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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with 100ppm sodium monensin or 0.15% of a blend of functional oils (cashew nut oil + castor oil) on the intestinal microbiota of broilers challenged with three different Eimeria spp. The challenge was accomplished by inoculating broiler chicks with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina, and Eimeria maxima via oral gavage. A total of 864, day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb) were randomly assigned to six treatments (eight pens/treatment; 18 broilers/ pen) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, composed of three additives (control, monensin or blend), with or without Eimeria challenge. Intestinal contents was collected at 28 days of age for microbiota analysis by sequencing 16s rRNA in V3 and V4 regions using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Taxonomy was assigned through the SILVA database version 132, using the QIIME 2 software version 2019.1. No treatment effects (p > 0.05) were observed in the microbial richness at the family level estimated by Chao1 and the biodiversity assessed by Simpson's index, except for Shannon's index (p < 0.05). The intestinal microbiota was dominated by members of the order Clostridiales and Lactobacillales, followed by the families Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Lactobacillaceae, regardless of treatment. When the controls were compared, in the challenged control group there was an increase in Erysipelotrichaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae, and a decrease in Ruminococcaceae. Similar results were found for a challenged group that received monensin, while the blend partially mitigated this variation. Therefore, the blend alleviated the impact of coccidiosis challenge on the microbiome of broilers compared to monensin.

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Infection with Eimeria sp. results in the activation of multiple facets of the host immune system; the use of phytogenics can modulate the inflammatory response and improve the performance of the challenged animal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercial blend of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and castor oil on the immune response of broilers challenged with coccidiosis. A total of 864 one-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups (8 pens/treatment and 18 chicks/pen) in a three-by-two factorial design with three additives: control (non-additive), 100 ppm of monensin or 0.15% CNSL–castor oil. Challenge status was determined twice at 14 days of age. Unchallenged birds were inoculated by gavage with oocysts sporulated with Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima. Although the positive control (non-additive and challenged) and CNSL–castor oil treatment groups exhibited similar variation in weight gain (ΔBWG) compared to unchallenged birds fed without additives, the variation observed in birds fed diets containing CNSL–castor oil was associated with a higher maintenance requirement and not feed efficiency. In the second week after infection, ΔBWG of the CNSL–castor oil treatment group did not significantly change compared to the other treatment groups. At days 7 and 14 post-challenge, there was a higher excretion of oocysts in the control group, whereas the CNSL–castor oil and monensin groups did not differ. The CNSL–castor oil group exhibited increased gene expression of interferon (IFN), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), while the control group exhibited increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) and IL-1. The heterophils/lymphocyte ratio was low for the monensin treatment group. The unchallenged birds that received monensin treatment presented higher gene expression of IFN, COX and IL-1 compared to the other treatments, while the CNSL–castor oil group exhibited reduced gene expression, except for TNF. The commercial blend of cashew nut liquid and castor oil modulated the inflammatory response against Eimeria spp. In the absence of the parasite, there was no stimulation of genes involved in the inflammatory response, demonstrating that the blend is an effective tool in specifically modulating the immune system of birds afflicted with coccidiosis.

Non-ruminants Full-length research article Growth performance and intestinal health of broilers fed a standard or low-protein diet with the addition of a protease ABSTRACT-We evaluated the effects of a protease supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. Cobb chicks (392; 1-42 d) were divided into four treatments (seven replicates of 14 birds each). There were two feed formulations: a standard diet (SD) and a low crude protein and digestible amino acids diet (Low CP&AA). The two diets were either supplemented (+P) or not (−P) with a protease (Jefo Protease; 1.25 g kg −1). Performance was evaluated by feeding phases (1-7, 8-21, 21-35, and 35-42 d). On day 28, ileum samples were analyzed by a morphometric index for histological alterations (I See Inside Scoring System-ISI). Broilers fed the Low CP&AA had a poor feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, the addition of the protease to the Low CP&AA positively affected FCR and body weight gain and promoted a performance similar to the group fed SD−P. Birds fed diets supplemented with the protease presented the best ISI morphological index, mainly as a result of the low number of alterations regarding the lamina propria, epithelial thickness, and enterocyte proliferation. It is possible to conclude that the enzyme improves feed conversion and lamina propria, epithelial thickness, and proliferation of enterocytes index of broiler chickens when added to a standard diet or with a low crude protein and digestible amino acids diet.

o auxílio de uma bancada que reproduz, artificialmente, as condições operacionais sob as quais a máquina efetua a semeadura no campo. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental blocos casualizados com parcelas sub-subdivididas, com três fatores experimentais: inclinação transversal do dosador com três níveis (±11° e nivelado), velocidade de deslocamento com três níveis (5; 7,5 e 10km h -1 ) e três dosadores de sementes pneumáticos. As sementes utilizadas foram girassol e algodão, realizou-se a medição de 250 espaçamentos entre sementes, medidos com o auxílio de uma trena de 30 m, esticada sobre a esteira. Para a regularidade de distribuição avaliou-se o nível de espaçamentos aceitáveis, duplos e falhos e pelo coeficiente de variação dos dados coletados na esteira de sementes. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA). Os resultados obtidos mostram que o aumento da velocidade de semeadura influiu significativamente nos resultados médios de espaçamentos aceitáveis e falhos, além da precisão. Para o fator inclinação não houve diferença significativa pelo teste de F. Palavras chave: Inclinação, Dosadores, Velocidade, Algodão, Girassol. ABSTRACTThis study was conducted at the Laboratory of Research and Development of Agricultural Machinery (LASERG), located in the Universidad Federal de Santa Maria, with the aid of a bench that reproduces artificially, the conditions under which the machine performs in sowing field. The experimental design was randomized blocks of type with split split-plot with three experimental factors: cross slope of the three dosing levels (± 11 ° and level), travel speed with three levels (5, 7.5 and 10 km h -1) and three pneumatic dispensing seeds. The seeds used were sunflower and cotton, the measurement was made 250 seed spacings measured with the aid of a tape of 30 m, stretched on the mat. The regularity of distribution was assessed by the level of acceptable spacing, double and flawed and the coefficient of variation of the data collected in the wake of seeds. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that increasing the seeding rate significantly affected the average results of acceptable spacing and flawed, and accuracy. For the slope factor no significant difference by F test.

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