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The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of the autolyzed yeast (AY) Saccharomyces cerevisiae with or without an immunomodulator (1,3/1,6 β-glucans) as a total/partial substitute for blood plasma (BP) in the diet of post-weaning piglets; zootechnical performance, intestinal health and microbiota, immune responses and energy metabolism were assessed. A total of 240 castrated male and female piglets, with a mean age of 22 days and mean initial weight of 5.24 ± 0.82 kg, were randomly divided into blocks of four treatments with 12 replicates. The dietary inclusions were blood plasma (BP), autolyzed yeast (AY), autolyzed yeast + immunomodulator (AYI) and 50% BP and 50% AY (BPAY). In pre-initial phase II (29–35 days), piglets fed AY showed better feed conversion (FCR = 1.358) than the piglets in the BP (1.484), AYI (1.379) and BPAY (1.442) groups, i.e., 8.49% (0.126), 1.52% (0.021) and 4.50% (0.084), respectively (p = 0.0293). In the total period (21–42 days), better FCR was observed in the AYI (1.458) group, i.e., 4.64% (0.071), 1.15% (0.017) and 4.58% (0.070), than in the BP (1.529), AY (1.475) and BPAY (1.528) groups, respectively (p = 0.0150). In piglets fed AY (n = 3) and BPAY (n = 2), there was a reduction in the number of medications, i.e., 82.35% (−14n) and 88.23% (−15n), respectively (p = 0.0001), compared with that in the BP group (n = 17). In the AY group (73.83 mg/dL), AYI group (69.92 mg/dL), and BPAY group (69.58 mg/dL), piglets exhibited increases in triglyceride levels of 79.32%, 69.83%, and 69.00%, respectively, in comparison to those in the BP group, which had triglyceride levels of 41.17 mg/dL (p = 0.0400). The beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration in the AY group (79.96 ng/μL) was lower by 31.95%, 22.64%, and 5.89% compared to the BP group (117.50 ng/μL), AYI group (103.36 ng/μL), and BPAY group (84.67 ng/μL), respectively (p = 0.0072). In the AYI group, there was modulation of the microbiota, with an increase in the relative abundance of bacteria of the genera Lactobacillus, Collinsella and Bulleidia. AY, associated or not associated with an immunomodulator, is a potential substitute for BP in diets for piglets in the nursery phase, with positive effects on immune, metabolic, and intestinal microbial performance.

The effects of supplementing the diet of sows with βG-(1,3) derived from Euglena gracilis algae were assessed regarding quality and amount of colostrum as well as performance of piglets. A total of 120 sows (first (nulliparous) to sixth parity (multiparous)) from D85 of gestation until weaning were divided into two groups: the control diet group (n = 60) and the βG-(1,3) diet group (n = 60). Sows receiving βG-(1,3) exhibited an average increase of 870 g (24.9%) in colostrum production, leading to a 25.17% higher intake of colostrum by piglets. Furthermore, piglets in the βG-(1,3) group showed significantly superior weight gain of 34 g (50%) compared to the control group 18 h after birth (p < 0.05). Sows fed with βG-(1,3) produced colostrum with significantly higher concentrations of IgG (5.914 mg/mL, 16.16%) and IgM (0.378 mg/mL, 16.29%) than the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, serum concentrations of IgG (13.86 mg/mL, 51.25%), IgA (17.16 mg/mL, 120.19%), and IgM (13.23 mg/mL, 144.78%) were significantly higher in sows fed with βG-(1,3) than in the control group (p < 0.05). Supplementing sows with βG-(1,3) derived from the Euglena gracilis algae resulted in increased colostrum production and consumption, along with greater weight gain in piglets during the first 18 h after birth. Additionally, both the colostrum produced by the sows and the blood serum of the piglets exhibited higher concentrations of immunoglobulins.

This study evaluated the effect of a natural source of vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] and capsaicin (CAP) in the dietary supplementation of sows in the final phase (85–114 days) of gestation (Gest) and lactation (Lact) on the reproductive performance of the sows and health of piglets through two experiments (Exp I and II). In Exp I, 120 sows were subjected to four treatments: T1—control (without [1,25-(OH)2D3] and supplemental CAP); T2—3.5 µg 1,25-(OH)2D3/Gest/day and 7.0 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3/Lact/day; T3—7.0 µg CAP/Gest/day and 14.0 µg CAP/Lact/day; T4—1.75 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 + 3.5 µg CAP/Gest/day and 3.5 µg 1,25-(OH)2D3 + 7.0 µg CAP/Lact/day. In Exp II, 200 sows were randomly blocked, factorial 2 × 2 (without or with Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 and without or with CAP): T1—control (without Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 and CAP); T2—3.5 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3/Gest/day and 7.0 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3/Lact/day; T3—7.0 µg CAP/Gest/day and 14.0 µg CAP/Lact/day; T4—3.5 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 + 7 µg CAP/Gest/day; and 7.0 µg Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 + 14.0 µg CAP/Lact/day. The duration of delivery (3:48 vs. 4:57 h) and the percentage of stillbirths (5.37% vs. 7.61%) were improved (p < 0.05) in the group that received Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 (Exp II) compared to the control group. Moreover, the dystocia rate decreased (p < 0.05) in Exp II, which received Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 (4.21 vs. 27.63%), and in Exp I, which received the combination of Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 + CAP (12 vs. 40%) compared to the respective control groups. Colostrum production was greater (p < 0.05) in sows that received Vit 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation compared to the control group, consequently resulting in higher colostrum intake (p < 0.05) of the piglets (330 vs. 258 g/piglet). The additives reduced the incidence of diarrhea (p < 0.05) in piglets (Exp I and II). Thus, the use of additives improved the reproductive performance of sows and contributed to litter growth.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of nursery-phase piglets (22 to 64 days of age) fed a diet supplemented with organic acids and prebiotics or a diet supplemented with colistin. One hundred fifty weaned piglets 22 days old and with an initial weight of 5.56 kg were allotted to pens based on BW in a completely randomized block design to one of three treatment diets: T1, negative control; T2, colistin (10 mg/kg); and T3, mannan oligosaccharides + beta-glucans + ammonium formate, formic acid, ammonium propionate and acetic acid (1 kg/ton). The daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion, diarrhea score, cecal Lactobacillus, E. coli and fecal coliform content, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were evaluated. The performance results considering the whole nursery phase showed a better (P < 0.05) feed conversion for T3 (1.593) and T2 (1.602) compared with T1 (1.679). The diarrhea score of T2 was lower than that of T1 (P < 0.05) and similar to that of T3 (P ≥ 0.05). The piglets that received T3 presented a greater concentration of proinflammatory cytokines at 36 days of age than T1, similar to T2 (p < 0.05), with the exception of TNFa, where T3 was superior to all groups, whereas at 57 days of age the piglets that received T2 presented a greater concentration of inflammatory cytokines. The piglets fed diets supplemented with a combination of mannan oligosaccharides, beta-glucans and acidifiers, representing an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics, performed similarly to those fed colistin-supplemented diets.

El objetivo fue evaluar las características fermentativas, químicas y la estabilidad aeróbica de los ensilados de grano de maíz rehidratados con suero fluido (SF) o suero en polvo (SP) y agua, con o sin la adición de inoculante (I). El grano de maíz se molió e hidrató añadiendo agua sin cloro y/o suero para alcanzar el 35 % de humedad y se almacenó en silos de 4.36 kg. Tras 45 días de fermentación, se sometieron muestras de los ensilados a análisis químico-fermentativos en apertura de silos y 240 h de exposición al aire. Se considera que la estabilidad aeróbica de los ensilados evaluada durante 240 h se perdió cuando la temperatura de la masa ensilada sobrepasó la temperatura ambiente en 2 °C. Se observó una reducción en el contenido de fibra detergente ácida (FDA) y lignina de los ensilados con el uso de SF y SP. Los niveles de nitrógeno de amoniaco (NH3-N) fueron los más bajos para el SF y el SP (0.7 y 0.9 g/kg TN) y el pH fue de 4.31 para el SF tras 240 h de exposición aeróbica. El uso de inoculantes proporcionó mayores niveles de cenizas, extracto de éter (EE) y baja capacidad de amortiguación (BC), además de reducciones en los niveles de FDA. Los ensilados inoculados mostraron niveles más altos de NH3-N y de pH después de 240 h. El ensilado de granos de maíz rehidratados con SF proporcionó valores de pH ideales, un bajo contenido de NH3-N, niveles reducidos de FDA y lignina, y una mejor estabilidad aeróbica. Además de ser una alternativa sostenible, el uso de suero fluido para rehidratar los granos de maíz añade valor nutricional y mejora la fermentación del ensilado.

A produção animal intensiva exige estratégias sanitárias que aliem efetividade e economicidade. A cadeia suinícola exibe produtividade elevada com demandas crescentes no aspecto de saúde animal. A limitação de promotores de crescimento na produção animal gerou a necessidade de substitutos a esses produtos. Os ácidos orgânicos e dos fitogênicos têm sido utilizados com este enfoque, sendo pouco explorados ou pouco conhecidos os vários outros benefícios que desenvolvem. O objetivo desta revisão é permitir que sejam conhecidos de forma plena as características pouco tratadas dos ácidos orgânicos e os fitogênicos, potenciais substitutos dos promotores de crescimento.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em um rebanho comercial, o uso de alcalóides isoquinolínicos e do carvacrol frente a um programa preventivo com antibióticos, como aditivos alimentares, sobre o desempenho zootécnico, características de carcaça e o status de saúde de suínos em fase de recria e terminação. Foram utilizados 576 suínos PIC, machos imunocastrados e fêmeas, com 70 dias de idade e 28.429 ± 2.302 kg de peso médio inicial. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, modelo fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro programas preventivos e dois sexos e 6 repetições por tratamento (baia com 12 animais do mesmo sexo representou a unidade experimental). Os tratamentos foram: T1 - Controle Positivo (programa com choque antibiótico em nível preventivo), T2 - Controle Negativo (ausência de aditivos promotores de crescimento ou preventivos), T3 - Alcalóides isoquinolínicos (100 a 150 g ton-1), T4 - Alcalóides isoquinolínicos (90 g ton-1) + Óleo essencial - carvacrol (1 kg ton-1). T1 e T3 apresentaram maior consumo diário de ração, seguidos de T2, sendo que T4 apresentou o pior consumo (P < 0,05). O ganho de peso diário foi maior para T1 em relação a T4 (P < 0,05), não sendo verificada diferença entre T1 versus T2 e T3. T2 apresentou melhor conversão alimentar que T1 e T3, não diferindo de T4. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos para as características da carcaça. A hiperplasia e o abscesso das criptas intestinais (lesões causadas pela Lawsonia Intracellularis) foram significativamente superiores para T2 e T3 comparado com T1, que foi semelhante a T4. T2 apresentou maiores condenações de carcaça ao abate (7%), diferindo (P < 0,05) de T1, T3 e T4, respectivamente, 1, 2 e 3%. Os alcaloides isoquinolínicos são uma alternativa para dietas isentas de antibióticos para suínos em fase de crescimento e terminação, preservando o desempenho e os índices de carcaça e minimizando as condenações sanitárias de carcaças no frigorífico.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils plus dry herbs (PHYTO) and encapsulated sodium butyrate (BUT) supplementation compared with enramycin (ENR), as a growth promoter, on the performance, diarrhoea control and intestinal microbiota in lightly weaned piglets. Two hundred weaned piglets, 20 days old, 4.69 ± 0.56 kg, were submitted during the nursery phase (20 to 69 days of age) to four treatments: control (CTR)-without any additive supplementation; ENR (with 8 ppm of enramycin throughout), BUT (with 2000 ppm between 20 to 34 d, 1500 ppm between 34 to 48 d and 1000 ppm between 48 to 69 d), and PHYTO (150 ppm between 20 to 48 d). At 62 days old, forty piglets (10 replicates per treatment) were slaughtered to perform bacterial identification through 16S rRNA (V3-V4) sequencing of the caecal content. During the second phase of the trial (34 to 48 days), the BUT group showed higher DWG (P = 0.023) and BW (P = 0.039) than the CTR group, and all groups that received additives had better FCR than the CTR group (P = 0.001). In the last phase of the trial (48 to 69 days), the ENR group presented a better FCR (P = 0.054) than the CRT and other groups. In the total period (20 to 69 days), ENR and BUT showed better FCR (P = 0.006) than CRT. Diarrhoea incident data showed differences (P

The effects of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (Citrobacter braakii) on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs was evaluated. A total of 120 barrows weighing 25.16 ± 2.80 kg and 68 days old were submitted to five treatments: positive control diet (PC) containing inorganic phosphorus (P) and limestone (Ca); negative control (NC) with reductions in P (by 0.13%) and Ca (by 0.11%); and three NC diets supplemented with 1500 (NC15), 3000 (NC30) and 4500 (NC45) units of phytase (FYT)/kg. The daily weight gain (DWG) in growth phase I (68–91 days) was higher in the PC, NC15 and NC30, compared to the NC (1.06, 1.06, 1.06 vs. 0.95, respectively). The DWG in finishing phase II (141–156 days) was higher in the NC15 (1.20 kg) and NC30 (1.14 kg) than in the NC45 (0.94 kg). The final weights (LW156) in the NC15 (122.95 kg LW) were higher than NC (116.47 kg LW) and NC45 (114.43 kg LW). Over the entire period, a quadratic effect (2012 FYT) was observed for the DWG. The increasing levels of phytase in corn and soybean meal-based diets improved the DWG and carcass traits; however, the addition of more than 3000 FYT/kg of feed should be carefully studied to determine enzyme viability.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of DL-Methionine (DL-Met) or OH-Methionine (OH-Met) when supplemented beyond the usually accepted requirements in sulfur amino acids (SAA) on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. Two hundred mixed sex pigs were distributed in a randomized block (body weight and sex), under a 2 × 2 factorial design with two methionine sources, DL-methionine, or OH-Methionine and two methionine doses (100% SAA or 120% of the SAA level present in the control). Diets were formulated to meet amino acids recommendations of the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine (2017), except for SAA, which varied with the methionine doses. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion were evaluated. Moreover, the carcasses were measured electronically for fat thickness (FT), longissimus dorsi muscle depth (LD), and lean meat (%). During the growing phase II (92 till 122 days of age), daily feed intake (p < 0.001) and daily weight gain (p < 0.05) increased with the high SAA levels. High SAA levels also provided greater daily weight gain during the entire period of the trial (0.90 versus 0.86 kg; p < 0.05) No significant interaction was observed between the methionine source and the SAA level for any carcass traits. However, animals that received OH-Met had greater (p < 0.05) loin depth (58.37 versus 55.21 mm) and those that received higher doses of methionine presented heavier (p < 0.05) carcass weight (78.16 versus 74.70 kg), and more (p < 0.05) lean meat weight (43.69 versus 41.90 kg). Taken together, these results demonstrated that supplementation of high sulfur amino acids levels under hot conditions provided heavier carcasses and more lean meat.

To compose the experiment, 160 male Topgen pigs - 80 surgically castrated (treatment 1) and 80 immunocastrated (treatment 2) - were randomly selected from a commercial swine farm at the moment of slaughter. Surgical castration was performed when the animals were seven days of age and immunocastration was performed by administering two doses (2 mL each) of immunocastration vaccine (analogue of GnRF linked to a carrier protein, development of anti-GnRF antibodies, 200 mg of a GnRF-protein conjugate/mL) when they were 104 and 132 days of age. Animals from both treatments were maintained in masonry stalls, where they received water and ad libitum diet (the same feed for both groups). The animals were slaughtered at 160 days of age, and the length and width of the testicles of immunocastrated animals were evaluated, along with the degree and number of carcass lesions, carcass traits and meat quality of both treatments. The means of these measurements were calculated and compared by Student´s t-test. For the immunocastrated treatment, Pearson´s correlation coefficients were also calculated for testicle length and width with backfat thickness. Approximately 80% of the immunocastrated animals had testicle widths of 11 cm or less. Immunocastrated animals showed higher degrees of lesions, pH (initial and 8 hours), hue, muscle depth and loin eye area and lower brightness, redness, chroma and backfat thickness than the surgically castrated animals. The correlation between testicle length and width with backfat thickness was inverse. Immunocastration can be an alternative to improve the proportion of lean meat (longissimus thoracis) instead of fat (backfat thickness) leading to better carcass and meat quality, since fat has become undesirable from a nutritional point of view in swine.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the knowledge and perception of Brazilian pig producers in terms of environmental enrichment (EE) for pigs, the materials used, and the forms of presentation, identifying the single conditions that can improve their application on pig farms. A questionnaire was applied to 1340 farms – representing 7.4% of the farms and 12% of the sows in the country. The questions included descriptions of farms and respondents, their knowledge, judgments and level of interest in the use of EE, and frequency of use of the materials. Enrichment was used in 89.1% of farms, but half of the respondents admitted to using it without knowing what was involved. The producers presented an optimistic view (92.3%) about the application of this tool and were interested in receiving more knowledge and guidance on the subject (97.8%). The materials were used mainly to avoid fights (46.3%) and to prevent tail biting (23.3%); on the other hand, the increase in production costs (39.6%) and lack of knowledge about the subject (31.3%) were the main reasons for not using enrichment; concerns about increased management on farms were sporadic (7.1%). Metal chains were the main artifacts used, followed by plastic containers and pieces of wood; the same breeding farm used up to five types of materials. The fact that the respondents stated that they knew what EE was and that they had a good perspective on its use were significant conditions for the use of some kind of enrichment on the farms. Younger farm owners were more likely to use enrichment materials than more experienced ones. The results suggested that Brazilian pig producers use EE even with limited knowledge about the subject and that there is an argument to improve the use of this animal welfare strategy.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate two feed additives, one based on encapsulated sodium butyrate (Adimix® Precision) (AD) and the other, a phytogenic (Apex® 5) (AX), associated or not with an antimicrobial growth promoter (tylosin) during the growth and finishing phases on performance, carcass characteristics and health conditions. A total of 300 barrows and females were distributed in six treatments in a randomized block design with ten replicates. The treatments consisted of a negative control (NC), positive control (PC) (tylosin), AD (encapsulated sodium butyrate), AX (phytogenic), PC+AD (tylosin+encapsulated sodium butyrate), and PC+AX (tylosin+phytogenic). The performance (live weight, daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion) and carcass data (carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin depth, lean meat on the carcass) were submitted to ANOVA plus Tukey’s test, and the health conditions (occurrence of diseases, culling, and spontaneous deaths) were analyzed by χ2. Animals of the AD group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) over the evaluation period and the highest live weight at 120, 140, and 164 days of age, in addition to the highest carcass weight compared to NC and PC groups. The AX treatment increased the ADG in growth phase II and the live weight at 120 and 140 days of age in relation to the NC. The PC+AX group had a higher final live weight compared to the NC and PC groups and higher carcass weight in relation to the NC group. There was no difference among treatments for backfat thickness, percentage of lean meat in the carcass, or occurrence of diseases and deaths. The inclusion of encapsulated sodium butyrate (AD treatment) was effective in increasing ADG, final live weight, and carcass weight compared to supplementation with tylosin (PC treatment), as was the inclusion of a phytogenic (AX treatment) on FC compared to the PC.

Com este estudo objetivou-se identificar o grau de adoção de diferentes fatores de produção em granjas comerciais de reprodução de suínos no Brasil. Foram coletadas informações de 150 granjas, totalizando 135.168 matrizes, incluindo informações gerais, mão de obra, genética, biosseguridade, instalações, manejo, alimentação e rendimentos produtivos referentes ao ano 2015. As granjas estavam localizadas nas regiões Sul (42%), Sudeste (45,3%) e Centro-Oeste (12,7%) do Brasil. Os rebanhos variaram entre 100 e 6.360 matrizes produtivas, com média de 901. Seu perfil predominante era de produção independente, com mão de obra contratada, e média de 88 matrizes por funcionário. Predominaram instalações com mais de 15 anos e sem reforma na última década, localizadas a menos de 5 km de outras unidades. A reposição de animais era realizada principalmente por compra e sem adoção de período de quarentena. Predominaram granjas que alojavam matrizes em celas no período pré-gestação e em baias ou celas/baias durante a gestação. Tanto pisos sólidos como ripados eram utilizados nessas fases, predominantemente de concreto; na maternidade predominou o uso de pisos ripados, seja de concreto, metal ou plástico. Comedouros tipo calha, que também operam como bebedouros, eram os mais utilizados na pré-gestação e gestação; na maternidade comedouros com água incorporada eram bastante difundidos. Dois terços das granjas não possuía sistema de refrigeração na maternidade. Para os leitões, prevaleceu o sistema de aquecimento acima do animal (lâmpadas e campânulas) em detrimento a pisos aquecidos. Mais de 60% das granjas fabricava sua própria ração e fornecia alimento uma única vez ao dia para matrizes gestantes. Apenas 29,9% das granjas utilizava ecógrafo para diagnóstico de gestação. O manejo de acompanhamento dos partos era rotina, contudo, um terço das granjas não observava partos durante a noite. O desmame em bandas era praticado por 15,44% das granjas. Mais da metade das granjas relatou não fazer qualquer intervenção na colostragem de leitões nascidos fracos ou pequenos, porém, 95,33% praticava a transferência de leitões entre leitegadas considerando seu tamanho e quantidade de nascidos vivos. Manejos de aparagem de dentes, caudectomia e castração cirúrgica eram rotina. Os índices zootécnicos dos rebanhos avaliados condizem com o que é percebido por levantamentos nacionais.

Realizou-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar o quitooligossacarídeo (QOS) frente a dois antibióticos utilizados como promotores de crescimento, a colistina e lincomicina, quanto ao desempenho, frequência de diarreia, características viscerais, morfometria e imunoglobulinas séricas, IgA, IgG e IgM. Foram utilizados 96 leitões de genética Pen Ar Lan®, desmamados com idade média de 17 dias e peso de 5,33 ± 0,369 kg para avaliação de desempenho e imunoglobulinas séricas. Para a avaliação histológica e peso dos órgãos, foram utilizados 24 animais com idade de 35 dias e peso de 6,86 ± 0,64 kg. Os três tratamentos consistiram em uma dieta basal acrescida de QOS (100 mg Kg -1), dieta basal com colistina 40 mg Kg -1 e dieta basal com lincomicina 4,4 mg Kg -1. Para o desempenho, os antibióticos apresentaram melhor ganho diário de peso (GPD) dos 49 aos 63 dias de idade em relação ao QOS e a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor para a colistina em comparação com os demais tratamentos, além disso apresentou menor incidência de diarreia aquosa quando comparada com os outros tratamentos. Para as vísceras, observou-se aumento do peso relativo do baço, maior comprimento do intestino delgado e menor pH duodenal para os leitões que receberam QOS em relação aos antibióticos. A morfometria indicou maior altura de vilosidades e melhor relação vilos/cripta para a colistina em relação ao QOS e menor escore lesional em relação aos demais tratamentos. A concentração sérica de imunoglobulinas apontou uma maior concentração de IgA para o QOS aos 35 dias. Frente aos resultados observados, embora o QOS tenha promovido estímulos sobre o sistema imune do animal, este não foi eficiente para substituir a colistina como promotor de crescimento para leitões desmamados com 17 dias de idade.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dose-response effect of a chitooligosaccharide (COS) produced by Universidade Estadual de Londrina over performance, diarrhea episodes, visceral characteristics and morphometry. A total of 72 Pen Ar Lan® piglets were weaned at 23 days and 7.51 ± 1.35 kg of BW. The treatment was a basic diet plus inclusion of 0, 50, 100, or 150 ppm of COS (100 mg/kg). For the visceral and morphometric evaluation, 24 animals were slaughtered at 31 days of age with 11.01 ± 1.25 kg of BW. No regression effect over the performance or diarrhea prevalence was observed. Higher doses of COS led to higher absolute values for large intestine weight, villus height in the jejunum and crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum; the villus/crypt ratio in the ileum was higher until the level of 100 ppm COS. More lesions were observed in the intestinal epithelium along with a higher total number of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the duodenum. High numbers of eosinophils were observed in the ileum when a higher level of COS was used. In general, increasing levels of COS led to better intestinal morphometry and activated somatic cells in the lamina propria of the piglet intestine; however, no influence was observed in the productive performance of these animals. Considering all studied parameters, the COS level of 100 ppm was the most promising under these experimental conditions.

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify, through mathematical models, the production factors of grow-finishing (GF) phases that influence the daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in pigs. Sixty-five GF farms were evaluated between 2010 and 2013, linked to a cooperative system located in the western Parana State, Brazil, representing 463 batches, with a mean of 642.79 ± 363.29 animals per batch, equalling approximately 300,000 animals. Forty production factors were considered that related to management, sanitation, installations and equipment, nutrition, genetics and environment on the farms. The DFI was influenced by the barn's position relative to the sun (P = 0.048), initial body weight (P < 0.0001) and final body weight (P < 0.0001). It was observed that the FCR was influenced by the barn’s position relative to the sun (P = 0.0001), the use of humidifiers/misting (P = 0.03), the presence of composters (P = 0.006), trees on the sides of barns (P < 0.045), the initial body weight of the pigs (P < 0.0001) and duration of the grow-finishing phase (P < 0.0001). The variables selected in the models explained approximately 44 and 20% of the total variance in the DFI and FCR, respectively, demonstrating that this resource is a good tool for interpreting the factors related to the parameters evaluated.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e quantificar, por meio de modelos de regressão linear múltipla, os fatores de produção que afetam o consumo diário de ração e a conversão alimentar de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação, em granjas integradas a uma cooperativa. Foram avaliados os históricos produtivos de 690 lotes, que representavam aproximadamente 363 mil animais alojados entre 2010 e 2013 em 118 granjas vinculadas a uma cooperativa do Estado do Paraná. Foram considerados 44 fatores de produção relacionados a instalações, manejo, sanidade, genética e alimentação. O consumo diário de ração (CDR) foi menor nos lotes oriundos de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões e naqueles formados apenas por fêmeas. Já a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor para os lotes provenientes de granjas com árvores nas laterais dos galpões, alojados no verão/outono, oriundos de granjas edificadas em alvenaria e que apresentavam composteira e unidades especializadas produtoras de leitões. Os pesos de entrada e de saída dos lotes influenciaram o CDR, e o peso de entrada e a duração do período de engorda, a CA. Os modelos de regressão linear múltipla possibilitam identificar variáveis de importância e estimar seus efeitos sobre a conversão alimentar e o consumo diário de ração de suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação.

This study aimed to assess the combined effect of L-carnitine, chromium propionate, and organic selenium in the diet of pigs at the finishing stage in commercial farms on performance parameters. The sample included 5,456 female and castrated male DB pigs with mean age of 159 days and mean initial weight of 103.33 ± 4.11 kg. The pigs were split into two treatments in a completely randomized design: the control group, free of growth-promoting dietary additives, and the test group, supplemented with Profitilina® (50 mg L-carnitine, 0.2 mg chromium propionate, and 0.3 mg organic selenium kg-1 of feed) for 30 days prior to slaughter. The outcomes assessed were daily weight gain (DWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion (FC), and final body weight (FBW). An improved performance according to all parameters (P < 0.001) was seen for the test group (2.58 versus 2.64 g day-1 for DFI; 0.76 versus 0.87g day-1 for DWG; 3.42 versus 3.06 for FC; and 125.7 versus 127.7 kg for FBW). Providing a combined dietary supplementation with L-carnitine, chromium propionate, and organic selenium to finishing pigs was effective at improving weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, and final weight.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (RONOZYME HiPhos) on performance and carcass characteristics of growing and finishing pigs. The study included 120 castrated males with initial weight of 23.21 ± 1.91 kg and 68 days of age, distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments and eight replicates with three animals each. The pigs were fed five corn-soybean meal-based diets: positive control (PC), supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and calcium; negative control (NC), with 0.13% reduction in available phosphorus and 0.11% in calcium; and three NC diets supplemented with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 phytase units (FYT)/kg in the feed. Compared with the NC diets without phytase, diets with 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 FYT/kg inclusion increased the daily weight gain by +12% (quadratic, p

This study aimed to determine the effects of housing conditions and glutamine (GLN) levels on growth performance and incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets. Forty-eight piglets were randomly assigned (4x2 factorial design) to one of the eight experimental diets represented by four levels of dietary GLN (0.0, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 %) and two housing conditions (AD = adequate and INAD = inadequate). From 22 to 28 days of age all animals were challenged daily with Escherichia coli polysaccharides. No effect of GLN level was found on daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (ADFI) or body weight at 28 days postweaning (BW28). For housing conditions, ADG at 21 days after weaning was greater for animals of treatment AD than INAD, and AD had lower body weight variation than INAD pigs at 21 days after weaning. Considering the whole period, AD had a higher ADG, ADFI and BW28 than INAD. However, an interaction effect was observed for feed:gain rate, in which values decreased linearly (Y = 2.1727 - 0.4017x; R2=0.92) just for AD pigs as GLN levels increased. No GLN level effects were observed for diarrhea incidence; however, AD had a higher number of animals without diarrhea and with lower incidence of severe diarrhea than INAD pigs. In conclusion, supplementing GLN doesn’t affect ADG, ADFI or BW28 but it improves feed efficiency when housing conditions are adequate.

This study aimed to evaluate the viability of using four lipid products (refined soybean oil, RO; degummed soybean oil, DO; pig lard, PL; and recycled frying oil, FO) as ingredients for pig feed during the finishing phase. The products were previously evaluated for the presence of insoluble impurities, peroxide levels, and total acidity as well as dioxin group, polychlorinated biphenyl, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants. Eighty 110 day-old pigs, including 40 castrated males and 40 females, with a mean initial weight of 59.01 ± 5.09 kg, were subjected to four treatments (feed containing RO, DO, PL, and FO) for 32 days to evaluate the effect on growth performance, carcass and meat traits and adipocyte diameter. The results for the products did not reveal any degradation or presence of contaminants within the use restriction levels. There were no differences regarding performance, carcass and meat traits, and adipocyte diameter among the treatments. The animals fed FO feed exhibited a poorer loin area and marbling (P < 0.07). The tested lipid raw materials are viable for use as ingredients in feed.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of commercial blends of organic and inorganic acids combined with essential oils for piglets in the nursery phase. The formulations were administered as microcapsules or as acid salts. Ninety-six, Pen Ar Lan, barrow and female piglets, weaned at a body weight of 600 kg ± 12 kg and age of 23 days were subjected to four treatments. The animals were distributed in randomized blocks of three animals per pen and 8 replicates per treatment. The treatments consisted of four different diets: control (free of organic acids); acid and essential oil blends (fumaric acid 10,5%, malic acid 8.0%, essential oils; in microencapsulated form); microencapsulated acid blend (phosphoric acid 10%, citric acid 10%, malic acid 10%, fumaric acid 20%; in microencapsulated form); and acid salt blend (formic acid 40.5%, phosphoric acid 13.6%, propionic acid 4.9% and salts (23.2% calcium and 4.4% phosphorus available). The performance parameters, digestive transit time, weights of organs of the digestive tract, bacterial count of feces (Lactobacillus, E coli and Salmonella ssp and Clostridium), pH of the stomach and duodenal content did not differ between treatment groups (P > 005). All treatments containing organic acids exhibited positive effects on diarrhea control (P < 005). The cecal contents of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were higher in piglets fed diets containing acids than in animals that received the control diet (P < 005), and blends containing essential oils improved the jejunum villus height compared with the control group. The use of diets containing acids improved diarrhea control and VFA production in the cecum, and specifically the diets containing microencapsulated acid blends required the lowest doses to be effective.

Pigs have certain needs that, when unfulfilled, can affect their behavior and their productive efficiency thus promoting welfare problems. Exploration and the search for food are inherent behaviors in pigs at all stages of production, and nest preparation is an exclusive antepartum need for females. In intensive rearing units, providing environmental enrichment materials is a way to meet these needs that allows the animals to fully express their behavior and avoid problems such as tail biting, stereotypes and, specifically in the case of breeding arrays, the onset of labor due to stress, which can result in impaired births and piglets. Straw is known as an enrichment material that best meets these demands, and it is an important requirement of animal welfare legislation in several countries. This study was developed to highlight the importance of meeting the biological needs of pigs through the provision of environmental enrichment materials and to demonstrate the positive results that these materials have on pig welfare. The challenges to the viability of the regular use of these resources in industrial pig farming are also addressed.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of azaperone administered to sows at the end of farrowing over the health and zootechnical parameters of progenies in the maternity and nursery phases. The experiment was conducted with 120 females, with 1st, 3rd and 5th parities, and 1,564 born alive piglets. The females of the group treated with azaperone (TG n = 60) and control group (CG, n = 60) received a deep intramuscular injection, immediately after the placenta elimination, of 8 mL azaperone (320 mg) and 8 mL of sterile saline solution, respectively. During the maternity phase (? 21 days old) the percentage of piglets with diarrhea of CG (2.58%) was significantly different (P ? 0.01) compared to the GT (0.75%). At the maternity phase there were no significant differences between the treatments to the mortality rate, total and piglets weight with

Animal welfare is an issue of growing concern worldwide. Since the 1960s, Europe has led the discussions on this subject, developing the supporting science and the necessary standards. Currently, European welfare standards on pig farms set the global standards and may represent a potential marketing barrier for commercial pork production. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of pork and has intensified efforts to adapt to the new standards. The objective of this paper is to assess the feasibility of applying European welfare standards to Brazilian industrial pig farming. The complexity of the required changes and the potential advantages to Brazil are discussed, and it is concluded that Brazil has the resources to meet the majority of the requirements

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a inclusão de ractopamina e sua associação com as vitaminas antioxidantes C e E em dietas de suínos em terminação durante 28 dias antes do abate sobre o desempenho, as características de carcaça e a qualidade da carne. Quarenta e oito suínos da linhagem Agroceres PIC (24 machos castrados e 24 fêmeas) foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3x2, com três dietas: controle; controle + 10ppm de ractopamina; controle + complexo (0,05%) de ractopamina com vitaminas antioxidantes (10ppm de ractopamina + 200mg de vitamina E + 100mg de vitamina C kg-1 de ração) e dois gêneros (machos castrados e fêmeas). Foram avaliados o consumo de ração, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar dos animais. Os suínos foram abatidos com peso médio de 100,81±7,81kg. Após o abate, as características de carcaça foram avaliadas e foram coletadas amostras do músculo Longissimus dorsi para a análise da qualidade da carne. Verificou-se diferença (P

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito dose-resposta do Quitooligossacarídeo (QOS) produzido pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina sobre o desempenho de leitões em creche e morfohistometria e peso de órgãos de leitões aos 31 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 72 leitões de genética Pen Ar Lan®, desmamados com idade média inicial de 23 dias e peso de 7,51 ± 1,35 kg. Os tratamentos consistiram em uma dieta base com os níveis de inclusão de 0, 50, 100 e 150 ppm de QOS. Para a avaliação visceral e morfohistométrica, 24 animais foram abatidos aos 31 dias de idade e peso de 11,01 ± 1,25 kg. Não houve efeito de regressão sobre o desempenho ou incidência de diarreia. O aumento da dose utilizada de QOS levou a um aumento nos valores referentes ao peso relativo do intestino grosso, à altura de vilosidades de jejuno e à profundidade de cripta no jejuno e íleo, enquanto que, a relação vilos/cripta deste último segmento foi crescente apenas até o uso de 100 ppm de QOS. Observou-se aumento de lesões no epitélio intestinal e contagem de linfócitos e eosinófilos no duodeno e eosinófilos também no íleo com o aumento da dose do QOS até 150 ppm. De maneira geral, os níveis crescentes de QOS melhoraram a morfofisiologia intestinal e ativaram a células somáticas na lâmina própria do intestino dos leitões, entretanto, não houve influência sobre o desempenho produtivo dos animais. Frente a todos os parâmetros estudados, o nível de 100 ppm de QOS mostrou-se o mais promissor para as condições propostas por este experimento.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of low or high stress during pre-slaughter handling of pigs on their carcass and meat quality. Forty-four animals of a commercial lineage, with an average weight of 107.23±5.23 kg, were used. At lairage the animals were randomly divided into two groups, the least and the most stressed. At slaughter, during bleeding, blood samples were collected for later cortisol and lactate tests. Forty-five minutes after slaughter the initial pH of th carcasses was measured and samples of the semitendinosus muscle were collected for R-value calculation. After 24 hours of cooling, the final pH was measured, damage scores were assessed and samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected to evaluate drip loss, liquid loss from defrosting and cooking, shear force, lipid oxidation, and color. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey´s test. It was found that cortisol, lactate and R-value were lower and initial pH was higher for the least stressed animals, whereas the other parameters were not significantly affected. Thus, low stress in the pre-slaughter handling of pigs is effective in reducing stress and carcass damage, but has no effect on meat quality.

The objective was to evaluate the dietary supplementation of different sources of chromium (inorganic: chromium sulfate and chelated: chromium-methionine) during the finishing period of pigs to obtain improvements in the animal performance, and carcass and meat quality. The statistical design was randomized blocks, where 44 barrows, with an initial weight 60.49±5.12 kg, were divided into four blocks (heavier, heavy, light and lighter) according to initial weight. The experimental diets were isoenergetic and isonutrient, except for the chromium level. The treatments were divided as follows: control (without chromium), control + 200 ppb of inorganic chromium (chromium sulfate), and control + 200 ppb of chelated chromium (chromium-methionine). In the performance measures, the stall was considered the experimental unit and in the blood parameters, carcass and meat evaluations each animal constituted the experimental unit. Animals were slaughtered when they reached the final average weight of 107.23±5.23 kg. Blood samples were collected and tested for blood parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose) as well as carcass quality (hot and cold weights, yield, loin-eye area, muscle depth and backfat thickness) and meat quality (initial and final pH, drip loss, color, chemical composition and lipid oxidation) parameters. Chromium-methionine supplementation provides a greater daily weight gain only compared with the animals that are not supplemented with chromium, because feed conversion is better as compared with the other treatments. After 24 hours of storage, the meat from pigs supplemented either with chromium-methionine or with chromium sulfate presents lower lipid oxidation than that from non-supplemented animals. However, after three days of storage, only chromim-methionine is effective in reducing lipid oxidation.

This paper describes two experiments testing the effects of rations containing different sunflower meal (SFM) levels on laying hens’ performance and egg quality. In the first experiment a total of 240 animals were divided in groups (n = 6) of 10 hens each, balanced by age and live weight and at random allocated to four isocaloric rations with 0, 7, 14 and 21% of SFM. There was no effect (P> 0.05) of SFM levels on hens’ live weight, feed intake, feed conversion, metatarsus length, triglycerides and plasma cholesterol levels. In the second experiment a total of 192 animals were divided in groups (n = 6) of 8 hens each, balanced by age and live weight and at random allocated to four isocaloric rations with 0, 7, 14 and 21% of SFM. There was no effect (P>0.05) of SFM levels on eggs’ production, specific gravity, percentage of shell and yolk color index. However, eggs of hens fed on 21% of SFM showed reduced (P

This study aimed to evaluate the internal quality of eggs subjected to three different types of coatings: no coating (control); 3% gelatin and mineral oil. We used 180 white eggs, with an average weight of 62 g, from laying hens strain Shaver White. Those eggs were stored at a temperature of 25 ° C in a BOD during 35 days and were analyzed every seven days. We evaluated yolk, albumen, shell and weight loss percentage, Haugh units, specific gravity, yolk index, albumen and yolk pH and egg shell color. The results showed that storage time affects the quality of the eggs and the treatment coating the egg with mineral oil were provided the better internal quality of eggs, while the gelatin coating showed intermediate quality and without coating treatment, a poorer quality internal eggs, thus showing necessary to use some kind of coating to increase the shelf life of eggs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of growth promoters in growing and finishing pigs on performance and carcass characteristics, intestinal histological profile, organs weight of the digestive tract, and the consequences of these treatments on the effluent through the process of biodigestion. We used 80 pigs with an average initial weight of 40.00 ± 1.90 kg, submitted to four treatments, during 61 days, until to reach 100.00 ± 4.50 kg of livewight, corresponding to diets with the following additives: Control (diet without growth promoters); Symbiotic; Colistin (10ppm) and Tylosin (40ppm). Difference was observed to the daily feed intake during the growing phase with a greater consumption for the treatment Tylosin regarding treatment Colistin. There was no difference for carcass traits, for the weight of the organs and to the parameters evaluated in the process of digestion of manure (pH, total solids, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand). Regarding the intestinal morphology, animals treated with Tylosin had higher crypt depth (P ? 0.05) in the duodenum compared to animals fed with Control and Symbiotic diets, as well as larger crypt depth in the jejunum (P ? 0.05). There were differences in the rate villi / crypt with the Control treatment showing higher value compared to other treatments. For the ileum, there was a difference to crypt depth treatment of the animals compared to Control and Tylosin treatments. Despite observed differences in the characteristics of intestinal morphology, there was no advantage in the use of additives for the parameters of zootechnical interest. The effects on the fermentation process did not indicate any advantages for the additives evaluated.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the use of defatted corn germ meal (DCGM) with an enzymatic complex (EC) in feed for pigs in growing and finishing phases on the performance, digestibility, carcass, meat quality and economic efficiency characteristics. A total of 50 pigs (Agroceres PIC), 25 castrated male and 25 female, with initial average weight of 41.14 ± 2.95 kg, were used The animals were submitted to 5 treatments: T1- control feed (corn + soya meal), T2- ration with corn + soybean meal + 20% DCGM (isonutrient and isoenergetic compared to T1), T3- ration with corn + soybean meal + 20% DCGM and CE (isonutrient and isoenergetic compared to T1), T4 - ration with corn + soybean meal + 20% DCGM without EC (formulated equal T3, without considering the nutritional matrix of CE, with lower nutritional and energetic levels than T1), T5-ration with corn + soybean meal + 20% DCGM and EC (formulated equal T2, with EC added in on top form, presenting higher nutritional and energetic levels than T1). The experimental design was in random blocks, with 5 treatments and 5 repetitions per treatment, being each pen with two animals of different genders considered an experimental unit. Significant difference was verified for average weight gain when was considered the entire experimental period, with advantages for T5 and worst results for T4. For feed conversion, the worst result was verified in T4 (P

The concepts of animal welfare have received a wide discussion by international scientific community during the last decades. The most accepted definition consider the animal welfare like a multidimensional theme, where are involved the emotion, the biological activity and the natural behavior. However, considering the clearness of this concepts, another challenge is presented, where is questioned how we can evaluate the animal welfare in commercial systems. Thus, the Welfare Quality® project gave the understanding about the welfare subjects and how we can to evaluate its in commercial farms and slaughterhouses. Then the main of this article is present the principal concepts and practical means to evaluate the animal welfare in swine, according the Welfare Quality® protocols, with the identifications of the positive and critical aspects involved.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of laying hens fed different levels of the enzyme complex (phytase, cellulase, pectinase, protease, amylase, beta-glucanase e xylanase). 328 laying hens were used Shaver White strain at 60 weeks of age. The birds were distributed into five treatments, involving different levels of enzyme complex (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm). We evaluated the performance of laying hens, egg shell quality, internal egg quality, pH and viscosity of the intestinal contents, dry matter and mineral in the excreta and microbiology of the contents in the small intestine. The results showed that the addition of the enzyme complex in diets based on corn and soybean meal for laying hens old did not improve on broiler performance, eggshell and internal egg quality, dry matter and mineral content in the excreta and microbiology of the contents in the small intestine. However there was a significant linear response when increased levels of the enzyme complex, where it caused an increase in pH and a lower viscosity of digesta within the small intestine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of pork meat when matured. The treatments evaluated were: meat no maturated; meat matured for 3 days; meat matured for 6 days. The pH, water loss percentage, and liquid lost in thawing displayed a decreasing linear regression while the fluid lost in cooking showed an increasing linear regression. The L*, a*, b* and chroma showed an increasing linear effect while the tone displayed a decreasing linear regression. The mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria counts were greater for the treatments that underwent maturation. The shear force decrease linearly with the increase in the maturation period. The MFI, lipid oxidation, and sensory analyses were not affected by treatments. The maturation of the pork meat improved the color, reduced the pH and increased the tenderness. There was no change in the lipid stability of the meat, nor sensory damage.

There was evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters of swine on the finishing stage receiving a dietetic supplementation with magnesium oxide (MgO). The animals were 48 male swine, supplemented 7 days before the slaughter by the following treatments: feed with 0; 0.2; 0.4 e 0.6% of MgO inclusion. The pigs were blocked by the initial weight as: lights, medium and heavy. The treatments had influence on the daily weight gain showing a quadratic effect, maximum inclusion point 0.3% MgO. The effect on the plasmatic cortisol and on the carcass yield was a linear decreasing regression. Back fat thickness shows a quadratic effect, minimal deposition point 0.37% MgO. Amount of meat in chilled carcass, meat yield and gratification index showed quadratic effect for the treatments, the maximum points are 0.31, 0.37 and 0.28% of inclusion respectively. Water losses and liquid losses on defrosting presented quadratic effect; the minimal point was to 0.31 and 0.35% of inclusion, respectively.

This research was aimed to evaluate the stress as well as carcass and meat quality of broilers slaughtered by the “Halal” method. 120 carcasses were evaluated, 60 broilers were slaughtered by the traditional method and 60 broilers by the “Halal” method, with live weight of 3.8 kg and 49 days old. Exsanguination blood samples were collected to measure the levels of creatine phosphokinase, lactic acid and hemogram. After the slaughter each carcass had been evaluated to verify the presence of bruises, contusions, muscle bleeding, and fractures. Initial and final pH, color (CIELAB), drip (PAG) and pressing water loss (PAP) and tenderness (shear force – FC) were measured in “Pectoralis major” muscle. The lactic acid levels were higher and lower in monocytes for the broilers slaughtered using the “Halal” method, indicating higher stress levels, while the percentage of hematocrit was great to the traditional slaughter. Animals slaughtered by the “Halal” method had wing bruises with bigger size and meat with lower pH values the initial and final, higher lightness (L*) and higher redness (a*). It was observed higher frequency of PSE carcass (pale, soft, exsudative) slaughtered by method “Halal”. It is concluded that the “Halal” method of slaughter for chickens, stress increases and the size of the lesions of carcasses and higher frequency of PSE carcasses, reducing the quality of chicken meat. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o estresse e a qualidade da carcaça e da carne de frangos abatidos pelo método “Halal”. Foram avaliadas 120 carcaças, 60 frangos abatidos pelo método tradicional e 60 frangos abatidos pelo método “Halal”, com peso médio de 3,8 kg de peso vivo e idade de 49 dias. No momento da sangria foi coletado sangue para análise dos níveis de creatina fosfoquinase, lactato e hemograma. Após o abate foi verificado nas carcaças a presença de hematomas, contusões, hemorragias musculares e fraturas. No músculo peitoral (Pectoralis major) foi mensurado o pH inicial e final, a cor (CIELAB), a perda de água por gotejamento (PAG) e por pressão (PAP) e a maciez (Força de cisalhamento – FC). Os níveis de lactato foram mais elevados e de monócitos mais baixos nos frangos abatidos pelo método “Halal”, indicando maior nível de estresse, embora a porcentagem de hematócrito tenha sido maior para o abate tradicional. Animais abatidos pelo método “Halal” apresentaram lesões de maior tamanho nas asas e carnes com menores valores de pH inicial e final, maior luminosidade (L*) e maior índice de vermelho (a*). Foi observado maior frequência de carcaças PSE (cor pálida, textura mole, exsudativa) nos animais abatidos pelo método “Halal”. Conclui-se que o método de abate Halal para frangos, aumenta o estresse assim como o tamanho das lesões das carcaças e maior frequência de carcaças PSE, diminuindo a qualidade da carne de frango.

The experiment was designed to evaluate the performance, egg quality and minerals on tibia of laying hens from 28 to 44 weeks of age subjected to diets containing varying levels of DCGM (0, 12 and 30%) and phytase (0, 500 and 1000 FTU/kg of diet). The experiment was carried in four cycles of 28 days and the variables studied were: the performance (feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion) and egg quality (egg specific gravity, yolk color, shell thickness and Haugh unity value). In the finish of experiment, five birds per treatment were abated for determination of the calcium and phosphorus in tibia. There was no interaction between DCGM and phytase on evaluated parameters. Inclusion of DCGM resulted in significantly higher feed intake and worst yolk pigmentation, than the 0% treatment. Increasing the phytase dose to 1000 FTU/kg improves yolk pigmentation. For the others variables no effect were observed for levels of DCGM or phytase. Based on the results from the present study, DCGM could be included at a rate of up to 30% of a commercial layer diets without any significant detrimental effects on the egg production, but with yolk pigment addition. The phytase improve the yolk color.O experimento foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar o desempenho, a qualidade dos ovos e a concentração de minerais na tíbia de poedeiras leves alimentadas com rações contendo farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado (FGMD) e fitase. Foram utilizadas 360 poedeiras de 28 a 44 semanas de idade. As rações experimentais continham diferentes inclusões de FGMD (0%, 12% e 30%) e de fitase (0; 500 e 1000 FTU/kg), distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em fatorial 3X 3, totalizando nove rações, com cinco repetições e oito aves por repetição. O experimento teve a duração de quatro ciclos de 28 dias cada, em que foram avaliados consumo de ração, produção, massa e peso médio dos ovos, conversão alimentar, gravidade específica, índice de pigmentação de gema, unidade Haugh e espessura da casca. Ao final do experimento foram abatidas cinco aves por ração experimental para determinar os teores de Ca e P e a relação Ca:P na tíbia. Não foram observadas interações entre as rações experimentais para os parâmetros estudados. Houve efeito significativo dos níveis de FGMD no consumo de ração e na pigmentação das gemas. Observou-se também efeito positivo da adição de 1000 FTU/kg na ração na pigmentação das gemas. O FGMD pode compor 30% da ração das poedeiras desde que haja a suplementação de pigmentantes da gema. A fitase melhora a coloração das gemas.

The experiment was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effects of different levels of radish cake (0, 5, 10 and 20%) in laying hens rations on performance parameters and qualitative and sensorial characteristics of egg. A total of 240 light laying hens, with 52 to 60 weeks of age, standartized according the weight and laying performance distributed a completely randomized design, with six repetitions with eight birds per unit, were used. The experiment was conducted during eight weeks, subdivided within four periods of two weeks. There was effect of radish cake (P < 0.05) for rations consumption, percentage of laying, egg mass, egg color parameters and sensorial avaluation. None differences were observed between the treatments for conversion rate and egg’s weight. The use of radish cake to laying hens resulted a worst effects for performance parameters and sensorial egg characteristics. O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da inclusão da torta de nabo forrageiro, TNBF, (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%) na ração sobre os parâmetros produtivos e qualidade dos ovos de galinhas poedeiras. Foram utilizadas 240 poedeiras comerciais leves, entre 52 e 60 semanas de idade, uniformizadas por peso e postura, dispostas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições de oito aves por tratamento. O experimento teve duração de oito semanas, dividido em quatro períodos de duas semanas cada. Houve efeito da TNBF (P < 0,05) sobre o consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, massa dos ovos, índices de cor e avaliação sensorial. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos para conversão alimentar e peso dos ovos. O uso da torta de nabo forrageiro na ração de galinhas poedeiras afeta negativamente os parâmetros produtivos e a qualidade sensorial dos ovos.

This research was aimed at assessing parameters such like productive and meat quality characteristics of broilers fed on diets with different levels of organic selenium (0; 0,2; 0,4 e 0;6 mg Se/kg of feed). Three hundred male one-day old chickens have been submitted to a completely randomized design, with five repetitions of 15 birds per experimental parcel. Characteristics such like performance, yield grade, cuts, and meat quality have been assessed. The results revealed that the supplementation with selenium did not affect productive characteristics of the broilers. However, it produced a linear reduction on the abdominal fat of the carcasses assessed. Regarding meat quality, the supplementation with organic selenium linearly increased the pH levels at the breast. Besides, it linearly reduced the loss of water by pressure and the shear force, which in turn improved the final quality of the meat.O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as características produtivas, de rendimento e qualidade de carne de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de selênio orgânico (0; 0,2; 0,4 e 0,6 mg Se/kg de ração). Foram utilizados 300 pintainhos de corte machos, da linhagem Cobb, com um dia de idade. Foi adotado um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (níveis de selênio orgânico), com cinco repetições de 15 aves por parcela experimental. Foram avaliados o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e cortes e a qualidade de carne de frangos de corte. Os resultados de desempenho mostram que a suplementação de selênio não alterou os dados produtivos, porém, reduziu linearmente a gordura abdominal da carcaça. Quanto à qualidade de carne, a suplementação de selênio orgânico aumentou linearmente o pH da carne do peito e reduziu a perda de água por pressão e a força de cisalhamento, melhorando assim a qualidade da carne das aves.

The objective of this work was evaluate the best nutritional program for growing pigs, between five comercial diets with different levels of protein (high, medium and low), chrome picolinate and ractopamine for finishing pigs. Performance, carcass, economy and meat quality were evaluated. Seventy pigs (Pen Ar Lan) were used (35 barrows and 35 gilts) with initial weight ± standard deviation of 25.22 ± 2.5 kg and were slaughtered with final weight plus standard deviation of 119.08 ± 6.0kg. Difference between high protein and low protein + chrrome was observed to feed convertion during growth phases, with high protein showing better results. Difference was observed during finishing phase II to daily gain, showing better results for ractopamine over low protein. Muscle and fat deposition over carcass showed better results for ractopamine against low protein only. Lower levels of drip loss was observed for low protein and ractopamine treatments against higher levels of protein treatments. Ractopamine also showed the best cost when compared with all treatments and was the best nutritional program studied.O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o melhor programa nutricional para suínos em engorda, entre cinco formulações comerciais a partir do uso de diferentes níveis de proteína total (alta, média e baixa), picolinato de cromo (Cr) e ractopamina (Rac) no final da terminação. Os tratamentos foram avaliados para desempenho, características de carcaça, aspectos econômicos e qualidade de carne. Foram utilizados 70 suínos de linhagem comercial Pen Ar Lan (35 machos castrados e 35 fêmeas) com peso médio inicial ± desvio padrão de 25,22 ± 2,5 kg e peso final de abate ± desvio padrão de 119,08 ± 6,0kg. Para as fases iniciais de crescimento, foi observada diferença para a conversão alimentar com a ração com alta proteína apresentando melhor conversão alimentar em relação à ração com picolinato de cromo. Para a fase de terminação II, foi observada diferença no ganho diário de peso, com o programa com ractopamina apresentando melhores resultados apenas em relação ao programa com baixa proteína. Também houve diferença na deposição de músculo e gordura na carcaça em favor da ractopamina, quando comparada com a ração de baixa proteína. Observou-se diferença para a perda de água por gotejamento para ractopamina e baixa proteína em relação aos maiores níveis desse nutriente. A ractopamina também mostrou-se a mais eficiente economicamente. Para os aspectos estudados neste trabalho, entre os programas nutricionais testados, a ractopamina mostrou-se a mais eficiente.

Search mechanisms that can reduce the cost of production of poultry is an important factor in the poultry industry. Thus the objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of vitamin and mineral supplement or limestone and dicalcium phosphate feed during the finishing phase, further of the broilers chickens to heat stress pre-slaughter. Hybro male broiler (n=108) aged 42 days old were evaluated until 49 days old to evaluate the performance, carcass and cuts yield, blood biochemistry and meat quality. The results showed that the removal of vitamin and mineral supplement or limestone and dicalcium phosphate feed during the finishing phase did not impair the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality, as well as showing a possible mechanism to reduce production costs. While heat stress pre-slaughter provided a poor meat quality of poultry. Buscar mecanismos que possam reduzir o custo de produção das aves, sem reduzir o desempenho e a qualidade do produto final é um importante fator dentro da cadeia avícola. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a retirada do suplemento vitamínico-mineral ou calcário e fosfato bicálcico da ração na fase de acabamento, além de submeter os frangos de corte a estresse térmico pré-abate visando avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade de carne do peito. Foram utilizados 108 frangos de corte machos da linhagem Hybro com 42 dias de idade, que receberam uma ração controle, ração sem suplemento vitamínico-mineral e sem calcário e fosfato bicálcico, dos 42 aos 49 dias de idade. Foram avaliados os dados de desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e cortes, bioquímica do sangue e qualidade de carne. Os resultados mostraram que a retirada do suplemento vitamínico-mineral ou o calcário e o fosfato bicálcico da dieta de terminação não prejudicou o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne, mostrando assim como um possível mecanismo para reduzir os custos de produção. Já o estresse térmico quente no pré-abate proporcionou uma piora na qualidade de carne das aves.

The objective was to study the feasibility of the use of stillborn piglets in the studies of myogenesis and the development of vital organs. For this, was used litters from genetic Topigs x Danbred of 82 sows between 1st to 7 th order of parturition. In total were monitored 82 parturitions, at the end of the parturitions, all piglets were weighed and identified according to birth order. From this procedure we calculated the average weight of litters with a history of stillbirths. The piglets weighing close to or equal to the average weight of litter, and that similar to the weight of stillborn piglets from the litters, were sacrificed. In total 28 piglets were slaughtered and 30 stillbirths were used. In both classes (stillbirths and live births sacrificed) were collected, the semitendinosus muscle, heart, brain and liver. Data were analyzed using Anova, correlations and regression procedure of SAEG. Results suggested that piglets which born alive have a greater muscular area when compared to stillborn (60. 50 vs. 42.71 ?m). In addition a strong correlation (P < 0. 05; r= 0.63) was found between muscular area and number of muscle fibers. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the stillborn piglets have fewer muscle fibers and can’t replace piglets that born alive in researches about myogenesis and development of vital organs, and sex isn’t an important variable to study for this purpose. Objetivou-se estudar a viabilidade do uso de leitões natimortos nos estudos de miogênese e desenvolvimento de órgãos vitais. Utilizou-se leitegadas provenientes da genética Topigs x Danbred de 82 matrizes suínas entre 1ª à 7ª ordem de parto. No total foram monitorados 82 partos. Ao término dos partos, todos os leitões foram pesados e identificados, de acordo com a ordem de nascimento. A partir deste procedimento foi calculado o peso médio das leitegadas que apresentaram histórico de natimortos. Os leitões que apresentaram peso próximo ou igual ao peso médio da leitegada, e peso semelhante ao dos leitões natimortos provenientes das respectivas leitegadas, foram sacrificados. No total, 28 leitões foram abatidos e 30 natimortos foram utilizados. Em ambas as classes (natimortos e nascidos vivos sacrificados) foram coletados, o músculo semitendinoso, coração, cérebro e fígado. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA, correlação e regressão através do programa estatístico SAEG. Os resultados sugerem que os leitões nascidos vivos possuem maior área muscular quando comparado com natimortos (60, 50 vs 42,71 ?m). Além disso, uma forte correlação (P < 0,05; R = 0,63) foi encontrada entre a área muscular e número de fibras musculares. Leitões natimortos possuem menor número de fibras musculares, por isso não podem substituir os leitões nascidos vivos em pesquisas voltadas ao estudo da miogênese e do desenvolvimento de órgãos vitais, e o sexo não é uma variável importante para estudos com esta finalidade.

The effects of including defatted corn-germ flour (DCGF), a source of phytic acid, as an ingredient in pig feed for different periods in the growing-finishing phase were evaluated with respect to feed performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The test group consisted of 24 male pigs from the same genetic background, with an average initial weight of 75.41±4.41 kg and an average age of 123 days. The treatments consisted of adding 50% DCGF to the feed at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days before slaughter. The zootechnical performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant effects of phytic acid were evaluated through the analysis of lipid oxidation in the meat of the slaughtered animals. There were no effects (P>0.05) for any period of DCGF feed supplementation on the zootechnical performance or carcass characteristics. Refrigerated meat showed less oxidation as the length of the DCGF-inclusion period in the diet was increased.O experimento avaliou os efeitos de diferentes períodos de inclusão do farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado (FGMD), como ingrediente e fonte de ácido fítico em rações de suínos em fase de terminação, sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade da carne. Foram utilizados 24 suínos machos de mesma genética comercial com peso médio inicial de 75,41 ± 4,41 kg e idade média de 123 dias. Os tratamentos corresponderam a inclusão de 50% de FGMD na ração nos períodos de 0, 7, 14 e 21 dias antes ao abate. Foram avaliados o desempenho zootécnico, as características de carcaça e de qualidade da carne e o efeito antioxidante do ácido fítico, através da análise de oxidação lipídica na carne. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos (peso inicial dos animais) ao acaso, com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições por tratamento. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) do tempo de inclusão do FGMD na dieta no desempenho zootécnico e nas características de carcaça. Na qualidade de carne houve efeito linear decrescente (P?0.05) na oxidação lipídica da carne mantida em refrigeração durante 7 dias. A carne refrigerada apresentou menor oxidação com o aumentou do período de inclusão de FGMD nas rações.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance, feces production and digestibility of the main ingredients in feed of different pig genotypes. Forty eight pigs (24 barrows and 24 gilts) averaging 50.81 ± 4.63 kg until 81.14 ± 6.55 kg of body weight and 93.63 ± 6.08 days of age were used. Four treatments represented by four lineages were used: 1- commercial pig breeding line, selected for growth and lean meat production; 2- commercial pig breeding line, selected for prolificacy; 3- crossbred animals (Landrace x Large White); 4- non selected genetic line. Two animals were housed per pen and they received isonutrient and isoenergetic and feed and water ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2 factorial arrangement (genetic lines, genders). A greater average daily gain was observed to hybrid animals selected for lean meat production compared to animals selected to prolificacy and a greater feed conversion was observed for the hybrid animals for lean meat (PO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho, a produção de fezes e a digestibilidade dos principais nutrientes da ração de suínos de diferentes genótipos. Foram utilizados 48 animais (24 machos castrados e 24 fêmeas), entre 50,81 ± 4,63 kg até 81,14 ± 6,55 kg de peso vivo e idade média inicial de 93,63 ± 6,08 dias, divididos em quatro tratamentos, representados por quatro genótipos: linhagem melhorada comercialmente, selecionada para crescimento e produção de carne magra; linhagem melhorada comercialmente, selecionada para fins de prolificidade; animais oriundos do cruzamento Landrace X Large White; e linhagem não melhorada geneticamente. Os animais foram alojados em número de 2 por baia e receberam rações isonutritivas e isonergéticas, além de água à vontade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 4x2 (linhagens genéticas; gêneros). Foi observado maior ganho diário de peso para os animais híbridos para carne em relação aos animais híbridos para prolificidade e melhor conversão alimentar para os animais híbridos para carne em relação aos demais grupos genéticos. A produção total de fezes (base matéria natural) foi menor (P

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of spray-dried plasma (SDP) on the performance, hematological profile, diarrhea frequency and economic viability of this ingredient in diets for light piglets at weaning, with 21 days of age. The trial was done using 72 pigs, 48 castrated male and 24 female (PenArLan), with an initial age of 21 days. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with 4 treatments and 6 repetitions (each pen with two males and one female was considered a repetition). The treatments were: T1 - heavy weight weaned pigs, without supplementation; T2 - light weight weaned pigs, supplemented with 10g/animal/day of SDP; T3 - light weight weaned pigs, supplemented with 20g/animal/day of SDP; T4- light weight weaned pigs, without supplementation. The SDP were fed daily directly at the feeder three times per day. At 35 and 70 days old piglets were subjected to blood collection, and 8 animals in each treatment were used. Daily evaluation was made of diarrhea frequency. There was difference to feed:gain (P < 0,05) considering the period of 21 to 49 days of age and total period (21-70 days of age), with advantage to T3. The initial value for plasmatic urea was higher (P < 0,01) to pigs of T1 but the final titles were similar. There were no differences (P > 0,05) on frequency of diarrhea. There were differences in feed cost with advantage to T3 in the period of 21 to 35; 36 to 49 and 21 to 49 days of age. In total period (21 to 70 days of age) T3 showed the best index of economic efficiency.O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho, perfil hematológico, freqüência de diarréia e potencial econômico de uso do plasma sanguíneo desidratado (PSD) na dieta de leitões desmamados com baixo peso, aos 21 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 72 leitões, sendo 48 machos castrados e 24 fêmeas (PenArLan) com idade média inicial de 21 dias. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições por tratamento (cada baia com dois machos e uma fêmea foi considerada uma repetição). Os tratamentos foram: T1 - animais pesados ao desmame, sem suplementação; T2 - animais leves ao desmame, suplementados com 10g/animal/dia de PSD; T3 - animais leves ao desmame, suplementados com 20g/animal/dia de PSD; T4 - animais leves ao desmame, sem suplementação. O PSD (10 e 20g/animal/dia) foi fornecido diretamente no cocho três vezes ao dia. Aos 35 e 70 dias de idade os leitões foram submetidos a coleta de sangue, sendo utilizado 8 animais de cada tratamento. Diariamente foi realizada a avaliação da freqüência de diarréia. Foi verificada diferença para conversão alimentar (P < 0,05) no período de tratamento compreendido entre 21 a 49 dias de idade e para o período experimental total (21 a 70 dias de idade) com vantagem para o T3. Os valores iniciais de uréia plasmática apresentaram diferença (P < 0,01) com vantagem para o T1, no entanto os valores finais mostraram-se semelhantes. Não houve diferença (P > 0,05) para freqüência de diarréia. Houve um melhor resultado na análise econômica, apontando vantagem para o T3 em relação ao custo da ração nos períodos compreendidos entre 21 a 35 dias, 36 a 49 dias e entre 21 a 49 dias de idade. Considerando todo o período experimental (21 a 70 dias de idade) o T3 apresentou melhor índice de eficiência econômica e de custo médio.

The experiment evaluated the effects of different periods of inclusion of defatted corn germ meal (DCGM), as a principal ingredient and source of phytic acid in the rations of finishing swine, on the chemical and sensorial characteristics and on the preservation of lipid oxidation of ham and the fresh sausage. Twenty four borrows with 75.408 ± 4.407 kg of initial weight and 123 days of age, with the same genetic basis were used. The experimental treatments were represented by the inclusion of 50% of DCGM in the finishing swine rations during 0, 7, 14 and 21 days before of slaughter, where were defined four treatments. The pigs were fed ad libitum during 28 days. After the slaughter, it was collected the ham of the half carcass and samples of the ham’s muscles were used to elaborate the fresh sausages. The approximate chemical composition, the color and the lipid stability of ham and fresh sausage were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized blocks (based on initial pigs weight) with 6 replications per treatment. There were no regression effects over the evaluated parameters, where the DCGM did not affect the approximate chemical composition and the color of the samples. There were no differences between the treatments for ham and fresh sausage for the lipid stability according the different periods of inclusion of DCGM. The high inclusion of DCGM in the finishing pig rations until 21 days before the slaughter didn’t improve the quality characteristics and the oxidation of ham and fresh sausage. experimento avaliou o efeito de diferentes períodos de inclusão do farelo de gérmen de milho desengordurado (FGMD), como principal ingrediente e fonte de ácido fítico em rações de suínos em fase de terminação, sobre as características químicas, sensoriais e de preservação da oxidação no pernil e na linguiça frescal. Foram utilizados 24 suínos machos de mesma genética comercial com peso médio inicial de 75,408 ± 4,407 kg e idade média de 123 dias. Os tratamentos corresponderam à inclusão de 50% de FGMD na ração nos períodos de 0, 7, 14 e 21 dias antes ao abate. Os animais foram submetidos à alimentação à vontade durante 28 dias pré abate. Após o abate dos animais, o pernil de cada meia carcaça foi coletado e os cortes musculares da peça foram utilizados para a elaboração da linguiça frescal. Nos produtos foram avaliadas a composição química aproximada, a cor e a estabilidade lipídica. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso (baseado no peso inicial dos suínos) com seis repetições por tratamento. Não houve efeito de regressão nas características avaliadas, indicando que a inclusão do FGMD não afetou a composição química aproximada e a cor nas amostras. Não foi verificado efeito na estabilidade lipídica de acordo com os períodos de inclusão do FGMD (ácido fítico) na análise de oxidação lipídica. A alta inclusão do FGMD em rações de animais em terminação por até 21 dias antes do abate não favoreceu as características qualitativas e de oxidação dos músculos do pernil e da linguiça frescal.