ABSTRACT. This study was designed to examine the protective effects of nano-selenium and nano-zinc oxide on queen and workers performance under heat stress condition and gene expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as an index of heat tolerance. Sixty colonies were randomly assigned to five treatments with 12 replicates from June until early September. Sugar syrup (50%) containing no supplement or nano-selenium at levels of 50 and 100 µg L-1 or nano-zinc at levels of 100 and 200 µg L-1 was fed to colonies. Nano-selenium supplementations had no effect, but nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 significantly decreased body malondialdehyde concentration. The highest bee population was seen in nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and the lowest one in control group. The lowest and the highest body weight, fat and protein deposition was found in group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and control, respectively. The highest gene expression was for group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 In group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1, an increase in hsp70 gene expression was found. In conclusion, nano-zinc oxide at level of 100 µg L-1 could increase queen and worker performance and heat resistance of bees in the hot climate condition.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of stocking density and climate region on performance, immunity, carcass characteristics, blood plasma, and economic parameters of the Ross strain of broiler chickens. The effects of four climates (mild and humid, semi-arid, alpine, and hot and dry) and four densities (10, 15, 17, and 20 chicks/m2) were studied as a completely randomized design with 4×4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The results showed that the density had a significant effect on feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the starter period and on body weight gain in the grower and the whole periods of the experiment. Moreover, both climate and density had a significant impact on economic performance (live weight, survival rate, production index, meat production/m2, and profitability). The mild and humid climate and the density of 17 chicks/m2 had the most economic benefit compared with other treatments. The climate type had a significant effect on the relative weights of the breast, wings, neck, proventriculus, and ileum. The effects of climate and density on glucose, triglyceride, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), LDL/low-density lipoproteins (HDL), total protein and globulin were significant. In addition, the effect of climate on the antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (except for immunoglobulin G on day 28) was significant.

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of four types of diets containing different forms of selenium on the hematological blood parameters, reproduction and health of dairy cattle during the transition period. Twenty-four close-up dry cows with a mean of 259 ± 1days of pregnancy and expected 21 ± 1days prior to parturition were selected. The cows were fed four diets: 1) basal diet without selenium supplementation (C); 2) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of sodium selenite (Se-S) 3) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of selenium yeast (Se-Y); 4) basal diet plus 0.5ppm selenium in the form of selenomethionine (Se-M). Blood samples for measuring hematological blood parameters (including lymphocyte, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDWc) were taken at 21 and 10 days before delivery, delivery date, 10 and 21 days after delivery. There was no significant difference in hematological parameters before and after delivery in experimental and control groups. However, in the prepartum period, MCH tended to increase significantly in selenium methionine treatment (p<0.05). Reproductive parameters (including distance to first estrus, insemination indexes and number of open days) and health parameters (including rectum temperature and vaginal content score) have been improved by selenium organic supplements. The results of this experiment showed that feeding organic selenium supplementation in multiparous dairy cow’s diet may improve their health and reproduction.

ABSTRACT. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of nano-selenium (Nano-Se) and nano-zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) and high eggshell temperature (EST) during late incubation on blood parameters of broiler hatchlings. A total of 750 fertile eggs, were weighed and randomly distributed among 5 treatment groups on each of 5 replicate tray levels. The injection was performed on 17 d of incubation. Treatments included of: 1) Eggs not injected and incubated at normal EST (control); 2) Eggs not injected and incubated at high EST; 3) Eggs injected NaCl solution and incubated at high EST (sham); 4) Eggs injected NaCl solution containing 40 µg Nano-Se and incubated at high EST; 5) Eggs injected NaCl solution containing 500 µg Nano-ZnO and incubated at high EST. EST of 37.8ºC (normal) or 38.9ºC (high) was applied from d 19 to 21 of incubation. In ovo injection of Nano-Se and Nano-ZnO significantly increased activity of GSH-Px and SOD and total protein, but decreased the levels of corticosterone, cortisol, T4 and T3 at high EST. Injection of Nano-Se and Nano-ZnO had a significant role in alleviating the negative effects of high temperature incubation and heat stress by increased antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing close-up and fresh dairy cows’ diets with sodium selenite or organic sources of selenium (Se) on the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition. Based on their body condition score (BCS), previous lactation milk yield and expected calving date, 24 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced and randomly assigned to 4 experimental treatments. Experimental treatments were: control (basal diet without Se supplementation with 0.10 and 0.15 mg of Se kg-1 DM in close-up and fresh diets, respectively), sodium selenite supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-S), selenium yeast supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-Y) and selenomethionine supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-M). Neither Se supplementation nor Se source affected DMI pre- and postpartum. Milk production and composition were not different across Se sources, but concentrations of Se in milk were 14 and 10% greater for cows fed Se-M and Se-Y than for those fed control, respectively. Cows fed Se-M had lower somatic cell count than control (SCC; 173.11 vs. 318.89 cells × 103 Ml-1). The changes of BW and BCS pre- and postpartum were not affected by treatments over experimental period. The results of present study showed that selenomethionine supplementation compared to other sources decreased SCC in transition cows. In addition, milk Se concentrations increased in Se-Y and Se-M groups more significantly compared to the Se-S group. This indicates that organic Se had better replace inorganic Se for transition dairy cows.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing close-up and fresh dairy cows’ diets with sodium selenite or organic sources of selenium (Se) on the serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant indicators and Se status. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced by body condition score (BCS), previous lactation milk yield and expected calving date and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments. Treatments were: control (basal diet without Se supplementation), sodium selenite supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-S), selenium yeast supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-Y) and selenomethionine supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg-1 DM; Se-M). Serum Se concentrations were higher for cows in Se-Y (72.34 µg dL-1) and Se-Met (72.34 µg dL-1) than control (59.93µg/dl) and Se-S (64.79µg/dl). The Se supplementation and sources did not affect serum metabolites or indices of antioxidant pre and postpartum, except serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Cows in Se-M had greater serum total protein and albumin concentrations than those in control. The results of present study showed that serum Se concentrations increased in Se-Y and Se-M more effectively than Se-S, indicating that selenomethionine could replace Se-S as an effective organic Se source for transition dairy cows.

RESUMO. Neste experimento, 320 frangos de corte da linhagem Ross 308 com um dia de idade foram distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente randomizado com 4 tratamentos, 4 repetições, com cada repetição contendo 20 animais. Os tratamentos consistiram de controle; 0,5; 1 e 2% Thymolina® em pó na dieta dos frangos. Thymolina® é um medicamento anti-bacteriano em pó composto por 4 plantas medicinais. A diferença significativa observada entre os tratamentos em cada parâmetro da morfologia intestinal (altura e largura das vilosidades, profundidade das criptas e espessura epitelial). O número de células caliciformes não foi afetado. Os resultados indicaram que o uso de Thymolina® na dieta de frangos de corte promove melhorias nas características de carcaça. Dessa forma, esse medicamento pode melhorar as características de carcaça e morfologia do intestino delgado de frangos de corte.

ABSTRACT. In the present experiment, 320 one day old Ross 308 broiler chickens were used completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 4 replicates, and each replicate contained 20 broiler chickens. Experimental treatments include control, 0.5, 1, and 2% of Thymolina powder in chickens’ diet. Thymolina® is an anti-bacterial powder drug which is made by composing 4 medicinal plants. A significant difference observed between treatments in each parameter of the Intestinal morphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depth and epithelial thickness). Goblet cells number was not affected. Our findings indicated that using Thymolina® in the diet of broiler chickens causes improvements in carcass characteristics. Therefore, it may improve the carcass characteristics and morphology of small intestine in broiler chickens.

RESUMO Os dados editados para definir a estimativa de herdabilidade, correlações genéticas e fenotípicas de características de fertilidade continham até 23,402 registros a partir de 10,894 vacas paridas entre 2001 e 2015. As estimativas de herdabilidade para o sucesso no primeiro serviço (SF), duração da gestação (GL), número de inseminações (NI), resultado de inseminação (IO), intervalo entre partos (CI), peso ao nascer (CBW) e dias abertos (DO) foram baixas e variaram entre 0,016 (DO) e 0,123 (GL). A repetitividade das características de fertilidade foi estimada e variou entre 0,021 (SF) e 0,411 (IO). A correlação genética entre DO × CI, DO × NI e CI × NI foi positiva e quase perfeita (0,98, 0,88 e 0,88, respectivamente), enquanto que aquela entre DO × IO e CI × IO foi negativa (-0,98 e -1, respectivamente). A correlação fenotípica entre DO × CI, DO × NI, CI × NI, CBW × IO e SF × IO foi 0,99, 0,83, 0,83, 0,99 e 1, respectivamente, enquanto aquela entre DO × IO, CI × IO, GL × IO e NI × IO foi -0,99, -0,99, -0,99 e -1, respectivamente. Os parâmetros genéticos constatados implicam que será essencial uma gestão bem prática na condição de estresse por calor para melhoria da eficiência da fertilidade.

ABSTRACT The edited data set for the estimation of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of fertility traits contained up to 23,402 records from 10,894 cows calved between 2001 and 2015. Heritability estimates for success in first service (FS), gestation length (GL), number of inseminations (NI), insemination outcome (IO), calving interval (CI), calving birth weight (CBW) and days open (DO) were low and ranged between 0.016 (DO) and 0.123 (GL). Repeatability of fertility traits was estimated to vary from 0.021 (FS) to 0.411 (IO). The genetic correlations between DO × CI, DO × NI and CI × NI were positive and nearly perfect (0.98, 0.88 and 0.88, respectively), while those between DO × IO and CI × IO were negative (-0.98 and -1, respectively). Further, the phenotypic correlations between DO × CI, DO × NI, CI × NI, CBW × IO and SF × IO were 0.99, 0.83, 0.83, 0.99 and 1, respectively, while those between DO × IO, CI × IO, GL × IO and NI × IO were -0.99, -0.99, -0.99 and -1, respectively. Overall genetic parameters imply a good practical management in heat stress conditions will be essential for improving fertility efficiency.

This study investigated the effects of two source carotenoids on the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this experiment, six diets containing concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg carotenoid kg-1 of synthetic astaxanthin and β-carotene were added to a basic carp diet, while one group of fish was fed a control diet (no added carotenoids). Fiberglass tanks were used for the study, which was performed from January to April of 2013. During the breeding period, the hepatosomatic (HSI) and gonadosomatic (GSI) indices were exa- mined monthly, along with the total carotenoid levels in the ovaries and livers of female goldfish broodstock. A significant positive correlation was observed between total carotenoids in both the liver and ovary tissues and GSI after 90 and 120 days of the experiment. The HSI was not affected by the carotenoid-enriched diets. However, the carotenoid-enriched diets resulted in greater accumulation of carotenoids in the gonads. β-carotene-enriched diets (B150) led to greater accumulation of carotenoids in the liver after 90 days. Lastly, we found that diets containing higher levels of astaxanthin and β-carotene improve the GSI in goldfish broodstock.

Este estudio investiga el efecto de dos fuentes de carotenoides sobre el índice hepatosomático (HSI) y el índice gonadosomático (GSI) de la carpa dorada (Carassius auratus). En este experimento, se adicionaron seis dietas conteniendo concentraciones de 50, 100 y 150 mg carotenoide kg-1 de astaxantina sintética y β-caroteno a una dieta de carpa, mientras a otro grupo de peces se le suministró una dieta control (sin carotenoides). Se utilizaron estanques de fibra de vidrio de enero a abril 2013. Durante el periodo experimental, el HSI y el GSI se examinaron mensualmente junto con la concentración de carotenoides totales en ovario e hígado de hembras. Una correlación positiva significativa se encontró entre el total de carotenoides aportados en la dieta y el hígado, ovario y el GSI después de 90 y 120 días de experimento. El HSI no fue afectado por las dietas enriquecidas con carotenoides. Sin embargo, las dietas con carotenoides mostraron un mayor acumulación de carotenoides en las gónadas. La dieta con β-carotenos (B150) presentó una mayor acumulación de carotenoides en el hígado después de 90 días. Finalmente, se encontró que las dietas que contenían el nivel más alto de astaxantina y β-caroteno mejoraron el GSI en los reproductores de carpa dorada.

Clostridium spp. são organismos patogénicos com distribuição mundial, podendo estar presente nos seres humanos, em animais domésticos e em animais selvagens. Estas bactérias habitam geralmente o trato gastrintestinal. Os métodos bacteriológicos convencionais como a microscopia e a cultura têm limitações. O objetivo deste estudo foi de estabelecer uma metodologia específica, sensível e rápida como a ténica de PCR para a deteção de Clostridium spp. A presença de Clostridium spp. Foi pesquisada no duodeno, o jejunum, o íleo e o cecum de galinhas usando análise molecular de genes do rRNA 16S. A técnica de PCR usada neste trabalho detectou Clostridium spp. em amostras intestinais naturalmente contaminadas. Considerando o trato gastrintestinal total, 53.125, 65.625 e 59.375% das amostras foram positivas para Clostridium nas idades 4, 14 e 30d respectivamente. A análise microbiana indicou que Clostridium spp. não foi detectado consistentemente em todos os segmentos intestinais. Os dados observados alertam para possíveis implicações significativas para a saúde e o desempenho das galinhas.

The objective of this study was to establish a specific, sensitive and rapid PCR approach for the detection of Clostridium sp. at the genus level. Clostridium sp. in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum of broiler chickens were analyzed by 16S rRNA genes. The PCR detected the presence of Clostridium spp. in naturally contaminated intestinal samples. For the total gastrointestinal segments, 53.125, 65.625 and 59.375% samples were positive for naturally occurring Clostridium spp. at the ages 4, 14 and 30d, respectively. Analysis of the microbial contents indicated that Clostridium sp. was not consistently detected in all intestinal segments. These results can put in evidence the hypothesis that Clostridium spp. may be interfering in health and performance of chickens.