Thirty-six castrated male pigs were used to determine the influence of thermal environment and reduction of consumption on performance and carcass composition. Animals were housed in two climate chambers. In one, animals were in thermal comfort (TN) (22 °C), and in the other, pigs were under heat stress (HS) (34 °C). Animals were distributed in a randomized block design, making three treatments (TN, HS and animals in thermal comfort with food consumption paired with that observed in HS (PFTN)), with six replicates and two animals per experimental unit. Data were obtained on performance and carcass composition. The weight gains of HS and PFTN animals were reduced by 40.5% and 34.7%, respectively, reflecting a reduction of 13.2% in the final weight of PFTN animals. Triiodothyronine concentration was not affected by heat, but there was an increase in lymphocyte numbers in PFTN animals. The HS and PFTN animals showed lower hot carcass weight. However, there were no effects on hot carcass yield and relative weights of heart, lung and spleen. Heat stress compromised performance. The negative effects of high temperature on pigs include reduction in feed intake and changes in physiology.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a type of therapy used primarily for analgesia, but also presents changes in the cardiovascular system responses; its effects are dependent upon application parameters. Alterations to the cardiovascular system suggest that TENS may modify venous vascular response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of TENS at different frequencies (10 and 100 Hz) on venous vascular reactivity in healthy subjects. Twenty-nine healthy male volunteers were randomized into three groups: placebo (n=10), low-frequency TENS (10 Hz, n=9) and high-frequency TENS (100 Hz, n=10). TENS was applied for 30 min in the nervous plexus trajectory from the superior member (from cervical to dorsal region of the fist) at low (10 Hz/200 μs) and high frequency (100 Hz/200 μs) with its intensity adjusted below the motor threshold and intensified every 5 min, intending to avoid accommodation. Venous vascular reactivity in response to phenylephrine, acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent) and sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent) was assessed by the dorsal hand vein technique. The phenylephrine effective dose to achieve 70% vasoconstriction was reduced 53% (P<0.01) using low-frequency TENS (10 Hz), while in high-frequency stimulation (100 Hz), a 47% increased dose was needed (P<0.01). The endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and independent (sodium nitroprusside) responses were not modified by TENS, which modifies venous responsiveness, and increases the low-frequency sensitivity of α1-adrenergic receptors and shows high-frequency opposite effects. These changes represent an important vascular effect caused by TENS with implications for hemodynamics, inflammation and analgesia.

The biological flow of P was evaluated among the physiologic or the anatomical compartments of pigs fed diets with increasing phytase levels, using P-32 as tracer. The experimental design was completely randomized. Treatments consisted of phytase levels in diets (253, 759, 1265, and 1748UF/kg). The evaluated variables were: feed intake, excretion, specific activities and flow of P in the compartments (gut, blood, bone, and soft tissus). Phytase level did not interfere with fecal and urinary excretion, specific activities, incorporation and resorption of bone, and soft tissue P and in the bidirectional flow of gut and blood, but linearly affected P absorption and bone P retention. The best response was observed with the lowest phytase levels.

A pesquisa foi realizada para avaliar o fluxo biológico do fósforo entre os compartimentos, fisiológicos ou anatômicos, de suínos mantidos em dietas que continham níveis crescentes de fitase, usando o P-32 como traçador. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, sendo os tratamentos constituídos por níveis de enzima fitase, 253, 759, 1265 e 1748 UF/kg, nas dietas. As variáveis avaliadas foram: ingestão, excreção, atividades específicas e fluxo de P nos compartimentos (trato digestivo, corrente sanguínea, tecidos moles e ossos). A enzima fitase não interferiu nas excreções fecais e urinárias, nas atividades específicas, na incorporação e na reabsorção de P nos ossos e nos tecidos moles e no fluxo bidirecional do trato digestivo e na corrente sanguínea, mas afetou linearmente a absorção e a retenção nos ossos. As respostas mais evidentes dos efeitos da adição da fitase são observadas nos níveis mais baixos.

Foram utilizados 112 leitões com peso inicial de 28,68kg, distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 8×2 (oito tratamentos x dois sexos), sete repetições e dois animais por baia. As dietas foram formuladas com base no fósforo total, sendo estas à base de milho e de farelo de soja. O fósforo foi suplementado utilizando-se os fosfatos: bicálcico (FBC); monobicálcico (MBC); supertriplo (ST); supersimples (SS); rocha Catalão (ROCHA); mistura de fontes (MIST) e ácido fosfórico (AcF); e dieta-controle, sem o fósforo suplementar (CONT). Avaliou-se previamente a composição química de amostras de fontes de fósforo disponíveis no mercado. Os fosfatos MBC, FBC e AcF apresentaram baixo nível de contaminação por metais pesados. Observou-se variação no teor de metais pesados entre as marcas comerciais de supertriplo. O consumo do fosfato resultou em acúmulo de cobre nos músculos. A dieta-controle provocou acúmulo de chumbo e zinco no fígado, e a mistura de fontes e supertriplo ocasionou acúmulo de cádmio no fígado. A utilização de fontes alternativas de fósforo menos elaboradas influenciou a deposição de minerais no fígado e nos músculos dos suínos.

One hundred twelve pigs averaging weight of 28.68kg, were allotted to a completely randomized blocks with seven replicates of two animals per box. The treatments consisted in factorial 8×2 (eight phosphorus sources x two sexes). The experimental diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal and the phosphorus was supplemented through phosphate dicalcium (FBC), monodicalcium (MBC), triple superphosphate (ST), simple superphosphate (SS), Catalão rock (ROCHA), mixture of sources (MIST), and phosphoric acid (AcF) in addition to a control diet without supplemental phosphous (CONT). Samples of phosphorus sources available in the market were evaluated for particle size and chemical composition. The MBC, FBC and AcF showed a low level of heavy metal contamination, but a variation in the heavy metal composition for ST was observed. Swines fed on CONT diet showed lead and zinc accumulation in the liver. Swines fed on triple superphosphate and mixture of sources diets showed cadmium accumulation in the liver. Swine fed on ST diet showed copper accumulation in the muscles. Swine diets formulated with alternative and less elaborated sources of phosphorus caused liver and muscles deposition of minerals.

Analisou-se a atividade enzimática in vitro de uma lipase em diferentes condições de temperatura (simulando o processo de peletização) e pH (acidez gástrica) e na presença de íons minerais e metálicos. Para avaliar a estabilidade térmica, a enzima foi incubada a 80(0)C por quatro tempos (0, 5, 10 e 15 minutos). O efeito do pH foi estudado submetendo-se a enzima a quatro valores de pH (7,3, 2,0, 3,2 e 5,0). Para avaliar o efeito da lipase na presença de íons minerais e metálicos, incubou-se a enzima em diferentes soluções contendo cálcio, cobre, cobalto, manganês e ferro. Frente às diferentes condições, a lipase conservou atividade parcial, mas não pôde ser considerada uma enzima ideal em função do efeito inibidor promovido pelo pH ácido e pelas soluções iônicas testadas.

The in vitro catalytic activity of a lipase was assessed in different conditions of temperature (simulating that of pelleted ration manufacturing), pH (gastric acidity), and its stability in the presence of metallic and mineral ions. To assess the thermal stability, the enzyme was incubated for 0, 5, 10 or 15 minutes at 80ºC. The effect of pH was studied by submitting the lipase to pH values of 7.3, 2.0, 3.2 or 5.0. In order to evaluate the catalytic activity in the presence of metallic and mineral ions, the enzyme was incubated in solutions containing calcium, copper, cobalt, manganese and iron. In the above mentioned conditions, the lipase partially preserved its activity, but, could not be considered an ideal enzyme due to its inhibition by the acidic pH and the ionic solutions tested.