Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de farinha de minhoca (EW) (Eisenia fetida) dietética, associada ao vermi-húmus (VH), sobre o desempenho, as características dos ovos, a imunidade e os constituintes do sangue de codornas poedeiras. Um total de 336 codornas fêmeas (42,5±1,5 g), com 30 dias de idade, foi distribuído em 7 tratamentos e 4 repetições de 12 aves, por 42 dias. Foram avaliados os seguintes tratamentos: dieta controle sem a inclusão de VH e EW; dieta com inclusão somente de 0,8% VH; e dieta com 0,8% VH suplementada com diferentes níveis de EW (0,5, 1,0, 1,5, 2,0 e 2,5%). Foram obtidos maiores peso vivo, ganho de peso e consumo de ração com 1,5% de EW; maior produção de ovos com 0,5–1,0% de EW; e maior massa de ovos com 0,5% de EW. A inclusão de 2,5% EW reduziu o peso e a espessura da casca do ovo. Níveis de 1,0–2,0% de EW diminuíram o malonaldeído nos ovos, enquanto o de 2,0% de EW reduziu o conteúdo de colesterol. Foram obtidos maiores volume de células sanguíneas e título de anticorpos com 1,0% de EW, enquanto maiores proteína total, globulina e cálcio foram obtidos com 0,5% de EW. Níveis de 1,0–1,5% + 0,8% de VH melhoram a produção e as características dos ovos, bem como a resposta humoral das codornas, cujo desempenho não é afetado.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary earthworm (Eisenia fetida) meal (EW), associated with vermi-humus (VH), on the performance, egg characteristics, immunity, and blood constituents of laying quails. A total of 336 female quails (42.5±1.5 g), with 30 days of age, was distributed in 7 treatments and 4 replicates of 12 birds during 42 days. The following treatments were evaluated: control diet without the inclusion of VH and EW; diet with the inclusion of only 0.8% VH; and diets with 0.8% VH supplemented with different EW levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5%). A greater body weight, weight gain, and feed intake were obtained with 1.5% EW; a higher egg productivity, with 0.5–1.0% EW; and a higher egg mass, with 0.5% EW. The inclusion of 2.5% EW reduced eggshell weight and thickness. Levels of 1.0–2.0% EW decreased malondialdehyde in the eggs, whereas 2.0% EW reduced cholesterol content. Higher blood cell volume and antibody titer were obtained with 1.0% EW, whereas higher total protein, globulin, and calcium were obtained with 0.5% EW. Levels of 1.0–1.5% EW + 0.8% VH improve egg production and characteristics, as well as the humoral response of quails, whose performance is not affected.

Com este estudo objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do fotoperíodo sobre a composição centesimal de filés de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos (0L:24E; 6L:18E; 12L:12E; 18L:6E; 24L:0E) e quatro repetições. Foram utilizados 160 alevinos de tilápia, distribuídos em 20 aquários (20L) em sistema de recirculação, temperatura controlada em 27 ºC e densidade de oito peixes por aquário. Os peixes foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia, com ração comercial extrusada contendo 40% de proteína bruta. Ao final de 75 dias, amostras do filé foram coletadas e armazenadas em freezer (-80 ºC) para posteriores análises da composição bromatológica. Não houve efeito dos diferentes fotoperíodos sobre a umidade e cinzas do filé (P>0,05). Por outro lado, os peixes sob fotoperíodo de 18L:6E apresentaram maior quantidade de proteína e retenção desta no filé, assim como menor quantidade de gordura e retenção de lipídeo (P<0,05). Portanto, pode-se concluir que o fotoperíodo pode alterar a composição corporal de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo, sendo que e o fotoperíodo de 18L:6E contribui para o aumento da concentração de proteína bruta e uma menor deposição de gordura no filé.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the photoperiod on the fillet composition of Nile tilapia juveniles. We employed a completely randomized design with five treatments (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D, 18L:6D, 24L:0D) and four replications. We used 160 Nile tilapia juveniles, distributed in 20 tanks containing 20 liters of water, in a recirculation systems, at controlled temperature of 27 ºC and density of eight fish per tank. Fish were fed twice a day with commercial extruded feed containing 40% crude protein. Samples of the fillet at the end of 75 days were collected and stored in a freezer at -80 ºC for subsequent analysis of chemical composition. There was no effect of photoperiod on moisture and ash content of the fillet (P>0.05). The period 18L:6D showed higher amounts of protein in the fillet, as well as lower amounts of fat (P<0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the photoperiod can alter Nile tilapia body composition, and the photoperiod 18L:6D contributed to the higher concentration of crude protein and lower fat deposition in Nile tilapia fillets.

The probiotic influence on the immune system, especially under pathogenic challenge conditions, still remains controversial. To address this, a systematic review of current studies concerning the efficacy of probiotics on the immune response of rats subjected to experimental challenges was conducted. The survey was conducted using PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Scielo databases. Only studies which tested probiotics in vivo in rats were included. The experimental design, methodological quality, and results of the articles were analyzed. In total 21 articles were selected for this study. The most commonly used microorganisms in the experiments were those of the genus Lactobacillus, which was reported in 12 articles. The second most often used genus was Bifidobacterium (B. animalis and B.longum). In general, the probiotics use against experimental pathogenic challenges was successful: 86% of the selected articles reported a beneficial effect on the immune response associated with the use of probiotics.