Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit feeding: a review

[EN] This review is focused on the most studied and developed substances which are commonly knownas alternatives to dietary antibiotics, particularly as far as rabbit feeds are concerned. After a reminder of thereason to be and success of antibiotic growth promoters, and why they lately came to be banned in the European Union, we successively deal with probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and organic acids. Data on rabbitsare, as expected, quite scarce when compared to species such as pigs and poultry. Nevertheless, theavailable performance results are discussed together with the possible mechanisms of action. Special mentionis made of the effects of these substances on digestibility and caecal activity.Falcão-E-Cunha, L.; Castro-Solla, L.; Maertens, L.; Marounek, M.; Pinheiro, V.; Freire, J.; Mourão, JL. (2007). Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit feeding: a review. World Rabbit Science. 15(3). doi:10.4995/wrs.2007.597SWORD15

In vitro analysis, an accurate tool to estimate dry matter digestibility in rabbits. Intra- and inter- laboratory variability

[EN] The aim of the present study was to determine the intra- and inter-laboratory variability of an enzymatic system of in vitro analysis for estimating dry matter (DM) digestibility in rabbits and validating the predicted nutritive value of 4 complete diets and 4 raw materials during three different periods of time. Chemical composition, DM digestibility and digestible energy (diets only) were known. In vitro DM digestibility (DMdinv) of all samples was determined by 4 laboratories (triplicate analysis) at different times with an interval of one month between analyses. DMdinv variability and chemical parameters were measured in terms of repeatability (SR: intra-series variability within each laboratory), reproducibility (SL: intra-series variability among laboratories) and reliability (SF: variability through time within each laboratory). Both the laboratory and sample affected DMdinv values (P<0.001). The period of time also had a significant effect (P=0.002) on mean DMdinv values (67.4, 66.8 and 67.0% for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, respectively). Significant laboratory x sample, time x laboratory and time x sample interaction effects were also observed. Repeatability, reproducibility and reliability values for the diets were better than those obtained for the raw materials (by 2.0, 1.9 and 2.4 times, respectively). Repeatability values were also better than the values obtained for reproducibility and reliability (by 2.2 and 3.6 times, respectively). Repeatability and reproducibility values were consistently worse for raw materials than for complete diets (by 1.5, 4, 2.9 and 1.3, 4.3, 2.8 times for SR and SL in period 1, period 2 and period 3, respectively), and were also worse in period 1 with respect to the other two periods (by 2.1 and 2.2 times for SR and SL, respectively). Finally, the in vitro method always showed better coefficients of variation of repeatability (CVR) and reproducibility (CVL) than those of the chemical parameters frequently used as predictors of dietary energy value (acid detergent fibre and crude fibre) (1.73 vs. 2.41 and 3.88 for CVR and 3.24 vs. 3.70 and 5.17 for CVL, respectively). In conclusion, the proposed in vitro methodology showed adequate repeatability and reproducibility, being suitable for predictive purposes.This research was supported by ERAFE project CE-FAIR (3-CT96-1651)Carabaño, R.; Nicodemus, N.; García, J.; Xiccato, G.; Trocino, A.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Falcão-E-Cunha, L.... (2008). In vitro analysis, an accurate tool to estimate dry matter digestibility in rabbits. Intra- and inter- laboratory variability. World Rabbit Science. 16(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.2008.614SWORD16

The effect of Nannochloropsis oceanica feed inclusion on rabbit muscle proteome

Nannochloropsis oceanica is a microalga, highly concentrated in protein and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). It has a recalcitrant cell wall that decreases nutrient digestibility. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of Nannochloropsis oceanica feed inclusion on the muscle proteome of fattening rabbits. Twenty rabbits were housed in individual cages for 5 weeks and were fed a control diet (n = 10) and one with 4.45% inclusion of microalga, replacing whole soybean meal (n = 10). After slaughter, samples of gastrocnemius muscle were taken for label-free proteomic analysis. A total of 1497 proteins were identified, 46 with differential abundance. Control rabbits had high abundance of proteins related to protein metabolism, suggesting higher muscle protein turnover. They also had higher abundance of structural proteins, suggesting a less tender meat by comparison with algae-fed rabbits. These had high abundance of proteins related to amino acid catabolism (Phe, Tyr) and synthesis (Gln). In addition, they had high abundance of proteins related to protein breakdown, overall suggesting that more tender meat may result from algae feedinginfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Pathogenic fungi: an unacknowledged risk at coastal resorts? New insights on microbiological sand quality in Portugal

Whilst the potential impact on beach users from microorganisms in water has received considerable attention, there has been relatively little investigation into microbial contaminants in sand. Thirty three beaches across Portugal were analyzed during a five year period (2006–2010) to determine the presence of yeasts, pathogenic fungi, dermatophytes, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci in sand. Our results showed that 60.4% of the samples were positive for fungi and that 25.2% were positive for the bacterial parameters. The most frequent fungal species found were Candida sp. and Aspergillus sp., whereas intestinal enterococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Positive associations were detected among analyzed parameters and country-regions but none among those parameters and sampling period. Regarding threshold values, we propose 15 cfu/g for yeasts, 17 cfu/g for potential pathogenic fungi, 8 cfu/g for dermatophytes, 25 cfu/g for E. coli, and 10 cfu/g for intestinal enterococci

Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre and/or neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels: Effects on ileal apparent digestibility and caecal environment of growing rabbits

[EN] The effects of the composition of pen-weaning diets on apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients and caecal environment were studied in growing rabbits. Eight diets were formulated according to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design to increase acid detergent fibre (ADF) from 230 to 290 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM) at the expense of mainly starch, to increase neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) from 145 to 185 g kg(-1) DM at the expense of mainly starch, and to reduce crude protein (CP) content from 175 to 145 g kg(-1) DM. A total of 32 litters of eight kits were randomly assigned to the diets at 17 days of age, weaned at 28 days of age and slaughtered at 35 days of age to collect samples of ileal and caecal contents. The substitution of ADF for starch reduced the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of DM (0.292 vs. 0.229; P <0.01). The substitution of NDSF for starch increased the CAID of NDSF (-0.040 vs. 0.099; P < 0.01). An interaction between dietary ADF and NDSF levels was found for the CAID of CP, higher in the low ADF-low NDSF diets than in the rest (+0.074; P <0.05). The reduction of dietary CP content decreased the CAID of CP (0.578 vs. 0.525; P < 0.05) and NDSF (0.086 vs. -0.038; P <0.01). Interactions between dietary ADF and NDSF levels were found affecting full caecum weight as well as DM content and pH of caecal digesta. The increase of ADF in the high NDSF diets reduced full caecum weight (-9.1 g kg(-1) live weight; P < 0.01), increased DM content of caecal digesta (+31 g kg(-1); P <0.001) and reduced caecal pH (- 0.10; P < 0.05). In the low NDSF diets, higher ADF increased DM content of caecal digesta to a lesser extent (+16 g kg(-1); P < 0.001) and increased caecal pH (+0.08; P <0.05). The increase of NDSF in the high ADF diets increased full caecum weight (+8.5 g kg(-1) live weight; P <0.01) and reduced caecal pH (-0.14; P <0.001). In the low ADF diets, higher NDSF increased full caecum weight more extensively (+15.5 g kg(-1) live weight; P < 0.001) and reduced DM content of caecal digesta (-16 g kg(-1); P <0.001). Both ADF and NDSF replacing starch increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of caecal digesta (+11.5% and +13.9%, respectively; P < 0.01). The replacement with NDSF increased molar proportion of butyrate (0.095 vs. 0.112; P <0.001) at the expense of mainly acetate (0.841 vs. 0.820; P <0.001) and reduced ammonia concentration of caecal digesta (-8.1%; P < 0.05). The reduction of dietary CP content decreased total VFA (-14.4%; P < 0.001) and ammonia (-23.5%; P < 0.001) concentrations of caecal digesta and increased caecal pH (5.87 vs. 5.93; P <0.05). Overall, the three dietary changes under study led to changes in the caecal environment which might be effective in reducing mortality rate in a context of rabbit epizootic enteropathy. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Financial support was provided by the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia of Spain (Proyecto AGL2006-07596). Authors thank J. Garcia from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (Spain) for the analyses of ytterbium.Martínez Vallespín, B.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Moya, V.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Blas Ferrer, E. (2013). Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre and/or neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels: Effects on ileal apparent digestibility and caecal environment of growing rabbits. Livestock Science. 154(1-3):123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.02.012S1231301541-

Portuguese recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with psoriatic arthritis - 2015 update

OBJECTIVE: To update recommendationsforthe treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR). METHODS: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. At a national meeting the 16 recommendations included in this document were discussed and updated. The level of agreement among Portuguese Rheumatologists was assessed using an online survey. A draft of the full text of the recommendations was then circulated and suggestions were incorporated. A final version was again circulated before publication. RESULTS: A consensus was achieved regarding the initiation, assessment of response and switching biological therapies in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Specific recommendations were developed for several disease domains: peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis and dactylitis. CONCLUSION: These recommendations may be used for guidance in deciding which patients with PsA should be treated with biological therapies. They cover a rapidly evolving area oftherapeutic intervention.Asmore evidence becomes available and more biological therapies are licensed, these recommendations will have to be updated

Portuguese recommendations for the use of methotrexate in rheumatic diseases – 2016 update

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio