Orientador: Luiz Claudio Nogueira Mendes / Coorientador: Marcelo Vasconcelos Meireles / Banca: Alex Akira Nakamura / Banca: Fernanda Bovino / Resumo: A infecção patogênica por Eimeria spp., denominada eimeriose ou coccidiose, tem sido indicada como responsável por mortes, queda no desenvolvimento e baixa produtividade em criações animais, ocorrendo principalmente em indivíduos jovens devido à imaturidade do sistema imunológico. Quando são submetidos a um sistema intensivo de produção, como em situação de confinamento, cordeiros podem se tornar ainda mais susceptíveis às infecções por espécies de Eimeria, devido à alta concentração de indivíduos, que potencializa a dispersão do parasito, e ao estresse associado à criação. No estado de São Paulo, já foram identificadas dez espécies de Eimeria em estudos prévios e, dentre elas, E. ovinoidalis foi considerada a mais patogênica para ovinos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as espécies do gênero Eimeria Schneider, 1875 que ocorreram em um confinamento de cordeiros, bem como as dinâmicas da eliminação de oocistos no ambiente e correlação com o ganho de peso médio diário (GMD) durante nove semanas. Cento e quatro cordeiros de diversas raças e cruzas, com aproximadamente 60 dias de vida, foram confinados e submetidos a pesagens, avaliações clínicas e coprológicas periódicas. Amostras de fezes que continham mais de 500 oocistos de Eimeria por gramas de fezes (OoPG) foram separadas para esporulação, posteriormente determinando-se as espécies às quais os oocistos pertenciam. Dentre os 677 oocistos avaliados, as seguintes espécies foram identificadas: E. parva Kotla... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Pathogenic infection caused by Eimeria spp., denominated eimeriosis or coccidiosis, has been pointed out as responsible for deaths, decreased development and low productivity for livestock animals, affecting mainly young individuals due to immature immunological system. When submitted to an intensive breeding system, as a feedlot, lambs can become even more susceptible to Eimeria infections, due to high concentration of animals, which potentializes parasite dispersion, and to stress generated by farming conditions. In São Paulo State, ten Eimeria species were identified in previous studies and, among them, E. ovinoidalis, was considered the most pathogenic for ovine. So, this study aimed to describe species of the Eimeria Schneider, 1875 that occurred in a lamb feedlot, as well as the dynamics of oocyst output in the environment and its correlation with daily weight gain (DWG) during nine weeks. One hundred and four lambs of various breeds and crossbreeds, at approximately 60 days old, were placed in a feedlot and submitted to periodic weighing, clinical and coprological evaluations. Fecal samples that had more than 500 Eimeria spp. oocysts per gram (OPG) were separated for sporulation, and oocysts were identified at species level. Among the 677 evaluated oocysts, the following species were identified: E. parva Kotlan, Moscy & Vajda, 1929, E. crandallis Honess, 1942, E. ovinoidalis McDougald, 1979, E. weybridgensis Norton, Joyner & Catchpole 1974, E. bakuensis Musaev, 1970 (s... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A própolis é um produto natural elaborado pelas abelhas e vendido comercialmente, muito conhecida pela sua capacidade antimicrobiana, antioxidante e anti-inflamatória. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a influência da própolis vermelha no desempenho, metabolismo e ocorrência de doenças em bezerros leiteiros suplementados diariamente. Foram utilizados 32 bezerros recém-nascidos colostrados e alojados individualmente com acesso a água e concentrado inicial. Os animais foram colocados em blocos de acordo com o peso ao nascer, data de nascimento e sexo, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: 1) Controle e 2) Suplementação diária de 4mL/dia de extrato alcoólico de própolis (30%) no leite integral. O consumo de alimentos e o escore de saúde e fecal foram monitorados diariamente, já as pesagens foram realizadas semanalmente. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas semanalmente, duas horas após o aleitamento da manhã, para realização de hemograma, determinação de hematócrito e das concentrações de glicose, proteína total, &beta;-hidroxibutirato, lactato, ureia, além da capacidade de ligação de ferro. O tratamento não apresentou efeito para os dados de consumo, ganho de peso e desempenho (P>0,05). No entanto, os animais suplementados com própolis vermelha apresentaram significante redução no escore fecal e no número de dias com diarreia (P<0,05). Para os parâmetros sanguíneos, apenas a contagem de eritrócitos totais sofreu efeito do tratamento, apresentando redução em sua concentração nos animais suplementados (P<0,05). O extrato de própolis vermelha brasileira tem grande potencial como alternativa natural para diminuir a incidência de diarreia em bezerros leiteiros, reduzindo a utilização de antibióticos nos sistemas de criação de bezerras. / This study aimed to characterize the influence of propolis or bee glue in the performance, metabolism and diseases of dairy calves. Propolis is a natural product collect by bees and sold commercially, well know for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects and the ability to improve the immunity system, both for humans and for animals. For ruminants, there are many positive effects that can contribute positively to animal productivity. Thirty two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/day of whole milk. The animals were blocked according to their birth weight, birth date and sex, distributed in two treatments: 1) Control and 2) Daily supplementation of 4mL / day of red propolis alcoholic extract (30%) in milk. Food consumption, fecal score and health score of bronchopneumonia were monitored daily, and the weight of the calves were measured every week. Samples of blood were collected weekly, two hours after morning milk feeding, for hemogram and hematocrit determination. Determination of blood glucose, protein, &beta;-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, urea and iron binding capacity have also been done to evaluate effects on metabolism and oxidative stress. Starter feed intake, daily weight gain and body measurements were not affected by the red propolis supplementation (P>0.05). Blood parameters were also not affected (P>0.05), exception made for the red blood count, which were lower in animals supplemented with ethanolic red propolis extract (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were significantly affected by the treatment (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were inferior in animals supplemented with red propolis extract. Propolis has a big potential as a natural alternative to improve calves health, reducing the incidence of diarrhea and as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

A própolis é um produto natural elaborado pelas abelhas e vendido comercialmente, muito conhecida pela sua capacidade antimicrobiana, antioxidante e anti-inflamatória. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a influência da própolis vermelha no desempenho, metabolismo e ocorrência de doenças em bezerros leiteiros suplementados diariamente. Foram utilizados 32 bezerros recém-nascidos colostrados e alojados individualmente com acesso a água e concentrado inicial. Os animais foram colocados em blocos de acordo com o peso ao nascer, data de nascimento e sexo, distribuídos em dois tratamentos: 1) Controle e 2) Suplementação diária de 4mL/dia de extrato alcoólico de própolis (30%) no leite integral. O consumo de alimentos e o escore de saúde e fecal foram monitorados diariamente, já as pesagens foram realizadas semanalmente. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas semanalmente, duas horas após o aleitamento da manhã, para realização de hemograma, determinação de hematócrito e das concentrações de glicose, proteína total, &beta;-hidroxibutirato, lactato, ureia, além da capacidade de ligação de ferro. O tratamento não apresentou efeito para os dados de consumo, ganho de peso e desempenho (P>0,05). No entanto, os animais suplementados com própolis vermelha apresentaram significante redução no escore fecal e no número de dias com diarreia (P<0,05). Para os parâmetros sanguíneos, apenas a contagem de eritrócitos totais sofreu efeito do tratamento, apresentando redução em sua concentração nos animais suplementados (P<0,05). O extrato de própolis vermelha brasileira tem grande potencial como alternativa natural para diminuir a incidência de diarreia em bezerros leiteiros, reduzindo a utilização de antibióticos nos sistemas de criação de bezerras. / This study aimed to characterize the influence of propolis or bee glue in the performance, metabolism and diseases of dairy calves. Propolis is a natural product collect by bees and sold commercially, well know for its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects and the ability to improve the immunity system, both for humans and for animals. For ruminants, there are many positive effects that can contribute positively to animal productivity. Thirty two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/day of whole milk. The animals were blocked according to their birth weight, birth date and sex, distributed in two treatments: 1) Control and 2) Daily supplementation of 4mL / day of red propolis alcoholic extract (30%) in milk. Food consumption, fecal score and health score of bronchopneumonia were monitored daily, and the weight of the calves were measured every week. Samples of blood were collected weekly, two hours after morning milk feeding, for hemogram and hematocrit determination. Determination of blood glucose, protein, &beta;-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, urea and iron binding capacity have also been done to evaluate effects on metabolism and oxidative stress. Starter feed intake, daily weight gain and body measurements were not affected by the red propolis supplementation (P>0.05). Blood parameters were also not affected (P>0.05), exception made for the red blood count, which were lower in animals supplemented with ethanolic red propolis extract (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were significantly affected by the treatment (P<0.05). Fecal score and days with diarrhea were inferior in animals supplemented with red propolis extract. Propolis has a big potential as a natural alternative to improve calves health, reducing the incidence of diarrhea and as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

Orientador: Alessandro Francisco Talamini do Amarante / Resumo: A bovinocultura brasileira possui destaque no cenário mundial, sendo o Brasil um dos maiores produtores de carne. No entanto, o parasitismo por nematódeos gastrointestinais gera prejuízos na produção destes animais, devido a ação dos parasitas, gastos com medicamentos e manejo dos animais. Este estudo teve por objetivo de avaliar fatores relacionados ao uso de antihelmínticos em bovinos das raças Nelore, Simental e de cruzamento ½ Nelore x ½ Simental, quantificando o ganho em peso, de bovinos naturalmente parasitados, após a administração de anti-helmíntico ivermectina, sulfóxido de albendazol e sem tratamento. Foram avaliados bezerros e bezerras de três a cinco meses de idade, em quatro fazendas. Dividiu-se os bovinos em três grupos sendo: G1- tratados a cada 28 dias com ivermectina, G2 - tratados a cada 28 dias com sulfóxido de albendazol e G3 - grupo controle, sem tratamento. A cada 28 dias realizou-se pesagens e coleta de fezes para exames coproparasitológicos. Conclui-se que bovinos não tratados com anti-helmínticos apresentaram desempenho corporal inferior aos animais com tratamento antihelmíntico a base de ivermectina e sulfóxido de albendazol, independente da raça. Porém, as perdas ocasionadas devido ao parasitismo por nematódeos gastrintestinais variam de propriedade para propriedade. / Abstract: Brazilian cattle breeding stands out in the world scenario, with Brazil being one of the largest meat producers. However, parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes generates germplasm in the production of these animals, due to an action of the parasites, drug spending and animal management. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors related to the use of anthelmintics in bovines of the Nelore, Simmental and ½ Nelore x ½ Simental crossbreed, quantifying the gain in weight of naturally parasitized bovines after the administration of anthelmintic ivermectin, albendazole sulfoxide and untreated. Calves and heifers were oriented from three to five months of age on four farms. The cattle were divided into three groups: G1 - treated every 28 days with ivermectin, G2 - treated every 28 days with albendazole sulfoxide and G3 - control group, without treatment. Every 28 days we performed weighing and stool collection for coproparasitological exams. It was concluded that bovine animals not treated with anthelmintics presented lower body performance than animals with antihelminthic treatment, an ivermectin base and albendazole sulfoxide, regardless of race. However, losses caused due to parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes vary from property to property. / Doutor

There has been little research conducted on the physiological response of calves to temperatures outside thermal neutrality and its effects on intake and weight gain. The effects of ambient temperature on Holstein dairy calves intakes and weight gain were evaluated over a 12-month period. Ambient temperature was monitored using a weather station located 1.3 kilometers from the Utah State University Caine Dairy. Calf health was monitored daily using the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine scoring criteria. Calves were fed whole milk and free choice calf starter. Weight gain, hip height, starter intake, and weather data (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, precipitation, and barometric pressure) were averaged for 7-day intervals beginning at birth through 13 weeks of age. A regression model was developed including starter intake, milk intake, hip and wither height, calf heath scores, and weather data with weight gain as the dependent variable for each of the 4 seasons of the year. The fall season (September, October, and November) had a negative impact on calf intake and weight gain (averaging 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) less at 2 months) than other seasons. Calves raised in the winter months also ate significantly more starter, but had the same weight gain as other seasons. Environmental stress factors impact animal welfare and animal productivity, which in turn impacts the economics of the dairy operation and should also be used in determining husbandry practices.

Sugar (primarily sucrose) has been a part of the daily diet for literally hundreds of years, but research is now suggesting that sugar intake can be detrimental to our health. In particular, excessive consumption of simple sugars with high glycemic index (GI) values have been shown to cause overeating and weight gain. As well, elevated postprandial hyperglycemia can result after consuming sugars and this has been linked to disease formation and progression, the development of advanced glycation endproducts, inflammation and increased mortality rates. Honey has been recognised as having a number of beneficial health properties, including slower uptake into the bloodstream, a pharmacological action of reducing blood glucose levels and a high level of bioavailable antioxidants, all of which may mean that honey could be less harmful to health than sucrose in the diet. This study was therefore designed to investigate the health benefits of honey in the diet as a replacement for sucrose, using small animal studies. As well, because of the interest in using honey as a replacement for sucrose in sweetened dairy foods, a small number of in vitro investigations were carried out to determine whether honey could retain its bioactive properties when combined with milk/dairy products. Using the in vitro studies, it was shown that the combination of milk with honey had no effect on either the antibacterial or antioxidant capabilities of honey. During the animal feeding studies a number of significant findings were observed. In the earlier work it was shown that honey had a significant effect on protein metabolism when fed for 14 days at a level of 600 g/kg diet (comprising 480 g sugars and 120 g water) compared with animals fed an equivalent amount of sucrose. In this study, honey-fed rats exhibited significantly lower weight gains (p less than 0.001), food intake (p less than 0.05) and nitrogen intakes (p less than 0.05) and significantly higher faecal nitrogen outputs (p less than 0.05) compared with sucrose-fed rats. Animals fed a diet consisting of 480 g/kg of mixed sugars as in honey generally exhibited protein metabolism parameters that were comparable to those of the sucrose-fed rats, suggesting that the effects of honey on protein metabolism were not due solely to its distinctive sugar composition. Furthermore, in another study that specifically investigated the effects of honey on weight regulation, honey (100 g/kg diet) resulted in significantly reduced weight gain after 6 weeks (p less than 0.01) compared with animals fed the same amount of sugars as sucrose, although food intake was not reduced in this study. Percentage weight gains were shown to be comparable between honey-fed rats and those fed a sugar-free diet, suggesting that differences in glycemic control may be partly responsible for the results seen. Fasting lipid profiles and blood glucose levels were also measured in this study, but no significant differences were observed between diet groups. During long-term (12 months) feeding weight gain was again significantly reduced in rats fed honey (p less than 0.05) and a sugar-free diet (p less than 0.01) compared with those fed sucrose, the weights of honey-fed rats and those fed the sugar-free diet being comparable at the end of the study. In addition, blood glucose levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol levels significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in animals fed honey compared with those fed sucrose after 52 weeks, but no differences in these parameters were observed between rats fed sucrose and a sugar-free diet. No other significant differences in lipid profiles were observed. Immunity measures were improved after feeding honey or sucrose for 52 weeks, animals in both of these diet groups having significantly higher levels of neutrophil phagocytosis compared with those fed the sugar-free diet (both p less than 0.0001). In addition, the percentage of leukocytes that were lymphocytes was significantly higher in honey-fed rats at the end of the study. Furthermore, levels of oxidative damage in aortic collagen were significantly reduced in rats fed honey or the sugar-free diet (both p less than 0.05) compared with those fed sucrose after 52 weeks. Full body DEXA scans were also undertaken in this 12-month study to assess body fat levels and bone mineral composition and density, although they revealed few statistically significant differences. Percentage body fat levels were shown to be nearly 10% lower in honey-fed rats compared with sucrose-fed animals at the end of the study (p less than 0.05), but no other significant differences between diet groups were observed. With one exception, no differences in bone mineral composition or bone mineral density were observed between the three diet groups after 52 weeks. This data agreed with the results generated from two earlier studies that showed that feeding honey short-term (for 6-8 weeks) to rats that were either calcium-deficient or fed a low calcium diet had no effect on bone calcium levels, bone mineral content, bone mineral density or bone breaking parameters. Lastly, long-term feeding of honey to rats had a number of statistically significant effects on anxiety and cognitive performance when assessed using animal maze tasks. Anxiety-like behaviour was significantly reduced in honey-fed rats overall compared with those fed sucrose (p = 0.056) or a sugar free diet (p less than 0.05). Spatial memory was also better in honey fed-rats throughout the 12 month study, these animals not displaying the same degree of age-related spatial memory loss seen in the other two diet groups. No significant differences in recognition memory or learning capability were observed between diet groups after 52 weeks. In conclusion, both short-term and long-term feeding of honey result in a number of health benefits compared with eating similar amounts of sucrose. These include less weight gain, improved immunity, reduced levels of oxidative damage and improved cognitive performance.. These effects of honey are likely to occur through a number of different processes, although the presence of high concentrations of antioxidants and other minor components in honey are likely to be important contributors. Honey may therefore help to improve human heath if it is used as an alternative to sucrose in foods and beverages, although feeding studies in humans are required to assess its efficacy. In addition, more animal studies are needed to assess which features of honey (e.g. fructose content, antioxidant content and bioactivities) are required to achieve optimal effects, and to determine what impact heating and food processing may have on the beneficial health effects of honey.

Introduction: Using an animal model, we examined weight gain in rats exposed to olanzapine, as well as whether increased weight was associated with food intake, visceral fat and/or locomotion. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically treated with olanzapine while being offered diets including standard chow, a high fat (60% fat) diet, and a high fat/high carbohydrate (42% fat; 42.7% carbohydrate) diet. Body weight, food intake, visceral fat and locomotor activity were measured. Results: Our findings related to weight gain are in line with other reports indicating that while olanzapine-induced weight gain can be observed, it does not mirror what is observed in humans on two levels: (i) it is not of the same magnitude, and (ii) it is more gender specific i.e., females greater than males. Conclusions: These data confirm that chronic treatment with olanzapine has varying effects on weight gain, food intake, visceral fat and locomotor activity.

Introduction: Using an animal model, we examined weight gain in rats exposed to olanzapine, as well as whether increased weight was associated with food intake, visceral fat and/or locomotion. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically treated with olanzapine while being offered diets including standard chow, a high fat (60% fat) diet, and a high fat/high carbohydrate (42% fat; 42.7% carbohydrate) diet. Body weight, food intake, visceral fat and locomotor activity were measured. Results: Our findings related to weight gain are in line with other reports indicating that while olanzapine-induced weight gain can be observed, it does not mirror what is observed in humans on two levels: (i) it is not of the same magnitude, and (ii) it is more gender specific i.e., females greater than males. Conclusions: These data confirm that chronic treatment with olanzapine has varying effects on weight gain, food intake, visceral fat and locomotor activity.

This thesis presents qualitative exploratory research findings on the phenomenon of feederism. Feederism, also referred to as "erotic weight gain," involves people who are sexually aroused by gaining weight (called "feedees" or "gainers") or encouraging others to gain weight (called "feeders" or "encouragers"). Sometimes feederism is practiced within relationships and sometimes it is practiced alone. Respondents emphasize the importance that fantasy plays within feederism. The experiences and understandings of 30 respondents are considered in an attempt to examine how those who are interested in feederism might be stigmatized and how they may cope with having this stigma.

This thesis presents qualitative exploratory research findings on the phenomenon of feederism. Feederism, also referred to as "erotic weight gain," involves people who are sexually aroused by gaining weight (called "feedees" or "gainers") or encouraging others to gain weight (called "feeders" or "encouragers"). Sometimes feederism is practiced within relationships and sometimes it is practiced alone. Respondents emphasize the importance that fantasy plays within feederism. The experiences and understandings of 30 respondents are considered in an attempt to examine how those who are interested in feederism might be stigmatized and how they may cope with having this stigma.