Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis Can Be Considered as a Probiotic Alternative to Reduce Heat Stress in Laying Japanese Quails

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis, SP) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, hen day egg production, intestinal microflora, heat stress biomarkers, and HSP70 gene expression in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) suffering heat stress condition. A total of 250 female quails were allocated to 5 treatments, 5 replicates and 10 birds in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet+ 0.03 % probiotic, 3) basal diet+ 0.1 % SP, 4) basal diet+ 0.3 % SP, 5) basal diet+ 0.5 % SP. During the last 6 days of the experiment, the quails were exposed to 8h of 34±1°C. The birds had free access to feed and water during the experiment. The results showed that using probiotic and different levels of Spirulina had no significant effect on laying performance of Japanese quails (p>0.05). Probiotic supplement increased Lactobacil bacteria population in laying quails ileum under heat stress (p 0.05). Different levels of SP decreased Escherichia coli population in laying quails ileum suffering heat stress (p 0.05).SP at the level of 0.5% caused the lowest blood Malondialdehyde level, heterophil, and H/L ratio (p 0.05).However, HSP70 gene expression in the heart or the liver of laying quails was not different (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that SP at the level of 0.5 % has the potential to be considered as a probiotic alternative in the diet of laying quails suffering heat stress condition.(AU)

Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis Can Be Considered as a Probiotic Alternative to Reduce Heat Stress in Laying Japanese Quails

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis, SP) on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, hen day egg production, intestinal microflora, heat stress biomarkers, and HSP70 gene expression in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) suffering heat stress condition. A total of 250 female quails were allocated to 5 treatments, 5 replicates and 10 birds in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet+ 0.03 % probiotic, 3) basal diet+ 0.1 % SP, 4) basal diet+ 0.3 % SP, 5) basal diet+ 0.5 % SP. During the last 6 days of the experiment, the quails were exposed to 8h of 34±1°C. The birds had free access to feed and water during the experiment. The results showed that using probiotic and different levels of Spirulina had no significant effect on laying performance of Japanese quails (p>0.05). Probiotic supplement increased Lactobacil bacteria population in laying quails ileum under heat stress (p 0.05). Different levels of SP decreased Escherichia coli population in laying quails ileum suffering heat stress (p 0.05).SP at the level of 0.5% caused the lowest blood Malondialdehyde level, heterophil, and H/L ratio (p 0.05).However, HSP70 gene expression in the heart or the liver of laying quails was not different (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that SP at the level of 0.5 % has the potential to be considered as a probiotic alternative in the diet of laying quails suffering heat stress condition.

Perkinsus beihaiensis (Perkinsozoa) in oysters of Bahia State, Brazil / Perkinsus beihaiensis (Perkinsozoa) em ostras do Estado da Bahia

This study reports the pathogen Perkinsus beihaiensis in oysters of the genus Crassostrea on the coast of the State of Bahia (Brazil), its prevalence, infection intensity and correlation with salinity. Oysters (n = 240) were collected between October and December 2014 at eight sampling stations between latitudes 13°55'S and 15°42'S. The laboratory procedures included macroscopic analysis, histology, culture in Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. PCR and sequencing have been used for the genetic identification of oysters as well. Two species of oysters have been identified: Crassostrea rhizophorae and C. brasiliana. In both oyster species P. beihaiensis was the only Perkinsus species detected. In C. rhizophorae, the average prevalence was 82.8% by histology and 65.2% by RFTM. In C. brasiliana, the prevalences were 70.5% and 35.7%, respectively. The higher prevalence of P. beihaiensis in C. rhizophorae was probably influenced by salinity, with which was positively correlated (r> 0.8). In both oysters, P. beihaiensis was located mainly in the gastric epithelium. The infection was generally mild or moderate, without apparent harm to the hosts, but in cases of severe infection, there was hemocytical reaction and tissue disorganization. The generally high prevalence in the region suggests that oysters should be monitored with respect to this pathogen, especially in growing areas.(AU)

Este estudo relata o patógeno Perkinsus beihaiensis em ostras do gênero Crassostrea no litoral do Estado da Bahia (Brasil), sua prevalência, intensidade de infecção e correlação com a salinidade. As ostras (n = 240) foram coletadas entre outubro e dezembro de 2014 em oito estações amostrais entre as latitudes 13°55'S e 15°42'S. Os procedimentos laboratoriais incluíram análise macroscópica, histologia, cultivo em meio de tioglicolato de Ray (RFTM), reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento de DNA. PCR e sequenciamento foram também utilizados para a identificação genética das ostras. Foram identificadas duas espécies de ostras: Crassostrea rhizophorae e C. brasiliana. Em ambas as espécies, P. beihaiensis foi a única espécie de Perkinsus detectada. Em C. rhizophorae, a prevalência média foi de 82,8% por histologia e de 65,2% por RFTM. Em C. brasiliana, as prevalências foram de 70,5% e 35,7%, respectivamente. A maior prevalência de P. beihaiensis em C. rhizophorae foi provavelmente influenciada pela salinidade, com a qual este apresentou correlação positiva (r>0,8). Em ambas as espécies, P. beihaiensis esteve localizada principalmente no epitélio gástrico. A infecção foi geralmente leve ou moderada, sem danos aparentes aos hospedeiros, mas em casos de infecção severa, houve reação hemocitária e desorganização de tecidos. As prevalências geralmente altas na região sugerem que as ostras devam ser monitoradas com relação a este patógeno, principalmente em áreas de cultivo.(AU)

Chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of sugar cane silage enriched with detoxified castor bean meal / Composição químico-bromatológica e características fermentativas de cana-de-açúcar ensilada com farelo de mamona destoxificado

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal (CM) content on the chemical-bromatological composition, as well as the fermentation characteristics and dry matter losses of sugarcane silage. The treatments consisted of four levels (0, 7, 14 and 21% natural matter) of addition of castor bean meal. The design was completely randomized, with five replicates. The material was ensiled in PVC silos of 50-cm in height and 10-cm in diameter, which were opened after 60 days. The density of fodder maintained in the silos was equal to 750kg of natural matter/m3. In order to quantify the gas and effluent losses, the silos were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The addition of castor bean meal has increased the levels of DM and crude protein and reduced the levels of neutral detergent fiber, N-NH3, ethanol, and gas and effluent losses from silages, but did not affect pH values. During ensiling, alcoholic fermentation was controlled with the inclusion of the additive.(AU)

O experimento foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de níveis de farelo de mamona destoxificado sobre a composição químico-bromatológica, as características fermentativas e as perdas de matéria seca da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Os tratamentos consistiam em quatro níveis (0, 7, 14 e 21% da matéria natural) de inclusão do farelo de mamona. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram usados silos de PVC, com 50cm de altura e 10cm de diâmetro, para a produção das silagens, que foram abertos após 60 dias. A densidade de forragem nos silos foi correspondente a 750kg de matéria natural/m3. Os silos foram pesados no início e ao final do período experimental para quantificar as perdas por gases e efluentes. A inclusão de farelo de mamona elevou os teores de MS e proteína bruta e reduziu os teores de fibra em detergente neutro, N-NH3, etanol e as perdas por gases e efluentes das silagens, não ocasionando efeito nos valores de pH. A fermentação alcoólica durante a ensilagem foi controlada com a inclusão do aditivo.(AU)