Evaluation of a Feed Plant Additive for Coocidiosis Control in Broilers Herbals for Coccidiosis Control

Coccidiosis negatively impacts health and productive performance in broilers. Anticoccidial resistance has prompted alternatives to prevent and control this disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate a plant feed additive consisting of Acacia concinna containing saponins (Peptasan®) and compare its effectiveness with salinomycin in terms of performance of broilers challenged with Eimeria. In the first experiment, 300 Ross chicks (1 day old) were randomly distributed into a negative (uninfected and untreated), and positive control group (infected and untreated), and three levels of dietary Peptasan® (500, 750 and 1000 ppm). In the second experiment, the same number of chicks were distributed in two control groups (negative and positive), two levels of Peptasan® (500 and 750 ppm) and one level of salinomycin (550 ppm). In both experiments chicks were challenged at day 21 of age with 100,000 oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, 50,000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima and 50,000 oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Dietary Peptasan® improved productive performance, reduced mortality and the number of oocysts in feces, as well as increased yellow pigmentation of the skin of challenged chickens. The plant feed additive Peptasan® containing Acacia concinna can be effectively used for preventing coccidiosis in broilers.(AU)

Evaluation of a Feed Plant Additive for Coocidiosis Control in Broilers Herbals for Coccidiosis Control

Coccidiosis negatively impacts health and productive performance in broilers. Anticoccidial resistance has prompted alternatives to prevent and control this disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate a plant feed additive consisting of Acacia concinna containing saponins (Peptasan®) and compare its effectiveness with salinomycin in terms of performance of broilers challenged with Eimeria. In the first experiment, 300 Ross chicks (1 day old) were randomly distributed into a negative (uninfected and untreated), and positive control group (infected and untreated), and three levels of dietary Peptasan® (500, 750 and 1000 ppm). In the second experiment, the same number of chicks were distributed in two control groups (negative and positive), two levels of Peptasan® (500 and 750 ppm) and one level of salinomycin (550 ppm). In both experiments chicks were challenged at day 21 of age with 100,000 oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, 50,000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima and 50,000 oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Dietary Peptasan® improved productive performance, reduced mortality and the number of oocysts in feces, as well as increased yellow pigmentation of the skin of challenged chickens. The plant feed additive Peptasan® containing Acacia concinna can be effectively used for preventing coccidiosis in broilers.

Effects of in ovo injection of lysine and methionine into fertile broiler (parent stock) eggs on hatchability, growth performance, caecum microbiota, and ileum histomorphology

We investigated the effect of in ovo injection of lysine, methionine, or their mixture into fertile broiler eggs on hatchability, chick weight, growth performance, inner organ development, caecum total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, coliforms, Enterobactericaea, and ileal histomorphology of broilers. Three hundred fertile eggs obtained from 60-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeders were used. Before this study, a preliminary study was conducted to determine the optimal amino acid dose. Optimum amino acid dose was determined as 2 mg/0.2 mL. Before replacing hatching machine, eggs were weighed individually and numbered. On day 16 of incubation, these eggs were allocated to treatment groups: negative control (no injection), positive control (distilled water injection 0.2 mL), lysine (2 mg/0.2 mL), methionine (2 mg/0.2 mL), and lysine + methionine (1 + 1 mg/0.2 mL). The hatching window lasted 32 h. During hatching, chicks hatched in the first hour and the last 6 h were discarded from the study to ensure equal hatching time. After hatching, 120 one-day-old healthy chicks were divided into five treatment groups with three replicates, each including eight birds, for 21 days. These chicks were given a starter diet (3080 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 22% crude protein) during the trial. The results showed that in ovo injection of lysine, methionine, and lysine + methionine did not affect relative chick weight, livability, growth performance, caecum microbiota, and ileal villi length and thickness. Lysine injection increased hatchability compared with the negative control and methionine-injected groups. Gastrointestinal weight increased in lysine-injected group compared with the negative control group. The in ovo injection of 2 mg/0.2 mL lysine have a positive effect on the hatchability of fertile eggs.(AU)

Comparison of the Growth and Mineralization of the Femur, Tibia, and Metatarsus of Broiler Chicks

This study aimed at comparing the growth and mineralization of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus of male and female broiler chicks. On the day of hatch, 100 male and 100 female Ross 308 broiler chicks were transferred stainless cages with 10 birds per cage. On d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, five males and five females were sacrificed and their femur, tibia, and metatarsus were collected. Results showed that the tibia was the heaviest and the longest and contained the highest content of ash and calcium (Ca) among the three leg bones. The femur had the greatest diameter. The weight, length, diameter, and ash weight of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus linearly increased with age. The ash, Ca, and phosphorus (P) content in the femur and the tibia quadratically increased with age; by contrast, these parameters in the metatarsus linearly increased with age. The bones grew faster in 1 to 21 d of age. The weight, diameter, and ash weight of the three bones of males were higher than those of females. The Ca to P ratio of the three bones (femur, tibia, and metatarsus) was approximately 2.0:1. These data indicate that there are differences in bone growth and mineralization among the femur, tibia, and metatarsus of male or female broiler chicks.(AU)

Comparison of the Growth and Mineralization of the Femur, Tibia, and Metatarsus of Broiler Chicks

This study aimed at comparing the growth and mineralization of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus of male and female broiler chicks. On the day of hatch, 100 male and 100 female Ross 308 broiler chicks were transferred stainless cages with 10 birds per cage. On d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, five males and five females were sacrificed and their femur, tibia, and metatarsus were collected. Results showed that the tibia was the heaviest and the longest and contained the highest content of ash and calcium (Ca) among the three leg bones. The femur had the greatest diameter. The weight, length, diameter, and ash weight of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus linearly increased with age. The ash, Ca, and phosphorus (P) content in the femur and the tibia quadratically increased with age; by contrast, these parameters in the metatarsus linearly increased with age. The bones grew faster in 1 to 21 d of age. The weight, diameter, and ash weight of the three bones of males were higher than those of females. The Ca to P ratio of the three bones (femur, tibia, and metatarsus) was approximately 2.0:1. These data indicate that there are differences in bone growth and mineralization among the femur, tibia, and metatarsus of male or female broiler chicks.

Suplementação de glutamina em dietas elaboradas com ingredientes de origem vegetal e animal para pintos de corte / Supplementation of glutamine in diets with ingredients from animal and vegetable sources for broiler chicks

Foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação da glutamina em dietas contendo ingredientes de origem animal sobre o desempenho e a integridade intestinal de pintos de corte, criados até 21 dias de idade. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre tipos de dieta, com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou vegetal+animal e suplementação de glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0%). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 2x4, tipos de ração x percentagem de glutamina, com cinco repetições e 12 pintos por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito da interação tipo de dieta versus suplementação de glutamina sobre o desempenho, e os tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho de pintos de corte. Houve efeito quadrático da suplementação de glutamina sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta. A suplementação com glutamina aumentou altura de vilos e profundidade de cripta no duodeno. A utilização de produtos de origem animal em dietas para pintos na fase inicial não prejudica o desempenho, e a inclusão de glutamina melhora a integridade intestinal.

The effect of glutamine supplementation in diets formulated with animal by-products on the performance and integrity of the small intestine of broiler chicks up to 21 days of age was evaluated. The treatments were the combination of types of diets (only with ingredients from a vegetal source or vegetal plus animal source) and levels of glutamine (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2x4 factorial scheme (kinds of diets x levels of glutamine), with five replicates and 12 birds per experimental unit. No interaction between diets and glutamine supplementation and treatment effects on the performance traits were observed during the chick starter phase. There was a quadratic effect of glutamine on the crude protein digestibility coefficient. Birds supplemented with glutamine diets showed higher villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum. Broiler diets formulated with animal ingredients have no effect on chick performance during the initial phase, and glutamine supplementation improved the small intestine integrity.

Suplementação de glutamina em dietas elaboradas com ingredientes de origem vegetal e animal para pintos de corte / Supplementation of glutamine in diets with ingredients from animal and vegetable sources for broiler chicks

Foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação da glutamina em dietas contendo ingredientes de origem animal sobre o desempenho e a integridade intestinal de pintos de corte, criados até 21 dias de idade. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre tipos de dieta, com ingredientes de origem vegetal ou vegetal+animal e suplementação de glutamina (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0%). O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 2x4, tipos de ração x percentagem de glutamina, com cinco repetições e 12 pintos por unidade experimental. Não houve efeito da interação tipo de dieta versus suplementação de glutamina sobre o desempenho, e os tratamentos não influenciaram o desempenho de pintos de corte. Houve efeito quadrático da suplementação de glutamina sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta. A suplementação com glutamina aumentou altura de vilos e profundidade de cripta no duodeno. A utilização de produtos de origem animal em dietas para pintos na fase inicial não prejudica o desempenho, e a inclusão de glutamina melhora a integridade intestinal.(AU)

The effect of glutamine supplementation in diets formulated with animal by-products on the performance and integrity of the small intestine of broiler chicks up to 21 days of age was evaluated. The treatments were the combination of types of diets (only with ingredients from a vegetal source or vegetal plus animal source) and levels of glutamine (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2x4 factorial scheme (kinds of diets x levels of glutamine), with five replicates and 12 birds per experimental unit. No interaction between diets and glutamine supplementation and treatment effects on the performance traits were observed during the chick starter phase. There was a quadratic effect of glutamine on the crude protein digestibility coefficient. Birds supplemented with glutamine diets showed higher villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum. Broiler diets formulated with animal ingredients have no effect on chick performance during the initial phase, and glutamine supplementation improved the small intestine integrity.(AU)

Desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com altos valores de balanço eletrolítico em região de clima quente / Performance of broilers fed high electrolyte balance diets in hot climate region

Determinaram-se os melhores valores de balanço eletrolítico (BE) para o desempenho de frangos de corte de um a sete, um a 14, um a 21 e um a 42 dias de idade. Utilizaram-se 720 pintos comerciais, machos, criados em galpão de alvenaria, em boxes cobertos com maravalha, alimentados com dieta basal composta por milho e farelo de soja combinada com valores de BE de 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis repetições de 24 aves para cada uma das 30 unidades experimentais. Avaliaram-se o ganho de peso, o consumo da dieta e a conversão alimentar aos sete, 14, 21 e 42 dias de idade. O melhor BE estimado para o ganho de peso aos 21 e 42 dias foi de 270mEq/kg, estimado pelo modelo quadrático de regressão. Para as demais variáveis, não houve diferenças entre os BE. Recomenda-se um valor de BE entre 270 e 300mEq/kG para frangos de corte para as fases inicial e de crescimento em regiões de clima quente.(AU)

A trial was carried out to determine the best electrolyte balance value (EB) for broilers performance from 1 to 7, 1 to 14, 1 to 21 and 1 to 42 days of age. A total of 720 one-day-old chicks, males, were reared in the floor covered with shaving woods and fed corn-soybean base diets combined with 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg of EB. A completely randomized experimental design with six replicates of 24 chicks each and 36 experimental units was used. Weigh gain (WG), feed intake (FC) and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated at 7, 14, 21 and 42 days of age. The best values of EB estimated for the WG at 21 and 42 days was 70mEq/kg, estimated by a quadratic regression model. No differences among treatments were observed for the other studied traits. The results suggested EB should be around 270 up to 300mEq/kg in high temperature regions, for broiler chicks in inicial and growth phases.(AU)

Desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com altos valores de balanço eletrolítico em região de clima quente / Performance of broilers fed high electrolyte balance diets in hot climate region

Determinaram-se os melhores valores de balanço eletrolítico (BE) para o desempenho de frangos de corte de um a sete, um a 14, um a 21 e um a 42 dias de idade. Utilizaram-se 720 pintos comerciais, machos, criados em galpão de alvenaria, em boxes cobertos com maravalha, alimentados com dieta basal composta por milho e farelo de soja combinada com valores de BE de 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis repetições de 24 aves para cada uma das 30 unidades experimentais. Avaliaram-se o ganho de peso, o consumo da dieta e a conversão alimentar aos sete, 14, 21 e 42 dias de idade. O melhor BE estimado para o ganho de peso aos 21 e 42 dias foi de 270mEq/kg, estimado pelo modelo quadrático de regressão. Para as demais variáveis, não houve diferenças entre os BE. Recomenda-se um valor de BE entre 270 e 300mEq/kG para frangos de corte para as fases inicial e de crescimento em regiões de clima quente.

A trial was carried out to determine the best electrolyte balance value (EB) for broilers performance from 1 to 7, 1 to 14, 1 to 21 and 1 to 42 days of age. A total of 720 one-day-old chicks, males, were reared in the floor covered with shaving woods and fed corn-soybean base diets combined with 200; 250; 300; 350 e 400mEq/kg of EB. A completely randomized experimental design with six replicates of 24 chicks each and 36 experimental units was used. Weigh gain (WG), feed intake (FC) and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated at 7, 14, 21 and 42 days of age. The best values of EB estimated for the WG at 21 and 42 days was 70mEq/kg, estimated by a quadratic regression model. No differences among treatments were observed for the other studied traits. The results suggested EB should be around 270 up to 300mEq/kg in high temperature regions, for broiler chicks in inicial and growth phases.

Efeito da classificação dos ovos sobre o rendimento de incubação e os pesos do pinto e do saco vitelino / Effect of egg classification prior to setting on hatchability, embryonic mortality and chick and yolk sac weights

Dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar, no primeiro, o efeito da idade da matriz sobre a uniformidade do peso de 1080 ovos e gemas e, no segundo, a influência da classificação de 9260 ovos sobre a eclodibilidade, a mortalidade embrionária e os pesos, absoluto e relativo, do pinto e do saco vitelino. Os tratamentos do experimento I foram ovos das matrizes com 31 (M31), 38 (M38) e 43 (M43) semanas de idade. No segundo, os ovos das matrizes com 31, 38 e 43 semanas foram distribuídos em seis tratamentos; A: ovos com pesos entre 66 e 72g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; B: ovos com pesos entre 58 e 65g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; C: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 57g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; D: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 31 semanas; E: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 38 semanas; e F: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 43 semanas. As aves de M31 produziram ovos com pesos do ovo e da gema mais uniformes que as do M43. Ovos do tratamento A apresentaram a pior eclosão e a maior mortalidade embrionária após 15 dias de incubação, e produziram pintos com maiores pesos absoluto e relativo do saco vitelino.(AU)

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of broiler breeder age on weight uniformity of 1,080 eggs and yolks, and the effects of 9,216 eggs classified prior to setting on hatchability, embryonic mortality, and the relationship between chick and yolk sac weights. In the first study, the three treatments were eggs from broiler breeders on 31st (M31), 38th (M38), and 43th (M43)-week of age. In the second study, eggs produced by three broiler breeders flocks (31st, 38th, and 43th wk of age) were divided in six treatments; A: eggs weighting from 66 to 72g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; B: eggs weighting from 58 to 65g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; C: eggs weighting from 52 to 57g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; D: eggs from 31-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; E: eggs from 38-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; F: eggs from 43-wk- old broiler breeders weighting from 52 to 72g. Eggs produced by M31 had egg and yolk weights more uniform than the eggs collected from M43. Treatment A had the worst hatchability, higher embryonic mortality after 15 days of incubation, and produced heavier hatched chicks with superior absolute and relative weights of yolk sac.(AU)

Efeito da classificação dos ovos sobre o rendimento de incubação e os pesos do pinto e do saco vitelino / Effect of egg classification prior to setting on hatchability, embryonic mortality and chick and yolk sac weights

Dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar, no primeiro, o efeito da idade da matriz sobre a uniformidade do peso de 1080 ovos e gemas e, no segundo, a influência da classificação de 9260 ovos sobre a eclodibilidade, a mortalidade embrionária e os pesos, absoluto e relativo, do pinto e do saco vitelino. Os tratamentos do experimento I foram ovos das matrizes com 31 (M31), 38 (M38) e 43 (M43) semanas de idade. No segundo, os ovos das matrizes com 31, 38 e 43 semanas foram distribuídos em seis tratamentos; A: ovos com pesos entre 66 e 72g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; B: ovos com pesos entre 58 e 65g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; C: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 57g, 33,3 por cento deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; D: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 31 semanas; E: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 38 semanas; e F: ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 43 semanas. As aves de M31 produziram ovos com pesos do ovo e da gema mais uniformes que as do M43. Ovos do tratamento A apresentaram a pior eclosão e a maior mortalidade embrionária após 15 dias de incubação, e produziram pintos com maiores pesos absoluto e relativo do saco vitelino.

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of broiler breeder age on weight uniformity of 1,080 eggs and yolks, and the effects of 9,216 eggs classified prior to setting on hatchability, embryonic mortality, and the relationship between chick and yolk sac weights. In the first study, the three treatments were eggs from broiler breeders on 31st (M31), 38th (M38), and 43th (M43)-week of age. In the second study, eggs produced by three broiler breeders flocks (31st, 38th, and 43th wk of age) were divided in six treatments; A: eggs weighting from 66 to 72g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; B: eggs weighting from 58 to 65g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; C: eggs weighting from 52 to 57g, 33,3 percent of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; D: eggs from 31-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; E: eggs from 38-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; F: eggs from 43-wk- old broiler breeders weighting from 52 to 72g. Eggs produced by M31 had egg and yolk weights more uniform than the eggs collected from M43. Treatment A had the worst hatchability, higher embryonic mortality after 15 days of incubation, and produced heavier hatched chicks with superior absolute and relative weights of yolk sac.

Estimating the impact of environmental conditions on hatching results using multivariable analysis

Hatching results are directly related to environmental and biological surroundings. This research study aimed at evaluating the influence of incubation environmental conditions on hatchability and one-day-old chickling quality of five production flocks using multivariable analysis tool. The experiment was carried out in a commercial hatchery located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Environmental variables such as dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and number of colony forming units of fungi were recorded inside a broiler multi-stage setter, a hatcher after eggs transference, and a chick-processing room. The homogeneity of parameter distribution among quadrants inside the setter, the hatcher, and the chick room was tested using the non-parametric test of Kruskal-Wallis, and the fit analysis was applied. The multivariate analysis was applied using the Main Component Technique in order to identify possible correlations between environmental and production parameters. Three different groups were identified: the first group is represented by temperature, which was positively correlated both with good hatchability and good chick quality; the second group indicates that poor chick quality was positively correlated with air velocity and relative humidity increase. The third group, represented by carbon dioxide concentration and fungi colonies forming units, presented strong positive association with embryo mortality increase.

Estimating the impact of environmental conditions on hatching results using multivariable analysis

Hatching results are directly related to environmental and biological surroundings. This research study aimed at evaluating the influence of incubation environmental conditions on hatchability and one-day-old chickling quality of five production flocks using multivariable analysis tool. The experiment was carried out in a commercial hatchery located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Environmental variables such as dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and number of colony forming units of fungi were recorded inside a broiler multi-stage setter, a hatcher after eggs transference, and a chick-processing room. The homogeneity of parameter distribution among quadrants inside the setter, the hatcher, and the chick room was tested using the non-parametric test of Kruskal-Wallis, and the fit analysis was applied. The multivariate analysis was applied using the Main Component Technique in order to identify possible correlations between environmental and production parameters. Three different groups were identified: the first group is represented by temperature, which was positively correlated both with good hatchability and good chick quality; the second group indicates that poor chick quality was positively correlated with air velocity and relative humidity increase. The third group, represented by carbon dioxide concentration and fungi colonies forming units, presented strong positive association with embryo mortality increase.

Efeito da temperatura ambiente e da restrição alimentar protéica ou energética sobre o ganho de peso e crescimento ósseo de frangos de corte / Effect of environmental temperature and protein or energy restriction on body weight gain and broiler chicken bone growth

Avaliou-se o efeito da restrição alimentar qualitativa, protéica ou energética sobre o ganho de peso e desenvolvimento ósseo de frangos criados em diferentes temperaturas ambientes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com os tratamentos em um esquema fatorial 3×3, com os fatores: restrição alimentar (R0 = ad libitum; R1 = restrição energética; R2 = restrição protéica) e temperatura ambiente (T1 = 18ºC; T2 = 25ºC; T3 = 33º C). Do 8º ao 14º dia, os frangos foram submetidos à restrição energética (2565kcal de EM/kg e 20% de proteína bruta) ou protéica (2850kcal de EM/kg e 15% de proteína bruta), sendo, posteriormente, alimentados à vontade. A restrição protéica resultou em menor ganho de peso e menor diâmetro do fêmur no 14º dia de idade. Não foram observadas diferenças nessas características a partir do 21° dia de idade. O ganho de peso e o crescimento do fêmur não foram influenciados pela restrição energética. A alta temperatura ambiente (33ºC) influenciou negativamente o ganho de peso e o diâmetro do fêmur, a partir do 21° dia, e o comprimento do fêmur, no 42º dia de idade. Tanto a restrição protéica, na segunda semana, quanto a alta temperatura ambiente, a partir do 21º dia de idade, reduziram o ganho de peso e o crescimento do fêmur de frangos.(AU)

The effect of protein or energy restriction during the second week post-hatching on body weight gain and femur development of broiler chickens reared at different environmental temperatures (18ºC, 25ºC and 33ºC) was studied. From 1 to 7 days of age and after a restriction period broilers were fed on a control diet with 2850 kcal ME/kg and 20% crude protein. From 8 to 14 days of age, two groups of broilers were fed on restricted energy and protein diets with 2565kcal ME/kg and 20% of crude protein or 2850kcal ME/kg and 15% of crude protein, respectively. At 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days, the bones were weighed and the length and width of bones measured. The protein restriction reduced the body weight gain and the diameter of bone at second week of life. After 21 days of age no differences between treatments for these traits were observed. The body weight gain and femur growth were not affected by energy restriction. The high temperature (33°C) reduced weight gain and femur diameter from 21 to 42 days of age, and femur length at 42 days of age. The protein restriction at second week or the high environmental temperature after 21st day of life decreased body weight gain and femur growth of broiler chickens.(AU)

Histomorfometria e função da tireóide de frangos de corte após ingestão por curto período de toxina T-2 de Fusarium sporotrichioides / Histomorphometric and functional analysis of the thyroid from broiler chicks after short-term exposure to the Fusarium sporotrichioides T-2 toxin

Determinaram-se a histomorfometria e a função da tireóide de frangos de corte após ingestão de toxina T-2 de Fusarium sporotrichioides, veiculada na ração por curto período. Foram utilizados 30 pintos da linhagem Hubbard, todos machos e com um dia de idade, distribuídos ao acaso em dois grupos. 0 grupo tratado recebeu ração contaminada com 2,64 mg/kg de toxina T-2 e o grupo controle, ração livre de qualquer toxina. Cinco animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados aos 7, 14 e 21 dias após o início do tratamento, momentos em que foram colhidos plasma para dosagem de tiroxina livre e tireóides para avaliação histomorfométrica. As tireóides dos frangos do grupo tratado sacrificados aos 7 e 14 dias apresentaram prevalência de folículos pequenos com epitélio baixo, confirmada pela morfometria. Aos 21 dias acentuaram-se as diferenças com o grupo controle, observando-se três tireóides com características de bócio parenquimatoso e duas com bócio colóide. O nível sérico de tiroxina livre no grupo tratado foi significativamente menor, mas apenas aos 14 dias. Conclui-se que a toxina T2 é agente potencialmente bociogênico, capaz de alterar a histomorfometria da tireóide e os níveis plasmáticos de tiroxina e se ingerida por curto período de tempo e em doses reduzidas permite à tireóide manter seu estado de eutireoidismo (AU)

Thyroids from broiler chicks fed Fusarium sporotrichioides T-2 toxin were morphometrically and functionally analyzed. Thirty male Hubbard broiler chicks (one day old) were randomly divided into two groups. One group received contaminated food and the other group was used as control. Five animals from each group were killed at 7, 14, and 21 days after the beginning of the experimental treatment. The thyroids were sampled for histomorphometric evaluation and plasma was collected to determine the levels of free thyroxin. The thyroids from treated animals at 7 and 14 days showed predominance of small follicles with flatter epithelium, which was confirmed by morphometry. The differences between groups were more pronounced at 21 days, when three thyroids showing features of parenchymatous goiter and two thyroids showing features of colloid goiter were observed. The treated animals showed significantly reduced levels of free thyroxin only at 14 days. In conclusion, T-2 toxin can potentially induce goiter, which is associated with histomorphometric changes in the thyroid and decrease in the levels of free thyroxin. However, the thyroid can keep euthyroidism after a short-term exposure to T-2 toxin at low doses(AU)

Apoptose na depleção linfocitária induzida pela toxina T-2 em frangos de corte. Histomorfometria da bolsa de Fabricius

It was studied by the histomorphometry of the bursa of Fabricius the involvement of apoptosis as a mechanism of lymphoid depletion in broiler chicks, after the intake of feed containing T-2 toxin of Fusarium sporotrichioides. Forty-two one-day-old chicks were distributed randomly in three groups. The treated group (n=15) received contaminated feed with 2.64 mg/kg of the T-2 toxin. The residual group (n=12) received contaminated feed up to 7 and 14 days and noncontaminated feed during the last week. One control group (n=15) received noncontaminated feed. Five animals from each control and treated groups were killed at 7, 14 and 21 days, and six from the residual group at 14 and 21 days, and their bursa of Fabricius (BF) were collected for histomorphometric analysis and determination of apoptotic index. The apoptosis was confirmed by in situ labeling of the fragmentation of the genome (TUNEL) and by electrophoresis of DNA in agarose gel. BF of treated and residual groups showed moderate to intense depletion of the lymphoid follicles and higher apoptotic index than the control group (P 0.05). These results allowed to conclude that apoptosis is involved in the mechanism of lymphoid depletion caused by T-2 toxin in broiler chicks.

Estudou-se, pela histomorfometria da bolsa de Fabrício, o envolvimento da apoptose como mecanismo de depleção linfocitária em frangos de corte, após ingestão de toxina T-2 de Fusarium sporotrichioides veiculada pela ração. Foram utilizados 42 pintos de um dia de idade, distribuídos ao acaso em três grupos. O grupo tratado (n = 15) recebeu diariamente ração contaminada com 2,64 mg/kg da toxina T-2; o grupo residual (n = 12) recebeu ração contaminada por 7 ou 14 dias, passando a receber ração limpa (não contaminada) na semana antecedente ao sacrifício. Um grupo controle (n = 15) recebeu ração não contaminada. Aos 7, 14 e 21 dias de experimento cinco animais de cada um dos grupos controle e tratado e aos 14 e 21dias seis do grupo residual foram sacrificados, colhendo-se as bolsas de Fabrício (BF) para análise histomorfométrica e determinação do índice apoptótico. As características da apoptose foram confirmadas pela técnica de marcação in situ da fragmentação do genoma (TUNEL) e pela eletroforese do DNA, em gel de agarose. As BF nos grupos tratado e residual, aos 14 e 21 dias, apresentaram depleção linfocitária de moderada a intensa e elevado índice apoptótico, significativamente maior do que do grupo controle (P 0,05). Os resultados permitem concluir que a apoptose está envolvida no mecanismo da depleção linfocitária provocada pela toxina T-2, em frangos de corte.

Apoptose na depleção linfocitária induzida pela toxina T-2 em frangos de corte. Histomorfometria da bolsa de Fabricius

It was studied by the histomorphometry of the bursa of Fabricius the involvement of apoptosis as a mechanism of lymphoid depletion in broiler chicks, after the intake of feed containing T-2 toxin of Fusarium sporotrichioides. Forty-two one-day-old chicks were distributed randomly in three groups. The treated group (n=15) received contaminated feed with 2.64 mg/kg of the T-2 toxin. The residual group (n=12) received contaminated feed up to 7 and 14 days and noncontaminated feed during the last week. One control group (n=15) received noncontaminated feed. Five animals from each control and treated groups were killed at 7, 14 and 21 days, and six from the residual group at 14 and 21 days, and their bursa of Fabricius (BF) were collected for histomorphometric analysis and determination of apoptotic index. The apoptosis was confirmed by in situ labeling of the fragmentation of the genome (TUNEL) and by electrophoresis of DNA in agarose gel. BF of treated and residual groups showed moderate to intense depletion of the lymphoid follicles and higher apoptotic index than the control group (P 0.05). These results allowed to conclude that apoptosis is involved in the mechanism of lymphoid depletion caused by T-2 toxin in broiler chicks.

Estudou-se, pela histomorfometria da bolsa de Fabrício, o envolvimento da apoptose como mecanismo de depleção linfocitária em frangos de corte, após ingestão de toxina T-2 de Fusarium sporotrichioides veiculada pela ração. Foram utilizados 42 pintos de um dia de idade, distribuídos ao acaso em três grupos. O grupo tratado (n = 15) recebeu diariamente ração contaminada com 2,64 mg/kg da toxina T-2; o grupo residual (n = 12) recebeu ração contaminada por 7 ou 14 dias, passando a receber ração limpa (não contaminada) na semana antecedente ao sacrifício. Um grupo controle (n = 15) recebeu ração não contaminada. Aos 7, 14 e 21 dias de experimento cinco animais de cada um dos grupos controle e tratado e aos 14 e 21dias seis do grupo residual foram sacrificados, colhendo-se as bolsas de Fabrício (BF) para análise histomorfométrica e determinação do índice apoptótico. As características da apoptose foram confirmadas pela técnica de marcação in situ da fragmentação do genoma (TUNEL) e pela eletroforese do DNA, em gel de agarose. As BF nos grupos tratado e residual, aos 14 e 21 dias, apresentaram depleção linfocitária de moderada a intensa e elevado índice apoptótico, significativamente maior do que do grupo controle (P 0,05). Os resultados permitem concluir que a apoptose está envolvida no mecanismo da depleção linfocitária provocada pela toxina T-2, em frangos de corte.