Tucumã oil is sourced from the fruit pulp of the tucumã tree and contains high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids. Due to these properties it may have the potential to decrease enteric methane (CH4) from ruminants when included in the diet. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oil mechanically extracted from the fruit pulp of tucumã on fermentation characteristics, CH4 production and the microbial community using the rumen stimulation technique. Treatments consisted of a control diet (forage:concentrate; 70:30), and tucumã oil included at 0.5 or 1.0% (v/v). Addition of tucumã oil linearly decreased (P < 0.01) dry matter disappearance. Total gas (mL/d) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production (mL/d, mL/g DM) were unaffected (P ≥ 0.36) to increasing addition of tucumã oil where 0.5% (v/v) of Tucumã oil numerically increased both variables. Acetate and butyrate percentages of total VFA were linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) and propionate and valerate percentages of total VFA were linearly increased (P < 0.01) by increasing concentrations of tucumã oil added to the substrate. The ratio of acetate to propionate was linearly decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing concentration of tucumã oil. Methane production (mL/d) was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) with increasing addition of tucumã oil to the substrate. Tucumã oil reduced the bacterial richness and diversity when included at 1.0% (v/v) in both solid- and liquid- associated microbes. The abundance of the genera Fibrobacter and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group were decreased and Pyramidobacter, Megasphaera, Anaerovibrio, and Selenomonas were enriched by the addition of 1.0% tucumã oil. In conclusion, tucumã oil resulted in the favorable shift in fermentation products away from acetate toward propionate, decreasing the production of CH4 when tucumã oil was included at 1.0% (v/v), however, substrate digestibility was also inhibited. The rumen microbiota was also altered by the addition of tucumã oil.

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Humic substances are a novel feed additive which may have the potential to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) production from ruminants as well as enhance microbial activity in the rumen. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of humic substances on fermentation characteristics and microbial communities using the rumen stimulation technique (RUSITEC). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with 3 treatments duplicated in 2 runs (a 15-day period each run) with 2 replicates per run. Treatments consisted of a control diet (forage:concentrate; 60:40) without humic substances or humic substances added at either 1.5 g/d or 3.0 g/d. Dry matter disappearance, pH, fermentation parameters and gas production were measured from day 8 to 15. Samples for microbial profiling were taken on day 5, 10, and 15 using the digested feed bags for solid- associated microbes (SAM) and fermenter fluid for liquid- associated microbes (LAM). The inclusion of humic substances had no effect (P ≥ 0.19) on DM disappearance, pH or the concentrations of VFA. The production of NH3 was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) with increasing levels of humic substances in the diet. There was no effect (P ≥ 0.43) of humic substances on total gas, CO2 or CH4 production. The number of OTUs was significantly reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment compared to the control on d 10 and 15; however, the microbial community structure was largely unaffected (P > 0.05). In the SAM samples, the genera Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group, Succiniclasticum, and Fibrobacter were reduced in the 3.0 g/d treatment and Anaeroplasma, Olsenella, and Pseudobutyrivibrio were increased on day 5, 10, and 15. Within the LAM samples, Christensenellaceae R-7 and Succiniclasticum were the most differentially abundant genera between the control and 3.0 g/d HS treatment samples (P < 0.05). This study highlights the potential use of humic substances as a natural feed additive which may play a role in nitrogen metabolism without negatively affecting the ruminal microbiota.

RESUMO.O trabalho foi realizado na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia com o objetivo de avaliar o consumo e digestibilidade aparente de ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de inclusão de torta de coco (25, 50 e 75%). Foram utilizados 12 ovinos, machos, da raça Santa Inês, com idade média de cinco meses e com peso médio de 19,5 kg, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas individuais distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Observou-se que o consumo de matéria seca decresceu com a inclusão de torta de coco, apresentando valores de 699; 405 e 373 g e 3,67; 2,15 e 2,00% do peso vivo para os níveis de 25, 50 e 75%, respectivamente. O mesmo comportamento foi observado para o consumo de proteína, entretanto não foram observadas diferenças (p > 0,05) nos valores de consumo de FDN, FDA e extrato etéreo. Quanto à digestibilidade, verificou-se redução (p < 0,05) nos coeficientes para o tratamento com 75% de inclusão de torta de coco para matéria seca, proteína, FDN e FDA em relação aos tratamentos 25 e 50%. Concluiu-se que a inclusão de torta de coco, afeta negativamente o consumo e a digestibilidade da fração fibrosa, resultado do elevado teor de extrato etéreo presente na torta de coco.Palavras-chave: extrato etéreo, FDA, FDN, matéria seca, proteína.Intake and apparent digestibility with different inclusion levels of coconut meal for sheep feeding ABSTRACT. The study was conducted at the Universidade Federal da Amazônia to evaluate apparent digestibility and intake for sheep fed diets containing different inclusion levels of fresh coconut meal (25, 50 and 75%). A total of 12 male Santa Inês sheep were used, with a mean age of 5 months and average weight of 19.5 kg, kept in individual metabolic cages distributed in a completely randomized design. Dry matter intake decreased with the inclusion of coconut meal, with values of 699, 405 and 373 g, and 3.67, 2.15 and 2.00% body weight at levels of 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. The same behavior was observed for protein intake; however, no significant differences in intake were observed for values of NDF, ADF and ether extract. Apparent digestibility was reduced (p < 0.05) in the coefficients for treatment with 75% inclusion of coconut meal for dry matter, protein, NDF and ADF, compared to the 25% and 50% treatments. It was concluded that the inclusion of coconut meal in the diet negatively affects the intake and digestibility of fibrous constituents, resulting from high levels of lipids present in the coconut meal.Keywords: ether extract, NDF, ADF, dry matter, protein. IntroduçãoA alimentação animal é um dos fatores que mais onera o custo de produção, principalmente num sistema intensivo de criação. O uso de alimentos alternativos, substituindo parte dos principais ingredientes utilizados comumente, pode ser de fundamental importância na redução destes custos, uma vez que são frequentes os períodos de instabilidade pela alta nos preços dos ingredientes que compõem as rações, dentre eles o milho e o farelo de soja.A falta de alimentos, especial...

Background Ameloblastoma (AME) is characterized by a locally invasive growth pattern. In an attempt to justify the aggressiveness of neoplasms, the investigation of the role of stem cells has gained prominence. The SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 proteins are important stem cell biomarkers. Methodology To verify the expression of these proteins in tissue samples of AME, dentigerous cyst (DC) and dental follicle (DF), immunohistochemistry was performed and indirect immunofluorescence were performed on the human AME (AME-hTERT) cell line. Results Revealed expression of SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 in the tissue samples and AME-hTERT lineage. Greater immunostaining of the studied proteins was observed in AME compared to DC and DF (p < 0.001). Conclusions The presence of biomarkers indicates a probable role of stem cells in the genesis and progression of AME.