Drought leads to reproductive quiescence in smooth-billed anis: Phenotypic evidence for opportunistic breeding and reproductive readiness.

Previous studies have suggested that the smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani, Linnaeus, 1758) breeds opportunistically following unpredictable rainfall in drought areas. To obtain proof of this phenomenon, the present study described and compared reproductive morphology and cell proliferation in the gonads of free-living smooth-billed anis during a wet season (April to June 2012) and the following dry season (July to September 2012) in a semiarid area using light and electron microscopy (transmission and scanning) and the AgNOR method. The morphological findings indicated distinct levels of reproductive activity related to seasonal changes. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the gonads confirmed intense gametogenic activity during the wet season, whereas gonadal involution occurred after rainfall ceased. The sizes of the testes and ovaries were significantly reduced compared to those in the wet season. The volumetric fraction of the seminiferous tubules in the testis decreased considerably, and no preovulatory follicles were detected in the ovary in the dry season. Moreover, the AgNOR count in the gonads revealed a significant decline in cell recruitment for gametogenesis after rainfall ceased. The histological findings indicated partial gonadal activation throughout the dry season. The analysis of the seminiferous epithelium confirmed the early testicular recrudescence phase, and sporadic postovulatory follicles indicated random ovulation during this time. The excurrent ducts and the oviduct also underwent remarkable involution in the dry season. Taken together, these findings confirm opportunistic breeding by smooth-billed anis in a semiarid habitat and suggest that gonadal recrudescence has been established as a reproductive strategy to cope with unexpected precipitation events.

Performance and development of gastric compartments of calves fed with cheese whey and transition milk / Desempenho e desenvolvimento dos compartimentos gástricos de bezerros alimentados com soro de queijo e leite de transição

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate whether cheese whey associated with transitional milk or not, could serve as a suitable alternative to whole milk for calf rearing. For this, twenty-four male calves of crossbred Holstein-Zebu, were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments (8 calves per treatment) and fed for 60 days with one of the following liquid diets: i) 100% whole milk, ii) 50% whole milk and 50% cheese whey, and iii) 30% transitional milk and 70% cheese whey. There was no difference in food intake between treatments. The analysis showed that whole milk replacement did not alter the stomach weight or the ruminal cell proliferation when compared to treatment using 100% whole milk; however, the transitional milk/cheese whey group showed larger ruminal papillae. These results suggested that a transitional milk-cheese whey diet associated with solid food and proper nutrient complements might enhance the post-natal development of rumen papillae in calves, which might contribute to prepare them for weaning.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar se o soro de queijo associado ou não ao leite de transição poderia servir como uma alternativa adequada ao leite integral para a criação de bezerros. Para isso, 24 bezerros machos, mestiços Holandês-Zebu, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos (oito bezerros por tratamento) e alimentados por 60 dias com uma das seguintes dietas líquidas: i) 100% leite integral; ii) 50% de leite integral e 50% de soro de queijo, e iii) 30% de leite de transição e 70% de soro de queijo. Não houve diferença na ingestão de alimentos entre os tratamentos. A análise mostrou que a substituição do leite integral não alterou o peso do estômago ou a proliferação das células ruminais quando comparado ao tratamento com 100% de leite integral. No entanto, o grupo de soro de queijo/leite de transição mostrou papilas ruminais maiores. Esses resultados sugerem que uma dieta de soro de queijo com leite de transição associada a alimentos sólidos e a complementos nutricionais apropriados pode aumentar o desenvolvimento pós-natal de papilas no rúmen de bezerros, o que pode contribuir para prepará-los para o desmame.

Identificação parasitológica da cama de frango reutilizada em uma granja avícola / Parasitological identification of chicken bed reused in a poultry farm

Objetivou-se avaliar a carga parasitária da cama de frango de uma granja avícola localizada no município de Paço do Lumiar - MA. Foram coletadas 50 amostras de cama de frango de 10 galpões. Essa cama já havia sido utilizada seis vezes nos lotes anteriores. Para as análises parasitológicas foram utilizados os métodos de Sedimentação Espontânea, Método de Sheather, Esporulação para diagnóstico de oocistos de coccídios. Foram identificados ovos de nematódeos dos gêneros Strongyloides (72%), Heterakis (18%) e Ascaridia (10%). As larvas as do gênero Strongyloides destacaram-se como as mais prevalentes, com frequência de 97% de casos, seguido geohelmintos (3%). Encontrou-se 1200 oocistos de Eimeria, no estágio de esporulação. Foram encontrados também ácaros e cascudinhos (Alphitobius diaperinus). Conclui-se que a alta frequência de parasitos presentes na cama de frango pode estar relacionada à falha de manejo.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the parasitic load of chicken litter from a poultry farm located in the municipality of Paço do Lumiar - MA. Fifty samples of chicken bed of 10 sheds were collected. This bed had already been used six times in the previous batches. For the parasitological analyzes the methods of Spontaneous Sedimentation, Sheather Method, Sporulation for the diagnosis of coccidia oocysts were used. Eggs of nematodes of the genera Strongyloides (72%), Heterakis (18%) and Ascaridia (10%) were identified. The larvae of the genus Strongyloides were the most prevalent, with a frequency of 97% of cases, followed by geohelminths (3%). There were 1200 Eimeria oocysts, in sporulation stage. Mites and kites were also found (Alphitobius diaperinus). It is concluded that the high frequency of parasites present in chicken litter may be related to management failure.