O uso de ducha: efeito sobre o bem-estar e a qualidade da carcaça e da carne em suínos transportados para o abate / Use of shower: the effect on welfare and carcass and meat quality of pigs transported to slaughter

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do uso da ducha de água, antes e após o transporte, sobre o bem-estar dos animais e a qualidade da carne dos suínos. Foram utilizados 384 animais (fêmeas e machos castrados), frutos de cruzamento industrial e provenientes de 16 granjas de Santa Catarina/Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi em um fatorial 2x4, com duas distâncias da granja até o frigorífico (menos de 50km; mais de 50km) e quatro protocolos de ducha, que consistiram em: suínos não molhados na granja e no frigorífico (NMG_NMF); não molhados na granja e molhados no frigorífico (NMG_MOF); molhados na granja e não molhados no frigorífico (MOG_NMF); molhados na granja e molhados no frigorífico (MOG_MOF). Nenhum dos fatores teve influência (P>0,05) sobre as variáveis fisiológicas relacionadas ao estresse (cortisol e lactato sanguíneo), ao número de lesões na carcaça e às características de qualidade da carne.(AU)

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of a shower before and after pig transportation on welfare, meat and carcass quality. We used 384 crossbreeding animals (females and castrated males), from 16 farms in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. A 2x4 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed with two distances from farm to slaughter plant (less than 50km and more than 50km) and four showering protocols. These protocols were applied on pigs: no showering at farm or slaughter plant (Control), no showering at farm but showering at the plant (NMG_MOF); showering at the farm and no showering at the plant (MOG_NMF); showering at the farm and plant (MOG_MOF). None of the factors influenced (P>0.05) physiological variables related to stress (cortisol and lactate in blood samples), number of carcass lesions and the characteristics of meat quality.(AU)

Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows.

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction (FR) on serum glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, progesterone (P4), insulin, and milk production in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 114 ± 14 d pregnant and 685 ± 39 kg of body weight, were randomly assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. During the first 8 d of each period, cows in all treatments were fed for ad libitum feed intake. Beginning on d 9 of each period, cows received 1 of 4 treatments: ad libitum (AL), 25% feed restriction (25 FR), 50% feed restriction (50 FR), and 50% of TMR replaced with wheat straw (50 ST). Daily feed allowance was divided into 3 equal portions allocated every 8h with jugular blood samples collected immediately before each feeding through d 14. In addition, on d 12 of each period, blood samples were collected before and at 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min after morning feeding. The conventional total mixed ration and total mixed ration with straw averaged 15.1 and 10.8%, 32.1 and 50.5%, and 26.8 and 17.0% for concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and starch, respectively. Cows that were feed and energy restricted had reduced dry matter intake, net energy for lactation intake, circulating glucose concentrations, and milk production, but greater body weight and body condition score losses than AL cows. Circulating concentrations of insulin were lower for cows fed 50 FR (8.27 µIU/mL) and 50 ST (6.24 µIU/mL) compared with cows fed AL (16.65 µIU/mL) and 25 FR (11.16 µIU/mL). Furthermore, the greatest plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was observed for 50 ST (647.7 µ Eq/L), followed by 50 FR (357.5 µEq/L), 25 FR (225.3 µEq/L), and AL (156.3 µEq/L). In addition, serum P4 concentration was lower for cows fed AL than cows fed 50 ST and 25 FR. Thus, FR reduced circulating glucose and insulin but increased P4 concentration, changes that may be positive in reproductive management programs.

Familial predisposition to hypertension and the association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure in a population-based sample of young adults.

The reasons for the inconsistent association between salt consumption and blood pressure levels observed in within-society surveys are not known. A total of 157 normotensive subjects aged 18 to 35 years, selected at random in a cross-sectional population-based survey, answered a structured questionnaire. They were classified as strongly predisposed to hypertension when two or more first-degree relatives had a diagnosis of hypertension. Anthropometric parameters were obtained and sitting blood pressure was determined with aneroid sphygmomanometers. Sodium and potassium excretion was measured by flame spectrophotometry in an overnight urine sample. A positive correlation between blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion was detected only in the group of individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension, both for systolic blood pressure (r = 0.51, P<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.50, P<0.01). In a covariance analysis, after controlling for age, skin color and body mass index, individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension who excreted amounts of sodium above the median of the entire sample had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than subjects classified into the remaining conditions. The influence of familial predisposition to hypertension on the association between salt intake and blood pressure may be an additional explanation for the weak association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure observed in within-population studies, since it can influence the association between salt consumption and blood pressure in some but not all inhabitants.

Familial predisposition to hypertension and the association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure in a population-based sample of young adults

The reasons for the inconsistent association between salt consumption and blood pressure levels observed in within-society surveys are not known. A total of 157 normotensive subjects aged 18 to 35 years, selected at random in a cross-sectional population-based survey, answered a structured questionnaire. They were classified as strongly predisposed to hypertension when two or more first-degree relatives had a diagnosis of hypertension. Anthropometric parameters were obtained and sitting blood pressure was determined with aneroid sphygmomanometers. Sodium and potassium excretion was measured by flame spectrophotometry in an overnight urine sample. A positive correlation between blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion was detected only in the group of individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension, both for systolic blood pressure (r = 0.51, P<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.50, P<0.01). In a covariance analysis, after controlling for age, skin color and body mass index, individuals strongly predisposed to hypertension who excreted amounts of sodium above the median of the entire sample had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than subjects classified into the remaining conditions. The influence of familial predisposition to hypertension on the association between salt intake and blood pressure may be an additional explanation for the weak association between urinary sodium excretion and blood pressure observed in within-population studies, since it can influence the association between salt consumption and blood pressure in some but not all inhabitants.

Ruptured aneurysms of the abdominal aorta.

The experience with ruptured aneurysms of the abdominal aorta is reported. Out of 395 aneurysms observed, 78 were ruptured. A review of case histories and an analysis of the causes of death demonstrate the importance of prompt diagnosis and early operation: delay and the use of complicated (TC) or invasive (angiography) instrumental examinations does not appear justified since clinical symptoms, plain standard abdominal films and ultrasound almost always lead to prompt diagnosis. Notwithstanding the improvements in resuscitation and intensive care procedures, a significant difference persists between the mortality rate of elective surgery (3 to 8%) and that of emergency surgery. There were 28 deaths (36%) for emergency surgery as against 3.4% for operations performed for non-ruptured aneurysms. This confirms the need for preventive treatment of aneurysmal lesions of the abdominal aorta, since even aneurysms smaller than 5 cm may rupture.

Quantitative evaluation of carotid blood flow before and after surgery.

Blood flow in 49 patients suffering from stenosing lesions of the supraaortic trunks was measured using an ultrasonic volume flow metre (VFM) before and after operation. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the values of carotid flow, after operation. This non-invasive quantitative determination of blood flow provides the surgeon with often essential information for correct operation and subsequent follow-up.

Surgery of carotid stenoses associated with contralateral obstruction.

Surgical correction of stenosing lesions of the extracranial cerebral arteries, responsible for reduced encephalic perfusion, may prevent neurological damage, even when there is bilateral involvement of carotid arteries (stenosis + obstruction). Moreover in these patients poor haemodynamical conditions are thought to be responsible for high perioperatory neurological morbidity and mortality. From case histories with no mortality and low neurological morbidity, other authors state that revascularization of a stenotic carotid artery may be carried out with a reasonable safety margin, even when there is an obstructive lesion of the contralateral carotid artery. On the basis of the 64 cases of revascularization carried out in patients with obstructions of an internal carotid artery associated with a stenotic lesion of the contralateral, we have made a survey of the results, indications and possibilities of treatment in these patients.

Vascular access for hemodialysis: Thomas' shunt.

The immediate and long-term results obtained by the use of a Thomas' shunt as a vascular access through which periodical hemodialysis can be performed, are reported. The lower incidence of septic and thrombotic complications due to the iliac instead of the femoral implantation of the shunt, is stressed.

Male hypogonadism in aorto-iliac arteriopathies.

In 43 patients affected by aorto-iliac arteriopathies, gonadotropins, testosterone, androstenedione serum levels were measured to verify the presence of a testicular alteration secondary to ischemia. Important signs of testiculopathies (increased gonadotropins and decreased testosterone serum levels) were observed in patients with flow alteration of the internal spermatic artery and in patients with obstructions of the common iliac. Plasma androstenedione levels were not decreased while the A/T ratio was increased in hypotestosteronemic patients. Ischemia might determine a functional block of 17 beta reductase enzyme, necessary to convert androstenedione to testosterone. The impotentia coeundi, which affected about 50% of our patients is not related to testosteronemia.