Organic acids for broilers: Effects on intestinal morphology and growth performance / Ácidos orgánicos para pollos de engorde: Efectos sobre la morfología intestinal y el rendimiento del crecimiento / Ácidos orgânicos para frangos de corte: Efeitos na morfologia intestinal e no desempenho de crescimento

Abstract Background: Organic acids and ammonium salts added to drinking water can optimize productivity of broiler chickens. Objective: To evaluate the effect of acidifying drinking water on productive performance, blood and intestinal pH, and intestinal morphology of broilers. Methods: 1,400 one-day-old broiler chicks were used to evaluate two pH levels (4 and 6) of drinking water during three periods (1-21, 1-28, and 1-42 days of age). The treatments consisted of water added with a blend of formic acid (31%), propionic acid (19%), and their salts ammonium formate (26%), and ammonium propionate (6%) compared to a control group (pH 8). Results: Compared to the control, the groups consuming water at pH 6 (0.038 moles) continuously for 42 days improved (p≤0.01) live weight (2.785 vs 2.691 kg), feed conversion ratio (1.430 vs 1.463 kg/kg), and increased the number of intestinal villi (59.0 vs 55.7). Additionally, blood and intestinal pH was reduced vs the control group (7.75 vs 7.89; 6.32 vs 6.41, respectively). Conclusion: The blend of formic and propionic acids and their ammonium salts in drinking water at pH 6 during the complete production cycle of broilers improves performance, increases the number of intestinal villi, and reduces the pH of blood, duodenum, and ileum.

Resumen Antecedentes: Agregar ácidos orgánicos y sus sales amoniacales en el agua de bebida de pollos de engorde puede optimizar su productividad. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la acidificación del agua de bebida sobre el rendimiento productivo, pH sanguíneo e intestinal, y morfología intestinal del pollo de engorde. Métodos: Se utilizaron 1.400 pollos de engorde de un día de edad para evaluar dos niveles de pH (4 y 6) en agua de bebida durante tres períodos (1-21, 1-28 y 1-42 días de edad). Los tratamientos consistieron en agua con una mezcla de ácido fórmico (31%), ácido propiónico (19%) y sus sales formiato de amonio (26%) y propionato de amonio (6%) en comparación con un grupo control (pH 8). Resultados: En comparación con el control, los grupos que recibieron agua a pH 6 (0,038 moles) continuamente durante 42 días tuvieron mejor (p≤0,01) rendimiento en términos de peso vivo (2,785 vs 2,691 kg) y conversión alimenticia (1,430 vs 1,463 kg/kg) así como un mayor número de vellosidades intestinales (59,0 vs 55,7). Adicionalmente, el pH sanguíneo e intestinal disminuyó vs el grupo control (7,75 vs 7,89; 6,32 vs 6,41, respectivamente). Conclusión: La mezcla de ácidos fórmico y propiónico y sus sales de amonio en el agua de bebida a pH 6 durante todo el ciclo productivo mejora los parámetros productivos en pollos de engorde, aumenta el número de vellosidades intestinales y reduce el pH de la sangre, duodeno e íleon.

Resumo Antecedentes: Recomendações para a aplicação de mistura de ácidos orgânicos e sais de amônio na água potável são necessárias para otimizar a produtividade em frangos de corte. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da acidificação da água de bebida no desempenho produtivo, pH sanguíneo e intestinal e morfologia intestinal. Métodos: 1.400 pintos de corte entre 1 e 42 dias de idade foram utilizados para avaliar dois níveis de pH (4 e 6) na água de beber entre três períodos (1-21, 1-28 e 1-42 dias de idade) de tratamentos em água com uma mistura de ácido fórmico 31%, ácido propiônico 19%, e seus sais formato de amônio 26% e propionato de amônio 6% em relação ao controle (pH 8). Resultados: Os grupos que receberam água continuamente pH 6 (0,038 mols), por 42 dias tiveram melhor desempenho em relação ao controle (p≤0,01) em termos de peso vivo (2,785 vs 2,691 kg) e conversão alimentar (1,430 vs 1,463 kg/kg), bem como aumento do número de vilosidades intestinais (59,0 vs 55,7), sangue e pH intestinal reduzidos vs controle (7,75 vs 7,89; 6,32 vs 6,41). Conclusão: A mistura dos ácidos fórmico e propiônico e seus sais de amônio na água de bebida em pH 6 durante o ciclo completo de produção melhorou os parâmetros de produção em frangos de 42 dias de idade e aumentou o número de vilosidades intestinais e uma redução no sangue, duodeno, e pH do íleo.

Relationships between body mass index, ultrasound measurements and, internal body fat depots in pelibuey sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), ultrasound measurements (USM), and internal fat (IF) in hair sheep. The BMI and USM were determined 24 hours before laughter in 35 animals finished in intensive fattening. At slaughter, the IF (inner adipose tissue) was dissected, weighed, and grouped as mesenteric, omental, or perirenal fat; these three depots were summed to obtain their total weight. The relationship of the variables was evaluated through Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) using the CORR procedure and by regression models using the REG procedure of SAS ver. 9.3. The IF and BMI presented r= 0.75 (P <.0001), while the IF and USM presented an r that varied from 0.70 to 0.80 (P <.0001). Among the internal fat deposits, the perirenal was the one that presented minor correlation coefficients with BMI (r = 0.55), subcutaneous fat thickness (0.55), and thoracic Longissimus dorsi area) (r = 0.33), and for this, the last correlation was not significant (P>0.05). The regression equation between IF and BMI had a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.67 (P <.0001). The inclusion of the subcutaneous fat thickness together with the BMI improved the r2 with a range of 0.77. The BMI and the subcutaneous fat thickness could be used to predict the weight of the internal fat in hair sheep.

Molecular characterization of bacterial microbiota associated with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in Michoacán, Mexico / Caracterización molecular de la microbiota bacteriana asociada con queratoconjuntivitis infecciosa bovina en Michoacán, México / Caracterização molecular da microbiota bacteriana associada à ceratoconjuntivite bovina infecciosa em Michoacán, México

Abstract Background: The most common ocular disease affecting cattle worldwide is infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), which has been associated with Moraxella bovis bacterium. Objective: To report the molecular characterization of the ocular bacterial microbiota and its relation to IBK in cattle in two dairy regions in Michoacán, Mexico. Methods: A total population of 761 bovines were evaluated, of which 17 (2.23%) showed symptoms of IBK. Thirty-eight bacterial isolates from ocular samples of bovines with IBK were characterized by Gram-staining and antimicrobial sensitivity. In addition, isolates were identified by sequence comparisons of the 16S ribosomal gene. Results: The genus Moraxella was one of the most abundant bacteria and M. bovoculi was the most predominant species. Conclusion: The bacterial isolates identified in eye lesions of cattle and associated to IBK are diverse. To the author´s knowledge, this is the first study on the subject in Mexico; therefore, more research is needed to estimate the incidence of IBK and determine its associated microbiota.

Resumen Antecedentes: la enfermedad ocular más común que afecta al ganado en todo el mundo es la queratoconjuntivitis infecciosa bovina (IBK), que se ha asociado con la bacteria Moraxella bovis. Objetivo: reportar la caracterización molecular de la microbiota bacteriana ocular y su relación con IBK en ganado de dos regiones lecheras en Michoacán, México. Métodos: se evaluó una población total de 761 bovinos de los cuales 17 (2,23%) mostraron síntomas de IBK. Se obtuvieron treinta y ocho aislamientos bacterianos de muestras oculares de bovinos con IBK, los cuales se caracterizaron por tinción de Gram y sensibilidad antimicrobiana. Además, los aislamientos se identificaron mediante comparaciones de secuencias del gen ribosomal 16S. Resultados: el género Moraxella fue una de las bacterias más abundantes y M. bovoculi fue la especie más predominante. Conclusión: los aislamientos bacterianos identificados en lesiones oculares de bovinos y asociados a IBK son diversos. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer estudio sobre el tema realizado en México; por lo tanto, es necesario ampliar esta investigación para estimar la incidencia de IBK y determinar la microbiota asociada con la misma.

Resumo Antecedentes: a doença ocular mais comum que afeta o gado no mundo é a ceratoconjuntivite bovina (IBK), que tem sido associada à bactéria Moraxella bovis. Objetivo: relatar a caracterização molecular da microbiota bacteriana ocular e sua relação com a IBK em bovinos de duas regiões leiteiras de Michoacán, México. Métodos: foi avaliada uma população total de 761 bovinos, más apenas 17 (2,23%) apresentaram sintomas de IBK. Trinta e oito isolados bacterianos de amostras de olho bovino com IBK foram caracterizados por coloração de Gram e sensibilidade antimicrobiana. Além disso, os isolados foram identificados por comparação de sequências do gene ribossômico 16S. Resultados: a microbiota bacteriana associada à IBK foi diversa, sendo o gênero Moraxella uma das mais abundantes e M. bovoculi a espécie predominante. Conclusão: de acordo com o conhecimento dos autores, este é o primeiro estudo sobre o tema no México até o momento, portanto é necessário expandir essa pesquisa para estimar a incidência de IBK e determinar a microbiota associada à mesma.

Prediction of Carcass Traits of Hair Sheep Lambs Using Body Measurements.

The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the body measurements (BMs) and carcass characteristics of hair sheep lambs. Twenty hours before slaughter, the shrunk body weight (SBW) and BMs were recorded. The BMs involved were height at withers (HW), rib depth (RD), body diagonal length (BDL), body length (BL), pelvic girdle length (PGL), rump depth (RuD), rump height (RH), pin-bone width (PBW), hook-bone width (HBW), abdomen width (AW), girth (GC), and abdomen circumference (AC). After slaughter, the carcasses were weighed and chilled for 24 h at 1 °C, and then were split by the dorsal midline. The left-half was dissected into total soft tissues (muscle + fat; TST) and bone (BON), which were weighed separately. The weights of viscera and organs (VIS), internal fat (IF), and offals (OFF-skin, head, feet, tail, and blood) were also recorded. The equations obtained for predicting SBW, HCW, and CCW had an r2 ranging from 0.89 to 0.99, and those for predicting the TST and BON had an r2 ranging from 0.74 to 0.91, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy. Our results indicated that use of BMs could accurately and precisely be used as a useful tool for predicting carcass characteristics of hair sheep lambs.

Corn stover induces extracellular laccase activity in Didymosphaeria sp. (syn. = Paraconiothyrium sp.) and exhibits increased in vitro ruminal digestibility when treated with this fungal species.

Fungi can improve stover digestibility due to their ability to secrete oxidative enzymes that depolymerize lignin, allowing the rumen microorganisms to access the polysaccharides of the plant cell wall. Some ascomycetes have shown good delignification capability; however, they have been scarcely evaluated for their ability to improve corn stover (CS) ruminal digestibility. We evaluated the laccase induction by CS of the CMU-196 strain of the ascomycete fungus Didymosphaeria sp. (syn. = Paraconiothyrium sp.). Also, we analyzed the capacity of such strain to modify the cell wall of CS and to improve its digestion by the ruminal microbiota. The CMU-196 strain showed a maximum extracellular laccase activity of 39.74 ± 0.24 U/L when an aqueous stover extract (SE, 10% v/v) was added to the growth medium. The addition of ground stover (GS, 2% w/v) increased the activity to a maximum of 262.27 ± 0.58 U/L. In solid-state fermentation (SSF) assays of GS, the strain degrades cell walls, destabilizing the vessels and tracheids of plant biomass; the protein content reaches a maximum of 33.2 g/kg dry matter (DM) at 70 days, while the crude fiber content shows the highest level of 314 g/kg DM at 14 days. SSF treatment of the CS increased the in vitro ruminal production of gas in a fraction that was considered nondigestible at 18 h, and gas production increased by 14% with respect to the untreated GS at 14 days. The CMU-196 strain can digest the plant cell wall and improve ruminal CS digestibility at a level equivalent to several basidiomycete species.

Breed and environmental factors of sows and their repeatabilities in central Mexico / Factores raciales y ambientales que afectan características reproductivas de las cerdas y sus repetibilidades en México central / Fatores raciais e ambientais que afetam características reprodutivas das porcas e suas repetibilidades em México central

Background: reproductive traits influence lifetime productivity of sows.Objective: to determine the effects of year and season of farrowing, parity number, and breed, on litter size at birth, weaning to service interval (WSI), farrowing to service interval (FSI), and to estimate their repeatabilities. Methods: data from years 1998 to 2008 from a farm in La Piedad, Michoacan, Mexico, were used. Sow breeds were Camborough 22 (PIC), Yorkshire (Y), F1 Landrace x Yorkshire (F1 LY), and ¼ Landrace x ¾ Yorkshire (LY3/4). The studied traits were total pigs born at birth (TPB, n = 45,798), number of pigs born alive (PBA, n = 45,798), WSI (n = 41,156), and FSI (n = 41,156). The statistical model for TPB and PBA included the effects of farrowing year, farrowing season, parity number, breed, and year/season interaction. The model for WSI and FSI included the above factors plus the linear and quadratic effects of lactation length. Results: the overall means for TPB, PBA, WSI, and FSI were 9.31 pigs, 8.60 pigs, 7.87 days, and 29.9 days, respectively. All effects included in the statistical models were significant (p<0.05), except season for TPB and PBA. TPB and PBA increased up to parity 4 and decreased thereafter. The LY3/4 and PIC breed groups had the highest litter size means. The shortest WSI and FSI corresponded to the fall season and the largest to the summer season. WSI and FSI decreased with parity. The Y breed had the shortest and the F1 LY sows had the highest WSI and FSI. The repeatability estimates for TPB, PBA, WSI, and FSI were 0.13, 0.12, 0.14, and 0.14, respectively. Conclusion: year, parity, breed, and lactation length affected litter size, WSI, and FSI. Repeatabilities were low, suggesting that environmental factors are more important than genetic factors for improving the reproductive traits.

Antecedentes: las características reproductivas afectan el tiempo de vida productivo de la cerda. Objetivo: determinar el efecto del año de parto, época de parto, número de parto y grupo racial sobre características de la camada al nacimiento, intervalo destete servicio (WSI), intervalo parto servicio (FSI), y estimar sus repetibilidades. Métodos:se utilizaron los datos de 1998 a 2008 de una granja en La Piedad, Michoacán, México. Las cerdas pertenecían a los grupos raciales Camborough línea 22 (PIC), Yorkshire (Y), F1 Landrace x Yorkshire (F1LY), y ¼ Landrace ¾ x Yorkshire (LY3/4). Las características estudiadas fueron el total de lechones nacidos (TPB, n = 45.798), número de lechones nacidos vivos (PBA, n = 45.798), intervalo destete a servicio (WSI, n = 41.156) e intervalo parto a servicio (FSI, n = 41.156). El modelo estadístico para TPB y PBA incluyó los efectos de año de parto, época de parto, número de parto, grupo racial, y la interacción de año por época. El modelo para WSI y FSI incluyó además los efectos lineal y cuadrático de duración de la lactación. Resultados: las medias para TPB, PBA, WSI y FSI fueron 9,31 lechones, 8,60 lechones, 7,87 días y 29,9 días, respectivamente. Todos los efectos incluidos en los modelos fueron significativos (p<0,05), excepto época para TPB y PBA. TPB y PBA aumentaron hasta el cuarto parto para disminuir posteriormente. Los grupos raciales LY3/4 y PIC tuvieron las mayores medias para tamaño de camada. Los WSI y FSI más cortos correspondieron a la época de otoño. WSI y FSI disminuyeron con el número de parto. La raza Y tuvo los WSI y FSI más cortos y el grupo F1 LY los intervalos más largos. Las repetibilidades para TPB, PBA, WSI y FSI fueron: 0,13, 0,12, 0,14 y 0,14, respectivamente. Conclusión: el año, número de parto, grupo racial y duración de la lactación afectaron los tamaños de camada, WSI y FSI. Las repetibilidades fueron bajas, lo que sugiere que los factores ambientales son más importantes que los factores genéticos cuando se quiere mejorar las características reproductivas.

Antecedentes: as características reprodutivas afetam a produtividade de por vida da porca. Objetivo: determinar o efeito de ano de parto, época de parto, número de parto e grupo racial sobre características da ninhada ao nascimento, intervalo desmama serviço (WSI), intervalo parto serviço (FSI) e estimar suas repetibilidades. Objetivo: o presente trabalho objetivou-se adaptar e validar o método Saraz para determinar o fluxo de NH3 (SMDAE) emitida dos galpões avícolas submetidos à ventilação natural. Métodos: utilizaram-se os dados de 1998 a 2008 de uma granja em La Piedad, Michoacán, México. As porcas pertenciam aos grupos raciais Camborough línea 22 (PIC), Yorkshire (Y), F1 Landrace x Yorkshire (F1 LY) y ¼ Landrace ¾ x Yorkshire (LY3/4). As características estudadas foram o total de leitões nascidos (TPB, n = 45.798), número de leitões nascidos vivos (PBA, n = 45.798), WSI (n = 41.156) e FSI (n = 41.156). O modelo estadístico para TPB e PBA inclui os efeitos de ano de parto, época de parto, número de parto, grupo racial e a interação de ano por época. O modelo para WSI e FSI inclui ademais os efeitos lineais e quadráticos do largo de lactação. Resultados: as medias para TPB, PBA, WSI e FSI foram 9,31 leitões, 8,60 leitões, 7,87 dias e 29,9 dias, respectivamente. Todos os efeitos incluídos em os modelos foram significativos (p<0,05), exceto época para TPB e PBA. TPB e PBA aumentaram hasta o quarto parto para diminuir posteriormente. Os grupos raciais LY3/4 e PIC mostraram as maiores meias para tamanho de ninhada. Os WSI e FSI mais curtos corresponderam má a época de outono. WSI e FSI diminuíam com o número de parto. A raça Y tubo os WSI e FSI mais curtos e os grupo F1LY os intervalos mais largos. As repetibilidades para TPB, PBA, WSI e FSI fórum: 0,13, 0,12, 0,14 e 0,14, respetivamente. Conclusão:o ano, número de parto, grupo racial e largo de lactação afetaram o tamanho de ninhada WSI e FSI. As repetibilidades foram baixas, o que sugere que os fatores ambientais são mais importantes que os fatores genéticos em a melhora das características reprodutivas.

Effects of energy supplementation on productivity of dual-purpose cows grazing in a silvopastoral system in the tropics.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate milk yield, postpartum (pp) ovarian activity and pregnancy rate in dual-purpose cows grazing Cynodon nlemfuensis and browsing L. leucocephala, with or without energy supplementation. Twenty-four Bos taurus × B. indicus cows were divided in two groups from calving to 70 days post-calving: supplemented group (SG) with ground sorghum grain offered at 0.4% of live weight at calving and control group (CG) without supplement. There was a trend for milk yield (kg day(-1)) to be greater (p = 0.08) for SG (10.55 ± 0.51) compared to CG (9.53 ± 0.61), although without differences in fat (0.42 ± 0.02 vs. 0.38 ± 0.03 kg day(-1)), protein (0.29 ± 0.02 vs. 0.29 ± 0.02 kg day(-1)) or lactose (0.49 ± 0.02 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03 kg day(-1)) concentration. Populations of large, medium and small follicles were similar between treatments. Percentage of cows which showed corpus luteum tended to be greater in SG (50%), compared to CG (33%). Supplemented cows tended to have a shorter calving-first corpus luteum interval (40 ± 10 vs. 51 ± 10 days) and had a significantly higher (χ (2) = 0.03) pregnancy rate (42% vs. 0%). It is concluded that energy supplementation helped to improve ovarian activity and pregnancy rate. Since supplementation did not avoid loss of body condition, the higher pregnancy rate in SG suggests beneficial effects of supplementation probably mediated by metabolic hormones.

Reinicio de la actividad ovárica y nivel de metabolitos de lípidos en vacas lecheras suplementadas con aceite vegetal durante el posparto temprano / Resumption of ovarian activity and lipid metabolites in lactating cows supplemented with vegetal oil during early postpartum

Se evaluaó el reinicio de la actividad ovárica posparto (RAO) y los metabolitos de lípidos en vacas lecheras suplementadas con aceite vegetal durante el posparto temprano. Se emplearon 18 vacas Holstein Friesian de tercer parto, de 597,3 ± 50,2 kg y condición corporal = 3,5 ± 0,6. Los animales fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en dos grupos, uno experimental suplementado con 500 g de aceite vegetal durante 8 semanas a partir de la segunda semana posparto (CAV; n=9), y uno control sin suplemento (SAV; n=9), RAO se determinó cuando las concentraciones semanales de P4 fueron mayor igual Ing/ml y se mantuvieron por dos semanas consecutivas. P4 fue medida por radioinmunoensayo y los metabolitos de lípidos (colesterol, lipoproteínas de alta y baja densidad, triglicéridos y lípidos totales) por enzimunocolorimetría, en muestras de sangre colectadas semanalmente durante el período de suplementación grasa. RAO se presentó siete días antes en el grupo CAV respecto a SAV (23,3 ± 12,8 vs 29,6 ± 12,4 días, P<0,05). La concentración media de P4 no se vio afectada (1,48 ± 0,31 vs 1,15 ± 0,31ng/ml para CAV y SAV, respectivamente); sin embargo, se observó un efecto significativo entre los días 28 y 56 a favor del grupo CAV. Entre los metabolitos de lípidos, solo colesterol, triglicéridos y lípidos totales, mostraron diferencias (P<0,05): 109,3 ± 9,9 vs 135,7 ± 9,9; 29,3 ± 7,9 vs 41,3 ± 7,9; y 366,2 ± 50,3 vs 434,2 ± 50,3 mg/dl para SAV y CAV, respectivamente. La suplementación grasa acorta el reinicio de la actividad ovárica posparto e incrementa la concentración plasmática de colesterol, triglicéridos y lípidos totales en vacas lecheras

Dry matter intake rumen fermentation and microbial nitrogen supply in pelibuey sheep fed low-quality rations and different levels of corn oil

Ocho ovinos de pelo de la raza Pelibuey (45 ±2,2kg peso vivo) fueron fistulados y colocados en jaulas metabólicas para de evaluar el efecto de la incorporación de aceite de maíz en el concentrado sobre el consumo de materia seca (MS), fermentación ruminal de MS, materia orgánica (MO), proteína cruda (PC) y fibra detergente neutra (FDN), así como el aporte de N microbial al duodeno. Los borregos fueron alimentados con una dieta base de heno de pasto Guínea (Panicum maximum) de baja calidad, a libre acceso, y 300g de un concentrado adicionado de 0, 4, 8 o 12 por ciento de aceite de maíz. El consumo voluntario de MS fue registrado y la fermentación ruminal de la MS, MO, PC y FDN del heno fueron estimados mediante técnica de bolsa de nylon, después de incubación en el rumen por 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 y 96h. La excreción de purinas fue determinada. El consumo voluntario de MS del heno disminuyó (P<0,05), a medida que la concentración de aceite se incrementó (665,8 ±35,1, 648,8 ±35,1, 558,8 ±36,3 y 525,3 ± 36,3 g/día para 0, 4, 8 y 12 por ciento de aceite, respectivamente). La fermentación ruminal (fracciones a, b y a+b) de la MS, MO, PC y FDN no mostraron diferencias significativas (P>0,05) entre tratamientos, pero la tasa de digestión (fracción c), fue mayor en la MS, MO y PC cuando no se incluyó el aceite en el concentrado (4,9; 14,5; y 10,4 por cinto/h, respectivamente). La tasa de digestión de FND fue mayor (5,71 por ciento/h; P<0,05) cuando se incluyó aceite al 8 por ciento. El aporte de N microbial al duodeno no mostró diferencias significativas entre tratamientos; sin embargo, la adición de 8 por ciento de aceite disminuyó el aporte de N (5,11 ±0,29g/d), respecto a la de 4 por ciento (6,18 ±0,29) y el aporte de N fue menor cuando no se añadió aceite (4,73 ±0,27), que cuando fue adicionado en 4, 8 y 12 por ciento (6,18 ±0,29; 5,11 ±0,29 y 5,19 ±0,29; respectivamente). El aceite de maíz en el concentrado dado a los ovinos tiende a disminuir el consumo de MS de h...