Incubation temperature manipulation during fetal development reduces adiposity of broiler hatchlings.

Broilers are known as an efficient source of lean meat. Genetic selection resulted in broiler strains with large body size and fast growth, but a concomitant increase in fat deposition also occurred. Other than reducing nutrient intake, there is a lack of alternative methods to control body fat composition of broilers. The present study assessed whether incubation temperature (machine temperatures: 36ºC, 37.5ºC, and 39ºC; eggshell temperatures: 37.4 ± 0.08°C, 37.8 ± 0.15ºC, and 38.8 ± 0.33°C, respectively.) from d 13 affects broiler hatchling fat deposition. We analyzed adipocyte hypertrophy and proliferation in 3 body regions; weight and chemical composition of yolk-free chicks and yolk sacs; and serum lipid profile. Increased incubation temperature reduced abdominal and cervical adipocyte size. Independently of temperature, cervical adipocytes were smaller and showed higher proliferation than adipocytes in the abdominal and thigh regions. Smaller cervical adipocytes were observed in birds from eggs incubated at 36ºC and 39ºC. With regard to weight and composition of chicks, ash content as a percentage of dry matter was the only variable affected by temperature; it was higher in chicks from eggs incubated at 36ºC than at 39ºC and showed no significant difference between chicks incubated at 39ºC and 37.5ºC. Absolute and relative weights of yolk sacs were higher from eggs incubated at 39ºC than at 36ºC, and these two treatments did not differ from the 37.5ºC control. Absolute measures of yolk sac lipids, moisture, dry matter, and crude protein content were lower in chicks from eggs incubated at 36ºC, and no significant differences were found for these variables between chicks from eggs incubated at 37.5ºC and 39ºC. Hatchlings from eggs incubated at 36°C had significantly higher cholesterol levels than chicks incubated at the other 2 temperatures, but no additional effects on blood lipids were detected. Incubation temperature manipulation during fetal development altered cervical and abdominal adipocyte size in broiler hatchlings and could become a tool in hatcheries to manipulate chick quality, although further studies are needed to evaluate its long-term effects.

Silicon in broiler drinking water promotes bone development in broiler chickens.

Skeletal abnormalities, bone deformities and fractures cause significant losses in broiler production during both rearing and processing. Silicon is an essential mineral for bone and connective tissue synthesis and for calcium absorption during the early stages of bone formation. Performance was not affected by the addition of silicon. However, broilers receiving silicon showed a significant increase of phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and ash in the tibia. In conclusion, broiler performance was not impaired by adding the tested silicon product to the drinking water. In addition, bone development improved, as demonstrated by higher mineral and ash content. Further studies are required to determine the optimal concentration of silicon, including heat stress simulations, to better understand the effects of silicon on bone development.

Metabolisable energy partition for Japanese quails.

Knowing how energy intake is partitioned between maintenance, growth and egg production (EP) of birds makes it possible to structure models and recommend energy intakes based on differences in the BW, weight gain (WG) and EP on commercial quail farms. This research was a dose-response study to re-evaluate the energy partition for Japanese quails in the EP phase, based on the dilution technique to modify the retained energy (RE) of the birds. A total of 300 VICAMI® Japanese quail, housed in climatic chambers, were used from 16 weeks of age, with averages for BW of 185 g and EP of 78%, for 10 weeks. To modify the RE in the bird's body, a qualitative dilution of dietary energy was used. Ten treatments (metabolisable energy levels) were distributed in completely randomised units, with six replicates of five quails per experimental unit. Metabolisable energy intake (MEI), egg mass (EM) and RE were expressed in kJ/kg0.67. The utilisation efficiency (kt) was estimated from the relationship between RE and MEI. The metabolisable energy for maintenance was given by RE = 0. The net energy requirement for WG was obtained from the relationship between RE in the BW as a function of the BW. The utilisation efficiency for EP (ko) was obtained from the relationship between EM and RE corrected MEI for maintenance and WG. Based on these efficiencies, the requirements for WG and EM were calculated. The energy intake by Japanese quails was partitioned according to the model: MEI = 569.8 × BW0.67 + 22 × WG + 13 × EM. The current study provides procedures and methods designed for quails as well as a simple and flexible model that can be quickly adopted by technicians and poultry companies.

Development of the femur of lambs fed with corn silage or sugar cane / Desenvolvimento do fêmur de cordeiros alimentados com silagem de milho ou cana-de-açúcar

The bone development in lambs is extremely important, as this will reflect in the performance of the animals when they are adults. Bone problems in sheep affect the productivity of animals, increasing mortality rates and infection. Therefore, the evaluation of lambs skeletal development should be taken into account when they are fed different types and concentrations of bulk. There are no studies in the literature that demonstrate this relationship. Twenty Ile de France male lambs were used. They were uncastrated and weaned at 15 kg body weight then distributed in four treatments, with five animals per treatment. The treatments consisted of roughage: concentrate 60:40 (corn silage:concentrate); 60:40 ( sugar cane: concentrate); 40:60 (corn silage: concentrate); 40:60 ( sugar cane:concentrate). For morphometric evaluation, weighing of the femurs was performed and the length the perimeter of the proximal and distal epiphysis and the diaphysis of femurs and bone mineral density of the respective treatments were evaluated. No significant differences in the morphometric and densitometric evaluation was found between different treatments, with the exception of diaphysis bone mineral density, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatment with 40% corn silage in relation to the treatment 60% sugar cane. The use of diets containing of corn silage and sugarcane associated withaddition of concentrate maintained the anatomical features. However, the proportion of 40% corn silage and 60%concentrate, showed better diaphysis bone mineral density due to a higher intake of nutrients and minerals present in this diet and consequently a higher energy intake, as well as an increased supply of dietary calcium.

O desenvolvimento ósseo em cordeiros é de extrema importância, levando em consideração que, este irá refletir no desempenho dos animais quando adultos. Problemas ósseos em ovinos acometem a produtividade dos animais, aumentando os índices de mortalidade e infecções. Portanto, a avaliação do desenvolvimento ósseo de cordeiros deve ser levada em consideração, quando estes são alimentados com diferentes tipos e concentrações de volumosos, mesmo porque não existem trabalhos na literatura que demonstrem esta relação. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros Ile de France machos não castrados, desmamados aos 15 kg de peso corporal, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos, sendo utilizados cinco animais por tratamento, com os tratamentos constituídos por proporções de volumoso:concentrado 60:40 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 60:40 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado); 40:60 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 40:60 (cana-deaçúcar:concentrado). Para a avaliação morfométrica, foi realizada a pesagem dos fêmures e avaliado o comprimento, o perímetro da epífise proximal e distal, bem como o da diáfise dos fêmures e a densidade mineral óssea dos respectivos tratamentos. Não ocorreram diferenças significativas nas avaliações morfométricas e densitométricas dos fêmures dos cordeiros dos diferentes tratamentos, com exceção da densidade mineral óssea da diáfise, que foi significativamente (p <0,05) maior no tratamento com 40% de silagem de milho em relação ao tratamento com 60% de cana de açúcar. A utilização de dietas contendo silagem de milho e cana-de-açúcar, associados à adição de concentrados manteve as características anatômicas dos ossos dos cordeiros em desenvolvimento. No entanto, a proporção de 40% de silagem demilho e 60% de concentrado, evidenciou uma melhor densidade mineral óssea da diáfise em decorrência de um maior consumo de nutrientes e minerais presentes nesta dieta, consequentemente um maior aporte energético.

Desenvolvimento do fêmur de cordeiros alimentados com silagem de milho ou cana-de-açúcar

O desenvolvimento ósseo em cordeiros é de extrema importância, levando em consideração que, este irá refletir no desempenho dos animais quando adultos. Problemas ósseos em ovinos acometem a produtividade dos animais, aumentando os índices de mortalidade e infecções. Portanto, a avaliação do desenvolvimento ósseo de cordeiros deve ser levada em consideração, quando estes são alimentados com diferentes tipos e concentrações de volumosos, mesmo porque não existem trabalhos na literatura que demonstrem esta relação. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros Ile de France machos não castrados, desmamados aos 15 kg de peso corporal, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos, sendo utilizados cinco animais por tratamento, com os tratamentos constituídos por proporções de volumoso:concentrado 60:40 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 60:40 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado); 40:60 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 40:60 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado). Para a avaliação morfométrica, foi realizada a pesagem dos fêmures e avaliado o comprimento, o perímetro da epífise proximal e distal, bem como o da diáfise dos fêmures e a densidade mineral óssea dos respectivos tratamentos. Não ocorreram diferenças significativas nas avaliações morfométricas e densitométricas dos fêmures dos cordeiros dos diferentes tratamentos, com exceção da densidade mineral óssea da diáfise, que foi significativamente (p

Development of the femur of lambs fed with corn silage or sugar cane / Desenvolvimento do fêmur de cordeiros alimentados com silagem de milho ou cana-de-açúcar

The bone development in lambs is extremely important, as this will reflect in the performance of the animals when they are adults. Bone problems in sheep affect the productivity of animals, increasing mortality rates and infection. Therefore, the evaluation of lambs skeletal development should be taken into account when they are fed different types and concentrations of bulk. There are no studies in the literature that demonstrate this relationship. Twenty Ile de France male lambs were used. They were uncastrated and weaned at 15 kg body weight then distributed in four treatments, with five animals per treatment. The treatments consisted of roughage: concentrate 60:40 (corn silage:concentrate); 60:40 ( sugar cane: concentrate); 40:60 (corn silage: concentrate); 40:60 ( sugar cane:concentrate). For morphometric evaluation, weighing of the femurs was performed and the length the perimeter of the proximal and distal epiphysis and the diaphysis of femurs and bone mineral density of the respective treatments were evaluated. No significant differences in the morphometric and densitometric evaluation was found between different treatments, with the exception of diaphysis bone mineral density, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatment with 40% corn silage in relation to the treatment 60% sugar cane. The use of diets containing of corn silage and sugarcane associated withaddition of concentrate maintained the anatomical features. However, the proportion of 40% corn silage and 60%concentrate, showed better diaphysis bone mineral density due to a higher intake of nutrients and minerals present in this diet and consequently a higher energy intake, as well as an increased supply of dietary calcium.(AU)

O desenvolvimento ósseo em cordeiros é de extrema importância, levando em consideração que, este irá refletir no desempenho dos animais quando adultos. Problemas ósseos em ovinos acometem a produtividade dos animais, aumentando os índices de mortalidade e infecções. Portanto, a avaliação do desenvolvimento ósseo de cordeiros deve ser levada em consideração, quando estes são alimentados com diferentes tipos e concentrações de volumosos, mesmo porque não existem trabalhos na literatura que demonstrem esta relação. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros Ile de France machos não castrados, desmamados aos 15 kg de peso corporal, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos, sendo utilizados cinco animais por tratamento, com os tratamentos constituídos por proporções de volumoso:concentrado 60:40 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 60:40 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado); 40:60 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 40:60 (cana-deaçúcar:concentrado). Para a avaliação morfométrica, foi realizada a pesagem dos fêmures e avaliado o comprimento, o perímetro da epífise proximal e distal, bem como o da diáfise dos fêmures e a densidade mineral óssea dos respectivos tratamentos. Não ocorreram diferenças significativas nas avaliações morfométricas e densitométricas dos fêmures dos cordeiros dos diferentes tratamentos, com exceção da densidade mineral óssea da diáfise, que foi significativamente (p <0,05) maior no tratamento com 40% de silagem de milho em relação ao tratamento com 60% de cana de açúcar. A utilização de dietas contendo silagem de milho e cana-de-açúcar, associados à adição de concentrados manteve as características anatômicas dos ossos dos cordeiros em desenvolvimento. No entanto, a proporção de 40% de silagem demilho e 60% de concentrado, evidenciou uma melhor densidade mineral óssea da diáfise em decorrência de um maior consumo de nutrientes e minerais presentes nesta dieta, consequentemente um maior aporte energético.(AU)

Effect of high incubation temperature on the blood parameters of layer chicks

Adequate environmental temperature control is essential for incubation efficiency. Layer breeder eggs (n=360) were weighed and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments, consisting of two incubation temperatures (T1=37.5 °C, control; and T2=39.0 °C, hot), with two incubators per temperature, and 90 eggs per incubator, totaling 360 eggs. Hatchability, embryo mortality, and chick cloacal and body surface temperatures were not affected by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at the hot temperature presented greater egg mass loss and higher eggshell conductance than those incubated at the control temperature. Layer chicks derived from eggs incubated at control temperature showed greater absolute weight, yolk-free egg mass, and heavier hearts than those from eggs submitted to heat stress during incubation. The control group presented lower base excess and ionized calcium blood levels. Incubating eggs at temperatures higher than those recommended compromises body and heart development of layer chicks and negatively affects blood ionized calcium availability, and therefore, bone mineralization during embryo development. Efficient temperature control during the incubation of fertile eggs is essential to obtain good quality layer chicks.

Effect of high incubation temperature on the blood parameters of layer chicks

Adequate environmental temperature control is essential for incubation efficiency. Layer breeder eggs (n=360) were weighed and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments, consisting of two incubation temperatures (T1=37.5 °C, control; and T2=39.0 °C, hot), with two incubators per temperature, and 90 eggs per incubator, totaling 360 eggs. Hatchability, embryo mortality, and chick cloacal and body surface temperatures were not affected by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at the hot temperature presented greater egg mass loss and higher eggshell conductance than those incubated at the control temperature. Layer chicks derived from eggs incubated at control temperature showed greater absolute weight, yolk-free egg mass, and heavier hearts than those from eggs submitted to heat stress during incubation. The control group presented lower base excess and ionized calcium blood levels. Incubating eggs at temperatures higher than those recommended compromises body and heart development of layer chicks and negatively affects blood ionized calcium availability, and therefore, bone mineralization during embryo development. Efficient temperature control during the incubation of fertile eggs is essential to obtain good quality layer chicks.(AU)

Use of nicarbazin, salinomycin and zinc oxide as alternative molting methods for commercial laying hens

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance, egg quality and morphometry of the reproductive tract, liver, pancreas and tongue of laying hens submitted to different molting methods. Two hundred and eighty eight 72-week-old Isa brown layers were distributed according to a completely randomized design with six treatments (molting methods) and six replicates of eight birds each. Layers were fed diets containing 3000 ppm zinc oxide, 60 ppm or 120 ppm nicarbazin, 30 ppm or 60 ppm salinomycin, or were submitted to feed fasting. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by the test of Tukey at 5% probability level. Molting methods alternative to feed fasting were effective to induce molting in layer and provided good performance results in the second laying cycle.

Use of nicarbazin, salinomycin and zinc oxide as alternative molting methods for commercial laying hens

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance, egg quality and morphometry of the reproductive tract, liver, pancreas and tongue of laying hens submitted to different molting methods. Two hundred and eighty eight 72-week-old Isa brown layers were distributed according to a completely randomized design with six treatments (molting methods) and six replicates of eight birds each. Layers were fed diets containing 3000 ppm zinc oxide, 60 ppm or 120 ppm nicarbazin, 30 ppm or 60 ppm salinomycin, or were submitted to feed fasting. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by the test of Tukey at 5% probability level. Molting methods alternative to feed fasting were effective to induce molting in layer and provided good performance results in the second laying cycle.(AU)

Lysine and methionine + cystine for laying hens during the post-molting phase

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different lysine and methionine + cystine levels on body weight recovery, performance, and egg quality of laying hens during the post-molting period. In this trial, 432 Isa Brown layers, with 72 weeks of age, were distributed in 54 cages according to a completely randomized design with six treatments and nine replicates of eight birds each. During the resting period, six diets with different digestible lysine and methionine + cystine levels were used, as follows: 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.43% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.47% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.52% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.50% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.62% methionine + cystine. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared at by Tukey's test at 5% probability level. The different lysine and methionine + cystine levels in the diets fed during the resting period significantly influenced layer performance. The diet containing 0.56% lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine promoted higher egg weight eggs during the second production cycle.(AU)

DESENVOLVIMENTO DO FÊMUR DE CORDEIROS ALIMENTADOS COM SILAGEM DE MILHO OU CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR

O desenvolvimento ósseo em cordeiros é de extrema importância, levando em consideração que, este irá refletir no desempenho dos animais quando adultos. Problemas ósseos em ovinos acometem a produtividade dos animais, aumentando os índices de mortalidade e infecções. Portanto, a avaliação do desenvolvimento ósseo de cordeiros deve ser levada em consideração, quando estes são alimentados com diferentes tipos e concentrações de volumosos, mesmo porque não existem trabalhos na literatura que demonstrem esta relação. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros Ile de France machos não castrados, desmamados aos 15 kg de peso corporal, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos, sendo utilizados cinco animais por tratamento, com os tratamentos constituídos por proporções de volumoso:concentrado 60:40 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 60:40 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado); 40:60 (silagem de milho:concentrado); 40:60 (cana-de-açúcar:concentrado). Para a avaliação morfométrica, foi realizada a pesagem dos fêmures e avaliado o comprimento, o perímetro da epífise proximal e distal, bem como o da diáfise dos fêmures e a densidade mineral óssea dos respectivos tratamentos. Não ocorreram diferenças significativas nas avaliações morfométricas e densitométricas dos fêmures dos cordeiros dos diferentes tratamentos, com exceção da densidade mineral óssea da diáfise, que foi significativamente (p

EFEITO DE NÍVEIS DE SILÍCIO NA ÁGUA DE BEBIDA SOBRE O DESEMPENHO, RENDIMENTO DE CARCAÇA, EXCREÇÃO DE MINERAIS E PERFIL DE ÁCIDOS GRAXOS NO MÚSCULO PEITORAL DE FRANGOS DE CORTE.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito de níveis de silício na água de bebida de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça, o metabolismo do cálcio, fósforo e nitrogênio e o perfil de ácidos graxos no músculo peitoral de frangos de corte. Foram utilizadas 1.120 pintos machos de um dia de idade da linhagem Cobb, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com quatro níveis de silício na água de bebida (0; 0,5mg; 1,0mg e 1,5mg do produto/100 kg de peso/dia), totalizando quatro tratamentos com oito repetições e 35 aves por parcela. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada pelo método da análise de variância com o auxílio do procedimento GLM do SAS® e em caso de significância, os níveis de inclusão de silício foram estimados por intermédio dos modelos de regressão polinomial. A suplementação de silício via água de bebida promoveu efeito quadrático sobre a coxa+sobrecoxa com valor máximo de rendimento estimado em 28,87%. Com relação aos perfis de ác