Fenos de leucena (Leucaena leucocephala e Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham) para coelhos em crescimento: digestibilidade e desempenho - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i2.2006

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional feeding value and the performance of rabbits fed with diets including Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham (LC) hay. Digestible dry matter, digestible protein and digestible energy contents based on the total dry matter were respectively, 19.13% and 30.87%; 9.04% and 7.77% and 897 and 866kcal/kg for LL and LC. In the performance experiment, 132 rabbits of White New Zealand breed from 40 to 90 days of age were used. The rabbits were distributed in a completely randomized design with 11 treatments, six replicates of two animal per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a reference diet and other 10 diets where LL and LC hays had replaced in 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% the alfalfa hay on crude fiber basis. Rabbits performance were not affected during the experimental period with LL and LC hay inclusion levels. The results showed that the Leucaena leucocephala and Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham hay replaced efficiently the alfalfa hay in diets for growing rabbits.Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização dos fenos de Leucaena Leucocephala (LL) e de Leucaena leucocephala cv.Cunningham (LC) para coelhos em crescimento. Os teores de matéria seca digestível, proteína digestível e energia digestível, com base na matéria seca total, foram, respectivamente, de 19,13%; 20,87%; 9,04% e 7,77% e 897 e 866kcal/kg para a LL e LC. No experimento de desempenho foram utilizados 132 coelhos da Raça Nova Zelândia Branco, de 40 a 90 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com 11 tratamentos e 6 repetições de 2 animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta referência e outras 10 dietas, nas quais os fenos de LL e LC substituíram em 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% e 75% o feno de alfafa com base na fibra bruta. Os níveis crescentes de substituição do feno de alfafa pelo feno LL e da LC não afetaram o desempenho dos coelhos durante o período experimental. Os dados mostram que o feno de Leucaena leucocephala e de Leucaena leucocephala cv.Cunningham substituem eficientemente o feno de alfafa em dietas para coelhos em crescimento

Valor nutritivo e utilização do feno de Desmodium ovalifolium em substituição ao feno de alfafa para coelhos em crescimento

Two trials were carried out to determine the nutritional feeding value and the performance of rabbits fed with diets including desmodium hay (Desmodium ovalifolium). The digestibility trial used 14 male New Zealand White rabbits, with 50 days of age, in a completely randomized design with two treatments and seven replications. A reference diet and a test in which desmodium hay replaced 25% of the reference diet on DM basis were used. Digestible dry matter, digestible protein and digestible energy contents of desmodium hay, based on the total dry matter, were respectively, 17.97% and 4.77%, and 821kcal/kg. In the performance trial, 72 New Zealand White rabbits were used, 36 males and 36 females, 40 to 90 days old, alloted in a completely randomized design, with six treatments, six replications and two animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a reference diet and other five diets where Desmodium ovalifolium hay replaced 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% or 75% of the alfafa hay, on crude fiber basis. The daily feed intake and weight gain during the period of 40 to 90 and 70 to 90 days old and the feed conversion in the period of 70 to 90 days old, as well as the final weight and carcass weight at 90 days, showed better result for the animals fed with desmodium diet. Excluding the diet reference, the regression analysis, according to the levels of alfalfa hay substitution, showed that not only the performance but also rabbits carcass traits were similar during the experimental period. The results showed that desmodium hay at those inclusion levels replaced efficiently alfalfa hay in rabbits rations.Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar o valor nutritivo e o desempenho de coelhos, em crescimento, alimentados com dietas contendo feno de desmódio (Desmodium ovalifolium). No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 14 coelhos machos, da raça Nova Zelândia Branco, com 50 dias de idade, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos e sete repetições. Foram utilizadas duas dietas, uma referência e uma teste na qual o feno de desmódio substituiu 25% da MS da dieta-referência. Os teores de matéria seca digestível, de proteína digestível e de energia digestível do feno de desmódio, com base na matéria seca total, foram, respectivamente, de 17,97%, 4,77% e 821kcal/kg. No experimento de desempenho, foram utilizados 72 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branco, 36 machos e 36 fêmeas, no período de 40 a 90 dias de idade, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos, seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma dieta-referência e outras cinco dietas onde o feno ou desmódio substituiu em 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% ou 75% o feno de alfafa, com base na fibra bruta. O consumo diário de ração e o ganho de peso no período de 40 a 90 e 70 a 90 dias de idade e a conversão alimentar no período de 70 a 90 dias, assim como o peso final aos 90 dias e o peso de carcaça foram melhores para os animais que receberam ração com desmódio. Excluindo a dieta-testemunha, a análise de regressão em função dos níveis de substituição do feno de alfafa, com base na fibra bruta, mostrou que o desempenho e as características de carcaça dos coelhos foram semelhantes durante o período experimental. Os resultados demonstraram que o feno de desmódio, nos níveis de inclusão estudados, substituiu eficientemente o feno de alfafa nas rações de coelhos

Coal extraction causes sediment toxicity in aquatic environments in Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study evaluated water parameters in ponds affected by coal extraction. Allium cepa assay was used to measure genotoxicity/mutagenicity of the sediment. Samples were collected from four ponds in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and turbidity were measured. Sediments were analyzed for heavy metals. Elutriate samples were prepared at a ratio of 1:4 sediment:water. Allium cepa bulbs were placed in samples prepared from each pond, with ultrapure water used as negative control and methyl methane sulfonate as positive control. Root length, mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, and nuclear abnormalities were measured. The pH of two ponds, as well as electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen of all ponds were below the minimum limits set by Brazilian regulation. All heavy metals analyzed were found in all sediment samples, but only Cd concentration was above the legal limit set by Brazilian law. Allium cepa root growth for samples from Ponds 1, 2, and 4 was significantly lower than the negative control. Meristematic cells exposed to elutriate samples showed no significant changes in cell division. There was a significant increase in total chromosomal aberrations in all treated samples in comparison with the negative control. This study demonstrates that even low concentrations of heavy metals can damage exposed biota, possibly due to synergistic effects. We also found the A. cepa bioassay to be a simple and useful tool for genotoxicity/mutagenicity analyses, and recommend its use for environmental monitoring and management in areas influenced by mining activities

High prevalence of anemia in children and adult women in an urban population in southern Brazil

This population-based study was designed to detect the prevalence of anemia in a healthy population of children (18 months to 7 years) and women (14 to 30 years) tested in 2006–2007 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil as part of an effort to tackle this massive problem that still affects so many people in the XXI century. Anemia was defined according to the WHO. Capillary blood was measured and socioeconomic status was determined according to the Brazilian Association of Market Research Agencies. The median prevalence of anemia in 2198 children was 45.4% and in 1999 women 36.4%. Anemia decreased with age during childhood; although significantly more prevalent in lower classes individuals, it was also high in the upper classes. There are indirect evidences that the lack of iron supplementation and/or iron fortified food may play a role in it. Professionals and society wise measures of education have to be implemented in order to address possible biologic factors involved in childhood psychosocial development in southern Brazil

High prevalence of anemia in children and adult women in an urban population in southern Brazil

This population-based study was designed to detect the prevalence of anemia in a healthy population of children (18 months to 7 years) and women (14 to 30 years) tested in 2006–2007 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil as part of an effort to tackle this massive problem that still affects so many people in the XXI century. Anemia was defined according to the WHO. Capillary blood was measured and socioeconomic status was determined according to the Brazilian Association of Market Research Agencies. The median prevalence of anemia in 2198 children was 45.4% and in 1999 women 36.4%. Anemia decreased with age during childhood; although significantly more prevalent in lower classes individuals, it was also high in the upper classes. There are indirect evidences that the lack of iron supplementation and/or iron fortified food may play a role in it. Professionals and society wise measures of education have to be implemented in order to address possible biologic factors involved in childhood psychosocial development in southern Brazil