Effect of In Ovo Ascorbic Acid Injection and Thermal Manipulation During Incubation on Intestine Morphology of Broilers Reared under Cold and Heat Stress

It was investigated if pre-incubation ascorbic acid (AA) injection in fertile eggs incubated at high temperature impacts the performance, the yield of carcass and parts, and the intestine morphology of broilers reared under heat stress. Three thousand Cobb® fertile broiler eggs were randomly distributed according to weight into three incubations treatments (eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 37.5°C; eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 39°C; and eggs injected with 6 µg AA/100 µL water prior to incubation and incubated at 39ºC). The hatched birds were reared at thermoneutral, cold, and hot house temperatures. Broilers reared under hot temperature presented lower feed intake and weight gain than the broilers of the different rearing temperatures. Egg incubation at 39.0 ºC and 39.0 ºC + AA reduced broiler viability. Carcass and cut yields were not influenced by incubation and rearing procedures. Duodenal goblet cell count was lower in broilers from eggs of the treatment 39ºC + AA than in broilers from the other incubation treatments and in broiler rearing in hot temperature. In the jejunum, the goblet cell counts were higher in broilers that were reared under hot than thermoneutral temperatures. The incubation treatment of 39 ºC+AA increased the goblet cell counts in the ileum of broilers reared under cold temperatures. Rearing temperature influenced the duodenal villi counts, which were lower under cold rearing conditions than in the two other rearing temperatures. The results showed that egg incubation at 39°C, independently of ascorbic acid injection, did not produce an effective epigenetic heat adaptation in broilers.(AU)

Effect of high incubation temperature on the blood parameters of layer chicks

Adequate environmental temperature control is essential for incubation efficiency. Layer breeder eggs (n=360) were weighed and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments, consisting of two incubation temperatures (T1=37.5 °C, control; and T2=39.0 °C, hot), with two incubators per temperature, and 90 eggs per incubator, totaling 360 eggs. Hatchability, embryo mortality, and chick cloacal and body surface temperatures were not affected by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at the hot temperature presented greater egg mass loss and higher eggshell conductance than those incubated at the control temperature. Layer chicks derived from eggs incubated at control temperature showed greater absolute weight, yolk-free egg mass, and heavier hearts than those from eggs submitted to heat stress during incubation. The control group presented lower base excess and ionized calcium blood levels. Incubating eggs at temperatures higher than those recommended compromises body and heart development of layer chicks and negatively affects blood ionized calcium availability, and therefore, bone mineralization during embryo development. Efficient temperature control during the incubation of fertile eggs is essential to obtain good quality layer chicks.(AU)

Effect of high incubation temperature on the blood parameters of layer chicks

Adequate environmental temperature control is essential for incubation efficiency. Layer breeder eggs (n=360) were weighed and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with two treatments, consisting of two incubation temperatures (T1=37.5 °C, control; and T2=39.0 °C, hot), with two incubators per temperature, and 90 eggs per incubator, totaling 360 eggs. Hatchability, embryo mortality, and chick cloacal and body surface temperatures were not affected by incubation temperature. Eggs incubated at the hot temperature presented greater egg mass loss and higher eggshell conductance than those incubated at the control temperature. Layer chicks derived from eggs incubated at control temperature showed greater absolute weight, yolk-free egg mass, and heavier hearts than those from eggs submitted to heat stress during incubation. The control group presented lower base excess and ionized calcium blood levels. Incubating eggs at temperatures higher than those recommended compromises body and heart development of layer chicks and negatively affects blood ionized calcium availability, and therefore, bone mineralization during embryo development. Efficient temperature control during the incubation of fertile eggs is essential to obtain good quality layer chicks.

Silicon in broiler drinking water promotes bone development in broiler chickens.

Skeletal abnormalities, bone deformities and fractures cause significant losses in broiler production during both rearing and processing. Silicon is an essential mineral for bone and connective tissue synthesis and for calcium absorption during the early stages of bone formation. Performance was not affected by the addition of silicon. However, broilers receiving silicon showed a significant increase of phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and ash in the tibia. In conclusion, broiler performance was not impaired by adding the tested silicon product to the drinking water. In addition, bone development improved, as demonstrated by higher mineral and ash content. Further studies are required to determine the optimal concentration of silicon, including heat stress simulations, to better understand the effects of silicon on bone development.

Effect of In-Ovo Ascorbic Acid Injection on the Bone Development of Broiler Chickens Submitted to Heat Stress During Incubation and Rearing

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of in-ovo ascorbic acid (AA) injection on the bone development of broilers submitted to heat stress during incubation and rearing. One thousand (1,000) Cobb(r)fertile broiler eggs were randomly distributed according to the weight into five incubators, with 200 eggs per incubator. The incubation treatments were: eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 37.5°C; eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 39°C; and eggs injected with 6 µg AA/100 µL water prior to incubation and incubated at 39ºC. The hatched birds were reared at three different house temperatures: cold, thermoneutral, or and hot. The high incubation temperature negatively influenced broilers' bone characteristics. The femur of the birds hatched from eggs incubated at 39°C and injected with AA presented lower shaft mineral density, lower maximum force and lower elongation at maximum force. Their tibia presented reduced mineral density at the proximal and distal epiphysis. In-ovo AA injection of eggs incubated at high temperature did not minimize the negative effects of high rearing temperature on the performance andbone development of broiler chickens reared until 42 days of age.(AU)

Effects of the Addition of Glucose, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Vitamin E to the Drinking Water of Pre-Slaughter Broiler Chickens on Carcass Yield, Gastric Emptying and Meat Quality

An experiment was conducted of the poultry facilities of La Salle Agricultural College in Xanxerê, SC, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of the administration of sodium bicarbonate, glucose and vitamin E to the drinking water during pre-slaughter feed withdrawal on carcass yield, organ relative weights (heart, liver, proventriculus, and gizzard), gizzard emptying, and meat quality of broiler chickens. The applied treatments were: water as control; 50g/L of glucose; 50g/L de glucose + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 75g/L of glucose; 75g/L + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 0.45% of sodium bicarbonate; 0.45% of sodium bicarbonate + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 0.55% of sodium bicarbonate; 0.55% of sodium bicarbonate + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 200mg/L de vitamin E. On the last day before slaughter, during the water diet period,500 birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with ten treatments and ten replicates of five birds each. No difference in broiler carcass yield and organ relative weights was found. There were no significant changes in gizzard contents, in ultimate meat, cooking loss, shear force value, or in the meat color parameters L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness). It was concluded is that the addition of glucose, sodium bicarbonate, and vitamin E to the drinking water during pre-slaughter feed withdrawal period has no influence on carcass yield or on relative organ weight, neither on the emptying of the gizzard contents and the meat quality of broiler chickens.(AU)

Effects of the Addition of Glucose, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Vitamin E to the Drinking Water of Pre-Slaughter Broiler Chickens on Carcass Yield, Gastric Emptying and Meat Quality

An experiment was conducted of the poultry facilities of La Salle Agricultural College in Xanxerê, SC, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of the administration of sodium bicarbonate, glucose and vitamin E to the drinking water during pre-slaughter feed withdrawal on carcass yield, organ relative weights (heart, liver, proventriculus, and gizzard), gizzard emptying, and meat quality of broiler chickens. The applied treatments were: water as control; 50g/L of glucose; 50g/L de glucose + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 75g/L of glucose; 75g/L + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 0.45% of sodium bicarbonate; 0.45% of sodium bicarbonate + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 0.55% of sodium bicarbonate; 0.55% of sodium bicarbonate + 200mg/L of vitamin E; 200mg/L de vitamin E. On the last day before slaughter, during the water diet period,500 birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with ten treatments and ten replicates of five birds each. No difference in broiler carcass yield and organ relative weights was found. There were no significant changes in gizzard contents, in ultimate meat, cooking loss, shear force value, or in the meat color parameters L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness). It was concluded is that the addition of glucose, sodium bicarbonate, and vitamin E to the drinking water during pre-slaughter feed withdrawal period has no influence on carcass yield or on relative organ weight, neither on the emptying of the gizzard contents and the meat quality of broiler chickens.

Effect of In-Ovo Ascorbic Acid Injection on the Bone Development of Broiler Chickens Submitted to Heat Stress During Incubation and Rearing

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of in-ovo ascorbic acid (AA) injection on the bone development of broilers submitted to heat stress during incubation and rearing. One thousand (1,000) Cobb(r)fertile broiler eggs were randomly distributed according to the weight into five incubators, with 200 eggs per incubator. The incubation treatments were: eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 37.5°C; eggs not injected with AA and incubated at 39°C; and eggs injected with 6 µg AA/100 µL water prior to incubation and incubated at 39ºC. The hatched birds were reared at three different house temperatures: cold, thermoneutral, or and hot. The high incubation temperature negatively influenced broilers' bone characteristics. The femur of the birds hatched from eggs incubated at 39°C and injected with AA presented lower shaft mineral density, lower maximum force and lower elongation at maximum force. Their tibia presented reduced mineral density at the proximal and distal epiphysis. In-ovo AA injection of eggs incubated at high temperature did not minimize the negative effects of high rearing temperature on the performance andbone development of broiler chickens reared until 42 days of age.

Levels and sources of vitamin D on performance and bone development of strains in broilers / Níveis de vitamina D sobre o desempenho e desenvolvimento ósseo de linhagens de frangos de corte

The availability and appropriate level of vitamin D to promote physiological demand, bone formation and reduce the occurrence of locomotors problems in broilers. The aim of this study was to evaluate three levels of vitamin D on performance breaking strength and mineral content of tibia of three strains of broilers, it was used 1,440 chicken of one day of age. The complete random design used was in factorial 3X3, with three strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500 and Hybro) and three inclusion levels of vitamin D3 (1250 IU vitamin D3; 3000 IU vitamin D3 and 2760 UI of 25- hydroxycholecalciferol (OH) D3), provided in the diet until 21 day of life, with eight replicates of 30 birds per group, a total of 160 birds per treatment. There was no difference (P> 0.05) between the levels of vitamin D, in the strains for the perfomance and breaking strength, except for feed intake for the strain factor (P> 0.05), with higher feed intake of Cobb, probably due to its higher growth potential. The levels of vitamin D had no influence significant (P>0.05) the quantities of calcium and phosphorus in the tibia bones. However, for strains was significant difference (P 0.05) at 14 days of age, with higher amounts of calcium to Ross 308 and higher amount of phosphorus to Hybro. This can be explained because of the genetic variation in metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in broilers. In conclusion the addition of 1250 IU vitamin D/kg of feed is sufficient to ensure performance and bone development of broilers independent of the strain to be used by proper adjustment of the levels of Ca and P

A disponibilidade e o nível adequado de vitamina D deve atender à demanda fisiológica para formação óssea, e reduzem a ocorrência de problemas locomotores em frangos de corte. Com o objetivo de avaliar três níveis de vitamina D sobre o desempenho, força de ruptura e conteúdo mineral das tíbias de três linhagens de frangos de corte, foram utilizado 1.440 pintos de um dia, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x3, com três linhagens (Ross 308, Cobb 500 e Hybro) e três níveis de inclusão de vitamina D3 (1250 UI vitamina D3; 3000 UI vitamina D3 e 2760 UI de hidroxicolecalciferol 25(OH) D3, fornecidos na ração até o 21º dia de vida, com oito repetições de 30 aves por parcela, totalizando 160 aves por tratamento. Não houve diferenças (P>0,05) entre os níveis de vitamina D, e as linhagens para o desempenho e força de ruptura, exceto para o consumo de ração para o fator linhagem (P 0,05), devido ao seu potencial de crescimento. Os níveis de vitamina D não influenciaram (P> 0,05) as quantidades de cálcio e fósforo nas tíbias. No entanto, para as linhagens houve diferença significativa (P 0,05) aos 14 dias de idade, com maior quantidade de cálcio para o Ross 308 e maior quantidade de fósforo para o Hybro, evidenciando diferenças no metabolismo do cálcio e do fósforo em frangos de corte. Em conclusão a adição de 1250 UI de vitamina D/kg de ração é suficiente para garantir o desempenho e o desenvolvimento ósseo de frangos de corte, independente da linhagem a ser utilizada, mediante ao ajuste correto dos níveis de Ca e P

NÍVEIS DE VITAMINA D SOBRE O DESEMPENHO E DESENVOLVIMENTO ÓSSEO DE LINHAGENS DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

A disponibilidade e o nível adequado de vitamina D deve atender à demanda fisiológica para formação óssea, e reduzem a ocorrência de problemas locomotores em frangos de corte. Com o objetivo de avaliar três níveis de vitamina D sobre o desempenho, força de ruptura e conteúdo mineral das tíbias de três linhagens de frangos de corte, foram utilizado 1.440 pintos de um dia, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x3, com três linhagens (Ross 308, Cobb 500 e Hybro) e três níveis de inclusão de vitamina D3 (1250 UI vitamina D3; 3000 UI vitamina D3 e 2760 UI de hidroxicolecalciferol 25(OH) D3, fornecidos na ração até o 21º dia de vida, com oito repetições de 30 aves por parcela, totalizando 160 aves por tratamento. Não houve diferenças (P>0,05) entre os níveis de vitamina D, e as linhagens para o desempenho e força de ruptura, exceto para o consumo de ração para o fator linhagem (P0,05) as quantidades de cálcio e fósforo nas tíbias. No entanto, para as linhagens houve diferença significativa (P

Levels and sources of vitamin D on performance and bone development of strains in broilers / Níveis de vitamina D sobre o desempenho e desenvolvimento ósseo de linhagens de frangos de corte

The availability and appropriate level of vitamin D to promote physiological demand, bone formation and reduce the occurrence of locomotors problems in broilers. The aim of this study was to evaluate three levels of vitamin D on performance breaking strength and mineral content of tibia of three strains of broilers, it was used 1,440 chicken of one day of age. The complete random design used was in factorial 3X3, with three strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500 and Hybro) and three inclusion levels of vitamin D3 (1250 IU vitamin D3; 3000 IU vitamin D3 and 2760 UI of 25- hydroxycholecalciferol (OH) D3), provided in the diet until 21 day of life, with eight replicates of 30 birds per group, a total of 160 birds per treatment. There was no difference (P> 0.05) between the levels of vitamin D, in the strains for the perfomance and breaking strength, except for feed intake for the strain factor (P> 0.05), with higher feed intake of Cobb, probably due to its higher growth potential. The levels of vitamin D had no influence significant (P>0.05) the quantities of calcium and phosphorus in the tibia bones. However, for strains was significant difference (P 0.05) at 14 days of age, with higher amounts of calcium to Ross 308 and higher amount of phosphorus to Hybro. This can be explained because of the genetic variation in metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in broilers. In conclusion the addition of 1250 IU vitamin D/kg of feed is sufficient to ensure performance and bone development of broilers independent of the strain to be used by proper adjustment of the levels of Ca and P(AU)

A disponibilidade e o nível adequado de vitamina D deve atender à demanda fisiológica para formação óssea, e reduzem a ocorrência de problemas locomotores em frangos de corte. Com o objetivo de avaliar três níveis de vitamina D sobre o desempenho, força de ruptura e conteúdo mineral das tíbias de três linhagens de frangos de corte, foram utilizado 1.440 pintos de um dia, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x3, com três linhagens (Ross 308, Cobb 500 e Hybro) e três níveis de inclusão de vitamina D3 (1250 UI vitamina D3; 3000 UI vitamina D3 e 2760 UI de hidroxicolecalciferol 25(OH) D3, fornecidos na ração até o 21º dia de vida, com oito repetições de 30 aves por parcela, totalizando 160 aves por tratamento. Não houve diferenças (P>0,05) entre os níveis de vitamina D, e as linhagens para o desempenho e força de ruptura, exceto para o consumo de ração para o fator linhagem (P 0,05), devido ao seu potencial de crescimento. Os níveis de vitamina D não influenciaram (P> 0,05) as quantidades de cálcio e fósforo nas tíbias. No entanto, para as linhagens houve diferença significativa (P 0,05) aos 14 dias de idade, com maior quantidade de cálcio para o Ross 308 e maior quantidade de fósforo para o Hybro, evidenciando diferenças no metabolismo do cálcio e do fósforo em frangos de corte. Em conclusão a adição de 1250 UI de vitamina D/kg de ração é suficiente para garantir o desempenho e o desenvolvimento ósseo de frangos de corte, independente da linhagem a ser utilizada, mediante ao ajuste correto dos níveis de Ca e P(AU)

Lysine and methionine + cystine for laying hens during the post-molting phase

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different lysine and methionine + cystine levels on body weight recovery, performance, and egg quality of laying hens during the post-molting period. In this trial, 432 Isa Brown layers, with 72 weeks of age, were distributed in 54 cages according to a completely randomized design with six treatments and nine replicates of eight birds each. During the resting period, six diets with different digestible lysine and methionine + cystine levels were used, as follows: 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.43% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.47% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.52% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.50% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.62% methionine + cystine. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared at by Tukey's test at 5% probability level. The different lysine and methionine + cystine levels in the diets fed during the resting period significantly influenced layer performance. The diet containing 0.56% lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine promoted higher egg weight eggs during the second production cycle.(AU)

Hydrological cycle.

The Pantanal hydrological cycle holds an important meaning in the Alto Paraguay Basin, comprising two areas with considerably diverse conditions regarding natural and water resources: the Plateau and the Plains. From the perspective of the ecosystem function, the hydrological flow in the relationship between plateau and plains is important for the creation of reproductive and feeding niches for the regional biodiversity. In general, river declivity in the plateau is 0.6 m/km while declivity on the plains varies from 0.1 to 0.3 m/km. The environment in the plains is characteristically seasonal and is home to an exuberant and abundant diversity of species, including some animals threatened with extinction. When the flat surface meets the plains there is a diminished water flow on the riverbeds and, during the rainy season the rivers overflow their banks, flooding the lowlands. Average annual precipitation in the Basin is 1,396 mm, ranging from 800 mm to 1,600 mm, and the heaviest rainfall occurs in the plateau region. The low drainage capacity of the rivers and lakes that shape the Pantanal, coupled with the climate in the region, produce very high evaporation: approximately 60% of all the waters coming from the plateau are lost through evaporation. The Alto Paraguay Basin, including the Pantanal, while boasting an abundant availability of water resources, also has some spots with water scarcity in some sub-basins, at different times of the year. Climate conditions alone are not enough to explain the differences observed in the Paraguay River regime and some of its tributaries. The complexity of the hydrologic regime of the Paraguay River is due to the low declivity of the lands that comprise the Mato Grosso plains and plateau (50 to 30 cm/km from east to west and 3 to 1.5 cm/km from north to south) as well as the area's dimension, which remains periodically flooded with a large volume of water.

Determination of methanol and ethanol by gas chromatrography following air sampling onto florisil cartridges and their concentrations at urban sites in the three largest cities in Brazil.

A new sampling protocol was developed to determine methanol and ethanol in the gas phase, at low concentration levels, in urban atmospheres. The procedure involves collection of air samples (20.0-30.0 l) with three florisil cartridges connected in series, at a flow rate ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 l min(-1) and subsequent elution of the alcohols with water. Separation and quantification were done by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a flame ionization detector, 'SPI' injector and column DB WAX (30 mx0.53 mmx1 mum). The minimum mass detected by the method, based on two times the average background mass on the blank cartridges, was 0.3 mug for both alcohols which, for a sampled volume of 30 l, resulted in detection limits of 7.6 and 5.3 ppbV for methanol and ethanol, respectively. The determined alcohol concentrations, in 42 different samples from the three largest cities in Brazil-São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador-ranged from 72 ppbV to below the detection limit for methanol and from 355 to 12 ppbV for ethanol.

[Prevalence of biliary lithiasis in cirrhotics: necropsy evaluation]. / Prevalência de litíase biliar em cirróticos: avaliação necroscópica.

In order to investigate a possible association between hepatic cirrhosis and biliary lithiasis, an analysis on 3,332 necropsy report diagnosis was carried out. Gallstones were present in 19.5% of 123 cirrhotics and in 4.9% of 3,209 non-cirrhotics patients. We concluded that lithiasis is significantly more frequent in cirrhotics than in non-cirrhotics. Chronic hemolysis, slow emptying of the gallbladder, and defective bile acidification by the gallbladder would explain such association. The male-to-female ratio of lithiasis occurrence was 2.08:1 in the cirrhotic group and 2.4:1 among the non-cirrhotics. This difference was not significant. Pigmentary gallstones were commoner among cirrhotics and significantly more frequent in cirrhotics than in non-cirrhotics. This would be explained by chronic hemolysis and by bilirubin conjugation defects. Lithiasis was more frequent in secondary biliary cirrhosis, followed by postnecrotic cirrhosis of viral etiology.