Validation of portable electronic equipment (Accutrend® Plus) to determine glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in rats (Rattus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).

Objective: This study aimed to validate the analytical precision of the Accutrend® Plus portable electronic equipment (PE) to determine glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) in rats and dogs using the conventional laboratory method (CM) as a reference. Materials and Methods: To determine the analytical accuracy of the Accutrend® Plus in the measurement of GLU, CT, and TG. The EP-9-A2 guide (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute), Bland-Altman graphical analysis, and Lin's correlation coefficient of concordance (CCC) were implemented. Results: The average differences (p > 0.05) between PE and CM for GLU, TC, and TG were 2.21, 1.20, and 0.72 mg·dl-1, respectively, in rats and 1.06, 4.30, and 2.41 mg·dl-1, respectively, in dogs (p > 0.05). Both methods showed a linear relationship with Pearson's correlation coefficients > 0.96 and R 2 > 0.97 for the three biochemical indicators evaluated in both species. The GLU, TC, and TG values obtained by the PE were substantial, as evident from Lin's CCC > 0.96. Conclusion: The PE Accutrend® Plus is potent for monitoring GLU, TC, and TG in rats and dogs because of its precision and ability to facilitate measurement by reducing stress in animals during sampling.

Hemoglobin A1c, hemoglobin glycation index, and triglyceride and glucose index: Useful tools to predict low feed intake associated with glucose intolerance in lactating sows.

The aim of the present study was to evaluated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), and triglyceride and glucose (TG) index as predictive indicators for low feed intake in lactating sows due to glucose intolerance. Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) was included in sow diets as a modulating factor of glucose. Thirty-six sows were separated into three groups (Gs). Although the three groups received a conventional diet during gestation and lactation, 2.0 kg per sow per day of steam-cooked cactus (G1) and fresh cactus (G2) were added to the lactation diet as a glycemic modulating factor, with G3 serving as the control group. Glycemia was assessed via glucometer (blood glucose concentrations), HbA1c and HGI. For each indicator of glycemia the triglycerides and glucose (TG) index was evaluated. The highest blood glucose concentration was observed on day 3 of lactation (88.2 mg/dL). The average glycemic concentrations obtained from HbA1c on farrowing day (61.6 mg/dL) and day 21 of lactation (65.6 mg/dL) were lower (p<0.05) than those measured by a glucometer on the same days (71.8 and 77.7 mg/dL for farrowing day and day 21 of lactation, respectively). At farrowing, the TG index obtained from the HGI indicated that 83.0% of sows were glucose intolerant, compared to 100% according to the TG index obtained from a glucometer. At weaning, 50% of G2 did not show glucose intolerance when the TG index was calculated using the HGI, compared to 54% when it was calculated with blood glucose concentrations measured by a glucometer. All G3 sows presented glucose intolerance, regardless of the test used. The HbA1c, HGI, and TG index tests are viable alternatives to predict low feed intake due to glucose intolerance in lactating sows.

Effect of the pigmentation, shine, weight, and shape index of the quail egg (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on the hatchability rate.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of the degree of pigmentation, shine, weight, and form index on the hatchability rate of quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three thousand three hundred eggs were incubated after they were classified according to the degree of shell pigmentation: high (HP), medium (MP), and low (LP); shell shine: shiny (SS), and opaque; Egg weight: <11, 11.0-11.9, 12.0-12.9, and >13 gm; form index: <78% and >78%. The Mann-Whitney non-parametric test for independent samples was used to evaluate hatching data. RESULTS: Hatchability was best in eggs with HP and SS (p < 0.05): 69.2% and 75.7%, respectively; eggs with MP had the lowest hatchability rate (63.1%). The highest risk of embryo death (17.8%) was observed in eggs containing LP (p < 0.05). Eggs weighing between 12 and 12.9 gm had the highest hatchability rate (p < 0.05) (79.11%). Eggs with a form index >78% had the highest hatchability rate (p < 0.05) (67.62%). CONCLUSIONS: HP, MP shell eggs, and SS eggs with a weight of between 12.0 and 12.9 gm and a shape index of greater than 78% have a higher hatchability rate.

Effect of the Inclusion of Different Levels of Dietary Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) on Gilts' Biochemical Parameters and Feed Intake during Lactation.

The regulation of sows' metabolic state during the gestation-lactation transition is a requirement for a higher feed intake in lactation, an important aspect in improving animal welfare in current swine production systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of different cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) levels in the diet of gilts during late gestation and lactation on their biochemical parameters and voluntary feed intake during lactation. From day 85 of gestation until weaning, 40 gilts were divided into four groups: GNC (group with no cactus) with a basal diet (BD) only, G1C; group with 1% inclusion of cactus plus BD, G2C; group with 1.5% inclusion of cactus plus BD, and G3C; group with 2% inclusion of cactus plus BD. The dietary cactus supplementation increased the gilts' feed intake (by 1.04 kg/day on average) during lactation and reduced their weight loss (4.3%) at weaning. The glucose concentrations were higher (range 73.0-83.9 mg/dL) in the GNC. The GNC had the highest triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations at day 100 of gestation. G3C had the highest osteocalcin concentration at day 100 of gestation. The highest feed intake and lowest glucose concentration were achieved with a cactus consumption of 1.04% in lactating gilts.

Effects of Opuntia ficus-indica in the diet of primiparous sows on the metabolic profile during late gestation and lactation and feed intake during lactation.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Opuntia ficus-indica L. (OFI) on the metabolic profile of primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation, and its impact on voluntary feed intake (VFI) during lactation. From day 85 of gestation to weaning, 32 sows were divided into four feeding schemes (n = 8 sows/scheme): Basal diet (BD) without OFI supplementation; Test scheme I, BD during gestation and BD + OFI during lactation; Test scheme II, BD + OFI during both gestation and lactation, and Test scheme III, BD + OFI during gestation and BD during lactation. Blood samples were obtained during gestation (day 85 and 100) and lactation (day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21) to determine plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, leptin, osteocalcin, ghrelin and agouti-related protein (AgRP). VFI was higher (20% higher than that of controls) in sows that received dietary OFI during lactation (p < .05). The concentration of plasma glucose was lower in sows that consumed OFI than sows fed the conventional diet (p < .05). Plasma insulin concentrations were higher in sows that consumed OFI, than in sows that did not (p < .05). Triglyceride concentrations during gestation, farrowing and lactation were also lower in sows that consumed OFI (p < .05). OFI intake caused lower plasma concentrations of leptin during lactation (p < .05). Osteocalcin was higher in sows that consumed OFI versus controls (p < .05): 8.6% and 13.4% during gestation and lactation respectively. From day 3 of lactation, sows that consumed OFI had higher concentrations of ghrelin (p < .05). The concentration of plasma AgRP was higher (p < .05) in sows that consumed OFI versus controls: 3.1% and 14.2% in gestation and lactation respectively. We concluded that OFI intake by primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation favourably modulated the factors that caused insulin resistance and increased sow performance.

Effect of the addition of cactus (O. ficus-indica) to the lactating sows' diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) to the lactating sows' diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were monitored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning. RESULTS: FI sow-1 was higher in EG (p < 0.05). MP, MQ, and LW piglet-1 at weaning were equal (p > 0.05). FI piglet-1 in the sixth and eighth week of age was higher in EG (p < 0.05); at the end of weaning phase, EG presented higher LW (p < 0.05): 8.4% more. LIV of the jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in EG at 48 h (28.8%) and 42 days post-weaning (29.9%). At day 0, post-weaning LIV of the descending portion was higher (p < 0.05) in CG (1,571.0 µm) versus EG (1,058.0 µm). At day 42, post-weaning LIV of the transverse portion was higher (p < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher. CONCLUSION: Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW.