ABSTRACT The objective with this study was to evaluate the liver histology and hematological parameters of female Rhamdia quelen fed diets supplemented with different oils: 5% marine fish oil, 5% refined palm oil, 5% soybean oil, and a combination of the three. The lipid vacuolization (steatosis) in the liver was analyzed according to a score of vacuolization when: 0 = absence, 1 = reduced, 2 = intermediate, and 3 = intense. At the end of the experiment, females (n = 10) were selected from each treatment (two per cage), and the blood was collected for erythrocyte and biochemical analysis. Lower vacuolization indices in the liver were observed at the beginning of the experiment. However, with time, the presence of vacuoles was more evident but presented similar morphology among all treatments. The blood parameters were also not influenced by the different diets, except for glucose levels, which was higher in the treatment with the mixture of oils. The absence of differences regarding liver morphology (steatosis) and hematological parameters indicates that the replacement of fish oil by vegetable oils could be performed without damage to the health of R. quelen females.

ABSTRACT The effects of a diet supplemented with 5% marine fish oil, 5% refined palm oil, 5% soybean oil, and a combination of the three on reproductive parameters of females Rhamdia quelen was investigated. Spawning was artificially induced to evaluate rates of fertilization, hatching and larvae normality. Fatty acid profiles of the diets, ovaries and oocytes were determined. A higher spawning rate (%) was observed for diets containing fish oil (78.65 ± 3.60) and palm oil (77.15 ± 3.97), followed by oil mix (65.46 ± 4.57). The diet containing soybean oil was associated with significantly lower fertilization (60.14 ± 5.66; P < 0.05) than the palm and fish oil diets. Lower fertilization may be explained by a high level of n-6 fatty acids in the diet, which possibly accelerate the oocyte maturation. Satisfactory fecundity (P > 0.05) were observed for all tested diets, whit 289.77 ± 23.90 (palm oil) until 323.31 ± 38.45 oocytes g-1 body weight (fish oil). The treatments were not shown to influence oocyte size, larval size or rate of larva deformity. Oocyte fatty acid composition was like that of gonads. Docosahexaenoic (DHA; C22:6 n-3) fatty acid was preferentially deposited in ovaries and oocytes. Ratios of n3/n6, DHA/EPA, EPA/ARA, did not affect the reproductive performance of females. Therefore, regarding female reproductive performance, the vegetable lipid sources tested are suitable for being used in R. quelen diet, and palm oil, in particular, is considered an excellent alternative to fish oil.

In this study we examined the effects of the maternal age on the fecundity (absolute and relative), egg production, and fertilization rates of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Females were divided into three groups: Group 1 (6 years old), Group 2 (3 years old), and Group 3 (8 months old). Males of eight months were used in all groups. Twice a week, the females' mouths were examined, and if they had eggs, these were removed and transferred to 2-L incubators. No difference was observed in the absolute fecundity between the different maternal age groups. Relative fecundity and egg production was greater in Group 3 (8 months) and fertilization rates were lower in Group 1 (6 years). Younger tilapias are more viable for egg production, because they have better reproductive indexes.

Este estudo teve como objetivo gerar informações básicas sobre os possíveis mecanismos relacionados com os resultados desfavoráveis obtidos com o desempenho reprodutivo em peixes reofílicos tropicais. Para isso tanques-rede (Cs) e viveiros escavados (EPs) foram utilizados como sistemas experimentais para propociar respectivamente condições inadequadas e adequadas para reprodutores de Prochilodus lineatus. Os peixes foram mantidos por 18 meses em viveiros escavados (EPs) e tanques-rede (Cs), e durante este período, foram aleatoriamente coletados a cada dois meses para análise biométrica (n=30), coleta de sangue (n=5/tratamento) e amostragem do ovário (n=5/tratamento). Após este período as fêmeas mantidas em EPs (EPFs) e as fêmeas mantidas em Cs (CFs) foram submetidas aos experimentos de reprodução induzida. Os resultados mostraram que manter curimbatás por este período em Cs, na densidade de estocagem utilizada, reduz seu crescimento, níveis plasmáticos de E2 e vitelogênese. Durante a vitelogênese, os níveis plasmáticos de estradiol das CFs foram três vezes menores do que os das EPFs (P <0,01). As CFs apresentaram resultados inferiores aos das EPFs para todos os parâmetros analisados de desempenho reprodutivo. Em conjunto, estes dados mostram que os níveis reduzidos de estradiol durante a vitelogênese (bem como o consequente atraso na transição da fase previtelogênica para a vitelogênica) e as quantidades reduzidas de vitelo são mecanismos associados com a formação de ovócitos de baixa qualidade; redução e atraso na época de desova nesta espécie. Além disso, nossos dados mostraram que o início da vitelogênese (seis meses antes da época de desova) é um período-chave para formação de ovócitos de boa qualidade, e o manejo adequado deve ser aplicado durante todo o ano.

The objective of this study was to obtain information about the possible mechanisms related to poor reproductive performance in tropical rheophilic fish. To that effect, cages (Cs) and earthen ponds (EPs) were used as experimental systems to provide unsuitable and suitable conditions, respectively, for curimbatá (Prochilodus lineatus) breeders. Fish were maintained under experimental conditions for 18 months, and during this period females were randomly sampled every two months for biometric analysis (n=30), blood (n=5/sampling) and ovary (n=5/sampling). After this period EPs females (EPFs) and Cs females (CFs) were submitted to the induced breeding experiments. The results showed that rearing curimbatá for such long time in a cage at this stocking density, reduces its growth, plasma E2 levels and vitellogenesis. During vitellogenesis, the mean plasma estradiollevels of CFs were three times lower than those of EPFs (P<0.01). CFs presented poorer results than EPFs for all the examined parameters of reproductive performance. Taken together these data showed that the reduced estradiol levels during vitellogenesis (and the consequently less intense transition from the previtellogenic to vitellogenic phase) and reduced amounts of yolk are mechanisms associated with the formation of low quality oocytes and shortened and delayed breeding season in this species. Moreover, our data showed that the onset of vitellogenesis (six months before the spawning season) must be considered as a key period related to the formation of oocytes of good quality, and adequate management should be provided throughout the year.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a ocorrência de possíveis alterações no fígado, rim e intestino de girinos de rã-touro no estágio 42, alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes concentrações (0,0; 0,2; 0,5; 1,0; e 1,5%) de extrato hidroalcoólico de própolis. O experimento foi conduzido no laboratório de Nutrição de Organismos Aquáticos do Centro de Aqüicultura da UNESP, onde foram utilizados 1.400 girinos no estágio 26, distribuídos em vinte tanques experimentais. No final do experimento (60 dias), foram sacrificados três girinos de cada repetição e retiradas amostras de rim, fígado e intestino para processamento de lâminas histológicas no Laboratório de Histologia do Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal da FCAV - UNESP. As amostras foram fixadas, desidratadas, coradas com HE, analisadas, fotomicrografadas e medida a espessura do epitélio intestinal. Não foram observadas alterações histológicas no intestino, rins e fígado dos girinos. A espessura do epitélio do intestino dos mesmos não foi influenciada (P>0,05) pelas concentrações de própolis.

This research was aimed at verifying the occurrence of possible alterations in liver, kidney and intestine of bullfrog tadpoles in stage 42 fed with diets containing different concentrations (0.0; 0.2; 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%) of propolis hydroalcoholic extract. The experiment was carried out in laboratory of Aquatic Organisms Nutrition from Aquaculture Center of UNESP, where 1,400 tadpoles in stage 26 were used and distributed in twenty experimental aquariums. In the end of experiment (60 days) three tadpoles from each repetition were sacrificed and kidney, liver and intestine samples were collected to processing of histological slices in Histology´s Laboratory pertaining to Department of Morphology and Physiology from FCAV - UNESP. Samples were fixed, dehydrated, stained in HE, analysed, photomicrographed and thickness of intestinal epithelium was measured. Histological disturbances in tadpoles´s intestine, kidneys and liver were not observed. Thickness of intestinal epithelium from the same ones was not influenced (P>0.05) by propolis concentrations.

Um estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do método de remoção da pele do filé (com alicate e com máquina) e da técnica de curtimento (com ou sem sais de cromo, bioleather) sobre a resistência da pele de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Foram retiradas as peles de 40 tilápias (450 g), 20 com uso de alicates e 20 com auxílio de máquina. Após o curtimento e a retirada dos corpos-de-prova, as peles foram encaminhadas a um laboratório aclimatizado (23ºC e 50% de umidade relativa do ar) para realização dos testes de resistência em dinamômetro EMIC, com velocidade de afastamento entre cargas de 100 ± 20 mm/mm. O método de retirada da pele do filé não afetou os resultados dos testes de tração e rasgamento progressivo. A pele retirada com a máquina apresentou elongação superior (88,48%) à removida com alicate (71,09%). Peles curtidas com sais de cromo (25,54 N/mm; 12,18 N/mm²) foram mais resistentes que as curtidas sem sais de cromo (bioleather) (13,11 N/mm; 9,89 N/mm²). Peles curtidas por estas técnicas (com cromo e bioleather) podem ser utilizadas na confecção de vestuários, pois as médias dos testes de tração, alongamento e rasgamento progressivo foram superiores a 9,80 N/mm², 60% e 14,72 N/mm, respectivamente, valores mínimos recomendados para couros curtidos ao cromo.

This research evaluated the effect of different methods (fillet skin removal and tanning methods [with or without chromium salts and bioleather]) on leather resistance characteristics of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Skin from 40 tilapias (450 g) were removed: 20 by pliers and 20 by machine. After skin tanning, the samples were removed for resistance tests, which were done, in a climatized environment (23ºC) and 50% air relative humidity, with EMIC dynamometer, at removal speed of 100 ± 20 mm/mm. No effect of fillet skin removal method on progressive tearing and strength was observed. The method of skin removal by machine resulted in greater (88.48%) elongation than that removed by pliers (71.09%). Skin tanned with chromium salts (25.54 N/mm; 12.18N/mm²) had higher resistance than that tanned without chromium (bioleather) (13.11 N/mm; 9.89 N/mm²). Chromium- and bioleather tanned skins may be used in clothes manufacture since average values of strength, elongation and progresive tearing are higher than 9.80N/mm², 60% and 14.72 N/mm, respectively, which are values recommended for leathers tanned with chromium salts.

Foram utilizados 44 leitões desmamados, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial onde foram avaliadas cinco dietas: T1 - Dieta Basal; T2 - Dieta Basal + Antibiótico; T3 - Dieta Basal + Probiótico; T4 - Dieta Basal + Prebiótico; T5 - Dieta Basal + Simbiótico (T3+T4). Inicialmente foi abatido um grupo de quatro leitões ao desmame. Nos dias sete e 14 pós-desmame foram abatidos quatro leitões de cada tratamento. Foram coletados segmentos do intestino delgado, de cada animal, para análise microscópica de luz e eletrônica. Os microingredientes testados influenciaram a histologia intestinal dos leitões. Foi observada maior densidade de vilos na porção duodenal dos leitões que consumiram ração com prebiótico em relação aos que consumiram dieta com probiótico. Na porção do jejuno dos leitões recebendo ração contendo prebiótico houve, embora não significativa estatisticamente, maior densidade de vilos. Os animais recebendo ração com simbiótico apresentaram maior altura de microvilos aos 14 dias no duodeno em relação aos que consumiram a dieta basal. Nos leitões suplementados com probiótico houve melhor recuperação na densidade dos microvilos em relação às outras dietas que não mostraram diferenças entre as idades estudadas.

Forty-four piglets weaned were distributed in a complete randomized blocks in factorial scheme. Experimental diets were: T1 = Basal Diet (BD); T2 = BD + Antibiotic; T3 = BD + Probiotic; T4 = BD + Prebiotic; T5 = BD + Symbiotic (T3+T4). As control, four piglets were slaughtered at weaning. Seven and 14 days after weaning, four animals per treatment were slaughtered. Small intestine segments were sampled from each animal for electron and light microscopy evaluation. The evaluated micro-ingredients affected intestinal histology. It was observed higher villous density in duodenum of piglets fed diet with prebiotic in relation to those fed diets with probiotic. In jejunum of piglets fed diets with prebiotic was found higher villous density, but this difference was not significant. In relation to BD, symbiotic increased duodenal micro-villous height at the 14th day after weaning. Piglets supplemented with probiotic had better recovering of micro-villous density in relation to those fed with other diets.

Crotalaria spectabilis (crotalária) e a Senna occidentalis (fedegoso) podem crescer em plantações de milho e, durante a colheita, este cereal pode ser contaminado com as sementes dessas plantas, que apresenta toxicidade para os animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os parâmetros morfométricos dos eritrócitos, as variáveis hematológicas e a concentração plasmática hormonal dos frangos de corte tratados com ração de dois níveis de energia, que foi adicionada de 0,1% e 0,5% de sementes de Crotalaria spectabilis e Senna occidentalis, respectivamente. Cento e oitenta frangos de corte foram divididos em seis grupos, de acordo com uma análise fatorial 3 x 2 (controle, crotalária e fedegoso como tratamentos principais e dois níveis de energia, 2.900 e 3.200 kcal ME/kg de ração). Os resultados deste experimento mostraram que o efeito tóxico da crotalária determinou uma redução no número de hemácias, no valor do hematócrito e do VCM, não influenciando os parâmetros morfométricos avaliados. A semente de crotalária induziu, também, aumento na incidência de ascite, em função de sua toxicidade hepática. Já a semente de fedegoso não mostrou toxicidade suficiente para induzir ascite nos frangos.

Crotalaria spectabilis (crotalária) e a Senna occidentalis (fedegoso) can grow in corn fields and during harvesting this cereal can be contaminated with the seeds of those plants which presents toxicity to animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the erythrocytes morphometric parameters, haematological variables and plasma hormones concentrations of broilers chickens fed rations of two energy levels to which were added 0,1% e 0,5% of Crotalaria spectabilis e a Senna occidentalis seeds, respectively. One hundred and eighty broilers chicks were divided into 6 groups according to a factorial analysis 3 x 2 (control, crotalaria and fedegoso as main treatments and two energy levels, 2,900 and 3,200 kcal ME/kg of ration). The results of this experiment showed that the crotalaria toxin reduced the number of the red blood cells, the haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) with no effect on the morphometric studied parameters. These seeds due to its hepatic toxicity induced a high incidence of ascites. The fedegoso seeds were not able to induce ascite in the broilers.