The use of sugar beet pulp in pig diet to control skatole analysed by HPLC quantification method

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a finishing diet added with sugar beet pulp to reduce backfat skatole of entire male pigs, using the optimised high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The study comprised 72 males Pietrain (Large White × Landrace), divided into two groups of 36 animals each. Pigs in group A (treatment) were fed a supplemented formula (addition of 10 % beet pulp). while animals in group B (control) received a commercial feed, both for a period of 14 days before slaughter. The isocratic HPLC method achieved the chromatographic separation of indolic compounds in approximately 3 min. Skatole was significantly lower ( p = 0.002) in group A, showing that beet root supplementation reduced skatole levels in pig fat. In addition, the optimised HPLC method was reliable, less time-consuming, and showed a resolution suitable for small amounts of skatole.(AU)

Effect of the performance, calving date and lactation period on the probability of pregnancy in beef cows

Determining what and how much each environmental factor affects pregnancy is crucial to the sustainability and management of beef cow herds. The study evaluated through logistic regression the effect of environmental variables on the increase or reduction in the pregnancy rate of beef cows. The average pregnancy rate in the cows was 73 %, with an average age for the herd of 3.7 years. An increase in age of one year represented a 30 % increase in pregnancy, while a reduction of one year reduced the odds of pregnancy in the cows by 23 %. During the lactation period, an extra seven days' lactation reduced the odds of pregnancy by 12 %. For every seven days that weaning was brought forward, the cows' pregnancy odds increased by 14 %. An increase of 0.1 kg in average daily gain represented an increase of 17 % and 15 % in the odds of pregnancy during the first 60 days post-partum and 60 days to the end of the reproductive period. On the other hand, the loss of 0.1 kg in average daily gain resulted in a 14 % and 13 % reduction in the cows' pregnancy odds, respectively. Factors such as age, the precocity of calving in the calving season, the time the calf remains with the cow and better performance in cows between calving and the end of the mating are strategies that increase the chances of pregnancy in beef cows.(AU)

Fontes de dieta líquida no aleitamento artificial e seu impacto no desenvolvimento ponderal de bezerras leiteiras: revisão de literatura / Sources of liquid diet in artificial feeding and its impact on the ponderal development of dairy calves: literature review

A criação de bezerras é uma das atividades mais complexas em uma propriedade leiteira. Desde o nascimento, o desempenho máximo deve ser priorizado, pois o sucesso no aleitamento leva ao aumento do peso vivo ao desmame e à futura produção de leite. Existem diferentes formas de fornecer leite aos bezerros, e uma delas é o aleitamento artificial, onde os animais recebem a dieta líquida em baldes, mamadeiras ou recipientes semelhantes. Neste tipo de aleitamento, diferentes fontes de dieta líquida podem ser utilizadas como o leite integral, os sucedâneos lácteos e o leite não comercializável ou leite de descarte. Independentemente do método de aleitamento, a quantidade de leite a ser oferecida deverá atender às exigências do animal para melhor desempenho futuro. A presente revisão de literatura avaliou as diferentes fontes de dieta líquida empregadas no aleitamento artificial de bezerras e o seu impacto no desenvolvimento ponderal desses animais na fase de cria.(AU)

Raising calves is one of the most complex activities on a dairy farm. From birth, maximum performance should be prioritized, since successful breastfeeding leads to an increase in live weight at weaning and the future milk production. There are different ways for providing milk to calves, one of them is artificial feeding, where animals are fed the liquid diet in buckets, bottles, or similar. In this type of breastfeeding, there are several sources of liquid diet that could be applied as whole milk, dairy substitutes, and non-marketable milk or waste milk. Regardless of the breastfeeding method, the amount of milk to be offered must meet the requirements of the animal, for the best future performance. This literature review evaluated different sources of liquid diet in artificial feeding and its impact on the weight development of dairy calves in this rearing phase.(AU)

The Effects of Yucca Schidigera Extract and Multi-carbohydrase in Different Crude Protein Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Carcass Parameters and Excreta Noxious Gas Contents in Broilers

The scarcity and increase in the price of animal feeds have attracted the attention of nutritionists to address this issue. The inclusion of plant extracts and enzymes to protein-reduced diet could be a feasible strategy to reducing the feed cost. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of Yucca schidigera extract and multi-carbohydrase in low crude protein (CP) diets of broiler on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass metrics, and noxious gas levels in the excreta. A total of 480, 1-d-old ROSS 308 were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments, six replication, and 20 birds/cage. Phase 1, T1(CP 21%, ME 2,969 kcal/kg); T2 (CP 19%, ME 2,863 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca); T3 (CP 17%, ME 2,865 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca); T4 (CP 17%, ME 2,861 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca + 0.1% multi-carbohydrase). Phase 2, T1 (CP 19%, ME 3,086 kcal/kg); T2 (CP 17%, ME 2,977 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca); T3 (CP 15%, ME 2,978 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca); T4 (CP 15%, ME 2,978 kcal/kg + 0.02% Yucca + 0.1% 0.1% multi-carbohydrase). Although the addition of YS and multi-carbohydrase to the low CP diets on the growth performance did not improve, it revealed the positive result on the nutrient digestibility, carcass parameters, and noxious gas emission. Overall, broilers supplemented with YS 0.02% and multi-carbohydrase (0.1%) demonstrated the best production performances compared to the other treatment groups. Thus, a combination of YS and multi-carbohydrase could be added to the diets with low CP to boost broiler production performance.(AU)

Complexo enzimático em rações para leitões nas fases pré-inicial e inicial / Enzymatic complex in piglet feeds in the pre-initial and initial phases

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito da utilização de complexo enzimático em rações para leitões sobre o desempenho zootécnico nas fases pré-inicial e inicial. Foram utilizados, para isso, 292 leitões, machos castrados e fêmeas, de linhagem comercial. O período de suplementação da enzima, na maternidade, foi do sétimo ao vigésimo primeiro dia de idade, e, na creche, foi do desmame até a saída para a fase de crescimento. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, sendo a matriz e sua leitegada consideradas a unidade experimental durante a maternidade e uma baia com dez leitões na creche. Na maternidade, os tratamentos consistiram em: T1 - ração controle, sem complexo enzimático; T2 - ração controle com adição on top do complexo enzimático com inclusão de 5%. Na creche, foram definidos três tratamentos: T1 - ração controle; T2 - ração controle com inclusão on top de 5% do complexo enzimático na fase de maternidade; T3 - ração controle com inclusão de 5% de complexo enzimático nas fases de maternidade e creche. A suplementação durante a lactação não influenciou o desempenho da leitegada na maternidade até o 21º dia. Na creche, leitões alimentados com ração controle apresentaram maior peso inicial em relação aos suplementados na fase de maternidade e creche. Ao término da fase, os leitões mostraram desempenho semelhante, independente da dieta. Conclui-se que a inclusão do complexo enzimático na forma on top em dietas para leitões não influenciou parâmetros de desempenho na maternidade, porém, favoreceu a recuperação de leitões desmamados com menor peso.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using an enzymatic complex in piglet feeds on the zootechnical performance in the pre-starter and initial phases. For this purpose, 292 piglets, castrated males and females, of commercial lineage were used. The enzyme supplementation period in the maternity hospital was from the seventh to the twenty-first day of age, and in the nursery, it was from the waning until the exit for the growth phase. The design used was completely randomized, with the mother and her litter considered the experimental unit during maternity and a stall with 10 piglets in the nursery. In maternity, the treatments consisted of: T1 - control feed, without the enzymatic complex; T2 - control diet with on top addition of the enzymatic complex with 5% inclusion. Three treatments were defined at the nursery: T1 - control feed; T2 - control diet with inclusion on top of 5% of the enzymatic complex in the maternity phase; T3 - control feed with the inclusion of 5% enzymatic complex in the maternity and nursery phases. Supplementation during lactation did not influence litter performance in the maternity unit until 21 days. In the nursery, piglets fed with control feed had higher initial weight compared to those supplemented in the maternity and nursery phases. At the end of the phase, the piglets showed similar performance, regardless of diet. It is concluded that the inclusion of the enzymatic complex used in the on top form in diets for piglets did not influence performance parameters in maternity; however, it favored the recovery of weaned piglets with lower weight.

Carbohydrase inclusion in a corn-soybean diet improves broiler growth performance

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with reduced energy level content, supplemented with carbohydrase, on broiler performance and the coefficient of metabolizability of nutrients. A total of 720 one-day-old male Cobb-500 chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments, eight repetitions of 15 birds each. The treatments were: (1) a positive control, basal diet to meet the requirements of broiler chickens (PC); (2) a negative control, basal diet with a reduction of 80 kcal kg-1 (NC); (3) NC + alphagalactosydase; (4) NC + xylanase; (5) NC + xylanase and alphagalactosydase, and (6) NC + enzymatic blend (alphagalactosydase, xylanase, pectinase and amylase). The nutrient digestibility was not improved by use of enzymes. At 7 days of age, the broilers which were fed diets supplemented with enzymes showed a lower feed intake (FI) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the broilers fed on PC. Both the NC and enzymatic blend resulted in a worse performance of the broilers at 21, 35 and 42 days old. The use of alphagalactosydase and xylanase, isolated or in combination, in a corn-soybean meal-based diet is effective in improving the growth performance of broilers fed energy-reduced diets.(AU)

Effect of different lighting sources on the performance of broiler breeder hens

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of using light-emitting diode (LED) lamps versus incandescent/tungsten (Inc) bulbs on broiler breeder hens' productive performance during the brooding and rearing periods (25 weeks), as well as the first 15 weeks of production. A total of 46600 one-day-old Arbor Acres Plus breeder chicks were placed in eight enclosed houses and randomly/evenly divided into two groups (four houses for each group): birds raised under yellow LED lighting, and birds raised under orange Inc lighting. Several traits have been studied to determine productive performance, including body weight at different ages, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, uniformity, age and weight at sexual maturity, egg number, egg production rate, egg number per bird, egg weight, and egg mass. According to the findings, using LED lighting instead of Inc lighting during the rearing period resulted in a significant improvement in all studied traits, and this positive effect continued until the production period, yielding excellent results for all studied production traits. LED lighting proved to be an effective source of lighting in broiler breeders' houses.(AU)

Performance and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês lambs fed different protein sources

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass characteristics of confined Santa Inêssheep, fed different diets, in a Semiarid environment. Twenty whole sheep with 5 ± 0.5 months of age and 27 ± 2.0 kg were used, receiving two different diets for 72 experimental days, one composed of defatted soybean meal and the other of protein-enrichedcactus meal. They were evaluated for different diets, consumption, production, carcass characteristics, morphometric measures and edible components. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with two treatments and 10 replications. Performance dataand carcass characteristics were evaluated by analysis of variance and means compared by t test at 5% probability level using Statistical Analysis System [SAS]®(1999). Thus, the use of emulsified palm forage protein in the feeding of Santa Inês male lambs proved to be an excellent protein source when compared to the use of defatted soybean meal, since the results of performance and carcass characteristics were similar, being the use of this alternative source advised as it presents the best benefit-cost ratio.(AU)

Performance and meat quality of Label Rouge chickens at different slaughter ages / Parâmetros de produção e qualidade da carne de frangos Label Rouge em diferentes idades de abate

This study evaluated the performance parameters, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Label Rouge chickens raised under an alternative system as a function of age at slaughter. The design was completely randomized with a 5×2 factorial arrangement, with slaughtering at five ages (70, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days) and two sexes. A total of 240 birds (Pescoço Pelado strain) were used, including 120 females and 120 males. Performance, carcass, physicochemical, proximate composition, and muscle fiber traits were evaluated. Rearing time and sex had significant effects on performance-related traits, with better results for males. The interaction between slaughter age and sex had a significant effect on the carcass and physicochemical parameters, which cause different responses in males and females with increasing slaughter age. For the proximate composition and muscle fiber analysis, the interaction between the parameters studied only had a significant effect on ether extract in the breast. The increase in age resulted in chickens with higher live and carcass weight at slaughter but lower performance indices. Females had lower carcass yield and greater deposition of abdominal fat. Females had lower tenderness in the drumstick and males in the breast with increasing slaughter age, and both cuts had more intense color and redness and reduced lightness starting at the slaughter age of 90 days.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros de desempenho e as características de carcaça e qualidade da carne de frangos Label Rouge criados em sistema alternativo em função do aumento da idade de abate. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) disposto em esquema fatorial (2x5), sendo dois sexos (macho e fêmea) e cinco idades de abate (70, 90, 120, 150 e 180 dias). Foram utilizadas 240 aves (Pescoço Pelado), sendo 120 fêmeas e 120 machos, sendo avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho, carcaça, físico-químicos, composição centesimal e fibra muscular. Com o aumento no tempo de produção houve efeitos dos períodos de produção e sexo em relação a variáveis de desempenho, com melhores resultados para os machos. Para os parâmetros de carcaça e físico-químicos, houve interação entre sexo e idade de abate, revelando comportamento diferenciado para machos e fêmeas com aumento da idade de abate. Para a composição centesimal e análise das fibras musculares, somente para extrato etéreo no peito foi verificado interação entre os fatores estudados. O aumento da idade proporcionou a obtenção de frangos com maiores pesos vivos e de carcaça ao abate com consequente redução dos índices de desempenho, além de menor rendimento de carcaça e maior deposição de gordura abdominal nas fêmeas. As fêmeas apresentam menor maciez na coxa e os machos no peito com aumento da idade de abate e, em ambos os cortes, ocorreu maior intensificação da cor, índice de vermelho e redução do brilho a partir de 90 dias ou em maiores idades de abate.

Sex and animal behavior on yield and bruises in different beef cuts / Sexo e comportamento animal no rendimento e contusões em diferentes cortes de carcaça de bovinos

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of behavioral differences in cattle on bruising on different cuts and on carcass yield. A total of 4,061 lots of cattle were evaluated, which corresponded to 199,026 carcasses. Animal temperament was classified as calm, anxious, or excited. The following carcass cuts were evaluated: round, rump, shin, thin flank, tenderloin, and rib. Of the total number of slaughtered animals, 68.26% had at least one type of bruise with complete removal of the affected tissue. There was an interaction effect between sex and temperament on the occurrence of bruises on the different cuts and on carcass yield. In castrated males, bruises on the round, rump, shin, and tenderloin cuts did not differ between temperament classes, but the excited males showed more bruises on the thin flank and rib cuts. Among the females, for all cuts, the number of bruises was higher (P<0.05) in those with excited temperament than in the anxious and calm animals, which did not differ (P>0.05). Additionally, carcass yield relative to plant weight decreased (P<0.05), with the calm females exhibiting the highest values, followed by those with anxious and excited temperament. In the castrated males, however, although performance declined, those with anxious and excited temperament did not differ (P>0.05). Females and more reactive animals have more bruises on their carcass.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos das diferenças comportamentais dos bovinos e seus reflexos nas contusões nos diferentes cortes e nos valores de rendimento de carcaça. Foram avaliados 4.061 lotes de bovinos, perfazendo 199.026 mil carcaças. O temperamento animal foi classificado em calmo, ansioso e excitado. Foram avaliados os cortes das carcaças divididas em coxa, alcatra, dianteiro e lombo, vazio e costela. Do total de lotes de animais abatidos, 68,26% apresentaram pelo menos um tipo de contusão com remoção completa do tecido afetado. Ocorreu interação entre o sexo e temperamento animal para os diferentes cortes na ocorrência de contusões e no rendimento de carcaça. Nos machos castrados as contusões dos cortes da coxa, alcatra, dianteiro e lombo não diferiram entre as classes de temperamento, tendo os animais agressivos mais contusões nos cortes do vazio e costela. Nas fêmeas em todos os cortes, as quantidades de contusões verificadas foram superiores (P<0,05) para animais com comportamento excitado do que animais ansiosos e calmos, não ocorrendo diferença entre os mesmos (P>0,05). O rendimento de carcaça em relação do peso de frigorífico quanto as classes comportamentais, nas fêmeas foi decrescente (P<0,05) com maiores valores para animais calmos, seguidos dos animais ansiosos e com menores rendimentos para animais com temperamento excitado, enquanto nos machos castrados, embora o rendimento tenha sido decrescente, animais com temperamento ansioso e excitado não diferiram (P>0,05). Carcaças oriundas de fêmeas e de animais com maior reatividade apresentam mais lesões.(AU)

Effect of the Line and Age of Female Broiler Breeder on Hatchability Performance of Eggs

An experiment was conducted to assess how hatchability performance of eggs is affected by line and age of female broiler breeders. Response variables analyzed were hatchability, infertility, pipping (i.e., pipped shell but not emerged), embryonic mortality (1st, 2nd, and 3rd wk), and embryonic malposition. The trials involved a total of 2,880 fertile eggs from two broiler breeder lines (Ross 308 and Cobb 500) at two different ages (30 and 50 wk). A 2 x 2 factorial design was used, where the broiler breeder line and broiler breeder age were the main effects. The hatchability in the Ross 308 line was higher than the Cobb 500 line, but its infertility was higher than the Ross 308 line. Hatchability in interaction (50 wk age of the hen in the Cobb 500 line) was less, and their infertility was higher. Embryonic mortality, pipping, and embryonic malposition did not present differences for the interaction between factors. The results suggest that hatchability performance of eggs can be improved, if egg management and incubation procedures are adjusted to account for the interaction between broiler breeder line and broiler breeder age.(AU)

Performance and Carcass of Broiler Quails Fed Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

This study determined the metabolizable energy of DDGS for broiler quails (Experiment I) and evaluated the effect of different dietary levels of DDGS on performance, carcass, organ weight, meat quality, and economic viability (Experiment II). In Experiment I, 72 broiler quails were randomly distributed into two treatments (reference or test diets). The experimental period consisted of 5 days of adaptation, followed by 5 days of total excreta collection. Experimental diets consisted of a reference or a test diet containing 800 g/kg reference diet and 200 g/kg DDGS. In experiment II, 432 unsexed broiler quails were randomly distributed into groups fed six levels of DDGS (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, or 250 g/kg). At 43 days of age, birds were slaughtered and evaluated for carcass yield, organ weight, and meat quality. Apparent metabolizable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of DDGS were 2,488 and 2,466 kcal/kg for males and females, respectively. In the growth phase and the overall period, feed intake increased linearly (p=0.015 and 0.040) and feed conversion ratio worsened (p=0.038 and 0.001) with the inclusion of DDGS in the diet, respectively. A linear increasing (p=0.001) of gizzard weight was observed with increasing dietary DDGS levels, while the economic variables were affect depending on seasonal feedstocks prices. It is concluded that dietary levels up to 250 g/kg DDGS do not affect growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler quails. However, the prices of ingredients in the harvest and off-season period should be considered to determine the level of inclusion of DDGS.(AU)

Reproductive behavior of Pantaneiros sheep, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The objective was to evaluate fertility, cyclicality behavior, and sexual performance of Pantaneiro sheep throughout the year's photoperiods in Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment one, the ewes used aged between 2 and 4 years, distributed in three homogeneous groups of 54 animals and subjected to reproductive evaluation in three different predefined luminosity periods, consisting of autumn (11h 45 min.), spring (12h 30 min.), and summer (12h 55 min.). The characteristics studied were body weight (BW), body condition score (BCC), estrus distribution (EST), percentage of pregnant females per cycle (%P), plasma progesterone (PP), and fertility (F) in the three predefined seasons. The mating system used was controlled natural nocturnal and lasted for 45 days. Experiment two, evaluated the ram sexual activity. The males (10) were individually exposed to four ovariectomized ewes. The ewes cycled during evaluated seasons, and the highest fertility was observed in animals with BCC >2.75. The PP concentration differed among periods, and higher conception rates (F) were observed in autumn and spring. The rams (75%) had a medium of sexual performance when they performed more than two ejaculations in 20 min throughout the seasons. Pantaneiro sheep of both genders had a similar fertility index, with early and constant activity throughout the year, displaying no photoperiodism or seasonality.

Behavior and swimming performance of local fish in the ecosystem waters of rivers, oxbow and peat swamps

The four fish species, Trichogaster pectoralis, Barbodes schwanenfeldii, Osphronemus gouramy, and Wallago leeri have the same body size, representing different habitats. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the four species swimming abilities and speeds, including sustained, maximum sustained, prolonged swimming speed, and burst speed. The four species were brought using oxygenated plastic bags to the Aquatic Resources Utilization Laboratory at Riau University. Then it was acclimated in an aquarium measuring 100×50×50 cm with an aeration and filtering system to maintain water quality. The four groups of species were forced to swim in the swimming channel of the flume tank, with different current speeds for each individual tested. The swimming activity of the fish was recorded using a high-speed video camera (Casio HS Exlim, EX-ZR400, Casio Computer Co. LTD, Japan). The results showed that the swimming speed of B. schwanenfeldii was higher than O. gouramy, T. pectoralis, and W. leeri. The maximum sustained swimming speed of B. schwanenfeldii is about 5.1 BL/s, and 14.2 BL/s for the burst speed. Meanwhile, the sustained swimming speed of O. gouramy (1.6 BL/s) and the burst speed is 7.2 BL/s. The maximum sustained swimming speed of T. pectoralis was 1.6 BL/s, and the burst speed was 5.7 BL/s. In addition, the maximum sustained swimming speed of W. leeri is only 0.5 BL/s and 2.4 BL/s for the burst speed. The ability of these four fish to swim was influenced by the morphology of the tail fin, body shape, and the habitat where they live.

Deoxynivalenol concentrations in feed ingredients and swine diets measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography

The objective was to compare deoxynivalenol (DON) concentrations in feed ingredients and commercial swine diets measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Seventy feed ingredient samples consisted of corn, corn dried distillers grains with solubles, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, palm kernel expellers, rice bran, soy hulls, soybean meal, and wheat. Commercial swine diet samples (n = 92) were collected from 23 swine farms of varying regions in Korea and different growth stages of pigs. The DON concentration of all samples was determined in duplicate. Statistical comparisons were performed to compare the analytical methods (ELISA vs. HPLC), diet phases, and regions. The DON concentrations in most ingredients and all diets determined by ELISA method were greater than those determined by HPLC. The DON concentrations determined by the ELISA method were less than 1 mg/kg in all ingredients except corn dried distillers grains with solubles and corn gluten feed, and those determined by the HPLC were less than 0.5 mg/kg in all ingredients. The DON concentrations in complete diets did not vary by region or growth stages of pigs. The DON concentrations in most feed ingredients and commercial swine diets determined by ELISA method are greater than those determined by HPLC, but does not vary by regions in Republic of Korea or pig growth stages.

Effects of mixed feeding strategies with different dietary energy: protein ratios on juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) / Efeitos de estratégias de alimentação mista com diferentes relações de energia: proteína para juvenis de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

The evaluation of feeding strategies is necessary to ensure the sustainability of aquaculture. This study assessed the effect of two diets with different E:P ratios (9.6 and 10.3 kcal of digestible energy per gram of crude protein) on Nile tilapia juveniles. The growth, feed and nutrient use, economic parameters, whole-body composition, and liver steatosis of fish were evaluated. There was no significant effect of treatments on the growth, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, uniformity, and survival of the fish. The lower feed cost (P>0.05) per biomass or 1000 units produced was registered in Nile tilapia juveniles fed with 10.3 kcal DE/g CP diet for seven days. The contribution of ether extract in fish weight gain was reduced (P=0.055) by the increased use of the 10.3 kcal DE/g CP diet in the feeding strategies. The same trend was observed in fish whole-body lipid levels. Body indexes were similar (P>0.05) among fish from the different treatments. Mixing diets with different E:P ratios in a weekly feeding protocol does not impair productive performance of Nile tilapia juveniles. However, considering the cost of feeding, the recommendation is to supply a diet with 33%CPand 3.4 kcal/DE for seven days per week.(AU)

A avaliação das estratégias de alimentação é necessária para garantir a sustentabilidade da aquicultura. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de duas dietas com diferentes proporções de E:P (9,6 e 10,3 kcal de energia digestível por grama de proteína bruta) para juvenis de tilápia do Nilo. Foram avaliados o crescimento, uso da dieta e nutrientes, parâmetros econômicos, composição corporal e esteatose hepática de peixes. Não houve efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre o crescimento, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, uniformidade e sobrevivência dos peixes. O menor custo de ração (P>0,05) por biomassa ou 1000 unidades produzidas foi registrado nos juvenis de tilápia do Nilo alimentados com a dieta 10,3 kcal DE/g PB por sete dias. A contribuição do extrato etéreo no ganho de peso dos peixes foi reduzida (P=0,055) pela maior utilização da dieta 10,3 kcal DE/g PB nas estratégias de alimentação utilizadas. A mesma tendência foi observada nos níveis de lipídios corporais em peixes. Os índices corporais foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre os peixes dos diferentes tratamentos. A mistura de dietas com diferentes relações E:P em um protocolo de alimentação semanal não prejudica o desempenho produtivo de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo. No entanto, considerando os custos de alimentação, a recomendação é fornecer uma dieta com 33% PB e 3,4 kcal/DE por sete dias por semana.(AU)

Adjusted Thr: Lys Ratio Improved the Performance and Efficiency of Japanese Quail

Two hundred and forty Japanese quail aged 125 days were randomly allocated to five treatment groups based on laying (%) and quail's weight (90.71 ± 1.8% egg/day × 100 and 178.05 ± 9.38 g, respectively), each of which included six replicates of eight quails. The diets were formulated based on corn, soybean meal, and industrial amino acids. An optimal diet achieves 100% of amino acids required by the quail requirements, except for threonine. Five treatments were made: 20% less amino acid; 10% less amino acid; optimal diet; 10% more amino acid; and 20% more amino acids than those in the optimal diet. The increase in amino acid levels in a fixed Lys: amino acid ratio led to histological alterations in the liver and uterine epithelium, reduction in blood lipid peroxidation, lower hepatic HSP70 gene expression, and the performance of laying Japanese quail. The optimal diet based on the NRC with an adjusted Thr: Lys 78 ratio (Lys 1.0%) improved the performance and efficiency of Japanese quail from 125 to 230 days of age.(AU)

Impacto da nutrição na reprodução de cães / Impact of nutrition on dog reproduction

A reprodução é altamente influenciada pela nutrição. A ação de minerais e vitaminas influenciam no processo da reprodução. Fatores nutricionais adequados associados e a saúde, ambiente, genética, manejo e bem-estar tem efeitos positivos em índices de reprodução. Deficiências nutricionais, excessos e desequilíbrios são capazes de alterar o desempenho reprodutivo. Estudos em nutrição visam melhorar a performance dos cães machos reprodutores, objetivando a manutenção e melhora da fertilidade.(AU)

Reproduction is highly influenced by nutrition. It is a proven fact that the action of minerals and vitamins influence the process of reproduction. Adequate nutritional factors associated with health, environment, genetics, management, and well-being have positive effects on reproduction rates. Nutritional deficiencies, excesses and imbalances can alter reproductive performance. Studies in nutrition aim to improve the performance of male breeding dogs, aiming at the maintenance and improvement of fertility.(AU)

Performance, physical egg quality, and economic index of laying hens under different rearing systems / Desempenho, qualidade do ovo e índice econômico de poedeiras em diferentes sistemas de criação

The objective was to evaluate the performance, physical egg quality (weight and gravity), and economic index of laying hens reared in cage and cage-free systems. A total of 312 40-week-old Hy-line brown laying hens were distributed in a fully randomized design, split into two treatments (cage-free and cage) with 12 replicates in each system. We housed 144 birds in galvanized-wire cages (12 birds each) and 168 birds in a cage-free system in boxes with wood shaving bedding (14 birds each). The experiment lasted 112 days and divided into four 28-day periods. Regarding performance, feed intake (g) and feed conversion (g/g) of birds reared in the cage-free system were higher (p<0.0001) than the cage system, but no differences were observed (p>0.05) for the other performance parameters and also for egg quality. As for economic index, egg production in the cage-free system was higher (p<0.0001) than the cage system. In conclusion, birds reared in the cage-free system have higher feed consumption but worse feed conversion, increasing egg production cost compared to caged birds; however, there are no changes in egg production and physical quality.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, qualidade de ovos e índice econômico de poedeiras semipesadas criadas em sistemas cage-free e em gaiolas. Foram utilizadas 312 poedeiras da linhagem Hy Line Brown, com 40 semanas de idade, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado (DIC), em dois tratamentos (cage-free e gaiolas) com 12 repetições em cada sistema, sendo 144 aves alojadas em gaiolas de arame galvanizado com 12 aves em cada gaiola e 168 aves alojadas em sistema cage-free, em boxes sobre cama de maravalha com 14 aves em cada repetição. O experimento teve duração de 112 dias, divididos em quatro períodos de 28 dias. Nos parâmetros de desempenho, o consumo de ração (g/aves/dia) e a conversão alimentar (g/g) foi maior (P<0,0001) nas aves criadas no sistema cage-free comparado ao sistema de gaiolas, não sendo observado diferença (P>0,05) nos demais parâmetros de desempenho e também na qualidade de ovos. No índice econômico, a produção de ovos em sistema cage-free apresentou maior valor (P<0,0001) em relação ao sistema de gaiola. Conclui-se que as aves criadas em sistema cage-free apresentam maior consumo de ração, pior conversão alimentar ocasionando um maior custo nos ovos em relação às aves criadas em gaiolas, no entanto não há alteração na produção e qualidade dos ovos.(AU)

The effect of feeding frequency on the performance of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) / Efeito da frequência alimentar no desempenho de juvenis do cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Para ajustar a frequência alimentar de juvenis de cobia ou beijupirá (Rachycentron canadum), 540 juvenis, com peso médio de 2,0 g (± 0,4) e comprimento médio de 8,7cm (± 0,5), foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: T2, T4, T6 e T8 (alimentação realizada duas, quatro, seis e oito vezes ao dia, respectivamente). Cada tratamento teve três repetições. Os juvenis de beijupirá foram alimentados em regime ad libitum. Observou-se diferença significativa no peso final (P<0,05), tendo os peixes do tratamento que receberam ração duas vezes ao dia (T2) apresentado peso significativamente menor do que os peixes que receberam oito refeições ao dia (T8). Não houve diferença nas variáveis conversão alimentar, ganho de peso, comprimento e sobrevivência (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Assim, para juvenis de beijupirá, observou-se que a frequência de alimentação de oito refeições por dia, juntamente com um regime de alimentação ad libitum, é a mais adequada durante essa fase. Os dados obtidos no presente experimento permitem otimizar uma etapa da cadeia produtiva do beijupirá.