Effects of Choline Supplementation in Diets on Juvenile Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): Productive Performance, Proximate Composition and Serum Lipid Level.

INTRODUCTION: Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is a Brazilian fish species of high commercial value and has emerged as one of the main species with potential for intensive farming. This study aimed to investigate the impact of choline supplementation on productive performance, visceral fat, hepatosomatic indices, proximate composition, serum biochemical profile, and liver coloration in juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). METHOD: The 60-day experiment was conducted in the experimental hatchery of the Study Group of Aquaculture Management - GEMAq of the State University of West Paraná, Brazil. The completely randomized design consisted of five treatments with four replicates each. A total of 200 fish, with an average initial weight and length of 4.25 g and 5.97 cm, were distributed among 20 experimental hapas, resulting in a stocking density of 10 fish per experimental unit. Fish fed a choline-deficient diet exhibited the lowest values for final weight, weight gain, visceral fat, and hepatosomatic index. Conversely, in terms of proximate composition, fish fed choline-deficient diets had the highest moisture content but the lowest crude fat content. Triglyceride levels in juvenile pacu were significantly higher in groups fed diets containing choline (400 to 1200 mg kg-1 ). We also observed significant differences in the cyan color of the liver (P < 0.05). Notably, we observed significant differences in the cyan coloration of the liver (P < 0.05). Other parameters did not exhibit significant changes in response to varying choline levels in the diets. RESULT: Our study demonstrated that choline supplementation in P. mesopotamicus juveniles at an optimal concentration of 400 mg kg-1 significantly impacted growth, metabolism, productive performance, proximate composition, biochemical parameters, and liver color. CONCLUSION: These findings offer crucial guidance for aquaculture professionals, enabling them to enhance growth and health in P. mesopotamicus farming. Further research on choline's influence on lipid metabolism holds potential for more precise dietary recommendations, ultimately improving the efficiency and sustainability of aquaculture practices for this species.

Characterization and subchronic oral toxicity of Pentaclethra macroloba (pracaxi) oil in Rattus norvegicus (lin. Wistar).

The trend of replacing antimicrobials as growth promoters in animal nutrition is growing. Functional oils emerge as an alternative because of their richness in bioactive compounds and bioavailability. The present study aims to evaluate the fatty acid profile, antioxidant capacity, composition of phenolic compounds, and toxic capacity in Wistar rats of pracaxi oil (Pentaclethra macroloba). DDPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), and ABTS (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) were performed to assess antioxidant capacity. The composition of phenolic compounds was determined by specific reagents. For the evaluation of subchronic oral toxicity, 40 Wistar albino rats (20 males and 20 females) were randomized into 10 groups with different levels of pracaxi oil administered orally. The doses administered were 0, 300, 600, 1200 and 2400 mg/kg (Group 1 to 5 females and Group 6 to 10 males). The animals were submitted to evaluations described in the OECD manual (Guide 407). The analytical results showed that pracaxi oil has different fatty acids in its chemical composition: oleic, linoleic, arachidic, and behenic acids, which account for more than 90% of its composition. In a smaller percentage, lauric acid (0.17%), myristic (0.09%), palmitic (1.49%), stearic (3.45%), and linolenic acid (1.39%) were also found. According to the results of the antioxidant tests, pracaxi oil has a high antioxidant capacity and is a product with a high presence of phenolic compounds. Regarding the toxicity assessment, there were no alterations in the clinical signs and weight of organs. However, in histology, there were mild alterations of a possible toxic process with the increase in the oil dose. This research is extremely valuable since pracaxi oil is a product with little information about its potential use in animal nutrition.

Dietary Supplementation of Eubiotic Fiber Based on Lignocellulose on Performance and Welfare of Gestating and Lactating Sows.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of partially fermentable insoluble dietary fiber supplementation on the behavior, surface temperature, and reproductive parameters of gestating and lactating sows, as well as on the performance of their litters. Four hundred hyper-prolific sows were assigned in a randomized block design with two treatment groups during the gestation phase: Control (C), corn-soy based diets, or corn-soy based diets with daily 55 g supplementation of eubiotic fiber (F) from the 85th day of gestation until the farrowing (late pregnancy). During the lactation phase, the sows were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design using the following treatment groups: (1) CC, no fiber included during gestation and lactation. (2) FC, daily inclusion of 55 g of fiber only during late pregnancy. (3) CF, daily inclusion of 55 g of fiber only during lactation. (4) FF, daily inclusion of 55 g of fiber during late pregnancy and lactation. Sows that received dietary fiber supplementation during the final third of gestation increased feed intake during lactation. Piglets from sows supplemented in both phases showed a significant increase in weight at weaning. The dietary supplementation of eubiotic fiber for sows in the end period of gestation and lactation improved performance and welfare, with positive consequences for developing their litters.

Environmental Enrichment for Pig welfare during Transport.

This study aimed to assess the effects of environmental enrichment for pigs during transportation in different phases of their productive cycle. Two trials were conducted, the first during transportation of pigs from the piglet production unit (PPU) to the nursery (n = 250) and the second during the transportation of nonhuman animals from the finishing unit (FU) to the slaughterhouse (n = 120). This work was an observational study with five environmental enrichments: Control - no enrichment; object - use of enrichment objects in the truck; aroma - use of lavender aroma in the truck; music - music in the truck; and vehicle sound. Animal behavior during transportation, respiratory rate, skin surface temperature, and skin lesion score were assessed. Piglets from the treatment music had the lowest frequency of agonistic behaviors during transportation from the farrowing to the nursery and lower skin temperature after transportation. Piglets from the control had the highest respiratory rate prior to transportation. Pigs familiarized with vehicle noises spent most of their time lying during the trip to the slaughterhouse. The creation of a familiar environment to pigs seems promising in enhancing animal well-being during transportation.

Environmental enrichment strategies for weaned pigs: Welfare and behavior.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of different types and strategies of environmental enrichment for weaned pigs on behavior. Forty weaned piglets aged 21 to 28 days were distributed in a completely randomized design in five treatments: without enrichment object, full-time cognitive enrichment, intermittent cognitive enrichment, alternate cognitive and sensory enrichment every 24 hours, and alternate cognitive and sensory enrichment every 48 hours. Behavioral observations were made for 15 days considering pig as experimental unit. Pigs of control and continuous cognitive enrichment treatments were submitted to human approach test, novel arena test, and novel object test. Pigs kept in an unstimulated environment show a higher frequency of unwanted behaviors compared to pigs in other treatments regardless of enrichment type. Pigs with alternation of enrichment type every 24 hours showed a longer interaction time with enrichment objects. Enrichment objects in rearing environment during nursery phase reduced undesirable behaviors and reactivity to unknown situations. Strategies such as alternating the type of enrichment every 24 or 48 hours are effective in maintaining the novelty and the animals' interest.

Effects of Music Therapy on Neuroplasticity, Welfare, and Performance of Piglets Exposed to Music Therapy in the Intra- and Extra-Uterine Phases.

The rearing environment of pigs can cause a high level of stress due to the lack of stimuli and the impossibility of carrying out natural behaviors. Music therapy is a way to enrich the environment and promote stress relief. Few studies in swine using environmental enrichers focus on functional benefits, such as stress resilience, improved biological functions, or mental status. The effect of environmental enrichment on neurobiological processes is particularly poorly understood in farm animals. Thus, our study sought to elucidate the influence of music in piglets exposed to music therapy in the intrauterine and extrauterine phase on neuroplasticity, evaluating the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Behavioural responses were also evaluated using fear tests related to stress resilience. The productive performance of these piglets was analysed to relate the possible reduction in stress levels to greater productivity gains. Forty-eight sows were used at 90 days of gestation until the weaning of their piglets. In the gestation phase, the sows were divided into two treatments: control (without music therapy) and music (with music therapy). In the farrowing/lactation phase, the sows were separated into four treatments: control-control (no music in any phase); control-music (music only in farrowing/lactation); music-control (music only during pregnancy); and music-music (music in both reproductive phases). Music therapy did not cause a difference in the BDNF levels of piglets at birth. However, piglets born from sows of the music-music treatment did not show a reduction in BDNF between birth and weaning, unlike the other treatments. Exposure to music in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and farrowing/lactation improved the weight of piglets at birth and at weaning. Musical enrichment during pregnancy and lactation was able to cause changes in the piglets' neuroplasticity and improve their productive performances.

Influence of homeopathy on the quality of quail eggs stored for different periods of time

The purpose of this trial was to assess the influence of homeopathy products on the diet of quails based on egg quality when submitted to different storage periods. Methodology: Two hundred, 45 day old Japanese quails and 80% of production were used, in a completely randomized design comprised of a 4x3 factorial, and 4 diets (basal feed, inert vehicle and 2 homeopathic products: Fertsigo® (Sulphur10 CH, Sepia 15CH ) and Ovosigo® (Belladonna 12CH,Silicea 12 CH, Natrum mur. 30CH, Calcarea phos. 30CH, Sulphur 12CH) and 3 storage periods (0 days, 7 days and 14 days) with ten repetitions of three eggs per treatment. The weight, percentages of yoke, albumen and shell, albumen height and yolk color, specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk index and shell thickness were evaluated. The data were submitted to variance analysis to verify whether there was a interaction effect between homeopathy factors and storage time, and when absent, the isolated effects. Results: An interaction between the homeopathic products and time was found for the parameters of albumen height and yolk, Haugh unit and yolk index, which reduced over time. For egg weight, yolk, albumen and shell, a significant effect (p<0.05) was found only in the case of homeopathy for the percentages of albumen and shell. For egg and albumen weights, yolk and albumen percentages, specific gravity and colorimetry there was an effect for time, however these parameters reduced over the storage time in days. The addition of the homeopathic based products Ovosigo® and FertSigo® are indicated for the diets of Japanese quail during the laying phase since it resulted in better weights for the egg and its components. Conclusion: The different homeopathic products did not have an influence on conserving the quality of the Japanese quail eggs during the periods evaluated.

Métodos físicos e químicos de detoxificação de aflatoxinas e redução da contaminação fúngica na cadeia produtiva avícola / Physical and chemical methods of detoxification of aflatoxins and reduction of fungal contamination on poultry productive chain

As aflatoxinas são responsáveis por grandes prejuízos à saúde de aves comerciais e à produção animal, essencialmente por perda financeira decorrente de diminuição de ganho de peso dos animais. A detoxificação da ração ou de suas matérias-primas, bem como tentativas de diminuir a contaminação fúngica que leva à produção das toxinas, além de técnicas nutricionais, são métodos que podem ser adotados para tentar diminuir os efeitos deletérios sobre os frangos de corte. Sendo assim, o objetivo desta revisão é mostrar o que a ciência fornece como meios de detoxificação e/ou redução de contaminação por fungos; e algumas substâncias naturais que auxiliam a produção avícola na redução de micotoxicoses .

Aflatoxins are answerable for large losses for the health of commercial birds and for the animal production, essentially by financial losses due to animal body weight diminution. Detoxification of feed or its raw materials, well as attempts of diminution of fungal contamination that leads to toxins production, beyond of nutritional techniques, are methods that can be adopted trying to diminish deleterious effects among broiler chickens. This way, the objective of this review is to show what science supplies like ways of detoxification and/or reduction of contamination by fungi, and some natural substances that help poultry production on reduce mycotoxicosis.

Uso de óleo essencial de orégano, salinomicina e bacitracina de zinco na dieta de frangos de corte / Use of oregano essential oil, salinomycin and bacitracin zinc in diets of broiler chicken

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar dietas com óleo essencial de orégano, associado ou não com salinomicina, como alternativa à bacitracina de zinco sobre o desempenho zootécnico de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 600 pintos de um dia de idade, machos, da linhagem Cobb® 500, criados até 42 dias de idade em boxes com cama de casca de arroz providos de comedouros tubulares e bebedouros nipple. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com seis dietas e 10 repetições de 10 aves cada. As dietas experimentais à base de milho e farelo de soja foram: controle positivo – antibiótico (bacitracina de zinco) + 0,05% de anticoccidiano (salinomicina), controle negativo – dieta basal (DB) sem aditivos, DB + 0,05% de salinomicina e 0,03% de óleo essencial de orégano (Orego-Stim®), DB + 0,03% de óleo essencial de orégano, DB + 0,05% de salinomicina e 0,05% de óleo essencial de orégano, DB + 0,05% de óleo essencial de orégano. Não foi encontrado efeito da utilização do óleo de orégano até 21 dias no desempenho das aves. Nos demais períodos, aos 35 e 42 dias, o desempenho das aves tratadas com 0,03% de óleo essencial de orégano + salinomicina apresentou resultados semelhantes ao controle positivo, levando à conclusão de que a dose de 0,03% de óleo essencial de orégano + salinomicina pode substituir a bacitracina de zinco + salinomicina em dietas para frangos de corte.

The inclusion of oregano essential oil, alone or associated with salinomycin, was evaluated as an alternative to zinc bacitracin on the performance of broiler chickens. This study used 600 male Cobb 500® day-old chicks, raised 42 days in boxes with rice hulls, provided with tubular feeders and nipple drinkers. The experimental design was completely randomized with six diets and 10 replications with 10 birds per experimental unit. The diets were based on corn and soybean meal: positive control - antibiotic (zinc bacitracin) + 0.05% anticoccidial (salinomycin), negative control - basal diet (BD) without additives, DB + 0.05% of salinomycin and 0.03% of oregano essential oil (Orego-Stim®), DB + 0.03% of oregano essential oil, DB + 0.05% of salinomycin and 0.05% of oregano essential oil, DB + 0.05% of oregano essential oil. There were no treatment effects on broiler performance until 21 days of age. In the other periods, at 35 and 42 days, the oregano essential oil at 0.03% combined with salinomycin presented similar effects as the positive control, leading to the conclusion that 0.03% of oregano essential oil associated with the salinomycin can replace zinc bacitracin + salinomycin in broiler chicken diets.