At least 3 days of adaptation are required before indigestible markers (chromium, titanium, and acid insoluble ash) are stabilized in the ileal digesta of 60-kg pigs, but values for amino acid digestibility are affected by the marker.

An experiment was conducted to 1) test the hypothesis that a minimum adaptation period to diets used in ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility experiments with pigs is needed and 2) to test the null-hypothesis that ileal digestibility and basal endogenous losses of AA are not affected by the indigestible marker used. Eight ileal-cannulated barrows with an initial BW of 58.1 ± 4.3 kg were randomly allotted to a 2-period crossover design with 2 diets and 4 pigs per diet in each period. A soybean meal-based diet and an N-free diet were prepared. Both diets contained 0.4% chromium oxide, 0.4% titanium dioxide, and 0.4% Celite (a source of acid insoluble ash; AIA). Pigs were provided feed in a daily amount of 3 times the maintenance requirement for metabolizable energy, and 2 equal meals were provided each day. Ileal digesta samples were collected from 0800 to 2000 h on each day during the two 9-d collection periods. There was no period by diet interactions observed. Marker concentrations in ileal digesta were analyzed separately for each day, and the point where the concentration of each marker was stabilized in the digesta was determined using a linear broken-line analysis. For pigs fed the soybean meal diet, the breakpoints for Cr, Ti, and AIA in ileal digesta were 2.70, 2.45, and 3.77 d, respectively. In pigs fed the N-free diet, the breakpoints for Cr, Ti, and AIA in ileal digesta were 2.52, 2.39, and 2.29 d, respectively. Based on the pooled data, the basal endogenous losses of most AA calculated using Cr as an indigestible marker were less (P < 0.05) than the values calculated using Ti, but greater (P < 0.05) compared with values calculated based on AIA. The standardized ileal digestibility of most AA in soybean meal calculated using Cr or Ti as a digestibility marker were greater (P < 0.05) than the digestibility values calculated using AIA. In conclusion, 3 d of adaptation is required before markers are stabilized in the ileal outflow if Cr or Ti is used as an indigestible marker and 4 d of adaptation is required if AIA is the marker. Values for AA digestibility calculated using Cr or Ti as the marker are not different, but greater compared with values calculated using AIA as the marker.

Bioavailability of D-methionine relative to L-methionine for nursery pigs using the slope-ratio assay.

This experiment was conducted to determine the bioavailability of D-methionine (Met) relative to L-Met for nursery pigs using the slope-ratio assay. A total of 50 crossbred barrows with an initial BW of 13.5 kg (SD = 1.0) were used in an N balance study. A Met-deficient basal diet (BD) was formulated to contain an adequate amount of all amino acids (AA) for 10-20 kg pigs except for Met. The two reference diets were prepared by supplementing the BD with 0.4 or 0.8 g L-Met/kg at the expense of corn starch, and an equivalent concentration of D-Met was added to the BD for the two test diets. The pigs were adapted to the experimental diets for 5 d and then total but separated collection of feces and urine was conducted for 4 d according to the marker-to-marker procedure. Nitrogen intakes were similar across the treatments. Fecal N output was not affected by Met supplementation regardless of source and consequently apparent N digestibility did not change. Conversely, there was a negative linear response (P < 0.01) to Met supplementation with both Met isomers in urinary N output, which resulted in increased retained N (g/4 d) and N retention (% of intake). No quadratic response was observed in any of the N balance criteria. The estimated bioavailability of D-Met relative to L-Met from urinary N output (g/4 d) and N retention (% of intake) as dependent variables using supplemental Met intake (g/4 d) as an independent variable were 87.6% and 89.6%, respectively; however, approximately 95% of the fiducial limits for the relative bioavailability estimates included 100%. In conclusion, with an absence of statistical significance, the present study indicated that the mean relative bioequivalence of D- to L-Met was 87.6% based on urinary N output or 89.6% based on N retention.

Digestible and metabolizable energy in corn grains from different origins for growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations in nine sources of corn grains fed to growing pigs and to compare the energy values among their countries of origin. A total of nine sources of corn grains including five sources of yellow corn from the United States (USY), two sources of yellow corn from South Africa (SAY), and two sources of white corn from South Africa (SAW) were used. Nine barrows with an initial body weight of 37.1 ± 8.6 kg were allotted to a 9 × 9 Latin square design with nine diets and nine periods. The DE concentration in SAY (3347 kcal/kg) was greater (P < 0.001) than in USY (3269 kcal/kg), but was less (P < 0.001) than in SAW (3436 kcal/kg) on an as-fed basis. Similarly, the ME concentration in SAY (3291 kcal/kg) was greater (P < 0.001) than in USY (3209 kcal/kg), but was less (P < 0.001) than in SAW (3386 kcal/kg). In conclusion, the DE and ME concentrations in nine sources of corn grains are different among their countries of origin.

Effects of dietary barley on growth performance, carcass traits and pork quality of finishing pigs / Efecto de la inclusión dietaria de cebada sobre el crecimiento, calidad de la canal y de la carne de cerdos en engorde / Efeito da inclusão de cevada no crescimento, qualidade da carcaça e da carne de suínos em engorda

Background: the relatively high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid in yellow corn may reduce the quality of pork fat, but feeding barley instead of yellow corn may increase pork quality. Objective: to determine the effects of feeding graded levels of barley on performance, carcass composition, and pork quality of finishing pigs. Methods: in experiment 1, diets containing 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80% barley were fed to pigs (initial BW: 67.9 kg) for 8 weeks. In experiment 2, a diet containing 60% barley was fed to pigs for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks prior to slaughter. Results: feeding diets with increasing levels of barley resulted in a linear decrease in daily gain (p<0.01) and backfat thickness (p<0.01). Dressing percentage linearly decreased with length of barley feeding (p<0.05), but the concentration of saturated fatty acids in backfat increased (linear, p<0.05) the longer the barley diet was fed. Conclusion: there was no effect of barley on loin muscle quality and barley did not consistently change fat color or belly and bacon quality.

Antecedentes: la relativamente alta concentración de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados presente en el maíz amarillo puede reducir la calidad de la grasa del cerdo. Alimentar con cebada en lugar de maíz amarillo podría mejorar la calidad de dicha carne. Objetivo: determinar los efectos del suministro de niveles incrementales de cebada sobre el rendimiento, composición de la canal y calidad de la carne de cerdos en ceba. Métodos: en el experimento 1 se suministraron dietas que contenían 0, 20, 40, 60, o 80% de cebada a cerdos en ceba (PV inicial: 67,9 kg) durante 8 semanas. En el experimento 2 se suministró una dieta con 60% de cebada a cerdos durante 0, 2, 4, 6, u 8 semanas antes del sacrificio. Resultados: el introducir mayores niveles de cebada en la dieta resultó en una disminución lineal de la ganancia diaria (p<0,01) y del espesor de la grasa dorsal (p<0,01). El porcentaje de rendimiento disminuyó linealmente con la duración del suministro de cebada (p<0,05), pero la concentración de ácidos grasos saturados en la grasa dorsal aumentó (lineal, p<0,05) a medida que se incrementó la duración del suministro de cebada. Conclusión: no hubo efecto de la cebada en la calidad del músculo del lomo. La cebada no cambió el color de la grasa ni la calidad del vientre o del tocino.

Antecedentes: a concentração relativamente elevada de ácidos gordurosos poli-insaturados presentes no milho amarelo pode reduzir a qualidade da gordura suína. Fornecendo cevada ao invés de milho amarelo poderia melhorar a qualidade da carne. Objetivo: determinar os efeitos de níveis crescentes de cevada sobre o desempenho, composição e qualidade da carne a da carcaça de suínos de engorda. Métodos: no primeiro experimento os suínos foram alimentados durante o período de engorda com dietas contendo 0, 20, 40, 60, ou 80% de cevada (PV inicial de 67,9 kg) durante oito semanas. No segundo experimento se subministrou uma dieta com 60% de cevada aos suínos durante 0, 2, 4, 6 ou 8 semanas antes do abate. Resultados: a introdução de maiores níveis de cevada na dieta resultou em uma redução linear do ganho de peso diário (p<0,01) e da espessura de toucinho (p<0,01). A porcentagem de rendimento no período de engorda diminuiu linearmente com a duração de fornecimento de cevada (p<0,05), mas a concentração de ácidos gordurosos saturados do bacon aumentou enquanto se incrementou a duração de fornecimento de cevada (linear, p<0,05). Conclusão: não houve efeito de cevada na qualidade do olho de lombo. A cevada não mudou a cor da gordura nem a qualidade da barriga e do bacon.

Comparison of two different in vivo models and an in vitro model for caloric determination of four novel fiber ingredients.

The objective of this study was to compare two in vivo methods using pigs and roosters and an in vitro method for determining the caloric value of four fiber sources [i.e., two resistant starches (RS 60 and RS 75), soluble corn fiber (SCF 70), and pullulan]. Metabolizable energy (ME) in pigs and true metabolizable energy (TMEn) in roosters were determined by using 72 barrows and 24 roosters, respectively. A two-step in vitro procedure was used to quantify monosaccharides released. Results of the two in vivo experiments corresponded well with RS 75 having the least caloric value (7.55 MJ/kg in pigs; 6.19 MJ/kg in roosters) and pullulan having the greatest caloric value (12.21 MJ/kg in pigs; 13.94 MJ/kg in roosters). The caloric values for all the fiber ingredients were less (P < 0.05) than in MD both in pigs and in roosters. Despite some limitations, results of the in vitro procedure corresponded well with the in vivo experiments where the concentration of glucose hydrolyzed from RS 60, RS 75, and SCF 70, but not pullulan, was less (P < 0.05) than the concentration of glucose hydrolyzed from MD. However, the greatest accuracy was obtained in the in vivo experiments.

A program for making completely balanced Latin Square designs employing a systemic method / Programa para lograr un balance total en los diseños estadísticos tipo Cuadrado Latino, empleando un método sistémico / Programa para lograr um balanceamento total nos delineamentos estadísticos tipo Quadrado Latino, usando um método sistêmico

Animal scientists employ Latin square designs to reduce the required number of animals for detecting statistical differences in animal experiments. Randomization procedures do not balance residual effects that possibly exist in Latin square experiments. A spreadsheet-based program is available for making Latin square designs balanced for the first-order residual effects. The balance of remote residual effects may also be very important to consider when a relatively long latent period exists after a treatment. We have developed a spreadsheet-based program, the Completely Balanced Latin Square Designer (CBLSD), to facilitate the generation of Latin squares (n = prime number – 1) balanced for immediate and remote carryover effects. The program allows a user to choose the number of treatments that is equal to the number of animals and periods in a square. A user may also input the number of squares. Then, the CBLSD instantly generates a Latin square balanced for the multi-order as well as first-order carryover effects. Also provided is a schedule table for an experiment sorted by period and animal. The CBLSD enables animal experimenters to quickly and accurately make Latin squares balanced for the immediate and remote carryover effects. The program is freely available upon request.

El diseño estadístico llamado Cuadrado Latino se utiliza en experimentación con animales con el fin de reducir el número de animales requerido para detectar diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. Los procedimientos comunes de aleatorizacion no balancean los efectos residuales que podrían existir al usar el Cuadrado Latino. Ya se encuentra disponible un programa, basado en una hoja de cálculo, que sirve para balancear Cuadrados Latinos en sus efectos residuales de primer orden. Sin embargo, también se debería realizar el balanceo de los efectos residuales remotos, particularmente cuando existe un periodo latente relativamente prolongado después de un tratamiento. Hemos desarrollado un programa denominado Completely Balanced Latin Square Designer (CBLSD), basado en una hoja de cálculo, para facilitar la generación de Cuadrados Latinos (n = numero primo -1) balanceados para los efectos acumulativos (persistentes) tanto inmediatos como remotos. El programa permite al usuario escoger el número de tratamientos equivalente al número de animales y periodos en un cuadrado. El usuario puede también asignar el numero de cuadrados. El CBLSD instantáneamente genera un Cuadrado Latino balanceado tanto para los efectos persistentes de primer orden, como para los multi-orden. Adicionalmente, se provee una tabla para programar los tratamientos en un experimento organizado por periodo y por animal. El CBLSD permite balancear Cuadrados Latinos rápidamente y con precisión. El programa está disponible de manera gratuita para todos los interesados, mediante solicitud vía email a los autores.

O delineamento estadístico chamado Quadrado Latino é utilizado na experimentação com animais com o propósito de reduzir o número de animais requerido para detectar diferenças significativas entre tratamentos. Os procedimentos comuns de aleatorização não balanceiam os efeitos residuais que poderiam existir ao usar o quadrado latino. Tem-se disponível una planilha eletrônica que serve para balancear quadrados latinos em seus efeitos residuais de primeiro ordem, no entanto, dever-se-ia realizar um balanceio dos efeitos residuais remotos, particularmente quando existe um período latente relativamente prolongado depois de um tratamento. Foi desenvolvido um programa denominado Completely Balanced Latin Square Designer (CBLSD), baseado numa planilha eletrônica para facilitar a geração de quadrados latinos (n = número primo -1) balanceados para os efeitos acumulativos (persistentes), tanto imediatos como remotos. O programa permite ao usuário escolher o número de tratamentos equivalente ao número de animais e períodos em um quadrado. O usuário também pode indicar o número de quadrados. O CBLSD instantaneamente gera um quadrado Latino balanceado para os efeitos persistentes de primeiro ordem e para os multi-ordem. Adicionalmente, tem uma tabela para programar os tratamentos no experimento organizado por períodos e por animais. O CBLSD permite balancear quadrados Latinos rapidamente e com precisão.O programa está disponível de forma gratuita, mediante solicitude via email dos autores.

Effects of including raw or extruded field peas (Pisum sativum L.) in diets fed to weanling pigs.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about the response to field peas fed to weanling pigs. Two experiments were therefore conducted to investigate effects of including increasing levels of field peas in weanling pig diets. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, a reduction (linear, P < 0.05) in average daily gain (551, 574, 541, 548, 512 and 533 g d(-1)) was observed in response to increasing levels of raw field peas (0, 120, 240, 360, 480 and 600 g kg(-1)) in diets fed from day 14 to 42 post weaning. In Experiment 2, the inclusion of raw field peas (0, 245 or 490 g kg(-1)) in the diets reduced (linear, P < 0.05) feed intake from day 14 to 39 post weaning, but average daily gain and gain:feed were unaffected by the use of raw field peas. The response to extruded field peas was not different from that to raw field peas. CONCLUSION: Up to 360 g kg(-1) raw field peas may be included in nursery diets without negatively influencing pig growth performance provided that diets are balanced for indispensable amino acids. Results from this work do not support any advantage of extruding the field peas.

The effects of dietary chromium(III) picolinate on growth performance, vital signs, and blood measurements of pigs during immune stress.

This experiment used 24 pigs (26.0 kg) to investigate the effects of dietary chromium (Cr) on pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following 35 days of diet exposure, the immune stress treatments were: (1) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection and no Cr, (2) LPS injection and no Cr, (3) LPS injection and Cr 1,000 ppb, and (4) LPS injection and Cr 2,000 ppb. At 0 h, PBS or LPS was injected intraperitoneally in each pig. During the first 12 h post-injection, pigs challenged with LPS lost 951 g, while the PBS group gained 170 g (p < 0.001). Compared with the PBS group, LPS-challenged pigs consumed less feed (p < 0.01) during the first 24 h. The LPS group had higher rectal temperature at 2 and 4 h and higher respiratory rate at 1.3 and 8.5 h than the PBS group (p < 0.05). Plasma collected at 3 h had higher cortisol (p < 0.001) and lower glucose (p < 0.05) concentrations in the LPS group than the PBS group. However, supplemental Cr did not affect the response variables. Overall, the LPS challenge affects growth performance, vital signs, and plasma variables, but dietary Cr is unable to moderate stress-related effects associated with an LPS challenge.

Effects of dietary chromium (III) picolinate on growth performance, respiratory rate, plasma variables, and carcass traits of pigs fed high-fat diets.

We investigated the effects of supplemental chromium (Cr) as Cr (III) picolinate on pigs fed high-fat diets (HFD) in a 56-day experiment. Thirty-two crossbred pigs (9.6 kg) were allotted to four treatments with four blocks and two pigs/pen. Treatments included: (1) low-fat diet (fat < 3.5%; LFD) with no Cr, (2) HFD (fat > 30%) with no Cr, (3) HFD with 1,000 ppb Cr, and (4) HFD with 2,000 ppb Cr. Pigs fed HFD gained weight faster, consumed less, and had lower feed:gain (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HFD had higher respiration rates than pigs fed LFD on d 41 (p < 0.05). Plasma insulin on d 14 linearly decreased with Cr (p = 0.05). Plasma cholesterol concentrations were higher in the pigs fed HFD than those fed LFD, but were largely unaffected by supplemental Cr. Consumption of HFD resulted in greater carcass weight, perirenal fat, and backfat measures (p < 0.01) compared with the LFD group. Cr resulted in linear reductions of hot carcass weight (p = 0.08) and average backfat (p < 0.05). The effects of Cr on carcass fat measures were more pronounced in castrated males than in females. These results indicate that Cr attenuates some effects of a HFD, mainly body fat accretion of pigs, and especially in castrated pigs.

Effects of chromium(III) picolinate on cortisol and DHEAs secretion in H295R human adrenocortical cells.

Dietary chromium(III) picolinate (CrPic) effects on circulating steroid hormones have been reported in various experimental animals. However, direct effects of CrPic on adrenocortical steroidogenesis are uncertain. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effects of CrPic on cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) secretion from H295R cells. In experiment 1, a 24-h exposure to CrPic (0 to 200 microM) had both linear (p < 0.001) and quadratic (p < 0.001) effects on cortisol secretion from forskolin-stimulated cells with the highest cortisol secretion at 0.1 microM of CrPic and the lowest at 200 microM of CrPic. In experiment 2, a 48-h exposure to CrPic (200 microM) decreased cortisol (p < 0.07) release from forskolin-stimulated cells during a 24-h collection period. In experiment 3, a 48-h exposure to CrPic (100 microM) decreased cortisol (p < 0.05) and DHEAs (p < 0.01) from forskolin-stimulated cells during a 24-h sampling period. In experiment 4, a 24-h exposure to forskolin followed by a 24-h exposure to both forskolin and CrPic (100 and 200 microM) decreased both cortisol and DHEAs secretion (p < 0.01). This study suggests that at high concentrations, CrPic inhibits aspects of steroidogenesis in agonist-stimulated adrenocortical cells.

A spreadsheet program for making a balanced Latin Square design / Hoja de cálculo para balancear diseños experimentales del tipo Cuadrado Latino / Planilha eletrônica para balancear delineamentos experimentais de tipo Quadrado Latino

Latin square designs are often employed in animal experiments to minimize the number of animalsrequired to detect statistical differences. Generally, potential carryover effects are not balanced out byrandomization. Systemic methods are available for equalizing the residual effects. We have developedan Excel® spreadsheet-based program, the Balanced Latin Square Designer (BLSD), to facilitate thegeneration of Latin squares balanced for carryover effects. The program allows a user to input the numberof treatments that is equal to the number of animals and periods in a square. A user may also input thenumber of squares. Then, the BLSD automatically generates Latin squares balanced for the first ordercarryover effects. For an even number of treatments, each treatment immediately precedes and followsevery other treatment exactly once in the square. For Latin squares with an odd number of treatments,the first order residual effects can be balanced only if they are replicated an even number of times. Theprogram also displays a table for an experimental schedule sorted by period and animal. The BLSD allowsanimal scientists to quickly and accurately generate Latin squares balanced for the first order carryovereffects. The program is freely available upon request.

El diseño del tipo “Cuadrado Latino” es muy empleado en experimentación, buscando minimizarel número de animales que se requieren para detectar diferencias estadísticas entre tratamientos.Generalmente, los efectos remanentes potenciales (de arrastre) no se logran balancear mediante lasimple aleatorizacion de animales y tratamientos. Existen métodos sistémicos para igualar los efectosresiduales. Presentamos acá una aplicación de Excell® que denominamos Diseñador de Cuadrados Latinos Balanceados (BLSD, por su sigla en Ingles), y que sirve para facilitar la generación deCuadrados Latinos balanceados para efectos de arrastre. El programa permite al usuario ingresar elnúmero de tratamientos equivalente al número de animales y periodos en un cuadrado. El usuariopuede también ingresar el número de cuadrados. Luego, el BLSD automáticamente genera CuadradosLatinos balanceados para los efectos de arrastre de primer orden. Cuando se trate de un número par detratamientos, cada tratamiento inmediatamente precede y sobreviene al otro tratamiento exactamenteuna vez en el cuadrado. Para Cuadrados Latinos con número impar de tratamientos, los efectosresiduales de primer orden pueden ser balanceados sólo si son replicados un número par de veces.El programa además ofrece una tabla para experimentos programados por animal y por periodo. ElBLSD permite al investigador generar, con precisión y rapidez, Cuadrados Latinos balanceados paralos efectos de arrastre de primer orden. El programa se encuentra disponible de forma gratuita paraquienes lo soliciten.

O delineamento “Quadrado Latino” é muito utilizado na experimentação, procurandominimizar o número de animais requeridos para detectar diferenças estatísticas significativas entretratamentos. Geralmente, os efeitos residuais potenciais não podem ser balanceados mediante umasimples aleatorização de animais e tratamentos. Existem métodos sistêmicos para igualar os efeitosresiduais. Apresentamos uma aplicação em Excell® que denominamos “Balanced Latin SquareDesigner (BLSD)”, que serve para facilitar a geração de Quadrados Latinos para efeitos residuais. Oprograma permite ao usuário ingressar o número de tratamentos equivalente ao número de animaise períodos em quadrado. O usuário pode também ingressar o número de quadrados. Logo o BLSDautomaticamente gera quadrados latinos balanceados para os efeitos residuais de primeira ordem.Quando se tem um número par de tratamentos, cada tratamento imediatamente precede e sucede aoutro tratamento exatamente uma vez no quadrado Latino. Para Quadrados Latinos com númeroimpar de tratamentos, os efeitos residuais de primeira ordem podem ser balanceados unicamente, simé replicado um número par de vezes. O programa também oferece uma tabela para experimentaçãoprogramada por animal e por período. O BLSD permite ao pesquisador gerar, com precisão e rapidez.Quadrados Latinos balanceados para os efeitos residuais de primeira ordem. O programa encontrasedisponível de forma gratuita.

GEPRO: Gene Expression Profiler for DNA microarray data / GEPRO: Analizador de Expresión Genética para datos provenientes demicroarreglos de DNA / GEPRO: Analisador de Expressão Gênica para dados provenientes de microarranjosde DNA

The DNA microarray technology has been widely employed in recent biological research. However,the unprecedented large amount of data produced by the technology has presented inevitable challengesto biological scientists, forcing individual researchers to take extensive training or rely on databasespecialists for the use of the data. Microsoft Excel® has a number of convenient functions and may be themost widely used spreadsheet package for data storage and manipulation. Therefore, we developed a userfriendly,Excel spreadsheet-based microarray data-managing program. The program, gene expressionprofiler (GEPRO), is designed to facilitate organizing miocroarray data, performing statistical analysis,and displaying the results. Using GEPRO’s filtering and sorting capabilities, a user can easily identifydifferentially expressed genes, display the expression profiles of the genes of interest, and present andsave the analyzed data in a user-defined way. The versatility and utility of GEPRO should enable benchwork researchers to maximize the use of their microarray data. The GEPRO is freely available for noncommercialusers at http://www.mc.uky.edu/cls/ko/gepro1.html.

La tecnología de microarreglos de DNA es actualmente empleada de manera amplia en investigaciónbiológica. Sin embargo, el manejo de la enorme cantidad de datos generados por la misma representa un desafió para los investigadores, forzándolos a invertir valioso tiempo en capacitación sobre dicho manejo, o aconfiar el uso de la misma a especialistas en bases de datos. El programa Excel® de Microsoft, la hoja de calculomas ampliamente utilizada a nivel mundial, que cuenta con muchas funciones útiles para almacenamiento ymanipulación de datos, fue utilizado por nosotros para desarrollar una aplicación amigable para el manejode datos generados por microarreglos de DNA. Nuestro programa, llamado “Gene Expression Profiler”(GEPRO), esta diseñado para facilitar la organización de datos de microarreglos, realizar su análisisestadístico, y presentar los resultados. Utilizando la posibilidad de filtrado y ordenamiento de datos queofrece GEPRO, el usuario puede identificar fácilmente diferentes genes, observar los perfiles de expresión delos genes de interés, así como presentar y guardar los datos de diversas maneras. La versatilidad y utilidad deGEPRO ayuda a los investigadores a maximizar la utilización de sus datos de microarreglos. GEPRO es unaaplicación gratuita, disponible para uso no comercial en http://www.mc.uky.edu/cls/ko/gepro1.html.

A Tecnologia dos Mircroarranjos de DNA é muito empregada em pesquisa biológica. Mas o manejo dagrande quantidade de dados gerados é um desafio para os pesquisadores, os quais estão sendo forçados arealizar grandes investimentos econômicos e de tempo para sua capacitação ou em confiar em expertos dainformática para analisar seus dados. O programa Excel® da Microsoft, amplamente utilizada no mundofoi utilizado para desenvolver uma aplicação amigável para o manejo de dados gerados por Mircroarranjosde DNA. O nosso programa, chamado “Gene Expression Profiler” (GEPRO), está desenhado para facilitara organização de dados, permite realizar as respectivas análises estatísticas e apresentar os resultados.Utilizando a possibilidade de filtrar e organizar os dados que oferece GEPRO, o usuário pode identificarpares de genes, observarem os perfis da expressão dos genes de interesse, assim como a possibilidadede apresentar e salvar os dados de diferentes formas. A versatilidade e a utilidade do programa, ajudaaos pesquisadores a maximizar a utilização dos dados. GEPRO é uma aplicação gratuita para uso nãocomercial, disponível em http://www.mc.uky.edu/cls/ko/gepro1.html.