Gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild birds in Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil.

Studying parasites in captive wild birds is vital for their health, well-being, biodiversity preservation, species conservation, and safeguarding of both individual birds and ecosystems. It holds significance for public health by identifying potential zoonotic risks. We aimed to describe the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild birds from a Conservation Institute in Brazilian Cerrado biome. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 17 captive wild birds (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara ararauna, Ara chloropterus, Ara macao, Megascops choliba, Pteroglossus castanotis, Ramphastos dicolorus, Ramphastos tucanus and Strix huhula) at a Conservation Institution in Mineiros, state of Goiás. The samples were processed for Willis' simple flotation and Hoffman's spontaneous sedimentation examinations to identify parasitic forms of gastrointestinal endoparasites. Macaw aviary birds (Ar. ararauna, Ar. chloropterus and Ar. macao) showed higher positivity, with all six fecal samples positive for helminths or protozoa. In contrast, captive toucans showed only two positive results (P. castanotis and R. dicolorus). An. hyacinthinus showed Ascarididae, Capillarinae and Trematoda eggs; whereas S. huhula had Ascarididae eggs. Regular parasitological examinations are essential for the timely detection and treatment of gastrointestinal infections in captive birds, thereby enhancing overall bird management.

Occurrence of intestinal parasites in fecal samples of dogs and cats from Mineiros, Goiás / Ocorrência de parasitas intestinais em amostras fecais de cães e gatos de Mineiros, Goiás

Gastrointestinal parasites are frequently found in domestic animals, with important role in animal and public health. Among gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and cats Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. are reported as the most common parasites found in dogs and cats in the world caunsing digestive damage, including death, and with great importance in public health causing visceral larva migrans and cutaneous larva migrans respectively. This study aimed verify the occurrence of gastroenteric parasites in dogs and cats from Mineiros, Goiás, in association with epidemiological aspects. In total, 103 fecal samples (93 from dogs and 10 from cats) from April 2017 to July 2018 were collected by spontaneous defecation and processed for search of eggs and oocysts by the Willis (adapted) technique. Toxocara spp. was the most frequent parasite identified in dogs, with 34.41% frequency (32/93 samples), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (11.83%, 11/93 samples) and Cystoisospora spp. (1.07%, 1/93 samples). Fecal samples from cats, showed a similar result, being Toxocara spp. the most frequent parasite (40%, 4/10 samples), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (20%, 2/10 samples) and Cystoisospora spp. (20%, 2/10 samples). Young animals were 10% more positive for parasites comparing to elderly and adult animals (odds ratio=1.1), as well as animals with access outdoors 20% more parasitized (odds ratio=1.2). The study showed the most common gastrintesinal parasites of dogs and acts from Mineiros, Goiás.(AU)

High versus low fat/sugar food affects the behavioral, but not the cortisol response of marmoset monkeys in a conditioned-place-preference task.

The effect of a high (chocolate) versus low fat/sugar (chow) food on a conditioned-place-preference (CPP) task was evaluated in marmoset monkeys. Anxiety-related behaviors and cortisol levels before and after the CPP task were also measured. Subjects were habituated to a two-compartment CPP box and then, on alternate days, had access to only one compartment during daily 15-min conditionings, for a total of 14 trials. Marmosets were provisioned with chocolate chips in the CC-paired compartment on odd-numbered trials and standard chow in the CW-paired compartment on even-numbered trials. They were then tested for preferring the CC-paired context after a 24-h interval. During the conditioning, a significantly greater amount (in kcal/trial) of chocolate was consumed than chow, yet the foraging pattern of both food types was similar. On the test trial, the time spent in the CC-paired context increased significantly compared to pre-CPP levels, yet this response was not readily predicted by baseline behavioral or cortisol levels. Also, the chocolate CPP response was positively correlated with foraging time, rather than the amount of calories consumed. The sudden absence of the food increased exploration, while the chocolate CPP effect was associated with vigilance - both anxiety-related behaviors in marmosets. This behavioral profile occurred regardless of any concomitant change or correlation with cortisol. Therefore, the high fat/sugar food was more prone to be overly consumed by the marmosets, to induce a CPP response and to lead to anxiety-related behavior in its absence.

Consumption of a highly palatable food induces a lasting place-conditioning memory in marmoset monkeys.

Highly palatible foods may induce addiction-related behaviors. However, this has yet to be established in non-human primates. Therefore, we evaluated whether marmoset monkeys (Calllithrix penicillata) acquire a conditioned-place-preference (CPP) for chocolate and if this response is detectable after a 24-h and 15-day period. Subjects were first habituated to a two-compartment CPP box and then randomly assigned to a chocolate or control group. Thereafter, they were given access to only one compartment during daily 15-min conditionings, held on six consecutive days. On each trial, the chocolate group received pieces of chocolate (50g) in this context, whereas controls were not given a food reward. Marmosets were subsequently tested for preferring this (food) paired context after a 24-h and 15-day interval. During conditioning, individual foraging and the amount of chocolate ingested by each pair of the chocolate group remained constant. However, compared to pre-CPP levels, the time spent inside/in contact with the conditioned compartment increased significantly, while the latency to first entry decreased on both post-CPP intervals. For controls, the parameters remained unaltered. Thus, chocolate induced a persistent CPP response-an aspect usually associated with drug-related rewards.