The Growth Pattern of Brazilian Canela-Preta Chickens with Different Plumages Reared in Two Rearing Systems

Growth pattern is essential for economically efficient poultry production. In this study, we aimed to describe the growth curve of chickens of the Canela-Preta breed reared in two different rearing systems, considering their different plumage colors. Initially, 204 one-day-old male and female chicks were randomly distributed in confinement and semi-confinement (102 animals in each system) without separation by gender. The animals were individually identified by wing and foot plastic brands and were weighted every seven days. The body weight and age records were used to estimate the growth curves of the following factors using the Richards model: plumage color, gender, and rearing system. The likelihood ratio test was used to verify the equality of parameters and identify nonlinear models to compare the growth patterns of the evaluated groups. The growth pattern of Canela-Preta chickens changed as a function of gender, plumage color, and rearing system. Females with black plumage, black and gold hens, and males with black and white plumage showed greater sensitivity to changes in rearing systems. Within-breed selection strategies for specific colors can improve the use of growth pattern differences, improving production efficiency. Semi-confinement is suitable for rearing Canela-Preta chickens with any plumage color, as these animals meet the free-range poultry niche market requirements.(AU)

Projeto de controle populacional de cães e gatos: benefícios ao treinamento dos alunos de Medicina Veterinária / Project for population control of dogs and cats: benefits for the training of Veterinary Medicine student

A reprodução descontrolada de animais semi-domiciliados está envolvida com abandono e riscos à saúde pública devido às possíveis zoonoses veiculadas. Projetos de extensão de controle da natalidade de cães e gatos proporcionam aprendizagem e treinamento dos alunos sob a supervisão, bem como a orientação de tutores sobre o manejo adequado de seus animais e a guarda responsável. O objetivo do projeto foi promover o treinamento clínico, cirúrgico e aproximação dos estudantes com os tutores de animais de companhia. Alunos do curso de medicina veterinária realizaram, sob supervisão dos docentes e pós graduandos, atendimento clínico e cirurgias eletivas de castração de cães e gatos de tutores desafiados financeiramente. Após seis meses de treinamento foi aplicado um questionário aos discentes, o objetivo foi avaliar a evolução dos conhecimentos adquiridos. Trinta alunos responderam aos questionários, sendo que 47% demonstraram ter adquirido maior conhecimento na prática cirúrgica; 23% nas habilidades anestésicas; 20% em outros procedimentos e 10% no trabalho em equipe. Estes resultados confirmam a necessidade de treinamento dos graduandos em ações extra sala de aula, para que seja possível a formação de um profissional capacitado e seguro para exercer a profissão, estimulando e fortalecendo o trabalho em equipe

The concern with semi-domiciled animals is involved with the uncontrolled reproduction, abandonment and risk to the public health due to the possible zoonoses transmitted. Cat and dog birth control extension projects provide learning and training for students, under the supervision of professors as well as tutors are advised on the proper management of their animals by encouraging responsible custody. The objective was to promote student training on clinical, surgical and access with the reality of pet owners. Veterinary medicine students underwent clinical and surgical care, under the supervision of the professors, in order to carry out elective castration of patients of financially challenged tutors. After six months of training, a questionnaire was developed in order to identify if there was evolution in relation to the acquired knowledge. Thirty students answered the questionnaires, 47% of whom demonstrated greater knowledge in the surgical practice; 23% in anesthetic skills; 20% in other procedures and 10% in teamwork. These results demonstrate the need for training of undergraduates, with participation in extra-classroom actions, so that it is possible to train a qualified and safe professional to practice the profession, stimulating and strengthening teamwork.

Projeto de controle populacional de cães e gatos: benefícios ao treinamento dos alunos de Medicina Veterinária / Project for population control of dogs and cats: benefits for the training of Veterinary Medicine student

A reprodução descontrolada de animais semi-domiciliados está envolvida com abandono e riscos à saúde pública devido às possíveis zoonoses veiculadas. Projetos de extensão de controle da natalidade de cães e gatos proporcionam aprendizagem e treinamento dos alunos sob a supervisão, bem como a orientação de tutores sobre o manejo adequado de seus animais e a guarda responsável. O objetivo do projeto foi promover o treinamento clínico, cirúrgico e aproximação dos estudantes com os tutores de animais de companhia. Alunos do curso de medicina veterinária realizaram, sob supervisão dos docentes e pós graduandos, atendimento clínico e cirurgias eletivas de castração de cães e gatos de tutores desafiados financeiramente. Após seis meses de treinamento foi aplicado um questionário aos discentes, o objetivo foi avaliar a evolução dos conhecimentos adquiridos. Trinta alunos responderam aos questionários, sendo que 47% demonstraram ter adquirido maior conhecimento na prática cirúrgica; 23% nas habilidades anestésicas; 20% em outros procedimentos e 10% no trabalho em equipe. Estes resultados confirmam a necessidade de treinamento dos graduandos em ações extra sala de aula, para que seja possível a formação de um profissional capacitado e seguro para exercer a profissão, estimulando e fortalecendo o trabalho em equipe(AU)

The concern with semi-domiciled animals is involved with the uncontrolled reproduction, abandonment and risk to the public health due to the possible zoonoses transmitted. Cat and dog birth control extension projects provide learning and training for students, under the supervision of professors as well as tutors are advised on the proper management of their animals by encouraging responsible custody. The objective was to promote student training on clinical, surgical and access with the reality of pet owners. Veterinary medicine students underwent clinical and surgical care, under the supervision of the professors, in order to carry out elective castration of patients of financially challenged tutors. After six months of training, a questionnaire was developed in order to identify if there was evolution in relation to the acquired knowledge. Thirty students answered the questionnaires, 47% of whom demonstrated greater knowledge in the surgical practice; 23% in anesthetic skills; 20% in other procedures and 10% in teamwork. These results demonstrate the need for training of undergraduates, with participation in extra-classroom actions, so that it is possible to train a qualified and safe professional to practice the profession, stimulating and strengthening teamwork.(AU)

Albinism in plants - far beyond the loss of chlorophyll: Structural and physiological aspects of wild-type and albino royal poinciana (Delonix regia) seedlings.

The partial or complete loss of chlorophylls, or albinism, is a rare phenomenon in plants. In the present study, we provide the first report of the occurrence in albino Delonix regia seedlings and describe the morpho-physiological changes associated with albinism. Wild-type (WT) and albino seedlings were characterized. Leaflets samples were processed following common procedures for analysis with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and the carbohydrate, lipid and soluble protein content were also determined in leaf and cotyledon samples of both albino and WT seedlings. Albino seedlings showed reduced growth. They also had lower chlorophyll and protein content in foliar tissues than WT seedlings, in addition to lower concentrations of lipids and carbohydrates stored in cotyledons. The chloroplasts of albino seedlings were poorly developed, with an undefined internal membrane system and the presence of plastoglobules. Wild-type seedlings had a uniseriate and hypoestomatic epidermis. The mesophyll was dorsiventral, consisting of a layer of palisade parenchyma and two to four layers of spongy parenchyma. In albino seedlings, the spongy parenchyma was compact, with few intercellular spaces, and the thickness of the mesophyll was larger, resulting in increased thickness of the leaf blade. Albino seedlings had higher stomatal density and number of pavement cells, although the stomata had smaller dimensions. In addition to the partial loss of chlorophylls, albino D. regia showed changes at physiological and structural levels, demonstrating the crucial nature of photosynthetic pigments during the development and differentiation of plant leaf tissues/cells.

CCR3 antagonist impairs estradiol-induced eosinophil migration to the uterus in ovariectomized mice

Eosinophils are abundant in the reproductive tract, contributing to the remodeling and successful implantation of the embryo. However, the mechanisms by which eosinophils migrate into the uterus and their relationship to edema are still not entirely clear, since there are a variety of chemotactic factors that can cause migration of these cells. Therefore, to evaluate the role of CCR3 in eosinophil migration, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice were treated with CCR3 antagonist SB 328437 and 17β-estradiol. The hypothesis that the CCR3 receptor plays an important role in eosinophil migration to the mouse uterus was confirmed, because we observed reduction in eosinophil peroxidase activity in these antagonist-treated uteruses. The antagonist also influenced uterine hypertrophy, inhibiting edema formation. Finally, histological analysis of the orcein-stained uteruses showed that the antagonist reduced eosinophil migration together with edema. These data showed that the CCR3 receptor is an important target for studies that seek to clarify the functions of these cells in uterine physiology.

CCR3 antagonist impairs estradiol-induced eosinophil migration to the uterus in ovariectomized mice.

Eosinophils are abundant in the reproductive tract, contributing to the remodeling and successful implantation of the embryo. However, the mechanisms by which eosinophils migrate into the uterus and their relationship to edema are still not entirely clear, since there are a variety of chemotactic factors that can cause migration of these cells. Therefore, to evaluate the role of CCR3 in eosinophil migration, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice were treated with CCR3 antagonist SB 328437 and 17ß-estradiol. The hypothesis that the CCR3 receptor plays an important role in eosinophil migration to the mouse uterus was confirmed, because we observed reduction in eosinophil peroxidase activity in these antagonist-treated uteruses. The antagonist also influenced uterine hypertrophy, inhibiting edema formation. Finally, histological analysis of the orcein-stained uteruses showed that the antagonist reduced eosinophil migration together with edema. These data showed that the CCR3 receptor is an important target for studies that seek to clarify the functions of these cells in uterine physiology.

Agonistic activity of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM), on arthritic ovariectomized mice

Arthritis is positively associated with the decline of sex hormones, especially estrogen. Tamoxifen (TMX) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, possessing agonist or antagonistic activity in different tissues. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of TMX on the zymosan-induced arthritis model. Female Swiss normal and ovariectomized (OVX) mice were divided into groups and treated for five days with TMX (0.3, 0.9 or 2.7 mg/kg) or 17-β-estradiol (E2, 50 µg/kg). On the fifth day, arthritis was induced and 4 h later, leukocyte migration into joint cavities was evaluated. The neutrophil migration in OVX animals, but not in normal mice, treated with TMX (all tested doses) was significantly decreased compared with mice that received the vehicle (P≤0.05). Similarly, this effect was also demonstrated in the E2-treated group. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that TMX presented agonist effects in inhibiting neutrophil migration and preventing arthritis progression in OVX mice.

Agonistic activity of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM), on arthritic ovariectomized mice.

Arthritis is positively associated with the decline of sex hormones, especially estrogen. Tamoxifen (TMX) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, possessing agonist or antagonistic activity in different tissues. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of TMX on the zymosan-induced arthritis model. Female Swiss normal and ovariectomized (OVX) mice were divided into groups and treated for five days with TMX (0.3, 0.9 or 2.7 mg/kg) or 17-ß-estradiol (E2, 50 µg/kg). On the fifth day, arthritis was induced and 4 h later, leukocyte migration into joint cavities was evaluated. The neutrophil migration in OVX animals, but not in normal mice, treated with TMX (all tested doses) was significantly decreased compared with mice that received the vehicle (P≤0.05). Similarly, this effect was also demonstrated in the E2-treated group. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that TMX presented agonist effects in inhibiting neutrophil migration and preventing arthritis progression in OVX mice.