Abstract Castor (Ricinus communis L.) meal contain highly toxic substances. Three detoxification methods were evaluated for their effectiveness and their inclusion in diets for broilers. Five treatments (experimental diets) were evaluated: control diet based on corn and soybean meal (SM), non-detoxified castor meal (NDC), autoclaved castor meal (AC), chemically treated castor meal (ChC) and autoclave and chemical methods treated castor meal (AChC). Each treatment was randomly assigned to seven experimental units with 10 chickens each. The variables evaluated were: feed consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), weight gain (WG), carcass yield (CY), breast yield (BY), leg to thigh yield (LTY), digestive system development, walking ability (WA), valgus-varus angulation (VVA), and latency to lie down (LLD). Chickens fed NDC and ChC had lower FC and WG (P<0.05). However, there was no difference among treatments for CA. There were differences among treatment (P<0.05) for WA and VVA, but there were not for LLD (P>0.05). The results showed that autoclave treatment (1 atm, 121 oC for 60 min) decreased toxicity in castor meal, since birds in the AC treatment had a similar productive behavior (P>0.05) to those in the control diet.

Resumen La pasta de higuerilla (Ricinus communis L) contiene sustancias altamente tóxicas, por lo que se evaluó la efectividad de tres métodos de desintoxicación y su inclusión en dietas para pollos de engorda. Se evaluaron cinco tratamientos (dietas experimentales): dieta testigo a base de maíz y pasta de soya (PS), pasta de higuerilla sin desintoxicar (PH), pasta de higuerilla tratada con autoclave (PHA), pasta de higuerilla tratada con el método químico (PHQ) y pasta de higuerilla tratada con autoclave y método químico (PHAQ). Cada tratamiento se asignó al azar a siete unidades experimentales con 10 pollos cada una. Las variables evaluadas fueron: consumo de alimento (COA), conversión alimenticia (CA), ganancia de peso (GP) rendimiento en canal (RC), rendimiento de pechuga (RP), rendimiento de pierna con muslo (RPM), desarrollo del sistema digestivo, habilidad para caminar (HC), angulación valgus /varus (AVV) y latencia a postrarse (LP). Los pollos alimentados con PH y PHMQ tuvieron menor COA y GP (P<0.05), sin embargo, no hubo diferencias entre tratamientos para CA. Se encontraron diferencias entre tratamiento (P<0.05) para HC y AVV, mientras que en LP no hubo diferencias (P>0.05). Los resultados evidencian que el tratamiento con autoclave (1 atmosfera de presión durante 60 min a 121 °C) disminuyó la toxicidad en la pasta de higuerilla, ya que las aves del tratamiento PHMA tuvieron un comportamiento productivo similar (P>0.05) a las de la dieta testigo.

Abstract Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis (PTB), disease that causes a syndrome of bad nutrient absorption, weight loss and eventually death. The intestine is the main target organ where the infection develops; however, there is evidence of infection by MAP in extra-intestine sites of sheep, including mesenteric nodes and semen. The aim of the study was to identify the presence of MAP in reproductive tissue and semen of infected Pelibuey rams in clinical state of PTB. Seven rams were used in clinical PTB state and a non-infected ram by MAP of the Pelibuey breed, confirmed by serology, nPCR and bacteriological culture, with average weight and age of 57.23 ± 1.73 kg and 2.91 ± 0.17 years, respectively. The presence of MAP was identified in different tissue samples: spleen (1/7, 14.3% and 2/7, 28.6%), small intestine (3/7, 42.9% and 4/7, 57.1%) and mesenteric lymph nodes (3/7, 42.9% and 3/7, 42.9%), with nPCR and culture, respectively. It was also identified in epididymis tissue (1/7, 14.3%), Cowper gland (2/7, 28.6%) and prostate (1/7, 14.3%), using nPCR, although without detection in culture. It was identified in testicular tissue in 42.8% (3/7; culture or nPCR technique), but in 28.6% (2/7) with both techniques. Finally, the presence of MAP was identified in 42.9% (3/7) of semen samples with nPCR; however, it was not detected through culture. In conclusion, the presence of MAP was identified in lymphatic, digestive tissue, and semen; the presence of MAP was reported for the first time in epididymis, Cowper gland, prostate and testicles of infected Pelibuey rams.

Abstract: Crude soybean oil (CSO) is used to increase metabolizable energy (ME) content in diets for laying hens. Also used in human food, its price is consequently high. Oil soapstocks are byproducts of the oil extraction process and therefore cost less. An evaluation was done of the effect of two soybean soapstocks (SS) on egg production, quality and lipid composition, and the cost of 1 kilogram of eggs. Soapstock ME and lipid composition were quantified. An experiment was done using 240 hens in six treatments, with five replicates and eight hens per replicate. Diets were formulated using CSO, or one of the soapstocks, at 2 or 4% concentrations. The evaluated productive variables were feed intake, feed conversion, egg weight, egg mass, laying percentage and egg quality parameters. Egg lipid composition was described and the cost per one kilogram calculated. Replacement of CSO with the soapstocks did not affect poultry production variables (P>0.05), but did improve Haugh unit values (P<0.05). Egg fatty acids composition changed in response to oil composition (P<0.05), and inclusion concentration affected the levels of specific fatty acids. Use of the soapstocks resulted in a lower cost per kilogram of eggs than with CSO (P<0.05). Substitution of crude soy oil with the evaluated soapstocks had no effect on productive variables, improved egg quality and lowered overall feed costs.

Resumen: En la alimentación de gallinas en postura se utiliza el aceite crudo de soya (ACS), pero debido a que éste compite con la alimentación humana su precio es alto, por lo cual se evaluaron dos aceites acidulados de soya (AAS), los cuales son más económicos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de los AAS en la producción de gallinas Bovans, calidad de huevo, composición lipídica y costo de un kilo de huevo. Se determinó la energía metabolizable (EM) y composición de lípidos de los acidulados. Se utilizaron 240 gallinas en seis tratamientos, con cinco repeticiones, con ocho gallinas cada una. En las dietas se incluyeron ACS y dos acidulados (AAST y AASY), a dos niveles (2% y 4%). Las variables productivas fueron alimento consumido, porcentaje de postura, peso del huevo, masa del huevo, conversión alimenticia; en calidad de huevo se midió altura de albumina, unidades Haugh (UH), color de yema y grosor de cascarón. Se determinó la composición lipídica del huevo y su costo. Al sustituir el ACS por los AAS no se afectó la producción de las aves (P>0.05). En calidad de huevo, los AAS mejoraron las UH (P<0.05); la concentración de ácidos grasos del huevo se modificó según la composición del aceite en la dieta de las gallinas (P<0.05), mientras que el nivel de aceite influyó en el contenido de algunos ácidos grasos. Finalmente los AAS disminuyeron el costo de un kilo de huevo (P<0.05) en comparación del ACS.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate levels of calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AP) in hens. For this study 300 Leghorn Hy-line W36 hens were used. Five treatments were evaluated, level of Ca and AP in the diet: T1, 4.34 and 0.18%; T2, 4.34 and 0.23%; T3, 4.62 and 0.18%; T4, 4.62 and 0.23% and T5, 3.25 and 0.25% (control). The experiment lasted 48 wk. It was measured feed, Ca and AP consumption, number of eggs, egg mass, feed conversion, egg weight, specific gravity and percentage of eggshell. In feed consumption, number of eggs, egg mass, feed conversion and egg weight, there were no differences among treatments (P>0.05). Higher consumption of calcium (P<0.05) was observed in the hens of T3 and T4 (4.80 and 4.81 g-1 hen-1); in consumption of available phosphorus the hens of T5 consumed more (P<0.05) than the others (0.258 g-1 hen-1). For specific gravity with T1, T3 and T4 (1.0837, 1.0834 and 1.0841) there were better results (P<0.05). In percentage of eggshell were observed better results for T1, T2, T3 y T4 (P<0.05). It is concluded that the concentration of Ca and Pd suggested by the NRC (1994) are not sufficient for maximum eggshell quality.

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar niveles de calcio (Ca) y fósforo disponible (Pd) en gallinas. Se utilizaron 300 gallinas Leghorn Hy-line W36 y se alimentaron con cinco tratamientos, tomando en cuenta los niveles óptimos de encontrados en la literatura. Las dietas fueron: T1, 4.34% Ca y 0.18% Pd; T2, 4.34% Ca y 0.23% Pd; T3, 4.62% Ca y 0.18% Pd; T4, 4.62% Ca y 0.23% Pd y T5, 3.25% Ca y 0.25% Pd. Se midió consumo de alimento, consumo de Ca y de Pd, conversión alimenticia, número de huevos, masa de huevo, peso del huevo, gravedad específica y porcentaje de cascarón. Para número de huevos, masa de huevo, consumo de alimento, conversión alimenticia y peso de huevo, no se encontraron diferencias entre tratamientos (P>0.05). Se observó mayor consumo de Ca (P<0.05) en las gallinas de los tratamientos T3 y T4 (4.80 y 4.81 g ave-1 día-1); en cuanto a consumo de fósforo disponible, las gallinas del T5 consumieron más (P<0.05) que las demás (0.258 g ave-1 día-1). Para gravedad específica, hubo mejores resultados con T1, T3 y T4 (1.0837, 1.0841, y 1.0840; P<0.05). En porcentaje de cascarón se observaron mejores resultados con las gallinas de T1, T2, T3 y T4 (P<0.05). Se concluye que las concentraciones de Ca sugeridas por el NRC (1994), no son suficientes para máxima calidad del cascarón; sin embargo, los niveles de Pd 0.18 y 0.23% son menores a los sugeridos por el NRC, de 0.25%.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si Acremonium zeae afecta el desarrollo de pollos de engorde. En el Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, en el Estado de México de agosto a diciembre de 2010, se realizó un experimento con pollos recién nacidos bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar con cinco dietas (tratamientos) y cinco repeticiones, cada una constó de cinco pollos. Los animales fueron alimentados durante tres semanas con cada una de las dietas, en las que se adicionaron porcentajes de avena contaminada con A. zeae en sustitución del maíz. Los tratamientos fueron: T1, 0% avena contaminada: 100% de maíz; T2, 25% avena contaminada: 75% de maíz; T3, 50% avena contaminada: 50% de maíz; T4, 75% avena contaminada: 25% de maíz; y, T5, 100% avena contaminada: 0% de maíz. Durante tres semanas cada siete días se registró el incremento en peso de los pollos y el consumo de alimento. Hubo efecto negativo en el peso a partir de la segunda semana de alimentación, con una composición de dieta elaborada con un mínimo de 50% de avena contaminada con el hongo.

The objective os this work was to determine if Acremonium zeae affects the develpment of chicks. The study was condducted at the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, the State of Mexico, from August to December, 2010. Hatchlings were used for the experiment under a totallyrandom design with five diets (treatments) and five repetitions, each repetition with five chicks. The animals were fed for three weeks with each of the diets with different percentages of added oatmeal, contaminated with A. zeae, and mixed with corn to cover the nutritional requirements of chicken in initiation. The treatments were: T1, 0% contaminated oatmeal: 100% corn, (control); T2, 25% contaminated oatmeal: 75% corn; T3, 50% contaminated oatmeal: 50% corn; T4, 75% contaminated oatmeal: 25% corn; and, T5, 100% contaminated oatmeal: 0% corn. The chickens were measured for weight gain and food intake every seven days for three weeks. The statistical analysis shows that the negative effect on weight gain and food intake is more evident from the second week of feeding with a diet composition of minimum 50% oatmeal contaminated with the fungus.