Calorimetry, physicochemical characteristics and nitrogen release from extruded urea.

Our hypothesis was that extrusion of urea associated with corn may reduce N solubilization and increase the nutritional quality of this food for ruminants. We aimed to physically and chemically characterize a corn and urea mixture before and after the extrusion process. It was evaluated morphological differences by scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen solubilization, and compound mass loss by thermogravimetry. In scanning electron microscopy, extruded urea showed agglomerated and defined structures, with changes in the morphology of starch granules and urea crystals, differing from the arrangement of the corn and urea mixture. The extruded urea maintained a constant nitrogen release pattern for up to 360 min. In thermogravimetry, extruded urea presented a higher temperature to initiate mass loss, that is, the disappearance of the material with increasing temperature, but the mass loss was lower when compared to the first event of the corn and urea mixture. In conclusion the process of extrusion of urea with corn modifies the original structures of these ingredients and controls the release of nitrogen from the urea, maintaining in its formation an energy source optimizing the use of nitrogen by ruminal bacteria, because the more synchronized the release of starch (energy) and nitrogen, the better the use by ruminal microorganisms.

Natural intoxication caused by protodioscin in lambs kept in Brachiaria pastures.

Protodioscin poisoning of Brachiaria spp. has been a serious problem for lambs in grazing systems. The defoliation process can stimulate the appearance of new leaves and, the younger leaves have a lower concentration of protodioscin. Thus, it was aimed to assess the effect of different leaf offerings on the protodioscin content in forage and if protodioscin can interfere with the dry matter intake (DMI) and on metabolic and productive parameters of lambs. Twelve tester lambs (average weight 17.5 ± 3.48 kg) were divided into four groups of different levels of dry leafy matter (60, 75, 90, or 105 g/kg body weight). In addition to these, 33 regulator lambs were used as needed to adjust the leaf offerings of pasture. The animals were divided and kept in 12 paddocks, each with a tester lamb. The DMI was estimated using chromic oxide as an external marker. In vitro digestibility and degradation kinetics and ruminal, blood, and urinary parameters were measured in the forage sampled by the hand plucking method. The protodioscin concentration in forage was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The DMI increased linearly as a result of the supply of leaves. However, the protodioscin content and its consumption showed a quadratic behavior. There was no effect of leaf supply on in vitro digestibility, in vitro degradation kinetics of forage, and on ruminal, blood, and urinary parameters of lambs. However, a negative correlation was observed between the DMI and the concentration of protodioscin at the highest level of leaf supply. This is due to the fact that in the most intense grazing, there is a stimulus for greater regrowth; therefore, there was an increase in the concentration of protodioscin in forages in older forages. Protodioscin poisoning was confirmed by urinary and blood parameters.

Orange juice industry by-product silage can increase fat and protein in Holstein cow's milk.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing corn silage by orange peel silage on nutrient intake, ruminal parameters and milk production of multiparous lactating Holstein cows. Eight fistulated Holstein cows averaging 587.5 ± 39.6 kg and 111 ± 22 d in milking were randomly assigned to a double 4 × 4 Latin square design carried out two times to determine the effects of feeding with orange peel silage (OPS) in substitution of whole plant corn silage (WPCS). The treatments were a control diet with WPCS only or diets with OPS replacing WPCS in the total mixed diet (250, 500, or 750 g/kg DM). All cows were fed the same 750 : 250 g/kg roughage : concentrate ratio. The DM intake and milk production were reduced with the OPS inclusion, with decreases in consumption of neutral detergent fibre and increased consumption of non-fibrous carbohydrates. Diets with 250 and 500 g/kg OPS showed similar milk production and protein content in milk to the standard WCPS diet, whilst 750 g/kg orange peel silage as roughage increased fat and protein contents significantly. The orange peel silage as a substitute for corn silage for feeding dairy cows did not show adverse changes in the rumen environment and showed promising results in the increase of fat in milk of Holstein cows.

Extruded urea could reduce true protein source in beef cattle diets.

Rumen micro-organisms are capable of producing microbial protein from ammonia and carbon skeleton, and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) may be one of the sources of ammonia. Alternative source of NPN is the slow release of ammonia sources in which the product is the extrusion of starch with urea. This work aimed to determine the effects on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal pH, rumen ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and blood parameters with increased levels of extruded urea (50, 60, 70 and 80 g/100 kg of body weight [BW]) in beef cattle diet. Four rumen cannulated crossbred steers with initial mean weight of 336 ± 47 kg in a 4 × 4 Latin square design were distributed. Diets were formulated with 400:600 g/kg roughage:concentrate ratio on dry matter based and provided once per day, being used whole corn silage as roughage. There were no effects on nutrient intake (kg/day), ingestive behaviour, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and blood parameters in extruded urea treatment groups. Similar results were observed on time spent on feeding, rumination and idleness. There were positive linear effects (p = 0.022) on rumen pH in the time of 8 hr after feeding and also on plasma concentration of the extruded urea levels (p = 0.039); whereas a linear negative effect (p = 0.030) was observed on ammonia nitrogen for the collection time of 2 hr after feeding. Increased levels of extruded urea could maintain nutrient intake, digestibility, ingestive behaviour, rumen pH and blood parameters in normal conditions. In conclusion, we recommend the extruded urea use with values up to 80 g/100 kg BW in confined beef cattle that receive balanced diets with 140 g/kg of crude protein.

Fatores de risco para mastite e qualidade do leite no município de Altônia-PR / Risk factors for mastitis and milk quality in the county of Altonia_PR / Factores de riesgo para mastitis y calidad de la leche en el municipio de Altonia-PR

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo determinar a incidência da mastite, fatores de risco associados à mastite e avaliar a qualidade do leite no município de Altônia. Foram avaliadas 24 propriedades em um total de 248 vacas, nas quais se realizaram procedimentos nas propriedades, o teste da caneca telada, o California Mastitis Test, a coleta para exames laboratoriais e aplicação do questionário. Desse modo, 82 animais apresentaram reações positivas ao Califórnia Mastitis Test e destes 54 foram positivos ao exame microbiológico, perfazendo um índice de 21,80% de mastite. No exame microbiológico a maior prevalência foi de Staphylococcus aureus com 51,85%, seguida por Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (29,63%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (5,56%); acompanhado de Staphylococcus coagulase positivo VP negativo (5,56%) e Corynebacterium sp. (5,56%). A mediana da contagem de células somáticas relacionado ao exame microbiológico para o Staphylococcus aureus foi 1.650 (CCS x 10³), e para o Staphylococcus coagulase negativo 1.324,5 (CCS x 10³). Em se tratando dos constituintes do leite, também não foram encontradas diferenças significativas em relação aos exames positivos dos principais isolados e negativos no exame microbiológico. Os fatores de risco com resultado estatisticamente significativo foi a não realização do pós-dipping; descarte de animais por mastite e a lavagem dos tetos com água. Considerando a detecção das falhas produtivas, medidas de controle estão sendo desenvolvidas para a melhoria da qualidade do leite no município e sanidade do rebanho.

This research aimed to determine the incidence of mastitis risk factors associated with mastitis and evaluate the quality of milk in the city of Altonia. We evaluated 24 properties for a total of 248 cows, which were performed procedures in the properties, the test mug screened, the California Mastitis Test, collection for laboratory tests and the questionnaire. 82 animals showed positive reactions to the California Mastitis Test and of these 54 were positive for microbiological examination, for a rate of 21.80% of mastitis. Microbiological examination was a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus with 51.85%, followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29.63%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (5.56%), followed by Staphylococcus coagulase positive VP negative (5.56%) and Corynebacterium sp. (5.56%). The median somatic cell counts related to microbiological test for Staphylococcus aureus was 1.650 (CCS x 10 ³), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus 1324.5 (CCS x 10 ³). In the case of milk constituents, also found no significant differences in relation to the examination of the main positive and negative isolates microbiological examination. Risk factors with a statistically significant result was not performing post-dipping; disposal of animal by mastitis and washing and washing of roofs with water. Considering the detection of failures productive, control measures are being developed to improve the quality of milk in the city and health of the herd.

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia de mastitis, factores de riesgo asociados a la mastitis y evaluar la calidad de la leche en el municipio de Altônia. Se evaluó 24 propiedades con un total de 248 vacas, en las cuales se realizaron procedimientos en las propiedades, el test de la jarra con tela, el California Mastitis Test, la recopilación para exámenes de laboratorio y aplicación del cuestionario. Así, 82 animales mostraron reacciones positivas al California Mastitis Test y de estos 54 fueron positivos al examen microbiológico, con una tasa de 21,80% de mastitis. En el examen microbiológico la mayor prevalencia fue de Staphylococcus aureus con 51,85%, seguido por Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (29.63%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (5,56%); seguido de Staphylococcus coagulase positivo VP negativo (5.56%) y Corynebacterium sp. (5,56%). La mediana del contaje de células somáticas relacionado al examen microbiológico para Staphylococcus aureus fue 1,650 (CCS x 10 ³), y para Staphylococcus coagulase negativo 1324.5 (CCS x 10 ³). En el caso de los componentes de la leche, también no se encontraron diferencias significativas en relación a los exámenes positivos de los principales aislados y negativos en el análisis microbiológico. Los factores de riesgo con resultado estadísticamente significativo fue la no realización del pós-dipping, descarte de animales por mastitis y el lavaje de los techos con agua. Considerando la detección de fallos productivos, medidas de control están siendo desarrolladas para mejorar la calidad de la leche en el municipio y la salud del rebaño.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidum sp in sinantropic Rattus (fischer, 1803) and Mus (linnaeus, 1758) captured in the urban area of umuarama, pr, Brazil / Ocorrência de Cryptosporidum sp em sinantropic Rattus (fischer, 1803) E Mus linnaeus, 1758) capturado na área urbana de Umuarama, PR, Brasil / Ocurrencia de Cryptosporidum sp en sinantropic Rattus (Fischer, 1803) Y Mus (linnaeus 1758) capturado en la zona urbana de umuarama, paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT: Sinantropic rodents, mainly of the genus Rattus and Mus, can be used as indicators of environmental contamination by Cryptosporidium oocysts, responsible for high rates of infection in humans and animals, and for economic losses and poor health of individuals. In this work, in order to measure the frequency of Cryptosporidium in rodents in the urban area of Umuarama, PR, fecal samples of these animals were collected and analyzed using the Kinyoun staining method to determine the absolute and relative frequency of the parasite. From 50 samples collected, 26 showed rounded reddish structures, with the presence of parasitic forms inside, compatible with oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. Higher frequency (P-value <0.05) is found in Rattus, with no difference between sexes and origin of animals. The measurement of oocysts suggests the occurrence of zoonotic species Criptosporidium parvum.

Os roedores sinantrópicos, principalmente dos gêneros Rattus e Mus, podem servir como indicadores da contaminação ambiental por oocistos de Cryptosporidium, parasito celular obrigatório, responsável por elevadas taxas de infecção no ser humano, e animais, e por perdas econômicas, e na saúde dos indivíduos. Neste trabalho, verificou-se a frequência de Cryptosporidium em roedores na área urbana de Umuarama, PR. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras fecais dos roedores, que foram analisadas pelo método de Kinyoun, determinando a frequência absoluta e relativa do parasito. Das 50 amostras coletadas, 26% apresentaram estruturas arredondadas, com presença de formas parasitárias em seu interior e coloração avermelhada, compatíveis com oocistos de Cryptosporidium sp. Maior frequência (P>0.05) foi encontrada em Rattus sem diferença entre os sexos e a origem dos animais. A mensuração dos oocistos sugere a ocorrência da espécie zoonótica Criptosporidium parvum.

Roedores sinantrópicos, principalmente del género Rattus y Mus, pueden servir como indicadores de contaminación ambiental por ooquistes de Cryptosporidium, parásito celular obligatorio, responsable por altas tasas de infección en el ser humano y animales, y para la salud de las personas y pérdidas económicas. En este estudio se verificó la frecuencia de Cryptosporidium en roedores de la zona urbana de Umuarama, PR. Fueron recogidas muestras de heces de los roedores, que fueron analizadas por el método Kinyoun, determinándose la frecuencia absoluta y relativa del parásito. De las 50 muestras recolectadas, 26% presentaban estructuras redondeadas, con presencia de formas parasitarias en su interior y coloración rojiza, compatibles con ooquistes de Cryptosporidium sp. Mayor frecuencia (P<0.05) se encontró en Rattus, sin diferencia entre los sexos y el origen de los animales. La medición de los ooquistes sugiere la ocurrencia de la especie zoonótica Cryptosporidium parvum.