyze the neuron morphology and morphometry of cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas of nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs spinal cord for toxoplasmosis. Twenty indefinite-breed adult dogs were used; ten dogs were healthy, with negative serology for toxoplasmosis, and were used as the control group (group 1), and ten dogs were nonsymptomatic but seropositive for toxoplasmosis (group 2). After the microtomy, with interval of 100 micrometers (µm), the histological 5-µm-thick cuts were dyed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome techniques. The glass slides were analyzed under light microscope to examine the neuron morphology. The parameters considered for the morphometric analysis were area, perimeter, maximum diameter, minimum diameter and shape factor of cytoplasm and nucleus of neuron. The results were statistically analyzed by Students t test at 5% probability level. The morphological characteristics between the two groups were similar and according to literature. The morphometric results showed that there were changes in neurons size and structure, and increase and loss of star shape were noticed in seropositive animals. The results suggest that the neurons of these dogs, yet nonsymptomatic, can have lost their conductor function.

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia e a morfometria dos neurônios das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos para toxoplasmose. Utilizaram-se 20 cães sem raça definida, adultos, sendo dez cães hígidos, com sorologia negativa, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez cães assintomáticos mas soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Após microtomia semi-seriada, com intervalos de 100 micrômetros (µm), os cortes histológicos de medula espinhal, à espessura de 5 µm, foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina e do tricrômico de Masson. As lâminas foram analisadas à microscopia de luz para verificar a morfologia dos neurônios. Para o estudo morfométrico, os parâmetros analisados foram: área, perímetro, diâmetro máximo, diâmetro mínimo e fator de forma do citoplasma e núcleo dos neurônios. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente, mediante o teste t de Student ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. As características morfológicas entre os dois grupos foram semelhantes e em conformidade com a literatura. Os resultados morfométricos demonstraram que há alteração no tamanho e estrutura dos neurônios, com aumento e perda do formato estrelado nos animais soropositivos. Os resultados sugerem que os neurônios destes cães, ainda que assintomáticos, possam ter perdido sua função condutora.

Toxoplasmosis: morphological evaluation of spinal cord neuroglia from nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs / Toxoplasmose: avaliação morfológica da neuróglia da medula espinhal de cães soropositivos assintomáticos

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia das células que compõem a neuróglia das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos para toxoplasmose. Utilizou-se 20 cães sem raça definida, adultos, dos quais dez apresentaram sorologia negativa para toxoplasmose, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez foram assintomáticos, mas soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Após microtomia semi-seriada, os cortes histológicos foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina (HE), do tricrômico de Masson (TM), da impregnação pela prata e pelo método imunoenzimático indireto da Peroxidase Antiperoxidase (PAP). As lâminas foram analisadas à luz da microscopia óptica para verificar a morfologia destas células. As características morfológicas entre os dois grupos foram semelhantes e em conformidade com a literatura clássica. Assim, concluiu-se que a toxoplasmose não causa alteração morfológica, visível à microscopia óptica, na neuróglia da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos.

This paper aims to analyze the morphology of the cells that compose the neuroglia of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord of non symptomatic dogs seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Twenty adult, mongrel dogs were used; ten healthy dogs, with negative serology for Toxoplasma, used as the control group (group 1) and ten non symptomatic dogs but seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii (group 2). After microtomy, the histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome (MT), silver impregnation and by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. The slides were analyzed under optical microscopy to verify the morphology of these cells. The morphological characteristics between the two groups were similar and in accordance with literature. Thus, it was concluded that toxoplasmosis does not cause changes, visible by optical microscopy, in the neuroglia of the spinal cord of non symptomatic seropositive dogs.

Toxoplasmosis: morphological evaluation of spinal cord neuroglia from nonsymptomatic seropositive dogs / Toxoplasmose: avaliação morfológica da neuróglia da medula espinhal de cães soropositivos assintomáticos

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia das células que compõem a neuróglia das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos para toxoplasmose. Utilizou-se 20 cães sem raça definida, adultos, dos quais dez apresentaram sorologia negativa para toxoplasmose, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez foram assintomáticos, mas soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Após microtomia semi-seriada, os cortes histológicos foram corados pelas técnicas da hematoxilina-eosina (HE), do tricrômico de Masson (TM), da impregnação pela prata e pelo método imunoenzimático indireto da Peroxidase Antiperoxidase (PAP). As lâminas foram analisadas à luz da microscopia óptica para verificar a morfologia destas células. As características morfológicas entre os dois grupos foram semelhantes e em conformidade com a literatura clássica. Assim, concluiu-se que a toxoplasmose não causa alteração morfológica, visível à microscopia óptica, na neuróglia da medula espinhal de cães assintomáticos soropositivos.(AU)

This paper aims to analyze the morphology of the cells that compose the neuroglia of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord of non symptomatic dogs seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. Twenty adult, mongrel dogs were used; ten healthy dogs, with negative serology for Toxoplasma, used as the control group (group 1) and ten non symptomatic dogs but seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii (group 2). After microtomy, the histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson's trichrome (MT), silver impregnation and by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. The slides were analyzed under optical microscopy to verify the morphology of these cells. The morphological characteristics between the two groups were similar and in accordance with literature. Thus, it was concluded that toxoplasmosis does not cause changes, visible by optical microscopy, in the neuroglia of the spinal cord of non symptomatic seropositive dogs.(AU)

Avaliação morfométrica dos hepatocitos de ratos diabéticos tratados com neem (Azadirachta indica A. JUSS) e estreptozootocina 6 CH / Morphometric evaluation of hepatocytes from diabetic rats treated with neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and streptozotocin 6 CH

Foram avaliados os efeitos de extratos de Azadirachta indica A. Juss e da estreptozotocina em ultra alta diluições em sistemas dinamizados sobre a morfometria dos hepatocitos de ratos com diabetes mellitus induzida por estreptozootocina. Mediante os resultados morfométricos obtidos, conclui-se que alguns parâmetros analisados diferiram entre os grupos, porém não foi possível inferir nenhum efeito consistente dos tratamentos, no sentido de melhora ou piora das consequências do diabetes mellitus sobre o fígado, através apenas da morfometria dos hepatocitos. A análise morfométrica realizada revelou que o grupo controle branco apresentou os maiores valores médios para os parâmetros analisados no núcleo e no citoplasma, com exceção do fator de forma do núcleo. Porém, isto não implica que o diabetes mellitus tenha diminuído drasticamente estes valores, já que a literatura descreve medidas ainda menores para ratos de grupos controle, ou seja, não diabéticos.

The effects of extracts from Azadirachta indica A. Juss and streptozotocin, in extreme high dilutions in dinamized systems, on hepatocyte morphometry of rats with diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin were evaluated. Some parameters presented significant differences among the experimental groups, but the effect of treatments to make better or worse the consequences of diabetes mellitus on liver was not detected using only the hepatocyte morphometry. The morphometric analysis evidenced that the white control group presented the highest mean values for nucleus and cytoplasm parameters, with the exception of the nuclear shape factor. However, this situation did not imply the diabetes mellitus was the cause of drastic reduction in these values, since the literature describes lower measurements for rats from the control group (non-diabetic rats).

Ultrastructural morphology and morphometry of the normal corneal endothelium of adult crossbred pig / Morfologia ultraestrutural e morfometria do endotélio corneal normal de suínos adultos mestiços

Corneal endothelium constitutes a monolayer of polygonal cells. The integrity and health of this layer are essential for the maintenance of normal corneal transparency. This study reported by the first time in a detailed way the ultrastructural morphology and morphometry of the corneal endothelium in normal adult crossbred pigs by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A regular pattern of polygonal cells, with predominantly hexagonal cells and clear cell borders, was observed. An oval nucleus that bulges in the centre of the cell, cilia (2-4) in a few peripheral cells, openings of the pinocytotic vesicles, microvilli, borders bars and interdigitated cell borders were observed. The mean endothelial cell area was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the centre than in periphery, with a lower variation coefficient in the former. The mean cell density in periphery was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in centre and 43.9 percent higher than data formerly reported by other authors using specular microscopy, showing the significant shrinkage caused by sample processing for SEM. The mean value of cell sides (pleomorfism) was 5.9, ie. predominant hexagonal shape. The percentage of hexagonal cells was significantly higher in central region (P<0.01), determining a more homogeneous structure. The parameters obtained in this study will be a basement for future investigations about the effect on pig corneal endothelium of drugs, intracamerular surgeries and storage solutions for transplants.(AU)

O endotélio corneal é uma monocamada de células poligonais. A integridade e saúde dessa camada são essenciais para a manutenção da transparência corneal normal. Este estudo reportou pela primeira vez, de forma detalhada, a morfologia ultra-estrutural e a morfometria do endotélio corneal de suínos adultos mestiços à microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A superfície endothelial corneal apresentou um padrão regular de células poligonais, com predomínio da forma hexagonal e de bordas celulares nítidas. O núcleo foi observado como protuberância arredondada no centro da célula. Também foram observados os cílios (2-4) em apenas algumas células da região periférica da córnea, as aberturas das vesículas pinocitóticas na proximidade dos cílios, as microvilosidades, as varas da borda e as bordas celulares em formato de zigzag. A área celular média foi significativamente maior (P<0,05) no centro da córnea do que na periferia, com um coeficiente de variação menor no centro da córnea. A densidade celular média foi significativamente maior na periferia (P<0,05) e 43,9 por cento maior que os dados reportados por outros autores na microscopia especular, o que demonstra o efeito da retração celular durante o processamento das amostras. O valor médio do número de lados das células (pleomorfismo) foi de 5,9, o que evidencia um predomínio do formato hexagonal. A percentagem de células hexagonais foi significativamente maior no centro (P<0,001). Os parâmetros obtidos nesta pesquisa servirão de base para estudos futuros sobre o efeito de medicamentos, cirurgias intracamerulares ou soluções para armazenamento de córneas para transplantes no endotélio corneal do suíno.(AU)