Free radicals are short-lived molecules that can cause decreased embryonic development in vitro. Antioxidants are molecules that block free radical formation or guard against their harmful effects. Many studies have linked exposure of media to light and culturing of embryos in high (20%) oxygen concentrations to free radical production. Some of the antioxidants used in culture media are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, zinc (II), ethylenedinitrilo tetraacetic acid (EDTA), mannitol, vitamin E, dimethyl sulfide, and taurine. Most research involving antioxidants and embryonic development has been conducted on non-farm animals, particularly mouse and rabbit. Studies have shown that antioxidants in vitro culture improved embryo development to the blastocyst stage. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SOD and catalase on bovine embryo development. Four concentrations of SOD (0, 1500, 3000, 6000 IU/ml) and catalase (0, 75, 100, 125 μg/ml) and combinations of the two antioxidants were evaluated through maturation, fertilization, and culture. SOD and catalase were first reconstituted in water and then diluted to their final concentrations. Oocytes were matured in M-199 plus 0.5 μg/ml LH, 5 μg/ml FSH, and 10% FBS at 39°C in 5% CO2 for 24 hours. They were then placed in fertilization-TALP with heparin and 1 x 106/ml sperm. Embryos were cultured in CR2 medium supplemented with alanine, glycine, and 3 mg/ml of fatty-acid free bovine serum albumin in modular incubators with 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. Embryo development was evaluated on day 8. Three replicates with approximately 50 embryos per treatment were used to evaluate the effects of SOD and catalase. The control had better embryo development than all treatments. The treatment that was most similar to the control was treatment 2, which consisted of no SOD and 75 μg/ml catalase. Based on these observations, levels of both SOD and catalase were lowered to 0, 100, 250, and 500 IU/ml and 0, 10, 25, and 50 μg/ml, respectively. Although these levels appeared to improve embryo development, there were no statistical differences. Based on the culture system and media currently used along with the precautions against light and oxygen concentration, we did not find any beneficial effects of supplementing medium with SOD or catalase.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das vibrações mecânicas decorrentes do transporte sobre a qualidade de ovos fertilizados e sobre o nascimento e a qualidade de pintos de corte. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases desenvolvidas em um incubatório comercial em Mogi-Mirim/SP. Na primeira, 1920 ovos fertilizados de matrizes da linhagem Cobb-500 (31 a 34 semanas) foram expostos a simulações dos movimentos vibratórios, produzidos por um agitador mecânico desenvolvido para este fim. Na segunda fase, esses ovos foram incubados até o nascimento das aves. Avaliaram-se os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de vibração e tempos de exposição sobre as respostas de interesse. A intensidade foi definida por duas faixas de vibração simuladas pelo agitador (faixa inferior; RSS de 2,5 m.s-2 e faixa superior; RSS de 7,5 m.s-2), as quais foram associadas a dois tempos de exposição, um mínimo e um máximo (60 e 180 minutos, respectivamente). Foi adotado um delineamento aleatorizado em blocos com tratamentos em esquema fatorial mais um controle (2 x 2 + 1). A qualidade dos ovos fertilizados foi mensurada a partir da perda de peso e de medidas tomadas na gema e no albúmen (altura, diâmetro e índices, e unidade Haugh). Pela análise de variância foi possível observar efeitos dos fatores experimentais na qualidade dos ovos fertilizados, principalmente nas medidas tomadas no albúmen. Os resultados indicaram que os ovos quando expostos às vibrações, em faixas mais intensas e/ou por mais tempo, apresentam seu albúmen liquefeito, o que é um sinal de perda de qualidade. Esses resultados foram comprovados pela redução no índice de albúmen e na unidade Haugh, quando realizados os testes t e de Tukey a 5% de significância. Após o nascimento das aves foi avaliada a taxa de eclodibilidade, a caracterização da mortalidade e a qualidade dos pintos de corte (peso absoluto e classificação). Por meio da regressão logística, observou-se que a exposição dos ovos fertilizados às vibrações pode afetar negativamente a taxa de eclodibilidade e a proporção de pintos classificados em primeira linha. Essas respostas foram menores pelo teste de Wald a 5% de significância no tratamento formado pela faixa de vibração superior aplicada por mais tempo. Os piores resultados no nascimento refletiram diretamente em um aumento nas perdas totais devido à exposição dos ovos aos movimentos vibratórios, com a significância de efeito comprovada principalmente pela a faixa de vibração. Além disso, pela análise de variância foi observada uma pequena redução do peso das aves nascidas de ovos vibrados, quando feita a comparação de médias pelo teste t com o controle. Por fim, acredita-se que o comprometimento da qualidade do albúmen tenha gerado piores resultados no nascimento e na qualidade dos pintos de corte. Dessa forma, é possível concluir que a exposição às vibrações pode comprometer a incubação e gerar prejuízos de grandes dimensões para os incubatórios, caso ocorram em condições semelhantes às simuladas nesta pesquisa. / The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of mechanical vibrations during birth, and on the quality of fertile eggs and broiler chicks due to transportation. The experiment was divided in two phases developed in a commercial incubator in Mogi-Mirim, São Paulo. In the first phase, 1920 fertile eggs from Cobb-500 matrix (31 to 34 weeks) were used. These eggs were exposed to vibrations in a mechanical simulator. In the second phase, the eggs were incubated until the moment of birth. The effects of different vibration intensities and time exposition upon different feed backs were assessed. The intensity was defined by two vibration levels simulated by a mechanical agitator (inferior level; RSS - 2.5 m.s-2; superior level; RSS - 7.5 m.s-2), in which were associated to two different exposition periods of time (minimum, 60 minutes; and maximum, 180 minutes, respectively). A modeling in blocks with treatments in a factorial treatment and a control (2 x 2 +1) was chosen randomly. The quality of fertile eggs was evaluated considering the weight loss and measurements taken in the egg yolk and in the albumen (height, diameter, indexes, and Haugh unity). Using the analysis of variance, it was possible to observe the effects of experimental factors on the quality of fertile eggs, mainly, in the measurements found in the albumen. The results indicated that the eggs that were exposed to vibrations in very intense levels, and/or for more time, presented liquefied albumen, showing quality loss. These results were seen by the reduction in the albumen index as well as in the Haugh unity, found in the Tukey test submitted to the level of significance of 5%. After birth, the hatching tax, the mortality characterization, and the quality of broiler chicks (absolute weight and classification) were evaluated. Using the logistical regression, it was possible to observe that fertile eggs exposed to vibrations can affect negatively the hatching tax and the proportion of chicks classified in first line. These results were found smaller in the Wald test at significance of 5% in the treatment formed by the superior vibration level applied for a longer period of time. The worst results found in birth demonstrated an increase in total loss because of vibration exposition on the eggs with a significance effect proved, mainly, by the vibration level. Furthermore, through the analysis of variance, it was observed a small weight reduction of birds hatched from vibrated eggs. These results were observed when they were compared to the averages found in the control group and t test. Thus, if the albumen quality is compromised it is believed that it generates worst results in birth and in the quality of broiler chicks. Hence, it is possible to conclude that vibrations are capable of compromise incubation, resulting in huge financial loss for incubators, if similar conditions happen to be the way they were simulated on this study.

The Blue-winged Kookaburra is among the species of birds in which there is a sex dimorphism manifested in two characteristics. The first is the more pronounced coloration of the tail of the male; the second is the weight difference between the sexes. The female is about 70 - 100 grams heavier than the male. These differences do not occur earlier than after the first year of life. Although globally, there are 133 individuals of the Blue-winged Kookaburra (61 males, 58 females, 14 young) in human care in 45 institutions in 5 regions, it is successfully reproduced in only 9 institutions. Ostrava Zoo, as one of the three zoos and zoo parks in the world, keeps the Blue-winged Kookaburras in a group of eight, which is the optimal number of individuals forming a breeding cooperative group. In breeding seasons 2011 - 2016, Ostrava Zoo showed excellent results in breeding these Coraciiformes, with 15 successfully raised individuals. It therefore provided the data, together with Prague Zoo. This diploma thesis is a summary of own ethological observations at Ostrava Zoo and of a short observation at Prague Zoo. Summarizing the data from these two zoos, the thesis assesses weight differences of fertilized and unfertilized eggs, ontogenesis, growth rate and sex of the Blue-winged Kookaburras. On the basis of the growth and weight differences between the sexes, it deals with the sex determination of the young. It further describes social behaviour and vocalization within a breeding group with a predominance of females, evaluates general group relationships, and compares the results with a wild population

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos das vibrações mecânicas decorrentes do transporte sobre a qualidade de ovos fertilizados e sobre o nascimento e a qualidade de pintos de corte. O experimento foi dividido em duas fases desenvolvidas em um incubatório comercial em Mogi-Mirim/SP. Na primeira, 1920 ovos fertilizados de matrizes da linhagem Cobb-500 (31 a 34 semanas) foram expostos a simulações dos movimentos vibratórios, produzidos por um agitador mecânico desenvolvido para este fim. Na segunda fase, esses ovos foram incubados até o nascimento das aves. Avaliaram-se os efeitos de diferentes intensidades de vibração e tempos de exposição sobre as respostas de interesse. A intensidade foi definida por duas faixas de vibração simuladas pelo agitador (faixa inferior; RSS de 2,5 m.s-2 e faixa superior; RSS de 7,5 m.s-2), as quais foram associadas a dois tempos de exposição, um mínimo e um máximo (60 e 180 minutos, respectivamente). Foi adotado um delineamento aleatorizado em blocos com tratamentos em esquema fatorial mais um controle (2 x 2 + 1). A qualidade dos ovos fertilizados foi mensurada a partir da perda de peso e de medidas tomadas na gema e no albúmen (altura, diâmetro e índices, e unidade Haugh). Pela análise de variância foi possível observar efeitos dos fatores experimentais na qualidade dos ovos fertilizados, principalmente nas medidas tomadas no albúmen. Os resultados indicaram que os ovos quando expostos às vibrações, em faixas mais intensas e/ou por mais tempo, apresentam seu albúmen liquefeito, o que é um sinal de perda de qualidade. Esses resultados foram comprovados pela redução no índice de albúmen e na unidade Haugh, quando realizados os testes t e de Tukey a 5% de significância. Após o nascimento das aves foi avaliada a taxa de eclodibilidade, a caracterização da mortalidade e a qualidade dos pintos de corte (peso absoluto e classificação). Por meio da regressão logística, observou-se que a exposição dos ovos fertilizados às vibrações pode afetar negativamente a taxa de eclodibilidade e a proporção de pintos classificados em primeira linha. Essas respostas foram menores pelo teste de Wald a 5% de significância no tratamento formado pela faixa de vibração superior aplicada por mais tempo. Os piores resultados no nascimento refletiram diretamente em um aumento nas perdas totais devido à exposição dos ovos aos movimentos vibratórios, com a significância de efeito comprovada principalmente pela a faixa de vibração. Além disso, pela análise de variância foi observada uma pequena redução do peso das aves nascidas de ovos vibrados, quando feita a comparação de médias pelo teste t com o controle. Por fim, acredita-se que o comprometimento da qualidade do albúmen tenha gerado piores resultados no nascimento e na qualidade dos pintos de corte. Dessa forma, é possível concluir que a exposição às vibrações pode comprometer a incubação e gerar prejuízos de grandes dimensões para os incubatórios, caso ocorram em condições semelhantes às simuladas nesta pesquisa. / The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of mechanical vibrations during birth, and on the quality of fertile eggs and broiler chicks due to transportation. The experiment was divided in two phases developed in a commercial incubator in Mogi-Mirim, São Paulo. In the first phase, 1920 fertile eggs from Cobb-500 matrix (31 to 34 weeks) were used. These eggs were exposed to vibrations in a mechanical simulator. In the second phase, the eggs were incubated until the moment of birth. The effects of different vibration intensities and time exposition upon different feed backs were assessed. The intensity was defined by two vibration levels simulated by a mechanical agitator (inferior level; RSS - 2.5 m.s-2; superior level; RSS - 7.5 m.s-2), in which were associated to two different exposition periods of time (minimum, 60 minutes; and maximum, 180 minutes, respectively). A modeling in blocks with treatments in a factorial treatment and a control (2 x 2 +1) was chosen randomly. The quality of fertile eggs was evaluated considering the weight loss and measurements taken in the egg yolk and in the albumen (height, diameter, indexes, and Haugh unity). Using the analysis of variance, it was possible to observe the effects of experimental factors on the quality of fertile eggs, mainly, in the measurements found in the albumen. The results indicated that the eggs that were exposed to vibrations in very intense levels, and/or for more time, presented liquefied albumen, showing quality loss. These results were seen by the reduction in the albumen index as well as in the Haugh unity, found in the Tukey test submitted to the level of significance of 5%. After birth, the hatching tax, the mortality characterization, and the quality of broiler chicks (absolute weight and classification) were evaluated. Using the logistical regression, it was possible to observe that fertile eggs exposed to vibrations can affect negatively the hatching tax and the proportion of chicks classified in first line. These results were found smaller in the Wald test at significance of 5% in the treatment formed by the superior vibration level applied for a longer period of time. The worst results found in birth demonstrated an increase in total loss because of vibration exposition on the eggs with a significance effect proved, mainly, by the vibration level. Furthermore, through the analysis of variance, it was observed a small weight reduction of birds hatched from vibrated eggs. These results were observed when they were compared to the averages found in the control group and t test. Thus, if the albumen quality is compromised it is believed that it generates worst results in birth and in the quality of broiler chicks. Hence, it is possible to conclude that vibrations are capable of compromise incubation, resulting in huge financial loss for incubators, if similar conditions happen to be the way they were simulated on this study.