RESUMO Os macrófagos alveolares (MAs) são uma parte essencial dos mecanismos de defesa dentro dos pulmões e sua atividade fagocítica é importante para a homeostase desse órgão. A capacidade fagocitária dos MAs obtidos do lavado broncoalveolar de 17 equinos adultos, sem raça definida (oito saudáveis e nove com diagnóstico de asma equina leve), foi estudada por meio de ensaios com promastigotas de Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Foi calculado o índice fagocítico e o índice de sobrevivência. Os resultados indicam que a atividade fagocítica de MAs em cavalos com asma é semelhante a cavalos saudáveis, enquanto a atividade leishmanicida está significativamente aumentada em cavalos com essa enfermidade.

ABSTRACT Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are an essential part of defense mechanisms within the lungs and their phagocytic activity is important for organ homeostasis. The phagocytic ability of AMs obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage from 17 mature mixed-breed pleasure horses (8 healthy and 9 diagnosed with mild equine asthma) was studied through assays with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes, which enabled the calculation of a phagocytic index (PI) and a survival index (SI). Results indicate that phagocytic activity of AMs in asthma affected horses is similar to healthy horses, while leishmanicidal activity is significantly increased in horses with asthma.

This study was carried out to examine the degradation dynamics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and the profile of volatile fatty acids that originate from the fermentation of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris, L.) with various levels of ammonia in the growth medium. The treatments consisted of six levels of ammonia in the growth medium (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg/dL), which were obtained by adding urea. These in vitro incubation times were evaluated in three replicates per time for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Rumen concentrations of acetate and propionate responded quadratically to the ammonia levels. The treatment with 15 mg/dL of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen fluid provided mean acetate and propionate contents of 57.6 mM and 23.1 mM, respectively. Urea addition elevated the degradation rate of potentially degradable fraction of NDF (pdNDF) from 2.5% to 20.1% in comparison with the treatment without urea and to a reduction in estimated discrete lag time from 0.34 to 2.31 hours. Urea supplementation increased the specific microorganism growth rate from 2.6% to 20.1%. At the end of the incubation trial, NDF degradation showed a quadratic response, with maximum value obtained at 17.76 mg/dL of ammonia in the rumen fluid. Urea improves the degradation dynamics of NDF from deferred buffel grass and increases the concentrations of acetate and propionate.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento inicial e as características fisiológicas do eucalipto submetido a diferentes manejos do capim-braquiária. O experimento foi realizado em ambiente protegido, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial (5 x 2) + 1, sendo o primeiro fator correspondente aos tipos de manejo da planta daninha (ausência de controle, controle químico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle químico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle mecânico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária e controle mecânico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária) o segundo às espécies de capim-braquiária (Urochloa brizantha e Urochloa decumbens), além de uma testemunha referente ao eucalipto em monocultivo. O crescimento do eucalipto não foi alterado pela presença das espécies de capim-braquiária até os 50 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAT). Todavia, o convívio dessas espécies com o eucalipto até os 107 DAT reduziu o diâmetro do coleto, a matéria seca total e a aérea foliar, mas não alterou as características relacionadas a fotossíntese e transpiração. O método de controle adotado com a remoção ou manutenção da parte aérea do capim-braquiária, independentemente da espécie, não alterou o crescimento inicial do eucalipto. Conclui-se que o convívio por 105 dias do eucalipto com Urochloa decumbens ou Urochloa brizantha reduz o crescimento do eucalipto. Contudo, os controles químico ou mecânico, associados ou não à retirada dos resíduos da capina do capim-braquiária, foram métodos eficientes para impedir a interferência dessas plantas daninhas.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial growth and the physiological characteristics of eucalypt submitted to different managements of signalgrass. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment, using a randomized blocks design with five repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a (5 x 2) + 1 factorial design, and the first factor corresponded to the types of weed management (no control; chemical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil; chemical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot; mechanical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil, and mechanical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot); the second factor corresponded to the two weeds species (U. brizantha and U. decumbens) and a control relative to the eucalypt in monoculture. The eucalypt growth was not affected by the presence of the Urochloa species until 50 days after treatments (DAT). However, the coexistence of these species with eucalypt for 107 DAT reduced the collar diameter, total dry matter, and the leaf area, but did not alter the characteristics related to photosynthesis and transpiration. The control method adopted, with removal or maintenance of the signalgrass shoot, regardless of species, did not change the initial eucalypt growth. It can be concluded that the coexistence of eucalypt with Urochloa decumbens or Urochloa brizantha for 105 days reduces the eucalypt growth. However, the use of chemical or mechanical control, with or without removal of signalgrass residue, were effective methods to prevent interference of these weeds.