Health benefits of subcutaneous zinc edetate and diphenyl diselenide in calves during the weaning period.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether treatments with zinc edetate (Zn) and diphenyl diselenide ((PhSe)2) enhance performance, immune responses, protein metabolism, and oxidant/antioxidant status in calf serum and muscle. Animals were divided into four groups (n=6 each): control (without supplementation), and groups supplemented on days 50 and 70 of life with (PhSe)2, Zn, and a combination of (PhSe)2 and Zn. Animals treated with (PhSe)2 gained more weight by experimental day 220 than did the control group, but there was no difference by the end of the experiment (day 300). The absolute number of leukocytes and lymphocytes increased in groups Zn and (PhSe)2+Zn on day 20 of experiment, but decreased on day 40 in groups (PhSe)2, and (PhSe)2+Zn. The number of monocytes decreased in all groups compared with control. One of the principal findings was that (PhSe)2+Zn together had beneficial effects on protein metabolism, represented by increases total protein and globulin levels, compared with the control group. The combination of (PhSe)2 and Zn led to low levels of TBARS and ROS in serum and muscle, and stimulated antioxidant enzyme activities. Thus, supplementation with (PhSe)2+Zn may be a compelling approach to augmenting the calf antioxidant system during weaning.

Insecticidal and repellent effect of cinnamon oil on flies associated with livestock / Efecto insecticida y repelente del aceite de canela sobre moscas asociadas con el ganado

Abstract Objective. Due to the increased parasitic resistance, there is a need to explore alternative insecticides, including natural products, such essential oils. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the insecticidal and repellent effect of Cinnamomun zeylanicum (free and nanoemulsion forms) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methods. For that, the insecticidal effect of the free form was tested at 1.0, 5.0 and 10%, while the nanoemulsion form was tested at 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0% against adult house flies, Musca domestica. For validation of the test, the flies were sprayed with the diluent (water and triton 10%) and with blank nanoemulsion (without C. zeylanicum essential oil). Moreover, in vivo test was performed using cows naturally infested with Haemotobia irritans. Results. The results demonstrated that cinnamon oil (10%) and the nanoemulsion (5%) were 100% effective against M. domestica after 90 minutes of exposure. The repellent effect was tested in vivo using 5% of cinnamon oil on Holstein cows naturally infested by Haemotobia irritans. The flies were counted at 0, 1, 2, 3, 9 and 24 h after cinnamon oil treatment. It was verified significant decrease (p<0.05) in the number of flies on cows sprayed with cinnamon in all times. Conclusions. Based on these results, C. zeylanicum showed insecticidal effect (in vitro) against domestic flies and repellent effect (in vivo) against the horn fly.

Resumen Objetivo. Debido a la mayor resistencia parásita, hay una necesidad de explorar insecticidas alternativos, incluidos los productos naturales, tales como aceites esenciales. En este sentido, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar, para el primer equipo, el efecto insecticida y repelente de Cinnamomum zeylanicum (formas libres y nanoemulsión) in vitro e in vivo. Materiales y métodos. Para ello, el efecto insecticida de la forma libre se ensayó a 1.0, 5.0 y 10%, mientras que la forma nanoemulsión se ensayó a 0.5, 1.0 y 5.0% frente a las moscas domésticas adultas, Musca domestica. Para la validación de la prueba, las moscas fueron rociados con el diluyente (agua y triton 10%) y con nanoemulsión en blanco (sin aceite esencial de C. zeylanicum). También, fueron realizados pruebas in vivo usando vacas naturalmente infestadas con Haemotobia irritans. Resultados. Los resultados demostraron que el aceite de canela (10%) y la nanoemulsión (5%) fueron 100% eficaz contra M. domestica después de 90 minutos de exposición. El efecto repelente se ensayó in vivo usando 5% de aceite de canela en vacas Holstein, naturalmente infestados por Haemotobia irritans. Se contaron las moscas a las 0, 1, 2, 3, 9 y 24 h después del tratamiento el aceite de canela. Se verificó disminución significativa (p<0.05) en el número de moscas vivas de vacas canela pulverizada en todo momento. Conclusiones. En base a estos resultados, C. zeylanicum mostró un efecto insecticida (in vitro) contra las moscas domésticas y efecto repelente (in vivo) contra la mosca de los cuernos.

Feed addition of curcumin to laying hens showed anticoccidial effect, and improved egg quality and animal health.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of curcumin in the diet of commercial laying hens could have an anticoccidial action and improve egg quality. For this, 60 laying hens were divided into three groups: T0 (the control group); T30 and T50 (30 and 50 mg/kg of curcumin in the feed, respectively). Eggs recently laid were collected on days 14 and 21 of the experiment, and stored for 21 days. It was observed increased specific gravity and yolk index in stored eggs of the groups T30 and T50 compared to T0. The yolk color reduced in the eggs stored from groups T30 and T50 compared to T0. Moreover, TBARS levels were lower in fresh and stored eggs from groups T30 and T50. It was observed increased TAC levels in fresh eggs from groups T30 and T50 and in stored eggs from the group T50. The presence of curcumin was not detected by HPLC in the yolk and albumen. Seric levels of albumin and uric acid did not differ between groups, while seric levels of total proteins increased on day 21 on groups T30 and T50. Finally, it was observed a significant reduction on the number of oocysts in fecal samples on days 14 and 21 of T30 and T50 compared to T0. Based on these evidences, it is possible to conclude that the addition of curcumin in the diet of laying hens has an anticoccidial effect and improves egg quality.

Mineralization in newborn calves contributes to health, improve the antioxidant system and reduces bacterial infections.

The first phase of life of dairy calves has elevated mortality indices linked with low immunity and sanitary challenges, mainly bacterial infections are involved in the pathogenesis of diarrhea, the leading cause of death. Also, other important problem is the nutritional deficiencies, such as the mineral deficiency. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether an intramuscular mineral supplementation based on selenium, copper, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus possess beneficial effects on health of dairy calves. For this, ten calves were divided in two groups: the group A was supplemented with injectable mineral, while the group B was used as control group (without mineral supplementation). The mineral complex was administrated via intramuscularly at dose of 3 mL/animal on days 2 and 14 post-birth. The total blood was collected on days 2, 10, 20 and 30 of life of animals in order to analyze the antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), blood count and seric biochemistry linked with proteic, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Feces samples were also collected on days 10, 20 and 30 of life of animals to perform the total bacterial count, parasitological exam and fecal consistency score. Moreover, the weight and corporal temperature were also evaluated. The mineral supplementation presented beneficial properties to calves from birth to the 30th of life through the increase on activity of antioxidant enzymes, improvement of immunity, and avoiding problems linked with diarrhea and anemia, can be considered an interesting approach to prevent these alterations linked with high mortality in the period of life.

Adding palm oil to the diet of sheep alters fatty acids profile on yogurt: Benefits to consumers.

The aim of this study was to modify the fatty acid profile of yogurt from sheep milk by the inclusion of different concentrations of palm oil into their diet. Thus, thirty-six sheep during lactation were separated in four groups with nine animals each, as described below: the group T0 (0%); the group T2 (inclusion of 2% of palm oil); the group T4 (inclusion of 4% of palm oil) and the group T6 (inclusion of 6% of palm oil). After 60 days of the supplementation, milk samples were collected and yogurt was produced, which was evaluated regarding the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA). A significant reduction (p<0.05) in most SFA and a significant increase (p<0.05) on MFA and PFA was observed in the yogurt of sheep supplemented with 4 and 6% of palm oil. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that palm oil supplementation exerts positive effects on yogurt, since it led to the reduction of undesirable fatty acids and increased fatty acids beneficial to human health.

Fowl typhoid in laying hens cause hepatic oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to analyses nitric oxide, antioxidant status, and oxidative profile in the liver of laying hens naturally infected by Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum). The nitrite/nitrate (NOx), reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were measured in liver samples, as well the biomarkers of hepatic function (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein and albumin levels measured in serum. NOx levels and CAT activity were reduced in hepatic tissue of infected hens. On the other hand, TBARS and ROS levels, GR, GPx and GST activities were higher in infected animals. On biomarkers of tissue damage, ALT, AST, GGT and total protein levels were higher in serum of infected hens, and showed decreased albumin levels. In summary, ROS and TBARS production lead to damage on the membrane lipids that alter activities of antioxidant enzymes CAT, GR, GPx and GSH, an adaptive response against S. Gallinarum infection, contributing to the pathophysiology and clinical signs of the disease.

Supplementation with copper edetate in control of Haemonchus contortus of sheep, and its effect on cholinesterase's and superoxide dismutase activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of copper edetate on biochemical parameters, oxidative profile, cholinesterase's activities, as well as its capacity to control gastrointestinal parasites in infected sheep. Thus, Lacaune sheep (n = 18) infected by Haemonchus contortus were used and divided into three groups of six animal each: the group A was composed of untreated animals (the control group), the group B was formed by animals treated with 0.3 mg/kg of copper edetate, and the group C was composed of animals treated with 0.5 mg/kg of copper edetate. Blood collection was performed on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after mineral supplementation and different variables were measured. Cholinergic system was evaluated to determine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in total blood and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in serum. Eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were evaluated. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between groups regarding total protein, albumin, globulin and urea levels, GGT activity, as well as the hematocrit, and EPG. ALT activity decreased (P < 0.05) on groups B and C on day 30 compared to the control group (the group A). AChE activity decreased (P < 0.05) in the group C on days 10 and 30 compared to the control group, such decrease (P < 0.05) was also observed for BChE activity in the group C on day 10. ROS levels increased in the group C compared to groups A and B on day 10, while the SOD activity increased in the group C on days 20 and 30 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CAT activity did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). In summary, the copper edetate was not efficient to control gastrointestinal parasites, but efficiently activated SOD, an important antioxidant enzyme. In addition, copper edetate was able to partially inhibit cholinesterase's activities when supplementated at its highest dose.

Adding palm oil to the diet of sheep alters fatty acids profile on yogurt: Benefits to consumers

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to modify the fatty acid profile of yogurt from sheep milk by the inclusion of different concentrations of palm oil into their diet. Thus, thirty-six sheep during lactation were separated in four groups with nine animals each, as described below: the group T0 (0%); the group T2 (inclusion of 2% of palm oil); the group T4 (inclusion of 4% of palm oil) and the group T6 (inclusion of 6% of palm oil). After 60 days of the supplementation, milk samples were collected and yogurt was produced, which was evaluated regarding the concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA). A significant reduction (p<0.05) in most SFA and a significant increase (p<0.05) on MFA and PFA was observed in the yogurt of sheep supplemented with 4 and 6% of palm oil. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that palm oil supplementation exerts positive effects on yogurt, since it led to the reduction of undesirable fatty acids and increased fatty acids beneficial to human health.

Horses seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp. and Neospora spp.: Possible risk factors for infection in Brazil.

Many parasitic diseases are considered asymptomatic, even though some studies have shown that they may cause pathological changes in the host. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. in horses, and to identify the risk factors for disease. For this, 174 horses were studied, 90 males and 84 females aged between two and 20 years old. Blood samples were collected and stored in tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum, which was subjected to serological tests for T. gondii, Sarcocystis spp., and Neospora spp. using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA results were as follows: Sarcocystis spp. 41.37% (72/174) (CI95%-34.05-49.09); T. gondii 32.18% (56/174) (CI95%-25.42-39.74) and Neospora spp. 48.27% (84/174) (CI95%-40.68.50-55.93). Out of 174 horses, 81 had simple infection, 61 had mixed infections with two or three of these pathogens, and therefore, only 32 horses showed no antibodies to any of these pathogens. No risk factors for Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii infection were identified. However, there was a significant (1.22-CI95%-1.02-1.52) relationship between animal age and Neospora spp. infection, since older animals showed higher prevalence. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that T. gondii and Neospora spp. affect horses in Southern Brazil, however all the animals studied were asymptomatic without reproductive, neurological or locomotor problems.