Effects of dietary electrolyte balance on performance, energy balance, and expression of genes related to acid-basic balance, absorption, and transport of nutrients in broilers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) levels on performance characteristics (feed intake, FI; body weight gain, BWG; and feed efficiency, FE), energy balance (retained energy, RE; metabolizable energy ingested, MEI; heat production, HP; and energy retention efficiency, ERE), and the expression of genes related to acid-base balance, nutrient absorption, and transport in broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 245 male Cobb chickens were used in a completely randomized design with five DEB levels (110, 175, 240, 305, and 370 mEq/kg) and seven replicates of seven birds each. The inclusion of DEB levels influenced FE; 110 mEq/kg provided the better values for this characteristic both in the pre-initial phase and in the initial phase but was different only concerning 175 mEq/kg (1-7 days) and 240 mEq/kg (1-21 days). Birds that ingested diets with a level of 240 mEq/kg of DEB had a higher MEI and HP. This DEB level caused a lesser and greater expression of the SLC12A2 gene in the liver and the ATP1A1 gene in the intestine, respectively. On the other hand, the ATP1A1 gene was less expressed in the liver and kidney of broilers supplemented with 370 mEq/kg compared to a level of 110 mEq/kg. In general, a level of 110 mEq/kg DEB in the ration seems to be the most suitable for good performance, energy balance, and gene expression of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age.

Cottonseed Oil in Diets for Broilers in the Pre-Starter and Starter Phases.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude cottonseed oil in isoenergetic diets, with or without supplementation of ferrous sulfate, on performance variables, relative weight of organs, and blood parameters of broilers, and on the economic viability of diets in the periods from 1 to 7 and 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 600 male birds of the Ross line were distributed in a completely randomized design in a (4×2) factorial arrangement with eight treatments (0, 2, 4, and 6% cottonseed oil with and without ferrous sulfate), and five replicates. The following variables were studied: feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion, weight of organs, blood parameters, and yield of carcass and cuts at 21 days. No effects of the levels of cottonseed oil were found on the performance of animals aged 1 to 7 days, or on the relative weights of the organs. In this same period, the weight gain, and the relative weights of heart, liver, and intestine of the animals that received ferrous sulfate were decreased, and feed conversion was worsened. In the period from 1 to 21 days, weight gain increased linearly with the increase in the levels of cottonseed oil. Blood parameters were not influenced by the diets. Crude cottonseed oil can be utilized in diets for broilers in the periods from 1 to 7 and 1 to 21 days of age at up to 6% of inclusion, and supplementation with ferrous sulfate is unnecessary if the differences in metabolization of the cottonseed oil are considered, with and without, it during the diet formulation process.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs in southern Piauí.

This study is aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in pigs. We evaluated 143 pigs, in 10 randomly-chosen farms located in Southern Piauí. The pig's blood serum was analyzed through ELISA in detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. A seroprevalence of 25.5% was observed in the pigs that reacted against T. gondii antigens. The data from the records demonstrated an association with some factors such as: age, diet, type of management, breed and presence of cats in the farms with a prevalence of T. gondii. With the exception of sex, all others features represent risk factors for T. gondii infection. Furthermore, our data contributed to the understanding of the T. gondii seroprevalence in pig farms located in Southern Piauí.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs in southern Piauí / Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em suínos no Sul do Piauí

This study is aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in pigs. We evaluated 143 pigs, in 10 randomly-chosen farms located in Southern Piauí. The pig's blood serum was analyzed through ELISA in detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. A seroprevalence of 25.5% was observed in the pigs that reacted against T. gondii antigens. The data from the records demonstrated an association with some factors such as: age, diet, type of management, breed and presence of cats in the farms with a prevalence of T. gondii. With the exception of sex, all others features represent risk factors for T. gondii infection. Furthermore, our data contributed to the understanding of the T. gondii seroprevalence in pig farms located in Southern Piauí.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a soroprevalência e os fatores de risco associados a infecção por T. gondii em suínos. Foram avaliados 143 suínos em 10 propriedades localizadas no Sul do Estado do Piauí. Os soros dos suínos foram analisados para a detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii pela técnica de ELISA. Encontrou-se uma soroprevalência de 25,5% em suínos reativos para antígenos de T. gondii. Por meio de fichas, alguns fatores como idade, dieta, raça, sistema de criação e presença de gatos foram associados à presença de T. gondii. Com exceção do sexo, todas as outras características representaram fatores de risco para a infecção com o parasita. Os dados contribuem para a compreensão da soroprevalência de T. gondii de suínos criados no Sul do Estado do Piauí.

Pelvimetria de suínos das linhagens Agroceres e DanBred* / Pelvimetry pig strains Agroceres and DanBred

Umas das principais causas de distocia é a incompatibilidade feto-pélvica. Os problemas reprodutivos associados ao parto predispõem as propriedades produtivas a inúmeras perdas econômicas como: redução na produção de carne, descarte prematuro e despesas adicionais com manejo e veterinários. Esse estudo preliminar foi realizado com o objetivo de mensurar a região pélvica externa e interna de suínos de duas linhagens (Agroceres e Danbred). Foram avaliadas 10 matrizes, sendo cinco de cada linhagem. Mensurações corpóreas foram realizadas com fita métrica e bengala hipométrica, para a mensuração corporal e externa da pelve, e Pelvímetro de Rice, para a mensuração interna da pelve. As médias para as medidas externas da pelve das linhagens Agroceres e Danbred foram respectivamente: biilíaca externa 21,00 e 19,20cm, biisquiática externa 22,80 e 26,40cm, ílioisquiática externa direita 45,80 e 49,20cm, ílioisquiática externa esquerda 39,60 e 49,00cm. Para as medidas internas obtivemos as seguintes médias: biilíaca dorsal 7,60 e 8,40cm, biilíaca média 8,00 e 8,60cm, biilíaca ventral 7,60 e 8,20cm; Sacro púbica 9,40 e 11,40cm e biisquiática interna 9,20 e 8,80cm.

A major cause of dystocia is fetal-pelvic incompatibility. Reproductive problems associated with birth predispose productive properties to numerous economic losses as a reduction in meat production, premature culling and additional management and veterinary expenses. This preliminary study was conducted with the objective of measuring the external and internal pelvic region of pigs of two strains (Agroceres and DanBred) assessing the possible influence of these on the delivery. 10 matrices five of each strain were evaluated. Tangible measurements were performed with the aid of tape, stick hipometric for the body and external measurement of the pelvis, and Rice pelvimeter for internal measurement of the pelvis. Averages for external measures of the pelvis and DanBred Agroceres strains were: external bi-iliac 21.00 and 19.20 cm, 22.80 and 26.40 cm outside bi-isquiática, right outside ílioisquiática 45.80 and 49.20 cm, external sciatic ilium left 39.60 and 49.00 cm. For internal measures obtained the following means: dorsal bi-iliac 7.60 and 8.40 cm, bi-iliac average 8.00 and 8.60 cm, 7.60 and 8.20 ventral bi-iliac cm; Pubic sacrum 9.40 and 11.40 cm and internal bi-isquiática 9.20 and 8.80 cm.

Amputação traumática da língua em cão. Relato de caso / Traumatic tongue amputation in dogs: A case report / Amputación traumática de lengua en perro relato de caso

Descreve-se um caso raro de amputação parcial da língua em cão. O animal foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Piauí, com amputação traumática da língua, devido à mordedura por outro cão, em uma briga. Foi feita a sutura simples do segmento remanescente. O animal se recuperou completamente, com boa qualidade de vida. Concluiu-se que o cão se adapta bem à perda parcial da língua.

A rare case of partial tongue amputation in a male dog is described. The animal was admitted in the Universidade Federal do Piauí Veterinary Hospital with traumatic tongue amputation due to a bite during a fight with another dog. A simple suture of reminiscent segment was made. The animal recovered completely, having good life quality. It was conclude that dogs can adapt well to partial tongue amputation.