The effect of maternal dietary fats on growth rate and bone development of commercial broilers was examined. Three hundred fifty female chicks were winged banded, weighed and equally divided among six starter pens (1.52 X 3.66m) with litter floors. At 20 wk of age, each pen was fed a basal laying diet supplemented with either 3% chicken fat (CF), soybean oil (SBO) or menhaden oil (MO). Each diet was provided with or without the antioxidant ethoxyquin, producing a total of six dietary treatments. Addition of fats [soybean (SBO), menhaden oil (MO), chicken fat (CF), soybean + antioxidant (SA), menhaden + antioxidant (MA), and chicken + antioxidant (CA)] to the maternal diet altered the tissue and yolk composition of hens to reflect the dietary source. Response variables measured were body weight, tibia weight and length, and breaking strength (stress, force, energy, bone wall, and diameter). Chick tissue from hens fed a MO and MA diet exhibited greater (P<0.01) amounts of DPA (22:5n3), DHA (22:6n3) and total n-3 fatty acids than the remaining dietary treatments. Tissues from chicks fed a SBO and SA diet displayed larger levels of 18:2n6 and total n-6 fatty acids when compared to all other treatments. Male and female chicks from the menhaden type diets (MO and MA) were lighter (P<0.01) during grow out period than from soybean (SBO and SA) and chicken (CF and CA) type diets. Chicks tibiae diameter from CF maternal diet tended to be larger than the MO maternal diet, with significance being noted at d 14 (P<0.01) and 28 (P<0.01). Increases were observed in shear force and stress required to break chick tibia from SBO maternal diet compared to those from the CF and MO maternal diets. The SBO maternal diet stimulates growth rate and bone development and strength of the progeny. (Key words: chickens, bone development, breaking strength, growth rate, fatty acids) / Master of Science

The effect of maternal dietary fats on growth rate and bone development of commercial broilers was examined. Addition of fats [soybean oil (SBO), menhaden oil (MO) and chicken fat (CF)] to the maternal diet altered the tissue and yolk composition of the hens to reflect the dietary fat source. Day-old chick tissues from hens fed MO diet exhibited greater (P ≤0.01) amounts of EPA (20:5n3), DPA (22:5n3), DHA (22:6n3) and total ω-3 fatty acids, and significantly (P ≤0.01) less 20:4n6 than those from hens fed SBO and CF diets. Tissues of day-old chicks from SBO fed hens had larger amounts of 18:2n6, 18:3n3 and total w-6 fatty acids compared to those from CF and MO maternal diets (P ≤ 0.01). These differences disappeared at 4 (WOA) weeks of age. Male and female chicks from the MO maternal diet were lighter (P ≤0.01) during the grow out period than those from CF and SBO diets. Chick tibiae width and diameter from the SBO maternal diet tended to be larger than the MO maternal diet, with significance being noted at d 14 (P ≤ 0.01) and 28 (P ≤ 0.01). Increases (P ≤ 0.01) were observed in shear force and stress required to break chick tibiae from the SBO maternal diet compared to those from the CF and MO maternal diets. The SBO maternal diet stimulates growth rate and bone development and strength of the progeny. / Master of Science

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica na cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal em ratos gastrectomizados. Material e Métodos: Foram operados 40 ratos Wistar, adultos machos, com peso entre 322g e 506g. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. No grupo A (controle), 20 ratos foram submetidos à gastrectomia total. No grupo B, 20 ratos foram igualmente gastrectomizados e receberam tratamento pósoperatório com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica por 90 minutos/dia durante sete dias. Todos os ratos foram sacrificados no oitavo dia de pós-operatório e avaliados de acordo com as seguintes variáveis em estudo:a) presença ou não de fístula anastomótica; b) avaliação da cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal através da medida da força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura segundo Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose, pelos critérios de Kovács. Para análise estatística comparativa entre os grupos foi utilizado o teste t de Student, considerando-se como significativo p <0,05. Resultados: Houve 20% de óbitos na amostra, sendo cerca de 60% no grupo A e os 40% restantes no grupo B (p=N.S.) . Ocorreu apenas uma fístula anastomótica em cada grupo, sendo que em ambos não houve morbidade relacionada ou óbito. As medidas de força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura entre os grupos (p=0,528) e a determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose esôfagojejunal (p=0,89) não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa nos dois grupos. Conclusões: Utilizando parâmetros clínicos, mecânicos e bioquímicos para avaliar a anastomose esôfagojejunal, concluímos que no presente estudo a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica não interferiu no processo de cicatrização desta anastomose. / Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the healing of the esophagojejunal anastomosis in gastrectomized rats. Material and Methods: 40 Wistar rats male adults with weighing between 322g to 506g were operated. The animals were divided in two ramdom groups.20 rats from group A (control group), were submitted to total gastrectomy. In group B, 20 rats were equally gastrectomized and received postoperative treatment with hyperbaric oxygen for 90 minutes/day during seven days. All rats were sacrificed on the eighth postoperative day and evaluated according to the following study variables :a) whether there were any anastomotic fistula or not; b) evaluating esophagojejunal anastomosis healing by measuring breaking strength at the suture line as per Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determining of the collagen concentration on the anastomosis, as per Kovács criteria. For the comparative statistical analyses between the groups, Student’s “t” test was used, whereas p<0,05 was significant. Results: There was a 20% rate of deceasing in the sample, whereas 60% occurred in group A and 40% in group B (p=N.S.). There was only one anastomotic fistula in each group, and in neither one occurred any morbidity or deaths related. Breaking strength measured at the suture line (p=0,528) and collagen concentration determined at the esophagojejunal anastomosis (p=0,89) did not present any significant statistical difference in either group. Conclusions: By using clinical, mechanical and biochemical parameters to evaluate the esophagojejunal anastomosis, it was possible to conclude that, in this study, hyperbaric oxygen therapy did not interfere with the healing process of the anastomosis.

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica na cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal em ratos gastrectomizados. Material e Métodos: Foram operados 40 ratos Wistar, adultos machos, com peso entre 322g e 506g. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. No grupo A (controle), 20 ratos foram submetidos à gastrectomia total. No grupo B, 20 ratos foram igualmente gastrectomizados e receberam tratamento pósoperatório com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica por 90 minutos/dia durante sete dias. Todos os ratos foram sacrificados no oitavo dia de pós-operatório e avaliados de acordo com as seguintes variáveis em estudo:a) presença ou não de fístula anastomótica; b) avaliação da cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal através da medida da força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura segundo Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose, pelos critérios de Kovács. Para análise estatística comparativa entre os grupos foi utilizado o teste t de Student, considerando-se como significativo p <0,05. Resultados: Houve 20% de óbitos na amostra, sendo cerca de 60% no grupo A e os 40% restantes no grupo B (p=N.S.) . Ocorreu apenas uma fístula anastomótica em cada grupo, sendo que em ambos não houve morbidade relacionada ou óbito. As medidas de força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura entre os grupos (p=0,528) e a determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose esôfagojejunal (p=0,89) não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa nos dois grupos. Conclusões: Utilizando parâmetros clínicos, mecânicos e bioquímicos para avaliar a anastomose esôfagojejunal, concluímos que no presente estudo a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica não interferiu no processo de cicatrização desta anastomose. / Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the healing of the esophagojejunal anastomosis in gastrectomized rats. Material and Methods: 40 Wistar rats male adults with weighing between 322g to 506g were operated. The animals were divided in two ramdom groups.20 rats from group A (control group), were submitted to total gastrectomy. In group B, 20 rats were equally gastrectomized and received postoperative treatment with hyperbaric oxygen for 90 minutes/day during seven days. All rats were sacrificed on the eighth postoperative day and evaluated according to the following study variables :a) whether there were any anastomotic fistula or not; b) evaluating esophagojejunal anastomosis healing by measuring breaking strength at the suture line as per Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determining of the collagen concentration on the anastomosis, as per Kovács criteria. For the comparative statistical analyses between the groups, Student’s “t” test was used, whereas p<0,05 was significant. Results: There was a 20% rate of deceasing in the sample, whereas 60% occurred in group A and 40% in group B (p=N.S.). There was only one anastomotic fistula in each group, and in neither one occurred any morbidity or deaths related. Breaking strength measured at the suture line (p=0,528) and collagen concentration determined at the esophagojejunal anastomosis (p=0,89) did not present any significant statistical difference in either group. Conclusions: By using clinical, mechanical and biochemical parameters to evaluate the esophagojejunal anastomosis, it was possible to conclude that, in this study, hyperbaric oxygen therapy did not interfere with the healing process of the anastomosis.

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica na cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal em ratos gastrectomizados. Material e Métodos: Foram operados 40 ratos Wistar, adultos machos, com peso entre 322g e 506g. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. No grupo A (controle), 20 ratos foram submetidos à gastrectomia total. No grupo B, 20 ratos foram igualmente gastrectomizados e receberam tratamento pósoperatório com oxigenoterapia hiperbárica por 90 minutos/dia durante sete dias. Todos os ratos foram sacrificados no oitavo dia de pós-operatório e avaliados de acordo com as seguintes variáveis em estudo:a) presença ou não de fístula anastomótica; b) avaliação da cicatrização da anastomose esôfagojejunal através da medida da força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura segundo Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose, pelos critérios de Kovács. Para análise estatística comparativa entre os grupos foi utilizado o teste t de Student, considerando-se como significativo p <0,05. Resultados: Houve 20% de óbitos na amostra, sendo cerca de 60% no grupo A e os 40% restantes no grupo B (p=N.S.) . Ocorreu apenas uma fístula anastomótica em cada grupo, sendo que em ambos não houve morbidade relacionada ou óbito. As medidas de força de ruptura à tração na linha da sutura entre os grupos (p=0,528) e a determinação da concentração de colágeno na anastomose esôfagojejunal (p=0,89) não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa nos dois grupos. Conclusões: Utilizando parâmetros clínicos, mecânicos e bioquímicos para avaliar a anastomose esôfagojejunal, concluímos que no presente estudo a oxigenoterapia hiperbárica não interferiu no processo de cicatrização desta anastomose. / Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the healing of the esophagojejunal anastomosis in gastrectomized rats. Material and Methods: 40 Wistar rats male adults with weighing between 322g to 506g were operated. The animals were divided in two ramdom groups.20 rats from group A (control group), were submitted to total gastrectomy. In group B, 20 rats were equally gastrectomized and received postoperative treatment with hyperbaric oxygen for 90 minutes/day during seven days. All rats were sacrificed on the eighth postoperative day and evaluated according to the following study variables :a) whether there were any anastomotic fistula or not; b) evaluating esophagojejunal anastomosis healing by measuring breaking strength at the suture line as per Hendriks & Mastboom; c) determining of the collagen concentration on the anastomosis, as per Kovács criteria. For the comparative statistical analyses between the groups, Student’s “t” test was used, whereas p<0,05 was significant. Results: There was a 20% rate of deceasing in the sample, whereas 60% occurred in group A and 40% in group B (p=N.S.). There was only one anastomotic fistula in each group, and in neither one occurred any morbidity or deaths related. Breaking strength measured at the suture line (p=0,528) and collagen concentration determined at the esophagojejunal anastomosis (p=0,89) did not present any significant statistical difference in either group. Conclusions: By using clinical, mechanical and biochemical parameters to evaluate the esophagojejunal anastomosis, it was possible to conclude that, in this study, hyperbaric oxygen therapy did not interfere with the healing process of the anastomosis.

These 4 chapters represent manuscripts formatted for submission to journals based on an experiment conducted on Ring-necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). Calcium limits the distribution of this species, which produces 7-15 eggs per clutch. They may renest up to 5 times per breeding season on a diet low in calcium. The first chapter examines egg production in laying hens on 7 different diets from 0.19-4.47% calcium in the absence of calcium loading. Calcium-loaded pheasants store calcium in medullary bone before an experiment and can draw on this surplus during egg production, possibly skewing experimental results. We measured egg production, egg characteristics, and hen femur ash fraction in a 2-month experiment. Hens in the middle 5 dietary calcium (1.07-3.08%) groups statistically produced the same number of eggs, which differed from reported studies where hens were calcium-loaded. Ash fraction values indicated that hens expended medullary bone reserves to produce eggs when dietary input was low. In Chapter 2, we examined bone properties in the above femurs to determine if pheasant hens on low calcium diets expended enough medullary bone stores to compromise skeletal integrity. We applied a 3-point bending test to find femur breaking strength and examined structural bone properties. Calcium and breaking strength were linearly associated. Femurs of hens given lower calcium diets were easier to break. Structural properties of cortical bone were not correlated with dietary calcium. Pheasants on low calcium, comparable to wild conditions, seemed to sacrifice skeletal integrity to maintain high egg production, although not enough to damage cortical bone. In Chapter 3 we examined 437 eggs laid to determine if egg color correlated with dietary calcium, egg mass, volume or shell thickness. Yellow pigment decreased with increasing calcium. Biliverdin had a higher affinity for calcium than protoporphyrin. In Chapter 4, we examined male pheasants to determine if reduced surface area on one wing (clipped) induced unbalanced pectoralis muscle development and humerous density on the corresponding side after wing-whirring for 2 months. We weighed pectoralis muscles and conducted 3-point bending tests on humeri of 7 pheasant males. We found no difference in pectoralis muscles mass, humeri breaking strength or ash fraction between clipped and unclipped wings. Wing-whirring may only put a negligible strain on male Ring-necked Pheasant pectoralis muscles and humeri.