Los procedimientos dentales postnatales afectan la ganancia de peso y el bienestar de los lechones

Objective. We carried out this study to evaluate weight gain (WG), mortality, blood serum proteins (BP), facial lesions of littermates submitted to different teeth procedures. Material and Methods. The experiment was performed in a commercial breeding farm. Were used 15 sows, allotted into three groups: control, where piglets’ teeth were kept intact (IT); teeth clipping (CT); and teeth grinding using an electric grinder (GT). We evaluated WG, BS (five males/litter), mortality, low viable piglets rates and facial lesions in piglets. Additionally, we evaluated sows’ backfat thickness (P2) and teat lesion score. BP data, lesion score and WG were assessed individually. For WG, the initial weight and the litter size were used as covariates. Regarding other variables, we used the average of the litter. When there were differences, the means were compared using Duncan test (p<0.05). Results. In the first week, GT piglets presented higher WG. In the second week, CT presented worst WG. In the first two weeks as in the total period, CT piglets presented worse WG than the GT. Mortality and low viable piglets rates were not influenced. After the fourth day, CT and GT treatment reduced facial lesions. There was no effect on BP. Treatments did not influence P2 and teat lesion score. Conclusions. Treatments did not have influence on mortality, low viable rates, BP of the piglets and P2 and teat lesions score. CT treatment decreased gain and IT increased face lesions score.Objetivo. Este estudio fue realizado para evaluar la ganancia de peso, mortalidad, proteínas plasmáticas (BP), lesiones faciales en los lechones y en las cerdas, grasa dorsal (P2) y lesiones en los pezones en lechigadas sometidas a diferentes manejos dentales. Materiales y métodos. La investigación fue conducida en una granja comercial de cría. Fueron utilizadas quince cerdas, divididas en tres grupos: control, en el cual los dientes de los lechones permanecieron intactos; descolmille con alicate; descolmille con limadora eléctrica. Nosotros evaluamos WG, BP (cinco machos/lechigada), mortalidad, lechones de baja viabilidad y lesiones faciales en los lechones. En las cerdas, nosotros evaluamos P2 y la escala de lesiones en los pezones. Los datos de BP, escala de lesiones y WG fueron evaluados individualmente. Para el WG, el peso inicial y el tamaño de la lechigada fueron considerados. Acerca de las otras variables, nosotros usamos el peso promedio de la lechigada. Cuando hubo diferencias, las medias fueron comparadas usando la prueba de Duncan (p<0.05). Resultados. En la primera semana, los lechones del GT presentaron mayor WG. En la segunda semana el CT presentó la peor WG. En las dos primeras semanas así como en el período total, los lechones del CT presentaron peor WG de que los del GT. La mortalidad y los lechones de baja viabilidad no fueron influenciados. Después del cuarto día, el CT y el GT redujeron las lesiones faciales. No hubo efectos en BP. Los tratamientos no influenciaron P2 y las lesiones en los pezones. Conclusiones. Los tratamientos no influenciaron en la mortalidad, lechones de baja viabilidad, BP de los lechones y en la escala de lesiones en los pezones de las cerdas. CT redujo la ganancia y IT aumentó las lesiones faciales

Biscuit Residue in the Nutrition of Laying Hens: Effects on Animal Health, Performance and Egg Quality

Background: Corn and soybean meal are common ingredients used in poultry feed in order to supply the demand for energy and protein, respectively. Also, these ingredients directly influence the final price of the diets, and consequently, the final cost of production. A major problem is associated to the oscillation of these grains in some months of the year. Therefore, there is a need to search for nutritionally and economically viable alternatives to mitigate this problem. The aim was to evaluate whether the addition of biscuit residue could partially replace the use of corn in the feed of laying hens in order to obtain economic viability without impairment on production, egg quality and animal health.Materials, Methods & Results:  The experiment was completely randomized and each repetition was considered one experimental unity. One hundred Hy-line brown 48 week-old chickens were allocated in cages and divided into five groups with four repetitions each, allocating five animals per cage. The group T0 was composed by animals that received the basal diet, i.e. without biscuit residue. The other groups were composed by increasing levels of biscuit residue to substitute corn i.e., group T7 (7% of biscuit residue), T14 (14% of biscuit residue), T21 (21% of biscuit residue) and T28 (28% of biscuit residue). Productive performance of the animals, egg quality, as well as analysis of blood parameters related to lipid metabolism, carbohydrates and proteins of birds were measured at the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and at the end of each cycle (days 21, 42 and 63 of experiment). Among the performance variables, only feed conversion was altered by biscuit residue, i.e., the feed conversion was lower in the groups that received the residue when compared to the control. The replacement of corn by biscuit residue did not affect laying rate (P > 0.05). Regarding egg quality, a less intense coloration was observed in the eggs of the treatments that received biscuit residue compared to the control group (P < 0.05), but without difference between treatments. Seric levels of uric acid were higher in the treatments that received biscuit residue in the days 21 and 42 compared to the control group, effect not seen in the third cycle (day 63). The cost ($) of feed reduced as the levels of inclusion of the biscuit residue in the diet were increased, with the control diet costing$ 0.244/kg, while 28% of biscuit inclusion lower its cost to $0.189/kg (22.3$ 0.524, 0.415, 0.441, 0.397 and 0.332 for 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28% inclusion, respectively.Discussion: Residues of biscuit is widely used to feed swine, with positive results as an ingredient to attend the demand for energy. Even though the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine include biscuit residue as a possible ingredient, there is a lack of scientific research in laying hens. These study was verified that the inclusion of biscuit residue (18.936%) is feasible, since it favors the productive performance of the animals, without adverse effects on their health; in addition, the inclusion of biscuit residue reduces dietary costs, as the cost of egg production. Whereas animal feed accounts for a large part of the production cost, the reduction in feed costs without impairment on animal productivity, is a key factor in animal farming. At certain times of the year, food can account for 80% of the production costs and consequently it influences the final price of the product in the market. In our study, we observed a significant reduction on total costs of diets that received biscuit residue, which occurred because a part of the energetic portion of the diet was supplied by the biscuit residue, and not by corn, which influenced the final price.Keywords: egg quality, biscuit residue, economic viability, nutrition

Influence of gastrointestinal parasitism on biochemical variables in blood of laying hens

ABSTRACT Objective. This study describes the influence of endoparasites and diet on biochemical variables in sera of brown laying hens. Materials and methods. Biochemical parameters (seric levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, uric acid, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase activity) were assessed in blood samples of poultry. Three populations of laying hens of different properties (n=20 each) represented our experimental design, from which blood (serum) and feces were collected for biochemical and parasitological analyzes, respectively. Results. From 60 feces samples evaluated 49 were positive for the presence of parasites and 11 were negative. Among the positive samples, 23 had infection with Eimeria spp and the other 26 samples had mixed parasitism with Eimeria spp and Heterakis gallinarum, which influenced (increasing) the levels of total protein and globulin. However, when parasites were analyzed separately, it was observed that the infection by Eimeria spp affected parameters such as cholesterol (which increased, p=0.001) and triglycerides, showing lower results than when the hen was parasitized by Eimeria spp. (p=0.01). Significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in all biochemical variables when the three diets were compared. Conclusions. Our results allowed concluding that the parasitic infection and diet in laying hens influenced the results of serum biochemical parameters evaluated. The main conclusion we found that parasitism caused an increase in total protein and globulin (ie immune response), and there was a negative correlation between parasite load and albumin, uric acid and ALT

Efecto de la carga animal y el tipo de piso sobre el rendimiento, la temperatura de la piel y leucograma en la cría de cerdos

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance, thermoregulatory characteristics and the leucogram of growing finishing pigs reared in different stocking rates kept on compact floor pens or with shallow pool pens. Material and methods. Thirty-six pigs were used in two steps (total of 72 animals were used). In the first step it was analysed performance pig (daily feed intake, weight gain and feed: gain ratio) and backfat thickness (P2). In the second step, the same analyzes were repeated, in addition, analysis of leucogram and skin temperature was performad in P2 and anal region, at the end of growing and finishing phase. Results. It was evaluated for differences between treatments and stocking. It was not found effect of floor type on growing phase, but the use of shallow pool had a negative effect on the gain and feed: gain ration in the finishing phase. Increasing linear effect on backfat thickness as the stocking rate was reduced, as well as lower surface temperature in the anal region on treatment with shallow pool in the finishing phase. No effect of treatments and type of floor on leucogram pigs. Allowing more space/animal decreased backfat thickness. The use of shallow pool affected negatively the performance in the finishing phase. Conclusions. The shallow pool uses impair the finishing pig performance, despite improving thermolysis, with no effect observed on cell immune response.Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el rendimiento, las características de termorregulación, y el leucograma de cerdos de engorde, criados en diferentes densidad mantenidos en corrales de piso compactos o en piscinas de poca profundidad. Material y métodos. Treinta y seis cerdos se utilizaron en dos etapas (un total de 72 animalles utilizados). En el primer paso, se analizaron las características zootécnicas (consumo diario de alimento, ganancia de peso y alimento: ganancia) y el espesor de grasa dorsal (P2). En el segundo paso, los mismos análisis se repitieron, además, el análisis de leucograma y temperatura de la piel se realizó en P2 y la región anal, al final del crecimiento y del acabado de fase. Resultados. Se evaluaron las diferencias entre los tratamientos y media. No se encontró efecto del tipo de suelo en fase de crecimiento, pero el uso de la piscina de poca profundidad tuvo un efecto negativo sobre la ganancia y la alimentación: ración de ganancia en la fase de acabado. El aumento de efecto lineal de espesor de grasa dorsal como la tasa media se redujo, así como una menor temperatura de la superficie en la región anal en el tratamiento con piscina de poca profundidad en la fase de acabado. No hubo efecto de los tratamientos y tipo de suelo sobre el Leucograma de los cerdos. Permitiendo más espacio/animal disminuyó el espesor de grasa dorsal. El uso de la piscina de poca profundidad afectó negativamente al rendimiento en la fase de acabado. Conclusiones. El uso de la piscina de poca profundidad afectó el rendimiento de los cerdos de acabado, a pesar de la mejora de termólisis, sin efecto visible en la respuesta inmune celular

Spray-dried porcine plasma added to diets contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins shows beneficial effects to piglet health

This study was aimed to analyze the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the health of post weaning piglets challenged with diets contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins. Fifty-six male piglets (7.15 ± 0.61 kg) were allocated in four groups: CTL group received a regular diet; SDPP group received a regular diet and 6% SDPP; MYC group received a diet containing 300 μg/kg aflatoxins and 8,000 μg/kg fumonisins; group MYC+SDPP received 300 μg/kg aflatoxins, 8,000 μg/kg fumonisins and 6% SDPP. The animals that received the experimental diet containing mycotoxins (MYC group) had lower weight gain at the end of the experiment compared to the other treatments. Animals receiving SDPP showed decreased urea levels throughout the experiment (P<0.05). Animals from MYC group presented an increased on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and decreased catalase activity (P<0.05). In contrast, SDPP prevented the increase of ROS and TBARS and stimulated superoxide dismutase activity (P<0.05). In conclusion, diet contaminated with mycotoxins (group MYC) caused subclinical intoxication in the piglets, as observed by the increase on free radical’s production and lipid peroxidation. Conversely, SDPP presented a protective effect, minimizing the effects of oxidative stress caused by aflatoxins and fumonisins ingestion

Different diets with and without inclusion of antimicrobial additives alter the toxicity of swine manure to springtails and earthworms

The objective of this study was to measure the impact on part of soil fauna of application of non-stabilized (fresh) manure from post-weaning pigs fed diets formulated with or without dual-purpose wheat, and with or without the use of antimicrobial growth-promoting additives (100 mg kg-1 doxycycline + 50 mg kg-1 colistin + 250 mg kg-1 Zn oxide). Two species of edaphic organisms were evaluated, the springtails Folsomia candida and the earthworms Eisenia andrei, using ecotoxicological avoidance behavior tests. The treatments were swine manure from: RR: Reference Ration; WR: Wheat Reference; RA: Reference Ration + Antimicrobial Additives; WA: Wheat Reference + Antimicrobial Additives). The doses of waste used for treatments were as follows: 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 65 and 100 m³ ha-1 for the springtails and 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 65 m³ ha-1 for the earthworms, applied in the Oxisol. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates. The use of non-stabilized swine manure did not affect the avoidance behavior of F. candida at any dose, regardless of the use of antimicrobial or wheat additives. For E. andrei, there was avoidance behavior at all treatments and doses used. These avoidance behaviors were related to the sensitivity of each species of soil organism. The avoidance behavior for earthworms was related to the doses of non-stabilized swine manure in soil and not to the various diets and/or the use of growth-promoting additives

DIGESTIBILIDADE DE NUTRIENTES DA SILAGEM DE GRÃOS ÚMIDOS DE MILHO PARA LEITÕES COM E SEM INOCULAÇÃO MICROBIANA

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate fermentation and digestibility patterns of nutrients from moist corn grain silages (MCGS), corn cv. SCS 154 Fortuna Epagri®&nbsp;and Tropical Syngenta®&nbsp;sweet corn, with or without microbial inoculation for piglets. For the experiments, a factorial design of 2*2 was used (two types of corn and with or without inoculation). For the silage experiment, three silos were built for each treatment. The opening of silos and analyzes (dry matter - DM, organic matter - OM, crude protein - CP and titratable acidity - TA) were performed 45 days after ensiling. For the digestibility test, 20 castrated male piglets (one pig per experimental unit) with an average initial weight of 10.9±1.1kg, with four replicates per treatment, with an additional reference treatment (diet without silages) permitted by angular coefficient to estimate the nutrients digestibility coefficients of grain silages. There was interaction of inoculation with the corn variety (p&lt;0.05) for TA and the treatment without inoculation showed the highest TA values for Tropical sweet corn and higher TA when inoculated for the Fortuna. Fortuna MCGS showed better DM and energy digestibility coefficients than silages made with Tropical sweet corn. Corrected for 88% of DM, Fortuna corn presented 3.45 Mcal of ME/kg, and Tropical sweet corn 3.41 Mcal of ME/kg. Bacterial inoculation did not influence the chemical composition of the silages, digestibility or metabolization coefficients.Foram realizados dois experimentos para avaliar o padrão de fermentação e digestibilidade dos nutrientes de silagens de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM), de milho cv. SCS 154 Fortuna Epagri®&nbsp;e de milho doce Tropical Syngenta®, com ou sem inoculação microbiana, para leitões. Para os experimentos, foi utilizado um delineamento em esquema fatorial 2*2 (duas variedades de milho e com ou sem inoculação). Para o experimento de ensilagem foram fabricados três silos para cada tratamento. A abertura dos silos e as análises (matéria seca - MS, matéria orgânica - MO, proteína bruta – PB e Acidez titulável - AT) foram realizadas aos 45 dias pós-ensilagem. Para o ensaio de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 20 leitões machos castrados (um animal por unidade experimental), com peso inicial médio de 10,9±1,1kg, com quatro repetições por tratamento, sendo adicionalmente elaborado um tratamento referência (dieta sem inclusão de silagens) para permitir, via coeficiente angular, estimar os coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes das silagens. Houve interação da inoculação com a variedade de milho (p&lt;0,05) para AT e o tratamento sem inoculação apresentou os maiores valores de AT para o milho doce Tropical e para o milho Fortuna maior AT quando inoculado. A SGUM de milho Fortuna apresentou melhores coeficientes de digestibilidade e energia da MS do que as silagens fabricadas com milho doce Tropical. Corrigidos para 88% de MS o milho Fortuna apresentou 3,45 Mcal de EM/kg e o milho doce Tropical 3,41 Mcal de EM/kg. A inoculação bacteriana não influenciou a composição química das silagens e os coeficientes de digestibilidade e metabolização