Túnica vaginal autógena para herniorrafia perineal em cães / Autogenous tunica vaginalis for perineal herniorrhaphy in dogs

A túnica vaginal possui características ideais para enxertia e já foi empregada na reparação de diversos tecidos, inclusive do diafragma pélvico. Objetivou-se avaliar a aplicabilidade da túnica vaginal como enxerto autógeno livre, em dupla camada, para a reparação do diafragma pélvico em 14 cães portadores de hérnia perineal, das quais, nove eram unilaterais e cinco, bilaterais. Após a orquiectomia, as túnicas de ambos os testículos foram coletadas, sobrepostas e fixadas entre si por meio de quatro pontos de reparo. Foi realizada abordagem ao saco herniário, inspeção, redução do conteúdo herniário, desbridamento muscular e síntese primária mediante sutura. O enxerto foi fixado à musculatura remanescente por meio de pontos simples separados e, posteriormente, encoberto pela sutura intradérmica e por síntese cutânea. Observações transoperatórias e, posteriormente, avaliações clínicas e ultrassonográficas, por período de um ano, permitiram sugerir que a túnica vaginal possui atributos ideais para a reparação do diafragma pélvico. Conclui-se que o enxerto autógeno livre de túnica vaginal, em dupla camada, é exequível e aplicável para o reparo do diafragma pélvico no tratamento da hérnia perineal em cães.(AU)

The tunica vaginalis has ideal characteristics for grafting and has already been used to repair several tissues, including the pelvic diaphragm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the tunica vaginalis as a free double-layer autogenous graft to repair the pelvic diaphragm in 14 dogs with perineal hernia, of which, nine were unilateral and five, bilateral. After orchiectomy, the tunics of both testicles were collected, overlapped and fixed to each other by four repair points. The hernial sac was approached, followed by inspection, reduction of the hernia content, muscle debridement and primary synthesis through suture. The graft was attached to the remaining musculature by simple interrupted stitches and later hidden by intradermal suture and cutaneous synthesis. Intraoperative observations and, later, clinical and sonographic evaluations over a one-year period, allow to suggest that the tunica vaginalis has ideal attributes for the pelvic diaphragm repair. It is concluded that the autogenous graft-free of tunica vaginalis in double layer is feasible and applicable in order to repair the pelvic diaphragm in the perineal hernia treatment in dogs.(AU)

Hyperspectral imaging with a TWINS birefringent interferometer.

We introduce a high-performance hyperspectral camera based on the Fourier-transform approach, where the two delayed images are generated by the Translating-Wedge-Based Identical Pulses eNcoding System (TWINS) [Opt. Lett. 37, 3027 (2012)], a common-path birefringent interferometer that combines compactness, intrinsic interferometric delay precision, long-term stability and insensitivity to vibrations. In our imaging system, TWINS is employed as a time-scanning interferometer and generates high-contrast interferograms at the single-pixel level. The camera exhibits high throughput and provides hyperspectral images with spectral background level of -30dB and resolution of 3 THz in the visible spectral range. We show high-quality spectral measurements of absolute reflectance, fluorescence and transmission of artistic objects with various lateral sizes.

Effects of level of dietary cation-anion difference and duration of prepartum feeding on performance and metabolism of dairy cows.

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of feeding diets with 2 levels of negative dietary cation-anion differences (DCAD) during the last 42 or 21 d of gestation on performance and metabolism in dairy cows. The hypothesis was that extending feeding from 21 to 42 d and reducing the DCAD from -70 to -180 mEq/kg of dry matter (DM) would not be detrimental to performance. Holstein cows at 230 d of gestation were blocked by parity prepartum (48 entering their second lactation and 66 entering their third or greater lactation) and 305-d milk yield, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial. The 2 levels of DCAD, -70 or -180 mEq/kg of DM, and 2 feeding durations, the last 21 d (short) or the last 42 d (long) prepartum resulted in 4 treatments, short -70 (n = 29), short -180 (n = 29), long -70 (n = 28) and long -180 (n = 28). Cows in the short treatments were fed a diet with DCAD of +110 mEq/kg of DM from -42 to -22 d relative to calving. After calving, cows were fed the same diet and production and disease incidence were evaluated for 42 d in milk, whereas reproduction and survival was evaluated for 305 d in milk. Blood was sampled pre- and postpartum for quantification of metabolites and minerals. Reducing the DCAD linearly decreased prepartum DM intake between -42 and -22 d relative to calving (+110 mEq/kg of DM = 11.5 vs. -70 mEq/kg of DM = 10.7 vs. -180 mEq/kg of DM = 10.2 ± 0.4), and a more acidogenic diet in the last 21 d of the dry period reduced intake by 1.1 kg/d (-70 mEq/kg of DM = 10.8 vs. -180 mEq/kg of DM = 9.7 ± 0.5 kg/d). Cows fed the -180 mEq/kg of DM diet had increased concentrations of ionized Ca in blood on the day of calving (-70 mEq/kg of DM = 1.063 vs. -180 mEq/kg of DM = 1.128 ± 0.020 mM). Extending the duration of feeding the diets with negative DCAD from 21 to 42 d reduced gestation length by 2 d (short = 277.2 vs. long = 275.3 d), milk yield by 2.5 kg/d (short = 40.4 vs. long = 37.9 ± 1.0 kg/d) and tended to increase days open because of reduced pregnancy per artificial insemination (short = 35.0 vs. long = 22.6%). Results suggest that increasing the duration of feeding diets with negative DCAD from 21 to 42 d prepartum might influence milk yield and reproduction of cows in the subsequent lactation, although yields of 3.5% fat- and energy-corrected milk did not differ with treatments. Reducing the DCAD from -70 to -180 mEq/kg of DM induced a more severe metabolic acidosis, increased ionized Ca concentrations prepartum and on the day of calving, and decreased colostrum yield in the first milking, but had no effects on performance in the subsequent lactation. Collectively, these data suggest that extending the feeding of an acidogenic diet beyond 21 d is unnecessary and might be detrimental to dairy cows, and a reduction in the DCAD from -70 to -180 mEq/kg of DM is not needed.

Incidence of the second parity syndrome in sows from a commercial farm / Incidência de síndrome do segundo parto em fêmeas suínas de uma granja comercial

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a ocorrência da síndrome do segundo parto em uma granja comercial de suínos e apresentar alternativas para minimizar esse problema reprodutivo. Os dados foram obtidos de 363 fêmeas de genética comercial (DB-30) de primeiro e segundo partos, entre os anos de 2010 e 2011. Os animais pertenciam a uma granja comercial de ciclo completo com 1200 matrizes, cujos índices zootécnicos não permitiam detectar a presença da síndrome do segundo parto. O período de lactação foi de 24,6±3,3 dias. Foram analisados o número de nascidos totais e nascidos vivos, o peso da leitegada ao nascimento, o número de desmamados e o peso ao desmame do lote e também individualmente de cada marrã ao longo do ano. As médias e o desvio-padrão foram calculados, e os dados obtidos no primeiro e no segundo parto foram comparados pelo teste t pareado a 5%. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) no número de nascidos totais e no número de nascidos vivos entre o primeiro e o segundo parto. No entanto, constatou-se que 54% das fêmeas apresentaram igual ou menor número de nascidos no segundo parto, caracterizando a síndrome do segundo parto na maior parte dos animais. Nesse lote, o número de leitões nascidos a menos em relação ao primeiro ciclo reprodutivo foi de 3,6±2,9. Das 363 matrizes avaliadas, 153 (42%) apresentaram 16 ou mais leitões no primeiro parto. Destas, 92 (60%) tiveram menor número de leitões no segundo parto e 41 (27%) apresentaram maior número de leitões. Também se verificou maior incidência (50% ou mais) da síndrome do segundo parto nos meses de janeiro a março e de outubro a dezembro. Conclui-se que a síndrome do segundo parto é um problema que pode afetar 50% ou mais das matrizes, nem sempre detectada por meio dos índices zootécnicos da granja. Medidas como pesagem dos animais na primeira cobertura e logo após o desmame, além de programas de alimentação com dietas balanceadas, principalmente durante os meses mais quentes do ano, são ferramentas importantes para amenizar esse problema.(AU)

Effect of the addition of ß-mannanase on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility coefficients, and immune functions of broilers fed different nutritional levels.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of ß-mannanase BM: supplementation on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility, and immune function of broilers. A total of 1,600 broilers were randomly distributed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (4 nutritional levels × 0 or 500 g/ton BM), with 10 replicates and 20 broilers per pen. The same design was used in the energy and digestibility experiments with 8 and 6 replicates, respectively, and 6 broilers per pen. The nutritional levels : NL : were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of broilers : NL1 : ; reductions of 100 kcal metabolizable energy : NL2 : ; 3% of the total amino acids (NL3); and 100 kcal metabolizable energy and 3% total amino acids (NL4) from NL1. The serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration was determined in two broilers per pen, and these broilers were slaughtered to determine the relative weight of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. Throughout the experiment, the lower nutritional levels reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain : BWG : and increased (P < 0.05) feed conversion : FCR : for the NL4 treatment. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the BWG values and improved (P < 0.05) the FCR of the broilers. The apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) values were reduced (P < 0.05) for NL2 and NL3. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the AMEn values and reduced (P < 0.05) the excreted nitrogen. NL3 and NL4 reduced (P < 0.05) the true ileal digestibility coefficients (TIDc) of the amino acids cystine and glycine, and BM increased (P < 0.05) the TIDc for all amino acids. The addition of BM reduced (P < 0.05) the relative weights of the spleen and bursa. NL2 increased (P < 0.05) the Ig values, whereas BM reduced (P < 0.05) the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM values of the broilers. This study indicates that using suboptimal nutrient levels leads to losses in production parameters, whereas BM-supplemented diets were effective in improving performance, energy values, and TIDc levels of amino acids and immune response of broilers.

Detection of asymmetric glaucomatous damage using automated pupillography, the swinging flashlight method and the magnified-assisted swinging flashlight method.

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of various methods of detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) in patients with glaucoma-related diagnoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients underwent RAPD evaluation using the swinging flashlight method (SFM), the magnifier-assisted SFM, and pupillography using the Konan RAPDx. Main outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity of three methods of RAPD evaluation in detecting visual field mean deviation (MD), cup to disc ratio (CDR), disc damage likelihood scale (DDLS), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) asymmetry. RESULTS: Eighty-one consecutive patients from the Wills Eye Hospital glaucoma service were enrolled, 60 with glaucoma and 21 with ocular hypertension or glaucoma suspect. Thirty-one percent of subjects had MD asymmetry>5 dB, 19.7% had CDR asymmetry≥0.20, 26.7% had DDLS asymmetry≥2, and 38.2% had RNFL asymmetry>10 microns. Sensitivity values for pupillography were 93.3% (95% CI, 68.1-99.8) for detecting MD asymmetry, 80.0% (95% CI, 51.9-95.7) for CDR asymmetry, 100.0% (95% CI, 73.5-100.0) for DDLS asymmetry, and 69.2% (95% CI, 38.6-90.9) for RNFL asymmetry. Specificity values were 41.2% (95% CI, 24.7-59.3) for detecting MD asymmetry, 32.8% (95% CI, 21.3-46.0) for CDR asymmetry, 33.3% (95% CI, 18.0-51.8) for DDLS asymmetry, and 42.9% (95% CI, 21.8-66.0) for RNFL asymmetry. Pupillography amplitude score was correlated with MD asymmetry (r2=0.41, P<0.001) and area under the curve was 0.84. CONCLUSION: Automated pupillography had higher sensitivity and lower specificity in detecting MD, CDR, DDLS, and RNFL asymmetry. Within the bounds of the cohort tested, this method had limited case-finding ability.

Ecotoxicological risks of calcium nitrate exposure to freshwater tropical organisms: Laboratory and field experiments.

This study aimed to analyze laboratory and field data to assess the ecotoxicological risks of calcium nitrate exposure to freshwater tropical biota. Short-term laboratorial tests resulted in estimated EC50 values of 76.72 (67.32-86.12)mg N-NO3₋ L(-1) for C. silvestrii and 296.46 (277.16-315.76) mg N-NO3₋ L(-1) for C. xanthus. Long-term laboratorial tests generated IC25 values of 5.05 (4.35-5.75) and 28.73 (26.30-31.15) mg N-NO3₋ L(-1) for C. silvestrii and C. xanthus, respectively. The results from in situ mesocosm experiments performed in the Ibirité reservoir (a tropical eutrophic urban water body located in SE Brazil) indicated that C. silvestrii and C. xanthus were not under severe deleterious acute impact due to the treatment because the higher nitrate concentrations determined were 5.2 mg N-NO3₋ L(-1) (t=24 h; sediment-water interface) and 17.5 mg N-NO3₋ L(-1) (t=600 h; interstitial water). However, an abrupt decrease in the densities of Cyanophyceae members and other benthic taxa was observed. In summary, the present work contributes greatly to the toxicity data linked to two taxonomically distinct organisms that have never been screened for calcium nitrate sensitivity. Furthermore, considering the problem of the management and restoration of eutrophic environments, our study reports a comprehensive field assessment that allows the elucidation of the possible toxic impacts caused by the addition of calcium nitrate (a remediation technique) on aquatic and benthic organisms as well as the implications on the aquatic ecosystem as a whole, which may greatly allow expanding the current knowledgebase on the topic.

Combined C4d and CD3 immunostaining predicts immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy progression.

A number of molecules have been shown recently to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN). Among these, we have selected C4d (complement lectin pathway involvement), CD3 (T cell marker, traducing interstitial inflammation), transglutaminase 2 (TGase-2, involved in tissue fibrosis development) and p-extracelluar-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (protein kinase intracellular signaling molecule) to perform a panel of immunohistological biomarkers and assess its predictive value for disease progression. Immunohistochemical staining of these biomarkers was performed in paraffin sections from 74 renal biopsy cases with the clinical diagnosis of IgAN. Association between score analysis of these parameters and disease course was assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis, including baseline clinical and histological data. Univariate analysis showed that glomerular C4d, tubulointerstitial TGase2 and CD3 scores were associated with baseline proteinuria and disease progression. Multivariate analysis showed that only baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), C4d and CD3 were associated independently with progressive kidney disease (decline of at least 50% in the eGFR or progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the follow-up period). Establishing an accurate prediction model for IgAN progression is still a matter of research in clinical nephrology. The complement system, particularly lectin pathway activation, and T cell activation, have been shown previously to be potential modifiers of the disease course. Here we show that the combination of two histological biomarkers (C4d and CD3) can be a powerful predictor of IgAN progression and a potential useful tool for the clinical approach of this disease.

Collagen type IV-related nephropathies in Portugal: pathogenic COL4A5 mutations and clinical characterization of 22 families.

Alport syndrome (AS) is caused by pathogenic mutations in the genes encoding α3, α4 or α5 chains of collagen IV (COL4A3/COL4A4/COL4A5), resulting in hematuria, chronic renal failure (CRF), sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and ocular abnormalities. Mutations in the X-linked COL4A5 gene have been identified in 85% of the families (XLAS). In this study, 22 of 60 probands (37%) of unrelated Portuguese families, with clinical diagnosis of AS and no evidence of autosomal inheritance, had pathogenic COL4A5 mutations detected by Sanger sequencing and/or multiplex-ligation probe amplification, of which 12 (57%) are novel. Males had more severe and earlier renal and extrarenal complications, but microscopic hematuria was a constant finding irrespective of gender. Nonsense and splice site mutations, as well as small and large deletions, were associated with younger age of onset of SNHL in males, and with higher risk of CRF and SNHL in females. Pathogenic COL4A3 or COL4A4 mutations were subsequently identified in more than half of the families without a pathogenic mutation in COL4A5. The lower than expected prevalence of XLAS in Portuguese families warrants the use of next-generation sequencing for simultaneous COL4A3/COL4A4/COL4A5 analysis, as first-tier approach to the genetic diagnosis of collagen type IV-related nephropathies.

Suplementação de lisina e metionina em associação ou não com o óleo de soja na dieta de vacas leiteiras / Supplementation of lysine and methionine in association or not with soybean oil in dairy cow diets

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a suplementação de lisina e metionina em associação ou não ao óleo de soja na dieta de vacas leiteiras e seus efeitos sobre a produção e a composição do leite. Doze vacas Holandesas foram distribuídas em quadrado latino 4x4, com as dietas O+LM (dieta acrescida de óleo de soja, lisina e metionina misturados na dieta total), OLM (dieta com o complexo óleo de soja/lisina e metionina fornecido separadamente da dieta total), OS (dieta acrescida de óleo de soja fornecido separadamente da dieta total) e LM (dieta acrescida de lisina e metionina fornecidos separadamente da dieta total). A produção de leite, a de proteína e a de gordura não foram afetadas pela adição de lisina e metionina associadas ou não com óleo de soja. O percentual de gordura do leite, a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura e a produção de leite corrigida para sólidos totais reduziram-se com a adição de óleo de soja na dieta. O percentual de proteína aumentou 0,14% (p<0,05) com a adição de óleo na presença de lisina e metionina na dieta. Os resultados sugerem efeito protetor do complexo óleo/lisina e metionina da degradação ruminal na condição experimental proposta...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lysine and methionine supplementation with or without soybean oil in the diet of dairy cows on milk production and composition. Twelve Holstein cows were randomly distributed in a 4x4 latin square where the diets were O+LM (diet with soybean oil, lysine and methionine added in the total mixed ration), OLM (diet with complex soybean oil/ lysine and methionine provided as top dressed), OS (diet with soybean oil provided as top dressed) and LM (diet with lysine and methionine provided as top dressed). The milk production, milk protein and milk fat production were not affected by the addition of lysine and methionine in association or not with soybean oil in the diet. The milk fat percentage, 3.5% fat-corrected milk and solids corrected milk were reduced with increasing soybean oil in the diet. The milk protein percentage increased in 0.14% (P < 0.05) when soybean oil was added to the diet in the presence of the lysine and methionine. The results suggest a protection effect of oil/lysine and methionine complex from the rumen degradation in this experimental condition...

Effect of the addition of IGF-I and vitamin E to stored boar semen.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of IGF-I to pig insemination doses stored at 15°C, in conjunction with the addition of different amounts of vitamin E (α-tocopherol). Semen samples (n = 12) from four boars were treated by the addition of different concentrations of vitamin E, ranging up to 400 µg/ml. Immediately after processing and after the doses had been stored at 15°C for 24 or 72 h, samples were warmed at 37°C and 30 ng/ml of IGF-I was added. The assessments were made after 10 and 120 min of IGF-I addition. There was a minor effect of the vitamin E added before cooling and IGF-I added after storage on sperm quality. The addition of 400 µg/ml of vitamin E to diluted semen reduced (P < 0.01) the malondialdehyde (MDA) production in boar semen stored at 15°C for 72 h, regardless of the addition of IGF-I as additive during a 120 min incubation period at 37°C. In these conditions, IGF-I also reduced (P < 0.05) the MDA production in semen samples without addition of vitamin E. IGF-I in the presence of vitamin E reduced (P = 0.03) the glucose intake in freshly diluted boar semen samples before cooling. It was concluded that the addition of 400 µg/ml of vitamin E reduces the MDA production in boar semen stored at 15°C for 72 h, regardless of the presence of IGF-I additive. The addition of IGF-I in doses stored for 72 h with vitamin E ensures higher sperm motility after 120 min of incubation at 37°C.

Calcium nitrate addition to control the internal load of phosphorus from sediments of a tropical eutrophic reservoir: microcosm experiments.

The main objective of this study was to perform laboratory experiments on calcium nitrate addition to sediments of a tropical eutrophic urban reservoir (Ibirité reservoir, SE Brazil) to immobilize the reactive soluble phosphorus (RSP) and to evaluate possible geochemical changes and toxic effects caused by this treatment. Reductions of 75 and 89% in the concentration of RSP were observed in the water column and interstitial water, respectively, after 145 days of nitrate addition. The nitrate application increased the rate of autotrophic denitrification, causing a consumption of 98% of the added nitrate and oxidation of 99% of the acid volatile sulfide. As a consequence, there were increases in the sulfate and iron (II) concentrations in the sediment interstitial water and water column, as well as changes in the copper speciation in the sediments. Toxicity tests initially indicated that the high concentrations of nitrate and nitrite in the sediment interstitial water (up to 2300 mg L(-1) and 260 mg L(-1), respectively) were the major cause of mortality of Ceriodaphnia silvestrii and Chironomus xanthus. However, at the end of the experiment, the sediment toxicity was completely removed and a reduction in the 48 h-EC50 of the water was also observed. Based on these results we can say that calcium nitrate treatment proved to be a valuable tool in remediation of eutrophic aquatic ecosystems leading to conditions that can support a great diversity of organisms after a restoration period.

Spondylodiscitis in hemodialysis patients: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Although bacterial spondylodiscitis is one of the most serious complications in hemodialysis patients, it is often underdiagnosed, and few reports describe its course and clinical management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 11 hemodialysis patients diagnosed with spondylodiscitis, during a 5-year period, and compared them with the general population followed at our center. Nine patients presented with fever on admission. Blood cultures were positive in all patients and Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 8. Ten patients had a central venous catheter as access for hemodialysis and the number of vascular accesses in the patients´ medical history was superior to the rest of our HD population. RESULTS: Four patients (36%) died during follow-up. None of the patients that underwent vancomycin and gentamicin antibiotic therapy died. CONCLUSION: Bacterial spondylodiscitis must be suspected whenever a patient on hemodialysis is admitted with fever and/or back pain. The presence of a central venous catheter and a history of multiple vascular accesses may be important risk factors. Prolonged antibiotic therapy with initial broad-spectrum coverage seems to be the best therapeutic approach.

Hepatitis C virus infection protein network.

A proteome-wide mapping of interactions between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human proteins was performed to provide a comprehensive view of the cellular infection. A total of 314 protein-protein interactions between HCV and human proteins was identified by yeast two-hybrid and 170 by literature mining. Integration of this data set into a reconstructed human interactome showed that cellular proteins interacting with HCV are enriched in highly central and interconnected proteins. A global analysis on the basis of functional annotation highlighted the enrichment of cellular pathways targeted by HCV. A network of proteins associated with frequent clinical disorders of chronically infected patients was constructed by connecting the insulin, Jak/STAT and TGFbeta pathways with cellular proteins targeted by HCV. CORE protein appeared as a major perturbator of this network. Focal adhesion was identified as a new function affected by HCV, mainly by NS3 and NS5A proteins.

Efeitos da adição de propilenoglicol ou monensina à silagem de milho sobre a cinética de degradação dos carboidratos e produção cumulativa de gases in vitro / Effects of adding propylene glycol or monensin to corn silage on the degradation kinetics of carbohydrates and in vitro cumulative gas production

Avaliaram-se os efeitos dos aditivos propilenoglicol e/ou monensina sobre a degradabilidade média e efetiva dos carboidratos totais, pH e produção cumulativa de gases da silagem de milho por meio da técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de silagem de milho (SM); SM associada ao propilenoglicol (SM+PG); SM associada à monensina (SM+MO); SM associada ao propilenoglicol e à monensina (SM+PG+MO) avaliados com duas, quatro, seis, 12, 24, 48 e 96 horas. A adição de monensina ou monensina associada ao propilenoglicol aumentou (P<0,05) a degradabilidade dos carboidratos totais às duas horas. SM+MO apresentou maior degradabilidade efetiva dos carboidratos totais em todas as taxas de passagem. A utilização de monensina reduziu a produção cumulativa de gases das 12 às 96 horas. Entre os tratamentos, SM+MO apresentou o menor potencial de produção de gases (221ml/g carboidratos totais) e o menor tempo de colonização (1,08 horas) em relação aos tratamentos SM e SM+PG (1,58 e 1,49 horas, respectivamente). A produção cumulativa de gases e degradabilidade dos carboidratos totais apresentaram elevada correlação, variando de 94 a 97 por cento (P<0,01). O pH do meio foi inversamente correlacionado à degradabilidade dos carboidratos totais (r= -79 por cento, P<0,01). O uso de monensina pode ser uma boa alternativa para se melhorarem os parâmetros da cinética de degradação da silagem de milho.

The effects of the additives propylene glycol and/or monensin on the degradation of total carbohydrates, pH, and cumulative gas production of corn silage by the semi-automated in vitro gas production technique were evaluated. The treatments were corn silage (CS); CS plus propylene glycol (CS+PG); CS plus monensin (CS+MO), and CS plus propylene glycol and monensin (CS+PG+MO), which were evaluated at two, four, six, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours. The addition of monensin or monensin plus propylene glycol increased (P<0.05) the degradation of total carbohydrates at 2h. The effective degradations of total carbohydrates for CS+MO treatment (55.2; 42.7; and 36.5 percent) were the highest in all passage rates. The use of monensin reduced cumulative gas production from 12 to 96h. CS+MO treatment had the lowest potential of gas production (221ml/g total carbohydrates), and the lowest Lag phase (1.08h), as compared to CS and CS+PG treatment (1.58 and 1.49h, respectively). Cumulative gas production and degradation of total carbohydrates were highly correlated (94 to 97 percent; P<0.01). The pH was inversely correlated to degradability of total carbohydrates (r= -0.79; P<0.01). Thus, monensin may be used for improving the ruminal degradability of corn silage.

Efeitos da adição de monensina ou propilenoglicol à polpa cítrica sobre a cinética de degradação dos carboidratos totais e da produção cumulativa de gases in vitro / Effects of adding monensin or propylene glycol to citrus pulp on the degradability of total carbohydrates and in vitro cumulative gas production

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da adição de propilenoglicol e/ou monensina sobre a degradabilidade média e efetiva dos carboidratos totais, pH e produção cumulativa de gases da polpa cítrica por meio da técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de polpa cítrica (PC); associada ao propilenoglicol (PC+PG); monensina (PC+MO); propilenoglicol e monensina (PC+PG+MO), avaliados com duas, quatro, seis, 12, 24, 48 e 96 horas. A degradabilidade efetiva dos carboidratos totais de PC+PG foi maior em todas as taxas de passagem estudadas. A produção cumulativa de gases e a degradação dos carboidratos totais apresentaram correlação elevada, variando de 92 a 97 por cento (P<0,01). O pH do meio foi inversamente correlacionado ao aumento da degradabilidade dos carboidratos totais (r= -79 por cento, P<0,01). O propilenoglicol promoveu a maior degradabilidade efetiva dos carboidratos totais e pode ser um bom aditivo a ser utilizado em associação com a polpa cítrica.

The effects of propylene glycol and/or monensin on the total carbohydrate degradations, pH, and cumulative gas production of citrus pulp using the semi-automated in vitro gas production technique were evaluated. The treatments were constituted of citrus pulp (CP); CP plus propylene glycol (CP+PG); CP plus monensin (CP+MO), and CP plus propylene glycol and monensin (CP+PG+MO), which were evaluated at two, four, six, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours. The addition of propylene glycol to the citrus pulp resulted in the highest (76.7; 63.9; and 56.5 percent for rates of passage 0.02; 0.05 and 0.08 percent/h, respectively) total carbohydrates degradability. Cumulative gas production and degradation of total carbohydrates were highly correlated (92 to 97 percent, P<0.01). The pH was inversely correlated to degradability of total carbohydrates (r= -0.79, P<0.01). Propylene glycol showed higher effective degradation of total carbohydrate and may be a good additive to be used associated to the citrus pulp.

Produção e composição do leite de vacas alimentadas com dietas com diferentes proporções de forragem e teores de lipídeos / Milk production and composition of cows fed diets with different contents of concentrate and lipids

Avaliaram-se a produção e a composição do leite de vacas da raça Holandesa alimentadas com diferentes proporções de forragem e teores de lipídeos na dieta. Foram utilizadas oito vacas com 58±9 dias em lactação, com produção média de 28±4kg/dia de leite, distribuídas em delineamento quadrado latino 4 x 4 duplo, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2. Os tratamentos foram dietas com alta forragem e baixo nível de lipídeos, alta forragem e alto nível de lipídeos, baixa forragem e baixo nível de lipídeos e baixa forragem e alto nível de lipídeos. As produções de leite e leite corrigido para 3,5 por cento de gordura não diferiu entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). A redução na proporção de forragem reduziu a produção e a concentração de gordura no leite (P<0,05). O aumento no teor de lipídeos nas dietas reduziu a concentração de sólidos totais e o teor de nitrogênio uréico no leite (P<0,05).

Milk yield and composition of Holstein dairy cows fed different forage to concentrate ratio as well as different lipid contents in the diets were studied. Eight cows with 58±9 days in milk and average production of 28±4 kg/day were assigned in a double Latin square design 4 x 4, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were diets with high forage and low lipid levels, high forage and high lipid levels, low forage and low lipid levels and low forage and high lipid levels. Milk yield and fat corrected milk yield (3.5 percent) were not affected by treatments (P>0.05). The reduction on forage ratio in the diet decreased milk fat percentage and production (P<0.05). The increase in lipid levels in the diets reduced total milk solids as well as milk urea nitrogen concentrations (P<0.05).

Silagens de girassol e de milho em dietas de vacas leiteiras: consumo e digestibilidade aparente / Sunflower and corn silages in lactating cow diets: intake and digestibility

Avaliaram-se o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente de dietas, contendo diferentes proporções de silagem de girassol em substituição à silagem de milho, para vacas leiteiras em lactação. Foram utilizadas cinco vacas da raça Holandesa, que produziam 25kg leite/dia, distribuídas em um delineamento em quadrado latino 5´5. Os tratamentos foram compostos por: 100 por cento de silagem de girassol e concentrado (100SG), 66 por cento de silagem de girassol mais 34 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (66SG), 34 por cento de silagem de girassol mais 66 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (34SG), 100 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (100SM) e 100 por cento de silagem de milho mais caroço de algodão (16,5 por cento da matéria seca) e concentrado (SM+CA). A ingestão de matéria seca (17,8kg para 100SG e 21,6kg para 100SM), a ingestão de matéria orgânica (15,5kg para 100SG e 20,2kg para 100SM), a ingestão de fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro (8,1kg para 100SG e 9,9kg para 100SM), a digestibilidade aparente da fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro (30,7 por cento para 100SG e 51,4 por cento para 100SM) e da fibra insolúvel em detergente ácido (28,4 por cento para 100SG e 49,4 por cento para 100SM) foram menores para a dieta 100SG comparada à dieta 100SM (P<0,05). A substituição parcial da silagem de milho pela silagem de girassol pode ser uma alternativa viável na alimentação de vacas leiteiras.

The intake and the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and the intake of crude protein were evaluated in lactating Holstein cows fed sunflower silage (SS) in replacement of corn silage (CS) in their diets. Five ruminal cannulated cows, 60 to 82 days in milk, were arranged in a 5 x 5 latin square design. The treatments werethe following: 100 percent corn silage (100CS) and concentrate; 34 percent sunflower silage plus 66 percent corn silage (34SS) and concentrate; 66 percent sunflower silage plus 34 percent corn silage (66SS) and concentrate; 100 percent sunflower silage (100SS) and concentrate;and 100 percent corn silage plus whole cotton seed (CS-WCS) and concentrate. Dry matter (17.86kg for 100SS and 21.62kg for 100CS) and organic matter intake (17.5kg for 100SS and 20.2kg for 100CS), intake and apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were lower for 100SS compared to 100CS (P<0.05). Apparent digestibility of organic matter for treatment 100SS was the lowest (54.8 percent). Increasing levels of corn silage in the diets increased the dry matter intake, the organic matter intake and the apparent digestibility. Parcial replacement of the corn silage with sunflower silage could be a viable option for lactating cows diets.