O objetivo nesta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial de crescimento, desempenho zootécnico e as características de rendimento da carcaça, das partes e dos órgãos e a qualidade da carne de três linhagens de frango de corte: Cobb (CB), Paraíso Pedrês (PP) e ISA Label (IL). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições de 29 aves por tratamento. Semanalmente, com os dados obtidos para peso corporal médio, foi descrito o crescimento das aves, utilizando-se a equação de Gompertz e, com sua derivada, foi obtida a taxa de crescimento das aves. Três aves de cada repetição foram selecionadas e abatidas para análises do rendimento da carcaça, das partes e dos órgãos. As características físico-químicas da carne foram avaliadas utilizando-se o peito de duas destas aves. As aves CB apresentaram maior potencial de crescimento e, entre as caipiras o maior potencial foi observado para PP. Quanto ao desempenho, observou-se que a linhagem CB apresentou maior ganho de peso e consumo de ração, seguida pelas aves PP e IL. Maiores rendimentos de carcaça, de peito, sobrecoxa, fígado, intestinos e proventrículo foram obtidos com as aves CB em relação às caipiras, que não diferiram entre si. As aves CB apresentaram carne de peito com maior pH e maior capacidade de retenção de água que as de linhagens caipiras, que apresentaram carne de peito menos macia e com maior intensidade da cor vermelha. Maior potencial de crescimento e maiores rendimentos de pés, coxa, coxa+sobrecoxa e de coração foram verificados nos machos, enquanto, nas fêmeas, maiores rendimentos de peito, porcentagem de gordura abdominal, fígado, moela e proventrículo. As aves CB em relação às caipiras possuíram maior potencial de crescimento e maior rendimento de partes nobres, mas as caipiras apresentaram atributos diferenciados que justificam sua criação.

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) on physiological and biochemical aspects of juvenile mahseer (Tor putitora) fish. Maintaining a 40% protein level, 2 different experimental diets supplemented with 0% Se-NPs and 0.68 Se-NPs mg kg -1 were fed to triplicate groups of fish. The experiment was conducted in a semistatic condition consisting of 6 fiber tanks. The fish were first acclimatized, and then 30 fish per tank were randomly put into each fiber tank. At the end of the feeding trial, samples were collected from the fish and analyzed. Results obtained showed that the diet supplemented with Se-NPs significantly increased (P < 0.05) physiological aspects like red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit values, and lysozyme activity as compared to the basal diet. Similarly, biochemical parameters including serum growth hormone levels, tissue total protein content, and glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and muscle tissues of T. putitora also significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Thus, dietary Se-NP supplementation at the rate of 0.68 mg kg -1 diet has very beneficial effects on the physiobiochemical health aspects of juvenile T. putitora.

One of the strategies used to improve fish production is lowering the feed costs and the environmental impact by reducing dietary protein content. Using the deletion method, we determined the optimal amino acid (AA) ratio for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (body weight 20 g). Eleven experimental diets and four replications, taken two at a time, distributed in a randomized block design were used. For this trial, a balanced diet (BD) was formulated. Ten other diets were formulated by the deletion method, in which the BD diet was adjusted to result in a reduction of 45% of the test amino acid. Fish were fed three times a day for 57 days. Groups of fish at the beginning and at the end of the experiment were euthanized for further determination of the carcass nitrogen (N) composition. The optimal ratio of each AA was derived by dividing the requirement for each AA by the requirements for lysine. The essential AA ratios, expressed relative to lysine (=100), were methionine 64, threonine 93, tryptophan 24, arginine 125, histidine 34, isoleucine 57, leucine 96, valine 76 and phenylalanine 101. Our findings might be used to design strategies aimed at reducing the production costs of Oreochromis niloticus.

In the present review, the ongoing researches about selenium research in fish nutrition have been comprehensively discussed. Selenium research is getting popularity in fish nutrition as it is required for the normal growth and proper physiological and biochemical functions in fish. Its deficiency or surplus amounts create severe problems in fish. It is available as inorganic form, organic form, and nano form. In fish, most of the previous research is about the selenium requirements for fish by using only one selenium source mainly the inorganic one. Selenium shows maximum biological activity and bioavailability when it is supplied in proper form. However, to differentiate the more bioavailable and less toxic form of selenium, sufficient information is needed about the comparative bioavailability of different selenium forms in different fish species. In fish, important data about the new forms of selenoproteins is still scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the determination and elucidation of the new selenoproteins in fish through the utilization of recent approaches of molecular biology and proteomics. The adaptation of these new approaches will replace the old fashioned methodologies regarding the selenium research in fish nutrition. Moreover, the use of molecular biology and proteomics-based new approaches in combination with selenium research will help in optimizing the area of fish nutrition and will improve the feed intake, growth performance, and more importantly the flesh quality which has a promising importance in the consumer market.

RESUMO -Foi conduzido um experimento, com 100 dias duração, utilizando-se 288 alevinos de pacu, distribuídos em 36 caixas de cimento amianto com volume de 100 litros, para avaliar a substituição da farinha de peixe por farelo de soja e os níveis protéicos nas dietas. Durante o período experimental, a temperatura média da água permaneceu em 28 o C e os demais parâmetros limnológicos (oxigênio dissolvido, pH, alcalinidade e condutividade) apresentaram-se dentro dos níveis adequados para o desenvolvimento desta espécie. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, em que foram avaliados nove tratamentos em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, três níveis de proteína bruta (22, 26 e 30%) e três níveis de substituição da farinha de peixe pelo farelo de soja (0, 50 e 100%). O nível de 26% de proteína bruta foi mais adequado. A farinha de peixe pode ser substituída parcial ou totalmente pelo farelo de soja, sem influir no ganho de peso, na conversão alimentar, na taxa de crescimento específico e na taxa de eficiência protéica dos alevinos. A substituição das fontes protéicas também não influenciou a composição corporal dos peixes, a eficiência de retenção de nitrogênio, o nitrogênio corporal, a gordura corporal e o nitrogênio e a gordura no ganho de peso.Palavras-chave: alevinos de pacu, fontes de proteína, níveis de proteína Sources and Levels of Crude Protein in Diets for Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)Fingerlings ABSTRACT -A 100-d experiment was carried out with 288 fingerlings of pacu, allotted to 36 cement mansory box with 100 liters volume, with eight fishes per each unit, to evaluate the replacement of fish flour by soybean meal and the protein levels in the diets. During the experimental period, the average temperature of the water was 28 o C and other limnology parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity and conductivity) remained within the adequate levels for the development of this specie. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with nine treatments in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, three level of crude protein (22,26 and 30%) and three levels of fish meal replacement by soybean meal (0,50 and 100%). The results showed that 26% of crude protein was better and the fish meal, can be partially or totally replaced by soybean meal without affecting fingerlings weight gain, feed: gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency rate of the fingerlings. The protein source replacement also did not affect the body composition, nitrogen retention efficiency, body nitrogen, body fat and nitrogen and fat in the weight gain of the fingerlings.Key Words: fingerlings of pacu, protein sources, protein levels 1 Parte da tese de Doutorado em Aqüicultura do primeiro autor apresentada ao Centro de Aqüicultura da UNESP. 2 Zootecnista, técnico especializado em piscicultura do Centro de Aqüicultura da UNESP, Rod. Carlos Tonani, Km 5, 14870-000, Jaboticabal, SP. E.mail: jbatista@caunesp.unesp.br 3 Zootecnista, professor do Centro de Aqüicultura da UNESP, Rod. Carlos Tonani, Km 5, 14870-000, Jaboticabal, SP. E.mail: ...

RESUMO -Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar as curvas de crescimento de aves de postura das linhagens semipesadas Hy Line Marrom (HLM) e Hisex Marrom (HSM) e leves Hy Line W36 (HLW36) e Hisex Branca (HSB). Foram utilizadas 300 aves de cada linhagem, distribuídas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 75 aves por tratamento. Semanalmente, foram avaliados o peso vivo (PV), o peso de pena (PP) e a composição corporal de proteína, gordura, cinzas e água. As curvas de crescimento foram determinadas aplicando-se os dados na função Growth curves and deposition of body components in pullets of different strains ABSTRACT -The growth curves of egg pullets of semi heavy: Hy Line Brown (HLB) and Hisex Brown (HSB) and light strains: Hy Line W36 (HLW36) and Hisex White (HSW) were evaluated. Three hundred birds of each strain were assigned to a completely randomized design with four replicates of 75 birds. Body weight (BW), feather weight (FW) and body depositions of protein, fat, ash and water were weekly measured. The growth curves were determined by Gompertz function with data collections. The semi heavy birds were later than the light ones for BW, with greater body growth rates and weights at maturity.The HLW36 were 64.23 g lighter at maturity than the HSW. Data obtained for feather growth and protein deposition were similar, but the semi heavy birds showed greater weight at maturity (WM) than the light ones. However, for these components, the birds Hy Line had larger depositions than Hisex. HLW36 strain had smaller feather rate at maturity, making it three days later than HSW. The lowest protein deposition in the end of growth period caused the deviation of energy ingested for fat deposition in HSB birds and overestimated the WM in relation to HLB birds. Hy Line birds had later body ash composition and showed greater WM than Hisex. Among the studied variables, Hy Line birds had always heavier WM, however, the body water content of Hisex birds was greater and the maximum rates at maturity were later. This fact explains the similarity in the weight gain among the studied strains, once other body components were greater for Hy Line birds.Key Words: body composition, Gompertz function, laying birds, pullets IntroduçãoAs linhagens de postura utilizadas atualmente, em virtude do constante melhoramento genético, estão aumentando continuamente a produção de ovos, diminuindo o peso à maturidade fisiológica, a idade de pico de produção, o consumo de alimento e o ganho de peso. Desta forma, os programas nutricionais destas aves devem ser reavaliados

RESUMO -O objetivo neste trabalho foi estudar o perfil de crescimento e a deposição de nutrientes nos órgãos (coração, fígado, moela, intestino e proventrículo) de frangos de corte das linhagens Ross e Cobb de ambos os sexos. Foram utilizados 1.920 pintos de 1 dia alojados em boxes de galpão experimental em piso. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 × 2, composto de dois sexos (machos e fêmeas) e duas linhagens (Ross e Cobb), com quatro repetições de 120 aves. As aves foram alimentadas com rações formuladas de acordo com suas exigências nutricionais em cada fase de criação. Os pesos dos órgãos e de seus componentes (água, cinzas, proteína e gordura) foram obtidos semanalmente, com os parâmetros estimados pela equação de Gompertz e as taxas de crescimento determinadas por meio das derivadas das equações. Não houve influência da linhagem nas taxas de crescimento e deposição de nutrientes no coração. As aves Ross foram mais precoces no crescimento e na deposição de água e cinzas no fígado, portanto apresenta maior atividade metabólica na digestão e síntese de nutrientes. A linhagem Cobb foi mais precoce no desenvolvimento do intestino e crescimento e na deposição de nutrientes no proventrículo. Os machos são mais precoces que as fêmeas na taxa de crescimento e deposição de proteína, gordura e água na moela.Palavras-chave: Cobb, equações de predição, fêmeas, Gompertz, machos, Ross Growth and nutrients deposition on organs of two commercial strains of broiler chickensABSTRACT -This work was carried out with the objective of studying the growth profile and the nutrients deposition on organs (heart, liver, gizzard, intestine and proventricle) of male and female broiler chickens from Ross and Cobb lineages.It was used 1,920 chicks at the age of one day placed in experimental shed boxes on the floor. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial model composed of 2 sexes (mates and females) and two strains with 4 repetitions of 120 broilers each. The broilers were fed formulated diets to supply the nutrient requirements according to each breeding phase. After 24 hours of fasting, the broilers were weighed and slaughtered (1 to 56 days) every week. The weight and components of the organs (water, ash, protein and fat) were weekly obtained, with parameters estimated by the equation ofGompertz and the growth rates were determined by the derived of the equations. There was no influence of the strains on the deposition of nutrients on the heart. Ross chicks were more precocious on growth and on the deposition of water and ashes in the liver, therefore it presents a greater metabolic activity in digestion and nutrient synthesis. Cobb strain was more precocious in the development of the intestine and the growth and deposition of nutrients on the proventricle. Males are more precocious than females on the growth rate and on the protein, fat and water deposition in the gizzard.

The objective of this work was to study growth and body nutrient deposition profiles of male and female Cobb and Ross broilers using Gompertz equations. A total number of 1,920 one- to 56-day-old broilers were used. A randomized experimental design in a factorial arrangement (2 strains x 2 sex), with 4 replicates of 120 birds each, was applied. Diets were formulated to supply the nutrient requirements recommended by the genetic companies. A sample of birds was weekly weighed and sacrificed after 24 hours fasting. Carcasses were de-feathered and weighed again. The parameters of the Gompertz equation for body weight and its components (water, ashes, protein, and fat) were estimated. An interaction (p<0.05) between sex and breed was observed for mature weight (Wm) (kg), growth rate (b) (daily) and time at maximum growth rate (t*) (day) of body weight, and body water and ash. Cobb was presented earlier growth and body protein and ash deposition. Ross strain was superior in body water deposition