Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences
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Health status and productivity of sheep fed coffee pulp during fattening
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and health of fattening lambs fed different levels of coffee pulp in their diets. Thirty-five crossbred lambs with an average weight of 21.8 kg were fed isoproteic and isoenergetic diets with different percentages of coffee pulp (T0: control; T1: 7%; T2: 14%, T3: 21% and T4: 28%), the base diet was formulated with corn, soybean meal, alfalfa stubble, molasses, urea and mineral salt. The fattening period was 98 days. Productivity was measured by weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. At the beginning and end of the study, blood samples were taken to determine the health status using a biochemical profile and blood count. Analysis of variance was performed using the initial weight as the covariate for the productive variables and the initial values of the analytes in the blood chemistry and hematological analysis tests. The coffee pulp did not affect productivity, although the amount of neutrophils decreased (P<0.05) as the coffee pulp in the diet increased. In all treatments, urea exceeded the reference values, whereas creatinine was below the reference values. We concluded that the inclusion of up to 28% coffee pulp in the diet did not affect the productive parameters, decreases the neutrophil count without affect health status of lambs during fattening
Report of first isolation of the zoonotic Arcobacter species from swine fecal samples in Ecuador
Get PDFArcobacter butzleri, A. cryaerophilus, A. skirrowii and A. thereius are recognised as emerging zoonotic agents, recovered from animals and human beings. The information available about Arcobacter species in Latin America is scarce. Among domestic animals, swine are considered important reservoir and source of contamination of different Arcobacter species. This communication reports the first simultaneous isolation of the four zoonotic Arcobacter species in Ecuador. Preliminary identification was done by phenotypic characteristics and definitive species identification was made by multiplex PCR method. Further investigation about the prevalence, distribution, ecology and interactions with human beings of these species is required
Exploratory study on characteristics of oyster shell and eggshell quality in Chile
Get PDFThis study aimed to characterise oyster shell and white egg shell quality in Chile. The work was based on samples of both oyster shell and eggs, which were sourced from 7 laying farms over a period of several weeks during the production stage. Oyster shells were characterised according to their calcium content and granulometric distribution, and were classified in three types of particles (mm): coarse (≥1.7), medium-sized (0.9-1.6) and fine (≤0.8). Eggs were characterised, according to hen age and farm, by determining their weight, eggshell resistance, and thickness. Currently, Chilean farms use oyster shells whose calcium content ranges from 32.5% to 34.8%, and their granulometric distribution is 51.7% coarse, 27.6% medium-sized and 18.1% fine particles. Thus, the predominant form of oyster shell traded by major companies in Chile is the coarse type of particles, followed by medium-sized and fine particles. Similar calcium contents were observed for oyster shell samples sourced from different farms. Similar weight of the eggs were found for all farms (60-64 g). Contrarily, farms presented different results for eggshell resistance (3,934-5,057 g) and eggshell thickness (0.322-0.376 mm). Eggshell resistance and thickness values were within the expected range for white hen eggs
Effect of two oil types and energy levels on broiler performance, carcass quality and skin pigmentation
Get PDFThis study evaluated different levels of metabolisable energy (ME) and two oil types: crude soybean oil (CSO) and acidulated soybean oil (ASO), in sorghum-soybean meal diets for broilers. One thousand and eight unsexed Ross 308 chicks aged 1 to 49 days old were used in a factorial arrangement design 2x3. The first factor corresponded to the oils (CSO and ASO) and the second factor corresponded to the ME levels (high, medium and low) in the initiation (1-10 days), growing (11-25 days) and finishing (26-48 days) feeds, with a 90 kcal/kg reduction. The treatments were as follows: (1) CSO with 3010, 3175 and 3200 kcal/kg; (2) CSO with 2920, 3085 and 3110 kcal/kg; (3) CSO with 2920, 3085 and 3200 kcal/kg; (4) ASO with 3010, 3175 and 3200 kcal/kg; (5) ASO with 2920, 3085 and 3110 kcal/kg; and (6) ASO with 2920, 3085 and 3200 kcal/kg. The treatments with high and medium levels of ME (P<0.05) were higher. The carcass weight and skin pigmentation when cold were better in broilers fed with high and medium levels of ME (P<0.05). No effect (P>0.05) between oil types was found. It can be concluded that it is feasible to replace CSO by ASO and to reduce 90 kcal/kg of ME from the recommended amount for the breed during the initiation and growing stages, without affecting their performance
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis and hepatic encephalopathy in horses in Easter Island, Chile
Get PDFA group of horses died in Easter Island following anorexia, weight loss and neurological signs. Similar cases have occurred since the introduction of a plant containing pirrolizidine alkaloid to the island. This study describes the grazing behaviour of the horses and the potential correlation with the development of these horses clinical signs
Assessment of persistent organic pollutants and their relationship with immunoglobulins in blood of penguin colonies from Antarctica
Get PDFPersistent organic pollutants (POPs) may affect the immune system of seabirds, and some field studies have examined this effect. There are evidences that POPs cause negative effects on the immune system, but in Antarctic penguins data are scarce. In order to assess the risks that POPs may have on wild animals, some immunological studies constitute a good alternative. Determining the levels of immunoglobulins can deliver relevant information about the potential impact of POPs in seabirds from different environments. However, there are very few records in penguins so far. The aim of the present work was to quantify the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (∑DDT), endosulfans, and immunoglobulin IgY in blood samples of colonies of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) that inhabit in the Antarctic Peninsula area. Analysis of POPs in blood samples was carried out through extraction with QuEChERS method, followed by gas chromatography. Detection of IgY concentrations was achieved by ELISA test, using anti-chicken antibodies. There was some significant correlation between immunoglobulin and the presence of PCBs and endosulfans. Even though the levels of these pollutants are low to cause any biological effect on the birds, the results are indicating some influence on the IgY concentrations in penguin blood
Molecular evidence for Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild Chilean hawk (Accipiter chilensis)
Get PDFThe present study reports a case of tuberculosis in a juvenile Chilean hawk (Accipiter chilensis). Granulomas were identified in the liver, intestine and mesentery. Several of these granulomas contained acid-fast bacilli suggesting a mycobacterial infection through ingestion. Molecular diagnosis detected Mycobacterium bovis as etiological agent. Whether M. bovis infection in this Chilean hawk represents a risk for other wildlife, livestock or humans remains to be determined
Cardiac troponin I, fructosamine, and cardiovascular parameters in dogs with diabetes mellitus
Get PDFDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in dogs, however, the relationship between canine DM and cardiomyopathy is still unclear. The aims of this study were: to evaluate serum troponin I concentrations in diabetic dogs under treatment with insulin; to evaluate the hypothesis that the time of DM diagnosis could influence the troponin I concentration; and to evaluate the relationship between biochemical and cardiovascular parameters in diabetic dogs. This is a cross-sectional study including diabetic canine patients under NPH insulin treatment. Troponin I concentration, systolic blood pressure (SBP), complete blood count, serum fructosamine concentration, biochemical profile, and Doppler echocardiography assesments were carried out in each patient, as well as in age- and size- matched healthy controls. All diabetic dogs had concentrations of troponin I below the limits of detection of the assay. There was no difference between cardiovascular parameters between diabetic and healthy control dogs. There was no correlation between time of DM diagnosis and cardiovascular parameters. There was a significant positive correlation between SBP and fructosamine in diabetic dogs (r=0.54; P<0.01). Diabetic dogs receiving insulin treatment, regardless of the time of diagnosis, do not have significantly elevated serum troponin I. The results also suggest that fructosamine levels can be associated with high blood pressure, suggesting a possible correlation between fructosamine levels and vascular complications
The densities of fiber follicles in the Karakas, Norduz, and Zom sheep and a comparative analysis
Get PDFThis study aimed to determine the densities of fiber follicles in the skin of the Karakas, Norduz, and Zom sheep breeds and to carry out a comparative analysis between them. The study included a total of 36 animals aged 1-2 years and 3-4 years. Skin samples were obtained through biopsies taken from the right sides of the animals to determine the densities and ratios of the fleece follicles. Examination of these samples revealed that the primary follicle densities of the three sheep breeds (Karakas, Norduz and Zom) were 3.11 ± 0.42, 3.14 ± 0.49 and 3.34 ± 0.59, while the secondary follicle densities were 8.42 ± 1.48, 8.51 ± 1.54 and 6.36 ± 1.44. The secondary to primary (S/P) follicle ratios of the sheep were 2.71 ± 0.70, 2.79 ± 0.69 and 1.85 ± 0.36, respectively. The primary follicle densities of the Karakas, Norduz and Zom sheep were statistically similar for both age groups. The density of secondary follicles and S/P ratio decreased with age in both age groups. The similarity of the S/P ratios to those from other local sheep breeds suggest that Karakas, Norduz, Zom sheep can be included in the sheep group that has coarse fleece
Association of acute equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) with fumonisins concentrations in corn stover in an outbreak in the state of Jalisco, Mexico
Get PDFFumonisins are mycotoxins responsible for equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) and they are produced by Fusarium species of high incidence in corn crops. In Jalisco (Mexico), six cases were confirmed by histopathological and neurological findings and fumonisins analysis. This is the first report of fumonisins in corn stover associated to ELEM cases