ABSTRACT. Edible brachyurans are recognized as a popular source of food due to their delicious taste and nutritional quality. This study investigated the nutrient compositional variation and interrelationship in the muscle of wild and plastic-reared Cardisoma armatum. The plastic-reared crab had 27.81 ± 2.29 g 100 g-1 protein while crab from the wild contained 22.45 ± 2.65 g 100 g-1 protein. The difference in protein content of plastic-reared and its counterpart from the mangrove swamp was not significantly different (p > 0.05). This is also true of other proximate composition except that wild crabs were slightly higher in both crude fat (2.68 ± 0.35 g 100 g-1) and carbohydrate (5.89 ± 3.05 g 100 g-1). Generally, the total energy contributed due to protein, carbohydrate and fat in the tissues of both wild and plastic-reared C. armatum are similar. In the wild crab, contents of calcium (16083.27 ± 2127.90 mg 100 g-1) and phosphorus (1191.42 ± 199.21) were relatively higher, while contents of magnesium (368.69 ± 111.05 mg 100 g-1), sodium (125.30 ± 11.18 mg 100 g-1) and potassium (87.36 ± 7.27 mg 100 g-1) were relatively higher in plastic-reared crabs. All significant mineral ratios in wild and plastic-reared C. amartum fall within acceptable range. The positive relationship in the nutritional quality indicates that changes in proximate composition are associated with changes in mineral contents of the crab tissue.

ABSTRACT. The study aimed to evaluate the use of the azidiol® preservative for psychrotrophic microorganism count (PMC) in cooled raw milk. Two studies were carried out, one under controlled conditions (experiment 1) and the other under field conditions (experiment 2), in which samples of raw milk were taken with and without the use of the azidiol® preservative and analyzed at predefined times (0, 6, 12 and 24 hours - experiment 1) and at varying times (experiment 2). Analysis of variance and regression analysis using SAS were applied for data statistical analysis. Milk samples without azidiol® showed higher PMC with increasing time between sampling and analysis, while in samples preserved with azidiol®, this count remained constant. Samples of cooled raw milk intended for PMC should be collected in flasks containing the azidiol® preservative.

ABSTRACT. Litter size is one of the crucial factors in livestock production and is of high economic value, which is affected by ovulation rate, hormones, and growth factors. Growth factors play a multifaceted role in reproductive physiology. This review aims to investigate the association of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) with litter size in livestock. The transforming growth factor β (TGF- β) superfamily includes more than 34 members; GDF9 and BMP15 are among the most significant factors for regulating fertility and litter size in most livestock species. Ovarian follicles release BMP15 and GDF9 that are involved in the maturation of primary follicles into the basal form, proliferation of granulosa and theca cells, steroidogenesis, ovulation, and formation of the corpus luteum. Besides, these factors are highly expressed in oocytes and are necessary for female fertility and multiple ovulation in several livestock species. Animals with two inactive copies of these factors are sterile, while those with one inactive copy are fertile. Thus, the present review provides valuable information on the association of BMP15 and GDF9 with litter size in livestock that can be used as biological markers of multiple ovulation or for improving fertility in livestock.

ABSTRACT. The study aimed to evaluate performance and growth curves of broilers fed different nutritional relations. A total of 1,440 Cobb-500 male day-old chicks were assigned to eight treatments in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with six replicates of 30 birds each. The main factors were nutritional density (control and high), lysine source (HCl and sulfate), and calcium pidolate (presence and absence). Analyses were made for body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion rate (FCR) at 21, and 42 days of age. The growth curves were adjusted by weighing a bird per plot every three days. Data for BWG were tested by ANOVA to evaluate the effects of treatments and their interactions at 5% significance, and the Gompertz model was adjusted by NLS. Birds fed a high nutritional density had higher BWG and lower FCR. Calcium pidolate and different sources of lysine did not influence the FCR of broilers, however a triple interaction was evidenced for BWG at 1 to 42 days of age. The day with maximum gain adjusted by Gompertz of all treatments was at the 32nd day of age and the maximum weight (A) was around 5.85 kg.

ABSTRACT. The stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula is an important pollinator of different agricultural and native crops. This study evaluated changes in the relative activity of esterases and critical electrolyte concentration in brain cells after exposure to pesticides malathion and thiamethoxam. Lethal concentration 50% showed greater toxicity of thiamethoxam in relation to malathion. Esterases EST-3 and EST-4 (carboxylesterase) were partially inhibited after contamination by contact and ingestion of malathion and contamination by contact with thiamethoxam, suggesting participation of these esterases in the metabolization of these compounds. The lowest critical electrolyte concentration (CEC) was found after contamination by malathion ingestion (0.15 M), indicating changes in gene expression. The alterations observed in the intensity of EST-3 and EST-4 and the chromatin structure indicate that pesticides can act in gene expression and be used as biomarkers of contaminant residues. Furthermore, knowing the susceptibility of T. angustula bees to pesticides, it would be possible to use this species for biomonitoring environmental quality in preserved areas and agroecosystems.

ABSTRACT. The objective was to evaluate the ruminal disappearance rate of dry matter and NDF of black oat haylage subjected to mechanical and chemical dehydration and six wilting periods in the field, as follows: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days. Forage haylages were ensiled and stored in PVC mini-silos for 60 days until opening for in situ evaluations. The pre-set ruminal incubation times were: 0, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Regardless of the dehydration time, forage subjected to mechanical dehydration showed ruminal disappearance rates of dry matter and NDF, thus DISDM-48h and DISNDF-48h were superior for this method compared to the chemical method. There was a reduction in DISDM-48h and DISNDF-48h with advancing time of wilting in the field for haylage dehydrated by the chemical method. In general, the chemical dehydration method seems to be more related to better haylage making practices than nutritional factors, where the haylage obtained by mechanical dehydration is superior.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for body weight at 60 (P60), 90 (P90), and 120 (P120) days of age in escargots of the subspecies Cornu aspersum maximum, evaluating the influence of fixed and covariable effects on these traits. The data used were collected from escargots kept in a total confinement system. The significant fixed effects and covariates for these traits were tested in a general linear model by the F-test, considering a level of significance of 5%. Both the fixed effects of box and birth year and the quadratic effect of age of weighing as a covariate were significant (p < 0.05) for P60, P90, and P120. The Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) methodology was used to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters. High heritability for P60, P90, and P120 (0.38, 0.55 and 0.78, respectively) and high genetic correlations (0.58 to 0.77) among the traits were observed. The genetic parameters can be used as a basis for studies and practical applications to increase zootechnical indexes in this population.

ABSTRACT. Technical regulations that determine milk quality standards in Brazil establish the minimum criteria that the processing industry's raw material must present. These rules can challenge the logistics sector (transport) to maintain adequate milk conservation levels. We aimed to evaluate the influence of bulk transport and storage conditions on refrigerated raw milk quality. The experiment was carried out in a dairy industry in Santa Catarina State. Information and samples of refrigerated raw milk were collected from dairy farms, from isothermal compartments of milk trucks, and from the industry's storage silo. These samples were submitted to microbiological analysis, somatic cell count (SCC), and physicochemical analysis. The results were evaluated by ANOVA and multivariate analysis (factor analysis). The transport of raw milk in bulk and the transfer of raw material to the industrial silo worsened the milk's microbiological quality (p < 0.0001) for standard plate count (SPC) and psychrotrophic microorganism count (PMC), without affecting, the physicochemical characteristics of the milk (p > 0.05). Poor hygienic conditions in milk storage rooms, in the refrigeration bulk tanks of the dairy farms, and during the transport, as well as the transport on longer routes, were related to higher SPC and psychrotrophic count while receiving milk by the dairy industry with higher temperatures was only associated with higher SPC.

ABSTRACT. This study examined the inclusion of untreated or urea-ammoniated CGT on the chemical composition, pH, gas, and effluent losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), and aerobic stability of elephantgrass silage. The experiment was laid out in a randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement represented by three levels of inclusion of CGT during ensiling (0, 5, or 10%) and three levels of ammoniation of CGT with urea before ensiling (0, 4 or 8% for 28 days), using four replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey's test, considering a 5% significance level. The pH and DM, NDIN, ADIN, NDF and ADF contents of the silages increased (p < 0.05) with the inclusion of CGT, regardless of ammoniation. The lowest (p < 0.05) effluent loss was achieved using 10% of CGT ammoniated with 8% urea. In contrast, the elephantgrass silage exhibited the lowest (p < 0.05) gas loss and the greatest (p < 0.05) DMR. The inclusion of CGT compromised the aerobic stability of the silage. Therefore, the inclusion of CGT - either untreated or ammoniated - in the ensiling of elephantgrass is not recommended.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of threonine:digestible lysine ratio in the diet on the physiological variables and weight of organs of light laying hens. Two hundred and ten 47 week-old Dekalb White laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five levels of threonine (0.507; 0.552; 0.597; 0.642 and 0.677%) and seven replicates of six birds each. The experimental period was 10 weeks, totaling 62 days and more eight days for the animals to adapt. The physiological parameters of cloacal temperature (CT), respiratory rate (RR) and average surface temperature (AST) were recorded weekly (7:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm); after solid and water fasting, the birds were slaughtered to assess the absolute weight of the organs. The time of day influenced (p < 0.05) the physiological parameters RR and AST, and CT showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of increasing levels of digestible threonine. The total weight of the pancreas, proventriculus and lung showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of the increase in the levels of digestible threonine. The respiratory rate is affected by the levels of threonine in the diet. The 0.687% level promoted hypertrophy of the pancreas, proventriculus and lung, promoting more significant activity of these organs.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, and ingestive behavior of sheep fed with different species of forage cacti. Fifteen sheep (17.27kg ± 1 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments and five replicates. The treatments were diets on a dry matter basis composed of 430.9 g kg-1 of thornless Mandacaru cactus (Cereus hildmannianus), 525.7 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta) and 492.1 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera) in addition to Sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) (194.7 to 233.8 g kg-1), plus concentrate feed. The intake of the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients and voluntary water intake in g day-1 was not differ (p > 0.05) by experimental diets. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in digestibility coefficients of the dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients between the experimental diets. The feeding times differed (p < 0.05) between diets, with a higher value for the Opuntia diet, while the rumination times, feeding efficiency, and rumination efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05). The cactus Cereus and Opuntia and Nopalea have similar nutritional value in sheep’s diet.

ABSTRACT. The objective was to evaluate levels of replacement of corn silage with extruded forage (Foragge®) in sheep feeding. Twenty adult Santa Inês ewes in maintenance, and 55.8 kg average weight were housed in metabolic cages, and the treatments consisted of 20, 40, 60 and 80% replacement of corn silage with Foragge® extruded forage with 60% Uruchloa brizantha in the diet. The design was completely randomized, with regression analysis and non-parametric analysis at 5% probability. The supply of up to 80% extruded roughage to replace corn silage increased dry matter intake and digestibility, and fecal output in dry matter (p < 0.05). Also, it increased the efficiency of ingestion, rumination and chewing activities of sheep, but did not alter urinary parameters and energy metabolites (p > 0.05). However, it reduced the concentration of uric acid (p < 0.05). Foragge® extruded roughage can replace corn silage by up to 80% with changes in intake, digestibility, fecal parameters, ingestive behavior and concentration of uric acid and urea, with no modifications in urinary parameters and energy metabolites.

ABSTRACT. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the quality of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) of cows and buffaloes supplemented with flaxseed oil (FO), soybean oil (SO), or their mixture (FSO). Lactating crossbred cows and buffaloes were fed with control diet or with one of three supplements: 2% FO, 2% SO, and 2% FSO according to a double 4 x 4 Latin Square Design. The diets with FO, SO, or FSO reduced saturated FA, mainly C4:0, C14:0 and C16:0, while increased the unsaturated FA C18:1 and C18:2 in milk from cows and buffaloes. Cholesterol content decreased in cow's AMF while increased in buffalo's AMF when a diet supplemented with FO, SO, or FSO. The diet with SO or FSO increased the content of vitamin E in AMF obtained from cows (25.06 and 17.89 mg 100 g-1) and buffaloes (28.48 and 30.32 mg 100 g-1) compared with the control diet (11.02 and 15.68 mg 100 g-1), respectively, which correlated positively with scavenging activity for DPPH• (r2 = 0.66) and ABTS• (r2 = 0.67) radicals. Solid fat content (SFC) was high for cow’s AMF, with 58.12-60.37% at 5°C compared to that of buffalo's AMF, with 52.37-56.98%, but was low for cow's AMF at >15°C. Finally, supplementing a diet with vegetable oils, particularly SO, improves the quality of AMF; increases USFA/SFA ratio, vitamin E content, and antioxidant activities.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to determine the effect of using different sources of nitrogen to supply part of degradable intake protein needs in lactating goat performance and its effect on excretion of microbial purine derivatives and blood metabolites. Thirty-two lactating Saanen goats (body weight 38.85 ± 2.14 kg and 1979 ± 0.25 g day-1 milk yield) were used in a one-way ANOVA completely randomized design. Goats were assigned to the following treatments for a 10-wk experimental period: 1) Control (canola meal as a nitrogen source); 2) Urea (0.5% urea); 3) Optigen (0.55% Optigen- Alltech. Inc., Lexington, KY) and 4) Polymer-Coated Urea (PCU- international patent number: A01K5/00, 0.7% PCU) based on dry mater intake. Non-protein nitrogen groups had a comparative effect (p > 0.05) between control and other treatments on milk composition, microbial protein synthesis and they affected on blood factors including urea, cholesterol, and ALT. Dry matter intake decreased (p > 0.05) in PCU, Optigen, Urea than Control goats. Synthesis of microbial protein in PCU goats was 22.5 g day-1 and it was greater (p > 0.05) than other treatments. Plasma cholesterol was increased in PCU and Optigen, whereas urea concentration was increased in Urea and Control goats. Milk production was higher in PCU than Urea and Control. Feed conversion ratio was improved (p > 0.05) in PCU and Optigen goats versus other treatments. This study demonstrated that polymer-coated urea can be utilized as a nitrogen source and improve goats milk performance.

ABSTRACT. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of protease addition to the diet of broilers at a higher level (1× or 2×) than the nutritional value proposed for the enzyme. The first experiment, 1280 day-old chicks (Cobb500®) were randomly allocated (randomized block design, 2×2+1 factorial arrangement), five treatments, eight replicates containing 32 birds/replicate. Treatments consisted: control diet without protease (CD); CD + 1× nutritional value of the enzyme (CDM1); CD + 2× nutritional value of the enzyme (CDM2); CDM1 + protease; and CDM2 + protease. The experimental period was 42 days. The mean weight (AFW), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion, and carcass yield were evaluated. Significant differences were observed for AFW, WG, FI, abdominal fat yield, and feet percentage in the carcass. In the second experiment, 120 Cobb500® chicks at 14 days of age were allotted in a completely randomized design, 2×2+1 factorial arrangement, five treatments, six replicates with four birds/replicate. The treatments were consistent with the first experiment. Significant improvements in the nitrogen balance were observed for the broilers that received protease. The use of the enzyme tested is recommended with the recommended nutritional matrix, improving the zootechnical indices of broilers.