Growth of long bones in European and Japanese quail from the 13th day of incubation to day 35 post-hatch.

This study described the growth, morphometric, biomechanical, and chemical properties of the femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus of European and Japanese quail. Analyses were performed at 13 and 15 days of incubation, at hatch, and at 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days post-hatch (n=6/subspecies/period). Bone specimens were analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography, biomechanical assays, chemical analyses, and histomorphometry. Variables were fitted by the Gompertz function and its derivative or assessed using the analysis of variance. Analysis of the derivative of Gompertz curves showed that the growth behavior of the tarsometatarsal bone was similar between quail subspecies, and the femur and tibiotarsus of European quail increased first in width and then in length, whereas the opposite occurred in Japanese quail. There was an interaction between quail subspecies and days of growth on femoral, tarsometatarsal, and tibiotarsal bone densities. Femoral and tibiotarsal cross-sectional areas were influenced by the interaction of quail subspecies and day of growth. Interaction effects were significant for breaking strength and phosphorus percentage. European and Japanese quail have different femoral and tibiotarsal growth patterns, especially in the first few days after hatching, whereas tarsometatarsal growth is similar between subspecies.

Productive performance, breast growth and digestive system development in European quail subjected to post-hatch fasting for different periods.

This study assessed the effect of different periods of post-hatch fasting on animal performance and breast and digestive system growth in European quail. Quail chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four fasting periods (0, 24, 36, and 48 hs) and four replications of 40 birds per treatment. In 1 to 14-day-old chicks, weight gain decreased with increasing fasting time. Compensatory gain was observed from 15 days of age onward. Fasted quail had a lower length and relative weight of the digestive system than fed animals for up to 14 days. Histologically, the duodenal villus height was significantly lower in 3-day-old quail fasted for 36 hs than in those fasted for 48 hs, but this effect was not observed at 7 days. Scanning electron microscopy showed no differences in the small intestinal mucosa between fasted and fed birds at 3 days of age. Post-hatch fasting reduced the relative weight of the breast in quail aged 1 to 14 days but did not affect type IIa and IIb fiber diameter at 35 days. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that European quail raised for meat should not be fasted for more than 48 hs post-hatch.

Effects of different levels of inosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-IMP) supplementation on the growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs (75 to 100 kg).

This study aimed to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of inosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-IMP) on energy efficiency, growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, oxidative status, and biochemical profile of blood plasma in finishing pigs. Fifty-four crossbred castrated male pigs were distributed in a randomized block design consisting of nine blocks, with six treatments per block and one animal per treatment per block. Experimental diets were as follows: positive control diet (PC, 3300 kcal ME/kg), negative control diet (NC, 3200 kcal ME/kg), and four diets prepared by supplementing the NC diet with 0.050%, 0.100%, 0.150%, or 0.200% 5'-IMP. Based on regression analysis, supplementation with 0.129% 5'-IMP increased average daily weight gain (1.30 kg). Backfat thickness, pH45minutes and redness of m. Longissimus Lumborum (LL) increased linearly with 5'-IMP supplementation level. Drip loss and pH at 24 h post-slaughter had a quadratic response to 5'-IMP supplementation. It is concluded that 5'-IMP supplementation positively influenced growth performance, carcass characteristics and LL meat quality in finishing barrows.

Dietary supplementation with inosine-5'-monophosphate improves the functional, energetic, and antioxidant status of liver and muscle growth in pigs.

Inosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-IMP) is an essential nucleotide for de novo nucleotide biosynthesis and metabolism of energy, proteins, and antioxidants. Nucleotides are conditionally essential, as they cannot be produced sufficiently rapidly to meet the needs of the body in situations of oxidative stress or rapid muscle growth. A deficient intake of nucleotides can result in decreased ATP and GTP synthesis and impaired metabolism. We demonstrated that supplementation of finishing pig diets with 5'-IMP reduces the relative weight of the liver, and increases oxygen consumption during mitochondrial respiration without changing the ADP/O ratio, indicating an increase in the respiratory efficiency of liver mitochondria. We also observed a reduction in liver lipid peroxidation and an increase in muscle creatine. Moreover, 5'IMP supplementation increases slaughter weight, lean meat yield, sarcomere length, and backfat thickness in finishing barrows, demonstrating influence on protein metabolism. We suggest that 5'-IMP supplementation increase the mitochondrial respiratory capacity when the liver metabolic activity is stimulated, enhances antioxidant defense, and promotes muscle growth in finishing barrows.

Dietary inclusion of dehydrated bocaiuva pulp increases the antioxidant potential of quail eggs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation of different levels of dehydrated bocaiuva pulp (DBP) on the productive performance of laying quails, and on lipid oxidation, and quality in their eggs. A total of 120 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% of DBP), five replicates and four birds per experimental unit. To evaluate lipid oxidation, the eggs were collected on five consecutive days at the end of the trial and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 6 × 5 factorial scheme (eggs from quails fed different levels of DBP × evaluated fresh and after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). The antioxidant potential of diets was improved (p < 0.05) when the DBP was added estimated as 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacity. No effect (p > 0.05) was observed on feed intake, hen-day egg production and feed conversion (kg/kg and kg/dz). There were no changes (p > 0.05) in the egg weight, Haugh unit, yolk index or eggshell percentage. Although no difference was observed (p > 0.05), when comparing each level with the control, a negative linear effect (p < 0.05) on specific gravity was observed. In addition, only the treatment with 0.5% pulp exhibited lower (p < 0.05) eggshell thickness compared with the control (0%). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis showed that as the dietary pulp level was increased, malondialdehyde content decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in the egg yolks, regardless of the storage period. Inclusion of DBP in the diets had no effect (p > 0.05) on the concentration of conjugated dienes in the eggs. The diets containing DBP showed a potential antioxidant effect, reducing the degree of lipid oxidation in egg yolk. However, no beneficial effects were observed on performance and egg quality.

Desempenho e morfologia intestinal de frangos de corte na fase de crescimento, com e sem adição de nucleotídeos na dieta, em diferentes níveis proteicos / Performance and morphology of the intestinal mucosa of broilers during growth, with or without nucleotides, at different protein levels

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho e a morfologia intestinal de frangos de corte na fase de crescimento, com e sem adição de nucleotídeos na dieta, em diferentes níveis proteicos. Foram utilizados 868 pintos de cortes machos de 21 dias de idade, da linhagem Cobb, submetidos a um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As dietas foram compostas por dois controles, de alta e baixa proteína bruta, com 18,86% e 16,80% respectivamente, com a exigência de 1,062% de lisina digestível. Tendo como base a dieta controle de baixa proteína foram traçados mais cinco tratamentos com adição de 0,5 kg de nucleotídeos/ton de ração, e diferentes níveis de lisina digestível: 1,262%, 1,162%, 1,062%, 0962% e 0,862%, com quatro repetições cada. O consumo alimentar (g) diminuiu linearmente (P≤0,05) no período de 20 a 27, de 20 a 35 e de 20 a 42 dias de idade, em que aumentando os níveis de lisina digestível na dieta, observou-se diminuição no consumo de ração. A conversão alimentar teve efeito quadrático (P≤0,05) para as aves do período de 20 a 27, de 20 a 35 e de 20 a 42 dias de idade, diminuindo à medida que os níveis de lisina digestível aumentaram, atingindo o mínimo com 1,119, 1,187 e 1,132% de lisina digestível, respectivamente. A dieta com 1,062% de lisina digestível não diferiu (P>0.05) da dieta controle com alta proteína, para altura das vilosidades e profundidade de cripta, no duodeno, ilustrando então efeito benéfico do uso de nucleotídeos em dietas com baixa proteína bruta.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and intestinal morphology of growing broilers, with and without addition of nucleotides in the diet at different protein levels. A total of 868 21-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design. The diets were: control with high crude protein (18.86%) and low crude protein (16.80%), both without nucleotides, meeting the requirement of 1.062% digestible lysine; and five treatments with the addition of 0.5 kg of nucleotides/ton of feed, with different levels of digestible lysine (1.262%, 1.162%, 1.062%, 0962% and 0.862%), all formulated based on the low-protein diet (16.80%), with four replications each. Feed intake (g) decreased linearly (P≤0.05) in the period from 20 to 27, 20 to 35, and 20 to 42 days of age; feed intake decreased by increasing levels of lysine in the diet. Feed-to-gain ratio showed a quadratic effect (P≤0.05) for birds of the period from 20 to 27, 20 to 35 and 20 to 42 days of age, decreasing as levels of digestible lysine increased, with minimum levels reaching 1.119%, 1.187% and 1.132% digestible lysine, respectively. The diet with 1.062% of lysine did not differ (P>0.05) from the negative control for villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum.

Utilização da vitamina D3 e seus metabólitos na alimentação de frangos de corte sobre parâmetros imunológicos e morfometria intestinal / Use of vitamin D3 and its metabolites in broiler feed on immunological parameters and intestinal morphometry

Os efeitos da suplementação da vitamina D3 e de seus diferentes metabólitos foram avaliados na resposta imune e na morfometria intestinal de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 952 frangos de corte de um dia de idade, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, sete repetições e 34 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatros diferentes fontes de vitamina D3: colecalciferol (D3), 25-hidroxicolecalciferol (25(OH)D3),1,25dihidroxicolecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) e 1α-hidroxicolecalciferol (1α(OH)D3). As diferentes fontes foram incluídas na dieta, fornecendo 2000 e 1600 UI de vitamina D, nas fases pré-inicial, inicial e de crescimento, respectivamente. O peso relativo do intestino delgado diferiu entre os tratamentos aos 7, 21 e 42 dias e o peso relativo do fígado somente aos 42 dias de idade. Os demais órgãos e parâmetros imunológicos avaliados (peso dos órgãos linfóides, reação de hipersensibilidade cutânea basofílica, avaliação da atividade de macrófagos, dosagem de nitrito e perfil heterofilo: linfócito foram similares entre os animais alimentados com os diferentes metabólitos. Houve efeito (P<0,05) dos diferentes metabólitos da vitamina D3 sobre o comprimento dos vilos de jejuno e íleo aos sete dias, diferindo entre os animais alimentados com 1,25(OH)2D3 e 1α(OH)D3 para jejuno e 1,25(OH)2D3 e vitamina D3 para íleo (P<0,05). Para as demais fases não foi observado influência (P>0,05) dos tratamentos. Os parâmetros imunológicos não foram afetados pelos diferentes metabólitos de vitamina D. Os diferentes metabólitos de vitamina D afetaram positivamente a morfometria intestinal na altura de vilo na fase inicial, sendo os melhores resultados obtido pelos animais alimentados com 1,25(OH)2D3, contudo os parâmetros imunológicos foram similares entre os metabólitos estudados.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different vitamin D metabolites on immune response and intestine morphometry of broiler chickens. We used 952 1-day-old chicks, male Cobb, distributed into a completely randomized design with four treatments, seven replications and 34 birds each. There were evaluated four different metabolites of vitamin D: D3, 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and 1α(OH)D3, providing 2000 and 1600 IU/kg feed of vitamin D in initial and growth period, respectively. The different metabolites of vitamin D did not affect the relative weight of the organs except for the weight of the intestine and liver at 21 and 42 days. There was a significant effect (P<0.05) of the different metabolites of D3 vitamin on the villi length of jejunum and ileum at 7 days, between animals fed with 1,25(OH)2D3 and 1α(OH)D3 to the jejunum and 1,25(OH)2D3 and vitamin D3 to the ileum (P<0.05). There were no differences (P>0.05) for weight of lymphoid organs, cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction, macrophage activity assessment, measurement of nitric oxide and heterophil profile: lymphocyte. The different sources of vitamin D affect the intestine morphometrics on the villi length in the initial phase, but the effect was not observed in other phases. The immunological parameters were not affected by metabolites of vitamin D.

Desenvolvimento corporal e testicular em machos de codornas de corte e de postura de 25 a 360 dias / Body and testicular development in males of meat- and egg-type quails of 25 to 360 days

Codornas do tipo carne e tipo ovos foram analisadas para determinar o desenvolvimento reprodutivo, a puberdade e o início da senilidade. Para tal, 288 codornas (144 codornas de corte e 144 de postura) foram acompanhadas desde a eclosão até os 360 dias de idade. As aves foram distribuídas por idade em 18 grupos, sendo 8 codornas/grupo/tipo de codorna. Após 35 dias as codornas foram mantidas em condições de fotoperíodo de dias longos (17luz: 7escuro). O peso vivo e os valores morfométricos e histológicos testiculares foram determinados em cada período. Os dados obtidos foram analisados para determinar a curva de crescimento e o comportamento dos parâmetros analisados. O modelo que mais se adequou aos dados foi o modelo não linear de Gompertz (Y=A exp [-B e (-kt)]). O peso vivo e as características testiculares macro e microscópicas apresentaram comportamento alométrico entre si, sendo que, aproximadamente aos 60 dias os machos apresentaram-se sexualmente desenvolvidos, e estabilizaram o peso corporal por volta dos 100 dias. O testículo direito é mais cranial que o esquerdo e diferem em relação a comprimento e largura, porém não foi observada diferenças (P>0,05) para peso testicular. As codornas de corte apresentaram peso corporal e peso testicular maiores que as codornas de postura, porém as codornas de postura apresentaram peso relativo testicular maior. Durante todo o período analisado os machos puderam ser considerados sexualmente aptos. Os reprodutores apresentaram características sexuais ativas até os 360 dias de idade, representadas pelo tamanho testicular e pela atividade celular nos túbulos seminíferos.

Meat- and egg-type quails were analyzed to determine reproductive development, puberty and the onset of senility. For this purpose, 288 quails (144 meat- and 144 egg-type quails) were followed from hatch to 360 days old. The birds were distributed by age in 18 groups, 8 quails/group/type of quail. After 35 days quails were maintained under long daylength conditions (17L: 7D). The live weight and the macro and microscopical testicular characteristics were determined in each period. The data were analyzed to determine the growth curve and the behavior of parameters. The model that best fits the data was the non-linear Gompertz model (Y = A exp [-B and (-kt)]). Live weight and testicular morphometric parameters had an allometric behavior among themselves, and at approximately 60 days the males had sexually development, and body weight stabilized at about 100 days. The right testicle was more cranial than the left, differing in the length and width, but no difference in testicular weight (P>0.05) was observed. The meat quails had a larger body weight and testicular weight than the egg quails, but the egg-quail had a higher percentage of testes in relation to body weight. During the whole adult period the males could be considered sexually fit. Breeders had active sex characteristics until 360 days of age, represented by testicular size and by cellular activity in the seminiferous tubules.

Effects of starter diet supplementation with arginine on broiler production performance and on small intestine morphometry / Efeito da suplementação de arginina na dieta de frangos na performance produtiva e na morfologia do intestino delgado

The effects of starter diet (days 1 to 21) supplemented with arginine (Arg) on the production performance and duodenum and jejunum mucosa morphometry of broilers were studied. Male Cobb broiler chickens (990) were randomly assigned to one of five treatments in a complete random design. Measurements of 33 chicks per treatment were made in six repetitions. The treatments consisted of a basal diet with 1.390% digestible Arg (no supplementation) and four dietary levels (1.490%, 1.590%, 1.690%, and 1.790%), providing a relationship with lysine of 1.103; 1.183; 1.262; 1.341 and 1.421%, respectively. From the age of 22 days on, all birds received conventional grower diet. The data were submitted to regression analysis by polynomial decomposition of the degrees of freedom in relation to the levels of Arg. The Arg supplementation increased (P<0.05) the live weight and the feed conversion ratio without increasing the feed intake of the birds. However, no effect was observed (P>0.05) in the growth phase (days 22 to 42) in the absence of the Arg supplementation. The supplementation of Arg over of NRC recommendation during the starter phase may be necessary for the expression of the maximal weight gain potential in birds. No effect (P<0.05) of Arg dietary supplementation was observed either on small intestine weight and length at any age. However, the duodenum villus:crypt ratio increased and the crypt depth decreased in the first week in response to increasing dietary Arg. It is concluded that broiler Arg dietary supplementation in the starter diet improved production performance and small intestine morphometry, especially in the first week.

O efeito na dieta inicial (1-21 dias) da suplementação de arginina (Arg) foi estudada sobre o desempenho e a morfologia da mucosa do jejuno em frangos de corte. Pintos machos Cobb (990) foram utilizados em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 5 tratamentos e 6 repetições com 33 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em uma dieta basal com 1,390% de Arg digestível (sem suplementação) e 4 dietas com adição (1,490%; 1,590%; 1,690% e 1,790%), fornecendo uma relação de lisina de 1,103; 1,183; 1,262; 1,341 e 1,421%, respectivamente. A partir de 22 dias todas as aves receberam ração convencional. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de regressão pela decomposição polinomial dos graus de liberdade, referentes aos níveis de Arg A suplementação de Arg melhorou (P<0,05) o peso vivo e a conversão alimentar sem aumentar o consumo de ração. No entanto, não houve efeito (P>0,05) na fase de crescimento (22 a 42 dias) na ausência de suplementação de Arg. A suplementação acima do recomendado pelo NRC na fase inicial pode ser necessária para a expressão máxima do potencial de ganho de peso em aves. Não houve efeito da suplementação de Arg na dieta no peso e comprimento do intestino delgado em nenhuma idade. No entanto, a relação vilo:cripta no duodeno aumentou e a profundidade da cripta diminuiu na primeira semana em resposta ao incremento de Arg na dieta. Concluiu-se que em frangos de corte a suplementação de Arg na dieta inicial melhorou o desempenho e a morfometria do intestino delgado, especialmente na primeira semana.

Níveis crescentes de parede de levedura sobre a resposta imune celular e perfil hematológico de frangos de corte / Cellular immune response and hematological parameters of broilers from different age broiler breeders, fed with a sorghum meal with different yeast wall levels

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito de níveis crescentes de parede de levedura e idade das matrizes reprodutoras sobre o peso dos órgãos linfóides, a resposta imune celular e o perfil hematológico de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 3.360 pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, em esquema fatorial 2x5, mais dois controles, sendo duas idades de matrizes (34 e 57 semanas de idade) e cinco níveis de suplementação de parede de levedura (zero, um, dois, três e quatro kg de parede de levedura/tonelada de ração). A idade das matrizes influenciou a resposta de todas as variáveis. A inclusão de 3kg de parede de levedura/tonelada de ração promoveu, na progênie de reprodutoras de 57 semanas, reação inflamatória mais intensa quando comparada a dieta controle, no entanto não houve aumento significativo no número de heterófilos e linfócitos circulantes. Conclui-se que a utilização da parede de levedura associada ao sorgo ou não em rações de frangos de corte ainda necessita de estudos complementares, que incluam, por exemplo, os componentes purificados da parede de levedura (MOS e ß-glucano).

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect increasing levels of yeast wall and broiler breeders' age levels on lymphoid organs weight, cellular immune response and hematological parameters in broilers. A total of 3,360 Cobb broilers were allotted, in a completely randomized design and a 2x5 factorial arrangement, and two controls, compound of two broiler breeders age (34 and 57 weeks of age) and five yeast wall levels (zero, one, two, three and four kg of yeast wall/ton of diet). Broiler breeders' age affected all studied variables. The inclusion of 3kg of yeast wall/ton of meal increased, at 57 weeks age broiler breeders, more intense inflammatory reaction when compared to control diet; however the circulated heterophils and lymphocytes numbers were not increased. In conclusion, the use of yeast wall, associated or not to sorghum on broilers diet still needs complementary studies, for example, purified components of yeast wall (MOS and ß-glucano).