Effects of conditioning on the welfare of jaguars (Panthera onca) in captivity / Efeitos do condicionamento sobre o bem-estar de onças-pintadas (Panthera onca) em cativeiro

The jaguar is the largest feline in the Americas and in the face of the threat of extinction and the reduction of natural areas, keeping the species in captivity may be important for its conservation. This condition can lead to a reduction in well-being, especially due to spatial limitation and lack of environmental stimulus. In recent decades, techniques have been sought to minimize the negative impacts of captivity, with an increase in the use of environmental enrichment and operational conditioning in order to facilitate routine procedures for the animal management. In this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of conditioning on the welfare of jaguars in captivity, analyzing behavioral and physiological effects through salivary cortisol. Seven jaguars were studied in a Scientific Breeder. There was an increase in behaviors associated with welfare and cortisol during conditioning, possibly related to learning. The increase in behaviors associated with welfare suggests that the technique can contribute to improve the quality of life of these animals in captivity.(AU)

A onça-pintada é o maior felino das Américas e, diante da ameaça de extinção e da redução de áreas naturais, manter a espécie em cativeiro pode ser importante para sua conservação. Essa condição pode levar à redução no bem-estar, especialmente devido à limitação espacial e à carência de estímulos ambientais. Nas últimas décadas, têm sido buscadas técnicas para minimizar os impactos negativos do cativeiro, com crescimento da utilização de enriquecimento ambiental e do condicionamento operante, com o intuito de facilitar procedimentos de rotina do manejo dos animais. Nesse cenário, o presente estudo teve por finalidade avaliar os efeitos do condicionamento sobre o bem-estar de onças-pintadas em cativeiro, analisando-se efeitos comportamentais e fisiológicos por meio do cortisol salivar. Foram estudadas sete onças-pintadas em um criadouro científico. Houve aumento dos comportamentos associados ao bem-estar e do cortisol durante o condicionamento, possivelmente relacionados à aprendizagem. O aumento nos comportamentos de bem-estar sugere que a técnica pode contribuir para melhorar a qualidade de vida desses animais em cativeiro.(AU)

Efficiency of ultraviolet light for disinfection of fertile broiler eggs / Eficiência da luz ultravioleta para desinfecção de ovos férteis de matrizes de frangos de corte

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ultraviolet light in reducing bacterial load of eggshells and the impact of experimental disinfection on hatching, embryo mortality, and time-borne distribution using broiler breeder hens of different ages (38, 42, and 48 weeks old). Fertile eggs were subjected to different exposure periods (5, 7, and 9 minutes) of UV light (UV-C) with a 254 nm wavelength. For controls, eggs disinfected with paraformaldehyde (5.3 g/m3) and eggs not disinfected (NC). After subjection to disinfection protocols, the eggs were placed into sterile plastic bags containing 20 mL of peptone saline solution (0.1% m:v) and massaged for 1 minute to release the bacterial load. Aliquots of this solution were incubated in specific medium for bacterial growth for 48 hours at 37ºC for subsequent CFU counts. To evaluate the effects of disinfection on production, eggs previously disinfected by UV-C (9 min) and paraformaldehyde and NC eggs were candled between incubation days 10 and 13 and at the end of the incubation period to assess embryonic mortality. Hatchability distribution was performed every 8 hours. The 9 minutes 254nm UV-C light exposure was able to disinfect viable eggs and matched the effectiveness of the paraformaldehyde technique.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficácia da luz ultravioleta na redução da carga bacteriana de cascas de ovos e o impacto na eclosão e na mortalidade embrionária observando-se a idade das matrizes (38, 42 e 48 semanas). Os ovos foram submetidos a diferentes períodos de exposição (cinco, sete e nove minutos) à luz UV (UV-C) com comprimento de onda de 254nm. Os controles foram ovos desinfetados com paraformaldeído (5,3g/m³) e ovos não desinfetados (NC). Após a desinfecção, os ovos foram colocados em sacos plásticos estéreis contendo 20mL de solução salina peptonada (0,1% m:v) e massageados por um (1) minuto para descolamento das bactérias. Alíquotas dessa solução foram incubadas em meio para crescimento bacteriano por 48 horas a 37ºC e contagem de UFC. Para avaliar os efeitos da desinfecção, ovos previamente desinfetados por UV-C (nove minutos) e ovos com paraformaldeído e NC foram submetidos à ovoscopia entre os dias 10 e 13 de incubação e ao final do período de incubação, para avaliação da mortalidade embrionária. A distribuição da eclodibilidade foi realizada a cada oito horas. A exposição à luz UV-C de 25nm de nove minutos desinfetou os ovos férteis e coincidiu com a eficácia do paraformaldeído.(AU)

Effects of season and distance during transport on broiler chicken meat.

This research aims to evaluate the microclimate of commercial loads of broiler chickens at different distances in the summer (rainy) and winter (dry) seasons and their effects on meat quality. Twelve broiler loads were monitored with a total of 24 crates per load. Data loggers were used to record temperature and relative humidity. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with 48 treatments in a factorial scheme (2 seasons: rainy and dry) x 2 (distances: short and long) x 12 (positions), with 3 replicates per experimental group. In the rainy season, meat quality was influenced by transport distance. For longer distances, it recorded the highest enthalpy comfort index (ECI), suggesting a tendency of dark, firm, and dry meat (DFD-like) and lower cooking losses (CL). The lowest ECI was recorded during the transport in dry season. Broiler chickens transported and slaughtered in the winter presented meat pH and L* (lightness) classified as "normal," but with higher cooking losses. For the shear force (SF), the seasons and distances had no significant influence on tenderness of the meat. Regarding the crate positioning in the load, no effect was observed during transport on this variable, given the meat quality characteristics of pH, L*, CL, and SF. These results suggest that the distance and the seasons present more influence on broiler meat quality than crate position in the truck.

Influence of stocking density on growth performance and welfare of juvenile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) in cages / Influência da densidade de criação sobre o desempenho de crescimento e bem-estar de tilápias (Oreochromis niloticus) juvenis em gaiolas

Intensification of tilapia production can cause negative implications on performance and welfare of fishes. Thus, it is essential to determine a correct density for optimal production. This study aimed to evaluate performance and animal welfare of juvenile Nile tilapia with an initial weight average of 30g (± 2.70) reared using three different stocking densities in floating net-cages. Fish were fed three times a day with feed containing 32% crude protein during 74 days. The experimental design was completely randomized with 3 treatments (250 fish/m3, 350 fish/m3 and 450 fish/m3) and 4 replicas. The physical - chemical parameters of water were monitored throughout the experiment. Increase in stocking density caused a decrease in the final weight of fish, weight gain, daily weight gain, standard length and survival, as well as an increase in feed conversion. However, higher densities seem to reduce the effect on weight variation. There was no influence of stocking density on final biomass, blood glucose and serum cortisol concentrations. Therefore, the increase of stocking density compromised development and survival of fish, but did not influence the physiological parameters of stress. Thus, treatment with 250 fish/m3 was shown to be the most suitable for fish performance.(AU)

A intensificação da produção de tilápias pode gerar implicações negativas sobre o desempenho e o bem-estar dos peixes. Assim, é essencial determinar a densidade correta para otimizar a produção. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho e o bem-estar de tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) juvenis, com peso inicial médio de 30g (± 2,70), criadas em três diferentes densidades de estocagem, em gaiolas de flutuação. Os peixes foram alimentados três vezes/dia, com ração contendo 32% de proteína bruta, durante 74 dias. O desenho experimental foi completamente ao acaso, com três tratamentos (250 peixes/m3, 350 peixes/m3 e 450 peixes/m3) e quatro réplicas. Os parâmetros físico-químicos da água foram monitorados durante o experimento. A elevação da densidade de criação causou redução no peso final dos peixes, no ganho de peso, no ganho de peso diário, no comprimento padrão e na taxa de sobrevivência, bem como elevou a taxa de conversão alimentar. Entretanto, densidades mais elevadas reduziram o efeito na variação de peso. Não houve influência da densidade de criação nos parâmetros de biomassa final, da concentração de glicose sanguínea e de cortisol sérico. Portanto, o aumento na densidade de criação compromete o desenvolvimento e a taxa de sobrevivência dos peixes, mas não influencia os parâmetros fisiológicos de estresse. Assim, o tratamento com 250 peixes/m3 apresentou resultados mais apropriados ao melhor desempenho dos peixes.(AU)

Number of flocks on the same litter and carcase condemnations due to cellulitis, arthritis and contact foot-pad dermatitis in broilers.

1. This study was conducted to verify the impact of different kinds of material and the number of times of litter reuse on the incidence of chicken pathologies. Approximately 4·5 million broilers from conventional Brazilian farms were evaluated in the abattoir for cellulitis, arthritis and contact foot-pad dermatitis. 2. Four different kinds of litter material, Brachiaria grass, corncob, sawdust and rice shell, were used. Brachiaria grass litter showed the highest incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis. Corncob litter also showed some negative effects on foot quality. Broilers raised on rice shell litter showed good results in terms of the incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis. The best results were obtained with sawdust litter, because the incidence of cellulitis and arthritis were the lowest and the incidence of contact foot-pad dermatitis was also very low.

An analysis of the 1978 African swine fever outbreak in Brazil and its eradication.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak that began in 1978 in Paracambi municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and the steps taken by the Brazilian authorities to eradicate the disease. The presence of ASF in the country was confirmed by isolating the virus, and its pathogenicity was certified by the laboratory of the Plum Island Disease Center, New York, United States. Even before the laboratory results became available, the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry declared an Animal Health Emergency, in which the official Veterinary Services adopted rapid control measures to restrain and eradicate the disease. These control measures contributed to the reorganisation of the national swine industry and stimulated the use of high-technology production techniques, as well as an improvement in herd health consciousness. All this contributed to Brazil becoming the largest meat exporter in the world.

Prevalência de enterococos isolados de frangos caipiras em diferentes regiões do Distrito Federal / Prevalence of Enterococcus spp. isolated from free-range chickens in different regions of Distrito Federal, Brazil

It was studied whether vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonize poultry raised without receiving antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP), in non-intensive production systems. A total of 200 cloacal swabs were colleted in farms (n=40) of eight different regions of the Distrito Federal. After selective isolation, the typical enterococcal colonies were submitted to the multiplex PCR to identify enterococcal species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, and E. casseliflavus), and genes coding for high-level vancomycin resistance phenotypes. No VRE were found in the examined samples. The prevalence rates were higher for E. gallinarum (n=26; 13.0 percent) and E. casseliflavus (n=11; 5.5 percent). It was found remarkable differences in the prevalence of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus among the poultry farms and studied regions, and it seems that poultry raised in non-intensive production systems in the Distrito Federal of Brazil are not reservoirs of VRE.

Efeito da temperatura ambiente e da restrição alimentar protéica ou energética sobre o ganho de peso e crescimento ósseo de frangos de corte / Effect of environmental temperature and protein or energy restriction on body weight gain and broiler chicken bone growth

Avaliou-se o efeito da restrição alimentar qualitativa, protéica ou energética sobre o ganho de peso e desenvolvimento ósseo de frangos criados em diferentes temperaturas ambientes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com os tratamentos em um esquema fatorial 3 3, com os fatores: restrição alimentar (R0 = ad libitum; R1 = restrição energética; R2 = restrição protéica) e temperatura ambiente (T1 = 18ºC; T2 = 25ºC; T3 = 33º C). Do 8º ao 14º dia, os frangos foram submetidos à restrição energética (2565kcal de EM/kg e 20 por cento de proteína bruta) ou protéica (2850kcal de EM/kg e 15 por cento de proteína bruta), sendo, posteriormente, alimentados à vontade. A restrição protéica resultou em menor ganho de peso e menor diâmetro do fêmur no 14º dia de idade. Não foram observadas diferenças nessas características a partir do 21º dia de idade. O ganho de peso e o crescimento do fêmur não foram influenciados pela restrição energética. A alta temperatura ambiente (33ºC) influenciou negativamente o ganho de peso e o diâmetro do fêmur, a partir do 21º dia, e o comprimento do fêmur, no 42º dia de idade. Tanto a restrição protéica, na segunda semana, quanto a alta temperatura ambiente, a partir do 21º dia de idade, reduziram o ganho de peso e o crescimento do fêmur de frangos.