Effects of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on feed digestibility, intestinal mucosa, and biochemical and antioxidant parameters in broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on metabolizable energy, feed digestibility, intestinal morphometric analysis, and antioxidant parameters in broilers. A completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replications of eight broilers (Cobb male) was used, and collections were carried out at 20 and 42 days of age. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improved apparent metabolizable energy but did not change protein and ether extract digestibility. Supplementation increased intestinal villus height and villi:crypt ratio; in which 100 mg/kg produced the greatest villus height. Serum uric acid levels were lower in birds receiving supplementation. Improvement in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase was observed, while lower uric acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improve apparent metabolizable energy and can be administered in broiler feed without risk to the bird's health. These supplements may serve as alternative products to aid the performance of commercial poultry.

Vegetable choline as a replacement for choline chloride in broiler feed

The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) and production efficiency index (p < 0.001) in broilers fed vegetable choline, with no differences on body weight (p = 0.372) and weight gain (p = 0.427) among broilers. Carcass, cuts yield, and organ relative weights do not alter (p > 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.(AU)

Vegetable choline as a replacement for choline chloride in broiler feed

The objective of this study was to determine choline chloride replacement effects by a vegetable choline source, compost by Trachyspermum amni, Citrullus colocynthis, Achyranthus aspera, and Azadirachta indica in broiler feed. These compounds are fonts of phosphatidylcholine, a high-disponible molecule for intestinal absorption and choline supply. A total of 640 animals were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions (n = 20), and zootechnical performance (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and productive efficiency index), carcass yield, cuts yield, and organs (heart, liver, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine) relative weights were evaluated. Were evaluated two choline chloride levels (600 and 800 mg kg-1) and two vegetable choline levels (100 and 200 mg kg-1), added in a corn-soybean meal basal diet, during 42 days of raising. Results revealed better feed conversion ratio (p 0.05) due to different group of supplementations. Findings in this trial concludes vegetable choline can adequately replace choline chloride in broiler feed, with improvement on performance and no compromising carcass, cuts or organ development.

The advertisement call, color patterns and distribution of Ischnocnema izecksohni (Caramaschi and Kisteumacher, 1989) (Anura, Brachycephalidae)

Ischnocnema izecksohni inhabits the gallery forests from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Southern Espinhaço range, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and it is considered endemic to this region. Its closest related species is I. nasuta according to the original description. We describe the advertisement call of I. izecksohni based on specimens recorded and collected at the municipality of Nova Lima, state of Minas Gerais, distant about 10 km straight line from its type locality. The advertisement call consists of a group of notes emitted sporadically without a regular interval between the calls. Call duration (n = 36 calls in four individuals) ranged from 1.03 to 1.85 s (= 1.52 ± 0.21 s) and the call rise time from 0.66 to 1.52 s (= 1.16 ± 0.25 s), with 34-57 notes per call (= 47.42 ± 6.03). Peak frequency ranged from 2250 to 2625 Hz, the dominant frequency from 1317.8 to 3128.0 Hz and interval between notes from 22.00 to 41.00 ms (= 28.63 ± 0.03 ms). From the examination of herpetological collections, morphological and bioacoustical data we extended the species known distribution ca. 200 km eastward, to ten new localities, all of them outside the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, at the Mantiqueira mountain range. We analyzed color patterns and we find some dorsal patterns not described at the original description of I. izecksohni. We also make some comments concerning the taxonomic status of I. izecksohni and I. nasuta.

Ischnocnema izecksohni habita as matas de galeria do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço, estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil e é considerada endêmica desta região. Sua espécie mais próxima, de acordo com a descrição original, é I. nasuta. Descreve-se o canto de I. izecksohni baseado em espécimes gravados e coletados em Nova Lima, MG, que dista 10 km em linha reta da localidade tipo da espécie. O canto de anúncio consiste em um grupo de notas emitidas esporadicamente sem um intervalo regular entre os cantos. A duração do canto (n = 36 cantos em quatro indivíduos) variou de 1,03 até 1,85 s (= 1,52 ± 0,21 s) e o tempo até a amplitude máxima do canto de 0,66 to 1,52 s (= 1,16 ± 0,25 s), com 34-57 notas por canto (= 47.42 ± 6.03). A freqüência de pico variou de 2250 a 2625 Hz, a freqüência dominante de 1317,8 a 3128,0 Hz e o intervalo entre as notas de 22,00 to 41,00 ms (= 28,63 ± 0,03 ms). A partir do exame de coleções herpetológicas, dados morfológicos e bioacústicos estendeu-se a distribuição da espécie para cerca de 200 km a leste, para mais dez localidades, todas elas fora do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, no complexo da Mantiqueira. Foram analisados padrões de coloração e alguns padrões dorsais além daquele presente na descrição original foram encontrados. São feitos comentários acerca do status taxonômico de I. izecksohni e I. nasuta.

The advertisement call, color patterns and distribution of Ischnocnema izecksohni (Caramaschi and Kisteumacher, 1989) (Anura, Brachycephalidae)

Ischnocnema izecksohni inhabits the gallery forests from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Southern Espinhaço range, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, and it is considered endemic to this region. Its closest related species is I. nasuta according to the original description. We describe the advertisement call of I. izecksohni based on specimens recorded and collected at the municipality of Nova Lima, state of Minas Gerais, distant about 10 km straight line from its type locality. The advertisement call consists of a group of notes emitted sporadically without a regular interval between the calls. Call duration (n = 36 calls in four individuals) ranged from 1.03 to 1.85 s (= 1.52 ± 0.21 s) and the call rise time from 0.66 to 1.52 s (= 1.16 ± 0.25 s), with 34-57 notes per call (= 47.42 ± 6.03). Peak frequency ranged from 2250 to 2625 Hz, the dominant frequency from 1317.8 to 3128.0 Hz and interval between notes from 22.00 to 41.00 ms (= 28.63 ± 0.03 ms). From the examination of herpetological collections, morphological and bioacoustical data we extended the species known distribution ca. 200 km eastward, to ten new localities, all of them outside the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, at the Mantiqueira mountain range. We analyzed color patterns and we find some dorsal patterns not described at the original description of I. izecksohni. We also make some comments concerning the taxonomic status of I. izecksohni and I. nasuta.

Ischnocnema izecksohni habita as matas de galeria do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço, estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil e é considerada endêmica desta região. Sua espécie mais próxima, de acordo com a descrição original, é I. nasuta. Descreve-se o canto de I. izecksohni baseado em espécimes gravados e coletados em Nova Lima, MG, que dista 10 km em linha reta da localidade tipo da espécie. O canto de anúncio consiste em um grupo de notas emitidas esporadicamente sem um intervalo regular entre os cantos. A duração do canto (n = 36 cantos em quatro indivíduos) variou de 1,03 até 1,85 s (= 1,52 ± 0,21 s) e o tempo até a amplitude máxima do canto de 0,66 to 1,52 s (= 1,16 ± 0,25 s), com 34-57 notas por canto (= 47.42 ± 6.03). A freqüência de pico variou de 2250 a 2625 Hz, a freqüência dominante de 1317,8 a 3128,0 Hz e o intervalo entre as notas de 22,00 to 41,00 ms (= 28,63 ± 0,03 ms). A partir do exame de coleções herpetológicas, dados morfológicos e bioacústicos estendeu-se a distribuição da espécie para cerca de 200 km a leste, para mais dez localidades, todas elas fora do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, no complexo da Mantiqueira. Foram analisados padrões de coloração e alguns padrões dorsais além daquele presente na descrição original foram encontrados. São feitos comentários acerca do status taxonômico de I. izecksohni e I. nasuta.