The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glycosylation on exogenous xylanase stability when incubated under proteolytic conditions. Xylanase produced by Trichoderma longibrachiatum, was purified using gel filtration chromatography, ammonium sulfate salt precipitation and dialysis. A partially purified xylanase with Mr of 20- and 10 kDa was identified and contained >65% of the original xylanase activity. Glycoproteins present in the xylanase were identified by thymol sulfuric acid staining or by the FITC-Iabeled lectin method, specific for glycoproteins. This naturally glycosylated xylanase was enzymatically deglycosylated with one of two endo-N-glycosidases: PNGase F or Endo H. Efficiency of deglycosylation was determined with electrophoresis by observing protein mobility shifts or by staining with FITC-Iabeled lectin. The effect of glycosylation on the stability of the exogenous xylanase was tested by incubating the glycosylated or deglycosylated xylanase with rumen fluid (Rf), Prevotella ruminicola culture supernatant (Pr) or a commercial protease from Bacillus subtilis (Bs) for 0, 3, 6, 9 and 24h at 37°C. Results indicated that glycosylated xylanase was significantly more stable (P<0.05) against proteolytic inactivation under the relatively low protease conditions of Rf and Pr (0.018 and 0.046 mg azocasein degraded/ml/h, respectively), but not under high proteolytic conditions of Bs (1.009 mg azocasein/mllh). Also, the glycosylation effect was observed earlier when incubated with the numerous proteases of Rf (3h), than with Pr (9h). These results indicate that glycosylation enhances xylanase stability and therefore is an important characteristic for exogenous enzyme supplements for ruminants. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

O mundo vem sendo confrontado com a dupla crise de depleção dos combustíveis fósseis e a da degradação ambiental. A busca por novas fontes de energia que substituíssem os derivados do petróleo resultou no combustível alternativo conhecido como biodiesel, que possui propriedades interessantes quando comparadas ao diesel. As sementes de palmeiras possuem potencial para a produção do biodiesel, principalmente ao se considerar a alta porcentagem de óleo nos frutos e o alto rendimento por hectare. Porém, poucos representantes dessa família foram estudados, sendo necessárias mais pesquisas de bioprospecção para ampliar o uso das palmeiras. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial dos frutos (analisando-se polpa e sementes separadamente) de cinco espécies de Arecaceae: Oenocarpus bacaba, O. bataua, Socratea exorrhiza, provenientes das regiões Norte, e Astrocaryum aculeatissimum e Euterpe edulis, ambas da região Sudeste do Brasil, como fontes de óleo para a produção de biodiesel. Após a extração dos óleos e derivação dos triglicerídeos, os ésteres metílicos de ácidos graxos foram analisados em CG-FID e em CG/EM para identificação. Os farelos desengordurados foram avaliados quanto ao seu uso na alimentação animal. Para isso, foram quantificados: o amido, os açúcares solúveis e as proteínas solúveis. E foi realizada análise hierárquica para constatação ou não de grupos coesos intraespecíficos. Os resultados obtidos na análise dos óleos são bem promissores para o uso de quatro das cinco espécies estudadas. Contudo, aparentemente, os farelos não são indicados para uso com exclusividade na alimentação animal, devido às baixas concentrações dos nutrientes analisados, mas podem ser utilizados como enriquecedores de ração. Quanto à análise hierárquica, somente as amostras A. aculeatissimum formaram um grupo coeso / The world has been confronted with fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The search for new energy sources to replace petroleum derivatives resulted in alternative fuel known as biodiesel, which has interesting properties when compared to diesel. Palm seeds have potential as biodiesel sources, especially considering the high percentage of oil in its fruits and high yield per hectare. However, few representatives of this family were studied. More research of bioprospection is needed in order to expand the use of palm trees. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the fruit (pericarp and seeds analyzed separately) of five species of Arecaceae: Oenocarpus bacaba, O. bataua, Socratea exorrhiza, from the North and Astrocaryum aculeatissimum and Euterpe edulis in Southeastern of Brazil, as sources of oil for biodiesel production. After extraction of oils and derivatization of triglycerides, fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by GC-FID and GC / MS for identification. The defatted bran were evaluated for their use in animal feed. The contents of starch, soluble sugars and soluble proteins were determined. Hierarchical analyzes were conducted to find cohesive intraspecific groups. The results obtained with the analyses of the oils are very promising, regarding the use of four among the five species for biodiesel production. However, apparently, brans are not indicated exclusively for use in animal feed, due to low concentrations of the nutrients analyzed, but they may be used for feed enrichment. Regarding hierarchical analyzes, only samples of A. aculeatissimum showed cohesive groups

Nas últimas décadas, a produção de carne de frango vem se intensificando por expressivos avanços tecnológicos. Nutricionalmente, os promotores de crescimento antimicrobianos (antibióticos e quimioterápicos) foram essenciais, beneficiando o desempenho e a eficiência alimentar, quando utilizados como aditivos nas dietas, em doses subterapêuticas. Apesar da comprovada contribuição no desempenho das aves, os antibióticos promotores de crescimento passaram a ser vistos como fatores de risco para a saúde humana, devido ao potencial desenvolvimento da resistência bacteriana cruzada em humanos. Recentemente, têm sido desenvolvidas diversas alternativas aos antibióticos promotores de crescimento, incluindo probióticos, prebióticos, ácidos orgânicos, enzimas e extratos vegetais. Seguindo essa tendência, este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia do uso de extratos vegetais como alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento em dietas de frangos de corte. Foram realizados dois experimentos com frangos de corte para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes extratos vegetais no desempenho, na energia metabolizável da dieta e na morfometria dos órgãos. O experimento de desempenho envolveu 1200 frangos de corte machos criados em galpão experimental no período de 1 a 42 dias de idade, separados em grupos de 40 aves por boxe. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, sendo seis tratamentos e cinco repetições. O ensaio de metabolismo contou com 96 frangos machos em crescimento alojados em gaiolas metabólicas para coleta total de excretas, foram seis tratamentos e quatro repetições em delineamento interiramente casualizado. Ambos os experimentos receberam os mesmos tratamentos: dieta controle (DC); DC + 10 ppm de Avilamicina; DC + 1000 ppm de extrato de orégano; DC + 1000 ppm de extrato de cravo; DC + 1000 ppm de extrato de canela e DC + 1000 ppm de extrato de pimenta vermelha. Os produtos à base de extratos vegetais consistiram de microencapsulados contendo 20% do óleo essencial. As variáveis determinadas foram: peso vivo, ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, mortalidade, energia metabolizável aparente (EMAn) das dietas e peso relativo dos órgãos. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Não foi possível observar diferenças significativas (P>0.05) entre os tratamentos propostos para as variáveis de desempenho analisadas em todo o período de criação das aves. Da mesma maneira, a suplementação dos extratos nas dietas não interferiu (P>0.05) nos valores de EMAn das mesmas. A morfometria dos órgãos, em geral, também não foi alterada pela utilização dos extratos vegetais. Pôde ser observado que, os animais que receberam ração controle apresentaram maior peso relativo do fígado em relação aos demais tratamentos, diferindo significativamente (P<0.05) das aves alimentadas com a dieta suplementada com extrato de pimenta, que foi o menor valor observado. / Broiler meat production has experienced expressive technological improvements in the last decades. Nutritionally, the antimicrobial growth promoters (antibiotics and chemotherapeutics) contributed to that, when utilized as feed additives. These antimicrobials are very effective in performance improvement, but there are human health risks associated to their use because of the possibility of development of bacterial cross resistance. In recent years, several alternatives to the antibiotic growth promoters have been proposed including probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, enzymes and plant extracts. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of plant extracts as alternative growth promoters to the antibiotics as feed additives in chicken diets. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different plant on the metabolizable energy of the diet and performance and organ morphometry of broiler chickens. The performance trial involved 1,200 male chicks raised from 1 to 42 days of age, in groups of 40 birds per pen, in a experimental poultry house. A randomized complete block design, with 6 treatments and 5 blocks, was used. In the metabolism trial, 96 chickens in the grower period were allotted to battery cages and total excreta collection was conducted with 6 treatments and 4 replicates in a completely randomized design. The treatments for both experiments were: Corn-soybean meal control diet (C); C + 10 ppm Avilamycin; C + 1,000 ppm oregano extract; C + 1,000 ppm clove extract; C + 1,000 ppm cinnamon extract; C + 1,000 ppm red pepper extract. The plant extract products added consisted of microencapsulated preparations containing 20% essential oil. The variables evaluated were liveweight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, mortality, apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of the diets and organ weights. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and means compared using Tukey&#39;s test. It was not detected any significant (P>0.05) difference among the treatments for the performance variables of the chickens along the growth period. Likewise, the plant extracts supplementation did not affect the AMEn of the diets (P>0.05). Organ morphometry was also, in general, not influenced by the additives. The only significant effect was a higher liver relative weight of the control birds (P<0.05) compared to the red pepper fed birds.

Foram utilizadas 24 ovelhas da raça Santa Inês para coleta de tecido adiposo, sendo 16 lactantes e 8 secas. Oito ovelhas lactantes foram tratadas in vivo com bST (160 mg, em duas doses em intervalo de 14 dias) iniciando a injeção subcutânea de hormônio no 13 o dia de lactação, sendo que os animais restantes receberam somente vitamina E. Outros 8 animais encontravam-se em período seco, para que fosse verificada também a diferença das taxas lipolíticas em diferentes estados fisiológicos. Foi verificada a hipótese de que ocorra uma atuação da ST através de mudança na resposta do sistema antilipolítico da proteína Gi ligada a receptores da adenosina. O tratamento com ST exógena aumentou o ganho de peso das ovelhas lactantes (P<0,05) e também o peso dos cordeiros oriundos do grupo tratado ao final do período experimental, no entanto, não foi verificado aumento na produção de leite. As concentrações de AGNE diminuíram no decorrer da lactação para os dois grupos de ovelhas lactantes, chegando no 36 º dia de lactação a concentrações similares ao do grupo de ovelhas secas. A concentração de IGF-I sérico das ovelhas aumentou após tratamento com bST, sendo 8 dias após a segunda dose do hormônio (36 dias de lactação) superior à concentração observada para ovelhas secas. A lactação não teve influência na lipólise basal entre os diferentes estados fisiológicos. Houve um aumento significativo (P<0,01) da taxa lipolítica do tecido adiposo quando estimulada por b adrenérgico (ISO) para animais em quaisquer dos estados fisiológicos. Todavia, a taxa estimulada por ISO foi significativamente (P<0,01) mais elevada no tecido das ovelhas tratadas com bST. Na presença de ADA, ocorreu um aumento da taxa em relação à basal, mas não ultrapassou àquela estimulada por isoproterenol. O estímulo lipolítico pela eliminação de adenosina no meio através da ADA apresentou-se significativamente (P<0,01) mais elevado para ovelhas lactantes, sendo este efeito amenizado pelo tratamento com bST. O uso do análogo da adenosina PIA quando colocado no meio de cultura do tecido que foi tratado in vivo com bST teve seu efeito diminuído. Os resultados indicam um aumento da taxa lipolítica em resposta a agonista b-adrenérgico no tecido adiposo do omento de ovelhas lactantes tratadas com bST in vivo, bem como confirmam a hipótese de diminuição da ação inibitória da adenosina na cascata lipolítica naquele tecido. / Bovine somatotropin (bST) treatment in vivo alters adipose tissue metabolism by enhancing lipolytic response to adrenergic agonists. We examined the impact of bST and lactation on basal and stimulated lipolytic rates with isoproterenol (ISO; 10 -5 nM), adenosine deaminase (ADA; 0.75 U/mL), ISO plus ADA in short-term (2h) incubations of ovine adipose tissue. The anti-lipolytic effect of phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA; non-hydrolyzable adenosine analog) was evaluated at various concentrations (0.5, 1.5, 3, 100 nM). Sixteen lactating Santa Ines ewes were randomly assigned to two groups. They received two s.c. injections, with a 14 day interval, starting at d 13 postpartum with either bST (160 mg) or Vitamin E (control). Eight similar nonlactating ewes received vitamin E. Omental adipose tissue biopsies were taken on d 8 after the second bST or vitamin injection. The performance of weight and milk production were taken. The serum IGF-I was analyzed. The lipolytic rate was determined by NEFA release in serum and media as mEq of oleic acid.2h -1 g -1 tissue. Basal lipolytic rates did not change with lactation or with bST treatment in vivo (P>0,05). ISO stimulated lipolytic rate increased compared to basal and was higher for the adipose tissue from lactating ewes treated with bST (P<0,01).The lipolytic rate for adipose incubated with ADA was higher than basal for lactating ewes, with the greater response for the control. The ADA treated tissue from lactating ewes receiving bST showed intermediate lipolytic rates. Maximum lipolytic rate with ISO+ADA was also higher for lactating ewes treated with bST (P<0.01), and there was no difference between lactating and nonlactating ewes. The PIA effects were evaluated by the inhibition of ISO+ADA lipolysis, and adipose tissue from lactating ewes treated with bST showed a reduced response to PIA. The results demonstrate that in vivo somatotropin treatment increases maximal lipolytic rates stimulated by adrenergic agonist and decreases the antilipolytic effect of PIA in omental adipose tissue in ewes.

Objetivou-se no presente estudo, avaliar o efeito da nutrição proteica no terço final da gestação de vacas Nelore, seguido de estratégias de suplementação e/ou alimentação de suas crias fêmeas sobre a idade à puberdade até os 18 meses. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x2x2; constituindo-se de: 2 manejos suplementar das vacas no pré-parto (Fase I); 2 manejos suplementar das crias (Fase II) e 2 manejos alimentar na recria (Fase IIIA). Na Fase I, 241 vacas foram suplementadas com farelos de soja na proporção de 0,5kg/vaca/dia (Tratamento 1) e 258 vacas foram mantidas sem acesso a suplementação Tratamento 2 (controle - Fase I). Cerca de metade do número de vacas e suas crias fêmeas, nascidas na Fase I, foram distribuídas em dois tratamentos na Fase II-(suplementação das crias) aos 110 dias de idade das crias, as quais passaram receber ou não uma mistura mineral proteica energética em creep-feeding, constituindo assim, os tratamentos suplementação de bezerras em creep-feeding (n =119) e controle (sem suplementação, n =122 ) na Fase II até os 205 dias de idade (desmama). Na fase III A, metade das bezerras de cada grupo na fase II foram manejados em confinamentos (n=119) e a outra metade permaneceu no pasto (Grupo controle, n = 122), até os 320 dias de idade. Na fase IIIB, todas as novilhas foram manejados juntos a pasto e submetidas a estação de monta a partir dos 440 dias aos 560 dias de idade. Os sistemas de suplementação das vacas e bezerras na fase de cria não afetaram o peso corporal, concentração de IGF-1 e percentual de peso adulto das novilhas no início da estação de monta (P > 0,05). O manejo das novilhas em confinamento na fase IIIA, aumentou o número de novilhas púberes (31,9% vs 13,9%; P < 0,01), para as novilhas alimentadas ou não em confinamento, respectivamente. Entretanto, a alimentação em confinamento não ocasionou diferença na idade que estas atingiram a puberdade. Considerando apenas as novilhas que atingiram à puberdade (n = 55) houve efeito de interação entre as fases de suplementação/alimentação e a idade à puberdade (P < 0,05). Para as vacas manejadas na Fase I, a suplementação influenciou a ciclicidade das mesmas no momento da IATF (68,9% vs 55,4%; P < 0,05), porém não ocasionou diferença no número de vacas prenhes (60,1 vs 55,3%; P > 0,05), vacas suplementadas e não suplementadas, respectivamente. Similarmente, a suplementação das novilhas em creep-feeding, não influenciou a taxa de prenhez das vacas (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, a suplementação das vacas com fontes proteicas não influenciou a idade a puberdade de novilhas até os 18 meses, sendo que o manejo alimentar em confinamento aumentou o número de novilhas púberes em relação com as manejadas no pasto. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protein nutrition in the final third of gestation of Nelore cows, followed by supplementation strategies and / or feed their young females over the age of puberty until 18 months. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial 2x2x2; constituting of: 2 suplementary managements of cows in pre-partum (Phase I); 2 supplementary managements of offspring (Phase II) and 2 alimentary managements during rearing (Phase IIIA). In Phase I, 241 cows were supplemented with soybean meal at the rate of 0.5 kg / cow / day (Treatment 1) and 258 cows were kept without access to supplemental Treatment 2 (control - phase I). About half of the cows and their female offspring, born in Phase I, were assigned to two treatments in Phase-II (supplementation of cubs) at 110 days of age of the offsprings, which now receive or not a mineral mix protein energy in creep-feeding, constituting, treatments supplementation in calves creep-feeding (n = 119) and control group (without supplementation, n = 122) in Phase II until 205 days of age (weaning). In phase III A, half of each group of calves in phase II were managed in feedlots (n = 119) and the other half remained in the pasture (control group, n = 122), up to 320 days of age. In stage IIIB, all heifers were managed together and submitted to the pasture breeding season from 440 days to 560 days old. Supplementation systems of cows and calves during the growing period did not affect body weight, concentration of IGF-1 and percentage of mature weight of heifers at the beginning of the breeding season (P> 0.05). The management of heifers in the feedlot phase IIIA, increased the number of pubertal heifers (31.9% vs 13.9%, P <0.01) for heifers fed in confinement or not, respectively. However, feeding in confinement caused no difference in age they reached puberty. Considering only heifers reached puberty (n = 55) there was an interaction effect between phases of supplementation / nutrition and age at puberty (P <0.05). For cows managed in Phase I, supplementation influenced the cyclicality of the same at the time of TAI (68.9% vs 55.4%, P <0.05), but caused no difference in the number of pregnant cows (60.1 vs 55.3%, P> 0.05), supplemented and nonsupplemented cows, respectively. Similarly, the addition of heifers in creep-feeding did not influence the rate of pregnancy in cows (P> 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of cows with protein sources did not influence the age at puberty in heifers up to 18 months, and feeding management in confinement increased the number of pubertal compared with those managed on pasture.

Dietas exclusivas com ração tornam elevado o custo da criação de coelhos. O coelho tem capacidade de aproveitar a fibra mais eficientemente que outros monogástricos devido a cecotrofia. O uso de forrageira conservada como complemento alimentar pode ser uma alternativa na criação, porém faltam estudos no tema. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o uso de silagem de girassol ou silagem de milho na alimentação de coelhos cruzados em crescimento. O experimento foi realizado no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciênica e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul – Campus Ibirubá. Os coelhos foram desmamados em média aos 31 dias e abatido aos 100 dias de idade. Os tratamentos foram: dieta basal, dieta basal e silagem de girassol e dieta basal e silagem de milho. Houve diferença no consumo diário de ração, tratamento dieta basal e silagem de milho consumiu 20 % menos ração que o dieta basal. O consumo de silagem diário foi diferente entre os tipos de silagem fornecidas. O consumo de água não foi afetado pelos tratamentos com silagem. O ganho médio diário não diferiu entre os tratamentos, foi de 33 g, 38 g e 34 g, respectivos dieta basal, dieta basal e silagem de girassol e dieta basal e silagem de milho. Ocorreu redução no custo da alimentação utilizando silagem na dieta de coelhos. A adição de silagem na dieta não alterou as características de carcaça Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca e energia bruta obtidos com dieta basal e silagem de girassol e dieta basal e silagem de milho foram menores que aqueles determinados utilizando apenas a dieta basal. Não houve diferença para os coeficientes de digestibilidade das cinzas, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro. O coeficiente da digestibilidade da fibra em detergente ácido variou entre os tratamentos. Não houve diferença significativa para as variáveis comportamentais analisadas: ócio, cecotrofia, ingestão de água, saltando e autolimpeza. Houve diferença significativa na ingestão de ração, ingestão de silagem, tempo total de alimentação e outros comportamentos. Não houve diferença significativa para as variáveis sanguíneas glicose, colesterol e triglicerídeos. Os níveis sanguíneos de vitamina C e E foram superiores nos tratamentos dieta basal e silagem de girassol e dieta basal e silagem de milho. A análise da mucosa intestinal demonstrou que a alimentação adicionada de silagem não alteraram a largura e a altura dos vilos intestinais. Os coelhos que foram alimentados com dieta basal mais silagem de milho apresentaram o melhor resultado de viabilidade econômica. / Exclusive diets with feed make the cost of raising rabbits high. The rabbit has the ability to utilize the fiber more efficiently than other monogastrics due to cecotrophy. The use of forage preserved as a food supplement may be an alternative in breeding, but there is a lack of studies on the subject. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of sunflower silage or corn silage in the feeding of growing cross rabbits. The experiment was carried out at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul - Ibirubá Campus. Rabbits were weaned on average at 31 days and slaughtered at 100 days of age. The treatments were: basal diet, basal diet and sunflower silage and basal diet and corn silage. There was a difference in daily feed intake, basal diet and corn silage consumed 20% less feed than basal diet. Daily silage consumption was different among the types of silage provided. Water consumption was not affected by silage treatments. The average daily gain did not differ between treatments, it was 33 g, 38 g and 34 g, respectively basal diet, basal diet and sunflower silage and basal diet and corn silage. There was a reduction in feed cost using silage in the diet of rabbits. The addition of silage in the diet did not alter the carcass characteristics The dry matter and gross energy coefficient of digestibility obtained with the basal diet and sunflower silage or basal diet and corn silage were smaller than those determined using only the basal diet. There was no difference for the coefficient of digestibility of the ashes, crude protein and neutral detergente fiber. The acid detergent fiber coefficient of digestibility varied between treatments. There was no significant difference for the behavioral variables analyzed: idleness, cecotrophy, water intake, jumping and self-cleaning. There was a significant difference in feed intake, silage intake, total feeding time and other behaviors. There was no significant difference for the blood variables glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. Blood levels of vitamin C and E were higher in basal diet and sunflower silage and basal diet and corn silage. Analysis of the intestinal mucosa showed that the added feed of silage did not alter the width and height of the intestinal villi. Rabbits that were fed a basal diet plus corn silage presented the best economic viability result.

Thesis (MSc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / A study was conducted to determine the effect of shredded Colophospermum (C.) mopane wood inclusion as roughage on performance of fattening Nguni heifers weighing 200 ± 5kg. The four diets used were isocaloric and isonitrogenous but with different shredded C. mopane wood inclusion levels of 5 (F95M5), 8.5 (F91.5M8.5), 10 (F90M10) and 15 (F85M15) %. The heifers were randomly allocated to the treatments in a completely randomized design. A quadratic equation was used to determine the shredded C. mopane inclusion levels for optimal productivity of the heifers. Shredded C. mopane wood inclusion level had effect (P<0.05) on intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Diet DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF intakes per metabolic weight and FCR of Nguni heifers were optimized at different shredded C. mopane wood inclusion levels of 11.0, 13.7, 8.0, 15.0, 14.0, 14.0 and 15%, respectively. However, shredded C. mopane wood inclusion level did not affect (P>0.05) diet in vitro digestibility, carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat pH, meat shear force values and meat colour intensities except for red colour intensity of rump steak. It was, thus, concluded that shredded C. mopane wood can be used as roughage without adversely affecting diet intake, FCR, and live weight of Nguni heifers. However, diet intake and FCR were optimized at different C. mopane wood inclusion levels.

<p>The first four months of a dairy calf’s life provide the foundation for future production and health. Therefore, it is critical that calves are managed to optimize both health and growth, to maximize their potential. Calf morbidity, which leads to less productive animals and is an economic impact on producers, continue to be areas of opportunity in the dairy industry. In addition, the animal agricultural community is working to reduce the use of antibiotics, due to a growing concern regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria. This provides researchers with the challenge of identifying strategies to reduce calf morbidity and mortality, while also decreasing reliance on antibiotics. The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate nutritional strategies supplemented to calves as well as maternal factors that impact colostrum. The studies focused on strategies to improve the innate and adaptive immune responses and growth of the calf, ultimately reducing reliance on antibiotics. Chapters 2 and 3 discuss feeding dairy calves <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation products in milk replacer and solid feeds until 4 months of age. This study concluded that feeding <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation products to calves improves average daily gain and feed efficiency post-weaning and reduces antibiotic treatment incidence for respiratory disease. It also increases the evenness of the fecal microbiome and the acute innate immune response, as determined by increased TNF-α, glucose, and respiration rate during a lipopolysaccharide challenge. Chapter 4 evaluated the effects of feeding dairy calves medium chain fatty acids (C8:0 and C10:0) in milk replacer until 60 days of age. Feeding C8:0 and C10:0 to calves reduced plasma NEFA concentrations around weaning, suggesting the mobilization of less adipose tissue to meet the energy demands of the calf. This trial also determined that vaccinating calves at 3 weeks of age with ovalbumin combined with an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, is an effective way to evaluate their adaptive immune responses. </p> <p>Supplementing calves directly is not the only way to impact calf growth and health, maternal factors also impact calf nutrition through colostrum consumption. Last, chapter 5 explored maternal factors that influence the lipidome of colostrum and therefore the lipid intake of the newborn calf. This study concluded that the metabolic status of the cow affects circulating lipids and the lipid content of colostrum. Also, the lipidome of colostrum is distinct from the circulating lipidome of the calf, which is similar to the circulating lipidome of the cow, except for phosphatidylglycerol, where it appears that colostrum serves as the source for the phosphatidylglycerol present in the circulation of the calf. There are many different nutritional strategies that can impact the health and productivity of calves. Calves can be directly supplemented with nutraceuticals like <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation products or medium chain fatty acids, or calf nutrition can be influenced by the maternal factors through the consumption of colostrum. </p>

The longevity of high productivity sows in the herd has become a challenge in pig production. Several factors may contribute to increased mortality rates observed over the past few years as well as lower retention rates of young sows. Chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders are conditions that sows had evolved over the years together with the greater productivity. This dissertation underlines the immunomodulatory effects of using yeast fermentation product fed to lactating sows. In the interest of determining patterns of local and systemic immune response, a new methodology to access cytokine profiles in puerperium sows was developed. In Chapter 2, one hundred-forty sows were used to evaluate the effects of two different <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation product (SCFP), a liquid source (LIQ) and a dry source (XPC®; Diamond V), on sow and litter performance. Sows were fed a common gestation diet until d 112 of pregnancy and then allotted to one of four treatments: 1) Control diet (CON), 2) CON + 15 mL/d of LIQ from d 112 to weaning (LIQ), 3) CON + 0.20% of XPC from d 112 to weaning (DRY), and 4) DRY + 15 mL/d of LIQ from d 112 to d 7 post-farrowing (D+L). Colostrum immunoglobulin concentrations were estimated using Brix refractometer. Plasma of piglets (2/sow) was collected 24 h after birth for immunocrit ratio analysis and for determination of plasma IgA and IgG concentrations. Lactation water and feed intake (ADFI) were recorded daily. Post-weaning follicle growth was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography. Sows had the same initial BW (P > 0.13) but those fed any SCFP were heavier at weaning (P = 0.03) while not affecting sow backfat and loin depth (P>0.05). Overall, sows fed SCFP had greater ADFI than CON fed pigs (P < 0.01) while water intake, reproductive performance (total born, stillborn, weaned) did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). Sows fed LIQ had the greatest ADFI on weeks 1, 2, 3, and overall compared to CON (P < 0.05). Litter ADG from SCFP treatments tended to be greater than CON (P = 0.10) and litter weight variability was lower (P = 0.10). No treatment effects were observed in colostrum Brix values (P > 0.77), in the piglet plasma IgG and IgA, and serum immunocrit ratio (P > 0.21). The average daily post-weaning follicle growth was greater for SCFP treatments than CON (P = 0.05). The wean to estrus interval was shorter for sows fed LIQ than CON and DRY (P < 0.01).<br><div><br></div><div>In Chapter 3 a non-invasive methodology to assess cytokine profiles from post-partum uterine lavage is described. The uteri of fourteen second and third parity sows were flushed with sterile saline solution (0.9%) on days 2, 4, and 14 post-parturition. Uterine fluid collected was immediately centrifuged and the supernatant stored at -20°C. Samples were freeze-dried, re-suspended in sterile saline (2 mL), and stored at -80°C. Cytokine profiles of the uterine fluid were evaluated using a multiplex ELISA panel including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Cytokine concentrations were calculated relative to protein content (pg/mg of protein). IFN-γ and TNF-α were lower than the limit of detection in most samples (5/38 and 1/38, respectively). IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations did not differ among days of collection (P>0.14). IL-8 was greater on day 4 than on days 2 or 14 (P<0.05). IL-1β and IL-6 were greater on days 2 and 4 than on day 14 (P<0.05).<br></div><div><br></div><div>The study presented in Chapter 4 refers to a subsample of sows (n=40) from the entire group of sows used in the study presented in Chapter 2. In this case, the methodology presented in Chapter 3 was used to evaluate SCFP effects on blood and uterine cytokine profiles in sows. A similar set of cytokines from Chapter 3 were evaluated on d 112 of gestation, d 2 and 6 post-farrowing in the plasma, and from uterine fluid collected on d 2, 4, and 6 post-farrowing. Serum C-Reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin concentrations were evaluated. No interactions between treatments and day of collection were observed (P>0.13). LIQ and D+L sows had the greatest serum IL-10 concentration (P<0.001) and sows fed CON tended to have lower serum concentration of IL-8 (P<0.06) vs. other treatments. Serum CRP concentrations were greatest on d 2 (P<0.001), serum IL-10 (P<0.04) and IL-4 (P<0.07) linearly decreased while serum haptoglobin (P<0.02) and IFN-γ (P<0.001) linearly increased post-farrowing. In the uterine fluid, LIQ and D+L sows had greater IFN-γ (P=0.04) concentrations and CON tended to have the least concentration of TNF-α (P=0.08). Uterine fluid IL-1 tended to linearly increase (P<0.07) and IL-6 linearly decrease (P<0.01) post-farrowing. LIQ sows had the greatest daily feed intake and CON the least during the first week of lactation (P=0.04).<br></div><div><br></div><div>In conclusion, feeding SCFP to lactating sows improved feed intake and litter growth while not affecting milk yield and colostrum quality. Besides improvements on litter ADG, the uniformity was better for all sources of SCFP. The liquid sources had slightly better results over the other sources and CON, including the greatest feed intake, less body weight mobilization, and a reduction in WEI. The method proposed to evaluate cytokine profiles in the uterine fluids of sows after farrowing, accomplished the objective of being a non-invasive procedure to be applied in puerperium sows. This new procedure was applied to analyze the immunomodulatory effects of SCFP. The correlations observed between the uterine and serum cytokines lead to a refined description of immune response in puerperium sows. Feeding SCFP to lactating sows stimulates the immune system allowing sows to build a desirable immune responses. Thus, the quicker resolution of acute phase reaction as demonstrated by greater daily feed intake in the first week post-farrowing can be attributed to SCFP immunomodulatory effects, ensuring better lactation performance.<br></div>

El objetivo principal del presente trabajo de investigación es evaluar la deseabilidad, factibilidad y viabilidad de la propuesta de un plan de negocio para la venta de comida BARF (comida cruda biológicamente apropiada, por sus siglas en inglés) para perros domésticos. Nuestra propuesta parte de la existencia de una creciente demanda de alimentos saludables para las mascotas, la cual está lineada a la tendencia de buscar nuevas alternativas de alimentación saludable para las propias personas y su entorno. Se busca fundamentalmente disminuir el riesgo de enfermedades y contar con una vida longeva para las mascotas. Adicionalmente, los últimos años ha existido un incremento continuo del gasto en el cuidado de las mascotas y del número de mascotas por hogar, ambas tendencias han creado el concepto de doglovers. Partiendo de estas premisas, se realizó un análisis económico para estimar la viabilidad de este plan de negocio, el cual resulta coherente con la realidad del mercado objetivo, generando márgenes de ganancia adecuados y sustentables en el tiempo. / The main objective of this research work is to evaluate the desirability, feasibility and opportunity of the proposal of a business plan for the sale of BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) for domestic dogs. Our proposal is based on the existence of a growing demand for healthy food for pets, which is aligned with the tendency to seek new alternatives for healthy eating for the people themselves and their environment. It is fundamentally sought to reduce the risk of diseases and have a long life for pets. In addition, in recent years there has been a continuous increase in spending on pet care and the number of pets per household, both trends have created the concept of doglovers. Based on these premises, an economic analysis was carried out to estimate the viability of this business plan, which was consistent with the reality of the target market, generating profit margins and being sustainable over time. / Trabajo de investigación