How to use recombinant bovine somatotropin in crossbred Holstein × Gyr (3/4 and 7/8) cows?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dose, start time, and application interval of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on performance, health, and reproduction parameters of crossbred Holstein × Gyr dairy cows (3/4 and 7/8). A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial study was designed to test the effects of application dose (250 mg rbST or 500 mg rbST), start of application (40 or 63 days in milk (DIM)), and application interval (12 or 14 days); 180 crossbred Holstein × Gyr cows were enrolled. Treatments with 500 mg rbST resulted in increased milk production, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM). In the factorial design analysis, greater FCM, ECM, and milk solid production (kg/day) were observed when 500 mg rbST was started at 63 DIM, while 250 mg rbST resulted in greater milk production (kg/day), FCM, ECM, and milk solids (kg/day) when administered at 12-day intervals. Administration of 500 mg rbST resulted in an increase of days open and number of services per pregnancy (P = 0.01). Holstein × Gyr cows (3/4 and 7/8) presented a superior productive response to rbST when treated with 500 mg starting at 63 DIM and at 14-day intervals.

Addition of caffeine to equine thawed sperm increases motility and decreases nitrite concentration.

The aim of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed equine sperm by the addition of caffeine to it. Semen from nine stallions was frozen and different concentrations of caffeine (3, 5 and 7.5 mM) were added to frozen-thawed semen. The sperm kinetic parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer-assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite and hydroperoxide concentrations of frozen-thawed semen were measured using spectrophotometry. Sperm fertility was evaluated by artificial insemination (AI) of 16 mares with thawed ejaculates (control and 5 mM caffeine-treated groups). Compared to that in the control, the addition of 5 mM caffeine induced an increase in sperm motility (38.9 ± 2.8 versus 32.6 ± 3.4%), and a decrease in nitrite concentration (11.4 ± 2.1 versus 12.8 ± 2.9 µM/µg protein, p < .05). Moreover, the pregnancy rate from AI in the caffeine group was significantly higher (62.5%) than that in the control group (12.5%). These data suggest that caffeine reduced the nitrite concentration and enhanced sperm motility in thawed equine sperm, thus increasing the fertility rate in mares inseminated with caffeine-treated equine semen.

Comparison of humoral neutralizing antibody response in rabbits, guinea pigs, and cattle vaccinated with epsilon and beta toxoids from Clostridium perfringens and C. botulinum types C and D toxoids.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are used in the official control and validation of clostridial vaccines, but it is unknown whether the antitoxin titers obtained in these animals corroborate with the humoral response in bovine. The objective of the study was to compare the humoral antibody response of guinea pig and rabbits to those obtained in cattle vaccinated with a commercial vaccine containing Clostridium perfringens epsilon and beta, and Clostridium botulinum types C and D toxoids. This study revealed the same level of humoral response in rabbits and cattle for all four toxoids tested, including C. botulinum types C and D toxoids. In contrast, the titers of neutralizing antibodies against C. botulinum type C toxin in guinea pigs differed from those obtained in cattle. Thus, the present work suggests that the potency test for C. botulinum types C in rabbits agrees more with the humoral response in cattle than the potency test in guinea pigs, thereby making it possible to use only rabbits as models in the official control and validations of clostridial vaccines.

Performance of crossbred heifers in different step-down waste milk-feeding strategies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption, performance, feed efficiency, glucose concentration, and the cost per kilogram of weight gain of crossbred Holstein-Gyr heifers (n = 33) subjected to one of the three waste milk step-down strategies: 6L-30d/4L-60d/2L-90d (T1), 6L-45d/4L-60d/2L-90d (T2), and 8L-30d/6L-60d/3L-90d (T3). Heifers were weaned at the age of 91 days. Water and starter were provided ad libitum. The average waste milk intake was higher in T3 than in T1 and T2 strategies until 30 days and between 60 and 90 days. The starter intake did not differ among the strategies until 45 days, but it was higher in strategy T1 than in strategy T3 between 60 and 90 days. The waste milk step-down strategy did not influence the total dry matter intake, average daily gain, body weight, and feed efficiency. Glucose concentrations in plasma varied within a range that could be considered normal and were similar among the treatments. The average cost per kilogram of weight gain was the lowest in strategy T1 (US$3.0) compared to that in the other strategies (T2, US$3.2, and T3, US$3.6). The 6L-30d/4L-60d/2L-90d waste milk step-down strategy was the most effective, since it increased the starter intake, led to normal glucose concentrations in plasma, and caused similar weight gain compared with the other strategies; however, it had a lower cost per kilogram.

Could Cratylia argentea replace Tifton 85 hay on growing and finishing lamb diets in tropical areas?

Legumes shrubs such as Cratylia argentea have an ability to thrive in environments with low water availability and poor soil. On the other hand, forage grasses such as Tifton 85 have a greater demand for inputs to be productive. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of growing and finishing Lacaune lambs fed Cratylia argentea hay as an alternative to Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp). Twenty-four Lacaune lambs aged between five and six months (average body weight [BW] 21.50 ± 3.38 kg) were arranged in a split-plot randomized block design. The plots consisted of different Cratylia to Tifton 85 hay proportions (0, 20%, 40%, or 100%, dry matter [DM] basis) as a roughage replacement in the total diet. The subplots represented two evaluation times, entitled "initial period" and "final period", which consisted of the early seven days of total feces and urine collection, and the last seven days of the experiment, respectively. The lambs were blocked by weight with six replicates per treatment. The results show that the level of Tifton 85 replacement for Cratylia hay in the roughage portion of the lamb diet did not influence (P > 0.05) weight gain (WG), dry matter intake or dry matter digestibility; feed conversion, feed efficiency; and the evaluated nitrogen balance variables. The digestibility coefficient of neutral detergent fiber decreased linearly as Tifton 85 replacement for Cratylia level was increased, which probably happened due to the presence of highly lignified material within the Cratylia hay. However, the alternative legume maintained animal performance of Tifton 85. In conclusion, Cratylia hay can be recommended as a potential substitute for Tifton 85 hay, which requires greater inputs for the production. Cratylia may be considered a feeding strategy for livestock production, especially for smallholder livestock systems and regions with unfavorable soil and climate.

Effects of different moist orange pulp inclusions in the corn grain rehydration for silage production on chemical composition, fermentation, aerobic stability, microbiological profile, and losses.

This study evaluated the effects of different moist orange pulp (MOP) inclusions in corn grain rehydration for silage production as a strategy to store and use MOP and whether these inclusions result in adequate fermentation and aerobic stability (AE) and acceptable losses. Ground corn grain and MOP were weighed separately and mixed to obtain MOP inclusions of 21%, 34%, or 42%. The control treatment was obtained with corn rehydrated with distilled water and MOP inclusion of 0%, with five laboratory silos (15-L buckets) per treatment. Acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble protein, acid detergent lignin, lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol contents increased linearly with increasing MOP inclusion, whereas starch, in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and butyric acid contents and pH decreased linearly. NH3 -N/TN content reduced quadratically and was minimal with 8.34 g/kg DM at 14% MOP inclusion. Total DM losses increased quadratically with maximal losses of 4.26% DM at 25% MOP inclusion. AE reduced by 2.8 h for each 1% increase in MOP inclusion. Rehydration of corn grain with MOP results in an adequate fermentation process. The inclusion of 34% MOP was the best because DM losses were lower and AE was not drastically reduced.

Influence of Stretching Exercises, Warm-Up, or Cool-Down on the Physical Performance of Mangalarga Marchador Horses.

The Horse Agribusiness Complex is an important activity in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Mangalarga Marchador (MM) is the most numerous breed of horses in Brazil and its temperament and gait characteristics (4-beat stepping gait) allow for the constant growth of the breed and the performance of vs. equestrian activities. The training management currently adopted with MM horses is based on empiricism, and scientific support is necessary to improve the well-being of horses in competitions and maintain the physical integrity of these athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the effects of stretching, warming up, and/or cooling down on their performance in marcha tests. 6 MM geldings (aged between 3 and 7 years and average weight of 400 kg) were used. The pre-experimental stage for the physical conditioning of the horses lasted 46 days. The experimental phase lasted 42 days and consisted of 6 marcha tests performed every 7 days. The experimental design was in a Latin square (6 × 6), in which each horse was submitted to the following exercise protocols: A) 50-min marcha test following the official regulations of the Brazilian Association of Horse Breeders Mangalarga Marchador (ABCCMM); B) 10 min of warm-up before marcha test; C) 10 min of cooling after marcha test; D) 10 min of warm-up before marcha and 10 min of cool-down after marcha test; E) 10 min of stretching before the marcha test; F) 10 min of stretching, 10 min of warm-up before and 10 min of cool-down after the test. Horses were evaluated before and after marcha tests for heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, rectal temperature, glucose, lactate, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and cortisol. Data were submitted to 2-way analysis of variance (exercise protocols and evaluation moments) and means were compared by Tukey's test (P≤0.05). The HR and blood lactate results indicated a beneficial effect of warm-up or stretching practices on the performance of Mangalarga Marchador horses submitted to simulated marcha tests in accordance with the official ABCCMM regulation and lasting 50 minutes.

The impact of functioning pancreas-kidney transplantation and pancreas alone transplantation on the lipid metabolism of statin-naïve diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the lipid profile (total cholesterol - TC, triglycerides - TG, high density lipoprotein cholesterol - HDL-c, low density lipoprotein cholesterol - LDL-c and non-HDL cholesterol - NHDL-c) of patients with functioning pancreas-kidney transplantation (PKT) or pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) after one (T1) and two yr (T2) following their pre-transplantation data (T0). METHODS: Fifty-three type 1 diabetic patients underwent pancreas transplantation (42 PKT and 11 PTA) remaining euglycemic after transplantation were evaluated before and one and two yr after the procedures. They were using predominantly tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil-based immunosuppression and low glucocorticoid dose with systemic venous drainage of the pancreatic graft. None of them used hypolipidemic agents for economical reasons. Lipids were reported as means +/- standard error of the mean. Data obtained in T0 were compared with T1 and T2 using ANOVA followed by Student's t-test. RESULTS: TC, LDL-c, NHDL-c and TG were lower in T1 and T2 when compared with T0 (p < 0.05) in PKT, while no change was observed for HDL-c (p > 0.05). PTA group showed no significant changes in lipids. CONCLUSION: In spite of the known side effects of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression to lipids, our study with a statin-naïve sample showed improvements (PKT) or stabilization (PTA) in the serum lipid profile after pancreas transplantation.

Biometric measurements of Santa Inês meat sheep reared on Brachiaria brizantha pastures in Northeast Brazil.

This study was undertaken to examine biometric measurements during the growth phase of male and female Santa Inês sheep reared in Brachiaria brizantha pastures in northeastern Brazil. The experiment involved 24 castrated males and 24 females at an initial age of 90 days, with an average body weight of 19.04 ± 0.96 kg. Treatments consisted of the effect of four cultivars (Marandu, Xaraés, Piatã and Paiaguás) and two sexes. Six animals were used per treatment, in a randomized-block experimental design. The following characteristics were evaluated: abdominal circumference (AC), body condition score (BCS), body length (BL), body weight (BW), body capacity 1 (BC1), body capacity 2 (BC2), chest width (CW), heart girth (HG), leg circumference (LC), leg length (LL), rump height (RH), rump width (RW) and withers height (WH). Data were subjected to descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation, ANOVA and Tukey's, Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Univariate and multiple regressions were applied to estimate BW with a maximum error level of 5%. Significant differences were observed for the biometric measurements between sexes and cultivars (p<0.05). Body weight was highly correlated (>70%) with AC, WH, CG, RW, BC1 and BC2. The male sheep grazed on cultivars Piatã showed the best values for BW (40.43 kg), HG, RW, WH, LL, LC (102.46; 20.8; 65.23; 60.44; 42.54 cm respectively) and BC1 (4.25 kg/cm). Females grazed on cultivar Marandu had higher values for RW, CW, LL (17.26; 20.1; 75.98 cm respectively), BC1 (6.03 kg/cm) and BC2 (0.422 kg/cm). The equations that best estimated live weight were BC1 and HG. In male and female Santa Inês sheep, biometric parameters grow differently depending on the cultivar where they are grazed during the growth phase. Cultivars Marandu and Piatã are the most recommended for sheep production, as they provided the best performance and body development in those animals.

Could the breed composition improve performance and change the enteric methane emissions from beef cattle in a tropical intensive production system?

Crossbreeding has been used to improve performance in beef cattle, however the effects of breed composition on methane (CH4) production, yield and intensity from cattle raised in tropical intensive and integrated systems remain unknown. To assess the impact of breed composition on performance and methane emissions, Nellore (NEL; yr 1: BW = 171.5 ± 19.4 kg; n = 10; yr 2: BW = 215.8 ± 32.3 kg, n = 25) and Angus x Nellore crossbred (AN; yr 1: BW = 214.2 ± 26.4 kg, n = 10; yr 2: BW = 242.5 ± 32.2 kg, n = 25) were compared. The animals grazed on integrated crop-livestock system in the growing phase (stocking rate 2452 kg BW/ha, herbage mass 4,884 kg dry matter (DM)/ha, forage allowance 5.9 kg DM/100kg BW) and then were finished in a feedlot. Steers (n = 8) from each breed composition were randomly selected in each phase to measure CH4 production using a sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique and DM intake (DMI) using titanium dioxide. Compared with NEL, AN had both superior total gain and average daily gain (ADG) in the grazing period. The AN presented greater ADG in the feedlot with a shorter finishing period and resulted in greater carcass yield and carcass ADG. Methane production (kg/period) was lower in NEL (19% less) than AN in grazing (P<0.01), and no difference was observed in feedlot. The NEL had less CH4 intensity (CH4/BW) in grazing but greater CH4 per unit of ADG in the feedlot compared to AN. Breed composition did not influence the CH4 yield (CH4/DMI) in either phase, despite the difference in feedlot DMI (kg/day). In conclusion, crossbreeding may be an option to improve performance and reduce the CH4 per ADG in tropical climate conditions, resulting in lower methane emission per kg of meat produced.

Maternal periodontitis as a potential risk variable for preeclampsia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Association studies between maternal periodontitis and an elevated risk for preeclampsia have shown conflicting results. The aims of the present case-control study were: 1) to evaluate the association between maternal periodontitis and preeclampsia before and after matching, assessing confounding and interaction; and 2) to evaluate the influence of the extent and severity of periodontal parameters, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), in association with preeclampsia. METHODS: Initially, 1,206 Brazilian women were included and divided into a control group (1,042 non-preeclamptic women who gave birth to infants with adequate gestational age and birth weight) and a case group (164 preeclamptic women). Further, 125 preeclamptic women were matched according to age, chronic hypertension, and primiparity to 375 non-preeclamptic women randomly selected from the control group. Maternal periodontitis was defined as PD > or =4 mm and CAL > or =3 mm at the same site in at least four teeth. The effect of variables of interest and confounding were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: After controlling for confounders, maternal periodontitis was included in the multivariate final model (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37 to 2.77; P <0.001) and remained associated with preeclampsia after matching (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.29; P = 0.045). The odds of preeclampsia were associated with an increase in the number of sites with BOP and PD and CAL > or =4 mm. CONCLUSION: Maternal periodontitis is a risk factor associated with preeclampsia, emphasizing the importance of periodontal care in prenatal programs.

Intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and preterm birth: adverse pregnancy outcomes and their association with maternal periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that periodontitis is associated with systemic alterations such as adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, some conflicting results have been reported. This case-control study was conducted to determine the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS: A total of 1,305 Brazilian women from multiethnic groups were enrolled and divided into four groups: control group (1,042 women who gave birth to infants with adequate gestational age and birth weight); PTB group (238 women, gestational age <37 complete weeks); LBW group (235 women, birth weight <2,500 g); and IUGR group (77 women who gave birth to infants with fetal growth retardation). Periodontitis was defined as the presence of at least four teeth with one or more sites with probing depth > or =4 mm and clinical attachment loss > or =3 mm. The effects of variables of interest, confounders, and interaction were tested through univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests. RESULTS: After adjusting for variables of interest, maternal periodontitis was retained in the final model for PTB (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12 to 2.59), LBW (OR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.51), and IUGR (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.07 to 4.19). When the interaction between periodontitis and previous PTB was tested, an OR of 5.94 (P <0.001), 9.12 (P <0.001), and 18.90 (P <0.001) was observed for PTB, LBW, and IUGR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal periodontitis is associated with an increased risk for PTB, LBW, and IUGR. Results emphasize the importance of periodontal care in prenatal health programs.

Evaluation of the Presence and Levels of Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Sulfaquinoxaline and Oxytetracycline in Broiler Chickens after Drug Administration.

The depletion times of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin as well as sulfaquinoxaline and oxytetracycline were evaluated in broiler chickens that had been subjected to pharmacological treatment. The presence and residue levels of these drugs in muscle tissue were evaluated using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method that was validated in this work. The results showed the presence of all antimicrobial residues; however, the presence of residues at concentrations higher than the drugs' maximum residue limit (MRL) of 100 µg kg-1 was found only during the treatment period for oxytetracycline and until two days after discontinuation of the medication for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sulfaquinoxaline. It was concluded that the residues of all antimicrobials were rapidly metabolized from the broiler muscles; after four days of withdrawal, the levels were lower than the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method for the studied analytes.

Mortalidade infantil: principais causas evitáveis na região Centro de Minas Gerais, Brasil, 1999-2011 / Infant mortality: leading avoidable causes in the central region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1999-2011 / Mortalidad infantil: principales causas prevenibles en el Centro de Minas Gerais, Brasil, 1999-2011

OBJETIVO: descrever a evolução da mortalidade infantil evitável na região Centro do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, no período 1999-2011. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo, com dados dos sistemas nacionais de informações sobre mortalidade e sobre nascidos vivos, com classificação das causas de óbito evitáveis segundo a Lista Brasileira de Evitabilidade; foram estimadas taxas de mortalidade infantil (TMI) segundo subgrupos de intervenção e principais causas. RESULTADOS: a TMI por causas evitáveis diminuiu de 14,5 para 7,7/1000 nascidos vivos no período (decréscimo de 46,9%), com maior redução no subgrupo 'Ações de Promoção à Saúde' (69,2%) e menor no subgrupo 'Atenção à Mulher na Gestação' (17,1%); em 2009-2011, entretanto, 65% dos óbitos infantis ainda foram classificados como evitáveis. CONCLUSÃO: a redução observada da mortalidade infantil evitável na região indica mudanças positivas no sistema de saúde; persistem, entretanto, grandes proporções de óbitos evitáveis e, particularmente, o desafio de melhor avaliar a qualidade da atenção pré-natal.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the evolution of preventable infant mortality in the central region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, 1999-2011. METHODS: this was a descriptive study using data from national mortality and live birth information systems, with avoidable deaths being classified according to the Brazilian List of Preventable Deaths; infant mortality rates (IMR) were estimated according to intervention subgroups and leading causes of death. RESULTS: avoidable IMR decreased from 14.5 in 1999-2001 to 7.7/1000 live births in 2009-2011 (46.9%), with a greater reduction in the 'health/promotion care' subgroup (60.2%) and a smaller reduction in the 'care of the woman during pregnancy' subgroup (17.1%); however, between 2009-2011 65% of infant deaths were still due to avoidable causes. CONCLUSION: decrease of avoidable infant mortality in the region indicates positive health system changes; however, there are still large proportions of preventable deaths and, in particular, the challenge of better evaluation of the quality of prenatal care.

OBJETIVO: describir la evolución de la mortalidad infantil prevenible en la región central del estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre 1999 y 2011. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo con datos de los sistemas nacionales de información sobre mortalidad y nacidos vivos, con clasificación de las causas de muerte prevenible según la 'Lista Brasileira de Evitabilidade'; fueron estimadas tasas de mortalidad infantil (TMI) según subgrupos de intervención y las principales causas. RESULTADOS: la TMI por causas prevenibles disminuyó de 14.5 a 7.7/1000 nacidos vivos en el período (disminución de 46,9%), con mayor reducción en el subgrupo de 'acciones de promoción de salud' (69,2%) y menor reducción en el subgrupo de 'atención a la mujer en el embarazo' (17,1%); entre 2009 y 2011, sin embargo, 65% de las muertes infantiles fueron clasificadas como prevenibles. CONCLUSIÓN: la reducción de la mortalidad infantil prevenible en la región, indica cambios positivos en el sistema de salud; sin embargo, hay todavía una gran proporción de muertes prevenibles y en especial, el desafío de evaluar mejor la calidad de la atención prenatal.

β-mannanase and mannan oligosaccharides in broiler chicken feed / β-mananase e mananoligossacarídeo em rações de frangos de corte

The study aimed to evaluate the use of β-mannanase and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) to replace growth promoters in broiler diets. Four hundred male Cobb broiler chicks were used, with initial weight of 45±1g, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and eight repetitions of ten birds. The treatments were: basal feed; basal feed without growth promoter; basal feed without growth promoter + β-mannanase; basal feed without growth promoter + MOS; and basal feed without growth promoter + β-mannanase + MOS. The feed intake of the birds increased in response to dietary treatments compared to basal diet during the period 1-21 days of age. A higher weight gain and improved feed conversion was found at 42 days of age among birds that had received the basal diet without growth promoter + MOS. The absolute weight at slaughter, relative carcass and prime cuts except breast weights improved in response to dietary treatments compared to the basal diet at 42 days of age. No difference was observed in relative weight of the liver, while significant differences were found in the weight of heart, gizzard, and abdominal fat. It was concluded that β-mannanase and MOS can replace the growth promoters in broiler diets without compromising production and economic performance. However, the association of these products into the feed may cause negative interaction that reduces the broiler chickens' performance.

O experimento teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização de β-mananase e mananoligossacarídeos em substituição aos promotores de crescimento nas rações para frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 400 pintos de corte machos da marca Cobb, com peso inicial de 45±1g, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e oito repetições de 10 aves. Os tratamentos foram: ração basal; ração basal sem promotor de crescimento; ração basal sem promotor de crescimento + β-mananase; ração basal sem promotor de crescimento + MOS; e ração basal sem promotor de crescimento + β-mananase + MOS. O consumo de ração das aves aumentou em resposta aos tratamentos dietéticos, quando comparados à ração basal no período de 1 a 21 dias de idade. Observou-se maior ganho de peso e melhora na conversão alimentar das aves aos 42 dias de idade que receberam a dieta basal sem promotor de crescimento + MOS. Os pesos absolutos ao abate e relativos de carcaça e de cortes nobres, com exceção de peito, melhoraram em resposta aos tratamentos dietéticos, quando comparados à ração basal aos 42 dias de idade. Não houve diferença sobre o peso relativo de fígado, enquanto os pesos de coração, moela e gordura abdominal foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. Concluiu-se que a β-mananase e o MOS podem substituir os promotores de crescimento em rações de frangos de corte sem comprometer o desempenho produtivo e econômico, no entanto, a associação destes produtos à ração pode causar interação, reduzindo o desempenho das aves.

Ferro e manganês no perfil do solo em Saccharum officinalis fertilizada com resíduos orgânicos / Iron and manganese in soil profile in Saccharum officinalis WITH fertilized organic manure

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a dinâmica dos micronutrientes ferro e manganês no solo, advindos de adubação com dejetos orgânicos e adubação mineral em cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Uberlândia-MG, na área experimental da Cia. Mineira de Açúcar e Álcool do Triângulo Mineiro Ltda. O experimento foi montado em esquema de blocos casualisados, com fatorial de parcelas subdivididas no espaço em 5x2x6 (tipo de adubo, gesso agrícola e profundidade). A variedade de cana-de-açúcar plantada foi a RB 867515 de ciclo médio/tardia. Os tratamentos, aplicados no fundo do sulco de plantio, foram às fontes de adubos cama de frango, cama de peru, esterco bovino, adubo compostado e fertilizante mineral, todos combinados com e sem gesso agrícola. Realizaram-se a amostragem de solo para análise de ferro e manganês, retiradas na linha de plantio nas profundidades 0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60, 60-75 e 75-90 cm. A interação esterco bovino sem aplicação de gesso agrícola resultou em maior teor de ferro disponível e manganês disponível, sendo os demais resíduos orgânicos os teores foram maiores com a interação de gesso. A aplicação de gesso agrícola provocou pouca alteração nos teores dos micronutrientes ao longo do perfil do solo. Os teores dos micronutrientes no solo estiveram abaixo do nível crítico conforme as classes de interpretação de disponibilidade de micronutrientes, portanto ao se aplicar os resíduos orgânicos, estes não causarão fitotoxidez à cultura da cana-de-açúcar.

This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of the micronutrients iron and manganese in the soil, resulting from fertilization with organic manure and mineral fertilization on cane sugar. The experiment was conducted in Uberlândia-MG, in the experimental area of the Mining Company of Sugar and Alcohol of Minas Gerais Ltda. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized blocks with factorial split-plot in space 5x2x6 (type of fertilizer, gypsum and depth). The variety of sugar cane was planted 867,515 RB medium cycle / late. The treatments, applied at the bottom of the furrow, were the sources of fertilizers poultry litter, bedding turkey, cattle manure, compost and mineral fertilizer, all combined with and without agricultural gypsum. There were soil samples for analysis of iron and manganese, taken along the lines of planting depths 0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60, 60-75, 75-90 cm. The interaction manure without application of agricultural gypsum had the highest content of iron and manganese. There was an increase in the levels of iron in the agricultural gypsum treatments with mineral fertilizer, turkey litter and composted manure. The agricultural gypsum didn't increase the levels of manganese in the soil. There was an increase of manganese with the use of poultry litter and cattle manure in the absence of gypsum. There was no mobilization along the profile of the iron manganese applications of agricultural gypsum.

Bioquímica sérica e leucometria de equinos mangalarga marchador suplementados com cromo e submetidos à prova de marcha / Serum biochemistry and leukometry of mangalarga marchador horses supplemented with chromium and submitted to marcha tests

O cromo na dieta de equinos Mangalarga Marchador pode incrementar seu metabolismo energético, melhorando seu desempenho atlético com redução do estresse. Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com cromo sobre a bioquímica sérica e leucometria de equinos Mangalarga Marchador submetidos ao treinamento para concurso de marcha. Foi realizado ensaio com 12 éguas Mangalarga Marchador no delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso com três tratamentos ­ 0, 5 e 10 mg/dia de Cromo-metionina com quatro repetições. O experimento foi dividido em duas etapas: a primeira composta por 24 dias de adaptação das éguas à dieta, e a segunda constituída por seis dias, onde os animais foram submetidos a três provas de marcha, com duração de 50 minutos cada, em dias alternados. Avaliou-se as concentrações plasmáticas de glicose e lactato; séricas de triglicerol, insulina e cortisol e a contagem de leucócitos totais. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos nos parâmetros avaliados. Após o exercício houve aumento (P<0,05) nas concentrações de lactato, insulina e cortisol e na contagem de leucócitos totais. A suplementação com cromo em equinos Mangalarga Marchador não alterou a via metabólica predominante para geração de energia, o estresse induzido pelo exercício e a resposta imune dos animais durante provas de marcha.

Chromium in the diet of Mangalarga Marchador horses can increase their energy metabolism, improving their athletic performance and reducing stress. The effect of chromium supplementation on serum biochemistry and leukocyte count of Mangalarga Marchador horses submitted to training for marching competitions was assessed. 12 Mangalarga Marchador mares were used in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of three treatments ­ 0, 5 ,and 10 mg/day of chromium-methionine ­ and four replicates per treatment. The research was divided into two stages: first a 24-day phase for adaptation to the diet, and a six-day stage when the animals were submitted to three marching tests, lasting 50 minutes each, on alternate days. The plasma levels of glucose and lactate, serum levels of triglycerol, insulin, and cortisol, and white blood cell count were evaluated. There was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments in any of the parameters evaluated. After exercise, levels of lactate, insulin, and cortisol and white blood cell count increased (P<0.05). The supplementation with chromium in Mangalarga Marchador horses did not alter the predominant pathway for energy generation, the exercise-induced stress, and the immune response of animals during marching tests.

Comparison between automated and manual measurements of carotid intima-media thickness in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) has been used as a marker of arterial wall disease. Manual measurements have been performed in most epidemiological studies, but, due to the introduction of new technologies, automated software has been increasingly used. This study aimed to compare manual versus automated cIMT measurements in common carotid (CC), bifurcation (BIF), and internal carotid (IC). METHODS: Automated and manual cIMT measurements were performed online in 43 middle-aged females. Carotid segment measurements were compared by Bland-Altman plot and the variation and repeatability coefficients between observers were also determined for comparison. RESULTS: The average timespan for manual measurements (57.30 s) were significantly higher than for automated measurements (2.52 s). There were no systematic errors between methods in any carotid segments. The variation coefficient was 5.54% to 6.34% for CC and BIF, 9.76% for IC, and absolute differences were 85% below 0.1 mm and 70% below 0.05 mm. Interobserver agreement showed no systematic error. The variation and the repeatability coefficients were better for the automated than manual measures. CONCLUSION: Although both methods are reliable for cIMT measurements, the automated technique allows faster evaluation with lesser variability for all carotid segments currently used in atherosclerosis research.

Produção e composição bromatológica do capim-marandu sob diferentes percentuais de sombreamento e doses de nitrogênio / Production and chemical composition of marandu palisadegrass under different percentages of shading and nitrogen doses

Objetivou-se com esse estudo foi avaliar a influência da fertilização nitrogenada e do sombreamento artificial sobre a produtividade e variáveis bromatológicas da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. A pastagem foi submetida a quatro doses de adubação (0, 50, 70 e 100 kg de N por aplicação) e a quatro percentuais de sombreamento (0, 47, 53 e 66%) por meio de tela de náilon. A produção de matéria seca teve resposta linear para o sombreamento e a fertilização nitrogenada, onde reduziu com o sombreamento e aumentou com as doses de N. Os valores médios do índice de área foliar e a interceptação luminosa foram superiores ao preconizado no manejo de pastagens. O sombreamento não alterou a altura do dossel e o teor de FDN. Os maiores teores de FDN foram com 100 kg de N e os menores de FDA com 47,5% de sombreamento. O teor de PB decresceu linearmente em função do aumento sombreamento e das doses de N. A produção do capim-marandu responde positivamente ao aumento do N e negativamente ao sombreamento, enquanto que a quantidade e a qualidade da proteína decrescem pela ação de ambos os fatores.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilization and artificial shading on yield and nutritive value of variables Brachiaria brizantha. Marandu. The pasture was subjected to four fertilizer levels (0, 50, 70 and 100 kg N per application) and four percentage shading (0, 47, 53 and 66%) through nylon screen. The dry matter production had linear response to nitrogen fertilization and shading, where shading and decreased with increased with doses of N. The mean values of leaf area index and light interception were higher than recommended in pasture management. Shading did not affect canopy height and NDF. The highest NDF were with 100 kg N and under ADF with 47.5% shading. The CP decreased linearly with the increase shading and levels of N. The production of Marandu palisadegrass responds positively to increased N and negatively to shading, while the quantity and quality of the protein decreases the action of both factors.

Teores de micronutrientes em pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens fertilizada com cama de frango e fontes minerais / Levels of micronutrients in pasture de Brachiaria decumbens fertilizada with chicken manure and mineral sources

O experimento foi conduzido na fazenda Caminho das Pedras, em Uberlândia, no Triângulo Mineiro. O objetivo foi avaliar a composição mineral de micronutrientes de uma pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens com sinais de degradação decorrentes da fertilização com aplicação de cama de frango e fontes minerais. Foram utilizados seis tratamentos, constituídos por testemunha, uma dosagem de fertilizante mineral, três dosagens exclusivas de cama de frango (1.200; 2.400 e 4.800 kg ha-1) e uma dosagem organomineral (2.400 kg ha-1 de cama de frango + dosagem de fertilizante mineral). Os resultados experimentais mostraram que: a aplicação de doses crescentes de cama de frango favoreceu o aumento da absorção de cobre na época das águas e redução da absorção de manganês, na época seca, pela braquiária; os teores de ferro na parte aérea da braquiária mostraram-se elevados em todos os tratamentos, inclusive na testemunha, com maiores valores no período das águas; e os maiores teores de zinco foram observados quando a braquiária encontrava-se menos desenvolvida vegetativamente.

The experiment was lead in the farm Caminho das Pedras, in Uberlândia, the Triangulo Mineiro. With the objective to evaluate the mineral composition of micronutrients of a pasture of Brachiaria decumbens with decurrent signals of degradation of the fertilização with application of chicken manure and mineral sources. Six treatments, consisting of control, a mineral dosage, three exclusive dosages of poultry litter (1.200 had been used; 2.400 and 4,800 kg ha-1) and a mixed dosage (2,400 kg ha-1 of poultry litter + dosage of mineral fertilizer). The experimental results showed that the application of increasing rates of poultry litter favored increased absorption of copper in the rainy season and reduce the absorption of manganese in the dry season, the pasture, the concentrations of iron in the shoots of pasture showed were elevated in all treatments, including the control, with higher values during the rainy season, and the highest levels of zinc were observed when the pasture is less developed vegetatively