Supplementation of feedlot lambs with cactus cladodes as strategy to improve testicular function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing cactus cladodes genotypes on plasma testosterone levels, testicular histopathological and histomorphometric parameters, and oxidative stress markers in lambs. Thirty-six male, intact Santa Inês lambs (22.0 ± 2.9 kg initial body weight), were to feedlot for 86 days. A completely randomized design was used with three dietary treatments (control diet with Tifton-85 hay as the only roughage; and two more diets with Miúda or OEM cactus cladodes partially replacing hay) and twelve replicates. There was no influence of the diets on the testicular weight (P = 0.414) and gonadosomatic index (P = 0.384) of lambs. The testosterone serum concentrations were almost twice as higher in lambs fed Miúda cactus cladodes compared to control treatment. There was greater incidence and severity of lesions in the testicular parenchyma of animals that received control diet: loosening of germ cell epithelium, germ cell desquamation and vacuolization of Sertoli cells. The seminiferous tubule diameter and height of the seminiferous epithelium were higher in lambs fed OEM cactus cladodes (P = 0.003). The tubular volume and Leydig cells volume were higher in animals fed with cactus cladodes (P < 0.05). The levels of malondialdehyde were higher in the lambs of control group compared to OEM group (P = 0.039) and the testicular concentration of nitric oxide was higher in control group (P = 0.009). The diet containing OEM cactus cladodes increased the levels of superoxide dismutase. Our results indicate that diets containing cactus cladodes promote antioxidant protection to the testicular parenchyma and preserve the spermatogenic process of lambs.

Diets containing cactus cladodes on serum and liver levels of microminerals in sheep and goats.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of Tifton hay by Miúda cactus cladodes (Nopalea) or Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (O.E.M.) cactus cladodes (Opuntia) on serum and liver concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in feedlot small ruminants. The experiment 1 (Exp. 1) lasted 86 days, and thirty-six male Santa Inês lambs (22.0 ± 2.9 kg initial body weight-IBW) were used. In experiment 2 (Exp. 2), lasting 100 days, thirty-six male goats of undefined breed (19.0 ± 2.8 kg IBW) were used. In both studies, the animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments (diet control-without cactus; and diets with hay partially replaced by Miúda or O.E.M. cactus cladodes) and twelve replicates. Blood samples were collected to quantify serum micromineral levels, and at the end of the feedlot periods, sheep and goats were slaughtered and liver fragments were collected for micromineral dosage. In Exp. 1, lambs fed Nopalea cactus cladodes diet showed greater hepatic Cu accumulation (441.87 mg/kg DM; P = 0.027). The diets containing cactus cladodes tended to increase serum levels of Cu (P = 0.075) and Zn (P = 0.058). In Exp. 2, goats fed diet containing Opuntia cactus cladodes presented higher serum levels of Fe (P = 0.024) and Cu (P = 0.012). In conclusion, the partial replacement of Tifton hay by cactus cladodes increases hepatic concentrations of Cu in lambs and serum levels of Fe and Cu in goats.

Intake, digestibility, and performance of lambs fed spineless cactus cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia) and Miúda (Nopalea) on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, performance, and ultrasound measurements of growing lambs. METHODS: Thirty-six male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs were used, with an average age of 6 months and an initial average weight of 22.0±2.9 kg. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments (Tifton hay, Nopalea and Opuntia) and 12 replications, using initial weight as a covariate. The experimental period was 86 days, with the first 30 days used for the adaptation of the animals to the facilities, diets and management, and the remaining 56 days used for evaluation and data collection. RESULTS: The intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) showed a significant difference (p<0.05) as a function of the diets, with the Nopalea treatment (p<0.05) increasing DM intake (g/kg and % body weight [BW]), CP, TDN, and TC digestibility, whereas the Tifton hay diet led to a high (p<0.001) neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) g/d intake, NDFap (BW %) and digestibility of said nutrient. There was no effect of treatments (p>0.05) on feeding time, however, rumination time and total chewing time were higher (p<0.05) for animals fed Tifton hay. The performance of the animals was similar (p>0.05). For the ultrasound measurements, Nopalea promoted an increase in the final loin eye area, compared to Tifton hay. CONCLUSION: The use of spineless cactus variety Miúda leads to the greater intake and digestibility of nutrients. The evaluated carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes are alternatives for semi-arid regions as they do not negatively affect the performance of growing lambs.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of sheep fed alfalfa hay to replace Bermuda grass hay.

The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass characteristics, meat quality, and organ and viscera weight of forty male sheep, not castrated, initially weighed 26.5 ± 1.85 kg, and confined for 100 days (44 days for the adjustment period and 56 days of the experimental period). The treatments were four levels of replacement of Bermuda grass hay with alfalfa hay (0, 200, 400, and 600 g/kg, based on dry matter). The design was randomized blocks (one lighter group and other heavier group) with 10 animals in each treatment. There were no effects on weight gain or carcass parameters. However, an increase was observed on dry matter intake (g/day), crude protein intake (g/day), empty body weight (kg), and subcutaneous fat thickness (mm). There was also an increase in total organ weights in kg and g/kg. The tissue composition of the leg had a quadratic effect on the bone tissue weight (g) and linear effect on adipose tissue relative (g/kg) and muscle-fat relations. There was also a quadratic effect on bone tissues (g/kg) and muscle-bone relations. Likewise, there was a quadratic effect on the qualitative characteristics of meat (measure of luminosity), with the replacement of Bermuda grass hay with alfalfa hay in sheep feed. The replacement of Bermuda grass hay with alfalfa did not change carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Hérnia diafragmática peritôniopericárdica congênita em uma gata / Congenital peritoniopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a female kitten

Background: Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a rare pathogenesis of congenital origin, which occurs due to a failure in the communication between the diaphragm and the pericardium during embryogenesis. Symptoms may be non-existent or non-specific, depending on the herniated organ involved and, in most cases, the diagnosis is incidental. Regarding the most indicated treatment, there are still divergences in the literature concerning the indication of conservative or surgical treatment. This study reports the case of a feline peritoneopericardial hernia, for which surgical correction was the treatment of choice. Case: A 3-month-old female kitten, no defined racial pattern, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco for treatment of a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia. This condition was diagnosed through radiographic examination after the patient having been submitted to pediatric castration and presented anesthetic complications in the transsurgery. Blood count, biochemical profile and Doppler echocardiogram were performed, which showed no significant changes. To obtain a better study and surgical planning, computed tomography was performed to observe the heart located cranially in the pericardial cavity. Caudally to the heart, hepatic parenchyma located in the pericardial cavity was observed; and hepatic vessels presenting slightly enlarged dimensions. These tomographic findings suggested peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia; being the liver present in the pericardial cavity and signs of congestion in the hepatic parenchyma. Due to the likelihood of future worsening of the hernia, surgical correction was performed, with an abdominal midline incision in the preumbilical region to reposition the liver to its normal anatomy, followed by diaphragm reconstitution through a herniorrhaphy. After the surgical procedure, the patient was referred for observation in internment and, after 15 days, the skin sutures were removed. Complete correction of the hernial defect was observed on radiography performed 30 days after the surgical procedure. However, the examination showed the presence of deviation/ deformity in the topography of the sternum and costal cartilages, with slight cardiac displacement to the right hemithorax, suggesting the presence of pectus excavatum. Discussion: Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is considered rare and, despite being one of the most common causes of congenital pericardial anomaly in felines, it has a low prevalence ranging from 0.06% to 1.45%. They are usually diagnosed from two years of age, with prevalence for older animals. However, due to having presented anesthetic changes, the patient of this case report could be diagnosed early. Among the most common organs that migrate to the thoracic cavity, the liver is the most commonly observed, which is also the hernia content of the present report. Peritoneopericardial hernia is often diagnosed through radiography and ultrasound, and these imaging tests proved to be sufficient for the diagnosis in this report. However, computed tomography was important for providing a better study of case and for the adoption of median celiotomy as a treatment. Associations with other malformations are described in the literature, with pectus excavatum being the most common and also observed in this report. Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is a rare anomaly, rarely reported in the literature and with divergences regarding its treatment. The adoption of early surgical treatment performed in this report showed satisfactory evolution and the possibility of a favorable prognosis.

Histologic changes in liver tissue of sheep fed spineless cactus resistant to Dactylopius opuntiae / Alterações histológicas no tecido hepático de ovinos alimentados com palma forrageira resistente a Dactylopius opuntiae

This study aimed to assess the effects of diets containing spineless cactus genotypes resistant to carmine cochineal insect (Dactylopius opuntiae) on the liver condition of sheep. Thirty-six non-castrated Santa Inês male sheep (six months of age and average initial body weight of 22.0 ± 2.9 kg) were assigned to a completely randomized design, with three treatments and 12 replicates. The animals were fed a diet with Tifton hay as exclusive roughage (control) and two more diets in which the hay was partially replaced by 'Miúda' or 'Orelha de Elefante Mexicana' (OEM.) spineless cactus. The animals were randomly slaughtered at 86 days after 16-h solid fast. The use of spineless cactus, regardless of genotype, increased the liver weight and caused inflammatory processes and necrosis on the liver parenchyma. Spineless cactus in diets for sheep confined for 86 days, despite causing liver tissue damage, such as inflammation and death process of hepatocytes, does not compromise weight gain.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de dietas contendo genótipos de palma forrageira resistentes ao inseto cochonilha do carmim (Dactylopius opuntiae) sobre a condição hepática de ovinos. Trinta e seis ovinos machos Santa Inês não castrados (seis meses de idade e peso corporal inicial médio de 22,0 ± 2,9 kg) foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e 12 repetições. Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta com feno de Tifton como volumoso exclusivo (controle) e mais duas dietas em que o feno foi parcialmente substituído por palma forrageira 'Miúda' ou 'Orelha de Elefante Mexicana' (OEM.). Os animais foram abatidos aleatoriamente aos 86 dias após jejum de sólidos por 16 horas. O uso de palma forrageira, independente do genótipo, aumentou o peso do fígado e causou processos inflamatórios e necrose no parênquima hepático. A palma forrageira em dietas para ovinos confinados por 86 dias, apesar de causar danos ao tecido hepático, como inflamação e processo de morte dos hepatócitos, não compromete o ganho de peso.

Manejo nutricional de cães e gatos domiciliados no município de Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil / Nutritional management of domiciled cats and dogs in the municipality of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o manejo nutricional de cães e gatos domiciliados no município de Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil, com base no perfil dos proprietários, por meio de um questionário aplicado, ob-tendo informações sobre nível de instrução com relação à alimentação ofertada a seus animais, bem como o grau de conhecimento sobre a importância da nutrição para a saúde de cães e gatos. De acordo com os entrevistados, neste município a presença de cães como animais de estimação foi predominante em comparação aos gatos. O principal alimento fornecido aos animais de estimação é o alimento industriali-zado seco, entretanto, grande parte dos proprietários afirmaram não possuir conhecimento sobre a alimentação e não seguem um correto manejo nutricional dos animais domiciliados, apesar de terem sido instruídos por profissionais. Conclui-se que se faz necessário maior conscientização dos proprietários de cães e gatos sobre a importância do correto manejo alimentar dos animais domiciliados.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the nutritional management of dogs and cats domiciled in the city of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, based on the owners’ profile, by means of an applied questionnaire, obtaining information on the level of education related to the feeding offered to their animals, as well as the degree of knowledge about the importance of nutrition for the health of dogs and cats. According to the interviewees, in this municipality, the presence of dogs as pets was predominant compared to cats. However, most of the owners stated that they did not have knowledge about food and did not follow a correct nutritional management of the domiciled animals, despite having been instructed by professionals. We thus conclude that awareness must be raised among the owners of dogs and cats on the importance of the correct feeding management of domiciled animals.

Percepção de profissionais nutricionistas sobre a presença de hormônios de crescimento na avicultura de corte na capital Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil / Perception of nutritionists on the use of growth hormones in the broiler industry in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil

Este trabalhoavaliou o nível de conhecimento de nutricionistas de Maceió, capital do estado de Alagoas, Brasil, quanto à presença de hormônios na criação de frangos de corte. Foram entrevistados 82 profissionais residentes da cidade. Dentre os entrevistados, 79,27% consideraram-se como mal informados quanto à composição das rações de frango, mas 54,87% afirmaram que a carne de frango continha hormônio, deixando evidente a sua falta de informação sobre alimentação e utilização de hormônios na dieta de frangos de corte. Existe, portanto, a necessidade de maior divulgação sobre a proibição da utilização de hormônios na produção de aves de corte.

This study evaluated the level of knowledge of nutritionists in Maceió, in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, regarding the myth of the use of hormones in broilers. Eighty-two nutritionists living in the city were interviewed and 79.27% of them considered themselves to be poorly informed about the composition of chicken diets, but 54.87% stated that chicken meat contains hormone, making evident the lack of information on feeding and hormone use in the diet of broilers. Thus, it is clear the need for greater exposure on the ban of the use of hormones in broiler production.

Manejo nutricional de cães e gatos domiciliados no município de Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil / Nutritional management of domiciled cats and dogs in the municipality of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o manejo nutricional de cães e gatos domiciliados no município de Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil, com base no perfil dos proprietários, por meio de um questionário aplicado, ob-tendo informações sobre nível de instrução com relação à alimentação ofertada a seus animais, bem como o grau de conhecimento sobre a importância da nutrição para a saúde de cães e gatos. De acordo com os entrevistados, neste município a presença de cães como animais de estimação foi predominante em comparação aos gatos. O principal alimento fornecido aos animais de estimação é o alimento industriali-zado seco, entretanto, grande parte dos proprietários afirmaram não possuir conhecimento sobre a alimentação e não seguem um correto manejo nutricional dos animais domiciliados, apesar de terem sido instruídos por profissionais. Conclui-se que se faz necessário maior conscientização dos proprietários de cães e gatos sobre a importância do correto manejo alimentar dos animais domiciliados.(AU)

The objective of this research was to evaluate the nutritional management of dogs and cats domiciled in the city of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, based on the owners profile, by means of an applied questionnaire, obtaining information on the level of education related to the feeding offered to their animals, as well as the degree of knowledge about the importance of nutrition for the health of dogs and cats. According to the interviewees, in this municipality, the presence of dogs as pets was predominant compared to cats. However, most of the owners stated that they did not have knowledge about food and did not follow a correct nutritional management of the domiciled animals, despite having been instructed by professionals. We thus conclude that awareness must be raised among the owners of dogs and cats on the importance of the correct feeding management of domiciled animals.(AU)

Percepção de profissionais nutricionistas sobre a presença de hormônios de crescimento na avicultura de corte na capital Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil / Perception of nutritionists on the use of growth hormones in the broiler industry in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil

Este trabalhoavaliou o nível de conhecimento de nutricionistas de Maceió, capital do estado de Alagoas, Brasil, quanto à presença de hormônios na criação de frangos de corte. Foram entrevistados 82 profissionais residentes da cidade. Dentre os entrevistados, 79,27% consideraram-se como mal informados quanto à composição das rações de frango, mas 54,87% afirmaram que a carne de frango continha hormônio, deixando evidente a sua falta de informação sobre alimentação e utilização de hormônios na dieta de frangos de corte. Existe, portanto, a necessidade de maior divulgação sobre a proibição da utilização de hormônios na produção de aves de corte.(AU)

This study evaluated the level of knowledge of nutritionists in Maceió, in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, regarding the myth of the use of hormones in broilers. Eighty-two nutritionists living in the city were interviewed and 79.27% of them considered themselves to be poorly informed about the composition of chicken diets, but 54.87% stated that chicken meat contains hormone, making evident the lack of information on feeding and hormone use in the diet of broilers. Thus, it is clear the need for greater exposure on the ban of the use of hormones in broiler production.(AU)