Organic acids have stood out as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, especially those extracted from plants, such as anacardic acid, which is present in cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). This study evaluates the effects of CNSL as a source of anacardic acid in diets of laying hens on performance, egg quality, lipid stability of yolk and microbiological analysis of excreta. A total of 216 commercial Hisex White laying hens were housed in cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replicates of six birds per treatment. Treatments consisted of a diet without antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); diet with AGP (Halquinol 60% at 0.1 g/kg and Enramycin 8% at 0.1 g/kg); and four diets without AGP and with the inclusion of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g/kg CNSL. No effects of dietary addition of AGP and CNSL were observed in bird performance and external quality of eggs. A quadratic effect was observed for lipid oxidation in egg yolk, the minimum value of which was found at 5.8 g/kg CNSL. There were no significant effects of treatments on total mesophilic, total coliform and thermotolerant coliform counts on excreta. In conclusion, adding up to 10.0 g/kg of CNSL as source of anacardic acid in laying hen diet did not influence performance or egg quality, but the addition from 7.5 g/kg of CNSL upwards reduced lipid oxidation and improved the yolk colour.

Particles are usually polydispersed and size is an important feature for lipid-based drug delivery systems in order to optimize cell-particle interactions as to pharmacologic action and toxicity. Lipid nanoparticles (LDE) with composition similar to that of low-density lipoprotein carrying paclitaxel were shown to markedly reduce atherosclerosis lesions induced in rabbits by cholesterol feeding. The aim of this study was to test whether two LDE fractions, one with small (20–60 nm) and the other with large (60–100 nm) particles, had different actions on the atherosclerotic lesions. The two LDE-paclitaxel fractions, prepared by microfluidization, were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation and injected (4 mg/body weight, intravenously once a week) into two groups of rabbits previously fed cholesterol for 4 weeks. A group of cholesterol-fed animals injected with saline solution was used as control to assess lesion reduction with treatment. After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized for analysis. After treatment, both the small and large nanoparticle preparations of LDE-paclitaxel had equally strong anti-atherosclerosis action. Both reduced lesion extension in the aorta by roughly 50%, decreased the intima width by 75% and the macrophage presence in the intima by 50%. The two preparations also showed similar toxicity profile. In conclusion, within the 20–100 nm range, size is apparently not an important feature regarding the LDE nanoparticle system and perhaps other solid lipid-based systems.

Foram conduzidos dois ensaios para avaliar a utilização do farelo do farelo integral de arroz parboilizado (FIAP) em rações para leitões na fase de creche. No primeiro, foram utilizados 14 suínos machos castrados para a avaliação nutricional do ingrediente em ensaio de digestibilidade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com dois tratamentos e sete repetições por tratamento. O FIAP apresenta 17,15% de PB, elevado teor em fibras (33,75% de FDN e 15,91% de FDA) e teor reduzido de energia metabolizável, próximo a 2320kcal/kg. No segundo experimento, foram utilizados 60 leitões machos castrados, com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho zootécnico, a ocorrência de diarreia e a viabilidade econômica do farelo de arroz parboilizado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0, 4, 8, 12 e 16% de inclusão) e seis repetições. Não houve diferença significativa entre o tratamento controle e os tratamentos teste (P>0,05), assim como para a análise de regressão, em que os crescentes níveis de inclusão do ingrediente não resultaram em piora no desempenho (P>0,05). O FIAP pode ser incluído até o nível de 16% em rações para leitões na fase de creche.

Two assays were conducted to evaluate the parboiled rice bran in piglet's diets in the nursery phase. In the first, 14 male castrated piglets were allotted to determine the nutritional value of parboiled rice bran in a digestibility assay. A completely randomized design, with 2 treatments and 7 replicates per treatment were used. The parboiled rice bran presents 17.15% of CP and high fiber content (33.75% of NDF and 15.91% of ADF) and low metabolizable energy (2320kcal/kg). In the second assay, 60 male castrated piglets were used to evaluate the effect of inclusion on productive performance, diarrhea incidence and economic viability of parboiled rice bran. A randomized block design was used, with 5 treatments (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%) and 6 replicates. There was no difference between treatments and control treatment as well as in regression analysis, and the increasing levels of parboiled rice bran did not reduce the performance of animals. In conclusion, parboiled rice bran can be included up to 16% in diets for piglets in the nursery phase.

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o melhor nível de proteína bruta na alimentação de codornas japonesas em fase de produção. Foram utilizadas 300 codornas com 16 semanas de idade, alojadas em gaiolas, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e dez aves por unidade experimental. Os níveis avaliados foram 14, 17, 20, 23 e 26% de proteína bruta, e as dietas foram formuladas para serem isoenergéticas. Foi verificado efeito quadrático para consumo de ração, peso de ovo, massa de ovo, ingestão de energia, eficiência energética por dúzia de ovo, coeficiente de digestibilidade de nitrogênio, retenção de nitrogênio, peso de gema, casca e albúmen. Efeito linear foi verificado para produção de ovos, ingestão de proteína, conversão alimentar por massa de ovos, eficiência energética por massa de ovo em kg, peso final e gravidade específica. Não houve efeito significativo para conversão alimentar por dúzia e concentração sérica de ácido úrico. Recomenda-se nível de 20% de proteína bruta para codornas japonesas em fase de postura.

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of crude protein in the diet of Japanese quails in the production phase. A total of 300 quails at 16 weeks of age in cages, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of ten birds per experimental unit was used. The levels evaluated were 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26% crude protein and diets were formulated to be isoenergetic. A quadratic effect was observed for feed intake, egg weight, egg mass, energy intake, energy efficiency per dozen eggs, nitrogen digestibility, shell percentage, nitrogen retention, weight of yolk, albumen and shell. A linear effect was observed for egg production, protein intake, feed conversion by egg mass, energy efficiency per egg mass in kg, final weight and yolk percentage and specific gravity. There was no significant effect on feed conversion per dozen, percentage of albumen, shell thickness and serum uric acid. The recommendation is of a 20% crude protein level for Japanese quail during the laying phase.

Avaliou-se o uso de dietas com diferentes porcentagens de torta de mamona não destoxificada (TM) na indução da muda forçada, sendo utilizadas 120 poedeiras Lohman LSL de 81 semanas, distribuídas ao acaso em quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições de seis aves. Um dos tratamentos consistiu na indução da muda pelo método do jejum por 11 dias, e os demais no uso de dietas de muda, compostas pela mistura de dieta de postura e TM nas quantidades de 20, 30 e 40%, por até 21 dias ou até quando as aves atingissem 23% de perda do peso. Diferenças significativas foram observadas nos eritrócitos, no hematócrito, na concentração média de hemoglobina globular, na proteína total do plasma, nos leucócitos e na alanina aminotransferase, medidos durante a indução da muda, bem como no desempenho das aves após a muda, no que diz respeito ao consumo de ração, à porcentagem de postura, ao peso do ovo, à massa do ovo e à conversão alimentar. A qualidade dos ovos não variou estatisticamente entre os métodos avaliados. A utilização da dieta de muda forçada contendo 40% de TM promoveu resultados semelhantes aos obtidos com o método do jejum, tanto para consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, peso do ovo, massa do ovo, e conversão alimentar, como inerentes à qualidade dos ovos, quanto para densidade específica, unidade Haugh, porcentagens de gema, casca e albúmen. No entanto, menores alterações nos valores de eritrócitos, hematócrito e alanina aminotransferase foram observadas nesse método supracitado. O uso da dieta de muda contendo 40% de TM mostrou-se uma alternativa viável ao uso do método do jejum.

We evaluated diets with different percentages of non-detoxified castor bean (TM) in the induction of molt, with 120 Lohman LSL hens at 81 weeks of age being used, randomly allotted to four treatments with five replicates of six birds each. One of the treatments consisted in the induction of changes by the method of fasting for 11 days, and the others used diet switches, composed by mixing posture and TM diet in the amounts of 20, 30 and 40% for up to 21 days or until when the birds reach 23% weight loss. Significant differences were observed in erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin, total protein in plasma, leukocytes and alanine aminotransferase measured during induction of changes, and the performance of birds after moulting, such as feed intake, percentage of laying, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion. The quality of the eggs did not vary significantly among the methods evaluated. The use of forced molting diet containing 40% of TM promoted results similar to those obtained with the method of fasting, both feed intake and the percentage of egg, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion, as inherent quality of eggs, as the specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk percentage, albumen and shell. However, minor changes in the values of erythrocytes, hematocrit and alanine aminotransferase were observed in the method above. The use of diets containing 40% change TM proved to be a viable alternative to the use of the fasting method.

The effects of including leucena leaf (FFL) or cunhã (FC) hay into diet on performance and egg quality of 100 Hisex Brown (64 weeks old) laying hens were compared. Birds were distributed into a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates of 4 birds each. The treatments were designed in a factorial 2 x 2 + 1, which evaluated the factors energy source (corn or sorghum) and type of hay (leucena or cunhã) and an a control diet based on corn and soybean meal without inclusion of hay. The trial lasted 63 days (three periods of 21 days), during which the birds received feed and water ad libitum. Treatments did significantly affect, neither production, weight, mass, component proportion and Haugh units of eggs, nor feed conversion. However, laying hens fed ration without hay (control diet) had the lowest consumption. The inclusion of FFL, in the diet containing corn or sorghum, resulted in higher yolk pigmentation than inclusion of FC. The inclusion of FFL or FC, independent of the grain utilized as an energy source, results in a similar performance, but FFL increased yolk pigmentation capacity.

Objetivou-se comparar o efeito da inclusão de fenos de folha de leucena (FFL) e de cunhã (FC) na ração, sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras. Cem poedeiras Hisex Brown (64 semanas de idade) foram distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 5 tratamentos e 5 repetições de 4 aves. Por 63 dias (3 períodos de 21 dias), durante os quais as aves receberam ração e água à vontade, foram avaliados os fatores fonte de energia (milho ou sorgo) e o tipo de feno (leucena ou cunhã) e uma ração controle à base de milho e farelo de soja sem inclusão de feno em um fatorial 2 x 2 + 1. A postura, o peso dos ovos, a massa de ovo, a conversão alimentar, a proporção dos componentes do ovo e as unidades Haugh não sofreram influências dos tratamentos. As poedeiras alimentadas com ração controle, apresentaram o menor consumo. A inclusão de FFL, na ração contendo milho ou sorgo, resultou em maior pigmentação das gemas em relação à inclusão de FC. Independente do cereal utilizado como fonte de energia na formulação da ração de postura, a inclusão de FFL ou de FC resulta em desempenho semelhante, porém, o FFL apresenta maior capacidade de pigmentação das gemas.

Avaliaram-se diferentes níveis de cloro da ração sobre os parâmetros sanguíneos e o desenvolvimento ósseo de codornas destinadas à produção de carne. Foram utilizadas 384 codornas italianas de um a 49 dias de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e oito repetições de oito aves. Os tratamentos consistiram de rações isonutrientes, exceto para o nível de cloro, que foram: 0,07; 0,12; 0,17; 0,22; 0,27 e 0,32%. Aos 49 dias, foram selecionadas duas aves por parcela para as coletas do sangue e das tíbias. Foram avaliados o pH e as concentrações de Na, Cl e K no sangue, bem como o comprimento, o diâmetro, o peso, o teor de matéria seca e cinzas, o índice de Seedor e a resistência à quebra e deformidade da tíbia. Os níveis de cloro da ração não influenciaram significativamente o pH, as concentrações de Na, Cl, K no sangue, assim como o comprimento, o diâmetro, o peso, o índice de Seedor, o teor de matéria seca e cinzas e a resistência à quebra e deformidade da tíbia. Conforme os resultados, o nível de cloro pode variar de 0,07 até 0,32%, sem alterar o pH e as concentrações de Na, Cl e K no sangue e sem prejuízos na qualidade óssea.

We evaluated different levels of chlorine in the feed on the blood parameters and bone development of quail for meat production. 384 Italian quails were used at 1-49 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and eight replicates of eight birds. The treatments consisted of isonutrient diets, except for the level of chlorine, which were 0.07, 0.12, 0.17, 0.22, 0.27 and 0.32%. After 49 days, two birds were selected per plot for the collection of blood and tibia. The pH and the concentration of Na, K and Cl in the blood and the length, diameter, weight, dry matter and ash, Seedor index, breaking strength and deformity of the tibia were evaluated. The chlorine levels in the diet did not significantly influence the pH, the concentrations of Na, Cl, K blood, length, diameter, weight, Seedor index, dry matter and ash, crack resistance and deformity of the tibia. As the results, the level of chloride can range from 0.07 to 0.32%, without changing the pH and the concentrations of Na, K and Cl in the blood and without a loss in bone quality.

Biocompatibilidade é a capacidade de um material exercer funções específicas quando aplicado em contato com tecidos vivos de determinado hospedeiro, sem, contudo, causar danos ou prejuízo ao mesmo. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a biocompatibilidade in vivo e in vitro do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L - Vitaceae. Foram utilizados 30 ratos (Rattus novergicus albinus wistar), com idade entre 45 e 90 dias e pesando entre 170 e 260 g. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos (A1, A2 e A3) de 6 animais cada para o teste in vivo, os quais foram sacrificados com 2, 4 e 6 dias, respectivamente. Para o teste in vitro, foram utilizados 12 animais para obtenção do índice de aderência e da capacidade fagocítica dos macrófagos de ratos do grupo controle e do grupo experimental. Nos resultados encontrados no teste in vivo, conclui-se que o extrato apresentou-se biocompatível, visto que não provocou alterações significativas no tecido. Já no teste in vitro, o mesmo não se apresentou biocompatível, pois o extrato puro apresentou índice de aderência baixo (7,1) e taxa de fagocitose elevada (35,7), indicando diferença significante quando comparado ao controle. Porém, quando diluído, o extrato se mostrou inócuo, devido ao aumento dos valores do índice de aderência nas concentrações de 1/10 (61,4) e 1/100 (74,3) nos ensaios, as quais não apresentaram diferença significante quando comparadas ao controle. Após a análise dos dados, concluiu-se que a solução diluída do extrato hidroalcoólico do Cissus sicyoides L. não causa danos ou prejuízos. Entretanto, como nem todos os efeitos farmacológicos foram testados no presente trabalho, não se pode inferir automaticamente que ele é biocompatível em todos os casos.

Biocompatibility is the ability of a material to perform specifictasks when applied to living tissues without causing damage or injuries to it. Thus, this study aimed at determining the in vivo and in vitro biocompatibility of Cissus sicyoides L. - Vitaceae hydroalcoholic extracts. A total of 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus Albinus Wistar), with ages ranging from 45 to 90 days and weighing between 170 and 260g were used. The animals were divided into 3 groups (A1, A2 and A3) with 6 animals each, for the in vivo test, which were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 days, respectively. For in vitro test, 12 animals were used to obtain the index of adherence and phagocytic ability of macrophages of rats from the control and the experimental groups. In results found for the in vivo test, it was concluded that the extract was biocompatible, whereas no significant changes were observed in the tissue. As to the in vitro test, the extract was not biocompatible, since the pure extract showed a low rate of adherence (7.1) and a high rate of phagocytosis (35.7), indicating a significant difference when compared to the control group. However, when diluted, the extract was shown to be harmless, due to an increase in the values of the adherence index at the following concentrations : 1/10 (61.4) and 1/100 (74.3) in the tests, which showed no significant differences when compared to the control group. After analyzing the data, it was concluded that since the infusion of the plant is a kind of dilution, its use does not cause any harm to the body. A new study is necessary at the moment to possibily demonstrate its effects on the long term.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors are overexpressed in most neoplastic cell lines and provide a mechanism for the internalization and concentration of drug-laden nanoemulsions that bind to these receptors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of standard chemotherapeutic schemes can alter the expression of LDL and LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) receptors in breast carcinoma. Fragments of tumoral and normal breast tissue from 16 consecutive volunteer women with breast cancer in stage II or III were obtained from biopsies before the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after chemotherapy, from fragments excised during mastectomy. Tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for both receptors. Because complete response to treatment was achieved in 4 patients, only the tumors from 12 were analyzed. Before chemotherapy, there was overexpression of LDL receptor in the tumoral tissue compared to normal breast tissue in 8 of these patients. LRP-1 receptor overexpression was observed in tumors of 4 patients. After chemotherapy, expression of both receptors decreased in the tumors of 6 patients, increased in 4 and was unchanged in 2. Nonetheless, even when chemotherapy reduced receptors expression, the expression was still above normal. The fact that chemotherapy does not impair LDL receptors expression supports the use of drug carrier systems that target neoplastic cells by the LDL receptor endocytic pathway in patients on conventional chemotherapy.

Sixty castrated male and female piglets (commercial lineage), weaned at 21 days of age and average live weight of 5.4 ± 1.44 kg, were used aiming to evaluate the effect on productive performance, diarrhea, and economic viability of adding different levels of rice bran (RB) in rations for pigs. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15,0 and 20.0% of RB) and 6 replicates per treatment, where the experimental unit (plot) consisted of two animals. Results showed that daily mean feed intake (DMFI), daily mean weight gain (DMWG) and feed conversion (FC), as well as the occurrence of diarrhea, did not differ significantly (p>0.05) for the different levels of RB inclusion in the ration. The economic analysis showed no significant difference among treatments. It is concluded that adding rice bran up to 20% in pig ratios for the period from 21 to 42 days of age is technically viable.

Foram utilizados 60 leitões fêmeas e machos castrados, de linhagem comercial, desmamados com média de 21 dias de idade e com peso vivo médio de 5,4 ± 1,44 kg, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de farelo de arroz integral (FAI) em rações para leitões na fase de creche, sobre o desempenho zootécnico, ocorrência de diarréia, bem como a viabilidade econômica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos (0,0; 5,0; 10,0; 15,0 e 20,0% de FAI) e seis repetições por tratamento, sendo a unidade experimental (parcela) constituída por dois animais. Os resultados mostraram que o consumo de ração médio diário (CRMD), ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD) e conversão alimentar (CA), bem como a ocorrência de diarréia não diferiram significativamente (p>0,05) para os diferentes níveis de inclusão de FAI. A análise econômica mostrou que não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se que o fornecimento de farelo de arroz integral foi viável até o nível de 20% de inclusão nas dietas de leitões no período de 21 a 42 dias de idade.

Fungi populations were evaluated in large intestine from sheep raised in the North of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The samples were from 39 Santa Inês crossbred ewes and 30 lambs raised on Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), both supplemented with mineral mixtures. The clinical specimens were directly collected from rectal ampoule with sterile swabs. The development of fungal mycelium was observed in all lamb samples and positive cultures were observed in 34 ewe specimens (87.2%). After microculture of 40 colonies from lambs, 34 isolates of the genus Aspergillus, three of Paecilomyces spp., one Acremonium sp., and one Trichoderma sp. were identified. Out of the 39 isolates from ewes, 15 Paecilomyces spp., 11 Aspergillus spp., 11 Malbranchea spp., and one Onychocola sp. were identified. The results showed the predominance of the genus Aspergillus in the lambs, while the genus Paecilomyces, Malbranchea, and Aspergillus were predominant, in ewes.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do fornecimento de água filtrada na dessedentação de aves, foram utilizadas cem poedeiras comerciais brancas com 30 semanas de idade alojadas em gaiolas equipadas com bebedouros tipo nipple, divididos em três ciclos de 21 dias cada. O delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado foi constituído por dois tratamentos com fornecimento de água não filtrada e água filtrada e dez repetições de cinco aves por parcela. Foram coletados dados para avaliação do desempenho tais como: porcentagem de postura, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar e para análise bacteriológica: coliformes fecal e total. Para avaliar a qualidade de ovos foram feitas as seguintes análises: gravidade específica, peso médio dos ovos, massa de ovos e porcentagem de casca. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à analise de variância e teste F a 5% de significância. As aves que receberam água filtrada apresentaram maior percentagem de postura, maior número de ovos por ave alojada, maior massa de ovo e melhor conversão alimentar. A qualidade dos ovos não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos, no entanto, as análises realizadas constataram que a purificação da água pelo sistema de filtração melhorou a qualidade bacteriológica da água utilizada na dessedentação das aves.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate filtered water for the intake of laying hens. One hundred commercial laying hens with 30 weeks of age were housed in cages with nipple drinkers for 63 days divided in 3 cycles of 21 days each. This study was analyzed as a completely randomized design with 2 treatments: unfiltered water supply and filtered water supply and 10 replicates of 5 hens per pen. Data were taken on the performance percentage of egg production, feed intake and feed gain ratio (kg/kg and kg/dozen), bacteriological analyses of fecal and total coliform in the water, egg quality specific gravity, egg weight, egg mass and eggshell percentage. These data were submitted to analyses of variance and F Test at 5% of significance. The hens fed filtered water showed higher egg percentage, greater number of eggs per hen, higher egg mass and better feed-gain ratio The egg quality was not influenced by the treatments. The analyses showed that the water supplied by the purification system improved the bacteriological quality of the water used to feed the hens.

It was evaluated the carbohydrate and protein fractions of cashew, passion fruit, melon, Bixa orellana, pineapple and acerola by-products; it was estimated and valided the energy value of the feeds from the NRC (2001). The carbohydrate and protein fractions and TDN values changed substantially between by-products. It was concluded that the analysis of the carbohydrate and protein fractions of by-products must be laboratory routine. The observed and predict TDN values of the feeds by NRC (2001) equations were similar, being appropriate for estimating the energy value of the feeds.

Foram objetivos do presente estudo avaliar as frações de carboidratos e proteínas dos resíduos da agroindústria do caju, maracujá, melão, urucum, abacaxi e acerola; estimar e validar o valor energético dos alimentos obtido a partir das equações do NRC (2001). As frações de carboidratos e de proteínas, bem como os valores de NDT observados variaram consideravelmente entre os subprodutos. Concluiu-se que a análise das frações que constituem os carboidratos e os compostos nitrogenados dos subprodutos deve ser rotina laboratorial. Os valores de NDT dos alimentos observados e preditos pelas equações do NRC (2001) foram similares, sendo adequadas para estimar o valor energético dos alimentos.

The aim of this study was to compare testosterone concentration, body weight, scrotal circumference and age to penis detachment from days 30 to 240 in young Boer goat males (n = 22) born during the dry (n = 11) and the rainy (n = 11) seasons. In the dry season the parameters varied as follows: body weight from 3.7 ± 1.1 to 34.0 ± 4.7 kg, scrotal circumference from 7.9 ± 0.8 to 25.7 ± 2 cm, and testosterone concentration from 259.4 ± 172.4 to 4613.4 ± 2892 pc/mL. In the rainy season parameters varied as follows: body weight from 9.7 ± 2.3 to 28.1 ± 6.9 kg, scrotal circumference from 9.5 ± 1.5 to 22.0 ± 3.0 cm and testosterone from 521.9 ± 311.3 to 3417.9 ± 2021.8 pc/mL. At three months of age, 70% of animals born during the rainy season presented with penis detachment, compared to 67.6% of animals born during the dry season at five months of age. Penis detachment occurred in all males at four and seven months for animals born in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. There was a positive correlation between testosterone concentration and body weight in the dry (r = 0.30) and rainy (r = 0.43) seasons, between testosterone and scrotal circumference in the dry (r = 0.42) and rainy (r = 0.52) seasons, and between body weight and scrotal circumference in the dry (r = 0.93) and rainy (r = 0.88) seasons. The animals born during the rainy season showed earlier development in all the evaluated parameters than animals born during the dry season. It was found that scrotal circumference is directly correlated to body weight and testosterone concentration.