Blood serum samples of HYBRO PG broilers were analyzed, with 30 samples collected from 21-day-old broilers (G1), 30 from 35-day-old birds (G2), and 30 from 42-day-old birds (G3), with the aim of establishing normal values of some blood serum parameters. The activities of the enzymes gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum levels of total calcium, calcium ion, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chlorides, creatinine, uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, total and indirect and direct bilirubin, and electrophoretic profile of serum proteins in acrylamide (SDS-PAGE) and agarose gel were determined. There was no influence of age on total bilirubin and albumin levels. All the other evaluated parameters presented differences in at least one age group. Protein electrophoretic profile also changed as a function of age. The obtained results can be considered as normal for the studied ages, and therefore be used as references for the interpretation of laboratory exams of broilers of this genetic line in the evaluated ages

RESUMO -Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito da inclusão de 0,0; 3,3; 6,6 e 9,9% de óleo de soja em rações isoenergéticas sobre o tempo de trânsito (TT), desempenho, características de carcaça e composição corporal de frangos de Intestinal Transit Time, Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Body Composition in Broilers Fed Isoenergy Diets Formulated with Different Levels of Soybean OilABSTRACT -This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 0.0, 3.3, 6.6, and 9.9% soybean oil inclusion in isoenergy diets on transit time (TT), performance, carcass characteristics and body composition of broilers from 21 to 56 days of age. The TT was determined at 22 and 42 days of age. Eight hundred and fourty broilers, with initial average weight of 870 g, allotted to a completely randomized design, with four treatments, six replications and 35 broilers per experimental unit, were used in the performance experiment. The TT was reduced linearly at 22 and 42 days of age. From 21 to 42 days, the levels of soybean oil showed a quadratic effect on weight gain, feed:gain ratio, energy:gain ratio and a linear effect on feed intake and energy intake. In the total period, it was observed a positive linear effect of soybean oil on weight gain, energy intake and feed intake and a quadratic effect on feed:gain and energy:gain. Abdominal fat was quadractly influenced at 42 and 56 days of age. However, carcass yield was quadractly influenced only at 56 days of age. Total body fat was positively influenced by age at 56 days and ash decreased at the same age.

No abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the normal values of bone radiographic density (BRD) by using the optical densitometry in radiographic images and the biochemical values represented by serum calcium, ash percentage, and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) from tibia ash of Cobb broilers at 8, 22, and 43 d of age. A total of 14 broilers were used for densitometric analysis, and 15 were used for biochemical dosages. The BRD values increased (P < 0.05) with age and in all tibia regions (proximal epiphysis, diaphysis, and distal epiphysis), concluding that growth was a determinative factor for bone performance, demanding a higher BRD during broiler development. Tibia proximal epiphysis presented higher BRD values in relation to the other bone regions (P < 0.05), as a result of a possible biomechanical adaptation to ligaments and tension of the muscle tendons at this region, allowing the support of the muscle mass increase. The serum calcium values were kept constant, as a result of the appropriate nutritional levels of the diet that supported the animal homeostasis. The bone ash and mineral percentage increased (P < 0.05) at 22 d of age, due to the higher mineral requirement in this age. The correlation between bone densitometry and the invasive techniques showed that the bone densitometry can substitute the determination of mineral percentage in the ash. This experiment presented normal values of the noninvasive and invasive methods more used in aviculture, allowing us to compare, subsequently, pathological and physiological values or results of broilers fed with different diets.

RESUMO -Um experimento foi conduzido para se determinar o valor energético do óleo de soja refinado, do óleo de canola refinado, do óleo de girassol refinado, do óleo de frango, do óleo de peixe e da banha suína para frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 168 frangos de corte com 22 dias de idade, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos (seis fontes lipídicas e uma ração-referência) e quatro repetições de seis frangos por unidade experimental. O experimento teve duração de oito dias, sendo a coleta de excretas realizada nos últimos cinco dias. As fontes lipídicas testadas substituíram a dieta basal em 20% na matéria natural. Os valores de energia metabolizável aparente corrigidos para retenção de nitrogênio na matéria natural foram: 9.201 kcal/kg para o óleo de soja; 8.129 kcal/kg para o óleo canola; 9.561 kcal/kg para o óleo de girassol; 8.251 kcal/kg para o óleo de frango; 8.715 kcal/kg para o óleo de peixe e 8.366 kcal/kg para a banha suína.Palavras-chave: digestibilidade, energia metabolizável, gordura, óleos, valor energético Energetic Value of Some Fat Sources Determined for BroilersABSTRACT -One experiment was carried out to determine the energy value of feeding fats (refined soybean oil, refined canola oil, refined sunflower oil, poultry fat, fish oil and lard) for broilers. One hundred and sixty eight broilers averaging 22 days old were allotted to a complete randomized design with seven treatments and four replicates of six broilers. The experiment lasted 8 days, with three days for adaptation and five days for excreta collection. The control replaced 20% of basal diet, as-fed basis. The values of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen, as-fed basis, were as follows: 9,201 kcal/kg for refined soybean oil, 8,129 kcal/kg for refined canola oil, 9,561 kcal/kg for refined sunflower oil, 8,251 kcal/kg for poultry fat, 8,715 kcal/kg for fish oil, and 8,366 kcal/kg for lard.

Três ensaios biológicos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar o conteúdo de energia metabolizável e do coeficientes de digestibilidade do extrato etéreo da soja integral processada por diferentes métodos (extrusão e tostagem) e do farelo de soja reconstituído com óleo. No primeiro e segundo ensaios, foram utilizadas a metodologia tradicional de coleta total de excretas, utilizando pintos no primeiro ensaio e galos no segundo. No terceiro ensaio, empregou-se a metodologia de alimentação forçada (Sibbald, 1976) com galos adultos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, as sojas testadas apresentaram composições bromatológicas semelhantes. Os processamentos usados para a soja integral conferiram diferenças na digestibilidade dos nutrientes da soja e os coeficientes de digestibilidade do extrato etéreo obtidos para a soja extrusada e para o farelo de soja com adição de óleo foram superiores aos obtidos para soja tostada pelo vapor. Os valores de energia metabolizável obtidos para a soja extrusada foram superiores aos encontrados para a soja tostada pelo vapor e para o farelo de soja com adição de óleo, que foram semelhantes entre si.

Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de verificar o efeito da adição de antibiótico, probiótico, prebiótico e gluconato de sódio para suínos no período de 28 a 142 dias de idade, correspondente às fases de creche, crescimento e terminação. Foram utilizados 168 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em 42 baias com quatro suínos machos castrados em cada unidade experimental, com seis repetições e sete dietas: ração basal (controle negativo); ração basal + antibiótico; ração basal + probiótico; ração basal + prebiótico; ração basal + probiótico + prebiótico (simbiótico); ração basal + gluconato de sódio; ração basal + gluconato de sódio + probiótico. O desempenho dos animais diferiu entre as dietas e foi melhor nos animais que receberam ração com aditivos no período de 28 a 142 dias de idade. Entre os aditivos, o simbiótico foi mais eficiente, pois promoveu os melhores resultados de ganho de peso e conversão alimentar. Do mesmo modo, a adição de gluconato de sódio + probiótico, prebiótico e probiótico nas rações foi mais eficiente que a adição de antibiótico. A utilização dos aditivos avaliados em substituição ao antibiótico não compromete as características de carcaça e a morfometria intestinal. A associação do probiótico e prebiótico (simbiótico) estudados melhora o desempenho dos suínos nas fases de creche, crescimento e terminação.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of broilers at 55 days of age fed diets with different levels of metabolizable energy and lysine. Evaluated data of performance were weight gain, feed intake, energy intake, lysine intake, caloric conversion and feed conversion. Carcass assessment was performed based on data from carcass yield, breast weight, whole wings, whole legs, back, head + neck, feet and abdominal fat. A 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used, with 3 levels of metabolizable energy (3,200; 3,400 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg) and 3 lysine levels (0.95%; 1.05% and 1.15%). There was no interaction between the two factors. Nevertheless, increasing levels of metabolizable energy improved weight gain (745 g; 841 g and 910 g, respectively) and feed intake was higher in broilers receiving the diets with 3,200 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg. Overall performance was not affected by lysine levels. Feed conversion values were 2.69, 2.42 and 2.14 for birds fed diets with 3,200; 3,400 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg, respectively. Carcass yield and breast weight increased with higher levels of energy and lysine in the diets.