Effect of tolfenamic acid in postpartum gilts and the performance of their piglets / Efeito do ácido tolfenâmico no pós-parto de leitoas e no desempenho da leitegada

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS) is a common disorder affecting sows in intensive production systems. In most cases, hypogalactia is not clearly identified and assumes a subclinical aspect. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) based on tolfenamic acid as a prophylactic treatment for PPDS and the performance of suckling piglets. Gilts (n = 319) were randomly divided into two groups: a tolfenamic acid group (n = 157) and a control (n = 162). The tolfenamic acid group received a single intramuscular injection (1 ml/20 kg of 4% tolfenamic acid) after farrowing, whereas the control group received no treatment. The occurrence of PPDS was confirmed. All piglets (n = 4,466) were weighed at 1, 4, and 18 days of age. All litters were evaluated for weight gain, the occurrence of diarrhea, and mortality between 4 and 18 days of age. PPDS variables were analyzed using logistic regression. Piglet weights were analyzed based on covariance while considering the effects of initial weight and the presence of diarrhea. Tolfenamic acid had no significant effect on the incidence of PPDS. The tolfenamic acid group had a 0.41% lower piglet mortality rate until 18 days of age. Tolfenamic acid administered prophylactically to gilts after farrowing reduced piglet mortality during lactation and promoted weight gain.

A síndrome da disgalactia pós-parto (PPDS) é uma doença comum e importante que afeta as matrizes suínas em sistemas intensivos de produção. Na maioria dos casos, a hipogalactia não é claramente identificada, assumindo um aspecto subclínico. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de um medicamento anti-inflamatório não esteroide (AINE) baseado em ácido tolfenâmico como tratamento profiláctico para PPDS e o desempenho de leitões em aleitamento. As leitoas (n = 319) foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos de tratamento: um grupo de ácido tolfenâmico (n = 157) e um grupo de controle (n = 162). O grupo tratado recebeu uma única injeção intramuscular (1 ml/20 kg de 4% de ácido tolfenâmico) após o parto, enquanto que o grupo de controle não recebeu nenhum tratamento. A ocorrência de PPDS foi então verificada. Todos os leitões (n = 4466) foram pesados com 1, 4, e 18 dias de idade. Todas as leitegadas foram avaliadas quanto ao ganho de peso, ocorrência de diarreia e mortalidade entre os 4 e 18 dias de idade. As variáveis PPDS foram analisadas através de regressão logística. Os pesos de leitões foram analisados com base na covariância, considerando os efeitos do peso inicial e a presença de diarreia. Não houve efeito significativo do ácido tolfenâmico sobre a ocorrência de PPDS. O grupo do ácido tolfenâmico teve menos 0,41% de mortalidade dos leitões até aos 18 dias de idade. O ácido tolfenâmico administrado profilaticamente nas leitoas após o parto reduziu a mortalidade dos leitões durante a lactação e aumentou o ganho de peso nos leitões.

Effects of an in situ diesel oil spill on oxidative stress in the clam Anomalocardia flexuosa.

Intensive exploitation and transport of oil and derivatives are increasing the risk of coastal contamination by either dramatic disasters or diffuse sources. Tools for monitoring diffuse contamination, such as diesel oil that leaks from marine vessels are much needed. We experimentally tested the efficiency of antioxidant biomarkers as indicators of chronic exposure to diesel oil in a mudflat from the subtropical Bay of Paranaguá, in southern Brazil. We examined the effects of three successive diesel oil spills, with two weeks of recovery time between exposures, on the edible clam Anomalocardia flexuosa. Previous studies have highlighted its potential as a bioindicator species for diesel oil contamination in subtropical and tropical ecosystems. Endpoints measured in gill and digestive gland homogenates included the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx, GST and levels of lipid peroxides. PAHs concentration in sediments and soft tissue were also quantified. GST and SOD were the most responsive biomarkers to the exposure. There were significant but non-cumulative departures from control levels in organisms from treated samples, which were, in all cases, more common 48 h after each experimental spill. Biomarker responses were more evident in the digestive gland than in gills. This work validated the short-term responsiveness of biomarkers as measures of repeated pulsed in situ exposure to low concentrations of diesel oil. For their routine implementation into monitoring programs for tropical estuaries our general recommendations are 1) to include several reference sites, 2) to analyze biomarker data using a logarithmic-scale and 3) to interpret deviations from "normal" activity as multiplicative interval differences.

Baseline levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in species from a subtropical estuarine system (Paranaguá Bay, southern Brazil).

Offshore petroleum exploration has increased the risks of oil spills in coastal tropical and subtropical habitats. Monitoring tools are needed to assess and protect environmental health. We determined baseline values of antioxidant biomarkers (CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, MDA) for five ecologically relevant species in a subtropical system in southern Brazil. Regional baseline levels are compared with literature data as a basis to eventually test their efficacy as post-spill monitoring tools. Differences in the antioxidant response among species, contamination, and seasons were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses. The bivalves Anomalocardia flexuosa and Crassostrea rhizophorae and the catfish Genidens genidens emerge as suitable sentinel species. Seasonality is the main factor accounting for biomarkers variability, and not background contamination level. However, interactions between season and contamination level are also significant, indicating that biomarkers respond to complex environmental settings, a fact that needs to be fully understood for designing proper monitoring programs.