The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin in diets contaminated or not with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the productive performance and serum biochemical profile of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laying phase. A total of 240 12-week-old Japanese quail was used in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (additives x contaminated or not with AFB1 - 1,500 μg/kg), totaling 6 treatments and 5 replicates of 8 birds each. The additives used were silymarin (500 g/ton), adsorbent (1 kg/ton), and a control diet (without additive). Of the total aflatoxin content, 84.64% was AFB1; 4.28% was AFB2; 11.07% was AFG1; and AFG2 was not detected. The data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey's test. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between the additive and AFB1 on performance parameters. However, the inclusion of AF in diets reduced (P < 0.05) egg weight and feed intake, impairing feed conversion compared to the unchallenged groups. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in blood concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK) in birds challenged with AFB1, regardless of the additive used, characterizing a possible alteration in hepatic metabolism. Serum total protein and globulin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in birds challenged with toxins. The consumption of diets contaminated with 1,500 μg AFB1/kg altered hepatic function in quail, impairing productive performance and egg weight. The concentrations of silymarin and adsorbent evaluated in this study were not able to mitigate the negative effect of toxins on the metabolism and performance of laying quail.

RESUMOO estudo foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar os parâmetros fisiológicos de poedeiras alojadas em diferentes densidades de alojamento e períodos. Foram utilizadas 150 poedeiras Dekalb White com 20 semanas de idade alojadas em um galpão convencional com gaiolas metálicas com duas subdivisões de 50x45x40 cm 2 e distribuídas em três tratamentos: 8 aves por gaiola (562,5 cm 2 /ave); 10 aves por gaiola (450 cm 2 /ave) e 12 aves por gaiola (375 cm 2 /ave), com cinco repetições cada. Avaliaram-se parâmetros fisiológicos (frequência respiratória, temperatura cloacal e temperatura superficial) e condições ambientais (temperatura ambiente e umidade relativa) durante três ciclos de 28 dias. Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com arranjo fatorial 3x3 (três densidades de alojamento e três períodos). Os resultados demonstraram que a densidade de alojamento não prejudicou a frequência respiratória e a temperatura superficial, porém, a temperatura cloacal diferiu significativamente, sendo superior às 16 horas e a densidade de alojamento com 10 aves/gaiola permaneceu intermediário às outras densidades. Os parâmetros voltados à busca do conforto térmico evidenciaram que nos horários mais quentes do dia (até as 16:00 horas), independente da densidade, as aves apresentaram temperaturas maiores que na parte da manhã. Palavras-chave: produção de ovos, conforto térmico, condições ambientais WELFARE OF LAYING HENS IN DIFFERENT DENSITIES OF HOUSING ABSTRACTThe study was carried with objective to evaluate the physiologic parameters of bird laying housed on different housing density and period. Were used 150 Dekalb White bird laying with 20 weeks of age was housed on conventional aviary with metallic cages with two subdivision of 50x45x40 cm² and distribution on three treatments: 8 bird laying by cage (562,5 cm²/bird); 10 bird laying by cage (450 cm²/bird) and 12 bird laying by cage (375 cm²/bird), with five repetition each. Were evaluated physiologic parameters (respiratory frequency, cloacal temperature and superficial temperature) and ambience (environmental temperature and relative humidity) during three circles of 28 days. Was adopted a randomized design with factorial arrangement 3x3 (three housing density and three periods). The results demonstrate that the housing density not impaired the respiratory frequency and superficial temperature, however the cloacal temperature differed significantly, being higher at four p.m. nilsa

The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation of different levels of dehydrated bocaiuva pulp (DBP) on the productive performance of laying quails, and on lipid oxidation, and quality in their eggs. A total of 120 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% of DBP), five replicates and four birds per experimental unit. To evaluate lipid oxidation, the eggs were collected on five consecutive days at the end of the trial and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 6 × 5 factorial scheme (eggs from quails fed different levels of DBP × evaluated fresh and after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). The antioxidant potential of diets was improved (p < 0.05) when the DBP was added estimated as 2,2'‐azinobis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazolin‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacity. No effect (p > 0.05) was observed on feed intake, hen‐day egg production and feed conversion (kg/kg and kg/dz). There were no changes (p > 0.05) in the egg weight, Haugh unit, yolk index or eggshell percentage. Although no difference was observed (p > 0.05), when comparing each level with the control, a negative linear effect (p < 0.05) on specific gravity was observed. In addition, only the treatment with 0.5% pulp exhibited lower (p < 0.05) eggshell thickness compared with the control (0%). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis showed that as the dietary pulp level was increased, malondialdehyde content decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in the egg yolks, regardless of the storage period. Inclusion of DBP in the diets had no effect (p > 0.05) on the concentration of conjugated dienes in the eggs. The diets containing DBP showed a potential antioxidant effect, reducing the degree of lipid oxidation in egg yolk. However, no beneficial effects were observed on performance and egg quality.

Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros fisiológicos e comportamentais de poedeiras de ovos vermelhos em diferentes densidades de alojamento. Utilizaram-se 150 poedeiras Dekalb Brown com 30 semanas de idade, durante 84 dias (quatro ciclos de 21 dias). As aves foram alojadas em galpão convencional com gaiolas metálicas de arame galvanizado, com duas subdivisões de 50 x 45 x 40 cm. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos e cinco repetições. As densidades avaliadas foram: oito (562,5 cm²/ave); 10 (450,0 cm²/ave) e 12 aves/gaiola (375,0 cm²/ave). Foram avaliados os parâmetros fisiológicos (frequência respiratória e temperaturas da pele, retal, crista, barbela e canela) e comportamentais (comendo, bebendo, sentada, postura, parada, movimentos de conforto, investigando pernas, bicagens - agressiva e não agressiva) em dois períodos distintos (manhã e tarde), considerando 30 minutos para cada período de avaliação comportamental. Conclui-se que a criação de poedeiras em menor densidade (562,5 cm2/ave) permite a maior dissipação de calor por meio da crista. O alojamento das aves na densidade de oito aves/gaiola (562,5 cm²/ave) mostrou-se mais adequado às condições fisiológicas de poedeiras criadas em sistema de gaiolas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal quality and lipid oxidation of eggs coated with a carnauba wax-based product at different concentrations and stored for up to 28 days under two temperatures. For analysis of internal quality, the eggs were assigned to a completely randomized 3 x 4 factorial design (uncoated eggs (control); eggs coated with carnauba wax at 12% concentration (Aruá®); eggs coated with carnauba wax at 15% concentration (Aruá®); four storage periods - 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). Fifteen eggs from each treatment were evaluated in each storage period, with each egg representing one replicate, i.e., 300 eggs per storage temperature (10 and 25°C). Egg weight loss, yolk percent (%), albumen percent (%), Haugh unit, yolk index, and specific gravity were calculated. Lipid oxidation of the egg yolk was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), using 10 eggs at time 0 (fresh) and 30 eggs in each storage period (7, 14, 21, and 28 days), in triplicate, under only one storage temperature (25°C). A total of five pools, consisting of two eggs each, were used for each treatment. Each pool was considered a replicate, and each treatment consisted of five replicates. The weight loss of the eggs stored at 10°C and 25°C during the storage period was, on average, 46.1% and 37.3% lower for the eggs coated with carnauba wax than in uncoated eggs, respectively. Overall, coated eggs, regardless the concentration of the wax (12 or 15%) had higher Haugh units, specific gravity, and yolk index than uncoated eggs, in both temperatures (10 and 25°C). Uncoated and coated eggs showed similar lipid oxidation values regardless of the storage period. On the other hand, eggs coated with solutions containing 15% wax showed less oxidation than eggs coated with 12% wax. The coating of commercial eggs with carnauba wax, both at concentrations of 12 and 15%, was effective in maintaining their internal quality during storage at both storage temperatures (10 and 25°C). Eggs stored at 25°C had lower quality traits during storage compared with eggs kept under refrigeration. Coating eggs with wax did not minimize the oxidative processes in the egg yolk.