Broiler behavior differs from males to females when under different light wavelengths.

It is well established that different light wavelengths affect broiler behavior. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of four light wavelengths on broiler behavior from 1 to 42 days of age. Birds were housed at a stocking density of 13 birds/m2, in 32 boxes of 1.56 m2. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial of 4 × 2 (four colors × two sexes), with four replicates. Behavioral variables were accessed through cameras and observed in person thrice a week for 30 min per day in three different periods. Data were organized according to age groups and analyzed by a data mining approach with the different light wavelengths as the classes. Natural behavior defined by stretch, dust bath of male broilers reared in environments with green and blue light was more relevant to the classification of male broilers' behavior (96.9 and 96.9% accuracy and 0.8 and 1.0 of class precision of behavior classification, respectively). Blue and green lights affected the behavior of male broilers starting at 7 days of age, increasing the presence at the bird feeder, and reducing the idle period.

Influence of dietary corn distillers' dried grains with solubles on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and carcass traits in rabbits.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the digestibility and growth performance of New Zealand White rabbits fed corn distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS). For the digestibility trial, 20 rabbits were housed in metabolic cages. The animals were distributed in two treatments, T1 (control diet without inclusion of DDGS) and T2 (control diet + 300 g kg-1 DDGS). For the growth performance trial, 100 rabbits (50 males and 50 females) were assigned in a factorial design 2 × 5 (2 gender × 5 inclusions of DDGS) and five replicates. The treatments were composed of diets with inclusions of 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 g kg-1 of DDGS. The rabbits were housed at 35 days old, and the experiment lasted 35 days. The DDGS showed high digestibility for protein (74.10%) and lipids (81.51%) and a high content of digestible energy (2979 kcal kg-1). In the second trial, growth performance and carcass yield and organ relative weights were evaluated. There were no interactions between gender and DDGS inclusions (P > 0.05). A linear decrease was observed for feed intake (FI) for the period from days 35 to 50 (FI, P = 0.001) and FI and FCR from days 35 to 70 (FI, P = 0.004; FCR, P = 0.001) with the increasing levels of DDGS. Rabbits supplemented with 240 g kg-1 had lower (P < 0.05) whole carcass yield (WCY) and carcass without head yield compared with the control rabbits. DDGS is highly digestible in rabbits, and when supplemented up to 240 g kg-1 in diets, it improved FCR but reduced FI and WCY.

Evaluation of different heating systems for new-born swine.

The use of heating systems for new-born piglets can prevent major losses in the first 5 weeks of life. The present study had the objective of evaluating three heating systems in creeps for new-born piglets, being: floor-heated floor with circulating water (HF), incandescent lamp type SPOT 40 W (L) and incandescent lamp type SPOT 40 W plus black metal plate (LP). The variables evaluated were piglet performance (total weight gain and mortality), bioclimatic data (temperature and relative air humidity), animal behaviour and economic revenue. Bioclimatic data were recorded in the external environment, in the maternity and in the interior of each shelter/creep for 21 days, three times a day, as well as the capture of photographic images for analysis of the animals' disposal. The mean temperature of the retractors, the weight at weaning and the weight gain were higher in the HF treatment. Treatment HF improved the percentage of dispersed animals and provided the best thermal environment and the highest revenue at the time of the commercialization of the piglets.

Behavioral responses of turkeys subjected to different climatic conditions.

I was evaluated the effect of seven different combinations of temperature, air velocity, and relative air humidity on the frequency and duration of eating, drinking, resting, cannibalism, dust bathing, scratching, ground pecking, shivering, and stretching behaviors of turkeys at three different ages. The combinations tested of temperature, relative air humidity, and air velocity were, respectively: 1 (22 °C, 50%, 1 m/s); 2 (26.2 °C, 73.2%, 0.45 m/s); 3 (26.6 °C, 71.2%, 1 m/s); 4 (28.9 °C, 72%, 1.4 m/s); 5 (31.1 °C, 85%, 0.45 m/s); 6 (34.1 °C, 82.1%, 1 m/s); and 7 (34.4 °C, 82.1%, 1.4 m/s) for three ages of birds (61, 96, and 131 days of age). Seven birds were housed per pen, at a density of 3 males/m2, totaling 147 birds in the entire experiment. Each combination was applied for 5 days. The data were analyzed considering the number of times the bird performed the behavior and the time it performed (in seconds). Each pen was considered a repetition. A comparison of the medians was used to compare the treatments by each age. The results showed that young birds were more likely to suffer from the combination of low temperature and high air velocity, reducing their frequency of normal behaviors. Increased humidity at a low temperature raised the frequency of scratching, shivering, and cannibalism behaviors leading to poorer bird welfare. It is recommended that the temperature, relative air humidity, and air velocity combination of 26.6 °C; 71.2%; and 1 m/s, respectively, for young birds, and 22 °C; 50%; and 1 m/s, respectively, for older birds should be used.

Use of RNA-seq to identify genes encoding cytokines and chemokines activated following uptake and processing a candidate peptide vaccine developed against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Analysis of the primary and recall responses to a membrane molecule (MMP), encoded by MAP2121c demonstrated that tri-directional signaling between the antigen-presenting cell (APC), CD4 and CD8 is essential for eliciting a CD8 cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. As reported here, RNA-sequencing was used to initiate the characterization of the signaling pathways involved in eliciting the development of CD8 CTL, starting with the characterization of the activation status of genes in monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMΦ) following uptake and processing MMP for the presentation of antigenic epitopes to CD4 and CD8 T cells. Activation status was compared with the uptake and processing of LPS, a nonspecific stimulator of macrophages. 1609 genes were identified that were upregulated, and 1277 were downregulated three hours after uptake and processing MMP. No significant difference was observed in the cytokine genes selected for analysis of the signaling that must occur between APC, CD4, and CD8 for the development of CTL. The initial observations indicate screening of the transcriptome should include genes involved in signaling between APC and CD4, and CD8 regardless of their activation status. Four genes of interest in this study, IL12A, IL12B, IL15, and IL23A, were not significantly different from control values. The initial studies also indicate MoMΦ can be included with dendritic cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells for further analysis of the tri-directional signaling required for the development of CTL.

A análise das respostas primárias e de recall a uma molécula de membrana (MMP), codificada por MAP2121c demonstrou que a sinalização tridirecional entre a célula apresentadora de antígeno (APC), CD4 e CD8 é essencial para provocar uma resposta de células T citotóxicas CD8 (CTL) contra Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculose. Conforme relatado aqui, o sequenciamento de RNA foi usado para iniciar a caracterização das vias de sinalização envolvidas na indução do desenvolvimento de CTL CD8, começando com a caracterização do status de ativação de genes em macrófagos derivados de monócitos (MoMΦ) após captação e processamento de MMP para a apresentação de epítopos antigênicos às células T CD4 e CD8. O status de ativação foi comparado com a captação e processamento de LPS, um estimulador inespecífico de macrófagos. Foram identificados 1.609 genes que foram regulados positivamente e 1.277 foram regulados negativamente três horas após a captação e processamento de MMP. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada nos genes de citocinas selecionados para análise da sinalização que deve ocorrer entre APC, CD4 e CD8 para o desenvolvimento de CTL. As observações iniciais indicam que o rastreio do transcriptoma deve incluir genes envolvidos na sinalização entre APC e CD4 e CD8, independentemente do seu estado de activação. Quatro genes de interesse neste estudo, IL12A, IL12B, IL15 e IL23A, não foram significativamente diferentes dos valores de controle. Os estudos iniciais também indicam que o MoMΦ pode ser incluído com células dendríticas e células dendríticas derivadas de monócitos para análise adicional da sinalização tridirecional necessária para o desenvolvimento de CTL.

Cytologic features of canine melanotroph and corticotroph pituitary adenomas.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of intraoperative cytology revolutionized neurosurgical procedures in human medicine, providing real-time diagnostic guidance to surgeons and contributing to improved patient outcomes. In the realm of veterinary medicine, the understanding of pituitary tumors in dogs and cats remains limited due to challenges in obtaining antemortem samples of central nervous system lesions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the cytologic features of pituitary adenomas in 12 dogs that underwent hypophysectomy. METHODS: The series included nine melanotroph adenomas and three corticotroph adenomas. Definitive diagnosis was based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Cytologically, the adenomas had high numbers of bare nuclei and intact cells that were round to polygonal and situated individually or in small clusters. The intact cells had round to oval, eccentric nuclei with finely stippled chromatin and one to three prominent nucleoli and ample to abundant lightly basophilic to amphophilic, grainy cytoplasm with distinct borders, and variable numbers of discrete vacuoles. Mild-to-moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, occasional binucleation, rare and atypical mitotic figures, and nuclear molding were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that intraoperative cytology of canine pituitary adenomas holds promise as a valuable diagnostic tool, aiding swift differentiation from other sellar masses before histologic confirmation. Cytologic characterization of pituitary adenomas in dogs is exceptionally rare in the scientific literature, making this study one of the first to offer a comprehensive description of these cytologic features.

Applying different morphometric intestinal mucosa methods and the correlation with broilers performance under Eimeria challenge.

The intestinal wall has on its surface, protrusions called villi that are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Commonly, these structures have their dimensions measured to related more area surface with better absorption. However, the measurement of these villi neglects the inflammation and the presence of immature cells that increase the surface area but affect negatively the absorption and compromise the animal performance. The measurements of villi/crypt are traditional tools in animal research; however, they may overlook alterations that impact the mucosal functionality. This study aimed to compare the morphometry of the intestinal villi/crypt with the I See Inside (ISI) scoring methodology, exploring their correlation with zootechnical performance. Therefore, broilers were grouped as nonchallenged (NC) and challenged with Eimeria (CH) and jejunum samples were collected at 22 d for histological analysis. The same villi were submitted to the ISI methodology, which is based on the scoring of 8 parameters related to the inflammatory process, and the measurements of villus height (VH), villus width (VW), crypt depth (CD), crypt width (CW), VH:CD ratio and villi absorptive surface (VAS). The CH group presented higher ISI total score, VW, CD, CW and lower VH, VH:CD, and VAS in comparison to the NC group. While the villi/crypt morphometry did not exhibit correlations with performance, the presence of Eimeria oocysts and the ISI total score was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the feed conversion ratio (FCR), demonstrating a statistical interaction between high ISI scores and worse performance. In conclusion, a larger villus is not related to better intestinal functionality when this enlargement is unleashed by the immune processes occurring inside. The scoring system that evaluates the type of alteration observed has a direct impact on the animal's zootechnical performance which is not observed with the single metric surface evaluation.

Salmon poisoning disease in dogs: clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

Salmon poisoning disease (SPD) is caused by a rickettsial organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, that is carried by the trematode Nanophyetus salmincola, which encysts in freshwater fish, most commonly salmonids. We reported two dogs from the United States West Coast that had similar clinical signs, hematologic and biochemistry findings. They were both diagnosed with salmon poisoning disease. Lymph node cytology showed morula formation, suggestive of N. helminthoeca organisms in macrophages, while the parasitological fecal test found ova of N. salmincola. The dogs were treated early and showed complete remission of clinical signs within a few days. Lymph node cytology and fecal parasitology are quick and low-cost tests that can be performed whenever SPD is suspected. SPD should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a canine patient with clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lymphadenomegaly; laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia; and potential exposure to raw fish from the West Coast of the US or Southern Brazil. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chance of survival.

A doença da intoxicação por salmão (SPD) é causada por um organismo rickettsial, Neorickettsia helminthoeca, que é transportado pelo trematódeo Nanophyetus salmincola, que encista em peixes de água doce, mais comumente salmonídeos. Relatamos dois cães da Costa Oeste dos Estados Unidos que apresentaram sinais clínicos, achados hematológicos e bioquímicos semelhantes. Ambos foram diagnosticados com doença de envenenamento por salmão. A citologia de linfonodo evidenciou formação de mórula, sugestiva de organismos de N. helminthoeca em macrófagos, enquanto o exame parasitológico de fezes encontrou ovos de N. salmincola. Os cães foram tratados precocemente e apresentaram remissão completa dos sinais clínicos em poucos dias. A citologia de linfonodo e a parasitologia fecal são exames rápidos e de baixo custo que podem ser realizados sempre que houver suspeita de SPD. A SPD deve ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial para um paciente canino com sinais clínicos de vômitos, diarreia, letargia e linfadenomegalia; achados laboratoriais de trombocitopenia e hipoalbuminemia; e exposição potencial ao peixe cru da costa oeste dos EUA ou sul do Brasil. Quanto mais precoce o diagnóstico e tratamento, maior a chance de sobrevivência.

Effect of environmental enrichment for piglets in the nursery phase.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of piglets in the nursery phase was evaluated. METHODS: A total of 450 hybrid pigs (21 day old), including both females and uncastrated males, weighing approximately 6 kg, were distributed in a completely randomised design with 3 treatments and 3 replicates of 50 animals each. The treatments were: i) pen without environmental enrichment (control), ii) treatment consisting of continuous environmental enrichment (CEE) with rubber balls throughout the experimental period, and iii) treatment consisting of environmental enrichment with washed balls (EEWB) during the whole experimental period which were removed daily for washing. For the behavioural evaluation, 10 animals were randomly selected per replicate. The behavioural assessments were performed once a week, from 8 am to 6 pm, using images captured with a video camera. The data were submitted to non-parametric analyses, the means were compared using the Bonferroni test, and Person's correlations were also calculated. RESULTS: A statistical difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the B5 (playful) behaviour; the animals in the EEWB treatment group had a higher frequency of this behaviour than animals in the control treatment group. The animals in the control group showed a higher frequency of B7 behaviour (lying down) (p = 0.026) than those in the EEWB and CEE treatment groups. The animals in the control group had a higher frequency of the B9 (belly nosing) behaviour than those in the EEWB group (p = 0.015). There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of behaviour B3 (walking in the pen) (p = 0.067) when the animals received the control treatment than treatments EEWB or CEE. CONCLUSION: The use of an enriching object improved the animal welfare and altered the correlation between the evaluated behaviours compared to the animals that did not have environmental enrichment.

A critical role of interleukin-10 in the response of bovine macrophages to infection by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-10 in the inability of monocyte-derived bovine macrophages to kill Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis organisms in vitro. SAMPLE POPULATION: Monocytes were obtained from healthy adult Holstein dairy cows that had negative results when tested for infection with M avium subsp paratuberculosis. PROCEDURE: Monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with M avium subsp paratuberculosis for 2, 6, 24, 72, or 96 hours with or without addition of saturating concentrations of a goat anti-human IL-10 that has been documented to neutralize bovine IL-10 activity. Variables assessed included ingestion and killing of M avium subsp paratuberculosis; expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-12, IL-8, major histocompatability (MHC) class II, vacuolar H+ ATPase, and B cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2); production of nitric oxide; acidification of phagosomes; and apoptosis of macrophages. RESULTS: Neutralization of IL-10 enabled macrophages to kill 57% of M avium subsp paratuberculosis organisms within 96 hours. It also resulted in an increase in expression of TNF-alpha, IL-12, IL-8, MHC class II, and vacuolar H+ ATPase; decrease in expression of BCL-2; increase in acidification of phagosomes; apoptosis of macrophages; and production of nitric oxide. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The capacity of M avium subsp paratuberculosis to induce IL-10 expression may be a major determinant of virulence for this organism.